South Africa: Motshekga to outline plans for 2022 school year

Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga will today hold a media briefing on the opening of schools for the 2022 academic year.

Schools are set to reopen from Wednesday, 12 January.

The briefing is scheduled to take place from 10:00 at the Ronnie Mamoepa Press Room, Tshedimosetso House, in Tshwane.

Members of the media may view the briefing via live stream on the South African Government and Department of Basic Education social media channels.

Government is ready to receive millions of learners for the 2022 academic year, as learners across the country will report for the start of the new school year between 12 and 17 January.

Pupils in inland provinces are expected to return to school on Wednesday, while schools in coastal areas will only resume a week later.

The Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) said government is committed to every learner receiving the best possible education.

We call on families to assist learners by providing support systems. It is essential that we encourage learners and instil in them the importance of education, the GCIS said.

Government has called on everyone to play their part to ensure the safety of learners and educators in schools.

COVID-19 is still with us. Vaccination remains our best defence and we urge all learners aged 12 and older to vaccinate as soon as possible. Wearing of masks remains mandatory and all learners, teachers and other school staff must continue to do so. Together, we can make our schools safer for all, the GCIS said.  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2022-01-11. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
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By Azernews

By Vugar Khalilov

An Azerbaijani serviceman has been killed as a result of an Armenian provocation on the state border, the Defence Ministry reported on January 11.

The Azerbaijani army's long-term serviceman, soldier Ayaz Nazarov was martyred in another provocation committed by the Armenian armed forces in the direction of Kalbajar region of the Azerbaijani-Armenian state border at noon on January 11, the ministry said.

It added that as a result of relevant measures taken by the Azerbaijan army units, the opposing side was suppressed.

The Armenian military-political leadership bears full responsibility for the occurred tension, the report underlined.

The Defence Ministry leadership conveyed condolences to the martyr's family and relatives.

The worst escalation of tension was registered on the Azerbaijani-Armenian state border on November 16, 2021. As a result, seven Azerbaijani servicemen were killed and 10 were wounded during military operations in Kalbajar and Lachin on the state border.

The trilateral ceasefire deal signed by the Azerbaijani, Russian and Armenian leaders on November 10, 2020, ended the three-decade conflict over Azerbaijans Karabakh region which along with the seven adjacent regions came under the occupation of Armenian armed forces in the war in the early 1990s.

On January 11, 2021, the Azerbaijani, Russian and Armenian leaders signed the second statement since the end of the 44-day war. The newly-signed statement was set to implement clause 9 of the November 2020 statement related to the unblocking of all economic and transport communications in the region.

On November 26, 2021, the Azerbaijani, Russian and Armenian leaders signed a statement and agreed on a number of issues, including the demarcation and delimitation of the Azerbaijani-Armenian border by late 2021, some points related to humanitarian issues and the issue of unblocking of transport corridors which applies to the railway and to automobile communications.

On December 14, 2021, during the Brussels meeting, organized between Azerbaijani and Armenian leaders at the initiative of European Council President Charles Michel, the sides reaffirmed their commitment to the conditions agreed in the Sochi meeting.

Both sides agreed to establish a temporary working group on the delimitation of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border.

The issue of demining the liberated territories of Azerbaijan was also brought up on the agenda, and the European Union's readiness to provide technical assistance to Azerbaijan in this regard was underlined at the meeting.
Siblings wait to receive the COVID-19 vaccine at Clalit Health Services in Mevaseret Zion, Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022. Credit: AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett on Tuesday tried to calm Israelis anxious about the rapid spread of the omicron variant, insisting the government is managing the crisis better than most and ruling out a national shutdown.

Bennett said during an evening press conference that Israel was weathering an "unstoppable storm" of infection by protecting the most vulnerable people and keeping the economy open. He also called on people to take personal responsibility for protecting themselves, their children and older relatives.

More than 400,000 vulnerable Israelismostly people over 60have gotten a fourth coronavirus vaccination and hospitals are prepared for an influx of severe illness. Bennett argued that these steps are evidence the situation is under control.

"There's no place for panic. There's no place for hysteria. We will get through this together," Bennett said, adding that the government is handling a once-in-a-lifetime crisis "in the right and responsible way."

He spoke after a poll for Israel's Channel 12 showed nearly two-thirds of Israelis viewed the government's handling of the crisis poorly.

Bennett has warned that between 2 million and 4 million people among Israel's population of 9.4 million people are expected to be infected by the variant.

Esther Pamensky, a volunteer with the women's unit of United Hatzalah emergency service, administers a fourth dose of the COVID-19 vaccine to a woman at Clalit Health Services in Mevaseret Zion, Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022. Credit: AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo

On Tuesday, he said the government's focus is on keeping seniors safe through vaccines and reserving newly developed drugs for them.

With massive lines clogging testing centers, he also urged people to avoid taking PCR tests unless they absolutely have to, so they can use them for the elderly. Instead, he recommended that people try to use home antigen tests, which are seen as less accurate but ease the burden on testing centers.

In Israel as in other countries, the variant has shattered infection records but appears to cause less severe illness and deathespecially among vaccinated people.

Pandemic policy has shifted dramatically in recent months, causing public confusion over airport policy, testing, quarantines and whether and how to send kids to school.

Bennett acknowledged that Israel is in the midst of an unstoppable wave. He said there is no democratic country that can stop this.

Esther Pamensky, a volunteer with the women's unit of United Hatzalah emergency service, administers a fourth dose of the COVID-19 vaccine to a woman at Clalit Health Services in Mevaseret Zion, Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022. Credit: AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo

Esther Pamensky, a volunteer with the women's unit of United Hatzalah emergency service, prepares a fourth dose of the COVID-19 vaccine for a woman at Clalit Health Services in Mevaseret Zion, Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022. Credit: AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo

N'amah Yetzhak Abohaikal, a volunteer with the women's unit of United Hatzalah emergency service, prepares administer the COVID-19 vaccine to a teen girl as her brother and grandmother watch, at Clalit Health Services in Mevaseret Zion, Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022. Credit: AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo

"We are in a situation that happens once in an era, and we are managing it in the right and responsible way," he said, accusing his political opponents of trying to create "unjustified hysteria."

"The situation in Israel is managed better than almost all of the world," he added. "Look around."

 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
People wait in front of a pharmacy open on Sunday to get a COVID-19 test, in Paris, France, Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022. An unprecedented number of coronavirus infections is once again exposing the underfunding and shortcomings of public health care systems, even in developed parts of Europe. Credit: AP Photo/Francois Mori

There were more than 7 million new cases of the omicron variant of COVID-19 across Europe in the first week of January, more than doubling in just two weeks, the World Health Organization said.

WHO Europe director Dr. Hans Kluge said at a media briefing on Tuesday that 26 countries in its region reported that more than 1% of their populations are being infected with COVID-19 each week, warning there is now a "closing window of opportunity" for countries to prevent their health systems from being overwhelmed.

He cited estimates from the Institute of Health Metrics at the University of Washington that projected half of the population in Western Europe will be infected with COVID-19 in the next six to eight weeks.

"Omicron moves faster and wider than any (previous) variant we have seen," he said. Kluge called for countries to mandate the use of masks indoors and to prioritize vaccination, including booster doses, of at-risk populations, including health workers and older people. WHO's Geneva headquarters has previously pleaded with rich countries not to offer booster doses and to donate them instead to poorer countries where vulnerable groups have yet to be immunized.

Kluge said he was greatly concerned that as omicron moves east across the European continent, the variant will take a much higher toll on countries with lower vaccination coverage rates. In Denmark, he noted the coronavirus hospitalization rate was six times higher in people who weren't vaccinated compared to those who had been immunized.

A woman wears a face mask as she walks past telephone boxes in Uxbridge, London, Monday, Jan. 10, 2022. Credit: AP Photo/Frank Augstein

 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Disappointment, anger, sadness or passion can all be poured into a song. Credit: Shutterstock

With pandemic school closures in place in Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island until Jan. 17, and other provinces on watch, music could be important for maintaining the well-being of children and families.

Many are concerned about the effects of closures on student and family well-being. While scientists and government officials are busy developing strategies to defeat the Omicron variant, young childrenwhom UNICEF has cautioned could be a "lost generation"yet again find themselves asked to attend a virtual classroom from inside their homes.

Early childhood researchers, children's rights advocates, health experts and parents continue to point out that the psychological well-being of children seems to be getting lost in policy-making and public debate.

Listening to music at home or participating in musical activities might be an important way for parents and children to reduce stress, find ways to regulate their emotions and experience joy together.

Music and self-regulation

How can participation in musical activities be therapeutic? Experts argue that music is at the very center of what it means to be human. Stephen Malloch and Colwyn Trevarthen, who have respectively researched psychology, movement and music, and child psychology, argue music comes from how human bodies, from birth, explore their environment using habitual patterns of actiona kind of "communicative musicality."

On a physiological level, the connections between different brain areas are still developing in young children, yet these areas all become involved simultaneously when a child is performing a musical activity. This means that music might help sustain and regulate emotional well-being by engaging all these brain areas, and thus help to make sense of otherwise incomprehensible situations.

Good Morning America segment featuring a child who sings about hating COVID-19.

Express yourself

Even though we don't know now the extent to which children globally have been affected by isolation during the pandemic, many undoubtedly are processing stress and grief from missing daily routines.

Music allows children to safely express emotions that might otherwise manifest inpersistent nightmares, violence or trauma which may be correlated with mental health challenges, PTSD and substance abuse later in life. Psychiatrists note that an important part of recovery from trauma is being able to articulate one's feelings.

Given the opportunity to express themselves musically with instruments or simply in choosing songs, children may find venues to express emotions that are common responses to traumatic experiences, such as disappointment, anger, passion and sadness. These can all be poured into a song that has no need for linear narrative.

Instead, music can simultaneously be a compassionate witness and a medium capable of encapsulating and expressing what a child might experience while missing friends and routines. Adults can listen to how children may hum a favorite song or make up a new tune to give their feelings a voice.

Singing about pandemic and enforced safety measures might help children make sense of a scary situation. Psychologists suggest that sharing songs and singing games together as a family can strengthen relationship between children and their parents and ultimately bring a smile whether through simple fun or looking to music to put our current situation in a larger context across generations. Listening to relaxing music can also promote mental wellness.

Younger children

During lockdown, interaction with peers is constrained for most children, and even more so for younger ones who don't have access to social media and cannot reap the psychological benefits of digitally mediated communication with their friends.

Totally Fixed Where We Are, based on Total Eclipse of the Heart, adapted by the Marsh Family, February 2021.

Some research suggests that some caregivers have been turning to music while being isolated in COVID-19 shutdowns. For example, a study of caregivers of children aged between three and six years old in Brazil found that about 60 percent of caregivers were listening to music to relax or feel excited during social distancing.

But if this does not happen, how can caregivers benefit from music or facilitate children's engagement with music? They could start by simply sharing their favorite playlists with children or choosing music they think could support a positive mood. They can strategically help evoke positive emotions that may help families keep an optimistic outlook through our pandemic winter.

There is a great variety of ways in which both parents and children can engage with recorded music: dancing or tapping, singing along, making up another melodic line or even creating a funny parody.

Importance of connections

Finally, to restore the lost sense of belonging and community connection, which is crucial to maintaining psychological health, parents can encourage children's participation in virtual music groups.

This type of collective music-making has been found to promote self-expression, help manage emotions and bring a comforting sense of belonging. For children who have memories of attending school and activities before the pandemic, it can also help remind them of who they were before the pandemic.

Music can help children adapt to difficult situations by binding families together.

Most importantly, music can help revive the belief that everything will eventually be well, despite this seemingly never-ending series of lockdowns that many of us feel are damaging the spirits of adults and children alike.

Explore further Music supports the auditory skills of hearing-impaired children

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

More than 100,000 people have died in Poland from COVID since the start of the pandemic, the government said Monday, as the mortality rate in the country is among the highest in the world.

"It's another sad day but particularly so today because we have crossed the threshold of 100,000 deaths," Health Minister Adam Niedzielski told news channel TVN24.

Niedzielski said the most recent daily data showed 493 people had died, which would bring the total toll to 100,254 deaths, and pointed out there were 18,000 people currently in hospital.

According to a tally compiled by AFP with the latest available data, Poland has reported 14.31 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants over the last 14 daysthe sixth-highest level in the world after Trinidad and Tobago, Moldova, Georgia, Hungary and San Marino.

The level in neighbouring Germany is 4.31 in 26th place.

Only around 63 percent of Polish adults are fully vaccinated against COVID-19one of the lowest levels in the EU.

The government has encouraged Poles to get vaccinated but has been criticised by the opposition for not taking stronger action by for example introducing requirements for vaccine certificates.

The highest total of COVID-related deaths in the EU so far is in Italy at over 139,000, followed by France, Germany and Poland.

 2022 AFP
A woman walks by a closed store in a mall in Montreal, Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, as the COVID-19 pandemic continues in Canada. Some measures put in place by the Quebec government, including the closure of stores, go into effect today to help curb the spread of COVID-19 in the province. Credit: Graham Hughes /The Canadian Press via AP

The premier of the French-speaking Canadian province of Quebec announced Tuesday that adult residents who refuse to get vaccinated against the coronavirus will be charged a financial penalty.

Premier Francois Legault said not getting vaccinated leads to consequences for the health care system and not all Quebecers should pay for that.

He said the levy will apply only to people who do not qualify for medical exemptions. It is the first time a government in Canada has announced a financial penalty for people who refuse to be vaccinated in the pandemic.

Legault said the amount of the penalty hasn't been decided, but will be "significant." More details will be released at a later date.

He said about 10% of adults in Quebec are unvaccinated, but they represent about 50% of intensive care patients.

"Those who refuse to get their first doses in the coming weeks will have to pay a new health contribution," Legault said.

"The majority are asking that there be consequences. ... It's a question of fairness for the 90% of the population that have made some sacrifices. We owe them."

Quebec previously announced a 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew. Quebec liquor and cannabis stores will also require proof of vaccination to enter starting Jan. 18 and the government has warned that shopping malls and hair salons could soon require vaccine passports. Appointments for first doses jumped immediately after.

Quebec reported 62 more deaths related to COVID-19, the sometimes fatal illness that can be caused by the coronavirus. That raised the province's COVID-19 deaths to 12,028, the most in Canada.

Some European countries have started levying fees on their citizens who are not vaccinated.

In Greece, people older than 60 have until Sunday to get their first coronavirus shots or be fined 100 euros ($113) for every month they remain unvaccinated.

Austria's health minister announced last month the government plans to impose fines of up to 3,600 euros ($4,000) on people who flout a coronavirus vaccine mandate that it aims to introduce in February for all residents age 14 and over.

In Italy, residents 50 and older are required to be vaccinated, and beginning in mid-February those failing to do so will face fines as high as 1,600 euros ($1,800) if they enter their workplaces.

 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

Can schools handle the challenge of testing all students and staff for COVID-19?

It depends on which stakeholder you ask. A group of USC researchers conducted interviews in nine Los Angeles County school districts. The information was collected from focus groups via Zoom from December 2020 to January 2021, when the whole country was inundated with COVID cases, necessitating widespread school shutdowns.

Whether to close schools again, and for how long and under what circumstances, are issues raging once again as the nation deals with a new surge tied to the highly communicable omicron variant of the virus. The new USC study, published recently in Health Promotion Practice, could provide crucial guidance for school administrators and local governments trying to decide how much importance to place on testing of students.

"In-school COVID-19 testing could be a useful component of school reopening plans and will be accepted by stakeholders if logistical and financial barriers can be surmounted and stigma from positive results can be minimized," the authors concluded.

All constituencies interviewed by the researchers agreed that "frequent in-school COVID-19 testing could increase the actual safety and perceived safety of the school environment." But opinions diverged after that. School administrators expressed concern about the costs and logistics of implementing a testing program. Parents backed frequent testing but worried about the physical discomfort to children, and the stigma of a positive test. Teachers and parents agreed that testing would keep sick kids from coming to school. For their part, high school students favored testing because it would allow them to resume in-person education after a difficult period of online learning.

Cost remains a key issue, a year after the researchers performed their work. Several companies are cranking out at-home antigen tests that can provide a positive or negative result within minutes. But they are scarce: Stores sell out quickly when a new shipment arrives, and with demand skyrocketing, inexpensive tests bought at the pharmacy can be re-sold online at high markups. Also, some experts have questioned whether these rapid tests are sensitive enough to detect the omicron variant.

Many local governments are giving away testing kits through schools and libraries. Nationally, the dearth of testing kits could ease soon: The Biden administration is finalizing contracts to purchase 500 million kits and distribute them for free. California is beginning to ship testing kits to districts statewide. But school personnel are on their own to figure out how to set up and maintain a mass testing program.

The authors note that "closing schools has detrimental psychosocial, societal, and economic consequences for children and their families. Therefore, reopening schools safely is an important priority."

But testing is only one tool at the disposal of school administrators, the authors wrote.

"In addition to physical distancing measures, mask mandates, improved cleaning procedures, and keeping students in small groups, COVID-19 testing in schools could be a useful strategy to identify and isolate infected individuals quickly and restore feelings of safety in school."

Explore further British govt rushing tests to schools so classes can reopen

More information: Jennifer B. Unger et al, COVID-19 Testing in Schools: Perspectives of School Administrators, Teachers, Parents, and Students in Southern California, Health Promotion Practice (2021). Jennifer B. Unger et al, COVID-19 Testing in Schools: Perspectives of School Administrators, Teachers, Parents, and Students in Southern California,(2021). DOI: 10.1177/15248399211066076
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

In 2016, Colorado voters approved a new state law that provided medical aid in dying for terminally ill patients. This law authorizes a physician who is identified as the attending physician to prescribe a lethal dose of medications that results in death.

The experiences and perspectives of physicians who have provided medical aid in dying are not well known because the law keeps their identities confidential. As a result, these physicians are a "hidden population" who have not been comprehensively surveyed and studied to date.

In an article newly published online by the Journal of General Internal Medicine, researchers from the University of Colorado School of Medicine report the results of a survey designed to reach physicians most likely to care for patients seeking medical aid in dying.

Survey helps provide clarity for physicians

About 20% of the U.S. population live in states where providing medical aid in dying is legal, so understanding the experiences of physicians who provide medical aid in dying can help clarify the professional obligations, barriers, and ethical challenges.

The survey, which allowed physicians to remain anonymous, used the Colorado All Payer's Claims Database and other data sources to strategically send the survey to Colorado physicians treating terminally ill patients most like those who were prescribed aid-in-dying medication.

Between 2017 and 2020, a total 554 patients were prescribed aid-in-dying medication, according to data from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. The state also reports that 472 attending physician forms were submitted during that period. Because those names remain confidential by state law, researchers were unable to obtain a list of those physicians.

Additionally, the department itself is not authorized by state law to follow up with those physicians.

Led by Eric G. Campbell, Ph.D., professor of medicine and director of research for the CU Center for Bioethics and Humanities, the research team designed a survey process intended to reach physicians who fit the profile of those caring for these terminally ill patients. In total, they contacted 583 physicians and received 300 survey responses.

"Our goal was to provide unbiased, scientifically rigorous, empirical data to inform the ongoing debate on medical aid in dying," Campbell says. "As researchers, we have no personal or professional interests or intentions in either encouraging or discouraging the practice in Colorado or elsewhere."

The survey found that 81% of surveyed physicians were willing to discuss medical aid in dying with a patient and that 88% would make referrals for patients to receive medical aid in dying medications. Slightly less than half (46%) were willing to be the consultant in such cases and 28% said that would be willing to serve as an attending. State law requires in every case that there be independent consulting and attending physicians. In terms of cases, 27% had referred a patient, 13% had been a consultant, and 8.5% had been an attending.

"Taken together, these findings should be reassuring to policy makers, proponents, and patients seeking medical-aid-in-dying information and services in Colorado," Campbell says. "There are more physicians who are willing to provide medical aid in dying than there are those who actually did. Of course, these findings will likely be seen as distressing by those who oppose the practice of medical aid in dying on moral, religious, or political grounds."

The barriers and effect of medical aid in dying on physicians

The survey also explored the barriers reported by physicians related to participating in medical aid in dying. Overall, lack of knowledge was reported by 47% of respondents, and the emotional and time investment, 47% and 42% respectively. Additionally, 41% reported ethical concerns were a moderate or large barrier to their participation.

Hillary Lum, MD, Ph.D., associate professor of medicine in the Division of Geriatrics and study team member, explained, "Our findings call for more research to better understand the nature, extent, and consequences of the ethical challenges physicians face when providing medical aid in dying, and how these affect patients, their families, and society."

Finally, the study found the providing medical aid in dying had positive and negative effects on physicians. Three-quarters of respondents reported this service was emotionally fulfilling and professionally rewarding. However, large percentages reported feeling that providing medical aid in dying was time consuming and ethically challenging.

Matthew DeCamp, MD, Ph.D., associate professor of medicine and an ethicist on the research team, says, "Whether or not you support medical aid in dying, we need to understand the experiences of physicians who engage in the practice. Knowing those experiences can help inform the ongoing debate about aid in dying."
Injections of zika virus into mice with brain tumors destroyed the cancer without causing neurological damage or injuring other organs, and increased the animals' survival rate. Credit: Ferreira et all

In a study conducted at the University of Sao Paulo's Human Genome and Stem Cell Research Center (HUG-CELL) in Brazil, serial systemic injections of Zika virus into mice with brain tumors destroyed the cancer without causing neurological damage or injuring other organs, and increased the animals' survival rate.

The scientists also injected Zika into cerebral organoids, brain-like organs created in vitro using stem cells. The virus not only prevented progression of the tumors but actually reduced their size.

In both the mice and the organoids, cytokines (proteins that regulate the immune response) suppressed tumor growth after treatment, and defense cells migrated to the brain region affected by the tumor, alerting the immune system to its existence.

These results, reported in an article published in a special issue of the journal Viruses, confirm the efficacy and safety of treatment with Zika in both models, opening up prospects for the use of virotherapy to treat central nervous system tumors.

Some 11,000 new cases of brain cancer were registered in Brazil in 2020, of which about 5,200 were in women, according to the National Cancer Institute (INCA).

"One of the key points, confirming previous research, was recruitment of the immune system, which assured a good response to the treatment. Both viral action pathways are very important, enabling the virus to act on a larger number of tumors than we initially foresaw," said Mayana Zatz, a professor at the Institute of Biosciences (IB-USP) and principal investigator for HUG-CELL, a Research, Innovation and Dissemination Center (RIDC) funded by FAPESP.

Zatz is last author of the article, having led the project with co-authors Carolini Kaid, a researcher with a postdoctoral scholarship from FAPESP, and Oswaldo Keith Okamoto, also a professor at IB-USP.

Scientists at HUG-CELL had already shown that Zika virus can infect and destroy central nervous system tumor cells in a study involving mice published in 2018, and a study involving dogs published in 2020. They were the first to discover that Brazilian Zika can be an effective agent to treat aggressive forms of embryonal central nervous system tumors, including medulloblastoma. The therapies available for these tumors, which usually manifest in children, are rarely effective and have severe side effects, impairing the patient's quality of life.

This latest study confirms that the approach is safe and efficacious. "In any attempt at treatment, you need to know the dosage and administration route. In our study, three doses of systemic intraperitoneal injections of Zika at seven-day intervals produced promising results in the models," said Raiane Ferreira, first author of the article. Ferreira has a doctoral scholarship from FAPESP.

FAPESP also supported the research via a scholarship awarded to Rodolfo Sanches Ferreira.

An epidemic of Zika fever began in Brazil and affected other countries in the Americas from April 2015 to November 2016. Most of the cases occurred in Brazil, partly owing to the widespread presence of the mosquito Aedes aegypti, which transmits both Zika and dengue.

Although Zika is usually asymptomatic, research has shown a link between this disease and the development of neurological complications such as Guillain-Barre syndrome and meningitis in adults, and congenital malformations such as microcephaly in newborns.

A significant number of women infected by Zika had babies with congenital Zika syndrome, mostly in the Northeast region. According to the Brazilian Ministry of Health, 3,423 babies were born with the syndrome between 2015 and 2020.

Zatz collected genetic material on a visit to the Northeast when the group was starting their research. "Neural progenitor cells contribute to the formation of the brain and central nervous system. We collected samples from discordant twins, only one of whom had microcephaly. We bred cell lines from these progenitors in the lab. We then infected them with Zika to find out how the virus behaved. That led to the idea of testing it on brain tumors, which are rich in this type of cell," Zatz recalled.

The study

The researchers worked with BALB/c nude mice, a type of laboratory animal that is hairless, lacks a normal thymus gland, and has a defective immune system because of a genetic mutation. In particular, nude mice are deficient in T lymphocytes and are often used in cancer research because they do not reject tumor cells.

The viral load per inoculation was 2,000 plaque-forming units (PFU) of Zika. The first step was to analyze the safety of the treatment by applying the virus directly to the brains of the tumor-bearing animals. The effect was positive, but tumor growth resumed after 21 days.

The researchers then tested serial intracerebroventricular (ICV) injections in mice infected with the same viral load, which displayed high virulence and viremia, losing a significant amount of weight and surviving for only four weeks. The control group remained alive and well, without clinical changes.

Next, they injected three doses of the virus intraperitoneally, with the same intervals between doses. The effects were positive: the mice continued to feed and lost no weight, maintaining good clinical conditions.

In an experiment designed to analyze the tropism of Zika virus, i.e., its preference for infecting a particular tissue, determined in part by interaction with receptors in the brain or tumor, the scientists injected tumor cells into the flank of each mouse and found that the virus did not interact with them. No tumor remission was observed, suggesting that Zika interacted preferentially with the central nervous system.

"Once we had confirmed that the treatment was safe and that viral tropism focused on the brain, we began the three intraperitoneal injections at seven-day intervals and observed the results," Ferreira said.

In the case of brain tumors, the serial injections efficiently destroyed them without neurological damage or injury to other organs, while also extending survival time.

Brain organoids were early-stage (26 days) and infected with Zika at 2,000 PFU seven days after tumor cell addition. The tumor cells rapidly attached and started to spread in the organoids. The outcome was that viral infection of the tumor cells halted progression of the disease, confirming Zika's intense oncolytic effect. An oncolytic virus infects and breaks down cancer cells but not normal cells.

Similarly positive results were obtained with embryonal central nervous system tumor cells, but the authors of the article note that more investigation is required to confirm the selectivity of the virus in these cases.

New stage

According to Zatz, a new stage of the research has now begun, involving the recruitment of dogs with brain tumors. The proposal is to work with animals of different breeds and sizes. "Dogs are extremely important models before we start thinking of tests involving human patients," she said. "They have tumors that closely resemble human tumors and a preserved immune system. It will be possible to analyze different types of tumor."

Explore further Zika combats advanced-stage central nervous system tumors in dogs

More information: Raiane Oliveira Ferreira et al, Effect of Serial Systemic and Intratumoral Injections of Oncolytic ZIKVBR in Mice Bearing Embryonal CNS Tumors, Viruses (2021). Raiane Oliveira Ferreira et al, Effect of Serial Systemic and Intratumoral Injections of Oncolytic ZIKVBR in Mice Bearing Embryonal CNS Tumors,(2021). DOI: 10.3390/v13102103
TUESDAY, Jan. 11, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- Examining a woman's health in midlife can predict her health decades later, researchers say.

Four specific factors  higher body mass index (BMI), smoking, arthritis and depressive symptoms  at age 55 are associated with clinically important declines in physical health 10 years later, a new study reports.

"Age 55 to 65 may be a critical decade," said study co-author Dr. Daniel Solomon, of the division of rheumatology, inflammation, and immunity at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston.

"A person's health and factors during this period may set them on a path for their later adult years. The good news is that a large proportion of women at midlife are very stable and will not go on to experience declines. But being able to identify women at higher risk could help lead to interventions targeted to them," Solomon said.

For the study, the research team used data from the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation, that followed U.S. women from 1996 through 2016. The investigators studied their health status measures, lab measurements and imaging assessments.

The researchers compared the women's overall scores at age 55 to their scores at age 65, finding that 20% of the women they studied experienced clinically important declines in their physical health.

Women who had higher baseline physical health and function were less likely to experience a decline. Factors associated with a decline included higher BMI (a measurement based on height and weight), lower educational attainment, current smoking, clinically significant depressive symptoms and other health issues, including diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, arthritis and osteoporosis.

Though the participants were diverse and representative, the study was small in size, with only 1,091 women. The findings will need to be validated in a larger group, the study authors noted.

The findings were published online Jan. 10 in JAMA Network Open.

The investigators are working to determine how they might apply their results to clinical practice. This could include developing a risk score that doctors and their patients could use to determine the likelihood of future declines in health status.

"As a clinician and epidemiologist, I often think about the window of opportunity at midlife, when people are vital, engaged and resilient," Solomon said in a hospital news release. "If we can identify risk factors and determine who is at risk, we may be able to find interventions that can stave off health declines and help put people on a better health trajectory."

More information

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has more on prevention and wellness.

SOURCE: Brigham and Women's Hospital, news release, Jan. 10, 2022

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TUESDAY, Jan. 11, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- In a medical first, doctors from the University of Maryland have implanted the heart of a genetically modified pig in a 57-year-old man facing the final stages of heart disease.

The surgical feat, known as xenotransplantation, opens the door to the possibility that more patients in dire need of heart transplants could get them.

This was a breakthrough surgery and brings us one step closer to solving the organ shortage crisis. There are simply not enough donor human hearts available to meet the long list of potential recipients, said Dr. Bartley Griffith, who transplanted the pig heart into the patient. Griffith is professor of transplant surgery and directs the Cardiac Transplant Program at the University of Maryland Medical Center.

We are proceeding cautiously, but we are also optimistic that this first-in-the-world surgery will provide an important new option for patients in the future," he said.

Heart health experts applauded the news.

"This medical breakthrough may help health care professionals solve the organ shortage crisis that leaves thousands each year without lifesaving heart transplants," the American Heart Association said in a statement. "About 20% of patients on the heart transplant waiting list die while waiting to receive a transplant or become too sick to be good candidates for the complex transplant procedure."

In 2019, the United States recorded the highest number of heart transplants, with 3,552 transplantations performed, the AHA noted.

The Maryland heart patient, David Bennett, is still doing well three days after the procedure was performed and will be monitored closely in the coming weeks to see if the transplant provides lifesaving benefits. He'd been deemed ineligible for a conventional heart transplant at the University of Maryland as well as at several other leading transplant centers that reviewed his medical records.

Bennett has been hospitalized and bedridden for the past six weeks. Connected to a heart-lung bypass machine to stay alive, he was deemed ineligible for an artificial heart pump due to a dangerous heart arrhythmia.

It was either die or do this transplant. I want to live. I know its a shot in the dark, but its my last choice, the Maryland resident said in a medical center news release before the operation. I look forward to getting out of bed after I recover.

Xenotransplantation could save many who are waiting for new hearts, but it carries risks that include the possibility of a deadly immune reaction to the implanted organ, doctors say. Still, pig heart valves have already been used to replace heart valves in humans for years.

In November, surgeons at NYU Langone Health transplanted a kidney from a genetically modified pig into the body of a person who had died but was on life support. They performed the same procedure in September, and last month said both procedures had been successful.

As for the latest surgery, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration gave emergency approval on New Year's eve for the novel procedure through its compassionate use program, according to the University of Maryland.

This is the culmination of years of highly complicated research to hone this technique in animals with survival times that have reached beyond nine months, said Dr. Mohiuddin, one of the world's top experts in animal organ transplants who came to the University of Maryland five years ago and created it's Cardiac Xenotransplantation Program along with Griffith. The successful procedure provided valuable information to help the medical community improve this potentially lifesaving method in future patients.

After the procedure was complete, the doctors used an experimental drug developed by Mohiuddin and Kiniksa Pharmaceuticals, providing it to Bennett alongside conventional anti-rejection drugs. Organs from genetically modified pigs are favored in xenotransplantation research, partly because of their physiological similarities to humans and primates.

In this particular donor pig, three genes that raise the risk of rejection were knocked out, while six human genes responsible for immune acceptance of the pig heart were inserted into the pig's genome. Lastly, one final gene in the pig was knocked out to prevent excessive growth of the pig heart tissue, the doctors said.

So far, so good.

Its working and it looks normal. We are thrilled, but we dont know what tomorrow will bring us," Griffith told The New York Times. "This has never been done before.

More information

Visit the U.S. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute for more on heart transplants.

SOURCES: University of Maryland Medical Center, news release, Jan. 10, 2022; American Heart Association, news release, Jan. 10, 2022; The New York Times

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By Trend

The Turkic world believes that this crisis wont harm the sovereignty, integrity, stability and balanced foreign policy of Kazakhstan, Foreign Minister of Turkey Mevlut Cavusoglu said, Trend reports via the countrys Foreign Ministry.

Cavusoglu made the remark speaking at an extraordinary meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the member and observer countries of Turkic States Organization.

"We count on the strength of brotherly Kazakhstan. We are participants of cooperation and prosperity, not geopolitical competition," he noted.

According to the minister, prosperity and peace strengthen states and peoples.

Kazakhstan's government announced late Jan. 4 that it was restoring some price caps on liquefied petroleum gas, after the rare protests reached Almaty following a sharp rise in the price of the fuel at the start of the year.

Many Kazakhs have converted their cars to run on LPG, which is far cheaper than gasoline as a vehicle fuel in Kazakhstan because of price caps. But the government argued that the low price was unsustainable and lifted the caps on Jan. 1.

After the price of the fuel spiked, big demonstrations erupted on Jan. 2 in certain parts of the country. Public protests are illegal in the country unless their organizers file a notice in advance.

Following the development of the situation, the government declared a state of emergency all over the country. Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said the government initiated anti-terrorist operations to deal with the ongoing riots.

Also, the divisions of the united peacekeeping contingent of CSTO (Collective Security Treaty Organization) arrived in Kazakhstan to assist in restoring order and help protect strategic objects of the country.
TUESDAY, Jan. 11, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- If you think frequent changes in weather are triggering your allergy symptoms, you may be right.

A shift from a cold front to a rainy day then back to warm weather can have an impact on those with allergies, said Dr. David Corry, professor of medicine-immunology, allergy and rheumatology at Baylor College of Medicine, in Houston.

"People who have allergies, sinusitis, asthma or any other airway inflammatory disease frequently complain that their symptoms get worse with changes in the weather, and it seems like it's when various fronts come through and there is a big temperature change," Corry said.

Pollen, mold and changes in humidity can all have an impact, Corry explained.

Tree and grass pollen are among the most common environmental allergens for those who have seasonal allergies. Warm and cold fronts can carry pollen in air from other parts of the country, he said.

"When fronts come from the West to the East, they can bring a lot of pollen, particularly in the 'cedar fever' season, which is roughly during mid-January to February," Corry said in a Baylor news release. "Those fronts can bring in that cedar pollen, which is extremely abundant and irritating."

And, when it's wet outside because of rain or thunderstorms, mold can bloom and trigger allergies.

"The main thing that might be bothering people's allergies is mold, which can be in the air at any time of year," Corry said. "It gets worse with major rain or precipitation, especially if a big storm like a hurricane comes through. Cases of severe allergy or asthma can skyrocket."

Some studies suggest that changes in humidity levels might also trigger allergies, possibly because the change can cause the nose to dry out, which can lead to allergic rhinitis (hay fever) symptoms, he noted.

Corry recommends treating allergies by using over-the-counter nasal steroid sprays (like fluticasone [Flonase]) for up to two weeks. A person can also take oral antihistamines (like loratadine [Claritin]), and see a primary care provider or allergist if symptoms aren't relieved.

Figuring out whether your symptoms are due to allergies or COVID-19 is a new issue.

Allergies mainly cause itchy and watery eyes, runny nose, congestion and sneezing. The main differences between allergy and COVID-19 symptoms are a fever, sore throat and itching, such as itchy eyes, nose and ears, Corry said.

Allergies also are unlikely to cause profound tiredness, fatigue, and muscle and joint aches.

"Viruses, including the Omicron variant of COVID-19 and the common cold, can first appear like allergies, but there are certain symptoms that help distinguish the two," Corry said. "You almost never get prominent itching with a virus, and COVID often produces fever, which you never see in allergies. A prominent sore throat also indicates a virus."

More information

The University of Maryland Medical System has more on how to tell allergies from COVID-19.

SOURCE: Baylor College of Medicine, news release, Jan. 5, 2022

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TUESDAY, Jan. 11, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- There's an urgent need for blood donations as the United States' blood supply drops to one of its lowest levels in over a decade, the America Red Cross said Tuesday.

In the past few weeks, blood centers nationwide have reported "a dangerously low level" of less than a one-day supply of certain critical blood types, which means that lifesaving blood may not be available for some patients when they need it.

Kristen Mill, of Spring Grove, Ill., has already faced that.

Ever since she was bitten by a tick in 2008, her body doesnt produce enough hemoglobin to carry oxygen in her blood. When her hemoglobin levels drop, she needs blood transfusions to survive. But on a recent visit to the hospital for a transfusion, there was no blood for her.

"The hospital came to me and they apologized, and they said, 'We're so sorry, our blood bank is depleted to the point where we don't have anyone that matches with you,'" Mill said in a Red Cross news release. "It's very scary, especially if you don't know if the blood is coming, because this is something that you need to live."

Unfortunately, Mill has had to wait for blood before.

"It has become quite common that I would have to wait two or three days for blood. Then my condition would get worse, and I'd need to be hospitalized while waiting for blood. It usually took two days, sometimes three days, which is a long time when you are waiting for something that could save your life," Mill noted.

After personally experiencing what a blood shortage means, she has become an advocate for blood donation.

"I dont want this to happen to other people," Mill said. "There is nothing greater you can give someone than the gift of life. To have people donating lifesaving blood is just incredible and essential."

And desperately needed right now: Blood centers have struggled with declines in blood donor turnout, blood drive cancellations, staffing shortages and misinformation about donor eligibility. Surging COVID cases and winter storms threaten to further disrupt the nation's blood supply, according to a statement from the Red Cross, the Association for the Advancement of Blood and Biotherapies and America's Blood Centers.

"Some hospitals have already been forced to alter treatment for some patients or cancel some patient surgeries due to blood supply challenges," the groups said.

They urged "healthy individuals to contact their local blood center and make an appointment to donate blood today," and also asked "local businesses to encourage their employees, including those working remotely, to find their local blood donation center and schedule an appointment to donate throughout 2022."

There is a constant need for blood because blood components have a short shelf life and the blood supply needs to be constantly replenished.

"Blood can take up to three days to be tested, processed and made available for patients, so it's the blood already on the shelves that helps save lives in an emergency," according to the joint statement.

More than 16 million units of blood and blood products are transfused each year in the United States, with more than 45,000 units needed daily.

People who have received any of the three COVID-19 vaccines authorized in the United States -- Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson -- can donate blood and platelets as long as they are symptom-free and feeling well at the time of donation.

More information

To learn more about donating blood, go to the American Red Cross.

SOURCES: American Red Cross, news release, Jan. 11, 2022; joint statement, Association for the Advancement of Blood and Biotherapies, Americas Blood Centers and American Red Cross, Jan. 10, 2022

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TUESDAY, Jan. 11, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- Beating cancer is a huge feat, but how survivors live their lives afterwards also influences their longevity. A new study shows those who sit too much and are not physically active are much more likely to die early from cancer or any other cause than those who are more active.

Data on cancer survivors who took part in the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2007 to 2014 showed that inactive survivors who reported sitting more than eight hours a day were at the highest risk of dying.

"Cancer survivors who did not meet the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans [150 minutes per week of moderate-to-vigorous intensity leisure-time physical activity] and sit longer than eight hours per day had more than a fivefold increase in the risk of death from all causes  cancer and non-cancer," said lead researcher Lin Yang. She is a research scientist in the department of cancer epidemiology and prevention research at Cancer Care Alberta in Calgary, Canada.

Yang noted that these findings cannot prove that inactivity causes earlier deaths among cancer survivors, only that there is an association.

"There is a need for future investigations on the causal relationships between sedentary behavior, physical activity and survival after cancer, as well as the biological mechanisms operating these relationships," she added.

The link was particularly troubling because the researchers found that as many as one-third of cancer survivors didn't exercise and sat more than six hours a day. Only about one-third got the recommended 150 hours of exercise a week, Yang said.

"As we are facing the reality of a rapidly growing population of cancer survivors, interventions are timely and critical to target behavior changes," she said. "The challenge lies in how to personalize these interventions, given the diverse profiles of cancer survivors. Our study has clinical and policy implications to collectively create programs that provide cancer survivors with capability, motivation and opportunities to initiate positive changes to sit less and move more."

For the study, Yang's team collected data on more than 1,500 cancer survivors. During up to nine years of follow-up, nearly 300 patients died.

The report was published online Jan. 6 in JAMA Oncology.

According to Alpa Patel, senior vice president of population science at the American Cancer Society, "This report continues to reinforce the important message of being physically active and trying to limit your time spent sedentary, especially in leisure time."

Technology has dramatically altered people's lifestyles, and many more folks are now more sedentary and less active.

"It's not only that we're exercising less, you actually see more of a displacement of what we call daily life activity or light intensity activity," she said. "It's 'I'm sitting more because I'm not standing and washing dishes or doing other things, other chores around my house.'"

People should strive for 150 minutes to 300 minutes per week of moderate-intensity activity, Patel said. "But what we're also learning now is that, even if you're achieving that, there are still harmful effects of sitting too much," she added.

Cancer survivors don't often get the message that they should be physically active, Patel said. Part of the reason may be that patients aren't motivated or don't feel well, but it's also because they aren't encouraged to be active.

"In the clinical care community, what we see is many clinicians still telling patients to conserve their energy to rest, when what we should be telling them is it's safe to be physically active, and there are a lot of health benefits to being physically active," Patel said. "These results support that doing something is better than doing nothing."

More information

For more on surviving cancer, head to the American Cancer Society.

SOURCES: Lin Yang, PhD, research scientist, department of cancer epidemiology and prevention research, Cancer Care Alberta, Alberta Health Services, Calgary, Canada; Alpa Patel, PhD, senior vice president, population science, American Cancer Society; JAMA Oncology, Jan. 6, 2022, online

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TUESDAY, Jan. 11, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- Private insurers will have to cover the cost of eight at-home COVID tests per person per month as of Saturday, the Biden administration announced Monday.

Todays action further removes financial barriers and expands access to COVID-19 tests for millions of people, Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, the Biden administrations Medicare and Medicaid chief, said in a statement.

Under the plan, people who provide their insurance information at certain pharmacies will be able to get the tests with no out-of-pocket costs, while others will have to file claims to their insurers for reimbursement, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services said.

"This is all part of our overall strategy to ramp up access to easy-to-use, at-home tests at no cost, said HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra. We have more than tripled the number of sites where people can get COVID-19 tests for free, and were also purchasing half a billion at-home, rapid tests to send for free to Americans who need them. By requiring private health plans to cover peoples at-home tests, we are further expanding Americans ability to get tests for free when they need them.

If tests are bought at an out-of-network site, insurance companies that waive members' upfront costs for COVID-19 tests at certain retailers will be charged no more than $12 per test, the new rules say. Otherwise, insurers will have to pay the full price of a test, The New York Times reported.

Tests ordered or conducted by a health care provider will continue to be covered by insurance without a co-payment or a deductible, Biden administration officials said.

About 150 million Americans, or 45% of the population, are privately insured, the Times reported.

At-home COVID-19 test kits are typically sold in packs of two, with prices ranging from $14 to $34, according to the Times.

Some local governments in the United States have recently invested more heavily in rapid testing to counter this latest wave of cases caused by the Omicron variant. Washington, D.C., for example, now allows residents to pick up four free rapid tests daily at eight libraries across the city, the Times reported.

Given the current shortage of at-home COVID tests in the United States, the rollout of the reimbursement policy could be rocky, Lindsey Dawson, an associate director at the Kaiser Family Foundation who has researched the availability of rapid tests, told the Times.

If reimbursement exists but there arent tests to purchase, that doesnt help an individual consumer, she said. The policy could certainly drive demand, and could exacerbate the problem.

More information

Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for more on COVID testing.

SOURCE: The New York Times

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TUESDAY, Jan. 11, 2022 - (HealthDay News) -- Men who are broken-hearted or just unlucky in love could be more likely to have health-damaging inflammation, new research suggests.

Serious breakups and solo living for many years may increase the risk of ill health and death  but apparently only for men, according to the researchers behind a new Danish study.

"Small numbers of breakups or years lived alone is not in itself a risk of poor health," the study authors noted.

But the combination of long-term solitary living and multiple failed relationships is shown to affect levels of two inflammatory markers significantly, the investigators found.

The research team, which included Rikke Lund and Dr. Karolina Koch Davidsen, both from the University of Copenhagen department of social medicine, used data from the Copenhagen Aging and Midlife Biobank for over 4,800 participants (aged 48 to 62) between 1986 and 2011. This data included information on serial partnership breakups supplied by most of the participants and the number of years lived alone supplied by all participants.

Information also included educational attainment, early major life events that might have an impact on health, weight, long-term health conditions, medicines that can affect inflammation and personality traits.

Blood samples measured the inflammatory markers interleukin 6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP).

About half the participants had experienced a partnership break-up, and a similar percentage had lived alone for more than one year, according to the report published online Jan. 10 in the Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health.

The highest levels of inflammatory markers in men were found in those who had experienced the most partnership breakups. They had 17% higher levels of inflammatory markers than those in the comparison group.

Inflammatory markers were up to 12% higher in the group who had spent seven or more years living alone. The highest levels for CRP were found in men with high educational attainment who had lived alone for two to six years. For IL-6, the top levels were in men who had spent seven or more years living alone.

No such associations were found among women, according to the report.

That may be partly explained by the inclusion of just 1,499 women in the study, but the authors also suggested that men tend to externalize their behavior following a partnership breakup, by drinking, for example, whereas women tend to internalize, having depressive symptoms. This may influence inflammatory levels differently.

The team also pointed out that participants had an average age of 54, when the consequences of exposure to inflammatory chemicals have not yet peaked. Men also generate stronger inflammatory responses than women of the same age, the team pointed out in a journal news release.

However, immune system competence wanes with age, which can lead to the systemic low-grade inflammation associated with diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes, the researchers said.

"The levels of inflammation in our study are low, but they are also significant, clinically relevant, and most likely a risk factor for increased mortality," the study authors explained. There are "notable numbers of people living with low level inflammation," they added.

"Since the number of one-person households has been increasing throughout the past 50 to 60 years in most high-income countries, this group of people going through relationship breakups, or who are living on their own for different reasons, are part of at-risk groups," the study authors said.

More information

The U.S. National Cancer Institute has more on chronic inflammation.

SOURCE: Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health, news release, Jan. 10, 2022

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Following accusations of underpaying and delaying hourly employees wages, Community Medical Center says its working to reconcile the situation and get staff paid by the end of this week.

However, in a letter sent Friday to CMC from the Montana Nurses Association, those impacted by the crisis  which MNA says is more than 250 nurses  had demanded the medical group better clarify its repayment plan and respond to new questions by Monday.

As of press time, neither CMC nor MNA confirmed if the medical group had responded to the association's new requests. CMC officials could not be reached for comment Monday.

The association sent an initial letter to Community Medical Center CEO Bob Gomes last Tuesday outlining where paychecks had fallen short, saying nurses have been severely underpaid."

Dec. 3 was the last time nurses were properly paid, the letter says. Through a survey of its members, MNA learned some nurses have been underpaid by up to $4,500. The average underpayment is $1,000 per nurse, but growing.

The letter attributes the lapse in pay to a ransomware attack on CMCs timekeeping software vendor, the Kronos Enterprise System. Nurses have been required to keep track of their hours manually, which they have done diligently, but CMC still has not done payroll correctly.

The situation is not only a breach of employees trust, it is also illegal, the letter sent on Tuesday says.

The second letter sent on Friday says CMC had guaranteed to reconcile all outstanding wages for the two December pay periods where significant amounts of money were missing from employees paychecks. It also asks the hospital to clarify that all eight categories of pay, including regular, overtime, holiday and critical, will be compensated in full via direct deposit by Jan. 14.

Hourly employees are bearing the burden of the pay crisis; salaried employees have not been affected, Montana Nurses Association CEO Vicky Byrd explained. CMC has been duplicating the paychecks hourly staff received on Dec. 3, essentially not taking into account any overtime, holiday, differential or hazard pay accrued.

We appreciate the efforts made by CMC to rectify the ongoing pay crisis and we see your plan as a positive step towards resolution, the letter reads. But, MNA is considering any unforeseen processing glitches resulting in underpayment as continuing noncompliance.

In an email to the nurses association, CMC said this process will largely make employees whole, according to the letter. MNA responded saying they have serious concerns with this statement.

Our understanding is that CMC will continue in its failure to pay shift differentials, on-call pay, and other wages earned by nurses and others. CMC does not make clear what other pay codes are included in this category of nonpayments," the letter reads.

We remain vigilant in ensuring that CMC lives up to its promises and to comply with Montana law," it continues.

The Montana Nurses Association is being represented by McConnell Law Offices, PLLC and Raph Graybill of Graybill Law Firm PC.

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In the first week back in school since holiday break, Missoula County Public Schools reported its highest number of new weekly COVID cases all school year.

The district posted 128 new cases of COVID among students and staff between Jan. 3 and Jan. 7. As of Monday afternoon, MCPS reported 96 active cases.

The previous high for new weekly cases was 94 during the week of Oct. 2 to Oct. 8. There have been a total 737 COVID cases in the district this school year.

"Unfortunately, we have seen a surge in new cases since the winter break. While we are hopeful this surge will be brief, we are encouraging anyone with symptoms of COVID-19 to remain at home and seek a COVID test," wrote MCPS in a message to families on Monday.

Each school in the district reported at least two new cases last week, with the exception of Seeley-Swan High School, which reported no new cases and no active cases as of Monday.

Big Sky High School accounted for 21% of the cases reported last week. Ultimately, high school students made up 40% of new cases last week.

In the week ending Jan. 7, there were 243 people in the district who had been identified as close contacts. Of those, 112 were high school students, 54 were in middle school, 70 were elementary school students and seven were staff members.

Prior to the holiday season, COVID cases in the community and the district were on the decline and MCPS was making progress on several of its goals to lift the mask requirement.

In November, MCPS trustees approved a set of four conditions that would allow the district to lift its mask requirement  the COVID vaccine is available for children between the ages of 5-11 for at least eight weeks; the county incident rate for COVID is equal to or lower than 20 for 14 consecutive days; the number of close contacts in the district is equal to or lower than 125 for three out of four consecutive weeks; new district cases are less than or equal to 30 for three out of four consecutive weeks.

When all four of those triggers are met, the district will lift its mask requirement.

Before school was dismissed for the holidays on Dec. 17, the district had four full school weeks where it reported fewer than 30 cases among students and staff. Additionally, the incident rate in Missoula County was below 20 from Nov. 26 to Dec. 27. The district was below 125 close contacts for three consecutive weeks leading into the holiday break.

Despite being within range of three of the four goals prior to the holidays, the COVID vaccine had not yet been available for students between the ages of 5-11 for eight weeks. The vaccine was first available for that age range in Missoula County on Nov. 8.

On Monday, Missoula County reported 160 new cases bringing it to 1,397 active reports. The countys incident rate is currently red at 118 cases per 100,000 people over the last week.

The highly contagious omicron variant of COVID first reared its head in Missoula County just before Christmas, and cases have been on the rise ever since.

Omicron is proving to be a nuisance for schools across the country, and even in Montana. When students returned to class at Great Falls Public Schools after the new year, the district decided to drop its mask requirement and within one week was forced to move to remote instruction.

This morning information was shared with the district COVID-19 Task Force that the number of COVID-19 infected students and staff had skyrocketed over the weekend, wrote the district in a news release announcing the closure on Monday afternoon.

The district had over 125 staff out on COVID-related illness as of Monday, and the substitute fill-rate was below 46%, meaning that over 50 classrooms were without a teacher. There are currently 185 COVID-positive individuals within the GFPS district as of Monday afternoon.

That is the highest number of infections that we have experienced this year to date, wrote the district in the release.

Schools in Great Falls will be closed Tuesday, Jan. 11 and the district plans to resume in-person instruction on Tuesday, Jan. 18.

Missoula County Public Schools has not experienced a district-wide closure due to COVID this school year, however the Jefferson Preschool Program was temporarily closed in late September due to COVID.

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By Azernews





By Sabina Mammadli

Some 119 convicts have been released from prison under the amnesty act announced on November 2021 on the first anniversary of Victory Day, the Prosecutor-General's Office said.

"The prosecutors' offices directly applied the act of amnesty to 119 people. They are exempted from punishment or criminal liability, the punishment of others has been mitigated, the report added.

It should be noted that on November 5, the Azerbaijani parliament approved the bill declaring an amnesty for Victory Day. The decision came into force from the date of its adoption. The amnesty act is expected to cover a total of 15,000 people.

Prisons, interior, executive structures, or preliminary investigation committees were instructed to ensure the amnesty procedure within four months from the date of entering the document into force.

Under the act, close relatives of those who took part in the 44-day war and other military operations to protect Azerbaijans sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as persons awarded orders and medals will be released.

Moreover, close relatives of those with disabilities or killed as a result of military provocations, as well as persons who have committed crimes that do not pose a major public threat will also be released from criminal liability.

At the same time, negligent offenders, persons who have committed a less serious or first-time grave crime for which the unserved part of the sentence is less than six months, persons serving a sentence in a precinct-type penitentiary institution less than one year before the end of their sentence will be released from the unserved part of the sentence.

The act is expected to apply also to individuals, who were fined, sentenced to public work, correctional work, imposed restrictions over military service, detained in a disciplinary military unit, and had other non-custodial sentences.

The amnesty will remove convictions from individuals who do not pose a major public threat or who have committed less serious crimes.
Missoula County continues to see huge jumps in COVID-19 cases, driven primarily by younger people.

On Monday, 160 new cases were reported and there are 1,397 considered active by the Missoula City-County Health Department. Over 50% of the county's active cases are in the 20- to 29-year-old and 30- to 39-year-old age ranges.

"Omicron is making itself known here in Missoula and this variant is much more transmissible," City-County Health Officer D'Shane Barnett said to the Missoulian on Monday. "When you look at the slope of the original surge and then the delta surge, this spike (now) is just straight up and it's so much higher. It's not the same.

"Many, many more people will contract this variant than have contracted COVID variants of the past."

The University of Montana is also seeing a rise in cases, adding 26 on Sunday with 70 active cases associated with campus.

During a health department media briefing last week, Barnett said there has been a "huge rush on our testing phone line and what that's ended up doing is making it very difficult for people to get through."

People seeking tests may have a better chance of getting a test in outlying locations such as Bonner or Frenchtown, health officials said during the briefing. They also reminded the public that the health department is only doing tests for symptomatic people, not those looking to travel or get proof of a negative test.

While the health department was expecting to see a rise in cases following the holidays, those were expected to hit in mid- to late-January, not the last week in December, he said.

There were 239 new cases on Jan. 7, which neared an all-time high for single-day new cases in the county. The COVID test positivity rate over the last seven days is 18.35% in the county, meaning that nearly one-fifth of people who get tested are testing positive.

The county positivity rate has been slowly rising over the last several weeks. Additionally, Missoula County is averaging 118 new cases per 100,000 people per day over the last week.

There are 24 people hospitalized due to COVID, 14 of whom are Missoula County residents. There have been 191 deaths in the county attributed to the virus.

People age 20 to 29 make up 418 cases  nearly 30% of the county's active total. It's also one of the least-vaccinated age groups. Only 51.7% of that age range is considered fully vaccinated.

"There's that feeling of youth and vitality that can easily be mistaken for invincibility and unfortunately COVID is proving that wrong," Barnett said. "COVID is proving that it absolutely can affect individuals who are in their 20s."

As of Jan. 4, 71.3% of Missoula County's population has had at least one shot of the vaccine and 62.27% of the local populace is considered fully vaccinated.

Both of those numbers have been slowly rising and fall in line with national averages. According to the Centers for Disease Control, 62.5% of the U.S. population is considered fully vaccinated with 74.3% having received at least one dose of the vaccine

Around 27% of Missoula County's population has had a booster shot. Much like with the delta variant spike, this spike is causing vaccination numbers to increase, Barnett said.

Missoula previously reached a daily high of 2,939 active cases on Oct. 26, 2021. As a source of comparison, the 2020 daily high for active cases was 1,204.

There have been 19,319 cumulative COVID cases in Missoula County. Flathead County reported 136 new cases on Monday and has 677 active.

Ravalli County reported 38 new cases on Monday, with 168 active. Gallatin County is suffering the worst COVID spike in the state, reporting 1,891 active cases and 694 new cases on Monday. COVID tests are running short in that county, NBC Montana reported last week.

Jordan Hansen covers news and local government for the Missoulian. Shout at him on Twitter @jordyhansen or send him an email at Jordan.Hansen@Missoulian.com

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A recent rent hike by an out-of-state buyer may force some residents of the El-Mar Trailer Village in Missoula to be displaced.

"We're not thrilled about it," said David Jenkins, who has lived in the trailer park with his wife, Dori, for 34 years.

The increase  more than $100 per month  may seem low by current Missoula rental standards, but they say it's unsustainable for low-income tenants.

"We're more concerned about the elderly people living here that are on fixed incomes and people that will be forced to move out," Dori Jenkins said. "This is a community here. A lot of people have been living here for decades and there's nowhere to move their trailers."

El-Mar Trailer Village, located on Tina Avenue just west of North Reserve Street, was bought on Jan. 5 by an out-of-state company called Missoula Valley Partners. The business is registered in Oregon.

The trailer court had been owned and managed by the nearby Missoula KOA campground's owners for many decades. The new owner has hired Missoula Property Management to take over management of all aspects of the trailer park.

Now, residents of more than 50 trailers and RVs in the park face an uncertain future and rising rent.

"It may not come as a surprise, the current lot rent for the park is well below the market rent in Missoula," the letter to all residents from Missoula Property Management stated. "In addition, the agreed-upon purchase price assumes rent increases and higher profitability in order to justify the sales price. It is necessary to implement a rent increase in order to ensure operating expenses are covered and the park remains solvent."

Rents for manufactured homes in the park will be increased to between $450 and $500 per month, and rents for RVs will be increased to between $600 and $650 per month, effective March 1.

Miranda Maxson, who has lived in Missoula almost her entire life, said she's been paying about $340 a month for a corner lot for the last three years. The last owner would only raise the lot rent by about $10.

Now, because she works from home, she's going to simply pack up her things and move to the small town of Shelby, Montana, where she can afford to buy a house.

"It's just so uncertain," she said of the future at El-Mar. "I think it's been a long time coming. The price of housing here and then the shortage of actual places to live has just been getting progressively worse, and I don't see it getting any better."

Both Maxson and the Jenkinses believe that the new owner may just keep raising rents until everyone is forced to leave and the place can be torn down and redeveloped, they say. Or, they fear the new owner may just decide to sell to a developer.

"That stresses me out," Maxson said. "Even if we get to stay here, like, for five years. I just don't know. I don't really buy that we're all gonna get to stay here. I'm not really buying it."

Maxson and the Jenkinses haven't seen a marked improvement in maintenance since Missoula Property Management took over, despite the rent increase announcement, they said. The road-plowing after the recent storm was minimal, and now the roads are just a packed sheet of ice. A mail truck even got stuck.

The letter from Missoula Property Management sought to alleviate some fears about future displacement, however.

"When the property was placed on the market, there were multiple offers and unlike the other offers, fortunately the selected buyers intended to keep the park mostly intact," the letter said. "The immediate goal is to separate the trailer park from the RV park (at the KOA next door). MPM will manage the mobile home park and the RV park will be managed by generally the same management team in place last year."

However, in order to properly accomplish the separation, "a small number of homes" primarily located along Sherri Street will "need to be removed" from the park, the letter said. Missoula Property Management could not be reached for comment Monday.

"Those impacted will be contacted directly with timelines and given adequate notice to relocate," the letter said.

Dori Jenkins said El-Mar was an affordable and safe place to raise a family.

"It's been a great place to raise kids," she said. "We know a lot of our neighbors, and a lot of people here have been here for decades. It's a community."

She and her husband can find a way to deal with the lot rent increase by cutting back on other things, she said. They don't want to move, mainly because they have nowhere else to go and no other options since housing prices and rent prices have skyrocketed in Missoula in the last decade.

"Like I said, I just feel bad for the older residents here," she said. "Our main concern is the poor people that have to leave on Sherri Street. Why? Why do that?"

Kade Karstens, another resident of the park, estimated that the lot rent increase is a 50% hike for him.

"I can deal with it, but I'm not sure about some of my neighbors," he said.

Maxson said it's tough to say goodbye to her home.

"I'm sad too," she said. "I've really gotten to know some of my neighbors. I hope everything here works out. I don't know how many people are going to stay."

She understands that rents are going to increase, although she's concerned that the higher rents for RVs is meant to force those residents to leave, she said.

"All throughout Missoula, they've been getting rid of trailer courts and stuff and you can't even find a place to put an RV anymore," she said.

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An employee at the Montana State Hospital told investigators care is not getting done and patients are dying from a lack of care" following an unannounced late September inspection of the facility after a complaint made by someone employed there.

The survey, completed Sept. 30, was done by inspectors for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services after a complaint made by an employee at the state hospital in Warm Springs, the only public psychiatric hospital in the state. The report details findings of dramatically insufficient staffing  in one case an employee said she thought a patient's death could have been prevented if not for being short-staffed.

Inspectors wrote that based on interviews and records, the hospital failed to thoroughly investigate the death to show that neglect did not play a role.

Also detailed are falls by patients who the report found did not have proper care or supervision. Inspectors interviewed employees and reviewed scheduling records that showed at one point a lack of workers left one direct care staff member responsible for 28 patients.

A story in early December from the Montana State News Bureau revealed that 40% of positions at the hospital were vacant. Numbers provided by the state health department show a massive increase in its reliance on traveling staff over the last two years alone: 22 traveling staff worked at the facility in 2019 compared with 136 in 2021.

In that story, state health department spokesperson Jon Ebelt said during the COVID-19 pandemic, MSH began to experience an increase in the number of staff openings due to a variety of factors, such as the need for child care, personal medical reasons and increased competition in the labor market for the same or similar positions.

That story said the state hospital did undergo a CMS inspection in September triggered by a complaint, but Ebelt said the review found the hospital in compliance with no need for corrective action. Ebelt did not provide the complaint or subsequent inspection report when requested then. The Montana State News Bureau asked about the Sept. 30 survey in a Monday email to the state health department but did not receive clarification before press time.

A copy of the Sept. 30 survey was posted to the website for an interim legislative committee set to discuss the topic later this month.

On Nov. 29, the state health department, which operates the hospital, put out a request for proposal seeking a third party to fill a temporary management role at the states medical facilities, including the hospital, and to help stabilize the workforce.

In the December story, department Director Adam Meier issued a statement:

I applaud the commitment and dedication our facility staff bring to their jobs on a daily basis, and we must do all we can to support them and the hundreds of Montanans these facilities serve. I am fully aware of the concerns that have been raised and the challenges that we face. That is why we issued the (request for proposal) to take a comprehensive and thorough review of the operational structure of all facilities DPHHS oversees. This review will help us make informed and thoughtful decisions going forward. The department is eager to move forward with this project and implement recommendations as appropriate.

Patient death

The survey found the hospital failed to thoroughly investigate an unexpected patient death and was unable to show the death was not caused by neglect.

On Aug. 13, 2021, the patient on the Spratt Unit, the hospital's geriatric wing, told nursing staff she was unable to catch her breath, according to the survey.

The nursing staff were alleged to have told (the patient) to return to your room and stop being dramatic,' according to the survey. The patient was reportedly found in her room dead 45 minutes later.

In an interview Sept. 27, a staff member who worked with the patient the day before she died told inspectors she thought her death could have been prevented, according to the survey.

We were very short staffed that day, the staff member said.

The inspectors reviewed a document produced by the hospital titled Abuse Investigation - Final Summary, dated Aug. 26. That document said the patient was found unresponsive in her room at 1:15 a.m. on Aug. 14. CPR was performed but was not successful.

Video footage reviewed by staff showed the patient went into her room at 10:22 p.m. Staff did checks at 11 p.m., 11:40 p.m. and then at 1:15 a.m. when the patient was found unresponsive. The patient was supposed to be checked on every 30 minutes, but three of those checks were not completed and it was not clear why that didn't happen.

At one point the patients roommate said the patient got out of her bed, walked to the window and stated she couldnt breath(e), according to the survey.

Inspectors spoke with one staffer who said said she peeked in on the patient that night and reported the patient seemed OK, but said I was not paying that much attention.

Another staffer interviewed by inspectors said she hadnt investigated why the patient didnt have 30-minute checks the night she died, but said the high number of patients in the hospital that night made it difficult for employees.

That worker told inspectors there were four patients who required 1-on-1 care, meaning there was just one staff member left to do patient checks and one staff member to do patient care.

In another interview, a different staff member said the patient who died did complain a lot, inspectors wrote, and she could see where nurses might not take her seriously.

When inspectors interviewed the staff member assigned as the in-house investigator after the death, that staffer said shed reviewed the video footage and had the staff on duty that night and early morning write statements regarding the events leading up to the patients death.

The in-house investigator didn't interview staff specifically about the complaint saying the patient couldn't breathe and was told to go to bed. And the video from that night and early morning was no longer available for inspectors to watch because it was accidentally recorded over; the in-house investigator said she didnt keep her handwritten notes about the video footage.

Another staffer told investigators that at some point on the night the patient died, that staffer gave the patient a laxative after she reported constipation. When the patient later said she had a headache, the staffer told the patient to go back to bed and said she tucked her in. The staff member said if she had to make a wild guess, that happened around 9 p.m.

When inspectors reviewed the patients medical records, they found there was no nursing progress note or assessment of the patients health concerns made the night she died. The patient's last nursing progress note was dated nine weeks earlier on July 24.

A Death Review report generated by the hospital listed the cause of death as acute cardiovascular collapse. There wasnt an autopsy.

Lack of staffing

In an interview Sept. 28, a staff member told inspectors the facility had been struggling with staffing for the last few months and had been taking steps to get the resources they needed.

Beyond that, he stated, we have done the best we could, the inspectors wrote.

Inspectors found the hospitals staff had discussed the need for 1-on-1 supervision for some patients, and noted while it affected how many staff were available for other jobs, it was necessary for those who continued to fall despite other intervention efforts.

When inspectors reviewed a log of falls at the hospital, they found 113 reported from June through Sept. 16 for the Spratt Unit.

A review of minutes from a meeting Nov. 14 found possible contributors to the 29 falls in August could be new staff on the unit, and the high acuity on the Spratt Unit," the survey said.

One hospital employee said the staffing department sent out a daily assignment sheet the employee told investigators misrepresented the staffing situations.

It is not accurate  they do not take into account our 1:1s and those patients are no longer listed on the schedule. It makes the schedule look pretty, the employee said.

In yet another interview, a different employee said that low staffing levels meant the nursing chart notes have fallen off, and we are not able to assess patients in a nursing note. I do not feel patients and staff are safe.

The staff member who told investigators that patients were dying from a lack of care also said the Spratt Unit had five deaths in August. The staffer said he emailed the director of nursing about the situation with 1-on-1 care but we still do not get help.

The staff here also have to set up for meals and clean up after meals. Six patients need assist with meals, when the census is 40, patients go unchanged - pee and poop, the staffer told inspectors.

Another staffer reported the situation can be scary.

We have four treatment-resistant patients and they know when we are short staffed, and there is no one to help if those patients get combative, the staffer said.

In one case, inspectors found a day when only one nurse was scheduled for a day shift in a wing of the hospital; that staffer reported that there was not a registered nurse that day.

Patients suffer from falls

The 19-page survey noted several patients who fell repeatedly, often when they were not supervised.

"The facility failed to ensure adequate numbers of nursing staff were available on the Spratt Unit to provide care, supervision and one-to-one supervision for patients, resulting in multiple falls and falls with injury," the report reads.

In one case, an email dated Aug. 3 sent at 2:10 a.m. found one patient on the Spratt Unit was found on the floor with his pants around his knees. Two certified nursing assistants picked him up, changed his clothes and put him back to bed. A staff nurse was not told about the fall until 5:56 a.m. A staffer who checked on the patient at 7:14 a.m. found that one of the patients hips looked twice the size of the other, according to the survey.

That patient was supposed to have checks every 15 minutes, but there was not documentation to show the hospital was doing that. A review of the patient's records showed he had a history of falls and was currently at risk for falls.

After a medical consultation that morning, the patient was transferred to the hospital with a left hip fracture.

There was no documentation that proper care was given to the patient after the fall, the survey states.

A review of the staffing schedule showed the unit was short one registered nurse and three psych techs or certified nursing assistants the morning of the fall.

When inspectors interviewed one staffer, they learned at one point the Spratt Unit had one nurse and three direct care staff for 30 patients. Two of those patients required 1-on-1 staffing, which left one direct care staff for the other 28 patients. In another example provided to inspectors, a staffer said theyd heard certified nurses aides report they had to operate a Hoyer lift used to move patients, which requires two people to run, by themselves.

Random reviews of daily staffing assignments for August found those kind of staffing levels happened frequently.

The survey did not include responses from the state Department of Public Health and Human Services saying how they planned to address the findings.

The Legislature's interim Children, Families, Heath and Human Services Committee is set to meet Jan. 20-21.

 Reporter Seaborn Larson contributed to this story.

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A Conover-based furniture company has purchased an old Drexel Heritage factory in Morganton.

Andy Bray, president of Vanguard Furniture, announced in a Tuesday news release that the company has purchased what was known as Drexel Plant No. 60, a 163,000-square-foot factory that will be restored, refurbished and equipped with state-of-the-art-equipment.

This plant has a rich history and an ideal footprint for making custom furniture, Bray said. The building is on one level, has high ceilings and will allow Vanguard to efficiently warehouse materials and ship finished furniture.

Bray said in the release the expansion to the old Drexel Heritage plant has the potential to add as many as 150 jobs, with the facility making casegoods and upholstery. He said the plant will need a little bit of everything, from sewers to finishers.

We specialize in custom furniture, Bray said. We want to fully control the materials and the quality. Our furniture is bench-made one at a time by hand, which requires artisans not factory workers. But equally importantly, manufacturing closer to our customers reduces transportation costs and delivery times.

Alan Wood, president and CEO of Burke Development Inc., said the organization is working with Vanguard to find and secure grant funding to assist with the expansion. Any projects Burke Development helps with must pay at or above the countys average wage, which Wood estimated was around $39,500.

Bray said Vanguard chose Morganton as a location because of its deep roots in the furniture industry.

The local community has hundreds of generational craftsmen with sawdust in their blood, Bray said. In fact, many of our best artisans and craftsmen currently make the 30-mile trip to our Conover headquarters every day and are thrilled at the prospect of not having to commute as far. This is a classic win-win. We create jobs and with expanded capacity and shorten lead-times for our dealers and their customers.

Furniture plants around the area started to close up shop and move overseas around the turn of the century, but issues with the supply chain have caused a reemergence of manufacturing in the US, the release said.

The tide has turned, Bray said. Rocketing demand in home furnishings, and complications with the supply chain will resurrect North Carolina furniture manufacturing. Vanguard has grown its ability to meet demand with its current manufacturing facilities.

Wood said Burke Development was pleased to see the manufacturing industry returning to its roots in the furniture-making capitol of the world.

We are very pleased to see manufacturers expand, Wood said. We think that anyone that can will continue to look at ways on-shore, at least in some capacity, and ensure their logistics. It makes it very difficult if youre outsourcing everything and dont have backup.

Last years fourth quarter was the biggest shipping period in the companys 53-year history, Bray said in the release, and the company still has a backlog.

After spending months (at home) during COVID, consumer values about their homes have changed, Bray said. They are no longer willing to settle for mass-produced, cookie-cutter furniture. They want furniture that has been customized to reflect their personal style and personality.

This acquisition helps to restore Morganton to its vaunted heritage and meet the pent-up demand for truly special furniture.

Chrissy Murphy is a staff writer and can be reached at cmurphy@morganton.com or at 828-432-8941. Follow @cmurphyMNH on Twitter.

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Butte police, highway patrol reports

Aggravated DUI

Naomi Marie Barnett, 20, of Butte was arrested for misdemeanor aggravated driving under the influence just before 3 a.m. Sunday. Her car was damaged and had gotten stuck in the snow near the intersection of Burlington and Continental.

At the scene, Barnett seemed to be intoxicated and she was taken to jail where a Breathalyzer showed she had been driving while being more than twice the legal limit.

Refused to leave

At 10:30 p.m. Saturday, Ryan Chevez Wyatt, 40, of Butte was at a business in the 1300 block of Harrison Avenue yelling at patrons. He then refused to leave.

His refusal to leave led to jail time for misdemeanor failure to disperse.

MHP arrests

Just after 9 p.m. Saturday, Margaret Ann Gill, 68, of Butte was arrested by a Montana Highway Patrol trooper for the misdemeanor offenses of aggravated driving under the influence, disorderly conduct and highway speed restrictions. She was taken to the Butte jail.

Jeffrey Francis Connolly, 32, of Butte was booked into the Butte jail at around 2:50 a.m. Saturday. He was arrested by a MHP trooper for felony possession of dangerous drugs, and the misdemeanor offenses of resisting arrest, obstructing a peace officer, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Leave the premises

Robert Lawrence Kostrzewa, 36, of Butte was at the Cinz Bar late Friday night, refusing to leave the premises after being asked by staff to do so.

According to a police report, by 12:30 a.m. Saturday, officers had offered him a ride home, but he was not leaving and would not identify himself. So, he was taken to jail for the misdemeanor offenses of failure to disperse and obstructing a peace officer.

Stuck in snowbank

Just before 7 p.m. Friday, Ami Rochelle Ferda, 27, of Butte became stuck in a snowbank near the intersection of Platinum and Ohio.

Ferda was allegedly intoxicated at the time and driving a car she had reportedly taken without permission.

She was jailed for felony motor vehicle theft and the misdemeanor offenses of driving under the influence (refusal), careless driving, and driving with a suspended or revoked license.

Felony assault

Around 4 p.m. Friday, Kirk Lewis Parmenter, 25, of Butte is alleged to have fired two rounds from a shotgun into a garage door in the 2000 block of Walnut Street. He then reportedly aimed the weapon at a man inside the garage who he was in an argument with.

Parmenter was jailed for felony assault with a weapon

Child hit with boot

Riley Evan Rigby, 27, of Butte was booked into jail Friday afternoon for assault with a weapon.

According to the police report, Rigby is alleged to have struck a 6-year-old boy with a boot, causing an injury to the child.

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The state of Montana is increasing its base pay for seasonal firefighters to a minimum of $15.50 per hour to help recruit and retain highly qualified personnel, Gov. Greg Gianforte and the state Department of Natural Resources and Conservation said Monday.

"Montana's wildland firefighters are some of the most important and necessary personnel serving our state, especially with recent, more severe fire seasons," Gianforte said in a statement. "This well-deserved pay increase will help ensure our wildland firefighters remain the most skilled and mission capable firefighting workforce in the region."

Seasonal firefighters in Montana will see a pay increase of $1.70 per hour, which brings the minimum base pay to $15.50. The job can pay up to $16.19 per hour, according to state job listings. Montana is advertising for 41 seasonal firefighters, along with engine bosses, dispatchers, fuel truck drivers and helicopter crew members.

The increased wage makes the state of Montana competitive with other regional fire protection agencies, Gianforte said. Last summer, the federal government increased its firefighter pay to at least $15 an hour.

The $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill passed by Congress and signed into law in November by President Joe Biden is also poised to increase firefighter pay. The bill contains $600 million for pay raises and job changes for wildland firefighters, including creating year-round positions for at least 1,000 now-seasonal workers. Pay rates are set to increase by either $20,000 or 50%, depending on position and location.

As states in the West continue to endure longer fire seasons and more extreme fire behavior, having a modernized, fully staffed firefighting workforce remains a top priority, Gianforte and DNRC Director Amanda Kaster said.

Scientists say climate change has made the West much warmer and drier in the past 30 years and will continue to make weather more extreme and wildfires more frequent and destructive.

 Montana State News Bureau deputy Tom Kuglin contributed to this story.

The Montana State News Bureau contributed to this story.

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ARCHIVED - Spain experiences third warmest December in 60 years



Most of Spain also experienced less rainfall than usual

With wet and windy weather spreading across much of Spain this week the spring-like conditions at the end of 2021 feel like a distant memory, but last December was in fact the third warmest in 60 years, surpassed only in 1989 and 2015.

According to Aemet, December was a very hot month in Spain, with the average temperature across the country more than 1.9 degrees warmer than usual for that time of year.

In fact, regions such as western Andalucia , the Valencian Community and Murcia saw the Mercury spike to more than 3 degrees hotter than normal.

The final month of 2021 also experienced a record dry period with an average rainfall of just 62mm, 75% less precipitation than what would be expected and the 12th driest December of the 19th century.

While sun lovers undoubtedly basked in the mild weather over Christmas and New Year, the rising temperatures and lack of rain spelled disaster for farmers, many of whom are sacrificing their valuable crops to ongoing drought conditions.

The Balearic and Canary Islands experienced the most dramatic dry spells in December, while 200% more rain actually fell on the Cantabrian coast.

Image: Archive
MUSCATINE Muscatine Community School District will not require its staff to follow the federal vaccination mandate.

The district notified teachers and staff on Saturday.

The policies regarding a vaccination mandate were to be presented during the Board of Education meeting on January 10.

On Jan. 8, the Iowa Division of Labor released a statement saying it would not enforce the federal mandate.

The Supreme Court has heard arguments on the potential vaccination mandate through OSHA emergency temporary standards (ETS), but has not issued an opinion.

As a state plan state, the Iowa Division of Labor is charged with protecting the health and safety of those in the workplace and has the authority to enforce workplace safety and health standards for Iowa businesses," the state Division of Labor said in a statement. "Iowa doesnt have a standard requiring the COVID-19 or testing. But after closely reviewing the federal OSHA vaccine mandate, Iowa has determined it will not adopt the federal standard. Iowa has concluded that it is not necessary because Iowas existing standards are at least as effective as the federal standard change.

Once the state department issued its ruling, Jaime Kroeger, MCSD Director of Human Resources, told staff the district would not require its staff to follow the federal vaccination mandate.

It has been the districts goal to continue providing all staff with timely, accurate and transparent information as it becomes available, Kroeger stated in the letter to staff.

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By Trend

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva viewed conditions created at a new building of the "Khanim Fatimeyi Zahra" mosque in Yeni Gunashli settlement, Surakhani district, Baku on January 6, Trend reports.

There were no conditions for worship in the mosque's former two-storey building, which was in a state of disrepair. A maximum of 500-550 people could pray in the mosque at the same time.

As there are a lot of believers, people had to pray in the open air. Therefore, it was necessary to build a more modern and spacious mosque in the settlement.

On the instructions of President Ilham Aliyev, a modern concept for the mosque complex has been developed and a new building has been built.

Now 1,800 people will be able to worship at the same time in the mosque.

All the necessary conditions have been created in the new mosque for the worship of men and women. The elements corresponding to the architectural style of Absheron mosques, including shebeke (windows with coloured glass created from small wooden parts without glue and nails), were used during the construction.

The mosque complex is decorated with two minarets the diameter of which is 4 meters and a height of 42 meters and a dome at a height of 25 meters.

The believers thanked President Ilham Aliyev for the conditions created in the mosque.

Ilgar Abdullayev, Imam of the mosque, stressed that Khanim Fatimeyi Zahra mosque is the only mosque in the settlement.

"The opening of the mosque makes us very happy," the worship leader of the mosque said.

A resident of the settlement Ilgar Babayev also thanked President Ilham Aliyev for the conditions created in the mosque.

Another resident of the settlement Rovshan Gafarov said that he was very pleased that the mosque was repaired and reopened.

"I thank everyone who was involved in this process," Gafarov added.

Trend TV presents an interview from Khanim Fatimeyi Zahra mosque:




I was in high school when the AIDS epidemic happened. At the time little was known about it, except that it was prevalent in the gay community and among intervenous drug users. As a result, many far-right pundits tended to believe AIDS was not a problem in the country, with some even saying it was a divine plague.

One of the arguments I remember someone making was that gay men with HIV should not be allowed medical care in hospitals. The logic was they knew what they were doing was dangerous and they did it anyway. Happily, MDs arent governed by some blowhard with a microphone (the very basics of the Internet were still at least a decade away and this type of message usually took the form of talk radio) and they continued to triage patients based on how badly treatment is needed.

There is nothing new under the sun. This time it is the left-wing saying that people who arent vaccinated for COVID-19 shouldnt be given treatment at hospitals. It seems as if this is the trendy thing for celebrities to tweet out now. Ironically, George Takei, a former actor, and gay activist has made the argument. OHHHH MYYYY!

I recall when COVID-19 was first revealed to be in the United States, everyone seemed to work together as a unit, with the common goal to be arresting the spread of the disease with as little loss of life as possible. Personally, that is still my goal. Also, I would like to see the United States get out of the COVID emergency with some degree of freedom remaining. Then, much like the AIDS epidemic, what should have been a health issue became a political issue.

A couple of weeks ago I recommended people consider getting vaccinated as a precaution against COVID. This is all I feel comfortable doing. I am not a doctor, much less every readers personal physician. I was b statement on a discussion I had with an MD who is one of the local emergency room staff. About 18 months ago former Mayor Diana Broderson issued a proclamation mandating the wearing of face coverings in public as protection against COVID. That went over like a lead balloon, with people in the audience when she was giving the proclamation shouting her down at every turn, causing her to walk off before the reading was complete.

In my personal opinion, I think Mayor Broderson was doing what she felt was best to try to protect the health of the people in the community. Having said that, it was determined from many sources she did not have the authority to mandate face coverings on private property, especially by law.

We in the United States simply dont like being told what to do. We do seem to like telling others what to do. On one hand, its important to keep the disease from spreading. I havent had COVID-19 (that I know of) but everyone I know who has had it has told me I dont want it. On the other hand, we need to keep our freedoms intact and not fall victim to government overreach. Check out what is happening in Australia right now if you want to know what I mean by that.

Of course, the flames of this debate are being fanned by every wannabe pundit who has a Twitter account. Things such as Internet censorship are not helping.

As I write this, we are waiting for the SCOTUS to rule on whether Pres. Joe Bidens mandate that all employers with over 100 employees require vaccinations. There are many places where employees have said they will leave rather than get a vaccination. In other places unions have come out against this. I s a direct violation of HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) laws, which makes certain health information confidential in the workplace. Of course in 1905 the Supreme Court in the case Jacobson Vs. Massachusetts ruled that a state has the authority to require vaccinations (in this case Smallpox) to protect health and safety and that it did not violate individual rights under the 14th Amendment. Currently, all 50 states have vaccine mandates for children attending public schools.

When all is said and done, I hope that we as a community can come together and do what is best. I dont want to see such people as teachers, emergency personnel, and hospital staff having to leave their jobs en masse. I think there is some way we can all come together and make sure everyone is safe.

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LOS ANGELES (AP)  Betty White died from a stroke she had six days before her Dec. 31 death at age 99, according to her death certificate.

The beloved "Golden Girls" and "Mary Tyler Moore Show" actor died at her home in the Brentwood section of Los Angeles as the result of a Dec. 25 cerebrovascular accident, the medical term for a stroke, according to the LA County death certificate obtained Monday by The Associated Press.

The cause was provided by White's doctor, as is typical in such cases.

She was cremated and her remains were given Friday to Glenn Kaplan, the man in charge of White's advanced health care directive.

Notable deaths of 2021 ... a final look back A final look back at the entertainers, leaders, athletes, authors and other stars who died in 2021.

Jeff Witjas, White's longtime agent and friend, who first confirmed her death to the AP, said she had been staying close to her Los Angeles home during the pandemic.

The document lists White's legal name of Betty Marion Ludden. She took the last name of her husband Allen Ludden, to whom she was married from 1963 until his death in 1981.

The information from the death certificate was first reported by TMZ.

White, whose comic chops and up-for-anything charm made her a television mainstay for more than 60 years who was celebrated by several generations of fans, died less than three weeks before her 100th birthday.

President Joe Biden, Mel Brooks, and many other celebrities and prominent leaders paid tribute to her after her death.

***

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Gaming peripheral manufacturer Razer has backtracked on its claims about the protection levels offered by its Zephyr and Zephyr Pro masks.

The changes come after the company faced backlash over using N95-grade to describe the filters used to keep the air that enters and exits the mask clean.

The criticism was primarily driven by popular Chinese tech and DIY YouTuber Naomi Wu.

Wu posted an in-depth review video in November 2021 in which she pointed out that the N95 designation was an official certification given by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).

It is granted to respirators that filter out at least 95% of airborne particles but requires specific criteria for the entire mask. It includes considering fit and filtration.

While Razer claims its mask is 95% effective against filtering particles, the Zephyr is not included in the NIOSHs list of approved respirators.

Wu called Razers marketing of the mask as N95 grade dishonest, deceptive, and dangerous.

Razer subsequently amended the Zephyr and Zephyr Pros product pages, removing any mention of N95-grade filters and including the following note:

Razer Zephyr is not a certified N95 mask, medical device, respirator, surgical mask or personal protective equipment (PPE) and is not meant to be used on medical or clinical settings.

Wu said the changes were prompted by pressure from the Food and Drug Administration and NIOSH, but Razer has denied this and claimed it made the amendments of its own accord.

She also said Razers removal of the N95 marketing came too late and that the horse had already bolted.

Media outlets have labelled it an N95 mask, immune-compromised individuals and healthcare workers all over social media are calling it an N95 mask, Wu said.

These people have ordered or are actively seeking the Zephyr as an alternative to real N95 masks. This was Razers intent, and they got what they wanted.

Wu went further and accused Razer of only minimising harm to its companys image.

Razer has successfully validated and marketed their fraudulent product, the lists of people waiting for the next drop are full, Wu said.

She also raised concerns that other manufacturers would jump on the hype created by the mask and create similar or cheaper copies with the same dishonest claims.

If they get a pass on this, trendy, stylish N95-grade RGB masks are going to be shipping from Alibaba by container load within months, Wu said.

Wu said it was absolutely essential that Razer not profit from a deliberate attempt at fraud, remove the mask from the market pending a complete redesign and issue a clear statement of why it was removed.

Now read: Sony PlayStation VR2 details announced
By Azernews

By Sabina Mammadli

Thirty-one years have passed since the tragic death of Salatin Asgarova, Azerbaijans first female journalist martyred in Karabakh. The journalist, famous for her bravery, dedication, passion for her art, and patriotism, was 29 years old.

Biography

Salatin Asgarova was born on December 16, 1961, in Baku in an intellectual family. In 1979, she graduated with honors from Baku secondary school No 18. In the same year, she entered the Azerbaijan Institute of Petroleum and Chemistry. Having an engineering degree, her passion for literature led her to the world of journalism. She first tried herself as a freelance reporter. In 1984, she started working in the Baku newspaper, and four years later she joined the Youth of Azerbaijan newspaper as a special correspondent.

Journalistic mission in Karabakh

Prior to the beginning of the first Karabakh war in the early 1990s, Salatin was writing about mundane issues of society. However, after the war broke out, she frequently visited the front line and provided press coverage from hot spots. Her articles were full of sincerity, compassion, and objectivity, thanks to which she earned the respect of colleagues and her readers.

Sparing no effort and health, she held meetings with local residents, collected information, prepared articles in a touching hope to somehow try to stop the Armenian chaos.

A woman in a male-dominated editorial office, a mother, with a young child at home, you would think she would be the last one to go, but Salatin was always the one to volunteer to go to the front line. The editorial staff of the newspaper was very worried about Salatin and every time, upon her return to Baku, they tried and failed to persuade her to no longer travel to dangerous regions, which were slowly but inevitably becoming front-line territory. To which she always responded the same way: "If not me, then who?"

Those were extremely challenging times. It wasnt the first case of an organized armed ambush by Armenians; however, it was the first case of murder of an on-duty journalist in Nagorno-Karabakh.

On the morning of January 9, 1991, the journalist was on her way to Shusha with a journalistic duty for the newspaper. She shared a military vehicle with soldiers of the border unit - Russian Lt-Col Larionov, Maj Ivanov, Sgt Goyek. Oleg Larionov, originally from Taishet, Siberia, commanded the battalion for more than five years. A reward of R10,000 was promised for Larionov's head.

At the sixth kilometer of the Lachin-Shusha highway, next to the village of Boyuk Galadarasi, the vehicle in which they were traveling was shot upon by Armenian militants firing from at almost point-blank range with machine guns and sniper rifles. The investigators counted 113 bullet holes in the vehicle: such was the intensity of the enemy fire. As a result of the attack, Asgarova and two others died on the spot. The wounded battalion commander Larionov managed to jump out of the vehicle that had lost control and took up the defence: only ten cartridges remained. He was killed shortly after.

National hero

Under a presidential decree dated November 6, 1992, Asgarova was posthumously awarded the title of the National Hero of Azerbaijan for the journalistic courage she had displayed. Salatin was buried in the Martyrs' Alley in Baku.

After his death, he was awarded the title of laureate of the International Confederation of Journalists.

A street in Baku and a village in Karabakh are named in her honor.

The attackers - Arno Mkrtchian, Hrachik Petrossian, Mongasagian, and Garik Arustamian - were identified and arrested. They were later released and handed over to Armenia on May 8, 1996.

Asgarova's son was the whole world to her, and even though she dedicated so much time to her work, she was always a good mother to her son, Jeyhun, who became a journalist in name of his mother.

For some, she is a National Hero, for others, she is a talented journalist, but for me, she was primarily a mother. When I grew up, I realized that she is one of the journalists who are at the top that is difficult to conquer. Not every journalist has the willpower to do what my mother did. She loved her homeland very much and was ready for anything for it, he said.
An investigation by the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa) revealed that the delay in issuing drivers licences is partly caused by a money-making racket at a government department.

Approximately half a million South African motorists will be stuck with expired driving licence cards because the twenty-year-old machine that prints them all has been out of order since November.

Reports of the machines breakdown emerged in mid-December after letters addressed to Driving Licence Test Centre (DLTC) managers became public.

Earlier this month, the Department of Transport has confirmed that the machine was still broken. It provided no further update.

The country only has one drivers licences printing machine, and the DA warned years ago that it was on its last legs. This warning fell on deaf ears.

Because of the breakdown, motorists must now cough up R90 for a temporary driving permit.

The Department of Transport is expected to collect around R45 million from these temporary permits.

Outa CEO Wayne Duvenage said they had contacted the department to find out what was going on, but they have not received a reply.

Do they have a new machine? Will the current one be fixed? What is going on? Just tell us so that we can all understand the plan and strategy to fix this, Duvenage told Biznews.

There is no indication when the machine will be fixed or whether the department will get a new one.

Duvenage told Biznews that one of the reasons behind the drivers licence chaos is that the Department of Transport has become a money-making empire.

We are unpacking reports and have found very interesting stuff. It is a small department, and it doesnt need a lot of people  but there is a little empire. It seems to be making quite a lot of money, and there are surpluses there, Duvenage said.

What is interesting is the massive increase in depreciation. It would indicate that the department has bought equipment over the last few years: desks, furniture, and computers or something. We need to look into that.

He said the Department of Transport is similar to the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC), which is also a money-making empire.

The RTMC is doing as much as it can to make more money instead of making life more efficient for its citizens, Duvenage said.

One example is the high price to renew your car or drivers license online.

If you go into the office to renew your car or drivers licence, it is cheap. However, if you want to do it online, it will cost you R700. That is the reverse of what happens with normal businesses, he said.

Can you imagine a bank charging you more to go online and trying to encourage people to go into the bank to do their transactions? It doesnt work like that in the world, but at the Department of Transport, it appears to be the norm.

Outa has previously highlighted that top officials are receiving large salary increases, while lower-level are not enjoying the same benefit.

The Driving Licence Card Account (DLCA) is a separate trading entity under the transport department that took over the production of the driving licence cards from May 2015.

For the three years from 2019/2020 to 2021/2022, the DLCAs lowest-paid employees got an average of R100,000 a year, showing no or minimal increase.

Over the same years, the DLCAs top four employees started with an average of R800,000 a year each but increased 88% to an average of R1.5 million each.

In 2019/2020, the top four collectively cost R3.3 million  1.8 times the cost of the bottom seventeen. By 2021/2022, the top four collectively cost R6.1 million, 2.4 times the total cost of the bottom nineteen employees.

To resolve some of the problems with drivers license renewals, Duvenage called for the renewal period to be extended to 10 years, which is the norm in many countries.

He said changing renewals to 10 years will have an immense benefit to the government, society, and citizens.

We wrote to the Minister of Transport suggesting this. We also found that in 2013, under Dipuo Peters, a 10-year renewal period instead of 5-years has already been approved, he said.

However, this decision was rescinded, and we believe that is because they were going to lose a lot of money.

We believe this Department of Transport is not invested in its people and what is best for the country, but rather in what is best for itself, its cronies and its internal empire-building.
Battle lines have been drawn over the heated issue of cellular network capacity in South Africa.

In the one corner  South Africas incumbent and partially state-owned telecommunications network operator Telkom.

In the opposite corner  industry regulator Icasa, and every other major cellular network operator in the country.

Telkom filed papers in the Pretoria High Court last Tuesday, 4 January, to interdict the spectrum auction called for by the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa).

Radio frequency spectrum is the raw network capacity cellular operators use to communicate between mobile devices and their towers.

South Africas mobile network operators, including Telkom, have long maintained that releasing additional spectrum will help reduce prices, increase coverage, and improve network quality.

MTN, Icasa, Vodacom, Rain, and communications minister Khumbudzo Ntshavheni have all filed papers opposing Telkoms application, setting the stage for a dramatic showdown.

While Telkom is a giant of South Africas telecoms industry, it is up against companies that are giants in their own right.

Vodacom and MTN dominate South Africas cellular arena, with millions more subscribers than Telkom has on its network.

Vodacom also controls 40.7% of the sectors revenue market share, while MTN and Telkom are more evenly matched with 26% and 25% each.

While Telkom has fewer subscribers and turns over less revenue, it holds substantially more radio frequency spectrum suitable for cellular networking than Vodacom and MTN.

Although it has more raw wireless network capacity, Telkom does not have access to frequencies below a gigahertz, known as sub-1GHz spectrum.

Sub-1GHz spectrum offers greater penetration through walls and can cover a wider area per tower than higher frequency spectrum.

Obtaining sub-1GHz spectrum is therefore a priority for Telkom.

In addition to its spectrum holdings, Telkom also has a much larger fibre footprint than either of its competitors, with over 146,000km of cable in the ground.

Despite this, Telkoms wholesale and networks division Openserve faces stiff competition from the likes of Vumatel and DFA.

While Telkom dominated the fixed-line space for decades as a state-sanctioned monopoly, Vumatel has rapidly grown since its launch in 2014. It overtook Openserve as South Africas biggest fibre-to-the-home provider in 2019.

Vodacom has brokered a merger with the holding company of Vumatel and DFA. If the Competition Commission approves the deal, Telkoms fibre footprint will still dwarf its next-nearest competitor.

Adding to the drama of these three giants doing battle before the High Court, Telkom and MTN got new CEOs at the start of the year.

Serame Taukobong took over as Telkom Group CEO from Sipho Maseko, while Charles Molapisi took MTN South Africas reins from Godfrey Motsa. Both men started in their new roles on 1 January.

Telkoms problems with Icasas attempt to hold a spectrum auction by 8 March 2022 are manifold.

It is concerned about the auctioning of sub-1GHz frequencies that are still occupied, because E-tv refuses to relinquish them by March 2022.

E-tv owner eMedia has a pending court case against the Minister of Communications and Icasa about this issue that will only be heard in mid-March.

Telkom also contends that Icasa has not fully considered the impact its auction will have on competition in the market and that it hasnt adequately consulted the Competition Commission.

It raised concerns over Icasas decision to implement uniform caps on the amount of spectrum each operator can hold.

Currently, Telkom holds about 142MHz of spectrum earmarked for cellular telecommunications. MTN and Vodacom have around 86MHz and 81MHz, respectively.

Icasa has set a cap that will allow each network operator to only control 20% of the assigned spectrum at any given time  which will be 187MHz for the auction.

That means Telkom will only be allowed to acquire around 45MHz of the spectrum unless it gives up some of its existing holdings.

Icasas mistake is that it assumes spectrum in the hands of each player has the same value and has the same impact on the market, Telkom regulatory affairs head Siyabonga Mahlangu has told MyBroadband.

Telkom has also taken issue with Icasas decision to delay the licensing of South Africas national wireless open-access network (WOAN).

Mahlangu explained that by removing the WOAN from the auction, Icasa has severely complicated the mathematical models operators use to inform how they should bid in the auction.

This creates concerns that they will overbid on the spectrum, he said.

Telkoms detractors have said the company is trying to delay the release of spectrum because it benefits from the status quo.

Icasa was set to hold a spectrum auction in March last year, but the process was delayed by legal action brought by Telkom, MTN, and E-tv owner eMedia.

Telkom appears hellbent on stalling the Authoritys every effort to licence the high demand spectrum that the sector, country, and our economy so badly needs, Icasa said.

Narrow and selfish commercial interests should give way to the overriding public good of cheaper data, universal access to efficient and reliable connectivity, and high-speed broadband transmission.

Vodacom CEO Shameel Joosub has previously said Telkom does not want Vodacom and MTN to get more spectrum because it wants to maintain its competitive advantage.

Armed with more spectrum, Vodacom and MTN have promised to cut data prices to make the most of their network investments.

This will put pressure on Telkom to do the same, which will hurt its bottom line.

Telkom would like to avoid this situation, and delaying the spectrum auction is a logical step to prevent a significant decline in data prices.

MyBroadband asked Cell C, MTN, Rain, Telkom, and Vodacom for comment on these recent developments, and this is what they had to say.

Cell C remains optimistic about the process to auction much-needed spectrum to the telecommunications industry, said Cell C chief legal officer Zahir Williams

However, delaying the process is not in the best interests of competition or consumers especially with the demand created by the online migration and need to be connected.

Williams said they had noted Icasas indications that the auction design will make provision for spectrum-sharing, which it says is an essential step for the industry.

High demand spectrum is a catalyst to stimulate economic growth and introduce next-generation technologies that are affordable, accessible and address the digital divide, said Williams.

An industry that promotes sustainable investment, effective competition and affordable services to consumers is a win for all.

Icasa disclosed that Vodacom sent it a letter on 1 January. Vodacom declined to provide MyBroadband with the letter, stating that it is confidential.

Vodacom can confirm that it filed notice yesterday afternoon to oppose Part A of Telkoms court application [the interdict], said Vodacom spokesperson Byron Kennedy.

We remain committed to an expedited and fair spectrum auction process. In this regard, we have provided guidance to Icasa in our written submissions to its 2021 Information Memorandum consultations, and continue to engage stakeholders as we work toward a successful auction, Kennedy stated.

As we have said previously, the award of new spectrum is a critical part of reducing input costs and the cost of data in South Africa.

Spectrum is not just an industry issue, this is an issue for all our people, and while there are certainly elements of the [invitation to apply] that are a concern, we have to work together to best benefit the people of South Africa, said MTN SA CEO, Charles Molapisi.

We cannot have a repeat of 2021, where the entire process was delayed for another full year, and that on the back of 14 years of no additional spectrum being added to the industry, Molapisi stated.

A successful spectrum auction has the capacity to not only release much-needed funds into the national fiscus, but it will have an immediate impact on consumers.

We support the minster and Icasas efforts to license the high-demand, IMT spectrum on a permanent basis, through a transparent, pro-competitive process without further delays, Rain stated.

The ITA includes pro-competitive measures, such as an opt-in round and spectrum caps on IMT spectrum. Icasa has specifically included these measures to ensure that the outcome of the auction is pro-competitive.

Telkom declined to comment further, saying that it needed to go through the court papers.
One of St. Helenas most visible storefronts is vacant no more with the recent opening of the clothing store Tweed & Vine.

Proprietors Michael Sabino and Ken Blenis moved to St. Helena full-time after selling Button Down, a clothing store in San Franciscos Presidio Heights neighborhood that Sabino founded 41 years ago.

They started looking for somewhere to set up shop in St. Helena. Real estate agent Jeff Feeney steered them toward 1381 Main St., which had been vacant since Vasconis Pharmacy  a St. Helena icon for over 70 years  closed on June 16.

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We were originally going to use the same name, but I felt like since were starting a whole new adventure up here we should call it Tweed & Vine, Sabino said.

Tweed & Vine is leasing 800 square feet of the 3,000-square-foot Vasconis space. Sabino and Blenis will be there for at least six months, but theyre not ready to announce their plans post-April 1.

Sabino and Blenis scour New York, Italy and England for the best clothes they can find.

Our concept is beautiful, classic, quality clothing, Sabino said.

Thats reflective of wine country, Blenis added. This stuff is wearable here in town and also for people who are just visiting.

The store also features luggage imported from Denmark, antiques, and whimsical items like a model plane built by a retired architect and a 35-year-old bicycle outfitted with leather trim. The plane and the bike are for display only, but Sabino did let St. Helena Cyclerys Jake Scheideman take it for a spin.

Nostalgic shoppers will even find vestiges of the old Vasconis Pharmacy, like the horse photo that used to hang in the back office and the repurposed front counter.

Tweed & Vines customer base is similar to that of Button Downs, Sabino said. Some of St. Helenas part-time and full-time residents, including members of the wine industry, have been shopping with us for years, he said.

The response has been beyond what we expected, Sabino said.

Its fun to see people come in and pet everything, he said with a laugh. We get it  we love good textiles too.

To their delight, one of their biggest fans has been landlord Patty Vasconi, whos sent flowers and delivered lattes to her new tenants.

She and (husband) Hap are wonderful people, Sabino said.

Even fellow merchants have been dropping in with flowers, wine and good wishes. One local came in to offer his congratulations wearing a suede safari jacket he bought at Button Down 36 years ago.

Its not a great look for the town to have so many empty storefronts, so people have been very supportive and positive, Blenis said.

One of the reasons why we moved here is the people, who are amazingly kind, Sabino said.

You can reach Jesse Duarte at 967-6803 or jduarte@sthelenastar.com.

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Alila Napa Valley has announced the appointment of Dave Stevens as the General Manager of Acacia House in St. Helena.

Stevens brings over 14 years of hospitality and culinary experience to Acacia House, which is helmed by celebrity chef and Top Chef Masters winner Chris Cosentino.

Prior to joining Alila Napa Valley, Stevens was Director of Rooftop Operations for Thompson Hotels in San Antonio, Texas. He also held positions at Thompson Hotels in Mexico, the Liaison Capitol Hill in Washington D.C., and the James Royal Palm in Miami Beach, Florida.

In his previous roles, Stevens successfully executed inventive culinary offerings and improved overall service to guests by fostering strong customer relationships, according to a news release issued by Alila.

We are delighted to welcome Dave to the Acacia House team, said Ty Accornero, General Manager of Alila Napa Valley, formerly known as Las Alcobas. His many years of leadership experience within the industry and his drive made him the perfect candidate. We couldnt be happier to have him on board, and we look forward to his continuing of the culinary excellence at Acacia House.
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Napa County increased by 416 over the Saturday-to-Monday weekend, county health authorities announced in their daily update on COVID-19 transmission Monday afternoon as an infection surge driven by the virus latest Omicron variant continues.

The updated count followed a one-day increase Friday of 397 new COVID-19 cases, exceeding the highest weekly, much less daily, counts recorded during the previous surge of the Delta variant last summer. Napa Countys 880 new positive tests for the week ending Thursday also exceeded all weekly counts from the 2020-21 winter surge.

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The number of local hospitalizations caused by COVID-19 increased by one from Friday, to 21, with 33% of intensive-care beds available, according to Napa Countys informational website on the virus.

Despite a larger number of infections, hospitalization figures have stayed below the peak of 26 on Jan. 3, 2021  a development the countys public health director Dr. Karen Relucio has suggested indicates that staffing shortages in the workplace, rather than hospitalization rates, could now be the most pressing local concern. However, Relucio also pointed to decreased health care staffing and shrunken capacity as a concern compared to previous COVID-19 surges.

Since Christmas, more than 5,000 people in California have been admitted to hospitals with the coronavirus. In many cases, they went in for other conditions and only learned they were infected upon testing.

State models used to forecast the impact of the virus show that within a month California could have a record 23,000 people in hospitals with COVID-19.

Napa County case counts do not include results from home testing kits, which were sold out at many local pharmacies last week.

Starting Saturday, private health insurers will be required to cover up to eight home COVID-19 tests per month for people on their plans. The Biden administration announced the change Monday as it looks to lower costs and make testing for the coronavirus more convenient amid rising frustrations.

Under the new policy, first detailed by The Associated Press, Americans will be able to either purchase home testing kits free under their insurance or submit receipts for the tests for reimbursement, up to the monthly per-person limit. A family of four, for instance, could be reimbursed for up to 32 tests per month. PCR tests and rapid tests ordered or administered by a health provider will continue to be fully covered by insurance with no limit.

Later this month, the federal government will launch a website to begin making 500 million at-home COVID-19 tests available via mail. The administration also is scaling up emergency rapid-testing sites in areas experiencing the greatest surges in cases.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

You can reach Howard Yune at 530-763-2266 or hyune@napanews.com

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State Department: Deepening US-Armenia cooperation in nuclear energy will strengthen bilateral relations

Peaceful disobedience actions resume in Yerevan early morning

Mirzoyan: Armenia appreciates US support for developing energy sector

Blinken underscores US commitment to help Armenia, Azerbaijan find sustainable peace, prosperity

Eurozone economic sentiment falls much more than expected in April

Apple faces big fine

Armenia ex-president joins discussion in France Square

Poland wants the EU to set a clear date for stopping Russian oil imports

Armenia FM meets with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken

Armenia FM meets with Director of USAID Samantha Power

Ann Linde says Finland will almost certainly apply for NATO membership

European Commission may relieve Hungary, Slovakia of embargo on Russian oil purchase

Resistance Movement to continue large-scale civil disobedience actions on 3 May in Yerevan and regions

EU countries to continue to pay in euros or dollars for Russian gas

Resistance Movement participants return to France Square

Russian and Turkish defense ministers discuss current situation in Ukraine

Ukrainian intelligence accuses Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan of helping Russia evade Western sanctions

NEWS.am digest: Turkey says they have agreements with Armenia on border clarification

Toivo Klaar informs about meeting of Armen Grigoryan and Hikmet Hajiyev in Brussels

PACE initiates resolution on threats to journalists and human rights defenders in Azerbaijan

Diplomat kidnapped in Haiti

Hungarian president asks Orban to form new government

Georgia PM hands over first part of questionnaire answers for accession to EU

Resistance Movement participants march in central Yerevan

Half of Japanese oppose change of peaceful constitution

Resistance movement rally on France Square in Yerevan

Blinken and Armenia FM sign memorandum on strategic cooperation in nuclear energy

Another earthquake registered on Armenian-Georgian border

FLYONE ARMENIA launches regular direct flights between Yerevan and Tbilisi

Georgia abolishes requirement to wear masks in closed spaces

One dollar drops below AMD 450, euro also falls in Armenia

Georgia PM receives Justice Minister of Armenia

Armenia MFA says there is no discussion, agreement on re-demarcating border with Turkey

Cavusoglu claims there is agreement to clarify Armenia-Turkey border

Azerbaijan president receives Brice Roquefeuil

Armenia ex-defense minister: These authorities are able to use force inside the country

Police: 244 people apprehended in Yerevan as of 2pm

Incident involving disobedience march participants occurs at Armenian State Pedagogical University

Yerevan Police apprehend opposition MP

Police: 199 people apprehended in Yerevan as of noon

Armenia defense ministry refutes Azerbaijan MOD statement

Resistance Movement coordinator says they will assemble at France Square in downtown Yerevan at 6pm

Armenia parliament opposition faction leader: More than 200 people apprehended

The Azeri Times: Azerbaijan closes airspace for Russia military aircraft to disrupt transportation to Armenia

Bill Gates warns of more fertile' COVID-19 variant

Police: 3 dozen intersections in Yerevan were closed off by citizens since morning

Armenia PM congratulates several Arab countries leaders on Islamic holiday of Eid al-Fitr

3 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

Journalist falls ill during scuffle at civil disobedience action in Yerevan

Armenia ex-ruling party official: I assess these actions of disobedience very positively

Armenia FM to head for US, will meet with Blinken

Armenia Police: 189 people apprehended so far in Yerevan

UN announces blocking of millions of tons of grain in Ukraine ports

Small plane crashes in Canada, 4 dead

125 people taken to Yerevan police stations

Erdogan says will hold talks with Putin this week

Quake hits Armenia-Georgia border zone

One person falls ill during oppositions peaceful disobedience action in downtown Yerevan

Resistance Movement coordinator says 14 streets currently blocked by citizens in Yerevan

Peaceful civil disobedience actions kick off in Yerevan early morning

Hungary says 10 European countries opened bank accounts in Russia to pay for natural gas in rubles

Finland to build fences along Russia border

Armenia ex-President Serzh Sargsyan: For 10 years international community said Artsakh should self-determine

Putin signs decree on measures to ensure Russia information security

3rd President Serzh Sargsyan is at Yerevans France Square

Opposition continues to keep France Square in downtown Yerevan closed

Europe asks Russia natural gas giant to increase supplies

Clashes break out between police and anarchists in Paris

The Jerusalem Post: Time for Israel to not fear Turkey and to recognize Armenian Genocide

Armenia opposition lawmaker: People are constantly approaching ex-president Kocharyan (VIDEO)

Putin bans foreign investors from organizing regular transfers on public-private, city-private partnership basis

Ex-defense minister: Prior to 44-day war it was possible to negotiate in such way that Armenia will not be at war

Police dispatching additional forces to Yerevans France Square

Opposition to set up tents at France Square in downtown Yerevan (PHOTOS)

Armenia opposition MP: How did US, France, Russia talk about Karabakh status after war?

Resistance Movement coordinator: Armenian people told whole world that they are masters of their destiny, future

Huge opposition rally kicks off in downtown Yerevan

Armenia former ruling party official says ex-President Serzh Sargsyan will attend today's opposition rally

Russia to impose $101M fine on Google

Resistance Movement marches reach French Square in Yerevan

Turkey police beat, detain dozens in May Day demonstrations

Armenia international airports passenger traffic doubles in first quarter of 2022

Nancy Pelosi visits Kyiv, meets with Zelenskyy

Armenia MOD: Azerbaijan defense ministry disseminating disinformation

Armenia ex-President Kocharyan joins opposition march to Yerevan

US Embassy in Armenia: Large crowds are unpredictable

Germany supports EU plans to give up Russian oil

Russia MOD announces airstrike on Odessa military airport

Italy cancels Covid certificates

Resistance Movement marches reaching Yerevan

Artsakh President receives Armenian Relief Society delegation

4 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

Blinken, Kuleba discuss return of American diplomats to Ukraine

Armenia PM: Thanks to joint efforts and work we were able to overcome these crisis situations

Person commits suicide by hanging self in Armenias Artik

US, UK hold talks to reduce risk of war with China over Taiwan

1 dead, several injured in US festival shooting

Drought causes megafire in US New Mexico

Biden resumes White House Correspondents' Dinner tradition, Kim Kardashian among celebrity guest

Turkey expresses readiness to support UN efforts on Ukraine
YEREVAN.  Past daily of the Republic of Armenia (RA) writes: The year began with the stormy events taking place in the world. Although they are outside Armenia, they are often directly related to our country. And this first of all refers to the processes taking place in Kazakhstan. The assessments being made of the latter, the CSTO engagement [to it], and [PM] Nikol Pashinyan's decisions are not unambiguous.

Speaking about Past, Vahe Hakobyan, MP of the [opposition] "Armenia" Faction of the RA NA [(National Assembly)], Chair of the NA Standing Committee on Economic Affairs, expressed an opinion that [in terms of the events unrolling in Kazakhstan] the CSTO manifested itself as a structure capable of a quick response.

As for the incumbent authorities of Armenia, in Hakobyans words, they once again showed their being unprincipled and worthless.

"I had the opportunity to say; let me repeat: He who came to power through the street, the same man who incited [the] March 1 [2008 tragedy in Yerevan] and was boasting about the people who had taken away the truncheon and the shield from the police, now sends soldiers to Kazakhstan to return to the Kazakh policeman the shield and truncheon taken away from him.

And the most horrible [thing] is that he does it yet again without giving any explanation to the people, without substantiating and commenting on his actions in any way. Pashinyan did not even convene an NA special session on the matter of sending [Armenian] troops to another country, whereas Armenia, let me remind, is a parliamentary country," Vahe Hakobyan noted.
American millionaire Robert Durst, sentenced to life in prison for the murder of his girlfriend and suspected of murdering his wife, has died at the age of 78, writes Gazeta, citing the New York Post.

According to the newspaper, in recent months he experienced health problems. At the end of last year, he was hooked up to a ventilator after testing positive for coronavirus. He also had bladder cancer. California Department of Corrections officials confirmed that Durst died of natural causes in the hospital.

He was sentenced to life in prison in October for the brutal murder of his longtime confidant, Susan Berman, and shortly thereafter was charged with the murder of his wife, Kathleen Durst, in 1982.

In addition, in 2001, Durst was wanted in several states after body parts belonging to his neighbor Morris Black were found floating in Galveston Bay, Texas. He was hiding in Galveston disguising himself as an old mute woman named Dorothy Siener. He was later acquitted, as the murder was ruled in self-defense.

Durst was born on April 12, 1943, to real estate tycoon Seymour Durst and his wife, Bernice Herstein. His mother died when he was 7 years old, after falling or jumping from the roof of a family home in Westchester County.

Durst himself is described as a loner who tortured his brothers and sisters.
The UAE Ministry of Economy has announced a review of the new Industrial Property and Patents Law, which forms part of the largest legislative amendments in the UAEs history that encompasses 50 federal laws in Industrial Property and Patents.

The new legislation comes with fundamental amendments aimed at enhancing investor confidence and stimulating innovation in vital sectors.

This major economic milestone coincides with the countrys golden jubilee celebrations and strengthens the fundamentals of the UAEs economic legislation, making it more competitive, flexible, open and able to attract global investments and successful companies in various sectors, especially in the new and future sectors.

Dr Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of State for Entrepreneurship and SMEs, pointed out that the UAE had achieved regional leadership in various fields related to innovation and intellectual property.

"Today, we have put in place supportive and stimulating policies to enhance the role of intellectual property in general and industrial property and patents in particular as they are among the main drivers of economic recovery and progress in various sectors," stated Al Falasi.

These are essential pillars in sustainable economic and social development efforts based on knowledge, innovation and creativity in the country, he added.

The minister said the industrial property law was one of the most important initiatives that the Ministry of Economy and its partners had developed in order to drive growth based on knowledge and innovation and support entrepreneurship.

"These efforts fall in line with the vision, principles and projects launched by the UAE government to establish a new phase of growth, both domestically and globally," noted Al Falasi.

This objective will be achieved by accelerating the transformation towards a new, more flexible and sustainable knowledge-based economic model that keeps pace with the latest economic trends in which innovation, technology, research and development, national competencies, inventors, talents and entrepreneurs are the key drivers of progress, he added.-TradeArabia News Service
The United Nations has proposed two plans to assist the Afghan population and displaced Afghans in neighboring countries, which include more than $ 5 billion in international funding in 2022, TASS reports.

The UN and nongovernmental organizations are today launching joint response plans aimed at providing vital assistance to 22 million people in Afghanistan and supporting 5.7 million Afghans and local communities in neighboring countries, the world organization noted.

The Humanitarian and Refugee Response Plan requires more than $ 5 billion in international funding in 2022. People in Afghanistan are dealing with one of the fastest growing crises in the world. Half of the population is facing severe hunger, more than 9 million people have been displaced.

The organization noted that without support in Afghanistan, tens of thousands of children could die of malnutrition given the collapse of [the] basic health care system.

Afghanistan is facing a full-scale humanitarian catastrophe, according to UN Under-Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs Martin Griffiths.

The humanitarian response plan provides for the allocation of $ 4.4 billion. It is assumed that the funds will go to food and agricultural support, health care, shelters, access to water and sanitation.

The Refugee Initiative provides $ 623 million in funding to 40 health, food security, education, logistics and telecommunications organizations.
Turkish authorities have issued arrest warrants for 33 individuals suspected of involvement in the Fethullah terrorist organization (FETO), which Ankara accuses of attempting a coup d'etat in July 2016, Milliyet reported.

The Ankara General Prosecutor's Office, the newspaper notes, issued a statement, according to which, during the investigation carried out by the National Intelligence Service (MIT), the General Directorate of Security and specialists in the fight against cybercrime, branched FETO structures were identified. It turned out that they included the General Command of the Gendarmerie and private security companies. Detention warrants have been issued for 33 suspects in 26 provinces, including 18 suspended NCOs and 15 cadets previously expelled from academics.

On July 15, 2016, a group of soldiers and officers of the Turkish Armed Forces attempted a coup d'etat. The main confrontation unfolded in Istanbul and Ankara, 250 people died, not counting the putschists, more than 2 thousand were injured. Ankara accuses the US-based Islamic preacher Fethullah Gulen and the associated FETO of preparing the coup.
YEREVAN.  The data on the number of our unit in Kazakhstan have been publicized, and it is clearly noted what function they are performing [there]; that is, the function of protecting the key facilities. Deputy defense minister Arman Sargsyan on Tuesday told this to reporters in the National Assembly of Armenia.

To the remark that the Armenian opposition considers it risky to send an Armenian military unit to Kazakhstan when Armenia's borders are in this state, Sargsyan responded as follows: "The oppositionists can present their observations in that logic. But there is no risk issue in this because our number [in Kazakhstan] is not such that the absence of those 100 servicemen assume any change in terms of border tension.

If we follow the criticisms, we are in a very sad situationwhich is not the case. There is no need to see the bad in every good. Criticism must be objective, from which the authorities will only learn lessons and try to do a better job."

To the question whether there are specific timeframes to withdraw the Armenian military unit from Kazakhstan, the deputy defense minister said: "I cannot note a date. But it was noted also when sending [this unit] that they are going for a limited time."

Arman Sargsyan, however, left unanswered the question as to what the logic is when the Russians are brought to Armenia's borders, whereas the Armenian soldiers are sent to help the Kazakhs.
The Austrian government is not going to abandon the introduction of mandatory vaccination against coronavirus from February this year, Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer told the Austrian Press Agency.

According to him, the parliamentary examination of the draft law on compulsory vaccination is over, it remains, if necessary, to polish the document, taking into account some proposals.

The Chancellor also confirmed that the government's plan should be implemented from February, despite technical difficulties with the electronic health record system.

Last week, specialists from the Austrian state portal of electronic medical records ELGA announced that it would not be possible to technically implement the introduction and control of compulsory vaccination until April. In addition, one of the most authoritative and influential representatives of Austria's leading opposition Social Democratic Party and head of the Burgenland region, Hans Peter Doskotsil, called for a revision of the government bill due to the spread of the omicron strain. He supports vaccination against covid, but believes the mandatory vaccination bill as presented is flawed.

The Austrian government previously announced a plan to introduce compulsory coronavirus vaccination for all residents of the country from the age of 14 starting in February 2022. This coercive measure proved to be unpopular in Austrian society and sparked unprecedented mass protests.
From January 11 India imposed a week quarantine for all foreign tourists, including vaccinated, the Association of Tour Operators in Russia (ATOR) reported.

Due to the widespread new variety of coronavirus travelers arriving in India, regardless of vaccination status, will be required to undergo a seven-day quarantine. After the quarantine, a paid PCR test must be taken and the result uploaded to the Air Suvidha portal.

Experts also advise Russian tourists who are going to India to take another paid PCR test upon arrival in the country. Its result must be awaited at the airport.

But the official rules of the Indian authorities provide for such test only for tourists arriving from "risk group" countries. Russia is not on this list. Despite this, most Russian tour operators warn that such test is necessary.

Another innovation is a curfew in Goa, which is in force from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. But according to tourists from India, no one observes this rule. The nightclubs on the coast of this state are now almost crowded.
Armenian Americans and allies across the U.S. are joining the Armenian National Committee of Americas (ANCA) call on President Biden and Congressional leaders to fundamentally reset U.S. policy toward the South Caucasus, taking concrete steps to: protect Artsakh's security; defend Armenia's sovereignty, hold Baku and Ankara responsible for their war crimes and ongoing hostility; strengthen the U.S.-Armenia strategic partnership, and; lock-in permanent U.S. government-wide remembrance of the Armenian Genocide.

The ANCA-led online campaign  anca.org/priorities  has been used by tens of thousands to share community outrage that U.S. leaders have failed to openly condemn and materially confront the aggression, war crimes, and human rights abuses committed by dictatorial Azerbaijan and its Turkish/ISIS allies against democratic Artsakh and Armenia. Our government - against all evidence - refuses to condemn the very violence that Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev proudly boasts of having visited upon Armenians living peacefully in their indigenous homeland.

The ANCA outlines seven decisive ways President Biden and Congressional leaders can end U.S. complicity in Azerbaijans ongoing aggression against Armenia and Artsakh, including:

-- Ending the Presidential waiver of Section 907 of the FREEDOM Support Act, fully enforcing this statute, and ceasing any and all U.S. military or security assistance to Azerbaijan, including Section 333 (Capacity Building), Foreign Military Financing, and International Military Education and Training - on the basis of Section 502B(a)(1) of the Foreign Assistance Act, the Leahy Laws, Section 907, and other provisions of U.S. law.

-- Providing at least $100,000,000 in immediate, direct U.S. humanitarian aid to the more than 100,000 Armenians ethnically cleansed by Azerbaijan from their Artsakh homeland, helping these families rebuild their lives and resettle in safety upon their indigenous Armenian homeland.

-- Directing the Department of Treasury's Office of Foreign Asset Control to enforce Global Magnitsky sanctions against senior Azerbaijani officials guilty of committing war crimes against Artsakh and Armenia, among them President Ilham Aliyev, Defense Minister Zakir Hasanov, and former Chief of the General Staff Sadikov Najmeddin Huseynoglu.

-- Condemning Azerbaijan's illegal detention and documented abuse of Armenian prisoners of war, demanding their immediate and unconditional release, under the Third Geneva Convention and other instruments of international law. This call should be unilateral, publicly and prominently highlighting the fact that Azerbaijan is the only party to the conflict to hold prisoners of war.

-- Conducting a comprehensive investigation - consistent with the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022 - regarding Turkey's recruitment of Syrian terrorist mercenaries, Azerbaijan's use of illegal cluster bombs and white phosphorous, and potential violations of U.S. arms export and other laws related to the discovery of U.S. parts in the Turkish drones deployed by Azerbaijan against Artsakh.

-- Denouncing Turkey's material military backing of Azerbaijan's ethnic-cleansing of Artsakh and ongoing aggression against Armenia, and actively countering Ankara's attempts to arm-twist Armenia into "normalizing" bilateral ties at the expense of Artsakh's independence and justice for the Armenian Genocide.

-- Censuring Azerbaijan's destruction of Christian Armenian churches, monasteries, cemeteries, and other holy sites, and providing the full range of U.S. satellite and other monitoring resources to academic and civil society organizations tracking this cultural and religious desecration.

Azerbaijan's aggression and ongoing anti-Armenian actions are clearly consistent with President Ilham Aliyev's public threats to conquer Armenia, including its capital Yerevan and its Sevan and Sunik regions as "historic Azerbaijani territory." The intentions of Azerbaijan - and its enabler Turkey - are manifestly evident: To continue their aggression against Armenia and Artsakh with the ultimate goal of the genocidal destruction of the first Christian nation, states the letter to U.S. leaders.

Less than two weeks into the New Year, Azerbaijan ramped up attacks against Artsakh civilians on January 10th in three separate incidents in Martuni, Askeran, and the Goris-Stepanakert Highway. Shots were reported in Martunis Karmir Shuka village, resulting in the explosion of a car parked near the local kindergarten. In Askeran, Russian forces intervened to stop Azerbaijani attacks on Armenian pomegranate farmers, who were forced to flee to safety, leaving behind farm equipment damaged in the incident. Armenian motorists reported being struck by rocks thrown by Azerbaijani forces onto the Goris-Stepanakert Highway, near the Shushi exit. The Artsakh Foreign Ministry condemned the attacks, stating they once again prove that the peace-loving statements of the Azerbaijani authorities have nothing to do with the real terrorist and expansionist goals of that country towards Artsakh, the Armenian people and the region.
Armenian News - NEWS.am presents the daily digest of Armenia-related top news as of 11.01.22:

Great Armenian poet Razmik Davoyan has passed away Tuesday morning in Yerevan, his wife told Armenian News-NEWS.am.

Davoyan was born on July 3, 1940, in Mets Parni village of Spitak town.

He was the author of more than 40 collections and booksincluding in Russian, Czech, and English.

His works have been published in Italian, French, Yugoslav, Iranian, Chinese, and American periodicals.

Flyone Armenia and Pegasus airlines received a permit from the Civil Aviation Committee to realize non-scheduled flights on Yerevan-Istanbul-Yerevan route, Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure informed NEWS.am about this.

Armenian Flyone Armenia Airline has already received a civil aviation permit for the Yerevan-Istanbul-Yerevan charter flights and was waiting for the Turkish side's permission. Earlier the Turkish Pegasus Airlines applied to the Civil Aviation Committee of Armenia with a request to allow the Istanbul-Yerevan-Istanbul flights. The Turkish airline intends to operate two flights a week.

Azerbaijanis threw stones at an Armenian car on the Stepanakert-Goris road. The incident took place in the area of Azerbaijani occupied Shushi.

On January 10, a resident of Vanadzor reported to the Kashatagh police department that he was provoked on the Stepanakert-Goris road.

Azerbaijanis threw stones at the car, the front part of the car was damaged. The police are investigating the circumstances of the incident.

US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan and Turkish Presidential Spokesman Ibrahim Kalin discussed the normalization process between Ankara and Yerevan.

According to Sabah, the sides discussed bilateral political and economic ties and the development of security cooperation during their telephone conversation. The sides discussed the details of the joint strategic mechanism agreed upon between Turkey and the US.

There was an exchange of views on the Ukrainian crisis, protests in Kazakhstan, the process of normalizing relations with Armenia, events in Afghanistan, Bosnia, and Herzegovina, and Ethiopia.

As of Tuesday morning, 243 new cases of the coronavirus were confirmed in Armenia, and the total number of these cases has reached 346,224 in the country, Armenian News-NEWS.am has learned from the National Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

Also, two more deaths from COVID-19 were registered, making the respective total 8,006 cases.

In a multi-part film about the events of World War II, Armenia was shown in its historical borders, including the territory of modern Turkey, ermenihaber.am reported.

The first to draw attention to this fact was the Turkish Maritime and Global Strategy Center (Turk DEGS), which considered this fact an assault on the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Turkey.

The issue was also touched by the pro-government newspaper "Yeni Akit", which refers to the opinion of many unhappy Turkish citizens, demanding that the Supreme Council of the Turkish Radio and Television Corporation (RTUK) to take action and impose the most severe sanctions on Netflix.

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has appointed Alikhan Smailov as Prime Minister of Kazakhstan, Tengrinews.kz reported.

The parliament unanimously approved Alikhan Smailov as the prime minister of Kazakhstan.

Earlier, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has announced that CSTO troops will pull out from Kazakhstan within ten days, Tengrinews.kz reports.

"The main mission of the CSTO peacekeeping contingent is over [in Kazakhstan], the withdrawal of troops will begin in two days. The CSTO troops will be withdrawn within ten days," Tokayev told a Mazhilisthe lower house of the Kazakh bicameral parliamentsession.

A US man has become the first person in the world to get a heart transplant from a genetically-modified pig, BBC News reported.

David Bennett, 57, is doing well three days after the experimental seven-hour procedure in Baltimore, doctors say.

The transplant was considered the last hope of saving Bennett's life, though it is not yet clear what his long-term chances of survival are.

The possibility of using animal organs for so-called xenotransplantation to meet the demand has long been considered, and using pig heart valves is already common.
YEREVAN.  A group of relatives of the Shirak Province captives in Azerbaijan are holding a protest in front of the main building of the Armenian government.

They demand from the government to have all their sons returned from captivity.

Over the course of the past one year, only 29 of these 62 Shirak-resident captives have been returned to Armenia.

After the 44-day Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) war in the fall of 2020, the village of Khtsaberd in the Hadrut region of Artsakh was under Armenian control. But on December 12 of the same year, Azerbaijan had attacked Hin Taghlar and Khtsaberd villages and captured 62 Armenian servicemen from Shirak Province of Armenia.

Along the lines of the respective the criminal case, Lieutenant Colonel Arsen Ghazaryan has been charged under the Criminal Code article on abandoning the place of service voluntarily during martial law, not carrying out the order during martial law, showing negligence towards military service during martial law, and voluntarily abandoning the battlefield or refusing to use weapons during battle.
Saudi energy giant Aramco has joined hands with China Building Materials Academy (CBMA) for the launch of Nexcel, a new nonmetallic excellence and innovation center, to further advance the use of nonmetallic materials in the building and construction sector.

The centre was launched today (January 11) at an event in Beijing, where the centre will be located.

Nexcel will leverage CBMAs expertise and resources to promote the development and application of nonmetallic technologies that offer superior lifecycle cost, efficiency and environmental advantages over their metal alternatives, said senior Aramco officials at the event.

The new centre of excellence joins the Aramco-launched NIC: Nonmetallic Innovation Centre at The Welding Institute (TWI) in Cambridge, UK; and, NEx: A Center of Excellence for Nonmetallic Building Materials at the American Concrete Institute (ACI) headquartered in Michigan, US.

Aramco's Senior VP (Technical Services) Ahmad A Al-Saadi, said: "We are excited to be part of this important initiative with the China Building Materials Academy, to jointly advance the use of nonmetallics in building and construction in China. At Aramco, we have been developing and deploying nonmetallic solutions within our own operations for more than 20 years as they offer superior lifecycle cost, efficiency and environmental advantages over their metal alternatives."

"Given the advantages of nonmetallics, we believe that this new Center of Excellence for Nonmetallic Building Materials will catalyse a wide range of exciting new opportunities," he added.

China National Building Material Group VP Zhan Yanjing said the partnership represents its long-term collaboration and mutual trust, and it is also an important measure to build green, low carbon solutions.

"As an important platform for the group's technological innovation, CBMA is the largest and strongest research center in the field of nonmetallic in China. It will provide great support to Nexcel, and create an open and innovative environment, helping Nexcel make greater contributions to global sustainable development," he added.

For more than two decades, Aramco has been leveraging its technology leadership to develop and adopt nonmetallic solutions in its oil and gas operations and Aramco is driving the development of a suite of nonmetallic solutions through global collaborations with prominent academic institutions, research and technology organisations, manufacturers, and industry leaders such as the China Building Materials Academy.-TradeArabia News Service
An Azerbaijani official has pledged to remove Armenian toponyms from.

It is noteworthy that when earlier the matter was about maps of the Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) parts currently occupied by Azerbaijan, now the "appetite" of Azerbaijani officials has spread onto all maps.

In any case, this Azerbaijani official does not point to specific territories.

"The Armenian names of Azerbaijani towns and villages on Google Maps may be completely removed in the future," said Samaddin Asadov, Chairman of the Board of Azerbaijan Space Agency (Azercosmos), according to Azerbaijani media.

Asadov noted that the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport of Azerbaijan is actively collaborating with Google to change the display of toponyms on Google Maps.

"Within the framework of this collaboration, a number of toponyms have already been replaced by Azerbaijani [ones]. The Cyber Security Center [of Azerbaijan] is also in close contact with Google. If you look at their map, you will see that the names are already in Azerbaijani. This is the result of our collaboration with the company. It is not ruled out that the Armenian names will be removed from the map in the future. To do this, there is a need to work and convince the other side; that is already the political side of collaboration," this Azerbaijani official said.
The European Commission will require Poland to pay a fine of about 70 million euros for not abandoning the controversial system of disciplinary action against judges, Reuters reported, citing sources.

A spokesman for the European Commission confirmed at a press conference that he had received a final explanation from Poland about the dispute.

The EU has ways to ensure that the fines owed from Poland are paid, he said.

January 11 was the deadline for the Polish government to tell the EC when and how it plans to liquidate the Disciplinary Chamber of the Supreme Court of Poland, which the EU Supreme Court ordered to suspend.

Warsaw has already refused to heed the decision of the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg, which then approved a fine of 1 million euros per day.

Two sources in the EC, said the letter was in Polish, so it needs to be translated before the Commission can give an official response.
Abilene, KS (67410)

Today

Cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy in the afternoon. High around 65F. Winds NNE at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy in the evening with more clouds for later at night. Low 46F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph.
Armenia has so far proven that it is a member of the Collective Security Treaty Organization for a reason, Yevgeny Satanovsky, president of the Russian Institute of the Middle East, said NEWS.am on January 11.

He said that it means that despite all the difficulties in relations between the current official authorities of Russia and Armenia, Russia should continue to pay attention to the security of Armenia as well.

The CSTO peacekeeping mission in Kazakhstan, in his assessment, has fulfilled its function by turning the tide.

This situation, according to Satanovsky, was absolutely critical, and the sending of CSTO troops was the strategic decision that did not allow Kazakhstan to explode, which would have affected the entire post-Soviet space.

He said that the hysteria in the Turkish media focusing on the fact that Russian-Armenian occupiers came to Kazakhstan looks ridiculous because the Turks have not noticed anyone else. They have not identified anyone for themselves except for the Russian and Armenian soldiers. All this shows that the CSTO mission failed a lot of things. The key facilities in Kazakhstan have been taken under control, and as a consequence, he is convinced, the Kazakh security forces have ceased to hesitate.

As for possible anti-Russian sentiments in Kazakhstan, the information field, according to him, is already blown up by pan-Turkic, pan-Islamist, pro-Western foundations and influence groups.

Satanovsky sees no connection between the latest shelling of Azerbaijani soldiers in the direction of the part of Karabakh that is not under their control, as well as the anti-Armenian and anti-Russian propaganda in the Azerbaijani media in connection with the start of the CSTO peacekeeping mission in Kazakhstan.
Story Highlights Average number of books read down to 12.6 from 15.6 in 2016

Percentage reading any books is stable; fewer are reading more than 10

College graduates show largest decline in number of books read

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Americans say they read an average of 12.6 books during the past year, a smaller number than Gallup has measured in any prior survey dating back to 1990. U.S. adults are reading roughly two or three fewer books per year than they did between 2001 and 2016.

Line graph. Trend in average number of books Americans say they read in the past year. The 12.6 average for 2021 is down from 15.6 in 2016 and lower than any other year Gallup asked the question, including 14.2 in 2005, 15.8 in 2002, 14.5 in 2001, 18.5 in 1999 and 15.3 in 1990.

The results are based on a Dec. 1-16 Gallup poll, which updated a trend question on book reading. The question asks Americans to say how many books they "read, either all or part of the way through" in the past year. Interviewers are instructed to include all forms of books, including printed books but also electronic books and audiobooks, when entering the respondent's answer.

The decline in book reading is mostly a function of how many books readers are reading, as opposed to fewer Americans reading any books. The 17% of U.S. adults who say they did not read any books in the past year is similar to the 16% to 18% measured in 2002 to 2016 surveys, though it is higher than in the 1999 to 2001 polls.

The drop is fueled by a decline in the percentage of Americans reading more than 10 books in the past year. Currently, 27% report that they read more than 10 books, down eight percentage points since 2016 and lower than every prior measure by at least four points.

Line graph. Trend in number of books Americans say they read in the past year. In 2021, 17% of U.S. adults said they read no books in the past year, about the same percentage as in the prior reading in 2016 and similar to most readings since 1990. At the same time, there was a decline in the number reading more than 10 books, from 35% in 2016 to 27% in 2021. That decrease was offset by an increase in the percentage reading 1 to 5 books, from 34% to 40%. The percentage reading six to 10 books was steady at 15%.

The reasons for the decline in book reading are unclear, with Americans perhaps finding other ways to entertain themselves. It is uncertain whether concerns about COVID or COVID-related restrictions are leading to a decline in visits to libraries or bookstores, similar to the documented declines in air travel and movie theater attendance Gallup found in the same poll. However, unlike those activities, for reading, Americans can order books or download electronic books or audiobooks without leaving their homes.

College Graduates Show Steep Decline in Book Readership

Americans in most major subgroups are reading fewer books now than in the past. This is based on a comparison of the 2021 results to an average of those from the three polls conducted between 2002 and 2016. During those years, Americans read an average of 15.2 books a year.

The decline is greater among subgroups that tended to be more avid readers, particularly college graduates but also women and older Americans. College graduates read an average of about six fewer books in 2021 than they did between 2002 and 2016, 14.6 versus 21.1.

In the past, women read close to twice as many books as men did, but the gap has narrowed as the average U.S. woman read 15.7 books last year, compared with 19.3 between 2002 and 2016. Over the same period, men's readership declined by barely one book, to 9.5.

Older adults traditionally read a lot more than younger adults did, but that difference has vanished, with Americans aged 55 and older dropping from an average of 16.7 books read a year to 12, while there has been little change in the average number read by those younger than 55.

Change in Average Number of Books Read, by Subgroup, 2002-2016 versus 2021 2002-2016 2021 Change U.S. adults 15.2 12.6 -2.6 Gender Men 10.8 9.5 -1.3 Women 19.3 15.7 -3.6 Age 18-34 years 13.8 13.0 -0.8 35-54 years 14.2 12.5 -1.7 55+ years 16.7 12.0 -4.7 College graduate Yes 21.1 14.6 -6.5 No 12.6 11.5 -1.1 Gallup

Again, reduced book reading among these groups is more a function of fewer people reading larger numbers of books than fewer in the subgroup reading at all. Between 2002 and 2016, close to half of college graduates (48%) read more than 10 books in a year. Last year, 35% of college graduates read more than 10 books.

Similarly, the percentage of older adults reading more than 10 books fell from 34% to 24%, while the percentage of women reading that many books dropped from 41% to 32%.

Bottom Line

Reading appears to be in decline as a favorite way for Americans to spend their free time. In 2020, a few months into the COVID-19 pandemic, when many Americans were still reluctant to leave their homes, Gallup found 6% of U.S. adults naming reading as their favorite way to spend an evening, down from 12% in 2016. Since Gallup first asked the question in 1960, at least 10% of Americans had identified reading as their favorite evening activity in all but one survey.

The new data on book reading reinforce that the popularity of reading is waning, with Americans reading an average of three fewer books last year than they did five years ago and had typically read for the past three decades. The decline is not because fewer Americans are reading at all -- a percentage that has held steady at 17% -- but because Americans who do read are reading fewer books. The changes are especially pronounced among the most voracious book readers, namely, college graduates, women and older Americans.

It is unclear from these data if the declines in book readership are occurring because of a lack of interest in books, a lack of time to read books, or perhaps COVID-19-related disruptions in lifestyle activities or access to books. It is also uncertain at this point whether the declines in book reading mark a temporary change or a more permanent one.

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Learn more about how the Gallup Poll Social Series works.

View complete question responses and trends (PDF download).
Story Highlights Record low 54% of Kazakhstanis confident in national government

33% confident in the honesty of elections

23% find it difficult to get by on their current incomes

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Unrest erupted across Kazakhstan last week as Kazakhstanis took to the streets in the country's major cities. The Kazakhstani government's seemingly modest decision to remove a cap on the price of fuel likely contributed to breaking the dam of pent-up grievances among the country's public.

Gallup data, collected since 2006, offer insight into Kazakhstanis' mindsets in the leadup to the ongoing turmoil.

Quick Summary: Unlike many other former Soviet republics, Kazakhstan has extensive mineral wealth, and in recent years the government has adopted an economic reform program intended to capitalize on those deposits and diversify the country's economy.

As part of their reform efforts, the Kazakhstani government lifted its caps on fuel prices earlier this month. After this decision, the price of some fuel doubled virtually overnight, and Kazakhstanis took to the streets in protest. Protests started in the west but rapidly spread to most major cities. This unrest has resulted in several deaths and substantial destruction in the country's urban centers and the deployment of troops from Russia.

Confidence in Government Dropped to Record Low: Slightly more than half of Kazakhstanis (54%) expressed confidence in their country's national government late last fall. This new record low represents an 18-percentage-point decline from the 72% who said the same in 2020. It is also substantially below the previous low point of 60% recorded in 2014 when declining oil prices hobbled the Kazakhstani economy.

Line graph. Kazakhstanis' confidence in their national government declined to a record-low 54% in 2021, down from 72% the previous year.

After years of confidence in the honesty of their elections being at or above 40%, this number fell to 33% in 2021. This may reflect Kazakhstanis' dismay with changes to election laws prior to the country's January 2021 elections that gave political leaders more control of candidate lists. The changes effectively stripped voters of their ability to choose candidates from party lists.

Line graph. 33% of Kazakhstanis are now confident in the honesty of the country's elections, down from 48% who said the same in 2020.

More Than One in Five Kazakhstanis Struggling to Get by: Last fall, 23% of Kazakhstanis said they were finding it difficult or very difficult to get by on their current household incomes. While well below the record high 42% who said the same in 2007, the current level is near twice the 12% and 13% who reported they were having difficulty getting by in 2019 and 2020.

Line graph. Twenty-three percent of Kazakhstanis are currently finding it difficult or very difficult to get by on their current household incomes, up from 13% who said the same in 2020.

Implications: The unrest in Kazakhstan echoes a similar pattern to the 2019 civil unrest in Lebanon, ostensibly caused by the government's decision to impose a tax on WhatsApp -- or the unrest in Chile the same year, sparked by a hike in public transportation fees.

Across the globe, seemingly minor governmental decisions that impose additional financial burdens on populations have routinely sparked civil unrest because of deeper preexisting public dissatisfaction that eventually reaches a boiling point.

While the Kazakhstani government has already repealed the removal of the price cap and imposed restrictions on the prices of other fuels, the damage has already been done. Prior to the unrest, 80% of Kazakhstanis were satisfied with the freedom in their lives. This is likely to drop substantially following the current crackdown on demonstrators, adding to the reservoir of grievances among the public.

To stay up to date with the latest Gallup News insights and updates, follow us on Twitter.

For complete methodology and specific survey dates, please review Gallup's Country Data Set details.

Learn more about how the Gallup World Poll works.
In late November 2021, Chile elected Gabriel Boric, a 35-year-old, as president. Boric campaigned on promises of ending inequality and addressing climate change. His win was preceded by two other elections of left leaning presidents in Honduras and Peru, pushing political analysts to say that there is a growing trend for these types of governments in the region.

A growth in poverty, unemployment, and economies that have been ravaged by the COVID-19 pandemic have greatly affected South and Central America and the Caribbean. The total number of poor people in the region rose to 209 million by end of 2020, affecting 22 million more than the previous year, according to a report by the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean.

A United Nations report stated that the pandemic burst forth complex economic, social, and political scenarios of low growth, rising poverty, and growing social tensions.

Latin America has been really hard hit by the pandemic, said Michael Bustamante, associate professor of history at the University of Miami. The pandemic has exposed and worsened deeply entrenched economic inequalities that have never gone away, so it is not surprising to me that we are seeing a swing of the pendulum.

Bustamante warns that although several left-leaning presidents have been elected recently, it is dangerous to lump all of them together as leftists. Each country has different histories that affect how the electorate has reacted, as well as the kind of political project each government represents, he pointed out.

We should not lump all lefts under the same heading. What is occurring now in Chile, for example, is very different from what is occurring in Nicaragua or Venezuela or frankly any other country, he said. Both Nicaragua and Venezuela have strict authoritarian regimes that greatly restricts civil liberties, as does Cuba.

In Chile, the election of Boric, a former student demonstrator, can be seen as the culmination of numerous youth demonstrations that asked the government for free education, an end to the countrys reigning neoliberal economic model, and a more equitable division of power and wealth. The country is also undergoing a revision of its constitution that goes back to the era of General Augusto Pinochet, a dictator who ruled with an iron fist for 17 years.

One of Borics challenges will be to carry out his agenda with a fractured congress, Bustamante noted, and at a time of macroeconomic vulnerability (because of the pandemic) rather than strength. Chile is attempting to redefine its social contract and what a social democratic political project looks like, he added.

In Honduras, leftist Xiomara Castro was elected as that countrys first woman president. She has promised to establish a national dialogue to pull her country out of poverty and tackle the street gang violence and extortion that has pushed a constant migration of its citizens to the United States. Her husband, former President Manuel Zelaya, was ousted from power under questionable circumstances in 2009 after he attempted to revise the constitution to extend his term.

The incumbent president, Juan Orlando Hernandez of the conservative National Party, had been accused of benefitting from drug trafficking. In Honduras, the government just voted out of power was deeply embedded in drug trafficking and corruption, said Bustamante. Even Washington acknowledged that this was true. So, it is not surprising that the left would sweep to power.

In Peru, a provincial schoolteacher, Pedro Castillo, was elected president in July. His platform seeks a restructuring of the national economy to benefit the poor.

According to Bustamante, another factor affecting the electorate in Latin America is a strong degree of polarization similar to that which plagues the United States. The left that is coming to power is doing so amid a kind of polarization that is more intense than 10 or 15 years ago, he said.

Governments to the far right, such as that of Jair Bolsonaro in Brazil, have become stronger in recent years, he said.

Bolsonaro is accused of badly mismanaging the COVID-19 pandemic. At first, he claimed that the pandemic was a little flu and refused to take the virus seriously. About 620,000 Brazilians have died, according to Our World in Data. A congressional panel even recommended that Bolsonaro be charged with crimes against humanity.

He faces a presidential election in October against former leftist president Luis Inacio Lula da Silva. Recent polls suggest that if elections were held today, Lula would win with 46 percent of the votes against Bolsonaros 23 percent, according to Time magazine.

No one knows if the swing to the left will continue in Latin America, but Bustamante sees an opportunity for the United States to work with many of these newly elected leaders.

The U.S. has an opportunity to show that it can get along well and partner as friends with countries of a progressive democratic left, he said. It would be a very good thing for U.S. standing in the region.
One dead, six wounded in Philippines bus bombing

Police said the explosion happened as the bus was travelling along a highway. File photo: AFP

A child was killed and six others wounded after a bomb exploded on a public bus in the insurgency-plagued southern Philippines on Tuesday, authorities said, but no group has claimed responsibility.



Police said the explosion happened as the bus was travelling along a highway near Cotabato City on Mindanao island, a haven for multiple armed groups ranging from communist insurgents to Islamist militants.



The bomb was "inside the bus, at the end part... where there were a lot of people sitting," said Chief Master Sergeant Randy Hampac, police spokesman in Aleosan town.



A five-year-old boy died, while six others were wounded in the blast that shattered the back windows, Hampac said.



The wounded included a five-month-old baby and a three-year-old child.



A police report said one of the victims saw a male passenger leave "baggage" on the bus when he disembarked and it later exploded.



"It was the first time for this to happen in our town," Hampac said.



"There were incidents of bombing of cell towers in previous years but this incident of an explosion in a bus, it's the first time."



Regional military spokesman Lieutenant Colonel John Baldomar said no group had admitted carrying out the "presumed attack".



Militant attacks on buses, Catholic churches and public markets have been a feature of decades-long unrest in the region.



Manila signed a peace pact with the nation's largest rebel group, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, in 2014, ending their deadly armed rebellion.



But smaller bands of Muslim fighters opposed to the peace deal remain, including militants professing allegiance to the Islamic State group. Communist rebels also operate in the region.



In May 2017, hundreds of pro-IS foreign and local gunmen seized Marawi, the country's largest Muslim city.



The Philippine military wrested back the ruined city after a five-month battle that claimed more than a thousand lives. (AFP)
Zelensky calls for summit on Ukraine conflict

The Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said it was time to agree on an end to the conflict. File photo: AFP

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called on Tuesday for a new summit with France, Germany and Russia to resolve the conflict in his country, at the centre of intensive talks between the West and Russia this week.



"It is time to agree in a substantive manner on an end to the conflict and we are ready to take the necessary decisions during a new summit of the leaders of the four countries," Zelensky said in a statement following his meeting with European diplomats on Monday.



The Ukrainian presidency did not specify the nature of those "decisions", but said that Monday's talks also touched upon steps aimed at "de-escalation" at the Ukrainian border, where Moscow has amassed some 100,000 troops.



Zelensky met Russian President Vladimir Putin for the first time during peace talks in Paris in 2019. The talks were hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron with then-German Chancellor Angela Merkel also in attendance.



The negotiations failed to bring an end to a conflict between Kiev forces and Moscow-backed troops that broke out in 2014. The fighting in eastern Ukraine broke out shortly after Russia seized Crimea and has since claimed over 13,000 lives.



The Kremlin accuses Kyiv of failing to implement Western-brokered peace agreements signed in Belarus in 2015.



Ukraine has repeatedly called for the restart of four-way summits and proposed a direct meeting between Zelensky and Putin, but the offers have been rebuffed by Moscow.



Tensions around Ukraine have risen further in recent months, as Washington and its European allies accuse Russia of threatening the former Soviet territory with an invasion.



Moscow describes the troop presence as protection against an encroaching West, particularly Nato, and demanded wide-ranging concessions from Washington and its allies.



Talks in Geneva between Russian and US negotiations aimed at de-escalating the situation brought no breakthrough on Monday. (AFP)
Beth Ford | Beth Ford has worked for Land O Lakes since 2011 and was the first woman in the company to be appointed chief executive officer in 2018. Coming from humble beginnings, Ford was one of eight children born to working-class parents, and the executive once worked as a janitor to help pay for college. When Ford became CEO, not only was she one of only 25 women to run a Fortune 500 company, but Ford was also openly gay. She and her wife, Jill Schurtz, who is the CEO of the St. Pauls Teachers Retirement Fund, have three children. Ford has gone on record saying that she has never been discriminated against in the workplace for her sexuality or gender, though she did tell CNN, I had made deliberate decisions for some places where I felt as though it may not be as friendly. I said, The job looks great. Youre a wonderful leader. I cant be here because I dont think this will be great. My spouse is a woman, and I have a daughter. (Phillip Faraone/Getty Images)
In line with the directives, people must wear masks at all gatherings, shopping malls and restaurant, or else they will face legal actions, Xinhua news agency quoted a government notice as saying.

Buses and trains should be operated at half capacity, while all sorts of open-air gatherings, including social, political and cultural functions will be banned amid fears of the Omicron variant from further spreading.

According to the measures, people will have to show their vaccine certificates to eat at restaurants and stay in hotels.

Mobile courts will initiate drives to make sure that people wear face masks and follow other health rules.

Bangladesh on Monday reported 2,231 new Covid-19 cases, the daily highest number since September 10 last year.

The 49.6 per cent jump in new cases Monday has pushed the country's total caseload to 1,595,931.

Also on Monday, the country detected the Omicron variant of Covid-19 in nine more patients, pushing the total number of cases of the new strain to 30 so far.

Three more new deaths were recorded, raising the death toll to 28,105.

--IANS ksk/

( 210 Words)

2022-01-11-12:10:03 (IANS)
Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has reiterated that his governments relationship with the military was "exceptional" and the opposition's narrative regarding a rift between the government and the military was "dead and buried", Dawn reported. In an apparent response to his detractors, Khan told a meeting of PTI spokespersons on Monday that "civil-military relations are unprecedented these days". When asked, in the context of rumours of a possible deal between the opposition PML-N and the military to send his government packing, whether he felt threatened from any quarters, the premier said he personally was not under any kind of pressure. He added that he enjoyed the support of government allies and expressed the confidence that his government would complete its mandated five years, Dawn news reported. Talking about the incidents that occurred in Murree over the weekend, Khan was of the opinion that timely arrangements could have averted the deaths of 22 people. He praised the military for swiftly rushing to the aid of those stranded in Murree and carrying out a rescue operation in the calamity-hit hill station. Khan said the number of tourists in the country had increased while the infrastructure was the same as it was several decades ago, stressing the need for improving facilities and constructing new hotels in tourist spots. --IANS san/ksk/ ( 234 Words) 2022-01-11-12:58:04 (IANS)
A fresh diplomatic spat has brewed between Nepal and India after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modis recent announcement to expand the road across the Lipulekh area which Nepal claims as its own. Addressing an election rally organised by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at Haldwani in Uttarakhand on December 30, Modi had announced that his government is further widening the road built in the Nepali territory of Lipulekh. Nepal has already protested the Indian government's ongoing construction of roads in Lipulekh and Kalapani areas. Nepal had protested on May 8, 2020, when Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had virtually inaugurated the newly-constructed road in Lipulekh. Following strong protests and criticisms within Nepal over the expansion of roads by India, the government of Nepal had issued new maps covering the areas including Lipulekh, Limpiyadhura and Kalapani. Immediately after that, Nepal tried to hold bilateral talks to amicably resolve the issue of the territory 'encroached' by India, but New Delhi did not show any interest in it. Until now, there has been no formal discussion on the topic. Nepal and India have been indulging in boundary row after India unveiled its new political map in November, 2019. Nepal protested India's decision to incorporate the disputed areas in its territory. In response, the then K.P. Sharma Oli government in Nepal unveiled a new political map in May 2029 incorporating Lipulekh, Kalapani and Limpiyadhura. Though both sides have vowed to settle the boundary dispute through diplomatic and political talks and channels, no concrete bilateral negotiations have taken place yet. Modi, in his speech, had said that the road has been widened to Lipulekh and work is underway to widen the road towards the religious tourist site, Kailash Mansarovar. In this connection, the main opposition Nepal Communist Party-UML has taken exception to the announcement made by Modi on Lipulekh. Issuing a statement on Tuesday, chief of the party's foreign affairs wing, Rajan Bhattarai, called for ending such activities that violate sovereignty, territorial integrity and self-respect of Nepal. "CPN-UML unwaveringly believes that construction of roads and other structures should be stopped, the issue should be promptly resolved through dialogue and no structure should be built at the state level until resolution is reached through dialogue," the statement read. Bhattarai said that several questions have been raised as the government is silent on such serious issues related to nationalism. The party has also urged the government to promptly start dialogue with its Indian counterpart on the issue, ask India to stop all kinds of 'bullying' and take fruitful initiative to establish practical ownership of Nepal over the 'encroached' territories. The ruling CPN (Unified Socialist) also issued a statement on Monday and took exception to the road expansion by India in the 'encroached' Nepali territory of Lipulekh and condemned the recent statement of Narendra Modi. Despite calls from different quarters, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Nepal has not made any comment on the issue yet. --IANS giri/arm ( 505 Words) 2022-01-11-20:30:03 (IANS)
External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar on Monday discussed various issues including trade, investment, and security with his UK counterpart Liz Truss. Jaishankar invited her to visit India for bilateral talks. According to the UK's Department for International Trade, the total trade in goods and services (exports plus imports) between the UK and India was 19.8 billion pounds in the four quarters to the end of Q2 2021, a decrease of 7 per cent from the four quarters to the end of Q2 2020. Of this, the total UK exports to India amounted to 7.3 billion pounds in the four quarters to the end of Q2 2021 (a decrease of 9.5 per cent compared to the four quarters to the end of Q2 2020), and the total UK imports from India amounted to 12.5 billion pounds in the four quarters to the end of Q2 2021 (a decrease of 5.5 per cent compared to the four quarters to the end of Q2 2020). India was the UK's 15th largest trading partner in the four quarters to the end of Q2 2021 accounting for 1.6 per cent of total UK trade. --IANS nimish/vd ( 202 Words) 2022-01-11-00:10:02 (IANS)
Bauxite ore is the main material for aluminum, while copper concentrates are widely used in the production of precious metals such as gold and silver.

Indonesia is a big exporter of these metals. The country mainly exports the two mineral commodities to Asian countries, Xinhua news agency reported.

Starting January 1, 2020, the Southeast Asian country banned nickel ore exports.

The world's largest nickel ore producing country aims to push miners to develop smelters and refine the metal ore domestically so they can export higher-value products.

--IANS int/shs

( 140 Words)

2022-01-11-02:12:02 (IANS)
The Government of India will control 35.8 per cent stake in Vodafone Idea as the company's board has approved conversion of dues into equity, Vodafone Idea said on Tuesday. The debt-laden Vodafone Idea, a joint venture of UK-based Vodafone Group and Kumar Mangalam Birla-led Aditya Birla Group, has opted for conversion of interest on deferred spectrum and Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR) liabilities into equity. The conversion will result in dilution to all the existing shareholders of the Company, including the Promoters. Following conversion, it is expected that the Government will hold around 35.8 per cent of the total outstanding shares of the Company, and that the Promoter shareholders would hold around 28.5 per cent (Vodafone Group) and around 17.8 per cent (Aditya Birla Group), respectively, Vodafone Idea said in a statement. The Board of Directors of Vodafone Idea, at its meeting held on 10th January 2022, approved the conversion of the full amount of such interest related to spectrum auction instalments and AGR Dues into equity. "The Net Present Value (NPV) of this interest is expected to be about Rs 16,000 crore as per the Company's best estimates, subject to confirmation by the DoT. Since the average price of the Company's shares at the relevant date of 14.08.2021 was below par value, the equity shares will be issued to the Government at par value of Rs 10/- per share, subject to final confirmation by the DoT," the company said. Union cabinet on September 15 approved a slew of measures to support the cash-strapped telecom firms. The relief measures include a four-year moratorium on payment of spectrum and AGR dues. The telecom firms have also been given the option to pay the interest amount arising due to the deferment of payments by way of issuing equity to the government. Following the government's announcement Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea opted for the four-year moratorium. However, Bharti Airtel recently decided to pay the interest amount to the government instead of issuing the equity. After the conversion of the dues into equity, the Government of India will become the largest shareholder of Vodafone Idea. This will require changes in the company's Articles of Association. "The governance and other rights of the Promoter shareholders are governed by a Shareholders Agreement (SHA) to which the Company is a party and are also incorporated in the Articles of Association of the Company," Vodafone Idea said. The rights are subject to a minimum Qualifying Threshold of 21 per cent for each Promoter group, and in light of the conversion of interest into equity, the Promoters have mutually agreed to amend the existing SHA for reducing the minimum Qualifying Threshold from 21 per cent to 13 per cent for the purpose of exercising certain governing rights e.g. appointment of directors and relating to appointment of certain key officials etc. Vodafone Idea said its Board has also taken note of the proposed changes to the existing Shareholders Agreement (SHA), and accordingly authorised execution of the same and also recommended changes in the Articles of Association (AoA) to give effect to the changes in the SHA. The amendment to the AoA shall be subject to the approval of shareholders in general meeting, for which the Board has authorised officials of the Company to decide the date of shareholders meeting in accordance with the terms of the amendment to the existing SHA as approved by the Board, the company said. (ANI)
Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], January 11 (ANI/BusinessWire India): Algorithmic Biologics Pvt Ltd. (ABPL), a deep-tech startup building algorithms for molecular programming, today announced that it has received an undisclosed amount of seed funding from Axilor Lab. Axilor Labs is a venture curation initiative by Axilor to accelerate commercial success of transformative ideas around global challenges facing human health and wellness. They aim to support ideas at the impactful proof-of-science stage and build start-ups together with innovators where the impact of transformative tech is realized commercially. ABPL's platform technology works like a compression algorithm for molecular testing and has applications in healthcare, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, animal husbandry, food safety, synthetic biology, and molecular biology research. ABPL is working with leading brand names across industries to provide smarter molecular testing for food safety-related applications and seed R&D. They began nine months ago with their patented rapid Covid testing solution and are extending their solution to other diagnostic tests. Their product Tapestry is already enabling affordable screening in campuses for Covid-19. "Creating and curating ventures requires innate talent to come up with an idea, creativity to demonstrate product-market-fit, and operating skill to scale the effort. Throughout, we need capital. At Axilor Labs, all of these ingredients come together to bring cutting-edge scientific ideas into India's mainstream," said Dr. Tarun Khanna, Harvard Business School professor and co-founder of Axilor. "Our investment in Algorithmic exemplifies this approach. Together with Manoj, we are helping prove the business impact of this breakthrough technology." "We are pursuing our vision of smarter molecular testing leading to better health for all," opined Founder and CEO, Dr. Manoj Gopalkrishnan ABPL. "We are deeply invested in science and technology, and are bringing cutting-edge ideas from molecular computing and computer science to molecular testing." Dr. Manoj Gopalkrishnan is a professor at IIT Bombay and an alumnus of the University of South California. Algorithmic Biologics plans to use the funds to unlock and scale these applications commercially, as well as extend their IP portfolio to create more building blocks of molecular technologies towards its vision of creating a computing platform to enable us to talk to biological systems in the same way we analyze data. This story is provided by BusinessWire India. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/BusinessWire India)
New Delhi [India], January 11 (ANI/PNN): Lifology, the Guinness World Record winning & ISO certified guidance organization, launches 10,000 Global Fellowships for students from Indian schools across the world. The initiative is fully FREE and aligned with the New Education Policy - 2020, envisaged by the Government of India. Students from 9th grade to 12th grade can apply for the fellowship. From the applicants, 10,000 students shall be selected and provided with 2 weeks long International Certification Program, deep mentoring by experts such as Chetan Bhagat, Dr Jebamalai (United Nations, UNIDO Frmr Principal Advisor), Dr Mukesh Kapila CBE (Frmr Advisor to World Bank),Dr Kiersten Connors (Aluma of Stanford University) and Rahul Easwar (Alumnus of IIM - Ahmedabad, London School of Economics) Lana Eghterafi (Alumna of Harvard University) and support to create a masterplan for future. Along with students, parents shall also be encouraged to be part of the process. Praveen Parameswar, CEO of Lifology shared with the media that Lifology Global Fellows would be shaped-up as promising 10,000 young adults in India by assessing their talents and skills with an exclusive AI powered tool, exposing them to emerging career options, guide them to the right future tracks, tune the mindset for success and enhance 21st-century skills. He also said that the fellows would get opportunity to win scholarships worth up to 30 Crore from universities and top development programs in India and abroad. They can also win attractive prizes such as iPad, iPhones and MacBook, and the top performer shall be recognized with a fully paid NASA trip. Sarath Chandran, IIM (K) alumnus and Chief Co-Ordinator of the program, said that they expect to receive an application from more than 2 lakh students from 2,000 plus Indian schools across the world, and 10,000 of them shall be selected for fellowship based on merit. He also added that the program should bring the vision set by NEP - 2020, CBSE and National Skill Development Corporation regarding the development of Indian children into reality. Schools, parents and students who are interested in the program can apply through the link available on www.lifology.com/lgf and contact mobile number 7994820999 for assistance. The last date to submit the application shall be 26th January, 2022. This story is provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/PNN)
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], January 11(ANI/Xebia): Globally operating IT consultancy Xebia and digital specialist SwissQ join forces, the companies announced today. The partnership extends Xebia's geographical reach into Switzerland, gives SwissQ offshore and nearshore capabilities, and increases access to a combined 4000 technical experts globally for a joint customer base. Fast-growing Xebia augments SwissQ's services portfolio with software development services, DevOps and SRE consultancy, enhanced data and AI consultancy, and partnerships with Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud. It also boosts SwissQ's training offer with its robust Xebia Academy curriculum. SwissQ fortifies Xebia's position of authority with its world-leading technology conferences and online formats on Agile, product development, DevOps, and software quality. It also allows for broadening Xebia's geographical footprint in AI, cloud, DevOps, and SRE services. "We are pleased to welcome SwissQ into the Xebia family" said Anand Sahay, CEO and Cofounder Xebia Global services. "Xebia has set a standard in the industry for delivering true end-to-end capabilities for Digital transformation and we are excited that SwissQ has joined us and integrated their offerings to better serve the Swiss customer from our global centres of engineering talent base. We are sure that this partnership will help SwissQ offer unique value proposition to address its customers digitization needs with innovative and cutting edge solutions." "Being part of the number one digital consulting company makes SwissQ the go-to player for digital initiatives and digital natives in Switzerland," said Adrian Zwingli, SwissQ chairman. "The partnership also brings more brilliant minds together to share knowledge, innovate and create fantastic new opportunities," he added. Founded in 2001, Xebia quickly grew from a small Java company into a leading, global, full-service digital consultancy. With over 4,000 specialists working worldwide, it holds offices in the US, Europe, India, Vietnam, Singapore, United Arab Emirates, and the UK. Xebia continuously strives to be the leading authority in its field by partnering with other thought leaders and sharing knowledge. Its clients include Disney, Levi's, Ahold Delhaize, Tesco, Philips, and ING Bank, among many others. Founded in 2006, SwissQ generates 90% of its revenue through consultancy and is the go-to IT training provider in Switzerland. The digital specialist continuously strives to create knowledge-sharing communities and maintain its authority in its field, organizing some of Switzerland's leading technology conferences to this end. These include Agile Leadership Day, Business Agility Day, DevOps Fusion, and Swiss Testing Day, (this year in its 16th edition). SwissQ's clients include Credit Suisse, Zurich Insurance, Siemens, Geberit, Migros, Raiffeisen, the Swiss Confederation, Swiss Federal Railways, Sonova, and dormakaba. With offices in Zurich and Bern, SwissQ currently employs over 120 experts and has been growing steadily since its inception. The collaboration between the two companies increases the capacity of each to support customers and build high-quality solutions for the DACH market. Both expect the partnership to benefit their colleagues as well as their joint clients, through new opportunities to work together in diversified teams on different services. This story is provided by Xebia. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/ Xebia)
Gurugram (Haryana) [India], January 11 (ANI/NewsVoir): Crib, an upcoming SaaS-based marketplace for co-living, has raised $400,000 in its pre-seed round led by Pranay Gupta (Co-founder, 91Springboard) through his AngelList syndicate 91Ventures. The round also saw participation from BlackSoil Capital along with marquee angels from Faad Network. Other notable angel investors are Shashwat Nakrani (Co-founder, BharatPe), Jasminder Singh Gulati (Co-founder, Nowfloats, acquired by Jio), Ajay Yadav (Founder, Roomi), Sarath Sura (Ex-Director, Allahabad Bank), Abdul Paravengal (ex-CBO, Shipper), Rahul Jindal (Director, Google), Uday Arya (Partner, BlueLotus Ventures), Panna Lal Bhansali (ex-President, Guwahati Stock Exchange), Kushal Khandwala (Director, KIFS Housing Finance Ltd.), Tushar Anand (Alkem Pharma Family & Founder, Cheferd Foods) and others. The company's legal counsel Abhay Vohra (Partner, Burgeon Law), CA Anirudh Bagai (Founder, Lawyer2CA) also joined the round. Headquartered in Gurugram, Crib is building India's first digital ecosystem aimed at redefining how landlords operate, tenants stay and market sells. Through their SaaS-based marketplace model, Crib is creating a full stack solution for co-living including property management software bundled with a reseller platform. Crib will utilise the current raise to build its engineering team, boost product development and onboard the first set of properties from Bangalore, Pune, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Delhi NCR. The twenty four year old serial entrepreneur duo Sunny Garg and Shaifali Jain successfully built the student housing brand YourShell which was later acquired by Stanza Living. "When it comes to co-living in India, we always think that it's the tenant who suffers. Being a tenant, a broker and an operator in the past, we learnt that it's equally challenging for each stakeholder. While running an asset-heavy business in a competitive landscape, operators face multiple operational challenges. With Crib, we will automate their business processes and enable them to acquire, manage and retain tenants digitally," said Sunny Garg, Co-founder and CEO at Crib. Sharing the vision of the brand Shaifali Jain, Co-founder and COO at Crib, said, "This time we are here to create a much larger impact. Our mission is to generate value for every stakeholder of this 93 billion dollar industry through technology, standardisation, and overall growth." Expressing his faith in the venture, Ankur Bansal, Co-founder at BlackSoil Capital said, "We believe Crib is well positioned to take advantage of adoption technology by SME and individual proprietors especially in the post-COVID era. It's an industry with many stakeholders and with friction at every interaction which makes it ripe for disruption through use of technology. On the top of it the Founders come with relevant ground level industry experience and deep understanding of problems faced by all participants in the market. We believe It's a classic case of vertical use of SaaS." "Managed real-estate is a big industry in India which still remains largely untouched by the ease that tech provides. We feel Crib can make the job of the owners to manage multiple tenants and multiple properties really simple and ensure that users get a top class experience. Sunny and Shaifali have the experience of running a co-living business and have deep insights about the pains of both; property owners and tenants. Hence, we feel they are best placed to create and sell a product like this," said Pranay Gupta, Co-founder at 91Springboard. This story is provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/NewsVoir)
Road closures and delays are expected Tuesday morning and early afternoon as Baltimore Police Officer Keona Holleys funeral is held downtown at the Convention Center.

Drivers should plan to add extra time to their commute and try to use alternate routes away from the Convention Center to avoid delays, the Baltimore City Department of Transportation said in a news release Monday.

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Holley, a 39-year-old mother of four, was gravely injured by gunfire Dec. 16 while sitting in her patrol car during an overnight shift in Curtis Bay. She died a week later at Maryland Shock Trauma.

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Heavy Traffic Volumes Expected Downtown Tuesday Morning https://t.co/XeUYsndA9h  Baltimore City DOT (@BmoreCityDOT) January 10, 2022

A viewing was held at Wylie Funeral Home on Sunday and Monday. A wake is being held at the Convention Center on Tuesday at 9 a.m., followed by the service at 10 a.m.

Traffic around the Convention Center is likely to be congested from 7 a.m. to about 1:30 p.m., the transportation department said.

During the ceremony, all traffic along Interstate 395 will be able to access eastbound Conway Street and northbound Howard Street. However, temporary traffic stops will be implemented along I-395 at Conway Street throughout the day, the department said.

[ Baltimore Police Officer Keona Holley remembered during viewing ]

The areas expected to be the most impacted are:

Pratt Street between Paca and Light streets

Russell/Paca Street between Lee and Pratt streets

Sharp Street between Pratt and Conway streets

Howard Street between Pratt and Conway streets

Conway Street between Light and Howard streets

Charles Street between Pratt and Conway streets

To accommodate service and funeral vehicles, the following traffic modifications are also planned throughout the morning:
New Delhi [India], January 11 (ANI/PNN): BSE & NSE listed Rama Steel Tubes Limited (RSTL), one of the leading manufacturers of Steel Pipes & Tubes and G.I. Pipes in India, is setting up a manufacturing facility of ~20,000 MT pa at its step-down subsidiary RST Industries Limited (RSTIL) in Nigeria, West Africa. RSTIL has already commenced the expansion exercise for setting up the proposed facility in Nigeria; the expansion is expected to be completed in two tranches and will be fully operational by August 2022, and expects to operate at full capacity by Q3 of FY23. This additional capacity mainly aims to expand our current repertoire of SKUs to include Roofing Sheets. The total capital outlay for this expansion will be INR ~200 MN and will be funded through a mix of internal accruals and partially through debt. Recently, as per bulk deal data available on BSE, Quant Mutual Fund had picked up 100000 shares on 30th December 2021, and Mauritius based Saints Capital Funds picked up 120000 shares on 31st December 2021. Commenting on the announcement, Richi Bansal, Executive Director of Rama Steel Tubes Limited, said, "It gives us immense pleasure to announce that we are expanding and setting up a facility to meet the high demand of the Roofing sheets in Nigeria. We always had the vision to become one of the leading companies in building material products and solutions. This milestone is one of the few business strategic pipeline of plans. We have a firm hold and presence in the region of western Africa for the past five years. This capacity of 20,000 MTPA will add significantly to our subsidiary's top line. We are also happy to state that we have a strongly growing order book for these new SKUs and expect it to grow further. This also takes us one step ahead in our competition and further elevates our performance benchmark to the next level. We humbly would like to express our gratitude to all our stakeholders for always encompassing confidence in RSTL." This story is provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/PNN)
New Delhi [India], January 11 (ANI/NewsVoir): NIAM International Private Limited, New Delhi having a unique brand 'No Apology' which encompasses world-class Safe & Natural products, has launched a wide range of 100% natural Skin and Hair Care products first time in India. 'No Apology' has brought to the customers Skin and Hair care products made by using simple, effective formulas that harness the nourishment of natural ingredients. All these products have natural colour and fragrances. All 'No Apology' products are handsomely packaged and accessible nationally. Moreover, these FDA approved & Dermatologically tested products comprising of Skin care and Hair care are Non-Irritant, Natural, Toxin/Paraben/Sulfates/Vegan Free & are Safe for men & women. All these products are Made in India in certified units which follow best manufacturing standards to produce quality products. Rakesh Mehta, CEO, said, "We are delighted to launch our world-class healthcare and wellness products first time in India. Well-recognised for purity, our products are equally loved by the customers for their high safety. We use superior quality ingredients to harness the benefits of nature with our toxin-free skin and hair care range. We have launched our products for the Individuals who believe in living life carefree on their own terms, precisely those who are young, dynamic, vibrant and ambitious." 'No Apology' believes that what we put on our hair and skin is as important as what we eat. Hence everyone should be extra careful of the products they include in their skincare and haircare regimen. No Apology's line of products has the major USP of using natural ingredients such as Apple Cider Vinegar, Sea Buckthorn, Aloe Vera, Acai Fruit Oil, Witch Hazel, Brahmi, Bhringraj, Moroccan Argan Oil, Caffeine, Calendula Flower, Coconut Milk Powder, Corn Protein, Cucumber and many more. Among its best seller products also include a wide range of Combos. Some of its products like Exfoliating Vit C & Mint Face Wash with Grapefruit & Green Tea, 3-in-1 Green Tea, Caffeine & Vit. C Gel Face Mask with AFE + Sea Buckthorn Day Cream with SPF30 + Vit C & Hyaluronic Acid Serum apart from Coconut Milk Shampoo with Pea Protein & Wheat Protein + Coconut Milk Hair Mask with Soy Protein, Wheat Protein & Corn Protein just to mention a few are on high demand. The secret to happiness isn't a mantra, buying new things, or the bliss of ignorance. It is living life on your own terms - living it with No Apology, I am the way I am. That's why we have come up with a purpose and that purpose is you. "You" who are young, dynamic, vibrant, ambitious & have No Apology for living life fearlessly on your own terms. Made using simple, effective formulas that harness the nourishment of natural ingredients, No Apology enables you to live carefree, by caring for your skin and hair. Our products do what they say and, more importantly, what they're supposed to. They never let you down. There are no weird ingredients you can't spell, no hidden additives that secretly damage your health just re-imagined age-old natural extracts enhanced with essential vitamins. Go on, try one! Because why should something as basic as taking care of your skin and hair be any more complicated? This story is provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/NewsVoir)
New Delhi [India], January 11 (ANI/GIPR): India celebrated its 75th Independence Day in August last year and around the same time, social media sites, including Whatsapp, presented a mesmerizing sight of a 13-year-old Iranian girl, Tara Ghahremani playing "Jana Gana Mana" on santoor. The beautiful rendition of India's national anthem was also shared on Twitter by the Indian Embassy in Iran while the move filled every Indian's heart with pride and patriotism. In addition to that, Tara's video once again brought into focus the national anthem, which is adopted from the Bengali song "Bharoto Bhagyo Bidhata", originally composed by Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore. First published in the Bengali journal "Tattwabodhini Patrika" in 1905, the national anthem has also been found at the centre of public discourse repeatedly in recent years, sometimes not for a tasteful reason. However, Telugu media Moghul, Narendra Chowdary Tummala, took it upon himself to restore the pride of the national anthem and revive its significance among the younger generation. He is the Founder-Chairman of NTV, a Telugu news channel, which has been telecasting a special tagline on the national anthem - "Mana Desam - Mana Geetham" (My Nation, My Song) frequently. Last year, Narendra Chowdary has promoted awareness about the national anthem through the "Mana Desam - Mana Geetham" campaign on NTV. The program was telecasted with the humongous effort of making 50,000 people, in different places, sang the national anthem together, at the same time. So far, this special campaign was also seen participation from leading personalities of Andhra Pradesh, including former Governors and former Chief Ministers. Chowdhary wants to carry forward this program in the media and also involve school children in this noble initiative so that patriotic thoughts are encouraged in the younger generation. This story is provided by GIPR. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/GIPR)
Export of Indian mango to the United States (US) will start after a gap of two years and the volume of exports during 2022 is likely to surpass 1,095 million tonnes recorded in 2019-20, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry said on Tuesday. "The Central Government has secured the approval of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for export of Indian mangoes to USA in the new season. Consumers in the United States (US) would now have access to excellent quality mangoes from India," the ministry said in a statement. The export of Indian mangoes has been restricted by the USA since 2020 as USDA inspectors were unable to visit India for inspection of irradiation facility due to restrictions imposed on international travel because of COVID-19 pandemic. The decision to resume the export of Indian mango was taken during the 12th India-USA Trade Policy Forum (TPF) meeting held on November 23, 2021. The Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and US Department of Agriculture (USDA) have signed a framework agreement for implementing the 2 Vs 2 Agri market access issues. Under the agreement, India and the US would follow joint protocol on irradiation for India's mango exports and pomegranate exports to the US and import of cherries and Alfalfa hay from the US. "A revised work plan has been worked out, including phase-wise transfer of oversight of preclearance of Irradiation treatment to India as agreed upon between both the countries," the ministry said. There is good demand of Indian mangoes in the US. India exported 1,095 million tonnes of mango to the US in 2019-20. The value of the export during 2019-20 stood at $4.35 million. "As per estimates received from the exporters, the export of mangoes in 2022, may surpass the figures of 2019-20," the Ministry of Commerce and Industry said. As part of the mutual agreement, India will be able to export mangoes to the USA in the mango season commencing with the Alphonso variety of mangoes by March onwards. The USDA approval would pave the way for exports from traditional mango production belts such as Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) said that this would also provide an opportunity for the export of other delicious varieties of mangoes from North and East India such as Langra, Chausa, Dushehri, Fazli, etc from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal. As per the "2 Vs 2" Agri market access agreement, export of pomegranate from India to the US will start from April 2022. India will also allow import of Alfalfa hay and cherries from the US beginning from April 2022. (ANI)
New Delhi [India], January 11 (ANI/BusinessWire India): Blenders Pride welcomed Alia Bhatt as the new face of the brand with a captivating campaign film, 'Made of Pride'. It showcases Alia's relentless and never give up attitude, and her pride in being her authentic self. She takes the punishing glare of lights, symbolic of the challenges and continuous scrutiny that one confronts on the journey to success, head-on and emerges unfazed and triumphant. The multi-faceted actor with her resilience and dynamism truly represents the brand's philosophy that takes an exciting new turn with this bold and empowering campaign. The leader in its category, Blenders Pride once again creates a benchmark with this new and powerful take on pride. The brand embarks on a new journey with a refreshing tone of voice that is vibrant, aspirational & contemporary. A shift from black & white imagery to infusing colour is a refreshing move for the brand, but one that continues to enhance premium cues. Through the narrative of the film, Alia nudges the audience to adorn an attitude reflective in the lyrics "Watch out! I'm here to slay, Hit me with your brightest light. I'll stare back. I'm made of pride." The 360-degree integrated campaign will be seen across TV, Digital, Print & OOH. Commenting on the announcement, Kartik Mohindra, Chief Marketing Officer, Pernod Ricard India, said, "Alia Bhatt's story of becoming today's youth icon and one of the most talented stars in our film industry makes her unarguably the best choice for our new brand ambassador for Blenders Pride. Our new campaign celebrates the pride of being your authentic self, showcasing Alia's strength of character and resilience. In a world where making safe choices comes easy, the new campaign aims to nudge today's confident consumers, and encourage them to let their pride be the catalyst in making authentic choices that take them further in life." Commenting on the launch, Actor Alia Bhatt, said, "I am thrilled to be the face of Blenders Pride and be a part of this impactful film that beautifully weaves in the story of 'Made of Pride'. I truly believe that pride gives us the strength to take challenges head on and remain unfazed on the journey to success. I love that the campaign not only encourages people to take pride in being their authentic self, but also connects with so many different aspects of my life." Conceptualized by creative agency Lowe Lintas, the TVC has been shot by the famous French filmmaker and visual artist Jean Claude Thibaut, known for his path-breaking work in Luxury Lifestyle. Commenting on the campaign, Prateek Bhardwaj, Chief Creative Officer - Lowe Lintas said, "The campaign reframes the relationship between pride and success. For Blenders Pride, true pride isn't a result of success. Instead, it's a prerequisite to handle success. With Alia Bhatt staring down the limelight in a never-seen-before avatar, the brand boldly challenges older notions of pride, and encourages us to unabashedly own our choices." To view the film, please visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJRjo8VT2Dc This story is provided by BusinessWire India. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/BusinessWire India)
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India]/ Banjul [The Gambia], January 11 (ANI/BusinessWire India): Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany organized their first "Merck Foundation Health Media Training" via Videoconference on 15th December 2021 in partnership with H.E. Mrs. FATOUMATTA BAH-BARROW, The First Lady of The Gambia and Ambassador of Merck Foundation More Than a Mother for The Gambian media. "The objective of the training was to teach the media representatives on how to play a significant role in addressing sensitive social and health issues such as breaking Infertility Stigma, ending Child Marriage, FGM, GBV and support Girl Education. Moreover, in the given unprecedented times, enabling them to raise awareness about coronavirus and the best health prevention practices during this global pandemic," explained Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and President of Merck Foundation More Than a Mother. "I have always emphasized on the prominent role of media as I strongly believe that media has the capacity and ability to create a culture shift and to break the silence and be the voice of the voiceless through their day-to-day work," Dr. Rasha Kelej added. The Merck Foundation Health Media Training is a part of 'Merck Foundation More Than a Mother' community awareness Program and was chaired by Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej and addressed by the stalwarts of the media industry and infertility experts. It was attended by Gambian journalists working for Print, TV, Radio, and Online media and journalism students. Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej stated, "I recently met my dear sister and our long-term partner, H.E. Mrs. FATOUMATTA BAH-BARROW, The First Lady of The Gambia and Ambassador of Merck Foundation More Than a Mother, to discuss our programs. I am proud that till end of 2021, we have provided 34 scholarships to young Gambian doctors in various medical specialties like Fertility & Embryology, Oncology, Diabetes, Cardiovascular, Sexual & Reproductive Medicine, Respiratory, Acute Medicines, Neonatal Medicine and more. Together we are making history by providing specialty training for the first Fertility specialist, Embryologists, oncologists, diabetes, respiratory care, intensive care, and neonatal medicine specialists in the country. This is a huge achievement and history in the making." Moreover, through 'Educating Linda' program, Merck Foundation work towards empowering girls in education by supporting education of 20 underprivileged but brilliant schoolgirls. Merck Foundation provides 3,000 sets of essential school items for girls' schools. Each of the recipients get a set containing 1 Ruler, 3 Pencils, 2 Erasers, 1 Sharpener, 1 Pen, 6 Color Pencils, 1 Triangular Ruler, 1 Protractor, and 1 Fabric Bag. Merck Foundation in partnership with The First Lady of The Gambia has launched three children storybooks titled: "Musa's Story" to emphasize on the strong family values of love and respect from a young age which will reflect on eliminating the stigma of infertility and resulted domestic violence in the future, "Educating Mariam Story" to emphasize on the importance of empowering girls through education and "Make the Right Choice Story" to raise awareness about coronavirus prevention amongst children and youth as it provides facts about the pandemic and how to stay safe and healthy during the outbreak. 30,000 copies of the three storybooks have been distributed to young readers, school students of The Gambia. Merck Foundation in partnership with The Gambia First Lady has also launched an empowering song to break the stigma around infertility in Africa and the rest of the world as part of 'More Than a Mother' community awareness campaign. The song urges men to support their wives during the treatment journey of building a family and delivers an important message 'Fertility is a Shared Responsibility'. It has been written and composed by Sunita, a young female artist from The Gambia. Link to the song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cb0SEqMO0Sc&t=69s Moreover, together with The Gambia First Lady, Merck Foundation had launched 6 important Awards for Media, Fashion, Film, and Music fraternity to raise awareness on the important topics of breaking the stigma around infertility, underscoring the importance of girls' education & women empowerment at all levels. Two Coronavirus theme-based awards were also announced for Media and Fashion fraternity, with the aim to raise awareness about continuing the best practices and also show support to our frontline workers in the country and the rest of Africa. The winners of the awards will be announced soon. Earlier, Alieu Ceesay from QTV was announced as the First Position winner from the online category of the "Stay at Home" Media Recognition Awards 2020 from the West Africa region. About 'Merck Foundation More Than a Mother' campaign "Merck Foundation More Than a Mother" is a strong movement that aims to empower infertile women through access to information, education and change of mind-sets. This powerful campaign supports governments in defining policies to enhance access to regulated, safe, effective and equitable fertility care solutions. It defines interventions to break the stigma around infertile women and raises awareness about infertility prevention, management and male infertility. In partnership with African First Ladies, Ministries of Health, Information, Education & Gender, academia, policymakers, International fertility societies, media and art, the initiative also provides training for fertility specialists and embryologists to build and advance fertility care capacity in Africa and developing countries. With "Merck Foundation More Than a Mother", we have initiated a cultural shift to de-stigmatize infertility at all levels: By improving awareness, training local experts in the fields of fertility care and media, building advocacy in cooperation with African First Ladies and women leaders and by supporting childless women in starting their own small businesses. It's all about giving every woman the respect and the help she deserves to live a fulfilling life, with or without a child. The Ambassadors of "Merck Foundation More Than a Mother" are: Merck Foundation launched new innovative initiatives to sensitize local communities about infertility prevention, male infertility with the aim to break the stigma of infertility and empowering infertile women as part of Merck Foundation More Than a Mother COMMUNITY AWARENESS CAMPAIGN, such as; 'Merck Foundation More Than a Mother' Africa Media Recognition Awards and Health Media Training 'Merck Foundation More Than a Mother' Fashion Awards 'Merck Foundation More Than a Mother' Film Awards 'Merck Foundation More Than a Mother' Song Awards Local songs with local artists to address the cultural perception of infertility and how to change it Children storybook, localized for each country Click on the link below to Download Merck Foundation App https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=de.merck.foundation&hl=en Join the conversation on our social media platforms below and let your voice be heard Facebook: Merck Foundation Twitter: @Merckfoundation YouTube: MerckFoundation Instagram: Merck Foundation Flickr: Merck Foundation Website: www.merck-foundation.com This story is provided by BusinessWire India. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/BusinessWire India)
India Inc is ready to take on the third Covid wave with operational experience gained during the last two-years of pandemic. Accordingly, the rising cases of Covid-19 as well as subsequent mobility curbs will have a relatively mild' impact on India's economy in comparison to earlier waves. On the other hand, the bounce back powered by the pent-up demand will be strong. Lately, the covid resurgence have led to various curbs instituted by state governments such as reduced capacity of markets, night and weekend curfews to check the infection transmission rate. However, the curbs seen till now are less disruptive than Covid 1.0 and 2.0 due to the mildness of the disease. Besides, businesses have shown "a mature" response to deal with the current wave. A smooth transition has been seen with offices shifting back to work-from-home mode, alongside uninterrupted supply chains. Even market associations have imposed a "no mask no sale" policy. Consequently, economy watchers believe the impact on the country's economic growth due to the current wave will be "mild". "Even as the Indian economy has rebounded faster than expected post the second wave, the emergence of Omicron has added a fresh dose of uncertainty on Q4 as well as to the next year's outlook," said Dipti Deshpande, Principal Economist, Crisil. "While the world is still learning about this variant's ability to dodge vaccines and cause severe disease, experience has shown that every successive Covid wave has had a weaker impact on the economy... Healthy vaccination coverage and learning to live with the virus have led to progressively less-stringent lockdowns." Deshpande further cited that in the base case scenario, the impact of Omicron is unlikely to be very damaging on economic growth. Suman Chowdhury, Chief Analytical Officer, Acuite Ratings and Research, said: "We believe that the economic impact of the third wave will be relatively lower as compared to the previous surges going by the current data on hospitalisation and mortalities which will hopefully translate into lesser risk of large scale and prolonged lockdowns. "For the whole of FY22, we hold on to our growth estimate of 10 per cent with moderate downside risks." As per average industry estimates, GDP growth in Q4FY22 is expected to come in at 5.5-5.8 per cent year-on-year (YoY). Earlier, estimates had pegged the growth at over 6 per cent. "The current wave will induce a slowdown in economic activity. This will inturn impact the Q4FY22 growth. However, less disruptive restrictions as well as past experience to deal with these type of surges will provide a faster turnaround opportunity for the economy," said Sunil Kumar Sinha, Principal Economist, India Ratings. "Nevertheless, both fiscal and monetary policy support will be required at least for the foreseeable future." Furthermore, the healthy rate of vaccinations coupled with administering of a precautionary dose' for frontline workers and senior citizens should blunt any further impact. "While the Omicron-led uncertainty adds risk to Q4FY22 growth, we note the impact would likely be mild giving limited restrictions and high vaccination rates," said Madhavi Arora, Lead Economist, Emkay Global. "However, the situation is still evolving and needs a watch." In addition, Aditi Nayar, Chief Economist, ICRA said: "Our early analysis suggests that the impact of an Omicron wave may be limited to one quarter in terms of the duration of the surge in fresh cases, as well as the economic impact given the better preparedness of governments, the health care system and households. However, there continues to be a lot of uncertainty around this. "The impact on GDP growth will depend on the extent to which restrictions need to be extended across states in the coming weeks. As of now, we see a modest downside to our forecast of FY2022 GDP expansion of 9 per cent." (Rohit Vaid can be contacted at rohit.v@ians.in) --IANS rv/ksk/ ( 654 Words) 2022-01-11-15:18:05 (IANS)
Soon the 4.4 millions Indians residing in the US or the entire 332 million people of the US can taste the Indian mangoes again as the Central government has secured the approval of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) for export of Indian mangoes to the US in the new season. As part of the mutual agreement, India will be able to export mangoes to the US in the mango season commencing with the Alphonso variety of mangoes by March onwards. The export of Indian mangoes has been restricted by the US since 2020 as USDA inspectors were unable to visit India for inspection of irradiation facilities due restrictions imposed on international travel because of Covid-19 pandemic. Recently, in pursuant to the 12th India - USA Trade Policy Forum (TPF) meeting held on November 23, 2021, the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and US Department of Agriculture (USDA) have signed a framework agreement for implementing the 2 Vs 2 Agri market access issues. Under the agreement, India and the US would follow joint protocol on irradiation for India's mango exports and pomegranate exports to the US and import of cherries and Alfalfa hay from the US. A revised work plan has been worked out, including phase-wise transfer of oversight of pre-clearance of Irradiation treatment to India as agreed upon between both the countries. The USDA approval would pave the way for exports from traditional mango production belts such as Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) said that this would also provide an opportunity for the export of other delicious varieties of mangoes from North and East India such as Langra, Chausa, Dushehri, Fazli, etc from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal. Notably, there is a huge acceptance and consumer preference of Indian mangoes in the USA as India had exported 800 Metric Tonnes (MTs) of mangoes to the USA in 2017-18 and the export value of the fruit was $2.75 million. Similarly, in 2018-19, 951 MT mangoes of $3.63 million were exported to the USA and 1,095 MT of $4.35 million of mangoes were exported to USA in 2019-20. As per estimates received from the exporters, the export of mangoes in 2022, may surpass the figures of 2019-20. --IANS nk/pgh ( 396 Words) 2022-01-11-22:20:02 (IANS)
'Full House' star Bob Saget's sudden demise has left everyone in a state of shock. His wife, Kelly Rizzo, mourned his death, saying she is "completely shattered". Following the passing of Saget on January 9, his wife recently shared a statement on the devastating loss. "My whole heart. Bob was my absolute everything," Rizzo said in a statement to Us Weekly. She added, "I am so completely shattered and in disbelief. I am so deeply touched by the outpouring of love and tribute from our friends, family, his fans and his peers." Rizzo added that "when the time is right and when this news is not as raw," she looks "forward to sharing more of Bob with the world." The blogger concluded, "Sharing how much he meant to me, all of those around him, and how much all of his fans and friends meant to him as well. Thank you for respecting my privacy at this time." As per Us Weekly, the comedian-actor was found dead in his Orlando, Florida, hotel room on January 9. He was 65 when he breathed his last. The actor's family released a statement at the time, confirming the news. "We are devastated ... that our beloved Bob passed away today," they wrote on Sunday. "He was everything to us and we want you to know how much he loved his fans, performing live and bringing people from all walks of life together with laughter. Though we ask for privacy at this time, we invite you to join us in remembering the love and laughter that Bob brought to the world," they added. On Monday, authorities announced that Saget's autopsy was completed. The report indicated that there is currently no evidence of foul play or drug use, reported People magazine. "An autopsy was performed this morning on Robert Lane Saget. Mr. Saget is a 65-year-old male, who was found unresponsive in his hotel room. At this time, there is no evidence of drug use or foul play," Joshua Stephany, the chief medical examiner of Orange and Osceola Counties, said in a statement. "The cause and manner of death are pending further studies and investigation which may take up to 10-12 weeks to complete," Stephany added. 'The How I Met Your Mother' alum is survived by Rizzo and his three daughters with ex-wife Sherri Kramer: Aubrey, Lara and Jennifer. Aubrey and her sisters developed a close bond with Rizzo after the blogger began dating Saget in 2015. "Kelly and my daughters love each other, so it really is some magical thing that happened," the 'Fuller House' alum told Us Weekly in April 2018. "They just love each other." The Illinois native chimed in, "He has three girls and I'm super close with them." Rizzo went on to say that she and her husband were not interested in having children of their own, choosing to "enjoy life and travel around" instead. The couple got engaged in November 2017. "The story goes ... when he proposed he got on one knee and said, 'I want to spend whatever years I have left with you,'" the bride reflected via Instagram the following year. "I made him rephrase it of course. But seriously -- I can't wait to spend COUNTLESS years of [love] and [laughter] with you," she added at the time. The duo wed in October of the following year in California, celebrating their third anniversary in 2021. (ANI)
Justin Hurwitz, the Oscar-winning composer behind the music of 'La La Land', has sued talent agency William Morris Endeavor (WME) for defrauding him out of profits for live concerts of the movie's score. As per Variety, in the lawsuit, Hurwitz claimed that WME had a conflict of interest because it produced the shows while also serving as Hurwitz's agent. The suit also alleged that WME abused its relationship with Hurwitz to obtain the license to produce the shows from Lionsgate, and then repeatedly refused to let Hurwitz conduct the performances because "there's not enough money." "Hurwitz found himself in the absurd position of being denied the opportunity to work by his own talent agent on a project in which his talent agent was supposedly representing him," the suit stated. "As a result, the talent-talent agency relationship had been turned upside down," the lawsuit further stated. Hurwitz won two Oscars for his work on 'La La Land', one for best original score and another for best original song, 'City of Stars'. In January 2017, WME suggested Hurwitz that he create a live show, 'La La Land in Concert', in which an orchestra would perform the score in front of a film screen. Lionsgate, the film's producer, agreed to license the shows to Columbia Artists Management for five major cities, and to WME for other performances around the world. According to Variety, Hurwitz was to be paid USD 50,000 per show for the Columbia Artists Management performances. But after two performances at the Hollywood Bowl, the remaining Columbia Artists Management shows were cancelled. On the WME shows, Hurwitz was initially not scheduled to receive any compensation at all unless he appeared as the conductor, according to the suit. WME scheduled 23 shows, which Hurwitz could not appear at due to other commitments, according to the suit. After some negotiation, he received USD 3,000 to USD 5,000 per engagement, according to the suit. In his lawsuit, Hurwitz also stated that he repeatedly asked to conduct the shows, but was rejected in favour of local conductors who would be paid less. Hurwitz also alleged that WME was making USD 30,000 per performance. The suit stated that Hurwitz never agreed to allow WME to take a profit participation on any project he worked on and that WME did not disclose the nature of the conflict of interest. According to the suit, Hurwitz confronted CEO Ari Emanuel about the conflict in February 2021. The suit stated that Emanuel denied that the agency was doing anything wrong, and told Hurwitz that he would never be able to get a better deal than he was already getting. Emanuel cancelled a follow-up call on the matter and said that Hurwitz would no longer be able to work with "any of my companies," according to the suit. However, in a statement on Monday, WME denied the wrongdoing, stating, "These claims are without merit and WME intends to vigorously defend itself." The lawsuit echoes the fight waged by the Writers Guild of America against WME and the other major agencies, in which the guild alleged that the agencies' move into content production posed an impermissible conflict of interest. After a lengthy court battle, the agencies agreed to divest themselves of their majority stakes in their content businesses, as per Variety. According to the suit, WME transferred the 'La La Land in Concert' production to its subsidiary, Endeavor Content. The suit accused WME of engaging in secret deals behind Hurwitz's back, in order to "squeeze extra profit out of its client." "WME cynically and systematically entered into secret agreements concerning its client without its client's knowledge or consent, after he had entrusted WME, his agency, to look out of for his best interest and to help maximize his potential compensation," the suit stated. "Instead, Hurwitz discovered that WME had been deceiving him -- not only pocketing what should have been his earnings -- but also lying to his face about it," the lawsuit added. Hurwitz left WME for rival CAA soon after those conversations almost a year ago. (ANI)
An early Tuesday morning shooting left a 23-year-old college student dead in Towson, police said.

Baltimore County Police said officers were called to the unit block of West Susquehanna Ave. around 2 a.m. for a gunshot victim.

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When officers arrived they found Ikemefuna J. Eguh dead outside. According to a release from Towson University, Eguh enrolled as a senior last semester as an exercise science major. He went by Justin to friends and grew up in East Orange, New Jersey.

Next of kin have been notified, and TU Student Affairs staff will be in touch with the family to provide support, according to a university news release. We ask that you join us in keeping his friends and family in your thoughts during this most difficult time.

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Metro Crime Stoppers of Maryland is offering a $2,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest.

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call county detectives at 410-307-2020.
Netflix's romantic comedy series 'Emily in Paris', starring actor Lily Collins, has been renewed for two more seasons. The news was shared on the Emmy-nominated show's official Instagram page. The post read, "Say 'bonjour' to 3 & 4! EMILY IS OFFICIALLY RETURNING FOR TWO MORE SEASONS!" The renewal comes after season 2, featuring Collins, as marketing executive Emily Cooper, premiered on December 22. 'Emily in Paris' follows Emily (Lily Collins), an ambitious twenty-something marketing executive from Chicago, who unexpectedly lands a job in Paris when her company acquires a French luxury marketing company, reported Variety. In the show, she is tasked with revamping their social media strategy, and embarks on a new life in Paris filled with adventures and challenges, as she juggles winning over her work colleagues, making friends, and navigating new romances. The second season of the show sees Emily travel from Paris to the French Riviera, including Saint-Tropez. In season 2, now more entrenched in her life in Paris, Emily's getting better at navigating the city but still struggling with the idiosyncrasies of French life. After stumbling into a love triangle with her neighbour and her first real French friend, Emily is determined to focus on her work -- which is getting more complicated by the day. In French class, she meets a fellow expat who both infuriates and intrigues her. As per Variety, the next season will shoot once again at the Studios of Paris on the outskirts of the French capital in the spring or summer. Some other locations are being explored, including London. The show bowed in October 2020 and was an immediate sensation on the streaming platform. 'Emily in Paris' also earned two Emmy nominations for Outstanding Comedy Series and Outstanding Production Design for a Narrative Program. The Netflix series is created by Darren Star, who also serves as writer and executive producer along with Tony Hernandez, Lilly Burns and Andrew Fleming. Darren, whose track record includes hit series like 'Sex and the City', 'Beverly Hills, 90210' and 'Melrose Place', is wrapping up the shoot of his new show 'Uncoupled' later this month, and is then expected to dedicate himself to the writing of Season 3 of 'Emily in Paris'. The romantic comedy series is produced by MTV Studios, Darren Star Productions, and Jax Media. (ANI)
Days before his unexpected death on Sunday night, comedian-actor Bob Saget discussed how he battled COVID-19. As per E! News, less than a week before his death, Bob Saget opened up about previously testing positive for COVID-19 on a podcast. Saget spoke on the January 5 episode of the iHeartRadio podcast A Corporate Time with Tom and Dan, on which he discussed his battle with COVID-19. According to E! News, he shared that he had tested positive before, but didn't say when. "It is not good. It does not feel good. I had it. I don't know if I had Delta or I might have had a combo. They might have been working together," he said. Saget then joked, "I think at one point Omicron was opening for Delta, but Omicron got too big, Delta is opening now for Omicron." It wasn't the first time the comedian has discussed the COVID-19 pandemic. In December, he made a comment about having received the booster shot recently. "Be careful out there. Do whatever you gotta do to be safe. I try not to preach you know about [it]. I got my booster shot, I'm 65, so I got it yesterday--day before--and I was hurting." He also joked, "I've been telling people I got it in my ass but I had it right below my balls because I wanted them to get bigger." E! News reported that Saget shared a photo of a COVID-19 test on December 22, covering up the results with a handwritten tic-tac-toe game. He quipped, "I don't know what to make of this. Has anybody else gotten this kind of test results?" It's unclear when he had the disease, though it seems he was not battling it at the time of his death because he performed a comedy show in Florida the day prior. Saget was found unresponsive at the Ritz-Carlton in Orlando, Florida, and he was pronounced dead on the scene, according to the Orange County Sheriff's Office. The cause of death has not been confirmed, but officials say there was no sign of drug use or foul play. Apart from 'Full House', Saget was also known for his film work, making his feature directorial debut with the raunchy 1998 Norm MacDonald movie 'Dirty Work'. He later directed 2007's 'Farce of the Penguins', a parody of the hit documentary 'March of the Penguins'. His other notable TV work included the voice of the adult Ted Mosby on CBS' long-running 'How I Met Your Mother'. (ANI)
Taking to his Instagram handle, Vicky posted a bunch of pictures from the film and BTS pictures having fun on sets with his fellow cast and crew members. His co-star Yami Gauam can also be spotted in the pictures.

Vicky also shared a picture with director Aditya Dhar, from the day when they were bestowed with National Awards for their work in the film.

In the caption, he wrote, "Forever grateful. #3yearsofUriTheSurgicalStrike."

The war drama, based on the Indian Army's 2016 surgical strike in Pakistan, also stars Mohit Raina, Paresh Rawal, and Kirti Kulhari among others. (ANI)
Tanushree Dutta on Tuesday came out in open support of Malayalam actor Bhavana Menon, who had yesterday opened up about the humiliation she faced over the years after she was allegedly sexually assaulted. The Bollywood actor took to her official Instagram handle and re-shared Bhavana's post, asking her to keep fighting and get justice despite the years of "oppression". Dutta also said she admires her "resilience" and also mentioned her husband, Naveen for the support he is providing her with. "I particularly admire her resilience and must also credit her husband for his support as well as her friends as without a strong emotional & financial support system it's sometimes impossible for young women to continue to fight such vicious battles," she wrote. Tanushree further wrote about her own experience after speaking up and said that she had to "move on to build up her broken psyche, life and career,' adding, "I had no one who remotely loved me enough to continue to stand by me & provide the real tangible support I needed. All I had are people who would much rather see me struggle & fail so I can give them company in their eternal misery!" Tanushree then told that she got tired of the "negativity and anger" amongst other emotions. She wrote, "I had already spent a large part of the 12 years post 2008 feeling low, anxious, depressed, angry & gloomy." She also said that she has been on medication for chronic anxiety for the last two years and only now does she feel "normal and like myself." She added, "For years after the Horn ok pleasse incident I was unable to take up & hold a job due to my anxiety, depression & ptsd." "I wasn't going to live like that for the rest of my life & fight for nothing so I decided to ignore it & focus on my health & work again. This matter always invoked severe anxiety & stress and it was ruining my health. I was getting nothing out of it and it was just a whole lot of media fodder. I never had much faith in the justice system anyways & with a matter that old there is seldom any outcome. So I rested in peace!" Tanushree continued. Speaking about the witnesses in her case, she said that they were coerced and silenced. "There was no point fighting when nobody wants you to win." In September 2018, Dutta had alleged that veteran actor Nana Patekar misbehaved with her on the sets of 'Horn Ok Please' in 2008 while shooting a special dance number for the movie, and went on to file an FIR against him. However, Patekar had refuted all allegations. Meanwhile, several other celebs, including filmmaker Zoya Akhtar, extended their support to Menon on Monday. The attack on Bhavana reportedly took place in 2017 when she was returning to Kochi after a shooting assignment on the outskirts of the city. Her vehicle was allegedly waylaid, and she was abducted by a criminal gang in a closed van. On Sunday, the Crime Branch wing of Kerala Police registered a case against actor Dileep and five others for allegedly threatening investigation officers in the sexual assault case of the actress in which he is also an accused. Bhavana's post came after the particular recent development in the case. In the post, she stated that she will not give up and will continue fighting. (ANI)
Actor Siddharth apologised to Saina Nehwal on Tuesday night, after receiving heavy criticism for his "rude joke" on the badminton player on Twitter. The actor had, in a Twitter post on January 6, retweeted a post by Nehwal in which she had expressed her concern over the security breach of Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his Punjab visit on January 5. In his letter of apology posted on Twitter, Siddarth began, "Dear Saina, I want to apologise to you for my rude joke that i wrote as a response to a tweet of yours, a few days ago. I may disagree with you on many things but even my disappointment or anger when i read your tweet, cannot justify my tone and words. I know I have more grace in me than that." Further, he apologised for his joke. "As for the joke...If a joke needs to be explained, then it wasn't a very good joke to begin with. Sorry about a joke that didn't land," he penned. Siddharth clarified that he had no "malicious" intent and that he is a "feminist ally". "I, however must insist my word play and humour had none of the malicious intent that so many people from all quarters have attributed to it. I am a staunch feminist ally and i assure you there was no gender implied in my tweet and certainly no intent to attack you as a woman," he added. He concluded with the hope that she will accept his letter. "I hope we can put this behind us and that you will accept my letter. You will always be my Champion. Honestly, Siddharth," he signed off. Previously, Saina Nehwal's father Harvir Singh Nehwal on Tuesday said that the ace Indian shuttler is unhappy after the remarks made by actor Siddharth against her. "A person from the cinema industry (actor Siddharth) has made some bad remarks against Saina (Nehwal) on Twitter. I condemned his statement. He should come out in open and apologise. Our family is really disturbed. Saina is also unhappy," Harvir Singh Nehwal told ANI. The National Commission for Women (NCW) had also asked Twitter to block the account of actor Siddharth over his "sexist" tweet against ace badminton player Saina Nehwal. Various activists have slammed Siddharth over his comments, calling it "sexist, misogynistic" and demanded that he should apologise to Nehwal. Following the controversy, Siddharth had also responded on Monday that he did not mean to disrespect anyone and his "subtle cock" tweet contained no kind of insinuation. "Cock and bull. That's the reference. Reading otherwise is unfair and leading. Nothing disrespectful was intended, said or insinuated. Period," he tweeted. (ANI)
A Delhi Police official said that all these police personnel are home quarantined and recovering well.

The affected comprise 18 IPS officers - a Joint CP, four Additional CPs, and 13 DCPs.

"As of now, no one has been hospitalised. Police Department is taking all the precautions to make sure virus doesn't spread more. Delhi Police Commissioner Rakesh Asthana is personally looking into the matter," the official said, adding that they are providing all kinds of help to their affected personnel.

"This is the third wave of Covid. We have faced two waves, controlling law and order. But this time, we are suffering more," said the police official.

The Delhi Police officials were the first to take Covid vaccines as frontline workers. The total strength of the Delhi Police, which is around 90,000, has been given both the doses of the vaccine

Not only the Delhi Police, but the Mumbai Police Department is also facing a tough time in the third wave, with at least 523 cases of coronavirus among its ranks, including 114 in the last 48 hours.

Meanwhile, DG Prison, Sandeep Goel said that 46 prisoners and 43 officials, across the three jails, tested positive for Covid.

--IANS atk/vd

( 235 Words)

2022-01-11-00:22:06 (IANS)
Over nine lakh beneficiaries received their third dose of the Covid vaccine on the first day of the drive to administer the 'Precaution Dose' to the healthcare workers, frontline workers and sixty plus individuals commenced on Monday across the country. "On the first day of 'Precaution Dose' for the identified categories of beneficiaries for Covid vaccination today, more than 9 lakh doses were administered to the eligible age group," the Union Health Ministry said on Monday. Earlier in the day, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said in a tweet, "The programme for administering the 'Precaution Dose' on the advice of doctors to healthcare and frontline workers and people of 60+ age is starting from today across the country". "Under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi ji, the government is committed to provide additional security cover to healthcare and frontline workers on priority," he added in the same tweet. The CoWIN portal on the first day sent over one crore reminders messages to the beneficiaries to get the 'Precaution Dose'. The online booking of appointments for dose through CoWIN portal was started from Saturday. The ministry had clarified that there would be no need for new registration for the 'Precaution Dose'. Overall, with the administration of over 82 lakhs vaccine doses on Monday, India's Covid-19 vaccination coverage has crossed 152.78 crores. --IANS avr/shs ( 241 Words) 2022-01-11-00:52:03 (IANS)
Lopez Obrador, who is fully vaccinated and has received a booster shot, first contracted Covid-19 in January last year with mild symptoms, Xinhua news agency reported.

In a tweet on Monday night, the 68-year-old President said that he has "mild symptoms" and will continue to work while being isolated.

"I will communicate virtually until I get through it," said the President, who is famed for his daily morning press conferences from the National Palace.

Lopez Obrador's second infection was confirmed after his usual press conference early Monday, when he appeared with a hoarse voice which he attributed to a common cold, saying he would be tested shortly.

Interior Minister Adan Augusto Lopez will hold the press conferences during the President's absence, and represent him on other official occasions.

--IANS ksk/

( 158 Words)

2022-01-11-11:04:01 (IANS)
Australian authorities welcomed a "fantastic" start to the coronavirus vaccine rollout for children on Tuesday as the country is still in a battle against the surging Covid-19 infections. From Monday, children in Australia aged five to 11 were eligible to get vaccinated against the virus, reports Xinhua news agency. Deputy Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Michael Kidd on Tuesday said more than 35,000 children were jabbed on the first day and the government was confident that the rollout would gather momentum ahead of schools returning in late January. "And this is a fantastic start to the five to 11-year-old program, getting those children obviously back to school safely for this year," he told Seven Network television. Parents have reported issues booking vaccine appointments for their children and doctors cancelling appointments due to supply shortfalls. "We currently have over 6,000 sites where children can receive the Pfizer paediatric Covid-19 vaccine, that will be increasing to 8,000 sites over the coming few days," said Kidd. "If you can't get an appointment there over the coming week, if you look around, there are pharmacies in your local area, the state and territory vaccination clinics are opening up and offering appointments." Australia on Tuesday reported over 80,000 new Covid-19 cases and more than 20 deaths, according to the health department figures from states and territories. "What we are doing is watching very closely to see what's been happening in countries around the world, which have started their Omicron outbreak ahead of when we first saw Omicron in Australia," he said. --IANS ksk/ ( 271 Words) 2022-01-11-14:46:05 (IANS)
A controversy has been triggered in West Bengal after a man, his wife and their son committed suicide at Bakkhali area in South 24 Parganas district with the act streaming live on Facebook on Sunday night. According to the police, the live streaming of the act was available on the Facebook page of the man, after his daughter was heckled by the members of a self-help group for women for alleged defalcation of funds to the tune of Rs 3 lakh. According to the police, the family lived in the district's Kulpi area. The couple and their son left home on Sunday and went to a desolate place in the coastal village of Bakkhali, where the incident took place. "The bodies have been sent for post-mortem. We have launched an investigation into the matter," Bhaskar Mukherjee, Superintendent of Police, Sunderbans police district, told the media. The daughter of the deceased used to run a self-help group and was responsible for collecting money from 12 group members and depositing it in the bank. She has been running this group for the last four years. According to the members of the group, recently they came to know that the girl didn't deposit a single penny in the bank and instead she had siphoned the whole money. According to the members, she took a loan of Rs 1.5 lakh from the bank in 2017 and another Rs 1 lakh six months back. "A large number of these women stormed the family's home at Kulpi on Saturday night. It is alleged that they assaulted the couple's daughter who pleaded innocence. The family filed a complaint at Kulpi police station later in the night. Five of these women are being questioned," a district police officer said on condition of anonymity. "Apparently, it seems that the family committed suicide because they couldn't bear the insult. We are looking into it," the officer said. The girl, her husband and their son are still absconding. --IANS sbg/arm ( 341 Words) 2022-01-10-21:34:06 (IANS)
With the holiday travels and gatherings behind us, we can expect that the next few weeks will see an unprecedented surge in COVID infections and hospitalizations. As an immunologist with a Ph.D. and over 40 years experience, it has been extremely frustrating to see high levels of noncompliance with common-sense COVID safety precautions that are recommended by many health organizations. Ive been called stupid, an idiot, or worse many times for advocating wearing masks and getting vaccinated. Nevertheless, I persist.

Maryland has recently reported a record of over 14,000 new COVID infections in a single day. The COVID death toll in the state is now around 12,000. More than 500 Marylanders died from the disease in December, and last week, we saw 55 COVID deaths in one 24-hour period. Pediatric cases of COVID are also on the rise. Medical institutions in Maryland are reaching their capacity due to COVID hospitalizations. Some hospitals have needed to institute crisis standards of care protocols, which include lower nurse-to-patient ratios, rescheduling elective surgeries, and redeployment of clinical and non-clinical staff. Many hospital staff have resigned during the pandemic due to burnout, and the suffering of the family members of those who have died or required hospitalization due to COVID is staggering.

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Ive heard every excuse imaginable for not getting vaccinated against COVID, but none are reasonable, except for those with valid medical reasons. People complain about their freedoms being trampled, but there simply is no inalienable right to endanger the health of others. We have laws against drunk driving, smoking in public, texting while driving, and other restrictions on personal freedom that are necessary to save lives. We already have requirements in schools for kids to get vaccinated against measles, mumps and other diseases.

Even George Washington required his troops to get vaccinated against smallpox. As early as 1905, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of vaccine mandates, and many other legal precedents exist that uphold vaccine mandates and other public health measures. Misguided legal challenges to vaccinations are costing lives and inflicting great damage on the economy. The education of the children will also suffer greatly by failures to curb the spread of COVID. Many elected officials are shamelessly spreading misinformation to pander to uninformed voters and must be held accountable. The rapid spread of the Omicron variant clearly demonstrates that global vaccination efforts need to be rapidly increased to mitigate the threat to Americans and the world.

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Immunization against smallpox and polio have virtually eradicated these diseases. People claim that the recent surges in new COVID cases demonstrate that the vaccines dont work. Although breakthrough infections occur, data show that COVID vaccines work in dramatically reducing hospitalizations and death. About 80% of new COVID infections occur in unvaccinated individuals. COVID infections are costing us billions in health care costs and have stressed our heroic health care workers to the breaking point. New COVID infections also cost us billions in indirect effects to the economy.

Here in Washington County, the COVID situation is grim and will likely get worse. The COVID positivity rate has exceeded 27% and has been at 15% or higher for many days. Only 52% are fully vaccinated. Over 400 people have died in our small county in Western Maryland. However, if you go into stores or public spaces, few people are wearing masks. Enforcement of COVID safety violations is virtually nonexistent. Many elected officials here have flaunted COVID safety protocols to appeal to their largely Republican base. Our delegate, Neil Parrott, hosted an indoor birthday fundraiser for 300 this summer that was mostly maskless and ignored social distancing. Mr. Parrott also filed an unsuccessful lawsuit challenging the COVID safety measures that Gov. Larry Hogan had instituted. After elected officials in Washington County downplayed COVID for many months, it is not surprising that many residents are unwilling to change their habits.

We all are exhausted by the pandemic, but we must remain vigilant. Now more than ever, everyone needs to get fully vaccinated and boosted, wear masks, and follow recommended safety precautions. Mandates, enforcement of COVID safety protocols, and other measures are essential for recovery. As a nation we are extremely divided on many issues but now is the time to come together in our fight against COVID and help our great country to heal. It is NOT a political issue. It IS a matter of life and death.

John F. Krowka (johnkrowka@gmail.com) is a retired immunologist.
The Supreme Court on Monday declined to interfere with the Bombay High Court order, which granted bail to Deepak Kochhar, husband of former ICICI Bank CEO Chanda Kochhar, in a money laundering case registered by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). On March 25 last year, a single judge bench of the high court had granted bail to Kochhar in the money laundering case, noting that there was no likelihood of him absconding or tampering with evidence. It had asked him to cooperate with the probe. Kochhar moved the high court after a special Mumbai court declined to entertain his bail plea in December 2020. The ED moved the Supreme Court challenging the high court order. On Monday, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the ED, submitted before a bench headed by Chief Justice N.V. Ramana that legal issues raised in the plea should be kept open for adjudication in an appropriate case. The bench, also comprising Justices Surya Kant and Hima Kohli, while dismissing the ED appeal, took note of Mehta's submissions. "Having heard learned Solicitor General appearing on behalf of the petitioner and carefully perusing the material placed on record, we see no reason to interfere with the impugned order passed by the High Court granting bail to respondent No.1 (Kochhar) herein. "The special leave petition is, accordingly, dismissed. As a sequel to the above, pending interlocutory application also stands disposed of. However, the question of law is kept open to be decided in an appropriate case," the court said in its order. The high court had directed Kochhar to surrender his passport before the special court in the city hearing the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) cases. In September 2020, the ED had arrested Kochhar in the alleged ICICI Bank-Videocon money laundering case. The agency had registered the case following an FIR by CBI against the Kochhar couple, Videocon Group promoter Venugopal Dhoot, and others for allegedly causing loss to the ICICI Bank. The matter was in connection with the sanctioning of loans to the Videocon Group of companies by breaking the bank's policies. --IANS ss/vd ( 362 Words) 2022-01-10-21:40:05 (IANS)
As the process for candidate selection is about to start for the upcoming Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, the BJP is reviewing the performance report of all its sitting MLAs before finalising on extending their candidature for another term. A senior party leader said that the performance reports of all sitting MLAs have been received and the party's central leadership will take a call on whether they will be given tickets to contest the polls after studying them. A senior party functionary aware of development said that performance reports have been prepared to find out anti-incumbency against the sitting MLAs. "Those who are facing strong anti-incumbency are likely to be replaced with new faces. Performance reports in this regard are with the central leadership. Findings of the reports will be taken into consideration before deciding the fate of the sitting MLAs," he said. Strong speculation is doing the rounds in BJP circles that many sitting MLAs will be denied tickets. Sources said that the reports and the feedback collected by party leaders will be one of the criteria to find out the popularity of the sitting MLAs. "Right now, it is difficult to say how many sitting MLAs will be denied ticket to contest the polls, but those facing strong anti-incumbency will definitely miss out," sources said. Uttar Pradesh BJP's election committee is meeting in Lucknow to discuss the candidates for the first round of polling. It is learnt that the top party leadership, including Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, is likely to meet BJP chief J.P. Nadda and other central leaders to discuss candidate selection on Tuesday. Sources in the BJP said that Adityanath, Deputy CMs Dinesh Sharma and Keshav Prasad Maurya, BJP state unit chief Swatantra Dev Singh, and state General Secretary (organisation) Sunil Bansal will reach the national capital to discuss candidate selection for the first two phases of Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls. The final decision on the candidates will be taken by the BJP parliamentary board, which is likely to meet on January 13. The Last date of filing nomination for 58 Assembly seats where polling will be held in the first phase is January 21. The last date of filing nomination for 55 Assembly seats that will go to polls in the second phase is January 28. The first two phases of polling will be held on February 10 and February 14, respectively. --IANS ssb/arm ( 416 Words) 2022-01-10-21:46:03 (IANS)
After the Apex court agreed to hear a PIL on hate speeches, Jamiat ulema-i-Hind on Monday demanded stern action against the hate mongers. Welcoming the Chief Justice of India's agreement to hear a petition filed in the Haridwar Dharma Hate Speech case, President of Jamiat Ulema-i-Hind, Maulana Arshad Madani said: "The state and central law enforcement agencies have not fulfilled their duties, which has created a very depressing situation in the whole country." Hate speeches and statements against Muslims have suddenly intensified in the country in as seen in Delhi and Haridwar. Unfortunately, no legal action has been taken in both the cases so far, he alleged. "We hope that justice will be served in this case as well as in other cases because it is not just a matter of Muslims, it is a matter of constitution, law, unity and integrity," he said. The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to examine a plea seeking criminal action in connection with hate speeches made at Dharam Sansad in Haridwar against the Muslim community. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal mentioned the matter before a bench headed by Chief Justice N.V. Ramana for urgent listing. Sibal submitted, "We're living in different times where slogans in the country have changed from Satyamev Jayate". The bench told Sibal, "We'll look into it". It also asked Sibal whether any inquiry in the matter was on? Sibal replied that FIRs have been filed, but no arrest has been made so far and added that without court's intervention no action will be taken. After a brief hearing, the bench agreed to take up the matter. IANS miz/shb/ ( 280 Words) 2022-01-10-21:50:04 (IANS)
The alleged suicide by a teacher due to her transfer following a controversial order issued by the Telangana government has provided fresh ammunition to opposition parties to target the ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS). A woman teacher of a government school in Nizamabad district hanged herself allegedly over her transfer to another school in Kamareddy district under the Government Order (GO) 317 issued recently for transfer of employees and teachers. B. Saraswati's relatives and other teachers alleged that she was upset over her transfer under the new zonal regulations. The woman had two children while her husband works in Qatar. Her family members said she was worried over being transferred to a distant place. The incident in Babapur village in Bheemgal district came at a time when the BJP, the Congress and other opposition parties have been staging protests over GO 317. Tension prevailed in the village on Monday when police stopped leaders of opposition parties from reaching the village to console the family of Saraswati. Congress legislator Jeevan Reddy was arrested while he was on his way to the village. Some other leaders were placed under house arrest to stop them from visiting the village. Meanwhile, the teachers' union staged a protest at the Telangana Secretariat, demanding the government to withdraw the GO. The protestors tried to lay siege to B.R.K. Bhavan but were detained by police. Some of the teachers broke down while speaking about the hardships they faced due to transfer to far off places. In another incident, though not apparently related to the controversial GO, a police constable committed suicide in Khammam town on Monday. Hours before his engagement, Ashok Kumar (29) was found dead in a lodge. He was allegedly upset over his recent transfer from Bhadradri Kothagudem district to Mulugu district, as part of the transfers carried out recently in the Police Department. Meanwhile, Telangana Congress chief A. Revanth Reddy slammed the TRS government for preventing party leaders from visiting Babapur village. He alleged that the TRS government has caused a rift among employees by bringing the GO. He said the TRS and the BJP were supporting two rival groups. The MP questioned the sincerity of the BJP over the issue and pointed out that it was the BJP government at the Centre which allowed the TRS government to implement the new Zonal system under the Presidential Order. The Congress leader wondered how BJP can protest a problem which was created by it by allowing the Telangana government to implement GO 317. "If the GO is against the interests of employees and teachers, why did the BJP government allow it in the first place," he asked. He also criticised BJP for bringing party leaders and Chief Ministers of other states to Telangana. "What is that BJP state chief Bandi Sanjay has achieved for which BJP leaders from outside are coming here and felicitating him," he asked. The saffron party has been staging protests for the last few days against the 'illegal' arrest of Bandi Sanjay during a protest against GO 317. Sanjay was arrested in Karimnagar on January 2 when he was sitting on a 'night vigil' at his camp office. Revanth Reddy said the TRS government tried to prevent a 10-hour protest by Sanjay at his office but allowed the party to stage protests for several days. Meanwhile, Finance and Health Minister T. Harish Rao dismissed the criticism of the opposition over Go 317. He claimed that the TRS government is friendly towards employees. Stating that only 11 per cent employees will be transferred under new guidelines, he wondered how BJP can stage a protest over implementation of Presidential Order. --IANS ms/vd ( 621 Words) 2022-01-10-23:22:02 (IANS)
The Income Tax (I-T) Department has carried out search and seizure operations on two groups engaged in quarry operations at more than 35 premises spread across Kottayam, Eranakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad and Kannur districts in Kerala. The action resulted in the seizure of unaccounted cash to the tune of over Rs 2.30 crore. So far, the searches have led to the detection of estimated unaccounted transactions amounting to Rs 200 crore. During the course of the search operation, various incriminating documents and digital evidence have been found and seized, including a parallel set of books of account recording the entries of actual sales and receipt of cash. These evidences have revealed the modus operandi being followed by the quarry operators who indulged in large-scale suppression of sales made in cash, including the fact that these transactions were not recorded in the regular books of account of the groups, the I-T Department statement. The correlation of these evidences also indicates that the unaccounted cash generated was systematically invested in acquisition of immovable properties, used for the business of cash loans, and unrecorded capital investments in other businesses. The search team has also gathered evidences of on-money payment for purchase of properties and substantial cash deposits in undisclosed bank accounts. The assessees of the group have been found to have sold immovable properties without duly accounting for the capital gains arising from such transactions. --IANS nk/arm ( 249 Words) 2022-01-11-00:12:05 (IANS)
The Cabinet has decided to enhance the upper age limit for entry into government service from 32 years to 38 years only for the advertisements, made/to be made, during the calendar year 2021, 2022 and 2023, said Chief Secretary S.C. Mahapatra.

The age limit is also further relaxable in case of different reserved categories ST, SC, SEBC, women and PwD as prescribed by the government from time to time, said Mahapatra.

As the recruitment process is delayed due to Covid situation, the age of applicants gets over and they do not get ample chances to participate in the recruitment examination. So, this decision was taken, he said.

Now, the upper age limit for ST, SC, SEBC and women candidates is 43 years while the limit for general PwD candidates has been enhanced from 38 years to 48 years.

Moreover, the age limit for PwD candidates of ST/SC/SEBC category (including women candidates) has been increased to 53 years as such candidates will avail all relaxations.

The Cabinet has also approved tenders for five mega rural drinking water supply projects worth Rs 1,338.69 crore in the districts of Mayurbhanj, Sambalpur and Cuttack district. These projects are likely to be completed in two years.

It has further decided to provide 618.665 acres of government land to Indian Institute of Technology, Bhubaneswar free of premium.

--IANS bbm/shs

( 267 Words)

2022-01-11-00:20:06 (IANS)
Patna police on Monday arrested seven persons for smuggling in liquor from neighbouring Jharkhand. The police said that the kingpin of the smuggling racket is the son of a former block president of Raghopur in Vaishali district, who is still at large. The accused kept the liquor consignment under tomatoes in a pick-up van which was escorted by a Mahindra Scorpio and Maruti Alto. The pick-up van was intercepted near Supan Chak under Fatuha police station in Patna, located on NH-30. "We had installed a check-post at Supan Chak after receiving inputs about huge liquor consignment passing through this route. When we saw a pick-up van coming towards the check-post, we signalled the driver of the van to stop for checking. During checking, a huge quantity of tomatoes was found in the van. When we removed them, 258 cartons of Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) worth Rs 22 lakh were found under the baskets," said Manoj Kumar, SHO of Fatuha police station. During a brief interrogation, the driver of the van revealed that six persons were escorting him in two cars. "We immediately chased the two vehicles and nabbed the accused persons. At present, some districts in Jharkhand are supplying tomatoes to Bihar. The smugglers used this as a shield to smuggle in liquor," Kumar said. "Three of the arrested persons belong to Fatuha, while four are from Dhanbad. We have also seized Rs 5.72 lakh in cash. The liquor is made in Arunachal Pradesh and it was purchased from Dhanbad. The Scorpio belongs to a person named Bablu Yadav, the son of former block president of Raghopur in Vaishali district," Kumar said. "Bablu was earlier booked in March 2021. On that occasion, he was involved in smuggling liquor hidden in boxes of mustard oil," he said. --IANS ajk/arm ( 309 Words) 2022-01-11-00:30:05 (IANS)
Concerned with the rising number of Covid cases in the national capital, Rajya Sabha Chairman M. Venkaiah Naidu and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Monday directed the Secretary Generals of both the Houses to suggest measures for the safe conduct of the upcoming Budget session. Sources said that Naidu and Birla have asked the Secretary General of both the Houses to review the prevailing Covid situation and suggest measures for the safe conduct of the Budget session. "Both Naidu and Birla have asked the Secretary Generals to review the adequacy of the Covid protocol followed during the last Winter Session. Both the Secretary Generals have been asked to submit a proposal in this regard at the earliest," sources said. After over 400 Parliament staff tested positive for Covid-19 during random testing and with the rise in the number of cases in the national capital, meetings of several parliamentary committees were cancelled on Monday. The Parliamentary standing committees on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice, Urban Development, and Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology decided to cancel their meetings on Monday, the sources said. Over 400 Parliament staff have tested positive for Covid-19 during random testing. Among those who tested positive, 65 are from the Rajya Sabha, 200 from the Lok Sabha and 133 belong to allied services. Random testing was conducted after a sudden spike in cases in the national capital, and most of the staff who tested positive did not show any symptoms. "More random testing will be conducted for those coming to the Parliament to control the spread of the infection," sources said. --IANS ssb/arm ( 286 Words) 2022-01-11-00:44:01 (IANS)
Listenership of All India Radio (AIR) live-streams on the NewsOnAir app witnessed a jump of two million within a span of one month in December last year, with about 18 million listeners tuning into the app. In a statement issued on Monday, the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting said, "For the first time ever in the world of radio, listenership is being quantified in absolute numbers by the Prasar Bharati audience research team. Listenership of AIR live-streams on NewsOnAir' app saw a jump of two million within a span of one month with 18 million listeners tuning into the app in December last year. The figures for November were 16 million." "In city-wise monthly listenership measurement of AIR live-streams on app, listenership in Pune, Bengaluru, Indore and Nagpur were in millions, while Patna, Lucknow and Delhi-NCR were close to a million," it added. In the latest rankings of top cities in India where AIR live-streams on the app are most popular, Jaipur has made a comeback by displacing Ernakulam from the top list. In major changes in rankings of top AIR streams in the country, FM Rainbow Mumbai has found its way back into top 10, while AIR News 24X7 has slipped off the list. AIR Pune has climbed up the ladder from ninth to third spot, while AIR Malayalam slid down to seventh from third rank. These rankings are based on data from December 16 to December 31 last year. More than 240 radio services of AIR are live-streamed on the NewsOnAir' app. The All India Radio streams on the app have a large number of listeners not just in India, but globally, in more than 85 countries across the world. --IANS ssb/arm ( 297 Words) 2022-01-11-01:22:03 (IANS)
The SBS Nagar police have also recovered six hand-grenades (86 P), one pistol (9mm), one rifle (.30 bore) along with live bullets and magazines from their possession, Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab VK Bhawra said.

Those arrested have been identified as Amandeep alias Mantri, Gurwinder Singh alias Gindi, Parminder Kumar alias Rohit alias Rohta, Rajinder Singh alias Malhi alias Nikku, Harpreet Singh alias Dholki and Raman Kumar.

As per the information, in two instances some unidentified persons had hurled hand grenades at Pathankot-- one near Chakki Pull on November 11, 2021, while another grenade attack took place outside Triveni Dwar, 21 sub-area of Army at Pathankot on November 21, 2021.

Separate First Information Report (FIRs) in this regard were registered at Police Station Pathankot Division 2 and Division 1 respectively.

The DGP said that during the preliminary interrogation, accused persons revealed that they were directly in touch with self-proclaimed Chief of ISYF (Rode) Lakhbir Singh Rode and his close aides identified as Sukhmeetpal Singh alias Sukh Bhikhariwal and Sukhpreet alias Sukh for planning terrorist attacks.

"The entire cache of the recovered hand grenades, arms and ammunition were pushed in from across the International border by Lakhbir Rode and arrested accused persons had been tasked for further attacking the pre-identified targets which were mainly police and defence establishments, religious places etc," he said.

The accused persons have also confessed to having lobbed hand grenades for two times in Pathankot, he added.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), SBS Nagar, Kanwardeep Kaur said that the SBS Nagar Police have registered the FIR dated 07-01-2021 under sections 16,17,18 and 20 of the UA(P) Act, sections 4 and 5 Explosive Substances Act and section 25 of the Arms Act at Police Station City Nawanshahr.

"Further investigations are on," she added. (ANI)
Baltimore Circuit Court Chief Judge Joseph H.H. Kaplan packs up his office on Oct. 6, 2006 after retiring from decades on the bench. File. (Barbara Haddock Taylor/Baltimore Sun). (BARBARA HADDOCK TAYLOR/Baltimore Sun)

The Suns obituary for Judge Joseph H. H. Kaplan (Joseph H. H. Kaplan, retired chief judge for the Circuit Court for Baltimore City, dies, Jan. 6), the retired chief judge of the Circuit Court for Baltimore City, excellently recounted his long and distinguished judicial career. But one of his most important and enduring achievements was overlooked: his series of decisions in the 1990s and early 2000s that established the constitutional right in Maryland to an adequate public education.

Judge Kaplan showed deep concern for the children of Baltimore, affirming their right to access to the resources necessary for school and lifetime success. And his rulings paved the way for statewide legislation  the Thornton law in 2002 and the current Blueprint for Marylands Future bill in 2019  that has enabled progress for schoolchildren, especially those who are poor and of color.

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Still, the work remains unfinished, and court litigation to fully fulfill the right to education is still underway. In this long struggle, we should continue to be guided by the legal and moral principles that Judge Kaplan advanced.

Bebe Verdery and Kalman R. Hettleman, Baltimore

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The writers are, respectively, the retired education director for the ACLU of Maryland which brought the case before Judge Kaplan and an education policy analyst and advocate.

Add your voice: Respond to this piece or other Sun content by submitting your own letter.
Ahead of Assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh, former MLA and Congress leader Imran Masood is likely to join the Samajwadi Party (SP). Addressing a press conference here on Monday, Masood said, "The Election Commission of India has announced the schedule of assembly polls. If we observe the current political circumstances of Uttar Pradesh, there is a direct fight between BJP and SP. So, I had a discussion with my supporters and we have decided to support Akhilesh ji." "I want a government who works in favour of youths, farmers, and women in the state," the former MLA said. Citing the reason to leave Congress, he said, "Priyanka Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi have given me respect but in the current political scenario, the party does not have any vote share in Uttar Pradesh. Akhilesh ji can bring development to the state." The speculations of Masood joining SP surfaced months ago. Earlier in October 2021, he said the party is not capable of fighting alone against the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and it should form an alliance with Samajwadi Party (SP) for the upcoming elections. "First, we have to think are we capable of fighting alone against BJP in Uttar Pradesh and the answer is 'no'. Then, definitely, we should ally with the Samajwadi Party to defeat BJP. Honestly, if we have to fight in Uttar Pradesh then we have to fight together," he had said. Elections for the 403 assembly constituencies in Uttar Pradesh will be held in seven phases starting February 10, the Election Commission said. The polling in Uttar Pradesh will be held on February 10, 14, 20, 23, 27, and March 3 and 7 in seven phases. The counting of votes will take place on March 10. (ANI)
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor recently recovered from the virus, he had tested positive for COVID-19, a day after holding a political rally in Dehradun in poll-bound Uttarakhand.

Amid surging Covid-19 cases in Delhi, the dine-in service in restaurants is likely to be discontinued in the national capital, sources told ANI.

In its meeting, the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) has decided to only allow the take-away services in the restaurants, sources added.Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal chaired the meeting, which was held on Monday.

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, his deputy Manish Sisodia, Health Minister Satyendar Jain, Revenue Minister Kailash Gehlot, Chief Secretary Vijay Dev and other health department officials were present in the meeting.

Earlier, the eateries and bars in the capital were allowed to run with 50 per cent capacity to curb the spread of coronavirus.

The DDMA in its previous meeting, held last week, had decided to impose a weekend curfew in Delhi to avoid people crowding the markets and public places.

Currently, weekend and night curfews are imposed in Delhi as per the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).

As many as 15,68,896 people have been infected with COVID-19 infection in Delhi so far, according to the medical bulletin released on Monday.

The active caseload has gone up to 65,806 in Delhi which is the highest May 15 last year. On May 15, Delhi's active caseload stood at 66,295.

As many as 17 persons have succumbed to the coronavirus infection in the national capital on Sunday, taking the cumulative death toll at 25,177 at present, reads the bulletin on Monday.

However, a total of 14,076 people have recovered from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, taking the total number of recoveries to 14,77,913 in the national capital.

Presently, the cumulative positivity rate stands at 4.68 per cent while the case fatality rate is 1.60 per cent.

Meanwhile, Delhi has administered 25,030 beneficiaries with the COVID-19 vaccine in the past 24 hours, while a total of 2,75,22,072 beneficiaries have been given COVID-19 vaccines so far in the national capital. (ANI)
A 'mother milk bank' will be set up in Rani Durgavati Women's Hospital in Madhya Pradesh's Jabalpur to store the milk of lactating mothers so that it can be used to other if required, informed officials. "Some lactating women end us giving a higher amount of milk which might create health problems for them. On the other hand, there are some mothers who cannot provide a sufficient amount of breast milk for their children. Hence, the government decided to establish a milk bank at Rani Durgavati Hospital," said Dr Sanjay Mishra, Joint Director, Health Service. "Milk from women who are getting higher quantity will be collected, pasteurized and stored which, further, will be made available to the children of mothers who are getting less quantity of milk," he added. The official also informed that milk stored in banks will not be limited to patients admitted in Rani Durgavati Hospital but also to patients coming in from the private hospitals, that too for free of cost. Construction for the centre has been started and officials claim that it would be completed within six months. (ANI)
New Delhi [India], January 11 (ANI) Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday remembered former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri on his 56th death anniversary, saying the leader "instilled a sense of unity from soldiers to farmers in challenging time and set an excellent ideal of how selfless patriotism can protect the country". Taking to Twitter, the Home Minister said, "Former Prime Minister Bharat Ratna Lal Bahadur Shastri Ji, through his firm leadership in a challenging time, instilled a sense of unity from soldiers to farmers and set an excellent ideal of how selfless patriotism can protect the country and serve the public". "Salute to such a great patriot," Shah tweeted in Hindi. January 11 marks the death anniversary of former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri, who passed away on this day in 1966, in Tashkent, in present-day Uzbekistan. The country's second Prime Minister, who succeeded Jawaharlal Nehru, was known for his simplicity and honesty and was posthumously honoured with the Bharat Ratna, becoming its first posthumous recipient. Born on October 2, 1904, in Uttar Pradesh's Mughalsarai, Shastri promoted the White Revolution - a national campaign to increase the production and supply of milk - by supporting the Amul milk cooperative of Anand, Gujarat and creating the National Dairy Development Board. Hailing from a simple family, Shastri became an avid follower of Mahatma Gandhi and went on to hold important portfolios during his political career. A famous anecdote from the former PM's life is when, on two occasions, he resigned as railway minister, taking moral responsibility for two separate train accidents which took place during his tenure. Also a former Home Minister, he took over as Prime Minister on June 9, 1964, in the wake of Jawaharlal Nehru's demise. (ANI)
Speaking to ANI after receiving the precaution dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, Naqvi said, "I took my precaution dose on payment today."

"We need hope and not horror to fight with Covid-19. All eligible people should get administered with precaution dose," added the Union Minister.

Meanwhile, as India, on Monday, began administering 'precaution doses' under the nationwide COVID-19 vaccination drive, Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded those who got vaccinated today and requested all those who are eligible to get vaccinated.

"India began administering precaution doses. Kudos to those who have got vaccinated today. I would request all those who are eligible to get vaccinated. As we all know, vaccination remains among the most effective means to fight COVID-19," the Prime Minister tweeted on Monday.

Over 9 lakh "Precaution Doses" were administered to the identified categories of beneficiaries for COVID vaccination today, the Health Ministry said yesterday.

The administration of 'precaution dose' of COVID-19 vaccine to healthcare, frontline workers and those above 60 years in the country began on Monday.

The online registration for 'precaution dose' on the Co-WIN platform began on Friday (January 8).

All HCWs, FLWs and citizens aged 60 years or above with comorbidities will be able to access the vaccination for precaution dose through their existing Co-WIN account. The precaution dose can only be taken after 9 months i.e., 39 weeks from the date of administration of 2nd dose. (ANI)
Various activists have slammed actor Siddharth over his recent comments on shuttler Saina Nehwal calling it "sexist, misogynistic" and demanded that he should apologise to Nehwal. "Tweet by actor Siddharth responding to shuttler Saina Nehwal is sexist, misogynistic. Irrespective of people's political views no need to make such crass remarks targeting a woman of accomplishments. He must apologize, and Twitter should suspend his account," said Activist Brinda Adige. Similarly, Woman activist M. Varalaxmi called actor's tweets "an attempt to be in limelight" and said "Just because he is a celebrity doesn't mean he can comment on a woman sportsperson. Usually, celebrities stay active on social media and this was an attempt to be in limelight." The actor had in a Twitter post on January 6 retweeted a post by Nehwal in which she had expressed her concern over the security breach of Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his Punjab visit on January 5. Raising concerns over the Prime Minister's convoy being stopped for 15-20 minutes on a flyover in Punjab's Bathinda as the road was blocked by protesting farmers, the ace badminton player tweeted: "No nation can claim itself to be safe if the security of its own PM gets compromised. I condemn, in the strongest words possible, the cowardly attack on PM Modi by anarchists." Retweeting her post, Siddharth wrote, "Subtle cock champion of the world... Thank God we have protectors of India. Folded hands. Shame on you Rihanna." The NCW in a statement today said that the comment by the actor was "misogynist and outrageous to the modesty of a woman amounting to disrespect and insult to the dignity of women on social media platforms." The actor also responded that he did not mean to disrespect anyone and his "subtle cock" tweet contained no kind of insinuation. "Cock and bull. That's the reference. Reading otherwise is unfair and leading. Nothing disrespectful was intended, said or insinuated. Period," he tweeted. (ANI)
Another case has been filed against Karnataka Congress president DK Shivakumar for violating COVID-19 norms during his 'Mekedatu Padayatra', informed local police. "Around 41 persons including Shivakumar and MP D K Suresh have been named in an FIR that has been filed Sathanur police station of Ramanagara district on Monday for violating COVID-19 norms," said a police officer. Earlier on Sunday, the first FIR was registered against 30 people for violating COVID-19 norms in the 'Padayatra'. The Congress in Karnataka on Sunday began its 11 days padayatra, despite the government's COVID-19 restrictions, demanding implementation of the Mekedatu project across the Cauvery river. Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai slammed Congress leader DK Shivakumar, who reportedly refused to take a COVID test after the padayatra. Meanwhile, Shivakumar accused the government of trying to "infect" him with COVID-19 by exposing him to an official who tested positive for Coronavirus. "Additional District Commissioner who came to test me last night has tested COVID-19 positive. He was sent to make sure that I get infected and test positive. The Government wants to make me a primary contact of the COVID positive person and that is why the official had been sent," alleged Shivakumar on Monday. "This may not be the idea of Chief Minister. But the Health Minister (K. Sudhakar) is capable of doing it," he further said. Further alleging mishandling of COVID-19 testing data, the Congress leader demanded a judicial enquiry on COVID-19 numbers. "I have around dozen of doctors in my family, many kids in my family are studying medicine. I know how they are testing people who are coming from abroad in airports. It's all BJP positive, BJP Covid, BJP omicron. I demand a judicial enquiry on these COVID-19 numbers," he said. The Karnataka government has imposed a curfew on weekends and restricted public gatherings to fight the third wave of COVID-19, till January 19. It has also imposed a night curfew and has prohibited all rallies, dharnas, protests, among others. The Mekedatu balancing reservoir-cum drinking water project, to be constructed across the Cauvery river basin, has been at the centre of controversy between the states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Earlier too on July 12, 2021, Bommai had said that the Centre will have to give clearance to the project as per law and there is no reason the state government will stop the project. (ANI)
The National Commission for Women (NCW) has asked Twitter to block the account of actor Siddharth over his "sexist" tweet against ace badminton player Saina Nehwal. NCW chief Rekha Sharma has written to the resident grievance officer of Twitter India to block actor Siddharth's account. NCW Chairperson Rekha Sharma said, "We have not received any reply from them. We are waiting for their reply and we are pursuing with them and want actor Siddharth's account to be blocked." "Today also we have written to Tamil Nadu DGP on another incident where he is using abusive language for one of the media person ladies. So, we have taken up that matter and we have written to the DGP again. We are pursuing both cases," Sharma added "We have not had a word with Sania Nehwal. We took suo moto on this case. Many similar cases are seen on social media and we took this up to set an example for others, she said. "He is been repeatedly using bad language, sexist remarks not only for one woman but other women as well. NCW has been in touch with Tamil Nadu DGP. I am personally pursuing with him to take action because we have to make an example out of this case because these days we've seen that social media is full of these kinds of tweets and messages I think we have to take up the matter with the police," the NCW Chairperson told ANI. "The National Commission for Women has come across a post of Indian Actor-Producer-Musician Siddharth enclosing a tweet of Times Now Navbharat using derogatory remarks against a woman anchor. The post is offensive, unethical and shows disrespect towards dignity of women," the press note issued by the NCW stated. "The Commission has taken suo motu cognisance of the matter. Chairperson Ms Rekha Sharma has written to Director General of Police, Tamil Nadu seeking intervention and appropriate action against the offender as per provisions of law to refrain him from making such kind of statements in future. The Commission has to be apprised about action taken in the matter at the earliest," the statement noted. The actor had in a Twitter post on January 6 retweeted a post by Nehwal in which she had expressed her concern over the security breach of Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his Punjab visit on January 5. Raising concerns over the Prime Minister's convoy being stopped for 15-20 minutes on a flyover in Punjab's Bathinda as the road was blocked by protesting farmers, the ace badminton player tweeted: "No nation can claim itself to be safe if the security of its own PM gets compromised. I condemn, in the strongest words possible, the cowardly attack on PM Modi by anarchists." Retweeting her post, Siddharth wrote, "Subtle cock champion of the world... Thank God we have protectors of India. Folded hands. Shame on you Rihanna." The NCW in a statement today said that the comment by the actor was "misogynist and outrageous to the modesty of a woman amounting to disrespect and insult to the dignity of women on social media platforms." The actor also responded that he did not mean to disrespect anyone and his "subtle cock" tweet contained no kind of insinuation. "Cock and bull. That's the reference. Reading otherwise is unfair and leading. Nothing disrespectful was intended, said or insinuated. Period," he tweeted. (ANI)
New Delhi, January 11 (ANI) Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has been granted extension for the sixth time from the Parliamentary Committees on Subordinate Legislation in the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha to frame the rules for the controversial Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), 2019, said sources. The Parliamentary Committees gave their nod another time to extend rules for the CAA taking cognizance of a request made by the MHA earlier this month. A senior government official told ANI that "it is confirmed that the extension to frame CAA rules has been granted by the Parliamentary Committees". Asked whether the extension has been granted for three months or six months, the official, said "a written order copy is stll awaited, but it is communicated that the extension is allowed by both the Parliamentary Committees". The rules are essential for implementation of the CAA. The committees chairman in the Lok Sabha, YSR Congres party's Balashowry Vallabbhaneni, told ANI that "when due date is over, the MHA generally sends a request for further extension of more time to frame CAA rules". "As I am in Hyderabad, I don't know what exactly happened... Generally, MHA is granted extension in time when it seeks request in this regard. It is not an issue. But exactly, I don't know." Chairman of the Subordinate Legislation Committee in Rajya Sabha Partap Singh Bajwa, who is also outside Delhi, was contacted to confirm but he could not be reached. The Citizenship Amendment Act was passed by Parliament on December 11, 2019, and the Presidential approval came the next day. In January, 2020, the Ministry notified that the Act will come into force from January 10, 2020 but it later requested from the Parliamentary Committees in the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha to give it some more time to implement rules as the country was going through its worst ever health crisis due to Covid-19 pandemic. Earlier, the MHA had sought time from both the Parliamentary Committees for similar extensions five times. The latest six month extension sought by the MHA ended on Sunday. The MHA had earlier sought time till July 9, 2021 to frame the CAA rules. Before that, there was an extension granted till April 9, 2021. The first extension was granted in June 2020 for notifying CAA rules, which are to be published in the Gazette of India. On February 2 last year, the Ministry of Home Affairs had told the Lok Sabha that the rules for the controversial law were still being framed even as it had got an extension of time from Committees on Subordinate Legislation in both the Houses. The legislation, which grants citizenship to illegal immigrants belonging to Hindu, Jain, Sikh, Parsi, Christian and Buddhist communities from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan, was passed by Parliament amid vehement criticism from the Opposition that pointed out communal agenda behind the law as it conspicuously left out Muslims. The legislation has been interpreted in conjunction with repeated assertions by Home Minister Amit Shah -- before the Act was passed -- that there would be a nationwide exercise to prepare the National Register of Indian Citizens (NRC) to identify illegal immigrants. This was interpreted as a project to disenfranchise Muslims. While nationwide protests were seen following the passage of the law, and multiple states have announced they would not implement the law. However, the law is yet to be implemented as rules under the CAA are yet to be framed. As per the Manual on Parliamentary Work, in case the Ministries/Departments are not able to frame the rules within the prescribed period of six months of Presidential approval , "they should seek extension of time from the Committee on Subordinate Legislation stating reasons for such extension" which cannot be more than three months at a time. However, last time the extension was granted for six months. As the MHA could not frame rules within six months of the enactment of the CAA, it sought time from the committees in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. The central government has already made it clear that the Indian citizenship to the eligible beneficiaries of the CAA will be given only after rules under the legislation are notified. The objective of the CAA is to grant Indian citizenship to persecuted minorities like Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Parsis and Christians from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan who had come to India till December 31, 2014. They will not be treated as illegal immigrants and given Indian citizenship. (ANI)
After failing to elicit the desired response even after writing to the Congress' interim chief Sonia Gandhi, Ashok Gehlot's Rajasthan government has approached the Centre to pursue Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel to clear land permissions for the next phase of mining at Parsa East and Kente Basan (PEKB) Block, said sources. "Due to shortage of domestic coal and rising prices of imported coal, Rajasthan wants to secure fuel for long term from the three blocks located in Chhattisgarh for its power generation assets," the source added. According to sources, Rajasthan's additional chief secretary for energy Dr Subodh Agarwal on December 31 wrote to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) Secretary RP Gupta for necessary clearances and land allocation for the extension of PEKB block from the Chhattisgarh government. In the letter, Agarwal stressed that it is critical to get the 1136 hectare of land for PEKB Block from Chhattisgarh for the smooth operations of thermal units of state utility Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Limited (RRVUNL). Last month, the Forest Advisory Committee of the MoEFCC approved a proposal for the next phase of mining in the PEKB Block, as the coal reserve in the first phase is exhausted. However, Congress party veteran Ashok Gehlot has not yet received desired clearances from his young party colleague Bhupesh Baghel's Chhattisgarh government. RRVUNL produces 15 million tonne of coal a year from the first phase of PEKB and the utility can double the production if it can also operationalise its two other blocks Parsa and Kente Extension in Chhattisgarh. Uncertainty over the commencement of two blocks and operations of the producing blocks has clouded Rajasthan's power sector. Gehlot wrote at least two letters to Baghel requesting him to direct his officials to expedite various approvals for the development of two blocks and continued operations of PEKB Block for his state's fuel security. Rajasthan has invested Rs 40,000 crore in thermal units to be largely fueled by its three mines located in Chhattisgarh. In early December, Gehlot wrote to Sonia Gandhi and stated, "This (inadvertent delays) might adversely reflect on the performance of Government of Rajasthan and create a precarious situation as both the States are governed by Congress. I would, therefore request you to kindly intervene and advise the Chief Minister, Chhattisgarh to arrange all requisite pending approvals in respect of 'Parsa' coal block early, enabling us to start mining activities at the earliest to avoid power crisis in the State in future." Gehlot is perturbed with Baghel's lack of cooperation at a time when the locals are demanding the timely execution of Rajasthan's mining projects in their region. In mid-November last year, locals from Surguja district requested Chhattisgarh Governor Anusuiya Uikey that some outsiders are misrepresenting them before the government and media while they want Rajasthan to go ahead with its ongoing and future mining projects in the region. Subsequently, in December, locals around Rajasthan's coal blocks in Chhattisgarh also wrote to Rahul Gandhi to commence the much-delayed mining projects for their employment opportunities and long-awaited compensation. Last month, Rajasthan increased the electricity tariff by 33 paisa per unit due to higher costs of coal and power purchase from the exchanges. Rajasthan consumes 14,000 MW of electricity and is struggling for adequate coal for its thermal projects. Rajasthan's energy-intensive industry is suffering on the account of coronavirus pandemic coupled with the higher electricity tariffs. (ANI)
As a retired teacher of 40-plus years (22 in Baltimore County, the rest in Tennessee and Alabama), I found the recent article describing the current substitute shortage most interesting (Longer holidays, job fairs, eased qualifications; how Baltimore-area schools are coping with shortage of substitutes, Dec. 21). For three years after retirement, I continued as a substitute, specifically at my former school working with former colleagues in special education settings. During those three years, I worked almost half of the school year each time.

I also chaired a subcommittee for the local teachers union retirement organization that focused on finding best practices and solutions for what was, to us even then, an impending crisis of substitute vacancies. We conducted an in-depth survey of almost 100 classroom teachers. Questions were asked about difficulties they had encountered in securing qualified subs, dealing with principals who, instead of releasing money from their sub fund at each school, required coverage from colleagues instead, what successes and disappointments occurred with subs who were or were not going to be asked to return. Alas, just as we were beginning to share our results with the school system, the pandemic struck and our survey results were shelved.

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Now, here we are two years later with the sub shortage hugely magnified and the solutions desperately needed. School systems seem to be firing flares and wildly offering short-term fixes instead of looking at the big picture. Raising the pay rate would surely help, but it is not a panacea. For example, requiring prospective subs to pay for fingerprinting and background checks that cost more than the after-tax, take-home pay for one day seems ludicrous. Sending someone into any classroom without some training in system-wide, let alone local school, procedures, is certain to result in many subs feeling they have been left on their own to face a very difficult day. The reasoning behind why subs leave the system under these conditions is no mystery.

By their own admission, several of the area school systems do not have enough substitutes to cover the daily number needed for teacher and staff absences. This was true before COVID-19 and is glaringly apparent now. I would suggest that those systems consider consulting the people who know what is needed to be a successful substitute and what could attract  and keep  such persons: current and yes, former, classroom educators. I would gladly volunteer.

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Cynthia North, Baltimore

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"A team of doctors from Army Hospital (R and R), Delhi Cantt examined Defence Minister Rajnath Singh who had tested COVID positive, yesterday. He is recovering well," said A Bharat Bhushan Babu.

The Union Defence Minister went under home quarantine as he had mild symptoms after getting infected with the coronavirus infection. (ANI)
"State Government has extended Maternity Leave benefit from 90 days to 180 days in favour of eligible women employees of aided colleges under Higher Education Department," said Department of Higher Education officials.

The government on Monday also increased the upper age limit from 32 to 38 years for candidates applying for government jobs, said a press release.

"For ST/SC/Social Economically Backward Class (SEBC) and women, the maximum age limit is 43 years, for General persons with disabilities (PwD), the upper age limit is 48 years, and for SC/ST/SEBC PwD candidates, it is 53 years," the government said.

It further added, "The government has been pleased to enhance the upper age limit for entry into government service from 32 to 38 years only for the advertisements made/to be made during the calendar year ie 2021, 2022 and 2023, which is relaxable in case of different reserved categories." (ANI)
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has expedited its inquiry against an international network based in Bangladesh which is engaged in supplying Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN) in India via the West Bengal route. The West Bengal route was unearthed during the investigation of an FICN trafficking case initially registered by Uttar Pradesh's Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) on November 26, 2019. The NIA took over the case on January 20, 2020, as the ATS team in Uttar Pradesh' Gomati Nagar (Lucknow) seized the FICN having a face value of Rs 1.79 lakh on November 25, 2019. The investigation so far, the NIA said, revealed that the FICN recovered was being supplied through Malda, West Bengal. An official in the NIA said the anti-terrorist agency has "expedited its further investigation in the case" by filing a supplementary chargesheet against an FICN trafficker Sohrab Hussain, a resident of Chakmalipur village in West Bengal's Malda district, on Monday in a special court in Lucknow under various charges of Indian Penal Code (IPC), and sections 16 and 18 of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. The accused Sohrab Hussain, who was chargesheeted on Monday, was one of the important players in the conspiracy of FICN trafficking and was also in contact with the FICN network based in Bangladesh, the agency mentioned in the chargesheet. During the investigation, it was found that the accused persons of this case had conspired to smuggle, procure and keep high-quality FICN and had further circulated and supplied to various persons and consignees in Uttar Pradesh, the NIA chargesheet reveals. Earlier, NIA filed a chargesheet in the case on May 21, 2020, against three accused persons and one supplementary chargesheet was filed against another accused on September 17 last year. (ANI)
With COVID-19 restrictions again in place in Haryana's Gurugram as the number of infections rises, some daily-wage workers are once again struggling to make ends meet have started returning home. Fearing a lockdown amidst dwindling prospects for work, Amrinder Kumar Yadav, a driver decided to return to his native state. "Lockdown may be imposed in the city so I've decided to go back to my native state. I am not getting any work due to COVID restrictions, it is tough to survive without any income," he said. Naresh Mukhiya, another daily-wage worker, who came to Delhi for the first time to find work is now returning as the employment opportunities seem to vanish. "I am going to Bihar. The administration might impose a lockdown. If that happens, surviving becomes difficult," Naresh said. Shashi Gupta, who was seen with some household things like cooking gas, television, stove, said it is excruciatingly difficult for daily-wage workers to find work amid such restrictions. "I am returning to my village in Uttar Pradesh. There is no work. With so many restrictions, I fear the lockdown will be imposed again," Gupta said. The previous two waves of the COVID-19 in India had a huge impact on the lives-livelihoods of daily wage workers. Several thousand were seen crowding at bus terminals and railway stations as the lockdown restrictions were eased in a bid to return to their native places. They had then claimed that employment opportunities for India's daily workers in both the unorganised and organised segments dipped significantly. The Haryana government on Tuesday extended COVID restrictions under 'Surakshit Haryana' till January 19, 5 am. Large congregations such as rallies and protests have been prohibited in eight more districts as per the new order. The eight new districts where the restrictions will be applicable are Sirsa, Rewari, Jind, Fatehabad, Mahendergarh, Kaithal, Bhiwani and Hisar. Earlier, these restrictions were imposed in Karnal, Panipat, Kurukshetra, Yamunanagar, Rohtak Jhajjar, Gurugram, Faridabad, Ambala, Panchkula and Sonipat. Haryana on Monday reported 5,736 new COVID-19 cases and a positivity rate of 14.90 per cent. With 26 new cases of Omicron variant of COVID-19, the total tally rose to 162. The active COVID-19 cases in the state are 22,477. (ANI)
As Covid cases are spreading fast across the country, the National Students' Union of India (NSUI) on Tuesday urged the University Grants Commission (UGC) to opt for online mode of examination in colleges and Universities. In an open letter to UGC, NSUI raised concerns over the fast-growing number of COVID-19 cases in the country. The student body wrote that once again a panic situation is arising in the country. NSUI said that health infrastructure is collapsing in most of the States. It said that the vaccination of students against the disease has just started and even not all the teachers are fully vaccinated, therefore risk should not be taken. NSUI letter said that the pandemic is in its third year despite the fact there is no specialised evaluation policy available for the students. Examinations are scheduled in February and March, so policy should be made so that the academic year of the students does not get wasted and they can have plenty of time to prepare for entrance examinations, demanded NSUI. Speaking to media persons, NSUI National President Neeraj Kundan said that students and guardians from across the country have mailed and called the body to raise the issue of online examination. "Government and UGC should look into this matter seriously and urgently. We cannot compromise with the health of the students," he said. (ANI)
The Samsung Galaxy S22 series could launch soon globally. While rumours of an official debut in February are doing the rounds on social media, a new report suggests that Samsung may unveil the new smartphones on February 8. As per GSM Arena, a new report from South Korea suggested that the event will be at the start of next month and a couple of weeks before the MWC 2022 kicks off. The report also stated that the announcement is taking place on February 8. It goes on to reveal that pre-orders will kick off a day after and actual shipments will start on February 24. If these reports hold water, then Samsung should issue official invites in the very near future. The S22 series is expected to launch in three different models, including the vanilla Galaxy S22, a Galaxy S22 Plus and a Galaxy S22 Ultra. All three phones are expected to launch with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset. It remains to be seen if the South Korean tech giant will introduce the phones with a rumoured new in-house Exynos 2200 chipset in some regions. (ANI)
Nationalist Congres Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar on Tuesday announced that his party will contest the forthcoming assembly elections in Goa, Uttar Pradesh and Manipur. "We will contest upcoming assembly elections in three states out of a total of five states. These three states are Goa, Uttar Pradesh and Manipur," Pawar said at a press conference here. The NCP chief said that the party is going to contest elections with Samajwadi Party and other smaller parties in Uttar Pradesh. "The people of Uttar Pradesh are looking for a change. We will surely see the change in the state," he said. Slamming Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath over his "80 per cent versus 20 per cent" remarks, Pawar said the chief minister should take along all sections of society. "Yesterday UP CM said that 80 per cent people belong to him while remaining 20 per cent do not. The Chief Minister should not make this kind of remarks because every citizen of the state belongs to CM," he said. "Communal polarisation is being done in Uttar Pradesh ahead of assembly elections. The people of UP will give a befitting reply to this. The CM should take along every section of the society," he added. Pawar also referred to Uttar Pradesh minister Swami Prasad Maurya quitting the BJP days before the assembly polls. "A total of 13 MLAs are going to join Samajwadi Party (SP)," he said. Pawar said his party is in talks with Congress and Trinamool Congress for an alliance for Goa Assembly elections. "Our party leader Praful Patel is in talks with these parties. I believe all the parties should come together to defeat BJP," he said. Elections for 403-member Uttar Pradesh assembly will be held in seven phases. The polling will be held on February 10, 14, 20, 23, 27, and March 3 and 7 in seven phases. The polling in Punjab, Uttarakhand, and Goa will be held on February 14 and in Manipur in two phases on February 27 and March 6. The counting of votes will take place on March 10. (ANI)
Swami Prasad Maurya, who on Tuesday resigned as minister in Yogi Adityanath government giving a jolt to the BJP ahead of the assembly polls in the state, said that he will decide his next course of action after consulting his supporters. "I have resigned from the Yogi Cabinet keeping in mind the government's attitude towards Dalits, backward classes, farmers, youth, and traders. I have sent the letter to the Governor. I will consult with my supporters for a day or two, I will tell the number of people joining along with me after two days," Maurya told reporters. "I am a politician, so I have to be in talks with some political party or the other. Which party would I go with, I will decide after consulting with my supporters," he added. In his letter to Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel, Maurya, who held portfolios of labour and social welfare, said he was resigning due to the state government "ignoring interests" of Dalits, backward sections, farmers, unemployed youth and small traders. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav said in a tweet that he welcomed Maurya to the party. "I welcome Swami Prasad Maurya, who struggled for social justice and equality in the state, and his supporters to the Samajwadi Party. There will be a revolution for social justice, there will be a change in 2022," Yadav said. Maurya said he kept bringing issues related to weaker sections to the government but it did not yield results."I kept bringing the issues to the notice of the government and the national leaders on the appropriate platform. I was heard, but it did not yield any result," he said. Maurya, a prominent leader from the OBC (Other Backward Class) community, had joined the BJP from Bahujan Samaj Party in 2016. Elections for 403-member Uttar Pradesh assembly will be held in seven phases.The polling will be held on February 10, 14, 20, 23, 27, and March 3 and 7 in seven phases.The counting of votes will take place on March 10. The polling in Punjab, Uttarakhand, and Goa will be held on February 14 and in Manipur in two phases on February 27 and March 6. (ANI)
According to Chief Minister's office, Prime Minister advised Bommai to get proper treatment. The conversation lasted for about five minutes.

Chief Minister Bommai explained to Prime Minister about his health conditions and the COVID-19 situation in Karnataka. Bommai also informed Prime Minister that besides him, two more members of his family have been infected with the virus.

Chief Minister said that he is attending meetings via virtual mode in Bengaluru. He also informed Prime Minister Modi that necessary measures are being taken to check the spread of the disease and the vaccination campaign has been intensified.

Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj S Bommai on Monday evening said that he had tested positive for COVID-19 infection. (ANI)
Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Tuesday paid tributes to former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri on his 56th death anniversary and called him a "visionary leader" who led the country towards progress. January 11 marks the death anniversary of former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri, who passed away on this day in 1966, in Tashkent, in present-day Uzbekistan. According to a press release by the Chief Minister's Office, Bommai said, "Lal Bahadur Shastri Ji was a great visionary leader, who understood people's language and who led the country towards progress. Shastri Ji was deeply influenced by the political teachings of Mahatma Gandhi." Recalling Shastri's contribution to the nation, the Chief Minister said that he spent his life for the cause of the nation adding that he awakened the people of the country with his slogan. "Shastri Ji worked ceaselessly for the betterment of the Nation and spent his life till the last minute for the cause of the nation. As Prime Minister, he gave the nation the stirring slogan, "Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan" and he awakened the power of the people. Shastri Ji laid utmost stress on strengthening the defence of the country and in honouring the man behind the plough," Bommai said. Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj S Bommai on Monday evening said that he had tested positive for COVID-19 infection after which Prime Minister Narendra Modi called him wished for a speedy recovery on Tuesday. Earlier today, Union Home Minister Amit Shah remembered former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri on his death anniversary, saying the leader "instilled a sense of unity from soldiers to farmers in challenging times and set an excellent ideal of how selfless patriotism can protect the country". The country's second Prime Minister, who succeeded Jawaharlal Nehru, was known for his simplicity and honesty and was posthumously honoured with the Bharat Ratna, becoming its first posthumous recipient. (ANI)
A bill passed unanimously by Baltimore City Council requiring additional reporting on American Rescue Plan spending will become law without Mayor Brandon Scotts signature.

The bill, sponsored by Council President Nick Mosby, requires Baltimore officials to provide reports to the council on a monthly, quarterly and annual basis about how the city spends its $641 million allocation in federal coronavirus funding.

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Scott, who has the ultimate authority over the spending, announced Monday that he would not sign the bill. Monday was the deadline for the mayor to decide whether to sign, veto or take no action on the bill that the City Council passed in early November.

During City Councils hearing on the legislation, Scotts administration pushed back on the requirements, arguing that monthly reporting would be labor-intensive for staff and not meaningful for such short periods of time. The mayor agreed voluntarily, however, to provide quarterly updates on the spending to the City Council.

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Councils Ways and Means Committee rejected several amendments proposed by Scotts administration. The bill was then fast tracked for final passage Nov. 1, meaning two votes were taken on the same night.

Scott informed Mosby of his decision Monday via a letter, noting the citys legal department felt the bill violated the citys charter.

While well-intended and temporary in nature, the legislation conflicts with the city charter and includes vague language that will make it difficult to ensure comprehensive and reliable compliance with the reporting requirements, Scott wrote in the letter obtained by The Baltimore Sun.

Scott added that it always has been his intention to keep the City Council and the public abreast of spending decisions related to the American Rescue Plan funding and said he is happy to be held accountable.

The monthly reports required by the legislation must include data about how the funds have increased the effectiveness and broadened the reach of city government services. Data also has been requested about how the spending has made government more efficient and sustainable.

The legislation also requires monthly reporting based on metrics including equity, population growth, labor and employment, and the growth of women- and minority-owned businesses.

In a statement, Mosby said the legislation will help city leaders show our residents that this relief aid was a game-changer for our city.

Maryland Policy & Politics Weekdays Keep up to date with Maryland politics, elections and important decisions made by federal, state and local government officials. >

It is our job to ensure this money is invested in our residents and future, not just spent on temporary solutions, he said.

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Baltimore officials are still in the midst of deciding how to spend the $641 million allocated to the city by the American Rescue plan, however several large allocations were made as the oversight bill languished in the mayors hopper.

A $55 million allocation to fund workforce development and economic recovery programs was announced in November, as was another $35 million will be given to the Mayors Office of Broadband and Digital Equity to expand public internet access inside and outside city recreation centers, among other projects.

Scott said during a meeting last week with The Baltimores Sun editorial board that another $100 million will be dedicated to housing issues in the city in hopes of promoting investment and attracting homeowners, although the breakdown of that funding has yet to be publicly announced.

Several other major allocations were announced ahead of the passage of councils oversight bill: $80 million for COVID-19 testing and prevention efforts and $50 million for violence reduction projects. An additional $141 million has been set aside to balance upcoming city budgets, hit hard by pandemic-related costs.

Altogether, nearly three-quarters of the funding has been dedicated thus far and applications are still outstanding from city nonprofits. The window for nonprofits to apply closed at the end of 2021.

Mosby has proposed spending $200 million of the ARP funding on a series of housing measures that would include reviving Baltimores dollar house program in areas of the city hardest hit by historical redlining. Scott would have to agree to sign off on the spending were the legislation to pass City Council. Thus far, only one council meeting has been held to discuss the proposal.
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Bikram Singh Majithia on Tuesday alleged that Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi and the ruling Congress government had let the security breach during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent visit to the state happen to "embarrass" the PM and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). "The Chief Minister was never stopped for 20 minutes anywhere. If roads could be cleared for the Chief Minister, why not for the Prime Minister? Because a plan was made in the chief minister's office to embarrass the Prime Minister and BJP," the SAD leader said while speaking to media persons. Taking a jibe at Punjab Congress Chief Navjot Singh Sidhu, Majithia questioned, "Have you ever heard of news of the PCC being stuck on a road for 20 minutes?" "It's not about PM Modi alone. It's about the Prime Minister's chair. It's a constitutional post. The most protected person is the Prime Minister of the country. You have created a mockery of it in the whole world only because of your politics," Majithia said. The SAD leader urged for nabbing of culprits involved in "planning and plotting" the incident, which he alleged was done in the office of the chief minister and PCC involving the state's home minister. The Prime Minister's convoy was stuck on a flyover for 15-20 minutes on January 5 due to road blockage by some protestors about 30 km away from the National Martyrs Memorial in Hussainiwala. The Prime Minister was to visit Ferozepur and lay the foundation stone of multiple development projects worth more than Rs 42,750 crore. After the security lapse, he decided to head back to Bathinda Airport. Union Home Ministry has sought a report from the Punjab Government on the security breach during the Prime Minister's visit to Punjab on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Majithia was granted interim bail by Punjab and Haryana High Court on Monday. The SAD leader who previously served as a minister in the Punjab government, was booked under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act Act on the basis of a 2018 report submitted by the anti-drug Special Task Force (STF). (ANI)
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, BJP national president J.P. Nadda, the party's UP in-charge Radha Mohan Singh, who tested positive for Covid-19, have not reached the party headquarters but are attending the meeting virtually on Tuesday.

Besides, Shah and Adityanath, the party's national general secretary B.L. Santosh, the party's UP election in-charge and Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Deputy Chief Ministers of Uttar Pradesh, Keshav Prasad Maurya and Dinesh Sharma and general secretary (organisation) Sunil Bansal are attending the meeting.

On Monday, a meeting of the party's Uttar Pradesh election committee was held in Lucknow. A discussion was held on the names of probable candidates in the first and second phase of the Assembly polls. Leaders at the Delhi meeting are also deliberating on the names suggested on Monday.

Polling for first and second phase will be held on February 10 and February 14 on 58 and 55 seats, respectively.

The final decision on the names of candidates can be taken in the meeting of the party's central election committee on January 13.

--IANS stp/svn/bg

( 229 Words)

2022-01-11-14:28:05 (IANS)
In view of the surge in COVID cases, the Karnataka government on Tuesday decided to extend guidelines till the end of the month. The decision has been taken after Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Tuesday chaired a review meeting on the COVID situation via video conferencing in Bengaluru. Ministers Dr K Sudhakar, BC Nagesh, Araga Dnyanendra and senior officials attended the meeting. The rise in cases among school children was also discussed in the meeting. A decision was also taken to authorise the Deputy Commissioners of respective districts to take a call on closing schools based on the number of cases, reports from the BEOs and Health officers. Officials are instructed to arrange children's ward, ICUs and other treatment facilities for children at Taluk and District hospitals. Education and Health department officials asked to conduct a general health checkup in schools every fortnight. District collectors and Superintendent of Police are instructed to strictly enforce COVID guidelines at public places. Instructions were issued for monitoring the health of those in home quarantine and timely distribution of health kits for them. The Chief Minister wanted the officials to strengthen the Triaging to ascertain whether an infected person needs hospitalisation or not immediately on getting the test report. It was decided to utilise the services of House Surgeons and Final Year Nursing students in the Home Isolation and Triaging process. The government decided to establish 27 COVID Care Centres in Bengaluru immediately. The Revenue and Endowment departments were instructed to issue appropriate guidelines to be followed during the coming Sankranti, Vaikunta Ekadashi and other festivals. The daily COVID testing in Bengaluru is to be raised to 1.30 lakh. The Chief Minister instructed the officials to take stringent action against those holding public conventions. The State government was instructed to take action to decongest the market areas based on the ground realities. Karnataka reported 11,698 new COVID-19 cases on Monday, out of which 9,221 cases were reported in Bengaluru only. In Karnataka, the active caseload stands at 60,148 including 49,000 active cases of Bengaluru. As many as four people have succumbed to coronavirus infection in the state on Monday including two deaths reported in Bengaluru. Worth mentioning, Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj S Bommai on Monday evening said that he had tested positive for COVID-19 infection. (ANI)
The incident took place at Rongmei Basti under Jirighat police station.

Cachar superintendent of police Ramandeep Kaur, along with teams of state police and paramilitary personnel reached the spot following the incident. Security has been beefed up in the area. The victim has been identified as David Rongmei.

"A man was shot dead by suspected militants on the Assam-Manipur border. The incident took place under Jirighat police station limits in Cachar district," Cachar SP Ramandeep Kaur said. The investigation is underway. (ANI)
Supreme Court will hear a petition on Wednesday seeking an independent inquiry into the Dharam Sansad hate speech case for allegedly inciting violence against the minority community. A bench headed by Chief Justice of India NV Ramana will hear the matter tomorrow. A petition was filed by former High Court judge and senior advocate Anjana Prakash, and journalist Qurban seeking the arrest and trial of the ones who made the hate speech and allegedly incited violence against the minority community at Haridwar Dharam Sansad conclave. Earlier on Monday, the top court had agreed to hear the petition and assured senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for the petitioner that it will be heard without delay. During the mentioning of the plea, Sibal said that slogan of the country seems to be changed from 'Satyameva Jayate' to 'Shasatrameva Jayate'. "We are living in very dangerous times where slogans in the country have changed from Satyamev Jayate to Shashtramev Jayate," Sibal told the apex court. When the CJI also enquired from Sibal whether any inquiry into the case was already on, Sibal replied that the FIRs have been filed but no arrests have been made. "This is in the State of Uttarakhand. No action will be taken without the intervention of the Court," Sibal added. The CJI said, "Alright, we will take up the matter." The hate speeches were allegedly delivered between December 17 and 19, 2021, in Haridwar by Yati Narsinghanand and in Delhi by 'Hindu Yuva Vahini'. The plea also highlighted a video that had gone viral where a police officer was seen acknowledging his allegiance to the offenders. "Not only the inaction of the Police allows delivery of hate speeches with impunity but also shows that the Police authorities are in fact hand in glove with the perpetrators of communal hate," it added. (ANI)
Kerala High Court on Tuesday posted to January 14, the hearing in an anticipatory bail plea of Malayalam actor Dileep in a case registered by the Crime Branch of Kerala Police for allegedly threatening the investigation officials probing the 2017 actress assault case. A single bench of Justice Gopinath P directed the Public Prosecutor to get instructions in the matter. Dileep's counsel argued in Court that although there is no likelihood of arrest in his opinion, the plea for pre-arrest bail had to be moved as it involves high profile individuals. "Although the likelihood of arrest is not there, this is a high profile case. Absolutely not serious but is a mockery," the counsel argued stating that the entire case against Dileep was fabricated. He added that director Balachandra Kumar brought up allegations when the trial in the case was nearing completion. "The allegations made by the Investigating Officer was not there at first, they were added at a later stage," he said. Crime Branch of Kerala Police registered a new case against Malayalam movie actor Dileep and five others on January 9 for allegedly threatening the investigating officials in connection with the actress assault case. They were booked under IPC sections 116 (abetment of offence punishable with imprisonment), 118 (concealing design to commit offence punishable with death or imprisonment for life), 120B (party to criminal conspiracy), 506 (criminal intimidation), and 34 (criminal act done by several people). Dileep is named as the first accused in the FIR. Anoop, who is Dileep's brother and Suraj, Dileep's brother-in-law are the second and third accused. Appu, Babu Chengamanad are the other accused. One more accused has not been identified yet. The case was registered after some audio clips of Dileep and other accused surfaced in which Dileep and others allegedly threatened officials investigating the actress assault case. At the same time, Balachandra Kumar, a film director has also given a statement against Dileep on this. After this, DySP Baiju Paulose, the investigating officer of the actress assault case filed a complaint with the Crime Branch against Dileep following which the Crime Branch registered a case against Dileep and five others. The FIR submitted in the Court alleged that the actor had said that the investigating officers Baiju Paulose, Sudarshan, Sandhya, and Sojan are going to suffer. FIR also says that Dileep conspired to chop off the hand of Sudarshan, another investigating officer. Dileep is also the eighth accused in the actress assault case for alleged conspiracy. The case pertains that an actress who worked in Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu was allegedly abducted and molested inside her car by a group of men who had forced their way into the vehicle on the night of February 17, 2017. (ANI)
The Supreme Court will hear on Wednesday a petition seeking an independent inquiry into the Haridwar Dharma Sansad speeches allegedly inciting violence against the minority community. A Bench headed by Chief Justice of India NV Ramana will hear the matter tomorrow. Earlier on Monday, senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for the petitioner, mentioned the matter for urgent hearing before the Bench. The petition was filed by former High Court judge and senior advocate Anjana Prakash and journalist Qurban Ali. The plea sought the arrest and trial of people who made hate speeches, inciting violence towards Muslims, at the Haridwar Dharma Sansad conclave. Sibal has said that the slogan of the country seems to be changed from 'Satyameva Jayate' to 'Shastrameva Jayate'. "We are living in very dangerous times where slogans in the country have changed from Satyamev Jayate to Shashtramev Jayate," Sibal has told the apex court during the mentioning of the case. Sibal has said that the FIRs have been filed in the case but no arrests have been made. The hate speeches were allegedly delivered between December 17 and 19, 2021, in Haridwar by Yati Narsinghanand and in Delhi by 'Hindu Yuva Vahini'. The plea said that the alleged hate speeches consisted of open calls for genocide of Muslims in order to achieve ethnic cleansing. "It is pertinent to note that the said speeches are not mere hate speeches but amount to an open call for murder of an entire community. The said speeches thus, pose a grave threat not just to the unity and integrity of our country but also endanger the lives of millions of Muslim citizens," plea added. It further said that it is relevant to note that no action has been taken by the Uttarakhand and Delhi Police in relation to the event held there despite the fact that open calls for genocide, that are available on the internet, were made therein. The plea also highlighted a video that had gone viral where a police officer was seen acknowledging his allegiance to the offenders. "Not only the inaction of the Police allows delivery of hate speeches with impunity but also shows that the Police authorities are in fact hand in glove with the perpetrators of communal hate," it added. (ANI)
Locals blocked the traffic movement at Mayai Lambi road on Monday after two persons were shot dead by an unidentified assailant at Samurou Awang Leikai in the Imphal West district in Manipur ahead of the upcoming State Assembly elections, police informed. According to information received by police, the deceased has been identified as Abu jar John and Rishikanta, residents of Imphal West district and they were the associates of Manipur Agriculture Minister Oinam Lukhoi Singh. Police informed that both the victims were immediately shifted to a nearby hospital but later, succumbed to their injuries on Sunday. Demanding justice for the deceased, a Joint Action Committee was formed in an emergency meeting at the complex of New Young Sporting Club, Shamurou in Imphal West district on Monday. The Joint Action Committee unanimously resolved that it will not accept the bodies until the relevant source of killing is furnished proactively. Further, the Committee demanded Chief Minister N Biren Singh open a police outpost at a feasible area in Shamurou Municipal Council and modern technological devices like CCTV to prevent such crimes in the future.Meanwhile, the Chief Minister also condemned the killing of two persons while visiting the victims' families on Monday morning. "We do not know the reason behind these killings. Elections can be the reason behind these killings. The government will not remain silent until the perpetrators are arrested," the CM added. Further investigation is underway. (ANI)
Ahead of the West Bengal municipal polls, Calcutta High Court on Tuesday directed the State Election Commission to submit an affidavit within 48 hours to inform it about the number of containment zones in poll-bound areas and the number of officials to be deployed on the poll duty. The Court was hearing the matter of whether municipal polls should be held in the prevailing COVID situation. The next hearing will be on January 13. Meanwhile, West Bengal Election Commission on Friday modified the guidelines for municipal corporation election campaigning in the wake of rising COVID-19 cases. The new guidelines say that only 250 people would be allowed in outdoor meetings. Earlier it was 500. Apart from that, the Commission also asked the political parties to encourage digital campaigns instead of rallies and meetings to combat the COVID-19 situation in the state. There are seven municipal corporations in West Bengal namely Asansol Municipal Corporation, Bidhan Nagar Municipal Corporation, Chandernagore Municipal Corporation, Durgapur Municipal Corporation, Howrah Municipal Corporation, Kolkata Municipal Corporation and Siliguri Municipal Corporation. Officials, on the condition of anonymity, said, "The State Election Commission had informed Calcutta High Court that it is ready to hold the polls in remaining municipal corporations. The proposed dates for the next phase is on January 22 in Asansol, Howrah, Bidhannagar, Siliguri and others. The other phase will be held on February 27 for the remaining municipalities." In December 2021, voting for 144 wards of Kolkata Municipal polls was held on December 19 and the results were declared on December 21. (ANI)
The Haryana government on Tuesday invoked the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) barring strike by any form of employees strike for six months in view of protest by government doctors over their demands amid the COVID-19 pandemic. This decision of the government comes after government doctors in different districts staged a protest demanding the formation of specialized cadre, revision of postgraduate policy and a stop on direct recruitment to the post of senior medical officers. Earlier in the day, the executive body of Haryana Civil Medical Service Association sat on a dharna at Civil Hospital, Sector-6 of Panchkula. The state government has accepted one of their demand as Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar approved the creation of a specialist cadre post for MD or MS doctors. "Acceding to one of the key demands of doctors hinting strike, Chief Minister ML Khattar gives in-principle approval for creation of Specialist cadre post for MD or MS doctors. The doctors will not be given any administrative work and will practice in their concerned Specialty," the Directorate of Information, Public Relations and Languages Department, Haryana said in a tweet earlier today. "The landmark decision will also be beneficial for patients as they will get the consultation of Specialists and the doctors will be closely able to monitor and manage the working of hospitals," it added. The Chief Minister said the government is committed for doctors welfare. Earlier in the day, state Health Minister Anil Vij said that the government has invoked ESMA to ban the strike of healthcare workers for six months in view of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The ESMA allows the government to declare a strike illegal in the public interest. "ESMA has been invoked in Haryana, now for six months health workers won't be able to go on strike. This step has been taken as a group of doctors has gone on strike which is creating obstacles in steps being taken to contain the COVID surge," Vij said in a statement. (ANI)
Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan is renewing a push for more funding for police, tougher penalties for certain criminal offenders and more information about sentences handed down by judges.

There is nothing more important than addressing the violent crime crisis in our state, the Republican governor said Monday during a State House news conference.

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Lawmakers in the Democrat-dominated legislature have shown little interest in the Republican governors initiatives, though there are signs that they may give at least some of the measures more consideration when they return to Annapolis Wednesday for their annual legislative session.

Hogan has regularly blasted Democratic leaders  particularly those in Baltimore  for being ineffective at preventing violent crime. Baltimore City experienced 337 homicides last year, the continuation of a jump in violence that dates back to 2015. More than 700 people were shot and survived last year.

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Hogan said that there are no more excuses for lawmakers not to support his initiatives.

The time for action is now, Hogan said.

The Democratic leaders of the General Assembly, House of Delegates Speaker Adrienne A. Jones and Senate President Bill Ferguson, did not respond immediately to the governors proposals.

Central to Hogans approach to fighting crime is his Re-Fund the Police Initiative  which subverts the de-fund the police calls from some activists, who have called for slashing money spent on police or abolishing departments altogether.

Hogan said the idea of cutting funding for police officers is dangerous, and that police officers are underfunded and under attack.

You could not possibly have a worse time for anyone to call for defunding the police or for cutting funding for public safety, Hogan said.

Police departments are largely funded by local governments, and few have cut police funding significantly in response to activist demands. Baltimore City increased police spending in its current budget.

Hogans original Re-Fund the Police plan, announced last October, would increase state funding for local police and sheriffs departments, add money for raises and bonuses at state police agencies, spend money on body cameras and training for police officers, match Metro Crime Stoppers rewards and spend more on neighborhood safety grants.

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Hogan plans to expand his proposal to total almost $500 million to be spent over three years. The biggest piece would boost salaries, bonuses and scholarships for state police agencies, while Hogans plan also would increase state aid for local police and pay for Maryland State Police barracks improvements and a new tactical services building.

Finally, Hogan would add money for victim services programs and neighborhood safety grants.

[ Bashing Baltimore and the radical left, Gov. Hogan pitches $150 million boost in Maryland public safety spending ]

The spending plans would be included in the governors proposed budget for the state fiscal year that starts July 1, which is subject to scrutiny by state lawmakers. He also plans to introduce a bill to require future governors to maintain the higher level of state aid to local police and sheriffs.

When Hogan first unveiled Re-Fund the Police in the fall, Democratic leaders in the legislature said they would not rule out some increases in police funding. They did, however, push back against the governors aggressive stance.

The House stands ready to have an open and honest conversation about improving policing and reducing crime in the state once there are real ideas  not rhetoric, Jones said at the time.

The other two components of Hogans crime plan have been reviewed and rejected by state lawmakers in past years: the Violent Firearms Offender Act, which increases some sentences for those who use guns during crimes, and the Judicial Transparency Act, which would require a public report each year on judges sentences.

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The state Senate has incorporated part of the firearms offender bill in other legislation it has passed in recent years, but the House of Delegates has rejected it.

The bill requiring reports on sentencing also has gone nowhere in past years, though Jones created a House of Delegates work group to look at the issue, signaling that there may be room for compromise. The work group is expected to announce its recommendations at the end of this month.

Because the sentences judges impose are an important part of the criminal justice system, we must take a closer look at how information about sentencing is provided to the public, said Del. Luke Clippinger, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, in a statement when the work group was formed in December

Clippinger, a Baltimore Democrat who works as a prosecutor, is chairing the bipartisan work group.

In an interview last week, Clippinger said his committee will look at sentencing issues to see whether changes could result in deterring crime. But he noted that some mandatory minimum sentences for gun crimes were expanded in 2018, adding: I dont know that theres been an appreciable change in gun crime since we did that.

Hogan also said he hoped Baltimore Citys elected officials would support his proposals, though he said he hasnt reached out to City Council members. Hogan said he hoped to get a meeting with Mayor Brandon Scott back on the schedule after it was canceled when the governor contracted COVID-19 in December.

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Separate from his proposals to the General Assembly, Hogan said the states Division of Parole and Probation would start aggressively tracking open warrants for people who are under the divisions supervision. Hogan expressed concern that judges are not issuing warrants when requested by probation officers and that when warrants are issued, they arent served  though he did not offer any data.

Maryland Policy & Politics Weekdays Keep up to date with Maryland politics, elections and important decisions made by federal, state and local government officials. >

Democratic leaders, including Baltimore States Attorney Marilyn Mosby, have been pressing Hogan to improve the parole and probation system, noting that a significant number perpetrators and victims of gun violence alike are under supervision by state parole officers.

In a letter to the governor last month, Sen. Cory McCray and Del. Tony Bridges of Baltimore said the Division of Parole and Probation is understaffed, leading to inadequate monitoring of people who might be headed for trouble.

There is no reason that there cannot be more rigorous supervision of violent offenders in the State, the lawmakers wrote. Ignoring the core functions of State government is having real life and death consequences.

Ferguson, the Senate president, said in an interview last week that hes open to considering Hogans proposals, given that gun violence is out of control.

But he noted that local, state and federal government officials need to be on the same page with a multipronged plan that both holds people accountable for crimes and addresses the root causes of violence.

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Theres no one singular solution, he said.

Baltimore Sun reporter Bryn Stole contributed to this article.
Following the resignation of Uttar Pradesh cabinet minister Swami Prasad Maurya from the Bharatiya Janata Party on Tuesday weeks ahead of the state assembly polls, the party suffered yet another jolt when three of its MLAs resigned citing "ignorance of the state government" of the poor and weaker section of society. The MLAs include Brajesh Prajapati, Bhagwati Prasad, and Roshan Lal Verma. The trio, however, are yet to decide on their future course of action. Speaking to ANI, Prajapati, who had resigned along with Maurya said that their demand for the caste-wise census for the OBC was overlooked by the BJP government adding that recruitments to various departments were being done in a wrong manner "The BJP government ignored the poor and the weaker section of the society, especially the minority community and the Dalits. We were demanding the caste-based census of the OBC, it was not done. The reservation was overlooked in the recruitments made in different departments of the state. Recruitments were made in the wrong manner. We put forward our points on the appropriate platform when no change was witnessed, then we had to take this decision today," Prajapati said. However, the former BJP leader did not reveal which party he will join and said that he will follow whatever his leader (Swami Prasad Maurya) decides. "We cannot take the call, our leader will decide. Whatever he decides, will be complied," he said. Another MLA who resigned from the party, Bhagwati Prasad said that they have been mulling the resignation for a long time and the decision was taken now keeping the "welfare of society" in mind. "We have been mulling on the resignation for long now and today we have taken this decision keeping the welfare of the society in mind. We want to join a party that works for the welfare of the people. You will get to know which party we will join in a few days," Prasad said. Earlier in the day, in a letter to Governor Anandiben Patel, Maurya, who held portfolios of labour and social welfare, said he was resigning as the state government "ignoring interests" of Dalits, backward sections, farmers, unemployed youth and small traders. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav said in a tweet that he welcomed Maurya to the party. "I welcome Swami Prasad Maurya, who struggled for social justice and equality in the state, and his supporters to the Samajwadi Party. There will be a revolution for social justice, there will be a change in 2022," Yadav said. Maurya said he kept bringing issues related to weaker sections to the government but to no avail. "I kept bringing the issues to the notice of the government and the national leaders on the appropriate platform. I was heard, but it did not yield any result," he said. Maurya, a prominent leader from the OBC (Other Backward Class) community, had joined the BJP from Bahujan Samaj Party in 2016. Elections for the 403-member Uttar Pradesh assembly will be held in seven phases. The polling will be held on February 10, 14, 20, 23, 27, and March 3 and 7 in seven phases. The counting of votes will take place on March 10. The polling in Punjab, Uttarakhand, and Goa will be held on February 14 and in Manipur in two phases on February 27 and March 6. (ANI)
Police arrested a man from the Malad region of Mumbai for allegedly demanding sexual favours from a woman promising her a role in films. As per the information shared by the police, the accused has been identified as Omprakash Raju Tiwari who claimed to be a casting director. Dhananjay Ligade, Senior Inspector, Malad Police said, "The complainant, a Bengali woman registered a complaint with the police on January 6. A casting director had offered her work in a film on a streaming media company, for which he demanded some money from her. Later, he asked the victim to give him some of her intimate pictures to which she refused. "Later he made a fake account on social media and convinced her to give some intimate pictures of herself for helping her land a role. He then demanded sexual favours from her in turn for work. When she refused, he made her intimate, nude pictures viral among her friends. After this, she registered a complaint with the police," the inspector said. Ligade said that upon receiving the complaint, police filed a case against the accused under sections 354 (a) (b) of the Indian Penal Code and the IT act and was eventually arrested. "The police is investigating into the matter. We are looking if some other woman was his victim in the past," he added. (ANI)
Customs officials on Tuesday seized heroin worth Rs 7.43 crore from a Ugandan woman, who had come to India from Entebbe via Dubai, at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport. A senior Customs official said that continuing its relentless vigil on economic social security, Customs at IGI Airport booked a Ugandan passenger for smuggling of 1060 grams heroin, concealed in 107 capsules kept inside clothes in baggage. "The woman passenger arrived from Entebbe via Sharjah on January 11 and on suspicion she was stopped for frisking and Heroin was recovered from her possession. The value of seized Heroin is approximately Rs 7.43 crores. The passenger was arrested under NDPS Act," he said. (ANI)
As per the Chief Minister's Office (CMO), there will be a limit of 150 persons in all kinds of public functions and gatherings like political, social, educational, cultural, religious programmes in the state.

Earlier, the government had restricted the public gatherings to a maximum of 400 persons which has been brought down to 150 people as per the fresh guidelines.

The wedding ceremonies taking place in both open and closed spaces can be attended by a maximum of 150 people. However, only 50 per cent of the venue capacity will be allowed for the weddings in closed spaces with the cap of 150 people still applicable.

The restrictions will remain effective till 6 am on January 22.

Earlier last week, the Gujarat government had also announced a night curfew between 10 pm and 6 am in Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara, Rajkot, Gandhinagar, Junagadh, Jamnagar, Bhavnagar, Anand, and Nadiad.

High Court of Gujarat is also to function in virtual mode only till further orders, in view of rising COVID cases.

Meanwhile, Gujarat on Monday reported 6,097 new COVID-19 cases, taking the active caseload in the state to 32,469. (ANI)
Farooq Ahmad Khan, the advisor to Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant General Manoj Sinha urged the public to adhere to COVID-19 protocols, adding that the administration is trying to prevent imposition of a lockdown but everything depends on cooperation from people. He was addressing a press conference on Tuesday. "We are trying to prevent the imposition of a lockdown. The administration does not want that such a situtation is created. But it depends on cooperation from the public. Lately, we have witnessed that people have let their guards down against COVID-19 after hearing media reports on Omicron variant of COVID-19 and how it is less severe. We urge people to not to take it lightly, follow all the protocols. We do not want to use force of any kind against people to ensure adherence to COVID-19 protocols," Khan told media. Khan said that the Union Territory is equipped with adequate medical infrastructure like beds, Oxygen plants etc to tackle any situation. "We also heard to the problems of the doctors. Government is looking into them," he added. About the recent snowfall in the Union Territory, the advisor to LG said that the homework of the administration had bore fruit and there are no problems with regards to water supply and electricity supply is also normal except one station. "Also, 115 out of around 148 transformers have been restored now," he added. Regarding the clearing of roads, Khan said that most of main roads were clear and work was still going on with great speed on the interior roads. "5,536 km road required snow clearance, out of which 4,886 km road has been cleared and rest will be cleared by today evening or tomorrow," he added. Responding to allegations by apple traders/growers that Iranian apples were being brought to the Union Territory by the administration, Khan refuted the allegations and said that the administration is instead sending Kashmiri apples across the world, including locations like Dubai and Qatar. "No apple grower or merchant has come to us. Such allegations were published in media. Once we took notice on them, we started an enquiry as to how they are being brought to the Union Territory," he added. "The snowfall which has been in happening since last few days, I feel happy that our preparations during summers and departments of essential services HW has given good fruit. Except one station, work is going on in thick ice, till today or tomorrow, electricity will be restored. The 140-148 transdformers which faced damage have been restored now, 115. Rest restoration is going on," he said. (ANI)
Congress leader Harish Rawat on Tuesday said that the party will release its first list of candidates for Uttarakhand Assembly polls within the next seven days. Rawat also took a dig at the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the state and said that Congress will release its second list of candidates only after looking at the impact of their first list on BJP. "Within the next seven days, we will publish our first list for the 2022 Uttarkhand Assembly polls but for the second list, we will see how sick BJP is and then accordingly we will announce our candidates," Rawat said. Several rounds of meetings have been held by the AICC screening committee to decide the names of candidates who will contest the polls. Meanwhile, speaking on the BJP's list of candidates for the polls, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that "the process of finalizing tickets is going on." "There will be a meeting of the State Election Committee and after that central parliamentary board will select the candidate based on merit, work, circumstances," Dhami told ANI. Assembly polls for the 70-member state assembly will be held on February 14 and counting will be done on March 10. (ANI)
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Jagat Prakash Nadda on Tuesday demanded an apology from the Congress leaders for politicizing the matter of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's security. In a series of tweets, the BJP chief slammed the Punjab government for making fun of such a sensitive matter. "Punjab Chief Minister Channi and Congress leaders made fun of such a sensitive matter. They constantly worked to lie in front of the country and politicize the matter. Congress leaders should apologize to the country," he said. Nadda further said, "The way in Punjab, under a well-planned conspiracy, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi's security was compromised. The whole country has seen the truth of the role of the Punjab government of Congress. The security of the Prime Minister of the country was jeopardized in a planned manner." The Prime Minister's convoy was stuck on a flyover for 15-20 minutes on January 5 due to road blockage by some protestors about 30 km away from the National Martyrs Memorial in Hussainiwala. The Prime Minister was to visit Ferozepur and lay the foundation stone of multiple development projects worth more than Rs 42,750 crore. After the security lapse, he decided to head back to Bathinda Airport. Union Home Ministry has sought a report from the Punjab Government on the security breach during the Prime Minister's visit to Punjab. Meanwhile, Majithia was granted interim bail by Punjab and Haryana High Court on Monday. The SAD leader who previously served as a minister in the Punjab government was booked under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act Act on the basis of a 2018 report submitted by the anti-drug Special Task Force (STF). (ANI)
The BJP on Tuesday led a frontal attack on Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi's husband Robert Vadra, citing a law suit filed in London by Sanjay Bhandari, Vadra's close aide, and demanded answer on the corruption charges. Addressing the media at the Delhi BJP headquarters, the party's national spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia said that Sanjay Bhandari has filed a suit in London against Thales Group of Companies demanding he be paid his full 'consultancy fee' for his role as an intermediary in winning the company a contract to upgrade aircraft. Attacking Robert Vadra and the Congress high command, Bhatia said that according to the agreement between Sanjay Bhandari and Thales Company, Bhandari was to receive Rs 170 crore as bribe, out of which only Rs 75 crore was paid during the tenure of the UPA government. Targeting Priyanka Gandhi, Bhatia said that she is in public life, and is campaigning in Uttar Pradesh, so she should come forward and give answers to the questions. Alleging that every corruption case is linked to the Congress, the BJP national spokesperson also made a political attack on Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi. Criticising the Congress, Bhatia said when army personnel were asking for bulletproof jackets, why were they buying VVIP choppers? When the Congress party comes to power, it is their priority to fill their own coffers, he said. Describing 'commission' as the culture of the Congress, he said that such a system was in place in the Congress that it used to take 'cut' in defence deals as well. Corruption was rampant in the Congress government, he claimed. Bhatia also said that extradition proceedings were initiated against Sanjay Bhandari only after the BJP government came to power at the Centre, and the final hearing is to be held in February. --IANS stp/skp/arm ( 313 Words) 2022-01-11-19:10:04 (IANS)
The Madras High Court on Tuesday struck down an order providing reservation for women over and above the 50 per cent cap in the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) elections. The first bench of the Madras High Court represented by Acting Chief Justice Munishwar Nath Bhandari and Justice P.D. Adikesavalu struck down the order while hearing a petition by Advocate R. Parthiban, challenging the validity of the government order. The petitioner said that 105 of the 200 seats in the Chennai corporation were allotted to women and said that it was unconstitutional and against the law. The Court has directed the state election commission to provide reservation to only 50 per cent of the seats to women for the Urban local body elections. The petitioner was represented by senior advocate S. Prabhakaran who argued that in 2016, municipal laws were amended to provide 50 per cent reservation for the women in the local body seats. He argued that of the 200 seats in the Chennai Corporation, 105 were reserved for women, both in Scheduled Caste and General category. He said that as per the general reservation policy, only 84 seats would have been allocated to women in the general category, and said that flouting norms, 89 seats were allocated to women in the general category. He said: "The phrase not less than 50 per cent should not be construed to mean that reservation for women can be provided beyond 50 per cent." The senior advocate pointed out that through a government order issued in 2019, 16 seats of the corporation have been reserved for Scheduled Caste women, 16 seats for Scheduled Tribe women, and 89 seats for General category women, and argued that this was unconstitutional and amounts to discrimination against men. --IANS aal/pgh ( 309 Words) 2022-01-11-19:26:01 (IANS)
Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Tuesday said a "conspiracy" was hatched by the Opposition to prevent Prime Minister Narendra Modi from addressing a rally in Punjab and noted that it has manifold strengthened the resolve of his party workers in the state. Ahead of assembly polls, several leaders from Punjab including former Congress MLA Arvind Khanna, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Gurdeep Singh Gosha, and former Amritsar councillor Dharamveer Sarin joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday in the presence of Shekhawat and Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri at the party office in the national capital. Shekhawat, who is BJP's election in-charge of Punjab, rejected claims by a section of Congress leaders that there was thin crowd at Ferozepur for the rally which was to be addressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "Ferozepur was going to witness the highest ever turnout at any political rally in Punjab. It was overwhelming that people were coming to participate in Prime Miniter's rally despite adverse weather conditions," he said. He alleged collusion of police during a protest on road which led to the Prime Minister's convoy getting stuck on a flyover for 15-20 minutes last week on his way to Hussainiwala to visit National Martyr's Memorial in Ferozepur district. A decision was then taken to return to Bhatinda airport. "Prime Minister was to dedicate several welfare projects for Punjab. But a dark chapter has definitely been written in the democratic history of India. One thing is for sure, the incident has only strengthened the resolve of the BJP workers to work hard before the elections for briging the party to power. The way people are joining the BJP, it is clear that people find Punjab's future with BJP," he added. Punjab will go to the polls on February 14 and the counting of votes will take place on March 10. BJP is fighting the polls in alllaince with Punjab Lok Congress and SAD (Sanyukt). (ANI)
U.S. Rep. C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger said Tuesday he has tested positive for COVID-19, part of a wave of cases in Congress since the omicron variant began surging across the country.

The Baltimore County Democrat, who turns 76 on Jan. 31, said in a statement that his positive result came Monday night and that he was quarantining at home with mild symptoms.

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I am fully vaccinated and boosted, said the 10th-term congressman and former Baltimore County executive in a news release. We all need to do what we can to protect our families, colleagues and healthcare heroes. Please get your shots, limit gatherings and mask up.

Ruppersbergers district includes parts of Baltimore, Anne Arundel, Harford and Howard Counties, as well as a portion of Baltimore City.

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Nearly a dozen members of Congress have announced positive tests since late last week, including well-known New York Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. More than a third of House members have filed letters allowing them to vote remotely, according to the House clerk.

House leadership, based on advice from the Office of the Attending Physician, has asked members to wear N95 or KN95 masks on the floor, regardless of vaccination status, and to leave the chamber immediately after voting.
One of Trinamool Congress earliest political recruits in Goa, former MLA Lavoo Mamledar, who quit the party last month, on Tuesday blamed ace poll strategist Prashant Kishor's outfit, the Indian-Political Action Committee (I-PAC), for the 'chaos in the party. Mamledar, who quit Trinamool in December 2021, just three months after joining the party, joined the Congress on Tuesday. "The reason for the chaos in Trinamool is Prashant Kishore's company.... They write to us telling us what we should speak about a particular person. I have got messages saying I should speak only this, and nothing more," Mamledar told a press conference in Panaji. He also said that when the Congress announced the possibility of an alliance with the Goa Forward Party in the national capital, I-PAC volunteers gave him a script to read and specifically attack Goa Forward Party founder-president Vijai Sardesai. "When the Congress-Goa Forward alliance was announced in Delhi, I was sent a script that Vijai Sardesai should be attacked. I-PAC only wants to use people, use Goans and take advantage of them," he said. Mamledar also alleged that I-PAC volunteers have been given targets for enrolment of voters for registration for the Griha Aadhaar card, a scheme which promises to give women head of household Rs 5,000 as allowance. "For every 15 persons registered, a volunteer is paid Rs 800. A lot of people have told me this. They are trying to buy people's thoughts. I feel if Trinamool is damaged, it is going to be on account of I-PAC's mentality," he said. Mamledar also claimed that he was assured a ticket from the Madkai Assembly constituency, adding that the assurance was later reneged upon by the Trinamool after it announced its alliance with the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP). --IANS maya/arm ( 305 Words) 2022-01-11-20:10:03 (IANS)
Two labourers were killed while two suffered injuries when a wall of an under construction building collapsed on Tuesday in Noida near here, an official said. According to the official, the incident took place in the afternoon at plot no D-96, Sector 26 in Noida. The four labourers, identified as Pushpa Bai, 35, Bharat Patel, 50, Maya, 30, Rameshwari, 32, all residents of Chhattisgarh were working at the site. "As soon as the accident became known the four of them were rushed to a nearby hospital, where Pushpa Bai and Bharat Patel succumbed to their injuries," the official told IANS. The injured are currently undergoing treatment at Kailash Hospital. A police official told IANS that legal action is being taken, however, no FIR had been registered till the filing of this report. This is the second such incident in two months. Earlier on November 16, 2021, two labourers were killed in the basement of a 4-storeyed building in Sector 2 when a newly constructed wall collapsed on them. --IANS uj/bg ( 185 Words) 2022-01-11-20:12:02 (IANS)
Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan (LNJP) Hospital of Delhi conducted a study on the Omicron variant which shows that the virus is mutating but the disease severity is mild. In the research, it was discovered that 35 mutations included 3 non-significant mutations in the spike protein. "This is one of the best research in Omicron done by gene sequencing lab. LNJP has done a study on Omicron and submitted data of 13 patients. We have compared the original virus from Wuhan, China. In the study, we found 35 mutations which include 3 non-significant mutations in the spike protein in this variant, as compared to 31-32 mutations in the South African variant. We did gene sequencing and correlated with clinical findings and we found that these patients were either asymptomatic or mild in nature," said Dr Suresh Kumar, Medical Director, LNJP. Dr Kumar said the study shows that the virus is mutating and the disease severity is mild. Speaking on the rise in COVID-19 cases in Delhi, the LNJP MD said that when positivity is more than 20 per cent then it is an alarming situation and it means that people might require beds and ICU for high-risk patients. "The number of new cases in Delhi is increasing and we have seen positivity around 25 per cent. We have seen that more and more people are admitted with comorbidities. When positivity is more than 20 per cent then it is an alarming situation and it means that people might require beds and ICU for high-risk patients. In the coming days we see that more people will be requiring hospital admission," he said. He further welcomed the decision of the Delhi Government for closing all restaurants in the national capital. "This is a good step. I welcome this decision because there is a lot of infection when we do dining in a closed environment. The surfaces, tables, chairs are contaminated and while you are eating you don't wear a mask so the chances of spread are much more. It is a very important step and definitely, it will help in help in decreasing the spread of the COVID virus," said Dr Kumar. He also welcomed the Indian Council of Medical Research's (ICMR) latest guidelines that anyone who has come in contact with a COVID-infected patient, does not necessarily need to take the COVID-19 test unless the person is in the 'high-risk' category based on age or comorbidities. "It is a good step. Most of the contact have no illness so there is no need for testing. If we have one health worker who is asymptomatic but positive, then we have to do a lot of testing of contacts which is not necessary," he added. (ANI)
In a shocking incident, a Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) constable in Mahabubabad district of Telangana on Tuesday killed his two children by throwing them in a well and later committed suicide, police said. Hours after throwing his two children, aged 4 and 8 years, into an agricultural well, the constable killed himself by jumping under a train. The body of Ram Kumar was found on a railway track on the outskirts of Anantaram village in the district. A police official said his body was identified by his family members. A resident of Gaddigudem thanda (hamlet), Ram Kumar was working as CISF constable in Mumbai. He had come home four days ago. Preliminary investigation revealed that Ram Kumar and his wife Sirisha used to fight over financial matters and some family disputes. On Tuesday, the couple quarrelled when his wife questioned him about her gold and the loan he had taken. The accused, in a fit of rage, took the two children to an agriculture field and threw them in a well. He then escaped from there. Some villagers pulled out the children from the well but by then, they had died. Alerted by the villagers, police rushed to the scene and took up the investigation. They launched a hunt for the accused and in the evening, received the information about a body lying on railway tracks and it was identified as that of Ram Kumar. Ram Kumar and Sirisha of the same hamlet had a love marriage nine years ago. They had an eight-year-old daughter and four-year-old son. --IANS ms/vd ( 275 Words) 2022-01-11-22:28:03 (IANS)
Chhattisgarh's Economic Offences Wing (EOW) on Tuesday took Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), GP Singh, into custody from Haryana's Gurugram in a disproportionate assets case. He will be taken to Raipur where he will be produced before a court on Wednesday, the EOW said in a statement. A statement issued by Chhattisgarh's EOW on Tuesday said GP Singh was taken into custody from Haryana's Gurugram for interrogation. The EOW said that the accused, suspended under the charges of Prevention of Corruption Act sections 13 B, 13(2) and IPC sections 201, 467, was not cooperating in the investigation of the case and was not coming to the EOW office even after legal notices. "Economic Offenses Investigation Bureau Raipur's crime number 22/2021 section 13(b),13(2) Prevention of Corruption Act and section IPC sections 201, 467, suspended Additional Director General of Police GP Singh, who was issued several notices to appear in the investigation of the case and even after that he was not cooperating in the investigation and neither was attending the EOW office. He did not get any relief from the Supreme Court in the case either. Today, on the late evening of 11/01/2022, Gurjinder Pal Singh has been detained from Gurgaon for interrogation by the team of EOW. He should be brought to Raipur. Used to be. After the team reaches Raipur, further action will be taken by presenting it in the honourable court," the statement reads. Last year, a sedition case was registered against former Anti-Corruption Bureau Chief GP Singh in connection with ACB raids at 15 locations. The raids were conducted on the basis of an FIR registered against Singh over disproportionate assets. Singh was the chief of the ACB and the Economic Offences Wing. He was transferred as the director of the state police academy in June 2020. The 1994-batch IPS officer has earlier served as the IG of Raipur, Durg and Bilaspur. (ANI)
Union Science and Technology Minister Dr Jitendra Singh on Monday called for closer Centre-State coordination for technological solutions and science-based remedies for state-specific or UT-specific problems and requirements. An extensive exercise is being undertaken separately with each of the states and Union Territories to identify the areas where technological interventions can help in resolving diverse problems to enable ease of living for common man, Dr Singh said and cited the example of how the Jammu and Kashmir government will be assisted through the latest snow clearing technology while Puducherry and Tamil Nadu are being assisted in restoration and renovation/rejuvenation of sea beaches. Singh was presiding over a high-level joint meeting of all the Science Ministries and Departments, in hybrid mode, at Prithvi Bhawan here. The meeting was attended by Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government, Prof. K VijayRaghavan, Secretary, Earth Sciences, Dr M Ravichandran, Secretary, Science & Technology, Dr S. Chandrasekhar, Secretary, Biotechnology, Dr Rajesh Gokhale, Secretary, Space and ISRO Chairman, Dr K. Sivan, Secretary, Atomic Energy, Dr K.N. Vyas; Secretary, CSIR, Dr Shekhar Mande, Secretary, Capacity Building Commission, Hemang Jani, and other senior officials, a release from the Science and Technology Ministry said. Dr Singh said that a series of meetings with state governments are planned, starting next week for Centre-State collaboration for 'solution-based' approach to identified S&T problems and to improve the use of Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) in states and local governments. "The Ministry will soon write to all Chief Secretaries along with a proforma for specific proposals or requirements by the state governments and to designate a Nodal Officer for smooth coordination," he said, adding that he is planning a National Science Conclave after completion of roundtable meetings with states involving Science Ministries and Departments from the Centre and all states and UTs to deliberate upon pressing problems facing India and effective solutions for the same. he said that the move comes in the wake of the success of such an experiment with Central Line Ministries and Departments, wherein 168 proposals/requirements were received from 33 Ministries for providing technological support and solutions by all the six S&T departments including Space and Atomic Energy. Science Ministries and Departments concerned have started working on different scientific applications for sectors like agriculture, dairy, food, education, skill, railways, roads, Jal Shakti, power, and coal. With the help of the Capacity Building Commission, a template is also being prepared to take up theme-wise deliberations between Centre and States/UTs depending on specific needs, from place to place, the Minister said. This initiative was launched by himin September last year, wherein representatives from all the Science Ministries including Science & Technology, Earth Sciences, Atomic Energy, Space/ISRO, CSIR, and Biotechnology separately engaged in extensive brainstorming with each of the different Ministries of the Centre to work out which scientific applications could be utilised in which sector. --IANS niv/vd ( 485 Words) 2022-01-11-01:06:02 (IANS)
Scientists have successfully gathered high-quality data comparable to radiosonde observations using a modified commercially available drone, opening doors to improved weather prediction. Moreover, the scientists investigated the possibility of collecting high-quality atmospheric data using a conventional low-cost UAS equipped with a radiation shield. Meteorological data collected from polar regions is essential for forecasting climate and weather using operational numerical weather prediction (NWPs) models. One of the instruments in the meteorological observation network, radiosonde, provides an atmospheric vertical profile. (Radiosonde is a battery-powered telemetry instrument carried into the atmosphere usually by a weather balloon that measures various atmospheric parameters and transmits them by radio to a ground receiver.) The effects of climate change are being felt most acutely in polar regions. This also makes them the ideal place to study ongoing climate variability. In fact, meteorological data collected from these areas is important for operational NWPs, a technique for predicting the weather based on mathematical modeling. "Radiosonde networks are limited in polar regions. Moreover, they entail high operating costs in terms of sensors, energy, and human resources. Additionally, radiosondes often leave waste over the land and oceans and could be a source of pollution. It is, therefore, necessary to find a complementary way to strengthen the observing network with high-quality meteorological data for NWPs," said a release from the National Institute of Polar Research (NIPR), which is an inter-university research institute that conducts comprehensive scientific research and observations in the polar regions. Fortunately, unmanned aircraft systems (UASs) or drones could potentially fit the bill. While UASs are limited to the lower boundary layer of the atmosphere, they have smaller operational costs and are easier to use. However, the quality of data collected by UASs is often reduced by radiation effects (from the sun and the drone body), the deposition of precipitation and cloud droplets, and the position of the sensors relative to wind direction. In a recent study published in Environmental Research, Dr Jun Inoue from the National Institute of Polar Research, Japan and Assistant Professor Kazutoshi Sato from Kitami Institute of Technology, Japan, have investigated the possibility of collecting high-quality atmospheric data using a conventional low-cost UAS equipped with a radiation shield. "Since the number of radiosonde observations have hardly increased in a long time because of the costs of resources, continuous observations with UASs are a highly desirable alternative to achieve sustainable development as well as meet the needs of ordinary people, such as fisherpersons, with improved forecasts," explains Dr. Inoue. The study was made available online on December 2, 2021 and is assigned for publication in Volume 205 of the journal Environmental Research on April 1, 2022. The duo focused on a commercially available drone. They performed laboratory experiments to determine the horizontal distribution of wind and heat exhaust below the M2ED as a way to gauge the ideal location for the sensors. Then using 3D printing and a heat-reflecting coating, they developed a radiation shield for the sensors that maintained ventilation simultaneously. The shield additionally prevented the deposition of precipitation on the sensor. Next, they performed field experiments on the M2ED drone and compared its performance with two other meteorologically customised UASs. This was followed by field tests on the three UASs launched concurrently with radiosondes and a comparison of their performances. "The results showed that not only did the drone one provide high-quality data equivalent to that of the two other drones, but its accuracy was also, in fact, comparable to radiosondes," the release said. "Our findings demonstrate that it is possible to make the existing polar observational networks sustainable with UASs. This could significantly boost their observation frequencies and spatial coverage through citizen science programmes," says Dr Inoue. --IANS niv/dpb ( 630 Words) 2022-01-11-08:42:03 (IANS)
Jawed Ahmad Qaim on Sunday in a Twitter post said that he is stepping down as Afghan ambassador to China due to his personal and professional issues, according to Khaama Press Agency.

It is the second time that an Afghan ambassador resigns from his post after the Taliban regained power in Kabul on August 15 last year.

Prior to that, Afghanistan's permanent representative to United Nations had stepped down. The seat is now occupied by Naseer Ahmad Faiq.

The destiny of Afghanistan's Ambassadors and diplomats has become one of the biggest controversial issues that are yet to be resolved, Khaama Press Agency reported.

The majority of Afghanistan's diplomatic agencies are on the brink of closure as they have run out of financial resources.

Earlier, Deputy Foreign Minister of Taliban, Sher Muhammad Abbas Stanekzai had said that they are in contact with Afghan envoys in other countries and that the ministry is receiving regular reports from the embassies, as per Khaama Press Agency. (ANI)
US State Department demanded immediate release of Myanmar's democratic leader Aung San Suu Kyi in the wake of the second round of verdicts delivered against her on Monday. "The Burmese military regime's unjust conviction and sentencing of Aung San Suu Kyi is an affront to justice and the rule of law. We call on the regime to immediately release Aung San Suu Kyi and all those unjustly detained and to restore Burma's path to democracy," tweeted US Department Spokesperson, Ned Price. Earlier, Myanmar's State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi was sentenced to another four years in prison and Myanmar's military junta has sought to restrict information about trials, which have been closed to the public. On December 7 last year, a Zabuthiri Court in the capital Naypyitaw initially sentenced Suu Kyi to four years in prison after being found guilty of incitement and two years after being found guilty of violating section 25 of Disaster Management Law. Since the February 1 last year, the US has imposed targeted sanctions against the Burmese military, its leaders, and their financial interests, disrupting their access to the international financial system. Aung San Suu Kyi, 76, was Myanmar's state counselor and de factor leader of the country before she was ousted by the military in a coup in February 2021 and hit with almost a dozen charges that add up to more than 100 years. They include charges of corruption, violating COVID-19 pandemic restrictions during the 2020 election campaign. (ANI)
Greek Member of the European Parliament (MEP) Emmanouil Fragkos lambasted Pakistan over the ongoing persecution of minorities. In a letter to Josep Borrell, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of EU Commission, Fragkos said, "Everyday life for Christians, like for all Pakistan's non-Muslim communities, has been degrading and dangerous. Christians are treated as second-class citizens, as are Hindus and smaller religious minorities." He also came heavy on European Union and said "no real moves have been made by the EU to overthrow the dominant, governmental policy of Islamist extremism". "For several years, the international community has been silent, before the unacceptable situation of cultural decline inside Pakistan," he added. He also gave examples of blasphemy cases related to the persecution of minorities. "26 Christians, who have been condemned by the Pakistani society, using the unacceptable "anti-blasphemy legislation", said Fragkos. These laws make non-Muslims vulnerable to enslavement or even physical extermination. "The reason is that an "allegation for blasphemy", even if not proven in court, arms the extremists to "render Islamic justice", said the Greek MEP. 16 MEPs have also written on the importance of European intervention in Pakistan and elsewhere in tackling the persecution of Christians and other religious minorities. Further, Fragkos questioned the strategy of the EU, with timetable and specific initiatives to deal effectively with the persecution of Christians and other religious minorities in Pakistan? Post-2001, violence and discrimination against Christians in Pakistan have definitely increased. Seen as connected to the 'West' due to their religious belief, Christians have at times been made scapegoats for the US-led invasion of Afghanistan, as well as the enormous human suffering, is seen as a consequence of interventions in other countries with large Muslim populations, reported Center of Political and Foreign Affairs (CPFA). Christians continue to suffer targeted violence and other abuses, including land-grabbing in rural areas, abductions and forced conversion, and the vandalization of homes and churches. Pakistan's blasphemy laws continue to be a source of controversy and suffering, having extremely adverse effects on the accused and their families. A false accusation can be a punishment in itself since a number of cases have provoked brutal mob violence against the accused and their families, reported CPFA. (ANI)
Taliban's acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi on Monday met Afghanistan's National Resistance Front (NRF) Ahmad Massoud and Ismail Khan, the former governor of Herat province in Tehran. The Islamic Emirate delegation which is currently in Iran is led by Muttaqi. "Yes, we met with Ahmad Massoud, Commander Ismail Khan and other Afghans. We assured all of them that they can come back and live an unworried life," he said in a video posted by Mohammad Naeem, a spokesman for the Islamic Emirate's Qatar-based office, reported Tolo News. Meanwhile, the Resistance Front has yet to confirm the meeting between Muttaqi and Ahmad Massoud. NRF has not officially confirmed the meeting, Hafiz Mansoor, a member of the Resistance Front, has said the meeting was held, reported Tolo News. Iranian media, quoting the spokesman of Iran's foreign ministry, Saeed Khatibzada, reported that Tehran hosted the meeting, adding that the Afghan parties had good discussions. Meanwhile, sources told Tolo News that Abdul Qayyum Sulaimani, a nephew of Ismail Khan who was deputy ambassador to Iran, has been appointed acting ambassador to Iran by Amir Khan Muttaqi. A delegation of the Islamic Emirate left Kabul for Tehran last Saturday to meet with the country's officials over a range of issues. "In this visit, political, economic, transit issues as well as (Afghan) refugees will be discussed between the two sides," said Hafiz Zia Ahmad, deputy spokesman for the foreign minister. Earlier in the day, NRF denied meeting between Taliban's acting Foreign Minister Muttaqi. Spokesperson of NRF Sibghatullah Ahmadi told Hasht-e-Sub (Afghan newspaper) that no meeting between the two has been conducted in Tehran, reported The Khaama Press. Taliban spokesperson Bilal Karimi had also denied the meeting in Iran. On Saturday, clashes between the Taliban and National Resistance Front (NRF) broke out in Afghanistan's Panjshir province, Sputnik reported citing local media. According to Afghan Aamaj News sources, the Taliban attacked the NRF in Anaba district of Panjshir, Sputnik News Agency reported. In November 2021, the Afghan National Resistance Front said that more and more people were joining the organization to fight the Taliban rule, with members of the NRF gathering in Panjshir, Kapisa, Parwan, Badakhshan, Balkh, and Baghlan provinces, as per the media outlet. The Taliban took over Afghanistan after entering Kabul in August 2021, leading to the collapse of the Ashraf Ghani led government and mass evacuations. (ANI)
According to the Islamic Emirate officials and force members, the operation was launched on a house where IS terrorists were located, reported Tolo News.

"They hid in a very complex place and there was no way for us to enter so we were forced to use rockets and grenades," said Zahid, a member of the Islamic Emirate forces.

Meanwhile, local residents said the fight was ongoing for several hours and heavy and light weapons were used, reported Tolo News.

"People suffered a lot. Our neighbour's women faced troubles. Her daughter went unconscious," said Imamuddin, a resident.

"At 9 pm the Islamic Emirate forces climbed on our house's roof and we were not aware of it. I said: What are you doing here? They said there is Daesh (IS) in your neighbour's house. The fight was ongoing from 9 pm to 11:20 pm," said Del Agha, a local resident.

So far, the identity of those killed and arrested have not been released to the public by the Islamic Emirate, reported Tolo News.

IS-affiliated terrorists have staged several bomb explosions in Kabul and other places since the Taliban's takeover in mid-August. (ANI)
Seoul [South Korea], January 11 (ANI/Global Economic): "We will lead the robotics technology to create a better life for customers and ourselves." Boston Dynamics Chairman Marc Raibert and Hyundai Motor Group's Robotics Lab Executive Director Hyun Dong-jin held a press conference at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas on the 4th (local time) and announced their robot philosophy. Hyundai Motor Group previously acquired an 80 per cent stake in Boston Dynamics, the U.S. robot company, from Softbank Group. Hyundai Motor said that robotics technology is essential to lead the future mobility market. At this year's CES 2022, Hyundai Motor and Boston Dynamics presented their new future directions for robot business. On this day, Boston Dynamics Chairman Raibert said, "We are carefully thinking about how to help people when developing robots." Spot, Stretch, and Atlas are the famous robots developed by Boston Dynamics. He introduced those robots as 'today, tomorrow, and the future.' The robot representing 'today (present)' is the 'Spot.' It was designed to handle various tasks. It can move alone, and also do the task with the other works. 'Stretch,' the robot representing 'tomorrow,' was designed to focus on a single task. This is useful for the logistics industry, such as transportation or inventory management. It is expected to be mass-produced next year. The robot 'Atlas,' which is representing 'future,' is a human-type robot with two legs and two arms. It also has a vision scanner and visual sensor that play a role in the human brain. It was developed to be used on various platforms and can study innovative ideas. Regarding the robot development of Tesla, Chairman Raibert said, "I have no idea about Tesla's robot development. However, if Tesla does well in robot business such as humanoids as well, it will be surprising." In particular, he said, "The competition deserves to be welcome. I wish for a world where customers ask "Which robot do we buy?" rather than "Can we buy a robot?"He also showed off a strong relationship between Boston Dynamics and Hyundai Motor. Chairman Raibert said, "The two companies are participating in lots of collaboration works. Hyundai Motor is actively investing in R&D for current and future business, and also has the mass-production capability." He added, "Hyundai Motor has also developed their capabilities in the robotics field. Hyundai Motor's top management, including Chairman Chung Eui-sun, is also paying attention to the robotics technology and actively supporting it." He also mentioned the possibility of further collaboration. He said, "Both Boston Dynamics and Hyundai Motor are actively discussing further collaboration. We may be able to announce a detailed plan next year or in two years. Communications with Chairman Chung and his supporters have also positively affected Boston Dynamics." (ANI/Global Economic)
The event started with the video message of Minister of State for External Affairs and Culture of India Meenakshi Lekhi and was followed by remarks made by Ambassador of India to Madagascar and Comoros Abhay Kumar, said the press release.

Kumar gave remarks on the different ways in which Hindi has gained prominence in the international arena and how celebrating World Hindi day is important in promoting Hindi around the world.

A competition on Hindi handwriting was also organized in the event that saw the enthusiastic participation of the guests.

Hindi songs were sung by members of ITEC Alumni and local staff of the Embassy. Hindi poems were recited by the Ambassador, officials of the Embassy, and the school children during the celebrations.

Local staff at the embassy congratulated everyone on the occasion of World Hindi Day 2022.

One of the staff members said, "I love Indian culture and love to speak the Hindi language."

Another staff member at the embassy said, "I learn from my Indian friends and I like Indian music. I congratulate all of you on World Hindi Day."

World Hindi Day is observed on January 10 every year to promote the language all around the world. (ANI)
"We will not agree on less than the formation of a judicial commission to probe the deaths of 23 tourists who were stranded in their vehicles during snowfall in Murree," the Opposition leader said while taking part in a debate on the Murree tragedy said, reported The News International.

"Prime Minister should quit if his Government could not handle rush in Murree and avert the human disaster," he added.

Pakistan's Peoples Party (PPP) Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also showed his support for the formation of a judicial commission.

"I will also request you to use your good offices to form the judicial commission," he said, reported the newspaper.

Pakistan on Sunday formed a committee to probe the deaths of more than 20 people stranded in their vehicles in snow-hit Murree.

A notification was issued after the names of its members were finalised, according to which Additional Chief Secretary Home Zafar Nasrullah has been appointed as the convener, reported Geo News.

Provincial secretaries Ali Sarfaraz and Asad Gilani have been named as members of the committee. In addition, Assistant Inspector General Farooq Mazhar has also been named as a member.

Notably, at least 23 people died in Pakistan's Murree after their vehicles were stranded following heavy snowfall overnight, local media reported. (ANI)
According to the source, IS terrorists ambushed Bashir on Monday night, while he was patrolling the district area, reported Sputnik.

So far, no group has claimed responsibility for the attack, but the source claimed that the local intelligence chief was apparently killed by the IS terrorists due to a major offensive that he had launched earlier against the group in Bati Kot district.

Abid Bashir was one of the key commanders of the Taliban in Nangarhar province, who had twice before escaped after the terrorist ambush, reported Sputnik.

The Taliban-IS standoff has been ongoing in Afghanistan since 2015, when IS began forming terrorist cells in the country and recruiting fighters, compromising the Taliban influence.

Fierce clashes had erupted between the Taliban and the IS in Nangarhar, Logar and Farah provinces, reported Sputnik.

Since the Taliban return to power in Afghanistan in mid-August, the IS have carried out several terrorist attacks across the country, including the blast at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul in August that killed more than 180 people, and an attack at a Shiite mosque in Kunduz city in October that resulted in over 150 deaths.

The Taliban have repeatedly expressed their commitment to eliminate the IS faction in Afghanistan and pledged to stop the attacks. (ANI)
A new round of security talks between the US and Russia concluded in Geneva without yielding any diplomatic breakthrough. While the US side called the latest talks between the two major global powers "our diplomacy in pursuit of a de-escalation with Russia", the Russian side called it "security guarantees negotiations", reports Xinhua news agency. Like the two previous bilateral US-Russia Strategic Stability Dialogues in Geneva last year, the American delegation was headed by Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman, while the Russian side is headed by Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov. "The talks were difficult, long, very professional, deep, concrete, without attempts to gloss over some sharp edges," Ryabkov told a press briefing on Monday night after the talks. "We had the feeling that the American side took the Russian proposals very seriously and studied them deeply." Sherman told a separate press briefing that "we had a frank and forthright discussion over the course of nearly eight hours at the US Mission in Geneva. This is the third time the US-Russia Strategic Stability Dialogue has convened since President (Joe)Biden and President (Vladimir) Putin met in Geneva last June". Ryabkov was cited by the Russian Mission in Geneva as saying that Moscow was seeking legally binding guarantees of the NATO not to expand further to the East. "It should dismantle everything it has created while driven by anti-Russia phobias and delusional perceptions about our country's policies since 1997," he was quoted as saying. The Deputy Foreign Minister told reporters that "the main questions are still up in the air, and we don't see an understanding from the American side of the necessity of a decision in a way that satisfies us". "We do not trust the other side... We need ironclad, waterproof, bulletproof, legally binding guarantees - not assurances, not safeguards." He said that he has told his US counterpart that Russia has no plans to attack Ukraine, and there was no reason to fear an escalation of tensions with Kiev. "Certain threats or warnings were put forward, We explained to our colleagues that we have no plans to attack Ukraine," Ryabkov said. "There is no basis for fearing any escalated scenario in this regard." Sherman told reporters that the US came to Monday's meeting to hear Russia's security concerns and to share its own. "We came with a number of ideas where our two countries could take reciprocal actions that would be in our security interests and improve strategic stability." The senior diplomat said that the US will not stop NATO's "Open Door" policy, it will not forego bilateral cooperation with sovereign states that wish to work with Washington, and it will not make decisions about "Ukraine without Ukraine, about Europe without Europe, or about NATO without NATO". "We've made it clear that if Russia further invades Ukraine, there will be significant costs and consequences well beyond what they faced in 2014. Russia has a stark choice to make," she said. She also said that the US offered to meet again soon with Russian officials to discuss these bilateral issues in more detail. According to the US mission in Geneva, after Monday's talks, Sherman will travel to Brussels on Tuesday and WEdnesday for further consultations with NATO leadership, allies, and EU officials. --IANS ksk/ ( 553 Words) 2022-01-11-08:50:02 (IANS)
According to Johns Hopkins University figures, Canada has recorded 294,437 new cases in a week ending January 8. This is its highest weekly total of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Another destination joined Canada -- the Caribbean island of Curacao -- in moving up to the CDC's Level 4: Covid-19 Very High category on Monday, reported CNN.

The CDC places a destination at Level 4 when more than 500 cases per 100,000 residents are registered in the past 28 days.

The CDC advises travellers to avoid travel to Level 4 countries to curb the spread.

Earlier, Canada was at Level 3 since August 30, 2021, and Curacao was at Level 3 since November 22, 2021. (ANI)
The death toll from a major fire in a high-rise building in New York City's Bronx borough has been revised down to 17 from 19, according to Mayor Eric Adams. Speaking at a press briefing on Monday, Adams said casualties from the fire included nine adults and eight children, reports Xinhua news agency. New York City Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro said there was a bit of double count and it's a bit of good news that the number of deaths isn't 19 but 17. Nigro added that there are many people fighting for their lives in the hospitals and the death toll could increase again. "We're certain that the fire started with a faulty portable electrical heater," said Nigro, noting investigation by fire marshals is still under way. Meanwhile, local government agencies and social organisations are working to provide support to victims of the fire as well as people evacuated from the apartment building known as Twin Parks North West. New York Governor Kathy Hochul said on Sunday evening that efforts would be made to rebuild lives and give victims hope, "especially those who came all the way from Africa, Gambia, in search of a better life right here in this great borough, the borough of Bronx". Hochul announced that a compensation fund would be established for the victims of the fire to help them find new housing, for burial costs and other costs. The Mayor's Fund to Advance NYC, a non-profit organisation that facilitates innovative public-private partnerships, is raising money to support victims of the fire in partnership with Adams and the City of New York. As of Monday noon, a GoFundMe fundraiser organised by the Gambian Youth Organization (GYO) had received over $400,000, more than double of its goal of $200,000. The apartment building, built in the 1970s, is home to working-class families, many of whom depend on Section 8 rental assistance. Adams said the building was home to many African immigrants who chose their homes for the close-knit community and short distance to local mosques. A significant number of the building's residents were practicing Muslims and originally from Gambia, according to a report by the New York Times. New York City would fly flags at half-staff until sunset on Wednesday as a mark of respect for the victims of the tragic fire, according to the Mayor's office. --IANS ksk/ ( 405 Words) 2022-01-11-09:22:02 (IANS)
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Tuesday expressed his deep regret over North Korea's recent missile launch and has instructed his officials to ensure the safety of aircraft and ships for any type of event. He said the latest missile by North Korea was fired after members of the UN Security Council held a meeting to discuss ways of dealing with the missile that the North launched on January 5, reported NHK Newsline. North Korea fired what may have been a ballistic missile on Tuesday morning, Japan and South Korea said, less than a week after Pyongyang tested what it said was a hypersonic weapon, reported Al Jazeera. Kisida also added that Japan is ramping up its vigilance and surveillance and he instructed Government officials to do their best to gather and analyse information. He also mentioned that he has told them to provide that information to the public swiftly and accurately. The Prime Minister added that he has instructed the officials to ensure the safety of aircraft and ships, and to take all possible measures to prepare for any type of event, reported NHK Newsline. Kisida also said that if he receives any further details, he will share them with the public. Notably, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) has also successfully test-fired a hypersonic missile, the official Korean Central News Agency reported on January 6. The missile, launched by the Academy of Defence Science on Wednesday, manoeuvred 120 km laterally before it precisely hit a target 700 km away, which proved the reliability of a new fuel system, the report said. (ANI)
The New York Police Department's (NYPD) Hate Crimes Unit has joined the investigation into the attack on a Sikh taxi driver at the city's main airport, following a call for action by the Indian Consulate here. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which has jurisdiction over the John F Kennedy Airport, said in an email to IANS on Monday that its police department "is actively investigating this incident" in coordination with New York Police Department's Hate Crimes Unit and the local public prosecutor's office. The consulate tweeted: "The assault against a Sikh taxi driver in New York is deeply disturbing. We have taken up the matter with US authorities and urged them to investigate this violent incident." The State Department's South and Central Asian Affairs Bureau had tweeted that the US was "deeply disturbed" by the attack and added: "We all have a responsibility to hold perpetrators of hate crimes accountable for their actions, no matter where such crimes occur." The NYPD and the prosecutor's office of Queens borough, which has jurisdiction over the airport, had not replied as of Monday night to requests for information about the incident and their investigation. There is sparse information about the video that began circulating last week. The identities of the victim and the attacker are not known and neither is the time the attack took place. A video taken by a witness that went viral on social media last week showed a man dressed in black hitting the driver, returning to his blue car and then coming back to hit the driver again and knocking off his turban. The attacker can be heard yelling at the driver, but it was not clear what he or the driver said. The Sikh, who appears to be of late middle age with greying beard, withstood the attack stoically and did not retaliate. At a point in the video, two persons in yellow jackets, who may be airport employees or contractors, are seen and one of them appears to begin to walk towards the attack site but there is no indication the person intervened. The number plates of the attacker's car and the Toyota taxi's are visible but not clear, although it could be possible for authorities to enhance the video to read them and identify the victim and the assailant. It does not appear that police were not called to the scene of the attack or that the driver had filed a complaint. (Arul Louis can be reached at arul.l@ians.in and followed @arulouis) --IANS al/ksk/ ( 440 Words) 2022-01-11-09:46:02 (IANS)
Da Afghanistan Bank (DAB) welcomed the injection of cash into the economy. "DAB will appreciate any humanitarian action that leads to the introduction of currency and assistance to the poor sections of society, and will do its part effectively," Ariana News quoted the bank as saying.

The bank also said that the transit of the shipment from the airport to the Afghanistan International Bank was facilitated by Da Afghanistan Bank.

Nearly USD 19.2 million was delivered through the previous shipment in December.

The UNSC on December 22 had unanimously adopted a resolution clearing the way for aid to reach Afghans in desperate need of basic support.

The UN during the adaptation of the resolution had said that humanitarian operations in Afghanistan are set to be the largest anywhere in the world in 2022, reaching some 22 million people.

The global body had estimated that USD 2 billion will be needed to lift the incomes of all people up to the poverty line.

The UN adoption of the resolution followed months of discussions in the Council and broader international community about how to stave off economic collapse in Afghanistan following the country's takeover by the Taliban, according to Ariana News. (ANI)
Sputnik News Agency reported that in Anyang, with the population exceeding five million people, the residents are prohibited from leaving their homes, according to a statement published late on Monday by the city's centre for the prevention and control of the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to the media outlet, the city has also introduced a traffic ban, except for special-purpose transport.

On Sunday, two local cases of the Omicron infection were detected in the city. This is the second city in China to announce cases of infection with the new COVID-19 strain, according to Sputnik.

On December 13, 2021 health authorities in Tianjin reported the first case of the Omicron infection in mainland China. Previously, Hong Kong and Taiwan reported cases of infection with the Omicron variant, the media outlet said.

Meanwhile, China has reported its first community spread Omicron cases, with two people confirmed with the coronavirus variant in Tianjin city, a Singapore-based newspaper The Strait Times stated citing local media reports.

Port city Tianjin has begun mass-testing its 14 million residents following its first community-spread Omicron cases on January 9. (ANI)
Tokyo [Japan] January 11 (ANI/Sputnik): Japanese minors under the age of 12 may start receiving COVID-19 shots in the middle of spring once approved by the Health Ministry, the Minister in charge of vaccination rollout, Noriko Horiuchi, said on Tuesday. "The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare is expected to consider the issue. The vaccination, if approved, will start after March," Horiuchi said as cited by Japanese Kyodo news agency. Earlier, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said that the Government plans to start vaccination of minors under the age of 12 as soon as the healthcare ministry grants approval. The measure will help to slow down the spread of Omicron strain, according to Kishida. Last November, Pfizer and BioNTech applied to the Japanese ministry for approval to use their COVID-19 vaccines for minors from 5 to 11 years old. (ANI/Sputnik)
A total of 97 people had tested positive for COVID-19 in Tianjin, a municipality of 13.86 million people that neighbours Beijing, in the latest resurgence, Xinhua reported citing local authorities.

The cases include 49 locally transmitted confirmed cases and 15 asymptomatic carriers as well as others who tested positive but are awaiting confirmation, as per Xinhua.

Earlier, China reported its first community spread Omicron cases, with two people confirmed with the coronavirus variant in Tianjin city, a Singapore-based newspaper The Strait Times stated citing local media reports.

Meanwhile, China clamped lockdown in the multimillion city of Anyang of Henan province, following the emergence of the Omicron COVID-19 variant cases in the city.

Sputnik News Agency reported that in Anyang, with the population exceeding five million people, the residents are prohibited from leaving their homes, according to a statement published late on Monday by the city's centre for the prevention and control of the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to the media outlet, the city has also introduced a traffic ban, except for special-purpose transport.

On Sunday, two local cases of the Omicron infection were detected in the city. This is the second city in China to announce cases of infection with the new COVID-19 strain, Sputnik News Agency reported.

It further reported that on December 13, 2021 health authorities in Tianjin reported the first case of the Omicron infection in mainland China. Previously, Hong Kong and Taiwan reported cases of infection with the Omicron variant. (ANI)
Commercial satellite imagery was used to verify the destruction of a three-storey statue of Maitreya Buddha at Gaden Namyal Ling monastery in Drago (in Chinese, Luhuo) county in the Kardze (Ganzi) Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, reported Radio Free Asia (RFA).

"Chinese authorities have again given unbelievable reasons for the destruction," RFA quoted a source as saying.

Chinese officials said that there was no fire escape in the temple housing the three-story high statue of Maitreya Buddha, but these are not valid reasons, the source said.

He continued to add that Beijing has been exercising such practices to Sinicise Tibet's religion by not allowing Tibetans the freedom to practise their own religion and faith.

With regard to the destruction of the statue, the source said that during the destruction, Drago county chief Wang Dongsheng was present there.

Wang was witnessing the brutality of the police at the destruction site as the police beat the local Tibetans over objecting to the demolition.

The destruction of a 99-foot Buddha statue in Drago in December was also directed by Wang.

The Chinese official had overseen the campaign of destruction of Sichuan's sprawling Larung Gar Buddhist Academy in a move that saw thousands of monks and nuns expelled and homes destroyed, reported RFA. (ANI)
Both the leaders also discussed ways to further enhance India's role as Bhutan's development partner especially in nurturing a robust startup ecosystem.

"Held a meeting with Lyonpo Loknath Sharma, Minister of Economic Affairs, Bhutan. Discussed ways to further strengthen economic ties and enhance India's role as Bhutan's development partner especially in nurturing a robust startup ecosystem," he tweeted.

On Monday, Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla called on Lyonpo Loknath Sharma, during the latter's visit to India.

The MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said that both the leaders discussed economic cooperation, with a special focus on the hydropower sector.

"Foreign Secretary @harshvshringla called on HE Lyonpo Loknath Sharma @BhutanMoea Minister for Economic Affairs of Bhutan during the Minister's visit to India. Discussions covered economic cooperation, with special focus on the hydropower sector," Bagchi tweeted. (ANI)
Taking to Twitter, Karzai said that they both exchanged ideas about providing educational opportunities for girls in the crisis-torn country.

"Former president Karzai in a phone conversation with US special envoy Thomas West discussed the provision of humanitarian aid to Afghanistan, support for teachers & health workers, and exchanged ideas about providing educational opportunities for girls, Karzai said," Tolo News tweeted on Tuesday.

The humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan has deteriorated ever since the Taliban took control of Kabul in mid-August. A combination of a suspension of foreign aid, the freezing of Afghan government assets, and international sanctions on the Taliban, have plunged a country already suffering from high poverty levels into a full-blown economic crisis.

The international community, from governments to non-governmental organizations, has been providing various assistance to the Afghan people.

Earlier, the residents of Kabul have complained of the "unfair distribution" of humanitarian aid. The residents said that the aid was not provided to vulnerable people who needed it and called for transparent and fair distribution of aid, Tolo News reported.

"Let the aid be continued. But it should be given to people who deserve it," said Ghulam Nabi, a resident of Kabul."

No one has given us anything," said Abdul Muttalib, another resident of Kabul."

When we ask for aid--they tell us to wait, but I haven't received anything yet," said Rahim, another resident. (ANI)
Almost one year after the resignation of the previous government and 10 months after the last elections, the fourth cabinet of Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte was sworn in by King Willem-Alexander. Just like the previous one, the new coalition government consists of Rutte's People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD), the Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA), the centre-leftist party Democrats 66 (D66) and the smaller centrist party the Christian Union (CU), reports Xinhua news agency. According to Rutte, his new group of ministers is not comparable with the previous one and has "new impetus". One of the new faces is the new Minister of Health, Welfare and Sport Ernst Kuipers on behalf of D66. Until now, he was the CEO of the Erasmus Medical Centre and the chairman of the National Emergency Medicine Network (LNAZ). Kuipers succeeds Hugo de Jonge, who, as health minister, has led the Dutch Covid-19 policy over the past two years. De Jonge (CDA) moves to the new post of Minister of Housing and Spatial Planning. In addition, Rob Jetten (D66) takes on the new post of Minister of Climate and Energy, former Minister of Foreign Affairs Sigrid Kaag will be the new finance minister and Wopke Hoekstra moves from the Ministry of Finance to be the new foreign minister. Kaag was not present at the inauguration on Monday as the D66 leader had to stay at home due to a positive Covid-19 test. So the King swore Kaag via video link, which happened for the first time in Dutch history. The former government with the same four parties stepped down on January 15, 2021 as a result of the so-called child benefits tax scandal, in which innocent parents were wrongly accused of fraud. Since that time the government served in a caretaker capacity. From March 15 to 17, 2021 the general elections took place, in which Rutte's VVD was declared the winner with 34 of the 150 seats in the House of Representatives, or the lower house of the parliament. D66 ended second with 24 seats in Parliament. Together with CDA (15 seats) and CU (five seats), the new government has a majority of 78 seats. After long, difficult negotiations, the parties reached an agreement on December 13, 2021. Now, 299 days later, the new government has been installed. It was the longest formation in Dutch history, breaking the record of 225 formation days before the inauguration of the previous government in 2017. According to tradition, the new ministers took an oath, promising their allegiance to the Dutch constitution and to discharge their duties faithfully. After the swearing in on Monday, the ministers were traditionally photographed together, this time on the steps of Noordeinde Palace in the Hague. Normally, that photo is taken at the Huis ten Bosch Palace, but there was too little space there to comply with the Covid-19 rules. For the first time in parliamentary history, the government has exactly as many female and male ministers. Before that, men were in the majority. --IANS ksk/ ( 516 Words) 2022-01-11-11:38:03 (IANS)
Mali reserves the right to respond to the "inhumane and unfortunate sanctions" taken by the Economic Community of West African Countries (ECOWAS), a government spokesman said in a statement. Mali has decided to "recall its accredited Ambassadors" in other ECOWAS member states and to close "its land and air borders" with the states concerned on the basis of reciprocity, Xinhua news agency quoted spokesman Abdoulaye Maiga as saying in a live broadcast. The government of Mali deplores the "inhumane" nature of these measures, which "affect the populations already severely affected" by security and health crises, in particular that of Covid-19, Maiga said, vowing steps to respond to these "unfortunate, illegal and illegitimate" sanctions, which were announced on Sunday at the conclusion of an ECOWAS extraordinary summit in Accra, Ghana. The sanctions include the immediate withdrawal of ambassadors of all other ECOWAS member states from Mali; closure of land and air borders; suspension of all financial and economic transactions, with the exception of essential consumer goods, according to a communique issued after the meeting. Maiga said the measures were in "contrast with the efforts made by the government and its readiness for dialogue with a view to reaching a compromise with ECOWAS on the timing of the elections in Mali". He called for "calm and restraint" among the Malian people, adding that "steps have been taken to ensure the normal supply of the country by all appropriate means". The ECOWAS leadership said the sanctions were taken because the proposed chronogram by the Malian transitional authorities that set the duration of the transition for a total of five and a half years is "totally unacceptable". The sanctions excluded the supply of pharmaceutical and medical supplies, including materials needed for the control of Covid-19, petroleum products, and electricity. All ECOWAS institutions are instructed to take steps to implement the sanctions with immediate effect. ECOWAS has 15 member states: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Cote d'Ivoire, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo. Last November, ECOWAS imposed sanctions on the Malian transitional authorities in response to their claim of inability to meet the transition deadline of February 2022 for holding elections, including a travel ban and a freeze on financial assets. --IANS ksk/ ( 385 Words) 2022-01-11-12:00:02 (IANS)
The federal government is aware of the rising COVID-19 cases in the country but Pakistan would not undergo another lockdown and schools will not be closed as of now, Geo News quoted the country's Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry as saying Tuesday while addressing a post-cabinet press conference.

The minister also said that the federal cabinet was informed that the COVID-19 positivity ratio had doubled in the country.

"But despite this, it is our resolve that we absolutely not impose a lockdown in Pakistan. Our economy cannot bear the burden [of another lockdown]," Chaudhry said.

Emphasising that the country can deal with coronavirus, Chaudhary said that the government will not impose lockdown however, it will continue to monitor the situation.

The minister also urged the country's people to use masks to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

Fawad also said that an "excellent" COVID-19 vaccine campaign is underway in the country. The Federal government had invested USD 2 billion into the vaccines, informed the minister. (ANI)
From January 22, people above 18 must present either a vaccination certificate or a negative recent test result prior to entering restaurants, hotels, cinemas and other similar venues, Xinhua news agency reported citing the MInistry as saying.

Armenia has so far reported 345,981 Covid cases and 8,004 deaths.

As of Monday, the country had administered a total of 1,694,518 doses of Covid-19 vaccines, according to the Ministry.

--IANS ksk/

( 100 Words)

2022-01-11-12:38:04 (IANS)
"The United States is announcing a new contribution of more than USD 308 million in humanitarian assistance for the people of Afghanistan. This brings the total U.S. humanitarian aid in Afghanistan and for Afghan refugees in the region to nearly USD 782 million since October 2021, and we remain the single largest donor of humanitarian aid in Afghanistan," National Security Council (NSC) spokesperson Emily Horne said in a statement on Tuesday.

The humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan has deteriorated ever since the Taliban took control of Kabul in mid-August.

The statement also said that in addition, the United States is providing the people of Afghanistan one million additional COVID-19 vaccine doses through COVAX, bringing our total to 4.3 million doses.

"The new humanitarian assistance by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) will directly flow through independent humanitarian organizations and help provide lifesaving protection and shelter, essential health care, winterization assistance, emergency food aid, water, sanitation, and hygiene services in response to the growing humanitarian needs exacerbated by COVID-19 and healthcare shortages, drought, malnutrition, and the winter season," read the statement.

The United States is committed to supporting the Afghan people and we continue to consider all options available to us. We stand with the people of Afghanistan, the statement added. (ANI)
Afghan women in Kabul took to the streets on Tuesday against a slew of restrictions including those enforcing wearing of hijab in public by the Taliban, reported Sputnik. Dozens of Afghan women in the capital city of Kabul are once again protesting against certain regulations imposed on them by the ruling Taliban, reported Sputnik citing an activist. The Taliban force women to wear hijab in public places and at work, said the activist, stressing, it points that the new rulers in Kabul do not want women to work. The Taliban do not want women to receive education and work, said the activist. The women who were protesting have said that compulsory wearing of hijab is an excuse by the Taliban as they "do not want women to live in the country", according to Sputnik. It came after the Taliban's Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice issued posters in Kabul ordering Afghan women to cover up. The ministry also had prohibited women from travelling without having their heads covered in public transport. While it also had emerged that the Taliban banned media from showing women without hijab. (ANI)
"On January 11 at noon, the Azerbaijan Army's long-term active military serviceman, soldier Nazarov Ayaz Azer became Shehid (Martyr) as a result of provocation committed by the Armenian armed forces in the direction of the Kalbajar region of the Azerbaijani-Armenian state border," the ministry said in a statement.

The ministry also claimed that "the opposing side was suppressed" as a result of measures taken by the Azerbaijani military. (ANI/Sputnik)
The COVID-19 infection rate in Nepal has soared by about 69 per cent in the last 24 hours forcing authorities to clamp restrictions as the Himalayan Nation braces for the third wave of the pandemic. In the last 24 hours, Nepal logged 2,444 new cases of coronavirus out of which 1,981 tests were conducted through the RT-PCR method while 463 tested positive through the antigen method. Earlier, on Monday, a total of 1,446 new cases were confirmed. Out of the 15,033 samples tested in the last 24 hours, 16.3 per cent of the samples has turned positive, the data from the Ministry of Health and Population showed. As per the data, one out of 7 people who underwent the COVID test has been diagnosed with contagion. A day earlier, the infection rate stood at 12.7 per cent meaning one out of eight samples thus tested was positive. On Tuesday, Kathmandu recorded the highest number of infections with 980 samples testing positive while Lalitpur recorded 221 and Bhaktapur recorded 85 infections. In the last 24 hours Kathmandu Valley alone has reported 1,286 new cases of infection. As per the Ministry of Health and Population, Nepal currently has 9,522 active cases of COVID-19 infection out of which Kathmandu Valley alone has 5,310 active cases which contribute to 55.8 per cent of the total active cases. Kathmandu alone hosts 3,521 active cases of Coronavirus while Lalitpur has 1,090 and Bhaktapur has 699 active cases. With surging cases, authorities of Kathmandu Valley has banned mass gathering at public places capping the number of people to gather at a public place to 25. A joint meeting of the Chief District Officers (CDO) of three districts made the decision which will come into force from midnight today. Authorities have also urged to refrain from holding events, fairs, festivals and political programmes in view of the risk of COVID-19. The authorities also made mandatory vaccine cards for entry into public places such as hotels, restaurants, public offices, airports, cinema halls, stadiums, among others, from January 21. Likewise, the vaccine card will be mandatory to receive Government services from district offices in the valley. Moreover, authorities have provisioned for vaccination to children of the 16-17 age group by setting up vaccination booths in various places within a week. They asked District Public Health Office (DPHO) to coordinate with local levels and prepare an action plan to administer school children vaccines within a week. Hospitals and health facilities have been asked to prepare the necessary infrastructure to deal with the potential influx of COVID-19 patients. Chiefs of government offices where people tend to crowd are asked to manage service delivery by implementing health safety protocols, among others. Likewise, industries have been asked to ensure the implementation of health safety standards in the operation of the business. "The decisions are subject to inspection by security agencies and if found in violation, action would be taken as per Infectious Diseases Act, 2020," a release from the District Administration Office, Kathmandu stated. (ANI)
Sweden has announced tighter restrictions following a rapid increase in the number of new Covid-19 cases. Working from home will once again be the norm as of Wednesday, and the number of participants allowed at indoor events will be lowered to 500, reports Xinhua news agency. Meanwhile, restaurants will have to close by 11 p.m. Existing restrictions include the requirement to present a vaccination certificate in order to attend larger events, and the recommendation that face masks should be worn on crowded buses and trains. "There is no doubt that the situation has worsened, as the spread of infection in Sweden is at historically high levels," Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson said at a press conference. "I want to strongly emphasize that everyone who can work from home should do it," she added. Last week, the number of confirmed cases within a 24-hour period reached record levels twice. The King and Queen of Sweden, as well as the Crown Princess and her husband, are among those who have recently been infected. The demand for tests has also increased dramatically, forcing at least one of Sweden's regions to send tests to Germany to be analysed. The infection rate among vaccinated individuals has also increased, the Swedish Public Health Agency's Director-General Karin Tegmark Wisell said at the press conference. "We are in a situation where the spread of infection is increasing sharply, and the new Omicron variant has proven to be very contagious even for those who are vaccinated with two doses, although it then usually results in very mild disease. To slow down the spread of infection, contact throughout the population needs to be reduced," she said. She also urged the 14 per cent of the population aged 12 and older that has not yet had their first jab to roll up their sleeves. --IANS ksk/ ( 312 Words) 2022-01-11-13:42:05 (IANS)
"After 10 days of ferocious armed confrontations, the Houthi rebel militants were expelled from all the districts of Shabwa," the southern Giants Brigades said in astatement.

The pro-government forces revealed that large-scale military operations were launched in cooperation with the Saudi Arabia-led coalition against the rebels in Shabwa.

According to military sources in Shabwa, the troops entered the Ein district, the last Houthis-controlled district, from three directions, killing scores of the militia members while dozens fled.

Yemeni military sources confirmed to Xinhua that the Houthis failed to confront the large military campaign and were forced to withdraw from the strategic areas in Shabwa.

An intensified bombardment was carried out by the Saudi Arabia-led coalition against the Houthis, destroying their sites in Shabwa and enabling the pro-government forces to gain rapid on-ground military progress, the sources said.

The Iran-backed Houthis made substantial advances on the battlefield in September 2021, capturing Bayhan and other key areas in Shabwa after seizing al-Bayda and most areas of Marib.

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 Houthis forced him into exile.

--IANS ksk/

( 254 Words)

2022-01-11-13:54:03 (IANS)
Both the leaders also exchanged views over key issues related to bilateral trade and investments, reviewed progress on Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) upgradation and deliberated on ways to fast-track trade negotiations.

"Delighted to host Mr. Yeo Han-koo, @TradeMin_KOR to discuss ways to strengthen the India-Korea economic relationship. Discussed key issues related to bilateral trade & investments, reviewed progress on CEPA upgradation & deliberated on ways to fast-track trade negotiations," the Union Minister said in a tweet.

Indian Embassy in Seoul has said that Korea and India signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement in Seoul on August 7, 2009, heralding a new era of greater economic exchanges, between the two countries. Negotiated over twelve rounds, during more than three years, CEPA came into effect on January 1, 2010. (ANI)
The Undersecretary stressed the importance of providing political and technical support for speeding up the lifting of the no-fly zone embargo, the Foreign Ministry said a statement.

Ammar confirmed that the aviation authority under the UN-backed government has been seeking cooperation with air companies from Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Algeria and Turkey, reports Xinhua news agency.

The two officials agreed to visit some European countries to discuss resuming international flights, the statement added.

In March 2011, the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 1973, establishing a ban on all Libyan airspace in order to protect civilians during the uprising that toppled Muammar Gaddafi's government.

--IANS ksk/

( 157 Words)

2022-01-11-14:40:03 (IANS)
"The infection situations regarding Omicron are clearly different at home (and) from abroad, so the framework of the current border controls will be maintained until the end of February," Kishida told reporters.

The entry ban on non-resident foreigners in its current form has been in place since November 30, 2021, following Japan's first case of the highly contagious Omicron variant, reports Xinhua news agency.

The current border control measures were initially set to last for about a month, which prohibited entry into Japan of non-resident foreigners and require returning Japanese nationals and foreign residents to quarantine in government-designated facilities.

The government said it would also restrict the number of people entering Japan to around 3,500 people a day.

Meanwhile, bans were in place for the re-entry of foreign residents in the country who have been to 11 nations, including South Africa, within 14 days, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno told a press briefing.

The restrictions could be lifted based on "humanitarian considerations", Matsuno added.

--IANS ksk/

( 197 Words)

2022-01-11-14:48:06 (IANS)
Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has returned to its violent ways in Pakistan, posing a major challenge to the Imran Khan government after the Taliban takeover as horrors of the Peshawar Army school attack still haunts Islamabad, a report said. The TTP has returned to violent ways since 2014 and since the summer of last year, engaged with the authorities frequently and more menacingly as the number of attacks by the group has surged in recent months in Pakistan, said International Forum For Right And Security (IFFRAS). After the Taliban took control of Afghanistan, its victory made the TTP (Pakistani Taliban) galvanise and it stepped up attacks in Pakistan. The group has claimed to have carried out 32 attacks in August 2021 alone -- the highest monthly figure this year. An attack on September 5 last year killed three Pakistani paramilitary forces, said IFFRAS. Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has been advocating 'reconciliation' with the TTP despite the constant attacks by the group in Pakistan. Pakistan has been seeking the Taliban's help against the TTP after Islamabad felicitated the Taliban to grab power in Afghanistan. However, Islamabad appears to have seriously miscalculated its strategies, either deliberate or real - both are possible since the Taliban and the TTP enjoy considerable support from the society and even admirers among those holding key positions in the new regime in Kabul. Islamabad now realises that Kabul will do nothing to evict the TTP, their ideological brothers who had fought alongside them and helped in their victory, said IFFRAS. The Imran government has been attempting to negotiate a truce with the TTP either through the Taliban or other ways as Islamabad is still feared of the Peshawar Army School attack by the TTP on December 16 in 2014 which had resulted in the deaths of 130 students. Last month, Pakistanis remembered the attack with anger and mourning, and not just by parents and relatives of the dead children, members of civil society warned the Pakistan government against striking a "peace deal" with the TTP. The TTP had created havoc in Pakistan with its several attacks between 2007-2014. The TTP members had fled to Afghanistan after Islamabad launched widescale operations against the group following the Peshawar attack. But the Taliban emergence to power have inspired the TTP and they have scaled up attacks in Pakistan targetting their forces and posing a major challenge to Islamabad despite their calls for negotiations, said IFFRAS. (ANI)
Foreign Ministry Spokesman Wang Wenbin in a press briefing today said, "We have taken note of the launches. Further research and assessment is needed to identify the nature of the projectile. All sides should avoid jumping to conclusions or overacting."

"We hope relevant sides will act prudently, jointly safeguard peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, resolve respective concerns through dialogue and consultation, and advance the political settlement process of the Korean Peninsula issue along the dual-track approach and the phased and synchronized principle," the spokesperson said during a press briefing.

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) successfully test-fired a hypersonic missile, the official Korean Central News Agency reported on January 6.

The missile, launched by the Academy of Defence Science on Wednesday, manoeuvred 120 km laterally before it precisely hit a target 700 km away, which proved the reliability of a new fuel system, the report said.

Meanwhile, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida expressed his deep regret over North Korea missile launch and instructed his officials to ensure the safety of aircraft and ships for any type of event. (ANI)
Tajikistan has taken enough measures to protect its border with Afghanistan, where terrorism is believed to be on the rise after the Taliban came to power, Sputnik reported citing a security forces source. "The measures already taken to protect the border are now enough, we have enough competent trained military," the source said. According to the Sputnik source, it is necessary to strengthen the Tajik-Afghan border in militarily under the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), as Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said during a CSTO extraordinary summit one day ago. The source added that terrorist sleeper cells in Tajikistan have been continuously monitored and neutralized since the exodus of the country's citizens to Syria and Iraq in 2011. "Sleeper cells can be different - terrorists, extremists, religious extremists and opposition parties, whose activities are prohibited in the country. All those who can destabilize the situation in Tajikistan are under supervision," the source said, as per Sputnik. Tajikistan needs to be cautious of the Taliban as it shares a long, mountainous and difficult to control border with Afghanistan. Temur Umarov in The Frontier Post had said that the Tajik army is considered as the weakest in Central Asia and most of the drug traffic from Afghanistan to Russia and Europe passes through Tajikistan, and in recent years, terrorist attacks have occurred in the country more than once. Irrespective of other Central Asian countries, Tajikistan has taken a tough position against the Taliban with regard to the situation in Afghanistan. (ANI)
The fire broke out in Zhijiang county, Huaihua city, at around 7 a.m. (local time) and was put out about two and half hours later, Xinhua reported citing the city's publicity department as saying.

Firemen have completed the search and rescue in the building, as per Xinhua.

Further investigation into the cause of the fire is underway. (ANI)
"It was a pleasure meeting High Commissioner of #India to #Maldives, @AmbMunutoday. Exchanged views on achieving greater collaboration and enhancing the strong #MaldivesIndiaPartnership. Looking forward to boost our cooperation in areas of mutual interest," Abdulla Shahid tweeted.

Meanwhile, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also held talks with Madlaivian counterpart, Abdulla Shahid, on January 5.

Taking to Twitter, Jaishankar noted that the mutual benefits of the great progress in bilateral cooperation are "very visible".

India and Maldives have in recent times expanded their strategic cooperation including focusing on counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency.

Last year in September, Mahawar was appointed as the High Commissioner of India to the Maldives. (ANI)
The Foreign Minister also recalled his "warm personality" and "incisive mind" from the meetings between the two leaders.

"Saddened to hear of the passing away of David Sassoli, President of the European Parliament. Recall from our meetings his warm personality and incisive mind. Condolences to his family," Jaishankar tweeted.

The President of the European Parliament, David Sassoli, has died in Italy due to a dysfunction of his immune system, according to a tweet from his spokesman early Tuesday (local time), reported CNN.

"The @EP_President David Sassoli passed away at 1.15 a.m. on 11 January at the CRO in Aviano (PN), Italy, where he was hospitalized. The date and place of the funeral will be communicated in the next few hours," spokesman Roberto Cuillo said.

Taking to Twitter, Cuillo said that Sassoli, 65, had been in hospital in Italy since December 26 as he was suffering from a serious complication due to a dysfunction of his immune system, reported the news channel.

Notably, in 2009, Sassoli joined Italy's centre-left Democratic Party.

The European Parliament is an important forum for political debate and decision-making at the EU level.

The Members of the European Parliament are directly elected by voters in all Member States to represent people's interests with regard to EU law-making and to make sure other EU institutions are working democratically. (ANI)
The report of the Election Commission of Pakistan's scrutiny committee has concealed crucial documents of Prime Minister Imran Khan's party over the foreign funding issue, a media report said. The documents concealed by the committee include all original 28 bank statements and year-wise details of foreign funds transferred to the PTI's accounts between 2009-13, reported Dawn. These crucial pieces of evidence have been kept confidential as per the committee's own desires expressed on page 83 of its report that states that "the Committee is of the considered opinion that the portions of the Report which have been prepared on the basis of (PTI) Bank Statements obtained through State Bank of Pakistan may be kept confidential and classified and may not be released in the public domain", said the Pakistani publication. With the review of the report, it has been revealed that it is stated in its enclosures section that "Documents Requisitioned by the Commission through State Bank of Pakistan-Bank Statements (Book 1 to 8)" have been kept secret and are not part of the report shared with the petitioner, Akbar S Babar, on January 4, according to Dawn. It came after the Election Commission of Pakistan's report stated that the PTI provided "false information" regarding the party's funding. It said the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) statement revealed that the party had received Rs 1.64 million in funding. Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's party may face forfeiture of funds over scrutiny committee's recent disclosure of donations from foreign companies and the country's nationals. The report suggests that confiscation of contributions and donations could be made. "If the ECP comes to the conclusion that a case falls within the mischief of Article 6(3) of the Political Parties Order (PPO), the penalty provided is confiscation of such contributions and donations... it cannot impose a ban on the political party [as that] action is restricted to only foreign-aided political parties to be decided by the proper forum," Dawn said citing the report. (ANI)
Pakistan's Sindh is marred with challenges including the financial one as the provincial citizen is at the lowest level on the poverty scale in the country, reported local media. The Sindh province is very poor on the economic front. Compared to others in the country, Sindh man is at the lowest level on the poverty scale. There are no alternate job opportunities in Sindh. On one hand, long power cuts are affecting the business activity and on other hand, agriculture, which accounts for 80 per cent of job opportunities, is in a state of disarray these days, according to Kawish, Pakistan vernacular media. Agricultural lands' productivity capabilities are on the decline. Agriculture is passing through very tough times because of various reasons including water shortage, denial of satisfactory subsidies on seed, power and other items apart from reasons like fertilizer shortage. The agriculture sector is not given status as an industry in Sindh. The political conditions are also keeping Sindhi speaking investors away from industrialisation in the province, reported Pakistan's vernacular media. That is the reason we have not been able to produce middle-level good industrialists amongst us. This is one of the key reasons for economic backwardness. There are places like Larkana, Sukkur, Hyderabad and Shikarpur amongst others where we can set up small scale industries, raw materials too are available at these places, the vernacular media report said. There are no local investors in industrial zones at Karachi, Hyderabad, Nooriabad, Kotri and other places in Sindh. Sindh people do not have any alternative to vote. This too is no less than a tragedy with the people of the province. Ask anyone in Sindh about voting and their reply is: Whom else to vote (other than Pakistan Peoples Party). They are given the impression that Sindh will never get any alternative. A few years ago, one political meeting was held in Hyderabad. Sindh people attended it in large numbers trying to send out a message that the people of the province are on the lookout for some alternate party but thereafter nothing happened. Nowadays, Sindhis are feeling more uneasy because of lack of leadership for them. The concept of provincialism is getting stronger now. And probably, the province is facing an acute leadership crisis. The province lacks visionary leadership. Also, the middle-class people in Sindh are now limited only up to government jobs. The people of the region should be made focused towards market-oriented despite government jobs only. For this, the universities need to change their syllabus and graduates should instead of going through theory and traditional practices be taught market-oriented syllabus, experiments and be trained in small industries so that after completing their studies they do not waste the rest of their lives looking out for some petty job with help of some feudal, but can start some small-scale venture with their little investments and thus create jobs for others too, according to Pakistan's vernacular media. (ANI)
With an aim to finance joint ventures, Taipei and Vilnius will create a USD 1 billion credit program, Taiwanese Minister of National Development Kung Ming-hsin made the announcement on Tuesday.

Taiwan last week had also announced establishing a USD 200 million fund to invest in Lithuanian industries during a press conference with Lithuanian Economy and Innovation Minister Ausrine Armonaite, according to Sputnik.

It came as Lithuanian companies have been facing difficulties at Chinese ports as the Communist regime reportedly removed the name of the Baltic nation from its customs system. Due to the move, a large number of Lithuanian exports are stranded in Chinese ports, concerning businessmen for the uncertain future of their consignments. Lithuania is being targeted by Beijing in recent months as the former nation has allowed Taiwan to open its representative office in Lithuania. The representative office of Taiwan acts as an embassy.

The Lithuanian move triggered China and it received massive threats from Beijing as China claims sovereignty over Taiwan despite the island being an independent country in the world. (ANI)
New York [US], January 11 (ANI/Sputnik): The UN Security Council has not yet received a request to discuss the latest missile launch by North Korea, the second in one week, but is concerned by the development, the council's President, Norwegian Ambassador to the United Nations Mona Juul said on Tuesday. North Korea launched a missile, apparently a ballistic one, at around 22:27 GMT on Monday from in land toward the Sea of Japan. American and South Korean intelligence agencies are now thoroughly analyzing the data. The latest launch came less than a week after North Korea conducted its first missile test this year. On Monday, hours before the second launch, the UN Security Council gathered for closed consultations to discuss the January 5 test. "We will see whether there will be a new request or whether we will request a meeting on this issue," Juul told reporters. "It is really extremely concerning that the DPRK [North Korea] continues with missile launches." Juul said the Security Council needs to gather more information on the most recent launch. The diplomat noted that the council still has not gotten any request to address another pressing issue - the question of human rights during mass protests in Kazakhstan. "We [Norway] have from our side expressed really grave concern about the situation... And the fact that [there have been] so many civilian casualties is really very tragic," Juul stated. (ANI/Sputnik)
Emphasising that India has been closely monitoring developments following the seizure of the UAE flagged ship Rwabee off the port of Hodeidah, Yemen, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has said that all Indian crew members are safe and New Delhi is making all efforts to secure their early release. "We are in touch with the company operating the ship and have been informed that out of the 11 crew members onboard the ship, seven are from India," MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said on Tuesday in a statement. "Government of India has been closely monitoring developments following the seizure of the UAE flagged ship Rwabee off the port of Hodeidah (Yemen) by the Houthis on January 2," he added. Bagchi also emphasised that "we also understand from the company and other sources that all Indian crew members are safe." "Government of India is making all efforts to secure their early release," he added. Stressing that India urges the Houthis to ensure the safety and well-being of the crew members and release them immediately, Bagchi also said that New Delhi is concerned at the recent intensification of fighting in Yemen and hopes that all parties will come to the negotiating table to find a peaceful resolution to the Yemen issue. (ANI)
Speakers, during the protest, said that the Pakistani state has failed to deliver even to provide the basic necessities of life to the people of Gilgit-Baltistan.

The speakers said that their protest will continue for the protection of their basic economic, political and social rights.

Najaf Ali, Shabbir Mayar and others spoke on this occasion.

Last year in October, Awami Action Committee and rights activists gathered in Gilgit, the capital city of illegally-occupied Gilgit Baltistan to oppose Islamabad's policies, which they said are intrusive, exploitative and discriminatory. The event marked an intensified indigenous resistance to Islamabad's vigorous attempts at expanding its political control over the illegally occupied region. (ANI)
The two-day virtual workshop on "Developing Regional Cyber Security Capabilities on Defensive operations, Deep/Dark Web handling and Digital Forensics" was hosted by the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS), Government of India in association with National Forensics Science University, Gandhinagar (Gujarat) and the Secretariat of the Colombo Security Conclave on January 10-11.

Delegates from Member and Observer States of the Colombo Security Conclave (CSC) including Sri Lanka, Maldives, India, Mauritius, Seychelles, and Bangladesh participated in the workshop, according to the statement.

At the 5th Deputy NSA Level Meeting of the Colombo Security Conclave held on August 4 last year, Members and Observer States had agreed on four pillars of cooperation including Maritime Safety and Security, Terrorism and Radicalization, Trafficking and Organized Crime and Cyber Security and Protection of Critical Infrastructure.

The workshop was the inaugural activity under the fourth pillar. It addressed key areas of Deep Web and Dark Net Investigation and Challenges; Digital Forensics; Cyber Threat intelligence; and Defensive Operations in Cyber Domain. Discussions focused on technological advancements, research challenges and approaches in these areas.

According to the statement, participants also shared their experiences in dealing with cyber security threats and discussed solutions to specific cyber security challenges. They agreed to identify key deliverables and continue to work on the way forward for cooperation on cyber security under the Colombo Security Conclave. (ANI)
The two countries aim to achieve the trade target of USD 50 Billion before 2030.

South Korean Trade Ministger Yeo Han-Koo met Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Tuesday and held wide-ranging discussions covering the whole gamut of bilateral trade and investment.

The ministers agreed to impart fresh momentum to the discussions on CEPA up-gradation negotiations and also promote extensive B2B interactions on trade and investment between the Industry leaders of the two countries, according to Joint Press Communique on India - Korea Trade Talks.

"The two ministers agreed with the spirit of openness to address difficulties expressed by industry from both sides and instructed their respective negotiating teams to meet on a regular basis in order to conclude Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) upgradation negotiations as soon as possible in a time-bound manner building upon support from relevant stakeholders, so as to try to achieve the target of USD 50 Billion before 2030 which was agreed at the summit meeting in 2018," the communique said.

"This regular negotiations shall be a forum to discuss the difficulties of business community from both countries and emerging trade-related issues including supply chain resilience," it added.

The ministers agreed to boost bilateral trade between India and South Korea to achieve growth in a fair and balanced manner to the mutual advantage of both sides. (ANI)
Members of Rastriya Ekata Abhiyan had staged a demonstration against China.

"The protest was organised against Chinese expansionism, land encroachment in various parts of the country and unofficial blockade at Rasuwa and Tatopani border points, among others," Khabarhub reported citing Rastriya Ekata Abhiyan's Jankapur Coordinator Manish Hindu as saying.

During the demonstration, protesters also burned the effigy of the Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Hou Yanqi.

Activists carried placards that read "Go Back China", "Put brakes on Chinese Intervention", "Halt border encroachment", "Stop undeclared blockade against Nepal" and "Arrange for the continuation of study of Nepali students", among others, in the demonstrations. (ANI)
Maldives ex-President President Abdulla Yameen has started to whip up anti-India stance ahead of the scheduled Presidential elections next year. Yameem, who is the political manager of the China-backed "India Out" campaign, and his aides are using this platform to score brownie points against President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih administration ahead of the Presidential Election next year. They and their cohorts in social media appear to have succeeded in raising political temperature, according to Policy Research Group (PRG). Interestingly, as President of the Maldives, Yameem had laid the foundation for the Chinese debt trap in 2015. The 'India Out' campaign of the Islamist news portal Dhiyares and its founder Ahmed Azaan in the Maldives relies heavily on Chinese propaganda to whip up anti-India sentiment. The primary allegation is that the government of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih is promoting Indian military presence in the Maldives, as noted by PRG. Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom is a Maldivian politician who was President of the Maldives from 2013 to 2018. He left office on 17 November 2018 following his defeat in the 2018 presidential election, in which he sought to win a second 5-year term. The incumbent Maldives Democratic Party (MDP) under President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih holds majority in Parliament but if the opposition wins the Presidential election next year, the island nation will have a divided government, which would likely cause domestic rifts through policy deadlocks. Meanwhile, Yameen's acquittal by the Maldives Supreme Court last November in a corruption case makes him eligible to run for the top post in the country. Recently, in a speech at a Progressive Party of Maldives -People National Congress rally, Yameen publicly claimed ownership of the campaign for the removal of Indian military presence, and thus paved the way for the opposition coalitions' election strategy. The pro-Chinese coalition is attempting to sway the tech-savvy educated class with the aid of an Islamist nationalist political agenda with India as the focus of attention. The coalition is relying on a sustained campaign of xenophobia, hate and mistrust, while wanting to sweep under the carpet its own misdeeds when it was in power and such a campaign is tailor-made to pump prime the interests of China as observed by the PRG. The Maldives government had earlier condemned attempts to spread false information through media and across social media platforms, using the so-called "India Out". The Government said that it believes that false allegations regarding ties with one of the country's key bilateral partners are "misguided and unsubstantiated." "The Government firmly believes that these views are not the sentiments of the general public, but rather that of a small group of individuals with the objective of tarnishing the country's long-standing cordial ties with India," said the statement of the Government of Maldives. (ANI)
The Corps Commanders' conference comes in the wake of the Pakistan Army's participation to mitigate disasters such as snowstorm in Murree and heavy rainfalls in Balochistan, according to Frontier Post.

Earlier, Pakistan's Punjab government has sought help from the Pakistan Army after the death of 21 people in Murree following heavy snowfall overnight.

On other hand, the Pakistan Corps Commander conference comes in the wake of Pakistan's strained relations with the Taliban regime in Afghanistan on the border fencing issue.

Meanwhile, the defeat of Imran Khan-led Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) in local elections of Khyber Pakhtunkhawa shows a clear sign of crackdown between the military establishment and the ruling party. (ANI)
The Islamic Emirate delegates visited Iran on Saturday and returned to Kabul on Monday.

The RF member, speaking on condition of anonymity, said on Tuesday that the Islamic Emirate team in return suggested that the Resistance Front leaders should return to Afghanistan--and the meeting ended with no tangible results, according to Tolo News.

Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, who was leading the Islamic Emirate delegation in Iran, said they had good discussions with the Resistance Front's team.

"You can also come if you have any complaints. We will sit and talk about it," he said.

Four officials from the Islamic Emirate and five members of the Resistance Front participated in the negotiating teams.

Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, acting Economic Minister Din Mohammad Hanif, acting Industries and Commerce Minister Nooruddin Azizi, acting Deputy Minister for Borders and Tribal Affairs Haji Gul Mohammad were representing the Islamic Emirate in the negotiations.

Ismail Khan, Mawlawi Habibullah Hesam, Abdul Hafiz Mansoor, a member of the Resistance Front, Hesamuddin Shams, the former governor of Badghis, and Abdul Zahir Faiz Zada, the former governor of Ghor were members of the Resistance Front's negotiating team. Ismail Khan was leading this team, according to Tolo News.

It is not known whether the Islamic Emirate and the Resistance Front pledged to continue such meetings in the future, according to Tolo News.

Meanwhile, the delegation from Taliban and Iranian officials held a meeting to discuss political, economic, transit, security, and trade issues in Tehran. (ANI)
SANTA CRUZ, CA  Millions of people in the United States abandoned their jobs during the coronavirus pandemic in search of a career with better benefits and, in some cases, more lucrative pay. If youre considering a similar change, Santa Cruz is among several U.S. cities where youll get paid more for your work.



U.S. News & World Report on Tuesday released 2022s Best Paying Cities, a list that ranks U.S. cities where workers employed in the countrys 100 highest-paying jobs make more than workers in other cities in the same occupation.

Santa Cruz ranked 15 on this years list of best-paying cities. In all, workers here make more in 11 of the top 100 jobs than workers in other cities across the country do.

Here are some of the jobs that pay better in Santa Cruz than most elsewhere.

Marketing manager: $213,000. Medical and health services manager: $171,000. Web developer: $99,000. High school teacher: $95,500. Veterinary technologist and technician: $52,000.

Cities in California dominated this years list of highest-paying cities. In all, California cities comprise 12 of the top 20 cities.

Here are the top 10 highest-paying cities, according to this years list:

1. San Francisco, California

2. San Jose, California

3. New York, New York

4. Vallejo, California

5. Santa Rosa, California

6. Seattle, Washington

7. Sacramento, California

8. Los Angeles, California

9. Bridgeport, Connecticut

10 Washington, D.C.

The 2022 list of highest-paying cities annually accompanies the release of U.S. News Best Jobs rankings.

To calculate this years best jobs, U.S. News looked at data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics to identify jobs with the greatest hiring demand. Jobs are then scored in seven areas: 10-year growth volume, 10-year growth percentage, median salary, employment rate, future job prospects, stress level and work-life balance.

Read more about U.S. News methodology for compiling this years list.

At a time when health care is more critical than ever, jobs in that sector dominate this years list  4 out of every 10 of the top 100 highest-paying jobs are in health care or related roles.

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The rankings offer a look at the best jobs across 17 lists  from sectors such as business and technology  to help job seekers at every level achieve their career goals. They take into account the most important aspects of a job, including growth potential, work-life balance and salary.

Information security analyst captured the No. 1 spot this year, followed by nurse practitioner at No. 2, physician assistant at No. 3 and medical and health services manager at No. 4.

In addition, fashion designer debuted on the list this year, ranking No. 32 for solid scores across all component measures.

This article originally appeared on the Watsonville Patch
Actors are often thrust into romantic scenes with each other, but sometimes the acting is almost suspiciously good.

Given the intense filming schedules, it is hardly surprising that actors end up falling in love on film and TV sets. With no time to go on normal dates, sometimes, it seems, the only thing left to do is to pursue a cast member.

When sparks are flying on set, it can also play out vividly on screen. When Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor fell in love on the set of Cleopatra, the real-life chemistry was impossible to miss.

It was the same story for Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson, who started dating on the Twilight set. It soon became clear that their passionate onscreen relationship matched their real-life one. Minus the blood-sucking, we assume.

Thats not to say that all these romances last. But some actors who have fallen in love on set have stayed together for years.

The long-term Hollywood couple Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell, who met on Swing Shift in 1984, have been together for over 35 years, although they have refused to walk down the aisle. That they say is the secret to their success, as every day they can make the choice to be together. Will Smith and Jada Pinkett-Smith are another of Hollywood's success stories: they have been married since 1997 after meeting at auditions for The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.

Then there are the classic Hollywood romances: Burton and Taylor, Clark Gable and Carole Lombard, and Vivien Leigh and Laurence Oliver.

Read on to learn about real-life couples who met on film sets:

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie  Mr & Mrs Smith (2005)

(AP)

Who can forget the passionate fight scenes in Mr & Mrs Smith, as the onscreen spy couple who are contracted to kill one another? It was on this film set that Pitt and Jolie met and reportedly fell in love  though they both deny that there was any overlap between their relationship and Pitts marriage to Jennifer Aniston. The couple dubbed Brangelina shared six children together, got married in 2015 but separated in 2016.

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Will Smith and Jada Pinkett-Smith  The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1994)

Will Smith with Jada Pinkett-Smith and their daughter Willow (Getty Images)

The couple met auditioning for The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air in 1994, got married in 1997, and have been together ever since. They have two children together, Willow and Jaden.

Spencer Tracy and Katherine Hepburn  Woman of the Year (1942)

Tracey famously remained married throughout his 25-year love affair with Hepburn, whom he met when filming Woman of the Year in 1942. I'm a bit tall for you, Mr Tracy, Hepburn observed. Don't worry, a producer standing by responded. He'll cut you down to size. They starred in nine movies together, struggling to upstage one another every time, but it was not until after Tracy's wife died in 1983 that Hepburn publicly acknowledged her relationship with her Hollywood co-star.

Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart  Twilight (2008)

The world went mad for Robert Pattinson. What can be more seductive than a good-looking vampire who then dates his co-star in real life? Pattinson and Stewarts on-off relationship dominated the headlines after they met on the set of Twilight in 2008 while playing lovers Bella Swan and Edward Cullen. It all came to a head when paparazzi photos caught Stewart kissing her married Snow White director Rupert Saunders in 2012. Pattinson and Stewart briefly reconciled, but then split up for good in 2013.

Jennifer Lawrence and Darren Aronofsky  Mother! (2017)

Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Lawrences relationship with Darren Aronofsky took off when they met on set of his film Mother! in which Lawrence was cast in the lead role opposite Javier Bardem. But a year later, they broke up, with Lawrence citing the stresses of having a working relationship as the cause of the break-up. Wed be on the tour together [and] I'd come back to the hotel and the last thing I want to talk about or think about is a movie. He comes back from the tour and that's all he wants to talk about. I get it, she continued. It's his baby. He wrote it. He conceived it. He directed it. So I was doing double duty of trying to be a supportive partner while also being like Can I please for the love of God not think about Mother! for one second?

Freida Pinto and Dev Patel  Slumgdog Millionaire (2008)

(AP)

The couple who fell in love on the set of the Oscar-winning film Slumdog Millionaire in 2008 and embarked on a six-year relationship after rising to fame together. They both went as far as to describe one another as soul mates, while Slumdog co-star Anil Kapoor said the couple shared magic chemistry, but sadly, they didnt last. Pinto admitted that she was having an early mid-life crisis and needed to learn how to love herself.

Daniel Craig and Rachel Weisz  Dream House (2010)

Although Weisz and the Bond star had known each other for years, their romance reportedly started on the Canadian film set of the thriller Dream House, in which they play a married couple in a haunted house. Although the couple at first denied it, Weisz then split from her partner of nine years, Darren Aronofsky, while Craig split from his fiancee of seven years, Satsuki Mitchell, an American film producer. In 2011, they tied the knot, and they had their first child together in 2018, when Weisz was 48.

Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton  Cleopatra (1963)

(Getty Images/Hulton Archive)

The turbulent relationship between Taylor and Burton is one of the most infamous in Hollywood history. It all started on set of the epic Hollywood movie Cleopatra, when they played the lovers Cleopatra and Mark Antony. Taylor was married to Eddie Fisher and Burton to Sybil Williams but they tied the knot in 1964, divorced in 1974, then married again in 1975 and divorced in 1976. Thats a lot of wedding presents and lawyer bills.

Johnny Depp and Winona Ryder  Edward Scissorhands (1990)

The Hollywood stars famously dated between 1989 and 1993, after meeting on the set of Edward Scissorhands. Depp was so in love with his onscreen love interest while filming the Tim Burton film that he got the tattoo Winona Forever. When the two split up in 1993, he had the tattoo changed to Wino Forever. Apparently Hairspray director John Waters, was ordained as a minister just to officiate their wedding, but he talked them out of it, as Ryder, then aged 19, was so young.

Javier Bardem and Penelope Cruz  Vicky Christina Barcelona (2008)

(Getty Images)

This Hollywood couple got together on set of the Woody Allen film. Bardem played the artist Juan Antonio, who is attracted to both Vicky (Rebecca Hall) and Cristina (Scarlett Johansson), while still married to his unstable ex-wife, played by Cruz. They first met while shooting Jamon Jamon in 1992, but the path of true love was a long one. They were married in 2010 and have two children together, Leo and Luna.

Liam Hemworth and Miley Cyrus  The Last Song (2010)

Hemsworth and Cyrus first fell in love while shooting the coming-of-age teen romance, which was directed by Nicholas Sparks. Cyrus played the rebellious teenager Ronnie who falls in love with Hemsworths beach volleyball player Will. After a three-year, on-off relationship, they got engaged in 2012, but separated in 2013. Then, in 2016 they got back together again. Finally it all seemed rosy when they got married in 2018. However, this year they split up, apparently for good this time.

Lauren Bacall and Humphrey Bogart  To Have and Have Not (1944)

When Bacall and Bogart met on the set of To Have and Have Not, she was 19 and he was 45, and with his third wife. But the on-set chemistry was instant. The sultry Bacall was making her film debut as Bogarts love interest  a role that catapulted her to stardom. The pair began a romantic relationship a few weeks into filming it and never looked back She continued to star with Bogart in The Big Sleep (1946), Dark Passage (1947) and Key Largo (1948). They married in 1945 and stayed together until his death of esophageal cancer in 1957.

Michelle Williams and Heath Ledger  Brokeback Mountain (2005)

Apparently it was love at first sight for Ledger, who met Williams on set of the Oscar-winning film Brokeback Mountain. The central gay romance in the film was between Ledgers Ennis Del Mar and Jake Gyllenhaals Jack Twist. But Williams played Ledgers characters long-time fiancee Alma Beers. In real-life, the couple, who split-up in 2007, had a child together. Ledger died of an accidental overdose in 2008.

Stephen Moyer and Anna Paquin  True Blood (2014)

(Rex Features)

It was also love at first sight for Moyer, who met Paquin during a screen test for the hit HBO vampire show. By day three or four  oh, this is going to sound so syrupy  but I knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her, said Moyer. It was within seconds, really, and it just became a thing. They married in 2010 and had twins, Charlie and Poppy, in 2012.

Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams  The Notebook (2004)

As much a part of cinematic lore as Burton and Taylor, Gosling and McAdams initially got off to a rocky start when filming The Notebook  so much so that Gosling wanted to read an off-camera scene with a different actress. They managed to get through the film, and became one of Hollywood's favourite real-life couples for the next three years  until they split in 2007.

Natalie Portman and Benjamin Millepied  Black Swan (2010)

Portman fell in love with her French dancer husband on the set of the twisted Darren Aronofsky thriller Black Swan in 2009, which he choreographed and danced in. They got married two years later and have two children. Just after giving birth to her first child with him, she dedicated her Best Actress Oscar for the film to her beautiful love, Benjamin, who has now given me my most important role in my life.

Kit Harington and Rose Leslie  Game of Thrones (2012)

(Getty Images)

Harrington and Leslie went from on-screen couple to real-life husband and wife. The former Game of Thrones co-stars reportedly fell in love on the set of the shows second season in 2012. Leslie played Ygritte, a wilding who falls in love with Harringtons character Jon Snow. Harrington said: I met my wife in this show, so in that way it gave me my future family and my life from here on in. The couple were on-off until they got engaged in 2017 and married the following year in Scotland.

Helena Bonham Carter and Kenneth Branagh  Mary Shelley's Frankenstein (1994)

Branagh allegedly had an affair with Bonham Carter while acting alongside her in Mary Shelleys Frankenstein, which he directed. Their union famously ended his six-year marriage to Emma Thompson. After Branaghs divorce from Thompson in 1995, the couple had a public romance until 1999.

Lauren Morelli and Samira Wiley  Orange is the New Black (2014)

Writer Samira Wiley and actor Lauren Morelli met on the set of Orange is the New Black in 2014, when they began dating. They were married in 2017.

Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell  Swing Shift (1984)

One of Hollywoods longest-standing couples  they have been together now for over 35 years  fell in love on the set of Swing Shift in 1984. Although they met in 1966 on set of a Disney movie, it was during the filming of this World War II romance film that Russell said to her, Man, you've got a great figure. Not the most romantic of sentences, but it did the trick. The couple have vowed not to marry, but they have a son together, as well as Hawns two children from her marriage to Bill Hudson. Hawn said: I like waking up every day and seeing that he is there and knowing that I have a choice. There is really no reason to marry.

Clark Gable and Carole Lombard  Ben Hur: A Tale of the Christ (1924)

While their first encounter was on the set of 1924's Ben Hur, Clark Gable and Carole Lombard weren't formally introduced until 1931. They married eight years later and tried to live a simple life, away from Hollywood, on a ranch in the San Fernando Valley. Tragically, Lombard was killed in a plane crash in 1942. Her faithful dachshund, Commissioner, didn't leave Gable's side after her death.

Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck  Daredevil (2003)

(Getty Images)

Love is complicated. Garner and Affleck met while filming 2003s Daredevil and shortly afterwards started dating publicly in 2004 after Affleck had split from Jennifer Lopez. They had three children together and then, after rumours of Afflecks affair emerged, the couple split in 2015 and divorced in 2018. But apparently they still share a special relationshipand enjoy co-parenting their kids.

Ian Somerhalder and Nina Dobrev  The Vampire Diaries (2009)

Dobrev played Elena Gilbert, a young orphan who falls in love with vampire Damon Salvatore, played by Somerhalder, in the supernatural teen drama. Soon, rumours of a real-life romance between them surfaced, which excited fans greatly, and it was confirmed by the couple in 2011. Sadly, they split up in 2013. Bizarrely, considering the vampire theme, Somerhalder went on to marry Twilight actress Nikki Reed in 2015.

Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds  The Green Lantern (2011)

(Getty Images)

The now-married couple met while filming the superhero movie The Green Lantern in 2010. Reynolds was married at the time to Scarlett Johannson and Lively was dating her Gossip Girl co-star Penn Badgley. They claimed not to have started dating until 2011, when Reynolds divorce to Johannson was finalised. They have three children.

Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan  Step Up (2006)

They were the golden couple after meeting on set of the dance movie Step Up in 2006, where sparks started flying as early as the audition. But after nearly nine years of marriage, they announced their split in 2018. Their joint statement said: We fell deeply in love so many years ago and have had a magical journey together. Absolutely nothing has changed about how much we love one another, but love is a beautiful adventure that is taking us on different paths for now.

Monica Bellucci and Vincent Cassel  The Apartment (1996)

The former Italian model turned actor who shot to fame in The Matrix Reloaded and The Passion of Christ met French actor Vincent Cassel on the set of Gilles Mimounis film, The Apartment. Cassell plays a recently engaged man who sees a former girlfriend (played by Belluci), and becomes obsessed with meeting her again. The former couple had a 14-year marriage and two daughters, before announcing their divorce in 2013.

Vivien Leigh and Laurence Olivier  Fire Over England (1937)

One of the most legendary Hollywood love stories began when Laurence Olivier saw Vivien Leigh in the 1935 play The Mask of Virtue. Olivier stopped to congratulate the rising star, and the pair  both married at the time  took an immediate liking to one another. They began an affair, keeping it secret from the public, and eventually married in 1940 after receiving divorces from their previous partners. However, Leigh's developing mental illness and Olivier's rising stardom caused tension between the couple, and they divorced in 1960.

Claire Danes and Hugh Dancy  Evening (2006)

(Getty Images)

Claire Danes, who is best known for playing Carrie Mathison in Homeland, fell in love with English actor Hugh Dancy while filming the ensemble drama Evening in 2006. They got married three years later in France. In a 2014 interview, Danes said of her husband: He is a gentleman. Downton Abbey-esque? I guess. He was raised well, went to great schools, hes a clever guy and he makes me giggle I scored. I lucked out, big-time!

Brad Pitt and Gwyneth Paltrow  Seven (1994)

These two actors began dating in 1994 after meeting each other on the set of David Finchers Seven. Pitt played a detective who had recently moved to New York City with his wife Tracy (played by Paltrow) to track down a serial killer. Two years later, Pitt proposed to Paltrow, but their engagement was called off in 1997.

Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes  The Place Beyond the Pines (2011)

The famously private couple got together during filming for The Place Beyond the Pines in 2011, and have since had two children together.

Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman  Days of Thunder (1990)

The couple fell in love during the casting of Days of Thunder. Kidman said: He basically swept me off my feet. I fell madly, passionately in love. They got married in 1990, adopted two children and then divorced in 2001. The reasons for the split are not clear but his commitment to Scientology may have been a factor, and Kidman has admitted that she felt as though she was living in his shadow.

Emma Stone and Andrew Garfield  The Amazing Spider-Man (2012)

Garfield and Stone in The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (Columbia/Kobal/Shutterstock)

Emma Stone Andrew Garfield began dating on the set of The Amazing Spider-Man in 2012 and dated for four years. They remain good friends.

Alicia Vikander and Michael Fassbender  The Light Between Oceans (2016)

Michael Fassbender and Alicia Vikander are staunchly private about their relationship. What we do know is that they met on the set of Derek Cianfrance's romantic drama, and Fassbender described their chemistry as immediate  I said early on, 'This girl frightens me.' She's so fierce and brave... it kind of bowled me over. They married in a private ceremony in Spain in 2017, and now reside in Lisbon, Portugal.

This article was originally published in October 2019
FARMINGTON  A $5,000 reward has been issued for information leading to the arrest of the Colorado man accused of shooting a Farmington police officer as the search for the suspect intensifies in the La Plata County area.

Escaped inmate Elias Buck is now formally charged with a third-degree felony for allegedly shooting the officer. More details of the encounter are included in court documents.

The La Plata County Sheriffs Office on the night of Jan. 8 posted on its Facebook page that there is a $5,000 reward for Buck's arrest.

Buck, 22, of Durango, Colorado, was identified earlier that day as the man who allegedly shot Farmington police officer Joseph Barreto on the night of Jan. 7 during a DWI investigation.

Members of the Farmington Police Department walk across the Carl's Jr. parking lot at 2300 E. Main St. on the morning of Jan. 8 as they search for Elias Buck, accused of shooting a Farmington officer on Jan. 7.

Barreto underwent surgery on Jan. 8 and is in stable condition at San Juan Regiona Medical Center on Jan. 10, according to Farmington Police Department spokesperson Nicole Brown.

Buck is the same person who escaped from the La Plata County Jail on Dec. 27.

More: Farmington police preparing officers as recreational cannabis retail sales approach

The La Plata County Sheriffs Office around 2 p.m. on Jan. 8 received two tips that Buck might be in La Plata County. That led the sheriffs office to open an incident command post, working with agencies including the Durango Police Department, the Colorado State Patrol and United States Marshals Service to search for him.

Buck has reportedly made statements that he will not go back to jail and is considered dangerous.

Anyone with information on Buck and Hernandezs whereabouts is asked to immediately call 911 or their local police department.

Criminal case filed against Buck

Court documents filed on Jan. 10 in Farmington Magistrate Court formally charged Buck with a third-degree felony count of aggravated battery upon a peace officer (deadly weapon), according to the criminal complaint.

It was around 10:17 p.m. on Jan. 7 that a suspected drunk driver was reported in the Starbucks drive thru at 2900 E. Main St., according to the arrest warrant affidavit.

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The black Cadillac passenger car was seen leaving the business at a high rate of speed and later found abandoned in the Carls Jr. parking lot at 2300 E. Main St.

Other crime news: Man facing charges in death of toddler son now accused in 2021 homicide

Barreto found Buck and Hernandez walking in the area of 10th street and North Fairview Avenue.

The affidavit states Barreto told Buck he was being detained when Buck allegedly reached into his waistband for a firearm, asked why he was being detained and shot the officer.

Elias Buck

Barreto returned fire as Buck and Herandez fled on foot, and the officer then told dispatch he'd been shot, according to the affidavit.

A Farmington sergeant who responded to the call said he saw Buck fleeing on foot in the area.

An individual at Starbucks was able to positively identify Buck as the driver of the black Cadillac vehicle, according to court documents.

Other crime news: Farmington man gets three years in prison for selling a gun to undercover agent for $250

The black Cadillac was located by officers and a search warrant was executed on the vehicle.

A gun was found in the vehicle along with cash, narcotics, wigs and ammunition, according to the search warrant inventory sheet.

Blue jeans with a black belt and two Samsung Galaxy phones were also found.

Joshua Kellogg covers breaking news for The Daily Times. He can be reached at 505-564-4627 or via email at jkellogg@daily-times.com.

Support local journalism with a digital subscription: http://bit.ly/2I6TU0e

This article originally appeared on Farmington Daily Times: $5,000 reward issued for man accused of shooting Farmington PD officer
CHATHAM, NJ  The School District of the Chathams estimated an average of 16 COVID cases monthly through Thanksgiving until the Omicron variant hit, Superintendent Dr. Michael LaSusa reported at Mondays Board of Education meeting.

Since Dec. 15, however, there have been approximately 500 cases districtwide, he told meeting attendees.

For the time period of Dec. 18, 2021 and Jan. 14, 2022, there have been 476 cases so far, per the breakdown below:

COVID case counts versus student and staff population statistics from the School District of the Chathams' COVID Dashboard, Jan. 11, 2022. . Image courtesy of the School Districts of the Chathams.





Omicron arrived in Chatham and kind of exploded the frameworks weve been dealing with, LaSusa commented, and its put a lot of pressure on the system.

Student illness is only half of the equation, he added, with staff members sick, as well as students needing to be on livestream, school nurses involved with contact tracing and more.

When you have a large number of staff members that go down it puts a lot of pressure on the rest of the staff to cover, he also said, calling it a difficult few weeks, with school impacts alternating each day.

On Jan. 6 before the snowstorm, the schools, as he put it, that were in the roughest shape, were Chatham Middle School and Washington Avenue School. On Jan. 10, Lafayette Avenue and Milton Avenue Schools faced the greatest challenges because of COVID.

Its a day-to-day type of chore to make sure we got students covered and classes running as best as we can, he said.

There was a surge in staff cases over the holiday, LaSusa explained, with the number of positive staff cases now ebbing.

Many staff members who were out ill returned to work on Jan. 10, according to LaSusa.

We hope were through the worst of it, he said.

Over the holiday break, the CDC updated its guidance, with the New Jersey Department of Health directing schools to wait for their guidance instead, LaSusa stated, which would be more school-specific than CDC recommendations. On Jan. 10, the Department of Health came back with shorter quarantine and isolation periods for both vaccinated and unvaccinated people, said LaSusa.

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LaSusa continues to stress the importance in keeping classes in-person, something he said that both the American Academy of Pediatrics and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, have advocated for.

Its important to keep schools open because its whats best for students, LaSusa explained.

Once students and staff return from the long weekend following Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Jan. 17, the school district will only offer live-streaming for COVID positive students and those who are close contacts, with it offered for all at the moment, LaSusa had previously explained, should students not be comfortable with heading to school during the surge, he said.

RELATED: Chatham Super Spells Out COVID School Virtual Contingency Plan

The district is additionally offering parents the option to pick their children up at lunchtime and at the high school, theres an open campus for students to pick up younger siblings, something that, LaSusa said, is expected to be discontinued after Jan. 17.

Board of Education President Jill Critchley Weber commended teachers, administrators, paraprofessionals, substitutes and maintenance staff during the meeting, who she said have gone above and beyond; and we [the board] are so appreciative.

The goal is to keep kids in school at all costs for in-person learning, she added, with teaching staff stepping up to cover one another to keep classes in-person.

Board Member Michelle Clark said virtual learning can end up like a surprise party for many teachers, with kids popping onscreen, with it not always certain if students had been on the list for virtual learning or not.

Teachers should not have to navigate that, Clark said.

Staff needs a window of time to prepare, rather than the continuous livestream, she suggested, with more proactive communication among teachers, staff and families, when returning to the previous standard of what qualifies as virtual learning.

Chatham Middle School teachers and Education Foundation Members James Hitchings, George Iannuzzi and MaryAnn Massumi, each spoke during the public session about the middle school in the midst of COVID.

Hitchings called the past few weeks challenging, with schools remained committed above and beyond for students and the community.

Teachers have been covering large volumes of classes plus live-streaming, with secretaries making sure there is coverage. Counselors, nurses and support staff are part of the process as well as custodians, called at a moments notice to disinfect spaces, Hitchings added.

Masumi discussed grants, fundraisers and various events at the schools, including a speaker coming up on Jan. 18, a food drive and fundraising drive for the "Frozen Jr." performance.

Iannuzzi thanked the board for their support and called the "past few years difficult for everyone.

Resident Bill Heap said its been critical to keep schools open, thanking the board and district, many students getting the short end of the stick in districts that closed.

See the full discussion in the video clip below:

Questions or comments about this story? Have a news tip? Contact me at: jennifer.miller@patch.com.

This article originally appeared on the Chatham Patch
By Luc Cohen

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Cuba Gooding Jr. has asked a U.S. judge to dismiss a $6 million civil lawsuit filed by a woman who accused the Oscar-winning actor of raping her twice in 2013, saying she took too long to sue by waiting nearly seven years.

The woman, known in court papers by the pseudonym Jane Doe, sued Gooding in August 2020 for allegedly raping her in August 2013 at a hotel room in Manhattan's SoHo neighborhood, soon after she met him in a Greenwich Village restaurant and lounge. Gooding has denied her claims.

In a Monday night filing in federal court in Manhattan, Gooding's lawyers said laws allowing rape accusers to sue their alleged perpetrators after many years applied to victims who had suppressed traumatic rapes or did not initially realize they had been raped, and did not apply to Doe.

Related video: Cuba Gooding Jr. will stand trial in February in NYC groping case

They said letting Doe invoke the seven-year statute of limitations under a New York City law protecting victims of gender-motivated violence violated Gooding's due process rights under the U.S. and New York state constitutions.

"No exceptional circumstances forced her to wait," Gooding's lawyers said. "Plaintiff choosing to sue Mr. Gooding, Jr almost seven years later will not rectify any serious injustice; the opposite is true."

Doe's lawyers have argued the seven-year statute of limitations applies in this case, and have also rejected a defense request that their client reveal her name, saying the case involved "matters of a highly sensitive and personal nature."

Last year, U.S. District Judge Paul Crotty in Manhattan granted a default judgment on Gooding's liability, but both parties later agreed to set that judgment aside because Gooding's failure to formally respond to Doe's accusations was not willful.

Gooding, 54, won the best supporting actor Oscar in 1997 for "Jerry Maguire" and portrayed O.J. Simpson in the 2016 television miniseries "The People v. O.J. Simpson."

(Reporting by Luc Cohen in New York; editing by Jonathan Oatis)
(AFP via Getty Images)

Groups D and E took centre stage at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations on Tuesday, with Leicester City striker Kelechi Iheanacho netting a vital winner as Nigeria opened their group phase with a win.

The clash between the Super Eagles, runners-up in the 2019 edition of the competition, and Egypt, record seven-time winners of the AFCON, was anticipated as one of the big group-stage clashes and a meeting of two among the favourites to go far this year in Cameroon, but in truth it was largely a one-sided affair.

Nigeria took a deserved lead on the half-hour mark as Iheanacho spun to fire home from just inside the box, and while they had further chances to add to their tally, Egypt simply never came close to posing a regular threat. Mohamed Salah was a peripheral performer for the Pharaohs as they failed to get him involved, leaving their rivals top of Group D after the opening game.

The other two teams, Sudan and Guinea-Bissau, are in action later this evening.

Earlier in the day, Algeria and Sierra Leone fought out a 0-0 draw. Algeria were heavy favourites and did dominate possession, but failed to find the breakthrough despite chances falling the way of Riyad Mahrez, Yacine Brahimi and sub Baghdad Bounedjah.

On Thursday, Tunisia and Mali start proceedings, with fellow Group F rivals Mauritania and Gambia on show afterwards. Equatorial Guinea and Ivory Coast are the late fixture, with a win for either sending them top of Group E above Algeria and Sierra Leone, who have a point apiece.
CAPE TOWN (Reuters) - The suspect in a fire that gutted parts of South Africa's 138-year-old parliament building this month was charged with terrorism on Tuesday, appearing in court for a case officials have described as an attack on the country's democracy.

Zandile Mafe, 49, had already been charged with arson in connection with the fire that started on Jan. 2, but the additional charge of terrorism was added because he had also been caught with an explosive device, the prosecution said.

The blaze caused the roof of the newer part of the building to collapse, and also damaged the Old Wing dating back to 1884, when the Cape was under British colonial rule.

Built in the ornate Victorian neo-classical style, against the backdrop of Table Mountain, the stately red-and-white parliament building is also one of Cape Town's tourist draws.

Some sections containing important heritage, like a museum with artworks, were saved, however.

The case was adjourned until Feb. 11 and Mafe ordered to be detained in a psychiatric institute, after pleas from his defence council that he suffers from mental illness. Dozens of protesters gathered outside the court building in central Cape Town, saying Mafe was innocent.

South Africa's parliament has played a crucial role in South Africa's transition over the past three decades from undemocratic white minority rule to a place where highly progressive legislation has been passed, helping roll back repressive apartheid-era policies.

(Reporting by Shafiek Tassiem; Writing by Tim Cocks, Editing by William Maclean)
Today

A few passing clouds. Low 39F. Winds SSE at 15 to 25 mph.

Tonight

A few passing clouds. Low 39F. Winds SSE at 15 to 25 mph.

Tomorrow

Partly cloudy early followed by some light rain later in the day. High 56F. SSE winds shifting to N at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Higher wind gusts possible.
A Covid-19 Testing And Vaccination Site As California Governor Proposes $2.7 Billion Emergency Response Package

A healthcare worker administers a Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine to a child at a testing and vaccination site in San Francisco, California, U.S., on Monday, Jan. 10, 2022. California Governor Gavin Newsom is proposing a $2.7 billion Covid-19 emergency response package in his budget Monday to boost testing and its health-care system following a surge in cases caused by the omicron variant. Credit - David Paul Morris-Bloomberg

As the Omicron variant spreads across the globe, we are reminded again that a pandemic is a disease of populations, not of individuals, and population-level problems require collective solutions. This is why societies with high levels of social capitalbonds of affection and networks of trust among peoplehave better weathered the COVID-19 pandemic and suffered lower rates of hospitalization and death from the virus. Social capital has rarely been lower in the U.S. than it is today, so its not surprising that the U.S. suffered one of biggest losses in life expectancy to COVID-19 among all high-income countries. And, sadly, not even this stark fact as changed things. As we slowly emerge from the pandemic, the nation finds itself with lower levels of social capital, more divided, and less prepared to face a future pandemic than ever before.

Americans collective inability to consider the impact of our actions on others, rather than calculating solely based on our personal benefit, is why its been so difficult to work together to vanquish the virus. The American government, dating back to colonial days, has long understood that individuals could not always be counted on to act in the best interests of society, but today, we seem to have reached a new low with many Americans newly aware of the states power to mandate quarantines, vaccinations, and other public health measures, public health powers are being severely curtailed nationwide. Even flu shots and routine childhood immunizations are being politicized in ways that would have been unimaginable two decades ago. Without the sense that were all in it together, Americans will feel little duty to look out for one another, sacrifice on behalf of our communities, or vote to fund, resource, and empower public health authorities to protect us.

This pandemic will not be our last, and other massive we problems like climate change will also require we solutions. We urgently need to come together and rebuild the tools to protect our society. Critical to our understanding of how to tackle this challenge is the realization that the fraying of our social fabric over the past half century was part of a much larger, longer cycle in the struggle to balance Americas twin ideals of preserving personal liberty and pursuing a common good. During the last Gilded Age, just before the turn of the 20th-century, Americas social capital was as low as it is today, and, just as today, was accompanied by a winner-take-all economics, a deeply polarized public square, and a self-centered cultural narrative. Then, just as now, the nation faced this multifaceted crisis that seemed nearly insurmountable.

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However, the doomsday prophecies of that period were never realized, and instead we entered a 70-year upswingduring which time we rediscovered the virtues of solidarity, rewove our social fabric, replaced our polarized politics with comity and cooperation, and narrowed the gap between rich and poor as we had never done before.

So how did it happen? How did America rebuild its social capital, trust, and community bonds during our last upswing?

First, we reexamined our core values, and rebuilt a cultural and moral framework based on mutual obligation and cooperation. Of all the trends that drove change as the Gilded Age gave way to the Progressive Era, culture seems to have changed first. The social gospel movement inspired Christians to remember the call to be peacemakers and champions of the downtrodden. The social settlement movement called upon members of estranged social classes to become a nation of neighbors. And political leaders such as Teddy Roosevelt reminded Americans that on the whole and in the long run, we shall go up or down together.

Today, we must revive a shared morality of mutual obligation and cooperation. We need strong voices asking Americans to better balance our personal rights and privileges with our obligations to the common good.

Somebody in every age has to challenge this country to be true to its moral foundation, says the Reverend William J. Barber II, one such moral leader. Just as the preachers of the Social Gospel did during Americas last Gilded Age, Barber is reframing policy debates as moral issues: Jesus healed everybody and never charged a co-pay. Meanwhile, the Southern Baptist Conventions new president, Ed Litton, is calling for unity and racial reconciliation:  especially in the areas of systems of injustice, we look at them through the word of God, and were asking the questions, How would God have us respond as good citizens, as good neighbors, as people who inhabit the same land with everyone else? And Rachel Held Evans, the young Evangelical Christian writer who died last fall, wrote, Justice means moving beyond the dichotomy between those who need and those who supply and confronting the frightening and beautiful reality that we desperately need one another.

Not all of these moral voices are religious. Many are coming from the medical and scientific community. Peter Hotez is calling for science tikkun, drawing on Jewish teaching that humans have a responsibility to complete or restore the gaps left by God. Taison Bell, Stella Safo, Marina Del Rios, and Mati Hlatshwayo Davis are sounding the alarm on the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on communities of color, with pediatricians Rhea Boyd and Nadine Burke-Harris shining a spotlight the harms to children of color. Public health activists like Gregg Gonsalves, Craig Spencer, and Priti Kristel are raging at the widening disparities in COVID vaccination between high-income countries and the rest of the world. And TikTok-famous comedians, like Will Flanary (aka Dr. Glaucomflecken) and Karan Menon are leveraging irony and exaggeration to expose the ills of the American healthcare system and the lunacy of global COVID vaccine inequity.

Read More: Rethinking COVID-19 Restrictions for a World with Vaccines

Second, during the last upswing, we prioritized relationship building. Americans at the turn of the 20th-century were experiencing massive technological, economic, and demographic shifts that left millions feeling isolated, disconnected, and lonely. Young social innovators (most of them under the age of 30) invented new ways of bringing people together, creating new social technologies to replace what had been lost. Along the way, they discovered the transformative power of associationsnot just to come together for the sake of connection, but to work together for the common good. The Rotary Club started as a lonely young lawyer seeking friendship in a bustling metropolis and blossomed into one of the largest service organizations in the world, uniting millions under the banner of service above self.

We must again engage in intentional relationship building. A generation of young digital natives must invent new ways of bringing us together, taking the best practices of yesteryear and updating them to straddle the in-person and virtual worlds. The Listen First Project unites hundreds of grassroots groupslike Living Room Conversations, The People, and Unify Americato bring people with different points of view together for in-person and virtual conversations. Organizations like Citizen University are helping to build a culture of responsible citizenship through rituals like the Civic Saturday Fellowship, a civic analogue to faith gatherings. Just as settlement houses helped combat the intense class segregation and nativism at the turn of the last century, these organizations and others like them are helping Americans reestablish trust, regain a sense of shared humanity, and work to build membership in one American community.

Third, we recognized the power of solving problems on a local scale. The Progressive Era was an age of civic experimentation at the level of the tenement, neighborhood, city, and state. Indeed, some of the most wide-reaching reforms were the result of everyday citizens banding together to solve common problems.

More than a century ago nurse Lillian Wald brought health care to the residents of New Yorks Lower East Side, believing that every New Yorker was entitled to equal and fair health care regardless of their socio-economic status, race, or gender. Wald drew on her experience in New York to create such enduring national programs as visiting nurses, school nurses, and community nursing. Today, the pandemic provides us with obvious problems that need solving. If communities could come together to build up local public health and social services as they did high schools over a century ago, they could relearn the skill of working together and create an upswell of innovation that will inform our national reforms from the bottom up.

One current day example is the Baltimore Health Corps, which recruited public health workers from the zip codes hit hardest by COVID. Staff are provided with wraparound services to help them climb out of poverty while serving their community and acting as critical trust-builders on the ground. Due in large part to their efforts Baltimores COVID vaccination rate is among the top 3% of jurisdictions with similar demographic characteristics.

Each of these three sea changes in American public life brought about a stronger, more resilient webetter able to face the dizzying structural changes and dislocating cultural drift together. Millions of young reformers became part of a diverse, bipartisan coalition intent upon mastering a moment in history when so many others feared that all might be lost.

We must reorient our nation once again toward we by leaning into a moral reawakening, engaging in relationship building, inventing new ways of bringing people together for collective problem solving, and refocusing on the local. Social capital is one of our greatest resources not only for saving our democracy, but for saving lives.
Note: This story has been updated with information from Raymond Almeida's pretrial hearing Tuesday.

LAS CRUCES - New Mexico State Police accused an Anthony man of possessing and attempting to upload 42 images and videos of child pornography.

Raymond Almeida, 51, was arrested on Jan. 10 and charged with one count of sexual exploitation of children after police said they discovered the child pornography in his possession.

According to an affidavit, the multi-agency investigation into Almeida's alleged online activity began in March 2021. At that time, Google informed the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) that someone was uploading child pornography from 19 different IP addresses.

An IP address is a unique string of numbers that identifies computing devices and allows them to communicate over the internet.

Initially, the NCMEC informed the Texas Attorney General's Office of the discovery of child pornography. When police discovered that Almeida lived in the New Mexico town of Anthony  which borders Texas  the case was transferred to the New Mexico State Police. The affidavit said that Homeland Security Investigations was also investigating Almeida.

The child pornography discovered by police included dozens of images, videos and GIFs, according to the affidavit. One video allegedly showed Almeida, although no children were physically present in the video, the affidavit said.

On Tuesday, Dona Ana Magistrate Judge Alexander Rossario allowed Almeida to be released into pretrial supervision while awaiting trial. In addition to the standard conditions of release, Almeida was told by the judge that he was to have no contact whatsoever with anyone under the age of 18.

Justin Garcia is a public safety reporter for the Las Cruces Sun-News. He can be reached at JEGarcia@lcsun-news.com or on Twitter @Just516garc.

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This article originally appeared on Las Cruces Sun-News: Anthony man arrested, charged with possession of child pornography
Jan. 11An appeals court panel has sided with the University of Minnesota Medical School in the dismissal of a student whose interactions with female peers raised concerns about his fitness to be a physician.

Mehdijaffer Mulla sued the U in April 2020, claiming the school violated its own policies by suspending him indefinitely after fellow students accused him of "inappropriate touching, asking inappropriate personal questions and stalking."

The U had suspended Mulla for sexual harassment from August 2018 through August 2019. Soon after his return, he was suspended again after more students came forward with concerns about his behavior.

This time, the U found his behavior  sending peers school-related messages over social media late at night, and uncomfortable interactions with three female students that caused them to change their study habits to avoid him  did not violate its sexual-misconduct policy.

However, a medical school committee voted 5-2 to dismiss Mulla for academic reasons, citing "repetitive, unwelcome interactions (that) did not reflect the professionalism that is expected of a future physician."

Mulla appealed that decision, saying he was denied due process, but the school's vice dean and dean ruled against him.

U.S. District Court Judge Susan Richard Nelson granted the U's motion to dismiss the lawsuit in February.

A three-judge Court of Appeals panel on Monday upheld her decision, writing that the medical school "committee's decision reflected its professional judgment that the Medical School demands higher standards of professionalism than simply following the University's policies that prohibit harassment."
The Umbrella House, built in 1953 in Lido Shores by Phil Hiss and designed by Paul Rudolph, is one of the most famous midcentury modern houses in America.

The nearly year-old nonprofit Architecture Sarasota is included in The New York Times annual 52 Places to visit special report, focused this year on places where travelers can be part of the solution.

The editors state that tourism can be a problem in terms of climate change, but travel supports depleted economics in places that depend on tourists dollars and opens the eyes of travelers to cultures and customs different from their own.

By the way: As omicron surges, what's in store for Sarasota-Manatee tourism?

Recognizing history: MOD Weekend salutes a legend of Sarasota architecture and launches a new organization

The 2022 list highlights places where change is actually happening  where endangered wildlands are being preserved, threatened species are being protected, historical wrongs are being acknowledged, fragile communities are being bolstered  and where travelers can be part of the change.

Architecture Sarasota, which was created last year in the merger of the Center for Architecture Sarasota and the Sarasota Architectural Foundation, is included on a list that mentions such global locations as Chioggia, Italy; Queens, New York; Fogo Island in Canada; Slovenia and the Dana Biosphere Reserve in Jordan.

The Times said it was created to protect and promote the most spectacular concentration of modernist buildings east of the Mississippi.

Arts Newsletter: Sign up to receive the latest news on the Sarasota area arts scene every Monday

The list recognizes the efforts of the organization, led by Executive Director Anne-Marie Russell, in navigating the tug of war between developers and preservationists and raising the profile of these modernist buildings is intended to give them greater value in the eyes of locals and attract design tourists.

Follow Jay Handelman on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Contact him at jay.handelman@heraldtribune.com. And please support local journalism by subscribing to the Herald-Tribune.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Architecture Sarasota featured in New York Times global 52 Places list
The crowd outside of the West Mill Social Hall, cheer as Bryan Chambers arrives, on Jan. 8, 2022, at 115 West Mill Street in Attica.

ATTICA, Ind. The streets of Attica echoed with sirens as a fleet of first responder vehicles escorted Marine LCpl. Bryan Chambers to West Mill Social Hall.

Outside of the community center, dozens stood holding flags anticipating their guests of honor to arrive.

Chambers, a wounded veteran of the Iraq War, was the main guest of honor, celebrated with a community-wide event topped off with new home from Homes for Our Troops. The non-profit organization builds and donates specially adapted, custom homes for severely injured post-9/11 veterans.

Bill Ivey, the executive director of Homes for our Troops, hugs Bryan Chambers as he arrives at the West Mill Social Hall, on Jan. 8, 2022, at 115 West Mill Street in Attica.

As Chambers pulled up to the community center, the crowd erupted in cheer, waving their flags in the air for the veteran.

Bill Ivey, the executive director of Homes for Our Troops, welcomed Chambers with a big hug and walked him inside the building, where several distinguished guest waited. Those gathered to celebrate Chambers included Indiana State Rep. Sharon Negele, Fountain County Sheriff Terry Holt, Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita, waiting to share this magical moment with the Chambers family and hear the veteran's story.

His Story

On Sept. 11, 2001, Chambers decided he would, when the time came, join the military. He was in his high school classroom with the rest of his class that morning, watching news coverage of the Twin Towers falling.

Horrified by what he had seen, Chambers made a commitment to himself that he would serve his country and protect his fellow countrymen.

Llyod Chambers, Gretchen Chambers, Craig Chambers, Granda Chambers, Bryan Chambers, Riley Chambers, Rhyann Chambers, Gavin Chambers, Airin Adams, Taden Dahl, and Shyann Dahl pose for a family portrait at Chambers' community kickoff event, on Jan. 8, 2022, at 115 West Mill Street in Attica.

Chambers graduated high school in June 2006, and by July he was on his way to boot camp.

By August 2006, he was aboard a plane flying to Iraq for his first six-month deployment.

During the last mission of his deployment in Iraq, he narrowly avoided death. But the mission cost Chambers his leg.

We were on our last patrol, and I guess our commanding officer was looking for that attaboy moment. So, we were on our patrol and we were going outside of our normal area of operations," Chambers told the Journal & Courier.

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"But I was the lead vehicle of our platoon and I ran over an improvised explosive device. I was in an LAV (Light Armored Vehicle), its a 14-ton vehicle, so when I hit the IED, it flipped the LAV up in the air and spun it around.

"Our nose was directly opposite of the direction we were going. It ripped the 3-ton engine out of the vehicle. The engine is right next to the hole where I was because I was driving, said Chambers.

I was pinned in the vehicle. Orders were given out over the radio to back away from the vehicle. It was just kind of presumed that I was gone because, well, if the engine was gone, the drivers hole is right next to the engine.

"So, they didnt think I was alive but my brothers  they neglected to hear that information. When they got the drivers hole opened, they saw I was pinned in it. My corpsman and my lieutenant had to jump on my leg and break my femur to get me out, because I was pinned in the drivers hole. From there, I was basically on a flight for my life. I was flown to Karbala, then to Germany, and then finally I was flown back to the United States.

Chambers doesnt remember most of the details before or after the explosion. He was only able to figure out what had happened through the accounts of his brothers in arms, who desperately tried to save his life that day.

I remember the safety brief from the day before and then I woke up in Tampa, Fla., almost three months later. I had a TBI (traumatic brain injury), I had lost my spleen and I lost my leg.

Once Chambers woke up from his coma, he was sent to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Md, where he received his prosthetics and physical therapy treatments.

On Feb. 28, 2008, Chambers was finally able to leave the hospital and return to his parents home in Denver, Colo.

It had been exactly one year since the explosion, which occurred on Feb. 28, 2007.

For the next several years, Chambers went back to living the civilian lifestyle  with his parents for a few years, later moving into an apartment with his sister, and then eventually buying a house.

Life changed again for Chambers again in 2012, when he met his future wife, Rhyann, at a party.

From the first moment Bryan saw Rhyann, he knew she was the one for him.

Rhyann, on the other hand, wanted nothing to do with him. It wasnt because she didnt like him. If anything, it was because she knew that she did like him and that was going to cause a ton of trouble for her.

Indiana State Rep. Sharon Negele, left, join Bryan and Rhyann Chambers Jan. 8, 2022, at 115 West Mill St., in Attica, Ind. Chambers, wounded in Iraq, was given a specially adapted home from the nonprofit, Home for Our Troops.

I met him at a party, and I enjoyed visiting with this man. His past was unknown to me. There was a little bit of a hitch to it all because I was in a relationship with somebody else and when we left that party, I told my friend, 'I cant see him again!' And shes like, 'Why?'

"I said, 'Welp, Im not a cheater, and Im not about to be.' From the very beginning, I knew that I had an attraction to him, but like I said, to avoid drama, I avoided him, said Rhyann Chambers Sunday.

This didnt stop Bryan from trying to win her over. For the next five months, Rhyann would occasionally hear that Bryan was asking for her number in hopes of scheduling a date. Rhyann eventually became single again and decided to give Bryan a shot.

We messaged each other, and he was like, 'Let's hang out before I leave for the weekend.' So, we hung out for seven hours that night. I left work to visit with Bryan, and then I left Bryan to go back to work.

"It made for a long day, but obviously, it was worth it. I remember calling my mom the next day and I said, 'Mom Im in trouble. I think Im in love,' and she was like, 'With the guy you just broke up with?' And Im like, 'NO! That would make things a lot less complicated.'

"But we started dating that May and by Feb. 28, we were engaged, said Rhyann.

For Bryan, Feb. 28, six years after losing his leg, had become another important day for him. He dubbed it his alive day.

That year, Bryan knew he wanted to share this important day with Rhyann. They took a trip to Florida and it was on Miami Beach where Bryan asked Rhyann to marry him. She said yes.

In September 2013, they got married on top of Silverthorne Mountain.

Now that Bryan was a family man, he began to question if he should sell his home in Colorado. At the time, he couldnt afford to live there without having a roommate to subsidize the cost. Bryan knew he eventually wanted to have kids, so he sold the house and decided to move somewhere within his budget, Indiana.

Bryan was born in Indianapolis and lived in Hillsboro until he was about 12 years old, when his parent decided to move to Colorado.

He bought a small house, a place to start a family.

But after moving in and living there for a few years, Bryan began to question whether this could become his forever home. It wasn't accommodating his war wounds.

There were a lot of stairs Bryan had to endure on a daily basis, and the doorways were too narrow for a wheelchair to fit through. Although Bryan was able to walk, this may not always be the case in the long run.

Thats when Bryan had heard about Homes for Our Troops from his brother-in-laws brother. He was a contractor at one of the houses the organization built in Montrose, Colo.

The family member had asked if Bryan had heard about the organization, since he believed Bryan met the requirements to qualify for a home. The couple didnt know if their application would be accepted, but they shot for the stars and applied anyway.

Homes for Our Troops is a publicly funded 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization based out of Massachusetts started back in 2004.

Homes for Our Troops builds mortgage-free specially adapted custom homes for injured post-9/11 veterans, as a way to enable them to rebuild their lives. Homes for Our Troops strives to build new homes anywhere in the nation for veterans.

Veteran Bryan Chambers and Bill Ivey, the executive director of Homes for our Troops, pose for a photo at Chambers' community kickoff event, on Jan. 8, 2022, at 115 West Mill Street in Attica.

What we do is not charity work," said Ivey, "and I want to be clear about that. We see our jobs as a solemn obligation to help pay the American people. We pay a debt that we owe these men and women that have been so severely injured defending our freedom and independence in Iraq and Afghanistan. We think by building them a specially adapted custom home, thats completely accessible to someone in a wheelchair and where that veteran wants to live, is a good down payment on helping repay that debt that we owe them.

"We think by building these homes where the veteran wants to live and getting them in it, we could help them get a step forward on rebuilding their lives. And thats one of the things that make us different from a lot of other non-profits, because for us its not about the home. Certainly, theyre important, but its what our veterans and their families can do once theyre in that home is whats important to us.

"Thats why our tagline is, 'Building Homes, Rebuilding Lives.' The important part is rebuilding lives."

Homes for Our Troops representatives stay in contact with the veterans for the rest of their lives, Ivey said.

"It's not, here are the keys and have a good time, hope it works. Its, here are the keys, welcome to the Homes for our Troops family and were going to be there for you going forward, Ivey added.

Since 2004, Homes for Our Troops has built over 320 for veterans, and nearly 90 cents out of every dollar spent has gone directly to program services.

In 2019, a few months after Rhyann gave birth to twins, their application was approved and they received a call from Homes for Our Troops asking where they would like their new home be built.

The couple said, "Indiana."

Craig Chambers, Bryan Chambers' father, plays with his grandson at Chambers' community kickoff event, on Jan. 8, 2022, at 115 West Mill Street in Attica.

On May 20, 2019, we added two beautiful children to our lives and another miracle, that I had no idea what was in store for us. I dont think Bryan and I fully understand or fully grasp just how much of a blessing this house is going to be," his wife said.

"When you talk about a house, yeah, the house itself is supposed to have a sense of security, but when were talking about a house that I dont have to worry about stairs or worry about slipping in bathtubs, I dont have to worry about him catching his foot in the transition from one floor to another. Just simple things like that, that you dont have to think about until you do. On top of being mortgage-free, that in our 20s and 30s were going to be able to make dreams and ideas that have gone through our heads into actual reality. Adventures that we thought about can become adventures for our family."

Last week, the Chambers and Ivey broke soil on the plot of land which will soon become the Chambers new home. The project is expected to be finished by late 2022.

Not only did they give us the security that we needed in a house," said Rhyann, "but also the ability to have the dreams that we were wanting to do as a family. I knew that this organization was not giving us a house but giving us a home.

Noe Padilla is a reporter for the Journal & Courier. Email him at Npadilla@jconline.com and follow him on Twitter at 1NoePadilla.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Wounded Marine to receive new home in Attica from Homes for Our Troops
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP)  Novak Djokovic held a practice session on Tuesday, a day after he left immigration detention, focusing on defending his Australian Open title even while he still faces the prospect of deportation because hes not vaccinated against COVID-19.

The top-ranked tennis star hit the show courts of Melbourne Park, where the tournament is held, within hours of winning a legal battle that allowed him to stay in the country.

At issue is whether he has a valid exemption to rules requiring vaccination to enter Australia since he recently recovered from COVID-19. A judge ruled Monday he could stay, but the immigration minister could still send him home.

There were also new questions raised Tuesday over an immigration form, on which he said he had not traveled in the 14 days before his flight to Australia. The Monte Carlo-based athlete was seen in Spain and Serbia in that two-week period.

The back and forth over whether Djokovic complied with Australia's rules has caused a furor in the country and beyond. When the vocal skeptic of vaccines was first granted a visa to travel to Melbourne, many complained he was being given special treatment from a country known for its strict travel restrictions during the pandemic.

But amid a flood of confusing information about what the rules are, others have charged Djokovic has become a convenient scapegoat for an Australian government facing criticism for its recent handling of the pandemic.

The nine-time Australian Open winner held a practice Tuesday afternoon at Rod Laver Arena. Soon after, tournament organizers made him the top-seeded player in the mens singles draw.

The athlete was seen hitting shots from behind the baseline, taking feedback from his coach, and stretching beside the court with a trainer. He spent four nights confined to an immigration hotel and now is getting back into the swing less than a week before the Grand Slam tournament starts.

Despite all that has happened, I want to stay and try to compete @AustralianOpen. I remain focused on that, Djokovic tweeted in the early hours of Tuesday. I flew here to play at one of the most important events we have in front of the amazing fans.

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But he still faces the prospect of deportation before the first match.

Djokovic was given an exemption by the Victoria state government and Tennis Australia, the tournament organizer, from its vaccination rules to compete because he was infected with COVID-19 last month. That apparently allowed him to receive a visa to travel.

But federal border authorities stopped him on arrival last week and canceled his visa. Lawyers for the government have said an infection in the previous six months was only grounds for an exemption in cases in which the coronavirus caused severe illness.

It's not clear why Djokovic was ever granted a visa if that's the case.

A federal judge reinstated Djokovic's visa Monday on procedural grounds, saying he hadnt been allowed enough time to speak to his lawyers to contest the decision. But Immigration Minister Alex Hawke is still considering using his power to deport the 34-year-old Serbian under separate legislation.

Hawkes office issued a statement saying the matter was still under consideration.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrisons conservative government has blamed the debacle on Tennis Australia, which ministers accuse of misleading players about vaccine requirements. But newspapers have reported that the sporting body had pleaded with the Department of Home Affairs to check the visa paperwork of Djokovic and other players before their flights.

A new potential stumbling block also emerged Tuesday after documents released by the Federal Circuit Court revealed Djokovic told authorities he had not traveled in the 14 days before his flight to Australia.

Djokovic touched down in Melbourne just before midnight Wednesday, answering no to the question about previous travel on his Australian Travel Declaration form.

But he was filmed playing tennis in the streets of the Serbian capital, Belgrade, on Dec. 25, and later training in Spain  all within the 14-day window. He traveled to Australia from Marbella, Spain.

Djokovic told border officers that Tennis Australia completed the declaration for him, but the officer who canceled his visa said that the body would have done that based on information from Djokovic himself.

It was not clear if the document came up during Mondays hearing.

The form notes that giving false or misleading information is a serious offense  and it could be grounds for deportation.

The drama has polarized opinions and elicited strong support for the 20-time Grand Slam winner in his native Serbia.

Morrison spoke about the issue with Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic on Tuesday, and they agreed to keep in touch.

The PM explained our non-discriminatory border policy and its role in protecting Australia during the COVID-19 pandemic, Morrisons office said in a statement.

Brnabic asked Morrison to ensure Djokovic was treated with dignity, public broadcaster Radio Television of Serbia reported.

The prime minister especially emphasized the importance of the conditions for training and physical preparation for the upcoming competition, RTS reported.

The drama has put Morrisons government in a tight spot ahead of elections due by May. While his government was widely praised for containing the nations COVID-19 death toll at the start of the pandemic, he has recently been criticized for loosening some rules, just as omicron cases have been rapidly surging.

The opposition home affairs spokesperson, Kristina Keneally, blamed the visa confusion on a lack of planning by Morrison's government and said the saga made Australia look like a bit of a joke on the world stage.

It does incredible damage to Australia if Djokovic gets deported, Keneally told the Seven Network television, but if he gets to stay it does incredible damage to our tough border laws and is a real insult to the Australians who did the hard work of lockdowns and vaccination.

Andy Murray, who lost four Australian Open finals to Djokovic, said the court win was a positive for his fellow major winner but there were still details to clarify.

Im sure well hear from him in the next few days," Murray said. Im hoping we can move on from it now. It looks like hes going to be able to play and compete in the Australian Open.

___

McGuirk reported from Canberra, Australia. Associated Press writer Dusan Stojanovic contributed from Belgrade, Serbia.
Jan. 11The girlfriend of a Belle Vernon man accused in a fatal New Year's Day road rage shooting turned herself in Monday after police said they spotted her removing a pistol from their home, according to court papers.

Shaquala L. Poole, 29, is charged with hindering apprehension or prosecution, tampering with evidence and drug possession.

The gun is believed to be the one Anthony M. Hairston, 26, used to kill a motorist on Rostraver Road 90 minutes into 2022, Westmoreland County Detective Ray Dupilka said. Holly B. Vadella, 59, of Rostraver was found dead in her SUV. She had been driving home from a celebration with her mother.

Investigators said they used information from witnesses and pieced together surveillance footage from homes and businesses to identify Hairston as the suspect. Witnesses told authorities they were at a New Year's party at Hairston's home when they decided to move the celebration to Sweeney's Steakhouse on Rostraver Road, according to court papers.

Hairston drove Poole's Chevrolet Traverse, police said.

On the way, two witnesses said they came up behind a red SUV that was driving slowly and braking. When Hairston tried to pass, the vehicle swerved into his lane. He fired two shots after rolling down the passenger window, according to court papers. The witnesses said Hairston continued on to Sweeney's, where the group stayed until about 2:30 a.m.

Vadella was found dead in her SUV by a township police officer on Rostraver Road near its intersection with Virginia Drive before 2 a.m.

Investigators began watching Hairston's Main Street home Jan. 2. He was apprehended when he left in the Traverse around 12:30 p.m., according to police.

About an hour later, authorities said they saw Poole leave their residence with a pink duffel bag, a backpack and a shopping bag. Poole told police Hairston called her as he was being pulled over at the intersection of Interstate 70 and Route 906.

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A search warrant at the home revealed the 9mm semiautomatic pistol with a loaded magazine, suspected cocaine and a digital scale inside the duffel bag, according to court papers. Poole is free on $50,000 unsecured bail.

"It's tragic what happened to the victim," said Poole's attorney, Fred Rabner. "No one's more sick about it than my client. I wish the family as much solace as they can have at this time."

Poole and Hairston have preliminary hearings set for Jan. 24.

Hairston is charged with homicide, weapons offenses and driving while intoxicated on a suspended or revoked license. He is being held in the Westmoreland County Prison without bail.

A memorial service was held last week for Vadella, who had one adult son, according to her obituary. She worked at California University of Pennsylvania as a clerk-typist. Her dog Theo, who was in the passenger seat at the time of the shooting, is staying with family.

Renatta Signorini is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Renatta at 724-837-5374, rsignorini@triblive.com or via Twitter .
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Biden administration plans to donate an extra $308 million in humanitarian aid to Afghanistan, bringing total U.S. aid for the impoverished country and Afghan refugees in the region to nearly $782 million since October, the White House said on Tuesday.

The Unites States is also providing one million additional coronavirus vaccine doses to Afghanistan, bringing the total to 4.3 million doses, the White House added.

The assistance from the United States Agency for International Development will be channelled through independent humanitarian organizations to provide shelter, health care, winterization assistance, emergency food aid, water, sanitation and hygiene services, the government said.

The United Nations says nearly 23 million people  about 55% of the population  are facing extreme levels of hunger, with nearly 9 million at risk of famine as winter takes hold.

Afghanistan's economic crisis accelerated after the Taliban seized power in August, as the former Western-backed government collapsed and the last U.S. troops withdrew.

Last month, the United States formally exempted U.S. and U.N. officials doing permitted business with the Taliban from U.S. sanctions to try to maintain the flow of aid to Afghanistan as it sinks deeper into a humanitarian crisis.

(Reporting by Alexandra Alper; Editing by Michael Perry)
Duluth, MN (55816)

Today

Some clouds in the morning will give way to mainly sunny skies for the afternoon. High 44F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Clear skies with a few passing clouds. Low near 30F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph.
Kabul, Afghanistan. MOHD RASFAN/AFP via Getty Images

The U.S. will provide the people of Afghanistan with over $308 million in humanitarian aid, as well as an additional one million COVID-19 vaccine doses, CNN reports, per the National Security Council.

Independent humanitarian groups will disseminate the aid, which will "help provide lifesaving protection and shelter, essential health care, winterization assistance, emergency food aid, water, sanitation, and hygiene services," said NSC spokesperson Emily Horne in a Tuesday statement. The vaccine donation will run through COVAX, the World Health Organization's global vaccine sharing initiative.

This latest administration committment brings total U.S. humanitarian aid to Afghanistan to over $780 million since October 2021, The Associated Press and CNN report. The country has fiercely struggled with both the pandemic and widespread hunger ever since the U.S. exit and Taliban takeover in August, per NBC News. Including the newly-pledged doses, the U.S. will have sent a total of 4.3 million vaccine doses to Afghanistan, AP writes.

"The United States is committed to supporting the Afghan people and we continue to consider all options available to us," Horne added in her statement. "We stand with the people of Afghanistan."

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A White House task force on Tuesday called on federal agencies to increase safeguards against political influence in scientific research, citing what it said was the Trump administration's history of such influence.

In the report, the White House's Scientific Integrity Task Force said scientific integrity violations are "small in number compared to the magnitude of the federal government's scientific enterprise," but that they can do disproportionate harm to public trust in government research and science in general.

"Protecting scientific integrity is essential to the progress of science and its application to a broad set of economic and societal objectives supported by Federal Government action (e.g., advancing public health, addressing climate change, ensuring food production, and protecting national and energy security)," the report states. "The scientific and technical information that is used in Federal decision-making around these and other issues must reflect rigorous and independent research that is free from suppression, manipulation, and other interference."

The Biden administration identified the removal of political influence from scientific research as an early priority, with the president creating the task force within 10 days of his inauguration.

Environmentalists and climate scientists were broadly critical of climate science policies under former President Trump, who had repeatedly falsely asserted human-caused climate change was a myth.

Individual instances included an incident in which Trump used a Sharpie to expand a projection of Hurricane Dorian's trajectory to include Alabama, with the White House later pushing for the National Weather Service to amend a tweet contradicting it.

In another case that allegedly began before the Trump presidency and continued throughout it, whistleblowers from within the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention have alleged their superiors altered safety assessments for new compounds to reduce their estimated risks. EPA Administrator Michael Regan announced in March that the agency will investigate any possible political interference within the agency during the previous administration.
The Biden administration on Monday deployed top officials to Capitol Hill in a bid to lock in wavering Senate Democrats against a GOP push for sanctions on a Russian gas pipeline.

Democrats are poised later this week to reject Sen. Ted Cruzs (R-Texas) sanctions bill that would cripple the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, which is in the final stages of approval and will send cheap natural gas from Russia to Germany. Cruz's plan, Democrats argue, would undercut President Joe Biden's ability to use the pipeline as leverage over Moscow as it threatens to invade Ukraine again.

But some moderate Democrats emerged from the Biden administration briefing Monday evening noncommittal about Cruzs legislation, even as they seemed to parrot the chief argument against the bill  that it would undermine unity with U.S. allies, in particular Germany, in the face of Russias aggression.

Weve got to make sure, if we do sanctions, that the sanctions are focused on the problem and not on collateral folks, Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.) said in a brief interview, adding that the Biden administration has to do a better job of messaging what the flaws are" in Cruz's proposal.

But Tester, who said he wasnt sure yet whether he would back the sanctions bill, said the administrations arguments were very salient. Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) is another holdout who echoed the White Houses view that U.S.-Europe relations deteriorated under former President Donald Trump.

A lot of this has more diplomatic ramifications, Manchin said. I want to hear both sides of the argument.

The briefing was hosted by Victoria Nuland, the undersecretary of state for political affairs, and Amos Hochstein, a top energy envoy at the State Department. Both officials were instrumental in the administrations decision last year to waive congressionally mandated sanctions against the pipeline, which Biden has admitted will give Russian President Vladimir Putin new leverage over Europe.

Story continues

The upcoming vote  which Cruz forced after blocking dozens of State Department nominees  will be a difficult one for Democrats, who have previously supported the sanctions outlined in Cruzs legislation. Few, if any Democrats defended the Biden administrations move last year to waive those sanctions.

The fight is also pitting Democrats against a key ally, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who has called on the Senate to approve Cruzs bill.

Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), who is lobbying Democrats against Cruzs bill, criticized Zelenskyy in a brief interview on Monday.

Im a big supporter of President Zelenskyy. But often he misreads American politics, Murphy said. And I think it would have been better for him to have stayed out of this one. This is not good policy for the United States to allow Ted Cruz to break us from our trans-Atlantic partners in the middle of a delicate negotiation over the future of Europe-Russia policy.

Remember, this is a German government that just switched their position, Murphy added, noting that the new German chancellor has committed to keep the pipeline offline while Russia threatens Ukraine with an invasion. Why would you sanction Germany when they just switched their position to the one weve asked them to undertake?

Democratic leaders are pushing for an alternative plan that would punish Russia in the event that it invades Ukraine. That plan is being led by Senate Foreign Relations Chair Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), who is pushing for a separate vote on a sanctions package that would be more amenable to Democrats and help blunt the criticisms from Republicans.

My argument is that, if you want to succeed in getting Russia not to invade, you have to give the consequences beforehand, Menendez said.

Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) called Cruzs approach weak and said the Senate should instead be voting on Menendezs plan.

[Cruz has] managed to force a vote on it by holding hostage dozens of President Bidens nominations, Durbin said. This Cruz bill will hardly deter the potential Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Construction of the pipeline is completed but it is not yet operational, which Democrats believe gives the U.S. and its European partners important leverage over Putin as he weighs whether to invade Ukraine again.

Cruz, meanwhile, has accused Democrats of folding in the face of political pressure and making the cynical decision to put partisan loyalty above U.S. national security interests.
A resident displays an at-home rapid COVID-19 test kit in Philadelphia, Monday, Dec. 20, 2021 AP Photo/Matt Rourke

Private insurers will now have to cover eight at-home COVID-19 tests a month per insured person.

The tests don't require a doctor's order or prescription, the Department of Health and Human Services said.

There is also no limit on covered tests if they're ordered by a doctor or medical professional.

Health insurance companies will have to cover up to eight at-home COVID-19 tests a month for each covered individual starting Saturday, the Biden administration announced.

The tests won't require a doctor's order, prescription, or office visit. Additionally, the tests won't be subject to copays or deductibles, according to a press release from the Department of Health and Human Services.

Insurers can either cover the cost upfront or reimburse the insured after a claim is filed.

"Under President Biden's leadership, we are requiring insurers and group health plans to make tests free for millions of Americans," HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra said in the press release. "This is all part of our overall strategy to ramp-up access to easy-to-use, at-home tests at no cost."

There is also no limit to the number of PCR or rapid tests that will be covered if they're ordered by a doctor or medical professional or given during an office visit.

The press release said the administration is incentivizing insurers to "set up programs that allow people to get the over-the-counter tests directly through preferred pharmacies, retailers or other entities with no out-of-pocket costs," so that people don't have to file claims, and the process can be streamlined.

"Testing is critically important to help reduce the spread of COVID-19, as well as to quickly diagnose COVID-19 so that it can be effectively treated," Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, said in the press release. "Today's action further removes financial barriers and expands access to COVID-19 tests for millions of people."

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Late last month, Biden acknowledged a shortage of COVID-19 at-home tests as demand surged as Americans traveled and gathered for the holidays and cases spiked.

"We went from no over-the-counter tests in January to 46 million in October, 100 million in November, and almost 200 million in December," Biden said in a COVID-19 response team call with the National Governors Association on Monday.

He added: "But it's not enough. It's clearly not enough. If we had known, we'd have gone harder and quicker if we could have."

On December 27, Biden also said that his administration had purchased an additional 500,000 at-home tests for Americans that request them and that he planned to authorize the Defense Production Act to produce more tests.

As of January 10, the 7-day average was 674,406 new daily cases, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Read the original article on Business Insider
(Independent)

President Joe Biden called for the Senate to change the filibuster to pass voting rights in a fiery speech in Georgia.

Mr Biden, who spent 36 years in the Senate, explained to a crowd in Atlanta that he did not come to the decision lightly.
A bill introduced in the Indiana General Assembly seeks to prevent IndyGo from establishing new dedicated bus lanes outside Mile Square in downtown Indianapolis, which would derail the public transit agency's planned Blue Line.

The city's third planned bus rapid transit line calls for dedicated bus lanes along the majority of Washington Street from Cumberland to the Indianapolis International Airport and relies on federal funding stipulating dedicated transit lanes.

Senate Bill 369, authored by Republican Senators Jack Sandlin and Mike Young, would not affect the Red Line or incoming Purple Line.

Instead, it addresses the city's main east-west artery, Washington Street, also known as US 40.

"I think we need to take a look at protecting the route," Sandlin said, citing concern over how taking away general-purpose lanes would impact traffic and businesses along the route. "We can still have a vibrant bus system without decimating Washington Street."

IndyGo, however, says this bill would cut Blue Line plans short.

We are disappointed to see lawmakers propose legislation that would cancel the planned Blue Line, which is set to improve infrastructure conditions along Washington Street from Cumberland to the Indianapolis International Airport," IndyGo said in a statement. "This move would effectively cripple an entire system designed to provide improved, faster and more reliable transit for Marion County."

In the current design for the 24-mile-long Blue Line, 70% of the corridor includes dedicated bus lanes in the left lanes of each side of the street, with the outer right lanes reserved for general purpose traffic. This would cut down Washington Street from four traffic lanes to two in most places. General traffic can, however, use the bus lanes to make turns.

IndyGo is expecting to complete 60% of the design by March 2022, start construction mid-to-late 2024 and open for business in 2027. The total project cost is estimated at $220 million.

Story continues

Purple Line: For many who live along 38th Street, excitement isn't about buses at all

But if the legislation passes, IndyGo said it would lose $100 million in federal funding be unable to move forward with the project as it stands, which includes building more than 10 miles of new or upgraded sidewalks, 500 new or upgraded ADA curb ramps, nearly 20 miles of paving and 65 new or upgraded traffic signals.

The bill, Sandlin said, would not preclude IndyGo from pursuing shared bus lanes. He acknowledged the corridor has infrastructure needs, but said he doesn't believe the city should address those through a bus project that takes away traffic lanes.

"What price do you put on the community?" he said.

Alternatives add millions

Lawmakers had previously asked IndyGo to evaluate design alternatives for Segment 1 of the Blue Line, which runs along Washington Street from Holt Road to the airport.

In a public meeting Dec. 28, engineers shared their analyses of two alternatives: running one bi-directional bus lane down the center of the street or bus lanes on the curb side of the street. Each alternative would add $6 million-$12 million to project costs and result in more property acquisition, engineers said. The bi-directional alternative would preserve two traffic lanes in each direction, but likely lead to slower bus service as buses have to wait for others to pass in the opposite direction. The curbside alternative would allow easier left-turn access throughout the corridor.

They did not, however, explore any configurations that involved fully mixed-traffic. A requirement of the Federal Transit Administration funding supporting the project is that there is a transit-dedicated benefit.

A traffic analysis of the left-lane bus rapid transit plan using 2018-20 data showed the average vehicle delay at signalized intersections stayed within city standard, which is 55 seconds or less per vehicle.

In other words, engineer Will Tolbert said, "No one would be waiting on average more than 55 seconds at an intersection in the morning or evening, peak hour or rush hour."

This wouldn't be IndyGo's first go-around with legislation challenging their plans. Last year, a bill from Sen. Aaron Freeman, R-Indianapolis, proposed a penalty if IndyGo didn't meet revenue requirements outlined in state law and a ban on future rapid transit lines if those requirements are not met. A similar skirmish happened in the 2020 session.

More: Inside negotiations between IndyGo and the legislators challenging bus rapid transit

Though Freeman didn't author this year's bill, the concern about how the Blue Line would impact traffic on Washington Street has been a major talking point of his in the past.

The bill will be read into session Tuesday afternoon and assigned to the Senate Committee on Rules and Legislative Procedure.

Contact IndyStar transportation reporter Kayla Dwyer at kdwyer@indystar.com or follow her on Twitter @kayla_dwyer17.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: IndyGo bill: Ban on bus-only lanes would 'cancel' Blue Line
NEW JERSEY  In recent months, New Jersey school districts have been facing severe teacher and staff shortages, largely because of the coronavirus pandemic. But a pair of proposed laws may help to get qualified educators back in classrooms across the state.

Heres what they would do.

RETURNING FROM RETIREMENT

On Monday, the New Jersey Assembly passed A-5576, which will make it easier for retired educators to return to classrooms. A companion bill was passed in the Senate in June. The legislation now heads to the desk of Gov. Phil Murphy.

If it becomes law, retired teachers and staff members to return to work during the 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 school years without having to reenroll in the Teachers Pension and Annuity Fund (TPAF). They would be able to collect both their pensions and pay from a teaching position for up to two years without affecting their retirement benefits.

Under the bill, a retired teacher or professional staff member providing a special service would be allowed to return to work in a position of critical need, as determined by the commissioner of education, without being reenrolled in TPAF if reemployment occurs more than 180 days after retirement. The staff member would be able to return on an annual contract basis, which could be renewed for one additional year. The total period of reemployment could not exceed two years unless approved by the commissioner.

The COVID-19 pandemic has presented our schools with many challenges, including significant teacher and staff shortages in districts throughout New Jersey, said the bills sponsors, Mila Jasey (District 27) and Pamela Lampitt (District 6).

We cannot allow these gaps in staffing to stand in the way of our students receiving the high-quality education our state is known for, Jasey and Lampitt added.

RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT



Story continues

Another bill that aims to ease the teacher shortage, S- 4203, was released from the New Jersey Senate by a vote of 39-0 on Monday.

The proposed law would eliminate the state residency requirement for all public school employees for a three year period. Schools would be required to make a good faith effort to hire New Jersey residents first.

The residency requirement was initially instituted in 2011.

Teacher shortages have been a growing issue in New Jersey and around the country for the past several years, an issue which has only been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, said its sponsor, Sen. M. Teresa Ruiz (District 29).

While we have enacted various measures to try and address it, it is clear more needs to be done to ensure our schools have adequate staff to meet the needs of our students, Ruiz said. By removing the residency requirement, we can open the door for professionals from surrounding states to join our teaching workforce.

S.4203, sponsored by @SenMTeresaRuiz, was approved by the Senate. The bill would remove the state residency requirement for public school employees.https://t.co/DcZLFKhiEK

 NJ Senate Democrats (@NJSenDems) January 10, 2022

Send news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com



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This article originally appeared on the Montclair Patch
The Giants immediately began requesting interviews with prospective GM candidates after dismissing Dave Gettleman on Monday.

Here is a quick look at the slips put in so far:

Joe Schoen  assistant GM, Buffalo Bills

Schoen is in his 20th NFL season and his fifth with the Bills. He worked for the Miami Dolphins for almost a decade prior, the final three years as director of player personnel, after seven years with Bills GM Brandon Beane in Carolina (2001-2007). Schoen interviewed for the Panthers GM vacancy last year. He played wide receiver at Division III Depauw (class of 2001) and hails from Elkhart, Ind.

Ryan Poles  assistant director player personnel, Kansas City Chiefs

Poles is in his 13th NFL/Chiefs season and his fourth in his current role, overseeing all aspects of the college scouting process. The Canandaigua, N.Y., native interviewed for the Panthers GM job last year, too, and played offensive tackle for five seasons at Boston College (2003-07), protecting Atlanta Falcons QB Matt Ryan.

Ryan Cowden  VP of player personnel, Tennessee Titans

Cowden is in his 22nd NFL season, sixth with the Titans and fourth in his current role. He oversees the whole scouting department, both college and pro. He spent 16 seasons with the Carolina Panthers, including three in scouting under Dave Gettleman, before going to Tennessee in 2016. He interviewed for Washingtons GM vacancy last year.

Monti Ossenfort  director of player personnel, Tennessee Titans

Ossenfort is in his 20th NFL season and second with the Titans. He worked a long time for the New England Patriots (2003-2019), including eight seasons as a colleague of Joe Judge (2012-19). Hes interviewed for GM vacancies at Cleveland (2020) and Carolina (2021) the past two years. He played quarterback at the University of Minnesota-Morris (class of 2000).

Adrian Wilson  VP pro personnel, Arizona Cardinals

Wilson, a former Cardinals All-Pro safety, is in his seventh season with Arizonas scouting department and his first in his current role. The five-time captain is one of only six players in NFL history with at least 25 sacks and 25 INTs in his career. And hes viewed as a clear future GM in the league. From High Point, N.C.

Story continues

Adam Peters (49ers)  assistant GM, San Francisco 49ers

Peters is in his 18th NFL season and fourth in his current role with the Niners. He worked from 2009-16 for the Denver Broncos, where he helped acquire 27 players in the draft and college free agency who were key to the Super Bowl 50 winning team. Peters, a former UCLA defensive end, first worked in scouting for the Patriots (2003-08). From Cupertino, Calif.

Ran Carthon (49ers)  director of player personnel, San Francisco 49ers

Carthon is the son of former Giants fullback Maurice Carthon. He is in his first season in his current role after five seasons as the Niners director of pro personnel. The former Florida standout running back spent three years in the NFL with the Colts. Then he broke into scouting and personnel work with the Falcons (2008-11) and Rams (2012-16).
It seems that Eric Trump is afraid of Tish James, one Twitter user chided.

Eric Trump, the son of twice-impeached former president Donald Trump, took to Twitter to voice his complaints about the investigation by the state of New York into allegations of corruption at the Trump Organization.

Last week, the younger Trump shared an editorial from The Wall Street Journal, which called the investigation of Attorney General Letitia James an inquisition.

Eric Trump, the son of former President Donald Trump, greets a small number of supporters outside of the Milwaukee Police Association hall in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he spoke on August 18, 2020. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Letitia James is a disgrace to New York and may go down as the single most unethical Attorney General this country has ever seen  devoting her entire office to target a political opponent all while New York burns, Trump wrote.

Black Twitter did not take kindly to those words, and is strongly supporting James. One user wrote, Normally I cant stand the sound of whining, but Eric trumps whining about Letitia James investigation is an exquisite 2022 whine.

Another user commented on the timeline of the investigation, I guess Eric Trump didnt realize that the AG office (before Tish James) have been investigating the Trumps including Eric.

Another added succinctly, It seems that Eric Trump is afraid of Tish James.

Its exactly what I thought. Why is he so scared? If you aint did nothing, then what could possibly make you this frightened of a woman doing her job in an office in NYC?   McCay (@CedricMcCay) January 11, 2022

In an appearance on Fox News, Eric Trump repeated his claims to Sean Hannity saying, She ran on the campaign promise of suing my father because she didnt believe in his political party, adding, Because she didnt like us.

He also said that the investigation violates the Constitution.

This is what youd expect from Russia, he noted. This is what youd expect from Venezuela. This is third-rate stuff.

New York Attorney General Letitia James addresses a news conference at her office, in New York on May 21, 2021. (AP Photo/Richard Drew, File)

James suspended her plan to run for governor of New York to finish the job of her numerous ongoing investigations, according to The Associated Press. She is investigating if the Trump organization misled banks or tax officials about the value of its real estate assets by inflating property value to attain loans and deflating their value to pay less in taxes.

Story continues

In May, James added a criminal component to her civil probe into the financial practices of the Trump Organization, which has been underway since 2019.

The former president has sued James, seeking an end to the investigation and claiming that it is a thinly-veiled effort to publicly malign Trump and his associates.

James responded, in part, to the suit on Twitter writing, 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. Over two years of delay tactics wont stop our investigation because no one is above the law.

Have you subscribed to theGrio podcasts, Dear Culture or Acting Up?Download our newest episodes now!

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The post Black Twitter comes for Eric Trump after he attacks Letitia James for Trump probe appeared first on TheGrio.
Columbus Blue Jackets left wing Gregory Hofmann (15) brings the puck up ice during the first period of the NHL hockey game against the Anaheim Ducks at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on Thursday, Dec. 9, 2021.

Gregory Hofmann will not return to the Blue Jackets.

The Swiss forward was suspended Monday after informing the team he wouldnt return from Switzerland following the birth of his first child with his wife, Jessica.

Gregory was given permission by the club to step away for personal reasons and informed us today that because of those reasons he has decided not to return, Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen said in a statement. Obviously, we are disappointed, but we have no other recourse than to suspend him.

Hofmann, 28, finished the season with two goals, five assists and seven points in 24 games during his first NHL season. He signed a one-year, one-way contract with the Blue Jackets worth $900,000 on June 14 after playing the first 11-plus seasons of his professional career in Switzerland's National League  that country's top division.

Hofmann's former National League team, EV Zug, posted a tweet Tuesday morning on Twitter that said he will resume his contract with that team after "NHL transfer formalities" are completed. The process includes the Blue Jackets placing Hofmann on unconditional waivers for the purpose of terminating his contract, which was not immediately done.

Suspending Hofmann protects his rights this season and the Blue Jackets do not have to pay his remaining salary, which also won't count toward their salary-cap number. The expectation is that he will be placed on unconditional waivers, but when that will happen is unclear.

Hofmann spent the Jackets extended Christmas break in Columbus and practiced with the team four times prior to their first game back Dec. 30 against the Nashville Predators. His absence for personal reasons was revealed shortly before the game and word began to spread it was for the birth of his child.

Columbus Blue Jackets left wing Gregory Hofmann (15) receives a pass during the NHL home opener at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio Oct. 14.

Hofmanns wife, Jessica, moved back to Switzerland for the birth after coming to Columbus in late summer with her husband. Hoffman is pictured with his wife on her Instagram account in a Dec. 30 post a day after he practiced with the Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena.

Story continues

For family reasons, Gregory has decided to not come back to the NHL and the Jackets, Hofmanns agent, Claude Lemieux, told the Dispatch via text message. He went home for the birth of their child and has decided to stay in Switzerland.

Lemieux said it was a difficult decision, but did not share anything further.

Hofmann is the second player the Blue Jackets have suspended this season for contractual reasons.

They suspended Finnish defenseman Mikko Lehtonen on Oct. 12 for refusing to report to the Cleveland Monsters after he was cut from the NHL roster out of training camp. Lehtonen, 27, was placed on unconditional waivers for the purpose of terminating his one-year contract and he quickly signed a four-year contract with SKA St. Petersburg of the Kontinental Hockey League.

Hofmann, who led EV Zug to a championship in Switzerland last season, was selected in the fourth round of the 2011 NHL draft by the Carolina Hurricanes. He became a star in his home country and was a teammate of Blue Jackets goalie Elvis Merzlikins with HC Lugano for a few seasons.

After being named the game's second star, Columbus Blue Jackets left wing Gregory Hofmann (15) gives away a stick to fans in the stands following the NHL hockey game against the Dallas Stars at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on Monday, Oct. 25, 2021. The Blue Jackets won 4-1.

Unable to sign him, the Hurricanes traded Hofmanns rights to Columbus on Feb. 13, 2021 for a 2022 seventh-round pick. The Blue Jackets convinced him to sign a one-year deal and Hofmann arrived for training camp with a good work ethic and lots of speed. He impressed Blue Jackets coach Brad Larsen right away and earned a regular lineup spot for most of the season on the third or fourth forward line.

Hofmanns biggest struggle was adjusting to the NHLs combination of elite talent and speed on rinks smaller than those in Europe. He was learning how to apply his speed best, but never fully put it all together.

His absence creates an opportunity for other forwards, but also tests the Jackets depth and takes a fast skater out of the lineup. Hofmann is also the latest European player who has opted not to return to the Blue Jackets.

Forwards Lukas Sedlak and Jakob Lilja preceded Lehtonen in choosing to play for KHL teams the past couple seasons, but none of them had a regular NHL role like Hofmanns when they left.

The Blue Jackets next game is Tuesday against the Chicago Blackhawks, when former star defenseman Seth Jones makes his first return to Nationwide Arena.

bhedger@dispatch.com

@BrianHedger

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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Blue Jackets suspend Gregory Hofmann
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The Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science campus in Willowbrook was closed Tuesday. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times)

Charles R. Drew University is set to reopen Wednesday after a bomb threat closed the medical school campus Tuesday.

The medical campus of the historically Black college and university in Willowbrook received a bomb threat early Sunday that led to the closure.

"CDU campus safety and local law enforcement completed a review of the grounds and facilities and determined that the campus is safe. The campus will reopen for limited operations" on Wednesday, the school said in a statement late Tuesday.

The Times obtained a copy of the threat sent from an individual who identified as a white male neo-Nazi who alleges to have planted three titanium nitrite sulfuric bombs around the eastern and northern parts of campus. The bombs were allegedly going to detonate about 1 p.m. Sunday.

"I want to show the Black population what the white man can do, we will take back our land!" the threat said.

Jonathan Zaleski, director of communications for Charles Drew University, said in an email statement that university officials discovered the emailed threat on Tuesday. It was sent "to a generic university email address" of the school's president, David M. Carlisle.

"Out of an abundance of caution, CDU immediately closed the entire campus and notified authorities," Zaleski said.

Last week, at least eight HBCU campuses were targeted with bomb threats, including Howard University in Washington and Xavier University in Louisiana. A bomb threat also forced the evacuation of Mt. San Antonio College on Jan. 4, although nothing was found in a search of the Walnut campus.

The university opened in 1966 and is named after Dr. Charles R. Drew, a Black physician from the early and mid-20th century who focused on blood banking and blood plasma storage and transfusion. He was also a distinguished surgeon and chair of surgery at Howard University.

More than 80% of Charles Drew University students are from communities of color and more than 71% of campus faculty are people of color, according to the college's website.

Story continues

Since opening, the university has graduated more than 600 physicians, 1,225 physician assistants and nearly 1,600 other health professionals, as well as trained over 2,700 physician specialists through its sponsored residency programs. Its school of nursing has graduated more than 1,300 nursing professionals, including more than 950 family nurse practitioners.

Times staff writer Anita Chabria contributed to this report.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
LONDON (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's government will face an urgent question in parliament on Tuesday over reports of a "bring your own booze" party in the garden of his Downing Street office and residence during the first coronavirus lockdown.

The House of Commons said opposition Labour Party Deputy Leader Angela Rayner would ask Johnson to make a statement on the May 20, 2020 event. It is due to take place at around 1230 GMT, but is not yet clear whether Johnson himself or another minister will answer for the government.

"I really hope Boris Johnson takes this opportunity to answer questions. We all sacrificed so much. We have a right to know," Rayner said on Twitter.

(Reporting by William James, Editing by Kylie MacLellan)
NEW YORK  As community members in the Bronx mourned the 17 people who died in a high-rise apartment fire, authorities on Tuesday continued investigating how smoke spread so quickly.

Fire and city officials said a malfunctioning space heater caused the blaze, but the choking smoke throughout the building left residents barely able to breathe as they tried to escape. Two self-closing doors did not shut properly and allowed smoke to spread, Fire Department of New York Commissioner Daniel Nigro said.

All 17 people died from smoke inhalation and the city's medical examiner ruled the deaths an "accident," Julie Bolcer, a spokesperson for the Office of Chief Medical Examiner, told USA TODAY on Tuesday.

Eight children, some as young as 4, were among those who died. The death toll could rise as more than a dozen people remained hospitalized in critical condition, Nigro said Monday.

Authorities on Tuesday released the names of 14 victims, whose ages ranged from 5 to 50. The oldest was a 50-year-old woman who shared the same last name with three other people.

The fire that broke out Sunday at the 19-story building is the worst in New York City since 87 people were killed in 1990 at the Happy Land club in the Bronx.

"This is an unspeakable tragedy," Mayor Eric Adams said. "It is not going to define us. It is going to show our resiliency."

Meanwhile, two tenants have filed a lawsuit claiming the building's owners and managers failed to maintain multiple safety features in the building, including self-closing steel doors, fire escapes and smoke detectors. The lawsuit, filed Monday, seeks hundreds of millions of dollars in damages.

GRAPHICS: How smoke caused by space heater fire killed 17 in New York apartment building

FIRE SAFETY: Taking precautions against a fire in your home? Here's what you need to know to stay safe

NYC inspectors previously flagged malfunctioning doors

The fire was sparked in a duplex unit on the second and third floors when a space heater malfunctioned and lit, Nigro said. The front door to the unit was open, even though it was supposed close on its own, as was a door to a 15th-floor stairwell, Nigro said.

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The two open doors allowed smoke to billow through the stairwell, Nigro said.

"The stairwell was very dangerous as the door was left open. Some of the floors, certainly on 15, the door was open from the stairs to the hall and the 15th floor became quite untenable," he said at a Monday news conference.

Nigro said the door was not obstructed. Adams said the door may have had a "maintenance issue."

New York City inspectors had cited the building at least five times for issues with its self-closing doors between 2013 and 2019, according to a Department of Housing Preservation and Development database. Four were at apartments and one was at the stairwell on the third floor, and all were corrected, the records show.

A complaint related to a self-closing door was also listed on the Department of Housing Preservation and Development website as recently as last month.

The scene on Monday at the Twin Parks North West apartment complex, after at least 17 people were killed and dozens were injured in a five-alarm fire that ignited at a Bronx apartment complex on Sunday.

Karen Dejesus, 54, who escaped her apartment on a fire ladder Sunday, told USA TODAY the door to her apartment was not self-closing and she wasn't sure how many of the doors in the building did close automatically.

'SCARED TO DEATH': New York mayor revises death toll to 17 in Bronx apartment fire, calls tragedy 'unspeakable'

In 2018, the City Council passed ordinances requiring self-closing doors and child safety knobs in apartment buildings, hotels, nursing homes and other multiple-dwelling units that open into corridors or stairways. Owners were required to install self-closing doors as of July 2021.

The building's owner, Bronx Park Phase III Preservation LLC, released a statement saying all doors in the building are self-closing, including stairwell and apartment doors, as required by code. There are no open violations or complaints related to self-closing doors at the property, the company said.

In July, maintenance workers repaired the lock on the entry door to the unit where the fire began. At that time, the self-closing mechanism was checked in accordance with standard operating procedure, and no concerns about the door had been reported to property management since then, the company said.

Bronx community mourns the victims

A small group of local clergy held a vigil in front of the building Monday.

They lost something, but Lord God we know you can give them more, the Rev. Kevin McCall prayed.

At Masjid-ur-Rahmah, a mosque nearby where many building residents pray, more than two dozen people gathered Monday.

To God we belong and to God we return, said the mosque's imam, Musa Kabba.

Many of those displaced were immigrants from the West African nation of Gambia, according to the Associated Press. Dawda Docka Fadera, Gambias ambassador to the United States, told the New York Times he came to the building from Washington to see it for himself.

BLAZE DEADLIEST IN YEARS: Malfunctioning space heater sparked Bronx apartment fire, city's deadliest blaze in decades

We are a very small country of about less than two million people, and we are all related, he told the newspaper. Everybody knows everybody, so our country is currently in a state of shock.

"I thank God that me and my family are safe. I'm sorry for other my neighbors that didn't make it. I'm sorry for my neighbors that are still in the hospital fighting for their life. This was crazy. This was so scary," Dejesus told USA TODAY.

Who were the victims?

Yusupha Jawara told The Associated Press he rushed to the scene and helped bring people to a hospitala few blocks away. In the rush, he saw someone he thought looked like his brother, but he returned to the person he was helping.

I was just helping the EMS transport one person to the hospital when I saw him  somebody similar like him  on a stretcher being brought to the ER, Jawara told the news outlet. At that time, I didnt have the focus to know that it was him.

The Associated Press reported that Jawara's brother, Hagi, and sister-in-law, Isatou, were among the 17 people killed.

Among the dead were also three children of Haja Dukuray and Haji Dukuray, originally from Gambia, according to Haji Dukuray, the uncle of Haja Dukuray. The uncle told The Associated Press he did not know if the children's parents survived.

Contributing: John Bacon, Grace Hauck and Joel Shannon, USA TODAY; The Associated Press

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Bronx apartment fire: New York inspectors flagged self-closing doors
The impact of COVID-19's omicron wave now includes likely delays for ordinary patient visits at Springfield-area doctor's offices from now through late February.

CoxHealth began emailing patients Tuesday morning to notify them that over the next 30 to 45 days, "wellness and routine" doctor appointments at the Springfield-based health care system might be rescheduled as primary care doctors are "adjusting their schedules" to face the current phase of the pandemic.

The emails, attributed to Dr. Tim Jones, Cox Medical Group president, were accompanied by social media posts Monday night, said Cox spokesperson Randy Berger.

An average of about people, or 2.4 percent of Cox staff, have been absent due to COVID-19 in recent times, Berger said.

Berger said that the staffing adjustment represents actions under "Tier 1" of Cox's pandemic resource plan, which has three tiers in total.

"We are planning for a scenario that could be as high as 10 percent or more" of staff out sick, Berger said in an email Tuesday night. "As with so many things related to the pandemic, we will plan for the worse case and hope for the best."

The email from Jones sent earlier in the day said that the goal of rescheduling doctor visits is to "treat more patients who are acutely ill."

Nurses and doctors in the CoxHealth Emergency Department in Springfield, Mo. don personal protective equipment to treat patients with COVID-19 on Friday, July 16, 2021. In parts of Missouri outside of St. Louis and Kansas City, COVID-19 levels during the omicron phase of the pandemic are now averaging more new cases than the entire state did during the summer 2021 delta wave, a St. Louis University health sociologist said on Jan. 9, 2022.

"Beginning this week, primary care clinics will be calling patients to reschedule some wellness and maintenance management appointments," the email sent to patients stated. "A provider will review and approve any rescheduled appointments to ensure that all patients are receiving timely care."

The email also stated, "Rescheduling these appointments allows our primary care physicians to add appointment times to treat patients who need symptomatic or emergent care."

More: CoxHealth CEO Steve Edwards gives dire omicron warning  and 8 ways to protect yourself

Jones's email said primary care doctors will "support" the system's urgent care clinics, "which are currently operating beyond capacity."

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At this time last year, Cox urgent cares were serving 350 to 400 visits per day; now they are serving more than 700 patients per day, the email from Jones said.

Cox: Call your doctor before going to urgent care

Cox asked patients who are ill and seeking care to call their primary doctor's office first, rather than visiting an urgent care. They can also use Cox Virtual Visits on Demand service to connect with a provider, the system said.

Expect busy hospitals, emergency rooms and urgent cares in the weeks to come.

"We are asking for patience and understanding as we manage the surge and work to meet the needs of our communities," Jones said in his email.

Health department: With omicron variant, worst surge yet of pandemic likely on its way to Springfield

Sonya Kullmann, Mercy Springfield Communities spokesperson, said Mercy facilities in southwest Missouri had 214 employees unable to report to work on Tuesday due to COVID-19. When asked about possible changes to doctor's office scheduling shortly before press time, she said, "I feel really comfortable saying right now we don't have any plans like that at this point."

Last week, the Springfield-Greene County Health Department warned southwest Missouri that the highly transmissible omicron variant of COVID-19 means the area will experience the "worst surge yet" in the two-year-old pandemic. A week earlier, Gov. Mike Parson ended the state's 22-month-old declaration of COVID-19 emergency.

Tuesday morning, the health department said the Springfield area's 7-day case average now stood at 417 cases, a 358 percent increase since Dec. 13. Currently, 204 patients are hospitalized with COVID-19 in Greene County, a 76 percent increase over the past month.

The New York Times reported Tuesday that Cox's intensive care unit in Springfield was 92 percent full, while Mercy's was 86 percent full. Statewide, Missouri ICUs are 87 percent full.

St. Louis University health sociologist Chris Prener, who has been tracking Missouri pandemic data since early in the pandemic, wrote on Twitter Sunday that St. Louis is now averaging more new COVID-19 cases than the entire state did at its worst case load peak in fall 2020.

Kansas City and the rest of the state "are individually averaging more new cases than the entire state did during the summer '21 Delta wave," Prener wrote.

Mind-boggling - St. Louis is now averaging more new cases than the entire state of Missouri did at its worst peak in fall '20. KC and Outstate are individually averaging more new cases than the entire state did during the summer '21 Delta wave. pic.twitter.com/p2a38Q6RNg  Chris Prener (@chrisprener) January 10, 2022

Reach News-Leader reporter Gregory Holman by emailing gholman@gannett.com. Please consider subscribing to support vital local journalism.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Due to omicron COVID cases, CoxHealth to delay 'routine' appointments
California Gov. Gavin Newsom's state budget proposal addresses the impact of declining student enrollment on school funding. (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press)

Gov. Gavin Newsom projected another year of record funding for schools during his budget presentation on Monday but warned that some districts could be in financial trouble as student enrollment continues to decline.

Newsom's budget proposal pointed to a state population decline driven by plummeting birth rates that have eroded K-12 enrollment projections, and proposed tweaking Californias decades-old education funding formula to "minimize the impact" of fewer students in schools, with funding tied to attendance.

Newsoms budget proposes broadening the policy to allow districts to base funding on attendance in the current year , prior year or the average of that from three prior years  whichever is greater. The proposal gives school districts more running room to plan against really shocking declines, said Keely Martin Bosler, director of Newsoms Department of Finance.

Average daily attendance among the states 6 million-plus K-12 students has decreased by 271,000 students since 2014. School funding in California is based on student enrollment and reduced by average daily attendance records, an attempt to hold schools accountable for chronic absenteeism.

Enrollment declines has been compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic as fewer families moved to California and campus closures "pushed parents to consider alternatives to their neighborhood public school," according to budget documents released by Newsom on Monday.

Some school districts over the next few years will be faced with difficult choices to remain fiscally solvent, the budget states.

Last week, state Sen. Anthony Portantino (DLa Canada Flintridge) introduced legislation that takes a bolder approach to the enrollment problem. The new bill proposes that education funding be tied to total annual student enrollment rather than how often students actually attend class. The move could bring in an additional $3 billion in annual state funding for schools, according to Portantino.

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Portantino said in a statement Monday that he is encouraged by Newsoms proposal and that the governors instincts are right, but that he will continue to make the case that this is the perfect time to enact the structural reforms necessary to better fund our schools and to create the stability that education leaders need to better serve our children.

Newsom has not commented on Portantinos legislation.

At San Bernardino City Unified, enrollment dropped by more than 2,000 students last year, equivalent to eight years worth of past annual population declines in the district.

The district, which enrolls more than 50,000 students, is already assessing where to make potential cuts, said Associate Supt. Harold Sullins.

With this impending cliff and the acceleration of the issues that COVID has presented, Im grateful were having this conversation. But its not a new issue for school districts, and we just wish it didnt take a pandemic to get here, Sullins said. Unfortunately, we should have gotten to this place much earlier.

The California Assn. of School Business Officials said that it supports "any statutory changes that recognize the enrollment realities are varying and unique" and "any opportunities to alleviate financial pressures around these conditions."

School leaders who have long bemoaned average daily attendance, saying it is a volatile policy that makes budgeting more difficult, welcome a change but say Newsom and Portantino's plans don't go far enough.

Newsoms projected $119 billion in education funding and record per-pupil spending wont necessarily save districts facing systemic deficits and significant enrollment declines, as state law dictates how the money can be spent.

Portantinos proposal would require that half of any new funding brought in be dedicated to chronic absenteeism, restricting how money can be spent.

Kevin Gordon, an education lobbyist in Sacramento who represents superintendents across the state, said that the school funding conversation is long overdue," but it's a heavy lift. Average daily attendance is referenced throughout state law and tied to other budget processes, and a shift to an enrollment-based policy will create significant ongoing costs to the state.

"The policy has never made any sense except that it puts a premium on making sure that we're paying attention to if a kid is in the classroom every day, and I always felt that could be accomplished in other ways," Gordon said. "From a public policy standpoint, it makes sense to move to an enrollment-based system, but it's definitely more complicated than it might seem."

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
This "Senorita" is slaying the selfie game.

Camila Cabello, 24, took to Instagram on Jan. 10 to share sultry bikini photos from her trip to the Dominican Republic.

"I posted no pics because i was hashtag living life," the singer wrote along the shots of herself enjoying a boat ride in a black swimsuit, "but I was in the REPUBLICA DOMINICANA BABYYYYYY."

On New Year's Eve, she posted a similar sunset photo while spilling details on her new music. "Feliz ano nuevo!" Camila said. "can't wait to give you guys my/ our next album, Familia in 2022."

In the days since, she turned heads while reuniting with ex Shawn Mendes in Miami. The pair were spotted walking their dog, Tarzan, on Jan. 6, as seen in pics obtained by TMZ. The meetup came less than two months after they called off their romantic relationship but vowed to stay "best friends."

It appears that Camila has since caught the travel bug. On Jan. 10, she also shared a look inside her trip to Montana, showing herself bundled up in a teddy coat, gloves and a fedora while posing on a rocking chair in the woods. As she captioned the selfie, "Alexa play featherstone by the paper kites."

Shawn Mendes & Camila Cabello: Romance Rewind

Meanwhile, Shawn has seemingly channeled his feelings about their split into his latest song, "It'll Be Okay."

Instagram

In the instant hit, he sings, "Are we gonna make it?/ Is this gonna hurt?" and "I start to imagine a world where we don't collide/ It's making me sick but we'll heal and the sun will rise."

Ahead of NYE, he posted a video from Toronto discussing what the song means to him.

"I'm having a little bit of a hard time with social media at the moment and just my relationship with it," he told fans. "I think that when I make music, the ultimate goal is to kind of be sitting there and have some sort of my own truth revealed to me. And a lot of the time when I'm writing songs, I'm usually using music as a platform to be able to get to a place inside of myself."

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Instagram

Shawn added, "I just feel so proud of that song and I feel so grateful that you guys are connecting with it."

More recently, the 23-year-old hitmaker was spotted enjoying the waves of Miami, but hasn't posted any pics to his feed in 2022.
(Reuters) -The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is considering updating its mask guidance because of an increase in the number of Omicron-related coronavirus cases, the Washington Post reported on Monday.

The agency will likely advise people opt for the highly protective N95 or KN95 masks worn by healthcare personnel, if they can do so consistently, the newspaper reported, citing an official close to the deliberations.

The CDC guidance is expected to say that if people can "tolerate wearing a KN95 or N95 mask all day, you should," the report said.

The United States reported at least 1.13 million new COVID-19 infections on Monday, according to a Reuters tally, the highest daily total of any country in the world as the spread of the highly contagious Omicron variant showed no signs of slowing.

Last week, CDC Director Rochelle Walenksy told NBC News' "Today" program the Omicron-driven surge in U.S. COVID-19 cases has likely not topped out yet.

(Reporting by Jahnavi Nidumolu in Bengaluru; Editing by Christopher Cushing and Christian Schmollinger)
Decisions to shift to remote learning in Chicago will be made on a school-by-school basis, depending on teacher and student absenteeism, and the district and union will work together to enroll more families in a voluntary COVID-19 testing program, under an agreement reached Monday night.

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But the Chicago Teachers Union walked away from its four-day work stoppage without much of what it was hoping to achieve, including district-wide triggers for closing schools and a mandatory student testing program that required parents to opt-out. One official lamented that workers gave up four days wages in exchange for concessions like increasing the supply of masks to schools.

We sacrificed pay for face masks, Stacy Davis Gates, political and legislative director for the union, told reporters.

The plan, which wont be released until the unions full membership votes this week, also includes efforts to reduce staff shortages by adding pay incentives to increase the substitute pool when teachers are out, and stipends for employees who help register families for testing and vaccination appointments. Staff members will also be trained to conduct contact tracing.

We understand that our relationship to our families is a critical part of engaging in this testing program, added Jennifer Johnson, CTUs chief of staff. The goal, she said, is to sign up 100 percent of families by Feb. 1.

Related: Here We Go Again: Parents Share Frustrations and Triumphs as Remote Learning Returns

Mayor Lori Lightfoot, who faces reelection next year, also promised to consider the perspectives of parents should there be another management-labor breakdown. We will never, never not have you at the table, she said. While some parents expressed deep concerns over safety in keeping their children home after the holiday break, others argued that remote learning was detrimental for their children and wanted to see better cooperation between the mayor and the union. Some also agreed with the city that making decisions about closures on a school-by-school basis makes more sense at this point in the pandemic because vaccinations are available and Omicron is less likely to cause serious illness.

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But observers said the conflict didnt leave either side in a good place.

No one wins in this scenario. Parents and students lost with five days of disruption to their schooling routine, said Bradley Marianno, an assistant education professor of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, adding that the district and teachers union further solidified a relationship in which they only operate in crisis versus collaboration.

The agreement, he said, will likely make schools marginally safer, but strikes and threats of strikes every time the district and the union negotiate are bound to wear on parents and educators.

The conflict also drew attention to the low vaccination rate among Chicago students. Less than a third of the districts 340,000 students are fully vaccinated and rates vary widely at schools across the district.

As cases spiked in December, We began to have an increasable sense of foreboding, CTU President Jesse Sharkey said during the unions press conference.

Related: Families Have to Have a Voice: Martinez Cites Importance of Parents as Chicago District and Union Agree on Wednesday Student Return

While almost two thirds of the unions delegates approved the agreement, Sharkey suggested the rank and file members might not be satisfied.

We dont try to sell people on the benefits of the agreement that are not there, he said. Our members are grown ups, and we understand sometimes you dont have a guarantee in advance.

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Mayor Lori Lightfoot appears on 'Meet the Press.' Meet the Press

The fight between the Chicago Teachers' Union and Mayor Lori Lightfoot is still ongoing.

Classes have been canceled for the fourth day in a row, and schooling in Chicago remains in limbo.

Parents told Insider they don't believe Lightfoot isn't listening to their concerns about safety.



Chicago public school students stayed home from school for a fourth day Monday as teachers and city officials continued to spar over how to educate children amid a sharp uptick in COVID infections.

The Chicago Teachers' Union and Mayor Lori Lightfoot have been at odds for days on the best way to teach kids as the highly contagious Omicron variant continues to spread. The Chicago Public Schools system makes up the the third-largest district in the US, home to more than 340,000 students.

The union last week went against Lightfoot's stance in favor of in-person learning, voting instead to pivot to remote learning. Lightfoot, meanwhile, argues that in-person learning provides better educational benefits for children and less stress on parents who'd otherwise be forced to look after their kids during the daytime.

But with rising cases of the Omicron, teachers don't feel safe attending classes in person. Neither do some parents who spoke to Insider.

"I don't think at this point it's worth the risk," said JP Paulus, a father of a fifth-grader and high school junior. "I feel like that the district and the mayor did not reach out to parents who are at schools that have this sort of spike in COVID."

Other parents who've spoken to Insider have also expressed a similar sentiment.

"I know they need to be amongst their peers for social development, I understand that," said Valeisha Manning, a mother of three children who are enrolled in the Chicago Public Schools system. "But there's no social development that comes to a dead child or a sick child or a child that's in ICU."

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Lightfoot, ahead of the fight with the teachers' union, has insisted that schools are safe.

"Our schools are not the source of significant spread. The issue is community spread. But we need to keep our kids in schools, which is what we're going to do in Chicago," Lightfoot said during a CNBC interview last week.

Big empty classroom at modern school Stock Photo/Getty Images

Some parents, however, disagree.

Rachael H., a mother of three kids who attend district schools, said she kept her third-grader home last Monday when schools reopened for in-person learning after the holiday break. That same day, she said, there was a COVID-19 exposure and her child's 30 other classmates who showed up had to quarantine and learn remotely the next day. On Tuesday, her third-grader showed up to school, and "it was a total of her and one other student in the classroom," Rachael said.

"But her and another child were in the school," Rachael said. "And then she told me that she had to have lunch with a whole nother classroom because her teacher had to go out for lunch. So that means she's being exposed again to another set of students, just for her to have a lunch break."

Paulus said parents were promised that there would be sufficient cleaning supplies and measures put in place in an attempt to slow the spread of the coronavirus. But his kids told him that there aren't any dividers or antibacterial wipes. And like Rachael, he also said his child told him that about half her class was missing during the first two days of school after the winter break. Parents were either afraid of the possibility of an infection or had family members infected with the virus, he said.

An analysis of available data from the Illinois Department of Public Health has found that schools are the biggest source of infection in every part of the state except Chicago, Axios reported.

The Chicago Health Department did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment. But Chicago Health Department spokesperson Andrew Buchanan has indicated that he believes schools aren't a significant source of spread, according to Axios.

The city has not publicly released its exposure data. But the latest guidance posted on the department's website mandates that schools report "two or more confirmed cases of COVID-19 occurring within 14 calendar days of each other at the facility."

But in Chicago itself, positive COVID-19 cases are rising, and parents are afraid that city officials like Lightfoot aren't taking the infection rates seriously. Lightfoot's office declined to comment.

"I really want the mayor to listen," Paulus said. "Parents are not really behind heard."

Paulus said Lightfoot is behaving like the situation is "all or nothing," when the decision to attend have in-person or remote learning can fall on individual schools and be done on a case-by-case basis.

"She's not taking into consideration the possibility that individual schools could select an all-remote option and make it work," he said.

Read the original article on Insider
The Maryland Historical Trust will use a $50,000 grant from the National Park Service to document the accomplishments and stories of Indigenous people in Baltimore City.

These stories are important, said Heather Barrett, administrator of architectural research of the Historical Trust in Crownsville.

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Its about the people who make up the state of Maryland, Barrett said. There are rich histories of [Indigenous people] to be told from various communities in our state. Were just working to really document sites related to histories and provide further documentation.

The Historic Trust plans to hire a consultant by February to oversee the project and hopes to complete it by next September.

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Weve been working hard to really tell some diverse stories of American Indians in our city and underrepresented communities, Barrett said.

In addition to library and newspaper archives, a key component is the forthcoming Ashley Minner Collection at the University of Maryland Baltimore, County, she said. Ashley Minner is a community-based visual artist serving as assistant curator for history and culture at the Smithsonians National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C. The collection is named after her because her research inspired the collection.

Between 2,000 and 7,000 Indigenous people settled in the Upper Fells Point and Washington Hill neighborhoods in Southeastern Baltimore in the 1950s and 1960s.

Indigenous people who settled in the city were predominantly members of the Lumbee Tribe and were from Robeson County, North Carolina, Minner said. They came to Baltimore seeking work in construction and factories as well as to start their own businesses.

Dr. Ashley Minner is a visual artist who is part of the Lumbee Tribe and has done research on Indigenous people in Baltimore. (Kim Hairston/The Baltimore Sun )

Today, the majority of those Lumbee tribe members live in such areas of Baltimore County as Dundalk, Essex and Rosedale. Many left Baltimore following the killing of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. in 1968 and subsequent outpouring of violence, Minner said.

Governor Worth Locklear was the earliest documented Lumbee member to come to Baltimore and was an 1893 graduate of Baltimore University School of Medicine, she said. Herbert Locklear, Elizabeth Locklear and Rosie Hunt, all Lumbee members, founded the American Indian Study Center in 1968, now called the Baltimore American Indian Center & Heritage Museum. Other institutions started by Lumbee members include the South Broadway Baptist Church and East Baltimore Church of God.

All of them helped people find jobs  anything you needed when you came to a new place, they were here helping people, Minner said.

Indigenous people lived here for millenia before Europeans, but explorers such as Christopher Columbus are often credited with discovering the Americas. In the subsequent reckoning over his complicated legacy, eight states and more than 100 cities, towns and counties have changed Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples Day, including Baltimore in 2019.

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Were here. And weve been here. Were an important part of society and culture here, she said.

Afternoon Update Weekdays Updating you on the day's biggest news before the evening commute. >

A Lumbee Tribe member, Minner grew up in Dundalk and graduated from the Maryland Institute of College of Art. She is hoping to be named to work on the historical trusts project to document Indigenous peoples stories and accomplishments in Baltimore.

Minner, along with her colleague, Elizabeth Rule, a Chickasaw Nation member, created a free mobile application called Guide to Indigenous Baltimore that takes users on a virtual walking tour. She also helped created Baltimorereservation.com, an online expansion version of the illustrated print guide to what it calls East Baltimores Historic American Indian Reservation.

Jeanette Jones is a retired project manager of a Baltimore City Public Schools program for Native Americans and Minners aunt. A Lumbee member, Jones supports the historical trusts project, and would like to see more people educated about her community and some of the myths about Christopher Columbus.

[Native Americans] werent lost. We were already here. So, he didnt find us, she said.

Jones said that Native American identity is often lost amid the ongoing protest movements, such as Black Lives Matter.

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My grandson said to me, What are you? Youre not Black. You aint white. What are you? People dont realize that there are Native Americans, she said. Its important for people to know that there are a large population of Native Americans living in the State of Maryland.

This article is part of our Newsmaker series that profiles notable people in the Baltimore region who are having an impact in our diverse communities. If youd like to suggest someone who should be profiled, please send their name and a short description of what they are doing to make a difference to: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Editor Kamau High at khigh@baltsun.com.
BEIJING (AP)  A third Chinese city has locked down its residents because of a COVID-19 outbreak, raising the number confined to their homes in China to about 20 million people.

The lockdown of Anyang, home to 5.5 million people, was announced late Monday after two cases of the omicron variant were reported. Residents are not allowed to go out and stores have been ordered shut except those selling necessities.

Another 13 million people have been locked down in Xian for nearly three weeks, and 1.1 million more in Yuzhou for more than a week. It wasn't clear how long the lockdown of Anyang would last, as it was announced as a measure to facilitate mass testing of residents, which is standard procedure in China's strategy of identifying and isolating infected people as quickly as possible.

The lockdowns are the broadest since the shutting down of Wuhan and most of the rest of Hubei province in early 2020 at the start of the pandemic. Since then, China's approach has evolved into one of targeting smaller areas hit by outbreaks for lockdowns.

The approach of the Winter Olympics, which open Feb. 4 in Beijing, and the emergence of omicron have brought back citywide lockdowns in a bid to snuff out outbreaks and prevent them from spreading to other parts of China.

A Beijing Olympics official responsible for disease control, Huang Chun, said organizers are counting on the cooperation of athletes and officials to prevent an outbreak that could affect participation.

If the mass cluster transmission happens, it will impact the Games and the schedule for sure, Huang said. The worst scenario, if it happens, is independent of mans will, so we leave our options open.

In Hong Kong, city leader Carrie Lam announced the closure of kindergartens and primary schools after infections were reported in students. Schools are to close by Friday and remain shut until at least the Lunar New Year holiday in the first week of February.

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The semiautonomous Chinese city has tightened pandemic-related restrictions in recent days after discovering the omicron variant had spread beyond people arriving from overseas.

The Anyang omicron cases are believed to be linked to two other cases found Saturday in Tianjin. It appears to be the first time omicron has spread in mainland China beyond people who arrived from abroad and their immediate contacts.

Anyang is an important archeological site, the ancient capital of the Shang dynasty and where the earliest Chinese writing has been found on what are called oracle bones.

The city said that non-essential vehicles are banned from streets in a lockdown notice shared online by state media late Monday. The number of cases is still relatively low, with 58 new ones confirmed from the start of Monday to 8 a.m. Tuesday morning.

Tianjin, a major port that is less than an hour from Beijing by high-speed rail, has locked down only affected areas as it carries out mass testing. As of noon Tuesday, 97 people had tested positive in the city of 14 million people: 49 with symptoms, 15 without symptoms and 33 awaiting further verification.

Xi'an and Yuzhou are both battling the delta variant and neither has reported any omicron cases.

More than 2,000 people have been infected in Xi'an in Chinas largest outbreak since the initial one in Wuhan. The ancient capital is a popular tourist stop that is home to the Terracotta Warriors ruins and also a Samsung computer chip factory.

Authorities have credited the lockdown with curtailing the spread, though it disrupted lives and emergency medical treatment for some. The city reported 13 new cases in the latest 24 hour period, down from more than a hundred a day at the peak of the outbreak.
TALLAHASSEE  The state-backed Citizens Property Insurance Corp. continued to add thousands of policies a week in December, while new legislative proposals would try to steer more homeowners into the private insurance market.

Citizens had a total of 759,305 policies as of Dec. 31, an increase of nearly 217,000 policies from a year earlier as private insurers shed customers and sought hefty rate increases amid financial troubles in the industry, according to newly posted data. In December, Citizens added almost 18,000 policies.

Pointing in part to financial risks if a major hurricane hits, many state leaders have long sought to minimize the number of policies in Citizens, which was created as an insurer of last resort. But Citizens President and CEO Barry Gilway said last month that private property insurers have been losing money in Florida since 2017, causing a shift in policies to Citizens.

When theyre unprofitable, they want to write less business, Gilway told the Citizens Board of Governors. Thats whats happening.

Senate Banking and Insurance Chairman Jim Boyd, R-Bradenton, and Rep. Tommy Gregory, R-Sarasota, filed bills (SB 1728 and HB 1307) on Friday that would try to shift at least some customers out of Citizens and into the private market.

As an example, the bills address situations in which homeowners receive coverage offers from private insurers as their Citizens policies come up for renewal. Under the bills, such customers would not be eligible for renewal with Citizens unless the private insurers premiums are more than 20 percent higher than what Citizens would charge.

As another example, the bills would allow what are known as surplus-lines insurers to take part in programs aimed at removing policies from Citizens. Generally, surplus-lines insurers are more lightly regulated than standard insurers.

Officials say Citizens often charges less than private insurers for coverage, with Gilway last month describing Citizens rates as ridiculously competitive. Part of the reason is that state law caps annual increases that Citizens customers can face.

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In the past, Citizens was prevented from passing along increases of more than 10 percent a year to individual policyholders  a concept that has become known as a rate glide path. A law passed last year gradually increased that cap to 11 percent in 2022, 12 percent in 2023 and ultimately to 15 percent in 2026.

Despite a proposal from their actuaries to increase homeowners rates by an average of 7.3 percent in 2022, members of the Citizens Board of Governors last month approved seeking 11 percent across-the-board rate increases. The state Office of Insurance Regulation has final say on rate hikes.

The bills filed by Boyd and Gregory will be considered during the legislative session that will start Tuesday. Issues about Citizens and the broader property-insurance system can be politically volatile, as many homeowners in areas such as South Florida pay high rates and have few choices for coverage other than Citizens.

Rep. Fentrice Driskell, a Tampa Democrat who is policy chairwoman for the House Democratic Caucus, gave a glimpse of the controversy about the issue during a pre-session news conference Monday.

Property-insurance rates, theyre too high, Driskell said. I hear that everywhere I go in my district. People are concerned with property insurance rates. The Republicans have run that into the ground, and they need to own that failure 

 Staff writer Ryan Dailey contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Citizens' policies jump as Florida lawmakers look for answers
The New York Times

Oleg Y. Tinkov was worth more than $9 billion in November, renowned as one of Russias few self-made business tycoons after building his fortune outside the energy and minerals industries that were the playgrounds of Russian kleptocracy. Then, last month, Tinkov, the founder of one of Russias biggest banks, criticized the war in Ukraine in a post on Instagram. The next day, he said, President Vladimir Putins administration contacted his executives and threatened to nationalize his bank if it d
ROCKFORD  City leaders and health officials are urging residents once again to get vaccinated as hospitals fill and positive COVID-19 cases reach an all-time high.

According to Winnebago County Public Health Administrator Sandra Martell, Winnebago County is reporting 1,493 positive cases of COVID-19 from Saturday through Monday. The county is averaging about 500 new cases per day and has had five deaths among residents ages 49 and 96 since Saturday.

Martell said local hospitals are reaching capacity.

As of Monday, there were 219 patients in the hospital with COVID-19, an increase from the 187 patients that were accounted for last week. Of those patients, 45 are in the ICU with 11% of those people being placed on ventilators.

Rockford school buses: Rockford Public Schools still unable to run buses for all students

There are only two ICU beds currently available in Rockford which has forced hospitals to alter routine procedures.

"So if you think you've been boosted or you don't need the vaccine, let's just hope that you're not in an accident. Let's just hope a loved one doesn't have a heart procedure that's needed immediately," Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara said.

Martell said about 90% of hospitalizations can be attributed to the unvaccinated.

"We are at a very pivotal time in our community," Martell said.

McNamara is urging residents who haven't been vaccinated to do so as an act for not only themselves but for those around them as well.

"I would strongly urge everyone to get vaccinated, get boosted, follow very simple things that all of the professionals are telling us from wearing a mask, practicing social distancing, things we learned in third grade that show that you are not a selfish individual," McNamara said.

COVID vaccine: What we've learned about the COVID-19 vaccine, from a Rockford OSF specialist

According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, about 52% of residents in Winnebago County have been fully vaccinated.

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The Winnebago County Health Department announced 588 new COVID-19 cases Tuesday, the highest number of cases reported in a single day since the start of the pandemic.

Martell has attributed the spike to the lack of residents who are fully vaccinated but also to the holiday season, something she says has been a trend during the pandemic.

"After every holiday we have seen that bump. This is not a new trend for us," Martell said.

Also during Monday's new conference, Rockford Police Chief Carla Redd and Winnebago County Board Chairman Joe Chiarelli shared personal stories about their own battles with COVID-19.

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While their stories shared the common thread of struggling with the virus they differed in their status of vaccination during the time of being ill.

Chiarelli said he was fully vaccinated and asymptomatic when he tested positive for COVID-19 on Nov. 3, 2021.

Redd was not vaccinated and got sick with the virus in May of 2021. She has since gotten fully vaccinated.

Redd recalled feeling lucky after battling the virus for three weeks and not being able to sleep for days at a time.

"There were times where I thought I was going to give up. I could literally see myself not being here. Wondering what life was going to be like for my kids without their mom," Redd said.

Others are reading: Belvidere businessman, philanthropist Jack Wolf dies at age 87

While Chiarelli had no symptoms when he tested positive he was hit with an onslaught of symptoms within a week.

"I was fully paralyzed from my legs, my arm movement, difficulty breathing. I was coughing up blood. And if it wasn't for my wife who found me on the bedroom floor I probably wouldn't be here today to speak on this," Chiarelli said.

Residents should have confidence that the techniques that are being offered are the best ones available to keep everyone safe, Martell said.

"We know what works," she said. "If we are serious, if we want to protect our livelihoods, our business, our healthcare systems, keep our children in school, we need to double down on our efforts."

Shaquil Manigault: smanigault@gannett.com; @RRstarShaquil

This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Rockford ICU only has 2 beds available, officials report Monday
KEY LARGO, Fla. (AP)  The U.S. Coast Guard pulled 176 Haitians from an overloaded, unseaworthy wooden sailing vessel as it approached the Florida Keys, officials said.

The rescue effort unfolded on Monday after a flight crew with Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations spotted the 60-foot vessel some 25 miles (40 kilometers) northeast of Anguilla Cay, Bahamas, the Coast Guard said in a news release.

The crew of the Cutter Paul Clark provided personal flotation devices to those onboard the boat, which didn't have basic life saving equipment or navigation lights, officials said. A crew from the Coast Guard station in Islamorada then worked with federal, state and local law enforcement officers to take the people into custody. Ten were brought to a hospital with symptoms of dehydration.

It is extremely dangerous to navigate the Florida Straits in an unseaworthy vessel, especially off the Florida Keys where the water is extra treacherous with shoals and reefs, said Chief Warrant Officer James Kinney. Thanks to the quick coordination among so many different agencies, no lives were lost during this interdiction.

The group of Haitians will be processed for removal proceedings and transferred to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, CPB spokesman Alan Regalado said.

The Coast Guard routinely returns people interdicted at sea to their country of origin. Coast Guard crews have already rescued 557 Haitians three months into the current fiscal year. That's up sharply from last year, when 1,527 Haitians had been rescued by year's end. The agency said 418 Haitian migrants were rescued in 2020, 932 in 2019, 609 in 2018 and 419 in 2017.
Colab Kitchen in Stuart has opened  at least halfway.

The new restaurant, the former location of Ground Floor Farm at 100 S.E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., opened Dec. 8 for lunch during the week and brunch on the weekends with indoor and outdoor seating, said general manager Laurrie Wood.

Its a giant, open, beautiful space, Wood said. We have this amazing yard.

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We are real farm to table. The community can look for well sourced proteins and greens and the company represents responsibility in food, said Chef JD Eubanks, who smokes fish at Colab Kitchen on Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022, in Stuart. Colab Kitchen opened Dec. 8, 2021 in the former Ground Floor Farm location with a market and restaurant featuring local produce, house-made breads, pastries, vegan cheeses, smoked meats and fish and more.

Lunch is 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, and brunch is 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The market is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.

The restaurant and market use fresh produce from CoLab Farms in Indiantown, which was co-founded by Pamela Huizenga Alexander. Jackie Vitale, Michael Meier and Micah Hartman, childhood friends from Stuart, sold their 4-year-old business to CoLab Farms in 2019.

Alexander, whose father was the late businessman H. Wayne Huizenga, was exposed to farming as a kid. She was born and raised in Fort Lauderdale and spent summers on her grandfathers farm in Central Florida.

The restaurant and market also have vegan and gluten-free baked goods  including fresh bread and cinnamon rolls that are made in the morning  bone broths, organic meats, homemade ice cream, popsicles, cheesecake, Key lime pie, cookies and scones. The automatic coffee maker uses Oceana Coffee in Tequesta and The Roasted Record in Stuart.

People enjoy brunch, live music, shopping for fresh produce and a sunny Saturday outdoors Jan. 8, 2022, at Colab Kitchen in Stuart. Colab Kitchen opened Dec. 8, 2021 in the former Ground Floor Farm location with a market and restaurant featuring local produce, house-made breads, pastries, vegan cheeses, smoked meats and fish and more.

Everything is closed Mondays and Tuesdays, Wood said, but both will be open on Mondays and for dinner service in the future, after staffing issues are resolved.

Jason Stocks, who co-owns the restaurant and market with Alexander and oversees culinary operations, had planned to be open for dinner by now.

Its just crazy right now, Stocks said. I dont really have a timeline on dinner.

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The restaurant has just enough staff to cover lunch and brunch currently, he said. It would need at least 25% to 30% more employees to open for dinner.

The reason is a combination of previous staffing issues and the current outbreak of the omicron variant of COVID, Stocks said. Employees are out sick  something hes also seeing as executive chef at District Table & Bar in Port Salerno.

Hiring is horrible, Stocks said. Were not even getting applications.

Laurie K. Blandford is TCPalm's entertainment reporter and columnist dedicated to finding the best things to do on the Treasure Coast. Follow her on Twitter @TCPalmLaurie and Facebook @TCPalmLaurie. Email her at laurie.blandford@tcpalm.com. Sign up for her What To Do in 772 weekly newsletter at profile.tcpalm.com/newsletters/manage.

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Colab Kitchen in Stuart opens for lunch, needs staff to add dinner
The Columbia Board of Education on Monday voted unanimously to place an $80 million school bond issue on the April 5 ballot.

Superintendent Brian Yearwood outlined the plan in a presentation before the board vote.

"This is not going to involve any increase in taxes," Yearwood said. "I want to be very, very clear about that."

The projects to be funded include $25 million for a new elementary school on the campus of John Warner Middle School and $28 million for a second new elementary school at another location, yet to be decided. There's $15 million allocated for renovations and additions at the Columbia Area Career Center. The plan also includes $4.5 million for an addition at Battle Elementary School.

Chief Operating Officer Randy Gooch explained the need for the work to the career center.

"We have some significant foundation issues with the career center," he said.

Battle Elementary School was built expecting student population growth, Gooch said.

"When we built that school, we were thinking ahead," Gooch said.

The rest of the funds would go toward building accessibility projects, technology infrastructure, and safety and security improvements.

"We deliver our projects on time and on budget," Yearwood said.

The school district has 39 school buildings and 3.5 million square feet of building space, Yearwood said. The district's oldest schools  Grant Elementary School, Jefferson Middle School and Douglass High School  are more than 100 years old.

"CPS is a growing district," Yearwood said. "More scholars are coming."

Board member Jeanne Snodgrass said when her older children were in school, they were in trailers used as classrooms. Most of those have been eliminated, and her youngest has been in a traditional classroom with an improved learning environment, she said.

The accessibility improvements also have been a benefit, she said. Her children's grandparents sometimes couldn't use the stairs in her children's school.

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Voter approval will require a 57% majority.

Could resource officers be returning to schools?

A presentation about school resource officers appeared designed to set the stage for their return soon.

School resource officers provide education, mentoring and safety, said John White, district security director.

"There's a deterrent to having a uniformed officer present," White said.

SROs eliminate barriers between police and students, he said.

"There is an immediate response time for emergencies," he said.

An SRO's job is to establish relationships with students, said Columbia police Sgt. Keisha Edwards, who for more than nine years was SRO at Rock Bridge High School until the program ended in 2020.

"I have a desire and an investment in those kids' lives," Edwards said.

Her office was a safe space for students, she said.

"You can tell me anything and I'm going to help find a solution," Edwards said was her approach with students.

Making arrests was her last consideration, she said.

Edwards was transformative in the way she impacted the lives of students, said school board member Katherine Sasser, who formerly taught at Rock Bridge.

Sasser urged community forums or a task force before a new contract is approved.

"This is a really important conversation," Sasser said.

Silence on COVID

Sasser at the beginning of the meeting made note that there was no COVID-19 update on the agenda as there had been at virtually every meeting since the start of the pandemic.

"I was disappointed that there was no COVID discussion on the agenda," Sasser said.

She asked the administration to provide a COVID update at next week's work session and at every meeting while the district's COVID plan is in effect.

During public comment, teacher Teresa Gooch asked what plans the administration was making for the potential closure of individual school buildings.

"I don't want to be unprepared," Gooch said. "I think it will be a rough couple of weeks."

The message the school district sent by not including a COVID update on the agenda was clear, said resident Rebecca Shaw.

"You've sent us a message that CPS isn't listening," Shaw said.

She pointed out to the board the online petition with more than 2,500 signers asking for more board discussion about a mask requirement. She also called attention to the students who walked out in protest at Hickman High School on Monday.

"If you won't listen to us, at least listen to your students," Shaw said.

Board intends to extend Yearwood's contract

The board approved a letter to Superintendent Brian Yearwood notifying him that it intends to extend his contract by an additional year, to June 30, 2025, but not without complications.

A motion by Sasser to approve the agenda without the item wasn't approved, though it was supported by Snodgrass.

A motion by Sasser to amend the motion to allow for the completion of Yearwood's evaluation failed for lack of a second.

When the vote was taken, Snodgrass and Sasser abstained, without explanation.

"Dr. Yearwood has our confidence," said board member Chris Horn.

Horn and members Helen Wade, Blake Willoughby and Della Streaty-Wilhoit were at the meeting via video conference. Wade said she was in five-day isolation. Others were out of town.

rmckinney@columbiatribune.com

573-815-1719

This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Columbia school board puts $80 million bond issue on April 5 ballot
A construction company owner who is neither a veteran nor a minority has been sentenced to 28 months in prison for defrauding the government out of $346 million in contracts meant for service-disabled veterans and minorities.

Matthew C. McPherson, 45, of Olathe, Kansas, was also ordered to pay the government back $5.5 million, which was his share of profits from the scheme, the Justice Department said in a news release.

"This contractor not only defrauded the government, but cheated to get contracts that should have gone to firms led by disabled veterans and minority owners," U.S. Attorney Teresa Moore said in the release Wednesday, the day McPherson was sentenced in federal court. "His greed and deception allowed him to enrich himself at the expense of disabled veterans and minority owners."

Read Next: Thousands of Afghans Remain Housed on US Bases Months After the Fall of Kabul

McPherson had pleaded guilty in June 2019 to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and major program fraud after admitting he participated in a plot from September 2009 to March 2018 to get federal contracts meant for small businesses owned and controlled by veterans, service-disabled veterans and certified minorities, according to the Justice Department.

McPherson's sentencing "sends a clear message that contractors unjustly enriching themselves at the expense of our nation's veterans will not be tolerated," Gavin McClaren, acting special agent in charge with the Department of Veterans Affairs inspector general's central field office, said in a statement.

McPherson and his co-conspirators were accused of setting up two companies using straw owners to fraudulently win the contracts.

The first was Zieson Construction Company in July 2009. Stephon Ziegler, 61, of Weatherby Lake, Missouri, a Black service-disabled veteran, was listed as the "nominal owner" of the business, but McPherson and his co-conspirators actually ran the company and received most of its profits, according to the Justice Department.

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Zieson was awarded 199 federal contracts worth about $335 million meant for small businesses, minority-owned small businesses and veteran-owned small businesses, according to the news release. McPherson and his co-conspirators each got about $4.2 million through Zieson by using false and fraudulent invoices, the Justice Department said.

When Zieson grew too big for small business contracts in 2014, McPherson and his co-conspirators set up another company using the name of a Native American employee at Zieson, Rustin Simon, 45, of Smithville, Missouri.

Much like Zieson, the second company, called Simcon Corp., was actually controlled by McPherson and his co-conspirators, according to the Justice Department. Simcon also used the same office space and employees as Zieson, and Zieson falsely claimed to subcontract work to Simcon so Simcon would have a track record that made it able to better compete for federal contracts, the department said.

Simcon won a $4.4 million contract in July 2016 from the Air Force and a $6.9 million contract in September 2016 from the Army. McPherson and his co-conspirators each got about $319,866 from Simcon using false and fraudulent invoices, according to the Justice Department.

One of McPherson's co-conspirators, Patrick Michael Dingle, 50, of Parkville, Missouri, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire and major program fraud and is awaiting sentencing. A third conspirator, Matthew L. Torgeson, of Topeka, Kansas, had been indicted as well, but died in November 2019.

Ziegler has pleaded guilty to making a false statement to the VA and is scheduled to be sentenced Jan. 20. Simon has pleaded guilty to two counts of making material false statements to the Small Business Administration and is awaiting sentencing.

-- Rebecca Kheel can be reached at rebecca.kheel@military.com. Follow her on Twitter @reporterkheel.

Related: A 79-Year-Old Alleged Mobster Has Been Indicted for Defrauding Tricare, CHAMPVA
The union representing state correctional workers says prison conditions have worsened as Maryland officials have neglected staffing shortages amid a pandemic about to enter its third year.

The shortage  and the manner in which state officials have treated prison populations during the coronavirus pandemic  has led to an unsafe working environment for correctional officers and those incarcerated, union officials Monday said at a virtual news conference.

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The vacancy rate for Maryland correctional officers is around 10% and the state has pared the number of budgeted positions even as its failed to fill them, according to the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, which represents state correctional workers along with thousands of other public employees.

Staffing levels are so dire across the state, said AFSCME Council 3 President Patrick Moran, exacerbating fears that incidents similar to the fires set earlier this month at a pretrial detention center in Baltimore could happen elsewhere.

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In that Jan. 2 incident, inmates at the Maryland Reception Diagnostic and Classification Center, a pretrial detention center in Baltimore, set several fires, sending at least three inmates and a correctional officer to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and causing $50,000 in damage.

Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services spokesman Mark Vernarelli said in a statement that the fire is still under investigation.

An assistant secretary for the department spoke to union representatives immediately after the [jail] fire, and at no time did staffing come up as a concern for that particular incident, Vernarelli said.

The correctional officer was recovering from her wounds last in the hospital last week when she was diagnosed with COVID-19, said Stuart Katzenberg, collective bargaining director for AFSCME. Union officials did not know her condition as of Monday. The three inmates have returned to the detention center.

The Department of Corrections has hired 954 correctional officers since January last year  a staggering number given the pandemic and the nationwide struggles of law enforcement agencies to hire qualified people, Vernarelli said in a statement.

The department is trying to encourage new hires, he said; salaries for correctional officers have been raised more than 20% since 2019 to more than $46,000 with additional hiring bonuses. DPS has halved the time for an applicant to be hired and holds one-day hiring events in Maryland and other states where candidates can finish a third of the hiring process and receive a conditional offer of employment that day, Vernarelli said.

But Sgt. Elisha Mack, a correctional officer at the pretrial detention center, said conditions leading up to the fires were and continue to be just not safe.

She and her colleagues routinely work upward of 16 hours a day, she said. Some detainees have been held at the facility for nearly three years, though it was not built to house inmates for an extended period of time. The jail currently houses around 500 inmates, some of whom are finding ways to thwart prison security systems such as door locks.

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The conditions have led to assaults by inmates on officers and each other, Mack said.

We are not able to secure the inmates behind the doors, she said. We are not even able to make sure that their rights are not violated.

Vernarelli said assaults by inmates have dropped since December 2019; serious inmate-on-inmate assaults are down 72% and serious inmate-on-staff assaults are down 44%.

The safety of its employees and the incarcerated remains the departments top priority, Vernarelli said.

But Moran said that keeping detainees way too long at this facility is damaging to the inmates, it is damaging to the staff that have to oversee them, and its compromising the facility.

And its led to frustrations among inmates because they are not getting programs, they are not able to engage in things that keep them occupied, he added.

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Mack also said the public safety department was not proactive in alerting staff members when theyd come in contact with someone confirmed to have COVID-19.

Worse still, union officials said, the state doesnt deliver personal protective equipment consistently to detention centers, which Vernarelli said is untrue.

Officers do have adequate PPE, and the department continues to mandate its use, the spokesman said.

The department has distributed 3.4 million pieces of personal protective equipment since the pandemic, including N95 masks, and Public Safety and Correctional Services Secretary Robert Green personally conducts daily COVID-19 PPE supply reviews, Vernarelli said.

Afternoon Update Weekdays Updating you on the day's biggest news before the evening commute. >

Marci Tarrant Johnson, president of the AFSCME Local 423, which represents public defenders, said COVID-19 tests are not readily available among those incarcerated and those experiencing coronavirus symptoms are required to share cells.

Anecdotally, our clients are not being offered boosters, Johnson said.

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She said its unclear how many incarcerated people have received a booster.

Johnson added that the states cover-up of a vaccine vendor that administered mishandled vaccine doses at prisons and elsewhere in the state further eroded trust in vaccination efforts.

The recent news that our clients have been [given mishandled] doses is unacceptable already, she said.

[ Whistleblower alleges Maryland health officials failed to alert hundreds of patients of potentially spoiled vaccines ]

Shes now waiting to learn which inmates being represented by public defenders were given a mishandled and potentially spoiled vaccine.

Department of Health officials said they began notifying patients who may have received a spoiled vaccine at the end of December.
BOULDER, CO  Across every age group, COVID-19 cases in Boulder County are rising dramatically, with 24.5 percent of the county testing positive for the virus as of Jan. 10, according to public health officials. This surge of COVID-19  perpetuated by the rise of the highly transmissible omicron variant  marks the highest rate of COVID-19 in the county since the pandemic began nearly two years ago.

This increase in positive cases in Boulder County has already begun to stress the county's healthcare providers and hospitals, with the average rate of hospital admittance in Colorado increasing by 80 percent starting the week of Dec. 26, public health officials said.

In the face of both this resurgence of COVID-19 as well as the historically damaging wildfires that have struck Boulder, Camille Rodriguez  Boulder County's public health executive director urges compassion and togetherness in the midst of this "disaster within a disaster."

"The devastation caused by fires, along with the continued pandemic, highlight how important it is that we come together, show compassion and empathy and do everything we can to keep our family, friends and communities safe and healthy," Rodriguez said.

In addition to urging its residents to get vaccinated and boosted against the virus, the county recommends wearing a high-quality mask  such as an N-95 or its equivalent  when in public spaces and isolating when sick.





This article originally appeared on the Boulder Patch
The US Open champion lost 6-0 6-1 in less than an hour (AFP via Getty Images)

Emma Raducanu narrowly avoided a humbling double-bagel defeat as she crashed out of the Sydney International to world number 13 Elena Rybakina.

The 19-year-old US Open champion was thumped 6-0 6-1 in 55 minutes in her first match since recovering from a bout of coronavirus.

Raducanus defeat came on the same day she secured a ranking of 17 for next weeks Australian Open, and she will now be painfully aware of the size of her task ahead.

The British player was overpowered by her opponent, fresh off a run to the final of the Adelaide International last week, and lost the first nine games of the match.

Raducanu flashed a smile after avoiding the indignity of a shut-out in the 10th game but she continued to be let down by a second-serve percentage that barely scraped over 10 per cent.

Raducanu saved the first two match points against her with arguably her two best shots of the match, before succumbing to the inevitable as Rybakina eased into the last 16.




Today is Monday. Welcome to Equilibrium, a newsletter that tracks the growing global battle over the future of sustainability. Subscribe here: thehill.com/newsletter-signup.

After a deadly blaze killed at least 17 people - including 8 children - in a Bronx high-rise building on Sunday morning, residents are pointing out systematic infrastructural issues that may have fanned the flames.

Fire Department Commissioner Daniel Nigro determined on Sunday that a malfunctioning space heater caused the fire, while an open door had allowed the smoke to spread, The New York Times reported. Fire marshals are conducting an investigation, including into whether the building's doors had the automatic closing feature mandated by city laws, Mayor Eric Adams told Fox Monday, as cited by Bloomberg.

But residents have also said that the building had a faulty system that for years triggered false alarms at all hours, according to The City, a New York-based nonprofit digital news platform.

Today we'll look at a crisis in Kazakhstan, where at least 164 people died amid violent anti-government protests initially rooted in an uprising over energy prices. Then we'll look at a series of studies that suggest most city dwellers around the world are breathing unsafe air.

For Equilibrium, we are Saul Elbein and Sharon Udasin. Please send tips or comments to Saul at selbein@thehill.com or Sharon at sudasin@thehill.com. Follow us on Twitter: @saul_elbein and @sharonudasin.

Let's get to it.

Deadly Kazakhstan protests jostle global oil

Kazakhstan's largest city - the metropolis of Almaty - is reeling after a deadly week of violent clashes and anti-government protests that left at least 164 dead, The Washington Post reported.

What happened? Protests began in western Kazakhstan's western last weekend, originally over a spike in energy prices, the Post reported.

But demonstrations spread across the country, escalating into a challenge against former president Nursultan Nazarbayev, who ruled the country for three decades until his resignation in March 2019, according to the Post.

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This was by far the worst violence in 30 years, in a country that has long been viewed as the most stable former Soviet nation in Central Asia, Reuters reported.

Kazakh president describes upheaval as coup: Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said on Monday that the events over the past week were an attempted coup d'etat, and that he would soon provide proof to the international community, according to the Post.

He and other officials have repeatedly described those who participated in the upheaval as trained "terrorists," contending that many of the participants came into Kazakhastan from abroad, the Post reported.

Entrance of "peacekeeping" forces: As tensions rose last week, Tokayev called on the Russian-led Collective Security Treaty Organization on Wednesday to send in "peacekeeping" forces to help "stabilize" Kazakhstan, the Post reported.

Russian troops served to strengthen and protect key installations, after protesters torched public buildings and gained control over the airport, Reuters reported, citing Russian news agencies. About 2,500 troops are still in the county but are expected to depart soon, according to the Post.

Putin claims victory: Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed victory in the effort to protect Kazakhstan from what he, too, described as a foreign-back terrorist insurgence, Reuters reported.

The measures taken by the Collective Security Treaty Organization, Putin said, "have clearly shown we will not allow the situation to be rocked at home," as reported by Reuters.

Rebirth of the Soviet Union? Kazakhstan's troubles could help strengthen Putin's efforts "to reestablish Russian hegemony within the borders of the former U.S.S.R.," John Bolton, former President Obama's national security adviser, wrote in an op-ed in The Wall Street Journal.

Tokayev, Nazarbayev's handpicked successor, wasted no time in requesting Russian troops, while giving orders to "shoot to kill without warning," Bolton stated, noting that both Kazakhstan and Belarus are "prominent candidates for full reintegration into Russia."

PROTESTS THAT BEGAN WITH GAS PRICES DRIVE UP GAS PRICES

The Kazakhstan protests began following a Jan. 1 government decision to lift price caps on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), a cheaper alternative to gasoline used by most Kazakhs, Azerbaijani English newspaper AzerNews reported.

Amid the upheaval, which included unrest at the country's Tengiz oil and gas field, the government agreed to restore some price caps on Tuesday, according to AzerNews.

Tengiz was gradually returning to normal production levels, S&P Global Platts reported on Saturday. After Russia, Kazakhstan is the second largest producer of crude oil among former Soviet Union countries - trailing behind only Russia, according to Platts.

Knock-on effects for global crude: Over the course of last week's protests, crude prices gained 5 percent, and on Friday, the Brent crude oil price - a benchmark for financial markets - rose to more than $83 per barrel, the International Business Times reported.

This put Brent "at its highest level since the price slide triggered by the first appearance of the Omicron variant in late November," Carsten Fritsch, commodities analyst at Commerzbank, told the Times.

By Monday, however, crude prices decreased slightly, while Brent was trading at $81.60 per barrel, according to Barron's.

Beijing also concerned: China fearing that the turmoil in Kazakhstan could impact its energy supply security was hosting foreign ministers of Gulf states this week, the South China Morning Post reported.

Zhou Chenming, a researcher from the Yuan Wan military science and technology institute, said that China was doing so in hopes of mitigating supply chain issues, according to the Post.

Last words: "Kazakhstan is the key energy supplier for Beijing's West-East Gas Pipeline program in Central Asia," Zhou told the Post. "If any energy crisis happens because the West-East gas pipeline is forced to halt, only the Gulf countries can act as a replacement."

Clean air in cities is the exception, not the rule

The vast majority of city-dwellers around the world - 86 percent, or 2.5 billion people - are breathing in air that has levels of fine particulate matter at levels higher than what the World Health Organization recommends, according to a recent study.

First words: "The majority of the world's urban population still live in areas with unhealthy levels of PM 2.5," lead author Veronica Southerland, of George Washington University, said in a statement.

Behind the quote: That pollution - which is associated in cities largely with the burning of fossil fuels - was responsible for 1.8 million additional deaths in 2019, according to the study, which was published in The Lancet Planetary Health journal.

The burden of pollution falls particularly hard on children, according to another Lancet study, which found that the pollutant nitrogen dioxide, or NO2 - a common byproduct of burning fossil fuels in cars and power plants - has led to almost 2 million additional cases of childhood asthma.

There was some good news: Researchers noted that efforts to clean up roadways and industrial sites in the U.S. and Europe had led the share of childhood asthma caused by NO2 to fall from 20 percent to 16 percent over the two decades between 2000 and 2019.

"The findings suggest that clean air must be a critical part of strategies aimed at keeping children healthy," study co-author Susan Anenberg, of George Washington University, said in a statement.

EVEN 'SAFE' LEVELS OF FOSSIL FUEL POLLUTANTS MAY NOT BE SAFE

But fossil fuel pollution causes death and damage even at levels deemed safe by the Environmental Protection Agency, the European Union and the World Health Organization (WHO), according to a third study published this month in the Lancet.

What the data shows: Long-term exposure to PM 2.5 - and other compounds produced by burning fossil fuels - leads to higher rates of heart disease, lung cancer and childhood asthma even at levels below those deemed safe by the EPA, EU and WHO, the study found.

What is PM 2.5? PM2.5 stands for fine particulate matter - often emitted by combustion or in wildfire ash - that are 2.5 micrometers, or 20 to 30 times smaller than a human hair. Their tiny size allows them to bypass the hairs and mucous membranes that the body uses to protect itself against contaminants, penetrating deep into the bloodstream and leading to lung, vascular and heart disease.

That study looked at the impacts posed by breathing in low levels of NO2, ozone (O3), PM 2.5 and black carbon (soot) - all common byproducts of burning fossil fuels in cars and power plants. It found that long-term exposure to these compounds was correlated with higher rates of death from lung cancer and respiratory disease, the study found.

Takeaway: The studies on increased asthma and mortality "underscore the urgency of improving urban air quality and reducing reliance of fossil fuels in and around our cities," said Robert Hughes of the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, in a statement.

"While the specific policies to do this vary from city to city, a common theme is that we need to radically cut down on the combustion of fossil fuels everywhere; put simply, we need to 'stop burning stuff,' especially where we live," Hughes said.

Specifically, Hughes explained, cutting down on combustion means moving away from using fossil fuels for home heating and to power electric utilities and transportation.

Medical Monday

Dangerous packaging, omicron breaks hospitals and Colombians win "a dignified death."

FDA must address endocrine-disrupting phthalates: House Oversight

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) must take immediate action to address a class of endocrine-disrupting compounds, called phthalates, that continue to plague American food packaging, the House Oversight and Reform Committee demanded in a letter on Monday, as reported by The Hill. Exposure to phthalates is associated with birth defects, infertility, learning disabilities and neurological disorders.

"The agency has fallen short in protecting vulnerable Americans from the pernicious effects of foods contaminated with phthalates," wrote Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.), chairman of the Oversight and Reform Subcommittee on Economic and Consumer Policy. The letter called out the FDA for continuing to permit 28 different phthalates in food processing and packaging materials, while failing to rule on a 2016 petition to ban the chemicals in these materials.

Omicron is fracturing an already stressed health care system

Though omicron is milder than previous coronavirus variants and 62 percent of the population is vaccinated, it is pushing already burnt-out hospital workers - and health care systems - to the breaking point, The Atlantic reported. "Here, then, is the most important difference about this surge: It comes on the back of all the prior ones," the piece stated.

"This just feels like one wave too many," emergency room doctor Megan Ranney told The Atlantic, which noted that "The health-care system will continue to pay these costs long after COVID hospitalizations fall. Health-care workers will know, but most other people will be oblivious-until they need medical care and can't get it."

A "dignified death" for Colombians with degenerative disease

Two Colombians with serious - but non-terminal - degenerative illnesses were euthanized this weekend, after winning protracted legal battles for the right to "a dignified death," as Victor Escobar, one of the two, said in a video message, according to Reuters.

While 178 terminally ill Colombians obtained legal euthanasia as of October 2020, the courts had previously blocked its use by patients like Escobar, Reuters reported. Escobar suffered from end-stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, while Marta Sepulveda - the other woman who "underwent the procedure" this weekend - suffered from ALA, or Lou Gehrig's disease.

Please visit The Hill's sustainability section online for the web version of this newsletter and more stories. We'll see you on Tuesday.




Today is Tuesday. Welcome to Equilibrium, a newsletter that tracks the growing global battle over the future of sustainability. Subscribe here: thehill.com/newsletter-signup.

Connecting NASA's plethora of problem solvers through the common thread of climate science will be critical to the mission of the agency's brand new chief scientist and senior climate advisor, Kate Calvin.

"Like many people, my introduction to NASA was through movies," Calvin told reporters in a Tuesday morning teleconference. "I remember watching Apollo 13 years ago and being amazed at how NASA scientists work together."

Calvin assumed the dual roles of NASA chief scientist and senior climate adviser on Monday - serving as principal adviser to the administrator and other NASA leaders, while representing the agency's strategic science objectives to the national and international space communities, according to a news release from NASA. Her principal interest, she told reporters, involves "trying to connect the climate science research with the rest of the research in NASA."

"As someone with a background in math, computer science and engineering, I was inspired by seeing women in STEM help launch a man into orbit in Hidden Figures," she continued. "NASA shows us what happens when you bring together a team of really smart people to explore the universe and solve problems. I'm excited to be a part of that."

Read more about Calvin here.

Today we'll head to California and examine $22.5 billion for climate initiatives included in Gov. Gavin Newsom's proposed budget. Then we'll look at how a push for companies to reveal their climate impacts is creating a market for projects that protect forests and other wildlands.

For Equilibrium, we are Saul Elbein and Sharon Udasin. Please send tips or comments to Saul at selbein@thehill.com or Sharon at sudasin@thehill.com. Follow us on Twitter: @saul_elbein and @sharonudasin.

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Let's get to it.

Newsom allocates $22.5B to climate in budget

California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) has allocated $22.5 billion to combatting the climate crisis in the $286.4 billion budget proposal that he released to the state on Monday.

Newsom's proposal, called the California Blueprint, contains a one-time expenditure of $22.5 billion spread over the next five years - including $6.1 billion earmarked for electric vehicle initiatives - to collectively advance the state's climate and opportunity agenda and deliver community resilience.

This would be a significant jump from the previous year's budget, which included $15 billion in climate resilience investments.

What he's saying: "Climate change is driving devastating wildfire seasons, historic droughts - the challenges seem endless," Newsom wrote in a letter to California state legislators.

"This is not only a spending plan for the year, it is a foundation for California's future - a fiscally responsible plan that seeks to make our state safer and more affordable, and to set our state on a better path for years to come," Newsom added.

Electric vehicles: Within the $6.1 billion allocated for the electric vehicle sector is $256 million for low-income purchases of zero-emission vehicles, as well as $900 million to expand the affordable infrastructure necessary to power these vehicles, according to the Blueprint.

Another $3.9 billion would go toward adding zero-emission short-haul trucks and transit buses, supporting school transportation programs, funding zero-emission off-road equipment and fueling infrastructure and electrifying ports.

BILLIONS FOR THE LONG TERM

The Blueprint also allocates $9.1 billion to other climate-related transportation programs, such as advancing high-speed rail and removing transportation barriers to improve equity and keep communities connected.

Clean energy: Another key component of the climate budget is $2 billion for a Clean Energy Investment Plan, which focuses on long-duration storage projects, green hydrogen, decarbonization of industry, offshore wind development and the adoption of energy technologies at food production facilities.

Wildfires: Also included in the Blueprint is $648 million to support firefighters and an additional $1.2 billion - building on last year's $1.5 billion investment - to bolster forest management and other practices that reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires.

Drought: The Blueprint makes available an additional $750 million beyond last year's $5.2 billion water package, intended as an immediate response to assist residents, farmers and wildlife that have struggled amid drought conditions.

Other climate initiatives: The Blueprint allocates $1 billion toward sustainable housing, $415 million toward public health impacts from climate change, $465 million to expand climate-related job opportunities and more than $2 billion toward climate research in higher education and infrastructure upgrades at K-12 schools.

Also included is a $3.7 billion investment to address the impacts of extreme heat, build coastal resilience, advance environmental justice and support nature-based climate solutions - which the Blueprint described as critical to the global effort to conserve 30 percent of natural areas by 2030. Another $1.1 billion is earmarked for developing climate-smart agricultural systems.

Beyond climate, there is "natural resources" and "environmental protection."

Funds allocated to these categories include $11.2 billion for programs overseen by California's Natural Resources Agency - such as $757 million for a Department of Parks and Recreation initiative to make parks accessible to everyone.

A $6 billion budget for California's Environmental Protection Agency is earmarked for improving environmental quality, promoting environmental justice, protecting public health and cleaning up toxic waste.

Last words: The Environmental Defense Fund described Newsom's proposed state budget as "a demonstration of California's climate leadership," adding that the plans "will catalyze action beyond the state's borders."

"Governor Newsom's budget proposal is a bold step toward ensuring California makes the investments necessary to address the magnitude of the climate crisis, improve environmental equity, support a clean economy and protect public health," Katelyn Roedner Sutter, senior manager for U.S. climate at the Environmental Defense Fund, said in a statement.

To read the full story, please click here.

SEC disclosure rules could help save forests

Kern County Fire Captain Bruce Wells keeps an eye on a burning tree as the wildfire burns closer to homes at night during the French Fire in the Sequoia National Forest

Whether - and to what extent - publicly traded companies should have to disclose their carbon emissions is a question under hot debate by climate finance experts, as the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) prepares to publish rules on the issue by the end of the month.

But simply requiring companies to publish their emissions will lead to a boon in demand in the carbon credits that can offset them - meaning a potential flood of investment for both landscape protection and sustainable development, CEO Justin Cochrane of Carbon Streaming Corporation told Equilibrium.

First words: "In the last nine months, we've seen just a tremendous corporate interest in carbon credits, and that's partly driven by regulatory requirements at bodies like the SEC," Cochran said. "Climate disclosure would be tremendous development for the industry - there would be a phenomenal demand for carbon credits if it came through."

Stealing a business model from mining: Cochrane's company, Carbon Streaming Corporation, invests up front in projects that save carbon - like $45 million to keep a peat swamp from being turned into palm oil plantations in Indonesia, or $6 million to keep a mangrove swamp from being converted into shrimp farms off the coast of Baja California.

Every metric ton (1.10 tons) of carbon dioxide kept out of the atmosphere is worth a single carbon credit, which can be bought once per year. Carbon Streaming sells these credits on "spot" markets to businesses - like Delta Airlines - seeking to counter their emissions, and gives 90 percent of the money back to the project.

"We stole the royalty and streaming model that they use in the mining and energy space," Cochrane said.

DELETING REASONS FOR DEFORESTATION

Carbon Streaming Corp is plugged into a specific sector of the carbon market: the voluntary markets - as opposed to the mandatory markets imposed in systems like the European Union Emissions Trading System or California's Cap-and-Trade, which require companies to meet ever-decreasing emissions limits or buy carbon credits to pay the difference.

What good is a voluntary market? 2021 brought a surge in investor interest in companies' carbon and environmental impact - and the quickest way for those companies to show progress has been to purchase credits on one of the voluntary markets.

For U.S. companies outside California, buying carbon credits on the voluntary markets are the only way to reduce net emissions - short, that is, of cutting them from their own operations.

That's why the SEC disclosure rules are such a big deal. Investor demand alone brought a threefold jump in the Natural Climate Solution credits Carbon Streaming Corp. sells - from just over $5 to over $15.

If the SEC starts requiring all publicly traded companies to disclose their carbon emissions, Cochrane foresees a rush by companies looking to offset what they can't yet avoid - driving up the price of credits, and increasing the value of forests, peatlands and other natural landscapes.

How this works, practically speaking: "Let's say I'm McDonalds, and I have to disclose my carbon footprint," Cochrane said. "Well, it won't stop there. The second question will be: what are you doing about it?"

Carbon credits provide a temporary answer to a question that the SEC is going to make it far easier to ask companies, according to Cochrane.

"It gives you an immediate ability to say to investors, 'We're already carbon neutral, because we're supporting carbon projects around the world, buying three million credits - while thinking about how to reduce carbon footprint over the next 10 years,'" he said.

Disincentivizing deforestation: "It's not hard to end deforestation, you just need proper incentives," Cochrane continued. "There are reasons for deforestation: there's always an alternative use in mind for the land being deforested. It's not hard to imagine stopping it - but you have to recognize there are significant pressures causing it: palm oil plantations, or agriculture, or cattle farming or new buildings."

Last words: "Let's make the trees worth more standing and alive than they are dead," Cochrane said. "And the way to make that land more valuable if those trees are left standing is to put a price on carbon."

Tech Tuesday

Coping with electric vehicle surges, racing for better batteries and surviving China's semiconductor 'wreckage'

States carving out billions for anticipated electric vehicle surges

State governments are allocating billions of dollars to adaptation efforts amid a rising demand for electric vehicles (EVs) - as they strategize how to cope with the demand for charging stations, both at homes and public places, our colleague Reid Wilson reported for The Hill. For many states, this. Means considering how they will replace billions in gas tax revenues for the fuel that EV owners will not have to buy.

"We want people to buy electric vehicles," Utah Gov. Spencer Cox (R) told The Hill. "And if we want to encourage people to buy electric vehicles, then we have to make sure that we have the infrastructure available for people to buy electric vehicles so they can actually get the cars charged and not get stuck somewhere."

US in arms race for better batteries

The Biden administration is joining with private industry to try to reverse China's commanding lead in lithium-ion batteries - attempting to regain ground in an industry where China makes nearly 80 percent of the world's lithium-ion cells, as compared to the U.S.'s 7 percent, The Wall Street Journal reported.

That also means creating industrial systems where U.S. technology - which helped create those batteries in the first place - is plugged into U.S.-based supply chains. "Everyone knows what the stakes are," longtime battery researcher Susan Babinec told the Journal, adding that as batteries become more advanced, "we're playing to the United States' strength. We are bad-ass scientists."

China's semiconductor push generates 'wreckage'

An ambitious $2.3 billion dollar attempt by China's government to develop a domestic semi-conductor industry - a key industrial and security goal for the People's Republic - has met with repeated failure, with at least six major chip-building startups folding in the past six years, The Wall Street Journal reported.

Two of these companies "burned through cash, yet never commercially built any chips," the Journal reported, leaving "Beijing leaders and investors .... poking through the wreckage of struggling semiconductor businesses in hopes of salvaging some parts."

Please visit The Hill's sustainability section online for the web version of this newsletter and more stories. We'll see you on Wednesday.
BRUSSELS (AP)  David Sassoli, an Italian journalist who worked his way up in politics while defending the downtrodden and oppressed to become president of the European Unions parliament, died in an Italian hospital on Tuesday at 65.

European Council President Charles Michel called Sassoli a sincere and passionate European. We already miss his human warmth, his generosity, his friendliness and his smile.

Sassoli, a socialist, had been hospitalized since Dec. 26 because of abnormal functioning of his immune system, his spokesman Roberto Cuillo said. Sassoli will be buried Friday at Rome's Santa Maria degli Angeli, the church where state funerals are held.

Sassoli had been struggling for months with poor health after he suffered pneumonia caused by the legionella bacteria in September. His health steadily declined afterward and he was forced to miss several important legislative meetings. Yet, as much as possible, he stayed on the job, where his vigor and easy smile had always been a trademark. He was at his strongest when he took up the cause of migrants who died crossing the Mediterranean or dissidents such as Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who is taking on the Kremlin from a jail cell.

Everyone loved his smile and his kindness, yet he knew how to fight for what he believed in, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, reminiscing how Sassoli had traveled to Germany to see the infamous Berlin Wall come down well over three decades ago.

European unity was his benchmark, just as much as justice among all Europeans was.

Our union has lost at the same time an Italian patriot, a great European and a tireless humanist, French President Emmanuel Macron said.

Over the past few months, he improved enough to preside over a European Parliament session in December to give the EUs main human rights award, the Sakharov Prize, to Navalnys daughter. High in symbolism, it showed him at his best. A few weeks later, his wishes for the new year showed him as an optimist with great expectations.

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We can be that hope when we dont ignore those in need. When we dont build walls on our borders. When we fight all forms of injustice. Heres to us, heres to hope, he said in the address.

He is survived by his wife, Alessandra Vittorini, and his children, Livia and Giulio. Flags flew half-staff and the European Parliament opened a condolences register. The European Commission will hold a minute of silence when it meets on Wednesday.

Pope Francis, who received Sassoli in an audience last year, sent an unusually heartfelt telegram of condolences to Sassolis wife, paying tribute to him as an animated believer of hope and charity ... who, in a peaceful and respectful way, worked for the common good with a generous commitment.

A lifelong fan of the Fiorentina football club, he emulated the refined style of the team where Gabriel Batistuta and Roberto Baggio thrived. But in the end, like the Florence club, he also never got to reach the very highest level. Being head of the European Parliament doesn't compare to being a prime minister or leading the European Commission or Council.

Sassoli came to lead the European legislature in 2019 following an intricate bout of political infighting among EU leaders, which also saw the German Christian Democrat von der Leyen become European Commission president and the Belgian free-market liberal Michel take the job as EU Council president. Sassoli and von der Leyen were picked by EU leaders practically out of the blue, stunning themselves and the rest of the world.

Even if he was often overshadowed by von der Leyen and Michel, Sassoli led an institution which has become ever more powerful over the years and has become instrumental in charting the course of the European Union in many sectors, be it the digital economy, climate or Brexit.

An adroit political shaker, using his bonhomie to the hilt, he helped steer several of the most important political issues facing the EU to a successful conclusion  and none more so than the 1.8 trillion-euro pandemic recovery fund and seven-year budget.

Yet his 2 1/2 years in charge was affected by both the pandemic, which often turned the European parliament into a remote digital institution where his human warmth lost impact, and his own deteriorating health.

His pinnacle came on the European scene but he was just as respected in his native Italy.

Italian Premier Mario Draghi sent condolences on behalf of the Italian government and paid tribute to Sassoli as a man of institutions, a profound pro-European, a passionate journalist, Sassoli was a symbol of balance, humanity, generosity."

The head of Sassoli's Democratic Party and a longtime friend, Enrico Letta, praised Sassolis European passion and vision and vowed to carry them forward, though we know were not up to it.

Sassoli was first elected to the European Parliament in 2009. He won another term in 2014 and served as its vice president. He started out as a newspaper journalist before entering broadcasting as a high-profile presenter in Italy. It was a stepping stone for his political career.

He had considered running for the second part of the five-year term which starts next week, but decided not to run for reelection when lawmakers choose their new president in Strasbourg, France.

Roberta Metsola, the Christian Democrat who was set to take over from Sassoli next week, said I am heartbroken. Europe has lost a leader, I have a lost a friend, democracy has lost a champion. She said Sassoli dedicated his life to making the world a better, fairer place.

___

Associated Press writers Nicole Winfield in Rome and Sam Petrequin in Brussels contributed to this report.
A Pasco woman has accused her former husband  a sitting Superior Court judge  of narcissistic, physical and verbal abuse over the course of their 33-year marriage.

Stephanie Barnard says she kept her traumatic experiences private for decades because her husband, Judge Sam Swanberg, convinced her that she was the problem and she actually was mistreating him.

But nine months after the couples divorce was finalized, Barnard  who returned to using her maiden name  decided to break her silence and go public with her exs alleged actions and behavior once she learned about a harassment claim filed by Swanbergs recent girlfriend.

Swanberg has been on the Benton-Franklin Superior Court bench for just over four years.

Barnard says almost all of Sila Salas petition resonated with her and her personal experience. She describes herself as a domestic violence and narcissistic abuse survivor, and says in hindsight the abuse in her relationship with Swanberg started before they were married.

I agreed to making the following incidents public in an attempt to support Ms. Salas and other women who are walking (or have walked) a similar path, Barnard wrote in a 12-page document, which included a three-page declaration. The courage displayed by Ms. Salas under such a power disparity is inspiring.

One of Swanbergs lawyers, Scott Johnson, told the Tri-City Herald on Monday afternoon that its their position the allegations are absolutely not true.

He said not a single police report was filed over more than three decades. He also questioned why Barnard would have six children with Swanberg, support him for every church leadership position he sought, and be the driving force behind his judicial campaign and eventual appointment if she was that scared of him.

Emphasis on ... forgiveness

Barnard says Swanberg had a rage problem over the course of their entire relationship.

She attached two pictures that she says show Swanberg dragging her out of a room against her will last February. Swanberg has his hands around the ankles of a woman who is only wearing one shoe.

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The former wife of Benton Franklin Superior Court Judge Sam Swanberg submitted these photos in a court filing claiming he dragged her out of a room against her will in February 2021. She filed the document after his recent girlfriend filed a harassment claim against him.

She also included a photo of what she described as the last bruise that she received from her husband, also last February. She claims it happened when he pushed Barnard across a room and she fell down hard, hitting a wall.

Johnson countered that the bruise was never caused by his client, and said they believe the picture is from 2008 when Barnard injured herself.

He also disputes that Swanberg was dragging his wife in the pictures, explaining that Swanberg was trying to collect his personal belongings from the house and Barnard was out of control and trying to stop her husband from leaving.

Swanberg claims the fight was precipitated by Barnard dumping some protein powder over her husbands head. Johnson provided a photograph to the Herald of a powder-covered Swanberg, though it does not have a date stamp, along with Swanbergs personal texts to John Jensen at the time asking for help.

The couple were in the middle of their divorce at the time.

Barnard claims she was continuously intimidated, belittled, patronized and gaslighted ... On less regular occasions, I experienced physical violence and forced physical intimacy.

If I had to put a number on it, I would say that I was subjected to physical altercations at the hands of Sam over 100 times over the course of our 33-year marriage and well over 100 times that he would get into a rage, yell at me and use physical intimidation  such as getting really close to me or throwing things near or at me, she wrote.

Barnard said sometimes she would try to fight back, run away or attempt to calm him down. Other times she said she just froze up and stood there because she was too scared.

Barnard, the government and regional affairs director for the Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce, explained that the cultural norms of her family and religion place an enormous emphasis and value on families staying together and forgiveness.

So, I thought that if I could just be a better wife, lover, mother, friend, church member, community member, etc. that we could eventually achieve a healthy, thriving relationship, she continued.

She says when any of their six children would see or hear Swanberg acting up, his reply to them was, Your mom has lost it.

She says she is unsure how her kids perceived these events because she was often crying or yelling at Swanberg to stop, and he usually followed it up by telling the kids their mom was irrational and unsafe.

Judge Sam Swanberg has been on the Benton-Franklin Superior Court bench for just over four years.

No-contact order

Barnards declaration was filed last week in Benton County Superior Court on behalf of Salas, who successfully received a one-year no-contact order against Swanberg.

Salas, 24, and Swanberg, 55, dated for about five months last year. They met while Salas was working in the Franklin County Clerks Office.

She said Swanberg refused to accept the fact their relationship had ended in November just before Thanksgiving and was irreparable.

Salas anti-harassment petition detailed numerous attempts by Swanberg to talk with her in the month after their breakup, and included copies of multiple text messages between the former couple.

Salas also attached copies of Swanbergs messages with her own friend, along with texts from Swanbergs mother and his adult daughter to Salas.

Salas, a single mother, said it left her feeling harassed and distressed, and she sought the order to feel safe and for self peace.

In a brief Jan. 5 hearing, Swanberg agreed to have no contact with Salas. The modified order allows him to keep working at the Benton County Justice Center in Kennewick, where Salas now works in the Benton County Office of Public Defense.

The temporary order said Swanberg had to stay 500 feet away from Salas home or workplace, which prevented him from presiding on the bench or working on cases in his office at the Justice Center.

But the modified order says Swanberg is restrained from entering or being within 25 feet of the Office of Public Defense. If Salas goes to work somewhere outside of the Benton County Justice Center or Franklin County Courthouse within the next year, the restriction returns to 500 feet from her workplace.

Judge Sam Swanberg with Benton-Franklin Superior Court, right, appeared for a virtual hearing with attorney John Jensen. Swanberg agreed to a modified no-contact order that allows him to preside over cases at the Benton County Justice Center, where his ex-girlfriend also works.

On leave from bench

No criminal charges have been filed against Swanberg. He remains on leave from work.

He is making sure that he is taking care of himself. Hes anxious to get back to work, and hopefully that will happen soon, said Johnson. I think hes used this as a learning experience and, at the end of the day, its going to make him a better person and a better judge. But its certainly been difficult.

As an elected official, Swanberg can only be removed from office in a county election. He also can step down voluntarily before his term is up at the end of 2024.

The declaration by Barnard, and a 75-page supplemental document by Salas, both were filed on the same day as the hearing on the permanent order request.

Johnson questioned the relevance of Barnards declaration to Salas anti-harassment hearing. He also said it was troubling for his client to learn that the declaration was requested by a Northwest Justice Project lawyer who also is friends with Barnard.

Johnson said he and Swanberg wonder what the true motive was in filing that court document, noting that Swanberg already agreed to have the no-contact order entered.

I dont think anyone would be surprised that a former spouse from a 33-year long marriage might be upset when she finds that her ex-husband is in a relationship with a younger woman, Johnson told the Herald.

The attorney added that Swanberg agreed to avoid contact with Salas for one year because he knows he could have handled their breakup better, but he wants to make clear that he did not do what his ex-wife is alleging in her declaration.

At last weeks hearing, Salas renewed her request for Judge Harold D. Clarke III of Spokane County Superior Court to order Swanberg to surrender all firearms and concealed pistol licenses, and be prohibited from possessing them while the no-contact order is in place.

She wrote that Swanberg presents a serious and imminent threat to public health or safety, or the health or safety of any individual by possessing a dangerous weapon.

A Glock pistol that Swanberg owns already was turned over to Jensen, who was going to give it to the Benton County Sheriffs Office.

Jensen  who represented Swanberg until he was personally named in Barnards declaration  previously told the Tri-City Herald that its not an issue for Swanberg to surrender the pistol because he is not a real gun enthusiast.

However, Salas felt it important enough to pursue because she is extremely concerned for my safety due to the extreme instability of Swanberg, she wrote in the supplemental document.

Salas pointed not only to one text exchange she had with Swanberg after their breakup were she believed he may have been suicidal, but also to Barnards declaration that mentions threats of suicide by Swanberg on numerous occasions, most recently Jan. 3, 2021.

Barnard wrote that the incident one year ago was extremely frightening because Swanberg had access to a gun in their house.

She included text messages sent to friends Kami and John Jensen  Swanbergs attorney  where she asked for help in reaching her husband because he was not answering the phone.

Fearful of retaliation

Barnard also attached a one-page handwritten letter from Swanberg to her last August, in which he apologizes for all of his abhorrent and untrue hurtful words and actions.

You were also right that you were the best thing that ever happened to me and that I would miss and regret it when you were gone, the letter says. ... I want you to know that I still love you, that you are the love of my life and the greatest thing to ever happen to me, that I take complete responsibility for ruining everything.

She noted that when Swanberg wrote that letter last summer, four months after their divorce, he claimed to have been in an exclusive and intense relationship with Salas and was telling his girlfriend that she was the true love of his life.

Barnard says she is terrified at the thought of submitting this declaration, noting that Swanberg told her during the divorce that he would tell any lie and deny any claim that I made against him.

She also says he threatened to take custody of their kids if she tried to expose his behavior.

Barnard claims that when she told Swanberg in late 2020 she was going to hire a lawyer and file for divorce, he replied it would f--- me up for the rest of my life. Instead, he drafted divorce papers and gave her three hours to review and sign, she said.

She alleges that she had to agree to joint custody due to numerous threats, and was not given any child support despite the significant disparity in their incomes.

Barnard, who got the family home in the divorce, says she now is renting out a part of it to make ends meet.

Johnson countered that his client did not force Barnard into a divorce agreement, saying the ex-wife consulted with an outside lawyer before the final decree was entered. He added that Barnard got the family home in Pasco  which has hundreds of thousands of dollars in equity  in exchange for no spousal support from Swanberg.

A Superior Court judge in Washington state makes about $200,000 a year.

With his position of power, influence, legal cunning and significant experience and connections with local law enforcement and courts, I believed him ..., Barnard said.

I am scared for my own safety, and am fearful that Sam will retaliate after submitting this declaration, but I cannot stay silent while another woman is in danger.
Photograph: B Christopher/Alamy

Protesters gathered in Fayetteville, North Carolina, for a second night in a row on Monday after a man was killed by an off-duty sheriffs deputy.

The Fayetteville police department identified the man killed on Saturday as Jason Walker, a 37-year-old Black man who the deputy told authorities jumped on to his vehicle. The Cumberland county sheriffs office identified the deputy as Jeffrey Hash.

In a statement, Fayetteville police said a preliminary investigation revealed that Walker ran into traffic and jumped on [the] moving vehicle.

The driver of the vehicle shot [Walker] and notified 911, it said.

Hash, who has been with the Cumberland county sheriff since 2005, was taken into custody but not arrested. On Monday, he was put on administrative leave, pending an internal investigation. By Tuesday, no charges had been filed.

The Fayetteville police chief, Gina Hawkins, said data obtained from the black box of Hashs truck revealed that that vehicle did not impact anything or anyone but a windshield wiper was torn off and used to break the windshield.

Hawkins said the weapon used by Hash was not his service weapon. She did not disclose how many shots were fired or where Walker was hit.

Hawkins asked the North Carolina bureau of investigation to take the lead in the investigation.

Demonstrators challenged the police version of events, gathering outside the Fayetteville transit authority and chanting: What do we want? Justice. When do we want it? Now.

Elizabeth Ricks, a trauma nurse, told WRAL News she was on the scene and tried to save Walkers life.

I did not see anyone in distress. The man was just walking home, she said.

It breaks my heart he didnt survive and Im trying to cope with that as well. I dont want to take away from Jason or the injustice and Im not going to be silent.

A cousin of Walker told WRAL News the police chiefs description of events did not sound like something Walker would do.

Were hearing one side of the story that sounds like a person that Jason is not, and then on the other side, were hearing a story that makes complete sense, said the cousin, who was not identified by name.

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We have to take it one day at a time. Hopefully the system does whats right and gets to the bottom of this. We really just want justice for Jason.

According to Walkers family, he was a single father and left behind a young son.

On Tuesday, the prominent civil rights attorney Ben Crump said he would represent Walkers family.

Crump, who represented the family of George Floyd after he was killed by former Minneapolis officer Derek Chauvin in May 2020, disputed the police account of Walkers death.

At the crux of the matter, was Mr Walker shot in the back as he tried to return home? His parents lived across the street, less than 100 yards away, Crump said on Twitter.

We stand committed, with the family and the young son that Jason Walker left behind, to find answers as to what happened to him when he was senselessly shot and killed by off-duty deputy Jeffrey Hash.
Carroll County commissioners have approved the use of county funds to pay for design, renovations and furnishings for a new and improved family shelter. Construction could begin as early as January 2025.

The new shelter will be located at the Penn-Mar building, 115 Stoner Ave., Westminster, which the county plans to purchase, and could be ready for residents in the next three to five years.

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On Dec. 16, commissioners approved a request from Celene Steckel, director of the Department of Citizen Services, to purchase the Penn-Mar building for $1.3 million and to reclaim the land through deed. The building will be used to relocate the countys current family shelter and to provide additional operating space for the Bureau of Aging and Disabilities and for staff in the countys citizen services department.

The building purchase will be covered by the countys Coronavirus Relief Fund. Through this fund, the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act provides for payments to state, local and tribal governments navigating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Last week, commissioners approved the use of one-time funds from the countys annual budget for renovations and money from state pandemic-related Fiscal Recovery Funds for the design and engineering of the new shelter.

The estimated cost for the family shelter design and engineering phase is $225,000, Steckel said last week. The second piece of our request is for the use of $700,000 of one-time county funds to support the design, renovations and furnishing of the county office space at the Penn-Mar building.

Debbie Standiford, grants manager for the county, told commissioners that acquisition of the building will take place next month.

Afternoon Update Weekdays Updating you on the day's biggest news before the evening commute. >

We can start then with the county side of renovations as long as funding is available, she said. The first step for us to apply for grant funding to construct the family shelter is this design and engineering phase.

Standiford said she believes the project would be eligible for two large grants. These include the Shelter and Transitional Housing Facilities Grant Program and the Community Development Block Grant Program, both administered by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development.

There is a lot of grant money out there in the world today and the sooner we have a design and know that we can move forward with this project  you may be able to take advantage of other funding that will be coming, Standiford said.

Standiford said the countys purchase of the building could be used as the required local contribution to receive matching state grant funds.

If it works out I see us starting construction in January 2025, Standiford said.

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The Penn-Mar building is 16,264 square feet and sits on a 2.96-acre lot. Steckel estimated that between 8,000 and 9,000 square feet could be used for the family shelter. The countys current family shelter is about 6,000 square feet.

The exact number of families that the new location could accommodate would be determined once the design and engineering phase of the project is complete, Steckel said. The current space has operated in different iterations of a shelter for families and children for more than 30 years.
Message showing an alleged gun sale made by Jermaine Pulley

A man and a woman have been indicted in federal court on charges they worked together to illegally buy guns and resell them, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Ohio announced Tuesday.

Jermaine Pulley, 29, and Nylisha Hill, 22, are charged in U.S. District Court with making false statements during the purchases of firearms.

Hill and Pulley went to Shoot Point Black - Cincy West in Colerain Township in October. According to the complaint, the clerk there said Pulley and another man looked at several guns and then Hill tried to purchase a firearm saying Pulley was buying the guns for her. The clerk said he asked Pulley to fill out the needed form, but he objected saying the gun wasn't for him. The clerk denied the sale, in part, because Hill had not been looking at guns or participating in the shopping.

According to investigators, Jermaine Pulley handed money to Nylisha Hill to illegally purchase firearms

Then the pair drove to Shoot Point Blank - Blue Ash. Investigators said video shows Pulley handing Hill money as they entered the store. In Blue Ash, Hill successfully purchased two Taurus handguns, the complaint said. Pulley and Hill went back to their vehicle and then Hill went into the store again and tried to purchase two more weapons, but the sale was denied.

Pulley was on probation at the time of the offense, investigators said, and his probation officer could search his phone. In December, the officer found messages showing Pulley attempting to sell around 15 different firearms, including at least one from the October purchase in Blue Ash.

Pulley was prohibited from possessing a firearm under the terms of his probation. Hill has no prior criminal record in Hamilton County.

Making a false statement on federal firearms forms is punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Conspiring to commit a felony crime against the United States carries a potential penalty of five years in prison.

Pulley is being represented by a lawyer from the Federal Public Defender's Office, which declines to comment on ongoing cases. Hill did not have an attorney listed in court records on Tuesday.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Feds: Woman illegally bought guns for a man to sell
Several area first responders helped the Farmington Fire Department Thanksgiving night into Friday morning when the second fire since Monday occurred in Farmington.

FARMINGTON  Fires that damaged at least three Farmington businesses a few days apart in November still are being investigated, according to authorities.

But one fire might be under more scrutiny than the other. And plans for possible reopenings are nebulous, although one business is operating again in a different form.

The first fire, reported about 9 p.m. Nov. 22, destroyed Whiskey Dixie's bar and O'Brian's Parkside Deli & Diner. The establishments were located next door to each other on Cone Street in downtown Farmington.

At about the same time three nights later, on Thanksgiving, another fire caused at least a temporary closure of Ashers Bar & Grille. That restaurant and bar is located on Fort Street, around the corner from the site of the first fire.

Authorities detail status of investigation

Multiple authorities have been trying to determine what caused both blazes. The primary investigative body is the Springfield-based Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal.

There is no timetable for investigation completion, according to JC Fultz, a spokesman for the fire marshal's office.

More: It was a restaurant, church and nightclub. Now this Peoria space will reopen as a tearoom

"We don't have any new information at this time," Fultz stated in an email.

Matt Watters, chief of the Farmington Community Fire Protection District, told the Journal Star he hasn't heard from state officials in a few weeks. Watters doesn't believe investigators are leaning toward arson as a possible cause.

"It doesn't sound like they are going to be digging into Whiskey's (because) of the amount of damage," Watters stated.

Watters did not have dollar estimates for the damage each fire caused, but he declared Whiskey Dixie's and Parkside to be total losses.

The glow of fire and dark smoke could be seen for several miles as firefighters worked diligently to put the flames out.

What plans do the businesses have to reopen?

A message was left with Whiskey Dixie's proprietors. At the time of the fire, the restaurant and bar was closed temporarily as it was undergoing an ownership change.

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Whether Parkside reopens is uncertain, according to business and building owner Patrick O'Brian.

More: Here are 23 new restaurants that opened in and around Peoria in 2021

"We are weighing the pros and cons and keeping an eye on the cost of building materials through the first quarter," he told the Journal Star. "Right now we're focusing on getting the site demolished and put back to a clean slate."

For the time being, Ashers is operating a food truck at 216 N. Main St. in Farmington. The food truck, which debuted last weekend, is open during lunch and supper hours.

Nick in the Morning

This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Authorities determining if arson or another cause in Farmington fires
New, grisly details emerged regarding the stabbing death of Sergio Bonboster, whose mutilated body was found in an empty northwest Fresno canal in October.

Bonboster, 20, was reported missing by his family on Oct. 7. Five days later, his body was found in a dry canal near Hughes and Emerson avenues, covered in a tarp.

Detectives arrested Bonbosters roommate Lawrence Madrid, 20, and Madrids 17-year-old girlfriend.

Police believe the teenager intervened during a fight between the men and stabbed Bonboster multiple times. Smith said Bonboster was stabbed in the neck, back and chest a total of 19 times.

The teenager is charged with murder. Madrid is charged with being an accessory to murder and mutilation of human remains.

During his arraignment Monday, prosecutor Elana Smith alleged Madrid tried to cover up the murder and dispose of the body by cutting it in half and stashing it in different places.

One place was under a nearby bridge and he hid another part in a dumpster at the apartment, Smith told Judge Leanne Le Mon.

Smith pushed for Madrid, who was released from the Fresno County Jail because of COVID-19 precautions, to be placed back in custody.

Based on the seriousness of this offense we have concerns about his custody status, Smith said. And concerns about public safety.

Le Mon agreed and ordered Madrid, who pleaded not guilty to the charges, to be placed back in jail with bail set at $50,000. Family members of Bonboster who were present in the courtroom nodded with approval.

His sister, Jazmine Bonboster, said she was completely shocked and heartbroken at the loss of her brother.

He liked living his life like any other 20-year-old, she said. Family and friends were big to him and he loved being an uncle.

The teenage murder suspect is being housed at the Juvenile Justice Center. Smith said the district attorneys office has filed a motion to have the teenager tried as an adult. That motion is pending.




A Georgia district attorney said in an interview published on Sunday that a decision would be made in the first half of this year on whether to bring charges against former President Trump for allegedly pressuring state officials to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election.

"I believe in 2022 a decision will be made in that case," Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis told The Associated Press. "I certainly think that in the first half of the year that decisions will be made."

Willis, a Democrat, said that she is leaning toward requesting that a special grand jury with subpoena power take part in the investigation.

In February, Willis launched an investigation to determine if any crimes were committed during a phone call between Trump and Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger (R) in which the former president asked that Raffensperger "find" the necessary amount of votes to overturn Trump's election defeat in Georgia.

When she announced the investigation, Willis said her agency was best suited to conduct the investigation because all other state agencies had conflicts of interest, according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

"This investigation includes, but is not limited to, potential violations of Georgia law prohibiting the solicitation of election fraud, the making of false statements to state and local governmental bodies, conspiracy, racketeering, violation of oath of office and any involvement in violence or threats related to the election's administration," Willis said in a letter to state leadership.

While declining to discuss the specifics of the case, Willis told the AP, "We're going to just get the facts, get the law, be very methodical, very patient and, in some extent, unemotional about this quest for justice."

The district attorney said she has put together a team of fewer than 10 people, including attorneys and investigators.

As the AP noted, Willis's office is not the only entity investigating Trump's attempts to overturn the results of the presidential election. Committees in both the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House have also looked into allegations that Trump pressured officials into helping overturn the election.

"I just think the public should be patient - you know, go on, lead your lives - trust that they've elected a district attorney that knows that this is a serious issue, takes it seriously and we're doing our job here," Willis said.
Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey gives his final State of the State address at the Arizona Legislature on Jan. 10, 2022. Senate President Karen Fann and House Speaker Rusty Bowers look on.

Doug Ducey clearly doesnt just want to be governor.

He is positioning himself as an Arizona superman wholl build a wall with Mexico and wipe out the drug and human smuggling cartels  all in less than a year.

The Republican governor is essentially saying hell do  in just a few months  what former president Donald Trump couldnt do in four years and what the Mexican government has failed to do in decades.

More: Kari Lake would deport immigrants if elected Arizona governor?

Anyone fool enough to believe Ducey can actually pull off what nobody else has so far  much less do it at light speed  should take a cold shower to wake up from that dream.

Border security is national security, Ducey said in his final State of the State address he delivered on Monday. And the lack of action from D.C. puts every American at risk.

Other than build a wall, the details were light

Ducey said hell make a significant new investment toward border security and that he is partnering with Texas, presumably to control the flow of drugs into America where people are dying in record numbers consuming deadly amounts.

Our budget will make significant new investments to strengthen the Border Strike Force, provide advanced equipment to aid in the pursuit of dangerous criminals, and deploy the latest drone technology to bolster surveillance and stop the cartels in their tracks, he said.

Never mind that Ducey's Border Strike Force has been mostly smoke and mirrors, often credited for doing routine state police work. It hasnt done much to actually stop smuggling.

The governor also didnt say how much hes planning to spend (thatll come in later) or what exactly hell do to increase the criminal penalties against human smuggling and provide more funding to border counties to ensure prosecution and incarceration.

Duceys plan wouldnt be complete without mentioning building a border wall, saying that where Arizona can add physical barriers to the border, we will.

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How will Ducey stop cartels 'in their tracks'?

Nobody disputes that drug and human trafficking is a huge problem. Nobody disputes that Americans are overdosing in alarming numbers on fentanyl  a lot of it which comes from south of the border, primarily across ports of entry.

Whats laughable is how Ducey is trying to fool people by trying to make them believe that he can actually stop the cartels in their tracks and that hell do so as a lame duck governor.

Ducey wants Arizonans to believe that hell do in just a few months what he hasnt done in seven years  stop the drug smuggling and stop Arizonans from consuming those drugs.

Drug abuse is a crisis, so where is the new plan to deal with that, governor? Where is the plan to get Americans from getting hooked on fentanyl?

Elvia Diaz is an editorial columnist for The Republic and azcentral. Reach her at 602-444-8606 or elvia.diaz@arizonarepublic.com. Follow her on Twitter, @elviadiaz1.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Gov. Doug Ducey talks tough on border security. Anyone believe him?
Gadsden State Community College recently announced the winners of its Exceptional Achievement in Teaching and Staff Excellence in Service awards.

It is a privilege to recognize these outstanding employees at Gadsden State, GSCC Vice President Dr. Terra Simmons said in a news release from the college. I was so impressed as I read their bios and letters of recommendation for the employees receiving the prestigious awards. These individuals go above and beyond the call of duty to make a difference in students lives.

The Exceptional Achievement in Teaching Award is the highest honor bestowed on the faculty at Gadsden State. Each of the four awards given recognizes career achievements in teaching with emphasis on concrete accomplishments and proven results.

The winners:

Laura Wilson receives the Brenda Crowe Exceptional Achievement in Teaching Award from Gadsden State Community College President Dr. Kathy Murphy.

 Brenda Crowe Exceptional Achievement in Teaching Award: Laura Wilson, history instructor on the Wallace Drive Campus.

Wilson was hired as an adjunct history instructor at Gadsden State in 2015, before earning a full-time position in 2017. She serves on the schools' Curriculum Committee, the COVID Technology Support Team and the Dual Enrollment Support Team. She also was the designated coordinator of lessons relating to the 2020 Census. She has designed custom American History courses for adjunct dual enrollment instructors, and she implemented an open education resource model for American History 201 and 202.

She is a graduate of Jacksonville State University, the Gadsden State Faculty Development Institute and the Alabama Community College System Instructional Leadership Academy.

The award is named for GSCCs former dean of Institutional Advancement and Community Services.

John Sudduth receives the Pierce C. Cain Exceptional Achievement in Teaching Award from Gadsden State Community College President Dr. Kathy Murphy.

 Pierce C. Cain Exceptional Achievement in Teaching Award: John Sudduth, accounting instructor on the East Broad and Ayers campuses.

Sudduth started working at Gadsden State in 2018. He is the advisor of the Aspiring Accountants Association and is responsible for maintaining engagement on the Accounting Advisory Committee. He has served on the Program Review, Faculty Affairs, ASPIRE and Student Disciplinary committees, and the Cardinal Foundations Special Events Committee.

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He is a graduate of JSU, the University of South Alabama and the ACCS Instructional Leadership Academy, and is a member of a number of national honor societies, including Psi Chi, Omicron Delta Kappa, Beta Gamma Sigma, Gamma Sigma Alpha, Phi Eta Sigma and Phi Kappa Phi.

The award is given to a member of the academic faculty and is named for the founding president of what is now the Ayers Campus.

The Staff Excellence in Service Award recognizes the recipients ability to perform their responsibilities in a proficient and capable manner and their commitment to their co-workers and Gadsden State students.

The winners:

Valerie Roberts receives a Staff Excellence in Service Award from Gadsden State Community College President Dr. Kathy Murphy.

 Valerie Roberts: Began her career at Gadsden State in 2017 as the clerk in Career Services as well as assistant to the associate dean of Enrollment and Retention. She currently is the tutorial coordinator for Student Support Services and serves as an orientation instructor and ACT Prep instructor.

She has served on the Student Discipline and Events committees. She was responsible for converting SSS tutoring to fully online at the beginning of the COVID pandemic, which enabled tutoring to continue during the shutdown without interruption. In the community, she has volunteered with the United Way of Etowah County and Sleep in Heavenly Peace. She is the founder and director of Operation Christmas Hero, and she serves as the director of Student Ministries for Summit Church.

She has degrees from Southeastern University, JSU and Snead State Community College, and has earned Certified Educator credentials in math, science, reading and English from ACT.

Beth Enders receives a Staff Excellence in Service Award from Gadsden State Community College President Dr. Kathy Murphy.

 Beth Enders: Hired as a purchasing agent at Gadsden State in 2007. Two years later, she became the administrative assistant in Admissions and Records before being promoted to assistant to the dean of Academic Programs and Services in 2018.

She has served on the Skills Training Approval and Events committees and the DegreeWorks Team. She currently is the secretary for the Gadsden State Support Personnel Association, an organization for which she also served as the president and vice president. In the community, Enders has volunteered for the United Way of Etowah County, Habitat for Humanity, Clean Home Alabama and CommUNITY Thanksgiving. She most recently was awarded an Excellence in Education Award for Support Personnel by The Chamber of Gadsden & Etowah County.

She has degrees from Pasco-Hernando Community College, Gadsden State Community College, Athens State College and Faulkner University. She is also a graduate of the Gadsden State Leadership Development Institute.

Each award recipient receives $1,000 in discretionary funds within the appropriate department or division budget for the academic year to be used for equipment, professional development or teaching supplies.

This article originally appeared on The Gadsden Times: Gadsden State presents faculty, staff awards




European Parliament President David Sassoli died on Tuesday after battling pneumonia last year.

Sassoli, a 65-year-old socialist, passed away in an Italian hospital after he was hospitalized on Dec. 26, The Associated Press reported.

He had been in the hospital for the past couple weeks due to his immune system functioning abnormally, per the wire service.

Sassoli was a "sincere and passionate European. We already miss his human warmth, his generosity, his friendliness and his smile," European Council President Charles Michel said.

Sassoli contracted pneumonia caused by the legionella bacteria in September and had declining health since the illness, according to the AP.

He had to miss multiple legislative meetings due to his illness, but fought to work as much as he could, per the wire service.

Sassoli served as the head of the European Union's parliament for the past 2 1/2 years and as a member of the body for a decade before that.

"Everyone loved his smile and his kindness, yet he knew how to fight for what he believed in," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said.

Sassoli will be buried at Rome's Santa Maria degli Angeli on Friday. Sassoli left behind his wife, Alessandra Vittorini, and two children, the AP reported.
The No Surprises Act, health care legislation targeted at preventing surprise medical bills, officially went into effect on Jan. 1, albeit with one major exclusion: ambulance bills.

A 2021 survey found that ambulance bills account for 8% of all medical debt. A big reason why is because 51% of emergency and 39% of non-emergency ground ambulance rides include an out of network charge from insurers, according to the Peterson-KFF Health System Tracker.

I think part of the issue is that a lot of ambulances are run by the states, which makes it more complicated for them, Matthew Rae, associate director at the Kaiser Family Foundation, told Yahoo Finance.

Just 10 states have protections in place against surprise billing by ground ambulance providers in health care. (Chart: The Commonwealth Fund)

Furthermore, Rae added, you can absolutely not request a specific ambulance provider to ensure its in-network. Just 10 states have laws in place protecting consumers from being balance-billed by a ground ambulance provider.

Most places you may not have a choice over whos the ambulance that shows up, Rae said. This is absolutely a place where someone who is having an emergency has to make a call and they dont have control picking their provider and then they are potentially subjected to a surprise bill.

'Fundamentally broken' ambulance billing system'

According to the Peterson-KFF Health System Tracker, citing data from seven states, more than two-thirds of emergency ground ambulance rides had an out-of-network charge for ambulance-related services.

Loren Adler, associate director of the USC-Brookings Schaeffer Initiative for Health Policy, told Yahoo Finance that there is "only one [provider] who has a monopoly contract for the region you live in. Theres literally no choice. Not that you really have a choice of emergency physicians, barely have any choice over an anesthesiologist, but its even more extreme. We think of ground ambulance services as if it should be like a municipal fire department type of service."

Adler noted that something like 80% of ground ambulances are out-of-network.

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Dr. Paul Davis of Findlay, Ohio holds up a large surprise medical bill that he received for U.S. President Donald Trump to see during an event centered on a proposal to end surprise medical billing in the Roosevelt Room at the White House in Washington, U.S., May 9, 2019. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

Its fundamentally broken  its not like the ambulance has as much power because they dont get to choose who they pick up, he said. Neither side has a lot to stand on here. And then youre getting a lot of one-off fights between the insurers and the ground ambulances which is not great for the patients stuck in the middle.

And those who are without any health insurance and in need of an ambulance are responsible for footing the entire bill, though Rae noted that they do have the ability to negotiate.

"This is a place where people can incur big expenses," he said.

'Prices are the problem'

And so why were ambulance costs excluded from the No Surprises Act?

My general impression is that it has to do with the fact that ambulances are owned by a whole bunch of people, Rae said. Sometimes theyre administered by state and local governments. Sometimes theyre administered by private companies. Sometimes theyre administered by hospitals, and sometimes theyre administered by private equity firms, which tends to be a lot of ownership with ambulances. I think part of having state and local governments involved made it more complicated, but that would be a great question for the people who made the exception.

In the meantime, some state and local governments have enacted their own laws to try to regulate these prices. According to the analysis by Peterson-KFF, however, some of these state regulations only apply to a subset of ground ambulance agencies.

A person receives a tour of the station's rescue ambulance at a Culver City Fire Department vaccination clinic on August 5, 2021, in California. (Photo by Patrick T. FALLON / AFP)

Self-funding kind of messes up state regulation here, Rae said. This is a place where states have the ability to regulate their fully insured plans, which is only a small share of those with private coverage, about a third of those with private coverage. In the vast majority of these cases, it has to do more with the market, but it has to do with what the state legislators are doing.

Part of the market features players like private equity firms, he explained. This is a place where private equity firms thought about having more ambulances, and theres for-profit corporations that make this their thing and deliver ambulance services, Rae said. Its a growing share of the market over time.

Its possible they contract with some insurers and not others, but I suspect there are some providers who just dont contract with insurance, he added. They dont want to accept a negotiated wage. They may have the leverage in the market to do that. By not contracting with insurers, they can charge out-of-network bills.

More than half of emergency ground ambulance rides in 2018 included an out-of-network charge. (Chart: Peterson-KFF Health System Tracker)

Cara Stewart, director of policy advocacy at Kentucky Voices for Health, explained that the privatization in health care has led to these higher costs.

If theres a theme to follow, its that the prices are the problem," Stewart told Yahoo Finance. "People like to try to play word games and blame this, that, and the other. But straight up, the prices are the problem, which is not that hard to understand. Its the private equity-owned carriers that have grown exponentially.

$380 million in ambulance bills

Overall, the cost of ambulance bills decreased by 3% from 2010 to 2019, though it rose significantly in some states during that same span of time, with the average spending amount increasing by 10%, according to an analysis by ValuePenguin.

Wyoming saw ambulance costs rise by a whopping 148%, the highest amount of any state, despite the fact that it spends the fourth-lowest amount on ambulances.

The highest total cost of ambulance spending was in California, which spent $380 million from 2010 to 2019.

Conversely, New Jersey experienced the steepest spending decline of any state for ambulance-related services. In 2010, expenditures totaled $176 million. In 2019, spending fell to $119 million  a drop of 32%. Still, ambulance costs averaged $170 million per year in the state, making New Jersey the state with the 11th-highest annual spending total over that period of time.

Stewart criticized these high fees, especially since the onus often falls upon the patients.

"Most health care pre-determines your options based on your network, your geography, who you need to get in with, who provides that service, and if its an emergency and its the only trauma hospital around, you have to go to that one because you need trauma care," Stewart said.

She continued: Those are all traps to convince people that youve somehow failed as a person dealing with your own finances. Thats a complete trap. You have not failed. Its not even possible for you to make an informed choice because even if you tried, even if its one of those largely shockable services, try to call and find out how much it will cost at different places. You will spend hours and hours of your life and never get the answers.

Adriana Belmonte is a reporter and editor covering politics and health care policy for Yahoo Finance. You can follow her on Twitter @adrianambells and reach her at adriana@yahoofinance.com.

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GRAND RAPIDS  Leading state health officials said Tuesday the spread of the omicron variant is likely to lead Michigan to a very sharp crest of COVID-19 cases.

During a Zoom call with media members Tuesday, Michigan Chief Medical Executive Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian said the state is seeing pandemic highs for cases and hospitalizations.

Per a report issued by the states health department Monday, roughly 4,900 people were hospitalized with confirmed or suspected cases of the virus, including 4,580 adults with a positive test. The previous pandemic high for adults with a confirmed infection was 4,518 on Dec. 13, before a two-week decline and then an increase that started after Christmas.

Cases are also rising. Bagdasarian shared health data compiled by the state, indicating nearly 130,000 COVID-19 cases over the past week. Hospital capacity is also being affected by the rising cases, particularly as more health care workers have to take time off and are getting sick after contracting COVID-19 or being exposed to it.

More: New COVID-19 cases in Ottawa County nearly double last week's

More: 'We are really at a breaking point,' Beaumont Health doctor says of COVID-19 surge

Michigan had six COVID-19 deaths per 100,000 residents in the past week, the seventh-highest among all states, according to the federal government.

The numbers that we've seen during this surge have not been seen at earlier times of the pandemic, Bagdasarian said.

Elizabeth Hertel, director of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, said increases in COVID-19 metrics are being driven by the omicron variant and delta variant. The delta variant was the driving factor behind case surges last fall.

"With the continued transmission of the delta variant, and the exponential spread of the even more contagious omicron variant, we're heading toward what will likely be a very sharp crest in this wave of cases while still seeing our hospitalizations increase," Hertel said.

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State health leaders continue to point to vaccination as a key tool at preventing severe outcomes from contracting the virus. Hertel said while breakthrough cases, or positive tests recorded from individuals who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, are occurring, the majority of hospitalizations and deaths from the virus are happening among unvaccinated individuals.

While breakthrough cases are to be expected with delta, and given the much greater transmissibility of omicron, people who are unvaccinated are still fueling the surge in cases, but most especially hospitalizations and deaths, she said.

The number of pediatric hospitalizations, or children who are in the hospital with COVID-19, has also reached its highest point yet in the latest surge.

People stand in line outside a Covid-19 testing site Monday, Jan. 10, 2022, in Holland. The demand for testing has increased as case numbers increase across Michigan.

Bagdasarian said there are currently 107 children hospitalized with COVID-19, a 66 percent increase in admissions since the week of Dec. 20.

We're very concerned, especially given what we know about vaccination uptake in younger age groups, she said. We know that pediatric vaccine uptake is not where we needed to be, so children are at risk for some severe outcomes.

While children typically are at a lower risk for severe illness from COVID-19, there is still the possibility of harsh outcomes from the virus. Dr. Lauren Yagiela, a pediatric critical care physician at the Childrens Hospital of Michigan in Detroit, said more children are facing challenging health complications from contracting the virus, such as COVID pneumonia, myocarditis, which is inflammation of the heart, and multisystem inflammatory syndrome, or MISC.

MISC is a condition where multiple organ systems become inflamed or dysfunctional. Per the state, 208 MISC cases have been reported to the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention since the start of the pandemic.

In addition to vaccination, state health leaders are urging residents to continue to take other precautions, like wearing masks, frequently washing hands and avoiding crowded gatherings. MDHHS officials recommended Tuesday that residents upgrade to a N95 or KN95 mask, or wear two well-fitting cloth masks to offer better protection from COVID-19.

 Contact Arpan Lobo at alobo@hollandsentinel.com. Follow him on Twitter @arpanlobo. Become a subscriber today. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Health officials concerned as Michigan COVID-19 hospitalizations hit new high
An Anne Arundel County judge sentenced a Glen Burnie man to life in prison without the possibility of parole plus 45 years for killing Benjamin Curtis, who was a former federal protective services officer, during a robbery in 2006, the Office of the States Attorney for Anne Arundel County said Monday.

Judge Cathy Vitale sentenced William Lloyd McDonald, 41, after a jury convicted him in October of first-degree felony murder, armed robbery and handgun violations. McDonald was retried in October after the Court of Special Appeals in 2018 ordered a new trial and overturned his 2015 conviction and sentence of life without the possibility of parole.

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Justice for the family and friends of Mr. Curtis was a long time coming. Initially, this was a cold case for many years and then once it was charged, had a number of challenges including a mistrial, and later being overturned on appeal due to a procedural error. The case was retried last year and a jury found the defendant guilty of all charges, States Attorney Anne Colt Leitess said in a statement.

Curtis homicide case went cold for five years until McDonalds former girlfriend told police in 2011 she picked McDonald up from a nearby business after he shot Curtis in the head behind the My Place Bar and Lounge in Odenton in the early morning hours of Aug. 12, 2006. Curtis was an officer with Federal Protective Services, a branch of Immigration and Customs Enforcement responsible for guarding federal buildings. Police said McDonald attempted to rob Curtis and his friend Rhonda Briscoe as they sat Curtis car parked behind My Place.

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Briscoe testified the robber, later identified as McDonald, got into the back seat and told her to take off her clothes. McDonald shot and killed Curtis when Curtis attempted to fight him. Briscoe ran from the bar to the gates of Fort George G. Meade, where police were stationed.

The Court of Special Appeals determined in 2018 that letters McDonald wrote to a friend detailing how to kill a witness in his murder case should never have been shown to the jury. Vitale allowed the letters to be admitted again in October with certain parts redacted that mention other crimes unrelated to Curtis killing.

The letter McDonald wrote a friend detailed how to kill Carlos Wells, a man prosecutors argued in a six-day trial possessed the gun that connected McDonald to Curtis death. The jury deliberated for two days before returning a verdict convicting McDonald of first-degree felony murder, armed robbery, using a handgun in a violent crime and possessing a firearm with a felony conviction.

This outcome reflects our dedication to getting justice for victims regardless of the passing of time and the difficulties that come with handling complicated cases. I would like to thank the Atlantic City Police, New Jersey State Police Crime Lab, Maryland State Police Crime Lab, Fort Meade Military Police, Montgomery County Police Department and the Anne Arundel County Police Department for their contributions and support which led to the successful prosecution of the case, Leitess said in a statement.
In December, Margie Scoby was invited for a behind the scenes look at the movie "Emancipation," filmed for a week at Ardoyne Plantation in Schriever. The movie stars Will Smith and is directed by Antoine Fuqua.

At night on set, Scoby, founder and president of the Finding our Roots African American Museum in Houma, watched the actors, taking photos with extras and being taken on a tour with a designated chair to watch scenes being shot.

When I arrived I was greeted by Maria Bierniak and she took me over the entire grounds," Scoby said. "She introduced herself and handed me a gift bag. She told me it was from Will Smith. I was allowed to watch several scenes. As we moved from one location to the other someone was appointed to move my chair, shine lights and clean the way. I felt like a queen."

Finding our Roots African American Museum Founder and President Margie Scoby with Emancipation movie director Antoine Fuqua on set at Ardoyne Plantation.

The gifts from Smith included a copy of his book and a card which everyone from the movie signed, thanking her for the work shes done.

When meeting Fuqua, Scoby was surprised that he already knew of her before any introduction.

"Antoine Fuqua knows my name," Scoby said. So he shook my hand and asked if he could give me a hug and then he said, Thank you, sister, for everything you are doing. We greatly appreciate you.

More: Filming for a Will Smith movie to block traffic next week on part of La. 311 in Schriever

The plot of "Emancipation" involves a slave named Peter (played by Smith), who escapes from a Louisiana plantation after being heavily whipped and heads north to join the Union Army during the Civil War. The film is based on the true story of an escaped slave named Gordon, in which photographs of his bare back, heavily scarred from an overseer's whippings, were published worldwide in 1863, bolstering the movement to abolish slavery.

Scoby thanked Fuqua for telling Gordon and Whipped Peters story on the big screen.

The museum houses a precious trove of artifacts, photos, records and other materials, documenting African American history and culture in the tri-parish region.

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The museum building, which survived Ida, has started to show signs of significant damage, including moisture that has caused the floors and ceiling to buckle and the growth of mold and mildew throughout the building. Running the air conditioning has mitigated the issue, but its not a long-term solution.

Scoby said Fuqua and others from the film have pledged to help.

He said, I understand that the museum suffered some damage, and I want you to know that Will and I talked about it and once everything is finished with this movie and the dust settles we are coming back. I have your information. We will get back with you and we are going to help you. ' Scoby said.

More: 'A day of love': African American Museum in Houma celebrates reopening

Jabari Ali was the music supervisor for the film and has worked with Fuqua for 20 years. Ali, who toured the museum with Scoby, said that Scoby was one of the best kept secrets for everyone, but especially people of color in America.

Ali said it is truly a gift for Scoby to be able to connect families with their ancestors, spotlight their rich history and bring attention to the atrocities of slavery.

It was such a blessing to be in the presence of a master historian, Ali said.

For Ali, he said that the Blood Sweat and Tears exhibit was the most moving. The exhibit includes soil collections from plantations in the Houma-Thibodaux area, pictures of slave owners and documentation of those known to be enslaved on numerous plantations.

More: African American Museum in Houma seeks help after water damage from Hurricane Ida

We use several plantations while filming 'Emancipation.' And to see the one exhibit that literally had the soil preserved in a clear glass container, Ali said. That really stuck out; it's the symbolic connection with it all.

Ali said that the film experience was the first time hes ever been on a former slave plantation.

It was surreal," Ali said. "I think I went through every emotion just standing there and being still in the moment. Just being prayerful and thankful that we've come through this.

Scoby is also helping Ali with reconnecting with his own roots. Theyve been able to trace through slave ledgers and other documents to ancestry with Alis 4-time great grandmother, Melinda Day, who was two hours away in Mississippi.

Uncovering a lot of documentation has been so powerful, for me and my family to make the connection to where we come from, Ali said.

Ali said it was important to get everyone to help the museum recover.

It's such an incredible history," he said. "And it needs to be preserved, it needs to be spotlighted. And I know Margie, she's gonna get it all back up and open. And I think it should be the most traveled tourist location in Houma. Hands down.

The film will be released on Apple+ streaming service. No release date has yet been set.

The Finding Our Roots African American Museum is at 918 Roussell St. in Houma. Email the museum at findingourroots@yahoo.com and support recovery efforts at gofund.me/8e131a8f.

This article originally appeared on The Courier: Houma museum president witnesses the making of Will Smith movie
Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) addresses reporters during a press conference on Wednesday, October 20, 2021 following the closed-door House Democratic Caucus meeting.





Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), the chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, announced in a "Dear Colleague" letter on Tuesday that the annual House Democratic Caucus Issues Conference scheduled for next month would be postponed due to COVID-19.

Jeffries said that the decision to postpone the conference scheduled for Feb. 9 to 11 in Philadelphia was based on guidance from the Office of the Attending Physician.

"While Vice Chair Pete Aguilar and I are disappointed not to be proceeding with next month's event, the health and safety of the Members, their families and staff is our top priority," the letter said.

"Our intention is to reschedule the Issues Conference shortly after President Joe Biden's first State of the Union Address in March, to the extent the public health landscape would permit such a gathering," it added.

Jeffries also said that on Feb. 10 Democrats "will convene a family conversation and full-day virtual messaging summit."

The cancellation comes as the highly contagious omicron variant has swept through the country and as a growing number of lawmakers have tested positive for the virus in recent days.

Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney (D-N.Y.) announced that he had tested positive for the virus on Tuesday, and Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) tested positive on Monday, marking the second time she has had the virus.

Additionally, Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), Sean Casten (D-Ill.) and Young Kim (R-Calif.) announced they tested positive for COVID-19 over the weekend.

While the omicron variant has contributed to an uptick in infections around the world, early studies have indicated it is typically more mild and less likely to cause hospitalizations than the delta variant.

Government health officials have continuously encouraged Americans to get fully vaccinated and, if they are eligible, get a booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Secretly Canadian has elected to honor its past by helping local nonprofit New Hope for Families prepare for the future.

For the past nine months, the record label has been running a campaign to raise $250,000 for New Hope, which provides emergency shelter and child care for families impacted by homelessness. Through this campaign, over two dozen artists from around the world have reissued parts of their back catalog or released new material in order to help Bloomington families of all shapes and sizes stay together amidst tumultuous life changes.

The net proceeds will go toward New Hope's new facility, which is set to open in the next few months.

Emily Pike, executive director for New Hope for Families, left, and Ben Swanson, co-founder of Secretly Canadian, pose Friday on the New Hope for Families construction site at West Patterson Drive and South Morton Street.

The fundraising idea was conceived by Secretly Canadian co-founder Ben Swanson as a way to celebrate the indie label's 25th anniversary. According to Swanson, the team wanted to recognize its own past, which had its humble beginnings right here in Bloomington, but the traditional pathway of hosting a music festival or party didn't feel quite right.

"If we're gonna put a lot of energy into something, I wanted it to have some use," Swanson told The Herald-Times. "What can we do that celebrates what we've done the last 25 years (and) what we hope to do the next 25 years as well as really focus some sort of philanthropic efforts on a hyperlocal level?"

More: New Hope breaks ground, kicks off fundraising campaign for new facility

At the same time, Swanson said he had begun researching how deeply homelessness impacts families, specifically in this region. Swanson soon connected with Emily Pike, executive director of New Hope, who offered some context of how this nationwide issue persists in Secretly Canadian's hometown.

New shelter, expanded child care

"(Homelessness) impacts families and children a lot," Pike said.

According to Indiana's most recent point-in-time data, 36 families with 70 children are experiencing homelessness in Monroe County at any given time.

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Pike said a family's experience of homelessness is often tied to the birth of a new child. Pike noted people in the United States are most likely to experience homelessness in the first year of their life; the second most likely age period is before a person turns 6 years old.

"That's a financially difficult time and it's a logistically difficult time and all these things are difficult, and so we understand that it oftentimes can mean that families struggle to make ends meet," Pike said. "When we don't have a strong safety net in place and, in particular, we don't have enough affordable housing available, that can result in an episode of homelessness."

While there are several services and resources available to combat homelessness, those can lead to splitting up a family. Men and women are often separated at shelters. Children either stay with the female guardian at a shelter or are enrolled into foster care.

"Certainly foster care is important and it protects children, but most of the time, children who are impacted by homelessness are not in any kind of danger, aside from not having a safe place to live," Pike said.

The family shelter building being constructed for New Hope for Families is seen Friday along West Patterson Drive.

New Hope serves families as they self-define. Alongside the nuclear family model, many families consist of single parents, unmarried couples, same-sex parents, custodial grandparents, transgender parents or guardians and more.

"Part of what makes us successful is recognizing that families come in all shapes and sizes and that every family needs a different solution," Pike said.

New Hope for Families is the only local organization that offers emergency housing for families to all stay together as they navigate the system and plan out their next steps.

Most families at New Hope only stay there for less than three months before they move into an apartment. Last year, in the state of Indiana, 39% of people who stayed in homeless shelters moved into a place with a lease in their name. At New Hope, that number was 81%.

Nearly four years ago, Pike said New Hope pledged to not let a single family sleep outside, live in their car or be separated from each other in order to receive services in Monroe County. If its shelter was at capacity, New Hope would pay for a family to live at a hotel.

But the cost of that program adds up. Typically, it costs New Hope $45 a night to shelter a family and offer supportive services such as case management, job and housing searches and any recovery resources that a family may need. A hotel for a family costs $63 a night; with the addition of those supportive services, that totals up to over $100 per night for one family.

The hotel program costs around $30,000 annually in a non-pandemic year. However, last year had an overwhelming amount of calls to New Hope from families in need of housing, so the program ended up costing more than $150,000.

New Hope is currently located along West Second Street near the old IU Health Bloomington Hospital. But when it transitions into its new facility at the intersection of South Morton Street and West Grimes Lane/Patterson Drive, New Hope will increase its shelter capacity from seven to 12 families as well as expand its child care service from 16 to 48 children.

The child care buildings being constructed for New Hope for Families is seen Friday along South Morton Street at the corner with West Grimes Lane/Patterson Drive.

Many organizations and businesses have helped fund the $5.75 million facility, including Smithville Charitable Foundation, Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County, Bloomington Township and Secretly Canadian.

The shelter is expected to open in late February or early March while the child care services will launch in April.

Year-long fundraiser: vinyls, Vans, more

Secretly Canadian has enlisted a heavyweight roster of artists from around the world  some signed to the label, others just friends who wanted to help the cause  to release a series of 12 classic albums reissued in limited edition vinyl records and 25 new digital singles.

All net proceeds of the record sales go to New Hope for Families while the nonprofit also receives a portion of the royalties from the digital releases. Through this campaign, fans can pick up vinyl records from Tig Notaro, The War on Drugs, Faye Webster and more.

The digital singles will continue to generate royalty sales from streams, so any time someone listens to Stella Donnelly's cover of "If I Could Cry (It Would Feel Like This)" or Dirt Buyer's original "Little Dog Song," New Hope will receive a bit of that kickback.

Swanson said this project was an interesting way to engage with artists creatively as well as introduce them to Bloomington.

"Most of them fall in love with (Bloomington) instantly, and it was just sort of a way for us to let them into our world a little bit more. We spend so much energy when we work with an artist on helping them craft their world and I guess this was a way for us to ask them the favor of helping us support our world a little bit," Swanson said.

The campaign is planned to conclude in April, and Secretly Canadian has a few more creative collaborative projects on the horizon, such as an upcoming exclusive sneaker with Vans and backpack with Topo Designs.

So far, Secretly Canadian has disbursed $42,000; typically it takes a year and a half to two years for royalty revenue to trickle in.

"All the artists have been really awesome and really supportive, so that's been really fun," Swanson said. "I think everyone's just really focused on getting through the next four months and closing it out strong and then seeing what we can do."

This story previously identified the fundraising goal of Secretly Canadian's campaign as $150,000. The correct amount of the fundraising goal is $250,000.

Contact Rachel Smith at rksmith@heraldt.com or @RachelSmithNews on Twitter.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Secretly Canadian sells music to help homeless families in Bloomington
Using a fork to eat a cheeseburger makes about as much sense as grilling beef patties outside during a blustery, winter freezing storm.

Deconstruct that cheeseburger for a hearty soup, however, and a spoon is obviously in order.

The following Instant Pot recipe for Cheeseburger Soup even includes potatoes. No, they aren't crispy fried, but they do add more heft and body to the meal.

More: Substitute cauliflower for rice in Cajun-inspired dish to cut the calories

Dill pickles even are included in the version I found in the 512-page "The Big Book of Instant Pot Recipes" (2019) softcover cookbook by Kristy Bernardo, Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri, Amy Rains and Stefanie Bundalo.

The popular food bloggers with different cooking perspectives share their best recipes for the multi-functional cooker, making the cookbook a valuable resource. The cookbook is packed with colorful photographs for 240 varied recipes, including several vegan, paleo and gluten-free options.

When I was an Instant Pot newcomer, I appreciated the cookbook's instructions that specify the appliance settings during each step of making a meal. With my years of general cooking ability, I am able to make adjustments in seasonings and ingredients.

Cheeseburger soup is a hearty way to stretch a pound of ground hamburger meat into a satisfying meal, especially on a chilly winter night. Using the Instant Pot means the meat can be browned and pressure-cooked in one vessel, making for easier cleanup.

Cheeseburger Soup

In addition to cheddar, the soup also calls for cream cheese, which sometimes prefers to curdle into small lumps instead of blending smoothly into the soup ingredients.

One trick to counteract that tendency is let the cream cheese soften to room temperature before using. You also can expedite the softening by unwrapping a brick of cream cheese and microwaving it in a bowl at 50% power for about 20 seconds. Stir the cream cheese and, if not softened thoroughly, microwave for another 10 seconds and stir again.

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My changes to the original recipe include adding green chiles and garlic powder to boost the flavor and substituting Russet potatoes, which I had on hand, for the baby red potatoes. I also reduce the pressure cooking time so that the potatoes retain more body.

Enjoy the soup with slices of a French baguette or other crusty bread.

Because of the cream cheese, the soup cannot be frozen. So, use leftovers within three days of cooking.

Until warmer weather makes outdoor grilling possible, Cheeseburger Soup is a nice reminder of those flavors.

More: Credit goes to New York native Helen Corbitt for popular Texas Caviar recipe

Share your favorite recipes or food-related historical recollections by emailing Laura Gutschke at laura.gutschke@reporternews.com.

Cheeseburger Soup

Ingredients

1 pound lean ground beef

1/2 medium onion, diced

Salt to taste

Freshly ground black pepper to taste

2 1/2 cups beef stock

2-3 small-to-medium Russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch pieces (about 2 cups)

1 (14.5-ounce) can fire-roasted diced tomatoes (or crushed tomatoes for a smoother blend)

1 (4-ounce) can diced green chiles (recommend hot)

1 1/2 cups half-and-half (or heavy cream)

2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded

4 ounces (1/2 block) cream cheese, softened and cut into small cubes

1/2 teaspoon granulated garlic

Directions

1. Press saute to heat the Instant Pot. When the word "hot" appears on the display, add the ground beef and onion and season with the salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is soft and the meat has no more pink, about 5 minutes. Press cancel to turn off the Instant Pot.

2. Add the beef stock to deglaze the bottom of the pot. (Deglaze means using liquid poured over browned ingredients and using a wooden spoon or other utensil to scrape any caramelized bits from the bottom of the pot. Those bits add flavor to the dish.)

3. Add the potatoes, tomatoes and green chiles.

4. Secure the lid with the steam vent in the sealed position. Press soup on the display and immediately adjust the timer to 10 minutes. Check that the display light is beneath high pressure.

5. When the timer sounds, quick release the pressure and carefully remove the lid. Stir in the cream. Add the cheddar and then the cream cheese in small batches, whisking continuously until the cheeses are completely melted into the soup. Add the granulated garlic and taste. Adjust seasonings if necessary. Top each bowl with some chopped dill pickles, if desired. Yields four large servings.

More: Three-ingredient biscuit recipe drives home that not all flours are created equal

Laura Gutschke is a general assignment reporter and food columnist and manages online content for the Reporter-News. If you appreciate locally driven news, you can support local journalists with a digital subscription to ReporterNews.com.

This article originally appeared on Abilene Reporter-News: Instant Pot Cheeseburger Soup fights winter's chill without the grill
PENNSYLVANIA  Millions of people in Pennsylvania will soon have access to free at-home COVID-19 testing under a new Biden administration rule that will require insurance companies to cover the cost of tests.

Those in Pennsylvania covered by private insurance will have free access to over-the-counter, at-home COVID-19 tests starting Jan. 15. Tests can be purchased online or at a pharmacy or store, and they will be covered upfront by a health plan or through reimbursement.

"We are requiring insurers and group health plans to make tests free for millions of Americans. This is all part of our overall strategy to ramp-up access to easy-to-use, at-home tests at no cost," Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra said in a news release Monday.

Under the rule, insurance companies and health plans will be required to cover eight free at-home tests per covered individual per month. A doctors note isnt required to obtain the tests, which must be authorized, cleared or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

This means a family of four on the same insurance plan would be eligible for up to 32 free tests per month; however, there is no limit on the number of tests covered if ordered or administered by a health care provider.

The Biden Administration also said its "incentivizing" insurers and group health plans to set up programs allowing people in Pennsylvania to get over-the-counter tests directly through preferred pharmacies, retailers or other entities with no out-of-pocket costs.

Looking for an at-home test around the Keystone State? Walgreens, CVS, and other pharmacies offer them.

If you dont have private insurance or coverage through a group plan, you still have access to free tests in several places around the state, including Philadelphia. Head to any of the following testing sites or locations offering free at-home tests:

Simpson Recreation Center, 1010 Arrott Street, Philadelphia

Haverford Library, 5543 Haverford Avenue, Philadelphia

Widener Library, 2808 West Lehigh Avenue, Philadelphia

Tacony Library, 6742 Torresdale Avenue, Philadelphia

Lillian Marrero Library, 601 West Lehigh Avenue, Philadelphia

Lawncrest Library, 6098 Rising Sun Avenue, Philadelphia

Lonnie Young Recreation Center, 1100 East Chelten Avenue, Philadelphia

MLK Older Adult Center, 2101 Cecil B. Moore Avenue, Philadelphia

This article originally appeared on the Across Pennsylvania Patch
Iowa Republicans began the 2022 legislative session Monday promising to hold the line against the Biden administration while pursuing their own priorities to cut taxes and attract workers to Iowa.

The Capitol corridors buzzed Monday as lawmakers, lobbyists and members of the public returned to the Statehouse for the first day of the 2022 legislative session. It was a day primarily filled with procedural formalities and introductory speeches as legislators begin their work for another year.

With an election approaching this fall, Republicans are confident their conservative agenda at the state level will present an attractive choice for voters, compared to Democratic policies at the federal level. GOP officials have criticized Biden's pandemic mitigation policies as overreaching  especially vaccine mandates for workers  and say Iowans prefer their approach of letting individuals manage the risks of the pandemic themselves.

"We need to ensure that were here to hold the line and protect the freedoms of Iowans," said House Speaker Pat Grassley, R-New Hartford. "Weve already seen the lengths that this presidents administration is willing to go to infringe on the rights of individual Iowans, parents and businesses. We cannot let that happen here in Iowa. We must push back."

More: Sign up for the Register's daily Iowa politics newsletter

Overall, Republicans said the work they've done over the last five years while in full control of Iowa's government has placed the state in a strong position.

"Im always excited to start a legislative session, but Im more excited than Ive ever been," Senate Majority Leader Jack Whitver, R-Ankeny, said at the Republican Party of Iowas legislative breakfast and fundraiser. "And Im always optimistic to start a legislative session, but Im more optimistic than Ive ever been."

Meanwhile, Democrats in their opening day speeches said Republicans have pursued a divisive agenda that has contributed to the states workforce shortage. And Senate Minority Leader Zach Wahls, D-Coralville, praised President Joe Biden and U.S. Rep. Cindy Axne for passing federal legislation like the American Rescue Plan and the bipartisan infrastructure law.

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But President Bidens leadership may not be enough to overcome the Reynolds workforce crisis and the Republican policies that are hollowing out rural Iowa, Wahls said.

More: Here's what Iowa legislative leaders said on opening day of the 2022 Legislature

Republicans promise permanent tax cuts for Iowans

Republican leaders projected a united front on their top priority for the coming year: income tax cuts.

The state is taking in more tax money than it needs, and Iowans deserve to have that money back, Grassley said. We must return that money to the Iowa taxpayer.

Across the Capitol rotunda, Whitver sounded a similar note.

We must come to the Capitol this year and keep our promises as Republicans, he said. When we over-collect your tax dollars like we have, were going to give them back in permanent tax cuts.

Speaker of the Iowa House Pat Grassley, R-New Hartford, kicks off the first day of the 2022 legislative session, Monday, Jan. 10, 2022, at the Capitol in Des Moines.

Whitver said Republicans strength comes from keeping their campaign promises and putting aside their differences to work with each other to accomplish their agenda.

We not only have a Republican trifecta, but we have one of the strongest governing Republican trifectas in the entire country, he said.

More: The Iowa Legislature is returning for its 2022 session. Here are 5 issues to watch.

Some Republicans have been clear they hope to completely eliminate the states individual income tax. But on Monday they seemed to acknowledge that may not happen this year.

Our goal should be focused on the total elimination of income tax, Senate President Jake Chapman, R-Adel, said at the GOP breakfast. While that may not be possible in the very first year, we must have that as our goal.

Iowa has a billion-dollar budget surplus. Democrats say tax cuts using that surplus should be targeted to the middle class.

When we look at rightfully returning tax surplus dollars to Iowans, will they see that middle-class families finally benefit from tax cuts? asked House Minority Leader Jennifer Konfrst, D-Windsor Heights.

Wahls called for comprehensive tax reform that closes loopholes and attracts new investment instead of alienating new employers.

More: Republicans, in control for 5 years, have reshaped Iowa law. What's next on their agenda?

Democrats say theyre open to compromise on workforce bills, but warn of culture war legislation

Democratic leaders took a critical tone in describing Republicans' policies over the last several years but also said they hope to find areas of compromise. Leaders said they agree that workforce is a large issue but laid the blame on Republicans

Wahls said Republican legislation over the past few years has contributed to the crisis and called for a halt to "pouring gasoline on the divisive culture war. He said he believes the majority is poised to continue passing polarizing legislation.

Republicans are now promising us more of the same  that hasnt worked, he said. Weve been told it will be more of the GOP greatest hits this session: more attacks on LGBTQ Iowans, more gasoline on the culture war fire and more attacks on the First Amendment.

Senate clerks, pages and legislative staff are sworn in on the first day of the 2022 legislative session, Monday, Jan. 10, 2022, at the Iowa Capitol in Des Moines.

The latest First Amendment attack, he said, was the GOP-led Senates decision to no longer allow journalists to work at press benches in the Senate chamber, where media members have sat for more than a century. Republicans have said the decision is due to difficulty defining media.

More: Iowa Senate won't allow journalists to work in chamber, in shift from longstanding practice

Republican leaders also previewed more topics that could spark contentious debates.

Chapman began his opening day speech by condemning what he said was an attack on our children in public schools. In Iowa and across the country, some parents and conservative politicians for different reasons have attempted to ban a variety of books from school curriculum or libraries. Chapman has previously called for legislation that would make it a felony to distribute what he refers to as obscene books.

We have some teachers who are disguising sexually obscene material as desired subject matter and profess it as artistic and literary value, he said. The literature being pushed on our students should disturb all of us.

Chapman called Monday for legislation that helps parents afford to send their children to other schools and said he wanted to hold accountable those who distribute this repulsive and criminal content to minors.

Konfrst said polarizing education legislation could turn families away from Iowa.

Will we send them the message that only certain types of families are welcome here? she asked. Will we send the message that we prioritize more public money for private schools, statewide solutions to local problems, and a divisive agenda thats rife with unintended consequences that make Iowa less welcoming?

Wahls said Republicans have taken the wrong approach to education in general.

Iowas education crisis isnt happening because of critical race theory or books Republicans are trying to ban, he said. Its happening because of the extreme, anti-public education policies enacted by Gov. Reynolds and this Republican Legislature that are driving teachers out of Iowa.

Session begins amid another COVID-19 variant surge

The 2022 legislative session begins as the coronavirus again begins surging in Iowa after the holidays. The Iowa Department of Public Health reported Jan. 3 that positive tests had increased 37% week over week, although hospitalizations had dipped. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Jan. 4 that the highly transmissible omicron variant is now the dominant strain in Iowas region.

Precautions at the Legislature are less stringent than the previous year, when entrants to the Capitol underwent temperature checks upon entering the building and Senate subcommittee meetings required participants to appear over Zoom. Those meetings will now allow in-person attendees, Senate Republican spokesperson Caleb Hunter said in an email. But he said lawmakers are continuing to give Iowans the ability to stream subcommittee and committee meetings from across the state.

COVID-19 policy appears likely to remain an issue of debate this year.

A group of protesters gathered under the rotunda Monday morning to protest vaccine mandates. The rally was similar, though smaller, to other rallies that groups held last year during the beginning of the session and the two special sessions in the fall.

Rep. Jon Jacobsen, R-Council Bluffs, spoke to the crowd and outlined legislation he is proposing that would widely ban businesses from asking about or maintaining records of a person's medical treatment status, including vaccinations.

"Our state motto is 'Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain.' Our motto is not 'our lobby ties we prize and our rights we will bargain,'" he said, drawing applause. One member of the crowd beat a snare drum in agreement.

A page for the Iowa House of Representatives sets out a flyer on each representative's desk before the start of the new session on Monday, Jan. 10, 2022, at the Iowa Capitol in Des Moines.

Republican leadership has largely indicated they want to wait on Supreme Court decisions about vaccine mandates before taking legislative action, but they have said the Legislature should remain ready to act on the issue.

Konfrst used part of her opening day remarks to call on legislators to avoid spreading misinformation, including about COVID-19, and to make decisions based in reality, not internet conspiracy theories.

Our kids deserve to know the full truth about our history without interference or threats from lawmakers, she said. Our families deserve the truth about how to stay healthy during the pandemic, instead of falsehoods promoted by some politicians. Our democracy needs us to uphold the truth so it can endure.

Whats next at the Capitol this week?

The legislative session is scheduled to continue Tuesday with a full day of committee meetings and culminate with Gov. Kim Reynolds annual Condition of the State address, where she will lay out her priorities for the upcoming year. The 6 p.m. address will be delivered to a joint session of the Legislature in the House chamber and will be aired live on Iowa PBS and livestreamed at DesMoinesRegister.com.

During the Republican Party's breakfast Monday morning, Reynolds said she was glad to have people back in the Capitol.

I have to admit that the Capitol is pretty quiet when youre not there, she said. So we are excited for you to come back, to infuse that beautiful Capitol building with energy and to really get things done.

Now, maybe two weeks into it, well probably be ready to send you home, she joked. But were so happy to have you back.

Iowas Chief Justice Susan Christensen will give the Condition of the Judiciary address at 10 a.m. Wednesday, followed by the Condition of the Iowa National Guard address at 10 a.m. Thursday.

Stephen Gruber-Miller covers the Iowa Statehouse and politics for the Register. He can be reached by email at sgrubermil@registermedia.com or by phone at 515-284-8169. Follow him on Twitter at @sgrubermiller.

Ian Richardson covers the Iowa Statehouse for the Des Moines Register. Reach him at irichardson@registermedia.com, at 515-284-8254, or on Twitter at @DMRIanR.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa Legislature opens session with vows to cut taxes, attract workers
The backbone of Indonesias economy are its estimated more than 60 million SMEs. But many lack access to working capital and, especially before the pandemic, managed their finances using manual processes like spreadsheets. With COVID-19 prompting many to digitize, startups that focus on SMEs have been raising large rounds of funding to scale up quickly. KoinWorks is the latest. The Indonesia-based financial platform for SMEs announced today it has raised $108 million in Series C funding led by MDI Ventures. The round included $43 million in equity and $65 million in debt capital for the working capital loans KoinWorks provides to its customers.

The round brings KoinWorks total raised to $180 million. Existing investors that returned for its latest round include Quona Capital, Triodos Investment Management, Saison Capital, ACV and East Ventures. The new funds will be used for hiring about 400 new employees and scaling KoinWorks latest suite of products, SME Neobank.

KoinWorks is headquartered in Jakarta, with holdings in Singapore and tech offices in Yogyakarta, India and Vietnam. KoinWorks was originally created to help SMEs, which are often turned away by traditional financial institutions, get access to working capital. Since then, it has also developed a comprehensive platform of financial tools to help its customers, including e-commerce vendors and social commerce sellers, increase their sales.

TechCrunch first profiled KoinWorks in 2019 when it raised $12 million for its lending platform. Demand increased as more businesses went online during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the startup says its user base tripled to 1.5 million customers, and a waitlist of 100,000 SMEs that are being onboarded onto its new financial software. Co-founder and executive chairman Willy Arifin told TechCrunch in an email that since 2019, monthly loan disbursements have also tripled to nearly $50 million and revenue had quadrupled.

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KoinWorks focuses on SMEs that are underserved by traditional financial institutions and may not have a bank account or credit cards. On the platform, users can create an online bank account and card, borrow working capital and access point-of-sale, early-wage access and human resources management systems tailored for small businesses.

Arifin said that since KoinWorks monthly disbursement rate reached $50 million a month, its take rate has grown enough that the company became cash flow positive earlier this year, and its non-performing loan (NPL) percentage is lower than 2%. He says banks serving traditional SMEs have at least double KoinWorks NPL. As many as 20% of businesses shifted their sales channels offline to online during the pandemic, and 89% of businesses now use online channels to sell their products and services, he said.

Over the last three years, Indonesian fintechs focused on SMEs have grown to include other neobanks and startups that started out as accounting software but are expanding to include working capital loans and other financial services. Two notable examples included BukuWarung and BukuKas, both of which have raised significant rounds of funding (and are KoinWorks collaborators) and neobank Aspire.

When we started out, we were among hundreds of traditional financial institutions. Fast-forward to the present day, we are seeing those same banks now undergo digitalization, Arifin said. Despite that, Indonesias yearly funding gap is $80 billion USD, so those who remain unbanked or underbanked are still at a disadvantage. Theres still a lot of room for improvement.

He added that with tens of millions of entrepreneurs in Indonesia, its not a winner-takes-all market. The top five banks in the country have a combined market value of close to $160 billion USD. There will undoubtedly be fintech companies out there tackling the unbanked/underbanked space; however, KoinWorks has a best in class approach tailored to the needs of SMEs and entrepreneurs that they believe will have a significant impact on the future sector.

In a statement, MDI Ventures CEO Donald Wiharia said, "Investing in KoinWorks is investing in the financial literacy of underbanked and underserved communities. We are ecstatic to be in concert with a team that understands the importance of each step in the journey of entrepreneurship and SME growth."
After a meeting Friday that lasted more than six hours and included testimony from over 100 people  from stay-at-home moms to business owners to candidates for office to doctors  the Anne Arundel County Council voted against allowing County Executive Steuart Pittman to extend his seven-day mask mandate or COVID-19 state of emergency.

Only hours later, council members started getting calls from Anne Arundel County Health Officer Dr. Nilesh Kalyanaraman telling them he was overriding their decision and extending the mandate to the end of the month. The mandate requires residents to wear masks in indoor public spaces and crowded outdoor places.

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This was done through a public safety order under state law. The law gives the county health officer the ability to do whatever is necessary to reduce the spread of infectious diseases, County Attorney Gregory Swain said.

The health officer is a local health officer, but he serves to enforce state law, Swain said. So thats where his authority comes from.

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State statute 18-208 subsection B of the general health article of the Maryland Code gives authority to the health officer to do what he or she deems necessary to combat the spread of disease. Subsection B reads in part: When a health officer is notified of an infectious or contagious disease within the county, the health officer shall act immediately to prevent the spread of the disease.

Additionally, under the Maryland Code of Regulations 10.06.01.06: The secretary or a health officer shall: Take any action or measure necessary to prevent the spread of communicable disease or to control a reportable disease and condition; and issue, when necessary, special instructions for control of a disease or condition.

Under the authority of both of those provisions, the health officer issued this order, Swain said.

Swain acknowledged the code leaves a lot of room for interpretation.

It is broad, Swain said. It basically says, Take any action or measure necessary to prevent the spread of communicable disease. So the way we would interpret that is as long as there is a reasonable nexus between the action the health officer is taking and the spread of a communicable disease, we would feel that it would be authorized.

Kalyanaraman said he uses this power with great care and only in the most extreme circumstances.

I think its important to be judicious in how that power is used, he said.

After discussing the countys options with the Maryland Department of Health, the county executive and members of the County Council, he said it seemed like the best choice.

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It was a really tough decision but after consulting with all of those folks and then our Office of Law and looking at statute, that was what led to this decision to put this into place for a limited period of time, Kalyanaraman said, adding that he sincerely hopes he does not have to issue another public safety order during the pandemic.

Republicans on the council said they werent thrilled he even did it this time.

His actions have shaken the faith in county residents who believe in a fair and transparent process by the legislators they elected, and added additional stress and confusion for our business owners, said council member Amanda Fiedler, R-Arnold.

All three Republicans issued a joint statement in which they stood by their decision to vote against the mandate.

The most vulnerable to the effects of COVID have been fully or partially vaccinated. That, plus extensive voluntary mask wearing, give me great trust in our county residents to make the best health decisions for themselves, their families and our community, Nathan Volke, R-Pasadena, said in the statement.

Jessica Haire, R-Edgewater, echoed his sentiment.

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Our overall vaccination rate is nearly 70%, and at this point we need to believe in the residents of our county to make the best health decisions for themselves. Now is the time to focus on increased testing and support for hospital staff, Haire said in the statement.

Though they may disagree with the approach, the immediate need to lessen the burden on local hospitals is something Republicans and Democrats on the council and the health officer are prioritizing.

The hospitals are under extraordinary pressure, Kalyanaraman said. They have not faced anything like this during COVID or really any other time. I think extraordinary situations require us as a community to support these civic institutions.

Kalyanaraman said he plans to reevaluate the masking situation once his order expires at the end of the month.

Breaking News Alerts As it happens When big news breaks in our area, be the first to know. >

Meanwhile, council Democrats said they were disappointed in their colleagues and relieved when they got the call from Kalyanaraman about the public safety order.

We seem to be the only large Maryland county that failed to come together in the name of public health and safety, said Allison Pickard, D-Glen Burnie. I certainly understand how [Kalyanaraman] felt bound by his duties to take the necessary action to protect our health care system and our most vulnerable community members.

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Lisa Rodvien, D-Annapolis, added that she thought the health officers decision was beyond necessary at this stage.

Unfortunately, not one of my Republican colleagues recognized the dire situation our local hospitals are facing, Rodvien said. I am nonetheless grateful that Dr. Kalyanaraman used the authority granted to him under state code to extend the mandate. A public health crisis like the current pandemic is exactly the right time for a health officer to step in and act to protect the community.

Andrew Pruski, D-Gambrills, also voted to extend the mandate but did not reply to requests for comment Monday.

Sarah Lacey, D-Jessup, said she had been hearing criticism of the decision since it was made Friday, saying it was undemocratic as Kalyanaraman is not an elected official and the council members are, though Kalyanaraman was appointed by the county executive and then confirmed by the council in an unanimous vote, and approved by the Maryland health secretary.

Weve been getting tons of emails from people who think this is totally anti-democratic, what hes done, and I completely disagree. I actually think its wise policy thats been put in at the state level, Lacey said. Our local elected officials had the chance to respond to our health care emergency and they did  each one of us voted how we felt and now, thankfully, we have somebody else who can come at it from a nonpolitical point of view.
brent stirton

The House Select Committee investigating the Jan. 6 Capitol attack revealed on Tuesday that they had interviewed Ray Epps, knocking down a right-wing conspiracy theory that the Trump supporter who was present during the Capitol riots is an undercover FBI agent.

Mr. Epps informed us that he was not employed by, working with, or acting at the direction of any law enforcement agency on January 5th or 6th or at any other time, and that he has never been an informant for the FBI or any other law enforcement agency, the committee noted in a statement.

Politico also reported that the Epps interview occurred in November, which was right about the time that right-wing media began running wild with a false flag conspiracy about Epps.

Epps is a Marine veteran with ties to a far-right militia group who became a central figure in an intricate conspiracy theory peddled by right-wing media, specifically Fox News host Tucker Carlson.

Beginning with an October article on a fringe right outlet, Epps has been accused of provoking MAGA rioters to breach the Capitol on Jan. 6 on behalf of the federal government. Carlson has perpetuated the claim on his primetime show and his revisionist Jan. 6 docuseries titled Patriot Purge.

The crux of the claim was that Epps had not been arrested by federal agents despite his involvement in the riots, even though the FBI initially circulated a photograph of him as a potential person of interest.

However, based on available footage and comments from Epps himself shortly after the insurrection, it doesnt appear that he ever entered the Capitol or engaged in any violence. In fact, there is even a video showing Epps attempting to de-escalate violence between law enforcement and rioters.

Nevertheless, the conspiracy theory finally made its way to Capitol Hill on Tuesday, thanks to Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), one of the eight senators who voted against certifying President Joe Bidens election. Just days earlier, Cruz appeared on Carlsons show to grovel for forgiveness for calling Jan. 6 a violent terrorist attack, only for the Fox News star to pressure him into pushing the outlandish Epps theory.

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During a Senate hearing on Tuesday, the Texas lawmakeralong with Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR) pressed senior Justice Department officials on Epps and whether any DOJ agents or informants incited violence on Jan. 6 or committed crimes.

Who is Ray Epps? There are a lot of people who are understandably very concerned about Mr. Epps, Cruz asked executive assistant director of the National Security Branch Jill Sanborn. On the night of Jan. 5, 2021, Epps wandered around the crowd that had gathered and there is video out there of him chanting tomorrow, we need to get into the Capitol. This behavior was so strange the crowd began chanting, Fed, Fed, Fed, Fed, Fed, Fed, Fed. Ms. Sanborn, was Ray Epps a fed?

Sanborn, as she did with most of Cruzs queries, replied that she couldnt answer the question. A few moments later, however, she did say not to my knowledge when the senator asked if federal agents or those in service of federal agents actively encourage[d] violent conduct on Jan. 6.

Shortly after Cruz and Cotton grilled the Justice Department on the Epps conspiracy, the Jan. 6 committee released its statement that poured cold water on the entire thing.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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By Elaine Lies

TOKYO (Reuters) -Japan will maintain its tight entry restrictions to prevent the spread of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus until the end of February, the prime minister said on Tuesday, though some exceptions for humanitarian reasons may be considered.

Japan adopted some of the strictest border controls in the world when the Omicron variant emerged late last year, banning all new entry by non-Japanese people, including students and foreign family members of Japanese or permanent residents, except in exceptional circumstances.

"Thanks to the toughest border rules in the G7 nations, we've been able to keep the spread of Omicron to a minimal level, giving us time to prepare to deal with domestic infection," Kishida told reporters.

"We'll maintain the current framework of measures until the end of February ... while taking necessary measures from the perspective of humanitarian and national interests."

The rules mandate up to six days in strict hotel quarantine for most of those who are allowed in - mostly Japanese and resident foreigners - followed by home quarantine.

The measures have sparked protests and a petition drive calling for change, especially to reduce family separations, and media reported on Tuesday the government was considering easing some of rules in exceptional cases.

Kishida said while much remains unknown about the Omicron variant, it appeared that the risk of serious cases was lower. Children under the age of 12 would be offered vaccinations, he said.

Though opinion polls show that most Japanese support the border controls, e-commerce firm Rakuten's founder and chief executive Hiroshi Mikitani called for them to be eased, saying the economy would suffer.

"In particular, banning the entrance of new foreigners and the hotel quarantine system needs to be reviewed," Mikitani, long a critic of Japan's handling of the pandemic, said on Twitter.

"Corona is everywhere in the world and borders must be open, the restrictions clearly aren't working. What needs to be done is prioritising vaccinations and the use of oral medications," he said, terming the entrance freeze "unbelievable and stupid".

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A surge of new coronavirus cases prompted the government to reintroduce emergency restrictions in three parts of the country that host U.S. military bases over the weekend.

The U.S. military has been moved its personnel in and out of Japan under a separate testing and quarantine regime.

The United States has agreed to impose stricter COVID-19 measures at its military bases after fears among Japanese people that infections were spilling out into communities.

(Reporting by Yoshifumi Takemoto and Elaine Lies; Editing by Aurora Ellis, Robert Birsel)
By Sarah Wu

TAIPEI (Reuters) - Japan called for greater collaboration with Taiwan on semiconductors at a bilateral economic and trade meeting on Tuesday.

Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association Chairman Mitsuo Ohashi praised Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Ltd (TSMC)'s plans to expand in Japan, saying, "I hope these collaborations can continue to expand, and positively impact the resilience of both Taiwan and Japan's supply chains."

"Currently, even though the pandemic has blocked exchanges between Japan and Taiwan, the economic and trade relationships between Japan and Taiwan have continued to deepen," Ohashi added via video.

Although Chinese-claimed Taiwan and Japan do not have formal diplomatic ties, they have close unofficial relations. Both share concerns about China, especially its increased military activities near the two.

The Taiwan-Japan Economic and Trade Conference has typically been held in Taiwan or Japan each year, but because of the pandemic, the two sides met virtually this week.

TSMC, the world's largest contract chipmaker, announced last year that it would set up a research and development in Japan, as well as a $7 billion chip plant with Sony Group.

Tech powerhouse Taiwan is at the forefront of efforts to resolve a shortage of chips that has hampered auto production lines and affected consumer electronics makers around the world.

Chiou I-jen, chairman of the Taiwan-Japan Relations Association, thanked Japan for supporting Taiwan's bid in September to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

He said Taiwan hoped both sides could start a "constructive dialogue" on Taiwan joining the trade pact as soon as possible.

"Taiwan is of crucial importance to the world's supply chain, economy and trade," Chiou said, speaking at a Japanese hotel in Taipei. "If (Taiwan) can join the CPTPP, it will greatly increase the importance and visibility of this pact in the global economy."

Taiwan's bid angered China, which views the island as one of its provinces with no right to the trappings of a state. Taiwan says it is an independent country and has vowed to defend its freedom and democracy.

(Reporting by Sarah Wu. Editing by Gerry Doyle)
With last week's snowstorms cleared, first lady Jill Biden has finalized plans to visit Kentucky and survey areas damaged by last month's deadly tornado outbreak.

Biden will travel to Bowling Green on Friday, according to a release from the White House, with plans to visit the hard-hit Creekwood neighborhood before speaking alongside Deputy FEMA Administrator Erik Hooks and Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear that afternoon.

During her visit, according to the White House, Biden will "survey recovery efforts following the devastation from recent tornadoes and volunteer at a local FEMA State Disaster Recovery Center" in an effort to "highlight the partnership between federal and local agencies that ensures Kentuckians are receiving the aid and relief they need."

More coverage: Bowling Green residents recall experience with deadly tornado

Four tornadoes hit Kentucky on the night of Dec. 10, leaving 77 dead and a trail of destruction through the western portion of the state. Bowling Green, the home of Western Kentucky University and the third-largest city in the state, was hit hard, with 17 deaths recorded in the county.

Biden had planned to visit Kentucky on Jan. 6 but postponed the trip after the weather forecast called for snowstorms across the state. About 6 inches of snow fell that day in Bowling Green, according to the National Weather Service, causing hundreds of car crashes across Kentucky and gridlocked traffic along many interstates. Warmer temperatures and rain in Sunday's forecast washed away much of the accumulation.

Friday's forecast in Bowling Green, for what it's worth, calls for partly sunny skies and temperatures in the 40s, with a chance of rain and snow overnight.

President Joe Biden visited the region Dec. 15, surveying several hard-hit areas and noting the federal government would "do whatever it takes, as long as it takes" to assist with recovery efforts. All emergency response and hazard mitigation costs would be covered by the government for the following 30 days, he said at the time.

Lucas Aulbach can be reached at laulbach@courier-journal.com, 502-582-4649 or on Twitter @LucasAulbach.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Jill Biden to visit Kentucky to survey tornado damage in Bowling Green
best celeb instagram debuts Joe Giudice

Joe Giudice/Instagram

Joe Giudice is showing his support for his ex-wife, Teresa.

During an appearance on Access Hollywood's Housewives Nightcap, the Bravo alum, 49, opened up about Teresa's fiance, Luis "Louie" Ruelas, revealing that he has no qualms about his former spouse getting hitched.

"Louie's a good guy, you know what I mean? I have nothing against Louie," said Joe. "I mean, I met him, he's a nice guy, they're happy, and that's all that matters. I don't expect her to be alone. Who wants to be alone?"

When asked if he would attend their wedding, he replied, "Would I go to the wedding? I mean, I don't care, why not?"

RELATED: RHONJ Reunion: Joe Gorga Wants a 'Public Apology' from Sister Teresa's Ex-Husband Joe Giudice

"Celebrity Apprentice" NephCure Foundation Press Conference

Steve Mack/FilmMagic Teresa and Joe Giudice

"Maybe they'll have it in the Bahamas, maybe they'll get married in my backyard," Joe joked when one of the hosts suggested Teresa and Ruelas may have a destination wedding so he could attend.

The Real Housewives of New Jersey alum also went on to say that his four daughters  Gia, 21, Gabriella, 18, Milania, 15, and Audriana, 13, whom he shares with ex Teresa  seem to approve of their mom's soon-to-be husband. "I don't think they have an issue with Louie, he's a decent guy," Joe shared.

Never miss a story  sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Although the former reality star is currently splitting time between his native Italy and the Bahamas  he was deported from the U.S. in 2019 after serving 41 months in jail for mail, wire, and bankruptcy fraud  he recently started the legal process of returning to the states.

RELATED: Teresa Giudice Celebrates 'Brilliant and Beautiful' Daughter Gia's 21st Birthday: 'I Am So Proud'

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"I talk to my kids all the time via phone or FaceTime. Gia was just here not too long ago. My kids visit together as much as they can, but, of course, it's not the same as if I were in Jersey with them and could see them every day," Joe said in November, adding: "Regarding my legal fight, my girls know that I won't stop and will do everything in my power until I can be with them again."

RELATED VIDEO: Teresa Giudice Says Things Are Amicable Between Ex Joe Giudice and Her New Boyfriend Luis Ruelas

And while he's missed out on a few recent family celebrations with his girls, Joe's made it clear that he's always with his daughters in spirit, and celebrated his eldest daughter Gia's 21st birthday with a sweet and touching Instagram post on Saturday.

"21 years have flown by so fast and you are one of the greatest gifts I have ever been given," wrote Joe.

"You are my precious baby girl, who has stood by my side and I need you to know I am so grateful for you. I am so lucky to be your dad," he added. "Happy 21st birthday sweet baby girl. Love you always."
A federal judge has rejected claims by Donald Trumps lawyers that he urged his supporters to remain peaceful on 6 January during the Capitol riot last year.

Lets stick with the facts, US district judge Amit Mehta asked attorneys on Monday, adding that he was not interested in whataboutism, according to Business Insider.

Mr Mehta said that for a two-hour period on the day of the insurrection, the former president did not take to Twitter or to any other type of communication and say, Stop. Get out of the Capitol. What you are doing is not what I wanted you to do.

What would you have me do with the allegation that the [former] president did not act?

The judge made the statements during a five-hour hearing in Washington on three civil lawsuits filed by House Democrats and Capitol police officers that allege Mr Trumps violent rhetoric incited the insurrection.

The civil suits are running parallel to an investigation by a House of Representatives select committee.

The judge also referred to Mr Trumps statement at a rally before the riots broke out, where he said: If you dont fight like hell, youre not going to have a country anymore.

Mr Mehta asked if the former presidents silence and inaction could be considered a ratification of that statement.

Mr Trumps lawyers said his silence could not be considered inaction.

The president cannot be subject to judicial action for any sort of damages for failing to do something, said Jesse Binnall, one of his attorneys, during the hearing.

He also said Mr Trump had asked his supporters to peacefully make their voices heard on 6 January. An unnamed former aide, however, had told CNN that the former president had initially refused to tweet the words stay peaceful.

So the president, in your view, is both immune to inciting the riot and failing to stop it? Mr Mehta asked.

The judge also countered Joseph Sellers, a lawyer for the House Democrats who claimed that Mr Trump knew what his supporters were going to do after the rally.

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Mr Mehta said a conspiracy by the former president could be problematic as the lawsuit did not allege any direct meetings between Mr Trump and his then-lawyer Rudy Giuliani and far-right groups Proud Boys and Oath Keepers.

Mr Trumps lawyers defended him and said that he was acting within his official rights and that he had no intention of inciting the violence that followed on that day.

The select committee, in its own investigation, is exploring whether the former president through action or inaction wanted to stop Congresss certification of Joe Bidens election victory in 2020.

Communications, made public by the committee, reveal that Fox News hosts as well as the former presidents son urged him to issue a statement to stop the violence.
By Joseph Ax

(Reuters) -A panel of North Carolina judges upheld the state's new congressional map on Tuesday, rejecting claims from Democratic voters and advocacy groups that the redrawn district lines illegally favor Republicans.

The decision, which will be appealed, could have an outsized impact on the 2022 midterm elections in November, when control of the closely divided U.S. Congress will be at stake.

The lawsuit, backed by Democratic and civil rights groups, had asserted that the new map ensures Republicans will win a majority of the state's 14 congressional districts, even in elections in which more Democratic voters cast ballots.

During a trial last week, experts for the plaintiffs testified that the map approved by the Republican-controlled legislature in November represented an extreme outlier, compared with thousands of computer-generated alternatives.

In a 258-page ruling on Tuesday, a panel of three Superior Court judges found the evidence showed the map was "a result of intentional, pro-Republican partisan redistricting."

But the judges unanimously agreed with Republican lawmakers that inserting themselves into a purely political matter would overstep their authority. Moreover, the state constitution does not expressly forbid legislators from taking partisan factors into account, the judges ruled.

"Despite our disdain for having to deal with issues that potentially lead to results incompatible with democratic principles and subject our State to ridicule, this Court must remind itself that these maps are the result of a democratic process," they wrote.

Lawyers for the plaintiffs immediately said they would appeal the decision, calling it "disappointing" but expressing confidence that the North Carolina Supreme Court will eventually throw out the map.

The state's top court, which has a 4-3 Democratic majority, previously delayed the primary election from March to May to allow time for the lawsuit to proceed.

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Federal law requires states to draw new congressional lines every 10 years to account for population shifts, after the U.S. Census completes its once-a-decade count. In most states, legislators control the process, leading to the practice of gerrymandering, in which one party engineers political maps to benefit itself.

The new map would give Republicans 10 or 11 seats statewide, according to analysts, even though the state is considered a perennial battleground in national elections. Republicans currently control eight of the state's 13 districts; North Carolina is gaining a 14th district thanks to a fast-growing population.

The case is among numerous pending lawsuits challenging congressional maps in at least half a dozen states, including Texas, Ohio and Georgia, according to New York University's Brennan Center for Justice, which is tracking redistricting litigation.

Republicans need to flip only a handful of seats in the Nov. 8 elections to retake control of the U.S. House of Representatives, where Democrats hold a 221-212 edge, including vacancies.

In a statement, the Republican speaker of the North Carolina House of Representatives, Tim Moore, said the maps were the result of a transparent process.

"The General Assembly's maps were drawn in the light of day, after months of public comment and feedback," he said.

(Reporting by Joseph Ax; editing by Colleen Jenkins, Jonathan Oatis and Richard Pullin)
MOSCOW (AP)  The president of Kazakhstan announced Tuesday that a Russia-led security alliance will start pulling out its troops from the Central Asian nation in two days after completing its mission.

The mostly Russian troops were deployed to Kazakhstan last week by the Collective Security Treaty Organization, a military alliance of six former Soviet states, at the president's request amid the worst public unrest the former Soviet nation has faced since gaining independence 30 years ago.

Protests over soaring fuel prices erupted in the oil and gas-rich Central Asian nation of 19 million on Jan. 2 and quickly spread across the country, with political slogans reflecting wider discontent over the country's authoritarian government. Over the next few days, the demonstrations turned violent, with dozens of civilians and law enforcement officers killed.

In Almaty, Kazakhstan's former capital and largest city, protesters set government buildings on fire and briefly seized the airport. The unrest was largely quelled by the weekend.

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has blamed the unrest on foreign-backed terrorists and insisted that his request for help to the CSTO was justified.

When this decision was being made, we could have completely lost control over Almaty, which was being torn apart by terrorists. Had we lost Almaty, we would have lost the capital and the entire country, Tokayev told Kazakhstan's parliament Tuesday.

The president said the CSTO has largely completed its mission and will start withdrawing its troops in two days  a process that will take no longer than 10 days.

Asked whether such a move was premature  the troops only started arriving to Kazakhstan five days ago  Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said it was utterly and completely Kazakhstan's prerogative. It is their analysis, and we have no right to interfere," Peskov said.

Tokayev also appointed a new prime minister and a new cabinet on Tuesday, with some deputy prime ministers and ministers from the previous government keeping their posts.

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Kazakhstan's government resigned last week in one of several concessions aimed at mollifying the protesters, along with a 180-day cap on fuel prices and the ouster of Nursultan Nazarbayev, the country's former longtime leader, from his influential post of head of the National Security Council.

The new prime minister, 49-year-old Alikhan Smailov, previously served as Kazakhstan's minister of finance and its first deputy prime minister.

Life in Almaty, which was hit by the harshest violence, started returning to normal this week, with public transport resuming operations and malls reopening. The owners of shops looted in the unrest were assessing the damage.

Galina Karpenko's underwear store was ransacked, and she said she lost about $10,000 in stolen goods and damage.

This is not a small sum for me. Its really not. I closed several outlets because of the crisis, as we couldnt afford the rent. And now, my favorite outlet that was turning a profit and feeding my family took a hit," she said. "Im so distressed, God is my witness, I dont know how to feed my kids."

Kazakhstan's Interior Ministry on Tuesday reported that 9,900 people were detained over the unrest. Tokayev's office has also said 338 criminal probes into mass unrest and assaults on law enforcement officers have been opened.
A bill passed unanimously by Baltimore City Council requiring additional reporting on American Rescue Plan spending will become law without Mayor Brandon Scotts signature.

The bill, sponsored by Council President Nick Mosby, requires Baltimore officials to provide reports to the council on a monthly, quarterly and annual basis about how the city spends its $641 million allocation in federal coronavirus funding.

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Scott, who has the ultimate authority over the spending, announced Monday that he would not sign the bill. Monday was the deadline for the mayor to decide whether to sign, veto or take no action on the bill that the City Council passed in early November.

During City Councils hearing on the legislation, Scotts administration pushed back on the requirements, arguing that monthly reporting would be labor-intensive for staff and not meaningful for such short periods of time. The mayor agreed voluntarily, however, to provide quarterly updates on the spending to the City Council.

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Councils Ways and Means Committee rejected several amendments proposed by Scotts administration. The bill was then fast tracked for final passage Nov. 1, meaning two votes were taken on the same night.

Scott informed Mosby of his decision Monday via a letter, noting the citys legal department felt the bill violated the citys charter.

While well-intended and temporary in nature, the legislation conflicts with the city charter and includes vague language that will make it difficult to ensure comprehensive and reliable compliance with the reporting requirements, Scott wrote in the letter obtained by The Baltimore Sun.

Scott added that it always has been his intention to keep the City Council and the public abreast of spending decisions related to the American Rescue Plan funding and said he is happy to be held accountable.

The monthly reports required by the legislation must include data about how the funds have increased the effectiveness and broadened the reach of city government services. Data also has been requested about how the spending has made government more efficient and sustainable.

The legislation also requires monthly reporting based on metrics including equity, population growth, labor and employment, and the growth of women- and minority-owned businesses.

In a statement, Mosby said the legislation will help city leaders show our residents that this relief aid was a game-changer for our city.

Breaking News Alerts As it happens When big news breaks in our area, be the first to know. >

It is our job to ensure this money is invested in our residents and future, not just spent on temporary solutions, he said.

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Baltimore officials are still in the midst of deciding how to spend the $641 million allocated to the city by the American Rescue plan, however several large allocations were made as the oversight bill languished in the mayors hopper.

A $55 million allocation to fund workforce development and economic recovery programs was announced in November, as was another $35 million will be given to the Mayors Office of Broadband and Digital Equity to expand public internet access inside and outside city recreation centers, among other projects.

Scott said during a meeting last week with The Baltimores Sun editorial board that another $100 million will be dedicated to housing issues in the city in hopes of promoting investment and attracting homeowners, although the breakdown of that funding has yet to be publicly announced.

Several other major allocations were announced ahead of the passage of councils oversight bill: $80 million for COVID-19 testing and prevention efforts and $50 million for violence reduction projects. An additional $141 million has been set aside to balance upcoming city budgets, hit hard by pandemic-related costs.

Altogether, nearly three-quarters of the funding has been dedicated thus far and applications are still outstanding from city nonprofits. The window for nonprofits to apply closed at the end of 2021.

Mosby has proposed spending $200 million of the ARP funding on a series of housing measures that would include reviving Baltimores dollar house program in areas of the city hardest hit by historical redlining. Scott would have to agree to sign off on the spending were the legislation to pass City Council. Thus far, only one council meeting has been held to discuss the proposal.
Keanu Reeves on the red carpet for The Matrix Resurrections on 18 December 2021 in San Francisco, California (Steve Jennings/Getty Images)

One fateful day in March 2019, Keanu Reeves boarded a flight from San Francisco to Burbank, a city in Los Angeles County and the home to three major movie studios. The flight had to be rerouted to Bakersfield due to a mechanical issue. Once on the ground, Reeves and a small group of his fellow passengers resolved to be driven by van to their final destination rather than wait for another flight.

The ensuing road trip was captured in a series of now-viral videos. Reeves is seen with his travel companions, his tall frame crammed into the back of a nondescript van, his attitude at once cheerful and calming. He reads them facts about Bakersfield  did you know its population is around 380,000, making it the ninth most populous city in California? He plays some Bakersfield sound, a subgenre of country music, on his phone. He makes small talk. By the end of the trip, the vans passengers seem to have genuinely bonded with one another. There are effusive goodbyes, friendly handshakes.

This happy outcome is interesting in and of itself  its not every day that a group of strangers will display congenial behaviour in the face of tedious air travel complications  but Reeves presence makes the video downright mystifying. Here is the internationally famous star of the Matrix, John Wick, and Bill & Ted franchises, stuck at Meadows Field Airport against his own will. Not only does he put on a brave face, but his ability to connect with his companions in misery is entirely at odds with the concept of a sheltered Hollywood star.

The airport video is one small example of a growing reservoir of internet content documenting Reevess friendliness. Look up Keanu Reeves nice guy and you will find no shortage of listicles highlighting his good deeds over the years. There are tales of Reeves going out of his way to sign autographs for fans. Theres the famous clip  watched 38 million times on YouTube  of Reeves giving up his subway seat for a passenger carrying a large bag. There was the time the internet deemed Reeves a respectful king after noticing a series of photos in which the actor, posing with women on various red carpets, let his hands hover above their waists and arms instead of touching them.

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Carrie-Anne Moss, Lana Wachowski, and Keanu Reeves at a screening of The Matrix Resurrections on 18 December 2021 in San Francisco, California (Steve Jennings/Getty Images)

Keanu Reeves with his sisters Kim Reeves (left) and Karina Miller (right) at the premiere of The Matrix on 24 March 1999 in Westwood, California (Getty Images/Brenda Chase/Online USA, Inc)

Reevess generosity goes beyond small gestures: in 2009, the actor told the Ladies Home Journal he has a private foundation that helps aid a couple of childrens hospitals and cancer research  but, unlike many wealthy philanthropists, he doesnt want to publicly attach his name to it. In the nineties, he closely supported his sister Kim after she was diagnosed with cancer. Keanu helped me so much through my illness, she told the Australian magazine Womans Day in 1999. When the pain got really bad, he would sit with me and hold my hand, and keep the bad man from making me dance. He was supporting me and comforting me all the time, even when he was away.

Such stories are why, when a now-deleted news report recently claimed that Reeves had donated 70 per cent of his earnings from the original Matrix movie to cancer research, the internet didnt question it. But the actors publicist debunked the rumor, telling Newsweek: The story is not true, Keanu Reeves did not donate 70 per cent of his salary to charity. Reevess publicist also confirmed to The Independent that the claim was untrue, even as it continued to spread online.

It says something about Reevess special standing in the publics heart that people were so ready to believe the claim was true. Donating a large part of ones paycheck seemed such a Keanu thing to do.

The rumour took flight shortly after the release of The Matrix Resurrections, the fourth instalment in the Matrix film series, on 22 December  and a new instalment in the Keanu Reeves renaissance weve experienced over the past few years. Reevess good behaviour has been known for a while, but it became especially noteworthy after the #MeToo movement found mainstream momentum in October 2017. At a time when it seemed like each day brought new reports of dreadful male behaviour in Hollywood, Reevess thoughtfulness stood out.

Perhaps it was all the more fascinating considering that little was  and remains  known about Reevess personal life. The bits we do know suggest unimaginable loss, the kind that would durably shape someones experience of life. In September 1999, Reeves and his then-partner Jennifer Symes child was stillborn; in April 2001, Syme died in a car crash. Reeves childhood doesnt appear to have been entirely smooth-sailing: his father was imprisoned for drug offences, and the family moved frequently.

Keanu Reeves and his partner Alexandra Grant on 2 November 2019 at an event in Los Angeles (Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for LACMA)

Keanu Reeves, Carrie-Anne Moss, and Hugo Weaving at the premiere of The Matrix Reloaded on 7 May 2003 in Los Angeles (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Keanu Reeves and his sister, producer Karina Miller at a special screening of Semper Fi, on which Miller was a producer, in Hollywood on 24 September 2019 (FREDERIC J BROWN/AFP via Getty Images)

In 2010, 11 years after Reevess Matrix debut, a photo of the actor sitting on a public bench, pensively eating a sandwich, went viral. Sad Keanu, as it became known, remains one of the most recognisable memes on social media. The image was a convenient receptacle for anyone looking to project their own sorrow. Reeves himself recently demystified the photo somewhat, telling Stephen Colbert he was simply eating a sandwich when it was taken. I was thinking, he said. I had some stuff going on. I was hungry.

Still, if Sad Keanu proved anything, its that Reeves is the kind of celebrity whose apparent sorrow people immediately emphasised with. Behind the popularity of Sad Keanu as a meme appeared to be a widely shared desire to wrap the actor in a comforting hug.

May 2019 cemented Reevess status as the internets soul mate (as a Time magazine piece put it around that time). That month, the third John Wick movie came out, with Reeves reprising the title role. May 2019 also marked the release of Always Be My Maybe, a Netflix film starring comedian Ali Wong and Reeves as an over-the-top version of himself. Reevess performance was an unexpected treat, self-aware in a hilarious way. The renewed wave of affection for Reeves prompted The New Yorker to declare in June of that year that Reeves is too good for this world, an assessment that still holds true to this day.

There can be something icky about our tendency to rave about celebrities performing the smallest acts of kindness, or exhibiting the barest hints of decency. But there is undeniable sincerity behind every anecdote documenting Reevess kindness. Yes, we pay extra attention because hes famous, but the type of kindness and generosity he apparently exhibits would be admirable in anyone, regardless of their level of fame. It seems likely that wed all want to be more like Keanu Reeves, even if Keanu Reeves wasnt, well, Keanu Reeves. He seems like a great guy, not just by Hollywood standards, but also by general human standards.

Keanu Reeves at the premiere of The Matrix Reloaded on 7 May 2003 in Los Angeles, California (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Keanu Reeves at the 75th Academy Awards on 23 March 2003 in Hollywood, California (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss at a photocall for The Matrix Reloaded at the Cannes Film Festival on 15 May 2003 (FRANCOIS GUILLOT/AFP via Getty Images)

Google Keanu Reevess good deeds and youll find a long list of wholesome anecdotes, as well as the occasional story thats so stunningly irresistible it sounds like it came out of a fan fiction, as opposed to real life. Take this, from a November 2021 Esquire profile: a year or so after the 1994 release of Speed, we are told, Reeves was hanging out with his co-star Sandra Bullock. The subject of Champagne and truffles came up, with Bullock telling Reeves shed never had them.

A few days later, according to Esquire, which cited Bullock herself, Reeves showed up at her apartment with flowers, Champagne, and truffles. He said, I just thought you might want to try Champagne and truffles, to see what its like, Esquire reported. He sat on the couch. Bullock poured some Champagne, and they opened the truffles. Keanu put his hands out, without a word, and Bullock painted his nails black, same as hers. Reeves and Bullock never dated but have remained longtime friends.The longer time goes on, the more in awe I am of the human being, Bullock told the magazine. Would I have been able to say that if he had dumped me and made me angry? Probably not.

It helps, of course, that Reeves himself has a history of reacting with nothing but embarrassment any time an interviewer brings up his reputation as Tinseltowns best human. When asked to share bits of wisdom, hes generally reluctant, as though hes unsure he has anything of worth to contribute, though he generally tries to oblige  and when he does, he sticks the landing, bringing depth even to late-night TV interviews.

How does Keanu Reeves deal with anxiety? Stephen Colbert asked him in December 2021. Reeves took a few seconds to think, as if measuring the enormity of the question, then let out a long breath. Breathe, he said. Try to figure out why youre afraid, what that means. Try to just be, and let not what youre afraid of define the present that you hope to be in when you go do what youre afraid of. The audience clapped, but Reeves, seemingly self-conscious, hid his face behind his hands, adding: Or not. Just be afraid and hang on!

It was gospel only the internets soul mate could have spread, and it is perhaps the words we most needed to hear heading into 2022. Perhaps this is how well save the year ahead and the ones after that. Perhaps the world would fare a lot better if we all tried to be more like Keanu Reeves.

Not that Reeves himself would welcome this assertion with anything other than a humble shrug and an embarrassed stare. In 2017, during the promotion of John Wick 2, a journalist asked him whether he had a set of rules to live his life by. No, he replied. I dont have the, like, Here it is. I have the basic stuff, you know? Try not to lie, try to be kind and all of those good things. Im OK at it. Im not great.

Thats Reevess versions. On that latter point, the internet still begs to differ.
URBANA  Recent changes and potential changes by Illinois state legislation impacts county and local governments. University of Illinois Extension and the Illinois Association of County Board Members will host a free informational webinar at 11 a.m. Monday, Jan. 24.

Presenters include Kelly Murray, IACBM executive director, and Taylor Anderson, legislative expert and liaison to the Illinois General Assembly. An opportunity for questions follows each presentation.

Register online at go.illinois.edu/LGE2022. If you will need an accommodation in order to participate, please email Nancy Ouedraogo, esarey@illinois.edu. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet your access needs.

About the Presenters

Kelly Murray has served as executive director for the Illinois Association of County Board Members since 1997. She is a registered lobbyist, has served on several state boards, and has over two decades of experience in local government relations. She has also served as executive director for the Illinois Association of Regional Councils, legislative consultant for the Taxpayer's Federation of Illinois, and editor of County to County magazine, working in collaboration with 12 local government state associations.

In 2006, Kelly established the Counties of Illinois Risk Management Agency, a protected self-insurance risk management program that is exclusively owned and managed by Illinois counties. She is also a founder of the Institute for Excellence in County Governance in partnership with University of Illinois and a contributing author of Tomorrow's Leaders civic curriculum aimed at teaching high school students about local government.

Recently, Kelly administered the Illinois Energy Now Public Sector program in partnership with the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Ameren Illinois, ComEd, and NICOR, providing incentives and rebates to local governments for completion of energy efficiency projects. She administered the Federal ARRA Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program through DCEO, which allocated over $11 million in funding to 273 county projects throughout Illinois. The innovative, state-led approach to grant administration and delivery through local regional councils was viewed as a model for government officials nationwide.

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Taylor Anderson, a full time registered contractual lobbyist in the State of Illinois, has spent nearly a decade working with the Illinois General Assembly. He has lobbied on behalf of wide and diverse groups of clients, including various COGs and local governments, as well as numerous business entities and corporations. Taylor began his legislative training by interning at several state agencies including Secretary of State Jesse Whites Office, the Illinois Senate President Emil Jones Revenue Committee, Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Legislative Affairs Division, and the Dunn Fellowship serving in the Legislative Office of the Governor, where he helped design and author the bill tracking training website for state agency liaisons.

He also worked closely with top State Agency heads and members of the Illinois Senate. Prior to lobbying, Taylor worked with the Illinois Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Division, where he analyzed voter precincts and researched and authored Chamber Position papers. He also worked with the Illinois Association of County Board Members and Commissioners, organizing seminars for county officials and contributed to various media forums and publications.

University of Illinois Extension

This article originally appeared on Pontiac Daily Leader: governments affected by new measures coming from Illinois Legislature
BEIRUT (AP)  A Lebanese judge Tuesday issued a travel ban for the countrys central bank governor, state-run National News Agency and a lawyer said. The move comes after a corruption lawsuit accused him of embezzlement and dereliction of duty during the country's financial meltdown, .

The decision was the first judicial action taken by authorities in Lebanon against Riad Salameh, who is being investigated in several countries abroad for potential money laundering.

It was not immediately clear if the ban will be implemented. Salameh, 71, has been in the post for nearly three decades and enjoys backing from most politicians, including the countrys prime minister, despite the country's devastating economic crisis and banking sector collapse.

The travel ban was issued by Ghada Aoun, an investigating judge for the Mount Lebanon district, based on an investigation into a case filed by lawyers of an anti-corruption group known as the People Want to Reform the Regime.

Aouns decision came as the value of the Lebanese pound tumbled to new lows on Tuesday, reaching 33,500 to the U.S. dollar. The pound has lost more than 90% of its value since the meltdown began, including nearly 10% of its value since the beginning of the year.

Salameh was once touted as the guardian of Lebanons monetary stability and praised for steering the country's finances through post-war recovery and bouts of unrest. But he has come under intense scrutiny since the small countrys economic meltdown began in late 2019, with many experts now questioning his monetary policies.

Haitham Ezzo, one of the attorneys who filed the lawsuit against Salameh, said the governor violated his official duty to protect the national currency and the banking sector. He said Salameh is also criminally responsible, saying the suit provides new evidence that he abused his position for personal gain.

We filed a criminal case against him ... and we asked for a number of things starting with a ban on his traveling, Ezzo said. The second request was to reveal the fate of Lebanons huge gold reserves that are worth billions of dollars.

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Salameh is being investigated in Switzerland, Luxembourg and France for potential money laundering and embezzlement. Local media reported in recent months that Salameh, his brother and an aide have been involved in illegal businesses, including money transfers abroad despite the informal capital controls imposed at home.

Ezzo said they have evidence that Salameh has rented an apartment in Paris Champs Elysee for the central bank at an overvalued price, accusing him of embezzling the difference.

Salameh, who has repeatedly denied making such transfers, said in November that he asked for an audit of transactions and investments during his tenure and the results showed no public money has been misused.

Salameh has said that he was wealthy before he became central bank governor in 1993.

Lebanons economic crisis  rooted in decades of corruption and mismanagement  has been described by the World Bank as one of the worst the world has witnessed since the 1850s.

How can I trust a person who said the pound is doing well. How can I trust a person who said the banks are not bankrupt but they really are, said Ezzo.

Last month, Prime Minister Najib Mikati was asked whether he plans to remove Salameh from the post. Mikati responded: During wars you dont change officers.

___

Associated Press writer Sarah El Deeb contributed reporting.
A man was shot on Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. near the 1500 block of Northeast 23rd Avenue.

According to Gainesville Police Spokesman Graham Glover, the suspect who did the shooting was described a black male with a thin build. The man who was shot didn't sustain any life threatening injuries.

First shooting in 2022: Alachua County saw first fatal shooting of 2022 less than a day into the new year

Oaks Mall disturbance: Disturbance at Oaks Mall on Saturday evening determined to be fireworks, not gunshots

After the shooting occurred the victim walked into a store located on 1524 Northeast 23rd Avenue where he proceeded to call 911. He did not suffer life-threatening injury.

Gainesville Police Spokesman Graham Glover said there is no indication as to why the shooting occurred and police are unsure if the victim has been released from UF Health Shands Hospital.

The shooting is still under investigation.

This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: No life threatening injuries in Sunday shooting in east Gainesville
This sketch of the Newhall House Fire dramatizes the rescue operation, illustrating the crowd gathered to watch and firefighters carrying ladders and holding safety nets for people trying to escape the flames.

One of the deadliest hotel fires in U.S. history occurred at the Newhall House in Milwaukee on Jan. 10, 1883  139 years ago.

By the time horse-drawn engines arrived, flames were shooting from the six-story brick hotel and guests were hanging out of windows, yelling for help. Many jumped to their deaths.

The devastating early morning fire claimed more than 70 guests, residents and staff.

The old landmark hotel, once the finest in the West, was built by merchant Daniel Newhall at the corner of Michigan and Broadway in 1853.

One of the victims of the tragic fire was Judge George Reed of Manitowoc. Born in 1807 in Massachusetts, he came to Milwaukee in 1834 and practiced law. Moving to Waukesha County, Reed served as a member of the first Wisconsin Constitutional Convention in 1846 and as a representative in the Territorial legislature of 1847 and 1848.

Reed came to Manitowoc in 1850, one of the first lawyers in Manitowoc County. In 1851, he was chosen the first president of the village of Manitowoc. He was elected county judge in 1853 and represented Manitowoc in the state senate from 1864 until 1870.

Judge George Reed

Reed was an early promoter of plank roads, harbor improvements and railroads in Manitowoc. In 1851, he was among local incorporators of the Manitowoc & Mississippi Railroad and served as its president. The business venture failed and no rails were laid as a result of factional fighting among stockholders and lack of capital resulting from the panic of 1857.

Reed continued to promote railroad development in the state and became president of the Wisconsin Central Railway Company, incorporated in 1871. He remained in that capacity until his death. The Village of Reedsville (originally Reedville) platted along the tracks was named for him. Reed Avenue in Manitowoc also bears his name.

Although many considered the Newhall House to be a fire trap, it was not unusual for Judge Reed to stay at the old hotel. On Oct. 4, 1881, The Lake Shore Times reported Reed, his wife and a daughter had registered there the previous Friday. On the fateful night of the Newhall House fire, Reed was alone in his room on the upper floor of the hotel.

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On Jan. 11, 1883, The Manitowoc Pilot reported Hon. George Reed among the lost and missing. It sadly observed, There is scarcely a hope entertained that he left the hotel, where he had been stopping for a number of days, the evening before the terrible calamity.

George Reeds business card appeared in Manitowocs first newspaper, The Manitouwoc Herald, on Nov. 30, 1850.

During an examination of the hotel ruins, workmen found his satchel, bank book and a gold watch inscribed To George Reed, projector of the Wisconsin Central Railroad, from his friends of Stevens Point, Waupaca, Weyewega and Wausau. His charred remains were found nearby.

Bob Fay

His obituary in The Pilot stated, no man worked with more earnestness or singleness of purpose for the good of that public with whom he had cast his lot than did the old judge whose life went out amid the flames of the Newhall.

Reed, age 75, was buried in Forest Home Cemetery, Milwaukee, where his name appears on a stone monument erected in memory of those who perished in the fire.

A memorial service was held at First Presbyterian Church, Manitowoc. Memorial resolutions and speeches by the Manitowoc County Bar were held at the courthouse, and several tributes appeared in local newspapers.

MORE HISTORY: Christmas programs at rural Manitowoc County schools once helped shape social status for teachers

MORE HISTORY: Manitowoc residents did their part to support the war effort during World War II. Here's how they contributed.

Bob Fay is a historian and former executive director of the Manitowoc County Historical Society.

This article originally appeared on Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter: Manitowoc judge George Reed died in Newhall House fire in Milwaukee
Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford (Getty Images)

Ralf Rangnick is not concerned by Marcus Rashfords form despite the Manchester United forwards goalless streak extending to 11 games in the narrow FA Cup third round win over Aston Villa.

Rashford has not found the net since scoring in Uniteds 3-0 win at Tottenham Hotspur back in October, during the final weeks of Ole Gunnar Solskjaers reign.

The 24-year-olds season started late after undergoing surgery on a longstanding shoulder problem and, despite scoring three in his first four appearances following his return, he has since struggled for consistency in front of goal.

When asked for a reason behind Rashfords form, Rangnick said: Actually, I don't know. I think he's trying hard in training, he was doing well in training the last couple of days and that's why he was quite rightly in the starting XI.

I think in the first half we found him quite often and in the first half he also tried to get into the box. In the second half, that was not that often the case, that's why I decided to make two changes, bringing on Anthony Elanga and Jesse Lingard.

Rashford was replaced by Elanga in the 86th minute as United held on to reach the fourth round, having opened the scoring through Scott McTominays header early on.

After suffering defeat in their last Old Trafford outing against Wolverhampton Wanderers, Rangnick hopes that his players will use their victory over Villa as a springboard, Rashford included.

Especially for strikers, it's important that they score goals on and off and have their moments of success, he said. Of course it would be good if Marcus scored a goal but as long as he's trying, as long as he's playing well I don't see much of a problem.
CAMBRIDGE, Md. (AP)  A mayor on Maryland's Eastern Shore has resigned, weeks after he was charged with distributing revenge porn online.

Andrew Bradshaw, 32, who was the youngest mayor in Cambridge's history when he took office last year, submitted his resignation around noon Monday, according to a statement the city posted on Facebook.

Bradshaw said in a statement Monday that he decided to resign after a period of difficult self-reflection and consideration of the proper path forward for the city and himself, news outlets reported. Bradshaw said he no longer had the confidence of his colleagues and hasnt been able to maintain relationships with local, state and federal leaders necessary to move the city forward.

Bradshaw is accused of posting nude photos of a woman he was no longer in a romantic relationship with using multiple Reddit accounts. He was arrested in November and charged with 50 counts of distributing revenge porn and released on his own recognizance.

The woman contacted authorities in May after learning that the photos were posted. She told authorities she had sent the photos to Bradshaw while they were in an intimate relationship and that she didnt give him permission to redistribute them.

Commissioners in the city of about 13,000 voted unanimously on Dec. 13 to issue a formal complaint to remove Bradshaw from office. A special election will be held to fill the remainder of Bradshaws term, the city said. In the meantime, Cambridge Commission President Lajan Cephas will assume mayoral duties.

A trial is set for April. If convicted, Bradshaw could face a maximum penalty of two years incarceration and a $5,000 fine for each count.
Meat sourced from shark and capybara were used in an episode of "MasterChef Ecuador," an animal rights group says. RichardALock/Getty Images, IJdema/Getty Images

An animal rights group is accusing "MasterChef Ecuador" of using meat from endangered animals.

Meat served in the January 3 episode appeared to be labeled shark, deer, crocodile, and capybara.

Part of the episode purportedly showing the endangered meat appears to have been removed on YouTube.

"MasterChef Ecuador" aired an episode on January 3 where contestants were asked to cook with meat from endangered animals, an animal rights group says.

The National Animal Movement of Ecuador, known as Manimalistas (MAN), accused the reality-cooking show and its broadcaster Teleamazonas of supplying contestants with meat from endangered species, including shark and deer, in one episode.

The episode has since been removed from Teleamazonas' YouTube account and replaced with a new version with the portion that purportedly showed the endangered-animal meat edited out, Vice reported on Monday.

However, on January, MAN tweeted a minute-long clip of the episode that appears to show slabs of meat placed on wooden cutting boards where each is individually labeled as "Tollo," "Banilla," "Venado," and "Capibara."

"Tollo" is a colloquial Ecuadorian term for types of shark, and is thought to have referred to the humpback smooth-hound shark, Vice reported. The species is classified as "critically endangered" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

"Banilla" refers to a type of crocodile, and "venado" and "capibara" both translate to venison and capybara respectively, according to Vice. The "MasterChef" episode did not provide further details on the exact animal meat that appeared to be used, but MAN representative Fernando Arroyo Aviles told Insider that it likely included white-tail deer and a species of Amazon crocodile. Teleamazonas did not respond to Insider's request for comment.

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In a statement published Friday by MAN on Instagram, the organization wrote: "We ask the producers of the program and the channel that broadcasts the program for an explanation of where the meat of these animals came from."

A now-removed clip from "MasterChef Ecuador" appeared to show contestants using meat from endangered species. MasterChef Ecuador, Teleamazonas

Carolina Sanchez, one of the judges on "MasterChef Ecuador," said the meat came from a farm, according to French publication News24. Sanchez did not respond to Insider's request for comment.

However, in an email to Insider on Tuesday, Aviles, who is also a farm animals specialist, said he believes it is "highly likely" that "MasterChef" producers acquired the meat through "questionable means."

"When an influential international franchise like MasterChef promotes the use of wild animals as ingredients for an 'exotic recipe,' it is a punch in the gut for animal rights movements," he added.

So far, he said they've received "absolute silence" from producers and Teleamazonas after repeated requests for clarity.

Environmental government departments in Ecuador and Colombia, where the show is filmed, have publicly denounced the show's purported use of wild game.

"MasterChef" judge Carolina Sanchez said the meat came from a farm, News24 reports. GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP via Getty Images

Ecuador's Ministry of Environment, Water and Ecological Transition released a statement on January 4 saying it rejected the use of graphic content promoting the use of wild species and said it could lead to an uptick in illegal consumption of endangered species.

On the same day, Carlos Eduardo Correa, Colombia's environmental minister, tweeted that his department would be conducting an investigation into the type of meat shown in the program. "Wildlife trafficking and commercialization is a crime in Colombia," he wrote.

Ecuador's Ministry of Environment, Water and Ecological Transition, and Colombia's Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development did not respond to Insider's request for comment.

Read the original article on Insider
McKenna King

The Storm Team 4 has a new member in weather anchor McKenna King.

The Northern Utah native made her on-air debut Monday at WCMH-TV (Channel 4), and viewers can watch her weekdays on NBC4 First at 4 and NBC4 at 7 p.m.

ON AIR DEBUT 



Im so thrilled to be joining the @nbc4i #StormTeam4 team. And I want to say HELLO to all the new followers from here in Columbus! Since Im new, I need all the recommendations! Dog parks, restaurants, places to see, etc. I cant wait to explore my new city!  pic.twitter.com/AK1e9d4yA2  McKenna King (@McKennaKingTV) January 11, 2022

A graduate of Brigham Young University with a degree in broadcast journalism, King has worked in Salt Lake City; Boise, Idaho; and Tampa, Florida, so she's covered everything from snowstorms and sunshine to thunderstorms and hurricanes.

10TV anchor leaves: WBNS-TV anchor Karina Nova set to leave station for new job in San Francisco later this month

Her most recent post was news reporter and weather anchor at WFTS-TV in the Tampa and St. Petersburg area.

Though she made her debut on-air Monday, she officially joined the station at the beginning of January.

award@dispatch.com

@AllisonAWard

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: McKenna King joins Channel 4 as WCMH weather anchor on Storm Team 4
Nearly a year into his term, President Joe Biden enjoys modest approval in Maryland, according to a new poll.

The Democratic president had 54% approval of the job hes doing from more than 800 Maryland voters who were polled by Gonzales Research & Media Services in December. An additional 43% of those polled said they disapprove of the job the president is doing.

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Not surprisingly, the support fell along party lines, with 84% of Democrats approving of the job Biden is doing and 86% of Republicans disapproving. Independent voters gave Biden just 32% approval and 62% disapproval.

On specific issues, 57% of those polled approved of the job Biden is doing handling the coronavirus pandemic, while 45% approved of the job hes doing managing the economy.

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Vice President Kamala Harris enjoys far less support, with a 49% approval rating that suffers from a mere 8% approval from Republican voters and just 27% approval from independent voters. Democrats remain loyal to their vice president, giving her 77% approval rating.

Gov. Larry Hogan, meanwhile, continues to have extremely strong approval ratings, coming in at 74% in this poll. Throughout his tenure in office, Hogan has routinely gotten approval ratings above 60% and sometimes above 70% in independent polls.

The Republican governor actually has more support from Democrats (78% approval) than his own party (69% approval). Independent voters gave the governor a 71% approval rating.

Hogan received high marks for his handling of the coronavirus pandemic  76% approval  again buoyed by Democrats, who gave 83% approval. Other political groups were still strongly supportive, with Republicans at 68% and independent voters at 67%.

With a deft touch, Hogan has navigated the choppy, partisan puddle of politics and kept his ship sailing straight and fast, as others have sputtered and sunk during these turbulent times, pollster Patrick Gonzales wrote in a summary of the poll.

Hogan is term-limited and weighing options for his political future. Gonzales noted that the governors support from Democrats is roiling the insatiable impulses of D.C. docents and kingmakers trying to carve out the future.

Gonzales Research & Media Services questioned 807 registered voters who said they vote regularly, using both landlines and cellphones. The poll was conducted between Dec. 20 and Dec. 30. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.5%.
Milwaukees Judiciary and Legislation Committee has decided to move forward with a previously vetoed aldermanic map, voting to again forward that map to the full Common Council.

The map, which had been approved by the Milwaukee's Common Council and subsequently vetoed by then-Mayor Barrett in December, faced pushback from Latino leaders and residents alike throughout the redistricting process over fears it would deny the city's growing Latino population proper representation, as well as a possible third majority district.

During a more than seven-hour meeting into the evening Monday, the committee was tasked with redrawing Districts 13 and 14, on Milwaukee's south side.

But after deliberating for more than four hours in closed session, committee members came back with a decision that surprised many present: they would be recommending Map A  the map that had been previously approved by the Common Council.

For the City Attorney's office, which advised the committee throughout its decision-making process, Map A was the only map that would be legally enforceable and would not violate the 1965 Voting Rights Act nor the Equal Protection Clause in the United States Constitution.

While Judiciary and Legislation Committee's Chairman Ashanti Hamilton likened the roundabout process to the Twilight Zone, having gone through months of work and community efforts to end up with the same map as before.

"I got to formally apologize to everybody for the amount of time that we spent on this today only to end up back where we were months ago," he said.

The map includes majority Latino Districts 8 and 12, Black majority Districts 1, 2, 6, 7, 9 and 15 and white majority Districts 3, 4, 11, 13 and 14. There are two districts  Districts 5 and 10  which do not have a single demographic majority.

Latino leaders decry new map

Revision after revision, concerns about Latino and Hispanic representation across the city have been raised by advocates and local officials alike. Former Mayor Tom Barrett's veto before he left office was seen as an opportunity to create maps that they felt would best represent the city's growing Latino populations.

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According to U.S. Census Bureau data, Latinos and Hispanics represent 20.1% of the city's population.

Forward Latino and Voces de la Frontera, two statewide organizations that support Latino and immigrant rights, proposed maps that were reviewed for Monday's meeting.

Both organizations hoped to create a third majority district in Ald. Scott Spiker's 13th Aldermanic District, the city's southernmost district.

But their hopes were dashed with the late-night decision.

Milwaukee's Assistant City Attorney, Kathryn Block, noted that these efforts to incorporate Latino districts of influence were not necessary to fulfill the requirements of the Voting Rights Act.

"They might be considered a good or a nice-to-have, but they are not a requirement," Block said.

Block also said that the creation of a minority-majority district might violate the Voting Rights Act, as it would dilute existing majority-minority voting districts to a significant enough degree that it was "problematic."

Latino community members and leaders issued statements, dismayed by the city's recommendation of a map that would not offer as much Latino representation as they had hoped for.

"It is a disgrace that the Judiciary and Legislation Committee has failed to uphold democratic principles and not move forward with a map that accounts for the dramatic growth of Latinx residents in the city of Milwaukee and their ability to have greater representation as a community of interest," said Christine Neumann-Ortiz, Voces de la Frontera's Executive Director.

"We think Alderman Spiker simply wants to maintain a conservative majority-white district and essentially claiming reverse discrimination," she added, also thanking District 14's Ald. Marina Dimitrijevic "for trying sincerely to work for larger representation that would have significantly impacted her own district. "

Neumann-Ortiz said her organization would be evaluating the City Attorney's opinion and consider its own legal options.

District 8 Ald. JoCasta Zamarripa, one of the three Latino Alderpersons on the 15-member Milwaukee Common Council, called the committee meeting a "farce."

Blaming the "poor advice" from the Office of the City Attorney, Zamarripa said members of the Judiciary and Legislation Committee, elected representatives of Milwaukee's Latino community, and community advocates had been "hoodwinked" and "were led to believe that we could draw a more diverse map for Milwaukeeans, in particular on the city's south side.

"The City of Milwaukee failed ALL of its immigrant and refugee communities as they were left with less tonight than when the day began," she said.

Pushback from the City's Islamic community

Despite pledges from Latino leaders to assure they would not compromise the representation of other community groups with their map proposals, several members of Milwaukee's Muslim community disagreed.

In a sudden turn, members of the Muslim community stepped up for the first time during Monday's meeting to voice concerns about the impacts of the granting too much Latino representation in the south side districts, potentially dividing the city's smaller minority communities between the two districts.

The U.S. Census does not ask questions nor collect data about religion, meaning there is no official governmental count of the Muslim population in the United States. Milwaukee's Islamic advocates, however, estimate that the city has somewhere between 15,000 and 25,000 Muslim residents  a group that has a diverse racial and ethnic makeup.

"We are a very highly diverse community, although we're not properly identified ethnically," said Janan Atta Najeeb, President of Milwaukee's Muslim Women's Coalition, noting that her community has a "vibrant" presence in District 13.

People of Middle Eastern or North African (MENA) descent, which includes Arab Americans, are officially categorized as white in race and ethnicity data released by the Census Bureau and other agencies.

Many Islamic advocates as well as Ald. Spiker voiced concerns granting more representation to the Latino communities in District 13, would be detrimental to the current Muslim population, which is seeing growth due to the growing Burmese and Rohingya numbers as well as the resettlement of Afghan refugees.

"We also have aspirations as a community and this is the only district that will really help us eventually fulfill those aspirations," Najeeb said, referring to District 13.

What happens next?

While Latino advocates are seeking legal options to fight back the decision made by the Judiciary and Legislation Committee, the recommended Map A will be re-reviewed by the City Attorney's office for legality and enforceability purposes.

If there are no issues, the map will be sent to the Common Council for approval on Jan. 18. An affirmative vote would send it to Acting Mayor Cavalier Johnson for either his signature or veto. In his dual role as acting mayor and common council president, Johnson would not vote during council proceedings.

Johnson, who assumed his role as acting mayor when Barrett resigned to begin his post as ambassador to Luxembourg, is also running to complete the final two years of Barrett's term.

Contact Vanessa Swales at 414-308-5881 or vswales@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @Vanessa_Swales.

Our subscribers make this reporting possible. Please consider supporting local journalism by subscribing to the Journal Sentinel at jsonline.com/deal.

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee council committee re-approves map that Barrett vetoed
A Missouri woman who was seen holding a broken sign from House Speaker Nancy Pelosis office during the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge Monday, according to court records.

Emily Hernandez, 22, pleaded guilty to entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds, records show.

She was charged soon after the Capitol was attacked by a mob of supporters of then-President Donald Trump on Jan. 6, 2021.

Image: Emily Hernandez (FBI)

Court documents say she was seen smiling and surrounded by other rioters as she held a sign that had hung above Pelosis office showing her name and title.

A federal misdemeanor carries up to one year in prison.

Last week, she was arrested in a car crash in Missouri that killed a 32-year-old woman and injured another person, the state highway patrol has said.

Hernandez could face counts of driving while intoxicated resulting in the death of another and driving while intoxicated resulting in serious physical injury, a spokesman for the highway patrol has said.

Franklin County Prosecuting Attorney Matthew Becker says his office is waiting for blood tests to come back before filing charges, NBC affiliate KSDK of St. Louis reported.

The Jan. 5 crash happened as Hernandez was driving the wrong way on eastbound Interstate 44, about an hour southwest of St. Louis, according to a crash report. She collided with a sport-utility vehicle.

Hernandezs attorney, Ethan Corlija, said that the crash is under investigation and that he hasnt seen any evidence that his client was impaired.

He said that sentencing guidelines in the Jan. 6 case are between zero and six months in prison, but those are advisory guidelines and a judge will determine sentence.
The state prison in Chino is one of three that has reported more than 400 active coronavirus cases among inmates. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Californias prisons have seen a huge surge in the number of employees testing positive for the coronavirus, with 3,845 active infections Monday, a 212% increase so far this month.

In the last two weeks there have been 3,912 new coronavirus cases among state employees working inside Californias prisons, coinciding with the rapid spread of the Omicron variant throughout the state's population.

The surge comes as Gov. Gavin Newsom and the correctional officers union have continued to appeal a federal judge's order that all employees should be vaccinated to protect the rights and health of those serving prison sentences.

Were not near an all-time high of cases, but like the community, the rise in rates is exponential and like nothing we have seen so far, said Don Specter, executive director of the nonprofit Prison Law Office, which is seeking to require all prison employees to be vaccinated. The real test is whether there will be a commensurate increase in hospitalizations. We probably wont know that for another week or two.

Dana Simas, a spokesperson for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, said that a year ago, the department recorded a peak of about 4,400 cases statewide in December 2020.

But the latest surge has expanded much more quickly than last year's. On Dec. 31, the corrections department reported 1,232 infected workers.

The largest staff outbreak is at the California Health Care Facility in Stockton, which holds prisoners with medical conditions, where 252 staff members have active infections. That facility has the highest percentage of vaccinated staff in the state, with 85%.

Some 2,350 active inmate infections were reported Monday across the prisons, another surge over previous weeks but nowhere near the highs of the last two years that saw 246 prisoners die of COVID-19. In addition, 49 staff members have died.

The bulk of the infections are at Wasco State Prison in Kern County, the California Rehabilitation Center in Riverside County and the California Institution for Men in San Bernardino County. Each has 400 to 500 active infections.

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In an effort to stop the surge, the state corrections department on Monday suspended intake from county jails to North Kern State Prison, where inmates have been entering the state prison system.

Visits to state prisons have again been curtailed.

The severity of illness inside prisons from the Omicron-driven surge could be lower thanks to more widespread vaccination compared with previous surges; 80% of those being held are fully vaccinated, as are 69% of staff members.

In November, a U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals panel temporarily blocked a judge's order requiring all California prison workers to be vaccinated against COVID-19 or have a religious or medical exemption.

That vaccination mandate was supposed to have taken effect by Jan. 12, but the appellate court stayed enforcement until the appeal is heard in March.

The judge who issued the order followed the recommendation of a court-appointed receiver who was chosen to manage the state prison healthcare system after a federal judge in 2005 found that California had failed to provide adequate medical care to prisoners.

Newsom, the corrections department and the correctional officers union appealed the judge's order.

Connie Gipson, director of adult institutions for the corrections department, said in court documents that when a similar vaccination mandate was enacted in Washington, about 4.5% of the states prison staff quit. Although Washington has continued its prison operations largely unimpeded, Gipson said that level of resignations in California would have a severe effect.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Alexis Avila was charged with attempted murder after she abandoned her newborn baby in a dumpster (Hobbs Police Department)

An 18-year-old mother from New Mexico arrested for allegedly throwing her newborn baby into a dumpster, was later released from prison after posting a $10,000 (7,356) unsecured bond.

The woman, identified as Alexis Avila, was charged with attempted murder and child abuse after she was caught on camera allegedly leaving her infant son wrapped in a towel and a plastic trash bag in a dumpster in Hobbs city on 7 January.

Police received information about the baby at 8pm on Friday and upon finding the newborn baby he was rendered aid, the Hobbs police department said.

The baby was taken to a local hospital and then airlifted to Lubbock Hospital for further treatment.

August Fons, the acting police chief, said three people, including a woman, found the child while going through the dumpster looking for anything of value when they heard what sounded like a baby crying.

They took the bag out of the dumpster and assumed it would be a dog or kitten. Instead, they discovered the newborn baby, Mr Fons said.

Surveillance footage showed a car pulling up next to the dumpster at around 2pm on Friday afternoon.

A woman, identified by police as Ms Avila, is seen in the footage stepping out of the drivers seat and opening the back door to take out a trash bag. She then hurls the bag into the dumpster before getting back in the vehicle and driving away from the scene.

The infant was in the dumpster for approximately six hours, the officer said.

Ms Avila told investigators she wasnt aware of her pregnancy until 6 January when she sought medical attention for abdominal pain and constipation.

According to officials, her stomach pain escalated and she gave birth the following day. She said she panicked and did not know what to do or who to call.

So she allegedly cut the umbilical cord, wrapped the baby in the dirty towel and put him in a trash bag, according to Mr Fons.

Ms Avila was arrested on 8 January and released on bond in less than two hours. She will be arraigned at a later time at Lea County District Court.

All 50 states in the US have safe haven laws that allow newborn babies to be surrendered safely to a designated person.

In New Mexico, the law allows a person to leave an infant not more than 90 days old with the staff of a hospital.
Window Rock, named for the natural arch opening in a sandstone wall, is the capital of the Navajo Nation.

Enrolled members of the Navajo Nation are eligible for up to $2,300 per person in hardship assistance in 2022 due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, but some may need to complete paperwork to get it.

Navajo members who received relief payments from the tribe last year will automatically receive checks in the mail with the extra funds. However, anyone who did not receive a hardship check in 2021, who changed addresses, who gave birth to a child or turned 18 since originally applying will need to submit new paperwork to obtain the money.

The funding comes from the CARES Act signed into law by President Donald Trump in 2020 and the American Rescue Plan Act signed by President Joseph Biden in 2021.

How much will I receive?

The payments in 2022 for Navajo Nation members are as follows:

Ages 0-17: $600

Ages 18-59: $2,000

Ages 60 and older: $2,300 (split into separate payments of $2,000 and $300)

When will the Navajo Nation begin sending hardship checks?

The tribe aims to begin issuing checks at the beginning of February, acting Controller Elizabeth Begay said Monday during an online town hall.

The Office of the Controller is working on the $300 checks for those ages 60 and older, she said.

The Office of the Controller will contact you if there are follow-up questions regarding your application.

How do I apply for a Navajo hardship check?

If you previously received Navajo Nation hardship assistance relief, you do not have to reapply.

However, if you did not apply previously for CARES Act hardship assistance, your previous application was rejected or your check did not come through, you will need to fill out the "ARPA Hardship Application" form at www.nnooc.org or www.navajonationarpa.org for you and all your dependents.

You must print out the form, complete it and sign it. Then submit one of three ways:

Scan and email to ARPAHardship@nnooc.org.

Mail to the Office of the Controller, PO Box 3150, Window Rock, AZ 86515.

Drop off at the Office of the Controller, Administration Building 1, 2559 Tribal Hill Dr., Window Rock.

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When is the deadline to submit my application?

The sooner you submit the paperwork, the sooner you will receive the money.

The last day to submit is Dec. 30, 2022.

What if I moved last year?

If you received a Navajo Nation hardship check in 2021 but changed addresses since then, you will need to update your address to receive the check.

Find the "Change of Address" form at www.nnooc.org or www.navajonationarpa.org.

You must print out the form, complete it and sign it. Then submit one of three ways:

Scan and email to ARPAHardship@nnooc.org.

Mail to Office of the Controller, PO Box 3150, Window Rock, AZ 86515.

Drop off at the Office of the Controller, Administration Building 1, 2559 Tribal Hill Dr., Window Rock.

The Controller's Office had received more than 7,000 address changes as of Monday, Begay said.

What if I live off the reservation?

Any enrolled Navajo Nation member with a Certificate of Indian Blood is eligible for a hardship payment.

Make sure to update your mailing address with the "Change of Address" form above if you have moved in the last year.

What if I have a new child?

To receive the $600 payment for a dependent, your child must have a Certificate of Indian Blood. If your newborn does not yet have a CIB, you may apply for one through the Navajo Nation Vital Records Office at www.novri.navajo-nsn.gov.

What if I recently turned 18?

If you turned 18 years old on or before Jan. 4, 2022, you are eligible to receive $2,000 instead of $600.

You can inquire whether you need to submit an application by contacting the Office of the Controller by email at ARPAHardship@nnooc.org or by phone at the numbers listed below.

Or you may submit a new application at www.nnooc.org or www.navajonationarpa.org.

What if I don't know if I received a check in 2021?

You can inquire about your status by contacting the Office of the Controller by email at ARPAHardship@nnooc.org or by phone at the numbers listed below.

Or you may submit a new application at www.nnooc.org or www.navajonationarpa.org.

Is in-person help available?

Yes, the offices of the Controller and Vital Records are working to set up technical assistance throughout the Navajo Nation and in urban areas. Help applying for a Certificate of Indian Blood and filling out the hardship application will be available.

Perphelia Fowler, director of the Division of Human Resources, announced during Monday's town hall that representatives from both offices will visit Phoenix Indian Center from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Feb. 17 and 18.

Elsewhere in Arizona, the Navajo Nation is planning to visit Tucson Indian Center in March, she said.

The first urban visit will be in Albuquerque at the Albuquerque Indian Center from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb 3 and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 4.

Visits to Salt Lake City and Denver are planned for April.

A final schedule will be announced soon.

How can I ask another question?

Email: ARPAHardship@nnooc.org

Or call:

Serena Castillo 928-871-6106

Wallace James 928-871-6315

Jennie Arviso 928-223-3525

Sonja Boyd 928-224-8148

Rachelle Begaye 928-224-8187

Brandon Yonnie 928-224-8212

Jasper Long 928-371-9226

Leann Harry 928-223-3709

Ralphena Thompson 928-223-3712

Lita Nadebah Beck contributed to this article.

Contact reporter Rebekah L. Sanders at rsanders@azcentral.com or follow her on Twitter at @RebekahLSanders.

Support local journalism. Subscribe to azcentral.com today.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Navajo hardship checks: What to do if you moved, had baby or turned 18




The Navy will comply with an emergency order to empty the tanks at a fuel storage facility following a leak in November.

The Hawaii Department of Health finalized the order last week to empty the underground tanks at the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. The Navy had 30 days to appeal the order, which was first handed down on Dec 6.

Rear Adm. Blake Converse, deputy commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, told the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Readiness on Tuesday that the Navy will comply with the order.

"Yes, we are in receipt of the emergency order issued by the Hawaii Department of Health, and we are taking action because it is a lawful order to comply with," Converse said.

Pacific Fleet Commander Adm. Samuel Paparo issued directives last Friday to begin efforts to comply with the order, Converse said, adding that the Navy began complying with "many facets" of the order earlier through directives from the secretary of the Navy.

Converse said he didn't have information on whether the Navy will contest the order later.

The Navy's decision to comply with the order was first reported by The Washington Post.

The Red Hill facility sits directly above a ground aquifer that serves as the principal source of drinking water for the island of Oahu.

In late November, a release of about 14,000 gallons of fuel from the storage tanks caused one of the military's water shafts to be contaminated.

The Navy suspended operations on Dec. 7 at the facility while it investigated the leak but had been fighting the state's order, arguing that its own plan was sufficient.

The service was ordered to submit a plan to safely defuel the tanks at the facility and install water treatment systems on the contaminated shaft.

In late December, a Hawaii official overseeing hearings regarding Red Hill recommended the state's emergency order be upheld, referring to the World War II-era facility as a "ticking time bomb."

"The weight of the evidence establishes that the Red Hill Facility, as currently situated, is a metaphorical ticking time bomb located 100 feet above the most important aquifer on Hawaii's most populous island," David Hill wrote at the time.

- Updated at 11:02 a.m.
HONOLULU (AP)  After initially resisting, the U.S. Navy will comply with Hawaii's order to remove fuel from a massive underground storage tank facility near Pearl Harbor blamed for contaminating drinking water, officials said Tuesday.

The Navy is making preparations to defuel the facility, Rear Adm. Blake Converse said during a U.S. House Armed Services Subcommittee on Readiness hearing.

The Navy caused this problem, we own it and were gonna fix it, said Converse, deputy commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet.

Hawaii's governor said he expected the Navy to immediately comply with the state's order and address the threat the tank facility poses to the environment and the well-being of the state's military families and residents.

Im pleased to hear the Navy is doing the right thing, Gov. David Ige said in a statement.

The Navys water system serves some 93,000 people in residential homes, offices, elementary schools and businesses in and around Pearl Harbor. Starting in late November, about 1,000 people complained that their tap water smelled like fuel or reported physical ailments such as nausea and rashes after ingesting it.

After petroleum was detected in a drinking well, Hawaii ordered the Navy to drain fuel from the tanks to protect Oahu's drinking water. Navy officials said Hawaiis order wasnt necessary because a Nov. 20 spill they believed tainted the water occurred inside an access tunnel and they didnt believe the tanks themselves were to blame.

The Navy contested Hawaiis order, prompting a December hearing before a deputy state attorney general. The hearings officer concluded the tanks were a ticking time bomb and that the order needed to be upheld.

The Red Hill facility holds 20 giant underground tanks built into the side of a mountain during World War II. Each tank is roughly the height of a 25-story building. Collectively, they can hold up to 250 million gallons (946 million liters) of fuel, though two of the tanks are now empty.

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Converse said Tuesday that Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander of U.S. Pacific Fleet, directed compliance with the order when the Hawaii Department of Health finalized it last week.

The Navy believes its water system became contaminated by jet fuel that leaked from pipes connected to the Red Hill tanks. It detected jet fuel in a well that draws on an aquifer just 100 feet (30 meters) below the tank complex.

So far only the Navys drinking water has been tainted. Petroleum hasnt shown up in the municipal water system operated by the Honolulu Board of Water Supply. But the utility draws water from the same aquifer as the Navy.

Hawaii officials are concerned that petroleum could migrate through the aquifer from the area of the Navys well to the water utilitys Halawa well and poison the citys drinking water. The Board of Water Supply has suspended use of its Halawa well, which supplies about one-quarter of the water consumed in urban Honolulu, to try to prevent petroleum from infecting its water system.

Wayne Tanaka, the director of the Sierra Club of Hawaii which has long fought to close the tanks, welcomed the Navy's decision to comply with the order.

Im hopeful theyre finally seeing the light and acknowledging the facility is an inherent danger to our water supply, Tanaka said.

He said the state Department of Health, Hawaiis congressional delegation and others would need to ensure that the Navy meets the deadlines included in the departments order.

The Navy must submit an implementation and work plan by early February. After the Department of Health approves the plan, the Navy has 30 days to defuel the tanks.

It is our full expectation that the Navy will follow the law by complying with the final order, said Katie Arita-Chang, a spokesperson for the Hawaii Department of Health.

Not operating the facility will have minimal impact, but continuing not to operate it beyond February will come at a cost, Converse said.

He said he didn't have details on costs and risks to national security of continued non-operation of the facility.

Let me be clear, clean drinking water is national security, U.S. Rep. Kaialii Kahele of Hawaii said at the hearing.
Census numbers for 2020 do not require the City of Gadsden to redraw its council district lines. If city leaders chose to do so, however, the deadline is approaching to get that done for the upcoming municipal election.

According to the Code of Alabama, if any council district's population is 10% more or less than the total population of the city divided by the number of council districts, it must redraw its electoral lines. Gadsden City Clerk Iva Nelson said the population changes in Gadsden didn't necessitate changes in district lines.

The goal, it appears, is to keep council districts close to the same size in terms of population. Redistricting plans must redraw electoral lines so that districts are within 5% of the same population.

Nelson said Gadsden's population went from 36,856 in 2010 to 33,945 in 2020, with no changes within districts that required a change in the present district map.

A city can choose to redraw lines, Nelson said. If it does so, the mayor would submit a plan within six months after the census report, or a change in the city's corporate boundaries, with proposed changes.

Within six months of receiving the mayor's plan, the city council would vote on a redistricting ordinance, or the mayor's plan would automatically become effective whether the council adopted it or not.

No redistricting will apply to an election held within the six months after it becomes effective; it would not apply until the next regular municipal election. The change would not shorten the term of any incumbent elected official.

So far, Gadsden's leaders have not taken any action toward redistricting as the deadline for doing so before the next city election  to be held Aug. 23  approaches.

Contact Gadsden Times reporter Donna Thornton at 256-393-3284 or donna.thornton@gadsdentimes.com.

This article originally appeared on The Gadsden Times: Gadsden doesn't have to redistrict, has taken no action to so far
Jake Wheeler, membership officer for the Salem Village Civic Association, Pat Hammel, association vice president, and resident Emily Bowen are among several Salem Village residents who say they are opposed to rezoning that would allow Preferred Living to build an apartment complex on the properties next to Bowen's home.

A proposed apartment complex is getting a rather cold reception from a Northland neighborhood group.

The Salem Village Civic Association is against local developer Preferred Livings plans to build 144 units on the west side of Sinclair Road, just north of Worthington Forest Place.

That would require demolishing three houses on a roadway that basically has single-family dwellings all the way south to East Dublin-Granville Road.

The thing for me is, its just not appropriate use of land in this area, said Jake Wheeler, membership officer of the Salem Village Civic Association, which unanimously opposed the project during its October meeting.

This map shows where Preferred Living wants to build a 144-unit apartment complex on Sinclair Road. Three residential units would be razed to accommodate the project.

The civic associations boundaries are Morse Road, the railroad tracks, Interstate 71 and East Dublin-Granville.

Most properties along Sinclair have yard signs that read, No rezoning. No Preferred Living.

The Northland Community Councils development committee tabled the matter at the applicants request.

Pat Hammel, vice president of the Salem Village group, said the environmental impact would be tremendous, as grass and earth would be torn up and replaced with impervious surfaces.

The stormwater runoff would drain into an open-sewer system that runs along the west side of Sinclair, Hammel said.

She further argued that several large, mature trees would be taken down by the developer.

South of the project area is a different matter, as there are large swaths of land that would be better suited for multifamily dwellings, said Emily Bowen, who lives adjacent to the north of the proposed development site.

The neighborhood wouldnt even have an issue with that, Bowen said.

In fact, Sinclair Apartments, an affordable-housing project, is being build just down the street at the site of the former Alrosa Villa, a live-music venue at 5055 Sinclair.

The development would require a rezoning from suburban residential to AR-1, or apartment residential district, according to the site plan filed with the city of Columbus.

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The request also comes with two council variances: one to permit a variation in the yard, height or parking requirements and another that would permit a use of the property not granted by the zoning district.

The three adjacent properties are owned by G & L Norris Limited Partnership. All are occupied by renters, said Bowen, who also expressed concern about the effect the development would have on property owners.

No one from Preferred Living would return messages seeking comment for this story.

Bill Logan, vice chairperson of the NCCs development committee, who had expressed reservations about the development, said hes waiting for results of a meeting between Preferred Living and Salem Village before he reschedules the request.

We have not received confirmation regarding the status of the application, Logan said. It is still in a tentative state regarding the January (26) development meeting.

gseman@thisweeknews.com

@ThisWeekGary

This article originally appeared on ThisWeek: North Columbus: Salem Village residents oppose Sinclair Road apartments
The number of patients hospitalized for COVID-19 continues to climb, according to data released Wednesday by Monroe County's Department of Public Health.

There are 711 individuals hospitalized for COVID-19 in the Finger Lakes Region, up 22 since the previous day. 118 of these patients are in the ICU.

It's the first time since Jan. 2021 that the number of COVID-19 patients in local hospitals has risen above 700.

The County also reported 2,389 new COVID-19 cases Wednesday. Of those, 1461 cases came from laboratory-confirmed tests and 928 were positive at-home tests.

The seven-day rolling average of new cases is now 2,551 cases per day. The county has reported more than 1,000 new cases on 16 consecutive days.

New COVID exposure rules aim at keeping kids and staff in school

The state Health Department this week said vaccinated students and school staff who are directly exposed to COVID-19 can stay in school, regardless of whether they had received a booster.

In a memo on Jan. 10, the state also formally endorsed a five-day isolation period, down from 10, for students and staff who test positive for the virus.

The state earlier this week allowed counties to opt for a five-day isolation period, following updated U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance. While several counties and school districts instituted the five-day quarantine, others were waiting for further direction from the state. Westchester County, for instance, alerted school districts late Tuesday that it would adopt the five-day COVID isolation period.

The school guidance changes come as Gov. Kathy Hochul and state Health Commissioner Dr. Mary Bassett announced Tuesday that the state will end its contact tracing efforts, and counties will soon have the option to end local contact tracing for those who have been exposed to a positive case. Updated guidelines are due to be released Wednesday.

RBTL to require vaccinations for all theatre patrons

The Rochester Broadway Theater League will require all patrons ages 5 and older, to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination in order to attend performances at the Auditorium Theatre, effective Feb. 14. Children under age 5 will be permitted to attend performances with adults that meet the vaccination requirements.

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Additionally, all patrons will be required to wear a face mask, regardless of vaccination status, upon arrival and departure in lobby areas, and within the theatre for the entirety of the performance. Children under two are not permitted in the theatre.

In a statement announcing the policy, the RBTL said the COVID-safety protocols for the Auditorium Theatre would continue to evolve as conditions change, following the regulations and recommendations of the CDC, State of New York and Monroe County.

NY ending COVID-19 contact tracing

Gov. Kathy Hochul on Tuesday announced New York would end COVID-19 contact tracing efforts amid early signs the highly contagious omicron variant wave is cresting.

New Yorkers who test COVID-19 positive or have known close exposures to the coronavirus will be directed to self-report their isolation and quarantine through a state-run website.

The website, which is launching Wednesday, will provide people with isolation-related documents required by many employers and other settings, state officials said.

The move comes as the daily COVID-19 case total statewide declined recently, dropping to 48,686 on Monday from about 54,800 the prior day and well below the recent peak of 90,100 on Saturday.

CDC warns travelers to avoid Canada amid COVID surge

United States federal officials are warning travelers to avoid Canada due to its very high level of COVID-19.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Monday moved Canada from its level 3 travel health notice to level 4, the highest alert level. Canada now joins 80 other countries, including France, Italy and the United Kingdom on the CDC's list of countries to avoid.

If you must travel to Canada, make sure you are fully vaccinated before travel, the CDC warns on its website. Because of the current situation in Canada, even fully vaccinated travelers may be at risk for getting and spreading COVID-19 variants."

The State Department, which issues its own travel advisories, has also issued a warning: "Do not travel to Canada due to COVID-19."

Contact staff reporter Sean Lahman at slahman@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @seanlahman.

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Monroe County NY COVID cases, hospitalizations, deaths. Live updates
H. Philip West Jr. served 18 years as director of Common Cause Rhode Island and is the author of "Secrets & Scandals: Reforming Rhode Island, 1986-2006."

 John Lewis, 1940-2020

Several Rhode Island town councils have publicly acknowledged their debt to indigenous peoples whose ancestral lands are now filled with homes (Origin Story, by Antonia Noori Farzan, Jan. 1). No mere words can undo centuries of violence and land seizures, but many Americans are finally talking about race-based injustices.

In 2019, the New York Times Magazine published a special issue that questioned Americas origin stories. Why celebrate the Mayflower at Plymouth in 1620 but ignore the White Lion that brought enslaved Africans to Jamestown in 1619? Nikole Hannah-Jones, who created the special issue, writes that the enslaving of Africans was never marginal to American history. It was central and inextricable. Erasing these facts, she says, has been deliberate and systematic over centuries.

Hannah-Jones won a Pulitzer Prize and a Peabody Award for the original 1619 Project, but states began banning it from schools. In a new, best-selling book, "The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story," Hannah-Jones widened and deepened the original work with thoroughly documented chapters by distinguished experts.

One chapter connects white Americans brutalities against enslaved Africans and indigenous Americans. Harvard history Prof. Tiya Miles writes that white colonists enslaved more than 30,000 indigenous people before 1715. They sold many for shipment in shackles to New England, the Caribbean, or Europe.

Miles describes principles that President George Washington outlined in 1791 to civilize indigenous peoples. But treaty after treaty failed as white settlers with guns seized tribal lands. Within decades, President Andrew Jackson urged Congress to enact what became the Indian Removal Act of 1830. Five southern tribes  Cherokee, Creek, Seminole, Chickasaw and Choctaw  were herded westward along the Trail of Tears, an epic example of ethnic cleansing.

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Government promises of safety beyond the Mississippi proved worthless. When Oklahoma became a state in 1907, it subsumed Indian Territory within its borders. Its first state law imposed Jim Crow humiliations on anyone with even one drop of African blood. Despite segregation, Blacks built a thriving economy in Greenwood, a Tulsa neighborhood that became famous as Americas Black Wall Street. But in 1921, resentful white vigilantes and police ravaged Greenwood. They burned entire blocks, massacred hundreds, and dumped their bodies into unmarked graves. Authorities failed to prosecute anyone for these crimes, and insurance companies refused to compensate policy holders.

In a final chapter, entitled Justice, Nikole Hannah-Jones shows how the federal government reneged on its promise of forty acres and a mule for formerly enslaved people. Meanwhile, between 1868 and 1934, under the Homestead Act, the government distributed 160-acre tracts to 1.5 million white families. She adds that 98 percent of loans insured by the Federal Housing Administration between 1934 and 1962 went to white Americans.

To this day, many white Americans scorn Black and indigenous people for being poor, but they fail to account for centuries of unpaid slave labor before the Civil War, followed by relentless discrimination against the formerly enslaved and their descendants.

Other countries have confessed and renounced their murderous histories. Germans created scores of memorials to Holocaust victims. They embedded more than 70,000 brass stumbling stones in sidewalks outside homes of people swept away in Hitlers final solution. South Africas Truth and Reconciliation Commission elicited confessions of torture and murder during apartheid. Both nations require schools to teach these facts.

"The 1619 Project" shows how far this country has fallen short of our founding principles. This book can help Americans engage in honest conversations about the history we share.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Opinion/West: '1619 Project' can help America talk about race
Jan. 10Measure 110 touted decriminalization, treatment

Oregon voters who approved Measure 110 were sold on the idea that providing addiction treatment for people caught with drugs like meth or heroin was a better option than sending them to jail.

Called the Drug Addiction Treatment and Recovery Act, the 2020 measure has poured millions of dollars into services to help those struggling with addiction. But it hasn't funded addiction treatment itself in Jackson County.

Instead, money is going toward things like referring people to treatment, overdose antidote kits and housing.

Measure 110 diverts millions of dollars in Oregon marijuana tax revenue from schools, police and other services into support for people with addiction.

But because marijuana is federally illegal, Oregon fears funding addiction treatment directly would jeopardize federal money that helps pay for treatment through the Oregon Health Plan. Subsidized by the state and federal governments, the Oregon Health Plan covers physical, dental and mental health care  including addiction treatment  for low-income residents.

"There has been a lot of confusion about what Measure 110 would do and what the funding would go towards. Unfortunately, it does not fund treatment," said Sommer Wolcott, executive director of the addiction treatment organization OnTrack Rogue Valley.

A massive amount of money is on the line. After initially providing $33 million in grants to organizations around the state last year, Oregon is poised to release $270 million more in grants. Dozens of Rogue Valley organizations have submitted requests for funding while trying to figure out what Measure 110 can cover  and what it can't.

The situation is even more confusing because, at least on paper, Measure 110 can cover addiction treatment. In the grant application, "low-barrier substance use disorder treatment" is listed as one of the services that can receive funding.

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Low-barrier has varying definitions, but it generally means easy-to-access services that impose few conditions. Residential treatment that requires people to abstain from drug use, for example, typically isn't considered low-barrier treatment.

The lack of Measure 110 funding for addiction treatment wouldn't be a problem if enough money already was going toward treatment. But treatment has been chronically underfunded, providers across the state said.

Wolcott said 120 people are on OnTrack's residential treatment waiting list. Half of those people are living in unsafe conditions, facing issues like homelessness, domestic violence or criminal activity at the home where they're staying.

"The wait list is enormous," Wolcott said.

Oregon consistently ranks among the worst states when it comes to access to addiction treatment, while also suffering some of the worst rates of drug and alcohol use.

"The challenge is we're underfunding treatment," said State Rep. Pam Marsh, who represents southern Jackson County. "Treatment isn't funded well enough by OHP to start with. In short, Measure 110 isn't going to solve our treatment dollar issues. It's just not."

Marsh said it will be up to the Oregon Legislature to find other sources of funding for addiction treatment when it convenes in February.

Although Measure 110 isn't directly funding treatment, Marsh said it is providing an unprecedented pool of money to fund innovative programs to keep people healthier while they use drugs, prevent overdose deaths and show them there's a way out when they're ready to stop using.

Long a forerunner in the move to legalize marijuana, Oregon was the first state in the nation to essentially decriminalize heroin, meth, cocaine and other street drugs.

Kids and adults caught with user amounts now receive a $100 ticket. They can get the fine waived by calling a state hotline and answering some screening questions.

In the first nine months of the program, 1,280 people got tickets, but only 51 called the hotline  and only eight asked for treatment information. Most declined information about services and said they only called to get the $100 fine waived, The Oregonian reported in October 2021.

Since Measure 110 passed, Wolcott said OnTrack hasn't seen a dramatic change in the number of people seeking addiction treatment. Most people are referred by friends, family, child welfare agencies and other professionals and organizations.

Wolcott said after first being rejected for funding when $33 million in initial money was passed out, OnTrack eventually did get money through Measure 110 to support the salaries of bilingual workers for intake, reception, peer support and alcohol and drug counselor positions.

Because bilingual workers are in such demand, OnTrack has to pay a premium to attract and keep those employees. Without outside help to cover their salaries, OnTrack would struggle to pay living wages to its non-bilingual workers, Wolcott said.

Measure 110 does prioritize services for traditionally underserved groups. The alcohol and drug treatment field has long had a shortage of bilingual, cross-cultural workers.

Now with a national labor shortage, addiction treatment providers are struggling to attract and keep all types of workers. Wolcott said providers received payment increases and emergency funding because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but that funding is short-term. Providers need sustainable, long-term funding so they can expand detox, residential treatment and other high-intensity services. She noted residential centers have to be staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The labor shortage and lack of consistent funding mean there isn't enough treatment to meet the need, Wolcott said.

"Those two things coming together are creating a more pronounced crisis for people trying to get into services," she said.

This article is part two of a three-day series. To read part one, see www.mailtribune.com/top-stories/2022/01/07/oregon-offers-different-paths-to-addiction-recovery/.

To read part three, see www.mailtribune.com/top-stories/2022/01/08/drug-use-comes-with-few-penalties-in-oregon/.

Reach Mail Tribune reporter Vickie Aldous at 541-776-4486 or valdous@rosebudmedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @VickieAldous.

About this series

Friday: Oregon's drug decriminalization measure fails to fund treatment

Saturday: Oregon offers different paths to addiction recovery

Sunday: Drug use comes with few penalties in Oregon
Coronavirus testing in Leipzig, Germany Jens Schlueter/Getty Images

The World Health Organization's regional director for Europe is warning that more than half of the population there could be infected with COVID-19 in the coming weeks.

Hans Kluge, WHO regional director for Europe, made the warning at a briefing Tuesday discussing the "new west to east tidal wave sweeping across the region" amid the spread of the Omicron variant of COVID-19, The New York Times and CNN report.

"Fifty of the 53 countries in Europe and central Asia have now reported cases of Omicron," Kluge said. "It is quickly becoming the dominant variant in western Europe and is now spreading into the Balkans. At this rate, the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) forecasts that more than 50 percent of the population in the region will be infected with Omicron in the next six to eight weeks."

Kluge said Europe is "under intense pressure" as the Omicron variant surges and that there were more than seven million new cases in the region during the first week of the year, "more than doubling over a two-week period," and as of Monday, "26 countries report that over one percent of their population is catching COVID-19 each week." He also expressed concern that the "full impact" of Omicron hasn't yet been seen in countries with lower vaccination uptake rates, and he urged those countries that haven't yet experienced the surge to act now.

"For countries not yet hit by the Omicron surge," he said, "there is a closing window of opportunity to act now and plan for contingencies."

At the briefing, WHO senior emergency officer for Europe Catherine Smallwood also warned that COVID-19 shouldn't be treated like an "endemic" illness, Axios reports, noting, "We still have a huge amount of uncertainty and a virus that is evolving quite quickly, imposing new challenges."

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HARRISBURG  In May, GOP lawmakers who control the state House and Senate hired the chair of the Republican Party of Pennsylvania to represent them in legal matters at $575 an hour.

Within three weeks, Lawrence Tabas  one of the states top election lawyers  and his law firm had charged the chambers more than $36,000 for 78 hours of work, records show.

What Tabas did for the legislature, however, is a mystery.

In the first nine months of 2021, the legislatures legal bills totaled $3.5 million.

Republican leaders redacted all details about his work from his contract and other public records, continuing into 2021 a stubborn pattern of secrecy surrounding the legislatures agreements with private lawyers, an ongoing review by The Caucus and Spotlight PA shows.

In eight cases that began in 2021, or continued to be billed that year, the House and Senate wholly blacked out the reasons for hiring the private law firm, records obtained through a Right-to-Know request show. In other cases, lawmakers drafted the contract with the outside law firms using language so vague that it is impossible to tell what the case was about.

In doing so, those leaders have continued to flout a 2013 decision by the states highest court that ruled general descriptions of legal services, and the identity of who is being represented, are public information. The Caucus and Spotlight PA are appealing the redactions.

Where  the taxpayers are footing the bill for the legal services, they are entitled to know the general nature of the services provided for the fees charged, a panel of Commonwealth Court judges wrote following the state Supreme Courts decision.

Legislative leaders spend millions in taxpayer dollars each year to hire private law firms through a closed-door process that, unlike other state contracts, is made with virtually no public oversight. These contracts are regularly awarded to law firms that pour cash into legislators campaign coffers, a previous investigation found.

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Not only do taxpayers pick up the cost for those legal battles  sometimes twice if the cases involve both political parties or separate branches of the government  but they are also paying for legislative leaders to keep details of those fights under wraps.

In 2021, the House and Senate GOP spent $34,659 to fight attempts by The Caucus and Spotlight PA, under the states open records law, to make public critical details in legal bills from prior years.

The top-paid firm fighting the news organizations appeal: Philadelphia-based Kleinbard LLC. The company also happens to be one of the eight firms whose reason for being hired is completely redacted.

In the first nine months of 2021, the legislatures legal bills totaled $3.5 million, on par with the roughly $5 million the two chambers have spent annually on lawyers in recent years.

Some of that money covered continuing costs for litigation in cases that stretch back years, such as the landmark school funding case now playing out in Commonwealth Court. New legal matters in 2021 included a fight over a state Senate race, a federal investigation into the states teacher pension fund, the drawing of new political districts, Gov. Tom Wolfs mask mandate for schools, and the controversial review of the 2020 presidential election championed by Senate Republicans.

The redacted cases represent nearly 10% of the total spending, with the attorneys involved in the secret work receiving up to $775 an hour.

Spokespersons for House and Senate Republican leaders declined to answer questions about the newly redacted cases. They have previously defended redactions in legal documents in general by saying the blacked-out information, if revealed, would jeopardize legal strategy or reveal private legal matters that arent on a public court docket.

Kleinbard lawyers hired by the Senate to fight an appeal brought by The Caucus and Spotlight PA recently defended the redactions as limited and focused.

All of the redactions involved legal advice outside of the realm of public knowledge, the lawyers wrote of the cases paid for by taxpayer dollars.

Another year of redactions

The Senate paid out nearly $2 million on new legal bills between Jan. 1 and Oct. 15, according to information provided to The Caucus and Spotlight PA through a public records request.

Of that total, $232,042 went toward cases in which the Senate, in public records, redacted the explanation for the legal services.

Almost all of that was signed off on by Senate Republicans. The biggest chunk  $119,471  went to Kleinbard, one of their go-to firms on issues like elections and constitutional fights. Matt Haverstick, one of the firms lead lawyers, declined to comment.

Billing records and engagement letters show that Kleinbard was first hired by the Senate GOP for one mystery case in January 2020, charging between $225 and $775 per hour for its work. In the engagement letter that Senate leaders signed with Kleinbard, they redacted the reason for the firms representation. They also blacked out details in billing records.

The records do give some glimpses into how Kleinbard charges for its work. Just under two hours of research cost taxpayers $531. An 18-minute phone call between two of the firms lawyers on the case racked up $115.50 in February.

Such granular details are also left unredacted in records involving other firms, such as Saxton & Stump; Dilworth Paxson; and McNees, Wallace & Nurick  even as the Senate blacked out the reasons they were hired.

Senate Democrats also redacted the purpose of cases handled by two law firms: Myers, Brier & Kelly, who they paid $2,000, and Greenberg Traurig, who they paid $1,140.

In the House, leaders redacted fewer cases. And in one case, they revealed details they had wholly obscured in years prior.

A previous Caucus and Spotlight PA investigation into the legislatures legal bills in 2019 and 2020 showed that the House blacked out 140 pages of bills they paid to Dilworth Paxson. Through other records, the news organizations found the firm was hired to represent the House GOP in the high-profile education funding case now being heard in Commonwealth Court.

The case, brought by several low-income and rural school districts that contend they have been underfunded by the state for decades, could have a monumental impact on future public school funding.

When the news organizations requested bills for the same case in 2021, the House turned over 60 new pages of invoices that did not redact the purpose, revealing that the chamber had previously obscured this simple phrase: education funding litigation.

Advice and counsel but no details

The most glaring redaction in the new legal records provided by the legislature involves Tabas, one of the most prominent figures in state politics, and his firm, Obermayer, Rebmann, Maxwell & Hippel.

Records show Tabas represented both House and Senate Republicans in a matter that is blacked out in public records provided by the two chambers.

An engagement letter dated May 12, 2021, explains the firm will represent each of the Republican legislative leaders  Senate President Pro Tempore Jake Corman of Centre County, Senate Majority Leader Kim Ward of Westmoreland County, House Speaker Bryan Cutler of Lancaster County, and House Majority Leader Kerry Benninghoff of Centre County  and the members of their caucuses to provide advice and counsel.

But all details about what that advice is in regards to are labeled redacted.

Invoices show three lawyers handled the matter starting May 7, with Tabas as the lead lawyer racking up 27.4 hours over three weeks at his $575 per hour rate. Those invoices refer to the lawyers work reviewing case law in Pennsylvania and elsewhere, strategizing, and making calls  though many details are also heavily redacted.

Redacted Obermayer Case 2021 by Spotlight PA

One week after that May 12 letter, Senate Democrats hired the same firm to represent state Sen. Katie Muth (D., Montgomery) in her role as a board member on the Pennsylvania School Employees Retirement System. But the letter, in that case, was not redacted, revealing the firm was hired to represent Muth as PSERS was under federal investigation.

Senate Republicans also had not obscured details when they hired the Obermayer firm and paid it $348,000 in 2020 for election matters, according to unredacted documents The Caucus and Spotlight PA previously obtained.

Tabas is one of the states preeminent election lawyers. Since 2019, hes also headed the Republican Party of Pennsylvania, which raises campaign money and crafts strategies to elect more Republicans to the legislature and other statewide offices. The party also typically endorses candidates in statewide primary contests, support that carries significant weight in races such as that for governor  which in 2022 is shaping up to be a crowded field.

Among those represented by Tabas in the mystery case is Corman, a leading candidate in a group of more than a dozen people who have announced they will run for governor.

Tabas did not respond to email and telephone requests for comment.

Election costs climb

While it is unclear whether Tabas representation involves an election case, records show the legislature continued to spend thousands of dollars in 2021 on election-related matters.

In 2020, the Senate spent at least $1.2 million on election matters in the lead-up to and aftermath of the presidential contest. Between January and October 2021, the legislature continued to pay bills related to those same cases, adding $319,111 to that total.

For instance, Democrats and Republicans in the state Senate lawyered up in early 2021 after GOP leaders threatened not to seat state Sen. Jim Brewster (D., Allegheny). Brewsters narrow edge over his Republican opponent in the 2020 election was being challenged in the courts, and he eventually prevailed.

That fight cost taxpayers more than $48,000, records show.

Separately, the two chambers spent at least $241,506 on legal advice and work regarding the decennial process of drawing legislative and congressional districts, which is ongoing and could likely cost taxpayers thousands of dollars more.

Redistricting is a hotly contested process  and in decades past has led to years-long legal fights  because it helps determine the balance of power in Harrisburg as well as in Pennsylvanias congressional delegation for the next decade.

Lawmakers are also expected to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on a controversial review of the 2020 election spurred by falsehoods that the presidential election was stolen from Donald Trump. Corman has said the review is necessary to restore public faith in the electoral process.

In September, Senate Democrats challenged a subpoena issued by their Republican counterparts to gather detailed voter information, such as partial Social Security numbers.

Democrats are paying $450 per hour to the firm Dentons, Cohen & Grigsby, while Republicans pushing for the subpoena are paying Kleinbard up to $775 per hour in ongoing litigation, records show. In the end, however, taxpayers are picking up the entire tab.

Invoices for that work are not yet available, so it is not known how much has been spent on lawyers. The legal expenses are separate from the cost of the review itself, which GOP leaders have pegged at $270,000. The spending comes despite numerous other audits confirming the results of the election and finding no widespread fraud.

WHILE YOURE HERE... If you learned something from this story, pay it forward and become a member of Spotlight PA so someone else can in the future at spotlightpa.org/donate. Spotlight PA is funded by foundations and readers like you who are committed to accountability journalism that gets results.

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Pa. legislatures redacted legal bills flout court ruling, leave taxpayers guessing
Employees at the Art Institute of Chicago have successfully voted to form a union, achieving certification Tuesday from the National Labor Relations Board and ushering in a new era for hundreds of nonmanagement workers at the museum.

The results were announced Tuesday, formally recognizing the Art Institute of Chicago Workers United. The first major museum union in Chicago will represent 266 Art Institute employees including art installers, curators, custodians, librarians and retail workers.

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Winning our union means a voice in our workplace and a chance to improve working conditions for ourselves, our colleagues and those who will follow us for generations to come, museum archivist and union member Anna Feuer said in a news release.

The final museum vote was 142 employees in favor of unionizing and 44 opposed, with an additional 20 ballots cast but not counted because the Art Institute challenged the eligibility of those employees, the union said.

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Employees from the Art Institute, teachers from the School of the Art Institute and supporters gather outside the Art Institute to advocate for unionization on Sept. 9, 2021, in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune)

A unionization vote at the associated School of the Art Institute is being tabulated, with the results expected Wednesday. If successful, 249 academic advisers, administrative assistants, mailroom workers and other school employees would join the nascent union under a separate bargaining agreement.

The Art Institute is challenging the eligibility of 49 school employees, which may delay finalization of the school results, if those contested votes would be necessary for majority approval, the union said.

The union will be part of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, which represents 10,000 workers at 91 museums nationwide and more than 25,000 library workers at 275 public and private libraries, including the Chicago Public Library.

In recent years, the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Walters Art Museum in Baltimore and the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles have formed unions with AFSCME.

Earlier today, museum employees selected to be represented by AFSCME Council 31, Art Institute spokeswoman Kati Murphy said in an emailed statement Tuesday. As promised from the start, we fully respect our employees decision to join a union. The museum intends to enter into good faith bargaining with AFSCME to negotiate an initial collective bargaining agreement that best meets the needs of all parties involved while allowing us to continue to deliver on our mission.

The unionization movement at the Art Institute gained traction in September, with organizers holding rallies and collecting signature cards that garnered majority support among the more than 500 eligible employees at the iconic South Michigan Avenue museum and nearby school.

The employees are seeking higher wages and better working conditions, which were exacerbated by layoffs and furloughs during the pandemic. The Art Institute laid off 76 people between April and June 2020, and furloughed 109 employees last year between January and April.

The National Labor Relations Board will certify a union to represent workers in collective bargaining if the union is backed by a majority of employees. An employer may voluntarily recognize the union when presented with evidence, such as a majority of employees signing authorization cards. If not, a formal election will be held.

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We asked them for voluntary recognition, but the Art Institute said they wouldnt do that, union spokesman Anders Lindall said Tuesday. They wanted to force an election.

Founded in 1879, the Art Institute of Chicago is one of the oldest and largest art museums in the U.S., with a collection of nearly 300,000 works of art, including such famous paintings as American Gothic by Grant Wood, A Sunday on La Grande Jatte by Georges Seurat and Nighthawks by Edward Hopper.

Beyond the unionization of its employees, the Art Institute is dealing with fallout from its decision in September to dismiss more than 100 docents  volunteer educators who help visitors navigate the museum. The docents received a letter from Veronica Stein, the Womans Board executive director of learning and public engagement, announcing the end of the current iteration of the 60-year-old docent program.

The Art Institute plans to redeploy nine full-time educators and has begun training six newly hired part-time employees to fulfill the duties formerly performed by the volunteer docents, Murphy said.

rchannick@chicagotribune.com
Palm Desert is the third most populous city in the Coachella Valley.

The first of a series of public hearings to redraw boundary lines for Palm Deserts two voting districts will be held Thursday during the regular council meeting.

Council members will hear from staff and demographer Matthew Richardson with Best Best & Krieger law firm about the process for re-mapping the districts, and residents will be able to say what they think should be considered when redrawing the boundaries.

Thursdays virtual council meeting starts at 4 p.m. and can be livestreamed from the citys website, cityofpalmdesert.org, by click the Council Agenda link at the top of the home page. The agenda lists three options for participating in the meeting with public comments: in writing or verbally via Zoom or telephone on Thursday.

The city moved to a two-district system in 2020 as part of a settlement agreement with two Palm Desert women who sued the city in 2019, saying the at-large voting system went against the mandates of the California Voting Rights Act.

The voting rights act requires that cities switch to districts, grouping communities of interest to ensure that protected minorities have a better chance for representation.

Boundaries must be reconfigured every 10 years, based on new census figures.

District 1, called the Civic Center Core District, is the smallest of Palm Deserts two districts, currently encompassing about 18.1% of the citys estimated 51,317 residents.

The district needs to encompass 18.4% to 21.6% of the citys current population  or 163 to 1,800 more residents than currently reside within the boundaries, Richardson told council members in December.

District 1 has one representative elected every four years, while the larger District 2 has four representatives elected at-large  two every two years.

One of the plaintiffs, Karina Quintanilla, now serves as the council representative for District 1. She was elected to her first four-year term in November 2020.

Community workshop Jan. 20

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The city is also holding a community workshop at 6 p.m. Jan. 20 at the Palm Desert Community Center, next to the YMCA at Civic Center.

The workshop will offer residents a chance to learn about and provide feedback on the redistricting process and learn how to use the map-making feature on the citys website.

All who attend must wear a face covering, as required by the state and county health departments.

The city must hold the meeting in person for those who do not have ready access to online meetings, city spokesman Thomas Soule said.

The city is also working on an option for the public to attend the meeting online, in response to the recent surge of COVID-19 cases, Soule said.

As soon as that information is finalized, it will be posted on the citys redistricting website, MapPalmDesert.org, which is where all information about the mapping process can be found, he said.

Ask The Desert Sun: What question would you like us to answer?

Recordings of all redistricting meetings and workshops also will be posted on MapPalmDesert.org, as well as key dates and answers to frequently asked questions, Soule said,

Other key dates for the redistricting process:

Jan. 27: A second public hearing during the councils 4 p.m. meeting. Demographers will use public and council input to draft maps based on council and public input.

Feb. 24: Third public hearing, held at 6 p.m., for consideration and input on the proposed draft maps.

March 10: Fourth public hearing during which council will vote on the ordinance setting the final map boundaries.

April 17: Deadline for the city to adopt an ordinance setting the final map boundaries.

All but the Jan. 20 meeting are expected to be virtual.

Updated information about the new mapping and other projects in Palm Desert can also be found online at EngagePalmDesert.com.

Desert Sun reporter Sherry Barkas covers the cities of La Quinta, Indian Wells, Rancho Mirage and Palm Desert. She can be reached at sherry.barkas@thedesertsun.com. Follow her on Twitter @TDSsherryBarkas

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Palm Desert holding first redistricting meeting on Thursday
The Repository

PLAIN TWP.  A GlenOak High School student has been arrested and charges are pending against a second student after a transaction involving a gun at school, according to investigators.

An 18-year-old was arrested Monday on a felony charge stemming from the incident, which occurred Thursday at the school at 1801 Schneider St. NE, according to Stark County court records.

Both students have since been removed from the school and face expulsion, according to a news release to parents from Plain Local Schools Superintendent Brent May. He put out the release "so there are no rumors," he wrote.

"We will not tolerate anyone bringing weapons onto the grounds of our schools, when and if that happens, again we will prosecute to the fullest extent," he wrote.

The older boy, who was arrested, is accused of bringing a .22-caliber 1911 Chiappa firearm to school and giving it to a younger teenage boy inside the school, according to Stark County sheriff's deputies.

The recipient evidently took it home and loaded it before his parents found the weapon, said Maj. C.J. Stantz.

"There were no threats to the school. But we take school safety very, very seriously. We don't want anyone bringing any type of weapon onto school property no matter what their intentions are," Stantz said.

He did not know whether the weapon was sold or traded, but investigators believe it was not loaded while it was inside the school.

Stantz said deputies are continuing to investigate, but the juvenile prosecutor's officer is reviewing the case. Prosecutors will determine charges against the younger boy.

May issued a plea to parents: "I can not urge enough that you talk with your students about the importance of safety at school, if you see something, say something. Parents, please make sure any weapons that are in your home are kept locked and secured, and please contact the school or law enforcement immediately if you have any concerns at all."

This article originally appeared on The Repository: GlenOak High student accused of giving gun to another teen at school
Prosecutors have said they are prepared to dismiss two perjury charges against Ghislaine Maxwell (Handout/US District Court for the Southern District of New York/AFP)

Prosecutors are prepared to dismiss two perjury charges against Ghislaine Maxwell if she is not granted a retrial in her sex trafficking case, they said in a letter.

In a letter to US District Judge Alison Nathan on Monday night, prosecutors said dismissing the perjury counts would reflect the victims significant interests in bringing closure to this matter and avoiding the trauma of testifying again.

They also asked the Manhattan judge to sentence Maxwell within about three to four months.

Lawyers for Maxwell oppose setting any timetable, believing one jurors post-trial revelations about having been sexually abused was a compelling basis to overturn their clients conviction and grant a new trial.

Maxwell, 60, was convicted on 29 December after a month-long trial on sex trafficking and other charges of recruiting and grooming underage girls for Jeffrey Epstein to abuse between 1994 and 2004.

Lawyers for the British socialite challenged the conviction after one juror revealed he shared his experience of having been sexually abused as a child when some jurors expressed scepticism about the accounts of two Maxwell accusers.

That jurors disclosures to the media influenced the deliberations and convinced other members of the jury to convict Ms Maxwell, Maxwells lawyers have argued.

Maxwell faces up to 65 years in prison on her conviction.

Jeffrey Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell sits as the guilty verdict in her sex abuse trial is read in a courtroom sketch in New York City, US, 29 December 2021 (Jane Rosenberg/Reuters)

The perjury charges concern allegations that Maxwell lied about her knowledge of Epsteins behaviour during depositions taken in 2016 for a separate civil lawsuit.

Each charge carries a maximum five-year prison term. Ms Nathan decided last April to try them in a separate trial.

The judge gave Maxwells lawyers until 19 January to formally explain why the conviction should be overturned. Prosecutors have until 2 February to respond.

Epstein, a financier and convicted sex offender, killed himself in a Manhattan jail in August 2019 while awaiting his own sex trafficking trial.

Additional reporting by Reuters
The Poudre School District Board of Education was served a lawsuit last month at a December board meeting over the districts mask requirement. The suit was filed by a parent in the district on behalf of her son.

The suit, which was originally filed in September 2021, alleges that PSD's mask mandate violates due process and the student's constitutional rights, and that the board members violated their oaths of office by approving a mask requirement that causes immediate and irreparable harm to students, staff and community, according to court documents.

It also claims Kingsley violated the duties of his role by allowing unsafe, untimely, undignified, or unnecessarily intrusive or restrictive actions for students and restricting parents or students in their choice of schools or educational programs.

It names all members of the Board of Education who were seated when the requirement was instated  including former board president Christophe Febvre, who no longer sits on the board  as well as Superintendent Brian Kingsley and three nonelected board members serving as treasurer, secretary and assistant secretary.

Some sitting board members named in the suit were served with court documents at the Dec. 14 school board meeting.

"Poudre School District relies on expert medical guidance from public health authorities and works in collaboration with them to follow and develop COVID-19 response protocols," PSD spokesperson Alex Ballou said in a statement regarding the suit.

"PSD's priorities are safety and keeping kids in school, to provide a dynamic learning environment for students and minimize quarantines. These remain driving factors of the district's decision to implement a mask requirement ... Public health officials have made clear that face coverings over the nose and mouth are one of the best measures for preventing the transmission of COVID-19."

The district and members of the Board of Education declined to comment further, citing ongoing litigation.

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Erin Ramler, who filed the suit on behalf of her child, also declined to comment.

PSD news: Fort Collins High School principal removed from position; PSD doesn't give reason

Jennifer Hendricks, a professor at the University of Colorado Law School specializing in education law, said that there is very little chance of success for this suit under existing precedent.

The suit alleges that through its decision, the school board violated the plaintiffs right to an education, but Hendricks said that while Coloradans do have a right to an education through the state constitution, you don't have a right to dictate all the terms of it.

The lawsuit includes a 153-page testimony from Stephen E. Petty, who has been used as a source in a number of lawsuits against school boards, including at least seven in Ohio. The suit introduces Petty as "an expert in the field of industrial hygiene" who has offered expert opinion in around 400 legal cases related to personal protective equipment.

Petty has degrees in chemical engineering and is currently the president of his own forensic engineering and environmental health and safety corporation, according to his LinkedIn profile, and has given talks on the effectiveness of PPE.

In the affidavit, Petty states that facial coverings do not effectively protect individuals from exposure to very small airborne aerosols like those that spread COVID-19. He also stated that prolonged mask wearing can decrease oxygen and carbon dioxide levels, increase stress response and heart and respiratory rates, thus causing irreparable harm to students mandated to wear them.

He said substantial mitigation of COVID-19 could be achieved by making changes to schools HVAC systems rather than requiring masks.

PSD news: PSD warns of possible school closures due to staffing shortages, stops contact tracing

The lawsuit also incorrectly states the board had a financial incentive from the federal government to implement a mask requirement. PSD previously addressed this rumor, clarifying that it would not lose American Rescue Plan funding for COVID-19 mitigation if a mask requirement was not in place.

As of Jan. 7, the Coloradoan could not identify any successful lawsuits filed against a school board claiming that a mask requirement violated due process.

In general, we trust the political processes, elected school boards, all that kind of stuff to take care of most things, Hendricks said. But if something happens and there's something really extreme  the courts would step in, if it's so extreme that it shocks the conscience.

But in this situation, the school board is reasonably relying on medical advice from public health officials at every level, from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to local public health, Hendricks said.

Omicron surge causes historic numbers: Here's what to know

Molly Bohannon covers education for the Coloradoan. Follow her on Twitter @molboha or contact her at mbohannon@coloradoan.com. Support her work and that of other Coloradoan journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today.

This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Poudre School District board, superintendent sued over mask mandate
Joe Biden has styled himself as a defender of democracy but, critics say, is setting the worst possible example with his choice of envoy to Athens.

The US president nominated George Tsunis, a hotel developer and Democratic donor with no diplomatic experience, as US ambassador to Greece.

Related: Its been a lot: Joyce Carol Oates, SA Cosby, Richard Ford and Margo Jefferson on Bidens first year

When Tsunis seeks confirmation at a Senate foreign relations committee hearing on Wednesday, he will be hoping to avoid a repeat of the train wreck that was his last appearance there eight years ago.

On that occasion Tsunis was Barack Obamas nominee for ambassador to Norway. Bumbling and ill-prepared, he admitted that he had never been to Norway and referred to the country as having a president when, as a constitutional monarchy, it does not.

Tsunis also claimed that Norways Progress party was among fringe elements that spew their hatred and was criticized by Norways government. In fact, the Progress party was part of the governing coalition.

The hapless nominee withdrew from consideration after causing dismay among Norwegian Americans and earning ridicule on CNNs Anderson Cooper 360 and Comedy Centrals The Daily Show with Jon Stewart.

Now he is getting a do-over that, critics maintain, he does not deserve.

Brett Bruen, who was global engagement director of the Obama White House and recalls Tsuniss first foray as a debacle in which he was torn to shreds by Senator John McCain, said: The notion that he gets a second chance just utterly shocks me because in serious circles of international affairs hes a punchline.

So why in the world would you send someone to a significant country like Greece  at a dangerous time  to represent us there who in the eyes of most foreign policy hands cant keep some fundamental facts straight and does not deserve to be ambassador to Ulaanbaatar, let alone Athens?

A lawyer, developer and philanthropist, Tsunis has donated to both Democrats and Republicans, including more than $1.3m to Obama in 2012.

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His nomination for the post in Greece maintains a controversial American practice of naming political donors with little or no diplomatic experience as ambassadors. There is said to be disappointment in the state department that Biden, who promised to elevate career diplomats, has chosen a majority of political appointees in his first year in office.

Bruen, now president the public affairs agency Global Situation Room, added: Tsunis is likely the worst nominee that Biden has put forward and theres some stiff competition because Biden has ignored the advice and the concerns of those with diplomatic experience, saying now is not the time to be doling out party favours to your donors.

We need to have serious seasoned leadership in our embassies overseas. The whole nomination process reeks of backroom deals and favour trading but this is what Biden said he was going to clean up.

Last month, when Michael McFaul, a former US ambassador to Russia, admitted on Twitter that he would rather be serving in government than tweeting, Bruen replied: Somethings seriously wrong with Bidens selection process when those with absolutely no diplomatic experience are leading large embassies and seasoned ambassadors are sitting on the sidelines, ready to serve 

Tsunis, a Greek American born in Queens, New York, founded Chartwell Hotels and chairs the Battery Park City Authority, which manages a 92-acre planned development on Manhattans lower west side. The White House has defended his nomination, noting that Tsunis is fluent in Greek, involved in Greek American organizations and has travelled to Greece many times.



An administration official said: We believe Mr Tsunis is well-suited for this position and the Senate should confirm quickly so he can get started on the important work to be done.

But Chas Freeman, a retired career diplomat and former ambassador to Saudi Arabia, told the Reuters news agency last year: Aside from his Greek heritage, there is no reason to believe he is any more qualified to represent the United States in Athens than he was in Oslo.

Our embassy in Athens should not be treated as a sinecure to be purchased in return for campaign contributions or as a training ground for novice diplomats, still less incompetent amateurs.

Biden pledged to rebuild the state department and help diplomacy recover from the turmoil of Donald Trumps presidency. But Senate Republicans have stalled the confirmation process in an effort to extract policy and personnel concessions from the White House, leaving many crucial posts unfilled.

When the questioning begins, Tsunis will be under considerable pressure to avoid the stumbles that made his first hearing in 2014 a subject of widespread mockery.

Dennis Jett, a professor at the Penn State School of International Affairs in Pennsylvania, said: It was the most pathetic hearing performance Ive ever seen. He couldnt even answer a softball asking what would American businessmen do in Norway?

And then the fact that he didnt know anything about the Norwegian government, didnt know anything about the political parties involved, which McCain pointed out. It was just awful. I think his qualifications are laughable.

Somehow we in the United States have this impression that anybody whos a successful money-grubbing businessman can be a first-class ambassador or an acceptable ambassador. Its laughable. Its been demonstrated over and over again that these people dont know anything about government.

Jett, a former US ambassador to Mozambique and Peru and author of the book American Ambassadors, shares concerns over the diplomatic positions being subject to a pay-to-play system. Were the only country in the world that has an open market for selling the title of ambassador, he added.
MAHWAH, NJ  Ramapo College officials added a new element to their return-to-campus protocols for the spring semester, and it'll mean an additional COVID-19 vaccine dose for many.

Students and employees at Ramapo College are now required to receive a COVID-19 vaccine booster by Feb. 28, college officials announced on Monday.

The vaccine requirement may be the big story, as debates over vaccine mandates continue across the country, but it's far from the only change to campus life during the spring.

"We will include booster requirements, testing, contact tracing, strict adherence to face covering protocols, adoption of the latest CDC isolation procedures, and the prohibition of food and drink at large gatherings," said Ramapo College President Cindy Jebb, in a letter to the college community.

The college has also suspended guest and visitation, as well as social gathering policies at all campus residence halls and apartments. Spectators will also not be allowed at Ramapo College sporting events, Jebb said.

"All of these actions, taken together via an integrated approach, provide us with an opportunity to mitigate campus transmission and thus contribute to the health of our surrounding communities," she added.

This comes after some college employees began operating remotely after their winter break ended in preparation for the return of students to campus on Jan. 17. Remote operations began on Jan. 3 and come to an end on Tuesday. Read more: Ramapo College Will Operate Remote Upon Return From Winter Break

Students will indeed return to campus in-person, but all residential students will be required to show proof of a negative test result in order to return to residence next week.

Exempted residential students, and student athletes, are required to test twice per week. Exempted commuter students and employees are required to test once per week.

The full letter can be read here.

On Monday, New Jersey State Health Commissioner Judy Persichilli said the state health department expects the omicron surge to peak in the next several weeks.

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"We do believe we are going to have high levels for a couple weeks," Persichilli said during Governor Phil Murphy's press conference Monday. "Again, it is a prediction based on assumptions."

Persichilli added the state expects to see 20,000 to 30,000 daily cases for the month of January. She said the models change daily.

On average last week, more than 5,000 New Jersey residents were in the hospital on any given day, the highest number of people hospitalized since May 2020.

Read more: COVID Surge May Peak In NJ This Month, Health Officials Say

This article originally appeared on the Mahwah Patch
Denzel Washington is one of the most talented thespians of our time. The 67-year-old has appeared in over 60 films and has held roles ranging from a crooked cop to a socially awkward yet brilliant civil rights lawyer. And like many, Washington has a few distinctive acting methods that have helped his career blossom over time, including his infamous one-eyed teardrop.

During a recent interview with Variety, the Academy Award winner was asked about the single teardrop  much to Washingtons surprise, who didnt seem to be aware that he had grown a reputation for the difficult acting trick he has effortlessly pulled off in such films as Glory.

HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA  JUNE 06: Denzel Washington attends the 47th AFI Life Achievement Award honoring Denzel Washington at Dolby Theatre on June 06, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images for WarnerMedia) 610507

Im known for a single teardrop in movies? the veteran Hollywood star asked around the 3:00 mark of the interview, before giving up his shocking source: his wife, Pauletta Washington.

My wife stands off-camera, and she slaps the taste out of my mouth. Right on action, he explained before bursting into laughter. Today, you actually got the real scoop, he said.

They say rolling, and she starts winding up. Speed, camera, and I lift my chin up like that and action and POW, he continued while engaged in a one-person reenactment. She slaps me. I tear.

Fans praised Washington for his contribution to the acting world over the years and his influence on rising stars, including one YouTube user who wrote that if they ever were to get into acting, Denzel Washington would be my guy to help me know acting games techniques. Because hes a strong Golden actor.

Another person commented, This man is a true genius, one of the most remarkable actors of all time, and an honorable, humble person.

Just watched Malcolm X, what a gargantuan piece of art, and Denzel is such a phenomenal performer, wrote a third.

Washington is currently enjoying the release of his latest project, The Tragedy of Macbeth, in which he plays the title role of the Scottish noblemans quest to become king, with the aid of his wife Lady Macbeth and the consequences that come from unbridled ambition and the murder of the king, according to its description.

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On Monday, Sen. Jake Chapman went too far.

As elected lawmakers from around the state reconvened at the Iowa Capitol amid laughter, happy talk and big goals for the session, the Republican Iowa Senate president lashed out, not at the opposing party, but at two constituent groups: journalists and teachers.

In what may be the most inappropriate allegation you'll ever hear from a public official, the 37-year-old lawmaker from Adel accused members of both professions of having a sinister agenda to "normalize sexually deviant behavior against our children, including pedophilia and incest." He said they are "pushing this movement more than ever before."

More: Iowa Senate President Jake Chapman says press, teachers have 'sinister agenda'

More: Rekha Basu: Iowa legislators could do so much good instead of looking to imprison teachers

Some teachers, Chapman alleged, "are disguising sexually obscene material as desired subject matter and profess it has artistic and literary value." Of journalists, he asserted, "It has become increasingly evident that we live in a world in which many, including our media, wish to confuse, misguide and deceive us, calling good evil and evil good."

I suspect one of those media members was me because of a column last month in which I ripped Chapman's campaign to imprison teachers, librarians or other school employees on felony charges for providing to students some textbooks or library books he considers obscene or pornographic.

The column said, "Not every offended person must be pandered to by whitewashing material that is meaningful to others.  One person's obscene can be another's art or affirmation, or even lifesaver."

Iowa Sen. Jake Chapman listens to debate over an abortion-related resolution in the Senate on Tuesday, April 6, 2021, in Des Moines. The joint resolution seeks to add an amendment to the Iowa Constitution saying that it does not protect the right to an abortion.

Chapman's hits also may have been aimed at the Register editorial board over an editorial that said, "When we lack evidence to the contrary, we trust that educators have kids' well-being first in mind and will resolve close calls in favor of free expression. Chapman views them as enemies of the people, either negligently or maliciously poisoning young minds."

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While acknowledging that some excerpts highlighted by opponents included frank discussions and portrayals of sex acts and sexual abuse, the editorial said, "They are part of award-winning longer stories relevant to young people's experiences. Chapman sees works that appeal 'to the prurient interest,' according to the state law already on the books that he says school employees may be violating."

More: Opinion: The 'sinister agenda' is the attack on our teachers and schools, Senator Chapman

More: Opinion: Challenging extremism has never been more important in Iowa

We in the news media are capable of defending ourselves against broadsides like Chapman's on Monday. But it's harder for school teachers and librarians to stand up for themselves in the face of such a diatribe, especially against accusations as grotesque and twisted as Chapman's claims about encouraging pedophilia and incest.

Many teachers already are stretched to their limits with the pandemic and Iowa politicians' refusal to order safety measures, attacks from parents who want to have sole discretion on what their children can see, and now some newly elected school board members taking their cues from national right wing-groups and movements that are hostile to public education in the first place.

Not to mention, it doesn't behoove a public official to make such inflammatory generalizations about an entire line of work, especially one over which his body has financial power.

One wishes it were just that the senator has a really thin skin and can't take criticism that would prompt him to speak such harmful words on a day when lawmakers usually make nice with colleagues and constituents in an attempt to start off the year right. As Senate president, Chapman is expected to rise above petty personal defensiveness.

But a more sobering interpretation of his position on this, for families across the state, is that he doesn't want anyone to read materials that would affirm their lives as gay or transgender people.

Sexual orientation is not something people choose. It's who they are. For children struggling to understand their sexual orientation or gender identity, literature can help bring self-acceptance and affirmation that they're not alone. Iowa already has laws protecting LGBTQ civil rights. Ours was one of the first states to have same-sex marriage. If Chapman can't accept that, maybe he shouldn't hold office in this state.

But for now, since he is, he should apologize to those he hurt, and do a better job of listening to others who don't share his biases. If he doesn't, he should be removed from his leadership position and legislators should seek to censure him. Both houses of the Legislature have ethics committees with equal representation from both parties, and anyone can file an ethics complaint over a lawmaker's inappropriate behavior.

Iowans should also respond by speaking out publicly in support of teachers, whom Chapman had the audacity to characterize as supporters of incest and pedophilia.

Rekha Basu is an opinion columnist for The Des Moines Register. Contact: rbasu@dmreg.com. Follow her on Twitter @RekhaBasu and at Facebook.com/rekha.basu1106. Her book, "Finding Her Voice: A collection of Des Moines Register columns about women's struggles and triumphs in the Midwest," is available at ShopDMRegister.com/FindingHerVoice.





Want more opinions? Read other perspectives with our free newsletter, follow us on Facebook or visit us at DesMoinesRegister.com/Opinion. Respond to any opinion by submitting a Letter to the Editor at DesMoinesRegister.com/Letters.





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This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Opinion: Iowa Sen. Chapman's 'sinister agenda' speech went too far
On Monday, the River Road Independent School District (RRISD) Board of Trustees approved the extension of paid leave for COVID-19 related absences for staffing.

River Road ISD

According to the board, the previous resolution expired on Dec. 31, while the district was on holiday break.

We aren't adding any additional days; we are just extending the length of time that the resolution affects, said board member Copen Smith.

The approved action extends staffing's paid leave days to June 3. Each staff member under RRISD is granted 10 days of paid leave. The extension does not allow for an addition of days used before the extension.

According to River Road Superintendent Richard Kelly, if a staff member or school age dependent child tests positive for COVID 19, they are required a paid leave of absence for five days. After five days, if the staff member does not have any symptoms or has gone 24 hours with no fever without the help of a fever reducer, the staff member is then allowed to go back to work. The staff member is recommended to wear a mask for an additional five days upon return to campus.

If a staff member is believed to have been exposed to COVID-19 and continues to work on campus and does not initially test positive, they are asked to periodically test for five days past the date of suspected exposure.

According to Andy Nies, assistant superintendent for RRISD, the district has had 23% of total staffing have a COVID-19 related leave of absence within the school year. According to Nies, the district has not had any staff member exceed the 10 days allotted.

Its to ensure that employees have time to recuperate before returning back to school, said Butch Dawson, RRISD board vice president.

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This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: RRISD approves paid leave extension related to COVID-19 for staffing
Long checkout lines. Closed fitting rooms. Empty shelves. Shortened store hours.

Plus the dread of contracting the coronavirus and yet another season of skirmishes with customers who refuse to wear masks.

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A weary retail workforce is experiencing the fallout from the latest wave of the pandemic, with a rapidly spreading variant cutting into staffing.

While data shows that people infected with the omicron variant are far less likely to be hospitalized than those with the delta variant, especially if they are vaccinated, many store workers are dealing with a new jump in illness and exposures, grappling with shifting guidelines around isolation and juggling child care. At the same time, retailers are generally not extending hazard pay as they did earlier in the pandemic and have been loath to adopt vaccine or testing mandates.

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We had gotten to a point here where we were comfortable, it wasnt too bad, and then all of a sudden this new variant came and everybody got sick, said Artavia Milliam, who works at H&M in Hudson Yards in Manhattan, which is popular with tourists. Its been overwhelming, just having to deal with not having enough staff and then twice as many people in the store.

Milliam, a member of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union, is vaccinated but contracted the virus during the holidays, experiencing mild symptoms. She said that fewer employees were working registers and organizing clothing and that her store had been closing the fitting rooms in the mornings because nobody was available to monitor them.

Macys said last week that it would shorten store hours nationally on Mondays through Thursdays for the rest of the month. At least 20 Apple Stores have had to close in recent weeks because so many employees had contracted COVID-19 or been exposed to someone who had, and others have curtailed hours or limited in-store access.

At a Macys in Lynnwood, Washington, Liisa Luick, a longtime sales associate in the mens department, said, Every day, we have call-outs, and we have a lot of them. She said the store had already reduced staff to cut costs in 2020. Now, she is often unable to take breaks and has fielded complaints from customers about a lack of sales help and unstaffed registers.

Morale could not be lower, said Luick, who is a steward for the local unit of the United Food and Commercial Workers union. Even though Washington has a mask mandate for indoor public spaces, we get a lot of pushback, so morale is even lower because theres so many people who, theres no easy way to say this, just dont believe in masking, she added.

Liisa Luick near her home in Everett, Wash., on Friday, Jan. 7, 2022. Luick, a sales associate at Macy's in Lynnwood, Wash., is often unable to take breaks and has fielded complaints from customers about a lack of sales help and unstaffed registers. (Grant Hindsley/The New York Times)

Store workers are navigating the changing nature of the virus and trying their best to gauge new risks. Many say that with vaccinations and boosters, they are less fearful for their lives than they were in 2020  the United Food and Commercial Workers union has tracked more than 200 retail worker deaths since the start of the pandemic  but they remain nervous about catching and spreading the virus.

At a Stop & Shop in Oyster Bay, New York, Wally Waugh, a front-end manager, said that checkout lines were growing longer and that grocery shelves were not being restocked in a timely manner because so many people were calling in sick with their own positive tests or those of family members.

That has forced remaining employees to work more hours. But even with overtime pay, many of his colleagues are not eager to stay in the store longer than they must. Waugh has started taking off his work clothes in his garage and immediately putting them in the laundry before entering his house  a routine he hadnt followed since the earliest days of the pandemic.

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People are not nervous like when COVID first started, said Waugh, who is a steward for the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union. But we are gravely concerned.

At a QFC grocery store in Seattle, Sam Dancy, a front-end supervisor, said many colleagues were calling out sick. The store, part of a chain owned by Kroger, has closed early several times, and customers are helping to bag their own groceries. There are long lines, and some of the self-checkout lanes are closed because employees arent available to oversee them.

Some people are so tired of whats going on  you have some that are exposed and some that are using it as an excuse to not have to work to be around these circumstances, said Dancy, a member of the local food and commercial workers union, who has worked at the chain for 30 years. I have anxiety till I get home, thinking, Do I have this or not? Its a mental thing that I think a lot of us are enduring.

Shifting guidelines around isolation are also causing confusion at many stores. While H&M has instructed employees like Milliam to isolate for 14 days after testing positive for COVID-19, Macys said in a memo to employees last week that it would adopt new guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that recommended shortening isolation for infected people to five days from 10 if they are asymptomatic or their symptoms are resolving.

But even if retailers shorten isolation periods, schools and day-care facilities may have longer quarantine periods for exposed families, putting working parents in a bind.

Luick of Macys said she felt the guidance was aimed at constantly trying to get people to work, and did not make her feel safer.

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Even as omicron spreads faster than other variants, employers have not shown a willingness to reinstitute previous precautions or increased pay, said Kevin Schneider, secretary-treasurer of a unit of the United Food and Commercial Workers in the Denver area.

Like many retailers, Kroger hasnt provided hazard pay nationally since the early stages of the pandemic, though the union is negotiating for it to be reinstated. The chain has also discontinued measures like controlling how many customers are allowed in stores at a time. The union has been asking for armed guards at all of its stores in the Denver area as incidents of violence increase.

The company says they are providing a safe environment for workers to do their jobs in, Schneider said. We dont believe that.

In a statement, a Kroger spokeswoman said, We have been navigating the COVID-19 pandemic for nearly two years, and, in line with our values, the safety of our associates and customers has remained our top priority.

The company added that front-line employees had each received as much $1,760 in additional pay to reward and recognize them for their efforts during the pandemic.

Some workers have reached another breaking point. In Jacksonville, Florida, one Apple Store employee organized a brief walkout on Christmas Eve to protest working conditions after he witnessed a customer spitting on his colleague. Dozens of people at other stores also participated.

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It was my final straw, said Daryl Sherman II, who organized the walkout. Something had to be done.

In some cases, municipalities have stepped in to obtain hazard pay for workers. In Seattle, Kroger has been required to pay grocery store employees like Dancy an extra $4 an hour based on local legislation.

More broadly, the staffing shortages have put a new spotlight on a potential vaccine-or-testing mandate from the Biden administration, which major retailers have been resisting. The fear of losing workers appears to be looming large, especially now.

While the retail industry initially cited the holiday season rush for its resistance to such rules, it has more recently pointed to the burden of testing unvaccinated workers. After oral arguments in the case on Friday, the Supreme Courts conservative majority expressed skepticism about whether the Biden administration had legal authority to mandate that large employers require workers to be vaccinated.

The National Retail Federation, a major industry lobbying group, said in a statement last week that it continues to believe that OSHA exceeded its authority in promulgating its vaccine mandate. The group estimated that the order would require 20 million tests a week nationally, based on external data on unvaccinated workers, and that such testing capacity currently does not exist.

When the top managers at Waughs Stop & Shop store began asking employees whether they were vaccinated in preparation for the federal vaccine mandates that could soon take effect, he said, a large number expressed concern to him about being asked to disclose that information.

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It was concerning to see that so many people were distressed, he said, though all of the employees complied.

Luick of Macys near Seattle said that she worked with several vocal opponents of the COVID-19 vaccines and that she anticipated that at least some of her colleagues would resign if they were asked to provide vaccination status or proof of negative tests.

Still, Macys was among major employers that started asking employees for their vaccination status last week ahead of the Supreme Court hearing Friday and said it might require proof of negative tests beginning on Feb. 16.

Our primary focus at this stage is preparing our members for an eventual mandate to ensure they have the information and tools they need to manage their workforce and meet the needs of their customers, said Brian Dodge, president of the Retail Industry Leaders Association, which includes companies like Macys, Target, Home Depot, Gap and Walmart.

As seasonal COVID-19 surges become the norm, unions and companies are looking for consistent policies. Jim Araby, director of strategic campaigns for the food and commercial workers union in Northern California, said the retail industry needed to put in place more sustainable supports for workers who got ill.

For example, he said, a trust fund jointly administered by the union and several employers could no longer offer COVID-related sick days for union members.

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We have to start treating this as endemic, Araby said. And figuring out what are the structural issues we have to put forward to deal with this.

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MOSCOW (Reuters) - Three thousand Russian troops began live-fire exercises with hardware including tanks in western Russia on Tuesday, including in areas close to Ukraine, Interfax news agency quoted the military as saying.

Russia has perturbed the West by building up troops near Ukraine and demanded that Washington pledge not to ever let Ukraine join NATO or expand the military alliance eastward, a stipulation that the United States refuses to accept.

The announcement of the drills came a day after Russia and the United States held talks on Moscow's security proposals. The Kremlin said on Tuesday they had given no cause for optimism about a potential breakthrough.

Interfax quoted the Western Military District as saying the exercises would take place in Smolensk region near the Belarusian border and in the Voronezh, Belgorod and Bryansk regions closer to Ukraine.

It said that 300 pieces of military hardware would be involved, including T-72B3 tanks, BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicles and regular firearms.

It said the exercises would practice firing from armoured vehicles and firearms, organising marches during active enemy sabotage and reconnaissance activity, and equipping strongholds.

"Each unit will complete the manoeuvres by conducting a training battle with a live firing stage during which... BMP-2 armoured vehicles and T-72B3 tanks will show their joint action skills and hit targets imitating the adversary's vehicles and soldiers at ranges up to 1,200 metres," the military was quoted as saying.

Washington has urged Moscow to reverse its build-up of an estimated 100,000 troops near the border with Ukraine, which has prompted Ukrainian and Western concerns about a possible new invasion, eight years after Russia seized Crimea from Ukraine.

Moscow has said it has no intention of attacking and has every right to move around its soldiers on its own territory and to carry out military drills as it sees fit.

(Reporting by Tom Balmforth; editing by Mark Trevelyan)
Vladimir Putin ALEXEY NIKOLSKY/SPUTNIK/AFP via Getty Images

Russian troops will begin leaving Kazakhstan Thursday, The New York Times reports.

In a Tuesday speech, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said the withdrawal would take "no more than 10 days," meaning that all Collective Security Treaty Organization troops should out of the country by Jan. 23.

Around 2,500 CTSO troops, mostly Russians, arrived in the country Saturday to help quell riots that engulfed the nation after the government announced an increase in the price of liquified petroleum gas.

If Russian troops do in fact depart, it will assuage the concerns of many who suggested that Russian President Vladimir Putin might seize the opportunity to permanently increase his country's power over the former Soviet republic.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned that "once Russians are in your house, it's sometimes very difficult to get them to leave," and Andrew Higgins wrote in The New York Times that "such assistance is seldom offered free of charge."

Protestors, who also aired grievances against Kazakhstan's authoritarian political system, burned the presidential residence and stormed the country's largest airport. At least 26 demonstrators and 18 law enforcement officers were killed, an internet blackout was implemented, and more than 5,000 people were reportedly detained.

A former two-time prime minister was dismissed from his role as intelligence chief and charged with treason, and former President Nursultan Nazarbayev, the authoritarian leader who ruled Kazakhstan from its independence in 1991 until 2019 and remained influential behind the scenes, was removed from his powerful position on Kazakhstan's Security Council.

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Happy National Curried Chicken Day Durham!

First, today's weather:

Partly sunny. High: 49 Low: 27.

Here are the top five stories in Durham today:

Durham leaders announced some of the precautions they are taking to protect against the omicron variant. A delivery of 60,000 high quality masks, will be delivered to local health departments and school districts. Durham is also opening two new testing sites and officials have ordered 8,800 home tests. (WRAL) Nearly 1/3 of Durham school bus drivers were unavailable to work on Monday, many in protest as they hadn't been paid. According to Durham Public Schools, some employees did not receive their paychecks via direct deposit on Friday due to SunTrust bank changing names. DPS offered drivers $100 gift cards and support while the issues were being resolved. (WRAL) The Accordion Club of Durham has gained popularity in a uniquely Durham way. The club opened in 2017 and in July, an Instagram account was created on behalf of one of the bathrooms. Now each of the two bathroom's have their own social media presence independent from ownership, and a "sibling rivalry" that has garnered a following. (Eater Carolinas) The deadline for longtime, low-income homeowners to apply for assistance with 2021 taxes is approaching. The deadline has been extended to January 31, and if you qualify, Durham County and City governments could help pay half of your 2021 tax bill. (Council Member Javiera Caballero Facebook) The North Carolina Supreme Court could end up deciding the fate of the $1.7 billion Leandro transfer. After the Court of Appeals blocked enforcement of State Superior Court Judge David Lee's order, plaintiffs in the case filed an appeal on December 15. GOP legislative leaders have filed their own intervention in the case stating that Lee's order "contravenes the doctrine of Separation of Powers." (Laurinburg Exchange)

From our sponsor:

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Story continues

Today in Durham:

From my notebook:

It's National Curried Chicken Day and there are so many incredible Indian restaurants in Raleigh, and if you're near Duke, make sure you stop at Naan Stop to get your fix!

Most Harris Teeter locations will be closing early until further notice. (WRAL)

Durham County Libraries will have Take & Make Edible Books for tweens & teens beginning January 14. (East Regional Library Facebook)

Loving the Durham Daily? Here are all the ways you can get more involved:

Send a friend or neighbor this link so they can subscribe

Get your local business listed in front of readers

Send me a news tip or suggestion at durham-nc@patch.com

You're officially in the loop for today! I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow with your next update.

 CJ Fullford

This article originally appeared on the Durham Patch
SEOUL, South Korea (AP)  North Korea on Tuesday fired what appeared to be a ballistic missile into its eastern sea, its second launch in a week, following leader Kim Jong Uns calls to expand its nuclear weapons program in defiance of international opposition.

The launches follow a series of weapons tests in 2021 that underscored how North Korea is continuing to expand its military capabilities during a self-imposed pandemic lockdown and deadlocked nuclear talks with the United States.

South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff said North Korea fired what likely was a ballistic missile from the area of its northern Jagang province. It said the weapon flew 700 kilometers (434 miles) at a maximum speed of around Mach 10 before landing in waters off its eastern coast, demonstrating a more advanced capability than North Korea's launch last week.

The North's state media described the earlier launch as a successful test of a hypersonic missile, a type of weaponry it claimed to have first tested in September.

South Korean officials didnt provide a specific assessment of the missile type, but some experts said North Korea may have tested its purported hypersonic missile again in response to the South Korean military playing down its previous test.

Japans Defense Ministry said the suspected ballistic missile landed outside the countrys exclusive economic zone.

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said officials were checking the safety of ships and aircraft around Japan, but there were no immediate reports of disruptions or damage.

It is extremely regrettable that North Korea has continued to fire missiles so soon after the U.N. Security Council discussed its response to the Norths earlier launch, Kishida said.

The Security Council held closed-door consultations on Monday on last week's launch, but took no action. Ahead of the talks, the U.S. and five allies issued a statement urging North Korea to abandon its nuclear and ballistic missile programs.

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South Koreas presidential office said Tuesday's launch was discussed at an emergency National Security Council meeting, whose members have urged North Korea to return to talks. President Moon Jae-in expressed concern that Pyongyang was dialing up its testing activity ahead of the Souths presidential elections in March.

The U.S. Indo-Pacific Command said the launch did not pose an immediate threat to U.S. personnel or territory, or to our allies.

Still, the launch corresponded with an order issued to ground some flights on the U.S. West Coast.

Sabrina LoPiccolo, a spokesperson for San Diego International Airport, told The Associated Press that it halted flights for up to seven minutes over a national ground stop" at 2:30 p.m. local time, which was just minutes after the launch. She referred further questions to the Federal Aviation Administration, which did not respond to a request for comment.

Air-traffic controllers in other West Coast areas similarly ordered aircraft down, according to recordings shared online. A San Francisco air traffic controller ordered flights to avoid its airspace and not take off or land around the time without explaining why, according to a recording by the website LiveATC.net.

Things are changing really quick, the air traffic controller said in the recording, adding later: I just heard something about ground-stopping all aircraft, so I dont know anything, just hold tight there.

An air-traffic controller at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport similarly told aircraft in the region they received an order for a ground stop, all aircraft, all airports. Air traffic controllers at Los Angeles International Airport also acknowledged receiving an order to stop departures at the same time, without explanation, according to another recording.

The launch came six days after North Korea fired a missile into the sea in what it described as a successful test of a hypersonic missile.

Seouls Defense Ministry said after that test that North Korea had exaggerated its capabilities and had tested a conventional ballistic missile the South was capable of intercepting. The ministry said it doubts that North Korea has acquired the technologies needed for a hypersonic weapon.

Analyst Cheong Seong-Chang at South Korea's Sejong Institute said the Norths leadership would have been enraged by South Koreas assessment of last weeks launch and may have planned a series of tests in a push to make its threat credible.

Hypersonic weapons, which fly at speeds in excess of Mach 5, or five times the speed of sound, could pose a crucial challenge to missile defense systems because of their speed and maneuverability. Such weapons were on a wish-list of sophisticated military assets Kim unveiled last year along with multi-warhead missiles, spy satellites, solid-fueled long-range missiles and submarine-launched nuclear missiles.

Experts say North Korea is likely years away from acquiring a credible hypersonic system.

North Koreas previous test on Jan. 5 came days after Kim vowed during a key political conference to bolster his military forces, even as the nation grapples with pandemic-related difficulties that have further strained its economy, crippled by U.S.-led sanctions over its nuclear program.

The setbacks have left Kim with little to show for his diplomacy with former U.S. President Donald Trump, which derailed after their second meeting in 2019 when the Americans rejected North Koreas demand for major sanctions relief in exchange for a partial surrender of its nuclear capabilities.

The Biden administration, whose policies have reflected a broader shift in U.S. focus from counterterrorism and so-called rogue states like North Korea and Iran to confronting a near-peer adversary in China, has said its willing to resume talks with North Korea anywhere and at any time without preconditions.

But North Korea has so far rejected the idea of open-ended talks, saying the U.S. must first withdraw its hostile policy, a term the North mainly uses to describe the sanctions and joint U.S.-South Korea military drills.

Even with North Koreas pandemic border lockdowns restricting trade and diplomacy, Pyongyang is determined to run an arms race against Seoul and deny Washington the luxury of focusing on Russia and China, said Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul.

___

Associated Press writers Mari Yamaguchi in Tokyo and Jon Gambrell in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, contributed to this report.
Patriarch Porfirjie SAVO PRELEVIC/AFP via Getty Images

The patriarch of the Serbian Orthodox Church, whose predecessor died after contracting COVID-19 in 2020, has tested positive for the virus, The Associated Press reports.

Patriarch Porfirije, age 60, reportedly has very mild symptoms that have not prevented him from carrying out his duties as he self-isolates. His predecessor, Patriarch Irinej, died in November 2020 at age 90 after contracting the virus.

According to Reuters, in Porfirije's 2021 Pascha (Easter to most English-speaking Christians) address, he stressed the importance of "respecting the recommendations of medicine."

AP suggests Porfirjie may have contracted the virus during his Sunday appearance at a Day of Republika Sprska event, where few attendees wore masks while gathering for the national holiday celebrated by Bosnian Serbs.

Bosnia and Herzegovina banned the holiday in 2015 because its association with Orthodox Christianity was considered discriminatory against the country's majority-Catholic Croats and majority-Muslim Bosniaks. The Day of Republika Sprska is also closely associated with the nationalist movement that contributed to bloody ethnic conflicts in the 1990s, AP reports.

Bosnian Serbs largely ignored the ban and continue to celebrate their national day, featuring a military-style parade and nationalist songs.

Last week, the U.S. Treasury Department announced sanctions against Republika Sprska leader Milorad Dodik, accusing him of "corrupt activities and continued threats to the stability and territorial integrity." Dodik has publicly called for total self-government for Bosnian Serbs, and cultivated close ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Bosnia and Herzegovina remains one nation but is divided into two enclaves: the ethnically Serbian Republika Srpska and the ethnically Croat and Bosniak Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The nation's presidency is constitutionally required to be made up of a Croat, a Bosniak, and a Serb  currently Dodik.

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Despite his attendance at the celebration, which reportedly heavily conflated Orthodoxy with nationalist rhetoric, Porfirjie has been described as moderate. In 2016, he received an award "for his contribution to the reconciliation of the people in the Balkans," Religion Unplugged reported.

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Sens. Jon Ossoff of Georgia and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts. Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

A growing chorus of lawmakers want to ban members of congress, and even their families, from trading stocks.

They say the issue is about protecting democracy, trust in government, and stopping unethical behavior.

Jon Ossoff will soon introduce a bill to ban the practice, while Kevin McCarthy reportedly supports a ban, too.

In the wake of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's rejection of a ban on lawmakers and their spouses from trading stocks, momentum is building for proposals to ban the practice.

"We are a free-market economy. They should be able to participate in that," Pelosi said when asked by Insider about the idea at a December press conference.

With increased scrutiny of Pelosi's husband's frequent stock trades, a spate of recent pandemic-related insider trading scandals, and Insider's own "Conflicted Congress" investigation  which found that 54 members of Congress have violated the anti-insider trading STOCK Act  several proposals have arisen to ban the practice.

On Tuesday, Punchbowl News reported that House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy was interested in a ban.

Both the Ban Conflicted Trading Act and the TRUST in Congress Act have bipartisan support, and would prevent members of Congress from trading stocks while in office either by forcing them to hold existing investments for the duration of their terms or by putting such assets into a blind trust.

Members could still hold certain investments like index and mutual funds, participating in the free market that way.

And Sen. Jon Ossoff  who's placed his own assets into a blind trust and defeated former Sen. David Perdue last year amid the Georgia Republican's own stock-trading scandal  is reportedly seeking a Republican co-sponsor for a bill that's broadly similar to the TRUST in Congress Act, serving as a potential Senate companion to the blind trust-focused bill.

And all of those proposals follow Sen. Elizabeth Warren's Anti-Corruption and Public Integrity Act, a broader suite of ethics reforms that would've included a stock-trading ban, which she first introduced in 2018 and plans to reintroduce this year, her office confirmed to Insider.

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Meanwhile, polling from across the political spectrum shows the idea is popular among the American public, and members of Congress are increasingly pushing back on Pelosi's position.

'I did not have a positive reaction to those comments'

Reps. Abigail Spanberger and Dean Phillips, two co-sponsors of the TRUST in Congress Act. Saul Loeb / AFP via Getty Images

Following Pelosi's rejection of a hypothetical stock-trading ban, Rep. Abigail Spanberger of Virginia was one of the first Democrats to contradict her.

"I did not have a positive reaction to those comments," Spanberger told Insider in a phone interview, pointing out that members of Congress have access to privileged information otherwise unavailable to the public.

Her bill, the TRUST in Congress Act, boasts 10 Democratic cosponsors  ranging from moderates like herself to progressives like Rep. Mondaire Jones of New York  and 5 Republican cosponsors, including House Freedom Caucus Chair Rep. Scott Perry of Pennsylvania and Rep. Chip Roy of Texas.

The bill was first introduced following a slew of pandemic-related insider trading scandals in 2020, emerging from a rare bipartisan friendship between Spanberger and Roy based on their shared connection as alumni of the University of Virginia.

"He and I were talking and we were both disgusted," said Spanberger. "I don't know who's selling stocks at the beginning of a global pandemic in the first place, let alone doing so with information."

The TRUST in Congress Act, which has been endorsed by a wide swath of good-government advocacy groups, would force members of Congress  as well as their spouses and dependent children  to place financial investments like stocks into a so-called blind trust in which an independent financial expert directs investments without the owner's knowledge.

Roy pointed to Paul Pelosi's stock-trading as an example. "Honestly, everything she owns ought to be in an index, broadly traded fund, or completely and fully blind. I mean, when I say blind, I mean, legally, it is in a box and she gets the reports back," he said.

Pelosi's office has noted that the Speaker herself does not own any stock. However, spouses are included in the anti-insider trading STOCK Act because they frequently have access to privileged information.

Some critics of the blind trust idea contend that it's not strict enough. Democratic Missouri Senate candidate and anti-monopoly expert Lucas Kunce called the idea a "dog and pony show solution" in an interview with Insider last month. Kunce pointed to how Sen. Joe Manchin's use of a blind trust likely hasn't prevented the West Virginia lawmaker from potentially making decisions that further his own financial investment in the coal industry.

And Sen. Warren's previous proposal would ban members outright from holding any stock at all while in office.

But Spanberger's focus is also on the perception of self-dealing by members, which she sees as part of a broader crisis in the public's trust in institutions.

"When I first started campaigning, a lot of people, be it on the campaign finance side of things, just expressed so much doubt in their legislators," she said. "Which I found to be dispiriting, disappointing, and frankly...pretty dangerous to democracy."

'Many spouses are in the financial services industry'

Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, the lead sponsor of the Ban Conflicted Trading Act. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

The Ban Conflicted Trading Act  supported by a smattering of progressive "Squad" members along with Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida  is broadly similar to Roy and Spanberger's proposal. Both require members of Congress to either use a blind trust or simply agree not to trade stocks for the during of their terms.

"I understand that some traders, all they do is they follow the disclosures of members of Congress," said Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, the lead sponsor of the bill in the House, told Insider, referring to a newly popular practice among social media users, especially on TikTok. "So they mimic their trades, and apparently some of them have become very wealthy doing just that."

The BCTA also applies to senior congressional staff  dozens of whom have also violated the STOCK Act  while the TRUST in Congress Act does not. "You know, many times senior congressional staff on committees have access to even more information than certain members of Congress," said Krishnamoorthi.

But the other bill excludes staffers.

"At the end of the day, remember it is Congress who votes on this crap," said Roy, explaining the focus on lawmakers. Both he and Spanberger said they would be amenable to apply the same requirements to staffers as well, but wanted to keep the focus narrow. "I could fire my chief of staff tomorrow if she did something unethical, but it is not the same for the people who hired me with their vote," said Spanberger.

And Krishnamoorthi's bill does not include spouses and dependent children, which some have identified as a "loophole" in the proposal's goal of preventing trading on privileged information. "We also have to realize that many spouses are in the financial services industry," he remarked, clarifying that he's not opposed to the idea.

But when asked about her own bill's inclusion of family members, Spanberger didn't mince words.

"It's a bit of a farce to say, oh, I'm not conflicted, but you know, ignore the fact that my husband just bought a million dollars in Clorox stock at the beginning of a global pandemic," she quipped. "It's almost an insult to the American people to pretend like excluding a spouse is an appropriate thing."

The fate of the bills remains unclear

Rep. Chip Roy, a Republican co-sponsor of the TRUST in Congress Act. Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

Despite sweeping public approval of the idea, the largest hurdles to any bill to stop stock-trading may originate primarily from members themselves. Even those who are leading the charge have encountered difficulties adapting.

According to Insider's exclusive, searchable database of members' personal assets, Roy still owns up to $15,000 in Kinder Morgan, an oil and gas pipeline operator. But in 2020, he sent a letter to the company after they contaminated the water supply of two of his constituents. "I was trying to help some of my constituents kind of push back on Kinder. I'm pro-pipeline, but I want pipelines to be safe and put in the right place," he said.

At that point, he consulted congressional ethics officials about whether he should sell that stock. The officials told Roy that selling the stock before criticizing the company, and potentially driving down its stock value, could appear corrupt.

The Texas Republican said he planned to move his assets over to broadly traded funds and index funds within the year. "Another reason why the TRUST in Congress Act or moving in that direction would be good is that this one was, for me, tough," he said.

Spanberger noted that Rep. Dean Phillips of Minnesota was motivated to create a blind trust after signing on to the TRUST in Congress Act as a Democratic cosponsor.

And despite Pelosi's opposition, Roy expressed hope that the proposal would continue to garner momentum over the course of the next year, given the looming election season.

"I wish and hope that Republicans will embrace some of those reforms for the health and the good of the institution and the republic, irrespective of the politics of taking the House back," he said. "We're heading into election season, where people have to start promising what they're going to do in 2023. Now's the time to sort of do that."

Read the original article on Business Insider
Flags will be flown at half staff on Tuesday in honor of a St. Joseph volunteer firefighter who died in late 2021.

Captain Andy Loso was a member of the St. Joseph Volunteer Fire Department for almost 20 years, according to a press release from the governor's office. Gov. Tim Walz ordered all U.S. and Minnesota flags to be flown at half staff at all state buildings in Minnesota from sunrise to sunset Tuesday. Businesses, individuals and other organizations are also encouraged to fly flags at half-staff, according to the release.

Loso died in November "due to a medical illness obtained during line of duty service," the release said.

A Facebook post from the St. Joseph Fire Department following his death said Loso took pride in educating children during Fire Prevention Week in addition to responding to calls. Loso had a wife and three children.

"Andy will be greatly missed by the St. Joe community and his St. Joseph Fire Department family," the post read.

The post said Loso joined the fire department in 2002, as his father and grandfather did before him.

Captain Loso was a dedicated firefighter who was respected by his family, friends, and colleagues, the proclamation issued by Walz said. With its deepest gratitude, the State of Minnesota recognizes Captain Loso for his dedicated service to, and sacrifice for, his fellow Minnesotans, and our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and community.

This article originally appeared on St. Cloud Times: Flags will be at half-staff Tuesday to honor St. Joseph firefighter
Starbucks (SBUX) baristas in upstate New York became the second store to unionize, both in the Buffalo area, adding momentum to an emerging effort for national recognition.

The National Labor Relations Board certified the results of last month's election for the Genesee Street store in Buffalo, NY. Results at that coffee shop were inconclusive after fifteen workers voted in favor of unionizing, while 9 voted against and seven ballots were challenged, delaying the results.

On Monday, an acting regional director for the NLRB ruled against the inclusion of seven unopened ballots, whose eligibility had been contested, giving the union with another win by a vote of 15 to 9.

While most of the world saw us win on December 9th, today is a special day  today we put an end to Starbucks delay attempts and formed our union at the Genesee Starbucks, Lexi Rizzo, a shift supervisor at the location, said in a statement provided to Yahoo Finance.

Starbucks partners react during a union vote in Buffalo, New York, U.S., December 9, 2021. REUTERS/Lindsay DeDario

Finally, the partners feel we have a voice at our workplace  this is an emotional day for all partners here who have fought so hard to make our voices heard in the work we do," the statement added. "Now were asking the same thing Elmwood is asking  we want a fair contract and most importantly we demand that Starbucks stop their union busting in Buffalo and across the nation immediately. No other partners should have to endure what we went through to have a voice on the job."

The coffee giant now has the option to file an appeal within the next 10 days, which would formally ask NLRB members in Washington review the ruling made by the regional director.

A Starbucks spokesperson told Yahoo Finance that the 50-year-old company is evaluating their options in terms of whether or not they will appeal.

The spokesperson noted that the companys position has not changed and believes that their success is built in working together and doesnt believe that a union is necessary for them to achieve that success.

Story continues

The new labor foothold has expanded across the country: Baristas in Knoxville, Tennessee, Boston, Broomfield, Colorado, Chicago, Arizona, and even the companys hometown of Seattle have filed for unionization in late December and early January.

Shares of Starbucks stock slipped 1.43% to $106.03 Monday. Analysts on Wall Street are keeping a close eye on the unionization movement.

This story should continue to receive airtime as the process continues, MKM partners executive director Brett Levy wrote in a note to clients.

As the union effort spreads, Levy noted some questions in focus: Will this become a more common occurrence? Will it change the cost structure? Will it materially impact the execution of operating models?

Levy noted that the answers are unknown and unlikely to be answered for quite some time.

Dani Romero is a reporter for Yahoo Finance. Follow her on Twitter: @daniromerotv

Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance

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PROVIDENCE  The administrators of the state-run Eleanor Slater Hospital have not called any COVID-infected staff into work in a week, but they may stop testing staff and patients unless they are symptomatic.

On the heels of an acknowledged COVID outbreak at the hospital last week, the very possibility raised concerns among worried staffers.

"Most of the staff cases here were asymptomatic,'' one staff member told The Journal.

"With so many positive cases found they apparently find it is better to not know than to test and protect our patients,'' the staffer said.

A spokesman for Gov. Dan McKee acknowledged Monday that "there was a discussion today of changing COVID-19 testing protocols at a staff meeting of Eleanor Slater Hospitals medical personnel."

New RI nursing home mandate: Visitors must be vaccinated or test negative for COVID

"The discussion was prompted by long wait times for COVID-19 test results. The new protocols were for discussion" and have not, at this point, been adopted, the spokesman, Matt Sheaff, said.

He said the governor has asked his senior COVID adviser, Marc Pappas, to look into long turnaround times on COVID tests at the hospital and try to come up with a way to get the results out sooner.

This latest development comes mid-controversy, on several fronts, for the state's last resort hospital for close to 200 patients with complex medical and psychiatric conditions who have, in some cases, lived at the state hospital for decades.

Federal judge refuses to block Rhode Island COVID-19 vaccine mandate for health-care staff

The Slater hospital was the only hospital in the state to seize on a new Rhode Island Department of Health policy allowing the call-back of asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic cases in a staffing crisis.

A handful of infected workers with undisclosed jobs were called back to undisclosed locations within the two-campus hospital over New Year's weekend. A COVID outbreak followed.

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After multiple staffers apprised The Journal of the outbreak, the hospital posted a statement on its website that said: "The asymptomatic COVID positive workers are not connected to the COVID outbreak.

"Asymptomatic staff who worked Saturday and Monday worked only in the areas with COVID-positive patients, with one exception. In the one instance, an asymptomatic staff member did work with patients who did not have COVID, but there have been no COVID positive cases reported in the area where this work took place."

Matching the CDC: RI health officials shorten quarantine to 5 days, update COVID-19 guidance for schools

But the hospital has been unwilling to publicly update its COVID case count since last Thursday morning, when the number of infected patients stood at 28. According to multiple staff reports, the number of infected patients and staff grew after that.

"We ensure that the facility provides regular updates to [the state health department] on residents, patients, staff who are positive,'' Health Department spokesman Joseph Wendelken said, but provided none.

The Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals (BHDDH), the Veterans Home and the Department of Administration (DOA) did, however, answer some other hanging questions on Monday.

In education: Teachers union calls for Rhode Island to shift to remote learning due to COVID increase

Asked how many unvaccinated state workers were placed on unpaid leaves, for up to 75 days, for refusing to comply with a state health department's vaccination mandate for all health-care workers to get inoculated against COVID by October 31, DOA spokesman Derek Gomes reported:

Eleven employees at Eleanor Slater were placed on leave without pay. One is now vaccinated and has returned to work.

Seven employees at the state-run Veterans Home in Bristol were placed on leave without pay. Four are now vaccinated and have returned to work; one transferred elsewhere in state government.

Asked when the 75-day clock runs out for them, he said:

Four of the 10 Eleanor Slater Hospital employees placed on leave will end their 75-day period on January 14; two will end the period on February 3; three will end on February 11; and one will end on March 6.

Two Veterans Home employees are on leave without pay. The 75-day period ends for both of them on January 14.

What happens at the end of the 75 days? "Individuals who are unable to provide proof of their vaccination status will be subject to progressive discipline, up to and including termination, for failing to meet legally mandated conditions of employment," Gomes said.

Also lining up with CDC: Rhode Island shortens waiting period for Pfizer booster shot

Asked how many unvaccinated workers continue to work at the hospital, BHDDH spokesman Randal Edgar said: "Four unvaccinated staff with medical exemptions continue to work at ESH."

Veterans home spokeswoman Megan Connelly said: "Two employees who have no direct resident contact continue to work at the Rhode Island Veterans Home with approved medical exemptions."

Beyond those two, "the Rhode Island Veterans Home has not brought back any unvaccinated workers due to staffing needs," she said.

"The Veterans Home has been able to ensure appropriate care is provided to residents through use of overtime and other adjustments," while "continuing to pursue hiring of permanent staff."

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Eleanor Slater Hospital may only test COVID symptomatic people
A group of youths gather around a wounded person as Ohio National Guardsmen, wearing gas masks, hold their weapons in the background, on the Kent State University campus in Kent, Ohio. Members of the Guards killed four students and injured nine during a campus protest against the Vietnam War on May 4, 1970. (Douglas Moore / AP)

Musical trends, even the great ones that scar cultures and define eras, have many parents. Consider the folk and protest boom of the 1960s, whose songs were shaped by shifting attitudes about race, organized labor, urbanization and America's involvement in foreign wars.

Later in the decade, the louche, flower-waving hippie and acid rock scenes of Haight-Ashbury, the East Village, Austin and Los Angeles blossomed out of evolving perspectives on drug use and sexuality, the workplace and the family. And a cascade of factors led to the sonic revolt and frenetic style of Britain's punk bands: national strikes, spiraling unemployment, growing cynicism about the monarchy and even the Troubles in Northern Ireland.

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It is far rarer for a single event to trigger an artistically significant and influential music scene. Yet this is exactly what happened in Akron, Ohio, in the early and mid-1970s, as young artists and musicians grappled with the legacy of the Kent State massacre. The independent alt-rock movements that started later in New York, Minneapolis, Seattle, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., and Athens, Georgia, may be more famous. They weren't defined by a specific sound so much as a shared commitment to producing, releasing and promoting their music themselves.

But the first real and recognizable burblings of the do-it-yourself spirit in alternative American rock emerged in the wake of the tragedy 48 years ago Friday. Feeling rejected by the dominant culture, these artists rejected it right back, seeking to create something more fully their own in its place.

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That environment produced at least one globally popular band, Devo, and one of the decade's most important voices, Chrissie Hynde. It also gave birth to a handful of other important acts, among them the Waitresses, Tin Huey, the Rubber City Rebels and the Bizarros. Defined by its resistance to prevailing trends, the Akron scene borrowed from jazz, garage rock, performance art, Dada and the avant-garde to create a novel and influential musical cocktail. And we probably wouldn't have heard that music had it not been for the calamity at Kent State.

On May 4, 1970, at Kent State University, just 15 miles from Akron, members of the Ohio National Guard opened fire on unarmed demonstrators protesting the illegal bombing of Cambodia. Sixty-seven rounds were fired in 13 seconds, killing four students and seriously wounding nine. The incident had a profound effect on the national psyche: Within a week, millions of college and high school students went on strike, and more than 100,000 young people marched on the Capitol, permanently reshaping the national dialogue on Vietnam.

At a more local level, the shooting prompted some witnesses to alter the course of their lives. Soon, several of them would begin work on a powerful and lasting creative response to the tragedy.

Devo perform live onstage at the Ohio Expo Center on Aug. 4, 2010 in Columbus, Ohio. (Joey Foley / Getty Images)

"I don't think I would have started Devo had that not happened," says Gerald Casale, who formed the band in the early 1970s with Bob Lewis, another Kent State student, survivor and witness. "It's that simple."

For Casale, the day's events seemed to temporarily halt time. He recalls seeing the soldiers lining up and aiming their weapons at the assembled students. In the moment, he thought it was just an intimidation tactic. Instead, and without warning, they opened fire.

"I remember hearing somebody screaming 'Allison!,' and I turned around and it was Allison Krause, she's laying there," Casale says, referring to one of the four students killed in the shooting. "I see the effects of a f---ing M1 rifle, the reality of what a bullet does. And I felt like I was going to barf, like I was going to pass out."

Another friend was on the ground, too - Casale recognized him by his outfit - his blood already trickling down the sidewalk. It was Jeffrey Miller, a student whose death would be famously memorialized in the pages of Life magazine. All around, armbanded faculty members who'd been monitoring the protest were shouting at the students, trying to keep them still and safe.

Chris Butler, who would go on to form the bands Tin Huey and the Waitresses, is adamant that his presence on the scene that day kick-started his creative future. He'd borne witness to a culture - he calls it "the uber-culture" - that had tried to kill him. He realized, he says, that he had "to create a clean space" for himself. Much as it did for other survivors, music provided him with that outlet.

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Lewis, who left Devo in 1977, shortly before the band attained national prominence, echoes this sentiment: "We were pissed off, and we wanted to take the energy that comes from that anger and channel it, and it happened to be into the concept of Devo."

That concept involved not just the songs that would make the band famous, but also visual arts and film, and the killings at Kent State helped provide the organizing ethos for those projects. Having grown up on myths of linear progress, band members found themselves in a world where armed troops shot at students on their own soil.

"I saw for the first time clearly, and horrifically, how everything really works, and how the truth doesn't matter, and how things are rotten to the core," Casale says. That sudden understanding inspired a fascination with "devolution" - evident in projects like the group's early short film "In the Beginning Was the End," as well as songs such as "Mongoloid" - that would define the collective.

A cynical current also runs through much of the music that emerged from the era. Devo's lyrics, in particular, reflect a feeling of alienation engendered by the shooting, especially in the band's early songs, which are often sung from the perspective of people cast aside by society. In an early effort titled "Ono," for example, the band sneers: "The moral is don't start / Even if you're smart / You don't have a chance / It's all the same."

Perhaps more important, though, the scene that Butler, Lewis, Casale and others shaped would serve as the prototype for DIY, mainstream-rejecting rock movements all over the United States. The Akron bands dismissed the sounds and formulas on commercial radio, eschewing more melodic structures and sing-song lyrics in favor of atonal compositions and chanted choruses. They recorded their tracks in self-built studios and created a system to release and promote their work. In the mid-'70s, that just wasn't done, especially not with the kind of collective drive that emerged in Akron.

Much of that was a matter of necessity in the resource-poor city. Wanting a recording studio, Butler says, area musicians built one. Lacking a newspaper that would cover them, they published their own fanzines.

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"If you wanted to do something, Akron is all about doing it the hard way, because you have to," Butler says. "Nothing will get done unless you do it yourself."

That independence provided a blueprint for alternative artists who would go on to far greater success, some of them defining entire eras. From R.E.M. to Metallica, from Nine Inch Nails to Nirvana, iconic American bands began their climb to fame by putting out records outside the corporate system and creating a unique local promotional apparatus. Although this eventually became a common route to success, it was articulated for more or less the first time in the bands that emerged in Akron.

By the late '70s, the strange and fierce spirit of Akron, an attitude born of tragedy and fueled by necessity, had begun to spread through the world: Devo became one of the archetypal bands of the new wave - a label the band accepted with a shrug, seeing it as a media invention rather than an apt description of its work. Butler wrote and recorded a number of massively popular songs with the Waitresses, including "I Know What Boys Like."

The English/American rock band The Pretenders, with frontwoman Chrissie Hynde, performs at the Orpheum Theater in Boston, April 1, 2018. (Robert E. Klein/Invision/AP)

Meanwhile, Chrissie Hynde was inspired by the Kent State events to drop out of school. In her autobiography, "Reckless: My Life as a Pretender," she recalls the day: "The grassy, rolling common was teeming with students," she writes. "I'd never seen it so packed. ... Then I heard the tatatatatatatatatat sound. I thought it was fireworks. An eerie silence fell over the common. Then a young man's voice: 'They f---ing killed somebody.' " Later, Hynde moved to Britain, where she became one of the most respected female performers of her generation.

And although much of the music that arose from Akron's quirky, DIY music scene of the early and mid-'70s might not be identified as punk, Casale is adamant that the bands, especially Devo, both anticipated and supported punk's social and political ideals. "We were punk in the true sense of the word 'punk,' " says Casale. "We challenged illegitimate authority and challenged politically correct thought, but from a base of knowing things and reading and looking at things and having new ideas. Our whole response was a response to the state of American culture."

In the end, music was the catharsis that so many of these artists needed. "It was a government-sponsored school shooting, and I didn't get any grief therapy afterwards, let's put it that way," notes Lewis. "May 4 derailed a lot of people from the track they were on, so they were looking around for alternative ways, and creativity is one of the ways you can keep your sanity."

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Sommer is a musician, record producer, and former A&R executive who has written extensively about rock, pop and the media.

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Canada and Taiwan will begin talks on a foreign investment arrangement, their governments have announced, in what Taiwan said was a milestone for trade relations as it tries to shore up its ties around the world.

Ottawa's international trade minister Mary Ng made the agreement with John Deng, Taiwan's "minister without portfolio" on trade, during a call on Sunday.

A readout of the call provided by Ng's department on Monday said that "exploratory discussions" would begin on a possible foreign investment promotion and protection arrangement (FIPA).

Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge, our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team.

Canada said its FIPA model was intended to provide "a stable, rules-based investment environment for Canadian businesses investing abroad and for foreign businesses investing in Canada".

In paraphrased remarks, Ng called Taiwan "a key trade and investment partner as Canada broadens its trade links and deepens its economic partnerships in the Indo-Pacific region", according to the readout.

"The ministers discussed the need for Canada and Taiwan to continue to work together to further promote supply chain resilience and mutually beneficial commercial opportunities, as well as to increase collaboration on science, technology and innovation, education, Indigenous affairs, and the green economy," the readout said.

In a statement, Taiwan's cabinet called the move "an important milestone" in strengthening economic and trade relations.

Michael Byers, the Canada Research Chair in Global Politics and International Law at the University of British Columbia, said he did not consider the move "overly provocative" towards Beijing.

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"I'm sure it will be met with displeasure but this is not something that Beijing can legitimately retaliate [against]," said Byers, calling the talks a "small step".

Despite that, Byers said he suspected Ottawa may have held off on the talks while two Canadians, Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, were being detained in China, and "maximum caution" needed to be applied.

Michael Kovrig, with his wife (left) and sister after arriving in Toronto on September 25, 2021. An analyst suggests that Canada may have held off investment discussions with Taiwan until after China released him and Michael Kovrig. Photo: The Canadian Press via AP) alt=Michael Kovrig, with his wife (left) and sister after arriving in Toronto on September 25, 2021. An analyst suggests that Canada may have held off investment discussions with Taiwan until after China released him and Michael Kovrig. Photo: The Canadian Press via AP)>

The pair was released in September, on the same day that Huawei Technologies executive Meng Wanzhou was allowed to leave Canada, where she had been detained on a US arrest warrant, after striking a deferred prosecution deal with US authorities over accusations of fraud.

Canada does not have diplomatic relations with Taiwan. However, Taiwan is Canada's sixth-largest trading partner in Asia, according to Ng's ministry.

In 2020, Canadian direct investment in Taiwan was worth C$557 million (US$439 million), while Taiwanese direct investment in Canada was C$256 million (US$202 million), the ministry said.

Those amounts are dwarfed by Chinese direct investment in Canada and Canadian direct investment in China, worth a total of C$12 billion (US$9.5 billion) in 2020, according to Statistics Canada.

Taiwan has been angling for trade deals with what it views as like-minded partners such as the United States and the European Union.

Although it is a member of the World Trade Organization, Taiwan only has free-trade agreements with two major economies, Singapore and New Zealand. China has pressured countries not to engage directly with Taipei.

"There's nothing wrong with two WTO members negotiating on investment; it's not something that is out of bounds," Byers said.

China's embassy in Ottawa did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment.

China regards Taiwan as a rogue province and has sought to isolate the island's government, deterring nations from entering state-to-state agreements with it. Beijing also asserts that unification with the mainland will come eventually, by force if necessary.

Additional reporting by Reuters

This article originally appeared in the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the most authoritative voice reporting on China and Asia for more than a century. For more SCMP stories, please explore the SCMP app or visit the SCMP's Facebook and Twitter pages. Copyright  2022 South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.

Copyright (c) 2022. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.
VILNIUS (Reuters) - Taiwan will launch a $1 billion credit programme to help fund joint projects between Lithuanian and Taiwanese companies in six business categories, a Taiwan government minister said on Tuesday.

Lithuania is under pressure from China which claims democratically ruled Taiwan as its own territory, to reverse a decision last year to allow the island to open a de-facto embassy in Vilnius under its own name.

China has downgraded diplomatic ties with Vilnius, and is pressuring companies, such as German car parts giant Continental to stop using Lithuanian-made components. It has also blocked Lithuanian cargos from entering China.

"The Taiwan authorities' attempts to use dollar diplomacy to expand Taiwan independence activities are doomed to fail," Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin told a briefing on Wednesday in response to a question about the credit programme.Taiwan last week announced plans to set up a separate $200 million fund to invest in Lithuanian industries and boost bilateral trade as it tries to fend off China's diplomatic pressure on the Baltic state.

"The investment and credit funds will help us strengthen the cooperation," Taiwan's National Development Council Minister Kung Ming-hsin told an online news conference.

The credit fund will focus on developing semiconductor talent and facilitating semiconductor development, as well as biotechnologies, satellites, finance and scientific research, said Kung.

Lithuania's Economy and Innovations Minister Ausrine Armonaite said her country planned to open a trade representation office in Taiwan in the spring.

Taiwanese representations in other countries, except the unrecognized Somaliland, are named after Taiwan's capital Taipei.

U.S. diplomats have expressed strong support for Lithuania, calling China's pressure "economic coercion".

Lithuania's Foreign Minister said he would discuss the Chinese pressure with his European Union counterparts on Friday.

(Reporting by Andrius Sytas; additional reporting by Martin Pollard in Shanghai; editing by by Terje Solsvik, Bernadette Baum and Tomasz Janowski)
This years tax filing season will be a frustrating one for taxpayers, officials warned Monday.

The IRS will begin accepting 2021 returns on January 24 and the filing deadline for most taxpayers will be April 18 rather than April 15 because of the Emancipation Day holiday in Washington, the agency announced. But IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig said that the pandemic continues to present challenges and again called for more resources for the agency, which has been hurt by years of budget cuts and plagued by worker shortages, all leading to a backlog of returns last year several times greater than usual. On top of that, lawmakers piled on new responsibilities, tasking the agency with sending out payments for pandemic aid programs and the expanded Child Tax Credit.

That all added up to an extraordinary logjam and exasperating service levels.

Typically, IRS officials enter filing season with an unaddressed backlog of roughly 1 million returns, The Washington Posts Jeff Stein reports. This year, however, the IRS will enter the filing season facing several times that, Treasury officials said, although they declined to give a more precise estimate. The IRS website says that as of Dec. 23, 2021, it still had 6 million unprocessed individual returns, and as of the start of this month it still had more than 2 million unprocessed amended tax returns, a separate category.

The agency said that from January 1 through May 17 last year it received more than 145 million calls from taxpayers with questions, more than four times higher than in an average year. Treasury Department officials reportedly warned Monday that the IRS would struggle to handle the volume of calls and blamed Republican lawmakers who have stymied efforts to increase funding for the agency.

"In many areas, we are unable to deliver the amount of service and enforcement that our taxpayers and tax system deserves and needs. This is frustrating for taxpayers, for IRS employees and for me," Rettig said in a statement. "IRS employees want to do more, and we will continue in 2022 to do everything possible with the resources available to us. And we will continue to look for ways to improve. We want to deliver as much as possible while also protecting the health and safety of our employees and taxpayers. Additional resources are essential to helping our employees do more in 2022  and beyond."

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The IRS budget is about $12 billion, and the agency asked lawmakers for an increase of 10.4% to nearly $13.2 billion for fiscal year 2022. But progress on the 2022 budget has stalled out in Congress. The Biden administration has proposed boosting IRS funding by $80 billion over 10 years as part of a plan to step up enforcement and improve the agencys technology and customer service. But that proposal is part of the Build Back Better Act, which also faces an uncertain path forward in Congress.

Even if the IRS budget is increased, it would likely not be in time to allow the agency to hire for this filing season, The Posts Stein notes. As a result, the IRS heads into its busiest time of year with a workforce that is now the same size as it was in 1970  even though the U.S. population has grown by 60 percent since that time, according to Treasury officials. The officials also told reporters that there are fewer IRS auditors now than at any time since World War II.

To avoid delays in processing, the IRS urged taxpayers to file electronically. It said it expects most taxpayers will get their refund within 21 days of filing electronically if they use direct deposit and there are no issues with their return. It also urged taxpayers to look for information online before calling an IRS helpline.

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The Columbus Education Association asked members to sign a petition Tuesday morning calling on Columbus City Schools to move to online learning for two weeks.

**This story was updated on Jan. 12**

The Columbus Education Association called on Columbus City Schools Tuesday to go remote for a short period to combat the surge of the omicron variant.

In an email, the teachers union called on members to sign an open letter demanding the district move to remote learning for two weeks as COVID hospitalization and case numbers continue to increase in the county.

The email also included a video allegedly showing empty offices at the district's central enrollment facility. CEA president John Coneglio wrote that they presumed the employees there were working remote on Monday.

"The district's decision sends a clear message," Coneglio wrote. "Our administration is fully aware that it is too risky for CCS staff to be working together in an enclosed space."

In the open letter, the union states a two-week pause to in-person learning would allow the district to "secure and distribute proper masks, deep clean our buildings and potentially make repairs to the HVAC systems that are not working."

Columbus City Schools declined to provide comment on the video.

But in response to the union's call for remote learning, the district wrote in a statement that it will continue to provide additional support where necessary, while also continuing to follow the guidance of public health experts, "who have advised us that our mitigation efforts are working." This includes universal masking, frequent handwashing and social distancing, according to the district.

"The District appreciates the work of all employees throughout the pandemic and their willingness to be flexible to serve our students," the district wrote. "We are in daily communication with union leadership as we evaluate whether to transition individual school buildings to remote learning."

The district also wrote that the process to transition buildings to remote learning include looking at the number of absences and types of absences throughout the day.

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On Wednesday, CEA officially released their open letter, with over 2,600 Columbus City Schools educators having signed it.

COVID in schools: Some Reynoldsburg, Columbus schools will continue remote learning due to staff shortages

Across the country, teacher unions in cities such as Chicago and Los Angeles have either called for or considered calling for a push to go online learning. Chicago Public Schools canceled classes last week until Wednesday, when students will return to classrooms after the Chicago Teachers Union suspended a walkout.

During its first week back from winter break, Columbus City Schools experienced a high of 24 schools closed in one day due to staff shortages, and it went completely remote at the end of the week due to absences of transportation workers.

COVID in schools: Licking Valley cancels classes; Granville, Licking Heights require masks

On Tuesday, four Columbus City Schools buildings went remote, including Arts Impact Middle School, Hilltonia Middle School, Parsons Elementary School and Wedgewood Middle School.

"To get back to maximum in-person learning, let's do what it takes to safely navigate the current surge with a two-week temporary remote learning pause," the union wrote in its open letter.

Bus driver shortage: Groveport Madison sues state over $700,000 fine for failing to bus non-public kids

mylee@dispatch.com

@leem386

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Teachers union at Columbus City Schools wants district to go remote
Rory Teasley had over 200,000 TikTok followers, where he was known for comedy and dance videos. Screenshot/TikTok - @too2pump4tv

The TikTok star Rory Teasley has died at the age of 28, police said.

Teasley had 200,000 followers on TikTok, where he was known for comedy and dance videos.

Docquen Jovo Watkins was booked at the Oakland County Jail on Friday, inmate records show.

The boyfriend of TikTok star Rory Teasley is accused of strangling him after a fight over a video game and is charged in connection with his death, the Oakland County Sheriff's Office said in a news release shared with Insider.

Authorities went to an apartment in Pontiac, Michigan on Thursday night after Docquen Jovo Watkins reported that he and Teasley had had an argument, the release said. But upon arrival, Teasley was found unconscious and not breathing, the release says.

After being brought to a hospital, the 28-year-old was pronounced dead, the release states.

Watkins was booked at the Oakland County Jail on Friday and charged with homicide. He is being held without bond, Oakland County inmate records show, and has not yet been assigned an attorney, according to a representative for Pontiac's 50th District Court.

Teasley was known as "too2pump4tv" on TikTok, where he had amassed over 200,000 followers and posted comedy and dance videos. Teasley was also popular on Instagram, where he called himself "Everybody Gay Bestfriend" and had over 62,000 followers.

Teasley's final TikTok video, posted Thursday, is a comedy skit about what turning 30 feels like.

Watkins and Teasley's argument arose when they were playing the multiplayer team-oriented shooter game "Overwatch," police said in the press release.

Watkins is due in court for a probable cause conference on January 18 at Pontiac's 50th District Court, according to the police press release.

A management contact for Teasley did not respond to a request for comment Tuesday.

Read the original article on Insider
Bobby Whitescarver, a retired field conservationist with 31 years of experience with the United States Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service.

Most public hearings are required by law, and on the surface, they seem like free and fair democracy in action, but they are often impotent processes that allow a governing board to put a checkmark in a box.

The recent public hearing on a request by a corporation to build a giant 3-million-gallon open pit to store sludge or waste from industrial food processing on a farm in Churchville, Va., was no exception. The industrial food waste will be stored, stirred and spread on the farm before the farmer plants crops each spring.

The Augusta County Board of Zoning Appeals held the public hearing on Jan. 7. Only two people spoke in favor of the giant pit. One said the owner of the farm was a good guy and therefore the pit should be approved. The other was a neighboring poultry farmer who stated that he didnt mind the smell of manure or sludge.

After the two supporters spoke, the opposition, about 12 neighbors, had their turn. They had many concerns such as odor, well-water contamination, truck traffic and noise. Three speakers said they had asthma and that the odor from the sludge would compromise their health.

One of the neighbors brought a petition opposing the giant pit with 218 signatures  yes, 218!  from folks who live within a mile and quarter from the proposed site. He also stated that the neighbors were already burdened, but never complained about the smell, dander and noise from the seven regular industrial poultry houses and four super chicken houses (equivalent to 16 regular industrial poultry houses) within the same radius.

Another neighbor, a tall, distinguished older gentleman in a blue suit, gave a slide presentation showing the size of the giant pit and how close it was to his house. He had even traveled to an existing giant pit operated by the same corporation on a farm in Stuarts Draft, Va., to see whether the industrial food sludge had any odor. Indeed, it did; so much so that he could not get far enough away on the farm to escape its smell.

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I spoke about the environmental consequences of not only the pit but the spreading of the sludge. Most households in the Churchville area use well water. Churchville is in karst terrain  land with sinkholes, solution channels and caves  which is the worst place to put a pit or spread sludge because of possible land subsidence (active sinkholes) and contamination risks to peoples drinking water.

I reminded the board that just north of us, the public wells in several communities exceeded the safe drinking limits for nitrates because of excessive applications of manure on farms in the region. The soil does wonders to recycle nutrients and detoxify substances, but it can only do so much.

After all the opponents spoke, I thought we had presented such convincing evidence that no reasonable person could vote for the giant sludge pit.

Then the general manager for the corporation came to the lectern. He had the last word  and an answer for everything. He was a very nice, well-dressed fellow and spoke eloquently. He was well-trained in the art of persuasion.

He went on and on. It was exhausting. I thought surely everyone was seeing what I was seeing: layer after layer of lipstick being applied on a pig. Its still a giant, open-topped pit with odorous industrial food sludge that the company will spread on the land. Yet with every minute he spoke, a little more air escaped from our opposition balloon.

When his loquacious, buttery speech finally ended, one of the board members asked questions that obviously applied even more lipstick on the pig. Our hopes evaporated. The board did vote to postpone its decision for 30 days, but it is to investigate whether the farm property might have a better location for the pit. The public will not have another opportunity to comment on the matter.

Is it fair for a single person or a single corporation to infringe on the rights of the overwhelming majority of the community? To compromise their most basic resources of clean air and clean water?

One definition of democracy: A community or organization in which the minority is heard but is governed by the majority of its members. The community of Churchville was certainly not working like a democracy on Jan. 7. The governing board put its obligatory checkmark in the box: They heard from the people, dismissed their comments and moved on. Political science folks call this type of public hearing tokenism.

A better way to handle the situation would have been to involve the community much earlier in the process. The board would have discovered overwhelming opposition and perhaps located the pit closer to where the waste is generated on industrial zoned land instead of a rural community like Churchville.

 Bobby Whitescarver is a watershed restoration consultant and farmer who lives in Churchville, Va. He can be reached through his website at www.gettingmoreontheground.com.

This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Churchville VA sludge pit: Obligations met; majority's rights violated
Maryland Governor Larry Hogan (R) arrives to speak at an event with President Biden to discuss the bipartisan infrastructure deal during an event at the Port of Baltimores Dundalk-Marine Terminal in Baltimore Md., on Wednesday, November 10, 2021.





Top Republicans are privately lobbying Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) to mount a challenge to Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), according to a person familiar with the efforts.

Among those involved in the effort are Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), McConnell's wife and former Labor Secretary Elaine Chao, and Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.), the chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee. The recruitment push was first reported by The Associated Press and was later described to The Hill.

The source familiar with the efforts to nudge Hogan into the Senate race said the Maryland governor has so far entertained the discussions but remains committed to serving out his term, which ends in January 2023, in the governor's mansion. Hogan has said as much himself.

"While I appreciate all the encouragement and outpouring of support in Maryland and across the country, my focus continues to be on leading Maryland through the COVID-19 pandemic, continuing our economic recovery and addressing rising violent crime," Hogan told the AP. "As long as I have the honor to serve as governor, I'm going to give this job everything I've got."

The source said that Hogan's position remains unchanged.

"What he said is true. He's focused on being governor," the source said. "He's been willing to engage with people who have pitched him on the idea, but he's not interested in running."

At one point, Chao broached the idea of a Senate campaign with Hogan's wife, Yumi Kim, during a lunch at the governor's mansion. Chao and Kim were friends prior to the effort to draft Hogan into the race.

While Maryland is a reliably blue state - President Biden carried it by 33 points in the 2020 election - Hogan, a moderate and one of former President Trump's most prominent GOP critics, remains deeply popular among Maryland voters. A survey released this week by Gonzales Polls showed the governor's approval rating at 74 percent. That includes 77.9 percent of Democratic respondents.

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Hogan's broad popularity within Maryland makes him a tempting recruit for McConnell and other top Senate Republicans, who are hoping to recapture control of the upper chamber this year. The GOP needs to net just one Senate seat in November to regain their majority.

Recent internal polling from an outside group showed that, in a head-to-head Senate match-up, Hogan leads Van Hollen 49 percent to 37 percent.

If he ultimately decides to pass on a Senate campaign, Hogan wouldn't be the first governor to do so this cycle. New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu (R) announced in November that he would not challenge Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) in 2022, dealing a blow to McConnell and other Senate Republicans who had tried aggressively to draft him into the Senate race.

Hogan is also been floated as a potential contender for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination.
Patricia Adams has been a Manatee County bus driver for 15 years.

Bus driver deserves permanent accolade

Chris Andersons report on the honoring of Patricia Adams was a welcome read about a special human being (Manatee bus driver picks up everyone's spirits, Dec. 15).

My hope is if there is a consideration of renaming a public space, building or whatever that the name of Patricia Adams is at the top of any list.

Peggy Allen, Sarasota

State approved injection well too quickly

Issuing a permit to inject contaminated wastewater into the ground, claiming that it meets all applicable regulations for protection of groundwater resources, is a move made in haste (Florida signs off on controversial Piney Point project in Manatee County, Dec. 17).

More: How to send a letter to the editor

How can the public believe that said regulations will prevent a drinking water contamination event when the previous leak into Tampa Bay wreaked such havoc? As for the thorough review conducted, hopefully it was more thorough than the review done when what is now DeLuca Preserve was intended to be the site of a mega-development called Destiny.

Just recently it was found that this preserve is home to a large population of critically endangered grasshopper sparrows.

The public deserves to know what the potential short-term and long-term effects are of using wells to inject contaminated wastewater into the ground, before the project moves forward.

Sara Lorette, Sarasota

DeSantis standing in for weak president

In nations like Great Britain, a group of senior opposition-party members takes responsibility for issues facing the nation and forms a shadow cabinet. In many ways Gov. Ron DeSantis has become our nations shadow president.

He assisted Texas in dealing with a Joe Biden-engineered crisis at the Mexican border. The governor presides over a budget that has a surplus, while our nation falls deeper in debt.

DeSantis is anti-tax, pro-small business and a strong opponent of defunding law enforcement.

And finally, last week, the governor released a strong statement regarding investments in communist China, while Biden does the bare minimum.

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As 2024 approaches the mainstream media will no doubt try to take DeSantis down. But the more attention they focus on him, the more he will stand as a shadow president, showing Americans what someone else might do in President Bidens place.

Philip M. Mancini, Sarasota

(Editors note: This letter writer is not the partner in Michaels on East restaurant, Philip S. Mancini.)

Dont let others put your life at risk

When personal freedom puts someones life in danger, I call that pure narcissism and malice.

The daughter of a friend of mine just flew into Sarasota from Chicago to spend the holidays with her widowed mother. The young woman has had her COVID shots and a booster. She also wears her mask in public places.

On her flight to Florida, the man sitting next to her removed his mask with the obvious intention of leaving it off for the duration of the flight.

The young woman grew uncomfortable with this situation and politely asked him to put his mask back on. His response was to roll his eyes and tauntingly put the mask over his eyes.

The young woman felt uneasy and humiliated. What the man didnt know was that this young woman has a disease that has compromised her immune system.

So, the next time some idiot refuses to wear a mask in public, stand up for yourself and especially for those whose very lives are at risk because of such stupidity and selfishness.

It seems that Americans have lost their respect for others  as well as their ability to show kindness, thoughtfulness, plain common sense and common courtesy!

Barbara J. Lupoff, Sarasota

Rebrand parties with Extremist, Moderate labels

Perhaps we should eliminate both the Democratic and Republican parties and establish two different parties for people to identify with. We should have an Extremist party and a Moderate party.

Those who dont like our financial system, or our system of jurisprudence, can join the former and the others can join the latter.

Right now it seems we have mixed values represented in both current parties.

The bad thing is that those favoring the extreme positions seem to be controlling the parties. They have the loudest voices  which the media love and play up to the hilt  and simply drown out the sane, responsible and thoughtful people.

If we form new parties, we can elect Moderate candidates who will work for the betterment of the country, not just a political party or their own ideologies. We wont have to put up with idiotic people from both current parties. They will simply be so far out of the mainstream values that the Moderates will triumph in any election.

Just like the defund the police movement has crashed, maybe the extreme voices in our government will be silenced.

Marvin Glusman, Sarasota

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Welcome read on Manatee bus driver, skepticism about injection well
Good morning, Dallas! Here's everything you need to know to get this Wednesday started off right.

First, today's weather:

Sunshine and a few clouds. High: 62 Low: 40.

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Here are the top three stories in Dallas today:

Dallas College plans on hosting tuition-free preschools for 2022. It is opening Bezos Academy preschools in the fall of 2022 on their its Cedar Valley and Mountain View Campuses. These schools are year-round, full-day programming, five days a week for kids from 3-5 years old. (CW33 NewsFix) A sleeping teenager was killed in a drive-by shooting early Tuesday morning. 17-year-old Crystal Rodriguez was shot and killed in her bedroom while when a bullet hit her during a drive-by shooting. Police do not have any suspects as of yet. (FOX 4 Dallas) Dallas schools are offering an extra $50 a day for substitute teachers. The increase in pay is to incentivize more substitute teachers to cover for the teacher shortage caused by arise in COVID-19 cases. The Dallas school district said that last week more than two hundred of its 10,000 teachers were out sick. (FOX 4 Dallas)

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Today in Dallas:

Sarah Flint Semi-Annual Sale At NorthPark Center (10:00 AM)

The FRIENDS Experience At The Shops At Willow Bend (12:00 PM)

Open Mic Night At Green Elephant (7:00 PM)

From my notebook:

Mark your calendars for Dallas Blooms: Birds in Paradise running from Feb. 19 to April 10, 2022. The spring festival showcases an explosion of color from 100 varieties of spring bulbs, 500,000 spring bulbs, 500,000 spring-blooming blossoms, thousands of azaleas and hundreds of Japanese cherry trees. (Instagram)

Dallas ISDs Virtual STEM EXPO is set for Saturday, Jan. 22, 8:30 a.m.  5 p.m. The free and virtual event will feature a great variety of exhibits and ways to have fun while children explore, design, build and create.(Instagram)

City Hall is opening another testing site tomorrow, Tuesday, Jan 11 at 8 a.m. at Owenwood Farm & Neighborhood Space. Appointments are available at DOCSHealthTesting.com. (Facebook)

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 Nicole Fallon-Peek

About me: Nicole Fallon-Peek is a journalist and copywriter with a degree in Media, Culture and Communication from New York University. She has served as a freelance reporter, managing editor, copy editor, and editorial director for a variety of B2B news outlets. She currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.

This article originally appeared on the Dallas Patch
Cirque du Soleil is coming back to Chicago in 2019 with "Volta" at Soldier Field. (Matt Beard photo / HANDOUT)

Call it advertising or call it art. Three Chicago installations with nighttime projections are coming this month to three different city locations, thanks to the new Cirque du Soleil show "Volta," set to arrive outside Soldier Field. By day, the installations will be 10-foot geometric murals inspired by the "Volta" stage sets. By night, the murals will be illuminated and animated by projections, conceived by Empower and designed by Chicago Projection Mapping, LLC. According to an announcement Wednesday, the murals can be seen as follows, lit 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. nightly:

Lakeview Low-Line at Southport Avenue, through May 11.

Old Saint Pats Church, 700 W. Adams St., May 12-18.

Outside of Big Star Chicago, 1531 N. Damen Ave., May 19-25.

Powered by the Chicago Tribune and Ticketmaster Find tickets to 'Cirque Du Soleil: Volta Under the Big Top' Soldier Field, May 18 to July 6 Tickets The Chicago Tribune may earn a commission on tickets purchased through this link.

"Volta" is coming May 18 to July 6 to the Big Top in at the Soldier Field South Lot, 1410 Museum Campus Drive; tickets and more information at cirquedusoleil.com/volta.

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dgeorge@chicagotribune.com
Keaughn Willis. East Baon Rouge Sheriffs Office.

The twin brother of a man accused of kidnapping his pregnant girlfriend was killed by police over the weekend after he allegedly pointed a gun at cops whod shown up at his door in search of his sibling.

Baton Rouge police said that the pregnant womans relatives had alerted them about the alleged kidnapping, and they were looking for Deaughn Willis twin brother, 25-year-old Keaughn, when they showed up at the apartment complex around 3:30 p.m. Saturday afternoon. The search quickly took a tragic turn.

In a statement Sunday, Louisiana State Police said that according to a preliminary investigation, Baton Rouge police officers and East Baton Rouge Parish deputies encountered Deaughn Willis while at the residence, alleging that he brandished a firearm at responding law enforcement.

A deputy responded by shooting Willis, who was pronounced dead on the scene by the East Baton Rouge Parish Coroners Office, the statement said.

Hours after fatally shooting his brother, police arrested and booked Keaughn Willis into the East Baton Rouge Parish jail at roughly 3:45 a.m. on Sunday.

When reached for comment on Monday, Trooper First Class Taylor Scrantz told The Daily Beast in an email that the agency had no further information on this case.

Sources told The Advocate that before shooting Willis, law enforcement had knocked on the door and identified themselves. Deaughn Willis answered the door and pointed a gun through the opening, they said.

Willis had previously been arrested on domestic violence charges, including for two incidents in December 2017. He was issued a bench warrant last year after failing to appear for a hearing but that was all unrelated to the cops appearing at his home on Saturday, the sources said.

Off-Duty Cop Shoots Armed Shoplifter Dead at Walmart on Christmas Eve

According to an arrest report obtained by The Advocate, cops were instead looking for Willis twin brother who had allegedly gotten into a fight with his girlfriend earlier on Saturday morning. Police said that during the dispute Keaughn Willis grabbed her with both his hands and forcefully pulled her inside of his vehicle.

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Willis allegedly told the woman that he was taking her to Oklahoma and refused to let her get out of the car, according to the report, which details Willis pulling her hair, taking her cellphone and using demeaning language before parking his car and allegedly trying to rape her.

Police said that the woman eventually managed to bust a window on the passengers side of the car and fled.

When Willis returned to the apartment hours later, he was arrested on allegations of third-degree rape, sexual battery, simple kidnapping, and domestic abuse battery of a pregnant victim.

The arrest was not the first time Willis has been taken into custody over allegations of domestic violence. In June 2021, he was arrested for allegedly beating a pregnant woman and kicking her in the stomach, according to court records reviewed by The Advocate. Police said Willlis sent threatening messages to his victim and posted on Facebook that he was going to kill her. He posted $10,000 bond after he was arrested in that case on several charges including domestic abuse battery and child endangerment.

Willis was also arrested years earlier, when officers responding to a domestic dispute in September 2017 said they witnessed Willis threatening a victim with a metal pipe. The victim said Willis had taken her money and repeatedly hit her before grabbing her throat and choking her.

Keaughn Willis took a handgun out of his pants and forcibly put it into her pants, the victim told officers who arrived at the scene, according to The Advocate.

Louisiana State Police said its detectives would continue to review all evidence and aspects of the incident to ensure a complete and thorough investigation.

Upon completion, the agencys findings will be handed over to the East Baton Rouge Parish District Attorneys Office, they said.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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By David Lawder

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Park Police searched for a European Union official for a fifth day on Monday after she went missing from a canal tow path area just outside Washington, D.C. last Thursday, a police spokesperson said.

Sibylle Zitko, 54, a native of Germany and a long-time legal adviser in the office of the EU Delegation to the United States in Washington, was last seen at 8 a.m. on Jan. 6, according to a Park Police Facebook posting seeking the public's help in finding her.

Zitko was last seen in Bethesda, Maryland, where she resides, in a black Volkswagen sport-utility vehicle with Maryland license plates. Police said she was missing from the area of Lock 7 on the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal tow path in nearby Cabin John, Maryland, but declined to provide further details about her disappearance.

An EU official in Washington said the Delegation was aware of the situation involving Zitko and referred questions to the U.S. Park Police.

The canal, popular with cyclists, is under the jurisdiction of the National Park Service. A Park Police spokesperson said there were no updates in the case on Monday.

Zitko has served for more than 25 years in the EU Delegation's Washington office and provides legal advice on trade and competition issues. She has frequently represented the European Commission in public hearings on U.S. tariff cases before the U.S. International Trade Commission.

A spokesman for the German embassy said consular officials were in touch with police about the case.

(Reporting by David Lawder; Additional reporting by Andrea Shalal; Editing by Kenneth Maxwell)
By Lisa Shumaker

(Reuters) - The United States reported 1.35 million new coronavirus infections on Monday, according to a Reuters tally, the highest daily total for any country in the world as the spread of the highly contagious Omicron variant showed no signs of slowing.

The previous record was 1.03 million cases on Jan. 3. A large number of cases are reported each Monday due to many states not reporting over the weekend. The seven-day average for new cases has tripled in two weeks https://tmsnrt.rs/2WTOZDR to over 700,000 new infections a day.

The record in new cases came the same day as the nation saw the number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients also hit an all-time high, having doubled in three weeks, according to a Reuters tally.

There were more than 136,604 people hospitalized with COVID-19, surpassing the record of 132,051 set in January last year.

While the Omicron variant is potentially less severe, health officials have warned that the sheer number of infections could strain hospital systems, some of which have already suspended elective procedures as they struggle to handle the increase in patients and staff shortages.

The surge in cases has disrupted schools, which are struggling with absences of staff, teachers and bus drivers.

Chicago canceled classes for a fourth day as the district and teachers failed to agree on how to deal with increased infections.

New York City suspended service on three subway lines as a large number of workers were out sick, according to its Twitter account. Companies' plans for workers to return to office have also been derailed.

Deaths are averaging 1,700 per day, up from about 1,400 in recent days but within levels seen earlier this winter.

A redesigned COVID-19 vaccine that specifically targets the Omicron variant is likely needed, Pfizer Inc's CEO said on Monday, adding his company could have one ready to launch by March.

(Reporting by Lisa Shumaker in Chicago, Aparupa Mazumder and Akriti Sharma in Bengaluru; Editing by Cynthia Osterman and Himani Sarkar)
By Richard Cowan and Timothy Gardner

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Several Democratic U.S. senators said late on Monday, after meeting with Biden administration officials, that they believe sanctions on Russia's Nord Stream 2 pipeline backed by Republican Senator Ted Cruz could harm relations with Germany.

Under Secretary of State Victoria Nuland and President Joe Biden's global energy security adviser Amos Hochstein met on Monday behind closed doors with about 10 Democratic senators who have been undecided on the Cruz bill.

The legislation is expected to get a Senate vote this week after both parties struck a deal last month, in which Cruz released his hold on dozens of Biden ambassador nominations. The deal requires the bill to get 60 votes -- a high hurdle in the 50-50 Senate. The bill would also have to pass in the House and be signed by President Joe Biden, a Democrat.

Several senators told reporters that the administration officials were persuasive. Senator Chris Murphy said they made the case that Cruz's bill could harm relations with Germany's new government right when Washington needs its support to pressure Russia against an invasion of Ukraine.

"I think their case is right," Murphy said. "The Cruz amendment would make a Russian invasion more likely. There's no sense to be sanctioning the new German government when they have just switched their position to finally put the pipeline on ice."

The pipeline to take Russian gas under the Baltic Sea to Germany was finished in September but may not be approved until the middle of the year after Germany has slowed approvals.

Germany's ruling coalition is divided over Nord Stream 2, with the Social Democrats supporting the pipeline as the country is hungry for natural gas after shutting nuclear and coal plants. But one of its junior coalition partners, the Greens, oppose Nord Stream 2.

U.S. and Russian officials met on Monday in Geneva as Washington tries to dissuade Moscow from a new invasion of Ukraine after massing nearly 100,000 troops along its border.

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The Biden administration has opposed Nord Stream 2 as it would bypass Ukraine, depriving it of lucrative transit fees, and potentially undermining its struggle against Russia.

But last year the administration lifted sanctions on Nord Stream 2 AG, the company controlling the project, to smooth relations with Germany and other European allies that became soured after former President Donald Trump ditched agreements on climate, Iran and other issues.

Senator Dick Durbin said legislation being formed by fellow Democratic Senator Robert Menendez is preferable and sends a "strong message to Putin." Still, Durbin said he did not know when a vote on Menendez's legislation would come.

Senator Tim Kaine, said if an alternate to the Cruz bill emerges he wants to compare them. Kaine said he had a number of worries about a measure in Cruz's bill that would allow Congress to vote to reinstate sanctions should the president waive them.

Ned Price, the State Department spokesperson said last week Cruz's bill would undermine the united front in response to Russia.

Senator Jon Tester did not say whether he would vote against the Cruz bill, but said the Biden officials made a "very salient" point about needing Germany's support against a reinvasion of Ukraine by Russia.

"The message was it would hurt the negotiations that have been going on with Germany ... in regards to Russia's impact on Ukraine," Tester said. "We got to make sure if we're going to do sanctions, the sanctions are focused on the problem and not on collateral," Tester said.

(Reporting by Timothy Gardner and Richard Cowan, additional reporting by Patricia Zengerle and Andrea Shalal; Editing by Simon Cameron-Moore)




The United Nations criticized Kazakhstan after the country's troops were seen wearing blue helmets, a symbol reserved for U.N. peacekeepers, while quelling protests.

Kazakhstani President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev called in troops to assist the country after protests erupted over high fuel prices and the autocratic government that has been in power the past two decades.

The troops, who were told to "shoot to kill" by the president, were wearing blue helmets that resembled those used by U.N. peacekeepers. The U.N. raised concerns about the use of the helmets, U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said Monday, The Washington Post reported.

"Countries are to use U.N. insignia only when they are performing their mandated tasks as U.N. peacekeepers in the context of their deployment within a U.N. peacekeeping operation," Dujarric said.

Kazakhstan's ambassador to the United Nations said on Twitter that there was no "UN" marking on gear worn by those responding to the protests, except for local peacekeepers, and "all necessary measures" were used to prevent equipment associated with the U.N. being used in "counter-terrorism operations" during the protests.

Tokayev has said, without evidence, that the protesters were foreign-backed terrorists who were sent to destabilize the country.

At least 164 people have been killed and nearly 10,000 have been arrested since the protest began at the beginning of January, according to the Post.

Russian troops, which came to assist at the request of Tokayev, will be leaving the country in two days.

"In two days' time, a phased withdrawal of the CSTO united peacekeeping contingent will begin. The withdrawal process of the contingent will take no more than 10 days," Tokayev said, referring to the Collective Security Treat Organization, a military alliance of six ex-Soviet nations.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis holds a press conference in West Palm Beach on Jan. 6.

Drawing upon a famous phrase, those who hold dominant power tend to exercise it dominantly.

Floridas governor, Ron DeSantis, with the steadfast loyalty of a GOP-dominated legislature, governs like an authoritarian. His blustering, bullying style seeks confrontation, where none exists, and favors edicts, where none are needed. Whether hes promoting an unproven treatment for COVID-19, bad-mouthing masks and mandates, or dictating what should be taught in public schools, Ron knows best.

Nothing better illustrates his governing style than a series of actions hes championed that explicitly chip away at fundamental democratic rights.

More from Carl Ramey:

UFs single-minded focus on national ranking comes with consequences

Trouble ahead for Americas third branch

DeSantis is playing dangerous game with anti-democratic measures, COVID policies

Lets start with Floridas 2021 election law  making it harder to vote by mail, harder to find an accessible drop box and harder to assist others in submitting a legitimate mail-in ballot. Now, the governor wants a new, special police force dedicated to investigating election crimes. Because theres absolutely no evidence to support this hare-brained scheme, the idea is little more than a crass political calculation to intimidate certain voters while pandering to radicals who falsely equate voter suppression with election integrity.

It's obvious, preserving democratic freedoms is not a priority of the DeSantis regime. Why else would they enact  in direct response to the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests  an anti-riot law that strikes at the heart of the First Amendment right to peaceably assemble? Not only does the law uniformly increase penalties (turning previous misdemeanors into felonies), it makes blocking traffic a third-degree felony and allows more indiscriminate dragnets of non-violent protesters (owing, largely, to its vague and overly broad language).

Ballot initiatives remain one of the few avenues available for citizens to petition the government (another right enshrined in the First Amendment). Yet, Floridas recent history is marred by numerous efforts to severely restrict that right: by raising the voter percentage for passage (from a simple majority to 60%); by steadily raising the number and nature of signatures needed to get an issue on the ballot; and, generally, by making the collection of signatures more complicated and costly (including imposing a funding cap).

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This effort to marginalize a vital check on those holding power is right out of the autocrats playbook. So, too, are efforts to demean and discredit unfriendly media, and to control speech in public schools.

A functioning democracy requires a free press to perform two essential roles: informing the general public and holding elected leaders accountable. So, its no surprise that budding autocrats almost always attempt to downgrade media.

DeSantis, in particular, relishes mocking media and treating Florida reporters with disdain (or outright exclusion). Last summer, he even blamed media hysteria  not the COVID-19 delta variant  for the raging health emergency the state then faced.

With such a firm grip on power, is it any wonder that DeSantis would eventually seek to inculcate public schools with his own political ideology? Of course not. Its already happening. Concerned that Floridas teachers are indoctrinating students with inappropriate material, Richard Corcoran, DeSantis education commissioner, recently declared that you have to police them on a daily basis. DeSantis himself describes schools as indoctrination factories.

If new curriculum guidelines are any indication, what this administration really wants is to instill a highly sanitized teaching of American history  devoid of personal views and negating anything negative (certainly anything critical of race or race relations). Moreover, obsessed with the need to promote upright and desirable citizens, they demand that classroom lessons be strictly pegged to Americas founding documents and heavy on patriotic values.

In short, an administration deeply concerned about indoctrination in public schools is perfectly fine if the indoctrination is government-mandated.

Meanwhile, DeSantis proudly points to a new law requiring an annual assessment of intellectual freedom and viewpoint diversity at public colleges. Convinced that higher education may be stifling speech by conservatives, hes clearly aiming to force more political balance in academia. Would anyone be shocked if the results of such assessments are eventually used to threaten state funding to universities perceived to be falling short of viewpoint diversity?

Democracy doesnt necessarily end with a bang. More likely it ends after a long, slow chipping away of key citizen freedoms.

Sadly, Floridas current leadership seems more focused on limiting, not enhancing, citizen rights  which should leave all Floridians with a strong sense of foreboding.

Carl Ramey, a retired Washington communications attorney and monthly columnist for The Sun, lives in Gainesville.

Carl Ramey

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This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Carl Ramey: Under DeSantis, Florida drifting toward authoritarianism
The U.S. diplomatic and defense leaders recently participated in a virtual meeting with their Japanese counterparts amid rising threats in the Indo-Pacific region posed by China. Ministers at both ends also exchanged their concerns about North Koreas recent advancement in nuclear and missile development activities.

Such emerging defense threats led both these allies to decide on signing a new defense collaboration deal, as stated by U.S. Secretary of State, Antony Blinken. This should benefit stocks like Lockheed Martin LMT, Raytheon Technologies RTX and Northrop Grumman NOC.

Whats Driving the Collaboration?

Tensions between China and Japan in the East China Sea continue to increase. Japan fears that Chinas coercive activities in this region might undermine its administration of the Senkaku Islands, thereby disrupting regional peace and stability. Japanese ministers also reiterated their strong objections to Chinas unlawful maritime claims, militarization and coercive activities in the South China Sea.

North Korea, which was absent from defense news for some time, is back in the spotlight after hurling missiles. North Korea test fired its second ballistic missile targeting South Korea at the start of 2022. Such activities not only put South Korea in danger but also threaten the peace and safety of Japan and the surrounding areas of the Indo-Pacific region.

Also, defense challenges posed by Russia have been a cause of concern. Moscows military buildup on Ukraines borders and its increasingly harsh rhetoric not only threaten Ukraines sovereignty and territorial integrity but peace and stability across Europe. Beijing and Moscow are deepening their military cooperation, which might become a significant threat for the United States and its allies.

These emerging threats have forced the United States and its long-term ally to enhance their readiness and strengthen integrated deterrence capabilities through a expanded defense collaboration.

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Defense Stocks to Benefit

It is quite evident that enhanced defense ties between the United States and Japan will boost U.S. defense stocks that already have a well-established base in Japan. These include:

Lockheed Martin: The company delivers cutting-edge technologies and innovations to support the future prosperity of Japan and its communities. More than 550 military helicopters have been produced for the Japan Self-Defense Forces under manufacturing license agreements with Sikorsky, a unit of Lockheed. LMT also delivers its F-35 aircraft as well as Aegis Combat System to Japan.

Lockheed has a long-term earnings growth rate of 3.6%. The company delivered an average four-quarter earnings surprise of 63.28%.

Raytheon: Japan is working with Raytheon and the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) to develop and deploy the next-generation SM-3 Block IIA missile, which will provide a larger area of defense against more sophisticated threats. The missiles will be deployed on Aegis cruisers and destroyers to defend against short-to-intermediate range ballistic missile threats in the midcourse phase of flight.

Raytheon boasts a long-term earnings growth rate of 13.2%. The company came up with an average four-quarter earnings surprise of 9.06%.

Northrop Grumman: The company has a long history in Japan dating back to the late 1950s when the Japan Self-Defense Force (JSDF) used the Grumman Avenger aircraft for maritime patrol, the Albatross aircraft for search and rescue, and the Tracker aircraft for anti-submarine warfare. The close partnership with Japan continues today with Northrop Grumman providing support to all the major branches of the JSDF on a range of defense, security and information systems programs.

Northrop has a long-term earnings growth rate of 9%. The company delivered an average four-quarter earnings surprise of 14.74%.



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A trial against that could change the way Pennsylvania funds its public schools is underway in Harrisburg, and the State College Area School District Board of Directors voiced support Monday for its plaintiffs and education funding reform.

Approved unanimously, the resolution urges the Pennsylvania General Assembly to provide a fair, adequate, and predictable funding system that enables all children to meet state academic standards and does not discriminate against low-wealth school districts.

The trial, which started in November and resumed Jan. 7 after a break for the holidays, was filed by six school districts who argue that the state has failed to provide fair and equitable funding for the public education system.

State College joins 15 other school districts  the first in Centre County  in passing a resolution in support of the fair funding lawsuit.

This case sheds light on the imbalance between local and state funding of schools in Pennsylvania, the board wrote.

Pennsylvania contributes a 38% share of education funding to public schools, ranking 45th out of the 50 states in its percentage of education funding. In the State College Area School District, local tax dollars account for 79% of funding.

For districts with relatively low total assessed value compared to the number of students, even high millage rates and increasing taxation may provide inadequate and falling revenue for the district, the board wrote. This funding approach creates vast disparities between high-wealth and low-wealth districts, leading to one of the widest funding gaps in the country.

The lawsuit seeks to have the court rule the current school funding system unconstitutional.

Senate President Pro Tempore Jake Corman, R-Benner Township, one of the defendants, said in a November statement that the Legislature has met our constitutional mandate to provide a thorough and efficient system of public education.

Also during Mondays meeting, discussion continued regarding the 2022-2023 academic calendar. The original proposed calendar shown to the board at the Dec. 20 meeting would start school on Aug. 22, coinciding with the Grange Fair. The board tabled the vote at the December meeting and asked the district to create a new calendar proposal.

The board will vote on the new calendar proposal at its next meeting, Feb. 7.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Bronzevilles Lisa Beasley is a familiar face in Chicago TV, theater and stand-up comedy, but the whole city sat up when she began posting her Mayor Lightfoot impression online. Beasleys latest set of Tik Tok and Instagram bits pokes fun at the mayors response to Chicago Public Schools teachers concerns over in-person teaching during the omicron wave of the pandemic. Her raspy-voiced, disheveled impression, as Lory Litefoot, caught the eyes of Chicago parents and teachers last week  and went viral.

Beasley is riding the wave. She suggested doing a comedy show for Chicago teachers in the comments online, and Synergy Foods hopped on as a sponsor. Beasley appealed to venues on social media, and within five hours Laugh Factory was on board. The Teachers Appreciation Comedy Show, offered free to CPS teachers, came together in a matter of days and takes place Wednesday evening. The event also marks Beasleys Laugh Factory debut.

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She said it isnt always this easily. This is a mixture of momentum, timing and opportunity, Beasley said.

Beasleys Litefoot character is not a new bit. Mayor Litefoot has appeared online and in-person for a few years, with her sharp commentary prodding the citys reopening plan, discordant messaging and police spending, to name a few. But it was her videos mocking Lightfoots stalemate with the Chicago Teachers Union that created a viral moment for this longtime Chicago actor and comedian.

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Comedian Lisa Beasley is seen at home in Chicago on Jan. 10, 2022. (Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune)

It is comedic gold on a silver platter  but its also personal to Beasley, whose young daughter is a CPS student.

Were going to expect CPS and CTU to forever be in negotiations about something. What makes this unique is the lack of planning, where we dont know if our kids are going to school the next day or not, said Beasley. These are things parents have to plan for.

For Beasley, comedy is a coping mechanism that she wanted to share with teachers and other parents who are going through it too.

Its natural for me to find the funny in traumatic situations, she said.

The real Lightfoot is no stranger to comedy; she created her own videos using humor to encourage people to stay home in the early days of the pandemic. Beasley said the mayor is aware of the spoof, though theres been no direct praise or condemnation from Lightfoots office.

For her set at Laugh Factory, Beasley is writing some jokes especially for teachers. And Lory Litefoot may also make a special appearance.

You never know where shes going to pop up, Beasley said. When I show up as Lory Litefoot in person, Im making an effort to connect with citizens of Chicago face-to-face and showing how easy it is. Thats what I want people to take away.

But Beasley (also returning for Season 2 on HBO Maxs South Side, among other TV appearances) also wants to give the audience a fun night out  a chance for parents and teachers to blow off some steam and take their minds off of the past two weeks.

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I dont take it lightly that people are choosing to leave their homes to see a show, she said. Like them, this is my one night out of the house, probably for the next few months. Its truly a special moment for me.

Lisa Beasleys Teachers Appreciation Comedy Show is 8 p.m. Wednesday at Laugh Factory, 3175 N. Broadway; tickets $20 (sold out, additional tickets are being held for CPS teachers); more at www.laughfactory.com/clubs/chicago. An at-home, virtual option is available for $10 at www.lisabexperience.com.
An Ocean Lakes High School teacher is on leave after being accused of misconduct with a child.
By Norihiko Shirouzu

BEIJING (Reuters) -Volkswagen AG said it would likely double sales of its ID battery electric vehicles in China this year and aims to do even better but the automaker could be hamstrung by a shortage of semiconductors.

The ID series, which Volkswagen produces at its Chinese joint ventures with SAIC Motor and FAW Group, is the backbone of its EV ambitions in China, the world's largest auto market.

The German automaker sold 70,625 of its ID electric vehicles in China last year, missing its goal of selling 80,000 to 100,000 cars, with production also affected by regional COVID-19 outbreaks in addition to chip-related issues.

Volkswagen's China chief Stephan Wollenstein told a briefing in Beijing that the automaker would still like to double its original plan but that goal "is not currently secured by the semiconductor supplies that we currently see."

He added, however that he was "pretty positive that we will see a doubling of actual sales."

Volkswagen Group, which alongside its own brand owns other marques such as Audi, Lamborghini and Porsche, sold 3.3 million cars in China last year, down 14%, Wollenstein said.

The company aims to boost that number by around 15% or roughly 500,000 units this year, though he said this also depended on the chip supply situation.

The shortage of chips, used in everything from brake sensors to power steering to entertainment systems, has led automakers around the world to cut or suspend production, pushing up both new and used vehicle prices amid robust demand from consumers.

While China's EV market is seeing very strong growth, most foreign automakers have lagged their Chinese counterparts in designing smart cars that appeal.

The market is now dominated by Chinese brands, led by BYD and Wuling - part of the GM group but a local marque. While Tesla ranks as No.3, it is the only foreign brand among the top 10.

You dont see Volkswagen. Players like Volkswagen, GM and Toyota have fallen far behind in Chinas smart EV race, said Bill Russo, head of consultancy Automobility in Shanghai.

Some 15% of all passenger cars purchased in China last year through November were either battery electric cars or plug-in electric hybrids, according to Russo. In November alone, electric car sales accounted for 21% of Chinas overall passenger car sales.

(Reporting by Norihiko Shirouzu; Writing by Brenda Goh; Editing by Edwina Gibbs)
ATLANTA (AP)  Pounding his hand for emphasis, President Joe Biden challenged senators Tuesday to stand against voter suppression by changing Senate rules to pass voting rights legislation that Republicans are blocking from debate and votes.

Biden told a crowd in Atlanta gathered on the grounds of Morehouse College and Clark Atlanta University that he'd been having quiet conversations with senators for months over the two bills  a lack of progress that has brought him criticism from activists in his own party.

Im tired of being quiet!" he shouted to cheers from the crowd.

In his remarks, Biden invoked the civil rights battles of the 1960s. He likened the wrongs of the past to modern-day efforts to subvert elections through the Capitol riot a year ago and a series of GOP-backed laws passed after former President Donald Trump lost in 2020 and then falsely claimed widespread voter fraud. Biden chastised Republicans for falling in line behind Trump's election lies.

Today, we call on Congress to get done what history will judge," Biden said. "Pass the freedom to vote act.

Bidens speech was forceful, blunt and explicit, referring to new efforts to limit voting access as Jim Crow 2.0. For the first time, he directly advocated eliminating the Senate's vote-blocking device called the filibuster in order to debate and vote on election and voting rights legislation. Though his focus brings more national attention to the debate ahead, it's not clear what impact his newfound fire will have.

Current rules require 60 votes to advance most legislation  a threshold that Senate Democrats cant meet alone because they have just a 50-50 majority with Vice President Kamala Harris to break ties. Republicans unanimously oppose the voting rights measures.

There also arent enough Democratic votes to change the Senate rule. West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin threw more cold water on the idea Tuesday, saying he believes any changes should be made with substantial Republican buy-in. And there arent any Republican senators willing to sign on.

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Not a single Republican has displayed the courage to stand up to a defeated president to protect Americans right to vote," Biden said. "Not one. Not one.

Congressional Democrats have written voting legislation that would usher in the biggest overhaul of U.S. elections in a generation by striking down hurdles to voting enacted in the name of election security. The legislation also would reduce the influence of big money in politics and limit partisan influence over the drawing of congressional districts.

The package would create national election standards that would trump state-level GOP laws. It would also restore the ability of the Justice Department to police election laws in states with a history of discrimination.

Republicans say the changes are not aimed at fairness but at giving Democrats an advantage in elections.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky accused Biden of invoking the brutal racial hatred of Jim Crow Segregation to smear states new voting laws.

And it is coming from a sitting president of the United States who pledged to lower the temperature and unite America, McConnell said.

Even if Democrats clear the obstacles to passing the legislation, it could be too late to counter voting restrictions passed in 19 states following Trumps 2020 loss and his lies  embraced by many in the GOP -- that the election was stolen through voter fraud.

Voting rights advocates in Georgia and nationwide are increasingly anxious about what may happen in 2022 and beyond. They view the changes in many states as a subtler form of ballot restrictions like literacy tests and poll taxes once used to disenfranchise Black voters, a key Democratic constituency.

This matters to all of us," Biden insisted. "The goal of the former president and his allies is to disenfranchise anyone who votes against him, simple as that.

The president spent decades in the Senate, and he spoke with regret of how much its changed for the worse, calling it a shell of its former self. He spoke of an era not long ago when an issue like voting rights would never have been so rancorously partisan.

He recalled working with segregationist lawmakers in the Senate to get legislation passed and for it then to be signed into law by Republican presidents. But now, the filibuster has been used frequently to block even the debating of some legislation.

How do you want to be remembered?" he asked his former congressional colleagues.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., has set next Mondays Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a deadline to either pass voting legislation or consider revising the rules. Biden told his audience, The next few days, when these bills come to a vote, will mark a turning point in this nation's history.

Will we choose democracy over autocracy, light over shadow, justice over injustice? I know where I stand. I will not yield. I will not flinch, he declared. I will defend the right to vote, our democracy, against all enemies foreign, yes and domestic. The question is where will the institution of the United States Senate stand?

Biden also visited Atlanta's historic Ebenezer Baptist Church, where the late Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. once held forth from the pulpit. He stood quietly as Martin Luther King III placed a wreath outside at the crypt of King and his wife, Coretta Scott King.

Some voting rights advocates boycotted Biden's speech out of frustration over Washington's inaction. Georgia Democratic gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams, known for her untiring voting rights work, said she skipped the event because of a scheduling conflict, which she did not explain further.

King said in a statement that he was happy to host Biden, but that he also supported those who chose to skip the speech.

Weve seen whats possible when President Biden uses the full weight of his office to deliver for bridges, he said, referencing Bidens successful push for a $1 trillion infrastructure spending deal. And now we need to see him do the same for voting rights.

Republicans who have fallen in line behind Trumps election misinformation are separately promoting efforts to influence future elections by installing sympathetic leaders in local election posts and by backing for elective office some of those who participated in the riot at the U.S. Capitol.

Vice President Kamala Harris spoke before Biden on Tuesday, warning that the barrage of new state laws means there is a danger of becoming accustomed to these laws, a danger of adjusting to these laws as though they are normal.

There is nothing normal about a law that makes it illegal to pass out water or food to people standing in long voting lines, she said, to cheers.

Georgia is at the center of it all, one of the key battleground states in the 2020 elections. After the votes were counted and recounted, Trump told the top state election official he wanted the official to find enough votes to overturn his loss. The states votes nonetheless went to Biden, and both of its Senate seats went to Democrats as well.

Last year, the state's Republican governor signed a sweeping rewrite of election rules that, among other things, gives the State Election Board new powers to intervene in county election offices and to remove and replace local election officials. That has led to concerns that the Republican-controlled state board could exert more influence over the administration of elections, including the certification of county results.

___

Amy reported from Atlanta. AP Congressional Correspondent Lisa Mascaro and Brian Slodysko contributed to this report.
(mbkstank/TikTok)

Walmart workers shared a video of themselves using their price tags as guns as they ran through the store, claiming they were later fired for the stunt, sparking a debate on social media about whether this work behaviour was appropriate.

In a TikTok video posted by @mbkstank on 9 January, several Walmart employees pointed their price scanners, which had a flashing light coming out of them, at the camera. It appears that the workers were shooting the device, as if it were a gun, in the clip.

Workers popped out from many different locations of the store, such as from behind the selves or the inside of a cabinet. Others were also on a bicycle or on a wagon. They all got fired, the text over the video reads.

However, it seems like these workers still had fun, as the caption of the video said, they got Walmart lit though.

The clip has over 610.3k views so far, with viewers in the comments claiming these workers shouldnt have been fired if they actually were.

Walmart is not in the position to fire anyone, one wrote in the comments, while another said: Thats the stores loss now they have to replace every single employee they just fired the store took an L on that one.

Some comments expressed that these workers were simply having fun making this video and that their jobs shouldnt be in jeopardy because of it.

This is sweet ... you all need to have fun @ work once in a while, one comment reads. You guys work hard ... so sry you all got fired. I think Wally world needs to re-access.

Nobody was harmed Im sure in the making of this video ... they was just having fun!, another added.

On the opposite side of the coin, some viewers felt that these workers werent being very professional.

It doesnt matter who told! you are supposed to be working not playing around, one wrote. Customers should start calling corporate and writing letters to the president (Walmart CEO) about stuff like this.

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This is a business not a playground, another added.

This TikTok account typically posts videos with this theme. For example, one video consisted of students in a school pointing their phones at the camera, with the text saying they got expelled.

On January 10, the account shared another video of Walmart workers once again directing their prices scanners towards the camera and the text over the clip said: They all got fired. So, it appears that these videos could all just be a part of a skit.

According to Walmarts website, there are approximately 10,500 retail units in 24 countries. The company also has approximately 2.2 million associates around the world with 1.6 million in the U.S. alone.

The Independent has reached out to Walmart and @mbkstank for a comment.
Last week, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated its guidance for when to quarantine and when to isolate because of COVID-19. A lot of folks have been confused about the new recommendations, which changed the number of days and who needs to quarantine. We asked local doctors to help us understand these guidelines and the difference between quarantining and isolating.

According to the CDC, the guidelines changed because of new information that indicated people tend to be infectious two to three days after being exposed before symptoms set in and up to eight days after the symptoms set in, with infectiousness waning with each day.

What is the difference between quarantine and isolation?

You are in quarantine when you have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, but you have not tested positive yet. If you test positive, you enter isolation and the counting of days starts again.

You are in isolation if you have tested positive for COVID-19. It does not matter if you have symptoms.

Hospitalizations and COVID: Amid omicron COVID spike, Texas hospitals see staffing shortages accelerating

How are the days counted for quarantine or isolation?

For quarantining, Day 0 is the day you have had close contact with someone with COVID-19. Day 1 is the first full day after you've had contact.

If you are isolating, Day 0 is the day you first test positive. Day 1 is the first full day after your positive test.

Do I need to quarantine?

People who are up to date in their vaccinations do not need to quarantine. Being up to date means that you have had both shots of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or one shot of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, and you have been boosted if it's been more than five months since being fully vaccinated with Pfizer or Moderna and two months for Johnson & Johnson. You should try to get tested five days after you were in close contact with someone with COVID-19.

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Explaining boosters: What do FDA's changes in COVID-19 boosters mean for you?

"That's the good news," said Dr. Stanley Spinner, vice president and chief medical officer at Texas Children's Pediatrics and Texas Children's Urgent Care. If you are boosted or it's not time yet to be boosted but you've completed the first series, "you're presumed to have good protection."

If you are not up to date in vaccinations, you need to quarantine for five days if you have been in close contact with someone who tests positive.

What does close contact with COVID-19 mean?

Close contact is being within 6 feet of someone, for at least 15 minutes, who has tested positive regardless of whether they wore a mask or where you were. It's also cumulative. If you were within 6 feet of three people who tested positive for five minutes, that equals the 15 minutes and the need to quarantine.

The CDC has different guidelines for school settings.

For students in schools, close contact means you've been within 3 feet of someone with COVID-19 in an indoor setting, such as a classroom, or a structured outdoor setting for 15 minutes or more over the course of 24 hours. For students, close contact also can mean within 6 feet of someone indoors for 15 minutes or more in 24 hours if both people were not wearing masks or not wearing masks properly.

For adults, close contact means within 6 feet of someone for more than 15 minutes regardless of the setting or mask use.

Each school district has its own policies as well in guidance with the Texas Education Agency and the CDC. When in doubt, follow the stricter rules.

"We acknowledge that there is confusion right now," said Dr. Suneet Singh, medical director for CareHive Health. "This is still being pieced together."

Things are evolving, he said. Schools are no longer being shut down and cleaned after one positive case.

What does it mean to quarantine for COVID-19 ?

Quarantine means that for five full days you are not going anywhere outside your home  not to the grocery store, not to school, not to work. Inside your home, wear a mask to prevent other people in your home from becoming exposed.

How do I get out of quarantine?

If you are negative and have no symptoms, you can leave quarantine on Day 6, but watch for symptoms through Day 10 and wear a mask everywhere you go through Day 10. Remember, during Stage 5 safety guidelines, which is the level Austin is in, you should wear a mask everywhere regardless of quarantine or vaccination status. You should not travel and avoid being around people who are at high risk.

Here's what Stage 5 means: Austin returns to Stage 5 of COVID guidelines. What will change for you?

If you develop symptoms, isolate until you test negative.

What's tricky about ending quarantine at Day 5 instead of Day 10 with kids in schools, Spinner said, is it's impossible for them to wear a mask the entire time at school. They have to eat lunch and when they do, they are not wearing masks.

The Texas Education Agency updated its guidance to 10 days for students instead of 14, following the CDC's recommendations. Staff members can get out of quarantine five days after close contact.

James Hensley eats breakfast before school begins at Cedar Park's Faubion Elementary School in December. Because kids have to eat lunch and cannot wear their mask during lunch or breakfast, they need to stay out for 10 days if they are quarantining.

What does it mean to isolate?

If you have tested positive or have symptoms regardless of vaccination status, you need to stay home and isolate for five days. That means you are wearing a mask around others in your home and trying to separate yourself as much as possible from other family members.

You are not going anywhere outside your home during the isolation period.

When can I end my isolation?

If you had symptoms, you must wait five full days after your positive test and be fever free for 24 hours without the use of medications, and your symptoms have to be improving. If you were severely ill, you should wait at least 10 full days after your positive test and call your doctor.

If you've had no symptoms, the isolation period is five days after your positive test or Day 6.

Once you get out of isolation, wear a mask at least until Day 10 and avoid travel or being around people with high risks for severe disease.

The Texas Education Agency's guidelines are that staff members can get out of isolation five days after a positive test if they don't have symptoms or five days plus being fever free for 24 hours if they had symptoms that have improved. For students to get out of isolation, it's 10 days past the onset of symptoms or a positive test and being fever free for 24 hours.

Spreading COVID-19: Fact-check: Can vaccinated people spread COVID-19?

Do I need to quarantine if someone in my family is quarantining?

If you were not the person who was in close contact with someone with COVID-19, you do not need to quarantine. That means if a child has been sent home from school and is told to quarantine, but has no symptoms and has not tested positive, parents, siblings or others in the household do not need to quarantine.

Everything changes once the child tests positive or has symptoms. Then everyone in the family who has been in close contact with the child needs to quarantine and that child is in isolation.

COVID-19 in schools: Austin-area schools see rising teacher and student absences

Why are quarantining and isolation different for COVID-19 than for the flu or other illnesses?

"COVID has been a lot more contagious even in the original strain than the common cold or flu and has been significantly more contagious as we've gone to delta and omicron," Spinner said.

We know that people can spread COVID-19 for several days after they test positive even if they feel fine, he said. We also know that people who are not symptomatic can spread it.

The good news is that COVID-19 has not yet reached the contagiousness of measles, Spinner said, though it is approaching that level. If it does, anyone in the room with someone who tested positive would have to quarantine, he said.

Why is it important to follow the quarantine and isolation guidance for COVID-19 ?

Singh explains that it's like the butterfly effect. When one person doesn't quarantine or isolate, they infect many more people, who then have to quarantine and isolate.

"When so many people have the disease, it takes away so many people in the workforce. Grocery stores, restaurants and companies have to shut down," he said.

While the omicron variant is not thought to cause as much severe illness, especially in people who are vaccinated, it still can cause hospitalization and death in unvaccinated people, including children 4 and younger who can't be vaccinated, and people who have underlying conditions.

"It's so important to work together to keep one another safe," Singh said.

More: Austin concerts postponed or canceled as omicron surges: Erasure, Best Coast, and more

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: How long do I have to quarantine if I have COVID? See CDC guidelines
As the U.S. Supreme Court continues to review a federal vaccine mandate, Maury County Mayor Andy Ogles said he will not force county employees to comply if the federal requirement becomes law.

An initial stage of President Joe Bidens vaccine mandate, reflected by a new policy issued by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, began this week for companies with more than 100 employees as the mandate is challenged in the Supreme Court.

Ogles sent an email to Maury County employees on Monday stating his position about the vaccine mandate under review that would require all employees at businesses with 100 employees or more to get vaccinated or tested for COVID-19 weekly.

Maury County Government will not comply with any OSHA mandate that forces an employee to be vaccinated against their will, Ogles said in the email.

The county employs about 480 people.

The outspoken Republican emphasized that he is not against vaccination for the virus.

More: Supreme Court signals skepticism of Biden's workplace COVID-19 vaccine-or-testing mandate

More: The Supreme Court has allowed state COVID-19 vaccine mandates. Biden's policies face a steeper climb

Your healthcare is your business, and I will willfully go to jail before forcing any of you to take the vaccine, Ogles writes. "No one who works for Maury County will be forced to take the vaccine. If you want it, I hope you sign up."

Members of the public held a protest in November outside Maury Regional Medical Center in opposition to a separate federal mandate, requiring all health care workers to be vaccinated for COVID-19.

More: Ogles issues State of Emergency in Maury County in response to federal vaccine mandates

More: Must abide: Maury Regional responds to weekend protest of COVID-19 vaccination mandate

At the time, Ogles, alongside other Republican leaders from the region, issued via Facebook Live, a symbolic State of Emergency in Maury County in an effort to "secure the liberties" of health care workers in the county.

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The State of Emergency order was in direct response to the federal mandate, requiring health care providers that receive federal Medicare and Medicaid funding to have all staff members vaccinated for COVID-19.

More: Tennessee lawmakers introduce legislation to protect workers from vaccine mandate outcomes

I along with HR are keeping a close watch on the Supreme Court and their decision, Ogles said.

Amid the ongoing pandemic, the conservative mayor has grown an online following with several announcements and other live broadcasts shared on his Facebook page.

Ogles, who also serves as chairman of the Maury County Republican Party, has consistently voiced uniform opposition to mandates set in place amid the pandemic, opposing restrictions on businesses and county mask mandates early during the pandemic, now opposing vaccination requirements.

Supreme Court skeptical of mandate

Last week, a majority of the Supreme Court signaled Friday it is skeptical of the Biden administration's authority to require millions of Americans who work for large companies to be vaccinated against COVID-19 or submit to weekly testing.

On Dec. 17, Cincinnati-based U.S. Court of Appeals, 6th Circuit lifted a previous stay on OSHA's mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations or testing set by the 5th Circuit Court, which reinstated the mandate for companies with over 100 employees, while OSHA allowed employers until Jan. 10 to come into compliance. A message posted on the OSHA website says the administration will not issue citations for noncompliance with COVID-19 testing requirements before Feb. 9.

Letter to Maury County employees

Ogles' letter to Maury County employees, reads in full as follows:

To Maury County Employees,

Regarding the OSHA vaccine mandate and pending Supreme Court case:

On December 17th a divided Sixth Circuit vacated a stay of the OSHA rule. Plaintiffs challenging the OSHA mandate have asked the Supreme Court to re-impose the stay; arguments in the case were heard this past Friday Jan 7th. Absent a stay from the Supreme Court later this week, OSHA will once again try and enforce their mandate.

That said, Maury County Government will not comply with any OSHA mandate that forces an employee to be vaccinated against their will. It should be noted that I am not anti-vaccine, but your healthcare is your business and I will willfully go to jail before forcing any of you to take the vaccine.

I along with HR are keeping a close watch on the Supreme Court and their decision; we will update you once we have further information.

Thank You,

Andy Ogles

Maury County Mayor

Reach Mike Christen at mchristen@c-dh.net. Follow him on Twitter at @MikeChristenCDH and on Instagram at @michaelmarco. Please consider supporting his work and that of other Daily Herald journalists by subscribing to the publication.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Herald: Maury County mayor voices defiance of a vaccine mandate
The Bedford County Board of Supervisors selected its chair and vice chair for the new year Monday in the boards first meeting of 2022.

District 4 Supervisor John Sharp, who served as board chair two years ago, was unanimously voted to be chair once again. District 5 Supervisor Tommy Scott served as chair in 2021.

District 2 Supervisor Edgar Tuck was unanimously voted into the position of vice chair. District 7 Supervisor Tammy Parker served as vice chair last year.

Following the organizational portion of the meeting, supervisors unanimously approved a resolution supporting landowners along High Point Road in applying for a Virginia Department of Transportation revenue-sharing program.

Property owners bordering High Point Road in Bedford have, for some time, been working to bring the road under Virginia state maintenance as part of the secondary highway system, Bedford County attorney Patrick Skelley said.

Landowners along the road are paying the expenses to bring High Point Road up to secondary road standards themselves, an amount totaling at least $200,000, according to county documents.

To help with the costs, residents plan to apply for a revenue-sharing program offered by the Commonwealth Transportation Board, in which VDOT will match the allocation of funds from landowners for the project.

There is no fiscal impact to Bedford County. The resolution was a gesture of county support for the residents working to add this road to the secondary highway system.

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With lopsided majorities in the House and Senate, Iowa Republicans gathering today in Des Moines for the launch of the 2022 legislative session are likely to launch more than one moon shot.

GOP legislative leaders are planning what they call a moon shot tax-cut plan that eventually would eliminate the states personal income tax. But their appetites may not stop there.

I think there's going to be an effort to push for everything that's on the agenda, University of Northern Iowa political scientist Chris Larimer said about the session. I think they're going to push on tax cuts, maybe more easing of gun restrictions and kind of waiting and seeing what they're going to do on abortion in anticipation of a U.S. Supreme Court decision later this spring on a Mississippi abortion law.

I cant fathom theres a world in which the majority party doesnt use this election-year session to attack womens rights more, House Minority Leader Jennifer Konfrst, D-Windsor Heights, predicted. They just cant help themselves.

Still, Larimer said, even with majorities of 60-40 in the House and 32-18 in the Senate, Republicans may not get everything they want because of differences within their own party.

At this point, a lot ideas are being floated. A proposal such as cutting or eliminating income taxes has broad but not unanimous support among Republicans. Proposals to further restrict access to abortion, to prohibit employers from mandating employees practice health measures such as vaccinations and to bring criminal charges against teachers and librarians who make available books that the some legislators deem to be obscene face longer odds.

Without commenting on any specific proposal, House Speaker Pat Grassley, R-New Hartford, told reporters that just because one bill gets filed doesn't mean that it always is going to make it all the way through the Legislature.

In addition to lawmakers personal agendas and the priorities already outlined by leaders, the 2022 session will be influenced by election-year politics. All 100 House seats are up for grabs this year. Due to redistricting, its likely more than half the 50 Senate seats will be on the ballot. The exact number wont be known until the filing deadline March 18.

Republican leaders downplay the impact of November elections, saying it will be business as usual for them.

I think it's going to be largely what you've seen the last five years, said Senate Majority Leader Jack Whitver, R-Ankeny. We started a vision for Iowa to implement pro-growth policies and put us on a direction that we thought was the right direction for this state.

Like previous sessions when Republicans were in control, Whitver said 2022 will be about passing laws and bills and initiatives that Iowans want. Thats why Republicans have their large majorities, Grassley added.

Democrats believe the GOP is confusing what their corporate donors are telling them with what the public wants.

My job is to remind Iowans every chance I get that Republicans campaign in moderation and govern in the extreme, Konfrst said. They come out saying I care about child care, I care about mental health, and then they get to the floor and its a completely different ballgame. Whenever they dont involve us, whenever they do legislation that doesnt have bipartisan support, were going to point out why and were going to spend time letting Iowans know whats really happening up here.

Senate Minority Leader Zach Wahls, D-Coralville, thinks GOP Gov. Kim Reynolds and legislative Republicans will give his party plenty to talk about. Hes calling on legislators to focus on the state's number one problem  the Kim Reynolds workforce crisis.

Small businesses are having trouble staying open, maintaining hours and struggling to hire new employees, Wahls said. Schools are having larger class sizes or canceling classes altogether because of teacher shortages and the inability to operate buses. Hospitals are desperate for more staff. All of these problems are a direct result of the Kim Reynolds workforce crisis.

Unfortunately, the Republican response to the Reynolds workforce crisis is to try and distract Iowans by focusing their rhetoric on banning books, putting teachers and librarians behind bars, lying about the 2020 election and the Jan. 6 attack and taking away Iowans freedoms, liberties and civil rights, he said.

If the first thing a person sees when they Google Iowa is a story about book banning, about the constitutional amendment for abortion, for guns  I think that makes the Kim Reynolds workforce crisis worse, not better, Wahls said.

He may have a point, Larimer said.

They could, potentially, go too far. There could be damage, perhaps to the reputation of the state, Larimer said. If there's a sense that Iowas really out of touch on certain things and it affects businesses or business investments, then I think there's potential that the maybe go too far.

They're always concerned about elections, but there are larger concerns about how Iowa is perceived by others, Larimer said. That could that have long-term effects.

Its hard to measure the impact of the election on the session, but its heightened this year because of redistricting that redrew legislative election boundaries to reflect population changes over the past decade. Many lawmakers will running for re-election in unfamiliar districts. Some will face fellow party members in primaries. And some will be facing another incumbent in the general election.

In addition to dealing with tax cuts and budget decisions, and issues ranging from broadband and child care to workforce housing and confronting coronavirus issues, many lawmakers will be trying to figure out how's my district changed? How do I campaign in this in this new district? said Tim Storey, executive director of the National Conference of State Legislatures.

There's potential for a great deal of change, Storey said, because in the election after redistricting, turnover spikes from around 18 to about 25 percent.

Theres an old maxim that the party in power legislates cautiously in an election year. But I don't know how much that rule applies anymore, that you don't want to do anything super-controversial in an election year, Larimer said.

Republicans may stop short of doing anything that will harm the states reputation or make it harder to attract investments, he said.

But in terms of pushing their party platform, I would expect them to continue to push and to push pretty hard, Larimer said.
The Pottawattamie County Board of Supervisors rang in 2022 electing officers for the upcoming year.

Tim Wichman was voted board chair, while Brian Shea voted chair pro-tem.

The board looked back on projects from 2021 during its Jan. 3 meeting: The county started the courthouse expansion, worked on the expansion of the jail, made road improvements, started the process for a water line improvement project, helped with the first industrial park in Pottawattamie County and more.

Goals for 2022 include plans for a new public health facility, a new maintenance shop, more park expansion, a tiny homes project and the renovation of the treasurers office.

Also at the meeting the board approved to amend chapter 5.30, Flood Plain Management. The amends include adding the following definitions according to the Board of Supervisors agenda:

500 year flood  A flood which has a .2% chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year or which, on average, will be equaled or exceeded at least once every 500 years.

Appurtenant structure  A structure which is on the same parcel of the property as the principal structure to be insured and the use of which is incidental to the use of the principal structure.

Base flood elevation  The elevation floodwaters would reach at a particular site during the occurrence of a base flood event.

Flood insurance study  An examination, evaluation and determination of flood hazards and, if appropriate, corresponding water surface elevations.

Highest adjacent grade  The highest natural elevation of the ground surface prior to construction next to the proposed walls of a structure.

Maximum damage potential development  Hospitals and like institutions; buildings or building complexes containing documents, data or instruments of great public value; buildings or building complexes containing materials dangerous to the public or fuel storage facilities; power installations needed in emergency or other buildings or building complexes similar in nature or use.

Substantial damage  Damage of any origin sustained by a structure whereby the cost of restoring the structure to its before damage condition would equal or exceed 50% of the market value of the structure before the damage occurred. Substantial damage also means flood-related damages sustained by a structure on two separate occasions during a 10-year period for which the cost of repairs at the time of such flood event, on the average, equals or exceeds 25% of the market value of the structure before the damage occurred. Volunteer labor and donated materials shall be included in the estimated cost of repair.

The board also approved to amend Section 5.30.041.11, Flood Plain Management, to provide accessory structures to residential uses  detached garages, sheds and similar structures  that are incidental accessory to a residential use. These are exempt from the 100-year flood elevation requirements where the following criteria is met according to the Board of Supervisors agenda:

The structure shall be designed to have low flood damage potential. Its size shall not exceed 600 sq. ft. in size. Those portions of the structure located less than 1 foot above the 100-year flood elevation must be constructed of flood-resistant materials.

The structure shall be used solely for low flood damage potential purposes such as vehicle parking and limited storage. The structure shall not be used for human habitation.

The structure shall be constructed and placed on the building site so as to offer minimum resistance to the flow of floodwaters.

The structure shall be firmly anchored to resist flotation, collapse and lateral movement.

The structures service facilities such as electrical and heating equipment shall be elevated or floodproofed to at least one foot above the 100-year flood elevation.

The structures walls shall include openings that satisfy the provisions of Section 4, 51.30.041.04A of this Ordinance.

The board adopted Roberts Rules of Order and decided to continue meeting on Tuesdays at 10 a.m. for 2022.

Also at the meeting, the board:

Approved Resolution No. 06-2022 authorizing the County Engineer to close secondary roads for construction and/or maintenance.

Approved Resolution No. 07-2022 authorizing the County Engineer to certify completion papers and make final acceptance of contract work on the farm to market and federal aid systems.

Approved Resolution No. 08-2022 authorizing the County Engineer to issue and sign special permits for the movement of vehicles of excessive size and weight upon Pottawattamie County secondary roads.

Approved Resolution No. 01-2022 authorizing that the auditor is authorized and directed to issue warrants in payment of claims before audit, and when the board is not in session for the following purposes:

For salaries where such compensation shall have been previously fixed by the board. When services of an employee are terminated upon certification of the officer under which such compensation has been earned.

For transportation of persons transferred at the expense of Pottawattamie County to various state institutions, when such expenses have been previously authorized and ordered by the court or direction of the Department of Human Services, and to include transients for Pottawattamie County Human Services.

For Clerk of Courts certified bills for payment of Grand Jury.

For benefits for salaries on County payroll, where benefit rates have been previously fixed by the Board of Supervisors.

Approved Resolution No. 02-2022 authorizing the Pottawattamie County Auditor to destroy county vouchers and canceled county warrants dated on or before Jan. 1, 2012.

Approved Resolution No. 03-2022 approving the following deputy appointments:

Attorney Auditor  Jon Jacobmeier, Chief Deputy; Kristin M. Everett, First Deputy; Linda Swolley, First Deputy, Real Estate; and Kristy Hassay, Second Deputy, Real Estate.

Recorder  Lynn Herrington, First Deputy; and Andrew Moats, First Deputy.

Sheriff Treasurer  Jeff Theulen, Chief Deputy; Jamie Smothers, First Deputy; and Heather Ausdemore, First Deputy.

Approved The Daily Nonpareil, Oakland Harold and Avoca Journal Herald as official newspapers for Pottawattamie County in 2022.

Approved legal holidays for 2022.

Approved the federal standard mileage rate for 2022  58 cents per mile driven for business use, 18 cents per mile driven for medical or moving purposes for qualified active-duty members of the Armed Forces and 14 cents per mile driven in service of charitable organizations.

Lynn Grobe was appointed as the primary member to the Southwest Iowa Region Mental Health and Disability Services Board for 2022. Brian Shea is the alternate.

Scott Belt was appointed as the primary member to the Fourth Judicial District Department of Correctional Services Board of Directors for 2022.

Scott Belt was appointed as the primary member of representatives to the IGHCP Board for 2022.

Scott Belt was appointed as the primary MAPA representative. Tim Wichman is the alternate.

Approved the monthly stipend amount for elected officials mobile cellular usage for 2022.

The Board of Supervisors will hold a meeting today at 10 a.m. in the Board of Supervisors Hearing Room in the Pottawattamie County Courthouse, 227 S. Sixth St.

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The city of Wayne has agreed to pay $45,000 to settle with a man who sued after police officers forced him to go to a hospital or be jailed after responding to a call to check on him when he was seen rolling around in his own yard screaming.

Jeff Olsufka's attorney, Adam Sipple, said the case was important because it addressed the "often abused" community-caretaking exception to the Constitutions warrant requirement.

Under the exception, law enforcement officers can enter a home or yard without a warrant when they have reasonable belief that an emergency exists requiring an officer's attention. For instance, when someone is in danger.

The city argued the case should be dismissed because that's what the officers were doing on the evening of Aug. 18, 2019, after a neighbor called police to check on Olsufka, who had been working in his yard, became dehydrated and fell to the ground.

When Sgt. Brian Swanson and a second officer showed up, they immediately asked if Olsufka was under the influence. He denied it, saying he had a history of seizures and just needed to go inside and drink some water. He stood up and said he was fine.

But police detained him, and Swanson threw him to the ground and put him in handcuffs when he took a few steps toward his home, according to court records.

Ultimately, after talking with Wayne Police Chief Marlen Chinn, Swanson told Olsufka police would arrest him for disturbing the peace if he didn't agree to a blood screen at a hospital. After many objections, he agreed, and the tests confirmed he was dehydrated and not under the influence.

Then, police refused to pay the bill, so Olsufka sued.

"If Wayne police wanted to help Jeff they would have let him have a glass of water to treat his dehydration, rather than forcing him to submit to drug testing, Sipple said this week.

Last month's settlement followed an order in October where U.S. District Judge John Gerrard refused to dismiss the case, saying there were questions for a jury to answer.

He said it was Olsufka's Fourth Amendment right to be left alone on his own property absent a reasonable belief of an emergency requiring medical care.

"The community caretaking exception doesn't operate to allow police officers to remain on an individual's curtilage without a warrant because an individual was belligerent or uncooperative in the absence of an emergency, or the need to protect the person or others," the judge said.

During a nearly 10-minute period, Olsufka had calmly conversed with the officers. As the situation devolved, he insulted the officers, but only after he was taken down and handcuffed did his insults become much louder and laced with profanity, the judge said.

Even then, Olsufka didn't resist or make threats toward the officers, or anyone else.

"The evidence viewed in the plaintiff's favor suggests that the options Chinn (the police chief) and Swanson gave the plaintiff were a choice as to how he wanted his Fourth Amendment rights violated. He could consent to a warrantless search of his person, or go to jail for a highly questionable charge of disturbing the peace," Gerrard wrote.

Mark Fitzgerald, the attorney for the city, didn't return a request for comment. Wayne, population 5,500, is 30 miles northeast of Norfolk.

Reach the writer at 402-473-7237 or lpilger@journalstar.com. On Twitter @LJSpilger
WASHINGTON  The United States on Tuesday announced $308 million in additional humanitarian assistance for Afghanistan, offering new aid to the country as it edges toward a humanitarian crisis since the Taliban takeover nearly five months ago.

White House national security council spokesperson Emily Horne said in a statement that the new aid from the U.S. Agency for International Development will flow through independent humanitarian organizations and will be used to provide shelter, health care, winterization assistance, emergency food aid, water, sanitation and hygiene services.

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The countrys long-troubled economy has been in a tailspin since the Taliban takeover. Nearly 80% of Afghanistans previous governments budget came from the international community. That money, now cut off, financed hospitals, schools, factories and government ministries. Desperation for such basic necessities has been further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic as well as health care shortages, drought and malnutrition.

Hundreds of Afghan men gather to apply for the humanitarian aid in Qala-e-Naw, Afghanistan, Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2021. (Mstyslav Chernov/AP Photos/AP)

The International Rescue Committee, a global humanitarian aid organization, said community health workers it supports have reported seeing a sharp increase in the number of children with severe acute malnutrition in Khost and Herat provinces. The group also reported that food prices in Afghanistan have risen by an estimated 10% to 20% compared with the previous five years.

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The IRCs president and CEO, David Milliband, said the cause of todays humanitarian disaster is clear: the economic tourniquet applied to Afghanistan.

It is way past time for a change of approach, he said.

The USAID called on the Taliban to allow all aid workers, especially women ... to operate independently and securely as humanitarian groups look to assist those suffering.

The United States continues to urge the Taliban to allow unhindered humanitarian access, safe conditions for humanitarians, independent provision of assistance to all vulnerable people, and freedom of movement for aid workers of all genders, the agency said in a statement.

Separately, the United Nations 2022 Humanitarian Response Plan for Afghanistan, unveiled Tuesday, found the country requires $4.4 billion in funding, the largest humanitarian appeal ever launched for a country.

Events in Afghanistan over the past year have unfolded with dizzying speed and with profound consequences for the Afghan people, said Martin Griffiths, the UN undersecretary general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief coordinator. The world is perplexed and looking for the right way to react. Meanwhile, a full-blown humanitarian catastrophe looms.

The new Biden administration commitment brings U.S. humanitarian assistance for Afghanistan to more than $780 million since the chaotic ending of the 20-year-old war in August. The United Nations says 22% of Afghanistans 38 million people are living near famine and another 36% are facing acute food insecurity.

In addition, the White House pledged that it would send Afghanistan 1 million additional COVID-19 vaccine doses through COVAX, an initiative by the World Health Organization to improve access to vaccines. With the new influx of doses, the U.S. will have sent 4.3 million doses to Afghanistan, which has struggled to deal with the unrelenting pandemic.

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International funding to Afghanistan was suspended and billions of dollars of the countrys assets abroad, mostly in the United States, were frozen after the Taliban took control of the country in mid-August.

The decision by the U.S. and the international community not to recognize the Taliban government, which governed with a strict interpretation of Islamic law when it was in control from 1996 to 2001, has created a quandary for Western powers about how to provide enough aid without giving the Taliban legitimacy. They hope that by giving money directly to independent aid organizations theyll be able to keep it out of the hands of the Taliban.

The lack of funding has led to increased poverty, and aid groups have warned of a looming humanitarian catastrophe. State employees, from doctors to teachers and administrative civil servants, havent been paid in months. Banks, meanwhile, have restricted how much money account holders can withdraw.

The Taliban have called on the international community to release funds and help stave off a humanitarian disaster.

Sen. Chris Murphy, chairman of the U.S. Senate foreign relations subcommittee on Near East, South Asia, Central Asia and counterterrorism, said that it was in U.S. and allies interest to ease Afghans suffering.

The United States of America has a moral obligation to prevent avoidable suffering and a national security imperative to do what we can to avoid a humanitarian catastrophe, said Murphy, D-Conn.
State officials unveiled proposals Monday for $700 million in water resource development in Nebraska, pointing to the vital importance of water in securing the state's agricultural and economic development future.

Gov. Pete Ricketts announced that the state is notifying Colorado that Nebraska plans to proceed with a $500 million plan of developing a canal and reservoir system to capture water from the South Platte River, exercising its legal right to that water flow from Colorado under a 1923 compact between the states.

The directive comes in response to plans in Colorado to capture that water with as many as 300 projects before it is allowed to flow into Nebraska, the governor said.

At the same time, Speaker of the Legislature Mike Hilgers of Lincoln unveiled recommendations from a legislative study committee for $200 million in water development projects, including creation of a 7-mile-long lake between Lincoln and Omaha.

Other projects recommended by the Legislature's so-called STAR WARS Committee would fund improvements at Lake McConaughy in Keith County, along the Lower Niobrara River in northern Knox County and along the Lower Platte River near Schuyler.

The proposed new lake between Lincoln and Omaha would be 4,000 acres in size. That compares to the 3,600 acres at Lake Okoboji in Iowa, a popular vacation and recreation destination for Nebraskans.

Hilgers stressed that the new lake, which would be 30-to-35-foot deep, would not dam the Platte River and would not impact Ashland, proactively answering any fears that the project would be akin to earlier proposals that would have had that impact.

Ricketts dodged a question as to whether he will support the committee's recommendations with a suggestion to "stay tuned" for the budget proposals that he will present to the Legislature on Thursday.

Hilgers said the timeline for the proposed lake and other projects would depend on funding decisions.

The lake, along with the other projects, are viewed as opportunities for economic development, tourism, recreation, flood control and water resource sustainability.

The committee is seeking funding from a billion-dollar pot of federal pandemic recovery money allocated to Nebraska.

Ricketts centered on the development of a canal and reservoir system along the South Platte River, pointing to the impact on irrigation, drinking water, the ability to generate electric power and its environmental impact.

Projects now in the planning stage in Colorado could result in a nearly 90 percent reduction in water flows coming into Nebraska, he said.

"They fired the first shot," Attorney General Doug Peterson said, pointing to Colorado's decision to attempt to capture the water before it entered Nebraska.

"We're notifying Colorado that we're moving forward with this process," he said.

Ricketts launched the news conference, which included members of the legislative committee, with the statement: "After her people, water is Nebraska's greatest resource."

Today's officeholders need to "assure access to water resources for generations to come," he said.

Projects proposed by a unanimous vote of the legislative committee include development of a new marina at Lake McConaughy along with roadway improvements and development of an iconic gateway entrance; development of an event center and lodge at Niobrara State Park along with marina expansion and retrofit and a landing boat launch; and flood mitigation jetty repairs and Wahoo Creek flood control along the Lower Platte River.

Those projects, along with creation of the proposed lake between Lincoln and Omaha, would generate an estimated $5.6 billion in regional economic impact during construction and more than $150 million in annual regional economic impact, the committee stated.

Reach the writer at 402-473-7248 or dwalton@journalstar.com. On Twitter @LJSdon
DES MOINES  Racist images and remarks interrupted a virtual political event hosted last week by Iowa Democrats, according to those who participated in the event.

During an event conducted over Zoom, individuals shouted and drew a racial epithet and posted an image of a monkey on the shared screen for all participants to see. Among the events participants were three Black state lawmakers and two Black leaders in the Iowa Democratic Party.

What happened (Friday) was absolutely disgusting, unacceptable, and far too common, said Iowa Rep. Phyllis Thede, a Democrat from Bettendorf and a Black woman. The shift to online platforms for work and school has opened the door for a new kind of harassment. But the attacks are unfortunately all too familiar and they will be met with our resolve. We will not let this hatred keep us from standing up and making our voices heard.

The event in was one of a series of events, hosted by the liberal advocacy group Progress Iowa and multiple partner organizations, designed to present Democrats viewpoints on various issues just before the start Monday of the 2022 session of the Iowa Legislature and Tuesdays Gov. Kim Reynolds annual Condition of the State address.

We will not be silenced. What took place (Friday) night was a scare tactic of cowards and mental terrorists who want to prevent us from being involved in our democracy, said Al Womble, chairman of the Iowa Democratic Partys Black caucus and political director for the Iowa Federation of Labor AFL-CIO. Theres no greater sign that our votes are more important than ever.

Video from the event and information about attendees was given to the West Des Moines Police Department, according to Matt Sinovic, executive director for Progress Iowa.

What happened (Friday) night was an appalling attempt to intimidate and silence Black voices in Iowa, said Ross Wilburn, the first-ever Black chairman of the Iowa Democratic Party. Unfortunately, these despicable experiences of harassment are far too common for Black Iowans. Thats why its crucial all Iowans speak up and hold those accountable for bigoted actions and statements.
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In a single day over the holidays, nearly 1 in 3 United Airlines employees called in sick at Newark Liberty International Airport, a major hub for the airline, the companys chief executive said Tuesday.

The revelation, which came in a memo to staff from the airlines CEO, Scott Kirby, helps explain why U.S. airlines have had to cancel more than more than 27,000 flights, or about 8% of all scheduled trips, over two weeks starting the day before Christmas, according to FlightAware, a data tracking service. Employees calling in sick and storms that delivered strong winds, rains and in some cases record snowfall at airports nationwide wreaked havoc on United and other companies and stranded many travelers.

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Overall, about 3,000 United Airlines employees  more than 4% of its workforce  have recently tested positive for the coronavirus, Kirby said in his memo. The vast majority are not working, and United is cutting its flight schedule to manage the shortage.

Our frontline teams continue to put in a tremendous effort during what I know is an incredibly challenging and stressful time  the Omicron surge has put a strain on our operation, resulting in customer disruptions during a busy holiday season, he said.

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In the two-week period starting just before Christmas, United canceled more than 2,500 flights. SkyWest Airlines, which operates shorter flights for major carriers including United, canceled more than 4,600 trips over that period, more than any other airline. Southwest Airlines was close behind with more than 4,000 flights.

United was one of the first major U.S. companies to impose a vaccine mandate, with nearly all of its workers now vaccinated. Kirby said that the policy was working.

No vaccinated employees are hospitalized, and the hospitalization rate among United employees since the mandate went into effect in the fall has been far lower than that of the general population, he said. Before the requirement, more than one United employee died each week from the virus, on average, Kirby said. The airline has gone eight weeks without a single virus-related death among vaccinated employees.

In dealing with COVID, zero is the word that matters  zero deaths and zero hospitalizations for vaccinated employees, he said. And while I know that some people still disagree with our policy, United is proving that requiring the vaccine is the right thing to do because it saves lives.

The flight cancellations have continued into this week as airlines adjust schedules to manage fallout from the holiday disruptions and staffing problems, although the number has fallen steadily in recent days. More than 650 flights Tuesday were canceled, about 150 of them operated by United.

c.2021 The New York Times Company
Republican councilmember Vickie Paladino was barred from entering Council chambers last week over her refusal to reveal her COVID-19 vaccination status. In a recent interview, she compared the requirement to Nazism. I dont need to show you my papers. This isnt Nazi Germany, Paladino said in an interview with NY1 that aired Monday.

City Council members and their staff are required to show proof of vaccination as city employees, consistent with the citys rules governing a variety of indoor settings. You can get vaccinated all you want. I can get vaccinated all I want. Its just nobodys business whether I am or not. See, its called medical freedom, she said. Paladino was sworn into office this month after flipping the Democratic-held 19th District seat in Queens in November.

Paladino later apologized for the Nazi Germany comparison, issuing a statement Tuesday calling her words a mistake.

Yesterday an interview was published with NY1 in which I compared New York's authoritarian mandate policies to Nazi Germany. It was a mistake to make that comparison. It was a flippant remark and I apologize to anyone who was genuinely offended. Full statement below: pic.twitter.com/sqY4y3i3BZ  Councilwoman Vickie Paladino (@VickieforNYC) January 11, 2022

Last week, the City Council voted to elect its new Speaker, Democrat Adrienne Adams, the first Black councilmember to serve in the role. Paladino, who wasnt allowed on the floor, cast her vote for Adams remotely from Republican minority leader Joe Borellis office.

Rather than force a spectacle on the council floor, I met with my GOP conference as well as Adrienne Adams and explained that out of respect for her nomination to Speaker, I would not cause an issue today. She and I had a great conversation and I look forward to working with her, Paladino said in a tweet.

She continued, I also made it clear that this courtesy would only be for today, and that I will fight the mandates with every resource available. Not just the council mandates, but throughout the city. Going forward, if anyone has a problem with me in the chamber, they will have to remove me.
Avangrid Renewables portfolio of offshore wind pipeline in New England exceeds 2.4 GW of awarded offshore wind projects

Company bolsters experienced offshore wind leadership team

BOSTON, January 11, 2022--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Avangrid Renewables, a subsidiary of AVANGRID, Inc. (NYSE: AGR), has completed the previously announced restructuring of its existing Vineyard Wind joint venture to become the largest offshore wind supplier in New England. In total, Avangrid Renewables now has a projected offshore wind pipeline of 4.9 GW on the East Coast of the United States  enough to power more than 2 million households.

"With our completed restructuring, we are now even better positioned to continue to lead the burgeoning offshore wind industry in the United States," said Dennis V. Arriola, CEO of AVANGRID. "Weve got the right team in place and the expertise to bring these projects to commercial operation, to develop and build new projects, and to help our country meet its clean offshore energy goal of 30 GW by 2030."

"Today marks the next phase for the Avangrid Renewables Offshore team as we continue to bring financial capital, global experience and technical expertise in offshore wind to the U.S. market," said Bill White, president and CEO of Avangrid Renewables Offshore. "We have built a strong team of industry-leading offshore wind professionals, with a balanced mix of U.S. and global experts, and plans to add as many as 100 additional professionals in the coming year."

Following the closing of its restructuring agreement with Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners on January 10, Avangrid Renewables now owns 100% of the Park City Wind (804 MW to Connecticut) and Commonwealth Wind (1232 MW to Massachusetts) offshore wind projects and retains a 50% share of the 800 MW Vineyard Wind 1 project serving Massachusetts, which is also the nations first commercial scale offshore wind farm. Avangrid Renewables is also the 100% owner of Kitty Hawk Offshore Wind (2500 MW) located off the coast of North Carolina and Virginia with the potential to deliver power to both states.

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In addition, Avangrid Renewables has promoted two senior leaders responsible for implementing the companys growing offshore wind project pipeline and securing its next generation of projects and growth. The appointments further strengthen the companys world class offshore wind management team.

Sy Oytan has been appointed Senior Vice President for Offshore Project Management. Oytan is now responsible for the leadership and completion of Park City Wind and Commonwealth Wind. Oytan also continues in his role as Deputy CEO of Vineyard Wind 1 and will remain integral to the projects successful construction. Oytan joined Avangrid Renewables in 2020 and has held significant leadership positions with Siemens Gamesa, the State of New Jersey, and Nord Renewable Energy Consulting. Oytan holds a degree in mechanical engineering from Middle East Technical University and a masters in engineering from Clemson University.

Eric Thumma is promoted to Vice President for Offshore New Business. Thumma is responsible for the businesses commercial agreements, growth opportunities and strategies. Thumma joined Avangrid Renewables in 2007 serving as Director of Policy and Regulatory Affairs before joining the offshore business in 2019 as Senior Director for New Business. Thumma served as a Director of the Pennsylvania Energy Office and Deputy Secretary for Pollution Prevention and Compliance Assistance at the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and received his bachelors and masters degrees from the University of Pittsburgh.

About Avangrid Renewables Offshore Wind Portfolio

Vineyard Wind 1: a 50/50 joint venture with Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners and the first commercial scale U.S. Offshore Wind Project. The project began onshore construction last year and when completed will deliver 800 MW to Massachusetts customers.

Park City Wind: an 804 MW project that will deliver clean energy to Connecticut customers while revitalizing Bridgeports waterfront as home to the projects office and transition piece staging and operations and maintenance port.

Commonwealth Wind: a groundbreaking 1232 MW project that will deliver clean energy to Massachusetts customers. The project supports historic economic development investments in the Commonwealth, including a tier I cable manufacturing facility and the Commonwealths second offshore wind port in Salem, MA.

Kitty Hawk Offshore Wind: a 2,500 MW development project off the coast of North Carolina and Virginia. The project can deliver clean energy to both states and has received its notice of intent to proceed with permitting from the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management.

About AVANGRID: AVANGRID, Inc. (NYSE: AGR) aspires to be the leading sustainable energy company in the United States. Headquartered in Orange, CT with approximately $39 billion in assets and operations in 24 U.S. states, AVANGRID has two primary lines of business: Avangrid Networks and Avangrid Renewables. Avangrid Networks owns and operates eight electric and natural gas utilities, serving more than 3.3 million customers in New York and New England. Avangrid Renewables owns and operates a portfolio of renewable energy generation facilities across the United States. AVANGRID employs approximately 7,000 people and has been recognized by Forbes and Just Capital as one of the 2021 JUST 100 companies  a list of Americas best corporate citizens  and was ranked number one within the utility sector for its commitment to the environment and the communities it serves. The company supports the U.N.s Sustainable Development Goals and was named among the Worlds Most Ethical Companies in 2021 for the third consecutive year by the Ethisphere Institute. For more information, visit www.avangrid.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this release may relate to our future business and financial performance and future events or developments involving us and our subsidiaries that are not purely historical and may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking terms such as "may," "will," "should," "would," "could," "can," "expect(s)," "believe(s)," "anticipate(s)," "intend(s)," "plan(s)," "estimate(s)," "project(s)," "assume(s)," "guide(s)," "target(s)," "forecast(s)," "are (is) confident that" and "seek(s)" or the negative of such terms or other variations on such terms or comparable terminology. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about our the impacts of the Vineyard Wind restructuring, the expected benefits of the Vineyard Wind restructuring, our offshore wind pipeline, the expected timetable for completing offshore wind projects, the ability to recruit and retain a highly qualified and diverse workforce in the competitive labor market, future opportunities, plans, objectives and intentions, outlooks or other future financial or business performance, strategies or expectations, results of operations or financial condition of the business and other statements about future events or performance. Such statements are based upon the current reasonable beliefs, expectations, and assumptions of our management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties that could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially. Important factors are discussed and should be reviewed in our Form 10-K and other subsequent filings with the SEC. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should any of the underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary in material respects from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. We do not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws. Other risk factors are detailed from time to time in our reports filed with the SEC, and we encourage you to consult such disclosures.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220111005745/en/

Contacts

MEDIA:

Zsoka Mcdonald

zsoka.mcdonald@avangrid.com

203-997-6892

INVESTORS:

Patricia Cosgel

Patricia.cosgel@avangrid.com

203-499-2624
Ambassador Francisco Santos

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Alexandria, Virginia, Jan. 11, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Global Situation Room, Inc. (GSR) today announced the addition of Ambassador Francisco Santos to its leadership team. He comes to the public relations agency having served as Vice President of Colombia and most recently, Ambassador to the United States. As Executive Vice President of Global Affairs, Santos will work with GSRs expanding portfolio of clients from around the world on their most Complex Communications challenges.

His arrival comes at a time of rapid growth for the firm, which just purchased a new headquarters in Alexandria, VA and tripled the size of its staff in the last year. Santos joins a number of former American ambassadors, senior White House officials, and veteran journalists at GSR. The agency has seen demand for its proprietary Counter-Crisis Strategies surge in the last several years, as companies look for more sophisticated reputation management solutions to navigate the regularity and severity of the risks they confront.

Ambassador Santos extraordinary experience at the highest levels of government and journalism will further enhance our teams capacity to provide clients with exceptional counsel, said GSR President Brett Bruen. With his help, we plan to accelerate our growth in key foreign markets over the coming year. I believe there is an enormous opportunity to disrupt some of the standard, static public relations services currently being offered.

During his tenure as Vice President, Santos led Colombias promotion of international trade, investment and tourism. He was also integral in implementing policies combating corruption, extortion and kidnapping. Prior to his political and diplomatic roles, Santos had a distinguished career in journalism and held several positions at El Tiempo, one of Colombias leading newspapers. He also worked at El Pais, Spains most prominent newspaper and was a Nieman Fellow at Harvard University.

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The Global Situation Room has really become the industry leader in supporting companies with their most difficult communications situations and objectives, remarked Santos. There is an urgent need to bring these skills and strategies to more places. I look forward to being part of a team that is truly changing the paradigm of the possible in public relations.

GSRs clients include Fortune 100 companies, large philanthropies, and high-profile individuals. In addition to crisis and reputation management, the firm also specializes in thought leadership and global campaigns. It is a fully integrated partner of the multinational public affairs consultancy Porter Novelli and was the agency selected by PR News to write its monthly crisis communications column. For more information about the firm, visit www.globalsitroom.com.

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CONTACT: Finn Gundersen Global Situation Room 843-981-4296 finn@globalsitroom.com




JACKSON, Mich., January 11, 2022--(BUSINESS WIRE)--MiraMed Global Services, Inc. (MiraMed), a leader in healthcare business process outsourcing (BPO) solutions, announces it will be attending the 23rd HFMA Western Region Symposium being held January 16th  19th in Las Vegas at the Paris Las Vegas Hotel & Casino.

The HFMA Western Region Symposium is all about connecting individuals who work in hospitals, health plans, physician practices and others in healthcare settings by creating an environment to educate, connect and motivate! They are tackling the future of healthcare through agility, resilience and innovation.

MiraMed Global Services is the premier global provider of business process outsourcing solutions to healthcare organizations nationwide, partnering with hospitals, health networks, physician practices and related industry service organizations to provide customizable solutions, uncover and capitalize on hidden financial opportunities, improve productivity and ultimately increase profits.

Tony Mira, Chairman and CEO of MiraMed Global Services, says:

The last few years have been a challenge, especially for those of us in the healthcare industry. Covid has affected the way we do business, how we interact, the timeline of our A/R functions and the ability to treat patients. As Covid wanes and waxes, it is important to stay current with the latest developments in our industry, and the HFMA helps us to do just that. We are excited to be a part of this symposium, and we look forward to participating in this exciting network opportunity within our industry.

Visit MiraMed Global Services in Booth #508 at the 23rd HFMA Western Region Symposium.

About MiraMed Global Services

Headquartered in Jackson, Michigan, MiraMed Global Services stands as the premier global provider of business process outsourcing solutions to healthcare organizations nationwide. MiraMed partners with hospitals, health networks, physician practices and related industry service organizations to provide a broad portfolio of customizable solutions, uncover and capitalize on hidden financial opportunities, improve productivity and ultimately increase profits. MiraMed has offices in Jackson, MI, Chicago, IL, Birmingham, AL, Thousand Oaks, CA, Walnut Creek, CA, Boston, MA, Dearborn, MI, Portland, OR, Dallas, TX, Chennai, India and Manila, Philippines.

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MiraMed pairs healthcare industry experts with world-class processes, infrastructure and technology to deliver meaningful and measurable results. This proprietary model enables sustainable change by delivering complete, customizable and enhanced revenue cycle solutions devised to meet a client's own unique financial and organizational needs.

If you would like more information, please go to http://www.miramedgs.com or email info@miramedgs.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220111005808/en/

Contacts

Lori Imboden

Tel: 517-787-7432

Email: info@miramedgs.com
MENLO PARK, Calif., January 11, 2022--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AST Private Company Solutions (AST PCS) is announcing the companys latest strategic alliance with Simetria Trading Solutions Ltd (Simetria), an Israeli-based leading provider of liquidity for private tech companies powered by digital assistance technology. AST PCSs Astrella capitalization (cap) table and ownership data management platform will now be available to support Simetrias clients who require an integrated solution to manage their ownership data while offering the management teams the opportunity of sharing cap table information and offer liquidity opportunities to their teams.

AST PCS, the Silicon Valley-based unit of ownership solutions and payments leader Equiniti and provider of Astrella, a cloud-based software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform, brings together innovative private blockchain technology, artificial intelligence (AI) and predictive analytics. Further, Astrella is built with an API-based ecosystem to quickly engage with leading private investment firms, valuation providers, equity compensation services, liquidity solutions funds, and wealth managers.

Simetria, based in Israel, is the first company to receive a green light, in a form of a non-action letter, from the Israeli Securities Authority to launch a digital securities market. Simetria market is powered by Algorand, an open-source, carbon-neutral, decentralized blockchain network that leverages a two-tiered structure and a unique variation of the Proof-of-Stake (POS) consensus mechanism to increase transaction speeds, to ensure its digital exchange is built from the ground up on the best available blockchain technology.

"While the battle over talents is raging, transparency around equity awards and scheduled liquidity opportunities are the ultimate solution for hiring and retention of employees by private tech companies," said Ziv Keinan, Simetrias Founder and CEO. "We are excited to see a solution such as Astrella on the market, as stronger technology and data management will serve to only expand the range of financing options afforded to our mutual clients as they grow. Combining our transactional solutions with fast-growing Astrella clients is a win-win for everyone."

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Head of AST PCS Israel Avivit Farzam Ben-Avi, LL.B adds, "Our relationship with Israeli companies continues to grow as we develop partnerships with firms such as Simetria who are the best-in-class players in private company transactions. This is another important step in forming the kind of well-rounded data management ecosystem we believe Israeli companieswhether startup, scaling or nearing public offeringrequire."

About Simetria

Simetria is a digital solution provider that focuses on private Israeli pre-IPO technology companies. The revolutionary marketplace uses digital securities technology based on blockchain for this undertaking. Simetria received a preliminary ruling from the Israeli Securities Authority which allows it to launch for the first time as a digital trading platform for securities. Simetria allows Israeli companies to list shares on its platform which would then be offered to accredited investors.

Simetria is the first company in Israel prepared to launch a DLT-based digital securities exchange that transforms the end-to-end lifecycle of a private security for both primary issuance and secondary market trading. The exchange will be launched within the Israeli startup ecosystem first, with an international launch to follow. Simetrias goal is to become the future trading infrastructure of Israel.

About AST Private Company Solutions, Inc.

Founded in 2019, AST PCS is an affiliate of Equiniti and is focused on serving private companies worldwide. Astrella, a cloud-based SaaS solution, allows private companies to manage their ownership data, including the cap table and employee equity plans and to connect directly with related service providers to support efficient workflow, and provide access to investors, advisors, and employees. For more information, visit astrella.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220110006090/en/

Contacts

Ziv Keinan

Simetria Trading Solutions Ltd

Email: ziv@simetria.io

Keith Newman

AST Private Company Solutions

Email: keith@astrellahq.com
As Auburn, Opelika and Lee County coped with the spread of the Omicron variant of COVID-19, local schools including the three area districts and Auburn University scrambled to review protocols and anticipate more cases.

On Monday, East Alabama Health announced that East Alabama Medical Center and EAMC-Lanier in Valley had 61 hospitalized COVID patients, surpassing the April 2020 peak of 54 hospitalizations and just one patient shy of the 62 COVID hospitalizations recorded in July 2020.

That same day, Auburn City Schools was evaluating whether to reinstate its previous mask requirement as the district reported its highest number of COVID-19 cases in a one-week period since the school year began in August. Faculty returned to school on Wednesday, with students back in class on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Lee County Schools was revising its quarantine policy, Opelika City Schools was preparing to release its COVID numbers to the Alabama Department of Public Health, and Auburn University was planning drive-thru testing for students, faculty and staff, as students return to classes on Wednesday.

Auburn City Schools

Auburn City Schools reported on social media that there were 154 confirmed cases among students, faculty and staff the week of Jan. 3-7, with 92 students receiving word of potential exposure at school.

On Nov. 1, the Auburn City Board of Education rescinded the mask requirement under a condition that it could be reintroduced if greater than 0.5% of its 10,400 students, faculty and staff were confirmed as having COVID-19 in a single week. This means if 52 additional cases are confirmed this week, masks will be required again starting Jan. 18, according to Daniel Chesser, public relations coordinator for ACS.

Ever since we rolled it back Nov. 1, the option to wear (masks) is still there, and theyve always been required on school buses per the U.S. Department of Transportations rules and regulations, Chesser said. If youre paying attention to the numbers with the hospital and statewide numbers, I think youll start to see a lot more people wearing masks in the community than maybe you saw a month ago, so that just goes right along with the same scenario for the school system as well.

In the first half of the school year, Auburn City Schools reported 12 COVID-19 cases the first week of classes from Aug. 10-13 and saw a peak of 93 COVID-19 cases the week of Aug. 23-27. Last week was well above that peak, but Chesser said the district is making every effort to keep schools open and kids learning and does not plan on shifting back to hybrid or remote instruction this semester.

We kind of saw a lot of the detriment with virtual learning; it works for some students, and it doesnt for others, he said. (Per) the achievement goals of the Alabama State Department of Education, there was some learning loss in the 2020-21 school year that can be directly correlated to remote learning.

Chesser said some COVID safety precautions remain in place this semester, like social distancing and waves of students being sent to cafeterias to pick up prepackaged lunches. He said Auburn City Schools has been working very hard this year to hire substitute teachers in the event any full-time teachers test positive for COVID-19 and noted some substitutes have taken more long-term roles.

Also, the district is continuing to seek additional bus drivers to fully staff its fleet of 100 buses.

Were only down a couple but thats all it takes to turn things out of whack and have one or two routes canceled for the day, Chesser said. The selling point on that position is part-time employment with full-time benefits.

Pay for bus drivers ranges from $18.22-25.72 per hour based on driving experience, according to Chesser, and the job comes with paid training, sick and personal leave and health insurance eligibility. Those interested can call 334-887-2100 to learn more.

ACS will continue to post weekly COVID-19 updates on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AuburnCityEdu and Twitter at www.twitter.com/AuburnCityEdu.

Lee County Schools

Lee County schools decided Monday to revise its guidelines for COVID-19 isolation and quarantine.

Starting this week, if a student or staff member tests positive for COVID, they will only be required to quarantine at home for five days.

After that time period, Lee County Schools said the individual may return to school, but they must wear a well-fitting face mask for days 6-10.

With that exception, masks are still optional in Lee County Schools, except on school transportation.

The district announced on its website Monday evening that if the individual recovering from COVID refuses to wear the mask for five days after their initial quarantine, they will have to quarantine at home for the full 10 days.

If a student or staff member comes to school and ends up testing positive for COVID, the district will send the individual home and will notify the class.

Individuals who had close contact exposure will not be required to quarantine, but may do so if they choose.

If a family member tests positive for COVID, the district said everyone in the home will be required to quarantine for five days regardless of symptoms or vaccination status.

After five days, individuals may choose to return to school and wear a mask for five days or stay in quarantine for five more days.

If an individual develops symptoms while in quarantine due to exposure, they will need to be tested and their five days of quarantine will start over from the day they developed symptoms.

The district reported on its website that the only time a person living in the same house will not be required to quarantine is if they have had and recovered from COVID in the last 90 days (3 months), but the individual should still monitor for symptoms.

Opelika City Schools

Opelika City Schools will report their count of positive COVID cases on Tuesday to ADPH.

We are cautiously optimistic about the numbers, said Becky Brown, director of public relations. Weve had a good return to school and we are just monitoring the local cases. We appreciate parents being aware of any symptoms and keeping their children at home if they have symptoms, and we are doing our best to keep everything clean and safe at school.

Masks will remain optional at OCS at this time.

Auburn University

As Auburn University prepares to begin spring semester classes Wednesday, its also providing additional COVID-19 testing options for students, faculty and staff.

The university announced Monday that it will offer drive-thru testing on Wednesday and Thursday, as well as next week on Jan. 19 and Jan. 20. Testing is available from 1-4 p.m. and is not open to community members.

Registration for this testing will be available through the pharmacy scheduling website, (and) appointments through Auburn University Medical Center also can be made by calling their COVID-19 line, the university said.

The pharmacy scheduler site is available at aub.ie/ht and AUMC can be reached to register at 334-844-9825. Community members may find a list of other testing locations in the Auburn area on the universitys COVID-19 Resource Center website at www.auburn.edu/covid-resource-center.

Auburn University asks any student, faculty or staff member to submit a self-report form whether they are tested on campus or elsewhere.

Want to see more like this? Get our local education coverage delivered directly 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.
Lee County schools decided Monday to revise its guidelines for COVID-19 isolation and quarantine.

Starting this week, if a student or staff member tests positive for COVID, they will only be required to quarantine at home for five days.

After that time period, Lee County Schools said the individual may return to school, but they must wear a well-fitting face mask for days 6-10.

With that exception, masks are still optional in Lee County Schools, except on school transportation.

The district announced on its website Monday evening that if the individual recovering from COVID refuses to wear the mask for five days after their initial quarantine, they will have to quarantine at home for the full 10 days.

If a student or staff member comes to school and ends up testing positive for COVID, the district will send the individual home and will notify the class.

Individuals who had close contact exposure will not be required to quarantine, but may do so if they choose.

If a family member tests positive for COVID, the district said everyone in the home will be required to quarantine for five days regardless of symptoms or vaccination status.

After five days, individuals may choose to return to school and wear a mask for five days or stay in quarantine for five more days.

If an individual develops symptoms while in quarantine due to exposure, they will need to be tested and their five days of quarantine will start over from the day they developed symptoms.

The district reported on its website that the only time a person living in the same house will not be required to quarantine is if they have had and recovered from COVID in the last 90 days (3 months), but the individual should still monitor for symptoms.

For additional information about quarantine guidelines for K-12 schools, go to www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/k-12-contact-tracing/about-quarantine.html.
LOS ANGELES (AP)  Betty White died from a stroke she had six days before her Dec. 31 death at age 99, according to her death certificate.

The beloved "Golden Girls" and "Mary Tyler Moore Show" actor died at her home in the Brentwood section of Los Angeles as the result of a Dec. 25 cerebrovascular accident, the medical term for a stroke, according to the LA County death certificate obtained Monday by The Associated Press.

The cause was provided by White's doctor, as is typical in such cases.

She was cremated and her remains were given Friday to Glenn Kaplan, the man in charge of White's advanced health care directive.

Notable deaths of 2021 ... a final look back A final look back at the entertainers, leaders, athletes, authors and other stars who died in 2021.

Jeff Witjas, White's longtime agent and friend, who first confirmed her death to the AP, said she had been staying close to her Los Angeles home during the pandemic.

The document lists White's legal name of Betty Marion Ludden. She took the last name of her husband Allen Ludden, to whom she was married from 1963 until his death in 1981.

The information from the death certificate was first reported by TMZ.

White, whose comic chops and up-for-anything charm made her a television mainstay for more than 60 years who was celebrated by several generations of fans, died less than three weeks before her 100th birthday.

President Joe Biden, Mel Brooks, and many other celebrities and prominent leaders paid tribute to her after her death.

***
MOSCOW  Moscow and Washington both took uncompromising stands Tuesday ahead of more talks amid a Russian troop buildup near Ukraine, with the U.S. rebuffing a demand to halt NATO expansion and the Kremlin saying it will quickly see if its worthwhile to even keep negotiating.

At Mondays talks in Geneva, Russia insisted on guarantees precluding NATOs expansion to Ukraine and other ex-Soviet nations and demanded to roll back the military alliances deployments in Eastern Europe. The U.S. firmly rejected the demands as a nonstarter.

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US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman, left, and Russian deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov, right, attend security talks at the United States Mission at the United States Mission in Geneva, Switzerland, Monday, Jan. 10, 2022. (Denis Balibouse/AP)

The U.S. envoy to NATO set a tough tone for the next talks with Moscow, ruling out any concessions on the alliances eastward expansion. We will not allow anyone to slam NATOs open-door policy shut, said U.S. Ambassador Julianne Smith.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov described the Geneva talks as open, comprehensive and direct, but emphasized that Moscow wants quick results. We see no significant reason for optimism, he told reporters.

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Peskov said Russia-NATO talks in Brussels on Wednesday and a meeting of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe in Vienna on Thursday would show whether further negotiations are worthwhile.

It will become clear in what direction and how to proceed and if it makes sense, he said. We absolutely wouldnt accept dragging this process out endlessly.

Smith said not a single ally inside the NATO alliance is willing to budge or negotiate anything as it relates to NATOs open-door policy.

We stand firm in pushing back on security proposals that are simply nonstarters, she told reporters. Theres widespread unity and consensus across the alliance on the challenge that sits before us.

The U.S. estimates Russia has massed about 100,000 troops near Ukraine, a buildup that has stoked fears of an invasion. Moscow says it has no plans to attack and rejects Washingtons demand to pull back its forces, saying it has the right to deploy them wherever necessary.

President Vladimir Putin has warned Moscow would take unspecified military-technical measures if the U.S. and its allies dont meet its demands. He spoke with members of his Security Council, saying he wanted to discuss unspecified issues related to security and infrastructure in border areas.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki said it was too early to tell whether the Russians are serious about the path to diplomacy or not, or whether they will use the talks as a pretext to claim that diplomacy couldnt possibly work and move forward with an invasion.

Psaki sidestepped questions about whether the U.S. agreed the Geneva talks did not provide reason for greater optimism. She noted, however, that they had included discussions about the placement of missiles in Europe and reciprocal limits on military exercises.

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There are a range of discussions that can be a part of a diplomatic path, but ultimately its up to the Russians to determine about whether theyre going to take a serious approach, she said.

Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov, who led the Russian delegation in Geneva, said afterward that it would be hard to make any progress on other issues if the U.S. and its allies stonewall Moscows demand for guarantees precluding NATOs expansion.

The U.S. and its allies reject the demand for NATO not to admit new members, emphasizing that a key alliance principle is that membership is open to any qualifying country and no outsiders have veto power. But Washington and NATO also say they are ready to discuss arms control, confidence-building measures, greater transparency and risk reduction if Russia takes a constructive stance.

U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman said she briefed the North Atlantic Council on her talks in Geneva. The United States is committed to working in lockstep with our Allies and partners to urge de-escalation and respond to the security crisis caused by Russia, she tweeted.

The U.S. warned that Russia will face unprecedented sanctions if it attacks Ukraine.

Amid the tensions, the Russian military said 3,000 troops were taking part in drills at firing ranges in the Voronezh, Belgorod, Bryansk and Smolensk regions near Ukraine.

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In 2014, Russia annexed Ukraines Crimean Peninsula after the ouster of its Moscow-friendly leader and threw its weight behind a separatist insurgency in the countrys east, where more than seven years of fighting has killed over 14,000 people.

A 2015 peace deal brokered by France and Germany has helped end large-scale battles, but frequent skirmishes have continued and efforts to negotiate a political settlement have failed.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met Tuesday in Kyiv with French and German officials on prospects for another meeting of the leaders of Russia, Ukraine, France and Germany, saying he wanted substantive talks on ending the conflict.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said he spoke with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday, saying Kyiv and Washington remain united in seeking de-escalation through diplomacy and strength.

___

Aamer Madhani and Ellen Knickmeyer in Washington and Yuras Karmanau in Kyiv, Ukraine, contributed.
Washington, PA (15301)

Today

Cloudy in the morning, then thunderstorms developing later in the day. Potential for severe thunderstorms. High 76F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 70%..

Tonight

Thunderstorms likely. Low 59F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 80%.
What fugly posters. Can you move up the cut so everything but the first poster is in there?

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lmao tbh I can't believe they're going forward w/ a theatrical release for this instead of dumping it quietly on hulu

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And lose out on even a $1, never

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orange and blue and orange



Can't wait to watch my dad hate-watch this movie  He truly cannot with Kenneth's Poirot.

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bc his poirot SUCKS



david suchet ONLY

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This is Peter Ustinov erasure

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the BEST poirot

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I can tell your dad has great taste!

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This awful group of people aha.

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who the hell is tom bateman

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daisy ridley's man

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mr daisy ridley

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he's giving me young chris noth vibes in that pic.

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The son of David Harbour and Jamie Dornan.

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omg exactly! perfect morph.

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They really changed a bunch of things in this, I think. Letitia Wright is Sophie Okonedo's character's manager, not a daughter, like in the books? And who is the "cousin"?

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yeah i'm really confused by the posters. i guess i shouldn't be surprised though considering they put pilar estravados in murder on the orient express (though i feel that was brannagh looking for a Hispanic name from the books thinking it would be a cute easter egg or something).



Edited at 2022-01-11 08:58 pm (UTC)

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Also, I understand not wanting to show Arnie Hammer off too much in the advertising, but I think some people are gonna be pretty surprised when they watch this, because his role is pretty big (unless they change things even more).

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is he the killer?



You can spoil me, there's no way I'm watching this tacky ass shit but I'm a curious bitch.

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[ Spoiler (click to open) ] Yeah, just like the other comments said, he's the killer, and also 1/3 of the love triangle that's central to the whole plot, there's really no way to limit his screentime much

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that's what i'm wondering too. if they've changed things drastically i can't imagine that going over well with christie fans tbh.

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The trailer came up a while ago on my Facebook as an ad and out of curiosity I looked at the comments and 98% of them were about him and him being a cannibal/abuser. It surprised me but I was glad to see people havent forgotten and I hope it continues

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I tried to find a Twitter video of gal gadot saying enough champagneto fill the nile but I couldnt find anything lol

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I hate the aesthetics of Branagh's Poirot movies, not even touching the casting



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Cast is an ABSOLUTE MESS wow.



Too bad its on a boat and not a train bc this literally the Hot Mess Express   

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It's a fail boat.

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toot toot all aboard 

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Failing while they sailing.

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someone get annette bening out of there!

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Maybe its a hidden perk that her name is practically unreadable on that poster

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She probably fought to get her name smaller on the poster lol

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Gal looks gorgeous.



And that's the only nice thing I have to say.

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I feel bad for the non-assholes involved in this, because phew, this is a much higher degree of awfulness than your average cast. And I love any Christie or Christie-like murder mysteries, but damn.

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A+ casting lmao

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There's something so inherently tacky & completely unimaginative about the shit Kenneth Branagh puts out. And to this day I still don't know what the fuck the casting producer of HP was thinking when they chose him as Gilderoy, I know it's set in the UK but that man is not even close to a heartthrob, not even by British standards.

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the way "not even by british standards" took me out lmaoooo

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lmao this quote from alan cumming always makes me laugh:



Cumming added, They wanted me and Rupert Everett to do a screen test, and they said they couldnt pay me more than a certain sum, they just didnt have any more money in the budget. And I had the same agent as Rupert, who of course, they were going to pay more. Blatantly lying, stupidly lying, as well. Like, if youre going to lie, be clever about it. I said, tell them to f*** right off. And thought, well Ruperts going to get the part. They made him screen test, and I remember he brought his own wig. And then they f***ing gave it to Kenneth Branagh, came out of the shadows.

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Rupert Everett would have been so much better! We were robbed

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This is KILLING ME Im so glad I clicked on this post for this anecdote lmao

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Rupert Everett would've made more sense as Lockhart than Kenneth, he's better looking too and the character was supposed to be good-looking.

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didn't they originally want hugh grant?! if his paddington performance is anything to go by he would have been amazing lol

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Kenneth branagh is such a fucking hack, i hate him

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Everyone says his version of Cinderella was great but I thought it was shit.

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I hope this movie is embarrassingly bad enough that it becomes his Norbit and sabotages his chances of winning any more awards for the overrated and derivative Belfast.

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My mother complains constantly. She always thought it should have been Hugh Grant

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The U.S. Department of Labor and Mexican Consulate Renew Alliance to Protect and Educate Workers, Employers in Kansas, Missouri on Safety

The alliance continues eight years of a collaborative safety and training relationship.

OSHA and the Consulate General of Mexico in Kansas City renewed an alliance that was first signed in 2013 to continue their collaborative relationship to promote workplace safety and health with the consulate and Mexican nationals working in Kansas and Missouri.

According to a press release, the goal of the alliance is to ensure Mexican nationals and employers have access to education and training resources to promote workers' rights in protecting their occupational safety and health and to help them understand U.S. domestic law concerning the rights of workers and the responsibilities of employers and employees under the Occupational Safety and Health Act.

The list of accomplishments made possible by our alliance with the Mexican Consulate during the last eight years is impressive. Together, we have successfully shared and disseminated information on OSHA's national campaigns and its regional and local initiatives, said acting Regional Administrator Ryan Hodge in Kansas City, Missouri. Our goals are the same: ensuring safe working conditions to allow workers to end their day safely and return home to their families and loved ones.

Outreach efforts by the Mexican Consulate to local Hispanic media outlets have helped OSHA deliver important safety messages to more than 750,000 Mexican nationals, Hispanic workers and employers in Kansas and Missouri. By renewing the alliance, OSHA and the consulate will foster safer working conditions for Mexican nationals. Together, they will ensure employers and employees have greater access to training and resources to protect workers on the job.

OSHA's Alliance Program works with groups committed to worker safety and health to prevent workplace fatalities, injuries and illnesses. These groups include unions, consulates, trade or professional organizations, businesses, faith and community-based organizations and educational institutions. OSHA and the groups work together to develop compliance assistance tools and resources, share information with workers and employers and educate workers and employers about their rights and responsibilities.
A global shortage of polysilicon caused by pandemic-related supply chain disruptions led to a spike in solar panel prices. Now China, the worlds largest producer of solar panels, is spending billions to remedy matters.

Bloomberg reports that Beijing is investing in new polysilicon production capacity. As a result, by the beginning of 2023, global capacity should be double what it is now. This, according to the agencys Dan Murtaugh, should help bring down inflated prices for photovoltaic cells and make solar power more affordable.

According to data from BloombergNEF, by the end of this year, global polysilicon capacity could reach 1.3 tons, up from 785,000 tons at the end of 2021. This should grow further to 2.9 million tons when planned projects for producing the material from which solar cells are made launch.

According to Bloomberg, the polysilicon shortage will prove temporary, but a senior executive from one of the worlds largest solar panel producers, JinkoSolar, admitted that the industry had underestimated the problem.

In an interview with pv magazine, vice president Dany Qian said, We expected that the polysilicon shortage would continue throughout 2021; however, we underestimated the seriousness of the situation. Added to this issue were rising logistics prices, constraints on containers due to the continued impact of Covid-19, and tightened control on the electricity supply of manufacturers in China, all of which contributed to supply chain turmoil and rising costs.

Jinko Solar has its own plans for production ramp-ups this year, as do other producers, based on a recent report by the China Photovoltaic Industry Association. The CPIA said in December that new capacity additions were going to be lower than previously expected because of supply chain snags but will rebound this year, with a total of 75 GW in new capacity expected to come on stream, up from an estimated 45-55 GW for 2021.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
UK North Sea operators will see near-record cash margins and profits this year as they will look to extend field lives amid high oil and gas prices in a now or never regulatory environment, energy consultancy Wood Mackenzie says.

The North Sea still looks pretty good for oil and gas operators in the short term, although long-term uncertainties over field development approvals and the UKs net-zero goals continue to loom large over the industry.

Production growth and near record cash flows in 2022 will strengthen balance sheets and keep economists happy, Wood Mackenzie said.

Operators in the UK North Sea are expected to have booked $17 billion in cash flows in 2021 and to book another $18 billion cash flows in 2022, per WoodMacs analysis cited by Sky News.

The massive cost cuts during the two most recent downturns and the current strong commodity prices will boost operators cash flow generation to the levels last seen before the 2008 crisis, according to Wood Mackenzie.

Despite the short-term windfall in cash flow generation, operators in the UK North Sea face uncertainties about future field development plans and tax liabilities as the UK looks to become a net-zero economy by 2050 and to significantly reduce the carbon emissions of North Sea oil and gas operations.

Due to this uncertainty, as much as 12 oil and gas projects could be sanctioned by the UK government in 2022 as operators could see this year as the last window of opportunity in a now or never moment to propose new developments, WoodMac says.

The near-record cash flows for the UK North Sea operators come at a time when the UK is struggling to find solutions to the energy crisis, with skyrocketing energy prices creating what some have said is already turning into a cost of living crisis.

The burden of the high energy prices could be lowered if the UK government imposes a so-called one-off windfall tax on oil and gas operators in the North Sea, opposition politicians have suggested in recent days. The opposition Labour Party wants a one-off windfall tax on North Sea oil and gas profits to pay for part of the partys proposals to solve the energy crisis, said Rachel Reeves, Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer.

The offshore oil and gas industrys leading body, OGUK, slammed the Labour proposal saying that windfall tax proposals offer false hopes to consumers  and the risk of real damage to UK industry.

According to OGUK, the increases were a global problem and showed the importance of protecting the UK industry rather than penalising it.

Moreover, the industry association warned that energy companies would become increasingly reluctant to make the long-term multi-billion-pound investments needed to extract North Sea resources if they are threatened with new windfall taxes whenever prices go up.

In the longer-term a windfall tax would also be the worst thing for consumers because it would damage competitiveness, and discourage energy companies from investing in the UK, said Jenny Stanning, OGUK External Relations Director.

That would reduce our energy security and make us even more dependent on imports from places like Russia and the Middle East, she added.

The Europe-wide gas shortages are a stark reminder of why the UK should safeguard its offshore sector  and financial stability is an essential part of that, Stanning noted.

The UK government is not willing to shut down the sector that provides 73 percent of the UKs energy and meets 47 percent of its natural gas demand. But authorities have recently proposed that new project developments pass a so-called net-zero compatibility test.

The UK will still allow the development of new oil and gas oilfields in the North Sea if they pass a net-zero test, the government said last month as it opened a consultation seeking input on a new climate compatibility checkpoint for the oil and gas industry.

It is vital that this checkpoint is robust and ensures that future licensing rounds are compatible with the UKs climate change ambitions while maintaining investor confidence in the UK Continental Shelf, said Katy Heidenreich, Supply Chain & Operations Director at OGUK.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
The Biden administration is seeking to reduce the area of land in Alaska that is available for oil drilling in what would be a reversal of Trump-era legislation that opened up 82 percent of the National Petroleum Reserve for drilling, The Hill writes.

Reuters notes that despite expanding the lease-eligible area in the National Petroleum Reserve, the Trump administration failed to help reverse a decline in Alaska oil production, which fell to the lowest in 43 years in 2020 as oil companies focus on the Lower 48.

Under the revisions made by the Bureau of Land Management, some 52 percent of the National Petroleum Reserve will remain open for oil drilling, but the Bureau also said it will keep some stipulations from the Trump-era legislation, namely, "certain more protective lease stipulations and operating procedures for threatened and endangered species."

"This decision reflects the Biden-Harris administration's priority of reviewing existing oil and gas programs to ensure balance on America's public lands and waters to benefit current and future generations," the Bureau of Land Management said in a statement.

The Trump administration sought to open up more land for oil drilling in Alaska in a bid to deepen the United States' self-sufficiency in energy. The administration even wanted to open up the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge for oil drillinga move that caused an outcry among environmental organizations.

Alaska is one of the oldest oil-producing regions in the United States. But lately, production has been on a steady decline, which has prompted authorities to look for ways to reverse the decline, which has affected the state's income.

On the other hand, oil companies have prioritized the Permian and other shale plays thanks to often lower-cost and faster-return production there. To add to this, banks have become increasingly reluctant to lend to the oil industry as they prioritize the ESG demands of their shareholders, making investments in costly projects such as Arctic drilling much harder to obtain.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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With oil inventories tightening and demand for crude exceeding expectations, oil markets have been seized by bullish sentiment at the start of 2022.

Oil has started off on a positive note in 2022 so far, with robust demand continuously exceeding market expectations and Omicron fears waning.

- Even though there has been a relative lack of major developments in the market, partial supply disruptions in Libya and Ecuador have kept markets tighter than expected, pushing oil prices above the $80 per barrel mark.

- Initial production data seem to suggest that the gap between OPEC+ quotas and actual production keeps on widening, with a recent Platts survey hinting that December additions amounted to only 310,000 b/d.

- A total of 14 counties (out of the 18 nations participating) failed to hit their production targets in December, including Russia whose crude output has been stagnating for a couple of months already.

Market Movers

- Chinese offshore production firm CNOOC (HKG:0883) resumed offshore exploration in Iraqs offshore waters, the first on record, following an almost two-year-long hiatus caused by COVID-19.

- US pipeline operator Enterprise Products (NYSE:EPD) stated it would buy Warburg Pincus-owned Navitas Midstream, owner of a network spanning 1,750 miles in the Midland portion of the Permian Basin, for $3.25 billion in cash.

- US oil major ExxonMobil (NYSE:XOM) made another venture into the low-carbon sector by buying 49.9% of Norwegian biofuels company Biojet AS, a producer focusing on biofuels made from forestry and construction waste.

Tuesday, January 11, 2022

The limited impact of Omicron on markets compared to all previous COVID variants has been the main bullish factor for oil prices in 2022, with demand continuously proving skeptics wrong. This week finally brought a resolution to Libyas prolonged infrastructure blockade yet it will be weeks before we see production and exports back at levels they were before December 2021. That being said, global inventories are still low and there has been little change on that front recently. News of European stocks dropping 11% month-on-month in December, as well as the tacit anticipation of US crude inventories seeing their seventh consecutive weekly draw, is only adding to bullish sentiment.

Kazakhstan Oil Production Back to Normal. Following a flare-up of anti-government protests last week, the situation has normalized in Kazakhstan with key oil fields, such as Chevron-operated (NYSE:CVX) Tengiz, producing at normal rates again.

Iraq to Boost Export Capacity. Iraq will be able to boost crude exports from its Basrah export terminal by some 250,000 b/d from Q2-2022, having rehabilitated aging pipelines connecting to the port, bringing total export capacity to 3.45 million b/d. Related: Shells Gas Trading Booms While Oil Trading Slows

Weather Takes Over in Libya. Even though a flurry of news coming from Libya seems to suggest that the blockade of key fields in western regions will be lifted soon, loading operations at Libyan ports have been shut for three days since Saturday, battered by bad weather.

Venezuela Restarts Exports of Diluted Crude. According to media reports, Venezuelas state oil company PDVSA will resume exports of diluted crude oil (DCO) this week after imports of Iranian condensate have allowed it to build up a sizable inventory, kept in vessels anchored outside the port of Jose.

US Natgas Futures Soar on Northeast Cold. Front-month US gas futures rose to $4.18 per mmBtu this week, the highest it has been since December 1, on expectations of the coldest day of the winter coming this week in the Northeast, just as LNG demand abroad shows no signs of abating.

The French Start Striking Again. Less than a month after the December 2021 strike hindered Frances nuclear sector, the CGT union of energy workers called for another strike from January 25, sending French base power prices as high as 260 per MWh ($295 per MWh).

Gazprom Withholds ESP Gas Sales. It has been two and half months since Russias gas export monopoly Gazprom (MCX:GAZP) last held gas auctions on its Electronic Sales Platform (ESP), indicating that it is deliberately trying to keep its surplus of gas at home.

Argentina Hypes Up Offshore Superbasin. Argentinas state-backed energy company YPF (NYSE:YPF) heaped praise on its first major offshore project in years, saying the CAN 100 block, located off the coast of Buenos Aires, has the potential to produce 200,000 b/d within several years.

Indonesia Eases Coal Export Ban. After Indonesias sudden announcement of banning all coal exports triggered an all-Asian outcry, the outright ban was eased after 10 days as Jakarta allowed 14 fully-laden vessels to depart to buyers in the Asia Pacific.

Related: China Spends Billions To Alleviate Solar Industry Crunch

Japan PowerGen to Mix Ammonia with Coal. The Japanese government will spend $250 million on subsidies for two pilot projects aiming to burn at least 50% hydrogen-produced ammonia with coal at power plants by 2029, without specifying whether the hydrogen would be grey or green.

Brazilian Mining Hit by Heavy Rains. Less than a year after an unprecedented drought, Brazils mining operations were curtailed by heavy rainfall, especially in southeastern regions, forcing mining majors like Vale (NYSE:VALE) and Vallourec (VLLP) to suspend operations at several mines.

EU Agrees to Disagree on Taxonomy. The European Commission extended the deadline for countries to give feedback on its proposed inclusion of gas and nuclear projects into its sustainable investment taxonomy as regional heavy-hitters Germany and Spain criticized the proposal.

Kuwait Signs Flaring Deal with Chevron. Kuwait signed an agreement with US oil major Chevron (NYSE:CVX) to export excess natural gas from the Wafra field to the state oil company KOC, potentially hinting at a ramp-up in production at the joint Saudi-Kuwaiti field located in the Neutral Zone.

By Tom Kool for Oilprice.com

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It seems that Russian natural gas deliveries to Europe are once again on hold. Europes energy crunch, which experienced a slight reprieve due to an onslaught of US Freedom Gas LNG supplies, is set to recommence as cold weather hits the continent again. At the same time, European consumers and industry are keenly watching the ongoing US-Russia discussions with regard to the Ukraine conflict. War on the European Continent is still a possibility here after the first deliberations between American and Russian diplomats ended on a cold note. American diplomats were clear that there had been no move made by either side, so the threat of conflict on the Ukrainian border is still very real. Russian deputy foreign minister Sergei Ryabkov stated to the press that the West shouldnt be worried about a possible Russian invasion. He reiterated that Moscow is not going to invade Ukraine. This message does not alter the fact that 100,000 Russian troops are still concentrated at the Ukrainian borders, and that Russian President Vladimir Putin has published two strongly-worded documents indicating that Ukraine is Russian and NATO should retreat from the former Warsaw Pact areas. Washington has made it clear that NATO is not going to abandon the region. At the same time that the U.S. and Russia are talking, Washington and the EU are preparing sanctions in case of a military move by Russia in Ukraine. In response, Moscow has made it clear that sanctions will be countered with moves that will hurt really in Europe. Vladimir Putin clearly understands that playing the U.S. and EU against each other is a smart move, as European leaders are not indifferent to Russian demands and threats. The current and still ongoing European energy crunch was not caused by US political moves but by Putins weaponization of commodities. By slowing down or even reversing Russian natural gas supplies to European customers, Putin has increased pressure on European governments. There is a very real possibility of shutdowns in key-economic sectors in Europe due to natural gas shortages if Russia were to turn off the gas.

In a move to increase the pressure further, Russias largest gas exporter Gazprom has stated that it will not hold any auctions for Russian gas on its Electronic Sales Platform in the week of Jan. 10-14. On its website, Gazprom indicated that no sales sessions are planned, continuing the recent trend of suspending ESP auctions. Since October 13, 2021, no new sales have been recorded. Most ESP sales, which started in September 2018, sell surplus gas into Europe, mainly outside of long-term contracts. Even during the recent gas price crisis in Europe Gazprom was unwilling (or unable) to sell more gas. Both the Kremlin and Gazprom are aware that by putting pressure on Europes natural gas supplies they are putting political pressure on European governments. Increased domestic pressure on European governments will make them less effective when it comes to dealing with any Ukraine conflict. In this regard, Putins strategy appears to be working, with European leaders largely silent on the issue at the moment.

Related: North Sea Oil Operators Set For Near Record Cash Flows

A quick look at other gas Russia gas deals highlights just how Putin is using his commodity weapon in Europe. In stark contrast to its European deals, Gazprom appears more than willing to sign other contracts. Gazprom recently confirmed that it signed a four-year contract with Turkish energy giant BOTA? on December 30, 2021. The deal between Gazprom subsidiary Gazprom Export and Turkish state-owned Botas Petroleum Pipeline Corporation entails the supply of up to 5.75 billion cubic meters (bcm) of Russian gas to BOTA? via the TurkStream pipeline for four years. No price indicators have been given. The deal started on January 1, 2022. The new deal replaces an old 4 bcm agreement with Botas. The total will go via the so-called Turkstream pipeline, which was inaugurated on January 1, 2020. The 930-kilometer (559-mile) gas pipeline from Anapa to Kiyikoy in northwestern Turkey has an estimated throughput capacity of 15.75 billion cubic meters (bcm) per year for each of its two lines, called strings. One of the two strings is supplying gas to southern and southeast Europe. Russia is Turkeys main natural gas supplier, mainly via Blue Stream (16 bcm) and Turkstream (31.5 bcm). In 2021 Gazprom supplied about 27 bcm of natural gas to Turkey, while in 2020, this figure stood at 15.6 bcm.

Another major deal that was signed recently was between Novatek, another major Russian gas producer, and Chinese energy company ENN. The long-term deal entails the supply of LNG produced from Novateks Arctic LNG 2 project. Novatek indicated that the SPA stipulates the supply of approximately 0.6 million tons of LNG per year from the Arctic LNG 2 project. The term is for 11 years. The volumes will be delivered on a DES basis to ENNs Zhoushan LNG Receiving Terminal in China. Novatek is planning to expand its LNG volumes to the Asia Pacific substantially.

By signing new supply deals or revamping long-term contracts outside of Europe, Russia is clearly sending a message to EU member states that natural gas markets are booming and Moscow has plenty of options. The subtext regarding how the EU deals with any Ukrainian confrontation is clear. Moscow is no longer fully dependent on Europe for its commodity revenues. The pressure is on for Brussels, and if the EU does overstep here it could face plenty more energy crises in the future.

By Cyril Widdershoven for Oilprice.com

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A flotilla of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the US has finally arrived in Europe, increasing LNG imports on the fuel-starved continent to a two-year high. The fresh injection of natural gas is helping to offset declining Russian shipments. Prices of European natural gas fell Monday.

Data compiled by Bloomberg shows LNG gas imports in northwest Europe jumped to their highest levels since December 2019. The supply comes from a flotilla of up to 20 LNG vessels from the US that began their sailings in mid/late December.

Fresh supplies of LNG are helping to ease supply woes but will not solve the energy crisis on the fuel-starved continent this winter because stockpiles are at very low levels for this time of year. News of fresh supplies is temporary relief and has resulted in front-month Dutch gas futures falling as much as 6% to 82.50 euros a megawatt-hour and traded at 88 euros around 0600 ET.

Since mid-December, European gas prices have been halved from about 182 euros to 88 euros today. The downdraft is primarily due to the prospects of the flotilla.

Notably, there is still a significant arbitrage spread between US and EU Nattie prices over and above historical norms...

"With the peak of winter still ahead, we see a wide range of potential near-term price outcomes and expect elevated volatility to persist," Morgan Stanley wrote in a commodity note.

Still, the flotilla only offers the fuel-starved continent temporary relief as Russia gas flows remain muted. The Yamal-Europe pipeline, sending gas into Germany from Russia, has been in reverse for three weeks, and other major pipelines into Europe have recorded below-average flows.

A resolution to Europe's energy crisis is certifying Russia's Gazprom PJSC's controversial Nord Stream 2 pipeline, but that doesn't seem possible until summer. So in the meantime, gas prices will remain elevated. If another winter blast comes around, gas prices will undoubtedly go back above 100 euros.

By Zerohedge.com

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An 80-year-old man was charged with aggravated arson on Tuesday after an apartment complex was set on fire late last week displacing several residents, officials said.

Paul C. Strusiner, 80, did not appear at a bond court hearing Tuesday because he is in the hospital, said Tandra Simonton, a spokeswoman for the Cook County states attorneys office.

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At the hearing at the Rolling Meadows courthouse, Judge Ellen Mandeltort set bail for Strusiner at $75,000, of which he must pay 10% to be released from custody.

His next court hearing is Jan. 21, Simonton said.

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The Arlington Heights police and fire departments responded to the fire about 12:20 a.m. Jan. 7 in the 400 block of West Rand Road. Police arrested Strusiner after he made comments about the fire, the Police Department said in a news release.

The fire seemed to have originated on the first floor of the four-story apartment complex, police said. Police and fire officials at the time evacuated the other 96 apartments and were unable to go into the unit where the fire originated, police said.

About one-third of the residents were displaced by the fire. The Red Cross offered residents support services, police said.

The fire is still under investigation.
Cheaper crude from Iran and Venezuela while international oil benchmarks were rallying was incentive enough for the world's top oil importer, China, to purchase in 2021 the most crude from the two U.S.-sanctioned exporters in three years, shrugging off risks of penalties from the United States.

Chinese refiners imported 53 percent more oil from Iran and Venezuela last year compared to 2020, according to estimates from market intelligence firm Kpler cited by Bloomberg. In total, China imported last year 324 million barrels of crude from Iran and Venezuela combined, the highest volume since 2018.

Private Chinese refiners, commonly known as teapots, purchased most of the crude from the two oil producers whose exports are otherwise being shunned by U.S. allies in Asia, such as Japan and South Korea. The risk of incurring secondary U.S. sanctions and potentially being cut off from the U.S. financial markets and system has not reduced the appetite for cheaper crude from Chinese independent refiners, according to the data cited by Bloomberg.

Imports of crude oil from Iran and Venezuela are not usually reflected in official Chinese customs data.

Officially, Iran's oil is under U.S. sanctions, and few buyers are willing to risk breaching those for fear of being sanctioned for dealing with Tehran themselves. Independent Chinese refiners, however, have never really stopped buying Iranian crude, although China's state giants are steering clear of trade with Iran's oil.

"This surge was triggered by rising crude prices, making Iranian crude, anecdotally, up to 10% cheaper when delivered into China," Anoop Singh, head of tanker research at Braemar ACM Shipbroking Pte Ltd, told Bloomberg.

Independent refiners in China boosted imports of oil from Iran between August and October, attracted by the cheaper Iranian crude despite the risk of running afoul of U.S. sanctions, Reuters reported two months ago, citing tanker-tracking data and traders. In November, independent Chinese refineries also increased their crude oil imports from Iran as the government issued a new batch of import quotas.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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Benchmark Chinese coal prices fell to the lowest since the start of the year this week, after Indonesia allowed some coal cargos to leave its ports in a signal that it may reconsider a ban on exports.

Earlier this month, Indonesia, the worlds largest coal exporter, imposed a temporary ban on overseas shipments on worry it might not have enough to supply the local market.

President Joko Widodo had also threatened miners with business license revocation should they fail to supply enough coal for domestic consumption.

The move prompted fears of disruptions on global energy markets, with Morgan Stanley analysts noting that an Indonesian ban on coal exports would effectively remove some 40 percent of the seaborne coal market overnight during peak consumption season in the northern hemisphere.

The government of Indonesia will discuss the ban again on Wednesday but said it had released the 14 coal cargos because the buyers had already paid for them.

No more export ban means that the Indonesia coal miners should resume normal activity, Citigroup analyst Justian Rama said in a note, as quoted by Bloomberg. There could be some retreat or weakness in the coal price.

Such a retreat would provide relief for the coal markets, which have seen surging prices since late last year as Europe sank deeper and deeper into its energy crisis, struggling with record-shattering natural gas prices and low wind power output amid rising winter demand.

However, this coal rally has also sparked concern about the security of supply, and for Indonesia specifically, it caused lower than usual inventory levels, which was the reason for the proposed ban, as the government worried about the risk of widespread blackouts even though it already has a mechanism for securing enough coal for local consumption that obliges companies to set aside a portion of their output for that purpose.

China is the largest buyer of Indonesian coal and the worlds largest consumer of the dirtiest fossil fuel.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

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Kazakhstans daily oil production is expected to return to pre-unrest levels by the end of this week, as Chevron has started to gradually restore the curtailed output, advanced oil data analytics provider OilX says.

The impact of the disruptions due to the unrest in OPEC+ producer Kazakhstan is estimated at 73,000 barrels per day (bpd), said OilX, which expects production to gradually increase by January 14 to the levels seen before January 6.

Protests erupted in Kazakhstan early last week over higher fuel prices. The government had lifted price controls on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), which many Kazakhs use to fuel their LPG-converted vehicles because its cheaper than gasoline. The rise in fuel prices also resulted in a surge in consumer goods. The protests continued even after the government resigned to appease the protesters.

More than 160 people were killed in Kazakhstan in one week of unrest during protests that affected production at the countrys largest oilfield, Tengiz, operated by Chevron.

The U.S. supermajor said on Sunday that production at the oilfield was gradually being restored to its usual volumes, following several days of curtailed output amid logistics disruptions due to contractors supporting the protests.

On Thursday, Chevron had said that TCO production operations continue, however, there has been a temporary adjustment to output due to logistics.

Tengizchevroil, or TCO, the joint venture pumping oil at Tengiz, produces around 700,000 barrels per day out of Kazakhstans total crude oil production of some 1.6 million bpd.

As Kazakhstan was plunged into protests, with a shoot-to-kill order from President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the unrest raised concerns over the security of supply from the OPEC+ producer and contributed to the 5-percent rise in oil prices in the first week of this year.

On Tuesday, Tokayev said that the Russia-led alliance troops would start withdrawing in two days, having successfully completed their mission to stabilize the country.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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Libyas National Oil Corporation (NOC) has lifted the force majeure on crude exports from its western ports after militias ended a three-week-long blockade, but supply from the country is struggling to take off because of port closures in the east due to bad weather and a lack of storage tanks at terminals.

Libyan crude oil production slumped earlier this month to below 800,000 barrels per day (bpd), due to a blockade on four oilfieldsincluding the countrys biggest field Shararaand related export terminals in the west, and to an urgent repair on a pipeline that shut down 200,000 bpd output for several days.

NOC lifted the force majeure on crude oil exports at the Zawiya and Mellita ports in the west, Argus reported on Tuesday.

On December 20, Libya declared force majeure on its oil exports after crude oil production had been shut in from four of Libyas oilfields, including the largest 300,000-bpd El Sharara field. Other oilfields that are shut in include El Feel, Wafa, and Hamada. The oilfields were shut in by members of the Petroleum Facilities Guard (PFG), which is tasked with protecting the oilfields. The PFG closed a valve on a pipeline going from Sharara to the Zawiya port, and another valve from Wafa to Mellita.

Libyas oil production reached 998,000 bpd on Monday, a source at NOC told Argus. According to Bloombergs sources, output in the OPEC member exempted from the OPEC+ cuts was restored to 1 million bpd on Monday.

However, just as Libya partially recovered its oil production after the completion of the pipeline repairs, bad weather forced the closure of four oil export terminals in the east. This is a sign that Libyas crude exports in January will be much lower than in November, the last month of relatively stable and normal operations at its oilfields and oil ports.

On Monday, all oil ports in Libya handling crude loadings were closed, while only Ras Lanuf in the east resumed operations on Tuesday, a Libyan shipping source told Argus. Sources tell media that weather conditions will be unfavorable until the end of this week.

At the same time, storage at terminals is limited and is forcing some producers to cut back on production volumes. Waha Oil Company was forced to reduce production by around 50,000 bpd due to a lack of storage at the Es Sider terminal, NOC said, adding that if bad weather persists, the reduction could reach 105,000 bpd.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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In a move to regain some of its former glory in the North West European crude oil and products market, Saudi Aramco Trading Company (ATC) has clinched a major 110,000 bpd supply deal with international independent private equity group Klesch Group. According to statements made by ATC, the deal entails the supply of 110,000 bpd of crude to the Danish Kalundborg Refinery, following the signing of an agreement with Klesch Group. The deal entails not only Arabian crude placement but also third-party crude and condensate, with a provision of refined products offtake. The move should be seen as a new adventure for ATC, and its mother company Saudi Aramco, as it attempts to re-enter or strengthen its former position in the North West European market.

The Saudi giant has been looking at new opportunities in this very attractive market where its once-great influence has been waning of late. From April 2020, when it posted record supply volumes of 312,000 bpd to the market, its total levels dropped to 32,000 bpd by August 2020. To regain its market share, especially in the still strong refining market of Amsterdam -Rotterdam  Antwerp (ARA), the company is searching for new inroads and entry points. Ibrahim Al Buainain, president and CEO of ATC, stated that the new crude deal will enable ATC to have additional transactions in Europe and other parts of the energy map. Klesch Group, with offices in London and Geneva, is known as a major investor in refineries in Europe and is known to have acquired Equinor Refining Denmark in December 2021, including not only the Kalundborg refinery but also a terminal in the northwest of Zealand, the Hedehusene terminal near Copenhagen and other assets.

ATC is currently very active in the market, in line with its main regional competitor ADNOC Global Trading from Abu Dhabi. In December 2021 ATC signed an MOU with Australian retailer United Petroleum for potential long-term fuel supply, product storage, and other business opportunities. Australia has the potential to be another major market for ATC as it is the largest fuel importer in the Asia Pacific. Australias domestic refinery capacity has decreased substantially in recent years. In the MOU ATC indicated that it will explore refined fuels sales to UP to meet Australias growing demand. At the same time, possible investments are planned in product storage and logistics. ATC at present is looking to grow substantially, not only in volumes but also inhouse traders and personnel. New offices are also planned in key trading regions.

By Cyril Widdershoven for Oilprice.com
Get vaccinated or find a new job.

More employers are giving their workforce an ultimatum that they must get the COVID-19 vaccine  and enforcing it. Thousands of unvaccinated workers at several large organizations, including many federal government agencies, are currently at risk of losing their jobs. Indeed, some employees have already been terminated over the issue.

Last week, Mayo Clinic, a major non-profit health care organization, fired more than 700 workers who failed to comply with the organizations vaccination mandate. Mayo Clinic says approximately 1% of 73,000 workers had been terminated for not meeting a Jan. 3 vaccination deadline that had been set last summer.

United Airlines reportedly fired 232 vaccinated staffers last fall. Other major airlines threatened the same, but many have since backed down from their mandates.

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Many companies have set similar mandates that threaten incremental disciplinary action if their workers refuse the vaccine. Google and Citi (aka Citigroup), for example, have upcoming vaccination deadlines for employees this month.

According to an internal memo from Google leadership, reported on by CNBC last month, employees of the tech titan have until Jan. 18 to comply with the companys vaccination policy. If workers refuse, theyll first face paid administrative leave for 30 days, then unpaid personal leave for as much as six months before finally facing termination. Google did not respond to Moneys request for comment, but a spokesperson told CNBC that our vaccination requirements are one of the most important ways we can keep our workforce safe and keep our services running.

Workers for investment banking firm Citigroup (owner of Citibank) who dont get vaccinated by Jan. 14 face unpaid leave right off the bat. And if they dont get vaccinated by the end of the month, theyll be fired, according to Reuters.

Citigroup, which was not available for comment. On LinkedIn, the companys head of HR, Sara Wechter, did confirm a vaccine mandate for all U.S. workers.

We have made the decision to require U.S.-based colleagues to be fully vaccinated as a condition of employment, Wechter wrote.

The federal government, which employs approximately 3.5 million workers, is also beginning to take action against workers who werent fully vaccinated by Nov. 22, 2021, a deadline set by President Biden.

Several federal agencies are expected to start disciplining unvaccinated workers this month. Those agencies include the departments of Agriculture, Transportation and Treasury as well as the Social Security Administration, the General Services Administration and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, according to a report from The Hill.

The General Services Administration (GSA) says unvaccinated federal workers are subject to discipline, up to and including termination or removal. The federal government takes several steps before firing workers, according to the GSA. First, federal agencies typically provide education and counseling. Then they issue letters of reprimand followed by a suspension of up to 14 days. If the workers still are not vaccinated after those steps, they may be terminated.

For all of the organizations mentioned above, the vast majority of workers have complied with vaccine mandates. But the ones refusing to get vaccinated may be putting employers in a bind. Thanks to a record number of job openings and the ongoing Great Resignation, workers have newfound leverage. Many employers are already facing staffing issues, which may make it extra difficult to figure out how or if to enforce vaccine mandates.

In most cases, workers who are fired for not complying with vaccine mandates arent eligible for unemployment benefits  an additional incentive to comply.

A few states, however, have carved out exceptions. Arkansas, Florida, Iowa, Kansas and Tennessee may grant unemployment benefits under certain circumstances for those who were fired for shrugging off vaccine mandates.

President Bidens vaccine mandate for employers with 100 workers or more was slated to go into effect nationwide as of Monday, Jan. 10. In lieu of the vaccine, workers could choose to get tested weekly, but the requirement is currently in legal limbo.

The Supreme Court held a special session on Friday to determine the legality of Bidens mandate. The Supreme Court has not yet issued a decision.

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Douglas County Health Director Lindsay Huse issued a mask mandate Tuesday for schools and many other public indoor spaces in the city of Omaha, but the Nebraska attorney general is threatening legal action to stop it.

The order was set to take effect at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday. Under the order, schools, many businesses and other entities whose premises are open to the general public must require people age 5 and older to wear a face covering over their mouth and nose while indoors, unless the people maintain a distance of 6 feet from each other.

But there are many exceptions for individuals and places where the mandate will not apply, including religious services.

Huse cited an astronomical spike in cases that is threatening to overwhelm already strained hospitals and health care workers. A mask mandate is needed to slow transmission of the omicron variant of COVID-19, Huse said.

This was not an easy decision at all and I know that its going to create some waves, Huse told the Douglas County Board. But this is a tool that is in our toolbox. We have research evidence out there showing that masks decrease transmission.

The move is opposed by Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts, who said the Douglas County Health Department lacks the authority to issue such a mandate. Ricketts asked Nebraska Attorney General Doug Peterson to consider legal action. Peterson sent Huse a letter Wednesday afternoon threatening a lawsuit to stop the mandate.

Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert also opposes a mandate, but she said that Huse has the authority to issue one.

Huse and Douglas County Board member Chris Rodgers, president of the Douglas County Board of Health, said they believe they are on solid legal ground, based on the advice of City of Omaha and Douglas County attorneys.

Huse said the measure will be temporary, possibly four weeks. She will act under the authority delegated to her under Omahas city code.

Huse said the order likely will come with benchmarks, including reducing case rates in the county to under 200 cases per day per 100,000 residents.

Currently, Douglas County is adding more than 1,100 case a day on a seven-day rolling average.

Hospital capacity also would have to drop to 85% or less for a week. Weve got to give them breathing room to take care of all of you, Huse said.

The number of COVID cases in the county has exceeded past peaks, and the number continues to rise. Hospitals already are above 93% of their capacity.

In a statement her office sent out Tuesday afternoon, Stothert said she doesnt support Huses decision, although I recognize she has the authority to do so under City Code. I am disappointed she is proceeding with such an impactful decision for all Omaha citizens without my support or the full support of the City Council, as she previously said she would.

The previous mask mandate in Omaha was implemented in 2020 before the availability of an effective vaccine, Stothert said.

She noted that an order regarding the mandate signed by Huse cannot be voided by the Mayor or the City Council.

Omaha City Council President Pete Festersen on Tuesday issued a statement in support of Huses plan. He said the majority of the seven-member council supports her decision to implement a temporary mask mandate in Omaha to help address the surge of COVID-19 cases and to help keep our schools, hospitals and first responders operating during this challenging time.

Ricketts, however, said in a statement, I remain adamantly opposed to mask mandates for Nebraskans, and I support Mayor (Jean) Stotherts priorities to reasonably manage the spread of COVID-19 in Omaha. The Douglas County Health Department lacks legal authority to impose a mandate, and I have asked Attorney General Peterson to consider legal action.

The question of legal authority is complicated and contested. State authorities have said the Douglas County health director couldnt issue such an order for the county without approval from the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services under state law. Huse in August had requested the states approval for a countywide mask mandate, and that request was denied.

But now, she is limiting the mask mandate to within Omahas city limits. She said the authority comes from City of Omaha code under which the Douglas County department director also acts as the health director for the city.

I have spoken to both the city attorney and the county attorney that represents our office and both feel that we are on solid footing legally, Huse said.

The Nebraska attorney general disagrees. In his letter Tuesday, Peterson told Huse that she doesnt have the authority to issue such a directed health measure (DHM) without state approval.

If the Douglas County Board of Health proceeds with its intention to issue a mask mandate DHM for the City of Omaha, the Attorney General currently plans to file suit seeking to have the DHM declared invalid and to enjoin the mask mandate from being enforced, Peterson wrote to Huse.

City Council members Aimee Melton, Brinker Harding and Don Rowe also issued a statement Tuesday afternoon, saying they strongly disagree with Douglas County Health Director Huses dictate forcing a mask mandate in Omaha. Over the last two years, the statement reads, we have seen time and again that mask mandates are not an effective method for combating the coronavirus.

The three, all of whom are Republicans, also said they vehemently object to an unelected and unaccountable bureaucrat imposing their will upon the city without reaching out to those who are entrusted by the citizens of Omaha to represent them.

Projections indicate the Omaha metro area could need at least 40% more hospital capacity in the next few weeks to accommodate the anticipated increase in people becoming ill enough with COVID to require hospital care. While the omicron variant of the coronavirus is considered milder than the delta variant, health officials expect omicrons easy transmission to cause so many more cases that it will land more people in hospitals.

I cant stand by and know that I could have done more and didnt do more, Huse said.

Under Omaha city code, the Douglas County health director can issue orders in public health emergencies.

One section of the city code says the health director shall have the authority to adopt such rules and regulations, restrictions or measures as he shall deem necessary to protect the public health of the city.

Another section, labeled authority at threat of epidemic, says it shall be the duty of the health director, when the city is afflicted with or threatened by an epidemic of contagious disease, to issue orders for the prevention, removal or limiting of such diseases.

Festersen wrote that council members believe Huse clearly has this authority and we will continue to support the resources needed to increase testing and vaccination rates in our community.

Its unclear how the mandate will be enforced. Huse indicated it would be complaint-driven and said it would be a collaborative effort between the Health Department and law enforcement agencies.

Basically, any complaints of businesses that might not be complying, of public spaces where compliance is not happening, Huse said. If there are repeated offenses, then local law enforcement can be involved.

According to the order, violating the order would be a misdemeanor offense with a fine of up to $500 and up to six months in jail.

Huse appealed to people to comply with the mask mandate for the good of the community.

My hope is that the people that I know to be Nebraskans, the kindness, the neighborliness of the people who live in this state ... Im really relying on people to do the right thing and to really help their neighbors, Huse said.

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Julie Anderson Julie Anderson is a medical reporter for The World-Herald. She covers health care and health care trends and developments, including hospitals, research and treatments. Follow her on Twitter @JulieAnderson41. Phone: 402-444-1066. Follow Julie Anderson Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today
The Haymarket drug treatment center filed a federal lawsuit Tuesday against the village of Itasca, claiming its rejection of a rehab facility proposed for a former hotel amounted to discrimination against people with substance-use disorder.

Chicago-based Haymarket had all but promised litigation would follow the Village Boards unanimous November vote against the facility. Mayor Jeff Pruyn and several board members said at the time that the projected public safety costs generated by the rehab would be unaffordable.

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The lawsuit says Itasca turned down Haymarkets offers to mitigate those costs in the face of discriminatory community opposition illustrated by numerous emails to the village and social media posts.

I do not live here to have children exposed to abnormal behavior, reads one message cited in the complaint. If so, I would have stayed in Chicago. Theres enough crimes in the metropolitan area, do we need to add it to our small town?

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Itasca residents opposed to a Haymarket drug rehab center protest along Irving Park Road outside Itasca's Village Hall, before the Plan Commission takes a nonbinding vote on the project on Sept. 22, 2021. (John Konstantaras/for the Chicago Tribune)

The lawsuit also names the Itasca Plan Commission, Itasca Fire Protection District No. 1 and Itasca School District 10 as defendants, along with Pruyn and school Superintendent Craig Benes.

The intentional and orchestrated discriminatory conduct across Itascas key governmental entities is designed to interfere with the rights of Haymarket Center, the people with disabilities it serves, and their families, attorney Mary Rosenberg of Access Living, an advocacy center for the disabled that is representing Haymarket in the lawsuit, said in a statement announcing the lawsuit.

The concerted actions to delay and refuse operation of Haymarket Centers health care facility have had, and will continue to have, devastating consequences to people in need of treatment for substance-use disorders.

The lawsuit asks the judge to force Itasca, a town of 9,000, to make reasonable accommodations or reasonable modifications that would allow the rehab center to open, along with compensatory and punitive damages and attorneys fees.

Village Administrator Carie Anne Ergo said the village would not comment on pending litigation.

In an interview Tuesday, Rosenberg said the lawsuit could go on for years, stretching out a saga that began in 2019 with hundreds of residents marching through the street in opposition to the rehab center.

Asked why Haymarket doesnt search for a site elsewhere in the suburbs, Haymarket President and CEO Dan Lustig said hed likely encounter the same fight. He said the former Holiday Inn that Haymarket bought to house the 240-bed treatment center would still make an ideal home.

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Theres no reason why Haymarket cant be in this location, he said. We clearly met the zoning standards. We clearly met the demands the village wanted from us. I dont know what else to do.

The litigation comes on the heels of the villages announcement last month that U.S. Attorney John Lausch has launched an investigation into whether Itascas rejection of the center was in keeping with the Americans with Disabilities Act, which protects people with disabilities  including substance-use disorder  from discrimination.

A spokesman for Lausch did not respond to a request for comment.

jkeilman@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @JohnKeilman
Katherine Ankerson has been announced as the next executive vice chancellor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

The dean of the College of Architecture since 2016, Ankerson succeeds Elizabeth Spiller, who left UNL on Nov. 20.

In a press release, Ankerson said she was honored, humbled and excited by the opportunity.

Our university is a place where every person and every interaction matters, Ankerson said. I look forward to building upon our shared momentum, our unwavering belief in the transformational power of education, and our ability to effect positive change in this world.

Ankerson is an award-winning educator and was named the International Interior Design Associations 2020 Educator of the Year.

Before joining UNL, she was the head of interior architecture and product design at Kansas State University from 1996 to 2011, and has taught at Radford University in Virginia and Washington State University.

At UNL, she has overseen a rising six-year graduation rate among students, as well as an increase to 100% job placement for graduates.

She was also a member of UNLs N150 Commission and the N2025 Steering Committee, which created a five-year strategic plan for the states flagship campus.

Chancellor Ronnie Green called Ankerson the right leader at the right time for this very important role.

She is a collaborative, inclusive and strategic leader who will take a what if approach into this vital role for our academic mission and help propel us forward, Green said in a statement.

Spiller became UNLs chief academic officer in early 2020 following the departure of Donde Plowman, who became chancellor at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

After less than two years on the job, Spiller resigned her position to care for an aging parent, she announced in an email last October.

UNL announced an internal search process to find the next executive vice chancellor, who is responsible for overseeing the academic enterprise.

Ankerson was selected over two other candidates: Mike Boehm, the vice chancellor for the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources and vice president of agriculture and natural resources for the NU system; and William G. Thomas III, the chair of humanities and a professor of history.

Ankerson will start in her new role Jan. 18. Sharon Kuska, the associate dean for faculty and academic programs in UNLs College of Architecture, was named interim dean.
Two shared YMCA facilities. A center that offers behavioral health services. Learning spaces that can provide alternative classrooms for students.

Omaha Public Schools students and staff will soon have access to those amenities as the district begins to open five new schools starting in August.

During a Jan. 3 school board meeting, district officials provided an update on each schools construction progress.

Four schools, with a total capacity of 4,200 students, are on track to open their doors to students this fall. A 1,000-student middle school is about a third of the way completed, with an opening date of August 2023.

The schools are being funded by a $409.9 million bond measure approved by voters in 2018. The bond issue also includes construction, capital improvements and renovations to 25 existing schools around the district.

We are excited to welcome students at our two new high schools and two elementary schools later this year, said Bridget Blevins, a spokeswoman for OPS.

Forest Station Elementary

School board members signed off on the completion of construction at Forest Station Elementary at the meeting earlier this month. Construction of the $21.3 million school, located at Fort Crook and Childs Roads in Bellevue, began in August 2019.

District officials said Forest Station will relieve pressure at other nearby OPS elementary schools that are close to or over capacity.

Forest Station will pull students from both Chandler View and Gomez Heritage Elementary Schools. Students entering the sixth grade will be assigned to Marrs Magnet Center.

The 80,000-square-foot building features several spaces that have a practical function such as the learning stairs, which is a large stairway that can also serve as an alternative classroom location. The school also has a stage in its gym and a storm shelter.

Shelly Burghardt will be the principal of Forest Station, home of the Owls. She is currently the principal at Hartman Elementary School.

Pine Elementary

Pine Elementary, located at 10th and Pine Streets in southeast Omaha, is 84% finished with a projected completion date of May 31, according to district documents. The $18.6 million construction project began in July 2020.

While the flooring should be done by the end of January, contractors still need to work on the electrical, mechanical and plumbing systems, along with the gym and sidewalks on the east side of the school.

The 112,000-square-foot facility incorporates an existing gym from Grace University, a private Christian college that halted operations in 2018.

Home of the Porcupines, Pine will take some students who now attend Castelar and Bancroft Elementary Schools. Students entering the sixth grade will be assigned to Norris Middle School.

Adriana Vargas will be the principal of Pine. She is currently Castelars principal.

Buena Vista High School

OPS hasnt opened a new high school since the early 1970s, when classrooms still featured chalkboards and overhead projectors.

The districts two new high schools, Buena Vista and Westview High Schools, will open in August, with only freshmen and sophomores. Juniors will be phased in starting in 2023, with seniors arriving in 2024.

The phased approach creates an opportunity to gradually build the student body with minimal disruption to students who are more established already at their current high school, Blevins said.

Buena Vista, at 60th and L Streets in South Omaha, is almost 90% complete, according to district documents. The $90.4 million construction project, which began in August 2019, is scheduled to be finished by May 31.

The school sits on a little more than 40 acres and is 285,000 square feet. It will have a YMCA Express and a OneWorld Community Health Centers clinic with a nurses station and behavior health services.

Unlike at other schools, Buena Vista teachers wont be assigned to certain classrooms. They will have office space and move to different classes. OPS officials have said the furniture will be flexible and movable.

The facility also has more open spaces for students to gather and work on projects.

Buena Vista will pull students from Bryan and South High Schools.

Carrie Carr will serve as principal for Buena Vista, home of the Bison. She had been the principal of Norris Middle School since 2017.

Westview High School

Westview High School, at 156th and Ida Streets, also will include a YMCA but will have more shared facilities than at Buena Vista.

The YMCA and the school will share an aquatics center, a main gymnasium, an auxiliary gym, a wrestling room, a weight and fitness room and outdoor fields. The YMCA portion of the Westview building will have its own facilities, including locker rooms, certain fitness areas and a day care.

The high school, home of the Wolverines, will sit on nearly 73 acres and will be 315,000 square feet.

Construction is about 85% finished and is on track for a completion deadline of May 31. The project will cost a total of $88.5 million.

A portion of students from Burke and Northwest High Schools will attend Westview, depending on their home address.

Thomas Lee is the principal for Westview. He was formerly the current principal of Northwest.

Bluestem Middle School

Bluestem Middle School, at 42nd and Y Streets, is 33% complete, according to district documents. Construction on the three-story building, which began in September 2020, should be finished by May 31, 2023.

Grading for the middle schools new track and field is done, along with site utility work. Interior framework for the second- and third-floor academic wings is ongoing.

The $48.8 million project will begin with sixth grade and seventh grade students when it opens in August 2023. It will expand to include eighth graders in 2024.

The facility, spanning 177,000 square feet, is being built next to Gateway Elementary to create a campus effect, officials said. It will have learning spaces geared toward career fields, science, technology, engineering and mathematics, and teacher collaboration.

The district has yet to announce a principal for Bluestem, which will be the home of the Mighty Meadowlarks. The school will pull some students from both Bryan and Norris Middle Schools.

Students from Gateway and Indian Hill Elementaries and the majority of students from Ashland Park-Robbins Elementary will be assigned to the new Bluestem.

The five new schools, totaling nearly $270 million, are within budget, said Charles Wakefield, OPS chief operations officer. While supply chain delays have impacted the projects, the facilities should still open on time, he said.

I did find materials early and purchased materials early, he said. At this point we are seeing delays, but we are not seeing delays that will delay the substantial completion of a project.

Starting Monday, OPS students could request their school choice for the 2022-23 year. All sites, including the four new schools opening in August, will be accepting applications until Jan. 28.

Students entering middle school or high school will automatically be sent forms, while elementary students can get a form at their current school or at the Student Placement Office, 3215 Cuming St.

The district is hosting tours in January for families who are within the attendance boundaries of both new high schools. A tour of Buena Vista was hosted on Saturday, while Westview will have one on Jan. 15.

Qualifying families have been sent emails for tour reservations. Tour dates for the new elementary schools have yet to be announced.

This story has been updated to reflect that the principals of Buena Vista and Westview High Schools are already in their new jobs, and new principals have been named at their previous schools. Langston Frison is now the principal at Norris Middle School. Kimberly Jackson is now the principal at Northwest High School.

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Nebraska hospital leaders warned Monday that the state's health systems are getting hammered by rising COVID-19 numbers and staffing shortages.

The warning came as the omicron variant fueled an all-time high in new COVID cases in the state. Nebraska recorded 17,382 new cases of COVID-19 for the week ending Friday, according to a World-Herald analysis of federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data. That number easily eclipsed the state's previous weekly high of just over 15,000 in November 2020.

Jeremy Nordquist, president of the Nebraska Hospital Association, said during a Monday press conference that based on projections, the state could see a doubling of hospitalizations for COVID-19 in the next two or three weeks.

That alone, he said, would be enough to overwhelm health systems. But the state also is facing among the worst staffing challenges of the pandemic, with health care workers sidelined after they or their family members come down with COVID.

"We are facing ... the perfect storm in terms of challenges that hospitals from border to border in Nebraska are facing," Nordquist said.

Last week's case count was well over the 10,682 cases recorded the week before. In addition, Nebraska's seven-day average of daily cases on Friday reached nearly 2,500, topping the previous high of just over 2,200.

Douglas County, too, hit a weekly high in new cases, recording 7,499 cases for the week ending Saturday. That was up from 4,724 cases the week before.

The state's number of hospital beds filled by COVID patients averaged 539 last week, up 10% from the week before. On Sunday, 602 Nebraskans were hospitalized with COVID-19. That included 380 COVID patients in metro Omaha hospitals, a figure not seen since early December 2020.

The state also reported 127 additional COVID-related deaths last week, tying for the third-highest weekly total of the pandemic.

Ivan Mitchell, CEO of Great Plains Health in North Platte, said about a quarter of that hospital's patients are COVID-positive.

Mitchell said he has seen a number of peaks and valleys in the health care labor supply during his more than 20 years in health care. "In my time," he said, "I've never seen a staffing situation like it is now."

The hospital's transfer line typically turns down about 10% of calls, Mitchell said. Now, it's turning away 30% to 35% of calls because the hospital doesn't have the staff to accommodate those patients. When the hospital seeks traveling nurses to fill gaps, it's not getting candidates.

Josie Abboud, president and CEO of Methodist and Methodist Women's Hospitals, said the Methodist system has a total of 904 open positions posted, across all job categories.

But with COVID positivity rates high in the community, it also has 178 employees out due to COVID, including 50 nurses. While the last state restriction on elective procedures expired in August, the health system continues to limit procedures that can wait.

"We really want and need the help of the public to try to mitigate this disease so we can keep beds open for those who really need our care," Abboud said.

Todd Consbruck, president and CEO of Avera St. Anthony's Hospital in O'Neill, said his staff is seeing "segments of society" who are not giving health care workers the respect they deserve. "That's probably one of the most frustrating things for us to witness," he said.

Nordquist said the hospital association is working with state health officials on a plan to relieve some of the pressure by opening more skilled nursing beds to take patients who are well enough to be discharged from hospitals but not ready to go home.

The hospital leaders also urged more Nebraskans to get vaccinated and boosted. Consbruck said state health officials reported last week that people who are fully vaccinated and boosted are 36 times less likely to require hospital care for COVID-19.

Only 65% of Nebraskans age 5 and older have been vaccinated. And less than 43% of those fully vaccinated have received booster shots. Some 54,000 vaccine doses were administered in the state last week, more than half of them boosters.

Consbruck also urged people who are not feeling well to stay home. Time and again, he said, health care workers have seen people who have attended events and social gatherings while ill end up exposing others. O'Neill recently recorded its all-time high number of tests, 30% of which were positive.

"We need to change this curve now," Consbruck said. "Or we are going to be in a lot of trouble in a couple of weeks."

The United States also hit pandemic highs for cases last week. Every state in the nation last week was seeing rising cases.

While Nebraska hit an all-time high in cases last week, its current per-capita case rate is a third of states with the highest rates. That suggests cases are likely to rise much higher here before the omicron wave hits its peak.

Just when could that peak come?

New York saw its omicron surge begin about two weeks before Nebraska's, and its current per-capita case rate is nearly three times that of the Cornhusker state.

In all, Nebraska has now seen more than 360,000 cases and 3,468 deaths since the pandemic began 22 months ago.

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Julie Anderson Julie Anderson is a medical reporter for The World-Herald. She covers health care and health care trends and developments, including hospitals, research and treatments. Follow her on Twitter @JulieAnderson41. Phone: 402-444-1066. Follow Julie Anderson 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
NEW YORK (AP)  It started as just another January morning, the damp chill prompting a family on the third floor of a drafty Bronx apartment tower to run a space heater for extra warmth, as residents had done countless times before.

In the moment, that decision hardly deserved a second thought.

Soon, though, it would prove the first in a series of fleeting choices and troubling circumstances that combined to fuel a staggering tragedy.

If only the heat inside apartment 3N had been sufficient. If only the family, fleeing a fire sparked by the malfunctioning space heater, had pulled the door closed behind them. If only their neighbors, conditioned to ignore frequent alarms that nearly always proved false, had not disregarded them this time. If only the blaze hadn't started near the bottom of the building, quickly turning the structure into a chimney that funneled impenetrable black smoke up stairwells and down hallways as scores struggled to escape.

If only so many seemingly minor factors had not aligned, then 17 people, including eight children, might now be alive.

"I dropped on my knees and started to pray to God and said, 'Please help me. Please help us,'" said Tysena Jacobs. 68, who was making breakfast in her 15th-floor apartment when acrid smoke started billowing under the front door. "It was like a nightmare."

Most nightmares, though, are solitary.

This one, all too real, was endured by hundreds spread over 19 floors -- taxi drivers and teachers, the elderly and newborns, many of them west African immigrants. From the outside, their brown block building set on a cement corner appeared anonymous. But inside it was a community, only vertical. That amplified both the damage and the grief.

If only, after an almost eerily mild December, the weekend's weather in New York had not turned cold. Each winter, some apartments in the Twin Parks tower stayed comfortable while others did not, forcing residents to improvise, said Stefan Beauvogui, a 67-year-old immigrant from Guinea who lives on the fourth floor.

On Sunday, he and his wife had space heaters running in both bedrooms and their sitting room because the building's heat "don't work for nothing." He said he had complained, but it hadn't been fixed.

Fathia Touray's family was the first to arrive at Twin Parks from the west African country of Gambia in the mid-1980s. They and other new arrivals bought space heaters. But sometimes her family had to turn on the oven or boil pots of water to keep the chill at bay, said Touray. She moved out in 2005 but her family remained, forced to flee Sunday's blaze.

Investigators say an electric space heater set up in one of the bedrooms of a duplex on the third floor of the building had been on for a "prolonged period" when an unspecified malfunction set off a fire around 11 a.m. Soon, flames began billowing from the unit's windows.

Down the hall, resident Karen Dejesus heard one of the building's hard-wired smoke alarms going off on the other side of her apartment door. At first, she ignored it.

"So many of us were used to hearing that fire alarm go off, it was like second nature to us," said Dejesus, 56, who was in the apartment with her son and 3-year-old granddaughter. "Not until I actually saw the smoke coming in the door did I realize it was a real fire and I began to hear people yelling 'Help. Help. Help.'"

Up on the 10th floor, Jose Henriquez had the same reaction.

"It seems like today, they went off but the people didn't pay attention," Henriquez said in Spanish.

By that point, smoke was spreading fast. When residents of 3N fled, the door to the unit was left open and stayed that way, investigators say, despite New York City law that requires entrances to apartments and stairwells be spring-loaded so they close automatically. The company that owns the building said in a statement Monday that maintenance workers repairing a lock on that door recently had inspected the self-closing mechanism and found it working.

Within minutes, air rushing through the open doorway had sucked flames, soot and thick black smoke into the hall, and then under Dejesus' door. Before she could stuff towels into the opening, it filled the room, forcing the family to flee down the stairs to the lower floor of their duplex.

When firefighters arrived a few minutes after the blaze was reported, they broke down her door and rushed all three family members out a window onto a waiting ladder.

But while the flames never escaped the third floor, smoke poured into the building's stairwells and, with a second door left open on a 15th-floor landing, rapidly swept throughout the building. There was little to hold back the blaze in a structure that has sprinklers in its compactor and laundry rooms but none elsewhere.

Glenn Corbett, a fire science professor at John Jay College in New York City, said closed doors are vital to containing fire and smoke, especially in buildings without systems to douse a blaze.

"In a building that doesn't have sprinklers in it, that has very little fire safety in it, this door became literally life and death for hundreds of people," he said.

On the ninth floor, Kweesam Wood, a train station cleaner for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, was in the shower when his 6-year-old daughter Dasanii ran to tell his wife that she smelled smoke. The family grabbed clothes and started down the building's fire stairs.

But "there were people, glass, bodies," Fatima Wood says. They only made it down a few flights when heavy smoke forced them to turn around.

The smoke, though, kept rising.

On the 15th floor, Jacobs and her brother rushed toward the door as the air in their apartment took on the odor of soot. But they decided not to open it when they saw plumes of smoke billowing from beneath it.

Four floors up, Renee Howard was startled by a banging at her door. She opened it to find a firefighter, his face covered in soot, standing in a hallway filled with black smoke, asking her if everyone inside was OK. Assured she was safe, he ordered her to keep away from the door and stay near the window and wait for further instructions.

"I didn't move from there for at least seven hours because I didn't know where the fire was," she said.

Staying put kept her safe. But in a building without fire escapes, many residents flooded into the stairways, leaving what refuge they had in their units. Members of another family who lives on the same floor as Howard died trying to escape the building.

In the chaos, though, others made it to safety.

"I just ran down the steps as much as I could but people was falling all over me, screaming," said Sandra Clayton, 61, who was able to grope her way through the smoke. Gasping for air outside, she could think only of the wails of those who would not make it.

As residents returned to the building Monday hoping to gather personal items, they despaired pondering all the ways in which the tragedy and its terrible toll might have been averted.

"I saw the firefighters taking the children out. Their lives have been snatched away in a second," Howard said, breaking into tears. "I don't want to go back there. It's such a heartache."

***

Associated Press writers Bobby Caina Calvan, Deepti Hajela, Dave Porter, Bernard Condon, Mike Sisak and Andrew Selsky and video journalists Robert Bumsted and Ted Shaffrey contributed to this story.
A federal jury has acquitted a former Nebraska state trooper on a charge that he deprived a Colorado motorists rights when he slammed the butt of an AR-15 into the drunk mans head after a chase in western Nebraska.

Jurors deliberated about four hours before finding Lindsey Bixby not guilty of a civil rights violation on the basis that he used unreasonable force in subduing motorist Brian Davis.

It was the second time Bixby had been tried on the charge. After the first trial in November, jurors could not agree. Ten voted to acquit Bixby, but two voted to convict. A jury must be unanimous. Judge Brian Buescher then declared a mistrial.

The retrial took place over the past week.

Dashcam video from March 2016 had shown Davis driving erratically through three counties in western Nebraska, reaching speeds of up to 110 mph.

After stalling out in a sandy ditch, Davis stumbled out of his minivan, visibly drunk. He briefly dropped his hands behind his waist, and Bixby testified he thought Davis was reaching for a gun in his waistband. Davis, however, held his hands, palms up, above his head or out from his body for the next 26 seconds.

After he failed to follow 16 commands to get on the ground, Bixby struck Davis with the butt of his rifle. The force of the strike snapped Davis head to the side and dropped him to the ground.

Bixby testified he was aiming for Davis shoulder when he swung and missed, instead hitting Davis in the head.

A dash camera video of the arrest made its way online and was obtained by The World-Herald in 2017. Soon after the newspaper submitted questions about Bixbys actions, Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts fired then-Nebraska State Patrol Col. Brad Rice amid a series of patrol controversies.

Bixby resigned four months after the traffic stop. Five years later, a federal grand jury charged Bixby with violating Davis civil rights by subjecting him to unreasonable force.

Bixbys attorneys, John Berry and Michael Wilson, pointed to all the ways Davis endangered troopers and the public. Wilson said Bixby had justification to shoot Davis when Davis got out of the minivan with his hands behind his back.

While Bixby testified that he thought Davis was reaching for a weapon in his waistband, Davis actually was pulling up his pants. A fellow trooper on the scene, Kyle Kuebler, testified he could tell that Davis simply was pulling up his pants.

Lecia Wright, an assistant U.S. attorney, and co-counsel Cameron Bell argued that Bixby was enraged that Davis had led troopers on the 50-minute high-speed chase. She said Bixby violated the right that any citizen has to be free from police brutality.

At the original trial, Davis testified that he had used alcohol and painkillers that night. The painkillers, he said, were used as a result of injuries he suffered as a hockey player.

He testified that he had no memory of being struck by the rifle butt. Davis and a stepbrother testified that Davis was sore to the touch and had bruising so bad that his ear was black.

Davis, who now lives and works in Missouri, testified that he suffered from consistent headaches and memory lapses after the ordeal.

Bixby is no longer in law enforcement. He now lives in South Dakota.

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LINCOLN  Late in the 2021 legislative session, a resolution adding Nebraska to the list of states calling for a convention to propose amendments to the U.S. Constitution appeared dead in the water.

The proposal, Legislative Resolution 14, from Sen. Steve Halloran of Hastings had failed to advance from committee, and a motion to pull it onto the floor fell two votes short of 25, a simple majority of senators.

How they voted A resolution (LR 14) adding Nebraska to a call for a convention of states to propose constitutional amendments imposing several restraints on the federal government. Yes (32) - Arch, Bostar, Bostelman, Brandt, Brewer, Briese, Clements, Dorn, Erdman, Flood, Friesen, Geist, Gragert, Groene, Halloran, B. Hansen, Hilgers, Hilkemann, Kolterman, Lindstrom, Linehan, Lowe, McDonnell, Moser, Murman, Pahls, Sanders, Slama, Stinner, Wayne, Williams, Wishart. No (10) - Albrecht, Day, M. Hansen, Hunt, Lathrop, McCollister, McKinney, Morfeld, Pansing Brooks, Walz. Present, not voting (4) - Aguilar, J. Cavanaugh, M. Cavanaugh, Hughes. Excused, not voting (3) - Blood, DeBoer, Vargas.

But a motion to suspend the Legislatures rules late in the 90-day session allowed the resolution to be considered in committee once more, and negotiations between Halloran and Sen. John McCollister of Omaha produced the fifth vote needed to put LR 14 on the floor.

The Legislature advanced LR 14 to second-round consideration on a 32-10 vote Monday afternoon, the first day of floor debate in the 2022 session, after a filibuster attempt was scrapped. Four senators were present but not voting.

Honestly, I think most people were expecting the full eight-hour filibuster, and that didnt happen, Halloran said. I was surprised.

The resolution and others like it introduced in recent years have failed to gain traction in the Legislature, despite many conservative senators supporting it.

LR 14, like resolutions adopted in 15 other states, would call for a convention of states as outlined in Article V of the Constitution.

Under the resolution, convention delegates would be responsible for drafting proposed constitutional amendments imposing fiscal restraints on the federal government, limiting the power and jurisdiction of the federal government and setting term limits for officeholders

Supporters say constitutional amendments are necessary to rein in out-of-control spending that has grown the countrys debt. Halloran, a Republican, laid blame at the feet of presidents dating back to George W. Bush.

The debt clock is ticking, he said, referring to the U.S. Debt Clock, which puts the national debt at almost $30 trillion, equal to about $89,000 for every person in the country.

While a constitutional amendment could erect guardrails against federal spending and limit the governments authority to spend, opponents said Hallorans resolution left room for delegates to interpret intent.

Sen. Matt Hansen of Lincoln said the language was too broad, potentially allowing a convention to interpret the call to limit the power and jurisdiction of the federal government as anything up to the elimination of Congress.

But Halloran said the Constitution is clear on the process.

Any proposed amendments that emerged from a convention of states would need to be ratified by three-fourths of the states before they would become law.

Sen. Adam Morfeld of Lincoln, who sponsored an amendment stating that the convention could not restrict Second Amendment rights, warned that the convention would not be limited by any resolution passed by a state legislature.

The only precedent we have is the constitutional convention that went rogue the last time we had one, Morfeld said, referring to the 1787 convention that replaced the Articles of Confederation with the Constitution.

Morfeld noted that the Legislature had suspended its own rules to give Hallorans resolution new life and said there was nothing to stop a convention of states from doing something similar.

After about three hours of debate, the Legislature soundly defeated Morfelds amendment, and two other amendments introduced by senators who signaled opposition to LR 14  Hansen and Sen. Megan Hunt of Omaha  were then withdrawn, clearing the way for a vote on the resolution.

Hunt said after the vote that instead of taking debate to the eight-hour limit in the first round, opponents would try to defeat LR 14 in the second round of consideration, when a filibuster needs to push debate only four hours under the rules adopted by the Legislature.

If that happens, LR 14 will need 33 votes to escape a filibuster.
Republican gubernatorial candidate Jim Pillen already has raised $5.4 million in contributions to his campaign, a figure that dwarfs the amount of money that previous Republican candidates for governor reported in their initial campaign finance reports.

Pillen had cash on hand for his campaign totaling $4.1 million moving into 2022.

His figures include 18 donors contributing $100,000 to the Columbus pork producer, who is a member of the University of Nebraska Board of Regents.

The Pillen numbers compare with about $1.4 million raised by Gov. Pete Ricketts in 2013 as he prepared for his initial gubernatorial race eight years ago.

Pillen counts 1,328 Nebraska contributors and has contributed $1 million of his own money to his campaign.

The multi-candidate Republican gubernatorial primary contest appears likely to feature a costly battle with Pillen and Charles Herbster, a Falls City cattle producer, leading the campaign finance charts.

The Pillen campaign's estimate of Herbster expenditures thus far approaches $3 million, with nearly $1.5 million in television and radio outlays already in the books.

Herbster, who was agricultural adviser to former President Donald Trump, has received Trump's endorsement. Pillen is expected to garner Ricketts' endorsement, but the governor has been silent so far.

The strong early fundraising success of Pillen reflects his lifetime of "building relationships," Kenny Zoeller, Pillen's campaign manager, said Monday.

"But we're not taking anything for granted. Jim is building relationships and creating relationships.

"Right now, we feel it's either Pillen or Herbster," he said.

The Republican contest also includes Sen. Brett Lindstrom of Omaha and former Sen. Theresa Thibodeau of Omaha, along with a number of other announced candidates. Michael Connely of York, Donna Nicole Carpenter of Lincoln and Lela McNinch of Lincoln have filed with the secretary of state.

Former Gov. Dave Heineman considered entering the race, but ultimately decided to remain in private life in Fremont.

"We're not done fundraising," Pillen campaign consultant Jessica Flanagain said during a joint interview with Zoeller.

"We have enough money to communicate his message," she said, "and it's important that it's coming from other Nebraskans."

Pillen has campaigned in 85 of Nebraska's 93 counties thus far.
LINCOLN  A reservoir bigger than Iowas Lake Okoboji could be bound for eastern Nebraska, under a proposal unveiled Monday by state lawmakers.

The lake would span 4,000 acres, reach 30 feet or so deep, and stretch 7 miles, according to Sen. Mike Hilgers of Lincoln, speaker of the Legislature. And it would be dredged near the Platte River in a location roughly equidistant from Omaha and Lincoln.

Hilgers announced the proposal along with a list of other water-related projects Monday, the result of a half-year process undertaken by the Legislatures Statewide Tourism and Recreational Water Access and Resource Sustainability (STAR WARS) special committee, which was created by Legislative Bill 406. The committee will request $200 million from the state to support the projects, Hilgers said.

The STAR WARS committee, created to look into managing water resources while spurring economic activity, was tasked with studying a few specific areas of the state, including along the Platte River and its tributaries from Columbus to Plattsmouth.

Among the committee members is Sen. Bruce Bostelman of Brainard, whose district includes Saunders County, which is home to Ashland.

The vision that we had is: How do we make Nebraska an even better place to live, work and raise a family, and how do we compete with some of our neighbors? Hilgers said.

The idea of damming the Platte to create a lake along the Interstate 80 corridor has come up every so often in Nebraska. The earliest push was in 1896. In the past, residents of Ashland, which would have been left underwater in past proposals, have pushed back when the Legislature has proposed studying it.

But Hilgers said this proposal is different. First off, it doesnt include a dam.

He said the group was mandated to not explore damming the Platte and to not affect Ashland or the communities and economic development in that area. And, he said, theyre trying not to negatively affect those that draw water from the Platte, such as Lincoln and the Metropolitan Utilities District.

We believe that there is an opportunity to build a reservoir of this size that will do all of those things: that will add economic opportunity for our state and help us control more of our own water, sustain more of our own water while not in any way impacting Ashland and the surrounding communities, Hilgers said.

Beyond managing and preserving water, he said, locating the lake between the states two largest metro areas could attract people who, in a world altered by the pandemic, can work remotely from anywhere. The reservoir on its own, Hilgers said, is projected to have over a $5 billion impact on the state.

He didnt offer any specific locations that are under consideration but said he thinks that the land identified could be acquired through purchase.

If the lake is funded, it would be a while before Nebraskans could plan a getaway. Design and permitting alone could take a couple years, Hilgers said.

The other proposed projects include:

Lower Platte: A levee near Schuyler and a series of upstream dams in the Wahoo Creek watershed for flood control.

Lake McConaughy: A marina, road safety improvements and a grand entrance.

Lewis and Clark Lake: Expanding the marina and amenities.

Niobrara State Park: Replacing a boat access facility and constructing an event center and lodge.

While the big lake has been a focus for additional private funding, Hilgers said lawmakers are looking at complementary funding sources and possibilities of public-private partnerships for the other projects, too.

At the same press conference, Gov. Pete Ricketts announced that he will seek $500 million in his budget proposal, which is expected to be released Thursday, to build a canal and reservoir system along the South Platte River.

The river, which flows into Nebraska from Colorado, is the subject of a compact between the two states that dates back to 1923 and guarantees Nebraska a certain amount of water.

Colorado should be delivering 120 cubic feet per second during the irrigation season and 500 cubic feet per second during the non-irrigation season, Ricketts said. Thats happening during irrigation season, but Colorado has issued permits that he said have infringed upon the threshold during non-irrigation season.

The compact anticipated a canal and reservoir system as part of delivering that 500 cfs, according to officials, and Nebraska started developing that system but never completed it. Now, Ricketts said, Colorado is planning about 300 projects, and a Nebraska Department of Natural Resources analysis predicts that, if those go through, it would dramatically reduce the water that ends up here. Ricketts warned of impacts on agriculture, drinking water across the state, power generation and the environment.

After our people, water is the greatest natural resource that we have in our state, he said.

Nebraska Attorney General Doug Peterson said the compact gives Nebraska the right to use eminent domain authority to build a canal, about 24 miles of which would be in Colorado. The canal would extend into Nebraska to a reservoir system, which Ricketts said would also require using eminent domain.

Both Peterson and Ricketts said Colorado officials have been polite in conversations.

Were simply notifying Colorado today that were moving forward with this process and completing the terms that were entitled to complete pursuant to this agreement dating back to 1923, Peterson said.

Ricketts, who has been vocally opposed to President Joe Bidens 30-by-30 conservation initiative, calling it a land grab, said this is different because, rather than conserving land as proposed by the Biden administration, it would create reservoirs that would allow the state to continue to use land for agriculture.

Incentivizing and rewarding voluntary conservation efforts by ranchers and farmers was among the recommendations in a federal report published last year that offered a starting point for 30-by-30 efforts. The document repeatedly emphasizes honoring private property rights.

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A man was fatally shot after opening fire on McHenry County sheriffs deputies responding to a domestic violence call in northwest suburban Port Barrington early Tuesday, officials said.

A woman also suffered injuries that were not considered life-threatening, according to a statement from the sheriffs office. No deputies were shot or injured.

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Authorities were dispatched to the 200 block of Manchester Lane at 1:22 a.m. to investigate a report of domestic violence, officials said.

Upon their arrival, the (man) opened fire on the deputies and an adult female on scene, according to the statement. Deputies returned fire, striking the (man).

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The man, whose name and age had not been released Tuesday morning, was pronounced dead at the scene, deputies said.

The woman also was injured, although authorities didnt say whether she was shot. She was taken to Advocate Condell Hospital.

Investigators said the shooting was an isolated incident and there is no threat to the general public.

Check back for updates.

kdouglas@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @312BreakingNews
LINCOLN  All abortions would be banned in Nebraska if the U.S. Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade under a bill introduced Monday in the Legislature.

Legislative Bill 933, introduced by State Sens. Joni Albrecht of Thurston and Mike Flood of Norfolk, is a trigger bill.

Like similar laws passed in a dozen other states, it would take effect only if a ruling by the nations high court, adoption of a U.S. constitutional amendment or passage of a federal law gives states full power to regulate abortions.

States authority is currently limited by past court rulings that declared abortion to be a constitutional right.

If triggered, LB 933 would make it a felony for anyone to provide any medication or undertake any procedure with the intent of ending the life of an unborn child, defined as an individual living member of the species homo sapiens ... from fertilization to full gestation and childbirth.

The woman undergoing an abortion would not be considered in violation of the law.

The bill would not provide exemptions but would allow licensed physicians charged under the law to use as a defense that the abortion was necessary to prevent the womans death or serious, permanent impairment of a life-sustaining organ.

The measure is the second proposal aimed at ending or sharply curtailing abortions in Nebraska. LB 781, introduced by Sen. Julie Slama of Sterling, would ban abortions after a so-called fetal heartbeat can be detected. That usually occurs at about six weeks gestation, before most women are aware that they are pregnant.

The Supreme Court is expected to announce a ruling on abortion in June.

Among other legislation introduced Monday:

Criminal justice. Sen. Steve Lathrop of Omaha, who chairs the Judiciary Committee, introduced LB 920. He said the bill includes both consensus and non-consensus proposals from a working group that has spent months digging into state criminal justice data.

The final report from that initiative, which is being facilitated by the nonprofit Crime and Justice Institute, has yet to be released. But Lathrop said he thinks that its important the bill be introduced and scheduled for a hearing early.

Lathrops bill proposes tweaks to expand problem-solving courts and incentivize mental health practitioners to stay in Nebraska, as well as changes to multiple other facets of the states criminal justice system, including sentencing, penalties, parole and more.

Taxes. Sen. Lou Ann Linehan of Elkhorn, the Revenue Committee chairwoman, introduced a pair of bills that would cut the top income tax rates for both corporations and individuals. LB 938 would reduce the top rate on corporations from the current 7% down to 5.84% in four steps, ending in 2026. LB 939 would reduce the top individual rate from the current 6.84% down to 5.84% in three steps, ending in 2025.

World-Herald Staff Writer Sara Gentzler contributed to this report.

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For months, Nebraskas economic engine has been roaring. A dramatic indicator is the surge in state government revenues, even on top of the $1 billion in federal COVID aid.

But Nebraskans must be wary of the uncertainties hanging over our economy.

Economic cycles are unavoidable  this century so far has brought shocks regularly to our states economic system, in 2001, 2009-10 and 2020. And on one front after another, huge question marks arise for Nebraska. Heres just a small sampling:

Will we be able to attract more residents, given the gaping labor shortage that holds back businesses growth prospects? Can Nebraska keep low-income families and individuals from falling further behind in terms of their quality of life? Can our state achieve more balanced growth, so that rural areas outside the Omaha/Lincoln metro areas share in the economic gains?

This isnt a call for pessimism. Its a call for realism. Lets avoid overconfidence and understand the magnitude of the challenges and uncertainties. Then lets draw on our strengths, build consensus, and take strategic action at the local and state levels to address our needs.

The vision displayed by many Nebraska communities offers hope. I wrote about those efforts for nearly two decades during my time on the World-Herald opinion staff. A major project by the papers editorial page last year highlighted current examples in eight Nebraska communities. The range of local steps forward were notable, including a transformative riverfront project in downtown Norfolk; landmark progress in Valentine on universal broadband and Main Street revitalization; a new community center and a new fire/EMT building in Laurel, in northeast Nebraska; and progress in meeting housing needs in North Platte.

These communities arent magically solving every problem, of course, but they are nurturing the kind of positive spirit and strategizing vital to local progress. Nebraska needs far more of that collaborative, can-do spirit.

Political leaders in state government can help through their policy decisions and messaging. This legislative session, lawmakers and Gov. Pete Ricketts  flush with a surge in federal money  have key opportunities to promote long-term progress by making strategic one-time investments in needs including infrastructure and broadband.

Some Nebraska conservatives are undermining the states growth prospects in one respect. Our state is woefully short of needed labor, and Nebraska must send a strong message of welcome to people of all backgrounds. Nebraska young people repeatedly and urgently underscore that need. So do so many of the states business leaders. Yet much rhetoric voiced in Nebraska on the political right is distinctively unwelcoming.

At the same time, some Nebraskans on the left need to reconsider their class warfare messaging. Our state would benefit from generating far more high-paying jobs  in value-added agriculture, advanced manufacturing, health care and tech fields, among others. Its unhelpful to depict Nebraskans who in high-income categories as greedy or suspect.

It would be a huge mistake for Nebraska to adopt a Social Darwinist mindset and ignore the needs and interests of disadvantaged individuals and modest-income households. At the same time, if Nebraska is going to be economically successful over the long term, it also must be energetic and focused in encouraging the creation of many more well-paying jobs. It shouldnt be difficult to understand both of those fundamental concepts.

An additional principle is crucial for our states future: If Nebraska is to achieve economic success in coming decades, its going to take the efforts of all of us. We need a spirit of unity.

Nebraska, at just a smidgen short of 2 million residents, is home to only a relative handful of people, given the magnitude of our statewide challenges. We need each other.

A positive step forward is to think of each other as Nebraskans first  not as Republicans or Democrats, right or left, rural or urban. Such a mindset promotes dialogue, trust and collaboration  elements vital for a states economic success.

Yet in the current political climate, too many Nebraskans eagerly embrace bitterness and suspicion of others based on politics, cultural beliefs or urban/rural affiliation. Yes, Nebraskans have major differences in perspectives and values, and its appropriate to debate policy issues honestly and with commitment. But if we insist on constantly holding onto resentment and anger, we cant come together to address our economic needs.

Ongoing political rancor and mistrust are dangerously corrosive  corrosive to our state government, to local communities, to our ability to manage our future. Corrosive, indeed, to our spirit as citizens.

Nebraskans of all political persuasions can benefit by sharing a common realization and a common priority: We are one people, despite differences, and the best strategy for economic progress is for us to work together.

Kansans arent going to come to our aid. Neither are Coloradans or Missourians. Solving our economic challenges as Nebraskans will depend on us.

All of us.

The more that Nebraskans of all backgrounds come to recognize that crucial fact, the more secure our states future can be.

Geitner Simmons, a longtime student of Nebraska government, is a writer at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and a former World-Herald editorial page editor. Views do not represent UNL. Twitter: @GeitnerSimmons. Write him at gcolumn100@gmail.com.
As part of a national effort to mourn the anniversary of the insurrection that took place on Jan. 6, 2021, another national effort occurred on Jan. 6, 2022. Here in Omaha and in more than 230 cities, vigils occurred with a focus toward a call to action toward an affirmation of democracy.

In Omaha, I had the honor of being one of three speakers at a vigil was hosted by the College of St. Mary. The other speakers included Heather Engdahl of Civic Nebraska, and Jo Giles of the Womens Fund of Omaha.

I offer my comments from that vigil as a guardrail to provide a historical context of the events that led up to and concluded with the Jan. 6 insurrection. As an African American who will be 80 years old this year, I have lived to witness America and its worst and lowest points, along with efforts to improve.

In our history, this country sought to move beyond slavery through the 13th, 14th and 15th Amendments to the Constitution. The opportunities for former slaves and other people of color was ultimately undercut by Jim Crow.

Then in my lifetime, the country experienced an undeniable effort to right wrongs, the civil rights movement.

This led to further work to expunge racism, sexism and aggressive voter impediments through federal legislation and Supreme Court rulings.

Each period of adjustment was followed by a steady creep backward toward past inequities. The 1965 Voting Rights Act was progress but unraveled by the Supreme Court in 2013. The landmark law is now so ineffective from constant political and legal attacks that there is a need to completely restore it assets.

We once again face new attempts to restrict and alter the simple democratic process of voting and even the transfer of power. The events of Jan. 6, 2021, demand a new and rigorous adjustment.

It is my contention is that any new adjustment must not just come from federal legislation, i.e., the John Lewis Voting Rights Act, but from a change in our communities, rural and urban, Democrat and Republicans.

We must share a recognition of the reduced acceptance of truth and the impact that has on democracy. George Floyds murder and Jan. 6 should be clarion calls to our nation (and here in Omaha) that we the people must take the lead by demanding the change now.

History has taught us that legislation alone will fall short of real change. With truth comes healing; with healing comes adjustments to our thinking, and with more thoughtfulness, positive actions will follow. Adjustments must be made to perfect our union or the lessons of George Floyd and Jan. 6 will be lost, and democracy will continue to be symbolic.

Over the course of my life and before, the idea of true democracy for all has been mostly symbolic. When I grew up as an African American youth, I was redlined; that was not democracy. I went to segregated schools; that was not democracy. When I was old enough to vote, it was before the 1965 Voting Rights Act was passed.

I have lived to endure hate and racism in many forms, including the assassinations of Martin Luther King and Medgar Evers, the church bombing in Birmingham, Alabama, killing four innocent, black young girls. In my beloved North Omaha, an innocent 14-year-old teenage black girl named Vivian Strong was fatally shot in the back of the head by a policeman. Does any of this sound like democracy? Yet there is a renewed effort by some to prohibit teaching this part of history to our children, to intentionally avoid telling the truth.

Recent, aggressive attempts to legislate voter restrictions, coupled with mass misinformation all amount to the undermining democracy. And now the aftermath of Jan. 6. 2021, shows that we have lost our way to the truth. But I say now that truth can save democracy.

I suggest that each one of us become activist for truth. We will fight any attempt at misinformation, refuse to be bystanders or participants in hate, racism and division, be advocates of equity and equality for all, dismiss any attempt to restrict voting and, above all, stand up for truth, stand up for democracy, pray for democracy. After all, our children are watching us. Teach them the truth.

Preston Love Jr. is a longtime Omaha civic engagement activist who also teaches black studies at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. These views do not represent those of UNO.
NORMAL  Illinois State University and Heartland Community College officials are pleased to have level higher education funding from the state for the fiscal year that begins July 1.

The budget approved by the General Assembly in the wee hours Tuesday appropriates $69.6 million in general operating funds for ISU, the same as the current fiscal year.

Were certainly grateful, ISU spokesman Eric Jome said Thursday. Thats what we were expecting. Thats what the governor had in his budget.

About 14.4% of ISUs operating budget revenue comes from state appropriations. Tuition and fees account for 46% of operating funds.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker is expected to sign the budget.

Having a budget in place before the start of the fiscal year provides a level of certainty, said Jome.

A budget impasse in Springfield resulted in the state not having a complete budget in fiscal years 2016 and 2017 and portions of 2018.

The budget includes about $478 million overall for community colleges, but Heartland Community College does not yet know what its individual appropriation will be.

The current years state appropriation is just over $3 million.

Although we are awaiting the final district allocation amounts, we appreciate the governors ongoing commitment to higher education and, in particular, community colleges, said Heartland spokesman Steve Fast.

A flat budget sustains existing state support, yet that support provides less than 10% of Heartland Community College funding. Under the original funding parameters of community colleges, the states contribution was to be one-third of funding, said Fast.

Tuition and fees account for nearly 44% of revenue for Heartlands operating fund.

He said money from the Governors Emergency Education Relief Fund has been vital for our students as we have provided more resources to overcome the challenges presented by COVID-19.

The budget also includes an increase of an increase of about 6% to funding for the Monetary Award Program, a needs-based financial aid grant, and flat funding for the AIM HIGH program, the Aspirational Institutional Match Helping Illinois Grow Higher Education program aimed at encouraging high-achieving Illinois students to attend an in-state university.

The budget calls for $479.6 million in MAP funding, up from $451.3 and holds AIM HIGH funding at $35 million.

Jome said ISU is very happy to see continued support for MAP funding and AIM HIGH. They are both very important financial aid packages that a number of our students take advantage of.

Fast said, The overall increase in MAP grant funding will help keep up with demand, but this is only an incremental step in the right direction.

Community college officials have been calling for changes in the MAP program for years.

Community college students tend to apply later than those going to four-year institutions and sometimes the money has fun out by the time they apply. MAP eligibility rules require students to be enrolled in a degree or certificate program.

Current MAP eligibility leaves out many students seeking workforce training, explained Fast.

As Illinoisans face the financial recovery from the COVID-19 crisis, we urge the usage of MAP funding for, and set aside funds to support, short-term community college certificate and training programs of less than 16 credit hours focused on workforce development and readiness efforts, he said.

Contact Lenore Sobota at (309) 820-3240. Follow her on Twitter: @Pg_Sobota

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BLOOMINGTON  A two-year contract with Flock Safety to purchase and install 10 automatic license plate readers in Bloomington is tabled to the first week of February.

The Bloomington City Council in a 6-2 vote on Monday pushed off a decision to enter a $59,000 contract with the Atlanta, Georgia-based company for the cameras after several members of the public criticized the technology, raising concerns of privacy.

Ward 3 alderwoman Sheila Montney and Ward 5 alderman Nick Becker voted against tabling the contract. Ward 1 alderman Jamie Mathy was serving as mayor pro temp in Mayor Mboka Mwilambwe's absence.

The Central Illinois chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois earlier in the day urged the city to pull out of the agreement with Flock Safety.

The ACLU in a statement Monday called the technology "invasive" and stated the city needs to share more information with the community before contracting the company.

"Beyond these immediate issues, the ALPR technology poses a risk to civil liberties and privacy, and also, can become a tool to surveil and monitor Black and brown communities," the ACLU said in a statement. "These are the very communities that already suffer from significant over-policing, whether in Bloomington or other communities across the country."

The Bloomington City Council will consider the two-year contract with Flock Safety at its Feb. 8 meeting. The cost of the first year of the contract is $31,500, and the second year is $27,500.

Documents prepared ahead of the city council meeting indicate the security cameras would help the Bloomington Police Department in "enhancing public safety in areas impacted by violent crimes and near locations of frequent vehicle crashes."

If approved, 10 automatic license plate readers would be installed in "areas of the city impacted by violent crime in 2021." The cameras are pole-mounted and solar-powered, and will connect to a ALPR cloud system.

Eight police departments and sheriff offices in Illinois have agreed to share ALPR data with Bloomington: West Peoria, Springfield, Champaign, Rantoul, Channahon, and Pekin police departments, and the Champaign County Sheriff's Office.

The documents do not include locations of the proposed cameras. The Pantagraph has filed a Freedom Information Act request seeking the information.

Carol Koos, president of the ACLU of Illinois Central Illinois Chapter during the Monday council meeting said: Primarily, more information needs to be shared with the community before this agreement is considered for approval. Communication with citizens prior to approval will increase sense of trust in police and city government.

Said Olivia Butts, who is a member of the leadership team of Black Lives Matter of Bloomington-Normal: I think most folks would agree that if the Bloomington community is to undergo more surveillance, then there should be some sort of public town hall or public input, at the very least some discussion among council people about how this will affect policing and how this will affect the community.

Resident Matthew Toczko, of Bloomington, questioned the timing.

How dare you try to sneak this by as a consent agenda item with zero public discussion or debate and no real chance for the people of Bloomington to say no to it. This kind of public surveillance bullshit is exactly the kind of thing that demands transparent discourse and a democratic process before implementation in a purportedly free society if it is implemented at all," he said.

The Bloomington Police Department also intends to speak with the Public Safety and Community Relations Board later in January about ALPRs and the city's plan for their use.

Bloomington currently has a network of security cameras installed in public areas throughout the city, which have helped solve crimes. The use of such cameras has raised local questions and concerns regarding privacy.

The ACLU has stated that, if the city moves forward with the contract, the the police department should create a specific privacy policy regulating the use of the technology, which should be shared with the public. The organization also stated the BPD should publicly share where the APLR cameras are installed and how the decision on where to place them was made.

Contact Sierra Henry at 309-820-3234. Follow her on Twitter: @pg_sierrahenry.

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A dive into Illinois town names reveals that many of their origins are exactly as we would expect: Theyre named after local founders and leaders, other cities and countries, and for geographic descriptions of the area.

Some names appear to be biblical (Bible Grove, Boaz, Corinth, Galatia, Piety Hill, Providence), while others suggest traits that we may aspire to (Confidence, Harmony, Love, Triumph, Unity, Equality, Fidelity, Joy).

Some sound like an insult  hey, Marblehead!

There are names that sound like whoever was in charge of naming ran out of ideas, like America, Hometown, No. 9, Cornland and New City.

Many are not so much towns as remote places on the map, with no easily discernible clue as to their origin (were looking at you, Chicken Bristle).

Heres a closer look at some of Illinois oddball town names:

Big Foot Prairie

Location: McHenry County, Illinois/Walworth County, Wisconsin

Population: N/A

Named for: Potawatomi leader Big Foot

Bone Gap

Location: Edwards County

Population: 234

Named for: When European settlers arrived to the area, the village was located in a gap in the treeline, and they found a number of animal bones left behind by the Piankeshaw tribe who previously lived there.

Goofy Ridge

Location: Mason County

Population: 350

Named for: According to a 2003 book called Passing Gas: And Other Towns Along the American Highway, the town was once called just The Ridge, but after a group of area moonshiners made a game of shooting a walnut off a mans head, a witness called it a goofy thing to do, and the town took on the name Goofy Ridge.

Grand Detour

Location: Ogle County

Population: 429

Named for: A turn in the Rock River where it flows north past the town, instead of its southwest path

Ivanhoe

Location: Lake County

Population: N/A

Named for: Sir Walter Scotts 1820 novel Ivanhoe

Moonshine

Location: Clark County

Population: N/A

Named for: Unclear. A 1987 article in the Houston Chronicle reported that Moonshine was a dry town, but we wonder if there was a history of bootlegging. The article suggested the name could have come from the moon shining on swampy land near the store (now a diner serving up Moonburgers), or that residents from Philadelphia may have named it for locations in Pennsylvania.

Muddy

Location: Saline County

Population: 63

Named for: The Harrisburg Big Muddy Coal Co., in 1903

Munster

Location: LaSalle County

Population: N/A

Named for: Unclear. It may have been named for Munster, a province in Ireland.

No. 9

Location: Williamson County

Population: N/A

Named for: Madison Coal Co.s No. 9 mine

Normal

Location: McLean County

Population: 52,736

Named for: Previously called North Bloomington, the town was later named Normal for the normal school, or teachers college, known today as Illinois State University.

Paw Paw

Location: Lee County

Population: 848

Named for: A nearby grove of pawpaw trees

Poverty Ridge

Location: Fulton County

Population: N/A

Named for: A line of nearby hills known as Poverty Ridge.

Ransom

Location: LaSalle County

Population: 356

Named for: Civil War Gen. Thomas E.G. Ransom, who was born in Vermont but lived in Illinois for a time.

Sandwich

Location: DeKalb and Kendall counties

Population: 7,418

Named for: Early town leader and politician Long John Wentworth named the town for his hometown of Sandwich, New Hampshire.

Shake Rag

Location: Williamson County

Population: N/A

Named for: It started out as a nickname for this town during the Civil War era. The owner of a store and saloon would raise a red cloth above his roof to signal that a new barrel of whiskey had arrived.

Honorable mentions Allright America Chicken Bristle Chili Clank Crisp Fancy Prairie Friendsville Frogtown Gross Hicks Hometown Limerick Little America Lost Nation Marblehead Oblong Paradise Passport Pyramid Roaches Slapout Sunbeam The Burg

Sources: City of Sandwich, Town of Normal, Williamson County Museum, Wikipedia

Contact Robyn Skaggs at (309) 820-3244.

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BLOOMINGTON  Fire crews spent more than five hours extinguishing a blaze inside Victory Church in rural Bloomington on Monday, where members gathered in the parking lot and promised to rebuild.

"Honestly, I'm numb. I can't even put any thoughts together  what it's going to take to rebuild," said Lead Pastor Ed Herald.

No injuries were reported and the extent of damage at 18180 U.S. Highway 150 building has not yet been thoroughly investigated, but early indicators show widespread smoke damage.

Flames and thick smoke could be seen coming from the northwest corner of the building, where the kitchen is located. Firefighters cut a hole through steel siding on the north side to gain access.

Smoke went through the entire facility  so the whole place is pretty much damaged, said Bloomington Fire Department spokesman Eric Davison. Now as far as fire damage, most of the fire was maintained on that side (northwest) of the building.

Downs Fire Protection District members were dispatched to the scene shortly before noon after a fire alarm was set off. The Bloomington Fire Department was dispatched at 12:08 p.m.

Flames were considered to be extinguished or contained by about 5 p.m., officials said.

The cause of fire or where it began has not been confirmed. Davison said that when BFD arrived, a thermal imaging drone located fire in the northwest corner of the building.

When Associate Pastor Annette Fellows received notification that the churchs fire alarm went off, she didnt even think twice because it has been triggered before when there was no fire.

She was the closest person to the church who has a key to the building, so Fellows got in her car and started to drive to the church so firefighters could investigate. Crews were already on scene working the northwest corner of the building when she arrived, she said.

Nobody was inside the building at the time the fire started, Fellows and officials said.

I got to the school down there (Evans Junior High School) and I saw smoke, Fellows said. I thought, oh, Jesus, thats smoke and it looks like its our building. When I pulled up, I was just so rattled. I could barely even dial the number.

Fellows immediately called Herald, who was at home. He logged into the churchs online surveillance system and began to see smoke.

This is devastating what were seeing here, Herald told The Pantagraph from the church parking lot, surrounded by emergency vehicles and other church members. My sons and I, and some members of the congregation, we did a lot of the work in here. We had contractors, of course, helping do the things we couldnt, but theres a lot of blood, sweat and tears in this building.

Herald said the church has about 350 members.

More than 30 members gathered in the parking lot throughout the afternoon. Many hugged and some cried.

The most devastating part was when they came out and said, Weve got to pull our guys out, theres really nothing we can do right now.' That took me down. I think we all felt the same way, Fellows said, adding that one member buckled and fell to his knees.

She said leaders of the church planned to gather Monday night "because we need each other to spend some time, to pray and worship, and be together."

Herald said leaders of other Bloomington-Normal churches already began calling him Monday afternoon to offer assistance or a space for worship.

Victory Church has held online services since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. It returned to in-person worship about a year ago, but it also has kept the virtual option.

Members of Journey Church in Normal set up a table in the parking lot and offered coffee and food to onlookers and firefighters.

Crews from Bloomington, Bloomington Township, Colfax, Dale Township, Downs, Ellsworth and Towanda were on the scene. Tanker trucks were also used because the area doesn't have fire hydrants.

Fire officials were driving about a mile down the road to the nearest fire hydrant at Evans Junior High School to refill the tanker trucks. Another tanker truck was seen refilling water at the far southeast edge of Bloomington near U.S. Highway 150 and East Hamilton Road.

Herald reiterated that although he does not know how the fire happened, he does know that well rebuild.

Herald said: "I just know that I'm not going to let the people down. Whatever it is that we have to do to rebuild and make this the church that the people here have always loved, and we'll just continue on. I don't know what that looks like, but I just know that we can't give up."

Contact Kade Heather at 309-820-3256. Follow him on Twitter: @kadeheather

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BLOOMINGTON  Family of Jelani Day during a Monday night city council meeting slammed Bloomington police over what they say was a lack of communication and transparency.

If you havent understood yet, this is a severe crisis that requires swift and thorough and transparent action," Carmen Bolden Day, Jelani Day's mother, said during the public comment of the meeting. "I am deeply disheartened that this is not the kind of action my son has received from you or the Bloomington police department."

Day added that the police department's mission is to work in a partnership with the community to enforce the laws and enhance quality of life, but that the police have not demonstrated that since her son's disappearance. She said Bloomington Police Chief Jamal Simington has only contacted her twice, and their last date of direct contact was in October.

That is not someone that is showing me that I am important, that Jelanis life is important, that this case is important," said Bolden Day, adding that she has lost trust in the police department due to the lack of transparency and communication. "Trust can only be restored by police when they allow the FBI to come in and take over this investigation."

Bloomington police said they've deployed resources to investigate the death and are working with other agencies on the case.

Day, a 25-year-old Illinois State University graduate student from Danville, was reported missing on Aug. 25. His body was pulled from the Illinois River in the Peru area, 60 miles north of the university, on Sept. 4.

An autopsy determined Day had drowned, but his family is adamant that he was murdered. They have been critical of the investigation and have repeatedly called on the FBI over as lead investigators.

The FBI has offered a $10,000 reward for information, but has declined to take the lead. A multi-jurisdictional unit known as the Jelani Day Joint Task Force is leading the investigation.

Bolden Day also called on the Bloomington Police Department to release video camera surveillance footage collected from the Beyond/Hello cannabis dispensary, where authorities have said is where Jelani Day was last seen alive.

The operator of the dispensary released portions of the footage to The Pantagraph, which published it last month.

"We have had over 100 days, including a Christmas, a New Year, and two siblings birthdays pass without any clarity, sense of understanding, compassion or help," said Seve Day, older brother of Jelani Day. "We are here today to call out the lackluster and piss-poor behavior and disrespect we have experienced during this time.

"We want the FBI to take over the case and this hate crime against my brother so my family does not have to go through another holiday, birthday, week, month, date, without closure," he said.

Contact Sierra Henry at 309-820-3234. Follow her on Twitter: @pg_sierrahenry.

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A woman from Sullivan, Missouri, pleaded guilty to a federal misdemeanor charge in Washington Monday and admitted entering the Capitol and taking signs during the Capitol insurrection.

Emily E. Hernandez, 22, will now also be subject to a range of new restrictions on her behavior after her involvement in a Jan. 5 accident in which the Missouri Highway Patrol said she was drunk and driving the wrong way on Interstate 44 when she hit and killed a woman.

In a court hearing held by video, Hernandez pleaded guilty to entering and remaining in a restricted building.

She admitted traveling to Washington with her uncle, William Bill Merry and his friend, Paul Scott Westover, of Lake Saint Louis. While there, they attended a Stop the Steal rally that pushed false claims of fraud in the 2020 election.

The three then crossed through police barricades that had been breached by others and entered the Capitol about 2:20 p.m., Hernandez admitted. While in House Speaker Nancy Pelosis suite of offices, Hernandez took a piece of a broken sign bearing Pelosis name.

Hernandez later took a large red Keep Off Fence sign and a smaller Please Do Not Touch sign. The three left through a broken window in the building.

A smiling, flag-wrapped Hernandez was later photographed with the Pelosi sign outside the Capitol. Hernandez and her companions left at 2:55 p.m. and drove overnight to return to the St. Louis area.

After she was charged, Hernandez told Bill McClellan of the Post-Dispatch that she is not interested in politics and simply accepted the invitation to accompany her uncle and his friend to Washington.

Merry and Westover have also pleaded guilty to a single misdemeanor, Merry to theft of government property and Westover to demonstrating in the Capitol.

The maximum sentence for the misdemeanor is a year in jail, although recommended guidelines call for six months or less. At her sentencing in March, Hernandez also will have to pay $500 toward repairing damage to the Capitol.

U.S. District Judge James E. Boasberg on Monday agreed with prosecutors and pre-trial services officers, who recommended mental health evaluation and treatment and drug and alcohol testing and treatment. Hernandez is banned from driving, drinking and possessing firearms. She also has to turn over her passport.

The new restrictions follow a crash Wednesday night in Franklin County.

The Missouri Highway Patrol said Hernandez was driving west in the eastbound lanes of Interstate 44 just after 7 p.m. in a 2014 Volkswagen Passat when she hit a 2019 Buick Enclave driven by Ryan E. Wilson, 36, of St. Clair. Ryan Wilson was seriously injured. Wilsons wife, Victoria N. Wilson, 32, was killed.

Hernandez was issued a citation Wednesday night at the hospital for two felonies: driving while intoxicated resulting in death and driving while intoxicated resulting in injury. Troopers have said they will seek charges from the Franklin County prosecutors office.

Ethan Corlija, one of Hernandezs lawyers, said Monday that no charges have been filed. He said officials may also seek to revoke her license.

Hernandez needed surgery to close a head wound, Corlija said last week. He said the crash was not intentional.

Victoria Wilson was the mother of two boys, ages 15 and 10. She was a home health care aide who worked primarily with people with disabilities.

The couple was heading home from an early anniversary celebration when Victoria Wilson died. In an interview last week, Victoria Wilsons mother, Tonie Donaldson, blasted the fact that Hernandez had been out of jail at the time of the crash.

With what she did to the government, why is she still walking the street? she asked.

Donaldson said the family has set up a GoFundMe account to help cover funeral expenses.

Woman tied to Capitol riots was wrong-way driver in fatal crash in Franklin County Hernandez, who was scheduled to plead guilty Monday for her role in the riots, has been arrested on suspicion of DWI for the fatal wreck Wednesday.

Robert Patrick  314-340-8131 @rxpatrick on Twitter RPatrick@post-dispatch.com

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A surge in the number of COVID-19 cases is prompting some south and southwest suburban school districts to hold off on bringing students back into the classroom, and regular testing for the virus will be the new normal for thousands of students at elementary school districts.

Many districts resumed in-person teaching last week and this week, some after a brief period of remote learning due to a rise in cases and positivity rates.

Others, such as Matteson Elementary Districts 159 and Thornton Township High School District 205, won't allow students back into buildings until later this month.

Homewood Elementary District 153 and High School District 230, which includes Carl Sandburg, Stagg and Andrew high schools, opted for remote learning for a portion of last week. Students in those districts returned to classrooms Monday.

"We simply do not have enough staff members to cover our classes in a safe manner," District 153 told families last week in announcing the delay.

Officials hoped enough staff would be done with the required isolation period to resume classes.

District 159, with schools in Matteson and Richton Park, said staffing issues due to COVID-19 prompted the delay in a return to the classroom. Students will learn remotely until Jan. 18, after Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Superintendent Mable Alfred said that the issue isn't so much with students testing positive for the virus, but teachers and other district staff not being able to report to work.

Almost a third of district personnel were out due to either a positive COVID-19 test or close contact with someone who had tested positive, Alfred said.

"We have considered the facts and are aware that the prospect of getting enough substitutes to maintain our buildings during critical periods is unlikely," she said.

Harvey Elementary District 152 said it would institute remote learning as of Monday with a possible return date of Jan. 24, although it will evaluate local COVID-19 statistics to see if that needs to be extended.

Students in Park Forest-Chicago Heights Elementary District 163 will learn remotely with an expected return to classrooms Jan. 24. Thornton Township High School District 205 expects to bring back students that day as well.

District 163 Superintendent Caletha White said staff who are in isolation due to a positive COVID-19 test or close contact are able to work from their homes while classes are being taught remotely this week, provided they are medically able to do so.

Her district as well as Matteson District 162 will require students test regularly for the virus.

District 162, with schools in Matteson, Olympia Fields, Park Forest and Richton Park, provided at-home testing kits for some 3,000 students and for Southland College Prep Charter High School in Richton Park.

Blondean Davis, superintendent of District 162 and Southland College Prep, said the district intends to test students and staff every two weeks.

"The parents understand what we're doing and couldn't be more cooperative," Davis said.

"They want the children in school, they want the children in school safely," she said Monday. "They best way to educate them is in-person learning, and we all know that."

Students picked up testing kits last week and needed to provide results, and while about 2% reported positive tests and will need to stay at home, the district will provide them tutoring so they don't fall behind on classwork, Davis said.

A change from the end of last year is in the isolation period for people who have tested positive or been exposed to COVID-19.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at the end of December reduced the isolation period to five days if someone is not showing symptoms or free of symptoms. The isolation period had previously been 10 days. This change could shorten the amount of time students are out of the classroom.

The new guidance has been adopted by the Illinois Department of Public Health and Illinois State Board of Education, although not all school districts have immediately embraced it. Davis said her schools are staying with the 10-day isolation period.

Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210, with schools in Frankfort and New Lenox, also said staff shortages forced a decision to implement remote learning last week, and that a shortage of bus drivers means that each of its three schools would be without bus service one day this week.

Bloom Township High School District 206 in Chicago Heights said no spectators will be allowed at sporting events for the next two weeks, while Rich Township High School District 227, with schools in Olympia Fields and Richton Park, said it will not allow spectators at least through this Saturday and will re-evaluate its policy based on COVID-19 positivity trends.

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The death of 5-year-old Damari Perry, allegedly at the hands of family members charged in connection with his death, has reignited discussions about corporal punishment, child abuse and, experts say, a larger category of severe, recurring punishment more closely resembling child torture  sometimes designed not to leave a visible injury.

Although he was originally reported missing by relatives who said he was last seen Jan. 4 at a party in Skokie, Damari is believed to have been dead several days before the Jan. 5 call to police was made. He died Dec. 29, the day before he would have turned 6, allegedly after a family member forced him to remain in a cold shower for an unspecified amount of time as punishment, prosecutors have said.

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Sometimes kids get punished in ways that are intended to not leave any marks, said Betsy Goulet, a clinical assistant professor at the University of Illinois at Springfield who teaches ways to reveal less obvious physical abuse, so you want there to be conversations that somehow bring that to the surface.

Perrys mother has been charged with first-degree murder, and two of her other sons also are charged in connection with the boys death, according to Jim Newton, a spokesman for the Lake County states attorneys office.

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[ North Chicago woman remains hospitalized awaiting bond hearing in death of young son ]

In interviews with the Tribune, experts didnt evaluate the validity of those charges or the specifics of the investigation into Damaris death, but rather offered greater context on child abuse in general.

Ive been in this business for 40-plus years, and talking ... about this makes me uneasy, said Arthur Lurigio, a psychology and criminal justice professor at Loyola University Chicago. Its horrible to even imagine.

Allegations like the ones in Damaris case may cross into the realm of child torture, a level beyond abuse, in a similar category as isolation, confinement and starvation, Lurigio said. Torture can go past episodic anger and is designed to establish domination and control, he said.

Without specifically addressing the Perry case, Lurigio said abusers, in general, often will dehumanize the child, lack empathy for the child, are unable to control their behaviors and occasionally may have intellectual limitations or traumatic brain injuries.

Thats because human brains are hard-wired on a basic, evolutionary level to care for kids and not hurt them, he added.

Think about what you would have to overcome to be able to hurt a child to this degree, Lurigio said. We dont hurt kids.

Its also not necessarily about trying to correct or prevent a behavior. Harsh punishment is about rage and instilling fear, Goulet said.

She partners with the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services as a coordinator for the Child Protection Training Academy, a center for simulation-based child protection training.

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Part of the training includes teaching advocates to look for less obvious signs of abuse in a home. This practice can include asking parents questions about their attitudes toward punishment, or looking for objects that could be used in abuse, such as heavy weights in a childs room, Goulet said.

Though she wouldnt speculate on the mindset of those involved in this case, cold showers might be used as punishment because parents think it wont harm a child, Goulet said, and we know otherwise.

Still, cold showers are not a widespread cause of death for children, she said.

It just so happens now weve heard about it in two pretty high profile cases, she added, referring to the 2019 death of 5-year-old Andrew AJ Freund. Freunds parents were convicted of causing his death in northwest suburban Crystal Lake, after he was put in a cold shower for an extended period and beaten.

Bill McCaffrey, a spokesman for DCFS, said he could not immediately determine how often this tactic is used in cases of child abuse.

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Corporal punishment can be difficult to discuss, in part because of generational differences regarding how physical discipline is viewed, Goulet said.

There even are students in her child protection classes who say, Well, my parents hit me and Im OK. And thats a good starting point, she said. Goulet implores those students to ask themselves about the effect of this type of punishment and whether there were times when it was too intense or caused fear, she added.

Many of us grew up in homes where parents used different techniques, she said, adding that advocates now know corporal punishment can cause brain damage  something that wasnt widely known a generation ago.

Perry was placed into the foster care system soon after he was born at the end of 2015, according to DCFS records, but his mother, Jannie Perry, regained custody of her children in 2017. In May 2021, the agency investigated an allegation of abuse or neglect involving Damari, but that report later was determined to be unfounded, McCaffrey, the DCFS spokesman, said.

Jannie Perrys oldest son, 20-year-old Jeremiah Perry, has been charged with aggravated battery and concealment of a homicide in connection with his brothers death. Another of Perrys sons, who authorities say is 17, has been charged as a juvenile.

In the past, charges might not have been filed against caregivers other than parents, according to Robin Wilson, a law professor at the University of Illinois.

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However, child abuse laws have recently expanded to include other adults with caretaking relationships, such as siblings, Wilson said. This change acknowledges that other people than parents may have a significant role in a childs life, and may have control over a child, she added.

No one in the home sought medical care for the boy, authorities said. After he died, family members allegedly left his body at an abandoned home in the 700 block of Van Buren Street in Gary, authorities said.

Jeremiah Perry is being held in the Lake County Jail in lieu of $3 million bail. He had been scheduled to appear in court again Tuesday, but details of the appearance werent immediately available.

Jannie Perry had been expected in bond court Sunday, but was hospitalized due to an undisclosed medical issue, authorities said.

Perrys four other children have been placed in foster care with DCFS, McCaffrey said.
Consumers have a right to know whats in the food they buy, and the labels on grocery products convey important information. Although genetically modified food is healthy and safe, we respect that some people prefer to avoid it, and they should be able to see on a label whats modified and what remains as nature intended.

In 2014, we advocated for the federal government to take over the labeling of genetically modified products. Vermont had approved food-label rules applying only within that one small state, and other states, including Illinois, were considering separate labeling legislation. The food industry could have faced a hodgepodge of requirements that raised costs and only confused the public.

In 2016, Congress wisely gave the job to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and, on Jan. 1, its mandatory labeling rules took effect. If you havent already, you will notice new symbols and terminology to flag genetically modified products.

This should be a good day for consumers and the food industry alike.

But heres a shocker: The Feds have managed to turn a straightforward mandate, designed to better inform the public, into a complicated decision tree that only a bureaucrat could love.

For starters, the government has replaced the commonly used term genetically modified and the acronyms GM or GMO. Instead, food manufacturers now are required to use bioengineered, or BE for short, on their labels. That would be fine, and less pejorative, if anyone apart from experts understood what it meant.

For the everyday grocery shopper, seeing bioengineered on a label will elicit, at best, a huh? At worst, the unfamiliar term could lead people away from a perfectly good product.

The USDA also bent itself into a BE pretzel trying to define why a particular product should (or should not) be called bioengineered.

Most of the Midwests economically crucial corn and soybean crop is grown from genetically modified seed. This technology has been a boon to agriculture, enabling farmers to use pesticides and herbicides more efficiently and to achieve better yields during droughts. So, if most of the corn and beans we grow are modified, wouldnt corn or soybean oil made from those same crops need to be labeled as bioengineered?

Probably not, according to the USDA, where a hairsplitting legal team must have had the final pen on the regulations. Labels are supposed to disclose ingredients derived from biotechnology or ingredients derived from a bioengineered source. Yet refined products like oil do not require a disclosure if the bioengineered material is removed in processing. Similarly, sugar from GMO sugar beets, widely grown in the U.S., wont need a label if the GMO part is undetectable using common testing methods.

Theres a loophole you could drive a tractor through.

Also, the new regulations do not apply to meat, poultry or eggs, as those products are regulated separately. Even if the second ingredient on a label is bioengineered, for instance, no disclosure is required if the first ingredient is meat.

The USDA assumed far too much in giving food companies various communication options. Food labels already are packed with required information, and we support making them simpler and more succinct. But the USDA is allowing food companies to use electronic or digital links such as QR codes that need to be scanned with smartphones. Thats bad news for the millions of Americans who dont have smartphones at the ready in the grocery store but still deserve to know whats in their food.

The timing of these new rules is a problem, too. The food industry is reeling from COVID-19 staffing shortages and supply chain gridlock that has forced it to source ingredients from far and wide. Some companies havent had the time or resources to pin down every ingredient that might need to be labeled, and the USDA declined requests to postpone the Jan. 1 deadline. What happens next is anyones guess, as enforcement of the new rules is likely to be catch-as-catch-can, and mainly in response to random complaints as opposed to any consistent policing from the Feds.

Whats most surreal about this bureaucratic frolic is that no one should doubt the safety of genetically modified food anymore. Weve been consuming it for generations with no ill effects, and, mercifully, were seeing fewer of the Frankenfood scare campaigns used by anti-GMO advocates in decades past.

All along, the foods derived from bioengineering deserved better treatment than they received. This latest labeling complication has only added to the problem.

Chicago Tribune

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100 years ago

Jan. 11, 1922: There was a murder in the hobo jungle at the wye, a railroad junction south of town, two weeks ago. Police are looking for two men who shot Le Roy Gill, who died of his wounds a few days later. The search spread to Springfield and authorities there are on the alert.

75 years ago

Jan. 11, 1947: Striking workers on the TP&W Railroad voted to end all picketing after a federal judge restrained them from interfering with trains. The order follows an incident at Sheldon, in eastern Illinois. The strike by thirteen unions has been violent at times, including sabotage and fatalities.

50 years ago

Jan. 11, 1972: We have a winner. Bernice Howard predicted that Evergreen Lake would be full at 1:04 p.m. Monday. She was close enough to win. The first water ran over the spillway at three oclock. She wins the $100 prize offered by the Pantagraph for the most accurate guess.

25 years ago

Jan. 11, 1997: Lincoln College is building student housing on its Normal campus. The first building opened this week, with two more in the works. Each structure is an apartment house that can hold 48 students. They are furnished, with four bedrooms and two bathrooms per apartment.

Compiled by Jack Keefe; jkeefe@coldwellhomes.com.
All dishonest workers will be caught in 2022 - John Dumelo



Entrepreneur, cum actor John Dumelo has attributed the collapse and unsustainability of businesses in Ghana to some negative attitudes by employees.



According to the farmer, the dishonesty of workers can be attributed to the non-performance of businesses, not in the country. He thus prays for all such people to be unveiled in this new year.



In a tweet sighted by GhanaWeb on January 8, John Dumelo said, the downfall of many Ghanaian businesses are the dishonest workers. I pray 2022, all dishonest workers will be caught in Jesuss name.



Earlier, Founder of the Kama Group of Companies, Dr Michael Agyekum Addo, said Ghanaian businesses have been hindered by envy and jealousy.



He attributed the non-performance of indigenous businesses and their inability to last to this canker.



Speaking with Kwaku Nhyira-Addo on The Asaase Breakfast Show on Wednesday (5 January), Dr Agyekum Addo said, At the age of 60 to 65, I was still confronted with the question: why do companies collapse in spite of all the training that we give to staff, all the incentives, improvements in working conditions?



He lamented how important it is for Ghana to address the issue because it is affecting our politics, our businesses and the country."





The downfall of many Ghanaian businesses are the Dishonest workers. I pray 2022, all dishonest workers will be caught in Jesus name.  MrDumelo (@johndumelo) January 8, 2022

Source: twitter/ghanaweb.com









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The Education Ministry has stated that it is readying itself to announce a reopening date for all public basic schools across the country.



In an interview with Joy News, Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Ministry, Kwasi Kwarteng noted that COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the academic calendar in the past.



He averred that the delays in announcing reopening dates for basic schools has been occasioned by plans resolve the disparities that Covid-19 caused in the academic calendar.



Its an undeniable fact that the whole COVID regime certainly distorted our academic calendar. But of course, what the Minister for Education has done is to now set the clarity, so that the inconsistencies and of course the discrepancies when it comes to our academic calendar, that we have been witnessing, will be a thing of the past.



And so what the Minister for Education, the honourable Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, has done is to set up a ministerial committee on school calendar. The committee had met, of course, under the leadership of the Deputy Minister, Rev. Ntim Fordjour. Just last Thursday, they finalised the draft document of their work, he said.



Mr. Kwasi Kwarteng also mentioned that the actions of the Ministry was well intended to address issues revolving around reopening dates for this year and beyond .



What it means is that, were going to have clarity and consistency in the academic calendar of our students. Not only for the 2021/2022 academic calendar, but even beyond. And so youll be having 2022/2023, 2023/2024, so that we set that clarity. So those problems with inconsistencies in re-opening dates, will be a thing of the past, he further explained.



Asked when the Committee will complete its work, Mr. Kwarteng stated that, Were very hopeful that within this week, the final report will come out so that well have a clarity on the academic calendar, i.e. reopening and closing for all schools in the pre-tertiary category.



Deputy ranking member on Parliaments Education Committee, Clement Apaak had earlier raised concerns regarding the reopening of public basic schools.



He disclosed that two weeks into the new year, basic school pupils in private schools were already reporting for the academic however same cannot be said about their counterparts in public schools.



Clement has thus threatened to haul the Education Minister, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, before Parliament to explain the situation before the house.













Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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The government is expected to meet with the leadership of the University Teachers Association of Ghana, (UTAG).



UTAG has directed its members to withdraw teaching and related activities effective today, 10th January 2022 until further notice.



Meanwhile, the strike action has left students stranded in various institutions.



The Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Ministry of Education Kwesi Kwarteng speaking to sit-in host Nana Yaw Kesseh on Peace FM's morning show 'Kokrokoo' said the Minister of Education, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum will be meeting the leaders of UTAG for negotiations.



"...as a ministry, we are open to further and open deliberation. The Minister will meet them...there's going to be a series of meetings geared towards resolving the issue and that has been the style of the Minister of Education" he indicated.



Listen to him in the video below





Source: Peacefmonline.com









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Veteran actor Psalm Adjeteyfio, popularly known as TT, has disclosed that a GH1,500 monthly upkeep from the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Henry Quartey, has not been forthcoming.



According to him, the money came only once and when he tried following up, he was told that the minister had travelled.



The Taxi Driver TV series actor observed that since the Vice President presented a cash donation of GH50,000 to him, all help he used to get from other well-wishers had stopped coming.



Adjeteyfio made these disclosures in a viral audio to media personality, MzGee, after pleading for some leftover food from her kitchen to be able to feed on.



He told MzGee that, he has made some investment with the GH50,000 Dr Bawumia sent him and it will take some time for him to enjoy the benefit from the investment.



MzGee good afternoon, Im wondering if you would have some leftovers in your kitchen to spare. [The] reason is, people who use to help have all withdrawn their help when they heard that the Vice President had given me the money. But you would agree with me that [with] such monies, you need to invest wisely and that is what I have done and when you make investments too, it will take time before you begin enjoying it, The Taxi Driver TV series actor explained.



Now, I was so hopeful that what the Greater Accra Regional Minister promised will be forthcoming regularly but it came once and thats all. I was in his office a few days ago as a follow-up but I was told hes travelled and they are on leave.



"Right now, the situation has created a lot of problems for me; you know, a lot of people use to help me a lot but now everybodyI even understood that some people contributed some money in States to be sent to me; the moment they heard [that the Vice President had given me the money] everybody went for his money, he added.



Psalm Adjeteyfio further indicated that a GH5,000 promise from the CEO of McDan Group of Companies Daniel McKorley never came after Dr. Bawumia's assistance.



Also, [in] the letter that the Greater Accra Regional Minister sent to me, there was the mention of one McDan, who has given me GH5,000 but it is not true. Recently I contacted one Ga chief, who disclosed to the man and he made me understand that the man actually released the money but when he heard that the Vice President had given me that money, he also recalled his money back.



"Right now, it is a bit difficult for me; thats why I am saying if you have some leftovers in your kitchen and you could spare [them] because as it is now, it is really difficult for me, thank you, the veteran actor stressed.



Listen to the audio below.



















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A post shared by Zionfelix.com (@zionfelixdotcom)





Source: ghanaweb.com









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US President Joe Biden has raised concerns about civilian deaths caused by recent airstrikes in Ethiopia during a call with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.



This follows reports that more than 50 displaced people were killed in an airstrike in northwest Tigray on Friday.



A White House statement said the US president welcomed the release of opposition leaders and pledged support in finding a peaceful end to the war with Tigrayan rebels.



Relations have not been good between Washington and Addis Ababa where the government has been upset by repeated criticism of human rights abuses during the war with Tigrayan rebels.



The fact that Mr Biden and Mr Abiy held a phone conversation at all is perhaps a sign of progress.



The White House statement says the two leaders discussed ways to accelerate dialogue towards a negotiated ceasefire.



It also says the recent release of opposition leaders was a positive step. But the subject of atrocities was once again raised.

Source: BBC









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President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo Tuesday commissioned two projects and launched a GHC6.1 million Police Emergency Medical Intervention Fund to improve service delivery at the Police Hospital.



The interventions are also to increase medical access for personnel of the Ghana Police Service.



The two projects, both situated at the Police Hospital in Accra, are; a new Out-Patient Department and a Virtual Medical Centre.



The new Out-Patient Department, valued at GHC-180,000, will enable the Hospital decongest the existing facility and be dedicated solely to the treatment of emergency cases.



The GHC 50,000 Virtual Medical Centre, an end-to-end video hospital management system, will allow patients and officers of the Service irrespective of their location across the country, undertake virtual consultation with healthcare professionals at the Police Hospital in Accra.



With a guaranteed protected platform, the facility will offer a seamless medical consultation with a doctor beginning with virtual OPD attendance, through diagnosis, laboratory referrals, prescription of drugs and subsequent reviews, all through virtual means.



If the medical situation of a patient demands a higher level of attention, the medical doctor will make the necessary arrangement for the patient to be evacuated to the nearest medical facility for attention.



The Emergency Medical Intervention Fund will cater for police officers who sustain injuries in the line of duty.



At a short ceremony at the Police Hospital in Accra, President Akufo-Addo said the establishment of the Virtual Medical Centre was in line with his Governments agenda to fully digitalise all aspects of the countrys economy.



Underlining the digitisation agenda of my government, which comprises of a robust National Identification System, digitised property address system, paperless port system, the e-justice system, pensions and insurance data, a digitised land registry and mobile money interoperability system is the overarching objective to improve transparency, accountability and efficiency in the delivery of public services. 



Noting that the wealth of the nation depended on the health of its people, he said his administration since assumption of office had taken the needed steps to improve the health infrastructure and healthcare delivery systems across the country.



President Akufo-Addo said the new facilities were timely and would help the country fight the COVID-19 pandemic, which had to a large extent limited person-to-person contact.



Touching on the Emergency Medical Fund, he said he had been assured that beneficiaries would not have to go through the usual bureaucratic and associated delays, which had in the past resulted in some personnel losing their lives whiles awaiting treatment.



Three initial beneficiaries of the Fund, including Chief Inspector Victor Anako, Inspector Theresa Ohene and Corporal Isaac AsumanOpoku, would have their medical treatment in Ghana and abroad covered by the facility.



I am hopeful that all police officers who require medical treatment will receive the best of care without recourse to the cost of treatment, the President said.



He made a personal donation of GHC 100,000 to the Fund.



The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Dr George Akuffo Dampare, expressed the appreciation of the Service to Government for efforts at re-tooling the security agencies, particularly, the Police, to enable them carry out their duty of protecting life and property.





Source: GNA









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The family of the late former Transport Minister Dzifa Ativor has detailed the burial details of their deceased family member.



According to the family, there will be a filing past of her mortal remains and pre-burial service at the forecourt of the statehouse on February 17.



However, the burial service will be at the Evangelical Presbyterian Church in the Volta region. Dzifa Attivor, on Tuesday, November 16, 2021, after being sick for a while.



She was 65-years-old.



Dzifa Attivor was one of the leading members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Volta Region.



The Ghanaian politician and businesswoman was appointed February 2013 as the Minister for Transport until she resigned in December 2015 due to a controversial bus re-branding contract.



Early life and education



Dzifa Aku Attivor was born on 22nd February 1956. She started her basic education at the Evangelical Presbyterian Primary School at Abutia-Teti between 1960 and 1970.



Her secondary education was at the Kpedze Secondary School and the Peki Secondary School, both in the Volta Region of Ghana between 1970 and 1975.



She then trained at the Government Secretarial School qualifying as a Stenographer Secretary in 1981. She later obtained a Secretarial Silver Diploma from Pitman College, UK.



Her graduate qualifications are from the American Century University where she obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Administration in 2007 and a masters degree in Human Resource Management in 2012.

















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The New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament for Okaikwei Central, Mr. Patrick Yaw Boamah, has asked the elephant family not to be complacent in their quest to break the 8-year-jinx.



The lawmaker told Kwabena Agyapong on Frontline on Rainbow Radio 87.5Fm that they can present the strongest and formidable team for the 2024 presidential polls, but with a strong and unified front, that victory they search for would be a mirage.



He said without a strong foundation, the party would not win the elections.



Using former President Kufour as an example, he said his approval rating was so high that he would have won a third term if Ghanas constitution allowed it.



But we made some mistakes, and so lets focus on building a strong party. That should be our main focus. We should build a strong party from the base, so that no matter who we present as a candidate, we will win.

If you dont build a strong foundation and appoint good national officers, constituency officers, dedicated polling station officers, coordinators for them to work and focus on who becomes flagbearer, then youve lost the plot.



He insisted that our [NPP] energies and focus should be on building a strong party base.





Source: rainbow radio









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SPRINGFIELD  Chicago Ald. Pat Dowell announced on Tuesday shes endorsing Alexi Giannoulias for secretary of state, despite having been an ardent critic of his while running for the same office.

Dowell, who represents the 3rd Ward, last week dropped her bid to replace longtime Secretary of State Jesse White in favor of running for U.S. Rep. Bobby Rushs 1st Congressional District seat. Rush plans to step down in January after 30 years in Illinois Washington delegation.

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According to statement from the Giannoulias campaign, Dowell supports his positions on protecting voter rights and adding more Illinoisans to the voter rolls, as well as his promise to eliminate wait times at drivers services facilities.

Dowell is a Democratic ward committeeman and a member of the Executive Committee of the Cook County Democratic Party, which decides which candidates to slate for office.

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Secretary of State candidate Alexi Giannoulias speaks during the Cook County Democratic Committee slating meeting on Dec. 14, 2021, at IBEW Local 134. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune)

Asked why she endorsed Giannoulias, considering her previous criticism of his candidacy, Dowell replied in a text message, Bottom line, I am a Democrat, a member of the Executive Committee of the CCDP and I believe that we close ranks around our slated candidate.

Giannoulias is not making a formal endorsement in the Democratic primary for Rushs seat, his campaign said.

Rush last week announced his endorsement of Giannoulias, as did several prominent Black politicos who had previously backed Dowell for the secretary of states post. Those backers include Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, former U.S. Sen. Carol Moseley Braun, Chicago Alds. Howard Brookins, 21st, and Christopher Taliaferro, 29th, and former state Senate President Emil Jones Jr.

The endorsements were made even as some Democratic Party officials have expressed a desire for a person of color to replace White, who is Black.

Ald. Pat Dowell, a candidate for secretary of state, speaks during the Cook County Democratic Committee slating meeting on Dec. 14, 2021, at IBEW Local 134. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune)

Giannoulias is white and his main rival for the nomination, Chicago City Clerk Anna Valencia, is Latino. The other Democrat vying for the partys nomination is South Side Ald. David Moore, who is Black and whose 17th Ward includes Chicagos Auburn Gresham community.

Dowells support for Giannoulias comes despite the stinging rhetoric she directed toward him at last months Cook County Democratic Partys slating session.

Dowell and Valencia questioned Giannoulias loyalty to the Democratic Party, highlighting his support of former Illinois House Republican Leader Tom Cross in his 2014 bid for state treasurer against Democrat Michael Frerichs, who won and is now seeking his third term.

To succeed we must have a Democrat, a nominee, who appeals to the people who vote Democratic  mainly women, and precisely, African Americans, Dowell said. Lets be practical. The path to victory is not paved with gold. Money can buy endorsements and influence, but it cannot buy votes.

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Giannoulias narrowly won county slating. Despite that close vote, he holds a solid lead in fundraising. By the end of 2021, his campaign had over $4 million in cash on hand, more than Dowell, Valencia and Moore combined.

Valencias campaign issued a statement calling Dowells endorsement of Giannoulias baffling considering she referred to him as a flawed candidate and a drag on the Democratic ticket just two weeks ago.

While she backtracks on her stance of supporting women and women of color, our campaign remains more committed than ever to electing Anna Valencia as the first woman as Illinois Secretary of State, the statement read.

jgorner@chicagotribune.com
Aspiring National Chairman and current National Treasurer of NPP, Kwabena Abankwah- Yeboah, visited the family of the late NPP stalwart, Ismael Ashitey, at his Tema residence on Sunday, 9th January 2022, to commiserate with them during this very difficult time of their grief.



Abankwah-Yeboah paid glowing tribute to Ismael Ashitey, emphasing that "Isheal Ashitey was a man with extraordinary character, who exhibited complete commitment to the cause of our great party, the NPP and served diligently in several crucial capacities including NPP Greater Accra Regional Chairman , Greater Accra Regional Minister, to mention but a few portfolios. His passion and dedication to the NPP was greatly inspiring and he touched several lives without leaving a space for doubts in our hearts."



He further stated that; "Indeed, I count myself very lucky for the lifetime opportunity to have met and learnt so much from such a phenomenal personality.



In the period 2009-2013, as Greater Accra Regional Treasurer, I served under Ismeal Ashitey who was then Greater Accra Regional Chairman. Under his able and brilliant leadership, and with the support of the entire Regional executives, by the Grace of God, we worked hard to achieve the tremendous feat of moving our parliamentary seats in the Greater Accra Region from 9 seats to 16 seats.



My deepest condolences to his beloved wife, children, family and to the entire NPP family for this incredible loss.

Though Ismael Ashitey is not here with us anymore, and though no one can fill the void his death has created in our lives, I pray that the Good Lord Almighty, who is able to do all things, continues to bless his family and gives them the strength to endure this very difficult period of pain and sorrow.



Ismeal Ashitey is going to be greatly missed everyday, because he truly meant a lot to us.



May his gentle soul rest in peace and find the abode of heaven till that Great Day when we all meet again," he stressed.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









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An Adentan Circuit Court will on January 18, 2022, conclude Case Management Conference and commence trial of Mark Okraku-Mantey, the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, for allegedly forcibly entering the land of one, Alhaji Tony Baba.



Okraku Mantey is also facing a charge of prohibition of activities of land guards contrary to Section 7(1) and (2) of Vigilantism and related offences.



The Deputy Minister has denied the offences and is on bail.



When the matter was called, the court, presided over by Mrs Sedinam Awo Balokah, continued with the Case Management Conference (CMC), and adjourned the matter to conclude the CMC.



The accused person is being represented by Mr Samson Lardi Anyenini.



The case of the prosecution, led by Chief Superintendent of Police Patience Mario, is that, the complainant, Alhaji Tony Baba, was an Estate Developer residing at North Legon.



The prosecution said the complainant was developing a parcel of land at Oyarifa, High Tension, which the accused person was allegedly claiming ownership of.



It said on March 3, last year, the accused person went to the site with three thugs, two of whom were on a motorbike and another in his (Deputy Ministers) car to allegedly stop the complainants workers from working.



The prosecution said on March 9, last year, the accused person visited the site and a few hours after he left, the thugs he previously visited the site with, went back to the site and attacked the workers and caused damage to parts of the building allegedly.



It said the complainant reported the matter to the Police and mentioned the accused person as the one behind the unwarranted attacks and damages.



The prosecution said during investigations, the accused person was contacted to report to the Police station to assist in investigations.



It said while the Police was waiting for the accused person, more damages were allegedly caused to the three-bedroom building on March 10, last year, with the accused person said to be identified as the one who brought and ordered the thugs to cause the damage.



The prosecution said on April 3, last year, the complainants workers were allegedly attacked again, and two persons sustained injuries.



It said the injured persons were issued with Police medical forms to seek treatment.



The prosecution held that on March 20, last year, extensive damage was allegedly caused to the building, which was at lintel level and valued at GHC63,700.

Source: GNA









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Mercedes Benz South Africa, in a recent social media communique, has welcomed Ghanaian musician Trigmatic to Sandton in South Africa.



The multi-talented musician was spotted with his team touring the showroom of Mercedes Benz and hanging out with the staff of the automobile company.



The company run by the caption #MBSandton would like to Welcome Ghanaian Superstar TRIGMATIC to SA! in expressing their joy for hosting the musician cum entrepreneur.



Also, in a publication by beeniewords.com, Mercedes Benz South Africa is said to have shared a video showing pictures of the Ghanaian musician on giant screens at their lifestyle showroom.



Trigmatic, who recently did a record with South Africas Ralf GUM and is currently promoting his Aduawa single off his Love From Jozi EP, took to his Instagram page to express his immense gratitude to the company for hosting him and his team.



Trig (as he is affectionately called) is presently in South Africa to finalize his much-anticipated EP.



























































View this post on Instagram











A post shared by TRIGMATIC (@trigmaticofficial)





Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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" " West 125th Street in Harlem is just one of hundreds of streets that honor Martin Luther King Jr. West 125th street got its co-name in 1984. Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images

Editor's note: The Conversation first published this article on Jan. 15, 2021. We are reposting it in light of the upcoming MLK Day holiday.

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The Big Idea

Poverty rates are almost double the national average in areas surrounding streets named after Martin Luther King Jr., according to our recent study, and educational attainment is much lower.

Our geography research, published in the GeoJournal in September 2020, analyzed the racial makeup and economic well-being of 22,286 census blocks in the U.S. with roadways bearing the slain civil rights leader's name. Streets named after Martin Luther King typically run through multiple census blocks; we identified a total of 955 such streets in the United States.

The areas surrounding MLK streets are predominantly African American, with very few white residents, we found. This is particularly true in the South and Midwest. A notable exception includes California, where MLK neighborhoods have seen a recent increase in their Latino population.

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Why It Matters

American cities began naming streets for the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. after his 1968 assassination to commemorate the civil rights movement and King's fight against social inequality. Chicago was the first. In 1968, Mayor Richard Daley renamed 14 miles of Grand Boulevard, in the historically Black South Side, as Martin Luther King Jr. Drive.

Today cities in 41 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico have streets named for King.

According to the University of Tennessee geographer Derek Alderman, the streets that bear his name were selected from areas that have higher African American populations than citywide averages. MLK avenues, boulevards and drives are, the journalist Jonathan Tilove once wrote, "Black America's Main Street."

Most of America's MLK neighborhoods, from east Montgomery, Alabama, to Harlem in New York City, were born of legal or de facto racial segregation. And in the second half of the 20th century, they experienced the sharpest decline in urban industry, sending local jobs from the cities to suburbs.

These historic events first caused, then structurally perpetuated, deprivation in MLK neighborhoods. Concentrated urban poverty affected the funding required to support schools, hospitals and other community services, especially after the economic recession of the 1970s. In many cities, the sinking socioeconomic status of African Americans was compounded by government neglect of their neighborhoods, leading to property devaluation, industrial pollution and disrepair.

The result is that MLK neighborhoods have become what Alderman calls a "racialized" landscape. Systematically ignored for investment and government services, they are now negatively stereotyped as marginal places where poverty, disorder, dereliction and crime are considered normal.

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What Other Research Is Being Done

Our study builds on Alderman's 2000 investigation on MLK streets by revealing that the neighborhoods around them are highly racially segregated.

But they are also vibrant commercial districts.

In 2007, geographer Matthew Mitchelson and co-authors analyzed businesses on streets named after King, examining their numbers, annual sales and staff size. His study concluded these businesses are comparable in terms of revenue and jobs provided to those located on other commercial arteries  namely, Main Streets and streets named after President John F. Kennedy.

Mitchelson's analysis also found that MLK streets have proportionally more churches and government offices than Main Streets or JFK streets.

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What Still Isn't Known

Research on urban resilience suggests the marginalization of MLK neighborhoods could make their residents more vulnerable to natural disasters and pandemics like the coronavirus, but this connection has yet to be studied.

Finally, the arrival of Latinos to MLK neighborhoods left us wondering: Will increasing diversity bring an end to the negative stereotyping of these areas  or simply change those stereotypes?

Sweta Tiwari is a post doctoral fellow at the Geospatial Institute, Saint Louis University. Shrinidhi Ambinakudige is a professor in the geosciences department at Mississippi State University.

As noted, this article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. You can find the original article here.
Drone footage of the Khani Masi plain in the Garmian Province, Kurdistan Region of Iraq, taken in 2018. Credit: Sirwan Regional Project and Dr. Elise Laugier

Rutgers researchers have unearthed the earliest definitive evidence of broomcorn millet (Panicum miliaceum) in ancient Iraq, challenging our understanding of humanity's earliest agricultural practices. Their findings appear in the journal Scientific Reports.

"Overall, the presence of millet in ancient Iraq during this earlier time period challenges the accepted narrative of agricultural development in the region as well as our models for how ancient societies provisioned themselves," said Elise Laugier, an environmental archeologist and National Science Foundation postdoctoral fellow in the School of Arts and Sciences at Rutgers University-New Brunswick.

Broomcorn millet is an "amazingly robust, quick-growing and versatile summer crop" that was first domesticated in East Asia, Laugier added. The researchers analyzed microscopic plant remains (phytoliths) from Khani Masi, a mid-late second millennium BCE (c. 15001100 BCE) site in the Kurdistan region of Iraq.

"The presence of this East Asian crop in ancient Iraq highlights the interconnected nature of Eurasia during this time, contributing to our knowledge of early food globalization," Laugier said. "Our discovery of millet and thus the evidence of summer cultivation practices also forces us to reconsider the capacity and resilience of the agricultural systems that sustained and provisioned Mesopotamia's early cities, states and empires."

The discovery of broomcorn millet in ancient Mesopotamia was surprising for environmental and historical reasons. Until now, researchers thought that millet wasn't grown in Iraq until the construction of later first-millennium BCE imperial irrigation systems. Millet generally requires summer precipitation to grow, but Southwest Asia has a wet-winter and dry-summer climate, and agricultural production is based almost entirely on crops grown during the winter, such as wheat and barley.

Agricultural production is thought to be the basis for supporting and provisioning Mesopotamian cities, states and empires. The researchers' new evidence that crops and food were in fact grown in summer months means that previous studies likely vastly underappreciated the capacities and resilience of ancient agricultural food-system societies in semi-arid ecosystems.

The new study is also part of growing archeological research showing that in the past, agricultural innovation was a local initiative, adopted as part of local diversification strategies long before they were used in imperial agricultural intensification regimesnew information that could have an impact on how agricultural innovations move forward today.

"Although millet isn't a common or preferred food in semi-arid Southwest Asia or the United States today, it is still common in other parts of Asia and Africa," Laugier said. "Millet is a hearty, fast-growing, low-water-requiring and nutritious gluten-free grain that could hold a lot of potential for increasing the resilience capacities of our semi-arid food systems. Today's agricultural innovators should consider investing in more diverse and resilient food systems, just as people did in ancient Mesopotamia."

Laugier, a visiting scientist at Rutgers who received her Ph.D. and began her research on this topic at Dartmouth College, said the research team hopes to make phytolith analysis more common in the study of ancient Iraq because it could challenge assumptions about the history and practice of agriculture in the region.

Explore further Rapid acceptance of foreign food tradition in Bronze Age Europe

More information: Elise Jakoby Laugier et al, Phytolith evidence for the pastoral origins of multi-cropping in Mesopotamia (ancient Iraq), Scientific Reports (2022). Journal information: Scientific Reports Elise Jakoby Laugier et al, Phytolith evidence for the pastoral origins of multi-cropping in Mesopotamia (ancient Iraq),(2022). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-03552-w
Life reconstruction of the dinosaur Struthiosaurus austriacus from the Late Cretaceous of Austria. Credit: Fabrizio De Rossi

German and Austrian scientists took a closer look at the braincase of a dinosaur from Austria. The group examined the fossil with a micro-CT and found surprising new details: it was sluggish and deaf. The respective study was recently published in the journal Scientific Reports.

Ankylosaurs could grow up to eight meters in body length and represent a group of herbivorous dinosaurs also called 'living fortresses. Its body was cluttered with bony plates and spikes. The ankylosaurids sometimes possessed a club tail, while nodosaurids had elongated spikes on their necks and shoulders. However, some aspects of their lifestyle are still puzzling.

While many dinosaurs likely lived in groups, at least some ankylosaurs seemed to prefer a lonesome life because of an inferior sense of hearing. That's what the scientists from the universities of Greifswald and Vienna concluded when they examined the braincase of the Austrian dinosaur with a high-resolution computer tomograph to produce a digital three-dimensional cast.

Fossil braincases, which once housed the brain and other neurosensory tissues, are rare but important for science because these structures can provide insights into the lifestyle of a given animal. For example, the inner ears can hint to auditory capacities and skull orientation.

Struthiosaurus austriacus is a comparably small nodosaurid from the Late Cretaceous (80 Ma) of Austria and comes from a locality near Muthmannsdorf, south of Vienna. The fossil remains of this dinosaur already belonged to the collection of the Institute for Paleontology in Vienna in the 19th century. For their study, Marco Schade (University of Greifswald), Cathrin Pfaff (University of Vienna) and their colleagues examined the tiny (50 mm) braincase to reveal new details of the anatomy and lifestyle of Struthiosaurus austriacus. With these data, it was possible to learn more about its sense of equilibrium and hearing.

The results of this study show that Struthiosaurus' brain was very similar to the brains of its close relatives. For example, the flocculus, an evolutionary old part of the brain, was very small. The flocculus is important for the fixation of the eyes during motions of the head, neck and whole body, which can be very useful if such an animal was trying to target potential competitors or aggressors. "In contrast to its Northamerican relative Euoplocephalus, which had a tail club and a clear flocculus on the brain cast, Struthiosaurus austriacus may have rather relied on its body armor for protection," says Marco Schade. Together with the form of the semicircular canals in the inner ear, this hints towards an exceptionally sluggish lifestyle of this Austrian plant eater. Furthermore, the scientists found theso farshortest lagena of any dinosaur. The lagena is the part of the inner ear where hearing takes place and its size can help to infer auditory capacities. This study delivers new insights into the evolutionary history of dinosaurs and their world, in which Europe was largely submerged in the ocean.

Explore further Palaeontologists create most detailed virtual 3-D-model of endocranial cast and blood vessels of head of ankylosaurian

More information: Marco Schade et al, Neuroanatomy of the nodosaurid Struthiosaurus austriacus (Dinosauria: Thyreophora) supports potential ecological differentiations within Ankylosauria, Scientific Reports (2022). Journal information: Scientific Reports Marco Schade et al, Neuroanatomy of the nodosaurid Struthiosaurus austriacus (Dinosauria: Thyreophora) supports potential ecological differentiations within Ankylosauria,(2022). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-03599-9
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

While some organizations can respond to unexpected events, which can span from disruptive technologies and intensified competition to extreme weather events and climate related disasters, most of them cannot, and have a challenging time. So, how do we deal effectively with an increasingly complex and uncertain world?

Faced with uncertain and unpredictable business conditions that regularly trigger major corporate scandals, there has been increased focus on risk governance and reporting driven by public expectations, regulatory requirements, and corporate law initiatives.

In support of this, various professional associations and public policymakers recommend adoption of Enterprise Risk Management (ERM)notably the COSO and ISO 31000 frameworks. The ERM guidelines and standards can be valuable in helping companies identify and deal proactively with risksand opportunities.

However, is this sufficient to deal with complex and risky international business contexts? These essential issues are explored in a new ground-breaking research article published in Long Range Planning.

Based on unique survey data from among the 500 largest companies in Denmark, the new research study from Copenhagen Business School investigates the effects of adopting ERM frameworks. And, as something new, the study analyzes risk management performance in conjunction with internal strategic decision-making processes.

"This is the first study of its kind to provide a more complete organizational picture of the risk management effects. We find that pursuit of basic strategy-making efforts is fundamental to gain positive effects from adoption of formal enterprise risk management practices," says Professor Torben Juul Andersen from the Department of International Economics, Government and Business at Copenhagen Business School.

Effective ways to deal with risk

The findings show that it takes more than implementing formal ERM frameworks to deal with uncertain global business conditionsit takes a broader organizational engagement. The research suggests that corporate leaders and public policymakers should engage in deeper thinking about more effective ways to deal with the impending risks of our time that are girded with many uncertainties and unknown factors.

"When actual developments take us by surprise and organizational decision-makers must deal with influences from unexpected eventslike pandemics and climate effectsformal control-based guidelines and practices are insufficient. They are convenient and make us feel safe but provide a false sense of security," says Professor Andersen.

The study argues that future solutions need a combination of fast responses with ongoing assessments of developments and viable solutions. "Companies that enable local responses and engage in strategic planning to assess sudden events perform significantly better compared to companies that only adopt formal ERM frameworks," adds Professor Andersen.

Positive performance outcomes

The research found that adhering to the principles of ERM is linked to positive performance outcomes, but these effects are substantially enforced by decentralized responses and central strategic considerations.

"Hence, it is not sufficient to adopt formal risk management practices to deal with impending risk events. Instead, the ability to deal effectively with uncertain and unknown conditions hinges on local responses and ongoing strategic analyses," says Professor Andersen.

The study urges policymakers to think actively about how to deal with emergent risk situations, the most significant of which will exceed prior expectations and imagined scenarios. "The only way to find new viable solutions is by experimentingor acting fast through local responses that may point the way towards an adapted strategic direction," he adds.

"There is a need for more versatile risk responses to deal with unexpected events and the unknown conditions of the evolving future where formal control-based approaches actually may curtail the ability to create innovative solutions," Professor Andersen concludes.

Explore further Companies look better when workers have a say, even if input is more rhetoric than reality

More information: Torben Juul Andersen et al, Conjoint effects of interacting strategy-making processes and lines of defense practices in strategic Risk Management: An empirical study, Long Range Planning (2021). Torben Juul Andersen et al, Conjoint effects of interacting strategy-making processes and lines of defense practices in strategic Risk Management: An empirical study,(2021). DOI: 10.1016/j.lrp.2021.102164

Provided by Copenhagen Business School
Artist's conception of a tidal disruption event (TDE), a star being shredded by the powerful gravity of a supermassive black hole. Material from the star spirals into a disk rotating around the black hole, and a jet of particles is ejected. Credit: Sophia Dagnello, NRAO/AUI/NSF

Every galaxy, including our own Milky Way, has at its center a massive black hole whose gravity influences the stars around it. Generally, the stars orbit around the black hole without incident, but sometimes a star will wander a little too close, and the black hole will "make a meal" of the star in a process astrophysicists have termed spaghettification.

"Gravity around the black hole will shred these unlucky stars, causing them to be squeezed into thin streams and fall into the black hole," says Vikram Ravi, assistant professor of astronomy at Caltech. "This is a really messy process. The stars don't go quietly."

As the stars are devoured, their remains swirl around the black hole and glow with light of different frequencies, which telescopes can detect. In some cases, the stellar remains are expelled in powerful jets that shine with radio-frequency light waves.

Ravi and his team, including two graduate students at Caltech, have now discovered what appears to be one of these black-hole-eating-a-star eventsalso known as tidal disruption events, or TDEsusing archival observations made by radio telescopes. Of the roughly 100 TDEs that have been discovered to date, this is only the second candidate to be found using radio waves. The first was discovered in 2020 by Marin Anderson (MS '14, Ph.D. '19), a postdoctoral scholar at JPL, which is managed by Caltech for NASA.

"TDEs are primarily discovered in optical and X-ray light, but these methods may be missing some TDEs, such as those buried in dust," says Ravi, who is lead author of a new report on the findings accepted for publication in The Astrophysical Journal. "This study demonstrates the power of radio surveys to discover TDEs."

The same newfound TDE was also uncovered by astronomers at the University of Toronto, so the scientists teamed up to jointly publish their findings.

"An unprecedented amount of radio observations are now becoming available, positioning us to discover many more sources like this one," says co-author Hannah Dykaar of the University of Toronto. "Interestingly, neither of the radio-discovered candidates were found in the type of galaxy most popular for TDEs. Finding more of these radio TDEs could help us to illuminate ongoing mysteries about what types of galaxies they occur in and just how many there are in the universe."

The new TDE event, called J1533+2727, was first noticed by Ravi's team after two high school interns from Cambridge, MassachusettsGinevra Zaccagnini and Jackson Codd scanned through decades of radio data captured by the National Radio Astronomy Observatory's (NRAO's) Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array (VLA) in New Mexico. The students worked with Ravi from 2018 to 2019 while he was a postdoctoral fellow at Harvard University. By comparing radio observations taken years apart, they found that one object, J1533+2727, was fairly bright in the mid-1990s but had dramatically faded by 2017.

Like detectives uncovering new clues in a historical case, they then searched the archives of the NRAO's Green Bank 300-foot telescope and learned that the same object was even brighter in 1986 and 1987 (the Green Bank telescope collapsed in 1988). Since its peak of brightness in the mid-1980s, J1533+2727 has faded by a factor of 500.

Adding up all the evidence, including brand-new VLA observations, the scientists think that the new TDE occurred when a supermassive black hole at the heart of a galaxy 500 million light-years away crushed a star and then expelled a radio jet traveling at near the speed of light. Three other TDEs have been associated with these so-called relativistic jets so far, but those were found in galaxies over 10 times farther away.

"This is the first discovery of a relativistic TDE candidate in the relatively nearby universe, showing that these radio-bright TDEs may be more common than we thought before," says Ravi.

TDEs have become a valuable tool for studying massive black holes. They were first theorized in the 1980s and then finally detected for the first time in the 1990s. Now that more than 100 have been found, the events have become a new means to study the hidden happenings of black holes.

Caltech graduate student Jean Somalwar, a new member in Ravi's group who is not an author on the current study, is hoping to capture more radio-bright TDEs with the VLA. She and her team have recently published one such candidate, which is either a TDE or a mysterious flare from an active supermassive black hole. Additionally, she is using data from the Zwicky Transient Facility, or ZTF, at Caltech's Palomar Observatory to uncover more optically bright TDEs (ZTF, which scans the night sky every two nights in visible light, has already discovered more than 15 of these events).

"TDEs basically turn flashlights onto these extreme regions at the centers of galaxies that we would not otherwise be able to see," says Somalwar. "They have become very powerful tools in recent years."

Somalwar and Ravi presented these results virtually on January 10, 2022, at the 239th meeting of the American Astronomical Society.

The Astrophysical Journal paper is titled "FIRST J153350.8+272729: the radio afterglow of a decades-old tidal disruption event."

Explore further Spektr-RG spacecraft detects its first tidal disruption events

More information: Vikram Ravi et al, FIRST J153350.8+272729: the radio afterglow of a decades-old tidal disruption event. arXiv:2102.05795v1 [astro-ph.HE], Journal information: Astrophysical Journal Vikram Ravi et al, FIRST J153350.8+272729: the radio afterglow of a decades-old tidal disruption event. arXiv:2102.05795v1 [astro-ph.HE], arxiv.org/abs/2102.05795
Floodwaters overtook The Islander Trailer Park on Woodward Avenue and along Waltham Slough near the San Joaquin River in Manteca, California. The flood of January 1997 devastated Northern and Central California with 300 square miles of flooding and forced 48 counties to be declared disaster areas with more than billion of economic loss and eight deaths. Credit: Norm Hughes/California Department of Water Resources

It may seem as if California is always either flooding or on fire. This climatic whiplash is not imagined: New University of Arizona research, published in the International Journal of Climatology, shows that while dry events are not getting drier, extreme wet events have been steadily increasing in magnitude since the middle of the last century. These increased extreme wet events can result in more dangerous flooding and also fuel wildfires.

"Most research after 2015 has been very focused on this climate variability and how it's going to get worse in the future," said lead study author Diana Zamora-Reyes, a graduate student in the Department of Hydrology and Atmospheric Sciences. "But, in this paper, the main takeaway is that this is happening right now, and that variability has been increasing for the past 50 years or so."

The team gathered data on seasonal precipitation and stream flowthe runoff that results from precipitationthroughout the state of California going back 80 years, which was when sufficient data began to be available. There's usually a lag between precipitation and stream flow because it takes time for snow to melt and water to wander through the landscape. Zamora-Reyes and her team focused on fall and winter data, since most precipitation in California occurs during those seasons.

"Going into this research, I thought that both wet events would get wetter and dry events would get drier, and that was what was causing the rise in variability," Zamora-Reyes said. "I thought it would be both, but that wasn't the case. My assumption was based on previous research that found there will be an increase in extreme precipitation events and they're occurring in a smaller window of time."

"California droughts are happening, our research just shows that they're not caused by less precipitation," said co-author Valerie Trouet, a professor of dendrochronology in the Laboratory of Tree Ring Research. "We focused on precipitation and stream flow, which are not the only variables fueling drought. Temperature plays an important part as well, and with the world getting warmer, droughts are intensifying."

The teamwhich also includes Bryan Black, an associate professor in the university's Laboratory of Tree-Ring Researchcompared its findings from northern and southern California. These comparisons are important because southern California is home to most of the state's population but northern California is where most of the water resources are located. Both regions rely on the water supply but in different ways.

"With this increase in variability and warming, it's also important to consider that a lot of the precipitation is going to start falling as rain rather than snow," Zamora-Reyes said.

This could mean more dramatic and destructive flooding, but it could also cause a surge in plant growth. If a dry year follows, that could result in more fuel for wildfires. Less snow also means less snowmelt, which usually doles out melted water at a less destructive pace.

"These patterns are going to keep causing billions in damage and are something we need to consider, especially for infrastructure planning," Zamora-Reyes said.

The researchers also found that precipitation variability is decreasing in the northern part of California in the fall.

"That's where you get most of the water resources and also that's where you have a lot of the forested areas," Zamora-Reyes said. "We're also seeing that less of these really wet events are coming in the fall, and instead we're getting most of the precipitation concentrated in winter. We're seeing this pattern across California. If you look statewide, you see the same trend in both precipitation and stream flow."

The paper is unique because it highlights the relationship between the increasing variability in both stream flow and precipitation.

"They're completely independent records, yet they're showing the same thing," Zamora-Reyes said.

"Precipitation winds through complex processes before it ends up as stream flow," Trouet said. "Stream flow is a much slower process, so we did not expect to also see that clear of a trend in variability in stream flow but we do."

Zamora-Reyes was surprised by the team's results.

"I was expecting to see an increase in variability over the last 20 years at most," she said, "but we've been seeing a steady increase for much longer. People are noticing. I've talked to strangers about my research, and they say they've noticed what I'm talking about. It's been interesting and eye-opening to see my research play out in real time."

The researchers looked solely at data collected by sensors and instruments installed decades ago, but in the future Zamora-Reyes and Trouet want to use tree rings to study precipitation and stream flow variability going back hundreds of years.

Zamora-Reyes said that will help them answer questions such as: "How uncommon is this variability? Are there periods in the past comparable to what we're experiencing right now?"

Explore further Researchers reconstruct historical non-growing-season precipitation in southeastern Tibetan Plateau

More information: Diana ZamoraReyes et al, Enhanced winter, spring, and summer hydroclimate variability across California from 1940 to 2019, International Journal of Climatology (2021). Diana ZamoraReyes et al, Enhanced winter, spring, and summer hydroclimate variability across California from 1940 to 2019,(2021). DOI: 10.1002/joc.7513
New catalytic approach directly converts raw biomass into natural gas with low carbon footprint. Credit: Pixabay

Natural gas can be used as fuel for generating electricity, heating and powering transportation. It is also the raw material to manufacture hydrogen and ammonia.

Currently, biogenic and thermogenic processes are the two widely accepted methods for natural gas production. A high content of CO 2 in gas products is inevitable during these processes, which cannot satisfy the composition requirements of pipeline natural gas.

A research group led by Prof. Lu Fang from the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics (DICP) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) proposed an efficient catalytic approach to directly transfer solid biomass into natural gas with low carbon footprint.

This study was published in Nature Communications on January 11.

The researchers prepared a robust catalyst with Ni 2 Al 3 alloy phase, achieving nearly complete conversion of various agricultural and forestry wastes into natural gas. In the conversion process, the total carbon yield of gas products reached up to 93% after several hours, and the catalyst showed powerful processing capability for the production of natural gas during 30 cycles.

"Life cycle assessment revealed that the life cycle primary fossil energy depletion and greenhouse gas emissions in this process could be reduced by 26% and 34%, respectively, compared to the fossil-natural gas" said Prof. Lu.

Conceptual diagram for bio-natural gas production from biomass. Credit: Nature Communications

What's more, bio-natural gas produced from the combined hydrogen with lignocellulosic biomass can be further applied in industry, transportation, and electric power plants using the existing transportation pipelines.

Explore further Scientists propose new method for sustainable production of copolyester monomers with biomass

More information: Xiaoqin Si et al, Catalytic production of low-carbon footprint sustainable natural gas, Nature Communications (2022). Journal information: Nature Communications Xiaoqin Si et al, Catalytic production of low-carbon footprint sustainable natural gas,(2022). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-27919-9
The aftermath of a fire with multiple fatalities at 2308 Grove Street in River Grove on Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2022. (Jose M. Osorio/ Chicago Tribune) (Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune)

Three River Grove residents were killed and a fourth person was injured during a Jan. 5 fire that destroyed the home, according to River Grove Fire Chief Sean Flynn.

Marilyn Owrey Hennig, 91, was discovered on the first floor of the home. Michelle Owrey, 24, and 61-year-old John Owrey were found on the second floor, according to Flynn and the Cook County medical examiners office.

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A 56-year-old man survived and was taken to Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood in critical condition to be treated for smoke inhalation, Flynn said. Owrey Hennig, Michelle Owrey and John Owrey were pronounced dead at the scene.

The aftermath of a fire with multiple fatalities at 2308 Grove Street in River Grove on Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2022. (Jose M. Osorio/ Chicago Tribune) (Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune)

Firefighters received a call from the 2300 block of Grove Street around 7:30 a.m. The incident began as a garage fire, Flynn said, but the flames managed to spread throughout the 2.5-story home, trapping three inside, Flynn said.

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A beautiful soul

John Owrey was president of the board at Youth Communication, a nonprofit organization, according to its website. He also taught at Triton College. Sam Tolia, director of marketing at Triton, confirmed Owrey served on the Computer Information Systems adjunct faculty since 2011.

Michelle Owrey had been a special education student at Riverside-Brookfield High School and graduated in 2016, according to the school. She participated in the schools transition program until 2019 and was actively involved in various programs at the school, school officials said.

Kevin Baldus, director of Special Education Services at the high school, said Michelle had a lot of energy and took part in many different activities at the school, such as the Best Buddies program. She enjoyed the peer buddy program and helping to organize the prom and other social activities with her peers, he said.

With her being here for quite a few years, everybody got to know her pretty well and was just really sad about the loss of her and her family members, Baldus said. She was somebody that we looked forward to seeing every day here when she was a student.

The school is currently planning memorial activities in Owreys honor, he said.

Christina Owrey, 28, who is Michelle Owreys sister and John Owreys daughter, reminisced about how she and her husband hosted her family in their home over the Christmas holiday.

It was so nice, she said.

Speaking of Michelle Owrey, she said, My sister was such a beautiful soul.

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Christina Owrey also said the familys 19-year-old dog, Bubba, died in the fire.

Smoke blended with snow

Lilian Ayala, a neighbor living across the street from the destroyed home, said she noticed the fire just before 7:30 a.m. as she was heating up her car to take her daughter to school.

At that point, the fire appeared to be coming from the garage, Ayala said. The wind, snow and smoke blended together, and at first it looked like a winter storm or blizzard, Ayala said. She called 911 and watched from her window as the smoke billowed out around her neighbors home.

We got multiple calls that it was extending into the house and it was fully engulfed. We did have some water issues due to the weather, Flynn said.

Ayala said she could see one surviving family member standing outside on the phone, frantically yelling for his mother, who was still inside. He was screaming and saying that his familys in there, she said. It just happened so fast.

Ayala, who has lived in the neighborhood for about a decade, said she did not get to know the family well because they had moved into the home recently during the summer months. She had seen the family around, though, and said they were always together.

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It wasnt immediately clear if the house had any alarms. The fire was so intense that we cant tell if there were smoke detectors, Flynn said.

At one point, there was a growing concern for safety at the site of the fire and for the surrounding homes, Ayala said, as the flames extended from the house toward a red truck on the premises.

We saw those flames going towards the truck, Ayala said. We thought that red truck was going to blow up because the fire was going on it and it started lighting up.

Ayala and other neighbors moved their cars away from the scene to protect them from possible contact with flames and to make way for additional fire department personnel, she said. Her own home was safe, but Ayala said she did notice smoke making its way into her attic, which she covered with a towel to protect her children from inhaling any smoke.

The cause of the fire remained unknown and under investigation by the River Grove Fire Department and the office of the state fire marshal.

Its hard enough to get a cause when its a normal fire and its even harder when there are deaths, Flynn said.

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Regarding Michelle Owrey, Nicolette Anderson, a member of Riverside-Brookfield High Schools special education staff, said the young woman made an everlasting impact on people at the school.

Michelle made such a strong connection with anyone she met. The kind words and fun memories that people are sharing of Michelle really speaks volumes to the impact she left on those that knew her.

Michelle will be remembered by staff and students at RBHS for her smile, giggles, and joy that came naturally to her. We are all heartbroken over this tragedy, and the loss of a wonderful woman way too soon.

A GoFundMe fundraiser has been started to help the family pay for funeral expenses.

Katherine Rosenberg-Douglas and Rosemary Sobol contributed to this story.
Caption:In his new book, Seeking the Bomb, Vipin Narang looks at the variety of tactics countries use as they attempt to acquire nuclear weapons. Credit: Bryce Vickmark

In 1993, South Africa announced to a largely surprised world that it had built nuclear weapons in the 1980s, before dismantling its arsenal. For the first time, a country outside of the elite world powers had obtained nuclear capabilities while keeping matters a secret from almost everyone else.

To this day, South Africa remains the only country to have pulled off that exact trick. Other countries have gone nuclear in other ways. A half-dozen countries with more economic and political clout than South Africa have built weapons on their own timetables. Three other countriesIsrael, Pakistan, and North Koreahave developed nuclear weapons while being supported by larger allies. And many wealthy countries, including Australia, Brazil, Germany, Japan, and South Korea, have chosen not to pursue weapons programs.

Recognizing these different paths to proliferation is an essential part of arms control: Grasping how one country is pursuing nuclear weapons can help other countries constrain that pursuit.

"There's meaningful variation in how states have thought about pursuing nuclear weapons," says says Vipin Narang, an MIT political scientist and expert on nuclear strategy. "It changes how we think about stopping them. It changes how we think about managing them. It's an important question."

Narang believes that too often, we imagine that all countries pursue nuclear weapons the way the U.S. and Soviet Union did during and after World War IIa swift race culminating in the rapid buildup of arsenals, leaving little room for intervention. But that paradigm applies to almost no other country.

"We think of proliferators as a stylized Manhattan Project," says Narang, the Frank Stanton professor of Nucear Security and Political Science at MIT. "But the U.S. and the Soviet Union are really the only ones who had Manhattan projects, and the rest of the nuclear weapons powers look different."

Narang has detailed these differences in a new book, "Seeking the Bomb," published today by Princeton University Press. In it, he develops a comprehensive typology of nuclear programs around the world; examines why countries take different routes to nuclear development; and outlines the policy implications.

"There is a growing likelihood that the United States will have to confront proliferation attempts from not just foes but friends and frenemies as well," Narang writes in the book.

Sprinters and hedgers

In recent decades, scholarship has usually focused on why countries acquire nuclear weaponswith the leading answers being security, prestige, and domestic political dynamics. But Narang's book centers the question of how, not why, countries seek to become nuclear-equipped.

"No one had asked how states pursue nuclear weapons, and examined the different ways they have to deal with nonproliferation [agreements], their own resource constraints, domestic politics, and states trying to stop them," Narang says.

At least 29 countries have made efforts to become nuclear; 19 have specifically tried to develop nuclear bombs, and 10 have succeeded. Narang's book puts all of them into four categories: countries he labels "sprinters," "hedgers," those benefitting from "sheltered pursuit," and "hiders."

The "sprinters," the simplest category to understand, consist of the U.S., Soviet Union, Great Britain, France, China, and Indiabig countries that could develop nuclear weapons independently, and did.

Then there are "hedgers," the countries that have potential to develop nuclear weapons but hold off doing so, because of geopolitical considerations or a lack of domestic political support. Germany, Japan, and South Korea are U.S. allies who are not eager to make themselves targets for nuclear-armed states, and instead work with the U.S. on defense matters. Should U.S. support waver, those countries might be more likely to pursue their own programs.

"Seeking the Bomb" actually details three subcategories of hedging. Japan and Germany are "insurance hedgers," wary of American abandonment. "Hard hedgers," such as Sweden or Switzerland, are not as close to the U.S. but still decided not to pursue weapons acquisition. And "technical hedgers," including Argentina and Brazil, have technological pieces in place for nuclear program but have not weaponized those capabilities.

"Hedging is very prominent across countries, including Japan, South Korea, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Iran," Narang says. "It's a really meaningful category that is written out of the proliferation literature because we all focus on states that get the bomb, and not the ones that don't know if they want it yet. They put the pieces in place to exercise the option quickly if they decide to."

By contrast, countries undertaking "sheltered pursuit" use their alliances with superpowers to develop nuclear weapons. Israel, for one, could finish building nuclear weapons in the 1960s partly because of tacit support from the U.S. By 2006, North Korea had built its own weapons with the partial support of China.

"North Korea wouldn't have been able to get nuclear weapons without China giving it shelter," Narang observes.

Hide and seek

Very few countries find themselves in the situation where a powerful ally will tacitly endorse their nuclear program, however. And if a country wants nuclear weapons but cannot get help from a superpower, it is most likely to work in secret. These are the "hiders," in Narang's typology.

"If you don't have shelter, then your only option is to hide," Narang says. "And hiding is a very risky strategy, as most get caught along the wayLibya, Iraq, Syria."

In 2007, for instance, Israeli jets bombed a North Korea-designed nuclear reactor built in Syria, where President Bashar al-Assad had been pushing a nuclear program forward.

"No one thought Assad would try to hide a North Korean nuclear reactor above ground," Narang says. "He came within weeks of the finish line." Moreover, Narang adds of such leaders, "Often times the calculation is they'll lose the program but not the regime," Narang says. "Assad lost the reactor, but he's still in power." In other cases, such as Iraq and Libya, U.S. military action drove nuclear-minded leaders from power.

And yet, the case of South Africa indicates it is at least possible to push a covert nuclear program all the way through.

"South Africa is every hider's inspiration," Narang says.

At the time, the U.S. had suspected South Africa was engaged in a nuclear program, and then-South Africa President Pik Botha had told U.S. leaders in 1981 that the country had expanding nuclear "capacities." But the U.S. had little concrete information about what was really happening.

"South Africa's really the only hider that got out of the barn," Narang says. "Neither the U.S. nor the Soviet Union wanted South Africa to get nuclear weapons, but because it was in the Southern Hemisphere, we didn't have good eyes on the program, and [the country] was very good at hiding and obfuscating what its enrichment and plant capabilities were."

So on the one hand, the South African case remains an anomaly. Still, "hiders" can be very dangerous to global stability.

"It's most likely they create the risk of a crisis when they're discovered and the great powers seek to end the program," Narang says. "And if they succeed, precisely the states you least want to have nuclear weapons, have nuclear weapons. Either way a hider is disruptive.  It either ends poorly for them, or it ends poorly for us."

The future: Nuclear arms management

"Seeking the Bomb" includes a model Narang built incorporating certain factorstechnical capabilities, domestic politics, strategic considerationsthat should lead countries into one category of weapons development or another. Narang found the model correctly predicts over 85 percent of the historical cases correctly. That could help policy experts and other analysts assess future nuclear threats.

"I think there are two categories that are going to be particularly prominent in coming decades," Narang says. "In the Middle East, you're going to have a contagion of hedgers." At the same time, he says, "Hiders are getting smarter.  I don't take it for granted that we'll be able to stop all hiders indefinitely. These hedgers and hiders are going to be the most prominent categories in the future."

Both "hedgers" and some "hiders" can be dealt with diplomatically, Narang observes, through means such as the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action [JCPOA] that limited Iran's nuclear program but has now been dropped by the U.S.

"The JCPOA is rare because there are very few instruments and vehicles that have pushed states back from hiding to hard hedging," Narang says. "For it to be torpedoed over domestic politics is just a tragedy. There's no guarantee we're going to get back to it."

"Seeking the Bomb" has been praised by other political scientists. Caitlin Talmadge, an associate professor of security studies at Georgetown University, called it "an exceptional book, one of the most important to come out in the field in decades," adding: "It will become the definitive work on its subject matter and be widely read by academic, policy, and general audiences."

For his part, Narang emphasizes the fraught nature of today's nuclear landscape. After a few decades trending toward disarmament, nuclear stockpiles are growing, and nuclear proliferation is less a problem that can be ended than an issue that needs astute management.

"Everybody wants a solution to the nuclear problem," Narang says. "I think my conclusion, while pessimistic, is realistic. While nuclear technology exists, nuclear weapons are unlikely to go away. It's not a problem to be solved, it's a problem to be managed. I think for the next several decades we'll be dealing with these problems."

Explore further Nuclear weapons technology for a new generation of policymakers

More information: Seeking the Bomb: Strategies of Nuclear Proliferation. Seeking the Bomb: Strategies of Nuclear Proliferation. press.princeton.edu/books/pape  620/seeking-the-bomb

This story is republished courtesy of MIT News (web.mit.edu/newsoffice/), a popular site that covers news about MIT research, innovation and teaching.
Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

When designing environmental policies to limit the damage of river pollution, it is paramount to assess the specific risks that particular pollutants pose to different species. However, rigorously testing the effects of toxicantslike insecticides, plastic debris, pathogens, and chemicalson entire groups of organisms without severely damaging their whole ecosystems is simply not feasible. Mathematical modeling can provide a flexible way to assess toxicants' impact on river populations without endangering the environment.

In a paper that published today in the SIAM Journal on Applied Mathematics, Peng Zhou (Shanghai Normal University) and Qihua Huang (Southwest University, Chongqing) develop a model that describes the interactions between a population and a toxicant in an advective environmenta setting in which a fluid tends to transport material in one direction, like a river. Such a model can help scientists study how the way in which a pollutant moves through a river affects the well-being and distribution of the river's inhabitants.

Much of the previous experimental research on the ecological risks of toxicants has been performed on individual organisms in controlled laboratory conditions over a fairly short-term basis. The design of environmental management strategies, however, requires an understanding of toxicants' impact on the health of entire exposed natural populations in the long term. Fortunately, there is an intermediary. "Mathematical models play a crucial role in translating individual responses to population-level impacts," Huang said.

The existing models that describe the way in which toxicants affect population dynamics generally ignore many of the properties of water bodies. But in doing so, they are missing a big piece of the puzzle. "In reality, numerous hydrological and physical characteristics of water bodies can have a substantial impact on the concentration and distribution of a toxicant," Huang said. "[For example], once a toxicant is released into a river, several dispersal mechanismssuch as diffusion and transportare present that may aid in the spread of the toxicant."

Similarly, the models that mathematicians often use to portray the transport of pollutants through a river also do not include all of the necessary components for this study. These are reaction-advection-diffusion equation models, whose solutions can show how pollutants distribute and vary under different influences like changes in the rate of water flow. While such models enable researchers to predict the evolution of toxicant concentrations and assess their impact on the environment, they do not consider toxicant influence on the dynamics of affected populations. Zhou and Huang thus expanded upon this type of model, adding new elements that allowed them to explore the interaction between a toxicant and a population in a polluted river.

The authors' model consists of two reaction-diffusion-advection equationsone that governs the population's dispersal and growth under the toxicant's influence, and another that describes the processes that the toxicant experiences. "As far as we know, our model represents the first effort to model the population-toxicant interactions in an advective environment by using reaction-diffusion-advection equations," Zhou said. "This new model could potentially open a [novel] line of research."

The model allows Zhou and Huang to tweak different factors and investigate the resulting changes to the ecosystem. They tried altering the river's flow speed and the advection ratei.e., the rate at which the toxicant or organisms are carried downstreamand observing these parameters' influence on the population persistence and distribution of both the population and toxicant. These theoretical results can provide insights that could help inform ecological policies when taken in concert with other information.

One scenario that the researchers studied involved a toxicant that had a much slower advection rate than the population and thus was not washed away as easily. The model showed that intuitively, the population density decreases with increasing water flow because more individuals are carried downstream and out of the river area in question. However, the concentration of the toxicant increases with the increasing flow speed because it can resist the downstream current and the organisms are often swept away before they can uptake it.

In the opposite case, the toxicant has a faster advection rate and is therefore much more sensitive to water flow speed than the population. Increasing the water flow then reduces the toxicant concentration by sweeping the pollutants away. For a medium flow speed, the highest population density occurs downstream because the water flow plays a trade-off role; it transports more toxicants away but also carries more individuals downstream.

This demonstrates that a higher sensitivity of a pollutant to water flow is generally more advantageous to population persistence. "In the absence of toxicants, it is generally known that the higher the flow speed, the more individuals will be washed out of the river," Zhou said. "However, our findings suggest that for a given toxicant level, population abundance may increase as flow rate increases."

By providing this model with the parameters for certain species and pollutants, one may be able to determine criteria regarding the water quality that is necessary to maintain aquatic life. This outcome could ultimately aid in the development of policy guidelines surrounding the target species and toxicants. "The findings here offer the basis for effective decision-making tools for water and environment managers," Huang said. Managers could connect the results from the model with other factors, such as what may happen to the pollutant after it washes downstream.

Further extensions to Zhou and Huang's new model could make it even more applicable to real river ecosystemsfor example, by allowing the flow velocity and release of toxicants to vary over time, or accounting for the different ways in which separate species may respond to the same pollutant. This mathematical model's capability to find the population-level effects of toxicants might play a critical part in the accurate assessment of pollutants' risk to rivers and their inhabitants.

Explore further Researchers develop model for more realistic risk assessment of pesticides

More information: Peng Zhou et al, A Spatiotemporal Model for the Effects of Toxicants on Populations in a Polluted River, SIAM Journal on Applied Mathematics (2022). Journal information: SIAM Journal on Applied Mathematics Peng Zhou et al, A Spatiotemporal Model for the Effects of Toxicants on Populations in a Polluted River,(2022). DOI: 10.1137/21M1405629
Distance may be our biggest challenge when it comes to communicating with other intelligent civilizations. The closest star is over 12 light years away, which means messages planets hosting life could take decades to exchange. Credit: Fatinha Ramos for USC Dornsife Magazine

Twenty years from now we might get a call from aliens. In 2017, a powerful radio transmission was aimed at exoplanet GJ 273b, thought to be able to support life. Its message, sent by the alien-hunting group Messaging Extraterrestrial Intelligence International, contained instructions on how to understand Earthling math, music and time. If it lands on intelligent alien ears once it arrives in about a decade, E.T. now has our number.

Of course, a cosmic call might come much sooner. Space transmissions hoping to attract an alien response have been going out since 1962, when Soviet scientists sent a message in Morse code to the planet Venus in the first attempt at interplanetary communication.

Even if our calls generate no response, it seems increasingly likely humanity will stumble upon life somewhere in the universe one of these days. NASA's James Webb Space Telescope, the most powerful telescope ever sent into the cosmos, is scheduled to launch this winter and will enable scientists to examine thousands of distant planets for "biosignatures"clues that a planet's atmosphere has been influenced by life.

Concerns over decades of unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP)known more commonly as unidentified flying objects (UFOs)in our atmosphere, many sighted by military personnel, have recently prompted politicians on both sides of the aisle to push for an official agency to handle UAP investigations.

But are we prepared for an encounter of the "Third Kind"?

The prospect of meeting another civilization raises questions both captivating and concerning. How do we even communicate with an alien species, especially one that may not use language in a form we can recognize and decipher? Will a meeting prompt mass hysteria? And what about strange alien diseases? And how might it affect our views about religion? USC Dornsife scholars weigh in on what to expect when we first meet extraterrestrials.

Across the universe

Humans eager to make friends in other star systems might be disappointed to learn that any developing relationship will likely resemble a phenomenally slow pen pal correspondence, rather than one conducted at the speed of text or emailnever mind light. There's considerable distance between us and, for instance, GJ 273b: 12.36 light-years to be precise.

At that distance, it will take a dozen years for our message to arrive and then another dozen for us to receive the return message. It would be 2041, at the earliest, by the time we get a reply.

And, GJ 273b is one of the closer exoplanets (a planet that orbits a star other than the sun). There are only 12 stars within 10 years of Earth around which exoplanets could circle. That means any exchange of information would take place across at least 20 years and more likely many decades.

Although we typically associate aliens with the acceleration of technology, an actual encounter could, counterintuitively, serve to slow our pace of modern communicationand that could be to our benefit, according to University Professor Emeritus and Professor Emeritus of Computer Science, Biomedical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Biological Sciences and Psychology Michael Arbib.

In his 1979 paper, "Minds and Millennia: The Psychology of Interstellar Communication," Arbib wrote " the leisurely pace of interstellar communication gives us time to assimilate the messages that we receive  it will require the wisdom of many humans to transform the interstellar message into prescriptions for courses of action."

Curiosity will clearly need to be tempered with caution: Alien civilizations may view us as a resource to conqueror a food supplyrather than an ally.

"One issue will be whether we even want to communicate and give away our location without first ascertaining their culture," says Vahe Peroomian, professor (teaching) of physics and astronomy.

Richard Jones, lecturer of English as a second language at the USC American Language Institute, has extensive experience in teaching people from very different cultures and linguistic backgrounds how to overcome the obstacles to effective communication. Drawing on that expertise, he has some suggestions on how to best communicate with aliens.

Our radio messages are a good first step at contact andvery importantlywould hopefully allay predation, he argues.

"Transmissions that include mathematical data and music are an excellent idea," he says. "Alien life that lies within our conception of 'intelligence' would hopefully be able to understand the relationships contained here, and that these messages come from another intelligent species."

Lost and found in translation

Once contact was established, the next challenge would lie in making good conversation. Jones has a few suggestions for how to begin.

"'Human' and 'be' would be the first words I would suggest learning how to express," he says. "Then in turn, we could try to learn how they refer to themselves and how they express that they existhow would they convey the equivalent of the English sentence: "I am human.'"

Ideally, says Jones, if extraterrestrials are able to travel to us, we would do some sort of exchange program where they could observe us and we could observe them in their daily life. "On the basis of this mutual observation, we might be able to construct a number of ideas about what type of words to teach and learn," he says.

For an example of how an in-person encounter between an alien and a linguist would likely go down, readers could try watching the movie Arrival, says Zuzanna Fuchs, assistant professor of linguistics. The 2016 sci-fi thriller follows linguistics professor Louise Banks as she attempts to communicate with extraterrestrials, using a whiteboard to write messages to squid-like aliens floating in tanks.

However, Earthling linguistics may be limited in its relevance. "Many of the tricks and patterns we usually use to help us quickly build our knowledge of a new language in linguistic fieldwork are based on our general understanding of how human languages typically work. The twist is that these patterns would probably be inapplicable to alien language," says Fuchs.

There is also the possibility that aliens may communicate in other vastly different ways from humans, rendering spoken language less helpful.

"It might be possible that alien life forms transmit thoughts via touch or other non-verbal means," Jones says. "Communication between insectssuch as the dancing of beesis sometimes described as language." In that case, first contact might call for a collaboration between a linguist and an entomologist.

Intergalactic germs?

Face-to-face meetings with another species may inspire dreams of intergalactic knowledge sharingbut also nightmares of intergalactic germ sharing. Our own history warns us about the consequences of encounters between isolated civilizations.

When Europeans reached the Americas and first made contact with indigenous communities, they brought with them smallpox, measles and other diseases to which Native Americans had no natural immunity. An estimated 90% of the original inhabitants of North America died from devastating outbreaks of these illnesses.

Of course, any risk of infection from outer space depends on whether alien germs contain even remotely similar molecules to our own. So far, scientists think it's likely there is some shared chemistry between life on Earth and life out in the galaxy. Amino acids and peptides, our familiar precursors to life, have been found on asteroids. Many planets host water, which is where scientists believe life first began on Earth.

In fact, the more immediate risk might lie not in what space brings to humans, but in what we take with us from Earth as we venture into spaceand then bring back home later in a changed form.

"Every time we go into space, we bring microorganisms with us. Many of them are highly adaptable, like bacteria, and are some of the oldest organisms to survive on Earth," says Raffaella Ghittoni, associate professor (teaching) of biology. "These microorganisms could change and adapt in space to things like radiation and then, through another space mission, could return with those changes and become more virulent or more infectious."

Can Klingons take communion?

When, or if, we encounter aliens we can probably expect a profound reassessment of religious faith. A 2021 study from the Pew Research Center found that highly religious adults are much more skeptical about the possibility of extraterrestrial life compared with those who are less religious. An alien encounter could throw long-cherished beliefs into questionor appear to confirm them.

Events like solar eclipses are already interpreted by some evangelical Christians as signs of the coming "rapture," a biblical prediction of fiery end times. The landing of a UFO would likely accelerate such apocryphal fears.

However, belief that extraterrestrials signal the end of the world would hopefully be the position of a small minority within religious groups, says the Rev. Dorian Llywelyn, president of the Institute for Advanced Catholic Studies at USC Dornsife. There's wiggle room for the existence of extraterrestrials in many religious texts, after all. Judaism's Talmud describes God traveling among 18,000 worlds. Both Buddhism and Hinduism hint at the existence of other, populated celestial realms.

Alien arrival is actually more likely to trigger debate than terror among the faithful, says Llywelyn. Catholics, for example, may find that figuring out how to fit Klingons into Christianity adds a new level to a centuries-long theological discussion around who and what can be "saved": only Christians, only humans or the entire physical worldincluding, presumably, Klingons.

A valuable lesson

Proof of life beyond planet Earth is sure to restructure our own sense of self and our place in the cosmos. In that moment, spiritual faith may actually work well alongside scientific inquiry, as a guide for making sense of something we don't yet understand.

Whether the life we encounter is a race of galaxy-hopping star people or a small microbe inching across the surface of an exoplanet, it will all require profound self-reflection by us Earthlings. That's a good thing, says Peroomian.

"For millennia, humans have argued that the Earth is special," he says. "At first, we thought it was the center of the universe, then the center of our galaxy, and even when that was disproven, we still think of Earth as special for being the only location in the universe where life exists.

"Finally dispelling this notion will be a very valuable lesson for humanity."
E-THEMIS temperature color image from the first light test, taken from the rooftop of ISTB4 on the ASU Tempe Campus. The top image was acquired at 12:40 p.m., the middle at 4:40 p.m. and the bottom image at 6:20 p.m. (after sunset). Temperatures are approximations during this testing phase. Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU

ASU scientists and engineers building the Europa Thermal Emission Imaging System (E-THEMIS) for NASA's Europa Clipper passed a major hurdle recently by capturing the first successful test images from this complex infrared camera, known as "first light" images.

Europa Clipper, a NASA mission to investigate Jupiter's moon Europa, is planned to launch in October 2024 and arrive at Jupiter in 2030. It will study this icy moon through a series of flybys while in orbit around Jupiter to investigate whether it could harbor conditions suitable for life.

E-THEMIS, which is led by Regents Professor Philip Christensen of Arizona State University's School of Earth and Space Exploration, is an infrared camera designed to map Europa's temperatures for the mission. These infrared images will help scientists seek clues about Europa's activity, including regions where Europa's suspected ocean may be near the surface.

"The surface of Europa is extremely cold, but the ocean underneath is warm, liquid water. If that water is coming near the surface through cracks and vents, E-THEMIS will see these warm regions and tell us where ocean water is closest to the surface," Christensen said. "Even if water erupted onto the surface many years ago, the ice will still be warm. From these temperature images, E-THEMIS will provide an excellent opportunity to study the geologic activity of Europa."

The E-THEMIS instrument in its protective enclosure leaving the cleanroom for transport to the rooftop lab in ISTB4 on the ASU Tempe campus. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU

The "first light" E-THEMIS camera test images were taken from the rooftop of the Interdisciplinary Science and Technology Building 4 (ISTB4) on the ASU Tempe campus using a specially designed mobile cleanroom laboratory, which kept the camera safe from dust, microbes and aerosol particles.

"Our team spent months developing a portable clean lab to safely transport E-THEMIS to the roof of the building and collect data in a controlled environment," Christensen said.

One of the most spectacular test images produced from E-THEMIS is a temperature image taken looking north from ISTB4. In stunning detail, the image clearly shows ASU's Sun Devil Stadium and "A" Mountain, among other recognizable ASU landmarks. It is even possible to read details inside the stadium from the E-THEMIS instrument, based on temperature differences sensed from about 1.1 km (0.7 miles) away.

"The instrument worked beautifully and is in excellent focus," Christensen said.

Looking north from ISTB4, this E-THEMIS temperature image shows ASUs Sun Devil Stadium and A Mountain, among other recognizable ASU landmarks. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU

During this test, the ETHEMIS team also collected temperature images throughout the afternoon and early evening. When displayed in color, these images reveal how the temperature changes as evening approaches. The red, orange and yellow colors in the images indicate warmer temperatures due to heat and the infrared radiation being emitted. The purples and dark blues indicate cooler temperatures, with less heat and infrared radiation emitted.

While the temperatures are approximations during this testing phase, the progression of cooler colors (purples and blues) from afternoon to evening in the three images, acquired at 12:40 p.m., 4:40 p.m. and 6:20 p.m., after sunset, illustrate how the infrared camera detected surface temperatures transitioning from warmer in the afternoon to cooler after sunset.

With this successful "first light" testing of E-THEMIS, the next step for the team is to begin the environmental testing to ensure that E-THEMIS will survive launch and operate as intended in space.

"Launch is one of the most stressful periods for any spacecraft or instrument, and we want to make sure E-THEMIS will survive, so we will put it through a rigorous set of vibration tests to simulate the launch conditions," Christensen said. "We will also test it in a vacuum chamber to make sure it will work properly in the vacuum of space."

More information: More information about Europa can be found at europa.nasa.gov
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

TAMPA, Fla.It's been clear for months that 2021 would be the deadliest year on record for Florida's manatees. When the death count surpassed 1,000 in November, experts sounded the alarm, fearing the toll the winter months ahead would continue to inflict.

The final death count is inand it's grim. The Sunshine State recorded 1,101 manatees deaths last year, officially the worst year on record.

Last year's fatalities are nearly double the death toll in 2020, which totaled 637 manatees lost, according to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission data. It's by far the most deaths since 830 manatees died in 2013.

"I've been studying manatees for around 50 years, and I am totally shocked and flabbergasted by this number," said James "Buddy" Powell, president of the Clearwater Marine Aquarium and executive director of its research institute.

When he first started studying manatees in the 1960s, the team estimated there were 1,000 living manatees statewide. Now, last year's death toll surpasses that.

"It's really disturbing and really sad," said Cynthia Stringfield, a veterinarian at ZooTampa.

She said the zoo's David A. Straz, Jr. Manatee Critical Care Center has been working hard to keep up with the increase in the number of sick manatees coming in, and they're seeing more calves than usual.

The vast majority of deaths occurred at the start of 2021, during winter, when water temperatures dropped. This year's forecast mild winter leaves scientists optimistic that this winter's death toll may not be as severe.

"Normally during the winter we see cold stress cases," Stringfield said. "We haven't seen as many of those so far this year."

Still, scientists and advocates are concerned that manatee deaths will continue to pile up.

"The big unknown is how cold is it going to get this winter and how long is it going to last?" said Patrick Rose, executive director of Save the Manatees. And there's another problem: "There's next to no food for them."

Most deaths are being recorded on Florida's east coast, in the northern Indian River Lagoon, where manatees cluster in the colder months to find food and stay warm in the heat generated by a nearby power plant.

But the lagoon's seagrassthe vegetarian mammal's main food sourcehas been depleted over the years due to algal blooms, which are caused by pollution from leaky septic tanks, sewer systems and fertilizer runoff.

The ecosystem has been devastated, scientists say, forcing the state's iconic mammal into starvation.

In December, wildlife officials announced an effort to feed Florida manatees greens like romaine lettuce to keep them from starving. Experts warn that individuals should not attempt to feed the manatees themselves as it could cause them to become conditioned to human beings and lead them astray from their natural behavior.

It could also be a form of harassment, which is illegal under state and federal law, according to the state wildlife commission.

Physical injury is another major cause of death. More than 100 manatees died due to watercraft injury in 2021, according to the latest state data. Experts warn that deaths caused by boats are likely undercounted because the vast majority of manatees are not necropsied. The totals for causes of death for all manatees last year are still being compiled.

In years prior, a large portion of manatee deaths were driven by injury, which in some ways was controllable through speed zones and sanctuaries, said Powell with the aquarium. More recently, as a significant portion starve to death, effective solutions are much more difficult to find.

Red Tide, which hit Tampa Bay and the Pinellas coastline hard last summer, is also a contributing factor.

As the crisis continues, the public can help the manatees by donating to local organizations dedicated to saving the animals and by being mindful about their own behaviors, such as safely sharing the waterways when boating, obeying the marine speed limit and staying in deeper water channels.

They could also reduce their the use of fertilizers, pesticides and other chemicals that run off into the waterways and hurt seagrass.

"Little things matter," said Stringfield. "It all adds up."

2022 Tampa Bay Times.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

A gene that causes bacteria to be resistant to one of the world's most important antibiotics, colistin, has been detected in sewer water in Georgia. The presence of the MCR-9 gene is a major concern for public health because it causes antimicrobial resistance, a problem that the World Health Organization has declared "one of the top 10 global public health threats facing humanity."

Researchers from the University of Georgia's Center for Food Safety (CFS) collected sewage water from an urban setting in Georgia to test for the MCR gene in naturally present bacteria. Led by College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences assistant professor Issmat Kassem, whose research focuses on MCR's presence around the world, the team was surprised at how quickly they detected MCRthey found evidence of the gene in the first sample they took.

Kassem said that demonstrates that the gene is becoming established in the U.S.

The bacteria where the gene was found, Morganella morganii, added further concern for Kassem. This marked the first time that MCR was found in M. morganii, which is problematic because it is a bacteria not often tested by researchers. This means that the problem could be considerably more widespread than initially thought.

The spread of MCR in agriculture, imports, travel

It was previously believed that agriculture was a driving factor in the spread of MCR. Nations such as China and India use the colistin antibiotic in livestock. Colistin is considered a "last resort" antibiotic because it can kill infections that other antibiotics cannot. Its frequent use means that some bacteria are becoming resistant to it. This means that if people or animals contract a strain of colistin-resistant bacteria, there are potentially no medications that can treat their infection. They face extreme, invasive health measures and possible death.

Colistin is banned in the U.S. for use in food animals and it was previously thought that this measure would help slow the spread of antimicrobial resistance to colistin in the country. However, MCR can be spread through global travel and the import of foods from other countries. Results of the CFS study prove that the U.S. is no less susceptible to the threat than other nations around the world.

Further complicating the issue is the way that the gene is spread. It transmits in plasmids, which are strands of DNA found inside cells that can replicate on their own, independent of the cell. A plasmid with antimicrobial resistance found in one type of bacteria can transmit to other types of bacteria. This means that bacteria like E. coli and Salmonella that commonly cause outbreaks in humans can potentially carry MCR, turning them from treatable illnesses to potentially deadly infections.

How worried should we be about the MCR-9 gene?

Kassem said that taken all together, the global threat of antimicrobial resistance, the presence of MCR in Georgia, that it was found inside a bacterium that is often overlooked, and that it occurred even without the use of colistin in U.S. agriculture is a serious problem that requires immediate action on the part of many industries including research, healthcare and government to work together toward a solution.

"If we don't tackle it right now, we are jeopardizing human and animal medicine as we know it and that can have huge repercussions on health and the economy," Kassem said. "It's a dangerous problem that requires attention from multiple sectors for us to be able to tackle it properly."

Because of this urgency, findings from the research were printed in short format manuscript out now in the Journal of Global Antimicrobial Resistance. It was funded through a CFS grant and other researchers involved were Jouman Hassan, David Mann, Shaoting Li and Xiangyu Deng.

More information: Jouman Hassan et al, First report of the mobile colistin resistance gene mcr-9.1 in Morganella morganii isolated from sewage in Georgia, USA, Journal of Global Antimicrobial Resistance (2021). Jouman Hassan et al, First report of the mobile colistin resistance gene mcr-9.1 in Morganella morganii isolated from sewage in Georgia, USA,(2021). DOI: 10.1016/j.jgar.2021.11.013
Developing mixed use and mixed income neighbourhoods will help cities recover after the pandemic. Credit: Shutterstock

Cities emerged as the epicenters of the COVID-19 pandemic: roughly 90 percent of COVID-19 infections worldwide were reported in urban settings. And poor urban neighborhoods were hit especially hard.

Researchers frequently attributed the vulnerability of cities to high population density, overcrowding and poor air circulation. The vulnerability of cities during the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need to create sustainable cities that promote health.

Less density, more diversity

As sociologists interested in urban settings, we examined how the physical environment of neighborhoods shaped the spread of COVID-19 in Toronto. Our findings suggest a few things cities should keep in mind as they rebuild following the pandemic.

First, we should create more walkable neighborhoods. COVID-19 spread at a much slower pace in highly walkable neighborhoods. Residents in these neighborhoods can travel shorter distances on wider and better maintained sidewalks, which may reduce their exposure to the COVID-19 virus.

Second, we should reduce the number of overcrowded households. Soaring real estate prices have forced many socio-economically disadvantaged families into overcrowded housing. Space constraints in these housing units may make it more difficult for residents to practice adequate physical distancing. It may have also deprived them of the space necessary to isolate if they contracted the virus. These factors may have increased their risk of contracting COVID-19. Increasing the supply of affordable housing may hold the key to reducing the urban poor's vulnerability to infectious diseases.

To address the pandemic, municipal governments around the world have changed their approaches to urban planning.

Third, we should increase the number of mixed-income housing units and better integrate our neighborhoods. COVID-19 spread much faster in lower-income neighborhoods. Housing affordability may have pushed out disadvantaged families from higher-income neighborhoods and forced them to settle in lower-income areas with fewer amenities.

Displacement and higher density due to limited housing affordability may have increased the concentration of residents who were exposed to the COVID-19 virus. Residents of low-income neighborhoods are more likely than their peers in affluent neighborhoods to live in close proximity to someone with a COVID-19 infection.

Tailored responses

Residents of low-income neighborhoods rely more on neighborhood amenities than their peers in affluent neighborhoods because they have fewer personal resources at their disposal. And even when communities have the same amenities, those in lower-income neighborhoods are more likely to be poorly maintained. For example, lower-income neighborhoods may lack wide and well-maintained sidewalks.

They also have fewer health-promoting amenities, such as grocery stores with fresh produce or high quality health care facilities. Therefore, a neighborhood's physical environment contributes to the spread of COVID-19 differently in lower and higher income neighborhoods.

Our study reveals that population density increased the spread of COVID-19 in low-income neighborhoods, but it lowered the infection rate in high-income neighborhoods. In more affluent neighborhoods, even high-density apartment buildings come with amenities and protectionslike better ventilation systems and additional staff to properly sanitize common areasthat similarly dense buildings in lower-income neighborhoods lack.

Higher population density increased the spread of COVID-19 in low-income neighbourhoods, but lowered the infection rate in more affluent neighbourhoods. Credit: Shutterstock

Similarly, green space mitigates the spread of COVID-19 in lower-income, but not higher-income, neighborhoods. Housing units in low-income neighborhoods are likely smaller, overcrowded, less well-maintained and have poorer ventilation. Residents of low-income neighborhoods may thus face greater difficulty adhering to stay-at-home policies. Large green spaces in such neighborhoods may provide a safe space where residents can get clean air and safely practice social distancing.

Furthermore, neighborhood walkability helps mitigate the spread of COVID-19 more in lower-income neighborhoods than in higher-income neighborhoods. This pattern likely emerges because residents of low-income neighborhoods are less likely than their counterparts in affluent neighborhoods to own cars. They are more likely to rely on public transportation for errands that cannot be completed on foot. For residents of low-income neighborhoods with poor walkability, running errands may require longer trips and making multiple transfers in the public transportation system.

After the pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for us to build sustainable cities that promote health and reduce the vulnerability to infectious diseases among their residents. Future urban planning efforts should not adopt a one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, they should tailor the rebuilding process to meet the diverse needs of residents of lower and higher income neighborhoods.

Specifically, rebuilding efforts should prioritize low-income neighborhoods and remedy their high population density, construct more green spaces and improve their walkability.

Explore further New study on COVID-19 vaccinations in the largest US cities finds stark inequities

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Cars fill up parking spots along Main Street in Cherokee, IA. Credit: ISU Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice

Many academics and journalists have written about rural "brain drain," the migration of talented and bright young people who leave their communities, usually in search of better economic opportunities. But a team of Iowa State University researchers have identified three significant factors that draw people back to their hometowns a decade or two after leaving: public schools, population density and other college-degree-holders in the community.

The researchers' findings, recently published in the academic journal Rural Sociology, reveal college graduates between 34 and 43 years of age were more likely to return to the rural communities where they grew up if they had a strong attachment to their public K-12 schools. Feeling like their teachers cared or that they were part of the school community and had close friends were significant drivers.

When examining high school characteristics, the researchers found the size of the school mattered; participants who attended a high school with more than 350 students were 74% less likely to return home than participants who attended a school with fewer than 125 students.

"We often hear that rural schools aren't as good as their urban counterparts, but here is an example where they are in a unique position to foster strong relationships and a sense of belonging, which can have long-term impacts," said Stephanie Sowl, one of the paper's co-authors and a Ph.D. candidate in higher education at Iowa State.

Sowl and the other ISU researchers also found college graduates between 34 and 43 years of age were more likely to return to the rural communities where they lived as teens if the communities had lower population densities and fewer postsecondary degree holders.

She said a possible explanation is that people felt like they could have a bigger impact in smaller hometowns, whether through volunteering, filling leadership roles or bringing in new ideas.

"When people return to these rural communities, there are not only population benefits and economic benefits, but also an influx of new skills and knowledge," she said.

Sowl said people who return to their hometowns tend to be better positioned to create change and spur development because they already have connections and a better understanding of the community context.

"I think there's power in returning to a place where people know you," said Sowl.

To identify the factors drawing college graduates back to rural communities, the ISU researchers pulled data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, which was designed to follow the health outcomes of youth through adulthood. The study has periodically surveyed and interviewed a national sample of 20,000 participants since the mid-1990s and includes data on community and environmental factors.

The ISU researchers looked at the longitudinal study's first wave of data collected when the participants were in grades 7-12. The third wave provided the researchers with data from those who attended college away from home, and the fifth wave offered insights into college graduates between the ages of 34 and 43.

During their data analysis, the researchers found 23.1% of the college graduates between 34 and 43 years old had returned to the same county where they lived during the first wave of data collection, and for every one unit increase in school attachment, study participants were 66% more likely to return.

"A lot of the previous research on the migration of college graduates looked at people right after earning their degree; our study focuses on people in their mid-30s to early 40s who are going to be more stable and financially secure," said Sowl. "During this life stage, they may also have a shift in priorities that would lead them back to their hometowns."

Older college graduates may be more interested in a safe place to raise their kids, good schools, affordable housing and open space. Other life events, like needing to care for older relatives, divorce or taking over a family farm could also affect this decision to move back.

The researchers emphasized that understanding why people leave rural communities and what promotes their return could help local and state leaders enact targeted strategies to counter "brain drain" and support "brain gain." They said their findings underscore the importance of investing in public K-12 schools and opportunities to foster a sense of belonging in youth. The researchers suggested schools and community partners introduce youth to careers in the area so that they are aware of opportunities later in life.

"Rural communities have a lot of assets that are hidden from the broader public. It's important for all of us to look at those assets and understand how communities can draw people back home to create thriving, more equitable communities," said Sowl.

Assistant Professors of Education Rachel Smith and Michael Brown contributed to the study.

Explore further Researchers conduct research to better understand why young adults choose to move to rural Montana

More information: Stephanie Sowl et al, Rural College Graduates: Who Comes Home?*, Rural Sociology (2021). Stephanie Sowl et al, Rural College Graduates: Who Comes Home?*,(2021). DOI: 10.1111/ruso.12416
Credit: andrzej kryszpiniuk/Unsplash

The ocean is becoming ever more central to our economies. Around 80% of internationally traded goods are transported by sea, and even brief blockages cause panic in global markets. Fishing remains big business, but in the 21st-century fish farming is even bigger.

Most fossil fuel discoveries this century have happened offshore, and offshore wind or wave power will be key to the green transition. As minerals vital to hi-tech industries become scarce on dry land, companies are eyeing the vast mineral wealth of the deep seabed instead.

All these trends contribute to what social scientists have called the "blue acceleration"a trajectory towards a more intense reliance on the ocean and its resources.

The ocean is also key to human cultures and our individual health and wellbeing. Most of the world's large cities, and many of our towns, lie close to the coast. For their inhabitants, the ocean can be an important source of harmony and tranquility against a backdrop of busy lives. Psychologists and health professionals are coming to realize the many ways in which exposure to water is good for us. This is one reason why the protectionand even regenerationof seas and rivers is so important.

The missing politics of the ocean

Despite all this, the ocean is barely present in everyday political life. There are exceptions: fishing rights in the English Channel and North Sea has been a flash point in Britain's post-Brexit relationship with the EU. But the ocean has never achieved the prominence within political debate that its centrality to our economies and societies merits. Remarkably few of the world's governments contain ministries of the ocean (South Korea and Canada are rare exceptions). Political parties rarely campaign on ocean-related issues, and seldom give the fate of the world's largest ecosystem pride of place within their campaigns and manifestos.

This is not to say that there is no ocean politics. To the contrary, the ocean is governed by an extensive and evolving body of international law, and a number of international organizations and agreements exercise authority over the sea's resources and spaces. These rules and institutions help shape the emerging ocean economy, and offer some degree of protection to the marine environment.

But there is no democratic politics of the ocean. Ordinary citizens are rarely consulted about ocean governanceand this means that the voice of big business often goes unchallenged. Almost half of all revenues from the ocean economy go to just ten corporations.

Fragile ecosystems are in crisis as a result of their dominance. Companies are pushing to be allowed to mine the deep seabed, even though there are serious concerns about the environmental impacts. If the ocean is going to be a space of justice and equality, and if its precious ecosystems are going to be adequately protected, this will not happen by accident. It will require a revitalized and democratic politics of the ocean.

What would a ministry for the ocean actually do?

A ministry for the ocean would help keep the future of the ocean at the forefront of political life, ensuring that impacts on the ocean are considered whenever important decisions are made. Rather than acting as an advocate for major fishing corporations or oil and gas companies looking to explore for still more unburnable carbon, a minister for the ocean should aim to protect marine ecosystems and promote sustainable marine industries.

Such a minister might lobby to prevent industrial agriculture dumping pollution in our coastal areas, spurring the growth of "dead zones". They might begin by arguing that government should direct tax breaks away from offshore oil and gas, and towards eco-friendly and community-controlled industries such as seaweed aquaculture and mussel farming, a much greener alternative to farming salmon. A good next step would to be reiterate the case for banning destructive activities such as bottom trawling from our seas.

By giving a minister for the ocean a seat in the cabinet, governments would send a powerful signal about the coming blue century, and put a clear vision for a sustainable ocean economy and flourishing marine ecosystems at the heart of their work. Over time, parties could include plans for ocean protection in their election manifestos, so that voters can judge them on their plans and on their past records. The mainstreaming of ocean governance in our wider politics is long overdue. The ocean is much too central to our planetary future for it to be relegated to the sidelines.

Explore further Video: Keeping an eye on ocean plastic pollution from space

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Credit: University of California Press

A new book, " In Too Deep " (University of California Press, $29.95, 268 pages) from Rice University sociologist Rachel Tolbert Kimbro, dean of the School of Social Sciences, explores the lives of a group of mothers in a small Houston neighborhood that has been repeatedly rocked by catastrophic floodingthe 2015 Memorial Day flood, the 2016 Tax Day flood and Hurricane Harvey. It also looks at how climate changeand the catastrophic events it can causeaffects them and their children.

After floodwaters recede, these mothers face the most difficult of choices: stay in a flood-prone neighborhood and get ready for the next storm, or uproot their families from the only place that feels like home.

In her interviews with 36 mothersall of whose homes in the Bayou Oaks neighborhood flooded during Hurricane HarveyKimbro found that despite the risks, almost all of them still believe it is the only place for them to live. But why?

Their decision comes down to a number of social, emotional and educational issues, Kimbro said. First, they want their kids to stay in their neighborhood school, which was carefully selected based on a number of important factors.

"They're very attached to this school, and want their kids to continue attending," Kimbro said. "This is a huge reason they don't want to move. This is a group of mostly progressive, urban women who want to live in a good neighborhood that's not in the suburbs and send their children to a school with a diverse group of students."

Kimbro said the mothers are determined to stay in their neighborhood no matter how much it costs to repair and renovate their homeslargely because of the bonds they've forged through hardship.

"People on the outside might look at these women and their situation and say, "That doesn't make any sense. Why would you spend that money on lifting your house when you could just go buy in a different neighborhood that doesn't flood?'" Kimbro said. "I asked the women this very question, and it comes down to their community. They're very connected to these people. They lived through this really tough thing together and that has made their bonds very strong."

Kimbro said these connections are especially important because many of them are working mothers who shoulder much of the burden of child care, household labor and renovations following floods.

"The book really demonstrates how the load mothers carry can become unbearable after a disaster, as they try to protect their children from lingering harm and restore their homes and community," she said.

Explore further More children living in high-poverty neighborhoods following Great Recession
The body of Damari Perry was partially charred, indicating someone tried to burn the childs body after he died, the Lake County, Indiana, coroners office reported Tuesday.

The coroners office issued a statement saying its preliminary finding was that the North Chicago boy died from hypothermia, a finding in line with Lake County, Illinois, authorities who said the boy was subjected to a forced cold shower by his family that caused his death. However, they had not disclosed the evidence of burns.

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The decedent was found naked and wrapped in a plastic trash bag and partially charred, the Indiana coroners office said.

The child also showed scattered signs of possible bruising on his leg, the coroner said. The burns happened after the child was dead, the pathologist reported.

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Meanwhile, the boys mother, who is charged in connection with her young sons death, remained hospitalized Tuesday, while her oldest son had a public defender appointed to represent him on charges that he played a role in the case.

Jannie M. Perry, 38, remained in police custody while she is hospitalized with an undisclosed illness, authorities said. North Chicago police said this week that they do not have a timetable for her release. After she is discharged, Perry will appear in Lake County bond court, where bail will be set on a charge of first-degree murder in connection with the death of her son, Damari.

Authorities say the child died a day before his sixth birthday on Dec. 29, when a family member forced him to stand in a cold shower for an undisclosed amount of time as a punishment for misbehavior. He vomited and became unresponsive before he died, authorities said, and Jannie Perry and two of her other children are charged with concealing a homicidal death for leaving Damaris body near an abandoned house in Gary, Indiana.

Her oldest son, Jeremiah, 20, did appear in court Tuesday, where Lake County Judge Paul Novak appointed a public defender to represent him on battery and the concealment charges related to Damaris death.

No other details of the alleged crime were disclosed during the brief hearing. Perry remains jailed in lieu of $3 million bail, and the judge set his next court date for Feb. 1.

Another of Perrys children, a 17-year-old, has been charged as a juvenile in connection with Damaris death.

Police said the family had reported Damari missing Jan. 5 and told authorities they believed he may have been in Skokie. Investigators, though, said that story was false and took Jannie Perry and two of her children into custody Friday night.

North Chicago police and FBI agents, aided by Indiana authorities, recovered the childs body Saturday near an abandoned house in Gary. North Chicago Police Chief Lazaro Perez said Monday that there is no known connection between the Perry family and the location in the 700 block of Van Buren Street where the body was found.

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While she was in custody Saturday afternoon, Jannie Perry complained of illness and was taken to the hospital, police said.

Illinois Department of Children and Family Services officials said this week that Jannie Perry lost custody of her children in 2014 following a domestic violence complaint. When Damari was born in late 2015, he, too, joined his six siblings in foster care, DCFS said, before Perry regained custody in 2017.

DCFS investigated a complaint involving Damari last year, but determined that the complaint was unfounded, a department spokesman said Monday.
Credit: University College Dublin

An archaeological site in Dublin with an unusually large collection of cattle remains could potentially change the understanding of beef and cattle herding in Middle Neolithic Ireland and Europe.

Data collected from the N2 Kilshane excavation in north county Dublin near Finglas by researchers from the UCD School of Archaeology and Queen's University Belfast suggests that the multipurpose use of cattle for milk, meat and as draft animals was far more complex in later 4th millennium BC Atlantic Europe than previously thought.

The remains of at least 58 individual cattle were recovered from the ditches of an enclosure excavated at Kilshane dating back some 5,500 years, and the site is one of the few with large faunal assemblages to be unearthed in Ireland.

Cattle are widely recognized as having important economic, social, symbolic and religious roles in Neolithic communities in Europe, and it has long been assumed that cattle in Neolithic Ireland had similar important roles.

However the absence of large faunal assemblages like the one found at Kilshane has, to date, precluded direct comparison with the rest of Europe, where the special status of cattle was strongly expressed by feasting and commensality.

Dr. Fabienne Pigiere, zooarchaeologist in the UCD School of Archaeology, who led the study, stressed the unusual character of this osteological assemblage compared to feasting remains from other sites: "Unlike contemporary British or continental sites, the Kilshane assemblage is nearly fully composed of cattle remains. Its analysis shows the importance of sharing meat during this special gathering event and also allows us to investigate the husbandry economy of the Neolithic communities who exploited cattle for milk and as working beasts for traction."

The kill-off pattern found on the bones at Kilshane indicate that the bulk of the cattle killed were of an optimum age for meat production, at around two and a half years.

Another small group of individuals aged over three years were also slaughtered; likely having been kept for milk production or breeding stock, and to be used as draft animals.

The numerous females identified in the Kilshane assemblage also confirms the importance of milk production in the husbandry economy of Middle Neolithic Ireland.

Similar kill-off patterns, indicating a focus on milk and meat production, have been recorded at Neolithic and Bronze Age sites in the UK and North-Western Europe.

The unusual predominance of cattle, the lack of bones broken to collect marrow, and the high number of cattle killed at the optimum age for meat production suggest feasting practices, according to the paper's findings published in the Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports.

"This cattle assemblage is providing key insights into prehistoric farming in Ireland, and Europe, right at the time that passage tombs are starting to be constructed. It's giving us a real sense of the communities behind these monuments and how they supported themselves," said Dr. Jessica Smyth, Lecturer in the UCD School of Archaeology.

The discovery at Kilshane not only has implications for understanding how the economy of the communities of Neolithic Ireland functioned, but the larger role that cattle husbandry played in their social, symbolic and religious activities.

This recent research carried out at Kilshane was undertaken as part of the IRC Laureate "Passage Tomb People' project, building on earlier post-excavation analysis funded by Transport Infrastructure Ireland.

"We are delighted to see further research emanating from the exceptional faunal assemblage discovered on the N2 Kilshane excavation," said Mary Deevy, Senior Archaeologist with Transport Infrastructure Ireland.

Explore further Isotopes in prehistoric cattle teeth suggest herding strategies used during the Neolithic

More information: Fabienne Pigiere et al, More than meat? Examining cattle slaughter, feasting and deposition in later 4th millennium BC Atlantic Europe: A case study from Kilshane, Ireland, Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports (2022). Fabienne Pigiere et al, More than meat? Examining cattle slaughter, feasting and deposition in later 4th millennium BC Atlantic Europe: A case study from Kilshane, Ireland,(2022). DOI: 10.1016/j.jasrep.2021.103312
A coyote in Yosemite National Park, California, USA. Credit: Christopher Bruno/Wikipeida

On a recent morning with wind chills below zero, at a Cook County, Illinois, forest preserve, a coyote paced back and forth inside a cage, turning tight figures eights, peering out through the wires. With sharp teeth and quick movements, the animal looked ready to hunt. But animal experts agree, he probably can't survive on his own in the wild.

Before he opened his eyes as a pup, forest preserve officials said, this coyote was found in Tennessee by people who took him for an abandoned dog and brought him to a domestic animal shelter. He was kept there for three weeks, socialized and trained to be adopted like a pet.

When the operators realized he was a coyote, he was placed with an animal rehabilitator for several weeks, who concluded he'd been imprinted by humans. That means he had no fear of people, and was dependent on them for survival and socialization.

Eventually, the coyote was placed with the Forest Preserve District, spokesman Carl Vogel said. Since August 2018, he's been kept in a metal enclosure at the River Trail Nature Center in Northbrook, where Vogel said he gets expert care.

Some people are trying to change that. About 1,800 people signed a Change.org petition to move the coyote to a more natural habitat at an out-of-state animal sanctuary. The effort was led by animal lover Nicole Milan, who was disturbed to come across the caged coyote while on a hike late last year.

Other animals kept in captivity at the nature center, like a Swainson's hawk or a red-tailed hawk, have been physically injured, having lost an eye or a wing. The coyote, however, is physically healthy.

"I was flabbergasted," Milan said. "It's cruel and barbaric to keep a wild animal in solitude in such an unnatural, tiny cage. You wouldn't leave a dog alone like that in a cage."

Milan, who runs her own consulting company, calls the coyote Rocky, after the movie boxer. She asked forest preserve officials about its conditions, and was told the outdoor cage, roughly 10 by 22 feet, meets U.S. Department of Agriculture standards, and that the coyote gets regular veterinary care. She offered to pay for a larger enclosure but was turned down.

Going further, Milan contacted the Wild Animal Sanctuary outside Keenesburg, Colorado, 30 miles northeast of Denver, which operates almost 800 acres of refuge land for captive wild animals. It is state and federally licensed, and is home to more than 550 large carnivores separated by species, including lions, tigers, bears and coyotes.

Most of the sanctuary's animals come from illegal roadside zoos or other private owners. The facility saved many of the big cats featured on the viral cable television documentary "Tiger King," which were transferred there on authority of the U.S. Department of Justice, founder and Executive Director Pat Craig said.

The sanctuary offered to take care of Rocky in large, outdoor, fenced-off enclosures, where after being evaluated and acclimated, he might live with other coyotes for socialization, pursue natural behaviors such as running and playing, and be fed.

Normally, according to the Urban Coyote Research Project, in which the Forest Preserve District participates, wild coyotes spend more than a quarter of their lives hunting and traveling, often in open areas such as prairies. They often live in packs and have a highly organized social system.

After being hunted and trapped to the point where they were considered wiped out from the area, along with wolves, in the 1800s, coyotes have since made a comeback, with thousands living in the metropolitan area.

Solitary coyotes travel large distances, covering up to 60 square miles across different towns and even states. In captivity, they typically live 13 to 15 years.

Milan sent the forest preserve a letter in mid-December proposing to move Rocky. She was told officials would get back to her by Jan. 22.

A friend, animal law attorney Cherie Travis, supported Milan's efforts, calling the coyote's captivity "cringeworthy." While the forest preserve nature center is 60 years old, advocates note that zoos and animal sanctuaries have evolved in recent decades to provide larger, more natural settings for the animals' welfare, and to build public appreciation for natural habitat.

Vogel, the district spokesman, said the coyote is well cared for, and serves an educational purpose for visitors, with feeding demonstrations and talks educating visitors on the native animals. Some visitors, including schoolchildren from Chicago, may never see a coyote in the wild.

"These ambassador animals play an important role, to teach the public what kind of animals live here, and how the public can support and protect native animals, so they're really doing something important," he said.

Milan has been reaching out to forest preserve board members for help and plans to attend the forest preserve board virtual meeting set for Tuesday, though Vogel said such situations typically are handled by staff members. Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle's office did not immediately respond to questions about what to do with the animal.

Milan was unconvinced by the district's educational claims, saying the cage only shows how to treat animals cruelly.

"It's only teaching children it's OK to hold wild animals captive," she said.

The forest preserve board is expected to discuss the matter at its meeting Tuesday, after hearing comments from the public and a presentation from the forest preserve staff.

In Cook County, commissioners serve on both the county board and the forest preserve board. Preckwinkle's office issued a statement committing to protecting animals but supporting the status quo.

"All Forest Preserves ambassador animals serve an important role in helping connect Cook County residents to nature while having their needs for shelter, food and medical care met. This is the charge of the nature centers' staff and the wildlife experts responsible for these animals, and we are confident that every possible step is being taken to ensure the same for the coyote at River Trail Nature Center."

County board and forest preserve Commissioner Scott Britton, in whose district the nature center is located, said he will listen to all sides. He said the staff let him in the coyote's outer cage Thursday to see its attachment to humans. Naturalists indicated to him their thought that the animal would not be able to socialize with other coyotes, and that they'd prefer to keep it for educational purposes.

Britton said he might consider a compromise in which the district could seek funds to provide a better enclosure for the animal.

"I'm looking to do what's best for this coyote," he said. "We need to have a longer conversation and figure out what's best."

Commissioner Larry Suffredin called the situation a learning opportunity. He's nervous about transferring the animal out of state into a new setting but suggested having a third-party veterinarian look at the coyote and suggest options.

"Whatever we advocate for, it has to solve a problem," he said.

The forest preserve mission is to protect open space, "with all of its associated wildlife, in a natural state for the education, pleasure and recreation of the public " It says nothing about keeping animals captive.

Brookfield Zoo, partially funded by the forest preserve and located on forest preserve land, has habitats built for wild animals, but zoos don't typically house common local animals like coyotes.

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2022 Chicago Tribune.

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Pristimantis gretathunbergae. Credit: Pensoft Publishers

In 2018, Rainforest Trust celebrated its 30th anniversary by hosting an auction offering naming rights for some new-to-science species. The funds raised at the auction benefited the conservation of the newly recognized species. It is estimated that about 100 new species are discovered each year.

The scientific article officially describing and naming the new species, Pristimantis gretathunbergae, was published in Pensoft's scientific journal ZooKeys.

The international team that discovered the new rainfrog was led by Abel Batista, Ph.D. (Panama) and Konrad Mebert, Ph.D. (Switzerland). The two have collaborated for 10 years in Panama and have published eight scientific articles together and described 12 new species.

The team found the frog on Mount Chucanti, a sky island surrounded by lowland tropical rainforest in eastern Panama. Reaching its habitat in the cloud forest required access via horseback through muddy trails, hiking up steep slopes, by-passing two helicopters that crashed decades ago, and camping above 1000 m elevation. The Chucanti reserve was established by the Panamanian conservation organization ADOPTA with support from Rainforest Trust.

The Greta Thunberg rainfrog exhibits distinctive black eyesunique for Central American rainfrogs. Its closest relatives inhabit northwestern Colombia. Unfortunately, the frog's remaining habitat is severely fragmented and highly threatened by rapid deforestation for plantations and cattle pasture. The Chucanti Reserve where the frog was first found is part of a growing network of natural parks and preserves championed by the Panamanian Government.

Pristimantis gretathunbergae. Credit: Pensoft Publishers

Pristimantis gretathunbergae. Credit: Pensoft Publishers

The Rainforest Trust auction winner wanted to name the frog in honor of Greta Thunberg and her work in highlighting the urgency in preventing climate change. Her "School Strike for Climate" outside the Swedish parliament has inspired students worldwide to carry out similar strikes called Fridays for Future. She has impressed global leaders and her work is drawing others to action for the climate.

The plight of the Greta Thunberg rainfrog is closely linked to climate warming, as rising temperatures would destroy its small mountain habitat. The Mount Chucanti region already has lost more than 30% of its forest cover over the past 10 years. Deadly chytrid fungus pose additional threats for its amphibians. Conservation of the remaining habitat is critical to ensure the survival of the frog. The important work in Panama by ADOPTA and Rainforest Trust globally to protect rainforests is critical to the survival of this frog and many other endangered species.

Explore further New frog species 'hopping' into protection

More information: Konrad Mebert et al, A new rainfrog of the genus Pristimantis (Anura, Brachycephaloidea) from central and eastern Panama, ZooKeys (2022). Journal information: ZooKeys Konrad Mebert et al, A new rainfrog of the genus Pristimantis (Anura, Brachycephaloidea) from central and eastern Panama,(2022). DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1081.63009
Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

Record-breaking, persistent, and sometimes heavy precipitation fell throughout the Yangtze River Valley (YRV) during June-July 2020. According to Prof. Tim Li, an Atmospheric Scientist at the School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, the summer of 2020 was the wettest in the YRV since 1979. Prof. Li, along with climatologists from Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology and National Climate Center, China, conducted extensive research on 2020's extreme summer rainfall, just publishing their findings in Advances of Atmospheric Sciences.

Setting out to find the underlying cause of the strong 2020 YRV flood, researchers gained a better understanding of subseasonal and synoptic variabilities within the YRV. They hope that their data will lead to improved forecasting skill before and during monsoon season. To begin their analysis, Prof. Li noted that summer 2020 was preceded by a moderate central Pacific El Nino.

"Previous studies pointed out that on an inter-annual scale, YRV flooding often occurs during the decaying summer of a super El Nino." said Dr. Li. "On the subseasonal scale, the Meiyu rainbelt usually progresses northward from South to North China."

Results of the new research show that the main cause of 2020's extreme YRV rainfall was an unusual, persistent, and extremely strong western North Pacific anticyclone (WNPAC) south of the typical summer Meiyu front. This, alongside a subseasonal northeasterly flow north of the front from Northeast Asia (NEA) caused the front to swing north and south more frequently than an average summer.

Additionally, a La Nina-like SST anomaly (SSTA) in the equatorial Pacific and a warm SSTA in the tropical Indian Ocean maintained the exceptionally strong WNPAC. A fast phase transition from the previous season's El Nino, likely caused the La Nina-like SSTAs, while the latter arose from a combination of a year-to-year and an interdecadal global warming trend component.

"To better improve seasonal and extended-range forecast skill, one needs to consider the impact of the interdecadal component, interannual anomalies, El Nino evolution diversity, and the modulation of the synoptic-scale variability by the subseasonal modes." noted Prof. Li.

Furthermore, the persistent unusual northeasterly flow in NEA was part of a Rossby wave train in the mid-latitudes, driven by combined heating anomalies throughout India, the tropical eastern Pacific, and the tropical Atlantic.

Finally, researchers attributed the Meiyu front's frequent latitudinal swings to both the subseasonal and synoptic-scale motions in the region. These influences mentioned throughout the study increased the interannual background mean moisture, which increased rainfall variability and intensity during summer 2020.

"This study motivates us to consider a new strategy for subseasonal and seasonal predictions." said Prof. Li. "The fast transition of El Nino in earlier 2020 was possibly caused by the teleconnections from other ocean basins such as the tropical Atlantic and Indian Ocean."

Dr. Li also mentioned that inter-basin teleconnections have become a recent hot topic in the climate science community, suggesting a new area for further research.

Explore further The dynamics behind the exceptional summer 2020 Yangtze River rainfall projections

More information: Liudan Ding et al, Subseasonal and Synoptic Variabilities of Precipitation over the Yangtze River Basin in the Summer of 2020, Advances in Atmospheric Sciences (2021). Journal information: Advances in Atmospheric Sciences Liudan Ding et al, Subseasonal and Synoptic Variabilities of Precipitation over the Yangtze River Basin in the Summer of 2020,(2021). DOI: 10.1007/s00376-021-1133-8
This protein drives key processes for sulfide use in many microorganisms that produce methane, including Thermosipho melanesiensis. Researchers used supercomputing and deep learning tools to predict its structure, which has eluded experimental methods such as crystallography. Credit: Ada Sedova/ORNL, U.S. Dept. of Energy

A team of scientists led by the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the Georgia Institute of Technology is using supercomputing and revolutionary deep learning tools to predict the structures and roles of thousands of proteins with unknown functions.

Their deep learning-driven approaches infer protein structure and function from DNA sequences, accelerating new discoveries that could inform advances in biotechnology, biosecurity, bioenergy and solutions for environmental pollution and climate change.

Researchers are using the Summit supercomputer at ORNL and tools developed by Google's DeepMind and Georgia Tech to speed the accurate identification of protein structures and functions across the entire genomes of organisms. The team recently published details of the high-performance computing toolkit and its deployment on Summit.

These powerful computational tools are a significant leap toward resolving a grand challenge in biology: translating genetic code into meaningful functions.

Proteins are a key component of solving this challenge. They are also central to resolving many scientific questions about the health of humans, ecosystems and the planet. As the workhorses of the cell, proteins drive nearly every process necessary for lifefrom metabolism to immune defense to communication between cells.

"Structure determines function" is the adage when it comes to proteins; their complex 3D shapes guide how they interact with other proteins to do the work of the cell. Understanding a protein's structure and function based on lengthy strings of nucleotideswritten as the letters A, C, T and Gthat make up DNA has long been a bottleneck in the life sciences as researchers relied on educated guesses and painstaking laboratory experiments to validate structures.

With advances in DNA sequencing technology, data are available for about 350 million protein sequencesa number that continues to climb. Because of the need for extensive experimental work to determine three dimensional structures, scientists have only solved the structures for about 170,000 of those proteins. This is a tremendous gap.

"We're now dealing with the amount of data that astrophysicists deal with, all because of the genome sequencing revolution," said ORNL researcher Ada Sedova. "We want to be able to use high-performance computing to take that sequencing data and come up with useful inferences to narrow the field for experiments. We want to quickly answer questions such as 'what does this protein do, and how does it affect the cell? How can we harness proteins to achieve goals such as making needed chemicals, medicines and sustainable fuels, or to engineer organisms that can help mitigate the effects of climate change?'"

The research team is focusing on organisms critical to DOE missions. They have modeled the full proteomesall the proteins coded in an organism's genomefor four microbes, each with approximately 5,000 proteins. Two of these microbes have been found to generate important materials for manufacturing plastics. The other two are known to break down and transform metals. The structural data can inform new advances in synthetic biology and strategies to reduce the spread of contaminants such as mercury in the environment.

The team also generated models of the 24,000 proteins at work in sphagnum moss. Sphagnum plays a critical role in storing vast amounts of carbon in peat bogs, which hold more carbon than all the world's forests. These data can help scientists pinpoint which genes are most important in enhancing sphagnum's ability to sequester carbon and withstand climate change.

Speeding scientific discovery

In search of the genes that enable sphagnum moss to tolerate rising temperatures, ORNL scientists start by comparing its DNA sequences to the model organism Arabidopsis, a thoroughly investigated plant species in the mustard family.

"Sphagnum moss is about 515 million years diverged from that model," said Bryan Piatkowski, a biologist and ORNL Liane B. Russell Fellow. "Even for plants more closely related to Arabidopsis, we don't have a lot of empirical evidence for how these proteins behave. There is only so much we can infer about function from comparing the nucleotide sequences with the model."

Being able to see the structures of proteins adds another layer that can help scientists home in on the most promising gene candidates for experiments.

Piatkowski, for instance, has been studying moss populations from Maine to Florida with the aim of identifying differences in their genes that could be adaptive to climate. He has a long list of genes that might regulate heat tolerance. Some of the gene sequences are only different by one nucleotide, or in the language of the genetic code, by a single letter.

"These protein structures will help us look for whether these nucleotide changes cause changes to the protein function and if so, how? Do those protein changes end up helping plants survive in extreme temperatures?" Piatkowski said.

Looking for similarities in sequences to determine function is only part of the challenge. DNA sequences are translated into the amino acids that make up proteins. Through evolution, some of the sequences can mutate over time, replacing one amino acid with another that has similar properties. These changes do not always cause differences in function.

"You could have proteins with very different sequencesless than 20% sequence matchand get the same structure and possibly the same function," Sedova said. "Computational tools that only compare sequences can fail to find two proteins with very similar structures."

Until recently, scientists have not had tools that can reliably predict protein structure based on genetic sequences. Applying these new deep learning tools is a game changer.

Though protein structure and function will still need confirmation via physical experiments and methods such as X-ray crystallography, deep learning is shifting the paradigm by quickly narrowing the vast field of candidate genes to the most interesting few for further study.

Revolutionary tools

One of the tools in the deep learning pipeline is called Sequence Alignments from deep-Learning of Structural Alignments, or SAdLSA. Developed by collaborators Mu Gao and Jeffrey Skolnick at Georgia Tech, the computational tool is trained in a similar way as other deep learning models that predict protein structure. SAdLSA has the capability to compare sequences by implicitly understanding the protein structure, even if the sequences only share 10% similarity.

"SAdLSA can detect distantly related proteins that may or may not have the same function," said Jerry Parks, ORNL computational chemist and group leader. "Combine that with AlphaFold, which provides a 3D structural model of the protein, and you can analyze the active site to determine which amino acids are doing the chemistry and how they contribute to the function."

DeepMind's tool, AlphaFold 2, demonstrated accuracy approaching that of X-ray crystallography in determining the structures of unknown proteins in the 2020 Critical Assessment of protein Structure Prediction, or CASP, competition. In this worldwide biennial experiment, organizers use unpublished protein structures that have been solved and validated to gauge the success of state-of-the-art software programs in predicting protein structure.

AlphaFold 2 is the first and only program to achieve this level of accuracy since CASP began in 1994. As a bonus, it can also predict protein-protein interactions. This is important as proteins rarely work in isolation.

"I've used AlphaFold to generate models of protein complexes, and it works phenomenally well," Parks said. "It predicts not only the structure of the individual proteins but also how they interact with each other."

With AlphaFold's success, the European Bioinformatics Institute, or EBI, has partnered with them to model over 100 million proteinsstarting with model organisms and those with applications for medicine and human health.

ORNL researchers and their collaborators are complementing EBI's efforts by focusing on organisms that are critical to DOE missions. They are working to make the toolkit available to other users on Summit and to share the thousands of protein structures they've modeled as downloadable datasets to facilitate science.

"This is a technology that is difficult for many research groups to just spin up," Sedova said. "We hope to make it more accessible now that we've formatted it for Summit."

Using AlphaFold 2, with its many software modules and 1.5 terabyte database, requires significant amounts of memory and many powerful parallel processing units. Running it on Summit was a multi-step process that required a team of experts at the Oak Ridge Leadership Computing Facility, a DOE Office of Science user facility.

ORNL's Ryan Prout, Subil Abraham, Nicholas Quentin Haas, Wael Elwasif and Mark Coletti were critical to the implementation process, which relied in part on a unique capability called a Singularity container that was originally developed by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Mu Gao contributed by deconstructing DeepMind's AlphaFold 2 workflow so it could make efficient use of the OLCF resources, including Summit and the Andes system.

The work will evolve as the tools change, including the advancement to exascale computing with the Frontier system being built at ORNL, expected to exceed a quintillion, or 1018, calculations per second. Sedova is excited about the possibilities.

"With these kinds of tools in our tool belt that are both structure-based and deep learning-based, this resource can help give us information about these proteins of unknown functionsequences that have no matches to other sequences in the entire repository of known proteins," Sedova said. "This unlocks a lot of new knowledge and potential to address national priorities through bioengineering. For instance, there are potentially many enzymes with useful functions that have not yet been discovered."

More information: Mu Gao et al, High-Performance Deep Learning Toolbox for Genome-Scale Prediction of Protein Structure and Function, 2021 IEEE/ACM Workshop on Machine Learning in High Performance Computing Environments (MLHPC) (2021). Mu Gao et al, High-Performance Deep Learning Toolbox for Genome-Scale Prediction of Protein Structure and Function,(2021). DOI: 10.1109/MLHPC54614.2021.00010
ESAs Earth Explorer FLEX mission will yield information about the health of the worlds plants by measuring a faint florescence glow they give off as they photosynthesise. Importantly, the signal, which is invisible to the naked eye, varies according to environmental conditions and the health of the plant  and, therefore, if measured, can be used to assess plant health and stress. Credit: Thales Alenia Space

A contract signed with Arianespace secures the joint launch for two satellites that will further knowledge of our home planet. Scheduled to lift off on a new class of rocket, ESA's Vega-C, from Europe's Spaceport in mid-2025, FLEX will yield new information about the health of the world's plants and Altius will deliver profiles of ozone and other trace gases in the upper atmosphere to support services such as weather forecasting.

The contract was signed by ESA's Acting Director of Earth Observation Programmes, Toni Tolker-Nielsen, ESA's Director of Space Transportation, Daniel Neuenschwander, and CEO at Arianespace, Stephane Israel.

Both satellite missions are set to bring significant benefits to both science and society.

FLEX is an Earth Explorer research mission. Earth Explorers, which are pivotal to ESA's FutureEO program, are built to show how pioneering space technology can return novel information about how our planet works as a system and to better understand our rapidly changing world.

Although essentially built for science, many of these missions also deliver information that has direct practical uses. Moreover, once the technology and applications have been proven, Earth Explorers, importantly, provide the sound heritage for future satellite missions designed to provide systematic data for services that benefit daily life.

FLEX will help address one of our biggest challenges: understanding the health of Earth's vegetation, which is critical to improve food security.

The planet's growing global population is placing mounting pressure on the production of food, animal feed, biological fuels and pharmaceutical products. It is estimated that there will have to be more than a 50% increase in agricultural production by 2050 to meet demand. Understanding plant health and productivity is therefore essential to managing resources.

Although photosynthesis is one of the most fundamental processes on the planet, it has not been possible to measure it directly on large spatial scales. However, when plants photosynthesise, they emit a faint fluorescent glow.

This glow is invisible to the naked eye, but, remarkably, it can be measured from space. Carrying a novel instrument called the Fluorescence Imaging Spectrometer, FLEX will measure this fluorescent signal to shed new light on the functioning of our vegetation. The information will be used to assess the functioning, health and stress of plants.

The Atmospheric Limb Tracker for Investigation of the Upcoming Stratosphere, Altius, mission will deliver high-resolution profiles of stratospheric ozone and other atmospheric trace gases. Credit: QinetiQ Space

Altius is a smaller class satellite, but it will fill a very important gap in the continuation of 'limb' measurements for atmospheric science. It is being developed within ESA's Earth Watch program and financed mainly by Belgium with contributions from Canada, Luxembourg and Romania.

This new mission is being built to deliver vertical profiles of ozone and other atmospheric gases.

While the ozone hole over Antarctica has been recovering in recent years, it is still a serious concern. And, needless to say, the understanding and monitoring of Earth's atmosphere, with the rise in greenhouse gases that fuel climate change, is one of the most serious environmental issues humankind is currently facing.

Carrying an instrument that images in the ultraviolet, visible and near-infrared channels, the Atmospheric Limb Tracker for Investigation of the Upcoming Stratosphere, or Altius for short, will measure both stratospheric ozone and other atmospheric trace gases such as nitrogen dioxide and aerosols that affect air quality.

As its name suggests, Altius will not look straight down on Earth, but will observe the atmosphere along Earth's horizon. The 'limb-sounding' technique allows trace gases such as ozone to be profiled so that concentrations can be seen at different altitudes with high vertical resolution.

The contract, now signed with Arianespace, ensures passage into space for these precious satellite missions from Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana.

Both will be taken into orbit on ESA's new Vega-C rocket. Building on the current Vega class, the first Vega-C will first take to the skies in 2022.

Vega-C is more powerful than its predecessor and is capable of a wide range of mission types. It is a single body rocket about 35 m high with a mass at liftoff of 210 metric tons. It is able to place about 2,200 kg in a reference 700 km-polar orbit, meeting the needs of European institutions and industry.

While the contract to launch FLEX and Altius assumes they will be launched on the same rocket in mid-2025, there is provision for alternative shared launches should there be a drift in the timing of their relative development processes.

Explore further Europe's Vega rocket blasts off with Airbus observation satellite
Veterinarians diagnose and treat an exhausted young male brown bear named Ada at the center, for Rehabilitation of Protected Animals in Przemysl, Poland, on Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022. The bear was spotted Monday wobbling alone in the cold, snowy forest in southeastern Poland, with wolf tracks and blood spots nearby, while no sight of his mother. He remains in life-threating condition with neurological symptoms. Credit: Rehabilitation of Protected Animals via AP

A veterinarian said Tuesday that a brown bear cub found exhausted in snowy woods in southeastern Poland is improving but remains in life-threatening condition.

In a "good sign," the young male named Ada had eaten two meals by Tuesday morning, after he was given medication and put in a warm hut, said the veterinarian caring for him, Jakub Kotowicz.

"But he is in serious condition with advanced neurological symptoms persisting," Kotowicz, deputy head of the veterinary center in Przemysl, southeastern Poland, told The Associated Press.

It could be from exhaustion, from some infection of the nervous system or from parasites. Ada is undergoing very detailed examination and diagnostics, Kotowicz said.

The cub, apparently born in the spring of 2021, was spotted by a forester on Monday wobbling alone in snow near a creek.

There were wolf tracks nearby and some blood spots, but no sign of his mother. Local forestry authorities decided he should be caught and taken to the Center for Rehabilitation of Protected Animals in Przemysl, spokesman for local foresters, Maciej Szpiech, said.

Szpiech said the aim is to eventually release the cub back into nature.

In 2016, the center saved a young female bear that was later sent to a zoo in Poznan, western Poland.

Brown bears are rare in Poland and are strictly protected, numbering no more than some 100 animals.

Veterinarians diagnose and treat an exhausted young male brown bear named Ada at the center, for Rehabilitation of Protected Animals in Przemysl, Poland, on Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022. The bear was spotted Monday wobbling alone in the cold, snowy forest in southeastern Poland, with wolf tracks and blood spots nearby, while no sight of his mother. He remains in life-threating condition with neurological symptoms. Credit: Rehabilitation of Protected Animals via AP

Veterinarians diagnose and treat an exhausted young male brown bear named Ada at the center, for Rehabilitation of Protected Animals in Przemysl, Poland, on Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022. The bear was spotted Monday wobbling alone in the cold, snowy forest in southeastern Poland, with wolf tracks and blood spots nearby, while no sight of his mother. He remains in life-threating condition with neurological symptoms. Credit: Rehabilitation of Protected Animals via AP

Veterinarians diagnose and treat an exhausted young male brown bear named Ada at the center, for Rehabilitation of Protected Animals in Przemysl, Poland, on Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022. The bear was spotted Monday wobbling alone in the cold, snowy forest in southeastern Poland, with wolf tracks and blood spots nearby, while no sight of his mother. He remains in life-threating condition with neurological symptoms. Credit: Rehabilitation of Protected Animals via AP

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LAKE GEORGE  Mayor Robert Blais announced Monday that the village of Lake George would once again welcome snowmobile and ATV traffic on village streets for the duration of the winter months, beginning Tuesday.

At Mondays Lake George village board meeting, Blais explained that the purpose is to allow these vehicles to come off of the ice and visit the businesses in the village.

Board member John Root was opposed to the idea and indicated he has been against the ordinance every year it is proposed and passed.

I just dont think this makes any sense. I will say the same thing I said last year, I think the village should be promoting pedestrian activity and protect pedestrians, not promote motorist traffic, Root said. Why do we have to have ATVs in Shepards Park or on the lakefront walkway?

Root added that the vehicles have no time constraints and worried that the residents in the area would be affected by the noise.

Blais said this method of use began years ago.

It hasnt ever caused any problems and it is important to support our businesses in the village and it has been this way for years, he said. It started as a way to help our businesses and encourage people to come off the lake and visit Back Street BBQ and DJs, places like that.

The streets open for use by snowmobiles and ATVs will be marked and labeled.

The Warren County Sheriffs Office has been instructed to pull over any vehicles outside of the designated areas.

We have furnished the chamber and the Winter Carnival organizers with maps that can be given to people in attendance to inform them that they can, in fact, come off the ice and access the various streets in the village, the mayor said.

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TRENTON  Gov. Phil Murphy said Monday he plans to continue the mandate requiring masks in schools despite discord from parents and Republican lawmakers.

Murphy made his announcement the day before the executive powers granted him are set to expire after a bid to renew them was thwarted in the Senate by outgoing Democratic State Senate President Steve Sweeney.

Sweeney tabled the legislation after hearing discord from Republican lawmakers over Murphys decision to continue the in-school mask mandate, which they said was without their knowledge.

We were not informed of them taking this action today, and we will not move these resolutions today, Sweeney said.

Murphy, however, insisted masks are still needed. During the governors media briefing Monday, state Health Commissioner Judy Persichilli said children are making up more of COVID-positive patients in New Jerseys hospitals, with two children recently dying because of the illness.

Data used during the briefing showed infections in the final days of 2021 between students and staff at state schools were at previously unseen levels.

Murphy said his administration is committed to keeping schools open despite the omicron swell, adding that virtual classrooms long-term do not benefit their students.

These requirements, again, give us no joy, but theyre the only responsible course of action at this time, Murphy said.

Executive pandemic powers were given to Murphy as part of a deal to end the public health emergency in June, when terminating the emergency declaration would strip the governor of the powers provided by law.

As part of the legislation approved by legislative lawmakers last year, Murphys powers are set to expire Tuesday. Murphy said he hoped New Jersey would be in a position where its school mask mandate could expire with his executive powers, but that isnt the case with omicron disrupting success with containing the virus.

We cannot responsibly, in the teeth of this tsunami, change gears in this, Murphy said.

A long list of bills up for a vote by lawmakers Monday originally included legislation that would have extended Murphys executive powers. Murphy originally asked for a 90-day extension, which was shot down by legislators in the Senate Health and Assembly Appropriations committees, who agreed instead to extend the powers 45 days.

Several Republicans debated Murphys comments from his media briefing.

Its a bit unconscionable that the governor feels comfortable circumventing each and every one of us, Sen. Holly Schepisi, R-Bergen, told Sweeney. Our phones and legislative email addresses are blowing up, with people asking, What is our role? Are we legislators, or are we not?

The states mask mandate has been criticized throughout the pandemic by parents and lawmakers, a majority of which are Republicans, who say the governor is hampering parental choices for their children. State education entities, however, feel its the best decision, especially while omicron continues to tally case numbers not seen since the coronavirus first appeared in China in late 2019.

It is unclear how pulling the bill for vote will affect the mandate. Its also unclear whether Murphy would consider declaring another public health emergency to retain it.

New Jersey Education Association officials Monday applauded Murphy and state health officials for their commitment to keeping students faces in masks, with hopes that doing so helps flatten the curve and helps drastically reduce caseloads.

Everyone is eager for the day that masks and other COVID safety measures are no longer necessary and the best way to achieve that is for New Jersey to continue following all of the school safety measures currently recommended for schools, including masking, social distancing and vaccination for all who are eligible, NJEA officials said in a statement, adding that theyll continue to advocate for enforcing preventative measures.

Keeping masks on kids in schools and day care centers is also important to continue because New Jersey hospitals are seeing more children being hospitalized for COVID-19, Persichilli said.

The health commissioner said the states pediatric hospitalizations for COVID-19 is at its highest since the pandemic began in March 2020, with two children also dying from the infection.

Eighty-two hospitalized children have tested positive for the virus, 27 of which were initially admitted for severe symptoms.

Nationally, 1,000 children have died from the virus, recently making it one of the top causes of death in children ages 5 to 11, Persichilli said.

Most COVID-related deaths happen in those 65 years or older, Persichilli said, but the virus is now beginning to reach unvaccinated children, or those too young and not yet eligible to be given one of the three approved shots.

Persichilli said new CDC data shows that teens between 12 and 17 are 10 times more likely to be hospitalized for the virus than their vaccinated counterparts.

Nearly 500,000 children under age 5 are not eligible for a vaccine yet, which is why Persichilli on Monday called on parents to surround children in that age group with vaccinated individuals, helping protect them since theyre the most vulnerable youth group for severe illness.

Politico contributed to this report.

Contact Eric Conklin: 609-272-7261 econklin@pressofac.com Twitter @ACPressConklin

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HOBBS, N.M. (AP)  An 18-year-old New Mexico woman is facing charges after police say she abandoned her newborn baby in a dumpster.

A group of people was looking through a dumpster for anything of value Friday in Hobbs, near the Texas border, when they heard what they thought was a dog or kitten, Hobbs Police Chief August Fons said during a news conference Monday. They moved a trash bag and found a baby inside, wrapped in a dirty blanket with its umbilical cord still attached.

They immediately called authorities and tried to keep the boy warm until police and paramedics arrived. Authorities estimated the child had been in the dumpster for about six hours before he was discovered.

"Their collective quick response to this emergency, including notification of 911, was absolutely pivotal in saving this baby's life," Fons said.

Officers administered aid before paramedics took the child to the hospital. The baby has since been transferred to a hospital in Lubbock, Texas, and is in stable condition.

Investigators used surveillance video to identify a car suspected of being involved. That led them to Alexis Avila, of Hobbs, who admitted to giving birth at another location and then leaving the baby in a dumpster.

Fons said during the interview with detectives, Avila said she was not aware that she was pregnant until Jan. 6 when she sought medical attention for abdominal pain. She told detectives that she was experiencing stomach pain the next day and unexpectedly gave birth.

"She further explained that she panicked and did not know what to do or or who to call," Fons said.

According to court documents, Avila told authorities she started driving around until she decided to place the baby inside a dumpster near a shopping area.

Search warrants for Avila's car and her family's home turned up blood evidence, clothing and a towel.

She was booked on a charge of attempted first-degree murder or in the alternative felony child abuse. Prosecutors said the charge will be determined during an upcoming preliminary hearing.

Ibukun Adepoju, a public defender who is representing Avila, said in a statement that her client is "barely 18 herself."

"Whatever happened is already a tragedy for her family and the community," Adepoju said. "As humans, we should practice compassion as we wait for the justice system to work."

Like other states, New Mexico has a safe haven law, which allows parents to leave a baby younger than 90 days at a safe location without criminal consequences. The laws began to pass in state legislatures around the nation in the early 2000s in response to reports of gruesome baby killings and abandonments, which received copious media attention.

Hobbs authorities reiterated that police and fire stations are among the places that are considered safe havens under the law and encouraged anyone in a similar situation to reach out for help.
A tragic high-speed police chase ended with a woman being ejected and killed and her 1-year-old son killed after their car crashed into a semitractor Friday on Interstate-80/94, charges state.

Police pulled the boys father, Eric K. White, 21, of Calumet City, Illinois, out of the drivers seat in a burning black Audi, charges allege. He resisted, trying to hang onto the steering wheel, court documents said.

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He said his girlfriend, Britni A. Griffin, 20, of Matteson, Illinois, was ejected from the car. A passerby told police her body was lying 100 yards east.

She was identified by the Lake County Coroners Office. The child was identified as KyAir Lucas. Griffin and White were his parents, according to court documents.

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White was taken to the hospital, then arrested and jailed. He posted his $15,000 bond Monday, records show.

He was charged Saturday with neglect of a dependent resulting in death, a level 1 felony, two counts of resisting law enforcement, both level 3 felonies, and misdemeanor carrying a handgun without a license.

White could face from 20 to 40 years on the most serious charge, a level 1 felony. His next court date has not been set.

A Lake County Sheriffs Deputy spotted him speeding near 25th Avenue and Broadway in Gary 11:30 a.m. Friday, charges state. White made an abrupt U-turn on East 25th Avenue running a red light, documents state. The officer lost track of him.

A second deputy picked up the chase, headed north on Broadway, before White turned around and headed for I-80/94 westbound, charges state.

The Audi wove around a car on the on-ramp, picking up speed, the affidavit states. It continued to weave recklessly in-and-out of traffic.

By the next exit, Grant Street, White was still gaining considerable distance, driving 100 mph, according to the deputy, charges state.

A third officer, a detective from the Lake County Police High Crimes Unit, joined the chase at Grant Street. The second deputy lost sight of White for 20 to 30 seconds until he saw a large amount of smoke near Colfax Street, documents state.

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One officer estimated White was driving 130 mph just before the crash.

The car hit the back of a large, industrial 2018 Kenworth semi-tractor and trailer, spun around and hit a median wall before going back across all lanes and was T-boned by the same semitruck, the affidavit alleges.

When police caught up, the Audi was in the front end of a semitruck, they wrote. The roof was missing and the car heavily damaged. White had a large cut on his face.

He initially was not moving, then tried to stop officers from taking him out of the burning car. Police recovered a semi-automatic gun in his left pocket. Police initially didnt see another passenger in the car. They were told later about the woman. The child was later found mangled and unresponsive in the back car seat.

Indiana State Police drew Whites blood for a toxicology test.

White was arrested in November for fleeing from police, Lake County Sheriff Oscar Martinez said in a prior release. He also had an active warrant for illegal possession of a handgun, officials said.

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Neither record could be found in Indiana online court records.
TRENTON  Atlantic City government may no longer have control over whether there is a syringe access program, also called needle exchange, in the resort.

On Monday, the last day of the 2020-21 legislative session, both houses of the Legislature passed bills to give the right to site such programs to the state Department of Health.

Municipal ordinances to allow such programs will no longer be needed, if Gov. Phil Murphy signs the bill.

S3009 passed the Senate 21-6, then passed the Assembly 47-27 in the early evening.

I truly believe this is the right thing to do, said Assemblyman John Armato, D-Atlantic, who saw the bill pass on his last day in office. Armato is a co-sponsor of the Assembly bill (A4847), which was substituted for by the Senate bill.

Todays vote secures health services for some of the state of New Jerseys most vulnerable residents, said Carol Harney, CEO of South Jersey AIDS Alliance, which operates the Oasis Drop-In Center in Atlantic City. Harm Reduction programs have a proven history of reducing ... HIV/ AIDS and other bloodborne pathogens and providing a bridge to drug treatment and nonjudgmental care.

The AIDS Alliance is suing the City of Atlantic City over its councils decision to end the needle exchange program at the Oasis Center, by voiding the ordinance that allowed it.

Council members and others supporting moving or closing the syringe access program have said the center attracts IV drug users to the city, especially to the tourist area where the Oasis Center is located, and that other towns should share in the burden of providing such centers.

Hopefully now all municipalities can share in helping these people get the help they deserve, and get them home to their families, said Atlantic City Council President George Tibbitt, who led the effort to close the Atlantic City needle exchange. When its just one town in the entire county, people dont get the proper help they deserve.

Armato and Assemblyman Vince Mazzeo, also D-Atlantic, voted in favor.

Tibbitt suggested Armato volunteer some of his time working with the addicted in Atlantic City, rather than spending more time volunteering at Inspira Medical Center in Vineland, as Armato has said he would after he leaves the Assembly.

He wanted this. He pushed for it, Tibbitt said. He needs to step up and come to Atlantic City after 5 p.m. to counsel and get these people the right help.

Voting no were Assemblyman Antwan McClellan and Erik Simonsen, both R-Cape May, Cumberland, Atlantic; as well as Assemblywoman Diane Gove, and Assemblyman Brian Rumpf, both R-Ocean.

The Syringe Access Bill will expand access to clean needles for IV drug users by removing a requirement that a municipality pass an ordinance allowing it, and aligning syringe access programs with other public health services, according to supporters. Qualified entities who wish to provide the services would apply to the Department of Health for the right to do so.

According to the CDC, people who have access to syringe service programs are less likely to die from a fatal overdose, five times more likely to start a drug treatment program, three times more likely to stop chaotic drug use all together, and 50% less likely to acquire HIV and Hepatitis C than people without access, said the New Jersey Harm Reduction Coalition in a news release Monday.

This bill is a game-changer as it lifts the single biggest barrier to new syringe access programs opening in the state, said Jenna Mellor, executive director of New Jersey Harm Reduction Coalition.

Caitlin ONeill, director of harm reduction services at New Jersey Harm Reduction Coalition, said many lives will be saved with the expansion of harm reduction centers and the decriminalization of syringes in New Jersey.

She called it one step toward New Jersey ending the overdose crisis, repairing the harms of the racist drug war, and finally building the systems of care that will keep all of us alive and safer.

REPORTER: Michelle Brunetti Post 609-272-7219 mpost@pressofac.com

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HOBBS, N.M. (AP)  An 18-year-old New Mexico woman is facing charges after police say she abandoned her newborn baby in a dumpster.

A group of people was looking through a dumpster for anything of value Friday in Hobbs, near the Texas border, when they heard what they thought was a dog or kitten, Hobbs Police Chief August Fons said during a news conference Monday. They moved a trash bag and found a baby inside, wrapped in a dirty blanket with its umbilical cord still attached.

They immediately called authorities and tried to keep the boy warm until police and paramedics arrived. Authorities estimated the child had been in the dumpster for about six hours before he was discovered.

"Their collective quick response to this emergency, including notification of 911, was absolutely pivotal in saving this baby's life," Fons said.

Officers administered aid before paramedics took the child to the hospital. The baby has since been transferred to a hospital in Lubbock, Texas, and is in stable condition.

Investigators used surveillance video to identify a car suspected of being involved. That led them to Alexis Avila, of Hobbs, who admitted to giving birth at another location and then leaving the baby in a dumpster.

Fons said during the interview with detectives, Avila said she was not aware that she was pregnant until Jan. 6 when she sought medical attention for abdominal pain. She told detectives that she was experiencing stomach pain the next day and unexpectedly gave birth.

"She further explained that she panicked and did not know what to do or or who to call," Fons said.

According to court documents, Avila told authorities she started driving around until she decided to place the baby inside a dumpster near a shopping area.

Search warrants for Avila's car and her family's home turned up blood evidence, clothing and a towel.

She was booked on a charge of attempted first-degree murder or in the alternative felony child abuse. Prosecutors said the charge will be determined during an upcoming preliminary hearing.

Ibukun Adepoju, a public defender who is representing Avila, said in a statement that her client is "barely 18 herself."

"Whatever happened is already a tragedy for her family and the community," Adepoju said. "As humans, we should practice compassion as we wait for the justice system to work."

Like other states, New Mexico has a safe haven law, which allows parents to leave a baby younger than 90 days at a safe location without criminal consequences. The laws began to pass in state legislatures around the nation in the early 2000s in response to reports of gruesome baby killings and abandonments, which received copious media attention.

Hobbs authorities reiterated that police and fire stations are among the places that are considered safe havens under the law and encouraged anyone in a similar situation to reach out for help.

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The Easter Bunny was representing the prosecution in several hundred Polk County criminal cases.At least thats what Iowa Courts Online, the court systems official, statewide web-based repository of court records, indicated for most of April.On April 4, the online docket sheets for hundreds of Polk County cases  primarily misdemeanors and drunken-driving cases  were revised to indicate the prosecution of those cases had been transferred from one particular assistant county attorney, Kailey Gray, to another prosecutor in the county attorneys office by the name of Easter Santa Bunny.And thats where the cases remained as of Thursday morning.Bret Lucas, an assistant county attorney, said Thursday the situation stemmed from a recent realignment of cases within the county attorneys office. Gray took over a colleagues cases, and Iowa Courts Online accurately reflects the transfer of those cases. But Grays old cases, he said, were transferred to the Easter Bunny until all of the work on the digital case transfer could be completed.We had contacted the Judicial Branch and they worked with their information technology department to facilitate the mass transfer of cases, Lucas said. Apparently, the Judicial Branch and the IT department decided to put that placeholder in there because, obviously, no one else would have that name.  So they were all aware of that, and it sounds like they must still be in the middle of that transfer process.Stacy Curtis, a supervisor for the criminal division of the Polk County Clerk of Courts Office, said the references to the Easter Bunny should not be visible to the public either through a name search or in the docket sheets for the individual cases. She said the office took extra steps to make sure members of the public didnt see any reference to the Easter Bunny and only clerks, lawyers, judges and others with higher security clearance could see it. It appears that the opposite may have occurred, as the Easter Bunny references could be seen by members of the public who werent even logged into the site.This has been a nightmare for me, Curtis said. We moved everything from Kaylie to the Easter Bunny, and those should have all been cleaned up so you wouldnt be able to see that.Many of the cases that were publicly assigned to the Easter Bunny are open, active cases, but hundreds of others are dormant, though not technically closed because of probationary sentences that have yet to be completed or fines that have yet to be paid.The only practical effect of the Easter Bunny designation is that some defendants may see that information online and not know who to contact at the county attorneys office about their case.After being contacted by the Iowa Capital Dispatch on Thursday, court officials were working to erase from the website any mention of the Easter Bunny, and by late afternoon it appeared they had succeeded.Santa bailed out by RudolphThe Easter Bunny cases are not the only criminal matters listed on the court systems official website to have featured nonexistent lawyers or defendants. In what appear to be training exercises for clerical staff, fictitious test cases are sometimes created and then posted to the public website but never removed.For example, a December 1997 case shows Santa Claus being convicted of felony burglary and kidnapping, with a charge of assault on a peace officer dismissed by the court. The court records indicate a sentence of 999 years in prison was imposed.As part of that same test case, the court imposed a no-contact order prohibiting Santa from having any contact with Mickey Mouse. Santas bail  listed as one million bucks in a possible punning reference to Santas reindeer  is stated to have been posted by Rudolph.In 2014, Santa Claus was charged with second-degree robbery in Scott County, according to the Iowa Courts Online site. Although theres no record of a conviction in that case, Claus right to carry a gun was revoked.The court systems website also shows that in 2014, Mickey Mouse filed a small claims case against Donald Duck in Marion County.For more information, visit iowacapitaldispatch.com.
CHICAGO  Chicago has scrapped classes for days in a confusing standoff with the teachers' union over COVID-19 safety measures in the nation's third-largest school district.

From remote instruction to testing, both sides have been negotiating nearly a dozen complex points of a safety plan that has cast a shadow over a second week of school. The fight comes as other districts have had to increasingly shift online amid soaring COVID-19 cases.

Here is a closer look at the status of negotiations in Chicago:

REMOTE LEARNING

The issue causing the most chaos in the roughly 350,000-student district is when and how to revert to remote learning.

The Chicago Teachers Union wants the ability to switch to districtwide remote instruction and offered a lower bar for closing individual schools. Their proposed metrics are similar to last year's safety agreement, which expired before the school year began and has since been under negotiation. They want to shut schools citywide for criteria including: Chicago's COVID-19 test positivity rate increases for seven consecutive days and the rate for each of the days is at least 15% higher than the rate the previous week.

School leaders flat out oppose any districtwide return online, so much that they have opted to cancel classes rather than allow it temporarily as the union has argued is necessary amid the spike. Chicago Public Schools leaders say the pandemic is different now compared to a year ago with availability of vaccines and roughly 91% of staff vaccinated. School officials also say remote learning is harmful for academics and children's wellbeing, and encourages racial inequity.

Two days after students returned from winter break, the union voted to return to remote instruction on its own and most union members stayed out of schools, saying they would return when there's a deal or the latest surge of infections subsides. The district responded by locking them out of teaching platforms allowing them to teach remotely and canceling class and activities.

Union leaders said the desire to teach in-person "must be balanced by ensuring those classrooms are safe, healthy and well-resourced, with the proper mitigation necessary to reduce the spread of COVID-19."

During this year, individual classes have temporarily gone remote during smaller outbreaks.

But the union wants entire schools to be able to close if, for example, 25% or more of union employees are absent for two consecutive days because of COVID-19 cases. The district had previously said 40% of staff or 50% of students would have to be absent to close a school.

"We agree that the transition to remote learning should be made on a school-by-school basis, but we are setting higher thresholds to prevent needlessly sending students, especially vaccinated students, into remote learning," the district said.

COVID-19 TESTING

The union wants to expand COVID testing districtwide, requiring tests unless families opt out with the goal of randomly testing at least 10% of the student and staff population weekly. The union has blasted the district for being slow to roll out school testing and botching a holiday testing program, in which issues with mailing tests back to the district ultimately made thousands of samples invalid.

Families have been hesitant to enroll in the existing district program, which requires consent for guided weekly nasal swabs. In October, only about 7% of students had signed up. The number has increased slightly, to around 12% or nearly 42,000 students, but schools and the union have both been pushing to improve.

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot has rejected the opt-out system, calling COVID-19 tests a "quasi-medical procedure" and citing unspecified liability issues.

Over the weekend, the district did secure about 350,000 antigen tests from the state of Illinois, but district leaders haven't spelled out how they will be used.

LABOR DISPUTE

The COVID-19 safety fight in union-friendly Chicago is the latest extension of the contentious relationship between Lightfoot and the union. The CTU backed Lightfoot's opponent in the 2019 election and went on an 11-day strike later that year.

Both sides have filed complaints with a state labor board over unfair practices and the rhetoric outside of the bargaining table has been sharp, particularly in the last week.

Union President Jesse Sharkey called Lightfoot "relentlessly stupid" in her response to school closures, while the mayor has accused teachers of an "illegal walkout," saying they've "abandoned kids."

The district has refused to pay teachers who don't show up. During last year's similar fight over safety protocols, the district also punished teachers.

This time, the union has asked that no members be disciplined or docked pay and wants an outside party to resolve disputes. The city has flatly rejected both ideas.

AREAS OF AGREEMENT

Over the past two weeks, there have been small signs of agreement.

The district has purchased KN95 masks for students and teachers, agreed to bring back daily COVID-19 screening questions for anyone entering schools, and added more incentives for substitute teachers. Also, teachers will be able to take unpaid leave related to the pandemic, either for their own illness or increased risk.

Negotiations, which have run into the evening hours over the past week, continued Monday.
Chabad Lubavitch of the Quad Cities reached its $400,000 funding goal late in the afternoon on Friday, Dec. 17, just before Shabbat, the time of rest observed by those practicing Judaism. Rabbi Shneur Cadaner and his wife, Chana Cadaner, shut down their phones and computers when Shabbat began, but messages of congratulations and excitement were already pouring in.

The reaction of the community members most notably was one of pride and achievement, since this project took a village, Shneur Cadaner said. Without each and everyone's participation and help, it could have never happened.

Shneur said Chabad Lubavitch Quad Cities, an institution under the international Chabad-Lubavitch movement  a branch of Hasidism  had begun raising the remaining funds to buy strip mall Heather Glen Crossing at the corner of 18th Street and 53rd Avenue in Bettendorf for $1 million just over two weeks before. Before the appraisal of the property went through they had raised around $600,000, and after that they had until closing day on Dec. 17 to garner the rest.

With donors from all over the world giving and matching donations, they raised the needed amount just in time to close. Now Chabad Lubavitch of the Quad Cities can move forward with creating its first permanent location since Shneur and Chana Cadaner first began it 16 years ago.

When Shneur and Chana Cadaner  a Chabad-Lubavitch emissary family with the goal of bringing people closer to Judaism through education and connection  first moved to the Quad-Cities in 2005, the idea for a permanent space was already in their minds. Over the years theyve held events and meetings from their own home and rented spaces, and classes in the Bettendorf Public Library while trying to purchase a property with no luck.

They actually tried to buy Heather Glen Crossing once before, but it fell through.

We just see it time and again, that on God's time, everything just goes like that, Chana Cadaner said, snapping her fingers. It's a lot of work, and you only see the blessings once you start putting in the work, but somehow, things just take off when they're meant to be.

The project has been split into four phases. The first was purchasing the property, and once Chabad Lubavitch of the Quad Cities has a unit available, it will move into the second phase  building a kosher mikvah.

The closest mikvahs  a ritual bath that plays an important role in Jewish family life  are in Chicago and Des Moines. Many Jewish women visit a mikvah after their menstrual cycle, and taking a two-or-more-hour long trip once a month isnt always feasible. The second phase has a $360,000 price tag.

Some people use that as a prerequisite for moving into a community, Chana Cadaner said. So there's been people who have turned down offers to move here because of the lack of the mikvah.

After the mikvah is built, the next phase involves remodeling and furnishing the rest of the space. In addition to the mikvah, the location will have a sanctuary, social hall, fully equipped kosher kitchen, Judaic library and multimedia center, classrooms, meeting spaces and an indoor play area. Shneur Cadaner said theyre initially moving into a single unit in the strip mall, but as the need for expansion arises, they could utilize another unit. Units not housed by Chabad Lubavitch of the Quad Cities will continue to be rented out, Shneur said, so the institution can be self-sufficient.

In total, the project is estimated to cost $2.1 million. Shneur Cadaner said they didnt plan to raise the remaining funds through a matching campaign and had applied for grants to help fund the mikvah construction. Individual donors have pledged funds to the mikvah as well.

As for the estimated $300,000 needed to remodel and furnish the space and $440,000 to pay off the mortgage on the strip mall, funding is still up in the air, Shneur Cadaner said. Chabad Lubavitch of the Quad Cities is offering dedications and naming opportunities for certain donation amounts, but they dont have an immediate funding plan.

The timeline for the project is also fluid, as they just very recently closed on the strip mall and are working with tenants. The strip mall is currently fully occupied. But once its finished, Shneur said it will have everything the Quad-Cities Jewish community needs to thrive.

The general concept is that this would be the place for anything Jewish, Shneur Cadaner said.

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The Davenport Community School District school board did not take action Monday night on a measure that would require masking at work sites and weekly COVID-19 testing for its unvaccinated employees.

The proposed policy was on the agenda for the boards regular meeting. The measure was prompted by a federal mandate in the form of an Occupational Safety and Health Administration emergency temporary standard. The standard generally requires employers with at least 100 employees to develop a vaccination requirement for its employees. Alternatively, they can require masking in the workplace and weekly testing for unvaccinated employees.

On Friday, however, Gov. Kim Reynolds office said Iowa would not enforce the federal requirement because state officials had determined Iowas standards for mitigating COVID-19s impact in the workplace are at least as effective as the federal standard.

Dan Gosa, Davenport school board president, announced at the beginning of the meeting that the item was being removed from the agenda. He referenced the states decision not to enforce the federal requirement.

The ramifications of Iowas decision and the potential effects on the state plans status are not yet known, Gosa said. It is possible that the federal OSHA could still step in and enforce the ETS.

Iowa is among the states that have OSHA-approved plans for managing worker health and safety.

Having a state plan in place means state and local government employers with 100 or more employees are also covered by the new vaccine requirement through their states plans, according to OSHA.

State Plans are required to adopt and enforce occupational safety and health standards that are at least as effective as federal OSHAs requirements, according to OSHAs website.

Otherwise, the state plan must be amended to either mirror the federal requirement or to become at least as effective as OSHAs requirement.

The federal vaccine requirement has been challenged in court, and the case is pending before the U.S. Supreme Court.

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Dozens of Davenport renters and their families  many of whom live paycheck to paycheck, are elderly or have a disability  were forced to find new homes this past August amid an affordable housing crisis and pandemic because their apartments had become unlivable.

Now, roughly 20 renters face a similar prospect as the same Minnesota-based housing cooperative has failed to make repairs to address substandard housing conditions at another of its Davenport rental properties, according to city emails, notices and orders obtained by the Quad-City Times and Dispatch-Argus through a public records request.

City officials performed numerous inspections and ordered repairs to respond to substandard housing conditions at Crestwood Apartments on East 37th Street, behind Dahl Ford Davenport on East Kimberly Road, to little effect.

Inspections revealed apartment buildings infested with mold, mildew, rodents and insects; with leaking roofs, ceilings, plumbing and walls; missing or inoperable smoke and carbon monoxide detectors; with exposed wiring and "questionable" gas-fired furnaces that were improperly maintained; and with deteriorated or missing doors and window screens and deteriorated decks.

Conditions eventually deteriorated to the point where the city of Davenport deemed the properties uninhabitable and ordered them vacated in August.

Now, a similar situation plays out at Heatherton Apartments, which are owned by the same Minnesota-based group.

Different location, similar issues

The city issued notices and orders to Heatherton Apartments Cooperative of Forest Lake, Minn., last summer to remedy more than two dozen housing violations.

City inspectors found areas of visible water damage on each floor at 3547 Heatherton Drive and unsanitary conditions inside and out of all three buildings owned by the housing cooperative, which also include 3539 and 3553 Heatherton Drive. The three buildings have 12 units each.

A city code enforcement officer directed management and ownership to "remove/properly dispose of all animal feces/waste, clean and sanitize the entire dwelling/unit and maintain the dwelling/unit in a sanitary condition."

The notices dated June 16 also direct management and ownership to repair or replace deteriorated porches and inoperable or missing smoke detectors. Inspectors also found holes in common hallways; missing doorknobs from exterior doors; windows that do not lock; an excessive accumulation of trash and debris; leaking toilets; deteriorated or missing sections of ceiling plaster, drywall and/or Sheetrock; mold and mildew; exterior walls that are not weather-tight; and a unit infested with "fleas/gnats."

City officials sent a final notice dated June 28 stating "violations/sub-standard conditions have not been corrected" at 3547 Heatherton Drive. A similar notice dated Aug. 6 was sent regarding 3553 Heatherton Drive.

Notices and orders dated Sept. 15 and Nov. 2 were also sent detailing code violations and corresponding repairs for all three buildings. The properties were re-inspected Dec. 9.

"While some items were completed, there are remaining items to be repaired," Rich Oswald, director of neighborhood services for the city of Davenport, responded in an email.

The city issued a new notice and order with a new re-inspection date set for late January.

"If the property fails the third inspection, the 60-day process of vacating properties would begin and all tenants would be immediately notified," Oswald wrote.

City officials and records indicate the real estate investment and property management companies tied to Heatherton Apartments are managed by Ryan Schmidt of Forest Lake, Minn. Schmidt did not return multiple messages seeking comment.

An attorney representing the Minnesota ownership and management groups also did not return a message seeking comment for this article.

An issue not immediately rectified

Oswald wrote the city's violation process did not begin until last fall, when Heather Apartments came due for its regular two-year inspection and violations were found. That despite notices of code violations and orders for repairs dating back to June.

Oswald, in an email, said violations noted over the summer were in response to specific tenant concerns and complaints, whereas the regular rental inspection looks at the property as a whole.

He added if a complaint is verified, a property owner may either choose to make repairs or discontinue leasing that particular unit.

"If the unit is no longer leased, we track it in our system as substandard and (it) requires a passed inspection before re-occupation is allowed," Oswald wrote.

In the case of Heatherton Apartments, Oswald wrote half of the apartments are currently unoccupied and management is not leasing to any new tenants.

Notices sent by the city last summer also warned: "failure to comply with this notice and order may result in a municipal infraction citation being issued ordering you to appear in Scott County District Court." Notices sent in the fall also warned: "Failure to comply with this official notice may result in a citation being issued, and/or revocation of your rental license, if applicable, and/or significant penalty fees being issued."

To date, the city has not issued a citation or revoked Heatherton Apartments Cooperative's rental license, but has charged approximately $3,800 in fees.

Asked why the city has not cited Heatherton Apartments Cooperative or moved to revoke its rental license, given the Minnesota-based company's repeated failures to correct code violations at its Davenport properties, Oswald replied in an email that doing so would "create a greater hardship for the tenants."

"It is never the city's goal to go to an immediate shutdown of any facility due to the disruption that can cause for tenants," he wrote. "The city's ultimate goal is to ensure an apartment is safe to inhabit and meets minimum code standards. If the rental license had been pulled during the Crestwood abatement process, there would have been an additional 36 units ordered vacated (at Heatherton), and it would have created a greater hardship/displacement."

Oswald noted the management group out of Minnesota is marketing the properties for sale. As such, "the city is choosing to work with them for a favorable outcome for the tenants versus pulling the rental license at this time," he wrote.

The ownership group does not own any other properties in Davenport outside of Crestwood and Heatherton, according to city officials.

Asked how it was the city allowed violations to linger at Heatherton Apartments  given repeated assurances made by city officials this summer, including by the mayor, that they are committed to rooting out and holding bad actors accountable  Oswald responded that "the nature of the violations between these facilities and Crestwood are similar, however, the Crestwood violation(s) were much more severe in the progression of the issues.

"With real estate ownership companies, there can be a large difference in how properties are maintained based on the nature of their local management structure," he wrote. "It is the city's understanding that the manager was different for these facilities, therefore response time and action plans have been different."

Aldermen defend city's actions

Iowa Legal Aid has filed a lawsuit alleging Crestwood Apartments Cooperative unjustly enriched itself by charging and retaining rent for housing that was unsafe and uninhabitable.

"This case involves human beings who have been subjected to extreme degradation, humiliation, and risk of  if not actual  physical harm, due to the defendants' complete failure to maintain even the most basic housing quality standards that most of us in our society take for granted," according to the lawsuit.

Asked if the city shares some responsibility by allowing the owner to continue to rent substandard housing, Ward 2 Alderman Maria Dickmann, whose ward includes Heatherton Apartments, argued city officials are "doing what we can with the tools that we have" and "within the letter of the law."

Dickmann, too, said the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic complicated and temporarily hindered inspection and enforcement efforts.

"Hopefully, we won't run into that type of situation again," Dickmann said.

Ward 3 Alderman Marion Meginnis  who has been a vocal advocate for safe, affordable housing in the city  argued city officials have been diligent about inspecting properties and working with owners to comply with city housing standards and make ordered repairs while avoiding displacing large groups of renters. Meginnis, though, said she was not familiar with the housing inspection history and violations at the Heatherton Apartments.

"The citys job is inspection and making sure housing is safe," she said. "We have not reduced requirements for safety, but if were very, very strict people will have to find other places to live.  Is a person better off with nowhere to live or a place where maybe a landlord is working on things?"

Meginnis added: "If you want strong, safe housing, you have to balance that if a landlord is making an effort  to work with them rather than have people have to vacate their apartments."

She and other city officials, including Mayor Mike Matson, said the goal was to encourage compliance through better communication and information to tenants and landlords about the city's rental inspection program and condition of rental property, and to apply consistent enforcement under an inspection program that's clearly outlined for owners.

Matson was unavailable for comment.

Davenport aldermen will meet Wednesday to approve changes to the city's rental inspection program. Landlords who repeatedly fail to fix housing code violations would face higher penalties. Tenants as well would be notified of failed re-inspections and given 60 days warning that they may be required to vacate the property if the owner fails to make ordered repairs.

At least one city official, though, says the changes are insufficient to compel negligent landlords to fix substandard housing.

"It gives an early warning for the tenants, but it doesn't take care of getting deficiencies corrected on the landlord's part," Alderman Judith Lee, Ward 8, said. "It doesn't address the city itself taking action to force the landlord to fix deficiencies. It gives residents time to find something else."

But a shortage of affordable housing in the Quad-Cities region means there arent a lot of options for low-income renters, Lee said.

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NEW YORK (AP)  It started as just another January morning, the damp chill prompting a family on the third floor of a drafty Bronx apartment tower to run a space heater for extra warmth, as residents had done countless times before.

In the moment, that decision hardly deserved a second thought.

Soon, though, it would prove the first in a series of fleeting choices and troubling circumstances that combined to fuel a staggering tragedy.

If only the heat inside apartment 3N had been sufficient. If only the family, fleeing a fire sparked by the malfunctioning space heater, had pulled the door closed behind them. If only their neighbors, conditioned to ignore frequent alarms that nearly always proved false, had not disregarded them this time. If only the blaze hadn't started near the bottom of the building, quickly turning the structure into a chimney that funneled impenetrable black smoke up stairwells and down hallways as scores struggled to escape.

If only so many seemingly minor factors had not aligned, then 17 people, including eight children, might now be alive.

"I dropped on my knees and started to pray to God and said, 'Please help me. Please help us,'" said Tysena Jacobs. 68, who was making breakfast in her 15th-floor apartment when acrid smoke started billowing under the front door. "It was like a nightmare."

Most nightmares, though, are solitary.

This one, all too real, was endured by hundreds spread over 19 floors -- taxi drivers and teachers, the elderly and newborns, many of them west African immigrants. From the outside, their brown block building set on a cement corner appeared anonymous. But inside it was a community, only vertical. That amplified both the damage and the grief.

If only, after an almost eerily mild December, the weekend's weather in New York had not turned cold. Each winter, some apartments in the Twin Parks tower stayed comfortable while others did not, forcing residents to improvise, said Stefan Beauvogui, a 67-year-old immigrant from Guinea who lives on the fourth floor.

On Sunday, he and his wife had space heaters running in both bedrooms and their sitting room because the building's heat "don't work for nothing." He said he had complained, but it hadn't been fixed.

Fathia Touray's family was the first to arrive at Twin Parks from the west African country of Gambia in the mid-1980s. They and other new arrivals bought space heaters. But sometimes her family had to turn on the oven or boil pots of water to keep the chill at bay, said Touray. She moved out in 2005 but her family remained, forced to flee Sunday's blaze.

Investigators say an electric space heater set up in one of the bedrooms of a duplex on the third floor of the building had been on for a "prolonged period" when an unspecified malfunction set off a fire around 11 a.m. Soon, flames began billowing from the unit's windows.

Down the hall, resident Karen Dejesus heard one of the building's hard-wired smoke alarms going off on the other side of her apartment door. At first, she ignored it.

"So many of us were used to hearing that fire alarm go off, it was like second nature to us," said Dejesus, 56, who was in the apartment with her son and 3-year-old granddaughter. "Not until I actually saw the smoke coming in the door did I realize it was a real fire and I began to hear people yelling 'Help. Help. Help.'"

Up on the 10th floor, Jose Henriquez had the same reaction.

"It seems like today, they went off but the people didn't pay attention," Henriquez said in Spanish.

By that point, smoke was spreading fast. When residents of 3N fled, the door to the unit was left open and stayed that way, investigators say, despite New York City law that requires entrances to apartments and stairwells be spring-loaded so they close automatically. The company that owns the building said in a statement Monday that maintenance workers repairing a lock on that door recently had inspected the self-closing mechanism and found it working.

Within minutes, air rushing through the open doorway had sucked flames, soot and thick black smoke into the hall, and then under Dejesus' door. Before she could stuff towels into the opening, it filled the room, forcing the family to flee down the stairs to the lower floor of their duplex.

When firefighters arrived a few minutes after the blaze was reported, they broke down her door and rushed all three family members out a window onto a waiting ladder.

But while the flames never escaped the third floor, smoke poured into the building's stairwells and, with a second door left open on a 15th-floor landing, rapidly swept throughout the building. There was little to hold back the blaze in a structure that has sprinklers in its compactor and laundry rooms but none elsewhere.

Glenn Corbett, a fire science professor at John Jay College in New York City, said closed doors are vital to containing fire and smoke, especially in buildings without systems to douse a blaze.

"In a building that doesn't have sprinklers in it, that has very little fire safety in it, this door became literally life and death for hundreds of people," he said.

On the ninth floor, Kweesam Wood, a train station cleaner for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, was in the shower when his 6-year-old daughter Dasanii ran to tell his wife that she smelled smoke. The family grabbed clothes and started down the building's fire stairs.

But "there were people, glass, bodies," Fatima Wood says. They only made it down a few flights when heavy smoke forced them to turn around.

The smoke, though, kept rising.

On the 15th floor, Jacobs and her brother rushed toward the door as the air in their apartment took on the odor of soot. But they decided not to open it when they saw plumes of smoke billowing from beneath it.

Four floors up, Renee Howard was startled by a banging at her door. She opened it to find a firefighter, his face covered in soot, standing in a hallway filled with black smoke, asking her if everyone inside was OK. Assured she was safe, he ordered her to keep away from the door and stay near the window and wait for further instructions.

"I didn't move from there for at least seven hours because I didn't know where the fire was," she said.

Staying put kept her safe. But in a building without fire escapes, many residents flooded into the stairways, leaving what refuge they had in their units. Members of another family who lives on the same floor as Howard died trying to escape the building.

In the chaos, though, others made it to safety.

"I just ran down the steps as much as I could but people was falling all over me, screaming," said Sandra Clayton, 61, who was able to grope her way through the smoke. Gasping for air outside, she could think only of the wails of those who would not make it.

As residents returned to the building Monday hoping to gather personal items, they despaired pondering all the ways in which the tragedy and its terrible toll might have been averted.

"I saw the firefighters taking the children out. Their lives have been snatched away in a second," Howard said, breaking into tears. "I don't want to go back there. It's such a heartache."

***

Associated Press writers Bobby Caina Calvan, Deepti Hajela, Dave Porter, Bernard Condon, Mike Sisak and Andrew Selsky and video journalists Robert Bumsted and Ted Shaffrey contributed to this story.

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The Jucy Lucy may be the best burger in America. Also known as the Juicy Lucy, the cheese-stuffed burger was invented in Minneapolis nearly 70 years ago.

Its an ideal convergence of beef and cheese. Yet the iconic cheeseburger remains relatively unknown. Untouched, the burger appears modest by modern standards, no toppings stacked sky high. Yet it belongs in the culinary realm of Chinese xiaolongbao soup dumplings and even the Chicago-style stuffed pizza (on the rare occasions when the latter is done right). Theyre technical marvels, barely containing their deliciousness within.

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Legend has it that two South Minneapolis bars claim to have invented the iconic cheeseburger. I discovered thats not quite true after visits last fall. Only one clearly stakes the claim, while the other concedes its the customers whove fought its case.

The Juicy Lucy cheeseburger, stuffed with giardiniera and chihuahua cheese, at The Junction Diner in Forest Park. (Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune)

Matts Bar in the Corcoran neighborhood is known for its deliberate misspelling of the dish, a historic holdover from a printing error.

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A Jucy Lucy is a burger that was created here by Matt Bristol in 1954, the year he opened, said Amy Feriancek, general manager. He and a few locals were here on an afternoon when it was slower, and he created this wonderful burger.

Bristols daughter, Cheryl Bristol, ran the bar from 1984 until 1998, when Scott and Cathy Nelson bought the business.

Feriancek has worked at Matts for 23 years. A lot of people tell a lot of different stories, but this story I actually heard from Matt, she said. He unfortunately passed away in 2014, but I still know his wife, Donna.

At Matts, the Jucy Lucy ($8.95) has a crust that conjures a seared dry-aged steak. Not even the warnings for what lies within prepares you for the molten American cheese magma that pours out with a bite.

Jucy Lucy at Matts Bar in the Corcoran neighborhood of Minneapolis, Minnesota, one of two bars in the city that claims to have invented the cheese stuffed burger also known as the Juicy Lucy (Louisa Chu / Chicago Tribune)

Three miles south on Cedar Avenue, the 5-8 Club in the Nokomis neighborhood has been continuously operating since 1928, originally as a speak-easy during Prohibition. While its claim to the cheese-stuffed delicacy is perhaps less concrete, its fan base certainly isnt.

According to our customers, somebody at the 5-8 Club invented the Juicy Lucy back in the 1950s, said Jill Skogheim, president of the 5-8 restaurants. She said the identity of the original owner is also unknown.

The 5-8 Club expanded over the years, with four locations now in the Twin Cities region. They still stuff their original burger with American cheese. In 1996, the 5-8 Club added Swiss, pepper jack and blue cheeses as variations.

The classic 5-8 Club Juicy Lucy ($12.25) looks like a big, thick contemporary burger, complete fries and coleslaw on the side. The oozing experience feels more subtle, with the melted cheese melded into the beef fat.

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Miguel Avila makes two Juicy Lucy cheeseburgers, stuffed with giardiniera and chihuahua cheese, at The Junction Diner in Forest Park on Jan. 5, 2022. (Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune)

Whats most surprisingly overlooked with the Jucy Lucy and Juicy Lucy conversations focused on cheese has been the absolute importance of fried onions on the burger.

At Matts Bar you can watch the transformation of dehydrated onions into bits of blackened gems on the tiny grill in front. By the way, they cook Jucys for 7 minutes on each side. Your burger will take about 20 minutes from the time you order until a paper-wrapped package hits your table.

We offer fried onions, which is the natural way of having our burger, Feriancek said. But we also offer raw onion and a slice or two or three of dill pickle. Simple, plain, but very, very delicious.

The 5-8 Club offers raw or fried onions too, though theirs lean into a softer, sauteed state.

Its a kind of a naked burger with pickles and your choice of onions, but the fried onions and pickles would be the No. 1 way to go, Skogheim said. Ive seen more than a few times where a servers like, They want and lettuce and tomato? Because that takes away from the cheese experience.

Juicy Lucy at 5-8 Club in the Nokomis neighborhood of Minneapolis, Minnesota, one of two bars in the city that claims to have invented the cheese stuffed burger (Louisa Chu / Chicago Tribune)

Theres no judgment if you want to add ketchup or mustard, but unlike a Chicago-style Big Baby double cheeseburger, youll have to add the condiments yourself  Minnesota nice does have its limits.

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When people ask for lettuce and tomato, there is sometimes some judging, Skogheim added with a laugh.

Matts and 5-8 are so different and both merit their own accolades. Perhaps thats how they can maintain a friendly rivalry.

We started something and obviously many, many people have followed after, said Feriancek back at Matts Bar. And good for them. Were happy for them, too.

Twenty blocks down the road, the sentiment seems mutual.

Its more a competition with the customers than it is the management or ownership, said Skogheim of the 5-8 Club. They do their thing, we do our thing.

She does add a fact though.

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The one thing thats indisputable, Skogheim said. We were around longer than any of them.

5-8 Club, 5800 Cedar Ave., Minneapolis; 612-823-5858; 5-8club.com. Matts Bar, 3500 Cedar Ave., Minneapolis; 612-722-7072 or 612-729-9936; mattsbar.com

For those not able to make the trek to the Twin Cities at the moment, theres good news: In the Chicago area, you can find four takes on Juicy Lucys. Do note I didnt include other cheese-stuffed burgers, notably the Ooey Gooey at Fatsos Last Stand or the Inside Out Hackneyburger at Hackneys. Otherwise, you can order a 5-8 Club Juicy Lucy kit via Goldbelly.

Heres our guide to the Juicy Lucy in Chicago and the suburbs, listed in alphabetical order:

Brudders Bar & Grill

Brudder's Bar & Grill in Chicago's Old Irving Park neighborhood shows off its take on the Juicy Lucy. (Louisa Chu / Chicago Tribune)

Technically its next-door sister kitchen Mudders that makes the best traditional Juicy Lucy in Chicago, with a side of deep-fried tater tots done right the Midwest way. The burger at this Old Irving Park neighborhood restaurant is the closest Juicy to the 5-8 Club style around Chicagoland, even offering your choice of cheese: American, blue, cheddar, mozzarella, Swiss, pepper jack or provolone. It does come topped with lettuce and tomato by default though. Next time, Ill try swapping the pretzel bun for a soft S. Rosens bun. I highly recommend splurging for sauteed onions, fried hard, for an extra $1.50. Do note you must be 21 or older to dine-in.

$11.95. 3600 N. Pulaski Road, 773-283-8700, bruddersbar.com

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Charlys Burgers

Charly's Burgers in Chicago's Cragin neighborhood serves up their take on the Juicy Lucy burger, which two bars claim to have invented in Minneapolis. (Louisa Chu / Chicago Tribune)

Charly Magana, president and namesake of Charlys Burgers in the Cragin neighborhood, used to be a butcher. I always tried to experiment with different cuts, just trying to create different burgers, Magana said. For his Juicy Lucy, he takes two 3-oz. patties, stuffs them with American cheese, and then adds more cheese on top, along with caramelized onions, whisper thin-sliced dill pickles and garlic aioli on a toasted sesame bun. But hes planning to take his Juicy off the menu in a month or so, because were short-staffed and just so many other reasons, he said. You may be able to order it off the menu, based on availability. So hurry for one of the most beautifully made and lowest-priced Juicy Lucys Ive seen anywhere. Do note theyre takeout only at present.

2320 N. Cicero Ave., 773-887-5481, charlysburgers.com

Lucys

Juicy Lucy at Lucys in the Humboldt Park neighborhood of Chicago, their take on the cheese-stuffed burger that two Minneapolis bars claim to have invented. (Louisa Chu / Chicago Tribune)

Damian and Jessica Warzecha didnt name their shops in Humboldt Park and Uptown for the Juicy Lucy. Instead, they say the face behind the brand is a vintage pinup girl who is meant to represent a celebration of womens liberation. She holds a burger, but the signature dish at Lucys has become a spicy fried chicken sandwich, one of the best around the city, according to my fellow food critic and fried chicken sandwich expert, Nick Kindelsperger. Their Juicy holds a Merkts-style cheese core reminiscent of The Wieners Circles famous cheese of choice, with a slightly spicy secret sauce on a soft brioche bun. Its a bold, sassy and unique statement of a stuffed cheeseburger.

$10.95. 1043 N. California Ave., 312-675-8385; lucyschicago.com

The Junction Diner

Brad Wahl, owner of The Junction Diner in Forest Park, where the Juicy Lucy cheeseburger is delivered via a train track. (Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune)

Were an experiential restaurant with a 90-foot dining counter, where the food is delivered to you by a model G scale railroad train, Brad Wahl said. He co-owns the family train-themed business with wife Kate Wahl. They opened nine years ago in Forest Park just west of Chicago. His first experience with the Juicy Lucy was memorable, but not in a good way  and thats what informed his variation. I burned myself pretty bad, Wahl said. Thats why we went with the Chihuahua cheese, which has a lower melting point. The cheese also mellows out their other special and very Chicago-style stuffing ingredient: giardiniera. Its a -pound burger, he said. Served on a Turano brioche-style bun with lettuce, tomato and pickle. This sturdy Juicy comes with your choice of fries or chips, but the menu doesnt reveal the chips are fantastic, housemade, rippled potato chips youll want by the bag. Listen for the train whistle, which sounds every time an order leaves the kitchen. The little wheels are just too adorable.

$13.50. 7401 Madison St., Forest Park; 708-771-5276; thejunctiondiner.com

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The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services on Monday said it had two prior contacts with the family of a North Chicago boy who was found dead in an abandoned northwest Indiana house last week and whose mother and his two siblings have been charged in his death.

The contacts took place in 2014 and last year, DCFS said. The department did not immediately have details on the contacts.

Meanwhile, authorities investigating the death of the boy, 6-year-old Damari Perry, said his mother, who has been charged with first-degree murder, hasnt appeared before a judge because she has been hospitalized since the weekend.

Jannie Perry, 38, had been expected to appear for a Sunday morning bond hearing alongside another of her sons, Jeremiah Perry, 20, but her name was pulled from the docket, Jim Newton, a spokesman for the Lake County states attorneys office previously explained.

Monday, however, Newton said police in the familys hometown of North Chicago took Jannie Perry to an area hospital Saturday, after she complained that she was ill.

Ms. Perry is under police custody at a local hospital. She will be taken to bond court once she is medically discharged from the hospital, according to North Chicago police.

North Chicago police Chief Lazaro Perez on Monday said he could not discuss Perrys medical issues. He also said there is no timeline of when she will be released from the hospital.

Along with the charge of first-degree murder, Jannie Perry also has been charged with obstructing justice and concealment of a homicidal death. But Newton said it wasnt clear when she might appear before a judge, adding: I have no information on when she may be able to attend court.

Jeremiah Perry, Damaris older brother, was charged with aggravated battery causing great bodily harm to a child under 12, concealing a homicidal death and obstructing justice, the statement said. A judge ordered him held on $3 million bail during his hearing Sunday, Newton said.

Another of Damaris siblings appeared in Lake County juvenile court Sunday on charges in the case, but Newton declined to provide details.

Damari was reported missing Wednesday by his mother and a sibling, and the family at first told police he might be in Skokie, which turned out to be a completely false story contradicted by evidence and resulting in the obstructing justice charges, officials said.

Investigators then turned their focus to the boys home in North Chicago and the three were arrested Friday night. The boys body was discovered in Gary early the next day.

DCFS said there were seven children of Jannie Perry in their North Chicago home. Four now are in foster care.

An autopsy had been expected to be performed Monday, but the results were not immediately available. Investigators Sunday, however, said it is believed Damari was forced to take a cold shower Dec. 29 as a punishment and was held there by relatives for an unknown amount of time; he later started vomiting and became unresponsive.

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DES MOINES --- How can Iowa persuade more people to move here, live here and work here?

That is one of the top questions that Republican and Democratic state lawmakers alike pledged to address during the 2022 session of the Iowa Legislature, which began Monday at the Iowa Capitol.

But that bipartisan agreement may not have much staying power.

Judging by the opening day remarks delivered Monday by legislative leaders, the two parties have decidedly different views about how to attract more workers and people to Iowa, whose population has been more or less stagnant for a decade.

Iowa grew by 4.7 percent from 2010 to 2020, which was well below the national average of 7.1 percent but better than the Midwest region as a whole, which grew just 3.1 percent in that time, according to U.S. census data.

In November 2021, the last month for which state workforce data is available, there were still 85,600 fewer Iowans in the workforce than in January 2020, just before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, and the share of Iowans working was down more than 3 percentage points, to 66.8 percent.

Republicans, who hold majorities in both chambers and thus set the legislative agenda, insist the best way to persuade more people to live in Iowa is to reduce state income taxes, with the ultimate goal of eliminating the tax altogether.

Implementing pro-growth tax policy to make Iowa one of the fastest growing states in the country is policy that makes a generational difference, Jack Whitver, the Republican Senate majority leader from Ankeny, said in his opening day remarks.

Eliminating the state income tax would lessen the tax burden on Iowans, but also would eliminate half the revenue that funds the states $8 billion budget.

Democrats said the best way to persuade more people to move to Iowa is for Republican state lawmakers to stop pushing polarizing social legislation on subjects like abortion and K-12 education.

Jennifer Konfrst, the Democratic House minority leader from Windsor Heights  who teaches journalism at Drake University and is the daughter of a longtime statehouse reporter  said that lawmakers have the opportunity to tell a story about Iowa.

We can tell a story that sets Iowa apart and helps our state grow again, Konfrst said, by increasing access to health care and child care, quality public schools and affordable housing.

Or will we send them the message that only certain types of families are welcome here? Will we send the message that we prioritize more public money for private schools, statewide solutions to local problems, and a divisive agenda thats rife with unintended consequences that make Iowa less welcoming?

One message that Democrats have argued makes Iowa less welcoming has been warnings from some Republican senators that teachers and librarians should be jailed for distributing to students books that a few senators deem to be obscene.

While the books vary, they often feature LGBTQ characters or authors, and include passages describing sexual encounters.

It has become increasingly evident that we live in a world in which many, including our media, wish to confuse, misguide and deceive us, calling good evil and evil good. One doesnt have to look far to see the sinister agenda occurring right before our eyes, Jake Chapman, the Republican Senate president from Adel, said in his remarks. Those who wish to normalize sexually deviant behavior against our children, including pedophilia and incest, are pushing this movement more than ever before. Our children should be safe and free from this atrocious assault.

Zach Wahls, the Democratic Senate minority leader from Coralville, said lawmakers should be laser-focused on solving the states worker shortage, not engaging in what he called culture wars.

We all know there is a labor shortage in America --- but the problem is significantly worse in Iowa. Why is that? As Republican leaders gladly tell us, they have been in full control of our state government since 2017. And Republicans are now promising us more of the same that hasnt worked, Wahls said. Weve been told it will be more of the GOP greatest hits this session: more attacks on LGBTQ Iowans, more gasoline on the culture war fire, and more attacks on the First Amendment.

Wahls comment on the First Amendment was a reference to the decision by Senate Republican leadership to move reporters out of the media work spaces on the chamber floor and into the public gallery upstairs. Statehouse reporters have been working from the media stations on the chamber floor for more than a century. The Republican-controlled House still credentials some media to report from the chamber floor there.

Similarly to the workforce issue, Republicans and Democrats both talked about reducing Iowans taxes. But Democrats are calling for cuts that target middle class workers, while Republicans are proposing across-the-board cuts.

According to the states nonpartisan fiscal services agency, there is projected to be more than $1 billion in the states taxpayer relief fund, and the general budget fund is projected to contain an excess of $1.2 billion. In addition, the states reserve funds are flush with more than $800 million.

When we look at rightfully returning tax surplus dollars to Iowans, will they see that middle-class Iowans will finally benefit from tax cuts? Konfrst asked.

Said Whitver, The tax code should not punish Iowans for wanting more in life, trying to provide more for your family, or getting a promotion at work.

Pat Grassley, the Republican House speaker from New Hartford, provided an update on his family farm operation and his three children before taking a victory lap by arguing the state budget is in good health because of the budget work employed by majority Republicans over the past five years.

Because of responsible budgeting practices and the decision to keep the state as open as possible, Iowas economy is strong, Grassley asserted.

There were few direct references in the opening remarks to the COVID-19 pandemic, but Republicans pledged to resist mandates from the Democratic Biden administration.

Grassley said those federal mandates infringe on the rights of individual Iowans, parents and businesses. We cannot let that happen here in Iowa, we must push back.

Matt Windschitl, the Republican House majority leader from Missouri Valley, said that instead of more mandates telling Iowans what they have to do or employers what they must do, we have to trust in the individual Iowan to make the best choice for themselves. We have to let Iowans make the decisions for themselves, we have to let them make the choices that's right for them and their families as we move through this pandemic.

Gov. Kim Reynolds will deliver her annual Condition of the State address on Tuesday. The speech is scheduled to be broadcast live at 6 p.m. on Iowa PBS.

Iowa Supreme Court Chief Justice Susan Christensen will deliver the Condition of the Judiciary address Wednesday, and Gen. Ben Corell will deliver the Condition of the Iowa Guard address Thursday.

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As the super-contagious omicron variant sweeps Chicago, pushing case count graphs vertical, some people who assumed they were safe from infection after they got their vaccines are entering a new psychological stage of the pandemic: a sense that infection is unavoidable.

Its so much more contagious, Maggie Coons, 52, of northwest suburban Palatine, told the Tribune last week. I feel like theres nothing we can do to keep from getting it. I feel like its inevitable. At this point its a dreary resignation instead of a dread or fear.

Anecdotally, at least, it appears some people may be taking their resignation to the next step: considering whether to purposefully court COVID so they can get it over with.

Health experts say they have been asked whether there is any point in taking precautions if the likelihood of contracting omicron is so high.

While such feelings are understandable, health experts say, people should not abandon preventive public health measures at the height of COVID-19s latest surge.

Even if it is true that everyone is eventually going to get, particularly, the omicron variant, it is not a good idea to intentionally try to get it sooner or to completely abandon the preventive measures that weve been taking, said Diane Lauderdale, an epidemiologist and the chair of public health sciences at the University of Chicago.

One problem with this line of thinking, Lauderdale said, is that its not clear whether getting infected with the omicron variant now will actually make it less likely that someone will get another COVID-19 infection down the line.

Theoretically, one shouldnt get the same infection again  or if they did it should be very mild and should be cleared quickly  but with these mutations and the pace of these mutations, it could be possible that one does get an infection again in the next round and the next set of variants, said Mercedes Carnethon, an epidemiologist who is the vice chair of preventive medicine at Northwesterns Feinberg School of Medicine.

And even people who are vaccinated and boosted could infect a child under 5 who isnt eligible for vaccination, or a more vulnerable adult.

Its just considerate to try to avoid getting infected for the time being, Lauderdale said.

Carnethon worries that the messaging about omicron infections being milder than other variants is really misleading.

Our hospitals are filling up, she said. Our hospitals are rapidly filling up, and so, you know, as mild as it may seem, were sure treating a lot of it.

People who throw caution to the wind are making the assumption that their own experience will be mild, Carnethon said, something they cant know for sure. And she warned that even though omicron is the dominant variant right now, other variants, such as the delta variant, are still circulating.

Carnethon said it was too early to know what the risk of long COVID from an omicron infection is in people who are vaccinated and boosted. Those who are vaccinated and boosted have seemed to be at slightly lower likelihood of developing long COVID from infections with other variants. Thats the only extrapolation we can make, she said.

Defeatist thinking around omicron can become something of a self-fulfilling prophecy, especially when case numbers are so high.

If you put yourself in a situation with a large group or even a small group of people who are unmasked, you are likely to contract it, Carnethon said.

But taking precautions can still help prevent infection. Despite being boosted, Carnethon herself contracted COVID, along with her husband. But neither of their vaccinated children did.

Even in the same house, having to isolate and care for young children, we were able to take the steps needed to protect the kids from getting it, she said.

And if you do get infected with omicron  as many people will  you shouldnt feel like youve failed, Carnethon said.

How should vaccinated people be thinking about risk?

Vaccinated people may feel as if theyve entered a new, bewildering phase of the pandemic in which things they assumed were safe to do post-vaccine arent anymore.

People should be more careful and more cautious about indoor socialization during the surge, Carnethon said. If you must socialize indoors, she said, wearing masks is critically important.

Carnethon said she might allow her vaccinated kids to attend a birthday party masked, depending on the setting, but would plan to pick them up before any food was served. Shes comfortable with having her kids play with others while masked in a bigger, open space with high ceilings  even indoors  but would avoid crowded venues. If eating or drinking is a central feature of an activity, shed skip it.

For now, Lauderdale is avoiding restaurants and performances. Shes started wearing masks outdoors when other people are around, something she had stopped doing before the surge.

My husband and I just went through all of our music and theatrical subscriptions and were a little relieved to see that we have no tickets coming up for a few weeks, she said.

Those are risks that arent worth it to Lauderdale. But she acknowledges that at this point in the pandemic, some risks are necessary. People need to make decisions by weighing what risks are worth it to them, she said.

For the moment, were operating under the hope that things will be better within a few weeks, Lauderdale said.

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A 26-year veteran of the Pennington County Sheriffs Office announced his run for sheriff on Monday morning.

Brian Mueller, one two chief deputies, announced his candidacy at the Rushmore Hotel with Sheriff Kevin Thom looking on.

Hes clearly ready to take over the helm of the office, the sheriff said. He understands that its critical to keep our community safe and that we engage with our community to solve issues or problems in our community."

Jill Jegeris, the wife of former Rapid City Police Chief Karl Jegeris, attended the announcement and said Mueller has her familys support. Scull Construction CEO Jim Scull said hes part of Muellers campaign. County staff that included Health and Human Services Director Barry Tice, Chief Deputy Willie Whelchel of the sheriff's office and Chief Civil Deputy Jay Alderman of the Pennington County State's Attorney's Office were also at the announcement.

Black Hills Harley-Davidson owner Jim Burgess and Casey Peterson, founder of financial advisor firm Casey Peterson, Ltd., also spoke in support of Mueller.

A second candidate announced his plans to run for sheriff on a website.

Ryan Mechaley is a former state Highway Patrol officer who grew up in New Underwood. According to his website, he has endorsements from Rapid City Council member Pat Jones as well as several Pennington County residents.

At his announcement, Mueller said that since he is a longtime employee of the sheriffs office, he can get to work right away as the next sheriff.

Were doing that work right now every day to keep Pennington County safe, he said. We do have some challenges in Pennington County, but Im dedicated to work towards solutions.

Mueller, 47, started working in the sheriffs office when he was 21. He has been a chief deputy for 11 years under Thom. The two chief deputies are responsible for personnel, budget and operations in their divisions.

I think everyday in this profession is a challenge, Mueller said. What I greatly appreciate about doing this work here in South Dakota, right here in western South Dakota in Pennington County, is our community support. Thats never wavered.

Mechaley said in a press release that his decision to run was prompted by high crime rates and the negative image of law enforcement that some have.

In the insanity of the present moment of defund the police, and constant allegations of racism and political bickering, America is losing sight of the basic function of law enforcement, he said on his website. When the objective becomes something other than the safety of the law-abiding public, the system is broken. Law enforcement is about justice. Not social justice.

He also said that running for sheriff is a chance to bring "new blood" into the office and to end "a long tradition of predecessors hand picking their successors in an almost royal line of appointment."

Neither Mueller or Mechaley have filed their candidacies with the Pennington County Auditors office as of Monday afternoon. Candidates must file by the last Tuesday of March to be on the June 7 ballot.

Thom has served as the Pennington County sheriff since 2011. His term expires Dec. 31.

 Contact Siandhara Bonnet at siandhara.bonnet@rapidcityjournal.com 

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Twelve South Dakota teachers and school counselors earned or renewed national certifications in 2021, including four from Rapid City Area Schools, according to a news release from the Department of Education.

Teachers achieve National Board Certification through a performance-based, peer-reviewed assessment, according to the South Dakota Department of Education.

In the RCAS school district, achieving National Board Certification was Brittany Condon, Generalist/Middle Childhood. Also in RCAS, renewing their National Board Certificates were Beth Keeney principal, Exceptional Needs Specialist/Early Childhood through Young Adulthood, and Crystal McMachen, Mathematics/Early Adolescence.

Sherri Horan, of RCAS, was among the school counselors who reported to the Department of Education that they became National Certified School Counselors in 2021.

South Dakota teachers who earn National Board Certification receive $2,000 per year for five years, with $1,000 paid by the South Dakota Department of Education and $1,000 paid by the teachers school district. As long as funds are available, the department will also pay National Certified School Counselors $1,000 annually for five years.

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PIERRE | South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem on Tuesday said she would push legislation to ban abortions after six weeks of pregnancy, as she laid out a sharply conservative list of priorities to start the state's legislative session.

During the final State of the State address of her first term, the Republican governor proposed what amounted to a wishlist for conservative voters, promising to make it easier for state residents to get a permit to carry concealed firearms and nearly impossible for them to get an abortion. She is also proposing a requirement that schools allot time for prayer, a ban on the teaching of controversial material on race in public schools and ensured exemptions from COVID-19 vaccines for medical or religious reasons.

"In South Dakota, we protect freedom, and we will pass it on to our children, and we will not allow freedom to go extinct," the governor said, as she derided other states for enacting restrictions to prevent and slow COVID-19 infections.

Noem has used her hands-off approach to the pandemic to generate nationwide attention among Republicans. She has positioned herself for a 2024 White House bid, and her speech Tuesday showed a willingness to tap into the country's most incendiary social issues to stay in the spotlight.

"It was a campaign speech," said Rep. Jamie Smith, the House Democratic leader, adding that it was a "blueprint of how conservative can I be?"

The governor's office did not immediately release details on the bill to ban abortions after the sixth week of pregnancy  often known as "heartbeat law." The Supreme Court's willingness to consider striking down Roe v. Wade  the 1973 decision that established the right to an abortion nationwide  has prompted a flurry of bill-writing in statehouses.

But medical experts say the heart doesn't begin to form until the fetus it is at least nine weeks old, and they decry efforts to promote abortion bans by relying on medical inaccuracies.

"Today, I am asking all of you to protect the heartbeats of these unborn children," Noem told the lawmakers in the House chamber. "I am bringing legislation to ban all abortions once a heartbeat can be detected."

The proposal received a standing ovation from the Republican-dominated Legislature.

Noem also touted a $116 million tax surplus and proposed using that to slash fees for applications for concealed weapon permits, including covering the cost of federal background checks. She also proposed cutting fees to register businesses with the Secretary of State and cutting a tax on bingo operations.

Noem's list of proposals will put Democrats, who just hold 11 seats in the Legislature, on the defensive. But Noem also faces several political foes within her own party, including one House member who is mounting a primary campaign against her.

Rep. Steve Haugaard, who has criticized the governor for not being conservative enough, agreed that Noem's State of the State address was more of a campaign speech and said that if the governor was serious about such proposals, she would not have waited until the final year of her term to bring them up.

The governor's tenure has been marked by the coronavirus pandemic and her decision to mostly forego lockdowns or other restrictions. Noem on Tuesday defended those who don't get vaccinated against COVID-19, saying, "We live in a free country and we are free to make our own decisions."

Smith criticized the governor's failure to encourage people to get vaccinated, pointing out that the overwhelming majority of people hospitalized for COVID-19 are unvaccinated. The state's hospitals have been strained in recent weeks as they handle the most people hospitalized with COVID-19 in over a year.

But Republican Rep. Chris Johnson of Rapid City, the assistant leader of House Republicans, praised the governor's speech and approach to the pandemic, saying it has positioned the state to grow into the future.

"The governor deserves to take a victory lap at this time," he said.

Noem touted South Dakota's model of "staying open for business" during the pandemic as cause for new businesses, an influx of tourists and attracting new residents to the state. The governor specifically mentioned AEsir Technologies, which announced plans to build a new 600,000-square-foot factory in Rapid City.

"AEsir Technologies chose Rapid City as the location for their new Gigafactory after a nationwide search," she said. "They considered what every other state in this country had to offer, and then they chose South Dakota as the best place for them to expand. Theyll create 400 new good-paying high-tech jobs in the process."

The governor also commended Black Hills Harley-Davidson in Rapid City and Albany Farms in Belle Fourche for hitting new business goals and for building new facilities in South Dakota.

"No matter how these businesses got here or got started, they are thriving because here in South Dakota, the government gets out of the way, allows them to grow and innovate, and helps out where we can," Noem said.

She asked the Legislature to support her plan to build 175 additional campsites at Custer State Park, a project Noem announced during her Dec. 7 budget presentation. The governor said the new campsites are needed to address more tourists who visit the Black Hills.

"Our state parks saw a 10% increase for park entrance licenses over last years record, with an estimated 8.5 million visitors. We plan to add more campsites at Custer State Park to expand our ability to host people from in and out of state," Noem said. "Since 2015, we have seen an increase of nearly 100,000 camping nights reserved throughout the state park system. I am hopeful you will support these projects."

 Journal assistant managing editor Nathan Thompson contributed to this report.

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At the invitation of State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu of Turkey and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian of Iran will visit China on January 12 and January 14 respectively.



Phoenix TV: The DPRK fired an unidentified projectile into the sea east of the Korean Peninsula on the early morning of January 11. This is another show of force after the hyper-sonic missile launched on January 5. The UN Security Council convened a closed-door consultation on the DPRK nuclear issue on January 10. A joint statement released by six countries including the US, the UK and Japan condemned the hyper-sonic missile test launch. I wonder whats Chinas position on this issue?

Wang Wenbin: We have taken note of the launches. Further research and assessment is needed to identify the nature of the projectile. All sides should avoid jumping to conclusions or overacting. We hope relevant sides will act prudently, jointly safeguard peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, resolve respective concerns through dialogue and consultation, and advance the political settlement process of the Korean Peninsula issue along the dual-track approach and the phased and synchronized principle.

The situation on the Korean Peninsula is at an important and sensitive stage. China always holds that the Security Council should play a positive and constructive role and that any action should be conducive to facilitating the resumption of dialogue between the parties concerned and to maintaining peace and stability on the Peninsula. At the same time, China calls on all sides to bear in mind the bigger picture, work in the same direction, focus on advancing the political settlement process, and do more things that can help stabilize the situation, accumulate mutual trust and revive dialogue.

CNR: You just said that Turkeys Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu will visit China soon. Can you share with us the arrangement of and Chinas expectations about the visit? How does China see its relations with Turkey?

Wang Wenbin: During the visit, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi will have a meeting with Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, and have an in-depth exchange of views on bilateral relations and international and regional issues of common concern.

In recent years, China and Turkey have maintained high-level exchange and communication at all levels, achieved fruitful outcomes in practical cooperation, and joined hands in fighting the pandemic, thus deepening their strategic cooperative relationship. Last year, the two countries celebrated the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic relations. China is ready to work with Turkey to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, render each other mutual understanding and mutual support on issues concerning our respective core interests, strengthen the alignment of development strategies, and promote the sound and steady development of the bilateral relations.

CCTV: We noted that yesterday State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi held a telephone conversation with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. Do you have more information on that?

Wang Wenbin: State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi held a telephone conversation with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on January 10.

The two foreign ministers exchanged views mainly on the situation in Kazakhstan. The timely exchange of views between Chinese and Russian foreign ministers on major international and regional issues is a vivid illustration of the two countries high-level strategic coordination. Foreign Minister Lavrov shared the assessment of the situation in Kazakhstan made by the special summit of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO). He said that more and more information shows clearly that whats happening in Kazakhstan is a riot carefully choreographed by external forces. The CSTO has taken action by sending peacekeeping forces at the request of the Kazakh side. The situation has been notably improved.

State Councilor Wang Yi stressed that President Xi Jinping said in his verbal message to Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev that China firmly opposes any deliberate attempt by external forces to provoke unrest and instigate a color revolution in Kazakhstan. China is ready to provide support to the best of its capacity to help Kazakhstan tide over the difficulties. The Chinese people will forever stand with the Kazakh people.

State Councilor Wang Yi said that China and Russia, both permanent members of the UN Security Council and friendly neighbors of Central Asian countries, will not see Central Asia embroiled in chaos and war. The two sides should continue deepening coordination and collaboration, oppose foreign forces interference in Central Asian countries domestic affairs, and forestall color revolutions and the evildoing of terrorist, separatist and extremist forces. Both should give full play to their respective strength and help Central Asian countries fight COVID-19, develop the economy, and strive to eliminate the breeding ground for unrest. Both should support greater coordination and collaboration between the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the CSTO to effectively deal with various challenges to regional security together.

The foreign ministers also exchanged views on China-Russia relations. State Councilor Wang Yi said that when President Putin visits China and attends the opening ceremony of the Beijing Winter Olympic Games, it will not only be the first in-person meeting between the two heads of state in nearly two years, but also a major event in international relations in this new year. China stands ready to enhance communication with the Russian side to jointly ensure a successful and fruitful Winter Olympics rendezvous and Spring Festival gathering between the two heads of state.

Foreign Minister Lavrov fully agrees with the Chinese sides view and expressed readiness to have close communication with China and make good preparation for President Putins visit and attendance at the Beijing Winter Olympics, which will surely be a complete success.

China Daily: Can you provide more details about Iranian Foreign Ministers visit to China and share Chinas expectation of the visit? How do you view China-Iran relations?

Wang Wenbin: State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi will hold talks with Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian of Iran.

China and Iran enjoy long-standing and profound friendship. Under the leadership of the two heads of state, the relations have achieved marked progress in recent years. We firmly support each other on issues concerning our respective core interests, promote practical cooperation across the board in a steady manner and maintain close communication and coordination in international and regional affairs. Facing the impact of COVID-19, China and Iran rendered each other help and assistance in times of need, highlighting the strength of our profound relations. In 2021, the two countries jointly celebrated the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties and opened up a new chapter in our friendship. Standing at a new historical starting point, China is ready to work with Iran to further deepen the China-Iran comprehensive strategic partnership to the benefit of our two countries and two peoples.

Shenzhen TV: On January 10, data from the Peoples Bank of China shows that by the end of December in 2021, bonds in Chinas interbank market held by overseas institutions totaled 4 trillion yuan, which is 750 billion higher than the figure registered at the end of December in 2020. Some economists working with foreign financial institutions said that overseas investors hope to take part and share in Chinas economic growth by investing in RMB assets in the long run. Do you have any comment?

Wang Wenbin: The increase of bonds in Chinas interbank market held by overseas institutions is a vote of confidence for the Chinese economy.

In 2021, China continued to consolidate and expand the achievements in epidemic response and economic and social development. We have made new advances in fostering a new development paradigm and pursuing high-quality development, and got off to a good start in implementing the 14th Five-Year Plan. Multiple international economic organizations projected Chinas economy to grow by around 8% year-on-year, which is above Chinas target of over 6% set in the beginning of the year and the projected growth of other major economies. It is fair to say that Chinas economic recovery will continue to lead the world.

We also saw some open reports showing that many foreign enterprises in China hold positive views on Chinas economic prospect and have plans to increase their investment. This speaks volumes about the resilience and vitality of the Chinese economy as well as foreign institutions confidence in Chinas development.

I want to stress that the fundamentals sustaining Chinas positive economic outlook for the long term will not change and Chinas resolve to expand high-level opening-up and share development opportunities with the world will not change. China will be more vigorous in integrating with the global market and will take greater initiative in deepening international cooperation. We will work with all sides to jointly build an open world economy and inject robust impetus into world economic recovery and the inclusive and sustainable development in the world.

Bloomberg: Taiwan and Canada held exploratory discussions about ways to boost trade ties, which is Taipeis latest move to reduce economic reliance on Chinas mainland. Does the foreign ministry have a comment on this?

Wang Wenbin: China opposes official contact and agreement of official nature between countries having diplomatic ties with China and the Taiwan region. This position is clear and consistent. The Canadian government should abide by the one-China principle, and prudently and properly handle relevant issues.

Dragon TV: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken issued a statement on January 10 saying that Chinas sanctions on commissioners of the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) are without merit and alleging that there is ongoing genocide and crimes against humanity in Xinjiang. Does the Chinese side have any comment?

Wang Wenbin: Allegations of genocide and crimes against humanity in Xinjiang are lies of the century fabricated by some individuals in the US. The US side has been creating rumors to malign China, tarnish Chinas image and contain its development, but their conspiracy will not succeed.

Over the past few years, the US, under the disguise of democracy, human rights and religion, imposed unilateral sanctions on dozens of Chinese officials and several entities pursuant to its domestic legislation on issues concerning Chinas sovereignty and territorial integrity such as Xinjiang and Hong Kong, all of which are without merit. These acts interfere in Chinas internal affairs and gravely harm Chinas interests. The Chinese side has made response in accordance with law, which is completely a justified move to defend sovereignty, security and development interests.

We will continue to take all necessary measures to safeguard our national sovereignty, dignity and legitimate interests.

RIA Novosti: President of Kazakhstan Tokayev said today that the country is suffering considerable financial loss due to the poor work of customs on the border of China. He said the taxes and duties are not paid and cars are not inspected properly. He also ordered to resolve this problem as soon as possible. I wonder how does China assess the situation on the border with Kazakhstan and the work of customs?

Wang Wenbin: China and Kazakhstan are friendly neighbors and permanent comprehensive strategic partners. We have sound cooperation mechanisms and communication channels. The two countries will make concerted efforts to ensure that the bilateral cooperation moves ahead smoothly.

Bloomberg: Can you confirm that a meeting will be held tomorrow between Chinese and Indian military officials on their border? What are Chinas expectations for those talks?

Wang Wenbin: As agreed by both sides, China and India will hold the 14th round of China-India Corps Commander Level Meeting on the Chinese side of the Moldo meeting point on January 12. The China-India border situation is generally stable at the moment. The two countries are maintaining dialogue and communication through diplomatic and military channels. We hope the Indian side can work with China, and strive to switch from emergency response to normalized management and control in the border area as soon as possible.

Anadolu Agency: Gulf Cooperation Council countries foreign ministers and Secretary-General are in China for a multi-day visit. Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Saudi counterpart in Wuxi yesterday, and as we have learned, Foreign Minister Wang will meet Turkeys Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu tomorrow and Iranian Foreign Minister on the weekend. Do those meetings have something in common? Does China have an initiative regarding Middle East? What will be the central issues to be discussed in these meetings?

Wang Wenbin: Earlier, I said that State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi will have in-depth exchange of views with his colleagues on bilateral relations and international and regional issues of common concern.

Turkey and Iran are all Chinas good friends. China has carried out productive cooperation with them in various sectors, delivering tangible benefits to our peoples. Maintaining high-level exchanges with the above-mentioned countries will help to deepen bilateral relations and contribute to the peace, stability and development in the Middle East.

Bloomberg: The ambassador from the government overthrown by the Taliban says he has left his post in Beijing and does the ministry have a comment on this? Also how does the ministry expect diplomatic relations to evolve between Kabul and Beijing in the coming months?

Wang Wenbin: Ambassador Javid Ahmad Qaem left China due to personal reasons the other day. We noted relevant remarks of Ambassador Qaem. We appreciate his efforts in advancing China-Afghanistan relations during his term in China, and hope he will continue to play a positive part going forward. China will as always promote the friendly relations between China and Afghanistan.

Beijing Youth Daily: According to reports, Lithuanias shadow cabinet issued a statement that said it hopes Lithuania-China relations can be normalized, and recognizes Taiwan as an inalienable part of the Chinese territory. It expects the Lithuanian government to redress its mistakes and rename the Taiwanese Representative Office in Lithuania to Taipei Representative Office. What is your comment?

Wang Wenbin: I have noted relevant reports. The ins and outs of the problems in China-Lithuania relations are very clear. The Lithuanian government acted in bad faith, and disregarded the overall interests of the bilateral ties and the interests of the country and the people, thus inviting wide suspicion and opposition at home and abroad. We urge the Lithuanian government to correct the mistakes, stop acting as a pawn for the Taiwan independence forces and anti-China forces, make choices in line with its own interests and basic norms governing international relations, and return to the right track of adhering to the one-China principle.
Rapid City and Black Hills lawmakers appear to be largely taking a back seat on most bills filed for the 2022 legislative session, as 15 of the area's 21 representatives and senators either did not author or just resorted to co-sponsoring bills as of Monday.

The South Dakota Legislature officially begins its session on Tuesday. As of Monday afternoon, 75 Senate bills, 58 House bills and one House Joint Resolution have been filed, according to the Legislative Research Council.

Six area lawmakers  Reps. Chris Johnson, Jess Olson and Dean Wink and Sens. Gary Cammack, Timothy Johns and David Johnson  have not authored or co-sponsored any bills as of Monday.

Nine House members  Reps. Kirk Chaffee, Mike Derby, Becky Drury, Tim Goodwin, Taffy Howard, Phil Jensen, Tina Mulally, Scott Odenbach and Tony Randolph  did not author any bills but are co-sponsors for other bills.

Only six Rapid City-area legislators  Reps. Mary Fitzgerald and Trish Ladner and Sens. Jessica Castleberry, Michael Diedrich, Helene Duhamel and Julie Frye-Mueller  authored and co-sponsored bills as of Monday.

Cammack, Chaffee, Goodwin and Chris Johnson hold leadership roles in the Legislature.

Duhamel works for the Pennington County Sheriff's Office, served on the Marijuana Interim Study Committee and is the majority whip in the state Senate. She filed two bills that repeal and revise protections for the search, seizure, purchase and possession of medical cannabis. SB 16 would "repeal provisions related to the prosecution, search, seizure, penalty, or discipline of medical cannabis establishments." The law currently allows for certain restrictions in the ability of law enforcement and state agencies to search and seize cannabis products for dispensaries. Duhamel filed the bill at the request of the Marijuana Interim Study Committee.

She also filed SB 20 on behalf of the Marijuana Interim Study Committee. The bill would revise a law that allowed people to possess certain amounts of cannabis or cannabis products as long as they claimed they had medical purpose. The revision would strike that clause and require people to present a medical marijuana license/registry card issued by South Dakota or another state to avoid prosecution.

As a member of the Marijuana Interim Study Committee, Duhamel co-sponsored 20 other Senate bills dealing with the regulation of medical cannabis.

Castleberry is the primary Senate sponsor of two House bills. HB1052 would prohibit state agencies, political subdivisions, elected or appointed state officials, state employees and political subdivision employees from complying with any firearms and ammunition restrictions from the federal government that are not already law in South Dakota.

She also signed on as the Senate sponsor of HB1039, authored by Ladner in the House, that would allow for certain "noncropland" to be categorized as agricultural land. The wording of the legislation would open up more land used for grazing to be classified as agricultural for property tax assessment purposes.

Castleberry has co-sponsored three other House Bills  one authored by Fitzgerald that would remove suspended imposition of sentences for rape cases, another that would formally establish a joint committee on redistricting, and a bill that would increase the number of seniors who would qualify for freezing assessment values.

Frye-Mueller is the prime sponsor of SB66, which would legalize electric all-terrain and off-road vehicles to be used on public highways. Under current South Dakota law, only gas-powered ATVs and off-road vehicles are allowed on highways.

She has co-sponsored four bills in the House dealing with banning trangender females competing in female sports; banning transgender students from using multi-occupancy school facilities like restrooms, showers and locker rooms; Ladner's bill on "noncropland;" and HB1052 on firearms and ammunition.

Diedrich, who is the assistant majority leader in the Senate, is the prime Senate sponsor of HB1001, which would increase the household income and value of a home for seniors who quality for the assessment freeze on property taxes. He is also a co-sponsor of two Senate bills. One would make hazing illegal in South Dakota and the other would revise wording on the South Dakota Housing Opportunity Fund.

Fitzgerald authored HB1026, which would prohibit the suspended imposition of sentence for offenders convicted of rape. She signed on as a co-sponsor to several pieces of legislation in the House and Senate and one House Joint Resolution. In the House, Fitzgerald signed on to the senior assessment freeze, the ban on transgender female athletes competing in female sports, establishing the joint committee for redistricting, a bill outlawing a person with a medical cannabis card from giving cannabis to another person, and a bill outlawing the synthetic production of THC  the intoxicating element in cannabis.

She is a co-sponsor of 23 cannabis-related Senate bills and one Senate bill to make hazing illegal. Fitzgerald signed on as a co-sponsor to a House Joint Resolution calling for a Constitutional Convention of States. Jensen and Odenbach also co-sponsored the convention resolution.

Ladner is the prime House sponsor of HB 1039 with Castleberry in the Senate. The bill establishes certain "noncropland" as agricultural. She has signed on as co-sponsor for two House bills  the transgender female athlete ban and a bill that would outlaw the synthetic creation of THC.

Howard, who is challenging Dusty Johnson in the GOP House primary, is co-sponsoring the transgender female athlete ban, banning transgender students from school multi-occupancy facilities (showers, restroom, locker rooms), and the firearms restrictions ban.

Chaffee has signed on to co-sponsor three House bills on various topics and 25 cannabis-related Senate bills. Goodwin co-sponsored the House bill on firearm restrictions and 22 Senate bills on medical cannabis; and Derby has also co-sponsored 22 Senate cannabis bills.

Mulally is co-sponsoring five House bills on banning transgender female athletes, banning transgender students from multi-use school facilities, banning firearms restrictions, banning suspended impositions for rape cases, and Ladner's "noncropland" legislation. She also signed on to co-sponsor one Senate bill on medical cannabis.

Jensen signed on as a co-sponsor of the Convention of States resolution, the transgender female athlete ban, the firearms restrictions ban and HB1008 which would ban employer mandates for vaccines. In addition to the resolution on the Convention of States, Odenbach co-sponsored the House bill on banning transgender female athletes and the House bill on banning firearm restrictions.

Randolph co-sponsored the transgender female athlete ban, the bill to establish the redistricting committee and the ban on firearms restrictions. Drury signed on to the transgender female athlete ban and the outlawing of suspended impositions for rape cases.

Contact Nathan Thompson at nathan.thompson@rapidcityjournal.com.

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The agency that oversees refugee resettlement in South Dakota says there has been a noticeable decline in the number of people resettling in the state over the past few years.

South Dakota welcomed 52 refugees in 2021, compared to 439 in 2016, according the Lutheran Social Services' annual report on resettlement. More than half of the people resettling in the state last year came from the Democratic Republic of Congo in Central Africa.

Lutheran Social Service president Rebecca Kiesow-Knudsen said an international slowdown in application processing the past four to five years has caused the low number of arrivals, South Dakota Public Broadcasting reported.

Kiesow-Knudsen said the process for a refugee who is applying for resettlement in the U.S. takes anywhere between 18 months to two years to get through the background check and screening process.

If you compare the number of arrivals in South Dakota with the number of arrivals into the country as a whole, you can see a similar decrease, Kiesow-Knudsen said. And so basically it just has to do with the presidential administration in terms of how theyve managed the refugee resettlement program.

The U.S. State Department manages the Refugee Resettlement Program, and states can opt into participating. Every state except Wyoming currently has participating agencies.

Each year in October, the president decides on the maximum number of refugees the country will accept in the following year. In 2020, President Donald Trump set the maximum to 18,000, and then in 2021, President Joe Biden increased the maximum to 62,500. The current threshold is 125,000 for 2022.

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A Henrico County man who served time for accidentally killing a friend at a 2020 New Years Eve party in Richmond where 200 rounds were fired in celebration was sentenced to 22 months in federal prison Monday for his role in recruiting two people to make straw purchases of firearms from a local gun shop. Two of the guns later were used in an armed robbery in Prince George County and a fatal shooting in Washington, D.C.

Mateen Johnson, 26, who has an extensive history of firearm convictions, conspired with another man, Anthony Richardson, also 26, to acquire several guns from Town Police Supply in Chesterfield County between Feb. 1 and Feb. 6, 2019, according to a statement of facts submitted by federal prosecutors.

Johnson and Richardson, both convicted felons, recruited two people to purchase the guns on their behalf. One of the weapons, a Glock .40-caliber semiautomatic pistol, was later determined through laboratory analysis to have been used in a homicide on March 23, 2019, and in a separate shooting on March 9 of that same year  both in Washington, D.C., according to evidence.

A second gun, a Glock .45-caliber semiautomatic pistol, was used in an armed robbery in Prince George County on June 17, 2019.

This case epitomizes the seriousness and danger of straw purchasing offenses: that those who would have others purchase firearms on their behalf are often persons prohibited from possessing firearms and/or have nefarious intent for those firearms, Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen Anthony wrote in a sentencing memorandum. In this case, but for the defendants involvement [and] the co-conspirators ... the perpetrators of the violent crimes in Washington, D.C. and Prince George County likely would not have been able to use the firearms in question for those crimes.

This cavalier [attitude] towards the acquisition, possession and use of firearms permeates [Johnsons] criminal history, Anthony added. And, as if courting disaster, the defendants continuous and contiguous behavior with and attitude towards guns led to disastrous results where, despite his own prior convictions and knowing the consequences that his [co-conspirators] had suffered because of firearms, he recklessly handled a firearm and killed another person.

Johnson pleaded no contest on Sept. 25, 2020, in Richmond Circuit Court to involuntary manslaughter in the Jan. 1, 2020, shooting death of La-Tiyah S. Hood, 28, a mother of two children with whom Johnson was close. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison with nine years and six months suspended.

In that case, Johnson participated in a celebration of the new year by firing, along with others, 200 rounds of ammunition aimlessly into the air, prosecutors said. Hood was struck by a bullet from Johnsons gun when he attempted to clear a round that had jammed during the continuous gunfire.

Prosecutors noted that Johnsons behavior, combined with his affiliation with the Bloods street gang, demonstrated his fervent desire to acquire firearms and resulted in multiple firearm convictions  which make his criminal behavior in this case utterly inexcusable.

Johnson was convicted at age 22 of possessing a concealed firearm and an assault weapon, for which he received a suspended sentence. About three months after being caught with those guns, Johnson committed a similar crime of concealing a Glock handgun. He was convicted and sentenced to serve one month of active jail time in that case, prosecutors said.

During the same time that [Johnson] was receiving these charges and convictions, he was using large quantities of marijuana, selling firearms to others who had no business having them, and selling firearms which directly and indirectly and immediately caused harms to others, Anthony wrote.

Following those crimes in 2016 and 2017, Johnson became involved in the 2019 straw purchase of guns from Town Police Supply despite being on probation for the earlier firearm offenses.

Johnson repeatedly thumbed his nose at the criminal justice system and engorged himself in a world of firearms  purchasing, selling, trafficking, possessing and shooting  without much pause, Anthony wrote. His criminal activity occurred despite having a personal history that prosecutors said demonstrated all the privileges and opportunities of having loving parents, a supportive family and a good childhood.

The fact that he committed so many crimes in close succession to each other, committed them while on probation, and committed crimes which directly led to the death of multiple other people, [Johnsons] criminal history is not, at all, overstated, and he should not be the beneficiary of any reduction in sentence, Anthony argued in seeking a punishment within recommended federal sentencing guidelines, which called for an active term of 22 to 27 months.

Defense attorney Brent Jackson told the court that Johnson changed dramatically after the accidental shooting death of his friend, made positive changes and vowed never go back to the his former destructive lifestyle.

Johnsons father, Donald Johnson, testified that his son cut his ties with former associates, discarded his old ways and worked two and three jobs before starting his own business to make an honest living. He thought everything was behind him until his past transgressions involving the straw purchase of guns caught up with him the father said.

The involuntary manslaughter conviction was an incident that the defendant regrets each and every time he closes his eyes to go to sleep, Jackson said, noting that Johnson has given money he earned to Hoods family to help with the costs of raising her children. He realizes he has a debt to pay.

In a statement he read aloud in court, Johnson said he regrets everything that happened and has made a conscious decision to turn my life around. He asked the court for mercy.

U.S. District Court Judge David J. Novak rejected Johnsons request, through his attorney, for a reduction or even a variance in his punishment, noting he already gave him credit for pleading guilty during the pandemic instead of taking his case to trial. I think you have seen up close the danger of firearms, Novak told Johnson.

But the judge said he took Johnson at his word that he was making significant changes, which demonstrates he wants to live a straight life.

Novak sentenced Johnson at the low end of the guidelines, gave him credit for time already served and ordered he undergo mental health treatment while in custody. He gave Johnson until March 4 to get his affairs in order before surrendering to begin serving his sentence.

Im going to be rooting for you, Mr. Johnson, the judge said.
The Richmond School Board has new board leadership that signals an expected shift in power resulting from the 2020 election of four new board members.

Shonda Harris-Muhammed, a veteran educator and second time School Board member will serve as chairwoman, and Kenya Gibson, a former PTA vice president, will serve as vice chair. Harris-Muhammed was elected in a 6-3 vote, Gibson in a 5-4 vote.

Harris-Muhammed is a longtime educator who has emphasized doing things in order. She first served on the Richmond School Board in 2012, but then lost her second bid to Felicia Cosby. She returned to the School Board after succeeding in a three-way race where she won about a third of the vote.

This is not a position thats an individual position, this is a team effort, she said to her colleagues. I appreciate the ask, and for me, the calling, to do this.

Gibson, a governing member of Richmond For All, an organization that advocates for fair education and housing, and a Richmond Public Schools parent, joined the School Board in 2017 after Jeff Bourne left the 3rd District seat to move on to the House of Delegates. In her tenure, shes served on various School Board committees and introduced the Schools Building Schools resolution, which gave the board its authority to oversee school construction.

I think what this vote symbolizes is a change in board dynamics in many ways, Gibson said. I hope that this year will be a year where we see different types of governance, and I believe that we can do that, but we need the help of the administration.

Among the first items the new leadership wants the board to consider will be a resolution looking to potentially cut central office staff in favor of hiring more school building staff in the upcoming budget. Sources close to the matter said they expect to have enough votes for the resolution to pass.

The two will lead the School Board following a tumultuous year between members of the body, where political differences among members are aired out during meetings. Much of the tension between a 5-4 majority stems from the conflict surrounding George Wythe High School, after the body voted to take back its control of school construction, which Superintendent Jason Kamras and detractors of the plan said would delay rebuilding the school. The tension ran so high the state felt the need to intervene, tasking the body with drafting a governance manual.

Both South Side representatives of the School Board, Nicole Jones and Dawn Page, emphasized a need to end divisive tactics and work collaboratively.

This isnt about one individual, this is about our children, and the families and staff we serve in Richmond Public Schools. It is my hope that we turn a new page and work collaboratively, not just by words, but by action, Page said. And by following the policies and procedures that we have set for this district.

Also on Monday, the School Board expressed concern about staffing shortages in the district caused by COVID-19, which isnt unique to RPS. Kamras doubled down on his intent to keep doors open.

When asked by members about an appropriate time to close schools, Kamras said he felt the district was in a different place than when it stayed closed for almost two years.

I do believe we are in a dramatically different position now than we were last year, said Kamras, noting that vaccines are available for most people, along with mitigation strategies like providing upgraded face masks. While we know the transmissibility of the omicron variant is rather high, all the data suggests that its leading to milder cases.

I do believe our charge is clear, and that is to do everything we can to keep our doors open.

School Board members also asked Kamras for clarity on the impact of teacher absences. On RPS first day back to school after the Christmas break, in the midst of record-breaking cases, Kamras anticipated 160 teachers would be absent. The absences called for central office staff to be deployed into classrooms, which is in line with plans in place by neighboring districts.
After missing a legal deadline last month to redraw local voting districts following the 2020 U.S. Census, the Richmond City Council voted Monday to extend the process through March.

Richmond officials last month acknowledged they were on track to miss the Dec. 31 deadline, citing delays in the release of the census data because of the COVID-19 pandemic and final approval of congressional and state voter maps. A few other Virginia localities, such as Albemarle County, have also made plans to finish redistricting this year.

The new timeline that the council approved Monday sets March 28 as the target date to finalize updated boundaries for each of the citys nine council districts.

While the council had originally set out to finalize a new map by the end of February, a lawyer the city hired for the process has recommended more time for residents to help draw the map.

I would recommend that revised schedule, which will give way more opportunity for public engagement, said Gerry Hebert, an Alexandria-based civil rights lawyer who specializes in election law and redistricting.

Redistricting is legally required every 10 years after the latest census data is released to ensure a locality is divided into similarly sized pieces so a vote in any district carries similar weight. The citys population over the last decade increased by 11%, from 204,000 to 226,600, according to last years census data.

Each district needs about 25,000 residents to make them equal. Hebert has said that the 2nd and 6th districts are over that number by more than 5%, while the 3rd District falls short by 12%, meaning that all three need to be adjusted to fall within an acceptable deviation from the ideal head count.

Council officials and members of the Richmond City Democratic Committee and the Richmond Crusade for Voters last month stressed that the process must be transparent and involve city residents.

In a presentation to the council during an informal session Monday, Hebert said sticking to the original schedule would be difficult as the citys previous timeline had envisioned the introduction of draft maps by Jan. 24.

Hebert said he and other officials had considered a truncated series of community meetings this week to share information and gather input, but that would have put too much pressure on the council to act quickly.

What weve done in Option Two, I think is more consistent with what I think you all outlined in late December, Hebert said.

Ninth District Councilman Michael Jones said he supports taking additional time so the city does not inadvertently create racial disparities, noting how the citys council districts and mayoral election process were created in the 1970s to prevent the marginalization of Black voters.

How do we ensure that through this process that we dont lose the integrity of what the Crusade for Voters and so many people fought for years ago? he said.

It may not be so simple ... if it dramatically impacts the African American voice and vote in this city.

More information about the redistricting process and public engagement can be found online at rva.gov/richmond-city-council/redistricting or by emailing redistricting@rva.gov.
Hanover Countys School Board has responded to an ACLU of Virginia lawsuit filed last month on behalf of the parents of five transgender students who say the board violated state law by not adopting policy revisions in November that would expressly allow their children to use school bathrooms and facilities that align with their gender identity.

The 103-page response filed last Friday in Hanover County Circuit Court argues that the School Board is not in violation of state law for its actions taken Nov. 9, when it voted down the policy change, nor is an injunction  sought by the plaintiffs in this case  an appropriate action allowed by the court.

The lawsuit stems from the boards Nov. 9 actions, when it unanimously approved policy revisions that allow Hanover school officials to use the name and gender consistent with the students gender identity upon request of the student and parent, but shot down the more contentious transgender bathroom policy, as its widely known both at the state and federal levels.

Virginias 2020 law was largely sparked by the Gavin Grimm case, in which Grimm, a transgender man, sued the Gloucester County School Board in 2015 after it barred him from using the boys restroom. A federal court ruled in his favor  that the actions by the School Board were unconstitutional and violated his rights under Title IX  and that ruling stands after the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear the case last summer.

The General Assembly passed legislation in 2020 requiring all of Virginias 132 school divisions to adopt policies regarding the treatment of transgender and nonbinary students. It directed the Virginia Department of Education to first create model guidelines, and school divisions could then adopt those policies or create their own, provided that school divisions policies were consistent with but may be more comprehensive than VDOEs model policies.

School divisions were instructed to have policies in place before the start of the current school year.

Hanover was already behind when it took its actions in November. The ACLU sued under state laws that allow parents of students aggrieved by an action of their school board to challenge that action in circuit court within 30 days. In this case, the plaintiffs are parents of transgender students  two in elementary school, two in middle and one in high school.

The complaint, filed Dec. 9, asked the court for temporary/preliminary or permanent injunctions, which declare that the School Boards actions were a violation of Virginias law on adopting transgender policies. It asked the court to order the School Board to adopt policies consistent with VDOEs model policies, and to grant other and such further relief as this Court deems equitable and just under the circumstances.

Hanovers response, filed by School Board Attorney Lisa Seward, argues, in part, that Virginia law doesnt require school boards to adopt the language of the model policies in their entirety, nor does it require boards to adopt the model policies into their existing policies.

Rather, school boards are required to ensure that their policies  whether as those policies existed prior to the enactment of [the state law] or after the issuance of the Model Policiesare consistent with the Model Policies, the response said.

The response said that while the board did not adopt the proposed bathroom revision on Nov. 9, the board said publicly back then that it wished to continue working on revisions to its policies and that that action did not constitute the adoption of any new policy that was inconsistent with the Model Policies. It noted that current School Board policy provides that Hanover County Public Schools programs and services do not discriminate against any individual for reasons of gender identity.

Further, the response said that while the General Assembly could have required that school boards adopt particular language in their local policies, or include the Model Policies themselves in local policy, it did not. Rather, it merely required that school boards review their policies to ensure that they were not inconsistent with [state law]. The School Board is in the process of doing that, and will continue to do so going forward.

With regards to the injunction sought, Hanovers response argues that under the state laws that allow parents to challenge school boards actions in court, injunction relief ... is not available in an action to review a decision made by a local school board.

The response claims that the plaintiffs havent shown that theyre entitled to an injunction, but goes on to say that in the event that the Court finds that the School Board did not comply with applicable law in its actions on November 9, 2021, the appropriate remedy is for the Court to remand the matter to the School Board for further actions that are consistent with the Courts findings.

When reached by phone Monday, School Board Chairwoman Ola J. Hawkins said she could not speak about pending litigation, and directed questions to Seward. Seward said Monday by email that the next step is likely a court hearing.
LOS ANGELES (AP)  Betty White died from a stroke she had six days before her Dec. 31 death at age 99, according to her death certificate.

The beloved "Golden Girls" and "Mary Tyler Moore Show" actor died at her home in the Brentwood section of Los Angeles as the result of a Dec. 25 cerebrovascular accident, the medical term for a stroke, according to the LA County death certificate obtained Monday by The Associated Press.

The cause was provided by White's doctor, as is typical in such cases.

She was cremated and her remains were given Friday to Glenn Kaplan, the man in charge of White's advanced health care directive.

Notable deaths of 2021 ... a final look back A final look back at the entertainers, leaders, athletes, authors and other stars who died in 2021.

Jeff Witjas, White's longtime agent and friend, who first confirmed her death to the AP, said she had been staying close to her Los Angeles home during the pandemic.

The document lists White's legal name of Betty Marion Ludden. She took the last name of her husband Allen Ludden, to whom she was married from 1963 until his death in 1981.

The information from the death certificate was first reported by TMZ.

White, whose comic chops and up-for-anything charm made her a television mainstay for more than 60 years who was celebrated by several generations of fans, died less than three weeks before her 100th birthday.

President Joe Biden, Mel Brooks, and many other celebrities and prominent leaders paid tribute to her after her death.
The Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Cyberspace Administration of China Monday jointly launched a livestreaming cultural event in the run-up to celebrate traditional Chinese holidays such as the upcoming Spring Festival and the Lantern Festival.

The online event will gather intangible cultural heritage preservation institutions and inheritors in designated areas with traditional holiday customs listed as intangible cultural heritage, record videos of these traditional activities in conformity to anti-pandemic protocols and share them on the event's platform as well as other participating platforms, where netizens can upload their own posts, interact and communicate, according to the organizers.

Participating localities have also rolled out their own action plans as well as pandemic control and emergency response plans for the event in accordance with local anti-pandemic protocols.

The event has a considerable meaning in dispelling the negative impact of the COVID-19 epidemic, leveraging the healing and cohesive role of intangible cultural heritage and spreading China's fine traditional culture, said the organizers.
The Richmond City Council has allocated $1.3 million for work to begin on a national slavery museum and historical campus in Shockoe Bottom.

The council approved the funding Monday evening after a public hearing where all 11 speakers supported the creation of the museum, even those who said they want more transparency and commitments that Black descendants of enslaved people will have the chance to reap financial benefits from its construction and development through jobs, internships and marketing opportunities.

The National Slavery Museum, as it is called in city legislation, would be located at Lumpkins Jail in Shockoe Bottom, which was the center of a slave trading market that was larger than any but New Orleans for decades before the Civil War and the abolition of slavery.

Project supporters and city officials say a 9-acre heritage campus is also part of the plan.

It is important to tell that terrifying truth, that whole story, but then to also materially benefit those people whose stories you are telling, said Joseph Rogers, a community activist and manager of partnerships and community engagement for the Virginia Museum of History & Culture.

If we do nothing but tell that story, and then let people continue to simply go about their lives ... we do nothing, we gain nothing, and we continue to slide downwards, said Rogers, noting that the citys Black population has declined by 20,000 while the rest of the city grows. The descendant community must benefit from this because, if not, we will not be a part of the city any longer.

The funding approved Monday awards $300,000 for a museum foundation made up of members from the defunct Richmond Slave Trail Commission to hire professional staff to work on the project. The remaining $1 million is earmarked for design services for the campus and a planned community engagement process.

Sylvester Turner, pastor of Pilgrim Baptist Church and a former member of the Slave Trail Commission, said during Mondays public hearing that the museum would honor the approximately 300,000 people that historians estimate were sold in Virginia in the mid-19th century.

The monies that you are offering ... will open up the opportunity for us to do it in a way that is not only effective, but a way that will honor our ancestors who gave so much, not only to the city, but the state and to this country, Turner said. We have to honor them.

Members of the council also spoke in favor of the project, including 9th District Councilman Michael Jones, who said he believes it is of particular importance after the city removed its Confederate monuments last year.

The response cant be to build back up Monument Avenue, Jones said. It must be to build back the antithesis of what was torn down. And the best thing to do is to become serious as a council and administration to tell the true story ... of whats in place in Virginia.

Richmond is not where it is today without the labor of enslaved Africans, he added. Something is owed.

***

In other business on Monday, the City Council voted to accept the state-owned property where the Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee monument had been located at the intersection of Monument and Allen avenues.

The council also passed legislation to formalize the removal of two other monuments, a statue of Gen. Williams Carter Wickham that was in Monroe Park and the First Virginia Regiment monument that was in Meadow Park.

Protesters toppled both monuments in June 2020, a month before the city took down its Confederate monuments in the wake of nationwide protests following the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

State and city officials recently announced that all of the monuments, including the Lee monuments and its graffiti-covered pedestal, will be transferred to the Black History Museum & Cultural Center of Virginia, which will partner with the Valentine museum, other local institutions and the public to determine the final disposition of the monuments.

The area around the Lee monument became a central hub for demonstrations and community gatherings during the 2020 protest movement following the killing of Floyd. The City Council is scheduled to vote on Wednesday to formally accept the Lee statue from the state.

Lincoln Saunders, the citys chief administrative officer, said Monday that officials are still forming plans to work with the public to decide what should be done with the circle. He said fencing that was installed last year will remain until grass begins to grow over the monument foundation.
The field of potential Democratic challengers to Rep. Abigail Spanberger in the new 7th Congressional District has narrowed as a number of high-profile elected officials have dropped out of the race for the nomination in a Democratic-leaning district that is expected to be highly competitive for Republicans.

Three prominent Prince William County Democrats  Sen. Jeremy McPike, Del. Luke Torian and former Del. Jennifer Carroll Foy  say they wont run for the nomination in the new congressional district under a map approved by the Virginia Supreme Court that splits the county in half and includes a number of solidly Republican counties outside of Northern Virginia.

Its definitely a toss-up, said Matt Rowe, chair of the 1st District Democratic Committee and a candidate to become chair of the new 7th District party committee in March. This is probably going to be one of the most watched races in the country.

Two other elected Democrats  Del. Elizabeth Guzman and Prince William School Board Chair Babur Lateef  are still considering bids for the nomination to challenge Spanberger, who declared her plans to run for a third term in a new district far from her current home in western Henrico County.

All of them  as well as Del. Hala Ayala  had expressed interest in running for the congressional seat under a redistricting map proposed in early December that included all of Prince William in a solidly Democratic district in Northern Virginia.

The final map changed the landscape of the new 7th, said Tonya James, chair of the Prince William Democratic Committee.

Our hope, with Prince William County being the most diverse county in Virginia and as a whole we have a community of interest, was that we would not be split up like that, said James, whose home in western Prince William is now part of the 10th Congressional District, represented by Democratic Rep. Jennifer Wexton. But I do think we have the opportunity to be represented by two Democrats.

McPike, in his second term in the Senate, said Tuesday that he will not run for the congressional seat, partly because of the final map the court approved.

The original proposal had all of Prince William in one district, he said in an interview, adding that the Supreme Court decision to split the county had some influence on his declining to run for the seat. He also cited family considerations in the decision.

Torian, who is about to step down as chairman of the House Appropriations Committee as Republicans take control of the House on Wednesday, said in an interview last week that he would not seek the congressional nomination.

James said Carroll Foy, who resigned her House seat last year for an unsuccessful bid for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination, informed her that she also is not running for the 7th District seat. Instead, Carroll Foy has filed campaign organization papers to run for an open seat in the new 33rd Senate District, which includes her home in eastern Prince William.

James said Ayala, who lost the Nov. 2 election for lieutenant governor, met with Spanberger on Sunday, along with Del. Danica Roem, D-Prince William, and Prince William Supervisor Kenny Boddye, who represents the Occoquan District within the new congressional boundaries.

She and her team have been working to get to know Democrats and voters in Prince William County, James said of the congresswoman, who won two close elections in a 10-county district rooted in the Richmond suburbs that Republicans had dominated for decades.

She said Spanberger is being received very warmly as we talk about the issues, where we meet on the issues and the perspective of voters here in the new 7th.

If she keeps doing the work here, I think we will be successful and she will be successful, James said.

Republicans are eager to challenge Spanberger, a political centrist whom they contend votes too often with the progressive left. At least five Republicans have declared their candidacy in the new district, including Prince William Supervisor Yesli Vega and Sen. Bryce Reeves, R-Spotsylvania. Other candidates include John Castorani of Orange; Derrick Anderson of Spotsylvania; and Gary Adkins of Stafford.

The congressional redistricting took both parties by surprise, prompting the withdrawal of a number of well-known Republican elected officials whose residences were moved into either the new 1st Congressional District, represented by Rep. Rob Wittman, R-1st, or the new 5th District, represented by Republican Rep. Bob Good.

Democrats were stunned to see Spanberger moved into a heavily Republican 1st District under the new map, but appear to be rallying behind her decision to run in the new 7th. She hasnt disclosed yet whether she will move with her family  including three school-age children  into the new 11-locality district and, if so, where.

Those of us who are losing her miss her already, said Abbi Easter, chair of the current 7th District Congressional Democratic Committee.

Easter lives in Chesterfield County. Western Chesterfield is now part of the new 1st District. The current Democratic committee is beginning the process of constituting a new one with representatives of each local party committee in mid-March.

Thats our final responsibility, she said.

Rowe, who lives in Fredericksburg, is moving in the opposite direction  from the 1st to the 7th, in which he hopes to lead the Democratic committee.

Once the party nominations are decided for the 7th District race, he said, its going to be quite a battle.
Gov.-elect Glenn Youngkin has chosen a veteran of the managed care insurance industry as secretary of health and human resources, who will oversee a group of state agencies with big budgets to carry out critical missions.

John Littel, former president of Magellan of Virginia and a former executive at Amerigroup Corp., brings more than three decades of experience in health care financing, including services for a struggling behavioral health system that Youngkin has vowed to improve.

Later Monday, Youngkin named Fauquier County Sheriff Robert Mosier as his choice for secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security. Mosier, who has a 30-year background in law enforcement, was first elected Fauquiers sheriff in 2015.

Youngkin said during his campaign that public safety was a top priority. He reiterated on Monday that he will immediately remove members of the states parole board.

As health secretary, Littel would oversee a department still on the front line of the COVID-19 pandemic, and a $18 billion Medicaid program.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had devastating impacts on Virginians across the Commonwealth, and John will play a pivotal role in overseeing our efforts to protect Virginians lives and livelihoods, Youngkin said in a statement.

Starting on Day One, Johns experience will be an asset as we fix our broken mental and behavioral health system, ensure Virginians have access to affordable, free-market health care options, and reform our health care safety net to save taxpayer dollars and improve health care outcomes.

The health pick was well-received by a key Democratic legislator who welcomed Littels extensive experience.

Im just excited to see he wont be in learning mode on the first day, said Del. Mark Sickles, D-Fairfax, the outgoing chairman of the House Committee on Health, Welfare and Institutions, and a leader on health care issues on the House Appropriations Committee. These are huge, complex programs.

Medicaid, run by the Department of Medical Assistance Services, has a two-year budget of $25 billion in federal and state funds to serve almost 2 million Virginians who are elderly, disabled or too poor to afford commercial health insurance.

Magellan, now operating as Molina Complete Care, is one of six managed care companies that administer most Medicaid services in Virginia, based on a fixed monthly fee for each recipient. The company previously served as administrator of behavioral health services.

You need someone who understands health care financing, said Doug Gray, executive director of the Virginia Association of Health Plans.

Hes just really knowledgeable, Gray said of Littel. Hes been at it for a long time.

Youngkin takes office on Saturday. The appointment comes as Virginia faces a surge in COVID-19 hospitalizations due to the omicron variant.

The governors transition team announced on Friday that he and Attorney General-elect Jason Miyares will challenge a federal rule that requires hospital employees to be vaccinated against COVID. That announcement came on the day that Virginia broke its record for COVID hospitalizations, with 3,329.

Sean Connaughton, president and CEO of the Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association, said the states beleaguered private hospitals look forward to working with Littel about ways in which the commonwealth can support our hospital members during the continued response to the surging COVID-19 pandemic, as well as on a range of other issues including strengthening our behavioral health system, and addressing health care workforce shortages.

Sen. Creigh Deeds, D-Bath, chairman of the state Behavioral Health Commission, said of Littel: He probably has the skill set that could be put to good use in the system, but the reality is, hes going to be drinking from a fire hose for a while.

Littel would succeed Dr. Vanessa Walker Harris as secretary of Health and Human Resources. Dr. Daniel Carey, a cardiologist from Lynchburg, left the post in October to become chief medical officer for a large medical group based in Washington state.

The Secretary of Health and Human Resources oversees 12 state agencies. In addition to the health department and Medicaid, the secretary also is responsible for the Department of Social Services and the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, which runs a system of state behavioral health institutions, while coordinating with local community services boards and behavioral health authorities.

Littel is rector of the College of William and Mary, serving as chair of the Board of Visitors and its executive committee.

***

As secretary of public safety, Mosier would succeed Brian Moran, who has served in the post since 2014, under Govs. Terry McAuliffe and Ralph Northam. Ten state agencies come under the office.

Mosier served as a deputy sheriff in Fauquier before his 2015 election. Northam appointed Mosier to the Criminal Justice Services Board in 2021 and to the Substance Abuse Services Council in 2020.

Following a November roundtable with law enforcement officials in Chesterfield County, Youngkin noted that in 2020 Virginias homicide rate  6.15 per 100,000 citizens  was the states highest in 20 years, according to Virginia State Police statistics. Youngkin also said Virginia must increase the pipeline of people who are going into law enforcement jobs.

Sheriff Mosier will play an important role in keeping our communities safe, Youngkin said in a statement Monday. We will get to work on this key priority by fully funding and raising pay for our law enforcement officers. Together, we will protect qualified immunity, and on Day One fire the Parole Board.

Bob shares my vision for innovating how our law enforcement officers build trust and engage in their communities they serve by building bridges with local leaders to reduce crime and keep Virginians safe.

Mosier also has an array of international experience in support of law enforcement.

For example, in 1996, the U.S. State Department chose Mosier to serve in Bosnia and Herzegovina with the International Police Task Force as a station commander, where he represented the Fauquier County Sheriffs Office. He next served with the International Justice Mission, a human rights organization, as Director of Investigations working in Asia, Middle and Near East, Africa, and Latin America.
A staffing crisis has gone from bad to worse at Virginias only state mental hospital for children and adolescents.

The Commonwealth Center for Children and Adolescents in Staunton is operating only 11 of its 48 beds because of the worst COVID-19 outbreak at state facilities since the pandemic began more than 22 months ago. The outbreak has infected 23 employees and six patients at the hospital, which already was operating on a skeleton staff.

Statewide, 431 people  including 312 employees  currently test positive for COVID-19 in Virginias behavioral health system. The system includes nine mental hospitals, a training center for people with developmental or intellectual disabilities, a medical facility for people with severe disabilities and a rehabilitation center for civilly committed sex offenders.

Were currently experiencing the highest COVID numbers weve ever seen at our facilities, State Behavioral Health Commissioner Alison Land told a Senate Finance subcommittee on Monday.

The number of infections is higher at other facilities  81 employees and 30 patients have tested positive for the disease at Central State Hospital near Petersburg.

But no state behavioral health facility is more vulnerable than the Commonwealth Center because children and teens in crisis have few other places to go.

We recognize our mission, said Dr. Jaime Bamford, director of the hospital. We recognize that were it for kids.

State legislators recognize it, too, and theyre worried.

Weve had a difficult situation there for at least a year, said Sen. Creigh Deeds, D-Bath, chairman of the Virginia Behavioral Health Commission. It does concern me. We only have 48 beds for juvenile in our system, and now we dont have 37.

Bonuses, using federal aid provided through the American Rescue Plan Act, have stopped the bleeding, Land told the Senate panel, but hiring and retaining employees for direct care jobs will depend on salary increases that Gov. Ralph Northam proposed in his final two-year budget, with a combination of federal and state funds.

We need to do some things sooner rather than later, said Sen. Emmett Hanger, R-Augusta, who chairs the Senate Finance subcommittee on health and human resources.

Prospective employees see a base salary rate of $13 an hour, compared with more than $15 an hour that they could get for a less demanding and risky job. The bonuses help, but they arent enough to attract workers who are increasingly younger and less willing to accept front-line jobs working with volatile patients.

Money is part of it and safety is another big part we face, Bamford said in an interview on Monday. Ive had plenty of staff who worked in corrections and they said its much safer there than here.

Hanger, whose Senate district currently includes the hospital, said, We need to somehow create a better environment, a safer environment.

Last month, for example, five employees at Commonwealth Center sustained moderate to severe injuries that sent them to a hospital emergency room after intervening to prevent two patients from hurting themselves. At the same time, the hospital temporarily lost three more employees who tested positive for COVID.

This isnt the first COVID-19 outbreak to sweep through Commonwealth Center. The first, early last year, infected more patients, but this time, the brunt has fallen on employees. Since the beginning of January, 27 employees have tested positive, most of them in direct-care jobs.

The hospital is operating with just 26 of its normal 90 certified nursing assistants and eight of its 25 nurses, either registered nurses or licensed practical nurses. About 81% of all employees are vaccinated against the disease, but only about 60% of staff in direct care jobs.

With an average age under 25 years old, I think theres some [feeling of] invincibility to it, Bamford said. It is a little puzzling.

The hospital has adopted emergency staffing protocol to allow employees to return from quarantine after five days instead of 10  if they test negative or are asymptomatic. Those employees work in a unit that has been set aside for patients who already of have tested for COVID-19.

But filling shifts still requires mandatory overtime and what spokeswoman Lauren Cunningham called creative scheduling.

The outbreak has been exacerbated by snowstorms that swept through Virginia last week. Bamford said some staff worked an eight-hour shift overnight, another eight-hour shift the next morning, slept at the hospital and then filled another overnight shift.

Employees in different departments have pitched in to restock supplies of personal protective equipment  gowns, gloves, face masks  and other duties that dont require training or certification.

The combination of COVID and bad weather also has been hard on the juveniles in the hospital. They cant go to school, play outside on the playground or participate in their normal activities.

The hospital has improvised by installing a Roku media player for television programming. Theyve come up with ways for the young patients to use walky-talkies to play bingo or trivia games.

But the larger problem is finding beds in psychiatric or other behavioral health facilities for children and adolescents in crisis.

That, to me, is where the crux of the problem is, said Emily Griffey, chief policy officer at Voices for Virginias Children.

As a result, Bamford said, Were seeing waiting lists and kids waiting in emergency departments.

However, she added, For the most part, kids have seemed able to find a bed sooner than later.

Still, Bamford said the hospital is walking a fine line in its ability to deliver care to vulnerable young people who need it.

You just keep your fingers crossed, she said. You just have to hope well find some way out of it.
After initially resisting release of public records even when faced with litigation, the Virginia Department of Forensic Science has opted to turn over documents related to the wrongful conviction of Earl Washington Jr. ahead of a scheduled Freedom of Information Act trial on Tuesday.

Washington came within days of being executed in Virginia in 1985 for a murder he didnt commit. He was pardoned in 2000.

Seeking an answer to one unresolved question, Washingtons attorney, Robert T. Hall of Fairfax, filed a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit against the state lab last week because it withheld records the attorney believes will show that authorities at the time could have gotten the right suspect.

After the lawsuit was filed and a hearing set, the Department of Forensic Science opted to turn over the documents on Friday.

We sincerely appreciate DFSs decision to produce the Tinsley blood test results, given the tragic history of the Earl Washington matter, Mark Dix, the attorney who made the filing for Hall, said in a statement. As a result, Mr. Hall has elected to nonsuit his FOIA lawsuit.

Washington, with an IQ of 69, narrowly escaped being executed after police led him into a false confession by giving him details of the killing of Rebecca Lynn Williams in her Culpeper apartment in 1982.

Hall in 2021 asked the Department of Forensic Science, through two requests under Virginias Freedom of Information Act, for blood test results related to the real killer, Kenneth Maurice Tinsley, stemming from a 1984 sexual assault case. Hall believed they would show Tinsley had a unique blood marker that was found at the Williams crime scene  a marker that Washington did not have.

Hall also believes that the state lab changed its report on Washingtons blood to assist prosecutors; even though the lab knew Washington did not have the unique blood marker, the lab report was changed to say that testing for that marker was inconclusive, Hall alleged.

(Tinsley, who is now deceased, pleaded guilty to the rape and capital murder of Williams in 2007.)

Although nothing in the law prevented the Department of Forensic Science from turning over the blood test results on Tinsley, the agency director withheld them because she wasnt required to turn them over. She argues that a part of Virginias FOIA that requires mandatory release of certain law-enforcement records doesnt apply to the Department of Forensic Science because its not a law enforcement agency. Hall disagrees with that.

It remains unresolved whether that provision of FOIA that mandates release of certain criminal records applies to the Department of Forensic Science.

Linda C. Jackson, director of the department, said in a statement for this story: The Department elected, in its discretion, to release the entire case file from Mr. Tinsleys case to Mr. Hall due to the historical nature of Mr. Washingtons exoneration and the allegations made against the Department by Mr. Hall in the affidavit accompanying his suit.

Attorney General Mark Herrings office was prepared to defend the departments denial of the records.

Charlotte Gomer, a spokeswoman for Herring, said by email Monday that Herring has always believed that the public deserves access to eligible state documents and information, and we are happy the situation has been resolved.
Virginia Attorney General Mark Herrings Office of Civil Rights is investigating whether a South Richmond landlord who blamed tenants for dangerous conditions in their apartments discriminated against its residents.

The new housing discrimination inquiry into Southwood Apartments LLC and Seminole Trail Management comes on the heels of a Richmond Times-Dispatch investigation at the Communities at Southwood, Richmonds largest Latino community.

Over three months, reporters observed homes rife with mold, rat and roach infestations and other maintenance issues the landlord is legally responsible for repairing. Tenants say management ignored requests or failed to adequately address problems brought to their attention.

Specifically, we are seeking to determine whether those entities have imposed discriminatory terms and conditions on residents or made discriminatory statements to residents based on race and/or national origin, according to the letter from Herrings office, dated Jan. 9 and obtained by The Times-Dispatch.

The state probe coincides with city officials pledging stronger oversight at the complex after Times-Dispatch reporters began asking questions about the living conditions there.

Under Virginias Fair Housing Law, it is illegal for housing providers to discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, familial status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, military status or source of income. The law also forbids landlords from applying different standards to different classes of people.

The Times-Dispatchs reporting included some troubling allegations, and the Office of Attorney General has the responsibility to ensure equal access to housing in Virginia, said Charlotte Gomer, a spokeswoman for the Attorney Generals Office.

The investigation could unfold over weeks or months, Gomer added. She declined further comment, citing the pending investigation.

Chip Dicks, an attorney representing Southwoods owner, said the rental company would cooperate with the attorney generals offices inquiry and conduct its own investigation.

Southwood is an equal housing provider and fully complies with the letter and spirit of the Federal Fair Housing Act and the Virginia Fair Housing Law, said Dicks, a former state delegate and member of the Virginia Housing Commission, in a written statement. The management of Southwood had read about the allegations of fair housing violations at its community and takes those allegations seriously. The Management is not aware of any noncompliance with fair housing laws and regulations. We are also not aware of any fair housing complaints filed by any tenants and were not aware of the involvement of the Attorney Generals Office until today.

Current and former residents said the problems at Southwood have persisted for at least two decades, predating the complexs current management and the $10 million renovation it conducted a decade ago.

Elena Camacho, a community organizer with New Virginia Majority who has rallied residents for nearly three years, in a Tuesday interview invited the attorney generals office to speak directly with the families to gain a better understanding of the problems.

Its better when people say it with their own words what they are living, Camacho said.

A survey of nearly 100 Southwood households conducted last year by New Virginia Majority, an advocacy organization that has aided tenant organizing efforts, found that 88 lived with rodents, 78 had roaches and 59 reported mold in their homes, among other issues.

Carroll Steele, Southwoods on-site property manager, declined multiple interviews over a series of months before agreeing to answer questions from The Times-Dispatch in writing. In her response late last month, Steele blamed tenants for causing the issues and not reporting them to her office in a timely fashion.

A vast majority of our residents are very easy to work with and have little to no complaints. We do have some residents from third-world countries that have poor housekeeping issues and have brought the pest control issues with them upon moving into their apartment, Steele wrote. Because of the size of the property we receive hundreds of work orders per month and each work order is taken care of within hours or days depending on the severity. We respond to emergencies and mildew complaints immediately but the resident needs to inform us of the issue if we are to address.

After publication, Michael Jones, who represents the neighborhood on the Richmond City Council, condemned Steeles characterization blaming immigrants for the conditions as both xenophobic and racist.

I am aware of the situation at Southwood and I am following it closely, Jones said Tuesday after reviewing the letter from Herrings office. I look forward to the outcome of this investigation because oftentimes the most vulnerable among us are taken advantage of. Everyone deserves safe and clean neighborhoods and a clean place to reside and raise a family.

Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney said he supports the attorney generals probe.

Regardless of their background, no resident should feel they have to make a choice between living in unsanitary conditions and the fear of housing discrimination for speaking up to have those conditions addressed, Stoney said. In light of the conditions described by housing advocates and Southwood residents, including those reported by The Times-Dispatch and subsequently documented by city inspectors, these concerns merit further investigation.

Camacho said workers from the leasing office had visited Delia Lopez Figueroa  a mother of three in Southwood who spoke with The Times-Dispatch about how she duct tapes holes in the ceiling to prevent cockroaches from falling onto her bed  after publication and told her the videos she took part in with reporters werent funny, which intimidated Lopez Figueroa.

Another tenant who submitted a request for repairs received a letter noting that his lease could be terminated because he has housekeeping issues in the apartment, Camacho said.

This could create fear in the tenants to stop doing the requests of repairs, Camacho continued.

While there were no active code enforcement cases at the 1,287-unit complex early last month, city inspectors visited the property after reporters raised questions about conditions there. Accompanied by Steele, inspectors saw several randomly selected apartments through the complex, according to a report detailing the visit by Richmonds Acting Building Commissioner David L. Alley III.

In two of the units, they observed several code enforcement violations, including a roach infestation; mold in the kitchen and bathroom; leaky plumbing; missing smoke detectors; and what inspectors termed a lack of general housekeeping habits, as evidenced by pots left on the stove, food left out in the kitchen and cobwebs.

The city deemed the two apartments unfit for human habitation, until property management fixed the violations  something Steele did not disclose in written responses to reporters sent two weeks after city inspectors found violations at the property. Two households had to be temporarily relocated, according to the city report.

Both units passed a follow-up inspection, and management scheduled pest extermination for the entire building afterward, according to the citys Property Maintenance and Code Enforcement division. It has not received any additional complaints from the complex since.

A follow-up meeting with management is planned for this week, and code enforcement will inspect a new building at the complex each month, officials said.

While it would be unfeasible to inspect all 1,287 units immediately, the report stated, we must continue our efforts by responding to tenant complaints as they come available, the tenants of this complex must be informed and provided with the necessary information so they can contact us directly for serious health violations such as infestation and mold.

Mark Robinson Mark Robinson covers Richmond City Hall. Follow Mark Robinson Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today
A misuse of statistics

Editor, Times-Dispatch:

Outgoing Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring has just shown why he was voted out of office: because he is the type that will stoop to using skewed statistics for a lawsuit against the town of Windsor for systemic violations of Virginians civil rights.

Herring's evidence used the populations of the town of Windsor and Isle of Wight County to compare the races of drivers who were stopped, ticketed and searched. The problem with using these numbers is that the great majority of drivers stopped in Windsor are not residents  they are passing through on U.S. Route 460, a major travel highway.

Millions of vehicles pass through Windsor each year. The numbers cited in the lawsuit came from traffic stops between July 1, 2020, and Sept. 30, 2021, so to have strong evidence for a lawsuit, the demographics of all drivers from that period would have to be compared.

Herring is obviously taking this action in hopes it will benefit him in some future political run, and to place incoming Attorney General Jason Miyares in a difficult position.

Volpe Boykin.
The Roanoke County School Board kicked off 2022 with a bang. Or maybe we should call it a shot in the foot, similar to a legislative faux pas that board members committed last year, too.

Tuesday, the board too hastily approved a resolution to drop student mask mandates. Then Thursday, members met again to repeal Tuesdays resolution, after meeting with their attorney.

At the second meeting, most pledged to reconsider the measure after Glenn Youngkin is inaugurated as governor. Then, presumably, undoing the mask mandate will be kosher.

Behind that impatient legislating was one of the boards newest members, Cheryl Facciani. The retired speech pathologist and mother of four won election from the Windsor Hills District in November.

Shes the board member who offered the anti-mask mandate resolution in Tuesdays work session. (Typically those are handled at regular school board meetings, where theres opportunity for public input.)

Facciani insisted on a vote after at least two other school board members gently suggested waiting. And even more remarkable than the resolution was the 6-minute 30-second speech she gave in support of it.

Facciani appeared to be reading a prepared text. The volume was subdued, not raised. But her delivery at times came across as snide, with whiffs of arrogance and sarcasm. Also, some of the content was factually deficient, if not disingenuous.

She began with, Its an honor to be here tonight, to be elected, and its a privilege to serve. But the remarks quickly pivoted into a screed about masks, and devolved from there.

She included some zingers that seemed more appropriate for a comedy club routine or talk radio than a county school board meeting. In particular, Facciani bashed frequently changing social-distancing guidelines health authorities recommended and imposed as the pandemic has progressed.

Over the summer, you could walk into a restaurant and have your mask on, and you sit down, you can take your mask off because COVID magically disappeared when you were sitting down. And Im sure you remember churches were closed, but, you know, bars were open.

That sounds like silliness from a Rush Limbaugh monologue, except with subpar delivery.

The guidelines indeed have changed with some nettlesome frequency during the pandemic. Is it possible thats because scientific knowledge of the COVID-19 is changing daily? And because the virus is still evolving into more highly transmissible variants? Its kind of a moving target. Under such circumstances, one might expect the pandemic-control guidelines to change along with the most up-to-date scientific knowledge.

It got weirder from there. Next, Facciani took aim at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, also known as the CDC.

To be clear, Facciani declared, the CDC is not a fourth branch of government. We have three branches of government if we go back to our eighth-grade civics class: legislative, executive and judicial. And the CDCs actually a 5013.

Why did she bring up that three branches of government flourish? It came across as condescending. Its doubtful the people in that small conference room Tuesday needed a middle-school civics refresher.

And to be clear, that last nugget about the CDC is untrue.

Its a real government agency under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The CDCs annual, taxpayer-funded budget is more than $6.5 billion. Its not a 5013 nonprofit organization like the United Way or a local food bank. (Some debunked internet rumors from May 2021 insist its a tax-deductible nonprofit corporation.)

Then Facciani said:

The psychological damage that weve seen our students go through, and our children these past two years is really, truly beyond our comprehension. We have a worldwide epidemic of suicides, thats irrefutable, and we have a huge surge of drug abuse among adolescents.

With respect to suicides, a study published this past July in The Lancet, a respected international medical journal, found they didnt increase in the pandemics early months in 21 countries surveyed. Another study released in November by the CDC found suicides in America dropped 3% in 2020 compared to suicides in 2019, before the pandemic.

Next, Facciani raised the possibility that masking young children could negatively affect their intelligence. She said:

A recent study came out of Brown University, and its actually a really good one, if you havent looked at it, you should. And it demonstrates a demonstrable drop in IQ of 21-23 points and theyre attributing this to the result of masking, and in daycare and schools.

Brown University is not a university that anyone should sneeze at, Facciani told the board.

I looked at that Brown study. Heres what its authors wrote:

We find that children born before the pandemic and followed through the initial stages do not show a reduction in skills or performance, but rather that young infants born since the beginning of the pandemic show significantly lower performance than infants born before January 2019. Thus, our results seem to suggest that early development is impaired by the environmental conditions brought on by the pandemic.

With respect to masks, the study authors added:

Masks worn in public settings and in school or daycare settings may impact a range of early developing skills, such as attachment, facial processing, and socio-emotional processing.

Unfortunately, we do not have direct or parent-reported measures indicative of parent or caregiver-child interaction, early media exposure, or physical activity to investigate the potential causative role of these factors.

Translation: The pandemic has affected infants IQs, but not toddlers or elementary students.

The Brown researchers didnt even investigate whether masking negatively affects IQ, because they lacked the relevant data. The study attributes nothing to child masking.

There were other debate-worthy aspects of the speech, but by now you get the drift. Some of it was simple misinformation. Many good people fall victim to that. Theres a lot going around.

Monday morning I called Facciani and left her a voicemail about this column. And at noon I reached out via email. I was seeking more information about the quotes above. I got no response by deadline.

One thing Facciani neglected to mention in the meeting was another university study. Released July 28, its from the University of California-Riverside. The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences published the peer-reviewed article last summer.

It suggests slower-witted people are less inclined to follow social distancing guidelines  such as wearing masks. According to the article, thats because they have a lower capacity for working memory, one measure of intelligence. And that makes it harder for them to quickly and easily analyze benefits and costs.

It might be unfair to juxtapose that study with events last week among the Roanoke County School Board. But hey, I didnt attend those meetings unmasked, like Facciani did. (From the video it appears about half the attendees were barefaced.)

You should watch that Jan. 4 meeting on YouTube. The interesting bits begin around the 3 hour, 8 minute mark.

The worrisome aspect is, parts of the meeting were reminiscent of Roanoke County Board of Supervisors meetings a decade ago, back when Roanoke Tea Party members showed up.

Remember all the Tea Party jabbering about how the Illuminati-run United Nations would take over zoning on Bent Mountain? And the bull excrement about flaming windmills? In retrospect that nonsense seems quaint and quirky. But it went on for years.

Misinformation doesnt serve the interests of Roanoke County pupils  or democracy. And we saw glimmers of it last week, in a newly constituted Roanoke County School Board.

For the students sake, lets hope it subsides rather than continues.

Contact metro columnist Dan Casey at 981-3423 or dan.casey@roanoke.com . Follow him on Twitter: @dancaseysblog .

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Netflix's "The Power of the Dog" and 20th Century Studios' "West Side Story" took home the top prizes at the 79th Golden Globe Awards on Sunday night, winning best drama and best musical or comedy, respectively.



The Western psychological drama film "The Power of the Dog" won big this year, not only capturing the award for best drama, the biggest prize of the night, but also walking away with best director for Jane Campion, and best supporting actor in any motion picture for Kodi Smit-McPhee.

Nicole Kidman was honored with the best actress in a drama category for her role in "Being the Ricardos," while Will Smith took home another coveted statue for best actor in the category for his performance in "King Richard."

"West Side Story" dominated the musical or comedy category. The musical film, directed by three-time Oscar winner Steven Spielberg, won best picture in the category, in addition to best actress in a musical or comedy for Rachel Zegler, and best supporting actress in any motion picture for Ariana DeBose.

Andrew Garfield nabbed the award for best actor in a musical or comedy for "Tick, Tick... Boom!"

The winners were announced by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) on its official website and social media pages as NBC skipped the controversy-filled event broadcast.

The HFPA has been under fire over its lack of diversity, alleged sexual misconduct and corruption in the past year.
Outgoing Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring has released an opinion asserting that Gov.-elect Glenn Youngkin does not have the authority to remove Virginia from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative through executive action.

The program, designed to reduce emissions from power plants, was approved by the Democratic-controlled General Assembly in 2020 and signed by Democratic Gov. Ralph Northam.

Energy producers in states that participate in RGGI trade emission reductions for credits, or buy credits to emit carbon dioxide past a cap. The revenue the state gets from the program is directed to programs that help low-income people reduce energy usage  thereby lowering their cost of electricity  and for programs combating sea level rise in coastal areas.

Climate change remains an urgent and ever-growing threat to Virginians, their safety, their health, and their communities, said Herring, a Democrat who leaves office on Saturday, when Attorney General-elect Jason Miyares, the Republican who beat him in November, is sworn in.

Herring, who produced the opinion at the request of outgoing House Majority Leader Charniele Herring, D-Alexandria and Del. Rip Sullivan, D-Arlington, said Virginias participation in the regional initiative, known as RGGI, is critical to reducing the states carbon pollution, while investing hundreds of millions of dollars in mitigation and resilience efforts.

The Virginia Constitution is clear: the Governor does not have the authority to single-handedly repeal or eliminate a law or regulation that has been passed by the General Assembly. It is time we all work together to fight climate change and leave a better, healthier planet for future generations.

Youngkin said last month that he will use executive power to withdraw Virginia from the program, which he said is essentially a tax on electricity ratepayers and a bad deal for them and for business.

Just this week Dominion Energy announced that they will seek to double the carbon surcharge that is being applied to ratepayers under the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, Youngkin said in Virginia Beach at the annual meeting of the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce.

RGGI will cost ratepayers over the next four years an estimated $1 billion to $1.2 billion dollars. RGGI describes itself as a regional market for carbon, but it is really a carbon tax that is fully passed on to ratepayers. Its a bad deal for Virginians. Its a bad deal for Virginia businesses.

Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont and Virginia collaborate in the RGGI program.
RICHMOND  A proposal to eliminate Virginias grocery tax would save food shoppers a sliver of their slice of pie, while establishing a recurring fund to supplement school construction, according to a bill filed by Del. Joe McNamara, R-Roanoke County.

Outgoing Democratic Gov. Ralph Northam previously proposed slashing Virginias 2.5% food tax, charged on groceries bought for human consumption and hygiene essentials such as diapers and bed sheets. But Northams suggestion retains the 1% grocery tax rate that benefits local governments.

Republican Gov.-elect Glenn Youngkin, who takes office this week, campaigned on eliminating the tax  and ran statewide television commercials advocating the plan.

McNamaras House Bill 90, filed last week, would eliminate the 2.5% grocery tax, simultaneously expanding public school access to construction funds, he said Monday.

My proposal says Im going to eliminate the 1.5% just like Northam did, and Im also going to eliminate the 1% that goes back to localities, McNamara said. But Im going to turn around and make a payment thats equal to 2% ... that goes back to the schools.

Of the current 2.5% grocery tax, 1% is divvied back to local governments, while 1% goes to the state to fund local schools, and the remaining half-percent is used by the state for transportation. Virginia is one of 14 states that taxes groceries, according to the nonprofit Tax Foundation.

Schools are important to Republicans, schools are important to Democrats, McNamara said. What we have here is an opportunity where we can impact the cost of living for our constituents, and we can recognize the importance of our school systems.

Similar to Northams proposal, HB 90 suggests using the states general coffers, rather than grocery taxes, to fund local school construction. McNamara said his bill also requests school funding to come from the states general sales tax each year, potentially providing up to $500 million more for school construction.

This is the capability to put that kind of money in year after year, so I think its a far stronger proposal, McNamara said. Its a huge, huge step for our localities.

On behalf of schools statewide, there exists potential to leverage $7.5 billion this year for construction costs, perhaps putting a sizable dent in demand for updated learning facilities, he said.

I just see it being a very positive, win-win opportunity that has created itself, McNamara said. I really expect some very strong support for the bill.

Based on past grocery tax data and state population estimates, McNamara calculated that an average Virginian would save about $75 per year if they did not pay any grocery taxes, or about $300 annually for a family of four.

Well have to see how things start out in the General Assembly, McNamara said. Of bills in general: The way they come out, it doesnt always look the same as they started. Thats kind of the fun of the process.

The 140-member General Assembly convenes in Richmond for a 60-day lawmaking session beginning Wednesday.

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RICHMOND  In need of updates, Catawba Hospital could soon be studied for potential to add substance abuse services at the more than 100-year-old facility, according to a bill filed by Del. Sam Rasoul, D-Roanoke.

The hospital, built in 1918 on the grounds of natural springs that once attracted tuberculosis patients, now serves adults and elderly people who are in need of mental health care. With some reimagining, there is potential for the aged hospital to help more people, Rasoul said Tuesday.

Its time to not just deal with mental health and substance abuse issues, but really own it, Rasoul said. My bill would have us engage in a comprehensive study as to how we can reimagine that campus.

Using medical resources available locally, such as the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech Carilion, Rasoul said Catawba Hospital could not only provide the psychiatric services currently offered, but also house inpatient and outpatient care for substance abuse treatment and recovery.

The dilapidated facilities at Catawba are clearly unacceptable, and we deserve this kind of state-of-the-art investment in our region, Rasoul said. This is a clear need in the region, and its time that we got the type of investments that our Roanoke Valley and Western Virginia deserves.

As part of Rasouls House Bill 105, a feasibility study would analyze the need for substance abuse services in Southwest Virginia, including identifying counties most in need of those services. If the bill passes, the study would be completed and its findings reported by a deadline of Dec. 1.

A revamp of Catawba Hospital might cost up to $200 million, Rasoul said.

The state reported 18,500 drug overdose visits to emergency departments in 2020, up from 14,750 in 2019, according to data published in January 2021.

Six of the states eight mental hospitals, including Catawba, were closed for a period in 2021 due to staffing shortages.

HB 105 is one of a plethora of potential laws that will be discussed during the Virginia General Assemblys 60-day lawmaking session beginning Wednesday.

On other issues, Rasoul said he looks forward to supporting budget measures that propose quality solutions to coronavirus-related issues like education and small business development.

Ill be focused on working on a bipartisan basis with my colleagues across the region to try to ensure that our region gets a fair share of investments and resources, Rasoul said. Whether that be in education, small business development, or in things like transportation.

Among other ideas, a family caregiver tax credit is on Rasouls mind heading into session, he said. Utility reform is another issue he hopes the assembly can make strides on.

In my time in the legislature, Ive seen the abuse  by especially the electric companies, but in some of the other utilities like broadband companies  that they take on ratepayers, Rasoul said. We have got to start to do more to make things more affordable.

Otherwise, Rasoul said he looks forward to working with his colleagues who are Republican, and with the incoming administration of Gov.-elect Glenn Youngkin, who will be inaugurated Saturday, with Rasoul sitting on Youngkins inaugural committee.

I am firmly committed to working with anybody that wants to help Virginia and our parts of Virginia, Rasoul said. We just want to make sure that all regions of Virginia are treated equitably.

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Sixth District Rep. Ben Cline announced Monday that he has tested positive for COVID-19.

I took a COVID test on Saturday and the test was positive, Cline, R-Botetourt, said in a statement. I have been vaccinated and after consulting with my physician, I am taking all necessary precautions to isolate here at home in Virginia.

Cline represents a district that stretches from Roanoke and Salem north to Highland County and east to Lynchburg.

Speaking last month at a town hall meeting in Amherst County, Cline said federal vaccine mandates are unconstitutional and wrongheaded from a recovery standpoint, both economic and health care-related.

Cline announced last month he will seek a third term in Congress in the fall election.
Two years ago, at the height of the U.S.-China trade war, a simple visit to an obscure factory by Chinese President Xi Jinping was all it took to trigger widespread pandemonium in U.S. markets by raising the specter that Beijing was contemplating cutting off supply of critical materials to the U.S. and potentially crippling large swathes of its industries. Fueled by political innuendo in Xis call for a new Long March in reference to a key founding tenet of the Chinese Communist Party, speculators have been growing increasingly wary of Chinese export restrictions to the U.S., including rare earth minerals. As the worlds largest producer, the Middle Kingdom really has a stranglehold on rare earths supply, providing more than 85% of the world's rare earths, and is also home to about two-thirds of the global supply of scarce metals and minerals.

Rare earth minerals, also known as the vitamins of chemistry, are a group of elements used in the manufacture of a wide range of equipment in small doses to produce powerful salutary effects. These minerals are extensively used in smartphones, batteries, turbines, lasers, electromagnetic guns, missiles, advanced weapon sensors, stealth technology and jamming technology.

But what if the tables are turned and it's China itself that has to worry about supply chain disruptions for key components and materials? This is a massive risk that Beijing has envisaged for its booming tech industry--and is working hard to avert.

Related: Top 3 Predictions For Bitcoin In The New Year



After all, factories in China build cars, smart phones and computers, but are forced to rely heavily on parts from countries including the U.S., Japan, Taiwan, South Korea and some European nations. China currently does not make nearly enough semiconductor chips to support its huge tech industry, and has to import ~$300 billion worth of chips every year mainly from Taiwan, home to the worlds largest contract chipmaker, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (NYSE:TSMC).

Self reliance

Worsening diplomatic relationships with any of these countries could jeopardize Chinas tech sector. For instance, China-Taiwan tensions have worsened over the past few years, with Beijing refusing to rule out a cross-strait military confrontation as it tries to reunite with what it views as a rogue province.

Although an all-out war would likely sever the chip supply chain altogether, its by no means the only threat facing China. Taiwan can also take steps to reduce its reliance on China, for example by signing a free trade deal with the U.S. and cutting off its chip trade with China entirely.

Sensing this vulnerability, President Xi Jinping has declared that self-reliance is the foundation for the Chinese nation, and said that China must become a technology leader to protect its national economic security.

Beijings first move to attain technological independence has been helping one of its largest companies, Alibaba Inc. (NYSE:BABA), make computer chips.

Better known for its internet and ecommerce prowess, over the past three years, Alibabas company T-Head has started making chips which it says are strictly for sale within China's borders.

Two other companies, including Tencent Holdings (OTCPK:TCEHY), a company that develops games and other social media, are working on building chips, too. China is currently in a 15-year-window for investing $150 billion in its chip industry, with the window set to close in 2030.

Indigenous innovation

Chinas indigenous innovation policy (zizhu chuangxin) has achieved some success, including technology development in ultra-high voltage transmission, high-speed rail, and several military applications. The policy has also led to a large number of scientific papers and patents that serve as intermediate outputs for research and development.

But developing complete technological independence is easier said than done.

First off, China lags significantly in everything it needs to be able to make the chips, with experts saying that Chinese manufacturing is about 10 years away from being able to equal the production of large chipmakers.

Second, Chinas technology industry has very few factories to produce chips once they are designed, and obtaining the necessary equipment and technology can be an onerous task. For instance, China's largest chip maker, SMIC, has been trying to buy equipment from the worlds photolithography leader, Netherlands ASML. However, so far, the Dutch government has failed to give consent for a sale.

China also faces a raft of measures by nations that restrict technology transfer to China. One such measure is the U.S. government 2018 ban on Chinas telecom giant Huawei from U.S. communications networks on security concerns. Companies like Alibaba are likely to get better at designing chips, but might find progress limited by the fact that the tools they need to produce them are restricted by the governments of the U.S. and various European countries.

Ultimately, achieving total technological independence might be a mirage. In the digital age where economic and social complexity is increasing and innovation efficiency and speed are required, China must co-create with members of the global innovation ecosystem. As U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres admonished last year, the United States and China need to avoid that the world becomes separated.

By Fred Dunkley for Safehaven.com

More Top Reads From Safehaven.com:
" " Marco Verch Professional Photographer /Flickr (CC BY 2.0) An eco-friendly method for dyeing denim could save the planet from the harmful chemicals and water usage involved in making millions of pairs of jeans every year.

Whatever color your clothes are, the process to make them that way is probably pretty toxic. According to the United Nations Environment Assembly, textile dyeing is the second largest water polluter in the world. And not only is fabric dyeing full of harmful chemicals, it's water-expensive: Your average pair of jeans takes up to 26 gallons (100 liters) of water to dye. In these days of fast fashion, our hunger for trendy clothes might be killing us  and a lot of other organisms and ecosystems all over the world.

The denim industry alone uses over 45,000 tons (40,823 metric tons) of synthetic indigo a year, more than 84,000 tons (76,203 metric tons) of sodium hydrosulfite and 53,000 tons (48,080 metric tons) of lye, according to scientists at the University of Georgia. This adds up to a big environmental problem. However, a research team at the University of Georgia has worked out a solution to toxic denim dyeing that eliminates noxious chemicals from the denim dyeing process while using a fraction of the water.

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A Green Solution for Blue

The new denim dyeing method, detailed in the July 27, 2021, issue of the journal Green Chemistry, mixes cellulose nanoparticles made from wood pulp  a sugar called chitosan  with natural indigo dye (although the researchers believe synthetic dyes could also be used). This mixture creates a sort of gel that can be applied to the fabric a single time to yield an intense indigo color, compared with the multiple dip process of conventional dyeing processes that require up to eight applications of dye to yield a dark shade.

The chitosan essentially glues the pigment in place after the fabric dries, creating a sort of matrix of dye that coats the fibers of the denim. Because this process doesn't involve dissolving the indigo dye, no reducing agents are necessary, thus reducing the amount of water used in conventional dyeing methods by about 96 percent.

Not only that, the process is nontoxic, the drying time for the chitosan dye is shorter and the new technique yields fabric of the same weight, thickness and overall feel as traditionally dyed denim.

" " The new dyeing method can be used to create a variety of shades by varying the indigo formula. Andrew Davis Tucker/UGA

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The Dangers of Denim Dyeing

Back in the 1700s, indigo  the plant that historically made denim that iconic blue color  was a major export of the American colonies. These days, however, we dye our blue jeans with synthetic indigo pigment, which is why you can buy a pair of jeans for $15. But no matter whether the indigo is natural or synthetic, the process of pigment dyeing denim requires a strong reducing agent to make the dye dissolve in water.

"The commercial technology for dyeing textiles uses aggressive chemicals," says Sergiy Minko, a co-author of the study and a professor in the College of Family and Consumer Sciences at the University of Georgia. "For denim, a strong, toxic reducing agent called sodium hydrosulfite is used. To make it soluble, some amount of this reducing agent is used in each stage of a repeating process  anywhere from five to 10 times, if they want to get an intense shade."

Apart from the use of toxic reducing agents, denim pigmentation uses a huge amount of water. A pair of jeans can take up to 2,000 gallons (7,570 liters), if you consider the water it takes to grow the cotton, dye the fabric and manufacture the pants. Not only that, many of the chemicals involved in denim dyeing don't degrade in the environment. While the technology exists to filter the toxic chemicals out of the water before it hits a river or stream, many of the places in the world where garment production happens  China and Bangladesh, for instance  don't require the infrastructure to remove the chemicals from the water before it contaminates waterways and ends up poisoning wildlife, people and crops.

"Some of the environments where they dye textiles  everything is artificially colored in different shades. Of course, the major damage doesn't come from the dyes themselves, but high salt concentrations, and these reducing agents, which can be very aggressive in ecosystems."

Now That's Interesting Chitosan is also found in the hard outer skeleton of shellfish like crab, lobster and shrimp.
" " Researchers in China have developed a new breed of non-flammable, alarm-infused wallpaper that may one day prevent house fires by replacing traditional wall coverings. inhauscreative/Getty Images

A small flame can turn into a raging house fire in just a few seconds, largely because of the flammable, synthetic materials in home furnishings and wall coverings.

"Today, with the prevalence of synthetic materials in the home, occupants have roughly 2 to 3 minutes to get out," Consumer Safety Director John Drengenberg of Underwriters Laboratories (UL) told This Old House.

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Now, however, researchers in China have developed a new, nontoxic "smart" wallpaper that won't burn  and that triggers an alarm when it reaches a certain temperature threshold. The project was led by Ying-Jie Zhu for the Shanghai Institute of Ceramics at the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the details were published in the March 13, 2018, issue of ACS Nano.

After constructing a mesh of nanowires about the thickness of a sheet of printer paper, the researchers added glass fibers for fire resistance, then put the woven material through a paper-making machine to create a smooth, flexible wallcovering.

The nanowire fibers are then linked to a mixture of graphene oxide and water that have been made into an ink and printed on the backside of the wallcovering. The graphene oxide is key to the wallcovering's ability to detect heat. If the temperature reaches more than 264 degrees Fahrenheit (129 degrees Celsius), the graphene oxide begins to conduct electricity, enabling the material to signal a connected fire alarm and warning light.

To enable the fire-sensitive ink to survive high heat long enough to sound the alarm, it is coated with a protective chemical called polydopamine. This coating allows the ink to survive fires for up to 5 minutes before breaking down.

This new breed of nano-infused wallpaper may someday replace regular wallcoverings that are made of cellulose, a natural material derived from plant fibers, which is flammable. However, say critics, making the paper isn't cheap and researchers will need to determine how to produce the material at a cost that's attractive to consumers. During the fire-sensitive wallcovering's development, Zhu's team made enough of the nano-material to cover one wall (about 54 square feet, or 5 square meters). No word yet on when smart wallcoverings will be brought to market, but the benefit could be "saving human lives and reducing the loss of property in a fire," Zhu told Science News for Students.

Now That's Interesting Properly functioning smoke alarms cut the chances of dying in a home fire in half. When smoke alarms fail, it is usually because the batteries are disconnected, missing or dead. Dead batteries caused approximately one-quarter of all smoke alarm failures.
People in Taizicheng village, Chongli district, Zhangjiakou city, North China's Hebei province, say the village's name, which means city of the crown prince, is derived from the myth that royalty once lived there. In the 1970s, archaeological researchers identified an ancient site there with a history dating back to the Liao (916-1125) and Jin (1115-1234) dynasties.



Since the site is located in the Chongli competition area of the upcoming Beijing Winter Olympics and Winter Paralympics, an active archaeological excavation kicked off in 2017 and was completed in 2020, to ensure the smooth construction of the Winter Olympic village in Zhangjiakou.

An exhibition which shows the results of the archaeological excavation of the site opened on Dec 31 at the Taizicheng site exhibition hall in Chongli. It was organized by the National Cultural Heritage Administration, the Hebei provincial government, and Art Exhibitions China, among others.

Archaeological research shows the site, 140 kilometers from Beijing, was a temporary summer residence called Taihe Palace (later renamed Qingning Palace) built by Emperor Zhangzong of the Jin Dynasty in 1202. Zhangzong was the sixth emperor in the middle and late period of Jin, and during his reign, the Mongolian Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) started to rise.

Emperor Zhangzong visited it twice, each time for more than three months. Then in 1209, several years after its establishment, it was destroyed in a fire according to historical literature, also confirmed by archaeological studies.

"With the Taizicheng site as the center, we show the society and people's lives in the Jin Dynasty, especially the nabo custom, or nomadic hunting, for which the ancient palace mainly served," says Liu Jiapeng, curator of the exhibition.

With that focus, the exhibition shows 138 cultural relics unearthed from the Taizicheng site and others collected by the Palace Museum, the National Museum of China and Chinese Academy of Cultural Heritage, including porcelain, sculptures, decorations and building elements.

"As the first temporary palace of the Jin Dynasty discovered by archaeological excavation, the significance is second only to capitals of the period. It is also a high-ranking city site of the Jin era with the largest excavation area and the most well-preserved structures found in recent years," says Huang Xin, deputy director of Hebei Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology, who was responsible for the excavation of the site.

The cultural relics unearthed from the site show its royal heritage, including porcelain, now on exhibition. For example, some porcelain has the characters shang shi ju (imperial food bureau), the name of the imperial catering agency, on them, proving they were used in court. This type of porcelain had rarely been found before, and it is inferred that they were made in the Ding Kiln in Quyang county, Hebei province.
FLORENCE, S.C.  Masks are once again mandatory in the city of Florence.

The Florence City Council voted 5-2 Monday afternoon to approve the first and final reading of an emergency ordinance that re-establishes a mask mandate within the city for 60 days.

The vote broke down on a partisan lines with the five Democrats on the council  Mayor Teresa Myers Ervin, Mayor Pro Tempore George Jebaily, Pat Gibson-Hye Moore, Lethonia Peaches Barnes and Chaquez McCall  voting in favor of the mandate.

McCall and Gibson-Hye Moore spoke in favor of the mandate.

McCall, who voted against a mandate several times, said the higher case numbers meant it was time to once again implement the mandate to slow the spread of the virus.

Gibson-Hye Moore has long been a masking advocate. She said that the mandate would help to people to protect themselves and would prevent people from dying or getting sick.

The two Republicans on the council, Bryan Braddock and William Schofield, voting against it.

Braddock thanked the council for giving the citys residents an opportunity to get vaccinated. He added he had looked the case numbers from other cities in the state, including Columbia, and it did not appear that a mask mandate prevented the spread of COVID-19.

Their numbers dont indicate any difference in terms of rates [of transmission] than any cities that have had a mandate and have gotten rid of them, Braddock said. One thing that I think weve learned during this time with COVID is its immune to mandates. Mandates have been put in place since the beginning and here we are in a situation where its not any better.

The mandate would not apply to schools as a budgetary provision of the South Carolina General Assembly prevents school officials from using state funds to enforce a mandate.

The mask mandate emergency ordinance contains exceptions for situations when social distancing is possible, for people with religious beliefs that conflict with the mandate, for children under 6-years-old, for people with medical or behavioral issues that prevent them from wearing a mask, people who are eating, for people who are told to remove a mask by law enforcement and situations where its not feasible to wear a mask  swimming or dental work are two examples.

The mask mandate emergency ordinance also carries penalties of $25 for a violation and $100 for employers whose employees violate the mask mandate.

The council considered mandating masks at a called meeting in September but instead voted 5-2 in favor of a resolution to encourage the use of masks but not mandate it.

The citys previous mask mandate was in effect from July 2020 until May when South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster issued an executive order ending city mask mandates that relied on his state of emergency declarations.

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FLORENCE, S.C.  The National Riffle Association has endorsed State Rep. Jay Jordan in the Senate District 31 race.

D.J Spiker, state director of the organization, sent a letter on Jan. 4 to Jordan endorsing him and informing him of his "A" rating.

"This endorsement is a reflection of your steadfast support of the Second Amendment and excellent voting record on firearm-related issues during your tenure in the Legislature," Spiker writes in the letter.

Jordan was a co-sponsor of the open carry bill that was passed by the South Carolina General Assembly and signed into law last year.

I firmly believe that owning a firearm is the protected right of every American citizen and support any legislation to expand, not diminish, the Second Amendment," Jordan said in a media advisory announcing the endorsement. "I am honored to receive the endorsement of the NRA and appreciate their recognition of my proven record of upholding the constitutional rights of our citizens to own a gun and use it as permitted by state and federal law, and in accordance with our founding documents.

It is likely that Jordan's Republican opponent, Mike Reichenbach, will receive an "A" from the NRA.

Jordan and Reichenbach will face each other in the Jan. 25 primary. The winner will face Democrat Suzanne La Rochelle in the March 29 general election.

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Will the last Black person to leave Chicago please turn out the lights?

That thought comes to mind whenever I see headlines or stories about Chicago losing its Black population.

It reminds me of the early 1970s when I was living near Seattle where the aerospace industry had taken a nose-dive locally tagged the Boeing Bust.

A couple of wry real estate agents mocked local pessimism by putting up a highway billboard near Sea-Tac International Airport, saying, Will the last person leaving SEATTLE  turn out the lights?

The lights are still on in Seattle and I expect them to remain on for some time to come.

Yet that billboard still comes to mind as I hear a new round of hand-wringing concern over some worrisome population trends.

Such as right now. The 2020 census confirms a long-running trend that many Chicagoans have suspected: a dramatic plunge in the citys Black population.

Chicagos not alone. Nine of the 10 cities with the most Black residents nationwide also showed decreases in Black population since 2000, according to a Politico study of new census data for Black, non-Hispanic residents.

Only Houston, that upstart oil town that demographers expect to overtake Chicagos third-largest city slot during the next decade (Ah, how the mighty are slipping!), saw a Black population increase in that list.

And as much as I love my citys racial, ethnic and cultural diversity, especially when Im looking for good restaurants, Im long past being surprised to learn that Latinos have surpassed African Americans as the citys second-largest racial or ethnic group.

Ethnic succession, as some sociologists call it, is the American way  or, at least, the Chicago way.

Those of us who have been in town for more than a few years know what it means to see neighborhoods become ports-of-entry for various waves of immigrants who raise families, buy bigger houses and maybe move to the suburbs to make room for the next wave of immigrants.

Or maybe their kids move back into the city as gentrifiers in neighborhoods their parents could no longer afford, as they once might have. Cities are dynamic places.

Its taken awhile but we are beginning to see more Black city dwellers move on as well, resulting in the so-called reverse migration of Black Chicagoans to the suburbs or other states.

That ironically includes many who moved to the South or, as my late parents called Alabama, down home, reversing the Great Migration that attracted some 6 million Black Americans from the South to gain jobs and freedom in the era of Jim Crow segregation.

That development has raised questions among a new generation of Black thinkers: Did we gain that much in the North?

New York Times columnist Charles Blow raises that question in his new book, The Devil You Know, in which he calls for a historic do-over. The initial benefits of the Great Migration have given way, in many ways, to a stinging failure, he writes, citing the perpetual oppression of brutal police, housing discrimination, persistent waves of white nationalism and the lingering sense of political powerlessness Black Americans still face.

Black people fled the horrors of the racist South for so-called liberal cities of the North and West, trading the devil they knew for the devil they didnt, only to come to the painful realization that the devil is the devil.

His solution? Pick up the Black burden, so to speak, and join the reverse migration, says Blow, a Louisiana native who recently moved from New York to Atlanta. As Black populations grow toward the racial majority we used to have in some states before the Great Migration, our political clout will grow too.

Thats an intriguing thought by my friend and colleague, but count me out. It is hard enough to organize and win political victories in the short term without trying to plan them a decade or so down the road.

The biggest factor that has energized migrations by Black folks and other folks in my experience has been, simply put, jobs. The economic attraction of jobs and fair wages did more to bring my family and others up North  and we can see similar economic migrations all around the planet.

With that in mind, I think our best approach as Black people and as Americans, as Booker T. Washington famously advised, cast down your buckets where they are. Make the most of the resources you have at hand, helped along by the reality that we have more hard-won rights and freedom than our ancestors enjoyed in Washingtons day.

And amid such ethnic disputes and redistricting clashes, take counsel in the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.s, observation: We all came here on different ships, but were in the same boat now.

E-mail Clarence Page at cpage@chicagotribune.com.
 As Eleventh Circuit works though ACCA "occasions different" mess, Judge Newson flags Apprendi "prior conviction" issues | Main | "Talking Back in Court" 

July 23, 2021

Across political spectrum, insightful folks saying in insightful ways that Prez Biden must do better on criminal justice reform

The news to start this work week that the Biden Justice Department is not disputing the legal opinion that federal prisoners released into home confinement would be returned to prison after the pandemic has likely contributed to the end of this work week bringing a number of effective commentaries rightly asserting that Prez Biden continues to come up short on criminal justice issues. Notably, these commentary are coming from across the political spectrum as evidenced by these pieces:

From Samantha Michaels at Mother Jones, "Biden Said Hed Cut Incarceration in Half. So Far, the Federal Prison Population Is Growing."

From Lars Trautman at The Washington Examiner, "Bidens criminal justice inaction is nothing but malarkey"

I recommend both of these shorter pieces, but I especially want to encourage everyone to read this lengthy Washington Post magazine commentary by Piper Kerman headlined "She accidentally provided the Lose Yo Job soundtrack to Biden victory memes this fall. He could learn a lot from hearing her story." In fact, we can all learn a lot from her story, as brilliantly told and contextualized by Piper Kerman, and her piece is a useful reminder that Vice-President Harris ought not be left out of discussions and criticisms of the tepid criminal justice reform efforts of the Biden Administration to date.

July 23, 2021 at 10:13 AM | Permalink

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I have lamented in post after post that the Biden Administration has so far failed to seize the opportunity to advance federal sentencing reforms by making needed appointments to US Sentencing Commission, and I will continue to be troubled by (and complain about) its failings in this space for as long as it lasts. In the meantime, I am pleased to see this new AP article highlighting another so-far-missed Biden Administration missed opportunity under the headline: "Is Biden overlooking Bureau of Prisons as reform target?". Here are excerpts from a long piece worth a full read:

Biden is overlooking a prime -- and, in some ways, easier -- target for improving the conditions of incarcerated people: the federal Bureau of Prisons. While most criminal justice overhauls require action from local officials or legislation, reforming the federal prison system is something Biden and his Justice Department control. And there are crying needs there for improvement.

Even before the coronavirus, federal prisons were plagued by violence, suicide, escapes, understaffing and health concerns. The pandemic made things worse. And now these facilities are set to absorb even more prisoners from private institutions that are no longer in business with the government....

Meanwhile, the number of federal prisoners is rising. Defendants end up in federal prison usually because their crime crossed state lines, or they violated a specific federal law. There are about 156,000 federal inmates. In total, 38% are Black and 57% are white, 1.5% Asian and 2.4% Native American. Most are serving sentences between 5 and 20 years, and 46% of those sentences are for drug offenses. Another 20% are for weapons, explosives or arson charges.

The administration cant control the laws that get someone sent to prison. But it can control staffing, transparency, health care, the use of solitary confinement and, most of all, agency leadership. The head of the Bureau of Prisons is a Trump holdover, Michael Carvajal, who has been in charge as the coronavirus raged behind bars, infecting more than 43,000 federal inmates. He also oversaw an unprecedented run of federal executions in the last six months of Donald Trumps presidency that was a likely virus super spreader.

Administration officials have been mulling whether to replace him, but no decision has been made, according to officials who spoke to The Associated Press.

One question they should be asking, according to Andrea Armstrong, a Loyola Law School professor who studies prisons, is whether the directors role is to do more than keep operations running smoothly. Real leadership, she says, would be convening people incarcerated, wardens and programming staff together to say, OK, we have an enormous problem ... how do we address this?....

The First Step Act, approved in 2018, gives judges more discretion when sentencing some drug offenders, eases mandatory minimum sentences and encourages inmates to participate in programs designed to reduce the risk of recidivism, with credits that can be used to gain an earlier release.

But those programs cant be completed right now, because there are not enough workers to facilitate them. Nearly one-third of federal correctional officer jobs in the United States are vacant, forcing prisons to use cooks, teachers, nurses and other workers to guard inmates. There need to be enough people working in a prison to keep people housed in a prison safe. And they must be able to get access to the programs that should allow their release, said Maria Morris of the American Civil Liberties Unions National Prison Project.
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This new Law360 piece, headlined "At 1-Year Mark, Groups Discontent With Biden Justice Reform," reports on an interesting effort to "grade" the Biden Administration for its criminal justice record at the end of its first year. I recommend the piece in full, and here are excerpts:

President Joe Biden's progress on criminal justice reform after nearly one year in office has dissatisfied some advocacy leaders who were once hopeful that the president would prioritize this reform.

During Biden's presidential campaign, he made more than 100 criminal justice reform promises, including to end mandatory minimum prison sentences, stop use of the death penalty and eliminate cash bail. However, the president hasn't fulfilled these reforms or many of his other justice campaign promises, advocates say.

In a recent Law360 poll of 13 organizations, seven organizations gave Biden a grade of "D" or "F" for his policy and legislative actions in his first year, and the majority of respondents reported being "dissatisfied" or "very dissatisfied" with his reform progress....

The 13 organizations were mixed about Biden's rhetoric on criminal justice reform. Roughly half of them gave the president a grade of "A" or "B" and the other half gave him a grade of "D" or "F." One organization gave his rhetoric a grade of "C."

But the majority of organizations gave Biden's overall progress on criminal justice reform in his first year a grade of "D" or "F." Three organizations said his overall progress was "above average" or "very good" and two groups said his progress was "average."

In the early days of Biden's administration, the president did take quick action on justice reform by issuing an order phasing out the use of privately operated prisons. Later, he also restored the U.S. Department of Justice's Office for Access to Justice, implemented restrictions on chokeholds and no-knock warrants for federal law enforcement and opened up access to re-entry services for people who were formerly incarcerated.

After much pleading from criminal justice reform groups, Biden's Justice Department reversed course on a previous decision and said in December that individuals who were released on home confinement because of the COVID-19 pandemic could stay out of prison.

Advocates, however, say that in Biden's first year, the president missed several opportunities to make key reforms including ending unjust prison sentences through the clemency process and dispelling the narrative that justice reforms will lead to more crime....

A spokesperson for the White House did not respond to a request for comment about Biden's progress on criminal justice reform.

According to Law360's poll, the majority of respondents were "hopeful" or "very hopeful" that when Biden first took office, he would prioritize criminal justice reform. However, after Biden's first year in office, only three organizations reported that they were "hopeful" or "very hopeful" the president would prioritize justice reform during the rest of his administration....

Not all advocates have lost hope though. Miriam Krinsky, a poll participant and executive director of Fair and Just Prosecution, told Law360 that she remains hopeful because of the people that Biden has appointed to be federal prosecutors, sit on the federal judicial bench and lead the DOJ. "I think [Biden] is taking seriously the need to reset the legal system, and putting people in place in criminal justice positions that are thinking differently," Krinsky said.
Thousands of workers at Kroger subsidiaries King Soopers and City Market are expected to go on strike this week in Colorado if the employees union and the company dont make headway on a new collective bargaining agreement.

The walkout threat is another sign of retail and food workers demanding more from their employers as they continue to clock in amid pandemic conditions and staff shortages. The union, United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7, represents more than 8,000 workers at 77 stores around the state.

The union set a deadline of 5 a.m. Wednesday.

At the end of the day, all we want is a livable wage, affordable health care and a safe working environment, Carol McMillian, a King Soopers bakery manager, said at a press conference Monday.

Weve been loyal to you, McMillian said as she addressed the company. Its time for you to be loyal to us.

The union has filed charges with the federal governments National Labor Relations Board accusing Kroger of bargaining in bad faith and refusing to provide data during negotiations  claims the company denies. Those charges would serve as the legal basis of the workers strike, offering them some job protections they might not have if they were strictly walking out over pay.

The company has countered with unfair labor practice charges of its own, claiming the union has bargained in bad faith and refused to negotiate in recent days. Local 7 has given no indication of when they will reengage in the negotiation process, the company said in a statement.

Kroger said it made a last, best and final offer to the union on Tuesday, proposing a larger contribution to the employees health care fund.

The companies were thriving, but our workers didnt thrive. Know what our workers got? COVID. Attacked. Beat up. Spit on. Slapped. Overworked.Kim Cordova, president, UFCW Local 7

Kim Cordova, UFCW 7s president, said Monday that workers rejected the companys latest offer last week, prompting Kroger to recommend the two sides seek out a federal mediator before workers go on strike. Cordova said the union isnt interested in that.

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We think King Soopers needs to face its workers, she said.

The workers latest contract expired Jan. 8. The union held a strike authorization vote ahead of its expiration, and workers voted overwhelmingly to greenlight a strike if they dont get a satisfactory deal.

Cincinnati-based Kroger, which includes Fred Meyer, Ralphs and other regional grocery chains, said its latest offer included boosting starting pay to $16 per hour, leading to wage increases of up to $4.50 for some in the first year of the contract. A checker with five years experience would see an immediate $1 increase, from $19.51 to $20.51, followed by 80 cent raises in the following two years, according to a limited outline of the proposal provided by the company.

The offer also included bonuses of $2,000 for most workers, and $4,000 for those with a decade or more of service, if the contract is ratified.

But Cordova noted that the new floor of $16 per hour would be only pennies above the citywide minimum wage in Denver, where several of the King Soopers stores are located.

Thats 13 cents over minimum wage, while theyre posting for replacement scab workers at $18 an hour, she said.

Indeed, an Associated Press photo from a Denver store last week shows the $18-per-hour offer to temporary workers:

A sign advertising the need for temporary workers stands next to the entrance of a King Soopers grocery store on Jan. 6, 2022, in southeast Denver. The advertised $18 per hour for temporary workers is $2 higher than the pay floor being offered in contract negotiations. (Photo: Associated Press Photo/David ZalubowskI)

Kroger enjoyed soaring sales during the pandemic, including a record year in 2020, and Cordova ripped the company for not sharing more of its profits with the front-line workforce that was facing COVID-19 infections and playing mask police with irate shoppers.

The companies were thriving, but our workers didnt thrive, she said. Know what our workers got? COVID. Attacked. Beat up. Spit on. Slapped. Overworked. And the company? They did great. They did absolutely great, sitting behind their desk doing their job by Zoom.

The mention of slapping appears to be a reference to an actual incident at a King Soopers In Aurora, Colorado, last February. Video footage captured an angry and maskless female shopper smacking a worker after being asked repeatedly to wear a mask in the store.

A Boulder King Soopers was the site of a mass shooting in March 2021 in which a gunman killed 10 people, including three store employees and an Instacart shopper.

McMillian noted that Kroger offered its employees a hazard pay bonus of $2 per hour in late March of 2020, but then ended it just a month and a half later, despite the fact that coronavirus caseloads and deaths only worsened. (The company also paid out a pair of one-time bonuses, which came to $400 and $300 for full-timers.)

I can remember back when the pandemic began. We were heroes then. We got hero pay for six weeks, she said. After the end of that six weeks, guess who got bonuses? King Soopers CEO. So much for the workers.

Andres Becerril, a head clerk at a King Soopers in Aurora, said the exhausting working conditions from earlier in the pandemic havent gone away. He said they dont have enough workers on hand to take care of basic tasks promptly, like cleaning up spills, and customers are losing their tempers and being abusive toward employees.

We are understaffed right now, and when youre understaffed you do not have the coverage you need to keep your store safe, he said. There are customers that are irate because the departments are closed and they take it out on us.

Becerril said he has serious safety concerns and nothing seems to change at his store unless someone gets hurt.

I dont think thats right. And unless they change that, Im going to be out picketing on Wednesday at 5 a.m., he said.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost and has been updated.

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Pictures from the Russian Defence Ministry show vehicles of Russian troops leaving an airport in Almaty, Kazakhstan, Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022. (AP)

Russian-led troops will start to withdraw from Kazakhstan in two days, the countrys president has said.

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said on Tuesday that the soldiers, who were deployed to Kazakhstan last week by the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CTSO) following widespread protests, have completed their mission and will leave the central Asian country over a period of 10 days.

The mostly-Russian troops arrived in the country after President Tokayev asked for assistance from the CSTO, a six-member military alliance made up of Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyztan, Tajikistan and Armenia. He was seeking help to quell unprecedented anti-government protests, initially sparked by fuel price rises.

At least 164 people were killed during the demonstrations, with most of the deaths - 103 - recorded in the countrys largest city and former capital, Almaty. The protests, which are the worst the oil-rich country has seen since gaining its independence 30 years ago, erupted on January 2.

They quickly spread around the country and in Almaty protesters set government buildings on fire and briefly seized the airport. By the weekend, however, the unrest had been quelled.

President Tokayev blamed the violence on foreign-backed terrorists and said: When this decision was being made, we could have completely lost control over Almaty, which was being torn apart by terrorists. Had we lost Almaty, we would have lost the capital and the entire country.

While speaking to Kazakhstans parliament on Tuesday, President Tokayev appointed a new prime minister Alikhan Smailov. The decision comes after the countrys government resigned last week in order to appease the protesters.

The first Russian paratroopers arrived in Kazakhstan on January 5 and were followed by troops from Belarus on January . Units from Armenia, Tajikistan and Kyrgystan were also sent.

The swift arrival of Russian troops to stabilise the situation in the Central Asian country has been seen by some commentators as a move from the Kremlin to safeguard its influence in the former Soviet Union.

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Mukhtar Ablyazov, an outspoken critic of the government and the former head of Kazakhstans BTA Bank, told Reuters that Russian president Vladimir Putin was looking to use the situation to methodically impose his programme: the re-creation of a structure like the Soviet Union.

President Tokayev has framed the protests as a coup detat, saying: Under the guise of spontaneous protests, a wave of unrest broke out... It became clear that the main goal was to undermine the constitutional order and to seize power. Were talking about an attempted coup detat.

President Putin said that the unrest had been exploited by destructive internal and external forces and insisted that the CSTO would not allow other colour revolutions to take place, a reference to several uprisings in ex-Soviet countries over the last few decades.
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China's steel output declined in 2021 amid the country's endeavor to achieve carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals.



The country produced an estimate of 1.03 billion tonnes of steel last year, down 35 million tonnes from 2020, said the China Iron and Steel Association on Monday.

In the first 11 months of 2021, China's steel production reached 946 million tonnes, decreasing 2.6 percent year on year.

The steel and iron industry's combined profits surged 86.46 percent, year on year, to 351.7 billion yuan (about 55.25 billion U.S. dollars) during the January-November period last year as rising costs and demand pushed up prices.

Enterprises in the industry accelerated green and low-carbon transformation last year, with considerable reduction in energy consumption and sulfur dioxide emissions per tonne of steel produced, said the association.

This year, while investment in the real estate sector is expected to slow down but infrastructure investment will pick up, the total steel demand is likely to remain the same as last year, according to the association.
EDITOR'S NOTE: Due to Tuesday's press deadline, coverage of Iowa Gov. Kim Reynold's State of the State address was not available for publication. It will appear in Thursday's Journal. But it is available online at sioxucityjournal.com.

PIERRE, S.D.  South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem on Tuesday said she would push legislation to ban abortions after six weeks of pregnancy, as she laid out a sharply conservative list of priorities to start the state's legislative session.

During the final State of the State address of her first term, the Republican governor proposed what amounted to a wishlist for conservative voters, promising to make it easier for state residents to get a permit to carry concealed firearms and nearly impossible for them to get an abortion. She is also proposing a requirement that schools allot time for prayer, a ban on the teaching of controversial material on race in public schools and ensured exemptions from COVID-19 vaccines for medical or religious reasons.

In South Dakota, we protect freedom, and we will pass it on to our children, and we will not allow freedom to go extinct, the governor said, as she derided other states for enacting restrictions to prevent and slow COVID-19 infections.

Noem has used her hands-off approach to the pandemic to generate nationwide attention among Republicans. She has positioned herself for a 2024 White House bid, and her speech Tuesday showed a willingness to tap into the country's most incendiary social issues to stay in the spotlight.

It was a campaign speech," said Rep. Jamie Smith, the House Democratic leader, adding that it was a blueprint of how conservative can I be?

The governor's office did not immediately release details on the bill to ban abortions after the sixth week of pregnancy  often known as heartbeat law. The Supreme Court's willingness to consider striking down Roe v. Wade  the 1973 decision that established the right to an abortion nationwide  has prompted a flurry of bill-writing in Statehouses.

But medical experts say the heart doesnt begin to form until the fetus it is at least nine weeks old, and they decry efforts to promote abortion bans by relying on medical inaccuracies.

Today, I am asking all of you to protect the heartbeats of these unborn children, Noem told the lawmakers assembled in the House chamber. I am bringing legislation to ban all abortions once a heartbeat can be detected.

The proposal received a standing ovation from the Republican-dominated Legislature.

Noem also touted a $116 million tax surplus and proposed using that to slash fees for applications for concealed weapon permits, including covering the cost of federal background checks. She also proposed cutting fees to register businesses with the Secretary of State and cutting a tax on bingo operations.

Noem's list of proposals will put Democrats, who just hold 11 seats in the Legislature, on the defensive. But Noem also faces several political foes within her own party, including one House member who is mounting a primary campaign against her.

Rep. Steve Haugaard, who has criticized the governor for not being conservative enough, agreed that Noem's State of the State address was more of a campaign speech and said that if the governor was serious about such proposals, she would not have waited until the final year of her term to bring them up.

The governor's tenure has been marked by the coronavirus pandemic and her decision to mostly forego lockdowns or other restrictions. Noem on Tuesday defended those who don't get vaccinated against COVID-19, saying, We live in a free country and we are free to make our own decisions."

Smith criticized the governor's failure to encourage people to get vaccinated, pointing out that the overwhelming majority of people hospitalized for COVID-19 are unvaccinated. The state's hospitals have been strained in recent weeks as they handle the most people hospitalized with COVID-19 in over a year.

But Republican Rep. Chris Johnson, the assistant leader of House Republicans, praised the governor's speech and approach to the pandemic, saying it has positioned the state to grow into the future.

The governor deserves to take a victory lap at this time, he said.

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LINCOLN  All abortions would be banned in Nebraska if the U.S. Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade under a bill introduced Monday in the Legislature.

Legislative Bill 933, introduced by State Sens. Joni Albrecht of Thurston and Mike Flood of Norfolk, is a trigger bill.

Like similar laws passed in a dozen other states, it would take effect only if a ruling by the nations high court, adoption of a U.S. constitutional amendment or passage of a federal law gives states full power to regulate abortions.

States authority is currently limited by past court rulings that declared abortion to be a constitutional right.

If triggered, LB 933 would make it a felony for anyone to provide any medication or undertake any procedure with the intent of ending the life of an unborn child, defined as an individual living member of the species homo sapiens ... from fertilization to full gestation and childbirth.

The woman undergoing an abortion would not be considered in violation of the law.

The bill would not provide exemptions but would allow licensed physicians charged under the law to use as a defense that the abortion was necessary to prevent the womans death or serious, permanent impairment of a life-sustaining organ.

The measure is the second proposal aimed at ending or sharply curtailing abortions in Nebraska. LB 781, introduced by Sen. Julie Slama of Sterling, would ban abortions after a so-called fetal heartbeat can be detected. That usually occurs at about six weeks gestation, before most women are aware that they are pregnant.

The Supreme Court is expected to announce a ruling on abortion in June.

Among other legislation introduced Monday:

Criminal justice. Sen. Steve Lathrop of Omaha, who chairs the Judiciary Committee, introduced LB 920. He said the bill includes both consensus and non-consensus proposals from a working group that has spent months digging into state criminal justice data.

The final report from that initiative, which is being facilitated by the nonprofit Crime and Justice Institute, has yet to be released. But Lathrop said he thinks that its important the bill be introduced and scheduled for a hearing early.

Lathrops bill proposes tweaks to expand problem-solving courts and incentivize mental health practitioners to stay in Nebraska, as well as changes to multiple other facets of the states criminal justice system, including sentencing, penalties, parole and more.

Taxes. Sen. Lou Ann Linehan of Elkhorn, the Revenue Committee chairwoman, introduced a pair of bills that would cut the top income tax rates for both corporations and individuals. LB 938 would reduce the top rate on corporations from the current 7% down to 5.84% in four steps, ending in 2026. LB 939 would reduce the top individual rate from the current 6.84% down to 5.84% in three steps, ending in 2025.

World-Herald Staff Writer Sara Gentzler contributed to this report.

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Hospital CEOs from across Nebraska sounded the alarm Monday over rising COVID-19 cases that are putting a crunch on hospitals already strained by staff shortages.

The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services reported 602 hospitalized COVID-19 patients as of Monday morning, a nearly 35% increase since Christmas Eve.

That number remains below the 2021 peak of 637 patients set on Dec. 13, and is well below the pandemic high of 987 set on Nov. 20, 2020.

But Jeremy Nordquist, president of the Nebraska Hospital Association, said hospital numbers are likely to climb rapidly in the next few weeks thanks to a surge in COVID-19 cases because of the omicron variant.

"We could see a doubling of hospitalizations in Nebraska due to COVID in the next two to three weeks," Nordquist said during a news conference held via Zoom.

That would be bad news for hospitals that are already struggling to care for current patient loads.

Ivan Mitchell, CEO of Great Plains Health in North Platte, said about 25% of the hospital's patients are COVID-19 positive.

That makes it hard to care for all the patients the hospital has but also affects the region because Great Plains is often forced to turned down transfer requests from smaller hospitals.

Mitchell said that in a typical year before COVID-19, Great Plains would turn down about 10% of transfer requests, but that number currently is 30-35%.

It's not only the sheer numbers of COVID-19 patients but also a shortage of health workers.

Mitchell said that he's worked in health care for 20 years, "and in my time, I've never seen a staffing shortage like it is right now."

Usually, he said, the hospital can fill open positions with traveling nurses, but even that option is getting more difficult.

A shortage of health care workers, especially nurses, was an issue before the pandemic, but COVID-19 has made things markedly worse.

"I think it all just came to a head during the pandemic," Mitchell said.

Josie Abboud, president and CEO of Methodist Hospital in Omaha, said workers are leaving for a variety of reasons, including burnout. She also said there are not nearly enough new workers coming out of college to replace the ones that are leaving.

Abboud said Methodist currently has more than 900 open positions.

Todd Consbruck, president and CEO of Avera St. Anthony's hospital in O'Neill, said he's seeing a lot of older workers, who stayed during the early part of the pandemic out of a sense of duty, now deciding to retire.

Consbruck applauded the workers who continue to gut it out, noting they face a lot of challenges, including a lack of respect and kindness from frustrated patients and their families.

"Thank God they keep coming to work every day and caring for people," he said.

The long-term staffing issues are also being exacerbated by a short-term problem: as the omicron variant rages through communities, health care workers and their families are getting sick, which is taking vital people out of the workforce.

Abboud said Methodist currently has 178 employees out because of COVID-19, including about 50 nurses.

Nebraska has seen more than 16,000 new COVID cases over the past seven days, an average of more than 2,350 cases a day. Less than a month ago, it was averaging less than 1,000 cases a day.

Hospitals have taken a number of measures to free up space in preparing for more patients, such as canceling some elective surgeries and using operating and recovery areas as patient rooms.

But the hospital executives said they need the public's help to slow the surge of people heading to the hospital because of COVID-19.

"We need people to vaccinate," said Consbruck, who added that people should also get a booster shot if eligible.

And, he said, people need to "take it seriously" when they are ill, stay home and not attend family and social gatherings.

"I think there's just a numbness to COVID," Consbruck said. "People think in some sense it's went away."

Reach the writer at 402-473-2647 or molberding@journalstar.com. On Twitter @LincolnBizBuzz.
Staff members work on the production line of new energy vehicle at an automobile company in Liuzhou, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Aug. 12, 2021. [Photo/Xinhua]

The number of new energy cars registered in China reached 7.84 million in 2021, up more than 59% year on year, data from the Ministry of Public Security showed Tuesday.

The figure represents 2.6% of the total number of cars in the country, said the ministry, adding that China has seen the number of newly registered new energy cars increase rapidly in the past five years.

A total of 2.99 million units of new energy passenger cars were sold last year, up 169.1% year on year, according to the China Passenger Car Association.

Data from the public security ministry also showed that 36.74 million motor vehicles were registered in China last year, bringing the total number of motor vehicles to 395 million, including 302 million cars.
Scientists are seeing signals that COVID-19s alarming omicron wave may have peaked in Britain and is about to do the same in the U.S., at which point cases may start dropping off dramatically.

The reason: The variant has proved so wildly contagious that it may already be running out of people to infect, just a month and a half after it was first detected in South Africa.

Its going to come down as fast as it went up, said Ali Mokdad, a professor of health metrics sciences at the University of Washington in Seattle.

But, health officials and experts are increasingly saying its time to upgrade your face masks, especially in light of the omicron surge.

Californias public health director and health officer, Dr. Tomas Aragon, says its important to improve the fit of masks and their filtration  making enhancements that go beyond old, loose, cloth face coverings that became popular in 2020. Dr. Robert Wachter, chair of the University of California, San Franciscos Department of Medicine, agreed. Since omicron is twice as infectious, Wachter wrote, an encounter that you could have tolerated for Delta may well infect you (with) Omicron. Knowing this, its worth upgrading the protection you get from your mask.

Shortages at U.S. grocery stores have grown more acute in recent weeks as new problems  like the fast-spreading omicron variant and severe weather  have piled on to the supply chain struggles and labor shortages that have plagued retailers since the coronavirus pandemic began.

The shortages are widespread, impacting produce and meat as well as packaged goods such as cereal. And theyre being reported nationwide. U.S. groceries typically have 5% to 10% of their items out of stock at any given time; right now, that unavailability rate is hovering around 15%, according to Consumer Brands Association President and CEO Geoff Freeman.
SIOUX CITY -- The City of Sioux City will host a Community Speak-Out event on Jan. 20 that will focus on the City Council.

Community Speak-Out sessions allow community members an opportunity to publicly share their experiences and provide suggestions on how the city and residents can drive positive change.

The in-person event begins at 5 p.m. at the Sioux City Public Museum.

One month following the event, the council will respond with answers to questions and comments via Facebook Live on the City of Sioux City: Diversity page.

For more information, contact Sioux City Community Inclusion Liaison Semehar Ghebrekidan at sghebrekidan@sioux-city.org or 712-203-7738.

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ORANGE CITY, Iowa -- A Doon, Iowa, man was sentenced to five years in prison Monday for causing a crash that left another man in a wheelchair.

Christopher Kelderman, 38, pleaded guilty in November in Sioux County District Court of two counts of serious injury by vehicle by reckless driving.

On April 24, 2020, Kelderman ran a stop sign at an intersection and collided with another vehicle, causing serious injuries to its two occupants. Both occupants had to be mechanically extracted from the vehicle, and one now uses a wheelchair.

Emergency responders noticed Kelderman smelled like alcohol and saw beer cans inside and outside his vehicle. Kelderman failed a sobriety test and admitted he had been drinking prior to the crash.

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DAKOTA CITY -- Dakota County officials voted Monday to take the next step toward getting a firmer cost estimate for construction of a 112-bed jail expansion that the federal government would pay for.

In a 4-1 decision, the Dakota County Board of Commissioners approved a preconstruction services agreement to hire Weitz Company in Omaha as the project's construction manager for $25,000. The vote also will enable the Shive-Hattery architecture firm in Des Moines to further develop the jail's design at a cost of $200,000.

Construction of the expansion is not yet guaranteed, but the vote enables board members to get a better idea of the project's cost before making a final decision.

"I think this is an extremely important vote, and the project will move forward," said Robert Giese, who was elected board chairman when the board held its annual reorganization at the beginning of the meeting. "What the vote tonight did is, with two more positive votes, it shows the board is willing to move forward and do what needs to be done to get a final cost."

Two previous votes on the issue failed 3-2. Janet Gill and Larry Albenesius switched to vote with Giese and Scott Love in favor of the agreement. Gill and Albenesius previously voiced worries about construction costs among other concerns. An initial architect's estimate placed the cost at $10.5 million-$11.25 million. Costs rose to $12.4 million-$13.5 million in a later estimate.

Gill said Monday that a better estimate is needed before the board can decide whether to proceed with construction.

"We need to know. We're going to have to go out and bond the money. We need a better number," Gill said.

Troy Launsby voted no. He echoed a statement he made during a public hearing last week that the issue should go to a public vote.

Commissioners in August approved a contract with the U.S. Marshals Service in which the Marshals would pay for the expansion in return for a guarantee that Dakota County house 85 federal prisoners per day for 10 years once the addition is open. The Marshals Service now pays the county $80 per day per inmate currently housed at the jail, an increase from $65 per day under a previous agreement. Once the expansion would be built, the rate increases to $150 per day for 30 months to provide the county the revenue to pay off the estimated construction debt. After 30 months, the rate returns to $80. Marshals representatives have said they would be willing to extend the 30-month period if construction costs exceed estimates and the county needs more time to pay off the expansion.

The county currently houses an average of 20-25 federal prisoners daily and receives $600-000-$800,000 in revenue annually.

The federal prisoners would come from the U.S. Marshals Service in Sioux City, which houses approximately 130 prisoners awaiting trial in federal court in Sioux City in 11-12 jails in four states. The Marshals Service is willing to pay for the Dakota County Jail expansion so it can consolidate most of its prisoners at one site and reduce its costs to transport them to Sioux City. The Marshals Service does not own or operate detention facilities and must contract with state and local governments to house its prisoners. Once sentenced, offenders are transferred to a federal prison.

Dakota County Sheriff Chris Kleinberg has said that once an expansion is built, increasing the jail's capacity to 248 beds, Dakota County could house 20-30 additional federal prisoners above the 85 in the agreement, increasing jail revenues.

The proposed addition would be added to the west side of the current jail, which was built in 2006.

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SIOUX CITY  Sioux City school staff will not be required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 for the time being.

The Sioux City Community School Board chose not to adopt a policy requiring vaccination by Feb. 4, or testing and masking.

A policy vote on the mandate had been on the school board's Monday agenda. At the beginning of the meeting, it was removed from the agenda in a unanimous vote.

Board President Dan Greenwell said the policy was put on the agenda before the Iowa Division of Labor announcement they will not enforce the mandate. He said the district received legal guidance over the weekend that confirmed the district would not have to comply with the federal mandate.

The Sioux City district has nearly 2,000 employees. Previously, district administration was waiting for guidance before beginning the process of adapting a vaccine mandate.

The mandate, which applies to employees of private companies with more than 100 employees, would have included 88 percent of teachers and staff and 60 percent of public districts in Iowa, according to research by the National Center for Education Statistics, or NCES.

Iowa and 26 other Republican-led states challenged in court the Biden administration's vaccine requirement, arguing the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration does not have the authority to impose the mandate. In November OSHA announced they would not implement or enforce the requirement until court order.

On Friday the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments regarding the requirement but has yet to issue a decision. On the same day, the Iowa Labor Commissioner Rod Roberts said the mandate is not necessary because "Iowa's existing standards are at least as effective as the federal standard change."

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SIOUX CITY -- A Florida-based cold storage company is a step closer to constructing a 500,000-square foot cold storage facility in Sioux City's Southbridge Business Park.

By voting in favor of its consent agenda on Monday, the City Council approved a resolution announcing the city's intent to accept Cold-Link Logistics' proposal, setting in motion a 30-day period in which other proposals can be submitted to the city.

Cold-Link intends to build the facility in phases on a 40-acre parcel abutting 225th St., according to city documents. The first phase of the project will require a capital investment of nearly $60 million and include 185,000 square feet of cold storage warehousing space, approximately 20,000 pallet positions, blast freezing, truck docks, offices, and mechanical areas.

"They really liked what they had to see in the site that we have and the community and just our other food processing activity was a big selling point," Chris Myres, an economic development specialist for the city, told the council.

Construction is expected to begin in March 2022 with a projected opening date in early 2023.

The company plans to staff the first phase with 60 employees, including 50 production staff at an hourly wage of over $23 per hour.

Early last year, city staff began working with Iowa Area Development Group and Woodbury REC regarding their contact with Cold Link, a company that is actively constructing or acquiring several cold storage facilities in the Midwest. After several months, Cold Link committed to construct a facility on a portion of the 27 Flags site.

The city and Cold-Link have each signed a letter of understanding to serve as a non-binding commitment of each party's obligations in developing a facility. Draft development and minimum assessments have been prepared and will be finalized for council consideration before the urban renewal hearing date in February.

Under the proposed development agreement, Cold-Link will purchase roughly 40 acres of the city's industrial site at a discounted rate of $22,500 per acre, commit to investing $50 million to construct the first phase of the facility, and enter into a minimum assessment agreement of $25 million beginning Jan. 1, 2024 and continuing for a period of 10 years.

The city, in exchange, will sell the land at a $7,500 per acre discount and provide 75% property tax rebates on the new incremental taxes created by the value added to the property for a period of seven years. The total tax rebate assistance is estimated at $5.3 million. The city will also construct a southern extension of Andrew Avenue, a rail spur from the city-owned lead track north, and utilities to serve the site.

According to the documents, the city will see immediate revenue through the proceeds of the sale, about $900,000, as well as increased tax revenue through the new development of the site.

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China investigated and handled over 13,000 cases related to online and offline activities involving vulgar content and illegal publications in 2021, according to official statistics.

Last year, authorities nationwide confiscated around 15 million illegal publications, including 3.8 million illegal, harmful publications for children and pirated textbooks and study reference books, said the National Office Against Pornographic and Illegal Publications on Monday.

In the meantime, around 19 million items of harmful information containing pornographic or vulgar content were cleared up, the office said.

Chinese authorities also shut down more than 110,000 illegal websites in a national campaign on cyberspace clean-up in 2021, it said. The campaign has targeted harmful information in areas of live streaming, online games and literature, social networks, and pop-up ads.

According to the office, a total of 700 million yuan (about 110 million U.S. dollars) was involved in a criminal case related to the production and sale of illegal publications. The case, which was busted in east China's Shandong Province and saw 50 suspects arrested, is China's biggest case in terms of the amount of money involved in recent years, it added.
Bob Sagets death on Sunday came as a shock partly because of his age, 65, and because he had been of late so publicly concerned with other peoples death.* He had been mourning his friend Norm Macdonalds passing (in September of last year) nonstop, in podcasts and interviews and even in his stand-up. (He began a set in Oregon by inviting the audience to applaud Norm and waited as they gave him a five-minute standing ovation.) He had stated in an interview just three days before his death that one of his goals is to keep another, troubled friend, Artie Lange, alive. But his final communications dont suggest that he was particularly worried about himself, and as of this writing, his cause of death has not been made public. Loved tonights show, his final tweet reads. Appreciative audience.  Check http://BobSaget.com for my dates in 2022.

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During the peak of Sagets TV career, the rumor was that he had a secret side. The more public side was the boyish and gangly Americas dad the country loved from his long stints hosting Americas Funniest Home Videos and playing Danny Tanner, the sweet and wholesome dad in Full House. He seemed easy enough to read; his face was open and earnest, his smile sincere. But that on stage as a stand-up, Saget was dirty, I remember hearing, as if it were almost but not quite a scandal. Dark. His filthiness is now of course legendary and a matter of public record: Sagets Comedy Central roast was notoriously raunchysave for one noteworthy exceptionand he was more or less crowned the king of the Aristocrats, that competitive exercise in obscene comedic one-upmanship masquerading as a joke. For a long time, this was the in-the-know story about Saget: The man had, if not a double life, at least a double image.

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This is the kind of faux-revelation that inclines people to believe that the darker version is the real person and the sitcom dad the socially sanctioned mask. The truth seems to be more complicated. Penn Jillette, who directed The Aristocrats documentary, described Sagets more transgressive humor as drawing powerand safetyfrom his actual sweetness. And one of the things that comes through clearly in Sagets many interviews and podcastsplaces where one might garner a glimpse of the man off-stage and off-camera, as it were (here Ill admit Im unfamiliar with his stand-up)is how much it clearly meant to him to show care, and to be a good friend.

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[Read: Norm Macdonald Never Stopped Bullstting]

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A big part of that comes through in his friendship with Norm Macdonald. A self-professed workaholic, Saget wasbesides being on tour and working on a specialin the middle of several projects including an R-rated version of the 90s comedy Dirty Work in Macdonalds honor, and a script for Dirty Work 2, which he had finished and gotten Macdonalds input on before the latters death. On Sagets podcast in November, Artie Lange, who also appeared in Dirty Work, asked, What does it make you feel, going to all that trouble to write? now that the project wouldnt move forward. I dont care, Saget says. All that trouble? I did something and Norm read it and fell in love with it. Sagets tone is reverential; its clear that what mattered to him was getting to work with Norm, to connect with someone he loved who was famously difficult to connect with.

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Yeah, we were going, Saget says of Dirty Work 2. And Norm didnt think he was gonna die, and I didnt know.

Theres a subtext there: that Saget was the one reaching out, with mixed success, endlessly reasserting his care amid the jokes. Its a dynamic that comes through in Sagets conversation with Lange, too.

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Writing a sequel for a guy who has leukemia is not a smart move, Lange says, needling Saget.

Well, nobody knew and he wanted it that way and I think it was also him being a gambler at heart, Saget replies earnestly. So I think its those last few weeks, I think he was really thinking he was gonna beat it and we were set to go, so you were gonna be getting a phone call.

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You were gonna be getting a phone call is I love you in Hollywood speak. That mismatchSaget responding to Arties playful barb with sincere affectionreminds me of a moment on Norm Macdonald Live when Saget, gamely trying to hold his own against Norm in full trickster mode, alluded to his and Norms shared history of pain. At one point, Saget, who lost two sisters and his parents, gets choked up after Norm reads Sagets dedication to his mother in his book Dirty Daddy: The Chronicles of a Family Man Turned Filthy Comedian. You cant just cry, Norm says to Saget, who tries to joke but instead says: I dont want to. I did, I started to cry. Its my mom. But when Saget brings up Norms own history of loss, Norm shuts down, muttering and chuckling a bit before yelling, Its time to do JOKES!

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On a Jan. 6 interview on the radio show A Corporate Time, the hosts ask Saget about Macdonalds not telling him about his leukemia. Saget never takes it personally that his friendwhom he describes elsewhere as a complex carbohydratedidnt confide in him; he describes it as a question of dignity, of not wanting to be restricted or pitied. I knew something was wrong because I was close enough to him to know that, and I just thought that it was other stuff that was serious, but I didnt realize that hed been going through so much.  We had a silent language. We would just be able towed be in a room and people would do something and wed look at each other and we didnt need to say anything.

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The podcast conversation between Lange and Saget is notable for how much Saget believes himself to be talking to a friend close to deathtrying to reach him just as he did Norm. I love you, he says to Lange. I always love you. I always reach out a lot, you know that. And you stay silent and I get it, so I have to give you your space. Lange eventually takes up the obvious subtext of the discussion: Dirty Work is becoming like one of those cursed movies, I think, he says. Like Poltergeist, everyones dead. Im saying for Dirty Work 2, you dont have Jack Warden, you dont have Chris Farley, you dont have Norm Macdonald.

Well Ive got you, Saget says to Lange. You better stay alive.
Next week, the Senate is scheduled to begin debate on whether the filibuster should continue to block consideration of critical voting rights legislation. While simple, filibuster-immune majorities in heavily gerrymandered, Republican-controlled state legislatures across the nation are imposing partisan barriers to the equal freedom to vote, the rules of the Senate require a supermajority to even debate countering this attack on democracy. As the filibuster has evolved, 41 senators can block consideration of voting rights reform, which means that senators representing as few as 21 percent of America have the power to veto any remedy to this gross violation of democratic principles.

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In the face of this challenge, some suggest we change the subject. Yes, they concede, voting rights legislation is important. But addressing the filibuster is just too hard. And rather than confronting that difficulty head-on, Democrats, they insist, should instead take up reform of the 1887 Electoral Count Act. That act governs the process for counting the electoral votes. And as the last election reminded us, the Rube Goldberg mechanisms of that statute are in desperate need of repair. Heres something, proponents of this approach insist, that Congress could accomplish. Lets take the victory, and move on!

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There is no doubt that the Electoral Count Act must be updated. Its complex and, in parts, incoherent structures may work fine so long as everyone is acting in good faith. But in its complexity, the act leaves too much to partisan gamesmanship. The republic dodged a bullet on Jan. 6 because of the courage of Vice President Mike Pence, the resolve of Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, and the bravery of state election officials in swing states across the nation. Those good acts, however, are not guarantees. And as many now fear, partisans in 2024 could well exploit holes in the ECA, and leave America without a president actually elected by the people.

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But it would be a profound mistake for Congress to rush the consideration of ECA reform, because too few in Congress have reckoned with the dangerous constitutional theory that threatens to upend any effort by Congress to guide the process of electing the president.

The 1887 Electoral Count Act took for granted that Congress had the power to regulate the process of counting electoral votes. But a nascent theory first birthed by Chief Justice William Rehnquist in Bush v. Gore, and now echoed by at least four justices on the current Supreme Court, could scuttle the foundation for any reform to the Electoral Count Act. It could certainly sabotage any statute that adopted the framework of the 1887 law without substantial modification. And new details of some of the proposed changes to the ECA published in the Washington Post on Tuesday did not include any portion addressing the threat posed by this independent state legislature theory.

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According to that theory, the only constitutionally relevant actors in the counting of electoral votes are state legislatures and the vice president. At its extreme, the theory holds that legislatures retain the power to appoint or remove electors at any time prior to the final count in Congress, even after a states popular vote has been held and counted. This obviously would leave the door open to a partisan state legislature undoing the will of its voters after the fact if it didnt like an election outcome. The ECA firmly rejects independent state legislature theory. But proponents of legislature power insist the ECA is unconstitutional. That was Rep. Louie Gohmerts claim in litigation that he began in Texas in 2020 to try to convince the Supreme Court to allow state legislatures to overturn the last presidential election. There is nothing to indicate that he or any of the state legislature extremists have rethought their theory.

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The independent state legislature theory is wrong as a matter of constitutional law. But it would be a mistake of constitutional politics to draft a new ECA that simply ignored it. Instead, Congress should devote extended hearings to the question of how best to neutralize any possible effect from this mistaken theoryespecially as the litigation that would test the theory would be likely to happen in the compressed period between Election Day and the electoral vote count on Jan. 6. American democracy cannot afford to wait until the last minute to build a defense against this surprisingly well-adhered-to, if incorrect, theory of legislature power. Instead, Congress should be crafting an ECA reform to avoid the consequences of such a theory, even if it were adopted by a majority of the court.

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And there is plenty that Congress could do. In addition to mapping out its understanding of its own power, and the weakness of the independent state legislature theory, hearings could consider legislation that would block any last-minute judicial interventions designed to displace the ECA, or at least, as Pennsylvanias law does, to shift any such review to a time before an election. The possibilities are many, and Congress should take its time to consider them. There is no reason that the amendments to the ECA couldnt occur during the sanest moments of any modern Congress: the lame-duck session between the November midterm election and the seating of a new Congress.

Changes to the ECA are certainly urgent. But the more urgent question for the Senate remains why bare majorities in radically gerrymandered state legislatures should have the power to defeat free and fair elections for Congress, while Congress has no power to defend itself against those distortions unless a supermajority in the Senate agrees.

The modern filibuster has restored the supermajority rules of our first and failed constitution, the Articles of Confederation. Like those articles, it is defended by people who believe that supermajority requirements induce compromise. But the failure of the first American republic led our Framers to reject that mistaken theory. And it is high time for the Senate to answer one obvious question: Why do a group of senators representing a relatively minuscule number of Americans, through Senate rules, get to undo the one clearly good idea of our Framersthat legislatures be governed by legislative majorities?
China announced a list of 20 outstanding grass-roots police officers and 17 for nomination awards, as Monday marks the second Chinese People's Police Day.

The list of grass-roots police officers along with their stories was released by the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the Ministry of Public Security.

Some of the awardees come from police stations at primary levels, some serve as criminal police and detectives, cyber police, border police, as well as traffic and railway police, and some have participated in the United Nations peacekeeping missions.

They have guarded political security, maintained social stability and the peaceful life of the people with their hard work, and sometimes even sacrificed their blood and lives. They are the best representatives of the Chinese people's police, said a statement by the authorities.

The Chinese People's Police Day, which falls every Jan. 10, corresponds with the country's emergency call number of 110. The establishment of this festival was approved in 2020 in recognition of the extraordinary work of the country's public security guardians.
On Monday, a group of North Carolina voters filed a challenge to Republican Rep. Madison Cawthorns candidacy in 2022. Their complaint alleged that Cawthorn is constitutionally ineligible to serve in Congress because he engaged in an insurrection against the United States by facilitating the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol. The complaint is a longshot, but it is firmly rooted in the 14th Amendment, as well as a series of state laws that are surprisingly favorable to Cawthorns challengers. Even if the challenge fails to keep Cawthorn out of Congress, it could still succeed in forcing him to reveal new details about his involvement in the Jan. 6 assault.

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Although the 14th Amendment is best known for granting birthright citizenship, due process, and equal protection to newly freed slaves, it also contains several provisions designed to limit former Confederates influence in American governance after the Civil War. Most notably, its disqualification clause states that no one who engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the U.S. may hold public officeunless Congress grants them amnesty by a two-thirds vote. This provision was enforced only briefly, Indiana University McKinney School of Law professor Gerard Magliocca has documented, as Congress granted broad amnesty to erstwhile Confederates in 1872. Still, the disqualification clause remains on the books as an unused tool to keep insurrectionists out of the government they sought to topple.

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Enter Cawthorn, the young demagogue who cheered on Donald Trumps efforts to overturn the 2020 election even as rioters scaled the walls of the Capitol. Consider his actions in the days leading up to the insurrection: On Dec. 21, the congressman-elect urged his supporters to lightly threaten their representatives. Say: If you dont support election integrity, Im coming after you,  he instructed. Madison Cawthorns coming after you. Everybodys coming after you.  Ten days later, Cawthorn announced his plan to protest the certification of Joe Bidens victory. And on Jan. 4, one day after taking the oath of office, Cawthorn tweeted: January 6th is fast approaching, the future of this Republic hinges on the actions of a solitary few.  Its time to fight.

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On Jan. 6, Cawthorn spoke at the notorious Stop the Steal rally that preceded the Capitol attack. He faulted other Republicans for not fighting and praised the crowd for having some fight. At 1:31 p.m., as violent protesters breached the perimeter of the seat of government, Cawthorn declared that the battle is on the house floor. Shortly thereafter, rioters began smashing the windows of the Speakers Lobby to reach that very floor. After the horrific events of that day, Cawthorn voted to reject electoral results cementing Trumps defeat and said he did not regret his speech at the rally. Later, he expressed sympathy for the insurrectionists held in jail, describing them as political hostages and political prisoners whom he would like to bust out. The congressman also warned of bloodshed if our election systems continue to be rigged and encouraged his fans to stockpile ammunition to prepare for the coming bloodshed over stolen elections.

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Does this conduct disqualify Cawthorn from public office under the 14th Amendment? Several North Carolina voters think soand they believe they have a legal opportunity to prove it. State law allows any qualified voter registered in a candidates district to challenge that candidates qualifications for office. When a challenger puts forth reasonable suspicion or belief that the candidate does not meet the constitutional  qualifications for the office, then the candidate must show by a preponderance of the evidence that he is indeed qualified. If the candidate in question fails to carry this burden, the North Carolina State Board of Elections must remove him from the ballot. The candidate can appeal his disqualification to the North Carolina Court of Appeals, then to the North Carolina Supreme Court, which currently has a Democratic majority.

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The challenge to Cawthorns candidacy might seem easy to brush off as a frivolous stunt. It is not.

To see how this process works, imagine that a 32-year-old seeks to appear on the ballot in North Carolina as a candidate for president. The Constitution requires the president to be at least 35 years old, so this individual is ineligible to serve. Any voter in North Carolina could contest his candidacy, and once they do, the board of elections has an obligation to keep him off the ballot. It is true that the Constitution only bars 32-year-olds from serving as president, but not from running for president. The courts have easily reconciled this distinction; as then-Judge Neil Gorsuch explained in 2012, a states legitimate interest in protecting the integrity and practical functioning of the political process permits it to exclude from the ballot candidates who are constitutionally prohibited from assuming office.

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Just as the board of elections can adjudicate ineligibility due to age, Cawthorns opponents argue, it can adjudicate ineligibility due to insurrection. Once again, state law lays out the procedure: Because Cawthorns district encompasses multiple counties, the board of elections must appoint a panel of five members from each county board of elections. (Both state and county boards are currently controlled by Democrats.) This panel may hear evidence, call witnesses with information concerning the subject of the challenge, and compel them to testify under oath. The panel must then determine whether Cawthorn engaged in insurrection within the scope of the 14th Amendment. And its decision may be appealed to the North Carolina courtsthen, eventually, the U.S. Supreme Court, since it raises a federal question.

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But does a state board really have constitutional authority to enforce the disqualification clause? Magliocca, author of the definitive examination of the clause, told me that the states process is not inconsistent with the 14th Amendment. (A disclosure: As the preeminent expert on the disqualification clause, Magliocca has agreed to serve pro bono as an expert witness in this case.) In fact, there is precedent here: In the aftermath of the Civil War, the commissioners of North Carolinas Moore County disqualified an ex-Confederate from serving as sheriff. Their decision was upheld by the state courts. North Carolina courts disqualified at least one other former Confederate during this period. In short, both state commissions (like the board of elections) and state courts have already used the 14th Amendment to prevent insurrectionists from taking office. The challenge to Cawthorns candidacy adheres to the text and history of the disqualification clause.

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Perhaps the biggest roadblock here is not constitutional but factual: Did Cawthorn actually engage in insurrection? The events of Jan. 6 appear to meet any reasonable definition of the term, as the rioters sought to disrupt a core constitutional function by attacking legislatorsand, by extension, the government itself. A tougher question is whether Cawthorn himself engaged in the insurrection through words or deeds. And that is exactly what the challengers to his candidacy seek to determine. As Magliocca told me: Its up to him to prove that he did not. So well see what evidence he puts forward. Well learn some new information, even if in the end he is found eligible to serve. And hell have to testify under oath. The investigation could uncover explosive facts about Cawthorns alleged support for the insurrectionfacts that will remain relevant even if the courts ultimately keep him on the ballot.

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Because it draws on a little-used nook of the Constitution, the challenge to Cawthorns candidacy might seem easy to brush off as a frivolous stunt. It is not. Mondays complaint was spearheaded by Free Speech for People, a progressive nonprofitbut two former justices of the North Carolina Supreme Court, James G. Exum and Robert Orr, signed onto it. Without a doubt, their fight faces long odds: It is more likely than not that election administrators and state court judges will decline to stick their necks out, fearful of political backlash from Cawthorns fighting allies. But a battle for accountability so deeply rooted in the Constitution cannot be dismissed so easily.
In August, Amyris Biotechnologies announced its collaboration with Queer Eyes Jonathan Van Ness on a new haircare line. As far as tech announcements go, this wasnt one likely to hit too many radars, especially in the middle of a global pandemic. But what is remarkable about the story, and not mentioned in the press release, is that 20 years ago Amyris Biotechnologies was not a cosmetics company, but a startup hailed as a vanguard in a biofuel revolution.

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Amyris also isnt alone in this shift; Solazyme, Lanzatech, Neste, LiveFuels, LS9, and Pacific Biodiesel are all biofuel companies that also got their start in the early aughts and have since expanded their business into cosmetics, fragrances, and household cleaners. From the outside, this shift may seem rather bizarre. But I used to work at Amyris (though I have no ties to it now), and I can see how this shift makes sense. The change offers a surprising example of how the business of heavily hyped new technologies can transform over time.

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To understand this dramatic redirection, its helpful to know why there were so many of these companies in the early 2000s. Biofuels, as defined by the Department of Energy, are any kind of plant mass converted into a liquid fuel for transportation needs. Some of the first flurries of biofuel development in the United States came in the 1970s, a product, in part, of the decades oil crisis. Research experimented with using the U.S.s ample supply of corn as a feedstock to produce ethanol as fuel, but the projects never produced the kinds of yields needed to make a meaningful dent in the oil and gas industry. Interest faded, then renewed again in the early 2000s, thanks to the war in Iraq and louder climate change alarm bells. Government subsidies became available for research into alternative energy sources, just when the field of biotech was making significant technological strides. In particular, the tools of DNA sequencing saw major breakthroughs, making it exponentially easier to manipulate the genetic of sequences of living things toward productive ends. For biofuel, that meant the possibility of using genetic modifications to supercharge the feedstock or microbes involved in fuel production.

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Labs and start-up companies began to crop up to develop next-generation biofuels using this genetic engineering. Its the sort of thing that sits well in a Wired magazine spread and sounds cool and clever and elegant (or at least did to me as a 23-year-old looking for a job out of college), but it also starts on the foundation of a nearly impossible premise. These companies were set up to do expensive research and development to try coax a living thing to make fuel for less money than tapping already existing oil out of the ground. They were trying to make something as cheap as oil, a thing so thoroughly embedded in the economy by virtue of its cheapness.

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The people steering the ship of these companies knew they were gambling on bad odds. Amyris was founded in 2003 as part of this cohort, and its origin story included the famous venture capital entrepreneur Vinod Khosla egging its founders on in just that way: Set your sights on diesel. Its the hardest thing youd want to do, but its the biggest market out there, and youll build an incredible company.

By the late aughts, nearly all these companies had run into considerable financial and technical difficulties. Making fuel from bioengineered microbes, at a technical level, seemed possible; making them at scale and price competitive was a different story. In 2010, in a well-publicized stumble, Amyris CEO John Melo promised investors that by 2011, the company would be making 6-9 million liters of its fuel, farnesene, each year, and 40-60 million by 2012. Those numbers would have been virtually inconsequential to the oil and gas industry, where Melo was picked up from. But they were also completely unrealistic for biotechnology, and the company ultimately was only able to deliver 1 million liters in 2011. Nearly every other company experienced less dramatic versions of the same thing: unable to deliver on production goals that were already modest. Manymaybe mostof these start-ups went completely under: Range Fuels, Sapphire Energy, Coskata, KiOR, and Beta Renewables were all celebrated and have now all shuttered. Companies trying to avoid collapse had to find a new strategy and find it quickly.

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The most successful rehabilitations began with the recognition that the fuel being produced by bioengineered microbes was closely related to several other chemicals attached to much higher price tags. Genetic engineering may not have had the horsepower to produce hundreds of millions of liters of product per year, but it did have the finesse to tweak fuels into other products. This made it possible to start with an already-developed base chemical and turn it into something relevant to several different industries. Amyris and Solazyme at different points pursued industrial lubricants, rubber replacements, plastic additives, food additives, nutritional supplements, and fish food. Gevo, Enerkem, Neste, Virent Energy, LS9, and Cobalt Technologies are just few of the other biofuel companies that have variously pursued rubber, plastics, chemicals, textiles, paints, adhesive, solvents, and detergent ingredients. This shift was pervasive enough in the industry that the annual hype list from Biofuels Digest, the Hottest 50 Companies in Bioenergy, by 2012 was expanded into the much clumsier Hottest in Biobased and Renewable Chemicals, and in 2017, the even more nebulous Hottest in Advanced Bioeconomy. In one sense, companies were diversifying their revenue streams; in another, they were throwing spaghetti at the wall.

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These kinds of pursuits were initially positioned more as detoursventures to pay the bills while pursuing biofuels as on a more realistic, long-term timeline. But the more time has gone on, the more the biofuels have fallen out of view. To a degree, this flexibility was always part of the strategy. Amyris, for instance, got its start in an academic lab making the anti-malarial medication artemisinin before switching to biofuels. But the emphasis on building a platform for bioengineering, with an agnosticism toward the products going to market, seems to have increased over time. By now, most of the still existing biofuel companies have more firmly settled into their new niches. For some companies, like Gevo and Neste, that niche is petrochemical replacements; other companies, like Amyris, Lanzatech, and Solazyme (before it filed for bankruptcy in 2017), made official moves to rebrand themselves as players in the cosmetics industry.

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The transition was disappointing for me as a lab tech willing to work for lower pay at a start-up with meaningful work over a comparable job in big pharma. I watched the industry go from making something meant to be revolutionary and mission-driven, to things a bit scattered and, in all honesty, boring. Again, it made sense: After developing a certain kind of technology for at least 10 years, you might as well use it for something, and there are worse things in the world to make than a pretty nice moisturizer. These companies still emphasize first and foremost in their branding eco-friendliness (saving sharks, replacing palm oil, reducing carbon emissions) though theres an entire cohort of anti-GMO NGOs in the business of debunking their claims to net environmental or social good.

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If the world needed just one more piece of evidence that substituting one kind of extractive logic for another isnt likely to solve our environmental problems, here it is. But its also worth noticing the underlying logic where those bad odds keep getting gambled on: taking the moonshot. A few months ago, Freakonomics had an episode with Vinod Khosla essentially dispensing the exact same advice he had to the Amyris founders 20 years ago go for the moon. He argued that when you dream big, even if you miss, youll still land somewhere greater than if you had hedged your bets and played it safe.

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The long arc of early aughts biofuels is instructive in how you might be less likely to land among the stars than in the shampoo-making business. In stretching for something very out of reachcheaper oil than cheap oilcompanies stumbled and reactively had to scramble for a sure bet to keep things going. The surest bets were often conservative industries: cosmetics, industrial lubricants, plastic. In the various reflections and course corrections of the current big tech reckoning, its worth remembering moonshots, rather than jumpstarting the revolution, can set industries up for reactive returns to tried and true ways of making a profit.

Future Tense is a partnership of Slate, New America, and Arizona State University that examines emerging technologies, public policy, and society.
Misinterpretation of Constitutional Courts decision circulating online.

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The Constitutional Court did not cancel the mandatory wearing of masks, nor quarantine, neither Covid passes nor regimes for the vaccinated and recovered.

Our paywall policy The Slovak Spectator has decided to make all the articles on the special measures, statistics and basic information about the coronavirus available to everyone. If you appreciate our work and would like to support good journalism, please buy our subscription. We believe this is an issue where accurate and fact-based information is important for people to cope.

The Health Ministry is debunking a hoax that started disseminating online recently.

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The Constitutional Court was indeed deciding on anti-pandemic measures. The court deemed only specific parts of the law on the protection of public health as unconstitutional. Currently, a misinterpretation of the decision is circulating on social networks.

Some of the faults, objected by the Constitutional Court, had been already fixed by the amendment, the ministry wrote on a social network.

They also called on people to be careful with sources and the quality of the information people encounter online.

State quarantine questioned

The obligation to use masks and respirators, entry to operations under the OP/OTP regime, the use of green passes and other measures currently in force have explicit support in other parts of the Public Health Protection Act and these were not affected by the Constitutional Court decision, explained ombudswoman Maria Patakyova on Facebook.

She added that the decision of the Constitutional Court especially concerned the constitutionality of isolation and quarantine conducted outside the home environment.

According to the Ombudswoman's office, the Constitutional Court's ruling shows that it is possible to order isolation only under a home environment. The decision entered into force on December 31, 2021. Until its adoption, isolation and quarantine were permissible under a home environment, hospital or other chosen facility.

More on coronavirus development:
The Health Ministry warns against dissemination of hoax. First foreign trip of Czech PM Petr Fiala leads to Slovakia.

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Good evening. The Tuesday, January 11 edition of Today in Slovakia is ready with the main news of the day in less than five minutes. We wish you a pleasant read.

How the anti-pandemic rules will be set

The occupancy of Covid beds will be one of the main factors for the classification of districts. (Source: SITA)

The Covid automat warning system, which set regional anti-pandemic rules based on local indicators, including the number of the infected and vaccination rate, was deactivated on November 25 when a number of hospitalised patients reached a critical point.

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The decision of the coalition council on January 11 suggests that the regional rules will not return so soon.

The Health Ministry proposed some changes to the Covid automat system, but it was not approved by coalition partners, the Sme daily reported.

One of the biggest changes in the draft Covid automat should be the cancellation of the OTP regime, which benefited people who were fully vaccinated, tested or recently recovered from the disease.

The coalition thus complied with the opinion of experts from the Science Helps initiative and a council of experts who did not recommend the introduction of a Covid machine for the unpredictability of the Omicron variant. Due to its high infectivity, the variant is expected dominate in Slovakia in the coming days to weeks.

Comprehensive measures will be introduced instead. They should favour those who have been vaccinated and those who have overcome Covid in the last six months. The measures should be presented by the Health Ministry after Wednesday's government.

More coronavirus and vaccination news

Illustrative stock photo (Source: TASR)

2,595 people were newly diagnosed as Covid positive out of 13,746 PCR tests performed on Monday. The number of people in hospitals is 2,053 people. 50 more deaths were reported on Monday. The vaccination rate is at 50.21 percent, 2,761,680 people having received the first dose of the vaccine. More stats on Covid-19 in Slovakia here.

out of 13,746 PCR tests performed on Monday. The number of people in hospitals is 2,053 people. 50 more deaths were reported on Monday. The vaccination rate is at 50.21 percent, 2,761,680 people having received the first dose of the vaccine. More stats on Covid-19 in Slovakia here. There will be no decision on mandate vaccination in the coming weeks . It would take months to accept the decision, and it would not transpire before the Omicron wave, Health Minister Vladimir Lengvarsky said. The analysis on mandate vaccination was to be completed by January 10, but the Health Ministry was given an additional ten days. (Markiza)

. It would take months to accept the decision, and it would not transpire before the Omicron wave, Health Minister Vladimir Lengvarsky said. The analysis on mandate vaccination was to be completed by January 10, but the Health Ministry was given an additional ten days. (Markiza) The Health Ministry is warning the public against a hoax circulating online: the Constitutional Court did not cancel quarantine, wearing masks and respirator, regime for vaccinated and recovered, nor Green Passes.

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Friendly relations between Slovakia and the Czech Republic need to be reinforced and existing cooperation further developed. The Prime Ministers of Slovakia and the Czech Republic, Eduard Heger and Petr Fiala, agreed on the aforementioned at Tuesday's meeting. The meeting is part of the first official visit of the new Czech PM abroad, which is always to Slovakia, according to the tradition between Slovakia and Czechia. Fiala also met with President Zuzana Caputova.

If you like what we are doing and want to support good journalism, buy our online subscription. Thank you.

Feature story for today

Allowing a person with Covid into the workplace has so far been considered a health risk and punishable by law. In a few weeks, it may become a necessity in Slovakia. With the fourth pandemic wave driven by the superinfectious Omicron variant, Slovakia will need to adopt measures it has not seen. With the expected steep increase in infections, thousands of people will end up in mandatory isolation at the same time, which may lead to a collapse of workplaces.

Read the story by the Sme daily on how Omicron may change the anti-pandemic rules currently applicable in Slovakia.

Closures will no longer work with Omicron Read more

In other news

In November, the Slovak construction industry grew year-on-year for the second month in a row, this time by 1 percent . However, the industry is still lagging behind the pre-pandemic level by 8.4 percent and the volume of work is driven by contracts abroad.

. However, the industry is still lagging behind the pre-pandemic level by 8.4 percent and the volume of work is driven by contracts abroad. The defence agreement with the US passed the government's legislative council , and an important vote on the government awaits on Wednesday. Defence Minister Jaroslav Nad confirmed that he plans to submit the material first to the Security Council tomorrow, then to a meeting of Heger's cabinet. (Dennik N)

, and an important vote on the government awaits on Wednesday. Defence Minister Jaroslav Nad confirmed that he plans to submit the material first to the Security Council tomorrow, then to a meeting of Heger's cabinet. (Dennik N) The Police Corps have new vice presidents and a new person has been appointed to lead the National Criminal Agency (NAKA). Branko Kiss and Damian Imre became vice-presidents of the Police Corps, while Lubomir Danko will head the NAKA . Peter Scholtz is no longer the temporary appointed head of police inspection . Robert Miko continues to serve as deputy director of the Inspection Service Office.

. . Robert Miko continues to serve as deputy director of the Inspection Service Office. In 2021, 8,641 people in Slovakia went bankrupt, down 23.18 percent compared to 2020 . As demonstrated by an analysis performed by CRIF - Slovak Credit Bureau, the number of personal bankruptcies dropped for the second year in a row, but the decrease was somewhat steeper in 2002 at 30.42 percent.

. As demonstrated by an analysis performed by CRIF - Slovak Credit Bureau, the number of personal bankruptcies dropped for the second year in a row, but the decrease was somewhat steeper in 2002 at 30.42 percent. Billa plans to build a new central warehouse worth more than 38 million in Sered until the end of the year. The current warehouse in Senec will be replaced. The warehouse in Petrovany near Presov will continue serving eastern Slovakia.

until the end of the year. The current warehouse in Senec will be replaced. The warehouse in Petrovany near Presov will continue serving eastern Slovakia. Think-tank INEKO published a ranking of the best Slovak primary and secondary schools. Jur Hroner Secondary Grammar School in Bratislava, Secondary Industrial School of Electrical Engineering in Presov and Primary School at Stanicna Street 13 in Kosice took the first positions in their categories.

Do not miss on Spectator.sk today

GP cannot prescribe medicine recommended by specialist anymore Read more

Mass events are divided according to risk of infection. What measures apply where? Read more

Why sirens go off in Slovakia on some Fridays Read more

Roznava locals repurpose a Franciscan monastery as a cultural centre Read more

If you have suggestions on how this news overview can be improved, you can reach us at editorial@spectator.sk.
https://sputniknews.com/20220111/biden-quietly-authorized-200-million-in-new-security-aid-to-ukraine-in-late-december---reports-1092167773.html

Biden Quietly Authorized $200 Million in New Security Aid to Ukraine in Late December - Reports

Biden Quietly Authorized $200 Million in New Security Aid to Ukraine in Late December - Reports

The Biden administration discreetly approved an additional $200 million in security assistance to Ukraine in late December, CNN reported.

2022-01-11T01:45+0000

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2022-01-11T01:45+0000

joe biden

russia

ukraine

aid package

cnn

biden administration

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Much of the $200 million security package included military equipment such as small arms, ammunition, secure radios, and medical equipment, the report added, citing four people familiar with the matter.Congress was notified about the White House's decision earlier this month, but other US officials found out about the matter through classified channels, the report said.The new security assistance will take some time to be delivered to Ukraine, the report added.The report said, citing two congressional aides, that the Biden administration wanted to keep this new security package under wraps ahead of the US-Russia security talks that took place in Geneva earlier on Monday.Another source told CNN that the additional $200 million in security aid to Ukraine is not substantial enough to deter any kind of alleged Russian escalation, however, Kiev has made clear it wants more security assistance that is beyond the defensive weaponry the United States is already providing.Western countries accuse Russia of allegedly deploying thousands of troops near the Ukrainian border in preparation for an aggressive action. Moscow has repeatedly denied the accusations.Following the US-Russia Monday talks, a Russia-NATO Council will meet in Brussels to discuss the issue on Wednesday.

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joe biden, russia, ukraine, aid package, cnn, biden administration
https://sputniknews.com/20220111/china-ready-to-provide-assistance-to-kazakhstan-within-its-capabilities-foreign-ministry-says-1092173253.html

China Ready to Provide Assistance to Kazakhstan Within Its Capabilities, Foreign Ministry Says

China Ready to Provide Assistance to Kazakhstan Within Its Capabilities, Foreign Ministry Says

China is ready to provide any assistance to Kazakhstan pursuant to the neighboring country's requests

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protests in kazakhstan

world

china

kazakhstan

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"China and Kazakhstan are friendly neighbors and permanent strategic partners. China maintains close cooperation with Kazakhstan and will provide assistance in accordance with the requests of the Kazakh party and within its capabilities," the ministry said.China adheres to a constructive approach regarding the measures facilitating pacification, economic development and improving the living standards of Kazakhstan's citizens, according to the ministry.The foreign ministry did not clarify what kind of assistance China will provide to Kazakhstan and whether the country is ready to send its peacekeepers to its neighbor if necessary.Last week, Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a verbal message of support to President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. During a press-conference on Monday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said that China was ready to work together with the Kazakh side to implement the "heads of state's important political consensus and do their best to provide necessary support and assistance to Kazakhstan."Mass protests in Kazakhstan began in the early days of 2022, with residents of the western cities of Zhanaozen and Aktau protesting a twofold increase in the price of liquefied gas. The protests spilled over to other cities, including the former capital and largest city of Almaty, where looting, attacks on government buildings, and armed clashes with the police broke out. In response, the Kazakh authorities launched an anti-terrorist operation. Almost 1,000 people were injured during the unrest, according to the United Nations.President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev also officially requested the assistance of the Collective Security Treaty Organization in "overcoming the terrorist threat." The CSTO responded by sending peacekeeping forces to Kazakhstan to normalize the situation.

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https://sputniknews.com/20220111/documents-show-fauci-may-have-concealed-info-on-covid-lab-origins-house-republicans-claim-1092184926.html

Documents Show Fauci May Have Concealed Info on COVID Lab Origins, House Republicans Claim

Documents Show Fauci May Have Concealed Info on COVID Lab Origins, House Republicans Claim

Newly released documents reveal White House chief medical advisor Dr Anthony Fauci may have concealed information on COVID's laboratory origins, two Republican congressmen said.

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2022-01-11T17:49+0000

us

anthony fauci

wuhan

covid-19

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"We've released never before seen emails showing Dr Fauci may have concealed information about #COVID19 originating from the Wuhan lab and intentionally downplayed the lab leak theory," Representatives James Comer and Jim Jordan said in a Twitter message. "[We] want Fauci under oath. Time for answers."Excerpts from the emails revealed that Dr Fauci was warned of two things: the potential that the COVID-19 virus leaked from the Wuhan Institute of Virology and the possibility that the virus was intentionally genetically manipulated, Comer and Jordan wrote in their letter."It is imperative that we investigate if this information was conveyed to the rest of the government and whether the information would have changed the US response to the pandemic," the congressmen wrote.Comer and Jordan formally requested an on-the-record, transcribed interview with Fauci to discuss the information.In October, US intelligence released a declassified report on the origins of COVID-19, concluding that the virus had not been developed as a biological weapon. The intelligence community remains divided on the most likely origin of the virus.China itself has repeatedly denied the lab leak theories.

https://sputniknews.com/20211121/new-unsealed-docs-show-us-firm-sent-virus-similar-to-covid-19-to-wuhan-lab-1090905751.html

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https://sputniknews.com/20220111/dozens-of-women-in-kabul-protesting-against-restrictions-imposed-by-taliban-1092178543.html

Dozens of Women in Kabul Protesting Against Restrictions Imposed by Taliban

Dozens of Women in Kabul Protesting Against Restrictions Imposed by Taliban

Dozens of Afghan women in the capital city of Kabul are once again protesting against a slew of regulations

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asia & pacific

afghanistan

taliban

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The Taliban, by forcing the Afghan women to wear hijab in public places and at work, demonstrate that they do not want women receiving education as well as working in the public and private sectors, according to the activist. The women, opposing the Taliban restrictions, said that the authorities use the compulsory wear of a hijab as an excuse, because in fact they "do not want women to live in Afghanistan."On Friday, the Taliban's Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice issued posters in Kabul ordering Afghan women to cover up. Also, the ministry had prohibited women from travelling without having their head covered in public transport. Afghan media representatives told Sputnik that the Taliban had banned media from showing women without wearing a hijab. According to the Afghan authorities, women can attend educational institutions only with their head covered up.After the Taliban takeover in August, Afghan women have repeatedly protested in a number of cities in the country, asking that their rights be respected and for representation in the government and local authorities.*Organization is under UN sanctions over terrorist activities

https://sputniknews.com/20211204/us-special-envoy-welcomes-taliban-decree-expanding-womens-rights-in-afghanistan-1091242017.html

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https://sputniknews.com/20220111/gop-leader-vows-to-oust-reps-schiff-swalwell--omar-from-panels-if-republicans-retake-house-1092166037.html

GOP Leader Vows to Oust Reps. Schiff, Swalwell & Omar From Panels if Republicans Retake House

GOP Leader Vows to Oust Reps. Schiff, Swalwell & Omar From Panels if Republicans Retake House

In March, the US House rejected a bid by GOP leader McCarthy to remove Rep. Swalwell from the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence over possible campaign... 11.01.2022, Sputnik International

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us house of representatives

us

gop

kevin mccarthy

washington dc

republicans

adam schiff

ilhan omar

eric swalwell

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Democrats should expect major committee shakeups if the GOP is able to retake the US House of Representatives, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) told Breitbart News in a Monday interview, claiming that the left established a precedent for panel assignments. Gosar was removed from both the House Committee on Natural Resources and House Committee on Oversight and Reform following a 223-207 vote to censure him for posting an animated video that depicted him using a sword to kill Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY). AOC served alongside Gosar on the Oversight and Reform panel.Months prior, 11 House Republicans voted with Democrats to remove Greene from her briefly-held positions on the House Committee on the Budget and the House Committee on Education and Labor. The 230-199 vote came about in relation to incendiary, conspiracy theory-laden remarks uttered by Greene prior to her election to public office. The GOP leader has maintained that Democrats were carrying out a "partisan power grab" and established a political precedent with their moves. McCarthy said that, in the event that Republicans retake the House, the GOP will use this new standard to remove Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) from his committee assignmentsparticularly his spots on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and the House Committee on Homeland Security. House Republicans have previously argued that Swalwell should be pulled from committee assignments and even public office over a connection to Fang, a Chinese national accused of targeting local politicians that Beijing allegedly deemed to be up-and-coming and likely to hold higher office.While federal investigators were involved in the matter, Swalwell was never accused of wrongdoing and reportedly cut ties with the alleged Chinese operative after US authorities made him aware of her activities. The Chinese government denied all associated allegations. McCarthy also declared that the House Foreign Affairs Committee should no longer include Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN), who was at odds with members of her own party and accused by some of antisemitism last year after appearing to liken the US and Israel to Hamas and the Taliban*.Omar later declared that she did not regret her comments on Israel, a country that "hypnotized the world," according to a 2012 tweet posted when she was a private citizen. "Adam Schiff, he should not be serving on Intel," McCarthy continued, referring to Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA), chairman of the US House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. McCarthy claimed that Schiff "lied to the American public" in supporting an unverified spy dossier authored by former British intelligence officer Christopher Steele. Rep. Mike Turner (R-OH) was recently appointed as the top GOP member on the US House Intelligence Committee, replacing Rep. Devin Nunes (R-CA), who resigned from Congress to head former US President Donald Trump's most recent social media venture. Lauren French, a spokesperson for Schiff, told Axios that while "it is always difficult to take Kevin McCarthy seriously," it would be "catastrophic" if the GOP reclaimed the chamber and the position of House Speaker. Swalwell tweeted that McCarthy's continued pledge to unseat Democrats is an attempt to make up for his inability to quell extremist elements in the Republican party. "Hes projecting onto me b/c hes incapable of facing down the Ku Klux Klan elements in his caucus," he added. "If he thinks hes silencing me, hes not." McCarthy's comments came as part of a long-form video taped in December 2021 at an Eastern Market establishment in Washington DC. *A terrorist group outlawed in Russia and many other countries

https://sputniknews.com/20210224/security-threat-house-republicans-request-fbi-briefing-on-swalwells-ties-to-alleged-chinese-spy-1082176106.html

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us house of representatives, us, gop, kevin mccarthy, washington dc, republicans, adam schiff, ilhan omar, eric swalwell
The mother of a Chinese student killed in Japan in 2016 was awarded more than 696,000 yuan ($109,200) in a lawsuit against her daughter's former roommate on Monday after a court ruled the defendant played a role in the young woman's death.

The compensation included 496,000 yuan for Jiang Qiulian's financial losses and 200,000 yuan for her mental anguish over the death of her daughter, Jiang Ge. It also covered some lawsuit-related expenses, according to the ruling by the Chengyang District People's Court in Qingdao, Shandong province.

Liu Nuanxi, the roommate, was ordered to pay Jiang Qiulian within 10 days if neither party appeals to a higher court.

The case dates back to Nov 3, 2016, when Jiang Ge, 24, was stabbed to death in the hallway outside her apartment in Tokyo by Chen Shifeng, Liu's ex-boyfriend. Liu had moved in with Jiang Ge, a friend who was also from Shandong, after breaking up with Chen.

Earlier on the day of the stabbing, Liu had quarreled with Chen. Armed with a knife, he later hid in the apartment building and waited for the women to return from an evening out.

When they returned, he confronted them. The three began arguing, and Chen chased the women to their apartment.

Liu entered first and locked the door behind her, leaving Jiang Ge outside. Chen stabbed Jiang Ge in the neck a dozen times before fleeing the scene.

Jiang died after arriving at a nearby hospital.

In 2017, a Tokyo court found Chen guilty of killing Jiang Ge and sentenced him to 20 years in prison. Jiang Qiulian was dissatisfied with the result, saying that Chen should have received the death penalty.

She also said that Liu shared some of the blame for her daughter's death because she had locked Jiang Ge out of the apartment when she was attacked. She was also upset about some improper posts Liu had made about her daughter on the Sina Weibo micro-blogging platform.

Jiang Qiulian filed the lawsuit in 2019, seeking more than 2 million yuan in compensation for her financial losses and mental anguish.

The court said on Monday that Liu was obviously at fault in the incident and should bear the civil penalty as she had not informed Jiang Ge of the potential danger posed by Chen, who had intimidated her before the killing, nor had she taken Jiang Ge's safety into account when she locked her outside the apartment.

It supported Jiang Qiulian, who said she suffered mental anguish after losing her only daughter, and added that people who bring danger around them have an obligation to take necessary measures to prevent others from being harmed.

"Jiang Ge deserves praise and the compensation, as she offered emergency aid to Liu," the court said. "But Liu, as Jiang Ge's friend and the one who received the aid, did not express gratitude and comfort to the relatives of the deceased, but instead aggravated the pain of the mother with improper online posts, which should be condemned."

A number of people, including national lawmakers and political advisers, attended the announcement of the verdict.
https://sputniknews.com/20220111/has-the-mystery-of-the-alien-hut-spotted-on-the-moon-by-chinas-rover-finally-been-solved-1092177818.html

Has the Mystery of the 'Alien Hut' Spotted on the Moon by China's Rover Finally Been Solved?

Has the Mystery of the 'Alien Hut' Spotted on the Moon by China's Rover Finally Been Solved?

The enigmatic Moon rock discovery made by China's Yutu-2 lunar rover in early December, which triggered speculations that it might be an alien house or spacecraft, is apparently no longer a mystery.

2022-01-11T12:12+0000

2022-01-11T12:12+0000

2022-01-11T12:12+0000

china

moon

yutu-2

tech

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The enigmatic Moon rock discovery made by China's Yutu-2 lunar rover in early December, which triggered speculations that it might be an "alien" house or spacecraft, is apparently no longer a mystery.After several weeks of driving, the rover has come close enough to discover that the mysterious hut is, in fact, a rock.In an updated post on Friday, Our Space - a Chinese language science outreach channel affiliated with the China National Space Administration (CNSA) - published the rover's latest photo of the object that had appeared to be sharp-lined in geometric appearance on the horizon. Most likely, the latter had been simply a trick of perspective, light, and shadow.It was noted that the rock was shaped like a rabbit, with smaller rocks in front of it suggested as resembling a carrot. The rock has now been dubbed the Jade Rabbit, after the name of the rover.In January 2019, China became the first nation to land a rover on the far side of the Moon, permanently hidden from Earth.The solar-powered Yutu 2 and Change 4 lander touched down on 3 January 2019. Since then, the rover has been rolling through the 115-mile-wide (186 kilometers) Von Karman crater.Yutu 2 rover spotted the mystery object - a gray cube - looming on the horizon roughly 260 feet (80 meters) away in November 2021 during the mission's 36th lunar day, according to Our Space. It was referred to as a "mystery hut".The CNSA estimated the rover would take two or three months to reach the cube, as Yutu-2, albeit designed to move at a maximum speed of 200 metres per hour, in reality, does not traverse the terrain at full speed.Furthermore, the craft also makes stops to conduct research, and it has to halt its operations when it becomes too cold during the lunar night.The worlds most long-lived lunar rover, as of December 2021, Yutu-2 has travelled a distance of 840 metres (2,760 ft) along the surface of the Moon.

https://sputniknews.com/20211210/chinese-yutu-2-rover-to-embark-on-weeks-long-journey-to-reach-moon-cube-heres-why-1091422912.html

china

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2022

Svetlana Ekimenko

Svetlana Ekimenko

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Svetlana Ekimenko

china, moon, yutu-2, tech
https://sputniknews.com/20220111/israeli-soldier-mildly-injured-in-vehicle-ramming-attack---photo-1092186809.html

Israeli Soldier Mildly Injured in Vehicle-Ramming Attack - Photo

Israeli Soldier Mildly Injured in Vehicle-Ramming Attack - Photo

A soldier of the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) was hit by a car in a deliberate attack in the Jordanian West Bank, IDF said on Tuesday.

2022-01-11T18:56+0000

2022-01-11T18:56+0000

2022-01-11T18:57+0000

west bank

israel

attack

israel defence forces (idf)

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Earlier on Tuesday, the IDF posted that it had received a message about a vehicle-ramming attack near the Halamish settlement in the West Bank, northwest Israel."A terrorist rammed his car toward a number of IDF troops & hit a soldier near the community of Halamish earlier this evening. The soldier has been evacuated by helicopter to a hospital for treatment," the message on Twitter read.The suspect was himself injured in the car crash and was detained for questioning, the ministry added.The Magen David Adom (Israeli national emergency medical service) posted on Twitter that it "received a report of a mildly injured 19-year-old hit by a car at the Halamish Junction." The service added that the man was evacuated to the nearest hospital.

west bank

israel

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west bank, israel, attack, israel defence forces (idf)
https://sputniknews.com/20220111/mission-of-csto-peacekeepers-in-kazakhstan-completed-withdrawal-will-begin-in-2-days--tokayev-says-1092170779.html

Kazakhstan: CSTO Contingent to Leave Country After Successfully Completing Peacekeeping Mission

Kazakhstan: CSTO Contingent to Leave Country After Successfully Completing Peacekeeping Mission

President Tokayev said that the withdrawal of a CSTO peacekeeping contingent, sent to the nation to restore order, would begin in two days and would take no more than 10 days

2022-01-11T05:34+0000

2022-01-11T05:34+0000

2022-01-11T14:44+0000

protests in kazakhstan

asia & pacific

kazakhstan

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On Tuesday, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said that Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO) peacekeeping forces have successfully completed their "main mission" in Kazakhstan and the process of withdrawal will begin in two days.Tokayev noted that the phased withdrawal of the united CSTO peacekeeping contingent "will take no more than 10 days".Speaking before the parliament on Tuesday, Tokayev also pointed out that Kazakhstan had appealed to the Collective Security Treaty Organidation (CSTO), requesting the peacekeepers' assistance, on legal grounds, since control over Almaty could have been lost.He has stated that the acute phase of the counterterrorist operation in Kazakhstan had generally passed, noting that the situation is stable in all regions.Describing the crisis the country was engulfed by, the Kazakh president argued that a terrorist war was unleashed against Kazakhstan.The leader lashed out at the country's National Security Committee, noting that the committee failed to detect the threat to the country's national security.Earlier in January, a wave of protests swept across Kazakhstan, following a twofold rise in gas prices. The Kazakh authorities said the protest were hijacked by terrorist elements seeking to topple the government. Tokayev declared a nationwide state of emergency, effective until 19 January, and also invited Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO) peacekeeping forces to help bring the situation under control. The peacekeepers were helping with protecting vital facilities in some regions.The country's interior ministry said that 17 Kazakh security officers were killed and over 1,300 were injured in the unrest.

https://sputniknews.com/20220110/csto-peacekeepers-to-leave-kazakhstan-at-first-request-once-situation-stabilizes-ministry-says-1092143072.html

https://sputniknews.com/20220106/csto-sends-peacekeepers-to-kazakhstan-to-stabilise-situation-after-violent-riots-1092055910.html

kazakhstan

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asia & pacific, kazakhstan
https://sputniknews.com/20220111/monkey-kills-three-month-old-baby-in-india-by-tossing-him-into-water-tank-1092180675.html

Monkey Kills Three Month-Old Baby in India by Tossing Him Into Water Tank

Monkey Kills Three Month-Old Baby in India by Tossing Him Into Water Tank

Gangs of monkeys often wreak havoc by attacking people and destroying crops across India. As a result, authorities have been looking into sterilising monkeys... 11.01.2022, Sputnik International

2022-01-11T14:40+0000

2022-01-11T14:40+0000

2022-01-11T14:40+0000

uttar pradesh

animal

monkey

viral

india

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In a heart-wrenching incident, a three-month-old baby called Prince lost his life when he was dragged away by a monkey and thrown into a water tank.Keshav, the infant's father, said that the monkey took Prince away on Saturday night when the boy and family members were sleeping in a room.The family searched for him for several hours when they saw an empty cot, but the infant could not be found.When the family members searched the house's roof, the child was found floating unconscious in the water tank. Relatives took the baby to the hospital where doctors declared him dead.The incident occurred in Gadhi Kalanjari of Uttar Pradesh's Baghpat district, only 34 km south of India's capital city Delhi.Several cities in India have been facing menacing monkies for years and locals often complain to the authorities. Last year, a gang of monkeys killed hundreds of puppies in Maharashtra in a revenge attack by snatching them from locals and throwing them from height.

uttar pradesh

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uttar pradesh, animal, monkey, viral, india
https://sputniknews.com/20220111/natos-deterrence-doctrine-against-russia-masks-own-existential-fears-advisor-to-polish-prez-says-1092184579.html

NATOs Deterrence Doctrine Against Russia Masks Own Existential Fears, Advisor to Polish Prez Says

NATOs Deterrence Doctrine Against Russia Masks Own Existential Fears, Advisor to Polish Prez Says

Tensions between Moscow and the Western alliance have been exacerbated by the endless crisis in Ukraine, and the blocs decades-long crawl toward Russias... 11.01.2022, Sputnik International

2022-01-11T16:01+0000

2022-01-11T16:01+0000

2022-01-11T18:33+0000

russia

poland

nato

deterrence

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The NATO concept of deterrence of Russia has failed, with Moscow calling the blocs bluff in the recent standoff over Ukraine and making the alliance look pathetic, Witold Modzelewski, Polands ex-deputy finance minister and a member the National Development Council  an advisory body to the Polish president, believes.In a recent op-ed in the Mywsl Polska weekly, Modzelewski argued that for years, the most frequently repeated word to define NATOs overall policy toward Russia is deterrence, with the concept having two possible definitions.The first is that Russia will take at face value the formidable threats posed by NATO, which is backed by the worlds only superpower and Germanys Bundeswehr, consisting of Turks and Polish emigrants, and meekly yield as country after country in the former Soviet Union faces the application of a policy of the (repeatedly) squeezed lemon under the guise of economic and political liberalization, Modzelewski wrote.Modzelewski thinks that Europes politicians and military men came to genuinely believe in the idea of the Russian threat, deciding to cover up their fear with self-deception, arguing we are afraid of Moscow, but it should also be afraid of us, because we are holding it back.What, in practice, is this deterrence based on? Put another way, what is the club in the hands of NATO that Russia should be afraid of if it disobeys the West? We do not know, but its probable that no one believes that the soldiers of any country in the alliance will want to die fulfilling their obligations under Article Five [of the NATO founding treaty], which we are reminded about constantly, the official noted.One ubiquitous internet Russophobe has even outlined the following scenario: Russia attacks Lithuania or Latvia, the Polish army comes to their aid and is completely destroyed; we will be defenseless for a time, but then the West will come to the rescue (presumably using the Portuguese, Luxembourgers and Bulgarians), Putins armies will be defeated, and Poland will be freed from the Russian yoke, the advisor quipped.There is one other explanation, the former deputy minister suggested that the fairy tales of deterrence were just a smoke screen behind which hid the strategic goal of rapprochement between Russia and many countries of Old Europe. They no longer conceal their aversion to American domination, and fear federalization [of the European Union] under German rule. Russia is needed in this game, and with its help it will be possible to get rid of the unwanted states in the form of some Eastern European countries, which have become useless anyway, since everything possible has already been squeezed out of them.Modzelewskis op-ed isnt the first time that the government advisor, who is also a professor of finance law at the University of Warsaw, and the author of a series of books on Russian-Polish relations, has challenged the conventional wisdoms of Polands foreign policy. In 2019, the academic made headlines in Polish media after accusing the government of making Warsaw look like idiots by spending billions on some decommissioned weapons from the Americans, who usually humiliate their clients.The same year, Modzelewski lamented that he doesnt believe anyone, himself particularly, can influence what kind of foreign policy the president pursues.Tension TiesRussia-NATO tensions have been exacerbated in recent months amid claims by Kiev and its backers that Moscow has massed troops on the border in preparation to invade Ukraine. Russian officials dismissed the allegations, while stressing that Moscow will not be dictated to regarding where it stations troops on its own territory.In mid-December, the Russian Foreign Ministry published a pair of comprehensive draft treaties between Moscow and Washington and Russia and NATO. The proposed agreements call for legally binding commitments for parties not to deploy troops, missiles, aircraft and warships in areas where they may be considered a threat to the other side. The US and NATO are asked to halt their eastward expansion, and to reject plans to absorb Ukraine. The Western alliance is also asked to limit the deployment of weapons and troops in members of the alliance which joined the bloc after 1997 (i.e. when its eastward expansion began).Russian and US officials met in Geneva, Switzerland on Monday and spent nearly eight hours discussing the security proposals. The talks were described as difficult, long, very professional, deep, specific, without any attempts to embellish anything by Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov. US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman said the US would like to meet again soon.Russian and NATO officials will meet in Brussels on Wednesday to discuss the draft treaties, followed by a meeting of the Organization for Security Co-operation in Europe Thursday.

https://sputniknews.com/20211227/nato-preparing-for-large-scale-armed-conflict-with-russia-russian-defence-ministry-says-1091840807.html

https://sputniknews.com/20210929/making-ourselves-be-respected-macron-calls-for-european-army-as-us-focused-on-itself-1089499532.html

https://sputniknews.com/20220111/retired-norwegian-general-blames-fallout-with-russia-on-western-exceptionalism-us-hubris--1092179571.html

https://sputniknews.com/20220111/us-pledges-to-provide-russia-with-written-response-to-geneva-talks-next-week-1092175976.html

poland

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2022

Ilya Tsukanov

Ilya Tsukanov

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Ilya Tsukanov

russia, poland, nato, deterrence
https://sputniknews.com/20220111/new-normal-swedens-new-restrictions-motivated-by-spread-of-ordinary-flu-met-with-discontent-1092171840.html

'New Normal?' Sweden's New Restrictions Motivated by Spread of Ordinary Flu Met With Discontent

'New Normal?' Sweden's New Restrictions Motivated by Spread of Ordinary Flu Met With Discontent

The recent batch of Swedish restrictions was met with criticism in the press and social media, as it has been motivated with diseases other than COVID-19 and sparked questions whether restrictions have become the default solution.

2022-01-11T07:04+0000

2022-01-11T07:04+0000

2022-01-11T07:04+0000

omicron covid strain

news

europe

scandinavia

covid-19

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The recent batch of Swedish restrictions has been met with criticism in the press and social media alike, as it has been motivated with a burden on the nation's healthcare, including from viral respiratory diseases other than just COVID-19 and sparked questions over whether restrictive measures have become the default solution.Introducing further restrictions, Sweden's Social Democrat Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson has justified the measures by noting the spread of common viral diseases such as the flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in society.The spread of infection in Sweden is at historically high levels. And this is happening at the same time as there is a high frequency of respiratory infections such as flu and RSV, Andersson said in a statement.In justification, Andersson cited a high burden on the nation's healthcare.For the healthcare and its employees to be able to carry out their tasks in the long term, we need to reduce the spread of infection, she explained.The new restrictions imply, among other things, that bars and restaurants must close at 11 pm, with a limit of a maximum of eight people per party. Adults are also encouraged to limit their number of close contacts indoors by refraining from larger dinners, parties and similar social events.The prime minister's explanation left journalists and social media users puzzled over whether it was the new normal that society is to be shut down even in the event of common diseases such as the flu.In his opinion piece in the newspaper Expressen titled Arbitrary rules  here to stay?, journalist Viktor Barth-Kron argued that new restrictions are being pulled out of a hat without any meaningful evaluation presented for the public.The prime minister says that even diseases other than COVID burden healthcare, which means that we now have a new normal in which undersized healthcare must be met with restrictions and lockdowns, Eric Rosen of the newspaper Aftonbladet tweeted.At the onslaught of the pandemic in early 2020, Sweden made international headlines for its standalone approach to tackling the novel coronavirus. While most Western nations shut down and introduced massive restrictions, Sweden initially continued as before, with only a handful of recommendations in place and no mandates whatsoever. Since then, however, restrictions have been rolled out and withdrawn again, depending on the situation.While its COVID-19 dynamics have been different from those of its Nordic peers due to various strategies pursued at the start of the pandemic, Sweden has in recent days been swept by a similar COVID wave amid a spread of the novel Omicron strain, which is seen as more infectious.Overall, Sweden, a nation of over 10 million, has seen over 1.4 million cases, with nearly 15,400 deaths.

https://sputniknews.com/20211029/a-breakdown-swedens-belated-covid-response-under-harsh-criticism-from-state-commission-1090312804.html

scandinavia

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2022

Igor Kuznetsov

Igor Kuznetsov

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Igor Kuznetsov

news, europe, scandinavia, covid-19
https://sputniknews.com/20220111/north-korea-launched-hypersonic-missile-during-tuesday-launch-attended-by-kim-jong-un-1092188343.html

North Korea Successfully Fired Hypersonic Missile During Tuesday Launch Attended by Kim Jong Un

North Korea Successfully Fired Hypersonic Missile During Tuesday Launch Attended by Kim Jong Un

North Korea's Tuesday missile test was of a Hwasong-8 hypersonic missile, state media said on Wednesday morning, noting the test was personally observed by Kim Jong Un, chairman of the country's Central Military Commission.

2022-01-11T21:08+0000

2022-01-11T21:08+0000

2022-01-11T22:31+0000

kim jong-un

north korea

missile

hypersonic

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The Tuesday test was the second in less than a week by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and third overall of a hypersonic weapon. According to the South Korean Joints Chiefs of Staff, which tracked the missile's launch and flight, it flew more than 700 kilometers across the Sea of Japan and reached an altitude of 60 kilometers while reaching a speed of Mach 10, or more than 7,600 miles per hour.According to Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the missile actually flew 1,000 kilometers, including 600-kilometer "glide jump flight," and accurately struck its target.The Japanese Coast Guard said the missile landed in international waters and caused no damage. However, Tokyo condemned the test, saying the DPRK's actions "pose a threat to the peace and security of our country, the broader region, and the entire international community."The US also condemned the launch, accusing Pyongyang of violating UN Security Council resolutions.During the previous test on January 4, the DPRK said it successfully tested the rocket engine's functioning in winter conditions, as well as the hypersonic glide vehicle's ability to maneuver after detaching from the rocket - an ability that renders it virtually impervious to interception. However, that test only reached a speed of Mach 6, or six times the speed of sound.The DPRK has been at war with South Korea and the US since 1950, when the US intervened in a Korean civil war. The fighting ended in 1953 with a ceasefire and the establishment of the demilitarized zone, but no permanent peace treaty has ever been signed and 28,500 US troops have continued to garrison South Korea. North Korea says it needs its ballistic missiles and nuclear weapons to guarantee its security in the absence of a peace treaty and US withdrawal.

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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

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Morgan Artyukhina https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/04/17/1082703728_0:0:800:800_100x100_80_0_0_0b6ce8daa7411284d60c8a0b6d84186d.jpg

kim jong-un, north korea, missile, hypersonic
https://sputniknews.com/20220111/nuland-reportedly-tried-to-persuade-democratic-senators-to-reject-sanctions-against-nord-stream-2-1092177300.html

Nuland Reportedly Tried to Persuade Democratic Senators to Reject Sanctions Against Nord Stream 2

Nuland Reportedly Tried to Persuade Democratic Senators to Reject Sanctions Against Nord Stream 2

US Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland held a briefing in Capitol Hill to persuade some of the Senate Democrats not to support the GOP push for sanctions against Russia's Nord Stream 2 pipeline.

2022-01-11T13:15+0000

2022-01-11T13:15+0000

2022-01-11T13:22+0000

us

sanctions

nord stream 2

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US Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland, and Amos Hochstein, a top energy envoy at the State Department, held a briefing in Capitol Hill on Monday in order to persuade some of the Senate Democrats not to support the Republican Party's push for sanctions against Russia's Nord Stream 2 pipeline, Politico's Andrew Desiderio wrote. Earlier, Republican Senator Ted Cruz presented draft legislation that suggests introducing sanctions against the pipeline within 15 days after being signed into law and allowing Congress to vote to reinstate the penalties should the president waive them. The voting on the legislation is expected later this week but it is unlikely to be approved by the Senate, Politico reported, citing Democrats who have backtracked on their stance to impose sanctions against the pipeline. The senators who have changed their minds argue that sanctions against Nord Stream 2, which is a joint Russian-German project and is currently in the final stages of approval, would undermine unity with Germany, one of the US' key allies. Nord Stream 2 is a $10.5 billion,1,230 km-long gas pipeline running from Russia to Germany under the Baltic Sea. Its construction was completed in September 2021 but the certification process has not been finalised yet, with Berlin citing the need for Russian energy giant Gazprom to set up a limited liability company under German law to prove it has enough funding and independence from its Russian parent Gazprom.

https://sputniknews.com/20211229/putin-russia-will-start-gas-supplies-via-nord-stream-2-as-soon-as-europe-decides-1091894186.html

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2022

Sofia Chegodaeva

Sofia Chegodaeva

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Sofia Chegodaeva

us, sanctions, nord stream 2
https://sputniknews.com/20220111/police-arrest-man-threatening-to-blow-up-mannat-home-of-bollywood-superstar-shah-rukh-khan-1092173902.html

Police Arrest Man Threatening to Blow Up 'Mannat', Home of Bollywood Superstar Shah Rukh Khan

Police Arrest Man Threatening to Blow Up 'Mannat', Home of Bollywood Superstar Shah Rukh Khan

On 6 January, an unknown person called up Maharashtra Police control room and threatened to blow up several locations in Mumbai, including Bollywood Superstar... 11.01.2022, Sputnik International

2022-01-11T10:53+0000

2022-01-11T10:53+0000

2022-01-11T10:53+0000

terror

india

bollywood

terror attack

hoax

terror

bollywood

shahrukh khan

india

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Jitesh Thakur from Jabalpur, a city in India's Madhya Pradesh state, has been arrested for making threatening calls to Mumbai Police. Thakur allegedly threatened to blow up Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khans bungalow Mannat and several other locations in Maharashtra state.Soon after the threat call, the police sprung into action and reached out to Jabalpur city police, who helped them trace the accused through a mobile number.Mumbai city has often been under terror threats and faced several terrorist attacks in the past including 26/11 (26 November 2008) which left 175 people dead including nine attackers, as well as more than 300 wounded.

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https://sputniknews.com/20220111/police-in-indias-telangana-state-left-puzzled-after-severed-head-found-at-hindu-goddess-feet-1092175698.html

Police in India's Telangana State Left Puzzled After Severed Head Found at Hindu Goddess' Feet

Police in India's Telangana State Left Puzzled After Severed Head Found at Hindu Goddess' Feet

The police are also inspecting if it is a human sacrifice and have formed eight teams to probe the matter. 11.01.2022, Sputnik International

2022-01-11T13:09+0000

2022-01-11T13:09+0000

2022-01-11T13:09+0000

andhra pradesh

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Tension prevails in India's southern state of Telangana after the severed head of a man was found placed at the feet of Hindu Goddess Kali's idol at a temple in Nalgonda District on Monday.The state police have set up eight teams to investigate the matter. They are yet to establish the identity of the man who is missing his hand. His body has not been recovered. His head, however, was found inside the temple but local police said the man was not murdered there. "The victim was aged between 25 and 35 years and he was killed at some other place," a senior police official told Press Trust of India news agency.In 2019, during an incident of human sacrifice, three people were found murdered inside a temple in Anantapur District of Andhra Pradesh state, which neighbours Telangana state.Similarly, in 2018, in Telangana's Hyderabad District, a severed head of a toddler was found on the terrace of a house. It was later claimed that a couple living in the house had allegedly killed the baby as a black magic human sacrifice ritual  they believed the killing would cure the woman's illness.

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The 2021 annual meeting of the Intellectual Property Law Association (IPLA) of the China Law Society opened on Jan. 8 in Shenzhen.

Themed "Implementation and Development of Intellectual Property System Under the Civil Code," the meeting reviewed China's achievements in intellectual property rights protection and pooled wisdom for the improvement of intellectual property laws and regulations.

Liu Chuntian, chairman of the Intellectual Property Law Association of the China Law Society and dean of the Intellectual Property Academy of Renmin University of China, presided over the opening ceremony.

Zhu Li, deputy chief judge of the Intellectual Property Court of the Supreme People's Court of China (SPC), emphasized via video link the relevance of the meeting's theme to the trends of the times. He reviewed the work of the Intellectual Property Court of the SPC, and invited scholars and experts present to share their suggestions on the application of intellectual property laws under the Civil Code.

Lyu Zhihua, an official with the China National Intellectual Property Administration, appreciated the accomplishments of the IPLA in studying basic theories of the intellectual property laws and relevant hot issues. She expressed her hope that the IPLA could offer insights into the enactment and revision of intellectual property laws and regulations, and enable China to establish a comprehensive, rigorous and coordinated intellectual property system.

Vice President of the China Law Society Wang Liming introduced how the IPLA has served the implementation of major national strategies, promoted high-quality national economic growth and high-level opening-up, and expanded international exchanges in this regard.

Wang added that during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), the IPLA will shoulder new responsibilities and make new contributions to advancing the rule of law, and act as a think tank for the country's protection of intellectual property rights and improvement of related laws.

After the speeches, Liu Hong, vice president of the Chinese Association for Artificial Intelligence, and Fang Xiaodong, vice president of BGI Life Science Research Institution, shared their insights into the metaverse and genomics research, respectively.

The annual meeting consisted of 10 sub-forums, focusing on civil code and basic theories of intellectual property, copyright law, patent law, trademark law, unfair competition and anti-monopoly, judicial protection of intellectual property rights, intellectual property disciplines, intellectual property globalization, internet platform governance, and pharmaceutical intellectual property issues.

Following the epidemic prevention guidelines, the two-day meeting was held both in-person and online.
https://sputniknews.com/20220111/polish-media-claims-russian-sub-sought-to-steal-british-frigates-sonar-1092181053.html

Polish Media Claims Russian Sub Sought to Steal British Frigates Sonar

Polish Media Claims Russian Sub Sought to Steal British Frigates Sonar

Last week, the UK Ministry of Defence alleged that a Russian hunter-killer sub had collided with a sonar array being towed by the HMS Northumberland frigate... 11.01.2022, Sputnik International

2022-01-11T13:32+0000

2022-01-11T13:32+0000

2022-01-11T13:53+0000

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The suspected Russian submarine which the UK says came into contact with the HMS Northumberlands Type 2087 towed low-frequency sonar in 2020 may have been attempting to hijack it, Polish defence news outlet Defence24 has claimed.A BBC Channel 5 crew happened to have been onboard the HMS Northumberland during the suspected 2020 collision, with panicked officers and seamen filmed shouting Sh*t. What the hell was that? and What the f*ck have I just hit? during the incident, which came shortly after Captain Thom Hobbs said his ship was operating so close to the foreign submarine that if they were on the surface we would definitely see faces.A UK MoD spokesperson reported on the suspected incident last week, saying that a Russian submarine being tracked by the British warship came into contact with her towed array sonar.The military said that the HMS Northumberlands onboard Merlin helicopter had spotted the subs periscope nearby before the incident took place.The MoD did not elaborate on the fate of the sonar. However, an unnamed Royal Navy source told The Sun that the device had been left badly chewed up and unusable after being dragged over the submarines hull.The Northumberland was said to have been forced to abort its mission and return to port following the incident to inspect damage.Former Royal Navy commander Tom Sharpe didnt rule out sabotage.That class of frigate, well operated and well run, is very, very stealthy. Its possible the submarine was closer than it thought it was. Otherwise, you start tending to think that maybe it wasnt an accident. Maybe it was deliberate. I dont want to cause mischief, but that has happened before so thats an option in this case, Sharpe said in an interview with Forces News.The frigates Type 2087 sonar array, capable of both passive and active operations, was made by French defence company Thales. Since it is specifically designed to detect subs before they are within attack range, its unclear why the British warship did not engage in evasive manoeuvres against the suspected Russian sub as it approached.The last time a similar incident involving the Royal Navy and Russia or its allies was reported to have taken place occurred in 1982, when the HMS Conqueror, a Churchill-class nuclear-powered attack sub, stole a then-new Soviet-made towed sonar in the Barents Sea in an operation code-named Barmaid. The sub made off with the sonar after snipping its wires from a Polish towing vessel operating in Soviet waters (Poland was allies with Moscow under the Warsaw Pact alliance at the time). The stolen sonar was taken back to Scotland, packed onto a plane and sent to the US for examination. The same sub was later involved in a collision with an army sail training yacht in 1988, sinking it.

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https://sputniknews.com/20220111/prosecutors-may-drop-ghislaine-maxwell-perjury-charge-if-her-sex-trafficking-case-retrial-bid-fails-1092174058.html

Prosecutors May Drop Ghislaine Maxwell Perjury Charge if Her Sex Trafficking Case Retrial Bid Fails

Prosecutors May Drop Ghislaine Maxwell Perjury Charge if Her Sex Trafficking Case Retrial Bid Fails

If Ghislaine Maxwell is not granted a retrial in her sex trafficking case, prosecutors are prepared to drop pending perjury counts when she is sentenced to prevent victims from being re-traumatized at a possible second trial.

2022-01-11T08:43+0000

2022-01-11T08:43+0000

2022-01-11T08:43+0000

ghislaine maxwell

jeffrey epstein

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If Ghislaine Maxwell is not granted a retrial in her sex trafficking case, prosecutors are prepared to drop pending perjury counts when she is sentenced to prevent victims from being re-traumatised at a possible second trial.Prosecutors also urged that Maxwells sentencing take place approximately three to four months from todays date.British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell was convicted in a New York courtroom on 29 December of recruiting and grooming underage girls, some as young as 14, for Jeffrey Epsteins sexual abuse between 1994 and 2004. She faces up to 60 years in jail.The late pedophiles former girlfriend and pimp faces two perjury counts for allegedly lying under oath in a sworn deposition she gave in 2016 in a defamation case brought against her by the late tycoons accuser Virginia Roberts Giuffre in the Southern District of New York. Manhattan courtroom Judge Alison Nathan, who is presiding over Maxwells case, previously ruled that she would be tried separately for the perjury counts.However, Maxwells defence team has called for a new trial following reports that some jurors might have failed to disclose their own past sexual abuse prior to jury selection. The aforementioned jurors may have manipulated that personal experience during deliberations to sway other jurors and influence the outcome of the case.District Judge Alison Nathan had requested the defence submit a retrial request by 19 January.Defence Seeks RetrialEarlier, it was claimed that lawyers representing Ghislaine Maxwell had possibly discovered yet another juror involved in their client's trial who supposedly lied on their application about being abused, according to The Mail on Sunday. A cited source revealed that there were also questions over a fourth juror, so this thing is up in the air".This followed two other jurors admitting to using their personal childhood experience as victims of sexual abuse during Maxwell's recent trial.Juror No 50, identified as Scotty David, told media that he spoke to other jurors about his experience with sexual abuse while they were deciding the verdict.He also claimed he could not remember if he revealed this information about his past in the pre-trial questionnaire.Another unidentified juror also told The New York Times that they revealed to the jury that they experienced sexual abuse, which appeared to help shape the jurys discussions".

https://sputniknews.com/20220110/can-ghislaine-maxwell-win-epstein-sex-trafficking-case-if-she-gets-retrial-1092163136.html

https://sputniknews.com/20220109/ghislaine-maxwells-lawyers-find-third-juror-who-lied-bolsters-odds-of-retrial--media-1092136325.html

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https://sputniknews.com/20220111/putin-compares-kazakhstan-to-the-2014-euromaidan-1092166440.html

Putin Compares Kazakhstan to the 2014 Euromaidan

Putin Compares Kazakhstan to the 2014 Euromaidan

On todays episode of The Backstory, host Lee Stranahan discussed current events including New York City Mayor Eric Adams supporting illegals voting in local... 11.01.2022, Sputnik International

2022-01-11T08:22+0000

2022-01-11T08:22+0000

2022-01-11T11:46+0000

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Putin Compares Kazakhstan to the 2014 Euromaidan On todays episode of The Backstory, host Lee Stranahan discussed current events including New York City Mayor Eric Adams supporting illegals voting in local elections, and comedian Bob Saget dying at age 65.

GUESTPeter Oliver - RT European Correspondent and Sputnik European Correspondent | Russia - America Meeting, NATO Expansion, and Anthony BlinkenKeri Smith - Former SJW, Co-Host of Unsafe Space Podcast | Democrats Bullying Constituents, Science in Politics, and Mass PsychosisIn the first hour, Lee spoke with Peter Oliver about the recent US- Russia meeting, NATO military drills, and the Russian military in Kazakhstan. Peter discussed the violent protests in Kazakhstan and how Russian military troops helped quash the violence. Peter talked about the American media coverage and the propaganda surrounding Ukraine - Russia tension.In the second hour, Lee and John spoke with Keri Smith about dehumanization, division among Americans, and pro-censorship liberals. Keri spoke on the behavior of leftists and the lack of empathy from the political left. Keri discussed the demonization of unvaccinated Americans and how Democrats have become the party of censorship.We'd love to get your feedback at radio@sputniknews.com

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https://sputniknews.com/20220111/retired-norwegian-general-blames-fallout-with-russia-on-western-exceptionalism-us-hubris--1092179571.html

Retired Norwegian General Blames Fallout With Russia on 'Western Exceptionalism, US Hubris'

Retired Norwegian General Blames Fallout With Russia on 'Western Exceptionalism, US Hubris'

Retired Lieutenant General Robert Mood lamented the fact that 30 years after the fall of the USSR Russia remains outside the good society and urged the West to develop a new thinking to avoid escalation and war.

2022-01-11T13:19+0000

2022-01-11T13:19+0000

2022-01-11T13:19+0000

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Retired Lieutenant General Robert Mood, president of the Norwegian Red Cross and former Inspector General of the Norwegian Army, has lamented the fact that 30 years after the fall of the Soviet Union, Russia remains outside of what he dubbed the good society and urged the West to develop a new thinking to avoid escalation and war.Addressing the recent tensions between Russia and the West in his opinion peace in the newspaper Aftenposten, Mood blamed the West for distorting reality by portraying Russia as the great villain and the US and the West as flawless defenders of democracy.Mood drew parallels between NATO's expansion eastward in the aftermath of the Cold War and World War I, when France and Great Britain placed all the blame on Germany in the Treaty of Versailles. Together with major reparations, military restrictions and demands to relinquish territory, the national humiliation resulted in the rise of Adolf Hitler, a former WWI soldier, and the Nazis. By contrast, after World War II, Germany was treated with respect and quickly ushered into the European community despite the atrocities committed under the Nazi banner.According to him, Russia may understandably experience the national humiliation as real.In conclusion, Mood called for mutual respect and personal diplomacy so that everyone could break away from habitual thinking, citing the 20th century experience as a basis for his argument.Incidentally, while the idea of Russia joining NATO has been floated at different times by both Western and Russian leaders, including, for instance, former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev, as well as numerous experts, no serious discussions were ever held. During a series of interviews with film-maker Oliver Stone, President Vladimir Putin admitted that he floated the possibility of Russia joining NATO to President Bill Clinton when he visited Moscow in 2000.Former NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said that NATO could seriously consider Russia's membership once Moscow can prove it can uphold democracy and human rights.Russia's twin proposalsHowever, amid the recent bout of tensions, in mid-December, Russia published a pair of security proposals designed to dramatically ease tensions with the Western alliance. The Russian proposals were dubbed Moscow's red lines by President Vladimir Putin. They were spelled out in response to three decades of NATO expansion, despite pledges by US officials on the deathbed of the USSR not to move one inch eastward beyond what was formerly East Germany.Among other requests, Washington is asked to make several unilateral commitments, including a pledge not to continue NATO's eastward expansion into Ukraine or other post-Soviet states, as well as halt its military cooperation with them. The proposals also call for legally binding guarantees by both Russia and NATO not to deploy troops, aircraft and warships in areas that may threaten national security, as well as suggest a limit on the deployment of intermediate and shorter-range missiles within striking distance. Last but not least, Russia and NATO are also asked to explicitly affirm that they don't consider each other adversaries.

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https://sputniknews.com/20220111/social-and-medical-sector-workers-gather-in-paris-for-strike-1092173184.html

Social and Medical Sector Workers Gather in Paris For Strike

Social and Medical Sector Workers Gather in Paris For Strike

A few months ahead of presidential elections and amid the electoral campaign, the General Confederation of Labour (CGT) called on the staff of the hospital... 11.01.2022, Sputnik International

2022-01-11T12:33+0000

2022-01-11T12:33+0000

2022-01-11T12:33+0000

europe

france

strike

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Social and medical sector workers are holding a national strike in Paris.Among the demands: higher wages, better training of employees and hiring of more staff. The mobilisation is said to be taking place in response to excessive emotional and physical fatigue among medical sector workers, linked to the successive waves of COVID-19 over the past two years.The strike follows a similar mobilisation event held across France last week, with organisers calling for better working conditions and support in their workplaces.Follow Sputnik's Live Feed to Find Out More!

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Social and Medical Sector Workers Gather in Paris For Strike Social and Medical Sector Workers Gather in Paris For Strike 2022-01-11T12:33+0000 true PT1S

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https://sputniknews.com/20220111/south-korean-air-force-fighter-crashes-while-gaining-altitude---air-force-1092173610.html

South Korean Air Force Fighter Crashes While Gaining Altitude - Air Force

South Korean Air Force Fighter Crashes While Gaining Altitude - Air Force

US-manufactured South Korean F-5E fighter aircraft has crashed while gaining altitude after takeoff

2022-01-11T08:00+0000

2022-01-11T08:00+0000

2022-01-11T08:00+0000

south korea

asia & pacific

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The incident occurred on Tuesday at 01:44 p. m. local time (04:44 GMT).The South Korean Yonhap news agency reported that the fighter jet crashed into a mountain in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi province. The cause of the accident is yet to be determined.The Northrop F-5 is a family of supersonic light fighter aircraft designed in the late 1950s by the US aerospace and defence Northrop Grumman Corporation.

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https://sputniknews.com/20220111/swedish-defence-minister-claims-russia-threatens-european-security-amid-calls-to-join-nato-1092171249.html

Swedish Defence Minister Claims Russia 'Threatens European Security' Amid Calls to Join NATO

Swedish Defence Minister Claims Russia 'Threatens European Security' Amid Calls to Join NATO

Russia's actions threaten Europe, Swedish Defence Minister has claimed at the national conference Nation and Defence.

2022-01-11T06:26+0000

2022-01-11T06:26+0000

2022-01-11T06:26+0000

news

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Russia's actions threaten Europe, Sweden's defence minister has claimed at the national Nation and Defence conference.Citing Russia's massing of troops within its own borders, which he called military escalation with Ukraine, and Moscow's recent set of proposals to NATO and the US that include non-expansion and the non-placement of materiel and troops in a designated area, Hultqvist claimed that Russia challenges international law when it questions other countries' right to self-determination.According to Hultqvist, Sweden will need to cooperate more with NATO, which, he ventured, alongside the EU was the Nordic country's most important security policy platform.Our strategy is to build security together with others. Today we are a respected partner that helps to deliver security. What we do is our own choice and is based on decisions in the Swedish Parliament. That's how it should remain. At that point, there is no room for compromise, Hultqvist said.Last week, Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson, also a member of Hultqvist's Social Democrat party, argued that she wanted to deepen the partnership between Sweden and NATO.By contrast, the opposition Christian Democrats demanded that Sweden abandons its age-old non-alignment policy and joins the US-led military alliance as a member.Moderates leader Ulf Kristersson, whose party has long been in favour of NATO membership, also said Russia's proposed security arrangement with NATO's non-expansion was completely out of the question, be it for former Soviet republics or nations like Finland and Sweden.New Year's speeches by Finnish President Sauli Niinisto and Prime Minister Sanna Marin, in which they emphasised the opportunity to join NATO is an inherent part of the freedom of choice, galvanised the perennial NATO debate in both Nordic countries, which have been non-aligned for decades.In recent years, however, both Finland and Sweden have been inching closer toward NATO through joint drills and training activities, military acquisitions from the US and its partners, and participation in overseas missions.Russia's security proposalsIn mid-December, Russia's Foreign Ministry published two draft agreements on mutual security guarantees with the US and NATO.Among other things, NATO is asked to scale down its military presence in nations that joined post-1997 and stop advances eastward to former Soviet republics. At the same time, both NATO and Russia are required to refrain from to deploying intermediate- and short-range missiles within striking distance. Likewise, both parties are required to refrain from drills over brigade level in an agreed-upon border zone, to regularly exchange information and to establish hot lines for emergency contacts.Despite assurances of non-expansion granted to former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev during the collapse of the USSR, NATO has since grown in multiple waves of expansion to include a slew of former Warsaw Pact members and even some ex-Soviet republics, such as the Baltics (Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia). Still, the Western media and political establishment continue to dismiss the non-expansion agreement as a myth and present Russia's steps to guarantee its security as assertiveness or even aggression.

https://sputniknews.com/20211221/swedish-defence-minister-on-russias-security-requirements-unacceptable-1091686496.html

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https://sputniknews.com/20220111/taiwan-halts-training-on-us-made-f-16v-viper-fighters-after-jet-crashes-into-sea-pilot-missing-1092186879.html

Taiwan Halts Training on US-Made F-16V Viper Fighters After Jet Crashes into Sea, Pilot Missing

Taiwan Halts Training on US-Made F-16V Viper Fighters After Jet Crashes into Sea, Pilot Missing

Taiwans air force has grounded its entire fleet of F-16 fighters after one of its most advanced models plummeted into the sea on Tuesday afternoon, seemingly taking its pilot with it.

2022-01-11T18:57+0000

2022-01-11T18:57+0000

2022-01-11T18:57+0000

crash

asia-pacific

upgrade

taiwan

f-16

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According to Taiwans Central News Agency (CNA), an F-16V Viper fighter disappeared off radar screens at 3:23 pm on Tuesday afternoon, about 30 minutes after taking off from Chiayi Air Base in southern Taiwan.Visibility was good at the time of the crash, with visibility up to 7 nautical miles, Taiwanese Maj. Gen. Liu Hui-chien told reporters. A civilian observer on land reportedly saw the plane plummet into the sea, as did another Taiwanese pilot. The crashing pilot, Captain Chen Yi, was not seen ejecting from his aircraft before impact.Lui said that safety checks were being conducted on all of Taiwans 140 F-16 fighters and a round-the-clock search for Chen was taking place.Surface water temperature in the northernmost parts of the South China Sea where Chen crashed remains fairly uniform year-round at around 28.8 degrees Celsius, meaning if he survived the crash, Chen at least wont face a danger of hypothermia.The aircraft, identified as serial number 6650, was delivered to Taiwan by the United States in December 1998 as an F-16A Falcon - one of the earliest models designed by General Dynamics in the 1970s, but sold to Taiwan as a second-rate fighter in the 1990s. However, under a 2017 deal, the US was in the process of upgrading 144 of Taiwans older F-16 fighters to become F-16V Vipers, which included new avionics, radar, various cockpit improvements, and an automated ground collision avoidance system.The jet that crashed on Tuesday had recently finished its upgrades to F-16V status, the islands de facto defense ministry said. It was the first crash of a Viper, but the eighth major accident involving a Taiwanese F-16 since 1998. In six instances, the pilot was either killed or unaccounted for.The more advanced jets have been rushed into service to confront Chinese fighters like the J-20, which outclass any aircraft used by the Taiwanese but which the PLAAF presently only has in small numbers.The government in Taipei is all that remains of the Republic of China formed in 1912 when the last Chinese emperor abdicated the throne. In 1949, a decades-long civil war with the insurgent Red Army led to the Republics defeat on the mainland, the establishment of a socialist Peoples Republic of China in Beijing, and the PRCs claim to be the new and sole legitimate Chinese government and that Taiwan is a Chinese province in rebellion. However, the RoC continues to claim it is the real Chinese government.Gradually, most nations have switched their recognition from the Taipei government to Beijing, including the US, which signed a series of agreements in the 1970s and 1980s stipulating its agreement with the One China Policy. However, Washington has continued to informally support the Taiwanese government, including selling it billions of dollars of weapons to fend off a theoretical Chinese invasion.In October 2020, Taiwan also grounded all of its Northrop F-15E Tiger II jets, another fighter sold to them by the US in the 1990s, after one crashed moments after takeoff. The pilot drowned after getting tangled in his parachute during ejection.

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crash, asia-pacific, upgrade, taiwan, f-16
https://sputniknews.com/20220111/tired-of-being-quiet-biden-urges-senate-to-change-filibuster-rules-to-pass-voting-rights-bills-1092189365.html

'Tired of Being Quiet': Biden Urges Senate to Change Filibuster Rules to Pass Voting Rights Bills

'Tired of Being Quiet': Biden Urges Senate to Change Filibuster Rules to Pass Voting Rights Bills

US President Joe Biden said he supports changing key Senate rules in order to pass voting reform legislation put forward by Democrats.

2022-01-11T23:05+0000

2022-01-11T23:05+0000

2022-01-11T23:05+0000

georgia

joe biden

us senate

voting rights

filibuster

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Biden has been under fire to get a voting reform bill through Congress that would require eliminating a procedure called the filibuster, which allows a minority party to kill legislation."[T]he United States Senate, designed to be the worlds greatest deliberative body, has been rendered a shell of its former self," Biden said during a speech in the state of Georgia on Tuesday. Biden further said changing the Senate rules is necessary to protect Democracy and prevent a minority of senators from blocking action in voting rights, including allowing voting rights bills to pass by a simple majority instead of a 60-vote threshold.The president said the filibuster rule was used 154 times last year, adding that it has been weaponized and abused.Biden was in Georgia as well to lobby in support of the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, which would counter some state-level legislation passed last year to restrict mail-in voting and give more power to elected officials over counting ballots.US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said earlier this month the Senate will vote to change its filibuster rules by January 17 in order to secure the passage of new voting rights legislation.Republicans have criticized the proposed bills as an attempt by Democrats to federalize elections in the United States and significantly ensure their chances to win elections.

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georgia, joe biden, us senate, voting rights, filibuster
https://sputniknews.com/20220111/trump-lawyers-claim-immunity-ask-judge-to-toss-civil-suits-seeking-damages-for-jan-6-riot-1092169251.html

Trump Lawyers Claim Immunity, Ask Judge to Toss Civil Suits Seeking Damages for Jan. 6 Riot

Trump Lawyers Claim Immunity, Ask Judge to Toss Civil Suits Seeking Damages for Jan. 6 Riot

The first civil suit leveled against former US President Donald Trump over the January 6 US Capitol riot was filed in February 2021 by Rep. Bennie Thompson... 11.01.2022, Sputnik International

2022-01-11T04:03+0000

2022-01-11T04:03+0000

2022-01-11T04:02+0000

donald trump

eric swalwell

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On Monday, lawyers for Trump cited presidential immunity in a request to have a federal judge in Washington, DC, dismiss a slew of suits that accuse the then-US president of conspiring with far-right groups and other entities to block the certification of Electoral College votes. The judge, during the five-hour hearing, appeared skeptical of the Trump team's position. "When that person holds the office, for that term of office, what a president does is constantly part of being the sole person responsible for the executive branch of government," Binnall replied. In addition to Thompson's civil suit, there was another filed by Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA), and a third by US Capitol Police officers James Blassingame and Sidney Hemby, who argue that Trump is liable for the damages associated with the deadly insurrection. Lawmakers have said that Trump violated the Ku Klux Klan Act, an 1871 piece of civil rights legislation geared toward combating the KKK and other white supremacy organizations.

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Evan Craighead

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donald trump, eric swalwell
https://sputniknews.com/20220111/us-supports-ecowas-sanctions-against-malis-military-authorities---state-dept-1092168019.html

US Supports ECOWAS Sanctions Against Mali's Military Authorities - State Dept.

US Supports ECOWAS Sanctions Against Mali's Military Authorities - State Dept.

The United States supports the Economic Community of West African States' (ECOWAS) sanctions against Mali's military authorities, State Department spokesperson Ned Price said in a statement.

2022-01-11T02:23+0000

2022-01-11T02:23+0000

2022-01-11T02:23+0000

mali

economic community of west african states (ecowas)

sanctions

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"We share ECOWASs deep disappointment with the transition government of Malis lack of action or progress toward organizing elections, as it committed to do following the August 2020 coup detat," Price said on Monday. On Sunday, Radio France Internationale reported that ECOWAS countries had imposed tough sanctions against the military authorities of Mali. West African states reportedly decided to freeze Mali's assets in the Central Bank of West African States, close borders with Mali and suspend trade transactions with the country, with the exception of medical and essential goods. ECOWAS also decided to withdraw member-states' ambassadors from Mali and to impose sanctions on financial aid.The Malian authorities called the sanctions illegal and illegitimate. The country's leadership also stressed that they were not based on any guidelines of the community. In response, the Malian military authorities decided to recall ambassadors to the ECOWAS member states and to close land and air borders with the countries of the organization.In November 2021, Malian Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop announced that presidential and parliamentary elections initially scheduled for early 2022 in Mali would be postponed due to the volatile security situation across the country. ECOWAS, in turn, threatened the Malian military authorities with sanctions.Price also said the United States supports ECOWAS's concern over the presence of Wagner group forces in Mali, Price said. The defense contractor will divert resources away from the Malian Armed Forces' fight against terrorism, he added.

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mali, economic community of west african states (ecowas), sanctions
https://sputniknews.com/20220111/what-are-major-reasons-behind-washingtons-unwillingness-to-accept-russias-nato-proposals-1092184191.html

What are Major Reasons Behind Washington's Unwillingness to Accept Russia's NATO Proposals?

What are Major Reasons Behind Washington's Unwillingness to Accept Russia's NATO Proposals?

Russian and American delegations held the first round of security talks in Geneva on 10 January; the US rejected Russia's proposals with regard to NATO's non-expansion.

2022-01-11T17:41+0000

2022-01-11T17:41+0000

2022-01-13T14:12+0000

joe biden

world

us

russia

opinion

ukraine

vladimir putin

nato expansion

sergey ryabkov

nato

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Senior Russian diplomats led by Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov held talks with their American counterparts led by Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman in Geneva on 10 January over two draft security agreements submitted to Washington by Moscow in mid-December 2021.Ryabkov called the first round of talks "difficult, long, very professional, deep, and specific." However, the parties have not reached a compromise on the key issue of security guaranties requested by Moscow, i.e. NATO's non-expansion and non-admission of Ukraine and other post-Soviet states to the transatlantic alliance. According to Sherman, the US "will not allow anyone to close NATO's open-door policy." She also threatened Russia with "significant costs and consequences, well beyond what they faced in 2014," if Moscow opts to "invade" Ukraine. Ryabkov shredded the "invasion" scenario as groundless.Three Reasons Behind US' ReluctanceThere are several reasons for the US' unwillingness to provide Russia with the security guarantees that Russia is demanding, says Gerhard Mangott, an expert on Russian foreign policy and arms control at the University of Innsbruck and a lecturer at the Diplomatic Academy in Vienna.More importantly, if the US and its NATO allies meet Russia's demands with regard to the alliance's non-expansion, "they would lose all the power and influence that it has gained over the past 30 years," the scholar points out.At the same time, Joe Biden is under pressure from some Democrats and Republicans who insist that the US president's policy towards Russia "should be much harsher and much stricter," according to the expert. In particular, they earlier subjected Biden to harsh criticism for waiving sanctions on the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline between Russia and Germany."So the domestic room for manoeuvring for Biden is, of course, limited with the current crisis," Mangott notes.However, domestic constraints on Biden are "not the main reason why the United States will not give Russia the security guarantees it's asking for," the scholar notes, suggesting that "the main reasons are the geopolitical interests of the United States, the collective West and NATO."'Biden's Anti-Russia Sanctions Will Hurt EU More Than US'Meanwhile, the Biden administration is threatening Russia with new sweeping sanctions over Moscow's alleged plans to "invade" Ukraine. While the EU leadership and Washington have signalled readiness to implement the restrictions, "of course, the United States would be less hurt than the European Union," Mangott admits.Previously, the US media suggested that Russia's "unusual" concentration of military forces in its Western regions might have pointed to preparations for an invasion of Ukraine. The Kremlin has repeatedly rejected the "Russia invasion" scenario, stressing that it has the full right to move its troops within its sovereign territory. During his second December phone conversation with Biden, Putin warned his interlocutor that the imposition of further punitive sanctions could disrupt US-Russia relations.According to the New York Times, a new batch of sanctions discussed by the US leadership with its allies could include expelling Russia out of the SWIFT banking communication system, imposing an embargo on US-made or US-designed technologies for defence-related and consumer industries, and further lethal military aid to Ukraine.Washington Risks Driving Itself Into a CornerThere is a reason why Biden is placing all his bets on sanctions against Russia even though their deterrence value is nil, says Daniel Lazare, an independent journalist, author, and writer.According to the journalist, the US president is "desperate" to avoid any military conflict during his tenure "because he knows that the US is ill-prepared and that the American people would not stand for it after two decades of 'forever wars.'"However, Washington's unwillingness to halt NATO's expansion is fraught with real risks unlike the risk of an alleged Russian "invasion of Ukraine" which Moscow has never planned in the first place.During his annual presser on 23 December Russian President Vladimir Putin explained the urgency behind Moscow's request of non-expansion guarantees from NATO amid the US and UK-backed militarisation of Ukraine and construction of naval bases in the country. "We have nowhere to retreat," stressed the Russian president, adding that NATO could deploy missile systems in Ukraine that would take just four or five minutes to reach Moscow. Putin noted that Moscow's decision of what actions to take if NATO proceeds with eastward expansion would "depend on what proposals [Russian] military experts submit to [him]."Meanwhile, US military experts are warning the Biden administration against escalating tensions with Russia, as the Pentagon is shifting its focus to the Indo-Pacific to contain the rise of China. Former Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs A. Wess Mitchell stated in August 2021 that "avoiding a two-front war with China and Russia must rank among the foremost objectives of contemporary US grand strategy."Edward Geist, a policy researcher at the RAND Corporation, forecast a military defeat for the US should it fight Russia in Europe or China over Taiwan in his June 2021 op-ed for War on the Rocks.

https://sputniknews.com/20220109/us-veteran-russia-not-bluffing-and-has-all-options-on-table-for-security-talks-with-us--nato-1092128810.html

https://sputniknews.com/20220109/ex-pentagon-officer-biden-should-accept-russias-draft-security-agreements-as-basis-for-yalta-20-1092128161.html

https://sputniknews.com/20211020/yalta-20-why-us-military-analysts-urge-biden-to-avoid-standoff-with-russia-china-at-all-costs-1090064167.html

ukraine

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Ekaterina Blinova

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Ekaterina Blinova

joe biden, world, us, russia, opinion, ukraine, vladimir putin, nato expansion, sergey ryabkov, nato
https://sputniknews.com/20220111/white-house-allocates-over-300mln-in-humanitarian-aid-to-afghanistan-1092177510.html

White House Allocates Over $300Mln in Humanitarian Aid to Afghanistan

White House Allocates Over $300Mln in Humanitarian Aid to Afghanistan

The United States has allocated another $308 million in humanitarian aid to Afghanistan

2022-01-11T11:39+0000

2022-01-11T11:39+0000

2022-01-11T11:39+0000

world

us

afghanistan

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"The United States is announcing a new contribution of more than $308 million in humanitarian assistance for the people of Afghanistan. This brings total US humanitarian aid in Afghanistan and for Afghan refugees in the region to nearly $782 million since October 2021, and we remain the single largest donor of humanitarian aid in Afghanistan," the White House said in a statement.The US has also announced sending one million additional COVID-19 vaccine doses through COVAX to Afghanistan, bringing our total to 4.3 million doses.To date, Afghanistan has confirmed over 150,000 COVID-19 cases and more than 7,000 deaths.

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world, us, afghanistan
https://sputniknews.com/20220111/will-stand-with-partners-us-says-monitoring-indias-border-dispute-with-china--1092182260.html

'Will Stand With Partners': US Says Monitoring India's Border Dispute With China

'Will Stand With Partners': US Says Monitoring India's Border Dispute With China

Military commanders from both the Indian Army and China's People's Liberation Army will meet on Wednesday to discuss ways to ease tensions that previously... 11.01.2022, Sputnik International

2022-01-11T19:21+0000

2022-01-11T19:21+0000

2022-01-11T19:21+0000

pla

jen psaki

chinese people's liberation army (pla)

ladakh region

us

china

indian army

border tensions

india

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The US has extended support to allies, including India, against what Washington describes as Beijing's "intimidating" behaviour. The administration of US President Joe Biden will, according to White House statements, continue to stand with its partners. On Tuesday, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said that the US "continues to monitor the situation closely."Psaki listed additional issues, including the pandemic, climate change, trade and investment, as topics on which the two countries are likely to move forward in 2022.The remarks of the US press secretary came ahead of Wednesday's military-commander level talks at the Chushul Maldo border point in eastern Ladakh. The Chinese foreign ministry has dubbed the China-India border situation "generally stable at the moment." On Tuesday, Beijing announced that both countries are maintaining dialogue and communication through diplomatic and military channels. The two armies have aimed to calm tensions in eastern Ladakh by agreeing to withdraw troops from several frontier border posts.The two countries have deployed thousands of troops in the area as Beijing and New Delhi continue to accuse each other of trespassing the Line of Actual Control.

ladakh region

china

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pla, jen psaki, chinese people's liberation army (pla), ladakh region, us, china, indian army, border tensions, india
https://sputniknews.com/20220111/yerevan-claims-azerbaijani-military-used-artillery-drones-during-shelling-at-border-1092183822.html

Yerevan Claims Azerbaijani Military Used Artillery, Drones During Shelling at Border

Yerevan Claims Azerbaijani Military Used Artillery, Drones During Shelling at Border

The Armenian Defence Ministry said on Tuesday that the Azerbaijani military used artillery and drones during shelling at the border.

2022-01-11T15:33+0000

2022-01-11T15:33+0000

2022-01-11T15:35+0000

armenia

azerbaijan

border

shelling

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On January 11, at 17.30 [13:30 GMT], units of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces resumed shelling the Armenian positions deployed in the eastern direction of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, using artillery and unmanned aerial vehicles. The Armenian side took adequate response measures. As of 18.30 [14:30 GMT], the shootout continues, the ministry said in a statement.The ministry also said that three Armenian soldiers have been injured during the border shootout.It noted that as of 13:00 GMT, the situation on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border was relatively stable and was under full control of the Armenian Armed Forces.

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https://sputniknews.com/20220111/zakharova-slams-west-calling-russia-aggressor-in-situation-with-kazakhstan-as-nonsense-1092172892.html

Moscow Slams West Calling Russia 'Aggressor' in Situation With Kazakhstan as Nonsense

Moscow Slams West Calling Russia 'Aggressor' in Situation With Kazakhstan as Nonsense

The West's statements alleging that Russia is an "aggressor" in the situation with Kazakhstan are nonsense

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"This operation led to the end of the bloodshed, it stopped it. And right away we [hear] ... from people who have never been either deep analysts or experts in the situation, do not belong to this world at all and are not professionals, we read some kind of nonsense that Russia is an aggressor and so on," Zakharova told the Solovyov Live show on YouTube.The West's assessments that the peacekeeping forces of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) are deployed in Kazakhstan illegally are dictated by anger, as it cannot respond to a crisis so effectively, Zakharova said.Commenting on the CSTO's actions, the diplomat said that the organization acted professionally and quickly stabilized the situation, while all operations by Western nations always failed.The CSTO member states acted legally in a coordinated and clear way in response to the recent developments in Kazakhstan, Maria Zakharova added.The diplomat added that there has been such an opportunity for 30 years now, noting that "it has now been used: pointwise, professionally, on the basis of absolutely legal arguments and legal documents."Mass protests in Kazakhstan began in the early days of 2022, with residents of the western cities of Zhanaozen and Aktau protesting a twofold increase in the price of liquefied gas. The protests spilled over to other cities, including the former capital and largest city of Almaty, where looting, attacks on government buildings, and armed clashes with the police broke out. In response, the Kazakh authorities launched an anti-terrorist operation. President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev also officially requested the assistance of the Collective Security Treaty Organization in "overcoming the terrorist threat." The CSTO responded by sending peacekeeping forces to Kazakhstan to normalize the situation.

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Claiming action was hot and heavy Monday evening at Woodbine Mohawk Park as the oval hosted the opening leg of the Pop Up Series for $8,500 claiming pacers.

No Time At All was a wire-to-wire winner in his $11,000 division for the tandem of driver Jody Jamieson and trainer Courtney Bishop.

Jamieson got away fifth with the seven-year-old son of Big Jim-Shirley Hall who watched Its Eds Idea roll the field through fractions of :29.1, :57.1 and 1:25.4. No Time At All commenced a first-over rally on the way to the three-quarter pole and his :30.3 closing quarter was enough to pull off the win by 1-1/4 lengths over Its Eds Idea in 1:58. Shadow Me Themoney was third.

Courtney Bishop, Bill Manes and John Stamatis owned the gelding, who was one of five horses from the opening division that were claimed away from their connections. No Time At All is a 12-time winner with earnings now in excess of $100,000.

Alwaysyourway also used rallying skills to capture his $11,000 division for driver Travis Cullen and co-owner/trainer Cara Steacy.

The nine-year-old son of Always A Virgin-Penny Artcade got away fourth while Sunny Bo powered to the lead and served up fractions of :28.3, :57.4 and 1:27. Alwaysyourway made steady gains in the third quarter and then used a :28.2 closing frame to win by eight lengths over Sunny Bo in 1:56.1. Race favourite Mission Three was third.

Clarke Steacy co-owned the gelding who was one of four horses claimed from the second division. Sent off at odds of 7-1, Alwaysyourway won for the 26th time in his career while pushing his bankroll over $190,000.

General Lee went to the front and didnt look back in the third division en route to his wire-to-wire score for the duo of driver Travis Cullen and trainer Dwain Spitzig.

The seven-year-old son of Sportswriter-Blinker Hanover sliced out splits of :28, :57.1 and 1:26.3 before using a :30.1 closing quarter to win by 7-3/4 lengths over Larjon Lucky in 1:56.4. Sights On You took home the show dough.

Kevin Skilton of North York, Ont. owns the gelding who is two-for-two this season and a 10-time winner to date. The $5,500 payday bumped his lifetime earnings to $65,717.

Mortgage My Villa was a popular winner in the final division for driver Louis-Philippe Roy and trainer Victor Puddy.

The seven-year-old son of Blue Burner-My Villa got away fifth while Oakrock Eldorado shot to the top and carved out fractions of :28.4, :58.4 and 1:29.2. Mortgage My Village made a big move to go after the leader in the third quarter, and then used a :29.2 closing quarter to win by six lengths over Uber Hanover in 1:58.4. Evasive Card Shark was third.

Limco Inc of Chateauguay, Que. owned the gelding, who was one of five horses claimed from the race. It was the 17th lifetime score for the career winner of $149,931.

To view results for Monday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Monday Results  Woodbine Mohawk Park.
The City of Gering appointed four members of the city council along with Mayor Tony Kaufman to the Community Redevelopment Authority (CRA), only to terminate the current agreement between the CRA and the city in the following agenda item during Monday nights six-minute meeting.

Councilmembers Dan Smith, Pam ONeal, Julie Morrison and Cody Bohl were appointed to the CRA alongside Kaufman.

According to the meeting agenda, the CRA was formed in 2016 and was needed in order to increase a sales tax to a rate greater than 1.5%, which is required by state law. However, City Administrator Pat Heath told the Star-Herald, the increase in sales tax did not pass in 2016, which means the agreement basically terminates itself, but it was officially terminated, which is what the council did Monday night.

The CRA was still appointed new members, though because the half-cent sales tax increase will be on the 2022 primary ballot in May, according to meeting documents.

Once you set that committee, you have to have the initiative basically on the ballot within the year, Heath said. Therell be quite a bit of information out on that soon.

Heath said the extra sales tax would be used toward funding infrastructure projects like water main replacement, sewer main rehabilitation replacement and repaired roads.

Our water mains are 100 and 105 years old now.  The same with our sewer mains, they were all installed in that 1917 to 1928 period. Theyre both in poor shape, Heath said. Weve had a plan together and (with) the current plan if we dont pass this, were looking at probably roughly (2038) to (2040) to complete replacing our water mains that are right now 105 years old. So what do we got  another 18 years? So were going to have water mains in that 122-year-old range or 123-year-old range and theyre not going to last that long.

If the sales tax increase passes in May, a new agreement between the city and the CRA will likely be put in place, meeting documents stated.

In other business, the city council unanimously approved (7-0, councilmember Troy Cowan was absent) city officials for various responsibilities, including updating the authorized signers for designated financial institutions, appointing Doug Parker to the MEAN Board of Directors and the NMPPs Member Council, appointing Nathan Flowers as the Gering Fire Department Certifying Official for the NE Volunteer Emergency Responders Incentive Act Tax Credit and appointing Casey Dahlgrin as the street superintendent for the purpose of the 2022 Incentive Payment from the Nebraska Department of Transportation.

The next regular meeting will be Monday, Jan. 24.

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In the first week of 2022, China's foreign minister Wang Yi wrapped up his tour to Africa, which included visits to Eritrea, Kenya, and Comoros. In Nairobi, Wang spoke of "three objectives," which included "working with Africa to defeat the pandemic," "implement the outcomes of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC)," and "firmly upholding the common interests  In the face of hegemony, bullies, and unilateral acts, China and Africa have the responsibility to jointly practice true multilateralism and safeguard international fairness and justice."



China's relationship with Africa is not based on power politics, hegemony, exploitation, or domination, but mutual solidarity, support, and cooperation, with partnerships under the principle of global south-south ties based on a shared experience, worldview, and common interests. This has allowed the diplomatic relationship between China and many African countries to flourish for decades amid shifting geopolitical currents and a world that has changed significantly.

What do China and Africa have in common? It's difficult to pinpoint immediate similarities. We may have some generic understandings and stereotypes of Africa, and this is misleading as it is not "one" thing. Africa is the world's second-largest continent and home to over 1 billion people in over 50 countries. These countries are rich in their diversity of cultures, peoples, and geographical climates.

The point is, Africa is huge: It is unknown and poorly misunderstood by the West, yet the "Pan-African identity" is very much real, formed by a historical reality that for all its vastness and diversity, the continent has a shared experience through the legacy of European and Western colonialism, which divided, conquered, and exploited it. This has defined 20th-century African politics through the mantle of striving for independence, national sovereignty, and the dream of development, and the shaking off of the shackles of poverty.

It is this premise that China can empathize with. Although we come from a distant continent and a distant culture, China's political understanding of the world and historical experience has been remarkably similar to many nations in Africa. In the 1950s and 1960s, this led to a warming of ties under the principle of global south solidarity. China and Africa understand each other and, in many areas, have shared or overlapping national objectives. In this case, the relationship is built on the ideals of support for national sovereignty, non-interference, global south-south solidarity, and mutual development. This is something the West, who colonized Africa, have never been able to understand.

Just last week, the United States struck three countries  Ethiopia, Guinea and Mali  in Africa from its preferential trading program under the grounds that they had "violated human rights." America's decision follows the fundamental theme that the West leverages economic privileges for African countries on the premise of interference and political change. China does not, which has bolstered its support as a stable, reliable, and trustworthy partner who helps secure African development on African terms. The participation of African countries in the Belt and Road Initiative is not part of some grand or sinister plot, but a means for China to offer win-win development in the name of solidarity and common opposition to the idea of hegemony.

The West falsely assumes that they are the ones to determine Africa's best interests, and they have a duty to "protect" the continent from China. However, this is a fallacy. As a result, China's broad and multilateral relationship with the continent only continues to broaden. This includes building infrastructure, expanding trade and investment ties, delivering vaccines, providing medical aid, educational scholarships, and more. To say that China's work in Africa is only malicious or of bad intent is simply misleading  it is time to recognize the social dynamics of this relationship for what it is: based on equality, fairness, and justice for the global south.

Tom Fowdy is a British political and international relations analyst and a graduate of Durham and Oxford universities. For more information please visit:

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Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors, not necessarily those of China.org.cn.

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Long before the pandemic revealed that broadband connectivity is a necessity, not a luxury, Southwest Virginia communities were working to connect more and more homes and businesses  one grant, one project at a time. Those days of piecemeal efforts may well be done. Universal broadband for Bland, Smyth, and Wythe counties and many of their neighbors has been promised with money to achieve its delivery within the next few years.

The news came last Monday from Gov. Ralph Northam.

In a press release, the governors office announced a nearly $66 million award to the Mount Rogers Planning District Commission and Point Broadband and a more than $68 million grant awarded to the New River Valley Regional Commission, Gigabeam, and All Points Broadband.

Those grants and millions more of leveraged dollars, the news release said will achieve universal coverage for six counties: Bland, Smyth, Wythe, Washington, Montgomery, and Pulaski counties.

In those communities, according to the release, the projects are expected to build fiber broadband to more than 47,400 locations and achieve universal coverage in those counties.

Altogether, 35 projects were allocated more than $722 million to achieve universal broadband in 70 localities around the commonwealth. The release said the projects will close 90% of Virginias digital divide.

The funding comes from the Virginia Telecommunication Initiative (VATI) and the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and is expected to connect more than 278,000 households, businesses, and community anchor institutions to high-speed internet. The projects are also expected to leverage more than $1 billion in private and local investments, bringing the total broadband investment in Virginia above $2 billion over the past four years.

In the release, Northam said that this allocation will place Virginia on track to being one of the first states successfully charting a path to universal access to broadband.

Broadband access impacts every facet of our daily lives, from education to business to health care, said Northam. Its a necessity for navigating todays digital world, and this new funding will close Virginias digital divide with universal broadband by 2024.

Virginia Sen. Todd Pillion quickly responded to the announcement. The Southwest Virginia legislator said, Earlier this year, the General Assembly was called into special session to allocate federal relief funding from the federal government. One of the primary reasons I supported this special session budget was the $700 million investment to achieve universal broadband access in Virginia.

I was proud to support multiple grant applications from Southwest Virginia totaling over $100 million, continued Pillion. Securing these dollars for our region is an absolute game-changer that will improve how we live and work, making Southwest Virginia an even better place for our families and more competitive in an ever-connected world.

Smyth County Administrator Shawn Utt called the awards transformative. He noted that economic development as well as education will benefit. Not only will it help with business and industrial recruitment efforts, it will also help with our folks who are here now, giving the students a more robust platform for learning and citizens in general a more stable connection to the rest of the world, Utt said.

Kendra Hayden, who works in Smyth Countys economic development office, noted that officials in her county had been working to develop and grow broadband and connectivity for citizens since 2018.

Through the height of the pandemic the need for broadband connectivity in rural Virginia came to the forefront where broadband was no longer identified as a luxury amenity but rather core infrastructure needed for the growth of our county (and others like ours), Hayden said.

During discussions about broadband, more than one official compared the need to that of expanding connectivity to electricity in the 20th Century.

Hayden expressed gratitude to the state and regional partners as well as boards of supervisors, local economic development board, community leaders, internet service providers, and the Mount Rogers Planning District Commission. She said that they all had a hand in this monumental achievement.

Hayden, who has worked directly on broadband for those years, said, I am so very proud to be a continued partner in this advancement for the county I love and call home.

Wythe County Administrator Stephen Bear focused on one entity for its help, saying, Were grateful to the Mount Rogers Planning District Commission and its staff, especially executive director Aaron Sizemore and deputy director Brian Reed, for leading this regional project to successful funding.

Wythe County Assistant Administrator Matthew Hankins, who has directed the countys broadband expansion efforts since joining its administration in late 2020, likewise extended his appreciation to the strong partners who have helped us reach this point.

He also credited Wythes board of supervisors, saying its members have given clear direction and support for our efforts.

Noting a study done last fall of Wythe County residents, Hankins said the results made it clear this is the number one priority for the vast majority of county residents and businesses.

This is a great day for the residents and businesses of Wythe County, said Wythe County Board of Supervisors Chair Brian Vaught. The future of our economy rests on access to markets through the internet for people, businesses, education, telework and telehealth.

This project will be funded entirely by Point Broadband and federal and state dollars, requiring no local match, Vaught noted.

Wythe County entered the competitive process with a second application that focused on a fixed wireless project by Shentel and Wythe County. That project did not receive funding.

While our proposal with Shentel was not successful, we are grateful for the support of the Shentel team and for the efforts they made to meet a critical need here, Hankins said. While we dont know the construction timeline yet, we look forward to working with Point Broadband to make high-speed communications services available to everyone.

Point Broadband will enter into a contract with the State Office of Broadband and VATI to commit to service levels and funding.

Point Broadband and the Mount Rogers PDC won similar funding earlier this year to serve communities such as Speedwell, Sugar Grove, and Konnarock with a nearly $7.9 million award.

Work is already under way to construct Point Broadbands fiber network and roll out service.

In this application year, the news release said, VATI received 57 applications from 84 localities that partnered with 25 internet service providers, requesting more than $943 million in funding.

The Department of Housing and Community Development administers the VATI program, which provides targeted financial assistance to extend broadband service to areas that are currently unserved by a provider.

The release noted that projects were selected through a competitive process that evaluated each project for demonstrated need and benefit for the community, applicant readiness and capacity, and the cost and leverage of the proposed project. The level of funding awarded is based on the infrastructure needs in the project area.

Virginia and the VATI program continue to be the national model for closing the digital divide and todays announcement cements our success, said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Brian Ball. This round of grants will connect more than 278,550 households/businesses to high-speed internet, ensuring more communities across the Commonwealth have access to the necessities of modern life.
Mount Rogers PACE will soon have a place to call home. The Program of All-inclusive Care to the Elderly will be located in the former Marion Police Department building at 555 South Main Street.

After months of remodeling and some new construction, the building is taking shape for staff office space, a medical clinic, physical and occupational therapy areas, a kitchen, bathrooms and a spacious day room for participants.

We designed the inside of the building to function specifically as a PACE center, said Mount Rogers Operations Manager Andy Altizer. The Appalachian Agency for Senior Citizens licensed contractor Jackie Ray and his team remodeled the offices and clinic areas, while Wallburg Construction of Abingdon built the new addition of the day room, kitchen and bathrooms.

In addition to Altizer, the agency has hired Mattie Smith as clinical administrator and Jennifer Thomas as nurse practitioner.

We are excited to begin serving participants, Altizer said. The Marion location is taking shape and is to a point where you can see the progress that is being made. Hopes are to open this spring.

Appalachian Agency for Senior Citizens in Cedar Bluff has operated PACE for 13 years in Buchanan, Dickenson, Russell and Tazewell counties. The agency is expanding its service area to include the counties of Smyth, Wythe, Bland and Washington and the city of Bristol and has received the go-ahead to expand from the Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services. After undergoing a readiness review from the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services and receiving licensure from the Virginia Department of Health and Virginia Department of Social Services, the facility will soon be ready to open and serve clients. District Three Governmental Cooperative will continue to provide all senior services and will be an important community partner in this expansion.

AASCs business plan for the Marion-based operation says, The PACE program philosophy aligns with the agencys belief that aging is not a choice; however, aging well is. The board and staff at AASC firmly believe in fostering programs aimed at helping seniors stay within their homes and community as long as possible with dignity and grace.

That plan notes that AASC has received numerous requests for service from residents in this area.

We have already received a lot of support from the local medical community, departments of social services and the public for the PACE program, said AASC Executive Director Regina Sayers. PACE is so beneficial to participants because they receive all their health care and social needs through one provider. This allows for close monitoring by professionals who know them so well that slight changes in their health status or mood can be immediately addressed.

PACE is a patient-centered program for clients who are 55 years of age and older, live in the service area, pass a screening for nursing home level of care and can live safely in the community with support from PACE staff and family members. It is a long-term care solution for individuals who need help taking care of themselves but want to remain in their homes and communities. PACE provides primary medical and specialty care, medications, physical and occupational therapy, home care services, nursing care, hospitalization, adult day health care, social services support, recreation and social events, meals and transportation.

PACE services are far-ranging from personal care and homemaking needs to medical services and transportation and socialization.

Brian Beck, AASCs chief financial officer, told the Marion Town Council in 2020 that hes confident of the non-profits ability to develop and operate a PACE program for the Mount Rogers region. For the Marion center, he projected that PACE will employ 13.4 full-time positions by the end of the first year and about 67 employees at the end of its fifth year.

At start-up, Mount Rogers PACE is expecting to employ a center manager, clinic nurse practitioner, clinic RN and home care coordinator, social worker, and activity coordinator in addition to personal care aides, homemakers and drivers.

Beck told town officials that the Emory & Henry School of Health Sciences in Marion has expressed interest in working with the PACE program to give its students practical learning experience.

AASC already has alliances with E&H, ETSU, King University and several other institutions of higher learning for other programs.

In its proposal, AASC said, By partnering with local colleges and universities, this PACE concept could be a cutting-edge model for other PACE programs across the country.

The non-profit also plans to develop working relationships with area hospitals, District Three, Mount Rogers Community Services, county departments of social services, and other entities.

Referrals to the program can come from any of those institutions as well as family and residents themselves.

AASC will also operate an adult day center in The Community Center of Abingdon at 300 Senior Drive NE, the same building as the Abingdon Senior Center. Details on the opening date of this facility will be forthcoming.

For more information about PACE or to provide a referral, call 276-964-4915.
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.

Forgery, stolen property  Kelso officers Monday arrested Justice George Bailey Arquette, 22, of Kelso, on suspicion of forgery and second-degree possession of stolen property. A police report states he tried to cash a fraudulent check around 4:30 p.m. Monday in Kelso.

Theft  Longview officers Monday arrested Jasmine Marie Maldonado Keeney, 31, of Longview, on suspicion of second-degree theft. A police report states she was detained in the 3100 block of Ocean Beach Highway in Longview around 1 p.m. Monday for suspicion of shoplifting.

Assaults

1300 block of 12th Avenue, Longview. Monday. Woman reported getting hit in the face with a glass at a bar the night before.

600 block of Triangle Center, Longview. Monday. Report of woman with open alcohol container in store being verbally aggressive and spitting on someone.

2600 block of Ocean Beach Highway, Longview. Monday. Report of roughly 30-year-old man jumping a male.

Burglaries

500 block of Carlon Loop Road, Longview. Monday. Burglary reported while owner was in jail.

4400 block of Ocean Beach Highway, Longview. Monday. Report of four units burglarized after gaining access to cut fence and crawling through.

Stolen vehicle

300 block of 21st Avenue, Longview. Monday. White 1993 Honda Civic hatchback. Washington BML8537. Stickers on bumper.

Vandalism/malicious mischief

300 block of Pinkerton Drive, Woodland. Monday. Fence reported cut.

1400 block of Carrol Road, Kelso. Monday. Report of window in pump house shot out, possibly from shooting in rural area and not intentional, said reporting party.

2800 block of Ocean Beach Highway, Longview. Monday. Report of gas tank drilled in Lowes rental truck and gas leaking.

1700 block of Loganberry Street, Woodland. Monday. Report of someone trying to steal items from mans work truck over the last couple nights.

Vehicle prowl

1000 block of Grade Street, Kelso. Monday.

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WOODLAND  A van reported stolen in Woodland Monday morning later was identified to allegedly be involved in two Oregon thefts. Authorities are still looking for the vehicle.

Woodland officers received a report of a stolen 2008 Ford Econoline van around 8 a.m. Monday, states a police report. A Scappoose, Oregon, officer later reported the vehicle allegedly was used in thefts in Portland and Scappoose on Sunday night and early Monday, states the report.

Scappoose Police Department Sgt. Justin Stevenson said the theft was reported at the Wigwam Tavern in Scappoose. Stevenson said a similar theft also was reported at a Portland bar, which revealed surveillance video of the van allegedly reported stolen out of Woodland.

Woodland Police Department Sgt. James Keller said the owner of the vehicle is a local church pastor who told police he "woke up and found [the van] missing."

The 15-passenger van has tinted windows and two kangaroo stickers on the back rear panel. Keller said the vehicle has not been recovered.

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From roughly Wednesday through Friday, precipitation from heavy rainfall and melted snow pounded Southwest Washington and overwhelmed local creeks, lowlands and their depository rivers. Rain stopped Saturday through Monday in Cowlitz County, and the National Weather Service forecasts a chance of rain, locally, through Thursday.

Be safe than sorry

A bridge over the Coweeman River in Kelso was closed Thursday night through Monday afternoon, though crews later determined the precaution was unnecessary.

Cowlitz County Diking Engineer Patrick Harbison said crews closed the Grade Street Bridge over the Coweeman River in Kelso around 10 p.m. Thursday in anticipation of rising waters. Harbison said officials could not determine the rivers height or possible crest because a state gauge was removed by a local homeowner in the summer, so the bridge was closed as a precaution.

Wed rather be safe than sorry to protect the residents and businesses of South Kelso, he said.

The bridge reopened Monday afternoon.

Harbison said Grade Street is about 18 inches shorter than the rivers dike, so crews dumped rocks on the bridge to elevate the roadway to meet the dike and to prevent drivers from using the road. He said the rock has only been added to the bridge once before, during the 1996 floods. Harbison said the county is working with the State Department of Ecology to replace the gauge as quickly as possible.

Rivers

The Cowlitz River at Kelso crested at about 24 feet early Friday just below the National Weather Services moderate flood stage, while the Cowlitz River at Castle Rock crested around the same time at about 49 feet, just above the departments minor flood stage.

Washington state Gov. Jay Inslee declared a weather emergency Friday and the National Guard was deployed to neighboring, hard-hit Lewis County to fill sandbags.

The Chehalis River at Centralia crested early Saturday at around 175 feet, just below the National Weather Services major flood stage, and a 20-mile section of Interstate-5 from about Grand Mount to Highway 12 was closed Friday morning because water flooded the roadway. An emergency shelter was established Saturday at the Lewis County Fairgrounds.

Death, injuries up north

The Grays Harbor County Sheriffs Office reports two drivers died over the weekend after being swept by rising waters. Grays Harbor County is nearly two hours north of Cowlitz County.

Flood resources Cowlitz County: www.facebook.com/CowlitzCountyDEM Lewis County: Report flood damage by leaving a message at 360-740-2600.

The Grays Harbor Sheriffs Office reported Sunday Timothy Warren, 39, of Malone, Washington, likely is dead after a roughly day-long search. Officials state Warren was likely swept away by flood waters when exiting his disabled vehicle early Sunday morning around Porter Creek Road in Elma, Washington.

The Sheriffs Office also reported Delbert Pratt, 72, of Cosmopolis, Washington, was found Saturday dead in his vehicle that was under water about 100 yards from his driveway. He had been missing for about a day. Officials state the strong moving floodwaters likely swept his vehicle over the driveway and quickly submerged [the vehicle] into deep water.

Two members of the Chehalis Tribal Police Department were injured in a collision when attempting to rescue a family from high waters early Saturday in Oakville, Washington, according to the Grays Harbor Sheriffs Office. Officials report the members boat struck a large tree on State Route 12, west of Anderson Road. One member suffered a head injury and was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle where he is in stable condition, and the other person was treated at a local hospital and released, the sheriffs office reported Saturday.

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China has urged Lithuania not to act as a pawn for anti-China forces and urged the United States to stop playing the "Taiwan card", Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said Monday.

Wang made the remarks at a daily press briefing when asked to comment U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai's remarks concerning China.

The United States distorted China's legitimate measures to safeguard its national sovereignty as "coercion", which has fully exposed the hypocrisy and deception of U.S. discourse bullying, Wang said.

Wang said that speaking of coercion, the U.S. government forced the military government of Haiti to step down in 1994, and referred to that as "a textbook example of coercive diplomacy"; in 2003, it explicitly listed 30.3 billion U.S. dollars of military expenses for "coercive diplomacy;" it spared no effort to crack down on its competitors like Alstom and Toshiba and coerced the TSMC, Samsung and other companies to provide to the United States chip supply chain data.

"This is flat-out 'blackmail diplomacy'," he said.

Wang stressed that the fact is clear that Lithuania violated its political commitment it had made upon the establishment of diplomatic ties with China, and created the false impression of "one China, one Taiwan" in the world. "People of insight in Lithuania have also criticized this," he added.

The United States instigated the Lithuanian authorities to undermine the one-China principle from the outset and then supported, aided and abetted them, Wang said, adding that the United States tries to seek political calculation aimed at using Taiwan to contain China at the expense of Lithuania's interests.

"We urge the Lithuanian side to correct its mistakes and not act as a pawn for anti-China forces. We also warn the U.S. side that playing the 'Taiwan card' is counterproductive and will get itself burnt," Wang said.
Healthy dam. Credit: Pavel Odinev/Skoltech

Scientists from Skoltech and St. Petersburg State University have proposed a mathematical method for interpreting data on underground water flows. The new technique is more efficient and provides more accuracy in imaging fluids for planning construction works, inspecting dams for integrity, and locating water reservoirs for agriculture and private consumption in dry areas. The study is published in IEEE Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensing.

Detecting subsurface water flows is important for construction safety, dam monitoring, and groundwater prospecting. Underground fluid flows constitute a hazard for the foundation elements of buildings and subway systems, as well as an early warning of an impending dam breach. In dry climates, such as in Spain, Israel, Australia, or the south of Russia, knowing where water flows under the ground offers a way to tap into this resource for agricultural, industrial, and private needs.

The past decade has seen the rise of a new approach to underground water flow imaging: self-potential mapping. The underlying premise is that as water seeps through porous rock, it generates electrical potential, which indicates its presence.

The main challenge with self-potential mapping is that while researchers can reliably pick up these electrical signals, making sense of them and localizing actual underground flows has proved tricky. Until now, no satisfactory mathematical method has been available for processing large amounts of self-potential data for areas with rough terrain.

In the recent paper in IEEE TGRS, a Russian research team from Skoltech and St. Petersburg State proposed such a method. It is capable of rapidly processing many measurements and precisely accounting for the complex geometry of the studied domain. The latter is particularly important for identifying dam breaches, because dam geometry strongly affects the electrical potential.

"The ultimate result is that the method greatly improves the quality of geophysical interpretation," the study's first author, Mikhail Malovichko of Skoltech, commented. "Technically speaking, we are increasing the accuracy of the inverse problem. Considering the improvement in subsurface imaging, we believe this approach has great potential within the industry."

Explore further Smooth hydrophobic coatings may be more effective for aircraft de-icing

More information: M.S. Malovichko et al, Application of optimal control to inversion of self-potential data: theory and synthetic examples, IEEE Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensing (2021). M.S. Malovichko et al, Application of optimal control to inversion of self-potential data: theory and synthetic examples,(2021). DOI: 10.1109/TGRS.2021.3121538
Former Sen. David Perdue and his wife Bonnie didnt have to wait long in line Monday to cast their ballots for the May 24 primary, which will determine who will receive the Republican nomination for the race to serve as Georgias next governor.
The Bryan school board is seeking feedback from employees and the broader community to create a leadership profile to use when hiring a permanent superintendent.

The board employed the Texas Association of School Boards Executive Search Services to help develop this leadership profile and the search.

A leadership profile survey, hosted by TASB, is available on the Bryan school districts website and two in-person community involvement sessions are planned for Wednesday at 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. at the school districts Administration Building at 801 S. Ennis St. Each in-person session will last for an hour.

Butch Felkner, director of the TASB search committee, presented a timeline to the school board during its Dec. 13 meeting and said the board will receive a leadership report on Jan. 20. All of the input gathered through the community involvement sessions and the online survey will be included in the report, he said.

After board members receive the leadership report, he said, they will take a breath and decide how to proceed and the timeline.

Basically, the goal is to get the feedback from the community, Board President Mark McCall said after the December meeting about the survey and in-person involvement sessions.

After getting feedback from the community, he said, there is an escape clause in the contract with TASB that allows the board to cancel those services if they find the candidate before the end of the contract.

If we have that candidate that matches that report, were going to move on it at that point in time, McCall said.

The draft timeline Felkner presented in December goes through the spring with April 21 being the date the board could hire a new superintendent; however, Felkner suggested the board focus on the Jan. 20 date of the leadership report and then continue from there.

Board member David Stasny said during the Dec. 13 meeting that engaging the community to create a leadership profile is just the first step in finding a new permanent superintendent for the district.

Ginger Carrabine has been serving as interim superintendent since Sept. 23, taking over for Christie Whitbeck who returned to the Fort Bend school district to serve as its superintendent.

The leadership profile survey is available through a link on www.bisd.org or directly at surveys.tasb.org/s3/Bryan-ISD-Leadership-Survey-2021.

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Chinese President Xi Jinping said Monday that China is ready to work with Belarus to take the 30th anniversary of their diplomatic ties as a new starting point to further promote bilateral relations.



In a phone conversation with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, Xi called for joint efforts to enhance political mutual trust, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, and push for new results in the China-Belarus comprehensive strategic partnership.

Saying he is glad to talk on the phone with Lukashenko at the beginning of the new year, Xi pointed out that the past year was of great significance to both China and Belarus.

He added that he stands ready to maintain close communication with Lukashenko through various means to push forward the China-Belarus relationship.

This year marks the 30th anniversary of China-Belarus diplomatic ties, Xi said, adding that over the past 30 years, China-Belarus relations have achieved fruitful results, and the two sides have become comprehensive strategic partners of mutual trust and win-win cooperation.

He noted that between the two countries, Belt and Road cooperation has registered steady progress; trade has increased 50-fold in 30 years; a number of large projects, including the China-Belarus industrial park and the China-Europe Railway Express, have taken root and borne fruit; and exchanges have grown deeper in such fields as science and technology, education, culture, tourism and medical care.

The China-Belarus relationship has set a good example of friendly exchanges and mutually beneficial cooperation between countries, he stressed.

The two sides should expand the scale of bilateral trade, strengthen cooperation in areas such as innovative, green and digital development, and ensure the stable operation and sustainable development of the China-Europe Railway Express, Xi suggested, adding that they should also continuously enhance vaccine cooperation.

Citing the complex changes in the current international and regional situation, Xi stressed that the two countries have cooperated effectively on multilateral occasions including the United Nations, and firmly supported each other in safeguarding their core national interests, which has demonstrated the strategic value of China-Belarus cooperation.

Under the new circumstances, the two sides should continue to cooperate closely, practice true multilateralism, safeguard the international system with the United Nations at its core and the international order based on international law, and uphold international fairness and justice, Xi said.

China, he added, opposes external forces interfering in Belarus' internal affairs, and, as always, supports Belarus in pursuing a development path suited to its own national conditions.

Xi said the two sides should advocate the common values of mankind, guide the international community to adopt a correct approach to democracy and human rights, and promote the implementation of the Global Development Initiative and the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

For his part, Lukashenko once again extended congratulations on the centenary of the Communist Party of China.

Noting that the Belarusian people always have sincere and friendly feelings towards the Chinese people, Lukashenko thanked China for always providing firm political and moral support for Belarus.

Facing the profound and complex changes of the current international and regional situation, Belarus hopes to maintain close communication and coordination with China, he said.

Belarus, he added, stands ready to take the 30th anniversary of diplomatic ties this year as an opportunity to elevate bilateral relations to a new level.

He said his country hopes to work with China to promote the development of the Belarus-China industrial park and deepen cooperation in such fields as pandemic response, traditional Chinese medicine, trade, investment and education.

Belarus will always be a staunch cooperation partner of China, he said, also wishing the Chinese people a happy Spring Festival.
Grand Islands Stuhr Museum Foundation and Multicultural Coalition have received grants from Humanities Nebraska.

The Lincoln-based nonprofit awarded nearly $656,000 in American Rescue Plan Act grants to 70 Nebraska nonprofit organizations.

Stuhr Museum Foundation received $14,000 and MCC received $4,500.

The foundation will use the funds to help support Stuhr Museums operational budget, which experienced a serious impact during the COVID shutdowns, explained Giving Director Megan Arrington-Williams.

This resulted in a loss of general attendance and attendees in the museums HATS (Heritage Activities for Todays Students) and Summer Adventures youth programs.

Those had to be nearly cut in half over the summer of 2021 and then in 2020 the complete loss of HATS classes in person, she said. That was a large revenue stream for the museum and we applied in order to help support those previous deficits.

Stuhr was able to pivot and offer some classes online, Arrington-Williams noted.

They did a really fabulous job making things available for people virtually so they can visit that way, but they were unable to welcome visitors during that time, which is detrimental to any arts organization, she said.

The foundation is grateful for the award, Arrington-Williams said.

Were looking forward to moving forward and helping provide those funds to Stuhr Museum for their operations, she said.

Multicultural Coalition will use the funds for immigration services in Grand Island, said MCC Deputy Director Daniel Petersen.

We help them with legal processes that they go through, and then we help them navigate to resources in town, like health care, housing, and food security, he said. We work directly with the humanities in everything we do, and thats why it has a relevancy for us and was such a welcomed addition to helping us do what we do.

The need in the community for immigration services in the Grand Island services has grown exponentially in the last 10 years, Petersen said.

We have so many people who have barriers to basic needs in the neighborhoods here in Grand Island, he said. We know from the data we see and the feedback we get that the thousands of clients we serve need that assistance so badly.

Petersen said MCC is grateful for the grant and the ability to help that many more people.

Were so grateful for all the funding we get. Its really a privilege to be able to do it, he said. Its been wonderful.

Other area grants include: Kearneys Buffalo County Historical Society ($12,000), Crane River Theater Company ($8,978), World Theatre Foundation ($9,000); Hastings Prairie Loft ($9,000); Auroras Plainsman Museum ($12,000) and Red Clouds Willa Cather Foundation ($10,500).

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KEARNEY  Bill Chvala invites Kearney audiences to try out a new one-man play called Circuit Rider.

This story takes place in about 1803, he said in an interview from his office in Omaha. Its in an area of our country thats just being settled; so its a rugged place to get around in. This circuit rider has a 500-mile circuit that he travels. Hes gone for five or six weeks at a time over hills and mountains. There werent roads at that time.

The play features the stories of a traveling preacher who served settlers living in remote parts of the country in the Mid-Atlantic states, on the Wilderness Road in the Cumberland Gap, not long after the country gained its independence from Great Britain.

The circuit rider preaches at the homes of the settlers, Chvala said. And then every summer there were big camp meetings with hundreds of people, sometimes up to a thousand people, who gathered in a place for a couple weeks for preaching.

The one-man play, Circuit Rider, features Chvalas brother, Ron Chvala, as the preacher. It premieres at 7 p.m. Thursday at Upper Room Brewery at 1540 W. 56th St. in Kearney. Admission to the show is free.

Chvala, who wrote the script, based the story on a Methodist preacher from the time.

I read his story and I thought, holy cow, this ought to be a movie, Chvala said. He got into all kinds of predicaments. Im probably not going to make a Hollywood movie from Omaha, Neb., but Ron, my brother, is a wonderful actor. I always thought he ought to do a one-man play so I decided to see if I could put a play together.

They decided to pick Kearney as a place to premiere Circuit Rider because Chvala has a sister who lives here and he had heard good things about Upper Room Brewery, a place were people gather to hear stories of faith.

Chvala approached the production more as an opportunity to tell a series of stories rather than to create a plot-driven drama.

We made the main character fictitious so we could add some stories to it, he said. We still wanted to have a beginning, middle and an end, which we wouldnt have achieved if we told it from a real persons point of view.

Chvala took the name of the circuit rider, Whitfield Isiah Thomas, from George Whitfield (1714-70) who lived in England. In 1740 he traveled to North America and preached at revivals that became part of the Great Awakening, a movement of religious piety and devotion that encouraged people to reach for deep personal salvation.

One of the themes that runs through this play is Divine Providence, Chvala said. The circuit rider, through everything Ive read, left the results to Divine Providence, to God. The second theme is the boldness of the preaching. He would preach anywhere, anytime to anyone.

The author also notes an additional element in the story  the mockers and the laughers.

Sometimes they were more than just mocking, Chvala said. Sometimes he had to confront people who were going to horsewhip him. The circuit rider had an interesting take on fighting and whipping and how to stand up to people. Like I said before, it would make a great movie.

Chvala notes that audiences can take away two things from Circuit Rider  you dont have to be afraid to be bold in your faith and preaching needs to be bold in our society.

There are a lot of similarities between the culture back then and what we have now, Chvala said. Toward the end of his circuit riding, as the settlements grew, Whitfield sensed an indifference in people. That became a big problem for him. And when the churches started building in the settlements, then those preachers didnt want the circuit riders to come.

Chvala sees the production on Thursday as a starting point for his show. Depending on how the presentation goes, Chvala might expand the play to include additional personalities for the performer.

We hope that we interest churches, or groups that want a 30-minute program, in the show, he said. It would fit right into a retreat or a meeting of some kind.
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MARION  The City Council on Monday night reluctantly approved an ordinance adopting OSHA's workplace COVID-19 vaccine mandate policies.

Following the OSHA's Emergency Temporary Standard under discussion at the U.S. Supreme Court, along with the various judicial stays, the federal vaccine mandate has taken effect while the Supreme Court remains silent on the issue.

City governments in Illinois, such as Marion, fall under guidelines set forth by the Illinois Department of Labor that require vaccinations and/or testing. Illinois recently adopted the federal guidelines.

In anticipation that this may happen, Mayor Mike Absher said the city added the ordinance to the budget for discussion at the Monday, Jan. 10 meeting. It happened to be the same night it was announced Illinois OSHA would be adopting those guidelines, Absher said.

Federal OSHAs ETS on COVID-19 applies to all employers with 100 or more employees, city attorney Wendy Cunningham said.

Any employee that is not vaccinated would be required to test weekly for COVID, Cunningham said. As he (the mayor) said on Friday, Illinois OSHA released their timeline, and were required to have a policy in place on Feb. 24, 2022. Unless the Supreme Court issues something that changes, thats what were required to do.

The city of Marion is required to determine vaccination status of all employees, including having proof of vaccination for those that are. All employees not fully vaccinated must be tested weekly and must wear a mask when indoors or in a vehicle on work business with another individual  unless it is a safety hazard, Cunningham said.

An example of an individual who wouldnt have to wear a mask would be an unvaccinated firefighter when they are wearing their other mask for a rescue, Cunningham said.

Acceptable tests are rapid, PCR or at-home tests but a designated individual must read at-home tests, Cunningham said.

The city of Marion must have its employees' first week of testing under this mandate by March 25, 2022.

In this mandate, fully vaccinated refers to an individual two weeks after they have received either one shot of Johnson & Johnson or two shots of Moderna or Pfizer, Cunningham said. The mandate, as is, doesn't require the booster shot.

After much criticism and debate, council members  aside from Commissioner Jim Webb who was absent  voted to approve the ordinance.

If they did not approve the ordinance, the city of Marion would be faced with ongoing fines of $13,650 per violation for not following the mandate. If there is gross disregard, OSHA can increase the fines.

One of the many criticisms came from Absher in regard to test availability.

Everybody knows theres a testing shortage, Absher said. Thats going to be a challenge. Not exactly sure how to navigate that and what happens if there are no tests available.

OSHAs ETA states that they have determined there will be enough tests; however, should an employer not be able to meet this demand but made a good faith attempt to follow it, OSHA will withhold fine enforcement, according to Cunningham.

City leaders and council members acknowledged at the meeting that many would not like this decision, but they implore employees to not take it out on staff enforcing it.

Employees, try to understand the ever-changing nature of this and how hard it is to navigate, Absher said.

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A new round of security talks between the United States and Russia concluded Monday evening in Geneva without yielding any diplomatic breakthrough.

While the U.S. side called the latest talks between the two major global powers "our diplomacy in pursuit of a de-escalation with Russia," the Russian side called the talks U.S.-Russia "security guarantees negotiations."

Like the two previous bilateral U.S.-Russia Strategic Stability Dialogues in Geneva last year, the U.S. delegation is headed by U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman, while the Russian side is headed by Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov.

"The talks were difficult, long, very professional, deep, concrete, without attempts to gloss over some sharp edges," Ryabkov told a press briefing after the talks. "We had the feeling that the American side took the Russian proposals very seriously and studied them deeply."

Sherman told a separate press briefing after the talks that "We had a frank and forthright discussion over the course of nearly eight hours at the U.S. Mission in Geneva. This is the third time the U.S.-Russia Strategic Stability Dialogue has convened since President Biden and President Putin met in Geneva last June."

Ryabkov was cited by the Russian Mission in Geneva on Monday that what Russia seeks is legally binding guarantees of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) not to expand further to the East.

"It should dismantle everything it has created while driven by anti-Russia phobias and delusional perceptions about our country's policies since 1997," he was cited as saying.

Ryabkov told reporters after the talks that "the main questions are still up in the air, and we don't see an understanding from the American side of the necessity of a decision in a way that satisfies us."

"We do not trust the other side," he stated. "We need ironclad, waterproof, bulletproof, legally binding guarantees - not assurances, not safeguards."

He said that he has told his U.S. counterpart that Russia has no plans to attack Ukraine, and there was no reason to fear an escalation of tensions with Ukraine.

"Certain threats or warnings were put forward, We explained to our colleagues that we have no plans to attack Ukraine," Ryabkov said. "There is no basis for fearing any escalated scenario in this regard."

Sherman told reporters that the United States came to Monday's meeting to hear Russia's security concerns and to share its own, "We came with a number of ideas where our two countries could take reciprocal actions that would be in our security interests and improve strategic stability."

The senior U.S. diplomat said that the U.S. will not stop NATO's "Open Door" policy, it will not forego bilateral cooperation with sovereign states that wish to work with the United States, and it will not make decisions about Ukraine without Ukraine, about Europe without Europe, or about NATO without NATO.

"We've made it clear that if Russia further invades Ukraine, there will be significant costs and consequences well beyond what they faced in 2014. Russia has a stark choice to make," she said.

She also said that the United States offered to meet again soon with Russian officials to discuss these bilateral issues in more detail.

According to the U.S. mission in Geneva, after Monday's talks with the Russian officials, Sherman will then travel to Brussels on Jan. 11 to 12 for further consultations with NATO leadership, NATO allies, and EU officials.
Southern Illinois University Carbondales Job and Internship Fair on Feb. 15 will connect Salukis with career and internship opportunities. Businesses can sign up now to participate.

Sponsored by SIUs Career Development Center, the event will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Student Center Ballrooms. SIU is committed to protecting the community, so all those attending the event must follow current campus and state pandemic safety protocols and wear masks.

Businesses register now

Prospective employers who would like to participate in the event are encouraged to register by Feb. 1. Additional information, including pricing, is on the recruiting fair website. More than 60 employers have already signed up.

In addition, SIU campus departments, colleges, schools or units that are seeking interns are also welcome to participate at no cost. They should register soon as well.

Students can participate for free

All SIU students are encouraged to participate in the fair. Undergraduate and graduate students from all majors attend.

Students can preregister and view a list of participating employers by visiting siu.joinhandshake.com/login.

To learn more

For additional information about the event or answers to specific questions, email careerdevelopment@siu.edu, call 618-453-2391, or visit careerdevelopment.siu.edu.

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Each spring, Southern Illinois University Carbondale hosts the very popular Maple Syrup Festival at Touch of Nature Environmental Center, and a new event is being added earlier in the lineup  a Maple Syrup Production Demonstration.

The Maple Syrup festival has now been rescheduled to March 26-27.

The event, set for 1-4 p.m., will be a hands-on experience and everyone is welcome to participate. Minors must be accompanied by an adult.

SIU is committed to protecting the community, so all those attending must follow current campus and state pandemic safety protocols and wear masks in shared indoor spaces.

Informative and enjoyable

The session, illustrating how plants make their food, where maple syrup comes from, how the maple sap flows and how syrup is produced, will cover a wide variety of topics, presented in an entertaining format. Participants will learn the history of maple sugaring in North America and the science behind its production as well as how to:

Identify and select the correct sugar maple and tap it.

Collect and store the sap.

Convert the sap into syrup using the boil-down method.

Those attending are encouraged to dress for the weather, as the program will take place largely outdoors at the camp, located about eight miles south of Carbondale off Giant City Road.

Additional topics may include:

How climate change is affecting maple trees.

Tree physiology.

Photosynthesis.

Forest ecology.

Sign up now

The cost of the Maple Syrup Production Demonstration is $15. Registration is required. Organizers suggest signing up early. Register at campscui.active.com/orgs/TouchofNatureEnvironmentalCenter#/selectSessions/3090632.

For more information about the demonstration, contact Erik Oberg at 618-453-3945 or eriko@siu.edu.

Plans are also underway for the traditional Maple Syrup Festival Feb. 26-27, 2022. More details are coming soon about that event.

Learn more about Touch of Nature at ton.siu.edu, by calling 618-453-1121 or by emailing tonec@siu.edu.

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How you can help Greg and Kayla have set up a GoFundMe page to accept donations as they navigate this rare genetic syndrome and help Kayden live a full life. To donate, visit the link: https://www.gofundme.com/f/kayden-jongsmas-fight-with-wss

For the first year of his life, Kayden Jongsma was deemed a medical mystery. Doctors were unable to explain away his silent aspiration, failure to thrive, and intestinal problems as he spent more days in hospital beds than in his own crib at home.

His parents, Greg and Kayla Jongsma  of Portage, Indiana  were desperate for answers so they sought out genetic testing.

A day before Kaydens first birthday, the results came back. It was in that moment they had an answer: There were fewer than 1,000 documented cases like Kayden Jongsma in the world.

PORTAGE  When Greg and Kayla Jongsmas son Kayden was born on Nov. 18, 2020, his doctors thought he had a rare heart defect and was experiencing heart failure.

At 36 hours old, he was rushed by helicopter from St. Marys Medical Center in Chicago to Comer Childrens Hospital, where he spent the next 10 days in the NICU under close monitoring until he was stable enough to come home.

A few months later, any sign of a defect appeared to have resolved.

We thought maybe the worst was over. We were told his hearts fine. That was our biggest of worries, and now it was over, Kayla Jongsma, 22, said.

Failure to thrive

In the days and months since birth, Greg and Kayla continued to struggle with Kaydens tendency to vomit after feedings five or more times a day. He couldnt keep anything down and was severely adverse to a bottle.

Despite all attempts to help Kayden gain weight, his doctors placed him, at one point, in the 0.01 percentile. He was diagnosed at multiple checkups with failure to thrive, a condition when children dont gain weight consistently or at the expected rate. He would gain weight and then plateau, Greg and Kayla said.

Eventually, they learned he aspirates when he eats, prompting doctors to place Kayden on an nasogastric (NG) tube at four months old. Its designed for children who cant get their needed nutrition by mouth. Two months later, he was back in the hospital and placed on a gastrostomy (G) tube.

Nothing really helped, Kayla said.

At six months, CT and MRI scans helped diagnose Kayden with an abnormally small pituitary gland and undescended testicles. He was also missing part of his corpus callosum  the band that connects the two brain hemispheres, as Kayla explained. That particular finding signaled he could suffer from subtle to severe mental and intellectual disabilities later in life.

Like books on a shelf

In July, a different nutritional tube was placed in Kayden with little improvement. By early August, Greg and Kayla transferred Kayden to Lurie Children's Hospital in Chicago. The ambulance ride was not covered by insurance so they are having to pay on that out of pocket.

Two genetic screenings had turned up nothing so far, but within days of arriving at Luries, they asked for a full genetic panel on Kayden.

He had one done after birth that was basic. And then months down the line, he had another genetic test that was a little bit more in depth. But this syndrome only shows up on the full genome sequencing test, where they rip apart each chromosome. Its like books on a shelf and they go through each one, Greg explained.

Months later, on Nov. 17, the day before his first birthday, they finally got the call from a geneticist  and an answer.

He had Wiedemann-Steiner Syndrome, a rare genetic condition.

Wiedemann-Steiner Syndrome may be related to global developmental delays, sleeping difficulties, feeding and digestion complexities, unusual facial features, short/petite stature, hypotonia, dental issues, hairy elbows, long eyelashes, etc., according to the WSS Foundations website.

Kayla described the day she learned her son had WSS as the best and worst of her life.

I was extremely happy to finally have an answer because  there was just a bunch of different (symptoms) and nothing was adding up. Every time we went into the hospital, we would find something else out, Kayla said. The more I talked with the genetic counselor, the more I learned theres really no research on it. They just started actual research on it two years ago. There are states that dont even have cases. I just wish it was something well known and that they knew how to handle it. Theres no treatment for it.

The syndrome was clinically described in 1989 but was not genetically identified until 2012 by a group of researchers in England, according to the WSS Foundation.

Because its such a new syndrome, theres little awareness even among doctors.

I was torn 50/50 and honestly I still am, she said. The only thing we got was a name.

Kayla and Greg have found help through WSS support groups on Facebook that are few and far behind, and their own research. But Kayden's doctors dont have all the answers. With little known about the syndrome and Kayden being an extreme case, a long-term prognosis is out of the question at his stage in life.

Long-term care

Late last year, Kayden tallied his 20th hospital stay for his continued vomiting spells. He is currently an inpatient at Lurie Children's Hospital in Chicago, where he is awaiting discharge to La Rabida Childrens Hospital.

Once there, hell receive extensive round-the-clock, long-term care, feeding therapy and other help managing this lifelong disorder.

Kayla said they decided in early December to send him to La Rabida for long-term care. It was not an easy choice  but the best one.

This has been a lot on me and Greg. Either he starts vomiting too hard and Im worried about dehydration, and then we have to bring him in. Or his tubes get clogged or breaks. Or he gets a fever. We were just literally running nonstop two times a week to Luries. It was just too much and I felt bad because Im lugging him back and forth through the hospital, Kayla said.

At Lurie's, Kayden is currently on Total Parental Nutrition, a method of feeding through a central picc line that bypasses the gastrointestinal tract.

Thankfully, Kayla said he is starting to tolerate  and even enjoy  spoon-fed purees and blended foods  a huge milestone.

He is also starting to army crawl and sit up with some assistance. He also loves to bang on a toy drum, taking after his own father, who plays the drums.

Because of his syndrome, Kayden will reach milestones at his own pace. Others, he may not reach, but it won't be for a lack of trying.

"I think hell walk but I think it'll be delayed. I don't know how old he'll be. Or just like speech, anything really, theres no set standard on it (with children with WSS). It'll just be the therapies he gets and how well he does," Kayla said.

Greg, who works at Altom Transportation in Hammond, Indiana, and Kayla, who works as a part-time supervisor at UPS, will face a lifetime of medical bills. They have set up a GoFundMe page to accept donations as they navigate this rare genetic disorder and help Kayden live a full life.

To donate, visit the link: https://www.gofundme.com/f/kayden-jongsmas-fight-with-wss

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An Orangeburg man has been sentenced to 14 years in prison for shooting a Regional Medical Center employee. The employee was severely injured and underwent surgery.

Abrian Dayquan Sabb, 26, of Casa Court, had been charged with attempted murder in the April 10, 2019 incident. Instead of pleading guilty to that charge, he pleaded guilty to assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature.

Prosecutors dismissed one count of first-degree burglary and two counts of possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime as part of his plea agreement.

Circuit Judge Ed Dickson sentenced Sabb to 14 years in prison on Dec. 9, according to court documents made available on Monday.

Dickson also ordered Sabb to continue taking medication for his mental health condition.

Sabb was given credit for already serving 975 days at the Orangeburg County Detention Center.

The day before the hospital shooting, the sheriffs office responded to a domestic incident at Abrian Sabbs home. Officers confiscated a handgun from him.

Abrian Sabb and his brother, Darius Sabb, went to Phillips Sporting Goods in Orangeburg later that day, according to court documents.

Abrian Sabb gave money to his brother and requested that he buy an AR-15 semi-automatic rifle with a 100-round magazine and two boxes of ammunition for him.

Darius Sabb falsely filled out the firearms purchasing form, attesting that he was the actual purchaser of the firearm and bought it, according to court documents.

Later in the day, Abrian Sabbs girlfriend confiscated the rifle and gave it to a neighbor for safekeeping.

According to sheriffs office warrants, Abrian Sabb ultimately forced his way into his neighbors home, found the rifle, shot it two or three times in the residence, and then left.

Minutes later, Abrian Sabb entered the Regional Medical Center and shot the rifle, injuring the employee.

Orangeburg County Sheriffs Office deputies took him into custody, without incident, within moments.

A court-ordered evaluation stated Abrian Sabb suffered from unspecified schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorder and cannabis use disorder, mild, in a controlled environment.

The evaluation explained that he had at least two involuntary admissions to a behavioral health center and spent at least two weeks in a psychiatric hospital between 2016 and 2019.

The evaluation indicated that Abrian Sabbs symptoms remain treatable under medication. It indicated he was competent to stand trial.

Abrian Sabb has also pleaded guilty to a federal charge of making of false statement to a federal firearms dealer during the purchase of a firearm.

He was sentenced to seven years on the federal charge on Dec. 1. Hell serve that sentence at the same time as his assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature charge.

As part of his federal plea agreement, he forfeited an Anderson Manufacturing, AM-15, .223/5.56 caliber rifle, with a high-capacity magazine, along with miscellaneous rounds of 5.56 ammunition.

Darius Sabb pleaded guilty on Nov. 6, 2019 to conspiracy to make a false statement to a federal firearms dealer during the purchase of a firearm.

He was sentenced to three years of probation, including 180 days of home detention and GPS monitoring.

Federal authorities had also charged Abrian Sabb with criminal conspiracy, but prosecutors dismissed the charge.

Contact the writer: mbrown@timesanddemocrat.com or 803-533-5545. Follow on Twitter: @MRBrownTandD

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The University of North Carolinas Finance Initiative, in partnership with South Carolina State University, is hosting a virtual Town Hall on Wednesday, Jan. 12 at 6 p.m. to give students an opportunity to learn more about the Railroad Corner redevelopment and provide input.
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(TBTCO) - Thi truong chung khoan Viet Nam co ban van giu nhip on inh trong quy au nam nay, tuy nhien, thi truong chiu ap luc ieu chinh kha manh ke tu cuoi thang 3 en nay do tac ong tu cac yeu to ngoai bien va cac vu viec sai pham mang tinh on le cua mot so ca nhan, to chuc. Theo cac chuyen gia, nhung tac ong en tam ly ngan han cua nha au tu la kho tranh khoi, nhung ay la co hoi e huong dong tien i ung huong, giup thi truong gan uc, khoi trong e phat trien ben vung.
BEIRUT The head of Hezbollahs Loyalty to the Resistance Bloc Mohamad Raad said Tuesday that his party is in support of the call for the national dialogue advocated by President Michel Aoun, according to the presidencys Twitter account.

Heres what we know:

 On Dec. 27, Aoun called for an urgent national dialogue to address three issues: expanded administrative and financial decentralization, a defense strategy to protect Lebanon and a financial and economic recovery plan that includes essential reforms and the equitable distribution of financial sector losses.

 After meeting with Aoun in Baabda, Raad said our stance is in support of the call for a dialogue we insist that the country in times of distress is better off without a lack of dialogue.

 On Monday the Amal Movement party announced that it is willing to participate in the national dialogue despite its agenda.

 On his end, Future Movement head and former Prime Minister Saad Hariri said on Jan. 7 that he does not want to participate in the dialogue because such a conference should take place after the parliamentary elections. These elections are scheduled to take place on May 15.
 Flash

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Monday sent a congratulatory message to Mark Rutte on his reelection as the Dutch prime minister.

In his message, Li said that China and the Netherlands are important partners of each other, adding that in recent years, China-Dutch relations have maintained a good momentum of development and practical cooperation in various fields has been deepening.

Li said that he looks forward to continuing to work hand in hand with Rutte to promote the open and practical comprehensive cooperative partnership between China and the Netherlands to achieve more results for the benefit of the two countries and their people.
On Dec. 13, a parade of parents spoke to the Natrona County School District board, asking them to remove a small group of books they said were inappropriate for children because of their depictions of topics like sex work and trafficking, race, poverty, gender and sexuality.

On Monday night, students took the mic.

Their message: dont remove the books.

RJ Schoen, a recent Kelly Walsh graduate, said that reading one of the books in question, Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe, was the first time she saw her feelings as a transgender person represented on the page. Removing books like it from school libraries, she said, would send the message that people like her also didnt belong there. Another queer student said the library, with its quiet atmosphere, diverse materials and friendly staff, is his favorite place on campus to study.

Books are extremely important ... this helps students like me understand the world that much more, since we will someday have to navigate it like it is, said Kelly Walsh student Allie Scroggins, not a censored version.

Removing this set of books would also raise the question of where to stop, said KW student Alexis Collier, who likened that prospect to cancelling someone for a decades-old mistake.

Several parents and community members who were not present at the December meeting also spoke in favor of keeping the books on the shelves, some citing the districts policy for reviewing library books. Others said that the responsibility for regulating what a student reads should fall on parents, not on a librarian or on the trustees. One student said that the district allows parents to call the library and place an alert on their students account that bars the child from checking out certain material if they wish.

Besides Gender Queer, parents in December had cited other books including Ellen Hopkins Traffick, Mondays Not Coming by Tiffany Jackson and You and Me and Him by Kris Dinnison.

One parent, Catherine Morris, said that she read each of the books and found that all but one, which she said had pornographic images, should be kept in school libraries. The parents bringing their concerns to the board, some said, had cherry-picked vulgar passages from the works when they should be taken as a whole.

Anna Olson, whose three children attend Park Elementary School, said that shes also glad that the library can be a place for her children to go with questions they arent comfortable bringing to their parents.

A group of parents also spoke on the other side of the issue, a few citing the Bible or Christian morals. Some said that even if a student is barred from checking provocative material out of the library, theyre still able to read it.

Whether you agree with heterosexual or homosexual lifestyle, I personally would like our children to be exposed to healthy sexual life, not exposed to pedophilia ... we dont want our children exposed to child sex trafficking relationships, Mary Schmidt said.

Another parent said that having sexually explicit material available in the library may constitute distribution of child pornography, a felony in Wyoming.

Natrona County is far from the only school district in Wyoming and elsewhere that has seen parents come forward in the past months to challenge library books. Last month, a group of parents appeared at a Cheyenne school board meeting to question the reading materials in that district.

Meanwhile, in Gillette, a group of people have challenged similar books from being housed in the youth section of the Campbell County Library.

Follow city and crime reporter Ellen Gerst on Twitter at @ellengerst.

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The Natrona County School District will no longer report student and staff COVID-19 case numbers and has shortened the required quarantine period for those testing positive, effective in the new year.

The changes, announced on the districts website last week, come as local health officials say theyre seeing an increase in COVID cases and hospitalizations among children in Natrona County.

Every other week during the fall, the district provided updates on the number of students and staff members at each campus who were isolating or quarantining due to COVID-19. Much of that reporting, district spokesperson Tanya Southerland said, came from the number of requests for remote learning.

Now, as CDC guidelines have shortened isolation and quarantine periods, the district is following suit.

Reporting a positive is not a requirement, however, we ask individuals to follow the guidance provided to them by health officials in order to assist us in maintaining a safe and healthy learning environment for all, Southerland said in an email Monday.

For most of the pandemic, Wyoming had seen very few cases of COVID among children, said Dr. Andy Dunn, chief of staff at Wyoming Medical Center. Now, Dunn says those cases have very, very exponentially increased.

This is truly our first huge wave of pediatriccases and hospitalizations, unfortunately, Dunn said on Monday.

Just under 7% of eligible children ages 5 to 11 in Natrona County are vaccinated against COVID-19, according to data from the Wyoming Department of Health. Around 30% of those aged 12 to 17 have been vaccinated.

Other parts of the country with more concentrated populations have already seen pediatric cases of coronavirus doubling by the week. Dunn and other health officials have said that Wyoming can expect to see its trends lag a few weeks behind more urban areas.

Under the districts new policies, students will have to make up any work they miss if theyre out of school for five or fewer days. If they exceed that period, or if a parent notifies the school that the student will be out longer, they can begin remote learning.

Those who return to school after five days without symptoms are expected to wear a mask for an additional five days out of caution, though masking remains optional across the district.

Dirk Andrews, president of the Natrona County Education Association, said that the changes to remote learning are likely to take some stress off of teachers.

Theyre scrambling to make it work all day, Andrews said, and you never know whos going to be out, it changes day to day.

The most recent data available shows that COVID cases in Natrona County schools were on the decline before the districts winter break. In the last two weeks of school in 2021, 15 students and six staff members reported testing positive for the coronavirus. During the two-week period prior, there had been 24 students and eight staff with COVID.

With most new cases in the state now presumed to be omicron, communities are seeing an uptick in case numbers but are finding the cases to be less severe compared to those caused by other variants.

Some school staff would like to see more stringent COVID procedures, Andrews said on Monday, while others are glad to see the policies relaxed.

Were still monitoring caseswithout having numbers reported, Im not sure if were growing or not, Andrews said. I would assume were having a little more, but thats an assumption. Its more just that the community is seeing more.

The Casper-Natrona County Health Department has already seen a jump in demand for vaccinations and testing since Jan. 3, department director Anna Kinder said on Monday.

Follow city and crime reporter Ellen Gerst on Twitter at @ellengerst.

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Demand for COVID-19 vaccinations and testing in Wyoming has risen dramatically with the arrival of the omicron variant, local health officials say.

In Natrona County, health department director Anna Kinder said that officials started seeing an uptick in people coming in for testing on Monday, Jan. 3  the first day back to work for many after the holidays.

This Monday, a week into that spike, cars backed up past the health departments parking lot and down Spruce Street all the way to Yellowstone Highway.

It goes up and down, but this has been steady all day today, Kinder said, looking at the line of cars. I asked (the staff) what they were going to do, and they said that theyll stay until there isnt anybody.

Rapid tests will be conserved for people showing symptoms, as the supply from the state health department has significantly decreased, according to Kinder. Those looking for a test can no longer make an appointment with the department, but can use the drive-up facility between 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

As the federal worker vaccine and testing mandate rolled out this week, awaiting a Supreme Court decision on its validity, the state health department is facilitating workplace testing for employees who have not reported vaccination.

But theyve seen more people coming in for vaccines in the last couple weeks, too, according to Kinder  either for a first dose, a booster shot or to vaccinate their eligible children.

The situation is even more dire in Teton County, which is experiencing the states worst surge of COVID-19.

Case counts are absolutely through the roof, Teton County Health Officer Dr. Travis Riddell said last week, more than double the previous record from last winter, with the arrival of the alpha variant.

Rachael Wheeler, the countys public health response coordinator, said that theyre considering this an omicron surge.

While there hasnt yet been a confirmed case of omicron in that county  or in Natrona County, for that matter  the state health department has said that most new cases are assumed to be omicron. Theres a delay in determining which cases come from which variant, as only some positive tests are sent to the state lab for sequencing. Riddell said that Teton County is relying heavily on rapid testing, and sends very few samples to the state lab.

The countys holiday tourist boom and its busy airport have also made Teton County ground zero for the new variant in Wyoming.

Our curve compared to the rest of the state is often out in front, Riddell said. We have a little more mobile population, and our curve has more closely followed the national trends than the rest of the state.

Demand for testing has risen exponentially among both county residents and visitors, Wheeler said. Clinic appointments are booked days or weeks in advance, according to Riddell, and the county has been reserving rapid tests for people with symptoms.

But so far, Riddell said, Teton County hasnt seen a significant increase in severe cases or hospitalizations to go along with the rising cases. Thats in line with the rest of the country, where case numbers are breaking records but high vaccination rates are keeping most cases mild.

I do worry, the state has put a lot of money into testing, but its not going to last forever, Riddell said Friday. If we have a shortage of testing funds at the same time as a major surge in cases, thats a recipe for poor outcomes.

Follow city and crime reporter Ellen Gerst on Twitter at @ellengerst.

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Wyoming has officially asked for grizzly bears to be removed from the endangered species list.

Gov. Mark Gordon, backed by the fellow grizzly states of Idaho and Montana, on Tuesday submitted a petition for delisting to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The petition argues that the species is fully recovered in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and should be returned to state management  in Wyomings case, the state Game and Fish Department.

The Fish and Wildlife Service now has 90 days to determine whether to conduct a comprehensive status review of the species. It will then have 12 months from receipt of the petition to complete the status review and issue a recommendation.

Wyoming has invested more than $52 million and dedicated countless hours of Game and Fish expertise to reach this point, Gordon said in a statement. Were optimistic the Service will view the petition favorably, and we look forward to working with them on delisting.

Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte also filed a petition with the Fish and Wildlife Service recently, calling for the delisting of the Northern Continental Divide grizzlies  a population separate from the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE) bears.

Greater Yellowstone grizzly bears have been delisted before, in 2007 and 2017, but soon had their protections restored by federal courts.

State leaders are confident that the revised grizzly management plan will resolve earlier concerns about the accuracy of their population estimates and the resulting population targets, as well as the bears long-term genetic health.

Population measurement was a key point of contention following the 2017 delisting. After state wildlife managers changed the estimation model, the estimated grizzly population climbed by roughly 300; the corresponding minimum stable population was unchanged. The updated agreement, which sets the minimum population at about 932 bears, commits to adjusting population targets in accordance with modifications to estimation methods.

The new management actions are so substantial that a reasonable person would conclude that the petitioned actions  the establishment of the GYE grizzly (distinct population segment) as a species that is neither a threatened nor endangered species and the revision of the List by removing the GYE grizzly bear (distinct population segment)  are warranted, the petition reads.

Gordon pointed to grizzlies as an extraordinary and monumental success story for species recovery and should be celebrated. But some conservationists have challenged the states conclusions.

The methods contained in the (management plan) are so egregiously flawed as to call into question the competence and motives of the wildlife managers who concocted them, grizzly biologist David Mattson wrote in a blog post before Wyoming approved the tri-state plan.

If grizzlies are delisted, state wildlife managers would have authority over discretionary mortality  intentional killing, including euthanasia and hunting  once theyve accounted for non-discretionary mortality. The three states have made it clear that they intend to allow hunting of bears above their established population limit.

Mattson warned in the blog post that male grizzly populations could be decimated under the new plan, especially outside parks, and that the states planned means of estimating population could fail to account for that loss.

Andrea Zaccardi, a senior attorney at the Center for Biological Diversity, called the petition an outrageous request in a Tuesday statement, adding, There is no science to back the claim that grizzlies no longer need protection. Federal officials need to send a clear message by swiftly rejecting this request.

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Three years ago, millennials became the largest living adult population in the United States, but not in Wyoming, where a steady flow of young people have migrated out of the state for years.

A recent report by the Department of Workforce Services noted a 6% decrease in Wyomings millennial population between 2014 and 2020. That comes despite a slowdown of youth exodus in 2019-2020 and anecdotal evidence that fewer millennials left during the pandemic.

It could be that with the COVID pandemic, there wasnt as much reason to travel to another state to find work because it affected everybody, not just us, Michael Moore, author of the report, said.

That wasnt the only impact the pandemic had on Wyomings demographics.

Wyomings overall population grew modestly between 2020 and 2021 according to the latest release from the Economic Analysis Division. The authors noted the majority of the States population increase was from people moving into the state. Amy Bittner, the principal economist with the division, stated COVID-19 may have prompted more people to move to Wyoming than leave the state.

Moores department heard anecdotes of younger workers leaving larger metropolitan areas and moving to more rural areas like Wyoming, where they can work remotely, in what has been dubbed the Zoom boom. Some 22% of Americans moved due to COVID-19 according to a study from Pew Research. The nationwide economic downturn may have also made the prospect of moving to a city with few supports less appealing. Pew also found that young adults, who were particularly impacted by job losses and college shutdowns, moved at a higher rate.

Despite pandemic related shifts, experts say that to truly address Wyomings youth exodus and brain-drain problem, more job opportunities need to be created, infrastructure improved and cultural shifts must take place.

A decades-long problem

The pandemic-related slowdown in the millennial exodus came as a surprise to some.

Its funny because it doesnt fit the narrative, Matt Henry, assistant instructional professor at the Honors College of the University of Wyoming, said. Henry helped run Imagining Wyomings Future: A Youth Vision for 2030 contest and has spent a lot of time thinking about why young people are leaving. Hes heard from a lot of his students, many who are interested in working in the non-profit sector or other civic engagement professions, that they leave Wyoming because they cant find opportunities post-graduation in the state, he said.

Young people have also recounted to WyoFile that they struggled to envision a future in Wyoming because there were few job opportunities outside of the oil and gas industry.

The Department of Workforce Services has been tracking young Wyoming residents after they graduate high school for decades. Its latest study, released this fall, followed 18-year-olds over the course of a decade.

Basically the report says the same thing that the one from 2012 said, that 10 years later we lose 50% to 60% of our youth in a given year, said Tony Glover, manager of the Research and Planning division of Workforce Services.

Although not all high school seniors could be tracked 10 years later, the department found that roughly 12% were working in Colorado, Utah, Idaho, Montana, South Dakota, Nebraska, Alaska, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Texas. Colorado and Utah have some of the highest proportions of millennials in the country, with populations comprised of 24.5% and 23.4% of the generation, respectively.

Neighboring Mountain West states have also seen astronomical population growth in general  Idaho, Utah, Montana and Arizona had the highest annual growth rates in the nation, making Wyomings addition of 1,536 residents last year seem modest by comparison.

In Moores analysis of millennials leaving the Wyoming job market, he noted that economic downturns have played a part in young people leaving. Younger male workers are the most likely to lose their jobs during times of economic downturn in Wyoming, he wrote.

Efforts have been made to stanch the perpetual loss of young workers.

For example, in 2015 the state launched Wyoming Grown. The program aims to draw back people who have left Wyoming by connecting them with potential job leads. Last year the program partnered with the states tourism department and launched WY Relocate  a marketing campaign extolling the natural amenities Wyoming has to offer.

The campaign generated 3,000 leads, from business owners interested in potentially moving to the state to remote workers considering a new home, according to Shaye Moon, the business training and support unit program manager for the Department of Workforce Services. She was not able to say how many of those leads translated into relocations.

Annual employment in the state was also up by 3.1% between July 2020 and 2021 according to the latest report from the Economic Analysis Division. Employment opportunities drive migration into an area, which is typically true for Wyoming, Bittner stated in the release.

A temporary fix

I dont think that the trend that we saw from COVID would reliably predict any major long-term shift, said Amber Pollock, president of ENGAGE Wyoming, a grassroots organization focusing on the future of 18- to 35-year-olds in the state. Theres a lot of folks who have been trying to solve the problem for a long time.

Pollock said shes heard of people that moved home to Wyoming because they lost their job or were furloughed, or took a semester off of school when the pandemic hit. A lot of folks moving back have family here and so a better support system for the financial situation that a lot of folks in our demographic were facing.

Henry, at the University of Wyoming, echoed that. Ive had a few students go home as they look for work.

Moon also said the pandemic played a role in the interest expressed through the Wyoming Grown program. People that moved away for a job opportunity in a bigger city, are now rethinking their entire life plan, she said. COVID has played a big part in wanting to come back here, where theyre not in a city where theyre so close to everybody.

One thing the pandemic hasnt changed? The reasons that compel young people to leave the state in the first place, according to Pollock  namely better educational opportunities, career advancement and culture elsewhere.

She believes addressing issues like access to health care and public transportation, as well as enacting non-discrimination ordinances, could truly help retain the next generation of Wyomingites.

WyoFile is an independent nonprofit news organization focused on Wyoming people, places and policy.
NIDCO (the National Infrastructure Development Company) says it has not initiated any tender or award of contract process with regard to the Toco Port.

In a news release, the company said the issuance of any letters of award or contracts relating to the Toco Port project is fraudulent and not authorised by Nidco.
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.
Those with authority over others often become wolves because the people under their charge 
 Flash

Foreign ministers from four Gulf states of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman and Bahrain and the secretary-general of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) arrived in Beijing on Monday for a five-day visit in a "positive" push to the negotiations over the China-GCC Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and strengthening China's economic ties with the bloc.

The four foreign ministers, Prince Faisal bin Farhan al-Saud of Saudi Arabia, Sheikh Ahmad Nasser al Mohammad al Sabah of Kuwait, Sayyid Badr al Busaidi of Oman and Abdullatif bin Rashid al Zayani of Bahrain, and GCC Secretary-General Nayef bin Falah al Hajraf are visiting China from January 10 to 14 at the invitation of Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

The first-ever coordinated visit by the Gulf delegation is being seen by experts as "historically unprecedented" and a positive step toward achieving a China-GCC FTA.

"The visit is vitally important, and it may lead to positive results for a China-GCC FTA, after negotiations started in 2004," Li Shaoxian, director of the China Institute for Arab Studies at Ningxia University, told the Global Times.

Yin Gang, a researcher at the Institute of West-Asian and African Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, concurred. "Far from the normal talks in a regular visit, this unprecedented and rare collective visit by GCC countries will likely bring a practical bilateral cooperation statement or major progress in the negotiation of the FTA," he told the Global Times.

It is important to note that China and the GCC first initiated the FTA talks in 2004 and then asserted the importance of resuming the negotiations at the earliest during the Chinese foreign minister's meeting with the GCC chief in the Saudi capital Riyadh in March last year.

Founded in 1981, the GCC commemorated its 40th anniversary last year, which also marked the 40th anniversary of the establishment of China-GCC ties. On that occasion, both Wang and al Hajraf expressed their desire to elevate the level of China-GCC relations with the FTA being a stepping stone in that direction.

"We hope the two sides will complete the negotiations on the China-GCC FTA at an early date to help the GCC member states overcome the downward pressure of the global economy and achieve economic recovery as soon as possible," Wang had said.

Acknowledging that China tops the GCC's list of resuming free trade negotiations, the GCC chief had expressed hopes that the China-GCC FTA talks will end with an agreement as soon as possible, "so to enhance the mutually beneficial and win-win cooperation in the digital economy and high-tech areas."

The current visit is being seen as an extension of the conversation that took place between both the sides last year.

'Long-standing and profound friendship'

The GCC was founded as a regional political and economic bloc of six oil-rich Gulf states comprising Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, the UAE, Qatar, and Bahrain. Over the decades, China has emerged as the bloc's largest trading partner as well as the top oil importer from GCC countries.

China's Foreign Ministry on Monday stressed that China has had a "long-standing and profound friendship" with the GCC member states and the Gulf countries are also China's "important cooperation partners in West Asia and North Africa."

"As China has embarked on a new journey of fully building a modern socialist country and GCC countries are actively advancing social and economic development across the board, the relations between China and GCC countries are standing at a new historical starting point with broad prospects ahead," Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin said, briefing the media at a press conference on Monday,

Wang expressed confidence that the current visit by the Gulf foreign ministers and GCC secretary-general will "deepen the relationship between China and GCC countries and promote exchanges and cooperation in various sectors so as to deliver more outcomes to the benefit of the people in China and GCC countries."

Energy ties and regional security to be discussed

In addition to the FTA negotiations, the visiting Gulf foreign ministers and the GCC chief are also expected to discuss bilateral energy ties and other issues concerning regional security and stability, including the Iran nuclear deal and the political situations in Afghanistan and Kazakhstan, according to reports.

With the GCC's traditional energy ties with the United States constantly shifting as Washington reduces dependency on Gulf energy imports, analysts say the bloc appears to be doubly committed to strengthening its bilateral economic and political relations with other major powers, and particularly China.

"The GCC welcomes and highly commends China's important role in preserving the stability of the Middle East, and is willing to further its cooperation with China in this regard," the GCC chief asserted last year.

China and the Gulf countries are also cooperating actively in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. While China has pledged to strengthen cooperation with the GCC on pandemic control and build a community of health for all, the GCC has praised China's efforts in fighting the virus and expressed its desire to learn from China's advanced experiences in controlling the COVID-19 spread.

Amid a rapidly changing geopolitical landscape in a pandemic-hit world, China and Middle East watchers will keep a keen eye on the outcome of the Gulf foreign ministers' visit to China.
One of the significant events that led to the Dillinger Gang's capture was a fire that broke out in the basement of the Congress Hotel on January 23.

Makley and Clark had checked into the hotel on January 21. They had asked two firefighters to retrieve their bags on the third floor after the blaze broke out.

The duo tipped the firefighters $12 for their troubles.

The next afternoon, those same firefighters, William Benedict and Robert Freeman, recognized the generous pair while thumbing through an issue of True Detective magazine. They notified the police.
PHOENIX  Some Republican lawmakers want to revisit  and repeal  the 2016 measure that stripped local governments of their ability to regulate short-term and vacation rentals.

Rep. Walt Blackman of Snowflake said the legislation pushed by Airbnb and its other companies and supported by Gov. Doug Ducey has had a serious negative effect on neighborhoods. So he has introduced HB 2069 to put the law back the way it was before.

His Senate seatmate, Wendy Rogers of Flagstaff, has identical legislation in SB 1026.

The move will get a fight, and not only from the companies that benefit from being clearinghouses for people to rent out everything from individual rooms to entire homes.

Sen. J.D. Mesnard, R-Chandler, is planning to introduce a less-comprehensive measure that gives cities and counties some control over issues like noise and other violations. He said that should help address the perennial complaints of party houses popping up in residential areas.

Blackman, however, said those efforts fall short of what is needed to ensure that homes in neighborhoods are not turned into de-facto hotels.

The measure was sold to lawmakers as allowing individuals to rent out a spare room to make a bit of extra money. In fact, thats how Airbnb got its names, the idea being an air mattress set up for a guest.

For thousands of hardworking citizens, opening up their homes to out-of-state guests provides the financial breathing room they need to provide for the family or enjoy an extra expenses that they otherwise couldnt afford, Ducey said in signing the bill.

But the reality turned out to be something quite different.

In some communities, homes and apartments in entire areas have been bought up by investors to be converted into these short-term rentals, drying up the availability of affordable housing for local residents and converting whole areas into vacation rental zones  possibilities that Ducey dismissed in 2016 as hypotheticals.

By 2019, however, the governor conceded there were some unintended consequences in the law.

It does appear in the situation of Airbnb and other organizations that we have some people out there that are doing some things that are disruptive to communities.

That resulted in some amendments allowing cities to issue some public safety regulations, like requiring owners to provide a contact for who could respond to complaints and prohibiting rentals from being used for special events like weddings.

But Blackman told Capitol Media Services all this is missing the point. He said these are local issues and none of the business of state lawmakers.

That should be decided at the lowest level of government, he said.

Thats the mayors, the city councils, Blackman continued. Those are the people that live in that area.

Mesnard, however, sees the question from a different perspective.

First, he said, it will create a mish-mash of regulations among cities. But Mesnard said the larger issue is that leaving these decisions to mayors and council members will trample on property rights, meaning the ability of individuals to use their homes in a way they want  and to be able to make money by renting them out.

Blackman, however, said the property rights that are at issue here are those of the people living in the neighborhood, which is why these questions are best handled by local officials.

So if the community says they dont want to do it, thats a community decision, not a decision made here at the state, he said.

Mesnard said he sees the big complaint being those party houses. And he said there are ways to address that.

Last year, for example, he proposed allowing communities to impose fines on owners who fail to provide information for police and others to contact them if there are problems with the tenants. The measure also would have let cities mandate minimum liability insurance.

Potentially more significant, it would have meant an owner would lose a state license to do business following three violations of local ordinances within three months, violations that could include noise or nuisance complaints.

It failed.

It feels like that issue of party houses is being used to try to do more than just address party houses, Mesnard said. And he said he would be open to further tweaks in the future to maintain that balance between the rights of individual property owners and the neighbors.

But they want to take a sledge hammer to the thing, Mesnard said, rescinding all limits on what cities can and cannot forbid. Im not going to support that.

The problem, however, is not limited to party houses.

During hearings last year there was testimony about investors creating de facto hotels in residential neighborhoods, dividing up homes into multiple rooms being rented out by the night.

And then theres the question of drying up the supply of affordable housing.

There have been estimates that up to 40% of residential properties in tourist destinations like Sedona are now vacation rentals. And Rep. John Kavanagh, R-Fountain Hills, who voted against the 2016 law, said it also is happening in places like Scottsdale.

Blackman said his colleagues should be sensitive to imposing limits on local control.

We dont want the federal government imposing on us, Blackman said.

But were doing it to local cities and towns, he said. It doesnt make any sense to me.

Unsurprisingly, Airbnb is opposed to what Blackman and Rogers want and instead supports the more limited restrictions in the Mesnard bill, arguing that anything more would harm the tourism economy.

No date has been set for a hearing on any of the proposals.

On Twitter: @azcapmedia

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Pima County Administrator Chuck Huckelberry has returned home after he suffered serious injuries from being hit by a vehicle while riding his bike downtown in October.

Its wonderful for Chuck to be home with me. He continues an aggressive therapy regimen, including physical, occupational, and speech therapies, Huckelberrys wife, Maureen Huckelberry, said in a news release. Our family is extremely grateful for all of his caregivers over the past several weeks. We especially thank all the well-wishers, county staff, and the Board of Supervisors for their support and understanding over the holiday season. We are currently considering options for the timing and viability of his return to work.

Chuck Huckelberry Pima County Administrator Chuck Huckelberry.

Huckelberry suffered a brain bleed, a punctured lung and broken ribs after he was struck by a car while riding his bike downtown near North Church Avenue and West Congress Street on Oct. 23. He spent several weeks in the hospital and then was transferred to a rehabilitation facility in mid-November.

According to Tucson Police reports, a driver made an unsafe lane change, hit a Jeep Wrangler and caused it to fishtail in the intersection on only its drivers side wheels and knock Huckelberry off his bike. The driver was cited for causing an accident resulting in serious physical injury or death and making an unsafe lane change, court records show.

Chief Deputy County Administrator Jan Lesher has taken over as acting county administrator, a move solidified by a unanimous vote by the Board of Supervisors on Dec. 7. Lesher said this is only a formality. Its unknown when, and if, Huckelberry will return to the job.

Contact reporter Nicole Ludden at nludden@ tucson.com

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As a permanent comprehensive strategic partner of Kazakhstan, China is willing to firmly support Kazakhstan in maintaining stability and stopping violence at this critical moment concerning Kazakhstan's future, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Monday.

Wang made the remarks during a phone conversation with Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tleuberdi.

Wang stressed that, three day ago, Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a verbal message to Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, publicly expressing his support.

This fully reflected the high-level development of the China-Kazakhstan permanent comprehensive strategic partnership, Wang said, adding that it once again proved the profound friendship between the two countries sharing weal and woe at this critical moment.

China stands ready to work with Kazakhstan to implement the important political consensuses reached by the two heads of state, and do its best to provide necessary support and assistance to Kazakhstan, Wang said.

For his part, Tleuberdi sincerely thanked President Xi for sending the important verbal message to President Tokayev when Kazakhstan was in times of danger, and for being among the first to express support for President Tokayev and the Kazakh people.

Today is the national day of mourning in Kazakhstan, on which the phone conversation with the Chinese foreign minister once again showed China's firm support for Kazakhstan and the brotherhood between the two countries, Tleuberdi said.

Tleuberdi briefed Wang on the details and latest developments of the situation in Kazakhstan, saying that Kazakhstan had suffered well-planned terrorist attacks that broke out suddenly and simultaneously at many places across the country, with thousands of law enforcement personnel, military police and medical staff under attack.

The Kazakh authorities have taken timely and decisive measures and the situation has been under effective control, while peace and calm are being restored, Tleuberdi said.

He promised that Kazakhstan will fully guarantee the security of foreign institutions and personnel as well as foreign investment, and continue to fulfill its international obligations and agreements.

On the occasion of the national day of mourning in Kazakhstan, Wang said that China would like to pay tribute to the front-line law enforcement personnel who died in the fight against violence and terrorism in Kazakhstan, and express condolences and sympathy to the innocent dead and injured.

At this moment, the Chinese government and people stand firmly together with the Kazakh government and people, Wang stressed.

"After the storm comes the rainbow," Wang said, adding that he believes that under the strong leadership of President Tokayev, Kazakhstan will be able to fully restore peace and stability, overcome this "darkest moment" and make Kazakhstan more resilient and stronger.

Wang said that the sudden change and chaos in Kazakhstan shows that the situation in Central Asia is still facing severe challenges, and it also proves once again that some external forces do not want peace and tranquility in this region.

As a neighboring country, China hopes, more than anyone else, that Central Asia will maintain long-term stability and achieve development and prosperity, Wang said.

The Chinese foreign minister said that China is willing to increase cooperation with Kazakhstan in law enforcement and security departments, boost bilateral cooperation in anti-interference, safeguard the security of the political systems and governments of the two countries, prevent and oppose any attempt of "color revolution," and jointly oppose the interference of any external forces.

Expressing confidence for Kazakhstan in ensuring the safety of Chinese institutions and personnel in Kazakhstan, Wang also called for ensuring the safe and smooth operation of major Chinese-Kazakh cooperation projects.

Tleuberdi fully agreed with China's proposals and expressed his willingness to communicate closely with the Chinese side, strengthen security cooperation and jointly combat the "three evil forces."

The two sides also communicated on the next stage of high-level exchanges between the two countries.

Wang said that the Chinese side welcomes Tokayev to attend the opening ceremony of the Beijing Winter Olympics and will ensure the safety, smoothness and complete success of the Kazakh side's trip to the event.

Tleuberdi said that the upcoming Beijing Winter Olympics is a world event with international influence and important symbolic significance, which will promote world peace and cooperation and enhance mutual understanding between peoples.

He stressed that the Kazakh side will work with the Chinese side to complete the relevant preparatory work.
The Arizona Daily Star and Tucson Citizen entered into a groundbreaking joint operating agreement in 1940 to ensure the viability of both newspapers. They left their separate locations downtown and moved into a new building at 208 N. Stone Ave. By the early 1950s, circulation was booming as Tucson swelled and families settled down after World War II. Newsprint usage was 931 tons in 1940. In 1953, it was 4,350 tons.

The company purchased land adjacent to the building for an expansion. Tucson icon M.M. Sundt construction was hired to complete the job. The building added 50,000 square feet of additional floor space, allowing for separate newsrooms and space for advertising and business offices. The addition doubled the size of the existing building.

To keep up with demand, a new 4-story Goss Headliner printing press was installed. Printing capacity was increased from a 48-page to a 64 page-edition at the rate of more than 24,000 copies per hour. Three large windows on Miltenberg Street gave people a view into the printing operation. Miltenberg became part of Council Street in 1960. It has since disappeared due to redevelopment.

The building, though extremely solid and useful, was demolished when TNI moved again to a huge campus on a rail spur at 4850 S. Park Ave. By 2019, printing was outsourced to the Arizona Republic in Phoenix. The Park Ave. building was sold in 2020.

Sources: Arizona Daily Star and Tucson Citizen. Photos  Arizona Daily Star
Nearly 90 years ago, John Dillinger and his notorious "Dillinger Gang" rolled through Tucson in an attempt to lay low from the law enforcement agencies that were hot on their tail after a series of bank robberies, murders and successful prison escapes. A little over one week, one hotel fire and several arrests later  history was forever changed right here in the Old Pueblo.

Here's everything you need to know about Dillinger's short but impactful stay in Tucson and how his infamous legacy impacted the city's cultural scene.

So the story goes

A week before the Dillinger Gang's arrival in Tucson, the group robbed the First National Bank in East Chicago, Indiana, which led to the death of a local police officer. This incident was the last in a string of bank robberies and killings that led the gang to go on the run and keep a low profile from law enforcement, according to the FBI.

The gangsters thought Tucson was the perfect place to hide out as they believed they would be able to slip through the fingers of local and national law enforcement agencies while here.

Dillinger and his three-man crew, including notorious criminals Harry Pierpont, Charles Makley and Russell Clark, arrived in Tucson around Sunday, Jan. 21, 1934, according to the Pima County Public Library's "Librarian Files." The men were joined by their female companions, including Dillinger's now-famous companion, Evelyn "Billie" Frechette. The Dillinger Gang rented a house located at 927 N. Second Ave. near East Speedway and North Euclid Avenue.

Supposedly, the house was undergoing a floor waxing, which led the gang to use aliases and book a one-night stay at Hotel Congress located at 311 E. Congress St., according to the "Librarian Files" at the Pima County Public Library.

On the night of Monday, Jan. 22, 1934, Clark was heard by hotel guests bragging about "how easy it was to make money by robbing banks with machine guns," according to the Greater Tucson Fire Foundation. Two of the guests who happened to be businessmen from New York City found Clark's demeanor disturbing and shared their concerns with the Tucson Police Department.

Less than 24 hours later, Hotel Congress would erupt into flames and the gangsters would be exposed to law enforcement.

The Hotel Congress fire and arrests of the Dillinger Gang

On Tuesday, Jan. 23, 1934, around 7:20 a.m., a fire was reported in the basement of Hotel Congress due to a "defective oil furnace" that "ignited an adjacent stack of aged firewood," according to the Greater Tucson Fire Foundation.

The fire ripped through the hotel, causing hundreds of guests to evacuate the building. Guests on the third floor, including Clark and Makley, were evacuated with a fire ladder. Once the men were safely removed from the hotel, they tipped two Tucson firefighters $12 to retrieve their luggage. According to the Greater Tucson Fire Foundation, the firefighters, William Benedict and John Freeman, noted that their luggage was extremely heavy upon the retrieval.

The firemen later recognized the gangsters from an issue of "True Detective Mysteries" magazine that exposed the Dillinger Gang and all of their crimes in the Midwest. The recognition led the firemen to report Clark and Makley to the Tucson Police Department.

Two days later, on Thursday, Jan. 25, 1934, little to Dillinger's knowledge, his gang was arrested by Tucson police officers in various parts of the city throughout the day. By 6:30 p.m. that day, Dillinger was the last gangster to be detained as he arrived at the Second Avenue home.

Reportedly, upon his arrest, Dillinger said, "Well, Ill be damned."

The nation's "Public Enemy No. 1" was finally captured.

The Tucson Police Department confiscated three Thompson submachine guns, two Winchester rifles, five bulletproof vests and over $25,000 in cash, according to the FBI's John Dillinger database. Tucson police officers also found a bulldog puppy, according to a story by the Arizona Daily Star.

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(The FBI has a whole case file of Dillinger-related telegrams and other internal Bureau of Investigation paperwork from his time in Tucson that you can check out here. Note that the BOI didnt become the FBI until 1935, a year after Dillinger's detainment in Tucson.)

The men were arraigned in "Room 8" at the Pima County Justice Court on Friday, Jan. 26, 1934. Soon after their arraignment, Dillinger was extradited to Crown Point, Indiana, to face charges for the murder of a policeman during a robbery. However, Dillinger escaped from a Crown Point prison a month and a half after his arrival.

Although the gang could not evade capture here in Tucson, in an issue of the Arizona Daily Star, one of the gangsters lauded Tucson police for their work. Regarding the police department, Pierpont said, "Smartest cops we have seen. Arizonans gentlemen, but Midwesterners are rats."

Dillinger was eventually caught and killed by federal law enforcement agents on July 22, 1934, in Chicago.

Even though Dillinger and his gang's stay in the Old Pueblo was brief, his iconic crooked smile and infamous legacy forever altered Tucson's history and cultural scene.

Dillinger's impact on Tucson

From Tommy guns to bars to murals, the impact of Dillinger's capture lingers around the city 88 years after his quiet arrival and dramatic departure.

Tucson is still the home to one of Dillinger's Tommy guns that were confiscated during his arrest here in the mid-1930s. The submachine gun sits behind glass in the Tucson Police Department's police headquarters at 270 S. Stone Ave.

In 2016, the town of Peru, Indiana, asked Tucson to send the Tommy gun back to them as they argued that it was a part of their town's history. At the time, Tucson Police Department Sgt. Pete Dugan said, "We understand it's a big part of their history, but it's also a big part of Tucson's history," the Arizona Daily Star reported.

Additionally, Tucson is home to one of the more unique Dillinger artifacts  a jar of his chewed-up bubble gum. The glass jar sits on display at the University of Arizona's Coit Museum of Pharmacy & Health Sciences, formally called the History of Pharmacy Museum. The gum was collected by a local pharmacist who worked at the Owl Drug Store, after he noticed that Dillinger had been in the store during his stay in Tucson and often left his chewed-up gum underneath the countertop. The jar was later donated to the museum by the pharmacist.

In the social and art scene, you can spot visuals of the notorious gangster rocking earphones and sunglasses in Dillinger Brewing Company's logo. In addition, their taproom at 402 E. Ninth St. features a black-and-white mural of Dillinger with his smug smile.

You can also catch a glimpse of Dillinger in the popular "Greetings from Tucson" mural by Victor Ving on the backside of Miller's Surplus, located on the corner of East Seventh Street and North Arizona Avenue. Dillinger appears in the bottom half of the "S" in Tucson.

Of course, the most significant way that Tucson remembers Dillinger's stay in Tucson is through Hotel Congress' annual Dillinger Days event.

The historic hotel has hosted the event for 30 years. The event encapsulates Dillinger's capture through a series of reenactments and lectures about the event. There are also plenty of vintage cars and live music for event-goers to check out.

This year's event takes place over two days: the Dillinger Days Pre-Party on Saturday, Jan. 15 and the Dillinger Days Reenactments on Sunday, Jan. 16.

While Dillinger's visit to Tucson was short-lived, his impact has lasted over 80 years as the city keeps the spirit of the gangster's historic capture alive through bars, murals and events influenced by his eventful time here in the Old Pueblo.
JENKS  Municipal leaders on Monday officially invited developers to consider the future of a choice piece of land in the citys core.

Proposals are sought for the Downtown Jenks West Gateway Infill Project, a 4.2-acre tract at Main and Birch streets. The land was formerly owned by the Tulsa City-County Library, which sold the property to the city in early 2021.

This 4-acre parcel will serve as the new western gateway into our new Jenks downtown, Mayor Cory Box said Monday at a news conference at the site. Our vision for this property includes retail, restaurants, commercial, residential and more  truly what we would call mixed-use.

What we want more than anything is ideas to come from the private sector.

The property has a fair market value of $3.04 million. It contains two rows of parcels divided by Aquarium Place (formerly Apache). It will primarily face Main Street, bordered on the west by Birch Street and on the east by railroad tracks.

This is the largest piece of developable land in downtown Jenks since the citys founding in (the) early 1900s, Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Josh Driskell said in a statement. This is an important opportunity for the future of downtown and the future of Jenks economic development.

A question-and-answer session on the request for proposals is scheduled for Jan. 26. The proposals are due by 5 p.m. March 30.

Jenks population has grown from fewer than 10,000 two decades ago to more than 25,000. It has a median household income of $96,515, with nearly half of the population holding at least a bachelors degree.

The citys Main Street was boosted in 1986 with a grant from the state of Oklahoma. Investors in the past couple of years transformed a rundown strip center near the site now being considered into the 52,000-square-foot Melody Lane, offering places where children and adults can congregate.

Last March, construction began on Melody Courts, a 15,000-square-foot development just west of Elm Street along Main Street.

Of the current project, Box added, "we believe this development will spark new growth up and down Main Street while solidifying a new vision for downtown Jenks, a vision that embraces and celebrates our past success while focusing on what will keep downtown thriving for many years to come."

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With COVID-19 cases continuing to rise, multiple area school districts announced pivots to distance learning on Monday.

Tulsa Public Schools Anderson, Bell, Carnegie, Council Oak and Patrick Henry elementary schools, Mayo Demonstration School, Greenwood Leadership Academy, Carver and Memorial middle schools, Daniel Webster Middle and High School, Booker T. Washington High School, Phoenix Rising and Tulsa MET will all be in distance learning on Tuesday.

First, third and fifth grades at Skelly Elementary School and second and fourth grades at Kerr Elementary School also will be in distance learning Tuesday.

Tulsa MET also will be in distance learning on Wednesday. For the other TPS sites, a decision about Wednesdays classes will be made by 2 p.m. Tuesday.

All those schools except Phoenix Rising will have grab-and-go meal service available out front from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Phoenix Rising students are instead asked to call the school to make meal pick-up arrangements.

According to KIPP Tulsas Facebook page, students attending the charter schools middle school will remain in distance learning through Friday. However, in-person classes are in session at KIPP Tulsas high school campus.

Tulsa Public Schools had eight schools entirely in distance learning on Monday, plus individual grades out at three additional elementary schools.

Among the eight TPS sites entirely in distance learning Monday, a combined 62 teachers, administrators and support staff called in absent.

On Monday, a spokeswoman for TPS confirmed that the district has about 300 substitute teachers for its 70 schools. Although that is double what TPS had at the start of the school year, it is still short about 100 substitutes from prepandemic levels.

Other area districts:

Also citing staff absences, five Jenks Public Schools sites will move to distance learning Tuesday for the rest of the week: West Elementary School, West Intermediate School, Freshman Academy, Jenks High School and Jenks Alternative Center.

As of Friday, those five schools had a combined 176 confirmed cases of COVID-19 among staff and students.

Meal service will be available from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. daily on the north side of the Central Campus dining hall.

In an email, Jenks Public Schools spokesman Rob Loeber said that while the districts substitute teacher numbers are slowly increasing, they are still down almost 150 from prepandemic levels.

Ideally, we need about 350 substitutes in the pool to adequately meet the normal need since on a average, only about 30% of the pool works on any given day, he said. COVID-related absences have exacerbated the issue.

Broken Arrow is moving all of its middle school and high school campuses to distance learning through Jan. 18 due to staffing absences, as well. A district spokesman said 206 Broken Arrow Public Schools employees requested a substitute on Monday, but only 96 were available.

After Union Public Schools moved its high school and freshman academy to distance learning on Monday, the district is also suspending in-person classes for all students in grades six through 12 starting Tuesday, with a tentative return date of Jan. 18.

Union spokesman Chris Payne said his district was facing a similar problem to Broken Arrow, as 174 teachers called in absent Monday. With only 75 substitute teachers available due to illness or other issues, administrators and other Union employees had to cover almost 100 classes across the district.

In Owasso, Hodson Elementary School will remain in distance learning for the rest of the week. In a letter to parents, interim Superintendent Margaret Coates said 175 employees districtwide called in absent Monday. With roughly 15% of Owasso Public Schools workforce out, Coates said additional sites may have to follow suit in the near future.

However, should staff absences continue to increase as they have over the last several days, we may be left with no choice but to pivot to distance learning at a particular school site, she wrote. Please consider and begin planning for this possibility, as I cannot guarantee that the district will be able to give multiple days of notice before making such a move.

At Sand Springs, district officials confirmed Monday afternoon that the districts Sixth Grade Center and Clyde Boyd Middle School will be in distance learning until Jan. 18. As of Monday, all other Sand Springs Public Schools campuses will have classes in person.

Fifth and sixth grade students at Bixbys West Intermediate School will be in distance learning through Jan. 18, as well. Meal service will be available from 8:45-10:15 a.m. on the schools north side near the cafeteria.

All Allen Bowden, Berryhill and Pawhuska students will be entirely in distance learning until Jan. 18. Berryhill High School moved to distance learning Sunday night.

Pawhuska students can pick up a meal either at the elementary school cafeteria or via one of two bus routes that will run through the districts attendance area.

Late Monday night, Bixby Public Schools announced the district will be in distance learning through Jan. 18.

Muskogee Public Schools also announced the switch to distance learning at Muskogee 6th & 7th Grade Academy at Ben Franklin, 8th & 9th Grade Academy at Alice Robertson, Roughers Alternative Academy, and Muskogee High School.

Editor's note: This story was edited after publication to add Bixby and Muskogee school districts' late announcements.

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Three statewide virtual charter schools are being cut $58.9 million in state aid after posting significant declines in student enrollment, while Tulsa Countys traditional school districts are picking up a total of $15.5 million more.

In midyear adjustments announced to schools late Monday, the Oklahoma State Department of Education distributed the final remaining $49 million in state aid for fiscal year 2022, which ends June 30.

Dramatic growth in statewide virtual charter school enrollment and state-funded private school scholarships in recent years had already turned the process on its head.

Now, a recent change in state law coupled with sudden, significant enrollment declines at Epic One-on-One, Oklahoma Virtual Charter Academy and Insight School of Oklahoma between the end of the 2020-21 academic year and Oct. 1, 2021, has unleashed a new kind of ripple effect on Oklahomas state aid funding formula for public schools.

Compared to initial state aid allocations made in late July, Epic One-on-One is to receive $53.4 million less; Oklahoma Virtual is to receive $4.8 million less; and Insight is to receive $663,000 less.

Conversely, every school in Tulsa County except Berryhill saw its state aid adjusted upward.

This is a marked change from this point in FY2021, when Tulsa County districts saw their state aid adjusted downward by $31 million.

The big midyear 2022 winners in terms of actual dollars were Tulsa Public Schools, up $3.3 million, the large suburban districts of Jenks, Broken Arrow and Union, each up $1.2 million to $1.9 million, and Bixby, which is up almost $2.6 million.

Tulsa Honor Academy, a TPS-sponsored charter school, saw its midyear allocation spike nearly $1.5 million.

The process of reserving a portion of annual state aid for schools  this year, 2% was withheld by the state  was designed decades ago to deliver additional taxpayer dollars in the middle of the fiscal year to districts that had seen enrollment increases since the beginning of the fiscal year on July 1.

The formula used for calculating these midyear adjustments includes more funding for students whose household income levels are so low that they qualify for free or reduced-rate school lunches, as well as for English-language learners, gifted and talented students, and those with special education needs.

But Senate Bill 212 changed the state law on how charter schools are funded effective July 1, 2020.

The enacted measure, sponsored by now former state Sen. Gary Stanislawski, R-Tulsa, requires that statewide virtual charter schools experiencing a significant decline in membership of 15% or greater have their state funding calculated based on their student enrollment at the nine-week mark of the current year  not on higher enrollment numbers from either of the previous two.

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Vietnam's leading e-wallet company MoMo has invested in Nhanh.vn, a provider of sales management solutions, in a vision to promote cashless e-commerce in the country.

The payment firm, however, did not mention the number of shares in Nhanh.vn it had acquired.

This is MoMo's first investment in 2022 after it became a 'unicorn, a term referring to a privately held startup company with a valuation of over US$1 billion, in late 2021.

The investment is to support innovative and creative companies in Vietnam as well as to promote cashless e-commerce in the country, MoMo said.

Founded in 2014, Nhanh.vn specializes in providing cloud-based omni-channel sales management solutions, including online sales management software, web design, features connecting sellers with logistics firms, and software for users of Facebook Marketplace and such e-commerce platforms as Lazada and Tiki.

The company has provided its services for more than 80,000 businesses in Vietnam.

Thanks to these solutions, businesses at various scales will be able to run seamless sales operation and management processes.

We want to help small and micro businesses undergo digital transformation in the fastest and cheapest way as well as expand their market through the solutions provided by Nhanh.vn, said Nguyen Manh Truong, vice-chairman and co-CEO of MoMo.

We hope to cooperate with Nhanh.vn and other companies in our ecosystem to promote the application of technology, shape the future, and co-exist and develop sustainably.

A MoMo representative said that one of the companys top goals after becoming a 'unicorn' is to look for and invest in potential Vietnamese technology firms.

MoMo previously raised $200 million from four investors in its fifth round of funding in late December, pushing its valuation above $2 billion.

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Monday saw students return to brick-and-mortar classrooms in more localities across Vietnam after they had taken online lessons at home for a long time due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Those localities include Ba Ria - Vung Tau Province, Ho Chi Minh City, Dong Nai Province, An Giang Province, Hanoi, and Bac Giang Province, where the outbreak has stabilized.

In Ba Ria - Vung Tau, ninth and 12th graders were the first school returnees pursuant to a temporary schedule that has been planned until February 12, including the Lunar New Year holiday from January 24 to February 6.

In Ho Chi Minh City, education authorities in Cu Chi District allowed seventh and eighth graders to come back to school on Monday.

Ninth, tenth, 11th, and 12th graders in Cu Chi District and all students of the six aforementioned grades in other districts had resumed offline learning since January 4.

In Dong Nai Province, ninth and 12th graders in Bien Hoa City pioneered in-person learning on Monday while students in other grades are expected to follow suit on February 14.

In An Giang Province, schools only reopened to certain ninth and 12th graders in Chau Phu District under a pilot scheme.

In Hanoi, 12th graders in areas at low and medium risk of COVID-19 transmission in Hai Ba Trung and Tay Ho Districts, as well as ninth and 12th graders in those at the same levels of COVID-19 safety in Thanh Tri District restarted in-person lessons on Monday.

In Bac Giang City under the namesake province, kindergartens, elementary schools, middle schools, high schools, and vocational schools have resumed offline operations since Monday.

Schools at all levels across Vietnam have intermittently closed and reopened in light of the complicated developments of the COVID-19 fourth wave since early May 2021.

Vietnam has reported 1,914,393 patients, including 31 imported Omicron infections, since the COVID-19 pandemic first hit the country in early 2020.

Health workers have given over 161 million vaccine doses since vaccination was rolled out nationwide on March 8, 2021.

More than 78.2 million of the countrys 98 million people have received at least one dose while upwards of 71.1 million have been injected twice.

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The northern Chinese city of Tianjin said its latest coronavirus outbreak had reached a total of 40 confirmed cases by Tuesday morning, as it battles the highly contagious Omicron variant that has already been detected in at least two other provinces.

After 10 new confirmed infections on Monday, health officials in Tianjin, a city of 14 million people around 100 km (62 miles) from Beijing, are implementing tough new controls to stop the coronavirus from spreading further. The outbreak in the city has been linked to cases in the city of Anyang in the central Chinese province of Henan.

The country's Omicron surge comes just weeks before the Lunar New Year, a peak travel period for millions, and cities across China are already advising people to stay put, especially as Beijing prepares to host the Winter Olympics at the start of next month.

China has already ordered the cancellation of more than two dozen scheduled flights from the United States after numerous passengers tested positive for COVID-19 when they arrived in China.

"Facing Omicron directly, we found the speed of transmission was really quite fast," said Zhang Ying, an official with Tianjin's disease control centre, speaking in an interview aired on state television late on Monday.

"Whether it is in terms of virus origin tracing or epidemiological investigations, the Omicron variant has brought along unprecedentedly massive challenges and difficulties," she said.

Tianjin confirmed its first two locally transmitted cases of Omicron at the weekend, and Zhang said 20 infected people were discovered in the first 24 hours.

The city has imposed travel restrictions and launched a mass testing programme to help prevent the variant from spreading.

China reported 192 new confirmed nationwide coronavirus cases for Jan. 10, up from 157 a day earlier. Of the total, 110 were locally transmitted, up from 97 a day earlier.

There were 87 cases in highly populated Henan province, according to a statement by the National Health Commission.

The provincial capital of Zhengzhou has already shut non-essential public facilities like beauty salons and banned dining in restaurants, and it has also stopped taxis and ride-hailing platforms from operating in some quarantined areas, local officials told a briefing on Tuesday.

Henan's Anyang confirmed on Monday that two of its new cases over the past few days were part of the same Omicron transmission chain as Tianjin. It is unclear how many of the other cases in Henan are Omicron-related.

A separate Omicron infection was reported on Monday in the city of Wuxi in Jiangsu province, about 120 km (75 miles) from Shanghai on China's eastern coast. The patient had travelled from Australia to Shanghai on Jan. 5 before transferring to Wuxi.

China also reported 50 new asymptomatic cases on Monday, which it classifies separately from confirmed cases, up from 42.

There were no new deaths, leaving the death toll at 4,636. As of Jan. 10, mainland China had 103,968 confirmed cases.
Here are todays leading news stories:

Politics

-- Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his Lao counterpart Phankham Viphavanh co-chaired the 44th meeting of the Vietnam  Laos Inter-Governmental Committee on Bilateral Cooperation in Hanoi on Monday, as part of the Laotian official's visit to Vietnam from January 8 to 10.

Society

-- A married couple and their two children were traveling on a motorbike when they crashed into a sand dune belonging to a road construction site in central Quang Nam Province on Sunday, resulting in the death of the woman and one of the children, authorities confirmed on Monday.

-- Authorities in the southern province of Binh Phuoc put into operation a 1,000-bed makeshift COVID-19 hospital on Monday in an effort to boost the local treatment capacity.

-- A resident in Binh Phuoc has found a newborn baby abandoned at a local cemetery and handed over the boy to a commune-level medical center for temporary care.

-- Multiple households have been evacuated due to an ammonia leak at an ice making facility in the southern province of Binh Duong.

-- An over 50-year-old yellow apricot tree has been sold at more than VND6 billion (US$264,300) at a flower market in Long Xuyen City, located in the Mekong Delta province of An Giang.

-- One person was killed and another injured after being attacked by a knife-wielding group of men over a conflict in Binh Chanh District, Ho Chi Minh City early on Monday morning.

-- A 29-year-old woman was sentenced to death on Monday for transporting a large amount of narcotics in Ho Chi Minh City.

Business

-- Vietjet Air has been recognized as one of the worlds Top 10 safest low-cost airlines for 2022 by AirlineRatings, the worlds famous airline safety and product rating website, according to the Vietnam News Agency.

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The Hoc Mon Power Corporation (EVN Hoc Mon) in Hoc Mon District, Ho Chi Minh City has announced the removal of nearly 600 electricity poles standing in the middle of a street project underway to connect the southern metropolis with two neighboring provinces.

Vo Hong Minh Danh, director of EVN Hoc Mon, told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper on Monday that the deadline for the removal is January 26.

The 600 electricity poles in question have obstructed traffic on Dang Thuc Vinh Street, a route linking Ho Chi Minh City with Binh Duong and Long An Provinces.

The road is being expanded under an innovation project, with its main lane expected to open to vehicles before the coming Lunar New Year holiday, which falls on February 1 this year.

Power poles stand in the middle of Dang Thuc Vinh Street in Hoc Mon District, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Le Phan / Tuoi Tre

Before the street expansion, the electricity poles were planted along the sidewalks.

But now, with the street widened, they moved around two meters away.

EVN Hoc Mon will remove a part of electrical wires of the 600 said electricity poles and switch the power supply of the area to another network by January 15.

In the remaining part of the street, the electricity provider will erect new power poles, connect them to a new grid, and dismantle the old poles between January 15 and 26.

Electricity workers connect the old power line along Dang Thuc Vinh Street in Hoc Mon District, Ho Chi Minh City to the new one. Photo: Le Phan / Tuoi Tre

EVN Hoc Mon has asked relevant telecommunications and lighting firms to cooperate in the implementation.

During the transition period, the company will warn vehicles against the old power poles, using reflective stickers and paint, according to Danh.

Currently, the medium-voltage power line on Dang Thuc Vinh Street provides electricity for about 16,000 households.

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This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears uswhatever we askwe know that we have what we asked of him. (1 John 5:14-15)
Wine producer Shabo (Odesa region) remains the only large enterprise in the country that uses grapevine as an alternative fuel to ensure production processes, the company's press service has said.

The press service said that since 2014, Shabo has been using a 1.1 MW boiler house for heating premises and wine-making processes, burning grapevines collected at the enterprise.

"We have huge vineyard areas (1,200 hectares) and tens of thousands of square meters of production facilities. This entire area needs to be heated and heat supplied for production processes. How to do this if it is impossible to deliver gas to the enterprise due to the peculiarities of the location? So we drew attention to our own resource  grapevine," the company said, quoting Chief Engineer Valentyn Klius.

According to the report, annually the enterprise collects about 1,200 tonnes of grapevine scion, which is pruned to regulate the growth and fruiting of vineyards. The obtained scion volumes are sufficient to heat tens of thousands of square meters of the production complex, the Shabo Wine Culture Center, as well as supply heat for wine-making processes.

In addition, the ash left after burning the vine is used by the company as fertilizer for the soil.

According to the company, the boiler house with a capacity of 1.1 MW was designed and built in 2011-2014 by Kriger (PJSC Zhytomyrremkharchomash, Zhytomyr). The heating season starts in August, with the start of grape processing, and ends in March-April, when the heating season ends.

Shabo is a large Ukrainian wine producer, founded in 2003. It is engaged in the cultivation and processing of grapes, the production and sale of alcoholic beverages.

Since 2005, the company has been producing cognac and brandy, and since 2013 Shabo grape vodka. The production capacity of the complex, which occupies more than 10,000 square meters, provide a full cycle of production of strong alcoholic beverages of grape origin.

The Shabo product range is presented in all regions of Ukraine, as well as in Georgia, Israel, China, Poland, Latvia, Estonia, Belgium, France, Denmark, the Czech Republic, the United States, Brazil, Canada, Azerbaijan, Japan, Norway and the U.K.

The processing capacity of the company per season is more than 20,000 tonnes of red and white grapes. Wine storage Shabo has a total area of about 10,000 square meters. Annually, Shabo produces 50 million bottles a year, a total of about 80 product names. Nine production lines are involved in bottling.

According to the public register of legal entities and sole proprietors, the ultimate beneficiary of Shabo Industrial and Trade Company LLC is Vazha Iukuridze, the ultimate beneficiaries of Agrofirma Shabo LLC (both are located in Odesa region, village of Shabo) are Iukuridze and Bela Cholikidze.
Monday, 10th January

Eurozone Unemployment Rate (Nov)

Tuesday, 11th January

ECB President Lagarde Speaks

FED Chair Powell Testimony

Wednesday, 12th January

Eurozone Industrial Production (MoM) (Nov)

Friday, 14th January

French CPI (MoM) (Dec) Final

French HICP (MoM) (Dec) Final

Spanish CPI (YoY) (Dec) Final

Spanish HICP (YoY) (Dec) Final

Eurozone Trade Balance (Nov)

ECB President Lagarde Speaks

The Majors

It was a bearish end to the week for the European majors on Friday. The DAX30 fell by 0.65%, with the CAC40 and the EuroStoxx600 ending the day down by 0.43% and by 0.47% respectively.

Disappointing economic data from Germany and the U.S weighed on the majors. A further pickup in Eurozone inflationary pressure added to the downside on the day.

Away from the economic calendar, a continued surge in new COVID-19 cases across the region also pegged the majors back. While reports continued to talk of milder symptoms and fewer hospitalizations, an economic impact is to be expected. This was reflected in Decembers service PMIs that had been released earlier in the week.

The Stats

It was a busy Eurozone economic calendar at the end of the week. Key stats included German industrial production and trade data along with Eurozone inflation figures.

The stats were market negative on the day. German industrial production unexpectedly fell by 0.2% versus a forecasted 1.0% increase. Also negative was a narrowing of Germanys trade surplus from 12.4bn to 10.9bn.

Eurozone inflation figures were also market negative. According to prelim figures, the Eurozones annual rate of inflation ticked up from 4.9% to 5.0%. Month-on-month, consumer prices rose by 0.4%, following a 0.4% increase in November. Following the FEDs more hawkish than anticipated FOMC meeting minutes, the latest numbers could force the ECBs hand

From the U.S

Nonfarm payrolls for December disappointed on Friday. Falling well short of a forecasted 400k increase, nonfarm payrolls rose by just 199k in December.

Story continues

While it was a weak number, the U.S unemployment rate fell from 4.2% to 3.9%, supporting a March rate hike.

The Market Movers

For the DAX: It was a bearish day for the auto sector on Friday. Continental and Daimler led the way down, falling by 1.59% and by 1.80% respectively. BMW and Volkswagen saw more modest losses of 0.64% and 0.72% respectively.

It was a bullish day for the banks, however. Deutsche Bank and Commerzbank rose by 1.78% and by 3.50% respectively.

On the DAX30, Delivery Hero was the biggest loser, tumbling by 13.5%.

From the CAC, it was a bullish day for the banks. BNP Paribas gained 0.48%, with Soc Gen and Credit Agricole ending the day up by 1.07% and by 1.01% respectively.

The French auto sector had a mixed session. Stellantis NV fell by 1.34%, while Renault ended the day up by 0.31%.

Air France-KLM found support, rising by 0.59%, while Airbus SE declined by 0.79%

On the VIX Index

It was a 2nd consecutive day in the red for the VIX on Friday, marking a 10th fall in 13 sessions.

Following a 0.61% decline on Thursday, the VIX fell by 4.33% to end the day at 18.76.

The Dow slipped by 0.01%, with the NASDAQ and the S&P500 seeing losses of 0.96% and 0.41% respectively.

The Day Ahead

Its a quiet day ahead on the Eurozones economic calendar. Eurozone unemployment figures are due out in the early part of the European session. With little else for the markets to consider, expect any weak numbers to influence.

From the U.S, there are no major stats for the markets to consider. The lack of stats will leave central bank chatter and COVID-19 news updates to influence later in the day.

The Futures

In the futures markets, at the time of writing, the Dow Mini was down by 50 points, while the DAX was up by 16 points.

For a look at all of todays economic events, check out our economic calendar.

This article was originally posted on FX Empire

More From FXEMPIRE:
Paymaster General Michael Ellis in the House of Commons, Westminster, answering an urgent question over the lockdown-busting Downing Street drinks party allegedly attended by Boris Johnson and his wife Carrie (House of Commons/PA) (PA Wire)

Boris Johnson must ensure all the dirty linen is washed at once in relation to allegations of Downing Street parties, a Tory former minister has urged.

The Prime Minister also faced calls to resign, while his whereabouts were scrutinised after he opted against responding to Labours urgent Commons question about a gathering in the Downing Street garden on May 20 2020.

Cabinet Office minister Michael Ellis was sent out to respond and was relentlessly heckled by opposition MPs who outnumbered those on the Conservative benches and asked the vast majority of the questions during the session.

Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner said Mr Johnson can run but he cant hide after the Prime Minister opted not to respond to the urgent question himself (House of Commons/PA) (PA Wire)

Mr Ellis confirmed that the May 20 bring your own booze event, to which more than 100 employees were invited, according to a leaked email, is being investigated.

But he noted that publication of the findings of the Whitehall party inquiry, led by senior official Sue Gray, could be delayed due to the increasing number of allegations to be considered.

Conservative former minister Sir Christopher Chope asked: Why cant all the dirty linen be washed at once? Why are we getting this drip, drip feed of parties?

Surely the Civil Service must have known that there was a party on May 20 and they should have referred it already to the inquiry?

Mr Ellis said: We have a number of dates that have come out at different times and that will, presumably, have an effect of delaying matters.

Earlier, shouts of Where is he? in relation to Mr Johnson could be heard, with Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle saying: Its quite obvious its not the Prime Minister so we dont need to keep asking that question.

And he said of Mr Ellis: Hes got the tough job as it is, dont make it harder for him.

Maria Eagle said it would be faster by Sue Gray to investigate the days there werent parties (House of Commons/PA) (PA Wire)

Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner said Mr Johnsons absence speaks volumes.

It is incredibly disappointing, but not unsurprising, that the Prime Minister of whom I asked this question is not here today despite not having any official engagements, she said.

The public have already drawn their own conclusions. He can run but he cant hide.

Story continues

Ms Rayner added: Theres no need for an investigation into the simple central question today: did the Prime Minister attend the event in the Downing Street garden on the 20 May 2020? It wont wash to blame this on a few junior civil servants  the Prime Minister sets the tone.

SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford said: This is the most serious of matters because this is a Prime Minister who has been accused of breaking a law that he himself set.

It could not be more serious.

Mr Blackford added: This is a Prime Minister that has lost his moral authority.

He doesnt deserve the respect and the trust of the people of these islands.

If he wont do the decent thing and recognise that he ought to resign, I say to the minister and I say to the Conservative backbenchers that they are going to have to do what the Prime Minister has failed to do and force him from office  and do it now.

Labour former minister Dame Angela Eagle joked: Perhaps it would be faster if Sue Gray were to investigate the days there werent parties.

Jim Shannon became emotional in the House of Commons (House of Commons/PA) (PA Wire)

DUP MP Jim Shannon (Strangford) was overcome with emotion as he told the Commons: In Northern Ireland we reached the milestone of 3,000 deaths due to Covid just last week, including my mother-in-law, who died alone.

Mr Shannon struggled to go on with his question before sitting back down.

Afzal Khan, Labour MP for Manchester Gorton, spoke of marking a solemn Eid at the time of the alleged Downing Street parties  as his lovely mum died of Covid in March 2020.

He said: She died alone in hospital while I sat in the car outside, trying to be as close to her as I could.

Labours Richard Burgon (Leeds East) said: The unavoidable truth is that the public believe the Prime Minister is a liar who treats them with contempt, theres a crisis of public confidence.

Isnt the only way to restore public confidence for the Prime Minister for once to act in the public interest and resign now?

Mr Ellis replied: I dont think the public believe what (he) believes.
Team partypoker Roster Sees Six High Profile Departures

January 10 2022 Matthew Pitt Editor

A New Year often sees the contracts of online poker sites sponsored pros and ambassadors end, and those players leave their posts, often for pastures new. This has been the case over at partypoker where no fewer than six of the sites ambassadors have left the company and will no longer sport the famous orange diamond in online and at live poker events worldwide.

Brazilian Day Kotoviezy and Irelands Louise Butler, two of partypokers female contingent, have left their posts as sponsored pros. Kotoviezy cashed in several partypoker LIVE events while sponsored by partypoker, including a seventh-place finish in a 10,300 buy-in High Roller at the 2018 partypoker MILLIONS Barcelona Grand Final, a finish worth a career-best 85,000.

Day Kotoviezy

Butler has long been the number one ranked Irish female player in the online poker tournament world. Butler is honing in on $825,000 in online cashes, with $400,000 of that impressive sum stemming from partypoker tournaments.

I knew few in poker before @partypoker and I'm so grateful I got to meet so many incredible people & friends throug https://t.co/snzvLRnt1Y  Louise Butler (@LouiseB555)

Joni Jouhkimainen

Finnish superstar Joni Jouhkimainen is another top-level player no longer partnered with partypoker. The Finn ended 2021 on fire, with five cashes at the World Series of Poker (WSOP) and WSOP Europe festival, three of which ended in final table finishes. Jouhkimainen finished second in both the 5,000 Pot-Limit Omaha (126,091) event and the 25,000 Platinum High Roller (320,415) event.

Kotoviezys fellow Brazilian Joao Simao is another superstar who has departed partypoker. Simao had been with partypoker since 2016 and is into double figures regarding POWERFEST titles. He is a high-volume grinder of the highest order, so expect to see him at the partypoker tables despite no longer having a contract with the site.

High roller specialists Isaac Haxton and Mikita Badziakouski are the other two casualties from the latest roster cull. Haxton, one of the biggest poker tournament winners of all-time with $27.67 million in live cashes, left partypoker on New Years Eve, according to his Twitter post.

My time with PartyPoker is over. Its been a fun four years, and Im grateful to have had the opportunity to work w https://t.co/oKx66sV5Rq  Isaac Haxton (@ikepoker)

Mikita Badziakouski

Badziakouski is another elite grinder who ended 2021 in style. The Belarusian, who is a regular in Super High Roller events worldwide, took down Event #85 of the 2021 WSOP, the $50,000 No-Limit Hold'em High Roller, for $1,462,043 and his first bracelet. Amazingly, that was only Badziakouskis eighth-largest live score.

The current Team partypoker webpage shows six ambassadors in addition to five members of its Twitch Team.

Hollywood A-lister Kevin Hart, partypoker LIVE President John Duthie, Patrick Leonard, recent signing Yuri Dzivielevski, Frenchman Benjamin Pollak, and former world champion boxer Carl Froch make up the sites ambassadors.

Jaime Staples, Jeff Gross, Matthew Staples, Courtney Gee, Monika Zukowicz, and Lilian Erdmann represent the partypoker Twitch Team.
Look out, Chip and Joanna. Another power couple may be gaining on you.

Hollywood celebrities Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard last year snapped up a 300,000-square-foot building on Texas Central Parkway, placing there a diaper-making plant operating as Hello Bello. They have pledged to invest $31 million, having already applied a new paint job heavy on pastels and rabbits.

But behind the scenes, Hello Bello signed a lease on a new 124,000-square-foot speculative building at Exchange Parkway and Texas Central Parkway, near the new Amazon fulfillment center yet to open. Amazon said it would hire at least 1,000 people making $15 an hour minimum.

Real estate agent Gregg Glime confirmed the Hello Bello lease, saying it is fairly long-term, but not revealing exact terms. Kris Collins, senior vice president of economic development at the Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce, said she could not comment on the lease or Hello Bellos planned use.

It would be better for the company to address that, Collins said.

During a ceremony in October, Kristen Bell said, We couldnt be prouder to have planted a flag here. We needed a dedicated, hardworking workforce, and our co-founders are from Texas and they suggested it.

Domtar Personal Care left the plant in 2018, creating a vacancy and eliminating jobs. Hello Bello hopes to fill at least 110 positions paying a minimum of $15 per hour, in exchange for a $2.5 million economic development grant from Waco and McLennan County. In addition to diapers, the plant will produce wipes and other infant-care products.

The city and county also approved grants equal to 25% of real property taxes over five years, and personal property grants on taxes paid seven years, with the break starting at 70% and dropping to 15%. The final piece is a grant equal to 70% of taxable sales at the facility, not to exceed 10 years.

Thats where creating a sales office in Waco, if Hello Bello is so inclined, would further benefit the community. If the company complied with Texas Comptrollers Office guidelines, Waco and McLennan County stand to reap sales tax rebates from online sales throughout Texas, and possibly beyond.

Collins said in an earlier interview that every $1 million in sales would put $15,000 in the citys coffer and $5,000 in the countys.

County Judge Scott Felton said he likes whats hes hearing from Hello Bello.

Anytime a company comes into town, we base our (incentive) decisions on what we can do to welcome them here, hoping their presence turns out to be more than expected, that they are utilizing our community in a larger aspect, Felton said. I do not know how this space will be used, but if it involves administration, thats generally higher paid individuals.

That would exceed our expectations, Felton added.

Glime said construction soon will begin on a second speculative building at Exchange and Texas Central parkways, this one totaling 60,000 square feet. He said investors are underwriting development of Exchange Industrial Park.

Based in Los Angeles, Hello Bello sells its products to big-box retailers such as Walmart, but also offers products through a subscription service.

Hello Bello was founded in 2019 and makes a range of baby products, from diapers and wipes to bug spray and shampoo. As of October, Hello Bellos Waco plant had one diaper machine up and running, making 800 diapers per minute. It hopes to add three more in service by May.

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Public testing returned to Waco on Monday as 653 new daily COVID-19 cases were reported amid an unprecedented surge of cases driven by the omicron variant.

The Waco-McLennan County Public Health District quietly opened a test site at Parking Lot M at McLennan Community Colleges Community Services building, 4601 N. 19th St.

Without publicity, the site drew 56 visitors Monday. The site will now run 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday on an appointment basis, and about 350 PCR tests per day are available, said health district assistant director Stephanie Alvey.

To register for an appointment visit https://dashboard.mylabsdirect.com/insurance or call 877-355-7978.

With the 653 new COVID-19 cases reported Monday, the county has had 2,299 new cases in the four days since Thursday, when the health district last updated its online dashboard, covidwaco.com. Two new deaths were reported Monday, bringing the toll to 755 countywide.

McLennan County now has an estimated 3,411 active cases, with 123 COVID-19 patients in Waco hospitals.

Waco Independent School District reported 57 cases over the past week, while Midway ISD reported 142 students and 38 staff with active cases. Meanwhile, the McLennan County Jail had 74 inmates and 30 jail staffers with active cases, officials reported.

Alvey said she expects the number of reported cases to tick up even more as testing becomes more readily available.

The health district closed its public testing program in late October as cases declined from a late summer surge that was driven by the delta variant. After the omicron surge began to gain traction in mid-December, it took time for the district to nail down a vendor for a new testing program, Alvey said.

There are third-party vendors, and we have to go through the contracting process, she said. These vendors suddenly came into high demand right before the holiday. ... We knew omicron was coming, but we didnt expect it to hit right between Christmas and New Years.

The new vendor is MyLabsDirect, a Texas-based firm that partnered last year with Baylor University to create a virus testing lab at the Baylor Research Innovation Collaborative. The firm performs all the tests for Baylor University. CEO Justin Simons was at the MCC site Monday to assist with the testing.

Alvey said the proximity of the Baylor lab should shorten the turnaround time for testing, which is estimated to be between 24 and 48 hours.

The testing site is coordinated by the health district but is federally funded, Alvey said. Private health insurance should fully cover the cost of the test as long as it is taken as a result of symptoms or possible exposure rather than mandated for travel or workplace safety, Alvey said. Federal programs will cover the cost of tests for the uninsured, she said.

Alvey said even in a time of widespread vaccination, testing remains an important tool for managing the risk of acquiring or spreading COVID-19.

A positive test result is one of the most actionable items you can have in terms of making a decision about your health, she said. Having that result, knowing their status, helps people decide to isolate or quarantine.

Jonathan Grant, executive director of World Hunger Relief Inc., was in line with a family member Monday at the MCC clinic.

Someone in the family had a close exposure, he said. Just out of an abundance of caution, I feel responsibility to do what we can to confirm or deny (an infection).

Grant had recently visited a testing site at Richland Mall where there was an hours-long wait. This time, he was able to book a time within 45 minutes, and he was able to get through the line in five minutes.

Grant said that even though he and his family are fully vaccinated, he knows several vaccinated people who have had mild to moderate cases of the virus since the rise of omicron. He himself had a case of COVID-19 before he was vaccinated, complete with chest pains like nails. He said his father was in intensive care with the virus for five weeks, and his childrens uncle died of the disease.

It hits pretty close to home, so we are doing everything we can to beat it to the punch, he said.

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For the second time this month, McLennan County officials have been forced to postpone a trial because of the surging pandemic.

Judge Susan Kelly of Wacos 54th State District Court called off a civil sexual offender commitment trial Monday after the defendant, Robert Anthony Fluke, tested positive for COVID-19 at the McLennan County Jail before he was transported to the courthouse.

Last week, 19th State District Judge Thomas West postponed an aggravated sexual assault of a child trial because two critical prosecution witnesses had the virus and a third witness was in quarantine after exposure to COVID-19.

Kelly rescheduled Flukes civil commitment trial for Jan. 24, just 10 days before he is slated for mandatory release from the Texas prison system after he served 20 years on two counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child.

Attorneys from the State Special Prosecution Units civil division filed a petition in May 2020 that claims Fluke is a sexual predator who needs further treatment. The petition seeks to have Fluke committed to a West Texas sex offender treatment facility before his release from prison.

Fluke is a repeat sexually violent offender who suffers from a behavioral abnormality that makes him likely to engage in a predatory act of sexual violence, according to the petition.

Prosecutor Maureen Whittmore was set Monday to select a jury in the case and to ask it to determine that Fluke should be sent to a treatment facility in Littlefield instead of being released. If he is committed, Flukes case will be reviewed every two years to see if he can be released or if his multi-tiered treatment plan needs to be modified.

Fluke is represented by attorneys from the State Counsel for Offenders Office. He will be the fourth person to stand trial in McLennan County under the civil commitment statute. Two others were committed for sex offender treatment and the third case ended in a hung jury and a mistrial. However, the jury approved the inmates civil commitment at a retrial in October 2019.

McLennan County Sheriffs Department Maj. Ricky Armstrong said there were 74 county jail inmates and 30 jail staff members with active COVID-19 cases on Monday. He said all inmates are tested for COVID before they are taken to the McLennan County Courthouse. Deputies take the temperatures of courthouse visitors before they are allowed to enter the building.

According to court records in the case to which Fluke pleaded guilty 20 years ago, a girl reported she was at her cousins house on Summer Avenue and her cousins wife called Fluke to come over. The girl, who was 12 at the time, reported to police that she asked Fluke to bring her a drink from the kitchen.

She said she noticed some white stuff floating in her drink but she drank it anyway. She told police her eyes starting rolling back in her head 10 minutes later and she was unable to get up, according to police reports.

She said someone carried her to bed, where she said Fluke sexually assaulted her.

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A Houston-area man who authorities say trafficked a young woman in the sex trade across four states missed his court date Monday morning, prompting a judge to issue a warrant for his arrest.

Judge Thomas West of Waco's 19th State District Court later withdrew the arrest warrant after James Donaldson, 46, presented documentation to show that his daughters have COVID-19 and he stayed home to care for them.

West rescheduled Donaldson's plea hearing for Jan. 24. Donaldson was expected to plead guilty Monday to compelling prostitution in exchange for a recommendation from the district attorney's office that West sentence him to four years in prison.

Donaldson has been free on bail since June 2019 after his March 2017 arrest in Waco on a first-degree felony charge of continuous human trafficking. McLennan County Sheriff's Office investigators arrested Donaldson in an online sting after he made arrangements with an undercover officer to provide a 20-year-old woman for a sexual encounter at the Courtyard Marriott Waco.

Sheriff Parnell McNamara said investigators determined that Donaldson trafficked the woman across Washington, Oregon, Utah and Texas and had a pending promotion of prostitution charge pending in Washington at the time.

Donaldson dropped the woman off at the front of the hotel and parked near the back of the hotel to wait, McNamara said. The woman went inside and met Sheriff's Detective Joseph Scaramucci, who detained her with help from other officers.

McNamara said Donaldson was "non-compliant" and had a "very vicious" pit bull in the car with him that lunged at officers through the car window. Officers found marijuana and $6,600 in cash in Donaldson's car, McNamara said.

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WATERLOO  A brunch meeting of the Association of American University Women takes place at 10 a.m. Jan. 22 at the YWCA, 425 Lafayette St. Featured speaker will be Elaine Eshbaugh, professor of gerontology and family studies at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls. She will discuss Dementia, Communication and Family Caregiving.
CEDAR FALLS  Plans and specifications to renovate the Cedar Heights Elementary School kitchen were approved Monday by the Board of Education.

The project, which also includes upgraded equipment, has an estimated budget of $711,575. The board set a public hearing on the project for its Jan. 24 meeting.

This is the last elementary of our seven elementaries to have that decentralization, said Denelle Gonnerman, chief financial officer.

Upgrading kitchens at Cedar Falls Community Schools six other elementary buildings has decentralized meal preparation. Previously, food was made at the high school or Peet Junior High and transported to the elementary schools.

Projects at Lincoln and Southdale elementary schools were completed last summer. Hansen, North Cedar and Orchard Hill elementary schools projects occurred the year before. Bess Streeter Aldrich Elementary School, which opened in the fall of 2018, was built with the upgraded kitchen.

Gonnerman noted that officials are planning a much more complex project at Cedar Heights compared with the other schools.

There are some structural changes, she told the board, and work to be done on the plumbing and electrical systems. Additionally, she noted the project budget reflects changes in the market that have driven up construction costs.

Estimated costs include $133,745 for construction; $181,400 for mechanical, electrical and plumbing; and $220,725 for equipment. Remaining expenses are for design fees and a contingency fund to cover unanticipated costs.

Concerning the cost of the equipment, Superintendent Andy Pattee pointed out that these are commercial dishwashers, stoves and ovens expected to last 25-30 years.

Based on the estimates, this project would have a higher price tag than the previous kitchen upgrades. According to previous Courier stories, costs were $268,500 for equipment at Aldrich; $241,959 for equipment at Hansen, North Cedar and Orchard Hill; and a total of $665,254 for construction and equipment at Lincoln and Southdale.

A contract is expected to be awarded Feb. 14 with work completed during the summer.

In other business, the board approved submitting an application for $910,603 in modified supplemental funding to the states School Budget Review Committee for 2022-23 dropout/at-risk programs. That would be funded through a property tax rate of just under 44 cents per $1,000 of taxable value.

The request is a portion of the total estimated budget, set at $1.45 million for six programs. Cedar Falls Schools would provide a 25% match of $303,534 from its general fund and estimates another $143,073 will be received through the states at-risk funding. There are also carryover funds from drop-out programs of $46,025 and $48,973 from at-risk programs.

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CEDAR FALLS -- The UNI Local Food Program and Cedar Valley Regional Food & Farm Network have several events planned for local food producers, buyers and consumers.

On Jan. 12 and 19, virtual workshops are planned for local food producers interested in selling their products to schools, restaurants, grocery stores, and other wholesale businesses. An in-person networking event is planned for Jan. 26 to give producers and buyers an opportunity to connect. A marketing workshop on Jan. 29 will help local producers learn about social media, work with a consultant one-on-one, and allow time for the development of a social media plan for their business.

Cedar Valley Regional Food & Farm Network Coalition meetings are Jan. 12 and Feb. 9 at 2 p.m. at the Northeast Iowa Food Bank. Masks are encouraged. Anyone interested in the local food system is welcome to attend.

A public input session is from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Jan. 26 at the Waterloo Public Library, in collaboration with the Iowa Food System Coalition. The event will allow the public to offer ideas about strengthening the local food economy to make more fresh, locally grown foods more available.

The Local Food & Film Festival will take place March 5 at the Hearst Center for the Arts in Cedar Falls. This event connects consumers with local food producers and non-profits invested in local food.

For information, go to https://ceee.uni.edu/resources-local-producers and https://cvfoodfarmnetwork.org/, or email jodie.huegerich@uni.edu.

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The friends were out catfishing when they came across the vehicle. They fear the man could have gotten hypothermia, or perished if his vehicle had reached the well-known Sans Souci Island wing dam.
WATERLOO The YWCAs Commit To Be Fit two-day open house is 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday at 425 Lafayette St. Participants can tour the facility, try an adult fitness class, swim in the pool or use the Body Shop for free.
(CNN)  Sixteen top U.S. universities, including Duke, Vanderbilt and Northwestern, are being sued by five former students claiming those schools may be involved in antitrust violations in the way those institutions worked together in determining financial aid awards for students, according to the lawsuit filed in a U.S. District Court in Illinois.

The complaint, which was filed Sunday, alleges that these private national universities have "participated in a price-fixing cartel that is designed to reduce or eliminate financial aid as a locus of competition, and that in fact has artificially inflated the net price of attendance for students receiving financial aid."

The suit is asking for class-action status to cover any U.S. citizen or permanent resident who paid tuition, room or board at these institutions within varying timeframes from 2003 to the present. The plaintiffs want a permanent injunction against this alleged conspiracy, and they are also seeking restitution and damages to be determined in court.

The suit centers around the application of Section 568 of the Improving America's Schools Act of 1994, which allows institutions to collaborate on financial aid formulas if they don't consider the student's financial need in admission decisions.

The lawsuit alleges nine schools (Columbia, Dartmouth, Duke, Georgetown, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Northwestern, Notre Dame, the University of Pennsylvania and Vanderbilt) have "made admissions decisions with regard to the financial circumstances of students and their families, thereby disfavoring students who need financial aid."

It claims seven other colleges mentioned in the suit (Brown, the California Institute of Technology, Chicago, Cornell, Emory, Rice and Yale) "may or may not have adhered to need-blind admissions policies, but they nonetheless conspired with the other Defendants."

"All Defendants, in turn, have conspired to reduce the amount of financial aid they provide to admitted students," the complaint read.

CNN reached out to all 16 colleges in the lawsuit for a response. Yale University told CNN in an email that "Yale's financial aid policy is 100% compliant with all applicable laws." In response to CNN's request for comment, the California Institute of Technology said, "Caltech is currently reviewing the lawsuit and cannot comment on the specific allegations. We have confidence, however, in our financial aid practices."

Massachusetts Institute of Technology also responded, saying, "MIT is reviewing the filing and will respond in court in due time."

The suit alleges the colleges fixed prices through a formula that was based on a shared methodology, a "set of common standards for determining the family's ability to pay for college."

"This methodology assesses the income and assets of a given financial-aid applicant and their family to determine the applicant's ability to pay and thus the financial contribution that the applicant and their family is expected to make. The applicant's assessed ability to pay therefore is a key determinant in the net price of attendance," according to the complaint.

"Under a true need-blind admissions system, all students would be admitted without regard to the financial circumstances of the student or student's family," the complaint read.

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Chinese President Xi Jinping lent strong support to Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev facing a country-wide rebellion.

Source: Chinas Xi extends support, lauds Kazakhstans president for decisive action | World News  Hindustan Times

It seems that the east/west players are separating and walking their own paths now

Everyday the East understands that the future no longer lies in the West

Everyday the West gets more desperate and the East more unified

WtR

An editorial in the Global Times over the weekend also made clear that China needs security coordination with neighbouring countries over Kazakhstan. It was claimed that due to Chinas Belt and Road Initiative and its energy imports, the Central Asian states stability represents a high stakes issue.Whilst Russia has taken the lead regarding the crisis in Kazakhstan, the consensus in Beijing is that China cannot stand on the sidelines and allow a potentially hostile government to take over in a strategically important neighbour. This puts its decades-old non-interference policy to the test and opens up a new dynamic in its own relationship with the United States.

Source: Why Kazakh crisis could worsen China-US relations  RT Op-ed
Good question and it is what Russia has been saying.now confirmed by NATO.do as we say and not as we do

After the meeting, Sherman insisted that Russia must pull back any troops stationed near Ukraines border, even though they may be on Russian soil.

Source: US tells Russia NATO wont stop expanding  RT Russia & Former Soviet Union

So NATO says that Russia has to place troops only where NATO says? (Within their own country?)

Stupid is stupid and telling Russia that they cannot and will not station troops within their own country is stupid at a high level

So, NATO is the vehicle of imperial conquest and you will do as they say!

I think not

WtR
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The EU flags fly at half-mast as a tribute to European Parliament President David Sassoli, outside the European Commission in Brussels, Belgium, Jan. 11, 2022.(Xinhua/Zheng Huansong)

BRUSSELS, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- European Parliament President David Sassoli died at age 65 at a hospital in Italy early Tuesday, his spokesperson has said.

"David Sassoli passed away at 1:15 a.m. (0015 GMT) on 11 January at the CRO in Aviano, Italy, where he was hospitalized. The date and place of the funeral will be communicated in the next few hours," spokesperson Roberto Cuillo tweeted.

Sassoli, born on May 30, 1956, in Florence, Italy, had been hospitalized for more than two weeks due to a serious complication relating to immune system dysfunction.

On Monday, his office had announced the cancellation of all his official activities.

He began his career as a journalist at local newspapers and news agencies, before moving to the editorial office of the daily Il Giorno in Rome, and then became a television news reporter.

Sassoli was elected to the European Parliament in 2009. He became president of the European Parliament in 2019 and his term of office would have expired in days.

"I am deeply saddened by the terrible loss of a great European and proud Italian," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Twitter. "David Sassoli was a compassionate journalist, an outstanding President of the European Parliament and, first and foremost, a dear friend." 

File photo dated March 8, 2021 shows European Parliament President David Sassoli delivering a speech at an event marking the International Women's Day, in Brussels, Belgium. European Parliament President David Sassoli died at age 65 at a hospital in Italy early Tuesday, his spokesperson has said. (European Union/Handout via Xinhua)

File photo dated March 8, 2021 shows European Parliament President David Sassoli delivering a speech at an event marking the International Women's Day, in Brussels, Belgium. European Parliament President David Sassoli died at age 65 at a hospital in Italy early Tuesday, his spokesperson has said. (European Union/Handout via Xinhua)

People observe a moment of silence in memory of late European Parliament President David Sassoli, in front of the European Parliament in Brussels, Belgium, Jan. 11, 2022. (Xinhua/Zheng Huansong)

People hug each other after observing a moment of silence in memory of late European Parliament President David Sassoli, in front of the European Parliament in Brussels, Belgium, Jan. 11, 2022. (Xinhua/Zheng Huansong)

People observe a moment of silence in memory of late European Parliament President David Sassoli, in front of the European Parliament in Brussels, Belgium, Jan. 11, 2022. (Xinhua/Zheng Huansong)

People react after observing a moment of silence in memory of late European Parliament President David Sassoli, in front of the European Parliament in Brussels, Belgium, Jan. 11, 2022. (Xinhua/Zheng Huansong)
The Genesee County Jail lobby turned into a makeshift warming center after other homeless shelters around Flint filled to capacity Sunday night.




Sydney, Jan 11, 2022 AEST (ABN Newswire) - DroneShield Limited ( ASX:DRO )( OTCMKTS:DRSHF ), a global leader in Counter-UAS and Artificial Intelligence based security technology, has announced the appointment of Matt McCrann as Chief Executive Officer of its wholly owned U.S. subsidiary DroneShield LLC.Matt McCrann joined DroneShield LLC in 2019 as Vice President of Sales and will lead the growth and expansion of the company's U.S. based organization."The customers we serve and the problems we solve make the work at DroneShield both exciting and rewarding," McCrann stated. "We have a strong, adaptable team as demonstrated by our revenue and company growth over the past two years. Our commitment to our customers and the strength of our engineering have allowed us to become the leader in counter-drone and we continue to push the envelope with our Artificial Intelligence and Electronic Warfare capabilities. I'm honored to accept this appointment and eager to continue our commitment to our partners across defense, homeland security, and law enforcement."Oleg Vornik, CEO of Sydney based DroneShield Limited (the listed parent company), commented, "Matt has done outstanding work since joining the DroneShield team, positioning our counter-UAS, Electronic Warfare and ISR solutions with a wide range of high-profile Defense and government agencies, while rapidly scaling our team and operations in the U.S. This appointment greatly aligns with DroneShield's commitment to serving the U.S. market and will enable DroneShield to support at scale our customer base in the U.S."Prior to joining DroneShield, McCrann held Director level leadership positions at rapid growth scale-ups, successfully building and leading business units serving the Defense and Intelligence markets. McCrann is a veteran of the U.S. Navy and Intelligence Community and has also performed in management roles across both engineering and operations, during a career spanning more than two decades.DroneShield develops advanced layered solutions for handheld, on-the-move, and facility detection and protection against unmanned system threats. DroneShield also recently announced DoD Artificial Intelligence Contract and first of its kind ACMA exemption to undertake Electronic Warfare research.About DroneShield Ltd

DroneShield Ltd (ASX:DRO) (OTCMKTS:DRSHF) is an Australian publicly listed company with its head office in Sydney and teams in the US and UK. We specialise in RF sensing, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, Sensor Fusion, Electronic Warfare, Rapid Prototyping and MIL-SPEC manufacturing.

Our capabilities are used to protect Military, Government, Law Enforcement, Critical Infrastructure, Commercial and VIPs throughout the world.

Through our team of primarily Australian based engineers - we offer customers bespoke solutions and off-the-shelf products designed to suit a variety of terrestrial, maritime or airborne platforms.

DroneShield is proudly exporting Australian capability to customers throughout the world and supporting Australia's defence, national security and other organisations protect people, critical infrastructure and vital assets.

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Copyright  2022 Albuquerque Journal

SANTA FE  Amid New Mexicos high crime rate, a coalition that includes a district attorney and community groups is calling on the Legislature to authorize an extra $5 million to maintain and expand services for victims of sexual assault.

The group is also asking Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham to allow lawmakers in the 30-day session to take up legislation establishing an affirmative consent standard at schools and colleges for the investigation of sexual assault allegations. Affirmative consent would also be incorporated into a health education course required for high school graduation.

We deserve to feel safe in our learning environment and our communities, IsaBella Thomas, a student at New Mexico School for the Arts, said Monday in an online news conference.

The funding and legislative requests come as New Mexico endures one of the highest rates of rape in the country. The state was among the 10 worst in 2020, according to legislative documents.

Some victims of sexual assault in New Mexico face a yearlong wait for counseling, legislative analysts said, and the number of sexual assault nurse examiners has fallen 43% since 2019.

The base budget for sexual assault services is now about $4 million, a figure the coalition wants to boost by $5 million to offset reduced federal funding and expand services.

The extra money would support childrens advocacy centers, sexual assault nurses examiners, providers of counseling and other services, a sexual violence hotline and tribal programs.

Lujan Grishams budget proposal includes the $5 million increase, supporters say. A proposal by the Legislative Finance Committee recommends a smaller increase, of $2.3 million.

Lawmakers are to craft a budget plan in the 30-day session beginning next week.

Participating in Mondays news conference were the New Mexico Coalition of Sexual Assault Programs, the American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico, Valencia Shelter Services and 13th Judicial District Attorney Barbara Romo, whose territory covers Valencia, Cibola and Sandoval counties.

The affirmative consent legislation  sponsored by Rep. Liz Thomson, D-Albuquerque  won bipartisan support last session, passing the state House on a 58-7 vote. But it didnt make it through the Senate in time to reach the governors desk.

Thomson said she is asking Lujan Grisahm to add a similar proposal, House Bill 44, to the agenda of the 2022 session. In even years, the governor helps determine what bills besides budget and finance legislation can be taken up.

Lujan Grisham spokeswoman Nora Meyers Sackett said the legislative session already has a weighty agenda but that the administration will continue to review and evaluate potential initiatives.

Affirmative consent policies make it clear that an absence of protest or resistance, a dating relationship or incapacitation due to alcohol or drugs arent evidence that someone agreed to sexual activity.

Thomson said she survived childhood sexual assault and date rape in college.

I know that many people who are survivors or victims dont feel comfortable bringing it forward. I was that person, she said. I told no one. It still hurts.
Copyright  2022 Albuquerque Journal

For the second time in about a month, the American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico has called for the state Office of the Attorney General to investigate a shooting by law enforcement.

The organization has asked for an independent investigation into the fatal shooting of 18-year-old Elijah Riche by a Bernalillo County Sheriffs deputy on Nov. 26 and the shooting of 16-year-old Jesus Lopez by an Albuquerque Police Department officer on Dec. 2. Lopez survived and remains hospitalized.

However, the AGs Office said it  the smallest prosecutorial office in the state  does not have the resources to routinely take on these types of cases. There are nine prosecutors in the office.

In 2021, 22 people were fatally shot by police in New Mexico, according to a Washington Post database. Its unclear how many nonfatal shootings there were.

Jerri Mares, a spokeswoman for the AGs Office, said it has consistently supported efforts by lawmakers to modernize the law and increase funding so that these cases do not primarily fall squarely on local district attorneys.

For numerous legislative sessions we have requested sufficient funding to address police misconduct matters and use of force, Mares wrote in an email. For the FY21 budget our office requested $4 million in special funding and was awarded $1 million. For the FY23 budget we have a pending request for special funding for an additional $4 million.

She said in 2017, Rep. Patricia Roybal Caballero proposed a bill to put all officer-involved shooting reviews under the office, but the proposed funding  $1.5 million  was insufficient for such complex, costly, and expert-intensive cases

In 2019, 2020, and 2021 similar bills were proposed and died in committee; None of the bills contained an appropriation, she added.

However, Mares said if the 2nd Judicial District Attorneys Office  which has jurisdiction over the shootings of Riche and Lopez  declines the cases, the AGs Office will consider taking the lead on this investigation.

Despite the lack of specific funding for such reviews and the lack of primary jurisdiction on such cases, our office has always sought to assist the local district attorneys by offering numerous resources in the form of victim advocacy, funds for expert witnesses, and general prosecutorial assistance, including our own office caseload of officer misconduct cases, Mares said.

Last week, APD released details and videos of the nonfatal shooting of Lopez. Officer Dillon Sather had graduated the academy in October and was training with another officer when he shot Lopez.

The body-camera footage of the incident appears to show APD officer Dillon Sather shooting Lopez as he ran away from officers, said Elaine Maestas, the police accountability strategist at the ACLU of New Mexico. Although Lopez was reportedly carrying two guns, it is clear from the video that he did not point either of the guns at the officers. Therefore it appears as though the deadly force the officer used was unnecessary and excessive.

She said the incident highlights the importance of de-escalation policies and the need for APD leadership to hold officers accountable when they violate policies.

The BCSO case was similar, as Riche was holding a gun while running down the street toward another deputy, when he was shot.

When asked at the news conference about the calls for an independent investigation into the BCSO case, Police Chief Harold Medina said a person does not have to point a gun at an officer in order to be considered a threat, they just have to present a danger.
The United States set off the worlds first nuclear bomb before Hiroshima and Nagasaki in the Jornada del Muerto desert of New Mexico. Far from being an uninhabited region, almost 500,000 people lived within a 150-mile radius of the blast site. Young girls from a nearby childrens dance camp played in the radioactive warm snow falling from the sky, and curious local families picnicked at ground zero. In the aftermath, cancers ravaged the primarily Indigenous and Hispanic communities, and all but one of the dance students died from radiation-induced illness by the age of 30. Now, some 76 years later, despite continued unsafe radioactivity levels, the Trinity Test site is open as a tourist attraction, with no mention of the human cost of nuclear testing.

From the 1940s to the 1960s, America tested more than 200 nuclear bombs above ground. In such cases as the Trinity Test, the government knew civilians lived nearby and chose deliberately not to evacuate people, nor to warn them about radioactive fallout, to maintain strategic advantage. Studies show that, due to this morally reprehensible choice, the testing caused hundreds of thousands of cancer cases in downwinder populations. Utah downwinder Mary Dickson quotes her late friend, Were veterans of the Cold War, only we never enlisted and no one will ever fold a flag over our coffins.

Current compensation is not enough and does not address most exposed communities needs. The Radiation Exposure Compensation Act of 1990 (RECA) provides a one-time $50,000 payment to a limited number of people able to prove they lived downwind of the Nevada Test Site. It also provides compensation for certain uranium miners and veterans deployed to clean up atomic test sites. However, RECA is due to expire next summer, with the entire populations of New Mexico and several other downwind states never eligible for compensation.

Laura Greenwood of Texas knows firsthand what its like to be unjustly excluded from compensation. She discussed her experiences caring for her husband John until he died of cancer in 2012. He contracted three kinds of cancer and lost 12 family members to radiation exposure, but could not apply for compensation as he was from New Mexico. Their family lost everything trying to pay the mounting hospital bills. Laura wrote:

John and I always knew that the cancer in his family was a result of the Trinity Test, but, because we were living in Texas, we didnt know how to find others like us. I found the Tularosa Basin Downwinders after John passed away and learned that there were so many others who had similar stories and had suffered just like us.  If we had been able to have the same benefits as the Nevada Test Site victims, then it would have made a very difficult time in our lives a little less stressful, and we could have focused on John and what time we had left together.

Thanks to the tireless work of Laura and others like her, there is now a congressional remedy. The RECA Amendments have been introduced with bipartisan support. They would extend RECA for 19 more years, while increasing compensation and expanding eligibility to New Mexico, six additional states and Guam.

The U.S. must reckon with a shameful history of prioritizing weapons and war over its own people. Some downwinders, such as the sole surviving dance student who witnessed the Trinity Test, have been waiting for acknowledgment and compensation since 1945. Amending RECA is a necessary first step toward justice for the nuclear testing frontline communities who have borne devastating harms for years.
BEIRUT, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Lebanon's state security announced on Tuesday that it has arrested five members of a human smuggling and trafficking network in the northern city of Tripoli, the National News Agency reported.

The arrested network, which consists of Lebanese and Syrian nationals, confessed to having facilitated the smuggling of people by sea to Cyprus in return for 3,000 U.S. dollars per person.

It also admitted to have been involved in human trafficking activities between Lebanon and Syria.

The network was referred to judicial bodies while security forces continued to track the rest of the network. 
Many historians conclude that World War I occurred almost haphazardly when, in 1914, European leaders made decisions whose tragic consequences they did not foresee.

On Oct. 8, former Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz made a presentation to the Albuquerque International Association. Remembering World War I history and considering the present state of international relations, Moniz posed the question: Are We Sleepwalking Toward the Nuclear Precipice.

My own understanding of the relevant issues, based on several sources, follows.

During the Cold War, the United States and the Soviet Union engaged in a stalemate based on the policy of Mutual Assured Destruction (MAD). Nevertheless, during these decades, numerous events occurred  close calls  that could have led to a devastating nuclear exchange.

One of the most famous happened in September 1983. An early-warning system near Moscow reported that five U.S. missiles had been launched. Fortunately, a lieutenant colonel of the Air Defense Forces did not consider the threat legitimate and convinced his superiors it was a false alarm, which it indeed was.

Another well-known case occurred in November 1979 at Colorados North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD). Staff at the site received an urgent alert that the Soviets had launched a barrage of missiles at North America. Fortunately, again, before acting on this alert, staff were able to confirm this was a false alarm. In this case, a technician had accidentally run a training program simulating a Soviet attack on the United States.

Incidents such as these have long suggested that more rigorous controls over our warning systems and nuclear procedures are necessary.

During the Cold War, several arms-control treaties between the U.S. and the Soviets worked to prevent the two nations from misinterpreting such events as the above. These agreements included the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty, the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty and the 1991 Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START).

These treaties provided extensive opportunities for regular dialogue and discussion among high-level professional staff of each nation: foreign-service-officer-to-foreign-service-officer, military-to-military, scientist-to-scientist. As international relationships developed, levels of better understanding and trust were established that worked to prevent misunderstandings. Regrettably, these treaties have now ended.

President Biden has worked with Russia to extend the New Start Treaty for another five years. Although this places limits on the number of strategic nuclear warheads  1,550  and provides methods for verifying each nations compliance, much more is needed. Unfortunately, after Russia in 2014 annexed Crimea and the U.S. imposed sanctions on Russia, diplomatic communications between the two nations have been greatly reduced; a situation Moniz described as strategic instability.

Going forward, we in the U.S. must remember that, in 1985, President Reagan and President Gorbachev concluded a nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought. Diplomacy between nations and communication between individuals are not rewards for good behavior. They are crucial to avoid crises. Regular communication between the U.S. and Russia, and between NATO and Russia must be resumed.

Here, at home, there are also initiatives that can improve safety within our own nuclear program. There are proposals to:

 Remove the hair-trigger  launch on warning of nuclear attack  on our ICBM missiles and, perhaps, ICBMs should be eliminated from the Triad.

 Issue a U.S. no-first-use pledge. We would encourage the same from Russia. Currently, only China has an unconditional no-first-use policy and its warheads are reportedly not on alert status.

 Change the U.S. policy that gives the president sole authority to launch a nuclear weapon, except when a surprise attack requires an immediate response. Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., has said Our Constitution affords Congress, not the president, the exclusive power to declare war and that extends, clearly, to the most catastrophic type of war, nuclear war. No commander-in-chief should be able to act alone to start a nuclear war.

This brief review should have identified, as did Monizs lecture, the many complex issues that need much further discussion.

Those wanting to explore these issues further can start with the report by Moniz and former Sen. Sam Nunn, which can be seen here: https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/united-states/2020-12-15/sleepwalking-toward-nuclear-precipice.
Poor mask etiquette is in (and on) our faces across the state as New Mexicans hoping to be tested for COVID-19 are reporting appointment delays and difficulty finding at-home test kits. Yet, the need both for more vigilant mask-wearing and rapid test results is urgent as sickness and death surround us; the state reported a record 4,246 new COVID-19 cases Friday, 9,284 cases and 37 deaths over the weekend, and a seven-day positivity rate of 25.8%  the percentage of coronavirus tests reported to the state that show someone has COVID-19.

My body my choice does not work with a highly infectious disease. Ditching masks, tests and vaccines is petulant at best, deadly at worst.

So, a legislative proposal for NM to use some of the federal governments pandemic funding to issue $60 million worth of at-home test kits and high-quality masks makes sense. The devil will be in whether the state can get tests and masks, what it pays for them (remember the shortages and gouging of 2020?), and how it determines who gets what. Medical, first-responder and other frontline workers, including grocery and restaurant employees, come to mind. Folks who want to rapid test every weekend before hitting the bar are less sympathetic populations, but nonetheless part of curbing the spread.

As the state ponders this, its also vital to consider whether at-home tests and masks will arrive in time, be distributed in a coherent manner as cases surge and omicron spreads, or end up on eBay and in garage sale piles.

State Sen. Jeff Steinborn, D-Las Cruces, has prefiled a bill for the 30-day legislative session to use federal funds to provide New Mexicans $50 million worth of free at-home test kits and $10 million of free KN95 or other high-quality masks. Steinborn would have the DOH distribute the test kits and masks, while also launching a statewide education campaign about the importance of proper mask usage.

Continuing to educate the public on vaccines is also in order. Recent DOH data shows 76% of state residents 18 and older have completed their initial vaccination series, but just 36.3% of adults have had a booster shot. Just 57.5% of New Mexicans age 12 to 17 have completed their vaccination series, and only 18.1% of New Mexicans age 5 to 11 have completed theirs. QuoteWizard says reasons vary, with 37% of New Mexicans saying they dont trust the government, 35% that they dont trust the vaccines, 34% worried about side effects, 27% waiting to see if the vaccines are safe, 12% not believing COVID is a threat, and 4.4% reporting side effects from their first jab.

Yet, the unvaccinated are hampering progress toward herd immunity and account for a disproportionate share of N.M. infections. Those not fully vaccinated comprised 70% of new cases, 84% of hospitalizations and 84% of deaths in the most recent four-week reporting period.

Meanwhile, nearly 53% of New Mexico hospitals reported critical staffing shortages in late December. Health and Human Services Secretary/acting Health Secretary Dr. David Scrase said that, at a point last week, there were just nine ICU beds available in the state. Hiring temporary workers through agencies that charge up to $265 an hour for traveling nurses is an unsustainable stop-gap measure to a long-term problem.

Using $60 million of the states $728 million of unallocated federal pandemic relief funds to distribute test kits and masks is a good idea, if done well and in tandem with President Joe Bidens plan to buy and mail to people roughly 500,000 at-home test kits, beginning this month.

Because New Mexico is not alone in facing a shortage of nurses, ICU beds and at-home testing kits, as well as in battling record-setting spikes in daily COVID cases. On Monday, we surpassed 6,000 COVID deaths. Our health care workers are fighting, literally, for all our lives. Our teachers and students are fighting for the future and some normalcy. Our grocery, restaurant and retail workers are fighting to keep us fed and supplied.

The very least the rest of us can do is wear a mask, get tested as needed, isolate and quarantine as warranted, and, save for those few with health reasons, get vaccinated. If it takes the government to help that along, godspeed.

This editorial first appeared in the Albuquerque Journal. It was written by members of the editorial board and is unsigned as it represents the opinion of the newspaper rather than the writers.
Copyright  2022 Albuquerque Journal

The 3-year-old bankruptcy reorganization of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe entered a critical phase on Monday, with insurance companies and clergy sex abuse claimants meeting in a confidential mediation with attorneys for the church.

At issue is how to resolve the impasse in reaching a universal settlement in the case, particularly how much the archdioceses insurance companies will contribute to a payout for nearly 400 people who have filed claims alleging they were sexually abused as children by priests and other clergy in the archdiocese.

The mediation includes for the first time a nationally recognized mediator who was brought in during the recently settled Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization filed by USA Gymnastics. The organization agreed last year to pay $380 million in the wake of revelations about former team doctor Larry Nassar, who was convicted in 2018 of sexually assaulting hundreds of girls and women.

U.S. Bankruptcy Judge David T. Thuma appointed Austin-based mediator Paul Van Osselaer at the request of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe. Van Osselaers specialty is mediation and arbitration of insurance coverage issues, according to his website.

The archdiocese and the nearly 400 sexual abuse survivors who filed claims last year tentatively agreed on a payout figure representing the archdioceses portion of any settlement, but that amount is confidential. Meanwhile, the archdiocese has been selling off what is considered non-mission essential property and other assets in Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and around northern New Mexico for months. Local parishes also have been asked to contribute up to $100,000 each.

Underscoring the lack of progress: Vicar General Glenn Jones of the archdiocese hasnt updated his regular online bankruptcy update in months.

Were collecting the funds for the archdiocesan portion of the settlement, which right now is fixed (but under court required confidentiality, so I cant tell you the total), he wrote at the end of September. Right now were negotiating with the insurance companies that covered the archdiocese during those years named in the (many) claims; unfortunately, that may take a while, but theres no way to speed it up. Sigh.

The archdiocese website states that the last known incident of abuse involving a member of its clergy was 15 years ago, but claims of clergy sexual abuse date back decades involving various insurance companies.

The court public docket for the case shows all the documents relating to insurance companies historical coverage have been sealed, including a motion to compel arbitration filed by the archdiocese last summer.

The docket states, however, that insurers that included St. Paul Fire & Marine Insurance, Great American Insurance Co. and Arrowood Indemnity Co. have opposed the archdioceses arbitration motion.

Thuma in November granted part of that request for arbitration, denying another part, the docket sheet shows. But his written ruling is also sealed and a month later the archdiocese filed the motion for mediation.

Arbitration is considered a binding process that permits a third party to make a ruling. Mediation gives the disputing parties the control over the final outcome.

With 29 Catholic religious orders, dioceses or archdioceses filing for bankruptcy protection in the face of mounting lawsuits from clergy sex abuse survivors, insurance proceeds have been vital in reaching settlements. For instance, in Portland, Oregon, the archdiocese received $52 million from insurance proceeds to help pay a total $75 million to clergy sex abuse survivors in 2007. That same year, in Davenport, Iowa, insurance companies paid a reported $19.5 million, with that citys archdiocese paying another $17.5 million to survivors.

Nearly 40 individual clergy abuse lawsuits were pending in state court at the time the Archdiocese of Santa Fe church officials filed for bankruptcy reorganization in December 2018. Those cases are on hold pending the outcome of the bankruptcy case.

The Archdiocese of Santa Fe has brought in mediator Paul Van Osselaer to assist with its bankruptcy.
Copyright  2022 Albuquerque Journal

SANTA FE  With the start of a 30-day legislative session just one week away, a key House budget-writing committee started work Monday crafting a spending plan that would put an unprecedented New Mexico budget windfall to work.

During a hearing at the state Capitol, the top budget official in Gov. Michelle Lujan Grishams administration said the executive branch would let lawmakers take the lead on bringing forward a plan for spending unallocated funds the state received under the federal American Rescue Plan Act.

At this point, Im going to say the answer is no,' said Debbie Romero, the secretary of the Department of Finance and Administration, in response to a question about whether the Lujan Grisham administration would propose a plan of its own.

We really are, given the past few months and what came out of the court hearing, relying to some extent on the Legislature, Romero added. But we hope there are going to be conversations about the use of those funds.

In part, that was a reference to the fact the $1.7 billion the state received under the federal relief plan was the subject of a legal battle between the Governors Office and a bipartisan group of legislators last fall.

The state Supreme Court ultimately sided with the lawmakers in the dispute, ruling the Democratic governor could not spend roughly $1.1 billion in unallocated funds without legislative approval.

While some of the money was earmarked on road repairs, broadband expansion and other projects during a special session on redistricting last month, a legislative budget plan released last week calls for hefty spending in some other areas.

Among the big-ticket expenditures would be $150 million for a popular lottery scholarship program.

If approved, legislative officials say that would mean all tuition costs for higher education students who qualify for the scholarship would be covered for the next four or five years.

The legislative plan for one-time spending also includes $15 million for tourism advertising, $5 million for food banks and $150 million for hydrogen energy hubs, though that would be contingent on the passage of legislation establishing a legal framework for hydrogen energy development.

Some environmental groups have expressed opposition to the proposal, which is backed by Lujan Grishams administration, saying it could stall the development of renewable energy sources.

Camilla Feibelman, the director of the Rio Grande chapter of the Sierra Club, said the economic diversification plan lacks environmental safeguards.

We hoped for an earthshot investment for the planet, but instead we have agencies without the resources to inspect and enforce environmental regulations, Feibelman said in a statement.

In all, the plan released last week by the Legislative Finance Committee would authorize more than $2 billion in one-time expenses, with about half of that money coming from unspent federal relief funds and the rest from state tax dollars.

A top LFC official said Monday the hefty one-time spending would allow a separate increase in recurring state spending to be more specifically targeted.

Primarily, those targets would involve backfilling funding for existing programs like Medicaid to maintain current services and providing pay raises for teachers and state workers, whose ranks have been thinned during the COVID-19 pandemic.

For this boom, some caution I would suggest is in order, LFC Director David Abbey said during a meeting Monday of the House Appropriations and Finance Committee at the state Capitol.

While the Lujan Grisham administration is letting lawmakers take the lead on crafting a plan for spending the federal relief funds, the governor did release a budget plan that calls for recurring spending to rise to $8.4 billion during the fiscal year that starts in July.

The legislative budget plan also calls for year-after-year state spending to increase to record-high levels, and lawmakers will use the two plans as starting points as they work to build a new state budget during the session that starts Jan. 18.

The overall spending levels are very close, but there will be a lot of detail work, said Rep. Nathan Small, D-Las Cruces, during Mondays meeting.
WASHINGTON  The United States on Tuesday announced $308 million in additional humanitarian assistance for Afghanistan, offering new aid to the country as it edges toward a humanitarian crisis since the Taliban takeover nearly five months ago.

White House national security council spokesperson Emily Horne said in a statement that the new aid from the U.S. Agency for International Development will flow through independent humanitarian organizations and will be used to provide shelter, health care, winterization assistance, emergency food aid, water, sanitation and hygiene services.

The countrys long-troubled economy has been in a tailspin since the Taliban takeover. Nearly 80% of Afghanistans previous governments budget came from the international community. That money, now cut off, financed hospitals, schools, factories and government ministries. Desperation for such basic necessities has been further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic as well as health care shortages, drought and malnutrition.

The International Rescue Committee, a global humanitarian aid organization, said community health workers it supports have reported seeing a sharp increase in the number of children with severe acute malnutrition in Khost and Herat provinces. The group also reported that food prices in Afghanistan have risen by an estimated 10% to 20% compared with the previous five years.

The IRCs president and CEO, David Milliband, said the cause of todays humanitarian disaster is clear: the economic tourniquet applied to Afghanistan.

It is way past time for a change of approach, he said.

The USAID called on the Taliban to allow all aid workers, especially women  to operate independently and securely as humanitarian groups look to assist those suffering.

The United States continues to urge the Taliban to allow unhindered humanitarian access, safe conditions for humanitarians, independent provision of assistance to all vulnerable people, and freedom of movement for aid workers of all genders, the agency said in a statement.

Separately, the United Nations 2022 Humanitarian Response Plan for Afghanistan, unveiled Tuesday, found the country requires $4.4 billion in funding, the largest humanitarian appeal ever launched for a country.

Events in Afghanistan over the past year have unfolded with dizzying speed and with profound consequences for the Afghan people, said Martin Griffiths, the UN undersecretary general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief coordinator. The world is perplexed and looking for the right way to react. Meanwhile, a full-blown humanitarian catastrophe looms.

The new Biden administration commitment brings U.S. humanitarian assistance for Afghanistan to more than $780 million since the chaotic ending of the 20-year-old war in August. The United Nations says 22% of Afghanistans 38 million people are living near famine and another 36% are facing acute food insecurity.

In addition, the White House pledged that it would send Afghanistan 1 million additional COVID-19 vaccine doses through COVAX, an initiative by the World Health Organization to improve access to vaccines. With the new influx of doses, the U.S. will have sent 4.3 million doses to Afghanistan, which has struggled to deal with the unrelenting pandemic.

International funding to Afghanistan was suspended and billions of dollars of the countrys assets abroad, mostly in the United States, were frozen after the Taliban took control of the country in mid-August.

The decision by the U.S. and the international community not to recognize the Taliban government, which governed with a strict interpretation of Islamic law when it was in control from 1996 to 2001, has created a quandary for Western powers about how to provide enough aid without giving the Taliban legitimacy. They hope that by giving money directly to independent aid organizations theyll be able to keep it out of the hands of the Taliban.

The lack of funding has led to increased poverty, and aid groups have warned of a looming humanitarian catastrophe. State employees, from doctors to teachers and administrative civil servants, havent been paid in months. Banks, meanwhile, have restricted how much money account holders can withdraw.

The Taliban have called on the international community to release funds and help stave off a humanitarian disaster.

Sen. Chris Murphy, chairman of the U.S. Senate foreign relations subcommittee on Near East, South Asia, Central Asia and counterterrorism, said that it was in U.S. and allies interest to ease Afghans suffering.

The United States of America has a moral obligation to prevent avoidable suffering and a national security imperative to do what we can to avoid a humanitarian catastrophe, said Murphy, D-Conn.
WASHINGTON  For the 30-year-old Honduran woman, the worst seemed to be over. Shes been reunited with her son who, as a 6-year-old, was separated from her under the Trump administration. Shes working construction in North Carolina. And attorneys were negotiating a payment for families like hers that endured separations.

But reports about those negotiations have created a new worry: extortion attempts stemming from the mistaken belief that she received a huge payout. Her family has already received demands for $5,000 a month.

Apparently, I am a millionaire now, said the woman, who, like others interviewed by The Associated Press, spoke on condition of anonymity due to fears for her familys safety. I dont have the money to pay for something like that and I dont know what to do. I am desperate, really.

While specific reports are isolated, widespread extortion in Central America explains why many seek asylum in the United States in the first place. Some advocates fear prospects of large payments will fuel many more threats. An attorney for the woman and other families has asked U.S. officials to consider admitting more relatives because of the threats.

It is far from clear whether families will receive any money at all from the U.S. government. Negotiations to settle claims for damages ended amid political outrage over payments erupted following a report in the The Wall Street Journal that the Justice Department was considering $450,000 a person to compensate for suffering  or $900,000 for a parent and child. A person familiar with the talks who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because discussions were private confirmed that figure had been floated.

People here think that I have lots of money, said a 47-year-old business owner in northern Guatemala whose wife was separated from their son. He has become more nervous because of news reports on the settlement talks and now changes his cellphone number every two weeks.

The man lives in Guatemala with his 14-year-old daughter, while his wife and now 18-year-old son live in Atlanta after being separated at the border for more than a month in 2018. The man said he was getting text messages at the time threatening to kidnap his son if he didnt pay money.

My neighbor told me the other day, So you have money, because money was given to people who were separated in the United States. And I told him that I did not know anything about that, he said.

The man said he and his daughter tried going to the U.S. in 2019. They were kidnapped in Mexico for two weeks, released to Mexican authorities after paying more than $3,000 and deported to Guatemala.

I dont live in peace, he said. I am always looking over my shoulder.

Ricardo de Anda, an attorney for the Honduran woman and Guatemalan man, said five of the 72 families he represents have told him they were threatened after news coverage of the possible payments. One in Guatemala was targeted in an attempted kidnapping.

These families have told us that they are now the subject of rumors in their communities as to the apparent wealth of family members in the U.S., that they have been subjected to surveillance by apparent criminal elements, and that they have been warned to be vigilant as criminal gangs are considering them the subjects of extortion, he wrote to Michelle Brane, executive director of the Homeland Security Departments Family Reunification Task Force. As a result of the (news) leaks, family members in the U.S., and those trapped in home country, now live in constant fear.

The task force, which is aiming to reunite nearly 2,000 children with their parents in the United States, had planned for the possibility of extortion, realizing that such threats are common in Central America, and set up a system to channel reports through the U.N. refugee agency, Brane said in an interview last month.

Brane said she had not yet received any specific reports but the potential danger underscores the need for the task force to complete its work.

If families are in unsafe situations and need reunification, we are here to work and get that done as soon as possible, she said.

The task force has reunited about 112 children with their parents in the U.S. as of last week. They are being granted permission to stay in the country for at least three years while they pursue asylum or seek permanent status through another program.

Other attorneys for the families said they had no direct knowledge of threats tied to possible payments but said they were inevitable, if they havent happened already. The attorneys suspect some attempts have gone unreported or word hasnt reached them.

I have no doubt that its happening in more cases than we know about, said Trina Realmuto, executive director of the National Immigration Litigation Alliance, which was involved in settlement talks over financial compensation.

The talks are delicate for the administration, which has been criticized for considering large payouts. President Joe Biden himself said, Thats not going to happen, when asked in November about the $450,000 figure, and later clarified that he backed some compensation.

Last month, the Justice Department withdrew from talks over financial compensation after eight months but didnt rule out an agreement.

While the parties have been unable to reach a global settlement agreement at this time, we remain committed to engaging with the plaintiffs and to bringing justice to the victims of this abhorrent policy, the department said in a statement.

This month, attorneys for families renewed a request for the administration to turn over troves of records on how the policy was conceived and executed, signaling a potentially long court battle.

Talks have continued over non-monetary issues, including reunifying families in the United States and other services, such as mental health, attorneys said.

De Anda asked the administration to consider admitting family members who were threatened since the news reports. The administration has focused on parents and children who were separated but says it will consider additional families case by case.

The Honduran woman said her 56-year-old mother has received notes asking for $5,000 a month. The mother cares for the womans other children, an 11-year-old son and 7-year-old daughter. The woman wants all to join her in North Carolina.

Acquaintances have warned that the children may be unsafe in Honduras.

I am scared, said the woman, who takes pills for anxiety and went to the emergency room with chest pains after the threats against her mother. I dont know what can happen to my kids.

___

Spagat reported from San Diego and Torrens from New York.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and other top Republicans are stepping up a personal campaign to persuade Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan to run for the Senate and help the partys chances of regaining control of the chamber.

The recruitment effort has included McConnells wife, Elaine Chao, who held Cabinet positions in the Trump and George W. Bush administrations. Moderate Senate Republicans, including Susan Collins of Maine, have also been in direct contact with Hogan to note that his centrist brand of politics would be welcome in a chamber riven with partisanship. Several other Washington officials have made financial pledges or shared internal polling to try to convince Hogan that he has a path to victory.

President Joe Biden carried Maryland by 32 percentage points in 2020 and a Republican hasnt won a statewide federal office in more than 30 years. Hogan, who is prevented by term limits from running for reelection, has long resisted the idea of challenging Democratic incumbent Sen. Chris Van Hollen. One of the GOPs most prominent critics of former President Donald Trump, Hogan has toyed with mounting a presidential campaign in 2024.

Still, his willingness to recently engage with high-profile recruiters suggests Hogan has not ruled out a Senate run. If he were to enter the Senate race instead, it would force Democrats to devote money and other resources in a longtime blue state at a time when theyre already bracing for a difficult campaign season across the country.

Hogan maintained Tuesday that he remains focused on his work as governor.

I dont have a burning desire to serve in the U.S. Senate, and I do have a burning desire to continue to focus on this job completely every day, and thats what we are doing, Hogan said when asked about his future plans at a news conference on tax relief proposals he will be making in the states legislative session.

As for a potential presidential run, Hogan said theres plenty of time to worry about that.

We just started 2022, Hogan said. We certainly dont have to start talking about 2024.

The recruitment effort was described by multiple people with direct knowledge of the talks. They requested anonymity to discuss private conversations.

Hogans decision, which must come before the Feb. 22 filing deadline, is among the last major unanswered questions as the Senate landscape begins to settle heading into the first midterm election cycle of Bidens presidency.

Publicly, Democrats remain confident about their standing in a state where Democrats outnumber Republicans 2-to-1.

Our campaign is totally prepared for whoever Mitch McConnell recruits to run here, Van Hollen spokesman Keith Presley said. Senator Van Hollen is busy working to get results for the people of Maryland and to protect our democracy.

For their part, McConnell and Florida Sen. Rick Scott, who leads the GOPs Senate campaign arm, have held multiple recruitment conversations with Hogan in recent months. McConnells lieutenant, Steven Law, who leads a McConnell-allied super PAC, also spoke to the Republican governor.

More recently, however, the GOP recruitment push has gotten more personal.

With Hogan unpersuaded by McConnells pitches, Chao encouraged a Senate bid during a private lunch with Hogans wife in the Maryland governors mansion, which Hogan briefly attended. Chao was scheduled to bring her father to another private lunch with Mrs. Hogan, although it was canceled due to a COVID-19 concern.

During the lunch, Chao emphasized the sense of community on Capitol Hill with the other senators families. She also appealed to Mrs. Hogans sense of patriotism, pitching the Senate as a great way for the Hogans to serve their country. Chao and Yumi Hogan, both prominent Asian Americans, were friends before the Senate race became a focus.

At the same time, a handful of Republican senators, including Collins, have reached out to Hogan directly to encourage him to run. And more than one suitor, including at least one fellow Republican governor, has made the case that the Senate could be a stepping stone to a future presidential bid, which Hogan has openly contemplated.

Those close to Hogan are skeptical he will ultimately decide to run for the Senate. So far, he has done nothing to prepare for a Senate campaign aside from agreeing to speak to his Republican recruiters.

Washington Republicans are betting that Hogan could break their losing streak in Maryland. Hes already won statewide office twice, including in 2018, an election year that favored Democrats nationally. Hes enjoyed strong approval ratings throughout his time in office.

But history suggests that appeal in statewide elections may not transfer to higher office. Montanas former two-term governor, Steve Bullock, was a prized Democratic recruit for Senate in 2020 who went on to lose his race by 10 percentage points in a campaign dominated by national issues.

Facing a similar dynamic and decrying partisanship in Washington, New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu in November resisted an aggressive lobbying push from McConnell and his allies and instead announced plans to seek another term as governor.

Should Hogan run, his team knows he will be tested as never before.

For example, he has so far largely avoided the stain of a developing ethics scandal involving his former chief of staff, Roy McGrath, who is facing multiple state and federal criminal charges related to a severance package he sought when he left the top job at a quasi-public state agency to serve as Hogans top aide.

The messy situation is just the kind of political ammunition critics in both parties might use to attack Hogan in a well-funded television advertising campaign.

The fact that Hogan would vote to make Mitch McConnell majority leader and turn the Senate over to Republicans  coupled with his escalating corruption and ethics scandals  would provide voters more than enough reasons to decisively reject his campaign, said David Bergstein, spokesman for the Senate Democrats campaign arm. If he does run, all hell do is join the 40-year long history of Republicans losing statewide federal elections in Maryland.

___

Associated Press writer Brian Witte in Annapolis, Maryland, contributed to this report.
PHOENIX  A former Arizona politician in prison for running an illegal adoption scheme in three states involving women from the Marshall Islands has lost an appeal of one of his sentences.

The Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals on Monday upheld a six-year sentence and $100,000 fine given in Arkansas to Paul Petersen, a Republican who served as metro Phoenixs assessor for six years and also worked as an adoption attorney.

Prosecutors have said Petersen illegally paid women from the Pacific island nation to come to the U.S. to give up their babies in at least 70 adoptions cases in Arizona, Utah and Arkansas. Marshall Islands citizens have been prohibited from traveling to the U.S. for adoption purposes since 2003.

In all, Petersen was sentenced to serve 11 years in prison in Arizona and Arkansas. Additionally, he was sentenced to one to 15 years in prison for a conviction in Utah, where a parole board ultimately decides how long a person serves. The Utah punishment will be served at the same time as his other sentences.

The appeals court rejected the argument that Petersens sentence, which was two years longer than sentencing guidelines had recommended, was unreasonable and said the sentencing judge made it clear why he considered Petersen to be unique from others who had received shorter punishments for similar offenses in other cases.

Petersen arranged the sale of infants for personal profit; he did so for many years and in three states; he did so while serving as a public official; his crime involved a significant fraudulent scheme against the State of Arizona; he repeatedly lied and instructed others to do so; and he fully knew the illegality of his conduct. Petersen does not show the district court committed a clear error of judgment here, the appeals court wrote.

Petersen argued the $100,000 fine was unreasonable because the judge improperly decided Petersens divorce was a sham to conceal assets and ignored a divorce decree indicating he would have no such access to his ex-wifes assets.

Even if this finding was erroneous, the district court did not clearly err in alternatively imposing a fine based on Petersens future ability to pay because of his prior legal education and employment, the appeals court wrote.

Petersens attorney, Kurt Altman, didnt return phone and email messages seeking comment on the appeals court ruling.

Petersen received his six-year federal sentence in Arkansas for conspiring to smuggle people. He also was given another five years for fraud convictions in Arizona for submitting false applications to the states Medicaid system so the birth mothers could receive state-funded health coverage  even though he knew they didnt live in the state  and for providing documents to a county juvenile court that contained false information.

Petersen has said he has since paid back $670,000 in health care costs to the state of more than $800,000 that prosecutors cited in his indictment.

He also pleaded guilty to human smuggling and fraud in Utah.

Earlier in his life, Petersen, who is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, had completed a proselytizing mission in the Marshall Islands, a collection of atolls and islands in the eastern Pacific, where he became fluent in the Marshallese language.

Petersen quit his elected job as Maricopa Countys assessor in January 2020 amid pressure from other county officials to resign.

He has already served nearly one year in prison.
PHOENIX  A Phoenix police officer still hospitalized since being critically wounded in an on-duty shooting nearly a month ago is stable, on a ventilator and recognizes those around him, his family said in a statement released Tuesday by the police department.

Police had said previously that Officer Tyler Moldovans multiple gunshots included one to the head, and the statement by his wife, Chelsea, on behalf of his family said her 22-year-old husband endured extensive neurologic injuries.

Police said the day of the Dec. 14 shooting that Moldovans condition was extremely critical and that he was not expected to survive, but the new statement said there has been improvement.

The doctors consider his current condition to be stable, and he remains on a ventilator. We have been praying for a miracle and see glimpses of one every day, the statement said.

We know that Tyler recognizes those around him and responds with facial expressions like smiling. When no one thought he would, he opened his eyes. We hold onto our faith that Tyler will continue to make progress, the statement added. He has been a miracle already and the progress he has made in three weeks alone is marvelous; the impossible is being made possible.

The familys statement also expressed thanks for support from our Phoenix police family, health care providers and the community. Most importantly, the prayers have been felt and are witnessed daily.

A police department spokesperson, Sgt. Ann Justus, said in an email that Moldovan suffered severe and life altering injuries and will remain in the hospital for an undetermined amount of time.

Moldovan, who graduated from the police academy last March, was shot as police searched an apartment complex for a man who ran from a car that had been sought after it was driven erratically early Dec. 14.

According to police, Moldovan was shot after he found Essa Williams, a 24-year-old ex-convict, hiding in a covered patio.

Williams has pleaded not guilty to attempted attempted first-degree murder, attempted aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, resisting arrest and three counts of being a prohibited possessor of a firearm.

According to Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry records, Williams was released from prison in 2020 after serving three years on sentences for armed robbery and other crimes.
FORT WORTH, Texas  A North Texas man has pleaded guilty to picketing in the U.S. Capitol while holding a beer can, according to court records.

Thomas Paul Conover, 53, of Keller, Texas, entered his plea in a Friday videoconference with a Washington, D.C., judge after reaching a plea agreement with federal prosecutors.

The charge carries a punishment of up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $5,000. Conover also agreed to pay $500 in restitution toward damage to the Capitol in the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection. The plea agreement document specified about $1.5 million in damage to the Capitol resulted from the riot.

A judge must still adopt the agreement. Conover remained free on his own recognizance pending an April 8 sentencing hearing. If the Keller man cooperates with other prosecutions, prosecutors will seek dismissal of his indictments three other disorderly conduct and trespassing counts.

The FBI alleged that Conover not only participated in the Capitol incursion, he also posted photos and videos of his participation on his Facebook page. One video showed Conover holding a Coors Light beer can and saying, I dont always storm the Capitol of the United States of America, but when I do, I prefer Coors Light.

Tipsters also identified Conover on Capitol security video of the mob that stormed the building, the complaint stated.
UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres denounced on Monday the "appalling" attacks committed over the weekend in Nigeria's Zamfara state, which resulted in scores of civilian deaths.

The UN chief extended sympathies to the families of the victims and urged Nigerian authorities to take all necessary steps to bring those responsible to justice.

Furthermore, Guterres affirmed the solidarity and support of the UN for Nigeria's fight against terrorism, violent extremism and organized crime.

Mass abductions and other violent crimes have been on the rise in northwest Nigeria since late 2020. 
Celebrity

The subject of hit docu-series 'The Jinx' passed away two months after a grand jury in New York indicted him for murder in the death of his wife Kathleen Durst.

Jan 11, 2022

AceShowbiz - Robert Durst has passed away. The subject of "The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst" died in prison hospital nearly three months after he was handed a life sentence for the execution-style killing of his longtime confidant Susan Berman and soon after he was indicted for the 1982 murder of his wife, Kathleen Durst.

According to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, the star of HBO's documentary series died of natural causes at the age of 78 on Monday, January 10 at 06:44 A.M. The San Joaquin County coroner will determine the exact cause of his death.

Under California law, the state's Courts of Appeal can dismiss the appeal and order the trial court to set aside his conviction, according to Laurie Levenson, a law professor at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles. "The whole world knows the jury found Durst guilty," Laurie, who is also the author of a treatise on the state's criminal laws, said. "But that's not what the legal record will show. He didn't finish his appeal."

John Lewin, the deputy district attorney in Los Angeles and the lead prosecutor of the case that led to Robert's conviction on charges of killing his close friend Susan in 2000, echoed Laurie's view of what the public will remember. "Bob Durst was convicted by a jury who came to the conclusion that he was responsible for the deaths of three people," said John.

John, who sought during the trial to tie Robert, also known as Bobby, to the killings of Kathleen, Susan and a third victim, added, "His death in no way changes what happened." He stressed, "Bob Durst is a murderer and he died a murderer no matter what the status of his legal position."

Robert had been housed at the California Health Care Facility in Stockton after being diagnosed with COVID-19 in October. At the time, the real estate heir, who also suffered from bladder cancer, was placed on a ventilator.

On November 1, a grand jury in New York indicted him for murder in the death of his wife Kathleen, who vanished from the couple's Westchester County home on February 1, 1982. Her body was never found and Robert divorced her in 1990, claiming abandonment. In 2017, she was declared legally dead.

"After 40 years spent seeking justice for her death, I know how upsetting this news must be for Kathleen Durst's family," Westchester County District Attorney Miriam Roach reacted to the news. "We had hoped to allow them the opportunity to see Mr. Durst finally face charges for Kathleen's murder because we know that all families never stop wanting closure, justice and accountability."

Then in October, Robert was sentenced to life behind bars for murdering Susan. The judge dropped his jail sentence after he was found guilty of murdering Susan as she knew too much about the disappearance of his wife Kathleen following his five-month trial.

"When Bob Durst killed Kathie, he killed Susan and Morris as well because once that happened, once he did that, there was no turning back," Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney John Lewin told jurors during the first week of trial. "Bob Durst is a person who is going to protect and take care of Bob Durst."
Instagram Celebrity

It's the 'Love and Hip Hop: Miami' star's mother Lori Lee who breaks the news of the 3-car crash involving her daughter in addition to sharing photos of the wrecked cars.

Jan 11, 2022

AceShowbiz - Sukihana and her boyfriend Kill Bill have just been involved in a car accident. The rapper/reality TV star and her on-/off-boyfriend were rushed to the hospital after they got into a 3-car crash on Monday, January 10.

It's Suki's mother Lori Lee who broke the news of the unfortunate incident. Taking to her Instagram account, Lori posted, "This is Mama.. Suki and Bill were in a 3 car wreck and rushed to the hospital via ambulance."

At this time, the severity of their injuries, if any, are unclear, but Lori promised, "I will update you guys as soon as I can." She also shared photos of the wrecked cars from the accident, including a white sedan and two black cars. It's unclear which car is Suki's and who caused the accident, but all three cars appeared to have major damage on the front side.

Social media users have since sent their prayers to Suki and her boyfriend Bill, who were involved in the accident. "Ok prayers up they are ok though that looks like a minor major accident not a major major accident," one noted.

Another agreed as saying, "This really doesn't look that bad. But speedy recovery." A third similarly commented, "That dont look deadly but hope all is well for ALL 3 parties. Never fun."

Other comments read, "Omg praying for them," "praying for them to pull through," "Praying they're alright," "God please cover them!" and "Lord I pray they're okay."

Suki herself has not taken to her Instagram page to address the car crash. She most recently posted a clip from her interview with Dirty Glove Bastard. Promoting the sit-down, she wrote in the caption of her post, "The Interview dropping at 2pm with @dirtyglovebastard_ This topic was about @freshandfitpodcast I spoke on it more in the interview. Head to YouTube link in their bio 2PM."
Instagram/Facebook Celebrity

It is said that Jason Alexander, who was arrested in late December, was seen showing up to Britney's mother Lynne Spears' sprawling Serenity estate in Kentwood.

Jan 11, 2022

AceShowbiz - Britney Spears' family was uncomfortable by the pop star's ex-husband's behavior. According to a new report, Jason Alexander lurked outside their homes over the weekend, making them feel "disturbed."

A source spilled to Page Six, "They think it's incredibly inappropriate and downright weird." The source went on to say, "It's bad enough that the family has to deal with fans getting too close for comfort, but they'd like to think they can expect more from Jason, who claims to still have so much love and respect for Britney."

It was said that Jason was seen showing up to Britney's mother Lynne Spears' sprawling Serenity estate in Kentwood, La., late Sunday night, January 9. He even posted two videos and a photo of the exterior to his private Instagram account. "Daddy Spears hiding behind gates @britneyspears," Jason wrote over a picture of the house gate. He was referring to Britney's father, Jamie Spears, who is now living nearby in a motor home.

In a video, meanwhile, Jason said, "It looks like there's some people there now. The mom's there, anyway."

He was also joined by a woman in his truck. She could be heard reciting a bizarre prayer as she cursed "every evil deed spoken or thought about" on Lynne's property. The identity of the woman is currently unknown.

This arrives after Jason was once again arrested on December 30, 2021 in Franklin, Tennessee for violating of an order of protection and aggravated stalking. He was held in the Williamson County jail, but was later released after posting a $30,000 bond on Tuesday, January 4.

He's expected to appear for a court hearing on February 17, a spokesperson for the Franklin Police Departmen confirmed. Officials did not disclose whom Jason allegedly stalked.

This was the third time in twelve months Jason had a run-in with the law. Back in January 2021, he was busted in Nashville in January 2021 on three misdemeanor charges, including driving under the influence, unlawful use of drug paraphernalia and possession or casual exchange of a controlled substance. He was released from jail on the same day after posting a $2,500 bond.

Later in August, he was arrested at an airport in Nasville for a security violation after reportedly trying to cut the security line and into an off-limits area. According to criminal records, he was charged with misdemeanor and freed on $2,500 bail.
WENN/Nicky Nelson Movie

When asked about the all-expenses-paid trip to the long-awaited film premiere in San Francisco, the Neo depicter says that it's 'great to be able to share our experiences and lives together.'

Jan 11, 2022

AceShowbiz - Keanu Reeves has shared his generosity with others. The actor, known as one of the most humble stars in Hollywood, was applauded for treating his friends, members of his team and co-workers to an all-expenses-paid trip to "The Matrix Resurrections" premiere in San Francisco.

As reported by The Hollywood Reporter, the 57-year-old actor portraying Neo in "The Matrix Resurrections" handled the costs of a private jet, hotels, premiere tickets and organized a special post-premiere brunch for his guests. When asked about the trip, he simply responded, "Yeah, it's great to be able to share our experiences and lives together." He didn't elaborate further on the subject.

While Keanu kept mum on his thoughtful gestures, Chad Stahelski, who met Keanu when he served as his stunt double in "The Matrix" trilogy and went on to direct the actor in 2014's "John Wick", affirmed the generous act. "He flew a bunch of us up here," Chad told the outlet.

"He's incredibly generous. In the audience tonight will be so many people that helped him, from his martial art trainers to jiu-jitsu trainers to hair and makeup to his stunt crew," Chad continued praising Keanu. The 53-year-old stuntman added, "He makes sure that his friends and family are here. He's epic."

Keanu has never shied away from showing sweet gestures. Last October, the "Constantine" actor surprised his "John Wick: Chapter 4" stunt team with personalized Rolex watches during a late dinner in Paris after filming for the action flick wrapped.

Bruce Concepcion, Jeremy Marinas, Dave Camarillo and Li Qiang were all gifted the watches. The back of each watch was engraved with personal messages to each individual from the actor.

At the time, Jeremy shared a look at his new Rolex in an Instagram Story. Jeremy unveiled that his watch was engraved with words that read, "The John Wick Five" along with the message, "Jeremy Thank you Keanu JW4 2021." Over the snap, Jeremy called theCVZT7wHoUP7gift the "best wrap gift ever."

Bruce also shared a photo of his Rolex via Instagram Story. At the time, he uploaded a close-up photo of the watch on his hand. He captioned the image, "Got that new new thank you bro KR [red heart emoji]."
Federal Statistical Office

Neuchatel, 11.01.2022 - Thanks to the reputation of its education system, each year Switzerland welcomes an ever-growing number of international students into its higher education institutions. In 2020, despite the crisis due to the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on global mobility, the number of new international students continued to rise (+4% compared with 2019). For 2021, initial estimates show trends similar to those of 2020. These are the main findings of a new publication from the Federal Statistical Office (FSO).

This press release and further information on this topic can be found on the FSO website (see link below).

Address for enquiries

Julie Falcon, FSO, Education System,

tel.: +41 58 460 51 82, e-mail: julie.falcon@bfs.admin.ch

Publisher

Federal Statistical Office

http://www.statistics.admin.ch




Chinese Ambassador to Iran Chang Hua (2nd L) and Iran's Deputy Minister of Communication and Information Technology Ramezanali Sobhanifar (1st R) display commemorative stamps to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in Tehran, Iran, on Jan. 10, 2022. (Xinhua/Gao Wencheng)

TEHRAN, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- China and Iran on Monday inaugurated their first joint exhibition of the two countries' stamps at the Post and Communications Museum in Iran's capital Tehran.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the exhibition, Chinese Ambassador to Iran Chang Hua said the stamps have demonstrated wonderful moments of the social development of China and Iran in microcosm.

The stamps, as cultural messengers, have encapsulated the dialogue and integration of the ancient civilizations of China and Iran, and recorded their friendly exchanges since the establishment of diplomatic relations five decades ago, Chang added.

Ramezanali Sobhanifar, Iran's deputy minister of communication and information technology, agreed that the stamps have shown the "very good relations" between the two ancient civilizations historically connected by the Silk Road.

"We need to show the past relations between the two countries to the new generation to ... deepen bilateral relations so that the two countries use their potentials in different fields," said Sobhanifar, also head of Iran's National Post Company.

Celebrities from Iran's postal, cultural and diplomatic sectors attended the opening ceremony. Ahmad Mohit Tabatabai, president of Iran's National Committee of Museums, told Xinhua that this exhibition displays how the stamps from China have been collected in this Iranian museum that houses stamps from about 110 countries and regions.

A large number of stamp lovers visited the two countries' stamps on display on the first day of the exhibition, which runs until Friday.

Hamid Reza Soleimani, a collector of stamps and documents, said he "highly values the 50-year relations between China and Iran and hopes that relations between countries, particularly Iran and China, will improve day by day."

The exhibition followed a December joint issuance of two commemorative stamps depicting Chinese and Iranian ancient bridges to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. 

Ahmad Mohit Tabatabai, president of Iran's National Committee of Museums, visits an exhibition of Chinese and Iranian stamps in Tehran, Iran, on Jan. 10, 2022. (Xinhua/Gao Wencheng)
Federal Department of Foreign Affairs

Bern, 11.01.2022 - In the next ten days President Ignazio Cassis will meet with Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Liechtenstein's Prime Minister Daniel Risch. The visit to Vienna on Thursday continues a decades-old tradition of each new Swiss and Austrian president making their first trip abroad to each others country. Talks will focus on the excellent bilateral relations between the two countries and Switzerland's European policy.

President Ignazio Cassis will be received in Vienna by his Austrian counterpart, President Alexander Van der Bellen. In the course of the day, separate talks will also be held with Chancellor Karl Nehammer and National Council President Wolfgang Sobotka. The talks in Vienna will centre on implementation of the strategic partnership between Switzerland and Austria with a view to strengthening bilateral relations, as well as the response to the pandemic and Switzerland's next steps in European policy. International current affairs and multilateral cooperation will also be discussed, as well as topics such as science diplomacy, which Switzerland would like to expand in the coming years.

Presentation of the Swiss OSCE Action Plan

During the visit to the Austrian capital, meetings will also be held with Polish Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau and the Secretary General of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), Helga Schmid. Poland has the OSCE Chair in 2022. Ignazio Cassis will take the opportunity to present the Swiss 20222025 OSCE Action Plan, which sets out Switzerland's goals and priorities in the run-up to the 50th anniversary of the Helsinki Final Act in 2025.



The Action Plan aims to maintain and at the same time revitalise the OSCE's achievements to date, thereby helping to strengthen the organisation as a platform for dialogue on European security.

President Cassis will be accompanied on his trip to Vienna by Claudia Friedl (member of the National Council Foreign Affairs Committee) and Nicolo Paganini (member of the National Council Environment, Spatial Planning and Energy Committee), both members of the parliamentary delegation for relations with the Austrian Parliament, as well as by State Secretary Livia Leu.

On his way back from Vienna Mr Cassis will attend the 50th International Lake Constance Conference on Mount Santis, where a bilateral meeting is also scheduled with the Prime Minister of Liechtenstein, Daniel Risch.

Next week President Cassis will travel to Berlin for talks with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. The meeting on Thursday, 20 January, will address bilateral issues, responses to the pandemic, other international current affairs and the commitment of both countries in the United Nations.

Address for enquiries

FDFA Communication

Federal Palace West Wing

CH-3003 Bern, Switzerland

Tel. Communication service: +41 58 462 31 53

Tel. Press service: +41 58 460 55 55

E-mail: kommunikation@eda.admin.ch

Twitter: @SwissMFA

Publisher

Federal Department of Foreign Affairs

https://www.eda.admin.ch/eda/en/home.html




Federal Laboratory for Materials Testing and Research

Dubendorf, St. Gallen und Thun, 11.01.2022 - The Empa spin-off viboo has developed a self-learning algorithm for controlling the indoor climate. This enables predictive cooling or heating of buildings, thus saving around one third of energy. Following successful experiments at NEST, Empa's and Eawag's research and innovation building, the first pilot projects are now being implemented with industrial partners.

Conventional thermostats, which are commonplace in many residential buildings today, only react when the temperature falls below or exceeds a certain threshold. The reaction is therefore always too late and too severe, as the desired temperature is to be reached again as fast as possible. This costs energy and ultimately money. The solution: a thermostat that looks ahead and regulates the room temperature with foresight. ------Looking ahead to save energy------ A spin-off from Empa, which is currently in the start-up phase, is making this peek into the future possible. The company goes by the name of viboo, which stands for "viable intelligent building operation optimization." In the course of their research at Empa, the founders Felix Bunning and Benjamin Huber developed an algorithm that controls buildings predictively. Remarkably, building data of only two weeks, such as valve positions and room temperature measurements, are needed to create a model of the building. In combination with predictions of the local outside temperature and global solar radiation, the algorithm then independently calculates up to twelve hours in advance the ideal energy input for heating or cooling the building. This eliminates sudden reactive control operations, thus eventually consuming significantly less energy. "The potential is huge. Our experiments at NEST have shown that this approach can achieve energy savings of between 26 and 49 percent," explains Felix Bunning. The researchers used the research and innovation building on the Empa campus in Dubendorf to test and further optimize the algorithm in a real-world environment. The field tests generated interest from industry, and the researchers realized that they should bring their algorithm from their lab to the market. The motivation of the two scientists is not financial, but rather societal. "An enormous amount of energy is used worldwide for the heating and cooling of buildings. This is one of the reasons why the building sector accounts for a large share of the global CO2 emissions. With our algorithm, we want to help as many households as possible to save energy and thus make our contribution to reducing these emissions," says Bunning. A first funding initiative has already acknowledged the potential of this idea. In November 2021, Venture Kick awarded viboo a grant of 40,000 Swiss francs. In addition, Felix Bunning is supported by a BRIDGE Proof-of-Concept Fellowship from the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) and Innosuisse, Switzerland's innovation agency. -----Pilot project for smart control ----- "We are currently focusing on thermostat manufacturers for residential buildings. Many of these companies already have smart thermostats in their portfolio. We integrate our algorithm into them by using a cloud-based solution," explains Felix Bunning. A first partner is the international thermostat manufacturer Danfoss. Together with the company, viboo is now implementing the first pilot project in a conventional building. In this project, the conventional thermostats in Empa's administrative building are being replaced by smart thermostats, on which the viboo algorithm is running. Based on the indoor climate data, the algorithm will first create a model of the building. Then, it will take over control of the heating over a period of four months. The central question is: How efficiently does the algorithm regulate indoor temperatures compared to a standard solution? This will provide information about its potential for older buildings. In addition to the pilot project, viboo is already talking to other industry partners to explore further potential applications. The spin-off will, for example, integrate the algorithm directly into the building automation system in a new building in Zurich and thus optimize the heating and cooling control in this office building.

Address for enquiries

Felix Bunning

Urban Energy Systems Lab / viboo

Phone +41 58 765 44 69

felix.buenning@empa.ch



Editor / Media contact

Loris Pandiani

Communication

Phone +41 58 765 47 03

redaktion@empa.ch

Publisher

Federal Laboratory for Materials Testing and Research

http://www.empa.ch




Alton, IL (62002)

Today

Rain showers early with overcast skies later in the day. High 66F. Winds W at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 50%..

Tonight

Cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Low 47F. Winds N at 10 to 20 mph.
Alton, IL (62002)

Today

Showers in the morning, then cloudy in the afternoon. High near 65F. Winds W at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 50%..

Tonight

Mostly cloudy. Low 47F. Winds N at 10 to 20 mph.
Steven Croft is the senior pastor of Boyd Memorial First Church of God in Athens. He is a native of Monroe County.
Ramsden Hall Academy works with up to 100 secondary-age and Year 6 male students who have an Educational Health Care Plan (EHCP) for Social Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs.

Nottinghamshire : Local MP Brendan Clarke-Smith is proud of the increase in school spending, including the $1.3B, a record 13 percent increase on this year in special education funding.

Lancashire: This 2022/23 dedication schools grant (DSG) allocation includes 869,940,171 for mainstream schools, 158,303,915 [$210M] for the special educational needs block and 80,654,601 for early years education. 

8m [$11M] will be allocated to schools, nurseries, local authorities and Pupil Referral Units to move learners from the old Special Educational Needs (SEN) system to the new ALN system, as the roll-out of the Additional Learning Needs Act continues.

Wales : Welsh Government announced that 18m [$24M] will be made available to provide extra support for children and young people with ALN [Additional Learning Needs]

Here are just some of the statements recently in the news.

The stories amazingly come with photos of smiling government officials and educators. Clearly no one is in a panic over these increases (which theyre always talking about) or the massive amounts of money being spent. And no one ever assures us that this is the end of the increases, in fact we regularly hear about projections of even more special needs students in the coming years.

$1.3 billion has been added to the special education funding this year for England and Wales alone.

With COVID the main feature in U.S. reporting right now, we have to look to Britain to see this really playing out as I show on Loss of Brain Trust.

We have normalized all of this. Were way past the time when anyone seriously cares why these conditions are increasing so dramatically among our kids. Research regularly finds a possible association with genetics. The focus is always on intervention. We really pride ourselves on how we provide for special needs students in our schools.

By Anne Dachel One thing the stories on my website testify to is the normalization of disabled children. We calmly accept it if our children are labeled having ADD, ADHD, OCD, dyslexia, autism, speech delay and any of the related disorders in the DSM 5.

Works included the construction of a brand new three-storey residential block which will provide beds for 40 students, bolstering the academys ability to develop the pupils independent living skills.

Norfolk: The headteacher of a new special school feels lucky and honoured.

The school will cater for students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) from across Norfolk. 

To begin with it will welcome 48 pupils, before the number rises to 100.

Suffolk: Multi-millions for special ed.

More than 6 million [$8,2M] is to be made available for developing further special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) school places in Suffolk.

In its proposed budget for 2022, Suffolk County Councils Conservative administration revealed it is planning to spend between 6.1m and 6.5m as part of a review in the spring term.

That will be phase two of a capital programme which has so far seen 45m [$61M] of investment to create 861 places.

We know it is a priority for Suffolk, we have heard that message loud and clear.

The 45m [$61M] SEND plan has used a mix of new special schools and specialist units attached to mainstream schools. That aims to help pupils into education settings appropriate for their needs, and reduce out-of-county placements.

The first 259 places were delivered for the 2020/21 academic year and 334 places this year. The remaining places will be split with 158 in 2022/23 and 110 in 2023/24.

Demand for specialist places has continued to increase,

Devon: More money for special ed.

Schools across Devon will receive millions of pounds of extra funding in 2022, it was announced today.

Torbay, Devon and Plymouth combined will get an extra 68m [$92B] as part of a 4 billion [$5.4B] Government funding boost across the country.

A record 1 billion[$1.3B] extra will be spent to support pupils with special educational needs and disabilities.

Okehampton: New autism school is part of plan for 300 more special ed places.

The Promise School in Okehampton will cater for up to 100 primary and secondary pupils who have social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) difficulties and are on the autism spectrum. It will be run by the Dartmoor Multi Academy Trust.



The school forms part of a 22m [$30M] programme by Devon County Council to provide 300 extra places for vulnerable children with special needs across the county. The new building is expected to be completed in the spring of 2023 but the school will open to its first pupils in September 2022 using temporary accommodation.

Cumbria: Story on special education announces over and over that there are more disabled kids.

Calls to meet increasing need for special education support in Cumbria.

DEMAND is growing for special educational needs support in Cumbria,

work is underway to meet the increasing demand in Cumbria.

And demand is on the rise.

the huge body of work to meet demand and increase support for young people with autism and other disabilities.

"So there's a real increase in children and young people

there is a high demand for places in Cumbria's specialist schools.

"We are seeing parents requesting more special school places

There is a lack of places.

Councillor Christine Bowditch said that the issues around SEN need to be addressed. Cllr Bowditch said: "In my experience as champion for autism, 100 per cent of parents who contact me about their children's education, it is to say that they desperately want their child out of a mainstream school and into specialist provision where they will get what they consider to be a proper education.

Still, no one is in the least interested in why DEMAND HAS INCREASED, and thats the real problem.

News is the same for Scotland, Northern Ireland and Ireland.

Fife, Scotland: A Fife mother says hundreds of families are struggling because of the two-and-a-half year wait for an autism diagnosis.

At the beginning of December, 1,085 young people were waiting for an appointment to get an autism diagnosis, with the average waiting time between referral and first appointment standing at two-and-a-half-years.

In Ireland theyre working on a law to provide school places for hundreds of autistic students.

Hundreds of autistic students could be provided with appropriate school places "by September" if the Minister for Education, and the Minister of State for Special Education, used the full legislative powers available to them.

Thats according to Graham Manning, an ASD class coordinator in Cork, who told the Irish Examiner the demand for classes exceeds the number of available places each year.

This year, he is already seeing dozens of applications for single-digit places."

We have the exact same thing every year. We hear about new schools opening up [ASD classes] but they no way keep pace with demand by any stretch of the imagination.

On top of this, year on year, the gap between the number of special classes at primary, and autism classes at secondary, is growing, he added.

According to Mr Manning, there are children in Cork applying for places in schools more than 50 km away from their homes, meaning they would commute 100 km daily, past schools in their local area.

There are also hundreds of students, perhaps more, who have a recommendation of needing a special class place but they are in mainstream schools because they couldnt get a place in an autism class.



Students have it "in writing" that they are entitled to a place in a special or autism class, he said, and this is not being provided by the ministers. "We are talking about hundreds of students who are inappropriately placed, that if a special class was set up theyd have an appropriate place.



A spokesman for the Department of Education said Section 37A is not the standard way" that new special classes are created. Instead, the vast majority of new special classes result from proactive collaboration between the NCSE and local schools.

This year, 269 new classes were opened through this, he added. 

Cork currently has 227 primary schools and 81 post-primary schools that have autism classes. This year, 44 new special classes were established in Cork, and an additional 42 new special school places were created by the establishment of the new Carrigaline Community Special School and the expansion of St Marys Special School in Rochestown. 

Northern Ireland is in the same situation.



New figures from the Department of Health show a huge disparity in waiting times for autism spectrum disorder treatment across Northern Ireland's five health trusts.

Foyle SDLP MLA Sinead McLaughlin, who requested the figures, said she was deeply concerned by how long children are having to wait between being diagnosed with autism and getting professional help.

A total of 234 children have been waiting for treatment for more than three months. The Northern trust was the worst performer, with 208 children waiting more than 13 weeks for treatment, according to figures from the end of September.

One lone story pointed to where this is all going. On January 7th a piece entitled, Parents of adult autistic children face hard questions about their futures, made it clear that things are not going to get better for these special needs kids when they age out of school.

The following questions were asked: What do we do now that theyre adults? Whats going to happen? Whos going to take care of them when I pass? Where are they going to be?

Of course no one can answer these. No one seriously asks them because it would lead to the obvious: Why cant autistic young adults go where autistic adults are currently living?

Somehow were supposed to believe that autism has always been around like were seeing in our children, we just called it something else. The tidal wave of autistic young adults that are coming will expose the truth. There is no way to avoid it.



Anne Dachel is Media Editor for Age of Autism.
It's that time of the year again. Agri-View offers a list of available agricultural scholarships.
Determining the appropriate glyphosate rate is probably more important this spring than in previous years. Between high herbicide prices, reduced supply and possibly using a different glyphosate product, it is worth checking to make sure youre applying the optimum rate for efficient control.
Ryan Braniffs photo of one of her familys calves was chosen as the winner of the Nebraska Cattlemens first annual photo contest. The contest voting concluded at the organizations annual convention in Kearney in early December.
A $10 million project funded by the USDAs National Institute of Food and Agriculture has been launched with the idea of improving diversification, sustainability and resilience on Midwestern farms. Exactly what that means is a bit fuzzy, however.

The five-year study involves academicians from several universities in Midwestern states. They are working on setting up meetings with others in agriculture to determine, among other things, how farmers can lessen their reliance on a monocrop systems.

I would like to have  at the end of five years  a vision of how policies can be changed, said Linda Prokopy, a horticulture professor at Purdue University. Maybe well find out that corn and soybeans really are the best fit. We may find that were completely wrong and everything is the best it can be. But I think we can do a lot better.

The elusive so-called third crop could be pennycress, hemp or something else to rotate with corn and soybeans. One barrier  especially with industrial hemp  has been marketing. Thats something researchers will examine.

Market development will be a big part of that, Prokopy said. Well experiment by setting up pilot markets for different crops.

The project officially has six objectives. They include development of the agricultural value chain, modeling impacts of landscape scenarios on the ecosystem and looking at policy recommendations to establish conditions required for economic vitality.

Among the official outline is the goal of having participants consider ethical choices and sustainability of outcomes.

Prokopy acknowledges that some of the language is a bit cloudy.

It has the potential to be pie in the sky, she said. Its pie in the sky in terms of putting everything aside and really visioning, then grounding it back in reality. How can we make those work?

Another charge is the creation of sessions at the local, state and federal levels that allow participants to consider ethical choices and sustainability outcomes.

That language is in there because we have brought in a couple of ethicists on the project, Prokopy said. I want to be able to facilitate stepping back from the conversation a little bit. Who do we want to be? This country is divided: red versus blue, vaccines versus no vaccines. Under that we all have similar goals. Having ethicists lets us guide a conversation to help people open up to think about what we should be doing.

She described social barriers mentioned in the study as farming peer pressure.

Thats about community norms, she said. Other farmers looking down on you, like in cover crops. Weve already seen that.

Another example might be the reactions no-till practitioners first got when they left stubble in their fields instead of smoothly tilled soil.

While Purdue leads the project, researchers from the University of Illinois, Iowa State University, the University of Minnesota and the University of Wisconsin are also involved.

There are several NGOs (non-governmental organizations) like the Practical Farmers of Iowa, Prokopy said. Its a really diverse group.

There are some practical goals. They include looking at the effects of certain crops on water quality and the impact of reintegrating livestock onto cropland.

We dont expect to diversify the Corn Belt in five years, obviously, Prokopy said. But we want to start to see a vision of the potentiality of a different landscape and determine what kind of policies could support that transition.

CropWatch Weekly Update Get the Iowa and Illinois CropWatchers report 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.
Editors note: This is part of a series on ag equipment inventors past and present from the Midwest.

In all the talk about John Deere and J.I. Case and Cyrus McCormick, John Froelich gets forgotten. Yet he can claim to be the inventor of the tractor.

If you Google tractor, John Froelich comes up, says Denise Schutte, executive director of the Froelich Foundation and Museum in the blink-and-youll-miss-it burg of Froelich in northeast Iowa.

The agricultural world has always been full of tinkerers and inventors, and John Froelich is a perfect example of the farm boy with little formal education who came up with an idea that changed the world. In an era of mainly horse power, when steam power was the only type of mechanization for most farmers, Froelich invented the first gasoline-powered tractor that could move backward and forward. His invention evolved into the first tractors to be made by the John Deere company.

The tragedy is that by the time his invention became famous, Froelich was mostly out of the picture. He never got rich and famous.

But for Schutte and others in this part of the world, Froelich is an important historical figure whose contribution to society is immeasurable.

John Froelich was born in late 1849 in the Iowa village that was later named for his family. His parents emigrated from Germany in 1847 and settled here. The train delivered mail at what became known as Froelich Station and eventually was an unincorporated town just called Froelich.

John went to a one-room school, but he had very little formal education. His son, Clarence, was later quoted as saying Johns knowledge was almost entirely intuitive, and he had to learn by his own errors. He belonged to that inventor class of individuals who, despite their lack of formal education, saw the problems and needs of the American people, delved fearlessly into the unknown, and with their pioneer resourcefulness attempted to solve these needs, thus through many failures have brought us to an astounding mechanical age unequaled elsewhere.

Froelich owned a grain elevator where the grain was loaded into train cars. There he built a type of corn picker and he used a gasoline engine to run a well-drilling outfit.

The grain elevator burned down, and Froelich began traveling to the Dakotas to thresh grain. He used a steam engine, but those engines had problems in that area due to water availability and wind and fire issues. In an attempt to deal with the problems of steam power on the prairie, Froelich bought a one-cylinder gasoline-powered engine. He then worked with an assistant, William Mann, and mounted the engine on a frame, making and designing many parts themselves.

In the fall of 1892, Froelich and his threshing crew of 16 loaded up their new tractor invention onto a train car and headed to Langford, South Dakota. After 72 days, they had harvested 72,000 bushels of grain with the Froelich tractor, which was known as a traction engine.

S.G. Steward, of Waterloo, Iowa, had sold Froelich a steam engine. He became interested in the new tractor invention, and in 1893 the Waterloo Gasoline Traction Engine Company was organized to produce the tractor. Unfortunately, an economic depression hit the country in 1895 and Froelich ended up leaving the company he had helped found. He not only lost his share of the company but also his other businesses and his home and savings

The Waterloo Gasoline Traction Engine Company was later reorganized and eventually started building the Waterloo Boy tractor in 1911. In 1918 the John Deere company bought the Waterloo Gasoline Tractor Company and used it as a basis for the early Deere tractors.

Meanwhile, Schutte says Froelich moved his family to Dubuque, where he manufactured stationary engines. He then moved to Marshalltown and eventually to St. Paul, Minnesota, where his brother owned a company making washing machines. He later served as president of the Security Construction and Investment Company.

In 1939, just a few years after John Froelich died, the town of Froelich commemorated the invention of the tractor. A few decades later, it opened the Froelich Tractor and 1890s Village Museum. That museum is still open during the summer months, from May to early October. Normal hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, starting May 14. Call ahead if bringing a group.

For more information about the museum, visit www.froelichtractor.com.

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KAMPALA, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Seven people died after a lorry they were travelling in lost control and overturned in the northern Uganda district of Lira on Monday.

According to the Police, the incident happened on Monday night as vendors were returning from a market outside Lira City.

Patrick Jimmy Okema, the police spokesperson for Aswa River region, told Xinhua by telephone on Tuesday that the injured were rushed to Lira Regional Referral Hospital for treatment.

"Preliminary reports indicate the driver was overspeeding, reckless driving as well as overloading," Okema said.

According to police data, some 20,000 road accidents occur nationwide annually, leading to about 2,000 deaths. 
Grove City, PA (16127)

Today

Cloudy with occasional rain in the afternoon. High 67F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch..

Tonight

Thunderstorms likely. Low 54F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 80%.
There are two main paths to acquiring citizenship in the United States and a few minor ones. The first is to be born here. The others are via legal immigration, birth abroad to a U.S. citizen, and certain adoptions.

Then theres birthright citizenship, which is recognized in only 25 countries, 13% of the nations on earth, and all but three of them are in the Americas. In recent years, France, New Zealand, Australia, and Ireland have abolished birthright citizenship.

The US-born children of foreign diplomatic officers are not eligible to be citizens. Citizenship is currently granted, however, to all other children born here to foreigners, about 10% of the close to 4 million births here in 2019.

About a quarter of these are the children of Chinese and other-nationality women engaged in birth tourism. They constitute a growing group of American citizens with no connections to the United States, its people, culture, or dynamism, other than their return ticket to their home country after having been born here and a U.S. passport. The other three-quarters are born to illegal aliens, more than likely to parents living in fear while striving to stay under the DHS radarnot a particularly healthy relationship with their country of residence.

The history of citizenship law is interesting and full of twists and turns. Andrew R. Arthur, Resident Fellow in Law and Policy at the Center for Immigration Studies (CIS) and a former Immigration Judge, lays it all out in his article Birthright Citizenship: An Overview. CIS has published a number of pieces with varying viewpoints on this topic over the years that can be found here.

The current practice needs to be changed, I believe, especially considering the millions now pouring across our southern border. The most reasonable process would be to pass a law holding that a child born in the United States to non-citizen parents is accorded the immigration status of those parents.

Thus, a child born to foreign university students, who hold current and valid legal admissions to study in the United States, would be accorded the temporary status of a child of a student (nonimmigrant visa classification F-2). This is the status the child would have had if it was born in the parents home country, or in any of nearly 170 other countries, before their arrival here or while home during a school break. The same should hold for every other child born here to an alien in temporary status and good standingworkers, researchers, tourists, business executives, athletes, and all the rest.

A child born in the United States to lawfully admitted permanent residents (LPRs, also called green card holders) should be born a permanent resident. The child can be naturalized at the same time as its parents or upon becoming eligible to apply on his or her own.

Image by Andrea Widburg

Refugees and Asylees

By definition in law, a refugee is a person who has been persecuted or has a well-founded fear of persecution on specific grounds in his or her home country, the grounds of which are of interest to the United States. Being poor, or wanting a different or better life elsewhere, classifies one as an economic migrant, not a refugee.

When I worked on refugee issues long ago, countries generally adhered to the principle of country of first asylum. That is, once a person was free from the country that persecuted him, he was deemed to have found refuge and would be expected to seek a home there.

Some countries bordering the sources of persecuted people, however, were too poor or otherwise unable to take in many refugees so the international community would process them in the country of first asylum for placement elsewhere. Those taken in by the United States entered with the status of refugee.

An asylee is someone who applies for and is granted refugee status from within the United States. Typically, under the principle of country of first asylum, this would be someone who washes up on our shores like Cubans or Haitians, or who manages to get on a plane in his home country that disembarks in the United States. Historically, it did not include anyone presenting themselves at a land or other border who had passed through other countries to get here.

Those granted refugee or asylee status have the option to qualify for and obtain permanent residence and eventually citizenship. Their children born here should be accorded conditional permanent resident status. This conditional status could then be converted to LPR status when the parents obtain LPR status or upon application on their own when 21 or older.

Illegals

Those who enter the United States without permission and those who overstay their temporary visas are illegal aliens; just being here out of status is a crime. Children born to them should have no legal immigration status. Children belong to their parents, not to the state. They belong with their parents. If parents are removed from the U.S., then their children should go with them.

These proposed changes to current practice would have a salutary effect on the country. We would not see our population growing due to those fraudulently applying for visas to do one thing when they are actually coming to get a foothold in the country through giving birth to an anchor baby. Fraud is not a nice way to start any relationship.

The current wait is a minimum of 21 years, the age at which an American citizen can petition for his or her parents to receive immigrant visas. Despite this, hundreds of thousands of children are born in this country to illegals every year. Mr. Arthurs article details the cost of these births to the U.S. taxpayer. Breaking the anchor chain is a worthy goal and might well deter a percentage of the current tsunami of illegals at our borders.

Republicans in Congress need to get busy and introduce new legislation designed to clarify and limit nationality to those who may rightfully claim it. Though such a bill wouldnt go anywhere this session, it would be ready to be reintroduced and passed as soon as the 118th Congress is installed. Then it can be passed again over a Presidential veto and become law. Note my optimism for a sweeping change in 2022. Lets Go Brandon!

[See also Anony Mee's essay arguing against a path to citizenship for illegal aliens.]

Anony Mee is the nom de blog of a retired public servant.
On January 6, 2022, the governing and corporate media wing of the ruling class put on a sophomoric production commemorating the first anniversary of a contrived insurrection. Self-righteous preening and blatant propagandizing amid a sea of lies were the hallmarks of the ceremony.

Over the past twelve months, unable to hide their unbridled disdain for the unwashed masses, unfounded accusations of domestic terrorism and insurrection have been directed at the legions of everyday Americans who attended the rally on January 6, 2021.

They are willing to blindly persecute and marginalize a sizable percentage of the citizenry -- Americans whom these elitists do not know nor care to meet -- in order to permanently rid themselves of their nemesis, Donald Trump.

Who are these execrable rally participants that were set up to be malevolently denigrated, politically prosecuted, and falsely vilified?

I decided at the last minute to attend the Stop the Steal march. Not because I thought that there was any chance of stopping the certification of the election, but to interview and meet my fellow deplorables. I believed the massive gathering would mark the first step in Middle Americas determination to defeat the duplicitous ruling elites at the ballot box as their blatantly egregious and often unconstitutional manipulation of election laws in various states had awakened so many.

Upon arriving at the Capitol around 1:50 pm, I noticed the useless crowd barriers of portable and plastic snow fencing had been breached and a crowd had gathered near the entrance doors to the building as well as the inauguration stage. Within this group were stereotypical Antifa-looking militants and other non-stereotypical Trump supporters egging on the crowd to forcibly enter the building.

Sensing that the chaos at the Capitol was a setup, I chose to ignore the hundred or so thoughtlessly violent demonstrators trying to force their way into the Capitol at the behest of brazen instigators and the hundreds who later foolishly entered the building at the de facto invitation of the Capitol Police.

Instead, my primary interest was in talking to those in my immediate vicinity as well as those in the massive tidal wave of humanity moving relentlessly the length of the Mall and Constitution Avenue from the Ellipse, where President Trump had delivered his speech.

What I witnessed was the confluence of the inhabitants of Middle America of all races, ethnicities, and creeds. Amid this tidal wave of humanity were not only many white faces but African Americans wearing Blacks for Trump shirts, large gatherings of Vietnamese, Filipino and Chinese men and women waving flags and wearing Trump paraphernalia, a vast number of people of Hispanic heritage, Orthodox Jews and a surprisingly large assemblage of college-age young adults.

I talked to three bleary-eyed and cheerfully tired female college students who had driven 24 straight hours from Waco, Texas. When I asked why, they said it was important to be here with others to send a message that there are many young people who care about the future of their country.

I met a contractor and his son who had made their way from Alaska despite the barriers to travel due to Covid-19. When I asked why they came so far and put up with so much to get to Washington, they replied: We had to come and make a statement that we are tired of being taken for fools by Congress, the Democrats, and the government.

A Cuban restaurant owner from New Jersey said: If we cannot have honest and fair elections, then we do not have a country anymore. Someone whose parents escaped Castros Cuba was well-positioned to express those sentiments.

A man and his wife from North Carolina, both proudly wearing Blacks for Trump sweatshirts, expressed a sentiment common among the vast majority of rally attendees We have to march, demonstrate, force the states to change election laws and throw out the politicians that have betrayed their oath and those that elected them.

A Vietnamese woman who owned a fingernail salon in Virginia succinctly claimed: I am here because I love America.

A member of the Mainstream Patriots from the Eastern Shore of Maryland: We in Middle America have always abided by the saying that we dont riot, we vote. Now they are trying to take away our vote.

I met people from California, Oregon, Ohio, Wisconsin, and Florida among other states in the union. Many of these attendees said they were there not only to draw attention to the election irregularities but to express their appreciation to President Trump for being the only current political figure who kept his promises to them -- the average American citizen. Some also mentioned how proud they were of Donald Trump persevering against the Swamp and all the unfair tactics arrayed against him. Not since the days of Ronald Reagan had I heard such unabashed and universal affection for an American president.

The people I met were a genuine cross-section of America. They came from small towns and large cities. They were military veterans and active first responders. They were middle-class hard-working Americans seeking not a handout from the government but redress. They did not care about the race or ethnicity or religion of those with whom they marched side-by-side. They wanted to once again believe that those sitting in the Capitol were also dedicated to the proposition that this is a government of the people, by the people and for the people and not of and for the ruling class.

Of the hundreds of thousands of rally attendees, perhaps 95% of them were not even aware of the conflict at the Capital until they either arrived home or at their hotels later that afternoon. Further, it was obvious to all that well in excess of 99% of the rally-goers had no interest in entering the Capitol.

Having attended numerous rallies and events in Washington over the years, beginning with the March for Jobs and Freedom in August of 1963, this was among the largest and most peaceful rallies, I have witnessed. The police officers I talked to that were stationed outside of the immediate area of the Capitol said the same.

Yet, these are the American citizens, and by extension all the like-minded inhabitants of Middle America, that Nancy Pelosi, Chuck Schumer, Liz Cheney, Joe Biden, Kamala Harris as well as virtually the entirety of the Democrat party and the corporate media accuse of being complicit in a contrived and almost certainly orchestrated insurrection.

Throughout American history has there never been a more loathsome cadre of politicians and media manipulators and never have so many Americans been so malevolently denigrated, politically prosecuted, and falsely vilified.

Photo credit: YouTube screengrab
In HBO Chernobyl series there is scene where man in charge of fallout turns out to be not scientist, but shoe salesman w/party connections. Given absurd personnel policy, my assumption is this level of absurdity becomes more common every day in US agencies.  FischerKing (@FischerKing64), January 9, 2022, h/t Doug Ross Journal

Most folks who were paying attention during the Obama administration realized he was racializing and weaponizing each and every one of our law enforcement institutions, among others. The damage done to law enforcement has been catastrophic.

How did he do it? By appointing people who were loyal to him and not because they were particularly smart or competent. Like the quote above about the personnel who ran Chernobyl, Obama's people were chosen or kept for their dedication to the Obama agenda, which they assumed Hillary would continue. By the time President Trump took office, all of these agencies were geared up to do Clinton's bidding but instead set out to destroy Trump and his administration with a series of hoaxes, all of which have been debunked. From Comey to Holder to Brennan, Clapper, and McCabe, all of them were dedicated to one project, one project only: Sabotage Trump. And sabotage him they did, at every turn, right up to blatantly rigging the election and then falsely accusing him of orchestrating the January 6 event.

In John Moody's book, Of Course They Knew, of Course They..., a novel that is likely close to the reality of the beginning of the COVID pandemic, we learn that the Communist Party of China does "own" the WHO and controls its messaging. Moody also shows that, just as during the Obama administration, higher-ups in China are chosen for their fealty and usefulness to the CCP, not their expertise ib any given role. As in Chernobyl, some Chinese scientists were not scientists at all but Communist Party loyalists. That is how and why bad things happen. Nine Eleven happened because Clinton's assistant attorney general, Jamie Gorelick banned the sharing of information among law enforcement agencies, one of the most misguided rules ever implemented. Gorelick's boss, Janet Reno, was responsible for the disastrous events at Waco, Texas in 1993 that led to the fiery deaths of 76 people. Like Obama's Cabinet appointees, each of these women had been chosen for their sex, not their skill or competence.

All of this brings us to the hapless Biden administration and its collection of people chosen for their skin color, sexual orientation, or mindless dedication to the destructive policies of radical leftism.

Could Biden's Cabinet be any more incompetent? Not likely. Jake Sullivan, his national security adviser, was part of the Russia hoax for starters and has been hopelessly awful at his job. He will be forever tainted by the horrendous, ill-conceived withdrawal from Afghanistan. Then there is Jennifer Granholm as his energy secretary, the failed former governor of Michigan who, when asked about our rising gas prices, could only laugh like a hyena. How about Pete Buttigieg as transportation secretary? From unpopular mayor of South Bend to transportation czar? He was chosen because he is openly gay, not for any expertise on our national transportation and all that that entails  supply chain, shipping, interstate highways, etc. Buttigieg is clueless and barely shows up to work for three months, claiming parental leave. He cannot even manage a traffic tie-up in the snow that left hundreds of drivers stranded for 24 hours. And what of Ron Klain, who continues to retweet dumb tweets that reveal his cluelessness about the world outside his swamp bubble? He too bears responsibility for the betrayal of Afghanistan and for the Americans abandoned there, just as Anthony Blinken does, who is even more pathetic than Klain.

What can one say about Merrick Garland, Biden's thoroughly corrupt A.G.? We must thank Mitch McConnell for keeping him off the SCOTUS, for he is a classic partisan swamp-dweller intent upon purging the military and the nation of conservatives who he believes are domestic terrorists. He supports CRT for it enriches his daughter and son-in-law's business. He supports going after parents who show up at school board meetings to participate, ask questions and expose offensive curricula. His "weak old man" persona is a cover for his Stalinist tendencies.

Check out the rest of them. The farther left their personal ideology, the better; the more boxes they tick, the better  race, class, sex, sexual orientation. Critical thinking not required. Allegiance to America and its Constitution definitely not required. Among this crowd, the more anti-American, the better.

In 2017, author Tom Nichols wrote a book, The Death of Expertise; The Campaign against Established Knowledge and Why It Matters. In his words, it is about the "erosion of respect for facts, logical analysis, and critical thinking." Nothing has proven his thesis more than the COVID "pandemic," which, had it been treated like any other seasonal flu, created in a lab or not, would never have been used to destroy our economy (small businesses hardest hit), civil society, and public education. It has effectively ruined the economy, civil society and education, and trust in our medical profession at large. Far too many doctors have caved to Big Pharma, politics, and the media. Those doctors are part of the problem.

We must all be eternally grateful for all the brave medical experts who have not caved, will not submit to the "official narrative," and risk their careers to get the truth to the public, about the need for early treatment, about the effectiveness of ivermectin and HCQ and other repurposed drugs. The Biden administration has actively suppressed all such information and continues to do so to this day. For example, the vaccines don't work, and everyone knows that by now unless he sits on the Supreme Court or works at MSNBC or CNN. The vaccines are not only ineffective; they are dangerous, but Biden continues to claim that the pandemic is "a pandemic of the unvaccinated." It most certainly is not. It turns out that the vaccinated are now more likely to get COVID and omicron. And it was never necessary to vaccinate children or teens.

The administration's insistence on vaxxing every American five years old and over but not the migrants pouring over our southern border, welcomed and relocated on the taxpayer dime, is just plain weird. What's their plan? It's not good and very likely has long-term consequences. How else to explain athletes all over the world dropping dead or the increase in myocarditis in young males?

These are perilous times, made infinitely more dangerous by the wholly incompetent Biden administration and everyone within it. In just one year, the U.S. resembles the former Soviet Union more than the country of our Founders. This slide toward what John Moody calls "socialism with Chinese characteristics" has got to be stopped. It won't stop until we elect people who actually know things, can think critically, analyze, and come up with solutions to problems rather than create them to achieve some pie-in-the-sky dream of mass equality. There will never be equality of outcome, no matter how much social justice warriors try to make it happen. Equality of opportunity is the best humanity can do, and America did it better than any other nation on the planet until the Biden administration decided to ruin the country, to make it into something it was never meant to be.

"Of course, there's also the basic problem that some people just aren't very brightMany people simply cannot recognize the gaps in their own knowledge or understand their own inability to construct a logical argument..Dunning-Kruger Effect, in sum, means that the dumber you are, the more confident you are[.]" Tom Nichols

Image: Gage Skidmore via Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0.
In North Carolina, a group of voters is suing to keep U.S. rep. Madison Cawthorn off the ballot. They allege that, because he attended the January 6 rally, he violated the 14th Amendment's prohibition against allowing anyone to run for office if he "engaged in insurrection or rebellion against" the Constitution. This is a trial run for an attack Democrats intend to make against Donald Trump and myriad Republicans whose congressional seats Democrats crave. It's also the Obama tactic: get your opponents off the ballot before the election.

According to AP News:

A group of North Carolina voters urged state officials Monday to disqualify U.S. Rep. Madison Cawthorn as a congressional candidate, citing his participation in a rally last January in Washington that questioned the presidential election outcome and preceded the Capitol riot. Cawthorn's office quickly condemned the candidacy challenge, filed on behalf of 11 voters before the State Board of Elections, which oversees the scrutiny of candidates' qualifications. The voters contend that Cawthorn, a Republican who formally filed as a candidate for the 13th District seat last month, can't run because he fails to comply with an amendment in the U.S. Constitution ratified shortly after the Civil War. The 14th Amendment says no one can serve in Congress "who, having previously taken an oath, as a member of Congress . . . to support the Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same."

The charge is ludicrous. The 14th Amendment was enacted in 1868, three years after the Civil War ended. That war began when the South seceded from the Union, set itself up as an independent country, and fired on Fort Sumter in an act of open warfare. It ended four years later with 600,000 Americans dead, the South in ruins, and the foul institution of slavery, which was always an offense to American principles, gone. It was in this context that Section 3 of the 14th Amendment was ratified to prevent Confederate officials from using Congress as a vehicle to undo their loss in the War. By 1878, the Amnesty Act almost certainly renders this clause a nullity.



Image by Andrea Widburg.

What's certain is that Section 3 of the 14th Amendment was not intended to bar from Congress someone who attended a peaceful rally on the same day that 500 hotheads (or people deliberately entrapped) entered the Capitol and did...nothing of note. That's why none has been charged with "rebellion or insurrection." There were no weapons, there was no plan, and the only person who died was murdered by a police officer.

It's clear that the attack against Cawthorn is a trial run. Marc Elias, the attorney whose name crops up in connection with every bit of skullduggery and corruption aimed at Trump, has already announced that there will be a "serious discussion" about unseating multiple Republicans under that Civil Warspecific clause.

My prediction for 2022: Before the midterm election, we will have a serious discussion about whether individual Republican House Members are disqualified by Section 3 of the 14th Amendment from serving in Congress.



We may even see litigation. pic.twitter.com/pF7P2fw0kn  Marc E. Elias (@marceelias) December 21, 2021

I am making clear that members of Congress who engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the United States are not eligible to serve in Congress.



The fact that this is so triggering to the GOP speaks volumes. https://t.co/R0QEUDnmZo  Marc E. Elias (@marceelias) December 22, 2021

Opposing election results was a common Democrat party tactic that became an "insurrection or rebellion" only when Republicans engaged in it.

Additionally, the effort to get opponents knocked off the ballot is a page from the Barack Obama playbook: Obama did that in 1996, when his team of volunteers managed to get every opponent kicked off the ballot on technical grounds. Most famously, Obama's "clear the ballot" strategy was in play during the 2004 election that saw Obama enter the United States Senate:

During his senatorial primary campaign in Illinois in 2004 the campaign of his most-feared opponent imploded spectacularly just a few weeks before polling day. Unsealed divorce papers revealed that Blair Hull's former wife had detailed several allegations of verbal and physical abuse. His ex asked for a restraining order because Hull had threatened to kill her. In a field of eight, Obama won 53% of the vote. In the general election that year, Republican candidate Jack Ryan seemed like a viable challenger for the senate seat until his divorce papers were also unsealed. Ryan, it was alleged, had pressured his ex, Jeri, to go to clubs where people had sex in public. One had "cages, whips and other apparatus hanging from the ceiling"; another had mattresses in cubicles. It did not help that Jeri was a TV star who had worn tight-fitting body suits on Star Trek. Denying the allegations, Ryan nevertheless dropped out, in June. Five months before the election Obama had no opponent.

Because Republicans running for re-election (including Donald Trump) don't have useful sex scandals that can knock them off the ballot, the Democrats are creating a scandal out of whole cloth. They are turning a protest  one that was a mere nothing compared to Democrat protests in D.C.  into the justification for running unopposed in 2022 and 2024.

It is to be hoped that neither the courts nor the voters let the Democrats get away with this tactic. It spells the end of a functional constitutional, democratic republic if they do.
ABUJA, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Former Nigerian leader Ernest Shonekan, who was ousted in a coup in November 1993, has died at the age of 85, President Muhammadu Buhari announced on Tuesday.

In a statement, Buhari paid tribute to the life and legacy of Shonekan, who died in Lagos on early Tuesday, describing him as "the peacemaker, who, even at the twilight of his lifetime, never stopped believing and working for a prosperous and democratic country."

"As an internationally-respected statesman, with courageous wisdom, Chief Shonekan left his flourishing business career to become the Head of Government, at a delicate time when the country needed someone of his calm mien and pedigree to save the ship of state from sinking," the Nigerian president said, noting the departed former leader "demonstrated to all that the love for country and commitment to her development, peace, and unity transcends the trappings of office and the transient nature of political power."

Shonekan, was born in Lagos in May 1936, ruled Nigeria between August 26 and November 17, 1993, as head of the Interim National Government that succeeded the military junta of General Ibrahim Babangida.

As Nigeria's interim president, he was ousted in a coup led by the late General Sani Abacha, who was Secretary of Defence in the Interim National Government. 
Something peculiar has become clear over the last two years: leftists seem to enjoy the COVID panic. For them, it started with the camaraderie of lockdowns and morphed in the smug self-righteousness of the masks and vaccinations, all made shiveringly delicious with that soupcon of fear that pairs well with totalitarian mandates. CDC director Dr. Rochelle Walensky's appearance on Monday's Good Morning America, however, may destroy that delightful emotional castle in which leftists have immured themselves. It turns out that most vaccinated people no longer need fear imminent death.

It's been very weird for those of us who have maintained some degree of objectivity about the whole COVID uproar to see leftists maintain their high degree of terror about COVID despite their being vaccinated and boosted. JP Sears perfectly captures the illogical combination of fear and the lust for power that has seen the leftists ramp up their paranoia even as omicron proves to be innocuous and they're madly injecting mRNA treatments into their bodies:

However, it's going to be very hard for them to maintain both the panic and that undeserved power they're exerting over others. Walensky has acknowledged that, when it comes to vaccinated people who still died from COVID, almost 80% of them had one foot in the grave and one foot on a banana peel:

"The overwhelming number of deaths, over 75%, occurred in people who had at least four comorbidities. So, really, these are people who were unwell to begin with. And yes, really encouraging news in the context of Omicron; this means not only just to get your primary series but to get your booster series. And yes, we're really encouraged by these results." The study, from the CDC, says: "Among 1,228,664 persons who completed primary vaccination during December 2020October 2021, severe COVID-19associated outcomes (0.015%) or death (0.0033%) were rare. Risk factors for severe outcomes included age 65 years, immunosuppressed, and six other underlying conditions. All persons with severe outcomes had at least one risk factor; 78% of persons who died had at least four."



Image: Rochelle Walensky (edited in befunky). YouTube screen grab.

Another interesting thing that emerged during the same appearance is that, as with any other virus, people are most contagious when they're not yet symptomatic. This renders much of the ten-day lockdown period irrelevant, as even Walensky conceded:

Isolation, we talk about isolation in the context of people who've had a positive test, who know that they are infected. And we now have dozens of studies referenced on the CDC website that have demonstrated that you are most infectious in the one to two days before your symptoms and the two to three days after your symptoms. So by five days after your symptoms, the vast majority of your contagiousness is really behind you.

Dr. Scott Atlas appeared on Tucker Carlson to discuss Walensky's revelations and was unimpressed. When it comes to morbidity, he said, it's long been known, only it was kept from the American public. Atlas also reminded Tucker and his audience that there's a huge difference between being hospitalized for COVID and being hospitalized with COVID. As even Fauci conceded, the latter was mostly true for children.

Atlas then said something truly surprising that will further devastate those on the left: "We know now that two-thirds of deaths for Americans with COVID are people with six or more comorbidities." In other words, unless your health is fragile to begin with, you're going to be fine:

Tucker Carlson & Dr. Scott Atlas discuss how the CDC is finally coming clean after their years-long deception about Covid death numbers.



"This was an intentional inculcation of fear in the American public." pic.twitter.com/EYCUigvdF8  Scott Morefield (@SKMorefield) January 11, 2022

(By the way, I bought Dr. Atlas's book, and I must say that it will make you sick to your stomach when you read about the painful ignorance of those on the task force, especially doctors Fauci and Birx.)

What all of this means  whether it's comorbidities in the vaccinated or in everyone  is that, for the vaccinated leftists, it's time for life to go on. Their little totalitarian fantasy of a "great reset" that leaves them controlling the once-free world is over.
The unhinged and irascible manner in which President Biden delivered his viciously partisan speech on the anniversary of January 6 was unprecedented. So, too, was the media's complicity in covering up his misrepresentations.

When matters devolve to this level of absurdity, the reactions are usually driven by emotions, precluding the possibility of any dispassionate scrutiny.

Predictably, the mainstream news media praised the speech with a devotion almost as if it were the word of God.



Biden begins his speech by taking off his face mask as V.P. Harris walks away.

YouTube screen grab (cropped).

Most of the right-leaning media and the Republicans excoriated Biden for his divisive rhetoric.

Few fact-checked the contents of the speech.

The following is an extract from the text that Joe Biden read off the teleprompter

[S]ome have already made the ultimate sacrifice in this sacred effort. Jill and I have mourned police officers in this Capitol Rotunda not once but twice in the wake of January 6th: once to honor Officer Brian Sicknick, who lost his life the day after the attack, and a second time to honor Officer Billy Evans, who lost his life defending this Capitol as well[.]

The obvious inference to be drawn was that both Officer Brian Sicknick and Officer Billy Evans were killed by Trump supporters on January 6.

Time for a fact-check.

We first look at the death of Officer Brian Sicknick. According to NPR and the Washington Post, Officer Sicknick died of natural causes.

The following is an excerpt from the NPR report:

Sicknick died after suffering strokes, the Office of Chief Medical Examiner, Dr. Francisco Diaz, said in a report. In an interview, Diaz told The Washington Post, which first reported on the determination, that Sicknick suffered two strokes. Sicknick, 42, was sprayed with a chemical substance outside the Capitol at around 2:20 p.m. ET on Jan. 6, the report said. He did not suffer an allergic reaction to the chemical irritants dispensed by rioters, Diaz told the Post, nor was there evidence of internal or external injuries. At approximately 10 p.m., Sicknick collapsed at the Capitol and was transported to a local hospital. He died nearly 24 hours later. In a statement, the U.S. Capitol Police said it accepts the medical examiner's finding.

Now for the death of Officer Billy Evans.

NPR reported that Officer Billy Evans was killed on April 2, emphatically not January 6, when a vehicle was rammed into the north barricade of the Capitol complex, slamming into Evans.

The driver was 25-year-old Noah Green, who was shot by at least one officer and who later died.

Green was discovered to be a supporter of the Nation of Islam founded by Louis Farrakhan, an anti-Semitic, Black supremacist Islamist cleric known for spewing venom across the U.S. for over thirty years.

Green had also reportedly called the U.S. government the "#1 enemy of Black people!" in one of his Instagram posts. Meta confirmed to Business Insider that it had suspended Green's account.

This was clearly a terror attack driven by an anti-white racist, perhaps with radical Islamist motives.

It is hence beyond reasonable doubt that the deaths of Officer Brian Sicknick and Officer Billy Evans were not linked to the occurrences of January 6 and were emphatically not caused by Trump supporters.

It is quite insulting to the memories of these officers that their deaths are being used to score cheap political points.

The aim behind these Biden falsehoods is to distract from his abominable record of misgovernance and demonize both President Trump and his supporters to prevent the president from running in 2024 and justify further persecution.

The speechwriter knew of the blatant falsehoods in Biden's speech but included them anyway. The mentions of the deaths of both officers were purposely worded vaguely for listeners to conclude that they were killed by Trump supporters.

If fact-checked, they can claim that it was owing to sloppy writing and not malicious intentions.

They can rely on three groups to carry the message.

The first group is their far-left brainwashed base who will accept anything a Democrats saw without question. The second group is casual viewers or readers who merely skim through headlines.

The third group, upon whom the heaviest burden of the blame lies, is the mainstream media. The news media have a function to speak truth to power and fact-check every utterance and action. But that is mere theory; in practice, the U.S. mainstream media are the propaganda wing of the Democrats. At times, the Democrats in Washington lead, and the media follow. On other occasions, the roles are reversed.

They work in perfect synchronicity, which explains why the Democrats across new outlets frequently use identical phraseology to describe events that show President Trump or the GOP in a bad light.

For Biden's speech, there were no fact-checks from any leading media outfit on this blatant lie and no Pinocchio ratings from the Washington Post.

We know what the reaction would have been had such similarly false utterances emanated from President Trump.

Equally disappointing is the reaction of the Republicans and the right-leaning media. They rightly slammed Biden for the overall tone and content but failed to examine the speech with a fine-tooth comb. Only the Washington Examiner and Bill O'Reilly fact-checked it aptly.

Sadly, these lies about Officer Brian Sicknick have been repeated so frequently and with such certitude that history may chronicle them as fact. Following Biden's speech, Officer Billy Evans's name will be included.

Such is the impact of propaganda that those who cite fact will be branded conspiracy theorists.

This once again highlights the grave crisis that continues to plague the U.S. media, who are not even pretending to be fair and objective.

It also highlights the lack of killer instinct in the GOP leadership, who should have been exposing this blatant lie.

However, despite their myriad shortcomings, the Republicans are still the only hope of countering the sinister totalitarian cult of the modern Democrat party and their propaganda wing that masquerades as the mainstream media.
After demonizing police for the last two years, and still doing it now, the left is going to have a hard time explaining the heroism seen in a police rescue of an injured pilot whom officers pulled away from the rubble a mere four seconds before the crashed aircraft was hit by an oncoming train.

Here's the breathtaking story, recounted with many screen shots, from the New York Post:

Dramatic video footage shows the moment police officers in Los Angeles pulled a pilot from a downed plane seconds before a train collided with the damaged aircraft on Sunday afternoon. The dramatic scene unfolded after the pilot of the small plane made an emergency landing on train tracks in Pacoima at about 2 p.m., according to police. The pilot was the sole occupant of the plane, which went down after it lost power, according to the LAPD Valley Bureau. Police bodycam footage tweeted by the department shows the officers yanking the bloodied man from the plane before it was smashed by an oncoming train. "Go, go go," someone in the video can be heard screaming as the train blasts its horn. Moments later, the train slammed into the downed plane, the footage shows.

Here is the original Los Angeles Police Department video:

Foothill Division Officers displayed heroism and quick action by saving the life of a pilot who made an emergency landing on the railroad tracks at San Fernando Rd. and Osborne St., just before an oncoming train collided with the aircraft. pic.twitter.com/DDxtGGIIMo  LAPD HQ (@LAPDHQ) January 10, 2022

This bystander's video demonstrates the power of the oncoming train:

OMGTrain collides with a crashed plane just 2 seconds after @LAPDFoothill police pull the pilot from the wreckage earlier today. The bystander who recorded this was nearly hit by large flying debris. LAPD officers body cam further belowamazing heroism  https://t.co/HFbd47q9a0 pic.twitter.com/pJssGZsrPM  Eric Feigl-Ding (@DrEricDing) January 10, 2022

CNN got an exclusive video interview with the officers, who presented a calm, dignified, modest picture of heroism. One of the LAPD cops explained that he saw the aircraft go down, spotted the inherent danger of extremely flammable leaking jet aircraft fuel on the ground, ran toward the danger in order to rescue the pilot, and summoned others to help with other critical tasks such as traffic control to protect the public. All that, and then a train came along  so fast they didn't dare spare a second to look at it  and, with two or four seconds to spare, they saved the man. "Seconds count," as my close friend who recently retired from the LAPD and fled to South Carolina likes to say. No kidding.

The rescuers were highly trained officers doing their job, which involved extremely risky heroism no one can ever be forced to perform as part of a job  and they did it.

Here are these LAPD cops, who acted together as a team with split-second precision, to rescue the bloodied, injured pilot:



Image: Twitter screen shot from CNN-posted video.

Some of them look like white cops, no less  those dreadful, awful white male cops of leftist legend. In the earlier video, it appears that one of the rescuers was a female cop, so the three heroes presented may just represent the sharp end of the spear, and there were likely many heroes in this rescue, and there are a helluva lot of good cops who answer the call to heroism.

These cops stand in stark contrast to what the left likes to claim about cops. Leftists, aside from having none of those heroic qualities these officers showed themselves, spend all their time demonizing the police, (particularly the LAPD), demanding for their defunding, and claiming that cops are out to oppress black people. They've had a good run of it on networks like "fiery but peaceful" CNN, but they have nothing to say about this kind of heroism.

This rescue shows what a lot of people already know: that people go into police work not to oppress others, but to express that inner nobleness they have to help people. Sometimes, they have opportunities to do it. There has to be a lot of latent heroism in a lot of the police force for this kind of rescue to have happened. What are the odds that cops this fine would have been in exactly the right place and time to pull this rescue off as they did? A random cop spots an aircraft go down; moves toward the danger, instead of away from it; puts human life first to rescue the injured man; and then shows the world what he's made of, in a flawless death-defying rescue done in a split second with just fragments of information in beyond-harrowing conditions. And these cops worked as a well-oiled team  one person may not have been able to do that alone  showing that they are all made of this kind of righteous heroism.

Cops rescue people all the time. I'll be forever grateful to the California Highway Patrol officers who rescued me on a roaring highway full of freight trucks at midnight near Lake Elsinore a year ago last Oct. 26, when a blown tire disabled my car and my little car was so close to the highway that it shuddered and shook every time a freight truck would pass, and I dared not get out of that car. Even being in the car was dangerous  one little miscalculation from a truck, and I'd be a goner. I watched the trucks behind me approaching in trepidation. I called 911, the dispatcher told me not to get out of that car, and then the cops came and parked behind me but into the highway lane, put their flashers up, got out of their car in the dangerous conditions, approached me, instructed me to pull farther into the dirt, and then called AAA for me, making a space for that truck to change my tire. What they did was heroic  they put their car in danger's way so the AAA truck could come and change my broken tire. Then they cleared a path so my little car could drive off and gain speed on the freight truckloaded highway.

Yes, cops are heroes, and these LAPD cops were spectacular heroes. It's about time we started hearing about this because it happens a lot. To take a look at the LAPD news, you'd think cops were all bad guys  the press is currently making a big deal about a tragic accidental shooting that happened in North Hollywood, where an LAPD officer fired a gun that inadvertently ricocheted into a dressing room of a mall, killing a Chilean teenager. Joe Biden made sure that got maximum coverage as a means of holding up cops to scorn. Joe loudly apologized to the newly elected radical left-wing president of Chile for the unintentional LAPD incident, vowing justice for the teen and all that. The teenager was an illegal alien, and the police officer involved in the accident was black, so this offers some amazing opportunities to Joe to get divisive, using the police as his foil. You never hear from Joe about letting the investigation run its course, or that every police officer is an individual, or that people go into police work with lion-like courage and good intentions. Nope, he's already decided that the cop involved was the bad guy because all police are.

More to the point, are we going to hear from Joe on this stellar LAPD aircraft train track rescue?

Don't hold your breath. He was last seen tweeting about the "dagger at the throat of our democracy," meaning anyone who supports President Trump, on two feeds.

In the past, U.S. presidents enjoyed identifying with police heroism and would tout such feats to the skies, if for nothing else, then to be seen by the public in the company of heroes. Joe Biden? Not so much. Biden wouldn't understand heroism if it bit him on the butt. The dominant narrative that he and his leftist allies have put out is that police are to be demonized and like any crook, he's sticking to his story.

This heroic rescue  like the Miracle on the Hudson and the Subway Superman, curiously happening in early January  tells the rest of us another story.

Image: Twitter screen shot from CNN-posted video.
To see how misinformation from the media permeates society, look at the three leftist justices on the Supreme Court, who vote in lockstep. These people are supposedly intelligent and informed, yet their talking points in the vaccine mandate cases show they have no idea what they are talking about.

It is clear that fully vaccinated people can get and pass the virus, yet Kagan and Breyer said the vaccine would stop the spread. They essentially pretended Biden's vaccine mandate would reduce cases to zero. That is certifiably nuts.

Sotomayor was also uninformed as she spread the lie that 100,000 children were severely ill when the number of children in hospitals is less than 4,000. Missing by 2,500% is pretty close for liberals.

If the liberals on the Court cared about the Constitution and the separation of powers, they would not support a workaround to the Constitution. The vote should be 9-0, but the best we can hope for is 6-3 blocking the unconstitutional mandates.

Do we really want three justices who are so misinformed to determine what the laws and rules should be?

Liberal Supreme Court justices spread COVID-19 misinformation Kagan began by claiming "the best way" to prevent the spread of COVID-19 is "for people to get vaccinated," and the "second best way" is to "wear masks." Neither claim is true. While the vaccines appear to slow the spread of COVID-19 and reduce the chance of death, there is absolutely no evidence that they prevent transmission, especially not against the much more contagious omicron variant. Breyer continued to spread misinformation by falsely claiming that 750 million people  there are only 330 million people living in the United States  tested positive for COVID-19 on Thursday. That would mean every single one of us tested positive for COVID-19 on Thursday twice. Breyer then implied, like Kagan before him, that Biden's vaccine mandate would bring the number of daily cases down to zero. Again, this is not true. Fully vaccinated and boosted adults are testing positive for COVID-19 at about the same rate as unvaccinated people, which means everyone is going to get the virus one way or the other, vaccinated or unvaccinated. Data show unvaccinated people are more likely to suffer worse outcomes than those who are vaccinated if all other factors are equal. But the worst falsehoods by far came from Sotomayor, who claimed the omicron variant is just as deadly as the delta variant and that more than 100,000 children have been hospitalized by COVID-19, with "many" on ventilators. Where in the world is Sotomayor getting her news? Every single public health expert who has weighed in on this virus has acknowledged that omicron is far less severe than delta was, even though omicron is more contagious. Regarding her claim about children, I have absolutely no idea where she's getting that 100,000 figure. The current national pediatric COVID-19 census from the Department of Health and Human Services shows 3,342 children with COVID-19 in hospitals.

Maybe Justice Sotomayor should read what the American Academy of Pediatrics says about the risk to children instead of pulling a number out of a hat or repeating some number she heard or read somewhere.

Should we require experimental vaccines for children when the risk is so low? Wouldn't natural immunity be a better alternative?

However, according to data from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), last updated December 30, 2021, the coronavirus mortality rate among children remains extremely low. In the 24 states reporting, including New York City, 0.1-1.6 percent of all child coronavirus cases resulted in hospitalization. Further, in 46 states reporting, including New York City, Puerto Rico, and Guam, "Children were 0.00%-0.27% of all COVID-19 deaths, and 5 states reported zero child deaths."

Media outlets have been spreading lots of misinformation since COVID reared its ugly head in early 2020.

The WHO spread misinformation from China in January 2020 that COVID wouldn't spread human to human.

In February 2020, Fauci said the risk to the U.S. from COVID would be minuscule and said to skip the mask.

In March 2020, the CDC, without scientific evidence, said the virus easily spreads off surfaces and remains on surfaces for days.

In May, they said, never mind, we made that up. How many people still believe that it easily spreads off surfaces and then waste a lot of money because of those non-scientific talking points?

For months, without scientific evidence, businesses were told to put up Plexiglas to protect against COVID. Later on, it was determined that Plexiglas may cause more harm than good. Maybe OSHA should tell businesses to take down the Plexiglas instead of requiring a vaccine that doesn't protect against a virus.

The CDC started recommending, without scientific evidence, that people remain six feet apart. Later on, they said, without scientific evidence for children to be three feet apart. Does anyone truly believe that there is scientific evidence that says one or two feet apart is materially different from three feet apart?

We are repeatedly told, without scientific evidence, that masks work to reduce the spread, so why are states that have more strict mandates having worse results than states that don't have the mandates? Here's a hint: masks are more symbolic than helpful.

Blue States Lead in Daily Average of Coronavirus Cases per Capita According to the New York Times' coronavirus tracker, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Washington, DC, lead the U.S. in the daily average of coronavirus cases per capita. Rhode Island currently stands at 413 per 100,000, followed by New York with 362 and New Jersey with 351. Massachusetts is reporting 289 cases per capita, followed by D.C., which led the country mere weeks ago, reporting 280. All of those figures are above the U.S. average of 195 cases per 100,000. That comes despite the fact that several areas, such as New York and Washington, DC, have reintroduced mandates in the wake of the omicron variant of the virus.

Nearly two years into the pandemic, Massachusetts hospitals will make a distinction between patients who were hospitalized "for" coronavirus and those who were hospitalized "with" the virus.

Why did they ever count the cases in such a misleading way? Was it to scare the public into submission?

Why did the CDC change the way they count deaths from other viruses to counting any death remotely associated with COVID as caused by COVID? Won't undercounting deaths from heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer, obesity, and other causes and inflating deaths caused by COVID be damaging to future analysis and funding for more dangerous diseases?

Beginning next week, Massachusetts hospitals will start to differentiate between patients they admit primarily for COVID-19 and those admitted to be treated for something else who end up testing positive for COVID-19.

Eight members of my family have recently had COVID. Four were healthy, fully vaccinated adults under the age of 40, and four were unvaccinated healthy children under the age of eight. They are all almost fully recovered, and the treatment for all was the over-the-counter drugs Motrin and Tylenol. In other words, they were treated as if they had the common cold, a very contagious virus for which there is no vaccine. Why are we testing and quarantining people for what is essentially a common cold? Why would we test everyone they were close to, whether they had symptoms or not?

Mayor Lightfoot, Biden, the CDC, Psaki, and others are saying there is no scientific reason to keep children out of school, which is true. The problem is that all these people previously supported the closing of schools when there was never a scientific reason to do so.

Children in the United States have survived for centuries with contagious viruses without being kept out of school, without masks, and without social distancing  so why now?

The amount of physical, mental, and financial harm to children and their families is immeasurable. The number of deaths from suicide and other causes dwarfs the deaths caused by COVID.

The headlines say children, families, and businesses have been harmed by COVID, but that is not true. The harm is caused by power-hungry politicians and bureaucrats and their endless rules and mandates, not the virus.

Social media pretend they censor and block people so they don't spread misinformation, but that is not true. They block people that they disagree with. They gladly spread misinformation while they are pushing an agenda on COVID, the climate, the border, taxes, voting rights, and many other subjects. Their misinformation reaches powerful people.

There is nothing more dangerous than uninformed Supreme Court justices deciding what laws and rules are constitutional.

Photo credit: CC BY-SA 3.0 license.
This week, some 700 unvaccinated Mayo Clinic employees lost their jobs because they did not agree to take the COVID-19 vaccine or did not receive a medical or religious exemption. In addition, an unknown number of Mayo employees have already quit or retired to avoid being fired. The move comes as hospitals throughout the country struggle with a surge in hospital admissions combined with severe staff shortages.

Mayo, like many corporations, is between a rock and a hard place due to President Biden's federal vaccine mandate. They have been put in a uniquely difficult position because their multistate clinic is often relied upon to develop and promote government public health policy. For decades, Mayo has provided trusted medical advice to the country and world. At a time when public trust in the federal government's ability to lead the pandemic recovery has eroded, we would all benefit from Mayo's leadership in realizing that it made a mistake in terminating these frontline workers.

Like many local elected officials, Minnesota state rep. Steve Drazkowski (R-21B) began hearing from constituents who faced a real conundrum: get vaccinated or get fired. Drazkowski's constituents are some of the 47,500 employees of the Mayo Clinic, his state's largest employer.

The clinic offered some exemptions to those employees who have a medical reason to not vaccinate or a "sincerely held religious belief." In a recent letter to Mayo's CEO, Drazkowski asks, "In the application process for a religious exemption, Mayo Clinic employees are asked to, 'provide any information that will help us to determine that your belief is sincerely held.' How are Mayo Clinic employees supposed to prove their beliefs to you?"

Employees who suggested that their discomfort was with the use of fetal cells in the testing of vaccines were warned that medications such as aspirin, ivermectin, and hydroxychloroquine also had been tested with fetal cells. Did this mean that if they did receive a religious exemption, their employment would be ended if they ever took a Tylenol?

Mayo CEO Dr. Gianrico Farrugia responded to Drazkowski's question. Mayo "has always been primarily about our mission to put the patient's interest first," Farrugia said. "Mayo Clinic is a global destination for a significant number of cancer treatment patients and, as a world leader in complex and serious care, provides support to highly vulnerable and immunocompromised patients. These patients deserve the safety of having vaccinated staff to care for them."

But what does that have to do with the very subjective process of granting religious vaccine absolution to Joe the custodian but not Jane the nurse, based on their application essays and choices in drop-down menus?

The Sisters of St. Francis, who for many years provided free labor in the wards of the Mayo Clinic, also created a culture of religious freedom for employees to practice their faith and work for Mayo. The institution has never been afraid to tackle thorny, controversial moral issues while caring for sick patients.

Unvaccinated visitors, vendors, and patients, together with the employees who received vaccination exemptions, certainly far outnumber the employees who were fired by Mayo. Moreover, the vaccines do not prevent catching or spreading the virus. Employees at the Florida campus were not fired, but those in Minnesota were. All this suggests that fairness, common sense, and sound science played little, if any, role in this arbitrary decision.

Farrugia also stated plainly that the federal government was threatening Mayo with loss of funding from Medicaid and Medicare reimbursements. He correctly points out the vaccine mandate "coincided with the federal government's intent to issue regulations under which providers must require staff vaccination, absent a qualifying exemption, as a condition of the provider's continued participation in Medicare or Medicaid."

America's hospitals and medical centers have become too dependent on the favor of elected politicians and funding from the federal government. Unfortunately, it is completely rational for hospitals to be terrified about disappointing state and federal administrators and bureaucrats.

However, Mayo risks losing the trust of a grateful nation and world to the same collapse of confidence that has so irreparably damaged other previously trusted institutions.

Mayo's mission focus on "the best interest of the patient" has helped create myriad medical miracles that have saved countless lives and alleviated the suffering of people from all over the world. The country has been corrupted into believing that the treatment of COVID-19 should somehow depend on vaccination status. Given the present circumstances, it is imperative that Mayo Clinic, and medical facilities throughout America, put their patients and employees above political grandstanding.

Matt Dean (mdean@heartland.org) is a senior fellow for health care policy at The Heartland Institute.

Image: Mayo Clinic.
There's been a lot of bumper-sticker sloganeering and non-strategic thinking from some quarters in the Republican Party that it's time to make Donald Trump emeritus. That would be a fatal mistake.

Although Florida's Ron DeSantis is a fine governor, he has never garnered a single vote outside Florida. He has never run a national campaign. He has never had to formulate a foreign policy. He has never dealt with, nor does he have any currency with, world leaders. In other words, there is a massive learning curve for DeSantis that Trump has already learned.

Further, our friends with the bumper-sticker mentality are certain that the problem of Trump's "baggage" would disappear with another candidate. They misguidedly believe that the Dems, and their Amen Corner in the media, would suddenly see the light and start playing fair and square, engage on the issues, and not launch vicious personal attacks if only that means Trump would go away. Horse pucky! The Dems and their media partners will come after any Republican nominee with every weapon in their arsenal. Only Trump has proven that he can take everything they throw and keep moving forward.

Clearly, the Dems think Trump is the most dangerous opponent, or else they would not still be gunning for him. If the left thought Trump was a sure loser, they wouldn't be holding the 1/6 hearings, which are solely constructed to try to take Trump out of the picture.

Trump has the singular ability to bring a populist coalition to the party. The blue-collar former Democrats decided to vote Republican not just because of fungible policies and a track record of broken promises. No, they came over because of Trump. They believe in him. Then Trump did something no other Republican president has ever done before: he kept his promises! Trump received more votes than any Republican in history. He got 20 million more votes than Reagan.



Image: Donald Trump by Gage Skidmore. CC BY-SA 2.0.

In 2016, with Trump being a non-politician and coming from the outside, he had to start from scratch. He had to rely on Washington insiders for key positions, and he brought people with him who were wholly unsuited for the Washington internecine hurly-burly. But he's past that stage now. He has his own Rolodex. He knows where the bodies are buried and how to deal with the long knives. The almost unbelievable thing about all of this is that Trump managed to achieve all that he accomplished with a RINO swamp that was even more evil than the Democrats. Trump exposed Paul RYANO for the swamp creature he was, as well as the rest of his ilk, like Mitch McConnell.

Trump also had to operate under the constant pressures of nonstop investigation and impeachment. He had to survive an attempted coup, led by the Obama-Hillary axis of evil, with a mighty assist from the intelligence services and the FBI. No president in history faced such an awesome onslaught of power and remained standing  undaunted, fearless, still optimistic about America and her future.

Almost everything that President and Ex-President Trump said and/or predicted has come true. His stature, competence, and incredibly conservative accomplishments now stand even taller in comparison to the disaster that is Team Joey. The Democrats have proven, in just a scant year, that their vision of America is a lawless, Marxist, winner-takes-all Stateocracy  a country in which opposing ideas are crushed. A world in which you bow to the State or pay an enormous price.

The stakes are simply too high to place our bets on the come. You don't replace Tom Brady with a young upstart who looks good. You dance with "them what brung ya," especially if he can defeat the forces of evil we face and has proven that he has the right stuff to get the job done, both at home and abroad.

Imagine a Trump administration with a Republican House and Senate, bereft of most of the RINOs, without endless Democrat investigations, complete with a tested Team Trump, delivering on the promise of a Main-Street, America-first, conservative agenda, based on the ideals set forth by the Founding Fathers and enshrined in the Constitution.

That is why it must be Trump in '24.
MANILA, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- The Philippines crossed another grim milestone as the COVID-19 case count topped 3 million on Tuesday.

The number of COVID-19 cases in the Southeast Asian country surged to 3,026,473 after the Department of Health (DOH) reported 28,007 new daily infections.

The DOH also reported 219 coronavirus-related deaths, raising the country's death toll to 52,511. The number of active cases ballooned to 181,016 as the positivity rate rose to 44.5 percent.

The Philippines' COVID-19 infections peaked on Monday, with 33,169 new cases. Officials blamed the spike on high mobility and poor compliance with safety health protocols during the holiday season.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque reported during a meeting with President Rodrigo Duterte aired on Monday night that the COVID-19 situation in the country is now at "critical risk."

The country has experienced a "690 percent increase in the seven-day moving average of reported daily cases, and 3,663 percent two-week growth rate" as new infections reach new highs over the past days, Duque said.

He added that the country's average daily attack rate or the number of those infected per 100,000 people has climbed to 10.47, and the positivity rate to 40.4 percent. The newest genome sequencing showed over 60 percent of samples are Omicron variant cases, said Duque.

Despite the growth in the daily number of active cases, severe and critical cases are comparatively lower than observed during the September 2021 third wave. The DOH data showed that 97 percent of the cases are mild and asymptomatic.

Duterte has expressed concern over the COVID-19 situation in his country, saying it is becoming more alarming. The DOH said the community transmission of the highly contagious Delta and Omicron variant will further drive up the number of infections.

In an online briefing, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire noted a sharp increase in the number of frontline medical workers who contracted the virus in recent weeks.

The government urged unvaccinated people to get the COVID-19 shots, saying the "vaccines are still the first line of defense against the virus." According to DOH, nearly 53 million people are fully vaccinated.

Vergeire said 85 percent of COVID-19 patients in hospitals are unvaccinated, and over 90 percent of the deaths recorded were unvaccinated.

The Philippines, with a population of around 110 million, has tested more than 24 million people since the outbreak in 2020. 
(Image source from: timesnownews.com)

The Omicron variant spread has increased rapidly in the last one week and it is now present in all the states. More than 4000 cases of Omicron variant are reported in the country till date. The Indian government asked the states to impose their own restrictions as per the rise in the cases. The Telangana Health Department made it clear that there would be no lockdown in the state and the Department asked the people to be extra cautious and use facemasks when they are in public. The people are asked to follow the social distancing guidelines strictly without fail.

The Health Department of Telangana issued strict orders for all the government hospitals after there is a rise in the new cases of coronavirus. The Health Department asked the government hospitals to admit only emergency cases and not normal cases in the coming days. The authorities also asked the hospitals to keep a track on the available beds on a regular basis and update the information to them. The private hospitals too made special arrangements considering the rise in the cases and increased the beds for coronavirus patients. Telangana Chief Minister KCR has been interacting with the Health officials to review the situation of coronavirus in the state.
Google Duo on Android is currently experiencing a bug wherein users cant listen to the audio when they answer a call from the notification. Thankfully, Google has now acknowledged this issue, promising that a fix is on its way.

The company gave the information through its support page (via Android Police). Google also provided a temporary remedy that all users can try until the fix is available. Users simply have to avoid answering calls from the notification and do it from the app instead. This isnt a particularly convenient solution, but this is all users can do right now.

We are working on a fix, but in the meantime, a workaround is to try the call once more but have your Duo app open so you can answer the call from within the app instead of via the notification alert, Google said.

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Google couldnt specify when this issue would be fixed. But we figure it shouldnt take more than a few weeks. In the meantime, make sure you follow the makeshift remedies recommended by Google if youre a frequent user of Duo.

Over 50k bugs were reported during the Android 12 beta period

Android 12, on the whole, was struck with a handful of bugs since the early days of its launch. Back in October, Google said that over 50,000 bugs were reported during the beta period. Clearly, a few of them have also made their way to the stable release. Meanwhile, Samsung had to pause and restart the Android 12 (One UI 4) rollout at least a couple of times due to bugs.

Even Googles recent flagship smartphone lineup wasnt immune from issues. The company had to halt the December 2021 security update for the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro recently over call dropping and other connectivity-related issues. This could mean that the two Pixels would directly receive the January 2022 update instead. Google said the update would roll out later this month.

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The pausing of the rollout was significant as it was also the first Pixel Feature Drop for the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro. Users can expect all the original improvements expected on the December 2021 update, plus a few other additions.
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The CEO of Moderna Stephane Bancel is seen in this video frame grab as he speaks during an interview with AFP on Nov. 17, 2020. The pharmaceutical company is currently working on a targeted shot for the newest COVID-19 variant, Bancel announced. The booster is about to enter clinical trials.
PHNOM PENH, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Mine-sniffing hero rat Magawa, who won a gold medal for his mine-detection work in Cambodia, has died at the age of eight, charity Apopo said in a news release on Tuesday.

"Hero rat Magawa passed away peacefully this weekend," the news release said. "Magawa was in good health and spent most of last week playing with his usual enthusiasm, but towards the weekend he started to slow down, napping more and showing less interest in food in his last days."

During his five-year career, Magawa found over 100 landmines and other explosives, making him Apopo's most successful hero rat to date, it said.

Apopo is a non-profit organization that trains African giant pouched rats to save lives by detecting landmines and tuberculosis.

"His contribution allows communities in Cambodia to live, work, and play, without fear of losing life or limb," it added.

In September 2020, Magawa was presented with a gold medal from British veterinary charity People's Dispensary for Sick Animals for his work detecting landmines in Cambodia before he retired in June last year.

Magawa was born and trained in Tanzania by Apopo to detect the scent of the explosive chemicals used in landmines and point them out to his handlers.

Regional and internal conflicts had left Cambodia as one of the most mine and explosive remnants of war-affected countries in the world. An estimated 4 to 6 million landmines and other munitions were left over from the almost three decades of conflicts.

Landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXO) explosions killed 11 people and injured 33 others in Cambodia last year, a government report said, adding that from 1979 to 2021, landmines and UXO explosions had claimed a total of 19,808 lives and either injured or amputated 45,156 others. 
TUNIS - Under the slogan "Africa towards a liberal and digital economy", the Tunisian, Libyan and Algerian conference Afro E-co will be held on March 1-2 in Tunis. It is organized by International Five Consulting and OutBoxTeam in collaboration with Utica Tunisie (the local business association)and Libyan National Planning Council, representing an opportunity to exchange know-how and experiences as well as for partnerships between the public and private sectors of African countries.

During a meeting in Tripoli on Monday, the Libyan National Council for Planning said it was looking for "collaboration with the Tunisian federation of trade and industry for the reconstruction of modern Libya in cooperation with friendly and fraternal African countries". The initiative Afro E-co means to represent and develop relations of joint and sustainable cooperation in the sectors of investment in a free and digital economy, promoting awareness on free and digital economy, providing to Arab and African countries models and procedures to guide them along a path of global and sustainable economic growth.
WEF warns about high risks of climate crisis, pandemic Slow recovery, vaccination in poor countries key

(di Domenico Conti) (ANSAmed) - ROME, JANUARY 11 - The climate crisis, an increase in social divisions, the rising risks connected to cyber security and a potentially "volatile and irregular" global recovery in the coming three years: these are the main global issues according to the Global Risk Report 2022 of the World Economic Forum. The organization's global survey, which has reached its third edition, said the pandemic crisis "still represents a critical threat for the entire world". Only one in six experts expressed optimism and only one in 10 expected an acceleration of global recovery.



"To solve these systemic problems, world leaders must adopt a coordinated approach among more stakeholders, although the margin of collaboration is more restricted", said the report of the Geneva-based organization, which holds every year a meeting in Davos. This year it was postponed due to the Omicron variant.



Risks connected to climate dominated the list of main concerns for impact and probability, especially in the long term in which five of the top 10 global risks - from the failure of environmental policies to the loss of biodiversity - are all connected to climate change.



More immediately, after potential inaction on climate, the number one risk in terms of seriousness, the report considered the risks posed by the economic situation, directly connected to the pandemic.



"Inequality in the administration of vaccines - not just 6% of the vaccinated population in the 52 poorest countries where 20% of the world's population lives - and the consequential inequality of economic recovery risk aggravating social fractures and geopolitical tensions". The consequences cannot just lead to "social fractures within and between countries" and "existential crises" inside the most vulnerable countries, but can also worsen "geopolitical confrontation", a term with which the report hints at tensions between the West and Russia on Ukraine or with China.



Also on an economic level, the Risk Report warned about the risk of the explosion of financial bubbles due to the excessive evaluation of some assets, the debt crisis, which has reached new records globally. (ANSAmed).




Libya: 68 migrants treated after mass arrests in Tripoli, MSF 'Parents beaten, divided from kids among wounded, EU must act'

(ANSAmed) - ROMA, 11 GEN - A team of Doctors Without Borders has treated 68 people who were injured during a mass arrest two days ago in Libya, in which hundreds of migrants asking for protection were transferred to the center of Ain Zara. The NGO said in a statement that seven of those wounded required medical attention in hospital, while 190 people were offered psychological support.



"Over 600 people, who were protesting peacefully to obtain protection and to ask to be evacuated from Libya, were arrested and transferred to the detention center of Ain Zara south of Tripoli. In this facility are already held hundreds of migrants and refugees in overcrowded cells", said Gabriele Ganci, head mission for MSF in Libya. "During a weekly visit to the center, where we offer medical care and psychological support, MSF's team treated people with stab wounds, signs of beatings and people who were traumatized by forced arrests. Among them - continued Ganci - were also parents who were beaten and separated from their children during the event".



"What occurred shows that, once again, in Libya all migrants are subjected to casual and arbitrary detention, even those seeking protection in line with humanitarian laws", said Ellen van der Velden, director of MSF operations. "Once again, we ask Libyan authorities to stop mass arrests and to find dignified alternatives to detention. We also ask the EU - she added - to stop any support to the endless system of detention, abuse and violence in Libya". (ANSAmed).




TUNIS - Tunisian Islamic party Ennahda has urged supporters and social actors to take part in demonstrations scheduled on January 14 on the 11th anniversary of the Revolution, against measures adopted by President Kais Saied.

"We urge all supporters and social forces to take part in demonstrations organized on January 14 against coup-style measures and to celebrate the anniversary of the Revolution", according to a statement posted by the party on Facebook.

Ennahdha joins anti-Saied demonstrations already announced by opposition parties, Democratic Current, Ettakol and the Republican Party scheduled early in the afternoon on Avenue Bourguiba in Tunis. January 14 will be a "day of rage" also for Tunisian collective 'Citizens against the State coup' led by activist Jaouhar Ben Mbarek who urged citizens to boycott an online vote called by President Kais Saied. Mainly formed by supporters of Islamic party Ennhadha and of Islamist coalition Al Karama, as well as representatives of civil society, the group protests against exceptional measures ordered by the president on July 25.

The collective has also asked for a program concerning the resumption of Parliament's work, the defense of the Constitution and the preservation of rights and freedom with the objective of "saving the country from a coup" and setting a date for early legislative and presidential elections.

President Kais Saied, however, according to many observers, continues to enjoy widespread support in the public opinion.


ROME - European Parliament President David Sassoli died overnight, his spokesperson said early on Tuesday.

The Florence-born journalist-turned-politician was 65.

"I am deeply saddened by the terrible loss of a great European & proud Italian," said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen via Twitter.

"David Sassoli was a compassionate journalist, an outstanding President of the European Parliament and, first & foremost, a dear friend.

"My thoughts are with his family.

"Riposa in pace, caro David!

"Rest in peace David, my dear friend".

Sassoli died at an oncological centre in Aviano, in the northeastern province of Pordenone, after being hospitalized on December 26 with serious complications related to an immune-system dysfunction.

President Sergio Mattarella said that he was "deeply pained" by the "unexpected and premature" death of Sassoli.

"His death opens a vacuum in the ranks of those who believed in and built a Europe of peace at the service of the citizens and it is a source of profound pain for the Italian people and the European people," the head of State said.

"His limpid, constant, passionate commitment contributed to making the Strasbourg assembly a lead player in the political debate in a highly delicate period, giving voice to the hopes of the European citizens".

Italian Premier Mario Draghi hailed Sassoli as a "man of the institutions, a profound European, a passionate journalist".

"Sassoli was a symbol of balance, humanity, generosity," Draghi said.

"These qualities were always recognized by all his colleagues, of all political persuasions and of every EU country, which bears witness to his extraordinary civil passion, capacity to listen, (and) constant commitment at the service of citizens.

"His premature and sudden passing dismays us".

Sassoli was a protagonist in the EU and defended the weakest, Draghi told a House commemoration of the late EP Speaker.

"I want to remember Sassoli above all as a man at the service of Europe, of the institutions, of its citizens," said the former European Central Bank president.

"As president of the European parliament, his rare capacity for combining idealism and mediation made him a protagonist of one of the most difficult periods in recent history.

"An attentive and authoritative voice, in defence of European values and the rights of the weakest".

Draghi added: "In his speeches Sassoli outlined his Europe: representative, effective, solidarity-based. It is in the Parliament that Europe grows and strengthens itself".

European Council President Charles Michel described Sassoli as a "sincere, passionate European".

"We already miss his human warmth, his generosity, his cordiality and his smile," Michel said.

Pope Francis remembered Sassoli as "a believer animated by hope and charity, a competent journalist and esteemed man of the institutions who, in a calm and respectful way, in the public posts he held spent every effort for the common good with rectitude and generous commitment, promoting with lucidity and passion a solidarity-based vision of the European community and devoting himself to the last ones with particular care".

A political science graduate from Rome University, Sassoli worked for several newspapers before joining RAI in 1992.

He worked his way up the State broadcaster and became a news reader for its flagship TG1 news show.

He entered the political fray in 2009, getting elected as an MEP for the centre-left Democratic Party (PD).

He was elected president of the European Parliament in 2019.

Last month he announced he would not stand to be re-elected in that role.

He had been seriously ill with pneumonia in September.

Flags were hung at half mask at the European institutions on Tuesday as a sign of mourning.

Sassoli's funeral will take place at Rome's Santa Maria degli Angeli church on Friday.
Libya: Williams meets Tunisian FM Key role of neighboring countries highlighted to support Libyans

(ANSAmed) - TUNIS, JANUARY 11 - The resumption of the political process in Libya was at the center of a meeting in Tunis between Tunisian Foreign Minister Othman Jerandi and the UN Secretary General's Special Adviser on Libya Stephanie Williams. During the talks, attention focused on "efforts carried out by the UN mission in Libya after the elections' postponement, in coordination with various Libyan sides", according to a statement issued by the foreign minister in Tunis. The statement added that, on this occasion, Jerandi stressed Tunisia's permanent support for Libya and its "firm support for the choices of Libyan friends to preserve the supreme interest of their country, asking for a resumption of dialogue to guarantee the security of Libya and preserve stability in the entire region".



Jerandi recalled, in that context, "the position of Tunisian President Kais Saied who supports an inter-Libyan agreement", expressing confidence in the ability of Libyans to overcome the current situation and guarantee the best conditions for the success of upcoming elections. Jerandi moreover highlighted Tunisia's support for the UN mission in Libya and efforts undertaken by the advisor of the UN secretary general to accommodate the points of view of different Libyan sides.



For her part, Stephanie Williams praised "the important role undertaken by Tunisia in promoting dialogue between Libyans", praising "Tunisia's contribution to the advancement of the political process in Libya", in particular during its mandate in the UN Security Council as a non-permanent member for the 2020-2021 legislature. "We stressed the importance of maintaining the positive impulse in Libya to push forward the political process, including holding national elections as soon as possible", Williams tweeted after the meeting. She concluded saying that she "stressed the importance of the role of Libya's neighboring countries in supporting the Libyan people in the search for peace, security and stability". (ANSAmed).




Migrants: different approach necessary for Europe-Lamorgese 'Lack of solidarity in redistribution'

(ANSAmed) - ROME, JANUARY 11 - "In Europe we have entered a crucial phase in which the dynamic of constant contraposition between Mediterranean countries, the most exposed to flows by sea, and northern countries, often selected as final destination by many migrants, is showing all its irresoluteness", Interior Minister Luciana Lamorgese has told online magazine Microfinanza.



"Until today - the minister recalled - solidarity in the redistribution of migrants has not been shared, if not in part, and mainly only by some founding countries of the EU; and all this shows how necessary is a different approach to provide adequate responses to a structural phenomenon that will certainly not end in the coming years. And in this direction, it is extremely positive that in the last European Council the heads of State and government have finally found an agreement on the need to accelerate plans of action and support for the countries of origin and transit of migrants, unblocking without further ado all planned funding. In other words, the European Union must follow engagements taken for strategic partnerships with countries of origin and transit of flows, like Libya and Tunisia".



The minister highlighted how the Covid emergency continues to "upset all paradigms of reference we used to deal with also in the initial hosting of migrants. Just think about the great effort that the interior ministry had to confront in managing ferries rented to quarantine migrants". "The vaccination campaign for immigrants, which kicked off a few months ago on the island of Lampedusa, has required a significant effort. My wish is that we can go back to normal as soon as possible, which will allow us to concentrate efforts on the most constructive segment of hosting" placing "at the forefront training and integration", concluded Lamorgese. (ANSAmed).




The mother of a man who died in a hotel fire which claimed two lives has said she is very disappointed it is still not known when a fatal accident inquiry into the tragedy will start following a legal hearing.

Simon Midgley, 32, and his partner Richard Dyson, 38, from London, died in the blaze at the five-star Cameron House Hotel on the banks of Loch Lomond on December 18 2017.

Hotel operator Cameron House Resort (Loch Lomond) Ltd was fined 500,000 and night porter Christopher OMalley was given a community payback order over the fire at Dumbarton Sheriff Court in January 2021.

Jane Midgley, mother of Simon, was present at the first procedural hearing for the Fatal Accident Inquiry (FAI) at Paisley Sheriff Court on Tuesday, when a further hearing was set for May but no date fixed for the inquiry itself.

Simon Midgley (right) and Richard Dyson died in the fire (Family Handout/PA)

Speaking after the hearing, she said: Im very disappointed today, half an hour and Ive come away still unsure whats happening and when its going to happen.

I was hoping were going into the fifth year and Ive no idea again, is it going to go on until the end of the year? Its all up in the air again. Im very disappointed with what happened today, very disappointed.

She added: Ive been waiting five years and there are still unanswered questions and I need the answers to be able to move on, its difficult and Im doing this not just for the boys, Im doing it for the boys but Im doing it for everybody.

Its not just about hotels this you know, its about any kind of public building and anybody to feel safe and changes have to be made, and until we have this over and done with nothing is going to change.

Dumbarton Sheriff Court heard last January that the fire started after night porter Christopher OMalley emptied ash and embers from a fuel fire into a polythene bag and placed it in a cupboard which contained combustibles including kindling and newspapers.

Jane Midgley (right) attended the hearing at Paisley Sheriff Court (Lucinda Cameron/PA)

Cameron House Resort (Loch Lomond) Ltd, owner and operator of the hotel, admitted failing to take the fire safety measures necessary to ensure the safety of employees and guests between January 14 2016 and December 18 2017.

The company admitted two charges of breaching the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005.

OMalley admitted breaching sections of health and safety laws which relate to the obligation on an employee to take reasonable care for the health and safety of people affected by their acts or omissions at work.

Graeme Jessop, lead counsel to the inquiry, told Paisley Sheriff Court on Tuesday: A fire started in a concierge cupboard in the hotel.

The hotel was badly damaged in the fire (Andrew Milligan/PA)

This caused an alarm at around 6.39am which led to the discovery of the fire and the initiation of a full evacuation.

A subsequent roll call found that Mr Midgley and Mr Dyson were unaccounted for. In a search by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) both men were located in a stairwell of the hotel by firefighters. Despite the best efforts of the Scottish Ambulance Service both men died.

Mr Jessop said that the Crown has instructed an architect to prepare a report for the inquiry as an expert witness.

The FAI is expected to last around four weeks.

Participants will include Cameron House Resort Loch Lomond Ltd, Mr OMalley, a representative from Village Hotels and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.

Sheriff Principal Duncan Murray agreed to set the next hearing for May 3.
MANILA, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- The highly infectious Omicron coronavirus variant has raced ahead of Delta and is now the dominant variant in the Philippines, Health Secretary Francisco Duque said late Monday night.

In a pre-recorded meeting with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte aired late Monday night, Duque said that the newest genome sequencing showed over 60 percent of samples are Omicron variant cases.

He said that from the genome sequencing conducted on Jan. 3, around 60.42 percent, or 29 of 48 samples were Omicron cases, while 18 or 37.5 percent were Delta.

The Southeast Asian country reported 33,169 new COVID-19 infections on Monday, a new record daily spike. It now has nearly 3 million confirmed cases, including 52,293 deaths.

The country has experienced the fourth wave of COVID-19 infections since the outbreak in 2020. 
MoneySavingExpert founder Martin Lewis is to fund a new 100,000 advice service for vulnerable energy customers, warning bills will rise by 51% on April 1 unless the Government intervenes.

Mr Lewis said the money would go to fuel poverty charity National Energy Action (NEA) to free up its helplines by April 1, when expected increases to the Governments energy price cap will come into effect on consumers bills.

In a tweet, Mr Lewis wrote that April 1 would see energy bills rise by 51% unless the Government intervened, adding: Now pls Govt provide more help for em to advise on. We cant let people choose freeze or starve!

Announcement. I'm funding @NEA_UKCharity 100,000 to set up web chat advice for vulnerable people to free up its helplines by 1 Apr when, UNLESS GOVT INTERVENES energy bills rise 51% Now pls Govt provide more help for em to advise on. We can't let people choose freeze or starve!  Martin Lewis (@MartinSLewis) January 11, 2022

His funding announcement follows his warning last week that households could expect to take a seismic hit to their energy bills which could force some to decide whether to heat their homes or eat.

NEA also warned last month that average domestic dual fuel energy bills, which have already soared by more than 230 per customer compared with last winter, could increase by a further 550 a year.

NEA said the average household gas bill could increase by 467 compared with October last year, meaning the cost of heating the average home will have doubled since last winter.

Energy prices have spiked globally due to a series of issues aligning around the world. Increased demand from a reopening economy has been paired with higher demand from China, and a summer that was less windy than normal.

Martin Lewis (Ian West/PA)

The price cap is currently set so low that energy suppliers are having to pay more for the gas they buy than the amount they can sell it for.

A poll by NEA 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% of UK residential buildings, or 23 million homes, are still currently connected to the gas grid, using a boiler and central heating system.

Thank you to @MartinSLewis for donating 100,000 to @NEA_UKCharity. Together we will offer advice and support to help the most vulnerable as the #EnergyCrisis means more people than ever are struggling to afford to keep their homes warm and safe. https://t.co/TGihk541ur  National Energy Action (@NEA_UKCharity) January 11, 2022

According to Cornwall Insights, an energy sector specialist, bills could rise from 1,277 a year under the current price cap to 1,865 a year when the next revision is announced, a rise of 46%.

They also predict it could spike to 2,240 a year at the following quarterly revaluation in August 2022 without a significant fall in energy prices globally.

Several firms went bust in 2021, with customers at other energy firms picking up the tab for the collapses, whilst the Government also took over the running of Bulb after it failed last November.

Ofgem has subsequently announced changes to how much other energy firms, and eventually customers, can be forced to pay to fund rivals collapses.

However, many in the industry say more needs to be done to avoid future companies from going bust and stricter rules put in place over who can run suppliers.
People who produce a positive lateral flow test will no longer need to take a PCR test to confirm their result.

From January 11, asymptomatic people in England who test positive will no longer require a confirmatory PCR.

The move, previously announced last week by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), is taking place to free up capacity in laboratories for PCR tests for those who have Covid-19 symptoms.

A man enters a walk-in NHS testing centre in Camberley, Surrey (Steve Parsons/PA)

People who receive a positive result on a lateral flow device (LFD) will be required to self-isolate immediately, without requiring PCR confirmation.

The UKHSA said it is a temporary measure while Covid-19 rates remain high across the UK.

UKHSA chief executive Dr Jenny Harries said: This is a tried and tested approach. With Covid cases high, we can confidently say lateral flow tests can be used to indicate Covid-19 without the need for PCR confirmation.

If you test positive on an LFD, you should self-isolate immediately and register your result to allow contact tracing to take place.

It also remains really important that anyone experiencing Covid-19 symptoms self-isolates and takes a PCR test via gov.uk, or by phoning 119.

The UKHSA said it is a temporary measure while Covid-19 rates remain high across the UK (Kirsty OConnor/PA)

Im really grateful to the public and all of our critical workers who continue to test regularly and self-isolate when necessary, along with other practical and important behaviours to limit transmission of the virus, as this is the most effective way of stopping the spread of infection and keeping our friends, families and communities safe.

Exceptions to the new rules include people who want to claim the Test and Trace Support Payment, those who are taking lateral flow tests as part of research and those who have a positive day 2 test result after they arrive in England.
Andrew Gosden. (Family handout/PA)

Two men were arrested in connection with the disappearance of Andrew Gosden more than 14 years ago.

Andrew, from Doncaster, South Yorkshire, was 14 when he vanished in September 2007 after apparently travelling to London.

South Yorkshire Police announced on Tuesday that two men were detained in the capital on Thursday December 8 with the help of Met officers.

A 45-year-old was arrested on suspicion of kidnap, human trafficking and the possession of indecent images of children; while a 38-year-old was held on suspicion of kidnap and human trafficking, a spokesman said.

Both have now been released under investigation while inquiries continue.

Andrew, who will now be 28, vanished on September 14 2007, with the case becoming one of the most high-profile missing person probes in the North.

He emptied his bank account of about 200 and went to Doncaster station, where he bought a one-way ticket to London Kings Cross.

CCTV footage showed 14-year-old Andrew Gosden at Kings Cross Station on September 14 2007. (South Yorkshire Police/PA)

His family and police believe he boarded a train at 9.35am, arriving at Kings Cross at 11.20am.

CCTV images captured at the station  and later released by South Yorkshire Police  made up the last known sighting of Andrew, with no further information about his movements corroborated by officers.

His family have staged a high profile campaign over the years to keep their son in the public eye and to help the families of other missing people.

A post on the campaigns Twitter feed, which referenced a local newspaper story on the arrests, said on Tuesday: It is a difficult time for Andrews family who currently know no more than what is written in the article.

Police investigations will be ongoing for quite a while and we respectfully ask you to give them your support and consideration whilst this takes place.

Detective Inspector Andy Knowles, from South Yorkshire Police, said: Our priority at this time is supporting Andrews family while we work through this new line of enquiry in the investigation.

We are in close contact with them and they ask that their privacy is respected as our investigation continues.

We have made numerous appeals over the years to find out where Andrew is and what happened to him when he disappeared. I would encourage anyone with any information they have not yet reported to come forward.
Rachel Lindsay first appeared on "The Bachelor" in 2017. (Photo: CHRIS DELMAS/AFP via Getty Images)

Rachel Lindsay is still dealing with the fallout from an interview she did with Chris Harrison, who was then the host of The Bachelor, last February.

"It's a struggle. I literally have PTSD from that interview from watching it, from the aftermath," Lindsay told The Alcalde, the alumni magazine at her alma mater, the University of Texas at Austin. "Friendships were lost over it; people were calling my job asking for me to get fired. It was total harassment; it was a really tough time. But I guess I couldn't live with myself if I held back. I just never want to live in a place of regrets, and I feel like I was given this platform for a reason, and I have a certain purpose, and I'm supposed to live that out."

In Lindsay and Harrison's awkward exchange on Extra, she asked him about his thoughts on photos that had surfaced online of contestant Rachael Kirkconnell, who is white, attending a fraternity party with an antebellum plantation theme in 2018. Harrison defended Kirkconnell, who was, at the time, competing for the franchise's first Black male star. Harrison asked people to have "a little grace, a little understanding, a little compassion" and suggested that the photos would have been more acceptable in 2018. Lindsay pressed him on those comments, asking, "If I went to that party, what would I represent at that party?" After backlash from Bachelor Nation followed, Harrison apologized, but he announced his departure from the long-running franchise in June.

Later the same month, Lindsay wrote in New York Magazine that she was cutting ties with all things that had to do with the dating show. Subtitled "I thought I could change The Bachelor franchise from within. Until I realized I was their token," Lindsay's piece recounted her many frustrations with the ABC show, including the resistance to change she encountered there.

Still, Lindsay is putting herself out there again, in a new book of essays, Miss Me With That: Hot Takes, Helpful Tidbits, and a Few Hard Truths, out Jan. 25. It contains an entire chapter on mental health.

"And it's probably my favorite in the book, because I talk about how I got into therapy and why," Lindsay said. "It's interesting in the journey I go through, and the stigma in the community when it comes to Black people you're supposed to pray your problems away. I struggled with religion versus therapy, but that is what has kept me grounded. That is what's kept me sane. Meditating, yoga, just taking a break."
By Hilary Russ

NEW YORK (Reuters) - A Starbucks cafe in Buffalo, New York, became the second unionized company-owned Starbucks Corp location in the United States after the federal labor board on Monday certified the results of last month's election there.

Baristas at the company's cafes in at least seven other cities have said since last fall that they also want to organize.

The union, called Workers United, had challenged several ballots for the Genesee Street location because it claimed the employees actually worked at a different store. The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) agreed with Workers United that the ballots should be tossed out, making the final vote 15-9 in favor of the union.

The global coffee chain has 10 days to ask for a review of the NLRB's decision.

"We've been clear in our belief that we are better together as partners, without a union between us at Starbucks, and that conviction has not changed," a spokesman said.

The company is evaluating its options and believes the employees whose ballots were set aside should be able to vote, he said.

Employees at the first Buffalo store to be certified, on Elmwood Avenue, walked out a week ago in protest at what they said were unsafe, understaffed conditions amid a new wave of COVID-19 infections that has sickened workers and slowed service at many restaurants.

They went back to work on Monday.

"We said we weren't going to put customers or partners at risk until we had enough staff to operate safely. As of Monday, we believe we can now do that," said Michelle Eisen, a union organizer and employee at the store.

The store also returned to the more frequent hand washing and cafe sanitization routines that employees had requested, said Jaz Brisack, a barista there.

(Reporting by Hilary Russ; Editing by Sandra Maler)
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (Reuters) The Biden administration announced on Monday that it will reverse a Trump-era policy that opened up vast swathes of Arctic Alaska land to new oil development.

The U.S. Department of the Interior said it will scrap the Trump administration's decision that authorized expanded leasing and development in the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska, or NPR-A. Even though Trump took several steps to try to boost oil-and-gas development in Alaska, production in the state fell to a 43-year low in 2020, as drillers focus their attention in Texas and other lower 48 states.

Official notice of the change will come in a notice to be filed on Monday in federal court in Alaska, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), a division of Department of the Interior, said in a statement.

FILE PHOTO: A polar bear keeping close to her young along the Beaufort Sea coast in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

"This decision reflects the Biden-Harris administration's priority of reviewing existing oil and gas programs to ensure balance on America's public lands and waters to benefit current and future generations," it said.

The Trump administration in its waning days approved a plan to allow oil leasing and development in more than 80% percent of the 23-million-acre (9.3-million-hectare) reserve. That replaced a 2013 Obama administration plan issued that protected about half of the reserve.

One of the most controversial elements of the Trump administration's Cplan was the approval of future oil development in Teshekpuk Lake, the largest lake on the North Slope and the site of important habitat for migratory birds, caribou and other Arctic wildlife.

Plans and policies dating back to the Reagan administration had kept Teshekpuk Lake off-limits to development. The Obama-era plan expanded protections in the wetlands near the lake.

Located on the western side of the North Slope, the NPR-A has been the site of important new oil discoveries and developments. None of those projects will be affected by the decision to revert to the Obama-era management plans; all the existing projects are on leases sold in past years.

No lease sales had been conducted under the Trump administration's plan, as the last NPR-A lease sale held by the BLM was in 2019.

The state last year produced 448,000 barrels of oil day, according to the U.S. Energy Department; production in the state peaked in 1988 at more than 2 million barrels per day.
FILE - Assemblyman Ash Kalra, D-San Jose, discusses his bill that would pay for the universal health care bill, during a news conference at the Capitol in Sacramento, Calif., Thursday, Jan. 6, 2022. California lawmakers will have their first opportunity to debate Kalra's measure to create the nation's first universal health care system when it goes before the Assembly Health Committee, Tuesday, Jan. 11. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, File)

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP)  Frustrated with partisan stalemates in Washington, California's overwhelmingly Democratic Legislature on Tuesday will begin debating whether to create their own universal health care system  a move that will test how far the state's progressive politicians are willing to go to fulfill their campaign promises.

Government-funded health care for everyone has been a staple of California political rhetoric for decades. Gov. Gavin Newsom promised to do it when he ran for governor in 2018, and voters elected him in a landslide.

But it's not been easy to accomplish in the nation's most populous state, where nearly half of people pay for private health insurance through their jobs. In 1994, voters overwhelmingly rejected a ballot initiative that would have created a universal health care system. Another attempt passed the state Senate in 2017, but it never got a vote in the state Assembly.

This year, Democrats in the state Assembly are trying again with a new strategy. First, they want to pass a bill that creates a universal health care system and sets its rules. Then, they want to ask voters to approve a major tax increase to pay for all of it.

The plan, which would require voter approval, would raise taxes on businesses and individuals who earn at least $149,509 per year. The California Taxpayers Association, which opposes the plan, estimates it would raise taxes by about $163 billion per year.

If we can agree on a policy and get that policy passed, then it becomes more real. Then you are actually telling the voters what they are voting for. Thats really important," said Assembly member Ash Kalra, a Democrat from San Jose who is the author of the proposal.

Questions about how to pay for a universal health care system have doomed previous plans. In 2011, Vermont enacted the nation's first universal health care system in the country. But state officials abandoned it three years later because they said they couldn't afford to pay for it.

California's 1994 proposal also relied on a tax on employers and individuals, and it failed after strong opposition from the insurance industry. Insurers, doctors and business groups are again lining up to oppose this latest proposal, arguing it would cost too much and limit people's choices.

In his first three years in office, Newsom has focused more on making sure everyone in California has health insurance. He has expanded the state's Medicaid program to cover low-income 26 and younger and 50 and older regardless of their immigration status. Monday, he proposed covering everyone else at a potential cost of $2.7 billion per year.

Monday, Newsom reiterated his support for a universal health care system, but declined to say if he supported the plan in the Legislature because he said he had not read it. Asked if he had given up on a universal health care system in California, Newsom pointed to a commission he founded that is examining such a system and how much it would cost.

He also said he's working with President Joe Biden's administration on the flexibility required for California to implement such a system.

The difference here is when you are in a position of responsibility, youve got to apply, youve got to manifest the ideal. This is hard work, he said. It's one thing to say. It's another thing to do. And, with respect, there are many different pathways to achieve the goal."

Tuesday, the Assembly Health Committee is scheduled to debate the bill that would create the universal health care system. They are not scheduled to debate the bill that would pay for it. But opponents of the plan will likely still highlight the cost.

In the Health Committee, I look forward to a robust discussion on the impacts of socialized medicine in California, including: how much taxes will increase on the middle class, Assembly Republican Leader Marie Waldron said.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom's state budget proposal addresses the impact of declining student enrollment on school funding. (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press)

Gov. Gavin Newsom projected another year of record funding for schools during his budget presentation on Monday but warned that some districts could be in financial trouble as student enrollment continues to decline.

Newsom's budget proposal pointed to a state population decline driven by plummeting birth rates that have eroded K-12 enrollment projections, and proposed tweaking Californias decades-old education funding formula to "minimize the impact" of fewer students in schools, with funding tied to attendance.

Newsoms budget proposes broadening the policy to allow districts to base funding on attendance in the current year , prior year or the average of that from three prior years  whichever is greater. The proposal gives school districts more running room to plan against really shocking declines, said Keely Martin Bosler, director of Newsoms Department of Finance.

Average daily attendance among the states 6 million-plus K-12 students has decreased by 271,000 students since 2014. School funding in California is based on student enrollment and reduced by average daily attendance records, an attempt to hold schools accountable for chronic absenteeism.

Enrollment declines has been compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic as fewer families moved to California and campus closures "pushed parents to consider alternatives to their neighborhood public school," according to budget documents released by Newsom on Monday.

Some school districts over the next few years will be faced with difficult choices to remain fiscally solvent, the budget states.

Last week, state Sen. Anthony Portantino (DLa Canada Flintridge) introduced legislation that takes a bolder approach to the enrollment problem. The new bill proposes that education funding be tied to total annual student enrollment rather than how often students actually attend class. The move could bring in an additional $3 billion in annual state funding for schools, according to Portantino.

Portantino said in a statement Monday that he is encouraged by Newsoms proposal and that the governors instincts are right, but that he will continue to make the case that this is the perfect time to enact the structural reforms necessary to better fund our schools and to create the stability that education leaders need to better serve our children.

Newsom has not commented on Portantinos legislation.

At San Bernardino City Unified, enrollment dropped by more than 2,000 students last year, equivalent to eight years worth of past annual population declines in the district.

The district, which enrolls more than 50,000 students, is already assessing where to make potential cuts, said Associate Supt. Harold Sullins.

With this impending cliff and the acceleration of the issues that COVID has presented, Im grateful were having this conversation. But its not a new issue for school districts, and we just wish it didnt take a pandemic to get here, Sullins said. Unfortunately, we should have gotten to this place much earlier.

The California Assn. of School Business Officials said that it supports "any statutory changes that recognize the enrollment realities are varying and unique" and "any opportunities to alleviate financial pressures around these conditions."

School leaders who have long bemoaned average daily attendance, saying it is a volatile policy that makes budgeting more difficult, welcome a change but say Newsom and Portantino's plans don't go far enough.

Newsoms projected $119 billion in education funding and record per-pupil spending wont necessarily save districts facing systemic deficits and significant enrollment declines, as state law dictates how the money can be spent.

Portantinos proposal would require that half of any new funding brought in be dedicated to chronic absenteeism, restricting how money can be spent.

Kevin Gordon, an education lobbyist in Sacramento who represents superintendents across the state, said that the school funding conversation is long overdue," but it's a heavy lift. Average daily attendance is referenced throughout state law and tied to other budget processes, and a shift to an enrollment-based policy will create significant ongoing costs to the state.

"The policy has never made any sense except that it puts a premium on making sure that we're paying attention to if a kid is in the classroom every day, and I always felt that could be accomplished in other ways," Gordon said. "From a public policy standpoint, it makes sense to move to an enrollment-based system, but it's definitely more complicated than it might seem."

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Amanda SubbaRao holds a sign calling for "Fair Maps" during a rally in Annapolis, Md., in December. (Brian Witte / Associated Press)

In 2022, it's out with the old maps, and in with the new.

Redistricting, the once-in-a-decade redrawing of congressional and state legislative maps based on the U.S. Census, is underway, but things are pretty different this time.

The latest redrawing session follows a decade of ambitious voter reforms, seismic changes to the legal landscape, demographic shifts that have rearranged political power and a pandemic that has condensed and complicated the timeline for completing redistricting on-time.

The congressional maps that emerge in the coming months will determine whose voices are heard in Washington and shape the balance of power there for years to come.

The two parties have taken different approaches to drawing the maps where they have control: Republicans are generally shoring up their gains over the last decade, while Democrats are searching for new opportunities for blue seats. GOP lawmakers control map drawing in states covering 187 congressional districts, while Democrats control 75 seats. Independent commissions or states with split party rule are set to draw the rest.

Congressional maps in at least 10 states face challenges in state and federal courts, according to All About Redistricting, a database run by Loyola Law School, and more lawsuits are expected.

"Most of the time, if your side is not in control, you have very little incentive not to sue," Jason Torchinsky, a Republican lawyer whose clients include the National Republican Redistricting Trust.

Of the maps that have been approved, several have endangered the political futures of members of Congress. Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.) retired after Democrats in his state (which lost a congressional district) eliminated his seat, while Rep. G.K. Butterfield (D-N.C.) directly cited Republican map drawing in his decision to not seek reelection. New district lines have forced incumbents to primary each other in Michigan, Georgia and West Virginia.

But electoral maps are about more than the fate of any one politician, or party.

Below is our guide to navigating the major changes to the redistricting process this cycle.

Why the Census delay matters

The Census results that states use to draw their maps weren't released until August 2020, five months later than planned. That delay has forced states to rush the mapping process or extend deadlines.

Everybody is crunched, said Marina Jenkins, the director of litigation and policy at the National Democratic Redistricting Committee. A number of states had timelines that demanded unrealistic and very difficult mapping schedules. And in some states  they continued to take their time, perhaps cynically, to delay the possibility of having that map challenged."

In North Carolina, the state Supreme Court halted candidate filing last month and pushed the March primary election back two months while it considers challenges against the map lawmakers approved in the fall. Many courts will be reluctant to take a similar approach.

A judge doesnt want to create that disruption, said Doug Spencer, a law professor at the University of Colorado and the head of All About Redistricting. So the closer we get to the filing deadlines, the more likely courts are to just maintain the current maps for 2022.

The delay has also changed who gets to draw the maps. In some states, independent commissions missed deadlines for drawing maps and had to hand the job over to another body.

The Supreme Court effect

For the first time in decades, mapmakers in 15 states with histories of voter discrimination will now be free to implement maps without federal approval.

From 1965, when the Voting Rights Act passed, until 2013, states including Texas, Alabama and Virginia, as well as certain counties in states like California, needed to seek federal approval, or preclearance, if they wanted to make changes to their voting laws. In 2013, the Supreme Court ruled in Shelby vs. Holder that the decades-old formula used to determine which states needed to seek preclearance was outdated.

That's allowed states with a history of making it harder for people of color to vote to enact broad changes, including passing new voter ID laws, closing polling places, and now redraw maps, without government oversight.

In Texas, the new congressional map is being challenged in court for potentially diluting the influence of voters of color. While the Census found that Latinos, Black Americans and other minority groups made up 95% of the massive population growth that earned the state two new congressional districts, the state's new map did not include any districts reflecting that change. The Department of Justice announced Dec. 6 it was suing to overturn the states congressional map.

If the state were still subject to federal approval, the department likely would have blocked the map before it went into effect.

Now the burden is on DOJ to convince the court that the map is discriminatory, said Michael Li, senior counsel for the democracy program at the Brennan Center, a law and policy institute. Its a totally different ballgame.

More recently, the Supreme Court has also made it harder for political groups and parties to challenge partisan gerrymanders  maps drawn in a way that appear to unfairly benefit one party.

In 2019s Rucho vs. Common Cause, the Supreme Court considered complaints from Democrats in North Carolina and Republicans in Maryland that maps drawn by the opposing party created partisan gerrymanders. While the court agreed the maps in question were highly partisan, it ruled such cases present political questions beyond the reach of the federal courts."

As a result, those cases are instead playing out in state courts, where results are influenced by the political leanings of specific panels and how they interpret the voter protections in their state constitutions.

What about independent commissions?

Independent commissions debuted in Colorado, Michigan, Ohio, Utah and Virginia last year. In Colorado and Michigan, the commissions are made up of bipartisan groups of citizens (not chosen by lawmakers). Both their maps added new competitive districts and have received positive ratings for partisan fairness from the Princeton Gerrymandering Project.

But this cycle has shown that not all reforms are created equal: What weve learned is that the structure of the commission matters a lot, said Adam Podowitz-Thomas a senior legal strategist of the Princeton group.

In Utah, the legislature voted in 2020 to water down the commissions power by giving it an advisory role. While the commissions proposed maps would have created one seat favoring Democrats and three favoring Republicans, the legislature approved a map with four solidly Republican seats.

In Ohio, where voters approved a ballot measure in 2018 to encourage fairness and explicitly ban partisan gerrymandering, a seven-member panel of politicians failed to approve new congressional maps by the deadline, leaving the task to the GOP-controlled legislature. Soon after the map was signed into law in November, the League of Women Voters of Ohio and others challenged the map, arguing that it violates a clause in the state constitution against favoring one party over another.

In New York  which lost one congressional seat this year  Democrats in the state legislature appear ready to disregard maps from the states new advisory independent commission and draft maps that boost their party's margin.

Two parties, two approaches

In 2010, Republicans flipped more than a dozen state legislative chambers, giving them a significant advantage in redrawing congressional districts during the 2011 redistricting cycle.

Last year, Democrats attempted to win back some of those legislatures ahead of this years map drawing. While Democrats were unsuccessful, Republicans dont appear likely to gain a significant number of seats through redistricting.

Instead, they've taken up a new strategy: make red seats redder.

Republicans in most states didnt undertake what Li of the Brennan Center calls land grab gerrymanders  essentially using the map to create more GOP-leaning districts. Instead, theyve shored up the districts they already hold, protecting them from the demographic changes that allowed Democrats to flip GOP-held seats in the tail end of the last decade.

Spencer, of All About Redistricting, said Republicans will likely have a net gain of two to three seats nationwide that lean in their favor when redistricting is complete. Republicans did such a good job of gerrymandering in 2010 that they didnt have a lot of room to grow, he said.

Democrats, however, are making an effort to create new blue seats in the states where they have control. The Princeton Gerrymandering Project gave F grades on partisan fairness to maps drawn by Democratic legislatures in Illinois, Oregon and Maryland. In New York, where Republicans currently hold eight congressional districts, experts predict Republicans could lose up to five seats if Democrats are aggressive.

Democrats say that unlike Republicans, maps drawn by their party reflect the changing diversity of the country and keep communities intact.

Its just not apples to apples, Jenkins of the Democratic redistricting group said of the comparison. "The maps in Democratic states are representing their voters in a way that reflects reality, in a way that is not happening in Texas, for example.

The Princeton project has also given F grades to Texas' congressional map and a proposed map out of Ohio. Georgia's pending map received a C. Several states have yet to receive a grade.

National Republicans say their path to controlling the House doesn't depend on redistricting.

Republicans have had the same mindset throughout the redistricting process  redistricting alone is not going to deliver a majority for House Republicans, said Michael McAdams, the NRCCs communications director. Were going to need to run competitive races all over the country in order to win a majority for the third time in nearly 70 years.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
The family of Lauren Smith-Fields remains devastated a month after the 23-year-old college student was mysteriously found dead in her Bridgeport, Conn., apartment. The family says an uncooperative and hostile police department has made their quest for accountability only more traumatizing.

We haven't had any answers since the day that we found out that she passed away, her mother, Shantell Fields, told Yahoo News, adding that police have told the family repeatedly to stop calling the department altogether. When you ask questions, [Bridgeport Police] don't know how to answer it at all  and they made it such a hostile environment.

According to local reports, Smith-Fields, a YouTuber enrolled at Norwalk Community College, was found unresponsive in her apartment by police on Dec. 12 and later died there. Earlier that evening, she had met up with an older white man with whom she had previously connected on the dating site Bumble, her family says. The man, whose name has not yet been released, is said to be the person who called authorities. As of this week, the local medical examiner has yet to release the findings of the autopsy.

In a statement to Yahoo News, a city spokesperson urged patience as the investigation continues.

The family and community want answers, said Rowena White, communications director for the city of Bridgeport. The challenge is that you have to wait. Bridgeport police have not responded to multiple requests for comment from Yahoo News.

Lauren Smith-Fields (Family photo)

But the young womans family says theyve been uncomfortable with the investigation from its outset. Lakeem Jetter, Smith-Fieldss brother, told News 12 Westchester that police had told the family that the man his sister met via Bumble was a nice guy and did not need to be investigated.

It was only after repeated complaints from Fields and other family members to city leaders, the family says, that officials began to look further into Smith-Fieldss death. One of the responding officers has since been removed from the case pending an internal investigation, the city confirmed, but it did not expand on the details of that investigation.

Fieldss attorney, Darnell Crosland, alleges that the officer, Detective Kevin Cronin, disregarded basic protocol when first responding to this case, including failing to properly notify Fields of her daughters death. Fields says she discovered a note on her daughters apartment on Dec. 13 that read, If you're looking for Lauren, call this number. It had been left by the building's landlord. White, however, says several unsuccessful attempts to contact the family were made.

How do I not get any notification that my daughter passed away? Fields asked. I don't even get grieving time at all. I've been thrown into this whole craziness.

Bridgeport Conn. Police block a street early Tuesday morning Tuesday May 4, 2010 in Bridgeport, Conn. (AP Photo/Douglas Healey).

White maintains that the investigation into Smith-Fieldss death is ongoing and active and awaits the full medical examiners report, which could take months. She added that the coroner's initial report on physical evidence determined that there was no foul play involved.

When there is no foul play, there is no crime, White said. That doesnt mean the cause of death isnt being investigated. She added that the man who was with Smith-Fields has been fully cooperative with police.

While the city contends that police will thoroughly investigate Smith-Fields death, citing an 80 percent homicide solvability rate in 2021, the family has doubts. Her father, Everett Smith, said he paid for a second autopsy out of pocket because of how the investigation was being handled. That second report has not yet been completed.

Meanwhile, the family continues to reel with the death of Smith-Fields, whom her mom described as the light in our family.

Lauren Smith-Fields (family photo)

After the immediate shock of learning of her daughters death and gaining access to her apartment, Fields said she noticed immediately that police had not collected some of the evidence. Inside her daughters bathroom, she found a condom with semen inside. Elsewhere in the apartment, she found a pill that the family believes could be a sedative.

Crosland, the familys attorney, said police failed on the first day of the investigation.

There's a typical protocol that's followed when you have a situation like this, Crosland told Yahoo News. If you have a husband or wife or boyfriend or girlfriend call the police because one of them is dead, typically the person who is surviving is pivotal to the investigation. Most times they are looked at as a suspect because they were the last person with the deceased, and in this particular case, the police have been very hesitant to even call this person a person of interest.

It's appalling that we have to prosecute our own cases, Crosland added. The [family] has a right to know that the police consider this case as serious as any other case, and they haven't gotten that.

White says all of Bridgeport wants to resolve the case.

There is one commonality between the city, police and the family  everyone is agonizing while we wait, she said.

A sign announcing the mayor's stay at home order due to the coronavirus pandemic is seen on a lawn across the street from the Margaret E. Morton Government Center in downtown in Bridgeport, Conn, Monday, April 27, 2020. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

Critics of the Bridgeport Police have drawn comparisons between the investigation into Smith-Fieldss death to that of 22-year-old Gabby Petito last summer. Petito, who was white, had gone missing after a cross-country roadtrip with her fiance, Brian Laundrie, who returned home to Florida without her. The case sparked a frenzy of coverage in national media, as well as a massive search for Petito, who was found dead in Wyoming, and a subsequent manhunt for Laundrie, whose remains were found in Florida. The police critics note that Smith-Fields, a Black woman, has not gotten the same attention or compassion.

Bridgeport, the state of Connecticuts most populous city with a diverse population of more than 145,000 people, is no stranger to controversy and even scandal. Indeed, federal authorities have arrested five Bridgeport officials in the last two years.

In 2020, the citys then-police chief, Armando J. Perez, a close friend of Mayor Joe Ganim, was charged with rigging his own hiring process to ensure he became the citys top cop; he was sentenced to a year in jail. Ganim also previously spent nearly seven years in prison after being convicted on felony charges that included extortion, bribery and racketeering while serving as mayor of Bridgeport in the early 2000s. He went on to mount a comeback campaign for mayor.

Bridgeport Police Chief Armando "A.J." Perez leaves the Brien McMahon Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse in Bridgeport, Conn. Perez resigned from his position in September 2020 after he was arrested on federal charges that he had rigged the hiring process to ensure he would get the job. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill, File)

For their part, Smith-Fieldss family members say they refuse to let anything or anyone impede their fight for accountability. They started a GoFundMe to raise funds for the case to ensure a thorough investigation takes place.

[Bridgeport Police] wants us to disappear, be quiet and just shut up, Fields said. And that's not gonna happen.  Just like I told the police department: Youre going to forever remember Lauren Smith-Fieldss name.

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Cover thumbnail photo illustration: Yahoo News; photos: courtesy of the Smith-Fields family
BEIJING, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Monday held a phone conversation with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on bilateral ties and the situation in Kazakhstan.

Wang said that the past year of 2021 saw vigorous and determined strides in China-Russia relations featuring multiple highlights.

President Xi Jinping and President Vladimir Putin maintained close contacts, setting the tone for the development of bilateral ties, steering the course for major international agendas, and jointly starting a new journey of China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era, Wang said.

In the new year, China will steadfastly deepen strategic coordination "back to back" with Russia, safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of both sides, as well as world peace and stability, Wang said.

Putin's planned visit to China and his attendance at the opening ceremony of the Beijing Winter Olympics will not only be the first in-person meeting between the two countries' heads of state in nearly two years, but also a major event in international relations at the start of this year, Wang said.

China is ready to strengthen coordination with Russia to ensure the complete success and fruitful results of the "get-together for the Winter Olympics" and "meeting in the Spring Festival" between the two countries' heads of state, Wang said.

Lavrov said he fully agrees with China's views and that he will communicate closely with the Chinese side and make preparations together. He believed that Putin's visit to China and the Beijing Winter Olympics will be a complete success.

On the situation in Kazakhstan, Lavrov briefed Wang on the assessment of the situation during a special session of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), saying that mounting information clearly showed that the current chaos in Kazakhstan are riots meticulously plotted by external forces -- a view shared by Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev himself and the Kazakh side.

At the request of Kazakhstan, the CSTO has dispatched peacekeeping troops to take action, and the situation in Kazakhstan has improved significantly, Lavrov added.

Wang stressed that Xi has sent a verbal message to Tokayev, publicly expressing China's firm opposition to any attempt by external forces to provoke unrest and instigate "color revolutions" in Kazakhstan.

The Chinese side agrees with Tokayev's assessment on the nature of the riots in Kazakhstan, and supports the CSTO in helping Kazakhstan fight violent terrorist forces and playing a positive role in restoring stability in Kazakhstan on the premise of respecting Kazakhstan's sovereignty, Wang said.

China and Russia, as permanent members of the United Nations Security Council and friendly neighbors of Central Asian countries, must prevent chaos or war from erupting in Central Asia, Wang said.

The two sides should continuously deepen coordination and cooperation, oppose external forces interfering in the internal affairs of Central Asian countries, and prevent "color revolutions" and insurrections by the three forces of terrorism, separatism and extremism, he said.

The two sides should give full play to their respective strengths, help Central Asian countries fight the pandemic, develop their economies, and strive to eliminate the breeding ground of turmoil in the society, Wang added, also suggesting the two sides support the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the CSTO to strengthen coordination and cooperation, so as to jointly and effectively address various challenges to regional security. 
ROME (AP)  Italy targeted the unvaccinated with a host of new coronavirus restrictions Monday, with proof of vaccination or recovery from a recent infection required to enter public transport, coffee shops, hotels, gyms and other everyday activities.

The new super health pass requirement, which eliminates the ability to show just a negative test to gain access to services, comes as many Italians return to work and school after the Christmas and New Year's holidays. It came as COVID-19 infections are soaring past 100,000 per day in Italy.

The government has responded to the omicron-fueled wave of infections by passing new restrictions aimed at encouraging vaccine holdouts to get the jabs or be increasingly shut out of recreational and even essential activities, such as taking a bus or subway to work.

Italians have by and large supported the restrictions, which in recent months have also included outdoor mask mandates and a standard health pass to get into workplaces. Many welcomed the new restrictions, which were being enforced Monday by police fanning out at train stations to check passengers' vaccine status and make sure they were wearing the more protective Ffp2 face masks, which were required on public transport as of Monday.

Im happy that they are controlling everywhere, said Carola, Pasqualotto, a member of the Imperi sport center where the front desk was checking members vaccination status. I am in favor of mandatory vaccines for all.

Premier Mario Draghi, though, has faced criticism for a related decision to mandate vaccinations for anyone 50 and over starting next month. Critics say the fine for noncompliance, which starts at 100 euros ($113), makes the mandate toothless. Draghi is presiding over a press conference later Monday to explain the new measures.

Italy, where the coronavirus outbreak first erupted in Europe in February 2020, has fully vaccinated 86% of the over-12 population, and nearly 75% of those who are eligible have received a booster.

But 2 million people out of Italys population of 60 million are currently positive, impacting essential services. School districts have complained they don't have enough teachers to reopen, since so many are positive or in quarantine. Some train service has been curtailed because of labor shortages.

Doctors associations, meanwhile, have said the surge is hitting Italy's hospitals hard. Some 16,000 COVID-19 patients are in the hospital and 1,600 are in intensive care, but that is well short of the 4,000 people in intensive care units during the height of the first wave. Officials say around two-thirds of those now hospitalized are unvaccinated.

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Follow all AP stories on the pandemic at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic.
Soledad Peralta, center, the mother of Valentina Orellana Peralta, says goodbye to her daughter at the start of Valentina's funeral. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

The gray casket of 14-year-old Valentina Orellana Peralta stood between a pair of photos of the teen and funeral wreaths made up of white roses and purple flowers.

More than 100 people who came to mourn the death of the Chilean girl stood up from their chairs as they watched her parents  Soledad Peralta and Juan Pablo Orellana  walk in, arm-in-arm, amid the sound of gospel music, with civil rights leader the Rev. Al Sharpton.

The parents wore black shirts and masks that read "Justice for Valentina" as they slowly made their way to the open casket of their daughter, who wore a pink dress and glasses.

Monday's funeral service for Valentina came two weeks after she was killed by an LAPD police officer while shopping for clothes with her mother in North Hollywood. It also comes a day before the Los Angeles Board of Police Commissioners is scheduled to have its first meeting of the year and discuss the case.

The funeral service drew people from across L.A. Metta Pacheco, 46, placed her hand on the casket and wept before the ceremony began.

An activist, Pacheco said she wanted to pay her final respects to the slain girl.

"My heart breaks for the family, for their daughter," Pacheco said. "This killing was so unnecessary, there were other ways the police could have handled this."

Sitting across the room was Minerva Garcia . She said Valentina's shooting hit close to home. Garcia said her friend, 49-year-old Vanessa Marquez, an actress, was shot and killed by South Pasadena police in 2018.

At the end of the funeral for Valentina Orellana Peralta, her casket is carried out of the City of Refuge Church. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

"The shooting triggered a lot of emotions, considering how young [Valentina] was and how senseless her death was," Garcia said as her eyes welled up. "People should be outraged."

Most of those sitting inside the church were family members and mostly Black activists and residents, including members of the church. Garcia was one of few Latinos present at the funeral. She said she was disappointed by the relatively small Latino presence.

"People need to wake up, especially the Latino community," she said. "She was a Latina."

"If a 14-year-old dying in her mother's arms doesn't enrage you then what will?" she added.

Others present at the funeral service included Refuge Senior Pastor Bishop Noel Jones and attorneys Ben Crump and Rahul Ravipudi, who are representing the family.

Crump has represented numerous families of people killed by police, including George Floyd, whose May 2020 slaying by a Minneapolis police officer triggered protests around the world.

Juan Pablo Orellana Larenas, the father of Valentina, at his daughter's funeral. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

As he stood on the stage with a large screen showing an image of Valentina, Crump looked over at the family and vowed he and others would seek justice for their daughter.

"Justice represents the protection of the innocent," Crump said. "And who is more innocent than your 14-year-old angel, Valentina."

Ravipudi took the stage next and told Valentina's parents that as a son of immigrants, he understood how hard it was for them to sacrifice so much and work so hard to provide a better life for their daughter.

"In the short time Valentina was here, her light shined bright," Ravipudi said. "She was excelling in school. She had friends, she had the love and support of her family. And on Dec. 23, Valentinas life was needlessness taken away with an AR-15 by the very people who were charged with protecting her."

Ravipudi told the parents that their daughter did not die in vain. He and others would hold those responsible for her death accountable and most importantly, make sure LAPD changed how it responded to incidents like the one that left their daughter dead, he said.

"As Gandhi said, 'The truth never damages a cause thats just,'" he said. "It is our job that the truth and only the truth is revealed."

A memorial for Valentina Orellana Peralta at the Burlington store where she was killed. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times)

The shooting of Valentina occurred on Dec. 23, 2021. She and her mother were in the changing room of a Burlington store when one of three rounds fired by Officer William Dorsey Jones Jr. penetrated the wall and struck the girl. Valentina died in the arms of her mother, whose screams were captured on police body camera videos of the incident.

Jones was firing at a man, later identified as Daniel Elena-Lopez, who had attacked customers with a bicycle lock and was holding the lock at the time of the shooting, according to the video footage and police.

Police dispatchers that night received multiple, conflicting 911 calls about the assaults, some saying  incorrectly  that Elena-Lopez had a gun.

Valentina was pronounced dead at the scene, as was Elena-Lopez.

Garcia, Pacheco and others said they believe police could have deescalated the incident.

At around noon a gospel choir took the stage. People rose from their seats, clapped, danced and sang, "No matter the problem, put it in God's hands." In front, feet from their daughter's casket, Orellana and Peralta clapped and moved side to side to the music.

Sharpton then took the stage to deliver his eulogy. Crump said the family requested Sharpton's presence. In recent years, he has addressed grieving families of victims who have been killed, including relatives of George Floyd, Trayvon Martin, Eric Gardner, Michael Brown and Ahmaud Arbery.

From the stage, tapping his index finger on the wooden podium, Sharpton said it didn't matter that the police officer who killed Valentina was Black, or that Valentina was an immigrant in the United States.

The Rev. Al Sharpton delivers the eulogy during the funeral of Valentina Orellana Peralta. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

"This is not only a tragedy, it is a travesty," Sharpton said, while some in the crowd answered, "amen." "There is nothing normal about shooting so recklessly that a young teenage girl looking to live the American dream, that was shopping with her dear mother, Soledad, possibly getting a Christmas dress that ends up being the dress for her funeral 

"This could have been my daughter, this could have been your daughter," he added.

Family of the girl said Valentina brought them joy and love. They described her as a kind person who cared for the well-being of others, especially animals. Her father said she was a strong advocate of animal rights. He said his daughter wanted to become a U.S. citizen like her older sister, attend college and become an engineer.

"She had many dreams and aspirations, like any 14-year-old had," Juan Pablo Peralta said.

He said in the short amount of time she was in the country, she had learned the English language and excelled at school, getting good grades in math and physics.

Her parents said their daughter was interested in robotics.

"She wanted to build me a robot that would help me clean," Soledad Orellana said, speaking softly.

Both parents said it has been a painful time for them but they hope that they can secure justice for their daughter and will also help advocate for others who may need their help and support.

"I'm starting to understand," Orellana said while standing behind the podium "that my daughter was an angel whose mission was to bring peace and love."

There was a moment of silence at the end of the service before pallbearers carried Valentina's casket outside to the hearse that would take her to her final resting place, amid a flurry of released white doves.

Doves are released at the conclusion of the funeral. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

For the record:

10:46 a.m. Jan. 11, 2022: An earlier version of this article identified a mourner at the funeral as Rosa Miller. The correct name is Minerva Garcia.



This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
The gurney in the the execution chamber at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester. (AP)

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP)  Two Oklahoma death row inmates facing executions in the coming months offered firing squad as a less problematic alternative to the state's three-drug lethal injection, one of their attorneys told a federal judge on Monday.

The two inmates  Donald Grant and Gilbert Postelle  want U.S. District Judge Stephen Friot to grant them a temporary injunction that would delay their upcoming executions until a trial can be held over whether Oklahoma's three-drug lethal injection method is constitutional. A trial is set to begin before Friot on Feb. 28, but Grant is scheduled to be put to death on Jan. 27, while Postelle is set for execution on Feb. 17.

"While it may be gruesome to look at, we all agree it will be quicker," attorney Jim Stronski told Friot after a day-long hearing in Oklahoma City.

Friot did not issue a decision Monday on the inmates' motion, but said he hoped to release an order by the end of the week.

"There's a lot for me to get my mind around," Friot said.

Among the experts who testified was Dr. James Williams, an emergency medicine specialist from Texas who has more than 40,000 hours of emergency room experience and who has extensively studied the use of firing squads.

Oklahoma has never used a firing squad

Williams, himself the victim of a gunshot wound to the chest area, testified that a firing squad involving shots from at least four high-powered rifles to the cardiac bundle" of the heart would be so quick that an inmate wouldn't feel pain. He also said that unlike lethal injection, there is an extremely low likelihood that the execution would be botched.

Oklahoma has never a used firing squad as a method of executing prisoners since statehood, but current state law does allow for its use if other methods, like lethal injection, were determined to be unconstitutional or otherwise unavailable. The Oklahoma Department of Corrections does not currently have execution protocols in place for any method other than lethal injection.

Friot also heard testimony from Justin Farris, chief of operations at the Department of Corrections, about the recent lethal injections of death row inmates John Marion Grant and Bigler Stouffer late last year.

Farris, who was inside the death chamber for both executions, described the two lethal injections as being on "opposite ends of the spectrum."

Grant, who was declared dead after vomiting and convulsing on the gurney, was angry, hurling expletives and resisting the execution by trying to flex his arms and legs, Farris said. Stouffer, on the other hand, "was just as polite as you can imagine under the circumstances," Farris said.

Farris also testified that the doctor who inserts the intravenous lines and helps oversee the lethal injections is paid $15,000 for each execution he attends, as well as $1,000 for every day of training. DOC policy prohibits the release of the names of execution team members, and the doctor wore a mask during both Grant's and Stouffer's executions.
People watch a TV showing an image of North Korea's missile launch during a news program at the Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, Jan. 6, 2022. North Korea said Thursday it has successfully launched a hypersonic missile as part of efforts to modernize its strategic weapons systems, days after leader Kim Jong Un vowed to bolster his military forces despite pandemic-related difficulties. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

SEOUL, South Korea (AP)  North Korea on Tuesday fired what appeared to be a ballistic missile into its eastern sea, its second weapons launch in a week, the militaries of South Korea and Japan said.

This month's launches follow a series of weapons tests in 2021 that underscored how North Korea continues to expand its military capabilities amid a self-imposed pandemic lockdown and deadlocked nuclear talks with the United States.

South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff said the North fired at least one weapon early Tuesday but didnt immediate say whether it was ballistic or how far it flew. Japan's Prime Ministers Office and Defense Ministry said the North Korean weapon was possibly a ballistic missile, but didn't immediately provide more details.

The Offices of Guam Homeland Security and Civil Defense said it was monitoring the reports of the Norths launch but that no immediate threat was assessed for Guam, a major U.S. military hub in the Pacific.

The latest launch came six days after the North fired a ballistic missile into the sea in what it later described as a successful test of a hypersonic missile, a type of weaponry the North claimed to have first tested in September.

That test came days after North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during a key political conference vowed to bolster his military forces despite pandemic-related difficulties.

U.S.-led diplomacy on North Koreas nuclear program has been stalled since 2019 due to disputes over international sanctions on the North. The Biden administration has repeatedly called for resuming the nuclear diplomacy anywhere and at any time without preconditions, but North Korea has argued the U.S. must first withdraw its hostility against it before any talks can restart.

The Norths advancing nuclear arsenal is at the core of Kims rule and what he clearly considers his strongest guarantee of survival. During his 10-year rule, hes conducted a large number of weapons tests in a push to acquire the ability to launch nuclear strikes on the American mainland.

But his countrys economy has faltered severely in the past two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S.-led sanctions over his nuclear ambitions and his governments own mismanagement.

__ Associated Press writer Mari Yamaguchi in Tokyo contributed to this report.
Starbucks (SBUX) is expanding diversity and inclusion efforts that the coffee giant broadened back in October in 2020, which include a big financial commitment to diverse suppliers.

The Seattle-based company aims to achieve Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) representation of at least 30% at all corporate levels, and at least 40% of all retail and manufacturing roles in the U.S. by 2025.

The new plans include Starbucks boosting annual spending with diverse suppliers to $1.5 billion dollars by 2030. It will also launch a second cohort of its mentorship program for U.S. partners, and will reinstate its commitment to link those efforts to executive compensation.

"We know the impact that we can have at Starbucks and we are looking at embedding inclusion and diversity in every aspect of Starbucks," Starbucks' chief inclusion and diversity officer Dennis Brockman told Yahoo Finance in an interview. "This is the next wave of our commitment to do that."

Brockman added that through its executive compensation program announced in late 2020, top leaders are held "accountable for what we set out to accomplish here with inclusion and diversity."

As of October 2021, U.S. partners are 51.8% White; 7.7% Black; 28.5% Hispanic or Latin; 5.9% Asian; 4.9% mixed race; 0.6% American Indian or Alaskan Native; and 0.5% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, according to its Workforce Diversity report.

Starbucks' initiative comes at a time when employers in general have attempted to address racial blindspots in workplace and supplier diversity. Meanwhile, stressed out workers at some locations have been pressuring Starbucks with organized labor efforts.

Addressing a 'very daunting' process

US coffee giant Starbucks employees prepare beverages in the world's first coffee house on a train on November 14, 2013, in Zurich. (Photo credit should read FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP via Getty Images)

In fiscal year 2021, the coffee giant spent $800 million dollars with diverse suppliers, which translated into more than 6,400 jobs and $1.2 billion worth of economic impact, according to Starbucks data. One of these companies include FGF Brands, whose creations like the Blueberry Muffin and the Iced Lemon Loaf are featured at many locations.

To reach and onboard these small, diverse-owned entrepreneurs, Starbucks will also launch a free, open source toolkit with Arizona State University  an effort to address what Brockman noted was a process that can seem "very daunting" to some.

"We want to make sure that we are sharing with diverse-owned organizations how to do business with Starbucks and make it easier to think about the certification process," the executive told Yahoo Finance. He noted that this is a lofty goal, especially at a time when small companies are struggling to stay afloat because of supply chain challenges throttling the economy.

Despite the labor crunch hitting U.S. companies across industries, Brockman is optimistic these goals can be achieved via Starbucks' key three principles of intentionality, transparency, and accountability.

Brockman, a 14-year Starbucks veteran himself who joined the company as a District Manager in Kansas City, told his personal story in a letter to employees. He grew up in the Midwest with a single mom as the youngest of seven.

"I was exposed to the realities of Jim Crow at an early age... The idea that a young Black boy could dream of one day going to college and aspire to be something great existed in my home with my mother and siblings, in my church, and within my community, but the dream often stopped there," he noted in the letter.

Brockman, who assumed his current role in March of 2021, stressed that he hoped to keep the memory of his mother alive through these diversity efforts.

"She was never a leader of any company... but the number of people that she attracted to our home based on her love, based on her unique opportunity to show compassion, to treat everyone the same  that's the work that I get the opportunity to embark on here at Starbucks," he told Yahoo Finance.

Brooke DiPalma is a producer and reporter for Yahoo Finance. Follow her on Twitter at @BrookeDiPalma or email her at bdipalma@yahoofinance.com.

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BUDAPEST, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Hungary's cumulative COVID-19 death toll has exceeded 40,000, while the number of severe cases requiring hospitalization or mechanical ventilation was slightly down, the government's coronavirus information website reported on Tuesday.

On Tuesday alone, the country reported 3,382 new daily COVID-19 cases, raising the national total to 1,300,994.

Over the past 24 hours, 69 people have died from the disease, taking the cumulative death toll to 40,016 in the country, while 1,147,818 people have recovered. Currently, 2,932 patients are being treated in hospitals, including 274 on ventilators, the government's website said.

Hungary's COVID-19 death toll stood at 30,000 at the beginning of July 2021.

Miklos Kasler, minister of human resources responsible for healthcare, said that during the ongoing fifth wave of the pandemic the number of daily infections could reach 13,000, the number of hospitalizations could be between 8,000 and 9,000, and around 200 people could die per day.

Kasler told Info radio that he was "absolutely certain" of the need for a fourth vaccine dose and that the government was ready for that eventuality.

The recommended wait between the third and the fourth vaccine doses may be longer, but more tests are needed to determine when a fourth vaccine dose could be administered, the minister said.

As of Tuesday, 6,294,707 people have received at least the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, 6,033,675 people had both jabs and 3,292,175 people also had their booster shot, the government's website said.

Hungary has also started the vaccination of children aged between five and 11 years. 
ROSWELL, Ga.  A crowd sat shoulder-to-shoulder inside the Roswell Council Chambers on Monday for a chance to watch Mayor Kurt Wilson and three new city council members take the oath of office.

Wilsons swearing-in was followed by Peter Vanstrom, Will Morthland and Lee Hills, whose family members did the honors. They join returning council members Mike Palermo, Christine Hall and Marcelo Zapata.

During the meeting, the council unanimously chose Palermo to serve as mayor pro tem. Palermo, who was first elected to the City Council in 2015, immediately tried to set a new tone for the mayor and City Council, saying he hoped they would civilly work together for the betterment of Roswell.

Were not always going to agree on everything, Palermo said, but I think its really important that the whole community comes together for the dialog and how we move things forward. I could not be more excited than with these elected officials getting the opportunity to really represent our community.

Zapata did not attend the meeting on Monday, but Hall said she shared Palermos excitement.

We have a big agenda and a lot to get done, and I know that everybody is ready to get down to work to work for the citizens of Roswell, so welcome aboard, Hall said.

As Roswell Fire Department Chaplain Dorie Griggs conducted the invocation, she asked that the mayor City Council lead with a servants heart and spirit of collaboration.

May all who enter this building be treated with respect, dignity and kindness, Griggs said. In a city made up of longtime residents and newcomers, may each voice be valued and heard for their unique perspective.

Roswell has a new mayor and city council members. Kurt Wilson, Lee Hills, Will Morthland and Peter Vanstrom were sworn in about half an hour ago. The regular City Council meeting will resume at 7 p.m. Full story to come. pic.twitter.com/pZ2nKZl2f5  Chamian Cruz (@xchamian) January 10, 2022

Following a reception in the rotunda, the City Council got straight to business and unanimously agreed to sign a contract with Gradeco Inc. for stormwater infrastructure enhancements along Fouts Road and East Roswell Park for $64,560.

Interim Director of Environmental/Public Works Sharon Izzosaid the purpose of the agreement was to alleviate the excessive stormwater flow from Fouts Road thats flooding a residential property on Quincy Lane.

The project will extend the existing river stone-lined swale in front of 8990 Fouts Road approximately 50 feet south and then install 90 linear feet of 18-inch reinforced concrete pipe across Fouts Road. It also allows for future park trail connectivity.

The City Council then unanimously approved a policy change that allows homeowners associations and nonprofit organizations to place private security cameras in the city right-of-way without having to individually ask for final approval from the City Council.

Interim Director of Transportation Dan Skalsky said his department has been working on this with the Willow Springs Homeowners Association for the past six months. The change, however, still allows the City Council to revoke their license at any time, for any reason.

Any homeowners association or nonprofit that wants to apply for a license to install security cameras in the city right-of-way will pay a $100 fee, which will be deposited in the general fund.

In other business at the meeting, the Roswell Water Utility was recognized for receiving the Distribution System Excellence Gold Award from the Georgia Section of the American Water Works Association and the Georgia Association of Water Professionals. The award recognizes utilities throughout the state for their operation of drinking water distribution systems.

Deputy City Administrator Michael Fischer said the city also received the Atlanta Regional Commissions Green Communities Award, which recognizes the city for its continued commitment to sustainability.

The next City Council meeting is slated for Jan. 24.
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ALPHARETTA, Ga.  An Alpharetta man facing eviction is accused of intentionally setting his house on fire in November.

Two employees for the moving company Alpha Eviction and Collection in Decatur told police that on the morning of Nov. 18, 2021, they arrived at the home on Bethany Road, where they were confronted by 52-year-old Jesse Hooper.

According to the incident report, Hooper told them he had a restraining order against Brickstone Properties, so, to avoid a confrontation, the two men walked across the street to wait for the Fulton County Marshals Office.

A few minutes later, one of the men reportedly saw a silver passenger car leave the driveway and smoke begin to emanate from the home. A deputy with the Fulton County Sheriffs Office said he had visited the residence three days prior, but no one had been home.

The deputy said he posted the final eviction paperwork on the front door. On Nov. 18, 2021, he and another deputy returned to the home to oversee the eviction, which is when they found the home ablaze.

No known injuries were reported. However, the Alpharetta and Milton fire departments shut down parts of Bethany Road between Mid Broadwell Road and Mayfield Road to get the fire under control.

The Alpharetta Fire Marshals Office and Alpharetta Criminal Investigative Division investigated the incident. According to Hoopers arrest warrants, canine Officer Flash, who is trained in accelerant detection, indicated accelerant had been used in three separate areas of the basement, which is where the fire is believed to have begun.

The warrants also stated Hooper and his wife had not paid their mortgage for about five years and that Brickstone Properties had purchased the home in January 2021. Property records show the house was built in 2006.

Hooper was booked into the Fulton County Jail Nov. 29, 2021, and charged with arson in the first degree and conspiracy to commit a felony. He has since been released on bond.
Owosso, MI (48867)

Today

Periods of rain. High 51F. Winds ENE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near a half an inch..

Tonight

Cloudy. Periods of light rain early. Low 43F. Winds N at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 60%.
YEREVAN, JANUARY 11, ARMENPRESS. Armenias Minister of Economy Vahan Kerobyan and Minister of Health Anahit Avanesyan received the booster shot against COVID-19 in the National Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

The Health Minister received the booster shot by Moderna vaccine. She stated that citizens can also receive the booster shot six months after previous vaccinations.

There are countries which do not wait for six months, but get the booster shot earlier. For instance, getting the booster shot after 4 months is not dangerous, she said, adding that getting the booster shots regularly could also become acceptable in Armenia. Getting a booster shot is still on a voluntary basis in our country. But we dont know what will happen tomorrow. No one knows how the new Omicron variant will spread in Armenia. All our measures, restrictions are being applied for resisting all the challenges in a flexible way. If we have a certain perception that making a booster shot mandatory would help further protect the health of our citizens, we will apply another tool, she noted.

In his turn the Minister of Economy said that its important for him to get a booster shot. I received the booster shot by Armenian-made Sputnik Light vaccine. Previously, I got vaccinated with AstraZeneca, but given that we already have a Sputnik Light of Armenian production, I decided to try that vaccine, he said.

He also commented on the export of the Armenian-made vaccine. We are now holding discussions with our Russian partners in order to export our product. The consent of the Russian side in the export process is very important as the intellectual property of the trademark is theirs, he said.
YEREVAN, 11 JANUARY, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs Armenpress that today, 11 January, USD exchange rate down by 0.64 drams to 482.32 drams. EUR exchange rate down by 0.29 drams to 546.61 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate stood at 6.44 drams. GBP exchange rate up by 0.58 drams to 656.44 drams.

The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals.

Gold price down by 12.08 drams to 27822.56 drams. Silver price up by 2.88 drams to 348.21 drams. Platinum price down by 469.45 drams to 14436.97 drams.
YEREVAN, JANUARY 11, ARMENPRESS. A serviceman of the Armenian Armed Forces was wounded when his military position near Verin Shorzha in Gegharkunik Province came under fire from the Azerbaijani military around 15:15 on January 11, the Ministry of Defense said.

The servicemans injuries are of moderate severity, according to the Armenian Ministry of Defense.

The enemy fire was suppressed by countermeasures of the Armenian side. As of 17:00 the situation at the Armenian-Azerbaijani border is relatively stable and is under the full control of the Armenian Armed Forces, the Ministry of Defense said.
YEREVAN, JANUARY 11, ARMENPRESS. On January 11, at around 17:30, the Azerbaijani armed forces resumed firing at the Armenian positions located in the eastern part of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, using artillery and drones. The Armenian side has taken relevant retaliatory measures, MoD Armenia informed ARMENPRESS, adding that by 18:30 the shooting still continued.

The casualties from the Armenian side are being clarified. At the moment its known about three wounded servicemen. The Defense Ministry will provide information on the developments, reads the statement.
According to information published on January 11, 2022, the Swedish company SAAB has signed a framework agreement with the Lithuanian Ministry of Defence for the Carl-Gustaf M4 weapon and ammunition.

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SAAB Carl Gustaf M4 multirole man-portable anti-tank weapon. (Picture source Army Recognition)

The first order for ammunition with a value of approximately SEK 150 million was placed by the Lithuanian Defence Materiel Agency in connection with the signing of the framework agreement.

The signing means that the Lithuanian Armed Forces will join the same Carl-Gustaf framework agreement as Sweden, Estonia, and Latvia. Lithuania has been a user of the Carl-Gustaf system since the mid-1990s.

Its a great milestone to have Sweden and all the Baltic countries in the same agreement for the Carl-Gustaf system. Now we look forward to delivering this ammunition and providing Lithuania with the fantastic Carl-Gustaf M4 system, Gorgen Johansson, head of Saabs business area Dynamics.

Since the Carl-Gustaf M4 launch in 2014, Saab has signed contracts with fourteen different nations for the system. The wide range of ammunition provides extreme tactical flexibility, ready for any combat situation, delivering faster engagement, increased hit probability, and greater effectiveness.



The Carl-Gustaf M4 (CGM4), also called M3E1 in the U.S. Army, is the latest generation of multi-role anti-tank weapon systems in the family of Carl-Gustaf developed and manufactured by the Swedish company Saab. The key characteristic of the Carl-Gustaf M4 is to offer a multi-role weapon for modern infantry.



The Carl-Gustaf M4 system is able to fire a wide range of 84mm caliber ammunition including anti-armor, anti-structure, multi-role, anti-personnel, and support rounds. The ammunition used with the Carl Gustaf M4 has an effective range of up to 400 m against tanks and 700 m against buildings and stationary targets. Some types of ammunition have a rocket booster to extend the range to up to 1,000 m.
The health ministry advised retired medical professionals or MBBS students could be roped in for teleconsultation services

New Delhi: As the daily count of Covid-19 infections rocketed to 179,723 across the country, nearly an eight-fold rise in a week, the Union health ministry on Monday warned the states and Union territories that the situation was dynamic and evolving and that the need for hospitalisation may change rapidly.

While the hospitalisation of active cases in the ongoing Covid-19 surge, fuelled by new Omicron variant, has been five to 10 per cent in contrast to the 20-23 per cent in the brutal second wave last year, the ministry advised retired medical professionals or MBBS students could be roped in for teleconsultation services and providing skill training of community volunteers in basic care and management at Covid care centres.

In a fresh set of guidelines on testing of samples, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has said that contacts of Covid-19 patients do not need to be tested unless identified as high-risk based on age or co-morbidities. The top government body said at-risk contacts of patients will be those above 60 and individuals with co-morbidities like diabetes, hypertension, chronic lung or kidney disease, malignancy and obesity.

The ICMR Advisory on Purposive Testing Strategy for Covid-19 said tests may be undertaken as per the discretion of the treating doctor with certain considerations. It said that asymptomatic patients undergoing surgical or non-surgical invasive procedures, including pregnant women in/near labour who are hospitalised for delivery, should not be tested unless warranted or unless symptoms develop.

The ICMR said no emergency procedure, including surgeries, should be delayed due to the lack of a test. Also, patients should not be referred to other facilities for lack of testing facilities. The advisory said individuals undertaking inter-state domestic travel do not need to get tested.

The advisory said testing can be undertaken either through RT-PCR, TrueNat, CBNAAT, CRISPR, RT-LAMP, Rapid Molecular Testing Systems or through Rapid Antigen Test (RAT). It said that a positive point-of-care test (home or self-test/RAT) and molecular test is to be considered confirmatory, without any repeat testing, and symptomatic individuals, testing negative on home/self-test or RAT, should undertake the RT-PCR test.

Cautioning the states/UTs on hospitalisations, Union health secretary Rajesh Bhushan said in a letter: In the present surge, five to 10 per cent of active cases needed hospitalisation so far. The situation is dynamic and evolving. Therefore, the need for hospitalisation may also change rapidly.

Mr Bhushan advised the states/UTs advised to keep a daily watch on the total number of active cases, cases in home isolation, hospitalised cases, cases on oxygen beds, ICU beds and on ventilatory support. He said the spike in Covid-19 cases in many areas seems to be driven by the Omicron variant as well as the continued presence of Delta, and laid stress on the need to augment human resources, particularly healthcare workers, for Covid management.

The ministry urged the states and UTs to earmark different categories of beds in private clinical establishments for Covid care. It must also be ensured that charges levied by such health facilities are reasonable and there is a mechanism to monitor and initiate action in cases of over-charging, if any.

The health secretary also suggested requisitioning of more ambulances or private vehicles to improve referral transport and facilitate seamless transfers of Covid-19 cases from home isolation or Covid care centres to Covid dedicated hospitals.

On the vaccination front, India started administering precautionary (booster/ third) dose vaccines for Covid-19 to healthcare and frontline workers and people aged above 60 with co-morbidities. The beneficiaries were provided the same precautionary jab that they received as the first two doses. Those who had got Covaxin as their first two doses were given the same vaccine as their precautionary jab. Those who got two doses of Covishield were also given the same vaccine as their precautionary jab.

Of about six crore eligible beneficiaries -- 2.75 crore above 60, one crore healthcare workers and two crore frontline workers -- over 10 lakh people were given the precautionary dose on Monday.

The Centre also made it clear that no time limit has been set for the operationalisation of Covid vaccination centres, and states and UTs can run these till 10 pm daily based on availability of human resources and infrastructure. In a letter to states/UTs, health ministry additional secretary Manohar Agnani said there was an impression that the Covid vaccination centres can operate only from 8 am to 8 pm daily, which was not correct.

India on Monday saw a single-day rise of 1,79,723 infections, taking the total tally to 3,57,07,727. The Omicron count has also gone over 4,050 across 27 states and UTs. The number of active cases has increased to 7,23,619, the highest in around 204 days, while the death toll has risen to 4,83,936, with 146 fresh fatalities.

In Delhi, 17 more deaths due to Covid-19 and 19,166 infections were reported in a day as the positivity rate rose to 25 per cent, the highest since May 4 last year. The city had reported the same number of Covid deaths on Sunday too. In just 10 days, Delhi has recorded 70 Covid deaths. A total of 1,912 Covid patients are in hospitals. Of them, 65 are on ventilator support, the government data showed.
Two senior babus in Uttar Pradesh took voluntary retirement and decided to join politics, with an eye on the upcoming Assembly elections

Last year, none other than the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) had directed that a cooling-off period should be mandatorily imposed on all retired government officials before they can take up other jobs in the private sector. (Representational image/ Twitter)

Calls for a mandatory cooling-off period for babus before joining politics have revived after two senior babus in Uttar Pradesh took voluntary retirement (VRS) and decided to join politics, with an eye on the upcoming Assembly elections in the state.

Hours after the model code of conduct was effected, Asim Arun, the recently named police commissioner of Kanpur, sprung a surprise by announcing that he had applied for the voluntary retirement scheme (VRS) from the IPS and that the BJP was considering fielding the 1994-batch officer as its candidate from the Kannauj Sadar constituency.

Almost at the same time, the joint director of Enforcement Directorate (ED), Rajeshwar Singh, has said that his request for VRS has been accepted. It is being hinted that Mr Singh is preparing to jump into the poll fray from the Sahibabad constituency. He joined the ED in 2009 and was absorbed into the ED cadre in 2015. During his stint at ED, he investigated several high-profile cases including the 2G spectrum allocation case, the 2010 Commonwealth Games scam, and cases against prominent politicians such as former finance minister P. Chidambaram and others.

Last year, none other than the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) had directed that a cooling-off period should be mandatorily imposed on all retired government officials before they can take up other jobs in the private sector. Clearly, at the time, the CVC did not envision babus joining politics but now should, given the number of babus who are quitting the civil service to join politics, and often the ruling party which they until recently served.

*

PESB chairperson gets her way

The department of personnel and training (DoPT) has accepted the request of Mallika Srinivasan, the first woman chairperson of the Public Enterprise Selection Board (PESB), to relieve her of some of her responsibilities as the chief public sector headhunter.

Sources have told DKB that the department has modified the rules on the functioning of the PESB to accommodate her plea. Ms Srinivasan, who runs her own Fortune 500 company, TAFE Ltd, had stated that the PESB role clashed with her other responsibilities, referring to her company.

According to the modified PESB resolution, the chairpersons presence will be required only for the selection of a chairman, CMD, MD and functional directors of Schedule A and B CPSEs. The presence will not be mandatory for other selections.

The DoPTs swift acquiesce to Ms Srinivasans demands has caused some talk in babu circles that perhaps she was planning on quitting the post if the government did not accept her terms. If so, it may have worked.

*

Storm over, Kerala babu is reinstated

The Kerala government has decided to reinstate bureaucrat M. Sivasankar, who was suspended for his alleged role in the high-profile gold smuggling case. An order revoking the suspension was issued by the state chief secretary V.P. Joy after chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan approved an official recommendation.

Mr Sivasankar, who was principal secretary to Mr Vijayan at the time, was suspended from service in July 2020, after investigators alleged that he was involved in the appointment of the prime accused in the gold smuggling case. It was being said that he had flouted rules in government projects. The case had rocked Keralas ruling party CPI(M). He will be back in service now that his suspension is revoked. Sources say that Mr Sivasankars suspension would have ended in July 2021 but was extended for another six months. He was in jail for 98 days and was later released on bail on February 4, 2021. Earlier too, Mr Sivasankar as IT secretary had been absolved of any wrongdoing about the data transfer of Covid patients by a government committee led by former law secretary K. Sashidharan Nair.

Clearly, after having got caught in that maelstrom of controversy and given that attempts to nail it on him havent quite stuck, it looks like he has got a reprieve. But will it hold? No one knows yet. His new posting has not been revealed and he has another one year left in his service.
by Stefano Caprio

Despite unrest, the faithful gathered to celebrate the Baptism of the Lord. Don Trezzani: desperate people from the province hired to attack the palaces of power in Almaty. Tajiks and Uzbeks seen in the city during clashes. Internal power struggle and a definite plan behind the revolt.

Rome (AsiaNews) - In the convulsive days that Kazakhstan is experiencing, the small Catholic communities are apprehensive, but without particular problems, following the evolution of the situation. In the capital Nur-Sultan there have been no disturbances, as confirmed by local Catholics, and on Sunday, January 9, the community gathered regularly in the cathedral to celebrate the feast of the Baptism of the Lord, despite the prohibitions on gathering that prohibit groups of more than three people.

The Kazakhs are witnessing the impressive showdown in the ruling apparatus following the resignation of the government, which is expected to be replaced with a new team on January 11.

A sweeping of teh board is taking place at all levels: after the arrest of the head of the Security Services (Knb) Karim Masimov it would seem that a dead colonel has been found in his apartment. According to many observer, it is clear that it is not over, and it is very difficult to make predictions about the future of the country.

The uncertainties are confirmed by a telephone interview with AsiaNews (internet is still blocked and is connected two hours at night) with Don Guido Trezzani (see photo 1), an Italian missionary who has spent many years in Kazakhstan, where he directs Caritas in Almaty.

The large southern city of almost two million inhabitants was the epicenter of the clashes; Don Guido says that "a crowd of desperate people was gathered from the surrounding towns and villages", as he himself has witnessed, living in a "village of children" in the province, 20 kilometers from the metropolis.

The small towns of the province of Almaty have been the reservoir for the recruitment of desperate people, gathered by well-trained people armed to the teeth, who offered money to go and attack the city center and the palaces of power. This is how the occupation of the presidential residence came about, defended by young boys from the military academy overwhelmed by angry people with weapons of all kinds: "A horde of 20 thousand or more people is not something that can be organized in a day, nor in a week", says Don Guido.

Although the news is fragmented and impossible to verify, it became clear that there was a well-defined design behind the revolt.

The protests over high gas prices, which began in Zhanaozen on January 3, were in all likelihood spontaneous, and have mobilized drivers and workers who are very connected to the issue, even if we cannot be completely sure of this. In Almaty the protest was ridden with a well-defined plan:

"Many foreigners were seen, mostly from neighboring countries, such as Tajiks and Uzbeks", so it was a design from the outside as President Tokaev himself claimed.

As Don Guido recalls, "an episode from a couple of years ago came back to mind, when a weapons depot exploded in these parts, many of which were stolen; there were people going around with Kalashnikovs and various automatic weapons, which you don't buy in a store."

Perhaps there really is an internal power feud going on, now however everything is under control also due to the presence of the Russian-led forces of the Csto (Collective Security Treaty Organization). "We still celebrated all the Masses, even though many stayed home out of fear," Trezzani concludes.

Msgr. Adelio Dell'Oro (see photo 2), the Italian bishop of Karaganda, also assures that beyond Almaty and a few other cities, all is fairly quiet. "We pray for the problems to be resolved peacefully, because violence and revolutions have never created a new society or world," the bishop warns.

He describes the solidarity amid a precarious existence, since even the telephones do not always work: "I am in contact with Silvia and Lucia [two Catholics] from Almaty, they are well, even if the situation is not calm, because terrorist acts have now passed to vandalism. The [riotors] smash shop windows and steal in many places".

Msgr. Dell'Oro explains his concern for the disabled children being cared for at the Almaty; they are deprived of special foods and medicines they need. The faithful have asked for the cooperation of the Social Assistance Center of the municipality. "There is a state of emergency until January 19, you can not go out from 11 pm to 7 am; pray too, so that the problems are resolved with a true dialogue, in peace and justice for the common good."
This is a positive sign even though Rev Matthias Abdulreza Ali Haghnejad and eight members of the Church of Iran still face a review of their trial. For religious advocacy group, the charges are unfounded; those involved simply exercised their right to freedom of worship. A number of Christian inmates enjoy a 10-day leave at Christmas.

Tehran (AsiaNews)  Iranian authorities have released nine Christians, a Protestant clergyman and eight members of his community, sending an encouraging signal after repeated acts of abuse and repression.

The Christians, who were given lengthy prison terms, are free but not yet off the hook since their sentences are under review, not squashed.

Nevertheless, their cases bring some hope to the cause of religious freedom in the country, especially for those who abandon Islam for Christianity.

The release of the jailed Christians took place at the turn of the new year, but was reported only in recent days, and was greeted with satisfaction by international human rights groups.

Those freed include Rev Matthias Abdulreza Ali Haghnejad, of the Church of Iran, who was serving a five-year in prison, along with eight other members of his community.

The Protestant clergyman were jailed after a brief trial in September 2019, on charges of endangering state security and promoting Zionist Christianity. They were also accused of setting up a house church.

Rev Haghnejad appealed his conviction in early 2020, hoping at least to be placed under house arrest since Iranian prisons have become huge COVID-19 superspreading hubs following the outbreak of the pandemic.

However, the court turned down his application after Ayatollah Khamanei, Irans Supreme Leader, reportedly permitted the presiding judge to bypass court procedures.

The case was closely monitored by various international organisations, including Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW), which has worked for the clergymans release with appeals and support initiatives.

At the time of their arrest, the Christian advocacy group had expressed deep concern about the lack of due process, claiming that the charges against them are without basis. For this reason, it called for their immediate and unconditional release.

The sentence and the failed appeal seemed to have put an end to the story, but the case took a positive turn late last year with the release and request for a review of the trial.

Rev Haghnejad left his cell on 30 December, while his co-religionists were let out on 1 January.

CSW president Mervyn Thomas welcomed the news and expressed cautious optimism, as the nine can now return home after spending nearly three years in prison.

However, they are still facing unfounded and excessive charges simply for exercising their right to freedom of religion or belief, he added.

In his view, They have committed no crimes, and we continue to call for their exoneration and to urge the Iranian authorities to end use of national security-related charges against members of the Christian community who are peaceably exercising practicing their faith.

Meanwhile, Gholam Hossein Mohseni Ejei, head of Irans judiciary, instructed prison authorities to grant Christian inmates ten days' leave to mark the New Year 2022 and the anniversary of the birth of Jesus Christ.

Armenian and Assyrian Christians have benefited from this measure, but so has Milad Goudarzi, a convert condemned for apostasy and engaging in propaganda that educates in a deviant way contrary to the holy religion of Islam.
by Mathias Hariyadi

The booster will be administered to people over 60 and those at risk. It will be free of charge. The region around the capital is the most affected by the Omicron variant.

Jakarta (AsiaNews) - The administration of the third dose to the most vulnerable and to people over 60 years old in Indonesia will begin tomorrow. This was declared today by President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo: "This program is aimed at all Indonesian people and is free of charge," said the head of state. In recent days there have been discussions about whether the booster dose could be paid for.

According to Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin, already 20 million elderly people or those considered at risk (such as health workers) will be able to receive the third dose from January 12.

The head of Indonesia's National Food and Beverage Agency, Peni Lukito, last week confirmed the availability of 230 million doses produced by 5 different companies (PT Bio Farma, Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Moderna and Zifivax).

According to a report by the Ministry of Health, the Greater Jakarta region is the most affected by the Omicron variant: only on January 8, 75 cases of the new coronavirus were detected out of a total of 414 infected. Of these, about 50 have contracted the virus during domestic travel and the rest were imported from abroad, especially from Turkey and Saudi Arabia.

The first case of Omicron variant in Indonesia was recorded on December 16. According to a report from Jakarta's Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, at least 15 of the airport's medical staff have been infected with the new infectious strain.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Short-staffed hospitals in the United States "are turning to international nurses" as thousands of healthcare workers were dismissed over vaccine mandates, Fox News has reported.

More than 5,000 international nurses have been waiting to be cleared to obtain a visa approval to work in U.S. hospitals, Fox reported on Sunday.

The need for more foreign nurses comes as thousands of U.S. healthcare workers lost their jobs over coronavirus vaccine requirements, the report added.

A clinic in the midwestern U.S. state of Minnesota reportedly fired 700 unvaccinated employees who did not submit to coronavirus vaccines.

Over 500 healthcare workers in the northeastern state of Massachusetts were dismissed for disobeying vaccine mandates and over 30,000 healthcare workers in New York were sacked, according to the report. 
Only US$ 9 billion were paid out in compensation. The region has the largest insurance gap than any other region. Globally, economic losses in 2021 reached US$ 280 billion. With climate change, the situation is set to worsen, experts say.

Milan (AsiaNews/Agencies)  Worldwide natural disasters caused an estimated US$ 280 billion in economic losses in 2021, the second most expensive year after 2017, this according to Germany-based Munich Re, one of the largest insurance companies in the world.

Overall, insurance companies paid out half of the losses, but in Asia-Pacific, only a small fraction of the damage was covered by the policy.

The economic cost of this region came to US$ 50 billion, or just 18 per cent of the global total, but only US$ 9 billion was repaid. This left a gap of 83 per cent, well above the average for the rest of the world which stands at 57 per cent.

The natural disasters of 2021 have highlighted the enormity of the insurance gap in the Asia-Pacific region, said Dr Achim Kassow, a member of Munich Res management board, quoted in the South China Morning Post.

The costliest disaster in Asia was the flooding in the Chinese province of Henan in July, which, according to official figures, left more than 300 people dead and 50 missing. Property and agricultural losses in the region reached US$ 16.5 billion, but only 10 per cent was covered by insurance, Munich Re noted.

A 7.1 earthquake that struck Japan's east coast in February caused economic losses worth US$ 7.7 billion, but only US.3 billion were insured, with an insurance gap of 70 per cent.

Globally, the United States suffered the largest economic losses with approximately US$ 145 billion, with some US$ 85 billion insured.

The most expensive natural event was Hurricane Ida, which hit the US east coast between late August and early September, causing damages worth US$ 65 billion, 36 of which were insured.

The second most expensive extreme climate event, floods in Germany in July, cost US$ 54 billion, with 13 covered by insurance.

The 2021 disaster statistics are striking because some of the extreme weather events are of the kind that are likely to become more frequent or more severe as a result of climate change, said Ernst Rauch, head of the climate solutions unit at Munich Re.

In addition to increased insurance coverage, developing pubic-private partnerships could help prevent uninsured damage, he added.
Vehicles line up along Colorado Highway 82 near Willits Lane in October. The town of Basalt hopes its forthcoming agreement with Downtowner  to provide a free, local shuttle service to residents and visitors alike  will help get more vehicles off the road, especially during busier travel times.
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by Xinhua writer Guo Yage

BEIJING, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- The day of remembrance for the Capitol riot has set off a new round of taunts between the two major U.S. political parties and triggered fiery speeches about how the so-called "American democracy" is under urgent threat.

But while politicians from both parties have been giving the utmost attention to this tragedy to cream their rivals under the cloak of "the will of the American people," none of them have ever taken seriously any other bloodshed the United States created overseas in history, the casualties of which were often hundreds of thousands of times higher.

For quite some time, under the pretense of concern for democratic values and human prosperity, the United States has launched countless disastrous democratic experiments across the world, a bellicist enterprise that reveals its perverse zero-sum reckoning, hegemony and hypocrisy. In fact, the lives of the ordinary are the last thing it cares about.

With the declared aim of preventing more human suffering in Yugoslavia, the U.S.-led NATO forces carried out continuous air strikes in 78 days against the country, leaving more than 8,000 civilians dead or injured, and nearly 1 million displaced.

Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya have also been America's overseas testing grounds for the so-called "democracy promotion."

The U.S.-launched war has killed around 50,000 Afghan civilians from 2001 to mid-April 2020, and reduced some 11 million to refugees. The scene of terrified Afghan civilians trying to scale airport fences and chase airplanes in Kabul was in chilling echo of what happened in 1975, when overfilled U.S. Army helicopters lifted evacuees from the roof of the U.S. Embassy in Saigon.

Besides, the years of bloodshed have left more than 200,000 Iraqi civilians dead, and dragged Libya into greater turmoil.

In fact, research last year by anti-war group CODEPINK revealed that an average of 46 bombs have been dropped on other countries per day by the United States and its allies since 2001.

Behind the so-called democracy, which U.S. writer William Blum described in his book as "America's deadliest export," is a group of arrogant and selfish U.S. politicians, businessmen and arms dealers exploiting the term either for pursuing America's global domination or for satisfying their personal interests. That is why the United States has, from its first days, colluded with terrorist groups whenever it feels necessary.

Its democratic experiments abroad have eroded democracy in international relations, as the country has grossly interfered in other countries' domestic affairs and undermined the international system and rules. Just as Blum pointed out in his book, the United States has tried to overthrow more than 50 foreign governments since the end of World War II, interfered in elections in at least 30 nations, and attempted to assassinate over 50 foreign leaders.

More and more people around the world have come to realize that the U.S. enterprise of "democracy aid" is hardly of, by and for the people. For example, few countries in the Middle East and no North African countries have participated in the so-called "Summit for Democracy" put together by the United States in December. America's democratic promotion does not even sell in its domestic market.

"From the COVID-19 pandemic to global trade rules, from climate change to economic development, the United States is actively frustrating the priorities of most of the world's democracies. In the process, U.S. foreign policy is -- in the name of democracy -- compounding the global crisis of democracy and delegitimizing U.S. power," said U.S. magazine Foreign Affairs in July.

Any attempt to monopolize democracy, deny the legitimacy of other development paths, and reshape the world in a single image is the greatest damage to global democracy, and runs totally counter to humanity's common aspiration of peace, stability and common development.

It is time for the United States to wake up to that, stop its bloody democratic experiments immediately, and leave other countries alone, if it truly wants to hold onto its democratic values. 
Athens, TX (75751)

Today

Mixed clouds and sun with scattered thunderstorms. High around 80F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%..

Tonight

Partly cloudy during the evening followed by cloudy skies overnight. Low 67F. Winds light and variable.
The car market is in a crazy bubble right now, and this goes for new, used, and classic cars alike. Prices are going through the roof, especially in the case of classic cars, and nothing can predict where the market is heading next. Take this Porsche Carrera GT for instance , sold for nearly $2 million at Bring a Trailer, although the estimated price was only half that. The car sold new at $450,000 only 15 years ago.Even so, there is nothing that special about a Porsche 912, or so it seemed. The car was introduced in 1965 as an entry-level model below the mighty 911, a Boxster of sorts. Even a car with complete documented history barely earned $140,000 last year . Thats precisely why the example that goes under the hammer in Kissimmee on Saturday raises an eyebrow with its $400,000 - $500,000 estimate.To be sure, this is no ordinary 912, but a prototype built with the four-cylinder engine inherited from the 356, one of only six built by Porsche. And the fact that only two of them survived makes it a lot more valuable. The car on auction is believed to be the demonstrator vehicle at the July 1965 Porsche Factory Tour arranged for the United States dealer network. It even bears the 1st U.S. Porsche Dealer Tour-Stuttgart-19-22-July 1965 on the rear engine grille.The prototypes history is incredible, serving as a testing mule for the 912. It had the engine and transmission from the outgoing Porsche 356 while sharing the body with the 911. It bears the serial number 13415, a five-digit number. This contrasts with the production version of 912 and 911 cars that had six-digit serial numbers. This is exactly what gave it away when it was discovered by accident and was actually bought as a parts car.Other signs of its uniqueness are the aluminum door hinges and the body-matching dash paint, both absent from the production 912 models. The car had its original numbers-matching engine and that was enough to grant it a Certificate of authenticity. The new owner started the process of disassembly and restoration while adhering to a strict protocol with each piece being carefully examined and cataloged.Its said that Hans Peter Porsche, head of Porsche Production in 1965, saw the car at the 2014 Porsche Parade in Monterey, California, and vividly remembered it at the factory back in the day. He revealed Porsche sold the car in 1966 to a new owner in Stuttgart, Germany. This history-laden car will go under the hammer this weekend in Kissimmee, Florida, and is expected to sell for a price above the half-million mark. This is your chance to grab a piece of Porsche history that is also a piece of American Porsche history.
The pre-facelift version of the Audi R8 used to be available with a range of performance parts, which are still offered for sale at dealers of the four-ringed brand, as far as we know. However, those parts were not yet offered for the facelifted variant of the R8, and this uncamouflaged prototype may be testing them in the real world.As you will observe in the photo gallery, other Audi prototypes are being tested with this V10-engined R8 , but those wear camouflage. That might mean that Audi engineers are testing something that is not visible and that it might have nothing to do with the powertrain.After taking a closer look at the prototype, you will observe a set of front splitters, which can be referred to as canards if you like, along with a matching set on the rear bumper. There are meant to help manage airflow and bring more grip at high speeds, as well as offer other aerodynamic improvements.As you will see in the photo gallery, the ones on the back of the vehicle are also good at capturing snow. It is worth noting that testing a prototype with just the aero elements alone might not make much sense from an economical perspective. But what might not make sense to some can still make sense to those who do it.Those components could be developed in the wind tunnel to confirm what Audi already knew about them from the pre- facelift version of the R8 On the other hand, this prototype may be an early version of another variant of the R8 V10, which might end up receiving a different bumper altogether, but with the same aerodynamic elements on its edges.
As youre well aware, the half-ton pickup is available with three powertrains based around a 3.4-liter V6 thats erroneously advertised with a displacement of 3.5 liters. The flagship trim level comes with the i-Force Max, which is Toyotas way of saying twin-turbo V6 hybrid pickup with 437 horsepower and 583 pound-feet (790 Nm) of torque from 2,400 rpm.Only available in CrewMax 5.5-foot configuration, the seventh trim level for the 2022 model year Toyota Tundra can be finished in six paint colors: Supersonic Red, Blueprint, Midnight Black Metallic, Celestial Silver Metallic, Magnetic Gray Metallic, and Wind Chill Pearl. The seats are wrapped in semi-aniline leather upholstery, and the premium-oriented theme continues with authentic Dark American Walnut open-pore veneer.Powered running boards and Toyota BedStep also come standard, along with a 10-inch color head-up display and Towing Technology Package. While on the subject of truck-like things, the maximum towing capacity of the Capstone is 10,340 pounds (4,690 kilograms) whereas payload is rated at 1,485 pounds (674 kilograms). By comparison, the most capable Tundra available now offers 12,000 and 1,940 pounds (5,443 and 880 kilograms) towing capacity options.Scheduled to arrive in dealership forecourts this spring, the Capstone also rocks Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 nannies that include Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Lane Departure Alert, and Rear Seat Reminder. The Japanese automakers basic new-vehicle warranty covers all components other than normal wear and maintenance items for 36 months or 36,000 miles (57,936 kilometers).Additional 60-month warranties cover the hybrid twin-turbo V6 powertrain for 60,000 miles (96,561 kilometers) and corrosion with no mileage limitation. As an added bonus, the brand-new Tundra Capstone comes with the ToyotaCare plan that covers factory-scheduled maintenance and 24-hour roadside assistance for two years or 25,000 miles (40,234 kilometers).
The featured video kicks off with a red-painted truck with the double cab and 6.5-foot bed. Specified with the $2,360 TRD Sport Package that includes double-spoke wheels, this Tundra SR5 retails at just under $50k.Listed as a prototype instead of a retail pickup, the third-generation Tundra is built with one mission according to the narrator. The man specifies getting the job done, which is funny when you compare the Japanese truck with domestic alternatives from the Big Three in Detroit. More to the point, American trucks offer noticeably more payload and more towing capacity.Toyota quotes up to 1,940 and 12,000 pounds, figures that convert to 880 and 5,443 kilograms. The Ford F-150 boasts 3,325 pounds (1,508 kilograms) and 14,000 pounds (6,360 kilograms), and thats the gist of it.Even though its badly outperformed by the Blue Oval, the Big G, and Ram, the Tundra still has a few aces up its proverbial sleeve. The fully-boxed frame opens the list, followed by the aluminum-reinforced composite bed that combines a sheet-molded compound with aluminum cross members.Available in 5.5-, 6.5-, and 8.1-feet box lengths, the bed can be spruced up with LEDs, a 400-watt power inverter, as well as a deck rail system. But how does it hold up to abuse on the worksite? Toyota is much obliged to demonstrate it with a boat anchor, a metal toolbox, paving bricks, red bricks, river stones, and 960 pounds (435 kilograms) of retaining wall blocks.Dropped by a small tracked loader from approximately 13 feet (just under 4.0 meters), these loads fail to damage the bed, although Toyota should focus on making the third-gen Tundra as reliable as its V8-engined predecessor.2022 Toyota Tundra groups are overflowing with wastegate actuator problems, which is the kind of condition you wouldnt expect from the Japanese automaker that made a name for itself with better-than-average reliability. But knowing Toyota, they will sort out these issues in no time.
kilowatt

Smaller than the International Space Station (ISS), the Gateway will serve as a rendezvous point for future astronauts heading to the lunar surface as well as a stepping stone to deep space exploration.The station will initially have two modules known as the Power and Propulsion Element (PPE) and Habitation and Logistics Outpost (HALO). It will ultimately have five modules that will be added as construction of the outpost advances.The PPE module will have 60-solar arrays that will provide power and thrusters that help the Gateway maintain attitude control. HALO will serve as a temporary home for the astronauts, and it will include multiple docking ports, as well as room for science operations and stowage.Several Gateway international partners will make contributions to the lunar outpost , providing additional modules, refueling capabilities, and other enhancements. Crisa will be in charge of the development power management and distribution (PMAD) system, which will manage the electricity from the solar panels mounted on the PPE.It will deliver power to the station and its equipment. Not only that, but it will power up the life support system, ensuring the crew's safety. It will also take care of the illumination, communication systems, and scientific investigations, and it will keep the module's battery charged and ready for use when the panels don't get enough sunlight.Last year, in February, NASA selected SpaceX to provide launch services for PPE and HALO. Once completed, the modules are expected to take off together on a Falcon Heavy rocket from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in 2024.When fully functional, the Gateway is supposed to be capable of housing astronauts for a period of between 30 to 60 days. The station will be placed in an orbit that will take it within 1,500 km (932 miles) to the lunar surface at its closest, and 70,000 km (43,495 miles) at its farthest.
So at the end of the day, notifications are a way to reduce the distraction behind the wheel, as users no longer have to look at the phone to check for messages.But on the other hand, its not a secret that Android Auto has been struggling with notifications for quite a while. And now it looks like the debut of Android 12 is making things much worse.After several reports of broken notifications for individual apps, such as for text messaging, users are now complaining that absolutely all notifications are blocked on their mobile devices when Android Auto is running on the head unit in their cars.A discussion thread started earlier this week (and which has since been closed by Google and marked as a duplicate) reveals notifications problems with pretty much every app, including WhatsApp, Facebook, and others.All seem to happen on Android 12, as for some reason, the new operating system doesnt play nice with notifications on Android Auto.The thread points to another discussion where a community specialist says the Android Auto team is investigating the reports, though right now, no ETA for a potential fix is available.What this means is that users who are struggling with notifications in their cars have no other option than to wait for Google to come up with a fix. Given Android 12 could be the culprit, going back to the previous OS version isnt necessarily a job for the Average Joe. The process is very inconvenient and takes a lot of time, so right now, everybodys waiting for Google to release a fix.A new version of Android Auto is already available for download, and some say they have already noticed some improvements in terms of notification delivery. Google hasnt provided any information on this front, so fingers crossed for the bug to be squashed rather sooner than later.
EV

In fact, theres a chance the Apple Car development might be in a much more advanced stage than we originally believed, as a new report reveals that Apple reached out to a parts manufacturer over a potential supply deal back in 2020.As part of the discussions, Apple even shared a series of Apple Car schematics, though the talks eventually ended abruptly due to struggles caused by the global health issue.The parts manufacturer in question is the Japanese company Sanden. Known as one of the largest manufacturers of air conditioning components for vehicles, Sanden was supposed to be the company also supplying climate control systems for the Apple Car.But shortly after Apple reached out to Sanden to discuss a potential supply deal, the Japanese firm ended up struggling with its financial resources, especially as its production got hit hard by the restrictions caused by the global health crisis.As a result, Sandens only option was debt restructuring, at which point Apple just decided to walk away and look elsewhere for a company to supply its air conditioning parts.This isnt the first time Apples discussions for the Apple Car fail to reach a conclusion. In early 2021, Apple reached out to Hyundai, this time to talk about a potential manufacturing deal for its electric vehicle.The discussion made good progress and eventually reached the phase where Hyundai and Apple even picked the plant where the Apple Car was supposed to come to be. However, the South Korean carmaker spilled the beans on the talks , and Apples big honchos considered such a thing unacceptable, especially as the Apple Car is labeled as a high-priority product for the company.Apple, therefore, decided to drop the talks, so right now, a joint venture between LG and Magna is believed to be in pole-position to manufacture the
And in the inventory of the American Air Force (USAF), few assets are as valuable as the B-1B Lancer . The $200 million worth of combat hardware is so important, that it often travels with its own security detail, as seen in the image we have here, captured in March last year and released by the military branch as part of its Year in Photos release.The plane was back then on an assignment to Europe, being deployed to Norway as part of the Bomber Task Force Europe mission. The snowy runway its seen residing on belongs to the Orland Air Force Station in the center of the country.Very unlike the USAF , the pic does not center on the airplane per se, but on the people guarding it, in this case, two defenders deployed with the 7th Security Forces Squadron.The unit is tasked with protecting operational resources on the flightline and patrols the entire base in a law enforcement role. It is based at Dyess Air Force base in Texas, but it travels where its needed. For the trip to Norway, eight 7th Security Forces Squadron soldiers were deployed with the 9th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron.As for the B-1B, were talking about one of the rarest planes currently in service, with 62 ever made, two of them for testing purposes. Having reached initial operating capability in 1986, it flew at first as a nuclear bomber, but its role started switching to conventional bomber in 1994, a status it attained in 2011 as part of the New START treaty.The B-1 is a true legend of the sky, holding 50 world records for speed, payload, range, and time of climb in its class, but also has quite the warrior pedigree, being deployed in combat missions against enemies in Iraq, Kosovo, and Afghanistan.
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A few weeks ago, Ben Affleck showed his love for motorcycles with an electric bike: Harley-Davidson's LiveWire . The actor is known for his love for two-wheelers and his neighbors from his lavish neighborhood, Brenton, have often seen the former Batman star cruising through the streets.Now, paparazzi got footage of Affleck welcoming a new bike, which isnt new per se. In fact, were talking about a first-generation Suzuki GSX1300R Hayabusa with which Affleck has quite some history. Maybe even more than the history with his current girlfriend, triple threat Jennifer Lopez.The actor seems to have owned the first-generation for quite a while, and he was even involved in an accident while riding it. This was back in 2018, when the Hollywood star fell on his way to church and hit his head against a curb. Luckily, nothing serious happened to him and he continued riding.Now, he welcomed back the motorcycle, as you can see in the video below, which could have been getting some upgrades, although there is no information on what those could be, but the bike still seems to be in good shape.Suzuki introduced the Hayabusa line in 1999, and it was the world's fastest production motorcycle at the time. The first generation came with a 1,299 cc (79.3 cu in) liquid-cooled L4 engine with sixteen valves driven by dual-overhead camshafts, and it was rated between 173 to 194 horsepower. The brand claimed it had a speed of a little over 190 mph (306 kph), but it could achieve over 200 mph (322 kph) with slight modifications.From the year 2000, European and Japanese manufacturers reached a gentlemans agreement to limit its speed to 186 mph (300 kph), but that doesn't apply to the pre-2000 Hayabusa.We wonder what Jennifer Lopez thinks of his passion for bikes.
1976 sounds like a long time ago, but things were not different when it came to millionaires and their toys . A famous industrialist at the time, Roy Carver, chose Maritima de Axpe boat builder, in Spain, for the construction of his new yacht. Apparently, things were taking too long, so Carver went to another boat builder, and the ship that was supposed to be named LAC III, after his mothers initials, lost its intended owner.But the luxury 147-footer would soon be owned by the Sultan of Sabah, in Malaysia. It went on to have several owners, who changed its name every time, ending up in South Africa, where it was supposed to be given a facelift. Two decades had passed since then, and Bella T, as it is currently named, lost all of its former glow. The owner who initially launched the refit process was sued for not keeping up with the payments, so the rebuilding process stopped abruptly.No wonder the former luxury boat seems cursed. After its turbulent history of multiple ownerships, it was sold several times, during its legal troubles, to various companies. Business Insider South Africa reports that Bella T became a property of Europa Shipping five years ago and that the applicant in the lawsuit against it, Rapaport Flagship Limited, has a claim that amounts to almost $1 million (835,000).Finally, the Western Cape High Court ordered that Bella T would go to auction. Despite it looking pretty awful, and with all of its engine components and interior fittings in separate containers, the superyacht is still considered to be in very good condition, according to official appraisals. It could snatch around $2.5 million, which isnt a small amount, considering its age and current state.With an exterior design by the famous Arthur de Fever and enough room to accommodate up to 12 guests, the Bella T could still be reborn from the ashes and shake off its troubled past.
Lmao... You would really be an idiot to believe this rubbish.... I really hope they successfully scam people so I can laugh at them properly for believing such a clear scam. A car hiring company without a website, a phone number or an email. How do you reach them as a customer? https://t.co/4bmjXEjyPV  Don Billiato (@casspernyovest) January 9, 2022

One of the most successful artists in South Africa was recently accused of lying about the ownership of a brand-new McLaren GT. Cassper Nyovato (aka Don Billiato) recently treated himself to a luxury car and made sure all his fans knew about it. Adding an expensive whip to the collection is no rarity for a successful rapper, but in this case, it was an even bigger deal because Nyovato apparently became the first person in South Africa to purchase and own a new McLaren GT.Thats no small achievement, so news about Nyovato and his gorgeous, immaculate McLaren quickly made headlines. The artist even invited the second person who would buy the famous luxury car to tag him, so they could become the McLaren boys. But rumors started going around saying that Nyovato was either being endorsed or that he was actually just renting out the vehicle One of the most recent accusations went viral, as an alleged luxury car rental company boldly claimed to have rented out the white McLaren to Cassper. Even though the rapper immediately dismissed the allegations, pointing out that it wasnt even a real car rental company since it had no official contact information, a lot of people still believed the claim and sided with the supposed company. This often happens on social media platforms, where its easier to come up with false accusations just to become viral.Cassper will continue to show off his prized luxury toy , despite all controversy. And the claim that hes the only one in South Africa to own such a beauty still stands. The 203 mph (326 kph) beast that can get from 0 to 62 mph (100 kph) in just 3.2 seconds is sure worth bragging about. Unless somebody else jumps on the McLaren GT wagon soon, Casspers fabulous white whip will keep on making waves.
As you will notice in the Instagram reel embedded below, someone has managed to place a Porsche 911 into a ditch on a road covered in snow . The incident appears to have happened back in December in Poland, but there is no recording of how it happened.Instead, there is a recording of how someone tried to pull the 992-generation red Porsche 91 1 out of the ditch with a Toyota GR Yaris . While it is an unusual recovery vehicle, you can see that it is struggling to climb an icy incline. The ice under the snow might have led to the position where the 911 had left the road.However, as one Instagram user remarked in his post that had hashtags like "drift," and "fail," it is reasonable to believe that someone attempted to drift the 911 up a snowy road and ended up in a ditch. As you can observe in the photo gallery, the airbag does not seem to have deployed, which means that the impact was not that severe.It did not take us long to discover that the same 911 with the same license plate is used by a rental company in Poland to illustrate their offer for a 911 Carrera 4S. While it is unclear whether the incident involved a rental customer or the owner of the vehicle, who happens to also own the rental car company.Regardless of who was driving, the most important thing is that it appears that nobody was injured. While the reel may be funny to watch even with an unusual choice of music, the entire thing should be a warning for those who think it is wise to attempt such things in street-spec passenger cars on public roads.Another thing that caught our attention was the recovery procedure, which also represents a miracle that nobody was injured. First, never sit between two vehicles that are linked with a towrope or any other device used for towing.If you insist on filming a vehicle while it is towed , stay clear of it. Let us underline the fact that you must maintain a generous safety distance. If one of the hooks snaps, or if the cable snaps, it might be extremely dangerous to those near it. It is equally dangerous if one of the vehicles suddenly becomes free and runs over whoever is between the vehicles.Secondly, pulling a vehicle out of a ditch is best done by trying to pull it out the way it went in, otherwise, you risk rolling the vehicle through the ditch. According to the comments section, it appears that they did manage to get the vehicle out of the ditch.Judging by the way it was pulled out, we say that luck helped, and it is impressive to see that no bumper was ripped off in the process.
Gravity Industries is a company founded by Richard Browning, aiming to define a new era in human aviation. At its core lies the Jet Suit , which is constantly being tested for a wide range of applications, with Browning himself being the chief test pilot who gets to fly powered by micro gas turbines.So far, Browning has mostly pitched his Jet Suit to military forces, demonstrating its capabilities on various occasions. He flew the suit at the Army People Conference in England not two months ago. Earlier in 2021, the Jet Suit was used by a special ops soldier from the Netherlands Maritime Special Operations Force. The Royal Marines also gave it a shot, although they found the technology (as impressive as it is) not ready yet for military adoption. Over 100 flights events have been executed by Gravity so far, in over 30 countries.One of the latest adventures of the Gravity Industries Jet Suit was to take part in a NATO Mountain Warfare Exercise in Slovenia. The suit was used by a pilot to support a rescue mission and provide medical care, delivering blood plasma.While there are limitations in what the Jet Suit can do, especially in terms of flight time (which is only up to four minutes), the technology is still very useful. The suite can operate in any weather conditions, can fly at altitudes of up to 12,000 ft (3,658 m), and can reach speeds of up to 80 mph (around 130 kph). Its powered by five gas turbine engines that generate over 1,000 bhp (brake horsepower).You can watch the NATO mountain rescue exercise in the video below.
There is an island on the Georgia border that has been subjugated by 8 different nations over the past 250 years. Such a microcosm has only been made possible by the apparent antics of Floridians. Thats why it is prudent to know the fastest ways to leave the state in the inevitable calamity portrayed by Social Media and Law Enforcement.So, in order to travel from Amelia Island to Clearwater Beach , you will need at least 5 hours and $100 in fuel. What you are about to read might seem improbable, or even impossible, but I have a host of wittnesses that can attest to the calamities we collectively endure. President Eisenhower was impressed by the Autobahn that forms the backbone of Central Europe. Seeking to give the United States the same freedoms, the Interstate Highway System was mostly finished by the mid '80s.You can see clearly that Florida has a logical highway system, but the best way to see it in action is from a safe distance, and that is the International Space Station . In fact, we even have Interstate 4 all to ourselves. This should be an Intrastate as it doesnt touch Georgia or Alabama, but Florida is too lazy to change the spelling.The next clues come from extra footage Michael Bay shot for the Transformers films. Every 2.7 seconds there is a fatal car wreck here. Driving the length and breadth of Interstate 4, you are literally taking your life into your own hands. I learned this firsthand in 2002 when I decided to attend the University of Central Florida to pursue a degree in advertising. It was here that I found a catharsis watching scores of drug-laden students fight the War on I4. This ribbon of concrete that bisects the state somehow connects most of the states poorest neighborhoods, from Daytona, Sanford, Orlando, (Disney World), and on to Tampa.You will be hard pressed to maintain an average speed above 43 mph, which makes Amtrak a viable alternative. However, the only trains between Jacksonville, Orlando, and Tampa leave at 2:15 PM, and thats on Tuesday and Thursday...only. So, if you value having a nice car or truck, I would not approach the Interstates without a License to Kill.Some people deal with adversity with ease, while others melt down. This is what happens when #florida man snaps, and you dont want to be anywhere near it. Thats why I am 38 years old, and I have given up on highways. Florida has the best network of ancient roads in the Western Hemisphere, many being blazed by the Native Americans, Spanish, and English ancestors. Thats why I am pleading with you to take a leisurely trip back in time.From my little room on Amelia Island, I prefer Route A1A to follow the Atlantic Ocean to Miami. It will take a weekend to get there, but the food and hotels represent everything right with living in a free country. Should you want to experience the Everglades, Interstate 75 is loaded with refugees from New York, California, and Quebec. Thats why the old Tamiami trail will take you through the swamps while making amazing memories along the way.Because the Police are underpaid and overworked, you dont have to worry about small crimes. All we ask is that you take your hat off at the dinner table and give us the same respect you would offer your best friend. Traversing this state can be done, but make sure you have ample time along with any form of relaxation you deem necessary. Spend all your money here, look for the SkunkApe , then please go home as soon as possible!
For full disclosure, I have owned 8 examples of these affordable 2+2 coupes since 2000. Design and engineering began in the glory days of Disco, and a new assembly plant was built in Quebec . The tooling that built the previous generation cars was worn out, as was the host of tired V6 and V8 engines offered by Pontiac and Chevrolet.The die was cast in 1974 when Ford decided to base every car on the Pinto, but it's hard to paint over rust along with the tears of those killed by fire in thousands of crashes. With work on the C4 Corvette well underway, a perfect starting point would be the 5.7L Chevy V8 found in Silverado and Corvettes. But no, we received a 5-liter pig that made 110 horsepower thanks to a Crossfire fuel injection system that worked every other month. To put salt on the wound, base models offered the 2.5L inline four that offered no acceleration when the AC is on.But wait, theres more! Transmission choices began with a 4-speed manual from GMs Saginaw plant, the same place that made half the internals metric while the bellhousing dated back to 1954. Fear not, as the all-new automatic also had four gears. Known as the 700R4 , it was not powerful enough to deal with 220 lb-ft of torque.While the cars built in Los Angeles fared better with rust, the Canadian cars began to evaporate from corrosion while still under warranty. Exploding differentials arrived in 1985, just as my parents decided to buy their first new car. It was in the workshop for over a month until new parts could be sourced. Instead of the normal GM 10-bolt, the most expensive cars were given a Borg-Warner 9-bolt sourced from Australia. This would prove to be the straw that broke the camels back, so my parents were forced to hire a lawyer to get their money back.1984 and 85 were the darkest years, with many infuriating issues. My first Camaro was an 87, and I was the second owner. Some screwy dealer had ordered it with electric locks, crank up windows, and drum brakes. Because the 5.7-liter was still forbidden by the Corvette team, my car had the last carbureted V8 Camaro would ever offer. It also had a cooling fan that was only commanded by the computer above 240 degrees, so it was always puking here in Florida.Because I had taught myself to deal with the BS, I was invincible. Thats why I bought two Third Gen-Camaros on eBay for $750. Both stunk of marijuana and indiscretions, with leaking T-Top roof panels. Yes, they look great from a distance, but the early roof panels were made of Lexan, the same plastic found in commercial kitchen pans. Needless to say, they can be fixed today after you realize the floor pans have been gone since before Bill Gates began playing god.Yes, these issues can all be addressed for a few dollars, and then you will realize what makes them so addictive. Every example rode on comfortable coil spring suspension, with monotube struts tuned for a healthy balance of civility and grip on the track. The F-Body platform was so ahead of its time, that the only changes introduced in 1993 were upper control arms along with Rack & Pinion steering.My final experience came with an 84 Camaro Z-28. I sold it to a coworker at Lexus of Orlando for $500, but he never paid the Sales Tax. I found it abandoned after he was arrested, so I hot-wired it and sold it again, this time for $1,500. Nowadays, even wrecked and rusted examples easily command $10,000, so find one to hold onto and stay with us for all your automotive insights.
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Without a wiper or washer, the rear glass turned into an opaque surface that offers the same visibility as a sheet metal component such as the hood. For those that own or want to buy an Ioniq 5, the message is clear. Either you forget about rear visibility and focus on driving only with the side rear-view mirrors, or you should have a cleaning kit for the back glass to wipe it manually every once in a while.The irony that this involves is that people take rear glass wipers and washers for granted. We do not doubt that they will only realize the Ioniq 5 lacks these items after driving these EVs in winter conditions  as A2MAC1 did lately  or on rainy days.As brilliant as this electric Hyundai is, it is not unlikely that the automaker will add a solution for that in a future refresh if its current customers complain about how the design currently is. Since the automaker stated that this decision was taken to preserve range, we wonder how the company may introduce it and still present the same or better range numbers. Hyundai could ask ONE (Our Next Energy) for help to reduce the Ioniq 5s battery pack. The battery startup claims to have made a Tesla Model S travel 752 miles on a single charge with a 203.7-battery pack that fits where a 100-kWh unit used to be. If that is correct, it may show the Korean company how to do the same.
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The XKSS story began in 1950. After racing the D-type, some of the rules changed, and Jaguar decided to transform it into a road car. Inspired by a North American market appeal for a C production car, the remaining 25 D-Type racers were converted into the XKSS.Unfortunately, there was a fire, and only nine remained, so the legend was born. One of those cars belonged to Steve McQueen, one of the most iconic XKSS owners. Leno was fortunate enough to drive Steve McQueens XKSS Jaguar eight years ago McQueen is huge when it comes to the XKSSs history. His car was originally white with a red interior, but he changed it to green and nicknamed it Green Rat. He loved this car so much that he sold it, rebought it, and used it until his untimely death. It resides at the Peterson Museum in Los Angeles and is one of the most expensive classic cars, going for about $30 million.Lenos friend Dan Moody built an XKSS Jaguar as a tribute to Steve McQueens car. While Leno rarely does resto-mods, this is a beautifully made, one-of-a-kind, and is as original as you can get built. It comes with an aluminum body with all original Jaguar parts.Inspired by McQueens car, this XKSS took 2 years to build from start to finish. The original McQueen XKSS puts out 250, Moodys re-build makes 100 HP more. It also comes with a modern Cosworth-based 5-speed manual transmission.According to Leno, the McQueen XKSS is the most modern vintage he has ever driven. It can still keep up with modern cars due to its design, and it's lightweight at 2,100 pounds (1,134 kg). The original can do the 0 to 60 mph (97 kph) in 5 seconds, and Moodys can do it in less than 4 seconds. The Jaguar XKSS is a classic car legend with a script still written today
But Jerry Jones superyacht is different from all the other billionaires superyachts in that its one of the first to place such a high emphasis on reducing its impact on the environment and improving efficiency.Meet Bravo Eugenia, the fourth largest build from luxury shipyard Oceanco and the 52nd in the world, a mean green machine that was designed for family life, maximized range, and minimized impact on the environment. At $225 million the reported construction cost, its also ranking high on the list of the most expensive private superyachts in the world.Bravo Eugenia, codenamed internally Project Bravo, was completed and launched in 2018. It was built in the Netherlands by Oceanco, on a naval architecture by Lateral Naval Architects, with exterior design by Nuvolari Lenard . The interiors were penned by Reymond Langton Design, in collaboration with Jones wife Gene, after whom the vessel was named.Bravo Eugenia has been moored in London since the end of November, hailing in from Cannes. Though a new build, its already traveled the world, having been spotted in Alaska, Gibraltar, and now the UK.Its exactly how it should be, if you think that Jerry and Gene wanted a family vessel to take them on endless and memorable vacations , as they admitted in a 2019 interview with Yachts International . Until then, they had chartered many yachts and superyachts, including custom builds from Oceanco, like Alfa Nero and Nirvana. This, Gene said, allowed them to form a very specific idea about what they wanted from their own vessel, and this became the vision for Bravo Eugenia.With a steel hull and an aluminum superstructure, the 109-meter (358-foot) superyacht offers 3,400 GT of interior volume across four decks. Accommodation on board is for 14 guests in seven suites and an additional crew of 30 in 15 cabins, including the captains private suite. Because the superyacht was never offered for charter and is yet to be listed for sale, details and photos of the interior are very scarce.What is known is that Bravo Eugenia offers two helipads and an incredibly generous beach club, a packed tender garage, and a variety of entertaining and socializing areas that have been given Genes personal touch through curated art and pieces of furniture. She described the interior as sophisticated and inviting, with a light, open, contemporary look achieved through bespoke furniture and Swarovski details. Theres also a gym and a Teppenyaki bar, a sauna, and a variety of outdoor and indoor lounges.As Gene told the media outlet in 2019, the idea was to get a vessel that was perfect for family vacations, and in this sense, Bravo Eugenia fits the bill. The Jerrys also wanted a reduced impact on the environment, and this is achieved through Oceancos LIFE Design, where LIFE stands for: Lengthened waterline, Innovative layout, Fuel-efficient hull design, and Eco-conscious technology. In short, despite its size, the superyacht is very fast and efficient.The specially-designed hull with a lengthened waterline is the first of its kind at Oceanco, and ensures a fast displacement with just two MTU engines totaling 2,920 hp, delivering a top speed of 19 knots. The engine room is now single-tiered, as opposed to occupying two decks, which frees up space on board for the guests, while heat- and energy-recovery structure and an integrated battery system reduce fuel consumption by as much as 30 percent. Bravo Eugenia offers a smoother, noise- and vibration-reduced ride at high speeds, and even features a whisper mode for quiet entries and exits from ports.A fully customizable yacht is often seen as a highly luxurious purchase, Marcel Onkenhout, CEO of Oceanco , said at the presentation of the LIFE Design hull. Thanks to Oceancos LIFE Design, its now an ecologically-conscious one too.Clearly, the industry is still a long distance away from truly sustainable vessels of this size, but Bravo Eugenia is a good step in that direction. Absolutely gorgeous, too.
Why is it that we can so clearly see the mistakes of others, and yet repeat these same mistakes in our own lives?

I am convinced we are meant to learn from the experiences of others. Wisdom is the overriding theme of the book of Proverbs. In Proverbs we are repeatedly warned to avoid foolish behaviour. For instance, Proverbs chapter 4, verses 14 and 15 say: Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evil men. Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn from it and go on your way.

Recently, in doing my devotions I came across a baffling account in 1 Samuel chapter 8 verses 1-3.

To understand why I found this story so baffling, you have to understand context. Long before he was a mighty prophet of God, Samuel was a boy being raised by a priest named Eli. Samuel had a divine mission. His mother, Hannah had prayed for a child after years of childlessness and vowed to God to give the child back to God (1 Samuel Chapter 1 verse 11). The womans cry was heard by God. Samuels birth meant the end of her unhappiness and pain caused by years of being jeered by her husbands other wife, Peninnah over her infertility (1 Samuel chapter 1 verse 6).

Hannah kept her promise to God. As soon as the baby was weaned, she brought him to the house of the Lord in Shiloh where he was raised. There he ministered under the guidance of Eli.

Samuel had favour with God and man. In contrast, Elis two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, who were priests serving in the temple, were self-serving. The Bible describes them as scoundrels who had no regard for the Lord or their priestly duties (1 Samuel chapter 2 verses 12-13).

When Samuel was a boy, during a time when were told the word of God and visions were rare (1 Samuel chapter 3 verse 1) God came to Samuel and gave him a message of doom for his mentor, Eli. A message the boy was afraid to deliver. God told Samuel that He was about to punish his house forever, for the iniquity that he knew, because his sons were blaspheming God, and he [Eli] did not restrain them (1 Samuel chapter 3 verses 11-14), sacrifice would not appease God. Eli had the power to correct and stop his sons and didnt.

Samuel saw God fulfill the prophesy. After Israels enemies, the Philistines, captured the ark of God, Elis sons were killed in battle (1 Samuel chapter 4 verse 11). After hearing of his sons death and the capture of the ark, Eli fell off a chair, broke his neck and died (1 Samuel chapter 4 verses 13-18).

It seems the lesson here is: be obedient to God and raise your children to do the same. Discipline them by training them in the right way to go. Simple enough.

How did this happen?

Now here comes the most confusing part.

1 Samuel chapter 8 verses 1-3 which says:

When Samuel became old, he made his sons judges over Israel. The name of his firstborn son was Joel, and the name of his second, Abijah; they were judges in Beer-sheba. Yet his sons did not follow in his ways, but turned aside after gain; they took bribes and perverted justice. [Emphasis added]

This struck me as history repeating. How can Samuel allow his sons to become evil? Wouldnt he have seen how the story ended for Eli and his sons? Wouldnt he have told his own sons about Hophni and Phinehas? Wouldnt he have warned them what can happen when a persons heart turns away from God and toward evil? We can only speculate and ask questions, as the Bible didnt spell out these answers. I dont know what kind of father Samuel was or how he raised his children.

What I do know is that it was the Israelite elders recognition that Samuels sons could not lead them after Samuels death that prompted them to demand that Samuel appoint a king. They told him his sons didnt follow in his ways (see 1 Samuel chapter 8 verses 4-8). Samuel didnt deny what they said about his sons. Instead, he warned them how a King would take advantage of them and yet despite news of this exploitation, they still wanted one, since other nations had kings. They rejected God as their king. This move led them to fall out of favour with God.

I couldnt help wondering: what if? What if Samuels sons were God-honouring men who were considered righteous and good enough to ably take over the mantle of judge from their father? What if they were obedient to God? They would be judges. But there would be no King Saul, no King David nor King Solomon either.

God uses every path we take, every wrong turn. His purpose is never thwarted. Yet there is a hard path; there is a rough road He doesnt want us to take. One that leads to emotional turmoil and pain. All of which can be avoided.

Learn from the mistakes of others and choose another way. I pray God will open our eyes to the blunders we dont need to make.
The indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (ID/IQ) contract was inked between Egypt and the U.S. late last year. But the partnership has only recently been announced to the public. As per the agreement, Lockheed Martin will upgrade the aircraft's vast amount of sensors and computers, as a part of a redesign that will leave the Egyptian Apache fleet with the new AH-64E designation."Lockheed Martin is committed to a strong and sustained partnership with our customers in the United States and around the world," said Tom Eldredge, Director of Lockheed Martin's Missiles and Fire Control Rotary Wing Sensors program. "This contract enables us to respond rapidly to Egypt's emerging defense needs. including requirements for new sensor systems and upgrades."It's expected to take up four years of labor to get all of the 25 Apaches up to the latest specs. The work is anticipated to take place at the Boeing Apache Helicopter Plant in Mesa, Arizona. The estimated date of completion is July 2024 at the earliest. However, it could take even longer. Depending on a number of budget and international relations matters, it will be at least a few years before the project is complete.The gen III Target Acquisition Designation Sight/Pilot Night Vision Sensor (TADS/PNVS) is known as the "eyes of the Apache". The new system will supplement the pilot's skills with long-range, precision engagement and pilotage capabilities.This ensures a safe flight during day, night, and adverse weather missions, regardless of the conditions. Furthermore, gen III DSA increases Gen III TADS/PNVS designations and ranging capabilities. This upgrade should fully accommodate current weapons and those planned for deployment in the near future.
Social media is all about #goals. Be it body, car, lifestyle goals, you can find it online. Social media influencers usually have a success story, and everyone loves that. Manny Khoshbin is just like that. As of 2021, he had secured himself a net worth of $80 million, which is downright impressive. He started in real estate, and now hes reached mogul status. And the "mogul" has quite a car collection.But the Iranian doesnt own your typical cars and most often goes for exotic models or unique ones. His recent Instagram post confirms that, because its a shot of him and his beautiful wife, Leyla Milani, and a one-off Bugatti Type 57C.Once owned by Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the Shah, of Iran from 1941 to 1979, this 57C is nothing but glorious.The Type 57 Bugatti is powered by a then-advanced 3.3-liter twin-cam straight-eight engine. In 1937, the French manufacturer added the supercharged version with 160 horsepower, known as the Type 57C, which took two years to build. The French government offered the vehicle as a wedding gift to Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, who had it until 1959.The car remained though in the Royal Garage until 1979 and ended up in the hands of people who had no idea how precious it was. It was almost scraped, but eventually sold for an amount equivalent to approximately $275. Several Bugatti enthusiasts owned the vehicle until it received a complete restoration in 1983.In July 2021, Petersen Automotive Museum dropped the Type 57C, alongside an EB110 , for a special photoshoot for Manny Khoshbin. Now, he shared an inspirational post with the vintage vehicle, writing: Coming from being homeless to now sitting in a one-off Bugatti that was once owned by Shah of Iran is unthinkable alone, then to marry the most beautiful woman that shares my drive and passion is on another level! Dream Big and Never Give UP!Needless to say, the Type 57C is the star of the picture.
EV

Until then, Skoda has decided to send out another online teaser, in the form of an official sketch. Its obvious that in Coupe form, the Enyaq looks more dynamic and emotive. Its also more aerodynamic than the regular Enyaq, thanks to the sloping roofline.As you probably already know, the Enyaq (regardless of body style) is based on the VW Groups Modular Electrification Toolkit platform (MEB), which the Skodashares with the likes of the VW ID.4 and ID.6, as well as the Audi Q4 e-tron and Q5 e-tron.In terms of visuals, the Enyaq Coupe comes with body color side skirts and relatively large wheels, so that it can present a powerful stance. Meanwhile, the redesigned roofline makes it look more elegant  the roof begins to slope downwards from the B-pillar, merging seamlessly with the tailgate, which comes with SKODA lettering in block capitals, plus the carmakers signature C-shaped taillights.The sketch also features a sporty front apron, which should be available on the real product at no extra cost (like on the regular Enyaq). Also, if you wont have to pay extra to get the apron and side skirts in body color, well, more power to you.As for the front fascia, the grille and headlights look identical to those on the non-Coupe variant, but the bumper is slightly different (more aggressive), which may or may not represent the final design.Once in showrooms, the Skoda Enyaq Coupe will act as a direct rival for the likes of the Tesla Model Y, Ford Mustang Mach-E , and even the slightly smaller Volvo C40 Recharge.
The prime suspect is the everpresent and perpetually congested Interstate 495 , better known as the Long Island Expressway connecting Long Island to New York City. In Governor Hochul's State of the State address on Wednesday, she took time in her speech to address this issue directly.Residents of Long Island's Nassau and Suffolk counties have long complained of large potholes swallowing up their vehicle's wheels as they travel along the expressway, causing untold devastation to their cars in the process. Many claims against the state for compensation for pothole damage can sit in litigation for months before a settlement is reached. One Newsday study found that LIers spend as much as $700 a year just to maintain their vehicles over harsh pothole terrain.The countless potholes did not bode well with the state's most recent round of bad weather. A snowstorm caused dozens of accidents across the LIE (Long Island Expressway) from Suffolk County all the way to the Nassau Country border with New York City. Residents fear that if the quickly deteriorating state of I-495 is not resolved promptly, thousands of New Yorkers' commutes could very quickly become dangerous.Meanwhile, the dead of winter has prevented any maintenance from being undertaken for the moment. But a large-scale pothole rejuvenation program is expected to begin with the onset of spring on the LIE, beginning with its junction with New York Route 110 in Farmingdale and extending all the way to Brookhaven township several miles away.Governor Hochul has reiterated that state funding would be forthcoming and consistent as the years-long rejuvenation project is undertaken. An issue that was all too prevalent during the previous administration of the newly disgraced previous governor Andrew Cuomo. Cuomo resigned in disgrace last year after a number of scandals and corruption accusations rocked his office. For now, Long Islanders will need to trust in their state leaders to fix this issue. Anyone who knows New Yorkers knows their trust is not earned easily.
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ICE

If this is a known issue why not send a warning out to customers so that I dont put my family in this situation?@DriveTeslaca @Teslanews10 @SawyerMerritt  Tyler Selvig (@TSelvig) December 30, 2021

This Tesla customer lives in Saskatchewan, Canada, but he picked up his Model Y in Calgary because his home state did not have a Tesla delivery location at the time. Trusting themakers promise that the Model Y would be the best Tesla ever in cold climates, Mark just enjoyed his electric crossover until winter said "hi."January 2021 came, and we had no heat in our cabin unless plugged in or standing still. The car was first towed mid-February to Saskatoon literally days after the opening of that location. After a four-week stay in the service center, we got our car back, having had a major rebuild of the heat pump system, replacing a part called the Super Manifold.The Super Manifold is one of the components that Sandy Munro was most impressed with when he and his team tore down a Model Y  that and the Octovalve. Both are part of the heat pump system that made the electric crossover more efficient. It seems nobody asked if it would also be more effective. In Marks case, it was not.The car seemed fixed, but the worst of winter was over by mid-March. To Tesla's credit, they paid for the tow from Estevan to Saskatoon and a rental for the entire time. However, Tesla does expect you to retrieve the vehicle at your own expense.When the weather got cold again, Mark had to schedule the regular maintenance and learned about the need to replace the sensors in the heating system as part of a service bulletin. This issue is reported by other Tesla owners on Twitter.This work was performed in the third week of December as the earliest I could travel the 450 kilometers (279.6 miles) to my service center. Everything seemed great for the first few days while we traveled for our Christmas holiday.Things got dangerous when Mark and his family tried to get back home.Driving between Moose Jaw and Regina at -30C (-22F), we experienced no heat in our cabin. I thought if we could make it to Regina  where the only tow company certified for Tesla is  so we'd call Roadside Assistance and get help again.Luckily, Mark and his family made it there, but the description of what they went through makes the word luckily gain a broader meaning.It was a very, very cold drive that only was made possible using hand and foot warmers and blankets. My family was in the car and my youngest  9 years old  started to complain of stabbing pains in her feet. It was a horrible experience and one I have vowed never to replicate. The car was towed the next day (December 27) from where it was parked in Regina.The car was with the Saskatoon Tesla Service Center from December 31 until January 6. Mark lives far from it, so he asked a relative to pick up his car and drive it halfway to a family members house. The fact that this relative got there without issues made Mark confident: the Model Y owner thought it was finally and definitely fixed.Before my relative got the car back, it was cold-soaked overnight, unplugged at -30C. The technician heated it up fine the next morning. After he tested it, they pulled it inside the shop to charge for the trip home.Mark was informed that the Super Manifold was replaced for a second time, as well as the expansion valves and AC lines. A front louver was also fixed.I could not make it to pick up the car immediately due to a blizzard, so the car sat at the family members house plugged in outside for two nights on 110V, which was all that was available. On January 9, I drove my rental to go get my car after the storm cleared. We set the car to precondition and tried to follow all the recommendations sent out by Tesla.Marks happiness did not last for long.Five minutes before returning the rental car, my family member called me and said the 'no cabin heat' warning returned. My heart sunk. Luckily, I still had the rental, so we all met back at the house. I called roadside assistance once again to schedule another tow."When we interviewed Mark, he was waiting for the tow truck and wishing Canada had a lemon law.I was informed late today the car will be getting another rebuild of the heat pump system. I have been informed even engineers have been working to figure out what is wrong with it. If that doesn't qualify it as a lemon, I don't know what does. All totaled, our Model Y has been in service now for 39 days and counting. Understandably, I am pretty much finished with this particular car.From being an EV advocate, the experience with the Model Y made Mark consider going back tovehicles.I am no engineer or expert, but in my limited experience, it is my belief these cars have fundamental design flaws in terms of extremely cold climates. At a minimum, a backup resistive heating system should be included in cold-climate-destined cars to prevent the sort of life-threatening situations my family and I found ourselves in. Most traditional cars come with a cold-climate package.Mark is part of a big EV organization in Saskatchewan, and he knows more Tesla customers are having problems with the heat pump Roughly a third to half of the people with Teslas containing heat pumps are experiencing some sort of issues ranging from minor to extreme like mine. Tesla should be issuing a public recall on this. Elon has been silent on the issue.One of these owners is Tyler Selvig. He bought his brand-new 2022 Tesla Model Y in November 2021 and took it from Saskatoon to Regina for the Christmas holidays without issues. On his way back and with his two kids  both under 3 years old  in the EV, he started the trip back on December 29. After 45 minutes, the heating systems stopped working.Lucky was also on Selvigs side. His father-in-law was following behind him with a truck. The Tesla owner put his son and his daughter inside the truck to keep them warm and called Tesla Service. He was warned that it was a widespread problem, which did not make him feel less frustrated. It was -40C (-40F).In a tweet tagging Elon Musk and Tesla, Selvig said that the issue could have killed his family. He argued that if this is a known issue, Tesla should have warned him so that he did not put his family at risk.The car was in service at the Saskatoon dealer, and they were waiting for parts until the engineers at Tesla HQ told them to replace the Super Manifold. I got the car back, and it seems to be working great.Selvig did not hear about a technical service bulletin on the issue  as Mark did  but he added essential pieces to the puzzle. Apparently, the problems started after an OTA (over-the-air) update took place a while after his trip to Regina. This is why it would have only occurred on his way back home.The technicians here told me they hope there is a future fix to avoid this with software updates. It sounds like the intake valves/louvers for the heat pump can get frozen open and then potentially cause the valves in the Octovalve to fail.The problem is international. Lauri Orrainen, from Finland, tweeted that his Tesla Model 3 is still at a Service Center after three weeks with heat pump problems. The lack of chrome suggests it is part of the refreshed vehicles presented after October 2020, and the lack of badges implies it is a Standard Range Plus. In other words, Orrainen's car may have been made in China. We have tried to contact him to confirm the information but have not heard from him so far.If you have had issues in cold weather with your Tesla, please get in touch to tell us more about what happened. So far, it seems that Tesla released a software update without properly testing it, but older problems such as the ones Mark had in January 2021 may reveal that the heat pump system was not tested enough to ensure it works at very low temperatures. Perhaps it is a mix of both things. Tesla may have shared information with you that may explain what is affecting many other owners apart from Mark and Selvig.In Mark's case, the disappointment may mean he will not own a Tesla again  or any other electric car.We do love our Tesla for many reasons, but I am at my wits end. I am considering selling our car once given back to us from the service department and purchasing an internal combustion engine (ICE) car again.For a company that states it puts safety and "the mission" to make cars go electric above all else, this is a massive backfire. Proper testing prevents that regular customers face life-threatening risks such as freezing to death. Exposing them to that very possibility is not the best way to win their trust.
EV

The now-former Tesla executive told Bloomberg she would join career-network firm Handshake next week as CLO (chief legal officer). As exciting a business as it may be, the move suggests that working for Tesla carries a burden that the standard speech of gratitude for the lessons learned fails to hide.After all, Teslas market cap classifies it as one of the most valuable companies in the world. Themaker is opening two factories this year, one in Grunheide, Germany, and one in Austin, Texas. For a human resources executive in a top position, this would be a challenge to live for. Yet, Workman gave up on it to join a much smaller company.It may have to do with Workmans professional goals. She joined Tesla as an attorney in 2018 and became the vice president of people in July 2020, reporting directly to Elon Musk . As the new CLO of Handshake, she is back to what made her join Tesla in the first place.Whatever her reasons were, the fact is that Tesla now needs a new vice president for people very close to opening these two new plants. Hiring people for Grunheide has proven to be a massive challenge. The company is at odds with the influential German metalworkers union, and it is offering candidates a 20% lower wage in exchange for stock options and bonuses.In the U.S., Tesla is being sued for racism and sexual harassment cases in Fremont. A Tesla employee murdered another worker in the Fremont parking lot on December 13. Regardless of why Workman decided to leave Tesla, it is clear she did not manage to improve things while she was in charge. Well watch closely if the ones who accept replacing her will be more successful.
This Impala has recently received this second chance, so the vehicle now seems to be immaculate, therefore looking just like a new car in pretty much every regard.As you can easily figure out by just browsing the photos in the gallery, the 1964 Impala has been beautifully restored both inside and outside, so the car is now ready to be parked in someones collection.The engine under the hood is a 327 (5.3-liter) V8, most likely rebuilt as well, and obviously, its working just as youd expect such a powerplant to work on a car in this condition.Back in 1964, the 327 V8 was offered in two different configurations on the Chevrolet Impala. First of all, it was the 250-horsepower version aimed at those who wanted a small block without necessarily being provided with a major power upgrade. But then, it was the 300-horsepower flavor of the 327, obviously offering upgraded performance specs.The top engine for this model year was the 409 (6.7-liter) V8, this time available in three power outputs, namely 340, 400, and 425 horsepower.However, the base 283 and the 327 were the most popular V8s for this model year, especially as they allowed the Impala to also play the role of a more economical grocery-getter when needed.The 1964 Chevrolet Impala that we have here is, therefore, a beautiful testament to those great times, and fortunately, the car is now ready to bring joy to another owner. Posted on eBay by seller na-782067 , the car wont sell for less than $39,000. Given the auction has started a few hours ago, no bids have been recorded so far.If you want to admire this beautiful Impala in person, just head over to Kendal, Ontario.
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Most people know Australia has nine of the 10 most dangerous snakes in the world.

It also has some fairly venomous spiders such as the funnel web and the red back so throw in the most fearsome of our predators, the saltwater crocodile and Australia becomes a pretty scary place, right?

Well, yes and no.

Most Australians will never see a snake and if a spider appears, well, just step on it or leave it alone, they usually dont bite unless you pick it up or annoy it somehow.

There are snakes in the cities but it is rare to see one and often, those which are seen turn out to be the fairly harmless diamond python.

Even regional towns dont see many snakes unless you walk in long grass along a riverbank, looking in rubbish or keep mice as pets.

Its in the country where snakes are most prevalent.

Creek banks of course, snakes need water, anywhere there are chooks (fowls) because grain attracts mice and snakes love mice or around old or unused buildings, rabbit warrens or under sheets of iron.

Australias and the worlds most venomous snake, the inland taipan, known as the fierce snake or western taipan, is so remote even the experts have trouble finding it. If it is found, be wary. One drop of its venom is sufficient to kill 100 men (Wikipedia).

The eastern brown snake has venom rated as the second most venomous snake in the world and worryingly, it is common in rural Australia.

The eastern brown is legendary for its bad temper, aggression and for its speed.





I have plenty on my place if youd like to see one.

This species is responsible for more deaths every year in Australia than any other group of snakes however, it must be noted Australia reports on average well under 10 snake bite deaths per year.

Next comes the common death adder, the fastest striking snake of them all. It can go from strike position to strike and envenomation of its prey and back to strike position in 0.15 seconds. They dont flee from approaching humans, rather, they lie quietly, risking being stepped on and strike almost only when they are stepped on or interfered with.

In my army training days we were on an exercise in the Mittagong area when the platoon set up a harbour position and dug in. Shortly after settling in, three death adders were found within the perimeter, an area of less than 30m X 30m and they had to be dealt with quickly before someone stumbled on them during the night.

No-one else would go near them and yours truly was given the task of removing them.

Hidden Tiger

I should finish with the tiger snake; again a dangerous and fairly common snake in Australia with venom containing neurotoxins, coagulants, haemolysins and myotoxins and the venom is quick acting with rapid onset of breathing difficulties and paralysis.

It is well-named because of its stripes but they can be dull and not seen unless examined closely.

Working Snakes?

While some people in Australia encourage the diamond python in their sheds or outer buildings to counter rats and mice, the only industry I know of to employ venomous snakes is the pig industry.

When my son was managing piggeries, they often left the red-bellied black snakes alone for their mouse and rat catching ability and relative harmlessness.

One really good behavioural antic of the red-bellied black snake is  it eats brown snakes and will keep numbers down to some extent.

The red-bellied is a venomous snake but is not aggressive and generally retreats from encounters with humans but will attack if provoked.

Ophidiophobia  what?

Those Ive mentioned are just a few of the snakes in Australia and world-wide, there are about 350 species of snake. Many of those are extremely dangerous with the cobras and kraits of India and Africa causing 1.2 million deaths in the last 20 years.

We humans have an inbuilt fear of snakes or, by its proper name, Ophidiophobia, and science can tell us why.

Humans have an innate tendency to sense snakes and to learn to fear them. Psychologists found both adults and children could detect images of snakes among a variety of non-threatening objects more quickly than they could pinpoint frogs, flowers or caterpillars.

Satan and the Serpent

In traditional Christianity, a connection between the Serpent and Satan is created and in Genesis 3:14 God curses the serpent, Because you have done this, cursed are you more than all the cattle and more than every beast of the field; on your belly shall you go and dust shall you eat all the days of your life.

I wonder, before God cursed the snake, did it move upright?

Fear of snakes is one of the most common phobias, yet many people have never seen a snake in person. So how is this fear generated?

The answer is probably determined by whether you are an evolutionist or a believer in creation and a young earth, as I am.

Evolutionists believe our hatred of snakes comes from a millennia of avoiding them, those who were bitten died and did not pass their genes on to descendants.

As Christians, we know God cursed the snake and perhaps therein lies the answer. Weve always been afraid of them.
Its a bull market for media companies targeting high-end readers, with Justin Smith and Ben Smith joining the likes of Puck, Air Mail, The Information, Axios, Punchbowl News, and others targeting influential, wealthy individuals with new digital publications.

Why it matters: "In this commercial environment, quality is being supported by paying audiences," said Rodney Benson, chair of NYU's Department of Media, Culture, and Communication. "Obviously, long-term, this is going to have tremendously negative civic effects."

"We're already experiencing those effects."

Details: As more of these outlets and paywalls pop up, academics and media opinion leaders have begun to voice concern over whether our society is paying enough attention to marginalized populations when it comes to news.

A new survey of senior media leaders globally suggests growing concern that new business models, and specifically subscriptions, "may be pushing journalism towards super-serving richer and more educated audiences and leaving others behind."

"That's how the business model works in a capitalistic system," said Kathleen Hall Jamieson, director of the Annenberg Public Policy Center and founder of Factcheck.org. "The problem is that we can't have so much behind paywalls, that the public that can't afford to break through."

Flashback: A few years ago, media companies were pushing to scale their free offerings on social media, leading to a slew of economics problems between premium publications and tech platforms.

Today, many have regained control of their intellectual property via subscriptions. Free content is still available online for those willing to seek it, but social media algorithms, particularly on Facebook, have evolved to prioritize content from friends and family over brands and publishers.

Be smart: Some of the new subscription publications differ from corporate enterprise subscriptions that have existed for many years, which are usually sold via seat licenses for thousands of dollars per year, although there is some overlap.

Outlets will typically charge individuals between $100 and $500 annually to access premium content, often via newsletters. Some may choose to expense their accounts.

Many of these new efforts also target high-end advertisers looking to reach a premium audience that's willing to pay a subscription, further subsidizing the content that's mean for elites.

"It's not just a subscription problem," argues Benson. "Advertising-supported free media also don't pay much attention to marginalized, poor audiences," he said.

"All commercial media, one way or another, are most interested in the highest sociodemographic audiences," Benson said.

It "relegates everyone else to local TV news (still among the highest watched form of news) and the most sensationalistic, and often extreme partisan, news that continues to circulate for free on the internet and through social media."

The big picture: Experts argue more taxpayer-funded public media is a possible response to this growing trend.

"Taxpayers should take some obligation to ensure that you have that kind of access," said Jamieson, referencing the Biden administration's recent local news tax subsides that were included in the social spending bill that has yet to pass through Congress.

"The only substantial alternative is freely available Western-European style public media like they have in the UK, Germany, or Sweden, supported by all taxpayers, and produced for a mass audience," said Benson. "It's not perfect, and they are struggling to reach younger audiences like everyone else, but it's the only quality 'free' model that works right now."

What to watch: A growing trend of dropping paywalls during critical news events, like the onset of the pandemic, or offering some free content via social media marketing provides some optimism. The outlets that dropped their paywalls "perform a public service," Jamieson said.

The bottom line: "Literate and affluent people will be well served in the emerging economy for news," said Jay Rosen, journalism professor at New York University.
It may not be long before President Biden has to grapple with a North Korea crisis.

The big picture: Dictator Kim Jong-un has remained relatively quiet during Biden's presidency so far, keeping his threats and missile testing well below the fire and fury levels of the early Trump administration. But a quieter North Korea is not necessarily a less dangerous one.

What to watch: Kim could force his way onto Bidens agenda in 2022 through a major provocation, a charm offensive, or a combination of the two, potentially ahead of the South Korean election in March, says Bruce Klingner, a senior fellow at the Heritage Foundation and formerly the CIA's deputy division chief for Korea.

The state of play: Biden administration officials say theyve proposed talks, but the North Koreans arent engaging.

North Korea, meanwhile, conducted missile tests in 2021, but not on a level that rings global alarm bells. Kim has still yet to test a nuclear weapon or inter-continental ballistic missile since 2017, but he did show off advanced new missiles at a military parade last January.

With Pyongyang spurning diplomacy but limiting its provocations, Biden has essentially been in wait-and-see mode.

Kim, who succeeded his father 10 years ago this month, promised his people dual development of the economy as well as the military and nuclear program. Still, North Koreas weaponry has advanced much more rapidly than its economy over the past decade.

Kim was unusually candid, by Pyongyangs standards, in acknowledging tense food supply issues last June after shutting down nearly all trade, even with neighboring China, to keep the coronavirus out.

Its difficult to gauge the depth of North Koreas food crisis, though some low-level trade seems to be resuming. North Koreas path out of the pandemic will be rocky, as Kim has spurned offers of vaccines.

The intrigue: Outgoing South Korean President Moon Jae-in largely bet his presidency on improved relations with North Korea, and is searching for a win before stepping down.

Moon is pushing for a declaration to mark the end of the Korean War, but the North Koreans havent agreed and the Biden administration appears lukewarm to the proposal.

"We may have a February or March surprise before the South Korean election if Kim wants to increase the potential for a progressive president to succeed Moon," Klingner says.

That could include a summit on the sidelines of the Beijing Olympics, a bilateral meeting with Moon or a trilateral meeting involving China but excluding the U.S., he adds.

The relative quiet on the missile-testing front could suggest Kim really believes (as he has said) that his nuclear and ICBM programs are complete.

Or, given the border closures, Kim could be saving any steps designed to bring the U.S. to the negotiating table on favorable terms for a time when North Korean envoys are actually able to travel to a negotiating table, Klingner says.

What to watch: Biden has no plans for Trump-style presidential engagement with Kim. Given the difficulties of dealing with China, Russia and Iran, he may see no news on the North Korea file as good news.
The military alliance deployed more than 2,000 troops there late last week after anti-government protests sparked by a surge in fuel prices turned violent and plunged the Central Asian states largest city, Almaty, into chaos. Armenia contributed 100 soldiers to the contingent, a move criticized by opposition and civic groups.

Hayastan, which has the second largest group in the Armenian parliament, said over the weekend that Yerevan should have supported the Russian-led intervention in Kazakhstan without committing any troops. The bloc led by former President Robert Kocharian went on to demand that the parliament committees on defense and foreign relations hold a joint meeting on the Armenian deployment.

Gegham Manukian, a parliament deputy from Hayastan, insisted on the demand during a regular session of the committee on defense. He said Armenian military and security officials as well as diplomats should appear before lawmakers to present more convincing arguments for Armenias participation in the CSTO operation.

The pro-government chairman of the committee, Andranik Kocharian, questioned the need for such a discussion while saying that he has no problem with organizing it. There were no signs in the following hours of any preparation for the emergency meeting sought by Hayastan.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian was the first to publicly announce early on Thursday the CSTO deployment in his capacity as the rotating chairman of the Russian-led alliance. He said that the unrest put Kazakhstans national security and sovereignty at serious risk.

Critics argue that Kazakhstan and other CSTO member states failed to provide Armenia with military assistance requested by Pashinian after Azerbaijani troops crossed into Armenian territory in May. Also, Kazakh leaders openly congratulated Azerbaijan on its victory in the 2020 war in Nagorno-Karabakh.
You can reach Ishani Desai at 661-395-7417. You can also follow her at @idesai98 on Twitter.
Bluefield, WV (24701)

Today

Some clouds and possibly an isolated thunderstorm in the afternoon. High near 80F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies early will become overcast later during the night. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 62F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph.
Bluefield, WV (24701)

Today

Partly cloudy in the morning followed by scattered thunderstorms in the afternoon. High around 80F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

Considerable cloudiness. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 62F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph.
Texas dominates the nations energy production, and a new whitepaper indicates the Lone Star State can play a key role in providing sustainable energy around the globe.

According to Texas LNG: Poised to Meet the Worlds Energy and Climate Needs, Texans for Natural Gas, a project of the Texas Independent Producers and Royalty Owners Association, said exports of Texas liquefied natural gas can help reduce air pollution in India, power ever-growing cities like Beijing and will keep the lights on in developing regions across the world.

The report cited forecasts from the US Energy Information Administration that the US will become the worlds largest LNG exporter this year, with that increased export capacity driven by expansions of facilities dotting the Texas Gulf Coast, namely at Sabine Pass and Corpus Christi.

Ed Longanecker, president of TIPRO and spokesperson for Texans for Natural Gas, noted the report was issued as "a flotilla" of ships carrying US LNG was headed toward Europe. He told the Reporter-Telegram by email that, with increased export capacity, the Gulf Coast will look toward the Permian Basin to meet natural gas demand. In 2020, the Permian Basin alone accounted for 14 percent of U.S. natural gas production  measured as gross withdrawals.

The report found that natural gas from the Permian Basin delivers emissions cuts of roughly 50 percent when used in Germany and China. LNG, the report said, can play a key role in reducing global emissions. For example, Russias flaring intensity is 143 percent higher than that of the US and 239 percent higher than the Texas portion of the Permian Basin.

Said Longanecker, Natural gas production in the Permian Basin will continue to rise, coupled with a further decline in flaring volumes and pipeline infrastructure expansion, enabling the region to transport more product for export and to meet increasing domestic demand.

He went on to add, Global demand for oil and natural gas will continue to increase in the years ahead, necessitating the need for sufficient pipeline infrastructure to transport our product. We may experience periods of excess capacity, but overall we will need to expand infrastructure to keep up with demand both here and abroad.
HOUSTON (AP)  At least two tornadoes touched down in the Houston area over the weekend as storms brought high winds and heavy rains, damaging homes and businesses and causing flooding.

Most of the damage from the storms that came through Saturday night was in Harris, Montgomery and Liberty counties, according to National Weather Service officials.
Indonesians protest against sexual harassment and violence against women on university campuses, outside the Ministry of Education and Culture in Jakarta, Feb. 10, 2020.

Indonesian prosecutors on Tuesday sought the death penalty for an Islamic boarding school owner accused of raping at least a dozen students since 2016, in a case that has grabbed national headlines.

The prosecution also requested that the court order Herry Wirawan, the 36-year-old founder of an Islamic boarding school in West Java province, to be chemically castrated and pay compensation of 331.5 million rupiah (U.S. $23,000) to his alleged victims.

The sentence request came as the parliament is set to deliberate on a stringent sexual violence bill that has been delayed due to Muslim groups opposition.

We find that the defendants action is a very serious crime, prosecutor Asep Nana Mulyana told journalists after the hearing at the Bandung district court.

We are seeking the death penalty for the chief prosecutor defendant to demonstrate our commitment to deter  such crimes.

According to local media reports, at least eight babies were born to the victims, whose ages ranged from 14 to 20, as a result of the defendants alleged actions since 2016.

Herrys lawyers are expected to respond to the prosecution request during his next court appearance scheduled for Jan. 20. The trial that began in December has been closed to the public from the start.

Chief Prosecutor Asep said Herry used his position as the founder and caretaker of the Islamic boarding school to prey on his victims.

The defendant used religious symbols to manipulate, and as a justification, for his evil deeds, Asep said.

The prosecutor also asked the court to dissolve and order the sale of the school and a foundation set up by the defendant, so the funds received could be used to support the victims and their children, said a statement from his office.

The alleged incidents came to light last year after a victims parents filed a complaint with police against Herry upon learning their daughter was pregnant, police said.

Herry was arrested in May and has since been in police custody in Bandung.

Bill against sexual violence

After a public outcry over a string of sexual attacks against minors in 2016, including the killing of a school student on Sumatra Island, President Joko Jokowi Widodo introduced an emergency bill allowing new punishments, including chemical castration and/or the death penalty for child-sex offenses.

Since then, deliberations on the bill have been delayed because of opposition from Islamic groups who argue that it promotes promiscuity. Additionally, conservative lawmakers want the bill to include prohibitions on extramarital sex and homosexual relations.

A watered-down version of the bill released in August recognizes five forms of sexual violence  forced sexual relations, sexual harassment, forced use of contraceptives, forced abortion, and sexual exploitation  as opposed to nine in the original draft.

Jokowi last week called on the parliament to pass this bill, which seeks to prevent all forms of sexual violence, including marital rape, and gives more rights to victims.

I hope that the bill on sexual violence will soon be passed, so that it can provide maximum protection for victims of sexual violence in the country, Jokowi said.

Meanwhile, House Speaker Puan Maharani said the bill would be part of the parliaments agenda for deliberations next week.

The drafting of the sexual violence bill has been completed, Puan told parliament on Tuesday.

Moeldoko, the presidents chief of staff who goes by a single name, said the government would consult the public during parliaments deliberations.

We will solicit ideas  from members of civil society and take stock of problems, he said in a statement.

Opposition Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) member Mardani Ali Sera said his faction would vote for the bill provided it prohibits extramarital sex and same-sex relations.

PKS supports it as long as it does not promote free sex. We are opposed to both sexual violence and sexual liberalism, Mardani told reporters.

There must be a legal umbrella that protects our culture. Extramarital sex is wrong, either with coercion or with consent.

Thousands of sexual violence cases

Activists have said that women are often blamed despite being victims of sexual violence. At least 8,800 cases of sexual violence occurred between January and November 2021, according to the Women Empowerment and Child Protection Ministry.

In November, three gender rights activists  Sharyn Davies, Alegra Wolter and Dede Oetomo  wrote in the Georgetown Journal of International Affairs that the revised bill against sexual violence offers little protection for survivors of sexual violence.

Law enforcement officers can do very little to support victims, and this just perpetuates the terrible position victims are put in, they wrote.

The revised bill also provides little to ministries or institutions to support survivors. Governments are not mandated to support victims and there are no regulations forcing them to support victims.

Despite their concerns, the writers supported the bill.

Its passing will become the first step in ensuring the safety of citizens in their own country, they said.
Military investigators search for evidence around a passenger bus after a bomb exploded near the Southern Philippine town of Aleosan, Jan. 11, 2022.

A 5-year-old boy was killed and six people, including his two younger siblings, were injured when a bomb exploded aboard a bus on Tuesday in the southern Philippines, a region where armed militant groups are active, military officials said.

The Mindanao Star Bus was traveling to Cotabato City when it was rocked by the explosion near Aleosan town, injuring four children and three adults, said Lt. Col. John Baldomar, the spokesman of the Armys 6th Infantry Division, which has jurisdiction over the area.

The loud explosion was heard coming from the back of the bus, Baldomar said, adding the boy later died in a hospital.

An Aleosan town police spokesman said the bomb had been placed where there were a lot of people sitting, Agence France-Presse news agency reported.

Baldomar said those injured, including an infant and a 3-year-old, were being treated at regional hospitals.

The state-run Philippine News Agency (PNA) reported the children were siblings of the boy who was killed and were being treated for injuries along with their father.

My boy died due to multiple shrapnel wounds in different parts of his body, Haron Solaiman, said in a radio interview, according to PNA.

The bus was traveling from the southern city of Davao, President Rodrigo Dutertes hometown, along the highway near Aleosan town where the blast occurred early Tuesday, Baldomar said. Following the blast, army and police ordnance investigators combed the area for evidence.

Post-blast investigation

Its hard to come up with suspects until such time that we are able to identify the components and the type of explosive that was used, Baldomar said. The post-blast investigation is ongoing to determine the type of explosive that was used.

No one claimed responsibility for the attack, but similar bombings in the past have been blamed on militants linked to the Islamic State, according to officials.

Local Army Col. Jo Gonzales, a military brigade commander, told BenarNews that he suspected that the blast could be the handiwork of Bangsamoro Islamic Liberation Front (BIFF), a splinter organization of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

The MILF signed a peace deal with Manila and controls a Muslim autonomous area in the south.

Its under investigation. We are not discounting the involvement of the BIFF and Daulah Islamiyah groups, he said. The Daulah Islamiyah is the Philippine name for Islamic State (IS).

At least two BIFF factions have professed allegiance to the Islamic State.

In October 2010, 10 people were killed when a bomb ripped through a passenger bus in a nearby Matalam town, North Cotabato province.

More recently, BIFF militants carried out two roadside bombings in 2021 that killed three and injured many others in the south. In 2019, the group carried out a series of bomb attacks, targeting a market and a restaurant that injured more than two dozen people.
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.
Investigations editor

Larry Parnass joined The Eagle in 2016 from the Daily Hampshire Gazette, where he was editor in chief. His freelance work has appeared in the Washington Post, Boston Globe, Hartford Courant, CommonWealth Magazine and with the Reuters news service.
At a public hearing to be scheduled soon, the Tri-Town Boards of Health will ask whether restaurants in Lee, Lenox and Stockbridge should require patrons to show proof of full COVID-19 vaccination before entering for indoor dining.
Business writer

Tony Dobrowolski's main focus is on business reporting. He came to The Eagle in 1992 after previously working for newspapers in Connecticut and Montreal. He can be reached at tdobrowolski@berkshireeagle.com or 413-496-6224.
Clarence Fanto can be reached at cfanto@yahoo.com, on Twitter @BE_cfanto or at 413-637-2551.
Danny Jin, a Report for America corps member, is The Eagles Statehouse news reporter. He can be reached at djin@berkshireeagle.com, @djinreports on Twitter and 413-496-6221.
Reporter

Greta Jochem, a Report for America Corps member, joined the Eagle in 2021. Previously, she was a reporter at the Daily Hampshire Gazette. She is also a member of the investigations team.
A Ukrainian soldier smokes in a trench Monday at the line of separation from pro-Russian rebels in Donetsk region of Ukraine. President Joe Biden has warned Russia's Vladimir Putin that the U.S. could impose new sanctions against Russia if it takes further military action against Ukraine.
Massachusetts opening access to digital vaccine passports Vaccinated residents of Massachusetts beginning Monday will be able to access a digital record of their COVID-19 vaccine history, including a scannable QR code, that could be stored on their smartphone and presented to businesses requiring immunizations for entry.

Massachusetts now has a universal digital method for verifying COVID-19 vaccination status. This great leap forward for those seeking to access businesses and other spaces with vaccination requirements means that this information already maintained by the state is now far more easily accessible by the Bay Staters to whom it belongs. In turn, it brings the potential for a meaningful step back toward normal on the winding path to getting COVID under control.

Previously, the only way to prove vaccination status was to carry around a single-issue physical card with a wallet-unfriendly shape and vulnerability to loss and damage. Now, Massachusetts joins other states, such as our neighbor New York, in adopting a convenient technological method as an alternative.

Making vaccine status verification easier takes a bit of the burden off businesses and citizens alike in the effort to curb COVIDs spread, particularly in those venues with unique transmission risks that have borne the brunt of the pandemics social and economic downturns. Those businesses and any others should be able to apply the COVID rules they see fit to protect their staff and customers without worrying about unnecessary hassle. This new option utilizes the mobile devices we carry around anyway to better facilitate that. Helping those corners of the community most affected by the battle on COVID is key, and this stands to be a powerful and easy-to-use weapon in that fight for all who wish to wield it.

COVID-19 SMART Health Card is a universal portal for those who have received their COVID jabs in Massachusetts to access proof to that effect in the form of a QR code that can then be stored in an app or via screenshot on a mobile device. The QR code will only contain the users name, birth date and COVID vaccination history along with verification that the record was produced by the state. People can request their own QR code by accessing the Massachusetts Immunization Information System. Meanwhile, the state has also made a verifier app available for download by businesses and others so that verifying a QR code is as easy as scanning from another mobile device.

Our Opinion: Vaccine passports could speed return to normalcy Everyone wants to get out from under COVID, and it cant happen soon enough. The way back to normal is through vaccinations  that is, not onl

The Eagle editorial board has advocated for these sorts of measures since vaccinations began and questions arose about the real-world applicability of vaccination requirements when the aforementioned vaccine cards with their many downsides were the only game in town. We are glad to finally see Gov. Charlie Bakers administration follow through on earlier promises to get such a system up and running.

Given the polarization endemic to all things COVID, there will be some who reflexively critique this overdue move as unnecessary or invasive. Those who do should note that this information was already curated by state health databases  as vaccination information should be amid a pandemic that has killed more than 20,000 Bay Staters  and this step only makes your own information easier to access. And the nature of the personal information said to pass through the card  name, date of birth and number of COVID vaccine doses  is far less sensitive than the info transmitted with each use of a credit card.

Further, the rollout of the SMART Health Card is not being accompanied by any additional statewide mandates, vaccination-related or otherwise, and the Baker administration has no plans to require its use. Instead, it is wisely making this universal verification methodology available to all, including businesses, empowering them to decide how to navigate the pandemics ever-shifting contours. This doesnt infringe on anyones freedom; in fact, it simply frees one from having to tote around their vaccine card if they wish to enter a restaurant or theater that chooses to require proof of vaccination. Some municipalities have adopted their own COVID rules regarding vaccination status, creating a patchwork of incongruent rules in some corners of the commonwealth  all the better that the state has equipped citizens and businesses alike to more easily verify vaccination status with the touch of a smartphone screen.

While we hoped this development could have come along sooner, its better late than never that Massachusetts is getting a simple, universal, digital method for furnishing proof of vaccination at businesses that choose to require it.
Gov. Charlie Baker said Tuesday that his administration had purchased 26 million new rapid antigen tests for COVID-19 that would be prioritized for K-12 schools and child care centers over the coming months.
Spearfish, SD (57783)

Today

Partly cloudy. High 61F. Winds SE at 15 to 25 mph. Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph..

Tonight

Cloudy in the evening, then off and on rain showers after midnight. Low 42F. ESE winds at 10 to 20 mph, decreasing to 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.
Today

Overcast. Low 41F. Winds light and variable.

Tonight

Overcast. Low 41F. Winds light and variable.

Tomorrow

Mostly cloudy skies early will become partly cloudy later in the day. High near 60F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph.
The high price of crude oil continues to make filling up your gas tank an expensive proposition, despite rising gasoline supplies and falling demand.

According to AAA, Idahos average price for regular fuel is $3.55 per gallon, which is two cents less than a week ago and nine cents cheaper than a month ago. Meanwhile, the national average currently sits at $3.30 per gallon, which is a penny more than a week ago and four cents less than a month ago.

Crude oil supplies are still very tight. So, when recent civil unrest in Kazakhstan took much of that countrys production offline, there were immediate ripple effects, and prices moved closer to $80 per barrel, says AAA Idaho public affairs director Matthew Conde. As long as the market remains skittish, we will see fluctuations in the cost of crude and shaky gas prices, too.

On Monday, the West Texas Intermediate benchmark for crude oil is trading near $78 per barrel, which is $6 more than a month ago and $26 more than a year ago. Domestic crude stocks are 14% lower than in December 2020, and high crude prices have been enough to offset a recent build in gasoline supplies and demand that dropped by half a million barrels on the week.

2021 in review:

Gas prices were at their least expensive in January, then climbed rapidly with the return of the spring driving season. Skyrocketing prices slowed their trajectory due to an outbreak of the COVID-19 delta variant, but ultimately, travelers would not be deterred. Last year, pent-up travel demand was just slightly below pre-pandemic levels for every major holiday.

While Idaho gas prices peaked in late July and early August, the national average reached its zenith in the run-up to Thanksgiving. Continued concerns about the omicron variant and limited production increases by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) contributed to further market uncertainty, resulting in price instability.

At one point in time, pump prices in the Gem State were 50 cents higher than in other parts of the country. While theyre still much higher than anyone would like them to be, the gap has at least closed somewhat, Conde said. Right now, falling demand is serving as a kind of pressure valve. But once the weather improves and more people hit the road, we could see prices jump as we get closer to spring break.

Heres a look at Idaho gas prices as of 1/10/22: Boise  $3.64; Coeur dAlene  $3.33; Franklin  $3.48; Idaho Falls  $3.41; Lewiston  $3.41; Pocatello  $3.55; Twin Falls  $3.62 and Rexburg $3.64.

AAA Idaho is affiliated with AAA Oregon/Idaho, which provides 870,000 members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive related services. AAA serves more than 61 million motorists in North America.
Watch the latest video at video.foxnews.com If you've noticed an uptick in the media Trump hatred, it is no accident. After a few rocky weeks, the president has had a very good few days. He met with the president of Egypt and the king of Jordan, both men praising him lavishly. This is important because Egypt and Jordan are helping America in the fight against ISIS. Also, Mr. Trump got an enormous break when the Susan Rice story hit. Whether the former national security advisor did anything wrong or not, the story has taken attention away from allegations about the Russia-Trump campaign stuff. Even though the left-wing media does not want to cover the Susan Rice story, fair news agencies like the Fox News Channel are discussing it and the American people are aware of it. That helps deflect the liberal bias against President Trump. And then there is the looming appointment of Judge Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court. Democrats in the Senate blocked a vote today, but now Republicans have changed the rules and the judge is likely to be confirmed tomorrow. That's a big win for President Trump because the judge is a traditional man who will not rule on his own political beliefs, as some Supreme Court justices do. Gorsuch is despised on the left because they know he could be on the court for decades, and he is not going to carry water for anyone. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if some conservative Americans are disappointed by Justice Gorsuch because he is not a political guy. All in all, President Trump has nominated a fair man to the court, a person who will not buy into the myth that the United States needs to be changed in dramatic ways. Finally, Mr. Trump will meet with the Chinese president, an avowed communist, over the next couple days as he hopes to get China's help to subdue North Korea, which has become a major threat to the world. Mr. Trump also wants to modify trade deals so more American products are sold in China, which is the most populated country on earth with nearly a billion-and-a-half people. So things have gone very well this week for Donald Trump. But every day is an adventure. However, it is safe to say the Trump haters are very frustrated this evening. And that's the memo.
One of the reasons Donald Trump won the presidency is that millions of Americans now believe they are being conned on immigration.

Hillary Clinton and the Democratic Party had absolutely no interest in being responsible on the issue of people traveling to the USA illegally or even protecting Americans from vicious foreign criminals already here.

In fact, the far-left wing of that party actually wants open borders and blanket amnesty for the undocumented living all across the country.

Never mind that would create a dangerous security nightmare and run up far more government debt.

Liberal zealotry sees America as a nation driven by white privilege and wants to flood the USA with new citizens, the fewer restraints the better.

And it doesn't matter that Hillary Clinton might not be that extreme.

She put forth no vision on immigration other than the status quo, which has been a colossal failure.

Thus, Trump's tough guy approach to enforcing immigration law propelled his campaign despite the unending charges of racism that came his way

So now the question becomes, what is a fair policy in this most emotional of arenas?

For that we turn to Australia, a nation of about 24-million people but with a land mass almost exactly the same as America's.

And we have 325 million people.

So there is plenty of room to roam Down Under.

Australia has a stone-cold policy on illegal entry. If you are caught, you are forcibly taken by the Aussie military to remote locations in the South Pacific, where you can either sit for years or be deported home.

Australia accepts less than 15,000 migrants a year on a humanitarian basis.

Recently it announced it would take 12,000 Syrian refugees on top of that.

But even more recently the Obama administration said it would take more than 2,000 refugees currently languishing in the South Pacific, human beings that Australia refuses to bring to its mainland.

My question is, why not?

Why won't the Aussies take them?

Surely, desperately poor people in South Asia, or Central America for that matter, deserve sympathy.

During my time in El Salvador, I visited folks who were actually living in caves. Dogs in America have more comforts.

Judeo-Christian philosophy compels its followers to embrace the poor, and it seems that rejecting asylum-seekers and migrants goes against that tenet.

Thus, the far-left demonizes those who call for restrictions on illegal immigration, saying they are bad people.

That's what the Sanctuary City movement is all about.

But you don't hear much condemnation of Australia and inside that country both political parties support the tough immigration laws.

There is little moral debate.

By the way, if Perth for example declared itself a Sanctuary City, it would have big trouble with the Aussie military, which as I stated actually enforces immigration law.

And a general reports directly to the government in Canberra.

Australians generally believe that undocumented migrants destabilize the country and put themselves at grave physical risk by crossing oceans to get Down Under.

Also, Aussie politics have created a generous welfare state that works for a small population.

That entitlement culture would be overwhelmed and go broke if mass illegal immigration was accepted as it has been here in the USA.

Simply put, Australians do not want the enormous disruption that immigration chaos causes.

So they are sending more than 2,000 poor souls here, folks they should assimilate. And Barack Obama is happy to take them.

Are we chumps?

Or are we the most compassionate nation on Earth?

President Trump will have his hands full trying to figure out how to get things under control on the immigration front.

Here is what Talking Points recommends.

A moratorium on refugees for one year until Trump's new Homeland Security Department can reorganize and setup intense vetting procedures.

Right now the federal government cannot properly investigate refugees who want to come here. The system is broken.

All undocumented people already here must register with the feds at their local post offices within six months.

It becomes a felony if they fail to do that and immediate deportation if they are caught.

By the way, we told you very early on in the presidential campaign that mass deportations would not take place if Donald Trump were elected president.

Speaker of the House Paul Ryan confirmed that yesterday:

PAUL RYAN, SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE: Were not working on a deportation force. Heres what were working on with respect to immigration, securing our border, enforcing our current laws. He talked about criminal aliens. Thats just enforcing laws for people who came here illegally, who came and committed violent crimes. We should enforce those laws.

Once the federal government knows how many undocumented people are here and their circumstance, a fair system of evaluating migrants can take place.

On the borders, all of those caught trying to enter illegally will be bussed back into Mexico or Canada after being fingerprinted.

Second offense -- six months in jail then another bus ride.

A congressional mandate on how many foreign nationals should be allowed into America each year should be agreed upon.

That number should be generous, but legal papers have to be renewed each year and actual citizenship will have to be earned over a substantial period of time.

A new law that suspends all federal transportation money to individual states that tolerate sanctuary cities must be passed.

Texas is in the process of outlawing sanctuary cities, punishing them financially.

Every state should do that.

And if California says no, finance your own infrastructure. Same with all other defiant states.

Finally, build effective barriers along the southern border using the Army Corps of Engineers.

The barriers designed to stop the flow of people and drugs.

Enough is enough.

If I could, I'd help every poor and abused person in the world.

But I can't.

So I do what I can without making things worse by supporting policies that hurt the country at large.

Australia has figured this out.

We can, too.

And that's the memo.
A few months ago we suggested that President Obama might want to take action against Russia for waging cyberwarfare against the USA.

Russia has been hacking into the American system for years, and Mr. Obama has done nothing about it.

Now the situation has reached critical mass because Hillary Clinton lost the presidential election.

And as we all know, WikiLeaks embarrassed the Clinton campaign by making public hacked emails that showed some members of the press secretly helping Mrs. Clinton and other embarrassing facts.

Before that Democrats really didn't care much about Russian hacking. Now they do.

The CIA and the FBI both agree that Russia is involved with breaching U.S. cyber security.

The CIA says it's because they wanted to influence the U.S. election. The FBI says it does not know the motive.

But it really doesn't matter, does it?

If Russian officials are hacking into American systems, that is cyberwarfare.

Enter Donald Trump, who says he does not believe the Russians did anything to influence the presidential vote.

He says the Democrats are just trying to trot out another excuse for losing.

Okay, his opinion; he's entitled to it.

But it might be better if the president-elect avoids the issue all together.

Mr. Trump has nothing to gain here.

Again, this happened on President Obama's watch and he is responsible for holding the Russians responsible.

Going forward, President Trump will have to deal with cyberwarfare, but right now he should sit this thing out.

On another serious note, President-elect Trump is now engaged in a war of words with China.

Mr. Trump telling Chris Wallace the "one China" policy, whereby the USA recognizes the Beijing government as the sole authority where Taiwan is involved, might not be a good thing.

China doesn't like that.

Again, it might be better if Mr. Trump postpones this confrontation until he is in office and fully briefed on the consequences of a war of words with the Chinese.

Plenty of time to make deals with China, why tee them off now?

Finally, Donald Trump's appointments.

To me they look fine.

It's not like any of the cabinet members have tremendous power; they don't.

They do what they are told to do, and all the people appointed so far have skill and experience.

Fox News is now reporting that the CEO of Exxon, Rex Tillerson, is Trump's pick for secretary of state.

I have never met Mr. Tillerson, know little about him, although reports are he has a good relationship with Vladimir Putin.

Maybe Tillerson can neutralize Putin's bad behavior.

That would be a great thing.

I expect Mr. Tillerson to be confirmed in the Senate.

Summing up, Russian hacking happened, President Obama should have dealt with it. He did not.

If it continues, President Trump will have to.

On China, let's all take it easy.

On Trump's appointments, they look good to Americans with no ideological axe.

And that's the memo.
On Monday Bill spoke with health policy analyst Bob Moffit about a proposal that would empower California to take absolute control of the state's health care system.

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This weeks Talking Points Memo is on the political power play happening between President Trump and four radical Congresswomen. This controversy is not about race, this is about winning the White House. President Trump believes that his attacks will help him get re-elected, and the radical leftists believe that they will get Trump out of office by using this controversy to brand him a racistalong with the medias help.



Hi, Bill O'Reilly here for Newsmax and this is the Talking Points Memo. Hey, what about this President Trumpfour radical Congresswoman controversy? So, what this is all about is politics, not anything substantial. Not anything that would actually affect your life or my life as Americans. So, there is a strategy going on here, and the media will not tell you what this is - because the media is invested in getting Donald Trump out of the Oval Office. So they portray, they being the press, this story as a, "oh, he's a racist" story. That's where all the energy is flowing. But here's what's really going on. You have the four Radical Congresswomen. Alright. Ocasio-Cortez, Omar, you know them. They truly believe that America is a unfair country. A place where white men abuse everyone else. That's the common theme that the four radical Congresswomen have. Gotta understand that. The Democratic Party fears those women, especially Ocasio-Cortez, who is a media darling and can command attention. And you've seen it. You've seen Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House, criticize Ocasio-Cortez, basically tells her to pipe down. Because Nancy Pelosi knows most Americans are not radicals, and they don't want America-haters - which is really what these women are - in charge. Now the women would say, O'Reilly, you're crazy, that's not what we are. I understand that. But, if you analyze their positions and what they actually believe, there's no way you can say that they respect America or think it's a noble nation. They don't. So, Donald Trump seizes upon this, and he says to his fellow citizens, hey, look, if they don't like the country, and they're criticizing it to the detriment of America, then you go back to where their ancestors lived, or in one case Omar, where she lived. OK, so Somalia. Go back there. Fix up those places then come back and tell us how it's done. Sarcastic. Racist? You decide. You decide. But remember  remember  Ocasio-Cortez basically implied Nancy Pelosi is a racist. After Pelosi criticized her. You'll remember that, Ocasio-Cortez, says, oh she's picking on women of color. And same thing in the debate. OK. Kamala Harris, the senator basically implied Joe Biden is a racist. Why else would she bring up the voting on bussing 50 years ago? Or Biden's association with segregationist senators way back when. Why? She wants to imply that he's a racist, that he doesn't like black people. It is the only reason to do it. So, Donald Trump basically says, look this is what I'm up against, alright, so vote for me and send me money. It is a big fundraiser for him. In the second quarter, the Trump campaign took in more than one hundred million dollars. Huge. Huge. So, Americans they don't weigh in because they don't have access to the media. But believe me when I tell you, that Donald Trump believes that his Tweet attacks on these four radical Congresswoman will help him get re-elected and raise a lot of money for him. Now, on the other side, the Democrats now say, okay there is no doubt the President is a racist. We got five things we can point to beginning with the birther movement on Barack Obama. And then in Charlottesville, there's the S-Hole countries. We could just make a case that he hates black people. He hates migrants. He hates Hispanics, he hates gays. Whatever it is. Again, American people have to decide whether there's any validity to that or not. And I can help you because my upcoming book, The United States of Trump, I've researched all of these things and we'll present you to facts. But right now, the Democratic Party believes it can destroy the president's legacy and get him out of office in 2020 by branding him a racist using this controversy. So, there you have it. It's a political power play. It's not about race. Donald Trump couldn't care less about putting his boot on the neck of any minority. He doesn't show a lot of empathy for minority groups or the grievance industry, he doesn't. His thing is, I provide a good economy that helps everybody. So how can you possibly call me a racist? Very fascinating what's going on here. Think about it. It's going to get worse.



I'm Bill O'Reilly for Newsmax. That is the Talking Points Memo.
The White House prioritizes COVID treatments based on race, the CDC corrects Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, a new law gives non-citizens the right to vote in New York City, many children now experiencing Eco-Anxiety over the state of the planet.

Plus, Bill's Message of the Day, we are living in the United States of Propaganda.
As you may know, the federal government is threatening cities that do not cooperate with Homeland Security with the loss of federal grant money. And now the city of Seattle is suing the feds over that. The first of many lawsuits, I believe. The basic problem is that cities like Chicago, New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco do not want to hold illegal aliens they've arrested until ICE can pick them up. Those cities want to release the aliens on bail or their own recognizance. Talking Points believes that is dangerous and irresponsible. If there is a detainer request on someone who should not be in this country, that request should be honored. The sanctuary city people say they will obey a warrant for an illegal alien. But that is a much more complicated process. Immigration agents have to go to a federal judge and present evidence before a warrant will be signed. Takes much more time than a detainer, which just requires the signature of an ICE agent. In a moment, Judge Jeanine Pirro will tell us about the backlog of cases, which is astronomical. Now, why is all this happening? In a city like New York, the mayor is a far left individual who was elected by very liberal voters. Mayor de Blasio sees himself as a defender of the poor and downtrodden. He opposes immigration regulations in general and is fine with millions of undocumented people living in and visiting this city. De Blasio has absolutely no problem with that. So the mind set of de Blasio, Rahm Emanuel in Chicago and other far left mayors is that their constituency wants open borders and amnesty. So they play to that constituency. Enter the federal government, which now wants to enforce immigration law because President Trump made that a hallmark of his campaign. And so you have two opposing forces with little chance of reconciliation. It should be noted that the federal appeals courts have never required local governments to comply with detainer requests. It's optional. You can't be arrested if you defy a detainer. An official can be arrested if he or she defies a warrant. Finally, to make sanctuary cities comply with federal law, the Trump administration will now withhold money from them in the form of Justice Department grants. That means that cities like Seattle, which receive millions of dollars to beef up local law enforcement and to institute safety programs, may not get the money any longer. Which is why Seattle is suing. The whole thing is a giant mess and reflects the huge division in this country. Will sanctuary cities be forced to comply? Doubtful. But they will pay a price. And that's the memo.
Bill O'Reilly's Talking Points Memo is BACK! O'Reilly is on Newsmax TV to give specifics on why the Democratic party objects to a barrier on the border.

O'REILLY: Hi, I'm Bill O'Reilly, and this is the Talking Points Memo.



You know, this whole border wall thing is phony. It's not what the powers that be want you to believe it is. It's really disturbing. So the Democratic Party opposes building a border fence, wall, barrier or whatever it may be.



Why?



There is never a cogent reason - you can give all the stats you want. Millions of people come in here through the southern border. Tons of narcotics flow in every month. People get hurt all over the border region.



So why would you object to a barrier? Again, no cogent reason. But here it is, you ready? The Democratic Party has taken control of the nation's largest state California.



It's a one party state. Republicans don't have a chance to for power in California. They used to, Richard Nixon came out of California. Ronald Reagan, two term governor even Arnold Schwarzenegger who is a kind of Republican he got elected.



Not anymore.



1970, there were three million Hispanics living in the Golden State, Latinos. All right. three million. Today 15 million, 55 percent of Hispanics eligible to vote in California are Democrats, 55 percent. Only 17 percent are Republican, 24 percent.



So they have no party allegiance that has driven the Democratic Party to power in the Golden State. Because you go from 3 million to 15 million. All right. And more than half are Democrats.



You just do the math and people are moving out of California because of the progressive policies, high taxation. Now Democratic Party saw that and they control the largest amount of electoral votes in the presidential election because California's biggest state. The same things happen here in New York. Same thing, influx of foreign nationals. It's changed the whole voting pattern.



Democrats control New York City. Top to bottom. OK.



Alexandra Ocasio Cortez was out of the Bronx and because the city is so huge they dominate the state. So the Democrats hold the governorship and both houses in the state legislation in Albany and what do we have? Progressive policies. So the Democratic Party sees this. They know this and they say you know what. If we can have open borders, if we can get as many Latinos in through Mexico we're going to obtain power in other states like Arizona, which is much more liberal than it used to be. And we're going to be able to spread that as the Latino community expands in the United States and breaking 3 to 1, 3 to 1 Latinos give the Democratic Party over the Republican Party. And that makes sense. Because if you are a foreign national, a poor person in particular and you come to the hyper competitive society that is America you need the help. You don't speak English. You're going to need help. And what party promises you entitlements, the Democratic Party. The Republican Party favors a safety net but they're a party of self-reliance. They don't want big government intrusion. The Democratic Party wants to hand out everything to everybody.



Every time there is a welfare bill that demands work most Democrats vote against it. Now Bill Clinton signed such a bill if you remember President Clinton, not anymore.



So if you're a foreign national you come to the United States you're going to sign up with the party that's going to promise you stuff. Right? That's going to promise you income equality, that's going to promise you social justice, that's going to promise you that they will punish the white power structure.



And that's what the Democratic Party is all about these days. You know, everybody knows it. Undeniable that that's what the border wall stuff is all about a secure southern border stops the flow of millions of Latinos into the United States. This is not a racist thing. It's just a fact thing. This is a political thing. Nothing to do with race. If Latinos were breaking three to one Republican, the Democrats would oppose. They put the wall up so fast, you go what's that?! I'm Bill O'Reilly for Newsmax and that is the Talking Points Memo.



I remind you that we do commentary on BillOReilly.com every night - we hope you check it out.
The recent conviction of Elizabeth Holmes, Founder, Theranos for fraud has bought into limelight on why investors need to be wary about the money they are putting into

There have been tremors within the startup community worldwide with the latest Theranos scandal. Though startups are talking points these days and a lot of initiatives are being taken to promote them and investors putting in a lot of money to fund the startups, the picture is not so rosy and there may be valid reasons for investors to be wary enough.

Anil Joshi, Managing Partner, Unicorn India Ventures, "The biggest challenge any startup faces today is finding the right investor, while money is available in ample amounts, but getting the right investor at the right time is a big challenge. Today India is the most preferred destination for startup investment and many investors chasing the deals, this is a good problem to have but having unlined investors may detail startup growth."

According to Joshi, for investors, the biggest challenge is price, with so many investors chasing good investment results in increasing the valuation. Also in anticipation to close the round quickly there may be less time on diligence, which may lead to taking investment calls in haste.

Startup entrepreneur and founder of Theranos Elizabeth Holmes was convicted for defrauding investors. Holmes set up Theranos at the age of 19 and the USP of her product was the handy automated device that could carry out tests in a single drop of blood. And for this unique initiative, the startup was rewarded $6.9 million in early funding. Since then, her startup received millions of dollars in funding and big healthcare companies were optimistic about the startup. In 2014, Holmes was at the top of Forbes list of Americas Richest Self-Made Women with a net worth of $4.5 billion and the company was valued at $9 billion. It may be noted that in July 2015, the US FDA approved the finger stick technology.

Things took a wrong turn when an investigation by the Wall Street Journal exposed the flaws in blood testing technology. In 2016, various federal agencies were looking into the companys in and out and in 2018, US prosecutors charged Holmes with fraud and conspiracy.

Holmes initially denied the wrongdoings, however, according to the prosecutors, Holmes knowingly lied about the technology she said could detect diseases with a few drops of blood.

Runam Mehta, CEO - HealthCube says, 'Founders and even early-stage investors who are looking to get rich quick can start to chase valuation instead of creating value and this approach can spiral out of control very quickly. Oftentimes, it is tempting for founders to back their vision with cuts of data that are designed to be appealing to investors. It is critical for founding teams to find investors who can be thought partners - who buy into the vision, believe in your potential but who are also able to hold up a mirror to the shortcomings of the business and push you to do better. This needs honesty and trust on both sides.

Sanjiv Das

sanjiv.das@mmactiv.com
Hong Kong: Banquet incident strictly probed: CE

(To watch the full media session with sign language interpretation, click here.)

Chief Executive Carrie Lam said the incident in which a number of officials attended a January 3 birthday party that involved positive COVID-19 cases will be dealt with in a strict and fair manner.

She made the remarks as detailed investigations are being conducted to ascertain whether the attendance of the officials involved constitutes a breach of discipline.

Addressing media questions ahead of the Executive Council meeting this morning, Mrs Lam described the birthday party as a most unfortunate event given a large number of people were involved.

Centre for Health Protection Communicable Disease Branch Head Dr Chuang Shuk-kwan mentioned a figure of 214 guests who attended this occasion at different periods of time.

This was, in my view, well beyond the capacity of this restaurant. I am sure the Food & Environmental Hygiene Department will shortly release some preliminary investigation results about the restaurant, whether the restaurant could actually legally operate with this sort of dinner gathering.

Mrs Lam stressed that the probe into this particular incident is being done on the basis of public health and will determine whether the restaurant, as the operator or the food licence holder, as well as the guests, had complied with the public health requirements.

The Chief Executive also pointed out that there is another ongoing investigation about the suspected non-compliance of quarantine rules by Cathay Pacifics cabin crew.

This inquest, she explained, serves to determine whether Cathay Pacific complied with the regulations that the Government imposed on the airline when it granted exemptions for its air cargo crew. Such exemptions were permitted in order to ensure Hong Kong's air cargo flow could continue to sustain the operation of the city.

However, she made it clear that such investigations are not about finding a scapegoat.

It is not a matter of fault finding. I hope people would move away from this talk about fault finding or who is the scapegoat of what.

In a public health situation of this scale, the Government has rolled out a lot of measures, a lot of regulations under the Prevention & Control of Disease Ordinance (Cap 599). But there could not be 100% compliance.

This story has been published on: 2022-01-11. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
WHO hails Vietnams flexible COVID-19 prevention strategy

Takeshi Kasai, Regional Director for the Western Pacific of the World Health Organization (WHO) has voiced his organisations strong support for the Vietnamese Governments strategy of living safely with COVID-19, giving top priority to protecting peoples health.









PM Pham Minh Chinh receives visiting Regional Director for the Western Pacific of the World Health Organization Takeshi Kasai in Hanoi on January 11. (Photo: VGP)



Meeting with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh in Hanoi on January 11, Takeshi said Vietnam has made great strides in stepping up its vaccination campaign, protecting most vulnerable groups such as the elderly and frontline forces, and raising public awareness of measures to protect themselves, their families, the community as well.



Vietnam is on the right track as it is continuing to adjust its Omicron measures, such as offering home care and treatment services to mild or asymptomatic cases to avoid overloading the medical system, while promptly and actively treating severe cases at medical facilities, he said.



The WHO official also thanked Vietnam for supporting countries early in pandemic prevention and control and for making positive contributions to WHO as well as the COVAX mechanism.



For his part, PM Pham Minh Chinh shared Vietnams experiences and lessons in pandemic prevention and control, and said despite difficulties, the Vietnamese Government will persist with its adopted strategy of living safely with COVID, striving to beat off the virus in 2022.



Vietnam considers COVID-19 to be a global challenge, and no country is safe if the virus is still spreading, he said, adding Vietnam has always strictly followed the WHOs recommendations in line with its actual situation.



He suggested that the WHO and Takeshi personally continue to support Vietnam with vaccines and therapeutic drugs, especially in research, production and domestic vaccine recognition procedures so that it can soon become self-sufficient in supply.



He also asked the WHO to help Vietnam enhance the capacity building of its health system, to share information, timely assess the epidemic situation and make vaccination recommendations.



The PM expressed hope the WHO will provide consultations regarding vaccinations for children aged 5 to 11 so that the campaign will be soon deployed and schools will soon reopen the doors for the kids.



At the reception, Kidong Park, WHO Representative in Vietnam, hailed Vietnams commitment to improve the capacity building of its grassroots-level medical station and preventive medicine systems to not only combat COVID-19 but also to cope with the aging of the population in the future.



He expressed his belief that Vietnam will continue to respond effectively, safely and flexibly to the pandemic, and in the long run will become an exemplary role model in the region and in the world in health care.



The WHO will actively accompany, support and share information and experiences with Vietnam in this process, he affirmed.
A man who police suspect fired a gun in Vernon and New Britain before engaging officers in a 50-mile chase into Massachusetts last month has been extradited to Connecticut.

Vernon police on Tuesday arrested Alexander Hernandez, 21, of New Britain. He was in custody on $350,000 bail.

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Police said Hernandez fired shots outside a house on Village Street in the Rockville section of town early on the morning of Dec. 29. No one was injured.

He also is suspected of firing a gun in New Britain  again, no one was hurt  and three times fleeing police who were on a special anti-auto theft detail in Newington.

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The officers tried to pull over the car he was driving twice that morning, first at 2:10 a.m. and later at 3:45 a.m., but the driver kept going and police declined to chase him. Police didnt say why they tried to pull him over; the car wasnt stolen.

But by the time they spotted the blue Mitsubishi Lancer a third time, the car had been tied to gunfire in Vernon and New Britain. With help from the state police, officers then chased the car through Hartford into Massachusetts, where the Massachusetts State Police took him into custody.

Vernon is the first Connecticut police department to charge Hernandez in connection with the incidents that night. Vernon police found his name on pay stubs left at the scene of the gunfire, which happened during an argument, according to the arrest warrant.

His Vernon charges include criminal attempt to commit first-degree assault; criminal attempt to commit second-degree assault with a firearm; first-degree reckless endangerment and disorderly conduct.

His gun charges are criminal possession of a firearm; carrying a pistol without a permit and illegal possession of a weapon in a motor vehicle.

Christine Dempsey may be reached at cdempsey@courant.com.
Workers with the Holland Power Co. based in Ontario, Canada, wiped salt spray from the windshields of their bucket trucks as they deployed from an Eversource staging area to begin restoring power last October in Hyannis, Mass. Electric, gas and water companies are increasingly vulnerable to cyber attacks, but are keeping up with the rising number of threats, a recent state report says. (Steve Heaslip/Cape Cod Times via AP) (Steve Heaslip /Cape Cod Times/AP)

Electric, gas and water companies are increasingly vulnerable to cyberattacks, but are keeping up with the rising number of threats, a state report says.

The Public Utilities Regulatory Authority said phishing attempts  emails claiming to be from reputable companies seeking personal information such as passwords and credit card numbers  are the largest type of attack and pose a significant risk to all of the states critical infrastructure entities.

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[ Report sent to Gov. Ned Lamont warns of lack of communication between feds and states about cyberthreats to utilities ]

The array and sophistication of cybersecurity threats facing Connecticuts public utilities seems to grow every year, said the report, which was released Friday.

Utilities are aware of the increasing cyberthreats and are responding with cybersecurity programs, PURA said. While the types of cyberattacks have remained consistent, the number continues to grow, according to regulators.

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As attacks such as phishing become more automated and easier to conduct, more unsophisticated malicious cyber actors are entering into the cybercriminal ecosystem, regulators said.

A lack of proper authentication was the source of many successful hacks of utility vendors and business partners, Connecticuts utility regulators said in an annual cybersecurity report. For example, malicious cyber actors gained access to the supervisory control and data acquisition system at a water treatment plant to manipulate the water treatment process, PURA said.

The hackers exploited an outdated and unsupported computer operating system used for the utilitys operations, the report said. Personnel prevented any control, and operations were not disrupted.

[ Connecticut company that hosts school websites recovering from ransomware attack ]

One of the biggest cyberattacks last year was ransomware used against the information technology systems of Colonial Pipeline that originates in Houston. Operations were halted to contain the attack.

Cyberattacks continue to target the information technology chain and third-party vendors to gain access to networks, PURA said. And cyberattacks have gained access into many networks using legitimate credentials that were likely stolen in previous phishing campaigns or easily guessed based on previous data breaches, regulators said.

The types of cyberattacks have remained fairly consistent, but the number is growing, PURA said.

News @3 Daily Catch up on the days top headlines sent directly to your inbox weekdays at 3 p.m >

As attacks such as phishing become more automated and easier to conduct, more unsophisticated malicious cyber actors are entering into the cybercriminal ecosystem, the report said.

In addition, ransomware actors have continued to thrive as many new groups targeted entities within the United States this year and showed no signs of slowing down, PURA said.

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Regulators cited the sensitivity of some information to withhold details associated with utilities that participated in the fifth annual report. Arthur House, a former chairman of PURA, said utilities initially resisted the idea of regulators examining their cybersecurity systems.

He said he bargained over the process of an annual review that utilities eventually supported. Utilities are taking cybersecurity seriously and have upgraded systems and hired consultants. Theyre well-defended against normal penetration, he said.

However, he said no utility is safe from a probing attack by a sophisticated nation-state such as China, Iran, North Korea or Russia.

PURA said Microsoft identified vulnerabilities in its servers that were actively exploited by Chinese state actors that compromised at least 30,000 devices in the United States.

Stephen Singer can be reached at ssinger@courant.com.
Bristol  Fearing that operations could start as soon as early this year, opponents of Covantas plan to burn medical waste at its Bristol incinerator are pressing the city council this week to intervene.

Homeowners whove banded together as Bristol Residents for Clean Air put out an email to local homes Monday urging people to speak up when the council convenes Tuesday evening.

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Without your assistance, we are in certain danger of losing a well-fought, clean air initiative for the city of Bristol, wrote Jodie Bechard, chief organizer of the Covanta opposition.

The Covanta trash-to-energy plant in Bristol. (Courtesy of Covanta)

Opponents spent much of last year trying to stop Covanta from burning up to 57 tons of medical waste a day at its Bristol trash incinerator. They argue that mixing waste from southern New England hospitals and medical clinics into the main trash-to-energy stream at the plant could create hazardous fumes.

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Tell council members that it is not OK to breathe in medical waste toxins, the group wrote on its Facebook page Monday . If tobacco and marijuana smoke is prohibited in public areas of town, mercury, lead, PFAS and dioxins should be too.

The group last week called on the city councils ordinance committee to quickly adopt new air pollution ordinances in hopes that would block the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection from granting Covanta a permit modification - or better regulate the operation if its approved.

The state has a goal from an executive order of Gov. Lamont to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 45% by 2030, resident David Rackliffe told the council in a December presentation. Approving this permit is not consistent with that initiative, and yet we believe that DEEP will grant his amendment to the current burning permit, and biomedical waste will be burned when plant modifications are completed.

Rackliffe and other opponents called on the council to adopt clean air ordinances that would require frequent monitoring of emissions from Covantas smokestack. He noted that state regulations allow towns to establish local clean air standards - but acknowledged that they would have power only if the were approved by DEEP.

Mayor Jeff Caggiano so far has not publicly committed to a stance other than to say that he and the council will ensure air quality in the city.

Covanta has been burning trash safely in Bristol for 34 years, he said Monday. It is the goal of my administration to make sure that trash-to-energy operations continue in a safe manner.

Covanta currently has a permit to burn more than 700 tons of trash daily thats collected from dozens of Connecticut towns. The company wants to use up to 8 percent of that capacity for medical waste, a vastly more profitable part of the trash incineration industry.

Some of the items that would be burned include used bandages, needles, IV bags, vials, patient bedding and gowns as well as tissue samples from biopsies and organs from surgical procedures.

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Covanta has stipulated that it would not burn cadavers, fetuses, large animal carcasses, pharmaceutical waste categorized as hazardous by the Environmental Protection Agency, bulk chemotherapy waste or similar items.

Opponents want to block the medical waste burning from happening or at least get a mandate for frequent, complex emissions monitoring.

The company counters that its similar facilities in Oregon and Alabama have all operated for years without exceeding the caps on emissions set by state permit.

Covanta continues to engage with community members and stakeholders in Bristol about this project, said Nicolle Robles, Covantas senior manager for communications. In those discussions, weve committed to ensuring that this facility will continue to abide by the strict and continuous emissions monitoring from the both the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.

The opponents will ask the council Tuesday night to authorize hiring a consultant to help draft local clean air ordinances. They are recommending Mike Ewall, director of the Energy Justice Network.

Caggiano and the six council members are all Republicans serving first terms since November. Opponents largely supported the GOP ticket after blaming then-Mayor Ellen Zoppo-Sassu and the all-Democratic council for not better informing taxpayers that Covanta had been pursuing plans since 2018.

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Remind your council representative that they were elected to do something different than the previous administration, the group said on its Facebook page Monday in a call for a citywide email campaign to the council.
California would be the first US state to provide health coverage to all immigrants within its borders, regardless of how they arrived in the state, under a new budget plan proposed by Governor Gavin Newsom on Monday.

Newsoms proposal would use part of Californias booming budget surplus to provide healthcare coverage through the states system for any low-income resident, regardless of immigration status. California already offers healthcare coverage to immigrants up to age 26 and over 55.

California, which is equal to the worlds fifth-largest economy, plans to begin covering immigrants 50 and over in May. Now, Newsom wants state lawmakers to cover the remaining uninsured immigrants starting in 2024 at an estimated cost of $2.4bn per year, The Associated Press reported.

Newsoms proposal to provide healthcare to immigrants is likely to garner attention as the United States struggles with an ongoing immigration crisis. Earlier this year, the state made COVID-19 vaccines available to farm workers who faced heightened rises of infection from the coronavirus. Newsoms new plan was one of a number of policies he proposed on Monday aimed at reducing economic disparities in the state.

Overall, Newsom sent the California legislature a $286.4bn budget that builds on what analysts expect to be at least a $31bn surplus the year ahead.
As lawmakers in the DMV consider mandating vaccine passports, a new senate bill would require them to also make voters prove who they are when they vote.

The legislation is the idea of Republican Sen. Kevin Cramer of North Dakota who says if a state forces people to prove their vaccination status, they should also have to prove who they are when they go to vote.

Sen. Cramer says he wants to point out the hypocrisy in Democrats who support vaccine passports but oppose voter IDs.

"It seems just logical that if I had to show Bill Deblasio something thats personal and private just to have a steak dinner in New York City, the least he should do is require people to prove they are who they say they are before they take on the very important responsibility of voting," says Sen. Cramer.

Incoming Virginia Attorney General Jason Miayes tells FOX 5 he supports the idea.

"The standard should be easy to vote and hard to cheat," he says. "I think we all should have an interest in making sure that we trust our election system and voter ID is a very simple safe way to do that."

The White House has not endorsed a national vaccine passport. D.C. is considering the idea and last week, Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott discussed a region passport with leaders from Anne Arundel, Frederick, Montgomery and Prince George's Counties.
Workplaces are eager to avoid the spread of the coronavirus and are equipping their security camera with AI software that can track their workers compliance with health guidelines, which includes wearing a mask or social distancing.

The software is deemed to be quite crucial, while COVID-19 is on a rampage all around the world. The surveillance technology allows the company to showcase how they are monitoring their workers and enforcing the mandates safely.

You already are hearing about things like Waze for occupancy and people movement, as opposed to vehicle movementsnot just self-reporting, but automated reporting on traffic information of people in different indoor locations and public areas, says Mahesh Saptharishi, the CTO of Motorola Solutions, which is developing a system of this kind. I think thats just going to be more common until people feel safe enough. He added that things like fever detection could be useful for the masses but people also need to practice social distancing and wearing masks often.

Motorolas Avigilon subsidiary, for example, is developing software for its latest-generation security cameras that will detect when people are standing too close or not wearing masks. Take a look at the technology here. The company hopes to start implementing this by the end of June, for the factories and offices and believes that such tech can be beneficial for the retail stores and supermarkets.

The last thing we want is for the governor to shut all our projects down because no one is behaving, said Jen Suerth, vice president at Chicago-based Pepper Construction, which introduced software from SmartVid.io this month to detect workers grouping at an Oracle Corp project in Deerfield, Illinois.

Samarth Diamond intends to deploy the intelligence from Glimpse Analytics as soon as their polishing factory reopens in Gujarat, India. Two shopping centers based in Michigan, owned by RPT Realty, will initiate distance tracking from RE Insight in just 2 weeks.

Buyers are expecting the tech to work as they believe that similar tools were previously used to profile the shoppers entering their stores and find helmet scofflaws on construction sites.

Some tech consultants have advised their clients that they should not implement this AI technology and should invest in tools that would be required for a few months. Privacy activists are concerned with the increase of tracking people and are urging businesses to limit the use of Artificial Intelligence.

The Ethical Questions Asked About The AI

The question becomes whether the tech remains after the public health problem goes away, and that is the real privacy fear, said Al Gidari, a privacy expert at Stanford Law School. Video in the store today to ensure social distancing remains to identify shoplifters tomorrow.

According to a survey, it was found out that several customers were of the opinion that such security cameras were cheaper than having people who would stand guard to check the practices.

Pepper Constructions Suerth said its SmartVid system has not flagged crowding issues yet because staffing has been limited. But Suerth said that as more crews arrive, the company will look at trends to issue reminders at toolbox talks.

Its another set of eyes on the site, Suerth said, adding that software is less prone to mistakes than people and the accuracy were seeing is really high.

Parth Patel Discusses His Ideas About The Software

Parth Patel, who is the manager of Samarth Diamond, stated that he could adjust the procedures when the AI software would identify spots where his 4,000 workers were clumping in busy areas. People who were tagged as not wearing their masks would be offered one by a review team.

It will surely be helpful for the safety of employees and their comfort level, and it will be helpful to show it to authorities that we are adhering to regulations, Patel said.

The calculations if people are really 6 feet away from one another and detecting face masks are all being tested now and are being launched on accelerated schedules. Some startups have even promised to spot coughing and sneezing.

Most solutions will be in uncharted territory, without a proven track record, and likely susceptible to false positives and bugs, said Vinay Goel, a former Google Maps product leader who is now chief digital products officer at the tech unit of real estate services giant Jones Lang LaSalle Inc.
On Jan. 3, 2022, Erica Texeira distributed two of 1300 at-home COVID-19 test kits at a Wethersfield High School drive-through site. Wethersfield residents were provided two kits per car and all of the town's 1300 tests were allotted within 90-minutes of the site's opening. (Mark Mirko/The Hartford Courant)

Despite COVID-19 hospitalizations in Connecticut approaching record highs and transmission of the virus still elevated, a Hartford HealthCare epidemiologist said Tuesday he expects the states COVID-19 metrics will begin to subside this weekend.

Over the past four weeks, hospitalizations due to COVID-19 have more than tripled in Connecticut, although in recent days, the rate of increase has begun to slow somewhat. On Tuesday, Connecticuts weekly COVID-19 test positivity rate declined for the first time in four weeks.

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Dr. Ulysses Wu, chief epidemiologist at Hartford HealthCare, said he anticipates that the states COVID-19 cases will peak around Jan. 15 and hospitalizations sometime later, around Jan. 21. Other experts have pointed to mid-January to late-January as the peak of the current surge.

[ Whats next for COVID-19 in Connecticut? States omicron peak could be weeks away, experts say ]

Wu said that the recent plateau of cases and hospitalizations in New York City was an encouraging sign for Connecticut.

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Just like we tend to lag the UK by a few months, we also lag New York by one-to-two weeks as well, he said. If their cases are dropping, we should follow suit soon.

For now, Connecticut hospitals continue to treat large numbers of COVID-19 patients. As of Tuesday, Hartford HealthCare had 522 patients with the disease, about 30% of whom had been admitted for non-coronavirus reasons.

Symptoms continue to be most severe for unvaccinated patients, officials said.

Cases and positivity rate

Connecticut reported 6,751 new COVID-19 cases Tuesday out of 28,312 tests administered, for a daily positivity rate of 23.85%. The states seven-day positivity rate now stands at 23.53%, a very slight decrease from Mondays rate of 23.55%, which was the highest of any point since widespread testing began more than 18 months ago. Tuesdays seven-day positivity rate marks the first decline of the metric since early December.

All eight Connecticut counties  along with nearly the entire rest of the country  are recording high levels of COVID-19 transmission as defined by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. With this level of transmission, the CDC advises people to wear a mask in public indoor settings.

Hospitalizations

As of Tuesday, Connecticut had 1,920 patients hospitalized with COVID-19, up 31 from Monday. Hospital officials say some of those patients were admitted for non-coronavirus reasons before testing positive upon arrival but that a majority have significant COVID-19 symptoms.

Connecticut is now just 52 hospitalized patients away from reaching the all-time high of 1,972 hospitalizations recorded on April 22, 2020.

Breaking News As it happens Get the latest updates on Coronavirus and other breaking news events happening across Connecticut >

According to state data, 67.3% of people hospitalized with COVID-19 are not fully vaccinated. Hospital officials say the rate is significantly higher when considering only patients with severe symptoms.

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Deaths

Connecticut reports COVID-19 deaths on Thursdays. Last week, the state recorded 121 deaths, bringing its total during the pandemic to 9,281.

The United States has now recorded 840,513 COVID-19 deaths, according to the Coronavirus Resource Center at Johns Hopkins University.

Vaccinations

As of Tuesday, 90.3% of all Connecticut residents and 95% of those 12 and older had received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose, while 75.3% of all residents and 84.1% of those 12 and older were fully vaccinated, according to the CDC.

Additionally, about 46.2% of fully vaccinated Connecticut residents 18 or older have received a booster dose.

The CDC warns that booster shots are sometimes misclassified as first doses, likely inflating the reported number of first-dose coverage and understating the true number of people who have received boosters.

Eliza Fawcett can be reached at elfawcett@courant.com. Courant staff writer Alex Putterman contributed to this report.
The state Department of Education recently reminded school districts that closing schools due to COVID-19 outbreaks is generally not permitted under state law, though very limited exceptions will be allowed. (Jessica Hill/Special to the Courant)

Connecticut parents are worried.

Nearly two full years after the COVID-19 pandemic took hold of this state, the omicron variant is raging, positivity rates hit record levels, hospitals are filling up with patients again, there are not enough test kits to go around and debates are raging over mask-wearing mandates and remote schooling.

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Its no wonder there is a lot of worry going around.

Amid this, Gov. Ned Lamont has said he is going to do everything I can to keep kids in the classroom safely.

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Nothing compares to a great teacher in a classroom, the governor said.

Hes right.

And top educators in Connecticut  who work to keep children safe  agree with him.

The state Department of Education recently reminded school districts that closing schools due to COVID-19 outbreaks is generally not permitted under state law, though very limited exceptions will be allowed.

Charlene M. Russell-Tucker, state commissioner of education, told the districts in a memo that remote learning would be allowed when students must be in isolation due to a confirmed COVID-19 infection or after close contact with a confirmed case. Students would be allowed to remain at home only in rare and individualized circumstances when there are family members with an unusual vulnerability to COVID-19. Remote learning may also be used for special education students in rare cases.

The point? Educators are trying to keep kids safely in school, with emphasis on the benefit of routines and in-person schooling, especially for younger children. Every time thats interrupted, that interrupts the educational experience for the child, said Patrice McCarthy, deputy director of the Connecticut Association of Boards of Education told a Courant reporter.

Further, state officials have pointed out that damage to learning and mental health can accompany long-term distance learning.

As positive tests continue to be reported among K-12 students  last Thursday it was 1,021 positive tests among students for the week, even though schools were not in session  there are those who clearly do not agree with educators or Lamont.

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Tiffany Torok of Meriden, for example, recently started a petition seeking to give parents an option of keeping kids at home for remote classes during the record surge in COVID-19 cases.

The petition (bit.ly/3sTUhAP) on Change.org urges Lamont to allow a statewide choice on distance learning. Attracting more than 4,200 signatures in 48 hours, the petition says, If its unsafe for towns to have in-person meetings, its unsafe for our babies to be in classrooms.

Opinion Weekly Perspective on the week's biggest stories from the Courant's Opinion page >

But Lamont is sticking to his goal. Amid widespread absences of teachers, bus drivers and students from school this week, the governor said the state is distributing 670,000 at-home rapid tests to schools and child care providers across Connecticut. Fifty thousand tests were earmarked for early child care providers; 620,000 were allocated to public and private K-12 schools.

There also are other steps schools can and are taking  rigorous testing, tracing, mask enforcement and distribution, on-site vaccination clinics in some cases, and other safety standards.

More also could be done. A coalition of labor unions, for instance, recently asked the state to provide N95 masks, free testing at schools and other safety measures.

Up to 60% of my members dont have access to [N95] masks, and more than 70% have reported not having access to testing, said Kate Dias, president of the Connecticut Education Association.

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She is right that a work space without those protections is not a place for teachers.

Like Lamont, officials and educators are clearly aware of the concerns as they work not only to keep kids safe, but also to keep them in school.

We will ramp up our mitigation efforts due to the high transmissibility of omicron. We will once again focus on providing spacing when possible, reinforce the importance of mask wearing, and reiterate our guidance to all that if your child shows any symptoms of illness, please keep them home, West Hartford Superintendent of Schools Tom Moore said in a letter to parents.
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With the Connecticut Port Authoritys final State Pier permit recently approved by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, our state is on the brink of being home to one of the countrys premier port facilities for the offshore wind industry. It will serve as a major new jobs hub, bolster the states economy and help launch a new industry that is imperative for fighting climate change and achieving a sustainable, carbon-free future for Connecticut and beyond.

The timing couldnt be better for the redevelopment of State Pier to fully take shape using a Project Labor Agreement, which includes pre-apprenticeship training programs to deliver huge job opportunities to the local New London Building Trades Council. The construction work to transform the pier into a modern, heavy-lift capable facility will create hundreds of prevailing wage, union construction jobs  such as laborers, ironworkers, electricians, operating engineers, carpenters and other trades  that include pension and health benefits.

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As State Pier hums with construction activity, New Londons economy and small businesses will be bolstered by an influx of workers frequenting local establishments. It is estimated that the State Pier project will add millions of dollars in value to the New London economy, including indirect spending at local retail and restaurants as well as labor income.

Connecticut has great partners in rsted and Eversource, who are building a green jobs workforce and helping to develop a regional supply chain to support wind farm development. Once the pier redevelopment project is complete, the companies will lease the modernized State Pier for 10 years and use it as a wind turbine staging and Assembly facility for Connecticuts first offshore wind farm, Revolution Wind. State Pier will also support its two other major projects in development in the Northeast, South Fork Wind and Sunrise Wind, both of which will serve New York.

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To meet the Biden administrations decarbonization goals, South Fork Wind is slated to start construction early next year, and Revolution Wind and Sunrise Wind are on track to receive federal approval over the next two years. Revolution Wind will deliver 304 megawatts of clean energy to Connecticut and 400 megawatts to Rhode Island. All three projects will collectively provide enough clean energy to power more than one million homes in the Northeast.

Opinion Weekly Perspective on the week's biggest stories from the Courant's Opinion page >

Equally advantageous are the continuing, well-paying positions created throughout the construction of the wind farms. rsted and Eversource will bring one of the largest, most advanced installation vessels to State Pier to support the construction of its offshore wind farms. In doing so, they will help create and sustain dozens of diverse jobs for wind turbine generator pre-assembly operations at State Pier.

Additionally, as State Pier becomes a regional epicenter for the offshore wind industry, it will be an anchor to attract other aspects of the offshore wind supply chain to a region rich with manufacturing and technology, generating even more economic opportunities.

One of the more exciting aspects of the project is the increased heavy-lift capacity for the pier. State Pier has been one of Connecticuts most underutilized assets for several generations, and with this project comes an opportunity to breathe new life into one of southeastern Connecticuts prime maritime assets. State Piers infrastructure improvements and enhanced footprint will make it a more marketable facility for our state, which will help Connecticut attract new businesses and a broader range of cargo types than it previously handled.

With this investment in a modernized State Pier, new economic opportunities will be open to our state, bringing in more state revenue from various cargo sources after offshore wind or while there are lulls in offshore wind project construction. And we have a private partner in rsted and Eversource to help us make this happen with a nearly $100 million private investment in State Pier, including lease payments.

New London, too, stands to benefit directly from a redeveloped State Pier and the offshore wind industry. The city will realize more than $1 million in new annual revenue from payments from the different project partners. But equally important, it will be a hub for this vital, new, national industry that creates jobs and spurs economic development while fighting climate change and creating a better planet for future generations.

Keith R. Brothers is president of the Connecticut State Building Trades Council
A local parent used the first Brandon School Division board of trustees meeting of 2022 to voice her concerns about the administrations current vaccine mandate.

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SCREENSHOT Members of the Brandon School Division board of trustees discuss the implementation of their staff vaccine mandate during Monday's regular meeting.

A local parent used the first Brandon School Division board of trustees meeting of 2022 to voice her concerns about the administrations current vaccine mandate.

During Mondays meeting, the trustees discussed correspondence they recently received from Kerri Lynn Gudz, who questioned why all BSD staff are not required to be fully immunized against COVID-19 as a condition of their employment.

Currently, BSD employees who do not want to receive the vaccine have the option of submitting a rapid antigen test to the division three times a week instead.

However, Gudz said she believes the school division's vaccine mandate should fall more in line with that of Maple Leaf Foods, whose representatives announced earlier this month all of its employees and contractors who work on-site in Brandon must be fully vaccinated by the end of March.

According to a letter that was attached to Mondays agenda, Gudz said the BSDs current vaccine mandate is at odds with its stated goal to protect students throughout the pandemic.

"School is to be the one place that all children can come to feel part of a community, safe, and valued," she wrote. "I am unclear how this can still be the case when not all school/division staff are required/mandated as condition of employment to be fully-vaccinated as led and recommended by public health and proven by science as exemplary practice."

Gudz has two children currently enrolled in BSD schools, including another kid who graduated from Ecole secondaire Neelin High School last year.

During Mondays meeting, trustee Jason Gobeil thanked Gudz for her concern, but mentioned that establishing such a vaccine mandate is simply "out of our hands."

"But we are providing every step possible in keeping safe spaces, in keeping safe hallways, in keeping safe classrooms, and providing an opportunity for testing to take place," Gobeil said.

"I think weve done everything that we could to provide those opportunities. Its unfortunate that were just not in a position where we can actually mandate it."

Trustee Kim Fallis echoed Gobeils sentiments, explaining the logistics of enforcing such a vaccine mandate at BSD is impractical given how the division currently operates.

"Unlike some workplaces, we have no way of guaranteeing who enters our building," Fallis said. "In my place of employment, we have fobs that allow us into each building, so therefore we are able to monitor who comes into the building and who leaves. But were not able to do that within our schools."

Supt. Mathew Gustafson also revealed during Mondays meeting that around 30 individuals have decided to undergo the rapid testing route out of the divisions roughly 1,300 employees.

However, Gustafson maintains that the actual number of fully immunized BSD staff hasnt been officially calculated yet.

Brandon School Division's winter term officially began Monday, with most K-12 students being relegated to remote learning for the first week of school. This provincewide week of remote learning is designed to give school officials enough time to prepare for the return of in-person classes on Jan. 17.

The next BSD board of trustees regular meeting is scheduled to take place Jan. 24 at 7:30 p.m.

 kdarbyson@brandonsun.com

 Twitter:@KyleDarbyson
Last week, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services reported one in every three COVID-19 tests in the state were positive.
Awaken Music - Come What May | Hoganson Media / Awaken Music

San Diego-based collective Awaken Music (formally Awaken Worship), from the 10,000 member, multi-campus Awaken Church, releases Come What May Jan. 14 via The Fuel Music. Available to pre-save now at https://slinky.to/ComeWhatMay, the single declares a staunch, steadfast trust in the Lord regardless of circumstances. The anthemic new chorus is meant to encourage Christians in 2022 and harkens back to bold praises heard in songs like Blessed Be Your Name.

"Come What May is a rallying cry for people facing trial and tribulation and is a stake in the ground that gives people the vocabulary of praise, shares Mike Yeager, who leads Awaken Music, is the Eastlake Campus Pastor and co-wrote the new song with Deshauwn Tagliareni and Providence Cordell. The first verse alludes to Jericho falling and talks about praising when everything is going right and victories are being had, and the second verse talks about praising in drought seasons when you are expecting God to move.

Come what may

Nothings gonna stop my praise

Not afraid, I will stand tall with my hands raised

Hallelujah, Hallelujah

He has overcome

So come what may

Nothings gonna steal my praise

(From the Come What May chorus.)

Like its recent Lionheart (Deluxe) album, Come What May was produced by GRAMMY Award-nominated Stephen Blake Kanicka (Kanye West, for KING & COUNTRY, Danny Gokey) and mixed by David Cook (Chris Tomlin, Zach Williams, Shawn Mendes).

And like the album, the new single represents Awaken Churchs fierce stance on the importance of gathering together as believers to encourage and support one another. In August 2020, the church became one of the first to open its doors in California after pandemic lockdowns in order to support and minister to their community that was wrestling with rising cases of drug abuse, suicide and a host of other mental and physical ailments. Growing from 8,000 to 10,000 members during this time, and ministering to 25,000 people online, the church found courage and strength in the lyrics and melodies being created by its worship team.

We were one of very few churches in America that really said, hey wait a minute, the church is the most essential institution on the planet, we cant shut down, our community needs it too badly," remembers Yeager. Our church is really big on the power of actually physically speaking out the precepts, promises and principles of God.

As new melodies are carried out into the world, Awaken Music hopes people will find encouragement to join in the outworking of Gods plan, being active and hopeful in their mission and purpose as Christians.

For all the latest Awaken Music news and more, go to: www.awakenmusic.com, Spotify, Apple Music and Amazon Music.

Awaken Music website | Hoganson Media / Awaken Music / Photo Credit: Mike C Finn

About Awaken Music:

San Diego-based Awaken Music is a collection of worshippers with a heart for Holy Spirit-filled, declarative and prophetic worship. It's the musical expression of Awaken Church, a vibrant, life-giving multi-campus and multi-generational church led by Pastors Jurgen and Leanne Matthesius. With the Great Commission to win souls and make disciples of all nations at its heart, Awaken Musics international debut album, Lionheart (Deluxe), featured the CCM Magazine-premiered Fearless, which is meant to remind listeners that the Kingdom of God is unshakeable, regardless of the shaking we see in the world around us, and Authority, a rallying cry for the Church.

About The Fuel Music:

Established in 2008, The Fuel Music & Management, LLC, is a leading artist management and artist solutions company that independently distributes music internationally. Based in Nashville, TN, the Fuel team brings well over 70 years of combined music industry experience in record label operations, major label distribution and marketing, and artist management for artists ranging from upstart bands to GRAMMY Award-winning, multi-Platinum artists. More information on the company can be found at www.thefuelmusic.com.
We The Kingdom - Grand Ole Opry | Shore Fire Media

Two-time GRAMMY-nominated group We The Kingdom will make its Grand Ole Opry debut on Saturday, February 26th. Additionally, the family-bound band's 16-date 'We The Kingdom Live Tour' will kick off on Thurs., March 3 in Columbia, SC. It will include stops in St. Louis Kansas City, Memphis, and more.

Named Contemporary Christian Artist of the Year at the 2021 Dove Awards, We The Kingdom has racked up more than 300k social media followers and was recently awarded an RIAA-certified GOLD Single for 'Holy Water', the multi-generational groups first No.1 hit.

For tickets and more information, please visit wethekingdom.com.
Over the northern summer, he turned down a multimillion-dollar offer to become the marquee name associated with Gettr, a social media platform led by former aide Jason Miller. He has also refused offers from Parler, the people said. Gettr has continued to save his handle (or profile name), in the hopes he might join, and the company says it now has 4 million users  creating an uphill climb for his potential new site. Ultimately, the people familiar with his plans said he believed a Trump-branded company would be a better option. Plagued by delays, pigs But the effort so far has been plagued with problems and delays. Dozens of engineers, cyber security specialists and other technical experts are needed to build a social media platform, and though Trump Media has said some hiring has taken place, it will be slow until it completes a planned merger with a publicly traded company. That merger is under investigation by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Digital World Acquisition, which has raised $US1.2 billion ($1.6 billion) to acquire Trump Media, said last month that the SEC was examining its communications with Trump Media for potential violations of securities rules. One Trump adviser said regulators had caused the lawyers involved with Trumps new media ventures to be particularly cautious.

Trump Media CEO Devin Nunes, the former California Republican congressman who resigned last week to assume the post, has been calling others seeking advice about how to build the company, but has not conducted a noticeable hiring campaign in Silicon Valley, according to two venture capitalists with ties to conservative politics. Supporters of former US president Donald Trump sing the national anthem during a Justice for January 6th Vigil at St. Patricks Cathedral in New York last week. Credit:AP Nunes, who has described himself as a dairy farmer, has no prior experience as a technology executive but is popular among Trump supporters, partially for his work as chair of the House Intelligence Committee and his regular jeremiads against tech firms over censorship. In October, Trump announced Truth Social as the first project of the newly formed Trump Media and Technology Group. He linked to an early version of the Truth Social website, TruthSocial.com, and said a more formal beta launch would take place in November. But the early version of the site was quickly taken down after pranksters posted a photo of a defecating pig under the username donaldjtrump. Days later, the creators of the open-source social media software the site used, Mastodon, sent Trump Media a letter saying the site had violated the terms under which the software could be used.

The November beta launch appeared not to take place, and a post on Mastodons website, updated last month, said knowing if Truth Social was in compliance with Mastodons terms will only be possible once their platform publicly launches. Loading A pre-order page for Truth Social in Apples App Store lists an expected launch date of Febuary 21, but people familiar with the effort said it could be months before it was fully operational. Trump Media did not respond to emails and phone calls seeking comment. Trump Medias regulatory filings provide little hard information about how it plans to make money or who is working for it. One slide presentation indicated the company expects to generate billions of dollars in revenue by competing in a number of different industries  social media, streaming, podcasting  but provided no details about how it will generate sales. The presentation included the first names and last initials of 30 possible staffers, who the document implied had been hired from well-known Silicon Valley companies. But there was no further way to identify them. Trump Media also announced a technology and cloud services partnership with the video-hosting start-up Rumble in December. Rumble, which aims to be a right-wing alternative to YouTube, has received funding from Republican Senate candidate and venture capitalist J.D. Vance, venture capitalist Peter Thiel and Colt Ventures, which describes itself as the family office of Darren Blanton, a Dallas-based investor and prominent Trump supporter.

In announcing the partnership, Trump Media said it had already launched Truth Social on the Rumble Cloud for invited guests only, and the initial Beta launch has been excellent, according to the news release. Rumble, headquartered in Toronto and with new offices in Sarasota, Florida, also has ties to Nunes. The companys general counsel, Michael Ellis, who was hired in December, is a longtime Republican Party operative, served as an associate general counsel in the Trump White House and was Republican counsel to the House Intelligence Committee when Nunes was chairman. Rumble did not respond to requests for comment. In December, Rumble also announced that it would merge with a special purpose acquisition company, or SPAC, created by the financial firm Cantor Fitzgerald. In a news release, Cantor Fitzgerald said the transaction was expected to provide $US400 million to Rumble and described the exciting start-up as a neutral video platform.

Rumble is designed to be the rails and independent infrastructure that is immune to cancel culture, the companys CEO, Chris Pavlovski, said of the SPAC announcement in a news release. Even with its likely launch date still months away, the prospect of a Trump Media launch has sent chills through the expanding space of right-wing-oriented sites. Any site with Trump on it has an instant edge over sites with a similar mission. And it is unclear how big the potential audience is for any one of them. Loading The sites are already scrambling to raise capital. Parler announced it raised $US20 million last week, according to a filing with securities regulators. The SPAC deals represent a new fundraising vehicle for the start-ups as they seek to gain advantage against competitors. The manner with which Trump has sought to fund his site, through a SPAC, also suggests that the social network wont be ready soon. Typically, it takes five to six months from the time the merger candidate is announced to the time the deal closes, said Michael Ohlrogge, an assistant law professor at New York University who has researched SPAC transactions. Trump Media wont have access to any of the funds Digital World has raised until the merger closes. Its unclear whether the company has raised capital on its own.
One of Hollywoods most in-demand action directors is setting up shop in Australia with the ambition of bringing a rolling slate of big-budget genre productions to the country.

Patrick Hughes, the Australian director of The Hitmans Bodyguard and The Hitmans Wifes Bodyguard, has launched a new company, Huge Film, in partnership with Greg McLean (Wolf Creek) and James Beaufort. McLean will serve as executive producer, with Beaufort as Hughess co-writer. The team will be based in Melbourne.

Action movie director Patrick Hughes (centre) is setting up shop in Melbourne, with three features already in the pipeline. His partners in Huge Films are Greg McLean (executive producer) and writer James Beaufort.

The first production from Huge Film (a mispronunciation of his surname that also describes the kind of movies he makes) is the sci-fi action thriller War Machine, which was announced in November. The second, a Netflix thriller called The Raid, has been announced today, with action maestro Michael Bay (Armageddon, The Rock, Transformers) producing.

Also in development is a third instalment in The Hitmans Bodyguard franchise.
Melanie and Alex Moir welcomed their baby boy in a flurry on the bathroom floor on January 2.

But when he arrived, at 37.5 weeks, Ethan was completely white, not breathing properly and still. We certainly werent planning on a home birth, his father says.

Alex and Melanie Moir with their newborn baby Ethan. Credit:Wolter Peeters

The parents were stunned by the response to their triple zero call, claiming the operator was unable to tell them when an ambulance would arrive. The incident is now under review.

I kept asking for an ETA, and she said: Im really sorry, I cant give an ETA, Mr Moir told the Herald of the call, which lasted under 10 minutes. Every second seemed pretty critical. We made the decision to drive ourselves.
Republicans are ramping up their criticism of Gov. Ned Lamont, shown in this file photo from December. (Cloe Poisson / Special to the Courant)

In a digital ad that marks the first major volley of the 2022 campaign , the state Republican Party is ramping up its criticism of Gov. Ned Lamonts handling of the pandemic.

The 30-second video, which launched on social media and was blasted out in an email on Monday, attacks the Democratic incumbents coronavirus policies.

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Ned Lamonts response to COVID put Connecticut in danger,' the ad asserts.

The spot, produced by TAG Strategies, a Virginia-based digital marketing firm, says Lamont failed to procure COVID-19 test kits over the holiday season, after promising that they were on the way.

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It also seeks to tie Lamont to former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who resigned in disgrace in November after a barrage of sexual harassment allegations were levied against him.

Clearly COVID is going to be an issue in the 2022 election,' said Ben Proto, chairman of the Connecticut Republican Party. Were going to aggressively (pursue) the case against Gov. Lamont and do our best to convince Connecticut voters that theres a better alternative.'

Who that alternative is remains unclear. Ten months before Election Day, no major Republican candidate has officially entered the race, though Bob Stefanowski, the partys 2018 nominee, and Themis Klarides, the former Republican leader in the Connecticut House of Representatives, both said they are considering considering runs.

Lamont, who announced in November that he is seeking a second term, is proud of his record, said his campaign manager, Dan Morrocco.

This isnt the first time the Republican Party has lied about Gov. Lamont and it wont be the last, Morrocco said.

In this file photo, Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont delivers the State of the State during opening session at the State Capitol, Feb. 5, 2020, in Hartford, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill, File) (Jessica Hill/AP)

The governor is providing the strong, steady leadership, we need to keep schools open and the economy running - getting 1.8 million tests and 5 million masks into Connecticut in the last week alone, he said. Instead of lying about COVID to raise campaign money -- the GOP should join Gov. Lamont in working to end this pandemic by promoting vaccines and boosters so we can continue to educate our children, grow our economy, and keep Connecticut moving forward.

Last year, Lamont won praise for his handling of the coronavirus crisis, even from some Republicans. But in recent weeks, the party has ramped up its criticism, slamming him over everything from a digital vaccination card to his decision to seek an extension of executive powers that allow him to manage the pandemic without seeking approval of the legislature.

Proto says there are questions regarding an investment by a venture capital firm co-founded by the governors wife, Annie Lamont, in Sema4, which received state COVID-19 testing contracts. (The Sema4 contract posed no conflict of interest under state law on the part of the governor or first lady, according to written guidance provided to the Lamonts by the Office of State Ethics.)

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Proto said Lamont bears responsibility for another snafu: his failure to procure the 3 million at-home rapid test kits and 6 million N95 masks that he had promised to hand out to residents before New Years Day.

The governor, particularly in the recent past, has not been forthcoming with people of Connecticut,' Proto said.

The ad is the first salvo in what will be an aggressive campaign by the GOP, Proto said. Youre going to see more stuff coming from Connecticut Republicans in the next couple of months,' he said.

Proto did not disclose the cost of the digital ad, but said it was not tremendously expensive.
A man in his 70s has died with COVID-19 and authorities have reported 20,566 new cases of coronavirus in Queensland after issues with pathologies sharing test results.

New jury trials are the latest casualty of the Omicron outbreak now gripping the state as schools, businesses and the broader community are disrupted by rapidly growing caseloads.

A total of 502 COVID patients were in Queensland hospital wards with a further 27 in intensive care, six of whom requiring ventilation, Health Minister Yvette DAth told reporters in Brisbane.

Almost 110,000 cases were active across the state on Tuesday. The update came after a figure of only 9000 new cases was announced by health authorities on Monday due to software issues at four private pathology labs.
The real number of people fighting COVID-19 infections in Queensland is likely to be at least double the reported figure of more than 100,000, experts say, as health authorities concerns shift to a peak in hospital admissions within weeks.

And while the rise in hospitalisations is expected to bring a short, sharp test for the states health system, Chief Health Officer John Gerrard has sought to assure the public that the vaccines are working to reduce the number of people who will face the worst of the disease.

State health officials have repeatedly suggested the Omicron wave is likely more widespread than reported cases show. Credit:AAP Image/Jason OBrien

As rapidly growing case numbers strained testing capacity, and an issue this week left some private laboratories in Queensland unable to share their results with authorities, the state reported 20,566 new infections on Tuesday.

Hospital admissions climbed by 89 to a total of 529. Twenty-seven of those were in intensive care  an increase of six  with six of these requiring ventilation.
Trains are set to shift to weekend-style timetables this month as patronage slumps to 40 per cent and more public transport workers are forced to stay home because of the Omicron wave.

Buses, ferries and CityCat services will also be cut as Queensland adjusts to this stage of the pandemic.

Translinks website on Wednesday morning already shows some CityCat and ferry services have been reduced.

There were more than 20,500 cases of COVID-19 throughout Queensland reported on Wednesday with 419 people in hospital, 27 people in intensive care and six requiring ventilation machines.
Former Federal Court judge Bruce Lander QC has commenced an independent review of the management, policies and culture at Brisbanes QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute.

The review, which began several weeks ago, comes in the wake of damning findings against former staffer Mark Smyth.

Professor Mark Smyth, QIMR Berghofers former head of immunology in cancer.

Professor Smyth, who was the institutes head of immunology in cancer, has received millions of dollars in research funding during his career. He previously worked at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in Victoria.

In a statement, QIMR Berghofer said the Lander Review, expected to report by mid-2022, would examine whether the institute could have done more to prevent misconduct, or whether it should take further steps now.
The surge workforce employed by the Morrison government to deliver COVID-19 booster vaccines in aged care centres across Australia slowed its work dramatically over the Christmas break, just as the Omicron variant of the virus was gathering speed inside homes.

By Tuesday, government figures showed that 1700 out of 2700 federally funded aged care services around the country had been visited by medical firms employed by Canberra to provide a third dose of a coronavirus vaccine.

It was an increase of just under 200 on the number of homes reached before Christmas.

An email from an employee at Aspen, one of several firms employed by the government to visit homes, confirmed it was not working between Christmas and the start of January as staff needed a break and some aged care homes had requested the pause.
Lawrenceville, VA (23868)

Today

Partial cloudiness early, with scattered showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. High 87F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%..

Tonight

Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Low 66F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 70%.
Bryan, OH (43506)

Today

Rain early with thunderstorms developing in the afternoon. High 61F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall may reach one inch..

Tonight

Thunderstorms in the evening will give way to cloudy skies overnight. Low 46F. Winds N at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 70%.
Fractal, a global provider of and advanced analytics announced the of Neal Analytics, a cloud, data engineering and AI Microsoft Gold consulting partner, for an undisclosed amount.

Neal Analytics strengthens Fractals AI engineering capabilities & cloud-first offerings on Microsofts multi cloud ecosystems and enables clients to scale AI and power decisions; it also strengthens Fractals presence in the Pacific Northwest, Canada, and India.

Founded in 2011, Neal Analytics is a Microsoft Gold Consulting Partner supporting its cross-industry clients, such as PepsiCo and Microsoft, in their data-driven transformation initiatives. Neal Analyticss over 200 team brings deep expertise on the Azure stack - across data science, AI & ML, IoT, Edge Computing, BI, application development, migration and modernization, and automation.

Srikanth Velamakanni, Co-founder and Group Chief Executive, Fractal, said, We are excited about partnering with Dylan and his talented team at Neal Analytics. They have built a great client-centric, people-oriented culture, and have an impressive track record of solving and scaling AI engineering challenges, especially on the Microsoft platform, for marquee clients. This partnership will accelerate our ability to power data-driven decisions end-to-end for our Fortune 500 sized clients.

Dylan Dias, CEO, Neal Analytics, said, This is the successful culmination of a thorough, year-long process. Our goals were to find the best long-term home for Neals 200 employees, a platform to scale faster, and the ability to play a bigger role in this fast-accelerating space. Fractal was a clear choice.

Last week PE player TPG had invested $360 million (around Rs 2,700 crore) in Fractal.
Punjab-based start-up Lahori has raised USD 15 million from Belgium-based consumer-focused investor Verlinvest for a minority stake.

Lahori co-founder and Chief Executive Saurabh Munjal said the company will use the fund to double down on growth through offline and online expansion as well as to expand its retail presence apart from the development of new category-creating products.

Verlinvest is a leading global, family-owned evergreen investment group with multi-billion dollar assets under management backed by families who have together built one of the world's largest consumer beverage businesses.

Verlinvest has invested in several beverage firms globally, backing billion-dollar brands such as Oatly, Vita Coco, Hint water, among others. It also counts brands such Sula, Veeba, Epigamia, Byju's, Purplle and Wakefit among its India portfolio.

Shagun Tiwary Shah of Verlinvest said among all the beverage the country has ever seen, Lahori stood out for its taste, product innovation and customer pull. "We are excited to work with them on their next leg of growth."



The non-alcoholic beverage industry is expected to exceed USD 18 billion by 2026. The market remains underpenetrated with low per-capita consumption at about 5.5 litres per annum.

(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 scramble is underway among candidates for the Secretary of the State's office because incumbent Denise Merrill, who has been at the forefront of expanding voting access in Connecticut, is not seeking a fourth term. (Mark Mirko/The Hartford Courant)

HARTFORD  With an open seat for the first time in 12 years, at least nine candidates are running to become Connecticuts next Secretary of the State.

When three-term incumbent Denise Merrill announced that she was not seeking reelection, the scramble began on both sides of the political aisle because openings for statewide constitutional offices are relatively rare. A total of seven Democrats and two Republicans are interested in running for the job.

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The candidates are already raising money, with state Sen. Matt Lesser of Middletown collecting about $41,000 as of the December 31 deadline and state Rep. Hilda Santiago, a Meriden Democrat, with about $40,000. They are followed by Maritza Bond, New Havens health director, who has raised more than $35,000. State Rep. Josh Elliott, one of the longtime leaders of the House Democrats liberal caucus, has raised $21,000.

Im still testing the waters,' Lesser said Monday in an interview. Im exploring. I have a job that I love, but this is a really important position and the office itself is really important. Ultimately, its going to be what the state party and what the different Democratic town committees are looking for. We need to put together a ticket, and there are a lot of things under consideration.'

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Like other candidates, Santiago is working to raise enough money to qualify for public funding in the statewide race. So far, 406 contributors have given money to her campaign.

Santiago, assistant deputy Speaker Pro Tempore in the state House of Representatives, is the highest-ranking Latina in the state. Her campaign platform calls for protecting voting rights and making voting easier and more convenient.

Elliott says the multiple candidates from the legislature will gauge their support among about 2,000 statewide Democratic delegates by May and then potentially pivot to decide whether to run again for their legislative seats.

We should be making voting easier, and people want voting to be easier,' Elliott said.

As a non-legislator with a career in public health, Bond is promoting her background for the job as the states chief elections official. The past three secretaries of the state over the past 27 years  Democrats Miles Rapoport, Susan Bysiewicz, and Merrill  were all well-known, veteran leaders in the state House of Representatives who knew delegates to the Democratic state party convention and were well-versed in the state legislation concerning voting.

Bond says she considers her outsider status as an advantage.

I am not a career politician, and I think that is my greatest strength,' Bond said. I am a problem-solver, a good listener, and a hard worker, and given the opportunity, I will show the residents of this state what a people-first approach to government can look like.

Bond added, From the beginning, this exploratory campaign has been about building a grassroots coalition of people ready to challenge the status quo and buck traditional thinking. During my time working in public health, Ive seen government work for people and I have seen it fail. And when I speak with residents of this state about the stagnation surrounding early voting, no-excuse absentee ballots, and more, I see an opportunity to bring to this office what I have brought to New Haven and Bridgeport as the director of public health  an approach to government that prioritizes listening to the people it serves and giving a voice to those too often ignored.'

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Through the years, the job has been a launching pad for much bigger political careers. Those who have held the Secretary of the State position include Gov. Ella Grasso, longtime U.S. Rep. Barbara B. Kennelly of Hartford, and Bysiewicz, the current lieutenant governor. The position is a four-year term that pays $110,000 annually.

On the Republican side, two candidates have pulled ahead in the fundraising race. Former candidate Dominic A. Rapini and political operative Brock L. Weber have created candidate committees last year that show they are beyond the exploratory stage. Rapini lost by a 3-to-1 margin in a Republican primary for the U.S. Senate to Matthew Corey, a successful business owner whose enterprises include high-rise window washing. The Republican convention will be at Foxwoods Resort Casino in early May, and a potential primary would be in August.

Weber has raised more than all of the candidates from either party at more than $52,000, while Rapini has raised more than $47,000.

State Republican chairman Ben Proto said the office has become more high profile with issues including voting and absentee ballots that have become prominent during the continuing coronavirus pandemic.

Election integrity, election results, how we vote, where we vote, and when we vote are all going to be a big topic of conversation, and so I think the secretary of the states race will take on more meaning that it has in the past,' Proto said. That race is going to be tremendously important, very visible, and one that is going to garner a lot of attention' during the conventions, primaries and general election.

On the ballot, the secretary of the state is listed after the state legislative races for House and Senate.

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Among the large contingent considering the race are state Rep. Stephanie Thomas of Norwalk, Darryl Brackeen of the New Haven board of alders, and Westport resident Rob Simmelkjaer, who serves as chairman of the Connecticut Lottery Corp. All are Democrats. Glastonbury resident Harold S. Harris, a longtime engineer at Pratt & Whitney, is seeking to run as a Libertarian.

Two of the biggest issues facing the office include early voting and no-excuse absentee ballot voting that have generated extensive debate at the state Capitol.

Connecticut voters will head to the polls this November on a state constitutional amendment to allow early, in-person voting that would allow the state to join more than 40 other states that already have similar provisions. Proponents pushing for the bipartisan bill said that Connecticut is behind the times when compared to most other states and needs to make better provisions for voters headed to the polls.

Separately, the state legislature is expected to vote again on a constitutional amendment on no-excuse absentee ballots in order to place the amendment on the ballot for the general public in November 2024.

Christopher Keating can be reached at ckeating@courant.com
Mumbai-based DB Ltd has sought shareholders' approval for its proposal to raise Rs 563 crore by issuing warrants to promoters and investors.

In a regulatory filing, the company informed that an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) has been called on February 2 to consider this proposal.

The Board of Directors, in its meeting held on January 4, approved the proposal for raising funds by way of issuance and allotment of warrants up to 13.05 crore.

The warrants are convertible into an equal number of equity shares on a preferential basis to members of promoters/ promoter groups and non-promoter investors.

As per the EGM notice to the shareholders, the price of each equity warrant is Rs 43.15, which will be converted into one equity share of Rs 10 each at a premium of Rs 33.15.

The company proposes to raise up to Rs 563.10 crore through the issue of warrants. The amount will be used to reduce debt, fund its various projects, meet working capital requirements, strengthen the financial position and for general corporate purposes.

Out of the total warrants, the company proposes to issue 4,87,50,000 warrants each to Goenka Family Trust and SB Fortune Realty, both part of the promoters group.

It also proposes to issue 3.3 crore warrants to Pinnacle Investments.

Razack Family Trust holds 60 per cent and Venkata Narayana Konanki 40 per cent in partnership firm Pinnacle Investments, the notice said.

The partnership firm is represented through its managing partner - Razack Family Trust through its Trustee Irfan Razack, it added.

Irfan Razack is the chairman of Bengaluru-based firm Prestige Estates Projects Ltd.

Prestige Group and DB have tied up to develop a few projects in Delhi-NCR and Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) markets.

(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-based DMI Finance Private Ltd (DMI Finance) has raised $47 million (Rs 352 crore) in from Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank Ltd and others to support business growth plans.

DMI Finance, lender since 2009, is the non-banking financial company of the DMI Group. The equity raised by DMI Finance takes its total equity base to $ 500 million. SuMi TRUST Bank joins existing investors in DMI Finance, including New Investment Solutions and NXC Corporation.

DMI, in a statement, said it has a full-stack digital lending and loan life cycle management platform. And has a pan-India customer base of over 6 million which is expected to grow at least 10% month-on-month through 2022. DMI has lending partnerships with over 25 businesses, including category-defining partnerships with Samsung and Reliance Retail. Its products include personal loans, lines of credit, BNPL, OEM financing, and MSME loans.

SuMi Trust Bank is Japan's largest trust bank with JPY 224 trillion ($1.95 trillion) of custody assets and JPY 87 trillion ($760 billion) of assets under management. SuMi TRUST Bank provides a wide range of services concerning commercial bank business, asset management and administration, and disposal of assets, with trustee business.
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IppoPay, a neo-bank for Bharat offering all banking services under one umbrella, announced a fund raise of $2.1 million in seed from Coinbase Ventures, Better Capital, Blume Founders Fund, and a number of angel investors.

Founded in November 2020, the IppoPay platform has enabled 50,000 offline merchants and daily income earners in Indian Tier-2, Tier-3, and rural markets to increase their revenues through the acceptance of payments online. IppoPay instantly provides its merchants with business bank accounts, debit cards, and an end-to-end payments stack, said the company in a statement.

This new round will be used to further strengthen IppoPays technology stack, including its payments engine, as well as power the companys growth into new regions and market segments, such as small-to-medium-sized businesses. The company is also launching BNPL, a (technology/platform/feature) that will equip offline retailers to offer their customers easy access to credit at the point of sale.

Our goal is to help offline merchants increase their sales and profits 10x while reducing friction in the customer experience, said IppoPay CEO, Mohan K.

I am excited to see Coinbase Ventures and Blume Ventures join us on the IppoPay journey as the company defines the financial digitisation roadmap for millions of small businesses in Tier-2 to Tier-4 India with a suite of products for payment, payouts, BNPL, and more. We invested in this vision very early and have been fortunate to witness the Ippopay team deliver with a deep sense of purpose, said Vaibhav Domkundwar of Better Capital.

Our thesis when it comes to the payments and credit space is that to be successful, must have a keen interest in solutions that are concentrated on specific areas, said Sarita Raichura, Blume Founders Fund. We met Mohan and Jaikumar multiple times and loved the hustle--in a short period, they managed to achieve tremendous progress--from partnerships with banks to gaining traction in hinterland India."
has dismissed SpiceJet's appeal against a single-judge bench order for its winding up due to non-payment of $24 million to SR Technics- a maintenance and repair company.

The winding-up process allows the liquidator to sell off stocks, pay off the creditors, and distribute the assets to partners and shareholders.

Rejecting the appeal, a division bench of Justice Paresh Upadhyay and Justice Sathi Kumar Sukumara Kurup suspended the order till January 28 to enable the airline to move a further appeal before the Supreme Court.

An airline spokesperson refused to comment on the topic, but a person aware of the matter said that the company will appeal against the order in the Supreme Court.

The judgement goes against the basic precedent that you cannot wind up a company if it has unpaid debt. Beside SpiceJets other contentions have not been considered, the source said.

The high court on December 6 ordered the winding up of the airline on a petition filed by Credit Suisse-to whom SR Technics had given the right to collect all payments. The court also directed an official liquidator to take over the assets of the airline. The order was subsequently stayed for three weeks following a plea by the airline and on the condition that it deposits $5 million with the court within two weeks.

appealed against the order saying that the company after entering into an agreement with the SR Technicsfor a period of 10 years in 2011, midway, it discovered that the aircraft maintenance company did not have a valid authorisation from the Director General of Civil Aviation between January 1, 2009 and May 18, 2015.
Singapore Airlines is aiming to raise $500 million to $750 million in a U.S. dollar bond deal, according to two sources with direct knowledge of the matter.

The sources could not be named as the information was not yet made public.



Singapore Airlines did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The airline has mandated banks to work on the transaction and will start briefings with investors about the deal on Tuesday, a term sheet seen by Reuters showed.

Citigroup Inc and DBS are leading the transaction, with BNP Paribas and Standard Chartered as book runners, the term sheet showed.

The deal is classified as Reg S, which means the bonds can only be purchased by investors outside of the United States.

(Reporting by Scott Murdoch in Sydney and Anshuman Daga in Singapore; Editing by Tom Hogue, Muralikumar Anantharaman and Ana Nicolaci da Costa)

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Waste management-focused startup Recykal on Tuesday announced a USD 22 million (around Rs 162.58 crore) fund raise led by India.

Existing investors Circulate Capital, Vellayan Subbiah, and Arun Venkatachalam from the Murugappa family also participated in the fund raising, which will be deployed for expansion of services pan-India, hiring talent and building hyper-local waste processing infrastructure.

The Hyderabad-based company serves the over USD 100 billion per year, highly fragmented and otherwise informal industry with solutions including a B2B platform which connects sellers and buyers, and also helps plastic generating like Cola giants meet the extended producer responsibility compliance norms.

"We researched for three years before launching the company. We have a network across the country now and have been growing at a pace of over three times now," its founder and chief executive Abhay Deshpande told PTI.

The serial entrepreneur said Recykal had a revenue of Rs 1.8 crore in FY19, which is likely to touch Rs 220 crore in FY22. He also made it clear that though the company has a social impact, the team wants to pitch itself as a commercial venture and not as a social impact venture.

" in India and many other parts of the world is already a big problem and it is getting worse. We believe our investment will allow Recykal to play a leadership role in implementing scalable and sustainable solutions to one of society's biggest challenges," said Raja Parthasarathy, managing director and co-head of India Infrastructure.

will get board representation on the company, Deshpande said, without disclosing the exact stake to be held or Recykal's valuations.

(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.)
Active cases surged to 16,496 with on Tuesday logging 1,920 new COVID-19 cases, taking the tally to 6, 97,775, while the death toll rose to 4,045 with two more fatalities.

The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) accounted for the most number of fresh cases with 1,015, followed by Medchal Malkajgiri (209) district, the bulletin said, providing details as of 5.30 PM today.

The state had reported 1,825 fresh infections yesterday.

It said 417 people recovered from the infection on Tuesday. The cumulative number of recoveries till date was 6,77,234.

The number of active cases surged to 16,496, the bulletin said.

It said over 83,000 samples were tested today and the total number examined till date was over 3.02 crore.

(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 government on Monday imposed a night curfew from 11 pm to 5 am to check the rise in COVID-19 cases in the state.

The decision was taken following the review meeting held by Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy with the officials of the health department on the COVID-19 situation.

Theatres, multiplexes and cinema halls will be operational with 50 per cent occupancy or alternate seating arrangements.

The government has also imposed restrictions on public gatherings, allowing 200 people outdoor and 100 inside the auditorium.

Wearing of masks is mandatory at public places and penalty of Rs 100 will be levied for the violation.

Religious places in the state should follow COVID-19 appropriate behaviour and wearing of a mask is compulsory inside the premises.

Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) must be conducted for urgent testing. One COVID-19 care center will be set up in each segment.

(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 on Monday said that due to lack of proper procurement mechanism and committed efforts, majority of the paddy produced in the state is procured by middlemen depriving the of fair price.

He said that the state government, in a bid to remove the middlemen system, has therefore decided to bring an end to such a situation so that could be economically benefited.

In a bid to sensitise the on the paddy procurement drive and to expedite the process, the government would organise special 'Gaon Sabhas' across the state on January 16, he announced this while interacting with Deputy Commissioners, Circle Officers of the districts, agricultural officers through video conference from Janata Bhawan, the state government headquarters.

The Chief Minister said that due to dedicated efforts of the state government, Central and various other government agencies including Food Corporation of India, 10 lakh MT of paddy would be procured from farmers at minimum support price of Rs 1,940 per quintal.

He said that the state government has geared up to carry out the paddy procurement in a mission mode and has notified 194 paddy procurement centres in the state, out of which 166 have been already opened.

He also informed that realisation of the target of procurement would greatly benefit the farmers apart from infusing over Rs 2,000 crore into the state economy.

The Chief Minister directed formation of a standing committee with Principal Secretaries of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Agriculture, and Revenue Departments to guide the DCs and other officers and to sort out all issues relating to paddy procurement.

Underlining the need for massive awareness among farmers for the success of the initiative, the Chief Minister also urged the MPs and MLAs to take active part in the 'Gaon Sabhas' to turn the procurement drive into a major success.

While Food and And Civil Supplies Minister Ranjeet Kumar Dass and Revenue Minister Jogen Mohan were present along with others at Janata Bhawan, Agriculture Minister Atul Bora joined the video conference from Golaghat.

--IANS

sc/vd

(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.)
SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia on Tuesday accused Chief Minister and Deputy CM Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa of hatching a conspiracy against him and dubbed registration of case against him as political vendetta.

Majithia on Tuesday made a public appearance for the first time since filing of a case against him in December as he paid obeisance at a gurdwara in Panchkula.

The and Haryana High Court had on Monday granted him an anticipatory bail in the NDPS case filed against him.

He was also directed to join the investigation with the police on Wednesday.

The former minister has been asked not to leave the country till the next date of hearing.

Addressing the media here, Majithia alleged that several police officers were coerced, threatened, and lured with promotion to register the FIR against him.

One officer told me that they were offered money for registering a case against me, claimed Majithia.

Majithia said Punjab getting three director generals of police changed in four months was something that was never heard of before in the state.

Everything under the sun which the government could do, it did, he said.

There were officers who stood by the truth despite the fact that the government tried everything, he said.

I have always submitted myself to the law and like a law abiding citizen. I have always followed the due process, he said.

Truth always prevails. It is not easy to fight the government when there are mala fide intentions. Though some officers recused themselves, in every meeting, Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa hatched every type of conspiracy against me, he said.

My stand is absolutely the same and very clear that it is settling political scores. It is vendetta politics. This is keeping all laws on one side to save their chair. You have seen the state of affairs in the Congress, said Majithia.

He said he will join the investigation on Wednesday.

On the lookout notice issued earlier against him, Majithia said it was all drama and asserted he never went anywhere. Applying for anticipatory bail is everybody's right, he also added.

Commenting on the voices within the party suggesting he should contest against Punjab Congress chief Navjot Singh Sidhu from Amritsar East seat, Majithia said he will abide by whatever the party says.

Asked if he is ready to fight against Sidhu, he said he will respond when the time comes.

He said leaders from rival Congress, BJP and AAP called his family members and termed the case against him unjustified.

Majithia was spotted wearing a yellow turban and jeans at the Nada Sahib gurdwara about 20 km from here.

When I paid obeisance at Nada Sahib gurdwara, many elderly men and women hugged me out of sheer love. I am speechless, I cannot say how much love I have got from people, he said.

The 46-year-old Akali leader was booked December 20 last year under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act on the basis of a 2018 report of a probe into the drug racket in Punjab.

The report was filed by anti-drug special task force (STF) chief Harpreet Singh Sidhu in the Punjab and Haryana High Court in 2018.

Despite police conducting raids, Majithia could not be arrested.

Majithia is the brother-in-law of Sukhbir Singh Badal and the 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.)
The northern Chinese city of Tianjin said its latest outbreak had reached a total of 40 confirmed cases by Tuesday morning, as it battles the highly contagious variant that has already been detected in at least two other provinces.



After 10 new confirmed infections on Monday, health officials in Tianjin, a city of 14 million people around 100 km (62 miles) from Beijing, are implementing tough new controls to stop the from spreading further. The outbreak in the city has been linked to cases in the city of Anyang in the central Chinese province of Henan.



The country's surge comes just weeks before the Lunar New Year, a peak travel period for millions, and cities across are already advising people to stay put, especially as Beijing prepares to host the Winter Olympics at the start of next month.



has already ordered the cancellation of more than two dozen scheduled flights from the United States after numerous passengers tested positive for Covid-19 when they arrived in .



"Facing directly, we found the speed of transmission was really quite fast," said Zhang Ying, an official with Tianjin's disease control centre, speaking in an interview aired on state television late on Monday.



"Whether it is in terms of virus origin tracing or epidemiological investigations, the Omicron variant has brought along unprecedentedly massive challenges and difficulties," she said.



Tianjin confirmed its first two locally transmitted cases of Omicron at the weekend, and Zhang said 20 infected people were discovered in the first 24 hours.



The city has imposed travel restrictions and launched a mass testing programme to help prevent the variant from spreading.

China reported 192 new confirmed nationwide cases for Jan. 10, up from 157 a day earlier. Of the total, 110 were locally transmitted, up from 97 a day earlier.



There were 87 cases in highly populated Henan province, according to a statement by the National Health Commission.



The provincial capital of Zhengzhou has already shut non-essential public facilities like beauty salons and banned dining in restaurants, and it has also stopped taxis and ride-hailing platforms from operating in some quarantined areas, local officials told a briefing on Tuesday.



Henan's Anyang confirmed on Monday that two of its new cases over the past few days were part of the same Omicron transmission chain as Tianjin. It is unclear how many of the other cases in Henan are Omicron-related.



A separate Omicron infection was reported on Monday in the city of Wuxi in Jiangsu province, about 120 km (75 miles) from Shanghai on China's eastern coast. The patient had travelled from Australia to Shanghai on Jan. 5 before transferring to Wuxi.



China also reported 50 new asymptomatic cases on Monday, which it classifies separately from confirmed cases, up from 42.

There were no new deaths, leaving the death toll at 4,636.



As of Jan. 10, mainland China had 103,968 confirmed cases.



(Reporting by Roxanne Liu, Stella Qiu, Ella Cao and David Stanway; Editing by Tom Hogue, Kenneth Maxwell and Christian Schmollinger)



(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya interacted with specialist doctors from across the country to discuss the COVID-19 situation virtually on Tuesday and listened to their suggestions.

"Discussed with 120 expert doctors from across the country regarding the current COVID-19 situation through VC. Listened to their suggestions and gave related instructions.

"I believe that we all will work together to fight against Corona," he said in a tweet in Hindi.

India on Tuesday reported 1,68,063 fresh COVID -19 infections.

The massive single-day hike took the the total tally of COVID-19 cases to 3,58,75,790, while the active cases increased to 8,21,446 -- the highest in around 208 day according to the Union data.

Mandaviya on Monday had virtually interacted with state health ministers, top bureaucrats, and information commissioners of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Goa, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu to review the public health preparedness to contain the spread of COVID-19 and progress of national vaccination 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.)
The number of active COVID-19 cases in breached the 1-lakh mark on Tuesday as 21,098 more people tested positive for the infection, 1,812 more than the previous day, taking the state's caseload to 17,95,430, a health bulletin said.

Nineteen fresh fatalities pushed the death toll to 19,936, with Kolkata reporting six of the mortalities.

The eastern metropolis registered 6,565 infections, 1,009 more than the previous day, while its neighbouring North 24 Parganas recorded 4,016 cases, it said, adding that the positivity rate improved to 32.35 per cent.

The state now has 1,02,236 active cases as 13,042 were added to the previous day's count. A total of 8,037 patients recovered from the disease in the last 24 hours.

The administration has thus far tested over 2,19,91,090 samples for COVID-19, including 65,210 in the last 24 hours.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
India on Tuesday reported a net increase of 97,827 in active cases to take its count to 821,446. Indias share of global active cases now stands at 1.83 per cent (one in 55). The country is sixth among the most affected countries by active cases. On Monday, it added 168,063 cases to take its total caseload to 35,875,790 from 35,707,727  an increase of 0.47%. And, with 277 new fatalities, its Covid-19 reached 484,213, or 1.35 per cent of total confirmed infections.

With 9,207,700 more Covid-19 vaccine doses being administered on Monday, Indias total count of vaccine shots so far reached 1,528,970,294. The count of recovered cases across India, meanwhile, reached 34,570,131  or 96.36 per cent of total caseload  with 69,959 new cured cases being reported on Tuesday.

Now the sixth-most-affected country by active cases, third by deaths, second by total cases and recoveries, India has added 915,529 cases in the past 7 days.

India now accounts for 1.83% of all active cases globally (one in every 55 active cases), and 8.78% of all deaths (one in every 11 deaths).

India has so far administered 1,528,970,294 vaccine doses. That is 4261.84 per cent of its total caseload, and 109.3 per cent of its population.

Among Indian states, the top 5 in terms of number of vaccine shots administered are Uttar Pradesh (210034190), Maharashtra (140275382), West Bengal (110487692), Madhya Pradesh (106234909), and Bihar (102732578).

Among states with more than 10 million population, the top 5 in number of vaccine shots per one million population are Delhi (1490784), Gujarat (1485931), Jammu and Kashmir (1438896), Kerala (1410027), and Uttarakhand (1370391).

Backwards from here, the last 1 million cases for India have come in 10 days.

The count of active cases across India on Tuesday saw a net increase of 97,827, compared with 133,008 on Monday. States and UTs hat have seen the biggest daily net increase in active cases are Tamil Nadu (11432), West Bengal (11083), Karnataka (10546), Uttar Pradesh (7972), and Rajasthan (5621).

With 69,959 new daily recoveries, Indias recovery rate stands at 96.36%, while fatality rate remained unchanged at 1.35%.

The Indian states and UTs with the worst case fatality rates at present are Punjab (2.67%), Nagaland (2.18%), and Uttarakhand (2.11%). The rate in as many as 13 is higher than the national average.

Indias new daily closed cases stand at 70,236  277 deaths and 69,959 recoveries. The share of deaths in total closed cases stands at 0.36%.

Indias 5-day moving average of daily rate of addition to total cases stands at 0.4%.

Indias doubling time for total cases stands at 147.6 days, and for deaths at 1211.3 days.

Overall, five states with the biggest 24-hour jump in total cases are Maharashtra (33470), West Bengal (19286), Delhi (19166), Tamil Nadu (13990), and Karnataka (11698).

India on Monday conducted 1,579,928 to take the total count of tests conducted so far in the country to 693,155,280. The test positivity rate recorded was 10.6%.

Five states with the highest test positivity rate (TPR)  percentage of tested people turning out to be positive for Covid-19 infection (by cumulative data for tests and cases  are Dadra & Nagar Haveli-Daman & Diu (14.78%), Kerala (12.62%), Sikkim (11.38%), Goa (11.05%), and Maharashtra (9.63%).

Five states with the highest TPR by daily numbers for tests and cases added  are West Bengal (12.86%), Goa (9.11%), Maharashtra (8.53%), Chandigarh (6.8%), and Delhi (4.88%).

Among states and UTs with more than 10 million population, five that have carried out the highest number of tests (per million population) are Delhi (1758614), J&K (1432378), Kerala (1165621), Punjab (1085588), and Karnataka (842267).

The five most affected states by total cases are Maharashtra (6953514), Kerala (5291339), Karnataka (3063656), Tamil Nadu (2814276), and Andhra Pradesh (2082843).

Maharashtra, the most affected state overall, has reported 44388 new cases to take its tally to 6953514.

Kerala, the second-most-affected state by total tally, has added 6238 cases to take its tally to 5291339.

Karnataka, the third-most-affected state, has reported 12000 cases to take its tally to 3063656.

Tamil Nadu has added 13990 cases to take its tally to 2814276.

Andhra Pradesh has seen its tally going up by 984 to 2082843.

West Bengal has added 19286 cases to take its tally to 1774332.

Uttar Pradesh has added 8311 cases to take its tally to 1745861.

Delhi has added 19166 cases to take its tally to 1568896.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who tested positive for COVID-19, is recovering well, a government spokesperson said on Tuesday.

A Bharat Bhushan Babu, the principal spokesperson of the Defence Ministry, said a team of doctors from the Army's Research and Referral (R&R) Hospital examined Singh.

"A team of doctors from Army Hospital (R&R), Delhi Cantt examined Raksha Mantri Shri @rajnathsingh who had tested COVID positive, yesterday. He is recovering well," Babu tweeted.

Singh on Monday said on Twitter that he tested positive for COVID-19 and was under home quarantine.

"I have tested positive for Corona today with mild symptoms. I am under home quarantine. I request everyone who have recently come in my contact to isolate themselves and get tested," he said.

Minister of State for Defence Ajay Bhatt also said that he tested positive for COVID-19.

(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's air quality was 'satisfactory' Wednesday morning but it still ranked among the worlds most polluted cities as the gain from a couple of days of rains appear waning.

The citys Air Quality Index (AQI) was at 93 at 8 am, according to the Ministry of Earth Sciences' air quality forecast agency SAFAR. Readings below 50 are considered safe, 51 and 100 is 'satisfactory' and anything above 300 is considered hazardous or 'severe'.

SAFAR, on Sunday, predicted that low wind speed would affect Delhi's air quality. AQI is likely to be Satisfactory tomorrow (Monday) and then degrade to Moderate on January 11 and January 12 due to low wind speeds, SAFAR said.

Delhi on Saturday recorded its highest rainfall in a day for January in 22 years, yielding the city's best air quality in over two months. The last time Delhi's air was in this category was on October 25 last year.

Delhi was this morning the world's third most polluted city in the world with an AQI of 177, according to iQair.com. Meanwhile, Kolkata stood at the fourth spot in the website's list of the world's ten most polluted cities with an AQI of 172.

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.

India is failing in efforts to improve its toxic air quality, with the number of smog-plagued cities increasing since the launch of a national program to tackle the issue, Bloomberg reported Tuesday.

A total of 132 cities now have pollution levels deemed below national standards, from 102 cities when the National Clean Air Programme began in 2019, according to a report by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air.
Delhi BJP leaders and workers staged protests at 300 locations across the city, even as COVID infections kept rising in the national capital.

The Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) has imposed a ban on various kinds of gatherings including political ones due to a fresh wave of COVID infections.

"The state BJP president Adesh Gupta and scores of party workers today staged a massive protest across 300 places in the city against new excise policy of Kejriwal government," said a Delhi BJP statement.

Leading the protesters at New Delhi Railway Station, Gupta slammed Kejriwal government for its new excise policy, claiming the liquor shops being opened in residential areas will have an adverse effect on safety of women and children.

The protests were also attended by Leader of Opposition in Delhi Assembly Ramvir Singh Bidhuri at Kotla Mubarakpur chowk, former Delhi BJP president Satish Upadhyaya at Safdurjung market, and state vice president Rajan Tiwari at the Rajinder Nagar Metro Station.

MLAs Anil Bajpayee and Ajay Mahavaar protested at Seelampur and Sonia Vihar metro stations, while state mahila morcha president Yogita Singh staged a demonstration at Sudershan Park, the statement said.

"The party leaders and workers were trying to save Delhi from becoming a hub of addiction even by risking their lives and protesting against Kejriwal government's Excise policy," Delhi BJP media cell head Navin Kumar, who was present at the protest at New Delhi Railway Station, said



Kumar claimed that the workers were instructed beforehand to wear masks and follow social distancing during the protest.

Delhi has since Monday lost 23 people to COVID-19 and logged 21,259 fresh cases with a positivity rate of 25.65 per cent, as per a Health bulletin of Delhi government.

(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 Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully flight-tested the final deliverable configuration of an indigenous Man Portable Antitank Guided Missile (MPATGM) on Tuesday.

The anti-tank missile is a lightweight, fire-and-forget missile, which is launched from a man portable launcher, integrated with a thermal sight that allows it to be used in low-visibility conditions, even in complete darkness.

It was launched by a two-man crew at a target that was mimicking a moving tank.

The missile impacted the designated target and destroyed it. The final impact event was captured on camera and the test has validated the minimum range successfully, stated the in a press release.

The MPATGM will now be built in large numbers in India, eliminating the need to import large numbers of Spike ATGMs from Israel, or Javelin ATGMs from the US, which was the earlier plan.

Unusually, the test was carried out to validate whether the MPATGM is effective against tank targets at the lower end of its range spectrum, which is 200-300 metres. The MPATGM has already proven in earlier tests its ability to strike targets at its maximum range of 4,000 metres.

Seldom on a battlefield does an infantryman have occasion to fire a missile at a tank from as close as 200-300 metres. Usually, the infantryman would take advantage of the MPATGMs 4,000 metre range and destroy the tank from afar, before the tanks main gun  with a range of 2,000-2,500 metres  could accurately shoot at him.

The argued that ATGMs require about 400-500 metres of flight in order to stabilise and deploy their guidance mechanisms. However, the Army insisted on the MPATGM being effective and accurate at 200-300 metres.

The present test was to prove the consistent performance for the minimum range The missile performance has (already) been proven for the maximum range in earlier test trials, stated the release.

On February 7, 2018, the MoD told Parliament that on account of indigenous development of 3rd Generation MPATGM system by DRDO, the plan to build the Spike missile in India (321 launchers, 8,356 missiles) was scrapped on December 20, 2017.

The MoD had sanctioned the development of the MPATGM on January 27, 2015, and its probable date of completion (PDC) was put at July 26, 2018. The project was allocated a budget of Rs 73.46 crore.

The MoDs first import embargo list of 101 items prohibits the import of short range surface to surface missiles from December 2020 onwards.
Gujarat reported 7,476 new COVID-19 cases on Tuesday, crossing the 7,000-mark for the first time in nearly eight months, raising its overall tally to 8,75,777, while three more patients succumbed to the infection in the state, the health department said.

Gujarat had last reported more than 7,000 cases in a day at 7,135 on May 17 last year. On Monday, the state had recorded 6,097 COVID-19 cases and two deaths. Three more patients died - one each in Valsad, Surat and Porbandar - raising the number of COVID-19 fatalities in the state to 10,133, said the department in a release.



Only 2,704 patients recovered during the day, pushing the number of discharged cases to 8,28,406, the release said. With this, the number of active cases in the state has increased further to 37,238. Ahmedabad city alone reported 2,861 new cases, while Surat accounted for 1,988 cases. District-wise, Ahmedabad (2,903), Surat (2,124), Vadodara (606), and Rajkot (319) accounted for nearly 80 per cent of the total cases in the last 24 hours, the department said.



Among other districts, Valsad reported 189 new cases, Bhavnagar 152, and Gandhinagar 182. The health department did not provide the case positivity rate recorded in the state. A total of 3.30 lakh people were vaccinated against COVID-19 on Tuesday, out of which 1.29 lakh citizens received their 'precaution dose,' taking the number of vaccine shots administered so far in Gujarat to 9.38 crore, the release said.As many as 29 new cases were registered in the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu, pushing the overall tally to 10,831,officials said. The number of active cases in the Union Territory rose to 147, they said. Of the total case recorded so far in the UT, 10,680 people have recovered, while four patients have died, the officials said.Gujarat's COVID-19 figures are as follows: Positive cases 8,75,777, new cases 7,476, death toll 10,133, discharged 8,28,406, active cases 37,238, people tested so far - figures not released.

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USAID-funded project helps pandemic-affected people in central region
Hampton Circuit Court jury trials and jail visitation at two area correctional facilities have been temporarily suspended after the city reported a 22% coronavirus infection rate.

The Hampton Circuit Court postponed all jury trials through Monday, while in-person visitation at the Hampton Correctional Facility and Hampton Community Corrections Center is suspended until further notice. Officials cited public health and safety concerns amid the rising number of new coronavirus cases in the region.

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Due to recent outbreaks of COVID-19 impacting local and regional jails and their staff, most, if not all, local and regional jails are on lockdown and are prohibiting or severely restricting the transportation of inmates, wrote Hampton Circuit Court Chief Judge Michael Gaten in a memorandum dated Jan. 5. Accordingly, for the same public health and safety concerns, all jury trials in the Hampton Circuit Court shall be temporarily suspended, effective immediately, with the suspension expiring on Jan. 17.

Jury trials are scheduled to resume on Tuesday.

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During this period of suspension, the court will closely monitor the situation at the jail and the situation generally as to the spread of COVID-19, Gaten said.

The court may further suspend jury trials or make other modifications.

This court recognizes that the right to a trial by jury is a constitutionally protected right that shall not be abated without proper cause, Gaten said. Consequently, this court is dedicated to working with local and regional jails to engage any further necessary policies, practices and procedures (i.e. testing of inmates just prior to court, isolation of unaffected inmates, etc.) to protect both public health and constitutional rights.

On Thursday , the Hampton Sheriffs Office announced that in-person visitation was suspended at Hampton Correctional Facility and Hampton Community Corrections Center until further notice in an effort to ensure the safety of staff and the public. Inmate video visitation at the jails will remain in place for those inmates and families enrolled in the service.

The City of Hampton has documented some of the highest numbers of citizens testing positive for COVID-19 since the start of 2020, officials said in a press release.

More than 21,500 COVID-19 cases have been reported in Hampton as of Tuesday, according to the most recent data from the Virginia Department of Health.

Caitlyn Burchett, caitlyn.burchett@virginiamedia.com
The Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday warned of an enhanced rainfall, thunderstorms activity over east and adjoining central till January 14.

"The confluence of winds from Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal at lower tropospheric levels is very likely over the east and adjoining central during next 4-5 days. Under the influence of above systems, isolated to scattered light/moderate rainfall/snowfall is very likely over Western Himalayan Region till Tuesday and there would be dry weather for subsequent 3-4 days," the bulletin said.

Scattered to fairly widespread light to moderate is very likely over Vidarbha, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal & Sikkim and Odisha till January 14; isolated to scattered is very likely to continue over Uttar Pradesh and East Madhya Pradesh during next two days and decrease thereafter, the said.

"Isolated heavy very likely over Odisha on January 11 and 13; isolated thunderstorms with lightning/hail is very likely over Vidarbha on January 13; Chhattisgarh on January 11; Jharkhand, Bihar & Gangetic West Bengal on 11; Sub-Himalayan West Bengal & Sikkim & Telangana on 12 and over Odisha on January 11 & 13."

The has also forecasted scattered to fairly widespread rainfall and snowfall very likely over Arunachal Pradesh during January 11-13 and isolated to scattered rainfall very likely over Assam & Meghalaya and Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram & Tripura on January 12 & 13.

Scattered to fairly widespread light to moderate rainfall and thundershower is very likely over Coastal Andhra Pradesh & Telangana during next 4-5 days while isolated thunderstorms with lightning/hail is also very likely over Telangana on January 12 and heavy rainfall at isolated places over Coastal Andhra Pradesh & Telangana on January 13.

The IMD also said that under the influence of cyclonic circulation over Southwest Bay of Bengal & neighbourhood at lower & mid tropospheric levels, isolated light rainfall and thundershower over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry & Karaikal and Kerala & Mahe during next 4-5 days.

Precipitation for 24 hours ending at 8:30 am on Monday:

Himachal Pradesh: Kandaghat - 8 cm; Dharampur, Solan, Paccjhad - 7 cm each; Rajgarh, Bharmaur, Khadrala, Kasauli, Sangraha, Shimla Airport, Sirmaur - 6 cm each; Arki, Naina Davi, Baldwara, Jattom Barrage, Sindernagar, Nahan - 5 cm each; Banjar, Kothi, Sarahan, Shimla, Mandi, Rampur, Karsog, Gohar, Manali - 4 cm each.

Madhya Pradesh: Pawai (Dist Panna) 6 cm, Venkatnagar (Dist Anuppur) 6 cm, Gonour (Dist Panna) 4 cm, Buxwaha (Dist Chhatarpur) 4 cm.

Uttar Pradesh: Bijnor, Moradabad - 6 cm each, Amroha - 5 cm, Nakur - 4 cm, Chitrakoot - 4 cm.

Haryana: Yamuna Nagar, Panchkula - 5 cm each, Ambala - 4 cm, Chandigarh - 3 cm.

Uttarakhand: Dehradun - 3 cm.

Isolated hailstorms had occurred over Vidarbha.

--IANS

niv/shs

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External Affairs Minister spoke to Cambodian Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn on Monday and discussed India-Association of South East Asian Nations relations (ASEAN) and the current situation in Myanmar.

"Spoke to DPM and FM Prak Sokhonn of . Discussed India ASEAN relations, Mekong-Ganga Cooperation, and the situation in Myanmar. Will work closely with in its capacity as ASEAN Chair," Jaishankar tweeted.

The External Affairs Minister's conversation with Prak Sokhonn assumes significance as Prime Minister of Hun Sen visited Myanmar on January 7, the first foreign leader to visit Myanmar since the generals seized power almost a year.

Cambodia at present holds the rotating chair of ASEAN.

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In view of alarming rise in COVID-19 cases in the city, the on Tuesday decided to increase tests in Bengaluru to 1.3 lakh daily.

Speeding up booster doses to frontline workers and authorising the district authorities to decide on shutting down or running schools if infections increase among students were among the major decisions taken by the government.

"In view of the rising COVID cases, Karnataka decided to increase tests from 1.1 lakh per day to 1.3 lakh per day or above in Bengaluru.Those in home isolation should be under observation. We should be careful till they fully recover because 95 per cent people today are under home isolation," state Home Minister Araga Jnanendra briefed reporters after a virtual meeting chaired by Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on the prevailing COVID situation in the state.

According to health officials, the state is conducting about 1.5 lakh daily tests in entire Karnataka including 1.25 lakh RT-PCR tests. However, Bengaluru alone is contributing about 80 to 90 per cent of cases daily, compelling government to come out with Bengauru specific rules, they added.

Jnanendra said the government has decided to speed up giving the booster dose to the frontline workers such as health workers and police.

Regarding school children, the home minister said the infection is increasing among children. "Cases are increasing in hostels and residential schools. So, the deputy commissioners and the local administration have been delegated powers whether to run or shut down schools," Jnanendra said.

It was also decided in the meeting that more medicines should be procured and stocked, so that there is no shortage of medicines in treating children. Further, all the hospitals at Taluk and district level should have special wards and beds for children, the minister said, adding that the education and health department officials were asked to conduct a general health checkup in schools every fortnight.

In the meeting, it was decided to decentralise markets to avoid congestion, educating people to wear masks and maintain social distancing.

The police have been directed to prevent protests and demonstrations and ensure that people do not congregate, Jnanendra said.

He added that police should not allow such events to take place.

A statement issued by the office of the Chief Minister said that instructions have been issued for monitoring the health of those home quarantined and timely distribution of health kits for them.

Bommai wanted the officials to strengthen the triaging to ascertain whether an infected person needs hospitalisation or not immediately on getting the test report, the statement read.

"It was decided to utilise the services of House Surgeons and Final Year Nursing students in the Home Isolation and Triaging process. Further 27 Covid Care Centres will be started in Bengaluru immediately," it said.

In view of Vaikuntha Ekadashi and Makara Sankranti festivals, it was decided that religious events can be allowed by strictly adhering to COVID norms, the Home Minister said.

He added that in case violation of COVID guidelines occur in temples then cases will be registered.

According to Jnanendra, a few other decisions will be taken after a virtual meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 13.

Besides Bommai and Jnanendra, Health Minister Dr K Sudhakar and Primary, Secondary Education Minister B C Nagesh and senior officials attended the virtual meeting.

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The Delhi Chief Minister on Tuesday ruled out in the city.

Speaking to reporters, CM Kejriwal said, "We are expecting that the city would report somewhere around 20,000-22,000 new COVID-19 cases in Delhi. The positivity rate has been around 24-25 per cent for the past two days. We are enforcing strict restrictions like night curfew in Delhi out of compulsion."

The Chief Minister and Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jai visited LNJP hospital to take stock of preparation to combat the spread of COVID-19 in the city.

He further said that most cases of during the third wave are showing mild symptoms unlike the second wave, which was caused by the life-taking Delta variant. Omicron variant of COVID-19 is less virulent but highly contagious, he added.

Talking about the COVID-19 patients admitted to the LNJP hospital, he said, "Out of the 136 patients, 130 came to hospital for getting treatment of other diseases and contracted the virus incidentally."

He further added, "Delhi has the capacity to set up 37,000 beds with 11,000 ICU beds."

The Delhi CM requested the Central Government representatives, who attended the DDMA meeting, to enforce restrictions in the NCR region also.

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Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya will hold a virtual meeting with all Indian Medical Association (IMA) leaders and senior across the country on COVID-19 management at 11.30 am today.

According to the health ministry, 9,84,676 precautionary doses of the COVID vaccine were administered on Monday.

"9,84,676 'Precaution doses' of COVID vaccine administered - 5,19,604 healthcare workers, 2,01,205 frontline workers, and 2,63,867 over 60 years administered additional doses on the first day of rollout (January 10)," as per the Government of India.

India has recorded 1,68,063 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare informed on Tuesday.

Compared to yesterday, the total number of fresh COVID cases is down by 11,660. India had reported 1,79,723 cases on Monday.

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Observing the difference between married and unmarried relationships, the said on Monday that gives a legal right to expect reasonable sexual relations from the partner.

Hearing a batch of pleas on marital rape, Justice C. Hari Shankar noted that there is a qualitative difference and expectation of conjugal relationship for both parties.

"We are not recognising the difference if we are saying that they are at par. When a party gets married, each has an expectation, and to an extent a right also, to expect normal sexual relationship from each other, which does not exist if there is no marriage," observed the bench also comprising Justice Rajiv Shakdher.

However, Justice Shankar also said that there is no denying the fact that marital rapes should be punished.

"There is no compromise with a woman's right to sexual and bodily integrity. A husband has no business to compel," he said.

He also said that there is no concept of in India. "If it is rape -- marital, non-marital or of any kind -- it has to be punished. Repeated use of the word, according to me, obfuscates the actual issue," he added.

Further arguments will continue on Tuesday.

Recently, the Gujarat High Court had issued notices to the state and the Centre in response to a PIL challenging the constitutional validity of .

The PIL challenged Section 375(2) of IPC which exonerates a husband from the punishment of rape for forcible physical relations with his legally wedded wife without her consent.

--IANS

jw/arm

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The Tuesday said the litigation pertaining to 126-year-old is not adversarial as this is a PIL in the sense that safety, security and health issues of the people staying around the dam are involved in the matter.

A bench headed by Justice A M Khanwilkar told the advocates appearing for the respective parties in the matter that they should assist it in identifying the core issues which needs to be addressed by the court.

was built in 1895 on the Periyar river in Idukki district of .

The bench, also comprising Justices Dinesh Maheshwari and C T Ravikumar, noted that advocates appearing in the matter have agreed to have a joint meeting to identify the core issues that need to be addressed by the top court in these proceedings.

They (advocates) have assured the court that they will articulate the issues on which there is consensus and also the issues on which there is difference of opinion and submit a note in that regard before the next date of hearing, the bench said.

When one of the lawyers raised the issue pertaining to seepage data, the bench said it has to be first decided what are the core issues that the court needs to answer in these proceedings.

The apex court said management of water level in the dam is a matter for which an expert committee has already been appointed by the court and safety of the dam is also a related issue which has to be addressed by the panel.

The bench observed that this is not an adversarial litigation.

This is a public interest litigation in the sense that safety and security and health issues are involved of the persons staying around that dam. Therefore, all of you should help us in identifying the core issues which we need to answer in the judicial side. We are not sitting here to do administration of the dam, the bench orally said.

The top court, while posting the matter for hearing in the second week of February, said the written note be submitted on or before February 4.

During the hearing, the bench de-tagged a separate plea, which pertained to the issue related to proposed construction of a reservoir at Mekedatu, from the batch of petitions related to .

The parties appearing in the plea pertaining to Mekedatu issue told the bench that it is a separate matter.

We are delinking this matter, the bench said, adding it would come up for hearing on January 25.

Earlier, the Tamil Nadu government had moved the apex court seeking to restrain Karnataka from proceeding with any activity regarding the proposed construction of a reservoir at Mekedatu across the inter-state Cauvery river.

In the Mullaperiyar dam matter, the government had earlier told the apex court that "no amount of rejuvenation" can perpetuate the dam and there is a limit to the number of years one can keep dams in service through maintenance and strengthening measures.

It had said the only permanent solution for removing the "eternal threat owing to the safety concerns" of the dam and for protecting the safety of lakhs of people living the downstream of Mullaperiyar dam is to build a new dam in the downstream reaches of the existing dam.

In an affidavit filed before the apex court, the government had urged that the proposal to fix the upper rule level of Mullaperiyar dam at 142 feet on September 20 as formulated by Tamil Nadu may be avoided.

In its response to the affidavit filed by Kerala, the state of Tamil Nadu had said that repeated assertion of Kerala and petitioners from there in the pleas filed from time-to-time seek to decommission of the existing dam and construction of a new dam, which is wholly impermissible in the light of the apex court verdict on the safety of the dam.

"The dam has been found to be hydrologically, structurally, and seismically safe, Tamil Nadu had said.

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on Tuesday imposed a partial lockdown across the Kathmandu Valley due to the recent surge in the cases, the health ministry said.

Termed as smart lockdown, the Ministry of Health and Population said that under the new guidelines gathering of more than 25 people in public places have been banned and anyone violating it will have to face strict action.

"With the instruction of the Home Ministry local authorities of Kathmandu Valley have imposed a smart lockdown in the Kathmandu Valley without directly affecting public movement and economic activities. The authorities have banned gathering of more than 25 people in public places to prevent and control the growing infection in the valley," a statement from the health ministry said.

The decision on new COVID-19 curbs were taken during a meeting of the chief district officers of all the three districts--Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur --in the Kathmandu Valley on Tuesday afternoon.

is reporting a steady surge in cases for the past few weeks, with three districts of Kathmandu Valley recording the highest number of infections.

On Tuesday, Kathmandu Valley recorded 1,286 new cases980 in Kathmandu, 221 in Lalitpur and 85 in Bhaktapur, The Kathmandu Post newspaper reported.

Nepal, like many countries across the world, has started witnessing a surge in the number of cases.

On Tuesday, confirmed 2,444 new cases of COVID-19 along with 313 recoveries and one death, according to the latest information from the health ministry.

There are currently 9,634 active cases of COVID-19 across the country. So far, 11,607 people have died of the viral infection in Nepal.

As part of the new orders, all gatherings, processions and other crowded activities have also been capped to a limited number of people.

Similarly, schools will be closed till January 29 under the smart lockdown procedures.

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There were more than 7 million new cases of the omicron variant of COVID-19 across in the first week of January, more than doubling in just two weeks, the World Health Organisation said.

director Dr Hans Kluge said at a media briefing on Tuesday that 26 countries in its region reported that more than 1% of their populations are being infected with COVID-19 each week, warning there is now a closing window of opportunity for countries to prevent their health systems from being overwhelmed.

He cited estimates from the Institute of Health Metrics at the University of Washington that projected half of the population in Western will be infected with COVID-19 in the next six to eight weeks.

Omicron moves faster and wider than any (previous) variant we have seen, he said. Kluge called for countries to mandate the use of masks indoors and to prioritize vaccination, including booster doses, of at-risk populations, including health workers and older people.

WHO's Geneva headquarters has previously pleaded with rich countries not to offer booster doses and to donate them instead to poorer countries where vulnerable groups have yet to be immunized.

Kluge said he was greatly concerned that as omicron moves east across the European continent, the variant will take a much higher toll on countries with lower vaccination coverage rates. In Denmark, he noted the hospitalisation rate was six times higher in people weren't vaccinated compared to those had been immunised.



Meanwhile, the World Health Organization (WHO) on Tuesday warned against treating Covid as an endemic illness like flu, rather than as a pandemic, saying the spread of the Omicron variant has not yet stabilised.

Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said on Monday it may be time to change how it tracks COVID-19's evolution to instead use a method similar to how it follows the flu, because its lethality has fallen. That would imply treating the virus as an "endemic illness", rather than a pandemic.

"We still have a huge amount of uncertainty and a virus that is evolving quite quickly, imposing new challenges. We are certainly not at the point where we are able to call it endemic," WHO's senior emergency officer for Europe, Catherine Smallwood, told a press briefing.

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Owners of restaurants and bars in Delhi on Tuesday expressed dismay over the DDMA's decision to suspend dine-in facilities in the city and said many businesses may have to shut shop as takeaway services alone cannot cover expenses like rent and staff salaries.

They said it is an "injustice" that restaurants and bars in the city are being closed when roadside eateries are open and Metro trains and buses are running at full capacity.

They also urged the Delhi Disaster Management Authority to review its decision.

Manpreet Singh, treasurer of the National Restaurants Association of India (NRAI), said restaurants and bars have not yet fully recovered from the setbacks of the previous lockdowns and these fresh restrictions will only worsen things.

"Nearly 30 per cent of restaurants and bars were shut for good during the previous lockdowns and these restrictions will further push the business down. It will lead to the closure of more such establishments. Let alone covering losses, takeaway services at restaurants cannot even cover the daily expenses," Singh said.

No restaurant or bar owner can afford to pay lakhs of rupees in rent, taxes and salaries of employees unless his or her business is running at full capacity, he said.

"It (latest restrictions) will make a big dent in the business of restaurants and bars. The authorities should reconsider this decision. Political parties are holding poll campaigns, highway dhabas are open, roadside eateries are also functioning but only restaurants and bars where all Covid protocols are followed are facing the axe," he lamented.

Singh also alleged that the Delhi government is not issuing passes to employees of restaurants engaged in home delivery services.

The DDMA on Monday ordered the closure of restaurants and bars in the city, allowing only delivery and takeaway services.

The restrictions came in the wake of the steep rise in cases of COVID-19 and its Omicron variant across the city.

Till Monday, restaurants were allowed to operate the dine-in facility at 50 per cent of their seating capacity from 8 am to 10 pm. Bars in the city were also permitted to open with 50 per cent seating capacity from 12 noon to 10 pm.

Raman Bajaj, who runs a restaurant and bar in south Delhi, appealed to the DDMA to reconsider the decision and said it will "ruin" the industry and result in unemployment.

Most of the restaurants and bars in Delhi follow Covid guidelines as they take care of social distancing norms, check guests' temperature and sanitise utensils, but still, they are being shut, he said.

"Many restaurants don't have the takeaway facility. Such establishments will be closed. Those providing home delivery facilities will have to cut their staff to manage expenses. Such decisions will leave many people unemployed and ruin the business," he added.

President of New Delhi Traders Association Atul Bhargava said the authorities did not consult traders before taking such a decision.

"We have taken a bad hit. All our savings have gone into running the show. We have been paying taxes, rents, salaries of our employees on time but still, our establishments are being shut," he said.

Bhargava claimed the government and authorities have failed to control crowds, and restaurants and other businesses have to bear the brunt.

"We want to survive and also support the government but there has to be a practical solution. On the one hand, you are saying hospital bed occupancy is low and on the other, you are shutting restaurants. This is injustice," he said.

Delhi on Monday logged 17 more deaths due to COVID-19 and 19,166 infections with a positivity rate of 25 per cent, the highest since May 4 last year, according to official data.

To curb the spread of the viral disease, many restrictions including odd-even arrangements for markets, night curfew and weekend curfew have been imposed in the city.

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Gov. Ralph Northam, D-Va., addresses the media the day after a photo of a person in blackface and another dressed in a Ku Klux Klan uniform were discovered on his page in his medical school yearbook. (Julia Rendleman / The Washington Post)

Who was the mystery man in blackface?

Gov. Ralph Northam told The Washington Post that he is 99% sure of the identity of the man who donned blackface in a photograph included on his medical school yearbook page  a discovery that nearly derailed his governorship in 2019.

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In a statement provided to The Virginian-Pilot and Daily Press, Northams office on Tuesday declined to name the man he believes wore blackface in the photo, which ran on Northams page in a 1984 Eastern Virginia Medical School yearbook.

But the governor told the Post in an article on Sunday that the man also attended the Norfolk medical school and has a name thats alphabetically very close to mine.

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Hes been talked to, Northam said in the recent exit interview with the Post about his four-year term. The man was also in that medical school class, he said.

The Post story did not explain how Northam is so sure of the mans identity, given that the governor maintains he wasnt in the picture himself. Northam initially apologized for appearing in the photo in a costume that is clearly racist and offensive but later said he was not in the picture.

A spokeswoman for Northam, Alena Yarmosky, declined to address the issue when reached Tuesday by The Pilot and Daily Press.

There have been two thorough investigations into this, and we have nothing more to add, she wrote in an email. As the Governor has said repeatedly, what matters most is the work that this administration has done to listen to Virginians, learn from them, and take action to address systemic racism and inequities across the board. Thats what he has been focused on throughout his administration, and that is what matters.

The scandal broke in February 2019, when a right wing website, Big League Politics, posted an image from Northams profile page from his medical school yearbook.

The photograph showed two unidentified people  a man in blackface and someone in a Ku Klux Klan hood. They were both holding beers and appeared to be at a costume party.

There are more old drunks than old doctors in this world so I think Ill have another beer, said a quote under that picture. There were three other pictures on the page  all of Northam  with Ralph Shearer Northam in gothic lettering across the top.

Many recoiled at the image.

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Blackface  in which people paint their faces with dark makeup to create caricatures of Black people  was once used in 19th century minstrel shows and is now widely seen as racist and offensive.

Northam, a Democrat and Norfolk pediatric neurologist by trade, at first said he was deeply sorry for appearing in the photograph 35 years earlier, apologizing for the decision I made to appear as I did in this photo and for the hurt that decision caused then and now.

He didnt say at the time if he was the man in blackface or the one in the KKK outfit.

But at a press conference in Richmond the next day, the governor reversed his stance, contending that neither man in the picture was him. He admitted to once wearing shoe polish for a Michael Jackson costume but said that was unrelated to the yearbook picture.

Around that time, it came out that Northam was nicknamed coonman  a possible reference to a racial slur  while an undergraduate at Virginia Military Institute.

The scandal ranked as the biggest of Northams governorship, leading to numerous calls for his resignation from both sides of the aisle. That includes from some Black Democratic politicians who had once strongly supported him.

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A photo from Gov. Ralph Northam's medical school yearbook shows two people, one in blackface and one in a Ku Klux Klan robe and hood. A half-page from the 1984 Eastern Virginia Medical School yearbook, photographed by The Virginian-Pilot on Friday, Feb. 1, 2019. (Eastern Virginia Medical School)

But Northam refused to quit, steadfastly rejecting calls to resign. He was able to keep his staff intact and focused heavily for the rest of his term on issues affecting Black voters.

He went on to resurrect his political career.

Northams rebirth, the Post story said, was driven partly by an extraordinary effort to connect with Black constituents across Virginia, a process that Northam says broke him down and built him back a better person  more aware of the ugly reality of race in America.

Northam said that he initially took responsibility for being in the yearbook pictures out of what the Post called stunned confusion and an impulse to hurry and do something  before he thought back to the time period and reversed course.

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I think people needed to hear from me, and I wish I had more time before I came out that night, Northam told the Post. If I had it to do over again, Id have tried to take a little more time.

Two investigations  by EVMS and Northams political action committee  failed to reach any conclusions on who was in the photograph.

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Most people interviewed for this story said they believe Northams claim that its not him, but the picture and its origin have never been fully explained, the Post reported.

The Post quoted anonymous sources familiar with the situation who said the person in question didnt finish medical school and didnt have his own yearbook page.

Northam told the Post he believes he knows the person wearing the Klan outfit, too. But that person wouldnt cooperate with investigators, he said.

The Post story didnt explain the reasons why Northam believes he knows the identity of that person, either. Northams spokeswoman hasnt responded to a question from The Pilot and Daily Press on how the governor arrived at that conclusion.

Peter Dujardin, 757-247-4749, pdujardin@dailypress.com
Pfizer's vaccine that specifically targets the variant of Covid-19 will be ready in March, the pharmaceutical giant's CEO Albert Bourla has said.

Bourla said is a more difficult target than the previous variants, CNBC reported.

Omicron, which has more than 30 mutations on its spike protein, can evade some of the protection provided by Pfizer's original two shots.

While it is still unclear whether or not an vaccine is needed or how it would be used, he added that the company will have some doses ready since some countries want it ready as soon as possible.

The vaccine will also target the other variants that are circulating, Bourla said adding that the US-based drug maker has already begun manufacturing.

"This vaccine will be ready in March," Bourla told CNBC's "Squawk Box". "We (are) already starting manufacturing some of these quantities at risk."

Bourla also emphasised the importance of a third shot to boost people's protection against Omicron.

He said that the two-dose vaccine does not provide robust protection against infection and its ability to prevent hospitalisation has also declined.

"The hope is that we will achieve something that will have way, way better protection particularly against infections, because the protection against the hospitalisations and the severe disease - it is reasonable right now, with the current vaccines as long as you are having let's say the third dose," Bourla said.

Real-world data from the UK has shown that Pfizer's and Moderna's vaccines are only about 10 per cent effective at preventing symptomatic infection from omicron 20 weeks after the second dose, according to study from the UK Health Security Agency.

However, the original two doses still provide good protection against severe illness, the study found. Booster shots are up to 75 per cent effective at preventing symptomatic infection, according to the study.

Earlier, the US' top infectious disease expert Anthony Fauci has said that there is no need for a booster shot that specifically targets Omicron, because the current boosters work well against the variant.

Meanwhile, Moderna is also working on a booster that targets Omicron.

CEO Stephane Bancel said the company will soon enter clinical trials, adding that the demand is high from governments as they prepare regular vaccination against the virus.

--IANS

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Prime Minister is likely to hold a meeting with chief ministers over the COVID-19 situation on Thursday as the number of virus infections sees a surge due to its Omicron variant.

Fresh curbs have been imposed in various parts of the country to check the spread of the highly transmissible virus.

Reviewing the Covid situation at a high-level meeting on Sunday, Modi had called for ensuring adequate health infrastructure at the district level and accelerating the vaccination drive for adolescents in mission mode.

The precaution vaccination drive for healthcare and frontline workers besides those over 60 years of age with comorbidities has also started.

Vaccination remains among the most effective means to fight Covid, Modi had said.

The prime minister has held numerous meetings with chief ministers to spearhead India's response to the disease since its outbreak in 2020.

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Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Tuesday said the record rainfall last week cost the Central Vista Avenue redevelopment project "a day or two, but not more".

Last month, the project's architectural consultant had said that the Central Vista stretch from the Rashtrapati Bhavan to India Gate required to host the Republic Day Parade this year would be ready in time, but some facilities would be completed later.

Speaking at an online event Tuesday on the ministry's month-long programme to mark Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav', Puri said the programme would hopefully culminate at an event in Surat on February 4 and February 5.

According to the ministry, the dates for the main event -- 'Smart Cities, Smart Urbanization' -- are tentative, considering the emerging COVID-19 situation in the country.

"I use the word hopefully because we plan, but we got the highest amount of rainfall that any day in January has witnessed in the last many years and I think my Central Vista Avenue expansion programme has probably lost a day or two, but not more," Puri said at the event.

On January 8, Delhi had recorded its highest rainfall in a day for January in over 20 years. On January 9, the capital had received 5.4mm of rainfall, a day after 41mm rainfall had been recorded, taking the total precipitation in the city to 63.6mm --- the highest in January in 27 years.

Shapoorji Pallonji and Company Limited is executing the redevelopment work of the Central Vista Avenue from the Rashtrapati Bhavan to the India Gate.

Under the project, new trees would come up while parking spaces, vending areas and other facilities are being created.

The redevelopment project of the Central Vista -- the nation's power corridor -- envisages a new triangular Parliament building, a common central secretariat, revamping of the three-kilometre-long Rajpath from Rashtrapati Bhavan to India Gate, a new prime minister's residence and prime minister's office, and a new vice president's enclave.

In a statement, the HUA ministry said that the events under 'Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav' (AKAM), started from January 1, are witnessing overwhelming response from citizens, public representatives, community organisations, industry, academia, knowledge partners and startups among others.

The celebrations reflect five themes of AKAM vis. Freedom Struggle, Actions@75, Achievements@75, Ideas@75 and Resolve@75, the statement stated.

More than 3 lakh Indian citizens are expected to participate in MoHUA's AKAM celebrations.

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Indias daily caseload saw a slight decline of around 6.5 per cent to 168,063 new cases on Tuesday with various curbs imposed across states kicking in and keeping public movement in check. However, the rising weekly positivity rate is a cause of concern, as it could indicate that a large number of cases may be going undetected.

The weekly positivity rate has increased to 8.85 per cent compared to 7.92 per cent yesterday. A total of 277 deaths were recorded as of Tuesday morning, of which 166 were reported in Kerala.

Meanwhile, over 1.8 million precaution doses have been given so far, since the third-dose drive was launched on Monday in the country, according to provisional data available on CoWIN. Over 900,000 healthcare and 481,000 frontline workers have got their third dose.

In the 60-plus age group, more than 470,000 people have taken their precaution dose. And over 28 million adolescents have got their first dose till Tuesday.

Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya had a meeting with 120 health experts from across the country over the evolving situation of Covid-19. Listened to their suggestions and gave related instructions. I believe that we will all work together as a link to fight against Corona, Mandaviya said in a tweet.

Mumbai: Home-testing & actual numbers

Mumbai saw a big dip in daily cases from around 20,000 a day four days ago to over 11,000 on Tuesday, but so did the testing. In the last three days, the testing numbers have come down in Mumbai after touching a peak of 72,442 tests on Friday.

Doctors who are treating patients feel that the actual numbers in the city may be two to three times higher.





Actual numbers could be higher because many people are testing themselves on home-test kits. Over 500,000 home test kits were sold in Mumbai in January, and many cases may have not been reported. The actual daily case numbers may be higher as a result of this than the reported numbers, said a civic body official who asked not to be named.

Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) commissioner Iqbal Chahal said that Mumbai's positivity rate had come down from 30 per cent to 20 per cent in the last two days. Around 80 per cent of hospital beds are vacant. About 851 hospital beds were occupied today in one day but 966 beds also got vacated today, he said. The city has reported 46 Covid deaths in 22 days of the third wave, averaging two deaths per day.

Delhi: No lockdown, WFH for private offices

Delhi, which saw a 10 per cent rise in fresh cases on Tuesday, recording 21,259 infections and 23 deaths, has directed all private offices to implement work-from-home to tackle the surge. Only offices considered essential services would be exempted from the latest rule. We will not impose a lockdown; the AAP (Aam Aadmi Party) government is fully prepared to deal with any situation posed by Corona, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said. He said that the state government can prepare 10,000-11,000 ICU beds as the situation demands and is fully prepared to add 37,000 normal beds, too.

Out of 136 Covid patients admitted to Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan (LNJP) Hospital, only six had come for Covid treatment. The remaining 130 came for treatment of other diseases and were found to be Covid-infected during the tests, a Delhi government statement said.

People came mostly for Covid treatment during the April wave, but the number of such people this time is very low, Kejriwal said, while adding that the state government will remove the restrictions as soon as possible and try to impose the bare minimum of curbs.

Karnataka: Covid and controversy

Test positivity rate in Karnataka crossed 10 per cent as the number of new cases rose to 14,500 on Tuesday. Bengaluru remained a Covid hotspot, and recorded 10,800 cases during the day.

A political controversy related to Covid also erupted in the state after the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights sent a letter to the Karnataka police department to initiate action against state Congress President D K Shivakumar for failing to follow Covid-appropriate behaviour with schoolchildren during the Mekedatu Padayatra.

The Mekedatu Padayatra is a 10-day march demanding the implementation of a reservoir project on the Cauvery river in the state. The Congress started the padayatra on Sunday despite the state governments Covid restrictions.
The ongoing probe into the "Sulli Deals" case has revealed that around 30 handles were misused for uploading the morphed pictures of Muslim women for their purported "auction", the Delhi police said on Monday.

The Delhi police is trying to identify the members of the group which the 26-year-old Indore youth Aumkareshwar Thakur too was a part of, an official said.

They said Thakur had deleted the contents of his laptop, and his laptop and phones along with those of Niraj Bishnoi, the creator of the "Bulli Bai" app and arrested earlier by Delhi police from Assam, have been sent to the Forensic Science Lab to ascertain their contents and access details.

While awaiting the forensic lab report, the police are trying to identify other members of the group misusing the handles, they said.

Accused Thakur, who is alleged to be the creator of the derogatory app which targeted Muslim women, from Indore in Madhya Pradesh was arrested on Saturday night, they said.

Interrogation of Thakur revealed that he is an "introvert" who ran his own web-designing firm with clients even from the US.

When his father was questioned, he told investigators that they were not aware of Thakur's as he slept throughout the day and worked during the night, a senior police officer said.

He said when questioned by his parents about his habit of keeping awake throughout the nights, he told them that because of the time difference between India and US, he had to work mostly throughout the night, so they never doubted Thakur, the officer said.

Even though both Thakur and Bishnoi do not seem to regret their activities, Thakur lamented that his family had to face problems due to him, they said.

The accused were part of a traditional group where discussions were held about ancient tradition, the rise and downfall of Hinduism, the police said.

When they felt that they cannot do anything to stop the downfall of Hinduism, they created various anonymous handles on and used Virtual Private Number (VPN) to use the internet to conceal their identities.

Police suspect that at least three to five people were misusing these multiple Twitter handles to put up these morphed and objectionable photos and further exchange comments through the alleged "Sulli Deals" app.

Thakur who did his BCA from IPS Academy in Indore and is a resident of New York City there was taken into custody on Saturday, days after arrests were made in connection with a similar app ''Bulli Bai''.

This is the first arrest made in the Sulli Deals app case registered in July, the police said, adding Thakur was on Sunday remanded in police custody for four days by the court.

Hundreds of Muslim women were listed for auction on the mobile application with photographs sourced without permission and doctored.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (IFSO) KPS Malhotra had said during preliminary interrogation, the accused admitted that he was a member of a group on Twitter where the idea to defame and troll Muslim women was shared.

"He had developed the code on GitHub. The access of GitHub was with all the members of the group. He had shared the app on his Twitter account. The photos of the Muslim women were uploaded by the group members," the officer had said.

The investigation has revealed that the accused had joined the group on Twitter by the name of ''''Tradmahasabha'''' in January 2020 using the handle @gangescion.

During various group discussions, the members had talked about trolling Muslim women, the police had said.

"He admitted that he had developed the code/app on GitHub. He confessed that he had created Sullideals app and the necessary digital footprints in his laptop and in cyberspace are being probed. After the uproar regarding the Sulli Deals app, he had deleted all his footprints," the DCP had said.

During the interrogation of accused Niraj Bishnoi (21), believed to be the creator and alleged mastermind of the ''Bulli Bai'' application, it emerged that he used to interact with various virtual identities on and used to engage in group discussions, the police had said.

Bishnoi, who was arrested in Assam, had disclosed that he was in touch with the person behind the Twitter handle @sullideals, the alleged creator of the ''Sulli Deals'' app that was hosted on GitHub in July last year, they had 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.)
Technology has the power to democratise delivery as even the top doctors could be consulted with a click of a button, eminent cardiologist and Narayana Hrudayalaya Chairman Devi Prasad Shetty said on Tuesday.

Speaking at an industry event here, Shetty noted that with digital aid, people from all strata of society and even from the remotest locations across the country can reach out to top physicians in the country for consultation, which was not the case earlier.

"Technology gives the rich people what they always had in a better format. But technology will give poor people what they can never dream of having and this is the beauty of technology. What it will do is to democratise . And this is one industry which is ripe for digital disruption," Shetty said while participating in the online Microsoft Future Ready event.

Noting that is dependent on data, he said 95 per cent of the people who are unwell do not need to be operated upon and thus do not require physical presence of a doctor.

"If they don't need an operation, I don't need to touch them. And if I don't need to touch them, I don't need to be there. I can be anywhere. I can talk to them, get the data and explain to them what the problem is and I can make the decision. So technically speaking, when you hear that somebody is unwell 95 per cent of the time, you can treat them online," Shetty said.

He noted that the AI and software linked to electronic medical records (EMRs) would help doctors to make better diagnoses.

"Within the next five years the smart EMR will start making smarter diagnoses than doctors. And within seven years, I can tell you that we doctors will be mandated to get a second opinion from the software before starting the treatment. That is going to happen," Shetty stated.

Healthcare providers already have smarter software which can give amazing interpretation of the data and relatively accurate diagnosis, he added.

"Now, it may not be available everywhere, but it is a matter of time. Before it will happen. Healthcare will become safer for the patient...it will become affordable and it will become accessible. We have millions of diabetics in India and there are only 1,000 diabetologists. How can 1,000 diabetologists treat such a huge number of people? You just convert all the diabetic consultation online. We will have a phenomenal healthcare delivery," Shetty noted.

When asked about the lessons he has taken from other industries, he stated that as a medical practitioner he has taken inputs from the manufacturing sector which believes in volumes and scale of economies.

"The hospital where I work, we do about 30 to 37 heart surgeries every day. And what we noticed is when you do a large number of procedures, your results get better. Your cost goes down, there is economy of scale and everyone is oriented for some particular aspect of treatment," Shetty noted.

He also stated that if a solution is not affordable, it is not a solution.

"In any industry, you may create a fantastic product, but if your customers cannot afford it, it is of no use. So in my industry I keep getting excited when somebody has developed an artificial heart. We have been implanting artificial hearts for the last 12 years. It is a phenomenal achievement. But an artificial heart in the Indian context costs more than a few million dollars. How many people in my country can afford it? So that is not of any use here," Shetty said.

Bengaluru-based Narayana Hrudayalaya operates a network of hospitals across the country. It also operates a facility in the Cayman Islands. The company now features over 5,859 operational beds through a combination of greenfield projects and acquisitions.

(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.)
Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha member Derek O'Brien has written a letter to Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs requesting for a meeting to discuss the "Tek Fog" app which he termed a "threat" to security and privacy of citizens.

Alleging that through the app, social media trends are being manipulated, O'Brien on Monday said there was an urgent need to discuss this "manipulation" of social media. This happens to be his second letter to Congress leader and panel chief Anand Sharma in the matter.

Citing a news report, the MP said that some people associated with BJP's IT cell used to send messages to people through inactive WhatsApp accounts and control the social media trends. All this was done with the help of "Tek Fog" app, he claimed.

Not just this, messages containing spyware were sent to people through the app to hack their accounts or phones. The app messages were also sent from phones that were not in use anymore, he added.

O'Brien said as per reports, the app is capable of sending automatic messages to WhatsApp groups or any private number.

The app, he alleged, can also modify existing news articles and their links, styling the fake news articles. Some technologies have been created by companies such as OpenAL and Salesforce, which have expertise in artificial intelligence.

The application can spread misinformation on social media though fake news, mislead individual citizens and manipulate political narratives, he added.

"Since the Tek Fog app is a threat to security, the rights of expression and free media besides the privacy and security of citizens, I request you to convene a meeting of the Standing Committee," the letter stated.--IANS

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While the recent surge in Covid cases seen in India is largely due to Omicron, it does not mean that Delta has weakened, experts contended on Tuesday.

India on Tuesday recorded 1,68,063 new Covid cases, taking the total tally to 8,21,446. Although the fresh infections were 6.4 per cent less than Monday when the country logged 1,79,723, the weekly positivity rate has climbed to 8.85 per cent and the daily positivity rate has declined to 10.64 per cent. On the other hand, 4,461 cases were recorded from 28 states.

So can we say this is an wave? While it is relatively easy to test for Covid-19 through a RT-PCR or RAT test, figuring out which variant is responsible requires genome sequencing.

Data sent to the open access GISAID genomic surveillance showed that more than 30 per cent of the sequenced samples from India were during the month of December.

Health experts noted that going by the trend, the majority of the positive cases are likely to be Omicron but confirmation is pending.

"Currently we can sequence only a small fraction of daily cases, so the question is what percentage of those viruses that are sequenced turn out to be Omicron. That's how we know that we are in an Omicron wave, since most of the sequences have turned out to be those of Omicron," Gautam I. Menon, Professor at Departments of Physics and Biology, Ashoka University, told IANS.

Global data, particularly from South Africa, the UK and the US show that over time as new variants emerge, the one which has better transmissibility and immune evasion takes over the preceding variant.

"The same happened with Omicron which is now causing more than 90 per cent of new cases in the US and the UK, India is soon set to follow suit," Dr Dipu T.S., Associate Professor, Division of Infectious Diseases Amrita Hospital, Kochi, told IANS.

"This just means that there is a variant with better survival advantage and immune evasion ability compared to the previous variant i.e. Delta. But it doesn't mean that Delta has become weak, rather it gave way to a better evolved variant in time," he said.

However, Menon disagreed, saying: "Because Omicron is much more transmissible than Delta, it has effectively displaced Delta while spreading. Delta was largely on the decline in the country anyway, so this was not a surprise."

Further, the health experts said the surge in cases may also be reinfections, or breakthrough infections as seen in other countries. A recent study showed that the risk of reinfection with Omicron is 5.4 times greater than Delta. So far, nearly all reinfections have been among people who originally caught another strain of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and there is no evidence yet been found of anyone being infected twice by Omicron itself.

It was "too early" for people infected with Omicron to have cleared the virus and then caught it again, Kingston Mills, Professor of Experimental Immunology at Trinity College Dublin, was quoted as saying to Financial Times. It may be clear in six months' time, he said.

Moreover, the Omicron variant is also known to be able to evade prior immunity. While vaccines can effectively prevent hospitalisation and death due to Covid, they are less effective in preventing infections.

"With luck, the severity of this wave will be less than that of the previous wave, mainly because vaccination levels are high and many were infected in the previous Delta wave. But whether there will be a surge in cases which the health system cannot cope with remains to be seen and this is the main worry at the moment," Menon said.

Several modelling studies, include from IIT-Kanpur, show that India will soon see a peak in Covid cases by end of January.

"We believe that the peak in cases in the metros of India should come between January 20 and February 10. The rest of India may see later peaks, but it is unlikely that we will continue to see substantial numbers of cases by March. That will mean an end to this wave, but there may be more surprises in store for us," Menon said.

--IANS

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: Active Covid-19 infections surged past the 75,000 mark in on Tuesday as the state reported 15,379 new cases pushing the tally to 28,29,655 till date while death toll mounted to 36,886 with 20 more fatalities.

As many as 3,043 people recovered from the disease and were discharged in the last 24 hours, aggregating to 27,17,686 leaving 75,083 active infections.

A total of 1,35,672 samples were tested in the last 24 hours, pushing the cumulative number of specimens examined to 5,87,98,470, a Health department bulletin said.

The sharpest increase in fresh infections was reported from Chennai with 6,484 cases, followed by Chengalpet 1,665, Tiruvallur 893, Coimbatore 863 and Madurai 512, while the remaining was spread across other districts.

Among those who tested positive today included 49 returnees from domestic and overseas locations.

After witnessing a declining trend for several weeks, has been reporting new cases on the upward trend since last few weeks. The state had recorded 13,990 new cases on Monday.

Meanwhile, talking to reporters, Minister for Medical and Family Welfare Ma Subramanian appealed to corporates to contribute towards purchase of pulse oximeters under their corporate social responsibility initiative.

After distributing pulse oximeters to more than 10 Covid-19 patients detected in an apartment in Thiruvanmiyur in the city, he urged corporates to come forward and support the government in this cause.

"We have commenced distribution of these pulse oximeters to Covid-19 patients. It will be given to patients identified in cluster areas. Today in one apartment we have identified 10 Covid-19 infections," he said.

"Those infected by the contagion and are in home isolation would be asked by tele-counsellors to check their oxygen pulse rate and inform them on daily basis. The counsellors will be offering guidance to such patients based on the oxygen pulse rate," he said.

The government would be distributing such pulse oximeters to those people identified in 'cluster areas', he said.

To a query, he said that 168 volunteers and doctors have been roped in to provide tele-counselling to the patients covered under the 15 zones in Chennai.

On the vaccination of those in the 15-18 years age group, the Minister said the department has almost completed nearly 90 per cent of students studying in schools. "The remaining are those who are studying in ITIs (industrial training institutes) or in polytechnic colleges...," he said.

Subramanian recalled his earlier comments that 85 per cent of the cases in was detected as 'Omicron' while remaining 15 per cent as 'delta' variant of .

On the status of Omicron cases in Tamil Nadu, he said the department was not collecting the details of Omicron cases in the state as the samples of those identified with 'S' gene drop variant of Covid-19 are sent to National Institute of Virology, Pune and before the results were officially out, the patients were getting discharged in the state.

"We are not collecting them separately, because before the results are declared, the patient gets discharged...Even if the samples we collect from cluster areas, we have identified them to be of 'S' gene drop variant indicating Omicron. But, before we receive the formal report from National institute of Virology, Pune, the patient gets discharged after recovery," he said.

As of Tuesday, there were 185 Omicron cases of which 179 discharged while the remaining six have been cross notified to Kerala, Puducherry and Andhra Pradesh, the bulletin said.

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Ahead of Life Insurance Corporation's public listing, the Union government has cleared the proposal to allow 20 per cent foreign direct investment in the insurance behemoth. Read more on that in today's top headlines

The Centre has decided to allow 20 per cent foreign direct investment in the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC), like in the case of public sector banks (PSBs), according to people in the know. This is expected through amendment of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) rules in a move to attract foreign investors ahead of LIC's public listing. Read more

firms' combined net profit seen rising 25% in third quarter

The Street is betting on another quarter of strong earnings growth from India's top listed companies, led by metal and mining, oil and gas, and banking, financial services and insurance (BFSI) companies. Manufacturers and consumer goods companies are, however, expected to face another quarter of margin contraction and decline in earnings. The information technology (IT) services exporters, such as Tata Consultancy Services, Infosys, and Wipro, are likely to maintain their growth momentum, but could face margin decline as operating expenses run ahead of revenue growth. Read more

From Infosys to HCL Tech, Indian IT giants play catch-up in consultancy

The analyst community tracking the Indian IT services industry took special note of Accentures first quarter (Q1) performance, which showcased the rapid growth of its consulting business that outperformed its outsourcing business. Bookings indicate that the trend will continue. Consulting bookings increased 41.6 per cent year-on-year (yoy) to $9.4 billion, higher than the 17.6 per cent growth in outsourcing to $7.4 billion. Read more

Auto companies stare at muted earnings in Q3 amid high input costs

Its going to be a quarter of muted earnings for auto companies yet again.

While a persistent chip shortage dented sales of passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles and premium two wheelers, poor demand plagued the scooter and motorcycle makers during the quarter. Read more

5-10% of active Covid-19 cases currently require hospitalisation: Govt

As the daily tally of Covid cases inches close to the 200,000-mark, nearly 5 to 10 per cent of active cases in the present surge have needed hospitalisation until now, the health ministry said.

Flagging concerns around the rising positivity rate in the country, Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said that the situation is dynamic and evolving and, therefore, the need for hospitalisation may also change rapidly. He said that during the second Covid wave, 20-23 per cent of active cases needed hospital care. Read more
Republican Gov.-elect Glenn Youngkin cannot withdraw Virginia from a regional carbon cap and trade program through executive action as hes pledged to do, outgoing Attorney General Mark Herring wrote in an opinion released Tuesday.

The Virginia Constitution is clear: the Governor does not have the authority to single-handedly repeal or eliminate a law or regulation that has been passed by the General Assembly, Herring, a Democrat, said in a news release. Virginias participation in RGGI is crucial to reducing our carbon pollution, while simultaneously investing hundreds of millions of dollars in mitigation and resilience efforts.

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The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative is a multistate program that takes a market-based approach to reducing carbon dioxide emissions. In states that participate, power plants of a certain size must buy allowances for the carbon dioxide they emit at periodic auctions. The money then gets divided among the states.

Virginia joined the program through legislation passed in 2020, one of Democrats signature environmental achievements. Lawmakers decided half of the programs proceeds would go to low-income energy efficiency, with just under the other half going to the new Community Flood Preparedness Fund and 5% to administrative costs. Last year was the states first participating. Virginia received about $228 million, about $22 million of which has gone to projects in Hampton Roads through the flood fund.

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[ State flood fund has sent millions to Hampton Roads  but Youngkin plan would cut it off ]

Last month, Youngkin spoke in Virginia Beach at the annual meeting of the Hampton Roads Chamber and announced plans to withdraw from the initiative via executive action, describing it as a bad deal for Virginians.

RGGI describes itself as a regional market for carbon, but it is really a carbon tax that is fully passed on to ratepayers, he said. I promised to lower the cost of living in Virginia and this is just the beginning.

He cited a Dominion Energy move earlier that week to double the surcharge it would pass onto consumers to accommodate participation in RGGI. Those costs are expected to raise the average home customers bill by $4.37 starting this fall.

A transition aide for Youngkin told the Virginia Mercury last month that the governor can withdraw Virginia from the greenhouse gas initiative by executive action because the commonwealths participation is governed by a contract agreement signed by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality. Some legal experts immediately disagreed.

Daywatch Weekdays Start your morning with today's local news >

Herring, who has served in two Democratic administrations since 2014, decided to conduct an official legal opinion at the request of two Democratic delegates, according to his offices Tuesday news release.

Herring concluded that the states constitution prevents Youngkins planned withdrawal because of the separation of powers doctrine.

The document does not grant the governor the power to suspend laws, he wrote.

In fact, it requires the opposite, that the Governor shall take care that the laws be faithfully executed.

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Herrings office had already defended the commonwealths participation against a legal challenge from the Virginia Manufacturers Association last summer, the release noted.

Youngkin takes office on Saturday. His press secretary declined to comment Tuesday.

Katherine Hafner, 757-222-5208, katherine.hafner@pilotonline.com
On the occasion of World Hindi Day on January 10, the Director of World Heritage Centre has informed the Permanent Delegation of India to UNESCO, Paris that UNESCO's World Heritage Centre has agreed to publish Hindi descriptions of India's World Heritage Sites on WHC website.

Permanent Delegation of India to UNESCO, Paris organized the virtual celebration of World Hindi Day on January 10, 2022.

Minister of State of External Affairs and culture, Meenakshi Lekhi gave a video message on World Hindi Day and emphasized the importance of Hindi.

India's ambassador/permanent representative to UNESCO, Vishal V. Sharma also highlighted the key points that Hindi attained during the last 75 years of India's independence.

For the celebrations, the delegation has received short videos on this occasion from Assistant-Director Generals for Education, Social and Human Sciences, Culture, Communication and Information and Executive Secretary of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic.

The Ambassadors/ permanent Delegates to from Angola, Bangladesh, Brazil, Ecuador, France, Greece, Iran, Japan, Mongolia, Palestine, Republic of Korea, Palestine, Russian Federation, Sri Lanka, St. Kitts and Nevis, Vietnam also sent the video message on World Hindi Day.

Embassies / High commissions, Consulate Generals of India in Canberra, Wellington Georgetown, Doha, London, Riyadh, Washington D.C., Male, Kathmandu, Colombo, Kuwait, Windhoek, Suriname, Nairobi, Dar es Salaam, Dushanbe, Port Luis, Johannesburg and Gaborone also celebrated the occasion by sending the videos.

(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.)
Holdings Inc. is reducing its near-term flight schedule as the airline grapples with the staffing impact of the rapidly spreading variant of the .

In one day alone at Newark, nearly one-third of our workforce called out sick, United Chief Executive Officer Scott Kirby wrote Tuesday in a memo to workers. To those who are out sick or isolating, we wish you a speedy recovery.

About 3,000 of its workers are currently positive for Covid-19, the CEO said. United is among multiple U.S. carriers whacked by a recent surge in infections nationwide, which resulted in tens of thousands of flight cancellations across the industry during the holiday travel period.

The company will trim its flight schedule in January and February on an ongoing basis to adjust to staffing levels, a company spokeswoman said Tuesday. The airline declined to discuss specific capacity figures for the schedule reductions. Last week, Alaska Air Group Inc. announced a 10% capacity cut for January to help address Covid-related staffing shortages.

Kirby also touted the companys mandatory vaccination policy and said no vaccinated employees are in the hospital due to the virus. United had 85,300 employees as of Sept. 30.

The shares fell less than 1% at 9:40 a.m. in New York.
The reported 1.35 million new infections on Monday, according to a Reuters tally, the highest daily total for any country in the world as the spread of the highly contagious variant showed no signs of slowing.



The previous record was 1.03 million cases on Jan. 3. A large number of cases are reported each Monday due to many states not reporting over the weekend. The seven-day average for new cases has tripled in two weeks to over 700,000 new infections a day.



The record in new cases came the same day as the nation saw the number of hospitalized Covid-19 patients also hit an all-time high, having doubled in three weeks, according to a Reuters tally.



There were more than 136,604 people hospitalized with Covid-19, surpassing the record of 132,051 set in January last year.



While the variant is potentially less severe, health officials have warned that the sheer number of infections could strain hospital systems, some of which have already suspended elective procedures as they struggle to handle the increase in patients and staff shortages.



The surge in cases has disrupted schools, which are struggling with absences of staff, teachers and bus drivers.



Chicago canceled classes for a fourth day as the district and teachers failed to agree on how to deal with increased infections.



New York City suspended service on three subway lines as a large number of workers were out sick, according to its Twitter account. Companies' plans for workers to return to office have also been derailed.



Deaths are averaging 1,700 per day, up from about 1,400 in recent days but within levels seen earlier this winter.



A redesigned Covid-19 vaccine that specifically targets the variant is likely needed, Pfizer Inc's CEO said on Monday, adding his company could have one ready to launch by March.



(Reporting by Lisa Shumaker in Chicago, Aparupa Mazumder and Akriti Sharma in Bengaluru; Editing by Cynthia Osterman and Himani Sarkar)

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
External Affairs Minister on Tuesday spoke to his counterparts from and Portugal, focusing on ways to expand overall bilateral cooperation.

After the phone talks with Polish Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau, Jaishankar said the focus was on the importance of more political exchanges, expanded trade and smoother travel.

"A comprehensive review of ties today with FM @RauZbigniew of . Agreed on the importance of more political exchanges, expanded trade, smoother travel and regional consultations," he tweeted.

"Look forward to welcoming him in India soon," Jaishankar added.

Following his talks with Portuguese foreign minister Augusto Santos Silva, Jaishankar said India counts on Portugal's strong support for expanding its relations with Europe.

"Called my friend FM Augusto Santos Silva of . Discussed the Covid situation. The India-EU Leaders' Meeting in Porto and Migration & Mobility Agreement with were landmarks in 2021," the external affairs minister said.

"Count on Portugal's strong support for expanding India's relations with Europe," he said.

In a separate tweet, Jaishankar also congratulated Wopke Hoekstra on his appointment as the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of the Netherlands.

"Congratulate @WBHoekstra on his appointment as Deputy PM and Foreign Minister of the Netherlands. Look forward to working with him to advance our strong partnership," he said.

In the last few days, Jaishankar spoke to his counterparts from the US, Russia, the UK, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Singapore, United Arab Emirates and Nigeria.

He also spoke to foreign ministers of Egypt, Israel, Australia, Indonesia, Maldives, Bhutan, Iran and France.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
India at the World Trade Organization (WTO) has questioned the restrictions that has imposed on the import of certain food items, such as and eggs, from the country for lack of mutual recognition agreements (MRAs) between the two.



India requests to explain the reasons for the non-existence of MRA with Indias regulatory authorities despite a comprehensive free-trade agreement (FTA), which is nearly two decades old, it asked during a trade policy review over the city-state not allowing import of certain food items.



Singapore claimed that meat, eggs, and their products must be imported from approved sources in accredited countries or regions that meet the Singapore Food Agencys (SFA) food safety and animal health standards and requirements.



Accreditation is necessary as these products can carry food safety risks and animal diseases of public health and trade importance. We thank India for its interest and welcome further discussion with our SPS competent authority for food safety, the Singapore Food Agency (SFA), the Southeast Asian country replied.



The SFA's accreditation procedure is a two-stage process. The first stage involves country accreditation, where the country is assessed for regulatory oversight and freedom from animal diseases of important trade and public health concerns (such as foot-and-mouth disease and bovine spongiform encephalopathy).



The second stage involves the individual establishment accreditation, where the food safety and quality programmes and operational hygiene practices of the export processing plants are evaluated. This involves submission of a documentary dossier, followed by an inspection, Singapore said.



Singapore currently allows the import of fresh only from accredited farms in Australia, Denmark, Finland, Japan, Malaysia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, South Korea, Sweden, Thailand, Ukraine, and the United States.



Imports of broiler chickens and ducks are allowed only from accredited farms in Malaysia. Pigs may be imported only from one farm in Indonesia and one in Malaysia. Dairy products from countries that are not free from the foot-and-mouth disease may be imported only if subjected to treatment in accordance with the OIE guidelines, it added.



India has been taking a tough stand against non-tariff barriers (NTBs) raised by its trading partners. Trade minister Piyush Goyal has even threatened reciprocal measures if certain countries do not remove such NTBs on Indian goods and services.



In October last year, Goyal called upon the Asean members to do away with NTBs and curb the misuse of FTAs by third parties, often outside the region.



It is unfortunate that recently we had to deal with several restrictive barriers on our exports to Asean, particularly in agriculture and auto. I think this only results in reciprocal action from other countries, including India and will hurt the long-term desire of our leaders to expand trade between the two countries, Goyal said at a special plenary with trade ministers of the region.



The Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) between India and Singapore came into force on August 1, 2005, and the first review was concluded on October 1, 2007. The second review of the CECA was launched in May 2010 but concluded in 2018. India exported goods worth $6.7 billion in FY21 and imported $9.6 billion in the same year from Singapore, leading to a bilateral trade deficit of $2.9 billion.
India has secured approval of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for the of domestic mangoes to America in the new season, the commerce ministry said on Tuesday.

The of has been restricted by the US since 2020 as the inspectors were unable to visit India for inspection of irradiation facilities due to restrictions imposed on international travel because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

On November 23, 2021, the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and the signed a framework agreement for implementing the "2 Vs 2" agri-market access issues.

Under the agreement, India and the US will follow a joint protocol on irradiation for India's mango and pomegranate exports to the US and import of cherries and Alfalfa hay from America.

The ministry said that a revised work plan has been worked out, including phase-wise transfer of oversight of pre clearance of Irradiation treatment to India as agreed upon between both countries.

"As part of the mutual agreement, India will be able to mangoes to the USA in the mango season commencing with the Alphonso variety of mangoes by March onwards...The central government has secured the approval of the for export of to the USA in the new season," it noted.

According to the ministry, India had exported 800 Metric Tonnes (MTs) of mangoes to the US in 2017-18 worth USD 2.75 million.

Similarly, in 2018-19, 951 MT mangoes of USD 3.63 million were exported and 1,095 MT worth USD 4.35 million in 2019-20.

"As per estimates received from the exporters, the export of mangoes in 2022, may surpass the figures of 2019-20," the ministry said.

The USDA approval would pave the way for exports from traditional mango production belts such as Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) said that this would also provide an opportunity for the export of other delicious varieties of mangoes from North and East India, such as Langra, Chausa, Dushehri, Fazli, etc from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
India's Commerce and Industry Minister and South Korea's Trade Minister Han-koo Yeo will hold a meeting on Tuesday to discuss bilateral trade-related issues.

The discussion will focus on addressing the large trade deficit, market access issues, and non-tariff barriers faced by Indian exporters, as well as investment-related issues. The meeting is expected to further boost India-Korea trade relations in an equitable and balanced manner to the mutual advantage of both countries, according to the Commerce Ministry

As per the Ministry of External Affairs, the trade and economic relations between India and have gathered momentum in recent years with annual bilateral trade reaching $21.5 billion in 2018, crossing the $20 billion mark for the first time. Bilateral trade in January-December 2020 was recorded $16.9 billion. The bilateral Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CEPA), set in place since 2010, has spurred trade and investments both ways.

In 2018, South Korea's investment in India crossed the $1 billion mark for the first time, recording $1.053 billion.It's total FDI to India up to September 2020 stands at $6.94 billion. Investments from India in are to the tune of approx $3 billion led by Tata Daewoo, Ssangyong and Novelis.

According to data from the South Korean Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy, the bilateral trade in the first half (January-June) of 2021 was recorded at $10.97 billion, an increase of 38 per cent compared to the same period of the previous year.

South Korea's exports to India increased 38.5 per cent ($7.4 billion), imports increased 37.4 per cent ($3.6 billion), and the trade balance recorded a surplus of $3.8 billion.

The growth of exports and imports was rapidly improving aided by the strong base effect from a year ago, when the Indian government implemented the national lockdown to combat the first Covid-19 wave. While a severe second Covid-19 wave hit India in April last year, the localised restrictions of economic activity were not as adversely affected as the previous year.

--IANS

nimish/vd

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on Tuesday flagged market access issues being faced by domestic players from several sectors such as steel, engineering and agri products in Korea and sought redressal of the matter with a view to boost bilateral ties, an official said.

The issue was raised during the meeting between Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and Korean Minister Yeo Han-koo. Certain industry groups are of the view that due to some stringent regulatory issues in Korea, there are difficulties in terms of market access for Indian products.

"These barriers need to be addressed and some concessions need to be made on both sides," the official said. Among the products that are facing market access issues in Korea are bovine meat, grapes, pomegranate, okra and eggplants. The Indian side also raised its concerns over the widening deficit with Korea.

The deficit has increased from USD 5 billion in 2008-09 to USD 8 billion in 2020-21. Both the countries implemented the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), a kind of free-trade pact, in January 2010. The bilateral trade between the countries stood at USD 17.5 billion in 2020-21.

The trade is in favour of Korea. In the last fiscal, India's imports stood at USD 128 billion while exports were only USD 4.7 billion.

During the meeting, sought investments from Korean companies in sectors like semiconductors, chemical batteries for e-vehicles, and technical textiles. India's share in total steel exports to the Republic of Korea is abysmally low and averaged a meagre 0.04 MMT per annum over the last five years.

According to industry experts, Korean steel companies prefer to do business with firms with which they have prior experience of business relations and these things act as an implicit barrier for accessing the Korean steel market.

Similarly, in the case of rice, Korea has introduced the tariff rate quota (TRQ) arrangement for the import of rice from January 2020, under which 3,88,700 tonnes is allocated to its five major importing partners  China, USA, Vietnam, Thailand and Australia. And, as a result, only 20,000 tonnes is left for all other countries across the globe including . Indian textiles exporters face the issue of the Korean Certification mark. This mark is required on textile/apparel items (including footwear and leather products) to be imported or sold in Korea. Complaints have also been received from Indian exporters of engineering goods on requirements of local certification from a Korean agency, which is a time-consuming process and takes on an average of 27-28 weeks.

Meanwhile, a joint press communique issued after the meeting of the trade ministers said that both sides have agreed to impart fresh momentum to the discussions on CEPA up-gradation negotiations and also promote extensive business-to-business interactions on trade and investment between the industry leaders of the two countries.



"The two ministers agreed...to address difficulties expressed by the industry from both sides and instructed their respective negotiating teams to meet on a regular basis in order to conclude the CEPA up-gradation negotiations as soon as possible (and) in a time-bound manner," it said. They expect to achieve the target of USD 50 billion trade before 2030, it added.

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India has agreed to allow of pork and pork products from the US as a part of a bilateral trade deal which will facilitate of Indian mangoes and pomegranate to the US.

The development comes months after the two governments renewed the India US Trade Policy Forum (TPF), after which both nations agreed to iron out thorny issues that included market access issues pertaining to the agriculture sector.

Indias agreement to allow US pork imports for the first time is great for US producers and for Indian consumers. We will continue working to strengthen the U.S.-India trade relationship and I appreciate Minister Goyals efforts to facilitate this important development, US Trade Representative Katherine Tai said in a statement.

In 2020, the US was the worlds third-largest pork producer and second-largest exporter, with global sales of such products valued at $7.7 billion. In fiscal year 2021, the US exported more than $1.6 billion of agricultural products to India.

The US Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack said that the deal marks the culmination of nearly two decades of work to gain market access for US pork to India. While the date of resumption of imports is yet to be known, shipping of American pork to India will start soon.

Similarly, India will start of mangoes, starting with the Alphonso variant to the US in the new season that begins in March.

Consumers in the United States (US) would now have access to excellent quality mangoes from India. The of Indian mangoes has been restricted by the USA since 2020 as USDA (US Department of Agriculture) inspectors were unable to visit India for inspection of irradiation facilities due restrictions imposed on international travel because of Covid-19 pandemic, department of commerce said in a statement.

Under a recently signed framework agreement, India and the US will follow joint protocol on irradiation for Indias mango exports and pomegranate exports to the US and of cherries and Alfalfa hay from the US.

A revised work plan has been worked out, including phase-wise transfer of oversight of preclearance of Irradiation treatment to India as agreed upon between both the countries, it said.

India had exported 800 MT of mangoes to the US in FY18. In terms of value, mangoes worth $2.75 million were exported. Similarly, in FY19, 951 MT mangoes worth $3.63 million were exported and 1,095 MT, worth $4.35 million of mangoes were sent in FY20.

As per estimates received from the exporters, the export of mangoes in 2022, may surpass the figures of 2019-20, the department of commerce said.

The pomegranate exports will start from April and exports of Alfalfa hay and cherries from the US will begin in April 2022.
Commerce Minister met South Korean Minister Yeo Han-koo on Tuesday and raised concerns regarding the non-tariff restrictions faced by Indian steel, rice, textile, engineering goods, mango, and pharmaceutical exporters, said officials aware of the matter.

The bilateral talk was held in New Delhi to discuss and investment-related issues. The ministers agreed to impart fresh momentum to the discussions on the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) upgradation negotiations and also promote extensive B2B interactions on trade and investment between the industry leaders of the two countries, an official statement said.

They agreed to address difficulties expressed by industry on both sides and instructed officials to meet on a regular basis to conclude the CEPA upgrade negotiations in a time-bound manner.

Officials said Goyal also pointed out concerns regarding the trade deficit, which is in favour of .

Indias trade deficit with has continued to remain high over the last few years. Exports from India did not witness a massive rise, despite a free-trade agreement between the nations. On the other hand, imports from the East Asian nation continue to remain high. Both nations implemented the CEPA 11 years ago.

Trade between India and during April-October stood at $13.69 billion, with a trade deficit of $5.29 billion.
Bengaluru: Karnataka Home minister Araga Jnanendra on Monday informed that an FIR has been registered against 30 people for violating COVID-19 protocols during Congress' Mekedatu padayatra amid the COVID-19 restrictions in the state.

"FIR has been registered against 30 people for violating COVID-19 protocols. Ramanagara district administration has taken action as per the law. We will not spare anybody who violates the law," Araga Jnanendra told ANI.

The Congress in Karnataka on Sunday began its 11 days padayatra, demanding implementation of the Mekedatu project across the Cauvery river, despite the government's COVID-19 restrictions.

Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai slammed Congress leader DK Shivakumar, who reportedly refused to take a COVID test after the padayatra.

"This shows his culture; he is not bothered about the health of other people also," the Chief Minister said.

Shivakumar was leading the yatra.

The Home Minister had earlier informed that the state government have given free hand to the Ramanagar District Collector and Superintendent of Police to take action as per law.

The Karnataka government has imposed a curfew on weekends and restricted public gatherings to fight the third wave of COVID-19, till January 19. It has also imposed a night curfew and has prohibited all rallies, dharnas, protests, among others.

The Mekedatu balancing reservoir-cum drinking water project, to be constructed across the Cauvery river basin, has been at the centre of controversy between the states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Earlier too on July 12, 2021, Bommai had said that the Centre will have to give clearance to the project as per law and there is no reason the state government will stop the project.
The United Health Interface (UHI), which will allow the interoperability of health services like the united payments interface (UPI) has done for payments, will go live this week.

Dr R S Sharma, CEO of National Health Authority (NHA), said: UHI will go live this week. We are putting UHI as a platform and inviting the entire community to contribute with their feedback. We are working on it very fast and I believe we will be as successful as UPI (United Payments Interface).

UHI is in line with UPI. UPI is a language of money transfer, similarly, UHI is a set of protocols, which is going to create a language of health service delivery,he added.

Sharma was speaking at the 16th edition of India Digital Summit 2022 organised by Internet And Mobile Association of India (IAMAI). Privacy and data protection was a recurrent focus of the first day of the summit which adopted the theme of Supercharging start-ups for this edition.

Privacy is not a zero sum game. It is a typical myth that to have privacy you have to sacrifice some functionalities. We have worked in a federated architecture which means we don't put the data in one place as it can become a single point of failure, said Dr Sharma.

Google India MD and IAMAI Chairman Sanjay Gupta said, We have to ensure privacy and safety of people on the internet. Winning the trust of a billion Indians is going to be critical and we can't leave our doors open to bad actors and leave it to law enforcement to bring them to book.

Start-ups will play a pivotal role in achieving a trillion-dollar economy by 2025 from 250 billion dollars currently. Today, startups employ half a million people in India. That means, we need to focus on the right enablers for the growth -- regulatory framework, right infrastructure, to ensure digital economy can grow equitably. Also, we need to ensure a safer internet, he added.

UIDAI CEO Saurabh Garg said that the next leg of Aadhaar based innovations will be in areas like confidential computing, quantum computing-led cybersecurity infrastructure, faster biometric solutions and blockchain based products to make the authentication system more decentralised and secure.

The Aadhaar chief said that over 50 million Aadhaar authentications are taking place per day and over 400 million last-mile banking transactions are being done every month through Aadhaar-enabled Payment System (AePS).

He reiterated that for individual residents Aadhaar authentication is free and will always remain free. Recently, UIDAI had slashed the price for authentication to Rs 3 from Rs 20 per instance to enable entities to leverage its infrastructure for providing ease of living to people through various services and benefits.
The World Trade Organizations (WTO's) General Council on Monday discussed India's call to convene a virtual ministerial meeting on the multilateral bodys response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The development comes weeks after India sent a letter to the multilateral bodys General Council Chair, calling for a virtual ministerial meeting on the issue of the WTOs response to the pandemic, including the proposal to temporarily waive some sections of the Trade-Related aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) agreement for Covid-19-related vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics.

The General Council is the highest-level decision-making body and meets regularly to carry out the functions of the trade body.

Director General (DG) Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala called for urgent action towards a comprehensive outcome on pandemic response. More than two years have passed since the onset of the pandemic. The emergence of the Omicron variant, which forced us to postpone our Twelfth Ministerial Conference, reminded us of the risks of allowing large sections of the world to remain unvaccinated, she said.

We at the now have to step up urgently to do our part to reach a multilateral outcome on intellectual property and other issues so as to fully contribute to the global efforts in the fight against Covid-19, she said.

In October 2020, India and South Africa had submitted a joint proposal for temporarily waiving some sections of the TRIPS agreement, to help more countries, especially low- and middle-income nations, get access to Covid vaccines. It will be applicable to industrial design, trade secrets, patent, and copyright.

As of now, more than 100 nations are supporting the proposal, of which 64 are co-sponsors of the proposals at the WTO. However, the member nations at the WTO are yet to reach a consensus on this, with some developed nations having opposed the proposal.

WTO will continue to hold consultations with members on the Indian proposal, underlining the urgency and importance of reaching a meaningful outcome, an official statement said.

A common WTO response to Covid-19 "remains an urgent priority for the membership," he said. A common WTO response to COVID-19 will be an urgent priority, the statement quoted General Council Chair Ambassador Dacio Castillo as saying.
Home Minister and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister attended a key BJP meeting here on Tuesday as the party shortlists its probable candidates for the initial phases of the state assembly polls before its Central Election Committee meeting to finalise the names.

Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya and UP BJP chief Swatantra Dev Singh also attended the meeting besides several other leaders with its national president J P Nadda, who has contracted coronavirus, attending it virtually.

Official sources said the party's campaign, especially in view of the Election Commission's decision to ban rallies and roadshows due to surging Covid cases till January 15, also came up for discussion besides various other aspects of its strategy.

With the filing of nomination for the first phase of the seven-phase Uttar Pradesh polls set to begin from January 14, the party's CEC is likely to meet later this week to finalise the names of candidates, the sources said.

Polls will be held in 58 seats in the first phase on February 10 and in 55 in the second phase on February 14, and the BJP is likely to announce the names of most of its candidates for these constituencies soon.

(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 on Tuesday said the state's people consider his party as an alternative to the and in this assembly polls, they will wipe out the saffron party.

He also alleged that the has betrayed farmers and youths, while prices of diesel, petrol and fertilisers have increased manifold during its regime.

"The people of the state consider (SP) as an alternative to the and this time, they will wipe it out in the assembly polls and form the SP's government," Yadav said while addressing party workers at the SP's headquarters here.

According to a party statement, he also promised that if voted to power, the SP will provide 300 units free electricity, free laptops to the youth and make arrangements for free irrigation for farmers.

"The party is moving forward taking all sections along and has formed alliances with regional parties. This time old issues will not work. The SP is training its workers for the past few years on how to take forward work done by the SP government and the party's future plans in the interest of people," the former chief minister said.

The SP was defeated by the BJP in the last assembly polls in 2017.

The BJP has betrayed farmers and youths, Yadav said, adding that prices of diesel, petrol and fertilisers have increased manifold.

"Contrary to the BJP's promise, the income of farmers is now half and price rise has doubled. BJP leaders never take up issues of youths and farmers. Three farm laws were brought to ruin farmers, who were labelled as terrorists," he added.

The laws, which were enacted in 2020, triggered over a year of protests at Delhi's borders by farmers, mainly from Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Haryana. The agitation was called off after the central government repealed the laws in Parliament last year and agreed to meet their other demands such as those on minimum support price.

Yadav said that all the promises and advertisements of the BJP are a "blatant lie" and asserted that his party always gave honour to women and initiated many schemes for their welfare.

The Uttar Pradesh polls will be held in seven phases -- on February 10, 14, 20, 23, 27, March 3 and 7. The results will be declared on March 10 along with the four other poll-bound states of Punjab, Uttarakhand, Goa and Manipur.

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NCP chief on Tuesday said talks are on with like-minded parties to give a joint fight to oust BJP from power in next month's Assembly elections in the coastal state.

NCP leader Praful Patel, Shiv Sena's Sanjay Raut are talking with local Congress leaders there, Pawar told reporters.

There is a common thinking that BJP should be defeated there and talks are in progress with like-minded parties, he said.

The people of Uttar Pradesh are looking for change. We will surely see the change in the State: NCP Chief in Mumbai  ANI (@ANI) January 11, 2022

Our desire is that parivartan (change) is needed in Goa. There is a need to oust BJP from power there, he said.

The NCP chief said his party will contest ensuing elections in Uttar Pradesh, Manipur and Goa.

BJP would like to contest the elections on communal lines but I am confident that the voters will not accept it, Pawar said.

On claims of security lapse during of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Punjab visit, Pawar said, The post of prime minister is an institution and security is the responsibility of the Centre and the state and necessary care needs to be taken.

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Uttar Pradesh Minister Swami Prasad Maurya on Tuesday resigned from the state Cabinet and called upon (SP) President in Lucknow.



The setback to the the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) came on a day when a key meeting to discuss the Assembly polls, now just a month away, was taking place in Delhi. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Adityanath and Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya attended the meeting, as the party begins shortlisting its candidates.

Yadav shared a photo of him with Maurya on Twitter, and welcomed him into the SP fold. However, his daughter and the BJPs Badaun MP Sanghamitra Maurya on Tuesday claimed her father has not joined any party and will reveal his strategy in a couple of days. On Twitter, Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya urged the leader to reconsider his move.

The former UP minister, however, tweeted in Hindi: Due to the attitude of gross neglect towards Dalits, backwards, farmers, unemployed youth and small and medium-sized traders, I am resigning from the council of ministers of Yogi (Adityanath) of UP.

His daughter Sanghmitra Maurya is a BJP MP and represents Badaun in Lok Sabha.

The party hopping by known faces is gaining traction as seven-phase voting nears in Uttar Pradesh, which elects 403 legislators, the highest number in India.

Maurya has in the past been a member of the SP and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) before joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the run up to the 2017 UP elections.

Toeing his line, three other BJP members of legislative assembly (MLAs)  Roshan Lal Verma, Bhagwati Prasad Sagar, and Brajesh Prajapati quit and are likely to join SP. In the recent week, four other BJP legislators Radha Krishna Sharma, Rakesh Rathore, Jay Chaubey, and Madhuri Verma have defected to the SP.

On Monday, Congress National Secretary Imran Masood, a prominent Muslim leader in Western UP, had joined the SP. Masood was among the closest lieutenants of Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, the Congress general secretary in charge of UP. Besides, former Congress MP Harendra Malik and former MLAs Pankaj Malik have hopped on to the bicycle, which is SPs party symbol.

Not to be browbeaten, the BJP has also been inducting leaders from other parties. A dozen Congress leaders, including Jitin Prasada, Sanjay Sinhn, Rani Ratna Singh, Ameeta Singh, Gayadin Anuragi, Rakesh Singh, and Congress MLA Aditi Singh, have joined the BJP ahead of the elections.

Mayawati wont contest

Bahujan Samaj Party president Mayawati will not contest the upcoming Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls, party general secretary S C Misra said on Tuesday. Mayawati is neither a legislator nor an MP. The BSP will contest all 403 seats in UP.
Though the Election Commission has banned poll rallies till January 15, the surge in Covid cases in has failed to dampen the spirits of ticket-seekers and their supporters at the offices of major political parties.

The roads leading to the Samajwadi Party office at Vikramaditya Marg were nearly choked on Tuesday with SUVs of leaders and their supporters parked haphazardly on both sides.

The road outside Janeshwar Mishra Trust, which is linked to the SP office and used by party president Akhilesh Yadav to meet leaders, was similarly jammed.

A local shopkeeper said it is the same scene at the SP office every day.

Though there are instructions to party workers to use masks and practise social distancing, few in the crowd seemed to be taking precautions.

"There is an arrangement for hand sanitiser and instructions to maintain protocol. But when the gate is opened for workers, it is difficult to maintain it. Every second day there is someone joining the party and the leaders' supporters enter the office in large numbers," an SP leader said.

The scene was no better at the Bharatiya Janata Party office here, though office-bearers claim the Covid protocol is being strictly followed.

"The visitors who are coming to the office are being thermally screened at the entrance and their details taken. They are sanitised and allowed to enter the office premises only if they are wearing a mask. Inside the office, social distancing is also observed," spokesperson Abhay Singh said.

BJP's in-charge Radha Mohan Singh has tested positive for --- after Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and party president J P Nadda, who had been touring the state extensively, too were found infected.

Not much crowd was visible at the Congress office on Tuesday.

UP Congress spokesperson Ashok Singh said the Covid protocol is being observed and only people wearing masks are being allowed to enter.

Rashtriya Lok Dal spokesperson Rohit Agarwal also claimed that the Covid protocol is being strictly followed at the party office in Lucknow and party leaders will follow Election Commission guidelines while campaigning.

On Monday, the state reported 8,334 new Covid cases, including four deaths. Nearly 23,000 people have died due to Covid in the state since the pandemic began.

The seven-phase polling for the assembly elections in begins on February 10.

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Nearly 80 per cent of Afghan changed their profession after the took control of the country.

Journalists' Foundation of said that Afghan are going through the worst economic situation as 79 per cent of them have lost their jobs and resorted to other professions to make money and survive, reported The Khaama Press.

Prior to that, statistics have shown that up to 75 per cent of media in have been shut due to financial woes.

"Since the fall of the (former) government, six radio stations have been closed in the eastern provinces of Nangarhar, Laghman, Nuristan--five of them halted their operations due to economic challenges and another one stopped because of the lack of its employee--who was female," said Yousuf Zarifi, head of the Afghan Safety Committee in eastern Afghanistan, reported Tolo News.

Findings of the Foundation indicate that 91 per cent of Afghan journalists are satisfied from having chosen the profession while only 8 per cent are not happy, reported The Khaama Press.

462 Afghan journalists across have taken part in the survey among them were 390 male and 72 female.

Some journalists expressed concerns over their economic status, saying that they have lost their jobs as many media outlets have recently halted operations, reported Tolo News.

The foundation assessed the lives of Afghan journalists in the past one and a half months when the took over power in Afghanistan and found that they are living the worst life due to the fragile economic situation.

The foundation called on the Community and the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan to address the economic situation of the Afghan journalists, reported The Khaama Press.

A survey conducted by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and the Afghan Independent Journalists Association (AIJA) showed that since August, 40 per cent of media outlets in Afghanistan have ceased operating, and 80 per cent of women journalists and media workers have become unemployed due to restrictions, reported Tolo News.

"A total of 231 media outlets have had to close and more than 6.400 journalists have lost their jobs since 15 August. Women journalists have been hit the hardest, with four out of five no longer working," the survey said.

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The reported at least 1.35 million new infections on Monday, according to a Reuters tally, the highest daily total of any country in the world as the spread of the highly contagious Omicron variant showed no signs of slowing.

The previous record was 1.03 million cases on January 3. A large number of cases are reported each Monday due to many states not reporting over the weekend. The seven-day average for new cases has tripled in two weeks to over 700,000 new infections a day.

Not all states have yet reported on Monday and the final figure is likely to be even higher.

The record in new cases came the same day as the nation saw the number of hospitalized Covid-19 patients also hit an all-time high, having doubled in three weeks, according to a Reuters tally.

There were more than 136,500 people hospitalised with Covid, surpassing the record of 132,051 set in January last year.

While the Omicron variant is potentially less severe, health officials have warned that the sheer number of infections could strain hospital systems, some of which have already suspended elective procedures as they struggle to handle the increase in patients and staff shortages.





The surge in cases has disrupted schools, which are struggling with absences of staff, teachers and bus drivers.

Chicago canceled classes for a fourth day as the district and teachers failed to agree on how to deal with increased infections.

New York City suspended service on three subway lines due to a large number of workers out sick, according to its Twitter account. Companies' plans for workers to return to office have also been derailed.

Deaths are averaging 1,700 per day, up from about 1,400 in recent days but within levels seen earlier this winter.

A redesigned Covid-19 vaccine that specifically targets the Omicron variant is likely needed, Pfizer Inc's CEO said on Monday, adding his company could have one ready to launch by March.

Covid-19 hospitalizations in the reached a record high on Monday, according to a Reuters tally, as a surge in infections caused by the highly contagious Omicron variant strains health systems in several states.

There were 132,646 people hospitalized with Covid, surpassing the record of 132,051 set in January last year.

Hospitalizations have increased steadily since late December, doubling in the last three weeks, as Omicron quickly overtook Delta as the dominant version of the virus in the .

Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Vermont, Virginia, Washington D.C., and Wisconsin have reported record levels of hospitalized Covid-19 patients recently, according to the Reuters analysis.

While potentially less severe, health officials have warned that the sheer number of infections caused by the Omicron variant could strain the hospital systems, some of which have already suspended elective procedures as they struggle to handle the surge of patients amid staff shortages.

The seven-day average for new cases has doubled in the last 10 days to 704,000. The United Stateshas averaged over a half a million cases for the last six consecutive days, according to a Reuters tally.

Only seven states have not set records for Covid-19 cases in 2022Arizona, Idaho, Maine, Montana, North Dakota, Ohio and Wyoming, according to a Reuters tally.

Washington, D.C., is leading the country in new infections in the past week based on population, followed by Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts and Vermont.

Omicron may infect half of Europe: WHO More than half of people in Europe are on track to contract the Omicron variant in the next two months if infections continue at current rates, the World Health Organization said. Speaking at a press conference, regional director Hans Kluge warned that the Omicron variant represented a "new west-to-east tidal wave sweeping across" the European region. British PM in new lockdown party row British Prime Minister Boris Johnson engulfed in a fresh row over an alleged Downing Street party he reportedly attended with wife Carrie in apparent breach of the country's lockdown rules in May 2020. The Opposition Labour Party will be raising the issue as an urgent question in the House of Commons as details of a BYOB party email invitation sent to around 100 people emerged. EU ends flight ban from southern Africa The European Union ended travel curbs on flights from southern Africa well over a month after imposing them to in hopes of containing the spread of the omicron variant. The variant was first discovered in southern Africa in late November and the 27-nation bloc restricted travel for visitors from that region. Poland goes past 100k Covid-related deaths Poland's total number of Covid deaths crossed 100,000, the health minister said, as the country struggles to convince people to get vaccinated despite persistently high infection. The number of deaths per one million was last week among the highest in the world, according to data by the University of Oxford, at more than 57 compared to around 34 in the United State.

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President Joe Biden's administration is closely monitoring the India-China border dispute, informed Press Secretary Jen Psaki on Monday (local time), adding that the US is "concerned" by China's attempt to intimidate its neighbours.

"Well, we continue to closely monitor the situation. We continue to support dialogue and peaceful resolution of these border disputes. We've been pretty clear how we view Beijing's behavior in the region around the world. We believe it can be destabilizing, and we're concerned by the PRC attempt to intimidate its neighbours. We'll continue to stand with our partners on that," said Psaki while responding to a question on the India-China border dispute during a press briefing here.

This comes ahead of the 14th round of the talks scheduled between India and China to resolve the standoff in eastern Ladakh. India and China will hold Corps Commander level talks on January 12 after a gap of three months.

Earlier, the US Department of Defence in December last year expressed concern about China's military build-up near the demarcation line across its Himalayan border with India has compelled Pentagon to worry.

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Nellore: Invaluable gifts offered by devotees a few centuries ago to the historical shrine of Sri Talpagiri Ranganadha Swamy in Nellore are in a dilapidated condition.

Lack of knowledge of the management from time to time to properly maintain these precious items including Tanjore paintings is a major constraint in their preservation.

There are many unique aspects about the ancient shrine built during time of Rajaraja Narendra and Ubhayakulotthonga Chola in the 12th Century. Records show Jatavarma Sundarapandya donated lands to the temple in the 13th Century.

One of the special features is that the presiding deity faces to the west in a sleeping posture, unlike other temples where the deities face the east.

Another unique feature is the Addala Mandapam or hall of mirrors, in which costly Belgium mirrors are kept around an elevated seat.

When the deity is centrally placed on the seat, hundreds of its images are reflected in the mirrors, giving an exquisite and breathtaking view.

Devotees also adore the painting of Lord Krishna (Vatapathra Sai) on the ceiling of the mandapam.

If eight persons stand at as many corners of the mandapam, each one feels as if the Lord stares at him or her.

There are also marvelous paintings of 10 incarnations of Lord Vishnu as well as the Vaishnava saints.

The paintings have gold borders that shine when light falls on them.

The mandapam was built by Muppirala Chinna Narasimha Charyulu, a devotee of Lord Ranganadha, in the beginning of this century.

He also donated a five-metre silk cloth with Vishnu Sahasranamam (1000 mantras) that was woven with gold zari. While 750 mantras were woven in the cloth, the remaining 250 have been woven on the angavastram that covers the deity.

As many as 20 weaver families from Kanchi in Tamil Nadu had been brought to weave the silk cloth with Gold Zari in the 1920s. It took them eight years to weave all the mantras, temple chief priest Kidambi Jagannnadha Charyulu said.

However, over the years, the silk cloth has been damaged by the vagaries of weather. Paintings are peeling off in the hall of mirrors and they started to lose their sheen.

When the matter was brought to the notice of the new chairman of the temple, Elapaka Sivakumar Achary, he lamented over the sad plight of the precious gifts and paintings.

I shall talk to archaeologists and personally go to the holy Sri Rangam shrine near Tiruchirapally in Tamil Nadu, which is similar to the Nellore shrine, to take their guidance in restoring/maintaining the paintings in the hall as well as the silk cloth with Gold zari, he said.
Chinese stainless steel futures surged more than 4% on Tuesday, boosted by tight supply hopes as producers cut production, while strong raw material nickel prices also offered support.

"Domestic stainless steel firms are stepping up maintenance in the first quarter, while affected by the Spring Festival holidays and Beijing Winter Olympics; overall production is expected to be limited," analysts with Jinrui Futures wrote in a note.

Meanwhile, stainless steel is also underpinned by nickel prices cue to tight spot cargoes, a Huatai Futures note showed.

The most-actively traded stainless steel contract on the Shanghai Futures Exchange, for February delivery, jumped 4.3% to 17,745 yuan ($2,785.41) per tonne as of 0330 GMT.

Other steel prices on the Shanghai bourse also gained.

Construction used steel rebar, for May delivery, inched 0.3% higher to 4,512 yuan a tonne.

Hot rolled coils futures, used for cars and home appliances, edged up 0.3% to 4,657 yuan per tonne.

The Iron and Steel Association said on Monday China's 2021 crude steel output was expected to fall to 1.03 billion tonnes from a record of 1.065 billion tonnes, reaching a "supply and demand balance".

Benchmark iron ore futures on the Dalian Commodity Exchange rose 1.9% to 718 yuan per tonne. Spot 62% iron ore for delivery to China, however, slipped $1 to $127.5 a tonne on Monday, according to SteelHome consultancy. Dalian coking coal futures fell 1.2% to 2,259 yuan a tonne and coke prices declined 2% to 3,115 yuan per tonne.

($1 = 6.3707 Chinese yuan)

(Reporting by Min Zhang in Beijing and Enrico Dela Cruz in Manila; editing by Uttaresh.V)

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President David Sassoli has died at a hospital in Italy, his spokesman said in a tweet Tuesday.

No details were offered in the tweet by spokesman Roberto Cuillo beyond Sassoli's death at 1:15 a.m. Tuesday in Aviano, a city in northeastern Italy.

Sassoli had been hospitalized since Dec. 26 due to abnormal functioning of his immune system, Cuillo said in a statement released the day before Sassoli's death.

This hospitalization was necessary because of a serious complication due to a dysfunction of the immune system, Cuillo's statement said.

Sassoli, 65, was first elected at the in 2009. He won another term in 2014 and served as the Parliament's vice president. He had decided not to run for reelection when lawmakers vote to appoint their new president later this month.

The European Parliament, headquartered in in Strasbourg, France, represents the 450 million citizens of the European Unoin and refers to itself as the heart of European democracy. It is one of the seven branches of the EU and has more than 700 members directly elected by its member nations.

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In 2022, and the are expected to move forward on a wide-ranging set of initiatives, including fight against the pandemic, climate change, QUAD, and new and emerging technologies, the said on Monday.

As you know, back in September, the (US) president (Joe Biden) hosted Prime Minister Modi at the and their meeting was about launching a new chapter in the history of US- relationship. At that time, the two leaders laid out their shared vision for US- relationship and (we) will continue to work closely this year, Press Secretary Jen Psaki told reporters at her daily news conference.

You can expect our governments will be moving forward on a wide-ranging set of initiatives from cooperating to fight the pandemic, scaling up action to address climate change, working bilaterally and through the QUAD (Quadrilateral Security Dialogue), expand our cooperation in trade and investment, cyber, and in new and emerging technologies, Psaki said.

She was responding to questions on the agenda of the Biden administration with regard to the India-US relationship in 2022.

And continuing to talk about as always, we are focused on strengthening the deep ties between our people and our shared democratic values that underpin the relationship. But obviously, we're going to continue to build from here, Psaki said.

In response to another question on China's aggressive behaviour on the border with India, she said the continues to monitor the situation.

We continue to closely monitor the situation. We continue to support dialogue and peaceful resolution of these border disputes. We've been pretty clear how we view Beijing's behaviour in the region around the world. We believe it can be destabilising, and we're concerned by the PRC's attempt to intimidate its neighbours, she said.

We'll continue to stand with our partners on that, Psaki added.

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called for greater collaboration with on semiconductors at a bilateral economic and trade meeting on Tuesday.



Japan- Exchange Association Chairman Mitsuo Ohashi praised Manufacturing Co Ltd (TSMC)'s plans to expand in Japan, saying, "I hope these collaborations can continue to expand, and positively impact the resilience of both Taiwan and Japan's supply chains."



"Currently, even though the pandemic has blocked exchanges between and Taiwan, the economic and trade relationships between and Taiwan have continued to deepen," Ohashi added via video.



Although Chinese-claimed Taiwan and Japan do not have formal diplomatic ties, they have close unofficial relations. Both share concerns about China, especially its increased military activities near the two.



The Taiwan-Japan Economic and Trade Conference has typically been held in Taiwan or Japan each year, but because of the pandemic, the two sides met virtually this week.



TSMC, the world's largest contract chipmaker, announced last year that it would set up a research and development in Japan, as well as a $7 billion chip plant with Sony Group.



Tech powerhouse Taiwan is at the forefront of efforts to resolve a shortage of chips that has hampered auto production lines and affected consumer electronics makers around the world.



Chiou I-jen, chairman of the Taiwan-Japan Relations Association, thanked Japan for supporting Taiwan's bid in September to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).



He said Taiwan hoped both sides could start a "constructive dialogue" on Taiwan joining the trade pact as soon as possible.

"Taiwan is of crucial importance to the world's supply chain, economy and trade," Chiou said, speaking at a Japanese hotel in Taipei. "If (Taiwan) can join the CPTPP, it will greatly increase the importance and visibility of this pact in the global economy."



Taiwan's bid angered China, which views the island as one of its provinces with no right to the trappings of a state. Taiwan says it is an independent country and has vowed to defend its freedom and democracy.



(Reporting by Sarah Wu. Editing by Gerry Doyle)

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The and locked horns over and other security issues on Monday with no sign of progress from either side at highly anticipated strategic talks.

Low expectations from both Washington and Moscow about the high-stakes session in Geneva appeared to have been met as senior diplomats from the two countries emerged without offering any hint of success.

Neither side characterised the meeting as a complete failure, but neither did they offer any prospect of easing the increasingly worrisome standoff over Russia's military buildup on its border with that the West sees as a fundamental threat to European security.

Nor was there any indication of movement on other, perhaps less-explosive matters that have vexed the US- relationship.

Moscow insists on guarantees to halt NATO's eastward expansion and even roll back the military alliance's deployments in Eastern Europe, while Washington firmly rejects the demands as a nonstarter.

With both sides dug in on their positions and Ukraine's future hanging in the balance, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said no progress was made on the central demand on NATO expansion, although he insisted: We have no intention to invade .

US officials openly questioned that comment.

Ryabkov spoke following talks with his US counterpart, Wendy Sherman part of a flurry of diplomatic activity in Europe this week aimed at defusing the tensions.

Sherman called the talks a frank and forthright discussion" but would not, or could not, point to any progress.

It was not what you would call a negotiation," she told reporters.

"We're not to a point where we're ready to set down texts and begin to go back and forth.

We were firm, however, on pushing back on security proposals that are simply nonstarters for the United States, Sherman said, adding we will not allow anyone to shut NATO's open-door policy that extends to countries seeking to join the alliance.

She said Washington will not forgo bilateral cooperation with sovereign states that wish to work with the .

And, we will not make decisions about Ukraine without Ukraine, about Europe without Europe or about NATO without NATO.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has described NATO expansion to Ukraine and other former Soviet states as a red line for Moscow, demanding binding guarantees from the West that they wouldn't become members of the alliance.

Moscow has sought to wrest a string of concessions from the US and its Western allies, and has massed an estimated 1,00,000 troops near Ukraine in steps that have raised concerns about a possible military intervention there.

The situation now is so dangerous, and so -- I would say -- precarious that we cannot afford any further delays in resolution of this very fundamental question," Ryabkov said at a separate news conference at the Russian mission.

"As President Putin said, on many occasions, we cannot backpedal. We cannot go backwards. There is no further space for us to do so.

Ryabkov rattled off Russian concerns and demands issued last month on subjects like NATO expansion and wanting Western commitments not to deploy offensive weapons near Russian borders.

The American side has treated the Russian proposals seriously and deeply studied them, he said, adding that he characterised Moscow's demand for legally binding guarantees that NATO would not move eastward as an absolute imperative for us.

Ryabkov emphasised that it would be hard to work on other issues if the US stonewalled on Russia's key demands.

If now NATO proceeds towards deployment of capabilities that are being developed very rapidly in the US, and will possibly be introduced somewhere in Europe, it would require a military response on the Russian part, that is a decision to counter this threat through means at our discretion," said Ryabkov, speaking in English.

"That will inevitably, unavoidably damage security of the U.S. and its European allies.

He did not elaborate.

After Ryabkov stated that had no intention to invade Ukraine, the US Ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, was publicly skeptical.

I wish to believe him, I wish that it is true that they have no plans, but everything we've seen so far indicate that they are making motions in that direction, she told reporters at the UN headquarters in New York.

Echoing comments from US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Sherman said progress could only happen if Russia stays at the table and takes concrete steps to de-escalate tensions."



De-escalation, she said, would include returning the Russian troops now deployed on Ukraine's borders to their barracks.

We've made it clear that if Russia further invades Ukraine there will be significant costs and consequences well beyond what they faced in 2014, she said. Russia has a stark choice to make.

However, neither Sherman nor State Department spokesman Ned Price would say if the US would move ahead with sanctions if Russia opts not to invade but also refuses to withdraw its troops from the border.

Monday's meeting was part of Strategic Security Dialogue talks on arms control and other broad issues launched by Putin and US President Joe Biden at a June summit in the Swiss city.

Talks between Russia and NATO are planned on Wednesday in Brussels followed by a meeting in Vienna of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe on Thursday.

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fired what was believed to a ballistic missile on Tuesday, South Korea's military and the Japanese coast guard said, the second apparent missile launch in less than a week after the reclusive state's leader urged more military advances.

The suspected ballistic missile launch was detected around 7:27 a.m. (2227 GMT) from an inland area of toward the ocean off its east coast, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said in a statement.

The projectile appeared to have landed outside of Japan's exclusive economic zone (EEZ), the Kyodo news agency reported, citing government sources in Tokyo.

"That continues to launch missiles is extremely regrettable," Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida told reporters, noting the United Nations had just finished holding discussions on how to respond to last week's launch of what North Korea claimed was a "hypersonic missile." The launches by nuclear-armed North Korea underscored leader Kim Jong Un's New Year's vow to bolster the military to counter an unstable international situation amid stalled talks with South Korea and the United States.

"The (South Korean) military is maintaining a readiness posture while closely monitoring related trends under close cooperation between (South Korea) and the U.S. in preparation for additional launches," the JCS statement said.

South Korean and U.S. intelligence agencies are conducting detailed analysis for additional information, it added.

'SIGNIFICANT THREAT'

Last week, South Korean military officials cast doubts on the capabilities of the "hypersonic missile" North Korea claimed to have test fired on Wednesday, saying it appeared to represent limited progress over Pyongyang's existing ballistic missiles.

Tuesday's apparent launch came a day after the United States mission to the United Nations, joined by France, Ireland, Japan, the United Kingdom, and Albania, issued a joint statement condemning last week's test.

"These actions increase the risk of miscalculation and escalation and pose a significant threat to regional stability," U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield said in the statement on Monday. Such tests not only improve the North's capabilities, but expands what it can offer illicit arms clients and dealers around the world, she added.

"(North Korea) makes these military investments at the expense of the well-being of the North Korean people," she said.

U.N. Security Council resolutions ban all ballistic missile and nuclear tests by North Korea, and have imposed sanctions over the programmes. Thomas-Greenfield reiterated calls for countries around the world to enforce sanctions, and for North Korea to return to talks and abandon its missiles and nuclear weapons.

"Our goal remains the complete, verifiable, and irreversible denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula," she said.

The U.S. State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Tuesday's launch.

North Korea has said it is open to talk, but only if the United States and others drop "hostile policies" such as sanctions and military drills.

Few observers expect Kim to ever fully surrender his nuclear arsenal. North Korea argues its missile tests and other military activities are for self-defence and are similar to those regularly undertaken by other nations.

(Reporting by Hyonhee Shin and Josh Smith in Seoul, and the Tokyo bureau; Additional reporting by David Brunnstrom in Washington. Writing by Josh Smith. Editing by Chris Reese and Lincoln Feast)

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The Pacific may well be the part of the world most likely to see "strategic surprise," the U.S. Indo-Pacific coordinator Kurt Campbell said on Monday, in comments apparently referring to possible Chinese ambitions to establish Pacific-island bases.

Campbell told Washington's Center for Strategic and International Studies the United States has "enormous moral, strategic, historical interests" in the Pacific, but had not done enough to assist the region, unlike countries such as Australia and New Zealand.

"If you look and if you ask me, where are the places where we are most likely to see certain kinds of strategic surprise - basing or certain kinds of agreements or arrangements, it may well be in the Pacific," he told an Australia-focused panel.

Campbell called it the issue he was "most concerned about over the next year or two," adding: "And we have a very short amount of time, working with partners like Australia, like New Zealand, like Japan, like France, who have an interest in the Pacific, to step up our game across the board."

Campbell did not elaborate on his basing reference, but lawmakers from the Pacific island republic of Kiribati told Reuters last year China has drawn up plans to upgrade an airstrip and bridge on one its remote islands about 3,000km (1,860 miles) southwest of the U.S. state of Hawaii.

Construction on the tiny island of Kanton would offer China a foothold deep in territory that had been firmly aligned to the United States and its allies since World War Two.

Kiribati said in May the China-backed plans were a non-military project designed to improve transport links and bolster tourism. Campbell said ways the United States and its allies needed to do more in the Pacific included in countering COVID-19, over the issue of fishing, and in investment in clean energy.

Campbell followed up on remarks he made last week that Washington needed to "step up its game" on economic engagement in Asia. He said Australia had privately urged the United States to understand that as part of its strategic approach, it needed "a comprehensive, engaged, optimistic, commercial and trade role."

Campbell has touted the so-called AUKUS pact, under which the United States and Britain have agreed to help Australia acquire nuclear submarines - as well as summits between the United States, Australia, India and Japan - as evidence that U.S. partnerships are causing China "heartburn." But some Indo-Pacific countries, many of which count China as their largest trading partner, have lamented what they consider insufficient U.S. economic engagement after former President Donald Trump quit a trade deal now called the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.

Biden told Asian leaders in October Washington would launch talks on creating an Indo-Pacific economic framework, but few details have emerged and his administration has avoided moves towards rejoining trade deals critics say threaten U.S. jobs.

Australia's Washington ambassador, Arthur Sinodinos, told the CSIS panel Australia continued to raise the issue with the U.S. Congress and "we haven't given up hope" of a reconsideration of U.S. trade policy.

(Reporting by David Brunnstrom, Kirsty Needham, Rami Ayyub and Costas Pitas; Editing by Sandra Maler and Lincoln Feast.)

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The Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) 2022 taking place from January 15-19 will convene global leaders, including heads of state, policy makers, and business leaders, as the United Arab Emirates (UAE) aims to take the agenda global sustainability forward and accelerate pathways to net zero.

Hosted by Masdar, ADSW 2022 will be the first major sustainability event after the COP26 conference, and will act as a global catalyst for COP27, which will be held in Egypt in 2022, and COP28, which will be hosted by the in 2023.

Held annually since 2008, ADSW has become one of the latest sustainability platforms in the world, with more than 45,000 people from 175 countries participating in ADSW 2020.

Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, Special Envoy for Climate Change, and Chairman of Masdar, said: "The next few years will be pivotal as we work together across policy, business and industry to accelerate progressive climate action that will deliver economic opportunities and prosperity for current and future generations.

"The has a long-term vision that will build on our longstanding track record in innovating climate solutions across the entire energy spectrum. Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week continues to offer an ideal platform for promoting, deploying and taking these climate solutions to scale around the world. Aligned with the UAE's 'Principles of the 50', it provide opportunities for global collaboration, knowledge sharing, investment and advancing new technological innovations that will take the global sustainability agenda forward and turn plans into action."

In addition to heads of state, leaders confirmed to participant at ADSW included Antonio Guterres, UN Secretary-General; Damilola Ogunbiyi, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Sustainable Energy for all and Chief Executive Officer of Sustainable Energy for All SEforAll; John Kerry, US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate; Sameh Shoukry, Minister of Foreign Affairs, President Designate COP27; Alok Sharma, COP26 President; Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General, World Health Organization; Francesco La Camera, Director-General of Renewable Energy Agency; Ferid Belhaj, Vice-President of the World Bank Group; and Ban Ki-moon, President of the Assembly and Chair of the Council of the Global Green Growth Institute.

Commenting ahead of her appearance at the ADSW, Halimah Yacob, President of the Republic of Singapore, said: "To deliver a sustainable future for our planet, the collective action of all stakeholders is needed. Even as we tackle the pandemic, we must not lose sight of other equally pressing global challenges.

"Governments, businesses, researchers, communities and individuals all have a role in addressing the challenges of ."

The hosting of ADSW is a key component in the UAE's positioning as a regional and global leader in sustainability and climate action.

Last October, the UAE announced its Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative, a national drive to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, the first such initiative in the MENA region.

The UAE was also the first Arab country to set voluntary clean energy targets, and the first Gulf state to sign the Paris Agreement.

Further demonstrating the UAE's leading role in driving action on climate change, at home, in the region, and throughout the world, the ADSW Opening Ceremony and the Zayed Sustainability Prize Awards Ceremony will take place at Expo 2020 Dubai on Monday January 17 to coincide with Global Goals Week.

All other ADSW events will take place in Abu Dhabi or virtually.

Since its inception, ADSW has reflected the changing global sustainability landscape, broadening its scope from renewable energy and water, to include new global trends and topics like artificial intelligence, space and mobility.

The number of ADSW events has also expanded over time, with the additions of the IRENA Assembly in 2010, the Women in Sustainability, Environment and Renewable Energy' (WiSER) Forum in 2015, Atlantic Council Global Energy Forum in 2017, Abu Dhabi Sustainable Finance Forum 2019, and the virtual ADSW Summit in 2021.

--IANS

vg/ksk/

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Estonian startup Bolt said on Tuesday it had raised 628 million euros ($711.40 million) from investors led by Sequoia Capital and Fidelity Management and Research Co, taking its to 7.4 billion euros ($8.38 billion).



Bolt, a rival of Uber's ride-sharing and business, last raised in August at a of more than 4 billion euros.



The company also offers electric scooter rentals, car-sharing and a 15-minute grocery delivery service, catering to over 100 million customers in 45 countries and over 400 cities across Europe and Africa.



"We are expanding all the five product lines extremely quickly, developing product R&D and rolling out in new cities," Chief Executive Markus Villig told Reuters in an interview.



While is the biggest rival for ride-hailing, Bolt faces competitors in including Just Eat Takeaway.com and DoorDash, which entered Europe via a $8 billion purchase of Wolt.



To gain customers, platforms often offer discounts leading to price wars in some markets.



"In many cases we have been the driving force that actually lowers prices for consumers, so from day one, we were really focused on being frugal," Villig said.



"We have been offering substantially lower prices than anybody else in the industry ... we expect this to continue."



(Reporting by Supantha Mukherjee, in Stockholm; Editing by Cynthia Osterman)

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Vice Chair Richard Clarida has said that he would resign from the central bank on Friday, shortly before his term will expire at the end of this month.

"With my statutory term as Governor due to expire on January 31, 2022, I am writing to inform you that it is my intention to resign from the Board on January 14," Clarida said in a letter to US President Joe Biden.

Clarida, a member and the vice chair of the Fed board since September 2018, said that he was proud to have served with colleagues at the Fed to "put in place historic policy measures" that steered the US economy away from depression and supported a robust recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic, Xinhua news agency reported.

"There is still road left to walk and damage to be repaired... I am confident that once the process of reopening is complete, a welcome return to maximum employment and price stability awaits," he said.

"Rich's contributions to our monetary policy deliberations, and his leadership of the Fed's first-ever public review of our monetary policy framework, will leave a lasting impact in the field of central banking," Fed Chair Jerome Powell said in a statement.

Clarida's resignation follows questions raised over financial transactions he conducted at the start of the pandemic.

The New York Times recently reported that Clarida failed to initially disclose the extent of a financial transaction he made in early 2020 as the Fed was preparing to rescue markets amid the unfolding pandemic.

"This revelation is just the latest evidence of a deep-rooted ethics failure at the Fed and the urgent need for a comprehensive information release about officials' trading activity," US Democratic senator Elizabeth Warren wrote Monday in a letter to Powell.

"I have already requested an SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) investigation into Fed officials' trading activity to determine if any trades violated insider trading rules," Warren wrote, calling on Powell to immediately release information related to Fed officials' trades and changes to the Fed's ethics policy.

Prior to his appointment to the Fed, Clarida served as the C. Lowell Harriss Professor of Economics and Affairs at Columbia University.

--IANS

int/shs

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In all, 103 samples from the GHMC limits were sent for genome testing of which 90 were found to be Omicron cases, while 13 were that of the Delta variant of the Coronavirus. (DC file photo)

HYDERABAD: The Omicron variant of the Coronavirus is blazing through the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) limits.

Despite the Telangana health departments reluctance to inform people about the number of Omicron cases in the state, data on genome sequencing of Covid-19 samples in the city collected between January 1 and January 5, shows that 87 per cent of these samples were Omicron positive.

In all, 103 samples from the GHMC limits were sent for genome testing of which 90 were found to be Omicron cases, while 13 were that of the Delta variant of the Coronavirus. As per data available on the Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data (GISAID) website, there were two lineages of the Omicron variant, and five of the Delta variant, that were found from among the 103 samples.

While the director of public health & family welfare Dr G. Srinivasa Rao said on January 6 at a press meet that some 70 per cent of all cases in the state could be of the Omicron kind, the actual results for the first five days of this year puts this number much higher than officially anticipated. January 6 was also the day when the health official declared that Telangana would no longer release any data pertaining to the highly infective and transmissible Omicron variant.

Between January 1 and January 5, the health department reported that the GHMC area had 2,361 Covid-19 cases in all. And between January 6 and January 10, the GHMC logged another 6,256 cases taking the total to 8,887 cases in the first 10 days of this month.

Between January 1 and January 10, Telangana reported a total of 13,957 cases.

If one goes by the findings of the genome sequencing results of samples from the GHMC, then the overall Omicron burden in the city of Hyderabad and its immediate surroundings during the first 10 days of January works to a whopping 7,496 cases, while state-wide, the number of Omicron cases during the same period could be 12,142.

All the samples from the GHMC area were sequenced at the recently launched genome sequencing laboratory at the Gandhi Hospital in the city. With the Gandhi Hospital joining in the genome sequencing efforts, the time taken for sequencing has come down to five days from 14 days in the past. This in turn will help the government to plan steps to control the spread of the disease with information on the variants becoming available to it much more quickly, according to Dr Kiran Madhala, head of the department of Critical Care at the Government Medical College, Nizamabad.
The WTO's General Council has discussed India's call to convene a virtual ministerial meeting on the World Trade Organisation's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including the patent waiver proposal.

India on December 23, 2021 sent a letter to the General Council Chair to hold a virtual ministerial meeting on the response of WTO (World Trade Organisation) to the pandemic, including the proposal to waive certain provisions of the TRIPS agreement for COVID-19-related vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics.

On January 10, the General Council Chair Ambassador Dacio Castillo (Honduras) convened a meeting to discuss the World Trade Organisation's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, WTO said in a statement.

After the meeting, Castillo said he would continue to hold consultations with members on the Indian proposal, underlining "the urgency and importance of reaching a meaningful outcome."



A common WTO response to COVID-19 "remains an urgent priority for the membership," he said.

WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has called for an urgent action towards a comprehensive WTO outcome on pandemic response.

"More than two years have passed since the onset of the pandemic. The emergence of the variant, which forced us to postpone our Twelfth Ministerial Conference, reminded us of the risks of allowing large sections of the world to remain unvaccinated." she said.

WTO is a 164-member multilateral body which formulates rules for global exports and imports and adjudicates disputes between two or more than two countries on trade-related issues.

Expressing disappointment over no progress on TRIPs (Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights) waiver proposal to deal with the pandemic, India has called for including this proposal into WTO's proposed response package.

In October 2020, India and South Africa submitted the first proposal, suggesting a waiver for all WTO members on the implementation of certain provisions of the TRIPs agreement in relation to the prevention, containment or treatment of COVID-19.

In May 2021, a revised proposal was submitted. TRIPs came into effect in January 1995. It is a multilateral agreement on intellectual property (IP) rights such as copyright, industrial designs, patents and protection of undisclosed information or trade secrets.

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Shares of were locked at the 5 per cent upper circuit at Rs 1,565.20, hitting a new high on the BSE in Tuesdays trade in an otherwise range-bound market. The stock of automotive company was trading higher for the fourth straight day, surging 27 per cent during the period.

Till 10:31 am; a combined 123,000 equity shares had changed hands and there were pending buy orders for around 16,000 shares on the NSE and BSE.

In the past two months, the market price of has zoomed 123 per cent, as compared to 0.87 per cent rise in the S&P BSE Sensex. In the last one year, the stock has rallied 392 per cent, as against a 23 per cent surge in the benchmark index.

On Monday, January 10, 2022, announced the acquisition of 51 per cent stake in JBM Green Energy Systems Private Limited and JBM EV Industries Private Limited through its subsidiary JBM Electric Vehicles Private Limited.

Post this stake acquisition, JBM Green Energy Systems Private Limited and JBM EV Industries Private Limited have become the indirect subsidiaries of JBM Auto Limited, the company said.

JBM Green Energy is engaged in manufacturing complete lithium-ion battery packs for electric vehicles, thereby working towards setting new benchmarks of localisation for manufacturing of electric vehicles as outlined in various government policy initiatives. With the same objective of enhancing indigenization, JBM EV Industries manufactures key aggregates and auto systems for electric vehicles.

JBM Autos 100 per cent electric buses ECOLIFE were already operating in various states such as Karnataka, Gujarat, Delhi-NCR region, Maharashtra, Andaman & Nicobar, etc. The company provides complete e-mobility ecosystem right from electric vehicles, charging infra, power infra to maintenance and support, thereby, providing optimum value to its customers.

The future of mobility in India and the world is rapidly evolving towards becoming more electrified and environment friendly, while delighting end users with superior experiences. The pace of progress is especially rapid and exciting in the EV space with special focus on public transportation contributing the highest percentage in the FAME II policy as well, the company said. The companys management is cautiously optimistic for FY22 due to higher spend in infrastructure, PLI scheme, scrappage policy and the work done so far within the company.

Meanwhile, the companys board on December 8, 2021, had approved a proposal for sub-division of equity shares with face value of Rs 5 into a face value of Rs 2 each as per the record date. The stock split is to facilitate more liquidity of the company's equity shares in the stock market and to widen shareholders base and to make the shares affordable to small investors, JBM Auto said on rationale behind the split.




Oil rose as traders looked ahead to clues on US stockpiles, while monitoring Chinas efforts to contain the spread of Omicron.

West Texas Intermediate (WTI) added 0.9 per cent after capping a two-day drop. The industry-funded American Petroleum Institute releases its weekly report on US inventories later on Tuesday.

Nationwide holdings have sunk for the past six weeks to the lowest since September, show the official data. Separately, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) issues its short-term market outlook.

has made a positive start to 2022 on expectations demand will continue to expand as the pandemic evolves, tightening the market.

The climb has come despite the spread of the Omicron virus variant, including outbreaks in China, the largest importer.

Supply halts in Libya and Kazakhstan also aided prices, as have capacity constraints faced by some Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries members.




The (SAT) has pulled up an adjudicating officer of for "inordinate delay" in issuing a show cause notice in a matter related to Shriram Insight Share Brokers Ltd.

In addition, the tribunal has quashed a order, whereby the adjudicating officer had imposed a penalty of Rs 10 lakh on the brokerage house for certain violations.

The order came after Shriram Insight Share Brokers approached the tribunal against the order, passed in June 2020, on the ground that there was a delay on the part of the regulator in issuing the Show Cause Notice (SCN).

Noting that the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) took seven-and-a-half years in issuing the SCN, the tribunal said the "view taken by the AO is patently erroneous and cannot be allowed to stand".

"We are of the view, when a defense is raised by the appellant (brokerage house) it is the onerous duty of the AO, as a quasi judicial authority, to deal with the matter instead of skirting the issue and pushing it under the carpet without dealing with it.

"The ground raised and not dealt with amounts to judicial indiscipline," SAT said in an order passed on January 4.

In the present case, the tribunal noted that there was an inordinate delay in the issuance of the SCN. Further, no explanation was given by Sebi as to why the SCN could not be issued earlier.

"In the absence of any justification, we are of the view that the show cause notice was not issued within a reasonable time and, in fact there has been an inordinate delay in the issuance of the show cause notice.

"We are further of the opinion that old and stale disputes should not be raised," it added.

Even though there is no period of limitation prescribed in the Sebi Act in the issuance of a SCN or for completion of the adjudication proceedings, the tribunal have been relying on several Supreme Court judgments to make its point that the regulator should exercise its powers within a reasonable period.

Earlier, Sebi had conducted an inspection of the books of accounts pertaining to stock broking during January-February 2012 and later an inspection report was served to Shriram Insight Share Brokers in May 2012 and a reply was filed by it in June 2012.

Thereafter, the SCN was eventually issued in December 2019 after seven-and-a-half years as to why an enquiry should not be held and penalty should not be imposed for the alleged violations.

In the notice, it was alleged that the broker committed certain violations, including non-settlement of running accounts and deficiencies in Know Your Clients (KYC) forms.

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The key benchmark indices are likely to start trade on a subdued note tracking cues from its Asian counter parts like Nikkei, Hang Seng and Taiwan, which were down around 0.4-07 per cent. The focus, however, will be on individual stocks with the earnings season to kick-start tomorrow onwards in a big way, with the likes of Infosys and TCS.

According to brokerage estimates, the companies combined net profit is expected to rise 24.9 per cent (YoY) in the October-December quarter to Rs 1.5 trillion - marginally down from an all-time quarterly high net profit of Rs 1.54 trillion in the second quarter of FY22. Cyclicals are expected to lead the earnings growth. READ MORE



As of 08:00 AM, the SGX Nifty January futures were quoted at 18,005, indicating a 30-40 point loss at the opening bell for the NSE benchmark index. Meanwhile, here are the for trade today.

Earnings Watch: Atharv Enterprises, Danube Industries, Delta Corp, Earum Pharmaceuticals, Ganesh Housing, Gayatri Tissue, Hathway Bhawani, Integra Garments, JTL Infra, Katare Spinning Mills, Madhusudan Industries, Radhe Developers and Vikas Propant are some of the companies scheduled to announce December quarter results today.

HCC: Construction major Hindustan Construction Company (HCC) has defaulted on a debt payment to the tune of Rs 2,161 crore in December 2021 even as the companys lenders have initiated a comprehensive debt resolution plan. The company has a total debt of Rs 9,727 crore and of this, it owes Rs 4,091 crore to Indian banks, the company said in a statement to the stock exchanges. READ MORE



The chemicals maker on Monday said, it has signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) worth $95 million (about Rs 700 crore) with a multinational crop protection firm for supply of a new life science related active ingredient, for a period of five years. READ MORE According to brokerage firm IIFL, the telecom player is unlikely to opt for conversion of interest on government dues into equity. VIL has to take a call on the issue by Wednesday.

Last Friday, Bharti Airtel said it will pay the interest on deferred spectrum and adjusted gross revenue liabilities and will not issue equity to the government. READ MORE



Fortis Healthcare: A US-based entity has filed a suit against the company and various others, including IHH Healthcare Berhad, for alleged "copyright infringement and tortious interference with contracts", seeking damages in excess of $6.5 billion. READ MORE



Larsen & Toubro: The engineering & construction major said its construction arm has bagged a significant order from National High Speed Rail Corporation Ltd. The major scope of work for the project comprises design and construction of civil and building works for a double-line high speed railway of a length of 8.198 km. READ MORE



Shriram Transport Finance: The company informed BSE that its board approved issuance of $475,000,000 4.15 per cent Senior Secured Notes due 2025 (Social Bonds) under the $3,500,000,000 Global Medium Term Note Programme. The rate of interest of 4.15 per cent is fixed, semi-annual basis payable on January 18 and July 18 of every year.

5Paisa: The low-cost brokerage firm reported a sharp 73.3 per cent drop in Q3 net profit to Rs 1 crore for the quarter ended December 2021 when compared with Rs 3.73 crore in the corresponding quarter a year ago. Total income, however, surged 62.3 per cent to Rs 70.13 crore from Rs 49.36 crore in the same period.

Gravita India: The companys board has approved a proposal to raise up to Rs 300 crore through QIP issue of shares.

Spandana Sphoorty Financial: The micro-finance lenders board has approved a proposal to raise up to Rs 300 crore in one or more tranches by private placement of shares or QIP issue.

Stocks in F&O ban: Delta Corp, Indiabulls Housing Finance and RBL Bank are the three stocks in the F&O ban period today.
Shares of slumped 19 per cent to Rs 12.05 on the BSE in Tuesdays intraday trade after the companys board approved conversion of adjusted gross revenue (AGR) and spectrum liabilities into equity.

With todays fall, the stock of telecom services provider has corrected 28 per cent from its 52-week high level of Rs 16.79 touched on December 10, 2021. At 09:42 am; was down 17 per cent at Rs 12.30 on the BSE, as compared to 0.10 per cent decline in the S&P BSE Sensex. A combined around 470 million equity shares had changed hands at the counter on the NSE and BSE.

The board of directors, at its meeting held on 10th January, 2022, has approved the conversion of the full amount of interest related to spectrum auction installments and AGR dues into equity. The Net Present Value (NPV) of this interest is expected to be about Rs 16,000 crore as per the companys best estimates, subject to confirmation by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), said in an exchange filing.

Since the average price of the companys shares at the relevant date of 14.08.2021 was below par value, the equity shares will be issued to the Government at par value of Rs 10 per share, subject to final confirmation by the DoT. The conversion will therefore result in dilution to all the existing shareholders of the company, including the Promoters, the company said.
Aurobindo Pharma announced that its subsidiary, CuraTeQ Biologics has expanded the scope of its marketing and distribution agreement with Orion Corporation to commercialize its biosimilars pipeline to include the Baltic states in Europe.

Earlier in 2020, CuraTeQ Biologics (CuraTeQ) and Orion Corporation (Orion) had entered into a licensing agreement, granting marketing and distribution rights for CuraTeQ's biosimilar products under development in the Nordic states, Austria, Hungary and Slovenia.

Under the terms of the agreement, Orion will be responsible for commercialization of CuraTeQ's biosimilar products, currently in various stages of development/filing for the partnered territories. CuraTeQ will leverage Aurobindo's established commercial presence in the nine European markets, including United Kingdom, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Portugal to commercialise the biosimilar products in these markets (non- partnered).

CuraTeQ filed its first oncology biosimilar product with the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in September 2021 and filed its second biosimilar product, also in the oncology segment on 10 January 2022.

On a consolidated basis, Aurobindo Pharma's net profit fell 13.7% to Rs 696.71 crore on 7.7% decline in net sales to Rs 5,889.93 crore in Q2 FY22 over Q2 FY21.

Shares of Aurobindo Pharma declined 2.05% to Rs 722.85 on BSE. Aurobindo Pharma headquartered at Hyderabad, India, develops, manufactures and distributes generic pharmaceuticals, branded specialty pharmaceuticals and active pharmaceutical ingredients.

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One 97 Communications: Number of loans disbursed through platform increased by 401 % y-o-y to 4.4 million loans in Q3 FY 2022. GMV processed through platform during the quarter aggregated to approximately Rs 2,501 billion ($33.6 billion), growth of 123% Y-o-Y compared to Q3 FY 2021.

Vodafone Idea: The board of directors of the company has approved the conversion of the full amount of interest related to spectrum auction instalments and AGR Dues into equity.

5Paisa Capital: The brokerage firm reported 77% drop in Q3 consolidated net profit to Rs 0.7 crore in Q3FY22 over Q3FY21. Total income surged 62% to Rs 80.20 crore.

Timex Group India: The company has sealed agreements with Timex Nederland B.V (Sequel Division) for the grant of manufacturing and distribution rights of Guess & Gc branded watches for the territory of India.

Gravita India: The board of directors of the company approved raising of funds through issuance of equity shares of the company or any other equity linked securities of the company, by way of one or more of the permissible modes.

Spandana Sphoorty Financial: The board of directors approved the proposal of raising of funds by way of further issue of securities through private offerings and/or qualified institutions placement or other permissible mode for an aggregate amount not exceeding Rs 300 crore.

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One 97 Communications (Paytm) rose 2.54% to Rs 1187.35 after the company said that it recorded 'stellar growth' in Q3 December 2021, as its lending business 'scales rapidly'.

Paytm's loan disbursal volume shot up 401% year-on-year to 4.4 million in the October-December period compared with the same quarter in the previous year. The value of loans disbursed through its platform during the quarter was Rs 2180 crore (run-rate of $1 .2 billion), an increase of 365% y-o-y.

The company said it saw a stellar growth in each of the lending products, i.e. Paytm postpaid (buy-now-pay-later), personal loans and merchant loans.

Paytm added that its gross merchandise value (GMV) grew 123% year-on-year to Rs 250,100 crores during the December quarter.

The firm added that its monthly transacting users (MTU) showed consistent growth in this fiscal, with 64.4 million average MTUs during the period under review, marking a growth of 37% year-on-year.

The total number of devices deployed across its merchant base has increased from 0.9 million as on 30 June 2021 to approximately 1.3 million as on 30 September 2021 to approximately 2.0 million as on 31 December 2021.

Sequentially, the company's loan disbursal volume jumped 73%. Its gross merchandise value for Q3 was up 28% QoQ. Average monthly transacting users rose 12.2% QoQ. The firm's device deployments rose 54% QoQ.

Shares of Paytm on Monday tumbled 6.01% to settle at Rs 1157.90 on the BSE. It slumped 13.56% in the past five trading sessions.

Selling emerged after a foreign brokerage reportedly initiated coverage on the scrip with an 'Underperform' rating and a price target of Rs 900. The brokerage said that it sees "no sign of headwinds abating".

Earlier this month, insurance regulator IRDAI rejected Paytm's proposed buyout of general insurance company RahejaQBE. The rejection is likely to hamper investment plans of several domestic and multinational insurance companies.

The stock entered the bourses on 18 November 2021. It was listed at Rs 1955, a discount of 9.07% compared with the initial public offer (IPO) price of Rs 2150. The counter has declined nearly 45% from its IPO price.

The IPO of Paytm was subscribed 1.89 times. The issue opened for bidding on 8 November and it closed on 10 November. The price band of the IPO was fixed at Rs 2080 to Rs 2150 per share.

Paytm is one the largest payments platform in India based on the number of consumers, number of merchants, number of transactions and revenue ended March 2021. The company launched Paytm in 2009, as a mobile-first digital payments platform to enable cashless payments for customers giving them the power to make payments from their mobile phones. It started with bill payments and mobile top-ups as the first use cases, and Paytm Wallet as the first Paytm Payment Instrument.

The company reported consolidated net loss of Rs 473.50 crore in Q2 FY22, higher than net loss of Rs 436.70 crore in Q2 FY21. Net sales jumped 63.64% to Rs 1086.40 crore in Q2 FY22 over Q2 FY21. Pre-tax loss stood at Rs 471.50 crore in Q2 FY22, higher than pre-tax loss of Rs 428.30 crore in Q2 FY21. Revenue growth was driven by 52% growth in non-UPI payment volumes (GMV) and more than three times growth in financial services and other revenue.

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Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy launched a website on Applications in the 1st phase of Jagananna Smart Townships Layout from the camp office on Tuesday, Minister Botsa Satyanarayana, Special Chief Secretary Y Lakshmi (second from right) are also seen. (Photo: DC)

VIJAYAWADA: Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy said that the government aims to ensure that every poor person has a home and the dream of owning a house for middle-class people will be fulfilled through the Jagananna Smart Township scheme.

The Chief Minister on Tuesday launched the Jagananna Smart Townships for middle-income group (MIGs) in the state by making live the JST website during a programme held in the CM camp office at Tadepalli on Tuesday.

The Chief Minister launched residential plots for middle-class families under Jagananna Smart Townships besides the official website to book plots.

Speaking on the occasion, Jagan Mohan Reddy said that the government had already provided 31 lakh house pattas to the poor, and started the phase-1 construction of 15.6 lakh houses.

Jagan Mohan Reddy said all family members belonging to Andhra Pradesh with income upto Rs 18 lakh per annum are eligible to apply from three categories of plots 150 square yards, 200 square yards and 240 square yards. The Chief Minister assured that the entire allotment will be done in a transparent way with a computerised lottery regardless of caste, religion, region, or political affiliation.

In the first phase, plots were made available at Dharmavaram in Anantapur district, Mangalagiri in Guntur district, Rayachoti in Kadapa district, Kandukur in Prakasam district, Eluru in West Godavari district and Kavali in Nellore district. The initiative will be further taken to the constituency level by establishing at headquarters of each constituency.

The Chief Minister explained that all the eligible people can apply at https://migapdtcp.ap.gov.in, by paying 10 per cent of the total price. The first instalment of 30 per cent is to be paid in a month after the agreement, another 30 per cent in six months and the remaining 30 per cent can be paid at the time of registration. Ten per cent of the layouts will be reserved for the government employees and a 20 per cent rebate will be given.

Elaborating further details, CM Jagan said that 50 per cent of the layout area will be utilised for common needs in the colony like parks, playgrounds, schools, banks, and 60-feet wide BT roads, 40-feet wide CC roads, footpaths with coloured tiles, and avenue plantations will be taken up. For maintenance of the layouts, a corpus fund will be established and handed over to the owners association.

Municipal and urban development minister Botsa Satyanarayana, Chief Secretary Sameer Sharma, municipal urban development special chief secretary Y. Srilakshmi, municipal and urban development secretary M.V. Ramamanohara Rao, MIG Layout Special Officer Basant Kumar and other senior officials were present on the occasion.
Far fewer Indians have heard of Len Deighton than of John le Carre. But in my book Deighton is every bit as good a writer of spy novels set during the Cold War as le Carre was. One clear indicator of how good his books are is the number that have been made into films The Ipcress File, Funeral in Berlin, Spy Story and the Billion Dollar Brain.

All old gold. Ipcress File, by the way, was published in 1962, a year before le Carres Spy Who Came in From the Cold. Unlike le Carre who went to Eton, Deighton was educated locally in London. But if le Carre had his George ...
Auto components industry body ACMA on Tuesday said it has urged the government for a uniform rate of 18 per cent on all auto parts to curb the impact of counterfeits in the aftermarket operations.

In its pre-Budget recommendations, the Automotive Component Manufacturers Association (ACMA) also asked the government to consider upward vision of RoDTEP (Remission of Duties and Taxes on Export Products) rates as the rate notified for the sector at 1 per cent or lower is inadequate to cover the incidence of unrefunded taxes and duties borne on export products.

"The auto component industry, being an intermediary, has recommended for a uniform rate of 18 per cent on all auto components," ACMA President Sunjay Kapur said in a statement.

The industry has significant aftermarket operations that are plagued by grey operations and counterfeits due to the high 28 per cent rate, he added.

"A moderate rate of 18 per cent will not only address this challenge but will also enhance the tax base through better compliance," Kapur said.

With the focus of the government on environment, energy security and vehicular safety, he said it is imperative for the auto components industry to invest in newer technologies and create capacities to meet the growing domestic demand for such products.

"Facilitating investments for capacity building and encouraging R&D and new product development will be steps in the right direction by the government," Kapur added.

He also welcomed the government's policy announcements on the production linked incentive (PLI) schemes for ACC (advanced chemistry cell) battery, auto and auto components, and extension of FAME-2 scheme.

These steps were very timely and "will facilitate the Indian automotive sector in becoming integral to global automotive value chains as also staying relevant", he noted.

"The automotive industry is witnessing one of the most challenging, yet interesting times, ever. Disruptions due to the pandemic, new technologies and regulations are redefining mobility," he added.

On its demand for upward revision of RoDTEP rates, ACMA said the current rate is deterring the competitiveness of the Indian auto component industry.

Seeking reintroduction of investment allowance at 15 per cent for manufacturing companies that invest more than Rs 25 crore in plant and machinery, ACMA said, "This will motivate manufacturers to invest in new technologies, specifically e-mobility and its components/ ancillaries related to plant and machinery."



Drawing the attention of the government to encourage domestic R&D and testing, ACMA said retaining the weighted tax deduction on R&D expenditure is critical.

"The 2016-17 Budget reduced weighted deduction benefit from 200 per cent to 150 per cent and has further restricted the deduction to 100 per cent from 1st April 2020," it said.

Besides these recommendations, ACMA said it has also put forth several suggestions in order to ease the 'cost of doing business' in India.

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They are the parcel boys  the key link in the supply chain of Indias vast consumer goods market. But several leading brands are now threatening to push Indias traditional distributors into oblivion. In November last year, lakhs of traditional distributors were up in arms against giants for letting the likes of JioMart and Udaan sell goods directly to kiranas at deep discounts. Recently, they got breakthroughs against Hindustan Unilever and Colgate Palmolive. Technology and innovations are changing the market place rapidly. From physical stores, shops have now moved into mobile apps, posing threats to businesses which are not evolving with time. But there are some sectors which are thriving without much help from technology.

Bullion market is one of them. And in it, not just gold, but also offers good returns. After investment in silver, let us see what is happening in markets. has been on an investment spree. Over the past four-years, the Mukesh Ambani-owned company has invested $5.7 billion across verticals, with nearly $2 billion being invested in 2021 alone. However, as the web of investments becomes enormous, analysts believe its about time RIL considers a de-merger. Markets are eagerly waiting for the Union budget, which will be presented on February 1. But before the budget, the government releases the . It is an annual document which offers a peek into Indias economic development over the previous fiscal year. Find out all in this episode of the podcast.
ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund and Nippon India Mutual Fund are tapping into the latent demand for silver investments, with the recent launch of their silver exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and fund of fund (FoF). Other fund houses like DSP, HDFC and Mirae Asset will soon come out with their offerings too. So, does an investment in silver bode well for the retail investor in current times? Analysts say yes, pointing to the metals low but positive correlation with equities. Chirag Mehta, senior fund manager-alternative at Quantum Mutual Fund, told Business Standard that around 70 per cent of silvers usage comes from industrial applications. When economic growth is high, rising demand pushes its price up. So, while gold has a negative correlation with stocks, silver is more likely to work the other way around. While silver has declined 12.5% over the past year, experts expect it to begin performing again in the coming few months. The metal is trading at around Rs 60,000 per kg in key metro cities, but Naveen Mathur, director-commodities and currencies, Anand Rathi Shares and Stock Brokers told Business Standard that the metal could reach a price of around Rs 67,000 in the coming few months.

In the last decade, gold has definitely outperformed silver in terms of returns. So, experts suggest only considering silver as one option in a basket of commodities. For those considering investing only in silver, experts suggest having a 10-year plus horizon. Business Standards Sanjay Kumar Singh explains more. For those planning to invest in silver, you could benefit from an industrial upturn. One could allocate 5-10 per cent of the pro-cyclical component of their portfolio to it. Long-term investors should take the systematic investment plan (SIP) route to benefit from silvers volatility.
As of January 1 Ivo Sauter has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of BitMEX Link, owner and operator of an innovative 24/7 crypto brokerage featuring spot, structured products, and OTC trading. He will be based in Switzerland, home to BitMEX Links offices in Zug and Zurich.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220111005536/en/

BitMEX Link welcomes Ivo Sauter as new Chief Executive Officer (Photo: Business Wire)

Prior to joining BitMEX Link, Ivo was Chief Digital, Transformation, and Strategy Officer at Gazprombank (Switzerland) Ltd. for over a year. He has over two decades of experience working in leadership roles at banks and fund management companies. Ivo also brings crypto expertise, having worked as Chief Client Officer at SIX Digital Exchange - the first financial market infrastructure in the world to offer fully integrated end-to-end trading, settlement, and custody of digital assets.

Ivo said: Im quite proud to have joined BitMEX Link at this stage - theres incredible momentum here, and there is so much in store for us in 2022. BitMEX Link will enhance how traders, pro traders, and institutional investors alike interact with crypto, and Im honoured to be leading this business line and building the BitMEX Link team here in Switzerland.

Alexander Hoptner, chairman of BitMEX Link, said: The appointment of Ivo is an exciting milestone in the development of BitMEX Link and the presence of the BitMEX brand in Switzerland. Over the coming months and years, we will be investing to grow BitMEX Link in Switzerland, where we see immense growth potential in the long-term.

About BitMEX

BitMEX is a trading platform that offers users access to the global digital asset financial markets and is owned by HDR Global Trading Limited. BitMEX Link is owned by BXM Link AG. To learn more about BitMEX, our vision, growing team, and the road ahead, please follow us on Twitter, Telegram, and the BitMEX Blog.

For further inquiries, please contact [email protected] (media relations office Switzerland)

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220111005536/en/
The Womens Entrepreneurship Accelerator (WEA), today announced the global launch of its online entrepreneurship curriculum designed to inspire, educate, and empower women entrepreneurs around the world. The Online Entrepreneurship Certificate Programme was first announced during the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 76) on the second anniversary of WEA.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220111005443/en/

Deborah Gibbins, Chief Operating Officer at Mary Kay Inc. (Photo: Mary Kay Inc.)

WEA is a multi-stakeholder strategic partnership convening six United Nations agencies: International Labour Organization (ILO), International Trade Centre (ITC), International Telecommunication Union (ITU), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), UN Women, and Mary Kay. ITC is leading the capacity-building component of the multi-partnership.

Developed by ITC SheTrades and powered by Mary Kay in support of WEA, the guided Entrepreneurship Certificate Programme includes 27 interactive modules enriched with over 200 videos. The aim is to teach women entrepreneursaspiring or veteranthe skills to design and set up businesses that have potential to be economically viable. Participants will learn how to adopt an entrepreneurship culture, develop ideas through design thinking and lean start-up methodologies, prepare a business model canvas, design a pitch, identify sources of funding, find the right partners, arrange for mentorship, build a team, and set up their businesses.

The Certificate Programme covers the seven key stages of business development:

Certificate 1: Deciding to Become an Entrepreneur (6 modules),

Certificate 2: Developing the Idea  Business Ideation (3 modules),

Certificate 3: Business Modelling (4 modules),

Certificate 4: Pitching the Business (4 modules),

Certificate 5: Funding the Venture (3 modules),

Certificate 6: Building up the Team (4 modules),

Certificate 7: Setting up the Business (3 modules).

The WEA Online Entrepreneurship Certificate Programme is now accessible at the fingertips of millions of women directly on the ITC SheTrades website (www.shetrades.com/en/learn/e-learning) and on the WEA website. It is currently available in English, Spanish, and French, with Arabic, Russian and Mandarin coming in 2022. It is free for all users of shetrades.com with no barrier to entry. Participants will receive a certificate upon completion of each ofthe seven key stages of business development.

The world needs more women entrepreneurs, said Deborah Gibbins, Chief Operating Officer at Mary Kay Inc. Almost half of all women entrepreneurs claim to be driven by the desire to contribute to the great societal good. Their impact can be immense. The WEA Online Entrepreneurship Certificate Programme is a game-changer for women and girls around the world. With the right tools and support, theres no limit to what women can do.

We must increase womens participation in international trade, helping them scale their businesses so that they become the catalysts for more inclusive and sustainable communities. Women are powerful agents of change  and empowering women benefits whole societies, said Pamela Coke-Hamilton, Executive Director of the International Trade Centre.

An official launch event will be held on January 18, 2022, at 15:00 CET in collaboration with Mary Kay. It will convene women entrepreneurs and women-owned businesses from the ITC SheTrades network around the world. The event will be hosted virtually in English and will serve as a platform to present the Entrepreneurship Certificate Programme, and upcoming in-country trainings. The SheTrades team will present the entrepreneurship curriculum as well as other tools available on www.shetrades.com. Register here to the launch of WEAs first free Entrepreneurship Certificate Programme.

The launch of the WEA Certificate Programme on the ITC SheTrades eLearning platform will also be supplemented at the national level with on-the-ground training for women from developing countries interested in entrepreneurship and/or planning to integrate into regional and global value chains. The in-country training sessions will provide practical insight and expertise to women entrepreneurs and MSMEs and will take place virtually in Colombia, Brazil, Mexico and India. The training sessions will be held in Spanish (Colombia, Mexico), Portuguese (Brasil) and English (India). Sessions will focus on two main topics: Competitiveness and Export Readiness (19-20 January) and Digital Marketing and e-commerce workshops (1-3 February).

The contribution falls under ITC's Empowering Women to Trade Programme which contributes directly to ITCs focus area 5 Promoting and Mainstreaming Inclusive and Green Trade and United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 5, 8 and 17.

WEA has committed to empower 5 million women entrepreneurs by 2030.

About the Womens Entrepreneurship Accelerator

The Womens Entrepreneurship Accelerator (WEA) is a multi-partnership initiative on womens entrepreneurship convening six United Nations agencies and Mary Kay. International Labour Organization (ILO), International Trade Centre (ITC), International Telecommunication Union (ITU), UN Development Programme (UNDP), UN Global Compact (UNGC), UN Women and Mary Kay have committed to empower 5 million women entrepreneurs by 2030. The ultimate goal of the initiative is to maximize the development impact of women entrepreneurship in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by creating an enabling ecosystem for women entrepreneurs around the world. The Accelerator exemplifies the transformational power of a multi-partnership of unique magnitude to harness the potential of women entrepreneurs. Learn more at we-accelerate.com. Follow us: Twitter and Instagram (@we_accelerator), Facebook and LinkedIn (@womensentrepreneurshipaccelerator).

About ITC SheTrades

The International Trade Centres SheTrades initiative aims to connect three million women to market by 2021 and rallies stakeholders around the world to work together to address trade barriers and create greater opportunities for women entrepreneurs. It is supported by a web and mobile digital platform. For more information, please visit SheTrades.com: https://www.shetrades.com/en.

About the International Trade Centre

The International Trade Centre is the joint agency of the World Trade Organization and the United Nations. ITC assists small and medium-sized enterprises in developing and transition economies to become more competitive in global markets, thereby contributing to sustainable economic development within the frameworks of the Aid-for-Trade agenda and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. For more information, visit www.intracen.org. Follow ITC on Twitter | Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram | Flickr

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220111005443/en/
There are many different types of masks available for people to wear and most provide some level of protection, although the quality of protection is different for each.
HYDERABAD: Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader and Leader of Opposition in the Bihar Legislative Assembly, Tejashwi Yadav on Tuesday met Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) president and Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao at Pragathi Bhavan.

Tejashwi was accompanied by former Bihar minister Abdul Bari Siddiqui, former MLC Sunil Singh and former MLA Bhola Yadav among others. Tejashwi's sudden arrival at Pragathi Bhavan sparked political speculations about the purpose of the meeting with the Chief Minister.

TRS sources said both the leaders discussed the present national political situation and the need to forge an anti-BJP front to defeat the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre in 2024 Lok Sabha polls. TRS working president and IT minister K.T. Rama Rao and Rajya Sabha member Joginipally Santhosh Kumar were also present in the discussions. Chandrashekar Rao also called Tejaswi's father and Bihar former Chief Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav over phone in the presence of the visiting delegation and spoke to him for about 10 minutes.

The meeting assumes significance against the backdrop of Chandrashekar Rao inviting top national leaders of the CPI and the CPM to Pragathi Bhavan on January 8 including Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan where the discussion was centred around bringing all anti-BJP forces together to defeat NDA in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls and achieve "BJP-mukt Bharat". They also discussed upcoming Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls and opined that the BJP is bound to lose UP polls as a Cabinet minister has left BJP and a few more MLAs are going to leave soon giving indications of downfall of the BJP in UP. Discussion on NCP leader Sharad Pawar's statement extending support to Samajwadi Party in UP polls also figured in their talks.

Tejashwi has been waging a political battle against the NDA and the BJP in Bihar. His party RJD gave a tough fight to the BJP-JD(U) alliance in Bihar Assembly elections held in November 2020.

Sources said a consensus was reached in the discussions about the need for all democratic and secular forces to join hands to defeat the BJP at the national level. They also agreed on intensifying agitation against the anti-BC, SC, ST, Minority policies of the NDA government.

They agreed to devise a common future course of action against BJP at the earliest.

During his phone conversation with Lalu, Chandrashekar Rao reportedly explained him about the discrimination being meted out to Telangana by the NDA government on the issue of paddy procurement, sanctioning of Central funds and pending state bifurcation issues.

Lalu reportedly appreciated the efforts of Chandrashekar Rao in bringing all anti-BJP forces together. He is learnt to have asked Chandrashekar Rao to come forward to fight against the BJP and continue his efforts until the BJP government at the Centre is ousted from power. He urged Chandrashekar Rao to work with like-minded parties to save the democratic and secular fabric of India.

The RJD delegation reportedly expressed their complete support to Chandrashekar Rao in his efforts to bring down the NDA government in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

Speculation is rife in the TRS circles that Tejashwi arrived by a special flight to Hyderabad on the invitation of Chandrashekar Rao to have discussion on forging anti-BJP front at the national level.


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In this photo provided by the University of Maryland School of Medicine, members of the surgical team show the pig heart for transplant into patient David Bennett in Baltimore on Friday, Jan. 7, 2022. On Monday, Jan. 10, 2022 the hospital said that he's doing well three days after the highly experimental surgery. (Mark Teske/University of Maryland School of Medicine via AP)
County Health Director Nina Oliver outlines her concerns regarding masks being optional in schools during the County Consolidated Human Services Board meeting Monday. (Cheryl Burke screenshot)
U.S. Senate candidate Rep. Ted Budd, R-N.C., meets with the voting public Saturday at Southern Salt restaurant in Morehead City. (Mike Shutak photo)
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Photo: B.C. Government / Flickr China's consul general in Vancouver Tong Xiaoling giving Premier John Horgan a red scarf during Chinese New Year celebration in Richmond in 2019.

When it comes to trading with China, we hold the cards and Canada should direct its exports away from the authoritarian regime, Vancouver human rights and democracy activist Fenella Sung says.

Now, new polling from Angus Reid released Monday suggests most Canadians (61%), and especially British Columbians, are on board with Sung.

Nearly seven in 10 British Columbians want to see Canada trade less with China while a growing number of Canadians wish human rights are prioritized over economic factors with the global superpower, Angus Reid found.

Nevertheless, most people (54%) are worried about the economic consequences of getting out of business with China, the polling shows.

Sung acknowledges it may come at a cost but one that can be mitigated by efforts to diversify trading partners. Any short-term losses exporters feel could be subsidized by the tax system, Sung says  a cost Sung says is worth it to rid Canada of Chinas increasing retaliatory and volatile behaviour as well as to not support the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

The imprisonment of former diplomat and policy analyst Michael Kovrig and tourism entrepreneur Michael Spavor, which Canadian officials deemed wrong and arbitrary, following the December 2018 arrest in Vancouver of Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou is often seen as a benchmark for views on China. Angus Reid polling suggests more Canadians (77%) are prioritizing human rights with China now than in January 2019 (62%). And more people in B.C. (80%) than any other province want Canadas overall relationship with China defined by human rights.

In 2020, China represented 4.9% of Canadas export sales ($25 billion) whereas most of our goods (73%) are sold to the United States. Fourteen per cent of all imports ($77 billion) into Canada come from China.

Sung asserts it is Canada that holds many essential natural resources (grains, natural gas, oil, lumber) that the Chinese depend on, whereas Canadians generally depend mostly on discretionary import items. In other words, China is in a more desperate position, suggests Sung, a core member of Vancouver-based advocacy group Canadian Friends for Hong Kong.

Still, in recent years, Canada has faced out-of-the-blue trade sanctions and pressures from China, such as on agriculture products. And Australias wine industry has been targeted by the CCP with tariffs in response to diplomatic tensions.

And so, there is worry among Canadians about the consequences of standing up to China. Nearly six in 10 Canadians strongly or somewhat agree there would be economic consequences. Those who strongly or somewhat disagree, such as Sung, only amount to 37% of those polled by Angus Reid. Its unclear how long such consequences could last and how theyd be remedied.

Those who place more importance on human rights are less likely to be worried about economic consequences than those who place more importance on trade.

Among those who wish Canada would trade less with China, a majority (60%) believe less trade can be accomplished without affecting the economy. Another 28% think Canada can cut ties and make up for all losses. But 12% say it is not possible and despite their views, trade with China will have to continue to maintain the Canadian economy.

And most Canadians (73%) think Canada can have no impact on Chinas behaviour whereas 22% think there may be some impact on the countrys authoritarian rulers, the poll states.

The polls parsed through provincial and political affiliations. It found more Liberals (25%) think Canada can sway Chinas behaviour than Conservatives (18%). And NDP supporters were least confident that Canada could make up for economic losses as 16% said we need to keep trading with China (as opposed to 12% each for Conservatives and Liberals). Although, New Democrats showed the most support for prioritizing human rights (86% compared to 72% among Conservatives).

China found its most support in Quebec with 30% of Quebecois stating China is as good a trade partner as any, whereas in B.C. that portion declined to 21%.

Finally, the poll showed women (81%) are more likely than men (73%) to want human rights prioritized.

The poll comes a month ahead of the Beijing Winter Olympic Games that has four in 10 Canadians calling for a full athlete boycott.

Canadian exports to China rose in 2020 to $24.5 billion  up from $22.4 billion in 2019; those 2020 exports to China far exceeded all previous years on record other than 2018 ($26.8 billion). B.C. accounted for $5.7 billion of the 2020 exports, which was the lowest total for the province since 2016, when the B.C. Liberal government signed the province up to Chinas controversial Belt and Road Initiative.
Photo: YouTube Port Coquitlam teen Amanda Todd created a video on YouTube in September 2012, a month before she died.

A publication ban naming a Port Coquitlam teen who was cyberbullied and died by suicide was lifted today (Monday).

BC Supreme Court Madam Justice Martha Devlin agreed to the constitutional challenge for Amanda Todds name to be printed.

Under Section 486.4(3) of the Criminal Code of Canada, minors or subjects involved in cases of child pornography cannot be identified.

But because the former School District 43 student is now deceased, B.C. media outlets sought to have the mandatory order dismissed last fall.

Devlins ruling is effective immediately and will apply to reporting of the jury trial, which is now set for 13 weeks starting in June.

Aydin Coban, 43, of The Netherlands, is indicted on five counts in connection to the case:

extortion

importing and distributing child pornography

possession of child pornography

communicating with the intent to lure a child

criminal harassment

Coban was charged in 2014 and was extradited to Canada in December 2020 to face the criminal offences.

Todd was 15 when she died in October 2012  a month after she shared a video on YouTube to explain the cyberbullying.

To date, her nine-minute video, which contains themes of self-harm, bullying and suicide, has been viewed 14.5 million times.

After her death received world-wide attention, Todds mother, Carol, a School District 43 learning resource teacher, created the Amanda Todd Legacy Society in her daughters name to spread the message about online protection.

In a statement to the Tri-City News on Jan. 10, Carol Todd said shes pleased with the courts ruling and that the advocacy work based on her story will be able to continue in her legacy and in her memory.

Carol Todd added, It has always been the reaching goal of Amandas Legacy to be able to share her story (as she herself did with her YouTube video) in addition to providing prevention and awareness related to cyberbullying, digital safety and exploitation so that other children and families would be able to be informed and have strategies on how to reach out for support.

With this ruling today, we can continue to work together to create a safer online world for our children, Carol Todd said.
Photo: The Canadian Press

A group representing residential power consumers wants a seat at any discussions involving alleged illegal behaviour by one of Alberta's main power providers and is asking the regulator to release all information involving ATCO's actions.

Jim Wachowich, lawyer for the Consumers' Coalition of Alberta, said ATCO is trying to "deflect attention" by keeping the matter out of the public.

"This is a watershed event," said Wachowich.

ATCO said it has already disclosed much information and is working with the commission to settle the matter.

In November, the Alberta Utilities Commission's enforcement branch requested a hearing into its findings that ATCO Electric deliberately overpaid a British Columbia First Nation by millions for work on a new transmission line. It allegedly did so to secure lucrative contracts for another ATCO company to provide construction camps for the Trans Mountain Expansion oil pipeline project.

Investigators said the company then allegedly tried to pass the $12-million overpayment on to Alberta consumers, in violation of the law. They alleged company management was aware the arrangement was questionable and tried to cover its tracks.

In materials filed with the commission, the enforcement branch alleges that ATCO "violated (its) fundamental duty of honesty and candour ... the duty upon which the entire regulatory system relies."

ATCO has acknowledged it made mistakes and said the overpriced contract was entered into to help the First Nation build capacity in a new area of business.

In an Oct. 29 letter to the commission's enforcement branch, company president Melanie Bayley said there was an offer of a $16-million settlement.

The letter and other documents recently obtained by The Canadian Press show that investigators and ATCO representatives agreed to meetings beginning this week, before the commission holds any formal hearings.

"Both parties would like an opportunity to pursue discussions to determine whether, or to what extent, it might be possible to resolve any aspects of the case," said a letter from a lawyer for the enforcement branch to the commission.

Any proposed settlement would have to be approved by the commission.

But Wachowich argues the public must be represented at any talks involving a regulated utility.

"Granting us standing would indicate the broader public interest is being considered  we're not just considering one side of the equation," he said.

As well, his group is asking for all information collected by the enforcement branch and ATCO to be made public. That includes the results of an internal company probe.

"The biggest document is the one we don't have," he said.

Bayley said in an email that it's normal for the commission's enforcement arm to work with a company on a settlement.

"It's typical for administrative penalty matters to be handled by a utility and the (commission) with no customer or intervener involvement, since only the utility is impacted," Bayley wrote.

Bayley said a number of ATCO documents are already public. She said the company plans to release the internal investigation at some point, with commercial and personal details redacted.

"Again, this is normal in regulatory hearings and is granted by the commission all the time," she wrote.

However, ATCO has also argued some information already made public should be removed from the record.

"AUC enforcement has disclosed certain commercial arrangements between unregulated entities that are not subject to the AUCs jurisdiction and has done so without their permission and in conflict with the express confidentiality provisions of these agreements," said a letter from the company's lawyers.

In anotherletter to the commission, ATCO chairwoman Nancy Southern said the overpriced contract wasissued out of an "entrenched and important" respect for Indigenous communities.

"This had an important impact on the decisions made," she wrote.

The documents filed by the enforcement branch alleged the First Nation took ATCO's cheque and subcontracted the work to another company at a lower price. The same documents alleged ATCO managers knew that would likely happen.

"At that point, you're not trying to build capacity, you're trying to curry favour," said Wachowich.

Wachowich said the seriousness of ATCO's alleged breach warrants public participation.

"They breached a very important standard."

Utilities commission spokesman Geoff Scotton said there are no mandated timelines for resolving the issue.

The investigators have asked the commission to force ATCO to refund the money it received from rate increases due to the overpriced contract as well as impose administrative penalties. Those penalties can be as high as $1 million per day per offence.
Photo: The Canadian Press

The U.S. government will agree to drop pending perjury charges against British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell if her sex trafficking case goes to sentencing later this year, prosecutors said.

The offer was made in a letter to a judge filed jointly late Monday by the prosecutors and Maxwells attorneys in federal court in Manhattan. The defence countered by asking that questions about the perjury charges be put off until the judge rules on its request for a new trial.

Maxwell, 60, was convicted last month of recruiting teenage girls between 1994 and 2004 for financier Jeffrey Epstein to sexually abuse. Two perjury counts that were separated from the main case accuse Maxwell of lying in a 2016 civil deposition.

At a trial ending with her conviction last month, Maxwell vehemently denied any wrongdoing. Her lawyers argued that she was made a scapegoat for the sex crimes of Epstein, her onetime boyfriend and employer.

Last week, the defence seized on reports in the British media saying a juror had revealed to other jurors during weeklong deliberations that he was sexually abused as a child in trying to persuade them that Maxwell should be found guilty.

Among other challenges, Maxwell's lawyers are contending the juror withheld his background before the trial in a way that compromised the jury selection process.
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Photo: Taseko

Taseko Mines reported record revenues for the third quarter at its Gibraltar copper mine in B.C., thanks to higher copper grades and high copper prices, and is now laser-focused on developing a new copper project  but not in B.C.

As the prospect of building its New Prosperity copper mine in B.C. has all but evaporated, the company has turned its focus to Arizona. Also in its development pipeline is the Yellowhead copper mine proposal northeast of Kamloops which, if built, would be on par with the Gibraltar mine in terms of production potential.

Taseko plans to spend US$230 million to develop the Florence copper project in Arizona. Thats on top of the US$80 million already spent bringing the project through the permitting process.

We think were going to get permitted and start construction next year, Taseko CEO Stuart McDonald said in an earnings call in November. We do have other projects in the pipeline. Weve got potential at Gibraltar to expand the mine life  and of course Yellowhead coming in the future too.

So weve got other projects in the pipeline, but really were confident that Florence is going to be the next mine for Taseko.

The next big mine project for Taseko was supposed to be the New Prosperity mine in B.C.  said to among the top 10 richest undeveloped copper deposits in the world. But it appears to have been kicked to the bottom of Tasekos project pipeline. In its most recent earnings call with analysts, company executives didnt mention it and no one asked about it.

Theres good reason for that. It has been vigorously opposed by the Tsilhqotin First Nation, and has been rejected twice by the federal government. And on Friday, a provincial environmental certificate will expire.

Two years ago, when the Tsilhqotin made the surprising decision to agree to a legal standstill over the troubled New Prosperity copper mine project and support an extension to the provincial environmental certificate, it raised the possibility that the project  which the Tsilhqotin had formally pronounced dead  might not be quite dead after all, but on life support.

But last week, B.C. Environment Minister George Heyman decided it was time to pull the plug.

If Taseko ever manages to get the Tsilhqotin on board with the Prosperity project, it would have to go back to the drawing board and start all over again with both federal and provincial environmental review processes.

Taseko was twice denied a federal environmental certificate to build the Prosperity (and rebranded New Prosperity) copper mine. But the project did at least have a provincial environmental certificate, something that allowed Taseko to keep the project legally in play through a number of court challenges.

As of Jan. 14, it wont even have that, as the certificate will have finally expired.

Environmental certificates require substantial work to begin by certain deadlines, or the certificate expires. In the Prosperity mines case, the B.C. government had already granted three extensions.

In December 2019, Taseko and the Tsilquotin agreed to hold their respective legal activities over the mine in abeyance and try to talk things out.

Part of the standstill agreement included the Tsilhqotins support of an application for a one-year extension to the provincial environmental certificate, which was to expire in 2020. The extension was granted.

The standstill agreement remains in place, and Taseko applied in early December for yet another one-year extension to the environmental certificate. But on Dec. 21, Heyman rejected the application.

Heyman notes in his letter to Taseko and the Tsilhqotin that environmental certificates are typically granted only one extension, whereas the Prosperity project has already been granted three since 2015.

Moreover, he notes that an extension would not mean the mine could be built in any case, given that the federal government has twice declined to approve it.

At this time, the certificate is almost 12 years old, and does not authorize a project that will be built  given the federal rejection of New Prosperity, Heyman writes.

In my view, rather than extending a certificate that followed an assessment conducted more than a decade ago, it would be appropriate for Taseko to apply, if it wishes to do so, for a new certificate in respect of a project that it does intend to build.

The market greeted Heymans decision with indifference, with Tasekos shares rising slightly following the December 23 decision.

The Prosperity mine saga underscores the reality that, in B.C., a new mine cannot be built without First Nations consent and support. Tasekos Yellowhead project may prove more feasible, as the company has secured an early stage agreement with the Simpcw First Nation to explore its potential development. That mine project has an estimated capital cost of $1.3 billion.

We are working with them towards initiating the EA process, said Sean Magee, vice-president of corporate affairs.

The companys main focus for now is bringing the Florence Copper project in Arizona into production, using a novel in situ process  an alternative to conventional underground or open-pit mining that has a very low capital cost.

Its a process that is only conducive to certain types of deposits, and is more like conventional oil well drilling than mining. Wells are drilled and then oxide copper is dissolved underground and the copper brought to the surface for processing.

The company expects the Florence mine could produce 85 million pounds of copper annually. By contrast, Gibraltar produces about 130 million pounds annually.

It will operate for 20 years at extremely low cost, Magee said. So its a pretty significant increase in our productivity and our profitability.

As for the Prosperity project, Magee said the company and the Tsilhqotin are still at least talking.

As long as those talks are productive and constructive towards a mutually acceptable resolution, thats where our focus will be, he said.
Photo: Watershed Watch/SkeenaWild Commercial purse seine fishers haul their net while fishing for pink and chum salmon in the southeastern region of Alaska.

Alaskan fishing fleets are catching a large proportion of the salmon bound for B.C. waters at a time many local fishers have been shut out of the industry, says a new study.

Of the almost 800,000 sockeye salmon caught in southern Alaskan waters in 2021, the majority came from Canadian rivers and streams, according to the technical study, Alaskan Interceptions of BC Salmon: State of Knowledge, commissioned by Watershed Watch Salmon Society and SkeenaWild Conservation Trust.

Tens of thousands of Canadian-origin chinook and coho, and a large but unknown number of Canadian pink, chum and steelhead were also harvested, according to the report.

We knew that the Alaskans were catching a lot of B.C. salmon, as they have for a long time, but it was pretty jarring to see how their share of the catch has grown as ours has dwindled to protect salmon, said Aaron Hill, president of Watershed Watch.

If they could complete their journey, most of the salmon headed to B.C. would swim up the Skeena and Nass  the province's second and third most important salmon-bearing rivers. But many also would have carried on to the Fraser River or down the West Coast into other U.S. states.

Former Campbell River fishing captain Rick Frey used to have a licence near the mouth of the Nass River before he sold his boat a couple of years ago. Frey said while his boat would be fishing 12 hours a week, across the border, they could hear the radio chatter of Alaskan fishers as they pulled in their nets.

We can hear them. Theyre just across the border. Theyre fishing five days a week. Theyre catching our sockeye, he said. Those are our fish.

B.C. salmon populations have plummeted to record lows in recent years. In response, the federal government closed 60 per cent of B.C.s commercial salmon harvest in June 2021 and announced a fishing licence buy-back program under its $647-million Pacific Salmon Strategy Initiative.

Most of the B.C.-bound fish caught north of the border are intercepted on the south side of the Alaskan panhandle in Fishing District 104. According to the report, seine nets in District 104 catch 50 to 75 per cent of all Skeena sockeye caught in the southern reaches of Alaska, and between about 10 and 50 per cent of all Nass sockeye

As far as Fraser River sockeye intercepted in District 104, they can make up more than half of the total sockeye catch in late August. In 2019, the amount of Fraser River sockeye pulled out of Alaskas southern waters exceeded that of Canadas. That will likely happen again in 2021, notes the report.

Its not just Canadian environmental groups raising the alarm. Hill said his group is working with the Wild Fish Conservancy out of Washington state, which is in the process of taking the U.S. government to court for its management plan of Alaska chinook salmon fisheries. Their concern is that chinook, a vital source of food for southern resident killer whales, are getting intercepted before the whales can feed on them.

In a filing dated Jan. 9, 2020, the group said it was suing the National Marine Fisheries Service for violations of the Endangered Species Act.

But for Canadian groups, such legal recourse against the U.S. government is more challenging. Many look to the Canada-U.S. Pacific Salmon Treaty to settle such imbalances, but it isnt up for renewal until 2028.

Frey, who used to sit on a committee during past Canada-U.S. treaty negotiations, said the Canadian-bound fish plundered in Alaska were left as a kind of freebie while fair bilateral deals were worked out on the southern border.

We could be fishing the hell out of their Washington and California stocks. And were not doing that, Frey said.

Unlike in B.C., Alaskan fishers arent required to report their bycatch of non-target species and much of what gets thrown back lands in the water dead, said Hill.

Genetic tests so Alaskan fishers could avoid Canadian fish and third-party oversight to ensure bycatch makes it back in the water alive would be simple measures that could reap big benefits, said both Frey and Hill.

Meanwhile, the report recommends Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game review existing assessment programs and design new ones to understand how fish are getting exploited in the region.

We often wondered on the Canadian side why our fisheries isn't pushing to have more regulations from them, said Frey of DFO's U.S. counterparts. Its so blatant. Why cant they do anything about it?

Both the environmentalist and former fisher said its time for the Canadian and B.C. government to exert whatever pressure they can on Alaskan fisheries to clean up their act.

The Alaskans need to shut down this dirty fishery. It only exists to intercept B.C. salmon migrating through their waters, said Hill.

Its incredibly unfair and wrong that Canadian fishers and taxpayers are taking it on the chin to save the fish while across the border the Alaskans are beating the hell out of them.
Photo: BC Gov Flickr

Infection rates of COVID-19 in B.C. may be starting to plateau, said provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry, who struck a somewhat optimistic tone Tuesday.

I think we're getting the sense that we have leveled off somewhat, Henry said during a media availability.

We may be entering soon into the place where we will see a decline, and right now, our primary focus needs to be on keeping as much as possible open in our communities, and ensuring that we have that balance that our healthcare system is not getting overwhelmed  as stretched as it is.

Scientists in the U.S. and Britain, which are further ahead in the Omicron wave, have also been seeing signs that infections will soon drop rapidly due to rising immunity from the spread of the virus.

Henry acknowledged that hospitalizations have been rising in recent weeks, which is why public health orders are likely to remain unchanged" for the time being. More detailed modelling on hospitalizations will be released Friday.

"I want to encourage people this wave is moving quickly. And it means you need to do everything to protect yourself right now. And we know that this wave will move through quickly as well," Henry said.

"We tend to see this with any pathogen that has a shorter incubation period, you see these rapidly explosive growth, and you also see a rapid decrease once a certain level has been reached in the population."

She cautioned, however, that is far from a certainty and some other countries are having different, more severe, experiences with the Omicron wave.

While the Omicron variant is spreading widely in the vaccinated population, Henry said the vaccines are still able to prevent serious illness and death. Recent data shows people vaccinated with two doses are 60% to 70% less likely to be hospitalized with the virus six months after the second dose. A booster dose brings that to 80% to 90%, Henry added.

Both Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix said they have no plans to mandate vaccines for all, when asked about a new health tax planned in Quebec for the unvaccinated.

Henry instead urged unvaccinated residents to get the jab for their own health.

This strain of the virus is absolutely mostly mild in people who have the protection that vaccination offers. But if you are unvaccinated, you don't have that protection and your personal risk has gone up dramatically in some communities.

She said there are currently three people in their 20s and one person in their 30s in B.C. intensive care units with COVID.

That is a preventable illness. It creates a lot of distress for health care workers to be caring for young people and seeing them in so much distress when it can be prevented, Henry said.

Dix said the provinces 9,229 base hospital beds are operating at 95.6% capacity. The 2,333 surge beds added for the pandemic are at 24.9% capacity. There are 510 base ICU beds that are operating at 87.2% capacity while 218 surge ICU beds are at 7.3% capacity.

Those figures include people in hospital for all ailments.

Henry said B.C. is also anticipating the arrival of more treatment options in the form of antiviral medications that are under review by Health Canada.
Dear County and District Superintendents, Charter School Administrators, and Principals:

The Great Kindness Challenge Week: January 2428, 2022

The California Department of Education, in partnership with the Great Kindness Challenge (GKC), encourages all teachers, staff, students, and families of California schools to participate in the GKC the week of January 2428, 2022.

The GKC initiative, presented by Kids for Peace, is a global campaign that promotes kindness in kindergarten through grade twelve schools. It is a positive, action-based bullying-prevention initiative that creates a school culture of kindness, compassion, unity, and respect.

The GKC offers a free, customizable kindness checklist (https://thegreatkindnesschallenge.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Checklist-Preview-Page_2021-2022.pdf) to use during GKC week, which is the last week of January. This challenge week gives every educator and student an opportunity to model and focus on kindness practices that engage the entire school community in the social-emotional learning (SEL) process. SEL is the process of developing self-awareness, self-control, and interpersonal skills that are vital for school, work, and life success.

The GKC is also offering a selection of 50 SEL-focused kindness lessons that can be used in person or virtually. These lessons can be taught one to three times per week or as the lessons fit into the school day. Each lesson represents an act of kindness from the kindness checklist, and the lessons focus on key kindness concepts including self-care, respect, gratitude, and inclusiveness. Three examples of lessons on the GKC website are be kind to yourself and create an I am poster, say Hi or cheer someone up who looks sad, and learn something new about a different culture.

One of my main priorities as the State Superintendent of Public Instruction is student health and safety. It is critical that school staff and students feel safe at schools. Now more than ever, we all need to put safety and SEL supports at the forefront of our schools. We invite you to join nearly 17 million students who participated in over 33,000 schools in 115 countries for a positive start to 2022! You can sign up on the GKC website at https://thegreatkindnesschallenge.com and get instant access to the free online GKC tools (including the school and home kindness checklists, 50 SEL-focused kindness lessons, GKC toolkit, inspiration videos, translations, and more).

Schools are also welcome to participate in the GKC's global service project to fulfill a wish of a child from another country. To learn more about the 2022 service project and how you may involve your students in becoming global citizens and young philanthropists, visit the GKC Kind Coins for Peru web page at https://thegreatkindnesschallenge.com/kind-coins-for-peru.

Finally, I extend my sincerest gratitude to school staff statewide for all that you give to our California students, especially for ensuring safe school environments and for promoting social-emotional wellness. I encourage all California schools to participate in the GKC from January 2428. Lets start the new year with kindness, knowing it has the power to create a safe and positive school environment. Your kindness matters.

Sincerely,

Tony Thurmond

State Superintendent of Public Instruction

TT:kf2021-03311
Chile's market expands 17% YoY in 11M21

ICR Newsroom By 11 January 2022

Cement dispatches in Chile edged up 0.2 per cent in November 2021 to 390,080t from 389,488t in November 2020, according to the Chilean construction chamber, CChC.



In the first 11 months of 2021 deliveries saw a 17 per cent advance YoY to 4,014,856t from 3,42,051t in the 11M20.

Published under
The Hamilton County Health Department will begin administering Pfizer booster shots for individuals 12 to 15 years of age, starting Tuesday, at the Tennessee Riverpark vaccine site and Sequoyah and Birchwood Clinics. Per the CDC, individuals 12 to 15 years of age are now eligible to receive their Pfizer booster shot if it has been a minimum of five months after the second shot in their primary series.

In addition, individuals 12 and older that received Pfizer for their primary series and individuals 18 years of age and older that received Moderna for their primary series now only have to wait a minimum of five months from the last shot in their primary series, before becoming eligible for their booster shot. Minimum time for individuals that received J&J for their primary series is still two months.

The CDC is also recommending that moderately or severely immuno-compromised children, ages 5-11, now receive a third shot in their primary series, to complete their full vaccination. This third shot should come 28 days after the second shot. To see a full list of individuals that are considered moderately or severely immunocompromised, please visit https://bit.ly/3HEo7NP.

To view the differences between a third dose and a booster shot, please visit the FAQ page at https://bit.ly/3K93f3F.

12-15 Pfizer Booster Sites:



Tennessee Riverpark, 4301 Amnicola Highway, Chattanooga, TN 37402.

Tuesday-Saturday from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Sequoyah Health Center, 9527 W Ridge Trail Rd, Soddy Daisy, TN 37379.

Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Birchwood Health Center, 5625 TN-60, Birchwood, TN 37308.

Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Pfizer 5-11 Third Dose Site:



East 3rd St Main Facility, 921 East 3rd St, Chattanooga, TN 37403.

Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Additional resources

If a minor is being vaccinated, a parent or legal guardian must be present at the appointment and bring current, valid photo ID. If you are a legal guardian, please bring proof of guardianship with you.

To see a full list of where the Health Department is administering COVID-19 primary series and booster shots, please visit our online vaccine calendar at vaccine.hamiltontn.gov.

Call the Health Departments COVID-19 at 209-8383 if you have questions about vaccinations, locating testing, or if you seek isolation or quarantine guidance.

Vaccines are widely available in the community through a number of providers. Please visit vaccines.gov to find a vaccination site near you.

Testing options are available in the community through a number of providers. Please visit testing.hamiltontn.gov or call our hotline at 209-8383 for help locating a testing facility near you.

To read this information in Spanish, visit the Health Departments Spanish Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/SaludHamiltonTN.








Police were called to the 7/11 at 3504 Hixson Pike on a call of an intoxicated woman. The clerk said a white drunk woman came into the store acting erratically. The clerk said the woman caused a disorder by yelling and bothering several of his patrons while damaging one bag of Doritos (unknown what flavor). He said the woman left prior to police arrival. The clerk said he would like to report the damaged Doritos (unknown flavor) caused by the unknown drunken woman.

* * *

An anonymous complainant called requesting police respond regarding a blue Ford CRP and possible male driver standing outside it on the street near his home on Bella Vista Drive. When police arrived, the car was unoccupied and appeared to have a popped tire. The car was towed because it was a traffic hazard for other vehicles. The driver was not found in the area despite canvassing several surrounding streets.

* * *

A woman on Central Drive said she and her boyfriend were in an argument this morning and she wanted him to leave. She said that her boyfriend was currently living with her and also had a key to the apartment, as well as personal belongings inside, but is not on the lease. The woman further stated that she is preparing to leave the country on Monday and she did not feel comfortable with her boyfriend being there while she was not. She told police she wished to have him trespassed from the apartment. Police tried to contact the boyfriend but were unable to because he left before police arrived. Police then responded back to the address for a second time because the boyfriend returned to retrieve his belongings. He was made aware that he would be trespassed from the property and not to come back, which he acknowledged.

* * *

A Waffle House employee at 4903 Brainerd Road told police a gentleman had been sitting at the table for over two hours. He never paid for his meal and a separate party paid for it. She said he needed to vacate the premises and not return. Police spoke with the man and he was trespassed and told that if he returned, he would be arrested.

* * *



An anonymous caller reported a black male was acting suspiciously behind his neighbors house on Beverly Kay Drive. Police spoke with the individual, who said he was there visiting his dad and had stepped out the back door to speak with a female friend.

* * *

A man on Forest Avenue said sometime during early morning hours, someone entered his mini-van via an unlocked door and rummaged through the inside. He said he does not think any items were taken. The man was able to pull up home surveillance cctv which showed what appeared to be a female walking up and down the street attempting to open car doors from various neighbors vehicles. The man said he was unable to provide footage of the suspect entering his mini-van due to the angle of the camera. Police placed this residence on the watchlist for three nights.

* * *

Officers were searching the area of West 37th Street for a dark Nissan sedan used in a carjacking when the officer saw several young males around a maroon Nissan Altima with dark tinted windows. The male who exited the driver's seat was identified and had been known to not have a license. The vehicle came back clean and the driver was able to provide a valid license.

* * *

Police were called to the Walmart at 3550 Cummings Hwy. where two people had shoplifted a Samsung TV. Both of the people were caught on camera selecting a 55" Samsung TV and passing all points of sale and exiting the business without paying. They entered a silver Ford sedan and left the area via Cummings Highway.

* * *

An officer initiated contact with a silver Chevy Impala on Signal Mountain Road that was occupied by three people. The vehicle is registered to a man who is known to have active warrants. The driver, a woman, said she did not know the man and was borrowing the car from a friend. The two passengers said they did not know the owner either. The officer asked what they were doing in the parking lot of Walmart, and the woman said they were giving away puppies and had come to meet someone there to give them one of the puppies. All parties came back negative for warrants.

* * *

Police were called to a home on Pan Gap Road to conduct a wellness check for a woman after neighbors heard a man in the front yard yelling and screaming. Police spoke with the man who denied that he was yelling. He appeared to be under the influence of alcohol. He said that the woman was in bed sleeping. Due to the violent nature of the man, police asked to enter the home and check on the woman. He allowed police inside and police were met by the woman in the living room. She said that she was fine. She did say that she thinks the man is not currently taking his medicine. The woman said that she did not feel as if she was in danger at this time.

* * *

Two women were at 2220 Hamilton Place Blvd. and had parked in the parking lot adjacent to Academy Sports. Both women were in the car and then went into Academy Sports. While inside, two suspects approach the womans car and one of the two suspects got into her car as it was left unlocked. The suspect had appeared to converse with the other suspect just prior to entering the vehicle. A black male, identified on video, appeared to be acting as a lookout while the other unknown suspect was seen getting into the car. The suspect in the car stole two vapes and $50 in cash. The suspects then left the vehicle and parted ways.

* * *

Police were called to Bonny Oaks Drive where a car appeared to be ransacked. The older, red Toyota sedan had all the doors opened. There were papers, clothes and miscellaneous items scattered about. The tag displayed came back to a Ford F-150. After checking the VIN it came back not stolen. Police attempted to locate the vehicle owner but were unable to.

* * *

An officer was dispatched to Rossville Boulevard for a report of a disorder. Upon arrival, officers met with a man and a woman. After speaking to both, the following events were discovered. Both were at the above address to hang out and drink. The man then wanted the woman to leave, however, she would not leave unless the man paid for her taxi fare. The man gave her some money and closed the door. The woman did not believe it was enough money, became irate, and began beating on the door. When the man did not come to the door, the woman picked up a chair, busted out the front window, and began asking for more money. When she busted the window, she also received multiple lacerations to both her arms. Medic 10 arrived on the scene and checked and cleared the woman. The man did not wish to press charges for the window and just wanted her to leave. Officers gave the woman a ride home to North Mack Smith Road without incident.
The Hamilton County Sheriff's Office (HCSO) and the Chattanooga Police Department (CPD) arrested Ryan Andrew Meyung in December, on three counts of child rape, two counts of aggravated kidnapping and other related charges. He is currently being held in the county jail.

Based upon investigation results, the HCSO and CPD partnered with the federal law enforcement agency Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) for a broader investigation. All agencies believe there may be more victims in other states, including Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania and Tennessee.

"Meyung was running a business known as Live Your Dreams MX, said Hamilton County District Attorney General Neal Pinkston, "which involved him traveling around the United States and other countries building motocross tracks. His work also involved teaching and mentoring children on how to motocross. This business was based in Indiana.

In addition to running Live Your Dreams MX, Meyung has past and present connections with several youth-oriented organizations and youth ministries. These connections required Meyung to travel all across the United States. At various times over the past two years, Meyung has performed work for a company in Hamilton County as a driver, delivering products to various places throughout the U.S. Meyung has no known permanent address. He has resided with local families in areas where he builds motocross tracks and performs motocross camps for children or lives out of a bus he co-owned with another unnamed individual.

After the local Chattanooga media published a story regarding Meyungs initial arrest, individuals from other states contacted case investigators about potential criminal law violations regarding Meyung and other children. Investigations are beginning in these other states. General Pinkston said there may be more victims in the southeast Tennessee and north Georgia area. He said, If you have any information related to Meyungs arrest, or if you suspect that your child might be one of his victims, you are encouraged to call the HSI Tipline at 866-347-2423, or you can contact them online athttps://www.ice.gov/tipline."
Roddey Coe has formally announced his candidacy for Hamilton County School Board District 10  one of two newly drawn school board districts that includes Bess T. Shepherd Elementary, Ooltewah Elementary, Ooltewah Middle, Ooltewah High and Wolftever Elementary.

Mr. Coe is a dad, husband, Army veteran and first-generation college graduate. Father to a Ooltewah High School graduate and a freshman, Mr. Coe is running for school board because he believes that every student should be provided a great education.

Mr. Coe and his wife, Sarah, have advocated for students and teachers all over Tennessee. He has presented at multiple workshops and conferences to help ensure parents, students, and teachers know their rights and responsibilities, this includes Mr. Coe speaking at the 2021 Tennessee School Board Association conference.

In addition, Mr. Coe serves on the Education / Early Intervention Committee of the Tennessee Council on Autism Spectrum Disorder, appointed by Governor Bill Haslam and re-appointed by Governor Bill Lee. Mr. Coe has worked with many families and teachers, to help support students across the State of Tennessee.

In addition to his volunteering in education, Mr. Coe served as vice president of the Chattanooga Autism Center and the Autism Society of East Tennessee. He has worked with and continues to partner with our local and state leadership to complete legislation and projects aimed at protecting our students and improving our community. He is also an appointed member of the Tennessee Council on Developmental Disabilities. As he is always striving to improve and learn about our schools, Mr. Coe is a graduate of the Leadership Hamilton County Schools.

He said, My belief is that my distinctive mix of skills, leadership capabilities, and broad public service experience will be of immediate benefit and high relevance to being an effective addition to the current board. With my depth of directly relevant experience and a strong work ethic, I am positioned to meet or exceed expectations for a Hamilton County School Board District 10. I would be honored to have the opportunity to serve the board and the community at large.
The reward offered for information leading to the conviction of the person(s) responsible for an elk poached on the North Cumberland Wildlife Management Area in the Valley Creek area of Claiborne County has increased. In addition to the original $4,000 reward offered by the Pine Mountain Longbeards Chapter of the NWTF, The Tennessee Wildlife Federation is offering $1,000 and K-N-K Metal Sales Inc. in Harrogate is donating $500, bringing the current total reward amount to $5,500.



Around lunchtime on Friday, Dec. 31, a local hunter reported finding a 5x5 bull elk that had been shot in the Valley Creek area of the Ed Carter Unit of NCWMA, formerly known as the Tackett Creek Unit. The elk was found dead just north of the graveyard off Valley Creek Road, which runs through the eastern portion of the WMA.

TWRA Wildlife Officer Brenden Marlow and Elk Program Coordinator Brad Miller responded to the scene and located the dead elk lying in an old coal mine road. The carcass was taken to the UT College of Veterinary Medicine where a necropsy confirmed the animal had been shot and a bullet was recovered.



Anyone with information about the case is encouraged to contact Wildlife Officers Brenden Marlow at 615-571-4792 or Michael Cavins at 865-318-3349, or the TWRA poaching hotline at 800-831-1174.



All caller information will remain anonymous.
Five Star Food Service on Tuesday announces the acquisition of Rawls Distributing, a Canteen franchise based in Savannah, Ga. The acquisition expands the companys service territory to the east and to the north along Georgias coast from its nearby locations in Brunswick and Douglas.

We are grateful to be establishing ourselves in Savannah and the Coastal Georgia region," said Richard Kennedy, Five Star's president and CEO. "Robin and the team at Rawls Distributing built a successful business with strong values and community relationships. The addition of the Rawls business is an excellent complement to our operations in South Georgia.

Rawls Distributing was originally founded in 1976 as a Toms Foods Franchise by brothers Robin and Kevin Rawls. Robin assumed sole ownership upon the passing of his brother Kevin in 1995. Since 2006, Rawls Distributing has been a member of the Canteen franchise group. The unexpected passing of Robin in June of 2021 set into motion plans for the family to sell the company, cementing his legacy.

As industry peers and neighboring Canteen franchises, we had gotten to know Robin over the years. Our team was saddened to hear of his untimely passing, said Mark Stephanos, senior vice president of Operations for Five Star. We are very honored to have the opportunity to carry forward the success of his business.

Company leadership also visited Coastal Georgias food bank providing an introductory investment in the community via a donation from the companys non-profit foundation, Feeding the Future. With the gift, Americas Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia will be able to provide over 14,000 meals to local families.
As one of nearly 700 attorneys in the Chattanooga Bar Association (CBA) who either did not take the time to vote or was inadvertently not attentive enough to exercise my right and "privilege" to praise or take anonymous cheap shots at judges I am a little reluctant to comment on said process ---- but I will. In the four adjoining counties of Hamilton, Rhea, Bradley, and Marion there are approximately 1,625 lawyers that have an active law license and would be eligible to belong to CBA and vote in the judicial poll every eight years. (Only 117 stated their preferences in secrecy).

In my beloved profession some legal eagles are known to kiss the ring, robe, or lower portion of the judicial anatomy when they are appearing in court to argue their case. Others welcome the opportunity to take advantage of the secretive nature of the poll to express their displeasure at getting an adverse ruling that might negatively affect their own pocketbook or professional image.

The strongest proponent of creation of this straw poll was the late Selma Cash Paty who served as the first female president of the CBA when women were in the distinct minority in the legal community in Tennessee (and Hamilton County).

To vote on the issues of legal ability, moral character, diligence, and judicial temperament on a subjective basis doesnt always adequately represent the true picture as to a judges competency to make important financial and freedom decisions affecting citizens.

The original intent of the judicial poll was to tactfully make a judge aware of maybe a deficiency in their overall performance and character without creating a negative viewpoint that might hinder self-improvement.

As a past president of the CBA I formerly had the privilege of hand delivering the judicial poll results to each individual officer in the black robes. I can represent that my appearance during my presidency did not always meet with unanimous favorable approval by all members of the judiciary.

With the increased emphasis on radio, television and other forms of media advertising the selection of judges becomes expensive and sometimes misleading as to the overall qualifications of candidates.

The judicial authority to administer Justice in our society is too important to let both positive and negative comments in a secret ballot by a small minority group of attorneys be determinative of an incumbents qualifications. The official poll results may be informative but should not act as the sole basis for voting in one of the most sacred rights we have under the First Amendment of the United States and comparable Tennessee constitution and statutes.

The late Judge Raulston Schoolfield was an avid critic of the judicial poll by the CBA because of the organizations involvement in his impeachment and disbarment in 1958-1960 and had a different perspective on the one-in-eight years process.

When he was elected as a non-lawyer judge in 1974 and re-elected in 1982, he addressed the poll by asserting that he would take his qualifications as a candidate to the group that really counted  the voting public. However, the judicial poll results in his 1982 race were more favorable than anticipated. His support from young attorneys was high as the controversial figure often advised and helped the neophyte members of the bar who came into his division of the General Sessions Court in Hamilton County.

The CBA poll results should be only one criteria to consider when a vote for or against an individual judge is cast by attorneys that have had actual experience in appearing before any magistrate/judge.

* * *

Jerry Summers



(If you have additional information about one of Mr. Summers' articles or have suggestions or ideas about a future Chattanooga area historical piece, please contact Mr. Summers at jsummers@summersfirm.com)
Don McDowell, president of the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera, on Tuesday announced the appointment of John Kilkenny as executive director, effective March 1.

John Kilkenny is associate professor and director of Percussion at George Mason University in Fairfax, Va., where he has served since 2008. His role at GMU encompassed both academic and administrative responsibilities. Since 2018, Mr. Kilkenny has also been artistic and executive director of the Sewanee Summer Music Festival at the University of the South in Sewanee, Tn., where he has raised the festivals visibility, expanded program offerings, increased enrollment, and generated significant contributed income.

In making the announcement, Mr.

McDowell said, We are delighted to welcome John Kilkenny to the CSO as our next executive director.John is skilled in all the aspects of management that this position requires.He is an experienced educator and performing musician.And through his work with the Sewanee Festival he has come to know and love the Chattanooga region of Tennessee.

In accepting the position, Mr. Kilkenny said, I am excited and honored to join the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera as executive director. They have an outstanding board, a wonderful music director, and talented, dedicated musicians in the orchestra and chorus. As a performing artist myself, I know firsthand the power of music to transform individuals and elevate community - there is much we can do together to further the connection between the symphony, opera, youth symphony, and the greater Chattanooga community, and I look forward to working with everyone.

CSO Music Director Kayoko Dan said, I have had the pleasure of working with John during my career. Hes a natural born leader. John understands what makes for greatness, strives for it and encourages others to do the same in a supportive and encouraging manner.

Mr. Kilkenny was the unanimous choice of a seven-member committee that conducted a national search to identify candidates for the leadership position. Committee member and CSO Orchestra Committee Chairman Carey Shinbaum said, John is a big picture visionary who knows what it takes for an arts organization to inspire audiences and donors from diverse populations. We are pleased that a working musician and educator with proven executive skills will lead the CSO into the future. McDowell thanked the committee for so generously contributing their time and attention to this effort and congratulated them on a most successful outcome.

In announcing Mr. Kilkennys appointment, Mr. McDowell also thanked Samantha Teter for outstanding leadership during her nine-year tenure. Ms. Teter joined the CSO as director of marketing in 2012 and served as executive director from 2016 until the end of 2021.
A former childcare worker at the now-closed Chattanooga migrant facility in Highland Park had her case bound over to the grand jury after the victim testified that she kissed him while he was 17 and she was 21.

Florencia Morales is charged with sexual contact with a minor by an authority figure for her actions in 2021. General Sessions Court Judge Alex McVeigh weighed testimony from both prosecutor Andrew Coyle and defense attorney Mike Little before coming to a decision. This is a misdemeanor, and the charge was downgraded from a sexual battery of a minor by an authority figure, which is a felony.

The victim, who is now 18, was the states first witness.

He said the facility housed around 200 other young migrants and that the people in charge of Casa de la Sidney did not allow them to leave. He told Judge McVeigh that he came to the United States with documentation, and that after being in Texas for a few days, he was flown to Chattanooga.

The day before I left, she kissed me, and the next day she kissed me again and I was surprised, the victim witness said through a translator. I didnt understand why she did it. The kiss was short and she put her hands around my waist.

The victim testified that after he left the facility to live in Alabama, Morales reached out two months later via Instagram. The victim said Ms. Morales drove to Alabama and that the two later had sexual relations. Defense attorney Mike Little objected to questions about what happened after he left the facility.

What happened in Alabama has nothing to do with this case, attorney Little argued, stating that the charge of sexual contact by an authority figure only pertained to what happened while in the migrant center.

Prosecutor Coyle rebutted by stating that the intent of the kisses at the migrant center were to arouse or lead to sex, which is what occurred months later in Alabama. He said Its about intent.

The Chattanooga Police Department investigator with SVU said she interviewed employees, the children, and Morales during her investigation. She said Ms. Morales was not truthful when first spoken to.

She denied anything happening, but it changed after we informed her of a statement made (by one of the children), the investigator said about what Ms. Morales told her when she interviewed Morales in Harris County Texas. She admitted she kissed the victim in his room. She said he was her boyfriend, and she said she had driven down to have sex with him.

Judge McVeigh found probable cause that this act occurred and bound the case over to the grand jury. Ms. Morales has one other sexual battery by an authority charge that still needs to be addressed, but the witness was not present in the courtroom. Prosecutor Coyle said it was his fault the witness was not there. Judge McVeigh set the case over to March 22.

Two other former workers at the facility, Rebeka Perez and Randi Duarte, are charged with similar acts and will also appear in court on that date.
Luisas the strong one. Shes not nervous. Well, under the surface is a different story. This Disney character from Encanto sings about her yearning for relaxation. According to composer Lin-Manuel Miranda, the musical genre of this track is just as important as the lyrics themselves.

Heres what we know about Surface Pressure from Disneys Encanto.

Disney premiered their animated film Encanto in theaters and on Disney+ in 2021

Disney fan event for Disneys Encanto at El Capitan Theatre | Michael Tullberg/Getty Images

Disneys Encanto tells the story of one magical family living in Colombia, blessed with a miracle and unique gifts. Dolores can hear a pin drop from a mile away. Isabela creates beautiful flowers.

Only one member of the family, named Mirabel wasnt given a magical gift. However, when her familys magic is threatened, its up to this character to save her family and home. Moana, In the Heights, and Hamilton composer, Miranda, is the musician behind songs like La Familia Madrigal and We Dont Talk About Bruno.

This artist even shared how he reflected each characters personality in their solo songs. Additionally, Miranda showcased some of the most exciting aspects of Colombian music. For Luisas song, that was a reggaeton sound.

Encantos Surface Pressure tells the story of Mirabels older sister named Luisa

The cast of Disneys Encanto appeared in an official featurette titled A Journey Through Music. Some of the creators elaborated on their musical choices, especially Miranda, who shared that after finding the pulse of each family member, he tried to translate that into their songs.

Thats especially true for Mirabels older sister named Luisa, who has the magical gift of strength. As the oldest sibling, this character often serves the Madrigal family and the surrounding town, collecting stray donkeys and even carrying pianos. Jessica Darrow voices the super strong yet overworked Luisa, also singing the solo song Surface Pressure.

When you hear from Mirabels sister Luisa its a very contemporary, Colombian, reggaeton sound, Miranda said. Because shes got this very cool, very tough exterior, and then I wanted to kind of peel away and destruct that over the course of the song.

Surface Pressure is one of the most popular songs from the Disney Encanto soundtrack

Since Encantos premiere, several songs included in the movie musical became Disney fan-favorites. Along with We Dont Talk About Bruno, Surface Pressure is one of the most popular songs from the official Encanto soundtrack. On the music streaming platform Spotify, this track has over 20 million plays. Miranda added that Luisas experience is a shared feeling of many eldest siblings.

Luisa, who is accustomed to bearing everyones burdens that is sort of a fantastical outgrowth of something that I think plagues a lot of oldest siblings in families, Miranda said in the same featurette.

And so musicalizing that was really exciting, he continued. I just wrote the most wild and crazy internal rhymes and then exposed how much Luisa longs to relax.

RELATED: A Song From Disneys Encanto References Let It Go From Frozen for an Obvious Reason
Unfortunately, John Lennon did not perform at Woodstock Music and Arts Festival. The festivals co-creator, Michael Lang, died on Jan. 8. The famous music festival was the crowning jewel of Langs career in the music industry. However, it wasnt without its hiccups. Among other issues, Lang had a problem getting some of the acts he wanted to perform during the three-day festival, including John.

However, The Beatles, who were breaking up at the time, and the U.S. government barred John from performing.

Michael Lang, co-founder of Woodstock | Michael Loccisano/Getty Images

John Lennon didnt play at Woodstock because of the U.S. government

In 1969, The Beatles were on the brink of breaking up. By then, each of the Fab Four thought about leaving at some point or another. We recently saw what happened when George Harrison briefly quit the group in Peter Jacksons new three-part documentary, The Beatles: Get Back.

So, when Lang was getting the lineup for Woodstock together at the time, it was doubtful that hed be able to get one of the biggest bands in the world as they were on the outs with each other.

Not to mention The Beatles had sworn off touring or performing in any capacity since 1966. It was virtually impossible getting the band. However, it was slightly possible to get one of the fab four. Lang invited John to come and perform at Woodstock, but the U.S. government had other ideas.

The Beatles werent touring then, Lang told Billboard in 2009, and were in the process of breaking up. The discussion was initially about John Lennon; I invited John Lennon to come with the Plastic Ono Band, but our government was not interested in having him come because of his Vietnam War position and he had been busted (for drugs) in England, so they used that as an excuse.

In May 1968, John and then-girlfriend Yoko Ono were arrested for drug possession at their home in London. According to History, John later pled guilty for fears that the government would deport Ono. Shed already had a miscarriage, so he didnt want to add to her stress. He was fined 150 and warned that a second offense would land him in jail for a year. It was this offense that barred him from the U.S. in 1969.

On another note, The Beatles were recording Abbey Road around the time that Woodstock happened, so they wouldnt have had time to be a spectator at the festival either.

RELATED: Yoko Ono Said Being Married to a Beatle Is the Most Difficult Thing to Be: We Have a Position That Is Endless

Apple wanted to send James Taylor and Billy Preston to perform but it was too late

Since John couldnt perform at Woodstock, Apple Records tried to give Lang some of their other top-performing artists. They sent Lang a letter suggesting James Taylor and Billy Preston.

Apple sent me a letter saying they were going to send an art installation from the Plastic Ono Band and also offered James Taylor and Billy Preston, Lang continued to Billboard. All three would have been great, but the letter arrived around the time we were losing the site in Walkill and we were kind of distracted, so those never got finalized.

So none of the Fab Four or anyone under the Apple label attended Woodstock. It was a turn of events that showed fans that times were changing. The Beatles were no longer at the top.

RELATED: George Harrisons Song for John Lennon Almost Went to Ringo Starr

Lang also wanted Bob Dylan to appear

The founders of Woodstock designed the festival to be huge. So, Lang had to find equally huge acts to fill its stages, hence John. However, when that plan fell through, Lang wanted Bob Dylan, who would have been immensely easy to get because he lived in Woodstock, New York, at the time. However, getting Dylan was just as hard as getting John.

I wanted Bob Dylan, but because he was such a big presence in those days and seen as a prophet, I didnt book him. It would have been too much pressure on him. I invited him but he didnt show, Lang told the Guardian in 2012.

We really wanted John Lennon but [President] Nixon didnt want him in the country at the time and we tried to figure out ways of getting him in. Funnily enough when I was doing my [2009] memoir I found a letter from [Beatles label] Apple offering the Plastic Ono Band. The letter arrived the day we lost our site and I never saw it until the day I wrote the book.

Even though Lang couldnt get John or Dylan, Woodstock was still an outstanding success and lives on in culture and music history.

RELATED: Yoko Onos Heartbreaking Reaction to John Lennons Death Has Been Disputed Many Times
ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS

Jeremiah Duggar and Hannah Wissmann announced their courtship in October.

The former Counting On star says she is the best thing that has ever happened to me.

Wissmann is a Nebraska girl with an interesting occupation.

Jeremiah Duggar and Hannah Wissmann | Jer Duggar via Instagram

Hannah Wissmann said yes to former Counting On star Jeremiah Duggars proposal just three months after the couple announced their courtship. The couple shared the news of their engagement on Jan. 6, telling their fans they cant wait to tie the knot. Heres everything we know about Duggars social butterfly bride-to-be.

Jeremiah Duggar and Hannah Wissmann announced their courtship in October

When Duggar announced in October 2021 that he was officially courting Wissmann, he told his followers on Instagram that hes never been so happy and never felt so blessed.

The young couple posted photos of themselves posing by the water outside of a beautiful brick home. And they said getting to know each other had been one of the greatest joys of their respective lives.

We are excited to start sharing our story with all of you and to see what God has in store for our future, Duggar wrote.

He also surprisingly added the hashtag #mygirlfriend, which is something new for the Duggars. Because they have courtships, the family doesnt usually use the terms girlfriend and boyfriend.

She is the best thing to happen to Jeremiah Duggar

Jeremiah Duggar announced via Instagram that he was engaged to Hannah Wissmann during the first week of January  less than three months after announcing his courtship.

She said YES!!!! Hannah, getting to know you for the past year has been so incredible! I cant even find the words to describe it, the 19 Kids and Counting alum wrote on Instagram. You are the best thing that has ever happened to me and I cannot wait to marry you. I love you!!

On her Instagram page, Wissmann wrote: YES!!!! A thousand times, yes!!! Making memories with you is my favorite and I cannot wait to spend a lifetime making more. You are an answer to prayer, a dream come true, the love of my life and my very best friend. I love you, Jeremiah!

Hannah Wissmann is a Nebraska girl with a surprising occupation

Wissmann comes from a large, conservative family that has a lot in common with the Duggar family. Her parents are Loren and Gloria Wissmann. And her 12 siblings include Stephen Wissmann, who was rumored to have been courting Jana Duggar last year. Hannah also has a few brothers and sisters-in-law and 19 nieces and nephews.

Hannah Wissmann is 26 years old and a self-proclaimed Nebraska girl in her Instagram bio. Shes part of the family band, where she serves as the lead vocalist and fiddle player. The professional music group travels around the country performing at different churches and events.

Jeremiah Duggars bride-to-be is a social butterfly

On the Wissmann family website, Hannah Wissmann is described as a talented and creative young woman who has a variety of interests.

Our energetic, social butterfly, Hannah is a skilled and creative young woman. She loves spending time in the kitchen  trying new recipes and creating culinary masterpieces, her bio reads. Our home also greatly benefits from her interest in interior design and seasonal decor. She is one of our lead vocalists and skillfully adds her fiddle to our musical selections.

Hannah Wissmann gushed about Jeremiah Duggar on Instagram just days before the proposal

Just a few days before Duggar proposed, Wissmann took to social media to celebrate her mans birthday. On her Instagram Stories, she shared a sentimental post that featured a shared selfie they took together. And she referred to Duggar as the sweetest boyfriend.

Whether its having a fuzzy blanket on hand just in case I get cold, spoiling me with flowers, pizza and coffee, asking me how Im feeling or what Im thinking, encouraging me in whatever project Im doing, reading the Bible together, praying with me, or the way you simply smile at me, you show me that you care in a million ways every single day and I am so grateful to be your girl! Wissmann wrote.

RELATED: Jeremiah Duggar Posts Photo of Girlfriend Hannah Wissmann as Josh Duggars Trial Looms: Never Felt So Blessed!
The Bachelor 2022 with Clayton Echard premiered on Jan. 3, and fans met the 30 women competing for a chance at love. From Claire Heilig declaring her hatred for Clayton to Salley Carson rejecting his first rose, drama reigned supreme in the premiere. However, Genevieve Parisi remained above it all. Heres everything you need to know about her, including her Instagram, age, job, and potential spoilers for her time with Clayton this season.

[SPOILER ALERT: This article contains potential spoilers about Genevieve Parisi and Clayton Echard for The Bachelor 2022.]

The Bachelor contestant 2022 Genevieve Parisi | ABC/Ricky Middlesworth

Who is Genevieve Parisi on The Bachelor 2022 with Clayton Echard?

Genevieves bio for The Bachelor 2022 on ABCs website describes her as ambitious, confident, and persistent. The description goes on to say, When she wants something, there isnt much that can stop her from going for it. Her dream man is someone that will let her maintain her independence and always keep her laughing. She wants someone who wont be afraid to admit that they are wrong or change their personality when they are bro-ing out with the guys. They also must have a good relationship with their mother and be able to have deep meaningful conversations. What Genevieve wants is to find a passionate man who can flirt with her well past the first date and make their love go the distance.

Genevieve calls Los Angeles, California, home now but was born in Massachusetts. Clayton is a mid-western boy from St. Louis. Are the two of them willing to work through any issues distance might bring? Fans need to watch to find out.

.@ziwe as a guest on #TheBachelor?! YES PLEASE. Tune in Monday at 8/7c on ABC! pic.twitter.com/fGZoRocDlB  The Bachelor (@BachelorABC) January 7, 2022

RELATED: The Bachelor 2022: Who Is Cassidy Timbrooks? Instagram, Age, Job, and More About Clayton Echards Cast Member

How old is Genevieve Parisi, and what does she do for a living?

Genevieve works as a bartender in LA and is 26 years old.

What is Genevieve Parisis Instagram?

Fans interested in learning more about Genevieves personal life are in luck. Genevieve uses the handle @GenParisi, and her account is public. Her Instagram page includes photos of her modeling some of her favorite bikinis. More recent images show her and Clayton during her time on The Bachelor.

Are you ready, Bachelor Nation???



Tune in to watch Clayton's journey as #TheBachelor TONIGHT at 8/7c on ABC and Stream on Hulu! pic.twitter.com/kNPIO7DIA1  Jesse James Palmer (@JessePalmerTV) January 3, 2022

What The Bachelor 2022 spoilers suggest about Genevieve Parisi and Clayton Echards time together this season

The Bachelor franchise super sleuth, Reality Steve, revealed several spoilers regarding Genevieve this season. The reality TV blogger says that Genevieve never gets a one-on-one date with Clayton. However, that doesnt mean she wont get much screentime.

Genevieve gets a two-on-one date with Shanae Ankney, this seasons villain, and Clayton Echard. While we dont know the specifics of what goes down, Reality Steve informs fans that Shanae is the one sent home, and Genevieve stays.

Although, not long after that, Genevieve and Clayton decide they arent right for each other. Reality Steve revealed that hes unsure who initiates the conversation, but Genevieve is eliminated in Vienna.

The Bachelor 2022 is just getting started, and audiences have only watched one Rose Ceremony so far. There are still several episodes to come, and folks can see how Claytons time with all of the ladies this season unfolds. Catch new episodes on ABC every Monday night.

RELATE: The Bachelor 2022 Spoilers: Who Did Clayton Echard Pick as His Winner? Reality Steves Finale Teasers Will Make Your Jaw Drop
FOXs newest crime drama, The Cleaning Lady, already has viewers hooked after just two episodes. Now, many fans want to know everything about the series. Thony De La Rosas time in the U.S. takes her to Las Vegas, but was The Cleaning Lady really filmed there?

Elodie Yung as Thony De La Rosa in The Cleaning Lady | FOX

The Cleaning Lady takes place in Las Vegas

Elodie Yung stars in The Cleaning Lady as Thony, a Cambodian doctor who moves to the U.S. with her son, Luca. Shes in search of medical treatment for Luca, who was diagnosed with a deadly immunodeficiency disorder. However, when Thonys visa expires, she becomes trapped in Las Vegas, unable to receive care for Luca.

Thony supports herself and Luca by working for a cleaning company alongside her sister-in-law, Fiona (Martha Millan). One night, a cleaning job at an underground fighting ring puts her in grave danger. She witnesses a mob murder, but saves herself by offering to clean up the mess.

Mob leader Arman Morales (Adan Canto) commends her for the job well done and asks her to become the mobs on-call cleaner. Feeling desperate for a way to save her son, she agrees to the job, but only if Arman can protect her and find care for Luca. How long can she keep herself safe from the criminal underworld?

Where was The Cleaning Lady filmed?

Thonys work with the mob happens all over Sin City, but The Cleaning Lady was actually filmed in a nearby state. Season 1 filming took place mainly in New Mexico  specifically, Albuquerque and its surrounding areas. However, there were a few days of filming in Las Vegas.

According to New Mexico Film Office, the production employed approximately 200 New Mexico crew members, 6 New Mexico principal actors, and over 1,800 New Mexico background and extras.

The Cleaning Lady had initially filmed its pilot in New Mexico before later returning to the state to film the rest of season 1. As showrunner Melissa Carter told Albuquerque Journal, they looked at a few other locations. However, Albuquerques beauty won them over.

We were really fighting for it to be in Los Angeles or Santa Clarita, California, Carter explained. Once we visited Albuquerque, we saw it could completely be done. From the high end to the rest of it, [Albuquerque] did look like the suburbs. We found amazing locations and amazing crews. Its a bounty of riches.

Martha Millan gushed about filming in Albuquerque, New Mexico

.@millan_nyc is just as excited as we are!



Watch the series premiere of #TheCleaningLady in just 2 days on @FOXTV. pic.twitter.com/enwFcAmkBu  The Cleaning Lady FOX (@CleaningLadyFOX) January 1, 2022

Even the cast loved filming in Albuquerque. As Yahoo reported, Millan told Albuquerque Journal that she immersed herself into the citys community by spending time on the beach and at local events.

Seeing the Sandia Mountains as the backdrop to the city, I would cry every day going into work, she said. Albuquerque brings some earthiness and nature. The Sandias are one of my favorite places now. Even the sunsets are amazing. I went to Chaco Canyon, and it was so magical. I can see why the landscape lends itself to many different shows.

The Cleaning Lady airs new episodes on Monday nights at 9 p.m. ET/PT on FOX.

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Nicky Pearson (Griffin Dunne) will finally come face-to-face with his long-lost love Sally during episode 2 of This Is Us in a full-circle moment. Their moment is over 50 years in the making and the culmination of a storyline that began in season 5. However, while viewers of the series want lonely Nicky to find love, they claim the characters interest in finding and renewing his relationship with his first love is unrealistic.

Griffin Dunne, Mandy Moore and Jon Huertas | Ron Batzdorff/NBC

Nicky and Sallys backstory began in the 1960s

Nicky (Michael Angarano) met Sally Brooks (Genevieve Angelson) when both worked at a veterinary office. She was his first love. They found they each shared many of the same likes. The couple spent nights staring up at the moon from the back of Sallys van, which she named Pearl.

Free-spirit Sally asked Nicky to drive cross country to California during their relationship. However, Nicky felt insecure about not fitting in and feared leaving his family behind. Therefore, he stood her up.

Nicky was later drafted to serve in the Vietnam War. He left the life he could have shared with Sally behind. Jack (Milo Ventimiglia) enlisted to help his tenderhearted brother, whose state of mind had worsened. After securing a place in his unit for Nicky, Jack realized his brother was more damaged than he initially knew.

Nickys pain intensified after befriending a young Vietnamese boy he took out fishing on a boat. He showed him how to toss a hand grenade into the water to force the fish to the surface. However, Nickys hand slipped when he tried to set off a second grenade, which fell onto the boats floor. Nicky abandoned the vessel, but the boy didnt understand his calls to jump, which caused his death.

Until he was found by his nephew Kevin (Justin Hartley) in season 3, Nicky lived in a decrepit motor home, lost in a sea of conflicting emotions.

Fans claim a Nicky and Sally reunion appears unrealistic

Michael Angarano as Nicky, Genevieve Angelson as Sally on This Is Us | NBC

While fans love the idea of Nicky ultimately finding happiness, they claim the idea of a reunion with Sally would be unrealistic as the series heads into the second episode of its final season.

Sally being conveniently single and available after all these years would be so incredibly unrealistic for me, wrote one viewer on Reddit.

Not to mention the fact that she probably wouldnt even remember or frankly care about a relationship that happened such a long time ago?? We have to remember the fact that we are seeing this relationship from Nickys perspective, they continued.

He hid away from social interaction for forty years and Sally is probably the only meaningful relationship he had, which is why he cares so much. But realistically, Sally would have moved on, gotten married, had kids, grandkids, the fan concluded.

Im not too crazy about it either, but I like Nicky, so I want to see his character find some happiness in the end, wrote a second follower.

If it ends up that she never married and has spent the whole time pining for him, then Id feel its very unrealistic. If shed found another love over that time and lived her life but always wondered what could have been with Nicky, then that would be a bit more believable, they continued.

Just because shes currently single doesnt mean she was always single, so hopefully, theres more to it than just her never finding life after Nicky.

When will Nicky and Sallys storyline continue?

Griffin Dunne and Jan Munroe | Ron Batzdorff/NBC

Nicky and Sallys storyline will continue to evolve during tonights episode of This Is Us.

The episode titled One Giant Leap piggybacks their season 5 episode titled One Small Step.

This Is Us airs Tuesdays at 9 p.m. EST on NBC.

RELATED: This Is Us Spoilers: Creator Dan Fogelman Teases Season 6 Will Continue to Focus on the Small, Simple Stuff
Chemistry professor Martin Oschatz of the University of Jena (Germany) has been awarded a coveted Starting Grant by the European Research Council to support his pioneering work, the ERC announced. This grant, which provides up to 1.5 million euros over five years, is given annually to young researchers to help them pursue an innovative project idea. As part of the CILCat project, Prof. Oschatz wishes to use the funding to revolutionise the process of catalysis, which originated in Jena.

This is a great honour for my group and for me, says Prof. Martin Oschatz about the grant. He wants to use the third-party funding of some 1.5 million euros in particular to recruit two postdocs and four doctoral students.

In Mr Oschatz we have gained a scientist who is very active in research and teaching, says Prof. Georg Pohnert, Vice-President for Research at the University of Jena. The awarding of the ERC Starting Grant confirms this at the highest European level. We are already looking forward to the implementation of the first-class research ideas by the Oschatz team, he adds, expressing his appreciation for 34-year-old Oschatz, who has been doing research in Jena since the last winter semester.

Developing concepts for the catalysis of the future

In his innovative project, Oschatz aims to develop promising concepts for catalysis, and in doing so, I also want to make unconventional, completely new ideas a reality. In order to meet new challenges in the areas of energy and the environment, we first need new physicochemical approaches, says Martin Oschatz. And Jena is exactly the right place for the young chemist to do this work. It was here that Johann Wolfgang Dobereiner laid the foundations for what we now call catalysis as early as 200 years ago. The production of almost all basic chemicals and the products derived from them is based on the principle of catalysis. The development of new forms of catalysis and catalysts has repeatedly led to major changes in technical-chemical processes and, in many cases, made the manufacture of a specific product possible in the first place. The principle of what is called heterogeneous catalysis is based on the fact that small particles such as molecules or ions bind to the surfaces of solid substances. The particles are activated by this interaction, which means that their conversion into other substances is accelerated, as is known, for example, from the catalytic converter in a car, which chemically converts the exhaust gases into harmless substances.

Catalysis without rare or toxic metals

However, rare metals are often needed for catalytic processes. Furthermore, the particles can only bind to very specific centres on the surface. And in addition, the surfaces of the metals are limited, says Martin Oschatz, explaining some challenges that he wants to tackle in his research project. Together with his team, he wants to develop the concept of individual catalytically active centres further to an overall catalytically active surface, and to do so entirely without rare, expensive or toxic metals.

We want to achieve this by creating quasi artificial bonding states of molecules between the surfaces of sustainable porous carbon materials and liquids consisting of ions that are present on them, says Oschatz, describing CILCats idea. To carry this out, we will work on activating nitrogen, which is a very inert molecule. The product will then be ammonia, obtained with the help of water and electricity from renewable energy sources. The ammonia can be further processed into fertiliser or basic chemicals that can be used, for example, to produce medicines, says Oschatz, describing the goal of the project and the associated hopes of making chemistry and its processes more sustainable and less harmful.

Background: Water splitting and ammonia synthesis in the reactor

For around 100 years, ammonia has been synthesised at high pressure, using the Haber-Bosch process. In this process, hydrogen, which is split by heating natural gas, is combined with nitrogen. High temperatures are required for both processes. In his research, Martin Oschatz is developing materials for catalysts, which enable these processes to take place electrochemically at room temperature. In this way, the energy input can be achieved with electric current and modified such that water can be used as the starting material instead of hydrogen. It will then be possible to combine water splitting and ammonia synthesis in a reactor, which will substantially reduce costs. A century after its creation, ammonia synthesis would then take a significant step forward.
Funeral Service will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, April 30, 2022, at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church. Interment will be at Rose Hill Cemetery under the direction of Sevier Funeral Home. Elnora J Rock of Chickasha, OK, passed away on Thursday, April 21, 2022, at the age of 85. She was born Dece
The story of Ebenezer Scrooge, read afresh each year at Christmas, reminds us what to live for, what in life really matters. What could be worse than a life lived and nearly finished only to be full of regrets, haunted by the past? Thanks to the Ghost of Christmas Past, Scrooge is scared sober, with still enough time to change his ways. And change he does.

But its not just individuals who can be haunted by the past; entire movements and historical eras can be too. Sometimes we are so nearsighted that we cannot see the big picture of where weve been and where were headed. And so, the haunting beginsif were lucky enough for a ghost to scare us stiff.

Lewis Ayres, one of todays leading experts on the Trinity, tells us that there is a great divide between the biblical, orthodox doctrine of the Trinity, which can be traced back to the Nicene Creed, and the modern understanding of the Trinity over the past hundred years.

However, this modern Trinity has snuffed out the biblical, orthodox Trinity, even pretended to be the orthodox Trinity, until there is little of orthodoxy that remains. Its not merely, Ayres writes, that modern Trinitarianism has engaged with pro-Nicene theology badly. The situation is way worse: It has barely engaged with it at all. As a result the legacy of Nicaea remains paradoxically the unnoticed ghost at the modern Trinitarian feast (emphasis added).

Not that long ago, this ghost went unnoticed at the Trinitarian party, but now it haunts us, and its moans are only growing louder, its blinding light so bright no candle snuffer can extinguish it. To see why, we must walk through the rooms in this haunted house we call modern Christianity, ...

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Egypt releases Coptic Christian activist after 2 years in pretrial detention

Religious freedom advocacy organizations are praising the Egyptian government for releasing from detention a Coptic Christian activist who has spoken out against the mistreatment faced by Coptic Christians in the country.

Ramy Kamel was released from prison Saturday after spending more than two years in detention for what the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom and the advocacy group Coptic Solidarity described as spurious charges.

Specifically, Kamel was accused of joining a terror group and broadcasting false information and receiving foreign funding. But supporters say he was jailed because of his journalism and human rights activism.

Advocacy groups, including In Defense of Christians and International Christian Concern, expressed gratitude for his release while maintaining that Egypt has a long way to go to ensure equal treatment of Coptic Christians under the law.

We applaud the Egyptian government for the release of Ramy Kamel, said IDC Executive Director Richard Ghazal in a statement. While the Egyptian government of President Sisi, in recent years, has demonstrated incremental progress through constitutional reforms, there is still much more work to be done to afford Coptic Christians equal citizenship in their native homeland.

ICC President Jeff King said in a statement that the organization welcomes Kamels release after years of advocacy.

Despite this victory, we cannot ignore the fact that Egypt has a long record of pursuing superficial human rights changes in an attempt to manage its international reputation, King said. But Egypts human rights record is equally clear: the situation is very bad. And for Christians, who are already forced to live on the edge of society, the consequences can be devastating.

Kenneth Roth, the executive director of the human rights advocacy group Human Rights Watch, reacted to Kamels release on Twitter.

Great that President Sisis Egyptian government finally releases Coptic rights activist Ramy Kamel after wrongfully forcing him to spend two years in detention. He never should have been jailed. There are tens of thousands of imprisoned Egyptians like him.

Great that President Sisi's Egyptian government finally releases Coptic rights activist Ramy Kamel after wrongfully forcing him to spend two years in detention. He never should have been jailed. There are tens of thousands of imprisoned Egyptians like him. https://t.co/9MAgg3WL1e  Kenneth Roth (@KenRoth) January 10, 2022



Ned Price, a spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, issued a statement to Al-Monitor State Department Correspondent Elizabeth Hagedorn encouraging the government of Egypt to continue additional releases of long-term detainees.

"We welcomed the release this weekend of activists Ramy Kamel and Ramy Shaath from pre-trial detention in #Egypt," @StateDeptSpox says.



"We encourage the government of Egypt to continue additional releases of long-term detainees."  Elizabeth Hagedorn (@ElizHagedorn) January 11, 2022

According to the Jubilee Campaign, a non-profit organization that promotes the human rights and religious liberty of ethnic and religious minorities in the most oppressive countries, Kamels arrest occurred directly after he applied for a Swiss visa to attend the UN Forum of Minority Issues in Geneva as a speaker on the forced displacement of and discrimination against Coptic Christians.

Kamel was ambushed and arrested in his home on 23 November 2019 after he had been documenting attacks on Coptic Christian churches and houses of worship in Egypt, the Jubilee Campaign reported. Upon his arrest, which was carried out without a warrant, police also confiscated personal information documents, his computer and cellphone, and even his camera.

The Jubilee Campaign said it is believed that Kamel [had been] physically assaulted by the police as a means of acquiring his passwords for his electronic devices, and that he [had] faced other means of cruel treatment in detention, including being denied medication for his asthma and high blood pressure conditions. Additionally, Kamel reportedly received extraordinarily few visits from his family or legal counsel.

Open Doors USA, which monitors persecution in over 60 countries, ranks Egypt as the 16th worst country in the world for Christian persecution on its 2021 World Watch List.

Egypt is home to more than 16 million Christians, who account for a little less than one-sixth of the total population.

Open Doors USA attributes the adverse treatment of Christians in Egypt to dictatorial paranoia. The most common acts of persecution against Christians in the African nation include Christian women being harassed while walking in the street and Christian communities being driven out of their homes by extremist mobs.

A lack of serious law enforcement, combined with the unwillingness of local authorities to protect Christians, compounds the danger faced by the religious minority in Egypt.
Sadie Robertson 'exhausted' amid battle with flu and COVID-19

Christian speaker and author Sadie Robertson Huff revealed she's had a rough start to the new year, battling both the flu and COVID-19 while dealing with a rodent issue in her home, forcing her to preach at the Passion 2022 conference digitally.

On social media, the 24-year-old "Duck Dynasty" star described the start of her new year as "quite interesting," as she contracted both COVID-19 and the flu, otherwise known as "flurona."

"It started off by me getting FLURONA (flu + covid) (yikes), Huff wrote on Instagram alongside a video clip of her husband, Christian Huff, holding their daughter, Honey James, as they both waved to her from outside of a window.

The Live Original author is a regular speaker at the annual Passion conference and was slated to speak at this year's event, held Jan. 2-3 in Atlanta, Georgia. However, she was unable to attend the conference in person due to her illness.

I was so bummed to miss [P]assion, she added. But I was so thankful that God gave me the strength to still preach my message to an empty room despite being so sick."

Huff preached a message titled Who is God? from a remote location in Atlanta, and the message was streamed at the conference. Her message centered on the topic of identity, an issue she acknowledged is highly relevant in a social-media-obsessed age.

"Were trying to take all these personality tests to lead us and guide us through our lives instead of leaning on the Holy Spirit," she told the Passion audience.

Were scrolling through social media trying to figure out answers to these massive questions about who we are, looking at TikTok, looking at Snapchat articles, trying to figure out, 'Who am I? instead of really leaning into the voice of God, Huff said.

She added that though she appreciates personality tests like the Enneagram and MyersBriggs, she seeks to find her identity first and foremost in Christ.

Because what happens is, when I say that those things are what I identify with, it excuses me to not have to be what Im called to be," she said. "I'll say  I have a very fearful personality. Im just going to be afraid because thats who I am. Thats how I was created. This is my identity.' But the Word of God said: Youve not been given a spirit of fear, but of power, love and self-control.

On social media, Huff revealed her home also saw a rat infestation at the top of the year, forcing her family to stay elsewhere.

"As we were on our way home from ATL we got a call that we have a couple of rats invading our home and those little guys are doing some workkk. So we couldn't go home," she wrote. It's disgusting and we are exhausted from getting over sickness and being out of our home."

"So here we are floating around trying to make the most of it. Thankful to be healthy now. Lord, help us to consider it joy! P.s. I'm sad to say Ratatouille the movie hits different now," she concluded.

The popular speaker also contracted COVID-19 while pregnant in 2020. At the time, she opened up about her experience, calling it "the hardest thing" to happen during her pregnancy.

"Seriously, my heart goes out to every single pregnant person with COVID and everybody with COVID," Huff shared. "They were telling me at the hospital, they were like, 'Man, people have to deliver with it.' I can't even imagine."

Ive learned a lot and I have been challenged in a lot of new ways, she noted. I will say my dependency on Jesus has never felt greater in some of the hardest moments of this sickness. Im thankful I serve a savior who is with me in these moments that feel rather lonely.
Tennessee pastor, step-daughter die after domestic shooting

Members of the Mosheim Church of God in Tennessee mourned the loss of their pastor, Kenneth Cook, on Sunday, who died along with his 16-year-old step-daughter, Teagan Welch, and Teagans biological father, Christopher Ray Welch, 48, after a domestic-related shooting in White Pine at a Pilot gas station.

Police are still investigating the shooting. However, the Jefferson County Sheriffs Office told WVLT News that the Jan. 3 event stemmed from a custody drop-off between the pastors wife and Teagans father, who were meeting to change custody of their child.

Cook was installed as the pastor of Mosheim Church of God in June 2018, according to The Greenville Sun. Cook and his wife, Shannon, who are veterans, and Teagan relocated from Cleveland, Tennessee. Teagans father is also a veteran.

Teagans father died at the scene of the shooting on Jan. 3, while she died days later last Thursday. Police said Pastor Cook died on Saturday.

Mr. Cook was a great man, church member and friend Jeff Hale told WJHL. Anything that you needed, he would drop everything to come and help you. He never met a stranger. He was a leader in the church, we loved that man.

I know he was in the Army, and his wife was in the Air Force. That makes him an upstanding person. Weve got to respect people who serve in our military, Hale added.

When he heard that his pastor was shot, Hale said he couldnt believe it.

I thought, Oh Lord, what went on? he said. If you knew our pastor, you wouldve never thought anything like that wouldve happened to him.

Teagan was an 11th-grade student at Greeneville High School in the Greeneville City School District, where she was mourned after the shooting.

Teagan was a standout member of the Pride of the Greene Devils Band and a cherished member of the GHS Bowling Team, the school district said in a statement to News 5.

Numerous supports have been put into place for GHS students, faculty, and staff as they grieve this tremendous loss. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Teagans family and friends.

An obituary for Christopher Ray Welch described him as a loving father, veteran and member of the Baptist faith.

He joined the United States Army in 1992. Chris was a member of the 2nd Battalion, 3rd group Special Forces as a demolition/engineer sergeant. He later served as a Special Forces Advanced Urban Combat Instructor, it said.

He also served in Bosnia during 1998 and 1999 before working with the Department of Homeland Security as a federal agent and lead training specialist for the Office of Secure Transportation.

Chris enjoyed spending time on the water with his friends and daughter. He was a talented woodworker and of the Baptist faith. He was a loving father to his daughter Teagan Welch, the obituary said.

The pastors wife survived the shooting.
In 2021, Americans waved goodbye to blue cities and states

Across the country, Americans are fleeing blue cities and states led by progressive Democrats and moving to red communities governed by Republicans. Americans are voting with their feet in substantial numbers. This trend has been apparent for years, but it is now accelerating.

In 2021, the state with the biggest loss of population was New York, which suffered a decline of 319,020 people. After the disgraced former Democrat Governor Andrew Cuomo was forced to resign for his inappropriate behavior toward multiple women, his successor, Kathy Hochul, has continued his progressive policies with the same disastrous results in New York.

Democrat Governors led the other top states with population losses: Hawaii, Massachusetts, Louisiana, California, and Illinois. The city with the biggest population decline, 2.9%, was Washington D.C., is also saddled with Democrat political leadership.

Unfortunately, voters in the Nations Capital and all the states with the greatest population losses keep voting for failed Democrat policies. The people who can leave are exiting because these Democrat politicians deliver disastrous policies which negatively impact the life of law-abiding citizens.

Democrats love big government and implement progressive economic policies, such as high taxes and oppressive bureaucracy, which hamper the ability of businesses and individuals to succeed and economically prosper. In blue states, citizens must deal with COVID-19 mandates, which force them to wear masks and take vaccines, regardless of their personal or religious beliefs.

Even though tax dollars generously fund public education, the schools are substandard, and the students are shortchanged. Democrat-led states have poor infrastructure, despite the avalanche of funds dedicated to road projects. In effect, the overall quality of life is poor with high taxes paying for inferior services.

Another severe problem in Democrat cities and states is the lack of public safety. In the summer of 2020, in the aftermath of the George Floyd incident, 574 riots occurred throughout the country, mostly in areas led by Democrats. These riots caused between $1 and $2 billion in damage to insured properties.

Sadly, very few individuals were ever prosecuted for the crimes, such as looting and arson, which occurred during the riots. An even more disturbing result of the riots and the criminal behavior throughout 2020 was that more than 60,000 law enforcement officers were assaulted in the line of duty. This represented a 7.2% increase from the previous year.

Instead of supporting the beleaguered law enforcement officers in our nation, Democrat politicians in cities such as Minneapolis, Minn., called for defunding the police. This nonsensical policy was supported by high-profile Democrats such as U.S. Congresswoman Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.).

This lack of support is typical of what happens to police officers in many cities led by Democrats. It is no surprise that more police officers are leaving departments in our major cities. In the last year, there has been a 45% increase in police retirements and a 20% increase in resignations among police officers.

Almost all the nations top metropolitan areas are facing a severe shortage of police officers. In an environment that is viciously anti-police, who can blame officers who want to leave departments?

Unfortunately, inadequate police staffing is detrimental to public safety and contributed to an increase in crime in 2021. For example, in New Orleans, the police department has a shortage of 500 officers. It is one of the reasons why the murder rate in 2021 skyrocketed to an 18-year record.

Last year, murder records were set in 16 American cities, but none of them had a Republican mayor. Democrats combine a lack of police funding and support with liberal criminal justice policies to create an enormous increase in crime.

In these Democrat cities, politicians prefer to invest in social justice programs and push for equity in the community, instead of being focused on the victims of crime and public safety. In many of our nations cities, liberal District Attorneys have been elected with the help of organizations tied to mega-donor George Soros. These elections have had a direct impact on public safety in those communities.

It will surely happen in New York City. The new District Attorney, Alvin Bragg, has instituted a policy that will focus prosecution on only the most severe crimes. Even crimes such as resisting arrest will not be prosecuted by Bragg and his staff. Instead, Braggs office will focus on alternatives to incarceration and diversion programs.

Not surprisingly, Bragg was elected with the help of organizations affiliated with George Soros, who pumped $1 million into his campaign. According to former New York Police Department (NYPD) Commissioner Bill Bratton, Soros has effectively destroyed the criminal justice system in America.

Imagine the plight facing New Yorks police officers, who will be forced to continue to arrest criminals who the new District Attorney refuses to prosecute. Bratton believes that Braggs policies will be handcuffing the police and preventing them from providing public safety to the citizens of New York City. It will certainly lead to more officers resigning or retiring from the NYPD. Thus, a dangerous situation will become even more dangerous.

In contrast to the environment in our nations blue cities and states, Americans living in red states such as Texas and Florida are enjoying a better quality of life, better public services, enhanced public safety, coupled with more freedom from government interference and low tax rates. In fact, there is no state income tax in Texas and Florida.

In 2021, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated that the population of Texas grew by 310,288 while the population of Florida grew by 211,196. These were the largest increases in the country. Not surprisingly, Republican governors led both states.

Another state that did extremely well in 2021 was Idaho, also led by a Republican governor. It enjoyed the largest percentage population growth of 2.9% last year.

Americans are flooding into these red states after escaping the misery of living under Democratic Party rule. It shows that freedom and prosperity are popular with the American people.
Ray Bentley, author and Maranatha Chapel founder, dies from COVID-19 complications

Ray Bentley, an author, radio broadcaster and pastor who helped to found the influential Evangelical megachurch, Maranatha Chapel of California, died from COVID-19 complications.

In an announcement posted on Facebook Tuesday, Maranatha Chapel said Bentley died at age 64 that afternoon following complications from the coronavirus.

We are all in shock and heartbroken, stated the church. We find comfort in knowing that he is rejoicing in heaven with his beloved Jesus.

Please pray for [his wife] Vicki and their family and for our church. More information will follow, but for now we needed to let you know and ask for prayer.

Greg Laurie, author and senior pastor of the California-based megachurch Harvest Christian Fellowship, took to Twitter to offer his condolences.

So sad to hear that my friend, Pastor Ray Bentley died due to complications from COVID, tweeted Laurie on Wednesday morning. Death does not have the final word, Christ does! Ray is alive and well in Heaven! He will be deeply missed.

Monica Dean, a news anchor with NBC 7 San Diego, whose family was baptized by Bentley, gave her condolences on Facebook, calling him a spiritual leader, a profound biblical teacher, an inspired author, a mentor.

He was a shepherd to a global congregation. He loved others with the heart of Jesus and reminded us regularly God is good all the time, said Dean.

I am praying for the comfort and peace of the Bentley family  may the Lord bless and keep you, make His face shine upon you, be gracious to you and give you peace.

Joel C. Rosenberg, a bestselling Evangelical author who serves as president and CEO of Near East Media who lives in Israel, took to Twitter to pay his respects to Bentley.

Im so grateful for his love for the Lord Jesus Christ, his passion for the Bible and the gospel & his deep love for Israel. Praying for Vicki and family, tweeted Rosenberg.

According to his ministry website, Bentley founded Maranatha Chapel in 1984, with the congregation eventually growing to serve approximately 7,000 people a week.

Bentley also had a daily radio program on Maranathas Radio Show, wrote six books, and frequently discussed issues of biblical prophecy and history.

Bentley was married to his wife for more than 40 years, and the couple had two grown, married children, as well as six grandchildren, according to his ministry website.
Fewer than 10% of Evangelicals want shorter sermons; 30% want more in-depth teaching: survey

Fewer than 10% of Evangelical Protestants want to have shorter sermons during worship, while nearly a third want more in-depth teaching, according to recently released survey data.

Grey Matter Research and Infinity Concepts released a new report last Friday titled The Congregational Scorecard: What Evangelicals Want in a Church.

The researchers surveyed 1,000 American Evangelical Protestants, asking for their views on 14 different elements about the churches they attend for worship.

According to the report, a copy of which was emailed to The Christian Post on Monday, only 7% of respondents want sermons to be shorter, while 85% believe the sermon lengths are acceptable as they are. About 8% percent said they wanted sermons to be longer.

These trends were fairly consistent across generations, as 10% of Evangelicals under the age of 40 preferred shorter sermons, while 11% over the age of 70 responded the same.

Evangelical respondents between the ages of 40 and 54 were the least likely to want shorter sermons, with 3% agreeing with this idea. Respondents between the ages of 55 and 69 were the most likely (88%) to believe sermon lengths were fine as they are.

One of the more surprising findings was that so few Evangelicals want shorter sermons, since such a common and unfortunate stereotype is long-winded pastors, Grey Matter Research President Ron Sellers told CP.

Not only that, but we keep being informed that younger adults have short attention spans, and pastors really need to cut down their sermons to reach this population. I expected to find a higher proportion of evangelicals (especially younger people) who wished for shorter sermons, like maybe 20% or 30%. Instead, it is just 7%.

Additionally, the data shows that 30% of respondents want more in-depth teaching from their churches, while 69% responded that they felt the depth of teaching was fine as is.

Mark Dreistadt, CEO of Infinity Concepts, said that he considers the nearly one-third of Evangelicals wanting more depth in sermons to be especially surprising.

The most surprising insight was that 30% of evangelicals want more in-depth teaching than their church is currently providing, said Dreistadt.

This demonstrates an opportunity for pastors to go deeper into the Word of God. This is good news at a time in our culture when biblical literacy is so low  there appears to be a desire among Evangelicals to deepen their understanding of biblical truth.

In 2019, former LifeWay Christian Resources CEO Thom S. Rainer reported that a social media survey of 1,000 people found that the average length of sermons was declining compared to four years earlier.

The median length of the sermon of those surveyed was 27 minutes, down from 29 minutes four years ago, explained Rainer.

Though a number of respondents indicated changes to sermon length were longer than previous years, by a 3:2 margin more pastors were moving to shorter sermons.

The Grey Matter Research and Infinity Concepts report also found that around two-thirds of respondents liked the political messages or political involvement of their churches, while 22% wanted less political involvement from their churches.

Sellers told CP that this finding did not surprise me much, because any time a topic is controversial, I expect to see some reaction to it.

There have been many stories and a lot of anecdotal evidence, plus a variety of studies, showing people switching churches or even leaving the Church due to political differences, either overall or on a specific position such as abortion or same-sex marriage, he added.

So if people leave or switch due to political differences, it wont be anything new  just a continuation of whats already been happening in our society for some time.

In addition to questions over sermon length, depth of teaching and politics, respondents were asked if they believe their church needs to change the amount of music, styles of music and styles of worship. Respondents were asked for their thoughts on their churches focus on evangelism, social issues, outreach, overall service length, congregation size, racial diversity, how often donations are requested and the number of women in leadership.

For each element listed, on average 74% of respondents said they were content with how their church handled the matter and did not want to see a change.

Dreistadt hopes the report will give church leaders some benchmarks to measure and some insights to consider.

However, it is important to note that there is a wide variety of church styles to choose from and evangelicals tend to look for churches that fit their personal preferences, Dreistadt said.

So we want to encourage pastors and church leaders to learn from the data and increase their awareness of potential changes. However, we also want to encourage them to always pursue the calling God has placed on their hearts for the congregation.
The Presbyterian Church adds Per Capita Sunday to official calendar to explain funding system

The Presbyterian Church (USA) has added an observance called Per Capita Sunday to its calendar in the hopes of fosteringa better understanding of its funding systemamong congregations.

Being the largest Presbyterian denomination in the United States, it announced that the first Per Capita Sunday will be held on Jan. 23.

Per capita is the term that PCUSA uses to describe the system by which the internal functioning of the denomination is funded, such as its agencies and the Office of General Assembly.

Kate Duffert of the PCUSA Office of the General Assembly told The Christian Post that the observance was created to help members realize the theological significance of the funding system.

Over the past few years, staff and volunteers in the PCUSA have noticed our conversation around per capita has been centered in the practicality of what per capita funds and the methods through which it is collected, said Duffert.

However, per capita is rooted in a set of theological values and principles  that all are called to participate in the church, that congregations are called to join together in mission, that we believe in creating meeting spaces that include the voices of many in decision making, and that we need one another to hold ourselves accountable.

Duffert explained that the creation of Per Capita Sunday allowed for the creation of more materials that enable congregations to explore this call during worship.

William McConnell, the mission engagement adviser with the PCUSA Presbyterian Mission Agency, sees the observance as an effort to clear up confusion about what per capita is and what it is not.

McConnell views it as a good way to share information and to address questions about this system as well as an effort to lift up the deeply theological concept of shared responsibility and support for those things that the church does together.

Jan. 23 was selected for the first Per Capita Sunday because it's around the time many congregations are finalizing their annual budgets. It also falls on the day in the Revised Common Lectionary that centers on the 1 Corinthians 12 passage about the Church being one body but many parts.

This seemed to be a strong scriptural corollary to the connectional aspects of per capita, noted McConnell, adding that PCUSA had not yet selected a date for next years Per Capita Sunday.

Per capita traces its origins to the 18th century, when the pre-PCUSA Presbyterian Church created a fund meant to cover the expenses of commissioners traveling to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for their first General Assembly gathering.

For the observance later this month, the mainline Protestant denomination has created multiple resources, including a liturgical text that can be used for worship.

We hope that congregations will take this opportunity to dive into conversation about per capita  whatever that may mean for them, explained Duffert. For some, it may be a chance to affirm their existing commitment to per capita. For others, it may be a newer discussion that comes with more exploration.

While there is no mandate to observe Per Capita Sunday in any way, we are hopeful that congregations find these resources and the possibility of this set-aside time as helpful ways to discuss the importance of per capita to the PCUSA.

Per Capita Sunday comes as the PCUSA is looking to curb expenses due to financial woes linked to its considerable years-long decline in congregations and members.

Last May, for example, the denomination released its annual book of statistics in a digital format only, with PCUSA Stated Clerk, the Rev. J. Herbert Nelson II, saying that this was partly in response to a decline in revenue.

For one, it costs approximately $25,000 to produce 2,000 copies of this book. Secondly, it can quickly become outdated as things change throughout the church, said Nelson last year.

I have said many times over the past year that we need to be moving the church forward in the 21st century.  But economics have also prompted us to make smarter decisions on how per capita dollars are spent. We find this to be more efficient and timelier, giving Presbyterian leaders the information they need in real time.
Sean Feucht claims he lost book deal with HarperCollins over 'political views'

Worship leader and activist Sean Feucht took to social media on Monday to claim that book publisher HarperCollins dropped his book deal over his "political views."

Feucht tweeted that he had just received a call from his book publisher, mentioning one of the country's largest book publishers, HarperCollins, by name.

"They are canceling my book because of my political views," he asserted. "This is nuts!!"

Just got a call from my book publisher @HarperCollins and they are canceling my book because of my political views.



This is nuts!!! ????  Sean Feucht (@seanfeucht) January 10, 2022

Feucht then shared videos on Instagram with further detail but said the social media platform kept removing his videos.

In his latest video, which is still active on the page as of Tuesday afternoon, the preacher claimed that he had worked on the book for three months with the publishing giant.

"Signed an agreement with the second-largest publisher in the world, HarperCollins. We've been working on it for three months together. [I] have an agreement, had it signed, pretty far into this process, and was just notified today. They're canceling it," he noted.

The Christian Post reached out to Feucht and the publishing company for further details.

A HarperCollins Christian Publishing spokesperson said, "We did not have a signed contract."

Feucht responded to CP, alleging that "Harper Collins is trying to weasel out of their signed agreement."

"The reality is that we had a signed Deal Memo with Harper Collins," he assured. "The book had gone to auction, and there were six different offers. I accepted the offer from Harper Collins. The signed Deal Memo includes an agreement on terms such as the advance, royalties, discount rates, subsidiary rights, and book buybacks. Just within the last several days, we were working with them on the title, book cover and manuscript development."

Feucht ran for U.S. Congress in 2020 as a Republican in California's 3rd Congressional District but came in third place. Since then, he has been at the center of several large health mandate-defying Christian revival gatherings since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic that have gotten national media attention.

His book will discuss how God helped him and his team through it all.

"Why is there so much resistance to this message? The premise of the book is about boldness and courage. I'm sharing about our journey in the last couple of years, and how the Lord forged this thing in us through many different layers of resistance. So I just thought it was so ironic that, that they would cancel a book on boldness and courage because they didn't have the boldness and courage to publish it," Feucht maintained. "The irony is so rich here."

Feucht has become a well-known revivalist, and his latest album, Let Us Worship - Azusa, reached No. 1 on the iTunes chart in October. The former Bethel Church worship leader is the founder of the Let Us Worship movement.

The Oral Roberts University alumnus believes the new "resistance" is more than a move by a publisher but part of a spiritual battle.

"Just thinking about the spiritual elements that don't want us to have this message, and how even this message of boldness and courage would be controversial. The book is actually not political, really, at all. It's just talking about our faith and how we got to stand up for our faith," the father of four clarified.

"I feel even more after today feeling the waves of this resistance. I even feel more in my spirit like I'm stewarding something that I feel like it's going to bless a lot of people and free a lot of people. So of course, even in the process of writing this message, I'm walking through the fire of how to steward and stay bold and courageous in the midst of this."

Feucht ended his video by asking his thousands of followers to pray for him as he needs "wisdom and discernment."

"These are big dogs, man, that are coming after us, "he concluded. "I'm not one to demonize people. It's powers and principalities that don't want the message to go out. But I feel like this is the call, this is the cry, this is what we need to hear and what we need to release in 2022."

HarperCollins Publishers is among the five biggest English-language publishing companies in the world.
Pregnant women who cause deaths of unborn babies shouldn't be charged with murder, Calif. AG declares

California Attorney General Rob Bonta advised district attorneys, police chiefs and sheriffs across the state Thursday not to prosecute pregnant women whose actions lead to the miscarriage or stillbirth of a fetus under section 187 of the California Penal Code because mothers were not the intended target of the legislation.

A press statement from Bontas office said his instruction to law enforcement and court officials on Thursday is meant to prevent improper and unjust applications of the law similar to the recent prosecutions of two Kings County women.

Adora Perez and Chelsea Becker were charged with fetal murder for allegedly causing the stillbirth of their fetuses.

Beckers charges were dismissed in May 2021, but Perez is currently serving an 11-year sentence after drug use was found to have contributed to the death of her baby.

The loss of a pregnancy at any stage is a physically and emotionally traumatic experience that should not be exacerbated by the threat of being charged with murder, Bonta said in his statement. The charges against Ms. Becker and Ms. Perez were not consistent with the law, and this misuse of section 187 should not be repeated. With reproductive rights under attack in this country, it is important that we make it clear: Here in California, we do not criminalize the loss of a pregnancy.

In a legal alert sent to the relevant authorities on Thursday, Bonta explained in an attached amicus brief in support of Perez case in June 2021 that Penal Code section 187  the states murder statute  was amended to include the unlawful killing of a fetus more than half a century ago.

The text, purpose, and legislative history of that amendment demonstrate that the Legislature intended only to ensure that a third party who unlawfully kills a fetus does not escape punishment, he argued.

He said that the legislature was careful to exclude several categories of actions, including those related to legal abortions and any act that was aided, abetted, or consented to by the mother of the fetus.

A woman necessarily consents to an act that she herself voluntarily undertakes, free of fraud, duress, or mistake. The acts in question in this case  Perezs alleged drug use during her pregnancy  fall squarely within the subdivision (b)(3) exclusion. This Court should issue an order to show cause, he noted.

The facts in Perezs case show that she suffered a stillbirth at Adventist Health Hanford on Dec. 30, 2017, after 37 weeks of gestation. The Hanford Police Department was called and Perezs doctor informed the police that the stillbirth was caused by methamphetamine use during pregnancy.

Perez was charged with murder under Penal Code 187 by the district attorney. Her court-appointed counsel didnt challenge whether section 187 applied. She later pleaded no contest to an amended complaint alleging voluntary manslaughter. Perez accepted the plea according to the amicus brief because her counsel and the court advised her that she was facing a life sentence on the murder charge.

She later attempted to withdraw her plea with private counsel but failed. In June 2018, the court sentenced Perez to a maximum term of 11 years in prison.

Perez is still fighting for her release, and Bonta continues to support her efforts on the grounds that Penal Code 187 was improperly applied to her case.

It is already well settled that manslaughter lies only for the killing of a human being, and not a fetus. And as outlined below, it seems equally clear that a woman cannot commit the crime of murder of her own fetus, as actions to which a pregnant woman consents are expressly outside the statutes scope, Bonta argued. The Attorney General agrees with Perez that the text, purpose, and legislative history of California Penal Code section 187 demonstrate that a woman cannot be prosecuted for murder as a result of her own omissions or actions that might result in pregnancy loss.
10 influential Protestants for me

Yesterday on twitter there was a challenge to cite 10 most influential Protestants shaping your worldview. I gladly chimed in with my own, and heres some elaboration:

Martin Luther: Since he launched the Reformation, he must rank on this list, not just as religious reformer but as a founder of the faster paced and more egalitarian modern world. Unintentionally, he was the force behind modern democracy, with mass literacy, individualism, nation states, human rights and an expectation of equality. His stress on the dignity of all work fueled modern capitalism. His leaving the monastery for marriage further sacralized the family. He was a tireless machine, churning out endless translations, commentaries, sermons and hymns. He was brilliant, devout, fearless, sometimes bigoted, often intemperate. Luther was the continental divide of the last millennium. Hes always been a force in my mind.

John Calvin: Methodists like me arent supposed to embrace Calvin because of predestination, which was never his emphasis. He turbocharged the Reformation and also was central to molding the modern world. Lutherans were mostly Germanic and accepted the political and social status quo. Calvinists were international and revolutionary. They sternly feared God and sought to conform the world to His purposes. Their angst over salvation and calling created a social dynamism that electrified societies politically and economically. Calvinists were dangerous to tyrants. And Calvinists, unrestrained, could be tyrants. Sometimes they didnt know when to stop. Calvin approved the burning of Servetus, a Socinian (Unitarian) for heresy. But when Calvinists are on the right path they are unstoppable. Ive always been intrigued by and appreciative of Calvin and his followers. Once in the college library, I randomly examined his Institutes of the Christian Religion, and I reassuringly spotted a passage promising any believer fretting about salvation was already secure, as the nonbeliever would not worry.

John Wesley is the father of Methodism and his movement of personal holiness transformed Britain and early America. He was largely temperate and wise, a superb organizer, confidently Protestant but also apostolic and catholic. Unlike Luther and Calvin, he lived very long and toiled until the very end, maximizing each one of his nine decades. Wesley faced down angry mobs and could comfortably speak to both intellectuals and illiterates. Hes a father of modern evangelicalism but also stressed the centrality of the institutional church. Wesley was not a systematic theologian like Luther and Calvin but he published rich sermons, tracts and correspondence. The tradition he founded, stressing divine grace for all people, for reasons he likely did not foresee, became perhaps the most egalitarian of all major Protestant traditions. I think of him every Sunday when I attend a Methodist church.

Francis Asbury was Wesleys apostle to early America, which he fearlessly crisscrossed and evangelized. He lacked Wesleys erudition but more than equaled Wesleys energy as the organizing force of what became America's largest church. His journal is a classic of early American religion. By making America Methodist, overshadowing originally dominant Calvinism, he also made it more democratic. Wesley was frugal but he had a nice house, a wide family, and a regular income. Asbury was alone, homeless, and scrounged what he could for the denomination he was building until he dropped dead from his labors. He was holy but supremely practical. Asbury opposed slavery, preached often to black audiences, and ordained black clergy, but he knew the limits of what he could do, leaving the rest to God and posterity. Ive always admired Asbury.

Peter Cartwright was ordained by Asbury and represented the next generation of frontier circuit riders who lived long enough to see the backwoods civilized and Methodism become dominant. His memoir colorfully recorded his career, in which his many confrontations across decades resulted typically in Methodist conversion or calamity. He told Andrew Jackson that God esteemed him no more than any pagan from Africa. He bumptiously battled rival Baptists and Calvinists in the ferment of early American revivalism. Cartwright unwisely ran for Congress against Abraham Lincoln, whom he later admired, and he fortunately lost. I read Cartwrights memoir as a young man and revered it as nearly canonical.

Dwight Moody was the prototype of the modern evangelist who speaks to urban crowds in theaters and stadiums with the goal of tallying conversions. He was a Congregationalist chaplain in the Civil War who appreciated from the battlefield that life can be short and eternal destinies must be decided. As urban Protestant churches became uppity, he strove to reach the less respectable unreached in Americas newly sprawling cities amid dramatic industrialization. He was simple and decent and sanctified. An optimist, he once asked God not to overwhelm him with more blessing lest he be unable to absorb it all. Reading his biography as a young man was deeply inspirational.

Less optimistic than Moody, Reinhold Niebuhr as German Reformed pastor and theologian addressed the dark complexities of American Christianity, urging systemic social reforms but cautioning against hubris about accomplishment in this world. Everyone, including the saintly elect, are influenced by self-interests and limited vision, even at their best. He understood Americas Calvinist and revivalistic history, which explained for him his nations strengths and weaknesses. Niebuhr urged America to lead in WWII and the Cold War but also warned America not to exult in its own supposed goodness. Hope in God but not in yourselves, Niebuhr implored, with Protestant gusto. He is the inspiration for our Providence: A Journal of Christianity and American Foreign Policy.

Everybody loves C.S. Lewis for his literary faith and charming ability to interpret Christianity with generosity and ironic insight. Hes endlessly sensible and portrays the path to faith as the logical conclusion to any carefully considered life. An Anglican, he was not entirely a conventional Protestant. He believed in purgatory and had a Catholic leaning view of salvation. Lewis tried to broadly advocate for orthodox Christianity in all its major streams. His message is successfully timeless and I much appreciated him as a young man and still do now.

Francis Schaeffer was a Presbyterian pastor turned Christian apologist and historiographer who created a Calvinist social theory that inspired contemporary Evangelical political witness and activism. He was an enthusiast for Christian Civilization without minimizing its failures, and he stressed the Reformation as the basis for modern ordered liberties, which he saw as deeply threatened by secularism. As a generalist, he was not always right in the details but his wider perspective was intellectually uplifting for a smarter evangelical public engagement. I read his works as a young man and was profoundly influenced and encouraged. Sadly, not many read him today.

Thomas Oden is the only Protestant on my list whom I personally knew. He was the foremost Methodist theologian of the late twentieth century. Urged on by his Jewish colleague Will Herberg, who thought Toms liberal Protestantism superficial, Tom studied and became committed to the Early Church Fathers, who persuaded him to embrace orthodoxy. Tom adorned his patristic faith with the Wesleyan distinctives of his own background. His works were expansive and unusually admired by Mainline Protestants, Catholics, Eastern Orthodox, and Evangelicals. His systematic theology included insights from all those traditions. Tom was ferociously attached to Methodism and its renewal, saying he would never leave the church of his baptism. As an older friend, he was endlessly encouraging and gracious. In his final years, speaking in a whisper, he sounded apostolic.

These ten Protestants have influenced me. Whos influenced you?

Originally published at Juicy Ecumenism.
When inventors, scientists and surgeons trust God

William Thompson (Baron Kelvin) was one of the most eminent scientists of the 19th century. He said, Do not be afraid of being free thinkers. If you think strongly enough you will be forced by science to the belief in God, which is the foundation of all religion. You will find science not antagonistic, but helpful to religion.

When inventors, scientists and surgeons trust God, it often has a marvelous ripple effect among their peers and others.

Sir Ambrose Fleming (1849-1945) has been called a father of modern electronics. Fleming said, There is abundant evidence that the Bible, though written by men, is not the product of the human mind. By countless multitudes it has always been revered as a communication to us from the Creator of the Universe.

Matthew Maury (1806-1873) was a pioneer of oceanography and nicknamed Scientist of the Seas. He said, The Bible is true and science is true, and therefore each, if truly read, but proves the truth of the other."

Joseph Lister (1827-1912) is known as the father of antiseptic surgery. Lister said, I am a believer in the fundamental doctrines of Christianity.

You too can come to believe the truth about Jesus Christ and the Bible. If your mind is currently closed on the matter, would you be willing to start from scratch with an open mind?

Michael Faraday (1791-1867) was the inventor of the electric motor. When asked about his belief in the afterlife, he said, Speculations? I have none. I am resting on certainties. I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day. And in a public talk on science and religion he said, The book of nature which we have to read is written by the finger of God.

Samuel Morse (1791-1872) invented the telegraph. He said, The nearer I approach to the end of my pilgrimage  the grandeur and sublimity of Gods remedy for fallen man are more appreciated.

Are you aware that you are a fallen human being in need of Gods remedy? Do you realize that you will stand before your Creator on Judgment Day? (1 Cor. 4:5; 2 Cor. 5:10; Acts 17:31; Hebrews 9:27; John 12:48; Matthew 12:36; Matthew 24:36; Psalm 96:13; Romans 2:16; Revelation 20:11-15).

As you get closer to the end of your earthly pilgrimage, just remember that it is impossible for God to lie (Heb. 6:18). As Judgment Day approaches, find comfort in the fact that God sent His only Son to be your Savior. We have Gods Word on the matter. All Scripture is God-breathed (2 Tim. 3:16) and was written by 40 authors over a period of 1,500 years. The 66 books of the Bible can be completely trusted.

George Washington Carver (1864-1943) was a pioneer of agricultural chemistry. Carver said, Without my Savior I am nothing. The Lord has guided me. He has shown me the way, just as He will show everyone who turns to Him.

Will you accept the truth of Gods Word and receive Christ as your Savior? (John 1:12). God will not force you to trust Him. If you do not want God in your life, He will allow you to go your own way and eventually stand before Him spiritually naked on Judgment Day.

You have two options. You can either choose to pay for your own sins in Hell, or you can accept the payment Jesus made for your sins through His death on the cross (1 Peter 3:18). If you place your faith in Christs sacrificial death, you will be welcomed into Heaven one day where you will be overjoyed throughout eternity.

Make no mistake about it. No one will survive Judgment Day without Jesus as their Savior. If you reject Him now, He will reject you then. Jesus said, If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when He comes in His glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels (Luke 9:26).

Sir James Young Simpson (1811-1907) was a Scottish obstetrician and a significant figure in the history of medicine. He became famous for his discovery of the anesthetic qualities of chloroform. He said, But again I looked and saw Jesus, my substitute, scourged in my stead and dying on the cross for me. I looked and cried and was forgiven. And it seems to be my duty to tell you of that Savior, to see if you will not also look and live. How simple it all becomes when the Holy Spirit opens the eyes!

Sir David Brewster (1781-1868) invented the kaleidoscope and is known for his contributions to the field of optics. He said, It cannot be presumption to be sure of our forgiveness because it is Christs work, not ours; on the contrary, it is presumption to doubt His Word and work. Before he died he said, I shall see Jesus, and that will be grand. I shall see Him who made the worlds.

Would you like to have that kind of faith? Would you like to be sure that your sins are forgiven and that Heaven is your eternal home? Saving faith is simply a matter of taking God at His Word. Faith clings to the promise of the Gospel.

Jesus presented the Gospel in John 3:16: For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life.

If you do not yet believe this good news, ask God to open your eyes (Acts 26:17,18). You may be highly intelligent, and yet have a very low spiritual IQ. Human intellect is not the key to understanding and believing the Gospel. Belief requires humility and a willingness to accept Gods Word and embrace Gods promises.

If you have an open mind, read the Gospel of John and ask the Creator of the Universe to reveal Himself to you. Listening to God as you meditate upon Scripture is the only way to come to trust Him.
Christian nurse punished for wearing cross necklace to work wins religious discrimination case

A British tribunal has ruled that a Christian nurse who was forced to resign from a hospital over her refusal to stop wearing a cross was wrongfully discriminated against.

The Employment Tribunal ruled Wednesday that Mary Onuoha had been mistreated by the Croydon Health Services NHS Trust when they demanded that he stop wearing a cross to work.

The tribunal rejected the hospital's claim that the cross necklace presented a high infection risk, noting that other items like rings and hijabs were permitted at the facility.

There is no evidence to show that the infection risk they posed was lower than the Cross-Necklace, stated the tribunal. There is no cogent explanation as to why these items are permitted but a fine necklace with a small pendant of religious devotional significance is not.

The tribunal went on to note that Onuoha was not just wearing a necklace. It was a Cross-Necklace that was a manifestation of religious belief and not a mere fashion accessory.

Subjectively, from the Claimants point of view, that created an offensive and threatening environment, they added. The conduct was clearly unwanted. The Claimant simply wanted to get on with her job whilst wearing her Cross-Necklace.

Christian Concern, a London-based group whose partner organization, the Christian Legal Centre, helped represent Onuoha, released a statement on Wednesday celebrating the ruling.

We are delighted that the Tribunal have ruled in Marys favor and delivered justice in this case, said Andrea Williams, chief executive of the Christian Legal Centre, as quoted in the statement.

From the beginning this case has been about the high-handed attack from the NHS bureaucracy on the right of a devoted and industrious nurse to wear a cross  the worldwide, recognized and cherished symbol of the Christian faith. It is very uplifting to see the Tribunal acknowledge this truth.

A native of Nigeria, Onuoha immigrated to the United Kingdom in 1988 and began working at the hospital in 2001, wearing a cross necklace while working her shifts.

In 2015, Onuoha began to have superiors who requested that she remove the cross, and in 2018, her superiors claimed that the religious jewelry violated the facilitys dress code.

She was then forced to take on administrative roles rather than her intended occupation and was facing possible disciplinary action before she resigned in August 2020.

After her resignation, Onuoha filed legal action against the hospital, accusing her supervisors of religious discrimination, with the tribunal hearing oral arguments last October.

"This has always been an attack on my faith," said Onuoha in a statement released last year. "My cross is part of me and my faith, and it has never caused anyone any harm.

Hindus wear red bracelets on their wrists and female Muslims wear hijabs [at the hospital]. Yet my small cross around my neck was deemed so dangerous that I was no longer allowed to do my job."
Survey to show 'increase in direct attacks' on religious freedom worldwide amid COVID-19 pandemic

A forthcoming survey is slated to reveal how adverse treatment of certain religious groups in several countries significantly worsened during the coronavirus pandemic.

The SMART survey, conducted as part of the Religious Freedom Institutes Freedom of Religious Institutions in Society (FORIS) Project, was designed to fulfill an unmet need for policy-relevant data to identify, understand and address religious freedom restrictions on religious communities across the globe. A detailed report analyzing the survey's results will be published soon.

Rebecca Shah, a senior fellow at the Archbridge Institute and principal investigator for the Religion and Economic Empowerment Project (REEP), elaborated on the results of the SMART survey during an RFI panel discussion on Wednesday.

The SMART survey stands for Simple, Meaningful, Accessible, Relevant and Timely, she said. While the survey initially received funding to question experts on the ground about the state of religious freedom in Malaysia, Pakistan, Indonesia and Iraq, the survey was later expanded to other countries, about 10 countries, including India, Egypt, Mexico, Turkey and Greece.

According to Shah, policymakers  needed reliable reports that drew on the deep expertise of individuals who could analyze religious freedom violations on the ground in key global locations and provide policymakers with real-time and reliable data on strategic countries.

While a lot of reports on religious freedom restrictions, both individuals and religious institutions, existed prior to the SMART survey, Shah stressed the need for information that comes from local experts on the ground in their own countries, rather than, say, somebodys desk in Washington, D.C., or Geneva.

She contended that the findings of such a survey were more likely to be owned by actors in the country and in the region. The local experts in these different countries who participated were asked to fill out the survey from the perspective of a minority religious community or a majority religious community based on expertise or membership in a particular religion.

We started the survey before the pandemic, but as soon as the pandemic hit, we were able to retool the questionnaire to some extent, a great extent, and resubmit the questions to the experts and ask them to fill out COVID-related questions. And so, a lot of the data we got was over the COVID-19 period  at the height of the Delta variant and others, where we were able to examine and explore the impact of restrictions on religious communities as the pandemic was ongoing, Shah said.

Shah reported that the survey found an increase in deliberate and direct attacks on houses of worship  and religious and charitable and other religious institutions across the globe. Specifically, In Nigeria  85.7% of respondents writing about minority Christian communities in northern parts of Nigeria said they were aware of direct attacks of houses of worship in their country.

In Iraq, 30% of respondents reporting about minority communities, which included Yazidis and Christians, said they were aware of attacks on houses of worship in their countries.

Again, when asked who, in their view, were the perpetrators of these attacks, our data revealed that political actors, which might include local government officials, were responsible for 60% of high or very high levels of restrictions on religious institutions, which include houses of worship  religious and charitable institutions, she added.

The survey also asked respondents if they knew of any acts of discrimination perpetrated against individuals or communities on account of their religion or belief that may have been prompted by the current COVID-19 pandemic. The results revealed that one out of three respondents from India said they were aware of such types of religiously motivated discrimination during COVID.

Additionally, one out of five respondents in Indonesia said the same and 10% of Nigerian respondents also said they were aware of this type of  discrimination.

Shah discussed significant restrictions on both minority and majority institutions in India, emphasizing that the impact of these restrictions have come to the fore during this COVID-19 pandemic. She explained that state-sanctioned restrictions on Hindu institutions during the coronavirus pandemic severely limited the ways in which they could actually provide services to their adherents.

The current pandemic enabled many governments to pass stringent regulations that severely restricted the freedom of individuals and institutions they deemed a threat to national security, Shah lamented. More than four out of every 10 respondents in our survey said they were aware of peaceful prisoners of conscience who were being held and not released due to concerns about COVID-19. This happened even as the deadly Delta variant raged across Asia.

Shah cited Indonesias treatment of political prisoners as a cause for concern, sharing the finding that more than 70% of respondents from Indonesia were concerned about the well-being of political prisoners during COVID-19 in their country. Respondents also reported increasing levels of persecution against people who overly criticized the government and their handling of COVID-19.

The current COVID-19 pandemic has led to an unprecedented increase in hate speech stigma and discrimination, Shah asserted. Ninety-nine percent of respondents in Egypt, 78% of respondents in Pakistan, and 70% of respondents in Indonesia, 64% of respondents in Nepal said there were laws on blasphemy and apostasy that were open to abuse.

Discrimination also ran rampant in India, with 68% of respondents from the country alleging that the religious communities suffered because there was a failure to address acts of religious persecution or discrimination on the part of non-state actors, state actors or levels of government. In Israel, Orthodox Jews faced heavy levels of discrimination because of their opposition to the coronavirus vaccine.

Shah concluded the discussion about the SMART survey by noting that Nigeria, Egypt, Indonesia and Iraq reported very high levels of communal beatings and lynchings on the basis of religion or belief. At the same time, very high levels of communal or group expulsions based on religion or belief were India, Nigeria, Egypt and Sri Lanka. India, Indonesia, Nigeria, Malaysia and Egypt reported very high levels of communal killings.
Sometimes even good news can be bad news. Like an unemployment situation that continues to improve. Or a manufacturing economy that continues to expand -- with a backdrop where the Fed must raise rates as inflation continues to increase. And the better the economy appears, the less reason the Fed has to delay rate hikes.

A short while back, nobody was expecting higher rates until the end of the year, or maybe next year. Then suddenly, Omicron became a thing to fear and soon after that, thought to be not so bad. Job vacancies continued to be filled and reopening companies continued to hold up. Inflation became the most pressing problem that the Fed was required to solve.

And the fact that the economy appears to be doing better than expected and has continued to do so since the initial jolt is all the more reason for the Fed to act soon. Which means that the market is headed for a correction.

While this doesnt look like the best time to be investing in stocks, there are always places to make money in the market. You can do it without taking too much risk, when you stick to low-beta stocks at cheap valuations that also pay a dividend. Here are a few examples-

Nikon NINOY

Nikon Corporation manufactures and sells optical instruments primarily in Japan, North America, Europe, China and Thailand. Its three operating segments include Imaging Products (cameras and camera lenses), Precision Equipment (FPD and semiconductor lithography systems) and Healthcare (biological microscopes, cell culture observation systems and ultra-wide field retinal imaging devices).

While there is underlying strength in each of its served markets, stronger pricing in the imaging business and greater volumes in the FPD business are notable. However, the semiconductor lithography systems business is still impacted by order pushouts, likely related to uneven demand as an offshoot to ongoing supply chain issues.

Like most other electronics companies, Nikon continues to see supply chain issues in Asia. But its recent steps to rationalize cost structures have lowered the breakeven point, which along with demand recovery has allowed the company to raise full-year expectations and also increase its dividend.

Nikon shares carry a Zacks Rank #1 and belong to the Electronics - Manufacturing Machinery industry, which is in the top 16% of Zacks-classified industries, indicating upside potential. Their beta value of 0.58 indicates that the shares are relatively less responsive to market gyrations.

A Value Score of A or B generally means that the shares are trading below their intrinsic value. In this case, Nikon shares trade at 0.82X sales and 0.34X earnings growth. A price-to sales (P/S) ratio of less than 1 means that the companys sales are undervalued and a price-to-earnings growth (PEG) ratio that is less than 1 indicates that its earnings growth potential is undervalued. Therefore, Nikon shares are very safe to hold.

Nikon also pays a dividend that yields 2.16%.

Computer Task Group CTG

Computer Task Group offers information and technology services to financial services, healthcare, manufacturing and energy companies and also to technology service providers in North America, South America, Western Europe and India. Its services span process transformation solutions, technology transformation solutions and operations transformation solutions.

Computer Task Group is undergoing a strategic transformation of its business focused on a disengagement from less-profitable staffing work and an increase in its high-margin Solutions business to a 50% share of total revenue by 2023. CTG is currently on track to reach this goal, having accounted for 45.6% of its revenue in the last-concluded quarter. Both these actions are improving its profitability. Additionally, the market opportunity and businesses need for digital solutions is large and growing, leading to huge potential for the company in the foreseeable future.

Computer Task Group shares carry a Zacks Rank #2 and belong to the Computers - IT Services industry (top 42%), both of which point to upside potential in the shares. The beta of 0.77 means the shares will be relatively stable even if the market is not.

Its Value Score of A is encouraging and borne out by the P/S of 0.36X and PEG of 0.64X.

Dividend yield 2.87%

While Computer Task Group doesnt pay a dividend, analysts are optimistic about its prospects.

Toyota Motor TM

Toyota Motor Corp. designs, manufactures, assembles and sells passenger vehicles, minivans and commercial vehicles, as well as related parts and accessories. Additionally, the company operates GAZOO.com, a web portal for automobile information. It operates in Japan, North America, Europe, Asia, Central and South America, Oceania, Africa and the Middle East.

One of the worlds leading automakers with several well-known brands like Toyota, Lexus and Scion, Toyota Motor is set up for long-term success. In keeping with current trends, it plans to invest an additional 4 trillion yen ($35 billion) to double its line-up of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) from a planned 15 by 2025 to a planned 30 by 2030.

Electric vehicles (EVs) currently account for around 27% of its sales, a number that it expects to increase to 40% by 2025 and 70% by 2030. It has entered into a number of partnerships to further these goals, both for the development of the technology for its cars and trucks as well as for the construction of necessary infrastructure like hydrogen fuel stations.

Toyota Motor shares carry a Zacks Rank #1 and belong to the Automotive  Foreign industry (top 41% of Zacks-classified industries). It has a beta value of 0.50, so its one of the most stable stocks out there.

Given its Value Score of A, Toyota is clearly a very safe stock. And this is borne out by its P/S valuation of 0.96X and PEG valuation of 0.47X.

Toyotas dividend yields 1.86%

Mitsui & Co. MITSY

The Mitsui Group is a global empire comprising more than 860 subsidiaries and associated companies with operations in a host of industries including chemicals, foodstuffs, general merchandise, iron and steel, machinery, nonferrous metals, textiles, energy, and real estate and service industries.

The extremely broad range of industries that the company operates in is the primary reason for its stability. On the one hand, this meant that the broad-based slowdown as a result of the pandemic affected it severely. But on the other hand, it meant that despite uneven recovery across various markets since then, The Mitsui Group is seeing considerable overall progress, prompting it to raise its full-year guidance.

The Mitsui Group shares carry a Zacks Rank #2 and belong to the Metal Products  Distribution industry (top 5%). Its beta value of 0.73 is also encouraging.

Mitsui Group shares carry a Value Score of A. They trade at a P/S multiple of 0.41X and a PEG multiple of 0.26X

Its dividend yields 2.80%

Dillard's Inc. DDS

Dillard's is a large departmental store chain featuring branded and private-label mens, womens and childrens fashion apparel, accessories and cosmetics, as well as home furnishings. As of Jul 31, 2021, Dillards had about 249 namesake outlets and 31 clearance centers across 29 states mainly in the Southwestern, Southeastern and Midwestern United States.

The company also sells its merchandize through the Internet at www.dillards.com. Dillards also owns a real estate investment trust (REIT). Although distributing at least 90% of its taxable income, it is not required to pay taxes at the corporate level, which helps with liquidity. Dillards also has a wholly owned captive insurance company, which enables it to manage its risks more efficiently.

Demand for its consumer products remains strong, helping to offset global supply-chain issues, including shipping delays, disruptions in the transportation network and raw material price increases. The stronger demand and better inventory management is leading to lower markdowns and improved profitability. Lower payroll expenses are also helping. However, competition remains stiff.

Dillards shares carry a Zacks Rank #1 and belong to the Zacks Retail - Regional Department Stores industry (top 1%). This is indicative of strong upside potential. On the other hand, its beta value of 0.88 means it will not fall as sharply as the rest of the market, in case of a correction.

The shares carry a Value Score of A supported by a P/S ratio of 0.76X and a PEG ratio of 0.50.

Its dividend yields 0.34%.

One-Month Price Performance

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Zacks' Top Picks to Cash in on Artificial Intelligence

In 2021, this world-changing technology is projected to generate $327.5 billion in revenue. Now Shark Tank star and billionaire investor Mark Cuban says AI will create "the world's first trillionaires." Zacks' urgent special report reveals 3 AI picks investors need to know about today.

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



Toyota Motor Corporation (TM): Free Stock Analysis Report



Dillard's, Inc. (DDS): Free Stock Analysis Report



Mitsui & Co. (MITSY): Free Stock Analysis Report



Nikon Corp. (NINOY): Free Stock Analysis Report



Computer Task Group, Incorporated (CTG): Free Stock Analysis Report



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Ready for some major dividend activity to go your way in 2022? Many investors turn to dividend income for a solid way to grow their portfolio and tap into a cash flow. You may especially want to consider this option if you want to use dividends to live off of in retirement.

Why not consider one (or several) of the Dividend Aristocrats, a fancy description for high-performing dividend stocks?

Let's find out more about the Dividend Aristocrats and pick a handful for this year's go-round in the stock market.

What are the Dividend Aristocrats?

First of all, if you're not completely squared away with the definition of dividends, it simply means that when a publicly-traded company generates profits it can direct the funds into research and development, save the money or return the profits to shareholders as dividends. As a shareholder, your goal is to reap the benefits of these dividends, whether you squirrel them away for use later on, reinvest them or spend them right away  you've gotta eat, right?

The Dividend Aristocrats simply refer to well-known companies that are part of the S&P 500 that pay dividends. The Dividend Aristocrats must possess a few distinct qualifications to qualify as part of this elite group. Each company must have:

Increased the annual total dividend per share for 25 straight years in a row.

A market capitalization of at least $3 billion.

A daily trading amount of at least $5 million.

Here are a few companies that hit the bullseye for those requirements (but note that there are 65 Dividend Aristocrats, so this doesn't come close to the full list):

Three new additions to the family made the list in 2021: International Business Machines (IBM) (NYSE: IBM), NextEra Energy (NYSE: NEE), and West Pharmaceutical Services (NYSE: WST). Unfortunately, six companies got kicked out of the family: Raytheon (NYSE: RTX), Carrier Global (NYSE: CARR), Otis Worldwide (NYSE: OTIS), Church and Dwight (NYSE: CHD), Stryker Corporation (NYSE: SYK) and Leggett & Platt Inc. (NYSE: LEG).

Consider Adding The Following Dividend Aristocrats to Your Portfolio

Take a look at a few we've chosen for you to eyeball if your main goal is to have dividends at your disposal. Instead of the main biggies like Johnson & Johnson, Procter & Gamble, and other tried-and-true companies, we've tackled four Dividend Aristocrats that may not be on your radar.

Federal Realty Investment Trust (NYSE: FRT), based in Maryland, is one of the most notable Dividend Aristocrats and real estate investment trusts (REITs). The company owns, operates, and develops retail and mixed-use neighborhoods in the northeastern United States, the mid-Atlantic states, California and South Florida. The company recently acquired the Twinbrooke Shopping Centre in Fairfax, Virginia, bringing off-market acquisitions to five properties.

In Q3, net income was $50.1 million, and earnings per diluted share were $0.64 for the third quarter of 2021. In the third quarter of 2021, Federal Realty generated an FFO of $118.0 million, or $1.51 per diluted share. Its Board of Trustees also declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $1.07 per common share, which means an indicated annual rate of $4.28 per common share. The regular common dividend will be payable on January 18, 2022, to common shareholders of record as of January 3, 2022.

Amcor plc (NYSE: AMCR), an Australian company, is a global leader in developing and producing responsible packaging for food, beverage, pharmaceutical, medical, home, and personal care, and other products offering high yield and years of continued dividend growth.

As of Q3, Amcor plc GAAP shored up net income of $202 million, up 2%, and GAAP earnings per share (EPS) up 4% from 13.1 cents per share. It also showed an adjusted EPS of 17.7 cents per share, up 12% on a comparable constant currency basis, and an adjusted EBIT of $381 million, up 7%. The company also increased returns to shareholders; the quarterly dividend increased to 12 cents per share.

Cardinal Health Inc. (NYSE: CAH), headquartered in Dublin, Ohio, Cardinal Health, Inc. (NYSE: CAH) distributes pharmaceuticals, manufactures, and distributes medical and laboratory products globally and serves as a provider of performance and data solutions for health care facilities.

Cardinal Health Inc. grew revenue 6% versus the prior year to $162 billion and grew non-GAAP EPS and surpassed its enterprise cost savings target for the third consecutive year in Q4 2021.

The company returned nearly $800 million to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases and returned a total of 49 cents per share as a quarterly dividend. The company strengthened its balance sheet by paying down approximately $550 million of long-term debt.

Archer-Daniels-Midland Co. (NYSE: ADM), headquartered in Chicago, focuses on animal and human nutrition and transforms natural products into ingredients and flavors for foods and beverages. The company also works to improve nutrition for pets and livestock with a commitment to sustainable practices.

Archer-Daniels-Midland Co. had Q3 net earnings of $526 million and adjusted net earnings of $548 million, a segment operating profit of $1 billion. It had an adjusted EPS up 9% despite a higher effective tax rate and continued upward growth.

Archer-Daniels-Midland Co. also offered $1.48 in annual dividends to shareholders.

Boost Your Portfolio with the Aristocrats

The "Aristocrats"  the glitzy name just sounds like companies poised for success, right?

There's a reason. These aptly-named companies show a proven dividend track record and solid, consistent performance. It's no wonder many investors rush to these exact equity income investments to round out their portfolios.

Copyright 2022 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved
Within Manistee lore it is often stated by longtime locals that the city used to have a church and bar on every corner. Even though statements like this are hyperbole, there were still a multitude of churches located in and around the city as well as innumerable saloons/taverns within every neighborhood in Manistee.

To this end, one of the buildings that was originally built as a tavern, and remained as such for roughly 80 years, is the building currently standing at 289 River St.

In only a brief mention in the March 6, 1884 issue of the Manistee Weekly Times the builder, and the building, are described as such:

Eugene Broulet (Boulet) is excavating preparatory to the erection of a solid brick building on River Street east, opposite the Manistee Iron Works to be composed of the celebrated Onekama brick.

With this single line we can begin to take apart not only the history of the building but also provide a snapshot of what was once located in the surrounding area.

A look at the 1883 Sanborn city insurance map shows several buildings in the same vicinity that had been previously constructed including the original location of the Manistee Iron Works, located in and around much of the area that was once home to the former House of Flavors; the Eagle Hotel, formerly located on the southwest corner of todays Smith and River Street; and the original Pomeroy Bottling Works, located along River Street near Division Street.

The Manistee Iron Works was established in 1871 by partners John Bowie and Nels Johnson. While Bowie would go on to have several partners in the business, by 1880 he was the primary owner of the factory specializing in the manufacturing of machinery for sawmills, castings and steam engines.

After the Iron Works was incorporated in January of 1883, Bowie became president of the firm and George Ray the vice president. However, by 1887 the operation had split into two factions with George Ray and William Chapman constructing a new building for their Manistee Iron Works on Ashland Street and the remaining Manistee Iron Works factory still managed by John Bowie at 282 River St.

Roughly two years later, Bowie changed the name of the business to Michigan Iron Works where it remained on the corner of Smith and River Streets until it was discontinued in the late 1890s.

If churches and bars werent enough, I would also suggest  continuing with hyperbole  that perhaps hotels and boarding houses once existed in Manistee on every other corner.

One of the more popular hotels in the city during the latter half of the 19th century was The Eagle Hotel which was located at the corner of Smith and River streets at 283 River St.

Records show that a building referred to as The Eagle Hotel was first constructed on the property in the early 1870s but was torn down with a new, brick building constructed on the same portion of land in 1877. This newer building would keep The Eagle Hotel name intact.

The hotel was constructed and operated by Joseph Radka (Radke) and became a well-regarded rooming house due to its location and solid reputation of its owner. A brief description of the business was published in the Manistee Times on Jan. 8, 1879:

This is another one of the several medium class hotels of our city. It is a handsome brick building located on River Street in the eastern part of the city. It is the property of Mr. Joseph Radka who knows how to keep such a place and is a most popular landlord with his patrons and acquaintances. It is worth about $3,000.

Radke continued to operate the hotel until his death in 1909. A few years later the building is listed as being a saloon operated by Frederick Zimmerman and later by Frank Switalski, Jr. During this time Josephs wife continued to make her home inside the building.

After sitting vacant for several years, records show that the building was once again opened as a hotel and operated by Mrs. Marie Christensen as the Manistee Hotel. However, by the late 1940s, the building was torn down due to several factors including the deteriorating condition of the structure as well as a new route that was to be constructed for U.S. 31.

So, with a sizable industry located on one corner and a hotel located on the opposite corner, it would make sense for Eugene Boulet to construct a building close by that would operate as a saloon.

The building was completed in 1884 with the 1888 Polk City Directory listing the location, 289 River St., as being operated by Boulet as a saloon.

In 1891, records show that the building was sold to local brewery owners Charles Daniels and Ernest Gambs. Eugene Boulet died in 1895 however his family continued to live at the 289 River St. address for the next several years.

By 1897 the city directory shows that Charles Pomeroy is listed as operating the saloon. Joseph Pomeroy, as well as his brother Charles, owned several business interests in Manistee including a sawmill, a confectionery store and a soft drink manufacturing operation. During the late 19th century and early 20th century, records show that the Pomeroys occupied the buildings from 293-299 River St.

Over the years, several others are listed as running the saloon including Joseph Paquette 1904-1905; John Parrent 1907-1908; and Charles J. Anderson 1913-1914. By the late 1910s, Fred Zimmerman, who once operated a saloon in the former Eagle Hotel, became the owner of the bar which he managed for several decades including the Prohibition years.

Therefore, as saloons and taverns were ordered to stop selling liquor in Michigan in April of 1918, the Manistee News Advocate asked the owners of the local saloons what they would do now that they couldnt sell liquor. The following article taken from the April, 1918 issue of the News Advocate briefly mentions Zimmermans saloon at 289 River St.:

Fred Zimmerman, 289 River St., will continue in business, handling soft drinks.

As the years passed and more and more people became owners of automobiles, the tavern was one of the last stops on the old route of U.S. 31 going south to north or one of the first stops going north to south.

It continued as a tavern for several more decades. In its later years, it was operated by Arnold Anderson and later, Constantin Zadick under the moniker, Charlies Tavern. After sitting vacant for several years, the building would later become home to Rileys Bait & Tackle after it was purchased in 1975 and remained as the primary occupant for over 40 years.
A popular Coca-Cola beverage is getting involved in the cocktail game.

Fresca, the citrus-flavored soft drink, will be launching a line of canned cocktails called Fresca Mixed.

As we emerge from the pandemic and look to long-term growth, we recognize that we must evolve our business models to address the entire beverage experience, chief of New Revenue Stream, Coca-Cola North America Operating Unit Dan White said in a statement.

The new line of ready-to-drink cocktails is the product of a brand authorization agreement between The Coca-Cola Co. and Constellation Brands Inc., the producer and marketer of products like Corona, Modelo and Svedka.

The Coca-Cola Company and Constellation Brands have a shared passion for building some of the worlds most loved brands and for building best-in-class beverage experiences, White said.

While the company is taking its first steps into the scene of ready-to-drink cocktails, this is not its first foray into alcohol-based beverages in the United States. In 2020, the pop giant partnered with Molson Coors to produce Topo Chico Hard Seltzer.

Third-party relationships with licensed alcohol manufacturers show how we are following the consumer, taking an agile, experimentative approach to expanding our brands reach based on the evolving landscape, White said.

The alcoholic Fresca product is expected to be released later this year. The Adult Alternative Beverages and Ready to Drink cocktails project is worth $8 billion and is expected to grow at least 15% over the next three years with a 33% increase in volume annually in that same time frame, according to a release from the company.
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On the first day back to classes after the Christmas break, UISD confirmed nearly 10,000 absences.

The district announced Monday that 400 staff members and teachers as well as around 9,000 students were not present. However, numbers were from the morning attendances and were not final. The district added that this number may be even higher as COVID testing was ongoing during the day and some individuals chose to leave campuses as results were given.

UISD covered absent teachers with substitute teachers, and other departments helped cover classes in cases where substitute teachers were also unable to attend.

What our principals are doing right now is theyre analyzing the situation at every campus and every grade level, and theyre either grouping classes together, we have the substitute teacher or we have district personnel covering classes, UISD Associate Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction Emma Leza said.

UISD is following instructions from the state, meaning they have no vaccine mandate. Thus absent teachers and staff are expected to return as the COVID situation and transmissions mitigate in the city.

The most important thing for us is to be able to have instruction available for our students, Leza said. We want to make sure that when theyre with us on campus, of course, safety is No. 1, but we also have to make sure that were providing the instruction that they need.

We dont want them to lose out another year of not being able to have that on campus instruction, which we know is so important.

As the Texas Gov. Greg Abbott banned masks from being mandated, UISD is following these instructions but is still highly recommend their use. Leza further shared that even before the omicron variant reached Laredo, the majority of their students and employees were wearing masks, thus helping to control the spread of COVID in schools. Safe distancing and desk shields are in place in classrooms, and all the instructions that have taken place to minimize the spread of this virus.

As Friday, Jan. 7 was the return to work for UISD employees, this gave the district the opportunity to offer staff from all departments, teachers and substitute teachers to take a COVID test to count the positive and negative cases. With close to 200 tests taken, UISD had the ability to prepare in advance for the upcoming return to classes for students and designate the teachers and substitutes for the upcoming start of spring semester. Staff members were still able to take a COVID test Monday before walking into their classes.

Parents who suspect their kids are infected can still use their campus clinic to have them tested there as long as theyre UISD students. Antigen tests are available on all UISD campuses but PCR testing kits are not available the moment. Vaccine clinics are still available for UISD students as they encourage everyone eligible to get their doses.

For COVID positive students and staff members, either symptomatic or asymptomatic, an intake report will be created by the campus/department administration for students and campus/department administration for employees. After this, they may return to school/work when: they have been fever free for 24 hours without medication, have improved symptoms and at least 10 days have passed since symptoms first appeared. The start of isolation is considered the day after symptoms first appeared, meaning they may return to school/work on Day 11 if they are symptom free.

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As COVID surges many American college and university students are learning online. By one recent estimate, the number of students enrolled exclusively in online programs had jumped 93% from 2019 to 2020, according to Global Editor in Chief for Newsweek Nancy Cooper.

To help students find a "quality online education," Newsweek and Statista, a market and consumer data company, ranked 150 colleges and universities offering degree programs online by "user reviews and additional institutional indicators," according to Cooper.

Overall, one Texas university took the top spot in the nation.

Texas Tech University claimed the top spot, ranking higher than 149 other universities including five from Texas: Texas State University (7), University of North Texas (23), The University of Texas Permian Basin (80), The University of Texas at Dallas (90) and Central Texas College (141).

Texas Tech University offers more than 100 online degree, certificate and licensure programs, which are showcased on the Texas Tech University website. It is also recognized as one of the top online disability-friendly institutions in the nation by guidetoonlineschools.com.

Additionally, online instructors are the same faculty that teach in traditional face-to-face programs, according to university's website.

Newsweek and Statista ranked the colleges after surveying more than 9,000 respondents who studied online to obtain academic degrees in the U.S.

Online learners who were surveyed evaluated their colleges and universities by rating their overall experience, overall satisfaction and to what extent they would recommend their institutions, according to the methodology listed on Newsweeks website.

Rankings also considered other institutional indicators that are publicly available, including enrollment, graduation statistics and research activity. Researchers gathered data from public sources, including the National Center for Education Statistics, Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System and the National Science Foundation.
MRT file photo

The Department of Public Safety reported that a 34-year-old woman died Saturday in an accident in the western portion of Midland County.

DPS officials stated that around 11:25 a.m. Misty Lynn Wurtz of Norman, Oklahoma, was traveling southbound in a 2015 Kia Forte on Farm-to-Market Road 1787 about 15 miles southeast of Odessa. It was then, according to DPS, that Wurtz failed to control the vehicles speed entering a curve to the east. The vehicle then veered off the roadway and rolled, and Wurtz, who was not wearing a seat belt, was ejected from the vehicle.
Members of the Midland Development Corp. board unanimously approved authorizing the purchase of property from the estate of J.L. Davis for $4.9 million.

The West Texas Gas properties at 210 N. Big Spring St. and 211 N. Colorado St. adjoin property already owned by the MDC and City of Midland  the Western United Life building and the lot where the Building of the Southwest previously stood, according to Sara Harris, MDC executive director.

She said the move was made to further redevelopment downtown, explaining that the purchase will enable the redevelopment of a 2-acre block next to Centennial Park and give Midland the ability to attract significant projects.

Previous projects for the Western United Life Building property have fallen through or proven unsuccessful due to lack of parking. Purchasing the adjacent property ensures enough land is available for redevelopment and parking, making new projects viable, Harris told the Reporter-Telegram by email. With the purchase of the West Texas Gas properties, there are multiple redevelopment opportunities at play. Each opportunity represents tens of millions of dollars of private capital investment in downtown, along with new job creation and property tax revenue to support Midlands taxing entities. Acquiring the additional property is a good economic decision for Midland and represents immediate value for the community.

The agreement now goes to Midland City Council, where Stephen Lowery, the new MDC chairman, said indications are council members support the purchase.

In other action:

Board members approved execution of a promotional agreement with Dini Spheris, which was contracted last summer to assist in a fundraising campaign to fund the redevelopment of Hogan Park. The agreement with Dini Spheris will last through the end of March.

By then, City Councilwoman Lori Blong told board members, a new executive director should be in place to head of a park conservancy structure that will operate and maintain Hogan Park. Dini Spheris has been exceptional to work with, she said, with about half the $52 million redevelopment cost  just over $26 million  in pledges has been raised.

Damon Kennedy, vice president, instructional services at Midland College, offered board members an update on the colleges Pre-K Academy charter school and displayed renderings of the new Pre-K Academy building that will not only house the school but students working to become educators. He said the college plans to offer an early childhood baccalaureate degree and is set to become only the second community college in the state to offer a certification program approved by the Texas Education Agency.

Kennedy credited the $379,500 Midland College received from MDC for letting us clear a hurdle we needed to clear. Without that, we wouldnt be where we are today.

He said the school has raised about $26 million  including $5 million pledged by the Midland College Foundation  of the $30 million cost of the new facility. Full funding is expected by mid-February, he said. Expectations are the first group of students  about 288  will start in the new facility in August 2023.

Board members also said farewell to outgoing Chair Wesley Bownds, who is stepping off the board he joined in 2015. During his tenure on the board, the MDC provided $12 million in funding for health care projects, $18 million for education, $1.3 million for quality-of-life projects like Hogan Park, Chris Davidson Opportunity Park, Midland Downtown Farmers Market and Museum of the Southwest, and $25 million for infrastructure projects, according to Lowery.
A Texas Game Wardens investigation helped bust an organized crime ring and recover over $275,000 worth of stolen watercraft and other vehicles, according to a news release from the department. The investigation seized 27 stolen vessels and trailers, as well as filed charges and arrested three suspects for theft and engaging in organized crime.

The two-year, multi-agency effort began when Sergeant Game Warden Jonathan Griffin of the Marine Theft Investigation Unit received a tip from the La Marque Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Law Enforcement Office regarding an individual titling numerous Jet Skis skis in their name at very low purchase prices.

Eventually, a Florida county tax office notified Griffin that the suspect and a second individual were also titling a number of personal watercraft in Florida in the same manner, according to the release.

Over the following months, the Marine Theft Investigation Unit worked to trace the Jet Skis as they were bought and sold by the suspects. The investigators discovered that the Jet Skis being titled were actually stolen in Texas and then sold across multiple Gulf states with false titles and identification numbers. During the investigation, a third suspect was identified as a participant in the scheme.

While the charges are pending, the agencies are working to locate and recover more stolen Jet Skis and boats that may have been sold using the same technique. The ones recovered have been given back to the rightful owners, according to the Texas Game Wardens.

Following the investigation, Griffin was nominated for the Investigator of the Year Award by the International Association of Marine Investigators.

Steve Sparrow/Getty Images/Image Source

"Considering that this is an international award, I am really humbled to have been nominated," Griffin stated in the release. "I am very grateful to the Galveston County Auto Crimes Task Force and the other agencies across Texas, Alabama, and Florida who assisted with the resources necessary to build a strong case to hand over to the district attorney's office for prosecution."
San Antonio's country music fans started their weeks with a new tune on Monday when they scrolled through their station list and found "Frito and Kay" instead of longtime voice Beth Boehm. Listeners have directed their ire at the radio station, saying it's the "worst decision ever." Boehm is now opening up about going off air after nearly a decade on San Antonio airwaves.

The station confirmed to MySA that Boehm's final day was on Wednesday, January 6. KCYY (Y100) Program Director Christi Brooks says her replacements are Tucker "Frito" Young and Katy Dempsey.

Boehm's peppy morning banter and approachable presence at the rodeo and popular station events like the Eight Man Jam made her a Y100 staple. She updated her listeners via social media on Sunday, January 9.

She joked with fans that she was 27 and "single and hating on men" when she first arrived in San Antonio. Over time, the Florida native adjusted to San Antonio, met up with her dream of working in radio, fell in love and married her husband Justin, and is still totally enamored by the Alamo City. So much so, her family moved from Florida to the city to be near her.

"You were the reason I got out of bed every morning before the sun came up," she told her listeners. "San Antonio has felt like home since day one and it still is my home. It's unlike any other city in the world and the people are what makes it best."

Boehm says she's unsure what her next move will be, but missing being on the radio is an "understatement."

"I'm not sure what's next for me but I do know that God's got me and one day this will make sense, or maybe it won't," she shares online. "Until then you can reach out to me on here. I'll always be here."

Boehm's news garnered hundreds of online comments, sharing support, warm memories, and sadness. Some listeners said they would making the switch to streaming radio after the change and said the shakeup is "disappointing."

"My mornings will not be the same," one Facebook user reacted to the news.

"I will no longer listen anymore Beth Boehm was the reason we listen to this stations you all have made the worst decision ever," another said.

Boehm says the support she's received has been "incredibly uplifting."

"I really am at a loss for words for probably the first time in my life, as you can imagine," she says. "I'll make sure to keep everyone posted on what's next, and again, the words 'thank you' are simply not enough."
Florida, US (34429)

Today

Cloudy skies early. A few showers developing later in the day. Thunder possible. High 88F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 50%..

Tonight

Rain showers early with clearing later at night. Thunder possible. Low 67F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 50%.
Increased charter flights overload Vietnam's two major airports

Vietnam's two largest airports in Hanoi and HCM City have faced congestion as passengers from international flights are required to take quick Covid-19 tests upon arrival.









Illustrative photo



The increasing number of charter flights over recent days have caused overloading at Noi Bai and Tan Son Nhat airports.



According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV), a total of 47 international flights carrying 6,094 passengers landed at the two airports between January 4-7.



CAAV has asked local airlines to adjust their flight time to avoid congestion but the situation has not improved. Many charter flights have been changed to land at Van Don, Danang, and Cam Ranh airports.



In a letter sent to the Transport Ministry on January 4, CAAV said many domestic and foreign airlines have complained about the government's requirement for quick Covid-19 testing for passengers.



Vietnam has recently resumed international flights, including charter flights for Vietnamese citizens in routes connecting Vietnam with Thailand, the US, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Taiwan (China), Laos, Cambodia, and Singapore.
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Oklahoma City, OK (73106)

Today

Some clouds in the morning will give way to mainly sunny skies for the afternoon. High 68F. Winds NNE at 10 to 20 mph..

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Partly cloudy with late night showers or thunderstorms. Low near 55F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%.
Raspunsul la criza refugiatilor: Apel de propuneri, lansat de MAD-Aid in parteneriat cu Camera de Comert Britanica din Moldova
This blog covers software patent news and issues with a particular focus on wireless, mobile devices (smartphones, tablet computers, connected cars) as well as select antitrust matters surrounding those devices.
Early on the morning of November 6 last year, FBI agents armed with a search warrant raided the Mamaroneck, New York, apartment of James OKeefe, the right-wing provocateur who founded the website Project Veritas. While OKeefe stood handcuffed in his underwear, agents seized two cellphones as part of a grand jury investigation related to the alleged theft, in 2020, of a diary belonging to Ashley Biden, the presidents daughter. Two days earlier, agents had also searched the homes of two men associated with Project Veritas.

In subsequent filings in the Southern District of New York, the groups lawyers portrayed Project Veritas as the victim of an attack on the free press, which is typically protected from subpoenas and searches. In a video condemning the raids, OKeefe said Veritas known to publish surreptitiously recorded and selectively edited videos to embarrass liberals and mainstream media outletshad received the diary from tipsters and ultimately declined to publish it. He called on all Americans, and especially all journalists, to stand with us for the right to free speech and the free press.

But a little more than two weeks later, after the New York Times published an article about Veritas based on leaked internal legal memos, the group was making a different argument. On November 23, OKeefe sat in the wood-paneled gallery of a Westchester County trial court while his lawyers in a separate, ongoing defamation case against the Times asked the judge to uphold an order blocking the Times from further disseminating Veritass legal memos, citing attorney-client privilege. Dean Baquet, the Times executive editor, denounced the order, signed on November 18, as an unconstitutional example of prior restraint, a form of censorship.

Both the federal investigation and the defamation lawsuit test the limits of what counts as journalism and the privilege that status confers. But the seeming contradiction between Veritass positions in them has left media analysts wondering if OKeefe can really have it both waysand what it would mean for the future of those journalistic privileges if he did.

Trying to say, Hey, were going to get the protection of the media here, and how dare you raid our newsroom? But were going to go and try to get a prior restraint against the media? It just doesnt seem to me to be very principled, said Lucy Dalglish, dean of the University of Marylands college of journalism.

At the Westchester hearing, I had hoped to ask OKeefe about all this directly. But just as quickly as hed slipped into the courtroom during the judges opening remarks, he sneaked out before the arguments were over. When I later reached him over text, he responded by emailing me a 1,688-word statement: the transcript of a video in which he argued, as far as I could discern, that the difference was that defamation is not a First Amendment right. Through his lawyers, he declined an interview to answer specific questions.

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Others associated with Veritas say they dont see an incongruity between one matter and the other. Equating a routine prohibition on a litigation adversary from obtaining and using their opponents undisclosed attorney-client communicationswhat Veritas claims is happening in the Times casewith an unprecedented unconstitutional raid of journalists for the alleged crime of conducting journalism is a repugnant betrayal of freedom of the press, Jered Ede, Veritass chief legal officer, wrote in an email.

CJR and others, the Veritas team seems to believe, would be idiotic to think otherwise. In another email to me, OKeefe lawyer Paul Calli, who had apparently seen me in the courtroom, composed an impromptu mocking poem.

Yaall [sic] dont hold a candle to James OKeefe. Respectfully, you looked confused today, with all the First Amendment talk. Try to keep up, Caleb. I view this as a teachable moment, for you.

Later, Calli added that I was drunk from the liberal koolaid (sic) and was the poster child for the CJR being a joke.

On Christmas Eve, the trial court judge, Justice Charles Wood, ruled in favor of Veritas, leaving the prior-restraint order in place and ordering the Times to destroy or turn over its copies of the privileged documents. The legal memos were not a matter of public concern, Wood wrote, because it is not the publics business to be privy to the legal advice that this plaintiff or any other client receives from its counsel, and the Times was therefore not protected by the First Amendment to publish them.

The Times editorial board, widely supported by media observers across America, called the ruling dangerous and the rationale breathtaking. If the ruling stood, they wrote, news organizations could be routinely blocked from reporting information about a person or company simply because the subject of that reporting decided the information might one day be used in litigation.

On December 27, the Times appealed the ruling, and the following day, an Appellate Division judge granted a stay of Justice Woods order to destroy or turn over the memos while the appeal is considered.

Even as the matters continue to develop, both have been important fundraising opportunities for Veritas. These battles come at a high cost, read one recent email soliciting donations. On the organizations homepage, a fundraising progress bar for Veritass legal fees in the Times case is ticking more than halfway toward its million-dollar goal. OKeefe even reenacted the FBI raid onstage last month, as a chest-pumping dance number at a conservative conference in Arizona.

In 2020, according to public filings, Veritas received nearly $22 million in donations, up from $12 million in 2019. According to filings identified by Documented, a watchdog group, the 2020 funding was led by the Bradley Impact Fund, a nonprofit focused on conservative causes like perceived election fraud. Veritas also recently hired its first lobbyist, filings show, and spent almost $2 million on legal fees in 2020, much of it to the firm of Paul Calli.

On Christmas Day, still celebrating the legal victory, a member of the Veritas team tracked down the Times Baquet at what appears to be Los Angeles International Airport. In a video uploaded to YouTube, he repeatedly asks Baquet for comment on the ruling. Merry Christmas, Baquet says. You do it to raise money. I hope you use that quote. The first item in the description below the video is a link to donations.

In the lead-up to the 2020 presidential election, two sources acting through an intermediary contacted Veritas to say they possessed items including a diary they said belonged to Ashley Biden. The sources told Veritas the items had been obtained legally, abandoned at a residence in Florida where the presidents daughter had previously lived. Veritas paid the sources for the right to publish the diary, its lawyers wrote.

But because Veritas couldnt confirm the diarys authenticity or the veracity of its contents, OKeefe said in a video after the FBI raid, it killed the story. In an email to Veritas staff on October 12, shared in a legal memo by Veritass lawyers, OKeefe wrote that publishing the story could be perceived as a cheap shot and that our actions so far are entirely defensible.

In the final days leading up to the presidential election, a right-wing publication, National File, would eventually publish the diary entries, which it said were obtained by a whistleblower from Veritas who was upset that Veritas hadnt run them.

Veritass lawyers wrote in a filing that they attempted to return the diary to a lawyer for Ashley Biden, who refused to verify it belonged to her, and then arranged to deliver it to law enforcement in Florida around Election Day. Two anonymous sources told the Times that the Trump Justice Department under Bill Barr launched an inquiry into the diary after representatives for Ashley Biden reported a burglary in October 2020.

Around the same time, Veritas sued the Times for defamation in a Westchester County trial court over the way it characterized Veritass video work, which ran in September 2020 and alleged voter fraud in Minneapolis. The defamation case was stalled while the Times continued its attempts to have it dismissed.

Following the FBI search of OKeefes apartment, many journalists and press freedom organizations answered OKeefes call for support. The American Civil Liberties Union, the Committee to Protect Journalists, and the Freedom of the Press Foundation all released statements decrying the raid.

Under Bartnicki v. Vopper, a landmark 2001 Supreme Court ruling that media lawyers are wont to invoke like a mantra, journalists arent liable for publishing stolen material, so long as they werent involved in its theft. In court filings, Veritas has denied any direct involvement in acquiring the allegedly stolen diary and cited the Bartnicki ruling.

Maybe people are rightly skeptical of wholly trusting James OKeefes word, given his history, said Trevor Timm, executive director of the Freedom of the Press Foundation. At the same time, Im definitely not going to take the Justice Departments word for it, Timm added, citing its recent history of surveilling journalists under the Trump and Obama administrations. I believe that journalists, even if they hate Project Veritas, should side with them until we have more evidence.

A judge has denied a motion, filed by the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, to unseal affidavits related to the search warrants of OKeefe and his associates, citing the integrity of the ongoing investigation.

As unlikely allies were lining up behind Veritas, the Times published its article on November 11 about the groups tactics. The story, headlined Project Veritas and the Line Between Journalism and Political Spying, included excerpts from internal communications between the group and its legal counsel that the Times said showed the extent to which the group has worked with its lawyers to gauge how far its deceptive reporting practices can go before running afoul of federal laws. Bill Grueskin, a Columbia Journalism School professor, who previously covered Veritass defamation lawsuit against the Times for CJR, reviewed the memos and was quoted in the story.

In the hours before the story ran, the Times also published some of those communications directly on its website. A selection of the documents, which we did not intend to publish, was inadvertently published due to a technical issue and then unpublished, a Times spokesperson told CJR.

Veritass lawyers said the story violated attorney-client privilege and circumvented the discovery process, which had yet to begin. Justice Wood, the Westchester trial court judge, agreed. On November 18, he ordered the Times to refrain from further disseminating or publishing any of Plaintiff Project Veritass privileged materials in the possession of The New York Times, or its counselto stop publishing stories as it would otherwiseand cease further efforts to solicit or acquire Plaintiff Project Veritas attorney-client privileged materialsto stop newsgathering.

First Amendment experts let out a collective gasp. In 1976, the Supreme Court called prior-restraint orders like this one the most serious and the least tolerable infringement on First Amendment rights, legal only under exceedingly rare circumstances, such as to protect troop movements during wartime or to stop the incitement of violence.

The Times immediately appealed the order, citing the 1971 Pentagon Papers casethe last prior-restraint order against the Times, which was overturned by the Supreme Court. The Times lawyers argued in a subsequent filing that, if such an order were legal, any individual or organization wanting to limit unfavorable news coverage could simply file a libel suit over an earlier story and then use discovery orders to censor or prevent future reporting. An appellate court nevertheless upheld the order, prompting many of the same press freedom groups that had just backed Veritas to now defend the Times against it.

After the raid on his apartment, OKeefe and his lawyers began to argue, without citing specific evidence, that the FBI was leaking material gathered during the investigation to the Times, an accusation that government lawyers called pure speculation.

A judge in the Southern District of New York denied Veritass request to investigate the alleged leaks, but she did agree to appoint an independent third party, known as a special master, to oversee the extraction of data from OKeefes phonesa victory for Veritas.

First Amendment, First Amendment, First Amendment, Calli wrote to me in an unprompted celebratory email. Revive the lost glory of the CJR and take a stand for the First Amendment. History will judge you well.

Raids on journalists are rare in part because Justice Department guidelines have limited the use of subpoenas and court orders against members of the news media to essential application. In July, Attorney General Merrick Garland went further, responding to criticism of the Justice Departments surveillance of journalists under the Trump administration by pledging to no longer use compulsory legal process against journalists acting within the scope of newsgathering activities at all.

But the Justice Manual, a departmental handbook, doesnt directly define who qualifies as news media, and thus receives those protections, instead favoring a case-by-case approach. To make its evaluation, the department employs a News Media Policy Consultation form, which (as revealed by a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit filed by Timm and the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University) lays out twelve factors for law enforcement agents to consider, including whether the individual possesses press credentials and whether they primarily [report] facts, as opposed to expressing opinion.

In the case of Veritas, according to filings, prosecutors determined that OKeefe didnt meet its standards for news media. Project Veritas is not engaged in journalism within any traditional or accepted definition of that word, US Attorney Damian Williams wrote. Its reporting consists almost entirely of publicizing non-consensual, surreptitious recordings made though [sic] unlawful, unethical, and or/dishonest means. Williams cited the recent ruling of another judge who, citing statements made by OKeefe himself in his 2018 book, said Project Veritas could be called a political spying operation.

But decisions that narrowly define who counts as a journalist can be dangerous, press freedom experts contend, potentially excluding parties like freelancers and new forms of media. And just because Project Veritas is nakedly partisan, pays for information, and uses undercover reporting techniques doesnt mean it can never do any journalism worthy of First Amendment protection. If, in fact, the argument was, Well, youve got an ideological agenda, so you cant be a journalist, I just think thats wrong, said Jane Kirtley, a professor of media ethics and law at the University of Minnesota. Theres always been partisan journalism in this country. I mean, thats what the drafters of the Constitution and the First Amendment were familiar with.

Members of the news media are also guarded by the Privacy Protection Act, a 1980 law that sets a high bar for cases of search and seizure that could hinder press freedom. In contrast to the Justice Department guidelines, the Privacy Protection Act doesnt define journalists as a class, but seeks to safeguard journalism as an act, protecting the work products of any person reasonably believed to have a purpose to disseminate to the public a newspaper, book, broadcast, or other similar form of public communication.

Still, the Privacy Protection Act doesnt give the media a complete and utter pass, said Dalglish of the University of Maryland. What it says is, if they believe that you were engaged in illegal activity, you cant hide behind that law to escape investigation of that illegal activity.

No charges have yet been brought against Veritas, but a federal judge did find the government established probable cause to execute the search warrants related to federal crimes, including conspiracy to transport stolen property across state lines, interstate transportation of stolen property, aiding and abetting, and accessory after the fact.

Lee Levine, a media lawyer who argued the Bartnicki case before the Supreme Court, called charges like those a real stretch. The Bartnicki ruling, Levine said, pertains to alleged crimes committed before material is acquired by a potential publisher. After the fact seems to me to be an exception that swallows the rule, said Levine. Transporting a stolen document across state lines, for example, especially electronically, could be a charge leveled against many journalists otherwise protected by Bartnicki.

At the November 23 hearing in Westchester, an opportunity to further consider the prior-restraint order against the Times, Justice Wood framed the question before him as a contest between competing rights. There are two bedrock principles of our republic at issue here: attorney-client privilege and freedom of the press, Wood said. However, both of those bedrock principles do have their exceptions, which may or may not be implicated in this particular case.

Libby Locke, a lawyer for Veritas who won a high-profile defamation case against Rolling Stone in 2016, argued that attorney-client privilege should take priority. She also suggested that the court should hold hearings to determine how the Times had obtained the legal memos in the first place.

Joel Kurtzberg, outside counsel for the Times, said in the hearing that the memos in the article were independent of this case and not for use in this case, and argued a Bartnicki defense for publishing the excerpts. But Bartnicki, as Justice Wood pointed out at the hearing, did not involve attorney-client privilege.

Truth be told, there are some ambiguities in Bartnicki, Levine previously told me when I discussed the seizure order with him. Those might include, as the judge appeared to argue, how a court should balance the First Amendment and public interest against attorney-client privilege

On December 14, at the request of the Times lawyers, Wood subtly amended the order, explicitly allowing the Times to speak to Veritass lawyers for comment and allowing the paper to publish articles about Veritas including attorney-client-privileged informationprovided that material became public independently of the Times, such as if it were published by another outlet.

Two days later, on December 16, the Times published an investigative story detailing how Ashley Bidens diary may have been obtainedthough it did not fully explain Veritass involvement, and Veritas declined to clarify.

Finally, after a monthlong wait that confounded First Amendment experts, Justice Wood issued his Christmas Eve ruling to uphold the prior restraint, ordering the Times to return or destroy its copies of the memos (and attempt to retrieve copies from Grueskin and any other third parties with whom it had shared them). Undoubtedly, every media outlet believes that anything that it publishes is a matter of public concern, Wood wrote. Our smartphones beep and buzz all day long with news flashes that supposedly reflect our browsing and clicking interests, and we can tune in or read the news outlet that gives us the stories and topics that we want to see. But some things are not fodder for public consideration and consumption.

Thats the problem here, Kirtley told me after the ruling. Youre dealing with attorney-client-privileged information, and judges consider that close to sacred.

The Appellate Division court will receive a response from Veritas in the appeal by January 14 and, according to experts, is likely to reach a different conclusion. Its the equivalent of a judicial layup blown over and over again, said Timm. The fact that the prior restraint is still active is constitutionally unconscionable.

While Calli had apparently soured on CJR, there was a time not long ago when Veritass tone had been somewhat warmer. In 2018, OKeefe sent a signed copy of his book to Kyle Pope, the editor and publisher of CJR. Kyle, were on the same team! OKeefe wrote on Veritas stationery.

In a sense, hes right. At the end of the day, the rights of New York Times journalists can hinge on cases involving actors like Project Veritas, said Timm. The reverse is also true: Veritass rights can depend on the rights of the Times. Thats why, said Timm, in this potential press freedom battle with the Justice Department, its hypocritical to turn around and call for the infringement of the rights of a reporter they dont like. Set that kind of precedent, and everyone loses.

Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today

Caleb Pershan is a CJR fellow.
PORTLAND, Maine (AP)A judge has awarded nearly $1 million in damages to the families of four fishermen who died when their boat mysteriously sank off Massachusetts in 2020.

The 82-foot (25-meter) Portland, Maine-based Emmy Rose went down early Nov. 23, 2020, as it was heading to port after a seven-day fishing trip, the National Transportation Safety Board said. Authorities had previously said it was heading to Gloucester, Massachusetts.

A total of $960,000 in insurance proceeds from the boat owner, Boat Aaron & Melissa Inc., was distributed among the families by U.S. District Judge John Woodcock in an order Wednesday, The Portland Press Herald reported.

The families agreed to accept the money in exchange for an order releasing the owner from further liability. The judge also exonerated the owner.

Woodcock wrote that each man died an unspeakably tragic and terrible death.

Again, there is no evidence about how the vessel went down and it is possible that it sank suddenly and without warning, but it is more likely that there was some period of panic as the seamen worked in horrific conditions to avoid its and their awful demise, Woodcock wrote.

The vessel made no distress calls. The Coast Guard searched more than 2,200 square miles over a 38-hour period, yet found nothing more than a debris field, diesel fuel odor, an emergency beacon and an empty life raft.

The crewCapt. Robert Blethen Jr., of Georgetown, Maine; Jeffrey Matthews, of Portland, Maine; Ethan Ward, of Pownal, Maine; and Michael Porper, of Gloucester, Massachusettswas never found.

The Emmy Rose was found in May, in an upright position with its outriggers deployed, in about 800 feet of water on the seafloor about 25 miles off Provincetown, Massachusetts, the NTSB said.

Federal authorities partnered with the National Science Foundation and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in September to survey the sunken vessel using a remotely operated vehicle. The vehicle yielded videos and high-resolution photos that are being used by investigators trying to determine why the vessel went down.

Ashley Gross, Porpers fiancee, said in a statement provided by her attorney that she felt the judge did a fair job of dividing the limited insurance between the four families.

There is no amount of money that will bring my friends and fiance back, she said Thursday. The judgment doesnt bring us closure but does bring some peace of mind that Michael was able to contribute to his daughters future.

An email was left Friday for the attorney who represented the Emmy Roses owner.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
A California state appeals court on Monday denied Motiva Enterprises request for insurance coverage for a settlement with workers injured in a 2017 fire at its 607,000-barrel-per-day Port Arthur, Texas refinery.

In a decision on Monday, a panel of the California Court of Appeal said it agreed with a trial courts conclusion that the workers had been abating asbestos, and that the relevant insurance policies did not cover the accident.

Motiva had been seeking coverage from insurers of Excel Modular Scaffold and Leasing Corp, the contractor hired to abate asbestos at the refinery, the nations largest.

One crew member died of severe burns and his supervisor suffered serious injuries in the August 2017 fire.

The supervisor and relatives of the crew member later sued Motiva in Texas for the companys alleged negligence. After settling, Motiva filed an action in June 2018 seeking indemnification from Excels insurers.

The case is Motiva Enterprises LLC v. National Fire & Marine Insurance Co et al, California Court of Appeal, 1st Appellate District, Nos. A159229, A159231, A159233.
Remember George Costanzas trick in Seinfeld, the 1990s TV sitcom? When he couldnt (or didnt want to) pay his rent or other expense he would conveniently forget to sign the check, buying himself a little more time.

In a South Florida assignment-of-benefits case that turned into a bad-faith claim, a restoration firm argued that the insurer employed a similar tactic when it made the check out to both the construction company and to the policyholder

In Expert Inspections vs. United Property and Casualty, the dissenting opinion from a judge at Floridas 4th District Court of Appeal pointed out that the insurer also sent the check to the wrong address.

Although neither party disputes that the insurer ultimately mailed a check for the $1,995.00 amount, the insurer sent that payment to the wrong party, Judge Alan Forst wrote in his dissent in the Jan. 5 decision. Under Florida law, the assignee could not endorse the check mailed by the insurer without the signature of both the assignee and the insured.

Nonetheless, the majority of the courts three-judge panel sided with United, affirming the trial courts decision that the insurer had followed the language of the policy and did not owe plaintiffs attorneys fees in the case.

It was not unreasonable for the insurance company to make the check payable to both the insured and the assignee, particularly since the AOB agreement did not assign all of the insureds interest in the insurance policy to the assignee, Judge Edward Artau wrote for the majority.

Some insurance attorneys have said this type of case exemplifies Floridas overly litigious environment, in which some restoration companies and their attorneys are too quick to file bad-faith actions, over small amounts and even when a claim has been paid. On many claims, insurers have less than two weeks to respond or inspect the property, which is often not enough time to make a clear determination. Yet plaintiffs attorneys often use that as a trigger for bad faith claims  simply to gain fees, insurance firms have complained.

The law, as it is now, benefits lawyers at the expense of consumers in Florida, said Julie Nevins, who handles bad faith matters for the Stroock & Stroock & Lavan law firm in Miami.

The United Property dispute stemmed from water damage caused by Hurricane Irma in 2017. The homeowner assigned benefits to Expert, a mold remediation company. The company, also known as MoldExpert.com, made the repairs and submitted an invoice to United, along with a copy of the AOB agreement.

United apparently did not pay the invoice immediately. But three months later, after a second email from the restoration company, the insurer wrote the $1,995 check, the court explained. A year later, Expert Inspection filed suit against United for breach of contract, arguing that the AOB agreement directed the insurer to pay the assignee, not the insured and not both parties.

United then asked the Broward County clerk of court to deposit the check and told the restoration company that it would re-issue the check to Expert if the company would drop its lawsuit. United also argued that Expert was not entitled to attorneys fees because the firm was never forced to litigate, and that it never notified the insurer of any disagreement prior to filing the breach-of-contract suit.

The circuit court granted summary judgment in favor of United, noting that the check was mailed well before the lawsuit was filed. The majority of the appeals court panel agreed.

The assignee alleges a breach of the insurance contract because the insurer did not abide by the instructions listed in the AOB agreement, the majority noted. However, the insurer cannot breach an agreement to which it has no privity.

An AOB agreement may give the assignee the right to enforce an insurance policy, but it does not give the contractor the right to enforce terms of the agreement that are extraneous to the policy, the court said. The majority also held that the Uniform Commercial Code, which generally provides that debtors cannot discharge their obligations by paying the assignor, does not apply to insurance claims.

In addition, the AOB agreement was a limited assignment, keeping the insured in the loop on benefits. It also granted the restoration company limited power of attorney, so that Expert Inspections could have cashed the check simply by having the homeowner endorse it, the court said. The agreement also obligated the insured to cooperate to ensure that payment was received from the insurance company.

In another bad-faith claim decision handed down the same day, the 4th District Court of Appeal sided against USAA Casualty Insurance.

In Wendy Firtell and Brian Firtell vs. USAA, the court reversed the Broward County Circuit Court, finding that the trial court should not have granted judgment for the insurer.

After the Firtells Pembroke Pines home was damaged in Hurricane Irma, they filed a claim. USAA inspected but did not pay the full amount the homeowners had asked for. Following an appraisal process, the Firtells filed a bad-faith claim. The trial court dismissed that and granted summary judgment for the insurer.

The family appealed and the 4th DCA agreed with them, noting that summary judgment is proper only if no issues of material fact exist.

The entry of summary judgment is  erroneous if different inferences can be drawn reasonably from those facts, the per curiam opinion said, citing previous court rulings. The court remanded the case, noting that the issue of bad faith should be resolved by a jury.

In the USAA case, it was Judge Artau who dissented.

The undisputed evidence shows that the insurer complied with the policy terms, reasonably investigated the claim, promptly participated in the appraisal process, and timely paid the appraisal award which was less than the amount its insured had claimed, he wrote. Under these circumstanceswith no genuine disputed issues of factthe trial court correctly concluded that no reasonable jury could find the insurer had engaged in bad faith.
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP)Prominent South Carolina attorney Alex Murdaugh was scheduled for a virtual hearing Monday as a judge could consider lowering the $7 million bond she set last month.

Murdaughs attorneys are asking Circuit Judge Alison Renee Lee to reconsider her bond order, arguing in a filing last week that the $7 million effectively amounts to a no bond decision because Murdaugh has no money.

The 53-year-old heir to a legal empire in Hampton County, South Carolina, has been jailed since his arrest in October on a growing number of charges for mostly financial crimes. Prosecutors have accused Murdaugh of stealing more than $6.2 million from about a dozen clients between 2015 and 2020 by using a fraudulent bank account to divert settlement and other money to himself.

Lee said in December that Murdaugh must pay the entire $7 million if he wants to leave jail to go on house arrest with electronic monitoring, get counseling and be randomly drug tested.

Mr. Murdaugh does not have seven million dollars or anything close to that amount, the attorneys wrote. Mr. Murdaugh is a man who cannot pay his phone bill.

A judge in a separate civil suit Murdaugh faces froze his assets in November, and court-appointed receivers now control every cent. That order bars Murdaugh from using his own money or property to post bail, according to the filing.

Murdaugh used the money he stole to pay bank overdraft fees, credit card payments, checks written to friends and family and other items, indictments state. His victims ranged from family friends and a state trooper to an undocumented immigrant and a person injured in a car wreck, prosecutors have said.

Lees initial bond order exceeded amounts recommended by prosecutors, who had suggested the judge either set bond at the $6.2 million Murdaugh was accused of stealing or a lesser figure of $4.7 millionabout $100,000 for each count.

Murdaughs father, grandfather and great-grandfather were prosecutors in tiny Hampton County, where every road leading to the county seat is two lanes.

The familys law firm, located in the most impressive building in town after the courthouse, has spent a century winning multimillion-dollar verdicts, though the firm stripped the Murdaugh moniker from its name last week.

Murdaughs legal troubles began after his wife, Maggie, and son Paul were found shot dead outside a family home last summer. Their killings remain unsolved, and Murdaughs lawyers say he has denied having anything to do with their killings.

He faces a separate set of charges in what prosecutors have described as a scheme to have himself killed to secure a $10 million insurance payout to his surviving son Buster.

All the charges against Murdaugh are felonies and he could face more than 500 years in prison if convicted of all them.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Today

Cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 72F. Winds N at 10 to 20 mph.

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Mostly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 61F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph.

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Beachwood, OH (44122)

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Periods of rain. High 67F. Winds SE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall near a half an inch..

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Analysts say Joe Biden single-handedly sank America's prestige and power, losing to Donald Trump in 2024, and the midterms cause Brussels to fret about the change to come.

Politicians in the EU and Washington fear that a win by the former US President might be worse than the current US leader.

The term of the 45th president of the US stuck to America first and led the US successfully, except for the pandemic breakout in March 2020, which caused problems for him.

EU-US deteriorating relationship

The EU is fretting relations with the US is in danger as Washington is supposed to be sidelining its allies in Europe. The status quo of the Trump years is not acceptable, reported the Express UK.

Failure of the current US leader to mend changes allegedly wrought by the Trump administration one elected into office has been a pure disappointment. Biden did not deliver the goods and did not unify the blocs.

Tensions brought about by the White that frustrated the EU to no end where the Fall of Afghanistan, AUKUS nuclear sub deal, and the rise of Moscow and Beijing as potent forces, even exceeding the US in key areas and technologies.

Most European experts see no silver lining to Trump as the victor in 2024. The differences in their leadership are vast, like not allegedly dozing off at summits and effective leadership. Although a return to Trump-type relations is not looked at with favor, cited the Swift Headline.

Read Also: Boris Johnson Flares After Joe Biden Disregards Brexit Britain From Cutting Tariffs to Free Trade Deals

Biden's missteps that have doomed most Democrats when the midterm elections are close are not helping.

A visiting fellow at the German Marshall Fund of the United States spoke to Bruce Stokes, former ambassador to NATO, said the fails of Washington led to the idea. It will never go back to 2016, noted the Daily Star Post.

An anonymous Polish foreign policy expert remarked that Washington has only the EU to turn to, adding that any misunderstanding with the European bloc will not make alliances easy, which will be problematic for the US.

Focus pivots to Asia

An ex-US ambassador to NATO stated the same worries of the bloc, saying the AUKUS deal showed to Europe that the pivot to deal with China outweighs the bloc and places no value on the relationship shared between the two.

According to an analyst in Berlin who said the US refocusing on Asia is causing bitterness in EU allies as the move to Asia is happening. If interest in the affairs of Europe wane, it might be an end to the alliance.

Bloc members are anxious that Biden's pathetic poll numbers will increase dissent to his administration if the Democrats lose in 2022.

On one note, President Biden blames everyone but himself for all the wrong decisions and does not take positive measures to correct them, noted his critics. But the damage is done with polls saying they want him gone, even his party.

Given the discrepancy of the handling by Joe Biden, maybe Brussels will be better off taking their chances with another Trump administration. China and Russia do not precisely consider anything substantial from Washington.

Related Article: UK Ambassador Ridicules Joe Biden as Ineffective for Weak Push To Rein in Putin While Allies are Left Out

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Clinton, IA (52732)

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Cloudy and windy at times with occasional rain...mainly in the morning. High around 50F. Winds NNE at 20 to 30 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch..

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Some clouds early will give way to generally clear conditions overnight. Low 36F. Winds NNE at 10 to 20 mph.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 11)  Several presidential aspirants in this year's elections have expressed concern over a published report alleging that Commission on Elections (Comelec) servers were hacked.

In separate statements released on Tuesday, three presidentiables, namely, Vice President Leni Robredo, and Senators Manny Pacquiao, and Panfilo "Ping" Lacson said the poll body should confirm whether or not such an incident happened.

Robredo said she and her running mate, Senator Kiko Pangilinan, were "alarmed" by the hacking allegations and wanted Comelec to "immediately confirm if it happened and the extent of the compromise involved."

"We ask the Commission to immediately take steps to ensure that this, or any other similar incident would not affect the integrity of the May 2022 elections," they said.

In a briefing, the Vice President sought an assurance from Comelec that the polls won't be compromised.

She also dismissed claims that her camp is behind the incident, pointing out the same mind-setting was used in the 2016 elections.

Pacquiao also said that the poll body should explain what was going on and if there were plans in place should such an incident occur.

"Kailangan din nating malaman kung may nakahandang plano ang Comelec kung sakaling nakompromiso ang ating automated polling system," he said.

[Translation: We have to know if the Comelec has a plan in case our automated polling system is compromised.

Lacson said only the Comelec and the Department of Information and Communications Technology can shed light on the allegations, but added they had a team checking into the matter as well.

"Our in-house Comelec-accredited cyber-security team is currently conducting its own investigation given their limited accessibility, after I asked them to exert whatever effort to get initial information," he said in his statement.

In another statement, Atty. Vic Rodriguez, the spokesperson of Bongbong Marcos Jr. said they are monitoring developments into the issue and would wait for confirmation from the probe.

"We do not intend to immediately jump into any conclusion that could lead to undermining or discrediting the preparations and the conduct of the May 9 general elections," he said.

Meanwhile, Comelec Commissioner Rowena Guanzon doubts whether a hacking did take place.

"How can they hack our servers @COMELEC when we don't have PINs yet? ITD Director told me we don't have PINs yet," she said in a tweet.

In an interview on CNN Philippines' Politics as Usual, Comelec Chairman Sheriff Abas also dismissed the hacking report as "fake news."

In December, Comelec completed the election software for the May polls, which include the codes on how vote counting machines will read and count ballots and the overall election management system.

RELATED: 2022 mock polls generally smooth but ballot paper jams, voter crowding flagged

Poll watchdogs National Citizens' Movement for Free Elections and the Legal Network for Truthful Elections said they were keeping an eye on the matter as well and waiting for the Comelec's report on the issue.

Senator Francis Tolentino filed a resolution Tuesday for an inquiry into the alleged hacking. The still unnumbered resolution cited an incident in 2016 in which hackers under "Anonymous Philippines" muddled through the Comelec website and downloaded voter information from servers.

"There is an urgent need to determine whether Comelec has the capacity and strong data encryption to prevent any untoward incident that may affect the upcoming elections," the resolution stated.

CNN Philippines' Anjo Alimario contributed to this report.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 11) Health officials stood by their decision to allow a shorter quarantine and isolation period for fully vaccinated health workers as the more transmissible Omicron coronavirus variant spreads in the country.

Health Undersecretary Leopoldo Vega explained the decision to allow health workers who test positive for COVID-19 to undergo a shorter isolation and personnel who were exposed to a COVID-19 patient to forego quarantine if they don't have flu-like symptoms was based on scientific evidence. He said that although Omicron is more transmissible, the viral load or the amount of virus carried by the person also goes down faster.

He said the incubation period of Omicron is only at 2-3 days compared to the original strain, which has an incubation period of 5-7 days, therefore needing a longer quarantine and isolation period.

Shortening the quarantine and isolation period is feasible since 93% of health workers are fully vaccinated, he added.

"We believe that on the fifth day, if you're vaccinated, the viral load is very low and you can no longer transmit the virus or you're not contagious. Ito 'yung talagang dahilan bakit inuna natin ang healthcare workers kasi madali sila ma-monitor ng kanilang infection and control committee sa hospitals.

[Translation: This is the reason why we implemented this for healthcare workers since it's easier to monitor their health.]

Several health workers expressed their dismay over the government's recent decision to allow hospitals to shorten their isolation and quarantine period to ensure there are enough personnel during the ongoing COVID-19 surge.

The Inter-Agency Task Force previously authorized hospitals to forego quarantine for fully vaccinated health workers without symptoms but considered a close contact of a patient. If health workers contract COVID-19, the shortened protocol allows them to undergo isolation for only five days instead of the previous 10 days.

Filipino Nurses United (FNU) Vice President Eleonor Nolasco said they prefer to take their time off if they test positive or become exposed to a COVID-19 case due to the fear of infecting their co-workers or patients.

Alliance of Health Workers leader Robert Mendoza lamented that the government sees them as "immortals" who are immune to COVID-19 or who can recover quickly from an infection.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire assured that the new decision will not put health workers and patients at risk, saying other countries are following the same protocol.

"Hinding-hindi po magpapatupad ang ating gobyerno ng isang polisiya na magpu-put sa risk ang ating mga pasyente at ang ating mga healthcare workers," she said. "Ito po ay ginagawa base sa risk assessment ng ating mga ospital, kung kakayanin, at kung ito po ay mas magiging beneficial para sa ating mga healthcare system, at ang ating mga pasyente.

[Translation: The government will not approve a policy that will put our patients and healthcare workers at risk. This is being done based on the hospital's risk assessment, if it will be beneficial for the healthcare system and the patients.]
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 11) The Department of Health (DOH) on Tuesday said there will be a shift in the government's COVID-19 response strategy to address the high transmission rates and increasing infections in the country.

In a media forum, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the government will focus on community interventions to help curb the virus spread in localities.

She said testing will primarily help in determining the proper clinical management for high-risk or vulnerable patients. Contact tracing, on the other hand, would not be prioritized for now.

"Contact tracing is not that much prioritized anymore because we know that in each household, the possibility or the likelihood that there is one positive individual is very high," Vergeire explained.

"Our testing before, what we [were] doing before to detect who are positive so that we can immediately isolate and quarantine, becomes of second nature right now, because we'd like to prioritize our A1,A2, and A3, these are the vulnerable sectors in our population, for clinical management," she added.

Last week, the country's pandemic response task force announced shortened quarantine days for fully vaccinated healthcare workers in a bid to ensure enough manpower to handle the spike in coronavirus infections. The new policy, however, was met with backlash as medical groups questioned its safety.

READ: Govt defends shorter quarantine, isolation for health workers

Vergeire said the government is also studying the possible imposition of the protocol for the general public.

"That is our policy shift right now... there are discussions of shortening quarantine and shortening isolation for the general public and the healthcare workers, of course, adopting science and evidence. Of course, the last one would be ramping up vaccination," the Health official added.

For the past days, the Philippines has been logging record-high numbers in new daily cases  with the tally breaching the 33,000 mark. Nationwide infections have topped three million, according to the latest DOH bulletin.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 11) - The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) will soon issue a policy mandating employers to give their workers paid time off if they have to isolate or quarantine due to COVID-19, according to Rep. Raymond Mendoza of Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) Party-list.

Mendoza, who's also TUCP president, said Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III "made the commitment" in a virtual meeting on Tuesday.

In a statement, the TUCP said it requested a dialogue with the department to push for the leave benefits amid mounting coronavirus cases among workers nationwide. It added that the policy is expected to be issued this week.

CNN Philippines has contacted DOLE for confirmation.

Once the directive is in effect, the labor group said "All employees who have to undergo isolation and quarantine for several days, and (are) not yet confined to a hospital but have exhausted all his/her company-offered leave benefits, will continue to receive their wages from their employer."

Based on Department of Health (DOH) guidelines, those who test positive for COVID-19 would have to undergo a ten-day isolation to reduce the risk of transmission. Patients with severe or critical infection would have to isolate for 21 days.

Meanwhile, close contacts of an infected person should quarantine for seven days if they're fully vaccinated, or 14 days if they are partially or not yet vaccinated.

READ: Feeling sick? Here are reminders from a health expert about COVID-19 tests, isolation, quarantine

More than three million Filipinos have now been confirmed hit with the viral illness after the DOH reported 28,007 new infections on Tuesday. Active cases - which were at less than 30,000 a week ago - are now at over 181,000.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 11)  Metro Manila is experiencing a "severe outbreak" based on the parameters of nonprofit group Covid Act Now, according to independent COVID-19 monitoring group OCTA Research.

OCTA fellow Guido David on Tuesday said the average daily attack rate in the capital region increased to 89.42, which is above the threshold for severe outbreak used by Covid Out Now. He said the seven-day positivity is also at 48%, meaning nearly 1 of 2 people tested receive a positive result.

OCTA added the hospital bed occupancy rate, one of the metrics for determining an area's alert level, increased to 57% and is seen to exceed 70% next week.

Metro Manila remains on Alert Level 3 until Jan. 15. Acting presidential spokesperson Karlo Nograles said the country's healthcare utilization, including the two-week growth rate and average daily attack rate, should be classified as "high level" to merit an escalation to Alert Level 4.

Local chief executives in Metro Manila want another 15-day extension of the less restrictive Alert Level 3.

Meanwhile, David said the reproduction number or the average number of contacts infected per COVID-19 case slightly decreased to 5.22 from 5.65.

With this development, he said there is a chance Metro Manila could reach its COVID-19 peak this week or next week, but it's not yet for certain.

Professor Jomar Rabajante, a data analytics researcher from the University of the Philippines Pandemic Response Team, made a similar projection.

He said there are some indicators that the peak will come next week.

"What we have seen so far now is we might be past the inflection point of the epidemic curve in NCR. Say we have the letter 'S.' The top of the letter 'S' is our peak, the inflection point is the middle of the letter 'S' where there is a change in the curvature," he explained to CNN Philippines.

Rabajante added, "It means that somehow there is some slowing down in terms of transmission in NCR, but still it is increasing. We still need to monitor it in the coming days."

The countrys total COVID-19 case count surged to nearly three million on Monday after the government reported a record high spike for the third consecutive day with 33,169 more infected.
In the face of a trio of civil lawsuits accusing him of fomenting the Capitol brawl last year, a federal court on Monday questioned former President Donald Trump's claims of "total immunity."

U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions spoke during a hearing. District Judge Amit Mehta looked suspicious of Trump's claim that the lawsuit filed by Democratic members and US Capitol Police officers should be dismissed because a president's words and conduct while in the office are immune from civil action.

Judge mulls whether Trump's silence on Jan. 6 could be seen as approval

Trump's lawyer, Jesse Binnall, said he couldn't conceive of a hypothetical case that would fall outside the former president's immunity claim. Last year, lawsuits were brought against Trump, individuals of his closest circle, and organizations of his followers. Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) introduced one, while Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.) introduced the other. Thompson is the chair of the House select committee investigating the Jan. 6 incident, and he was joined by ten of his Democratic colleagues.

The United States has filed a third lawsuit. James Blassingame and Sidney Hemby, Capitol Police officers, suggest that Trump should be held accountable for the rioters' damages. Trump's personal attorney Rudy Giuliani, his son Donald Trump Jr., Rep. Mo Brooks (R-Ala.), and the right-wing Proud Boys and Oath Keepers groups are among the other defendants, The Hill reported.

Trump's attorney, Jesse Binnall, pushed back against Mehta's questions, suggesting that Trump can't possibly incur legal penalties for activities he didn't conduct. The discussion might be the most important in an explosive - and lengthy - hearing on three lawsuits brought against Trump for his acts leading up to and on Jan. 6.

Two of the lawsuits were made by Democratic members of Congress, while the other was launched by a pair of Capitol Police officers who were hurt during the altercation on Jan. 6. Although the lawsuits have been on file for more than nine months, Monday's hearing was the first meaningful one on the topics.

Mehta is concerned with deciding whether to allow the cases against Trump to proceed. He is essentially considering whether the allegations against the former president are believable and legally sound.

During the hearings, Trump's lawyers claimed that Trump's immunity from civil claims for his activities as president was extremely wide, arguing that practically every comment Trump made was "immune.", as per Politico.

Read Also: Donald Trump Claims Joe Biden Bows Down to China by Not Probing COVID-19 Origins

Trump asks judge to toss Jan. 6 lawsuits

On Monday afternoon, lawyers for former President Donald Trump, his lawyer Rudy Giuliani, and Rep. Mo Brooks urged a federal judge to reject charges that he incited the Jan. 6 Capitol attack, as well as lawsuits filed by Democratic House members and police officers.

The judicial battle is just one way to hold the former president accountable, more than a year after hundreds of Trump supporters marched on Congress. Democratic legislators, including Reps. Eric Swalwell and Jerry Nadler referenced an 1871 legislation against political intimidation enacted to combat the white supremacist Ku Klux Klan.

The House of Representatives impeached Trump, and the Senate acquitted him on a charge of inciting the disturbance, which a House select committee is also investigating. Swalwell's complaint contains similar accusations against Trump supporters such as Giuliani, Trump's oldest son Donald Trump Jr., and Republican congressman Brooks, who all spoke at the event on Jan. 6.

Brooks has pushed back against Swalwell's charges, claiming that his statements at the event on Jan. 6 were made in the course of his duties as a member of Congress. The Westfall Act shields government workers from being sued for conduct made in the course of their employment. Trump and his co-defendants had maintained that their comments before the assault on Jan. 6 were protected political speech under the US Constitution's First Amendment. Constitution, Daily Mail reported.

Related Article: Jan.6 Anniversary: Republicans, Democrats Disagree For a Year While Americans Remain Divided Over How Capitol Riot Unfolded

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Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 11)  The government is prepared in case Metro Manila reverts to the second to the highest alert level as the region deals with an alarming rise in COVID-19 infections, Malacanang said Tuesday.

Yes, said acting presidential spokesman Karlo Nograles when asked if the government may decalare an Alert Level 4 in the capital region. As mentioned by Usec. Bong Vega, we have been preparing naman, our hospitals, and which is why theres a call to increase the bed capacities di ba. Theres a call to increase the capacities of our TTMFs (temporary treatment and monitoring facilities) or isolation facilities.

Along with real time updates on the health workers and augmentation of medical frontliners, Nograles said these measures are being done in preparation for that eventuality.

Kung mild naman at asymptomatic, well have to step them down to the isolation facility or kung pwwedeng mag-home quarantine [or they can undergo home quarantine] so that we have more beds reserved for those who need it most. But if it reaches to the threshold, then we should be prepared, said the Cabinet Secretary.

RELATED: What you need to know about COVID-19 home isolation and quarantine

Metro Manila mayors prefer to keep the region under Alert Level 3 for now. MMDA chairman Benhur Abalos Jr. said the region appears to be already under Alert Level 4 by proxy, especially with establishments and individuals alike acting like the region is already under a stricter classification.

Metro Manila is under Alert Level 3 until Jan. 15.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 11)  The government is limiting the number of over-the-counter fever and flu medicines a household can purchase due to high demand and to prevent hoarding amid the COVID-19 surge.

The Department of Health and the Department of Trade and Industry released on Tuesday a joint memorandum circular setting a purchase cap for paracetamol, phenylephrine hydrochloride + chlorphenamine maleate + paracetamol, and carbocisteine medicines.

An individual may buy only up to 20 paracetamol tablets, while the maximum is set at 60 per household. For liquid paracetamol, a person can only buy up to five bottles, while a household may purchase up to 10.

This came in the wake of temporary stockouts of the products in the retail market, according to the circular dated Jan. 10. It added that the policy will help prevent artificial shortage and price escalation, as well as ensure the availability of the products until supplies become stable.

The following are the purchase limits set by the government:

Retailers are directed to advise consumers about the purchase caps by posting notices in conspicuous places within their outlets.

Unless otherwise allowed by the Food and Drug Administration, all establishments and the public are reminded that online selling of medicines is not permitted, the DOH-DTI circular also read.Chlorphenamine
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 12)  The Duterte administration has yet to respond to the request of the United Nations special rapporteurs for information on the killings of five human rights defenders in March 2021.

They asked the Philippine government to provide more information on its investigations about the death of activists Emmanuel Asuncion, Mark Bacasno, Melvin Dasigao, Ana Mariz Lemita-Evangelista, and Ariel Evangelista in the Bloody Sunday raids, as well as steps implemented to prevent similar killings.

We regret that no substantive response has been received to date, addressing the allegations of extrajudicial killings included in the communication, or answering the questions to your Excellencys Government in relation to these allegations, the special rapporteurs said in their official communication made public on Tuesday.

If no inquiries have taken place, or if they have been inconclusive, please explain why, and how this is compatible with the Philippines international human rights obligations, they added.

The document dated Oct. 28, 2021 was signed by Mary Lawlor, special rapporteur on human rights defenders; Morris Tidball-Binz, special rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions; Clement Nyaletsossi Voule, special rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; and Fionnuala Ni Aolain, special rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism.

It was made public after 60 days during which the Duterte administration was expected to give its response.

So far, 17 policemen have been charged with murder complaint as of December 2021 over the death of Asuncion.

The UN special rapporteurs also expressed grave concerns at the continued allegations of extrajudicial killings of human rights defenders, some of which allegedly emanated from law enforcement agencies.

They noted that the information indicate that human rights defenders were targeted in response to their exercise of their right to freedom of expression and right to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association.

We reiterate our call to your Excellencys Government to take urgent and effective steps to ensure the safety and security of human rights defenders and to create an enabling environment for them to carry out their peaceful and legitimate human rights activities, they said.
At the State College Borough Council meeting on Monday, the council unanimously passed to extend the masking ordinance until the coronavirus transmission rate drops below the substantial spread threshold in Centre County.

The Board of Health met on Jan. 4 to review the current state of the coronavirus in the State College area and recommended the masking ordinance.

As defined by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, there must be fewer than 50 weekly cases per 100,000 residents registered in Centre County to be under the threshold.

The Board of Health said it will continue to reassess the ordinance, taking into consideration the CDC guidelines, Pennsylvania Department of Health guidelines, the current transmission rates and other data for Centre County, advice from epidemiologists, and any new information on variants."

MORE BOROUGH COVERAGE
Welcome to Court Crawl, Colorado Politics' roundup of news from the third branch of government. The Colorado Supreme Court returns on Tuesday to hear only a handful of cases, while the judicial branch at large is grappling with the effect of the omicron variant on courthouse operations.
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Washington fires off for Ukraine talks before meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is seen as the aggressor. Still, the US is jockeying to determine the fate of Eastern Europe by engaging Moscow.

The US is dealing with the Kremlin by asking reporters without information until given clearance. One of the reasons is that any news from Russian sources is not reliable, but that goes the same for the alleged disinformation coming from the White House.

Washington tells the press to hold off reporting unless told to do so

Officials from the United States have determined that dealings with their Russian counterparts may be unbelievable. The administration stressed that any reports could follow after examining them, reported the Express UK.

They do not want to spread details according to the way Russian pre-empts information to set the pace and atmosphere, but Putin in the past has proven to run rings around President Joe Biden like in the recent Geneva Summit in 2021.

Hopes for de-escalation are hoped, but they don't want to negotiate a limitation or discussion of the US forces deployed, cited the DW.

Kethevane Gorjestani, a White House journalist for France 24, updated the negotiations. Stated that certain journalists have been told to hold off on reporting to not fall into Russia's interests, noted the Brinkwire.

Gorjestani said the US is not leaving anything to chance. She added that the US does not want the wrong messaging from Moscow. The Kremlin has effectively used this propaganda to get what it wants, as the Russian leader has been able to steer things his way via this method.

US officials say that the Kremlin will say that Washington has agreed on some points in the Ukraine talks, which should be perceived with caution.

Read Also: Russian Military Drills on Video Shake Up NATO as Putin Beats the War Drums on the Ukraine Border

Any breakthrough will be confirmed and cleared for reporting to verify the news during negotiations. Before the discussions, the press was informed on January 8 that the talks would be held but no commitments.

US hopeful on talks with Russia

Hopes are on something concrete to come out of the talks, which the Secretary of State Antony Blinken stressed, but this is a general sentiment.

According to the statement of the Americans, they want the Russian to lessen the troops on the Ukraine border to continue talks in the future. There is doubt Putin will agree with the demands of the US, which does not even want to commit troops if the Russians rollout.

Blinken claims Moscow is to blame for the tension for threats against Kiev. But the Kremlin has accused the US of practice runs done by nuclear-capable bombers at Russia's borders.

Russian fighters have stopped several incursions by US planes; as the military drills in the Black Sea and close to Ukraine, the border has scared other bloc countries in the east of Europe. Fears of invasion by Russia have been fueled by the Biden administration that has caused panic in the EU. This is due to annexing Crimea in 2014 that happened before.

The Kremlin wants the NATO expansion into the east of Europe with a binding treaty that includes removing US forces in selected locations. Keeping NATO membership from Kyiv is a starting point of an offensive against Moscow, the discussions were done in seven hours.

Ukraine talks are essential to the security of Europe, but the bloc has been absent and Ukraine, take note that foreign policy fails have happened the last year. This should need a good hard look.

Related Article: Vladimir Putin Dispatches Russian Paratroopers To Quell Protesters at the Request of Kazakhstan Leader as Law and Order Degrades in the Country

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How they voted

UM System curators rejected two mask requirement proposals Tuesday. Here are the votes:

Recommendation One, to require masks in classrooms, labs, offices and inside public buildings where social distancing is not possible.

YES: Julia Brncic, Maurice Graham, Michael Williams

NO: Darryl Chatman, Todd Graves, Greg Hoberock, Keith Holloway, Jeffrey Layman, Robin Wenneker.

Recommendation Two, to require masks in classrooms and labs.

YES: Brncic, Graham

NO: Chatman, Graves, Hoberock, Holloway, Layman, Wenneker, and Williams.
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
A few adjustments to food stamp benefits will affect millions of Americans this month. The government's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides no or low-income Americans with funding to buy food.

This money is usually placed onto an electronic card that may be used at nearly all supermarkets and food stores. According to the US Department of Agriculture, more than 42 million Americans receive food stamps assistance (USDA).

This month, we'll reveal the changes you should be aware of. The USDA announced in April that an additional $1 billion per month would be allocated to the SNAP program.

Benefits were increased for an estimated 25 million low-income households as a result of this. The amount of money given to needy Americans is determined by the size of the family, but a minimum of $95 must be given to each household.

Despite the fact that the $95 increase was set to expire on September 30, 2021, more than half of the states have extended emergency aid until January, as per The Sun .

Read Also: 3 Signs You May Get Stimulus Checks in 2022 Based on Lawmakers Talks, IRS Letter You Will Receive About Federal Payments

List of states to receive extended SNAP benefits

The emergency help will be extended at least through January, according to Kansas, Texas, and Virginia. The following is a list of states that have extended emergency benefits:

Alabama

Georgia

Hawaii

Illinois

Iowa

Kansas

Kentucky

Maine

Maryland

Michigan

New Jersey

North Carolina

Ohio

Oklahoma

Oregon

Pennsylvania

Rhode Island

South Carolina

Texas

Virginia

Washington

West Virginia

Wisconsin

Wyoming

When to receive the 2022 food stamp?

There is no set date for SNAP deposits across the country, you can get an estimate by visiting the providers' official website and searching for your state of residence in the "EBT in my state" section. You can learn about your state's SNAP program, as well as how to apply for or renew SNAP benefits. According to the USDA, there will be a noticeable increase in 2022. A family of four will get $835 in 48 contagious states and the District of Columbia.

In Alaska, a family of four will receive $1,667. In Hawaii, $1,573 is spent; in Guam, $1,231 is spent. A total of $1,074 will be added to the budget of the Virgin Islands, according to Marca. Rhona Reiss, a Maryland resident, began speaking out about food card shortages the day she found that rotisserie chicken was not covered. Benefits can't be used to buy hot or cooked foods under long-standing federal rules, even for elderly people like Reiss, who is 77.

However, in Maryland and other places around the country, this regulation is changing. Six states have joined a little-known federal program that allows seniors to use their food benefits to pay for some low-cost restaurant meals in the last two years. Persons with disabilities and people who are homeless are also covered by the Restaurant Meals Program. California and Arizona have the most participants, whereas younger states like Maryland and Illinois are only getting started.

The program's rapid expansion, according to nutrition experts and campaigners, is part of a bigger effort to extend access to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, during the coronavirus epidemic. The greatest method to feed starving people, according to US policy, is to encourage them to cook for themselves.

Many Americans no longer have the time, skills, money, or physical capacity to cook the sorts of foods that Congress envisioned when the nutrition aid program began, with $108 billion in benefits issued in 2021, according to a rising number of activists and academics. Reiss, who now works for the Montgomery County Food Council in Maryland, has spoken before the Maryland legislature about acquaintances who suffer from arthritis and are unable to hold a knife, or who live in houses without fully functional kitchens, USA Today reported.

Related Article: These Group Will Receive Increased SNAP Benefits; Here's How Claimants Can Save Cash by Christmas

@YouTube

@ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
As the Cubs were beating the Braves 6-3 Wednesday night Steve left to see the game with his mom and dad, Reva and Harold, brother Ron and baby niece Elizabeth Henney. He left behind to run the store his wife Kathleen (Knight), Amelia (27), Nathan (24) and his beloved cat Lewis Black. His sis
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When it comes to mobile security, users are routinely warned to be extremely careful, avoid suspicious links, emails, and attachments. But the growth of no-click attacks sidesteps these soft defenses.

Google recently drilled into one such attack, which happened to have hit an iPhone. We assess this to be one of the most technically sophisticated exploits we've ever seen, further demonstrating that the capabilities (one vendor) provides rival those previously thought to be accessible to only a handful of nation states, said the Google advisory.

The most frightening part of the Google report  and there are a lot of frightening parts  is that it violates one of the unwritten rules of security alerts, namely that its suboptimal to report the details of an attack for which there is no effective defense. I agree with Google here that the details need to be discussed so that the community can more quickly concoct a defense.

It has been documented that NSO is offering their clients zero-click exploitation technology, where even very technically savvy targets who might not click a phishing link are completely unaware they are being targeted. In the zero-click scenario, no user interaction is required. Meaning, the attacker doesn't need to send phishing messages. The exploit just works silently in the background. Short of not using a device, there is no way to prevent exploitation by a zero-click exploit. It's a weapon against which there is no defense.

On that comforting thought, lets jump into the specifics.

The graphic that isnt really a graphic

The company behind the software used in these attacks, NSO, reportedly uses a fake GIF trick to target a vulnerability in the CoreGraphics PDF parser. The files have a .gif extension, but they are not GIF image files. The name is solely designed to keep a user from getting worried.

The ImageIO library is used to guess the correct format of the source file and parse it, completely ignoring the file extension. Using this fake gif trick, more than 20 image codecs are suddenly part of the iMessage zero-click attack surface, including some very obscure and complex formats, remotely exposing probably hundreds of thousands of lines of code.

As Google noted, these attacks are difficult to thwart. Blocking all GIF images is unlikely to prove effective. First, these files arent actually GIFs. The simplest approach is to block anything using a GIF extension, but the bad guys will simply switch to a different innocuous-sounding extension.

(Note: The Google report said Apple has been trying to negate the GIF attack through patches released in 2021. Apple inform us that they have restricted the available ImageIO formats reachable from IMTranscoderAgent starting in iOS 14.8.1 (26 October 2021), and completely removed the GIF code path from IMTranscoderAgent starting in iOS 15.0 (20 September 2021), with GIF decoding taking place entirely within BlastDoor.

The compression technique

This is about a common legitimate tactic for reducing the size of files by replacing some repeated characters. This gets into the weeds a bit: This gives the current destination page JBIG2Bitmap an unknown, but very large, value for h. Since that h value is used for bounds checking and is supposed to reflect the allocated size of the page backing buffer, this has the effect of unbounding the drawing canvas. This means that subsequent JBIG2 segment commands can read and write memory outside of the original bounds of the page backing buffer.

The result?

By rendering 4-byte bitmaps at the correct canvas coordinates, they can write to all the fields of the page JBIG2Bitmap and by carefully choosing new values for w, h and line, they can write to arbitrary offsets from the page backing buffer. At this point, it would also be possible to write to arbitrary absolute memory addresses if you knew their offsets from the page backing buffer. But how to compute those offsets? Thus far, this exploit has proceeded in a manner very similar to a canonical scripting language exploit which in Javascript might end up with an unbounded ArrayBuffer object with access to memory. But in those cases, the attacker has the ability to run arbitrary Javascript, which can obviously be used to compute offsets and perform arbitrary computations. How do you do that in a single-pass image parser? In practice, this means it is possible to apply the AND, OR, XOR and XNOR logical operators between memory regions at arbitrary offsets from the current page's JBIG2Bitmap backing buffer. And since that has been unbounded, it's possible to perform those logical operations on memory at arbitrary out-of-bounds offsets.

This is a coding issue that allows attackers to slip in and execute unauthorized code. This information is critical, as it both allows for coders to avoid this hole from time to time as well as giving software something concrete to find and block.

Out-of-scope attacks

Another Google point: JBIG2 doesn't have scripting capabilities, but when combined with a vulnerability, it does have the ability to emulate circuits of arbitrary logic gates operating on arbitrary memory. So why not just use that to build your own computer architecture and script that!? That's exactly what this exploit does. Using more than 70,000 segment commands defining logical bit operations, they define a small computer architecture with features such as registers and a full 64-bit adder and comparator, which they use to search memory and perform arithmetic operations. It's not as fast as Javascript, but it's fundamentally computationally equivalent. The bootstrapping operations for the sandbox escape exploit are written to run on this logic circuit and the whole thing runs in this weird, emulated environment created out of a single decompression pass through a JBIG2 stream.

Google is quite right when it argues that this stuff is getting close to nation-state level of bad. But at least these details will help CIOs and CISOs start to maneuver around it.
When a fire broke out in a New York high-rise, investigators tried to figure out why the safety doors did not close, allowing dense smoke to climb into the structure. In the city's worst fire in over three decades, 17 people were killed, eight of them were children.

On Sunday, a faulty electric space heater triggered a fire in the 19-story Bronx skyscraper, according to fire officials. The flames barely burnt a small area of the building, but smoke rushed in through the flat's open door, turning the stairwells into dark, ash-choked death traps. The steps were the only route out of a tower that was too tall for fire escapes.

New York Mayor calls tragedy "unspeakable"

The apartment's entrance door and a door on the 15th floor should have been self-closing and prevented the spread of smoke, according to Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro, but the doors remained fully open. It was unclear if the doors had malfunctioned mechanically or had been pushed open on purpose.

According to fire authorities, the thick smoke prevented some individuals from fleeing and rendered others unconscious as they attempted to evacuate. Every floor had victims, several of whom were in cardiac and respiratory arrest. Even when their air supply ran out, firefighters pulled weak youngsters out and gave them oxygen, continuing to make rescues.

Closed doors are critical for controlling fire and smoke, according to Glenn Corbett, a fire science professor at John Jay College in New York City, as per AP News. White-suited cleanup employees cleaned trash from the high-rise Bronx apartment building where stifling smoke from an unintentional fire killed 17 people, including eight children, the day before.

The death toll had been set at 19 by authorities. However, Mayor Eric Adams updated the statistics during a press conference Monday, calling the catastrophe at the Twin Parks North West complex a "developing problem."



Hundreds of people were still hospitalized after the country's worst apartment fire in nearly 40 years. Thirteen people were critically injured, and Nigro cautioned that the death toll might still climb.

Children as young as four years old were among the fatalities, according to City Council Member Oswald Feliz. Flags will be flown at half-staff until sundown Wednesday, according to Adams, who called the fire one of the "worst fires in recent times."as per USA Today.

Read Also: Missing Harmony Montgomery: 2nd Arrest Made in Connection to the New Hampshire Girl's Disappearance as Reward Skyrockets to $60K

Communities rally to help the fire victims

As more donations arrived on Monday, volunteers at the Gambian Youth Organization headquarters, which is just a few blocks from the apartment building where a weekend fire killed 17 people, sorted through piles of clothes, shoes, food, and drinks to be delivered to shelters for those displaced by the disaster.

According to New York Mayor Eric Adams, many of the inhabitants of the 19-story Twin Parks North West building that caught fire were immigrants from Gambia. Neighbors congregated at Masjid Ar Rahmah, a mosque near Twin Parks North West, on Monday as well. Haji Dukuray, who came to the United States to study in 1988 from the predominantly Muslim Gambia, remembers his niece, her husband, and the couple's three children, all of whom died in the fire.

Dawda Fadera, the Gambian ambassador to the United States, said he went from Washington, DC, to New York on Monday to learn more about the fire and to convey official condolences from the country's president. Adama Bah, 33, a pro-immigration reform activist who volunteered at the Gambian Youth Organization, characterized the local Bronx community as "extremely varied," with individuals from West Africa and other African nations as well as a sizable Latino population.

The Gambian Youth Organization has been active in the neighborhood since 2002, providing services such as a weekly food bank. Additional displaced families were able to find shelter through family and friends, as well as community help, according to the Red Cross, which offered emergency accommodation to 22 families, comprising 56 adults and 25 children. As per Reuters via MSN.

Related Article: More Than a Dozen Including 9 Children Are Dead in New York's Worst Fire in 30 Years Caused by Malfunctioning Electric Space Heater

@YouTube

@ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Every business owner accepts that sometimes they must swallow disappointment and prepare for unavoidable change, which seems to be what Apple is preparing for in terms of App Store payments. And it may unleash a new opportunity as it does.

Opening up App Store payments

Apple is under so much pressure around App Store payments. It has made numerous arguments to justify why its own payment systems should be mandatory on App Store sales, but courts in South Korea and the US do not agree. The company continues to face regulatory investigations in multiple nations.

To keep developers happy, Apple continues to tweak the way its systems work, including reducing commissions from 30% to 15% for most developers and promising to let developers offer other ways to pay. But the demand to support external payment systems remains.

Principally, competitors, developers, and critics want the company to permit customers to purchase digital product using payment systems other than its own.

Test case: South Korea

In South Korea, a law now requires all App Store platforms to support multiple payment systems. In a recent statement, Apple said it would comply with the law, issuing a statement in which it said:

Apple has a great deal of respect for Korea's laws and a strong history of collaboration with the country's talented app developers. We look forward to working with the KCC and our developer community on a solution that benefits our Korean users. Our work will always be guided by keeping the App Store a safe and trusted place for our users to download the apps they love.

Apple hasnt explained how or when it will support alternative payment systems, but has apparently filed a plan with South Korean regulators.

Online reports suggest that under these proposals the company will still charge commission on such sales. That commission is justified by the incontrovertible fact that if Apple didnt build and develop its platforms there would be no business opportunity available in the first place.

Even shopping malls charge brands for shelf space based on the same logic. The only big question remains as it always has been: what level of fee is acceptable. The next matter will be to ensure that the same fee is levied across every platform.

What will Apple do next to protect the App Store business?

Apple will want to ensure that given a choice, consumers will still prefer its own payment systems to the alternatives. In this context, the most obvious strategy is to provide a payment system thats simply better than any alternatives.

The secondary challenge is that in doing so, the company cannot be seen to exploit its control of the software and platform in such a way as to give its payment system a substantial advantage, as that would be anti-competitive.

However, competition law cuts both ways, which also means third-party systems must work hard to become just as seamless as whatever Apple does provide.

After all, simply offering a better service based on the same available opportunity is precisely the advantage of free markets competitors say they want. Apples payment system simply pivots to becoming Apples payment product.

Would Epic be able to justify refusing to permit Apple Payments as an option on its own stores? It's such an obvious potential consequence it makes sense thinking that Apple management has considered it more than that they have not.

The long game? Its all about money

Apple yesterday reported that its developers have taken $260 billion from App Store sales since the store launched in 2008. That big number followed a very big year in App Store sales  this time last year, Apple claimed developers had made $200 billion, so that number is up $60 billion in the last 12 months.

(Thats even factoring in the developer commission changes Apple introduced across that time.)

So, right now developers are making roughly $5 billion a month, which surely suggests they will have little interest in changes that might damage that profitable environment.

While there is a certain irony in Apple becoming forced to compete with others on its very own platform, that irony cuts twice if it then chooses to compete elsewhere. After all, given some payment systems are seen as less secure than others, Apple could turn the emancipation of App Store payment systems into a big opportunity to tap an even larger market by taking its own payment systems to competing platforms.

Please follow me on Twitter, or join me in the AppleHolics bar & grill and Apple Discussions groups on MeWe.
As we (thankfully) close the books on 2021, its time to think about how best to promote business growth in the new year. In this post, we offer up five battled-tested network technologies and strategies that can bring more speed and agility to most small- or medium-sized businesses (SMB), perhaps even while lowering costs.

Consider them your IT New Years resolutions.

1. Investigate Wi-Fi 6

Wi-Fi networks are now business-critical, with employees and customers alike expecting fast, reliable connections wherever they are  and from whatever device theyre using. Thats the challenge Wi-Fi 6 is designed to address.

Originally known as 802.11ax, Wi-Fi 6 includes features that both reduce contention for bandwidth among devices and allow for up to eight devices to transmit simultaneously, each on a dedicated channel. It supports speeds up to 10G bps (thanks to 1024 QAM) and reduces congestion by allowing inactive devices to remain inactive for longer vs. previous iterations of 802.11. Wi-Fi 6 compatible access points enable networks to handle varying types of traffic more efficiently  from streaming HD video to shorter packets for voice and data  without sacrificing performance for any of them.

2. Explore IoT technology

Since W-Fi 6 compatible networking technology reduces competition for bandwidth, it has become increasingly critical to support both IoT applications and multiple high-bandwidth devices on a single network.

IoT applications that apply to SMBs include perimeter cameras and asset control systems to help detect and prevent building intrusions and resulting losses. Other use cases include sensors for inventory and asset tracking.

3. Shore up cyber security defenses

As we become more connected via IoT devices and other technologies, however, we also open up to new cyber threats. While a proper security architecture includes many elements, a good place to start is with the concept of Zero Trust. As its name implies, Zero Trust assumes all network users and devices are hostile and must be thoroughly vetted before being allowed to join the network and access business resources.

The good news is many of the crucial Zero Trust elements can be found in the same equipment that enables network access. Aruba wireless access points (APs), for example, support traditional network segmentation strategies and access control lists along with continuous monitoring and enforcement of security policies. But they also provide a path forward to a true Zero Trust security model as business needs evolve.

4. Enable scalability

Your company is likely expecting growth in 2022, so your network and other IT infrastructure will have to scale accordingly. That requires planning, whether its the ability to add capacity to your wired or wireless networks (or both), expand compute and storage capacity, or scale up your security defenses. Keeping scalability in mind as you make your hardware and software investments will help you seamlessly meet demand.

5. Turn to the cloud

The good news is SMBs dont have to go it alone to implement many of these technologies. Cloud-managed network services make it simple for SMBs to meet their exact requirements with respect to scale, security, connectivity levels and more, even as needs change.

Cloud-based network management solutions help streamline IT workflows as well as simplify deployment, troubleshooting, analysis, and reporting. In short, cloud services enable SMB IT teams to reduce the time they spend on day-to-day network operations so they have more time for business-critical growth initiatives. In many cases, youll also save money versus trying to deliver the same service with in-house IT staff, equipment, and software.

To learn more about technologies that can set your business up for a productive, successful 2022, visit Arubas network solutions for growing SMBs.
100%

Website bankifsccode.com uses latest and advanced technologies. It is very popular on the web, it's within the 1 million most visited websites of the world at position 11559 by Alexa. It supports HTTPS. The main html page has a size of 47552 bytes (46.44 kb uncompressed).

This CoolSocial report was updated on 2022-03-31, you can refresh this analysis whenever you want.
Corsicana, TX (75110)

Today

Variable clouds with scattered thunderstorms. High 79F. S winds shifting to N at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies during the evening will give way to cloudy skies overnight. Low 66F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph.
The Biden Administration says it is open to address the scale of European military exercises and the deployment of missiles on the continent when US and Russian diplomats meet next week for diplomatic talks, but not the more than 70,000 American troops stationed there.

The remarks come ahead of US-Russia diplomatic talks, which are set to begin Sunday night in an effort to de-escalate tensions in Eastern Europe. Nearly 100,000 Russian troops have gathered near the Ukrainian border, raising concerns of an invasion. According to analysts, the deployment might be the greatest Russian force build-up in Europe since the Cold War, which President Vladimir Putin has attempted to use as leverage over the United States to reduce soldiers, weapons, and influence along his borders.

US, Russia face off again over Ukraine

In 2008, Putin attacked Georgia; and in 2014, he invaded Ukraine. Since then, communication between the United States and Russia, the two countries with the world's two greatest nuclear arsenals, has been limited. When American intelligence services discovered that the Kremlin was involved in a multi-pronged operation to intervene in the 2016 US presidential elections, talks were further stifled, according to Time.

According to US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman, during negotiations with Russia on security assurances, the US stated that in order for these talks to succeed, the situation around Ukraine must be de-escalated. Allegations of a Russian invasion of Ukraine have lately been circulated by the West and Kiev. These assertions, according to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, are "empty and false" and are being used to inflame tensions. He said that Russia poses no threat to anybody.

Peskov, on the other hand, would not rule out the potential of provocations aimed at justifying such accusations and cautioned that using military action to resolve the problem in southern Ukraine would be disastrous. Moscow, he claims, is doing all necessary to assist Kiev in resolving the Donbass war while staying committed to the Normandy Four arrangement and the Minsk Agreements, as per Tass.

The Geneva summit, which took place as part of the Strategic Stability Dialogue, was convened in reaction to Russia's massing of more than 100,000 soldiers on Ukraine's border and calls for the US and NATO to comply to Moscow's security demands, which were published in the form of two draft treaties.

Read Also: Strong 6.9 Magnitude Earthquake Shakes Parts of Western China; Section of Great Wall of China Collapses

US, Russia agree to keep talking about Ukraine crisis despite talks not reaching a deal

President Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin originally agreed on the Strategic Stability Dialogue in June as a platform for Washington and Moscow to directly debate security challenges and possible solutions. The group will meet for the third time this week, having previously convened in July and September.

The Strategic Stability Dialogue was established in June by President Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin as a forum for Washington and Moscow to openly discuss security concerns and possible solutions. This week will be the group's third meeting, following meetings in July and September.

The discussions on Monday are the first of three scheduled this week in Europe between Russian officials and the US and its European allies and partners. The negotiations are aimed at preventing Russia from initiating a war against Ukraine. Sherman will then go to Brussels to inform NATO partners on the bilateral discussions with Russia, ahead of a Russia-NATO council meeting on Wednesday and an Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe summit on Thursday.

As officials from Washington and Moscow meet to address the Kremlin's security demands, House Republicans presented legislation on Monday aimed at Russia for its military buildup near Ukraine. The GUARD Act, or the Guaranteeing Ukrainian Autonomy by Reinforcing its Defense Act, would strengthen Kyiv's defense capabilities while rejecting certain of Russia's demands, The Hill reported.

Related Article: Russia Blames Washington Wars for Kazakhstan Crisis as US, NATO Take Firm Line Ahead of Talks About Ukraine Tensions

@YouTube

@ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
In one of his latest podcasts, A Hit Team From New York Came To Arizona To Kill Me (posted below), Salvatore (Sammy the Bull) Gravano describes what he would like to do to Thomas (Huck) Carbonaro, the Gambino soldier who more than 20 years ago flew to Arizona with associate Salvatore (Fat Sal) Mangiavillano expressly to kill the former Gambino underboss. (Hint: Gravano doesnt want to share a slice of pizza with Huck.)



Gravano details a hypothetical scenario that involves two guys bringing Huck into a room to have a brief chat with Sammy the Bull.



I would tell him, bro, we went through a lot. You were in my crew. I broke your cherry  you did your first hit with me.



Sammy says hed remind Huck that I moved you into a two-family house in Bensonhurst. I put up money, and you paid me back a little at a time.



Then, hed refresh Huck on some rules. You know families are off limits, hed remind Huck, referring to the mob's well known rule about not touching a wiseguys family, no matter how badly the wiseguy screws up.



You got info from my brother-in-law Eddie (Garafola) about where my wife and children live. You told Fat Sally.



Then, Sammy says hed tell Huck, Youre a friend of ours because I made you a friend of ours. On today, the last day of your life, you brought these people to my fcking house. Would you shoot me in front of (my family), leave my body pouring out blood in front of them?" he says hed ask Huck. Referring to his family, he adds, Would you kill them too? I want the answer. The truth. I am going to shoot you in the head, and you wont feel anything. But if you lie, it will take three days (for me to kill you).



Gravano, having risen to the number two position in the Gambino family as John Gotti's underboss, flipped after the December 1990 arrests of the Gotti administration. He copped to 19 murders, helped bring down Gotti and as much of the Gambino family as possible, and testified against members and associates of various other crime families. He served five years and entered the witness protection program, which he departed in 1995 when he moved with his wife and children to Arizona.



The plot to kill Gravano arose in 1996, according to court filings, when an imprisoned John Gotti, during a visit, reminded brother Peter of some unfinished business with Gravano. Thats a bill thats gotta be paid, John told his acting boss/brother. Then in 1999, Gravano flexed his muscles via an interview with the Arizona Republic that touted how the former underboss was no longer using a fake name and hiding in the witness protection program. Instead, Sammy the Bull, Former Gambino Underboss, was living with his family in Arizona. The Gambinos interpreted that as he was rubbing their faces in it," one FBI agent said.





Gravano is in a unique position: He can say whatever he wants without the threat of pushback from authoritative sources who could contradict him. Huck, of course, is in prison and won't be commenting anytime soonon Gravano or anything else. So we thought it would be interesting to see what Fat Sal Mangiavillanothe Gambino associate who flew to Arizona with Huckhad to say about Sammy's podcast.What did Fat Sal have to gain by helping the Gambino family kill the person who betrayed John Gotti? In short, a quantum leap in his status on the street. He would attain Mafia membership. Fat Sal's effort would be formally acknowledged by the Gambino family. He would become a Gambino soldier.But as things turned out, Mangiavillano found himself in a similar position to Gravano. He also would earn the mobs wrath and take the witness stand to point the finger at his alleged partners-in-crime.Prior to being pulled into Huck's orbit on a mission, Mangiavillanoa veteran bank robber and self-taught wizard who built and used computerized surveillance systemswas at the top of his game, masterminding bank robberies all over the northeast for a crew he was affiliated with.Sal could build sophisticated gadgets and gizmos that were right out of James Bond, as one source said. The stuff Sal built was deployed mostly to defeat bank surveillance. (Once, in 1992before computers, the internet, and widescale bank surveillance were ubiquitousMangiavillano planted a hidden wireless camera inside a bank count room so he and his confederates could spy on the banks employees and know the exact moment when the vault was openedso they could burst in as if on cue to steal all the cash.)As for the robberies, according to BOYLE V. UNITED STATES - SUPREME COURT BRIEF , Mangiavillano and his crew pulled off organized, multijurisdictional bank thefts over 10 years, including from 1991 through 1999, "using stealth and force to rob financial institutions in numerous locations," including New York City, Long Island, upstate New York, New Jersey, Ohio, and Wisconsin. The group, which committed more than 30 night-deposit-box thefts, included Mangiavillano, Tommy Dono, Beck Fiseku, Chris Ludwigsen, William Galloway, and Gerard Bellafiore.Mangiavillano is in the history books for being the first to originate the scheme of stealing from bank night-deposit boxes, and he instructed the others on how to carry out such thefts. Before Mangiavillano's imprisonment for bank burglary in 1996, he generally assumed the role of "organizer" who would assemble the participants for a theft or series of thefts. The participating members would meet to plan their operations in advance. After the planning was complete, the members would assemble the tools needed to execute the plan, including crowbars, hammers, screwdrivers, ratchet sets, flashlights, chains, and fishing gaffs, as well as walkie-talkies and police scanners.Many of the night-deposit-box thefts were highly successful, with the group netting as much as hundreds of thousands of dollars per score. The group also attempted more traditional bank-vault burglaries and bank robberies. Before executing a bank-vault operation, group members conducted surveillance of the targeted bank and gathered the requisite tools, which could include special cutting tools, industrial-strength drills, blow torches, gas tanks, water hoses, and walkie- talkies. The bank-vault burglaries occurred in the early morning hours when the banks were closed.We asked Sal to watch Sammys podcast and offer his feedback. (Among his first comments, Sal noted that his background information is detailed in a Supreme Court filing, which he said was actual paperwork unlike the fictitious paperwork" Sammy references in his podcast digression.) We also asked Sal to discuss how he met Huck and became affiliated with the Gambino family in the plot to get Gravano.As for killing Gravanos family and Cosa Nostra protocol, Sal said, No one was going to touch a hair on the head of any of Gravanos family members. The rule is that you cant kill in front of women and childrenand you cant kill any family members. This is because they believe if you hurt women and children, the full power of the law will come down on your head. At the time, we also believed that by just killing Gravano that the FBI would come down really hard on us because of his status as a Super Rat. You would also have to worry about the cooperator then killing family members in retaliation, and thats not farfetched. There is a mistaken belief that a cooperator becomes a punk, which is definitely not true. Some of us changed our name and address and make a legit living, but we didnt become punksmaybe we become a little humblerbut definitely not punks.The part about Sammy being Cosa Nostra and what he would do to Huck. Sammy says he breaths sleeps and eats Cosa Nostra, but he really doesnt and he never did. If he did, he wouldve stood up instead of ratting everybody and their mother out. Part of the Cosa Nostra pledge is they prick your finger and drip your blood on a figure of a Catholic saint. Then, they light the saint on fire and put it in the hands of the inductee, and they say repeat after me, if I reveal the existence of Cosa Nostra, I will burn like the saint in my hand. When you admit to the existence of Cosa Nostra to the FBI, you burn like the saint that they burned in your hands. You dont belong anymore, and as far as they are concerned, you never did, no matter what excuse you have for ratting out one guy (John Gotti). Whats Sammys excuse for ratting out the other 999 men and women? Yes, he ratted out the woman juror, and there is paperwork on that."Huck he really breaths, eats, and sleeps Cosa Nostra. No one can ever take that from him. Huck is Cosa Nostra to the core, and he has proven it. Gravano is describing a fantasy story when he talks about two guys grabbing Huck. Well, this is not a fairytale, this is real: Huck is a gangster, a made member of the Gambino family, in good standing with the Gambinos and with Cosa Nostra, Huck has more than two guys willing to kill for him. Recall the April 1998 murder of Gambino associate/confidential Federal informant Frank Hydell . And some of Hucks guys are back in the street and are more than willing to kill and have already proven that they can do the time for the murder." Previous reporting supports that. We noted that if Huck were released from prison and embraced his old life, there is a crew ready to follow him, which would likely include Huck nephew Tommy Dono, 48, who was proposed for membership in the Gambino family in 2001 and was recently released from prison following a 15-year hitch for the Hydell murder, and nephew-in-law Kevin Granato, 61, a former Colombo associate. He spent about 30 years in prison for drug dealing, multiple murders, and racketeering and is likely a made member of the Gambino family today.In discussing the in-progress plot to kill him, Sammy describes a scene involving Huck and Sal debating who would shoot Gravano, claiming, "Huck said, 'I am not going near (Gravano), he won't run, hes got a gun." Gravano then says, "Fat Sal was like, 'I am not doing that either," meaning shoot Gravano. Since neither wanted to walk up on Gravano and shoot him, they buried a device that spins and shoots shotgun shells, as Gravano described it, near a stop sign that they knew Sammy stopped at every morning. But "it was half-buried and it didn't work," Gravano said.As for that alleged conversation between Huck and Sal, Sal says, "That didnt happen. Neither one of us ever said we wouldnt shoot him."Gravano's office, Sal said, "was the main point of attention, and was the location we would set up electronic surveillance. Also, Gravano stated we were there in Arizona for six months, which was not true. We arrived in Phoenix sometime in December 1999, and within two weeks, I secured Arizona drivers licenses for me and Huck under fictitious names through the DMV in Arizona. We found Sammys office not by accident like he claims. And nobody gave us the address, we found it because of Gravanos blunder, and we secured multiple guns in Arizona before heading back to New York for the holidays and securing the surveillance equipment that we would need to complete the mission."As for that device, Sal said, Gravano said we 'invented an explosive device.' I didnt invent a claymore mine, and it was never buried at a stop sign nor was it going to be buried at a stop sign. The stop sign would be a good place to hide and wait for him and shoot him. He probably got his information from his law enforcement friends, who are telling him half-truths or what they heard from a third party and told Sammy so Sammy has material to use on his podcastinstead of stories of him and his crew rolling a drunk outside Docks bar for Christmas money. By the way, he was already a made guy when he and some others rolled the drunk. Just imagine how much money a drunk truck driver would have, split probably 10 ways. Only two people really know what happened, me and Huck."Sammy also says that the plot to kill him was called off because "Fat Sal ... got pinched for doing drugs and he ratted on everyone and they all got pinched."Says Sal, "I was never a drug user nor did I get in trouble for drugs, nor did me and my old friends ever roll a drunka drunk who was actually a hard-working man. That was way below my standards and against my criminal morals."As for the timeline of Sals arrests: I was arrested for bank burglary and racketeering conspiracy in the Bank Crew Case in June of 2000. That was the third time I was prosecuted by the Federal Government. I pled guilty on that case, and I was awaiting sentencing (seven years) and then automatic deportation after I finished serving my sentence." Deportation was in the cards because Sal, whose parents legally immigrated to the USA when he was 8, never became a US citizen. He possessed a green card, which the government had already taken from him for a prior conviction."On December 11 of 2001 I was indicted on a fourth Federal casebecause of cooperators telling on mefor racketeering conspiracy, which was for armed takeover bank robbery and conspiracy to commit armed takeover bank robberies, and the interstate transportation of stolen money."Soon after Huck sent me $50 for Christmas, an outright joke. My friends from Canada were sending me $300 a month, and they never made any money with me."I flipped on the 4th of July weekend 2002, two years after surrendering on the Bank Crew Case, after running into Sammy's brother-in-law Eddie Garafola (a reputed Gambino soldier) in the bullpens at the Federal lockup in Brooklyn. (I was going to court for an evidentiary hearing.)"Eddie had been charged in a multi-defendant racketeering case in the Southern District (which is Manhattan) and was sitting all alone in a bullpen that holds 20 guys, which was strange. The only time they dont put others in the bullpen with a single inmate is because of a separation order, which are mostly put on cooperators. I could see and smell fear all over Eddie. I smirked and thought, here comes case number five. A few days later, I made a hasty decision to cooperate. I can give you 100 excuses, but I won't. At the end of the day by street code, I am still a rat/stoolpigeonI don't like it, but it's the truth, I crossed the line. I can't take it back and I won't make half-baked excuses and blame guys who stood up. These are the rules of the street, not only Cosa Nostra."The following, which was only lightly edited, is Sal describing how he met Huck Carbonaro and got involved in the plot to kill Gravano.I met Huck in the early 1980s when I was around 16 years old. I was a car thief and supplied stolen cars to different chop shops. One of the chop shops was run by Rico, a friend of Huck's. Both Huck and Rico were in Sammy Gravano's crew and both used to hang out at Docks bar. Me and my partners in crime would go there to pick up payments for the cars we had dropped off to Rico.That arrangement ended one night when my friend got into a beef with the son of a Luchese wiseguy.
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Northwest-Shoals Community College will offer free CTE 101 training certification classes through the Pre-Apprenticeship Program and Ready to Work programs beginning in January. The deadline to register for these classes is Tuesday, January 18, 2022
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...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of eastern Perry, southeastern Van Buren, southern Cleburne, northwestern Lonoke, Conway, Faulkner, western White, central Saline, east central Yell, northern Pulaski and southeastern Pope Counties through 130 AM CDT... At 1240 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over Wooster, or 8 miles north of Conway, moving east at 45 mph. HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph. SOURCE...Radar indicated. IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects. Locations impacted include... Little Rock... North Little Rock... Conway... Benton... Sherwood... Cabot... West Little Rock... Maumelle... Bryant... Morrilton... Perryville... Southwest Little Rock... North Little Rock Airport... Greenbrier... Haskell... Vilonia... Atkins... Pottsville... Mayflower... Wooster... This includes the following highways... Interstate 30 between mile markers 108 and 123. Interstate 40 between mile markers 88 and 150. Interstate 430 between mile markers 3 and 12. Interstate 630 between mile markers 6 and 7. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building. A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 400 AM CDT for central, southwestern and north central Arkansas. && MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN; MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
Senators Joe Manchin and Krysten Sinema are still opposed to making changes to the filibuster rules and are in small talks to try and see if they could eventually support it.

According to reports, House Majority Leader Chuck Schumer wants the bill to be passed on Jan. 17, which happens to be Martin Luther King Jr. Day. He also plans to push changes to the filibuster rules so that all Democrats could vote in its favor.

Senate to conduct tests votes on two acts

This week, the Senate will hold a test vote on the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act to see if they can also get the support of Republicans.

After they get the vote, the Democrats would then engage in heightened negotiations to try and see if they can change the filibuster rules, according to the Huffington Post.

Joe Manchin refuses to get on board

Earlier this week, Manchin told reporters that he still doesn't support making changes to filibuster rules. After all, it has been the tradition of the Senate for the past 232 years.

"We need to be very cautious what we do. I'm hoping that we can come to an agreement to fix things. Every American has the right to vote and should be protected," he said via the Daily Mail.

Read Also: Republican Senate Candidate Herschel Walker Faces Backlash After Criticizing Joe Biden's Social Spending Bill

What are filibuster rules?

The current filibuster rule was designed to prolong debates within the Senate or prevent votes on a bill, resolution, amendment, and other debatable questions. As of late, there is a rule that states that 60 out of 100 senators should back most bills.

As of press writing, there are 50 Republicans, 48 Democrats, and two independent senators in the Senate.

Several high-profile individuals have also been asking Manchin to support his party. Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, and Oprah Winfrey called out the West Virginia senator following his countless refusals to back the changes to the filibuster rules.

Joe Biden, Joe Manchin can't reach an agreement

However, this isn't the only Biden legislation that Manchin doesn't support. He previously announced his decision to not back Biden's Build Back Better bill.

Earlier this week, multiple sources confirmed that there is also no progress when it comes to Manchin's proposed $1.8 trillion social spending offer.

Joe Biden, Kamala Harris will talk about changing Senate rules

This week, Biden and Kamala Harris will also travel to Atlanta to discuss the changing Senate rules.

Biden has been supporting the changes by saying that the country should fundamentally alter the Senate filibuster on certain issues. The POTUS also said that he would support the requiring of dissenting members to speak on the floor to delay a vote on a bill, according to Reuters.

However, Reverend Al Sharpton, who will attend Biden's event in Atlanta this week, said that he already warned the POTUS that half-measures on voting rights will not work.

Still, Biden with the help of Harris will continue to push their desire to make changes to filibuster rules. Biden was forced to seemingly cancel or postpone his Build Back Better bill indefinitely due to Manchin and Sinema and might not want to do the same when it comes to filibustering rules.

Related Article: Joe Biden Shelves Joe Manchin's $1.8 Trillion Social Spending Offer After Senator Refused To Support Build Back Better Bill

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At times it can feel like everything is wrapped up in some kind of messaging. This week at Cracked, we're taking a closer look at propaganda and how it has shaped the world in ways that may not be so obvious.

From the moment Robert Downey Jr. first stood up and started glorifying weapons manufacturing, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has been awash in claims that it's little more than a vehicle for American military (and intelligence community) propaganda. 13 years and 20+ movies on, those arguments continue, bubbling up all over again anytime anyone dares show up in a flag-patched jumpsuit or flash an acronym-covered badge.

So, are those claims correct? Are all those Reddit threads screaming about the government brainwashing the moviegoing public via armored spandex and CGI bogeymen telling the truth? Or is Marvel as chaste and innocent as we're all still pretending Peter Parker is? Let's take a look ...

Make Mine Military Propaganda

The largest pieces of evidence for Marvel being a pawn of a vast military propaganda program are twofold. First, several prominent superheroes are veterans of various armed forces. Scandalous, we know. Second, and arguably more damning, several movies have not only received official Pentagon approval and support but have actually changed their scripts to keep the American government happy.

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The most allegedly egregious of these is Captain America: The First Avenger. After all, Chris Evans' Steve Rogers is a gung-ho jingoist who engages in his own propaganda efforts during the film. The U.S. Army is glorified to the point of rewriting history. (The movie shows nonsegregated military units during World War II, which was decidedly not the case.) Hell, a real-life military official even went so far as to say that Cap'n Helmet Wings embodied "the values of today's modern soldier," and the Army was stoked to lend their support.
Mark Weidemaier and Mitu Gulati

After a short hiatus (we like to say we are between seasons), the Clauses and Controversies podcast has resumed. This week's episode, From Commercial Bank Loans to Blue Bonds, features Antonia Stolper from Shearman & Sterling:

Sovereign debt markets have evolved significantly over the years, from syndicated bank loans, to bonds, to the current infatuation with ESG lending. Antonia Stolper (Shearman & Sterling) joins us to talk about the evolution of sovereign debt practice over the course of her eminent career. We also talk about Belize's recent debt restructuring, where some say creditors agreed to significant additional reductions in exchange for promises by Belize to invest the savings in environmental conservation projects. Antonia helps us understand what actually happened in this deal and what its implications might be for future sovereign restructurings.
People's Pharmacy: Can you get an extra booster against COVID?
Sue B. Donnelly, 87, of Crossville, passed away at her home on April 26, 2022. She was born on May 18, 1934, in Crossville, Tennessee, daughter of the late James T. Brandon and Clara (Hamby) Brandon. Sue was the owner of Boats and Harbors and of the Baptist Faith. She is survived by her chil
CNN lists Vietnamese Beef Pho among world's best 20 soups

Prestigious website CNN Travel has selected the local delicacy Pho Bo (Beef Pho) among its 20 best soups worldwide.







A bowl of beef pho (Photo: Leisa Tyler/LightRocket/Getty Images)



In the article CNN revealed that the broth is simmered for hours with cinnamon, star anise, and other warm spices in order to create a wonderfully aromatic base for this rice noodle soup.



The website also quoted Andrea Nguyen, author of "The Pho Cookbook, as sayings that Pho is among the nations most recognised culinary exports, despite the soup being a relatively new food.



Andrea Nguyen went on to explain that while today's pho restaurants typically serve a wide range of different flavours, beef is the original.



By 1930, the soup was being served with slices of raw beef cooked gently in the broth, the author added.



According to details given by the website, beef pho remains the most beloved version in the nation, with options including the original raw beef, a mix of raw and cooked beef, along with brisket and tendon.



Rounding off the list of the top 20 best soups in the world are Bouillabaisse of France, Caldo verde of Portugal, Chorba frik of Algeria, Libya and Tunisia, Chupe de camarones of Peru, Gazpacho of Spain, Groundnut soup of West Africa, Gumbo of United States, and Harira of Morocco.



This is in addition to Kharcho of Georgia, Lanzhou beef noodle soup of China, Mohinga of Myanmar, Menudo of Mexico, Moqueca de camarao of Brazil, Soto ayam of Indonesia, and Tom yum goong of Thailand.
Canada recorded almost 300,000 new COVID-19 cases in the past week resulting in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) putting the country on alert level 4.

Other than Canada, the Caribbean island of Curacao is also on alert level 4, also known as the CDC's COVID-19 very high category.

Canada, the Caribbean island of Curacao travels should be avoided

According to CNN, countries that are placed on alert level 4 are those that report 500 cases per 100,000 residents registered in the last 28 days.

Countries on alert level 4 are not necessarily on lockdown, but the CDC is encouraging those who wish to visit to postpone their flights. However, those who need to go to Canada must present a negative Covid test and be fully vaccinated.

Both Canada and the Caribbean island of Curacao were on alert level 3 for quite some time. But the recent holiday season caused an uptick in the number of positive cases in both countries. As such, both are now on alert level 4.

Canadian PM slams unmasked travelers that partied in Mexico

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau previously urged residents to avoid non-essential international travel. He also rebuked a group of Canadians who traveled to Mexico without their masks on.

According to Reuters, the CDC also urges Americans to avoid traveling to Canada due to omicron. And the State Department also issued a "level four: do not travel" advisory for the country.

Read Also: Canada, Australia Detect Travelers With New COVID-19 Variant Omicron; New Travel Restrictions Are In Place

The CDC's alert level 4 list includes 80 countries as press writing. But the organization also lowered travel recommendations for some countries from level 4 to level 3. This includes Armenia, Belarus, Lesotho, Zimbabwe, and Singapore.

However, travelers need to be fully vaccinated to be able to travel to countries under alert level 3.

Aruba added to CDC's alert level 4 list

In the Caribbean, Aruba was also added to CDC's alert level 4 due to the current COVID-19 situation in the country. However, travelers can still visit Aruba as long as they comply with the country's specific requirements.

"Anyone traveling to Aruba from a location classified as high-risk will need to complete the PCR testing requirement 2 days prior to departure to Aruba regardless of vaccination status and will not have the option to test upon arrival in Aruba," a notice on Visit Aruba states.

The Bahamas and Sint Maarten are currently on alert level 3. The CDC urges non-essential travel to both destinations to be avoided for the time being.

Other Caribbean countries also updated their travel requirements due to the spread of omicron. This includes Barbados, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands, according to The Points Guy.

Other countries included in CDC's alert level 4 are France, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

Out of these countries, only Spain and the Netherlands imposed another lockdown in recent weeks. All other countries announced new restrictions, but the majority did not want to go into a lockdown.

Other countries are also experiencing a surge in omicron cases since November.

Related Article: Netherlands Could Be First Country To Detect Latest COVID-19 Variant Omicron, Not South Africa

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Officials at the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) say that despite initial fears of widespread compromise, they have yet to see significant harm stemming from a vulnerability in the Java-based Log4j logging utility that became public in December. They cant rule out that adversaries havent already used the vulnerability to monitor targeted machines silently, however, biding their time for later attacks.

Weve been actively monitoring for threat actors looking to exploit the vulnerability, and at this time we have not seen the use [of the vulnerability known as Log4Shell] in significant intrusions, Jen Easterly, director of CISA, said at a press briefing. Adversaries may be utilizing this vulnerability to gain persistent access that they could use in the future, which is why we are so focused on remediating the vulnerability across the country and ensuring that we are detecting any intrusions if and when they arise.

[Note: Microsoft reported on the evening of 1/10 that as early as January 4, attackers started exploiting the Log4Shell vulnerability in internet-facing systems running VMware Horizon and that its investigation shows that successful intrusions in these campaigns led to the deployment of the NightSky ransomware.]

However, the vulnerability has been exploited by threat actors in minor ways. We are seeing some prevalence of what we would call low-level activities, such as installation of cryptomining and software installation of malware that could be used historically in botnets, Eric Goldstein, CISAs executive assistant director for cybersecurity, said.

CISAs binding operational directive immediately kicked into gear

CISA has taken a lead role in helping federal agencies and the private sector manage the widespread threat of the Log4Shell vulnerability, the first of four critical flaws discovered in the Log4j software deployed on hundreds of millions of machines worldwide. The same weekend news of the flaw stunned the information security industry, CISA added the flaw to its catalog of known exploited vulnerabilities.

By doing so, CISA triggered a binding operational directive issued in November, which mandates all civilian agencies urgently patch their systems wherever patches are available. The agency quickly realized, however, that it needed to build upon the binding operational directive to further prioritize remediation and ensure that mitigations were in place for technology assets where patches were not yet available, Goldstein said.

CISA set up a public catalog to receive submissions detailing products that contain potential Log4j vulnerabilities, which to date has more than 2,800 submissions. Pivoting to a shared service, a vulnerability disclosure platform run through disclosure company Bugcrowd, security researchers found 17 previously unidentified products that were vulnerable to Log4Shell, all of which were remediated before any intrusion could occur, Goldstein said

Even though CISAs remit is restricted to the federal government, it also aims to send a strong signal to all organizations about how to deal with the Log4j flaws, prioritizing a few key areas. Chief among them is to make it easier for organizations to understand and prioritize the prevalence of vulnerable libraries and components across their environments through a software bill of materials (SBOM), an ingredient list of libraries. SBOMs are invaluable to help an organization ideally and automatically understand if they are exposed to a given vulnerability and then quickly pivot to remediation.

Lack of incident reporting requirement is a handicap

One handicap CISA faces in helping non-federal organizations is the absence of any mandatory incident reporting requirement, leaving the agency somewhat in the dark in terms of spotting Log4j-related incidents. In December, cyber incident reporting standards were included in the compromise version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) but were pulled at the last minute.

We have not seen any significant intrusions, but none have been reported to us, Easterly said. We are concerned that threat actors are going to start taking advantage of this vulnerability having impacts in particular on critical infrastructure. Because there is no legislation in place, we will likely not know about it.

No confirmed ransomware intrusions yet

Despite a rumored ransomware attack that exploited the Log4j flaw on Belgiums Ministry of Defense in late December, we have no confirmed ransomware intrusions where we can authoritatively state that Log4Shell was used as the originating vulnerability for the intrusion, Goldstein said. We know today that many ransomware intrusions are not reported to the U.S. government in the first instance. Those that are are often not accompanied by the sort of technical information that would be useful to understand which vulnerability was utilized by the threat actor.

Even so, Easterly said that one of the things that I continue to be very concerned about are the ransomware attacks we are seeing on hospitals, and so, we are keeping a very close eye.

Industrial control systems should be disconnected from the internet

Industrial control systems are a particular source of concern that CISA has sought to address during this crisis. In addition to being US-CERT, we are also the ICS-CERT. We have an incredible amount of expertise in this area. A lot of the outreach weve been doing includes hundreds of vendors of ICS components to affirmatively determine whether their products were indeed vulnerable and then coordinate communication to customers on needed steps.

Goldstein reinforced the notion that operational technology networks of critical infrastructure organizations should be disconnected from the internet altogether as the best protection against Log4j vulnerability compromises. These assets should not be facing the internet for control systems applications in almost every instance. Focusing on removing that as a threat factor will diminish a significant portion of the risk.

The flaws origin remains murky

In terms of the origin of the flaw, a researcher at Alibabas cloud group in China reportedly called the Apache Foundation, which administers the Java logging framework, on November 24 to privately notify it of the flaws existence. Before Apache could release a patch, the researcher alerted the foundation that Chinese users were already discussing it, indicating that hackers might have been trying to exploit it before it became public.

Consequently, the Chinese government reportedly suspended its contract with Alibabas cloud group over what it perceived to be a failure to report the Log4j2 software flaw to Beijing in a timely fashion. Goldstein said that CISA could not independently confirm these reports, nor can it independently confirm any interactions between the Chinese state and the researcher.
The mishap that hampered Gov. Ned Lamonts efforts to ease spiking demand for at-home COVID tests over the holidays has become the target of a new political attack ad released Monday by the state Republican party.

The ad spotlights the nearly two-week-old issue, faulting Lamont for failing to procure 500,000 at-home COVID test kits when it mattered most over the holiday season and for vacationing in Florida as the situation unfolded.

The criticism comes as the Lamont administration works to overcome the bad start to its efforts to get test kits to residents, delivering nearly 1.8 million tests in the last week, outpacing New York, Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

This isn't the first time the Republican party has lied about Governor Lamont and it won't be the last," Dan Morrocco, manager for the Lamont campaign, said in a written statement shortly after the ads release. "The Governor is providing the strong, steady leadership we need to keep schools open and the economy running  getting 1.8 million tests and 5 million masks into Connecticut in the last week alone.

The 30-second video, named Ned Lamonts COVID Failures, which is posted on the state GOPs YouTube channel, is an indication that Republicans plan to go after Lamonts handling of the pandemic as they seek to challenge him for the governorship and take back seats in the General Assembly in the 2022 election. The ad, paid for by the Republican State Central Committee, directs people to a website where they can donate to the party.

COVID is clearly going to dominate the 2022 election, Ben Proto, chairman of the Connecticut Republican party, said by phone Monday. Its dominated half of his term.

Lamont launched his reelection campaign in November. His potential GOP contenders include Former House Minority Leader Themis Klarides and Bob Stefanowksi, the Republican nominee in 2018 who is likely to seek the nomination again.

Lamont has largely received high marks for his response to the pandemic, even from some Republicans. But the GOP has seized on his vaccine mandates and his emergency powers, still in effect nearly two years into the pandemic, as government overreaches, calling him King Ned.

The governor dismissed the ad as cheap political hay in comments Monday following an online press conference on COVID safety protocols at child care centers.

I think were still in a war. Were in a war against an invisible enemy, COVID, Lamont said. Usually a state and a country, when theyre in a war, they rally together and they speak with one voice. We dont take cheap political shots for political advantage, not when were trying to get everybody through a tense situation.

The attack from Republicans come after theyve downplayed the seriousness of the pandemic and undercut common sense health measures, the head of the state Democratic Party said.

Instead of being concerned about a public health crisis, the GOP is gaslighting Connecticut with name-calling and lies to politicize a global pandemic and fundraise, Nancy DiNardo said in a statement Monday.

In the ad, the GOP takes aim at Lamont over another testing controversy  investments by his wife Annie Lamonts venture capital firm in SEMA4, the Stamford-based laboratory that received a state contract for COVID-19 testing. Ned Lamont, who has recused himself from state dealings involving his wifes investments, has said his family has not made a profit from SEMA4 and that any earnings would be donated to charity.

The ad also ties Lamont to former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, whom he closely coordinated with early in the pandemic, saying he sought Cuomos advice then cutting to a clip with text from an April 9, 2020 NBC article about the tri-state region having the highest COVID death rate in the nation.

Proto said many of the deaths in the early days of the pandemic were older adults in nursing homes and pointed to a March 2020 directive from Cuomo to admit COVID-19 patients to nursing homes. Connecticut is now asking nursing homes here to do the same, he said, referring to new guidance from the state Department of Public Health.

In his statement, Morrocco, the governors campaign manager, urged bipartisan cooperation in this latest phase of the pandemic.

Instead of lying about COVID to raise campaign money  the GOP should join Governor Lamont in working to end this pandemic by promoting vaccines and boosters so we can continue to educate our children, grow our economy, and keep Connecticut moving forward," he said.

Staff writer Ken Dixon contributed to this report.

julia.bergman@hearstmediact.com
With COVID-19 cases at record high numbers in local schools, teachers and staff plan to make a statement about school safety.

On Wednesday, a coalition of unions representing over 60,000 Connecticut public school employees will wear black to school to demand stronger health and safety measures. Members and their colleagues were encouraged to share photos on social media with the hashtag #Blackout4SafeSchools.

The coalition cited failures to distribute promised N95 masks and at-home test kits, staff shortages, and a need for flexibility in allowing for short-term remote learning.

We need every member of school communities across Connecticut  educators, paras, custodians, nurses, cafeteria workers, bus drivers and monitors, and support staff  to stand together and amplify the call for safe learning and teaching environments in our schools, read an event flyer.

More than 2,300 school staff members reported positive COVID cases early last week, according to state data through Wednesday. Those affected include employees or contractors that work in schools, from teachers to school transport workers.

The data represented an almost 5-fold increase since the record cases among staff set last school year in January 2021.

I personally dont feel very safe, said Sheena Graham, a music teacher in Bridgeport, and I dont think Im that odd in feeling that way.

Graham, who was the 2019 Connecticut Teacher of the Year, said proper mask-wearing has been a problem, and test kits are still hard to get. She also wondered if temporary remote learning could have kept case counts lower and more kids in school. Before winter break, the teacher said students were absent every day.

Though she loves her job, Graham plans to retire at the end of this month  and said she has slept better than ever since she made that decision.

This is part of the reason why, she said. Knowing what all the tools are, if they arent readily available, and if theyre not all functioning, then thats almost like not having them.

Last week, more than 7,600 students also reported new infections to their school districts, according to state data.

The numbers are preliminary and subject to change as schools become aware of more positive results from at-home and non-school-based tests.

Some school support staff, such as paraprofessionals and other non-certified employees, have extraordinarily close contact with the students, said Sherrie Weller, president of AFSCME Local 1522 in Bridgeport. Were talking about inches away from them.

The union lost beloved 12-year paraeducator Eleanor DeShields to COVID-19 last winter, so for her colleagues, Wednesdays effort for more stringent mitigation methods is personal.

My biggest concern is theres a lack of consistent protocol here, said Weller. That would go a long way to make people feel more secure in doing their jobs.

Not all educators on Monday agreed with the additional precautions. In Ellington, high school history teacher Aaron Hoffman encouraged educators to wear red to counter the blackout  and cited concerns about more mitigation strategies, remote learning and their impacts on student mental health.

The coalition has stressed their call is not for remote learning, but for flexibility at the local level to institute the model when necessary due to staffing shortages or other reasons. Hoffman favored a simpler approach: If kids are having symptoms, they can stay home. If adults are having symptoms, they can stay home, he said.

Symptom tracking recently became a greater priority in local schools, as state guidance has shifted away from contact tracing and stringent quarantine protocols. The details of that strategy, though, can vary from district to district.

We know that the mental health and education of our students has struggled because of remote learning, said Hoffman. They came back and those children, theyre out of the loop, theyre drained, they dont have the mental health they went into quarantine with.

Kate Dias, president of the states largest teachers union, suggested last week that increased illness of any kind is common after winter break, and the coalition had pushed to ward off a surge before schools reopened.

The unions have requested measures such as more aggressive testing protocols, access to testing, N95 masks and vaccines, and prohibiting combining classes for staff shortages and dual teaching.

Schools are a difficult place to be in right now, Dias said. Not bad, just hard. Everybody on the ground is being pushed into situations that are hard.

State officials have remained committed to in-person instruction, citing the benefits for student learning and well-being.
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GREENWICH  The Greenwich Economic Forum, one of the financial-services industrys premier gatherings, has announced that it will hold a late-winter conference in Miami.

The winter GEF is scheduled for March 14 at the Perez Art Museum Miami, with about 150 people expected to attend. It will complement the annual GEF conference held in Greenwich.

We have been asked since inception in 2018 how we plan to scale GEF, and doing a winter GEF in Miami seemed logical, GEF Co-Founder and Co-Chairman Bruce McGuire told Hearst Connecticut Media. Miami is also becoming an important crypto(currency) hub and a second office for many New York and Connecticut financial firms.

Confirmed speakers include Miami Mayor Francis Suarez; Nassim Nicholas Taleb, author of The Black Swan; Paul Colonna, president and chief investment officer at Lockheed Martin; and Ari Paul, chief investment officer at BlockTower Capital.

McGuire, a University of Miami alumnus, said the GEF had forged a strong partnership with the local government in Miami.

Interestingly  and good for Greenwich  the City of Miami was quite insistent that we call it Greenwich Economic Forum-Miami and not simply Miami Economic Forum, McGuire said. We gave them that choice, and they understood the power of the Greenwich brand.

The financial-services industry in Florida  particularly in Miami-Dade County  has grown significantly in recent years. In 2020, Miami-Dade had 214 Securities and Exchange Commission-registered investment advisers  up 101 from its total in 2014 and accounting for 31 percent of the states SEC-RIAs, according to data compiled by the Miami Downtown Development Authority.

While Greenwich is the capital of capital for Connecticut, under the leadership of City of Miami Mayor Francis X. Suarez, we aspire to be the capital of capital for the world, said Keith Carswell, senior adviser to the city manager for the City of Miami. The GEF is one of the worlds most influential conferences for the global invest(ment) industry, and therefore supporting this endeavor aligns squarely with the mayors vision.

The main GEF conference will again be held at the Greenwich Delamar hotel. Since its launch in 2018, it has taken place at the waterfront venue every year, except for 2020 when it was online-only because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

This years gathering at the Delamar is planned for the week of Oct. 10. Greenwich resident Ray Dalio, founder of Westport-based Bridgewater Associates, the worlds largest hedge fund, is scheduled to make a keynote appearance for the fifth-straight year.

pschott@stamfordadvocate.com; twitter: @paulschott
Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan once again reiterated that he doesn't have any key information about the Jan. 6 Capitol riot that could help the House select committee with their ongoing investigation.

Jordan, a known Trump ally, doesn't also think that the House select committee must investigate the events that took place before, during, and after the siege. The Republican believes that the committee and the Democrats engage in a so-called partisan witch hunt.

"The American people are tired of Democrats' nonstop investigations and partisan witch hunts. This request is far outside the bounds of any legitimate inquiry, violates core constitutional principles and would serve to further erode legislative norms," he said via the Huffington Post.

Rep. Bennie Thompson wants Jim Jordan to speak out

Last month, committee chairman Rep. Bennie Thompson sent Jordan a letter requesting his cooperation in the investigation. Since Trump and Jordan spoke at least once on the day of the insurrection, Thompson believes that the two may have discussed something pertaining to the Capitol riot.

However, Jordan said that he didn't have any relevant information and refused to follow through with Thompson's request.

The committee also wants to gather information from Jordan's meeting with Trump and his administration in November, December 2020, and January 2021 about their plans to overturn the election result.

Read Also: Conservative Attorney Warns Americans Against Donald Trump Staging a Coup in 2024, Says Jan. 6 Capitol Riot Was Just a Rehearsal

Jim Jordan previously vowed to cooperate in the investigation

A spokesperson for the committee revealed that Jordan previously said he would cooperate with the investigation. But they think that he had a change of heart because Trump and his allies persuaded Jordan to speak out, according to Business Insider.

Meanwhile, several other individuals have already been called to share their accounts before, during, and after the Capitol riot. Over 700 people have also been arrested in connection to the siege. At least 165 pleaded guilty, and around 145 of them have already been charged. Some of the charges include misdemeanors and felonies.

However, these numbers are still a far cry from the number of people that the committee still needs to investigate. After all, it is estimated that between 2,000 and 2,500 people entered the US Capitol last year, according to NPR.

Donald Trump's allies subpoenaed to testify

As of late, it's unclear whether or not the committee could force Jordan to detail the conversation that he had with Trump during the Capitol riot. After all, some former Trump supporters were already forced to open up and expose Trump's involvement.

Trump's former chief of staff, Mark Meadows, previously submitted copies of his documents and communication pertaining to the events on Jan. 6, 2021.

Trump's former chief executive officer, Steve Bannon, was also subpoenaed by the committee alongside former White House Deputy Chief of Staff Don Scavino and former Defense Department official Kash Patel, according to Franche 24.

It is also unclear if the ex-POTUS will be subpoenaed to discuss the riot. After all, Trump has been trying to stop the committee from gaining access to his private documents. He also wants executive privilege to be exercised.

Related Article: Capitol Riot Committee Rep. Bennie Thompson Could Ask Mike Pence To Testify in the Investigation; Former VP To Receive Subpoena

@ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
NCUA headquarters

The Credit Union National Association and state credit union leagues are calling on the National Credit Union Administration to establish a Regulatory Reform Task Force to weed out outdated, unnecessary, and burdensome regulations.

The NCUA established such a group in 2017 and the panel issued two reports containing recommendations for changes to the agencys regulatory regime. The task force consisted of agency employees.

CUNA and the leagues said they strongly supported that effort.

In a letter to the agency board, CUNA and the leagues said this time the task force should include representatives from individual credit union and industry trade groups.
Funeral Service for William George Lanningham Sr., 78, of Cullman, will be at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, May 3, 2022, at Cullman Heritage Funeral Home; interment in Enon Baptist Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1-3 p.m. prior to the service. Cullman Heritage Funeral Home is in charge of arrangement
Photo: Max Clarke

Ive learned not to walk too deep into Forest Park when Im in a hurry. Its easy to get turned around amid the magical old red and white oaks, their walnut and tulip tree allies, and the understory of ferns and violets and poison ivy that grow right in the middle of Queens. I was late to a phone appointment because of my meandering once. The truth  that I got lost in the woods in New York City  seemed so implausible that I considered making up an excuse. The fact is, Id moved to Woodhaven to spend as much time as possible on these trails. Before the move, I posted a photo of the trees that filled the land across the way from our place and called them my new best friends. Its the kind of joke people make on social media, but I was serious: Despite having lived in New York City for more than 20 years, I am not a city person. Still, living at the edge of 285-acre forest preserve for the past five years has changed my sense of what a city can be.

But on September 1, hours before the rains of Hurricane Ida flooded the borough, my phone dinged with a text from a friend, a Queens native. Is this real?? he asked, with three weepy-faced emojis. Forest Park? He forwarded a tweet from my state assemblywoman, Jenifer Rajkumar, announcing her plan to create more parking in Woodhaven by appropriating what she called vacant park space at the very Forest Park corner across from me.

I wasnt in denial that something might happen to the woodlands; the existence of the trees on that particular stretch of land has been contentious for decades. They surround a section of the Long Island Rail Road that was abandoned in 1962. Some locals have called for transforming the old tracks into a Queensway, a walking trail like the High Line where native plantings and wildlife could flourish. Other residents who commute more than an hour into the city on the J train  or much longer on buses from severe transit deserts out in the Rockaways  have argued for restoring the train line or converting it into a branch of the subway. Whatever might happen, Ive tried to take comfort in the Forever Wild designation given to the woodlands there. At least some trees, I hoped, would stay. But I had never considered a parking lot, and now I realized how naive Id been. Woodhaven is a neighborhood of enthusiastic drivers, and scheming to find parking may be the defining local pastime.

In any part of the city, Forever Wild is an aspirational term for remnants of native ecosystems, and Forest Park is no exception: The area was logged and farmed extensively for centuries before the park opened in 1895. Since then, oaks have spread across the ridges. Tulip trees joined them on the lower slopes. Some of the trees in the park are more than 150 years old, but many elders have fallen. The survivors struggle against pollution and pests and diseases, against joggers and bikers and ATVs that put stress on root systems and disrupt the undergrowth, against a changing climate and an onslaught of invasive species that are rapidly colonizing the woodlands. Deep in the forest, non-native Norway maples and invasive cork saplings are circling old-growth trees, possibly contributing to their demise. Though the Parks Department describes the preserve as the largest contiguous oak forest in Queens and a brochure featured on the agencys website (compiled in 1993) mentions a plethora of oak seedlings, its rare to see young oaks flourishing now. Those I do encounter are usually held up by stakes, planted on land cleared by human hands.

After reading my friends text, I looked out my window at the trees across the way, their leaves vibrant even on a gloomy morning. This parking-lot scheme would not just mean bulldozing the trees; it would also require the earth beneath them to be flattened. Forest Park lies at the far southern edge of the Wisconsin glacier, and when the ice melted about 18,000 years ago, it left behind pebbles and giant boulders and hills and depressions  a knob and kettle terrain. To pave it would require scraping away knobs and filling in kettles. Standing on the highest rise in the dead of winter, looking out across the flatlands toward Jamaica Bay, I can almost imagine the beauty and stillness of this place before Europeans arrived, when the Munsee Lenape sought to walk so gently on the earth that they left it undisturbed. To flatten it all would be an insult I can hardly bear to imagine.

I tweeted opposition to the assemblywomans plan, joining locals, environmentalists, climate-justice activists, transit advocates, and park lovers. Still heartsick that night, I was out walking the dogs on the periphery of the park when clouds began to race across the sky, trees started to whip, fallen leaves spun in eerie circles. The dogs and I ran home, dashing indoors not long before the torrent of Ida began.

Heavy storms are strange on this land. Water accumulates unpredictably. My house sits on one knob, and the trees across the street grow along a briefly gentle then steep rise to another hill where abandoned tracks lie. Between these hills runs a road from the co-op complex to the north  a road that did not exist in the 1950s. During Ida, that street transformed into a river that overwhelmed the busier, lower-lying cross street below. The lake that formed at the corner was like something out of my Miami childhood, a tropical deluge that sent water raging halfway up car doors as they struggled through the intersection. The next morning, there were gouges in the earth where the rain had fallen down a stone retaining wall at the foot of the train trestle. The sidewalk was strewn with dirt, rocks, and gravel. The forest soaked up Idas fury, while the paved, flattened land alongside it became a hazardous flood. It was as though the storm had showed up to underscore the folly of the parking-lot idea.

The morning after the storm, I tried to find out how firm (or flimsy) a Forever Wild designation might be in parking-obsessed Queens. The Department of Transportation acknowledged a meeting with Rajkumar but offered no details. Then the assemblywomans office claimed in an email to me that she had never intended to target any trees or, despite her original announcement, any parkland. When I followed up, her office went silent. Later they told some journalists her plan targeted a paved sitting area surrounded by fencing on co-op property  which isnt at all what she had announced. A staffer claimed Rajkumar had never proposed parking at that corner, said the Queens Chronicle in a scathing unsigned editorial. But she did, in writing, on the internet, in public.

I had written to the Parks Department and was told no official proposal to convert the woods had been filed. But those conversions do happen. In 2013, a section of Four Sparrow Marsh  a Forever Wild salt marsh in southern Brooklyn home to endangered saltmarsh sparrows  was converted into a Toys R Us parking lot during breeding season. The Bloomberg administration maintained that the area was never designated parkland despite long-standing city signs and Parks Department maps to the contrary. The store is now closed, and the lot sits empty, gathering trash.

In late October, Rajkumar announced she was dropping her proposal for parking on any park land, public or private. It was a relief to hear, but I know now the Forever Wild status of Forest Park is incredibly precarious. Come parking lots or lantern flies or floods, the trees will have to survive where theyre rooted. For now, the woods remain, and they are at our mercy.
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams and several other voting rights advocates do not have any plans to listen to Joe Biden and Kamala Harris's speech during their trip to Atlanta today.

According to reports, Biden isn't expected to announce a new executive action, but he will speak out about voting rights and issues when it comes to American democracy.

"The president will forcefully advocate for protecting the most bedrock American right, the right to vote and have your voice counted in a free and fair and secure election that is not tainted by partisan manipulation," White House press secretary Jen Psaki said via Fox 5 Atlanta.

Several voting rights advocates don't want Biden, Harris to visit Atlanta

However, Black Votes Matter member LaTosha Brown said that she and several other residents would continue working instead of listening to Biden and Harris give their speeches.

After all, the members of Black Votes Matter and other voting rights advocates believe that what's needed is federal legislation and not endless talks. They also said that they prefer Biden to stay in Washington so that he could focus on ensuring that Congress will approve the voting rights legislation.

According to CNN, the Asian American Advocacy Fund, the GALEO Impact Fund Inc., and the New Georgia Project Action Fund want Biden to skip his public appearance altogether.

Read Also: Stacey Abrams, Republican Gov. Brian Kemp Will Have a Rematch After Democratic Nominee Announces Her Gubernatorial Candidacy

Phi Nguyen, the Asian American Advocacy Fund executive director, even went as far as begging Biden and Harris not to push through with their trip because they are not needed in Atlanta.

Vyanti Joseph, the Asian American Advocacy Fund organizing director, said that Harris promised to push on voting rights during her visit to Atlanta last year. But several months have already passed, and there is still no progress.

Joe Biden, Kamala Harris's Atlanta trip will push through

However, Biden and Harris will head to Atlanta not just to talk about voting rights but also to pay tribute to the late Martin Luther King Jr. In doing so, and the two leaders will visit the Ebenezer Baptist Church.

While there, Biden and Harris will also play a wreath at the crypt of King and his wife, Coretta Scott King.

However, Martin Luther King III and his wife, Andrea Waters King, previously urged everyone to cancel their MLK celebrations until approved voting rights legislation.

According to the Atlanta Journal Constitution, the chief executive at the King Center, Bernice King, will accompany Biden and Harris while they are in Atlanta.

Voting rights advocates want Biden, Harris to secure legislations

She said that she's also frustrated by the lack of progress on federal legislation. But she decided not to boycott Biden and Harris's speech because politicians and activists should remain engaged.

Georgia NAACP President Barbara Pierce said that they didn't sign the statements of other civil rights groups. But they also want Biden and Harris to focus on passing the voting rights legislation in Washington instead of traveling to Atlanta to give a speech.

Related Article: Kamala Harris' Close Ties to Business Leaders Could Pose Problems to Joe Biden's Administration; VP Asks for Advice From Microsoft, Citigroup Heads

@ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Ms. Dorothy "Dot" McCrory age 88 of Dalton, Georgia, departed this life Monday, May 2, 2022 at the Regency Park Health Care Center. She was born May 15, 1933. Dot as she was known to friends, was preceded in death by her parents Elma McCrory and Boyd Hicks as well as a brother Jack Hicks. Sh
Ashland, KY (41101)

Today

Scattered thunderstorms developing during the afternoon. Potential for severe thunderstorms. High near 85F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 50%..

Tonight

Scattered thunderstorms in the evening, then variable clouds overnight with more showers at times. Low 58F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.
Sunbury, PA (17801)

Today

More clouds than sun. Slight chance of a rain shower. High 71F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Periods of rain. Low 52F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch.
Brendan Wren is a professor of vaccinology at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine

When Health Secretary Sajid Javid claimed on December 13 that there were 200,000 new Omicron infections a day, it provoked widespread concern and fear among Britons already nervous about the emergence of the variant.

The figure originated with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), which is responsible for public health protection.

At the weekend, in an extraordinary intervention, the independent Office for Statistics Regulation (OSR)  the statistics watchdog  directed a stinging rebuke to the UKHSA over its assertion.

It now transpires there was no hard evidence to support this alarming figure  as many experts quickly pointed out.

Bogus

Under pressure to back up Javids statement, the UKHSA stonewalled for three days, then published modelling supposed to justify the picture of a variant out of control.

It did nothing of the sort. In fact, it exposed outdated modelling  the number was little more than fantasy.

The true number of new infections was more likely to be closer to 45,000.

In his unprecedented letter of condemnation, the head of the OSR, Ed Humpherson, criticised the Agency for providing Javid with a statement unsupported by the data.

He also demanded much greater transparency on health data in future, to enhance public understanding and public confidence.

This unedifying saga has damaged the credibility of the Agency. But it illuminates what so many of the scientists, advisers and modellers responsible for formulating the national response to Covid are guilty of.

When Health Secretary Sajid Javid (pictured meeting staff at Kings College Hospital in London) claimed on December 13 that there were 200,000 new Omicron infections a day, it provoked widespread concern and fear among Britons already nervous about the emergence of the variant

That bogus 200,000 figure was no aberration. It was entirely in line with the gloomy narrative peddled since the first outbreaks of disease in early 2020.

Who can forget the terrifying forecast of up to 500,000 deaths we were given in March 2020? An instinct for caution has too often given way to the impulse for catastrophe, as epitomised by the recent warning from the governments Scientific Advisory Group on Emergencies (SAGE) that the number of Omicron deaths could reach 6,000 a day this winter.

Thats a figure more than three times higher than the peak daily toll last January, when the more lethal Delta variant was raging and before mass vaccination. It would have equated to 180,000 deaths a month, more than we have seen in the entire pandemic.

Of course, those numbers havent come to pass.

Indeed, dodgy data and flawed forecasts have become the hallmarks of much of the scientific establishment, which has traded almost exclusively in worst-case scenarios. And, while many voices have said so in these pages over the past 20-odd months, I am here to say again: this must stop now.

Not least because this strategy of doom is no longer working. Omicron, as the South African scientists who first identified it told us from the start, was more infectious but less potent than the fearmongers expected.

The modelled tsunami of hospital admissions and deaths has not materialised. Nor has a deep crisis in the NHS.

The front-line will hold, Chris Hopson, chief executive of NHS Providers, which represents hospital bosses across England, said on Sunday.

In fact, we may already have passed the peak of Omicron without having introduced any new restrictions over Christmas and New Year.

In London, which has been at the epicentre of the spread of the variant, hospital admissions have steadily declined and are down more than 23 per cent from a week ago.

Across England, overall Covid case numbers are starting to fall, and the number of people on mechanical ventilators has dropped to its lowest level since October.

In Scotland, a government report has disclosed that the Omicron wave north of the border is expected to peak this week, with cases dropping rapidly thereafter.

In general, hospital stays for Omicron patients tend to be shorter than with previous variants and few of those admitted need critical care. There are fewer people in critical care beds in England than at the same time in any of the previous five years.

It increasingly looks as if Omicron may be our route out of the pandemic, as the relative mildness of its symptoms means immunity can be built up in the population.

Against this backdrop, Covid should soon come to be seen as endemic, like flu and other infectious diseases  dangerous for certain very vulnerable groups but little more than an inconvenience to most.

Paralysis

Dr Clive Dix, the former head of our brilliant Vaccines Taskforce, has called for a major rethink of our approach to Covid to promote a new normality. We now need to manage disease, not virus spread, he wrote.

I could not agree more. We desperately need to come out of the Covid shadows cast by that over-inflated modelling.

Employers are suffering an immense burden. With a million people in isolation with Covid last week, most of whom have no symptoms or only mild ones, the economy is at risk of grinding to a halt.

Boris Johnson is said to be looking at cutting the period for self-isolation after a positive test from seven to five days

Worse, at least 10 per cent of staff at many hospitals were off work. What a bitter irony that measures designed to protect us are now actively fuelling harm by leaving vital services overstretched.

The paralysis has to be broken. And one key step would be to cut the period for self-isolation after a positive test from seven to five days. Three senior Ministers  Chancellor Rishi Sunak, Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi and Housing Secretary Michael Gove  have spoken out in favour of this. The PM has said he is looking at changing the policy.

It is what the U.S. did weeks ago. But the UKHSA opposed the move.

It has also declared that 10-30 per cent of people may still be testing positive on Day 6  but offered no breakdown of this umbrella figure. What about the triple-jabbed? Is age a factor? This is the kind of vital information needed to make crucial decisions.

Ironically, the UKHSA is now set to acknowledge that it was wrong in its analysis of the U.S. position.

Unjabbed

We must also end our obsession with testing healthy people, which is only perpetuating unnecessary absenteeism while doing little for public health. The current expensive, intrusive testing regimen was designed for a very different Covid threat.

We also need, as the OSR demands, much greater transparency on data.

When it comes to Covid deaths, for instance, we should be told how many died from the disease and how many with the disease. The latter will include many people with terminal conditions such as cancer or kidney failure.

Why are we not updated regularly on the percentage of intensive care patients who are unjabbed? We have heard anecdotally from doctors that it is 90 per cent.

Openness is an aid to public understanding and, in fact, there is plenty of good news on our progress against the virus. But it has been crowded out by wilfully concocted pessimism, cynically used to wield control.

When the pandemic is finally over and independent inquiries are launched, the fear-mongering at the heart of the public health establishment may well emerge as the greatest scandal of all.
An upcoming NASA space telescope, called the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, can examine 13 billion years of cosmic history. With that, it could end what scientists call the cosmic dark ages.

New NASA Space Telescope

In a recent Twitter post of NASA Hubble, it shared a simulated sample picture from the upcoming telescope, showing that it can capture millions of galaxies.

Building on a classic 



When it launches in 2027, @NASARoman will make wide observations of our universe with its enormous field of view.



One such observation could build upon Hubble's iconic Ultra Deep Field image, as seen simulated here!



More: https://t.co/iF5vaOpG7Z pic.twitter.com/dqke05ta5X  Hubble (@NASAHubble) January 10, 2022

To give further details, a group of astrophysicists has generated a simulated image that depicts how the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope could capture a mega-exposure comparable to, but far greater than, Hubble's famous Ultra Deep Field Image.

This Hubble discovery expanded our knowledge of the early universe, showing galaxies that originated only a few hundred million years after the big bang.

The postdoctoral scholar at the University of California Santa Cruz who led the study, Nicole Drakos, explained in NASA's blog post that the space telescope "has the unique ability to image very large areas of the sky, which allows us to see the environments around galaxies in the early universe."

Drakos added that their study helps "demonstrate what a Roman ultra-deep field could tell us about the universe, while providing a tool for the scientific community to extract the most value from such a program."

By capturing the Hubble Ultra Deep Field picture, astronomers revealed that a tiny, seemingly empty piece of the horizon is packed with millions of galaxies, each holding billions of stars.

Read Also: VR Headset for Cows? Farmer Uses High-Tech Virtual Reality Goggles to Reduce Cows' Stress!

Nancy Grace Roman Telescope Can Examine 13 Billion Years of Cosmic History

Moreover, the said space telescope can look back in history when the universe was just approximately half a billion years old, spanning more than 13 billion years of cosmic history.

The mission's large field of view would supply astronomers with a massive amount of data, allowing them to locate unusual objects during the reionization period.

Additionally, Roman's broad field of view could reveal changes in galaxy attributes dependent on their surroundings, helping scientists to better understand how early galaxies evolved.

While a Roman ultra-deep field has the same sharpness and ability to peek back in time as Hubble, it can cover 300 times larger area, thus providing a much greater view of space.

The astronomy professor at the University of California Santa Cruz and a co-author of the study Brant Robertson added that the simulated pictures are like looking at a single piece of a 10,000-piece puzzle.

Robertson furthered that the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope could give us 100 connected puzzle pieces, offering a much better picture of what the early universe was like and opening new scientific opportunities.

New NASA Space Telescope Could End Cosmic Dark Age

The study findings suggest that Roman might shed light on a long-ago cosmic phenomenon known as reionization. The cosmos was filled with a boiling sea of plasma, which is a charged particle, that formed a thick, ionized fluid shortly after the big bang.

The particles were able to join to create hydrogen atoms when the universe cooled, resulting in a neutral hydrogen fog.

This was known as the cosmic "dark ages" because the fog prevented shorter wavelengths of light from going very far, which may have been released by young, developing galaxies or quasars.

A Roman ultra-deep field initiative might help scientists learn more about the reionization period by showing wide images of more than 10,000 galaxies from this cosmic age, which occurred between 600 million and 900 million years ago.

Aside from this, it can also provide a comprehensive view of the surroundings around these galaxies.

Through this, it might aid scientists in determining what caused reionization, when it occurred, and if it was uniform or patchy in its occurrence.

Related Article: James Webb Space Telescope Sunshield Finally Deployed! Engineers Rejoice for Successfully Unfolding It in Space
Shortly before Christmas, Boris Johnsons former adviser, Dominic Cummings, made a devastating claim about the Prime Minister.

He said that in February 2020, soon after Britains first Covid case appeared in York  and as the full horror of the pandemic was starting to emerge in China  Boris dismissed the virus as the new swine flu and decided instead to concentrate on writing his book on Shakespeare.

It was just one of many barbs Cummings has unleashed in his methodical (and brutally effective) campaign of revenge against his former boss, who sacked him in November 2020. Its a campaign that can justly be called Shakespearean, given the dramatic fallout.

The most recent salvo from Cummings triggered the latest and most serious crisis for the Prime Minister over Downing Street parties.

Dominic Cummings departs from No 10 on November 13, 2020. Speaking of the box Cummings carried, a former colleague said: There was more than one smoking gun in that. He was taunting us. We should have bloody confiscated it on security grounds.

Referring to the investigation into Partygate already under way by senior civil servant Sue Gray, he wrote in his blog: The inquiry should investigate the Socially Distanced Drinks email sent on Wednesday 20 May 2020.

The email was from Martin Reynolds, Boriss principal private secretary, inviting about 100 staff to a bring-your-own-booze party.

No one can be sure who leaked the invitation to ITV News on Monday, but Cummings alerted the world to its existence. It is also obvious that the huge political damage inflicted on Boris is exactly what Cummings intended.

As one long-time associate of Cummings said: Dominic was plotting and scheming even before he left No10. He is consumed with a visceral loathing of Boris. This is all about his revenge for the humiliation of being sacked.

In his few public appearances, such as before committees of MPs, Cummings insists he is motivated by the entirely noble aim of trying to make a broken Government machine work better. There is some truth in that. But his associate added: Dominic will not rest until Boris and Carrie have left.

He has an electric library bulging with damaging memos, texts and emails, which he will release at carefully timed moments to undermine Boris.

Cummings has boasted privately that he helped engineer Rishi Sunaks (left) promotion to Chancellor in February 2020 after Sajid Javid resigned from No 11. Cummings has even boasted that he tricked Boris (right) into losing Javid after a row over his choice of special adviser

Another ex-colleague agreed: Every time Boris gets back on the front foot, Cummings will strike. He will have been alarmed by a couple of recent polls showing the Tories coming back against Labour. He knows the new Partygate row will sink the recovery.

As we know, Cummings himself always had a cavalier view of lockdown. It was only two days after the BYOB party, to which he was invited, that news broke of his own egregious breach of the rules  that infamous visit to Barnard Castle.

Yet charges of hypocrisy are unlikely to worry Cummings, a master tactician who engineered both the Brexit victory and Johnsons 80-seat election majority.

His guerrilla war against Johnson is carefully planned. Not only is he launching regular volleys, he is also helping to foster dissent within the Cabinet by supporting Rishi Sunak, pointedly avoiding any criticism of the Chancellor.

In the book-lined drawing room of his elegant four-storey Islington townhouse, Cummings will have read a poll from YouGov last Friday with quiet satisfaction. It revealed that voters dislike almost every leading political figure  not least Johnson  with the exception of Mr Sunak.

Cummings has boasted privately that he helped engineer Sunaks promotion to Chancellor in February 2020 after Sajid Javid resigned from No11. Cummings has even boasted that he tricked Boris into losing Javid after a row over his choice of special adviser.

And while Cummings himself has long since departed from Government, the team of No10 advisers he assembled is still in place  but theyre next door, with Sunak.

The so-called joint unit  originally hand-picked by Cummings to work for Boris and the Chancellor  now answers only to Sunak.

One minister said: Be in no doubt, Cummings is a huge admirer of Sunak and would want him to succeed where he thinks Boris has failed.

No one epitomises the growing self-confidence of the Treasury more than Liam Booth-Smith, who became head of the unit in February 2020.

Cummings and Booth-Smith have a mutual respect for each others intellect, says one source. They are also united in another important respect: their contempt for the PM.

Does Cummings dream of a call to return to No10 under Prime Minister Sunak? Hes deluded enough, said one Boris supporter. Sunaks not that daft.

Dominic Cummings, former Chief Adviser to Prime Minister Boris Johnson, giving evidence to a joint inquiry of the Commons Health and Social Care and Science and Technology Committees

In the meantime, Cummings has launched a tech company.

Siwah Ltd is based in a business park in Durham, where his family lives. He is the sole director.

He is also running a consultancy through his blog, offering marketing and election campaigning for fees which slide from zero to lots depending on who you are/your project. Typically, he never bothered to observe the Whitehall rules over the establishment of new businesses for former senior Downing Street employees.

Lord Pickles, chairman of the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments, wrote in a letter to the Cabinet Office: It appears that Mr Cummings is offering various services for payment via a blog... for which he is also receiving subscription payments.

Mr Cummings has failed to seek the committees advice on this commercial undertaking, nor has the committee received the courtesy of a reply to our letter requesting an explanation. Failure to seek and await advice before taking up work is a breach of the Governments rules. Cummings main pursuit, however, seems to be bringing down Johnson  and there are fears he has plenty of ammunition.

When he left No10 for the last time  via the front door, in time for the 6pm TV bulletins  he conspicuously carried a large cardboard box. There was more than one smoking gun in that, said a former colleague. He was taunting us. We should have bloody confiscated it on security grounds.

As Boris would be the first to admit, there is no more seasoned and experienced campaign activist than Cummings.

He is often dubbed a modern Machiavelli, after the 16th century author of The Prince, a guide to using cunning and artifice.

Others say his strategies resemble those of German chancellor Otto von Bismarck, who ignited multiple fires at the same time, distracting his opponents. Indeed, Cummings has set off any number of explosions.

He is thought to be behind the cruel nickname Princess Nut Nut for the PMs wife, as well as some of the revelations about the redecoration of their Downing Street flat.

Cummings held a press conference on May 25, 2020, five days after the email about the party at Downing Street, after it was revealed he had travelled to Barnard Castle

One senior Tory said: Campaigning is where Cummings thrives and hes showing it against Boris whos on the ropes.

Dominic falls out with everyone because hes like an evangelist who is 100 per cent certain of his own beliefs. Everyone else is inferior to Dominics intellect, in his view. Little wonder some have called him deranged, friends of Carrie have labelled him an obsessed bully, and David Cameron said he was a career psychopath.

Pleas for loyalty are wasted on him. Hes never been a member of the Conservative Party, and went out of his way to antagonise Tory MPs when he worked at No10. Hes not interested in a title or money.

His own family is wealthy and his wifes father, Sir Humphrey Wakefield, lives in Northumberlands 13th-century Chillingham Castle.

When Michael Gove withdrew support from Boris in the 2016 leadership contest, the latters father Stanley quoted Caesars last words when he was stabbed by his former friend: Et tu, Brute.

In this latest Shakespearean drama involving Boris, it is Cummings  once his loyal lieutenant  who assumes the role.
From rudimentary contraception fashioned from cleaned out fish guts to love potions baked with blood and bodily fluids, a new book explores the grimy history of sex in Tudor England.

Author Carol McGrath, a History and English graduate best known for writing historical fiction, delves into contemporary sources to uncover the laws and beliefs surrounding bedroom antics during the 16th century.

Starting with the methods of seduction, McGrath describes how, led by Henry VIII, men would use their figure-hugging hose to accentuate their desirable shapely calves and employ a system of colour-coding to communicate their intentions.

Meanwhile women paid close attention to how much pubic hair they had, if any. A thick tuft was a sign of ferti

Getting down and dirty: Author Carol McGrath, a History and English graduate best known for writing historical fiction, delves into contemporary sources to uncover the laws and beliefs surrounding bedroom antics during the 16th century. Above, a 1505 illustration

lity and youth, but it could also give rise to the dreaded pubic lice.

However a lack of pubic hair might indicate that a woman was being treated for syphilis - a sure-fire way to put off a potential paramour.

Once inside the bedroom, Tudor couples relied on basic methods of contraception to prevent unwanted pregnancy and the spread of venereal disease.

There were also rules on the sex positions that were and were not appropriate, even in a marital bed. Missionary with the man on top was the only approved position, everything else was feared to ignite lust in a man.

Alongside this, McGrath shares fascinating tidbits on individual people who are remembered for their sexual dalliances, including a male prostitute who, when arrested, bragged about having sex with monks, nuns and married women.

Here, ahead of the publication of Sex and Sexuality In Tudor England on 30 January, FEMAIL reveals some of the scintillating insights...

'Sweat cakes' made of blood and bodily fluids to attract a woman

Her father's fatal end? A homemade aphrodisiac is rumoured to led to the death of f Ferdinand of Aragon, the father of Henry VIII's first wife, Catherine of Aragon (pictured)

Did a love potion kill Catherine of Aragon's father? Death by aphrodisiac? Ferdinand of Aragon Spanish fly, an emerald green chemical derived from blister beetles, was a common ingredient added to aphrodisiacs. The rationale was that as the solution caused feelings of warmth within the body, this would lead to a stimulation of sexual desire. However it was also potentially fatal. Rumours suggest it could have led to the death of Ferdinand of Aragon, the father of Henry VIII's first wife, Catherine of Aragon. Following the death of his first wife, Isabella I of Castile, Ferdinand, then 54, married the 18-year-old Germaine of Foix. It is said he tried to counteract his advancing age with homemade aphrodisiacs, including one containing Spanish fly. Ferdinand eventually died in 1516, aged 63. Advertisement

If a Tudor man wanted to up his performance in the bedroom, he could simply look in one of the widely available handbooks that addressed the topic.

Ingredients like the brains of a small sparrow, the grease from the kidneys of a freshly slaughtered Billy goat or cloves in milk and blueberry juice were said to help cure impotence.

There were also concoctions that were said to help a man if he wanted to repress his lust, for example if he found himself attracted to a person he shouldn't be. One such mixture involved stirring cauliflower seeds in lentil water.

It was said camphor, a powder from the bark and wood of the camphor tree, could be rubbed on a penis to make it flaccid, although this ingredient, originally from Asia, would have been difficult for the majority of men in Tudor England to come by.

For men who couldn't rely on wealth, looks or charm alone, there were also love potions, although during Tudor times they were only available underground due to their association with witchcraft.

'One love charm was to plant marigolds in the footsteps where the object of ones love had walked,' McGrath writes. 'Mashed worms and herbs could work equally as well.

'Sacramental bread, believed to turn into the body of Christ during the rite of the Eucharist, was also considered to possess magical qualities to aid love.'

However there were also far less savoury options, like the so-called 'sweaty cakes', which were made from blood and bodily fluids and were said to make the recipient fall head-over-heels in love.

Meanwhile women might want to dab their linens in rose or musk to create a sensual feeling.

Initially only available in an expensive oil form, apothecaries later devised a way to produced much cheaper distilled waters, scented with trendy fragrances like roses.

'Rose oil made by distillation became popular at King Henrys court, not just to arouse the senses or because the smell was pleasant, but because the rose was a symbol of the Tudor dynasty,' McGrath writes.

It fell in popularity when Elizabeth I ascended the throne, perhaps due to its widespread availability lessening its exclusivity.

Figure-hugging hose to accentuate the calf in colours that communicated a message

Fashion-conscious King: Led by the style-savvy King Henry VIII (pictured far left), doublets and hose soon became in vogue during the Tudor period

Led by the fashion-conscious King Henry VIII, doublets and hose soon became in vogue.

The hose was two separate stockings that stretched from waist to toe. They were suspended by cord tied to the doublet - a short, fitted jacket - which kept the material taut and prevented unsightly wrinkles from forming.

If the hose was joined too loosely to the doublet, it could gape at the back, causing the equivalent of a builder's bum. However if the ties were too tight, it could limit the wearer's mobility.

As might be expected for a monarch who had six wives and bedded countless women, Henry VIII liked his hose to be tight-fitting and figure-hugging.

A garter was tied just below the knees to ensure the material remained close to the shapely calf - a highly desirable and attractive body part - while remaining loose enough around the knee to allow the wearer to move.

The colour of the hose was also important: green hose suggested youthful vigour while red suggested passion.

... and a codpiece to show off the manhood

Eye-catching: Men of Henry VIII's court began expressing their personalities through clothing

'As Henrys reign progressed, and shorter coats became fashionable, the protective codpiece men wore became even more noticeable than ever,' McGrath explains. And the Tudors took the trend and ran with it.

The codpiece started life in the Middle Ages as a triangular flap of material designed to preserve the male modesty by covering the gap between the two separate pieces of men's stockings.

In battle, this loose material was swapped for a metal version which provided a shield the delicate area.

By the 16th century, the codpiece had become a fashion statement and could be made from luxurious materials and decorated with adornments like ribbons and bobbles.

'Tudor men could mix and match their codpieces,' explains McGrath. 'A manly man could also strut around court in a garment that mimicked male genitals, drawing attention to them and exaggerating them to an absurd degree.

'His codpiece might be stuffed with straw to make it shapelier. Its hollow chamber had another use since it could also protect the lovely outer surface of stockings from the nasty sullying mercury-based ointment used to treat syphilis.'

Codpieces could also be used to store essentials like a pincushion - pins were needed to keep complex outfits in place - money or a handkerchief.

Lemon slices, wool soaked in wine and fish gut: Rudimentary forms of contraception

The purpose of marriage was to procreate but for the times the Tudors didn't want to fall pregnant, there were rudimentary forms of contraception they could use.

Basic condoms made from a cleaned out fish gut or sheep's intestine turned inside out. The gut would be cut to size and dried out, then soaked in milk or water in order to rehydrrate.

They would be fastened to the penis with a ribbon or fine string. After sex, these condoms could be washed and used again.

Although these had some success in preventing unwanted pregnancy, they were also essential in stopping the spread of venereal diseases like syphilis, which was rampant during the Tudor period.

There were other bizarre contraception methods available. A lemon slice, for example, could be inserted as a cervical cap, while a wad of wool soaked in wine or honey was used to form a barrier. Rock salt mixed with an oily material was believed to destroy sperm.

Among the more dangerous approaches were drinking tincture of lead or eating seeds of the caster oil plant, both of which could lead to fatal poisoning.

Pubic hair: Left long or faked

Pubic hair - or the 'fleece', 'flush', 'moss', as it's otherwise known - was much admired among some, if not all, Tudors, according to McGrath.

'An abundance of pubic hair on the other hand was a sign of youth, health and sexual vitality,' she writes, while 'women in bathhouses used homemade, and often dangerous dilapidory creams, and whores plucked their eyebrows'.

All coming up roses! How women carried a pomander to stay smelling sweet As well as essential oils, another way for the Tudors to smell more appealing without bathing regularly was to carry a pomander. The pomander was made from a mix of fragrant herbs and spices mixed with a bonding agent like a lump of wax. This solid ball was then placed in a perforated box and worn on a cord, which could be worn over clothing. McGrath writes: 'If a woman wore her pomander on a long cord suspended from her girdle it would knock against her skirt as she moved, creating pleasant wafting scent about her person.' Advertisement

A loss of pubic hair could also signal a woman had been given mercury to treat syphilis.

However, longer pubic hair also meant the potential for pubic lice, which could only be completely eliminated by shaving or removing the hair in another way, such as with homemade dilapidory creams.

Those wanting to create the illusion of pubic hair could put together a merkin, a pubic hair wig first designed in 1450.

The malkin, or merkin, was made from hair that was attached to the pubic area with a dainty ribbon.

The Tudors also preferred a more natural approach when it came to personal hygiene. While douching first appeared in the ancient world, the Tudors avoided it, believing it was unnecessary.

'It was sexier to smell whiffy in that area or perhaps they picked up on the fact the vagina is self-cleaning,' McGrath writes.

However some texts informed women that a severe vaginal odour would be enough to put off a male sexual partner and suggested solutions to tackle such an issue.

'A prescription used by Muslim women suggests a redolent water mixture that constricts the vagina and represses the odour,' the author continues.

'These instructions include detailed instructions on how to apply the concoction before intercourse using a powder that the lady is to rub on her chest, breasts and genitalia

'She is to wash her partners privates using a cloth sprinkled with the same sweet-smelling powder. An example suggests taking powder of blackberry and placing it inside to constrict the vagina.'

The dos and don'ts of sex positions (and it's only missionary allowed)

Sex was for procreation and pleasure was secondary.

As such, intercourse that was not for the purpose of procreation was seen as wicked by many churchmen.

Sex and Sexuality in Tudor England by Carol McGrath, published by Pen & Sword Books

It also influenced the ways in which couples had sex, both within and outside of wedlock.

There were clear views as to the improper and improper ways to have sex, with missionary with the man on top considered the only acceptable position for a husband and wife.

Other positions were rejected for fear they might incite lust.

McGrath continues: 'Any approach from behind was condemned because it suggested man was imitating the behaviour of animals.

'Any position with the woman on top was frowned upon as it inverted sex roles making the woman the dominant partner. Also, the Tudors believed, it reduced the possibility of conception.

'Use of unnatural orifices such as the mouth or anus and contraceptive notions such as coitus interruptus or the newly invented Venus glove (a crude early condom) was forbidden.'

The male prostitute arrested after having sex with monks

Pushing gay men underground: Although male prostitution definitely existed during the Tudor period, examples are more difficult to come across. This is due to Thomas Cromwell, pictured, introducing the Buggery Act in 1533, a law making sodomy illegal for the first time

Although male prostitution definitely existed during the Tudor period, examples are more difficult to come across.

This is due to Thomas Cromwell, the kings infamous minister, introducing the Buggery Act in 1533, a law making sodomy illegal for the first time. Prior to this, sexual offences such as buggery were dealt with by the ecclesiastical courts.

Throughout Europe, the persecution of homosexuals coincided with the persecution of witches.

Both were considered un-godly and a threat to the stability of a Christian society.

However there is one documented case of a male prostitute who was arrested while offering his services between London and Oxford in the very late 14th century, 100 years before the birth of Henry VIII.

The man in question was dressed as a woman and was arrested after being caught having sexual relations with another man.

Under questioning, he admitted to having sex with two Franciscans at a pub. He also boasted of having sex with travellers, nuns and married women.

Sex and Sexuality in Tudor England by Carol McGrath, published by Pen & Sword Books on January 30
The sister of a man falsely accused of murder has called for an apology from the Irish police 50 years after he was beaten to death by the victim's family.

Ann Donnelly's brother Martin Kerrigan was one of three men the Gardai accused of murdering 19-year-old Una Lynskey, who had gone missing after walking home from the bus stop to her County Meath home in October 1971.

Police focused their investigation on Martin, then 19, his friend Martin Conmey, then 20, and Ann's husband Dick Donnelly, then 23, who had all been in the area that night.

Kerrigan and Conmey were allegedly forced into signing confessions after being beaten by officers who coerced a confession from them - claims the Gardai deny - but Donnelly refused to sign.

Two months later, in December, Una's body was found in the mountains, and her brothers and cousins beat Kerrigan to death as an act of revenge.

Conmey and Donnelly were later later charged and found guilty of the manslaughter of Una, but Donnelly had his case overturned.

Conmey spent three years behind bars before he was released. In 2010, he was acquitted of the manslaughter by the Court of Criminal Appeal.

Now Ann is fighting for a public apology for her late husband Donnelly, who passed away last year, and her brother Martin - who died before he could have his name cleared.

Ann told the Irish Sun: 'We were being harassed everyday. There'd be people pulling over at our house and shouting 'murderers', blowing the horn, writing 'murderer' on the ground and sending cards with hangman.

'We reported it all and maybe if someone had done something about it, they would have stopped and Marty might never have died.'

Ann's comments come as the case is examined by RTE in a new documentary called Crimes and Confessions, examining miscarriages of justice.

The story has reminded many of the gripping Netflix crime drama Making A Murderer, which saw Steven Avery spend 18 years in jail for a rape he did not commit, only to be arrested along with Brendan Dassey for murder.

Ann Donnelly's (pictured) brother Martin Kerrigan who was falsely accused of murder has called for an apology from the Irish police 50 years after he was beaten to death by the victim's family

Police focused their investigation on Martin, then 19, his friend Martin Conmey, then 20, and Ann's husband Dick Donnelly, then 23, who had all been in the area that night (pictured, Conmey and Kerrigan)

Una Lynskey had a boyfriend and was working at the Land Commission on Merrion Street in Dublin when she went missing on October 12, 1971.

She travelled to-and-from the city with her cousin Anne Gaughan, who was the last person to have see her that night after the women went home separately.

At first, when Una failed to arrive home for dinner, her mother thought she had gone to Ann's house.

However concerns quickly escalated and the alarm was raised.

Ann's father Patrick reported hearing screams in a nearby field, while other witnesses said they had seen a stranger driving a large dark Ford Zephyr erratically.

One witness claimed to have seen a woman struggling in the car.

Una Lynskey, who was working in Dublin at the time of her death, went missing in October 1971 and her body was discovered in The Mountains two months later. Her killer has never been found

Kerrigan, Conmey and Donnelly didn't have criminal records, and all three had alibis for the night, but the Gardai solely focussed their investigation on the three men.

Speaking to the Sunday World, Conmey said: 'We just happened to be in the area at the same time more or less.'

After a night out on 24th October, the men were visited by local and murder squad Gardai the following day.

They were then interrogated by police for weeks, despite not being charged with the crime.

In a 2018 interview with the Irish Times, Dick explained how they were interviewed by a group called The Heavy Squad, saying: 'They interrogated us in sessions.

'Two would start interrogating you. When they were finished, two more took over.

'When they were finished, there would be another two. I was falling asleep in the chair.'

He recalled how the interviews would take place throughout the night and into the early morning.

He explained: 'At one point I fell asleep and one of the detectives gave me a whack across the face that knocked me to the ground.'

Conmey spent three years behind bars on the manslaughter charge and in 2010, he was acquitted of the manslaughter by the Court of Criminal Appeal, 38 years after he was jailed. In 2014, he was given a miscarriage of justice certificate and compensation. He is pictured with his wife after being acquitted

Ann's comments come as the case is examined by RTE in a new documentary called Crimes and Confessions, examining miscarriages of justice

He said the pressure was immense for the three 'naive' men, explaining: 'We didn't feel like we were free to go.'

Ireland's Making a Murderer: How three innocent men were 'coerced' into confessing to a crime they didn't commit October 12 1971 - 19-year-old Una Lynskey went missing after walking home from the bus stop to her Co Meath home. Her uncle reports hearing screams from a nearby field, while other witnesses claim they saw a car driving erratically in the area Gardai are called in to help search for her. October 19 - The Murder Squad are called in October 24 - Martin Kerrigan, Martin Conmey, and Dick Donnelly enjoy a night on the town October 25 - The men are first visited by local and murder squad gardai They are interrogated for weeks by The Heavy Squad, who they allege coerced them into making false confessions and interviewed them through the night November - All three men were arrested December 10 - Una's body was found in the Mountains December 19 - Kerrigan was bundled into a car by Sean and James Lynskey and John Gaughn. He was beaten to death before being left in the Mountains. The Lynskeys and Gaughn are charged with manslaughter for Kerrigan and sentenced to three years. Meanwhile Donnelly and Conmey are charged with manslaughter for Una's death and sentenced to three years in prison. Seven months on, Donnelly wins an appeal to have his case overturned. 1974 - Conmey is released from prison 2010 - Conmey was acquitted of the manslaughter by the Court of Criminal Appeal, 38 years after he was jailed. 2014 - Conmey was given a miscarriage of justice certificate and compensation Advertisement

Ann insisted a quick police search would have cleared the boy's names almost straight away.

She said: 'Everywhere they were that night, even picking up a girlfriend, they had verified as being in all those places.'

She added the trio even told the police that they saw a car with a briefcase and papers thrown around in the seat - and that multiple people saw a suspect in his 40s or 50s driving it.

She explained: 'All this was said to Gardai but was not followed up and they just focused on them.'

The force insisted that Dick had a car similar to the one seen on the lane the night Una was abducted.

Ann explained how her brother had only signed a police confession to be able to go home.

Meanwhile Conmey explained: 'Myself and Marty signed confessions, but purely under duress.

'It was step by step, the guards were kind of nearly putting words in our mouths, kind of leading questions.'

The forced confessions leaked to the community, with the families then targeted with vandalism and abuse.

And on 10th December, Una's body was found in the Mountains after a workman mistook her skull for a sheep's skeleton.

Nine days later, Kerrigan was bundled into a car by her brothers, Sean and James, and her cousin, John Gaughn.

He was beaten to death, with signs of an attempted castration, before being left in the Dublin Mountains.

Ann recalled how guards knocked down her parents door at 3am to say his body had been found and they needed to identify him.

She explained: 'We were huddled together crying.

'We had to try and get word to our brother and sister in England and asked could they wait until our brother got home that night to identify him.

'But they said no, my older sister Eileen had to do it and she still finds it very hard.'

After killing Kerrigan, the Lynskey brothers and Gaughan gave themselves up and were tried and convicted.

The three men were all found guilty of manslaughter for Kerrigan's death, despite having carried a knife during the attack.

Ann said: 'They went out with a knife, how can you go out with a knife and say it is manslaughter?

'They mutilated him and beat him. All those lives ruined.'

Meanwhile there was increasing pressure on Gardai to secure a conviction for Donnelly and Conmey.

The men were charged with manslaughter for Una's death and sentenced to three years in prison.

Seven months later, Donnelly's case was overturned on appeal. Conmey spent three years behind bars on the manslaughter charge.

In 2010, he was acquitted of the manslaughter by the Court of Criminal Appeal, 38 years after he was jailed.

In 2014, he was given a miscarriage of justice certificate and compensation.

Garda Commissioner Drew Harris wrote to Conmey in relation to the case, and apologised for the pain and loss.

Ann is now fighting to clear both her late brother and husband's names because both men died before receiving an apology for what happened (pictured, with her sister Katy)

However neither Donnelly nor Kerrigan have ever received an apology or acknowledgement for the miscarriage of justice.

The Gardai have also denied any abuse in custody, the case remains closed, and Una's killer has never been found. Her cause of death also remains unknown.

Donnelly died last year, and Ann is now fighting to clear both her late brother and husband's names.

Ann said that all she's looking for now is an 'apology for what happened'.

'Every time I go down to the grave I say to him, 'We will never ever stop fighting until we clear your name' and we never will.

'We never got any apology, we never even got an acknowledgement that he was killed in the wrong.

Conmey and Donnelly were found guilty of the manslaughter of Una and sent to prison, but Donnelly had his case overturned. Conmey is pictured - he served 3 years in jail

Conmey has said he wouldn't 'rest' till there was a public enquiry into the miscarriage of justice (pictured)

'Dick died on 22nd October. He didn't get to do an interview but he took part in the documentary and his voice will be used.

'That will be very hard for us, but it has to be done. I know he is looking down and he is helping us.'

And speaking on RTE radio Conmey said he wouldn't 'rest' till there was a public enquiry into the miscarriage of justice.

He said: 'I kind of blamed myself for making statements about something that didn't happen and I kept knocking myself.

'It made me feel that I was inadequate and a weak person. It was embarrassing. I couldn't even give my name for a job because (they would say) that's that fella Conmey again and it does knock you back in it.

'It never, never, never leaves me  every morning I get up and every night I go to bed it is the same thing.

'And the thing is, unfortunately, if I was to get a few drinks, I tend to get kind of be paranoid and if someone says something out of the ordinary, I'm kind of analysing that and reading into it, it is still there and will be until I die,'

RTE documentary, Crimes and Confessions is available on RTE player.
A woman has claimed she wasn't cast on The Bachelor because she wears a size 6-8, saying the show's producers 'ghosted' her after asking her to stand up in a video call.

Caroline Cronin, 30, from Massachusetts, opened up about her alleged interview with the casting producers and how she never heard from them again on TikTok last week, saying she believes they passed on her because of her size.

She first posted about her experience auditioning for the ABC reality series in November in a video that has since been removed, writing: 'When you get a DM from Bachelor casting producers but youre a size 6-8.'

In her more recent clip, the actress referenced her original video while recalling how excited she was when people from the show reached out to her via Instagram last year to see if she was interested in becoming a contestant.

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Caroline Cronin, 30, from Massachusetts, claimed on TikTok that she was 'ghosted' by casting producers for The Bachelor because of her body

The actress, who wears a size 6-8, said she was excited when people from the ABC reality series reached out to her via Instagram last year

'I was like, "Oh my gosh! This is so exciting! Stuff like this never happens to me ever. I also thought this was a good thing because I am not the typical beauty standard for what I think the show normally presents,' she explained.

'[Producers] have done a really great job  or however you feel about it  with diversifying the cast of contestants that they bring on every year. But they never really diversify the body type of the people that are on the show.

'I am a size 6 to an 8, like I said, depending on the brand. So based on having been scouted through Instagram, I thought that this wasnt going to be a big deal. I dont lie on my Instagram,' she noted. 'I dont use body whatever filters or FaceApp or things like that.'

According to Cronin, she had a Zoom interview with the casting producers in which she discussed her dating history and where she is at in her life.

While she admitted that it's possible that she didn't get cast because she is 'very boring,' she didn't think that is the case.

Cronin alleged that she was asked to stand up and step back from her computer during her Zoom interview with producers

Cronin claimed she was asked to stand up and take a step back from her computer at the end of the conversation, saying 'the guy looked at my body' before telling her they would get back to her soon.

'They ghosted me just like all the other men in my life,' she griped. 'Im honestly fine with it. Its not something I ever expected to have happen to me. While it would have been cool, Im not heartbroken about it. But it's kind of disappointing because I get the feeling that's kind of what it was.

'To not even be reached to, it kind of sucks. I just feel like we need to get a gang of people together to promote or work towards better body representation in an industry like reality TV.'

Cronin noted that part of the reason she was so excited to have a chance to appear on the show was that 'no one has ever looked like me on TV.'

'And Im normal,' she stressed. 'Im average size. Im just not a size 0, 2, or even a 4.'

She said 'the guy looked at my body' before telling her they'd get back to her soon, but she never heard from them again

'They ghosted me just like all the other men in my life,' she griped, though she admitted there is a possibility that she didn't get cast because they thought she was 'very boring'

Toward the end of the video, she tried to 'manifest' being cast on an upcoming season of The Bachelorette

'But, also, if you want to get married, I am a very cool person,' she added. 'I'm kind and I'm sick of dating and don't want to do it anymore at 30.'

Cronin's video has been viewed more than 179,000 times, and many commenters pointed out that a size 6-8 in the U.S. is actually quite small.

'A 6-8 is tiny & not average. The average size of most women in the US is a 12/14. Thats crazy & just sad,' one person wrote, while another added: 'A size 6-8 is thin! I'd do anything to be that size!'

Former Bachelor star Jenni Croft, who appeared in Brad Womack's season, pointed out that she was about Cronin's size when she appeared on the show.

In a follow-up video, Cronin theorized there will never be plus-size people on the show because it would 'run the risk of showing how shallow the leads and the other contestants really are'

It's unclear what season Cronin was allegedly in the running for. The 26th season of The Bachelor starring former Bachelorette contestant Clayton Echard premiered on January 3

'I was a size 6 when I was on THE BACHELOR! Season 11 and Final 2!' she commented.

In a follow-up video, Cronin responded to a commenter who insisted The Bachelor will never 'feature plus-sized beauties,' saying she agreed.

'If they were to do this, mixing in plus-size people, mid-size people, and skinny people, they run the risk of showing how shallow the leads and the other contestants really are,' she theorized.

'If you are constantly casting hot people all the time, you don't run the risk of ever having to acknowledge the fact that you're not attracted to someone. And this could happen from both ways.'

It's unclear what season Cronin was allegedly in the running for. The 26th season of The Bachelor starring former Bachelorette contestant Clayton Echard premiered on January 3.

DailyMail.com has reached out to ABC reps for The Bachelor for comment.
A leading sleep expert has revealed how to get a restful night's sleep during hot summer nights.

Olivia Arezzolo, from Sydney, detailed four ways to get better shut-eye, including taking a shower before bed to cool off.

In a recent Instagram post, Olivia suggested sleeping naked with socks on, sleeping on sheets made from natural fabrics and making use of a cooling mattress topper.

Olivia Arezzolo, from Sydney, (pictured) detailed four ways to get better shut-eye, including taking a shower before bed to cool off

Olivia suggested sleeping on a cooling mattress topper, showering before bed, sleeping naked with socks and sleeping on sheets made from natural fabric

First, Olivia recommended sleeping on a cooling mattress topper, which she claims can be 'more effective' than a running air conditioner because it's closer to your body.

'This sends cool water through tubes in the mattress topper, ensuring you stay cool through the evening,' she wrote.

But some might not be able to justify the cost as the product ranges between $150 to $1199.

Top retailers that sell cooling mattress toppers include Kogan, Luxdream, Tontine and Chili Sleep.

She also suggested sleeping on sheets made from natural fabric - such as cotton, bamboo, linen or silk - with a 200 to 400 thread count.

'Natural fibres are thermoregulatory - they have the ability to absorb and dissipate heat,' she said.

Popular natural bedsheets can be purchased from Bed Threads, Koala, Adairs and Sheridan.

Before going to bed, Olivia also recommended showering to cool the body down. 'The dip in core body temperature when you emerge from a warm shower to a cool bathroom is a cue for melatonin synthesis,' she said

To promote heat loss and keep cool, she deems it to be a good idea to sleep naked with socks on.

According to the Sleep Foundation, temperature regulation is essential when falling asleep and wearing socks to bed helps lower core body temperature.

As a result, wearing socks to bed helps a person gets to sleep faster as it increases the blood flow by warming the feet.

How to get a better night's sleep during summer: Sleep on a cooling mattress topper Sleep on 200-400TC sheets in a natural fabric Sleep naked with socks Shower before bed Advertisement

Before going to bed, Olivia also recommended showering to cool the body down.

'The dip in core body temperature when you emerge from a warm shower to a cool bathroom is a cue for melatonin synthesis,' she said.

Melatonin synthesis helps regular circadian rhythm for consistent, quality sleep.

The social media post was well received by others who praised the four simple points anyone can follow.
Fireball Whisky is releasing a limited-edition huge 5.25 litre keg in Australia on Wednesday, January 12.

Fireball lovers better be quick to the get hands on the 'Firekeg' as only 1000 will be available while stocks last.

The 'Firekeg' holds 175 30ml shots worth of the cinnamon-flavoured spirit and has three separate spouts for party goers to serve up the much-loved party essential.

Fireball Whiskey is set to release a 5.25 litre 'Firekeg' in Australia tomorrow, Wednesday January, 12. The 'Firekeg' is $349 and holds 175 shots worth of the popular cinnamon whiskey.

Priced at $349, the keg is available exclusively from Boozebud and works out to be less than $2 per shot.

A Fireball spokesperson said the 'Firekegs' are expected to sell out quickly.

'If you've ever dreamt of Fireball on tap or are looking for a sure-fire way to secure the MVP title at your next house party, the FireKeg is the top contender for must-have party starter of the year,' they said.

Fireball fans have been sharing their excitement about the release on social media since it was announced.

Fireball lovers better be quick to the get hands on the 'Firekeg' as only 1000 will be available while stocks last.

'Omg thats actually the most gorgeous thing Ive ever seen,' one person wrote.

'2022 has rewarded us,' commented a second.

The 'Firekeg' was released in North America last year sending lovers of the popular Canadian whiskey into a spin.

For more information, head to the Boozebud website here.
A tiny Italian restaurant tucked away in Melbourne's inner suburbs will be serving its decadent signature gnocchi that uses a 'record' 29 cheeses from tomorrow Wednesday January 12.

Cucinetta in South Yarra is one of Australia's smallest restaurants at just 29sqm and teamed up with That's Amore Cheese to create the indulgently cheesy dish that will be available again on their menu from tomorrow until January 23.

The traditional Italian restaurant's handmade, oven-baked gnocchi uses a whopping 29 cheeses in its sauce including buffalo mozzarella, smoked bocconcini, mascarpone, blue cheese, panettone and burrata.

Melbourne Italian restaurant, Cucinetta, will be once again offering their 'record' 29 cheese gnocchi for a limited time from tomorrow

Cucinetta crafted the 29 cheese gnocchi back in 2018 and offers it on the menu for a limited time each year with diners loving the creamy creation.

Priced at $39.99 per serve, the cheesy gnocchi can be enjoyed along with the eatery's menu of authentic Italian dishes including risotto, pastas, arancini, and calamari.

29 is the theme of this unique tiny restaurant that also offers a wine list with 29 red and white drops.

The traditional Italian restaurant's handmade, oven-baked gnocchi uses a whopping 29 cheeses in its sauce including buffalo mozzarella, smoked bocconcini, mascarpone, blue cheese, panettone and burrata

The 29 cheeses used in Cucinetta's famous gnocchi 1. Fior di Latte 2. Buffalo Mozzarella 3. Burrata 4. Scamorza Bianca 5. Caciotta 6. Pepper Caciotta 7. Chilli Caciotta 8. Truffle Caciotta 9. Ricotta Delicata 10. Ricotta Salata 11. Mascarpone 12. Squacquerone 13. Buffalo Bocconcini 14. Buffalo Ricotta 15. Buffalo Caciotta 16. Buffalo Mozzarella (smoked) 17. Smoked Bocconcini 18. Smoked Scamorza 19. Smoked Caciocavallo 20. Diavoletto 21. Secret of The Forest 22. Drunken Buffalo 23. Lavato 24. Panettone 25. Panettone with Truffle 26. Caciocavallo 27. Bufalotto 28. Blue Cheese 29. Formaggio di Vacca Advertisement

Cucinetta has previously offered novelty cheese dishes like the parmesan wheel pasta that saw diners book out the restaurant every night during the four weeks it was available last May.

The 29 cheese gnocchi will be available for a limited time for lunch and dinner.

To book, head to the Cucinetta website here.
A family butchers has been blasted by irate vegans over an 'ignorant' sign with a tounge-in-cheek message about eating more meat instead of 'innocent vegetables'.

W.M. Christie Butchers, in Bruntsfield, wrote a chalkboard message outside the shop that read: 'Every day thousands of innocent plants are killed by vegetarians. Help end the violence and eat meat.'

After a snap was shared on a Facebook vegan group, members failed to appreciate the joke and branded the butchers 'psychopaths' for making light of 'the most violent industry that has ever existed'.

A few calmer voices, however, reasoned that the butchers is entitled to promote its business and that nobody is forcing vegans to eat meat.

A sign was spotted outside the Bruntsfield butcher shop by Jakub Dragon and was shared to a vegan Facebook group

The family run butcher's shop was established in 1889 and is currently being run by Willie Christie, a fifth generation butcher

Vegans in the online group were quick to share their displeasure at seeing the sign that promoted meat eating

The sign was later shared in a sarcastic Facebook post to a group named 'Vegan Edinburgh' by a 22-year-old student named Jakub Dragon, in which he wrote: 'Spotted at family butcher in Bruntsfield, sooo funny!'

Speaking to the Edinburgh Live, Jakub branded it 'nonsense' and admonished the justification of killing animals.

He said: 'It only bring anger, and fights and I don't find that funny. Surely eating plants is less damaging to the environment, and plants, unlike animals are not sentient.'

Many vegans in the comment section for the post agreed, with some calling the sign 'ignorant'.

One person simply wrote: 'F****** psychopaths.'

One of the group's administrators thought comparing meat eating to eating vegetables was 'nonsense'

A group moderator who was outraged by the butcher's sign said: 'Jeez, the ignorance is astonishing. Plants are not sentient and exist in synergy with humans and animals as a food source.'

'You just can't say I murdered a carrot. People will cling to all sorts of nonsense to justify murdering animals....animals that have exactly the same fundamental wishes as us - to be happy, safe and free from suffering.'

Another commenter agreed and touched on the lack of logic at hand, saying: 'And what does their meat eat?'

One vegan in the group, however, thought the butcher was entitled make jokes: 'Surely we can take this in good humour. These people are running a business that has been in their family for generations. It doesnt mean we all have to eat meat.'

Voices of reason! Some members of the vegan group urged others to calm down and see the funny side

'It cant be OK for vegans to fly the vegan flag, and not OK for meat eaters to do the same, regardless of our reasons behind being vegan.'

One vegan onlooker, however, saw the ridiculousness of it all, saying: 'They absolutely know this, for goodness sake, we need to be a bit less uptight. The family who own this shop are educated lovely people. Who make a choice to eat meat and run their business. The message is tongue in cheek. A bit of light relief.'

While another jokingly said: 'Calm doon peeps.'

The butchery, which was established in 1889 is now being upheld by Willie Christie, a fifth generation butcher.

Despite the negative comments online Willlie told Edinburgh Live that people took his sign the wrong way, insisting there was no malicious intent, and that it was meant as a harmless joke to promote his business.

Not being displeased with the attention the furore brought to his butchery, and noting that he respected others' opinions he added 'As it it's veganary, isn't it fitting it could be meatanury too?'
The mother of the six-year-old Scottish cancer patient who won the Duchess of Cambridge's heart after a photo of her in isolation while having treatment for leukaemia went viral has revealed that her daughter is back in isolation after catching the virus over Christmas.

Little Mila Sneddon, six, met Kate Middleton twice last year after the royal spotted the photo of the little girl in lockdown in March 2020; the image saw her gazing at her father Scott, who had been forced to move out of the family home to protect his daughter, through a window.

The Duchess went on to include the photo, known as 'Shielding Mila' in her book Hold Still: A Portrait of Our Nation in 2020 and asked if she could meet Mila.

Sharing an adorable video clip this week of her daughter wishing Kate a belated happy 40th birthday, Lynda Sneddon, from Falkirk, told followers on social media that her daughter had been in hospital over the festive season and was now isolating at home.

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Mila Sneddon, six, who has leukaemia and saw a photo of her waving to her dad while in isolation go viral in March 2020, met Kate Middleton twice in 2021 - and, despite being back in isolation after contracting Covid, she sent the Duchess a sweet birthday message this week

The photo 'Shielding Mila' that went viral in March 2020 and was later included in the Duchess of Cambridge's book Hold Still: A Portrait of Our Nation in 2020

The little girl was admitted to hospital over Christmas with Covid and must now isolate at home, her mother Lynda told followers on social media

Back in December, Mila attended the Christmas community carol service at Westminster Abbey in London, organised by the Duchess of Cambridge

The clip sees Mila say: Happy birthday Catherine! I'm so happy you're turning 40, hope you get nice gifts and get to spend the day with your family.'

Her mother wrote alongside the video: 'Better late than never and home to isolate from hospital! Wishing the Duchess of Cambridge a very happy 40th birthday from your number one fan!! Lots of love.'

Speaking to the Sun ahead of the Duchess' big birthday, Mila's mother thanked the Duchess for making her daughter feel special.

Sneddon said she never expected the pandemic photo would see Mila meeting the senior royal. The image, entitled Shielding Mila, was one of the 100 images included in the Duchess of Cambridge's book Hold Still: A Portrait of Our Nation in 2020.

However, the six-year-old in fact went on to meet the Duchess twice last year, first at Holyroodhouse in May and then again during the Duchess' Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey in December.

The little girl's mother said the Duchess had a 'gentle soul' and had made Mila feel comfortable during their meetings.

Pictured on her stairs, Mila wished the Duchess of Cambridge a happy birthday to mark the royal's 40th on Sunday

Mila reading a prayer by the crib, accompanied by her mother Lynda during the royal Christmas concert

Friends: The Duchess of Cambridge and the little girl chatted at the community carol service at Westminster Abbey on December 8th

Back in May 2021, the pair both agreed to wear pink for their first meeting at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh

The royal invited Mila to spend some time with her during a week-long visit to Scotland

'Those moments made Mila feel really special and it was a good distraction from her treatment,' she said.

'Now shes recognised as the happy little girl who met Kate Middleton and not the poor little girl with cancer,' she added.

In May last year, Mila was welcomed by Kate for tea at Holyroodhouse, during her and Prince William's final day of their week-long visit to Scotland.

'[Kate] had made a promise [to wear pink],' the youngster added, noting that the Duchess kept her word to don a pink outfit when meeting after their initial phone call.

Mila pictured reuniting with her father Scott in 2020 after a period of isolation

After Mila was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in November 2019, aged four, her parents decided the best way to keep their little girl safe was by not taking any risks and self-isolating in different houses.

Lynda, a mother-of-two, stayed with the little girl while dad Scott lived separately, and shared a heartbreaking photo of Mila kissing her dad through the window.

The photo went viral online and was spotted by the Duchess of Cambridge and was later one of the 100 images included in Kate's book Hold Still: A Portrait of Our Nation in 2020.

At their first meeting at Holyroodhouse, the Duchess made good on a promise she made to wear pink, Mila's favourite colour, sporting a ME+EM's silk shirt dress with a floral face mask.

She told the schoolgirl: 'Hi Mila, look at you. I want to give you a big squeezy cuddle, it's so nice to meet you in person.'
Princess Sofia donned a bold new haircut to attend an event with Carl Philip last night.

The Swedish Princess, 37, accompanied her husband Prince Carl Philip, 42, at a Celebrate Democracy show last night in Stockholm.

The event, which marked one hundred years since the first women took their seats in the Riksdag should have been attended by Carl Philip's older sister and heir apparent to the throne Crown Princess Victoria, 44 and her husband Prince Daniel.

However, the pair have both tested positive for Covid-19 and could not go.

In spite of stepping in last minute, Sofia, a mother-of-three, looked elegant in a plum-coloured dress, as she debuted a fresh hairstyle.

Princess Sofia of Sweden, 37 and Prince Carl Philip attended an event organised by the Swedish government in Stockholm last night

For the occasion, mother-of-three Sofia debuted a new haircut, with structured bangs and a high pony

It looks like Sofia gave her locks a fresh trim during the holidays, and decided to go for trendy bangs.

Before the Christmas break, she was still sporting her trademark long curtain bangs, which framed her face perfectly.

For last night's event, she opted for a high pony, which brought structure and definition to her overall look.

The mother of Prince Alexander, five, Prince Gabriel, four and Prince Julian, who was born last year, looked stylish in the knee-length dress.

Sofia styled her glossy hair in a high ponytail, left, and accessorised with a sumptuous pair of drop earrings adorned with rubies and pearls

The Dorothee Schumacher dress was purple and black and sported a stylish V-neck cut, which was ever so slightly fitted at the waist.

The Swedish royal paired it with a pair of matching purple satin heels from Manolo Blahnik , adorned with a silver buckle with crystals.

She was also carrying her essentials in a small black leather clutch bag.

Faithful to Sofia's character her outfit was elegant but discreet, and she sported little jewellery, apart from a statement pair of square-shaped drop earrings adorned with rubies and eight pearls each.

Carl Philip and Sofia ma de a handsome pair when they arrived the event after stepping in last minute to replace Crown Princess Victoria

The couple seemed in great spirit and shared a laugh before putting their face asks on and entering the reception room where the even took place

Her makeup was also discreet, with a dash of mascara and eyeliner around her blue eyes.

The royal was also sporting a dash of blush to complement her healthy glow, and some rosy nude lip-stick.

Meanwhile, her husband Carl Philip looked dashing in a navy blue suit, which he wore with a crisp white shirt.

The handsome couple were not meant to attend last night's event, but ended up filling in for Crown Princess Victoria.

Car Philip's older sister, which stands to inherit the Swedish throne, tested positive to Covid-19 and could not attend tthe event herself.

It was reported that Victoria's husband Prince Daniel also tested positive to the virus.

Sofia looked poised and relaxed at yesterday's function in a fitted purple and black dress and statement earrings

The couple put their face masks before entering the reception room. Carl Philip sister Crown Princess Victoria, 44, tested positive to Covid-19 and could not attend the event

Last night's event, organised by the Swedish Government, marked 100 years since women took their seats in the assembly called the Riksdag.

Princess Sofi welcomed her third son, Prince Julian, in March last year, and he was christened at the Drottningholm Palace Chapel, just outside Stockholm in August.

Prince Julian's grandfather King Carl Gustaf revealed his name and dukedom at a cabinet meeting at the Royal Palace in Stockholm days after his birth, both of which are touching tributes to royal family members.

Prince Julian is the Duke of Halland, the former duchy of King Carl's beloved uncle Prince Bertil, whose former home Carl and Sofia currently live in with their children.

The couple were seen joking around and laughing before stepping into the event for the evening

Camera caught a candid moment between Sofia and Carl Philip as the couple prepared for the event

The parents-of-three did not seem too sorry to have felt their brood at home when they appeared on last night's red carpet

Meanwhile, Folke is one of the Kings middle names and was the name of the grandson of King Oscar II, who negotiated the release of around 31,000 prisoners from German concentration camps during the Second World War.

Unlike his older brothers, Prince Julian will not receive Royal Highness status after King Gustaf revoked the HRH style from the children of Sofia and Carl in October 2019.

While the children lost their positions in the Royal House and won't be expected to carry out senior royal duties, they will remain in the line of succession.

Prince Julian is the eighth grandchild of King Carl XVI Gustaf. Carl Philip is the only son and second child of Sweden's King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia

Carl Philip looked dashing in a navy blue suit, which he wore with a crisp while shirt and black leather shoes
An urgent cybersecurity warning is being issued to all U.S. companies. According to the FBI, a cybercriminal group is mailing organizations a parcel containing malicious USB drives that are laced with ransomware. These deliveries are made by impersonating the Department of Health and Human Services.

An unspecified number of companies reported receiving suspicious USB drives at their business address. This parcel contains a letter written by the Department of Health and Human Services about COVID-19 warnings. In some cases, the letter offers a gift card from Amazon. Be warned that plugging this USB into a device will infect it with malware.

Cybersecurity Warning: Ransomware Attack

ZDNet reported that the malicious program inside the USB drive is called "BadUSB" attacks. This is used to install ransomware on a victim's network so hackers can gain access to their system.

The BadUSB attack uses a creative strategy that exploits USB versatility. When plugged in, it emulates a keyboard to create keystrokes and commands that install the malware. This code will be integrated with the operating system booting, which could be used to spoof a network card or redirect traffic.

U.S. companies are primarily being targeted by these attacks so hacker groups can gain access to the organization's networks. Sources from ZDNet could not determine how many firms were compromised by this strategy.

For now, US companies are advised to practice caution when encountering suspicious parcels. FBI investigation teams said to "handle it with care to preserve DNA and fingerprints that may be obtainable from the package," per CNN.

FBI hopes that these parcels might have clues that can help them pursue the mastermind. The investigation is still progressing.

Read Also: Social Security Benefits Update: How to Check How Much You'll Get This January 2022?

FBI Investigation on USB Drive Ransomware

According to CNN, the FBI's initial investigation led them to believe that a prolific Eastern European cybercriminal group is behind this attack. Experts pinned the recent incidents to FIN7 operations.

It should be emphasized that FIN7 is notoriously infamous for its hacking schemes. They have been blamed for billions of dollar in losses in consumer and business sectors from the U.S. and abroad. At one point, the Justice Department accused them of stealing millions of credit card numbers from restaurants and hospitality chains across 47 states. It is safe to assume that they have the skills to launch these BadUSB attacks.

FBI warned that the BadUSB attacks are often installed on LILYGO-branded devices. These mails were reportedly shipped out as early as August last year.

ZDNet also warned that these tools can be used to deploy multiple ransomware strains like BlackMatter and REvil. So companies are advised to be very careful about this attack.

It is also worth noting that these attacks prompted discussions between the Biden Administration and Kremlin about the security and critical infrastructure of the digital industry. Hopefully, a few countermeasures might be set up against BadUSB in the coming days.



Related Article: iPhone Malware Security Warning: New Fake Shutdown Trick Lets Hackers Spy on You!
Any home cook knows the eye-watering frustration of cutting onions.

But crying in the kitchen could become a thing of the past as Waitrose are set to sell a variety of sweet onion that doesn't reduce cooks to tears across UK stores.

Grown in the US, Sunions are the first tearless and sweet onion variety, perfect for those with sensitive eyes as well as cooking in the kitchen with children.

Grown in the US, Sunions are the first tearless and sweet onion variety, perfect for those with sensitive eyes as well as cooking in the kitchen with children

The mild flavour makes them perfect for use in cooking while they can also be used raw in a salad, Waitrose say.

Paul Bidwell, Onion Buyer at Waitrose told FEMAIL: 'We understand how a-peeling tearless onions are to our customers which is why we're delighted to launch Sunions in selected stores and via Waitrose.com from 18th January.

'Ideal for taking the tears out of the kitchen, the sweetness of this type of onion lends itself perfectly to a variety of dishes, from salads to hot.

Sunions rare created through natural cross-breeding rather than genetic modification.

The mild flavour makes them perfect for use in cooking while they can also be used raw in a salad, Waitrose say.

Onions cause eyes to eater because the vegetable causes dangerous sulfenic acid to form in our eyes.

Why do onions make you cry? Onions produce a chemical irritant known as syn-propanethial-S-oxide. It stimulates the eyes' lachrymal glands so they release tears. While that may sound serious, the chemical will only ever irritate your eyes, it won't ever cause any permanent damage. Some people have more sensitive lachrymal glands than others, Cooling down an onion will work - because the chemical is more potent at room temperature - or wearing goggles, but nothing else so long as the irritant has access to your eye. Advertisement

However the amount of acid caused by the chemical that the onion releases is so small that it only irritates our eyes, which is why we often cry when chopping them up.

When an onion is cut, it has a natural defence mechanism that springs into action, producing a compound that irritate the eyes

By analysing the crystal structure of a chemical in the onion, a 2017 study found exactly how a particular enzyme in onions helps the tear-inducing compound take effect.

Sunions don't release as much lachrymatory-factor synthase  a volatile compound that forms sulphuric acid when it comes into contact with the water in your eyes, triggering the body to produce tears  when they're chopped.

Sunions didnt happen by accident and are a product of more than three decades of farming, research and development.

Their website reads: 'Sunions are currently grown only in Nevada and Washington.

'Their tearless quality and incredible flavour profile that is consistently sweet, mild and crunchy is all thanks to a tightly-controlled brand promise that Sunions must be certified to be both tearless and sweet before shipping to grocery stores.'
Exposure to second-hand nicotine from vaping doubles the risk of young adults wheezing, researchers have warned.

Using a vape, or an e-cigarette, has become increasingly popular in recent years  but little is known about the possible health effects of secondhand exposure to the vapour expelled by the devices.

A new study has found it is linked to a heightened risk of coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath in young people who don't smoke or vape themselves.

And the findings could become part of 'compelling rationale' for banning the use of e-cigarettes and other vaping devices in public spaces, the scientists said.

But UK experts have questioned the findings, saying there is not enough evidence to prove the relationship between secondhand vaping and breathing problems.

A team from the University of California analysed information provided by more than 2,000 participants in the Southern California Children's Health Study.

This study collected detailed annual information on respiratory health, active and secondhand nicotine vaping, and conventional tobacco and cannabis smoke exposure in the household from 2014.

US scientists have found secondhand smoke from vapes and e-cigarettes is linked to a heightened risk of coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath in young people

The participants, who had an average age of 17, were followed for five years until 2019.

The researchers recorded whether the children had bronchitic symptoms - for example a daily cough in the morning for three consecutive months, congestion that wasn't linked to a cold, or had bronchitis - whether they reported wheezing and if they experienced shortness of breath.

Results, published in the journal Thorax, revealed those exposed to secondhand nicotine from vaping - and did not smoke or vape themselves - were more than twice as likely to report wheezing compared to those who hadn't been exposed.

Men who use e-cigarettes more than twice as likely to suffer erectile dysfunction than non-smokers Men who vape or use e-cigarettes are more than twice as likely to suffer erectile dysfunction, a new study has suggested. American researchers surveyed nearly 14,000 men over the age of 20 and found those who used the devices had a 2.4 times higher chance of impotence than non-smokers. While the study did not prove the link, the experts believe a high level of nicotine in vaping liquid reduces blood flow to the penis by hampering the ability of blood vessels to dilate. And even fluids without nicotine contain chemicals that may reduce the amount of testosterone circulating in the body, researchers say. The team, from New York's Grossman School of Medicine and Johns Hopkins University, said men should be warned about the potential impact vaping could have on their love life  as England gets ready to become the first country in the world to prescribe e-cigarettes to help smokers quit. About one in five men in the UK and US are believed to suffer from impotence and with it becoming more common as men age, with over half of cases in the over 50s. Advertisement

They were also three times as likely to report bronchitic symptoms, and twice as likely to report shortness of breath.

Participants who had been exposed to secondhand nicotine vaping during any of the study years were also more likely to actively use tobacco or cannabis products themselves or to have been exposed to secondhand smoking.

The researchers said their study was observational, meaning they cannot say for certain that being around secondhand nicotine from vaping caused the increased likelihood of symptoms.

But if this could be proved in further studies a ban on using e-cigarettes in public places would be warranted, they said.

'This study is the first to describe the negative effects of secondhand nicotine vape exposure on respiratory symptoms,' they wrote.

'If causal, reduction of secondhand e-cigarette exposure in the home would reduce the burden of respiratory symptoms and would provide a compelling rationale for regulation of e-cigarette use in public places.

'Ultimately, this is a public health concern that - if not addressed - has the potential to negatively affect our population, including those who are most vulnerable.'

But UK experts have questioned the study's findings. Professor Peter Hajek, director of the Tobacco Dependence Research Unit at Queen Mary University of London said one of the problems was the majority of participants were themselves smokers.

'One of the problems in considering the association to be causal is that almost all participants smoked or vaped themselves and/or lived with people who also smoke (208 out of 223),' he said.

'Surprisingly, no data on the association between the respiratory questionnaire and smoking are presented.'

He added the there was also no evidence that secondhand vapour from vapes and e-cigarettes posed a public health risk.

'While health risks of e-cigarettes to vapers themselves have been estimated at up to 5 per cent of health risks of smoking, health risks to bystanders are most likely reduced by a much bigger margin, and most likely altogether,' he said.

'This is because e-cigarettes release no chemicals into the environment themselves, only what users exhale, and such exhalation has so far not been shown to generate any toxicants at levels that could conceivably affect the health of bystanders.'

Professor Lion Shaba, an expert in health psychology at the University of London, said the study's findings were worrying and deserved further investigation.

However, he added that the study did not consider several factors which could influence the results.

'For instance, the measure of exposure was limited to the household of young adults and did not include exposure that may occur outside the household, e.g., during socialising with friends, neither did the study control for the type of housing or measure socioeconomic position,' he said.

'Further, own use of products was not assessed as a lifetime measure but restricted to use in the last 30 days. Respiratory symptoms can persist even after stopping product use for a month, and it would have been preferable to assess own use of products over a longer time horizon.'

The findings come as e-cigarettes may soon be prescribed on the NHS to help smokers quit as part of a radical plan to slash smoking rates in England.

Regulators have published updated guidance that paves the way for medicinally licensed e-cigarette products to be prescribed for tobacco smokers who want to stop smoking and switch to vaping instead.

The move could see England become the first country in the world to prescribe medicinally licensed e-cigarettes, currently used by about 3.6 million adults.
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As many as 40 percent of Americans could be infected with COVID-19 during the Omicron variant-fueled surge hitting the US, an expert says, as the nation logs a record 1.4 million infections in a single day. However, deaths caused by the variant remain low and are not growing at anywhere near the same rate as cases. Signs from the UK also show the variant could burn out in the near future.

Dr Scott Gottlieb, former chief of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), told CNBC's Squawk Box on Tuesday that the variant is infecting around one percent of Americans every day, and around ten percent of the population is actively infected at any given point.

'You look at places like New York, Washington, DC, Connecticut, New Jersey, the positivity rates starting to decline, so we're probably peaking in terms of the number of new daily cases,' he said.

'[Then it will] move west, it's gonna move to the Midwest and the plains [and we're] still going to see high caseload nationally.'

He predicts that between 30 to 40 percent of America's 330 million people will be infected by the time this current surge comes to an end. Gottlieb also projects that it may be a few weeks until the U.S. sees cases begin to decline, as the virus will slowly peak than recede in different regions of the country in the near-future.

Health officials reported Tuesday morning that the variant now accounts for an estimated 98 percent of cases in the U.S., up from 95 percent last week, and meaning that nearly all cases in the U.S. are of the strain that was only discovered months ago.

Over the past seven days, the U.S. has averaged 767,000 new cases per day, a metric that often smooths out spikes caused by reporting lags, which is the most the nation has averaged during the pandemic. The average, which was sitting at 235,269 cases two weeks ago, has more than tripled over the past 14 days.

Cases rose by 27 percent from the 1.171 million new cases recorded last Monday, January 3 - the prior one day record. That was also the first time that daily cases have passed the one million mark. Deaths this week increased by 12 percent, from the 1,688 recorded last Monday, according to a DailyMail.com analysis of Johns Hopkins University data.

It is yet another marker set during the US's Omicron-fueled virus surge. While signs are pointing to the variant slowly losing steam and peaking in the near future, one expert fears that nearly half of Americans will eventually be infected by the new strain.

States don't report complete case data over the weekend, which means infection and fatality figures slump on Saturday and Sunday, with Monday's numbers always including a backlog of cases. That also means that infection numbers will likely drop in the coming days.

On Monday, the United States reached a new record for number of Americans hospitalized with the COVID, with more than 146,000 people currently admitted with the virus, higher than the 132,051 record set in January last year.

Despite rising hospitalizations, not as many Americans are dying from the virus as they were in previous surges, and not all of these hospitalizations are directly caused by the virus. Many people who go to the hospital for reason outside of Covid, such as injury or other ailments, are being tested while there.

In England, which the US often follow at least two weeks behind in terms of trends, cases are actually declining. The nation was struck hard and early by the Omicron variant, but the new strain seems to be burning out. Infections have dropped by 45 percent over the past week, the largest drop the nation has recorded since the new strain first caused an outbreak last year. Deaths in the country have remained relatively flat as well.

Cases in South Africa, the first nation to experience a surge of the variant last year, have plummeted. The country is recording around 7,500 new cases per day, a sharp decline from the 23,000 cases reached at the peak of the nation's surge.

The CDC reports that the Omicron variant accounts for 98% of new cases in the U.S., entirely taking over the Delta variant within two months of its discovery in late November

The US recorded 1,485,764 new COVID cases on Monday, according to a DailyMail.com analysis of Johns Hopkins data. Above, a mobile testing site in Brooklyn on Monday

Deaths, however, climbed by just 12 percent to 1,906. Above, a person waits for a COVID test in the snow in Boston on Friday

Cars line up at a Bluewater Diagnostic COVID testing site in Louisville, Kentucky on Monday

The lower death counts continue to spark hopes that the Omicron surge, and its associated closures and interruptions, will soon end. Above, a New York City teacher rallies for increased COVID safety measures in schools on Monday

In the US, deaths are growing at a slower rate with 1,679 Americans dying from the virus every day - an 11 percent increase from two weeks ago. This signals either the effectiveness of the vaccines, or the more mild nature of the new strain.

Omicron cases are continuing to rise in the U.S but deaths caused by the virus are not following at the same rate, signaling the variant that has ground much of America to a standstill is not making people as sick as the Delta variant.

On Sunday, Dr Walensky, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), appeared on Fox News, and failed to answer whether or not many deaths currently being attributed to the virus actually have other causes. She also told ABC's Good Morning America last week that 75 percent of people who have died from the Omicron variant in the U.S. have at least four comorbidities - in what she called 'encouraging news'.

The data she cited was from a massive study that included 1.2 million people who were vaccinated from the start of the shots' availability in December 2020 to October 2021. Of the study group, only 39, or 0.015 percent, died of Covid after vaccination. And of that group, nearly all had at least four risk factors.

It is a promising study that highlights the importance and effectiveness of the Covid vaccines. Deaths among vaccinated people are rare, and almost all mortality can be prevented.

The US also surpassed 60 million total cases of the virus as of Monday morning according to Johns Hopkins University, another grim milestone for the country. As of Tuesday morning, Johns Hopkins University reports that America has recorded 61.5 million Covid cases and 839,500 deaths from the virus since the pandemic first began in early 2020.

New York on Monday recorded 54,749 new COVID cases - around the same as last Monday, when 51,698 cases were confirmed

On Monday, New York state alone recorded 54,749 new COVID-19 cases, marking an apparent stabilization of the virus, with 51,698 cases recorded the previous Monday.

Kathy Hochul, the governor of New York, gave rise to hope that perhaps the Omicron surge has plateaued in her state, as it has in the United Kingdom.

In South Africa, where it was first detected, the outbreak has peaked and is now rapidly declining.

On Monday, Hochul confirmed 12,022 hospitalizations - a rise from the 9,563 reported last Monday.

She reported 135 deaths in her state; an increase from the 103 people who died last Monday.

'We have the tools to fight this winter surge, and how quickly we turn the corner will depend on our actions,' said Hochul.

'Please get your second dose if you haven't already, and get the booster if you're eligible.

'Parents and guardians, please get your children vaccinated.

'Wear a mask to help stop the spread, and stay home if you aren't feeling well.

'Let's learn from the lessons of the past and finally put this winter surge behind us.'

Nationwide, the picture was less encouraging - but with New York the frequent bellwether, there was still hope that the surge will be as rapid but brief as experts hope.

The record surge began in December, only weeks after the new variant was discovered by South African health officials. Omicron is the most infectious strain of the virus yet, and its ability to evade vaccine immunity has presented additional challenges.

Kathy Hochul, the governor of New York, revealed new data on Monday showing the COVID cases were plateauing in her state - giving hope for other beleaguered states

Rhode Island is now the leader in daily case rate, with America's smallest state now recording 418 infections per every 100,000 residents every day. The state takes the dubious honor long held by New York and New Jersey. The Ocean state is recording a high volume of cases despite one of the highest vaccination rates in America, with 77 percent of residents having received their shots. Cases in the state have more that tripled over the past two weeks.

New York has the second highest case rate, with 379 of every 100,000 residents testing positive for the virus every day. Right behind it is neighboring New Jersey, at 357 cases for every 100,000 residents. Both states have struggled more than any others with the Omicron variant, mainly because of the rampant spread of cases in New York City, and many commuting from the Big Apple into other parts of the state and into Jersey.

Massachusetts is the fourth and final state to be recording more than 300 cases per every 100,000 residents, with 354 of every 100,000 testing positive daily.

All four of the states dealing with the highest case rates in America have vaccination rates over 70 percent, showing the ability for the now dominant Omicron strain to evade protection provided by the jabs. As a testament to the vaccines, and their ability to prevent death in cases of breakthrough infection, none of the states recording the most cases find themselves among the state with the 15 highest death rates.

While northeastern states are recording the highest case rates, the actual growth in Covid cases in those states has slowed. Many of them were hit early by Omicron, experiencing surges of the variant in early to mid-December. The variant already seems to be losing steam, though, and growth is slowing. Some experts are hopeful that the peak is being neared for the hardest struck states so far, and cases will soon begin to decline.

Cases are rampantly rising elsewhere in the country, though, as the variant leaves the northeast and starts its tear elsewhere.

The U.S. South has become the most recent hotspot for the virus, and lower vaccination rates in the region have allowed it to spread even faster than it did in their peer states up north.

South Carolina is currently the nationwide leader in case growth over the past two weeks, with new cases jumping 759 percent over the past two weeks. The state has a vaccination rate of only 54 percent

Many other nearby states like Mississippi (483 percent case growth over past two weeks), North Carolina (479 percent), Arkansas (550 percent) and Alabama (483 percent) are also among national leaders in case growth over the past two weeks.

California has seen its cases increase nearly seven-fold over the past two weeks, up 597 percent in 14 days. To the north, Oregon has experienced similar growth of 577 percent. Utah has also experienced a 570 percent increase during the same period.

The Midwest and great plains first dealt with Covid surges in October, as early cold weather months struck them harder than the rest of the nation. Cases quickly declined afterwards, though, and it looked like winter would not be as brutal for the region as everywhere else at some points.

Case trends have quickly reversed, though. Now, states like Montana (469 percent growth over the past two weeks), Wyoming (466 percent) and South Dakota (413 percent) find themselves among those with the highest case growth in the country.

The states experiencing the most cases, or the most case growth, are not those that are bearing the burden of deaths, though.

Indiana is currently experiencing the most deaths in America by a large margin. The Hoosier state is the only one to record more than 1.2 deaths per every 100,000 residents, at 1.51.

Three other states are experiencing more than one Covid death for every 100,000 residents every day, Delaware (1.16 out of every 100,000 residents), Wyoming (1.14) and New Mexico (1.05).

Worldwide, nearly ten million people have tested positive for the virus over the past week alone. Some believe this rampant spread of the virus will lead to it becoming 'endemic' - reaching the stage the common flu is at where it is ever-present, yet controllable for the most part.

Officials at the World Health Organization warn that this may not be the case, though, due to the unpredictable nature of Covid and the constant mutations of the virus.

Dr Catherine Smallwood, Covid-19 incident manager at the WHO Health Emergencies Programme, said during a news briefing Tuesday that the virus is 'way off' from becoming endemic.

'But what we're seeing at the moment coming into 2022 is nowhere near that, we still have a huge amount of uncertainty, we still have a virus that's evolving quite quickly and posing quite new challenges,' she said.

'So we're certainly not at the point of being able to call it endemic,'

'It may become endemic in due course, but pinning that down to 2022 is a little bit difficult at this stage... all of this of course depends on how we respond to it and widespread vaccination uptake on an equitable basis will be very, very key in moving towards such a scenario.'

Albert Bourla, CEO of Pfizer, says that the world should be able to control Covid and even return to normal in the future - but only if people receive an annual vaccine, but it could require a decade of annual vaccination - signaling it could become endemic within the next decade.

Pfizer - which produces the most commonly used vaccine in America and in much of the world, has benefitted greatly from the sale of its joint vaccine project with the German company BioNTech.

Bourla appeared on CNBC's 'The Squawk Box' Monday morning to discuss the future of the Covid pandemic and the role his company can play in fighting it. His statements come as the virus tears through the U.S. for a second consecutive January, and national health leaders go all-in on vaccines as a strategy to fight Covid.

American health leaders, like Dr Walensky and Dr Anthony Fauci of the National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Disease, have centered vaccines in their fight against the virus - even in the wake of a vaccine resistant strain.

The CDC also plans to soon upgrade its recommendation for masks to only include N95 and KN95 masks, which are believed to be the most protective but are also in short supply in some parts of America. Recently revealed data shows that commonly used cloth masks are not very effective at preventing spread of the Omicron variant.

The number of Americans hospitalized with Covid is nearing record levels, reaching 130,000 this week

While the variant can evade the immunity provided by the initial vaccine regimens, experts have found that vaccine booster shots can re-establish some of those protections. Breakthrough infections are also more mild than those in unvaccinated people, and the Omicron variant is found to be a more mild strain, less likely to cause infection or death than other strains of the virus.

Because of the rise of Omicron, and the potential for future variants with similar vaccine resistant properties to arise as well, some fear Covid may never be fully ended. As long as the virus continues to mutate, it will always be able to find away around vaccines, and the protection people receive from the shots seems to wane in a matter of months anyways.

Bourla told CNBC that Covid will likely be around for the next ten years - if not longer - though it can be controlled with a robust booster campaign.

'We will have perfectly normal lives, with just injection maybe once a year,' he said.

Pfizer's vaccine has been deemed the gold standard worldwide, as the safest and most effective jab in the world. The shot has been administered over 300 million times in the U.S., almost 60 percent of total shots distributed, and is the only shot available to minors.

A top scientist at the pharmaceutical company also told Insider on Monday that testing for its Omicron-specific variant would begin trials by the end of January, and the shot could be available as early as March. Current plans have the dosage of this new shot being larger than that of the standard Pfizer vaccine.

The Omicron Covid variant could be less deadly than the flu Omicron could be even less deadly than flu, scientists believe in a boost to hopes that the worst of the pandemic is over. MailOnline analysis shows Covid killed one in 33 people who tested positive at the peak of the devastating second wave last January, compared to just one in 670 now. But experts believe the figure could be even lower because of Omicron. The case fatality rate  the proportion of confirmed infections that end in death  for seasonal influenza is 0.1, the equivalent of one in 1,000. Meanwhile, researchers at Washington University modelling the next stage of the pandemic expect Omicron to kill up to 99 per cent fewer people than Delta, in another hint it could be less deadly than flu. But UK Government advisers estimated the overall figure stood at around 0.25 per cent before Omicron burst onto the scene, down from highs of around 1.5 per cent before the advent of life-saving vaccines. If Omicron is 99 per cent less lethal than Delta, it suggests the current IFR could be as low as 0.0025 per cent, the equivalent of one in 40,000, although experts say this is unlikely. Instead, the Washington modelling estimates the figure actually sits in the region of 0.07 per cent, meaning approximately one in 1,430 people who get infected will succumb to the illness. Advertisement

Getting a handle on America's Covid situation has become a challenge in recent weeks. Long lags in reporting combined with testing shortages have led to the current case count constantly fluctuating, and likely being lower than actual totals. Hospitalizations and deaths, on the other hand, could be overcounted, with many being hospitalized or dying from another cause extraneously being listed as a death from the virus.

According to data from Johns Hopkins, the U.S. is averaging 709,850 new cases every day, and 1,648 deaths per day. Since the pandemic began, America has suffered 60 million infections and over 837,000 deaths.

Things may soon change, though, if America follows the path of England. Across the pond, cases have dropped by six percent over the past week. Hospitalizations have slightly risen by 3.3 percent over the past week, and at only 130 deaths per day, the mortality rate of the new variant has dropped as well.

British health experts confirmed on Tuesday that the mortality rate of this year's surge is 21-fold lower than it was during the massive surge that struck the country last year. This is a testament to both the mild nature of the Omicron variant, and the effectiveness of the Covid vaccines and booster shots.

London, once a global hotspot of the new variant, now finds not of its boroughs among the 25 in England with the largest Covid outbreaks - another positive sign that the new strain is burning out.

The most vulnerable Britons, those over the age of 60, are seeing cases decline, and an increasing number of cases are among younger, healthier people under the age of 30.

A MailOnline.com analysis on English data finds the new strain could be very mild, even potentially more mild than the flu. Currently in the UK, around 0.15 percent of Covid cases are fatal, compared to 0.1 percent of flu cases. While one in every 1,000 people who catch the flu die, a Washington University analysis finds that one in every 1,400 people who catch Omicron will succumb to the virus.

A DailyMail.com analysis of data in the U.S. finds that around 0.23 percent of cases are fatal, though many Covid cases in America are going entirely undetected - which would bring that figure down even further.

Data from the CDC from the 2019 to 2020 flu season - before the pandemic - found that 30 million Americans suffered a symptomatic case of the virus that year. Around 20,000 died, or a death rate of 0.05 percent.

Some experts are hopeful that the high infectiousness of the variant, combined with the relatively mild symptoms of Omicron could mean that the pandemic is soon coming to a close. Dr Jim Baker, an immunologist at the University of Michigan, wrote in blog that the virus is showing similar signs to the 2011 flu pandemic that it will burn out soon.

'We have been focused on number of infections with COVID-19 because of the very sensitive and accurate diagnostic tests (PCR) we have developed,' he said.

'In contrast, as we look at the end of the pandemic, we now need to focus less on infections and more on deaths. That is truly the important marker of a pandemic's impact and the only comparable measure to the 1918 flu epidemic where there were no diagnostic tests.'

A record of 132,646 Americans are currently hospitalized with Covid, the highest point of the pandemic so far. Despite this recent increase in cases and hospitalizations, deaths remain low, signaling the Omicron variant may not be very severe. Pictured: A New Hampshire nurse in an isolated Covid ward

'In the 1917 flu pandemic, after the initial burst of infections and deaths, two waves of deaths followed, each one less impactful. This is how pandemics end; two 'echo' waves each being less and less significant. It is because in each wave the most susceptible individuals have been killed off as the rest of the population develops immunity. A similar pattern was seen in the 2011 Influenza A pandemic and it has now emerged with COVID-19. This pattern shows the COVID-19 pandemic is burning out.'

Denmark emerged as an early Omicron hotspot. Cases in the Nordic nation reached a record of over 20,000 per day at the start of the year, but dipped back down to 19,000 this week - signaling the variant may have peaked in the country.

Other countries have not been as lucky as Denmark and England, though. In Germany, cases are on the rise to start the year after declining for much of January. The country is averaging 44,000 cases per day, approaching the record of around 57,000 per day set late last year.

France's rocketing rise in Covid cases continues as well, up to nearly 300,000 per day, up from around 70,000 cases per day only two weeks ago.
Breastfeeding mothers face a smaller risk of heart problems and strokes later in life, research suggests.

The benefits of breast milk for babies have long been established, with it known to prime their immune system and lower their risk of disease.

But now researchers in Austria claim breastfeeding may also provide a significant health boost for new mothers.

Eight studies of 1.2million mothers found those who breastfed were 14 per cent less likely to get heart disease than women who never breastfed and stuck to formula.

The review also found they were 12 per cent less likely to suffer a stroke further down the line.

The team did not reveal the optimal length of time for women to breastfeed to be at reduced risk for heart disease and strokes, but the World Health Organization (WHO) advises women to exclusively breastfeed newborns for six months.

And they did not identify a mechanism thought to be behind the reduced risk among breastfeeding mothers, meaning other lifestyle factors could have played a role.

Lead researcher Dr Peter Willeit said he hoped more women would choose to breastfeed knowing it could benefit them too.

Dr Willeit, an epidemiologist at Medical University of Innsbruck, said society must 'encourage and support' women by creating breastfeeding-friendly work spaces.

Despite endless Government campaigns promoting it, Britain has one of the worst breastfeeding rates in Europe. Just one in 100 new mothers exclusively breastfeed their child for the first six months.

A review by Austrian researchers of eight studies that included 1.2million women found breastfeeding mothers were 14 per cent less likely to develop coronary heart disease, while 12 per cent fewer had strokes

The graph shows the risk of four cardiovascular conditions - cardiovascular disease (top left), coronary heart disease (top right), stroke (bottom left) and dying from cardiovascular disease (bottom right) - among women in relation to how long they breastfed for. The different coloured circles correspond to findings from the different studies examined by the researchers. Anything below the straight horizontal line (which shows the risk for mothers who did not breastfeed) indicates a reduced risk from the conditions. The team found women who breastfed had an 11 per cent reduce risk of developing CVD, 14 per cent reduction in the likelihood of developing CHD, 12 per cent drop in the risk of having a stroke and were 17 per cent less likely to die from CVD

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF BREASTFEEDING? Any amount of breastfeeding is beneficial, but exclusively breastfeeding your baby for six months offers the most benefit for babies and mothers. Benefits for newborns include: Reduces their risk of infections, with fewer visits to hospital as a result, diarrhoea and vomiting, sudden infant death syndrome, obesity and cardiovascular disease in adulthood

Reduce rates of respirtatory, ear, chest and gut infections

May reduce the baby's chance of getting childhood leukaemia Benefits for mothers are: Reducing uterus size: after having a baby, the uterus will gradually get smaller, but breastfeeding will help speed this up

Bonding with newborn: breastfeeding can help mothers strengthen the bond with their baby

Protects health: lowers the risk of breast cancer, ovarian cancer, weak bones, diabetes and cardiovascular disease Source: NHS Advertisement

For comparison, the researchers said a quarter of infants in the US are breastfed for the first six months.

A separate study by Swansea University found eight in 10 mothers give up breastfeeding because of pain, public attitudes and a lack of support.

For youngsters, breastfeeding has been shown to reduce rates of respiratory, ear, chest and gut infections and death from infectious diseases.

And studies have found mothers who breastfeed are at lower risk from type two diabetes, ovarian cancer and breast cancer.

But earlier studies linking breastfeeding with reduced rates of heart disease and strokes among mothers have been inconsistent.

For their latest study, researchers examined studies conducted between 1986 and 2009 in Australia, China, Norway, Japan, the US and internationally.

They examined how breastfeeding impacted the mothers' cardiovascular risk.

More than eight in 10 of the participants had breastfed, meaning the other 18 per cent had never.

Comparing the two groups, mothers who breastfed were 11 per cent less likely to develop cardiovascular disease  conditions related to the heart or blood vessels  and 17 per cent less likely to die from the disease.

They were also 14 per cent less likely to develop coronary heart disease and 12 per cent less likely to have a stroke.

And those who breastfed for a year or more over the course of their life were less likely to develop cardiovascular disease compared to those who did not breastfeed.

The researchers said their review was limited by the lack of data on women who breastfed for more than two years, as this data would have enabled them to calculate better risk estimates.

Dr Shelley Miyamoto, a chair at the American Heart Association, said: 'While the benefits of breastfeeding for infants and children are well established, mothers should be further encouraged to breastfeed their infants knowing that they are improving the health of their child and improving their own health as well

'Raising awareness regarding the multifaceted benefits of breastfeeding could be particularly helpful to those mothers who are debating breast vs. bottle feeding.

'It should be particularly empowering for a mother to know that by breastfeeding she is providing the optimal nutrition for her baby while simultaneously lowering her personal risk of heart disease.'
The COVID-19 pandemic is 'still a way off' from endemicity, World Health Organization (WHO) scientist Dr Catherine Smallwood said at a news conference on Tuesday.

Smallwood cited uncertainty coming into 2022 and the coronavirus' ability to evolve quickly as major reasons for the world being far off from Covid circulating through the world at broadly acceptable levels.

The world reported a record 9.5 million new Covid cases last week - and 1.4 million cases were reported in the U.S. on Monday alone, with outbreaks driven by the Omicron variant.

Despite the current uncertainty, Pfizer and other vaccine companies are preparing for the virus to become endemic. Pfizer's CEO said Monday that he expects Americans to soon have 'perfectly normal lives' with regular vaccinations.

WHO scientist Dr Catherine Smallwood (pictured) said on Tuesday that Covid is 'nowhere near' becoming endemic as the virus circulates globally at very high levels

The WHO has reported about 306 million Covid cases since the beginning of the pandemic - with a record nearly 10 million reported over a single week in early January

'Endemic' is an epidemiology term, referring to a situation in which an infectious disease is controlled at a level that the population considers acceptable.

The disease may still be circulating broadly through a population, but it's doing so in a way that public health experts can easily understand and respond to.

'What level is 'acceptable' differs from place to place, over time & between diseases, and it may not always be explicit,' wrote Dr Ellie Murray, epidemiologist at Boston University, in a Twitter thread discussing Covid endemicity.

'But when a disease is endemic, there is a threshold!' she said.

This 'threshold' is a number of infections that society considers manageable without requiring a public health emergency.

For highly harmful diseases, like polio, this threshold is a pretty low number of cases. But for other diseases that pose less danger to people, the threshold can be higher.

'Up to 80 percent of US adults are infected by the virus that causes cold sores (aka oral herpes)!' Murray said.

'But public health takes *nearly* no action, except to protect infants.'

Vaccines and treatments for Covid may mean that, in the coming months, severe symptoms associated with the disease will become very rare - so high numbers of people could get infected while the disease is in endemic status.

Public health leaders in the U.S. and other countries will need to identify a threshold - likely a combination of case numbers, vaccinations, and other metrics - that constitutes endemicity for Covid.

But as of early January, Covid is pretty far off from shifting to endemic status, a WHO scientist said on Tuesday.

Dr Catherine Smallwood is a senior emergency officer and incident manager for Covid at the WHO's Health Emergencies Programme.

She said Covid is 'still a way off' from endemicity at a virtual WHO Europe press conference, CNN reported.

'What we're seeing at the moment coming into 2022 is nowhere near that [endemic status],' Smallwood said.

'We still have a huge amount of uncertainty, we still have a virus that's evolving quite quickly and posing quite new challenges.'

'So we're certainly not at the point of being able to call it endemic,' she said.

The Omicron variant is a key example of this uncertainty and evolution.

Before it was identified in late November, many virology experts predicted that the next big variant would evolve out of Delta - which dominated the U.S. and the world for most of 2021.

Omicron seemed to emerge out of nowhere, prompting suggestions that it may have come from a long infection in an immunocompromised person, or even from an animal host.

The variant has driven Covid cases to record levels both in the U.S. and globally.

The world reported 9.5 million new cases in the week ending January 6, according to the WHO - a 71 percent increase from the previous week.

Even so, the WHO believes this number is an underestimate, due to delayed testing results over the New Years holiday.

'The tsunami of cases is so huge and quick that it is overwhelming health systems around the world,' WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said at a recent news briefing.

Millions of those 9.5 million cases were reported in the U.S. alone.

The country broke records on January 3 when it reported over one million new cases - then smashed that record one week later, reporting over 1.4 million cases on Monday.

'[Covid] may become endemic in due course, but pinning that down to 2022 is a little bit difficult at this stage,' Smallwood said.

'All of this of course depends on how we respond to it and widespread vaccination uptake on an equitable basis will be very, very key in moving towards such a scenario,' she added.

Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla expects the coronavirus to continue circulating for years - but it can be controlled with regular vaccines, he said on CNBC

The WHO has previously called for the U.S. and other rich nations to avoid giving out booster shots in order to prioritize first and second doses for the rest of the world.

Still, pharmaceutical companies are preparing for endemicity in the U.S., anticipating that future vaccine doses will be needed to achieve this status.

Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla said he expects the coronavirus to continue circulating wildly for up to ten years, speaking on CNBC's Squawk Box on Monday.

'But we can have it perfectly controlled,' he said, thanks to vaccines and therapeutics that are adjusted as the virus mutates.

'We will have perfectly normal lives, with just injection maybe once a year.' Bourla said.

'And the pill, that in case we are sick, will help us make [Covid] like the flu rather than a life-threatening disease.'
A new nasal spray treatment may be able to give high-risk people immunity from COVID-19 for a short period of time.

The treatment, under development by scientists at the University of Helsinki, in Finland, has shown an ability to block coronavirus infection for up to eight hours in lab studies.

It hasn't yet been tested in humans and the lab studies are not yet peer reviewed.

This nasal spray is intended for use by immunocompromised patients and others with severe vulnerabilities to Covid.

It works by blocking the virus from replicating in the nose and, in lab studies, has performed well against all variants - unlike popular monoclonal antibody treatments that are less effective against Omicron.

While the treatment can't replace vaccines, it can provide additional protection for those who need the extra immune system boost and may be a basis for other future treatments.

A new nasal spray developed by researchers at the University of Helsinki may be able to prevent infection in immunocompromised patients (file image)

In lab studies, the treatment was able to prevent the virus from replicating - for several different variants, including Delta and Omicron

Immunocompromised people have weakened immune systems due to cancer treatment, organ transplants, HIV infections, and other conditions.

These people are highly vulnerable to severe Covid symptoms - and the typical vaccine series may not give their immune systems enough of a boost to effectively protect against the virus.

As a result, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that all immunocompromised Americans over age five receive an additional vaccine dose.

In the coming months, the agency may also recommend that immunocompromised people get a fourth shot.

Israel has already recommended fourth doses for immunocompromised residents, as well as healthcare workers and adults over age 60.

In addition to continued vaccinations, many researchers are now pursuing treatments specifically for immunocompromised and other high-risk people that can supplement vaccination.

For example, in December, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized a monoclonal antibody treatment made by AstraZeneca that's designed to prevent Covid infection in high-risk patients.

A new nasal spray treatment, under development by scientists at the University of Helsinki, may also become a useful option for these patients.

The treatment was described in a preprint posted in late December, which has not yet been peer reviewed.

'Its prophylactic use is meant to protect from SARS-CoV-2 infection,' Kalle Saksela, virologist at the University of Helsinki and lead author on the study, told Gizmodo in an email.

'However, it is not a vaccine, nor meant to be an alternative for vaccines,' Saksela said, 'but rather to complement vaccination for providing additional protection for successfully vaccinated individuals in high-risk situations, and especially for immunocompromised persons - for example, those receiving immunosuppressive therapy.'

The new drug builds on previous research showing that tissue inside the nose is a prime spot for the coronavirus to replicate.

After multiplying in the nose, the virus typically progresses through the respiratory tract to the lungs - where it causes more severe symptoms.

As a result, sending anti-Covid antibodies straight into the nose can stop the virus from replicating at the earliest possible stage of disease.

The nasal spray treatment uses lab-made antibodies developed based on a piece of the virus that has not changed through different variants and viral strains

The Helsinki researchers' treatment uses a type of lab-made antibodies, similar to monoclonal antibodies.

Unlike monoclonal antibodies, however, the immune system particles used in the treatment are smaller and more versatile.

These antibodies are engineered from a piece of the virus that has hardly changed across different variants and viral strains.

To increase the nasal spray's potential for neutralizing Covid, the researchers packed three of these antibodies together into one drug.

The researchers first tested their drug against pseudoviruses - lab-made viruses that mimic the coronavirus.

In this test, the drug was able to stop viral replication in the original Wuhan strain, as well as the Beta, Delta, and Omicron variants.

Next, the researchers tested the drug against human cells in cell culture. Once again, it was able to neutralize several different coronavirus variants.

Finally, the researchers tested the drug in mice - administering the nasal spray to lab mice, then following it up with nasal inoculations of the coronavirus.

Among the mice that didn't receive treatment, the coronavirus spread through their nasal cavities, respiratory tracts, and lungs.

Among the mice that did receive the nasal spray, the coronavirus didn't spread at all - these animals were 'entirely free of viral antigen' and didn't show symptoms, the researchers wrote.

The treatment was able to protect the mice from coronavirus infection for up to eight hours, the researchers found.

This study has yet to be peer reviewed, and many more steps are needed before the nasal spray can be tested in humans.

The spray could be considered a drug by some countries' regulatory agencies and a medical device by others, which may complicate the process for getting it approved.

Lead author Saksela was optimistic about the drug's potential in an interview with Gizmodo.

'This technology is cheap and highly manufacturable, and the inhibitor works equally well against all variants,' he said.

'It works also against the now-extinct SARS virus, so it might well also serve as an emergency measure against possible new coronaviruses (SARS-CoV-3 and -4).'

The monoclonal antibody treatments commonly used in the U.S. are less effective against Omicron than they were against past virus strains.

This nasal spray, however, should be effective against Omicron and other new variants, because it's based on a part of the virus that has not changed during mutation.

In addition to Covid treatments, the Helsinki researchers may pursue similar sprays for other respiratory infections.
The local government in Ontario, Canada may soon require hospitals to rehire unvaccinated workers due to intense staff shortages as cases rise in the region.

The Ontario Hospital Association warned the government that it should allow current staff vaccination mandates to stay in place, local outlet the Ottawa Citizen reported on Tuesday.

Vaccine requirements help prevent outbreaks in the hospital, said Anthony Dale, head of the hospital association - and rehiring unvaccinated employees would put patients and staff at risk.

While a small number of unvaccinated workers were fired in 2021 due to hospital vaccination requirements, Dale said, the firings didn't have a major impact on staffing.

In the U.S., similar staff shortages at hospitals are leading some facilities to ask staff to come into work when they've recently tested positive for COVID-19.

Ontario's provincial government may ask hospitals to rehire unvaccinated workers, according to local reports. Pictured: A nurse checks on a Covid patient in the ICU of Humber River Hospital in Toronto, Ontario, April 2021

The number of Covid hospitals in Ontario ICUs is rising rapidly, with a record 80 adults admitted in a single day on Monday

Like the U.S., Canada is currently facing a major Covid surge driven by the highly contagious Omicron variant.

The country is currently reporting about 40,000 new cases a day - more than four times higher than the previous record, 9,000 cases a day.

As cases surge, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended that Americans avoid traveling to Canada.

On Monday, the CDC moved Canada to 'Level 4' - the highest danger level - of its Covid travel advisory recommendations.

Ontario, the nation's most populous province, is one of the regions that's been hardest hit by the Omicron surge.

There are more than 3,200 people hospitalized with Covid across the province, as of Tuesday - a record high.

The region also reported record intensive care unit admissions, with 80 adults admitted to ICUs for Covid treatment on Monday.

At the same time, hospitals in the region are facing staff shortages as healthcare workers themselves become infected with Omicron.

The province's health minister, Christine Elliott, recently announced that the government will send in nurses trained internationally to address the shortages.

Ontario's leaders are also considering a new requirement for hospitals in the region that would force them to rehire unvaccinated workers.

The majority of hospitals in Ontario currently mandate vaccination for all staff, though the province allows employers to use regular testing as an alternative to inoculation.

These requirements led to a small number of workers getting fired - and these workers could be rehired by their former employers if the new policy is enacted.

Hospital workers in Ontario who were fired for refusing vaccination could be rehired under the potential new policy. Pictured: A patient is unloaded and rolled into the emergency department at a hospital in Mississauga, Ontario, January 2022

While it's unclear how likely it is that the local government will go ahead with the policy, the Ontario Hospital Association put out a statement on Tuesday arguing against it.

'Government interference on hospital decisions regarding health-care worker vaccinations would create significant disruption when hospitals are taking extraordinary measures to respond to the fourth wave,' Anthony Dale, head of the association, said in the statement.

Dale said that the small number of workers fired due to vaccination requirements had not led to a significant loss of staff or changes to the quality of service at Ontario hospitals.

Instead, he said, the vaccination requirements improved care for patients by reducing the risk of Covid outbreaks in hospitals.

'A vaccinated health-care worker protects the health and safety of patients and staff,' Dale said, 'prevents outbreaks and is not subject to as lengthy self-isolation requirements if exposed to COVID compared to unvaccinated individuals, all of which minimizes the potential disruption to hospitals operates as much as possible.'

Vaccination policies should remain in place, said the Ontario Hospital Association, to protect patients and prevent outbreaks. Pictured: A Covid sign outside a hospital in Cobourg, Ontario, September 2021

Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario was the first hospital to mandate vaccinations in summer 2021, followed by most others in the province.

At these facilities, the 'vast majority of staff are vaccinated,' according to the Ottawa Citizen.

Greg Hedgecoe, vice president of organizational effectiveness at the Queensway Carleton Hospital in Ottawa, echoed Dale's comments.

Rehiring the 'very small number' of former workers at the hospital who refused vaccination 'would not have a material impact on the staffing shortages we are now experiencing,' he told the Ottawa Citizen.

'In fact, returning unvaccinated health-care workers to the hospital may increase the risk of transmission to patients and staff, and would amplify our staffing shortages,' Hedgecoe said.

Hedgecoe also noted that staff shortages were an issue 'long before the pandemic and the implementation of mandatory vaccination policies.'

In the U.S., no hospital has yet suggested such a dire move as rehiring unvaccinated former employees.

But hospitals across the country are facing intense staff shortages, thanks to a combination of high patient numbers and Omicron infecting workers.

In some places, healthcare administrators are encouraging staff to come to work even though they've recently tested positive for Covid, Politico reported Monday.

The practice is permitted under new CDC guidance, which allows facilities to shorten quarantine times if they're understaffed.

'We don't have good choices - or the choices that we want,' Shereef Elnahal, CEO of University Hospital in Newark, New Jersey, told Politico.

'Our staffing situation has been the worst it's been since the spring of 2020.'
The United States is suffering a 'national blood crisis' as many donation events have been cancelled due to Covid.

The rampant spread of Omicron has caused many people not to turn out for blood drives in recent weeks. Some drives are being cancelled all together due to staffing issues.

Schools, whether colleges or public high schools, form the backbone of many blood donation efforts, but many have been cancelled recently in the wake of Covid outbreaks.

Since collected blood only can be stored for around a month and a half, shocks in the blood supply chain - like a Covid outbreak - can quickly lead to crisis for hospitals and other blood centers.

The Red Cross issued a warning on Tuesday that the United States is currently suffering a 'blood crisis' due to shortages of blood donations. The organization says donations are down by 10% overall since the pandemic began, and donation drives at schools have been slashed 62%. (file photo)

Many people who have chronic conditions or blood-related medical issues need regular blood transfusions to manage their conditions. People who suffer trauma injuries will also often require blood to survive. Pictured: A woman in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, donates blood on January 4

'At a time when many businesses and organizations across the country are experiencing pandemic challenges, the Red Cross is no different,' it wrote in a statement.

'We are all learning how to live in this new environment, how we spend our time, where we work, how we give back, how we make a difference in the lives of others  donating blood must continue to be part of it.'

The Red Cross reports that there has been an overall 10 percent decrease of donations of blood since the pandemic began in March 2020.

There has also been a 62 percent drop in the number of donation drives held at colleges and universities during that period.

While school donors usually account for around 25 percent of donors, during the pandemic they have only made up 10 percent of donations.

Some blood centers have a supply of less than one day available, and patients coming in for treatment may not be able to receive the blood they need to survive.

Hospitals need blood for many operations and some treatments for conditions like cancer and chronic illnesses. Many with blood-based conditions also require regular blood transfusions.

One woman the Red Cross used as an example was Kristen Mill, of Spring Grove, Illinois.

Mill's has suffered from a condition for over a decade that leads to her body not producing enough hemoglobin to survive.

She requires regular blood transfusions to stay alive, but due to recent shortages she has often had to wait to receive blood.

'The hospital came to me and they apologized, and they said, 'We're so sorry, our blood bank is depleted to the point where we don't have anyone that matches with you,' said Mill.

'It's very scary, especially if you don't know if the blood is coming, because this is something that you need to live.

'It has become quite common that I would have to wait two or three days for blood.

'Then my condition would get worse, and I'd need to be hospitalized while waiting for blood. It usually took two days, sometimes three days, which is a long time when you are waiting for something that could save your life.'

People who suffer trauma injuries may also require blood transfusions to make up for a loss of blood suffered from an accident or other wound.

Since no one knows when they might be the next person to suffer a serious injury, the shortage of blood puts everyone at risk overall.

'Nobody wakes up in the morning and plans on being the next trauma patient. So this literally could affect you or your family members and your loved ones,' Dr Jennifer Andrews told CBS News.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned against swabbing one's throat - instead of or in addition to the nose - when taking an at-home rapid antigen test.

This recommendation follows anecdotal reports and preprint studies that suggested throat swabs may be more accurate than nose swabs in detecting Omicron.

However, in statements on Twitter and to the media, the FDA said that there's currently no comprehensive data indicating that throat swabs are 'accurate or appropriate.'

One new preprint study, posted on Monday, found that rapid tests can correctly identify Omicron when used according to manufacturer instructions.

Experts recommend that people follow rapid test kit instructions - and stick to nose swabs - while scientists and test manufacturers collect more data on different testing methods.

The FDA has recommended that Americans stick to the instructions when using rapid test kits and swab only their noses. Pictured: A Washington, DC resident uses a rapid test outside a local library in the city, December 2021

'Those swabs are for your nose and not your throat,' the FDA said on Twitter last week

Rapid antigen tests have been in extremely high demand in the U.S. in recent weeks.

Unlike the 'gold standard' PCR tests, which are extremely accurate but can take days to return results, rapid antigen tests can be purchased at pharmacies and done at home.

These tests typically return results in ten or 15 minutes.

The convenience of rapid tests comes at a cost, however: the tests are less accurate, especially early in the course of a coronavirus infection and for asymptomatic individuals.

During the Omicron wave in the U.S., several experts, including Dr Anthony Fauci, have suggested that the tests could also be less accurate for this new variant.

In late December, a new strategy to combat that potential inaccuracy started gaining popularity on Twitter: swabbing the throat instead of, or in addition to, the nose.

Research on Omicron has suggested that it might multiply faster in the respiratory tract than in the nose, which seemed, to some throat-swabbers, like a potential reason why this strategy may be more accurate for this variant.

Jacklyn Grace Lacey, a medical anthropologist at the American Museum of Natural History, got a negative result on a nasal swab, followed by a positive result on a throat swab, she told Slate.

Another 36 hours later, she got a positive result following a nasal swab - which seemed to confirm her hypothesis that the throat swab was more accurate.

One preprint study from South Africa, posted on December 24, similarly suggested that saliva swabs were better at identifying Omicron cases than nasal swabs.

The study has not been peer-reviewed, however, and included a very small number of Covid-positive patients.

In a statement on January 7, the FDA warned Americans to stick with the instructions on their rapid test kits - and swab their noses, not their throats.

'FACT: When it comes to at-home rapid antigen Covid tests, those swabs are for your nose and not your throat,' the agency said on Twitter.

Swabbing one's throat with a rapid test may lead to 'invalid results or injuries,' the FDA said. Pictured: BinaxNOW at-home tests are seen at a Walmart in Orlando, Florida, January 2022

'The home antigen tests available today are only authorized using nasal swabs,' the statement continued.

'We don't have any data yet suggesting throat swabs are an accurate or appropriate method for at-home tests.'

The FDA also noted that using at-home Covid tests correctly may help 'avoid invalid results or injuries.'

In a statement to CNN, the agency elaborated on these concerns.

'The FDA has noted safety concerns regarding self-collection of throat swabs, as they are more complicated than nasal swabs - and if used incorrectly, can cause harm to the patient,' an FDA spokesperson said.

Throat swabs have been widely used in the U.K., where the country's public health agency recommends taking a combined nose and throat swab with rapid tests.

One popular instructional video demonstrating this swabbing method dates back to May 2020.

However, the rapid tests popular in the U.K. are different brands than those used in the U.S., and U.S. tests have not been formally tested for accuracy with throat swabs.

'The test is designed for the specimen collection that they describe in the instructions, so any deviation from that, you're not going to get the results that are expected,' Dr Emily Volk, president of the College of American Pathologists, told CNN.

Volk said that test manufacturers have been watching the public debate over swabbing methods, and will adjust their test instructions if needed.

An additional preprint study, posted on Monday, found that rapid antigen tests do continue to successfully detect Omicron when used according to manufacturer instructions, with nasal swabs.

The study included over 700 samples, with tests conducted at a community testing site in San Francisco.

More studies like this one will help the FDA learn more about how well nasal and throat swabs work at identifying Omicron cases.

Both experts advocating for throat swabs and those saying Americans should stick to the test kit instructions say that more data are needed to make conclusive testing recommendations.
Pfizer will be able to manufacture between 50 to 100 million doses of its Omicron variant-specific Covid vaccine, the company said Monday.

The company's vaccine - which is a joint effort with the German company BioNTech - is the most popular in the U.S. and in much of the world.

The rise of the Omicron variant, which can evade protection provided by the existing crop of vaccines, has sent pharmaceutical companies and vaccine manufacturers into a race to produce a shot that is effective against the mutant strain, same as what occurred when Covid first emerged.

Pfizer believes it will be able to start testing of a new Omicron-specific vaccine as early as late-January, and could have the jab ready for use by March.

Pfizer plans to produce anywhere between 50 to 100 million shots of its Omicron specific COVID-19 vaccine between now and the end of spring. The company plans to begin trials for the shots as early as late January (file photo)

Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla (pictured) has said that Covid will be around for the next decade, but shots produced by his company may be able to control the virus. His company's shot is already the most popularly used in the U.S., and in much of the world

Albert Bourla, CEO of the firm, said Monday that his company would absorb the risk of producing the shots, and manufacture them before a purchase contract is in place with governments and world health officials.

'In terms of manufacturing, we have so big of a capacity built right now, that it won't be an issue to switch immediately,' Bourla said at a news conference Monday.

A company representative then told the Washington Post that between 50 to 100 million doses of the vaccine will be available by late March and early April.

Pfizer has produced billions of vaccine doses to be used around the world, including 375 million doses delivered to the U.S.

The shot has been administered more than 300 million times in the states, and have fully vaccinated 117 million people. It is also the only shot available to minors in the U.S., having been authorized for children aged five and older.

Bourla has been a proponent of repeated Covid boosters. On Monday, he told CNBC's The Squawk Box that the virus will likely be around for the next decade, but frequent shots could help get in under control.

'We will have perfectly normal lives, with just injection maybe once a year,' he said.

The success of the shot has led to a large windfall for the New York based firm, with an analysis by the People's Vaccine Alliance finding that Pfizer, BioNTech and Moderna - producer of the second most popular vaccine - make a combined profit of over $1,000 every second.

Continued use of the vaccines for the next decade will likely keep that figure high.

Pfizer has also been accused of using its leverage and control over the jabs to take advantage of developing nations.

Denying them their ability to receive donations of the shots, and even writing clauses into contracts that would allow the company to seize state assets.

The company even worked to get around intellectual property rights for vaccine technology in other countries, as Bourla publicly called the idea of doing so in America 'dangerous', according to a report by Public Citizen last year.

Some global health authorities also fear that this sudden shift towards the development of vaccine resistant Covid boosters could leave many nations in the developing world behind.

In Africa, for example, only 15 percent of residents have received at least one shot of a vaccine, and less than 10 percent are fully vaccinated.

Bourla said Monday that the issue in these nations was not a lack of vaccines being given to them, but instead them not having the ability to administer the shots, and vaccine hesitancy in these nations.

'Particularly in low income countries, they have more than they can absorb right now,' he said.

'I think all the effort should be, right now... to build the infrastructure in low income countries so they can absorb more vaccines. Also, the campaigns that will convince the population [to get the shots].'
For those who missed the chance to get the collectible coins last year, Lego has announced that the VIP Coins are back.

In addition to this, interested builders must keep in mind that it is exclusively available for VIP members only.

Lego VIP Coins Designs

The Lego Rewards Center introduced its new collectible LEGO VIP coins in January 2021. Since then, there has been a lot of talk and excitement about these collector coins, per Brick Bucks.

The Lego VIP Coins are limited-edition collectibles that are available exclusively to Lego VIP members.

The coins were initially released in January 2021, with a month between each issue. The last Lego VIP Coin was released last May 2021, with people having five coins to collect.

Amusingly, 9to5Toys reported that the Lego Group recently announced that builders will have another opportunity to get their hands on the limited-edition VIP Collectible Coins. Those who missed out on last year's limited-edition releases will have a second chance to get all five of the coins inspired by famous Lego themes.

As mentioned, the Lego VIP Coins are available in five distinct designs, all of which are inspired by classic themes. The Lego VIP Coins design starts with a basic gold Lego coin, which is paired with variations themed on Classic Space, Pirates, Octan and Castle.

Aside from this, a clear box is also available for displaying them as a single unit.

Read Also: Tired of Siri? 1 Easy Way to Get Amazon Alexa for iPhone, How to Use It

Lego VIP Coins Release Date

For those curious to know about the Lego VIP Coins release date, 9To5Toys explained that it will be available starting January 11.

Additionally, these will go online at different time zones depending on the location. Lego VIP members located in the U.S. and Canada must note that the coins will be released at 9 a.m. Eastern Standard Time.

Meanwhile, the Lego VIP Coins release date for those members living in Australia and New Zealand will be midnight Sydney time. While collectors from Japan and Korea must remember that the release date will be at midnight local time.

Furthermore, Lego VIP members in Europe should note that the collectible coins will be released at 11 a.m. CET or 10 a.m. GMT.

Since this was released for the second time around, there is a huge possibility that all the Lego VIP Coins will sell out immediately, just as they did the previous time around.

It is also worth mentioning that this year's release will be most likely the final chance to get them since the Lego Group's decision to bring them back for a second run is surprising. Despite the offered price, getting them straight from Lego is almost always the better option rather than on places like eBay.

Lego VIP Coins Price

The cost of each Collectible Coin wsd at 1,150 VIP points when it was first released. However, it is unclear whether the Lego Group will adjust it. Even so, collectors still need to go to the Lego VIP Rewards page to exchange points. Meanwhile, the 700-point clear box display case will most likely retail for the same price.

Lego VIP is the company's customer loyalty program, which pays customers for purchasing Lego items on LEGO.com, following the company's social media profiles, and completing easy surveys, per Review Geek.

It is a very common program for a corporation like Lego to provide, but despite the name making it feel exclusive, signing up is not hard.

Interested joiners must only go to the Lego VIP home page and click "Join," then create an account. After that, builders will ultimately receive a Lego VIP card to use in shops.

Related Article: Lego Release NASA Rocket Center, Moon Base Set; Sonic the Hedgehog Coming Soon [Release Date, Price, Features]
The cheapest car insurance premium 22-year-old Lizzie can find using a comparison site is 2,680. Its not surprising that her quotes are high, though.

The catering assistant from Leeds has only two years of driving experience and three points on her licence for speeding.

So when she is offered cover for her Seat Leon FR for just 860.63, it sounds too good to be true. And it is.

Undercover: Money Mail reporter Fiona Parker (pictured) posed as a 22-year-old driver struggling to find affordable motor insurance

The quote has come from a ghost broker selling worthless car insurance on social media site Instagram.

The crooks lure in motorists with offers such as 70 pc discounts and guarantee to insure drivers at rock-bottom prices.

But the insurance scam leaves victims uninsured and at risk of hefty fines and even a driving ban.

The fraud, which investigators say is soaring, is also adding around 50 to the cost of all policies as firms recoup losses.

Web of lies

Whereas ghost brokers used to post flyers in telephone boxes or approach victims in pubs, they are now touting for business on social media sites such as lnstagram, Facebook and Twitter.

In some cases the scammers will just pocket the money and send fake documents to the customer.

In others they will approach insurers for quotes, but provide falsified details to get a cheaper deal. This means the policy would be invalid should the customer ever need to claim.

Scam: A ghost broker on Instagram offering cheap car insurance

A quick search for cheap car insurance on Instagram yielded dozens of results.

Posing as Lizzie, I find a broker using the name @car_insurance_specialists. The account has nearly 2,000 followers and promises to beat your current quote by around 50 per cent or more.

But with the help of insurer LV=, I soon find the bargain price offered is a sham. The firms data experts track the car registration number I provided to the ghost broker to monitor any requests for quotes.

They discover that, in a bid to drive down the price, the broker submits details that differ from the information I gave them.

It claims Lizzie is a married chartered accountant who lives in Cornwall, rather than a catering assistant from Leeds.

The broker also says her average mileage is just 4,000 miles a year  around half of the typical amount clocked up by UK drivers.

It means that if Lizzie had purchased this policy, her insurance would be invalid and she could face a bill of thousands of pounds if her car was stolen or damaged.

Police can also seize and crush uninsured cars and slap owners with a 300 fine and six points on their licence.

Insurance crooks are luring in motorists with enticing offers such as '70% discounts', '100 referral fees' and guarantees to insure young drivers at rock bottom prices

Instagram sham

Another Instagram account called @Matrix.insurance, which has 1,500 followers, offers Lizzie cover for 1,356.

There is a 200 admin fee  but even once this is added it is still a 1,124 saving on the best comparison site deal of 2,680.

The person running the account says that if I do not sign up within 48 hours, the premium will soar. All quotes from Saturday are coming up triple  3.6k plus. Yet experts say prices would not suddenly increase in this way.

A quick check on the City watchdogs website (register.fca.org.uk) reveals that the Instagram brokers are not registered with the Financial Conduct Authority, which is a legal requirement.

No cover: The insurance scams leave victims uninsured and at risk of hefty fines and even a driving ban

Surge in fraud

In the past year alone, 21,000 fraudulent motor policies were reported to the Insurance Fraud Bureau  nearly 60 every day.

The organisation says ghost-broking scams now account for a quarter of its investigations, up from one in eight in 2016.

The number of ghost brokers uncovered by insurer LV= has jumped by two thirds over the past two years. It currently has 20 open organised fraud inquiries, totalling 2 million.

Insurers still have to pay for a third partys damaged vehicle even if a driver has given them false details.

Firms can try to claim these back from the driver, but many end up having to foot the bill, and hike premiums to cover any losses.

If the other driver is injured, a claim will be made to the Motor Insurers Bureau, which pays out to victims of uninsured motorists. This is funded by insurers so costs are added to premiums.

Stricter checks

Experts say insurers could be doing more to stop fake policies.

But scammers have been known to use stolen identities when applying for cover. Axa is currently investigating one ghost broker that uses names and addresses of real people to secure policies.

James Blackham, chief executive of insurer By Miles, says: We want to see social media companies searching out and removing ghost brokers on their platforms today, and not just wait for legislation to enforce this.

An Instagram spokesman says: Fraudulent activity is not allowed on Instagram and we have removed the accounts brought to our attention.

'Were dedicating significant resources to tackle this industry-wide issue.

f.parker@dailymail.co.uk
The taxman is taking mercy on us again this year, relaxing the return deadline and allowing those who cannot afford bills to spread payments.

But as millions of workers struggle to file their tax return before the end of the month, HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is giving itself a chance to recover from a pandemic staffing crisis.

The taxman could also have netted as much as 12 million in interest charges by allowing those who could not pay their bills upfront to stagger payments last year.

Penalties: The taxman will levy a fine of up to 30 per cent of your bill for careless errors, and as much as 100 per cent for deliberately not declaring something

And, as close to half of us are still yet to file, experts today warn that HMRC will not be so lenient if errors and late payments are made  despite millions of pounds in taxes now due on Covid support payments.

D-Day for Covid handouts

The looming January 31 self-assessment online deadline means millions of workers will have to face up to debt accrued during the difficult 2020/21 pandemic tax year.

Among those facing big bills include those who received government support.

People who cashed in on the staycation boom by letting out property will have to pay tax on their takings. So, too, will those who started their own businesses.

HMRC last week announced it will relax the deadline so that anyone who fails to file their return by the end of the month will not face a 100 late penalty if they file before the end of February.

The taxman made the move for the second year running after the new Omicron variant wreaked havoc on billpayers, accountancy firms and at HMRC.

Strict: Experts warn that HMRC will not be so lenient if errors and late payments are made - despite millions of pounds in taxes now due on Covid support payments

More than 12 million taxpayers have to fill in a self-assessment return this year and pay off the balance owed.

This includes the self-employed, landlords, small-business owners, and parents who earn more than 50,000 and have to pay back child benefit. So far, around 6.9 million have filed.

Why it doesn't pay to delay

Accountants are warning that taxpayers should do all they can to pay up because any bills not settled by the end of the month will start accruing interest.

HMRC is again allowing tax debts of up to 30,000 to be paid over instalments via time to pay.

But if taxpayers fail to arrange this before the end of March, they face a 5 per cent penalty charge on the amount owed.

Fees: The taxman could also have netted as much as 12 million in interest charges by allowing those who could not pay their bills upfront to stagger payments last year

HMRC says 123,000 taxpayers used time to pay online to spread the cost of their 2019/20 bill.

With payments delayed worth a total of 460 million, and interest charged at 2.6 per cent, the taxman could collect an extra 12 million if all debt was repaid over 12 months.

So far this year, more than 30,000 taxpayers have chosen to spread payments for debts worth around 75 million.

This is 5,000 more people and 5 million more payments than this time last year. And this year, interest on the debt will be added at 2.75 per cent  an extra 825 on a 30,000 bill.

The interest charged is an extra 0.15 per cent higher than last year after the Bank of England hiked the base rate.

Penalty minefield

After the online tax return deadline was relaxed last year, around 700,000 people filed late  but before the end of February to avoid a penalty.

Some 890,000 taxpayers were hit with a penalty for missing the delayed deadline.

Anyone who doesnt meet the new February 28 deadline this year will be automatically fined 100. Then 10 is added every day for a maximum of 90 days.

Backlog: As millions of workers struggle to file their tax return before the end of the month, HM Revenue & Customs is giving itself a chance to recover from a pandemic staffing crisis

If the form is six months late, the taxman charges a penalty of the higher of either 300 or 5 per cent of the tax due. If it is a year late, HMRC could even charge you a penalty worth 100 per cent of the bill.

Experts also warn that the more time you give yourself to file now, there is less risk of making an error.

The taxman will levy a fine of up to 30 per cent of your bill for careless errors, and as much as 100 per cent for deliberately not declaring something.

Those needing to file a return had to register for self-assessment by October 5. The deadline to file a paper return was October 31.

Bills that have built up

THIS months tax return deadline is significant because it covers money owed for 2020/21  the first tax year of the pandemic when small businesses had their income ripped away and had to rely on government support.

Now the self-employed and small firms will have to clear their tax debt. This will include tax due on Covid support payments.

The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) says this huge tax demand will hit businesses who are only just recovering from the pandemic.

Glenn Collins, head of policy at ACCA UK, says: This new year is critical for many small businesses and individual taxpayers who are coping with the uncertainty due to Covid-19 restrictions over the festive season.

Taxman under the cosh

Concerns: Shadow financial secretary to the Treasury James Murray

In September, more than 60,000 callers gave up waiting on the phone to HMRC  a rise of 22.5 per cent compared with the same month in the previous year.

And in March last year, nearly two in five callers had to wait more than 20 minutes for their call to be answered, analysis of HMRC figures shows.

Jason Hollands, of investing platform Bestinvest, says: If you have to deal with HMRC direct with queries or problems, there could be serious waiting times and delays, if last year was anything to go by.

And Labour MP James Murray, shadow financial secretary to the Treasury, adds: It is no wonder that HMRC has had to rethink their self-assessment deadline when so many people are experiencing such long waiting times.

Those registering for self-assessment for the first time were also hit last year by processing delays that meant they had to wait weeks for HMRC to send details in the post. It means anyone needing to register this month is unlikely to be able to file on time, experts say.

Nimesh Shah, chief executive at tax advice firm Blick Rothenberg, says HMRC might have been overwhelmed by appeals against penalties if it had not relaxed the deadline.

He adds: It suits HMRC not to have to spend the time and cost in managing the appeals process later.

HMRCs move to soften the deadline means taxpayers have an extra month to file their return and two months to arrange payment.

But Michael Fitch, managing partner at UHY Hacker Young, says: The damage done to the self-employed since March 2020 has been huge, with subsequent lockdowns and re-openings.

It is unlikely that taxpayers who cant afford to pay their tax bill now will suddenly have found the money by the end of March.

When the deadline delay was announced last week, Lucy Frazer, Financial Secretary to the Treasury, said: Waiving late filing and payment penalties will help ease financial burdens and protect livelihoods as we navigate the months ahead.

b.wilkinson@dailymail.co.uk
The ruckus over customers being given heat saving tips by energy suppliers disguises a bigger problem  that British homes are among the most poorly built and leakiest in western Europe.

So when the cold weather does set in  and energy prices spike as they have done over the past few months  households face a big hike in heating bills.

As well as lousy Government policy on the energy price cap, much of the blame should also be laid at the door of Britains big housebuilders, which for decades have been putting up low-quality housing.

Lagging behind: Too many homes built in the UK over the past 50 years are in the dark ages compared to those on the continent where double, if not triple glazing is par for the course

They have been allowed to get away with such poor standards on all aspects of building  from insulation to quality of workmanship  because of lax Government regulations.

Too many homes built in the UK over the past 50 years are in the dark ages compared to those on the continent where double, if not triple glazing, and underfloor heating are par for the course.

Who can forget the damning Dispatches TV programme two years ago about the hundreds of new-builds by Persimmon, our second biggest builder, which had multiple defects from no fire safety barriers to wobbling walls? Yet Persimmon had a five-star rating from the Home Builders Federation.

Which is why all the various plans afoot by the Government to help customers with energy bills in coming months are just sticking plaster, and missing the bigger issue.

Its only by insisting that developers build to the highest levels in the future, and by helping homeowners improve insulation, that we will get anywhere close to solving the problem.

Households could save at least 500 a year with better insulation, according to the Energy Efficiency Infrastructure Group.

As well as a proper grown-up energy policy, the Government should be working fast to devise workable insulation schemes rather than the various gimmicky ones it usually comes up with.

The last one, the Green Homes Plan, lasted six months. Until then, its worth taking on board the Ovo Energy tips to its customers to help save on heating, which have had to be withdrawn because they are deemed offensive.

Contrary to public opinion, they are eminently sensible: eating porridge for breakfast, putting on another jumper and doing a couple of star jumps are just common sense.

Supermarket cheap

As shoppers are fast finding out, a little Lidl goes a long way.

The German discounter claims to be the UKs fastest growing bricks-and-mortar supermarket after great Christmas sales.

In the four weeks to December 26, Lidl reports sales rose 2.6 per cent, mainly because so many customers switched from other supermarkets because of its competitive pricing.

What Lidl failed to show though  like its German arch-rival Aldi  is whether the sales increase came from existing stores or its recently opened ones.

This would be pertinent to how sales are doing overall, as eight stores opened in December alone. Lidl also boasts that sales over the past two years are up by 21 per cent.

Yet Lidls claim that it is the fastest-growing supermarket during the festive season is under challenge as grocery tracker Nielsen suggests that Marks & Spencer was the fastest-growing food retailer, with a 9.4 per cent rise in sales over the past three months, while sales at Lidl were up 8.5 per cent.

Sounds to me rather like there is a lot of splitting of hairs going on as to who has done the best.

But this fierce competition can only be good for the shopper in terms of prices. Such is the competition that Lidl has even promised that it will remain the lowest-cost destination.

Tesco and Sainsburys are now due to give their updates, so we will get a fuller picture of the overall sector.

What is clear is that total food sales were up over the festive period and Nielsen forecast Britons spent 7billion on food in the two weeks to Christmas. In contrast, online non-food sales were down by a sharp 14 per cent in December.

Hardly a surprise, with most customers still stuck in semi-lockdown WFH limbo.

Lawyers beware

Dont be envious that newly qualified lawyers are being offered 150,000 a year as a starting salary. Most of the firms paying these big bucks are American.

Paradoxically, one of the reasons they are having to fork out so much is that so many young lawyers are leaving: all part of what is being called the Great Resignation.

The reason they are leaving is because they are burnt out and overworked.
I was expecting a parcel containing bespoke, handmade wedding rings on June 1 last year.

I received an email from UPS stating that import fees were due, but that 'your driver also accepts limited payment methods in person upon delivery'.

The delivery date was changed several times, with the import fees given as the reason.

Non delivery: : UPS managed to loose two bespoke hand-made wedding rings but still managed to charge the unhappy couple a 360 import fee

To speed up the delivery process, I paid the import fees of 359.81 online. Immediately after receiving confirmation of my payment, I received another email rescheduling the delivery yet again.

This time, it said the driver had attempted to deliver the parcel but I had refused to pay the fees on the door.

I was at home all day, and I have a motion-sensor video doorbell which did not detect any motion for the suggested attempted delivery time. Customer services then told me UPS couldn't locate the parcel.

I have been trying ever since to get a refund of the import fees that I paid, and have been spoken to very rudely at every opportunity.

I'm now being told I left it too late to try to secure a refund, despite constant contact and false promises throughout this time.

J. B., Stourbridge.

Tony Hazell replies: Your wedding last year had to be postponed in the end, but if it had gone ahead, you would have had no rings to swap as you shared your vows.

The rings you chose cost you 1,614 and were handmade using unique stones you had selected yourselves. The sender, who is based in America, remade them for you at her own expense, but they could obviously not be identical to the ones you had chosen.

You tell me you spent weeks scrolling through auction sites to try to find the originals, suspecting they had been stolen.

When I made contact, UPS finally refunded your fees.

A spokesman tells me: 'We take the delay or non-delivery of any package very seriously.

'We have reviewed the circumstances of this shipment and will refund the customs charges. We regret any stress or inconvenience that has been caused.'

It may also want to take a look at the attitude of its staff, who you say were rude to you and apparently could not be bothered to try to resolve your case.

I'm out of pocket after missing Easyjet shares flight

Last year, easyJet offered existing shareholders the right to buy extra shares for 410p each.

In September, I instructed Hargreaves Lansdown to purchase my allocation of 427. As I do not use internet banking, I spoke to an operator on September 17, paying 1,750.70 by debit card.

The operator assured me that he had completed the transaction.

However, when I checked my online account on October 2, the 1,750.70 was still being shown as 'cash available'.

When I queried this, I received a reply message saying that as I had not taken up the share rights, easyJet would dispose of them.

I received approximately 1,100 for my rights shares.

I estimate I have lost more than 600, plus the profit I could have made on the shares themselves, as I intended to sell them at around 700p.

J. C., Enniskillen.

Tony Hazell replies: Hargreaves Lansdown looked into your complaint. I know you are not happy with the outcome, but I feel its solution is fair.

As you say, your lapsed rights were sold for 1,195  as they cost nothing, that is all profit.

Had you bought those 427 shares for the offer price of 410p and then sold them at the absolute peak on the offer day of 685p, then your profit would have been 1,174. So you are actually 21 better off.

You told me in your letter that 'owing to my poor internet I cannot keep up with the financial markets'.

This suggests that it is very unlikely you would have got the peak price.

Incidentally, easyJet shares later fell to around 486p but are now trading at around 620p, so if you had not sold then your profits would have been even less.

You also tell me that you had planned to bundle them with your existing easyJet shares and sell them all at once  and that the reason you did not do this is because you were waiting for news of your rights shares.

I understand your frustration, but I do feel that your request for 1,000 in compensation is excessive.

Hargreaves Lansdown offered you 150 compensation. I asked if it would increase this to 250, but as you had already accepted the 150 and are no longer a client, the firm said it could see no incentive to do this.

What happened to my father's life policies?

My father died suddenly in December 2020.

He had some life policies which had gone to Phoenix. When I asked the firm about these, its reply was abrupt, saying there was no record of any policies and, as I did not have further details, I would simply have to accept that.

I have since found details of the policies, which dated from between 1968 and 1975.

The probate solicitor wrote to Phoenix about these in March.

I have phoned several times and been promised return calls, but have received no reply.

D. R., Llansadwrn, Anglesey.

Tony Hazell replies: Phoenix has made a thorough search and confirms that all the policies were paid out over time.

I am afraid there are no additional benefits or payments to be made.

However, Phoenix has offered a 120 goodwill gesture because of your poor 'customer journey'.
When it comes to investing, in recent years, more have chosen to go down an ethical and sustainable route, either full hog or partially.

Some argue that with the future of the planet at stake, investors who profit from the companies hurtling us towards a potential climate catastrophe are being morally and socially irresponsible.

Shareholders choose to invest in a company usually because they see its potential to grow their wealth and/or to pay an income.

But increasingly, investors base their decisions also on whether the company they're investing in is having a positive impact on the planet  companies that adhere to environmental, social and governance criteria, and also grow wealth and income.

ESG issues are of increasing importance for the majority, with nearly three quarters of Britons concerned about environmental issues, according to recent research.

It is still a relatively grey area, with ESG ratings increasingly under scrutiny from investors who want to lift the bonnet and poke around.

ESG issues are now of far more importance to investors, according to research carried out by Aegon UK.

Nearly three quarters are concerned about environmental issues, three in five worry about equality, and two thirds have concerns about poor corporate governance practices

Another study by EQ found that two-thirds of investors aged under 40 consider a company's goals, mission and purpose when they make their decision, with four in five feeling frustrated when they see companies behaving in a way they deem unethical.

The obvious solution for these socially and environmentally conscious investors is to shun the companies that go against ESG criteria and favour those they perceive to adhere to it.

However, one small band of activist investors disagree with this approach, instead believing that the best way to save the planet is to invest in the very companies supposedly destroying it.

Follow This aims to encourage shareholder support for oil companies to commit to the Paris Agreement.

Follow This encourages people to buy shares in an energy company such as BP or Shell, with the organisation filing and voting on climate target shareholder resolutions and speaking at AGM's on behalf of its members.

It particularly aims to encourage large shareholders such as pension funds and investment companies to vote for its climate resolutions.

It also encourages individual investors to buy shares in their own names so they have the right to vote on their fossil fuel reduction policies in support of achieving the Paris Agreement.

The Paris Agreement aimed to limit the rise in global temperatures in this century to between 1.5 and 2 degrees celsius above pre industrial levels (1850-1900).

To put that in context, human, induced warming reached 1 degree Celsius above pre-industrial levels in 2017, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

In December 2015, 195 nations adopted the Paris Agreement, the central aim of which includes pursuing efforts to limit global temperature rise to 1.5C.

Dutch campaigner and founder of Follow This, Mark van Baal, set up the organisation when he realised that the oil companies would be more influenced by their shareholders than by pressure in the media or from climate activists.

'I knew that one small shareholder can change the course of a company,' he says, 'the thinking was, if you can buy enough shares to submit a resolution to the shareholders meeting, then I will only have to convince the other shareholders.'

Submitting a resolution to Shell required at least 5million euros in shares, so in 2015 he achieved a consensus between some large shareholders, convinced others to contribute by launching a website where anyone could buy a share and pulled together enough voting rights to submit a resolution for the first time at the 2016 shareholders meeting.

He says: 'We are convinced that we need big oil to stop climate change to have any chance of making sure our children and grandchildren don't end up in a world devastated by it.

'Fossil fuels are responsible for more than half of the emissions worldwide, so if we have any chance of reaching the Paris Climate Agreement, we need to slash emissions and shift to renewables. The big oil companies have a crucial part to play in this.

'We need them to shift investments from fossil fuels to renewables because they have the money, the brains, the political power and the international reach to speed up the energy transition.

'We understand it's quite counterintuitive to buy shares in big oil, thereby owning a stake in the most polluting companies in the world, but we believe this is a crucial part of the fight against climate change.'

Van Baal believes this transformation won't just happen because one of the big oil executives suddenly 'wakes up with an epiphany one morning' having spent 30 years working their way to the top of the corporate ladder.

But he believes he has found a way to influence their decisions - by encouraging investors to become shareholders and as shareholders to influence big oil companies from within.

Follow This began with just a few hundred investors and now has roughly 7,000 signed up.

Most of its investors are based in the Netherlands, but there are small pockets based in the UK and in other countries.

'Similar to many people, I have often felt powerless about climate change,' says Van Baal, 'I can put solar panels on my roof, I can take the train to work instead of driving, and I can stop eating meat - but none of that makes any difference on a global scale and I think most people feel powerless.

'By buying shares in companies that really can make a difference, we empower ordinary citizens to make big changes.

'We have given investors a new tool that nobody was previously using and we used British law to file resolutions at Shell's shareholder meetings, which forced them to put it on the agenda.'

Van Baal came to the conclusion that oil companies won't listen to journalists, nor to activist groups, nor to governments. He said: 'The only ones who can convince Shell to choose another course are its shareholders.'

Is it working?

Without such action, Van Baal is convinced big oil companies would continue to find excuses not to confront climate change.

'Previously big oil companies would make excuses by claiming their policy decisions were down to consumer choices, or the government, or regulation and that it wasn't their responsibility,' he says.

'Now everything Shell and BP announce on renewables, or on climate change, is thanks to the investors who vote for our resolutions - it's because we put it on the agenda.'

Both BP and Shell have outlined plans for a net zero future but Van Baal claims that both their current stategies stand to increase total emissions by 2030

'We make it very transparent that the big oil companies do not want to adhere to the Paris Agreement, whilst also making it clear that more and more investors want them to commit to do so.'

Over the past two years, Follow This filed shareholder resolutions at companies including Shell, BP, Chevron, ExxonMobil, Equinor and Phillips 66 to try and compel each company to set emissions targets in line with the goals of the Paris Agreement.

In May this year, one of its most successful resolutions, calling for carbon emissions reduction targets, secured support from 30 per cent of the shareholders at Shell.

Shareholder votes for Climate Resolutions in Europe have been rising.

This represented a significant rise compared to May 2020 when 14.4 per cent of shareholders voted for the Follow This climate targets. In 2019, only 5.5 per cent of shareholders had voted in favour.

However, despite the achievements to date, there is still considerable work to be done, according to Van Baal.

BP itself expects the absolute level of emissions to grow between now and 2030, even as the carbon intensity falls, whilst research by Global Climate Insights suggests Shell's absolute emissions will rise on average by 1.1 per cent a year until 2030.

US shareholder votes in favour of the Follow This climate targets reached historical majorities, according to Van Baal.

Van Baal adds: 'In the past year an unprecedented number of shareholders voted in favour of the Follow This Climate Resolutions; in Europe, votes more than doubled for the third time; votes more than doubled for the third time; and in the US votes reached historical majorities.

'These major milestones would not have been possible without the growing number of investors that refuse to settle for company-issued disclosures, but insist on science-based emission reduction targets by voting for climate target resolutions.

'So far, five oil majors have reluctantly set targets to reduce product emissions after shareholders' votes, yet all fall short of Paris-consistency.

'In 2022, voting must compel oil majors to set Paris-consistent targets; targets that lead to deep cuts in absolute emissions by 2030.'

How does shareholder power work?

While shareholders collectively own a company, it's the executive team and board who hold the day-to-day power.

They decide what dividends to pay, what strategy to follow and how to shape the company's ethos.

But for a brief window every year, shareholders are given the tools to exercise control.

When UK-listed companies hold an annual general meeting and an annual vote, every shareholder from the biggest pension fund to the smallest individual investor has a right to have their voice heard.

Although the votes on climate resolutions are non-binding, they do still show the growing investor pressure on the management of major energy giants to intensify efforts to reduce carbon emissions.

Helge Lund, chairman of BP, says: 'At BP, we never forget who owns the company. The board I lead knows that to succeed, we must listen to our shareholders  as well as all our other stakeholders including customers, employees and society.

'As a greening company navigating the energy transition, BP needs the support and challenge that only engaged shareholders can provide.

'That's why it's really important to us that we routinely meet with our shareholders, and we encourage them to use their votes to shape our company's future.'

A person's vote and participation could help influence executive pay, whether directors are reappointed, and of course a company's climate change policy.

Greg Kearney, responsible investment analyst at Quilter Cheviot, said: 'Most general meeting agenda items are related to governance issues, including the approval of remuneration, director elections and capital structure issues.

'But we're seeing more and more shareholder proposals relating to environmental and social issues being included on general meeting agendas.

'These tend to relate to disclosures, including the setting of carbon reduction targets, disclosing emissions or reporting on company diversity.'

How can investors vote?

Investors don't necessarily need to rely on activist organisations such as Follow This to make their voices heard within companies such as Shell and BP.

All investors should in theory be able to vote themselves, either in person, via a stock broker, or through an investment platform.

Investing platforms such as Hargreaves Lansdown and AJ Bell have encouraged many more people to dip their toe into investing over recent years.

But these companies also somewhat inhibit their customers' abilities to vote on key issues impacting the futures of the companies they are invested in.

This is because, if you own shares via an online platform, you may not automatically get a say on important company decisions because your shares are held in a nominee account, meaning that shares are held on your behalf but not registered with the company in your name.

Shares that investors have with investment platforms are often held in a nominee account  this means that shares are held on the investor's behalf.

Investors who hold shares via nominee accounts are not the registered owner on the relevant company shareholder list and therefore do not automatically enjoy the voting rights which accompany registered ownership.

The law provides for 'information rights' for beneficial owners, but it is the choice of the nominee as to how these are provided, and, although platforms do make provision for investors to exercise their votes, it is clear that many investors on these trading platforms are unaware.

Typically, only around 0.5 per cent of clients exercise their voting rights at UK-based AGMs, according to Hargreaves Lansdown.

It says those wishing to vote can do so for free by giving it their instruction online or over the phone, and it will forward it to the company or its registrar.

Similarly, AJ Bell Investors who want to vote in an AGM or EGM of a company need to log into their account, head to the 'Corporate Actions' section where they can read all the relevant documentation before voting in the same part of the website.

Once their vote is submitted online, AJ Bell collates all the votes and sends them onto the company before the deadline.

I hold shares on an online platform and want to take part in a controversial vote A financial industry expert explains how to exercise your right to vote here.

The investing platform says that to ensure investors are aware of any corporate voting event, it sends an email notification when the event is ready to consider and vote upon.

However, there are signs that the voting process is becoming even more streamlined and simple for investors.

The investment platform, Interactive Investor, recently made being able to vote at company annual general meetings, and other voting events, the default setting for its customers,

Previously, investors had to opt-in to use the platform's voting capability in their online account.

Interactive Investor customers will now be notified when they are eligible to place a vote via its 'voting mailbox' service online, as well as being notified of shareholder meetings, such as AGMs.

This means that, whereas in the first half of 2021, just under a fifth of Interactive Investor's 400,000 customers were registered to vote on the investment platform, the facility has now been switched on across the board as the default option.

Richard Wilson, chief executive officer of interactive investor, says: 'This is not just a step change for interactive investor's hundreds of thousands of customers, but, we hope, the start of a tipping point in the wider platform industry, through which millions invest  including through pensions and ISAs.

'Shareholder democracy and engagement shouldn't be inhibited by red tape or time-consuming bureaucracy  especially in today's world where technology provides simple, time-saving solutions.

'By making the ability to vote online the default for shareholders, we hope to increase the popularity of another aspect of investing that is valuable and important. The ability to vote simply and easily should become the new normal.'

The IPCC claims that if the current warming rate continues, the world would reach human-induced global warming of 1.5C around 2040 when compared to pre-industrial times.

Whilst many investors will continue to shun big oil companies, or those that profit from arms or tobacco, they are unknowingly forfeiting their ability to bring about change.

Laura Suter, head of personal finance at AJ Bell says: 'Some people think that the best way to invest ethically is to avoid any company that doesn't comply with their set of morals.

'However, there's another camp of investors who think that it's better to have a seat at the table  and a vote at the AGM  and agitate for change from the inside.

'If you don't invest in a company, you don't have any say at AGMs or any ability to vote against policies.

'For each individual shareholder it might seem like you can't have much impact, but the collective power of shareholders is what makes a difference.

'What's more, increasingly more and more fund managers and institutional investors who hold a large number of shares are voting for environmental, social or governance change at AGMs too, adding power to individual investors' voices.'
Fantasy miniatures retailer Games Workshop has reported another record sales performance despite falling online purchases and disruption to freight deliveries.

The company saw revenues grow by 12million on a constant currency basis to 198.8million in the six months to 28 November thanks to a 17 per cent jump in retail sales and a significant rise in the number of trade outlets that sell its products.

It said that over 90 per cent of its stores were profitable during the period, even with the challenges facing the retail sector, and that it was doing well in most of its markets except for Australia where Covid-19 restrictions forced its stores to shut.

Fantasy Boom: Games Workshop saw revenues grow to 198.8million in the six months thanks to a 17 per cent jump in retail sales Pictured: Thousand Sons vs Space Wolves game

At the same time, income from licensing more than doubled to 20.2million as the group approved the Warhammer brand for numerous computer games that are due to be launched next year, including Warhammer 40,000: Darktide and Lost Crusade.

But the firm suffered a slight decline in internet sales while it also had to push back the launch of its release schedule in Asia by ten weeks, due to issues with toy safety certification, and was forced to temporarily halt production at its Warhammer cafe store in Shanghai.

Games Workshop also blamed the UK's exit from the European Union for incurring higher shipping and freight costs and product delays.

It also cited trouble hiring EU citizens for having double its regular vacancy rate.

In addition, there was a 2.9million rise in extra warehousing costs, and similar spend on salary hikes and boosting staffing numbers, many in relation to design and intellectual property.

These various problems sent its gross margin declining by six percentage points to 70 per cent and pre-tax profits falling by 3.4million to 88.2million.

Chief executive Kevin Rountree admitted that the business had 'not delivered to our full potential' because of these issues but still hailed the 'fantastic' effort by the company's employees.

Major Battles: Games Workshop blamed the UK's exit from the European Union for incurring higher shipping and freight costs and product delays, as well as trouble hiring EU citizens for having double the regular vacancy rate: Pictured: Warhammer: Age of Sigmar game

He added: 'We will continue to try our best. In the period reported, we have delivered just that. We have proven once again that the Warhammer hobby creates exciting experiences and allows people around the world to come together and have some fun.

'We continue to focus on making the best miniatures in the world and to document and deliver an exciting operational plan.'

Games Workshop shareholders were paid dividends of 115p per share during the period compared to 80p last year and also received a further 19.7million from the group last week.

Analysts at Peel Hunt have said the firm's dividend payments exemplify the confidence it has in its performance and has upheld its Buy recommendation for the Nottingham-based retailer.

However, AJ Bell's investment director Russ Mould said that despite the business trading in line with forecasts, 'there may be some nervousness now that its second half isn't sufficiently heroic to make up for a limp first half.'

He added: 'Potentially more serious have been reports of fractures between Games Workshop and its devotees, linked to the launch of a subscription-based service and the aggressive protection of its intellectual property by pursuing YouTubers who have created Warhammer-inspired animations and stories.

'While it is understandable that Games Workshop is protective of its IP, it needs to tread carefully. The value of the company is inextricably linked to fans' devotion to the Warhammer brand.'

The group's shares remained virtually flat on Tuesday morning at 97.50 before ending the day a massive 10.9 per cent lower at 10.95, though their value remains far above where they were five years ago.
Fund manager Terry Smith has blasted Unilever for being 'obsessed' with its sustainability credentials.

The stock-picker, who runs several popular funds through his firm Fundsmith, said Unilever has 'lost the plot'.

On its website, Unilever says: 'Hellmann's purpose is to help people enjoy good, honest food, for the simple pleasure it is, without worry or waste.'

On its website, Unilever says: 'Hellmann's purpose is to help people enjoy good, honest food, for the simple pleasure it is, without worry or waste'

In his annual letter to investors in his Fundsmith Equity fund, Smith said: 'A company which feels it has to define the purpose of Hellmann's mayonnaise has clearly lost the plot.

The brand has existed since 1913 so we would guess that by now consumers have figured out its purpose (spoiler alert  salads and sandwiches).'

He blasted its refusal to supply Ben & Jerry's ice cream in the West Bank, as sales 'in the Occupied Palestinian Territory' were 'inconsistent with our values'.

Smith said: 'Unilever seems to be labouring under the weight of a management obsessed with publicly displaying sustainability credentials at the expense of focusing on the fundamentals of the business.'

Unilever was one of the worst-performing holdings in Smith's 22.7billion fund, as was payments company Paypal.

'The latter has been looking to branch out of its payments sphere. Smith said it should 'stick to its knitting'.

He conceded that buying shares in Amazon had 'attracted a lot of attention' as he had previously steered clear of the internet giant.

But he said it was a case of 'better late than never  or at least it will be if our purchase delivers the performance we expect'.

Fundsmith returned 22.1 per cent for investors in 2021, missing its benchmark, the MSCI World Index, which returned 22.9 per cent.

Last year, Smith bagged a payday of up to 150million.
Getting Britain's homes insulated is the cornerstone of the Government's green energy policy and an obsession for road-blocking eco-protesters.

But the scale of damp-related problems linked to cavity wall insulation is so serious that an MP is calling for an independent inquiry to improve protection for householders.

One expert has estimated that up to two million homes may have problems as a result of insulation being pumped into the cavity between outside and inside walls.

In some extreme cases, the resulting problems of damp and mould inside the house have rendered properties worthless and unsellable.

The scale of damp-related problems linked to cavity wall insulation is so serious that an MP is calling for an independent inquiry to improve protection for householders

Critics claim victims of botched installations have been ignored and nothing has been done to establish the true number affected by the problems, often caused by incompetent or unsuitable installations.

Fixing cavity wall insulation disasters can cost tens of thousands of pounds.

Over the past 35 years, about eight million homes in the UK have been retrofitted with wall insulation to improve energy efficiency.

More than six million of these were done under the Cavity Insulation Guarantee Agency (CIGA) scheme, providing a 25-year guarantee for the work.

Although properly installing suitable wall insulation in an appropriate property does reduce heat loss, thousands have blamed insulating wall cavities for triggering mould and damp inside.

More than 34,000 people have tried to claim for corrective work under the CIGA scheme, with only a small percentage accepted as 'justified'.

Rejected claims are usually blamed on the lifestyle of residents or poor property maintenance, rather than on the negligence of installers.

Chris Elmore, Labour MP for Ogmore in South Wales, says action needs to be taken to help householders.

It cost me 4,500 to rebuild my sodden walls As a heating engineer with renovation experience, Claire Hillyar thought she could handle any problems with her new three-bedroom terrace. She renovated her 150,000 home in Portsmouth from top to bottom. The previous owner had taken advantage of green energy grants to have cavity wall insulation installed in 2009. Claire Hillyar discovered a serious damp issue in her end-of-terrace home linked to cavity wall insulation the property's former owner had installed It was only after Claire suffered sinus problems in 2018 that she discovered there was a serious damp issue linked to the insulation work. Damp patches on the living room wall were linked to her 'systemic fungal infection'. The property was covered by the CIGA guarantee and an inspector accepted that there was damp caused by the cavity wall insulation, which had to be removed. 'I was told it shouldn't have been done on this property,' Claire says. The front, gable end and top floor of the back of her home were all affected. Sub-contractors removed the insulation  but Claire says that by 'blasting' it out with high-pressure air, they caused more damage to the building and it has cost her 4,500 to rebuild the walls.

Mr Elmore adds: 'I have long called for fundamental reforms to be undertaken by the Government... to ensure that people have the protection they expect and deserve.

The Government must initiate an independent inquiry into the way cavity wall insulation complaints have been handled, to determine the scale of the problem and find resolution for people affected.'

Problems arise when rain penetrates the outer wall and the insulation material can transfer water across the cavity to the interior.

Debris can also enable the cavity to be bridged, while gaps in the insulation create cold spots with increased condensation inside. The result is mould, damp and damage to internal walls.

Over the years, governments have failed to set up a register or conduct surveys to accurately establish the number of homes with problems linked to cavity wall insulation.

But a leading industry expert who has advised the Government has estimated that 20 per cent to 25 per cent of retrofitted homes  up to two million in total  could have problems of some sort.

Other estimates within the industry have put the figure at three million.

Experts say that only homes not overexposed to the elements and with exterior walls in good condition, with a proper damp-proof course, should be considered suitable for this work, and ideally a survey should be carried out first.

But with government green energy grants fuelling demand, cowboy installers have carried out work on numerous unsuitable properties.

The result has been the birth of a new industry of tradesmen paid to extract insulation from inside walls.

But the scale of damp-related problems linked to cavity wall insulation is so serious that an MP is calling for an independent inquiry to improve protection for householders (stock image)

Damian Mercer runs a Lancashire-based company with eight staff that specialises in extracting botched cavity wall insulation  and he's busier than ever.

He says 'standard' jobs cost about 3,500 but it can cost 65,000 to remove some insulation that solidifies, as the outer wall needs to be dismantled.

He says: 'Installers are not policed and have never been policed. When an installer goes on site, he has to do a due diligence check.

They drill holes in the wall, look at the condition of the building and check the cavity and if there is rubble inside. They should walk away if there is a problem.

'But they are paid by the square metre  and if they fill it and get paid, and five years later damp manifests itself, they will say: 'It's nothing to do with us'.'

Mr Mercer says many of his customers have had applications to CIGA for work to correct damp-related problems rejected on spurious grounds.

He says: 'Drying too much washing on the line, too many boiled potatoes and steam from cooking going into the cavity are all excuses CIGA have told customers. It's laughable. They blame the lifestyle of residents rather than failings by the installer.'

Mr Mercer says green energy grants for social housing have made the problem worse, as residents often don't have the funds to maintain properties in good condition to avoid rainwater infiltrating walls.

Damp issues started with my green grant For 14 years, Joan Rose had no damp-related problems in her suburban terrace home in Bury, Greater Manchester. When she qualified for a government grant to boost its energy efficiency, she had a new boiler, plus loft and cavity-wall insulation installed. But the work, carried out by sub-contractors via her energy company, Npower, in 2013, triggered an eight-year nightmare. Miss Rose, 62, a carer, says: 'Within a month, I noticed a mark on the wall.' Then 'more and more patches' appeared on the wall at the back of her house. Before long, there were also patches near the windows at the front of the house, and the plaster had 'started to peel away'. The contractors, Tameside Energy Services, blamed a problem with a bathroom waste pipe, which Miss Rose says was 'nonsense'. But her complaints fell on deaf ears and Tameside later went into liquidation. The work was meant to be guaranteed for 25 years by CIGA, but Miss Rose never received the certificate to prove it. She says she can't afford the thousands of pounds required to fix the problem, which she says is now 'horrendous'.

Pauline Saunders set up the campaign group Cavity Insulation Victims' Alliance (Civalli) after suffering damp inside her home in Newport, South Wales.

Five neighbours had the same issue with damp, and she discovered that exposure to rainfall meant the properties were unsuitable for the work.

She says the Government's green energy drive could make the problems worse.

'What concerns us is that the Government is under pressure to cut carbon emissions and they are pushing this like crazy,' she says.

'There will be a lot of cowboys jumping on the bandwagon to do the work.'

She adds: 'People need to do their research first because we know the Government is turning a blind eye to the problem, as it doesn't fit in with their message.'

If repairs are not carried out under the guarantee scheme, or the original installer goes out of business, the householder can be left with a home that can't be sold or is unmortgageable because of the repair work needed.

Those who have opted to take legal action find themselves running up legal bills to add to their financial woes.

Security manager Gavin Ward, 43, was forced to leave his family home in Bridgend, Wales, for four years and moved into rented accommodation after it was deemed 'uninhabitable' by the council because of damp, mould and unsafe electrics.

His insulation was fitted in 2011 by a company called Miller Pattison, which should never have gone ahead with the work because there was too much debris inside the wall cavity.

Mr Ward said: 'Having not assessed the house correctly, they ploughed ahead and did the insulation install. They then installed it negligently.'

He didn't notice a damp problem until 2016  and by the time the full damage had been revealed, the cost of extracting the insulation and repairing the damage was put at 63,000.

He was still in dispute with Miller Pattison when it went into voluntary administration in 2019.

Eventually, Mr Ward cut his losses for the sake of his family's health and managed to sell his house for 120,000  about 60,000 less than it would have fetched in good condition.

A spokesman for the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy says: 'Good home insulation plays a vital part in reducing carbon emissions and keeping energy costs down, which is why we are ensuring that all work completed under government schemes is done to the highest industry standards.

'To protect customers, installations under government schemes must be carried out by a TrustMark registered installer, which offers a 25-year guarantee and is certified to the highest industry standards.'

CIGA refused to comment.

moneymail@dailymail.co.uk
Far-right and anti-vaccine movements could result in individuals carrying out terror attacks after being radicalised by talk of martydom, taking up arms, and executions, experts fear.

The growing presence of extremist groups on social media within Australia has intelligence officials deeply concerned, after reports of neo-Nazis infiltrating and hijacking anti-vaccine rallies around the country.

Greg Barton, a professor at Deakin University who specialises in terrorism, fears Australia could start seeing attacks from 'lone wolves' inspired the the anti-lockdown and anti-vaccine 'freedom' movements.

Terror experts fear far-right and anti-vaxx movements could result in lone attacks from radicalised followers, including martydom, taking up arms and even executions

'My immediate worry is that an individual may decide to go and do something by themselves and it's quite likely [to be] somebody who has got other issues going on in their life,' he told The Age.

Experts said the end of stay-at-home orders in Australia splintered the following of anti-lockdown protesters who are looking for other outlets to oppose the government.

The volatility of the movement and the people indoctrinated have agencies concerned the idea of 'losing' the battle could lead to dangerous behaviour.

'As people see that momentum start to ebb away, they start to switch from the sense that "we are winning", to "we are losing"... they feel a need to escalate to some sort of really radical action,' Strategic Dialogue intelligence analyst Elise Thomas said.

One group's leader recently asked followers what they were 'willing to die for' on social media, before labelling the self-immolation of an anti-vaccine protester as a 'heroic' act.

The volatility of the movements and the people indoctrinated have agencies concerned the idea of 'losing' the battle could lead to dangerous behaviour

'It's got to the stage where we're getting arms  archery, gun licences,' another woman said.

She later justified the words saying her followers were arming themselves to hunt for food due to shortages in diesel additives that threatened to ground the supply industry.

Among those using extreme rhetoric is former special forces soldier Riccardo Bosi.

He has threatened and encouraged executions of notable public figures, including Alan Jones, Peta Credlin, and Ita Buttrose for their silence over what they describe as 'vaccine genocide'.

Mr Bosi, who leads an unregistered political party called AustraliaOne, has appeared at several 'freedom' rallies, and spreads conspiracy theories on social media.

The growing presence of extremists groups on social media within Australia has intelligence officials deeply concerned, after reports of Neo-Nazi infiltrating and hijacking 'freedom' rallies around the country

In a 60 Minutes story earlier this year director-general of ASIO Mike Burgess said right wing extremist groups now took up the majority of the intelligence agency's work.

'This is of grave concern to ASIO, and should be of grave concern to all Australians,' he told the program.

'They are getting our full attention at this particular time. We're seeing people as young as 16 and 17 in these groups, that concerns us.

'They're middle class, they're well educated. They understand the ideology, they look like every day Australians and they're not openly showing their violent beliefs.'
Horrifying surveillance footage shows the moment a gang of hammer-wielding thugs swiped upward of $110,000 in jewelry from a California mall.

Nine men stormed a San Jose shopping center January 3 and began smashing glass display cases at three stores as terrified employees ran for cover.

The thieves, whose faces were obscured by masks and hoodies, made off with gold necklaces and other valuables; they remained on the loose Monday.

It was the latest in a series of smash-and-grab attacks throughout California that critics blame on justice reform initiatives and soft-on-crime approaches to misdemeanors.

Last week's brazen burglary - which police characterized as a 'takeover robbery' - happened in Santa Clara County, where District Attorney Jeff Rosen is a 'nationally-recognized leader in criminal justice reform,' according to his online bio.

Eric Orozco - whose store Heart of Gold was targeted in the heist - said he lost between $50,000 and $100,000 of merchandise in the robbery.

The infuriated businessman is now joining the chorus of Californians demanding stricter punishment for the state's criminals.

Pictured: A group of men use sledgehammers to try to smash open a display case containing jewelry during a January 3 mall heist in San Jose, California

Orozco, who spent a decade building his business, said being robbed was an eye-opening experience.

'I talked to police and this is where I learned they're too soft,' Orozco told DailyMail.com. 'The police told me, 'we kind of have to let the thieves keep stealing because once they get to court, if there hasn't been enough stealing or damage, they're going to get too short of a sentence and they're going to be out and stealing again.'

'That was just mind blowing. They're letting me know they're going to let these guys come and rob me and other stores so they can rack up the amount of theft [needed to prosecute].'

Orozco's dad suffered a head wound during the robbery after he and another man chased the thieves away.

Eric Orozco, whose store Heart of Gold was targeted in the heist, said he lost between $50,000 and $100,000 of merchandise in the robbery

Pictured: display cases that one held gold necklaces at Heart of Gold were shattered and empty following the heist

At nearby Joyeria Guerro, employees heard thieves shouting 'get on the ground' before they raided the store and stole about $10,000 in jewelry, owner Rocio Gomez told The Mercury News.

'They heard the men say, 'Close the doors, get everything inside!' And that's when we started screaming,' she said.

San Jose Police Department spokesman Sergeant Christian Camarillo said he had 'nothing else to share' about the case Monday, but told DailyMail.com that the culprits will face felony charges if arrested.

His colleague Steve Aponte described the crime as a 'takeover robbery.'

'A takeover robbery is very different from a standard smash-and-grab or what we've seen recently with retail mall thefts,' Aponte told NBC Bay Area. 'These individuals actually forced their way into the store. And by saying takeover robbery, they demanded everybody to get on the ground.

They forced people who were present, including staff members, to do their will. And in doing so, they were able to take over, break the glass, take away the stuff that they wanted to take.'

The criminals involved are said to have cased the same shopping center days prior to the attack, and at one stage tried to rush its doors - only to be locked out by staff.

That incident is said to have left workers there worried and on edge, with their worst fears coming to fruition shortly afterwards.

Employees at one store heard thieves shouting 'get on the ground' before they raided the store and stole about $10,000 in jewelry

Police said the culprits will face felony charges if nabbed; they remained on the loose Monday

Overall violent crime in San Jose was up 11 percent in San Jose year-over-year through November, according to department data.

Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen is a bail reform proponent

Robberies were up 5.6 percent as aggravated assaults spiked 11 percent and rapes rose 28 percent. Homicides were down 21 percent year-over-year.

The department reported a seven percent decrease in property crimes, with vehicle thefts down 8.3 percent and burglaries down 4.8 percent.

Rosen, the county's top prosecutor, sponsored and successfully lobbied for California's Money Bail Reform Act, which changed the state's release pretrial release system from cash-based to risk-based.

He was one of three elected district attorneys to endorse a proposition to reform California's 'three strikes law,' which reduces jail sentences for inmates serving life sentences for 'non violent' third strike crimes.

He also supports diversion programs for non-violent offenders, but a spokesman for his office said the perps responsible for last week's jewelry theft would not be eligible for the program because their crimes were felonies.

Overall violent crime in San Jose was up 11 percent in San Jose year-over-year through November, according to department data. Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen is a bail reform proponent Robberies were up 5.6 percent as aggravated assaults spiked 11 percent and rapes rose 28 percent. Homicides were down 21 percent year-over-year.

Overall violent crime in San Jose was up 11 percent in San Jose year-over-year through November, according to department data.

Robberies were up 5.6 percent as aggravated assaults spiked 11 percent and rapes rose 28 percent. Homicides were down 21 percent year-over-year.

In nearby San Francisco, vehicle break-ins have become so commonplace over the past year that some desperate car owners have resorted to leaving their trunks open to avoid having the windows smashed by thieves.

A photo taken last month in San Francisco showed two SUVs parked side by side with their trunks ajar and no one inside the vehicles.

A similar trend also has been observed in Oakland, which has seen a spike in car break-ins and auto thefts as part of a larger crime wave that has engulfed the Bay Area, with homicides, assaults and thefts all skyrocketing.

The Bay Area experienced a spat of smash-and-grab robberies during the past year in a trend that accelerated after a group of thieves stole at least $150,000 in designer handbags from a Palo Alto Nieman Marcus.

A map shows the locations of some of the major smash-and-grab robberies that have recently taken place in California

The situation became so dire throughout the year that it prompted House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to denounce the looting trend in her hometown of San Francisco as 'absolutely outrageous.'

Pelosi called out what she termed an 'attitude of lawlessness' in the country as mobs of robbers have targeted luxury boutiques and major retailers San Francisco as well as other parts of California and nation.

In Southern California, Los Angeles police arrested 14 people last November in connection with 11 recent smash-and-grab robberies at stores, where nearly $340,000 worth of merchandise was stolen.

A Los Angeles Nordstrom, a Lululemon in Studio City, a Fairfax district store, and a CVS pharmacy in South Los Angeles were among the stores hit.

However, due to county's zero-bail policies, the suspects were all released within hours of being handcuffed.
Billionaire entrepreneur and "Shark Tank" star Mark Cuban has expressed his concerns about the rise of crypto spams on Twitter, stating that he is willing to pay the social media giant to remove it.

What Cuban does not know is that there is a simple way to mute crypto spams without spending a fortune.

Mark Cuban Hates Crypto Spam, Willing to Pay Twitter to Remove It

With the rise of cryptocurrencies in the world, several people are not happy receiving numerous crypto spams.

In addition to this, it appears that the Cuban is one of the receivers of the said crypto spamming, noting that he is willing to pay Twitter for hashtag and account filters.

I would pay Twitter for a hashtag and account filter. The crypto spam on here is out of control.  Mark Cuban (@mcuban) January 10, 2022

As of writing, the post has more than 30,000 likes.

Replying to Cuban's tweet, Twitter user @Jason58d shared a video showing a simple way to mute several words on Twitter. In the said video, he showed that Mark Cuban could prevent crypto spams without spending a lot of fortune.

Since the media proprietor wants to stop unwanted hashtags, Twitter explained the solution for this issue.

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Twitter Mute Hashtag

For those who do not know what the Twitter mute hashtag feature is, the social media giant explained that anyone on Twitter can choose to mute Tweets that include certain words, phrases, usernames, emoticons or hashtags.

Twitter furthered that these Tweets will be removed from their notifications tab, push notifications, SMS, email notifications, home timeline and responses to tweets if they chose to mute them.

However, it is also worth noting that only the alerts and home timelines are affected by muting words and hashtags. With that being stated, users can still find these tweets if they search for them.

Notifications for muted words and hashtags are applied to responses and mentions, as well as any interactions with such answers and mentions, including likes, retweets, subsequent replies and quote tweets.

Moreover, users could also receive notifications solely from those Twitter accounts they followed. If this is the case, users won't be able to mute words or hashtags in these alerts. Even if their tweet(s) include a term or hashtag that is muted, users will still receive such mobile notifications from these accounts.

To ensure its effectiveness, the following rules must be met.

This feature is case-sensitive which means the Twitter user must be specific.

When muting, users can use punctuation within a word or phrase.

When users mute a word, they silence both the word and its hashtag.

Users must put the @ symbol before the name to mute a specific account.

Words, phrases, usernames, emoticons and hashtags can all be muted up to the maximum character limit.

Muting is available in all languages supported by Twitter.

The time length for muting is set to Forever by default.

In the settings, users may see the list of the muted words (and unmute them).

Content that incorporates specified muted words and hashtags will not be included in recommendations sent to you through email or Twitter.

How to Mute Hashtags on Twitter

Since this feature prevents numerous spam alerts, Twitter users must follow the following simple steps to use this feature.

In the Twitter app, select "More" from the side navigation menu, then choose "Settings and privacy." After that, tap the "Privacy and safety" option, then select "Mute and block." From there, choose "Muted words." In the Muted words, select the plus icon. Once selected, type the words or hashtag to mute in the box below. Only one entry may be added at a time. For those who want to silence a word or phrase from their home timeline, choose it from the drop-down menu. Meanwhile, choose Notifications to mute a word or phrase in the Notifications. In terms of privacy, specify from "Anyone" or from "People you don't follow." Once done, select Forever then hit the "Save" button.

Related Article: How To Change Twitter Text Size and Avoid Eye Strain
Swipe, swipe, swipe It's not easy finding love online, but Cecilie Fjellhoy thought she finally met her prince charming in 2019 when she matched with Simon Leviev, the beguiling scion of an Israeli diamond dynasty.

Fjellhoy, 29 at the time, was a Norwegian graduate student living in London when she was swept off her feet by the self-proclaimed, 'Prince of Diamonds.' Leviev, then 28, was a handsome billionaire playboy who organized a private plane to take them to Bulgaria from London on their first date.

'When I first talked with Simon, we immediately had a bond,' says Fjellhoy in an upcoming Netflix doc. 'It felt like stepping into a movie.'

Though what began as a fairytale romance quickly soured into a cautionary tale in the dangers of online dating - one that left Fjellhoy $200,000 in debt and fearing for her safety.

In reality, Simon Leviev was actually Shimon Hayut, a convicted conman who served three years in Finnish prison for defrauding several women in order to fund his lavish lifestyle of private jets, fast cars and luxury hotels.

He would shower women he met on the dating app with lavish trips and gifts, using money he had taken from other women. He would then ask for more money under the guise of needing to protect his identity due to security concerns.

Now those victims share their story in The Tinder Swindler, an absorbing new Netflix documentary from the dream team behind of The Imposter and Dont F**k with Cats.

Premiering on February 2, the feature film promises to tell 'the jaw-dropping story of a prolific conman who posed as a billionaire playboy on Tinder, and the women who set out to bring him down.'

Cecilie Fjellhoy was a 29-year old, Norwegian graduate student living in London when she was swept off her feet by the self-proclaimed, 'Prince of Diamonds.' Leviev, then 28, was a handsome billionaire playboy who organized a private plane to take them to Bulgaria from London on their first date. The new Netflix doc focuses on three of his victims, Cecilie Fjellhoy, Pernilla Sjoholm and speaking for the first time, Ayleen Charlotte

Simon Leviev was actually Shimon Hayut, a convicted conman who previously served three years in Finnish prison for defrauding several women in order to fund his lavish lifestyle of private jets, fast cars and luxury hotels. The serial scam artist used his charm to prey on women he met through online dating apps, earning him the moniker the 'Tinder swindler'

Hayut asked Fjellhoy (right) to open a line of credit so he could pay his expenses under her name to protect himself from his 'enemies'

Shimon Hayut had been on the run for years when he was finally arrested in 2019 while using a fake passport in Greece. He had been a fugitive of Israel since 2011, wanted for fraud, theft and forgery, and skipping out on sentencing twice.

In the meantime, Hayut hopscotched around Europe, living lavishly off the savings of unsuspecting ladies he conned into trusting him.

The serial fraudster did a two year stint in a Finnish prison for swindling three women in 2015. When he was sent back to Israel in 2017 to face charges for his previous offenses, Hayut fled the country again with a new assumed identity.

By the time he met Cecilie Fjellhoy in January 2018, Hayut was posing as 'Simon Leviev,' son of the billionaire Russian-Israeli diamond mogul, Lev Leviev. He claimed to be a high-powered CEO for LDD Diamonds who constantly traveled for work.

'He tells me that his dad is the 'King of Diamonds,' and that means I'm the prince,' said Fjellhoy.

To make his claims more believable, Hayut legally changed his last name to Leviev and hired a team of fake assistants, business partners and a bodyguard to make his story more credible.

The fraudster first invited Fjellhoy to meet for coffee at the Four Seasons in London after the pair matched on Tinder. Upon finishing their drink, he asked the blonde graduate student if she wanted to join him on his private jet for a business trip to Bulgaria, leaving that afternoon. Fjellhoy told Norwegian news site Verdens Gang that she felt reassured by his 'team' of employees that were joining them.

What proceeded next was a whirlwind long distance romance that involved daily love notes over text, videos and voice messages exchanged on Whatsapp.

'This was the first time where I felt like: 'Oh my god I really like him. And it seems that he really likes me back as well,'' Fjellhoy said to Nightline on ABC in 2019.

Among the excessive love overtures, Hayut sent clips of himself on private jets, driving Ferraris and closeups of his luxury watches.

'I never felt this way, if you had told me I wouldn't even imagine it or believe it,' he said in a voice note that Fjellhoy shared with Verdens Gang.

'I love you my future wife,' he said in another.

Cecilie Fjellhoy (left) said the hardest part of the ordeal was that she loved 'Simon Leviev.' Shimon Hayut (right) posed as Simon Leviev - the 'Prince of Diamonds' - son of the Jewish billionaire diamond mine owner Lev Leviev

Funding the jetset lifestyle for Hayut and his 'team' added up fast. In just 54 days, the handsome Israeli imposter racked up $224,220 on Fjellhoy's American Express on private jets, luxury hotels, Louboutins in Bangkok, Gucci in Barcelona, the Ritz Carlton in Berlin and the Conservatory in Amsterdam. Fjellhoy believed he would repay her, she said: 'If you can afford to take a private jet to Oslo for an hour, it seems only logical that you can pay back any money I lend you'

With her Amex maxed out, Fjellhoy opened ten more lines of credit to continue paying for her crook-boyfriend. She took out a loan to pay off her credit cards, but the money Hayut promised to repay wasn't coming in

In June 2019, Hayut was arrested in Greece following a joint operation between Interpol and Israeli police. Israeli authorities requested his extradition to his home country, where he had been wanted on charges of theft, forgery and fraud since 2011

From early on, Hayut hinted at the inherent danger in being involved in the diamond industry, and claimed that he couldn't visit Fjellhoy in London because of threats he was receiving from enigmatic enemies.

He even went as far as sending photos of himself and his bodyguard in the hospital, after alleging they were 'attacked.'

Fjellhoy fell for it, hook, line and sinker. Four weeks into their courtship, the conman asked her to take out a massive line of credit for him, explaining that it was a precautionary security measure to avoid leaving a paper trail in his name.

As per his instructions, she filled out an application for an American Express Platinum Card and he told her to file an income of $200,000, assuring her that nobody would check it.

'It felt good to be able to give it to him and say, 'Here's my credit card. I managed it,' said Fjellhoy to the Norwegian news outlet.

The fraudster spent the money on plane tickets, hotels and dinners that were booked under her name to throw off suspicious 'enemies'.

'One of the main reasons why he needed it was protectionhe needed my name as a cover, he said,' Fjellhoy told Nightline in 2019. 'I know it sounds crazy...[but] why would he have this giant guy with him if he didn't need the protection?,' she said, apparently referring to a bodyguard.

Funding the jetset lifestyle for Hayut and his 'team' added up fast. In just 54 days, the handsome Israeli imposter spent two million Norwegian krone ($224,220) on Louboutins in Bangkok, on Gucci in Barcelona, at the Ritz Carlton in Berlin and the Conservatory in Amsterdam.

With her Amex maxed out, Fjellhoy opened ten more lines of credit to continue paying for her crook-boyfriend. She took out a loan to pay off her credit cards, but the money Hayut promised to repay wasn't coming in.

'My angel My love I just talked to the bank and they told me that the [transfer] of Amex will be there on Monday thousand percent,' read one text message Hayut sent her. He also added a bank letter from TD Bank attesting to a bank transfer in the amount of $500,000 to her account, but that document was forged.

After three months, the relationship was all but over. Fjellhoy said the moment she finally realized Hayut had stolen her money was 'such a shock'.

'I almost wanted to throw up, it was the first time in my life that I had gotten such a shock that my body physically was telling me that, 'OK your life is ruined,' everything came crashing down around me,' she told Nightline on ABC.

In the Netflix trailer Fjellhoy recalls: 'That's when police tell me, the man I love was never real, everything's a lie.'

Pernilla Sjoholm (left) and Cecilie Fjellhoy (right) team up with another victim, Ayleen Charlotte to tell their story in a new Netflix doc that follows them as they uncover his 'Simon Leviev's' true identity and fight to bring him to justice

After three months, the relationship between Fjellhoy and Hayut was all but over. She said the moment she finally realized he had stolen her money was 'such a shock'. 'I almost wanted to throw up, it was the first time in my life that I had gotten such a shock that my body physically was telling me that, 'OK your life is ruined,' everything came crashing down around me'

Pernilla Sjoholm first met Shimon Hayut (posing as Simon Leviev) on Tinder in March 2018. 'He was smart and funny and very impulsive' she says in the Netflix trailer

Hayut is also under investigation for fraud in the UK, Sweden, the Netherlands, and Germany

By then, fake Russian oligarch had moved on to his next victim, a Swedish woman named Pernilla Sjoholm, whom he splurged over $10,000 on taking to the opera in a limousine.

They first met on Tinder in March 2018. 'He was smart and funny and very impulsive' says Pernilla Sjoholm in the Netflix trailer for The Tinder Swindler.

'This may sound strange,' Sjoholm told Verdens Gang, 'But he's very thoughtful.'

It wasn't until eight months into their relationship that Hyut asked to borrow $45,000. He repaid her with valuable watch that she later discovered was fake.

Shortly after loaning him the money, Pernilla discovered that she had been swindled when an investigative reporter for Verdens Gang, contacted her to explain that they were researching the case of a serial fraudster. Together, they set up a sting operation to stop Shimon Hayut from his continuing his scam.

'He's not your everyday swindler,' she says. 'This man is in a league of his own.'

New Netflix documentary 'tells the jaw-dropping story of a prolific conman who posed as a billionaire playboy on Tinder, and the women who set out to bring him down'

When she finally confronted the man who she once called a 'friend,' he responded with little remorse: 'Pernilla if you double cross me, I can tell you right now that you will pay for it for the rest of your life.'

Via text message in May 2019, Shimon Hayut told ABC's Nightline that he was innocent and that the accusations against him were merely about 'a loan between friends that went south.' He added: 'They used me for my life they got expensive gifts and everything, in other words gold diggers.'

The fake billionaire fugitive was finally captured in June 2019 during a joint operation between Interpol and Israeli Police.

Shimon Hayut was sentenced to 15 months in prison and ordered to pay his victims $43,289 in compensation in December 2019, but was released after only serving five months.

'How can you give trust to a man like that, who escaped from Israel twice?' responded Pernilla Sjoholm to the news. 'A man that deceived and swindled women in Europe for hundreds of thousands of euros. Where is the justice?' she said.

Turns out, she was right. Once a conman, always a conman, Hayut was accused of lying his way into receiving an early vaccine dose when they were only being administered to medical workers, those over the age of 60 and at-risk groups,

He told The Times of Israel: 'I am not someone who waits in line or at places. With all due respect, I will not sit and wait 3-4 hours. I am not someone who waits and no one can say a word about it.'
An Alabama man faces federal charges over claims he paid a stranger he met on the Kik messenger app $75 to abduct a former female friend and subject her to 'the most brutal rape imaginable.'

Matthias Jacob Edward Mann, 22, was arrested last week in the north Alabama town of Hartselle on charges of attempted kidnapping and attempted coercion.

He was busted after a person who he believed was willing to assault the woman turned out to be a police officer working undercover online, according to a sworn statement from an FBI agent.

'Can anyone abduct and rape a b**** in Wisconsin?' Mann wrote in a channel titled 'Abduction and R@pe 3' on the messaging app Kik, using the username 'Dylan H.'

'Dylan H. described VICTIM as an ex-friend and requested that VICTIM "needs the most brutal anal rape imaginable"' authorities said. The potential victim's relationship to Mann was not outlined beyond prosecutors referring to her as his ex-friend.

Mann allegedly sent $75 through a payment app to cover expenses for the supposed abduction, the statement said, and was arrested Wednesday.

Matthias Jacob Edward Mann, 22, pictured, was arrested last week in the north Alabama town of Hartselle on charges of attempted kidnapping and attempted coercion

Mann wrote in a Kik channel titled 'Abduction and R@pe 3' on the messaging app while using the username 'Dylan H'

Mann has addresses in Hartselle but also listed addresses in metro Atlanta, where the would-be victim believed he lived, documents show.

Two public defenders named to represent Mann during the hearing did not return an email seeking comment Monday.

A detective with the Owatonna Police Department in Minnesota was monitoring the channel on the Kik app titled on December 29 when he saw a message from a user trying to hire someone to abduct and rape an acquaintance in Wisconsin, the statement said.

'This is a group in which users describe various sexual fantasies, request the sexual assaults of others (with either a knowing or unknowing victim), and trade rape/sexual assault videos,' the FBI wrote of the Kik channel.

Authorities also said that he wanted a video of the abduction and sexual assault of the potential victim to confirm that the abduction and rape was carried out as requested.

The detective began communicating with the person, determined that the request was real, and began trying to locate the user while also locating and contacting the would-be victim in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, to make sure she was safe, the statement said.

Page one of the criminal complaint against Mann after he sent a message to a Kik user trying to hire someone to abduct and rape an acquaintance in Wisconsin

Page two of the criminal complaint against Mann, who was charged Wednesday for attempted coercion and enticement, and attempted kidnapping, court documents show

Page three of the criminal complaint against Mann, who was jailed in Morgan County and made an initial appearance before a federal magistrate by video on Thursday

Mann ultimately agreed to pay for gas money to cover the drive from Minnesota to Wisconsin, and then approximately $2,000 once the kidnapping and rape was completed, authorities added according to Law and Crime.

The Kik account was tracked to Mann through computer records, the statement said, and phone location records were used to pinpoint the residence where Mann was arrested, apparently while visiting relatives.

The FBI office in Huntsville was brought in when evidence indicated the suspect was in Alabama.

The woman, who was not identified in court records, told police she had met Mann online and chatted with him on Twitter but they had not met in person, the agent's statement said.

Mann, who was jailed in Morgan County, made an initial appearance before a federal magistrate by video on Thursday.

No one from Kik immediately responded to an email requesting comment Monday.
A New York man upset with what he perceived as Donald Trump's threats to democracy was criminally charged on Monday with threatening to kill the former US president, who he once referred to as Hitler.

Prosecutors said the defendant, Thomas Welnicki, 72, of Rockaway Beach, threatened to do 'everything I can' to ensure Trump's death, and once inquired about Secret Service protection for former presidents and their children.

Welnicki was accused in a criminal complaint of discussing Trump's demise in several voluntary communications with US Capitol Police and the Secret Service between July 2020 and December 2021, during and after Trump's presidency.

The case was brought as Trump, a Republican, continues pressing claims that widespread voting fraud caused him to lose the November 2020 election to Democrat Joe Biden. Trump has yet to present any evidence to prove his allegations.

'Mr. Welnicki intended no harm to anyone,' his lawyer Deirdre von Dornum, attorney-in-charge of the federal defender's office in Brooklyn, said in an email.

Pictured: a courtroom sketch of Thomas Welnicki, 72, of Rockaway Beach, who threatened to do 'everything I can' to ensure Trump's death

Pictured: Assistant US Attorney Victor Zapana, left, and Judge Vera Scanlon, right

Thomas Welnicki, 72, from Queens, New York, has been charged with threatening to kill, kidnap, and inflict bodily harm on former president Donald Trump, pictured in September 2021

'He was expressing how distraught he was at what he saw as the threats to our democracy posed by former President Trump.'

Lawyers and spokespeople for Trump did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

US Magistrate Judge Vera Scanlon set bail at $50,000, and ordered Welnicki to undergo alcohol and mental health treatment and submit to GPS monitoring.

Assistant US Attorney Victor Zapana said there remained 'lingering concern' about the defendant following his 'very concrete and scary threats.'

Von Dornum countered that Welnicki had not left New York City for 15 years, and that if he were a danger 'they would have arrested him sooner.'

Pictured: Trump posing with his son, Donald Jr, and Kimberly Guilfoyle on January 1, 2022. Welnicki had also threatened Trump's children

Pictured: Donald Trump, who Welnicki likened to 'Hitler' amongst his threats

According to the criminal complaint, Welnicki told Capitol Police in July 2020 that if Trump lost the election and refused to step down, he would 'acquire weapons' and 'take him down.'

Welnicki allegedly later called the Secret Service around January 4, 2021, threatening to kill Trump and 12 unnamed congressional supporters, and referring to a $350,000 bounty.

'I will do anything I can to take out (Trump) and his 12 monkeys,' Welnicki was quoted as saying.

'Tomorrow (Trump) will be in Georgia, maybe I will.'

Trump visited Georgia that day to campaign for two incumbent Republican senators who sought unsuccessfully to win re-election and keep the US Senate under Republican control.

Two days later, on January 6, 2021, Trump supporters assaulted the US Capitol in a failed bid to overturn the presidential election.

Prosecutors said Welnicki's threats continued into the autumn of 2021, when he likened Trump to Adolf Hitler and referred to Trump's children.

He also allegedly told the Secret Service on December 2, 2021 that 'the new Civil War could break out and taking up arms against the government is justified when ballots don't matter.'
This is the shocking moment Colombian and United States authorities intercepted a speedboat as part of a raid that hauled in $166 million of cocaine.

Surveillance video shows the narco watercraft idle in the Pacific Ocean waters off the coast of Punta Remedios, El Salvador, as authorities zeroed in on the boat.

Footage shows three of the seven suspected drug traffickers who were detained voluntarily holding their hands up as authorities pulled up to their speedboat.

At least two of the suspects were identified as Ecuadorian nationals while the other five were all natives of Colombia.

The National Police of Colombia said the boat and another similar vessel were busted 406 and 430 miles, respectively, off Punta Remedios, with the two found to be carrying a combined $166 million worth of the illegal drug.

One of the two speedboats that were intercepted by the Colombian and U.S. military about 400 nautical miles off the Pacific Ocean coast of Punta Remedios, El Salvador, last week. The shipment, a total of 4,156 kilos, had a value of $166 million

Some of the packages that made up the 4,156 kilos of cocaine that were seized by the Colombian and American military off two drug trafficking vessels near the coast of El Salvador

The National Police of Colombia general Jorge Vargas said the two vessels had sailed last week from a port in Tumaco, city in the northwestern department of Narino, and were transporting a total of 4,156 kilos of cocaine.

Allende Perilla Sandoval, a high-ranking member within a Revolutionary Armes Forces of Colombia dissident group, reporteldy oversees a drug trafficking network that shipped 4,156 kilos of cocaine on two vessels that were intercepted last week near the Pacific Ocean coast of El Salvador

He did not indicate the delivery's final destination.

According to Vargas, the shipment belonged to a Revolutionary Armes Forces of Colombia dissident group that is led by Ivan Marquez, a guerrilla leader who was part of the 2016 peace agreement deal with the government before he abandoned the truce process in 2019.

Vargas added the cocaine shipment was overseen by Allende Perilla Sandoval and were sent by two guerrilla members known as Cagua and Malon.

The traffickers separated the cocaine bundles by placing labels of Fendi and Polo Ralph Lauren logos. Another label featured three 7's.

The Natoonal Police of Colombian said the 4,156 kilos of cocaine bust is the biggest to take place in recent months

Four of the seven alleged drug runners who were taken into custody by Colombian and U.S. military agents last week near El Salvador

The speedboat had its motor turned off by the time U.S. and Colombian military agents intercepted it some 400 nautical miles off El Salvador

Perilla Sandoval is reportedly in charge of administrating the dissident group's drug trafficking operations.

'(He) is a top drug trafficker in Tumaco (Narino),' Vargas said, as quoted by Colombian news outlet Semana. 'This is one the biggest operation over the last months.'

An end-of-year narcotics report released by Defense Minister Diego Molano showed that Colombian authorities confiscates more than 659 tons of cocaine and over 5,414 clandestine drug labs were destroyed in 2021.

In addition, at least 254,000 acres where coca leaves were planted were wiped out, including 148,000 in the departments.
A shivering toddler found wandering alone on Detroit's 8 Mile Road wearing only a diaper and socks, as temperatures plunged to 38 degrees, was rescued by a DoorDash delivery driver over the weekend.

Robert Jackson III told Fox2Detroit he was making a delivery around 11am on Sunday when he spotted the child on 8 Mile Road, half a block from John R. Street.

'He was standing in the middle of 8 Mile like this,' Jackson said. 'He was shaking, his hands and his lips were purple and his fingers were purple.'

Jackson said he immediately stopped his vehicle, scooped the shivering child up, wrapped his coat around him and placed him in the car to warm up.

The temperature outside at the time was 38 degrees, with a wind chill of 29.

A toddler (pictured) wandering alone on Detroit's 8 Mile Road wearing only a diaper and socks was rescued by a DoorDash delivery driver over the weekend as temperatures hovered around 38 degrees.

Jackson was out on a delivery when he spotted the child on 8 Mile Road. He immediately stopped, wrapped the child up in his coat and placed him in the car to warm up.

Jackson flagged down another driver to call the police, and then stayed and comforted the two-year-old until they arrived.

After warming up, the child appeared to be in good spirits, Jackson said.

The child was too young to know where he lived and was unable to give the driver any information.

'A baby - yeah man I know. You can't ask him who is mommy is,' said Jackson who has more than a dozen of grandchildren of his own. 'He can't talk. Look, he has no shoes.'

Detroit police arrived a short time later and were able to identify the child as a 2-year-old who lived less than a block away from where he was found.

A spokesperson for the Detroit Police told DailyMail.com that the child's mother had gone to the store that morning and left a 16-year-old sibling in charge of watching the child at their home nearby.

Jackson said the child was shaking, 'his hands and his lips were purple and his fingers were purple'

Jackson III spotted the child on 8 Mile Road, half a block from John R. Street

Police say they aren't sure how long the child had been wandering around outside, but he was taken to the Children's Hospital to be checked out.

Police are investigating the incident, but tell DailyMail.com that it appears the child simply walked out of the house unnoticed and no charges are expected to be filed.

Jackson told the news outlets that he was happy that he was there to help the child.

'It feels good that I was there - I don't know how to explain it,' he said.
A father has recalled how his baby boy almost died during his unexpected arrival at home after no ambulances were immediately available to rush him to hospital.

Melanie Moir gave birth to her second child Ethan on the bathroom floor of her Sydney home early in the morning of January 2, hours after the ambulance service was inundated with a record 5,120 triple zero calls on New Year's Day.

With the newborn not breathing or moving, her frantic husband Alex called triple-0 for an ambulance.

He made the decision to drive his wife and newborn to hospital after the call operator was unable to give an estimated time of arrival for the ambulance.

A midwife herself, Ms Moir gave CPR to Ethan on the short drive to The Royal Hospital for Women in Randwick, where he spent the next week in the neonatal intensive care and has since made a full recovery.

Ethan Moir (pictured) spent a week in neonatal intensive care after he entered the world at home not breathing or moving

NSW Ambulance has apologised to the family and launched an investigation into the incident.

The Moirs have opened up about their harrowing ordeal by taking aim at the NSW and federal governments over their handling of the Covid-19 pandemic in the last two years.

They acknowledged Ethan's ordeal is not Covid related but demonstrates the health system isn't coping due to government 'incompetence.'

'You have had two years to bolster health services, to prepare for the worst and expect to be overwhelmed. Two years to prepare before this child ever existed,' Mr Moir captioned a photo of his tiny son fighting for life in NICU.

'Our situation had nothing to do with Covid. If Ethan didn't survive, his death wouldn't have made any Covid metrics, but just how many deaths are on your hands outside of this pandemic?

'Our son isn't lucky to have survived his birth, he is lucky to have survived your government. You have failed your people, your country and your own humanity.'

Ethan's parents Melanie and Alex Moir have opened up about their traumatic ordeal to put a spotlight on the 'incompetency' of governments during the pandemic

Following Ethan's admission to NICU, the couple had to wait a terrifying 72 hours before they could hold him again.

Mr Moir feared Ethan may not have survived if his wife wasn't a midwife.

'Perhaps it was destiny that she was able to deliver her own child while in the pain of labour and keep him alive en route to hospital,' he continued.

'She is a hero like so many mothers, but what if she wasn't a trained medical professional? What if we were ordinary people reliant on health services? We were told that if we had of waited for an ambulance, our Ethan might have died.'

His wife told the ABC: 'I felt myself going back and forth between scared mother and my midwife brain switching on.

'I can only imagine what it would be like if you didn't have that information and resources to draw on as to what to do in this emergency situation

'It makes me a little bit scared what other people have to go through.'

Mr Moir had nothing but glowing praise to the midwives, nurses and doctors at The Royal Hospital for Women in Randwick as he paid tribute to frontline health workers copping the the brunt of the increasing health crisis.

'The hospital staff are the most inspiring individuals I've had the privilege of meeting, but everyday we overheard conversations about how they are overworked, under staffed, and undersupplied; how they are forced to take sick leave unpaid, as well as having leave revoked; how everyday they cannot provide the care they want to and are on the verge of breakdown,' he said.

Melanie Moir (pregnant with son Ethan) resuscitated her newborn son while her husband drove them to the hospital

Daily Mail Australia contacted NSW Health for comment, where a spokesman redirected the request to NSW Ambulance NSW, which has apologised to the family for the distress caused.

The service has denied Mr Moir's claims were there were no ambulances available to dispatch at the time of his call.

'NSW Ambulance is looking into the circumstances surrounding this incident and a review is underway. We will inform the family of the outcome,' a spokesman told Daily Mail Australia.

The service is currently facing unprecedented demand during the latest Covid crisis and responded to a record 5,120 triple-0 calls for help on New Years Day..

Melanie and Alex Moir had to wait 72 hours before they could hold their newborn son again following his dramatic arrival at home on January 2

Like other workplaces, NSW Ambulance is also experiencing increased staffing challenges associated with the pandemic, with some workers on furlough and sick leave.

'Currently the seven-day rolling average is nearly 4,500 Triple Zero calls every day,' a spokesman said.

'Our Virtual Clinical Care Centre has also been bolstered with 22 clinical support assistants commencing duties facilitating call backs to patients experiencing longer than usual delays. More staff will come on board this month.

Around 60 graduate paramedics joined NSW Ambulance this month with another 200 graduates due induction in the coming weeks.
A trail of mysterious moving lights that shocked Australians have been identified as Starlink satellites launched by billionaire Elon Musk.

Residents in Sydney and on the New South Wales Central Coast shared videos on social media of 'UFOs' flying above their homes over the weekend.

One man was fishing when he spotted the strange lights and asked for help in a video on Sunday.

Scroll down for video.

Sydney and central coast residents reported sightings of a 'UFO' on social media after spotting a strange line of 'aeroplane' like lights above the city

'I was fishing at Huntleys Point and then I looked in the sky and I just see some like aeroplane lights,' he said.

'I'm not sure, but there was about 20 of them travelling in one line and it was very weird.'

But experts from the Sydney Observatory confirmed the strange lights were satellites from Elon Musk's SpaceX Starlink program.

The Starlink satellites launch in brightly-lit chains and work to provide high-speed broadband to remote communities worldwide

RECENT STARLINK LAUNCHES January 6, 2022: 49 satellites December 18, 2021: 52 satellites December 2, 2021: 48 satellites November 13, 2021: 53 satellites September 14, 2021: 51 satellites Advertisement

Astrophysicist Dr Brad Tucker from ANU told 7News the launches would become more and more common in the years ahead.

'Instead of seeing stars everywhere, you'll see satellites everywhere.'

Elon Musk's firm launched its 35th batch of Starlink satellites on a Falcon 9 rocket from Kennedy Space Center, Florida on Friday.

Deployment of the 49 Starlink satellites on-board, which are each about the size of a table, was confirmed one hour and 20 minutes after liftoff.

Starlink is a constellation of more than 1,800 satellites that aims to provide internet access to most of the Earth, particularly underserved rural areas.

As part of its beta service, Starlink internet is already available in 23 countries around the world.

However, next-generation Starlink constellations could have a whopping 42,000 Starlink satellites in low-Earth orbit, Musk hopes.
Paramedics are experiencing 'extremely high demand' for ambulances in Melbourne and public transport delays are expected, as Covid-19 continues to impact services.

Ambulance Victoria issued a 'code red' overnight warning there would be delays in ambulances reaching people in the city and asking for triple zero to be reserved for emergencies.

'Ambulance Victoria is experiencing an extremely high demand for ambulances in the metropolitan region,' a statement released on Tuesday read.

'It is likely there will be a delay in an ambulance reaching you. Our priority is to provide care to Victorians who require life-saving assistance.'

The heavy delays and overwhelming demand for ambulances prompted AV to issue its second 'code red' in a week as people call 000 for non-emergencies (pictured, ambulance in Victoria)

The overwhelming demand for ambulances prompted AV to issue a second 'code red' in a week, as people continue to call triple zero for non-emergencies.

A similar statement was issued on January 5, as health officials continue to urge residents to use Nurse on Call services or report to their GP instead.

It comes after data revealed an overwhelming amount of people are calling triple zero to inquire about vaccines, testing and results, the Herald Sun reports.

In a recent survey of Emergency Services Telecommunications Authority operators revealed about half of the calls they received were not urgent.

One caller revealed they were on hold for 17 minutes when they called an operator on Saturday night, as non-emergency calls clog the system and cause wait times.

Paramedics are experiencing 'extremely high demand' for ambulances in Melbourne and public transport delays are expected, as Covid-19 continues to impact services (pictured, ambulances outside St Vincent's Hospital in Sydney)

In October 2021, the state government introduced save triple-0 for emergencies in hopes the initiative would reduce increased demand.

At the time of launch, data revealed one in five triple zero calls were from people who required life-saving assistance.

Covid-19 hospital admissions have been growing every day in Victoria, with 818 patients in the state's hospitals on Monday, 327 more than one week earlier.

AV reminded people to contact NURSE-ON-CALL or visit their GP is their illness is not an emergency.

Meanwhile, the Department of Transport says there may be disruptions to services over 'the next few weeks' with a large number of staff isolating.

'Due to driver availability, there may be changes to some public transport services,' the department said.

Ambulance Victoria issued a statement warning there would be delays in ambulances reaching people in the city and asking for triple zero to be reserved for emergencies (staff at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney)

'Passengers are advised to allow extra travel time. The Department of Transport continues to work closely with public transport operators to minimise the impact on passengers and to ensure the health and welfare of our staff and passengers.'

The number of people using public transport is currently 29 per cent of pre-Covid levels.

Victoria recorded 34,808 cases and two deaths on Monday, as the government announced new pandemic orders would kick in at 11.59pm on Wednesday.

Under the changes, the state will mandate vaccine boosters for critical workers, indoor dance-floors will close and food workers will be exempt from isolation rules.

Health Minister Martin Foley said the orders were needed to counter the 'significant spike' in infections and rise in hospitalisations.
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A New York City woman lost her sister, two nieces and a nephew in the Bronx apartment block fire that killed 17, with stricken families also sharing photos of their missing loved ones in the hopes of tracking them down.

Fatoumata Drammeh, 50, was killed in the fire, her grieving sister Koumba told DailyMail.com, as well as her three children: daughters Fatoumala, 21, and Aisha, 19, as well as son Mohammed, 12.

'They're such a nice people, they're so lovely,' said Koumba Drammeh of her sister, nieces and nephews. 'We're gonna miss them a lot.'

The inferno also took the lives of a family of five, whose ages ranged from five to 49.

Haji Dukuray, of Delaware, confirmed Monday the deaths of his 49-year-old nephew, who bares the same name, his wife, Haja Dukureh, 37, and their three children: Mustapha Dukuray, 12, Miriam Dukuray, 11, and Fatoumata Dukuray, 5.

Dukuray told New York Daily News is in contact with family in Gambia and working to determine next steps: 'The first step of closure for us is trying to retrieve the bodies.'

'In some cases we will bury the dead here. In some cases, we may fly them back to The Gambia,' he added.

Additionally, a husband and wife have been named as victims of the blaze.

The deaths of Hagi Jawara, 41, and his wife Isatou Jabbie, 31, were confirmed Monday evening by Hagi's brother, Yusupha Jawara.

Other family members and friends have shared photos of their loved ones online, in a desperate bid to track them down after Sunday's blaze at the Twin Parks North West Complex in the New York borough, which was triggered by a space heater.

Fatoumata Drammeh (pictured), 50, was killed in the fire, her sister Koumba told DailyMail.com, who said that she and her family were 'such lovely people'

Fatoumata's 12-year-old son Muhammad was the youngest member of the family to lose his life in the Bronx apartment building fire

Friends posted photos on Instagram stories asking for the whereabouts of the Drammeh family - mother Fatou and her daughter, Aisha and son, Muhammad - who have been missing since the fire

Isatou Jabbie, 31, and husband Hagi Jawara, 41, were confirmed dead Monday after the Bronx apartment building fire by Jawara's brother Yusupha

NBC New York reported that a police official had named the children killed in the blaze as Fatoumata Dukureh, aged 5, Mariam Dukureh, aged 11, five year-old Hawa Mahamdou, Mustapha Dukyhreh, who was 11, Omar Jambay, six, and Toure Seydou, who was 12.

Family members and neighbors are continuing to desperately search for any evidence of their missing relatives and friends in the wake of the apartment fire that was set after a faulty space heater set it alight and tore through the Bronx block killing eight children and nine adults.

Dorel Anderson and her boyfriend Ramel Thompson were reported missing after having been unaccounted for after residents evacuated the apartment building.

Anderson, who has cerebral palsy and is in a wheelchair, was visiting Thompson, a resident, at the time of the fire.

Her cousin, Lonell Sessoms, confirmed on Facebook that Anderson has since been found at an area hospital. She is 'intubated but alive'.

It is unclear if Thompson has yet been found.

Dorel Anderson and her boyfriend Ramel Thompson were both in the apartment building during the fire and reported missing. Anderson, who has cerebral palsy and is in a wheelchair, was visiting Thompson at the time of the fire. She has been found. Thompson's whereabouts remain unknown

Fire experts said the design of a nearly 50-year-old Bronx building and its older fire safety features likely contributed to the a blaze caused by a faulty space heater turning the complex into a smoke-filled chimney on Sunday morning

The list of the missing was announced as an immigrant father has revealed he leaped through flames to save his eight children.

The death toll, originally reported as 19, was revised downwards to 17 on Monday. Addressing the reduced death toll, Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro said patients had been taken to seven different hospitals in the city, which led to 'a bit of a double count'.

Fire experts, attributing smoke to the fatalities, believe a self-closing door in the Twin Parks North West complex may have malfunctioned, allowing the smoke to spread through the building.

'The fire was contained to the hallway just outside this two-story apartment, but the smoke travelled throughout the building and the smoke is what caused the deaths and the serious injuries,' Nigro said during a press conference Monday.

Exclusive photographs taken by DailyMail.com reveal what remains of the family unit after the fire engulfed their duplex apartment at 333 East 181st Street, at 11am on Sunday.

Mamadou Wague, who lived in Unit 3N with his wife and children, recalled how he was woken by his children screaming 'fire' and then found his eight-year-old daughter, Nafisha, screaming and trapped on a burning mattress in her bedroom.

'I just grab her and run,' the west African immigrant told the New York Times. 'I didnt think about anything except getting her out.'

Wague, 47, pulled his daughter from the burning bed, suffering burns to his lips and nose, and escaped the unit with his family. Nafisha sustained burns but is alive.

Fire Marshals ruled the fire 'accidental,' noting that it was caused by a malfunctioning space heater and that a 'smoke alarm was present and operational'.

A New York City official, who spoke to the newspaper on the condition of anonymity, revealed fire marshals suspect the space heater had been running uninterrupted for multiple days. According to a list of resident maintenance requests shared online, building received at least four complaints last year of units being without heat. It is unclear if Unit 3N was having an issue with heat.

Man who helped fire victims get to hospital mourns loss of his brother and sister-in-law who leave behind four orphaned children A man who helped transport victims of the Bronx apartment fire to nearby hospitals is mourning the loss of his brother and sister-in-law, who leave behind four children. Yusupha Jawara lost his brother Hagi Jawara, 41, and sister-in-law Isatou Jabbie, 31, in Sunday's inferno that left 17 dead and dozens wounded. Jawara, 46, is now waiting for an 'appropriate' time to tell to tell his two nephews and two nieces, whose ages range from six to 15, that their parents have died. 'Right now, we are trying to get the bodies and arrange the funerals and how to break the news to [the children],' Jawara told the New York Post. 'Then, as a family, we will sit down together and figure out what will happen next.' The four children were in Gambia visiting relatives at the time of the fire. 'We don't want to put it out to them just like that,' he said, adding: 'Isatou loved her kids to death. The kids were her life.' Yusupha Jawara lost his brother Hagi Jawara, 41, (pictured) and sister-in-law Isatou Jabbie, 31, in Sunday's inferno that left 17 dead and dozens wounded Yusupha said Hagi and Isatou (pictured) leave behind four children. He claims Isatou's children 'were her life' and she 'loved them to death' Jawara, who lived nearby, rushed to the complex Sunday morning to assist transporting injured residents to St. Barnabas Hospital. He said he initially hadn't given much thought to Hagi and Isatou's whereabouts, thinking they would be safe as they had lived on the 18th floor, far from the fire that started 15 stories below. 'Their neighbors on the higher floors never came out and they were safe, so I thought that maybe my brother also was safe in the apartment,' Jawara said. However, as the day wore on, he said the couple did not answer his phone calls and his concern grew. He later found out they were among those who died of smoke inhalation. Jawara believes he may have seen his brother being carried on a gurney. 'I was just helping the EMS transport one person to the hospital when I saw him - somebody similar like him - on a stretcher being brought to the ER,' Jawara recalled Tuesday as his family began making funeral plans for their loved ones. 'At that time, I didn't have the focus to know that it was him.' Hagi fled to the United States in the 1990s as a refugee during the civil war in his homeland of Sierra Leone. He later married Isatou, a Gambian woman who worked as a home-health aide and whose family had settled in the Bronx. Jawara described his brother as a 'jovial, kind-hearted and religious man'. 'He was always smiling and laughing with everyone, never had a disagreement with anybody,' he told the Post. Advertisement

Officials believe the fire spread so rapidly because Mr Wague left his apartment door open as he fled for his life with his kids.

Mayor Eric Adams said there may have been a 'maintenance issue,' as it was supposed to close automatically. He told CNN: 'The doors in the building did have self-closing mechanisms. We are just looking at that specific door.'

However, Andrew Ansbro, president of the FDNY Uniformed Firefighters Association Union, said the 49-year-old building was poorly equipped to deal with a fire.

'It was at a building that was built under federal guidelines way back when, so its not up to New York City fire codes,' he told the New York Daily News.

It has no fire escapes and stairwells meant to be used as emergency exits quickly filled with smoke, along with floors where stairwell doors were left open.

Large, new apartment buildings in the city are required to have sprinkler systems and interior doors that swing shut automatically to contain smoke and deprive fires of oxygen, however those rules don't apply to older buildings.

Many residents ignored the fire alarms when they went off on Sunday because they sound so frequently as false alarms.

'First we heard the fire alarm go off. Numerous times,' said Michael Joseph, 32, who lived on the sixth floor with his uncle. But we didn't think nothing of it, because normally people in the building, they smoke and tend to set it off. So we thought it was probably just people playing.'

The apartment complex was purchased for $24,675,000 in 2020 by a group of investors, including Camber Property Group. Rick Gropper, a co-founder and principal at Camber, was one of the nearly 800 individuals named last month to the new mayor's transition team.

Pope Francis offered his condolences Monday to the victims of the 'devastating' apartment fire. In a telegram sent to New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan he offered 'heartfelt condolences and the assurance of his spiritual closeness' to those affected by the blaze.

The fire at Twin Parks North West complex in the Bronx broke out in Unit 3N, where the nine-person Wague family resided. Their residence is pictured Monday, covered in ash and debris

The Wague family's apartment is seen completely destroyed. Father Mamadou Wague said the blaze left his eight-year-old daughter trapped in her bedroom on a mattress engulfed in flames. He pulled his daughter out of the flames and managed to escape

The blaze is unit 3N was caused by a faulty space heater

The entire unit was damaged by the blaze

T he building is home to many immigrants from west Africa, especially Gambia, and the Dominican Republic. It has a mix of private renters and those whose rent is being paid by the state.





W ague said he was asleep when the fire broke out, recalling how his kids alerted him to the blaze: 'One of the kids said, "Oh, Daddy! Daddy! Theres a fire!'





'I get up and theres smoke in the kids rooms.'

Smoke had filled the now ash-covered unit.

'It was dark,' his son, Hame Wague, 16, told the newspaper. 'We were all coughing.'

Although his entire family survived the blaze, the tragedy left Wague stricken with grief.

'I don't want anybody life  I don't want to hear anybody dead in this fire, that's what I worry about,' he told ABC 7 shortly after his rescue.

Mayor Adams, speaking Monday, vowed to 'double down' on encouraging residents to close doors in the event of a fire. However, he reiterated that city leaders do not place blame on the Wague family for the catastrophe.

'What we dont want to do is just to add more trauma on a family that was simply trying to escape, a very dangerous and a very frightening experience,' the mayor said during a press briefing.

The five-alarm blaze is New York City's deadliest in three decades. President Joe Biden, speaking with Mayor Adams Monday, offered his 'heartfelt condolences and support' to the victims, city leaders and residents. Biden told the mayor any resources the city needs will be made available.

Although the flames only damaged a small portion of the building, smoke escaped through the Wague family's open door and flooded the stairwells - the only method of escape as the building was too tall for fire escapes - with ash.

The building received various complaints from residents last year, including at least four alleging their unit had 'no heat'

Some people could not escape because of the volume of smoke, while others became incapacitated as they tried to flee. Several residents said the fire alarms in the building are always going off so they ignored them.

While there have not been any major building violations or complaints listed against the building, according to city building records, however it was reportedly not up to code.

Public records show the building has open violations for cockroach and mouse infestations, lead paint and water leaks, however no structural violations were listed.

The New York Post reported there were more than two dozen violations and complaints at the building since 2013 - despite $25 million in state loans for repairs.

The Twin Parks North West complex is classified as a D1 building, according to Street Easy. The classification designates the complex as an elevator apartment building that is semi-fireproof and without stores.

D1 buildings can be found in all five boroughs of New York City and account for about 29 percent of complexes in the Bronx, Property Shark reported.

The inferno, caused by a faulty space heater, started in Unit 3N, where the Wague family lived. Investigators are still trying to determine how the blaze spread, however NYC Mayor Eric Adams said it appears the smoke spread due to a door that was supposed to automatically close being open

Mamadou Wague said he was asleep when the fire broke out, recalling how his kids alerted him to the blaze: 'One of the kids said, "Oh, Daddy! Daddy! Theres a fire!'

New York City's worst fire disaster in more than 30 years that broke out on the second and third floor of a building at 333 East 181st Street in the Bronx has killed eight children and nine adults (pictured, people jump to safety from the burning building)

FDNY commissioner Daniel Nigro said that 'very heavy' fire and smoke 'extended the entire height of the building' and confirmed that a space heater caused the blaze. Firefighters were pictured rescuing residents from the blaze early on Sunday

Some of the broken windows from a fire where a space heater caught fire and caused the devastation in the Bronx

Some of the items that caught on fire in apartment 3N

Investigators determined a malfunctioning electric space heater started the fire in the 19-story building, leaving victims on 'every floor.'

Eight children were among at least 17 people killed and 63 injured in Sunday's inferno. Dozens of residents were hospitalized, several in critical condition, and doctors were continuing efforts to save victims live on Monday.

The mayor said it's likely the death toll could rise.

'We pray to God that they'll be able to pull through,' Mayor Adams said during a CNN interview Monday morning.

At least 200 firefighters responded to the scene, some arriving within minutes of the initial call for help. As they entered the building, the first responders were met with flames in the hallway.

Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro said an investigation was underway to determine how the fire spread and whether anything could have been done to prevent or contain the blaze.

Adams said it appears the smoke spread due to a door that was supposed to automatically close being open.

'There may have been a maintenance issue with this door. And that is going to be part of the .. ongoing investigation,' Adams said on Good Morning America.

The mayor said the fire crews continued rescue measures even after running out of oxygen.

'Their oxygen tanks were empty and they still pushed through the smoke,' he explained, noting that icy conditions made it difficult for firefighters to put out the blaze.

Jay Jimenez, who lives in the building next door, said he went into the building to help rescue trapped residents. He said he helped 'a lot' of people make it to safety, but also recalled the horrifying moments he carried deceased victims out of the building.

'I was just focused on the mission,' Jimenez, 35, told DailyMail.com on Monday. He said he helped the fire department as they brought victims to the lobby: 'I pulled them out, while they bring them through the stairs and out the front lobby and I just took them by the knees and brought them all the way outside.'

He added: 'I couldn't sleep last night - I haven't slept. I feel sad. I got kids. I saw a three-year-old completely dead and that's in my mind. I am not the same. It's really sad.'

Jimenez also applauded the 'hero' first responders who risked their lives to help the trapped residents.

Firemen stand at the scene of a fire at a multi-level apartment building in the Bronx on Monday

Workers clean up at the scene of a fire at a multi-level apartment building in the Bronx on Monday

Some of the items that caught fire at 333 East 181st Street in the Fordham Heights area of the Bronx

Firefighters respond to a five-alarm blaze that broke out in the Bronx on Sunday

Clean-up and recovery workers are seen Monday cleaning in front of a Bronx apartment building a day after a fire swept through the complex

'The impact of this fire is going to really bring a level of pain and despair in this city,' Mayor Adams said during a press conference early on Sunday, shortly after the blaze was extinguished.

'The numbers are horrific. We have over 32 people who are life-threatening at this time. This is going to be one of the worst fires we have witnessed in the City of New York in modern times.'

Sunday's blaze came just days after a Philadelphia house fire killed 12 people, including eight children.

That was the deadliest fire at a U.S. residential apartment building since 2017, when 13 people died in an apartment in the Bronx, according to data from the National Fire Protection Association.

That fire started after a three-year-old boy was playing with stove burners.

The deadliest fire prior to that was in 1989 when a Tennessee apartment building fire claimed the lives of 16 people.

NEW YORK CITY'S DEADLIEST FIRE DISASTERS At least 17 people died on Sunday when a five-alarm fire erupted in a 19-story building in the Bronx. Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro and Mayor Eric Adams described the fire as 'NYC's worst in 30 decades. 'The impact of this fire is going to really bring a level of pain and despair in this city,' Adams said. We're taking a look at some of the worst fire disasters in the recent history of the Big Apple. March 25, 1990/West Farms, The Bronx - Eighty-seven people died trapped in the Happy Land social club after an unemployed refugee, whose girlfriend worked at the club, set the base of the staircase - the only point of access to the club - on fire with $1 worth of gasoline. Bodies are covered along the sidewalk in front of the Happy Land Social Club in the Bronx following a fire in the windowless-second floor room The charred facade of the Happy Land social club in the Bronx section of New York City is pictured in 1990 December 28, 2017/ Belmont, The Bronx - A fire in the Belmont apartment of the Bronx killed 13 people and injured 14 others. At the time it became New York City's deadliest fire in 25 years. It erupted when a 3-year-old played with the burners of the fire stove on the first floor of the building. As the mother desperately removed her children from the apartment, she accidentally left the door open, allowing the fire to spread. A fire Department of New York (FDNY) personnel works on the scene of an apartment fire is in the Bronx borough of New York City is seen on December 29, 2017 March 7, 2007/Highbridge, The Bronx- The fire was started by a space heater's electrical cord. it killed nine children and one adult. The building owner lost his five children. Another man lost his wife and four children. Fire department and police vehicles sit at the scene of a 3-alarm blaze that claimed the lives of 9 people, including 8 children, in an apartment building Thursday, March 8, 2007 Charred wreckage sits piled at the scene of blaze that claimed the lives of 9 people, including 8 children, in a 4-story apartment building Thursday, March 8, 2007 April 23, 2017/ Queens Village, Queens- The fire at 112-16 208th St in Queens Village killed five people, including four children. A person driving by spotted the flames and alerted police. The fire was raised to three alarms before being stopped. New York Fire Department personnel stand outside the scene of a deadly fire Sunday, April 23, 2017, in Queens Village in New York October 4, 2015/Borough Park, Brooklyn - An intentional building explosion and fire in Brooklyn left two dead and eight injured after a tenant who was late on rent poured gasoline in the stairwell of the three-story building. View of 13th Avenue and damaged cars in front of burned out storefront

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How Bronx building turned into a smoke-choked chimney that killed 17: Self-closing doors failed, it didn't have fire escapes and alarm system was so sensitive residents ignored it

Fire experts said the design of a nearly 50-year-old Bronx building and its older fire safety features likely contributed to the blaze caused by a faulty space heater turning the complex into a smoke-filled chimney on Sunday morning.

The inferno erupted in a third-floor duplex in the 19-floor Twin Parks North West building, which was built in 1973.

Andrew Ansbro, president of the FDNY Uniformed Firefighters Association Union, said the ageing building was poorly equipped to deal with a fire.

'It was at a building that was built under federal guidelines way back when, so its not up to New York City fire codes,' he told the New York Daily News.

It has no fire escapes, as they weren't a requirement when the building was constructed. At the time, the city had banned exterior fire escapes. However, as Sunday's inferno burned the stairwells, which are meant to be used as emergency exits, quickly filled with smoke.

Fire officials cited the system of 'scissor stairs' inside the complex as a design that makes it more difficult to feed a hose through in the building.

Twin Parks North West is equipped with self-sealing fire doors, but it is unclear how many of them were open. Investigators said at least one, located on the 15th floor of the high-rise, was not shut, allowing smoke to spread.

Per city law, Unit 3N - where the fire originated - had a self-closing door, however, New York City Mayor Eric Adams confirmed Monday the door failed to completely shut, likely the result of a 'maintenance issue'.

'Were looking to determine if there was some form of malfunctioning of the door,' Adams told CNN Monday morning.

'We have a law here that requires doors to close automatically. We are looking at [that] through the investigation with the fire marshals, who will be extremely thorough with the investigation.'

Fire investigators tested most of the doors in the complex on Sunday and found a handful of other units had doors that did not close automatically, as designed, a fire official confirmed to the New York Times.

The complex also has a sprinkler system, but only in its laundry and contractor room. Large, new apartment buildings in the city are required to have sprinkler systems and interior doors that swing shut automatically to contain smoke and deprive fires of oxygen, however those rules don't apply to older buildings.

Additionally, many residents ignored the fire alarms when they went off on Sunday because they sound so frequently as false alarms.

'First we heard the fire alarm go off. Numerous times,' said Michael Joseph, 32, who lived on the sixth floor with his uncle. But we didn't think nothing of it, because normally people in the building, they smoke and tend to set it off. So we thought it was probably just people playing.'

The fire at Twin Parks North West complex in the Bronx broke out in Unit 3N, where the nine-person Wague family resided. Their residence is pictured Monday, covered in ash and debris

The family's apartment is seen completely destroyed. Father Mamadou Wague said the blaze left his eight-year-old daughter trapped in her bedroom on a mattress engulfed in flames. He pulled his daughter out of the flames and managed to escape

The blaze in unit 3N was caused by a faulty space heater, fire marshals determined Monday

The entire unit was damaged by the blaze

The owners of the Bronx building insist smoke detectors were working on Sunday when the flames tore through the building, despite fire bosses claiming the building isn't up to code, and include a member of the new mayor's housing transition team.

Eight children and nine adults died after the fire started at 333 E. 181st St. near Tiebout Ave in the Bronx shortly before 11am, tearing through a duplex apartment then spreading to other units in the affordable housing complex.

It is believed to have been started by a space heater that was running uninterrupted for days inside 3N, an apartment where Mamadou Wague and his eight children lived. They all survived but another eight kids from inside the building, and nine adults, died.

At a press conference on Monday, officials said the fire spread after the apartment's entry door failed to automatically close, as it should have, when Wague and his family fled.

'The fire was contained to the hallway just outside this two-story apartment, but the smoke travelled throughout the building and the smoke is what caused the deaths and the serious injuries,' Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro explained.

Mayor Adams, echoing Nigro's claim, vowed to 'double down' on the instructing residents to close doors in the event of a fire. However, he reiterated that city leaders do not blame the family for the catastrophe.

'What we dont want to do is just to add more trauma on a family that was simply trying to escape, a very dangerous and a very frightening experience,' Adams said.

Although none of the victims' identities have been confirmed by the coroner's office, police sources told the New York Post the youngest victims include a four-year-old, two five-year-old girls, a six-year-old boy, a pair of 11-year-old girls and a 12-year-old boy. Several victims appear to be from the same families.

Additionally, many residents remain missing including Dorel Anderson, who has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair, and her boyfriend, Ramel Thompson.

Thompson's parents, who also live in the building and successfully escaped, claim the couple was in the apartment during the blaze but haven't yet been found.

Anderson's mother, Karen Benjamin, echoed the Thompson family's concerns, telling the Post: 'We were given no information. We cant find her.'

New York City's worst fire disaster in more than 30 years that broke out on the second and third floor of a building at 333 East 181st Street in the Bronx has killed eight children and nine adults (pictured, people jump to safety from the burning building)

FDNY commissioner Daniel Nigro said that 'very heavy' fire and smoke 'extended the entire height of the building' and confirmed that a space heater caused the blaze. Firefighters were pictured rescuing residents from the blaze early on Sunday

New York City Mayor Eric Adams said a malfunction with a self-closing door allowed smoke from a Bronx apartment fire started by a faulty space heater to spread throughout the building, killing eight children and nine adults

The building is home to many immigrants from west Africa, especially Gambia, and the Dominican Republic. It has a mix of private renters and those whose rent is being paid by the state.

Wague recalled how his kids alerted him to the blaze: 'One of the kids said, "Oh, Daddy! Daddy! Theres a fire!'

'I get up and theres smoke in the kids rooms.'

He then found his eight-year-old daughter, Nafisha, screaming and trapped on a burning mattress in her bedroom.

The 47-year-old father pulled his daughter from the burning bed, suffering burns to his lips and nose, and escaped the unit with his family. Nafisha sustained burns but is alive.

'I just grab her and run,' the west African immigrant told the New York Times. 'I didnt think about anything except getting her out.'

Smoke had filled the now ash-covered unit.

'It was dark,' his son, Hame Wague, 16, told the newspaper. 'We were all coughing.'

Although his entire family survived the blaze, the tragedy left Wague stricken with grief.

'I don't want anybody life  I don't want to hear anybody dead in this fire, that's what I worry about,' he told ABC 7 shortly after his rescue.

Fire Marshals have ruled the blaze 'accidental,' with the cause being a malfunctioning space heater. A New York City official, who spoke to the New York Times on the condition of anonymity, said officials suspect the space heater had been running uninterrupted for multiple days.

Emergency personnel from the FDNY provide medical aid as they respond to an apartment building fire in the Bronx

Some of the broken windows from a fire where a space heater caught fire and caused the devastation in the Bronx

Some of the items that caught fire at 333 East 181st Street in the Fordham Heights area of the Bronx

Firefighters respond to a five-alarm blaze that broke out in the Bronx on Sunday

The building is owned by Bronx Park Phase III Preservation LLC, a consortium of three property developers; The Camber Property Group, Belveron Partners and the LIHC Group. They purchased the building along with seven others in late 2019 as part of a $160million deal on affordable housing in the Bronx.

333 East 181st Street was formerly known as Twin Parks North West. They bought it for just shy of $25million - which values each of the 120 apartments inside at $206,000. The wider, $160million deal of 1,200

The tenants are all households earning 60 percent of area median income. A family or household of four in the building earns, for example, $72,000 and generally their rent will be less than a third of that annual income - less than $2,000 per month.

A spokesperson for the consortium would not confirm how much tenants pay in rent at 333 East 181st Street when contacted by DailyMail.com on Monday.

The developers paid a third less than the average sale price of homes in the Bronx, and a seventh of the average sale price of apartments in New York City when they bought the properties in 2019.

The owners charge tenants there less than the market rate for apartments in the area.

They also receive subsidiaries from the local governments and enormous tax credits.

Andrew (left) and Charlie Gendron (right) of the LIHC group, the third investor

According to an announcement at the time they bought the properties, the developers said they intended to renovate.

It's unclear if any renovations had begun but records filed with the Department of Housing indicate more than two dozen violations and complaints at the building since 2013.

Public records show the building has open violations for cockroach and mouse infestations, lead paint and water leaks, however no structural violations were listed.

Some of the complaints were filed in December of 2021.

The developers agreed to keep the properties within the city's roster of affordable housing when they purchased them.

They said they would keep them affordable for the next 40 years at least.

One of The Camber Group's founders is Rick Gropper, who was among hundreds listed as a contributor to new Mayor Eric Adams' transition team in the housing department.

The others are Andrew and Charlie Gendron, of the LIHC Group, and Paul Odland of Belveron.

A spokesman for Bronx Park Phase III Preservation LLC, the group of investors who own the building, told The New York Times that the fire alarm system in the building was working on Sunday and that there were no outstanding concerns.

'We are devastated by the unimaginable loss of life caused by this profound tragedy.

'We are cooperating fully with the Fire Department and other city agencies as they investigate its cause, and we are doing all we can to assist our residents.

'Our thoughts are with the families and friends of those who lost their lives or were injured, and we are here to support them as we recover from this horrific fire.'

The building received various complaints from residents last year, including at least four alleging their unit had 'no heat'

The developers who own the building where the fire occurred on Sunday also own another seven in the neighborhood, shown above. They purchased them in 2019 as part of a deal in which they acquired 1,200 apartments for $160million - an average of $133,333 per apartment. The average market cost of an apartment in the Bronx is three times that as around $365,000

The five-alarm blaze is New York City's deadliest in three decades. President Joe Biden, speaking with Mayor Adams Monday, offered his 'heartfelt condolences and support' to the victims, city leaders and residents. Biden told the mayor any resources the city needs will be made available.

Pope Francis offered his condolences Monday to the victims of the 'devastating' apartment fire. In a telegram sent to New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan he offered 'heartfelt condolences and the assurance of his spiritual closeness' to those affected by the blaze.

The death toll, originally reported as 19, was downgraded to 17 on Monday.

Addressing the revised numbers, Commissioner Nigro said patients had been taken to seven different hospitals in the city, which led to 'a bit of a double count'.

'This number could unfortunately increase again,' he told reporters.

'We pray to God that they'll be able to pull through,' Mayor Adams echoed, adding: 'If we take one message from this (disaster), it's close the door.'

At least 200 firefighters responded to the scene, some arriving within minutes of the initial call for help. As they entered the building, the first responders were met with flames in the hallway.

The mayor said the fire crews continued rescue measures even after running out of oxygen.

'Their oxygen tanks were empty and they still pushed through the smoke,' Adams explained, noting that icy conditions made it difficult for firefighters to put out the blaze.

'The impact of this fire is going to really bring a level of pain and despair in this city,' Mayor Adams said during a press conference early on Sunday, shortly after the blaze was extinguished.

'The numbers are horrific. We have over 32 people who are life-threatening at this time. This is going to be one of the worst fires we have witnessed in the City of New York in modern times.'

Sunday's blaze came just days after a Philadelphia house fire killed 12 people, including eight children.

That was the deadliest fire at a U.S. residential apartment building since 2017, when 13 people died in an apartment in the Bronx, according to data from the National Fire Protection Association.

That fire started after a three-year-old boy was playing with stove burners.

The deadliest fire prior to that was in 1989 when a Tennessee apartment building fire claimed the lives of 16 people.
The US Mint has started shipping quarters featuring the likes of several trailblazing women as a part of the American Women Quarters Program, and poet and civil rights activist Maya Angelou will be the first black woman to ever grace the coin.

The Angelou coin is one of five new quarter designs that will run this year through 2025, while George Washington's likeness will remain on the other side, the US Mint recently announced.

Bosses there confirmed they have already begun shipping the Maya Angelou coins, meaning Americans should start to see them appearing in their change soon.

The other women to be featured in the collection include Sally Ride, the first American woman in space, Wilma Mankiller, the Cherokee Nation's first female principal chief, Anna May Wong, the first Chinese-American Hollywood film star, and suffrage movement leader Adelina Otero-Warren.

'It is my honor to present our Nation's first circulating coins dedicated to celebrating American women and their contributions to American history,' Mint Deputy Director Ventris C. Gibson said in a news release.

'Each 2022 quarter is designed to reflect the breadth and depth of accomplishments being celebrated throughout this historic coin program.'

The coins will feature five famous women, including Angelou, top right, astronaut Sally Ride, top center, Native American Chieftan Wilma Mankiller, Suffragette Nina Otero-Warren, and movie star Anna May Wong

Pictured: the Maya Angelou quarter that the US Mint just started shipping for the American Women Quarters Program, left, and portrait of author Maya Angelou, right

'Maya Angelou, featured on the reverse of this first coin in the series, used words to inspire and uplift.'

The program was initially conceived back in 2017, after US Representative Barbara Lee of California worked alongside Rosa Gumataotao Rios, a Treasury official under the Obama administration, and drafted legislation that would eventually become the Circulating Collectible Coin Redesign Act.

In 2020, the act was officially signed into law, with potential honorees nominated by the public last year.

Angelou, who died in 2014 at the age of 86, worked alongside the likes of other civil rights pioneers such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X after her memoir, 'I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,' was released in 1969.

In 1993, she became the first black poet to read a poem at a presidential inauguration, and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom from then-President Barack Obama in 2011.

Pictured: Sally Ride, Astronaut in 1983, left, and Anna May Wong, right, who will also be featured in the new US Mint quarter series

American suffragist and politician Adelina 'Nina' Otero-Warren poses for a portrait on July 11, 1923

Wilma Mankiller, principal chief of the Cherokee Nation, poses beside a lake. Mankiller was the first female principal chief in the history of the Cherokee Nation

'As a leader in the civil rights movement, poet laureate, college professor, Broadway actress, dancer, and the first female African American cable car conductor in San Francisco, Maya Angelou's brilliance and artistry inspired generations of Americans,' Lee said.

'If you find yourself holding a Maya Angelou quarter, may you be reminded of her words, "be certain that you do not die without having done something wonderful for humanity."'

Angelou's inclusion in this series of minted quarters comes after years of advocacy beginning with the Obama administration to put black women on US currency, with abolitionist Harriet Tubman having been proposed to replaced Andrew Jackson, a slave owner, on the $20 bill.

The movement was ultimately delayed during Donald Trump's presidency, with the former president calling it 'pure political correctness' at the time.

Meanwhile, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said President Joe Biden had worked to 'speed up the process,' following his inauguration in 2020, according to the New York Times.
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Australians who buy a property because they believe the hype are more likely to lose money, a real estate expert says.

Michael Yardney, the chief executive and founder of Metropole Property Strategists, said the worse time to get into the market was when there were media reports about surging prices.

'Investors tend to be most optimistic near the peak of the cycle, at a time when they should be the most cautious,' he said.

'They're the most pessimistic when all the doom and gloom is in the media near the bottom of the cycle, when there is the least downside.'

National property values last year climbed by 22.1 per cent to $709,803 with some months recording the fastest annual price rises since 1989, CoreLogic data showed.

Australians who buy a property when the market is peaking because they believe the hype are more likely to lose money, a real estate expert says (pictured is an auction at Paddington in Sydney's eastern suburbs)

Commonwealth Bank predictions for home prices SYDNEY: 2021 (Up 27 per cent); 2022: (Up 6 per cent); 2023 (Down 12 per cent) MELBOURNE: 2021 (Up 17 per cent); 2022 (Up 8 per cent); 2023 (Down 10 per cent) CANBERRA: 2021 (Up 26 per cent); 2022 (Up 7 per cent); 2023 (Down 10 per cent) BRISBANE: 2021 (Up 26 per cent); 2022 (Up 9 per cent); 2023 (Down 8 per cent) ADELAIDE: 2021 (Up 22 per cent); 2022 (Up 6 per cent); 2023 (Down 8 per cent) PERTH: 2021 (Up 13 per cent); 2022 (Up 3 per cent); 2023 (Down 9 per cent) HOBART: 2021 (Up 29 per cent); 2022 (Up 5 per cent); 2023 (Down 12 per cent) DARWIN: 2021 (Up 17 per cent); 2022 (Up 7 per cent); 2023 (Down 8 per cent) Source: Commonwealth Bank of Australia forecasts for dwellings or houses and units together Advertisement

But in Sydney, median house prices rose by an even more dramatic 29.6 per cent to $1,374,970 as Brisbane's equivalent values increased by 30.4 per cent to $782,967.

Hobart's median house price rose by 26.7 per cent to $747,187.

Prices are expected to slow in 2022 as the banks put up their fixed mortgage rates.

The Commonwealth Bank, Australia's biggest home lender, is forecasting Sydney's mid-point home price growing by just 6 per cent in 2022 and falling by 12 per cent next year.

Brisbane property values were expected to rise by 9 per cent this year and drop by 8 per cent in 2023.

Hobart prices were tipped to slow to 5 per cent this year and fall by 12 per cent next year.

Propertyology is taking the opposite view, with head of research Simon Pressley predicting 20 per cent price growth for both Brisbane and Hobart in 2022.

He saw prices in Adelaide, Brisbane, Hobart and Canberra rising by 30 to 50 per cent over 2022 and 2023, with some regional areas by the coast set for even more growth.

'The supply-demand relationship is akin to seagulls fighting over a chip,' Mr Pressley said.

'All of the big four banks recently released their forecasts for 2022 and 2023 with a unanimous conclusion that none of the capital cities will do better than 10 percent growth across the next two years and a few capitals were predicted to produce mild house price declines.'

Despite those forecasts, Mr Yardney advised potential investors to be wary of forecasts from economists, noting the big banks had all incorrectly predicted big property price falls at the start of the pandemic in March 2020.

'Even though they are armed with all the research available in today's information age, economists never seem to agree where our property markets are heading and usually get their forecasts wrong,' he said.

'That's because market movements are far from an exact science.'

Sydney's median house prices last year rose by 29.6 per cent to $1,374,970. Buyers are advised to invest in wealthy locations instead of cheap suburbs (pictured is Sydney's Bondi Beach)

House price increases in 2021 BRISBANE: Up 30.4 per cent to $782,967 SYDNEY: Up 29.6 per cent $1,374,970 CANBERRA: Up 27.2 per cent to $1,015,900 HOBART: Up 26.7 per cent to $747,187 ADELAIDE: Up 25.8 per cent to $622,155 MELBOURNE: Up 17.9 per cent to $997,928 PERTH: Up 13.3 per cent to $553,013 DARWIN: Up 12.4 per cent to $565,080 Source: CoreLogic data on median house prices annual increases in December 2021 Advertisement

When it came to have a property that was less likely to fall in value, Mr Yardney said wealthy suburbs were a better bet.

'You see, there will always be wealthy Australians who will be able to and prepared to pay more to live in these better locations  rich people don't buy cheap properties,' he said.

To illustrate that point, median house prices at Bondi Beach in Sydney's eastern suburbs last year rose by 34 per cent to $4.266million, vastly outpacing the rest of the city.

Byron Bay's on the far north coast of New South Wales has seen a 29.2 per cent increase in mid-point house prices to $2.653million.

While that is less than Sydney's increase for 2021, this coastal haven for celebrities didn't suffer price drops in 2020 like the big cities, with prices up 44.7 per cent since the start of the pandemic.

Wages in the year to September rose by just 2.2 per cent, a level well below the three-decade average of 3 per cent, Australian Bureau of Statistics data showed.

When mortgage rates increased, those receiving only small pay increases would struggle to keep up with their repayments or at least have little left over for other spending.

'This means the average Australian won't have any more in their pay packet to be able to pay $300,000 more for a property,' Mr Yardney said.

'If coronavirus taught us anything, it was the importance of living in the right type of property in the right neighbourhood.'

Byron Bay's on the far north coast of New South Wales has seen a 29.2 per cent increase in mid-point house prices to $2.653million. While that is less than Sydney's increase for 2021, this coastal haven for celebrities didn't suffer price drops in 2020 like the big cities, with prices up 44.7 per cent since the start of the pandemic (pictured is Christmas on the main beach)
Republican Sen. Mike Rounds blasted back at Former President Donald Trump, who called him a 'jerk' and vowed never to endorse him again after he called the 2020 presidential election 'fair.'

Late Monday, hours after Trump's blistering attack, Rounds hit back at the former president  rather than keep his head down amid the attack as many elected Republicans have chosen to do.

'Im disappointed but not surprised by the former presidents reaction. However, the facts remain the same. I stand by my statement. The former president lost the 2020 election,' Rounds said in a statement.

'Additionally, Vice President Mike Pence stood his ground, acknowledged President Bidens victory and acted with integrity. Its time the rest of us do the same' he said  bringing up the sore subject of Trump's fury at the former vice president for failing to refuse to count votes certified for Democrat Joe Biden.

Sen. Mitt Romeny (R-Utah), another frequent Trump target, chimed in on Twitter to support Rounds.

'Mike Rounds speaks truth knowing that our Republic depends upon it. Republicans like Govs Hutchinson, Baker & Hogan; Sens McConnell, Thune & Johnson; Bush & Cheney; plus 60+ courts and even the right-leaning Wall Street Journal editorial page agree: Joe Biden won the election,' he wrote.

He was referencing fellow Republican governors Asa Hutchinson, Charlie Baker, and Larry Hogan, as well as Sens. Mitch McConnell, John Thune, and Ron Johnson.

Trump ripped Rounds after the South Dakota lawmaker called the 2020 election 'fair' and said Republicans 'simply did not win' the White House.

Trump, who has made support for his election fraud claims a litmus test, previously endorsed Rounds before his own 2020 election  says he will not do so again in the future.

'I hereby firmly pledge that he will never receive my Endorsement again!' Trump said in a statement from his pac.

Trump's attack comes after Rounds appeared on ABC's 'This Week' to call the election fair.

'The election was fair, as fair as we've seen. We simply did not win the election, as Republicans, for the presidency,' said Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) said Sunday. Former President Donald Trump accused him of 'going woke' and said he would never endorse him again, as he did in 2020

'As a part of our due diligence, we looked at over 60 different accusations made in multiple states. While there were some irregularities, there were none of the irregularities which would have risen to the point where they would have changed the vote outcome in a single state,' he said.

'The election was fair, as fair as we've seen. We simply did not win the election, as Republicans, for the presidency,' said Rounds.

ABC's 'This Week' host George Stephanopoulos had asked him: 'What do you say to all those Republicans, all those veterans who believe the election was stolen, who have bought the falsehoods coming from' Trump.

Rounds spoke days after President Joe Biden tore into Trump during a Jan. 6th speech from the Capitol, where he used emphasis to call Trump a 'defeated' former president.

Former President Donald Trump said 'he will never receive my Endorsement again!'

Senator John Thune (R-SD) announced this past weekend he will seek another 6-year term

Rounds hit back after Trump called him a 'jerk' and vowed never to endorse him again - having done so previously

'Senator Mike Rounds of the Great State of South Dakota just went woke on the Fraudulent Presidential Election of 2020,' Trump said, ridiculing Rounds' title.

Trump said Rounds 'found the election to be ok' despite 'massive evidence' he said was 'pouring in from Wisconsin, Georgia, Arizona, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and other states.'

'Is he crazy or just stupid?' Trump asked.

'The only reason he did this is because he got my endorsement and easily won his state in 2020, so now he thinks he has time, and those are the only ones, the weak, who will break away,' Trump predicted. 'Even though his election will not be coming up for 5 years, I will never endorse this jerk again.'

He called Rounds a 'RINO.'

'The Radical Left Democrats and RINOS, like Senator Mike Rounds, do not make it easy for our Country to succeed. He is a weak and ineffective leader, and I hereby firmly pledge that he will never receive my Endorsement again!' Trump concluded.

Rounds' home-state colleague GOP Sen. John Thune announced this past weekend that he would seek reelection. Trump has also gone after Thune, calling him a 'RINO' as well.

Rounds also urged Republicans not to dwell on the fraud claims because it could hurt the party.

'If we simply look back and tell our people, "Don't vote because there's cheating going on," then we're going to put ourselves in a huge disadvantage,' he said. So, moving forward, let's focus on what it takes to win those elections. We can do that.'

Rounds voted to certify the electoral votes that made Joe Biden president.
Sen. Joe Manchin, a regular thorn in President Biden's legislative agenda, urged caution in shaking up Senate rules on Monday, suggesting he has not dropped his opposition to ditching the filibuster.

Democrats have been trying to win over the West Virginia senator as part of a push to change the rules to pass voting rights legislation.

But Manchin, whose opposition doomed Biden's massive Build Back Better spending plans, signaled he remained opposed.

He told Congressional reporters that the filibuster was 'the tradition of the Senate here in 232 years now ... '

'We need to be very cautious what we do.

'I'm hoping that we can come to an agreement to fix things. Every American has the right to vote and should be protected.'

According to Chad Pergram of Fox News, he also said: 'That's what we've always had for 232 years. That's what makes us different than any place else in the world.'

President Biden is expected to raise the issue of changing Senate rules on Tuesday, when he travels to Atlanta, Georgia, to deliver a speech on voting rights.

Sen. Joe Manchin stands between President Joe Biden and voting rights legislation as the West Virginia senator again urged caution in shaking up Senate rules

Manchin spoke to congressional reporters on Monday, saying the Senate should be cautious in overhauling rules that had served it well in the past 232 years

Democrats' efforts to push through legislation have been stalled by the filibuster and rules that require 60 senators to back most bills, enabling a Republican minority to block their push for voter protections.

They face a critical week as Chuck Schumer, their leader in the Senate, has set January 17 - Martin Luther King Day - as the deadline for passing the legislation.

Manchin and Krysten Sinema, who both represent more conservative states, have said they want to keep the filibuster for the way it promotes bipartisanship.

As a result, party leaders have spared no effort in trying to woo them.

Former presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama and even talk show host Oprah Winfrey have called Manchin as part of their campaign to persuade him to support reforms to the filibuster or a carveout on this one issue.

The push will take on added momentum on Tuesday when Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris will visit Atlanta to hit back at what they see as Republican efforts to restrict voting access.

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said Biden planned to push through voting rights legislation.

'His plan is to sign voting rights legislation into law. That requires a majority of senators to support it ... if there are changes to the Senate rules, which is something the President has expressed an openness to,' she said.

Georgia is a battleground state, where Democrats won two Senate seats in January 2021.

Atlanta was also the home of Martin Luther King, and Psaki said it was a 'place with profound civil rights history.'

President Biden will travel to Atlanta, Georgia, on Tuesday to deliver a speech on voting rights

White House Press Secretary said Biden would use his speech in Atlanta to advocate forcefully for 'protecting the most bedrock American rights, the right to vote and have your voice counted in a free, fair and secure election'

She confirmed that the president would back changing Senate rules, which currently require 60 senators to back most legislation, enabling a Republican minority to block voting rights bills.

'The president will forcefully advocate for protecting the most bedrock American rights, the right to vote and have your voice counted in a free, fair and secure election that is not tainted, tainted, tainted by partisan manipulation,' she said.

Democrats face a critical week as Chuck Schumer, their leader in the Senate, has set January 17 - Martin Luther King Day - as the deadline for passing the legislation.

But Democratic Senators Joe Manchin and Krysten Sinema, who represent more conservative states, have said they want to keep the filibuster for the way it promotes bipartisanship.

Republicans have said they support keeping the filibuster because it gives minority lawmakers a voice in policymaking.

Their Senate leader Mitch McConnell on Monday afternoon signalled his opposition, with a threat to force votes on a string of GOP-sponsored bills if Democrats make changes.

'Since Sen. Schumer is hellbent on trying to break the Senate, Republicans will show how this reckless action would have immediate consequences," he told The Wall Street Journal.

And during a floor speech, he said: 'If Republicans refuse to join us in a bipartisan spirit, if they continue to hijack the rules of the Senate to turn this chamber into a deep freezer, were going to consider the appropriate steps necessary to restore the Senate so we can pass these proposals and send them to the presidents desk.'

Biden was once seen as a supporter of the status quo but has expressed frustration at the filibuster as his legislative agenda stalled. In October he said it was time to 'fundamentally alter' the filibuster for certain issues.

Hillary Clinton offered her support to changing Senate rules in order to pass voting rights legislation with a tweet on Monday. She has spoken in favor of abolishing filibuster in the past

He has received backing from a string of senior Democrats.

On Monday, former presidential candidate and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton weighed in with a call to change the rules.

Quoting the president who signed the Voting Rights Act, she tweeted: '"The right to vote is the basic right without which all others are meaningless," Lyndon B. Johnson said. "It gives people, people as individuals, control over their own destinies."

'It's time Senate Democrats adjust the rules to protect Americans' right to vote.'

At other times, Clinton has gone further and suggested that it was time to ditch the filibuster altogether.

What asked if she would get rid of it during the Atlantic Festival, she said, 'Absolutely,' and pointed to the way the Republican Party refused to vote on Merrick Garland - Barack Obama's pick for the Supreme Court in 2016.

'Keeping the filibuster now, when you're dealing with a political party that does not respect the rule of law, does not even respect the process unless it works for them, you know, witness what they did to Merrick Garland when President Obama had every right to appoint a Supreme Court justice,' she said.
A man has been arrested after allegedly brandishing a gun when asked to pay for his meal at a restaurant in the city's south.

Police were called to the Brighton-Le-Sands restaurant in Sydney about 6.30pm on Monday, after the man reportedly placed the gun on the counter when asked to settle the bill.

The man then allegedly brandished the firearm in front of customers and staff while moving around the restaurant, before officers arrived and arrested him.

Man, 42, was arrested on Monday after placing a replica Colt firearm on the counter of an east Sydney restaurant when asked to pay for his meal (stock)

He was taken to a local police station and charged with a string of crimes, including not wearing a face mask (stock)

The 42-year-old man was found with a replica Colt firearm and magazine, and taken to the local police station where he was charged with a string of crimes.

He is accused of robbery while armed with a dangerous weapon, possessing an unregistered firearm-pistol, and two counts of stalking or intimidating intended to create fear of physical harm.

He was also fined for not wearing a face mask.

The man was refused bail and will appear at Sutherland Local Court on Tuesday.
Daniel Andrews has repeatedly refused to answer questions about Novak Djokovic's visa fiasco as the Victorian leader showed his face for the first time since his 24-day summer holiday.

Mr Andrews wouldn't be drawn on whether the world No.1 should be allowed to play at the Australian Open at his first press conference of 2022 on Tuesday.

He deferred questions to Federal Immigration Minister Alex Hawke, who still has the power to deport Djokovic despite a federal court quashing the government's decision to cancel his visa.

'I won't be out there calling for Alex Hawke to use them [his deportation powers] or not,' he said. 'That's a matter for him.'

'Issuing visas is not one of the responsibilities that I have. If you want to know what Alex Hawke will do, get on the blower to him and have a chat.'

Daniel Andrews has repeatedly refused to answer questions about Novak Djokovic's visa. He is pictured at his first press conference back after his 24-day holiday on Tuesday

Mr Andrews said he would not be calling for any further decisions to be made on Djokovic's visa.

'This tournament is much bigger than any one person and Rafa and a few others have made their position clear."

The Victorian premier on Monday evening shared a screenshot of him on a Zoom call with his NSW counterpart Dominic Perrottet discussing the latest Omicron outbreak.

Mr Andrews appeared to be working from his home office after a three-and-a-half week absence that was heavily criticised by ex-Liberal premier Jeff Kennett.

'Daniel Andrews has had the best part of six months off from an injury he has never explained,' Mr Kennett tweeted on Thursday.

Mr Kennett was referring to a period of medical absence the premier took from March 9 to June 28 after he slipped and fell down wet stairs last year.

He broke several ribs and fractured his T7 vertebra after tumbling at his Sorrento home in southeast Melbourne.

'Now continues to holiday while front line health workers continue to work under great pressure and at great personal risk,' Mr Kennett said.

Federal Immigration Minister Alex Hawke still has the power to deport Djokovic despite a federal court quashing the government's decision to cancel his visa. The world No.1 is pictured with his wife Jelena

Daniel Andrews showed his face publicly in a tweet on Monday evening for the first time since his 24-day summer holiday

His three-week break didn't come without criticism from former premier Jeff Kennett, (pictured) who took to Twitter to slam the leader last week

'Time he returned to work.'

Twitter users were quick to defend the premier against Mr Kennett's claims with one anonymous commentator's response racking up over 700 likes.

'Correction needed here Jeff, it wasn't 6 months and he did explain his injury, multiple times and in great detail,' they began.

'It's important to ensure what your tweeting is factual and correct as the rise of misinformation is harmful to democracy. Please take greater care in future.'

Mr Andrews with his wife Catherine. The Victorian premier broke several ribs and fractured his T7 vertebra after tumbling at his Sorrento home in southeast Melbourne

'Daniel Andrews has had the best part of 6 months off from an injury he has never explained,' Mr Kennett tweeted on Thursday (pictured)

Mr Andrews (pictured in hospital) broke several ribs and fractured his T7 vertebra after tumbling at his Sorrento home in southeast Melbourne

Twitter users were quick to defend the premier (pictured) against Mr Kennett's claims with one anonymous commentator's response racking up over 700 likes

One of the premier's first orders of business on his return to the state's top job on Sunday was to extend his controversial pandemic laws (pictured, Victorians protest the laws in November)

The comment came from 'PRGuy17' - one of the premier's most vocal defenders online who supported Mr Andrews throughout the pandemic.

One of the premier's first orders of business on his return to the state's top job was to extend his pandemic laws - which have been in place since December 15 and were due to expire on January 12.

What are the fines in Daniel Andrews' new law? $21,909: This fine is for breaching a pandemic order such as not wearing a mask, breaking a movement limit, attending an illegal protest or a gathering, refusing to get tested or failing to show ID. $90,870: This fine is for an aggravated offence for breaches that 'cause a serious risk to the health of another individual' such as going to work when infectious. $109,044: This fine is for businesses breaking rules which may include failing to make sure customers check-in or show proof of vaccine status. $454,350: This fine is for an 'aggravated' offence by a business such as encouraging customers to flout lockdown rules. Advertisement

The laws passed by the Victorian Parliament late last year allow him to announce a health crisis at any time and assume unprecedented powers.

The Victorian premier said on Sunday the extension of the declaration was a direct response to the rapid spread of the Omicron variant of Covid-19.

'As part of Victoria's continued response to the global coronavirus pandemic, Premier Daniel Andrews has extended the pandemic declaration to apply to the state of Victoria from 11.59pm Wednesday 12 January for three months,' a statement read.

It advised that in making the declaration the premier was satisfied on reasonable grounds there was a serious risk to public health in Victoria.

'The Omicron variant means there are significant challenges ahead of us. The third dose vaccine rollout, and our children five to 11 year-old vaccination blitz will give us the strongest chance of meeting this challenge,' Mr Andrews said.

'Extending the pandemic declaration ensures we are able to put the measures in place to slow the rate of transmission and protect the community's health and our health system.'

The controversial laws give the premier power to declare a pandemic for an unlimited period of time even if there are no cases of the virus.

If a new variant of Covid arises, the state government could announce pandemic orders 'by decree' to confine Victorians in their homes once again.

In announcing the extension, the Acting Chief Health Minister noted Omicron had become the dominant strain of Covid-19 and accounted for 75 per cent of cases.

The rise in hospital and ICU admissions that came amid no indication the state had reached the peak of its Omicron wave, were also noted the statement said.

In announcing the extension, it was noted Omicron had become the dominant strain of Covid-19 and accounted for 75 per cent of cases (pictured, people protest the laws in November)

The laws passed by the Victorian Parliament late last year allow him to announce a health crisis at any time and assume unprecedented powers (pictured, protestors march in November)

The state recorded 34,808 new infections on Monday - marking a 21 per cent drop from Sunday's 44,155 cases (pictured, women walk in Melbourne)

The laws state a person can be fined up to $21,909 for a breach of an order including not wearing a mask, breaking a movement limit, attending an illegal protest or a gathering, refusing to get tested or failing to show ID.

Businesses can be fined up to $109,044 for breaking rules which may include failing to make sure customers check-in or show proof of vaccine status.

In addition, there is a new aggravated offence for breaches that 'cause a serious risk to the health of another individual'.

These can be punished with a $90,870 fine and two years in jail. An example given in the bill is someone going to work when they are infectious and should be isolating.

Businesses can also be guilty of an aggravated offence, with a maximum fine of $454,350 if, for example, they refuse to obey a lockdown and encourage customers to also flout the rules.
A Tasmanian man has shone a light on the dark realities of working as a tradie in Australia, as dozens share their experiences of 'constant bullying and sexism'.

The young man, who goes by the name Cleffy on TikTok, said he was left shocked after overhearing a tense conversation between tradies on a worksite.

'Why are tradespeople so mean to each other,' he asked.

'Across the fence from my house they're building a house and I hear how these people talk to each other or just talk to the apprentices, and how they give each other instructions.

The Tasmanian TikTok star said he was left shocked after overhearing a conversation between tradies on a nearby worksite and asked others to share their experiences of the industry

'I'm just curious to know what are people's experiences with working on trade sites because I could never, ever, ever work in a work environment like that.'

The man explained he was 'too sensitive' to work as a tradesman but said he had respect for everyone in the industry, adding 'we can't live without you'.

His call-out was quickly answered by hundreds of tradies who shared their experiences of 'toxic workplaces' where name-calling and bullying was rife.

'I work in the construction industry and I find it appalling to hear the way some people talk to subcontractors. Straight up bullying and abuse,' one said.

'When my brother was doing his apprenticeship he would often get targeted and bullied, people would make fun of his inexperience which almost made him leave the trade altogether,' a second woman wrote.

The man's call-out was quickly answered by hundreds of tradies who shared their experiences of 'toxic workplaces' where name-calling and bullying was rife (pictured, riggers in Perth)

'From my experience blokes who did their apprenticeship 15-20+ years ago are the toxic aggressive ones, new school tradies are pretty chill,' a third commented.

'My husband is a concreter and I get its tradie culture but some days he comes home so down and drained and feels so unappreciated. Its sad,' a fourth said.

'As a woman in a site, I get mocked and yelled at. I hear them talk ill of me. They laugh at my mistakes. They create stories about my personal life,' another shared.

'I worked as a brickies labourer, got treated like absolute garbage. Had to buy the beer all the time and put up with their abuse daily,' a man revealed.

However not everyone agreed the construction industry was 'toxic' with several explaining the 'rough' way people spoke to each other was just banter.

Not everyone agreed the construction industry was 'toxic' with several explaining the 'rough' way people spoke to each other was just banter (pictured, a construction worker in Sydney)

'I work as a labourer and honestly it depends on the place youre working at. But generally, its just banter. Most of them are just kidding around,' one said.

'Been doing it for 8 years now and most people are fine. We talk rough to each other but its just banter,' a second agreed.

'A lot of the time it's a way of bonding,' a third commented.

'Most people on site are mates just having a laugh. Some are toxic for sure, but at least it's to your face and not office drama behind your back,' a fourth shared.

'Its honestly not even that bad, just because we use a lot of foul language towards each other doesnt mean we dont have respect for each other,' another added.

Tradespeople make up 30 per cent of the country's workforce according to WorkSafe Australia and the most recent census (pictured, a construction worker on a site in Sydney)

Demand for tradespeople have surged in the last year, amid a renovation boom during lockdowns and Covid isolation rules spark a shortage of workers.

Some tradespeople are charging customers up to 300 per cent more as demand soars.

Airconditioning technicians, plumbers, and electricians are among the trades services that have been caught hiking up their prices.

Jim's Mowing boss Jim Penman said he had never witnessed so much demand with his workers forced to turn down clients because they were too busy.

'We've had to knock back 328,000-plus requests for service and in November and December, around half the people who rang, we just couldn't help as we couldn't keep up with the demand,' he told News Corp.

Mr Penman blamed the Covid-19 pandemic for the unprecedented demand with closed borders and lockdowns prompting homeowners to take on more DIY projects.

'The government has been putting plenty of money into the economy, and we can't go on a trip, so we tend to spend our cash around the house,' he said.
Sajid Javid is now among the Cabinet ministers in favour of slashing the self-isolation period to ease the staffing crisis across the country, it emerged last night.

Provided scientists give the sign off, the Health Secretary supports mounting calls to slash the isolation period from seven to five days, in line with the US and France.

Allies said Mr Javid wanted the fewest days possible and that he was open to five days if clinicians can recommend it as being safe to do so. Schools, hospitals and businesses are all at risk of being paralysed by the sheer number of workers stuck at home. With Omicron a much milder strain, the clamour has been growing for ministers to move faster and cut the self-isolation period for people testing negative.

Health Secretary Sajid Javid, pictured, is believed to back the reduction in the Covid self-isolation period to five days

Boris Johnson, pictured walking ahead of his Principal Private Secretary Martin Reynolds, is considering reducing the self-isolation period depending on the advice he receives from scientists

Chancellor Rishi Sunak, pictured, is also believed to be in favour of cutting the period if the scientific data backs the move

A majority of the Cabinet  including Chancellor Rishi Sunak  are now thought to back the move. At the weekend, Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi said the reduction to five days would certainly help mitigate some of the pressures on schools, on the critical workforce and others.

Sources have told the Daily Mail that Transport Secretary Grant Shapps also backs the move in principle, while International Trade Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan is understood to be supportive. Meanwhile, Housing Secretary Michael Gove said the easing of restrictions would have to be guided by science but stressed the sooner the better.

He told Sky News: We are moving to a situation where it is possible to say that we can live with Covid and that the pressure on the NHS and on vital public services is abating.

Yesterday the Prime Minister gave his strongest hint yet that the period could be cut, telling reporters: The thing to do is to look at the science. We are looking at that and we will act according to the science.

His official spokesman added that if it was possible to go further, theyd want to act quickly  but stressed that it must be based on the latest evidence. Downing Street has asked the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) to provide a more precise figure on how many people are infectious after five days.

The bodys modelling suggests that 10 to 30 per cent of people will potentially still remain infectious on day six if no re-assurance tests are performed at this point.

And it has warned that allowing people to return to work early in settings like hospitals could worsen staff shortages if it led to more people being infected.

The isolation period was cut from ten days to seven just before Christmas, provided the person has two negative lateral flow test results. But the Government has come under intense pressure from MPs and business chiefs to go further to stop the country grinding to a halt.

The latest NHS England data showed 39,142 staff at hospital trusts in England were absent due to Covid on January 2.

A string of critical incidents have already been declared by NHS trusts across the country. The military has also been called in to assist hospitals in London and around 150 soldiers will support the North West Ambulance Service.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer  who is self-isolating after testing positive for Covid-19 last week  said he would be inclined to support a reduction in isolation times if scientists and medical experts say it is safe.
The federal deputy chief medical officer says there should be a reduction of covid outbreaks in schools in 2022, as more than 35,000 children aged between five and 11 were vaccinated on the first day of the scheme.

The health department expects this to rise in the coming days as Mondays have typically seen lower vaccination rates.

Dr Michael Kidd said more appointments would become available in the coming weeks as 2000 sites are added to the rollout in coming days.

The federal deputy chief medical officer said there should be a reduction of covid outbreaks in schools in 2022 thanks to vaccine rollout

On the first day of the children vaccine rollout over 35,000 kids aged between five and 11 were vaccinated

'We have enough of the paediatric Pfizer dose to vaccinate all 2.3 million children aged between five and 11 before schools open up at the end of the month,' Dr Kidd told reporters in Canberra on Tuesday.

'What we hope is that we're going to see a reduction in the outbreaks that we've seen in schools over the last two years as a consequence of the vaccine rollout.'

Labor health spokesman Mark Butler said there were cancelled appointments because GPs were not getting vaccination supplies as promised.

Vaccination numbers are expected to increase in coming days as Mondays are typically a slow day for vaccines

Thousands of children lined up at clinics to receive their first dose of the paediatric Pfizer vaccination

'Parents want a solid commitment from the prime minister that their children will have access to a vaccine before school returns later this month and that's a very reasonable expectation,' he told the ABC.

But as children face starting the school year unvaccinated, a leading epidemiologist says young school children should be taking rapid antigen tests 'every other day' to minimise the risk of a breakout.

With the time to the second dose sitting at eight weeks, Professor Mary-Louise McLaws says schools face an enormous transmission risk as children won't begin to be fully vaccinated until mid-March at the earliest.

However children will not reach full vaccination status until March at the earliest, meaning they will begin the school year unvaccinated

Professor Mary-Louise McLaws said children should complete a rapid antigen test 'every other day' to ensure their safety until full vaccination is reached

'So they should be really using rapid antigen tests at least every other day when they are going on to the school site because there could be - unknown to everybody - infected and unvaccinated (children),' she told the Nine Network.

'Therefore, all kids could be at risk.'

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has ruled out making RATs free across the board.

But speaking ahead of the last national cabinet, ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr said free RATs in schools was on the agenda and 'I think even the prime minister is on board in that context.'

ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr said free RATs in schools is on the national cabinet's agenda

Mr Morrison said plans for the return to school in the coming weeks would be worked through during talks this week.

The federal government is also working through supply chain problems after distribution staff shortages resulted in a lack of goods in supermarkets.

Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce said the country has not run out of food but Australians needed to 'cool their heels a bit' and act rationally as Omicron continues to spread.

Meanwhile the federal government is continuing to work through supply chain problems after distribution staff shortages resulted in a lack of goods in supermarkets

'We have to stop hoarding stuff, take what you need not more than what is required,' he told Sky News.

'The food is there, we are not going to run out of food. What we will run out of is common sense if people start running in and swiping everything off the shelves because they think we're going to Armageddon.'

Meanwhile, unions are calling for an urgent meeting with the government to discuss the impact of the spread of the Omicron variant on exhausted essential workers.

Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce said the country has not run out of food but Australians needed to 'cool their heels a bit' and avoid panic buying

Australian Council of Trade Unions Secretary Sally McManus wrote to Mr Morrison with a list of demands warning an 'unofficial lockdown' was hurting affected workers.

'The prime minister has not heard from working people and we are on the front lines,' Ms McManus said in a statement.

'Australian workers are not OK at the moment. We have never had so many working people sick at once.'

The deputy PM has urged the Australian public to not hoard groceries and said the country is not facing an 'Armageddon'

The demands include the restoration of pandemic leave for workers who are close contacts of infected colleagues, rather than just household contacts.

Australia on Monday passed one million covid cases since the pandemic began two years ago.

Of that total, one-quarter were recorded in the past four days.
Cambridge University has scrapped its prison rehabilitation programme after a convicted terrorist went on a bloody rampage in London.

Freed terrorist Usman Khan, 28, convinced staff at the Learning Together programme he was a reformed character before killing two graduates.

Khan, wearing a fake suicide vest with kitchen knives strapped to his hands, stabbed rehab worker Jack Merritt, 25, and volunteer Saskia Jones, 23, at an event at Fishmongers Hall to mark the schemes fifth anniversary. He then ran on to London Bridge where he was shot dead by police on November 29, 2019.

Terrorist Usman Khan murdered rehab worker Jack Merritt, 25, and volunteer Saskia Jones, 23, at an event at Fishmongers Hall in London on November 29, 2019

Jack Merritt, 25, left, and Saskia Jones, 23, died after they were both stabbed by Khan, who was later shot dead by police as he was wearing a fake suicide vest

Khan had been released on licence from prison 11 months earlier after serving half of a 16-year sentence for being part of a terror cell plotting to blow up the London Stock Exchange.

An inquest highlighted how staff saw him as a poster boy for the rehab programme after he took part in courses while serving his sentence at high-security Whitemoor prison. He had even featured in a promotional video.

The inquest jury concluded that this had played a part in the collective failure to stop him attending the event, or to search his bag, which contained the knives he used in the attack.

Following criticism from the coroner, Cambridge University responded yesterday: There now needs to be a clear stop to the delivery of the Learning Together programme. The programme is therefore at an end.

It said any future contact between students and offenders would be closely supervised by the universitys Institute of Criminology.

Learning Together said the scheme would be dissolved and its co-directors Drs Amy Ludlow and Ruth Armstrong had reiterated their profound grief and deep and ongoing trauma.
North Korea fired a suspected hypersonic missile into the sea on Tuesday reaching a speed of Mach 10, with South Korea's military warning the second such weapons test in less than a week showed clear signs of progress.

The early-morning launch came as the UN Security Council met in New York to discuss last week's test of what Pyongyang called a hypersonic missile, although Seoul has cast doubt on that claim.

But the South Korean military said the 'suspected ballistic missile' launched Tuesday had reached hypersonic speeds - a sign of 'progress' from the last week's test.

In the decade since leader Kim Jong Un took power, North Korea has seen rapid progress in its military technology at the cost of international sanctions.

Tuesday's missile landed outside Japan's exclusive economic zone. While there were no immediate reports of damage, Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida called the launch 'extremely regrettable'.

North Korea fired a suspected hypersonic missile into the sea on Tuesday reaching a speed of Mach 10, with South Korea's military warning the second such weapons test in less than a week showed clear signs of progress

US Forces Korea said the test 'highlights the destabilizing impact of the DPRK's illicit weapons program,' using the acronym of North Korea's official name.

The missile, fired towards the sea east of the peninsula on Tuesday at around 7:27 am (2227 GMT Monday), flew 435 miles at an altitude of around 37 miles at Mach 10 speed, Seoul's Joint Chiefs of Staff said.

Hypersonic missiles travel at speeds of Mach 5 and higher and can maneuver mid-flight, making them harder to track and intercept.

Before the UN Security Council meeting to discuss Pyongyang's weapons program, six countries, including the US and Japan, called on North Korea to 'engage in meaningful dialogue towards our shared goal of complete denuclearization'.

Pyongyang had likely planned the latest launch to coincide with the UN meeting 'to maximise its political impact,' Shin Beom-chul, a researcher at the Korea Research Institute for National Strategy, told AFP.

He said the Tuesday launch looked like a hypersonic missile test, judging by the purported speed, but warned against reading too much into it.

'Since South Korea claimed [the January 5 test] wasn't a hypersonic missile referring to the speed, Pyongyang may have tried to showcase its maximum speed,' this time around, he said.

Cheong Seong-Chang, a senior analyst at the private Sejong Institute in South Korea, said the North's leadership would have been 'enraged' by South Korea's assessment of last week's launch and may have planned a series of tests in a push to make its threat credible.

Hypersonic missiles were listed among the 'top priority' tasks for strategic weapons in its current five-year plan, and it announced its first test - of the Hwasong-8 - in September last year.

Experts say North Korea is likely years away from acquiring a credible hypersonic system.

In the decade since leader Kim Jong Un (pictured center, December 27) took power, North Korea has seen rapid progress in its military technology at the cost of international sanctions

Pyongyang has also said it had successfully tested new submarine-launched ballistic missiles, a long-range cruise missile, and a train-launched weapon in 2021.

In 2021, nuclear-armed North Korea said it had successfully tested a new type of submarine-launched ballistic missile, a long-range cruise missile, a train-launched weapon, and what it described as a hypersonic warhead.

South Korea has cast doubts over Pyongyang's hypersonic claims, saying last week's test represented limited progress on the regime's existing ballistic missiles.

A second hypersonic test so soon could indicate last week's launch was actually a failure, said Kim Dong-yub, a professor at the University of North Korean Studies.

'It's hard to understand why they would carry out another test less than a week after they announced a success,' he added.

Hypersonic missiles move far faster and are more agile than standard ones, making them much harder for missile defence systems - on which the United States is spending billions - to intercept.

They were listed among the 'top priority' tasks for strategic weapons in North Korea's current five-year plan, and it announced its first test -- of the Hwasong-8 -- in September last year.

The tests come as North Korea has refused to respond to US appeals for talks.

Analysts said Pyongyang had likely planned the latest launch to coincide with a UN Security Council meeting

US Federal Aviation Administration orders 'full ground stop' at ALL West Coast airports for seven minutes as North Korea fired suspected ballistic missile The United States' Federal Aviation Administration stopped every plane from taking off or landing at all West Coast airports for seven minutes after North Korea fired a ballistic missile into the sea off Japan. Monday's incident, known as a full ground stop, was confirmed by officials at San Diego Airport. No explanation was given, but it happened around the same time as the North Korean missile launch. The stop only lasted for seven minutes, according to officials at San Diego International Airport. A spokesperson for the airport said they got the instruction of a national ground stop around 2:30 p.m. pacific time. 'We really don't have any more details,' Sabrina LoPiccolo said, adding that no reason was given for the stop. The FAA has not responded to DailyMail.com's request for comment as of Tuesday morning. Under an FAA ground stop, flights scheduled to land at an airport are forced to stay at their departure points. Ground stops can be specific to airports or an entire region and are related to either weather, equipment outages or extreme events. Advertisement

At a key meeting of North Korea's ruling party last month, Kim vowed to continue building up the country's defense capabilities, without mentioning America.

Instead of the policy positions on diplomacy, for which Kim's New Year statements are closely watched, he focused on food security and economic development.

Dialogue between Washington and Pyongyang remains stalled and the country is under multiple sets of international sanctions over its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes.

The impoverished nation has also been under a rigid self-imposed coronavirus blockade that has hammered its economy.

Japan's Defense Ministry said the suspected ballistic missile landed outside the country's exclusive economic zone.

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said officials were checking the safety of ships and aircraft around Japan, but there were no immediate reports of disruptions or damage.

'It is extremely regrettable that North Korea has continued to fire' missiles so soon after the U.N. Security Council discussed its response to the North's earlier launch, Kishida said.

The Security Council held closed-door consultations on Monday on last week's launch, but took no action. Ahead of the talks, the U.S. and five allies issued a statement urging North Korea to abandon its nuclear and ballistic missile programs.

South Korea's presidential office said Tuesday's launch was discussed at an emergency National Security Council meeting, which expressed 'strong regret' over North Korea's continuing tests and urged it to return to talks.

The U.S. Indo-Pacific Command said the launch did not pose an 'immediate threat to U.S. personnel or territory, or to our allies' but underlined the destabilizing impact of North Korea's weapons programs.
MAMAMOO's Wheein will release her second mini-album, "WHEE," Jan. 16. Courtesy of The L1VE



By Dong Sun-hwa



The competition for the top spots on the music charts will be fiercer than ever this month, with a wave of celebrated K-pop divas, including former IZ*ONE member Yena, GFriend's Yuju and MAMAMOO's Moonbyul, gearing up for fresh releases.



MAMAMOO's Wheein too, is unlikely to lag behind, as her second EP "WHEE"  which will be released Jan. 16  is expected to be the crown jewel of her musicality. "WHEE" is a Chinese character used in Wheein's name that refers to light.



Leading off the new EP is "Make Me Happy," a song composed by Ravi of K-pop boy band VIXX, the founder of Wheein's new management company THE L1VE. Ravi, who is renowned for his music producing skills, was behind the success of tracks such as VIXX's "Secret Night" (2013).



Although details about the song have been kept under wraps, teasers hint that "Make Me Happy" will have a dreamy vibe that highlights Wheein's velvety voice and captures her emotional journey.







In one teaser video released Jan. 7 on THE L1VE's official YouTube channel, Wheein describes "light"  which is believed to be the main theme of her new EP  as "the root of all things, something that ceaselessly changes." She also said that it is "the source that keeps me alive."



Also included in the mini-album are five other tunes  "Pink Cloud," "Letter Filled with Light," "Deserve (Interlude)," "Pastel" and "Paraglide."



"The upcoming EP will offer tracks with different vibes," The L1VE said in a statement. "It will also be a testament to Wheein's musical maturity."



Wheein debuted as a member of MAMAMOO in 2014 with the single "Mr. Ambiguous." MAMAMOO, consisting of Solar, Moon Byul, Wheein and Hwasa, were catapulted to fame after putting out a series of hits including "Decalcomanie" (2016) and "Starry Night" (2018). Wheein went solo with the digital single "Easy" in 2018 and created a splash on multiple streaming charts with her first mini-album "Redd" that came out last year.


President Joe Biden told a reporter on Tuesday he was 'insulted' by a question asking why Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams isn't going to his Atlanta voting rights speech and insisted it was a scheduling mix up and not a snub.

Biden left the White House for the high profile event amid growing frustration from some activists that his administration has not done more to boost voting access by overcoming a GOP blockade in the Senate and head off Republican efforts in the states.

Asked if he was insulted by the absence of Abrams  which Biden described as a scheduling conflict  he responded: 'Im insulted that you asked the question,' before flashing a quick grin.

He explained: 'I spoke to Stacey this morning. We have a great relationship. We got our scheduling mixed up. I talked to her at length this morning. We're all on the same page, and everything's fine.'

Abrams' campaign said on Monday she would not be at the president's event because of 'conflict' but didn't detail what the conflict was. Several local civil rights activists are boycotting the president's speech because of what they call a lack of action on the part of the administration.

Asked what he risked politically with the speech, given the fight in the Senate over the filibuster, Biden responded: 'I risk not saying what I believe. Thats what I risk. This is one of those defining moments. It really is.'

Said Biden: 'People are going to be judged, where were they before and where were they after the vote. History is going to judge this  it's that consequential. And so the risk is making sure people understand just how important this is,' he said.

Vice President Kamala Harris flew separately to Atlanta but boarded Air Force One upon President Biden's arrival to disembark from the plane with him (left); she put her arm around him as they spoke to officials at the airport (right)

President Joe Biden headed to Atlanta Tuesday for a major speech on voting rights. Asked about candidate for governor Stacey Abrams, who won't be there, Biden said: 'We have a great relationship. We got our scheduling mixed up. I talked to her at length this morning. We're all on the same page'

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki was confronted with questions about Abrams' absence en route to Georgia, where Biden has a full schedule of events planned.

Stacey Abrams, a major advocate for voting rights and a gubernatorial candidate in Georgia, will not be at Biden's event but it's because of a 'conflict,' according to her aides

'He understands scheduling conflicts and how they appear in your life,' she said. 'We have a full plane of congressional leaders and advocates for voting rights,' she added.

Biden made his comments as he prepared to push the Senate to eliminate the filibuster in order to pass voting rights legislation in a speech in Atlanta that some activists will boycott to protest the administration's lack of action on the issue.

Biden, who will be accompanied by Vice President Kamala Harris, will tout 'democracy over autocracy' in a hard-hitting speech designed to pressure senators into action.

'The next few days, when these bills come to a vote, will mark a turning point in this nation. Will we choose democracy over autocracy, light over shadow, justice over injustice?,' he will say, according to excerpts released from the White House.

'I know where I stand. I will not yield. I will not flinch. I will defend your right to vote and our democracy against all enemies foreign and domestic. And so the question is where will the institution of United States Senate stand?,' Biden will ask.

Members of Congress disembark Air Force One upon arriving in Atlanta

President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris greet Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens and his daughter Bailey Dickens at the airport

In order for Senate rules to be changed, Biden needs all 50 of his Democratic senators on board. Senators Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema have raised concerns about eliminating the filibuster, which removes the 60-vote threshold to advance legislation.

Psaki wouldn't respond direct to a question from DailyMail.com about whether Manchin and Sinema had been invited. She said Biden shares the frustrations of activists.

'The Senate is not functioning how it should be functioning,' she said. She said lawmakers should be asking themselves 'Which side of history are you going to be on?' and said: 'It will be pretty clear that the president is speaking directly to the Senate and all members of the Senate.'

Manchin once again said Tuesday that he is not keen with changes to the Senate's filibuster rules.

'We need some good rules changes to make the place work better. But getting rid of the filibuster doesnt make it work better,' Manchin told reporters.

He has allowed he might be open to a formal rules change  based on two-thirds of those voting present to do so. He called that 'Democrats, Republicans changing the rules to make the place work better. Getting rid of the filibuster doesnt make it work better.'

But Democrats are discussing pushing through the change on a simple majority vote, amid an ongoing Republican filibuster of voting rights legislation. Without Manchin, such an effort would fail.

Amid the high-powered focus on the chamber's rules, Senate Republicans are threatening to force votes on a slew of bills designed to split the Democratic caucus and take over the floor agenda should Majority Leader Charles Schumer carry out his threat to push through a change in Senate filibuster rules for voting rights.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, who has been leading a Republican filibuster against the bills, threatened to use Senate rules to call up a raft of legislation in response  including bills that might peel off a vote a or two from vulnerable Democrats.

'Since Sen. Schumer is hellbent on trying to break the Senate, Republicans will show how this reckless action would have immediate consequences,' McConnell vowed.

McConnell's planned virtual takeover of the floor agenda would not result in new laws  Democrats could block them and President Biden could veto them anyway. But it could put pressure on Democrats while also tying up the floor with procedural votes.

On tap would be legislation including a bill on the Keystone XL pipeline, a project President Joe Biden blocked at the start of his term. An amendment to revive it drew support from Sens. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and Jon Tester (D-Mont.) early last year.

Five U.S. senators will join the president on the trip  but not Manchin or Sinema.

Biden's travel to Georgia, which many Democrats consider 'ground zero' for voter suppression efforts, comes as Republican senators are vowing to filibuster both pieces of voting rights legislation, arguing elections are state issues, not federal ones.

And while Biden, who served 36 years in the Senate, will make it clear he only supports a carve out for the filibuster for voting rights legislation, Republicans argue it could be extended to other legislation, thereby diminishing its power.

Additionally, not all Democrats are happy with Biden's speech. A group of local voting and civil rights leaders are boycotting the president's event in frustration with the lack of action on voting rights, arguing the Biden administration is more concerned about optics than results.

VOTING RIGHTS GROUPS BOYCOTTING EVENT The Asian American Advocacy Fund Atlanta North Georgia Labor Council Black Voters Matter Fund GALEO Impact Fund New Georgia Project Action Fund Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams will miss event Advertisement

Ahead of the trip, the groups asked Biden not to come to the state without a plan to pass voting rights legislation and some are now boycotting the president's event.

'We're beyond speeches. We're beyond events,' LaTosha Brown, co-founder of Black Voters Matter told reporters Monday in a briefing. 'What we are demanding is federal legislation.'

The Asian American Advocacy Fund, Black Voters Matter Action Fund, GALEO Impact Fund, Inc., New Georgia Project Action Fund and Black Voters Matter announced ahead of Biden's visit that they will not attend.

Abrams' campaign did not detail the 'conflict' that is causing her to miss the president's speech. Her voting rights advocacy worked helped Biden win the state of Georgia in the 2020 election.

The White House, in response to the boycotss, blasted out a list of civil rights leaders attending the speech, including high-profile names like the Rev. Jesse Jackson, the Rev. Al Sharpton, NAACP President Derrick Johnson, People for the American Way President Ben Jealous, and Fighting for Our Vote's Leah Daughtry.

Bernice King, chief executive at the King Center and daughter of Martin Luther King Jr., will meet with the president during his trip and be at his speech but says she is frustrated by the lack of progress on federal legislation.

'Just as my father went to the White House with (President Lyndon B.) Johnson and then went to the streets in Selma, Alabama, I'm with the whole process,' she told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.



GEORGIA'S ELECTION LAW: AN OVERHAUL OF THE VOTE In March, Republicans in the Georgia state legislature passed a bill transforming votes across the state in the wake of the 2020 Presidential election. 'The facts are this new law will expand voting access in the Peach State,' Governor Brian Kemp said at the time, but Democrats and critics have suggested this is not the case. Biden narrowly won Georgia by a margin of 0.23 per cent and 11,779 votes. The count in the state lasted for days after the ballots closed on November 3 and Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger announced an audit by hand on November 11. The changes have sparked lawsuits, pressure on big businesses and prompted Major League Baseball to move the 2021 All Star Game away from Atlanta in protest. The changes signed into law in March include: A Georgia state driver's license number, ID card number, date of birth and the last four digits of a social security number or another approved form of identification must be printed on the outside of an absentee ballot.

Drop boxes are limited to one per every 100,000 active registered voters and are only accessible during advanced voting.

Voters have to request a mail-in ballot 11 days before the election, instead of four days before in 2020.

Absentee ballots must be issued 25 days before a federal primary, general election or special election or 22 days before a municipal general election or primary.

Return of absentee ballots must be verified by 5pm on the day after the election.

Ballots must be printed in black and white ink on security paper.

Two early-voting periods are required on a Saturday for each county, with optional voting on Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Hours can be extended from 7am to 7pm.

Non-poll workers are banned from soliciting signatures or votes from people waiting on line.

Sharing or the display of campaign materials is also restricted at voting booths.

Offering food, drink, money of gifts to voters on line is prohibited.

Training under oath will be provided for poll watchers.

Voting 'buses' or mobile/movable booths will be used only in an emergency.

The State Election Board, under certain conditions, would be able to replace local election superintendents.

Secretary of State will no longer serve as chair of the State Election Board. CRITICISM OF GEORGIA'S ELECTION LAWS Democrats and voting rights advocates say the new rules are meant to suppress turnout after Donald Trump, Republicans and their supporters pushed election fraud claims and reduced trust in the process.

Critics suggest too much power is being given to the State Election Board and the demotion of the secretary of state was revenge for Brad Raffensperger refusing Trump's request to overturn the election results.

Stricter ID laws will make it harder for certain groups - including minorities, the poor, and people with disabilities - to cast their votes.

Less mobile forms of voting will make it more difficult for Georgians with disabilities.

Critics say the reduction of drop boxes will negatively impact turnout in areas that are more populous and lean Democrat.

The law banning people from handing out food or water on lines criminalizes people who help voters forced to wait on longer lines with mail-in ballots restricted, critics say. But self-service water is available if it is not attended. Advertisement

Biden and Harris will lay wreaths at the crypt where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King are interred in Atlanta

Biden and Harris will also visit the history Ebenezer Baptist Church, where John Lewis had his funeral in 2020 (above)

Biden will give his remarks amid an historic backdrop for black Americans, the Atlanta University Center Consortium, which consists of four historically black colleges.

Harris, the nation's first black vice president and the lead advocate on voting rights issues for the administration, will be at his side.

Biden's travel to the home state of civil rights icons the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and John Lewis is deeply symbolic. Georgia was also ground zero in the 2020 presidential election, where Donald Trump falsely claimed Democrats stole votes to hand Biden a victory there.

The state also has two competitive races this fall: Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock is in a tough re-election bid. Abrams is making a second attempt to become governor.

Republicans are hopeful they can win back control of the House in the upcoming election. The party of the sitting president traditionally loses seats in the midterm election. The Senate will be a tougher slog.

Before Biden and Harris speak, they will lay a wreath at the crypt of Martin Luther King Jr. and meet with members of the King family.

They also will visit the Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church, where Warnock is a pastor. King and Lewis had their funerals there.

Warnock said Biden's speech will be about the assault on democracy.

'He understands that the democracy itself is imperiled by this all out assault that we've been witnessing by state legislatures all across the country, and this is a moral moment. Everybody must show up,' Warnock told reporters on Capitol Hill on Monday night.

He and his fellow Georgia Senator Jon Ossoff will be with Biden in Georgia. It the victory of the two men in a pair of January 2021 special elections that gave Democrats control of the Senate.

But after the 2020 election, Georgia was one of many Republican-controlled states that passed new voting rules.

Democrats and their allies have expressed concern about the slew of state legislation, which they claim will make it harder for minorities and disadvantaged groups to votes.

They note this legislation has come in the aftermath of Trump's 'big lie'  the former president has repeatedly and falsely claimed he won the 2020 election, arguing without proof that he is the victim of voter fraud.

In his remarks, Biden will tie the fight for voting rights to the January 6th MAGA riot, where Trump supporters stormed the Capitol in attempt to stop the certification of the 2020 presidential election. His speech is expected to be in the same vein as his remarks on the anniversary of the insurrection, where he called out his predecessor for his role in the riot.

The president 'is fighting against the big lie that was perpetuated after January 6,' White House press secretary Jen Psaki said on Monday. 'It has resulted in states across the country putting in place more laws that are making it more difficult for people to exercise their rights. We don't think that is right. We don't think that is a political issue. It is a fundamental right in this country.'

In the 2020 presidential election, Georgia was decided by fewer than 13,000 votes. Biden was the first Democrat to win the state since Bill Clinton.

In June, Biden's Justice Department announced it was suing Georgia over the state's new election law, which the department claims will deny black voters equal access to the ballot.

Under provisions in the law, the number of drop boxes for absentee ballots has dwindled in highly populated and racially diverse areas. Four large counties that make up the core of metropolitan Atlanta  Fulton, Cobb, DeKalb and Gwinnett  will have no more than 23 drop boxes in the upcoming election, down from the 94 available in 2020.

Between January 1 and December 7, 2021, at least 19 states passed 34 laws restricting access to voting, the nonpartisan Brennan Center found. More than 440 bills with provisions that restrict voting access have been introduced in 49 states in the 2021 legislative sessions, the center said.

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer is seeking to pass voting rights legislation by Jan. 17, Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell has vowed to filibuster voting rights legislation

Senator Joe Manchin says he wants to protect the filibuster - an over 200 year tradition in the Senate

To counter the state laws, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer wants to pass two pieces of legislation - the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and the Freedom to Vote Act  by Jan. 17, Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

And he's threatening to change Senate rules to get it done.

But his plan to go 'nuclear' and change the Senate rules to allow the legislation to proceed with a simple majority vote faces opposition from two of his own: Manchin and Sinema.

'I'm hoping we can come to an agreement to fix them. Every American has the right to vote and should be protected. I mean, we all feel that and I can't believe that we can get enough all of us to agree on just that,' Manchin told reporters in the Capitol on Monday.

But he seemed to stick firm on his opposition to the nuclear option. He noted the filibuster has been a tradition in the Senate for 232 years.

'We need to be very cautious what we do,' he said. 'That's what we've always had for 232 years. That's what makes us different than any place else in the world.'

Republicans are solidly opposed to the voting rights legislation, calling it an attempt to federalize elections they argue should be run by states.

They have said they will filibuster any attempt to pass federal legislation. That means Schumer would have to take the so-called 'nuclear' option, in which he holds a vote to change the rules to bypass the 60-vote threshold to advance the legislation.

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell accused Democrats of perpetuating their own 'big lie'  that there is an 'evil anti-voting conspiracy.'

'The Senate Democratic leaders are trying to use a Big Lie to bully and berate their own members into breaking their word, breaking the rules, and breaking the Senate,' McConnell said Monday on the Senate floor.

'We're going to spend all week sounding the alarm on the radical takeovers that some Democrats want to pull off,' he added.

Schumer fired back that McConnell's 'line of argument is gas-lighting, pure and simple.'

Republicans are also threatening to force votes on issues ranging from the Keystone XL pipeline to abortion rules to a U.S-Mexico border wall if Democrats try to eliminate the filibuster, The Hill reported.

Democrats are seeking to pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Act, named after the late Congressman and civil rights activist. It would replace part of the 1965 Voting Rights Act that the U.S. Supreme Court struck down in 2013.

The bill would also restore voters' ability to challenge laws, such as those related redistricting or voter ID requirements that could be seen as discriminatory

It passed the House in August 219-212 along straight party lines.

The Senate is also trying to approve the Freedom to Vote Act. Manchin took the lead on this legislation after he and other senators couldn't support the House-passed For The People Act.

The Freedom to Vote Act tones down provisions in the House bill that expanded voter registration, early voting, mail-in voting and restrictions on campaign finance. It also makes Election Day a holiday.
Australia Day may be the day when Omicron finally peaks in the major cities with experts hoping the country will be able to return to normal in the weeks that follow.

Major Australian cities could see a dramatic drop off in Covid-19 infections by the end of January as the Omicron surge 'runs out' of 'core' carriers to infect.

While new Covid cases topped 84,000 Australia-wide on Tuesday - including 38,000 in Victoria, 26,000 in NSW and 20,466 in Queensland - there are underlying signs that alarming tally could dramatically improve by the end of this month.

So many of Omicron major carriers, people aged between 20 and 30, have been exposed already that the virus will began failing to reproduce when it meets people with immunity.

Australia Day may be the peak of Omicron in the big cities with experts hoping the country will be able to return to normal in the weeks that follow (pictured, a women carrying an Australia Day flag poses for a photo at The Mercantile Hotel in Sydney on January 26, 2021)

Young revellers have been the major spreaders of Omicron but they may be the unlikely reason why the variant burns itself out quickly too (pictured, New Year's Eve revellers at Surfer's Paradise)

So many of the major Omicron carriers, people aged between 20 and 30, have been exposed already that the virus will began failing to reproduce when it meets people with immunity (pictured, friends at Schoolies' week at Byron Bay)

Initially that will happen in hotspots where the virus has run rampant, including vast areas of Melbourne and Sydney, and in Newcastle.

While regional outbreaks may continue, overall Australia's Omicron spread will slow by mid-February, according to Catherine Bennett, chair in Epidemiology at Deakin University.

'South Africa saw their peaks in these kinds of timeframes. Hopefully high rates of transmissions we will start to see it turn around in similar timeframes,' she said.

'We'd expect to see waves within the big wave hopefully start to turn around in Australia in the very near future, in about two weeks, so before the end of January,' Ms Bennett said.

Young tradies are among the workers who kept working through lockdowns, contributing to virus spread - but also potentially bringing about the end of the pandemic sooner (pictured, two tradies eating breakfast beside Manly Beach)

Young people have done their bit to get vaccinated, sometimes so they could party (pictured, stock image of a young woman have a nasal swab)

Catherine Bennett believes the continued mixing of young people, including at work, could mean the Omicron surge runs out of carriers by the end of January (pictured, two traffic attendants in Sydney)

The rest of the country will follow, meaning Australia will see the virus spread slowed by mid-February.

'We know the virus mainly spreads in young adults and twentysomethings, because they are the ones mixing most socially and also they are the essential workers,' Ms Bennett said.

'As you get enough people who've had the infection it naturally slows it down because the virus keeps on meeting people who have had it.

'Those areas with high rates will reach a point where there just arent as many people susceptible in the community.'

The continuing booster rollout will play a big part in the virus hitting a brick wall of immunity in the community, she said.

Ms Bennett said the way people aged between 20 and 30 have spread the virus will ironically play a huge role in the virus slowing down

Catherine Bennett says the pandemic will be considered over when the impact on hospitals reduces sufficiently (pictured a twentysomething nurse on the frontlines)

The continued vaccination of young people will only make it more difficult for the virus to spread as serious illness is reduced by boosters (pictured, a young person receiving a vaccination)

'Every family I know seems to have someone in their 20s who bring it home.

'They're helping that rapid spread, but they are also the group that will slow down the virus first.'

While Ms Bennett was not encouraging young people to spread the virus, she said it was inevitable that they would.

She said it is now acknowledge that 'even during lockdowns it was impossible to stop them mixing.'

'Its a natural thing for them, thats the group that mixes for work and socially. It's what they do, it's who they are.

Ms Bennett said in some areas more than a quarter of cases are people in their 20s.

But the spread of the virus in aged care homes and other high density residential settings could remain a concern.

Predicting the complete end of the pandemic as a phenomenon is more complex, but ultimately it could be measured by its impact on hospitals, she believes.

The most obvious way is when hospitals are less impacted - by particularly by Delta admissions and because they have new infection control plans in place that work for all staff and patients.

'If Omicron settles and pushes out Delta and we go into winter with higher vaccination levels it gives us great opportunity to keep monitoring and managing it so we can live our lives pretty normally.'

'Winter could be business as usual, although it is still a new normal.'

The other sign Covid is over is less tangible: it is when people's sense of uncertainty is reduced.

She thinks that is already happening, partly through the growing acceptance that we must 'live with' the virus.

'It's not over yet clearly, not in the middle of an Omicron wave. People can travel anywhere in Australia, but are they? They are still being cautious.'

Young people have filled many essential worker roles right through the pandemic (pictured, s worker performs a quality check on punnets of strawberries at the Ashbern strawberry farm on the Sunshine Coast)

Boosters and vaccinations have dramatically changed the course of the pandemic (pictured, a health care worker fills a syringe with Pfizer vaccine at the COVID-19 mass vaccination clinic at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre in Perth in November)

But gradually we are accepting the uncertainty, she believes.

'What would we have made of Omicron six months ago? Now with the high rates of vaccination we have I think it's means something very diifferent.'

As for when we can 'get on with our lives', Ms Bennett believes the public is already adjusting to a point they can live without government restrictions.

'I think we are in that final phase, where people begin to get back to their lives,' she said.

'[Health departments] want to have people on board, people knowing what to do and doing the right thing - thats your public health intervention,' she said.

'Hopefully now were far enough along to say "you can use your own judgement" [and that] schools and businesses never have to close again.'

But overall she sees uncertainty reducing.

Supermarket workers have fought hard to keep shelves and fresh food stocked during the pandemic (pictured a Woolworths employee)

'Time take care of it. People who were in wars learned to change their attitudes - society can only remain anxious for so long before they just says 'this is how it is.'

The one familiar sign of Covid Ms Bennett keeping is widespread use of masks - but mostly optional.

'I'm not sure masks will ever become "a thing of the past",' she says.

'I think they are now a thing, they're normalised. Kids are not shocked by them any longer.

'If we have a bad flu season it could become recommended to wear a mask indoors.

'Why wouldn't you if it reduced the chances of getting a cold. Other countries do it.'
Downing Street is considering an emergency loan scheme for energy firms to stave off a major increase in bills, it was claimed last night.

It came as Rishi Sunak began talks with fractious Tory backbenchers on Britain's looming cost of living crisis.

The Chancellor was said to be in 'listening mode', speaking to groups of MPs about their concerns over the large rise in power bills expected when the price cap lifts in April.

The Prime Minister is expected to hold further talks with Chancellor Rishi Sunak and Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng this week as they try to agree measures to help struggling families with their energy bills

He also held talks with Boris Johnson on Sunday night as pressure mounted on the Government to protect families from rises expected to run to hundreds of pounds.

No 10 officials are said to be considering an 'emergency credit facility' for firms to help them avoid putting up bills. But there is concern that smaller companies may not be able to take on such credit risk.

Experts predict that rising wholesale prices will lead to a 50 per cent increase in energy bills in April.

Last night Labour urged Mr Johnson and fellow Brexiteer Michael Gove to stick to their 2016 pledge that leaving the EU would let the UK scrap the 5 per cent VAT on domestic energy bills, saving almost 90 on average bills next year.

Mr Sunak is set to hold more meetings with Tory MPs over the coming days to discuss cost of living issues

Boris Johnson is under growing pressure after a new poll found one third of Britons fear they will be unable to pay their energy bills this year because of the worsening cost of living crisis

The energy price cap is due to be reviewed in April and experts expect it to rise by more than 50 per cent

But ministers are believed to be cool on the idea as it would help everyone equally and not do enough to reduce the bills of the lowest paid.

Mr Sunak is set to hold more meetings with Tory MPs over the coming days to discuss cost of living issues.

One MP said: 'The Chancellor was in full listening mode. He said we'll see something well before the April price rises... but there was a need to ensure all the consequences were thought through.'

Asked about power price rises yesterday, Mr Johnson said: 'I've been meeting the Chancellor constantly. I understand the pressures that people are facing.

'This is the result of global price spikes as a result of the economy coming back from Covid.

'We've got to help people, particularly people on low incomes.'

A government source said: 'We are looking at a range of different things worth exploring, but we are not anywhere near making a decision.

'It's not like the Covid pandemic where a decision has to be made yesterday. There is time  and it is important to get this right.'

The Prime Minister is expected to hold further talks with Mr Sunak and Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng this week.

Conservative MP Stephen McPartland told the BBC the Government should introduce 'credit facilities' to help energy firms cope with volatile prices. He said this would let firms draw on financial reserves as an alternative to increasing bills. The BBC said Downing Street was looking at the idea.

Backbenchers have warned the Chancellor the 1.25 per cent national insurance rise coming into force in April would worsen the pressures on family finances

Labour has proposed slashing VAT on energy bills for a year, alongside a windfall tax on the North Sea oil and gas industry, to help support those struggling.

Today the party will put forward a Commons motion which, if passed, would guarantee parliamentary time for a Bill on cutting VAT.

The party said this could come into effect alongside its plan to expand the 140 Warm Homes Discount to 9.3million people. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer told his MPs last night: 'It is Labour that is making all the running, offering ideas and solutions.

'Meanwhile, what do the Tories offer hard-pressed families? Nothing. Yesterday Nadhim Zahawi [Education Secretary] was on the radio pleading poverty on behalf of oil companies instead of focusing on the worries of ordinary families.'
Divorce and living alone could lead to ill health and death for middle-aged men.

Those who live alone for more than seven years, and see at least two of their relationships end, have higher levels of inflammation in their body.

This biological response to stress is linked to dying earlier, hardened arteries, heart attacks, strokes, cancer and dementia. A study of more than 4,800 people aged 48 to 62, published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, tracked their divorces and break-ups and how long they spent living alone between 1986 and 2011.

Women who experienced multiple relationship breakdowns, or spent a long time living alone, saw no increase in inflammation.

This may be because middle-aged women, compared with men of the same age, typically have larger friendship groups offering more emotional support, which helps prevent stress from affecting their health.

Men, who may live more unhealthily after divorce, had 17 per cent higher levels of two chemicals in their blood which indicate inflammation  interleukin 6 and C-reactive protein  than those who were in a steady relationship.

Divorce and living alone could lead to ill health and death for middle-aged men (stock image)

Professor Rikke Lund, senior author of the study, from the University of Copenhagen, said: 'Evidence shows that men tend to depend more on their female partners than the other way around, so are more vulnerable if they lose them.

'Men of the age we looked at tend to have smaller social networks than women, so are at a higher risk of loneliness, which might increase inflammation.

'There is also evidence that men living alone may not look after themselves as well, and are more reluctant to consult a doctor for medical problems.

'This could explain the increased levels of inflammation in men following multiple break-ups and more years living alone.'

Divorce is a 'life-altering event' which has previously been linked with poor mental health, cardiovascular disease and early death.

The new study, published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, tracked divorces and relationship breakdowns in 4,835 people between 1986 and 2011.

Men who had two or more break-ups during this period had 17 per cent higher levels of two chemicals in their blood which indicate inflammation - interleukin 6 and C-reactive protein.

Men who had two or more break-ups during this period had 17 per cent higher levels of two chemicals in their blood which indicate inflammation - interleukin 6 and C-reactive protein

That was compared to people who had stayed continuously married or only had one relationship during the 26 years tracked.

The study also included 83 people who were widowed, which can have similar effects to a relationship ending in terms of stress.

Living alone has been linked to poorer physical function, psychological distress and early death.

Men who lived alone for seven or more years, compared to those who lived alone for no more than a year, had a level of blood chemicals linked to inflammation which was up to 12 per cent higher.

While the inflammation found in their body was low-grade, and it is more serious inflammation which is linked to conditions like cancer and hardened arteries, experts believe low-level inflammation over many years can similarly raise someone's risk of illness and death.

The link between break-ups, living alone and inflammation was seen in men even when other factors affecting health, including low education, obesity, medication and existing illnesses, were taken into account.

Men may biologically have greater inflammation in reaction to stress than women, but the study authors also say they are more likely to 'externalise' stress with behaviours such as heavy drinking, which can cause inflammation, while women 'internalise' their feelings, leading to potentially less damaging effects.

Professor Lund said: 'Women tend to have better support from friends and family following a divorce or break-up which can make a real difference to the effect of the stress on their health.

'That can range from having people to talk to about their emotions, to having someone to help them move house, and we know it makes a real difference.'
An Arizona mother has slammed Delta Airlines for refusing to let her buy a gender 'X' plane ticket for her non-binary child, 21.

Dawn Henry, 52, called out the airline in a series of tweets on Thursday, complaining that when she attempted to buy a surprise plane ticket for her adult child, she discovered Delta only allows for male and female gender options.

She added that the airline told her that it only recognizes male and female as genders.

'Delta is discriminating against #nonbinary individuals and not allowing them to fly despite legal ID issued by states that allow X on birth certificates and state-issued IDs,' Henry tweeted while tagging the airline in her post.

Henry added that her 21-year-old's birth certificate and Washington state driver's license have 'X' as the gender.

Pictured: Dawn Henry, 52, called out the airline in a series of tweets on Thursday, claiming she was attempting to buy a surprise plane ticket for her 21-year-old, who is nonbinary

'Delta is discriminating against #nonbinary individuals and not allowing them to fly despite legal ID issued by states that allow X on birth certificates and state-issued IDs,' Henry tweeted

Pictured: Henry's Twitter thread from Thursday, where the 52-year-old called out Delta Airlines for not allowing her nonbinary child to choose the 'X' gender option on her boarding pass

The Transportation Security Administration accepts X gender on ID but only American and United Airlines offer such an option in the US.

'Some context: TSA requires that the boarding pass reservation match your state issued ID. TSA accepts X as a gender marker on state IDs,' she continued in her Twitter thread.

'The problem isn't with TSA. The problem is airlines, like Delta and Alaska Air #nonbinary #LGBTQ.'

Henry went on to say that since her child's forms of identification all include the nonbinary 'X' on them, she would be unable to board a flight due to her gender not matching that of her plane ticket under Delta's current policy.

'The Delta rep was determined to help, but after over 30 minutes on hold, she told me "they" said it doesn't matter what the ID says, use whats on the birth certificate. I explained that the Birth Certificate also says X. I was put on hold again.'

'After some time on hold, a Delta supervisor in Atlanta came on the line and told me that their system only uses male/female and I can only use one of those. I explained again that my adult child is #nonbinary and #LGBTQ and their ID is X and TSA requires them to match.'

'The supervisor got short with me and said, sorry, thats the policy. I said, are you telling me you aren't allowing my #nonbinary #LGBTQ kid who has a perfectly legal state-issued ID to fly?'

Henry added that the supervisor insisted that was the airline's policy, prompting her to call out Delta on social media.

'As it stands, at least with @Delta, #nonbinary people are not allowed to fly,' she tweeted.

Delta Air Lines jets are seen at gates at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in Atlanta, Georgia, December 22, 2021

Pictured: travelers wait in line at a Delta Airlines ticket counter at Orlando International Airport on January 2, 2022 in Florida

Henry's Twitter thread from Thursday, where she put Delta Airlines on blast for not allowing her to use a nonbinary gender option for her child

A spokesperson for the airline told NBC News that it is not an easy fix, and will require multiple departments and time to accomplish, however they did say the nonbinary option will be added sometime this year.

'Delta Air Lines is a proud, long-time supporter of the LGBTQ+ community and we understand that being seen and acknowledged is part of having an equitable travel experience,' the spokesperson said in a statement.

'While we quickly shifted focus due to COVID in early 2020 to helping customers navigate the rapidly changing environment and government regulations, we are back on track to be able to offer a non-binary gender option in our booking systems in 2022.'

The incident comes three years after several major US airlines - Delta included - announced they would add a nonbinary option for their booking process, however only American and United Airlines currently provide such options.

'I am committed to fixing this, not just for my child, but for everyone who holds legal ID with an X gender marker,' Henry told NBC News in a Twitter message.

'My hope is that pressure on the airlines (not just Delta, but the others that have not updated their systems) will get this done.'

Last year, the US State Department issued its first ever gender X passport to Dana Zzyym, an intersex Navy veteran who had been campaigning for the option since 2015, and plans on rolling them out to any American who wants one in 2022.

Zzyym, who uses 'they/them' pronouns, first asked for the change while filling out their passport form in 2015, when the 63 year-old declared they were intersex and wrote 'X' on the form, instead of checking the M box for male or F box for female.
Two Oklahoma death row inmates facing executions in the coming months are requesting a firing squad as a painless alternative to the state's three-drug lethal injection after several botched executions, one of their attorneys told a federal judge on Monday.

The two inmates - Donald Grant and Gilbert Postelle - want US District Judge Stephen Friot to grant them a temporary injunction that would delay their upcoming executions until a trial can be held over whether Oklahoma's three-drug lethal injection method is constitutional.

Grant was convicted of killing two Del City hotel workers in 2001, while Postelle was convicted and sentenced to die for his role in a quadruple slaying in 2005 after targeting people he believed had injured his dad in a motorcycle accident.

A trial is set to begin before Friot on February 28, but Grant is scheduled to be put to death on January 27, while Postelle is set for execution on February 17.

'While it may be gruesome to look at, we all agree it will be quicker,' attorney Jim Stronski told Friot after a day-long hearing in Oklahoma City.

Friot did not issue a decision Monday on the inmates' motion, but said he hoped to release an order by the end of the week.

Pictured: Donald Anthony Grant, left, and Gilbert Postelle, right, Oklahoma death row inmates who requested a firing squad instead of lethal injection after recent botched executions

Pictured: the gurney in the the execution chamber at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester, Oklahoma

'There's a lot for me to get my mind around,' Friot said.

Among the experts who testified was Dr. James Williams, an emergency medicine specialist from Texas who has more than 40,000 hours of emergency room experience and who has extensively studied the use of firing squads.

Williams, himself the victim of a gunshot wound to the chest area, testified that a firing squad involving shots from at least four high-powered rifles to the 'cardiac bundle' of the heart would be so quick that an inmate wouldn't feel pain.

He also said that unlike lethal injection, there is an extremely low likelihood that the execution would be botched.

The Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester, where several death row inmates suffered botched lethal injection executions

Tamya Cox-Toure, left, and Natalie Bruno protest October 28, 2021 in Oklahoma City after Oklahoma botched the lethal injection execution of John Grant

Media members gather to report on Oklahoma's first execution since 2015 of John Marion Grant, who convulsed and vomited before dying amid a backlash from protester

Oklahoma has never used firing squad as a method of executing prisoners since statehood, but current state law does allow for its use if other methods, like lethal injection, were determined to be unconstitutional or otherwise unavailable.

The Oklahoma Department of Corrections does not currently have execution protocols in place for any method other than lethal injection.

The drug mix-ups followed a botched execution in April 2014 in which inmate Clayton Lockett struggled on a gurney before dying 43 minutes into his lethal injection - and after the state's prisons chief ordered executioners to stop.

Friot also heard testimony from Justin Farris, chief of operations at the Department of Corrections, about the recent lethal injections of death row inmates John Marion Grant and Bigler Stouffer late last year.

Bigler Stouffer, left received a lethal injection last month at the State Penitentiary in McAlester, while Clayton Lockett, right, died after a botched execution in April 2014

John Marion Grant (left) vomited and convulsed during his execution in Oklahoma for the killing of Gay Carter (right)

Farris, who was inside the death chamber for both executions, described the two lethal injections as being on 'opposite ends of the spectrum.'

Grant, who was serving a 130-year prison sentence for several armed robberies when he dragged prison cafeteria worker Gay Carter into a mop closet and stabbed her 16 times, was declared dead after vomiting and convulsing on the gurney, was angry, hurling expletives and resisting the execution by trying to flex his arms and legs, Farris said.

Stouffer, on the other hand, 'was just as polite as you can imagine under the circumstances,' Farris said.

Farris also testified that the doctor who inserts the intravenous lines and helps oversee the lethal injections is paid $15,000 for each execution he attends, as well as $1,000 for every day of training.

DOC policy prohibits the release of the names of execution team members, and the doctor wore a mask during both Grant's and Stouffer's executions.
An Aboriginal police officer has told how his boss made him keep his food in a separate fridge to his colleagues in an appalling act of workplace racism.

Western Australia Police Inspector Geoff Regan said he was about to leave his dinner in an officer break room when a sergeant stopped him and made a racial slur.

'My wife had brought my dinner up. I was going out to the crib room to leave it there and the sergeant came up and said "where are you going",' Insp Regan told the documentary film Incarceration Nation.

'I said "I'm going to put my food in the fridge".

'He said "you're not putting it in our fridge... you b***gs, you cook differently. You go and get another fridge and clean it out and you can put your food in there".'

Insp Regan recalled through tears how he followed his superior's orders and kept his food away from that of his colleagues.

'I went out the back into the storeroom and got a little fridge and washed it out - that was my fridge,' he said.

The veteran police officer, who joined WA Police in the 1990s, has previously spoken out against the racist abuse he has received from other officers.

WA Police Inspector Regan recalled through tears how his superior made him keep his food in a separate fridge to his co-workers

He said one day he opened his locker to find a golliwog with a noose around its neck.

'Being called a coon and stuff like that,' he told ABC Radio Perth in 2020.

'Back in those days there wasn't the safety that we are currently working towards now.

'You'd stand up, you'd tell people to bugger off, you'd challenge it. Did we have the full support, like we have now? No.'

He said the force had improved significantly in its handling of Indigenous affairs in the years since.

In 2018, WA Police Commissioner Chris Dawson made an historic apology to Indigenous people, who are over-represented in prisons across Australia.

WA Police Commissioner Chris Dawson (pictured) in 2018 made an historic apology to indigenous people, who are over-represented in prisons across Australia

Insp Regan, who joined WA Police in the 1990s, has previously spoken out against the racist abuse he has received from other officers

Mr Dawson said police were key participants in past wrongs against indigenous people in the state over decades.

Those wrongdoings included enforcing government policies of removing mixed-race children from Aboriginal families until the 1970s.

The children are known as the Stolen Generations. Many were institutionalized, abused and neglected.
Covid 'is just another virus' and Australians will learn to live with it like any other illness once they get over the fear of the unknown, according to one of the country's top doctors.

Queensland Chief Health Officer Dr John Gerrard on Tuesday said he expected anxiety about Covid-19 to 'settle down' now 92 per cent of the country is double vaccinated.

'I think anxiety will settle once we realise it is just another virus,' he said. 'There is nothing mystical about [Covid] and in this case we have an effective vaccine.'

His comments - which came as Queensland confirmed a record 20,566 new Covid infections on Tuesday - mark a significant departure from his predecessor Dr Jeannette Young.

Dr Young used hyperbolic language to describe the virus - including calling it 'insidious' - while urging residents to follow her rules over 2020 and 2021.

Pictured is a masked shopper leaving a fish and chip shop on the Gold Coast. Covid 'is just another virus' and Australians will learn to live with it like any other illness, according to Queensland's top doctor

But Dr Gerrard said his colleagues had come to realise coronavirus patients were no different to those they had treated in the past suffering from other viruses.

'Once you see patients with Covid you start to see they're no different to other patients we're used to looking after,' he said.

'I have experienced that personally myself with Covid, I experienced that with Ebola in west Africa.'

Dr Gerrard said he expected Australians to fear the virus less once they conquer 'the fear of the unknown'.

'I think that anxiety will settle - it's the fear of the unknown,' he said.

Dr Gerrard last month warned panicked residents not to call Triple Zero or rush to emergency departments after receiving a Covid test.

He told them to monitor their symptoms at home because the disease will be mild for almost everyone.

Dr Gerrard said he expected anxiety about Covid-19 to 'settle down' now 92 per cent of the country is double vaccinated. The Queensland CHO is pictured on December 13

'Most people, particularly those who have been vaccinated, will be relatively well. The illness will be mild in the vast majority of you and can be managed at home,' he said.

Queenslanders have in recent weeks started to get used to living with Covid after the state finally opened its borders to the rest of the nation in December.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, who repeatedly imposed draconian lockdowns and restrictions on Brisbane and the Gold Coast over just one or a handful of cases, was also accused of fearmongering throughout the pandemic.

Former Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young and Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk used dramatic rhetoric to describe coronavirus as they urged residents to follow their rules

Professor Emma McBryde, a disease modeller at the Australian Institute of Tropical Health & Medicine at James Cook University, said premiers and chief health officers were guilty of over-reacting during outbreaks in Victoria and NSW over winter.

'I think it's really wearing thin these endless news cycles of chief health officers - and premiers for that matter - talking down to us,' she told Daily Mail Australia in July.

'They're telling us what we should be doing and overreacting endlessly to Covid outbreaks and doing what they think might be popular at the time.

'If you're chief health officer and you haven't got a health department handle on one case, you shouldn't be showing your face in public as far as I'm concerned.'
Australians went on a record spending spree in November, buoyed by the end of last year's Covid-19 lockdowns.

But the subsequent emergence of the highly infectious Omicron variant has clouded the outlook.

Retail trade soared 7.3 per cent in November, the fourth-strongest monthly rise on record, lifting sales to their highest level ever at $33.4 billion.

Australians broke spending records in November with a 7.3 per cent increase in retail trade from October following the end of last year's lockdown

The previous record for sales was set in November 2020, the Australian Bureau of Statistics said on Tuesday.

Victoria saw the largest increase in the month, rising 20 per cent after its Delta-variant lockdown ended in late October, and following the earlier opening up from restrictions in NSW and the ACT.

Australian Retailers Association chief executive Paul Zahra said retailers overall had a strong November, aided by the end of Covid restrictions, record-breaking Black Friday sales and early shopping ahead of Christmas.

According to Australian Bureau of Statistics the previous record for sales was set in November 2020

But he said businesses are facing fresh challenges with the rising cases of Omicron.

"We've entered new territory in the pandemic with Omicron decimating workforces and impacting supplies and deliveries of essential goods," Mr Zahra said.

BIS Oxford Economics senior economist Sean Langcake expects the Omicron variant will have limited impact on the December sales figures, but will pose a challenge in early 2022.

"Consumer caution will reduce in-store foot traffic, while disruption to supply chains and labour availability will further limit sales," he said.

However Australian Retailers Association chief executive Paul Zahra said businesses now face new difficulties as supply chain disruptions and staff shortages continue

Separate data showed consumer confidence has fallen across Australia as a result of the rapid spread of the Omicron variant.

In the first release for 2022, the weekly ANZ-Roy Morgan consumer confidence index dropped 2.2 per cent compared to its pre-Christmas level, the last time the survey was conducted.

"The rapid rise of Omicron cases across Australia is likely responsible for the dampened outlook in the first week of January," ANZ head of Australian economics David Plank said.

In the first release for 2022, the weekly ANZ-Roy Morgan consumer confidence index dropped 2.2 per cent compared to its pre-Christmas level as the Omicron outbreak continues

Mr Plank noted that in the decade from 2011 to 2020, consumer confidence had risen 2.6 per cent on average in the first survey in January.

"So this result is even weaker than it seems," he said.

Shadow treasurer Jim Chalmers was unimpressed, saying Australians are yet again paying the price for the Morrison government's failures in managing the pandemic and the economy.

However, the confidence survey did find respondents are still relatively happy about their own financial circumstances with views on 'current financial conditions' increased by 1.4 per cent

"Just a few weeks ago, Scott Morrison and Josh Frydenberg were talking about the 'real momentum' of the recovery but those gains have once again been squandered," he told AAP.

However, the confidence survey did find respondents are still relatively happy about their own financial circumstances.

The sub-index for views on 'current financial conditions' increased by 1.4 per cent, while 'future financial conditions' rose by 0.7 per cent.

The ABS also released international trade figures that showed imports jumped six per cent, outpacing a two per cent increase in exports

"This potentially sets things up for a rapid rebound once people are more confident about health outcomes," Mr Plank said.

That said, views on 'current economic conditions' slumped 8.7 per cent to the lowest level since September last year and at a time when the economy was in contraction from having over half the population in lockdown.

The ABS also released international trade figures for November, which showed the surplus shrank to $9.4 billion after a downwardly revised $10.8 billion in October,

Imports jumped six per cent, outpacing a two per cent increase in exports.
Americans will be given up to eight free rapid Covid-19 tests per month in a stark contrast to Australia's usually more generous health system.

Only low-income earners, welfare recipients and pensioners in Australia will be provided with the free tests, with the federal government agreeing to provide up to 10 every three months and a maximum of five per month.

Close contacts will also be provided with free tests as they are required to get a swab on day six of isolation.

US President Joe Biden announced on Tuesday he was ordering health insurance companies to cover the tests to anyone on their plans.

He said the order was to lower costs and make testing for the virus more convenient amid rising cases and wait-times in testing queues.

Under the new policy starting on Saturday, Americans will be able to either buy home testing kits for free under their insurance, or submit receipts for reimbursement.

US President Joe Biden on Monday announced Americans could access free RATs in a bid to lower costs and make testing for the virus more convenient amid rising cases and wait-times in testing queues

A family of four, for example, could be reimbursed for up to 32 tests per month.

The tests can be picked up from pharmacies or ordered online.

PCR tests and rapid tests ordered or administered by a health provider will continue to be fully covered by insurance with no limit.

About 45 per cent of the American population have private health insurance - about 150 million people - with others on public programs or uninsured.

The Biden administration is also working towards supplying free tests to Americans regardless of their health insurance coverage.

Covid cases in the US more than tripled over the past two weeks, up from 198,326 per day to 709,850 per day.

Only low-income earners, welfare recipients and pensioners in Australia will be provided with the free tests, with the Federal Government agreeing to provide up to ten every three months and a maximum of five per month (pictured in Melbourne)

The US also has reached a new record for number of Americans hospitalised with Covid, with 132,646 admitted with the virus. Deaths are growing at a slower rate with 1,648 Americans dying from the virus every day.

The US also surpassed 60 million cases of the virus as of Monday morning according to Johns Hopkins University.

Scott Morrison finally agreed to provide free rapid antigen tests after weeks of pharmacies being stripped bare and Australians having to wait up to eight hours in line for a PCR test.

Some retailers were reportedly selling tests for as much as $100 each - with some splitting bulk testing kits and selling them individually for a much higher price.

However, Mr Morrison still refused to help the states buy massive orders to provide them free to every Australian, as is done in the UK.

The prime minister was widely criticised for his insistence that tests shouldn't be free, despite handing out $89 billion in JobKeeper payments to businesses.

'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,' he said in one interview.

'This isn't a medicine, it's a test. And so there's a difference between those two things.'

Meanwhile Australia's changes to who can get a free test came after weeks of pharmacies being stripped bare of RATs, with residents having to wait up to eight hours in line for a PCR test

Mr Morrison also repeatedly said he wanted to protect the ability of businesses to sell rapid antigen tests for a profit through supermarkets and pharmacies.

He was accused of breaking the social contract with Australians, who endured months of lockdowns, and undermining Australia's tradition of free healthcare through Medicare.

The US, by contrast, historically makes Americans pay for every cent of their healthcare with Medicare only available for basic care to the poorest residents.

Everyone else faces huge medical bills, often even if they have private health insurance that is usually provided by their employer.

The Australian Government also introduced measures onto those price gouging residents wanting to get a rapid test.

Businesses found not complying with measures could be fined $66,600 or jailed for a maximum of five years.
The entrance to a National Pension Service branch office in southern Seoul / Korea Times file



By Yi Whan-woo



The National Pension Service (NPS) faces backlash from businesses here over its plan to file a suit against companies in which it holds a considerable stake, if they are found to be negligent resulting in shareholders' losses.



The plan was initiated in late 2021 by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, which oversees the NPS, in a bid to prevent illicit business activities by having the NPS exercise its shareholder rights.



The NPS said no companies are on its target list and no details concerning the plan have been specified.



But in a joint statement announced by the seven business lobby groups, the involved companies argue it may even target legitimate business activities.



The seven are the Korea Enterprises Federation (KEF), the Korea Listed Companies Association, the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Korea International Trade Association, the Federation of the Middle Market Enterprise of Korea, the Korea Federation of SMEs (KBIZ) and the KOSDAQ Listed Companies Association.



"Their possible suit will be exploited by the NPS as a means to 'tame' companies and eventually inflict losses on regular people," a KEF official said, Tuesday, on condition of anonymity.



Citing the statement issued on Monday, the official said the NPS plan should be "revised from scratch."



A KBIZ official pointed out the NPS makes investments using taxpayers' money collected as monthly premiums for retirement pensions. He went on to say, "such savings for the retired should not be misused as a mean for the NPS to wield excessive power."



The NPS first came up with a guideline to take legal action against companies as a representative of shareholders in 2019 but has yet to follow through.



The NPS currently has shares of 5 percent or more in about 300 companies.



Some industry sources view the possible NPS move may affect Korea's sovereign credit rating by increasing investment risks.



"The plan is different from legally exercising one's shareholder rights. It is considered a threat to the fate of companies," a source said.



A different source viewed that, even if a company manages to win in a possible suit, its reputation can be tarnished that it may have trouble attracting investments.



"This case can be more likely, considering fairness and integrity in management are being stressed more than ever in accordance with environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) principles," the source said.


South Australia has avoided a 'massive disaster' thanks to renewed COVID-19 restrictions with further evidence the Omicron outbreak is stabilising, Premier Steven Marshall says.

SA Health reported 2921 new infections on Tuesday, the lowest daily total for more than a week.

Hospital admissions rose to 211 and 22 people remained in intensive care with four on ventilation.

Premier Steven Marshall says modelling suggests SA's peak on the latest COVID-19 is still to come

One more person died, a woman in her 50s, taking SA's pandemic toll to 19.

Mr Marshall said new modelling on the recent surge suggested the peak was still to come but that local restrictions introduced in late December would significantly reduce the number of cases.

'We've been able to really avoid a massive disaster where the model was predicting tens and tens of thousands of cases on a daily basis,' he said.

'We now see that moderating very significantly because of behavioural changes in South Australia since we put those restrictions in place.'

The premier said officials were still determining exactly when the peak might hit - probably in the third or fourth week of January - and what the peak numbers would be.

'But what I can say is it is genuinely a fraction of where we were heading,' he said.

Mr Marshall said SA was also on track to switch on Thursday to allow close contacts of cases to have a rapid antigen test instead of a PCR test to reduce the demand on testing sites.

Under the new system, close contacts will be asked to register online to receive a QR code which will direct them to a testing site where they will be provided with two free RATs.

The change comes after testing centres had their hours cut on Tuesday because of soaring temperatures.

With the mercury set to hit 39C in Adelaide on Tuesday, a number of drive-through sites across the city were to shut down during the hottest part of the day.

Sites in regional centres were also affected.

'People who have made a booking for a COVID-19 test will receive a text message with further instructions,' SA Health said on its Facebook page.

'Bookings will be prioritised at the Victoria Park, Ridgehaven or Bedford Park testing sites.

'Other outdoor drive-through and walk-in testing sites may close at short notice due to hot weather.'

SA Health said people attending sites during the current conditions should remember to bring water and snacks, and those at walk-in sites should also remember sunscreen, a hat or umbrella, and a chair.
The Northern Territory has reported 594 new COVID-19 infections as authorities attempt to calm community fears about the spread and severity of the virus.

Deputy Chief Minister Nicole Manison focused on hospital admissions over case numbers at Tuesday's daily briefing, saying they remain low.

'There are 32 patients in hospitals across the territory but only 11 of them are classified as acute admissions,' she told reporters.

'This represents 0.42 per cent of all active cases, which still remains low.'

NT Deputy Chief Minister Nicole Manison says COVID case numbers in Alice Springs are 'not alarming'

Two infected patients are in the territory's intensive care ward but only one is being treated for virus symptoms.

Most patients are understood to be Indigenous and infected with the Delta variant.

Across the NT there are about 2600 active COVID-19 infections, which equates to about one per cent of the territory's population.

About 300 of them are in central Australia after 65 people, many in Alice Springs, tested positive overnight.

This includes five residents at the Old Timers Village aged care facility.

Ms Manison said the facility's vaccination rate was high and none of the infected residents were showing symptoms.

'The total case count for Alice is in line with the percentage of the territory population," she said.

'It is not surprising. It is not alarming.'

Ms Manison also urged infected Territorians to use the NT government's COVID-19 website and online tools to declare they had tested positive after calls to its hotline tripled on Tuesday and wait times "blew out".

Meanwhile, Yuendumu and Yuelamu, about 295km northwest of Alice Springs, remains in lockout until Saturday with another three people testing positive overnight.

It brings the total number of virus infections in low-vaccination Yuendumu to 18.

Extra health staff have been sent to the town to help with virus testing and vaccinations.

'One thing I want to say which was very disappointing was that we only saw 11 vaccinations in the last 24 hours,' Ms Manison said.

Vaccination rates remain stubbornly low in the town, with only 65 per cent of the 675 residents aged 16 and over electing to have a jab, and just 41 per cent double dosed.

Ms Manison was also forced to clarify confusion about the territory's day-old vaccine pass.

She said only businesses serving alcohol were required to check patrons were vaccinated, not all cafes and restaurants as some media had reported.

It comes as The Tap bar on Darwin's Mitchell Street nightlife precinct closes its doors due to staff shortages a day after the NT government relaxed quarantine rules for some essential workers but not bar staff.

'We've had to close for now. We'll keep you updated as soon as we can open again in the next coming days,' the proprietors said in a social media post.

The NT detected 403 new cases on Monday, 481 on Sunday and 594 on Saturday.
The parents of a five-time Jeopardy! champion are suing for medical malpractice after their 24-year-old son died in February following colorectal surgery.

Brayden Smith was considered the 'last great champion' of legendary host Alex Trebek, who died on November 8, 2020, age 80.

Smith taped his final appearances in October 2020, and died of blood clots to his lungs in February 2021, three weeks after surgery to treat his ulcerative colitis.

The Nevada-born contestant's death shocked fans of the show, and on Monday The Las Vegas Review-Journal reported that his family were suing two hospitals in their home town of Henderson, Nevada.

Brayden Smith, 24, is seen in October 2020 during his fifth appearance on Jeopardy!

Smith, far left, is seen with Jeopardy! host Alex Trebek in one of the final episodes Trebek recorded before his November 2020 death

The lawsuit alleges Dr Godwin Ofikwu (pictured) ordered 'anticoagulation' drugs to stop dangerous blood clots forming, but there was no specific order for anticoagulants such as heparin

Doctor accused of botching post-surgery recovery of Jeopardy! contestant is award-winning surgeon from Nigeria Dr Godwin Ofikwu is being sued by the parents of Jeopardy! contestant Brayden Smith for allegedly not ordering a specific anticoagulation drug following his colorectal surgery, which they believe led to his death in February 2021. Ofikwu graduated from medical school at the Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria, Nigeria, in the year 2000 - where he received an award for being the Best Graduating Medical Student in Surgery. Between 2010 and 2015 he held an internship and residency in General Surgery, Columbia University at Harlem Hospital in New York. According to the CSAN website, he is fluent in English, Idoma and Hausa. His other work experience includes:  Surgical Oncology Resident, Colorectal, Hepato-Biliary, Gastric and Mixed Tumor, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, NY, 2013  Colorectal surgery Fellow, Ferguson Clinic, Michigan State University, Michigan, 2015-2016  Board Certified by American Board of Surgery, 2015 Advertisement

Scott and Debbie Smith filed the lawsuit against Dignity Health; the hospital in Henderson, Nevada, where he was operated on - St. Rose Dominican Hospital, Siena campus; Fidelity Home Health Services; two physicians; and the St. Rose nursing staff.

They said that Smith suffered from ulcerative colitis, and was ill in 2019.

Smith was hospitalized in December 2020 and January 2021.

'He was malnourished, was extremely weak, and was a very ill young man,' the lawsuit states.

'His last days were a nightmare. His death was preordained by the misconduct of doctors and nurses.

'None of this had to be.'

Smith was told that he needed a procedure known as an abdominal colectomy with an end ileostomy, which sees the patient's colon removed.

Afterward, the lawsuit alleges, Dr Godwin Ofikwu ordered 'anticoagulation' drugs to stop dangerous blood clots forming, but there was no specific order for anticoagulants such as heparin.

Smith later succumbed to a condition known as pulmonary emboli, or blood clots on the lungs.

Kevin Beiermeister, a California-based colon and rectal surgeon, was among the experts hired by the Smith family's lawyers to investigate the care.

Beiermeister and his colleagues found that Smith's treatment 'fell below the standard of care.'

'It appears that Brayden was not given any anticoagulants at all,' Beiermeister said in his declaration, adding that 'in a surgery such as this, the standard of care requires both mechanical and chemical anticoagulation.'

Beiermeister said that anticoagulants were standard treatment.

'The medical literature is clear that patients undergoing colorectal surgery as compared to general surgery have a significant increase in the risk of emboli,' he wrote.

Ofikwu and Dr Irfana Razzaq, a hospitalist, are named as defendants in the lawsuit.

Beiermeister claimed that Razzaq did not ensure that anticoagulants were given to Smith.

'The nursing notes do not indicate that anyone on the nursing staff inquired as to this issue,' Beiermeister wrote.

Another expert retained by the family, Tara Bohannon, a California-based nurse, filed a declaration with the lawsuit stating that Smith was sent home without sufficient post-operation care.

'He did not go home with sufficient knowledge, and it is my understanding that this was significantly frustrating to Brayden,' Bonhannon wrote.

'He also did not go home with sufficient and proper supplies.'

The hospital told the paper that they have not yet reviewed the case so are unable to comment.

Scott and Debbie Smith, Brayden's parents, have filed the medical malpractice suit
A man has died in custody in Tasmania, with the incident to be examined by the coroner.

The death occurred overnight, Director of Prisons Ian Thomas said in a statement on Tuesday afternoon.

'On behalf of the Tasmania Prison Service I extend my sincere condolences to the family and friends of the deceased man at this difficult time,' he said.

No further details, such as the man's age or how or where his death occurred, have been released.

'The Tasmania Prison Service will not be making any further comment as the matter is now the subject of an examination by the coroner,' Mr Thomas said.

'This is standard practice whenever a death occurs in a corrections environment.
A person who was probably infected with the Omicron variant while in the community is among four new local COVID-19 cases in Western Australia.

The person, identified as Case 1244, had close contact with a confirmed Omicron case who recently returned from Tasmania.

They subsequently spent several days in the community in Perth.

Mark McGowan has said he intends to stick to the February WA border reopening despite Omicron variant (pictured in December)

The other three cases include a truck driver who arrived from South Australia and two close contacts of a previous truck driver infection. All are in quarantine.

A number of new exposure sites have been added to the HealthyWA website, including supermarkets and pharmacies in Perth's southern suburbs.

Testing clinics will also have their operating hours extended.

Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson on Tuesday said genomic sequencing was expected to confirm Case 1244 was infected with the Omicron strain.

'There's a strong possibility there's been community spread of Omicron,' she told reporters.

WA residents have been closed off from the rest of the country for almost two years (pictured: Perth in December)

'This is just part and parcel of managing a really aggressive strain of this virus.'

Ms Sanderson said Case 1244 had travelled to the airport on January 2 to pick up a family member who had returned from Tasmania.

She said the infected person had worn a face mask at the airport and followed all other rules.

The state government on Tuesday launched its new ServiceWA app, integrating proof of vaccination records, the SafeWA QR system and the G2G travel pass.

Flights in and out of Perth for vaccinated travellers are set to return in a mater of weeks (pictured: Perth Airport in 2020)

It comes as the government prepares to ramp up restrictions for the unvaccinated ahead of the February 5 border reopening.

Details are expected to be confirmed later this week but those who refuse to get vaccinated face being locked out of pubs, restaurants, cafes and gyms.

'There will be significant limits on the things you can do,' Ms Sanderson said.

Almost 94 per cent of West Australians aged 12 and over have received their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, while the double-dose vaccination rate is nearing 87 per cent.
A blunder has resulted in text messages being sent to nearly 3,000 Australians, some with Covid as well as close contacts, incorrectly telling them they can leave isolation immediately.

The text messages sent at 11.40am Tuesday and linked to a Tasmania Department of Health webpage advising people they could 'now leave isolation and return to normal activities' as long as they no longer had symptoms.

Tasmania Public Health confirmed the texts were sent to 2,823 people mid-way through a week long isolation period and that a follow up message apologising for the mistake was sent 20 minutes later.

Text messages were incorrectly sent to almost 3,000 Australians telling them they could leave isolation (file image)

The original texts told recipients they 'can show this letter to your employer or educational facility if you need to provide evidence that you have completed your isolation requirement and that you are now able return to work/education'.

The second message - which was attributed to Tasmania's deputy public health director Julie Graham - then said to 'disregard the prior message for your release (from) quarantine'.

'Apologies, it was due to technical issues. Public Health will send your release from isolation letter in the next few days,' the message said.

A Health Department spokesperson said they expected the public health risk of the blunder was 'minimal' because Tasmania is largely vaccinated and the second message was sent out quickly.

Also on Tuesday, Tasmania's state health commander Kathrine Morgan-Wicks tested positive to coronavirus and is isolating at home.

Ms Morgan-Wicks said she is asymptomatic and will continue working in the role, as well as in her position as health department secretary.

She returned a positive result on Tuesday afternoon after being tested in the morning.

'I am asymptomatic but undertook a PCR test... following a member of my household developing mild symptoms and being confirmed as a positive case,' she said.

The text telling people they could leave isolation (left) and the follow up text advising them of the blunder (right)

Ms Morgan-Wicks said she was 'currently well'.

Members of her household are in quarantine as close contacts.

Tasmania recorded 1379 new COVID-19 cases on Tuesday, with the number of people being treated in hospital for virus symptoms dropping to seven.

The cases are made up of 1015 self-reported positive rapid antigen tests and 364 PCR tests, taking the state's number of active infections to 8356.

The health department says seven people are being treated in hospital specifically for COVID-19, down from 11 reported on Monday.
Britons who test positive for Covid with a lateral flow test will have to self-isolate immediately and cannot have a PCR test to confirm their result from today, which critics believe means thousands face being quarantined with false positives.

Previous guidance to confirm positive rapid tests with more accurate lab results has been removed indefinitely because of the Omicron wave.

The UK Health Security Agency said the 'vast majority' of people with a positive LFD result can be confident they have the virus because case rates are so high - but experts admit that around one in 3,000 tests brings a false positive.

And lateral flow tests may be less effective at detecting Omicron even when people are at their most infectious, a US study found last week. It took an average of three days longer for people to test positive on a lateral flow test  which give results in as little as 15 minutes  after their infection had already been confirmed on a PCR test, they found.

The decision to limit PCRs is taking place to free up capacity in laboratories for PCR tests for those who have Covid-19 symptoms.

Confirmatory PCR tests will no longer be allowed for people testing positive for Covid on a lateral flow test

People who receive a positive result on a lateral flow device (LFD) will be required to self-isolate immediately, without requiring PCR confirmation.

On a visit to a vaccination clinic in Uxbridge, Boris Johnson poured cold water on rumours that lateral flow tests could stop being free soon, saying they will stay 'as long as necessary'

The UKHSA insists it is a temporary measure while Covid-19 rates remain high across the UK - but there is currently no end date.

UKHSA chief executive Dr Jenny Harries said: "This is a tried and tested approach. With Covid cases high, we can confidently say lateral flow tests can be used to indicate Covid-19 without the need for PCR confirmation.

"If you test positive on an LFD, you should self-isolate immediately and register your result to allow contact tracing to take place.

"It also remains really important that anyone experiencing Covid-19 symptoms self-isolates and takes a PCR test via gov.uk, or by phoning 119.

"I'm really grateful to the public and all of our critical workers who continue to test regularly and self-isolate when necessary, along with other practical and important behaviours to limit transmission of the virus, as this is the most effective way of stopping the spread of infection and keeping our friends, families and communities safe."

Exceptions to the new rules include people who want to claim the Test and Trace Support Payment, those who are taking lateral flow tests as part of research and those who have a positive day 2 test result after they arrive in England.

Boris Johnson last night piled pressure on Government scientists to approve a further cut to Covid isolation after health chiefs admitted misleading ministers.

The Prime Minister asked the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) to look again at whether the self-isolation period could be relaxed from seven days to five to ease crippling staff shortages in the economy and public services.

In an extraordinary twist, the UKHSA yesterday admitted it had issued misleading claims about the way Britains rules compare to other countries.

The health quango had claimed comparisons with the United States, where self- isolation has already been cut to five days, were not like for like, because self-isolation started from the date of a positive test rather than from when symptoms first emerge, as it does in the UK.

But last night the agency admitted it had been wrong, removing one of its central arguments against cutting self-isolation times  which have led to more than a million people being forced to stay away from the workplace.

Ministers had repeatedly cited the false advice in recent days when explaining why Government was moving so slowly on the issue.

Covid restrictions could start to be lifted this month, after Michael Gove said Britain was moving towards a situation where it could live with the virus.

The Plan B measures were imposed last month in response to the Omicron variant and include guidance on WFH and legal requirements for masks and Covid passes in certain venues.

Downing Street is examining options to lift them in stages if cases remain too high to remove them all in one go. Extending Covid passes, due to expire on January 26, would require another bruising clash with Tory backbenchers, which No10 wants to avoid.

But some ministers are pushing for the WFH guidance to be removed first, arguing that it causes the most damage to the economy.

The Prime Minister has asked the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) to look again at whether the self-isolation period could be relaxed from seven days to five to ease crippling staff shortages in the economy and public services.

To work out flu deaths, the UK Health Security Agency  formerly Public Health England  estimates them using a statistical model, which looks at the prevalence of flu and excess winter fatalities. The cumulative number of fatalities was estimated to be in the region of 15,000 in 2016/17, with about 300 people dying every day at the peak. In 2017/18, during the Aussie flu outbreak, a total of 22,000 people were killed by influenza, with in excess of 400 dying per day at the worst of the epidemic. But in 2018/19 just 4,000 were estimated to have died to the virus, with just tens of people dying per day at the peak

How flu and Covid compare to other leading causes of death: Cancer is the biggest killer, taking around 166,000 lives every year, followed by dementia and heart disease. Covid has killed More than 150,000 Britons since the pandemic took off but it is expected to settle down and become an endemic illness in the coming years

In an extraordinary twist, the UKHSA yesterday admitted it had issued misleading claims about the way Britains rules compare to other countries.

Mr Gove, who has consistently argued for the toughest curbs, yesterday warned that there were difficult weeks ahead for the NHS as the virus surges outside London. But he said there would be better times ahead once the current surge in cases has passed.

There are other coronaviruses which are endemic and with which we live  viruses tend to develop in a way whereby they become less harmful but more widespread, he said.

So, guided by the science, we can look to the progressive lifting of restrictions and, I think for all of us, the sooner the better. But we have got to keep the NHS safe.

The boss of a care home group with 2,300 staff has called on the Government to remove isolation requirements for people with Covid who are asymptomatic amid a rising backlog of patients in hospital.

Tony Stein, chief executive of Healthcare Management Solutions (HCMS), which has around 60 care homes in the UK, said around 500 of the company's workers have had to isolate at some point during the pandemic, despite most having no symptoms.

The Birmingham firm, which owns some care homes and runs others for investors, currently has more than 100 staff isolating, a spokesman said.
Scores of Australian politicians are receiving free rapid antigen tests - while countless essential workers are battling to locate the crucial swabs to ensure they can do their jobs.

The likes of healthcare workers, truck drivers and supermarket staff are up against it to secure the vital testing kits as Covid case numbers rapidly rise across the nation - unlike members and staff of NSW parliament, who have access to a private stockpile.

Close to 2,000 RATs will soon be sent out to MPs electorate offices across the state, and members and staff who work out of Parliament House will have access to at least one RAT per week.

In an email to the parliamentary workforce on Monday, the Department of Parliamentary Services confirmed a limited supply of RAT kits have been put aside as a 'safety measure'.

'For Electorate Offices, a limited supply of tests (20 RAT kits) will be sent out to each of the 98 electorate offices for use by members and staff, starting from tomorrow morning,' MPs were told, according to the Daily Telegraph.

NSW based politicians are receiving free rapid antigen tests - while countless essential workers are battling to locate the crucial swabs to ensure they can do their jobs (pictured, a rapid antigen test)

The development has enraged many essential workers across NSW, including supermarket staff (pictured)

In an email to the parliamentary workforce on Monday, the Department of Parliamentary Services confirmed a limited supply of RAT kits have been put aside as a 'safety measure' (pictured, retail workers in Sydney's CBD)

Supermarket giants such as Woolworths and Coles have also been allocated RAT stockpiles for workers - but they are said to be dwindling.

Transport Workers Union State Secretary Richard Olsen was horrified at the development favouring politicians, declaring essential workers must come first.

'It isn't Members of Parliament that will keep food on the shelves in our supermarkets, it's essential workers,' he said.

'The TWU is calling on every NSW politician to do the right thing by their communities, and donate their free rapid tests to essential transport workers in their electorate.

'The NSW Government must also make rapid antigen tests available for free for all transport workers as soon as possible  if it's good enough for politicians, then it's good enough for the essential workers we all rely on.'

Labor leader Chris Minns confirmed he will happily donate his RATs to local charity Kogarah Storehouse, in Sydney's south, while Greens' David Shoebridge stated special rules should not be in place for MPs or political staff.

On Sunday, the NSW government announced the first batch of 100 million Rapid Antigen Tests will be distributed to NSW essential public workers and vulnerable communities from this week to help slow the spread of Covid-19.

Premier Dominic Perrottet confirmed the government will receive 50 million tests from mid-January to February, with a further 50 million tests being sourced for delivery from February and into March.

'We are ensuring essential workers in our public workforce and vulnerable communities have access to free kits in this first round,'he said.

'These tests, all approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration, will help them to quickly ascertain if they need to self-isolate and ensure support and health advice is provided to those who need it.'

Many pharmacies across NSW and the nation are currently sold out of rapid antigen tests (pictured, a pharmacy at Balgowlah on Sydney's northern beaches)

Earlier on Tuesday, the state recorded 25,870 Covid-19 cases and 11 deaths.

NSW Health confirmed six women and five men died; seven were aged in their 80s, three people were in their 90s, and one person was in their 70s.

Nine of the 11 people who died were fully vaccinated.

RATs are not yet included in NSW's daily case counts - unlike in Victoria - because there is no official reporting system for them.

A self-reporting feature for RATs will be added to the Service NSW app this week, the state government has announced.
Former Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi has flaunted his relationship with his girlfriend - 53 years his junior - on social media in one final charm offensive for the Italian presidency.

Berlusconi, 85, seemingly undeterred by health woes, sex scandals and advanced age, posted a photo on Facebook in which he is gazing into the eyes of his 32-year-old lover Marta Fascina, an MP in his Forza Italia party.

Fascina is Berlusconi's latest romantic conquest after he broke off his previous relationship with Francesca Pascale in 2020, who at the ripe age of 34 was simply too old for him.

The former prime minister's overt affection on social media is said to be part of a presidential campaign in which Berlusconi has already set about harassing parliamentarians to get them on side like 'a squirrel collecting nuts'.

Italy will choose a new head of state early next year, and with no official candidates yet to be announced, Berlusconi has launched the so-called 'Operation Squirrel' in an attempt to overcome a string of scandals and become president.

In this image posted on Facebook, 85-year-old former Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi (R) gazes into the eyes of 32-year-old Marta Fascina, an MP in his Forza Italia party, wishing her a happy birthday

But the former prime minister's overt affection on social media is said to be part of a presidential campaign in which Berlusconi has already set about harassing parliamentarians to get them on side like 'a squirrel collecting nuts'

Fascina is Berlusconi's latest romantic conquest after he broke off his previous relationship with Francesca Pascale (left) in 2020, who at the ripe age of 34 was simply too old for him

Berlusconi's second wife, Veronica Lario (L), divorced the scandal-ridden media mogul in 2010 after he was caught on multiple occasions sniffing around younger women

There are substantial obstacles lying in Berlusconi's path to the presidency, yet he is promoting himself with the gusto that helped him win three parliamentary elections and become Italy's longest-serving post-war premier.

'I've met him twice in the last two weeks and he was totally fired up,' said a lawmaker from Berlusconi's Forza Italia party, who asked not to be named.

'He is very persuasive; there are many MPs who have switched party repeatedly who might listen to him and there are reports of paintings being given as gifts,' the political commentator Antonio Polito said.

But the billionaire media mogul is a highly controversial figure.

Though Berlusconi's penchant for younger girlfriends is evident, the 85-year-old has been the subject of several sex scandals with prostitutes, and is still on trial for bribing witnesses in an underage prostitution case.

The former PM was previously convicted of paying 6 million to underage Moroccan prostitute Karima El Mahroug, also known as 'Ruby the heart-stealer', for sexual services between February and May 2010, but was later found not guilty on appeal.

El Mahroug was reportedly an attendee of one of Berlusconi's many 'bunga bunga' sex parties held at his private villa.

Though Berlusconi's penchant for younger girlfriends is evident, the 85-year-old has been the subject of several sex scandals with prostitutes, and is still on trial for bribing witnesses in an underage prostitution case (left: Italian escort Patrizia D'Addario. Right: Moroccan prostitute Karima El Mahroug)

Besides his reputation for 'bunga bunga' parties, Berlusconi was temporarily barred from public office after a conviction for tax fraud in 2013, and has been accused of several cases of embezzlement.

Analysts believe such a divisive personality will find it hard to muster the broad support needed to elect a president, but Berlusconi has proved nothing if not persistent - both in his romantic conquests and in his drive to overcome adversity.

Aside from his miraculous return to public office after numerous scandals, the media mogul has also battled a string of health issues in the past two decades.

In late 2006 he was admitted to hospital with a minor heart problem after fainting, and underwent heart surgery in a US hospital in January 2007.

He later had major heart surgery in 2016 and has also survived prostate cancer, which he revealed in 2000 after having endured the disease for three years.

At the time he described his cancer ordeal as 'a nightmare lasting months', but said his battle with coronavirus last September had been the 'most dangerous challenge' of his life.

A man holds a poster depicting former Italian premier and billionaire media tycoon Silvio Berlusconi and reading 'The Quirinal is not a Bunga Bunga'. The Quirinal Palace is a grand building set on one of Rome's hillsides and is the official residence of Italy's president

Though he has not yet officially announced his presidential candidacy, there is already outrage in Italy at the prospect of the disgraced, scandal-ridden former PM becoming head of state (pictured: a protest against Berlusconi's candidacy to the presidency of the Italian republic in Rome on January 4, 2022)

Yet despite all of the above, Berlusconi is ploughing ahead with his unofficial campaigning, presenting himself as an experienced elder statesman of European politics.

Candidates for president do not usually declare themselves in advance of the election in parliament. However, Berlusconi's name has been put forward repeatedly in the media, and he has not tried to dampen speculation that he wants the job.

Asked about his presidential prospects at a conference in October, he said, referring to himself in the third person: 'I think Silvio Berlusconi can be useful to the country... I won't back down and I'll do what my country needs.'

He will encounter stiff resistance - some Italians have already taken to the streets of Rome to protest his potential candidacy, holding placards which read 'The Quirinal (Italy's presidential palace) is not a bunga bunga'.

If he were to become president, he would be the first to lead office while on trial.

Former Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi speaks to media following a meeting with center-right leaders in Rome, Thursday, Dec. 23, 2021

Gianfranco Rotondi, a veteran Forza Italia MP and a former minister under Berlusconi's last government said his former boss has a '50-50 chance to make it' in voting which starts around January 20.

Lorenzo Castellani, a political historian at Rome's Luiss university, said he predicted Berlusconi's attempt to fade, but expected him to be 'one of the kingmakers' in the presidential race.

The frontrunner in January's elections is currently Mario Draghi, the current prime minister, while sitting president Sergio Mattarella has also been mentioned as a credible option, despite saying he wants to retire.

Italian presidents are elected by approximately 1,000 national and regional lawmakers in a secret ballot.
The travel industry will likely not recover from the damage done by coronavirus for a number of years, the boss of Heathrow has warned as it is revealed at least 600,000 passengers cancelled plans to fly from the airport in December.

Fears over the Omicron Covid variant meant that, from late November, all travellers arriving in the UK were required to take a lateral flow test before flying and self-isolate until they received a negative result from a post-arrival PCR test.

This led to many people scrapping their travel plans over the festive period - which is typically one of the busiest times of the year outside summer for international travel from Britain.

A total of 19.4 million people travelled through Heathrow across the whole of last year - less than a quarter of the pre-pandemic level in 2019, and 12.3% down on 2020.

Heathrow chief executive John Holland-Kaye said: 'There are currently travel restrictions, such as testing, on all Heathrow routes.

'The aviation industry will only fully recover when these are all lifted and there is no risk that they will be reimposed at short notice, a situation which is likely to be years away.'

Susannah Streeter, senior investment and markets analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown, said Omicron had been 'the Scrooge which cancelled Christmas' with 'onerous testing requirements leading to a mass exodus from airports'.

Several overseas destinations - including France and Germany - had brought in their own restrictions late last year, effectively rendering the possibility of a holiday within their territory impossible amid the outbreak of Omicron.

A total of 19.4 million people travelled through Heathrow across the whole of last year - less than a quarter of the pre-pandemic level in 2019, and 12.3% down on 2020 (pictured: Heathrow on December 24)

Susannah Streeter, senior investment and markets analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown, said Omicron had been 'the Scrooge which cancelled Christmas' with ' onerous testing requirements leading to a mass exodus from airports'

Ms Streeter added: 'Mass vaccination programmes failed to have the desired effect in 2021, in bringing the rebound in travel there had been such high hopes for this time last year.

'The web of rules and regulations which was spun across different countries and regions and swept away, and then spun again as new variants emerged, clearly led to a drop in confidence in the travelling public.

'The threat of expensive hotel quarantines following a rapid rule change and the risk of being left stranded overseas if testing positive were hardly a relaxing prospect for holidaymakers wanting to get away from it all.

'It means there was a lacklustre uplift in customers of 12% compared to 2020, and for 2021 as a whole Heathrow handled just 19.4 million passengers - less than one quarter of pre-pandemic levels.'

Ms Streeter added there was 'little surprise' that Heathrow is now calling for scrapping all tests for fully vaccinated passengers in favour of a 'predictable playbook to go by, in the even of fresh variants'.

'The spring summer season is set to get warmer for Heathrow in terms of business, but it's unlikely to be the scorcher the travel industry, and the retail and hospitality businesses which rely on transport hubs, sorely need,' she said.

Fears over the Covid variant meant that, from late November, all travellers arriving in the UK were required to take a lateral flow test before flying and self-isolate until they received a negative result from a post-arrival PCR test (pictured: Heathrow on December 24)

One week before Christmas Germany's health announced that Britain had been added to its list of Covid high-risk countries as a 'virus variant area', meaning airlines were banned from transporting British tourists to the country.

Only German citizens and residents, their partners and children, and transit passengers were allowed to travel to the country from the UK, and even then, anyone entering would need a negative PCR test and would have to quarantine for 14 days, regardless of vaccination status.

When the rules were introduced on December 18, there had been more than 65,000 new Covid cases confirmed in London alone over the previous seven days, with 26,418 cases reported within 24 hours - the highest number since the start of the pandemic.

France brought in similar restrictions, demanding British travellers have a 'compelling reason' to enter the country - which did not include tourism or business.

The United Kingdom had reported 90,418 new COVID-19 cases on December 18 and 125 deaths within 28 days of a positive coronavirus test.

Cases were up 44.4% over the seven days leading to December 18 compared with the previous week, but deaths, which typically lag changes in case numbers, were down by nearly 6% over the same period.
Xi calls for sustained development of China-Belarus ties

Xinhua) 08:03, January 11, 2022

BEIJING, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping said Monday that China is ready to work with Belarus to take the 30th anniversary of their diplomatic ties as a new starting point to further promote bilateral relations.

In a phone conversation with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, Xi called for joint efforts to enhance political mutual trust, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, and push for new results in the China-Belarus comprehensive strategic partnership.

Saying he is glad to talk on the phone with Lukashenko at the beginning of the new year, Xi pointed out that the past year was of great significance to both China and Belarus.

He added that he stands ready to maintain close communication with Lukashenko through various means to push forward the China-Belarus relationship.

This year marks the 30th anniversary of China-Belarus diplomatic ties, Xi said, adding that over the past 30 years, China-Belarus relations have achieved fruitful results, and the two sides have become comprehensive strategic partners of mutual trust and win-win cooperation.

He noted that between the two countries, Belt and Road cooperation has registered steady progress; trade has increased 50-fold in 30 years; a number of large projects, including the China-Belarus industrial park and the China-Europe Railway Express, have taken root and borne fruit; and exchanges have grown deeper in such fields as science and technology, education, culture, tourism and medical care.

The China-Belarus relationship has set a good example of friendly exchanges and mutually beneficial cooperation between countries, he stressed.

The two sides should expand the scale of bilateral trade, strengthen cooperation in areas such as innovative, green and digital development, and ensure the stable operation and sustainable development of the China-Europe Railway Express, Xi suggested, adding that they should also continuously enhance vaccine cooperation.

Citing the complex changes in the current international and regional situation, Xi stressed that the two countries have cooperated effectively on multilateral occasions including the United Nations, and firmly supported each other in safeguarding their core national interests, which has demonstrated the strategic value of China-Belarus cooperation.

Under the new circumstances, the two sides should continue to cooperate closely, practice true multilateralism, safeguard the international system with the United Nations at its core and the international order based on international law, and uphold international fairness and justice, Xi said.

China, he added, opposes external forces interfering in Belarus' internal affairs, and, as always, supports Belarus in pursuing a development path suited to its own national conditions.

Xi said the two sides should advocate the common values of mankind, guide the international community to adopt a correct approach to democracy and human rights, and promote the implementation of the Global Development Initiative and the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

For his part, Lukashenko once again extended congratulations on the centenary of the Communist Party of China.

Noting that the Belarusian people always have sincere and friendly feelings towards the Chinese people, Lukashenko thanked China for always providing firm political and moral support for Belarus.

Facing the profound and complex changes of the current international and regional situation, Belarus hopes to maintain close communication and coordination with China, he said.

Belarus, he added, stands ready to take the 30th anniversary of diplomatic ties this year as an opportunity to elevate bilateral relations to a new level.

He said his country hopes to work with China to promote the development of the Belarus-China industrial park and deepen cooperation in such fields as pandemic response, traditional Chinese medicine, trade, investment and education.

Belarus will always be a staunch cooperation partner of China, he said, also wishing the Chinese people a happy Spring Festival.

(Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun)








Stacks of containers at a port in Korea's southeastern city of Busan are seen in this Dec. 1, 2021, file photo. Yonhap





Korea's exports grew 24.4 percent year-on-year in the first 10 days of January on the back of solid demand for semiconductors, cars and petroleum products, customs data showed Tuesday.







The country's outbound shipments stood at $13.9 billion in the Jan. 1 to 10 period, compared with $11.2 billion the previous year, according to the data from the Korea Customs Service.







Imports jumped 57.1 percent year-on-year to $18.9 billion, resulting in a trade deficit of $4.95 billion during the cited period.







By sector, outbound shipments of memory chips, a key export item, rose 23.3 percent year-on-year.






Prosecutors are willing to drop two charges of perjury against disgraced socialite Ghislaine Maxwell if a conviction for sex trafficking is allowed to stand, court documents showed Monday.

The 60-year-old could spend the rest of her life behind bars after a jury convicted her of recruiting and grooming young girls to be sexually abused by the late American financier and pedophile Jeffrey Epstein last month.

She is due to be sentenced at a later date but there is ongoing disagreement over when a timetable should be set.

Prosecutors want British-born Maxwell sentenced within three to four months, but her defense team has opposed setting a date, arguing there is a 'compelling basis' to overturn her conviction.

Her lawyers last week demanded a new trial after a juror revealed he had helped convict Maxwell by telling fellow jury members about his experience of sexual abuse.

According to court documents dated January 10, the US government has now offered to drop two perjury charges linked to claims Maxwell made in a 2016 deposition in a separate civil lawsuit should the sex crimes conviction stand. Each perjury charge carries a maximum five-year prison term.

The charges allege the convicted sex trafficker lied under oath by hiding her participation in Epstein's offences during a separate civil case brought against her by the Prince Andrew's accuser, Virginia Giuffre.

Confirming their position in the letter to Judge Alison J. Nathan, the US government said: 'In the event the defendant's post-trial motions are denied, the Government is prepared to dismiss the severed perjury counts at the time of sentencing, in light of the victims' significant interests in bringing closure to this matter and avoiding the trauma of testifying again.

Ghislaine Maxwell, 60, could spend the rest of her life behind bars after a jury convicted her of recruiting and grooming young girls to be sexually abused by the late American financier Jeffrey Epstein last month (Pictured: Courtroom sketch shows the moment Maxwell sat in the New York courtroom as her guilty verdicts were read out)

According to the court documents, prosecutors want Maxwell sentenced within three to four months, but her defense team has opposed setting a date, arguing there is a 'compelling basis' to overturn her conviction (Pictured: Billionaire Epstein is pictured with Maxwell in 2005)

Maxwell's conviction is in jeopardy after Juror No 50 Scotty David (pictured) admitted he 'flew through' a pre-trial questionnaire and did not recall being asked on the form about his experience of sexual abuse

'If any of the defendant's post-trial motions are granted, the government proposes that the parties be directed to promptly confer and propose a schedule for further proceedings.

'That schedule may depend on the manner in which the court resolves such motions.'

The prosecution also requested the preparation of a pre-sentence investigation report, but the defence argued anything Maxwell said in the report 'could be used against her at her retrial'.

Setting out their position in the letter, Maxwell's lawyers said: 'The defence requests that the court delay setting a schedule for sentencing because there is a compelling basis for the court to overturn Ms Maxwell's conviction and grant her a new trial based on the disclosures of Juror 50 during deliberations.

'The defence therefore objects to setting a schedule for sentencing until this motion is resolved.

'Furthermore, requiring Ms Maxwell to participate in the preparation of the pre-sentence investigation report, while she is awaiting a decision on her motion for a new trial, will adversely impact her Fifth Amendment rights (the right to silence so as not to incriminate oneself).

'Ms Maxwell will be forced into the position of not cooperating with the probation department's investigation because any statement she makes to Probation, and any documents she provides, may be used against her at her retrial.'

Maxwell's conviction was first put in jeopardy when Juror No 50 Scotty David admitted he 'flew through' a pre-trial questionnaire and did not recall being asked on the form about his experience of sexual abuse.

David claimed he used his experience to influence other jurors, saying: 'When I shared that, they were able to come around on the memory aspect of the sexual abuse.'

The 35-year-old, who has hired a lawyer, could face jail if it is found he intentionally lied on the questionnaire.

Maxwell's defense has insisted she not be made to 'expend resources' on other legal matters until a ruling on whether to conduct a retrial is made.

It comes after a second, unidentified, juror told The New York Times that they, too, had been abused as a child.

'They said they had discussed the experience during deliberations and that the revelation had appeared to help shape the jury's discussions,' the paper reported.

Meanwhile Maxwell's lawyers told the Mail on Sunday that they believe they have found a third juror in her sex trafficking trial who lied about being abused.

A New York judge last week said they would decide 'pretty soon' whether to dismiss a sexual assault lawsuit against the UK's Prince Andrew by Virginia Giuffre - also a longtime accuser of Maxwell and Epstein's (Pictured: Infamous photo purportedly showing Prince Andrew and Virginia Roberts, aged 17, at Ghislaine Maxwell's townhouse in London in 2001)

A source said Maxwell's legal team feel 'confident a third juror lied on their jury application', adding: 'There are also questions over a fourth juror, so this thing is up in the air.'

Maxwell's trial and subsequent conviction for assisting Epstein - who hanged himself in his New York jail cell in 2019 - exposed a murky world of sex trafficking among the rich and powerful.

A New York judge last week said they would decide 'pretty soon' whether to dismiss a sexual assault lawsuit against the UK's Prince Andrew by Virginia Giuffre - also a longtime accuser of Maxwell and Epstein's.

Giuffre alleges that Epstein lent her out for sex with his wealthy and powerful associates, including Andrew, an allegation that Queen Elizabeth II's second son has repeatedly and strenuously denied.
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A 35 million conservation project to renovate HMS Victory which will include replacing rotting planks has been announced on the 100th anniversary of the warship being brought into dry dock.

Vice-Admiral Lord Nelson's flagship was brought into dry dock 2 at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard 100 years ago.

It has stayed there as the world's oldest commissioned warship and the flagship of the First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff.

The work to replace rotting planks has been announced on the 100th anniversary of the warship being brought into dry dock

A crane during the process of removing the main lower mast from HMS Victory at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard last year

A bronze cannon being lifted from a sandbank at the shipwreck site of HMS Victory to be restored and showed to the public

Admiral Lord Nelson's famous signal, 'England expects,' flying from the significantly reduced rigging of HMS Victory to mark the 206th anniversary of victory at the Battle of Trafalgar back on 2011

HMS Victory undergoing her biennial painting at the National Museum of the Royal Navy's Portsmouth Historical Dockyard

HMS Victory being taken in tow by steam tug dry dock no. 2 at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard 100 years ago in January 1922

HMS Victory by numbers GUNS: 104 guns - 30  2.75-ton long pattern Blomefield 32-pounders (15 kg), 28  2.5-ton long 24-pounders (11 kg, 30  1.7-ton short 12-pounders (5 kg), 12  1.7-ton short 12-pounder (5 kg) and 2  medium 12-pounder (5 kg), 2  68-pounder (31 kg) carronade CREW: 821 at time of Trafalgar, spanning 12 to 67 in age SPEED: 11 knots FINEST HOUR: Battle of Trafalgar: 27 Royal Navy ships vs 33 French and Spanish ships. 22-0 win for Nelson and his men. Advertisement

A dockyard spokeswoman said that dry dock 2, which is 220 years old, is itself a scheduled ancient monument.

She said: 'One hundred years ago today, on January 12 1922, the world watched as Vice-Admiral Lord Nelson's celebrated survivor from the Battle of Trafalgar was towed from her berth in Portsmouth Harbour and secured into the dry dock.

'First floated out at Chatham in 1765, Victory enjoyed a varied career but by the 1920s was in poor condition and at risk of sinking at her mooring without considerable intervention.

'Later in 1922, on October 21st, Trafalgar Day, the 'Save the Victory' campaign by the Society for Nautical Research was publicly launched and continues to play a hugely significant role in securing the world-famous flagship for posterity.

'Although Victory had been a popular tourist attraction when berthed in the harbour throughout the 19th century, she was opened as a museum ship to the public by King George V on July 17 1928 and has since welcomed more than 30 million visitors.

'Since then, she has welcomed a host of famous visitors including royalty at dinners and balls, and survived a 500lb bomb dropped by the German Luftwaffe during the Second World War.

HMS Victory undergoing her biennial painting at the National Museum of the Royal Navy's Portsmouth Historical Dockyard

Workmen moving a 42-pound cannon into position, which was the first artefact from the HMS Victory 1744 wreck site to be shown to the public at the National Museum of the Royal Navy in Portsmouth Historic Dockyard

Divers with HMS Victory in dry dock no. 2 at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard in 1925. A century after HMS Victory was moved into her final resting place

Diana Davis, senior conservator at the National Museum of the Royal Navy, tends to the Trafalgar sail, the only surviving foretopsail flown by HMS Victory at the battle of Trafalgar

HMS Victory in dry dock no. 2 at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard circa 1928 rising high above all the surrounding buildings

On January 12 1922 Vice Admiral Lord Nelson's flagship was brought to dry dock no.2 at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard where it has remained as the world's oldest commissioned warship and the flagship of the First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff

The famous ship's history 1759 - Keel laid down in old single dock, Chatham 23 July. 1765 - Launched 7 May. Dimensions: 186' x 52'. Laid up in ordinary at Chatham. 1778  First Commission. Flagship of Admiral Keppel in action with d'Orvilliers off Ushant. 1779 - Flagship of Vice Admiral Sir Charles Hardy. 1781 - Flagship of Vice Admiral Hyde Parker and Rear Admiral Kempenfelt. Capture of French convoy off Ushant. 1782 - Flagship of Lord Howe. Present at sinking of the Royal George at Spithead; boats from Victory used to save survivors. Relief of Gibraltar. 1783 - Paid off at Portsmouth. 1793 - Present at the reduction of Toulon. 1794 - Present at sieges of Calvi and Bastia. 1797 - Battle of Cape St Vincent, nearly wrecked in Lagos Bay. Blockade of Cadiz. Paid off and struck from Navy List. 1798-99 - Hospital ship for prisoners of war. 1803-05 - Flagship of Vice Admiral Lord Nelson. Blockades of Toulon and Cadiz. Battle of Trafalgar. 1808 - Flag of Admiral Saumarez. Operations in Baltic. 1809 - Brought home part of Sir John Moore's army from Corunna. 1812 - Paid off in December. 1816-24 - In ordinary at Portsmouth. 1823  Guardship at Portsmouth. 1889 - Present day  Flagship of Commander in Chief, Portsmouth (now 2nd Sea Lord) 1903 - Rammed by HMS Neptune and docked to prevent sinking. After repair, returned to harbour mooring. 1922 - Berthed in No 2 Dock. 'Save the Victory' launched for her restoration and preservation to her Trafalgar condition. 1940 - Damaged by German bomb. 1945 - Floodlit for VJ day. 1946 - Personal standard of HRH Princess Elizabeth broken at the main. SOURCE: The National Museum Advertisement

'The dry dock itself is now part of a greatly enhanced visitor offer for Victory which, in addition to a self-guided tour of the ship, now includes the chance to descend into the dry dock under the enormous hull on a dedicated walkway, weaving through the recently completed and new state-of-the-art support system.'

Victory has been undergoing a 20-year period of conservation including recently having its mast removed, with the next stage of works now being unveiled.

The spokeswoman said: 'Rotting planking will be removed from the hull and replaced with new oak, repairs made to the ship's structural framework, and she will be fully re-rigged, in a process lasting 10 to 15 years and costing 35 million.

'The project will provide visitors with a once-in-a-generation opportunity to see beneath Victory's skin and experience a first-rate line-of-battle ship being taken through a great repair.'

HMS Victory first floated out from the Old Single Dock in Chatham's Royal Dockyard on May 7 1765.

During 206 years in service she would gain recognition for leading fleets in the American War of Independence, the French Revolutionary War and the Napoleonic War.

HMS Victory is renowned for being the flagship of Vice-Admiral Horatio Nelson, Britain's most celebrated naval leader, fighting in the defeat of the French and the Spanish at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805.

However, her service was not to end here - in 1808 she was recommissioned to lead the fleet in the Baltic, but four years later she was relegated to harbour service - serving as a residence, flagship and tender providing accommodation.

In 1922 she was saved for the nation and placed permanently into dry dock where she remains today, visited by 25 million visitors as a museum of the sailing navy and the oldest commissioned warship in the world.

The HMS Victory currently in dry dock in Portsmouth is the sixth ship to bear the name after five previous ships did so.

Of these, the first two were broken up and rebuilt, two were destroyed by fire and the fifth sank in 1744.

The current HMS Victory was launched in 1759 and commissioned in 1778.

It was used in two battles on the French island of Ushant in 1778 and 1780 as well as the battle of Cape St Vincent near Portugal in 1797.

However its decisive role came in the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805, under the captaincy of Vice-Admiral Nelson who was fatally wounded on board during the conflict.

The ship was taken out of service in 1812 and remained in Portsmouth Harbour until 1922, when it was moved into the Royal Naval Dockyard amid fears for its deteriorating condition.
Former WAG Nadia Bartel will appear in court in March on driving charges that could land her in jail or with a large fine.

Ms Bartel, 36, was charged by police for allegedly driving while her licence was suspended and failing to update her address, Daily Mail Australia has confirmed.

The clothes designer and former wife of AFL player Jimmy Bartel, was intercepted by Prahran Highway Patrol officers on Dandenong Road in the Melbourne suburb of Windsor at about 12.30pm on August 25, 2021.

This was just a week before she was filmed snorting a white powder from a Kmart plate at an illegal party during Melbourne's lockdown.

Nadia Bartel (pictured) will attend court in March to face two driving charges, which could land her in jail or with a large fine

She will appear at Melbourne Magistrates' Court on March 24 and could face up to four months jail or a fine of up to $4,500 for a first offence.

The police interception happened a week before an incident where the mother-of-two appeared to snort a white powder from a plate.

Ms Bartel said she 'not aware' her driving licence had been suspended.

'In August I was pulled over by the police who advised me that I was driving on a suspended licence,' she told the Herald Sun.

'The suspension was due to exceeding my demerit point balance.

'I was not aware of the suspension as communication had been sent to my previous residential address which I didn't receive.

'I would never have driven had I been aware of the suspension and my residential details have now been updated,' she said.

Nadia Bartel (pictured) is facing charges of driving while suspended and failing to update her address

Ms Bartel (pictured) says she was not aware that her driving license had been suspended

The news comes just hours after the former WAG Nadia shared a powerful message about mental health, telling her fans it's 'okay to feel down' sometimes.

Ms Bartel, who is known for portraying her gilded life on social media and rarely speaks about her personal feelings, took to Instagram on Tuesday to tell her fans it's 'okay to feel down' sometimes.

She wrote that she'd had a 'real crap day' and was feeling 'down and sad'.

Ms Bartel also shared a meme that read: 'Don't let bad days trick you into thinking you have a bad life.'

'I don't normally share how I'm actually feeling but I think it is important to know it's okay to feel sad. It's just a feeling and all feelings are temporary, this feeling will pass,' she wrote.

Nadia Bartel (pictured) has regularly used social media to keep fans up to date with her gilded life

Nadia Bartel (pictured) lost some of her sponsorship deals after an incident last year where she appeared to snort a white powder

'Tomorrow is a new day, and I need the bad days to appreciate the better ones.'

She concluded by admitting sometimes the best thing to do is 'cry it out' when you're feeling down.

'Cry it out (I used to hold it in) sometimes after a big cry and letting it all out it's like a reset and I feel better,' she said.

The now infamous video of Ms Bartel breaching Covid restrictions was posted to social media by her friend Ellie Pearson during Victoria's sixth Covid-19 lockdown.

In the video, Ms Bartel was surrounded by other women who laughed as she leaned over the plate during what was an illegal gathering due to lockdown restrictions.

Nadia Bartel (pictured left) was filmed appearing to snort a white powder from a plate

Ms Bartel, Ms Pearson and two other women were fined $5,452 each for breaching lockdown rules.

After the incident was widely reported, Ms Bartel lost well paid sponsorship deals.

At the time, she said she was 'embarrassed and remorseful'.

'I have let you all down by my actions,' she said. 'I take full responsibility and I am committed to taking all necessary steps to ensure I make better choices in future.'

Ms Bartel did not face criminal charges over the white powder incident.
A father-of-three has been jailed for nearly three years after blackmailing two brothers out of more than 12,000 with ransom demands threatening the lives of their family.

Gary Galvin, 36, from Ashton-under-Lyne, Manchester, trolled the vulnerable brothers on Facebook and threatened to torch the home where they lived with their elderly parents and kill their pets.

The brothers, only identified as 'Mr M' and 'Mr C', handed over their life savings, sold personal possessions and took out bank loans to pay instalments after Galvin's threats, Manchester Crown Court heard.

One of the brothers had been swapping messages with a Facebook account purporting to be a woman in the hope of meeting up with her - only to get the response: 'If you don't pay up you will get visited through the door.'

Across ten months, Galvin, who first used his girlfriend Kelly Marshall's account to message the brothers, created ten fake social media accounts to bombard the men with direct messages which left the brothers fearing for their lives, the court heard.

Father-of-three Galvin admitted two charges of blackmail and was jailed for 32 months while his girlfriend Marshall, 27, was sentenced to two years in jail suspended for 20 months.

Gary Galvin (pictured), 36, from Ashton-under-Lyne, Manchester, has been jailed for nearly three years after blackmailing two brothers out of more than 12,000 with ransom demands

Marshall, who allowed her Facebook account to be used by Galvin in the blackmail plot, admitted intentionally encouraging or assisting the commission of an offence. She also allowed her bank account to be used to field most of the ransom money.

The blackmail plot began in January 2017 after Mr M began messaging a woman on Facebook known as 'Katie Marie' - the account of which belonged to Marshall and featured pictures of her.

John Richards, prosecuting, told the court that 'Katie Marie' indicated she would be happy to meet Mr M and he told her his home address, postcode and house number.

He claimed Mr M transferred 60 to Marshall's NatWest bank account after 'Katie' told him she needed the money for the train fare to go and meet him.

But Kate then messaged Mr M saying she had spent the money and needed more, prompting Mr M to transfer another 60, Mr Richards told the court.

Mr Richards said further Facebook messages following with 'convincing explanations' of why she needed more money, before he received the first threats from Katie's Facebook account.

Galvin used his girlfriend Kelly Marshall's (pictured) account to message the brothers and also created fake social media accounts to bombard the men with direct messages, the court heard

The blackmail plot began in 2017 after Mr M messaged a woman on Facebook known as 'Katie Marie' - the account of which belonged to Marshall (pictured) and featured pictures of her

One message Galvin sent to the brothers read: 'Ur getting me extremely angry, Reply or I'll be at the door in 20 minutes. I literally don't care but if it's not in at 10am there will be murder.

'I'll even stomp ur cat n dog. I'm not messing so don't ask for time or anything like that it just p***es me off more.'

While another message said: 'I don't care u best sell some s**t or something fast.. U guaranteed now Iv got big people expecting that money I'm seriously gonna hurt [your parents] I'm not joking.'

Mr Richards told the court that Mr M understood the threats to mean that if he did not pay, his home would be visited and his family, including his 'elderly' and 'vulnerable' parents who he lived with, would be attacked.

Mr Richards added: 'Forced through fear as a result of the threats made to him over Facebook Messenger, Mr M then made frequent payments on a regular basis.

'He described himself as not knowing "where to turn" and by mid-March 2017, he had taken out bank loans having exhausted his savings to pay the blackmail.

Mr M blocked the Facebook accounts that were sending him threats before he received messages from other accounts, the court was told.

Messages from 'John Stone' included threats such as: 'U little f**king m**g watch wat happens now uv got an hour. I'm literally sending a van now.

'I'm giving you one last chance n then doors r going in. Gonna stamp all over ur cat n dog. On way n your all dead.'

Galvin (pictured with Marshall, 27) trolled the vulnerable brothers on Facebook and threatened to torch their family home and kill their elderly parents and pets

Another message from a Facebook account in the name of 'Bobby Gee' said: 'I'm sorry mate but its 200 tomorrow n if its not there by 4 pm I will be pouring petrol through your letter box.'

Mr Richards said Mr M then turned to his brother Mr C for financial assistance and he then made 23 online bank transfers to Marshall of amounts between 79 and 400. In total, Mr M transferred 4,590 whilst Mr C sent 7,417.

The court was told the brothers were too frightened to report Galvin and paid 90 instalments between them before going to the police with their mother after Galvin blackmailed them out of 12,007.

Officers traced Galvin through a Wi-Fi account he used when sending the Facebook messages. It is not known if the social media giant helped police hunt the troll down.

In a statement, Mr M said he was 'worried all the time' due to the 'constant barrage' of threats and demands, adding that he had to take time off work as he was scared his home would be 'attacked'.

He said: 'These offences caused a massive strain on the family. Every time I blocked this man on Facebook, other Facebook accounts would appear and I didn't know which way to turn.

'I was on edge and worried all the time due to the threats and constant barrage of messages and demands.

'My brother and I are financially ruined and we're in debt by many thousands of pounds.

Galvin admitted two charges of blackmail and was jailed for 32 months while his girlfriend Marshall (both pictured) was sentenced to two years in jail suspended for 20 months

'In order just to stay afloat, I have to sell items of my own property which I did not want to part with.

'I had to take time off work because he was worrying about being my home being attacked.'

Meanwhile, Mr C said: 'I was scared for myself and my family and I feared the threats would be carried out. I have struggled to recover financially and I almost lost his car through inability to pay.'

Galvin was arrested in December 2017 but answered no comment in a police interview. Marshall admitted allowing Galvin to use her bank and Facebook accounts but claimed to know nothing of the threats.

Sentencing, Judge Mark Savill told them: 'These were very nasty threats of violence. It must have been one can only imagine an intensely unpleasant and traumatic period of anxiety for the victims and their family.

'This was very large amount of money for victims who in my view were very, very unable to pay and find that sort of money without considerable financial difficulties. It was a massive strain on them.'

A third defendant, Seamus Conroy, 33, of Brinnington, Stockport, admitted money laundering and ordered to complete a community order and told to wear an electronic tag for four weeks as part of a 7pm to 7am curfew.
A pensioner in India illegally had twelve Covid-19 jabs in less than a year before being caught by the police.

Brahamdev Mandal had the dozen vaccines in just 11 months, and even had two within half an hour of each other on the same day.

The 84-year-old said he wanted to feel stronger during the pandemic, and claimed the multiple jabs rid him of his joint pain he has had for eight years.

The serial-vaxxer was able to sign up for extra jabs by using different people's ID and lying to health officials, and is now facing a string of charges.

Two doses of Covid-19 vaccines are required for adults in most countries to be considered 'fully vaccinated,' with a third 'booster' jab becoming more common in order to enhance immunity that decreases over time.

Some countries, such as Austria, have also begun rolling out fourth doses to specific groups, such as healthcare workers, while Turkey has offered a fifth.

However, twelve doses is unheard of and not recommended by health bodies.

Brahamdev Mandal, 84 (pictured), had 12 Covid-19 vaccines in just 11 months, and even had two within half an hour of each other on the same day

Mr Mandal, a former postman, has been accused of a string of offences by police in the village of Orai, in Bihar, India where he lives.

Officials have launched an investigation into how he was able to abuse the system.

Puraini police station officer Deepak Chandra Das said Mr Mandal was booked under sections 188, 419 and 420 of the Indian Penal Code respectively.

However, the accused may get leniency due to his age.

Amongst his jabs Mandal got two vaccines inside 30 minutes on the same day at Puraini health facility on April 13 last year.

Mr Mandal bragged: 'I have taken vaccines and I recommend everyone to take them.

'It's quite beneficial. The government has taken an incredible step, as it helps back pains too, you should take it.

'My oxygen level has improved and I haven't caught a cold since getting a jab.'

He claimed he got nine of the jabs using his own ID card.

Speaking to the BBC, Mr Mandal said he travelled to various vaccination camps across the Madhepura district and even to at least two neighbouring districts.

One, he said, was more than 62 miles away.

Pictured: Three different certificates showing Brahamdev Mandal's vaccine status. The 84-year-old said he wanted to feel stronger during the pandemic, and claimed the multiple jabs rid him of his joint pain he has had for eight years

Is it safe to have 12 Covid jabs a year? Getting more than the recommended number of Covid jabs raises the risk of side effects, experts say. Serious side effects have proven to be extremely rare after a standard two-dose course or after a booster. And Professor Ian Jones, a virologist at Reading University, says there is 'no particular' risk in receiving multiple shots. But he warned they did increase the already very tiny risk of side effects  such as myocarditis which occurs in just one in 10,000 recipients. Vaccines have never been trialled in more than four-dose courses. But there are suggestions that smaller gaps are more likely to trigger side-effects. UK Government scientists say that giving children jabs eight weeks apart, the same as for adults, increases their risk of myocarditis. As a result, they recommend children should wait 12 weeks between doses. Britain's medical regulator says people should wait at least four weeks before getting their second dose, and a minimum of three months after two jabs to get their boosters. Scientists say the longer gaps, as well as reducing the side-effect risk, also make jabs more effective at priming the immune response. For people who are 'overdosed', get Covid vaccines too close together, the regulator says there is 'no specific treatment'. It says these individuals should be 'monitored' and offered treatment if it is needed. In April last year MailOnline revealed that a 74-year-old grandmother from London had got two Covid jabs five days apart. Advertisement

Station house officer Das said: 'Mandal has taken 12 vaccines at different dates using different identity cards lying to the health officials.

'This act is a violation of the Covid-19 vaccination rule. He has taken vaccines between February 13, 2021, to January 4, 2022.'

One medic said: 'This is a massive loophole when it comes to the surveillance system. We need to plug in such loopholes.'

Despite taking well over the recommended number of vaccine doses, one doctor told the BBC that any side effects should be 'fairly harmless.'

Common side effects of the vaccine include fever, headache, fatigue and aches - ranging from mild to moderate - that usually subside within days. Severe allergic reactions are much more uncommon.

'You will usually get these reactions after the first and the second dose. Multiple doses of these vaccines should be fairly harmless, as antibodies have already been formed and the vaccines are made up of harmless components,' Dr Lahariya told the broadcaster.

Mr Mandal is not the first person to have reportedly been given multiple doses by tricking the system.

In December, a man in New Zealand received the the vaccine 10 times in one day after he was paid by anti-vaxxers to get jabs on their behalf.

The man, who has not been identified, pretended to be a different person each time he visited a doctor. He was then given the jab before the vaccination records were updated for the real person.

Authorities believe anti-vaxxers paid the man so they could enjoy the same freedoms as the vaccinated without having to get the jab.

New Zealanders must show a vaccine pass in order to visit some businesses and attend events in the country.

India reported 168,063 new COVID-19 infections on Tuesday, a 20-fold rise in a month despite testing being well below capacity. Around 65 percent of the county's adult population is fully vaccinated, and 91 percent have had at least one dose.

Most infected people have recovered at home and the level of hospitalisations has been less than half of that seen during the last major wave of infections in April and May.

Many states have announced night curfews while the capital Delhi has also imposed a weekend lockdown, closed private offices as well as restaurants and bars in a bid to rein in the fast-spreading Omicron variant.

Tuesday infection count came as nearly one million Hindu worshippers are expected to gather on the banks of the Ganges river this Friday and Saturday for a holy bathe.

A health worker prepares to administer the third dose of COVID-19 vaccine to a police officer at a government hospital in Hyderabad, India, Tuesday, January 11, 2022

Tens of thousands of pilgrims have already reached the site of the annual Ganges ritual on an island in the eastern state of West Bengal, which is reporting the most number of cases in the country after Maharashtra state in the west.

'The crowd may swell to anywhere between 800,000 to one million. We are trying to implement all COVID protocols,' Bankim Chandra Hazra, a West Bengal minister in charge of organising the festival known as the Gangasagar Mela, told Reuters.

'We have also arranged for sprinkling of the holy water from drones so that there is no crowding ... but the sadhus (Hindu holy men) are bent on taking the dip. We can't prevent them.'

A similar big religious festival in the north of India last year helped spread the Delta variant that infected millions of people and killed tens of thousands.

Every year on Jan. 14, on the important Hindu day of Makar Sankranti, pilgrims visit Gangasagar village for a dip at the confluence of the Ganges and the Bay of Bengal.

Doctors have appealed to the state's high court to reverse a decision to allow the festival this year, worrying it will become a virus 'super spreader' event.

India has reported a total of 35.88 million COVID-19 infections, the world's biggest tally after the United States. Deaths rose by 277 to 484,213 on Monday.

India conducted 1.6 million COVID-19 tests on Monday, while the capacity is more than 2 million. It has dropped the need for all close contacts of confirmed patients to get tested.
Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak are considering a U-turn over energy bills that would see VAT cut or scrapped to ease the pressure on hard-pressed families.

The Prime Minister has previously rejected the idea saying slashing the tax was a 'blunt instrument', but may be forced to act in the face of rising political pressure.

Labour is set to pile extra pressure on the Government over the rising cost of living by challenging MPs to back up past promises on cutting VAT.

In an opposition day debate in the Commons on Tuesday, the party will put forward a motion which, if passed, would force MPs to vote on the proposals. It could attract support from disaffected Tories unhappy at the increased burden.

A VAT cut and reductions in green levies designed to help boost eco-friendly power generation were also mentioned in a meeting between the PM and the chancellor, the Sun reported.

Meanwhile the oil and gas industry hit back against Labour demands for a windfall tax on profits as prices soar. in November BP boss Bernard Looney said that the company was 'a cash machine at these types of prices'.

But today Oil and Gas UK said that the Treasury was already getting a tax revenue boost from the price rise.

Jenny Stanning, OGUK's external relations director, said: 'Our industry pays up to 40 per cent corporation tax on its profits  roughly double any other sector. That means that the UK Treasury is already gaining significantly from these price rises.

'It is predicted to get an additional 3 billion in corporation taxes in the two years from last April  making a total of around 5 billion based on Treasury figures.'

A VAT cut and reductions in green levies designed to help boost eco-friendly power generation were also mentioned in a meeting between the PM and the chancellor, the Sun reported.

Meanwhile the oil and gas industry hit back against Labour demands for a windfall tax on profits as prices soar. in November BP boss Bernard Looney said that the company was 'a cash machine at these types of prices'.

Mr Sunak is set to hold more meetings with Tory MPs over the coming days to discuss cost of living issues

Labour has proposed slashing VAT on energy bills for a year, alongside a windfall tax on the North Sea oil and gas industry, to help support those struggling as energy prices rise.

But the Government has so far resisted making moves on VAT, and Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi said oil and gas companies were 'already struggling'.

However Labour says the industry was expected to report a near-record income in 2021/22.

They pointed to previous pledges made by members of the Government on VAT on energy bills, including Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove.

Writing in The Sun in 2016 they said that leaving the EU would allow the UK to scrap VAT on energy bills, calling it 'unfair'.

If backed, Labour's binding motion would guarantee time in the Commons for a Bill on cutting VAT.

The party said this could come into effect alongside expanding the Warm Homes Discount to 9.3 million people.

It comes after fuel poverty charity National Energy Action warned heating costs for the average home could double since last winter.

Last night it was revealed Downing Street is considering an emergency loan scheme for energy firms to stave off a major increase in bills, it was claimed last night.

It came as Rishi Sunak began talks with fractious Tory backbenchers on Britain's looming cost of living crisis.

The Chancellor was said to be in 'listening mode', speaking to groups of MPs about their concerns over the large rise in power bills expected when the price cap lifts in April.

He also held talks with Boris Johnson on Sunday night as pressure mounted on the Government to protect families from rises expected to run to hundreds of pounds.

No 10 officials are said to be considering an 'emergency credit facility' for firms to help them avoid putting up bills. But there is concern that smaller companies may not be able to take on such credit risk.

Experts predict that rising wholesale prices will lead to a 50 per cent increase in energy bills in April.

Last night Labour urged Mr Johnson and fellow Brexiteer Michael Gove to stick to their 2016 pledge that leaving the EU would let the UK scrap the 5 per cent VAT on domestic energy bills, saving almost 90 on average bills next year.

Boris Johnson is under growing pressure after a new poll found one third of Britons fear they will be unable to pay their energy bills this year because of the worsening cost of living crisis

The energy price cap is due to be reviewed in April and experts expect it to rise by more than 50 per cent

But ministers are believed to be cool on the idea as it would help everyone equally and not do enough to reduce the bills of the lowest paid.

Mr Sunak is set to hold more meetings with Tory MPs over the coming days to discuss cost of living issues.

One MP said: 'The Chancellor was in full listening mode. He said we'll see something well before the April price rises... but there was a need to ensure all the consequences were thought through.'

Asked about power price rises yesterday, Mr Johnson said: 'I've been meeting the Chancellor constantly. I understand the pressures that people are facing.

'This is the result of global price spikes as a result of the economy coming back from Covid.

'We've got to help people, particularly people on low incomes.'

A government source said: 'We are looking at a range of different things worth exploring, but we are not anywhere near making a decision.

'It's not like the Covid pandemic where a decision has to be made yesterday. There is time  and it is important to get this right.'

The Prime Minister is expected to hold further talks with Mr Sunak and Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng this week.

Conservative MP Stephen McPartland told the BBC the Government should introduce 'credit facilities' to help energy firms cope with volatile prices. He said this would let firms draw on financial reserves as an alternative to increasing bills. The BBC said Downing Street was looking at the idea.

Backbenchers have warned the Chancellor the 1.25 per cent national insurance rise coming into force in April would worsen the pressures on family finances

Labour has proposed slashing VAT on energy bills for a year, alongside a windfall tax on the North Sea oil and gas industry, to help support those struggling.

Today the party will put forward a Commons motion which, if passed, would guarantee parliamentary time for a Bill on cutting VAT.

The party said this could come into effect alongside its plan to expand the 140 Warm Homes Discount to 9.3million people. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer told his MPs last night: 'It is Labour that is making all the running, offering ideas and solutions.

'Meanwhile, what do the Tories offer hard-pressed families? Nothing. Yesterday Nadhim Zahawi [Education Secretary] was on the radio pleading poverty on behalf of oil companies instead of focusing on the worries of ordinary families.'
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The proportion of hospitalised Covid patients who may have become infected while being treated for another condition has doubled since the emergence of Omicron, MailOnline can reveal.

NHS England bosses logged 2,158 new admissions on January 3, the most recent date accurate data is available for. But of those, just 1,635 were infections that occurred 'in the community'  meaning 24 per cent of patients were thought to have caught the virus in hospital.

This figure is more than double the amount being infected on wards back at the start of December, when fewer than 10 per cent of daily admissions were believed to have caught the illness on NHS wards.

Analysis revealed the worst-hit hospital, St George's University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust in South London, saw nosocomial infections make up at least half of its total coronavirus admissions during the most recent week.

Experts told MailOnline infections on wards may be 'inevitable' due to high prevalence in the community  but claim it is vital health service leaders distinguish whether cases are being passed on by staff or other patients to crack down on the spread of the virus.

Boris Johnson yesterday described the number of patients being infected on wards as 'unacceptable', saying: 'You shouldn't go into hospital and then contract Covid.'

It comes a mid a huge row over transparency in the NHS's Covid statistics, with critics demanding health chiefs separate patients who are admitted primarily for the virus in daily tallies so the pressure on hospitals is not over-inflated.

NHS England figures show there were 2,158 new positive tests in English hospitals on January 3, the latest date data is available. But of those, just 1,635 were infections occurring 'in the community', NHS England said  meaning 523 are likely to have caught the virus in hospital (24 per cent). This figure is more than double the amount being infected on wards back at the start of December, when fewer than 10 per cent were catching Covid in hospital each day

Some hospitals saw more than half their Covid cases likely occurring in wards, with St George's University Hospital in Omicron hotspot London having the highest proportion at 50.6 per cent

NHS figures released today show there were 13,045 beds occupied by coronavirus sufferers on January 4, of which 4,845 were not mainly sick with the disease. It means only six in 10 inpatients are primarily ill with Covid now compared to more than 80 per cent with Delta

Experts say there is reason to believe that incidentals will continue to rise as the variant pushes England's infection rates to record highs, with one in 15 people estimated to have had Covid on New Year's Eve

The share of so-called 'incidental' cases was even bigger in Omicron hotspot London , where 45 per cent of 'Covid patients' were not primarily in hospital for the virus

NHS strikes deal with private sector to safeguard against Omicron More NHS cancer patients will be treated in private hospitals under a deal struck with the private sector to 'safeguard' against the staff absence crisis and rising Covid admissions. The deal allows NHS trusts in England to send a wide range of patients, including those who need some forms of cancer surgery, to nearby private wards if they cannot provide the care. Health Secretary Sajid Javid, who signed off on the three-month deal, said it would 'ensure people can continue to get the care they need' as the health service wrestles with a winter crisis. Neither the cost of the agreement, nor the number of beds hired, has been disclosed, but the Government paid 400million a month for 8,000 private beds during the first wave of the pandemic. The extra capacity comes as NHS hospitals were told to identify areas such as gyms and community centres that can be used to create 'super-surge' wards in case they are overwhelmed. But NHS bosses are confident that they will cope with the current Omicron-fuelled pressures, with one top official today insisting the 'front line will hold' even with the health service on 'war footing'. Official data shows hospitalisations are slowing across the country  with 2,000 being admitted on average each day in England, half of last January's peak  and are already falling in London, which was first region to be hit by Omicron. Advertisement

Nearly 40 per cent of beds taken up by virus patients in England are not people being primarily treated for the virus itself, despite testing positive.

And the data on nosocomial infections  which can be more severe when occurring in ill or immunocompromised patients  suggest they are increasing compared to general Covid admissions.

MailOnline's analysis of NHS England figures show more than a quarter of Covid cases in English hospitals were likely to have been from infections occurring on wards at the start of January.

This is more than double the proportion seen before Omicron cases started soaring across the country around mid-December.

For example, an average of just nine per cent appeared to be catching the virus in England in the week ending December 7, when Delta was still dominant in most parts of Britain.

After St George's, the hospital trust with the highest proportion of cases occurring on wards in the week up to December 28 was Guy's and St Thomas's  also in London.

It was followed by University Hospitals of Derby and Burton (29.5 per cent), St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals (28.7 per cent) and Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals (27.5 per cent).

The figures are not concrete proof of nosocomial infections, but give the best indication of probable cases picked up on wards to show how rife the problem is across the country.

Professor David Livermore, a medical microbiologist at the University of East Anglia, said the high transmission in hospitals is down to Omicron's sheer transmissibility.

He told MailOnline: 'High transmission on wards is a consequence of Omicron's high prevalence in the community, its inherently high transmissibility and the fact that the vaccines only confer a partial and brief protection against it

'In a way, these infections are inevitable as we 'learn to live' with the virus. Even if you assiduously screen every admission you'll miss those who only caught the virus on the previous day or two and, a day or two later, they'll have sufficient virus to start infecting others.

'And, someone boosted 10 weeks ago will already have diminishing immunity and be more likely to catch it on the ward.'

Professor Livermore continued: 'There are, however, important questions, to which it's hard to get answers. For example  how much of the hospital transmission is patient to patient, and how much is staff to patient?

'If transmission is patient to patient, the best mitigation lies in better cohorting and segregation of patients. If it's staff to patient, then staff screening is the most important mitigation.'

An NHS spokesperson said: 'The ONS and other data conclusively demonstrate that the root cause of rising infection rates in hospitals is rising rates in the community, so it is no surprise that as the Omicron wave has increased covid cases, this is also reflected in hospitals.

'Weekly reports have consistently shown that outbreaks in hospitals are less common than in other settings and NHS staff rigorously follow UKHSA infection prevention control guidance.'

The figures come as evidence continues to mount that Omicron is milder than its predecessors, giving No10 confidence in its gamble to 'ride out' the current wave.

Speaking at a vaccination centre in his Uxbridge constituency yesterday, the Prime Minister said the number of people with Covid on wards is 'massively up', with around 30 per cent being infected in hospital.

Graph shows: Covid infection rates across all regions except the North East fell on January 5, the latest date available. It could suggest the worst of the wave is over

Graph shows: infection rates in under-60s in London since late November. It reveals that while rates are highest in 20 to 35-year-olds, there has recently been an uptick among children and their parents

Mr Johnson said: 'I mentioned the 18,000 people with Covid currently in hospital. As you know, as everybody knows, that's massively up.

'And the numbers are increasing. And what people also need to know is that a larger, sizeable percentage of those 18,000 have contracted Covid in hospital.

'Perhaps 30 per cent or more are nosocomial infection, so-called iatrogenic. They come in  you're getting infected in hospital. Now to me that is just not acceptable.

'You shouldn't go into hospital and then contract Covid. So it's very important our NHS staff should be properly protected, should be properly vaccinated, and I certainly encourage that.'

The NHS has already struck a deal with the private sector to 'safeguard' against the crisis that will see more cancer patients being treated in private hospitals.

The backlog in patients waiting for cancer care has risen to record highs because of the pandemic because tens of thousands of routine operations were cancelled and entire wards were turned over for Covid patients.

Hospital bosses warn the biggest crisis currently is staff absences, which is piling pressure on the Government to slash down the isolation period to five days after a positive test, in line with the US.

Despite the growing problems, health service bosses are confident that they will cope with the current Omicron-fuelled pressures, with one top official yesterday insisting the 'front line will hold' even with the health service on 'war footing'.

Hospitalisations appear to be plateauing after 1,862 admissions were recorded on January 8 across England, down slightly from the 1,881 a week beforehand. Rates are still dipping in London.
Shocking footage has emerged of a mass brawl breaking out inside a Tesco supermarket between staff and two suspected thieves.

The violent scenes erupted at the superstore in Aston, Birmingham, when security guards tried to apprehend a pair of alleged shoplifters on Sunday afternoon.

Mobile phone footage shows a Tesco worker swinging at one of the suspects as he pleads: 'Don't hit me, I've got nothing to do with it.'

The same store guard then runs over to another person being grappled by staff and delivers several heavy 'MMA-style' elbows to his back.

The incident is being investigated by West Midlands Police.

A guard was filmed delivering several heavy 'MMA style' elbow attacks as the pair of alleged shoplifters were being apprehended

A fearless pensioner carried on with her shopping despite the violent ruckus in the store

The person filming the footage can be heard saying: 'It's getting silly in here. It's all mad. He's mashing him up here. Oh s**t.'

Meanwhile, an elderly woman can be seen walking into shot and casually continuing her shopping as the violence breaks out around her.

West Midlands Police confirmed they were called to the superstore on Aston Lane at 3.40pm on Sunday after a Tesco staff member was punched in the face.

The agency security guard involved is now subject of an internal investigation and is not currently working at the store.

A police spokeswoman said: 'We are investigating reports of an assault at Tesco in Aston at 3.40pm on Sunday, January 9.

'We understand there was a fight between security staff and a suspected thief, during which a staff member was punched in the face.

'As part of our investigation, we'll be speaking to witnesses and reviewing CCTV. We'll also review videos that we know have been posted online.

'Anyone with information can contact us via Live Chat on our website or by calling 101. Please quote crime reference number 20/121621/22.'

'It all got a bit crazy and one of the security guards appeared to be very heavy-handed,' said one witness

One witness, who did not want to be named, said the brawl broke out after security guards stopped two people on suspicion of stealing booze.

They said: 'It all got a bit crazy and one of the security guards appeared to be very heavy-handed. He swung for one of the lads and then elbow dropped the other.

'His own colleagues had to pull him off at one point. I'm not sure his bosses are going to be very happy as he clearly lost his temper but I think he got a whack in the face himself.

'At one point one of the fellas tried to bite him as well so you can understand him losing his rag a little but it was still pretty unprofessional of him to react as he did.'

The footage, obtained by the Birmz Is Grime blog, has since been viewed over 40,000 times after being uploaded to social media.

Tesco stated they are aware of the incident and are assisting police with their enquiries

One web user commented: 'Bros been watching too much UFC lately, that elbow to the back bro'.

Another wrote: 'Thought this Security Guard was supposed to escort him off the premises, not go all MMA on his Ass'

A third put: 'The security guard should not be behaving like that @Tesco why are you employing wannabe gangsters that can't regulate their emotions when at work?'

However, others praised the security guard's actions with one writing: 'That security guard needs a pay rise.'

Another added: 'Little scrotes need teaching a lesson, might make them think twice now in future.'

A Tesco spokesperson said: 'We are aware of this incident and are assisting the police with their enquiries.'
Norfolk police have launched a probe after carrying out a four-day search for a pensioner who had already been found by London officers and taken to hospital.

John Boyd, 77, disappeared from fields near his home in Downham Market, Norfolk, on January 4, prompting Norfolk Police to launch a major search for the pensioner.

The force sent in teams of officers to hunt through dense, prickly undergrowth and along flooded farmland in a massive four-day search for Mr Boyd, who has dementia.

But Mr Boyd, a Salvation Army officer, had in fact been found by British Transport Police officers at King's Cross station in London just hours after he was reported missing and taken to hospital.

Norfolk Police said it would be launching a review to look into why it took four days to identify Mr Boyd, who was described by police as having 'vulnerabilities'.

John Boyd (pictured), 77, disappeared from fields near his home in Downham Market, Norfolk, on January 4 prompting Norfolk Police to launch a major search for the pensioner

Chief Superintendent David Buckley, Norfolk's County Policing Commander, said: 'As a matter of course, we will be speaking with partner agencies in London to see if there are any lessons to learn to make sure there were no missed opportunities which could have led to John being identified as found sooner.'

The four-day hunt saw police put up missing' posters with his photograph in shops, pubs and even on lamp posts and village notice boards amid fears he was wandering around with no warm clothes or food.

An appeal for help went out in the local Press, and police used drones to do aerial searches of the countryside, as officers went from door to door asking residents to check their CCTV.

Checks were made at local hospitals, taxi drivers were quizzed in case they had picked him up, broadcasts were made on local TV and radio, and parents taking children to school were asked to look out for him.

CCTV at Downham Market train station, controlled by British Transport Police, was checked but they said he had not been seen on any footage at the station or boarding any trains.

Police teams also looked through fields alongside the A10 on the eastern edge of Downham Market and his disappearance was circulated on national police systems.

But Mr Boyd (pictured) had in fact been found by British Transport Police officers at King's Cross station in London just hours after he was posted missing and taken to hospital

But, unbeknownst to them all, Mr Boyd had been found at King's Cross station just hours after he disappeared on Tuesday and had been taken to hospital.

A TV appeal by Chief Inspector Rob Button of Norfolk Police finally prompted his discovery, and on January 8, his family were informed that he had been found.

Chief Superintendent Buckley said: 'Our ongoing work and subsequent television appeal revealed that John had, in fact, travelled to King's Cross train station, where he was found by officers from the local force and taken to hospital where he remained safe, being cared for by hospital staff.

'Due to John's vulnerabilities, no one in London knew who he was until seeing the television appeal.

'This resulted in Norfolk Police being contacted and our enquiries moved to London where we were able to confirm it was John.'

Ch Supt Buckley said police had concentrated their search to the local Downham Market area because their searches are 'always informed by proximity' and all evidence suggested that is where he would be.

He added: 'Clearly, the most important thing is that John is safe and well.'

Ch Supt Buckley said 'how pleased' Norfolk Police were that Mr Boyd has been reunited with his family and thanked local communities and volunteers for their support in the search.

Mr Boyd's family also paid tribute to people in Downham Market after residents rallied around to help police search the town and surrounding countryside.

The force sent in teams of officers to hunt through dense, prickly undergrowth and along flooded farmland in a massive four-day search for Mr Boyd, who has dementia

Norfolk Police said it would be reviewing why it took four days to identify Mr Boyd, who was described by police as having 'vulnerabilities'. Pictured: Missing person poster for Mr Boyd

Mr Boyd's son Nigel said: 'We as a family would like to thank the people of Downham for their kindness and support in the past week. We have been overwhelmed by the response.

'We would like to extend special thanks to those who braved the conditions and gone out to search for him. This truly is a remarkable community.'

Mr Boyd's granddaughter Ruth Walford told the BBC she was 'completely overwhelmed' by the response from the local community.

She continued: 'It's so overwhelming and we're so over the moon, it genuinely feels like a bit of miracle.

'It was probably the toughest week of my life. We were increasingly braced for the worst.'

A relative confirmed on social media that Mr Boyd was found at King's Cross in London on Tuesday evening and was being looked after in a London hospital.

They said: 'John has been found safe and well and will be coming home shortly.

'We are eternally grateful for all you have done, the community is truly remarkable and we feel blessed to call you our neighbours. You are all heroes.'

One resident who joined the search party said they were 'overjoyed' that Mr Boyd had been found safe and well saying they 'couldn't have asked for a happier ending'.

Downham Market mayor Jenny Groom said she was aware of at least 300 people who went out to look for Mr Boyd and said it was 'overwhelming' that he had been found alive and well.
A nurse who refused to admit a 22-year-old woman to a mental health unit hours before she killed herself has been struck off.

Paddy McKee lost his job after failing to admit Sally Mays to Miranda House in Hull before she took her life at home.

The verdict comes after a Fitness to Practise hearing conducted by the Nursing and Midwifery Council.

Ms Mays parents Andy and Angela fought for years for lessons to be learned after a coroner ruled it could have been avoided if she was admitted.

Their daughter took her own life in July 2014 after McKee and another nurse from Humber NHS Foundation Trust's crisis team refused to admit her to hospital.

Despite her being a suicide risk, the pair had only conducted a brief 14-minute assessment.

An eight-day inquest in 2015 heard Ms Mays - who had emotionally unstable personality disorder - died from an overdose and mechanical asphyxia.

Paddy McKee lost his job after failing to admit Sally Mays (pictured) to Miranda House in Hull before she took her life at home

Their daughter took her own life in July 2014 after two nurses from Humber NHS Foundation Trust's crisis team refused to admit her to hospital. Pictured: Miranda House

McKee worked in the crisis service of the Trust at the time he dealt with Ms Mays but has now been struck off following a 12-day hearing.

Angela said: 'The imposition of the maximum sanction of a striking off order to ensure that McKee never practises again is what we have sought over the past seven years.

'It is important no other patient suffers the abject psychological torture and cruelty he inflicted on Sally when she was begging for help.

'He afforded her no care, compassion, kindness or human dignity.

'The sanction imposed by the NMC sends out a very important message about the standards of practise required of mental health professionals.

'For us as a family, the past seven and a half years have been utterly harrowing. We will never be able to come to terms with the details of the unconscionable behaviour of those, so called 'professionals' responsible for Sally's care and whose actions ultimately directly contributed to her death.'

The inquest into her death heard Yorkshire Ambulance Service, which was called to her, took 99 minutes to reach her west Hull flat.

The inquest heard she asked to be admitted to hospital as her mental health deteriorated in the last few days of her life.

Three nurses from her community team and her psychotherapist recommended a short stay in hospital in line with her care plan.

But McKee and another nurse refused to admit her after carrying out what Coroner Professor Paul Marks branded a 'lamentable' assessment.

An eight-day inquest in 2015 heard Ms Mays (pictured as a teenager) - who had emotionally unstable personality disorder - died from an overdose and mechanical asphyxia

They called police when Ms Mays started banging her head on a wall and tried to strangle herself in her distress.

But officers knew she needed to be in hospital and had a 'stand-up fight' with the two nurses outside Miranda House to persuade them to change their minds.

Yet they were later forced to take Ms Mays home when the nurses refused to reconsider.

Professor Marks said the decision not to admit Ms Mays constituted 'neglect' which bore 'a direct causal relationship to her death later that evening'.

He said that had she been admitted following an initial assessment she 'would have survived and not died when she did'.

He ruled the failure to admit her to hospital was neglect and said: 'For the avoidance of doubt, had Sally been admitted, she would not have died that day.'

The Humber NHS Foundation Trust said it cannot comment on the NMC hearing result.

It said: 'The trust undertook its own investigation at the time and has implemented significant improvements to its processes and strategy since 2014, to reduce the likelihood of any similar incidents occurring in the future.

'While we do not comment on individual cases due to confidentiality reasons, it is extremely important to us that we communicate directly with those affected.'






A missile launch is seen in this undated file photo released by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency. Yonhap



North Korea launched a suspected ballistic missile toward the East Sea, Tuesday, according to the South Korean military, less than a week after it tested what it claimed to be a hypersonic missile.



The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said it detected the launch from an inland area at 7:27 a.m., without elaborating further.






A ferry boss has predicted 20-mile motorway queues if Covid border checks are not lifted by Easter as UK holidaymakers are likely to ditch long-haul trips for holidays closer to home in Europe.

Consumer confidence in travel is currently low as a consequence of the rapid spread of the Omicron variant, which caused a number of new travel restrictions and testing requirements to be introduced over the festive period.

There are hopes, though, that 2022 will see a resurgence in travel demand amid hopes some restrictions will soon be lifted with Britain moving towards a situation where it can 'live with' the virus.

Chris Parker, director of capacity and passenger performance for ferry operator DFDS, has warned that an increase in Brits heading to Europe for an Easter holiday could lead to 20-mile queues at Dover if Covid border checks are not eased.

He said checks on passenger locator forms and vaccination passports mean it takes longer for travellers at the border, which could continue to be an issue.

Mr Parker added: 'Any sort of significant return in terms of passenger numbers, that's going to escalate the problem.

'It's really, really important that we don't find ourselves around Easter, for example, doing these sort of checks because it simply won't work.

'The impact would be queues back on to the motorways of Kent, stretching back 10, 20 miles - there's no question about that - and in fairly short order.'

Mr Parker added that little notice prior to the introduction of new restrictions had also led to 'quite a lot of abuse' for DFDS staff at the border.

Freight lorries, heading to Dover, queuing on the M20 motorway at the Channel Tunnel Terminal junction in Kent on December 18, 2021

DFDS ferries Dover Seaways (top) and the Cote d'Opale pictured as they arrive at the Port of Dover in Kent

If demand for travel eventually returns to pre-pandemic levels, he also predicts there will be behavioural changes among holidaymakers.

Mr Parker said: 'I do think that maybe there will be a shift a little bit away from long haul back towards more local holidaying, and I guess that also underlying there's that element of sustainable travel, green travel.'

As well as the challenges presented by the pandemic, he said the travel industry is still getting to grips with Brexit and how to pursue a greener, more sustainable future.

Asked about restrictions on UK nationals visiting France introduced days before Christmas, Mr Parker hailed the 'very good news' last week that the UK Government had rolled back its main restrictions and said 'we may hear something quite soon' regarding the French Government following suit.

Since Friday, fully vaccinated travellers and under-18s arriving in the UK no longer need to have taken a pre-departure lateral flow test.

And if demand for travel eventually returns to pre-pandemic levels, the ferry boss has predicted there will be behavioural changes among holidaymakers.

He said: 'I do think that maybe there will be a shift a little bit away from long haul back towards more local holidaying, and I guess that also underlying there's that element of sustainable travel, green travel.'

Mr Parker argued that travel by ferry is better for the environment than by plane and that the Dover-Calais route transports important food and medical supplies to the UK.

He added: 'Those vessels are going backwards and forwards anyway, so if you are travelling as a passenger your footprint is offset by the fact you're using something which is happening anyway.'

DFDS recently invested in a fleet of electric trucks and aims to be carbon-neutral by 2050.
A frustrated doctor is pleading with Australian residents to not catch Covid deliberately, after some pledged to try and become infected with the virus so they're not in isolation during upcoming social events.

Speaking on Channel 10's The Project on Tuesday night, Adelaide based Dr Chris Moy, who is also the vice-president of the Australian Medical Association, pointed out the numerous dangers associated with contracting coronavirus.

It follows a bride in Melbourne recently taking to TikTok to reveal she is doing 'whatever she can' to get infected so the virus doesn't disrupt her wedding next month.

In the clip, the woman could be seen hugging several men and shared drinks with other revellers on the dancefloor in the hope she would get Covid now rather than in the days leading up to her nuptials.

'POV your wedding is in six weeks and you still haven't had Covid,' the footage titled 'Catch Covid not feelings' was captioned.

Doctor Chris Moy is pleading with Australian residents to not catch Covid deliberately (pictured revellers in Surfers Paradise recently)

Speaking on Channel 10's The Project on Tuesday night, Adelaide based Dr Chris Moy, (pictured) who is also the vice-president of the Australian Medical Association, pointed out the numerous dangers associated with contracting coronavirus

Dr Moy confirmed many of his medical colleagues nationally are 'overwhelmed and exhausted' as Covid case numbers from the Omicron strain continue to rise at a rapid rate each day.

'What we are seeing is overwhelming of the hospital system trying to manage the huge number of patients with Covid,' he said.

'Patients are actually struggling and that's where the education comes in.... but also we need that resourcing which hasn't been there.'

Dr Moy also recommended triaging higher risk patients who require monocloma antibodies, before adding the majority of individuals who are Covid positive will be 'totally fine and experience relatively minor symptoms.'

He was also baffled by reports that sections of people are deliberately looking to get infected by hosting or attending Covid parties on the Gold Coast and other parts of Australia.

'No, no, no, no, no,' was Dr Moy's blunt response to the reports.

'What we don't want is everybody sick at the same time, because some percentage of us are all going to end up in the hospital at the same time and that's going to overwhelm our health system.

'What we need to do is to try and slow this down as much as possible so we don't get this huge peak of people in hospital.

'What we need to do is buy time to get as many boosters in people's arms because it's much better to be exposed once you've had a booster.

'Omicron is not as benign as everybody wants to make it out to be....people are actually making things much worse for us (GPs) by those sorts (Covid parties) of actions.'

On Tuesday across Australia, there were more than 90,000 new cases of Covid-19.

Dr Moy stated on The Project the health system across Australia is currently overwhelmed with Covid case numbers (pictured, a woman getting jabbed in Victoria)

A Melbourne bride-to-be (pictured) appeared keen to get infected Covid now rather than have her wedding plans thrown into chaos in six weeks time

The woman was filmed hugged several men in the TikTok video titled 'Catch Covid not feelings'

Victoria and NSW record the highest number of inpatients since the pandemic began, with 37,994 and 25,870 new cases respectively.

On Monday almost 4000 hospital staff across Victoria were not available to work, because they were either Covid-19 cases or close contacts.

There were a further 422 Ambulance Victoria staff who were also unavailable to work.

Queensland spiked to more than 20,000 cases, as hospitalisations continue to climb in all three states.

From Wednesday, NSW case numbers are tipped to skyrocket even further as rapid test results finally begin to be reported, as confirmed by the state's premier Dominic Perrottet.
French first lady Brigitte Macron received an anonymous telephone call alleging that her president husband Emmanuel Macron was with a gay lover, it has emerged.

Despite top-level security checks on all her devices, a tormentor got through to the 68-year-old and said: 'I know your husband is right now with a man.'

Political commentator Nicolas Prisette makes the claim in a new documentary called In the Hell of the Presidential Campaigns on BFM  Frances most popular TV news channel.

It follows frequent scandalous rumours about the couples personal life, including claims that Ms Macron was in fact born a man.

The pair first met in 1993, when President Macron, then 15, walked into 39-year-old Brigitte's high-school literature class in Amiens, France.

Brigitte later divorced her husband, with whom she shares three children, in favour of Mr Macron, a man 24 years her junior.

French first lady Brigitte Macron received an anonymous telephone call alleging that her president husband Emmanuel Macron was with a gay lover, it has emerged (The Macrons pictured Oct 15, 2021 in Paris)

The wild story follows frequent scandalous rumours about the couples personal life, including claims that Ms Macron was in fact born a man (Brigitte Macron pictured in Rome, Italy, October 29, 2021)

Senator Francois Patriat, a member of Mr Macrons En Marche (On The Move) party, confirmed that Ms Macron was left devastated by the telephone call alleging her 44-year-old husband was with a lover.

Mr Patriat said Ms Macron told friends afterwards: Do you realise what they dare to say? We wont be spared anything. I was sad and shocked to hear that, but we will push on.

The 24-year age gap between the Macrons has always caused problems, especially as they began a relationship when Emmanuel Macron was still a schoolboy in their home city of Amiens, northern France.

His affair with the future Ms Macron, then a married teacher and mother-of-three, caused a scandal, but the couple have remained together ever since.

In his book and political manifesto Revolution, President Macron described the affair as 'a love often clandestine, often hidden, misunderstood by many before imposing itself.'

The Macrons ended up getting married in the Channel beach resort of Le Touquet in 2007, but not before causing extreme angst among those closest to them.

Political commentator Nicolas Prisette makes the scandalous claim about the phonecall in a new documentary called In the Hell of the Presidential Campaigns on BFM  Frances most popular TV news channel

The 24-year age gap between the Macrons has always caused problems, especially as they began a relationship when Emmanuel Macron was still a schoolboy in their home city of Amiens, northern France (Macrons pictured in 2019)

The documentary also notes that Ms Macron has been hurt by criticism about her dress sense since becoming first lady in 2017.

Gael Tchakaloff, a confidante of Ms Macron, told the programme that even the candidates team was not a fan of hers, and I could hear them talk about it saying she mustnt show herself too much, she can damage the image of our candidate.

Ms Tchakaloff said aides thought Ms Macron was too brushed, too cross-legged, wearing too much make-up, too much of a bimbo.

Lawyers for Ms Macron last month lauched legal proceedings over fake claims that she is a transgender woman who was born a man.

Conspiracy theorists have attacked Ms Macron on social media after a far-right publication published the baseless rumours in December.

Despite such claims, Mr Macron remains the runaway favourite to be re-elected President of France in April.

The latest Ipsos-Sopra Steria opinion poll put him on 26 per cent of the vote in the first round, far ahead of his nearest rival, National Rally candidate Marine Le Pen on 17 per cent.

Brigitte Macron (R), wife of French President Emmanuel Macron, and her daughter Tiphaine Auziere (L)

Mr Macron was just 16 when he declared his love for the then Mrs Brigitte Auziere, his drama teacher.

Her first husband, Andre-Louis Auziere, moved out of the family home in Amiens, and went to live in Lille.

Mr Macron's doctor parents asked Mrs Auziere to stop seeing him until he was 18 but she said 'I can't promise you anything,' according to the documentary.

Instead, Mr Macron was sent to Paris to continue his education, and they continued seeing each until the Auzieres finally divorced.
Prince Charles is facing a 'significant local uprising' over his plans to build 2,500 new eco-homes on an area of Kent farmland, residents say.

The royal's Duchy of Cornwall estate wants build the green homes - which will be powered entirely by renewable energy - on the outskirts of Faversham in Kent.

Bosses behind the estate argue the scheme 'follows the Prince's vision' to deliver the 'most sustainable' homes possible, and will address a housing crisis in the medieval market town.

However locals have opposed the blueprints. They have raised fears that the eco-development will clog up roads and endanger wildlife.

And they say the Duchy of Cornwall, which is fronted by Prince Charles, 73, as the eldest son of the reigning monarch, faces a 'significant local uprising' over the proposals.

Now the plans have hit a setback following a legal row between the planning authority and a local developer who protested the scheme.

The fallout from the legal wrangle, which recently reached the High Court, could hold up the Prince's proposals for more than a year, locals believe.

Prince Charles (pictured) is facing a 'significant local uprising' over his plans to build 2,500 new eco-homes on an area of Kent farmland

The royal's Duchy of Cornwall estate wants build the green homes - which will be powered entirely by renewable energy - on the outskirts of Faversham in Kent. Pictured: The site of the planned development

Bosses behind the estate argue the scheme (pictured: A sketch of the proposals) 'follows the Prince's vision' to deliver the 'most sustainable' homes possible, and will address a housing crisis in the medieval market town

However locals have opposed the blueprints. They have raised fears that the eco-development will clog up roads and endanger wildlife. Pictured: A graphic showing the areas of land

It comes following a legal challenge against the local authority Swale Borough Council by Quinn Estates, a developer which has protested the Duchy of Cornwall's proposals.

What is the Duchy of Cornwall? Dating back to the 14th Century and Edward III, the Duchy of Cornwall is one of the two royal duchies of England. Unlike the Duchy of Lancaster - which is the private estate of the British Sovereign - the Duchy of Cornwall and its title of Duke of Cornwall is the possession of the eldest son of the reigning monarch. Currently therefore, it is Prince Charles - the 24th Duke of Cornwall. And when Prince Charles ascends the throne, the Duchy and the title will become Prince William's. When the monarch has no male children, the rights and responsibilities of the duchy revert to the Crown. The revenues from the Duchy of Cornwall, which consists of around 53,000 hectares of land in 23 counties, mostly in the South West of England, goes to Prince Charles. He chooses to use them to fund his public, charitable and private activities and those of his family. Though the Duchy of Cornwall is the possession of the Duke of Cornwall, it is operated day-to-day by the Prince's Council - a non-executive body which provides advice to the duke with regard to the management of the Duchy. The Duchy capital account has increased from 408million to 763million since 2004, and the surplus has increased 9.9million to 19million over the same period. Advertisement

The developer accused the council of failing to properly consult the public about the plans to build the 2,500 new homes on the 320 acres of agricultural land.

It also accused the council of not giving enough detail about the impacts that Covid-19 could have on the project.

Now it can be revealed that the High Court has ordered the council to pay 20,000 to the Quinn Estates.

The financial award was made at a Queen's Bench Division hearing on November 23.

Speaking in the wake of the court decision, local Michael Cosgrove, who has lived in the town for 56 years, said the authority had appeared to rush to champion the Duchy's proposals.

'The whole thing has been terribly handled. And the Duchy finds itself at the centre of a significant local uprising,' he said.

'If they had done this properly from step one there would have been time for proper consultation.

'But now this will be beset by delays as opposing councillors quite rightly question every move.'

The 76-year-old added: 'There is no way the council has had enough time to competently carry out this suite of assessments, so you can expect their new proposals to be very strongly challenged.'

The council is supposed to consult the public under Town and Local Planning Regulations 2012.

It then must form a local plan based on their responses. But Mr Cosgrove said Swale Borough Council appeared to rush to champion the Duchy's proposals.

He said: 'A lot of mystery surrounds the thinking of Swale council.

'There have been some serious irregularities about how this proposal has been handled.

'They were caught out by not going through the proper regulations, as they were supposed to, and we have been left with a rushed public consultation.'

The controversial plan has already been branded a 'monstrosity' that directly contradicted Boris Johnson's promise that no more homes would be 'jammed in the south east' on green fields.

However the Duchy argues the plan is 'following the prince's vision' to deliver the 'most sustainable' homes possible.

It comes following a legal challenge against the local authority Swale Borough Council by Quinn Estates, a developer which has protested the Duchy of Cornwall's proposals

Under the plans (pictured: An artist's impression of the plans), the homes would range from one-bed to six-bed, have solar panels and be powered fully by renewable energy. As per government guidelines, 30 per cent will be affordable.

The homes could be built on the land sandwiched between the M2 and A2 to the south of the town.

The estate acquired the plot 20 years ago and first proposed the plans in response to a call to landowners for potential housing sites in 2018.

It finally unveiled them at a public meeting and drop-in consultation late last year, with a view to lodging the plans next year.

Homes would range from one-bed to six-bed, have solar panels and be powered fully by renewable energy. As per government guidelines, 30 per cent will be affordable.

It is not the first time Swale Borough Council has come under fire.

In August it rejected a string of planning applications, including one from an animal sanctuary, which it called 'whack' in a bizarre administrative error.

It was running a dummy trial of software, with a staff member randomly refusing and approving applications with their own comments.

The estate acquired the plot 20 years ago and first proposed the plans (pictured: A sketch of the plans) in response to a call to landowners for potential housing sites in 2018

But the rulings stood, with the decisions and reasons behind them sent to the applicants in the post.

Of the latest gaffe Swale Borough Council said it was content it had followed standard procedures.

It said it would honour the High Court ruling and confirmed it had paid the 20,000 costs to Quinn Estates.

A Swal Borough Council spokesperson said: 'Were confident that weve followed the correct processes in preparing the local plan review.

'We carried out a regulation 18 consultation in 2018 and a regulation 19 consultation in 2020.

'We considered the feedback from the regulation 19 consultation and, along with the changes in government policy including a revised NPPF published in July 2021 and the impacts of covid starting to bed down, we decided it would be beneficial to undertake further regulation 18 consultation to give people the opportunity to comment on the changes and new issues.

'Were also planning for a second regulation 19 consultation in 2022.

'Weve provided three opportunities for people to comment on how and where new development should be delivered in Swale, with a fourth planned for the coming year, and were satisfied that our levels of consultation with the public has been thorough.'

The Duchy of Cornwall estate has been contacted for a comment.
A police officer will go on trial over allegations he had relationships with a number of women whose cases he was investigating.

Oliver Perry-Smith, 38, faces five charges relating to three women, including one he is said to have seen in a shop and then visited at home after 'obtaining her details'.

On a different occasion he is accused of starting a sexual relationship with a woman he was investigating for harassment.

He is also alleged to have used the police computer system to look up information on another lady.

The misconduct charges span between September 2014 and November 2019.

Former PC Perry-Smith, a towering and muscular man with a wet-shaved head, stood in the dock wearing a blue suit, white shirt and red tie, before the judge East Berkshire Magistrates' Court in Slough.

Oliver Perry-Smith, 38, is accused of five charges relating to three women, court heard today

Perry-Smith faces three counts of misconduct in a public office and two of computer misuse

He did not enter a plea to three counts of misconduct in a public office and two counts of computer misuse.

Perry-Smith, who has quit his Thames Valley Police force since being accused was remanded on bail by a district judge.

Prosecutor Benjamin May said: 'I suggest all matters are to be sent straight to Crown Court together.'

He added: 'We have no information to suggest he has committed any offences since,' referring to the passage of time since the alleged offences took place between 2015 to 2019.

Perry-Smith turned up to court in facemask and hat that completely covered his entire head

Court heard he left Thames Valley Police after being accused of the five allegations

Defending the ex-officer, Kiera Oluwunmi told District Judge Samuel Goozee that no witness statements had been compiled at this point in the case.

The police conduct body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, carried out an investigation into Perry-Smith, of Denman Drive, Newbury, Berks., in November 2019 and completed their investigation in June 2021.

The former police officer spoke only to confirm his name and address. Presiding over the case, Judge Goozee, adjourned the case for Perry-Smith to next appear in Reading Crown Court on February 15.

A spokesman for the IOPC said previously that the charges followed the IOPC investigation into Police Constable Perry-Smith, over alleged inappropriate relationships he formed with multiple women during the course of his duties.

'Following a referral from TVP in November 2019 we began an investigation which was completed in June 2021. We referred a file of evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service which has taken the decision to authorise a charge against the officer,' said the spokesman.
A dog owner has been left heartbroken after his 'fit and strong' one-year-old Great Dane died after he developed a lung infection from swimming in 'polluted' sea water.

David Arthur's 13-month-old dog Odin went swimming every day at Hayling Island beach near Portsmouth, Hants, but had to be put to sleep after developing a lung infection.

Mr Arthur, 59, from Cowplain, Hants, had already spent 6,000 on treating Odin but vets said the dog's lungs were too badly damaged from pneumonia, with vets pointing to the sea as a likely cause of infection.

Odin's illness in September followed a public outcry about sewage being pumped into the sea off the South coast, while Southern Water were fined 90million last July for pouring sewage into the sea.

Southern Water has not accepted responsibility for the dog's death and claimed the water quality on Hayling's beaches was rated 'excellent'.

David Arthur has been left heartbroken after his 13-month-old dog Odin (pictured) has died after swimming in 'polluted' sea water every day

Mr Arthur claimed Southern Water offered to pay him 500 after he told them of Odin's death, a gesture he described as 'an insult'.

The road worker said he was told by vets they had 'never seen anything like it' after Odin was diagnosed with aspiration pneumonia, an infection that can be caused by ingesting foreign matter into lungs.

Mr Arthur said he and his hairdresser wife Susan, 69, got Odin when he was eight weeks old after having around 12 Great Dane dogs across 40 years.

He said: 'We are heartbroken. Odin was a fit and healthy dog - probably the strongest one we've had in 40 years.

'He was absolutely fit as a fiddle, lively, so full of life and in your face.

'I've got other dogs but the difference is that Odin would swim out of his depth in the sea every day. We think pollution has gone into his lung and caused an infection.

Great Dane Odin went swimming every day at Hayling Island beach (pictured) near Portsmouth, Hants, but had to be put to sleep after developing a lung infection

Mr Arthur (pictured), 59, spent 6,000 on treating Odin but vets said the dog's lungs were too badly damaged from pneumonia, with vets pointing to the sea as a likely cause of infection

'Other dogs have got ill there. We know of one that had the same as Odin but survived because it was a small breed whereas Odin was so big his lungs couldn't cope.

'He was a big dog, a big lump, solid and stocky. When he was stood up he would near enough come up to your waist.'

Mr Arthur said he was told by the vets that dogs who get pneumonia normally survive but said that his lungs were 'so bad' that the aspiration pneumonia had turned to bronchial pneumonia.

He continued: 'It's such a tragic, needless death and we feel there is someone responsible for it but they are obviously not going to admit that.

'We did not think about it at the time because we were so upset but a few weeks later we thought about the pollution problems with sewage getting dumped into the sea.

'We were told by vets he ingested something into his lungs which caused a major infection. After I contacted Southern Water they asked for proof it was aspiration pneumonia which I sent them.

'They said sorry for the loss of my dog and offered me 500 as a goodwill gesture which I turned down as our vets bills cost 6,000.

'I think it was an insult really, and them offering me money is admitting liability as far as I'm concerned.'

A spokesman for Southern Water said they did not accept responsibility for the dog's death and claimed the water quality on Hayling's beaches was rated 'excellent'.

But an email Mr Arthur received in October from St Peter's Vets, Petersfield, where Odin was treated, the sea was referred to as a likely cause of the infection.

Southern Water has not accepted responsibility for the dog's death and claimed the water quality on Hayling's beaches was rated 'excellent'. Pictured: Odin

Mr Arthur said he and his hairdresser wife Susan (pictured), 69, got Odin when he was eight weeks old after having around 12 Great Dane dogs across 40 years

It read: 'During the course of his illness and treatment none of the other dogs in (Odin's) household became unwell.

'The only difference in their walks and activity is that he swam in the sea every day and the concern is that all of his symptoms could have been caused by aspirating sea water.'

The British Veterinary Association president Justine Shotton said: 'Sea water may contain bacteria even in unpolluted areas so inhalation of any foreign material, including sea water, can lead to aspiration pneumonia in dogs.

'One way that dog owners can help prevent seawater inhalation is by keeping their pets from swimming in the sea on days when it is very rough.'

It comes after Southern Water was fined a record 90million last July for deliberately pouring sewage into the sea.

The company pleaded guilty to 6,971 unpermitted sewage discharges from 17 sites - the equivalent to one pipe leaking continuously for seven years.

Tonnes of sewage polluted rivers and coastal waters in Kent, Hampshire and Sussex between 2010 and 2015, a court heard at the time.

The total amount of untreated sewage discharged into the environment was somewhere between 16 billion and 21 billion litres.

A number of locals and organisations had reported pollution and illness during 2021.

Hayling Island Sailing Club member and councillor for Hayling West, Joanne Thomas, said she was 'inundated' with letters from residents complaining about raw sewage in the harbours.

Kitesurfer Chris Bull, the founder of CBK Hayling Island Kitesurf School and Club, said his staff and family members often fell seriously ill after being in the water.

Odin's illness comes after Southern Water were fined 90million last July for pouring sewage into the sea. Pictured: Hayling Island beach in Hampshire

Mr Arthur claimed Southern Water offered to pay him 500 after he told them of Odin's death, a gesture he described as 'an insult'. Pictured: Mr Arthur's wife Susan

In June, Hayling Sewage Watch gathered more than 2,000 signatures from people calling for 'help to stop Hayling beaches being polluted with untreated sewage'.

Group member Mike Owens said: 'We know from our own testing and the regular reports of sickness by water users that the seas around Hayling are regularly polluted by water outflows containing untreated sewage.'

In October, the Environment Agency warned people not to get into the water in the area due to an 'abnormal situation' after residents reported sanitary products and wet wipes along the beach.

Southern Water insisted there was 'no evidence' of pollution in the sea water.

Responding to Odin's case, a spokesman for Southern Water, said: 'We're sorry to learn of the death of Mr Arthur's dog.

'The beaches around Hayling Island have among the highest quality water in the country - tested throughout the summer by the Environment Agency with results published on the Defra website.

'Some 78 of the 83 beaches in our area are 'excellent' or 'good' according to the government's classification and none are below acceptable.

'We understand our customers' concerns over storm releases made to prevent homes from flooding during heavy rain which is why we have launched a task force aiming to cut such storm releases by 80 per cent by 2030.

'It is impossible to say how Odin caught pneumonia but as a goodwill gesture we offered to pay 500 of vet fees as we always go above and beyond for our customers.'
A convicted sex predator who plied young women with alcohol before raping them feels no remorse for his crimes and continues to blame his victims, insisting the attacks were 'consensual'.

Thomas Hofer was a former real estate agent in Sydney's inner west when he was jailed for six and a half years over eight counts of sexual assault that took place in October 2014.

In a confronting TV interview the paroled rapist defended his attack on a 17-year-old girl, and pointed out that the age of consent is 16.

'I'm 100 per cent innocent of what happened,' Hofer told A Current Affair.

'It was eight counts of sexual assault of which was completely 100 per cent consensual and the age of consent is 16.'

When asked if he would like to say sorry to the women, he even replied: 'I would like to say sorry to all genuine victims of sexual assault.'

When Channel Nine reporter Hannah Sinclair (pictured) asked if Hofer had any remorse given one of the women had contemplated suicide in the wake of his attack, he dismissed the question

Hofer placed ads on the share house website flatmates.com.au and lured his victims to a bar in Glebe before plying them with booze and taking them back to the property to inspect the room, a court heard back in 2016.

'I advertised for them to share a one bedroom with me. I specified the one bedroom, so there would be no misunderstanding and it showed a king sized bed,' Hofer said.

His first victim was an American traveller, 23, who told the court during Hofer's trial she was so drunk that by the time they went back to the room she was unable to fight off the predator's sexual advances.

The following morning the woman told police she had been repeatedly raped.

The very next night, Hofer carried out an identical attack on a girl, 17, who also reported the crime to police.

Despite his conviction, Hofer insists the women were not drunk.

'They were not plied with alcohol, they were quite tipsy,' he claimed.

'They were moderately intoxicated, not substantially.'

His trial in 2016 heard that he bought one victim a drink called a 'Lolita', and then removed glasses of water from her when she tried to sober up.

Back at the apartment, he attacked her and she was unable to fight him off.

'I was trying to get him to stop, I was saying, "stop I want to go home I dont want to have sex", and I kept trying to repeat this,' she told the court.

'I was trying to use my arms to push him off but I didnt have the strength.'

Thomas Hofer (pictured) was a former real estate agent in Sydney's inner west when he was jailed for six and a half years over eight counts of sexual assault that took place in October 2014

Hofer placed ads on the sharehouse website flatmates.com.au and lured his victims to a bar in Glebe before plying them with booze and taking them back to the property to inspect the room.

When Channel Nine reporter Hannah Sinclair asked if Hofer had any remorse given one of the women had contemplated suicide in the wake of his attack, he dismissed the question.

'Well I attempted suicide in jail because I was unable to prove my innocence,' Hofer replied.

In a bizarre business venture, the convicted rapist is now campaigning for funds to launch a sexual consent app.

The proposed technology would supposedly work by recording the audio consent of sexual partners.

Hofer says it would reduce date rape but critics fear it could also be utilised by predators to coerce woman into making false recordings.

'It is something that the police commissioner Mick Fuller - I came up with the idea before him - but he believed it would be a good idea,' Hofer said.

'If there is an audio recording of consent the women won't be making false allegations.'

In a bizarre business venture, the convicted rapist is now campaigning for funds to launch a sexual consent app (stock image)

Hofer had tried to appeal his conviction in the High Court of Australia but his case was quickly dismissed, with judges ruling there was 'no reasonable doubt' over his guilt.

Child protection advocate Hetty Johnston called his idea for the sex consent app 'illogical and stupid and ignorant as his actions'.

'While he's been caught and been convicted, he's now back out again and you know creating apps and just chest beating all over the place. It's sickening, absolutely sickening,' Ms Johnston said.

'This man is dangerous and he's out there like so many other predators and our system really fails - particularly women and children - just on a daily basis. It's extraordinary and depressing.

'What people need to understand is that when people are sexually assaulted it's not like you stole their car or their fridge or their wallet, you've stolen something far, far deeper than that from them.'

Hofer was recently put back behind bars after his parole was revoked when police charged him with a string of unrelated offences.
More than half of people in Europe are on track to contract the Omicron coronavirus variant in the next two months if infections continue at current rates, the World Health Organisation said Tuesday.

Speaking at a press conference, regional director Hans Kluge warned that the Omicron variant represented a 'new west-to-east tidal wave sweeping across' the European region.

'At this rate, the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) forecasts that more than 50 percent of the population in the region will be infected with Omicron in the next six to eight weeks,' Kluge told reporters.

The WHO's European region comprises 53 countries and territories including several in Central Asia, and Kluge noted that 50 of them had confirmed cases of the Omicron variant.

According to the WHO, 26 of those countries reported that over one percent of their populations were 'catching Covid-19 each week,' as of January 10, and that the region had seen over seven million new virus cases reported in the first week of 2022 alone.

Referencing data collected over the last few weeks, Kluge said the variant was confirmed to be more transmissible and that 'the mutations it has enable it to adhere to human cells more easily, and it can infect even those who have been previously infected or vaccinated.'

WHO regional director Hans Kluge warned on Tuesday that the Omicron variant will infect 50 per cent of Europe over the next two months at its current rate (Pictured: Hans Kluge during video press conference on Tuesday)

However, Kluge also stressed that 'approved vaccines do continue to provide good protection against severe disease and death, including for Omicron.'

He cited the hospitalisation rate in Denmark, which he said is six times higher among the unvaccinated than among those who had received their jabs.

It comes as the number of people in hospital with Covid-19 in France rose by 767 to 22,749 on Monday, the biggest increase since April 2021.

Health Minister Olivier Veran told lawmakers yesterday that the Omicron strain leads to less serious complications than previous variants, but since it is highly infectious, it is pushing hospital numbers up quickly, reported France24.

According to official data released on Monday, France reported close to 94,000 new Covid-19 cases.

This pushed the seven-day moving average of new infections to a new high of 269,614, marking the 14th day in a row in which the value climbed up.

In Spain, Omicron is continuing to help break infection records, with the country reporting 292,394 new Covid cases on Monday.

The 14-day incidence rate surged to 2,989 cases per 100,000 people as a result, representing an increase of 267 points since Friday.

It means one in every 33 people in the country, or three per cent of the population, has tested positive for coronavirus in the past two weeks alone, reported El Pais.

The rate of the spread does appear to be slowing down but the figures remain extremely high, with some 790,000 new infections being reported last week.

Speaking at a press conference, regional director Hans Kluge warned that the Omicron variant represented a 'new west-to-east tidal wave sweeping across' the European region (Pictured: Graph showing how daily Covid cases in Europe surged over December and January)

Hospital numbers are also climbing in Spain, with 2,070 Covid patients being added over the weekend to Monday, bringing the total number to 16,469 - meaning coronavirus is taking up 24 per cent - almost a quarter - of beds in the country's intensive care units.

A further 202 people were confirmed to have lost their lives to Covid in Spain Monday, bringing the death toll to more than 90,000.

But Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez urged leaders to begin seeing the virus as an endemic illness like the flu on Tuesday - the first major European country to explicitly suggest the classification change.

'We have to evaluate the evolution of Covid from pandemic to an endemic illness,' Sanchez said in a radio interview Monday.

While Spain wants to move towards 'living with the virus', the likes of The Netherlands has maintained one of the strictest lockdowns in Europe.

All nonessential stores there remain closed, as do restaurants, museums and other public places, since strict curbs were brought in to deal with Omicron on December 19 last year.

In Italy, which was one of the worst hit countries at the start of the pandemic, Prime Minister Mario Draghi's government made vaccines for the over 50s mandatory last week - after Covid-related deaths reached their highest levels since spring 2020.

Meanwhile in Poland, more than 100,000 people have died from Covid, the government said Tuesday, with the mortality rate rising to one of the world's highest.

'It's another sad day but particularly so today because we have crossed the threshold of 100,000 deaths,' Health Minister Adam Niedzielski told news channel TVN24.

The health ministry said 493 people had died in the last 24 hours, bringing the total to 100,254 deaths since the start of the pandemic.

The ministry said there were also more than 18,000 people currently in hospital in the country of 38 million.

According to the latest data, Poland has reported 14.31 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants over the last 14 days - the sixth-highest level in the world after Trinidad and Tobago, Moldova, Georgia, Hungary and San Marino.

People wearing face masks queue for a COVID-19 test at La Paz hospital in Madrid in Spain

Neighbouring Germany is in 26th place with 4.31 deaths.

Around 63 percent of Polish adults are fully vaccinated against Covid-19 - one of the lowest levels in the EU.

The government has encouraged Poles to get vaccinated but has been criticised by the opposition for not taking stronger action by for example introducing requirements for vaccine certificates.

Katarzyna Lubnauer, a deputy from the Civic Platform party on Tuesday accused the government of 'fatal inaction'.

Lawmaker Malgorzata Kidawa-Blonska, from the same party, said: 'The cowardice of this government has led to a tragedy.'

The highest total of Covid-related deaths in the EU so far has occurred in Italy with more more than 139,000 fatalities, followed by France, Germany and Poland.

In Germany, Chancellor Olaf Scholz brought in tougher restrictions on Friday - agreed with the country's 16 states - amid an ongoing surge of Covid and the Omicron strain.

People with mandatory face masks walk a shopping street in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, Monday, January 10, 2022

These included allowing access to restaurants for the fully vaccinated or recovered only - with proof required for both.

Restrictions in the country have led to protests and anti-lockdown demonstrations, with police officers filmed pepper spraying protestors in Bautzen.

Rallies were also held in Berlin, Cologne and Leipzig.

'It's a strict rule, but it's a necessary one that will help us better control infections [in the future] than is currently the case,' Scholz said, defending the measure.

But on Sunday, the country's health minister Karl Lauterbach called for more measures, claiming those announced on Friday did not go far enough.

It came before Germany recorded 25,255 cases on Monday, around 6,700 more than a week ago, as its seven-day Covid-19 incidence rate per 100,000 inhabitants climbed from 362.7 to 375.7, according to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for infectious diseases.

In Britain, meanwhile, Covid cases are falling in every region except the North East, according to official figures released Monday, which add to an ever-growing pile of evidence that the worst of the Omicron outbreak may be over.

UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) statistics show rates in London  which was the first area to fall victim to the highly-transmissible variant  started to trend downwards before Christmas, which sparked hopes that the rest of the nation would soon follow suit.

Now Government Covid data shows cases are finally on their way down in seven out of England's eight regions, suggesting the wave may have peaked across much of the country.

Experts are hopeful the Omicron crisis is starting to fizzle out naturally after spiralling to 'unbelievable' levels last month.

But there are concerns that the promising trajectory may reverse in the coming days because of schools returning from the Christmas holidays, with infections then spreading back up through the age groups like seen in previous waves.

Despite the confusion over exactly where the country finds itself on the epidemic curve, ministers are facing calls to announce how they intend to live with the virus following almost two years of a never-ending cycle of crippling restrictions.

Deaths have barely risen in England's most recent wave, and are currently tracking at about half the level of a bad flu year, analysis suggests. The number of critically ill patients in hospital is still flat, despite Omicron first starting to spiral out of control a month ago.

It emerged Monday that No10's Plan B curbs could start to be lifted this month, with some ministers pushing for the work from home guidance to go first.

The Prime Minister has also asked the UKHSA to look again at whether the self-isolation period could be relaxed from seven days to five to ease crippling staff shortages in the economy and public services. In an extraordinary twist, the agency yesterday admitted that it had issued misleading claims about the way Britain's rules compare to other countries.
'Unprepared' Australian governments are fast moving to Covid rapid antigen tests to relieve flooded PCR labs - despite the country having a disastrously low supply of the kits and no uniform system to report or act on positive results.

Former head of the World Health Organisation's emergency medical unit, Dr Ian Norton, said he pleaded with Australia's political leaders and health officials to secure large supplies of the test kits six months ago.

'I'm disappointed we weren't better prepared because we were advocating for preparation for this for some time, to get ready, to have a stockpile (of RATs) ready to use at the state and commonwealth level,' Dr Norton told The Australian.

Dr Norton is now, as managing director of Respond Global, working with logistics and supply-chain industries in Australia to help them deal with large portions of their workforce plunged into isolation.

This worker shortage is the driving force behind many supermarket shelves being bare of stock across Queensland, NSW and Victoria in recent days.

Australia is shifting from 'gold standard' PCR tests to rapid antigen tests to relieve pressure on inundated labs but there is no uniform system for reporting results and the tests are hard to find (stock image)

Chemists and supermarkets across the country (pictured) are selling out of rapid antigen tests with the hard to find items being sold for big markups but one top health expert said the shortage could easily have been avoided

Dr Norton said the current supermarket shambles could easily have been avoided if the government had reserves of rapid antigen test they could hand out to workers in critical supply industries.

Thousands of these workers have been told they need to isolate as close contacts of Covid infections and can't return to work until they test negative - yet they can't access the tests.

'It's tough to watch now because we were advocating for so long (to secure RATs) and I remember vividly having lots of conversations with chief health officers and their various staff in different jurisdictions and saying, this is really relevant,' Dr Norton said.

'We were watching other countries stocking up on RAT tests and wondering why on earth we were not getting ready in case that happens here. Was it that we truly felt it would never happen to us here?'

After weeks of pharmacies being stripped bare of rapid antigen tests and Australians having to wait up to eight hours in line for a PCR test, Scott Morrison finally agreed to provide free test kits last week - but only to low-income or vulnerable Australians

Supermarkets have been experiencing supply-chain issues in recent weeks with many stores running low on stock courtesy of transport workers having to self-isolate and not being able to access test kits (pictured: a Queensland Coles store on Monday)

Some retailers were reportedly selling the hard-to-find tests for as much as $100 each - with some splitting bulk testing kits and selling them individually for a much higher price.

The Prime Minister was widely criticised for his insistence that tests 'can't just be made free', despite handing out $89 billion in JobKeeper payments to businesses.

And he refused to help the states secure massive kit orders to provide them to citizens, as is done in the United Kingdom and the United States.

This week NSW will move into a dual reporting system for infections that includes positive, self-administered RAT results - reported through the ServiceNSW app - and PCR results.

Other countries such as the United Kingdom and the United States provide free test kits (pictured) to all citizens but Scott Morrison has refused to do the same in Australia

The NSW government has reportedly sought advice on how mandatory reporting of positive RAT results could be legally enforced or at least made an obligation via the app.

Victoria, Queensland, Tasmania and the Northern Terrritory have already introduced mandatory reporting for positive rapid tests, although it is not legally enforced.

People who test positive must fill out a form on the relevant jurisdiction's website which allows the government to track the number of cases in the community.

On Monday, Western Australia lifted the ban on RATs but has not introduced a means for people to report positive results, instead encouraging PCR testing.
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Disturbing images emerged this week showing dire conditions at Arizona border patrol facilities as tens of thousands of migrants are packed together in overcrowded trailers and makeshift mylar tents.

Rafa Rivera, regional president of the National Border Patrol Council, told the Washington Examiner that more than 1,500 migrants were in custody in Yuma, Arizona at one point this week.

'Usually around this time through the holidays, it slows down, but here in Yuma, it was constant,' Rivera noted.

Yuma Mayor Douglas Nicholls declared a state of emergency on December 9 after 6,000 people were taken into custody by Border Patrol in the course of five days. The behemoth figure equates to the number of migrants intercepted in an average month over the past two decades.

The surge and revelation of overcrowding also comes amid a massive surge in infection rates for COVID-19 with the Omicron variant  leading to further questions on the holding conditions in the middle of the pandemic.

Kamala Harris had a phone call on Monday with Guatemala President Alejandro Giammattei after a barrage of criticism continues to hit the vice president over her handling of the southern border crisis.

During the call, Harris 'reaffirmed the administration's commitment to working together with Guatemala on a broad agenda that includes the root causes of migration, trafficking, economic development, and anti-corruption,' according to a statement from her office.

New images reveal thousands of migrants are stranded in overcrowded border facilities in Yuma, Arizona

People are touching their neighbors as they try to lie down and rest under mylar blankets, while other attempt to traverse a narrow walkway

Makeshift tents of mylar blankets, caution tape and sand bags are set up for overflow holding outside the facilities in Yuma

The call came after Giammattei went public with his dissatisfaction regarding communication over the last several months with the vice president and White House.

More than 65,000 non-citizens were caught illegally crossing into Yuma from Mexico between September and November, which is higher than encounters in typical years.

In November, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) encountered 173,620 migrants at the southern border, an increase from the 164,753 in October. December figures have not yet been released.

The photos obtained by the Examiner underscore the dangers migrants, border officials and the city of Yuma are facing amid the prevailing border crisis, four people familiar with the situation told the outlet.

A woman climbs on top of stacks of luggage at a Yuma Border Patrol facility

In November, Customs and Border Protection encountered 173,620 migrants at the southern border, an increase from the 164,753 in October. December figures have not yet been released

CBP has had to speed up processing for migrants to quell overcrowding with those in custody now being discharged within a day or two of being taken in. Here migrants wait in a hallway of a makeshift facility

Migrants were forced outside to set up camps. At one point this week, 1,500 migrants were in custody at the Yuma, Arizona facility

Border Patrol authorities have had to speed up their processing for migrants in order to quell the overcrowding issue. Those in custody are now being discharged within a day or two of being taken into custody due to the lack of space and need for quick turnover of holding space for new arrivals.

Discharge can mean several things, including being released into the U.S., returned to their home country or pushed south of the border to remain in Mexico as they await immigration proceedings.

In the first months of his presidency, President Joe Biden tasked Harris with addressing the crisis  refusing to ever directly acknowledge that the situation at the border was a 'crisis.'

As border czar, Harris' office quickly branded her role as addressing the 'root causes' of migration that lead thousands of people to flee their home countries en route to the U.S.

In June, Harris visited with President Giammattei during a trip to Guatemala that was widely seen as a failure. Republicans say she is not focusing on the 'real' issues of the border crisis while Democrats decried her for sending the message that the border is not open to migrants in the pandemic.

Since the botched trip, Giammattei has lamented that he has not received any correspondence from Harris regarding their efforts to improve living and economic conditions in Northern Triangle countries.

The White House said on Monday of their latest call: 'The two leaders discussed ongoing bilateral cooperation to disrupt human smuggling networks through the Human Smuggling and Trafficking Task Force the Vice President announced during her June 2021 visit to Guatemala.'

'The Vice President noted the importance of holding corrupt actors accountable, highlighting that corruption erodes public trust and undermines effective, accountable governance,' it added. 'The Vice President updated President Giammattei on U.S. government efforts to generate economic growth through the Call to Action she launched in May 2021, which has generated over $1.2 billion dollars of private sector investment to the region.'

Despite being designated to run point for root migration problems for the White House, Giammattei revealed last month that they had only spoken one time.

'Other than your meeting with Kamala Harris in June?' Fox News ' John Roberts asked Giammattei in an early December interview.

'That is the only one,' he responded.

Roberts asked Giammattei if he found it 'odd' he had only spoken to Harris once, and had little contact with the Biden administration. The Guatemalan leader responded through a translator that he has had meetings with the U.S. ambassador to Guatemala, spoke to President Biden once by phone to introduce himself and had one visit from Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.

Asked if Harris had taken the steps to address the root problems of migration, Giammattei said: 'Quite frankly I would say there is still much to be done.'

Giammattei said during the Trump administration there was more 'direct communication.'

'I worked one year with the Trump administration and now almost one year with the Biden administration. With the Trump administration the communication was more direct. Maybe we were not in a agreement all the time, but we would have a conversation and we would finally reach some consensus.'

Kamala Harris (left) had a phone call with Guatemala President Alejandro Giammattei (right) on Monday after the leader lamented of a lack of communication from the White House following his June meeting with the vice president in Guatemala

'The question now is who do we speak to,' he added.

In the months following her trip to Guatemala, Mexico and the southern border, at least seven aides left Harris' office in a mass staff exodus amid reports of tensions, a 'bully' mentality and a toxic work environment.

Many migrants have shared they felt empowered to make the trek to the U.S because Biden said in his 2020 campaign that he would accept all asylum-seekers  a huge pivot from his predecessor's hard-line immigration policies.

CBP data shows that officers encountered more than 1.75 million migrants at the southern border since Biden took office in January 2021.

Numbers released in December show the agency's officers encountered 173,620 illegal crossers in November alone, representing a 140 per cent uptick in illegal crossings from the same month last year, when there were only 72,113 encounters.

According to the Center for Immigration Studies report on the Census Bureau's monthly Current Population Study (CPS), immigrants made up 14.2 per cent of the U.S population as of November 2021.

This amounts to 46.2 million immigrants  both illegal and legal  living in the U.S.

The latest figure is the highest the proportional U.S. immigrant population has been in 111 years. It is also triple the share of the population since 1970 and double since 1990.








Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul / Korea Times file





The presidential National Security Council expressed "strong regret" Tuesday after North Korea launched a second missile in less than a week and urged the reclusive nation to return to dialogue.







The council held an emergency meeting shortly after South Korea's military announced the North had fired a suspected ballistic missile into the East Sea.







"The standing members of the NSC analyzed North Korea's intentions in test-firing consecutive missiles from the start of the year and expressed strong regret over the latest launch that took place at a time when a stable political situation is very critical," Cheong Wa Dae said in a statement.






A Manhattan psychic swindled a bipolar man out of more than $1 million by promising to rid him of his 'dark spirits' through pricey 'arcane and occult' rituals, a lawsuit filed on Sunday claimed.

William Young, from Brooklyn, lodged the legal complaint against psychic Shaina Samiel after she allegedly failed to find him a soul mate or rid him of dark spirits in the increasingly expensive rituals.

Samiel promised Young, who is bipolar and suffers with depression, that she could cure his mental health difficulties from her shop next to now-closed gay bar on W. 46th St called XoXo Bar, where they met.

Young paid Samiel $100,000 for the first ritual in May 2021 and later that month he made six payments in a single week, each worth between $1,000 and $20,000, according to the lawsuit filed on Sunday.

The pair became increasingly close and in June 2021, Young allegedly paid to lease a car for Samiel, who said she needed a vehicle to gather supplies for rituals and speak to her psychic 'superiors' for advice on his situation.

Young eventually ran out of money and started using his family's joint bank account to fund Samiel's rituals, pushing him to the brink of bankruptcy before filing a lawsuit against her.

William Young, from Brooklyn, has filed a lawsuit that claims Manhattan psychic Shaina Samiel swindled him of more than $1 million by promising to purge his 'dark spirits' in pricey rituals

Young met Samiel while working at the XoXo Bar next to her psychic shop in May 2021, according to the lawsuit seen by NY Daily News.

The pair got closer as Young became a regular customer and Samiel, a self-described 'spiritual guide', offered to cure his mental health difficulties through a series of rituals.

'Samiel told Young that his family was cursed by dark spirits and blamed them for his mental health difficulties,' the lawsuit filed to the Manhattan Supreme Court reads.

'She claimed that the dark spirits were very strong and that so long as they were there, Young would not be able to find love or happiness or have a good relationship with his family.'

Samiel, who branded herself Young's 'spiritual mother', also told him the positive power of her 'arcane and occult' spells would depend on the amount her paid for them - despite usually charging only $35 for a palm reading and $85 for a love reading.

Samiel promised Young, who is bipolar and suffers with depression, that she could cure his mental health difficulties from her shop in a now-closed gay bar on W. 46th St called XoXo Bar (pictured)

The complaint reads: 'She told him that she could perform complex rituals that would help with the situation.

'She said these rituals would help Young find a future soul mate and also put him in a better situation financially.'

In June 2021, Samiel asked Young to provide her with a car to 'gather materials for rituals, and consult and contact "superiors" who were other psychics in her organization for consultation and advice about his situation,' according to the lawsuit.

He put down $5,500 as a deposit and started paying a monthly fee to lease a car for Samiel from Carrio Motor Cars totaling $86,500.

The firm claimed it did not lease Samiel or Young the vehicle, and that it has never heard of either of them.

'It sounds like a joke to be honest,' owner Jacob Carrio told NY Daily News. 'I'm actually chuckling hearing about this.'
A group of 176 Haitians was rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard after their wooden vessel had taken on water as it approached the Florida Keys on Monday.

The migrants were initially spotted by a U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations flight crew as the 60-foot boat sailed about 25 miles northeast of Anguilla Cay, Bahamas, the Coast Guard said in a statement.

The Sector Key West deployed the Coast Guard Cutter Paul Clark crew to the overloaded vessel's location near Ocean Reef for the rescue mission as the wooden boat braved the tough climatic conditions with 20-mph winds and 4- to 6-foot seas.

The crew provided personal flotation devices to the individuals onboard the boat, which lacked basic life-saving equipment or navigation lights.

After the vessel crossed the reef line, a boat crew assigned to the Coast Guard station in Islamorada made plans with at least 11 federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to take the Haitian migrants into custody.

U.S. Coast Guard rescued 176 migrants from Haiti aboard a 60-foot, wooden vessel on Monday near the Florida Keys. The boat was initially spotted in the Bahamas by a U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations flight crew that alerted the Coast Guard

Haitian migrants are escorted to U.S. Border Patrol vehicles in southern Florida after they were rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard from a wooden vessel that had taken on water near the Florida Keys on Monday

At least 20 people required medical assistance and four migrants, including two children, were rushed to a local hospital due to symptoms of dehydration.

The Haitian migrants were bused to the Dania Beach Border Patrol Station where they were processed, ABC affiliate WSVN reported.

'It is extremely dangerous to navigate the Florida Straits in an unseaworthy vessel, especially off the Florida Keys where the water is extra treacherous with shoals and reefs,' said Chief Warrant Officer James Kinney. 'Thanks to the quick coordination among so many different agencies, no lives were lost during this interdiction.'

The U.S. Coast Guard did not say how many days or weeks the migrants had been at sea.

On Christmas Eve, 53 Haitian migrants were detained by U.S. Customs and Border Protection after their sailboat arrived in Key Largo.

CBP also took 63 migrants into custody after their wooden vessel arrived in the Upper Florida Keys on November 18 after spending three weeks at sea.

At least 20 Haitian migrants were provided medical assistance for symptoms of dehydration

A wooden raft packed with 176 migrants from Haiti took on water in the Florida Keys before the U.S. Coast Guard came to their their rescue and pulled them out

According to the Miami Herald, most of the migrants who were detained aboard the previous two boats were released from detention, but can still be deported to the Caribbean island.

The sudden rise of Haitian migrants abandoning their country for better opportunities in the United States and other countries has been sparked by economic malaise, a devastating earthquake and political turmoil following the assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moise in July 2021.

At least 13,320 Haitian migrants have been expelled to their homeland on 125 U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement flights as of January 6, according to the International Organization for Migration. The mass deportation came after thousands of migrants crossed the Mexico-United States border and settled on a makeshift camp under Del Rio-Ciudad Acuna International Bridge in Del Rio, Texas in mid-September.

Many of the migrants were taken into custody while others returned to Mexico where they applied for humanitarian visas.

The U.S. Coast Guard routinely returns people interdicted at sea to their country of origin.

Agency crews have already rescued 557 Haitians three months into the current fiscal year. That's up sharply from last year, when 1,527 Haitians had been rescued by year's end.

The U.S. Coast Guard said 418 Haitian migrants were rescued in 2020, 932 in 2019, 609 in 2018 and 419 in 2017.
Abubaker Deghayes made a stabbing motion with his hands as he told his congregation that 'Jihad was compulsory', a court heard

An 'extremist' mosque leader gave a sermon at the end of prayers in which he encouraged terrorism by calling on the congregation to commit 'jihad by sword' and demonstrated with a stabbing motion, a court has heard.

Abu Bakr Deghayes was caught on CCTV as he gave a 20-minute speech to a group of around 50 male worshippers at Brighton Mosque and Muslim Community Centre last November, the Old Bailey heard.

The congregation included teenagers and young men in the 20s, as well as worshippers in their 30s and 40s, but several began fidgeting as the sermon went on, and others walked out.

Ben Lloyd, prosecuting, told the court that evening prayers had just finished on Sunday November 1, when Deghayes, 53, stood at the front of the mosque, with a book in his hand, to deliver the speech.

In footage played to the jury, he could be seen in socks, wearing a black top with the words 'Free Palestine, resistance is existence.'

Mr Lloyd said: 'The speech demonstrates the defendant to be an Islamic extremist.

'He is someone who believes in the use of violence in the cause of Islam, or at the very least, he was reckless as to whether people would be encouraged.

Deghayes delivered the speech to his congregation at Brighton Mosque, jurors were told

What jury members heard Abu Bakr Deghayes told worshippers at Brighton Mosque and Muslim Community Centre in his sermon In the sermon, Deghayes criticised Boris Johnson, saying: 'We have a prime minister at the moment who has made a mockery of the niqab before becoming the prime minister and said this is like a letter box.' Citing coronavirus, he added: 'Look at the corona, now look how the world is in a mess, great mess. Where are these scientists? Where's these armies? Where are the technology? Where are the laboratories? 'Who's more powerful than us? [That's] what they're saying, who's more powerful than us? Look we have this, we have that, who's power is more powerful than us? 'Allah is more powerful than you! You idiots! You non-believers, idiots. Allah is more powerful than you! The non-believer going to work is an idiot, he is stupid, he can't feed himself.' Deghayes criticised moves to close mosques, to stop the spread of the virus, adding: 'Faith, faith, faith, faith you know especially this period now. Now were going again they're saying you know, close the mosques. 'There's no strength or power except with Allah. There were plagues in the community before there was cholera, millions died, never mosques were closed, ever ever.' And speaking about religion, he added: 'You know, today if you praise Islam, you're strange among your own people, among your own family. 'This guy is crazy man, you know they're going to take him to Belmarsh [prison] very soon. Look what he's doing, look, look! Don't say this brother, don't do that. Sit down. 'Today you pass by, you see a person you know kicking the mosque and we pass, it's not my business, it's got nothing to do with me. Who is it to do with? It's the house of Allah. 'Why is it always him who's doing this? Why are you angry? He has anger management problems. The community has forgotten its duty.' Advertisement

'It is not a speech given innocently or naively by the defendant.'

The prosecutor added: 'The defendant was quite clear, he said jihad was compulsory or an obligation.

'He said, "jihad by fighting by sword".

'The prosecution case is clear and straightforward - by standing up at the front of a busy mosque, and by quite deliberately saying "jihad by fighting by sword", the defendant was encouraging terrorism, encouraging violence in the name of Islam.

'If the defendant's own words were not clear enough, he also made a stabbing gesture with his hands.'

Mr Lloyd told the jury: 'Let me make one thing clear: what the case is not about is the freedom to practice religion or the freedom to worship.

'Of course, none of that is unlawful in this country.

'This is not about those who believe in Islam, rather, this case is about those who encourage violence in the name of religion, which, for very good reason you may feel, is a criminal offence.'

Deghayes, from Saltdean, Sussex, is originally from Libya, and had set out an 'us and them approach - you are either on the side of Allah or you are a non-believer,' Mr Lloyd said.

In the speech, Deghayes mixed English and Arabic, and told the congregation to ignore the British government and the Prevent de-radicalisation programme.

He said: 'Allah is more powerful than you. You, idiots. You non-believers, idiots.

'Allah is more powerful than you. The non-believer...is an idiot; he's stupid.

'Jihad is compulsory upon you, you, you and you until the Day of Resurrection, whatever the British Government thinks, whatever Prevent thinks, whatever Israel thinks.

'Send to the sea. They can go and drink from the sea, Allah curse their fathers, OK?

'Jihad, jihad, jihad! Jihad is compulsory.

'Jihad by fighting by sword that means this jihad is compulsory upon you, not jihad is the word of mouth but jihad will remain compulsory until the Day of Resurrection.

'And my livelihood is under the shadow of my spear.'

Deghayes added that anyone who did not like that was an enemy of Allah, declaring: 'Go fight Allah! Go Fight Allah!'

Mr Lloyd said: 'The key speech is a call to arms, a call to violence in that way.

'You will see a stabbing motion.

'The prosecution say the meaning of this is clear.'

Deghayes was questioned by police but made no comment.

He denies encouraging terrorism and the trial continues.
Robert Durst's murder conviction for killing close friend and confidant Susan Berman will likely be thrown out since the disgraced real estate heir died before a court could hear his appeal in the case, the district attorney who prosecuted the case and another legal expert said.

Durst, who died in custody at a California hospital Monday at the age of 78, had begun the process of appealing the September murder conviction prior to his death, leaving his conviction in limbo.

The former New York real estate scion was finally convicted of murder after being suspected but never charged in the 1982 killing of his wife, Kathie, and the 2003 slaying of neighbor Morris Black.

Late New York real estate scion Robert Durst, pictured here in court in October, died in police custody at a California hospital Monday at the age of 78. He had already begun the process of appealing the September murder conviction for his friend's 2002 slaying prior to his death

Durst, pictured at right in the undated photo, died while serving a life sentence for fatally shooting his longtime confidante Susan Berman, at left, at point-blank range at her Los Angeles home in 2000 - before he could be tried for the murder of his wife

LA law professor Laurie Levenson said that the state's Courts of Appeal will likely dismiss Durst's appeal and order the trial court to set aside his September conviction on a technicality

However, according to LA law professor Laurie Levenson, the suspected serial killer may still see his sole murder conviction tossed - albeit posthumously.

Levenson, a law professor at Loyola Law School and the author of a treatise on California's criminal laws, said that the state's Courts of Appeal will likely dismiss Durst's appeal and order the trial court to set aside his September conviction due to a legal technicality in the Golden State, she told the New York Times.

The technicality prevents convictions from being finalized until a decision is rendered by the Courts of Appeal and Durst's death pending appeal results will likely result in a canceled conviction for the killer, she said.

'The whole world knows the jury found Durst guilty,' Levenson, 65, told the paper. 'But that's not what the legal record will show. He didn't finish his appeal.'

If successful, the reconsideration would have seen the eccentric multimillionaire beat his third murder charge, after escaping judgments in the suspected 1982 slaying of his wife Kathie and the 2003 murder of a neighbor

The LA prosecutor who worked to put away Durst for killing Berman in the woman's LA home in 2000 conceded that Durst will likely not be charged.

John Lewin, the LA deputy district attorney, told People magazine Monday that Durst's legal team purposely did not file briefs that would have moved the appeal process along, winding down the clock so their client could avoid a final judgment in the case.

'The fact that [Durst's] death during the pendency of his appeal will cause the conviction to be vacated is an unfortunate technical rule which in no way diminishes or changes what we all know happened,' the attorney said.

Lewin echoed Levenson's statements in another Monday interview with The Times, reiterating that public opinion of Durst will not change if the conviction is vacated.

'Bob Durst was convicted by a jury who came to the conclusion that he was responsible for the deaths of three people,' said Lewin, who sought during the Berman trial to tie Durst to the killings of his wife and neighbor.

'His death in no way changes what happened. Bob Durst is a murderer and he died a murderer no matter what the status of his legal position.'

Robert Durst was indicted by a New York grand jury last November and set to stand trial for the murder of his wife, Kathie, who disappeared in 1982 and was presumed dead in 2017. Pictured in 1982

Last November - nearly 40 years after she vanished - a grand jury in Westchester County charged Durst with second-degree murder in relation to Berman's death, after District Attorney Miriam Rocah and state police reopened the case

Durst died while serving a life sentence for fatally shooting his longtime confidante Berman at point-blank range at her Los Angeles home in 2000 - before he could be tried for the murder of his wife.

He has long disputed killing Kathie, who has been missing since she disappeared from New York in 1982 and was presumed dead in 2017.

Last November - nearly 40 years after she vanished - a grand jury in Westchester County charged Durst with second-degree murder in relation to Berman's death after District Attorney Miriam Rocah and state police reopened the case.

Rocah in a statement expressed disappointment that Durst did not live to be prosecuted for his first wife's death.

'After 40 years spent seeking justice for her death, I know how upsetting this news must be for Kathleen Durst's family,' Rocah said. 'We had hoped to allow them the opportunity to see Mr. Durst finally face charges for Kathleen's murder because we know that all families never stop wanting closure, justice and accountability.'

Kathie's family declined comment through their lawyer's office.

Durst died in a state prison hospital facility in Stockton from natural causes due to a number of health issues early Monday, his attorney Chip Lewis said.

He had tested positive for Covid-19 on October 16, just days after he was sentenced to life in prison for the execution-style killing of Berman.

The disgraced real estate scion had tested positive for Covid-19 on October 16, just days after he was he was sentenced to life imprisonment for the execution-style killing of Berman in 2002

Los Angeles prosecutors proved during Berman's murder trial that Durst killed his pal - who helped cover up Kathie's killing - in order to silence her.

The eccentric millionaire was also accused of killing neighbor Morris Black but in 2003 but was acquitted after testifying he shot him in self defense when they both struggled for a gun.

He has been behind bars since 2015, when the HBO documentary The Jinx: The Life And Deaths of Robert Durst, unearthed new evidence in Berman's killing.

Durst discussed the cases and made several damning statements including a stunning confession during an unguarded moment during the six-part documentary series.

The show made his name known to a new generation and brought renewed scrutiny and suspicion from authorities.

He was arrested in Berman's killing the night before the final episode, which closed with him mumbling to himself in a bathroom while still wearing a hot mic saying: 'You're caught. What the hell did I do? Killed them all, of course.'

The quotes were later revealed to have been manipulated for dramatic effect but the production  done with Durst's cooperation against the advice from his lawyer and friends  dredged up new evidence, including an envelope that connected Durst to the scene of Berman's killing as well as incriminating statements he made.

Robert Durst, convicted murderer and subject of the HBO true crime doc, 'The Jinx,' died while serving a life sentence in prison. He was 78-years-old. He is pictured on March 17, 2015

Durst's health has steadily worsened in recent years.

Last December, he was seen looking frail and with a breathing tube in a mug shot released by the California Department of Corrections.

Just months earlier, Durst - who has numerous medical issues, including contracting COVID-19 - was seen in a wheelchair throughout most his trial in California.

Durst's lawyers said he was suffering from a 'myriad of life-threatening issues' including bladder cancer last September. 'His health deteriorated over the weeks of the trial,' said his lawyer Dick DeGuerin. 'He looked like death warmed over.'

Last October, Durst was sentenced to life for Berman's slaying. Prosecutors alleged his motive was to prevent her from revealing what she knew about the vanishing of his wife, Kathleen McCormack Durst in 1982.

Throughout his trial, his defense attempted to postpone his case due to ongoing health problems, including chest pains, breathing problems, pain while dressing and from having a catheter, and urinary tract infections due to his bladder cancer.

A week after his sentencing, he was indicted for the murder of his first wife Kathie Durst in 1982.

His death leaves behind many unanswered questions surrounding Kathie's unsolved case; and renewed public interest into the deluded misdeeds of one of America's most bizarre killers.

Durst, born on April 12, 1943, was the eldest son of a prominent New York real estate dynasty. His grandfather, the family patriarch, Joseph Durst, was a tailor from Poland who immigrated to New York in 1902 with $3 sewn into his lapel.

In a few short years, Joseph moved up from peddling children's clothing on pushcarts to being a partner in a garment factory.

He soon after expanded into real estate in 1915 with the purchase of his first building on 34th Street. He also founded Capital National Bank, which made loans to the garment district and was eventually sold - giving him seed money for his budding real-estate empire.

Today, the Durst Organization is worth $8 billion with towering skyscrapers that dominate Manhattan's iconic skyline. The family-run business owns more than 16 million square feet of real estate in New York City, including a 10% stake in One World Trade Center.

Robert Durst's childhood was marred by tragedy when he witnessed his mother, Bernice, commit suicide by jumping off the roof of their family home. (Family members would later claim that it was an accident and dispute that Robert was anywhere present at the time).

Robert's relationship with his brother, Douglas, only 18 months apart, was perennially fraught.

TIMELINE: THE DESCENT OF ROBERT DURST 1982: Robert Durst's wife, Kathleen McCormack goes missing on January 31. Durst claimed that he dropped her off at the train station on the night she disappeared, and spoke to her later that evening on the telephone. Kathleen was never seen again. 1994: Robert Durst is pushed out of the family business due to increasingly erratic behavior. His brother is named successor of the real estate empire. 2000: The Westchester County district attorney announces in November that she is reopening the investigation into Kathleen McCormack Durst's disappearance and Susan Berman is considered a prime witness. 2000: Susan Berman is found executed in her Beverly Hills home. Three days later, an anonymous letter arrives at the Beverly Hills Police Department containing Berman's address and the word 'cadaver.' On the envelope 'Beverly' was critically misspelled as 'Beverley.' But the case goes cold. 2001: Durst was arrested in Galveston, Texas, shortly after body parts belonging to his elderly neighbor, Morris Black, were found floating in Galveston Bay. Police tracked him down with a receipt that was left in one of the garbage bags containing Black's body parts. Durst was released on bail and went on the run for 45 days before he was caught shoplifting a sandwich in Pennsylvania. 2003: Robert Durst stands trial for the murder of Robert Black and is acquitted of first degree murder. He pleads guilty for the lesser charges of bail jumping and evidence tampering and is sentenced to two years in prison. 2015: HBO releases a six-part documentary, The Jinx, that discovers new evidence incriminating Durst in the murder of his best friend, Susan Berman in 2000. FBI agents arrest him in New Orleans on eve before the final episode aired on March 15 2020: Robert Durst's trial for the murder of Susan Berman begins on March 20. The trial was paused for 14-months during the Covid-19 pandemic and resumed in May 2021. 2021: Robert Durst is found guilty of murder and sentenced to life in prison without parole on October 14. 2021: On October 22, a Westchester County grand jury charged the ex-real estate scion for murder in the 1982 disappearance of his wife, Kathie McCormack Advertisement

As children, they underwent counseling for a violent sibling rivaling that often ended in physical fights.

A psychiatrist's report in 1953 diagnosed 10-year-old Robert with 'personality decomposition and possibly even schizophrenia.'

Classmates described Durst as a 'loner' in high school. He went on to attend Lehigh University in Pennsylvania with a degree in economics before he matriculated to UCLA to enroll in a doctoral program. It was there, that he met Susan Berman, an aspiring writer who was the daughter of a Las Vegas mobster.

In 1969, Durst left UCLA to open a health food store in Vermont which was closed after only two years.

He moved back to New York and began dating Kathleen McCormack, a young dental hygienist who rented an apartment owned by the Durst Organization.

After two dates, he asked Kathie to move in with him, and they married on Robert's thirtieth birthday in 1973.

Robert joined his father, Seymour and brother Douglas in the family business, developing a string of successful skyscrapers in midtown Manhattan. Meanwhile, Kathie enrolled in medical school to become a doctor.

The couple partied at Studio 54, sailed the Mediterranean and traveled to Thailand while splitting time between their penthouse on Riverside Drive and a lakeside cottage in upstate.

But their relationship grew troubled, friends would later say, when Durst became controlling and pressed his wife to have an abortion.

'I was always, always, always very controlling,' he said, matter-of-factly in the 2015 HBO docuseries, The Jinx.

Three weeks before she went missing in 1982, 29-year-old Kathleen was treated at a hospital for facial bruises that were sustained in a physical fight with Durst.

She had discovered that Durst was having an affair with Prudence Farrow (the younger sister of Mia Farrow and the subject of the Beatles song 'Dear Prudence.')

Despite his tremendous wealth, Durst was notoriously cheap.

When Kathie asked for a $250,000 divorce settlement (a pittance sum for the billionaire), he refused, removed her name from their bank accounts and cancelled all her credit cards.

The last time Kathie McCormack was seen alive was on January 31, 1982, when she showed up unexpectedly at a dinner party thrown by a friend.

Durst claimed that he drove his wife to catch a 9:15pm train to Manhattan after having an argument in their upstate cottage. He maintained that he went back to have a drink with a neighbor and spoke to McCormack later that evening when she called from their Riverside Drive apartment.

Durst later admitted that he lied and just went to bed. 'That's what I told police,' he said in the The Jinx. 'I was hoping that would just make everything go away.' McCormack was never seen again and her body has never been found.

It took Durst five days to report her disappearance to the police. By then, he had already raised suspicions among her family and friends and was considered a prime suspect by police.
Federal Judge Amit Mehta sits on the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, after being appointed to his role by former President Barack Obama in 2014

A Washington, DC federal judge delivered a stunning rebuke of Donald Trump from the bench on Monday, chiding the former President for staying silent for 'two hours' on January 6 last year as his supporters stormed the United States Capitol.

Lawyers for Trump, his attorney Rudy Giuliani and Rep. Mo Brooks on Monday afternoon asked a federal judge to throw out claims he incited the Jan. 6 Capitol attack and to dismiss lawsuits brought by Democratic House members and police officers.

DC District Court Judge Amit Mehta, who was appointed to the role by Barack Obama in 2014, grilled Trump's attorneys on whether the former President's failure to act to stop the violence earlier amounted to an endorsement of it.

He also lectured the former President's defense to 'stick with the facts' when the lawyer attempted to claim Trump wanted the fans attending his Stop the Steal rally to be peaceful.

Mehta pointed out multiple times that Trump told his supporters to go to the Capitol, which he said was followed by 'an almost two-hour window where the President does not say, "Stop, get out of the Capitol. This is not what I wanted you to do".'

'The words are hard to walk back,' he said.

Mehta asked Trump's lawyers, 'What would you have me do with the allegation that the President did not act?'

Trump attorney Jesse Binnall argued that the former President could not 'be subject to judicial action for any sort of damages for failing to do something.'

Binnall also said Trump's supporters were protesting the election certification 'peacefully and patriotically.'

'Let's stick with the facts,' Mehta told him, according to Business Insider.

The Obama appointee took issue with Trump telling the crowd on Jan. 6, 'If you don't fight like hell, you're not going to have a country anymore.'

He questioned whether Trump's subsequent inaction was a 'ratification' of the aggressive comment, and said the ex-President's call to be 'peaceful' was outweighed by the incendiary rhetoric.

'You would have me ignore what [Trump] said in its entirety?' the judge asked, according to CNN.

President Trump told supporters on Jan. 6 last year to 'fight.' He said: 'We will never give up, we will never concede,' before a crowd attacked the U.S. Capitol

Mehta added that the main issue at hand was whether Trump himself incited the riot.

Binnall rejected Mehta's line of questioning on whether Trump encouraging his fans to 'fight' and 'show strength' were serious enough to amount to a conspiracy.

The judge asked him, 'So the President, in your view, is both immune to inciting the riot and failing to stop it?'

At one point Mehta pushed back against House Democrats' attorney Joseph Sellers, who asserted the crowd's 'fervor' on January 6 was a clear enough signal that Trump knew they intended to storm the Capitol.

Alleging a conspiracy when the lawsuit did not claim to have evidence of a direct meeting with Trump, Giuliani and far-right groups that stormed the Capitol would be 'problematic,' he said, adding that Trump and the other defendants could not have necessarily controlled the mob's reaction.

More than a year after hundreds of Trump supporters marched on Congress, the courtroom battle is just one place where the former President is being held to account.

The lawsuits claim Trump is responsible for injuries to police and lawmakers.

'The congressional Democrat plaintiffs are hoping this court will help them score points against a political rival at the expense of the Constitution,' Trump lawyer Jesse Binnall said at the start of the hearing.

'That is an invitation this court should decline.'

He argued that the former President cannot be sued because he was acting within the scope of his official presidential powers.

'Executive immunity must be broad,' he said.

The Democratic lawmakers - including Democratic Reps Eric Swalwell and Jerry Nadler - invoked an 1871 law passed to fight the white supremacist Ku Klux Klan that prohibits political intimidation.

The FBI and Justice Department have arrested more than 725 people in connection with the attack last year. They are looking for hundreds more

The lawsuits charge that the worst attack on the U.S. Capitol since the War of 1812 was a direct consequence of Trump's actions, including a fiery speech he gave shortly before thousands of his supporters stormed the building to try to overturn President Joe Biden's election.

A Supreme Court decision from 1982 holds that presidents are immune from lawsuits over their official acts.

But Trump's accusers say his speech on the morning of Jan. 6 amounted to a campaign event rather than an official act.

In it, he called on his supporters to 'fight.'

'We will never give up, we will never concede.' he said.

Plaintiffs lawyer Joseph Sellers said it was 'inconceivable' that the Supreme Court intended to shield presidents from lawsuits over this sort of conduct.

'There is no legitimate role for fomenting an insurrection aimed at Congress,' he said.

The court is just one arena where the legal battle over who was responsible for the violence is playing out.

The FBI and Justice Department have arrested more than 725 people in connection with the attack.

And a House committee is proving whether legal action should be taken against Trump and his allies.

U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta was unlikely to issue a ruling on Monday, but the hearing may shed light on whether Trump and allies can be held liable in a civil court for the deadly Capitol siege.

Trump was impeached by the House of Representatives and acquitted by the Senate on a charge of inciting the riot, which is also under investigation by a House select committee.

Swalwell's lawsuit includes similar claims against Trump allies who also spoke at the Jan. 6 rally, including Giuliani, Trump's eldest son Donald Trump Jr., and Republican congressman Brooks.

Brooks has sought to dismiss Swalwell's claims, arguing his remarks at the Jan. 6 rally were within the scope of his duties as a House member. A law called the Westfall Act protects federal employees from being sued for actions taken as part of their jobs.

Trump and his co-defendants have argued that their remarks preceding the Jan. 6 attack were political speech protected by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

'Plaintiffs are all members of Congress; each has engaged in controversial speech,' Binnall wrote in a court filing.

'Yet they have chosen to foreswear their oaths to support and defend the Constitution by attempting to undermine the First Amendment by bringing this lawsuit, based on their longstanding and public grudges against President Trump.'

The two Capitol Police officers who sued Trump are James Blassingame and Sidney Hemby.

Their suit says they suffered physical and emotional injuries. They want compensatory damages of $75,000 each plus punitive damages.
Tory peer Michelle Mone is being sued for 'unlimited damages' after she allegedly sent a racist text to a financial consultant of Indian heritage.

The millionaire bra tycoon, 50, has had a 10-page writ filed against her by Richard Lynton-Jones in the High Court in London.

His lawyers claim she has caused him 'enormous distress, embarrassment and injury to feelings'.

They are also calling for her to pay out at least 200,000 in aggravated damages following the row.

The toxic fallout stems from when a young yacht crew member died during a tragic incident in Cannes in 2019.

Baroness Mone is claimed to have sent the Whatsapp messages to Mr Lynton-Jones and others after this.

She is also alleged to have called his then partner 'a mental loony', 'mad' and 'a nut case bird' in other messages.

The millionaire bra tycoon, 50, has had a 10-page writ filed against her by Richard Lynton-Jones in the High Court in London

His lawyers claim she has caused him 'enormous distress, embarrassment and injury to feelings'. Pictured: Mr Lynton-Jones in a social media post

How 'Baroness Bra' made her money Lingerie tycoon Michelle Mone was born in 1971 and grew up in Glasgow's East End, leaving school with no qualifications aged 15 before finding work as a model. After running a sales and marketing team for the Labatt's brewing firm, Baroness Mone decided to create a range of support bras after the idea came to her while wearing an uncomfortable bra during a dinner party. Baroness Mone founded MJM International with her then-husband Michael Mone in November 1996, and three years of research, design, and development resulted in the patented Ultimo bra. In August 1999, a month after having her third child, she launched Ultimo at the Selfridges department store in London, which sold the pre-launch estimate of six weeks of stock within 24 hours. The business grew rapidly and in 2010 she earned an OBE from the Queen for her contribution to business. But she sold 80 per cent of Ultimo in 2014, one year after announcing she had left the company following a breakdown in her marriage. Lady Mone was nicknamed 'Baroness Bra' after being elevated to the House of Lords in 2015, where her official title is Baroness Mone of Mayfair. To celebrate her 50th birthday last month, she decided to host five parties - one for each decade of her life  with her new husband billionaire tech tycoon Doug Barrowman, 55. The pair married last November in a glitzy but low-key wedding ceremony at their home on the Isle of Man. Lady Mone has also had a lucrative public speaking career but called time on this last month, saying she wanted to 'focus on her family and new ventures'. Advertisement

Baroness Mone's lawyer told MailOnline: 'This claim was served without prior notice to Baroness Mone in contravention of the Civil Procedure Rules.

'She has been advised that it lacks merit and will defend it vigorously.'

The businesswoman, often called 'Baroness Bra', slammed the claims when they emerged in an Instagram post in December, calling them 'entitled white privilege'.

She also said through her lawyers that Mr Lynton-Jones's 'appearance is 100 per cent white, with a cut-glass English accent'.

Now his lawyers say her claims are defamatory, with her Instagram post wrongly suggesting he 'falsely accused' her of 'making a racist comment'.

They also say her comments falsely imply he was 'reasonably suspected of involvement in the manslaughter of a young boy'.

And they argue she is wrong to insinuate he had 'disgracefully refused' to help police with their inquiries.

Mr Lynton-Jones' writ claims Baroness Mane 'well knew' her text was racist.

It claims she knew the claimant had been a victim of racially aggravated assault in Majorca in 2007.

It adds: 'The defendant was well aware of this, having touched the plates resulting from the racist attack, which made her false denial particularly cruel.'

Mr Lynton-Jones claims he and the defendant knew each other 'well' and she was aware 'her was not 100 per cent white'.

His writ says he had 'discussed his heritage with the defendant and her husband Mr Barrowman on various occasions previously'.

It goes on: 'In particular, the claimant and the defendant had known each other a number of years, had spent time together on holidays and in social events on numerous occasions.'

The row started when Mr Lynton-Jones was among guests on a superyacht who met up with Lady Mone and her businessman husband Douglas Barrowman in Cannes.

The two groups, totalling 18, enjoyed lunch at a restaurant on Ile Sainte-Marguerite, leaving their respective crews on board.

They later rafted their boats together so they could continue the fun day out on the water, hopping on and off each other's boats, before deciding to return to shore.

The French skipper of the second superyacht called Vision which was chartered by British internet gaming millionaire Richard Skelhorn, accidentally ploughed into Mr Barrowman's boat as he was turning round to head for home.

An MAIB investigation found the skipper had cannabis in his bloodstream.

Lady Mone published this image on her Instagram today. She captioned it: 'I love to put on makeup to feel my best-self, even if I don't have an event... it makes me feel ready to take on the day'

Richard Lynton-Jones (pictured) alleged Mone racially abused him and called his partner a 'nut case bird' and 'mental loony' three weeks after a day of 'drinking and partying' on two superyachts which ended in an accident and the death of a deckhand

Crewman Jake Feldwhere (pictured), 27, was on the foredeck of an 88ft-long Minx preparing to lift the anchor when he was struck and killed off the coast of Ile Sainte-Marguerite in 2019

Jake Feldwhere was on the foredeck of the Minx preparing to lift the anchor when he was struck and killed in the collision on the evening of May 25, 2019.

Mr Lynton-Jones and Baroness Mone allegedly fell out in a WhatsApp chat on June 13, 2019, after she questioned how much his partner had suffered psychologically.

The Monaco-based financial consultant, who is believed to have a mother of Indian heritage and a white father, replied said he had been seriously traumatised by the yacht incident, saying: 'I would prefer you back the f**k off.'

Lady Mone allegedly replied: 'OMG what a pile of c**p!! You are talking to me, a smart, bright individual who doesn't get taken in by your s**t!

'In fact my b******t detector was on you from day 1. You & your mental loony of a girlfriend have been parting [sic] like mad!  You need to get a grip and have respect for a guy that was killed!!!

'Funny how your mad girlfriend has now deleted all the pictures, don't worry I have screenshots of the dates and times.

'48 hours after the guy was killed. Your [sic] a low life, a waste of a mans [sic] white skin so don't give us your lies. Your [sic] a total disgrace.'

Mr Lynton-Jones complained to the Met, the House of Lords Commissioner for Standards and the Committee on Standards in Public Life.

The story broke in a national newspaper last year and Baroness Mone's legal team hit back.

The claimant's lawyers claim their comments were libellous because they suggested he was lying about her alleged racism.

Minx (crash damage, left) is owned by Michelle Mone and her husband Douglas Barrowman

They are also arguing an Instagram post - which was seen by 'many millions' - had 'caused serious harm to the claimant's personal and professional reputation'.

They say the 'very serious nature of the imputations conveyed, involving serious dishonesty and involvement in manslaughter' will be relied on in court.

The writ adds: 'The defendant's publication of the article has caused the claimant enormous distress, embarrassment and injury to feelings'.

Mr Lynton-Jones wants an injunction to stop Baroness Mone repeating comments.

She is due to speak with police under caution over the alleged racism, but has not been arrested.

But she will not face a probe from parliamentary officials because they said it was outside their jurisdiction.

Baroness Mone's people said in a statement last month: 'Baroness Mone is 100 per cent not a racist.

'Baroness Mone and her husband have built over 15 schools in Africa in the past three years.'

Her lawyers later said she has 'no access' to the messages and no 'detailed memory of them'.

They added: 'She is not prepared to comment on the messages unless and until their authenticity has been confirmed.

'But Baroness Mone, in any event, very strongly denies that she is a racist, a sexist or that she has a lack of respect for those persons genuinely suffering with mental health difficulties.'

Lawyers for the House of Lords member, pictured with her husband Douglas Barrowman, said she has no 'detailed memory' or 'access' to the messages and denied that she is a racist

She said on her Instagram account: 'Since when did calling out a man on his actions after a manslaughter and his entitled white privilege constitute racism?

'Quite the opposite- the accusations I have read today against me are full of contradictions.'

She added: 'I will set the record straight on this defamation before deciding on any legal action.'

Mr Lynton-Jones, from Ferndown in Dorset, began his career with the Queen's bank Coutts, working in Jersey on offshore services for clients.

He was a vice president at Barclays Wealth in both Jersey and Monaco before joining the Monaco office of investment bank UBS.

He specialises in working with ultra high-net worth individuals with investable assets of at least 50 million euros.

In 2018, he joined Lady Mone and Mr Barrowman's new virtual currency venture which saw them launch a coin called Equi which they claimed would be the British Bitcoin.

Mr Lynton-Jones was appointed head of capital raising and investor relations.

Baroness Mone decided to create a range of support bras after the idea came to her while wearing an uncomfortable bra during a dinner party.

Baroness Mone founded MJM International with her then-husband Michael Mone in November 1996, and three years of research, design, and development resulted in the patented Ultimo bra.

In August 1999, a month after having her third child, she launched Ultimo at the Selfridges department store in London, which sold the pre-launch estimate of six weeks of stock within 24 hours.

The business grew rapidly and in 2010 she earned an OBE from the Queen for her contribution to business.

But she sold 80 per cent of Ultimo in 2014, one year after announcing she had left the company following a breakdown in her marriage.

Lady Mone was nicknamed 'Baroness Bra' after being elevated to the House of Lords in 2015, where her official title is Baroness Mone of Mayfair.
An undersea fiberoptic cable which provides vital internet connection and communications links between mainland Norway and the Svalbard archipelago in the Arctic Ocean has mysteriously been put out of action.

The outage on the subsea communications cable, which is the northern most cable of its kind in the world, occurred on January 7 but was only revealed to the public yesterday by Space Norway, who owns and maintains the technology.

The disruption, which occurred on one of two fiberoptic cables, could prove disastrous as it means there is now only one connection between the mainland and Svalbard with no backup.

The cables provide essential power for Space Norway to run the Svalbard Satellite Station (SvalSat), and also enable broadband internet connection on the islands.

Should the second cable fail before repairs are made, Svalbard's citizens and SvalSat will be effectively cut off from Norway.

It comes as Britain's newly appointed chief of the defence staff, Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, warned that Russia may look to cripple such vital undersea communications wires supporting the UK.

In an interview at the weekend, Radakin said there had been 'a phenomenal increase' in Russian submarine activity over the past 20 years, adding: 'Russia has grown the capability to put at threat those undersea cables and potentially exploit them.'

A pair of undersea cables provide essential power for Space Norway to run the Svalbard Satellite Station (SvalSat - pictured), and also enable broadband internet connection on the islands. Should the second cable fail before repairs are made, Svalbard's citizens and the arctic SvalSat satellite station will be effectively cut off from Norway

The fault in the cable, which runs from Longyearbyen in Svalbard to Andoeya on Norway's north coast, was detected between 80 - 140 miles from Longyearbyen at a point where the cable runs from less than 0.2 miles deep to over 1.3 miles deep under the surface between the Greenland, Norwegian and Barents seas

It comes as Britain's newly appointed chief of the defence staff, Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, warned that Russia may look to cripple such vital undersea communications wires supporting the UK (pictured: Russian submarine RFS Rostov Na Donu, Feb 26, 2021)

The press release from Space Norway said the power outage was first detected at 4:10 am local time on Friday morning, and that the cable has been out of order since.

The fault in the cable, which runs from Longyearbyen in Svalbard to Andoeya on Norway's north coast, was detected between 80 - 140 miles from Longyearbyen at a point where the cable runs from less than 0.2 miles deep to over 1.3 miles deep under the surface between the Greenland, Norwegian and Barents seas.

Space Norway did not provide details of the outage, the extent of the damage or how it was caused, but confirmed that an cable-laying vessel will need to be dispatched to administer repairs.

The company stressed that communication between Svalbard and the mainland was still operational, but admitted that there is no only one cable functioning with no redundancy system should it fail.

More than 97 per cent of the world's communications are transmitted through sub sea optical fibre cables surrounded by armouring wire and a Polyethylene cover

The SvalSat site is located atop a mountainous ridge on Svalbard and consists of more than 100 satellite antennas vital for polar orbiting satellites.

The site represents one of only two ground stations from which data can be downloaded from these types of satellites on each of the Earth's rotations, making it a valuable asset.

However, Russian authorities have previously suggested the SvalSat site may also be used to download data from military satellites as well as commercial ones, despite Svalbard being located in a designated demilitarised zone - accusations which have fuelled suspicions that Russian submarines may be responsible for the outages, though there is no evidence of this as yet.

The SvalSat site is located atop a mountainous ridge on Svalbard and consists of more than 100 satellite antennas vital for polar orbiting satellites. The site represents one of only two ground stations from which data can be downloaded from these types of satellites on each of the Earth's rotations, making it a valuable asset.

There is global network of undersea cables responsible for carrying 97 per cent of international communications, and there is increased speculation that disabling such cables, or trying to gain access to them, could represent an integral part of modern warfare in the digital age.

Largely owned and installed by private companies, are designed to withstand the natural rigours under the sea and cannot be cut easily, but military submarines and unmanned submersibles have the capability to damage or sever the connections.

Space Norway says it will examine the undersea cables and investigate the reason behind the power outage along with Norway's Ministry of Justice and Public Security.

How Putin could black out Britain: Top military man warns Russian sabotage could wreck undersea cables that supply our internet and $10 trillion of financial deals a day

97 per cent of international communications are sent through sub-sea cables

The cables linking all continents are thousands of feet below the ocean's surface

Admiral Sir Tony Radakin believes Russia could target this vital network

BY DAVID WILKES FOR THE DAILY MAIL

Thousands of feet under the ocean lies a global network of internet cables responsible for carrying 97 per cent of international communications.

In a digital age, these physical cables, sheathed in steel and plastic, are central to how we function. If they were to be disabled, it would not just prevent us accessing the web on our phones and laptops  it would disrupt everything from agriculture and healthcare to military logistics and financial transactions, instantly plunging the world into a new depression.

According to experts, this doomsday scenario ranks alongside nuclear war as an existential threat to our way of life.

And the newly appointed chief of the defence staff Admiral Sir Tony Radakin reckons Russia is the hostile power most likely to cripple these vital arteries.

In an interview at the weekend, he said there had been 'a phenomenal increase' in Russian submarine activity over the past 20 years, adding: 'Russia has grown the capability to put at threat those undersea cables and potentially exploit them.'

Any such interference would be treated with the utmost seriousness. Asked whether destroying cables could be considered an act of war, Britain's most senior military officer said: 'Potentially, yes.'

Russian President Vladimir Putin, pictured, has been investing heavily in his country's submarine fleet, including developing technology to interfere with sub sea cables

The good news is the cable manufacturers do not make things easy for would-be saboteurs.

The cables, largely owned and installed by private companies, are designed to withstand the natural rigours under the sea and cannot be cut easily.

Typically just over an inch in diameter, they consist of fibre optics  strands of glass as thin as a hair  in the centre, surrounded by galvanised steel wire armouring and then, on the outside, a plastic coating.

They are engineered to the 'five nines' standard  meaning they are reliable 99.999 per cent of the time, a level generally reserved for nuclear weapons and space shuttles.

But, armed with hydraulic cutters attached to their hulls, Russian submersibles would make short work of the hosepipe-thin cables. Alternatively, divers or remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) fitted with cutters could do the job.

One ship identified as a serious threat is the Yantar. Officially described by the Russian navy as a 'research' ship, it carries two mini submarines designed for engineering missions which can examine areas up to 3.75 miles underwater.

Just four months after it took to the sea for the first time in 2015, Yantar triggered concern in intelligence circles when it was detected just off the U.S. coast on its way to Cuba where undersea cables make landfall near Guantanamo Bay.

In shallower waters, a vessel could deliberately drag an anchor along the seabed to rip the cables apart. Such an attack could be covered up by passing it off as an innocent fishing-boat accident.

Last August, the Yantar was seen off Ireland's Donegal-Mayo coastline. Despite having territorial waters ten times the size of its land mass, Ireland has just one naval vessel to monitor the four cables that link it to the U.S. and the eight connecting it to Britain. Out at sea, the cables are even more vulnerable, as they are often hundreds or thousands of miles from the nearest naval bases capable of identifying, monitoring and intercepting hostile ships.

There are also fears that Yantar's submersibles could carry technology capable of tapping the cables.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, pictured, commissioned research vessels which can target sub sea cables

Around the world there are 436 of these cables, containing between them more than 800,000 miles of fibre optics.

The daddy of them all is the Asia American Gateway which is 12,430 miles long.

Each cable contains between four and 200 optical fibres  one fibre can transmit as much as 400GB of data per second, or enough for about 375 million phone calls.

A single cable containing eight fibre-optic strands could transfer the contents of Oxford's Bodleian Library  which contains more than 12 million books, journals and manuscripts  across the Atlantic in about 40 minutes.

They are far more important than satellite communications, which account for just 3 per cent of global traffic. As futuristic as satellites may sound, this mode of transmission has been in decline since the early 1990s as fibre-optic cables gained the ascendance.

'Short of nuclear or biological warfare, it is difficult to think of a threat that could be more justifiably described as existential than that posed by the catastrophic failure of undersea cable networks as a result of hostile action,' states a report from the Policy Exchange think-tank written in 2017 by the now Chancellor Rishi Sunak, who was then a backbench MP.

Every day the cable network carries $10 trillion worth of financial transfers. The report says: 'In the words of the managing director of one major telecoms firm: 'Cascading failures could immobilise much of the international telecommunications system and internet . . .

'The effect on international finance, military logistics, medicine, commerce and agriculture in a global economy would be profound . . . Electronic funds transfers, credit card transactions and international bank reconciliations would slow . . . such an event would cause a global depression'.'

Sunak's report recommended that undersea cables should be designated as critical national infrastructure and 'cable protection zones' should be established.

Meanwhile, British ships and other military assets protect cables in areas such as the North Atlantic. Last week it emerged the sonar equipment of one of those ships, a frigate called HMS Northumberland, was crashed into by a Russian submarine in late 2020.

At the time of the collision, the ship had deployed a Towed Array, a tube up to two miles long fitted with hydrophones to listen under the water, and it is this element the sub is believed to have hit.

As tensions rise between Russia and the West over countries like Ukraine and Kazakhstan, such incidents are likely to become a lot more common.
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Dashcam footage captured the moment an 'oblivious' lorry driver ploughed into stationary traffic on a motorway and killed three people just moments after looking at adult dating sites including one called 'S**g Today'.

Ion Onut's cab is seen bursting into flames and careering a further 320ft along the A1(M) in County Durham after the initial crash caused an explosion.

The Romanian was jailed for eight years and 10 months at Durham Crown Court this morning after admitting three counts of causing death by dangerous driving.

Couple David Daglish and Elaine Sullivan from Seaham, County Durham, and Paul Mullen from Washington, Tyne and Wear, died instantly.

Onut had been looking sites S**g Today and Mystic Match and had spent almost 50 to buy credits to engage with users, and was looking at profiles and editing his own over a period of 40 minutes leading up to the smash.

His last interaction on his phone was in the seconds before the collision and he was 'utterly oblivious' to the stationary vehicles ahead, the court was told.

Onut, 41, did not brake before driving into the line of traffic at 58mph.

Ion Onut (left) was driving a 3.5 tonne Scania LGV at almost 60mph when he 'ploughed' into queueing traffic near junction 61 at Bowburn, County Durham, on July 15, last year, killing three people including Paul Mullen (right)

Ion Onut's cab is seen bursting into flames and careering a further 320ft along the A1(M) in County Durham after the initial crash caused an explosion

Sh*g Today and Mystic Match: The apps trucker was looking at before crash Sh*g Today: UK-based hookup site that claims to have had more than 400,000 users signing up. After setting up a profile, you can match with other users and chat to arrange a meet-up. While it is free to receive messages, users have to buy credits to send messages to others on the site. Packages range from 24.95 for 1250 credits, up to 249.95 for 17,500 credits. It costs 100 credits to send a message and 50 to send a wink. The site is open to straight or homosexual relationships, but reviewers say many of the users are paid professionals. Rated 1.8 out of five on Trustpilot. Mystic Match: Advertises itself as a website for people seeking 'friendship and love'. The website claims thousands join every day looking for different kinds of discreet relationships. It works in a similar way to Sh*g Today, with users having to buy coins to send messages. Rated 2.6 out of five on Trustpilot. Advertisement

He first hit the back of the Vauxhall Crossland containing Mr Daglish, 57, and Ms Sullivan, 59, then smashed 51-year-old Mr Mullen's Toyota Hilux under another lorry before carrying on along the road, injuring three others.

Judge James Adkin, who banned Onut from driving for 10 years after his release, said: 'You were not asleep at the wheel, which would have been bad enough, in fact you were trawling the internet looking for casual sexual partners'.

In a victim personal statement read out in court, Ms Sullivan's son and Mr Daglish's stepson, Junior Sullivan, said: 'Nothing could prepare me for being woken up to be told that my mam and dad had been killed in a car crash. It's impossible for me to describe what went through my head at that moment, only that everything that was perfect about my life suddenly no longer existed. In that very moment my world had shattered and I became an empty shell. I couldn't think, I couldn't move.

'People tell you it's okay to be upset and cry or to be angry, and they always say' 'if there's anything I can do'' - but what could anyone possibly do? There's no how-to guide for dealing with the loss of both of your parents. For losing the only family you have. For losing the people who quite literally sacrificed everything to give you the best possible chances.'

Orlaigh Mullen, Paul Mullen's daughter, said: 'It's difficult to put into words how much we miss our dad  losing a parent is something you think will never happen, you always think that they are invincible.

'My dad was always there for us growing up. We looked up to him, he was the hardest working man I have ever met and ever will meet. He worked so hard for all of us.

'I miss him coming home every Friday night and shouting ''hello'' when he came through the door and giving us all a big hug.'

Bethany Claire, daughter-in-law of Mr Daglish and Ms Sullivan, wrote a tribute to the couple today following Onut's sentence.

She said: 'Ill spend every minute loving and nurturing [our] two children that are now two grandparents short, loving and supporting the husband whos now without parents and honouring your traditions wherever I can.

'[Our children] have already lost out on so much, I wont let them miss out on present parents.'

She also urged motorists to pay no mind to their phones in order to avoid similar tragedies. Ms Claire wrote: 'Just put your phone in the glove box when youre driving. Remove the temptation. Its not worth it.'

Social media users who watched footage of the crash slammed Onut's sentence as 'pathetic' and 'not nearly long enough'.

Onut, who was living with his family in Galashiels, Scotland, and working for a haulage firm, was heading North with a load of fertiliser when he caused the crash around 6.15pm on July 15 2021.

Couple David Daglish and Elaine Sullivan from Seaham, County Durham, were also killed by Onut

His last interaction on his phone was in the seconds before the collision and he was 'utterly oblivious' to the stationary vehicles ahead, the court was told

A previous incident had caused traffic to build up and warning signs alerted drivers of delays and told them slow down, with other motorists observing a 50mph limit put in place.

But Onut was seen weaving across lanes prior to the crash, which happened near the Bowburn junction, and did not slow down.

Nick Dry, prosecuting, said analysis of Onut's phone showed he had used it extensively while driving his lorry, and that he had been browsing the internet for 40 minutes before the collision.

Mr Dry said: 'The telephone was found to have been in constant use.

Lorry driver Ion Onut was looking at sex sites on his phone when he caused a multi-vehicle smash which killed three people

'The history showed the defendant had been accessing two adult dating sites - one, S**g Today, and another, called Mystic Match.

'He had done so driving at speeds that never went below 50mph.'

Mr Dry added: 'He was utterly engrossed in internet activity, in pursuit of sexual gratification, over an extended period of time while in control of a large goods vehicle on a busy motorway.'

Soldier Junior Sullivan, who lost his mother and step-father, told the court he felt 'unbearable rage at the sight of other drivers using their mobile phones'.

Hard-working family man Mr Mullen was a loving father to his three children and was about to become a grandfather, his daughter Orlaigh told the court.

Lauren Cawton survived but was left with chronic leg pain and said her life has been ruined, while Molly Smith said the collision left her feeling stressed, angry and guilty during the final weeks of her pregnancy.

Lorry driver Michael Hosty ran to help Onut out of his burning cab and recalled grabbing him and saying: 'Look, mate, if you don't help me out we are both going to die.'

Mr Hosty now has post-traumatic stress disorder but said his suffering doesn't compare to that of the victims' families.

Richard Bloomfield, defending, said Onut felt remorse and passed on an apology from the defendant for the 'devastation' he caused.

Sergeant Catherine Iley said after the case: 'It was incredibly distressing and upsetting for those who witnessed the collision and for the emergency responders, including police officers, firefighters and paramedics, who attended the scene.

'The horror of what they witnessed that day will no doubt remain with them for many years to come.'
A former member of the Defence Forces is seeking to have charges of being a member of Islamic State and financing terrorism dropped at the Special Criminal Court.

Lawyers for Louth woman Lisa Smith, 39, have made an application for the case against her to be dismissed.

It is expected that they will argue there is not sufficient evidence to convict their client on any of the charges.

The case received widespread attention in 2019 when it emerged that Smith, a former Air Corps soldier who had worked on the Government jet, had been detained in Syria over alleged links to IS.

Ex-Defence Forces member Lisa Smith, 39, was at the Special Criminal Court today

Smith has been accused of being an Islamic State member and financing terrorism

Smith, a former Air Corps soldier who had worked on a Government jet, was detained in Syria

Smith was arrested at Dublin Airport in 2019 on suspicion of terrorist offences after returning from Turkey in November with her young daughter.

She had travelled to Syria a number of years ago after she converted to Islam.

Smith is charged under Section Six of the Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Act 2005 which makes it an offence to join a foreign unlawful organisation.

It is alleged that between October 28, 2015 and December 1 2019 at a location outside the State, she was a member of a terrorist group styling itself as the Islamic State.

Smith is charged under Section Six of the Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Act 2005

Lawyers for Smith sought to make an application for the case to be dismissed on the grounds there is not sufficient evidence to convict her on any of the charges

She has also been accused of financing terrorism, by sending 800 euro in assistance by Western Union money transfer to a named individual in 2015.

She has denied the charges.

The trial was scheduled to begin on Tuesday, but the non-jury court will first have to deal with pre-trial application.

Lawyers for Smith sought to make an application for the case to be dismissed on the grounds there is not sufficient evidence to convict her on any of the charges.

The three judges presiding over the case agreed to consider the application next Monday.
A heartbroken father has released a video of his four-year-old daughter singing 'I love you' days before she become the second child to die in a bouncy castle tragedy at a Spanish fairground.

The girl, named Vera, was injured in the incident at a Christmas fair in Mislata on January 4 which also resulted in the death of an eight-year-old girl.

Vera's father Ivan Perez said in a video tribute to his daughter that her donated organs have helped save the lives of five other children.

Four-year-old Vera (pictured) has become the second child victim in a Spanish fairground tragedy that saw a strong gust of wing throw a bouncy castle into the air

Pictured: The bouncy castle seen the morning after the attraction was lifted up by a gust of wind on January 4, 2022

He spoke of the gesture in the video, showing her singing a Christmas carol alongside the message: 'I leave you my smile so it doesn't disappear.'

Vera had been playing on the inflatable at the fairground near Valencia when it was lifted several feet into the air.

The eight-year-old girl, named Cayetana, was also on the inflatable when it was lifted, before she landed on her head when it hit the ground.

She died 12 hours later after she was rushed to La Fe Hospital in Valencia.

It was reported at the time that another girl, aged four, was also seriously injured and had been taken to hospital.

Seven other youngsters were hurt and required hospital treatment although their injuries were mostly described as non-serious.

'I say goodbye to the world in a tragic and unfair way,' Mr Perez wrote on Twitter, speaking for his daughter Vera.

Saying that her organs would be donated, he wrote on behalf of Vera: 'To the five little friends I help to live with my organs, be as happy as I have been'.

The minute-long footage of her singing in Spanish finished with her blowing a kiss.

Seven other youngsters were hurt in the incident and required hospital treatment although their injuries were mostly described as non-serious. Pictured: Firefighters work at the scene of the bouncy castle incident in Mislata, January 4

Pictured: An aerial view of the fairground where the bouncy castle was blown into the air on the evening of January 4. It has resulted in the deaths of two girls

The owner of the bouncy castle, a Spaniard nicknamed Toni 'el Terremoto' which translates into English as Toni the Earthquake, has already been questioned by police as part of an ongoing investigation.

The local council has said his paperwork was in order but made no comment on the anchorage system which Cayetana's family have described as 'inadequate' or the decision not to close the attraction when the wind became strong.

According to Spanish media, Cayetana's parents have begun legal proceedings, and say they are convinced their daughter's death could have been prevented.

Her brother Jaime, 11, was also on the same inflatable but survived serious injury after landing on his knees as he fell.

'As a father I don't know what to say about what happened,' Cayetana's father wrote in a letter published in a Valencian newspaper.

'Just that life can be so unfair sometimes and no father or mother is prepared for this kind of situation or for coping with this enormous pain.'

He described his young daughter as the 'joy of the house', and admitted that they had not yet found the courage to go into Cayetana's bedroom.

The owner of the bouncy castle (pictured on the night of the incident), a Spaniard nicknamed Toni 'el Terremoto' which translates into English as Toni the Earthquake, has already been questioned by police as part of an ongoing investigation

'Dear Cayetana, your parents love you a lot,' the letter read. 'You are and always will be our angel. Affectionate, kind and very noble.

'We know you will take care of us and your brother Jaime wherever you are. Give us lots of strength to cope with your loss. We love you.

'As parents we don't know what to say about what occurred, only that life at times is unfair and no mother or father is prepared for this type of situation or to support so much pain.

'When something like this happens all we can do is cling to faith and try to find a path...and the only path is to overcome this and try to get a bit stronger every day.

'It's worth it for our other child, who was also on the bouncy castle but wasn't injured as he fell on his knees. Life gave him a second opportunity.'

A police investigation is now underway to ascertain whether the incident was linked to any negligence.

Speaking after the incident last week, one witness told reporters: 'All of a sudden I saw it rise into the air. I saw the kids that were in the air, I think they fell onto another inflatable structure. There was a young girl on the floor, unconscious.'

The witness and other people at the fairground rushed to help. 'Fairgoers, the families, passersby  we were all doing what we could to help,' she said.

Mislata's mayor Carlos Fernandez Bielsa said at the time: 'It will be up to the police to determine what has happened.'

A spokesman for local firefighters, who attended the scene along with police and paramedics, announced the news of the Cayetana's death last week.

They said: 'Several children have been assisted by paramedics following an incident involving a bouncy castle in Mislata.

'We have checked the structure to make sure there were no other minors beneath it and rule out anyone being trapped.'

According to Spanish media, the eight-year-old girl's parents have begun legal proceedings, and say they are convinced their daughter's death could have been prevented. Pictured: Firefighters at the scene of the incident on January 4

Mislata Town Hall said in a statement after learning of the first death: 'Following the tragic incident last night, we have declared a period of official mourning until January 7 because of the death of one of the girls involved.

'We would like to transmit our sincere condolences to the family and friends of the youngster who lost her life. She was only eight years old.'

It also announced it was suspending a scheduled Three Kings Day parade.

A similar bouncy castle incident in Australia last month caused the deaths of six children aged 11 and 12.

Chace Harrison became the sixth youngster to die of his injuries after his life support was switched off at a Hobart Hospital on December 19.

He was among nine students who fell 32 feet from an inflatable castle when it was lifted up by wind at a school fair in Devonport, Tasmania.

The other five children who lost their lives have been named as 11-year-old Addison Stewart, and 12-year-olds Zane Mellor, Jye Sheehan, Jalailah Jayne-Maree Jones, and Peter Dodt.
A man reads a sign about the COVID-19 vaccine pass system posted on the door of a discount store in Seoul, Jan. 10. Yonhap





Daily COVID-19 infections stayed below 4,000 for the fifth consecutive day Monday amid tightened antivirus restrictions to curb the spread of the coronavirus.







The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) added 3,097 new COVID-19 cases, including 2,813 local ones, raising the total caseload to 670,483.







The agency also recorded 43 more deaths, raising the toll to 6,114 for a fatality rate of 0.91 percent.







Critically ill COVID-19 patients stood at 780, staying below 1,000 for more than a week.






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City inspectors cited the Bronx high-rise where an inferno caused by a faulty space heater left 17 people dead and dozens wounded at least six times for failing to maintain self-closing doors in the complex.

Residents of 333 East 181st Street, where the blaze broke out Sunday, have complained of lack of heat and malfunctions with their self-closing doors, which fire investigators said contributed to the spread of toxic smoke throughout complex.

Building management was issued door-related citations between 2013 and 2019, New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) records obtained by the New York Post revealed.

Mamadou Wague, who rushed to flee with his wife and eight kids after a fire broke out in his third-floor duplex apartment on Sunday, said the doors in his unit - which are designed to close automatically - get stuck if pushed open too far.

'When you push the door all the way to the edge, it didn't close by itself,' the West African immigrant father-of-eight told the Post. 'I actually thought later that the door had shut, but the fire department people told me it had stayed open.'

One list of complaints against the property from the last month detailed how residents complained about not having any heat. Although building officials state the complex was heated, the minimum temperature requirement in NYC is only 68 degrees Fahrenheit, which some residents claims is too cold.

Jose Dineo, who lives of the third floor with his three children, told DailyMail.com Tuesday that space heaters are necessary in the winter because the 'building didn't have good heat'.

I feel good with the heat in my apartment,' Dineo, 40, said. 'We have an electric heater because before the building didnt have good heat.

'Five years back the heat doesnt work well. After three years they put in a new boiler. We feel good with the heat but still sometimes, on days like today, definitely we need to use an extra heater.

Investigators believe the fire was started by one of several space heaters in Wague's unit after it was left running uninterrupted for days.

Toxic smoke then spread throughout the complex after the apartment's entry door failed to automatically close, as it should have, when the Wagues fled. The family all survived but another eight kids from inside the building, and nine adults, died.

Fire investigators tested most of the doors in the building on Sunday and found a handful of other units had doors that did not close automatically, as designed. FDNY Commissioner Daniel Nigro claimed a door in the stairwell - which is meant to be used as an emergency exit - also failed to close, furthering the problem.

'The stairwell was very dangerous as the door was left open and some of the floors  certainly on 15  the door was open from the stairs to the hall and the 15th floor became quite untenable,' Nigro said.

A spokesperson for the owners told DailyMail.com the building currently has no open door-related complaints or violations.

Fire experts found several faulty self-closing doors in a Bronx apartment complex where a fire left 17 dead on Sunday. Investigators also believe the building's older fire safety measures contributed to the spread of the fire

City inspectors cited the Bronx high-rise at least six times between 2013 and 2019 for failing to maintain self-closing doors in the complex. There was also a self-closing door complaint issued on Dec. 6, 2021

Records do, however, indicate the city issued six door-related citations to the building from 2013 to 2019, with two of violations specifically involving doors on the third and 15th floors.

A self-closing door at the third floor entrance to the building's northern stairwell was flagged ineffective in March 2017, under the complex's prior owners, and was not fixed until July 2020.

Also in March 2017, citations were issued for the self-closing doors in the trash compactor closets on the building's third, sixth, 12th and 15th floors.

Records show the landlord fixed those violations by May 2017.

There was also a self-closing door complaint made in December 2021.

When asked about the HPD citations, a building spokesperson told DailyMail.com: 'The current owners purchased the property in January 2020 so the violations you are were incurred by the prior owners.'

'There are no open complaints or violations related to doors currently according to HPD records,' they added.

Despite this, malfunctioning doors still appear to be a common problem for residents of 333 East 181st Street, formerly known as Twin Parks North West.

Cookie Dennis, a 72-year-old residing in a unit on the third floor, claimed her door hasn't ever shut properly in the nearly three decades she has lived in the building.

'My door doesn't self-close and never has,' Dennis told the Post.

'I have lived here 27 years, and I don't ever remember the door closing by itself, you have to close it yourself.'

Mamadou Wague (pictured), who rushed to flee with his wife and eight kids after a fire broke out in his duplex apartment on Sunday, said the doors in his unit - which are designed to close automatically - get stuck if pushed open too far

The fire at Twin Parks North West complex in the Bronx broke out in Unit 3N, where the nine-person Wague family resided. Their residence is pictured Monday, covered in ash and debris

The Wague family's apartment is seen completely destroyed. Father Mamadou Wague said the blaze left his eight-year-old daughter trapped in her bedroom on a mattress engulfed in flames. He pulled his daughter out of the flames and managed to escape

The blaze is unit 3N was caused by a faulty space heater

The entire unit was damaged by the blaze

Also last month, the building received a complaint of 'no heat' in a sixth floor unit, even though the building allegedly had heat.

Congressman Ritchie Torres, whose district covers most of the South Bronx, told NBC New York that often times the city mandated temperatures do not meet residents' needs.

'Even if the landlord was requiring the legal minimum, what the law requires often falls short of what tenants need to remain warm in their apartments,' he explained.

Jose Dineo, who lives in the building, said he often uses a space heater because the complex is cold. He also shared that many residents ignore the smoke alarms because they sound frequently

Dineo, however, argued one of the biggest problems with the building is its sensitive smoke alarm system.

The only issue we have is the smoke alarm, almost every day - which is understandable because people smoke in the hallway, some people smoke in the stairs,' he said.

'On Sunday, we thought somebody smoked somewhere and the alarm started so we stayed in the house. The alarm would go off two or three times a week.

'What happened with the alarms is that they ignore them now because [they would go off] two, three times a week,' echoed resident Carlos Reyes, 65.

'So people started ignoring them, when they would go off they would just - there was somebody who said "I just bring up the volume on the TV because they were annoying and there was no fire." So that caused people to ignore the alarms.'

Complex residents have also complained of roach and mice infestation and no water.

The building - which is owned by Bronx Park Phase III Preservation LLC, a consortium of three property developers; The Camber Property Group, Belveron Partners and the LIHC Group - was purchased along with seven others in late 2019 as part of a $160million deal on affordable housing in the Bronx.

The consortium bought it for just shy of $25million - which values each of the 120 apartments inside at $206,000. The wider, $160million deal of 1,200

The tenants are all households earning 60 percent of area median income. A family or household of four in the building earns, for example, $72,000 and generally their rent will be less than a third of that annual income - less than $2,000 per month.

A spokesperson for the consortium would not confirm how much tenants pay in rent at 333 East 181st Street when contacted by DailyMail.com on Monday.

New York City's worst fire disaster in more than 30 years that broke out on the second and third floor of a building at 333 East 181st Street in the Bronx has killed nine children and ten adults (pictured, people jump to safety from the burning building)

Workers in protective clothing are pictured outside the complex Tuesday

Workers are pictured Tuesday sweeping up debris outside 333 East 181st Street

Rick Gropper of the Camber Property Group (left) is one of the owners of the building. He is also named as a contributor to Eric Adams' housing transition team. The Camber Group partnered with LIHC Investment Group and Belveron Partners to buy the property in 2020. Belveron founder Paul Odland is shown, right

The developers paid a third less than the average sale price of homes in the Bronx, and a seventh of the average sale price of apartments in New York City when they bought the properties in 2019.

The owners charge tenants there less than the market rate for apartments in the area. They also receive subsidiaries from the local governments and enormous tax credits.

According to an announcement at the time they bought the properties, the developers said they intended to renovate.

Andrew (left) and Charlie Gendron (right) of the LIHC group, the third investor

It's unclear if any renovations have yet begun.

The developers agreed to keep the properties within the city's roster of affordable housing when they purchased them.

They said they would keep them affordable for the next 40 years at least.

One of The Camber Group's founders is Rick Gropper, who was among hundreds listed as a contributor to new Mayor Eric Adams' transition team in the housing department.

The others are Andrew and Charlie Gendron, of the LIHC Group, and Paul Odland of Belveron.

A spokesman for Bronx Park Phase III Preservation LLC, the group of investors who own the building, told The New York Times that the fire alarm system in the building was working on Sunday and that there were no outstanding concerns.

'We are devastated by the unimaginable loss of life caused by this profound tragedy.

'We are cooperating fully with the Fire Department and other city agencies as they investigate its cause, and we are doing all we can to assist our residents.

'Our thoughts are with the families and friends of those who lost their lives or were injured, and we are here to support them as we recover from this horrific fire.'

FDNY investigators determined the fire was started after a space heater malfunctioned in a bedroom in Unit 3N. The heating unit - one of multiple in the residence - is believed to have been running uninterrupted for several days.

Fire experts have ruled the blaze accidental and said there will be no criminal charges filed against the family.

Wague recalled how his nine-person family fled the blaze: 'I heard my kids screaming, "Fire! Fire! in their room." I just got up and ran back there. I told them, "Everybody get out!" And everybody got out.'

The father made it downstairs to learn his eight-year-old daughter, Nafisha, was still in her bedroom.

'I went back for my daughter,' he told the Post. 'I could only think about getting her out, getting her safe.'

'I ran back up. There was fire everywhere, on the mattress, on my daughter. She had burns on her right side.'

The 47-year-old father pulled his screaming daughter from the burning bed, suffering burns to his lips and nose.

'When theres so much smoke and fire, all you can think is, "If I dont get out of here, I will die,"' Wague explained. 'I burned my face to get her out, and I didnt even feel it until much later.'

Wague said Nafisha suffered burns but is alive. She and his wife remained hospitalized Monday. Their current conditions are unknown.

Although flames damaged only a small part of the building, smoke poured through the apartments open door, turning stairwells into death traps.

The heavy smoke blocked some residents from escaping and incapacitated others as they tried to flee.

Firefighters carried out children and gave them oxygen and continued their rescue efforts even after their air supplies ran out.

Seventeen were confirmed dead, including children as young as five. Dozens of people were taken to hospital, including several who were in a critical condition.

New York mayor Eric Adams called the blaze an 'unspeakable tragedy' at a news conference near the scene on Monday.

'This tragedy is not going to define us,' Adams said. 'It is going to show our resiliency.'

PICTURED: Mom, her young son and two daughters killed in Bronx apartment block blaze as well as husband and wife who also perished in the flames, as stricken families share snaps of the missing

A New York City woman lost her sister, two nieces and a nephew in the Bronx apartment block fire that killed 17, with stricken families also sharing photos of their missing loved ones in the hopes of tracking them down.

Fatoumata Drammeh, 50, was killed in the fire, her grieving sister Koumba told DailyMail.com, as well as her three children: daughters Fatoumala, 21, and Aisha, 19, as well as son Mohammed, 12.

'They're such a nice people, they're so lovely,' said Koumba Drammeh of her sister, nieces and nephews. 'We're gonna miss them a lot.'

The inferno also took the lives of a family of five, whose ages ranged from five to 49.

Haji Dukuray, of Delaware, confirmed Monday the deaths of his 49-year-old nephew, who bares the same name, his wife, Haja Dukureh, 37, and their three children: Mustapha Dukuray, 12, Miriam Dukuray, 11, and Fatoumata Dukuray, 5.

Dukuray told New York Daily News is in contact with family in Gambia and working to determine next steps: 'The first step of closure for us is trying to retrieve the bodies.'

'In some cases we will bury the dead here. In some cases, we may fly them back to The Gambia,' he added.

Additionally, a husband and wife have been named as victims of the blaze.

The deaths of Hagi Jawara, 41, and his wife Isatou Jabbie, 31, were confirmed Monday evening by Hagi's brother, Yusupha Jawara.

Other family members and friends have shared photos of their loved ones online, in a desperate bid to track them down after Sunday's blaze at the Twin Parks North West Complex in the New York borough, which was triggered by a space heater.

Fatoumata Drammeh (pictured), 50, was killed in the fire, her sister Koumba told DailyMail.com, who said that she and her family were 'such lovely people'

Fatoumata's 12-year-old son Muhammad was the youngest member of the family to lose his life in the Bronx apartment building fire

Friends posted photos on Instagram stories asking for the whereabouts of the Drammeh family - mother Fatou and her daughter, Aisha and son, Muhammad - who have been missing since the fire

Isatou Jabbie, 31, and husband Hagi Jawara, 41, were confirmed dead Monday after the Bronx apartment building fire by Jawara's brother Yusupha

Dorel Anderson and her boyfriend Ramel Thompson were both in the apartment building during the fire and reported missing. Anderson, who has cerebral palsy and is in a wheelchair, was visiting Thompson at the time of the fire. She has been found. Thompson's whereabouts remain unknown

NBC New York reported that a police official had named the children killed in the blaze as Fatoumata Dukureh, aged 5, Mariam Dukureh, aged 11, five year-old Hawa Mahamdou, Mustapha Dukyhreh, who was 11, Omar Jambay, six, and Toure Seydou, who was 12.

Family members and neighbors are continuing to desperately search for any evidence of their missing relatives and friends in the wake of the apartment fire that was set after a faulty space heater set it alight and tore through the Bronx block killing eight children and nine adults.

Dorel Anderson and her boyfriend Ramel Thompson were reported missing after having been unaccounted for after residents evacuated the apartment building.

Anderson, who has cerebral palsy and is in a wheelchair, was visiting Thompson, a resident, at the time of the fire.

Her cousin, Lonell Sessoms, confirmed on Facebook that Anderson has since been found at an area hospital. She is 'intubated but alive'.

It is unclear if Thompson has yet been found.

The list of the missing was announced as an immigrant father has revealed he leaped through flames to save his eight children.

The death toll, originally reported as 19, was revised downwards to 17 on Monday. Addressing the reduced death toll, Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro said patients had been taken to seven different hospitals in the city, which led to 'a bit of a double count'.

Fire experts, attributing smoke to the fatalities, believe a self-closing door in the Twin Parks North West complex may have malfunctioned, allowing the smoke to spread through the building.

'The fire was contained to the hallway just outside this two-story apartment, but the smoke travelled throughout the building and the smoke is what caused the deaths and the serious injuries,' Nigro said during a press conference Monday.

FDNY commissioner Daniel Nigro said that 'very heavy' fire and smoke 'extended the entire height of the building' and confirmed that a space heater caused the blaze. Firefighters were pictured rescuing residents from the blaze early on Sunday

Some of the broken windows from a fire where a space heater caught fire and caused the devastation in the Bronx

Some of the items that caught on fire in apartment 3N

Mamadou Wague, who lived in Unit 3N with his wife and children, recalled how he was woken by his children screaming 'fire' and then found his eight-year-old daughter, Nafisha, screaming and trapped on a burning mattress in her bedroom.

'I just grab her and run,' the west African immigrant told the New York Times. 'I didnt think about anything except getting her out.'

Wague, 47, pulled his daughter from the burning bed, suffering burns to his lips and nose, and escaped the unit with his family. Nafisha sustained burns but is alive.

Fire Marshals ruled the fire 'accidental,' noting that it was caused by a malfunctioning space heater and that a 'smoke alarm was present and operational'.

A New York City official, who spoke to the newspaper on the condition of anonymity, revealed fire marshals suspect the space heater had been running uninterrupted for multiple days. According to a list of resident maintenance requests shared online, building received at least four complaints last year of units being without heat. It is unclear if Unit 3N was having an issue with heat.

Officials believe the fire spread so rapidly because Mr Wague left his apartment door open as he fled for his life with his kids.

Mayor Eric Adams said there may have been a 'maintenance issue,' as it was supposed to close automatically. He told CNN: 'The doors in the building did have self-closing mechanisms. We are just looking at that specific door.'

However, Andrew Ansbro, president of the FDNY Uniformed Firefighters Association Union, said the 49-year-old building was poorly equipped to deal with a fire.

'It was at a building that was built under federal guidelines way back when, so its not up to New York City fire codes,' he told the New York Daily News.

It has no fire escapes and stairwells meant to be used as emergency exits quickly filled with smoke, along with floors where stairwell doors were left open.

Large, new apartment buildings in the city are required to have sprinkler systems and interior doors that swing shut automatically to contain smoke and deprive fires of oxygen, however those rules don't apply to older buildings.

Many residents ignored the fire alarms when they went off on Sunday because they sound so frequently as false alarms.

'First we heard the fire alarm go off. Numerous times,' said Michael Joseph, 32, who lived on the sixth floor with his uncle. But we didn't think nothing of it, because normally people in the building, they smoke and tend to set it off. So we thought it was probably just people playing.'

The apartment complex was purchased for $24,675,000 in 2020 by a group of investors, including Camber Property Group. Rick Gropper, a co-founder and principal at Camber, was one of the nearly 800 individuals named last month to the new mayor's transition team.

Pope Francis offered his condolences Monday to the victims of the 'devastating' apartment fire. In a telegram sent to New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan he offered 'heartfelt condolences and the assurance of his spiritual closeness' to those affected by the blaze.

Firemen stand at the scene of a fire at a multi-level apartment building in the Bronx on Monday

Workers clean up at the scene of a fire at a multi-level apartment building in the Bronx on Monday

Some of the items that caught fire at 333 East 181st Street in the Fordham Heights area of the Bronx

The five-alarm blaze is New York City's deadliest in three decades. President Joe Biden, speaking with Mayor Adams Monday, offered his 'heartfelt condolences and support' to the victims, city leaders and residents. Biden told the mayor any resources the city needs will be made available.

Although the flames only damaged a small portion of the building, smoke escaped through the Wague family's open door and flooded the stairwells - the only method of escape as the building was too tall for fire escapes - with ash.

Some people could not escape because of the volume of smoke, while others became incapacitated as they tried to flee. Several residents said the fire alarms in the building are always going off so they ignored them.

While there have not been any major building violations or complaints listed against the building, according to city building records, however it was reportedly not up to code.

Public records show the building has open violations for cockroach and mouse infestations, lead paint and water leaks, however no structural violations were listed.

The New York Post reported there were more than two dozen violations and complaints at the building since 2013 - despite $25 million in state loans for repairs.

The Twin Parks North West complex is classified as a D1 building, according to Street Easy. The classification designates the complex as an elevator apartment building that is semi-fireproof and without stores.

D1 buildings can be found in all five boroughs of New York City and account for about 29 percent of complexes in the Bronx, Property Shark reported.

Investigators determined a malfunctioning electric space heater started the fire in the 19-story building, leaving victims on 'every floor.'

Eight children were among at least 17 people killed and 63 injured in Sunday's inferno. Dozens of residents were hospitalized, several in critical condition, and doctors were continuing efforts to save victims live on Monday.

The mayor said it's likely the death toll could rise.

'We pray to God that they'll be able to pull through,' Mayor Adams said during a CNN interview Monday morning.

Firefighters respond to a five-alarm blaze that broke out in the Bronx on Sunday

Clean-up and recovery workers are seen Monday cleaning in front of a Bronx apartment building a day after a fire swept through the complex

At least 200 firefighters responded to the scene, some arriving within minutes of the initial call for help. As they entered the building, the first responders were met with flames in the hallway.

Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro said an investigation was underway to determine how the fire spread and whether anything could have been done to prevent or contain the blaze.

Adams said it appears the smoke spread due to a door that was supposed to automatically close being open.

'There may have been a maintenance issue with this door. And that is going to be part of the .. ongoing investigation,' Adams said on Good Morning America.

The mayor said the fire crews continued rescue measures even after running out of oxygen.

'Their oxygen tanks were empty and they still pushed through the smoke,' he explained, noting that icy conditions made it difficult for firefighters to put out the blaze.

Jay Jimenez, who lives in the building next door, said he went into the building to help rescue trapped residents. He said he helped 'a lot' of people make it to safety, but also recalled the horrifying moments he carried deceased victims out of the building.

'I was just focused on the mission,' Jimenez, 35, told DailyMail.com on Monday. He said he helped the fire department as they brought victims to the lobby: 'I pulled them out, while they bring them through the stairs and out the front lobby and I just took them by the knees and brought them all the way outside.'

He added: 'I couldn't sleep last night - I haven't slept. I feel sad. I got kids. I saw a three-year-old completely dead and that's in my mind. I am not the same. It's really sad.'

Jimenez also applauded the 'hero' first responders who risked their lives to help the trapped residents.

'The impact of this fire is going to really bring a level of pain and despair in this city,' Mayor Adams said during a press conference early on Sunday, shortly after the blaze was extinguished.

'The numbers are horrific. We have over 32 people who are life-threatening at this time. This is going to be one of the worst fires we have witnessed in the City of New York in modern times.'

Sunday's blaze came just days after a Philadelphia house fire killed 12 people, including eight children.

That was the deadliest fire at a U.S. residential apartment building since 2017, when 13 people died in an apartment in the Bronx, according to data from the National Fire Protection Association.

That fire started after a three-year-old boy was playing with stove burners.

The deadliest fire prior to that was in 1989 when a Tennessee apartment building fire claimed the lives of 16 people.
Friends of the teenage mom who tossed her newborn in a dumpster in Hobbs, New Mexico over the weekend then told cops she didn't realize she was pregnant until the day before she gave birth, have claimed that the 18-year-old told them she was expecting four months ago.

Alexis Avila, 18, of New Mexico, who was caught on video throwing the baby boy into a dumpster, was arrested and charged with attempted murder and child abuse. She was released within two hours of the arrest after posting $10,000 unsecured bail.

Avila told police she did not know she was pregnant until she went to a doctor for stomach pain last Thursday, a day before giving birth in the bathroom at her home.

But one of Avila's school friends at Hobbs High School, who declined to be named but has known her since freshman year, told DailyMail.com that the new mom first mentioned she was pregnant last fall.

'I heard her talk about being pregnant around late September, early October,' she said. 'She never expressed that it was a bad thing that she was pregnant.'

Avila reportedly dropped out of high school on December 17. Hobbs High School refused to comment on her case.

The baby's 16-year-old father, who is not being named by DailyMail.com because he is a minor, has also claimed that Avila not only knew she was pregnant but had told him she suffered a miscarriage.

The teen, who attended Hobbs High School with Avila, has called his son Saul and is reportedly asking for custody of his son. The baby is currently with the New Mexico Children, Youth & Families Department. The department has not responded to DailyMail.com's requests for comment.

The couple had been dating for a year and a half before they split up last August, Avila claims.

The age of consent in New Mexico is 17, meaning the baby's father was underage when they had sex. Avila may not face statutory rape charges however, as she is less than four years older than her ex.

Scroll down for video

After giving birth, Avila said she 'panicked.' She wrapped her son in a towel, placed him in a white plastic bag containing some trash, and a larger black trash bag, and drove around, before throwing the child in the dumpster at the Broadmoor Shopping Center at around 2pm. The baby was found six hours later

The teen, who attended Hobbs High School with Avila, has called his son Saul and is reportedly asking for custody of his son. In messages with a friend, he sounded frustrated and upset by the news

This week, panicked 911 calls emerged detailing the horrifying moment a newborn baby was found in a dumpster in New Mexico after Avila tossed him in the trash six hours earlier in 30-degree weather.

'We just found a baby in the god***n trash,' the caller is heard saying. 'He's freezing cold and still has his umbilical cord attached.'

It was around 8 p.m. that evening when a trio of dumpster divers, named by police as Michael Green, Hector Jesso and April Meadow, rescued the infant after hearing his cries.

At first, they thought it was a cat as they pulled a trash bag from the dumpster.

Surveillance video captured the scene as they opened the bag to find a shivering, whimpering newborn baby inside.

Incredibly, the baby was still alive, with the umbilical cord still attached. Police are then seen arriving at the scene.

'He's whimpering, he was not crying actually,' the caller told 911. 'I was looking for some stuff in the dumpster and we heard... We heard something I didn't know it was a baby. Thought it was a cat.'

Another dumpster diver joined the conversation with the 911 operator explaining that the baby still had his umbilical cord attached and that he was very weak.

'He's freezing cold and he's very, very, very weak,' she said.

The woman is heard saying that she had wrapped the baby inside her coat to keep him warm while trying to comfort him as he's heard whimpering on the 911 call.

Panicked 911 calls have emerged detailing the horrifying moment a newborn baby was found in a dumpster in New Mexico. 'We just found a baby in the god**n trash,' the caller is heard saying. 'He's freezing cold and still has his umbilical cord attached'

Footage from the same camera caught the moment a heroic woman rescued the child from the dumpster

The woman is heard saying that she had wrapped the baby inside her coat to keep him warm while trying to comfort him as he's heard whimpering on the 911 call

Joe Imbriale, who owns Rig Outfitters and Homestore, said his surveillance cameras are pointed toward the dumpsters where the baby was found.

'Something wasn't right, I saw the officers' faces, and they did not look right,' he told DailyMail. 'I said 'What is it we are looking for?' and she goes 'We're looking for somebody who dumped a black garbage bag in your dumpster.' I turned around, I said 'please don't tell me it was a baby'.'

When police reviewed the video, they found the baby had been dumped nearly six hours earlier.

'What was even harder, that nobody has seen, is five hours of video of people dumping trash on this baby,' Imbriale said. 'That poor baby spent more time in that dumpster than she spent in jail.'

He added that the whole situation is 'heartbreaking.

Police say it was the video that led them to the child's mother.

Avila claims she did not know she was pregnant until the day before she delivered her baby in a bathroom.

But Imbriale told DailyMail.com that several girls he employs at his business told him they knew she was pregnant at the end of last year and that she would punch herself in the stomach, telling the girls, 'I wish this baby would die.'

August Fons, the acting chief of Hobbs police department, said he had never before come across a case like this.

'If you are struggling with a new infant, the best response is to find somebody who can help you with that,' he said. 'Contact us, and let us help you through the situation.'

Surveillance video showed a woman arriving in a white Volkswagen Jetta before opening the back door and tossing a black trash bag into a dumpster in Hobbs, New Mexico, at around 2 p.m. on January 7.

Six hours later, footage showed three people looking through the dumpster before one of them found the infant inside.

Chief Fons thanked the trio for saving the baby's life. He said the trio's quick action was 'absolutely pivotal' in saving the baby boy's life.

Fons also acknowledged the officers who responded to the scene.

'These types of calls often stay with officers long after they're resolved, often for many, many years,' Fons added.

A GoFundMe account has been created for Michael Green, one of the three people who rescued the baby.

'We want to raise enough money to help get him off the streets and in a RV camper or something,' the account reads. 'Anything will help!'

According to a criminal complaint obtained by KRQE on Monday, Avila confessed to throwing away her child. The 18-year-old mother told police she did not know she was pregnant until she went to a doctor for a stomach pain on Thursday.

The following day, she delivered her son in a bathroom at her parents' home. After giving birth, Avila said she 'panicked.'

She wrapped her son in a towel, placed him in a white plastic bag containing some trash, and a larger black trash bag, and drove around, before throwing the child in the dumpster at the Broadmoor Shopping Center at around 2 p.m.

New Mexico has a Safe Haven law, which allows a person to leave an infant not more than 90 days old with the staff of a hospital without fear of criminal prosecution.

After the baby was found, he was taken to a hospital in Hobbs and then transferred to a hospital in Lubbock, Texas, which has a more advanced NICU unit.

When doctors assessed the baby, they found that his body temperate was so low that it did not register, indicating hypothermia. The newborn was also given a blood transfusion, and put on a feeding tube and oxygen.

Police said the baby was in a stable condition at the hospital on Monday.

During her interview with the police, Avila was quoted as referring to her child as 'it.'

Avila's mother, Martha Avila, told investigators she was not aware of her daughter's pregnancy.

Police later executed a search warrant at the family's home and seized physical evidence, including bloody clothing.

The shocking footage from New Mexico shows Avila tossing her baby in to a dumpster in a trash bag

Avila is seen driving off in her car which was later used to find her, after abandoning her baby

Avila told cops she did not know she was pregnant until she went to see a doctor for a stomach pain on January 6. The next say, she delivered her son in her parents' bathroom

Imbriale told DailyMail.com that he 'can't sleep at night just knowing that this baby was just tossed in a dumpster like that. I'm sorry but who does that? That is evil. I don't have words for it.'

Avila could face up to 15 years in prison, depending on what charges are ultimately filed said Dianna Luce, the district attorney.

Her arraignment is set for 2:15 p.m. on Wednesday, January 11, in Lea County District Court.
The White House announced it was providing $308 million in humanitarian aid for Afghanistan on Tuesday morning, as half the country's population faces desperate hunger.

It came as the United Nations appealed for more than $5 billion to stave off disaster following the Taliban takeover last year.

Billions of dollars in Afghan assets were frozen and international assistance was shut off overnight as Western governments, which had fought the Taliban, turned off help.

At the end of last year, the Biden administration issued what it described as 'broad authorizations' to allow the United Nations, aid agencies, U.S. government agencies to work with the Taliban and blacklisted groups to deliver help without falling foul of sanctions.

White House spokesperson Emily Horne said Tuesday that the new assistance from the U.S. Agency for International Development will be channeled through independent humanitarian organizations for shelter, health care, emergency food aid, water, sanitation and hygiene services.

'The United States is committed to supporting the Afghan people and we continue to consider all options available to us,' she said.

'We stand with the people of Afghanistan.'

A nurse checks the weight of a child in a makeshift clinic organized by World Vision at a settlement near Herat, Afghanistan. The White House on Tuesday announced $308 million in additional humanitarian assistance for Afghanistan, offering new aid to the country as it edges toward a humanitarian crisis since the Taliban takeover nearly five months earlier

A burqa-clad Afghan woman sits with a child on her lap as she seeks alms from passers-by on a bridge covered with snow in Kabul on January 6, 2022

The Taliban takeover in August prompted foreign governments to turn of funding that accounted for about 75 percent of government spending, triggering a crisis

President Joe Biden has been accused of abandoning Afghanistan after he took the decision to bring home US troops, paving the way for the Taliban to return to power

The US also said it would be sending a million extra doses of coronavirus vaccine.

But the aid immediately raised concerns that it could fall into the wrong hands or help cement the Taliban's position.

Brett Bruen, White House director of engagement under President Barack Obama, said: 'I don't understand why we didn't condition this aid on the Taliban meeting some basic human rights standards, without which the humanitarian situation is only going to worsen.'

Campaigners warn that the Taliban takeover, after President withdrew American troops last summer, has triggered a human rights crisis as well as a humanitarian disaster.

Girls in most of the country have been denied access to high schools; Taliban gunmen have carried out summary executions of former officials and security force personnel; and journalists have been beaten and intimidated.

This week video emerged showing hardliners beheading female mannequins because they apparently offended the group's strict interpretation of Islam.

The takeover in August immediately halted most foreign funding, which had supported about three quarters of government spending.

Banks quickly ran short of cash and millions of people lost their incomes.

Foreign governments have been reluctant to recognize the country's new rulers, complicating the delivery of much needed help.

On Tuesday, the United Nations launched an appeal for $4.4 billion to provide humanitarian aid - its biggest ever appeal for a single country.

Martin Griffiths, the UN's emergency relief coordinator, said events had unfolded at a 'dizzying speed' and a catastrophe was looming.

'Humanitarian partners are on the ground, and they are delivering, despite the challenges,' he said.

'Help us scale up to stave off wide-spread hunger, disease, malnutrition and ultimately death by supporting the humanitarian plan we are launching today.'

At the same time, the UN asked for more than $600 million to help refugees spread through neighboring countries.

UN High Commission for Refugees Filippo Grandi said: 'The international community must do everything it can to prevent a catastrophe in Afghanistan, which would not only compound suffering but would drive further displacement both within the country and throughout the region.'

Last month the UN's refugee agency forecast that 23 million people - more than half its population - faced extreme hunger. Some nine million were at risk of famine, it said.
Noem is the latest Republican governor to roll out a plan of attack against progressive teachings in public schools and universities

South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem released draft legislation on Monday taking aim at public schools forcing students into political activism for a grade, three weeks after rolling out a similar bill seeking to outlaw Critical Race Theory in schools and colleges receiving federal dollars.

Her draft bill, Protecting Students from Action Civics, would make it illegal for students' grades to be contingent on their attendance at a political protest.

The measure also forbids public universities and schools from scoring students on attempts to influence the passage of any specific legislation, the election of officials or 'any public officer in the performance of their duties,' according to the draft text.

Noem said students should not 'be forced to choose one political ideology over another or be forced to protest or lobby as part of their education.'

'In South Dakota, we will focus on education, not indoctrination,' the Republican governor added Monday.

She quoted John Adams: 'Children should be educated and instructed in the principles of freedom.'

'Our Founding Fathers wanted the American people to be well-educated in our system of government, so our students should learn how to participate in it,' Noem said.

Simulated protests or mock lobbying for education purposes would still be permitted, according to the draft text.

In late December Noem announced she was drafting legislation to outlaw Critical Race Theory teachings in the classroom.

Her bill would block lessons that people are 'inherently superior or inferior' based on race, religion, sex or national origin; that someone 'should be adversely treated or feel discomfort, guilt, anguish, or any other form of psychological distress because of their race, color, religion, sex, ethnicity, or national origin'; or that people are 'inherently responsible for actions committed in the past' by 'members of the same race, color, religion, sex, ethnicity, or national origin.'

Her draft bill forbids public universities and schools from scoring students on attempts to influence the passage of any specific legislation, the election of officials or 'any public officer in the performance of their duties'

'No one should be treated differently because of their race, they are sex and we will make sure this is in our school systems K-12 recognizing students are influenced by the teachers and the curriculum they have each and every day,' Noem said Tuesday on Fox News.

CRT is a legal theory, usually not discussed until law school, that racism is inherently built into American institutions.

Action civics is an alternative form of social studies education that aims to give students real-world policy and government engagement experience.

Critics have denounced the learning method as 'social justice propaganda' attempting to force students into an ideology they may not agree with or understand.

'Action Civics is a student-centered, project-based approach to civics education that develops the individual skills, knowledge, and dispositions necessary for 21st-century democratic practice,' states the National Action Civics Collaborative, a group dedicated to promoting action civics education nationwide.

'Our democracy will be strengthened when all young people, especially those from underserved communities, have the skills and opportunities to participate meaningfully.'

Education settings have become a political lightening rod this year with Republicans siding with angry parents across the country who are protesting mask-wearing and critical race theory in schools

A think piece published by the National Association of Scholars took aim at the alternative learning practice.

Action Civics, also known as New Civics, the group said, 'denied students the chance to acquire knowledge of how our governing institutions work or why they were created, and instead taught partisan political commitment, protest, and activism, often with the guidance of overtly partisan teachers.'

'Radicals who espouse identity politics, and those who espouse such overlapping ideologies of critical race theory, multiculturalism, so-called anti-racism, and Neo-Marxist forms of "social justice," seek to annihilate our liberty, our republic, and the national culture that underpins them both.

'Their favored educational tactic is to remove traditional civics from our schools and to replace them with New Civics, which inculcates the successor ideology of identity politics instead.'

The American education system has become a political lightening rod with clashes over mask-wearing in schools and race-based teachings.

In response to suburban parents' uproar Republicans across the country are cracking down on CRT and publicly standing against COVID mandates for students.

Over the weekend House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy pledged to pass a 'parents' bill of rights' if the GOP takes back control of Congress in the 2022 election.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, a rising star within the party, introduced his own crackdown on CRT in public schools in the Sunshine State.
Senate Republicans are threatening to force votes on a slew of bills designed to split the Democratic caucus and take over the floor agenda should Majority Leader Charles Schumer carry out his threat to push through a change in Senate filibuster rules for voting rights.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, who has been leading a Republican filibuster against the bills, threatened to use Senate rules to call up a raft of legislation in response  including bills that might peel off a vote a or two from vulnerable Democrats.

'Since Sen. Schumer is hellbent on trying to break the Senate, Republicans will show how this reckless action would have immediate consequences,' McConnell vowed.

He reiterated his threat on the Senate floor Tuesday morning.

'I want to make something very, very clear. Fifty Republican senators  the largest possible minority  have been sent here to represent the many millions of Americans whom leader Schumer wants so badly to leave behind,' McConnell said. 'So, if my colleague tries to break the Senate to silence those millions of Americans, we will make their voices heard in this chamber in ways that are more inconvenient for the majority and this White House than what anybody has seen in living memory.'

McConnell's planned virtual takeover of the floor agenda would not result in new laws  Democrats could block them and President Biden could veto them anyway. But it could put pressure on Democrats while also tying up the floor with procedural votes.

On tap would be legislation including a bill on the Keystone XL pipeline, a project President Joe Biden blocked at the start of his term. An amendment to revive it drew support from Sens. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and Jon Tester (D-Mont.) early last year.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell is threatening to use Senate rules to bring up controversial legislation that might put some vulnerable Democrats in a bind if Democrats proceed with a move to try to change Senate filibuster rules

McConnell's threat came on Monday in a comment to the Wall Street Journal. He has scheduled a press conference on Tuesday where he will continue to beat the drum.

'We have a lot of bills, actually, that have bipartisan support that Democrats have expressed support for previously,' said Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), the party's Number Two leader.

The minority party has traditionally vowed to carry out harsh delaying tactics when the majority threatens to change the rules to its advantage  one reason changes to the Senate filibuster have been termed the 'nuclear option' over the years.

Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer says the chamber will vote on filibuster changes if the Senate doesn't act by Monday on voting rights

The GOP votes could put pressure on senators like Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), who has opposed changes to the filibuster

One of the bills Republicans would try to bring up would seek to revive the Keystone XL pipeline

Republicans are able to try to bring up the legislation in the 50-50 Senate through provisions of Rule 14  which allows a senator to place legislation directly on the Senate calendar.

It still would be subject to a filibuster, so Democrats could prevent the bills from becoming law. But the procedural move could force Democrats to cast votes out of step with the majority of their colleagues, turning up the heat on senators like Manchin, and targets including Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Mark Kelly (Ariz.) and Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.)

Schumer, in remarks to colleagues Monday evening, tried to call McConnell's bluff.

He offered a 'unanimous consent' motion to bring up all the bills on McConnell's wish list, plus the two Democratic voting rights bills, but McConnell objected.

President Joe Biden is making a push for voting rights legislation with a speech in Atlanta Monday, and is expected to call for changes to filibuster rules in the chamber where he served for more than three decades.

Schumer has said the Senate will vote on a change to the filibuster rules by MLK Day this coming Monday if the chamber doesn't take action on voting rights. The legislative filibuster allows a minority to block debate on a measure unless then majority can muster 60 votes.

Other legislation on McConnell's list would codify Trump Administration water policy rules, Yahoo News reported. Another would block American Rescue Plan funds for schools that aren't conducting in-person learning. Still another would block settlement payments to illegal immigrants  following reports the Justice Department was planning payouts to parents who were separated from their children.

Other votes could target hot-button issues like abortion and a border wall.

Current rules require 60 votes to cut off debate on legislation, allowing a minority to block action by the majority.

They have been modified on occasion, including in 2013, when Democrats ended the requirement for administration and lower court nominees. Republicans took a similar action for Supreme Court nominees in 2017. Both those changes came on a simple majority vote.

The threshold for changing the requirement for 'closure' to cut off debate also has been changed, with a two-thirds majority of those present put in place in 1917 and a three-fifths majority of those 'chosen and sworn' in 1975.
Italian police investigating New Year's Eve sex attacks on at least nine women in Milan have carried out raids today after 18 suspects were identified.

The attacks, reminiscent to the infamous New Year's Eve assaults in Cologne in 2016, occurred as people were celebrating in Milan's Piazza del Duomo.

Police said they had identified 15 young men and three boys, aged 15 to 21, who were the targets of today's raids in the northern cities of Milan and Turin. The suspects were described as foreigners or Italians of North-African origin.

Italian police investigating New Year's Eve sex attacks on at least nine women in Milan have carried out raids today after 18 suspects were identified. Pictured: People light flares as they celebrate New Year's Eve in Milan's Piazza del Duomo square, December 31, 2021

'The young men who sexually assaulted girls in Piazza Duomo in Milan on New Year's Eve have been identified,' said Milan police in a statement.

Through surveillance images, witness testimony and social media tracking, police were able to piece together 'three different episodes of violence' committed against nine young women that night, they said.

Police and prosecutors have said they were aware of three attacks on New Year's Eve in Milan's central square.

In one incident, a 19-year-old woman who was celebrating the beginning of 2022 with a friend was assaulted by a group of youths at around 01:30.

Her friend was able to escape the gang, but the teenager was attacked for more than a minute before she was helped.

Among other victims were two 20-year-old German tourists, according to Italian news agency ANSA, who were pushed by against barrier and sexually assaulted.

Italian Carabinieri officers in riot gear keep watch during New Year's Eve celebrations in Piazza del Duomo square (or Cathedral Square) in Milan, northern Italy, 31 December 2021

'I realised they were touching me and we wanted to escape but there were too many of them,' one of the victims told ANSA in a January 7 news story.

'We tried to push them back, my friend hit and slapped them but they were laughing and they continued to assault us. I had 15 hands on me.'

She said her friend fell and she suddenly felt hands groping her, she said. Footage of the attack has emerged showing them trying to escape.

The young German complained that while police were on duty, they did little to help and did not understand when they tried to explain what happened in English.

Another girl was separately attacked in streets close to the piazza, the BBC said.

Among various videos published by local media, one shows a group of men surrounding two young women who are pressed against a police barricade.

New Year's Eve celebrations in Piazza del Duomo square (or Cathedral Square) in Milan, northern Italy, 31 December 2021

Pictured: Crowds of people gather outside Cologne Main Station in Cologne on 31 December 2015 - on a night when around 1,200 women were raped, sexually assaulted or robbed

They are seen trying to shove the men away before they extricate themselves from the crowd and run toward police in riot gear at the edge of the plaza.

The incident has led news headlines for days and has fed into concerns about violence against women in Italy, where newspapers report the deaths of one or two women almost every week, usually at the hands of their current or former partner.

'I hope that justice will be done and that they will soon find those who attacked us' one of the victims told ANSA.

The scenes in Milan on New Year's Eve have been likened to those seen in Cologne, Germany in 2016 when some 1,000 people - mainly of North African origin - carried out a series of rapes, sexual assaults and robberies.

Police in the city were also accused of failing to respond to the attacks against around 1,200 women, with officials later speculating the attacks were organised.

Then-German Chancellor Angela Merkel described the attacks as 'abominable'.

By November 2016, around 200 suspects had been identified nationwide.
Kevin McCarthy says if Republicans retake a majority in the House next year he is considering instituting a ban or limit on lawmakers' ability to purchase and trade stocks after Nancy Pelosi came out against such rules on members of Congress.

The House minority leader told Punchbowl News in their Tuesday morning newsletter that the plan is in its early stages, but one idea includes only allowing lawmakers to hold professionally managed mutual funds.

The push for a ban on trading and holding stocks has escalated in recent months after concerns came up regarding a slew of market activity from lawmakers following an early 2020 briefing on the threat of COVID-19 before the public was privy to that information.

The accusations prompted Justice Department investigations into the financial activity of Senators Dianne Feinstein, James Inhofe and Richard Burr, as well as former Senator Kelly Loeffler. All four probes have since been closed and none of the lawmakers who engaged in stock activity following that briefing have been charged with any wrongdoing.

The idea has also gained more traction after Pelosi came out against regulation on lawmakers' market activity two days before her husband Paul, 81, last month bought millions in stocks.

Currently under the 2012 Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge Act (STOCK Act) lawmakers and their aides are prohibited from using non-public information for private profit, including trade and holding stock. It also requires them to publicly disclose stock and bond transactions within 45 days.

Otherwise, there are few guardrails in place on Congress' private dollars.

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy says he is considering legislation that would limit or ban lawmakers' stock activity if Republicans retake the majority in the 2022 midterms

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (right) came out against such regulations just days before it was revealed that her husband Paul (left) traded millions of dollars in tech stocks

The new proposals would further restrict trading and holding individual stocks, especially as representatives and senators often hear sensitive or confidential information regarding U.S. policy that could impact the markets.

One proposal Republicans are considering, according to McCarthy, include banning lawmakers from holding stock in companies or industries in which their respective committees oversee.

Some lawmakers have pushed for mandatory blind trusts for all members' holdings.

Freshman Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff, 34, is also reportedly looking into proposals that would ban members and their families from participating in the stock market for the duration of their congressional term.

A similar bill to Ossoff's was introduced in the Senate in March, the Ban Conflicted Trading Act. However, its trading ban only extends to members of Congress and their staff, excluding Ossoff's limits on spouses and other family members.

Ossoff, the youngest sitting member of the Senate, is likely to face powerful opposition within his own party, especially after Pelosi spoke out against the measure. His bill would also specifically affect her husband's prolific trading activity.

Georgia Senator Jon Ossoff, 34, is one of 10 lawmakers to put their financial assets in a blind trust. He is considering a bill that would ban individual trading of lawmakers and their families during a congressional term

Paul Pelosi traded millions of dollars in individual stock trades just last month alone. In December, the House Speaker's husband bought shares in Google's parent company Alphabet, Disney, Roblox and Salesforce, among others.

'We're a free market economy,' Pelosi told reporters during a news conference on December 15. '[Lawmakers] should be able to participate in that.'

Two days later, Paul bought stock in Alphabet worth between $500,001 and $1 million. He also bought shares in Disney worth between $100,001 and $250,000.

Three days after that on December 20, he made two separate purchases in Salesforce  one worth between $100,001 and $250,000 and another between $500,001 and $1 million, and one purchase of Roblox worth between $250,001 and $500,000.

On December 21, he purchased stock in Micron Technology worth between $250,001 and $500,000 and on December 22, there was a purchase of Reoff XX worth $50,001-$100,000.

Over the course of five days, Paul Pelosi purchased stock worth anywhere between $1,750,007 and $3,600,000.

Paul Pelosi has proven himself a prolific stock trader, so much so that social investing app Iris allows users to track their trades and be notified every time he makes a purchase so that they can do the same.

Pelosi's periodic transaction report reveals her family is making millions of dollars while she's in Congress

Ossoff is also one of only 10 lawmakers of the current 535-voting member Congress to put his financial assets in a qualified blind trust, a Congressionally-approved arrangement where a lawmaker transfers control over their assets to an independent entity.

His planned legislation, according to the Post, could force his colleagues to do the same.

As many as 49 legislators and 182 Congressional staffers were found to have violated the STOCK Act by reporting their trades late from January through September 2021.

Throughout 2020, 220 representatives and senators, around 40 per cent of Congress, held a combined sum of $225 million in stock assets.
Detectives probing the disappearance of a teenage boy who went missing almost 15 years ago have arrested two men on suspicion of kidnap and human trafficking.

Andrew Gosden vanished from Doncaster in September 2007 aged 14 and the mystery surrounding his disappearance has been one of the most high-profile missing persons cases of the last 20 years.

The straight-A student was last seen on CCTV at King's Cross in September 2007 at around 11.20am the same day - but the reason for him heading to the capital and his whereabouts have since remained a mystery.

His father, Kevin, previously feared that a child sex ring was involved in Andrew's abduction. But despite national TV and radio appeals, poster and e-mail campaigns, he has not been seen since.

Now, detectives have confirmed they arrested two men in London, assisted by officers from the Metropolitan Police, on Wednesday, December 8.

South Yorkshire Police said a 45-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of kidnap, human trafficking and the possession of indecent images of children. And a 38-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of kidnap and human trafficking. Both have now been released under investigation while enquiries continue.

Andrew, who would be 28 now, disappeared on September 14, 2007 - just four months after Madeleine McCann had gone missing in May.

Andrew Gosden (pictured) was just 14 when he vanished after he left his house in Doncaster, South Yorkshire, withdrew 200 and bought a one-way ticket to London

Kevin Gosden (right) and wife Glenys (left), have commissioned their own searches over the years in a bid to find Andrew

The straight-A student was last seen on CCTV at King's Cross in September 2007, but his reason for heading to the capital and his whereabouts have remained a mystery

Now, detectives have confirmed they arrested two men, assisted by officers from the Metropolitan Police, on Wednesday, December 8

A statement issued on behalf of Andrew Gosden's family on Twitter said: 'It is a difficult time for Andrew's family who currently know no more than what is written in the article.

'Police investigations will be ongoing for quite a while and we respectfully ask you to give them your support and consideration whilst this takes place.'

Andrew left his home in the Balby area of Doncaster on September 14 and was seen heading down Littlemoor Lane, towards Westfield Park, at around 8.30am.

Once his parents had left for work, Andrew returned home and changed out of his school uniform into casual clothes, consisting of a black Slipknot T-shirt, black jeans, and a black bag.

Around an hour later, he withdrew 200 from his bank account and boarded a London-bound train at Doncaster station.

He was captured on CCTV at Kings Cross station at around 11.20am the same day. That was the last known sighting of Andrew, and since then no information about his movements has been corroborated by police, despite a massive manhunt.

Happier times: Kevin Gosden (centre) pictured with daughter Charlotte and son Kevin, who has been missing for almost 15 years

Andrew's face has featured in campaigns all across the country as missing persons charities have publicised his case everywhere from on milk cartons to buses. Kevin (pictured) previously said that police fixated on accusing him of involvement in Andrew's disappearance, driving him into a deep depression

Kevin Gosden (front), with daughter Charlotte (middle) and wife Glenys (back), lighting a candle at the Altar of St James Church in Piccadilly, central London, where a service to mark the one year anniversary of his 14-year-old son's disappearance too place in 2008

Video footage and witnesses reveal Andrew boarded a train at Doncaster and spent the journey playing on his handheld PlayStation. By around 11.45am, the 14-year-old was in London, hundreds of miles away from home and his family.

The contradictions in Andrew's behaviour that day has led to conflicting theories about whether he had decided to run away, or if he was on a day trip that went horribly wrong.

One theory is that Andrew had arranged to meet a friend or attend a concert in the capital when something or someone happened to him, but no evidence of a plan has ever been uncovered.

A more sinister suggestion is that Andrew was groomed by someone who had arranged to meet him in London that day. But again, no evidence of any communication with anyone on his plans has ever come to light.

Senior investigating officer, Detective Inspector Andy Knowles, said: 'Our priority at this time is supporting Andrew's family while we work through this new line of enquiry in the investigation.

'We are in close contact with them and they ask that their privacy is respected as our investigation continues.

'We have made numerous appeals over the years to find out where Andrew is and what happened to him when he disappeared.

'I would encourage anyone with any information they have not yet reported to come forward.'

Despite national TV and radio appeals, poster and e-mail campaigns, he has not been seen since he disappeared in September 2007

South Yorkshire Police released a computer generated image of what he would Andrew could look like now back in 2019

Over the years since his disappearance, Andrew's family has campaigned hard to try to find what had happened to him.

A search was made of the River Thames at one stage Experts even drew up artists' impressions of what he would look like as an adult to try to update the search.

Timeline from the day Andrew Gosden disappeared Andrew left his home in the Balby area of Doncaster on 14 September 2007

Once his parents had left for work he returned home and changed out of his school uniform

He was seen at 8:30am as he headed down Littlemoor Lane, Balby, towards Westfield Park

An hour later, he withdrew 200 and boarded a London-bound train at Doncaster station

Andrew was last seen on CCTV at Kings Cross station at around 11.20am the same day - there have been no other confirmed sightings

His family started campaigning to find what had happened to him

A year after his disappearance, the head teacher at McAuley Catholic High School, Mary Lawrence, travelled to London with staff and pupils and distributed 15,000 leaflets

Andrew's family have kept his room as he left it and not changed the locks on the house as it is believed he took his key

In September 2009, the family released computer-generated images of what Andrew might look like aged sixteen, to mark the second year of his disappearance

In 2016, his parents appealed for information on BBC's Panorama

To mark the tenth anniversary, the charity Missing People made Andrew the face of their 'Find Every Child' campaign - featuring on billboards and advertisements throughout the UK

On 12 September 2017, it was announced that police were launching a fresh appeal

In July 2018, to mark Andrew's 25th birthday, two updated age progression photographs were released by the family

In October 2019, another updated image of Gosden was released

During an episode on BBC's Crimewatch Live - aired in March 2020 - Andrew's father Kevin made fresh appeal for information

Andrew's family launch pre-Christmas appeal in November 2021 and said they 'will never give up hope that they will one day find him' Advertisement

South Yorkshire Police also released an updated computer-generated image of what Andrew may look like in 2019 in the hope renewed publicity might finally lead to the answers.

Andrew's father Kevin previously told the Sunday People, police fixated on accusing him of being involved, meaning crucial time was lost.

He said: 'It's one of the horrifying thoughts that goes through your head even though you don't want it there.

'I feel that he was going to something and, somewhere along the line, he fell foul of somebody.'

He said he was also driven to the point that he attempted to kill himself, and was in no mental state to properly raise his daughter Charlotte.

Kevin added: 'But because of my mental state after Andrew disappeared I was unable to be the dad I wanted to be while Charlotte was still at home.'

Kevin and wife Glenys thought their son had headed to London to 'broaden his horizons' and indulge his passion for visiting museums.

The Gosdens were both working as speech therapists when Andrew disappeared.

Kevin gave up work because he couldn't 'think straight' and has struggled with depression ever since.

Andrew, who was predicted straight A*s in his GCSEs, had been earmarked for the government's Gifted and Talented scheme, which aims to stretch top students.

He disappeared eight days into the new school term and was last seen on grainy CCTV footage leaving King's Cross station - the only confirmed sighting of him.

In behaviour completely out of character, he had pretended to leave for McAuley Catholic High School as normal, returning home to get changed and then get a train to London.

Andrew's bank account has not been used since he made the withdrawal on the morning of his disappearance.

Kevin issued a fresh appeal for information last year on The Missing Podcast in the hope renewed publicity might finally lead to answers.

Describing how it feels to still be searching all these years later, he said: 'You know when your kids are little and you're in a shopping centre, or on the beach or on the park or something and you lose sight of them for a minute? And you get that heart in your mouth, heart-wrenching, 'oh my god, where are they' sensation?

'It's that sensation just prolonged for hours, days, weeks, months and years, where you're just absolutely panicking about making sure you're kid's safe.

'The not knowing, the waking up every day for ever and ever wondering about his existence, even... It's an extended torture.'

'No traces were ever found of him communicating with anybody,' Kevin said. 'We never have found one shred of evidence that he had an event or destination in mind that he was communicating with anybody. It genuinely seems that whatever was going on in his head was only in his head.'

Kevin also struggles to accept that his son would put his family through the heartache of running away. Just a few weeks before his own disappearance, Andrew and Kevin spoke about Madeleine McCann, who had gone missing in May 2007.

'I remember sitting on the sofa in our front room seeing the news of Madeleine McCanns disappearance unfolding and going 'it must be every parent's worst nightmare',' Kevin recalled. 'And Andrew goes, 'yeah, that's awful'. And a few weeks later he disappears off the face of the Earth.'

As well as appealing for information, Kevin urged parents to remain vigilant and to discuss the issue of going missing with their own children.

He added: 'This could happen to anybody. Like us, everything might seem perfectly comfortable and normal and yet, out of the blue this happens.

'I encourage people to talk about this with their kids. It never, ever crossed our minds to talk about going missing.'
Covid may linger and remain infectious in shower and steam rooms for at least 20 minutes after an infected person has left, a study suggests.

Bristol University researchers found that the SARS-CoV-2 virus thrives in humid or damp environments.

Until now, studies into how infectious the coronavirus is in various settings relied on an imprecise method that involved spraying viral particles into sealed drums.

But they didn't accurately replicate the nuances that occur when an infected person coughs, sneezes or breathes in a real-world environment.

Now scientists have developed what is thought to be the most accurate method of monitoring this process.

They found that as the virus particles leaves the moist conditions of the lungs and become airborne they quickly dry out.

This process greatly reduces its ability to infect human cells but the rate at which the particles dry out depends on how humid the surrounding air is.

In an office-like environment  when humidity was at about 40 per cent  the virus loses half of its infectiousness within 10 seconds.



At 90 per cent humidity  the equivalent of a steam or shower room  half of particles were still infectious after five minutes.

At 20 minutes, around 10 per cent of the virus remained infectious.

The researchers said temperature made no difference to viral infectivity, despite the popular theory that Covid finds it harder to spread in summer.

The above graph shows how infectiousness of droplets drops over time in a low and high humidity environment. In separate tests, where humidity was dropped and then raised twice, the infectiousness fell by 90 per cent in five minutes

Previous studies relied on spraying infected droplets into rotating cylinders to estimate how long the virus can spread once outside the body.

But the Bristol University researchers used a new apparatus which levitates virus particles between two electric rings for between five second and 20 minutes.

They then adjusted temperature and humidity, to better mimic the environment outside the body.

Covid cases are now falling in every region except the North East Covid cases are now falling in every region except the North East, according to official figures which add to an ever-growing pile of evidence that the worst of the Omicron outbreak may be over. UK Health Security Agency statistics show rates in London  which was the first area to fall victim to the highly-transmissible variant  started to trend downwards before Christmas, which sparked hopes that the rest of the nation would soon follow suit. Now Government Covid data shows cases are finally on their way down in seven out of England's eight other regions, suggesting the wave may have peaked across much of the country. Experts are hopeful the Omicron crisis is starting to fizzle out naturally after spiralling to 'unbelievable' levels last month. But there are concerns that the promising trajectory may reverse in the coming days because of schools returning from the Christmas holidays, with infections then spreading back up through the age groups like seen in previous waves. Advertisement

Inside the lungs the atmosphere is warm, moist and carbon dioxide-rich, unlike the comparatively hostile environment in the air.

They found that changing the temperature had little impact on the virus' ability to infect other people.

But that if humidity levels were lower the droplets tended to dry out quickly, impacting the virus' ability to spread.

It also faced sharp changes in pH  with droplets becoming more alkaline  when they were breathed out.

The study looked at three versions of the virus, including the Wuhan strain and Alpha which sparked the wave last winter.

It was published on medRxiv, and has not been peer-reviewed meaning other scientists are yet to have a chance to challenge the findings.

Professor Jonathan Reid, the director of Bristol's Aerosol Research Centre and the study's lead author, told the Guardian: 'People have been focused on poorly ventilated spaces and thinking about airborne transmission over metres or across a room.

'I'm not saying that doesn't happen, but I think still, the greatest risk of exposure is when you're close to someone.

'When you move further away, not only is the aerosol diluted down, there's also less infectious virus because the virus has lost infectivity [as a result of time].'

He added: 'It means that if I'm meeting friends for lunch in a pub today, the primary risk is likely to be me transmitting it to my friends, or my friends transmitting it to me, rather than it being transmitted from someone on the other side of the room.'

Downing Street is understood to be looking at lifting 'Plan B' curbs  which brought back face masks and work from home  this month.

It downplayed expectations yesterday that the Prime Minister was poised to publish a Covid exit strategy, with a source saying it is 'very premature'.

But officials are said to be targeting the spring for a possible lifting of all restrictions.

Funding for free lateral flow tests is also due to expire at the end of March, the same time that self-isolation rules will lapse.

The Government may look to abandon vaccine passports, which will be up for renewal on January 26.

But some ministers are pushing for work from home guidance to be dumped first saying it has little overall benefit.
The son of two Met police officers who previously escaped prosecution for killing two men while drug-driving has now appeared in court accused of stashing 1,000 of cannabis at his parents 1million home.

Max Coopey was 17 when he drove into sales manager Jason Imi, 48, and his colleague John Shackley, 61, while behind the wheel of his father's Audi A5 car on August 2, 2018.

The pair, who had been walking back to their hotel from a work night out with their IT firm, were thrown over the roof of the vehicle and died the moment they hit the ground.

Coopey, of Ascot, Berkshire, was driving while over the limit for cannabis and had only passed his driving test two months earlier, but a police investigation concluded he was not responsible for the men's deaths.

Max Coopey (seen today, left) was 17 when he drove into sales manager Jason Imi, 48, and his colleague John Shackley, 61, while behind the wheel of his father Russel's (right) car on August 2, 2018

A coroner ruled she could not be sure beyond reasonable doubt that Coopey, now 20, was speeding or that the drugs in his system impacted his driving.

The inquest also heard evidence that the teenager would have been unable to see the men until a second before impact, making the collision inevitable.

The families of Mr Imi and Mr Shackley are now suing.

Coopey has now been accused of having 126g of herbal cannabis and 2g of cannabis resin on his possession at his parents' home.

Officers from British Transport Police had entered his address to investigate 'other charges', which involved mobile phone downloads. None of those charges were being proceeded with, the court heard.

However, he had been charged with possessing cannabis, which he denied on the basis that the police search of the property was unlawful.

Coopey is the son of Met Sergeant Russel Coopey and Met officer Catherine.

Jason Imi (pictured with his wife Sarah) was killed by Coopey while walking home with his colleague John Shackley in Ascot, Berkshire in August 2018

Prosecutors said an amount of the class B drugs 'estimated between 800 to 1,000 in value' was alleged to have been found in Maxs possession at their house on July 31, 2019.

A judge told the court: 'Despite the quantity, this is being pursued on the basis that it is drugs for personal use.'

Blonde-haired Coopey had appeared in court on December 16 without legal representation and denied the allegations. He had spoken to a duty solicitor prior to the plea hearing.

Appearing unrepresented again before District Judge Samuel Goozee today, the court heard that Coopey's lawyer Lucy Reynolds had asked for an adjournment so his London solicitors firm Reynolds Dawson could build his case.

The judge asked him: 'You are challenging that police officers exceeded their powers during the search.

'You accept that they entered on a warrant that was looking for other items.

Once the police are lawfully on your property, if they come across evidence of another offence they are entitled to seize.

'You do not dispute, then, that what was found in the address was cannabis?'

The family of Mr Imi and John Shackley (pictured) are now suing Coopey

Coopey said that he accepted cannabis was found and explained that his lawyers were not present because the prosecution had 'all been done at such short notice'.

DJ Goozee responded: 'It is not really short notice now is it? You have been given since December 16 to find legal advice.'

He said he had received the summons via postal requisition and would be represented by Reynolds Dawson solicitors, of London, at his next appearance.

At the previous hearing, Coopey had said: 'We want to look at the full evidence to see if it was a lawful search, to see if the search was lawful initially.

'I must say what I have just told you is what my solicitors advised me.'

Initially it had been thought that up to nine police officers and an expert witness could be told that they needed to attend the trial.

However, since Coopey accepted having the cannabis, only two officers who evidenced the search at Coopey's home would be called as witnesses.

Judge Goozee sent the matter to Reading Magistrates Court on May 13 for trial and gave Coopey unconditional bail.
People stand in line to get tested for the coronavirus at a testing center near Seoul Station, Tuesday. Yonhap



By Lee Hyo-jin



The government will introduce new pandemic response strategies focused on containing the spread of the Omicron variant, bracing for a possible Omicron-led wave of the coronavirus in the coming weeks.



The authorities plan to take a "choice and concentration" approach, utilizing its "3T"  test, trace and treat  tactics, while swiftly introducing antiviral pills for high-risk patients undergoing home treatment.



The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters said Tuesday that it is drawing up a new quarantine scheme in response to the Omicron variant, with details to be announced later this week.



The move comes as the country is facing the increasing spread of the highly transmissible variant.



Although the current spread is led by the Delta strain, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) predicted that the Omicron variant, which currently accounts for about 10 percent of total infections, will take over as the dominant strain by the end of January.



The Omicron variant, which has been found to be more transmissible than its predecessors, has spread among 2,351 people here as of Monday, marking a weekly increase of 44 percent from the 1,318 cases reported as of Jan. 3.



The authorities expressed concerns that a possible Omicron-led wave may result in an explosive number of daily infections of up to 10,000, even if the current social distancing measures remain in place.









Against this backdrop, the government plans to ramp up its polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing capacity to 850,000 tests per day, up from the current 750,000.



The increased PCR testing capacity will focus on priority groups, including the elderly population, people with underlying medical conditions, and those who have come in close contact with a COVID-19 patient.





This undated file photo shows a COVID-19 self-test kit developed by local biotech firm SD Biosensor. Yonhap
The Post Office has warned it will need Government help to compensate all 2,500 postmasters who applied for it over a 20-year scandal that saw some of them serve prison sentences.

Its chief executive, Nick Read, told MPs today that he hopes that lawyers and staff working on the case can make offers to the vast majority of the claimants by the end of the year.

Remuneration has so far been offered to less than a third (777) of the 2,500 postmasters who applied for it, but Mr Read has warned that the Post Office will need Government help to ensure everyone eligible is properly compensated.

'The Post Office itself doesn't have the financial resources to compensate a miscarriage of justice of this scale,' he told the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee.

The postal service had set aside 153million so postmasters could sue the organisation, it was reported in March last year - as the state-owned business' annual report revealed it had been plunged 307million into the red.

The Government - the Post Office's only shareholder - has pledged that it will foot the bill for the final compensation payments to the wrongly convicted workers.

The 555 postmasters who exposed the scandal with a successful group action in the High Court had won a legal settlement of 58million - but after legal fees they were left with less than 20,000 each for their years of hurt.

Nick Read told MPs today that he hopes that lawyers and staff working on the case can make offers to all but a handful of the claimants by the end of the year

'The Post Office itself doesn't have the financial resources to compensate a miscarriage of justice of this scale,' Mr Read told the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee

Hundreds of subpostmasters were sacked or prosecuted between 1999 and 2015 after reported shortfalls which were eventually attributed to a glitch in IT system rolled out by the Post Office in 1999 (file photo)

THE HORIZON POST OFFICE IT SCANDAL Horizon, an IT system developed by the Japanese company Fujitsu, was rolled out by the Post Office from 1999. The system was used for tasks such as transactions, accounting and stocktaking. However, subpostmasters complained about defects after it reported shortfalls - some of which amounted to thousands of pounds. Some subpostmasters attempted to plug the gap with their own money, even remortgaging their homes, in an attempt to correct an error. Between 1999 and 2015, hundreds of subpostmasters were sacked or prosecuted due to the glitches. The ex-workers blamed flaws in the IT system, Horizon, but the Post Office denied there was a problem. In case after case the Post Office bullied postmasters into pleading guilty to crimes they knew they had not committed. Many others who were not convicted were hounded out of their jobs or forced to pay back thousands of pounds of 'missing' money. The Post Office spent 32million to deny any fault in their IT system, before capitulating. However, the postmasters and postmistresses said the scandal ruined their lives as they had to cope with the impact of a conviction and imprisonment, some while they had been pregnant or had young children. Marriages broke down, and courts have heard how some families believe the stress led to health conditions, addiction and premature deaths. Advertisement

In total, 950 postmasters were prosecuted for a variety of charges from 1999, but many of these cases were later linked to problems in the Horizon computer system.

Some of the postmasters were sent to prison for false accounting and theft. So far, 72 convictions have been overturned.

Mr Read said that 66 of those people who have seen their convictions overturned have applied for an interim 100,000 payment designed to 'bridge the gap' until a full settlement can be reached, Mr Read said.

The Post Office has paid out interim payments to 57 of these.

'As soon as (convictions) have been overturned ... the Post Office will be paying those interim payments within 28 days,' said business minister Paul Scully.

But the Post Office is yet to be able to contact 127 of the 736 former postmasters whose convictions were linked to Horizon.

'It is my intention that we do give full and final compensation of all the victims of the past and their families,' Mr Read said.

He added: 'There is an enormous amount of complexity associated with making sure we get absolutely right how we compensate those postmasters.

'And most importantly that it's full, it's fair and it's final.'

Hundreds of subpostmasters had been sacked or prosecuted between 1999 and 2015 after reported shortfalls which were eventually attributed to a glitch in an IT system rolled out by the Post Office in 1999.

The Post Office spent 32million denying any fault with their IT system and even bullied postmasters into pleading guilty to crimes they knew they had not committed.

The Post Office has since apologised to postmasters and the Government has launched a judge-led public inquiry, which held its first live session last year.

A Post Office spokesman said: 'We are fully and transparently engaging with the Government's statutory inquiry.'

Shortly before the committee hearing started, the Government pledged that it will foot the bill for the final compensation payments to the wrongly convicted workers.

The Post Office has said it is unable to cover the payments for the exonerated individuals but the Government - as its only shareholder - confirmed it will pay.
A 'hero' mine-detecting rat who was awarded the animal equivalent of a George Cross for successfully locating landmines has died at the age of eight.

Magawa, who was trained by the Belgium-registered charity APOPO, discovered 71 landmines and 28 unexploded munitions in Cambodia - clearing more than 34 acres - during his five-year career.

APOPO said the African giant pouch rat 'passed away peacefully at the weekend'.

It added that he spent 'most of last week playing with his usual enthusiasm' but had 'started to slow down' and became lest interested in food in his final days.

The charity said in a statement: 'All of us at APOPO are feeling the loss of Magawa and we are grateful for the incredible work hes done.

'During his career, Magawa found over 100 landmines and other explosives, making him APOPOs most successful HeroRAT to date.

Magawa the rat was recognised for his work and presented with a miniature PDSA Gold Medal - the animal equivalent of the George Cross, in 2020. He passed away peacefully at the weekend.

The eight-year-old rat discovered 71 landmines and 28 unexploded munitions in Cambodia during his five year career

The rat's handler Malen (pictured with Magawa) said the rodent was beginning to 'slow down' and it was time to 'respect his needs' when he retired in June 2021

'His contribution allows communities in Cambodia to live, work, and play; without fear of losing life or limb.'

Magawa had retired last June after the hero rat's handler Malen said the rodent was beginning to 'slow down' as he neared old age and it was time to 'respect his needs'.

Months earlier, the giant African pouched rat, who can sniff out explosives ninety six times faster than conventional solutions, was recognised for his work and presented with a miniature PDSA Gold Medal - the animal equivalent of the George Cross.

Magawa remained with the charity, which is based in Tanzania, for a few more weeks in order to 'mentor' a new batch of rats who had been recently assessed by the Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC).

APOPO added: 'Every discovery he made reduced the risk of injury or death for the people of Cambodia.'

Speaking last June, his handler Malen told the BBC: 'Magawa's performance has been unbeaten, and I have been proud to work side-by-side with him.

'He is small but he has helped save many lives allowing us to return much-needed safe land back to our people as quickly and cost-effectively as possible.'

Magawa's intensive training started when the rodent was just four weeks old and staff at the APOPO charity in Tanzania start handling the rat and introducing him to sounds and smells.

Before graduating and working in the field, Magawa had to pass a blind test where a number of improvised landmines were hidden in a 400m2 area.

In September 2020, Magawa was formally recognised for his work and presented with a miniature PDSA Gold Medal, the animal equivalent of the George Cross.

He became the first rat in the charity's 77-year history to receive such an award.

Following the achievement, Christophe Cox, CEO and cofounder of APOPO, said: 'To receive this medal is really an honour for us. I have been working with APOPO for over 20 years.

'Especially for our animal trainers who are waking up every day, very early, to train those animals in the morning.

The giant African pouched rat began his intensive training with the charity when he was just four weeks old

The rat had to pass a blind test where a number of improvised landmines were hidden in order to graduate

Magawa became the first rat in the charity's history to receive the miniature PDSA Gold Medal in September 2020

'But also it is big for the people in Cambodia, and all the people around the world who are suffering from landmines. The PDSA Gold Medal award brings the problem of landmines to global attention.'

Meanwhile PDSA director general Jan McLoughlin said: 'The work of Magawa and APOPO is truly unique and outstanding.

'Cambodia estimates that between four and six million landmines were laid in the country between 1975 and 1998, which have sadly caused over 64,000 casualties.

'Magawa's work directly saves and changes the lives of men, women and children who are impacted by these landmines. Every discovery he makes reduces the risk of injury or death for local people.

'The PDSA Animal Awards programme seeks to raise the status of animals in society and honour the incredible contribution they make to our lives.

'Magawa's dedication, skill and bravery are an extraordinary example of this and deserve the highest possible recognition. We are thrilled to award him the PDSA Gold Medal.'

Magawa was trained to detect the chemical compound within explosives with the Belgium-registered charity APOPO

During their training with APOPO, rats are trained to associate the sound of a click with food at only 10 weeks old.

When they go near a tea egg containing the scent of TNT, the explosive substance in landmines, they will hear a click and receive a food reward.

The intelligent creatures are then taught how to distinguish between tea eggs containing TNT and those without it, only hearing a click and receiving a reward if they react with the positive eggs.

The animals can detect the chemical compound within explosives and ignore any scrap metal lying around, making them much faster than metal detectors.

Trainers then take the rats outside to work in soil trays in different conditions, with the tea eggs buried in the ground.

The rats can only qualify as a hero rat once they have discovered all the landmines in the field, making no more than one false indication.
A 51-year-old woman in Colombia who suffered from Lou Gehrig's disease was allowed to die by euthanasia following a long court battle that split the Catholic nation over whether she should be allowed the legal end-of-life procedure even though she had a non-terminal prognosis.

Martha Sepulveda, who suffered from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) or Lou Gehrigh's disease, died in a Medellin clinic on Saturday, almost three months to the day after she sought to become the first person to be euthanized in the Andean nation before a clinic abruptly canceled the procedure.

'Martha left grateful to all of the people who accompanied and supported her, those who prayed for her and had words of empathy and love during these difficult months,' her lawyers with the Laboratory of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights said in a statement.

'Martha's legacy is built on the life stories and cases that over 29 years have reached the constitutional Court and have allowed Colombia to be one of the few countries in the world where death with dignity and euthanasia are a right of citizens.'

The mother-of-one was diagnosed with the incurable and degenerative disease in November 2018 following a doctor's visit after experiencing numbness in one of her thumbs.

People with ALS can live with the debilitating disease for up to 10 years, but her condition worsened in 2020, leading her to request euthanasia.

Martha Sepulveda became the second person without a terminal prognosis to die legally by euthanasia in Colombia

Martha Sepulveda shares a laugh with her 22-year-old son Federico Redondo in an image he shared on his Twitter account last Thursday

Colombia's Constitutional Court removed penalties for euthanasia under certain circumstances in 1997 and ordered the procedure to be regulated in 2014. The first person in Colombia with a terminal illness to die under those rules was in 2015.

On July 22, 2021, the top court amended the law, ruling that patients with 'intense physical or mental suffering from bodily injury, or serious and incurable disease' could also die under euthanasia.

Less than a month later, Sepulveda sought permission to go through the procedure.

Her decision, however, sparked headlines in a country where the majority of the residents are Catholics. Local and national church leaders attempted to sway her and called on her to 'calmly reflect' over her choice.

'I know that the owner of life is God, meaning that nothing moves without His will,' Sepulveda, a devout Catholic, told Noticias Caracol days before her first scheduled procedure was canceled. 'Suddenly for many people I am very wrong, but I think He is allowing this. He is rewarding me in a certain way because I am not going to be bedridden.'

Martha Sepulveda was battling Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, since November 2018

Martha Sepulveda with her 22-year-old son Federico Redondo

Sepulveda chose October 10 as her date to die by euthanasia but on October 8 a committee with the Colombian Institute of Pain canceled the procedure, indicating there was no proof that her condition met the Supreme Court's requirement.

'Once again, the termination criterion was not being met and therefore it did not apply to the current rule (...) in a neurologist's conceptColombian Institute of Pain director Fredy Quintero said at the time, according to Noticias RCN. 'The current functionality of the patient was not considered to be complying with termination requirements, that leads to have a life expectancy of much more than six months.'

Sepulveda and her legal team appealed the clinic's decision before the 20th Civil Court of the Medellin Circuit, which ruled on October 27 that she could go through with her decision to be euthanized because she was in her right to seek the procedure even if the prognosis was not terminal.

Sepulveda died surrounded by friends and her family, including her son Federico Redondo.

Victor Escobar became the first person in Colombia with a non-terminal illness to die by legally regulated euthanasia on Friday. The 60-year-old suffered from end-stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Her death came a day after, Victor Escobar, 60, became the first person in the country with a non-terminal illness to die by legally regulated euthanasia.

Escobar suffered from end-stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which causes greatly diminished quality of life, as well as a number of other conditions, his lawyer Luis Giraldo told Reuters.

'We reached the goal for patients like me, who aren't terminal but degenerative, to win this battle, a battle that opens the doors for the other patients who come after me and who right now want a dignified death,' Escobar said in a video message sent to media by Giraldo.

The procedure took place in a clinic in Cali, the capital city of Colombia's Valle del Cauca province.

'I'm not saying goodbye, just 'see you later,'' Escobar said.
Countries with populations that have higher levels of trust in each other saw Covid cases and deaths fall faster, a study has found.

Exeter University experts found nations where at least 40 per cent of the population agreed with the statement 'most people can be trusted' were more successful in bringing down Covid rates from peak levels in the first year of the pandemic.

The UK barely meets the 40 per cent threshold, while up to 74 per cent of people in Scandinavia trust each other, compared to 63.5 per cent in China and 37 per cent in the US.

The team believes this is because restrictions in place to suppress the spread of the virus  such as face masks and social distancing  'depend on mutual trust to be effective'.

Professor Tim Lenton, one of the researchers, said: 'Our results add to evidence that trust within society benefits resilience to epidemics.

'Building trust within communities should be a long-term project for all nations because this will help them cope with future pandemics and other challenges such as extreme events caused by climate change.'

Exeter University academics found nations where at least 40 per cent of the population agreed with the statement 'most people can be trusted' were more successful in bringing down Covid rates from peak levels in the first year of the pandemic. China, Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden have some of the most trusting populations. The UK met the 40 per cent threshold, while the US fell below it. The graph shows Norway and Denmark saw cases fall back to low levels faster than the UK and US

The researchers said the most trusting societies saw cases fall up to 40 times faster and deaths drop 25 times quicker than the least trusting. The data shows Covid deaths returned to low levels faster in Denmark, Norway and China compared to the UK and the US, where the populations were less trusting

The graph shows a correlation between the speed at which Covid cases (left) and deaths (right) fell and how trusting populations are. Countries where at least 40 per cent of the population agreed with the statement that 'most people can be trusted' saw infections and deaths fall faster from the peak in the first year of the pandemic than places where societies are less trusting

The Exeter researchers' map shows countries in relation to how quickly their Covid cases (top) and deaths (bottom) fell, with blue nations seeing the fastest decline and red countries seeing Covid measurements drop slowest

The researchers used Oxford University platform Our World in Data to measure the daily change in coronavirus infections and deaths from peak levels between the start of the pandemic and December 1  before vaccines were widely rolled out.

The study, published in the journal Scientific Reports, found countries where at least 40 per cent of people said the majority of others could be trusted 'achieved a near complete reduction' of new cases and deaths.

What societies are the most trusting? Denmark: 73.9% Norway: 72.1% Finland: 68.4% China: 63.5% Sweden: 62.8% New Zealand: 56.6% Austria: 49.8% Australia: 48.5% Canada: 46.7% Spain: 41% UK: 40.2% Germany: 39.5% US: 37% France: 26.3% Italy: 26.6% Greece: 8.4% Advertisement

The most trusting societies saw cases fall up to 40 times faster and deaths drop 25 times quicker than the least trusting, the team said.

Mauritius saw cases fall at the fastest rate from the first peak in 2020.

However, the experts noted some nations which did not meet the 40 per cent threshold also saw a sharp decline from peak cases and deaths, 'indicating that trust in each other is only one of several factors at play'.

The team said their findings show strict Covid curbs do not have the same effect when applied in different countries.

Most nations implemented similar rules at the start of the pandemic but had 'hugely varying success in bringing down case numbers and deaths', they said.

'This is partly because more stringent governments tend to be associated with less trusting societies,' according to the researchers.

The experts wrote: 'These results add to evidence that trust can improve resilience to epidemics and other unexpected disruptions, of which Covid is unlikely to be the last.'

It comes as Chinese city Anyang, in the Henan province, entered a fresh lockdown today, placing a stay-at-home order on five million people as the country battles a spike in cases, in part fuelled by Omicron.

Last week, one million people in Yuzhou  also a city in Henan  were told to stay at home, while Xi'an, home to 13million people, is in its third week of lockdown.

The new curbs in Anyang mean all non-essential businesses have been forced to close and a mass-testing drive has been launched to stop the variant spreading.

And all travel out of the city has been restricted in an attempt to stop the variant spreading into other parts of the country.

China reported 110 new local virus cases Tuesday, a tiny figure compared to the more than 140,000 recorded in the UK and more than 1.5million registered in the US yesterday.

But they are a cause of alarm for Chinese authorities as they prepare to host the Winter Games in Beijing, with the event already expected to have tight coronavirus safety protocols.

Tianjin, which is adjacent to Winter Olympics venues in Beijing and Hebei province, confirmed another 10 new locally transmitted cases after citywide mass testing.

The UK initially avoided imposing Covid restrictions because of fears people would get 'fed up' of abiding by rules adopted in other countries.

But Britons have since spent several months over the last two years following stay-at-home orders, avoiding seeing friends and family and working from home.
Italian Catholic and Jewish leaders today condemned outrageous scenes in which people gave Nazi salutes and draped a swastika on the coffin at a right-wing extremist's funeral in Rome.

The Italian capital's Catholic archdiocese said in a statement that priests at the parish of St. Lucia in a central Rome neighbourhood, including the one who presided at the funeral rite, had no warning of yesterday's antics at the church.

Pictures which first emerged on the Italian news portal Open showed the coffin bearing the body of Alessia Augello, a former member of the right-wing extremist group Forza Nuova, covered by the infamous swastika symbol as it was carried out of the church.

The 44-year-old former militant of Forza Nuova, who was also known as 'Tungsty', died over the weekend of a blood clot according to Italian media.

Forza Nuova is an ultra-right neo-fascist party created in 1997, whose manifesto includes banning abortion, halting immigration, and repealing laws punishing incitement to hatred.

A picture made available by the Italian online news portal Open, showing people gathered around the swastika-covered coffin of far-right extremist Alessia Augello outside the St. Lucia church, in Rome, Monday, Jan. 10, 2022

The Catholic Church in Rome on Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022, strongly condemned the 'offensive and unacceptable' procession outside the church before attendees gave Nazi salutes

The diocese statement called the flag 'a horrendous symbol that cannot be reconciled with Christianity'.

'This ideological and violent exploitation, especially following an act of worship near a sacred place, remains serious, offensive and unacceptable for the church community of Rome and for all people of good will in our city,' it said.

Rome's Jewish community meanwhile expressed outrage that such events could still happen more than seven decades after the end of World War Two and the fall of Italy's fascist dictatorship.

'It is unacceptable that a flag with a swastika can still be shown in public in this day and age, especially in a city that saw the deportation of its Jews by the Nazis and their fascist collaborators,' said Jewish leaders in a statement.

The Jewish community statement on Tuesday said the funeral incident was 'even more outrageous because it took place in front of a church.'

Alessia Augello, a 44-year-old former militant of Forza Nuova known as 'Tungsty', died over the weekend of a blood clot according to Italian media

The funeral of Massimo Morsello, one of the founding members of the Forza Nuova party, was attended by several party members and supporters in April 2001 who were defiant in their use of the Nazi salute

Photos of the scene outside St. Lucia church following the Monday funeral service were published by the Italian online news portal Open.

They showed around two dozen people gathered outside the church as the swastika-draped casket emerged. The funeral attendees reportedly shouted 'Presente!', before snapping off a round of Nazi salutes.

Parish priest, the Rev. Alessandro Zenobbi, distancing himself and the church from 'every word, gesture and symbol used outside the church, which are attributed to extremist ideologies far from the message of the Gospel of Christ.'

Meanwhile Stefania Vesica, Augello's aunt, published a statement on Facebook in which she distanced herself and the family from the use of Nazi signs at the funeral, saying Augello herself would not have approved.

'We are mourning the loss of our beloved Alessia. We totally dissociate ourselves from the events that took place outside the Church, of which we were not aware of and that neither Alessia would have shared nor appreciated in any way,' she wrote.

'We would never have allowed or authorised what happened there. We ask that journalists and everyone else, given the gravity of our loss, to respect our pain and the name of Alessia Augello'.

Morsello's coffin was carried out of the church while party members gave the fascist salute and waved flags bearing the celtic cross - a symbol associated with white supremacy

The 2001 funeral of Massimo Morsello, one of the founding members of the Forza Nuova party, saw dozens of party members congregate outside a church to pay respects.

Attendees bore black and white flags emblazoned with the celtic cross - a symbol associated with white supremacy, and raised their arms in a Nazi salute as the coffin was carried out of the church.

After a raid on Rome's Jewish neighbourhood on October 16, 1943, more than 1,000 of the capital's Jews were deported, most to the Auschwitz death camp in Nazi-occupied Poland. Only 16 returned.

In October last year, the Italian capital saw mass protests in which tens of thousands of citizens rallied in the streets against extremism.

The head of the Italian General Confederation of Labour (CISL) trade union, Luigi Sbarra, said an attack against unions led by the far-right Forza Nuova party 'made the only choice to be here, united against all types of fascism.'

He called for the swift dissolution of the party by Italian authorities. Forza Nuova's official website has since been sequestered under orders from the public prosecutor's office in Rome.
A retired policeman swam through a flooded quarry to rescue a two-year-old dachshund who had been missing for 26 hours.

Juan Kinley, 57, a former DCI, heroically came to the rescue of Bebe, a two-year-old dog, after she was spotted on a ledge at the bottom of the quarry on the Isle of Man.

Footage filmed on on January 3 shows Juan make his way across the freezing water before grabbing hold of Bebe as she sits on the ledge.

He then holds the dog and keeps her head above the water as he swims back.

Retired policeman Juan Kinley, 57, holds onto two-year-old Bebe as he swims across the flooded quarry on the Isle of Man on January 3

The former DCI holds the dog and lifts it from the ledge after it falls from a height of 30ft

Juan rescues the terrified dog and swims across the water with the canine in his hands

The dog's owner Melanie Kermeen (pictured with Bebe), 51, thanked Juan and the local community on the Isle of Man for their help

The dog's owner Melanie Kermeen, 51, said she had been out with her two dogs - Bebe and six-month-old Lulu - when they became separated from her on January 2.

Lulu managed to make her way back home, but Bebe was only found when her owner heard her frightened yelps from the bottom of the pit, after surviving a 30ft fall.

While waiting for the emergency services, Juan - an experienced open water swimmer - decided to take matters into his own hands by jumping into the freezing cold water and rescuing the terrified dog.

Melanie said: 'There have been tragic stories where dogs get lost, so it was just a harrowing 26 hours.

'But the way it ended was quite spectacular, and her fall down off the ledge was quite miraculous.

'We're just really, really lucky that we had someone like Juan with us, with his capabilities, because she was looking like she was going to jump in the more distressed she was getting.'

Juan swims through the flooded quarry with Bebe after she went missing for 26 hours

The dog's owner said Bebe was only found when her frightened yelps were heard from the bottom of the pit

Fundraising director Melanie said the search for the hounds began when they went missing from her rural home in St. John's, on the West Coast of the Isle of Man.

The adventurous duo would often run off to chase rabbits in the fields surrounding her smallholding, but when they didn't return for several hours, she began to panic.

Following frantic social media appeals and a local search that went on late into the night, exhausted Lulu arrived back at her door in the early hours of the next morning.

Melanie said 'small footprints' eventually led rescuers to the location of her lost dog and when the search party ventured close to a local quarry on January 3, they heard Bebe's tiny bark.

Melanie said: 'I was shouting to her, and I actually heard her yelp, so I knew she was alive, which by then was 26 hours from her being away.

'She must have fallen 30ft down onto this ledge, just 4-5ft above the water.

'This water is very deep - 3.5 metres deep. She was amazingly lucky to have fallen down there.'

Melanie later shared a picture of her two dogs Bebe and Lulu curled up in their dog bed

Melanie said the search for the hounds began last Sunday morning, when they went missing from her rural home in St. John's

Small footprints that had been left by the dog eventually led rescuers to her location

Melanie called the emergency services for help and was waiting for a fire safety officer to arrive.

But with Bebe becoming ever more distressed, five-time Iron Man veteran Juan decided to embark on the daring rescue mission himself by swimming over to save her.

Melanie said: 'He just jumped off and launched in, but he's quite used to open water swimming.

'He's the chair of the triathlon club over here and organises lots of those type of things, and he's done five Iron Mans, so he's fairly tough.

'He swam about 30 metres to Bebe and checked if she was alright. She was delighted to see him.

'She didn't seem to be hurt, so he picked her up and made the swim back, which was pretty tough as by that time it was pretty cold.

'She was trying to help with her little doggy paddle, which was just scratching his face and eyes and chest.'

Now back home safe and sound, Melanie thanked the local community for their help and said she would not be letting the two mischievous pooches off their leads again.

She also took to social media to share a picture of her canines curled up beside each other next to the caption: 'Bebe and Lulu are now fast asleep in their bed in the warm kitchen.'

She said: 'We're just so thankful to the island community, it's just amazing.

'I guess it's that animal-loving instinct that the British people have with dogs and animals - just an amazing response from people.

'It's a real comfort and real help, and really heartening. It was 26 long hours, but a really good, happy outcome.'

She added: 'We've got two big extender leads now, so they won't be getting off!'
Executives at Google, one of the richest company's in the world, ran a secret anti-union campaign dubbed Project Vivian to discourage employee activism and 'convince [workers] that unions suck,' a newly released National Labor Relations Board ruling has revealed.

Google enlisted IRI Consultants, an aggressively anti-union firm that reportedly monitors and collects info on employees' finances, union tendencies, and even ethnic backgrounds, to muddle union organization efforts, according to the NLRB document released January 7.

The union watchdog group also found that Michael Pfyl, Google's head of employment law, called the secret scheme an opportunity 'to engage employees more positively' - and 'convince them that unions suck.'

Alphabet, the umbrella company that owns the $3 trillion search behemoth, has 120,000 workers. Only 226 Google employees have signed union cards.

Google employees holding up signs during the November 2018 'women's walkout' to protest the company's handling of sexual harassment cases in Mountain View, California. Newly released documents show that Google execs tried to squash staffers' efforts to unionize

The revelations are the result of an ongoing investigation of a complaint by the Communication Workers of America lodged on behalf of seven Google employees and ex-employees in December 2019 who claimed the company illegally tracked their actions.

Last December, the CWA accused Google of illegally firing, interrogating and surveilling activist employees.

Google has denied any wrongdoing.

One former employee has since settled with the search giant, but five were fired and two were disciplined after engaging in attempts to unionize fellow employees.

In late 2020, the NLRB issued a federal complaint against Google for illegally firing and surveilling the software engineers who the company's attorneys say were dismissed for 'breaching security protocols.'

Administrative Judge Paul Bogas of the NLRB demanded in the January 7 ruling that Google 'immediately' produce 180 internal documents related to the company's 'Project Vivian' campaign.

In the order, Google's director of employment law is quoted as saying Project Vivian's mission was 'to engage employees more positively and convince them that unions suck.'

A newly released National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) ruling has revealed that Google executives conducted a top-secret campaign to discourage employee activism and 'convince [workers] that unions suck'

According to the filing, Google enlisted IRI Consultants, an aggressively anti-union firm that reportedly monitors and collects info on employees' finances, union tendencies, and even ethnic backgrounds, to muddle union organization efforts

Google has yet to turn over the documents to an attorney representing the former employees, citing attorney-client privilege.

But Judge Bogas rejected those assertions, saying 'to put it charitably, an overreach.'

The judge said in the ruling he reviewed evidence that a Google attorney sought to find a 'respected voice to publish an OpEd outlining what a unionized tech workplace would look like, and counseling employees of FB (Facebook), MSFT(Microsoft), Amazon, and google (sic) not to do it.'

Google's HR director Kara Silverstein reportedly endorsed the idea but warned it should be done with 'no fingerprints' tracing back to the company and it should not be 'Google specific.'

Project Vivian documents reviewed by the NLRB also revealed that the decision to retain IRI was made by a group of non-attorneys, including Silverstein and Danielle Brown, Google's vice president of employee engagement.

IRI later produced a proposed draft of the op-ed to a Google lawyer, the judge's report revealed.

Project Vivian also included discussion of Google employees' 'opposition to mandatory arbitration which has been a rallying cry for activists within the company who succeeded in seeing the policy ended in February 2019.

A Google spokesperson said the company vehemently disagreed with the judge's order to turn over the documents.

In a newly released document, Google's director of employment law Michael Pfyl is quoted saying the company's mission was 'to engage employees more positively and convince them that unions suck'

'As we've stated, our teams engage with dozens of outside consultants and law firms to provide us with advice on a wide range of topics, including employer obligations and employee engagement. This included IRI Consultants for a short period.

'However, we made a decision in 2019 not to use the materials or ideas explored during this engagement, and we still feel that was the right decision.'

The hearing began in August, but was put on hold after Google failed to comply with NLRB subpoenas. Now the employees' attorney is asking a federal court to enforce the subpoenas, because the NLRB's enforcement is limited.

The hearing is scheduled to continue in February, but may face more delays.

With that said, Google workers have a history of collective action and protests against the companys actions.

In 2018, thousands of workers signed a petition to protest Googles contract with the Department of Defense called Project Maven, that would help track individuals captured in drone video footage. Google later conceded and the contract was terminated.

That same year 20,000 workers staged a walkout to protest the companys handling of sexual misconduct and afterwards Google announced it would end its practice of forced arbitration.

That protest came after Google paid tens of millions of dollars to two executives who had been accused of sexual misconduct towards co-workers and stayed quiet about the alleged abuse.

Most recently, Googles management has been slammed for dismissing Timnit Gebru, a top artificial intelligence researcher who was one of the few women of color in the field. Thousands of Google employees signed a petition to protest her dismissal.

She said she was fired for being critical of large-scale AI models and of the company's existing diversity and inclusion efforts.

A view of a Google employee walk out in San Francisco protesting the male-dominated culture at the company and management's handling of sexual misconduct cases on November 1, 2018. One person held a sign that said 'Don't Be Evil', which was Google's old motto

The Google sexual harassment walk out pictured on November 1, 2018 in New York

A Google employee holds a sign that says 'Not Ok Google, #DontBeEvil' during the November 2018 'women's walkout' to protest the company's handling of sexual harassment cases in Mountain View, California

Google employee Coleen Elliot addresses the crowd at the Boulder Colorado Google Campus denouncing how the company handles sexual harassment cases on November 1, 2018

On top of that, Google is facing at least three antitrust lawsuits, including one filed last October by the Department of Justice alleging the tech giant unlawfully eliminated competition by reaching deals with phone makers Apple and Samsung to be the default search engine on their devices.

The company is facing antitrust issues regarding their dominance in web search, digital advertising and smartphone software.

The development in the case comes just over a week after Google engineers and other employees announced the creation of the trillion-dollar company's very first union.

The January 3 announcement came after years of escalating tensions between staffers and management at the tech giant based in Mountain View, California.

The Alphabet Workers Union, as it is called, will focus on employee activism in the wake of staffer walk-outs, protests, petitions and criticism over the company's deals with the government, anti-trust lawsuits, and handling of sexual misconduct.

More than 225 Google engineers and other employees announced the creation of the Alphabet Workers Union on Monday, marking the first union to be formed at a major technology company

The group is open to all Alphabet staffers from coders to food servers, bus driver and cleaners, as well as temps, vendors and contractors.

The union will have an elected leadership and members will pay dues.

The development of the union was kept secret for about a year and their leaders were elected last month.

'This is historic  the first union at a major tech company by and for all tech workers,' Dylan Baker, a Google software engineer said in a statement.

'We will elect representatives, we will make decisions democratically, we will pay dues, and we will hire skilled organizers to ensure all workers at Google know they can work with us if they actually want to see their company reflect their values,' he added.
In Cook County, Chicago, there are 2,300 people free on electronic ankle monitors and 75 percent are accused of violent crimes

Ninety people accused of murder are free on electronic monitoring ankles in Chicago thanks to woke bail reforms that have put scores of violent criminals back on the streets.

Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart revealed the numbers to CBS on Monday, along with his fears that it is making communities significantly less safe.

Dart said that in his county alone, 90 people accused of murder are free along with 40 people charged with attempted murder and 852 people charged with aggravated gun possession.

In the year 2021, Chicago Police Department arrested 133 people for a violent crime while they were on electronic monitoring - 1 percent of the total.

Chicago's top cops - Dart and Chicago PD Chief Superintendent David Brown - say that one percent is too high a rate and that while 99 percent may not have been arrested, it sends the wrong message to criminals.

But Chief Justice Timothy Evans, who imposed the reform in 2017, is refusing to revoke it.

'A judge cannot hold someone pretrial without a finding that the defendant poses a real and present threat to the physical safety of any person.

'This must be found by clear and convincing evidence and the burden of proof is on the prosecution.

Overall crime in Chicago has increased by almost 30 percent since last year

The reforms were imposed by Cook County Chief Judge Timothy Evans in 2017. He is now refusing to revoke them despite pleas from police and the city's Mayor, because he thinks suspects should be jailed only after they are found guilty

Last April, seven-year-old Jaslyn Adams was shot and killed by a trio of gang members including one who was on bail with an ankle monitor

'The mayors proposal seems to require that defendants facing certain allegations be considered guilty until proven innocent,' he said last week, shooting down Lightfoot's request.

Klevontaye White was on electronic monitoring for sex assault when he was suspected of committing another sex assault in July

Since 2017, crime in Chicago has skyrocketed and now, 75 percent of those with electronic monitoring bracelets are accused of violent crimes.

Mayor Lightfoot suggested it was only a matter of time before the criminal currently on bond reoffend.

'Do you feel safer knowing these numbers?

'I dont think any sane person does.

'Theyre right back on the street walking big as day as if there is zero accountability.

'Thats whats contributing to the level brazenness that were seeing on our street,' she said last week.

In July, Chicago police officers came under fire from Klevontaye White, 34, who had cut off his ankle monitor and was wanted for aggravated sexual assault with a firearm.

Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart and Mayor Lori Lightfoot are both pleading for changes that would put more suspects in jail while awaiting trial

CHICAGO'S TOP JUDGE WHO REFUSES TO JAIL SUSPECTS ACCUSED OF VIOLENT CRIMES Cook County Chief Justice Timothy Evans is responsible for the bail reforms that Chicago politicians and police chiefs say are driving a spike in crime. In 2017, he introduced the sweeping reform as part of an effort to cut incarceration rates in Chicago. He has been widely criticized for the move by police and the Mayor's office, who believe he is behind a spike in crime, but he believes it's justified because 'only' three percent of those out on pre-trial bail have reoffended. Instead, he says they should focus on the 97 percent who don't. It comes as no consolation to the victims of the three percent who did reoffend. Chicago Police Chief Superintendent David Brown has repeatedly blamed the rise in crime in soft prosecutions by State's Attorney Kim Foxx, and lenient bail conditions imposed by Evans and other judges. Chicago Police Chief Superintendent David Brown has repeatedly blamed the rise in crime in soft prosecutions by State's Attorney Kim Foxx, and lenient bail conditions imposed by Evans and other judges 'There are too many violent offenders and too little consequences in our courts. There are too many illegal guns in our city and too little consequences in the courts,' he said last year in one of many public comments on the issue. 'The fact that over 90 people charged with murder have been released by our courts, back into the community does two things. Chicago's top prosecutor, Kim Foxx, has also been blamed by police for not aggressively pursuing crimes 'Number one, it creates this idea of lawlessness for people in the community who know someone murdered someone, and yet there they see him again, the following days, as if nothing happened. 'Secondly, because these people murdered someone, the victim and their associates retaliate indiscriminately of where they are. So whether in a car with their kids, whether they're in a large crowd or gathering, they are the targets for retaliation,' he said in one of many remarks on the issue last year. Foxx notoriously deferred prosecution on Jussie Smollett, the Empire actor convicted of lying to police about being the victim of a hate crime. Both Evans and Foxx say they aren't to blame for the rise in crime. 'Looking at individual tragic cases in isolation may contribute to the speculation that releasing individuals before trial rather than incarcerating them -- whether by placing them on Electronic Monitoring (EM) or other forms of supervision -- means an increase in crime. 'Research has shown that bail reform has not led to an increase in crime,' he said last year. Advertisement

George Soros has funneled millions into the successful campaigns of other progressive district attorneys across the country. He has also been pumping money into a far-left effort to overhaul the criminal justice system which critics say is creating a lawless America

He was accused of more than a dozen sex crimes at the time but had been allowed out of custody.

Police shot him dead after he pulled a gun in them.

In April last year, seven-year-old Jaslyn Adams was shot dead in a McDonald's drive-thru by a trio of gang members who were targeting her father.

One of them, Desmond Goudy, was out on electronic monitoring at the time.

It is part of a wider trend across the country whereby woke District Attorneys are instructing prosecutors to seek no or low jail terms for defendants on bond.

Many of them have been bankrolled by George Soros, the Democrat super-donor.

In New York City, the new Manhattan District Attorney - Alvin Bragg - has vowed not to prosecute many violent crimes and to downgrade others like armed robbery.
More than four in ten A&E patients were not seen within the NHS's four-hour target over the Christmas week, 'unacceptable' figures show.

Statistics from the Royal College of Emergency Medicine shows hospitals in the UK treated just 57.8 per cent within the time-frame in the week ending December 31. It was the second worst A&E performance since records began in 2015.

Ambulance handover waiting times also increased during the week, with the number of hours lost increasing 44.7 per cent to 1,670.

Wes Streeting, Labour's shadow health and social care secretary, said almost half of patients were 'left waiting, often in pain and distress' in A&E over Christmas.

The health service is currently battling crises on multiple fronts, with thousands of staff forced to isolate because of the rapid spread of Omicron.

Thousands of routine operations have already been cancelled and people have been told to avoid A&Es as hospitals try to contain the wave.

The NHS has already struck a deal with the private sector to 'safeguard' against the crisis, which will see more cancer patients being treated in private hospitals.

Data shows Covid hospitalisations are now starting to fall across England, in line with earlier trends in London which was hit first and worst by the mutant strain.

And health service bosses are confident they will cope with the current pressures, with one top official yesterday insisting the 'front line will hold' even with the health service on 'war footing'.

Data from the Royal College of Emergency Medicine (RCEM) shows hospitals in the UK failed to meet the NHS maximum targets of four-hour A&E waiting times for 42.1 per cent of patients during the week ending December 31

It was a higher proportion than the 37.4 per cent who were left waiting in hospitals the week before. And it is the second largest since records began in 2015 after the first week of December (43.1 per cent)

Ambulance handover waiting times also increased during the week, with the number of hours lost increasing 44.7 per cent to 1,670

Wes Streeting, Labour's shadow health and social care secretary, said almost half of patients 'left waiting, often in pain and distress' in A&E over Christmas

Intensive care doctor reveals EVERY critically ill Covid patient being treated at his hospital is unvaccinated An intensive care doctor today said every critically ill coronavirus-infected patient currently being treated at his hospital is unvaccinated. Dr David Hepburn said there are now no vaccinated Covid patients in critical care at Grange University Hospital in Cwmbran, South Wales. The 350million Specialist Critical Care Centre, which has 24 ICU beds, was opened four months early in November 2020 in order to tackle spiralling coronavirus cases at the time. But Dr Hepburn said the only people now in treatment are those who have chosen not to take up the offer of a vaccine. Data from across England shows less than nine per cent of Covid patients in critical care are boosted. This compares to more than 60 per cent who are have not had a vaccine. This is despite over-18s with boosters making up the majority of the adult population, compared to just the fraction who are unvaccinated. Ministers have called for all adults to book in their booster as the country's best line of defence against the current Omicron wave. Advertisement

Mr Streeting said: 'It is unacceptable for almost half of patients to be left waiting, often in pain and distress, for more than four hours in A&E over Christmas.'

The RCEM said the data suggests patients 'continue to endure long waits' this year, with 2021 the worst year on record for waiting times.

A spokesperson said: 'While indications are that the Omicron surge is beginning to slow, at least for the time being, at least one source of burden may start to ease a bit, freeing up much-needed capacity.

'However, the systems resilience has been stretched to such an extent in recent months that it is hard to envision a meaningful improvement in performance anytime soon.

'Patients will continue to endure long waits and suffer the kind of indignities associated with corridor care that the Winter Flow Project highlighted before Christmas.'

Meanwhile, the latest data shows A&E waiting time performance in Scottish hospitals has also fallen, with just 72 per cent of patients being seen within four hours.

For the week ending January 2, some 6,198 patients had to wait longer than fours hours, while 299 had to wait longer than 12 hours.

Many hospitals have come under severe pressure during the Omicron wave of coronavirus. Last week, patients in the greater Glasgow area were told to avoid A&E departments unless their condition was life-threatening.

Performance against the national four-hour target stood at 80 per cent for the week ending December 26, statistics from Public Health Scotland show.

It has dipped below 70 per cent twice  in mid-October and early December.

The Scottish Government's target of 95 per cent of patients being attended to within four hours has not been met since July 2020.

Responding to the figures, Scottish Conservative health spokesman, Dr Sandesh Gulhane, said: 'It may be a new year but it's clear the Health Secretary still has no new strategy for tackling the crisis in Scotland's emergency wards.

'These figures are unacceptable and it's clear Humza Yousaf's paltry Covid recovery plan isn't fit for purpose.

'Despite the wonderful support of UK armed forces, our under-resourced A&E departments simply can't cope with the huge demands being placed upon them  and the blame for that lies squarely with the SNP Government.

'When Scotland's largest health board  Greater Glasgow and Clyde  is pleading with patients to stay away from A&E unless their condition is life-threatening, the Health Secretary simply has to wake up and get a grip of his brief.'
A Russian streaming star faces a fine or jail after posing naked in front of a church.

In the latest in a series of cases cracking down on revealing pictures close to sacred sights, Polina Murugina, 24, is undergoing a law enforcement check.

She faces a fine of up to 3,000 or a year in jail if found guilty of 'insulting the religious feelings of believers'.

The tattooed online star posed outside the Church of the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Moscow, say multiple media reports.

The picture was taken last summer but was only recently reported to police.

The streaming actress has not commented on the police action but has closed her Instagram account where the church image was published.

Polina Murugina, 24, posed outside the Church of the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Moscow, say multiple media reports (pictured)

Murugina, pictured before getting face tattoos, faces a fine of up to 3,000 or a year in jail if found guilty of 'insulting the religious feelings of believers'

The streaming actress (pictured) has not commented on the police action but has closed her Instagram account where the church image was published

It is the latest in a series of Russian moves against racy posts beside churches or state buildings including the Kremlin.

Last year a Moscow court jailed two pranksters to 10 months for simulating oral sex near onion-domed St Basil's Cathedral on Red Square.

Ruslani Murodzhonzoda - a 23-year-old Tajik national also known as Ruslan Bobiyev - and Anastasia Chistova, 19, had both apologised for the 'harmless' stunt posted on Instagram, but were shown no mercy by the judge.

They were imprisoned under a new Russian law which found them guilty of offending the feelings of religious people.

In another case, influencer Ira Volkova, 30, was held in St Petersburg for exposing her rear outside floodlit St Isaac's Cathedral.

Meanwhile OnlyFans model Natalya Maslennikova, 20, was ordered to report to the FSB security service after baring her rear in view of a church in Kaluga in November last year.

This followed her pictures coming to light after police monitored the internet, according to a law enforcement statement.

The model issued an apology, and says she has been told by the FSB she will face a fine of up to 3,000 or community service.

'It was not my goal to take a photo against the background of a church,' she said, claiming she did not realise it was a place of worship.

'It is very old and does not look like a temple from the outside.

'The photo was taken when I was in a comic mood walking with a friend.'

Instagram model Anastasia Chistova, 19, and her boyfriend, influencer Ruslani Murodzhonzoda, 23  known as Ruslan Bobiyev - were jailed for ten months for simulating oral sex (pictured) on a video shot close to world famous St Basil's Cathedral

Instagram and OnlyFans model Natalya Maslennikova, 20, was ordered to report to the FSB security service after baring her rear in view of a church in Kaluga while taking a photo (pictured)

She faced a 3,000 fine or community service, after her picture was brought to the attention of security services who monitor the internet

Maslennikova has since apologised for the photo, but also felt compelled to remove her accounts from the internet after being hit by backlash

She claimed she removed her accounts after she was trolled by Male State, a nationalist movement which has attacked Russian women.

She said she had been to the local FSB office and 'written a confession'.

Mayor of Kaluga Dmitry Denisov said there was 'something wrong' with the 'mind and soul' of women like Maslennikova posing in such a way.

'I want such girls to become caring mothers and beloved wives,' he said.

'I am sure they do not have enough in their lives.'

Vice-governor of Kaluga region Dmitry Razumovsky said: 'Most likely it is the problem with the education of such people.'

He urged 'public condemnation, rather than forceful methods' to 'correct' them.
A visitor shows a vaccine certificate on a smartphone via a QR code at a discount store in Changwon, South Gyeongsang Province, Monday. Yonhap



By Bahk Eun-ji



The government is encouraging the public to receive booster shots against COVID-19, but many people are postponing it until just before their vaccine pass is set to expire after six months, in an effort to widen the vaccination intervals as much as possible.



This trend is because many people now think that they may have to receive a fourth and even fifth vaccination.



Kim Hae-jun, a 28-year-old office worker living in Geumcheon District in Seoul, said she plans to wait until right before her vaccine pass expires and then receive the next booster shot.



"Looking at the current virus situation, I thought that health authorities might recommend a fourth vaccine dose. But as concerns over possible side effects of the vaccine have not been allayed yet, I am trying to monitor the virus situation more at least for a couple of months to avoid receiving vaccines repeatedly," Kim said.



The vaccine pass, which is given when one finishes the second round of the vaccine, is valid for six months.



To use multiuse indoor facilities such as restaurants and cafes after the six months, one has to receive a booster shot before the expiration of their vaccine pass or show a negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test result obtained within 48 hours.



A number of online users have also shared their plans to postpone their scheduled booster shots.



"I repeatedly make the reservation and then cancel the booster shot, as I haven't decided whether to get it now or as late as possible," one user wrote. "But I guess that the government will encourage us to get a fourth dose again sooner or later, so I'm going to wait until five months pass after the second dose."



Another user also wrote, "I suffered from muscle pain after receiving the second dose, so I am trying to delay the booster shot as much as possible."



Such reactions have come mainly due to uncertainties over whether there will be a fourth or more inoculations. Health authorities are currently mulling over giving a fourth shot to those with weakened immune systems, although they are not considering it for younger, healthier people.



In fact, the rate of people getting booster shots is not very high, except for the elderly aged 60 or older, who the government encouraged last month to get their booster shots.



As of Sunday, 54.3 percent of people subject to a third shot, who received their second dose at least three months before, had their third shot, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA).



The ratio was 87.3 percent among those aged 60 or older, but only 38.1 percent among people aged between 18 and 59.



Health authorities have called on people to receive the booster shots as quickly as possible if three months have passed since their second dose, in order to reduce the number of daily infections and protect the country's medical system.



The level of immunity to the virus is compromised as early as three months after the second dose of inoculation, increasing the possibility of breakthrough infection.



In fact the cumulative number of breakthrough infections of people aged 18 to 59 was 127.6 per 100,000 people until the fourth week of November last year, but increased to 327.8 in the fourth week of December.



Experts say that they understand people who worry about the possibility of the fourth or even fifth dose of vaccinations, but that delaying vaccination is not entirely a good idea.



"Infection with Omicron variant is not protected by the completion of a second inoculation alone, and antibodies tend to be compromised six months after inoculation. Therefore, even if you are young and healthy, it is better to receive the third shot five months after the second one," said Chung Ki-suk, professor of Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital.


Dr. Anthony Fauci was caught on hot mic calling Republican Senator Roger Marshall a 'moron' after he accused him of hiding finances in a heated Senate Health Committee hearing on Tuesday.

Fauci responded to Marshall after telling him many times his financial disclosures, including his $434,212-a-year salary, are public knowledge and following an intense showdown with his nemesis Rand Paul.

After Marshall's time was up, the infectious disease expert could be heard sighing: 'What a moron, Jesus Christ.'

He and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Rochelle Walensky appeared before the Senate panel to defend the Biden administration's response to the COVID-19 pandemic as it nears the end of its second year and with the administration and agency facing a crisis of confidence and trust.

During the contentious hearing Fauci also accused Republican Senator Rand Paul of personally attacking him for 'political gain, distorting 'everything' he says' and inspiring 'crazies' to want to kill him during another tense battle.

Marshall began his off-topic exchange with a blown up check made out to Fauci for $434,312 and demanded he present his already-public financial disclosures -- implicitly accusing the longtime medical expert of possible insider trading.

'I don't understand why you're asking me that question. My financial disclosure is public knowledge and has been so for the last 37 years or so,' Fauci replied.

Fauci, like most senior government officials, is bound by law to disclose his financial information on an annual basis. There have never been any evidence reported that Fauci has run into trouble with the statute or neglected to follow it.

Marshall pressed him again, 'But the big tech giants are doing an incredible job of keeping it from being public. We'll continue to look for it. Where would we find it?'

Fauci aggressively fought back against accusations of silencing dissenting scientists and insider trading at a hearing meant to be about the federal government's COVID response

Dr. Fauci was joined by top Biden administration health officials including CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky at the contentious Monday hearing

'All you have to do is ask for it. You're so misinformed. It's extraordinary,' a bewildered Fauci said.

But the senator was undeterred.

'Why am I misinformed? This is a huge issue. Wouldn't you agree with me that you see things before members of Congress would see them, so that there's an air of appearance that maybe some shenanigans are going on,' he said.

An exhausted Fauci exploded: 'What are you talking about?'

Marshall claimed his office couldn't find Fauci's financial disclosures.

After the hearing the Kansas Senator said: 'I understand that Anthony Fauci had a very frustrating day: having a bombshell report show he in fact did award U.S. tax dollars for gain-of-function research at the Wuhan Institute of Virology and being called out about his personal financial disclosure during the COVID pandemic NOT being publically available must be very frustrating.'

'Calling me a moron during a Senate hearing may have alleviated the stress of the least trusted bureaucrat in America, but it didnt take away from the facts.'

During the hearing the White House chief medical adviser erupted at his nemesis Paul for suggesting he was using his $420,000 salary, the highest in the federal government, to 'take down' scientists he disagrees with and for calling him 'lead architect' in the pandemic response that's led to 800,000 Americans dying under President Biden.

Paul, who has called for Fauci to be fired and prosecuted, referenced emails published by Republican lawmakers on Tuesday containing an exchange between Fauci and his boss, Dr. Francis Collins, in which they dismiss a report that the pandemic originated in the Wuhan lab.

He accused Fauci, 81, of 'using government resources to center and to destroy the reputations of other scientists who disagree with him.'

Marshall displayed a blown-up phony check made out to Anthony Fauci during a bizarre line of questioning about his financial assets

Paul is among Fauci's most vocal critics, blaming him for thousands of COVID deaths and blasting his COVID health directives as 'tyrannical'

'Do you really think it's appropriate to use your $420,000 salary to attack science? Paul asked.

Fauci then flew into a rage, told Paul he was 'completely incorrect' and mentioned a California grocer who was arrested while travelling to D.C. with an AR-15 and threatening to kill him.

Fauci attempted to correct Paul but the pair wound up talking over each other in an increasingly heated back-and-forth.

'I think in usual fashion, Senator, you are distorting everything about me,' Fauci said.

Fauci makes a phone call during the politically charged COVID hearing

Paul began attacking Fauci for a desire to 'tear down people' before the scientist cut him off to say he was 'completely incorrect.'

Fauci went a step further and told the Kentucky Republican, 'not only are you distorting it, you're completely turning it around.'

'Senator, we are here at a committee, to look at a virus now that has killed almost 900,000 people and the purpose of the committee was to try and get things out how we can help to get the American public,' the medical expert exploded.

'And you keep coming back to personal attacks on me that have absolutely no relevance to reality.'

The GOP legislator labeled Fauci the 'lead architect' of a government response that's led to 800,000 people dying of COVID under Biden's first year in office.

Fauci asked Committee Chair Senator Patty Murray for a chance to respond, telling her: 'I would like just a couple of minutes because this, this happens all the time.'

'You personally attack me, and with absolutely not a shred of evidence of anything you say. So I would like to make something clear to the committee: he's doing this for political reasons,' Fauci said.

He brought up one of Paul's previous 'irresponsible' claims that Fauci was responsible for American COVID deaths.

Kuachua Brillion Xiong, 25, was arrested last month with a hit list that included Fauci, Biden and Obama among others

'There are two reasons why that's really bad,' he said steadily.

'The first is, it distracts from what we're all trying to do here today, is get our arms around the epidemic and the pandemic that we're dealing with. Not something imaginary.'

The second, Fauci said, is that Paul's wild accusations have led to threats against his and his family's safety.

'What happens when he gets out and accuses me of things that are completely untrue is that all of a sudden that kindles the crazies out there and I have threats upon my life, harassment of my family and my children with obscene phone calls, because people are lying about me,' Fauci said.

'I guess you could say well, that's the way it goes, I can take the hit. Well, it makes a difference.

'Because as some of you may know, just about three or four weeks ago on December 21, a person was arrested, who was on their way from Sacramento to Washington, DC, at a speed stop in Iowa. And they asked -- police asked him where he was going, and he was going to Washington, DC to kill Dr. Fauci.'

Late last month a California grocery store clerk named Kuachua Brillion Xiong was arrested with a hit list of political figures including Fauci, Biden and Barack Obama.

What happens when he gets out and accuses me of things that are completely untrue is that all of a sudden that kindles the crazies out there and I have threats upon my life, harassment of my family and my children with obscene phone calls, because people are lying about me.' Dr. Fauci to Sen. Rand Paul

He reportedly told authorities he wanted to 'fight evil demons in the White House' and was arrested with an AR-15 rifle, ammunition, loaded magazines, body armor and medical kits in his car.

'Because he thinks that maybe I'm killing people,' Fauci said of the man. 'Now I ask myself, why would the Senator want to do this?'

He held up a paper with a graphic of his own face printed alongside the words 'Fire Dr. Fauci.'

'Go to Rand Paul website, and you see "Fire Dr. Fauci" in a little box that says, "Contribute here." You could do $5, $10, $20, $100 -- so you are making a catastrophic epidemic into your political game,' Fauci charged.

Paul alleged Fauci was choosing to attack him in order to not respond to his accusations.

Eventually Murray shut down the exchange, denying Fauci's request for an additional minute to continue responding.

Shortly after the brief war of words, Paul posted an image of an infuriated Fauci holding up the website image.

'Dr. Fauci and I finally agreed on something in our Senate hearing today,' he mocked.

The next lawmaker to speak, Democrat Senator Chris Murphy, thanked Fauci for his work and tore into Republicans for 'making a sport' out of these attacks.

Paul mocked Fauci on Twitter shortly after their angry war of words at the Senate hearing

'And thank you for calling out this agenda for what it is, an attempt to score political points, to build a political power base, around the denial of science and around personal attacks on you and your family,' Murphy said.

He said Donald Trump and Republican lawmakers go after Fauci in 'some of the most vicious, hateful, ugly ways that are possible -- and they do it because it gets clicks. They don't do it because they're legitimately engaged in a honest debate about the science revolving around COVID.'

The Department of Health and Human Services released a statement defending Fauci and blasting Republicans shortly after the hearing on Tuesday.

'When it comes to misinformation, Republicans on the committee clearly werent trying to stop the spread. At a time when America is seeing rising COVID cases, its disappointing and frankly unacceptable that Republican Senators chose to spend a hearing with the countrys leading public health experts spreading conspiracy theories and lies about Dr. Fauci, rather than how we protect people from COVID-19,' HHS spokesman Ian Sams said.

'The Biden Administration will continue to focus on getting more Americans vaccinated and boosted and helping Americans get access to the tools to keep themselves and others safe. We would encourage these Republicans to join us.'

Another recent high-profile GOP attack on Fauci occurred when conservative Fox host Jesse Watters urged a young right-wing audience at a Turning Point USA event to 'ambush' Fauci and 'go in for the kill shot' -- despite couching the violent rhetoric by telling the crowd to confront him 'respectfully.'

Far from being punished, Watters was recently given his own primetime show on the TV network.

But Paul has perhaps been Fauci's most consistent critic, from accusing him of lying to Congress over NIH funds that allegedly went toward virology research in Wuhan to blaming him for thousands of COVID deaths.

Instead of engaging them on the merits, you and Dr. Collins sought to smear them as fringe and take them down, and not in journals in lay press. This is not only antithetical to the scientific method, it's the epitome of cheap politics, and it's reprehensible, Dr. Fauci. Sen. Rand Paul to Dr. Fauci

The Kentucky senator has claimed that Fauci's laser-focus on promoting vaccines versus treatments and 'natural immunity' cost numerous lives during the pandemic.

Fauci said in December that while boosted Americans have about 75 percent protection against the Omicron variant, some monoclonal antibody treatments won't work against the new strain.

'Unfortunately, but understandably with the degree of mutations that we have with Omicron, some of the monoclonal antibodies shown on the slide here very likely will not work against Omicron and those are shown in the first two monoclonal antibodies,' Fauci said on MSNBC on December 22.

The CDC recommends all people aged 12 and older be fully vaccinated and boosted, regardless of whether they've had COVID or not.

The now-dominant Omicron variant has been shown to cause breakthrough infections, though the vast majority of those patients experience mild to no symptoms.

Despite the new strain appearing to cause milder illness than the more severe Delta variant, data has shown that those who are unvaccinated are at a significantly higher risk of being hospitalized or dying of the virus.

Earlier in the hearing, GOP ranking committee member Sen. Richard Burr said the American public has lost 'trust' in the Biden administration amid widespread confusion over shifting public health guidelines.

'I don't understand why after tens of billions of federal dollars being appropriated, this administration has failed to ensure that the Americans have the tests they need. I don't understand why suddenly it's okay to take into account the economic and job impact of your guidance and recommendations,' Burr said.

' We shorten the quarantine guidance because too many people would be out of work. Was that because of science, or was it because you now know that lockdowns, shutdowns and school closures come with a significant downside impact?

'If you ask the American people to trust, quite frankly, you've lost their trust. Rather than attempting to gain their trust back, the administration chooses to litigate mandate requirements for employers with over 100 employees.'

Fauci shakes hands with ranking member on the Senate Health Committee Richard Burr. During the hearing Burr claimed the White House lost Americans' 'trust' amid widespread confusion over pandemic health guidelines

Before gaveling in the second round of the hearing, Murray without naming names warned participants against making 'personal attacks.'

At the outset of his allotted time Paul blasted Fauci for the 'insulting' suggestion he was to blame for the doctor's death threats.

He recalled the 2017 incident where a Bernie Sanders supporter opened fire during a Congressional Republican baseball practice, critically injuring House GOP Whip Steve Scalise.

'The person who's shot at us and almost killed Steve Scalise was a rabid supporter of Bernie Sanders. But the one thing you'll find, if you look at the record is not one of us accused Bernie Sanders of being responsible for that,' Paul said.

'So this is the kind of ignorant sort of personal attacks that you've engaged in.'

The senator seemed to insinuate that Fauci himself was to blame.

'The anger that's developed with you, Dr. Fauci, is that you don't want to give us advice. You want to tell us what to do,' Paul said.

'You think you are the science, and that anybody responds to you -- "How dare you? How dare you criticize science?" As if you somehow are science? That kind of arrogance, that hubris is really that's where the anger is coming towards you.'

Given a minute to respond, Fauci denied Paul's claims he wanted to 'take down' scientists who disagreed with him.

'You personally attack me, and the things that you do are incorrect, and proven incorrect,' Fauci told his foe.

During the hearing, Fauci also took heat from GOP Senator Roger Marshall, himself a physician before taking office.

'You've lost your reputation. The American people don't trust the words coming out of your mouth,' the Kansas Republican said.

Fauci retorted, 'It really pains me to have to just point out to the American public just how absolutely incorrect you are.'

REPUBLICAN SENATORS AND FAUCI GO TO WAR: READ THE TENSE EXCHANGES IN FULL Senator Rand Paul: The idea that a government official, like yourself, would claim unilaterally  unilaterally to represent science, and that any criticism of you would be considered a criticism of science itself, is quite dangerous. Central planning, whether it be of the economy or of science, is risky because of the fallibility of the planner, would not be so catastrophic if the planner were simply one physician in Peoria. Then the mistakes would only affect that physician's patients and the people who chose that physician. But when the planner is a government official, like yourself, who rules by mandate, the errors are compounded and become much more harmful. A planner who believes he is the science leads to an arrogance that justifies, in his mind, using government resources to smear and to destroy the reputations of other scientists who disagree with him. In an email exchange with [NiH Director Dr. Francis Collins ] you conspire, and I quote here directly from the email, to create a "quick and devastating publish takedown" of three prominent epidemiologists from Harvard, Oxford and Stanford. Apparently there's a lot of fringe epidemiologists at Harvard, Oxford and Stanford. And you quote in the email from Dr. Collins, and you agree, that they are fringe. And immediately this is takedown ethic, a published takedown though doesn't exactly conjure up the image of a dispassionate scientist. Instead of engaging them on the merits, you and Dr. Collins sought to smear them as fringe and take them down. And not in journals, in lay press. This is not only antithetical to the scientific method, it's the epitome of cheap politics and it's reprehensible, Dr. Fauci. Do you really think it's appropriate to use your $420,000 salary to attack scientists that disagree with you? Fauci: The email you were referring to was an email of Dr. Collins to me, if you look at the email -- Paul:  That you responded to, and hurried up and said "I can do it I can do it, we got something in Wired Magazine  Fauci: No, no, no, no, I think in usual fashion, Senator, you are distorting everything about me. Paul: Did you ever object to Dr. Collins's characterization of them as fringe? Did you write back to Dr. Collins saying No, theyre not fringe, they are esteemed scientists and it would be beneath me   Fauci: I did not do that. Paul: You responded to him to that you would do it, and you immediately got an article in Wired, and sent it back to him and said Hey look I've got him, I nailed him in Wired, of all scientific publications. Fauci: Thats not what went on. There you go again, you just do the same thing every hearing  Paul:  That was your response. That was your response  Fauci:  No, no  Paul:  And this wasn't the only time. So your desire to tear down people  Fauci: Youre absolutely incorrect as usual, Senator, you're incorrect. Almost everything youve said. Paul: You deny, you deny, but the emails tell the truth of this. Fauci: No. Paul: This wasn't the only time. Your desire to take down those who disagree with you didn't stop with Harvard, Oxford and Stanford. You conspired with Peter Daszak, who you communicated with privately, and other members of the scientific community that wrote opinion pieces for Nature  five of them signed a paper for Nature, an opinion piece, 17 signed a paper that called it "conspiracy theory," the idea that the virus could have originated in the lab. Do you think words like "conspiracy theory" should be in a scientific paper? Fauci: Senator, I never used that word, when I was referring to it. You're distorting virtually everything  Paul: Did you communicate with the five scientists who wrote the opinion piece in Nature, where they were describing "Oh, this  there's no way this could actually come from a lab. Fauci: That was not me. What I did  Paul: Did you talk with any of those scientists privately? Fauci: You keep that you keep the truth. It is stunning how you do that. Paul: Did you? Did you talk to any of the scientists privately, who wrote the opinion  Fauci: Yes. Paul: You did. Well what were they telling you privately? Fauci: Well, let me explain  you know, youre going back to that original discussion when I brought together, a group of people to look at every possibility with an open mind. So you not  not only are you distorting it, you're completely turning it around. As you usually do. Paul: And those are the scientists that came to you privately. Did they come to you privately and say No way this came from the lab," or was their initial impression, Dr. Gary and others that were involved, was their initial impression, actually, that it looked very suspicious for a virus and came from a lab? Fauci: Senator. We are here at a committee to look at a virus now that has killed almost 900,000 people and the purpose of the committee was to try and get things out how we can help to get the American public. And you keep coming back to personal attacks on me that have absolutely no relevance to reality. Paul: Do you think anybody has had more influence over our response to this than you have? Do you think it's a great success? Fauci: Let me finish  Madam Chair, can I  Paul: Do you think its a great success whats happened so far? Fauci  You have said -- Paul: Do you think the lockdowns are good for our kids? Do you think we slowed down the death rate? More people have died now under President Biden than did under President Trump. You are the one responsible, you are the architect. You're the lead architect for the response from the government. And now 800,000 people have died. Fauci: Right. Paul: But you think that's a winning success what you've advocated for government? Fauci: Senator, first of all, if you look at everything that I said, you accuse me of  in a monolithic way  telling people what they need to do. Everything that I have said has been in support of the CDC guidelines. Wear a mask, get boosted, get vaccinated. Paul: And youve advocated to make it coercive, and [intelligible] advocated for it to be done by mandate. Fauci: Take a look at everything Ive said. Paul: Youve advocated that your infallible opinion be dictated by law. Fauci: Madam Chair, I would like just a couple of minutes because this, this happens all the time. You personally attack me, and with absolutely not a shred of evidence of anything you say. So I would like to make something clear to the committee: he's doing this for political reasons. What you need to do is  he said in front of this committee  Paul:  You think your takedown of three prominent epidemiologists was not political? That was my question  Fauci:  You dont want me to finish because you know what Im going to say. Paul: That was the question. Were you political in taking down these three prominent epidemiologists? Chairwoman Patty Murray: Senator, Senator we will  at this point  at this point  Senator Paul, if you would please. Im going to allow this, going to allow Dr. Fauci to respond. We have a number of Senators who have to ask questions and I would like him to be able to respond. Please do. Fauci: So, the last time we had a committee or the time before, he was accusing me of being responsible for the death of 5  4 to 5 million people, which is really irresponsible and I said, Why is he doing that?" There are two reasons why that's really bad. The first is, it distracts from what we're all trying to do here today, is get our arms around the epidemic and the pandemic that we're dealing with. Not something imaginary. Number two, what happens when he gets out and accuses me of things that are completely untrue, is that all of a sudden that kindles the crazies out there, and I have life  threats upon my life  harassments of my family, and my children with obscene phone calls, because people are lying about me. Now, now  I guess you could say well, that's the way it goes. I can take the hit. Well, it makes a difference. Because as some of you may know, just about three or four weeks ago on December 21, a person was arrested who was on their way from Sacramento to Washington, DC at a speed stop in Iowa. And they asked  the police asked him where he was going, and he was going to Washington, DC to kill Dr. Fauci. And they found in his car an AR-15, and multiple magazines of ammunition. Because he thinks that maybe I'm killing people. So I asked myself, "Why would Senator want to do this?" So go to Rand Paul website, and you see Fire Dr. Fauci with a little box that says, Contribute here." You could do $5 $10 $20 $100. So you are making a catastrophic epidemic for your political gain. So the only thing  the only thing that I can  Paul: You have politically attacked your colleagues, and in a politically reprehensible way, youve attacked their reputations. Fauci: The only thing that I can think of  Paul:  You won't defend it, you wont argue it, youll simply turn around the attack. Fauci:  No, no  Murray: Okay we  Im sorry this  were going to continue this hearing, we have a number of questions from other senators  Fauci: Yeah, Right. Just one  one more minute, please, if my  Murray: Dr. Fauci, I really appreciate your response, but we do have a number of questions from senators and we do have a second round and I'm being asked to make sure that we  everybody has their time. So thank you. Fauci: Thank you very much for allowing me, Madam Chair. Senator Roger Marshall: You have an annual salary in 2020 was $434,000. You oversee over $5 billion in federal research grants as the highest paid employee in the entire federal government. Yes or no: would you be willing to submit to Congress and the public a financial disclosure that includes your past and current investments? After all, your colleague Dr. Walensky, and every member of Congress submits a financial disclosure that includes their investments. Fauci: I don't understand why you're asking me that question. My financial disclosure is public knowledge and has been so for the last 37 years or so  35 years  theyve been directly  Marshall: But the big tech giants are doing an incredible job of keeping it from being public. We'll continue to look for it. Fauci: What? Marshall: Where would we find it? Fauci: What? All you have to do is ask for it. I I  you're so misinformed. It's extraordinary. All you have to do is ask for it. Marshall: Why am I misinformed? This is a huge issue. Wouldn't you agree with me that  that you have a  you see things before members of Congress would see them, so that there's an air of appearance that  that maybe some shenanigans are going on? You know, I don't think that that's  I assume that's not the case. Fauci: Wha are you talking about? My  my financial disclosures are public knowledge and have been so. You are getting amazingly wrong information. Marshall: So  I -- I cannot find them  Fauci:  What are you talking about? Marshall: Our office cannot find them. Where would they be if theyre public knowledge? Where? Chairwoman Patty Murray: Senator  Senator  Fauci: It is totally accessible to you, if you want it. Marshall: For the public? Is that accessible to the public? Fauci: To the public. To the public. Marshall: Great. We look forward to reviewing it. Murray: Senator Marshall. Fauci: You are totally incorrect. Murray: Senator Marshall. Marshall: Well we look forward to reviewing it. Murray: Senator Marshall, Dr. Fauci has answered you. It is public information and he's happy to give it to you if you were to ask. [Moving to next Senator] Senator Moran. Fauci: [Hot mic] What a moron. Jesus Christ. Advertisement
The Omicron variant has fundamentally changed the dynamics of this pandemic  and it is blaring a wake-up call to Americans that the 'Covid Zero' philosophy and policies are now absurdly unworkable.

Figuratively, if not literally, everyone is going to catch Omicron eventually - and some people will be asymptomatic, and not even know they have it.

The good news is that healthy vaccinated people have no reason to fear catching Omicron.

If  perhaps it's more appropriate to say when - you catch the Omicron variant, it will likely seem like a bad cold, or perhaps a mild one. Or you may be asymptomatic. Vaccinations and acquired immunity from past infections mean that this ongoing Omicron wave is going to feel like a bad flu season.

And we have never spent winters locked in our houses, terrified of interacting with people for fear of catching the flu.

So what is so special about Omicron?

It's hardly surprising that many people, two years into this pandemic, are still operating on the psychological equivalent of DefCon 1.

The world has endured something that at the outset was frightening and traumatic. The first four variants were deadly. Initially, we had no viable treatments or vaccines.

But we do now, and a COVID death rate that has fallen dramatically from where it was in 2020 and early 2021 reflects that.

The trouble is that much of the mainstream media coverage of the current wave doesn't reflect that.

The number of new deaths has increased by just 17 percent in the past two weeks  a much more gradual incline and lower than peaks of new deaths in April 2020 and January and September 2021.

From South Africa to the United Kingdom to the U.S. , studies indicate that patients with Omicron are less likely to end up in the hospital, and if they do require hospitalization, they are more likely to recover and get discharged quicker. (Above) Medical staff treat a coronavirus disease patient in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio on January 4, 2022.

And while we may have sympathy for those unable to let go of an all-consuming fear, it is not a rational response, and it has long ago stopped being a productive or healthy response. It is a response that chooses fear and isolation over the evidence, right in front of our eyes.

The first key change that the paranoid refuse to acknowledge is that Omicron is much less virulent than Delta and other previous variants.

From South Africa to the United Kingdom to the U.S., studies indicate that patients with Omicron are less likely to end up in the hospital, and if they do require hospitalization, they are more likely to recover and get discharged quicker.

Omicron is extremely contagious, but thankfully not extremely deadly.

As of Monday, the number of new cases in the United States has increased 216 percent over the past two weeks  basically, the line representing the average number of new cases on the CDC chart is going straight up, reaching a peak way higher than the previous peak of January 2021.

Meanwhile, the number of new deaths has increased by just 17 percent in the past two weeks  a much more gradual incline and lower than peaks of new deaths in April 2020 and January and September 2021.

Why is Omicron less likely to kill you?

This variant doesn't appear to thrive in human lungs the way its predecessors did.

According to a study published last month from researchers at the University of Hong Kong, the Omicron variant particularly flourishes in the bronchus, the two large tubes that carry air from your windpipe to your lungs and back  replicating perhaps up to 70 times faster than the Delta variant or the original SARS-CoV-2 virus. Rapid reproduction in the bronchus probably results in an infected person exhaling more of the virus with every breath, making the virus spread faster.

The good news is that the Omicron variant doesn't flourish as well in the lungs  perhaps as much as ten times slower  and Omicron's inability to replicate quickly inside the lungs likely gives the infected person better odds of overcoming the infection.

In recognition of the finding that Omicron is less deadly than previous variants for the vast majority of the population, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention slashed the recommended amount of time that a positive COVID person must spend in quarantine.

When a Supreme Court justice like Sonia Sotomayor (above) falsely contends that 'we have over 100,000 children, which we've never had before, in serious condition and many on ventilators,' it is a flashing neon sign that even some of the most powerful people in the country operate in a dark fantasyland, and believe the pandemic is apocalyptic in its severity and scale.

Instead of spending 10-days in isolation, a person with COVID can leave isolation after 5-days, if they are not exhibiting symptoms.

It makes sense  the CDC was acknowledging that it is bad for us all to unnecessarily lockdown productive members of society over minor illnesses that most likely won't hurt other healthy people. All Americans should have been cheering the decision, but they didn't.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, ostensibly the voice of the COVID-lockdown long haulers, went on TV and justified their worry. These concerned Americans apparently wanted people recovering from COVID to be required to receive a negative test before rejoining society.

'People are getting concerned about 'why not test people at that time?' I, myself, feel that that's a reasonable thing to do,' Fauci said on CNN.

Thankfully, the CDC did not honor the hysteria. They did not walk back the new recommendations, but in a nod to the lockdown long haulers the CDC did say that if you want to test  you're welcome to do so.

The second key change that irrational COVID handwringers ignore is that Omicron is so contagious, many of our previous preventative measures are ineffective. A lot of our past pandemic arguments are becoming moot with this new variant.

Cases are exploding in jurisdictions with strict masking rules, indicating masking is a futile policy, unless people are wearing surgical-grade or N95 masks with a religious devotion. (No, the virus doesn't politely pause while you're eating or drinking.)

Dr. Leanna Wen, a CNN medical analyst, no doubt made some mask enthusiasts gasp when she declared on the news network December 22, 'cloth masks are not appropriate for this pandemic. It was -- it is not appropriate for Omicron, it was not appropriate for Delta, Alpha or any of the previous variants either because we're dealing with something that's airborne, we're dealing with a virus that's extremely contagious.'

Just think of all of the public squabbles we've witnessed over the past two years over cloth masks, that were, apparently all along, 'not appropriate for this pandemic.'

Interestingly, some of the mask battles have now intensified and they are most fierce when it comes to the least vulnerable and most compliant segment of the population  children. Instead of concluding that masks may be less important in combating a highly contagious virus that nearly everyone may be exposed to  many have concluded that they are more important.

The CDC has just recommended KN95s and KF94s masks indoors for all students two years and older  despite ever-increasing evidence of the harm masks do to child development and the continuing fact that children are simply not at serious risk of Covid unless they have some other condition.

A parent in Minneapolis, who reviews masks, has developed a combined audience of 50,000 Twitter and YouTube followers. And on Long Island, New York, masking kids is the political controversy du jour as the Democratic governor and a Republican county executive tussle over mandatory masking for school children.

Vaccines help mitigate the virus' effect, but it is no longer even remotely accurate to contend, as MSNBC host Rachel Maddow said last March, 'the virus stops with every vaccinated person it cannot use a vaccinated person as a host to get more people.'

Much like the mask wars, the vaccination mandate wars are turning into a waste of energy, overtaken by events.

Finally, it is also now clear that the most 'elite' among us metaphorically travel in circles of the most paranoid and panicky. Too many elected officials, public health officials, and university administrators are primed to panic over the latest hysterical headline.

Amid headlines like, 'Children are hospitalized with Covid at record numbers' Fauci tried to tamp down the anxiety.

He told MSNBC, ' if a child goes in the hospital they automatically get tested for COVID and they get counted as a COVID hospitalized individual, when in fact they may go in for a broken leg or appendicitis or something like that.' But the damage was done.

When a Supreme Court justice like Sonia Sotomayor falsely contends, during oral arguments, that 'we have over 100,000 children, which we've never had before, in serious condition and many on ventilators,' it is a flashing neon sign that even some of the most powerful people in the country operate in a dark fantasyland, and believe the pandemic is apocalyptic in its severity and scale. (There are there are fewer than 3,500 current pediatric hospitalizations from COVID-19. Where is Sotomayor getting her information from?)

Teachers unions in Chicago and other major cities temporarily forced schools to close their doors again  after their members have been vaccinated and boosted, and after kids have been vaccinated, for a milder virus!

Teachers unions in Chicago and other major cities temporarily forced schools to close their doors again  after their members have been vaccinated and boosted, and after kids have been vaccinated, for a milder virus! (Above) Child protests against remote learning in Chicago on January 10, 2022

America's colleges and universities are treating students like they are the among the most vulnerable, requiring them to stay in their dorm rooms and wear masks outdoors even though as fit, young, vaccinated adults they are pretty much the LEAST likely to get seriously ill.

These were harsh and scientifically dubious policies before vaccination. With vaccines and boosters, and with a milder variant, these policies are insane.

To be as afraid of Omicron in early 2022 as you were of the original Covid-19 in March 2020 is to ignore reality - to ignore the effectiveness of vaccines and boosters, the development of new treatments, and the milder form of this variant. Living in fear of a milder virus, after getting vaccinated and boosted, is choosing a form of self-immiseration.

This is a different phase of the pandemic, the transition to the virus becoming endemic  meaning never going away completely, but no longer an all-consuming threat.

Covid is becoming another seasonal upper respiratory disease  a particular concern for the unvaccinated, the elderly, the immunocompromised, and those with multiple comorbidities, but not a reason to shut down society.

Of course, new variants will emerge - just as the common cold and flu viruses mutate every year - but that is never front-page news and neither are daily flu deaths, let alone infection numbers.

And new variants that emerge are just as likely to be even milder than Omicron than more dangerous.

We need to stop fetishizing one threat to our health among many, put it in its proper perspective and return to living our normal lives -- alongside the virus.

Jim Geraghty is the senior political correspondent of National Review and the author of five books, most recently, Hunting Four Horsemen.
West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin said pointedly Tuesday that ending the legislative filibuster won't make the Senate work better  just as President Joe Biden flew to Georgia to demand changes in Senate rules to push through voting rights legislation.

'We need some good rules changes to make the place work better. But getting rid of the filibuster doesnt make it work better,' Manchin told reporters in the Capitol Tuesday morning.

He has allowed he might be open to a formal rules change  based on two-thirds of those voting present to do so. He called that a case of 'Democrats, Republicans changing the rules to make the place work better. Getting rid of the filibuster doesnt make it work better,' he underlined.

MANCHIN to @MacFarlaneNews



We need some good rule changes to make the place work better but getting rid of the filibuster doesnt make it work better. pic.twitter.com/s4y1HtS6WH  Alan He (@alanhe) January 11, 2022

Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia once again poured cold water on the Democrats' plan to change the filibuster if voting rights legislation remains stalled, saying getting rid of the filibuster won't make the Senate 'work better'

Manchin made his comments just as Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has leveled the threat of pushing through a rules change on just such a party-line vote. But Schumer cannot do so without buy-in from all 50 members of his caucus, including Manchin.

Without Manchin, such an effort would fail. Manchin has also been negotiating with Republicans on voting rights legislation, but there have been no indications to date there is a coalition of 60 including Republicans who would brake with their own leadership to push through the kind of changes Democratic leaders are pushing for.

His own defense of the status quo comes as Biden prepares to turn up the heat on opponents of voting rights legislation. His remarks echo the Civil Rights struggles of the 1960s, where opponents of reform deployed the filibuster to major effect.

'The next few days, when these bills come to a vote, will mark a turning point in this nation. Will we choose democracy over autocracy, light over shadow, justice over injustice?,' Biden planned to say, according to excerpts released from the White House.

'I know where I stand. I will not yield. I will not flinch. I will defend your right to vote and our democracy against all enemies foreign and domestic. And so the question is where will the institution of United States Senate stand?,' Biden was set to ask.

Manchin spoke hours before President Joe Biden (here with VP Kamala Harris arriving in Atlanta) was set to push for changes to the filibuster to move voting rights legislation

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell is threatening to use Senate rules to bring up controversial legislation that might put some vulnerable Democrats in a bind if Democrats proceed with a move to try to change Senate filibuster rules

Manchin's comments came after comments Monday suggesting he has not dropped his opposition to ditching the filibuster. He did so by implying the filibuster had always been part of the Senate, when it wasn't used for the first decades of the Senate and filibuster rules have been changed on several occasions.

Democrats have been trying to win over the West Virginia senator as part of a push to change the rules to pass voting rights legislation.

But Manchin, whose opposition doomed Biden's massive Build Back Better spending plans, signaled he remained opposed.

He told Congressional reporters that the filibuster was 'the tradition of the Senate here in 232 years now ... '

'We need to be very cautious what we do.

'I'm hoping that we can come to an agreement to fix things. Every American has the right to vote and should be protected.'

'That's what we've always had for 232 years. That's what makes us different than any place else in the world.'

Adam Jentleson, a former aide to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, noted in response to Manchin: 'This is false. The filibuster as we know it did not exist in the early Senate. The Framers favored majority rule and created rules to allow senators to cut off debate when it became obstructionist. The Senate was majority-rule well into the latter half of the 20th century.'

Sen. Joe Manchin stands between President Joe Biden and voting rights legislation as the West Virginia senator again urged caution in shaking up Senate rules

Manchin spoke to congressional reporters on Monday, saying the Senate should be cautious in overhauling rules that had served it well in the past 232 years

Democrats' efforts to push through legislation have been stalled by the filibuster and rules that require 60 senators to back most bills, enabling a Republican minority to block their push for voter protections.

They face a critical week as Chuck Schumer, their leader in the Senate, has set January 17 - Martin Luther King Day - as the deadline for passing the legislation.

Manchin and Krysten Sinema, who both represent more conservative states, have said they want to keep the filibuster for the way it promotes bipartisanship.

As a result, party leaders have spared no effort in trying to woo them.

Former presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama and even talk show host Oprah Winfrey have called Manchin as part of their campaign to persuade him to support reforms to the filibuster or a carveout on this one issue.

The push will take on added momentum on Tuesday when Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris will visit Atlanta to hit back at what they see as Republican efforts to restrict voting access.

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said Biden planned to push through voting rights legislation.

'His plan is to sign voting rights legislation into law. That requires a majority of senators to support it ... if there are changes to the Senate rules, which is something the President has expressed an openness to,' she said.

Georgia is a battleground state, where Democrats won two Senate seats in January 2021.

Atlanta was also the home of Martin Luther King, and Psaki said it was a 'place with profound civil rights history.'

President Biden will travel to Atlanta, Georgia, on Tuesday to deliver a speech on voting rights

White House Press Secretary said Biden would use his speech in Atlanta to advocate forcefully for 'protecting the most bedrock American rights, the right to vote and have your voice counted in a free, fair and secure election'

She confirmed that the president would back changing Senate rules, which currently require 60 senators to back most legislation, enabling a Republican minority to block voting rights bills.

'The president will forcefully advocate for protecting the most bedrock American rights, the right to vote and have your voice counted in a free, fair and secure election that is not tainted, tainted, tainted by partisan manipulation,' she said.

Democrats face a critical week as Chuck Schumer, their leader in the Senate, has set January 17 - Martin Luther King Day - as the deadline for passing the legislation.

But Democratic Senators Joe Manchin and Krysten Sinema, who represent more conservative states, have said they want to keep the filibuster for the way it promotes bipartisanship.

Republicans have said they support keeping the filibuster because it gives minority lawmakers a voice in policymaking.

Their Senate leader Mitch McConnell on Monday afternoon signaled his opposition, with a threat to force votes on a string of GOP-sponsored bills if Democrats make changes.

'Since Sen. Schumer is hellbent on trying to break the Senate, Republicans will show how this reckless action would have immediate consequences," he told The Wall Street Journal.

And during a floor speech, he said: 'If Republicans refuse to join us in a bipartisan spirit, if they continue to hijack the rules of the Senate to turn this chamber into a deep freezer, were going to consider the appropriate steps necessary to restore the Senate so we can pass these proposals and send them to the presidents desk.'

Biden was once seen as a supporter of the status quo but has expressed frustration at the filibuster as his legislative agenda stalled. In October he said it was time to 'fundamentally alter' the filibuster for certain issues.

Hillary Clinton offered her support to changing Senate rules in order to pass voting rights legislation with a tweet on Monday. She has spoken in favor of abolishing filibuster in the past

He has received backing from a string of senior Democrats.

On Monday, former presidential candidate and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton weighed in with a call to change the rules.

Quoting the president who signed the Voting Rights Act, she tweeted: '"The right to vote is the basic right without which all others are meaningless," Lyndon B. Johnson said. "It gives people, people as individuals, control over their own destinies."

'It's time Senate Democrats adjust the rules to protect Americans' right to vote.'

At other times, Clinton has gone further and suggested that it was time to ditch the filibuster altogether.

What asked if she would get rid of it during the Atlantic Festival, she said, 'Absolutely,' and pointed to the way the Republican Party refused to vote on Merrick Garland - Barack Obama's pick for the Supreme Court in 2016.

'Keeping the filibuster now, when you're dealing with a political party that does not respect the rule of law, does not even respect the process unless it works for them, you know, witness what they did to Merrick Garland when President Obama had every right to appoint a Supreme Court justice,' she said.

Senate Republicans are threatening to force votes on a slew of bills designed to split the Democratic caucus and take over the floor agenda should Majority Leader Charles Schumer carry out his threat to push through a change in Senate filibuster rules for voting rights.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, who has been leading a Republican filibuster against the bills, threatened to use Senate rules to call up a raft of legislation in response  including bills that might peel off a vote a or two from vulnerable Democrats.

'Since Sen. Schumer is hellbent on trying to break the Senate, Republicans will show how this reckless action would have immediate consequences,' McConnell vowed.

He reiterated his threat on the Senate floor Tuesday morning.

'I want to make something very, very clear. Fifty Republican senators  the largest possible minority  have been sent here to represent the many millions of Americans whom leader Schumer wants so badly to leave behind,' McConnell said. 'So, if my colleague tries to break the Senate to silence those millions of Americans, we will make their voices heard in this chamber in ways that are more inconvenient for the majority and this White House than what anybody has seen in living memory.'

McConnell's planned virtual takeover of the floor agenda would not result in new laws  Democrats could block them and President Biden could veto them anyway. But it could put pressure on Democrats while also tying up the floor with procedural votes.

On tap would be legislation including a bill on the Keystone XL pipeline, a project President Joe Biden blocked at the start of his term. An amendment to revive it drew support from Sens. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and Jon Tester (D-Mont.) early last year.

McConnell's threat came on Monday in a comment to the Wall Street Journal. He has scheduled a press conference on Tuesday where he will continue to beat the drum.

'We have a lot of bills, actually, that have bipartisan support that Democrats have expressed support for previously,' said Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), the party's Number Two leader.

The minority party has traditionally vowed to carry out harsh delaying tactics when the majority threatens to change the rules to its advantage  one reason changes to the Senate filibuster have been termed the 'nuclear option' over the years.

Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer says the chamber will vote on filibuster changes if the Senate doesn't act by Monday on voting rights

The GOP votes could put pressure on senators like Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), who has opposed changes to the filibuster

One of the bills Republicans would try to bring up would seek to revive the Keystone XL pipeline

Republicans are able to try to bring up the legislation in the 50-50 Senate through provisions of Rule 14  which allows a senator to place legislation directly on the Senate calendar.

It still would be subject to a filibuster, so Democrats could prevent the bills from becoming law. But the procedural move could force Democrats to cast votes out of step with the majority of their colleagues, turning up the heat on senators like Manchin, and targets including Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Mark Kelly (Ariz.) and Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.)

Schumer, in remarks to colleagues Monday evening, tried to call McConnell's bluff.

He offered a 'unanimous consent' motion to bring up all the bills on McConnell's wish list, plus the two Democratic voting rights bills, but McConnell objected.

President Joe Biden is making a push for voting rights legislation with a speech in Atlanta Monday, and is expected to call for changes to filibuster rules in the chamber where he served for more than three decades.

Schumer has said the Senate will vote on a change to the filibuster rules by MLK Day this coming Monday if the chamber doesn't take action on voting rights. The legislative filibuster allows a minority to block debate on a measure unless then majority can muster 60 votes.

Other legislation on McConnell's list would codify Trump Administration water policy rules, Yahoo News reported. Another would block American Rescue Plan funds for schools that aren't conducting in-person learning. Still another would block settlement payments to illegal immigrants  following reports the Justice Department was planning payouts to parents who were separated from their children.

Other votes could target hot-button issues like abortion and a border wall.

Current rules require 60 votes to cut off debate on legislation, allowing a minority to block action by the majority.

They have been modified on occasion, including in 2013, when Democrats ended the requirement for administration and lower court nominees. Republicans took a similar action for Supreme Court nominees in 2017. Both those changes came on a simple majority vote.

The threshold for changing the requirement for 'closure' to cut off debate also has been changed, with a two-thirds majority of those present put in place in 1917 and a three-fifths majority of those 'chosen and sworn' in 1975.
The son of notorious hook-handed hate cleric Abu Hamza has been jailed for more than three years over a plot to set up bank accounts to launder almost 350,000.

Ti-to Ibn-Sheikh was handed information by an HSBC bank insider, which he used to create false identities for account holders, Southwark Crown Court heard.

The bank accounts were then used to launder the proceeds of thefts and frauds, with victims losing a total of 342,000 between May 2018 and December 2019.

Ibn-Sheikh, one of eight children of Hamza, was jailed for a total of three years and nine months on Tuesday.

The 35-year-old, from Shepherd's Bush, west London, is the second of the radical Muslim cleric's children to be jailed in the UK in the last 12 months.

His son Yasser Kamel was jailed in April last year after being caught with thousands of pounds worth of drugs at his 1,600-a-month studio flat in London.

Kamel blamed the arrest of his father, on charges of inciting violence, for his life of crime.

Ibn-Sheikh had previously pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to launder money and possessing articles for use in fraud.

He also admitted possession of 14 identity documents with fraudulent intent and possession of more than 12,000 in criminal cash.

Judge Andrew Goymer said: 'This defendant in my judgment played a leading role, not necessarily the leading role.

Ti-to Ibn-Sheikh (pictured) was handed information by an HSBC bank insider, which he used to create false identities for account holders, Southwark Crown Court heard

Ibn-Sheikh, one of eight children of the radical Muslim hate cleric Abu Hamza (pictured), was jailed for a total of three years and nine months on Tuesday.

'He is not right at the peak, but he is not far below that because he used considerable skill, ingenuity and industry towards this fraudulent and dishonest scheme.'

Ibn-Sheikh, who was previously called Mustafa Hamza Kamel, is the son of radical Muslim cleric Abu Hamza, 63, who led the Finsbury Park Mosque in the 1990s.

Hamza was previously jailed in the UK for inciting violence and was extradited to New York after an eight-year legal battle.

He is currently serving a life sentence in the US for terrorism offences.

Ibn-Sheikh, who was previously called Mustafa Hamza Kamel, is the son of radical Muslim cleric Abu Hamza (pictured), 63, who led the Finsbury Park Mosque in the 1990s

Ibn-Sheikh's barrister Bill Evans said his client had changed his name to distance himself from his father.

'His father has a degree of notoriety, which has caused him substantial difficulty and he and other members of his family have changed their names as a result,' he said.

The court heard that when Ibn-Sheikh was arrested on December 17 2019, he was caught with 12 iPhones, 10 bank cards in different names and 14 identity documents.

Prosecutor Kelly Brocklehurst said once he had obtained an identity document, he would set about creating a 'legend' around it using council and utility bills, National Insurance cards and UK driving licences.

The iPhones were used to ensure the false identities each had differing and unique contact details, he said.

'Using those phones together with supporting documents provided the sort of rounded profile which allowed him to open their bank accounts fraudulently,' he added.

The court heard Ibn-Sheikh was on licence at the time of the offences, having been jailed for 12 years for kidnapping at Inner London Crown Court in 2014.

Bill Evans, defending, said Ibn-Sheikh's role was to set up accounts through which people could put substantial amounts of money, which were then paid out to foreign jurisdictions.

'Mr Ibn-Sheikh was not the ultimate beneficiary of those sums,' he said.

Ibn-Sheikh, one of eight children of Hamza, was jailed for a total of three years and nine months on Tuesday at Southwark Crown Court (pictured: Library image)

'If one looks at his record and previous convictions, it is apparent he has now spent the vast majority of the past 12 or 13 years or so in custody.

'The extent to which he is able to manage outside and make use of his talents in a legitimate way will of course be directly impacted by the amount of time he now spends in custody.

'He is clearly a talented man who has chosen to utilise his talents in a way that has resulted in fairly substantial periods of custody.'

Russell Tyner, of the CPS Organised Crime Division, said: 'Ibn-Sheikh was perfectly willing to bank and move large amounts of stolen money.

'The number of passports and other ID showed he was more than just a neutral recipient of the cash.

'He was an active and willing participant in the conspiracy and he had the ability and means to create false accounts to launder cash.

It comes after another of Hamza's son's Yasser Kamel (pictured), 31, was jailed in April last year after admitting drugs offences. Kamel was caught with the drugs when police executed a 'non-drugs related' search warrant at his 1,600-a-month studio flat in Park Royal, northwest London , on December 17, 2019

'His guilty pleas shows the strength of the case against him.

'These are not victimless crimes and wherever possible the CPS will work with our law enforcement partners to bring money laundering cases before a court and any ill-gotten gains recovered.'

It comes after another of Hamza's son's Yasser Kamel, 31, was jailed in April last year after admitting drugs offences.

Kamel was caught with the drugs when police executed a 'non-drugs related' search warrant at his 1,600-a-month studio flat in Park Royal, northwest London, on December 17, 2019.

Under the oven kickboard in his kitchen officers found 81g of top quality cocaine worth 10,000, bagged in 208 0.5g bags.

They also found 50g of MDMA in crystal form worth 13,000 to 19,500, 33g of class-B drug Ketamine worth 1,500 and 48 ecstasy tablets.

Officers also found two electronic measuring scales, an Encrochat phone and other iPhones.

Kamel, of Park Royal, admitted two counts of possession with intent to supply class A drugs and one count of possession with intent to supply class B drugs.

He was jailed for four years, to serve at least half before being considered for release on licence.

Hamza's eldest son, Mohammed Kamel Mostafa, was jailed for plotting to blow up British tourists in Yemen in August 1999, when he was just 17.

Mostafa returned to London in 2002 and six years later he was jailed again, with brother Hamza Mustafa Kamel and their step-brother Mohssin Ghailam for running a 1million luxury car scam.
President Biden's Education Secretary Miguel Cardona apparently solicited the controversial letter from the National School Boards Association that said threats made by protesting parents should be taken as seriously as domestic terrorism, according to emails released on Tuesday.

The NSBA, in an internal memo sent on October 12, revealed that they had held discussions with White House officials before sending the much-criticized letter to President Joe Biden.

Attorney General Merrick Garland later said the letter, setting out worries about threats, was the starting point for plans for a task force to protect members of school boards.

Now, emails obtained by Parents Defending Education through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request, suggest that Cardona himself was part of the process that led to its production.

In an exchange on Oct. 5 email, NSBA Secretary-Treasurer Kristi Swett wrote that the group's interim chief executive Chip Slaven 'told the officers he was writing a letter to provide information to the White House, from a request by Secretary Cardona.'

'Should this allegation be true, it would reveal that this administration's pretextual war on parents came from the highest levels,' PDE President Nicole Neily told Fox News Digital, which was first to report on the emails.

Emails obtained by Parents Defending Education apparently reveal that Education Sec. Miguel Cardona requested the National School Boards Association write to the White House - a letter that became infamous for comparing protesting parents with domestic terrorists

In an email sent days after the letter was published, an National School Boards Association official appeared to say the group's interim chief executive Stuart 'Chip' Slaven wrote it in response to a request by Education Secretary Cordona

The details offer the latest twist to a controversy that has rumbled since the end of September, following weeks of angry school board meetings over school policies such as curriculum, gendered bathrooms, and mask mandates.

The letter further enflamed parents and generated talking points for Republicans, who have embraced education as a key campaign issue to retake control of Congress.

The Education Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

On Oct. 4, Garland announced he was directed the FBI and US Attorneys' Offices to meet with federal, state, tribal and local law enforcement leaders to address the threats.

But since then it emerged that the NSBA liaised with the White House and Justice Department before writing to Biden.

Viola Garcia, president of the National School Boards Association, along with Chip Slaven wrote to Joe Biden on September 29 asking for federal support for board meetings

The NSBA, in an internal memo sent on October 12, revealed that they had held discussions with White House officials before sending the letter. The association represents more than 90,000 school board members in 14,000 public school districts.

The memo - obtained by Fox News - states that, on September 14, members of a liaison group 'were informed there had been a meeting with White House staff that morning and that NSBA was preparing to send a letter to the President.'

On September 17, executive directors for states were told by the interim Executive Director that 'a letter requesting federal assistance would be sent.'

On September 29, the letter was sent to Biden, asked for federal assistance to investigate and stop threats made over school policies such as curriculum, gendered bathrooms, and mask mandates.

The letter was sent after a combustible summer, which saw school board meetings become scenes of at times violent unrest.

Loudoun County in Virginia became the epicenter of anger, with people arrested after a confrontation in June.

Amy Jahr sings the Star Spangled Banner after a Loudoun County School Board meeting was halted by the school board because the crowd refused to quiet down on June 22

Protesters in Loudoun County on June 22 forced the meeting to end early amid wild scenes

Issues of critical race theory, gendered bathrooms and COVID protocols have sparked angry scenes

'As these acts of malice, violence, and threats against public school officials have increased, the classification of these heinous actions could be the equivalent to a form of domestic terrorism and hate crimes,' the NBSA wrote in the letter.

Viola Garcia, president of the NBSA, who wrote the letter, had altered the text to satisfy the White House, according to another email obtained by Fox.

She worked with Chip Slaven, an NBSA executive, and the White House team 'for weeks', according to a September 29 email from Slaven.

'In talks over the last several weeks with White House staff, they requested additional information on some of the specific threats, so the letter also details many of the incidents that have been occurring,' Slaven wrote to the NSBA board of directors.

The attorney general, Merrick Garland, responded on October 4, expressing concern at 'an increase in harassment, intimidation and threats of violence against school board members, teachers and workers in our nation's public schools.'

He wrote: 'Threats against public servants are not only illegal, they run counter to our nation's core values.

'Those who dedicate their time and energy to ensuring that our children receive a proper education in a safe environment deserve to be able to do their work without fear for their safety.'

Merrick Garland (pictured) responded to the NBSA letter on October 4

Garland directed the FBI to arrange meetings with local law enforcement leaders to discuss 'strategies for addressing this disturbing trend.'

He said: 'These sessions will open dedicated lines of communication for threat reporting, assessment and response by law enforcement.'

The NSBA letter, and Garland's response to it, attracted a furious response, with accusations that the Biden administration was equating parents and domestic terrorists.

On October 22, the NBSA issued another letter, saying that they 'regret and apologize for the letter' sent to Biden.

'To be clear, the safety of school board members, other public school officials and educators, and students is our top priority, and there remains important work to be done on the issue.

'However, there was no justification for some of the language included in the letter.

'We should have had a better process in place to allow for consultation on a communication of this significance.'

On October 22 the NBSA rescinded its earlier letter to Biden

Biden himself has not spoken about the NBSA's letter or the furore it sparked

Yet Garland refused to rescind his October 4 memo, and insisted on October 27 that the FBI consultations must continue.

The NSBA has now removed its letter to Biden from its website, but the attorney general said their plea for help still stood.

'The obligation of the Justice Department is to protect the American people against violence, including threats of violence, and that particularly includes public officials,' Garland told the Senate Judiciary Committee.

'That is still a concern for the department.'
An elderly Anglican priest and two other Christian environmentalists 'went too far' in their climate change protest by stopping a busy train during the morning rush hour, a court has heard.

Father Martin Newell, 54, former reverend Sue Parfitt, 79, and Phillip Kingston, 85, were part of an Extinction Rebellion demonstration at Shadwell station on October 17, 2019.

Angry passengers who were caught up in the disruption begged the three activists to move from the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) train, but the Extinction Rebellion protesters refused until the police arrived.

Parfitt, of Bristol, and Newell, of Birmingham, used a ladder to climb on the train roof while Kingston, of Patchway, South Gloucestershire, superglued himself to the side of the carriage.

A specialist team of officers had to carefully remove Kingston from the train, Inner London Crown Court heard.

Father Martin Newell, 54, former reverend Sue Parfitt, 79, used a ladder to climb on the train roof as part of an Extinction Rebellion demonstration at Shadwell station on October 17, 2019

Phillip Kingston, 85, superglued himself to the side of the carriage as the three caused disruption to rail services

Prosecutor Edmund Blackman told the jury: 'The prosecutions case against these defendants is that they went too far in their protest.

'Of course, living in a democratic society, people have that right. It is a precious right but that right has to be balanced against the right of other people.

'This case is about where you draw that line. The prosecution case is that they went too far.'

The train which was travelling from Lewisham to Bank shortly before 7am was about 70 per cent full of passengers, the court was told.

The protest caused 77 minutes of disruption, 15 DLR trains were delayed or cancelled but no trains were stuck in tunnels, the court heard.

Newell, Parfitt, and Kingston leaving Highbury Corner Magistrates Court in October 2019. They all deny obstructing an engine or carriage on the railway under the Malicious Damages Act

At one point Newell opened a piece of paper while on the train roof, but a member of the public - 'an annoyed customer, no doubt' - climbed up the ladder and snatched it out of his hand 'in an indication perhaps of how angered people were', Mr Blackman said.

The jury heard that a passenger pleaded 'we have got to go to work, the kids are on the train and we have got to go to school'.

In response, Newell said he was 'sorry' and added: 'But this is what we have to resort to' as he refused calls from members of the public to come down, the court heard.

Mr Blackman said the protesters had arrived at the station at about 6.45am and 'acting in concert' had intended to cause rush-hour disruption.

He added: 'The prosecutions case is that the defendants went beyond what is permitted or allowable in society in their protest.'

These protesters 'deliberately acted unlawfully' at a busy time of time of day with a demonstration aimed at 'attracting attention' to the climate change crisis, he added.

The disruption came a day after an Extinction Rebellion representative had met with the British Transport Police (BTP) to say a protest was on the cards within 24 hours.

BTPs Superintendent Richard Twyford said any such protests could lead to safety risks, such as congestion and crush hazards, and could force people to be evacuated.

He also said it could lead to arrests and prosecutions. The Extinction Rebellion representative said he would pass the warning on.

The jury heard that some passengers told the environmentalists: 'This is a f****** electric train, you should be supporting this', and: 'Can you let us go? We are begging you.'

The court heard that another person told them: 'You are not even speaking - whats your protests?'

A different commuter asked: 'How did you get to the station, did you walk here? Obviously you got here by a train or bus', the court was told.

The protesters, who are members of Christian Climate Action, an arm of Extinction Rebellion, are charged with obstructing an engine or carriage on the railway under the Malicious Damages Act.

They have each pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Parfitt is removed from the top of an LDR train at Shadwell station on the morning of October 17, 2019

Kingston previously said he had glued himself to the train at Shadwell station for the sake of his grandchildren

Parfitt and Newell appeared at Inner London Crown Court on Tuesday, while their co-defendant Kingston was allowed to attend via video-link from his home in Bristol because of his age.

Judge Silas Reid said earlier: 'Ive happily given my permission for him to stay at his home in the West Country.

Hes in his eighties and he has medical vulnerabilities and especially where we are in the pandemic its not in his interest to be travelling around the country and to be travelling to London.

Judge Reid explained that protest rights under the European Convention of Human Rights gives them and us the freedom of belief, expression and the right to freedom of assembly.

He explained however that those rights are not without exception.

Are we sure that a conviction of the defendant for obstructing the railway is necessary in a democratic society in the interest of public safety, prevention of disorder or protection of rights and freedoms of others?'

The trial continues.
An investment banker accused of assaulting five flight attendants on a trans-Atlantic BA flight was not aware of the effects of combining the sleeping tablet Ambien with alcohol, a court has heard.

William Clegg, 33, is accused of assaulting five members of staff on board the long-haul flight from San Jose in the US to Heathrow on August 25, 2019.

The alleged assaults include attempting to headbutt a female flight attendant, and pulling a male flight attendant onto the ground.

William Clegg, 33, is accused of assaulting five members of staff on board a long-haul flight from San Jose in the US to Heathrow on August 25, 2019 (pictured outside court on January 7)

Mr Clegg's defence is that his conduct on the plane was caused by combining alcohol with two Ambien tablets - the side effects of which he was unaware.

'If somebody told me - or had I read the leaflet - and it said there was a one in a million chance of this happening, I would not have taken the pills,' he said.

Trevor Burke QC, defending, told the jury that at the time of the incident Mr Clegg was working as a merchant banker.

He would regularly fly to clients in Japan and the Middle East, and had taken 90 work-related flights in the year before the incident.

The jury also heard that the former Abingdon school pupil had suffered from nocturnal epilepsy between the ages of eight and 13.

As a result of this period of childhood nocturnal epilepsy he suffers from insomnia - struggling to get between four to six hours sleep, he said.

The alleged assaults include attempting to headbutt a female flight attendant, and pulling a male flight attendant onto the ground, Isleworth Crown Court heard

A few weeks before the flight, Mr Clegg believes that he suffered a day-time epileptic fit for the first time at a wedding in Majorca.

The incident was witnessed by two doctors at the wedding, his defence barrister added.

Following medical examination back in England, Mr Clegg said that doctors told him to avoid driving for six months.

He then travelled to California, where he and his girlfriend rented a villa with a swimming pool.

He told the jury that his girlfriend also suffers insomnia and takes Ambien to deal with it.

While in California, he accompanied his girlfriend to a doctor in Beverley Hills for her Ambien prescription a few days before he was due to fly home.

Mr Clegg's defence is that his conduct on the plane was caused by combining alcohol with two Ambien tablets (file image)

He said that at the doctor's office he was offered an Ambien prescription for the first time to deal with his insomnia.

He said his girlfriend often took Ambien after drinking alcohol without any negative effects.

'My girlfriend had taken it numerous times, two to three pills, with or without wine,' he said.

'She is half my size and never had any adverse effects.'

The court heard that the recommended daily dose of Ambien was one pill per day.

Mr Clegg told the jury that he did not reveal his medical history to the Beverley Hills doctor before being prescribed Ambien, nor was he asked about it.

The prosecutor asked him why he did not mention it to the doctor.

Mr Clegg told the jury that he did not reveal his medical history to the Beverley Hills doctor before being prescribed Ambien, nor was he asked about it

'It was not raised by him,' he said.

The prosecution asked him if the real reason he did not mention his medical history was because he wanted to be prescribed the pills.

He denied that this was the case.

The court also heard that after Mr Clegg was detained, Xanax tablets were found in the same pillbox as the Ambien he took before the flight.

Mr Clegg told the court that he kept the Ambien pill box on the same bedside table as his girlfriend's Xanax box, and so they must have co-mingled.

'The tablets are in the same identical boxes.'

He added: 'We only had one bedside table.'

However, he denied mixing the two types of medication on the plane, adding that he had never taken Xanax before.

Clegg, of Notting Hill, west London, denies five counts of assault by beating.
The Minneapolis judge who presided over killer cop Kim Potter's trial showed mercy to an 18-year-old with 'a lengthy juvenile delinquency history involving assault and weapons offenses' by freeing him to attend a funeral - only for the teen to go on the lam.

Police are now on the hunt for Shevirio Kavirion Childs-Young after Judge Regina Chu administered a warrant for the fugitive's arrest for 'failing to return to Hennepin County Jail after temporary release,' court filings from the state of Minnesota show.

Chu's decision to free Childs-Young came after the judge refused Potter's plea to spend one last Christmas with her family before being sentenced following her conviction last month for killing Daunte Wright.

Childs-Young, who was 17 when he was arrested for possession of a Glock pistol and assaulting an officer in November, was temporarily released by Chu, 68, at 9:30 am on January 3 to attend an unspecified family member's funeral, filings further reveal.

Judge Regina Chu, pictured here presiding over convicted Minneapolis cop Kim Potter's manslaughter trial in December, had released the 18-year-old from Minneapolis county jail to attend a family member's funeral for three hours. He never returned

Chu administered a warrant for the fugitive's arrest later that day, for 'failing to return to Hennepin County Jail after temporary release,' court filings from the state of Minnesota show

The plan was for him to 'report back' to Hennepin County Jail by that 12:30 pm that day. However, he never returned.

'Warrant issued in the amount of $40,000 (to cover both listed cases) due to defendant failing to return to Hennepin County Jail after temporary release,' Chu wrote in an order after he failed to show.

Now, more than a week later, Childs-Young's whereabouts remain unknown.

Childs-Young was charged on December 2 with assaulting a Minneapolis police officer and illegal possession of a firearm during a traffic stop on November 30.

According to an arrest warrant, the then-17-year-old was traveling with two other passengers, both female - one of whom was also a juvenile - and two small children in his vehicle when he was pulled over.

A case amendment order filed Monday, January 3, showed Chu's plan of having the inmate 'report back' to Hennepin County Jail by half-past noon that day

The warrant states that cops soon became suspicious of the teen, who gave a deputy a fake name after asserting that he had forgotten his driver's license after they smelled marijuana emitting from the vehicle.

Kim Potter, the Minneapolis cop found guilty of manslaughter in last year's case following the death of 20-year-old Daunte Wright

Upon searching the automobile, however, cops made a much more unnerving discovery - a loaded handgun hidden under the passenger's seat.

'All parties were removed from the vehicle and the deputy then observed a firearm (loaded Glock .40 caliber with an extended magazine) on the floorboard behind the front passenger seat,' the criminal complaint reads.

Police say one of the female passengers initially claimed that the gun belonged to her, prompting the officer to prepare to transport her to jail for a weapons offense.

At that point, the warrant reveals, Childs-Young told the officer that the gun belonged to him, leading the officer to try to cuff him. But the teen did not go quietly.

Already boasting 'a lengthy juvenile delinquency history involving assault and weapons offenses,' as the complaint puts it, Childs-Young was prohibited by the Minnesota court system from possessing firearms - spurring the 17-year-old to resist arrest on November 30

Already boasting 'a lengthy juvenile delinquency history involving assault and weapons offenses,' as the complaint puts it, Childs-Young was prohibited by the Minnesota court system from possessing firearms - spurring the 17-year-old to fight back.

The complaint chronicled the ensuing struggle.

'[Childs-Young] attempted to escape from custody by throwing his body out of the squad [car] forcefully,' the warrant reads.

The complaint goes on to state that Childs-Young 'kicked at the deputy, striking him in the midsection' and at one point, yelled to the previously suspected passenger to 'Get him!' and 'disarm the officer.'

'During this struggle, [Childs-Young] grabbed the deputys genital area and squeezed multiple times,' the warrant further revealed. 'The deputy continued to struggle to control [Childs-Young] until he was able to call for emergency assistance.'

The complaint adds that Childs-Young was convicted of an unspecified assault charge as a teen in August 2020 as well as possession of a firearm, and was subsequently 'prohibited from possessing firearms.'

It also asserted that the teen boasted a lengthy rap sheet at the time of his arrest, rife with assault and weapons offenses.

Chu gained prominence for overseeing the highly publicized manslaughter trial of Potter, who was convicted in December of first- and second-degree manslaughter in the fatal April 11 shooting of Wright.

Chu has since ordered the disgraced officer be taken into custody and held without bail while she awaits sentencing.

Potters attorneys, however, attested that their client shouldnt be incarcerated pending sentencing, arguing that 'shes not a danger to the public whatsoever.'

'It is the Christmas holiday season and she is a devoted Catholic, no less, and there is no point to incarcerate her at this point in time,' one of Potter's attorneys said. 'This is a rather unique case of someone who has law enforcement experience and was never in trouble in all her life.'

Chu disagreed, forcing Potter to spend the holidays in jail.

'I am going to require that she be taken into custody and held without bail,' Chu ruled at the time. 'I cannot treat this case differently than any other case.'
German police have been criticised for using Covid-tracking data to trace contacts from bars and restaurants as part of an investigation.

The case, stemming from November last year, began after the fatal fall of a man while leaving a restaurant in the western city of Mainz.

Police seeking possible witnesses made use of data from an app known as Luca, which was designed for users to register time spent in restaurants and taverns to track the possible spread of coronavirus.

Luca records the length of time spent at an establishment along with the patron's full name, address and telephone number - all subject to Germany's strict data protection laws.

However the police and local prosecutors in the case in Mainz successfully appealed to the municipal health authorities to gain access to information about 21 people who visited the restaurant at the same time as the man who died.

After an outcry, prosecutors apologised to the people involved and the local data protection authority has opened an inquiry into the affair.

Police seeking witnesses to the fatal fall of a man leaving a restaurant in Mainz made use of data from an app known as Luca, which was designed for users to register time spent in restaurants. Pictured, police in Munich attending a protest against vaccination mandates

The Luca app records the length of time spent at an establishment along with the patron's full name, address and telephone number - all subject to Germany's strict data protection laws

'We condemn the abuse of Luca data collected to protect against infections,' said the company that developed the Luca app, culture4life, in a statement.

It added that it had received frequent requests for its data from the authorities which it routinely rejected.

Konstantin von Notz, a senior politician from the Greens, junior partners in the federal coalition, warned that abuse of the app could undermine public trust.

'We must not allow faith in digital apps, which are an important tool in the fight against Covid-19, to disappear,' he told Tuesday's edition of Handelsblatt business daily.

The case comes days after hundreds of protesters gathered in cities across Germany to demonstrate against the government's Covid restrictions and looming discussions on mandatory vaccinations.

Demonstrators took to the streets of cities including Berlin, Cologne and Leipzig on Monday evening to protest against Chancellor Olaf Scholz's decision to toughen restrictions as Germany faces another surge in Covid cases.

Lawmakers in the Bundestag were set to debate whether to follow Austria and make vaccines mandatory for Germans.

The protests followed a decision by Chancellor Scholz and the 16 state governors on Friday to toughen requirements for entry to restaurants and bars.

ROSTOCK, GERMANY: Hundreds of protesters gathered in cities across Germany to demonstrate against the government's Covid restrictions and looming discussions on mandatory vaccinations

The leaders built on restrictions introduced just after Christmas that limited private gatherings to 10 people and effectively shut nightclubs.

People have already been required for some time to show proof of full vaccination or recovery to enter restaurants and bars  as well as many nonessential shops, theaters and cinemas.

Friday's decision called for the requirements to be ratcheted up for restaurants and bars.

Customers will have to show either they have received a booster shot or provide a negative test result on top of proof that they have been vaccinated or recovered.

Almost 72% of Germans are considered 'fully vaccinated,' while 42.3 % have received an additional booster shot.
Greek officials vowed Tuesday to track the people behind the filming of a gay sex scene on Athens' Acropolis, the country's most important archaeological site, after footage emerged online.

A culture ministry spokesman said they had launched an investigation into the video, which shows a sexual encounter between two masked men at the UNESCO-listed site.

They wanted to 'find as soon as possible those responsible for this illegal shoot', said the spokesman.

Greek officials have launched an investigation after a 36-minute film showing two men engaged in a sexual encounter was shot at the Parthenon temple in Athens. The Parthenon is the most popular tourist attraction in Greece (file photograph)

A Parthenon is a Unesco-listed world heritage site. The movie featured two men who wore masks to protect their identity

The anonymous producers of the short film called 'Departhenon' said the Parthenon symbolised 'nationalism, the cult of Antiquity' and 'patriarchy'.

They described the erotic scene between the two men at the site as a 'political act'.

But a statement Friday from the culture ministry said: 'The archaeological site of the Acropolis does not lend itself to activism or any other action that offends or shows a lack of respect to the monument.'

The 36-minute film was first shown to a small audience on December 16 at the University of Thessaloniki in the north of the country without provoking an outcry.

It was its appearance online last Friday that sparked the backlash.

'As a Greek, I'm ashamed,' the president of the Greek Actors' Association, Spyros Bibilas, told broadcaster ANT1.

'You can't do anything and everything in the name of activism.'

The union representing those guarding the country's museums and archaeological sites expressed its 'outrage and shame' over what it called a 'vile film'.

Heading off questions regarding the level of surveillance of such sites, it said they suffered staffing problems because the finance ministry 'almost never approves the recruitment of guards'.

The University of Thessaloniki, which did not inform the culture ministry of the film's contents, risks being caught up in the investigation. It has not offered any reaction to the controversy.

'The Acropolis and its monuments are universal symbols of the classical spirit and civilization and form the greatest architectural and artistic complex bequeathed by Greek Antiquity to the world,' says the UNESCO listing for the site.

It is also the country's most visited landmark.
Tomb of King Hyeokgeosae in autumn 2021 / Courtesy of Steven L. Shields



By Steven L. Shields



Just as autumn 2021 was descending on Korea, I went to Gyeongju before the colors had begun to change. The allure of the ancient capital of the peninsula, back when it was under the name of the Silla Kingdom (57 BCE935 CE), garners my affection.



The friend I was traveling with asked me how many times I had visited the city. He recounted the few times he had been there (there are often school trips). I tried to count my visits to the magnificent place, beginning with my first time in 1976. A couple of years ago, I went there three times. Over the past 45 years, I suppose I have been there 20 or 30 times. I lost count.



My visits would start in the morning of the first full day at Seokguram, the grotto high on the mountain facing the East Sea, then to Bulguk Temple, and finally into the flatland of the city with the National Museum and so forth. Each visit has typically followed the same pattern, adding a few spots here and there, dropping some lesser-known places. In recent years, Woljeong Bridge has been added to the sights. The night views at Anapji are obligatory, but they now call it Donggung (East Palace), and the pond is Wolji.



My friend and I had last visited Gyeongju a couple of years ago, so we decided to go to places that we had not seen before this trip. We did not go up to Seokguram on our previous visit, so we needed to go there. We also did the night tour of Anapji. We took a long walk around Woljeong Bridge at night, viewing it from every angle and then walking across the bridge to return to the car. Though some have criticized the reconstruction design, the brilliant colors and the sheer size of the structure are impressive.



I had never been to before but wanted to visit the "Five Tombs" compound. The rarely visited tomb complex cannot compete with the city's excavated "Heavenly Horse" tomb. There, Tumuli Park is quite grand in scale, but only a few residents of the tombs are known. Historians have no idea who was buried in the "Heavenly Horse" tomb, just that it yielded some of the most magnificent artifacts of all the tombs excavated over the years.



The "Five Tombs" are in the far southwest of the ancient city but have substantial historical significance. Of the five tomb mounds, the most prominent is said to enclose the remains of Park Hyeokgeose, the legendary founding king of Silla. Legend says he was born from a gourd-shaped egg. Versions of the story talk about the simultaneous rising of the sun and the moon, a white horse, bright lights and a volcano. He is believed to be the progenitor of all the "Park" clans of Korea (of which there are more than 300). Said to have been born in 69 BCE and died 4 CE at age 73, Hyeokgeosae became king at age 12 or 13. The name Hyeokgeosae was an honorific, meaning "bright world." Historical facts from more than 2,000 years ago are a bit more challenging to verify, but his name is well-known.



As the capital city, Gyeongju was well-fortified from ancient times. Remains of several Silla-era fortresses can still be found in the surrounding mountain passes. One such fortress near the tomb of King Jinseong is Myeonghwal Fortress. It was one of the four primary fortresses protecting the capital. From history, we know Japanese troops attacked the fortress about 400 CE, so it had to have been built before that. Archaeologists uncovered a monument in 1988 that recorded a 551 CE reconstruction of the fortress. Earthen walls and unhewn stones made up the fortress' six kilometer circumference. There have been no attempts at reconstructing the entire fortress in modern times, but remnants have been stabilized. No other historical artifacts are available at the site.





Myeonghwal Fortress in autumn 2021 / Courtesy of Steven L. Shields



The Joseon-era Gyeongju Eupseong has been partially restored. Gyeongju's history does not end with the rise of the Goryeo Kingdom in the 900s. The town continued to be populated by people from all levels of society. Thus, it should be no surprise that the town was fortified during the Goryeo times and again in the mid-Joseon era following the Japanese invasions of the late 16th century. In the Joseon era, the city lay north of Tumuli Park. During the Japanese occupation of the early 20th century, the gates and walls were pulled down. The restored eastern gate and some of the ramparts make for a short but pleasant hike in the heart of the modern city. The government plans to restore the entirety of the walls and gates within the next decade.





Gyeongju's Joseon-era city wall in autumn 2021 / Courtesy of Steven L. Shields



One of the many temple sites that holds a special place is Bunhwang Temple. Close to the famous Hwangryong Temple (Golden Dragon Temple, which has been under archaeological study for years), all that remains of the historical Bunhwang Temple is the stone brick pagoda. The small prayer hall on the grounds dates from the Joseon era. The small temple site, set among lovely trees, is off the trail for most tourists these days, so it retains a bit of peaceful quietude compared with busier sites.





Bunhwang Temple in autumn 2021 / Courtesy of Steven L. Shields
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A helicopter transporting an infant to a Philadelphia children's hospital crashed outside a church Wednesday, injuring the baby and three others.

The chopper crashed into Drexel Hill United Methodist Church on Burmont Road, in Drexel Hill around 1pm Tuesday, following 911 reports of a helicopter in distress in the area.

Incredibly, no one on the ground was injured by the helicopter, despite it landing in a residential neighborhood, about a block away from local eateries and about half a mile from a school.

The passengers and the pilot all suffered non-life threatening injures and one occupant could be seen crawling out of the wreckage.

'It's an absolute miracle,' Upper Darby police Superintendent Timothy Bernhardt told reporters over the lack of casualties. 'It's an absolute miracle on Burmont Road. That's what it is.'

A helicopter transporting an infant to a Philadelphia children's hospital crashed outside a church Wednesday, injuring the baby and three others

Overhead pictures show the scale of the devastation after the chopper crashed down near Drexel Hill United Methodist Church

The outside of the church was covered with smoke after the aircraft landed on the road and slid into the building

Shocked passerby watch as the helicopter's occupants miraculously emerge from the wreckage without help

The pilot's skills were widely praised after he avoided landed on any nearby property or people

Someone appears to be climbing out of the smoking wreckage after it went down on Tuesday afternoon

The crash happened about 1 p.m., following 911 reports of a helicopter in distress in the area

Incredibly, no one on the ground was injured by the helicopter. The passengers and the pilot all suffered non-life threatening injures. The church did not appear to sustain significant damage in the crash

It was a 'miracle' that none of the four people aboard, including an infant patient, suffered life-threatening injuries, Upper Darby Police Superintendent Timothy M. Bernhardt said

Rescue crews rushed to the wreckage by the Drexel Hill United Methodist Church in Upper Darby at about 1 p.m. and helped get the pilot, two crew members and the infant out of the aircraft, Bernhardt said at a press conference

State Representative Mike Zabel echoed the sentiment, tweeted: 'An absolute miracle in Drexel Hill today.'

Video footage from local news outlets shows smoke billowing from the vehicle as it lays in a residential neighborhood.

Upper Darby Fire Chief Derrick Sawyer called it a 'miraculous landing' and said the community was 'truly blessed' by the outcome. Even the church appeared largely unscathed.

A local man who was out running errands with his family said his body filled with terror as the helicopter appeared to drop directly above them.

'I was actually frozen for a second when that happened because I was just looking at a helicopter, Joshua James told CBS Philadelphia. 'Its no way to explain it. It almost feels like something from Game of Thrones, you see a dragon coming at your car because it was literally in the sky, a huge object coming toward you. It was insane.'

The helicopter landed in a residential area, not far from residential homes, a school, and local stores

The twin-engine EC 135 chopper was based in Hagerstown, Maryland and was operated through a local medical service called LifeNet

Aircraft owner Air Methods said in a statement that it would fully cooperate with the investigation

The company the flight crew worked for declined to elaborate on their conditions, citing privacy reasons

The distorted plane sits in a bush, with parts of it crumpled out of shape

One witness said he noticed the aircraft was in trouble before it descended to the ground

Those below could only watch helplessly in terror as it approached the ground

Upper Darby Fire Chief Derrick Sawyer called it a 'miraculous landing' and said the community was 'truly blessed' by the outcome

It's not clear whether the infant being transferred was sick or injured, nor is the baby's current condition known

BREAKING - A medical helicopter has crashed in Drexel Hill. Firefighters are working the wreckage in the 600 Burmont Road. No word on injuries at this time. Delaware County has just put a TFR over the immediate scene forcing other aircraft out of the area. pic.twitter.com/8qC8u0R1aQ  Dan Patrick (@6abcDan) January 11, 2022

Witness Jarrell Saunders, who works at a nearby apartment complex, said he noticed the helicopter was in trouble before the crash.

'It was 'just floating, like real low, like extremely low, like it could land on the building that I work at,' he told ABC News.

Moments later, he watched as the chopper landed on the road and slid into the church. As smoke began emerging from the downed aircraft, its occupants began leaping out, he said.

'I'm telling my grandkids about this one,' he told the outlet.

The twin-engine EC 135 chopper was based in Hagerstown, Maryland and was operated through a local medical service called LifeNet, aircraft owner Air Methods said in a statement.

Pictured: an aircraft similar to the one that crashed in Pennsylvania Tuesday

The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the cause of the crash.

'Our team will cooperate fully with their efforts to assess the cause of this unfortunate accident,' the statement said. 'Privacy rights with regards to those on board the aircraft will be honored, and we will not be sharing any additional information.'

Police said the helicopter came from out-of-state, and that they were working to notify the families of those injured.

The street was filled with emergency vehicles, including two fire trucks, after the chopper went down

It's miraculous no one on the ground was hurt by the helicopter which landed in the bustling neighborhood of Drexel Hill

A medical helicopter went down right next to a Delaware County, Pennsylvania, church Tuesday afternoon.

Two nurses are among four people killed after their 10-seater private medical Learjet 'clipped power line' and disintegrated on impact after transporting patient from Arizona to California

Tuesday's crash occurred just three weeks after four people, including two nurses were killed when a 10-seater private jet operated by a California company crashed near San Diego.

The Learjet 35A, operated by Aeromedevac Air Ambulance, smashed into a power line before exploding on a street in El Cajon, leaving no survivors on the plane.

The Oceanside Firefighters Association named Tina Ward, the wife of a recently retired local fire chief, Joe Ward, as one of the victims.

'It is with heavy hearts that the Oceanside Fire Department and their fire family would like to extend our deepest condolences to our recently retired Chief Ward, his family, and all family and friends of the Aeromedevac flight crew N880Z,' the post read.

Meanwhile, the International Association of EMTs and Paramedics on Tuesday identified one of the other victims of the plane crash as Laurie Gentz, a nurse with more than 30 years of experience who also served as president of her local union.

Firefighters work to put out flames on the ground after a small jet plane crashed in unincorporated area in a town about 17 miles east of San Diego

Flight nurses Tina Ward (foreground, circled) and Laurie Gentz (background, circled), have been identified as two of the four people who were killed when a medical plane crashed near San Diego on Monday

The medevac plane transported a patient from Arizona to Orange County, California, Monday and was returning to Gillespie Field when it went down.

The jet, flying out of John Wayne Airport in Orange County, struck power lines before crashing in the area of Pepper Drive and North 2nd Street.

National Weather Service data described sky conditions at Gillespie as 'fog/mist' at 6.55pm.

Radio communications between the jet and the airfield recorded by LiveATC.net indicated that trouble happened suddenly.

The pilot canceled an instrument flight rules approach to Runway 27 and requested a switch to Runway 17 using visual flight rules.

After the switch was granted and new instructions were given, the pilot asked that the field lights be turned up and was told they were already at 100%.

But in that moment something goes awry.

'Oh, s***! Oh, s***! Oh, s***! No!' the pilot is heard screaming, following by a loud noise and then silence.

Footage showed the smoldering wreckage lying in the middle of a road, most of it destroyed, with parts of the jet, including the landing gear, strewn across the street.

The crash also appeared to have caused a car to erupt in flames outside a house.

No fatalities or injuries were reported on the ground, however about 2,500 people were left without power by the fallen power line.

'There is very little left of the aircraft,' Fire Chief Don Butz said. 'We weren't able to find any survivors.'

Joe and Tina Ward are pictured with their three daughter in this photo the mom posted on Facebook a day before her death

Laurie Gentz was a transport nurse with more than 30 years of experience. She had only joined Aeromedevac Air Ambulance as a part-time employee in February

The Learjet 35A, similar to the one pictured above, was operated by Med Jet, an air ambulance company

Fire and smoke are seen rising above a neighborhood in El Cajon, California, on Monday night following the private plane crash

The San Diego County Medical Examiner has yet to officially identify any of the victims pending notification of next of kin.

According to her Facebook page, Tina Ward previously worked as an emergency room nurse at Palomar Pomerado Health.

Laurie Gentz's LinkedIn profile reveals that she only joined Aeromedevac Air Ambulance as a part-time flight nurse in February.

She also worked as a critical care transport registered nurse at Rural Metro for nearly a decade.

'I have 30+ years of experience in the field of Nursing, and have spent over 2 and a half decades doing Critical Care Transport both on the ground and in the air,' Gentz wrote in the description.

Friends and co-workers of Ward and Gentz have been posting messages on Facebook expressing their grief.

'My heart is heavy tonight,' wrote Ryan McBride. 'I lost some amazing coworkers with such an amazing company to work for.... The nicest crew to fly with! It's because of ALL of you I gained confidence and began to love flying while performing my job as a flight paramedic while assisting Tina, Laurie and all of the other amazing nurses we have with us! While feeling so safe in the air!'

The National Transportation Safety Board said it was investigating the crash. A final report, including the probable cause, will likely take 12 to 24 months, the board said.

Doorbell camera footage shows the Learjet 35A hurtling towards the ground before a flash of light erupts across the clouded sky as it explodes in El Cajon, California.

Footage from a doorbell camera shows the moment the plane hurtles towards the ground before a flash erupts across the clouded night sky in El Cajon, California

A blast lights up the night sky over El Cajon following the plane crash seen on a Nest camera

A cloud of smoke rising from the scene of the crash that killed everyone on board the plane

Parts of the jet are seen strewn across the road after it exploded in the residential neighborhood last night
With heated stalls and hot milk, life couldn't get more glamorous for some of Saudi Arabia's most beautiful camels when they stay at a luxury compound near Riyadh.

For 400 riyals-a-night, the equivaelnt of 78, the camels are trimmed, scrubbed and pampered before taking part in beauty contests, where millions of pounds are at stake.

The camels, many of which are rented, are checked closely for Botox and other illegal enhancements which could see them thrown out for cheating.

A man tending to a camel at the first camel hotel during the sixth edition of the King Abdulazziz Camel Festival in Rumahi region 99 miles east of the Saudi capital of Riyadh

Camel owners pay the equivalent of 78 each night before their animals go to beauty contests

Camels are placed in stalls in the luxury Saudi spa compound and checked for any imperfections

It's all done in a Covid-safe environment to prevent any disruptive outbreaks.

The Tatman, described as the first hotel for camels, is an open-air desert compound near the annual King Abdelaziz Festival, which has prizes totalling 48.9million.

It's a logical step for the lucrative industry in the well-heeled Gulf, where camels are prized as a symbol of traditional life.

Two workers groom and style a camel's fur to make it look even more desirable for a pageant

Camels with pronounced lips are favoured by judges, which has led to the use of Botox by cheaters

The animals are judged on attributes including their lips, necks, humps and colouring, and wins are highly prestigious for their owners.

Omair al-Qahtani, who is Saudi, checked 80 camels into the Tatman for 16 days, saying it would cost him 117,000 to 156,000.

The facility is 'very comfortable, as the camels remain under their care and undergo regular medical examinations', the 51-year-old businessman said.

It has 120 enclosures, including singles and doubles, each equipped with plastic containers for water and fodder. Check-out is 12.30pm.

During their stay, 50 workers look after the animals and are kept under strict sanitary conditions to minimise the risk of Covid cases.

In years past, Qahtani and his assistants would set up tents near the festival, tending to and feeding the camels themselves.

Camels are seen during a beauty contest as part of the annual King Abdulaziz Camel Festival in Rumah in this file photo from 2018

Not only is the treatment unfair on other breeders, but it risks leaving the camels with horrific injuries. Footage (pictured) went viral earlier this year showing a camel with ruptured lips after it was pumped full of Botox for another Saudi beauty contest

Hundreds of thousands of Saudis attend the royal camel festival (pictured in 2018) which also features races, sales and other festivities typically showcasing thousands of dromedaries

Cars and people surround camels for sale at an auction during the festival in January 2020

Many of the camels are competitors in Mazayen al-Ibl contest, the world's biggest camel beauty pageant and a highlight of the King Abdelaziz Festival.

Mohamed al-Harbi, media chief of the camel club that organises the competition, said the group dreamed up the hotel 'to protect and preserve camels and also to reduce the burden on the owner'.

He said the hotel was popular, bringing in revenues of more than 1.2million.

Money is no object for some attending the festival, which features well-appointed buildings and tents in the middle of the desert, and booths for luxury car-makers Rolls-Royce and BMW.

Camels participating in the annual King Abdulaziz Camel Festival in January 2018

Saudi enthusiasts can spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on camels entered into the contests, where unscrupulous competitors sometimes seek an illegal advantage.

Forty-three dromedaries were drummed out of the festival when camel checkers spotted infringements such as Botox, silicone and fillers injected into lips, humps and tails.

But Harbi said the hotel provides a 'check' so that people 'can find any tampering early', reassuring them their rented beasts won't be sent packing.

Qahtani said this is a big advantage, as doctored camels can attract fines of up to 19,000.

The competitions 'reinforce the obsession with camels in Saudi Arabia', Harbi said.
An FBI agent refused to give answers on Tuesday as to who Ray Epps is and whether any agents or informants participated in any capacity in the January 6 Capitol riot.

Senator Ted Cruz demanded to know the level of involvement, if any, the agency had in the deadly attack last year and wanted to know more about an ex-Marine accused of being an FBI plant sent to help incite the events last year.

'How many FBI agents or confidential informants actively participated in the events of January 6th?' Cruz asked the FBI's Executive Assistant Director of the National Security Branch Jill Sanborn during a hearing on domestic violence threats on Tuesday.

'Sir, I'm sure you can appreciate that I can't go into the specifics of sources and methods ' Sanborn began, but was cut off but Cruz re-asking the same question.

'I can't answer that,' said Sanborn, who joined the hearing virtually.

'Did any FBI agents or confidential informants commit crimes of violence on January 6?' Cruz pushed.

'I can't answer that.'

'Did any FBI agents or FBI informants actively encourage and incite crimes of violence on January 6?' the Texas Republican senator asked.

Sanborn repeated the same answer for a third time.

Cruz then said that President Biden needs to answer questions about the FBI's supposed role in January 6.

'Unfortunately, under Joe Biden we have seen an incredibly partisan Department of Justice,' Cruz said. 'And both the Department of Justice and the FBI have an arrogance that they are not accountable to anyone, that they can stonewall.'

On Twitter later Tuesday, Cruz called the response from Sanborn 'completely unacceptable.'

Senator Ted Cruz pushed FBI's Executive Assistant Director of the National Security Branch Jill Sanborn on Tuesday whether any agents were involved in the January 6 Capitol attack

Sanborn, who joined the hearing virtually on Tuesday, repeatedly said, 'I can't answer that' to Cruz. She also said while she is aware of who Ray Epps is she does not 'have the specific background on him'

Ex-Marine Ray Epps is accused of being an FBI plant sent to help incite the events last year. DailyMail.com located former the Oath Keepers chapter president at his rural property in Queen Creek just outside Phoenix, Arizona

He then shifted tactics, asking: 'Who is Ray Epps?'

'I'm aware of the individual, sir, I don't have the specific background on him.'

Cruz then shared images of Epps from January 5, where his suspicious behavior caught the attention of Trump supporters gathered in Washington, D.C., causing them to chant, 'Fed!'

The following day, the day of the riot, Epps can be seen in another clip dressed in military-style clothing and yelling to a crowd: 'OK folks, spread the word. As soon as the president is done speaking, we go to the Capitol, where our problems are.'

Pointing behind him, he adds: 'It's that direction. Please spread the word.'

The House select committee probing the events of January 6 are aware of the claims and interviewed Epps, who claimed that he is not associated with law enforcement.

'The Select Committee is aware of unsupported claims that Ray Epps was an FBI informant based on the fact that he was on the FBI Wanted list and then was removed from that list without being charged,' a select committee spokesperson told DailyMail.com in a statement.

'The Select Committee has interviewed Mr. Epps,' they added. 'Mr. Epps informed us that he was not employed by, working with, or acting at the direction of any law enforcement agency on January 5th or 6th or at any other time, and that he has never been an informant for the FBI or any other law enforcement agency.'

Rep. Adam Kinzinger, Ill., one of two Republicans on the committee, also took to Twitter to poke holes in the theory that Epps was an FBI agent.

'He didn't enter the Capitol on Jan 6, and was removed from the most wanted list because apparently he broke no laws,' he said. 'I'm pretty sure the FBI wouldn't be dumb enough to put their own agent on a wanted list. Ray Epps has cooperated with the Jan 6 committee and we thank him.'

'Let's say Ray was an agent (HE IS NOT), the premise is that one agent can gin up a crowd to insurrection. That isn't saying much about the intelligence of your voters is it Ted?' referring to Cruz.

Cruz blessed the exchange Tuesday and said officials are dodging questions on the potential the federal agents were involvement in the attack.

'The American people deserve transparency from the DOJ & the FBI about January 6,' Cruz tweeted following his line of questioning Tuesday.

'For months, I've been demanding answers & still to this day, their answers are:- 'I'm not sure' - 'I don't have the numbers' - 'I don't have any information about that'.'

He also tweeted: 'Questions about Ray Epps & his disappearance from the FBI's public posting is a matter of public accountability for the FBI and the American people deserve real answers.'

Democrats, meanwhile, grilled Justice Department on FBI officials on why prosecutors have so far refused to label Jan. 6 rioters' crimes as 'domestic terrorism' as judges move forward with sentencing.

While President Biden, the Justice Department and the FBI have themselves referred to the act of that day as domestic terrorism, prosecutors have not asked any sentencing judge to invoke such a provision that could lead to longer sentences when criminal acts are carried out with political purposes, Politico reported.

'When a mob of armed rioters use force in an attempt to overthrow the United States government, that is domestic terrorism,' Sen. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, said, as she turned up the heat on Sanborn and Assistant Attorney General Matthew Olsen. 'My understanding is prosecutors have not been pushing for the sentencing enhancements available for acts of domestic terrorism.'

'Why has the Department of Justice not used that statute that clearly applies to domestic, as well as international, terrorism?' Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn.. asked.

'I think it's entirely appropriate that Jan. 6 events are being investigated as acts of domestic terrorism.  In any particular case, it will depend on the actual facts and circumstances of that particular case,' Olsen said. 'That statute is available in the context of the investigations and prosecutions of the July [sic] 6 defendants.'

Republicans, including Representatives Matt Gaetz and Marjorie Taylor Greene, claim Epps was on the FBI's Most Wanted List but was mysteriously removed after right-wing blog Revolver labeled him a 'Fed-protected provocateur.'

Gaetz and Greene held a press conference on Thursday marking one year since the Capitol riot where they promoted a fringe conspiracy theory that the federal government was behind the deadly events that day.

They claimed that people added to the FBI's Most Wanted list for breaking into the Capitol last year simply 'fall off'  specifically making reference to Epps.

'Congresswoman Greene and I are not here to celebrate January 6. We're not here to obsess about it, but we're here to expose the truth, to ask key questions about what happened on January 6, what animated the violence, the extent to which the federal government had been involved,' Gaetz said at the start of their media event.

'We know this -- January 6 last year wasn't an insurrection. No one has been charged with insurrection. No one has been charged with treason. But it may very well may have been a fed-surrection.'

RepresentativesMarjorie Taylor Greene (right) and Matt Gaetz (left) held a press conference Thursday  the one year anniversary of the attack  fueling fringe conspiracy theories that the federal government was involved in the Capitol riot

Cruz asked Epps about the identity of former Marine Ray Epps (pictured in red hat) and whether he was involved in any alleged FBI incitement of the Capitol riot. A group of Trump supporters shouted 'Fed!' at Epps on January 5, 2021 as he tried to rile up the crowd

Gaetz and Greene claim people added to the FBI's Most Wanted list for breaking into the Capitol last year simply 'fall off'  specifically making reference to Epps

Greene from Georgia and Gaetz from Florida sought to frame the Trump supporters who entered the Capitol as being manipulated by undercover federal agents. They framed those who were subsequently arrested over it as political prisoners.

'We are very concerned that we have sent letter after letter to Attorney General Garland and FBI Director Wray to simply get to the bottom of unexplained circumstances where people are on the FBI Most Wanted List from January 6, and then they fall off of that list,' Gaetz said at the press conference last week.

They played a series of videos that showed Epps, directing people toward the Capitol on January 6, images from which were used during the Senate hearing on Tuesday by Cruz.

Regarding the testimony on Tuesday, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said it had become apparent that the Biden administration is 'deaf, dumb and blind' when it comes to national security threats to the U.S.

'I appreciate their efforts to prosecute those who defiled our Capitol on January 6, and I'm very supportive of such endeavors,' he wrote in a statement on the hearing. 'However, this hearing and the answers provided are further examples of the Biden Administration being deaf, dumb and blind to the national security threats we face.'

'Whether it is the collapse of Afghanistan where the Taliban now reign or a completely broken southern border that could be easily penetrated by international terrorists, the Biden Administration is failing,' he added.

Following Cruz' line of questioning with Sanborn on Tuesday, Tom Cotton questioned Olsen Cotton reiterated Cruz by asking if the FBI had any plainclothes officers in the crowd of rioters.

Olsen said he did not know the answer to that question and also said he did not have information on Epps.

Fox News' Tucker Carlson was baffled on his Thursday show as to why Epps he hadn't been arrested or charged.

'I don't know who Ray Epps is,' Cruz told Carlson during the January 6 show ont he one year anniversary of the attack.

'I've seen the video, it's disturbing' Cruz said and suggested himself that Epps might be an FBI plant.

Cruz, during the show, was forced to walk back on his comments after those on the right targeted him for calling the January 6 riot a 'violent terrorist attack.'

He called his own comments 'dumb and sloppy' and said he texted Carlson shortly after and asked to go on the show.

Carlson didn't buy his explanation, saying: 'He doesn't use a single word by accident. Every word Ted Cruz uses is used intentionally. He's a lawyer.'

'I don't buy that,' Carlson told Cruz on his January 6, 2022 show. 'I've known you long time since before you went to Senate. You were a supreme court contender. You take words as seriously as anyone in the senate. I do not believe you use that accidentally. I just don't.'

Cruz replied: 'Tucker, as a result of my sloppy phrasing it's caused a lot of people to misunderstand what I meant.'

'What I was referring to are the limited number of people who engaged in violent attacks against police officers,' he explained.

'That being said,' Cruz added, 'it was a mistake to say that yesterday and the reason is what you said: is that we've had had a year of Democrats and the media twisting words and trying to say that all of us are terrorists. Trying to say you are a terrorist. I just don't like people who assault cops.'

Carlson responded by saying: 'I guess I just don't believe you and I mean that with respect because I have such respect for your acuity and precision. You have sat there for a year and watched people use language to distort the events of that day.'

'I was focusing on what I normally say is violence is wrong, peaceful protest is right. If you engage in violence you should be prosecuted, if you're speaking, you have a right to speak.'
Fears his tanks would get stuck in the mud may have forced Vladimir Putin to postpone Russia's invasion of Ukraine, US officials believe.

Around 100,000 Russian troops, tanks and armoured personnel carriers have been stationed on the border between the two countries for several weeks.

The ground there is usually frozen solid in winter, which is conducive to an advance by heavy vehicles.

Fears his tanks would get stuck in the mud may have forced Vladimir Putin to postpone Russia's invasion of Ukraine, US officials believe (pictured on Monday)

However, a period of mild weather has melted the ice and created a muddy quagmire.

The unusually clement conditions have caused the Kremlin to reconsider its military options, according to weather experts advising US President Joe Biden.

A team of White House meteorologists are convinced the changes in ground conditions have brought Russia's plans to advance to a halt.

They have been monitoring temperatures and weather patterns since the build-up of Russian troops began in November last year.

Since then the tempo of Russian military operations pointed to a January invasion of Ukraine.

The unusually clement conditions have caused the Kremlin to reconsider its military options, according to US weather experts (Ukrainian troops pictured on the frontline today)

But this scenario is now considered significantly less likely, officials told the New York Times yesterday.

'Officials say the Russian president's window for an invasion is limited, dictated by temperatures that will freeze the ground - allowing for the easy movement of heavy vehicles and equipment - before a spring thaw, which could begin by March,' the paper reported.

In a bid to get around issues caused by the ground conditions, Russia has deployed more helicopters to the region, so troops could be flown into battle. But this option is more challenging logistically.

The view of US weather experts has emerged as diplomats on all sides continue to seek a peaceful resolution to the dispute.

High stakes talks in Geneva, Switzerland, on Monday between US and Russian negotiators failed to achieve a breakthrough.

Around 100,000 Russian troops, tanks and armoured personnel carriers have been stationed on the border (pictured)

Russia has threatened to invade Ukraine as an act of self-defence - because it says it fears threatened by the build-up of Western troops and military hardware in the former Soviet republic.

The Kremlin is seeking the withdrawal of Western troops from Ukraine, the Baltic States and other territories which previously belonged to the Soviet Union. It also wants assurances that Ukraine will not be permitted to join Nato.

The US has repeatedly dismissed these demands as 'non-starters' - although Nato may reduce military exercises in countries bordering Russia.

Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin spokesman, said on Tuesday that Moscow is going to know in the coming days if 'the talks make sense and where we should be going.'

He said Russia does not have a specific timeline for any outcome of the talks but insisted that Moscow was not prepared to watch Washington drag its feet on the negotiations.

Mr Peskov also lashed out at the US for leaking a planned menu of sanctions against Russia to deter it from invading Ukraine, which, he said, 'definitely did not help to build a constructive environment ahead of the talks.'

More diplomatic efforts are expected this week in a bid to find a diplomatic solution to the Ukraine crisis: Russian diplomats are meeting with Nato officials on Wednesday and with OSCE (Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe) on Thursday.
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Video shows residents of the Bronx high-rise apartment complex where 17 people died after a fire broke out in a third-floor unit desperately evacuating as the building's stairwells turned into smoke-filled chimneys.

The blaze, which investigators believe was started by a faulty space heater, caused toxic smoke to spread throughout the complex after the entry door to the unit where the flames ignited failed to automatically close - as it is designed to do - when the family residing inside fled. They all survived but another eight kids from inside the building, and nine adults, died.

All 17 fire victims died of smoke inhalation, the New York City medical examiner confirmed to NBC 4 on Tuesday.

Although flames never escaped the third floor, smoke poured into the building's stairwells and, with a second door left open on a 15th-floor landing, rapidly swept throughout the complex.

Yesbely Fernandez, who lived on the 17th floor of 333 East 181st Street, captured video as crews arrived to the scene and firefighters stormed the building.

She and her loved ones then fled the complex, walking through blackened hallways and down a stairwell covered in smoke, fire hoses and standing water.

Yesbely Fernandez, who lived on the 17th floor of 333 East 181st Street, captured video as she and her loved ones fled the building after a fire broke out on the third floor, causing the apartment complex to fill with smoke

Fernandez continues videotaping as they walk through the blackened hallways of the building. They are seen carrying flashlights as the hallway is dark

Fire crews are pictured storming the complex Sunday, as seen from Fernandez's 17th floor apartment

Yesbely Fernandez, who lives on the 17th floor of 333 East 181st in the Bronx filmed what is was like inside @wcbs880 pic.twitter.com/kYkNHNiXLD  Marla Diamond (@MDiamond8) January 11, 2022

Footage of Bx fire from 17th floor. Credit: Yesbely Fernandez, resident. @wcbs880 pic.twitter.com/dAMWQV0PJg  Marla Diamond (@MDiamond8) January 11, 2022

Evacuation down 17 flights of stairs in Sundays deadly Bronx fire. VIDEO CREDIT: Yesbely Fernandez, resident. @wcbs880 pic.twitter.com/z3SQfvXcnU  Marla Diamond (@MDiamond8) January 11, 2022

Photographs taken by DailyMail.com Monday of the complex's interior showed the skeleton structure that remains of the unit where the blaze erupted. The residence, which once housed a family of nine, was heavily damaged, with a window blown out, and covered in ash and debris.

Mamadou Wague, who lived in the third-floor duplex apartment with his wife and eight children, said the doors in his unit - which are designed to close automatically - get stuck if pushed open too far.

'When you push the door all the way to the edge, it didn't close by itself,' the West African immigrant father-of-eight told the Post.

'I actually thought later that the door had shut, but the fire department people told me it had stayed open.'

City inspectors had previously cited the complex six times for failing to maintain the building's self-closing doors. Management was issued the door-related citations between 2013 and 2019, the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) records obtained by the New York Post revealed.

A spokesperson for the owners told DailyMail.com the building currently has no open door-related complaints or violations.

Fire investigators, however, tested most of the doors in the building on Sunday and found Wague's unit, as well as a handful of other units had doors that did not close automatically, as designed, officials confirmed to the New York Times.

The building spokesperson, in an email to 1010 WINS, said all doors in the complex, including Wague's, are self-closing, as required by the law. They noted the lock on Wague's door had been changed in July and, at that time, was found to be working.

Fire experts found several faulty self-closing doors in a Bronx apartment complex where a fire left 17 dead on Sunday. Investigators also believe the building's older fire safety measures contributed to the spread of the fire

City inspectors cited the Bronx high-rise at least six times between 2013 and 2019 for failing to maintain self-closing doors in the complex. There was also a self-closing door complaint issued on Dec. 6, 2021

Debris is seen scattered across the 17th floor hallway at 333 E. 181st Street

A list of complaints against the property from the last month also detailed how residents complained about not having any heat. Although building officials state the complex was heated, the minimum temperature requirement in NYC is only 68 degrees Fahrenheit, which some residents claims is too cold.

Jose Dineo, who lives of the third floor with his three children, told DailyMail.com Tuesday that space heaters are necessary in the winter because the 'building didn't have good heat'.

I feel good with the heat in my apartment,' Dineo, 40, said. 'We have an electric heater because before the building didnt have good heat.

'Five years back the heat doesnt work well. After three years they put in a new boiler. We feel good with the heat but still sometimes, on days like today, definitely we need to use an extra heater.

Investigators believe the fire was started by one of several space heaters in Wague's unit after it was left running uninterrupted for days. Smoke then spread throughout the complex after the apartment's entry door failed to automatically close.

FDNY Commissioner Daniel Nigro claimed a door in the stairwell - which is meant to be used as an emergency exit - also failed to close, furthering the problem.

'The stairwell was very dangerous as the door was left open and some of the floors  certainly on 15  the door was open from the stairs to the hall and the 15th floor became quite untenable,' Nigro said.

The fire at Twin Parks North West complex in the Bronx broke out in Unit 3N, where the nine-person Wague family resided. Their residence is pictured Monday, covered in ash and debris

The Wague family's apartment is seen completely destroyed. Father Mamadou Wague said the blaze left his eight-year-old daughter trapped in her bedroom on a mattress engulfed in flames. He pulled his daughter out of the flames and managed to escape

The blaze is unit 3N was caused by a faulty space heater

The entire unit was damaged by the blaze

Records do, however, indicate the city issued six door-related citations to the building from 2013 to 2019, with two of violations specifically involving doors on the third and 15th floors.

A self-closing door at the third floor entrance to the building's northern stairwell was flagged ineffective in March 2017, under the complex's prior owners, and was not fixed until July 2020.

Also in March 2017, citations were issued for the self-closing doors in the trash compactor closets on the building's third, sixth, 12th and 15th floors. Records show the landlord fixed those violations by May 2017.

Jose Dineo, who lives in the building, said he often uses a space heater because the complex is cold. He also shared that many residents ignore the smoke alarms because they sound frequently

There was also a self-closing door complaint made in December 2021.

When asked about the HPD citations, a building spokesperson told DailyMail.com: 'The current owners purchased the property in January 2020 so the violations you are were incurred by the prior owners.'

'There are no open complaints or violations related to doors currently according to HPD records,' they added.

Despite this, malfunctioning doors still appear to be a common problem for residents of 333 East 181st Street, formerly known as Twin Parks North West.

Cookie Dennis, a 72-year-old residing in a unit on the third floor, claimed her door hasn't ever shut properly in the nearly three decades she has lived in the building.

'My door doesn't self-close and never has,' Dennis told the Post.

'I have lived here 27 years, and I don't ever remember the door closing by itself, you have to close it yourself.'

Also last month, the building received a complaint of 'no heat' in a sixth floor unit, even though the building allegedly had heat.

Congressman Ritchie Torres, whose district covers most of the South Bronx, told NBC New York that often times the city mandated temperatures do not meet residents' needs.

'Even if the landlord was requiring the legal minimum, what the law requires often falls short of what tenants need to remain warm in their apartments,' he explained.

New York City's worst fire disaster in more than 30 years that broke out on the second and third floor of a building at 333 East 181st Street in the Bronx has killed nine children and ten adults (pictured, people jump to safety from the burning building)

FDNY commissioner Daniel Nigro said that 'very heavy' fire and smoke 'extended the entire height of the building.' Firefighters were pictured rescuing residents from the blaze early on Sunday

Dineo, however, argued one of the biggest problems with the building is its sensitive smoke alarm system.

The only issue we have is the smoke alarm, almost every day - which is understandable because people smoke in the hallway, some people smoke in the stairs,' he said.

'On Sunday, we thought somebody smoked somewhere and the alarm started so we stayed in the house. The alarm would go off two or three times a week.

'What happened with the alarms is that they ignore them now because [they would go off] two, three times a week,' echoed resident Carlos Reyes, 65.

'So people started ignoring them, when they would go off they would just - there was somebody who said "I just bring up the volume on the TV because they were annoying and there was no fire." So that caused people to ignore the alarms.'

Complex residents have also complained of roach and mice infestation and no water.

The building - which is owned by Bronx Park Phase III Preservation LLC, a consortium of three property developers; The Camber Property Group, Belveron Partners and the LIHC Group - was purchased along with seven others in late 2019 as part of a $160million deal on affordable housing in the Bronx.

The consortium bought it for just shy of $25million - which values each of the 120 apartments inside at $206,000.

The tenants are all households earning 60 percent of area median income. A family or household of four in the building earns, for example, $72,000 and generally their rent will be less than a third of that annual income - less than $2,000 per month.

A spokesperson for the consortium would not confirm how much tenants pay in rent at 333 East 181st Street when contacted by DailyMail.com on Monday.

Workers in protective clothing are pictured outside the complex Tuesday

Workers are pictured Tuesday sweeping up debris outside 333 East 181st Street

Rick Gropper of the Camber Property Group (left) is one of the owners of the building. He is also named as a contributor to Eric Adams' housing transition team. The Camber Group partnered with LIHC Investment Group and Belveron Partners to buy the property in 2020. Belveron founder Paul Odland is shown, right

The developers paid a third less than the average sale price of homes in the Bronx, and a seventh of the average sale price of apartments in New York City when they bought the properties in 2019.

The owners charge tenants there less than the market rate for apartments in the area. They also receive subsidiaries from the local governments and enormous tax credits.

According to an announcement at the time they bought the properties, the developers said they intended to renovate.

Andrew (left) and Charlie Gendron (right) of the LIHC group, the third investor

It's unclear if any renovations have yet begun.

The developers agreed to keep the properties within the city's roster of affordable housing when they purchased them.

They said they would keep them affordable for the next 40 years at least.

One of The Camber Group's founders is Rick Gropper, who was among hundreds listed as a contributor to new Mayor Eric Adams' transition team in the housing department.

The others are Andrew and Charlie Gendron, of the LIHC Group, and Paul Odland of Belveron.

A spokesman for Bronx Park Phase III Preservation LLC, the group of investors who own the building, told The New York Times that the fire alarm system in the building was working on Sunday and that there were no outstanding concerns.

'We are devastated by the unimaginable loss of life caused by this profound tragedy.

'We are cooperating fully with the Fire Department and other city agencies as they investigate its cause, and we are doing all we can to assist our residents.

'Our thoughts are with the families and friends of those who lost their lives or were injured, and we are here to support them as we recover from this horrific fire.'

FDNY investigators determined the fire was started after a space heater malfunctioned in a bedroom in Unit 3N. The heating unit - one of multiple in the residence - is believed to have been running uninterrupted for several days.

Fire experts have ruled the blaze accidental and said there will be no criminal charges filed against the family.

Wague recalled how his nine-person family fled the blaze: 'I heard my kids screaming, "Fire! Fire! in their room." I just got up and ran back there. I told them, "Everybody get out!" And everybody got out.'

The father made it downstairs to learn his eight-year-old daughter, Nafisha, was still in her bedroom.

'I went back for my daughter,' he told the Post. 'I could only think about getting her out, getting her safe.'

'I ran back up. There was fire everywhere, on the mattress, on my daughter. She had burns on her right side.'

The 47-year-old father pulled his screaming daughter from the burning bed, suffering burns to his lips and nose.

'When theres so much smoke and fire, all you can think is, "If I dont get out of here, I will die,"' Wague explained. 'I burned my face to get her out, and I didnt even feel it until much later.'

Wague said Nafisha suffered burns but is alive. She and his wife remained hospitalized Monday. Their current conditions are unknown.

Man who helped fire victims get to hospital mourns loss of his brother and sister-in-law who leave behind four orphaned children A man who helped transport victims of the Bronx apartment fire to nearby hospitals is mourning the loss of his brother and sister-in-law, who leave behind four children. Yusupha Jawara lost his brother Hagi Jawara, 41, and sister-in-law Isatou Jabbie, 31, in Sunday's inferno that left 17 dead and dozens wounded. Jawara, 46, is now waiting for an 'appropriate' time to tell to tell his two nephews and two nieces, whose ages range from six to 15, that their parents have died. 'Right now, we are trying to get the bodies and arrange the funerals and how to break the news to [the children],' Jawara told the New York Post. 'Then, as a family, we will sit down together and figure out what will happen next.' The four children were in Gambia visiting relatives at the time of the fire. 'We don't want to put it out to them just like that,' he said, adding: 'Isatou loved her kids to death. The kids were her life.' Yusupha Jawara lost his brother Hagi Jawara, 41, (pictured) and sister-in-law Isatou Jabbie, 31, in Sunday's inferno that left 17 dead and dozens wounded Yusupha said Hagi and Isatou (pictured) leave behind four children. He claims Isatou's children 'were her life' and she 'loved them to death' Jawara, who lived nearby, rushed to the complex Sunday morning to assist transporting injured residents to St. Barnabas Hospital. He said he initially hadn't given much thought to Hagi and Isatou's whereabouts, thinking they would be safe as they had lived on the 18th floor, far from the fire that started 15 stories below. 'Their neighbors on the higher floors never came out and they were safe, so I thought that maybe my brother also was safe in the apartment,' Jawara said. However, as the day wore on, he said the couple did not answer his phone calls and his concern grew. He later found out they were among those who died of smoke inhalation. Jawara believes he may have seen his brother being carried on a gurney. 'I was just helping the EMS transport one person to the hospital when I saw him - somebody similar like him - on a stretcher being brought to the ER,' Jawara recalled Tuesday as his family began making funeral plans for their loved ones. 'At that time, I didn't have the focus to know that it was him.' Hagi fled to the United States in the 1990s as a refugee during the civil war in his homeland of Sierra Leone. He later married Isatou, a Gambian woman who worked as a home-health aide and whose family had settled in the Bronx. Jawara described his brother as a 'jovial, kind-hearted and religious man'. 'He was always smiling and laughing with everyone, never had a disagreement with anybody,' he told the Post. Advertisement

Although flames damaged only a small part of the building, smoke poured through the apartments open door, turning stairwells into death traps.

The heavy smoke blocked some residents from escaping and incapacitated others as they tried to flee.

Firefighters carried out children and gave them oxygen and continued their rescue efforts even after their air supplies ran out.

Seventeen were confirmed dead, including children as young as five. Dozens of people were taken to hospital, including several who were in a critical condition.

New York mayor Eric Adams called the blaze an 'unspeakable tragedy' at a news conference near the scene on Monday.

'This tragedy is not going to define us,' Adams said. 'It is going to show our resiliency.'

PICTURED: Mom, her young son and two daughters killed in Bronx apartment block blaze as well as husband and wife who also perished in the flames, as stricken families share snaps of the missing

A New York City woman lost her sister, two nieces and a nephew in the Bronx apartment block fire that killed 17, with stricken families also sharing photos of their missing loved ones in the hopes of tracking them down.

Fatoumata Drammeh, 50, was killed in the fire, her grieving sister Koumba told DailyMail.com, as well as her three children: daughters Fatoumala, 21, and Aisha, 19, as well as son Mohammed, 12.

'They're such a nice people, they're so lovely,' said Koumba Drammeh of her sister, nieces and nephews. 'We're gonna miss them a lot.'

The inferno also took the lives of a family of five, whose ages ranged from five to 49.

Haji Dukuray, of Delaware, confirmed Monday the deaths of his 49-year-old nephew, who bares the same name, his wife, Haja Dukureh, 37, and their three children: Mustapha Dukuray, 12, Miriam Dukuray, 11, and Fatoumata Dukuray, 5.

Dukuray told New York Daily News is in contact with family in Gambia and working to determine next steps: 'The first step of closure for us is trying to retrieve the bodies.'

'In some cases we will bury the dead here. In some cases, we may fly them back to The Gambia,' he added.

Additionally, a husband and wife have been named as victims of the blaze.

The deaths of Hagi Jawara, 41, and his wife Isatou Jabbie, 31, were confirmed Monday evening by Hagi's brother, Yusupha Jawara.

Other family members and friends have shared photos of their loved ones online, in a desperate bid to track them down after Sunday's blaze at the Twin Parks North West Complex in the New York borough, which was triggered by a space heater.

Fatoumata Drammeh (pictured), 50, was killed in the fire, her sister Koumba told DailyMail.com, who said that she and her family were 'such lovely people'

Fatoumata's 12-year-old son Muhammad was the youngest member of the family to lose his life in the Bronx apartment building fire

Friends posted photos on Instagram stories asking for the whereabouts of the Drammeh family - mother Fatou and her daughter, Aisha and son, Muhammad - who have been missing since the fire

Isatou Jabbie, 31, and husband Hagi Jawara, 41, were confirmed dead Monday after the Bronx apartment building fire by Jawara's brother Yusupha

Dorel Anderson and her boyfriend Ramel Thompson were both in the apartment building during the fire and reported missing. Anderson, who has cerebral palsy and is in a wheelchair, was visiting Thompson at the time of the fire. She has been found. Thompson's whereabouts remain unknown

NBC New York reported that a police official had named the children killed in the blaze as Fatoumata Dukureh, aged 5, Mariam Dukureh, aged 11, five year-old Hawa Mahamdou, Mustapha Dukyhreh, who was 11, Omar Jambay, six, and Toure Seydou, who was 12.

Family members and neighbors are continuing to desperately search for any evidence of their missing relatives and friends in the wake of the apartment fire that was set after a faulty space heater set it alight and tore through the Bronx block killing eight children and nine adults.

Dorel Anderson and her boyfriend Ramel Thompson were reported missing after having been unaccounted for after residents evacuated the apartment building.

Anderson, who has cerebral palsy and is in a wheelchair, was visiting Thompson, a resident, at the time of the fire.

Her cousin, Lonell Sessoms, confirmed on Facebook that Anderson has since been found at an area hospital. She is 'intubated but alive'.

It is unclear if Thompson has yet been found.

The list of the missing was announced as an immigrant father has revealed he leaped through flames to save his eight children.

The death toll, originally reported as 19, was revised downwards to 17 on Monday. Addressing the reduced death toll, Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro said patients had been taken to seven different hospitals in the city, which led to 'a bit of a double count'.

Fire experts, attributing smoke to the fatalities, believe a self-closing door in the Twin Parks North West complex may have malfunctioned, allowing the smoke to spread through the building.

'The fire was contained to the hallway just outside this two-story apartment, but the smoke travelled throughout the building and the smoke is what caused the deaths and the serious injuries,' Nigro said during a press conference Monday.

Some of the broken windows from a fire where a space heater caught fire and caused the devastation in the Bronx

Some of the items that caught on fire in apartment 3N

Mamadou Wague, who lived in Unit 3N with his wife and children, recalled how he was woken by his children screaming 'fire' and then found his eight-year-old daughter, Nafisha, screaming and trapped on a burning mattress in her bedroom.

'I just grab her and run,' the west African immigrant told the New York Times. 'I didnt think about anything except getting her out.'

Wague, 47, pulled his daughter from the burning bed, suffering burns to his lips and nose, and escaped the unit with his family. Nafisha sustained burns but is alive.

Fire Marshals ruled the fire 'accidental,' noting that it was caused by a malfunctioning space heater and that a 'smoke alarm was present and operational'.

A New York City official, who spoke to the newspaper on the condition of anonymity, revealed fire marshals suspect the space heater had been running uninterrupted for multiple days. According to a list of resident maintenance requests shared online, building received at least four complaints last year of units being without heat. It is unclear if Unit 3N was having an issue with heat.

Officials believe the fire spread so rapidly because Mr Wague left his apartment door open as he fled for his life with his kids.

Mayor Eric Adams said there may have been a 'maintenance issue,' as it was supposed to close automatically. He told CNN: 'The doors in the building did have self-closing mechanisms. We are just looking at that specific door.'

However, Andrew Ansbro, president of the FDNY Uniformed Firefighters Association Union, said the 49-year-old building was poorly equipped to deal with a fire.

'It was at a building that was built under federal guidelines way back when, so its not up to New York City fire codes,' he told the New York Daily News.

It has no fire escapes and stairwells meant to be used as emergency exits quickly filled with smoke, along with floors where stairwell doors were left open.

Large, new apartment buildings in the city are required to have sprinkler systems and interior doors that swing shut automatically to contain smoke and deprive fires of oxygen, however those rules don't apply to older buildings.

Many residents ignored the fire alarms when they went off on Sunday because they sound so frequently as false alarms.

'First we heard the fire alarm go off. Numerous times,' said Michael Joseph, 32, who lived on the sixth floor with his uncle. But we didn't think nothing of it, because normally people in the building, they smoke and tend to set it off. So we thought it was probably just people playing.'

The apartment complex was purchased for $24,675,000 in 2020 by a group of investors, including Camber Property Group. Rick Gropper, a co-founder and principal at Camber, was one of the nearly 800 individuals named last month to the new mayor's transition team.

Pope Francis offered his condolences Monday to the victims of the 'devastating' apartment fire. In a telegram sent to New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan he offered 'heartfelt condolences and the assurance of his spiritual closeness' to those affected by the blaze.

Firemen stand at the scene of a fire at a multi-level apartment building in the Bronx on Monday

Workers clean up at the scene of a fire at a multi-level apartment building in the Bronx on Monday

Some of the items that caught fire at 333 East 181st Street in the Fordham Heights area of the Bronx

The five-alarm blaze is New York City's deadliest in three decades. President Joe Biden, speaking with Mayor Adams Monday, offered his 'heartfelt condolences and support' to the victims, city leaders and residents. Biden told the mayor any resources the city needs will be made available.

Although the flames only damaged a small portion of the building, smoke escaped through the Wague family's open door and flooded the stairwells - the only method of escape as the building was too tall for fire escapes - with ash.

Some people could not escape because of the volume of smoke, while others became incapacitated as they tried to flee. Several residents said the fire alarms in the building are always going off so they ignored them.

While there have not been any major building violations or complaints listed against the building, according to city building records, however it was reportedly not up to code.

Public records show the building has open violations for cockroach and mouse infestations, lead paint and water leaks, however no structural violations were listed.

The New York Post reported there were more than two dozen violations and complaints at the building since 2013 - despite $25 million in state loans for repairs.

The Twin Parks North West complex is classified as a D1 building, according to Street Easy. The classification designates the complex as an elevator apartment building that is semi-fireproof and without stores.

D1 buildings can be found in all five boroughs of New York City and account for about 29 percent of complexes in the Bronx, Property Shark reported.

Investigators determined a malfunctioning electric space heater started the fire in the 19-story building, leaving victims on 'every floor.'

Eight children were among at least 17 people killed and 63 injured in Sunday's inferno. Dozens of residents were hospitalized, several in critical condition, and doctors were continuing efforts to save victims live on Monday.

The mayor said it's likely the death toll could rise.

'We pray to God that they'll be able to pull through,' Mayor Adams said during a CNN interview Monday morning.

Firefighters respond to a five-alarm blaze that broke out in the Bronx on Sunday

Clean-up and recovery workers are seen Monday cleaning in front of a Bronx apartment building a day after a fire swept through the complex

At least 200 firefighters responded to the scene, some arriving within minutes of the initial call for help. As they entered the building, the first responders were met with flames in the hallway.

Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro said an investigation was underway to determine how the fire spread and whether anything could have been done to prevent or contain the blaze.

Adams said it appears the smoke spread due to a door that was supposed to automatically close being open.

'There may have been a maintenance issue with this door. And that is going to be part of the .. ongoing investigation,' Adams said on Good Morning America.

The mayor said the fire crews continued rescue measures even after running out of oxygen.

'Their oxygen tanks were empty and they still pushed through the smoke,' he explained, noting that icy conditions made it difficult for firefighters to put out the blaze.

Jay Jimenez, who lives in the building next door, said he went into the building to help rescue trapped residents. He said he helped 'a lot' of people make it to safety, but also recalled the horrifying moments he carried deceased victims out of the building.

'I was just focused on the mission,' Jimenez, 35, told DailyMail.com on Monday. He said he helped the fire department as they brought victims to the lobby: 'I pulled them out, while they bring them through the stairs and out the front lobby and I just took them by the knees and brought them all the way outside.'

He added: 'I couldn't sleep last night - I haven't slept. I feel sad. I got kids. I saw a three-year-old completely dead and that's in my mind. I am not the same. It's really sad.'

Jimenez also applauded the 'hero' first responders who risked their lives to help the trapped residents.

'The impact of this fire is going to really bring a level of pain and despair in this city,' Mayor Adams said during a press conference early on Sunday, shortly after the blaze was extinguished.

'The numbers are horrific. We have over 32 people who are life-threatening at this time. This is going to be one of the worst fires we have witnessed in the City of New York in modern times.'

Sunday's blaze came just days after a Philadelphia house fire killed 12 people, including eight children.

That was the deadliest fire at a U.S. residential apartment building since 2017, when 13 people died in an apartment in the Bronx, according to data from the National Fire Protection Association.

That fire started after a three-year-old boy was playing with stove burners.

The deadliest fire prior to that was in 1989 when a Tennessee apartment building fire claimed the lives of 16 people.
Australians are being warned to prepare for a possible milk shortage as supply chain issues continue to bite amid the Covid-19 outbreak across the country.

Despite being unaffected by the supply crisis so far, the milk industry says it has 'enormous concerns' about supply issues in the coming days.

It warns milk processing facilities could be forced to shutdown due to a shortage of workers, while a shortage of truck drivers could stop processed milk from being picked up.

'Farmers milk their cows seven days a week and they cant store milk in a vat on farm if the tanker doesnt come to pick it up,' said Australian Dairy Products Federation president Grant Crothers told the Sydney Morning Herald.

'Supply could deteriorate any time, its a factory-by-factory, shift-by-shift scenario.'

Despite being unaffected by the supply crisis so far, the milk industry says it has 'enormous concerns' about supply issues in the coming days

Australians are being warned to prepare for a milk shortage as a supply crisis grips the country

Meanwhile, urgent health meetings continue to take place on which business sectors will have COVID-isolation rules relaxed after rapidly rising virus numbers led to widespread supply chain issues.

Talks between federal ministers and industry took place overnight and will pick up again on Wednesday to help address coronavirus-induced staff shortages.

Supply chains of essential services have been severely impacted by the outbreak, with thousands of people isolating after having contracted the virus or being designated a close contact.

The supply issues have forced some major food retailers to enforce product limits on several items.

Discussions have been held between acting Small Business Minister Anne Ruston and industry groups.

The talks come after the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee released preliminary advice on Monday for grocery supply workers, which would allow them to come out of isolation and back to work if they test negative after being a close contact.

Urgent health meetings continue to take place on which business sectors will have COVID-isolation rules relaxed after rapidly rising virus numbers led to widespread supply chain issues

The advice will be presented to national cabinet when it next meets on Thursday.

Work is also under way to expand the advice to other essential sectors such as medical suppliers, aviation, childcare and education.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison is set on Wednesday to meet with the National Coordinating Mechanism and ministers to discuss possible changes to the AHPPC advice.

Among the changes are that essential services should ensure workers receive a COVID-19 booster shot.

Staff in essential services would be able to continue to work after an exposure provided they have a negative rapid test, with regular rapid testing afterwards.

The exact timing of how often the rapid testing would need to be undertaken for employees is yet to be determined.
Long queues have built up at Dover with the Operation TAP temporary traffic system implemented to help ease the huge lines of lorries at the border.

Vehicles stood stationary awaiting border checks, just a day after the Port of Dover boss begged the government for lateral flow tests to ease the pressure on the workers.

The Dover TAP, a temporary traffic system to prevent a build up in lorry traffic, was brought in amid tailbacks on the motorways.

Long queues have built up at Dover with the Operation TAP temporary traffic system implemented to help ease the huge lines of lorries at the border (pictured this evening)

Vehicles stood stationary awaiting border checks, just a day after the Port of Dover boss begged the government for lateral flow tests

A long queue of lorries wait on the A20 at Capel-le-Ferne for the Port of Dover in Kent today

The TAP sees a 40mph speed restriction for all vehicles approaching the port brought in.

Port-bound lorries are required to queue on the nearside to prevent congestion and traffic lights hold back lorries until there is space at the Port of Dover.

The port's chief executive Doug Bannister said staff 'still don't have full access' to daily tests despite being key workers.

Last week, Boris Johnson had promised 100,000 key workers would receive the lateral flows each day.

The port has applied to be included in the scheme but is yet to receive the supply, leading to potential shortages and causing delays,.

The Dover TAP, a temporary traffic system to prevent a build up in lorry traffic, was brought in amid tailbacks on the motorways

The TAP sees a 40mph speed restriction for all vehicles approaching the port brought in

Bannister told the BBC: 'The government has made lateral flow capacity available to some key areas. They haven't stepped as deeply into our operations as we'd like them to.'

He said port workers had 'maintained the operations and the critical flow of goods into the nation' over the past two years and the port needs to be 'better prepared'.

He added daily tests would ensure there is the 'right complements of the people on the ground to facilitate travel'.

Exports across the channel between Great Britain and the EU became subject to full customs controls on January 1, adding to the delays.

Lorries queue at the entrance to the Port of Dover in Kent as the boss begged for more lateral flow tests

The port's chief executive Doug Bannister said staff 'still don't have full access' to daily tests despite being key workers

It comes after a ferry boss predicted 20-mile motorway queues if Covid border checks are not lifted by Easter as UK holidaymakers are likely to ditch long-haul trips for holidays closer to home in Europe.

Consumer confidence in travel is currently low as a consequence of the rapid spread of the Omicron variant, which caused a number of new travel restrictions and testing requirements to be introduced over the festive period.

There are hopes, though, that 2022 will see a resurgence in travel demand amid hopes some restrictions will soon be lifted with Britain moving towards a situation where it can 'live with' the virus.

Chris Parker, director of capacity and passenger performance for ferry operator DFDS, has warned that an increase in Brits heading to Europe for an Easter holiday could lead to 20-mile queues at Dover if Covid border checks are not eased.

He said checks on passenger locator forms and vaccination passports mean it takes longer for travellers at the border, which could continue to be an issue.

Mr Parker added: 'Any sort of significant return in terms of passenger numbers, that's going to escalate the problem.

'It's really, really important that we don't find ourselves around Easter, for example, doing these sort of checks because it simply won't work.

'The impact would be queues back on to the motorways of Kent, stretching back 10, 20 miles - there's no question about that - and in fairly short order.'

Mr Parker added that little notice prior to the introduction of new restrictions had also led to 'quite a lot of abuse' for DFDS staff at the border.

Freight lorries, heading to Dover, queuing on the M20 motorway at the Channel Tunnel Terminal junction in Kent on December 18, 2021

DFDS ferries Dover Seaways (top) and the Cote d'Opale pictured as they arrive at the Port of Dover in Kent

If demand for travel eventually returns to pre-pandemic levels, he also predicts there will be behavioural changes among holidaymakers.

Mr Parker said: 'I do think that maybe there will be a shift a little bit away from long haul back towards more local holidaying, and I guess that also underlying there's that element of sustainable travel, green travel.'

As well as the challenges presented by the pandemic, he said the travel industry is still getting to grips with Brexit and how to pursue a greener, more sustainable future.

Asked about restrictions on UK nationals visiting France introduced days before Christmas, Mr Parker hailed the 'very good news' last week that the UK Government had rolled back its main restrictions and said 'we may hear something quite soon' regarding the French Government following suit.
Dozens of Australia's top academics, doctors and community leaders have called for schools to reopen in an open letter, as the Omicron wave approaches its peak.

Thousands of students will return to the classroom in the coming weeks for the 2022 school year as Covid infections surge to record levels.

As Queensland delayed its start to term one by two weeks, a group of leading figures have written to Prime Minister Scott Morrison and state and territory premiers, calling for them to reassure families that schools are safe to return to.

The letter urges governments to follow the principle set by the World Health Organisation and the United Nations Children's Fund that in a pandemic 'schools must be the last to close and the first to open'.

The authors describe students as the forgotten voices of the pandemic after thousands had their education disrupted for months at the time during lockdown.

The federal and state governments have received an open letter urging them to not delay the start of the 2022 school year, despite a record surge in Covid cases (pictured Sydney pupils returning to class after four months in lockdown in 2021)

Epidemiologists Catherine Bennett and Fiona Russell, former Australian of the Year Patrick McGorry and Professor of Child Health David Issacs are among the 35 academics, doctors and community leaders who have put their name to the open letter sent ahead of Thursday's national cabinet.

'In the third year of the COVID-19 pandemic we now have evidence that it is safe to allow schools to be open for face-to-face learning,' the letter begins.

'The national cabinet commitment to re-open schools is at risk, however, and needs to be reaffirmed by every jurisdiction, with measures taken to reassure Australian families that schools are safe to return.'

The high-profile people argue that a delay to return to face to face learning is not a proportionate response with data showing Covid-19 is a mild disease in children and that the overwhelming majority recover without adverse affects.

The letter also states there's no medical case for face-to-face learning to be suspended despite the vaccine rollout for ages 5-11 being launched this week.

The letter warns of ignoring the obligation to deliver the best education outcomes if the return to the classroom is delayed as it greatly disadvantages the least privileged and causes unnecessary anxiety and harm.

'Children are the 'lost voices' of this pandemic,' it states.

'The right of children to an education based on in-person learning and healthy social interaction with peers is now one of the highest policy priorities for Australian governments to limit the long-term adverse impact of this pandemic.'

The letter by some of Australia's leading academic, clinicians and describe students as the forgotten voices of the pandemic (pictured a student returning to school after lockdown)

Concerns were also raised about children's mental health and increased risk of child abuse, obesity, and delayed social and emotional development.

The authors acknowledge measures such as rapid antigen testing, the wearing of masks and ventilation upgrades need to be implemented to reduce the risk of transmissions in schools and ease parents and teachers' fears about kids returning to school.

'Given the relatively low risk posed by schools and in the absence of evidence that these measures will have a substantial effect on transmission, a delayed roll-out of these measures should not delay in-person learning,' it states.

The letter ends stating Australian children have a fundamental right to high-quality education and the return of face to face learning as soon as possible is in everyone's best interests.

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet (pictured with vaccinated children on Monday) has already indicated the start of term one won't be delayed in NSW

It was compiled after Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk delayed the start of term one by a fortnight until the second week of February.

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet and Victorian counterpart Daniel Andrews have ruled out a delayed return to the classroom, despite the surge in Omicron cases.

The South Australian government will finalise its school plans this week but has warned to expect disruptions surge to the surge in Covid cases.

The safe reopening of schools will be high on the agenda when the national cabinet meets on Thursday.

The Australian Principals Federation has warned the return to school was 'not looking like the start we wanted it to be'.

'I think it's hinged on high vaccination rates for five- to 11-year-olds and that's based on people being able to access the vaccine and [being] willing to have their children vaccinated,' federation president Tina King told The Age.

'We've got to look after people this term because the wounds and the scars of the last two years, and particularly last term, are still raw and open.'

The letter was compiled after Queensland delayed the start of school by two weeks
Former Health Secretary Matt Hancock has confirmed this evening that he has tested positive for Covid-19 - seven months after he resigned from office after being caught kissing his married aide in his Westminster office.

The disgraced politician took to Twitter this evening to share the news that he had tested positive for the virus and that he was now isolating at home.

Hancock previously tested positive for Covid-19 during the early stages of the pandemic, back in March 2020.

And seven months ago, the infamous kiss between Hancock and his aide Gina Coladangelo broke social distancing guidelines, that he himself pushed for as Health Secretary, forcing him to step down.

The disgraced politician took to Twitter this evening to share the news that he had tested positive for the virus and that he was now isolating at home

Tweeting this evening, Mr Hancock said: 'Yesterday afternoon I tested positive for Coronavirus.

'I've been isolating at home since then. Thankfully I feel fine. Much better than last time and that's thanks to the vaccine.'

At the end of his tweet, Mr Hancock added that those people in Britain who have yet to receive a vaccine against Covid-19 should go and get one.

'Get your booster now if you haven't already,' he said.

Hancock previously spoke about the impact Covid-19 had on him after he contracted the virus the first time.

Seven months ago, the infamous kiss (pictured) between Hancock and his aide Gina Coladangelo broke social distancing guidelines, that he himself pushed for as Health Secretary, forcing him to step down

Speaking to Sky News in April 2020, he said: 'It is rough, especially when you are on the downhill part of it - it's very worrying because we've all seen how serious it can get.

'I had a couple of days when it was really very unpleasant and I've lost about half a stone.'

Hancock's positive Covid test comes seven months after he resigned as Health Secretary after he was caught on CCTV passionately kissing his married aide Gina Coladangelo against the door of his Whitehall office in June 2021.

He lost his job when it emerged they were seeing each other despite her being his aide and them breaking social distancing rules that he had himself created.

Hancock, who served as Health Secretary between 2018 and 2021, initially tried to ride out the political storm over his breach of Covid restrictions, but eventually resigned

Mr Hancock tried to ride out the political storm over his flagrant breaches of Covid-19 regulations and his marital infidelity but was eventually forced to resign.

When asked on the ITV's Peston last month whether he was surprised Boris Johnson did not sack him, Mr Hancock said: 'I'm not going to go into the conversations that I had with the Prime Minister.

'I made the decision [to resign], it was clearly right decision. And I just say, sorry again for the failure of... I let a lot of people down and I'm sorry to the people who I hurt.'

The bombshell expose of Mr Hancock's affair with his aide, who was married to Oliver Bonas founder Oliver Tress, forced him to resign as health secretary.

The news comes as the daily Covid cases fell by nearly 45 per cent in a week today in the biggest drop since Omicron took off  as an expert claimed the UK would be the first country in the northern hemisphere to tame the pandemic.

There were 120,821 new positive tests logged across the country over the past 24 hours, according to Government dashboard data, down from the pandemic high of 218,000 last Tuesday. It marks the sixth day in a row infections have fallen week-on-week and strongly suggests the fourth wave is subsiding in little over a month.

There is now growing optimism the UK's outbreak will follow a similar trajectory to South Africa's, where the virus has almost completely fizzled out after becoming the Omicron epicentre in November.

Another 379 Covid deaths were also registered across the UK today, up more than seven times on the low figure of 48 last week. Deaths are always artificially higher on Tuesdays due to reporting lags at the weekend but last week's toll was also affected by the Bank Holiday.

At the end of his tweet this evening, Mr Hancock (file image) encouraged others to go and get their Covid vaccination

The death rate has remained relatively flat despite Omicron pushing infection rates to record highs, and there are around five times fewer fatalities now than during the second wave last January.

There are growing calls for No10 to learn to live with Covid rather than focus on halting the spread of the virus now there is such a big disconnect between infections and deaths. Final restrictions could start to be lifted this month, it was claimed today.

The promising statistics came as Professor David Heymann, an epidemiologist from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), suggested the UK was on the brink of beating the pandemic.

He told an online briefing: 'In general, now, the countries we know best in the northern hemisphere have varying stages of the pandemic. And probably, in the UK, it's the closest to any country of being out of the pandemic if it isn't already out of the pandemic and having the disease as endemic as the other four coronaviruses.'

Last Tuesday included several days of Covid cases in Northern Ireland, which will have made the weekly drop in infections artificially steeper today. But infections were still massively down in England and London.

Speaking at the briefing, run by the Chatham House think-tank, Professor Heymann said population immunity was already high in the UK through a combination of its highly-successful vaccine programme and high infection rates.

He added: 'That means immunity against serious illness and death after infection if one is vaccinated, or after re-infection if one has had illness before, and that population immunity seems to be keeping the virus and its variants at bay, not causing serious illness or death in countries where population immunity is high.

'I looked at the ONS (Office for National Statistics) most recent report on population immunity and they estimated about 95 per cent of the population in England and a little less than in other parts of the United Kingdom do have antibody to infection either from vaccination or from natural infection.

'And that antibody, as I said, is keeping the virus at bay. And it's now functioning more like an endemic coronavirus than one that is a pandemic.'
As Omicron cases surge across Australia, the government has made changes to the $750 pandemic leave disaster payment for those to have to self isolate.

Rapid antigen tests can now be used as proof that you've been infected with the virus, and therefore eligible for the pandemic leave disaster payment.

Formerly, a laboratory PCR test was required as proof.

The $750 payment is available for those who has been told to self-isolate or quarantine.

Australians who can't earn an income or are caring for someone with COVID-19 are eligible.

'It's been an important tool that we've had... and large numbers of Australians have done that,' Prime Minister Scott Morrison said last week.

Scott Morrison has urged Aussies to take advantage of the pandemic leave disaster payment

'I encourage people to become familiar with the supports that are in place.

'The support is already there for those who are in that situation where they're forced to isolate.'

Centrelink will not automatically give you the $750 a week payment if you enter self-isolation or quarantine.

This means individuals have to apply for it for each seven-day period they are isolating.

Australians can apply through the MyGov website, or by calling Centrelink on 180 22 66.

The payment came into effect on December 9 to cope with the surge in Omicron cases.

The pandemic leave disaster payment has to be declared on a tax return, including if recipients are receiving a Family Tax Benefit or a Child Care Subsidy.

During the lockdowns of 2021, the federal government had tailored Centrelink payments for individual states.

But with Omicron surging in all states and territories except Western Australia, the federal government now has one program.

The Australian Council of Trade Unions wants the federal government to legislate paid pandemic leave, that is separate from annual leave, so workers don't see a cut in their income if they have already used up their holiday leave.

How much is being offered Right now, the payment is delivered in the form of a $750 lump sum payment for seven days. As of next Tuesday, that's set to change. While it will remain a lump sum payment, it will shift to a tiered system. Anyone who loses over 20 hours of work will still receive the full $750, but if you lose between 8 and 20 hours, you will only receive $450. Anyone who loses less than eight hours of work will no be longer be eligible. A financial hardship test will also be introduced next week, which will mean anyone with $10,000 available and accessible to them will not get the payment. Advertisement

What you need to know about the pandemic leave disaster payment You may be eligible if you're unable to work and earn income, have no sick leave entitlements and NSW Health has told you to self-isolate or quarantine. A health official must direct you personally by letter, email, phone or SMS. They need to give you these directions for any of the following reasons: you have coronavirus (COVID-19)

you've been in close contact with a person who has COVID-19

you care for a child, 16 years or under, who has COVID-19

you care for a child, 16 years or under, who's been in close contact with a person who has COVID-19

you're caring for someone who has a disability or severe medical condition who must self-isolate or quarantine If you claim this payment, and you care for someone with disability, or a severe medical condition, you must be living in the same household as the person you're caring for. You may also be eligible if you're caring for someone who has COVID-19. You must also meet all of the following: you're at least 17 years old and live in New South Wales

you're an Australian resident or hold a visa that gives you the right to work in Australia

you're unable to go to work and earn an income

you have no appropriate leave entitlements, including pandemic sick leave, personal leave or leave to care for another person

your period of quarantine is after 17 September 2020. If you're a member of a couple, you can both claim this payment. You and your partner will need to complete separate claims. Advertisement
Smoke is visible at the site of a fighter jet crash on a mountain in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, Tuesday. Yonhap





An Air Force F-5E fighter jet crashed in central South Korea, Tuesday, with the fate of the single pilot onboard unconfirmed, according to military officials.







The aircraft crashed into a mountain in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, at 1:46 p.m., minutes after taking off from an Air Force base in Suwon, south of Seoul, they added.







"We are checking if the pilot made an emergency exit," the Air Force said in a statement.







The cause of the accident was not immediately known.







South Korea has operated around 200 F-5s since the 1970s, most of which are out of service or soon to be so after reaching their full life cycle.







The same type of the jet crashed into a mountain in central South Korea in 2013 during a training flight due to poor maintenance.







Tuesday's plane crash is the latest incident involving the Air Force's jets. Last week, an F-35A fighter made an emergency landing in Seosan, 150 kilometers south of Seoul, also during a training flight. (Yonhap)


Coronavirus is sending fewer people to the hospital than a bad flu season despite cases threatening to top 100,000 around Australia.

Australian National University professor Peter Collignon said it was important to have perspective when looking at Covid hospitalisation and ICU numbers.

He said there were fewer hospital patients with Covid than those admitted with influenza during a recent winter.

'We're seeing a lot of people in hospital and a lot of people in ICU but we need to keep it in perspective,' he said on the Today show Wednesday.

Top infectious diseases expert Peter Collignon revealed the number of people in hospital with Covid-19 was less than the number of patients admitted with influenza during a recent winter

'It's still less than what we often see in winter with influenza, for instance, a number of years ago, and it seems to be less of an issue than even six months ago with the proportion of infected people going into hospital.'

Professor Collignon said Australia's high vaccination rate meant a smaller proportion of people required care in hospital, or dying.

'So much so, that if you're vaccinated your risk is probably similar to a season of influenza, it's the one or two million unvaccinated adults we still have who are disproportionately in hospital and disproportionately in ICU,' he said.

The expert reminded people worried about being infected with the virus that Australians didn't have access to vaccines a year ago.

He said those who had their booster shot had a 'much, much lower chance of coming into serious grief than a year ago'.

The top infectious diseases expert said it was important to have perspective when looking at hospitalisation and ICU numbers (pictured, shoppers walk in Melbourne)

'A lot of us are going to get Covid over the next year or two, but the consequences now for serious disease - which is what matters - is so much less than a year ago, we need to come to terms with that,' he said.

He said it was important to get more staff on the ground, decrease the fear level in society and ensure those vulnerable were at 'the front of the queue' for care.

Professor Collingnon was asked when he predicted Australia would hit the peak of the Omicron wave, and if infections would get worse before they got better.

'My view is that it should start flattening out in at least in the next week, a lot of the cases we're seeing is mainly being spread by people in their 20s and 30s, and you can see why because they were locked down for so long,' he replied.

'So as people are moving around less, more on holiday and interacting with large numbers less I think the numbers will come down.'

The expert said it was important to get more staff on the ground, decrease the fear level in society and ensure those vulnerable were at 'the front of the queue' for care

He said hospitalisations tended to lag five to seven days after infections levelled out, which he said were high, but not exponential.

Professor Collignon added that data observed from the Delta variant revealed that if a vaccinated person is naturally infected with Covid they build better immunity against the virus than what a booster shot could provide.

'Providing you're vaccinated, and if you're unlucky enough to get Omicron, you are likely to have longer-lasting immunity than even with a booster,' he explained.

'Natural infection tends to give you long-lasting immunity mainly because you're exposed to more parts of the virus rather than just the spike protein, which is the vaccine strategy.'

He urged unvaccinated people not to attempt to be infected naturally for the benefit of immunity as the chances of death or serious illness were much higher.

Experts predict Australia Day could be the day Omicron finally peaks in the major cities and the country could return to normal after that.

experts predict Australia Day could be the day Omicron finally peaks in the major cities in hopes the country can return to normal after that (pictured, a man is swabbed for Covid)

Major Australian cities could see a dramatic drop off in Covid-19 infections by the end of January as the Omicron surge 'runs out' of 'core' carriers to infect.

While new Covid cases topped 84,000 Australia-wide on Tuesday - including 38,000 in Victoria, 26,000 in NSW and 20,466 in Queensland - there are underlying signs that tally could dramatically improve by the end of this month.

So many of Omicron major carriers, people aged between 20 and 30, have been exposed already that the virus would began failing to reproduce when it meets people with immunity.

Initially that will happen in hotspots where the virus has run rampant, including areas of Melbourne and Sydney, and in Newcastle.

Catherine Bennett, chair of epidemiology at Deakin University, predicted the wave would start to turn around in about two weeks, before the end of January.
Alexis Avila, 18, was been arrested and charged with attempted murder and child abuse for allegedly tossing her newborn child into a dumpster

The grandmother of the baby dumped in a trash can by his teen mom has defended her daughter, telling DailyMail.com: 'Everybody makes mistakes.'

Hobbs High School student Alexis Avila, 18, was arrested and charged with attempted murder after abandoning her newborn baby boy in a dumpster behind a shopping mall in Hobbs, New Mexico, on Friday.

The newborn, who has been named Saul by his 16-year-old father, is currently recovering at a hospital in Lubbock, Texas, and is being cared for by the New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department.

Now Avila's mother Martha, 47, has broken her silence to defend her daughter and told DailyMail.com that the birth came as 'a shock' outside her $104,000 home in Hobbs.

Speaking exclusively to DailyMail.com, she said: 'People can talk and give their opinion. Everybody makes mistakes. People can preach all they want, they can judge all they want but we only care about the judgment of one.'

She added: 'Yeah it has been a shock.'

Martha told DailyMail.com that she wasn't sure if the family would be handed custody of baby Saul  although that is likely to be contested by the family of the baby's father.

Avila's mother Martha, 47, has broken her silence to defend her daughter and told DailyMail.com that the birth came as 'a shock'

The shocking footage from New Mexico shows Avila tossing her baby in to a dumpster in a trash bag

After giving birth, Avila said she 'panicked.' She wrapped her son in a towel, placed him in a white plastic bag containing some trash, and a larger black trash bag, and drove around, before throwing the child in the dumpster at the Broadmoor Shopping Center at around 2pm. The baby was found six hours later.

Speaking to DailyMail.com, the 16-year-old boy's uncle said the baby is likely to be taken in by his 50-year-old grandfather, an entrepreneur who runs an oilfield servicing business eight miles out of town.

He said: '[His dad] isn't the type to give up on a family member. He won't let that baby be without a home. It's been a big shock for us all. We only found out about the baby last night.'

According to texts shared with DailyMail.com by a friend of the 16-year-old, Avila had told him she was pregnant but claimed she miscarried after they split last summer.

But friends of Avila's said she had been open about her pregnancy at school and stopped coming to class shortly before the Christmas break in mid-December.

Both Avila and her mother Martha told police they did not know she was pregnant, with Avila telling cops that she gave birth in the bathroom of her parents' modest home last Thursday and panicked before dumping her baby in the trash.

Avila, who is due in court in Lovington, New Mexico, on Wednesday afternoon, is currently out on bond and is laying low at her parents' house.

She was caught on camera dumping her baby in a dumpster at the Broadmoor Mall in Hobbs last Friday afternoon  while cops have released the panicked 911 call that followed five hours later when dumpster divers found the child.

According to the call, baby Saul was 'freezing cold' and 'still had his umbilical cord attached'.

'People can talk and give their opinion. Everybody makes mistakes,' Avila's mother said. The dumpsters where she dumped her son are pictured

Panicked 911 calls detail the horrifying moment a newborn baby was found in a dumpster in New Mexico. 'We just found a baby in the god**n trash,' the caller is heard saying. 'He's freezing cold and still has his umbilical cord attached'

Footage from the same camera caught the moment a heroic woman rescued the child from the dumpster

Michael Green, Hector Jesso and April Meadow spotted the infant after hearing his cries and said they had assumed it was a cat when they first pulled the baby out.

Surveillance video captured the scene as they opened the bag to find a shivering, whimpering newborn baby inside.

Meadow is heard on the call telling cops the baby is 'freezing cold and very, very, very weak' before adding that she had wrapped the child in her coat to keep him warm.

Avila was arrested the following day. According to the criminal complaint, she confessed to throwing away her child.

The 18-year-old told police she did not know she was pregnant until she went to a doctor for a stomach pain on Thursday.

The following day, she delivered her son in a bathroom at her parents' home. After giving birth, Avila said she 'panicked.'

She said she had wrapped her son in a towel, placed him in a white plastic bag containing some trash, and a larger black trash bag, and drove around, before throwing the child in the dumpster at the Broadmoor Shopping Center at around 2pm.

Avila told cops she did not know she was pregnant until she went to see a doctor for a stomach pain on January 6. The next say, she delivered her son in her parents' bathroom

Avila's mother told DailyMail.com that the birth came as 'a shock' outside her $104,000 home in Hobbs, New Mexico

During her interview with the police, Avila was quoted as referring to her child as 'it.' Police later executed a search warrant at the family's home and seized physical evidence, including bloody clothing.

Avila was released from jail after posting $10,000 unsecured bond less than two hours after her arrest.

August Fons, the acting chief of Hobbs police department, said he had never before come across a case like this.

'If you are struggling with a new infant, the best response is to find somebody who can help you with that,' he said.

'Contact us, and let us help you through the situation.'
Omicron has brought US businesses to a standstill as Facebook has joined the growing list of companies to tell its employees to stay home - through at least the end of March - and will require its workers to get a booster shot before returning to the office.

Meta, the parent company of the social media giant, announced Tuesday it is delaying its return to US offices until March 28 and became one of the first American company's to demand proof of a booster shot from on-site workers as the Omicron variant courses through the nation.

United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby also announced that the airline has approximately 3,000 employees who have tested positive for COVID-19, leading to reduction to its near-term flight schedule.

The announcements come as Health officials reported Tuesday that Omicron now accounts for an estimated 98 percent of Covid cases in the the country - though the variant has shown to cause milder symptoms and even led the CDC to cut in half the time needed to isolate.

The sudden influx of cases has had another unforeseen consequence - barren shelves at your local grocery store.

The variant has steadily worsened the supply chain issues suffered late last year, as an increasing number of workers in the food and grocery industries have found themselves infected with the new, more mild strain, forcing many supermarket employees, manufacturers and food inspectors to quarantine, according to Bloomberg.

'We're already seeing bare shelves. Labor shortages due to Omicron are going to exacerbate the issue,' Bindiya Vakil, CEO of Resilinc Corp., told Bloomberg.

The CDC reports that the Omicron variant accounts for 98% of new cases in the U.S., entirely taking over the Delta variant within two months of its discovery in late November. Pictured here is a graph that illustrates the variant's takeover in total cases

Loaves of bread were scarce for shoppers at this Target in Washington D.C. on Sunday

United Airlines has approximately 3000 Covid-positive. The rash of positive tests spurred a decision from the company's CEO to reduce its near-term flight schedule

Facebook has told employees not to return to their offices until March 28 and they must have a booster shot when they do come back

Sankaran also said Albertsons had to deal with several product categories being out of stock for a few months.

'I think as a business, we've all learned to manage it. We've all learned to make sure that the stores are still very presentable, give the consumers as much choice as we can get,' Sankaran said during the call.

Even so, he added, Omicron has put 'a bit of a dent' on efforts to improve supply chain gaps. 'We would expect more supply challenges over the next four to six weeks,' Sankaran said.

Analysts and corporate America had previously estimated supply-chain snafus to ease halfway through the year, but a full recovery could now be delayed because of Omicron-related issues, including labor shortages.

Over the past seven days, the U.S. has averaged 767,000 new cases per day, the most the nation has averaged during the pandemic. The average, which was sitting at 235,269 cases two weeks ago, has more than tripled over the past 14 days.

Cases rose by 27 percent from the 1.171 million new cases recorded last Monday, January 3 - the prior one day record. That was also the first time that daily cases have passed the one million mark.

Deaths this week increased by 12 percent from the 1,688 recorded last Monday, according to a DailyMail.com analysis of Johns Hopkins University data.

The skyrocketing cases led to Meta's decision to keep its workers at home for another two months.

'We're focused on making sure our employees continue to have choices about where they work given the current COVID-19 landscape,' Meta's Vice President of Human Resources Janelle Gale told CNN Business in a statement,

She said the booster mandate will give employees 'more time to choose what works best for them.'

'We understand that the continued uncertainty makes this a difficult time to make decisions about where to work.'

Meta joins numerous state and city governments, along with a growing list of colleges and university and smaller employers who have made the booster mandatory for a return to the workplace.

Workers have until March 14 to decide to work in the office, work full-time remotely or temporarily from home for another 3-to-5 months.

The move comes as more and more major corporations delayed return-to-work plans as the variant continues to thrive.

'The state of (the) COVID-19 virus remains fluid, and despite the success of our ongoing safety protocols and increased vaccination rates, we are shifting the start date of the hybrid work model to March,' a spokesman for Ford Motor Co. said in a December statement.

The more mild nature of the infection may account for the inverse relationship between soaring case numbers and low death rates, a World Health Organization official said Tuesday

Google also announced last month it would indefinitely push back its return to the office and Uber did the same.

Meanwhile the CEO of United Airlines claimed yesterday that vaccine mandates are responsible for ending a trend of weekly employee deaths from Covid-19.

Scott Kirby said that before United's vaccination requirements were put in place, 'tragically, more than one United employee on (average per week) was dying from COVID.'

'But we've now gone eight straight weeks with zero COVID-related deaths among our vaccinated employees,' he said.

Chicago-based United was the first U.S. carrier to mandate vaccines for its employees in order to facilitate travel and flight operations.

In the memo published Tuesday, Kirby defended criticism from many of his employees over the mandate, insisting 'it's the right thing to do.'

'In dealing with COVID, zero is the word that matters  zero deaths and zero hospitalizations for vaccinated employees.

'And while I know that some people still disagree with our policy, United is proving that requiring the vaccine saves lives.'

Meanwhile the CEO of United Airlines Scott Kirby (pictured Dec 2021) claimed yesterday that vaccine mandates are responsible for ending a trend of weekly employee deaths from Covid-19

The moves mirror decisions made last year by many companies who delayed plans for a post-Labor Day return due to the Delta variant.

By September, nearly 50 percent of full- time employees  and 66 percent of white collar workers were working remotely, either full-time or part time.

And workers are just as hesitant to return.

A Gallup analysis revealed about half of U.S. workers in 125 million full-time jobs report that their work can be done from home. And of those who say they can perform their jobs at home, 30 percent say they don't want to come back.

The Gallup analysis predicts even after the pandemic comes under control, 37 percent of office desks will remain unoccupied.

The mass migration comes as increasing amounts of evidence shows that the Omicron variant affects sufferers' upper respiratory tract as opposed to the lower part of the respiratory system - which includes the lungs, causing milder symptoms than previous variants.

The difference in the nature of the infection also may account for the inverse relationship between soaring case numbers and low death rates, a World Health Organization official said Tuesday.

'We are seeing more and more studies pointing out that Omicron is infecting the upper part of the body. Unlike other ones, the lungs who would be causing severe pneumonia,' WHO Incident Manager Abdi Mahamud said.

'It can be a good news, but we really require more studies to prove that.'

Since the variant was detected in November, WHO data shows it has spread quickly and emerged in at least 128 countries, presenting dilemmas for nations across the globe, as well as people seeking to revive their savings accounts - and lives - after nearly two years of COVID-related lockdowns and mandates.

But as case numbers have surged to all-time highs, hospitalizations and death rates in the US have not seen such increases.

'What we are seeing now is....the decoupling between the cases and the deaths,' the WHO head said.

Health officials reported Tuesday morning that Omicron now accounts for an estimated 98 percent of Covid cases in the U.S., up from 95 percent last week, and meaning that nearly all cases in the U.S. are of the strain that was only discovered months ago.

With that said, signs are pointing to the variant slowly losing steam and peaking in the next few weeks, if other former hotspots around the world are any indication.

The US recorded 1,485,764 new COVID cases on Monday, according to a DailyMail.com analysis of Johns Hopkins data. Above, a mobile testing site in Brooklyn on Monday

Deaths, however, climbed by just 12 percent to 1,906. Above, a person waits for a COVID test in the snow in Boston on Friday

Cars line up at a Bluewater Diagnostic COVID testing site in Louisville, Kentucky on Monday

The lower death counts continue to spark hopes that the Omicron surge, and its associated closures and interruptions, will soon end. Above, a New York City teacher rallies for increased COVID safety measures in schools on Monday

In South Africa, where it was first detected, the outbreak has peaked and is now rapidly declining.

In the US, deaths are growing at a slower rate with 1,679 Americans dying from the virus every day - an 11 percent increase from two weeks ago. This signals either the effectiveness of the vaccines, or the more mild nature of the new strain.

Omicron cases are continuing to rise in the U.S but deaths caused by the virus are not following at the same rate, signaling the variant that has ground much of America to a standstill is not making people as sick as the Delta variant.

On Sunday, Dr Walensky, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), appeared on Fox News, and failed to answer whether or not many deaths currently being attributed to the virus actually have other causes.

The US also surpassed 60 million total cases of the virus as of Monday morning according to Johns Hopkins University, another grim milestone for the country.

As of Tuesday morning, Johns Hopkins University reports that America has recorded 61.5 million Covid cases and 839,500 deaths from the virus since the pandemic first began in early 2020.

New York on Monday recorded 54,749 new COVID cases - around the same as last Monday, when 51,698 cases were confirmed

On Monday, New York state alone recorded 54,749 new COVID-19 cases, marking an apparent stabilization of the virus, with 51,698 cases recorded the previous Monday.

Kathy Hochul, the governor of New York, gave rise to hope that perhaps the Omicron surge has plateaued in her state, which serves as the hub of thousands of renowned businesses.

On Monday, Hochul confirmed 12,022 hospitalizations - a rise from the 9,563 reported last Monday.

She reported 135 deaths in her state; an increase from the 103 people who died last Monday.

'We have the tools to fight this winter surge, and how quickly we turn the corner will depend on our actions,' said Hochul.

'Please get your second dose if you haven't already, and get the booster if you're eligible.

'Parents and guardians, please get your children vaccinated.

'Wear a mask to help stop the spread, and stay home if you aren't feeling well.

'Let's learn from the lessons of the past and finally put this winter surge behind us.'

Nationwide, the picture was less encouraging - but with New York the frequent bellwether, there was still hope that the surge will be as rapid but brief as experts hope.

The record surge began in December, only weeks after the new variant was discovered by South African health officials. Omicron is the most infectious strain of the virus yet, and its ability to evade vaccine immunity has presented additional challenges.

Kathy Hochul, the governor of New York, revealed new data on Monday showing the COVID cases were plateauing in her state - giving hope for other beleaguered states

Rhode Island is now the leader in daily case rate, with America's smallest state now recording 418 infections per every 100,000 residents every day. The state takes the dubious honor long held by New York and New Jersey.

The Ocean State is recording a high volume of cases despite one of the highest vaccination rates in America, with 77 percent of residents having received their shots.

Cases in the state have more that tripled over the past two weeks.

New York has the second highest case rate, with 379 of every 100,000 residents testing positive for the virus every day. Right behind it is neighboring New Jersey, at 357 cases for every 100,000 residents.

Both states have struggled more than any others with the Omicron variant, mainly because of the rampant spread of cases in New York City, and many commuting from the Big Apple into other parts of the state and into Jersey.

Massachusetts is the fourth and final state to be recording more than 300 cases per every 100,000 residents, with 354 of every 100,000 testing positive daily.

All four of the states dealing with the highest case rates in America have vaccination rates over 70 percent, showing the ability for the now dominant Omicron strain to evade protection provided by the jabs.

As a testament to the vaccines, and their ability to prevent death in cases of breakthrough infection, none of the states recording the most cases find themselves among the state with the 15 highest death rates.

While northeastern states are recording the highest case rates, the actual growth in Covid cases in those states has slowed.

Many of them were hit early by Omicron, experiencing surges of the variant in early to mid-December.

The variant already seems to be losing steam, though, and growth is slowing. Some experts are hopeful that the peak is being neared for the hardest struck states so far, and cases will soon begin to decline.

Cases are rampantly rising elsewhere in the country, though, as the variant leaves the northeast and starts its tear elsewhere.

The U.S. South has become the most recent hotspot for the virus, and lower vaccination rates in the region have allowed it to spread even faster than it did in their peer states up north.

South Carolina is currently the nationwide leader in case growth over the past two weeks, with new cases jumping 759 percent over the past two weeks. The state has a vaccination rate of only 54 percent

Many other nearby states like Mississippi (483 percent case growth over past two weeks), North Carolina (479 percent), Arkansas (550 percent) and Alabama (483 percent) are also among national leaders in case growth over the past two weeks.

California has seen its cases increase nearly seven-fold over the past two weeks, up 597 percent in 14 days. To the north, Oregon has experienced similar growth of 577 percent. Utah has also experienced a 570 percent increase during the same period.

The Midwest and great plains first dealt with Covid surges in October, as early cold weather months struck them harder than the rest of the nation.

Cases quickly declined afterwards, though, and it looked like winter would not be as brutal for the region as everywhere else at some points.

Case trends have quickly reversed, though. Now, states like Montana (469 percent growth over the past two weeks), Wyoming (466 percent) and South Dakota (413 percent) find themselves among those with the highest case growth in the country.

The states experiencing the most cases, or the most case growth, are not those that are bearing the burden of deaths, though.

Indiana is currently experiencing the most deaths in America by a large margin. The Hoosier state is the only one to record more than 1.2 deaths per every 100,000 residents, at 1.51.

Three other states are experiencing more than one Covid death for every 100,000 residents every day, Delaware (1.16 out of every 100,000 residents), Wyoming (1.14) and New Mexico (1.05).

Worldwide, nearly ten million people have tested positive for the virus over the past week alone. Some believe this rampant spread of the virus will lead to it becoming 'endemic' - reaching the stage the common flu is at where it is ever-present, yet controllable for the most part.

Officials at the World Health Organization warn that this may not be the case, though, due to the unpredictable nature of Covid and the constant mutations of the virus.

Dr Catherine Smallwood, Covid-19 incident manager at the WHO Health Emergencies Programme, said during a news briefing Tuesday that the virus is 'way off' from becoming endemic.

'But what we're seeing at the moment coming into 2022 is nowhere near that, we still have a huge amount of uncertainty, we still have a virus that's evolving quite quickly and posing quite new challenges,' she said.

'So we're certainly not at the point of being able to call it endemic,'

'It may become endemic in due course, but pinning that down to 2022 is a little bit difficult at this stage... all of this of course depends on how we respond to it and widespread vaccination uptake on an equitable basis will be very, very key in moving towards such a scenario.'

Albert Bourla, CEO of Pfizer, says that the world should be able to control Covid and even return to normal in the future - but only if people receive an annual vaccine, but it could require a decade of annual vaccination - signaling it could become endemic within the next decade.

Pfizer - which produces the most commonly used vaccine in America and in much of the world, has benefitted greatly from the sale of its joint vaccine project with the German company BioNTech.

Bourla appeared on CNBC's 'The Squawk Box' Monday morning to discuss the future of the Covid pandemic and the role his company can play in fighting it.

His statements come as the virus tears through the U.S. for a second consecutive January, and national health leaders go all-in on vaccines as a strategy to fight Covid.

American health leaders, like Dr Walensky and Dr Anthony Fauci of the National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Disease, have centered vaccines in their fight against the virus - even in the wake of a vaccine resistant strain.

The CDC also plans to soon upgrade its recommendation for masks to only include N95 and KN95 masks, which are believed to be the most protective but are also in short supply in some parts of America.

Recently revealed data shows that commonly used cloth masks are not very effective at preventing spread of the Omicron variant.

While the variant can evade the immunity provided by the initial vaccine regimens, experts have found that vaccine booster shots can re-establish some of those protections.

Breakthrough infections are also more mild than those in unvaccinated people, and the Omicron variant is found to be a more mild strain, less likely to cause infection or death than other strains of the virus.

Because of the rise of Omicron, and the potential for future variants with similar vaccine resistant properties to arise as well, some fear Covid may never be fully ended.

As long as the virus continues to mutate, it will always be able to find away around vaccines, and the protection people receive from the shots seems to wane in a matter of months anyways.

Bourla told CNBC that Covid will likely be around for the next ten years - if not longer - though it can be controlled with a robust booster campaign.

'We will have perfectly normal lives, with just injection maybe once a year,' he said.

Pfizer's vaccine has been deemed the gold standard worldwide, as the safest and most effective jab in the world.

The shot has been administered over 300 million times in the U.S., almost 60 percent of total shots distributed, and is the only shot available to minors.

A top scientist at the pharmaceutical company also told Insider on Monday that testing for its Omicron-specific variant would begin trials by the end of January, and the shot could be available as early as March.

Current plans have the dosage of this new shot being larger than that of the standard Pfizer vaccine.

The Omicron Covid variant could be less deadly than the flu Omicron could be even less deadly than flu, scientists believe in a boost to hopes that the worst of the pandemic is over. MailOnline analysis shows Covid killed one in 33 people who tested positive at the peak of the devastating second wave last January, compared to just one in 670 now. But experts believe the figure could be even lower because of Omicron. The case fatality rate  the proportion of confirmed infections that end in death  for seasonal influenza is 0.1, the equivalent of one in 1,000. Meanwhile, researchers at Washington University modelling the next stage of the pandemic expect Omicron to kill up to 99 per cent fewer people than Delta, in another hint it could be less deadly than flu. But UK Government advisers estimated the overall figure stood at around 0.25 per cent before Omicron burst onto the scene, down from highs of around 1.5 per cent before the advent of life-saving vaccines. If Omicron is 99 per cent less lethal than Delta, it suggests the current IFR could be as low as 0.0025 per cent, the equivalent of one in 40,000, although experts say this is unlikely. Instead, the Washington modelling estimates the figure actually sits in the region of 0.07 per cent, meaning approximately one in 1,430 people who get infected will succumb to the illness. Advertisement

Getting a handle on America's Covid situation has become a challenge in recent weeks. Long lags in reporting combined with testing shortages have led to the current case count constantly fluctuating, and likely being lower than actual totals. Hospitalizations and deaths, on the other hand, could be overcounted, with many being hospitalized or dying from another cause extraneously being listed as a death from the virus.

According to data from Johns Hopkins, the U.S. is averaging 709,850 new cases every day, and 1,648 deaths per day. Since the pandemic began, America has suffered 60 million infections and over 837,000 deaths.

Things may soon change, though, if America follows the path of England. Across the pond, cases have dropped by six percent over the past week. Hospitalizations have slightly risen by 3.3 percent over the past week, and at only 130 deaths per day, the mortality rate of the new variant has dropped as well.

British health experts confirmed on Tuesday that the mortality rate of this year's surge is 21-fold lower than it was during the massive surge that struck the country last year. This is a testament to both the mild nature of the Omicron variant, and the effectiveness of the Covid vaccines and booster shots.

London, once a global hotspot of the new variant, now finds not of its boroughs among the 25 in England with the largest Covid outbreaks - another positive sign that the new strain is burning out.

The most vulnerable Britons, those over the age of 60, are seeing cases decline, and an increasing number of cases are among younger, healthier people under the age of 30.

A MailOnline.com analysis on English data finds the new strain could be very mild, even potentially more mild than the flu. Currently in the UK, around 0.15 percent of Covid cases are fatal, compared to 0.1 percent of flu cases. While one in every 1,000 people who catch the flu die, a Washington University analysis finds that one in every 1,400 people who catch Omicron will succumb to the virus.

A DailyMail.com analysis of data in the U.S. finds that around 0.23 percent of cases are fatal, though many Covid cases in America are going entirely undetected - which would bring that figure down even further.

Data from the CDC from the 2019 to 2020 flu season - before the pandemic - found that 30 million Americans suffered a symptomatic case of the virus that year. Around 20,000 died, or a death rate of 0.05 percent.

Some experts are hopeful that the high infectiousness of the variant, combined with the relatively mild symptoms of Omicron could mean that the pandemic is soon coming to a close. Dr Jim Baker, an immunologist at the University of Michigan, wrote in blog that the virus is showing similar signs to the 2011 flu pandemic that it will burn out soon.

'We have been focused on number of infections with COVID-19 because of the very sensitive and accurate diagnostic tests (PCR) we have developed,' he said.

'In contrast, as we look at the end of the pandemic, we now need to focus less on infections and more on deaths. That is truly the important marker of a pandemic's impact and the only comparable measure to the 1918 flu epidemic where there were no diagnostic tests.'

'In the 1917 flu pandemic, after the initial burst of infections and deaths, two waves of deaths followed, each one less impactful. This is how pandemics end; two 'echo' waves each being less and less significant. It is because in each wave the most susceptible individuals have been killed off as the rest of the population develops immunity. A similar pattern was seen in the 2011 Influenza A pandemic and it has now emerged with COVID-19. This pattern shows the COVID-19 pandemic is burning out.'
The Biden administration's plan to dole out 500 million at-home Covid tests to Americans currently involves producing no new tests, according to a federal health official.

Instead, the Biden team will focus on drawing down stockpiles of tests that have sat unused at warehouses.

Contracts to buy the tests were signed with a number of companies, each of which holds a stockpile of Covid-19 tests, Dawn O'Connell, Health and Human Services assistant secretary for preparedness and response, told a Senate panel Tuesday.

That is 'why you're seeing contracts with warehouses and not with testing manufacturers,' O'Connell added.

Because of this, the Biden administration will be able to begin distributing the tests by the end of January.

Contracts have been signed over the last week to buy coronavirus tests from Goldbelt Security LLC, Revival Health, Inc., Medea Inc. and Atlantic Trading LLC.

Prior to the pandemic, Medea sold vodka and Goldbelt described itself as a distribution and logistics company. Last May another contract awarded to Medea came under fire, when FEMA offered the company $50 million to make KN-95 masks despite no experience in mask making.

The Biden administration also announced on Monday it is requiring insurance companies and group health plans to cover the cost of over-the-counter, at-home COVID-19 tests

The White House has not yet released details about how to order the free tests, has said that they will do so by the end of this week.

Psaki said the White House expects to have all contracts awarded for the tests over the next two weeks.

And as millions of tests sit unused in warehouses, Americans have been waiting hours in testing lines as shelves lay bare where at-home Covid tests are supposed to be stocked.

People wait in long lines to get tested for Covid-19 ahead of the holidays in Washington, D.C.

People wait in long lines to get tested for Covid-19 ahead of the holidays in New York City

Psaki pushed back against criticism of the long testing lines that popped up around the country as Americans sought to get tested around the holiday season.

'There has been a massive surge in cases as you know,' Psaki said. 'There's been an unprecedented demand for tests.'

The Biden administration also announced on Monday it is requiring insurance companies and group health plans to cover the cost of over-the-counter, at-home COVID-19 tests, so people with private health coverage can get them for free starting Saturday, January 15th.

The tests do not need to be ordered from health insurance companies but can be picked up online or at a pharmacy. Health insurancers will cover the cost or reimburse.

Private health insurers will have to cover up to eight home COVID-19 tests per month for people on their plans. A family of four, for instance, could be reimbursed for up to 32 tests per month. PCR tests and rapid tests ordered or administered by a health provider will continue to be fully covered by insurance with no limit.

Over the past seven days, the U.S. has averaged 767,000 new cases per day, a metric that often smooths out spikes caused by reporting lags, which is the most the nation has averaged during the pandemic. The average, which was sitting at 235,269 cases two weeks ago, has more than tripled over the past 14 days.

On Monday, the United States reached a new record for number of Americans hospitalized with the COVID, with more than 146,000 people currently admitted with the virus, higher than the 132,051 record set in January last year.

Despite rising hospitalizations, not as many Americans are dying from the virus as they were in previous surges, and not all of these hospitalizations are directly caused by the virus. Many people who go to the hospital for reason outside of Covid, such as injury or other ailments, are being tested while there.

The U.S. also surpassed 60 million cases of the virus as of Monday morning according to Johns Hopkins University.

Psaki detailed the work the administration has done to try and ease the testing burden, including opening up 20,000 testing sites around the country, sending out 15 million tests to community and rural health centers, and finalizing the contracts for the 500 million at-home tests

Psaki also expressed confidence the U.S. Postal Service, which has the contract to deliver some of the at-home testing kits being offered for free by the government, will make the deliveries.

The USPS recently warned the administration that implementing its vaccine-mandate rule could have 'catastrophic' results with staff leaving. The mail system asked for more time to negotiate with the union over the requirement.

But Psaki argued because USPS was able to make its Christmas deliveries, it should have no problem delivering testing kits.

'The Postal Service also delivered 98, 99% of packages on time in advance of Christmas and their leaders have also said they're eager to take on this challenge. So we welcome that. And we're looking forward to working with them to get these tests out to the public,' she said.
A lawyer for former President Donald Trump accused his niece Mary, a bestselling author, of trying to cash in with a multimillion dollar fraud lawsuit during a court hearing on Tuesday.

It came as Trump, his sister Maryanne Trump Barry and the estate of his late brother Robert asked a judge in New York to dismiss her lawsuit, accusing the family of cheating her out of at least $10 million.

Their attorneys argued that Mary Trump waited too long after the estate of Fred Trump Sr, the former president's father, was settled in 2001 to bring her case.

At a hearing in a New York state court in Manhattan, the ex-president's lawyer James Kiley rejected her claim that she only learned of fraud through a 2018 New York Times investigation into Donald Trump's finances, including his alleged efforts to avoid paying taxes.

'She's saying the New York Times was like the Rosetta Stone,' he said. 'She was getting all this information (in 2001).

'All she had to do was look at it.'

Mary Trump, the former president's niece, claims she is owed millions of dollars from the settlement of the estate of Fred Trump Sr.,Donald Trump's father

Lawyers for Trump said Mary Trump had waited too long after 2001 to bring her lawsuit

Mary Trump, 56, rocketed to prominence with her 2020 memoir Too Much and Never Enough: How My Family Created the World's Most Dangerous Man.

She used her training as a psychologist and family background to paint a portrait of the president that was lapped up by her opponents.

It sold almost one million copies.

And at the weekend it emerged she had bought a $7m apartment in New York City.

During the two-hour hearing, Kiley also accused Mary Trump, of wanting 'round two' with her relatives because of the case's notoriety.

'Are we kidding ourselves that if the name on this case wasn't Trump, this case would have never been brought?' he said. 'The plaintiff is seizing on sensationalism and politics to bring a claim that shouldn't get past the courtroom front door.'

The case had its roots in the 1981 death of Mary's father, Fred Trump Jr, the older brother of Donald Trump, who left the then 16-year-old Mary a profitable real estate portfolio.

Mary Trump claimed that her uncles Donald and Robert Trump and aunt Maryanne Trump Barry were supposed to protect her interests but instead siphoned money away, and 'squeezed' her out through the 2001 settlement.

'Fraud is a secret thing,' Mary Trump's lawyer John Quinn said. 'She didn't have the expertise and the resources the Times had, and she didn't have any notice that there was fraud.'

Quinn said the defendants fell 'well short' of conclusively showing otherwise, meaning the lawsuit should proceed.

The defendants have denied the fraud claims in Mary Trump's lawsuit.

Justice Robert Reed, overseeing the case, did not say when he will rule.

Mary Trump is also being sued by Donald Trump, who accused her, the Times and three reporters in September of running an 'insidious plot' to exploit his tax records in order to fulfill personal vendettas, advance political agendas and make money.

Some of Mary Trump's allegations about Donald Trump were detailed in her memoir.

Gary Freidman, a lawyer for Maryanne Trump Barry, tried at Tuesday's hearing to turn the book against Mary Trump.

'She writes in her book, "we knew at the time we were being lied to,"' Freidman said. 'That indicates that she had some duty at that time ... to perhaps look a little further and a little deeper, not wait 20 years.'

He also said the 2001 settlement gave the defendants a 'broad, broad general release' from Mary Trump's claims.

Maryanne Trump Barry is a retired federal judge. Robert Trump died in August 2020. Kiley also represented Robert Trump's estate.

Donald Trump and his namesake Trump Organization also face a criminal probe by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, which state Attorney General Letitia James has joined, and a related civil probe by James.

Tax avoidance is among the issues being probed. Donald Trump has not been accused of criminal wrongdoing.

The cases are Mary L. Trump v Donald J. Trump et al, New York State Supreme Court, New York County, No. 654698/2020, and Donald J. Trump v Mary L. Trump et al in the same court, No. 453299/2021.
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The off-duty cop who shot a black man dead in North Caorlina made a frantic call to 911 where he told an operator that the man had jumped on his windshield and he was trying to protect his family when he shot him.

Cumberland County Sheriff's Lieutenant Jeffrey Hash was in his personal vehicle with his wife and daughter when he fatally shot Jason Walker, 37, just after 2.15pm on Saturday in Fayetteville.

'I had a male jump on my vehicle and break my windshield. I just shot him,' Hash told the 911 operator. 'He jumped on my car.'

As Hash spoke, an angry crowd could be heard forming in the area, demanding to know what happened, and he is heard telling one bystander: 'He jumped on my vehicle, I just had to shoot him!'

'He came flying across Bingham Drive, running, and I stopped so I wouldn't hit him. And he jumped on my car and started screaming, pulls my windshield wipers off and started beating my windshield, broke my windshield, I had my wife and my daughter in my vehicle,' Hash further explained to the 911 operator.

When the 911 operator asked whether Walker was breathing, Hash responded: 'No ma'am, he is gone. He is gone ma'am.'

During the call, Hash could also be heard speaking to a trauma nurse on the scene. At one point she asked him whether he knew where the bullet entry point was, to which he said he did not know.

'I am just trying to protect my family,' he is heard saying in the call before it cuts off.

Black Lives Matter activists have suggested that Hash hit Walker with his truck and then shot him dead in cold blood, a version of events shared by a nurse who tried to tend to Walker's wounds, but which police say the early investigation does not support.

Noted attorney Ben Crump is now representing Walker's family, and said in a statement: 'We have reason to believe that this was a case of 'shoot first, ask later,' philosophy seen all too often within law enforcement.'

On Monday night, demonstrators gathered for a second night outside Fayetteville's Transit Authority chanted 'What do we want? Justice. When do we want it? Now' while another group of protesters held signs outside the State Capitol in Raleigh.

Hash (left) is seen on the phone with 911 operators in the immediate aftermath of the shooting on Saturday. He claimed that Walker jumped onto the hood of his truck and beat the windshield while his wife and daughter were in the truck

Lieutenant Jeffrey Hash (left) was detained and questioned over the Saturday shooting death of Jason Walker (right) in Fayetteville, North Carolina

Elizabeth Ricks, center, cries as she recounts rendering aid to Jason Walker during a demonstration in front of the Fayetteville Police Department, Sunday. Ricks claims that Hash rammed Walker with his truck and then shot him in cold blood

Pandora Harrington and other demonstrators march from the Cumberland County Law Enforcement Center to the Fayetteville Police Department and back during a 'Justice for Jason Walker' demonstration, Sunday

Demonstrators cry during a 'Justice for Jason Walker' demonstration in front of the Fayetteville Police Department, Sunday, January 9, 2022, in Fayetteville, N.C. Walker, 37, was shot and killed on Saturday by an off-duty deputy

Hash, was taken into custody after the shooting, but not arrested, and put on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.

Hash phoned 911 after the shooting and told cops he fired at Walker after the man jumped on his truck and began beating the windshield, terrorizing his teenage daughter and wife inside the vehicle, but protesters don't believe his version of events.

Meanwhile the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) began an 'initial assessment' of the case, reviewing 'evidence, statements and body-worn camera' to determine whether there were potential civil rights violations.

In dramatic video of the shooting aftermath, Hash can be seen telling police that Walker 'ran across the street so I stopped. He jumped up on the car, started screaming. He broke off my windshield wiper and started beating on the glass.'

'I have my daughter, my child in here,' added Hash, pointing toward a person, apparently his daughter who is believed to be in her mid to late teens, sitting in the truck. At another point he said: 'I'm going to protect my wife and my child.'

The Fayetteville police chief said that Hash's version of events was supported by an examination of the truck, which showed that one windshield wiper had been torn off and used to break the windshield in several places, as Hash claimed Walker had done.

However, one alleged eye-witness spoke out in the press and claimed that Walker was simply crossing the road when Hash struck him with his truck and shot him.

Pandora Harrington, right, cries as she holds a sign with an image of Jason Walker during a demonstration on Sunday

Demonstrators march to the Cumberland County Law Enforcement Center during a 'Justice for Jason Walker' demonstration, Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, in Fayetteville, N.C. Walker, 37, was shot and killed on Saturday by an off-duty deputy

Demonstrators outside Fayetteville's Transit Authority last night chanted 'What do we want? Justice. When do we want it? Now'. Protesters do not believe Hash and claim that he hit Walker with his truck and then shot him in cold blood

Protesters gathered in Fayetteville in North Carolina for a second night on Monday after Jason Walker, a black man, (pictured) was allegedly shot dead by off-duty cop Lieutenant Jeffrey Hash

Trauma nurse Elizabeth Ricks (bottom right) applies pressure to Walker's wounds in the immediate aftermath. Ricks claims to have witnessed the shooting, saying that Walker was 'just walking home' when Hash hit him with the truck and shot him

Fayetteville Police Chief Gina Hawkins said on Monday that a preliminary investigation had found that Walker 'ran into traffic and jumped on a moving vehicle' before he was shot.

Hawkins said that investigators examined the black box computer of the truck, which had not recorded any impact with any person or thing.

'We currently have no witnesses who claim that anyone was hit by this truck,' she said, claiming that the only eye-witness said Walker was not struck by the vehicle.

Walker, a single father who leaves behind one young son, was pronounced dead on scene.

Police did not disclose how many times or where he was shot but family members said that Walker was shot in the back twice.

Elizabeth Ricks, said she is a trauma nurse who witnessed the incident and applied pressure to Walker's wound, told the crowd on Sunday that Walker was attempting to cross the street to get to his home when he was struck by the deputy's truck and then shot.

Ricks told the News & Observer she was on the scene and watched the entire situation unfold. As a healthcare worker, she jumped into action and tried to save Walker's life.

'I did not see anyone in distress. The man was just walking home,' said Ricks. State licensing records show that Ricks is a certified nursing assistant.

At a demonstration on Sunday, Ricks told a crowd of protesters that she tried to save Walker and tried to reassure him that he would be fine as he died before her very eyes.

'Then he closed his eyes one more time, and kind of did a sigh... and I know he passed that way,' Ricks said, according to the Fayetteville Observer. 'It brings me closure that the last thing he heard were positive words and knowing that someone loved him and cared enough to stop by even though I didn't know him.'

At a demonstration on Sunday, Elizabeth Ricks (center with microphone) told a crowd of protesters that she tried to save Walker and tried to reassured him that he would be fine as he died before her very eyes

Ricks said she gave a statement to police at the scene, but hadn't been contacted by Fayetteville investigators, and was only contacted by an SBI agent when the state took over the case.

It's unclear why Ricks' account directly contradicts Chief Hawkins' statement that the only actual eye-witness stated that Hash did not run over Walker with his truck.

In video of the shooting's aftermath, recorded by Rick's husband, it appears the off-duty deputy had been driving a red truck that was not a law enforcement vehicle.

Hash told police: '[Walker] ran across the street, so I stopped. He jumped on my car and started screaming. He broke off my windshield wiper and started beating the glass.'

Hash has served with the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office since 2005 and is currently assigned as a Lieutenant in the Civil Section.

His attorney said he would argue self-defense in the case if the shooting came to trial.

Police Chief Hawkins said investigators noted that 'a windshield wiper was torn off and the metal portion was used to break the windshield of the truck in several places.'

Crump, the walker family attorney, said in a statement: 'We stadn committed, with the family and the young son that Jason Walker left behind, to finding answers as to what happened to him when he was senselessly shot and killed by off-duty deputy Jeffrey Hash.'

'We look to the North Carolina SBI for a swift and transparent investigation so that we can get justice for Jason and his loved ones.'

Hash (right, with Sheriff Ennis Wright) told investigators at the scene that Walker jumped onto the hood of his truck, ripped off a windshield wiper, and began beating on the windshield with it, terrorizing his daughter who was inside the vehicle

Hash (second from right seated) has served with the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office since 2005 and is currently assigned as a Lieutenant in the Civil Section

Hash is seen at a ceremony in 2019 with family members. He said his wife and daughter were in the truck during the shooting

Another group of protesters gathered and held signs outside the outside the State Capitol in Raleigh on Monday night

Protesters gathered in Fayetteville in North Carolina for a second night on Monday after Jason Walker, a black man, was allegedly shot dead by an off-duty cop

Walker, a single father who leaves behind one young son, was pronounced dead on scene

Investigators with the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation have taken over the shooting investigation, Fayetteville police said.

Graphic video from the scene shows a burly white man, who people on social media have identified as the deputy, standing by a red pickup truck talking on the phone, while a black man, who they say is Walker, lies on the ground near the back of the vehicle in a puddle of blood.

Sirens are heard in the background as bystanders rush to help Walker and apply pressure to his wound.

'People are hostile right now,' the driver, now identified as deputy Hash, says in the video.

'Nobody is hostile,' a shirtless black man replies from across the street. 'Don't you (expletive) say that.'

'I don't know where the entry point is,' the woman attending to Walker's wound says. 'He won't tell me where he shot him.'

When police arrived on the scene, the driver begins telling his version of the events.

'I was coming down here,' the driver is heard telling police. 'He ran across the street, so I stopped. He jumped on my car, started screaming.'

The driver says Walker then pulled on his windshield and hit the glass. Someone is heard saying that they heard four gunshots.

'Is he dying?' a child is heard asking from off-camera.

Investigators have not received any footage of the incident itself but are asking any one with information to step forward.

WRAL-TV spoke with Walker's family, who described him as a happy go-lucky man with a big heart.

'I was sad. That's my best friend. We were really close,' said cousin Brittany Monroe. 'It really broke my heart because he would never hurt anyone. I don't understand how it could happen to him. He would do anything for anybody.'

Demonstrators (pictured on Sunday) outside Fayetteville's Transit Authority last night chanted 'What do we want? Justice. When do we want it? Now' while another group of protesters held signs outside the State Capitol in Raleigh

Demonstrators also called for the unidentified off-duty deputy to be arrested on Sunday

Another cousin told WRAL that the family is in shock and searching for answers.

'We're hearing one side of the story that sounds like a person that Jason is not, and then on the other side, we're hearing a story that makes complete sense,' he said.

'We have to take it one day at a time. Hopefully the system does what's right and gets to the bottom of this. We really just want justice for Jason.'

Protestors gathered outside the Fayetteville police station Sunday to dispute the account of the deadly incident given by police and call for the off-duty officer to be arrested.

'When Fayetteville Police arrived they did not disarm the shooter, they did not arrest the shooter, and worst of all they did not render aid to the victim,' the Fayetteville Activist Movement claimed in a social media post.

On Sunday, Hawkins said the deputy was taken into custody but was not arrested.

Hawkins confirmed that the department is now in possession of the firearm, which she said was not his service weapon.

Hawkins also explained that officers on the scene did not administer medical aid because the civilian who was attending to his wounds was a medical professional.
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A Los Angeles police officer who grabbed a pilot from the cockpit of his crashed plane and pulled him to safety moments before a train crashed into the wreckage said his only thoughts were for the safety of the pilot.

'I was just really worried about the pilot and what was going to happen to him if we didn't get him out,' LAPD Foothill Division cop Robert Sherock said during his appearance on 'Fox & Friends First' Tuesday where he shared the harrowing details of the heart-stopping rescue.

'As the train got closer, I got more and more worried about him. Only afterwards thinking about it, you know, maybe I should've worried about myself too, but that's just not something that we thought about.'

Sherock said that his partner heard the 'desperation' in his voice as he urged him to help rescue the pilot even as the train barreled towards them.

'And then we just grabbed on and pulled as hard as we could, just ripped him out of there, and the rest is history,' he explained, adding that the pilot was in shock and said very little in the moments after his rescue.

The LAPD cop said that he has since seen the footage of his dramatic rescue and even he is blown away by how close the pilot - and he - were to death.

'I even think this looks like a movie. You couldn't make this up,' he said. 'The timing was just unbelievable.'

'There's many acts of heroism that occur every day in law enforcement throughout the nation that go unnoticed,' he said. 'And I think it's important that the public gets the chance to see what policing in America actually looks like.'

LAPD Foothill Division cop Robert Sherock who plucked bloodied pilot from cockpit seconds before high-speed train smashed into it says he grabbed onto him and pulled as hard as he could revealed he 'wasn't worried about myself'

LAPD Foothill Division cop Robert Sherock appeared on ' Fox & Friends First ' Tuesday to share the harrowing details of the heart-stopping rescue

Sherock said he became very aware of how close the fast-approaching train was as he and fellow officers struggled to free the pilot from the metal wreckage of the destroyed Cessna 172, according to video shared by police.

'Go, go, go, go, go,' an officer shouted.

Six seconds later, an oncoming Metrolink train ran right through the aircraft.

The unidentified pilot, who was dragged from the plane, had blood pouring from his head and was unable to walk. He was taken to the hospital in an unknown condition. He was only person on the plane and no other injuries were reported, according to Sacramento station KCRA.

A shocking video shows the moment Los Angeles police officers rescued a bloody pilot from a small plane that crash-landed onto railroad tracks just seconds before it was pummeled by an oncoming train Sunday afternoon

Officers pried away the metal wreckage and pull out an unidentified pilot from a destroyed Cessna 172, according to video shared by police

The pilot was not able to walk as officers pulled him out of the wreckage and dragged him away from the plane. He was later hospitalized

They finally rescue the pilot - who appears unable to walk and has blood pouring from his head - and drag him down the street, away from the train tracks

Officers managed to pull him away from the wreckage near Whiteman Airport in Los Angeles, California, eight seconds before it was hit by an oncoming MetroLink train

The train eventually crashed through the plane at around 2.30pm, according to one report

The Federal Aviation Authority says the plane took off from Whiteman Airport in the Pacoima neighborhood of Los Angeles and crash landed on the tracks at 2:10pm on Sunday.

The crash site is just outside the perimeter of the airport, and it is unclear what caused it.

The Los Angeles Police Department tweeted Sunday night: 'Foothill Division Officers displayed heroism and quick action by saving the life of a pilot who made an emergency landing on the railroad tracks at San Fernando Rd. and Osborne St., just before an oncoming train collided with the aircraft.'

The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the accident.

Officials said Metrolink service was paused and road traffic was detoured in the area, about 20 miles northwest of downtown Los Angeles.

Photos from the scene showed the single-engine plane landed with its wing and nose touching the pavement along the railroad tracks, KCRA reports.

Cessna 172s are single-engine, four seat planes. They range in price from $369,000 to $438,000 depending on upgrades, according to Flying magazine.

Los Angeles police officers rushed to help the pilot of a Cessna 172 after he crashed on to train tracks as a MetroLink service approached at speed on Sunday afternoon

Officers pried away the metal wreckage and pull out an unidentified pilot from a destroyed Cessna 172, according to video shared by police

Officers acted quickly to drag the pilot out of the plane with six seconds before a train came

Hero Los Angeles police officers were seen dragging the man to safety in the heart-stopping footage near Whiteman Airport on Sunday afternoon

Hero Los Angeles police officers were filmed dragging the Cessna 172 pilot to safety moments before a train pulverized the aircraft wreckage

The pilot was not able to walk as officers pulled him out of the wreckage and dragged him away from the plane. He was later hospitalized

MetroLink service was paused and road traffic was detoured in the area after the accident

The plane had taken off from Whiteman Airport in suburban Pacoima, according to the FAA

Foothill Division Officers displayed heroism and quick action by saving the life of a pilot who made an emergency landing on the railroad tracks at San Fernando Rd. and Osborne St., just before an oncoming train collided with the aircraft. pic.twitter.com/DDxtGGIIMo  LAPD HQ (@LAPDHQ) January 10, 2022

The plane is owned by a Santa Clarita resident and has a valid registration through May 2025, according to according to the San Jose Mercury News.

The plane crashed at around 2:10pm and was hit by the train about 20 minutes later.

It remained on the tracks at 3pm.

Parts of its engine and fuselage were strewn across the crash site along with broken railway signs. Firefighters contained a small amount of fuel that leaked out of it.

The pilot was taken to the hospital, but his condition is unknown.

The LAPD and the FAA did not immediately respond to requests for comment from DailyMail.com.
A Pennsylvania dentist has been charged with murdering his wife during a 2016 African hunting safari as part of an insurance scam and to get out of his marriage to be with his long-term mistress.

Dr. Lawrence Rudolph, 67, was charged in Colorado on charges of foreign murder and wire fraud, for allegedly shooting dead his wife Bianca during a trip to Zambia.

In the criminal complaint filed against him that was unsealed last week, an FBI agent describes how he had been having an affair for years beforehand, and had seven life insurance policies against his wife which were adjusted in the months before her death.

The pair were avid hunters and had flown to Zambia in October 2016 so that Bianca could kill a leopard. At around 5am on October 11, gamekeepers and scouts heard a gunshot coming from their cabin.

When they got there, they found Bianca lying on the ground with a gunshot wound to the chest.

Her husband claimed he was in the bathroom at the time and that she had accidentally shot with a Browning 12 gauge shot gun herself while packing up her gun for a day's hunting.

Dr. Lawrence Rudolph, 67, was charged in Colorado on charges of foreign murder and wire fraud, for allegedly shooting dead his wife Bianca during a trip to Zambia. They are shown, during a 2011 hunting trip with a guide. Bianca died in Africa in 2016

Zambian Police believed him, ruling the death an accident and allowing him to travel back to America, where the FBI agent says he quickly resumed his relations with an unnamed 'girlfriend', who he'd been having an affair with for years.

The FBI was notified of the case in 2016 after one of Bianca's friends called them to say she was suspicious about Bianca's death.

Bianca and Lawrence, or Larry, had been married since 1982 and while they enjoyed hunting together, the friend said he was prone to affairs.

They were unhappy but would not get a divorce, the friend said, telling the agent: 'Larry is never going to divorce her because he doesnt want to lose his money, and shes never going to divorce him because of her Catholicism.'

The couple had two children together, including a daughter who now works at the dental firm Larry founded.

According to the criminal complaint, in the weeks after murdering his wife, the dentist claimed seven payouts from seven different insurance companies in multiple states. The total payout was $4.8million.

The day after his wife's funeral, he is said to have booked a plane ticket for his girlfriend to fly from Pittsburgh to Phoenix, but he then canceled the ticket and booked a different flight for a different woman, who he met up with in Las Vegas.

He had gone to Cabo San Lucas in Mexico with the first woman in the months before his wife's death, according to the FBI agent.

Lawrence is shown during another hunting trip. He told game keepers in Africa that his wife accidentally shot herself with a 12 gauge shotgun in 2016, and the Zambian police believed him

According to an FBI agent in a criminal complaint, Bianca - a keen hunter - wanted to kill a leopard on the Zambia trip. Her friends told the FBI that Lawrence was always unfaithful but that she wouldn't divorce him because she was a strict Catholic

In the year after her death, Lawrence cashed out $4.8million in life insurance payouts

Lawrence is shown with the couple's adult daughter, Ana, who now works in his dental practice

Lawrence claimed his wife shot herself with a 12 gauge Browning shotgun - which medical examiners say would have been impossible

As part of their five-year investigation, FBI agents interviewed the wife of one of the hunting guides on the Zambia trip who said Larry bribed officials to rush cremating Bianca, even though she was a devout Catholic.

The wife also thought it was strange, she said, that he refused to answer calls from the pair's children.

Three years after her death, a former employee of the dental practice run by Larry told the FBI agent that a manager at the practice confided in them that she was his girlfriend of 15-20 years, and that she had given him an ultimatum to leave Bianca in the months before her death.

As part of its investigation, the FBI carried out a 'reach test' to determine whether or not it would have been physically possible for Bianca to accidentally shoot herself with the gun - a Browning Shotgun.

They found it was impossible, as did a Colorado Medical Examiner who was shown photos of Bianca's body.

'In my opinion, it would be physically impossible to accidentally fire this shotgun in its carrying case and produce the entrance defect noted on the body of Ms. Rudolph.

'The tip of the carrying case was most likely at least two feet from Ms. Randolph when the weapon was discharged regardless if it was on cylinder or full choke settings.

'Further, it would be extremely difficult, if not impossible, for Ms. Rudolph to reach the trigger of this weapon even if it was placed in the case with the muzzle pressed against her chest,' the medical examiner ruled.

Lawrence was arrested in Cabo San Lucas in December.

He denies the allegations and claims it is a witch hunt by the FBI. He is currently being held in custody in Denver, Colorado.

'This is an outrageous prosecution against Dr. Larry Rudolph, a man who loved his wife of 34 years and did not kill her,' his counsel - David Oscar Markus, Margot Moss, and Lauren Doyle - told DailyMail.com on Tuesday.

'Back in 2016, his wife had a terrible accident during a hunting trip in Zambia. The investigators on the scene concluded it was an accident. Several insurance companies also investigated and agreed. Now, more than five years later, the government is seeking to manufacture a case against this well-respected and law abiding dentist. Dr. Rudolph looks forward to his trial where he will demonstrate his innocence.'
A former Oklahoma police officer was sentenced to 25 years in prison for the 2014 killing of his daughter's boyfriend after using department records to run a background search on him.

Shannon Kepler, 61, a citizen of the Muscogee Nation, will likely spend the rest of his life in prison for the murder of Jeremey Lake, who was 19 years old when Kepler killed him on the tribe's reservation.

Kepler was found guilty in federal court last April after four previous trials in state court failed to land the veteran cop in prison. He was also ordered to pay restitution to cover the cost of a headstone for Lake.

Kepler's first three murder trials ended with hung juries.

He was convicted of manslaughter in the fourth trial and given a 15-year prison term, but the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals overturned that conviction based on a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that found that Oklahoma lacks jurisdiction for crimes that happen on tribal reservations in which the defendants or victims are tribal citizens.

'Kepler, at the time, was sworn to uphold the law but instead made a series of decisions that led to the young man's murder,' U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson said after Friday's sentencing.

'Today's 25-year sentence provides a measure of justice to Mr. Lake's family, though I know their healing continues.'

Former Tulsa Police Officer Shannon Kepler (right) leaves court at the Tulsa Federal Building during his fifth trial in the killing of his daughter's boyfriend Jeremey Lake on Monday, April 19, 2021 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Kepler, convicted of second-degree murder in the fatal shooting of Lake in 2014, was sentenced to 25 years in federal prison last Friday

Jeremy Lake, 19, at the time of his murder in 2014, was once the victim of child abuse at a very young age and was previously charged as a juvenile after pushing a social services worker

Lisa Kepler, 18, was dropped off at a homeless shelter without any money, clothes or phone shortly after her 18th birthday. She met Lake at the shelter

In 2014, Kepler and his wife, Gina, were 'having a difficult time' with their adopted daughter, Lisa, and left her at a homeless shelter shortly after her 18th birthday without any essential possessions, including money, cell phone, credit cards or clothes other than what she wore, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Oklahoma.

Kepler was then 'alarmed' days later when he managed to gain access to his daughter's Facebook account and saw that she had changed her relationship status from being single to 'being in a relationship' with Lake, whom she met at the shelter where he was working as a volunteer.

While still active on the Tulsa Police Department, Kepler requested a records clerk to search police databases to gather information on Lake before printing out police records about him. He learned that Lake was the victim of child abuse at a very young age and was previously charged as a juvenile after pushing a social services worker. Those charges did not result in a conviction.

'The day of the crime,' the U.S. Attorney's Office statement said, 'Kepler changed into dark clothing, used his wife's SUV, then traveled after dark to Lake's last known address' with a loaded .357 Magnum revolver that he knew would leave no shells as evidence on the scene.

Once he pulled up to Lake's Tulsa address - 202 North Maybelle Avenue - around 9p. on August 5, Kepler observed his daughter and Lake on a walk together with some of their friends and approached them in a bid to talk his daughter. She turned him away and headed inside the home.

Kepler, a citizen of the Muscogee Nation, beat four previous trials in state court but was finally convicted in federal court

Lake attempted to introduce himself to the cop, but Kepler pulled out the revolver and shot twice, prompting him to die 'almost immediately,' U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson said in a statement announcing the sentence.

Kepler then turned and fired at least three more rounds in the direction of the witnesses  Lakes friend Josh Mills, Lakes 13-year-old brother Michael Hamilton, and Keplers own daughter, Lisa. The judge previously dismissed a separate assault charge for firing at Lake's younger brother.

'Kepler then fled the scene, testifying that he knew his fellow Tulsa police officers would be hunting for him, his vehicle, and his weapon. He abandoned the SUV at a former Motel 6 just off the Broken Arrow Expressway and eventually turned himself in.

Approximately 14 hours after the shooting, his former attorney brought the still-loaded murder weapon into the Tulsa Police Station in a Zip-lock bag,' according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

'When testifying, Kepler claimed that, although no gun was ever found at the scene, he shot Lake in self-defense after Lake "got the jump on him," pulling a shiny, semi-automatic pistol from his pants pocket,' the office said. 'While Kepler's attorney argued that a gun found in the Tulsa Police Department several days later "could" have been taken from the scene, expert and forensic evidence proved that the two incidents were unrelated.

Kepler shot Lake at his house (pictured) on 202 North Maybelle Avenue around 9pm on August 5 before shooting in his daughter's direction and the victim's younger brother

Lake's father, who was a witness at the sentencing, and other family members who wrote letters addressed to the court, said: 'Jeremey never had the chance to grow into the man he had hoped to become for his unborn child," reported the U.S. Attorney's Office. 'They explained that prior to his death, Jeremey found a steady residence and intended to go to welding school. They also spoke about his selflessness and willingness to help others, as evidenced by his volunteer work at the homeless shelter.'

Kepler testified at his trial that he fired in self-defense because he thought Lake had pointed a handgun at him. No gun was found at the scene.

Kepler's attorney, Stan Monroe, previously indicated that Kepler plans to appeal his conviction.

There also was a racial undercurrent to the trials. Kepler killed Lake, who was black, days before a white police officer killed Michael Brown, a black 18-year-old, in Ferguson, Missouri, that sparked protests and fanned the national debate over the treatment of black people by law enforcement.
Stricken by terminal heart disease, David Bennett had only one chance left. He had been bedridden in hospital for months with an irregular heartbeat and was connected to a heart-lung machine keeping him alive.

He was deemed too ill for a human transplant  but there was another option, and the 57-year-old grabbed it.

I know its a shot in the dark but its my last choice, he said after making the decision.

Dr. Bartley Griffith takes a selfie photo with patient David Bennett in Baltimore in January 2022. Mr Bennett has had a genetically modified pig's heart transplanted into his body as he was deemed as too ill to have a human organ

Last Friday, the handyman from Baltimore, Maryland, made history as the first person to successfully receive a genetically modified pigs heart. Delighted doctors say the patient is doing well

The genetically modified pig was specifically bred so it could be used as an organ donor

Last Friday, the handyman from Baltimore, Maryland, made history as the first person to successfully receive a genetically modified pigs heart. Delighted doctors say the patient is doing well.

They and other medical experts have hailed this groundbreaking procedure as the dawn of an astonishing new era of transplantation. It will give hope to thousands of people with failing organs who have been frustrated by the chronic shortage of human ones.

Researchers have also been studying how to transplant pigs lungs, livers and kidneys into humans. All these could now be possible thanks to the most recent procedure.

More than 100,000 people are waiting for organ transplants in the U.S., of whom 1,700 need a heart. In the UK, about 7,000 people are on the transplant waiting list (at least 300 of whom need a heart).

Last year, in Britain, more than 470 people died while waiting for an organ transplant.

However, many will be deeply alarmed, fearing science is once more trampling over basic notions of ethical behaviour towards animals and, indeed, may now be poised to disturb the natural order by merging man and other animals.

The potential perils of doing this were most famously  and terrifyingly  explored by H.G. Wells in his novel The Island Of Doctor Moreau.

Researchers have also been studying how to transplant pigs lungs, livers and kidneys into humans. All these could now be possible thanks to the most recent procedure

Mr Bennetts operation was foreshadowed in the novel Pig Heart Boy, by British author Malorie Blackman, in which the transplant proves so divisive that the teenage recipient has a bucket of pig blood poured over him by an outraged animal rights protester.

The animal used in the six-hour operation at the University of Maryland Medical Centre was no ordinary pig. It had been genetically modified, essentially created in the laboratory to overcome the problem that has long bedevilled so-called xenotransplants  in which the cells, tissues or organs of other species are transplanted into humans  namely the rejection of the foreign body by the human recipient.

In the most famous example of a xenotransplant, dying American infant Stephanie Fae Beauclair  known as Baby Fae  was given a baboon heart in 1984 but lived only 21 days before it was rejected.

In the case of Mr Bennetts new heart, it was removed from the pig on the morning of surgery and stored in a special preservation chamber. This XVIVO Heart Box, the size of a microwave oven, preserves the heart at 8c (46f) while supplying it with a nutrient-rich oxygenated solution. It was wheeled on a trolley into the operating room where Mr Bennetts body was waiting to receive it.

The surgery was fairly straightforward compared with the science that had gone into preparing the pig.

Pigs have a gene that produces a molecule, not found in humans, that triggers an immediate and aggressive immune response in humans, called hyperacute rejection. Within minutes, the body attacks the foreign organ.

With Mr Bennetts porcine heart donor, three of the genes that would have caused the organ to be rejected had been deactivated using a pioneering DNA-editing technique known as CRISPR.

With Mr Bennetts porcine heart donor, three of the genes that would have caused the organ to be rejected had been deactivated using a pioneering DNA-editing technique known as CRISPR

Another gene, which would have caused the pig heart to grow drastically, was also knocked out. In addition, six human genes that would dramatically increase the chances of the heart being accepted were inserted into the pig.

Mr Bennett also received an experimental anti-rejection drug. To go ahead with the pig-heart transplant in Maryland, the university had obtained an emergency authorisation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on New Years Eve through its compassionate use programme, which allows risky experimental procedures on people who have no other treatment options.

Pigs have long been an attractive source of potential transplants because their organs are so similar to those of humans and  unlike primates such as chimpanzees and baboons  can be bred in large numbers. A pig heart at the time of slaughter is about the size of an adult human one.

Pig heart valves have been used successfully for decades in humans. Indeed, Mr Bennett himself received one about ten years ago.

Dr Bartley Griffith, the director of the universitys cardiac transplant programme, who performed the operation on Mr Bennett, had transplanted pig hearts into 50 baboons over five years before offering the option to his newest patient.

He said of the transplanted organ: It creates the pulse, it creates the pressure, it is his heart. Its working and it looks normal. We are thrilled, but we dont know what tomorrow will bring us. This has never been done before.

On Monday, the patient was reported to be breathing on his own while still hooked up to a heart-lung machine to help his new organ.

He said he was looking forward to getting out of bed, although his son acknowledged the family were in the unknown at this point.

Medical experts hailed the operation as a watershed but, given animal-human transplant history, some were cautious in their response.

On Monday, the patient was reported to be breathing on his own while still hooked up to a heart-lung machine to help his new organ

Sir Terence English, who carried out the UKs first successful heart transplant in 1979, said: This is a marvellous advance which has enormous potential for the future.

With pigs hearts, we would no longer have patients on the waiting list, dying, because surgeons cannot get a heart of the right size with the right blood type for them. There would be an off-the-shelf heart available whenever one was needed.

The major sticking point, he said, had been eradicating those genes in pigs which are responsible for their organs being rejected in humans. He added: Having mainly achieved this, and with pig organs lasting several months in primates, now was the time to start trying in humans.

A spokesman for NHS Blood and Transplant said: We have been watching this particular field of research for many years  the possibility of transplant between animals and humans.

However, there is still some way to go before transplants of this kind become an everyday reality.

Francis Wells, consultant cardiac surgeon at the Royal Papworth Hospital near Cambridge, suggested it was too early to declare the operation a success.

Although the early function of the heart is vital, it is the mid- and long-term that matters the most, he said.

As yet, there is no data on this and we wait with interest to learn how this courageous patient progresses.

The hurdles ahead arent only scientific, of course. Animal rights group Peta (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) immediately condemned the transplant. Animal-to-human transplants are unethical, dangerous, and a tremendous waste of resources that could be used to fund research that might actually help humans, it said in a statement.

Animals arent toolsheds to be raided but complex, intelligent beings. It would be better for them and healthier for humans to leave them alone and seek cures using modern science.

Yet xenotransplantation from animals to humans has a surprisingly long history. Throughout the 19th century, doctors treated wounds with skin grafts from various animals, often frogs.

In the 1920s, French surgeon Serge Voronoff developed a procedure for transplanting slices of chimpanzee testicles into older men whose zest for life was deteriorating.

He claimed that the hormones produced by the testes would rejuvenate his patients, enhancing not only libido but eyesight and memory. His transplant became enormously popular among millionaires, prompting Voronoff to set up a monkey farm to keep up with demand and develop a monkey ovary transplant after women requested their own version of the treatment.

In the 1960s, scientists transplanted chimpanzee kidneys into 13 patients, one of whom returned to work for almost nine months before suddenly dying from what was believed to be an electrolyte disturbance.

In 1964, the first heart transplant in a human was performed using a chimpanzee heart, but the patient died within two hours. In October 2021, surgeons notched up a first when they attached a kidney grown in a genetically modified pig to a brain-dead human patient. The kidney functioned properly for a 54-hour observation period.

Countries such as the UK and U.S. tightly regulate xenotransplants but other countries do not, a fact that has already prompted researchers to conduct trials in places such as Mexico.

The World Health Organisation has expressed fears of so-called xenotourism, in which desperate transplant patients resort to going to countries that impose no limits on operations.

A new era may have dawned but, as with other scientific breakthroughs, the future may not be entirely rosy.




The Supreme Court has dismissed a second appeal filed by Japan's Mitsubishi Heavy Industries against an order to sell patent rights the company has in South Korea to compensate a victim of wartime forced labor, according to legal sources Tuesday.







The top court dismissed Mitsubishi Heavy's appeal against the forced sale of two patents to compensate Park Hae-ok, a female victim of forced labor during Tokyo's 1910-45 colonization of the Korean Peninsula, on Dec. 27, the sources said.







In 2018, the Supreme Court ordered Mitsubishi to compensate forced labor victims, but the company refused to comply, saying the reparation issue was fully and finally settled by a treaty signed between the two nations in 1965 to normalize ties.







The victims later asked a court to seize the company's assets in South Korea, and the court accepted their request in March 2019.







The Japanese firm appealed that decision, but the case was dismissed by the Supreme Court in September 2021.







Two other Mitsubishi Heavy cases involving other victims were previously confirmed in favor of the victims. Another case remains pending in a lower court in Daejeon, 160 kilometers south of Seoul. (Yonhap)


Covid patients who don't register positive rapid antigen test results will be fined $1000 in NSW - even though the Premier admits it will be difficult to enforce.

Dominic Perrottet announced the major change on Wednesday morning, with residents now required to log results on the Service NSW app within 24 hours.

Positive test results can be uploaded from January 1. Mr Perrottet said there will be a 'grace period' for fines, with the penalties kicking in in seven days.

It comes amid reports the government is planning to hand out RATs at schools and will potentially introduce a Dine & Discover-style voucher program for residents to buy tests.

NSW will fine Covid patients who don't register their rapid antigen test results $1000 while free tests are expected to be handed out in schools amid major changes enforced around the state. Pictured: Sydneysiders walk through Bondi on January 4

Premier Dominic Perrottet said it would be hard to enforce mandatory reporting of positive RATs

Customer Service Minister Victor Dominello said more than 2,900 people had already reported their rapid test results since 9am on Wednesday.

When asked why the government took so long to create their own testing system compared to other states, Mr Dominello said it was because the NSW system was more complex.

'Most other places simply have a web form. We're connecting it to the app because once we connect it to that app, we can then connect you healthcare services as well, and that's the key feature of what we're doing here in NSW,' he said.

'We are basically stratifying those who have Covid into two categories. Those with low risk and those with high risk.'

The premier said PCR tests will continue to be used alongside rapid tests amid the surge in cases, admitting that reporting RAT results would be hard to enforce.

'There are obviously areas right across the state where there are laws that are harder to enforce than others  this is clearly one that will be harder to enforce, there's no doubt about it,' he said.

But he said he expected everyone in the state to upload their results.

Many online have criticised the government's new mandate, questioning how authorities would know if they hadn't reported their results.

Many online have criticised the government's new mandate, questioning how authorities would know if they hadn't reported their results

One said would family member have to dob in those who don't report their positive results

Others said the mandate may encourage people not to get tested at all

'How is the nsw gov going to know if I don't report a positive rapid test? Not that I would but how does a $1000 fine scare us unless we think we will be caught? Am I missing something?' someone tweeted.

'hello yes I'm the nsw government, please record your positive rapid test or we will fine you $1000 even though we have no way of tracking unregistered positive tests because we are a bunch of muppets,' joked another.

Another suggested if people would have to dob in their family as a way to enforce the rule, while others said people would be more inclined not to test themselves.

'Guess the simple solution is don't do the rapid antigen test. Might as well since we cannot afford the jacked up price anyway,' they said.

'NSW threatening people w/ $1000 fines for not registering their rapid test results risks discouraging people from testing in the first place (assuming they can even find some)' tweeted another.

'So if a person tests positive in a Rapid test they bought with their money and tested in their home whilst not sharing the result, how is it that the NSW Gov will find out and fine them? Absolutely ridiculous statement that cannot be enforced,' one man wrote.

RULES AROUND REPORTING POSITIVE RAPID TESTS Those who test positive on a rapid antigen test must report their results via the Service NSW app Fines of $1,000 will apply to those who don't with penalties coming into force from January 19 Positive results from January 1 can be reported with anyone testing positive as of Wednesday January 12 required to report it on the app Positive results must be lodged within 24 hours of the test People who don't have the app can lodge their results through the Service NSW website Interstate travellers can log on as a guest Those who register their positive result will receive a notification from NSW Health when their seven-day isolation is up How to do it : NSW residents can open the Service NSW app and click on Covid-19 Resources They then select 'Register a positive test result' They will be taken to another site where they fill in their personal details and log their results Advertisement

It's understood the premier is looking at supplying free rapid tests at schools as students return to their desks for Term 1. These tests could also be provided to parents

Police are seen outside the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital on Monday amid rising Omicron cases

Mr Perrottet said the government had secured a stockpile of 100million RATs which will be primarily used in healthcare, education, in vulnerable communities, and housing.

It's understood the premier is looking at supplying free rapid tests at schools as students return to their desks for Term 1. These tests could also be provided to parents.

Mr Perrottet rejected claims from the Australian Medical Association that a delay to school was needed to ensure more children are vaccinated.

'Kids being at school is one of the most important things we can have happen in NSW,' he said.

A Dine and Discover voucher style system may also be able to be used to go towards purchasing rapid tests at pharmacies, the premier said, but a plan is yet to be revealed.

NSW residents will be required to report their positive results from RATs on the Service NSW app as of Wednesday

The NSW government is also looking at unveiling an economic package to help those struggling amid the Omicron outbreak, with the state recording another 34,759 new cases and 21 deaths on Wednesday.

In NSW, there are 2,242 coronavirus patients in hospital (up from 2,186 on Tuesday) and 175 residents in intensive care.

Mr Perrottet said more than half of those in ICU were unvaccinated.

The new deaths include a person in their 30s, 40s and two in their 50s.

It comes after primary school-aged children aged between five and 11 years on Monday began receiving their first dose of a special Pfizer vaccination.

Mr Perrottet remains committed to getting children back in classrooms later this month, despite a recommended eight-week gap between the first and second doses for this cohort.

More than 78 per cent of children aged 12 to 15 are already fully vaccinated.
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Archaeologists working on HS2 have shed light on how an Iron Age village in Northamptonshire was transformed into a wealthy Roman trading town bustling with traffic almost 2,000 years ago.

Stunning discoveries made during a dig of the site near the village of Chipping Warden  known as Blackgrounds after the black soil found there  include cremation urns, gaming pieces, shackles, a snake-head brooch and more than 300 Roman coins.

Evidence suggests the settlement was established in about 400 BC when it was made up of more than 30 roundhouses, but that it greatly expanded during the Roman era around 300-400 AD, with new stone buildings and roads.

A team of around 80 archaeologists working on the HS2 high-speed rail project have spent 12 months excavating Blackgrounds, which is one of more than 100 sites to have been examined between London and Birmingham since 2018.

Experts say the remains of the Roman trading town mark 'one of the most significant archaeological sites' uncovered during the controversial 100 billion train line project.

Before HS2 workers build bridges, tunnels, tracks and stations, an 'unprecedented' amount of archaeological work is taking place along the line of route, to ensure concrete isn't dumped over the secrets of Britain's past.

This excavation work offers a 'unique opportunity' to tell the story of Britain, according to HS2 Ltd, the state-funded body responsible for delivering the line, although so far its construction been hugely controversial for its destruction of historic buildings and nature spots.

Walls of domestic building are pictured here uncovered during the excavation at the Blackgrounds Roman archaeological site. Archaeologists working for HS2 Ltd have uncovered one of the most significant archaeological sites on the project to date near a small village in South Northamptonshire

Pictured is remains of a Roman wall at the Blackgrounds site. Evidence suggests the settlement was established in about 400 BC - during the Iron Age

Photo issued by HS2 shows a Roman lead die (left) and bone gaming pieces uncovered during the archaeology excavation at Blackgrounds

Pictured is decorative Roman pottery uncovered at the site. A team of around 80 HS2 archaeologists have spent 12 months excavating the site

Roman coins. More than 300 Roman coins have been found at the site, which is just north of the village of Chipping Warden, Northamptonshire

This photo issued by HS2 shows a Roman female deity scale weight uncovered during the archaeology excavation at Blackgrounds, so-called for the black soil found there

Roman cremation urns still covered in soil. The Iron Age village developed into a wealthy Roman trading town, according to archaeologists

Pictured is a decorative Roman snake-head brooch with intricately carved details. Experts were left stunned when they came across evidence of the Iron Age settlement

Chipping Warden is a village in Northamptonshire, England. The upcoming HS2 route will pass to the northeast of the village

TIMELINE OF THE SITE  800BC: The Iron Age begins  400BC: Iron Age village established at Blackgrounds  AD43: The Romans invade Britain, led by Emperor Claudius.  AD50: Roman settlement established.  AD300-400: The settlement expands to where current excavations are taking place  AD410: The Roman Empire begins to crumble and the settlement at Blackgrounds declines Advertisement

The presence of such a significant archaeological site in the area has been known since the 18th century, but recent geophysical surveys have revealed the original Iron Age part of the site and the artefacts from the Roman settlement.

Site manager James West, from the Museum of London Archaeology Headland Infrastructure, which has been excavating the site, said the dig had 'surpassed all expectations'.

'This is certainly one of the most impressive sites MOLA Headland Infrastructure has discovered whilst working on the HS2 scheme,' West said.

'A particular highlight for me has been understanding the emerging story of Blackgrounds, which we now know spans multiple time periods.

'Uncovering such a well-preserved and large Roman road, as well as so many high quality finds, has been extraordinary and tells us so much about the people who lived here.

'The site really does have the potential to transform our understanding of the Roman landscape in the region and beyond.'

Running through the site is a Roman road measuring 32 feet or 10 metres wide, which is huge by typical Roman standards  most Roman roads were around 13 feet (4 metres).

Another image of the Roman lead die surrounded by bone gaming pieces uncovered during the HS2 archaeology excavation

Pictured are Roman weaving accessories. There are a number of archaeological sites being explored across Northamptonshire, including Blackgrounds, Edgcote battleground and a deserted medieval village at Radstone

Photo issued by HS2 shows the numerous Roman artefacts, marked and stored in bags and plastic containers during excavation work

A lead weight, cast into the shape of a head, which was unearthed on the HS2 route, at MOLA (Museum of London Archaeology) on January 10, 2022 in Northamptonshire

Environmental Processor and Analyser Donna Brady examines dried samples of animal bone and charcoal from the HS2 route

MOLA (Museum of London Archaeology) programmes manager Claire holds a lead weight, cast into the shape of a head, which was unearthed on the HS2 route

Finds and environmental Processor Rob Pearce cleans and separates the contents of the sample buckets taken from the route, in a series of Siraf tanks

MOLA's Clare Finn explains the drying process needed for the trays of samples from the HS2 route. Artefacts were discovered by archaeologists working for HS2, the high-speed rail project, at the Blackgrounds Roman-era trading settlement

Urbs Roma coin from the reign of Emperor Constantine, showing the depiction of Romulus and Remus and commemorating the founding of Rome

A Roman pot held by one of the site's workers. The original use of Blackgrounds began in the Iron Age when it was a village formed of over 30 roundhouses

WHY IS HS2 CONTROVERSIAL? HS2, which is estimated to cost more than 100 billion , aims to provide a high-speed rail service linking London and northern England. But according to Wildlife Trusts, construction of HS2 is resulting in the loss of ancient woodlands, nature reserves, wildlife refuges and more. The charity calls HS2 'a grave threat to the UK's ancient woods, with 108 at risk of loss or damage'. Critics question whether HS2 is worth its ballooning price tag especially after a pandemic that might permanently change people's travel habits. The first phase linking London and Birmingham is due to open between 2029 and 2033, according to HS2 Ltd. Advertisement

The width indicates that the settlement would have been very busy with carts simultaneously coming and going to load and unload goods  a 'very active area'.

The wealth of the settlement is likely to have been based on trade, both from the nearby River Cherwell and via the Roman road.

The discovery of over 300 Roman coins is an indication that a significant volume of commerce was passing through this area as the village developed into a wealthy town.

The archaeologists also found the settlement divided into domestic and industrial areas, with evidence of workshops, kilns and well-preserved wells.

In one part of the site, the earth is bright red, suggesting the area would have been used for activities involving burning, such as bread-making, foundries for metal work or a kiln.

Other artefacts found during the dig highlighted the wealth of the inhabitants, such as glass vessels, highly decorative pottery, jewellery and even traces of the mineral galena  a substance that was crushed and mixed with oil to be used as make-up.

A particularly interesting discovery in the dig has been half a set of shackles, similar to those recently found at an excavation in Rutland.

Unlike those uncovered in Rutland, the shackles found at Blackgrounds are not associated with a burial but may suggest the presence of either criminal activity or slave labour.

Roman shackles (pictured) were also discovered, suggesting that criminal activity or slave labour were part of the settlement

Unspecified decorative Roman artefacts. The history of Blackgrounds began in the Iron Age when it was a village formed of over 30 roundhouses

A Pewter plate. In one part of the site, the earth is bright red, suggesting the area would have been used for activities involving burning, such as bread-making, foundries for metal work or a kiln

The Blackgrounds site has undergone a geophysical survey by a team of archaeologists and has been further evaluated through trial trenches which are small slip trenches

Blackgrounds consists of the Iron Age settlement, which was unknown until experts conducted geophysical surveys, and the Roman settlement.

Researchers had wanted to establish whether the Iron Age site and Roman site existed independently of each other, or if the Iron Age settlement continued to exist into the Roman period.

Evidence suggests the latter, with the Iron Age settlement acting as a starting point for Roman operations to greatly ramp up.

'The opportunity to carefully examine a site such as Blackgrounds, and map out a long history of the site, brought to life through artefacts, building remains and roads, has enabled us to provide a more in-depth understanding of what life was like in rural south Northamptonshire in the Iron and Roman Age,' said Mike Court, lead archaeologist for HS2.

The history of the site, from the Iron Age to the Roman era, features in the new BBC Digging for Britain series, hosted by Professor Alice Roberts.

The episode featuring the Blackgrounds dig will air on BBC Two today, January 11, at 8pm.

Before HS2 workers build bridges, tunnels, tracks and stations, an unprecedented amount of archaeological work is taking place along the line of route

A discovered well at the Blackgrounds Roman archaeological site. Archaeologists working for HS2 Ltd have uncovered one of the most significant archaeological sites on the project to date

The layout suggests the town was split into different areas, with foundations uncovered of buildings used for domestic purposes and more industrial practices

Excavation work along the HS2 route offers a unique opportunity to tell the story of Britain, according to HS2 Ltd, the state-funded body responsible for delivering the line, although it's been controversial for ripping up historic buildings and nature spots

An aerial view of the well discovered at the Blackgrounds Roman archaeological site. The archaeologists found the settlement divided into domestic and industrial areas, with evidence of workshops, kilns and well-preserved wells.

The history of the site, from the Iron Age to the Roman era, features in the new BBC Digging for Britain series, hosted by Professor Alice Roberts

Blackgrounds is one of over 100 archaeological sites that HS2 has examined since 2018 between London and Birmingham, which combined provide a detailed insight into the rich history of Britain

The removed artefacts are being cleaned and analysed by specialists from MOLA Headland Infrastructure and the details of the buildings and layout of the settlement are being carefully mapped

Roman Wall showing signs of subsidence - when the ground beneath a building sinks, pulling the property's foundations down with it

Pictured is site manager James West, from the Museum of London Archaeology Headland Infrastructure, with the Roman well
A dying man has become the first patient in the world to get a heart transplant from a genetically-modified pig.

Terminal heart failure sufferer David Bennett underwent the nine-hour experimental procedure at the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore on Saturday.

Surgeons used a heart taken from a pig that had undergone gene-editing to make it less likely that his body's immune system would reject the organ.

Mr Bennett, 57, is breathing on his own while still connected to a machine that helps his new heart pump blood around his body.

Experts say it is too soon to know if his body will fully accept the organ and the next few weeks will be critical as he is weaned off the machine.

But, if successful, it would mark a medical breakthrough and could save thousands of lives in the US alone each year. Doctors called the procedure a 'watershed event'.

Left is Dr. Bartley Griffith, who conducted the procedure, with David Bennett (right) after the surgery was completed. Bennett is now recovering and being carefully monitored to determine how the new organ performs

Bennett, a laborer, knew there was no guarantee the risky operation would work but was too sick to qualify for a human organ. A day before his pioneering surgery, Bennett said it was 'either die or do this transplant', adding: 'I want to live. I know it's a shot in the dark, but it's my last choice.'

There is a huge shortage of human organs donated for transplant in the US and the UK, driving scientists to try to figure out how to use animal organs instead.

Nearly 120,000 Americans are in need of healthy organs and, on average, 20 people die each day waiting for one to become available.

Last year, there were just over 3,800 heart transplants in the US, a record number, according to the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS), which oversees the nations transplant system.

But prior attempts at such transplants  or xenotransplantation  have failed, largely because patients' bodies rapidly rejected the animal organ. Notably, in 1984, 'Baby Fae'  who was born with a rare heart condition  lived 21 days with a baboon heart.

In a medical first, doctors transplanted a pig heart into a patient in a last-ditch effort to save his life

Bennett, who has spent the last several months bedridden on a heart-lung bypass machine, said: 'I look forward to getting out of bed after I recover.' This photo provided by the family shows from left, David Bennett Jr., David Bennett Sr., and Nicole (Bennett) McCray at a carnival in 2014

A pig heart was gathered for a terminal heart disease patient who was ineligible for a human heart transplant. Scientists inserted six human genes into the genome of the donor pig  modifications designed to make the organ more tolerable to the human immune system. They inactivated four genes, including sugar in its cells that is responsible for that hyper-fast organ rejection and a growth gene to prevent the pig's heart, which weighs around 267g compared to the average human heart which weighs 303g, from continuing to expand. Surgeons at the University of Maryland Medical Center performed a nine-hour surgery to remove the patient's heart and insert the altered pig heart

Dr Bartley Griffith, the director of the cardiac transplant program at the medical center, who performed the operation, said he first broached the experimental treatment in mid-December.

He said it was a 'memorable' and 'pretty strange' conversation.

'I said, "We can't give you a human heart; you don't qualify. But maybe we can use one from an animal, a pig,"' Dr Griffith said.

How was the surgery possible? David Bennett, a 57-year-old handyman from Baltimore, Maryland, on Friday became the first person in the world to receive a pig heart transplant. The operation was performed as Bennett did not meet the criteria for a human heart transplant and faced dying from heart disease if he did not undergo the operation. 'It was either die or do this transplant,' he said. Have animal organs been transplanted to humans before? Scientists have been toying with animal-to-human organ donation, known as xenotransplantation, for decades. Skin grafts were carried out in the 1800s from a variety of animals to treat wounds, with frogs being the most popular. In the 1960s, 13 patients were given chimpanzee kidneys, one of whom returned to work for almost 9 months before suddenly dying. The rest passed away within weeks. At that time human organ transplants were not available and chronic dialysis was not yet in use. In 1983, doctors at Loma Linda University Medical Center in California transplanted a baboon heart into a premature baby born with a fatal heart defect. Baby Fae lived for just 21 days. The case was controversial months later when it emerged the surgeons did not try to acquire a human heart. More recently, waiting lists for transplants from dead, or allogenic, donors is growing as life expectancy rises around the world and demand increases. In October 2021, surgeons at NYU Langone Health in New York successfully transplanted a pig kidney into a human for the first time. It started working as it was supposed to, filtering waste and producing urine without triggering a rejection by the recipient's immune system. The recipient was a brain-dead patient in New York with signs of kidney dysfunction whose family agreed to the experiment before she was taken off life support. Why would his body not reject the animal organ? Earlier attempts to insert animal organs into human hearts have largely failed because patients' bodies rapidly rejected them. Rejection is caused by the immune system identifying the transplant as a foreign object, triggering a response that will ultimately destroy the transplanted organ or tissue. Roughly 50 percent of all transplanted human organs are rejected within 10 to 12 years, for comparison. To give the experimental operation the best chance of success, scientists genetically modified the pig heart to make it more compatible with the human body. This involved removing a certain sugar in the cells that is known to cause rapid rejection. A pig heart was used over other animals because pigs are easier to raise and achieve adult human size in six months. Several biotech companies are developing pig organs for human transplant. After a nine-hour procedure, Mr Bennett is said to be recovering and doing well. Doctors at the University of Maryland Medical Center say the transplant showed that a heart from a genetically modified animal can function in the human body without immediate rejection. But they warned Mr Bennetts prognosis is unknown at this point and he may only live for days with the pig heart. What did they do to make sure the pig heart could be used? Revivicor, a subsidiary of US biotech company United Therapeutics, genetically modified the pig heart that was implanted in Mr Bennett. Scientists inactivated four genes, including sugar in its cells that is responsible for that hyper-fast organ rejection. A growth gene was also inactivated to prevent the pig's heart from continuing to grow after it was implanted. In addition, six human genes were inserted into the genome of the donor pig  modifications designed to make the organ more tolerable to the human immune system. How long does the pig heart last? As it is a world-first, it is unclear whether the operation will be successful in the long-run or how long the heart will last. After undergoing a standard heart transplant using a human organ, around nine in 10 people will live for at least a year. When animal hearts have been used so far, all patients have lived for just days or weeks because patients' bodies rapidly rejected the animal organ. In 1984, Baby Fae, a dying infant, lived 21 days with a baboon heart. But doctors performing the surgery used a pig heart that had undergone gene-editing to remove a sugar in its cells that is responsible for that hyper-fast organ rejection. Doctors cautioned that the operation is only a first tentative step into exploring whether transplanting animal organs into human bodies might work. What will happen if the operation remains successful? Around 200 heart transplants are carried out in the UK every year, while the US figure is 3,800. But 300 Britons and 1,700 Americans are currently on the waiting list for a heart. The huge shortage of human organs donated for transplant has driven scientists to try to figure out how to use animal organs instead. If the operation using a pig heart is successful, it could solve this chronic shortage and provide an endless supply of organs for patients, doctors said. But medics warned it is crucial data on Mr Bennets surgery and condition is gathered and shared before others rush to perform similar operations. Advertisement

'It's never been done before, but we think we can do it.

'I wasn't sure he was understanding me,' Dr Griffith added.

'Then he said, "Well, will I oink?"'

Bennett, who has spent the last several months bedridden on a heart-lung bypass machine, said: 'I look forward to getting out of bed after I recover.'

His prognosis is uncertain.

On Monday, Bennett was breathing on his own while still connected to a heart-lung machine to help his new heart.

The next few weeks will be critical as Bennett recovers from the surgery and doctors carefully monitor how his heart is faring.

Bennett, who has been relatively healthy most of his life, began having severe chest pains in October, his son said.

He went into the University of Maryland Medical Center with severe fatigue and shortness of breath.

'He couldn't climb three steps,' said David, a physical therapist who understood the seriousness of his father's condition.

Dr Griffith told the New York Times: 'It creates the pulse, it creates the pressure, it is his heart.

'It's working and it looks normal. We are thrilled, but we don't know what tomorrow will bring us. This has never been done before.'

Dr Griffith said the patient's condition  heart failure and an irregular heartbeat  made him ineligible for a human heart transplant or a heart pump.

Bennett also failed to qualify for the waitlist for human heart transplants because he had not followed doctors' orders, missing medical appointments and discontinuing prescribed medications.

There is a huge shortage of human organs donated for transplant, driving scientists to try to figure out how to use animal organs instead.

The difference this time: The Maryland surgeons used a heart from a pig that had undergone gene-editing to remove a sugar in its cells that is responsible for that hyper-fast organ rejection.

Several biotech companies are developing pig organs for human transplant; the one used for Friday's operation came from Revivicor, a subsidiary of United Therapeutics.

Pigs offer advantages over primates for organ procurements, because they are easier to raise and achieve adult human size in six months.

'I think you can characterize it as a watershed event,' said Dr David Klassen, UNOS' chief medical officer, of the Maryland transplant.

Klassen cautioned that it is only a first tentative step into exploring whether this time around, xenotransplantation might finally work.

The Food and Drug Administration, which oversees such experiments, allowed the surgery under what is called a 'compassionate use' emergency authorization, available when a patient with a life-threatening condition has no other options.

The hospital and academic institution would not reveal the cost of the procedure but took care of fees not covered by insurance.

It will be crucial to share the data gathered from this transplant before extending it to more patients, said Karen Maschke, a research scholar at the Hastings Center, who is helping develop ethics and policy recommendations for the first clinical trials under a grant from the National Institutes of Health.

'Rushing into animal-to-human transplants without this information would not be advisable,' Maschke said.

Over the years, scientists have turned from primates to pigs, tinkering with their genes.

Last September, researchers in New York performed an experiment suggesting these kinds of pigs might offer promise for animal-to-human transplants.

Doctors temporarily attached a pig's kidney to a deceased human body and watched it begin to work.

The Maryland transplant takes their experiment to the next level, said Dr. Robert Montgomery, who led that work at NYU Langone Health.

'This is a truly remarkable breakthrough,' he said in a statement.

'As a heart transplant recipient, myself with a genetic heart disorder, I am thrilled by this news and the hope it gives to my family and other patients who will eventually be saved by this breakthrough.'

Montgomery and his New York team kept the body functioning via machine for more than two days each time, showing that the human immune system would not immediately reject a kidney from a gene-edited pig.

In Bennett's case, the pig whose heart was implanted had 10 genetic modifications.

Four genes were inactivated, including one that encodes a molecule that causes an aggressive human rejection response.

A growth gene was also inactivated to prevent the pig's heart from continuing to grow after it was implanted.

In addition, six human genes were inserted into the genome of the donor pig  modifications designed to make the porcine organs more tolerable to the human immune system.

The surgery last Friday took seven hours at the Baltimore hospital.

An additional complication has been that simply putting a heart on ice, as is done with a human heart, doesn't work in between-species transplants.

A German team figured out a method of perfusing the heart with nutrients and hormones, to allow the transplant to proceed.

Griffith had transplanted pig hearts into about 50 baboons over five years, before offering the option to Bennett.

'We're learning a lot every day with this gentleman,' Griffith said.

'And so far, we're happy with our decision to move forward. And he is as well: Big smile on his face today.'

Griffith told USA Today that others sometimes compared him to a shuttle astronaut for his pioneering work - but he rejected the comparison.

'You've got to tell the patient that in essence, we're ready for liftoff,' Griffith said.

'But I kept reminding people: we're in the control room. It's the patient who's shot to the moon.'

Pig heart valves also have been used successfully for decades in humans, and Bennett's son said his father had received one about a decade ago.

As for the heart transplant, 'He realizes the magnitude of what was done and he really realizes the importance of it,' David Bennett Jr. said.

'He could not live, or he could last a day, or he could last a couple of days. I mean, we're in the unknown at this point.'

The procedure took nine hours to complete. Doctors at the University of Maryland Medical Center say the transplant showed that a heart from a genetically modified animal can function in the human body without immediate rejection

Dr Griffith and his team performed the surgery on Bennett, a 57-year-old handyman who was ineligible for a human heart donation because he was suffering from heart failure and an irregular heartbeat

The surgery last Friday took seven hours at the Baltimore hospital. Mr Bennett is breathing on his own without a ventilator, but is still using a Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) machine that helps pump blood throughout his body
Invasive species like algae, barnacles and mussels that 'hitchhike' across the oceans on research, supply and tourist ships are a threat to Antarctica's unique ecosystems.

This is the warning of University of Cambridge-led experts who traced back the movements of those ships entering Antarctic waters between 20142018.

The team identified 1,581 ports, all over the globe, with links to the southernmost continent  all of which they say could serve as a source of invasive species.

Based on port call data and satellite observations, the team found ships in Antarctica to most often come from South America, northern Europe and the western Pacific.

The Southern Ocean that surrounds Antarctica is the most isolated marine environment on the planet and supports a unique mix of flora and fauna.

Their isolation means they have not evolved the ability to tolerate various groups of species found elsewhere around the globe.

Mussels for example, should they be introduced to the Southern Ocean, would find no competitors in Antarctica and could easily gain a problematic foothold.

Shallow-water crabs, meanwhile  another species capable of hitchhiking on ships' hulls  would introduce a form of predation entirely unfamiliar to Antarctic life.

It is lucky that, to date, the Southern Ocean represents the only global marine region with no known invasive species.

Increasing ship traffic in the region risks changing this, said the team, who have called for improved biosecurity protocols for vessels travelling to Antarctic waters.

Invasive species like algae, barnacles and mussels that 'hitchhike' across the oceans on research, supply and tourist ships are a threat to Antarctica's unique ecosystems. This is the warning of University of Cambridge-led experts who traced back the movements of those ships entering Antarctic waters between 20142018. Pictured:

The team identified 1,581 ports with links to the southernmost continent  all of which they say could serve as a source of invasive species. Based on port call data and satellite observations, the team found ships in Antarctica to most often come from South America, Northern Europe and the western Pacific. Pictured: the ship traffic network from 20142018

Biofouling is the name given to the phenomenon when species attach themselves to the hulls of ships. Among the marine creatures that are known to do this are algae, barnacles, crabs and mussels. Pictured: Barnacles and bryozoans living with a ship's water discharge outlet

ABOUT BIOFOULING Biofouling is the name given to the phenomenon when species attach themselves to the hulls of ships. Among the marine creatures that are known to do this are algae, barnacles, crabs and mussels. The research of Professor Aldridge and colleagues has revealed that  thanks to connections to a global shipping network  biofouling can provide a means for invasive species to arrive in Antarctic waters from almost anywhere around the globe. Advertisement

The study was undertaken by conservation ecologist David Aldridge of the University of Cambridge and his colleagues.

'[Antarctica's] native species have been isolated for the last 15-30 million years,' explained Professor Aldridge.

'Invasive, non-native species are one of the biggest threats to Antarcticas biodiversity,' he added.

'They may also have economic impacts, via the disruption of fisheries.'

(Invasive species, the researchers explained, could disrupt the large krill fisheries in the southernmost oceans. Krill is used by the global aquaculture industry as fish food.)

The team said that they are particularly concerned about the movement of species from the Arctic to the Antarctic  as these creatures will already be cold-adapted.

They could conceivably be transported from pole-to-pole on the hulls of research or tourist vessels that spend their summer in the waters of the Arctic before travelling across the Atlantic in time for the Antarctic summer season.

'The species that grow on the hull of a ship are determined by where it has been,' said paper author and ecologist Arlie McCarthy, also of the University of Cambridge.

'We found that fishing boats operating in Antarctic waters visit quite a restricted network of ports, but tourist and supply ships travel across the world,' she added.

Previous research has shown that the longer a biofouled ship stays in an area, the more likely it is that the non-native species attached to its hull will be introduced into the surrounding ecosystem.

The new study revealed that research vessels stay in Antarctic ports for longer durations, on average, than those carrying tourists  while fishing and supply ships tend to stay for even longer.

The Southern Ocean that surrounds Antarctica is the most isolated marine environment on the planet and supports a unique mix of flora and fauna. Their isolation means they have not evolved the ability to tolerate various groups of species found elsewhere around the globe. Pictured: the Royal Navy's ice patrol ship, HMS Protector, seen in Antarctic waters

Shallow-water crabs, meanwhile  another species capable of hitchhiking on ships' hulls  would introduce a form of predation entirely unfamiliar to Antarctic life. Pictured: a European shore crab (Carcinus Maenas) that was found on the hull of a ship that visited Antarctica

'We were surprised to find that Antarctica is much more globally connected than was previously thought,' added Dr McCarthy.

'Our results show that biosecurity measures need to be implemented at a wider range of locations than they currently are.

'There are strict regulations in place for preventing non-native species getting into Antarctica, but the success of these relies on having the information to inform management decisions.

'We hope our findings will improve the ability to detect invasive species before they become a problem.'

'[Antarctica's] native species have been isolated for the last 15-30 million years,' explained conservation ecologist David Aldridge of the University of Cambridge. 'Invasive, non-native species are one of the biggest threats to Antarcticas biodiversity. Pictured: barnacles, green algae and amphipods seen living on the hull of a ship that visited Antarctica

'The species that grow on the hull of a ship are determined by where it has been,' said paper author and ecologist Arlie McCarthy, also of the University of Cambridge. Pictured: barnacles, green algae and amphipods seen living on the hull of a ship that visited Antarctica

'Biosecurity measures to protect Antarctica, such as cleaning ships hulls, are currently focused on a small group of recognised "gateway ports",' agreed paper author and physiologist Lloyd Peck of the British Antarctic Survey.

'With these new findings, we call for improved biosecurity protocols and environmental protection measures to protect Antarctic waters from non-native species, particularly as ocean temperatures continue to rise due to climate change.'

The full findings of the study were published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

'Biosecurity measures to protect Antarctica, such as cleaning ships hulls, are currently focused on a small group of recognised "gateway ports",' said physiologist Lloyd Peck of the British Antarctic Survey. 'With these new findings, we call for improved biosecurity protocols and environmental protection measures to protect Antarctic waters from non-native species, particularly as ocean temperatures continue to rise due to climate change'
Some heart patients will soon be able to take ECG readings at home, and send reports to their doctor, after the NHS approved use of a smartphone device for the first time.

AliveCor's KardiaMobile costs 99, and involves the patient placing two fingers from each hand on either side of a small monitoring device, that sends data to an app.

While other devices, including the Apple Watch, offer an at-home ECG function, this is the only personal electrocardiogram (ECG) to be recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) for use within the NHS.

It has been approved for detecting and monitoring atrial fibrillation (AF), an irregular heartbeat that occurs when the upper chambers of the heart beat out of coordination with the lower chambers, affecting over a million people in the UK.

In its review of the device, NICE said it had the potential to save the NHS money, and offer better patient outcomes because of the chance of earlier detection.

Some heart patients will be able to take ECG readings at home, and send reports to their doctor, after the NHS approved use of a smartphone device for the first time

AliveCor's KardiaMobile costs 99, and involves the patient placing two fingers from each hand on either side of a small monitoring device, that sends data to an app

HOW DOES THE ECG DEVICE WORK? The user starts a 30-second ECG recording on their smartphone via the Kardia app. They place two fingers from each hand on each of the two top electrodes. This enables the patient to remotely capture a medical-grade recording of their heart activity. A report, on the various ECG measurements taken with the device, can then be sent to a doctor. Advertisement

AliveCor's ECG device has already been approved for use in the US by the FDA, and can now be used by NHS doctors to monitor patients with suspected paroxysmal AF.

Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation is a result of a rapid, erratic heart rate that starts suddenly and stops on its own within a week.

NICE recommended the KardiaMobile app and monitor as an option for detecting the condition in people suspected of developing it at some point.

It would be given to those who present with symptoms such as palpitations and are referred for ambulatory ECG monitoring by a doctor.

'Evidence suggests that the use of KardiaMobile reduces time to AF detection but there is no direct evidence for improved clinical outcomes after AF diagnosis,' NICE said in its recommendation of the device and app for use by the NHS.

However, the watchdog said the device's ease of use, and the fact measurements can be taken any time of the day and anywhere, make it viable for early detection.

'ECG recordings can be made available to healthcare professionals as soon as they are taken rather than at the end of a specified monitoring period,' NICE said.

'Therefore, it has potential benefits because of earlier detection compared with current practice.'

Atrial fibrillation is the most common form of arrhythmia, and is a leading cause of AF-related stroke, according to the NHS.

Nearly half of the 1.3 million people in the UK that live with the condition are undiagnosed, leaving them at higher risk of suffering a stroke.

AliveCor's ECG device has already been approved for use in the US by the FDA, and can now be used by NHS doctors to monitor patients with suspected paroxysmal AF

ATRIAL FIBRILLATION Atrial fibrillation (Afib) is a heart condition that causes an irregular and often abnormally fast heart rate. A normal heart rate should be regular and between 60 and 100 beats a minute when you're resting. In Afib, the heart rate is irregular and can sometimes be very fast. In some cases, it can be considerably higher than 100 beats a minute. This can cause problems including dizziness, shortness of breath and tiredness in some patients. It could show as noticeable heart palpitations - where the heart feels like it is pounding, fluttering or beating in an irregular pattern. Sometimes atrial fibrillation does not cause any symptoms and a person who has it is completely unaware that their heart rate is irregular. Atrial fibrillation can be defined in various ways, depending on the degree to which it affects you. paroxysmal atrial fibrillation  episodes come and go, and usually stop within 48 hours without any treatment persistent atrial fibrillation  each episode lasts for longer than 7 days (or less when it's treated) permanent atrial fibrillation  when it's present all the time long-standing atrial fibrillation  where you've had atrial fibrillation usually for over a year Advertisement

Being able to detect and prevent stroke is a key part of the NHS Long Term Plan, including efforts to save thousands of lives, and reduce the cost of disease.

It is estimated that stroke, and stroke-related conditions, cost the NHS about 3 billion per year, and another 4 billion cost to the UK economy.

'AF diagnosis rates across the UK pre-pandemic were already too low,' explained Professor Matt Reed, expert in emergency medicine from NHS Lothian.

'With difficulties in accessing in-person care and increased waiting times, concern is that diagnosis rates have fallen further, leaving thousands of people at risk of life-threatening cardiovascular complications, such as an AF-related stroke.'

'With the NHS over-stretched, it is encouraging that NICE has recognised the value of utilising smart technology to support clinicians,' Prof Reed added.

Trudie Lobban, founder and trustee of Arrhythmia Alliance & AF Association, said many people experience symptoms but don't realise it may be a heart disorder.

'If medical attention is not sought it leaves them exposed to a much higher risk of AF-related stroke. KardiaMobile can be used to monitor a person's heart rhythm at any time, regardless of whether or not people show signs or symptoms of AF.

'This ultimately means AF can be detected faster, leading to a quicker diagnosis and therefore more lives being protected against AF-related stroke and consequences of suffering with AF.'

Unlike traditional ECGs, KardiaMobile provides a compact, patchless and wireless solution that can be used at any time and anywhere.

The user starts a 30-second ECG recording on their smartphone via the Kardia app  by placing two fingers from each hand on each of the two top electrodes  enabling the patient to remotely capture a medical-grade recording of their heart activity.

KardiaMobile provides instant detection of AF, bradycardia and tachycardia, which are leading indicators of cardiovascular disease.

While other devices, including the Apple Watch, offer an at-home ECG function, this is the only personal electrocardiogram (ECG) to be recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) for use within the NHS

In its review of the device, NICE said it had the potential to save the NHS money, and offer better patient outcomes due to the chance of earlier detection

KardiaMobile can also detect normal heart rhythm, offering users peace of mind.

Commenting on the announcement, Priya Abani, CEO, AliveCor said this is a more cost-effective solution when compared to current processes.

The evidence came from 27 different studies, including five randomised controlled trials  with data submitted to NICE for review.

They revealed that KardiaMobile was five times more efficacious at detecting heart rhythm problems than standard tests alone, with greater usability.
Stars may form much faster than previously expected, according to researchers, who say the discovery could revolutionise the theory of how they form.

Using the Five-hundred-metre Aperture Spherical Telescope (FAST) in Guizhou, southwest China, astronomers probed the molecular cloud Lynds 1544.

Observations of the cloud, 450 light-years away in the Taurus constellation, were made by astronomers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing, who say it appears to be 'on the brink of producing a star'.

Leading theories of star formation suggest that it takes millions of years for the gas and dust in a molecular cloud to come together and create a dense enough region to spark nuclear fusion, with strong magnetic fields slowing the process.

However, in this new study, they found the magnetic field was 13 times weaker at the densest part of the cloud, where the star is expected to form, than predicted.

This means that the magnetic field in the dense region isn't strong enough to hold back the nuclear fusion process, suggesting that star formation is able to happen much sooner than previously expected.

Stars may form much faster than previously expected, according to researchers, who say the discovery could revolutionise the theory of how they form

Observations of the cloud, 450 light years away in the Taurus constellation, were made by astronomers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing, who say it appears to be 'on the brink of producing a star'

HOW DO STARS FORM? Stars form from dense molecular clouds - of dust and gas - in regions of interstellar space known as stellar nurseries. A single molecular cloud, which primarily contains hydrogen atoms, can be thousands of times the mass of the sun. They undergo turbulent motion with the gas and dust moving over time, disturbing the atoms and molecules causing some regions to have more matter than other parts. If enough gas and dust come together in one area then it begins to collapse under the weight of its own gravity. As it begins to collapse it slowly gets hotter and expands outwards, taking in more of the surrounding gas and dust. At this point, when the region is about 900 billion miles across, it becomes a pre-stellar core and the starting process of becoming a star. Then, over the next 50,000 years this will contract 92 billion miles across to become the inner core of a star. The excess material is ejected out towards the poles of the star and a disc of gas and dust is formed around the star, forming a proto-star. This matter is then either incorporated into the star or expelled out into a wider disc that will lead to the formation of planets, moons, comets and asteroids. Advertisement

Previously, astronomers used the now collapsed Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico to examine the densest part of the cloud  where the proto-star resides.

Other observatories have been used to measure the thinner regions of the cloud, with this new study focusing on the area between these two.

Using the FAST observatory, the world's largest radio telescope, they were able to probe the cloud's magnetic field, and compare it to computer models.

The team discovered a big difference between the strength of the magnetic field at the dense region, compared to what was expected from those models.

'The detection of a reduced magnetic field in the prestellar core L1544 may change our understanding of star formation,' the authors wrote.

A prestellar core is a dense molecular cloud in which star formation occurs, and a reduction in the strength of the magnetic field is thought to be necessary for star formation to begin.

Some theories suggest that these magnetic changes happen when the core is very dense, prompting the collapse of the cores and giving rise star formation.

However, it has been challenging to probe the interstellar field strength of prototypical prestellar systems.

Study lead author, Tao-Chung Ching and colleagues detected a magnetic field in the cold atomic gas outside the star-forming core of L1544.

They found that the molecular envelope, probed by an atomic feature surrounding the core, is 13 times less magnetised relative to its mass compared to the cold, neutral atomic clouds that surround the dense core.

'This observation suggests that the reduction of the magnetic flux relative to the mass, needed to spark star formation, occurs earlier than envisioned in classical theories,' the authors conclude.

In fact, the team predict the tiny embryonic star may be forming 10 times faster than first thought.

'If this is proven to be the case in other gas clouds, it will be revolutionary for the star formation community,' Paola Caselli from the Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics, who was not involved with the research, told Science.

It also gives an indication of the outcome of a battle between the gravity well, forming from the coalescence of dust grains, and the magnetic field.

'The paper basically says that gravity wins in the cloud: That's where stars start to form, not in the dense core. That's a very big statement,' said Caselli.

Magnetic fields in these star forming clouds can be 100,000 times weaker than the magnetic field surrounding the Earth, making them hard to study.

The Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Telescope (FAST) in Guizhou, China is the world's largest single-aperture radio telescope

WHAT IS LYNDS 1544? Lynds 1544 is a molecular cloud in the constellation Taurus, about 450 light years from the Earth. This cloud of gas and dust is on the verge of collapsing into a Sun-like star. Known as a prestellar core, over time the dust grains come together, creating a dense region, where the gravity is stronger than the magnetic field, sparking nuclear fusion. This then creates a proto-star that eventually forms into a star. The Herschel Space Telescope found water vapor in the cloud. This was in a quantity that would fill the Earth's oceans 2,000 times over. With the FAST telescope and the Arecibo radio telescope it was found that in Lynds 1544 star formation was faster than previously thought. Advertisement

Previous studies examined the magnetic fields in the wispy layers of gas away from the core - where the magnetic forces dominate over the gravitational forces.

They then analysed the stronger magnetic fields inside the core of the cloud and found gravity dominated as the core is 10,000 times denser than the outer layer.

The new study filled in the gap, by examining the intermediate region - between the wispy outer layers, and the dense, gravitationally strong core of the cloud.

They found the magnetic field was 13 times weaker than at the edge, prompting Di Li, lead author, to say: 'If the standard theory worked, the magnetic field needs to be much stronger to resist a 100-fold increase in cloud density. That didn't happen.'

'The paper basically says that gravity wins in the cloud: That's where stars start to form, not in the dense core,' Caselli told Science. 'That's a very big statement.'

It means that the gas cloud could evolve into an embryonic star up to 10 times faster than previously thought, said co-author Tao-Chung Ching.

The next step is to study other molecular clouds with FAST, to see whether the lessons learned from this cloud can be applied more generally.

Future telescopes, including the upcoming Square Kilometre Array in South Africa and Australia, may help the teams probe deeper into the clouds.

The findings have been published in the journal Nature.
Scientists want to fire 'indestructible' tardigrades towards distant stars in our galaxy at 100 million miles per hour using massive lasers.

The US experts want to know how interstellar space travel affects the microscopic animals, known for an ability to survive extreme conditions including in outer space.

In a new paper, they've proposed building small space probes containing tardigrades, also known as 'water bears', that would travel at up to 30 per cent the speed of light into space.

These probes would be propelled by laser light instead of rocket fuel, from a laser array stationed on Earth, or possibly the moon.

The entire launch process would consume one tenth of the entire US electrical grid, the researchers admit.

At speeds of roughly 100 million miles per hour, tardigrades would reach the next solar system, Proxima Centauri, in roughly 20 years.

Tardigrades, part of the Ecdysozoa superphylum, are able to survive extreme temperatures, pressures and radiation. This is a concept image of a tardigrade in space - a mission detailed by University of California, Santa Barbara researchers

Illustration shows a light sail and payload propelled into interstellar space by directed energy laser propulsion

'INDESTRUCTIBLE' TARDIGRADES Tardigrades, also known as water bears, are said to be the most indestructible animals in the world. The small creatures come in many forms - there are more than 900 species of them - and they're found globally, from the highest mountains to the deepest oceans. They have eight legs (four pairs) and each leg has four to eight claws that resemble the claws of a bear. Boil the 1mm creatures, freeze them, dry them, expose them to radiation and they're so resilient they'll still be alive 200 years later. Water bears can live through temperatures as low as -457 degrees, heat as high as 357 degrees, and 5,700 grays of radiation, when 10-20 grays would kill humans and most other animals. Tardigrades have been around for 530 million years and outlived the dinosaurs. The animals can also live for a decade without water and even survive in space. Advertisement

The concept has been detailed by University of California, Santa Barbara researchers in a paper published in the journal Acta Astronautica.

'This has never been done before, to push macroscopic objects at speeds approaching the speed of light,' said Professor Philip Lubin at UC Santa Barbara.

The small spacecraft containing the tardigrades 'would probably be the size of your hand', according to Professor Lubin.

'It would probably look like a semiconductor wafer with an edge to protect it from the radiation and dust bombardment as it goes through the interstellar medium,' he said.

These craft would be precisely monitored for any detectable effects of interstellar travel on the creatures' biology, with the observations relayed to Earth by light waves.

Tardigrades were first discovered by the German zoologist Johann August Ephraim Goeze in 1773, who gave them their affectionate 'water bears' nickname because of their podgy and slightly adorable appearance.

The creatures have proven to be virtually impossible to kill  even when frozen, boiled, crushed or zapped with radiation.

So they would be the ideal candidates for shooting into space with lasers, according to the experts, as long as they're in suspended animation until reaching a desired destination.

'We can ask how well they remember trained behaviour when they're flying away from their earthly origin at near the speed of light, and examine their metabolism, physiology, neurological function, reproduction and ageing,' said study author Professor Joel Rothman, also at University of California, Santa Barbara.

'We could start thinking about the design of interstellar transporters, whatever they may be, in a way that could ameliorate the issues that are detected in these diminutive animals.'

Such experiments are still a way off  possibly not until the second half of this century.

But a basic project to develop a roadmap to achieve such space travel is supported by NASA and UC Santa Barbara's own research project, Project Starlight.

Concept: A different research project is developing a laser-powered sail (shown in an artist's impression) which could allow us to travel 24 trillion miles to Alpha Centauri within 20 years

This graphic shows how the laser-powered sail would launch from Earth for Alpha Centauri

Lasers as propellants could solve one of the biggest challenges facing human-scale interstellar travel  the enormous distance between Earth and the nearest stars.

Separate research into the new type of spacecraft propulsion system is being carried out by scientists from the Australian National University (ANU) as part of an international initiative aiming to explore the worlds surrounding Alpha Centauri.

The Breakthrough Starshot project calls for the design of an ultra-lightweight spacecraft, which acts as a light-sail, to travel with unprecedented speed to the triple star system of Alpha Centauri 4.37 light-years away.

Researchers claim it could one day allow us to travel 24 trillion miles and reach our closest stellar neighbour within 20 years.

The concept would see probes launched into space by the laser propulsion system.

Light to power the sail would come from the Earth's surface  with millions of lasers joining forces to illuminate the sail and push it onto its interstellar journey.

Tardigrades first made national news in April 2019 when they were mistakenly left on the moon's surface after the Beresheet probe crashed on the lunar surface

The Voyager missions of the 1970s have proven that we can send objects across the 12 billion miles it takes to exit the bubble surrounding our solar system, the heliosphere.

But the car-sized probes, travelling at speeds of more than 35,000 miles per hour, took 40 years to reach there, and their distance from Earth is only a tiny fraction of that to the next star.

If they were heading to the closest star, it would take them over 80,000 years to reach it.

'I think it's our destiny to keep exploring,' said Professor Rothman. 'Look at the history of the human species.

'We explore at smaller and smaller levels down to subatomic levels and we also explore at increasingly larger scales.

'Such drive toward ceaseless exploration lies at the core of who we are as a species.'

Tardigrades really came to the public's attention in 2019 when it was revealed an Israeli space probe carrying the microscopic creatures crash landed on the moon.

Due to their resilience in the face of radiation and freezing temperatures, they are likely still alive on the lunar surface today.

In experiments last year, another team of US experts found tardigrades have a 'regular gait' similar to insects, after filming them with a microscopic camera.

The creatures had a similar stepping pattern to insects that are 500,000 times larger and have hard bodies, they found.
A dying man who became the first patient in the world to get a heart transplant from a genetically-modified pig was not given a human heart because he was in very poor health and stopped taking his medication.

Terminal heart failure sufferer David Bennett underwent the nine-hour experimental procedure at the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore on Saturday.

Surgeons used a heart taken from a pig that had undergone gene-editing to make it less likely that his body's immune system would reject the organ.

Mr Bennett, 57, who is breathing on his own while still connected to a machine that helps his new heart pump blood around his body, was ineligible for a human heart transplant.

His condition  terminal heart failure and an uncontrollable irregular heartbeat  made him ineligible for a human organ or a heart pump, his family revealed.

He also did not follow his doctors' orders, missed appointments and stopped taking drugs he was prescribed, USA Today reported.

It is not clear what medicine he was told to take but heart disease patients are often prescribed blood thinners or drugs such as beta blockers and ACE inhibitors to keep their blood pressure down.

Underlying conditions that could hamper the success of the surgery, as well as their ability to stick to a treatment plan before and after the op, is a major consideration among medics deciding who should be given a life-saving organ.

Experts say it is too soon to know if his body will fully accept the organ and the next few weeks will be critical as he is weaned off the machine.

But, if successful, it would mark a medical breakthrough and could save thousands of lives in the US alone each year. Doctors called the procedure a 'watershed event'.

Mr Bennett, a labourer, knew there was no guarantee the risky operation would work but was too sick to qualify for a human organ. A day before his pioneering surgery, Mr Bennett said it was 'either die or do this transplant', adding: 'I want to live. I know it's a shot in the dark, but it's my last choice.'

There is a huge shortage of human organs donated for transplant in the US and the UK, driving scientists to try to figure out how to use animal organs instead.

Nearly 120,000 Americans are in need of healthy organs and, on average, 20 people die each day waiting for one to become available.

Last year, there were just over 3,800 heart transplants in the US, a record number, according to the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS), which oversees the nations transplant system.

But prior attempts at such transplants  or xenotransplantation  have failed, largely because patients' bodies rapidly rejected the animal organ. Notably, in 1984, 'Baby Fae'  who was born with a rare heart condition  lived 21 days with a baboon heart.

Left is Dr. Bartley Griffith, who conducted the procedure, with David Bennett (right) after the surgery was completed. Bennett is now recovering and being carefully monitored to determine how the new organ performs

In a medical first, doctors transplanted a pig heart into a patient in a last-ditch effort to save his life

Bennett, who has spent the last several months bedridden on a heart-lung bypass machine, said: 'I look forward to getting out of bed after I recover.' This photo provided by the family shows from left, David Bennett Jr., David Bennett Sr., and Nicole (Bennett) McCray at a carnival in 2014

A pig heart was gathered for a terminal heart disease patient who was ineligible for a human heart transplant. Scientists inserted six human genes into the genome of the donor pig  modifications designed to make the organ more tolerable to the human immune system. They inactivated four genes, including sugar in its cells that is responsible for that hyper-fast organ rejection and a growth gene to prevent the pig's heart, which weighs around 267g compared to the average human heart which weighs 303g, from continuing to expand. Surgeons at the University of Maryland Medical Center performed a nine-hour surgery to remove the patient's heart and insert the altered pig heart

How was the surgery possible? David Bennett, a 57-year-old handyman from Baltimore, Maryland, on Friday became the first person in the world to receive a pig heart transplant. The operation was performed as Mr Bennett did not meet the criteria for a human heart transplant and faced dying from heart disease if he did not undergo the operation. 'It was either die or do this transplant,' he said. Have animal organs been transplanted to humans before? Scientists have been toying with animal-to-human organ donation, known as xenotransplantation, for decades. Skin grafts were carried out in the 1800s from a variety of animals to terat wounds, with frogs being the most popular. In the 1960s, 13 patients were given chimpanzee kidneys, one of whom returned to work for almost 9 months before suddenly dying. The rest passed away within weeks. At that time human organ transplants were not available and chronic dialysis was not yet in use. In 1983, doctors at Loma Linda University Medical Center in California transplanted a baboon heart into a premature baby born with a fatal heart defect. Baby Fae lived for just 21 days. The case was controversial months later when it emerged the surgeons did not try to acquire a human heart. More recently, waiting lists for transplants from dead, or allogenic, donors is growing as life expectancy rises around the world and demand increases. In October 2021, surgeons at NYU Langone Health in New York successfully transplanted a pig kidney into a human for the first time. It started working as it was supposed to, filtering waste and producing urine without triggering a rejection by the recipient's immune system. The recipient was a brain-dead patient in New York with signs of kidney dysfunction whose family agreed to the experiment before she was taken off life support. Why would his body not reject the animal organ? Earlier attempts to insert animal organs into human hearts have largely failed because patients' bodies rapidly rejected them. Rejection is caused by the immune system identifying the transplant as a foreign object, triggering a response that will ultimately destroy the transplanted organ or tissue. Roughly 50 percent of all transplanted human organs are rejected within 10 to 12 years, for comparison. To give the experimental operation the best chance of success, scientists genetically modified the pig heart to make it more compatible with the human body. This involved removing a certain sugar in the cells that is known to cause rapid rejection. A pig heart was used over other animals because pigs are easier to raise and achieve adult human size in six months. Several biotech companies are developing pig organs for human transplant. After a nine-hour procedure, Mr Bennett is said to be recovering and doing well. Doctors at the University of Maryland Medical Center say the transplant showed that a heart from a genetically modified animal can function in the human body without immediate rejection. But they warned Mr Bennetts prognosis is unknown at this point and he may only live for days with the pig heart. What did they do to make sure the pig heart could be used? Revivicor, a subsidiary of US biotech company United Therapeutics, genetically modified the pig heart that was implanted in Mr Bennett. Scientists inactivated four genes, including sugar in its cells that is responsible for that hyper-fast organ rejection. A growth gene was also inactivated to prevent the pig's heart from continuing to grow after it was implanted. In addition, six human genes were inserted into the genome of the donor pig  modifications designed to make the organ more tolerable to the human immune system. How long does the pig heart last? As it is a world-first, it is unclear whether the operation will be successful in the long-run or how long the heart will last. After undergoing a standard heart transplant using a human organ, around nine in 10 people will live for at least a year. When animal hearts have been used so far, all patients have lived for just days or weeks because patients' bodies rapidly rejected the animal organ. In 1984, Baby Fae, a dying infant, lived 21 days with a baboon heart. But doctors performing the surgery used a pig heart that had undergone gene-editing to remove a sugar in its cells that is responsible for that hyper-fast organ rejection. Doctors cautioned that the operation is only a first tentative step into exploring whether transplanting animal organs into human bodies might work. What will happen if the operation remains successful? Around 200 heart transplants are carried out in the UK every year, while the US figure is 3,800. But 300 Britons and 1,700 Americans are currently on the waiting list for a heart. The huge shortage of human organs donated for transplant has driven scientists to try to figure out how to use animal organs instead. If the operation using a pig heart is successful, it could solve this chronic shortage and provide an endless supply of organs for patients, doctors said. But medics warned it is crucial data on Mr Bennets surgery and condition is gathered and shared before others rush to perform similar operations. Advertisement

Dr Bartley Griffith, the director of the cardiac transplant program at the medical center, who performed the operation, said he first broached the experimental treatment in mid-December.

He said it was a 'memorable' and 'pretty strange' conversation.

'I said, "We can't give you a human heart; you don't qualify. But maybe we can use one from an animal, a pig,"' Dr Griffith said.

'It's never been done before, but we think we can do it.

'I wasn't sure he was understanding me,' Dr Griffith added.

'Then he said, "Well, will I oink?"'

Mr Bennett, who has spent the last several months bedridden on a heart-lung bypass machine, said: 'I look forward to getting out of bed after I recover.'

His prognosis is uncertain.

On Monday, Mr Bennett was breathing on his own while still connected to a heart-lung machine to help his new heart.

The next few weeks will be critical as Mr Bennett recovers from the surgery and doctors carefully monitor how his heart is faring.

Mr Bennett, who has been relatively healthy most of his life, began having severe chest pains in October, his son said.

He went into the University of Maryland Medical Center with severe fatigue and shortness of breath.

'He couldn't climb three steps,' said David, a physical therapist who understood the seriousness of his father's condition.

Dr Griffith told the New York Times: 'It creates the pulse, it creates the pressure, it is his heart.

'It's working and it looks normal. We are thrilled, but we don't know what tomorrow will bring us. This has never been done before.'

Dr Griffith said the patient's condition  heart failure and an irregular heartbeat  made him ineligible for a human heart transplant or a heart pump.

Mr Bennett also failed to qualify for the waitlist for human heart transplants because he had not followed doctors' orders, missing medical appointments and discontinuing prescribed medications, USA Today reported.

There is a huge shortage of human organs donated for transplant, driving scientists to try to figure out how to use animal organs instead.

The difference this time: The Maryland surgeons used a heart from a pig that had undergone gene-editing to remove a sugar in its cells that is responsible for that hyper-fast organ rejection.

Several biotech companies are developing pig organs for human transplant; the one used for Friday's operation came from Revivicor, a subsidiary of United Therapeutics.

Pigs offer advantages over primates for organ procurements, because they are easier to raise and achieve adult human size in six months.

'I think you can characterize it as a watershed event,' said Dr David Klassen, UNOS' chief medical officer, of the Maryland transplant.

Klassen cautioned that it is only a first tentative step into exploring whether this time around, xenotransplantation might finally work.

The Food and Drug Administration, which oversees such experiments, allowed the surgery under what is called a 'compassionate use' emergency authorization, available when a patient with a life-threatening condition has no other options.

The hospital and academic institution would not reveal the cost of the procedure but took care of fees not covered by insurance.

It will be crucial to share the data gathered from this transplant before extending it to more patients, said Karen Maschke, a research scholar at the Hastings Center, who is helping develop ethics and policy recommendations for the first clinical trials under a grant from the National Institutes of Health.

'Rushing into animal-to-human transplants without this information would not be advisable,' Maschke said.

Over the years, scientists have turned from primates to pigs, tinkering with their genes.

Last September, researchers in New York performed an experiment suggesting these kinds of pigs might offer promise for animal-to-human transplants.

Doctors temporarily attached a pig's kidney to a deceased human body and watched it begin to work.

The Maryland transplant takes their experiment to the next level, said Dr. Robert Montgomery, who led that work at NYU Langone Health.

'This is a truly remarkable breakthrough,' he said in a statement.

'As a heart transplant recipient, myself with a genetic heart disorder, I am thrilled by this news and the hope it gives to my family and other patients who will eventually be saved by this breakthrough.'

Montgomery and his New York team kept the body functioning via machine for more than two days each time, showing that the human immune system would not immediately reject a kidney from a gene-edited pig.

In Bennett's case, the pig whose heart was implanted had 10 genetic modifications.

Four genes were inactivated, including one that encodes a molecule that causes an aggressive human rejection response.

A growth gene was also inactivated to prevent the pig's heart from continuing to grow after it was implanted.

In addition, six human genes were inserted into the genome of the donor pig  modifications designed to make the porcine organs more tolerable to the human immune system.

The surgery last Friday took seven hours at the Baltimore hospital.

An additional complication has been that simply putting a heart on ice, as is done with a human heart, doesn't work in between-species transplants.

A German team figured out a method of perfusing the heart with nutrients and hormones, to allow the transplant to proceed.

Griffith had transplanted pig hearts into about 50 baboons over five years, before offering the option to Bennett.

'We're learning a lot every day with this gentleman,' Griffith said.

'And so far, we're happy with our decision to move forward. And he is as well: Big smile on his face today.'

Griffith told USA Today that others sometimes compared him to a shuttle astronaut for his pioneering work - but he rejected the comparison.

'You've got to tell the patient that in essence, we're ready for liftoff,' Griffith said.

'But I kept reminding people: we're in the control room. It's the patient who's shot to the moon.'

Pig heart valves also have been used successfully for decades in humans, and Bennett's son said his father had received one about a decade ago.

As for the heart transplant, 'He realizes the magnitude of what was done and he really realizes the importance of it,' David Bennett Jr. said.

'He could not live, or he could last a day, or he could last a couple of days. I mean, we're in the unknown at this point.'

The procedure took nine hours to complete. Doctors at the University of Maryland Medical Center say the transplant showed that a heart from a genetically modified animal can function in the human body without immediate rejection

Dr Griffith and his team performed the surgery on Mr Bennett, a 57-year-old handyman who was ineligible for a human heart donation because he was suffering from heart failure and an irregular heartbeat

The surgery last Friday took seven hours at the Baltimore hospital. Mr Bennett is breathing on his own without a ventilator, but is still using a Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) machine that helps pump blood throughout his body
Blood clots might be soon be cleared by using microscopic robots with screw-like propellers that swim through blood vessels bearing blockage-busting drugs.

Developed by engineers from the Chinese University of Hong Kong, the microrobot design was inspired by the tails of bacteria like E. coli.

The tiny robot and its propeller are driven by the application of an external magnetic field  and it is capable of moving with and against the direction of the blood flow.

Tests in a fake vein filled with pig's blood showed the robot makes its clot-dissolving 'tissue plasminogen activator' cargo five times more effective than the drug alone.

The robot's rotor, the team said, may help to circulate the drug around the blockage site  better breaking up the clots and reducing the risk of large fragments.

These are a risk when using the drug treatment alone  and with catheter-based alternative approaches  and can lead to additional blockages 'downstream'.

As it is hard to navigate the robots long distances through the body, the researchers cautioned, the approach might be better applied to more accessible clots.

Blood clots might be soon be cleared by using microscopic robots with screw-like propellers that swim through blood vessels bearing blockage-busting drugs. The tiny robot and its propeller are driven by the application of an external magnetic field  and it is capable of moving with and against the direction of the blood flow

Developed by engineers from the Chinese University of Hong Kong, the microrobot design was inspired by the tails of bacteria like E. coli (pictured). Tests in a fake vein filled with pig's blood showed the robot makes its clot-dissolving 'tissue plasminogen activator' cargo five times more effective than the drug alone

The study was conducted by roboticist Li Zhang and his colleagues at the Chinese University of Hong Kong.

'The helical structure is just like a propeller, so [the robot] can deliver the cargo from point A to point B,' Professor Zhang told the New Scientist.

'If you want to deliver some other thing that's not a drug, thats also possible. For example, therapies based on stem cells, or localised heating to kill cancer cells.'

To monitor the robot's progress up the synthetic vein in their lab tests, Professor Zhang and his colleagues used so-called ultrasound Doppler tracking, which works by measuring the reflection of sound waves passing through the blood.

Pierre Gelat  a mechanical engineer from University College London who was not involved in the present study  told the New Scientist that 'The ability that they have to steer the robot in in-vitro environments is quite nice.'

'The challenges are in finding out whether this will fulfil unmet clinical needs further down the line and how you get there as well.'

The robot's rotor, the team said, may help to circulate the drug around the blockage site  better breaking up the clots and reducing the risk of large fragments. Pictured: a clot

With their initial study complete, the researchers are now looking to conduct further trials of the microrobot in more realistic settings.

They will also be working to demonstrate that the design might indeed be used safely with the blood vessels of a real human patient.

The full findings of the study were published in the journal ACS Nano.
Our galaxy the Milky Way is 'getting fatter' as it 'eats' 12 star systems orbiting within it, a new study shows.

Astronomers have mapped these dozen streams of stars  called 'stellar streams' using the Anglo-Australian Telescope (AAT) in New South Wales, Australia.

These stellar streams orbit the Milky Way like fairy lights around a Christmas tree, they say, before being drawn in by gravity and becoming part of the Milky Way itself.

Stellar streams are the shredded remains of neighbouring small galaxies and star clusters that are being torn apart by our own Milky Way.

They orbit within the galactic halo  the large and relatively dust-free spherical region surrounding a spiral galaxy such as our own.

The properties of stellar streams reveal the presence of dark matter  the mysterious form of matter in the universe that can't be observed.

Location of the stars in the dozen streams as seen across the sky by the Anglo-Australian Telescope (AAT). The background shows the stars in our Milky Way from the European Space Agencys Gaia mission. AAT is a Southern Hemisphere telescope so only streams in the Southern sky are observed

A festive scene: An artists representation of our Milky Way Galaxy surrounded by dozens of stellar streams, like fairy lights around a Christmas tree. These streams were the companion satellite galaxies or globular clusters that are now being torn apart by our galaxys gravity

STELLAR STREAMS A stellar stream is an association of stars orbiting a galaxy that was once a globular cluster or dwarf galaxy that has now been torn apart and stretched out along its orbit by tidal forces. A globular cluster is a dense ball of about one million ancient stars, all bound by gravity. A dwarf galaxy, meanwhile, is a small galaxy composed of about 1,000 up to several billion stars, as compared to the Milky Way's 200 billion to 400 billion stars. Advertisement

'Think of a Christmas tree,' said study co-author Professor Geraint F. Lewis at the University of Sydney.

'On a dark night, we see the Christmas lights, but not the tree they are wrapped around.

'But the shape of the lights reveals the shape of the tree,' he said. 'It is the same with stellar streams  their orbits reveal the dark matter.'

Professor Lewis said the streams have a mix of names based on where they are on the sky and who discovered them  some examples are Phoenix, Orphan, Indus, 300S and Turranburra.

'The streams are formed when small stellar systems, dwarf galaxies and globular clusters, fall into our much larger Milky Way and are torn apart by our gravity,' Professor Lewis told MailOnline.

Understanding stellar streams is important for astronomers as they reveal more about the dark matter that holds the stars in their orbits and can also tell experts about the formation history of the Milky Way.

Dark matter makes up roughly 27 per cent of the Universe, and is invisible because it does not reflect light.

It cannot be seen directly with telescopes, but astronomers know it to be out there because of the gravitational effects it has on the matter we can see.

Stellar streams can also reveal that the Milky Way has steadily grown over billions of years by shredding and consuming smaller stellar systems.

'We are seeing these streams being disrupted by the Milky Way's gravitational pull, and eventually becoming part of the Milky Way,' said lead study author Professor Ting Li at the University of Toronto, Canada.

An artists impression of 12 stellar streams observed by S5, seen from the Galactic South Pole

'This study gives us a snapshot of the Milky Way's feeding habits, such as what kinds of smaller stellar systems it "eats". As our galaxy is getting older, it is getting fatter.'

Professor Li and her international team of collaborators are part of a dedicated program  the Southern Stellar Stream Spectroscopic Survey (S5)  to measure the properties of stellar streams.

Previous studies that have focused on one stellar stream at a time, but S5 is dedicated to measuring as many streams as possible.

Li and her team measure the speeds of stars using the AAT, a 4-meter optical telescope at the Siding Spring Observatory in New South Wales, northwest of state capital Sydney.

They've employed the Doppler shift of light  the same property used by radar guns to catch speeding drivers  to find out how fast individual stars are moving.

The Doppler effect describes when motion changes the frequency of the sound wave based on the direction of motion of its source, but it occurs for light as well as sound.

Researchers the Anglo-Australian Telescope (AAT, pictured) at Siding Spring Observatory Mt Woorut near Coonabarabran in New South Wales, Australia

As well as measuring their speeds, the astronomers can use these observations to work out the chemical compositions of the stars and show when they were born.

'The first stars in the universe were made of pure hydrogen and helium, as these were the only elements created in the Big Bang,' Professor Lewis told MailOnline.

'As stars go through their lives, the nuclear reactions in their cores produce heavier elements, and when they die, exploding stars pollute the next generation with these heavier elements.

'The size of a galaxy dictates how enriched in chemical elements its stars will be  in a big galaxy like the Milky Way, there are lots of stars going through their lives, and its size means that it can hold its heavier elements, whereas a dwarf galaxy has a quieter life and can easily lose it elements when a star explodes.

'So, the level of chemical pollution tells you the size of the object that formed the stream. In our observations, we focus upon measuring the amount of calcium (as that is easiest to observe) which can tell us about the overall pollution, but we can look for other elements also.'



In future, the team plans to produce more measurements on stellar streams in the Milky Way.

The results have been accepted for publication in the American Astronomical Society's Astrophysical Journal and can be viewed as a pre-print.








An employee of dental implant maker Osstem Implant only identified by his surname Lee is taken into Gangseo Police Station in Seoul, Jan. 6, after officers arrested him in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, the previous day for allegedly misappropriating 188 billion won ($157.7 million) of the company's funds. Yonhap





Police have booked three family members of a dental implant maker employee arrested for allegedly embezzling 221 billion won ($185 million) in company funds on suspicions of possible collusion.







Police were looking into whether the father, the wife and the sister-in-law of the 45-year-old Osstem employee, identified only by his surname Lee, played a part in the suspected crime, believed to be Korea's single largest embezzlement case.







Lee, who was arrested Saturday, allegedly used the embezzled money to buy 851 gold bars. Police have confiscated 755 of them, including 254 from three separate locations in connection with the father, Lee's wife and his sister.







The focus of the investigation of the three family members was on whether they took part in the suspected embezzlement or the stashing of criminal proceeds.







Officers at Paju Police Station in Paju, 30 kilometers north of Seoul, were also searching for Lee's father after the 69-year-old went missing earlier in the day, leaving a suicide note.







He was scheduled to face police questioning over suspicions he helped his son stash the embezzlement proceeds.







Osstem Implant, the country's largest dental implants manufacturer, has repeatedly emphasized that Lee had acted alone, but police suspect that the fund was too big to be stolen by the single team leader-level employee.







A day earlier, the company filed additional embezzlement charges against Lee, and separate ones of stashing criminal proceeds against Lee's family members, including the wife, his sister and sister-in-law. (Yonhap)


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Not every cabin in the wood is the stuff of horror films, as a beautiful new coffee table book reveals.

How To Get Away: Cabins, Cottages, Dachas and the Design of Retreat, by Laura May Todd and published by Lannoo, sheds light on the worlds most spectacular escapes, from cabins in the woods to chic coastal cottages.

The escapist spaces that feature in the book include an artistic property built into a mountain in Lebanon, a 1960s haven on New Yorks Fire Island, and an off-the-grid retreat just outside Marrakech, Morocco. Todd interviews the owners and designers behind each property, guiding readers on a tour through these unique homes.

The author says 'there is room for flights of fancy' in designing a retreat, offering the chance 'to explore less conventional ways of living that wouldnt fly in the day-to-day'.

She writes: Whether your idea of retreat is a mud-walled hut in the desert or, like me, a simple cabin in the forest, each designer, artist or homeowner has something in common: once planted, the desire to escape is, put simply, inescapable.

Scroll down for a glimpse inside some of the breathtaking homes illustrated in the compendium...

INVERNESS, CALIFORNIA: Pictured is a forest cabin built 'from scratch in the 1980s by woodworker and sculptor Ido Yoshimoto. Following in the footsteps of his godfather, the renowned sculptor JB Blunk, and artist father, Rick Yoshimoto, he has settled in a wild stretch of land at the end of a long dirt road within a verdant natural reserve, Todd writes. Yoshimoto tells the author: When I took over, the building was uninhabited for many years and the forest had encroached onto the property'

INVERNESS, CALIFORNIA: According to Todd, Yoshimotos original construction project saw him slowly building up the home entirely by himself, fashioning the shelves, lights, tables and stools for the humble cabin in his nearby workshop. The artist tells her: My goal was to create something comfortable and liveable while applying my aesthetic and using the materials available, most of which were reused and reclaimed scraps from my art studio. The book reveals that almost everything in the home is 'built-in' to save on space

INVERNESS, CALIFORNIA (LEFT): Another room in Yoshimoto's stunning home. Todd writes: In furnishing the home, Yoshimoto turned to his community to source the domestic tools that would populate his day-to-day life. The artist tells the author that every plate, cup and bowl in the home is made by an artist he knows, or was discovered during his travels. SHELTER ISLAND, NEW YORK (RIGHT): The charming Shelter Island cottage owned by real estate entrepreneur Nick Gavin and his young family. Describing the location, Todd says: A slightly slower and less ashy alternative to the nearby Hamptons, the bucolic charms of the island are what convinced Nick to purchase a simple cedar-shingled one-room cottage a short walk from the beach'

SHELTER ISLAND, NEW YORK: Another glimpse inside the island retreat. Todd says the choice of furnishings in the property 'mesh well with the homes quietly unpretentious aura'

SHELTER ISLAND, NEW YORK: On the left is a bathroom in the cottage, which was originally built in the 1940s. 'At first, Gavin was content to keep the space as-is, but a marriage and a baby later he knew some extra room would be required,' Todd reveals. According to the book, the homeowner recruited Brooklyn-based design firm Workstead to modernise the building. 'What they came to him with was a second structure, built in the same style as the original, that could house an all-new primary bedroom and bathroom suite,' Todd says. Workstead designed a glass passageway to connect the original property to the new structure. According to Todd, the family 'left the common areas as simple and uncluttered as they found them, choosing furniture, such as a Pierre Chapo dining table (pictured on the right)'

BHAMDOUN, LAMARTINE VALLEY, LEBANON: Todd describes this beautiful property as a stone guesthouse hidden within a mountain. She says: Hidden in the rugged peaks overlooking Lebanons Lamartine Valley, a vast and remote region straddling the main road to Damascus where Phoenician tombs and ancient rock formations have sat undisturbed for millennia, is this monolithic stone guest house designed by Beiruts Carl Gerges Architects

BHAMDOUN, LAMARTINE VALLEY, LEBANON: The olive-green walls, pictured, are finished in Tadelakt, a form of waterproof plaster first used in Morocco over two millennia ago, Todd explains. According to the book, the mountain retreat - which is set in an area famed for its vineyards - has an imposing facade that gives way to a bright and inviting sanctuary. The author writes: Warm natural materials such as reclaimed timber ceiling beams, organically shaped wooden furniture and textiles in the form of thickly woven Berber rugs provide a gentle foil to the harsh surroundings, which are integrated into the design in the form of natural stone interior walls  rendering the structure almost indistinguishable from its landscape

BHAMDOUN, LAMARTINE VALLEY, LEBANON (LEFT): A third picture of the stylish Lebanon property. The book reveals that Carl Gerges Architects turned to traditional North African building techniques when designing the primary bedroom and bathroom in the home. Todd adds: But the real secret weapon in this homes arsenal of features perfectly envisioned for entertaining is the underground tunnel that leads to a cavernous wine cellar, holding barrel upon barrel of locally harvested wine. FIRE ISLAND, NEW YORK (RIGHT): This beautiful property was designed by the US architect Horace Gifford. It's owned by James and Hara Perkins, who have a mutual love for modernist architecture'. The book reveals: When they took possession of the property in early 2020, just before the first pandemic lockdowns, it had been in the same family since it was first built in the 1960s. They spent the early months of quarantine renovating the space themselves, stripping back the layers of time to restore it to its original glory

FIRE ISLAND, NEW YORK: The living area in the island retreat. Todd says of the design: The Perkins house boasts a number of striking features  including a sunken living room with built-in sofas and floating fireplace; floor-to-ceiling windows that look out onto the ocean and a wraparound deck; curved walls and clever multifunctional bedrooms that can be divided or opened up at will  all lined with natural cedar planks constructed by legendary local carpenter Joe Chasis

FIRE ISLAND, NEW YORK: Describing renovating the historic property, James Perkins tells Todd: I think of the house as a vintage Porsche or a watch that has this beautiful patina you dont want to touch, so doing these projects alone we had to be very careful not to damage any of the beautifully handmade rooms.' Pictured on the right is another carefully curated room in the Fire Island property - the bathroom

MARRAKECH PREFECTURE, MOROCCO: Todd sums up this spectacular property as an off-the-grid escape in the Moroccan hinterlands. Its owned by Karl Fournier and Olivier Marty, who first met as students while studying architecture in Paris. What was once a farmhouse owned by a Sahrawi family, a people native to this region of North Africa, had fallen into disrepair by the time Fournier and Marty were introduced to the former owners through a mutual friend, Todd explains. The couple acquired a 99-year lease for the adobe-walled structure and then set about restoring the property

MARRAKECH PREFECTURE, MOROCCO (LEFT AND RIGHT): According to the book, the couple were intent on keeping many of the vernacular architectural elements intact in the building. Todd says that the heart of the house is a large courtyard with four bedrooms, the hammam, the kitchen and the winter lounge. Fournier and Marty tell Todd: 'We designed some things like the beds inspired by Moroccan "koursi", which are small stools made of laurel wood and straw. Others have been found locally, like the chests of drawers and the desks'
It's no secret that rapid antigen tests (RATs) are one of Australia's most in-demand commodities at the moment due to the nationwide shortage.

And The Bachelor's Florence Moerenhout could be the latest entrepreneur to profit from the country's insatiable desire for quick and easy Covid tests.

The Dutch bombshell, 29, who spent the past two years living in the Netherlands during Australia's Covid lockdown, revealed on Monday she was preparing return Down Under with a suitcase of RATs.

Salvation is coming! The Bachelor's Florence Moerenhout (pictured) is preparing to fly back to Australia with a suitcase full of RATs after fleeing to the Netherlands during Covid lockdown

Bragging about her bountiful supply on Instagram on Tuesday, Florence filmed herself opening a box containing about 30 newly purchased RATs.

'Hey hey! What's good?' she laughed, before adding: 'Yep, I never thought I would be hoarding rapid tests, but here we are!

'I'm going to need an extra suitcase for this. I might start a little business. Hit me up if you want one.'

'I'm going to need an extra suitcase for this': Bragging about her bountiful supply on Instagram on Tuesday, Florence filmed herself opening a box containing about 30 newly purchased RATs

In Australia, RATs usually retail for $25 for two or $50 for a pack of five, and can be purchased in pharmacies.

But due to extreme shortages, many shops are out of stock and some unscrupulous sellers are taking advantage of the demand by selling individual tests for up to $100.

Florence went on to explain to her fans living in the Netherlands - where RATs have been provided by the government for free since July 2021 - why she was bringing so many tests with her Down Under.

'Florence needs to step in and save the people': Florence went on to explain to her fans living in the Netherlands - where RATs have been provided by the government for free since July 2021 - why she was bringing so many tests with her Down Under

Move over, ScoMo! One Aussie fan jokingly responded to her post: 'Florence for PM'

Remember me? Florence shot to fame in 2017 as a contestant on Matthew 'Matty J' Johnson's season of The Bachelor

'You're probably wondering if I've gone insane. No. There is a shortage in Australia. ScoMo [Prime Minister Scott Morrison] is being stingy with the rapid tests,' she said.

'People are at home locked up, and Florence needs to step in and save the people. Please give me permanent residency, I'll give you tests!'

One Australian fan jokingly responded to her post: 'Florence for PM.'

Florence shot to fame in 2017 as a contestant on Matthew 'Matty J' Johnson's season of The Bachelor.

She went on to star on Bachelor in Paradise the following year and again in 2019.
Applications have officially opened for this year's season of My Kitchen Rules.

Aspiring cooks are encouraged to apply for the Channel Seven series in which teams go head to head in the state-by-state competition.

'Im very excited to return to the head of the table and share my passion for food with you all,' returning judge Manu Feildel said in a statement.

Opportunity: Applications have officially opened for this year's season of My Kitchen Rules. Manu Feildel (pictured) has confirmed he 'is very excited' to return as a judge in 2022

'I can't wait to be back in Australian homes again, meeting more incredible home cooks and sharing their food dreams,' he added.

The popular cooking show, which sees everyday Australians showcase their culinary skills, will return to screens at some stage this year, but no official date has been set.

News of the program's return comes after longtime judge Manu revealed in December he would be back in the hot seat.

However, the 47-year-old French chef admitted he was 'sad' to no longer be working with his disgraced former co-star Pete Evans.

He's back: Manu Feildel (right) will return to My Kitchen Rules as a judge in 2022

Bittersweet: News of the program's return comes after longtime judge Manu revealed in December he would be back in the hot seat. However, the 47-year-old French chef admitted he was 'sad' to no longer be working with his disgraced former co-star Pete Evans (left)

He told The Daily Telegraph: 'I am a little sad I suppose. Pete and I are great mates and nothing has changed there.

'We have worked together for a very long time and I love the guy. The fact he won't be sitting next to me is not my choice.

'I am not sure yet who will be joining me. There have been some international names floating around.'

International judges? 'I am not sure yet who will be joining me. There have been some international names floating around,' said Manu (pictured with MKR co-star Colin Fassnidge)

In May 2020 it was announced that Pete, 48, had parted ways with Channel Seven after 10 years as a judge on MKR alongside Manu.

The decision to release him from his $800,000 contract was reportedly a cost-cutting measure; however, his unscientific and debunked public statements on vaccines and Covid were also becoming a PR headache for the network.

MKR had once been a ratings juggernaut for Seven, but its popularity nosedived in recent years as viewers flocked to Channel Nine's Married At First Sight instead.

My Kitchen Rules will return to Channel Seven and 7Plus later this year
Harley Bonner has broken his silence after Channel Seven announced on Saturday he was departing Home and Away after less than a year on the soap.

The actor, 30, took to Instagram on Tuesday to share a few words about his exit, saying he was 'very happy' as he thanked fans for their support.

'Thanks and love to you all,' he wrote, adding: 'I'm very happy. Life's good. Keep spreading kindness.'

Leaving: Harley Bonner has broken his silence after Channel Seven announced on Saturday he was departing Home and Away after less than a year on the soap

He concluded his message with a love-heart emoji.

It's the first time Harley has spoken out since the network confirmed over the weekend he wouldn't be returning to the show when filming resumes this year.

A Seven spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia: 'Channel Seven can confirm Harley will not return to Home and Away when filming resumes in the coming weeks.

'Keep spreading the kindness': The actor, 30, took to Instagram on Tuesday to share a few words about his exit, saying he was 'very happy' as he thanked fans for their support

'Harley leaves with our best wishes and sincere thanks for his work on the show.'

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Harley Bonner and his management for comment.

Harley made his debut on Home and Away in August as handsome trauma surgeon Dr Logan Bennett.

Exit: Seven confirmed Harley Bonner's departure from Home and Away on Saturday, saying: 'Harley leaves with our best wishes and sincere thanks for his work on the show'

Storyline: Harley's character was the love interest for Salt restaurant owner Mackenzie Booth, played by Emily Weir (pictured together on the show)

Dr Bennett was the love interest for Salt restaurant owner Mackenzie Booth, played by Emily Weir.

Harley is the son of actress Carla Bonner, who played Stephanie Scully on Neighbours from 1999 to 2010 and later from 2015 to 2018.

He previously starred on the Channel 10 soap himself as Josh Willis from 2013 until his departure in 2016, when his character was killed off.

Aside from Neighbours and Home and Away, he has starred in House Husbands and True Story with Hamish and Andy.

In November, Harley proposed to his model girlfriend Natalie Roser after five years together.

It runs in the family! Harley is the son of actress Carla Bonner (left), who played Stephanie Scully on Neighbours from 1999 to 2010 and later from 2015 to 2018
The Bachelor runner-up Bella Varelis has inadvertently revealed how much money she has earned as a social media influencer.

The 26-year-old last week shared a post on Instagram that showed her bank details, confirming she had more than $98,000 in her savings account.

While she quickly deleted the post, it was screenshotted by a fan and later reuploaded by the private influencer.updates.au Instagram account.

Money matter: The Bachelor's Bella Varelis has inadvertently revealed how much money she has earned as a social media influencer. The 26-year-old last week shared a post on Instagram that showed her bank details, confirming she had more than $98,000 in her savings account

Bella's savings, which likely represent her earnings as an influencer since starring on The Bachelor in 2019, were discussed on Sunday's episode of Outspoken the Podcast, hosted by journalist sisters Amy, Kate and Sophie Taeuber.

Kate said: 'The Instagram [post] in question shows an overview of Bella's bank account, which features an everyday account and a savings account.

'Bella had $560 in her everyday account and over $98,000 in her savings account.

'My initial reaction was, "Wow, that's a lot of money to have in your savings account as an everyday person."

'But then I thought, "If she is this big influencer living it up in Sydney, I kind of expected her to have a little bit more."'

Talking points: Bella's savings, which likely represent her earnings as an influencer since starring on The Bachelor in 2019, were discussed on Sunday's episode of Outspoken the Podcast, hosted by journalist sisters Amy, Kate and Sophie Taeuber

Smoke and mirrors? The Taubers noted that some fans felt Bella's savings did not match the lavish lifestyle she portrays on social media. Bella's latest luxury purchase was a Louis Vuitton Loop handbag, valued at $3,250 (pictured)

The Taubers noted that some fans felt Bella's savings did not match the lavish lifestyle she portrays on social media.

Bella's latest luxury purchase was a Louis Vuitton Loop handbag, valued at $3,250.

She has also shared photos on Instagram of herself in designer outfits, staying at five-star hotels and dining at trendy Sydney hotspots.

Living it up! She has also shared photos on Instagram of herself in designer outfits, staying at five-star hotels and dining at trendy Sydney hotspots

One of the Outspoken hosts said Bella's bank balance had caused a stir on Instagram because 'what influencers earn is such a big secret'.

They added: 'While we might get an insight into their potential earnings  designer goods and flashy lifestyle - it's always hard to determine what they're actually paid for and what they're actually gifted.'

The Taubers were impressed that Bella had managed to save up $98,000 by the age of 26, but they questioned how the screenshot of her bank account was 'accidentally' posted on her Instagram Stories in the first place.

All for show? The Taubers were impressed that Bella had managed to save up $98,000 by the age of 26, but they questioned how the screenshot of her bank account was 'accidentally' posted on her Instagram Stories in the first place

One host noted some fans were sceptical it was even an 'accident' and suspected she had 'purposely' shared the post as a 'flex... to show how much money she has'.

Bella is best known for being the runner-up on season eight of The Bachelor. She had her heart broken by Locky Gilbert, who chose nurse Irena Srbinovska instead.

She had already been working as a lower-tier influencer before joining the show.

As of Tuesday, she has 105,000 followers on Instagram. Most industry experts say an influencer needs at least 100,000 followers to make a good living off social media.
Ferne McCann's jailed ex boyfriend Arthur Collins has allegedly found love with a Take Me Out contestant.

Arthur, 29, is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence at Woodhill Prison, Milton Keynes, after carrying out an acid attack at a London nightclub in 2017 which saw sixteen people suffer chemical burn injuries and three people left temporarily blinded.

But according to a new report, this has not stopped him from embarking on a new relationship with dating show star Gemma Elliott, 29, who he is said to have known for several years.

New relationship: Ferne McCann's jailed ex boyfriend Arthur Collins has allegedly found love behind bars with a Take Me Out contestant Gemma Elliott

Looking for love: Gemma appeared on British dating show, Take Me Out in 2014

Gemma famously appeared on Take Me Out on 2014 and works in PR and events.

She previously lived and worked in Dubai for two years as a PR events coordinator for night club Cirque Le Soir.

More recently, she has also created her own clothing brand and is now based in Manchester.

Mother-of-one Ferne, 31, dumped Arthur, with whom she has four-year-old daughter Sunday, after learning he had thrown acid over an East London nightclub crowd.

Sources informed The Sun that Arthur and Gemma are 'officially a couple' despite his two-decade jail sentence.

Several days before Christmas, Northern Ireland native Gemma shared a photo of the pair before he was jailed, tagging an account thought to belong to Arthur with two hearts.

Past: Mother-of-one Ferne, 31, dumped Arthur, with whom she has four-year-old daughter Sunday, after learning he had thrown acid over an East London nightclub crowd

TV appearance: Gemma, who works in PR and events., found a date on the popular ITV show

Love: She previously lived and worked in Dubai for two years as a PR events coordinator for night club Cirque Le Soir and is now based in Manchester

A comment penned by the aforementioned profile read 'My Girl ' to which Gemma replied 'love u '.

The source told the publication: 'Arthur might be banged up but that hasnt stopped him sweet-talking her from the inside. They became romantic last year and are officially a couple.'

Arthur has now reportedly deleted his account and created another account- with the identical number of followers- under an obscure name and private.

Meanwhile Gemma is said to have deleted hers including a photo of herself and Arthur and one of her wearing pyjamas with Collin's name of them.

As reported by The Sun, Woodhill chiefs ordered a search of Arthurs cell after learning of the posts but no phone was found.

It is not known if he has access to a phone or whether someone is active on the account on his behalf.

MailOnline has contacted Woodhill Prison for comment.

Old pal: Being behind bars has not stopped Arthur him from embarking on a new relationship with dating show star Gemma, 29, who he is said to have known for several years

Tough times: Ferne was pregnant with her daughter Sunday when then boyfriend Arthur threw corrosive acid over a crowd on the dance floor at Mangle E8 in Dalston in April 2017, within weeks of their pregnancy announcement

Ferne was pregnant with her daughter Sunday when then boyfriend Arthur threw corrosive acid over a crowd on the dance floor at Mangle E8 in Dalston in April 2017, within weeks of their pregnancy announcement.

Last year, the former TOWIE star confessed she previously 'struggled to come to terms' with being a single parent as she reflected on the challenges she has faced raising a child on her own.

Ferne said: 'I guess I was one of those people that might have had a misconception about single parenting, because I didnt want to be called a single parent when I was pregnant.

'I didnt want to be labelled with it, because I hadnt come to terms with the fact I was going to be a single parent yet. Until I started living and being it, that was when I felt really proud.

Ferne recalled doing a '360 overnight' as she elaborated: 'Now I feel totally fine being called a single parent because the fact is, I am. The misconception is not that youve failed, but obviously you dont plan to be a single parent  although I know some people do.'
There is something Great British Bake Off contestants set their sights on as well as snatching the win - and that's a coveted Hollywood Handshake.

And it's good news for fans of the hit BBC baking competition, as Paul Hollywood's signature gesture of congratulations has been trademarked with the intention to emblazon it on 'hundreds of products.'

A TV insider told The Sun: 'This isn't just a reflection of the ongoing popularity of Paul but the continual success story that is the Bake Off.

Venture: Paul Hollywood's coveted handshake has been trademarked by Great British Bake Off bosses - with plans to emblazon it on 'hundreds of products'

'It launched in 2010 but 12 years later, it's still going strong and the creators, Love Productions, are still growing the brand.

'This is just another ingenious offshoot which is sure to go down well with fans of the show and among the army of Paul's fans.'

The business venture could see the famed handshake wind up on items ranging from kitchen utensils to children's clothes and toys.

Household favourite: A TV insider told The Sun: 'This isn't just a reflection of the ongoing popularity of Paul (pictured November 2017) but the continual success story that is the Bake Off'

Coveted: The business venture could see the famed handshake wind up on items ranging from kitchen utensils to children's clothes and toys

The list of products also encompasses food processors, kitchen knives, computer games, underwear, skateboards and kitchen rolls.

Love Productions has been behind a series spin-off shows, including celebrity specials to a programme specifically catering for younger bakers.

Other fan favourites have also been curated off the back of the GBBO, namely The Great British Sewing Bee and The Great Pottery Throw Down.

Successful: Love Productions has been behind a series spin-off shows, including celebrity specials to a programme specifically catering for younger bakers (pictured, Little Mix's Jade Thirlwall on the celebrity version, March 2021)

It comes after it was revealed that Mary Berry was attacked by bed bugs after being put up in budget accommodation by the BBC while judging The Great British Bake Off in its earlier seasons.

The TV presenter, 86, was booked into a 25-a-night hostel during the early days of the series where she was exposed to the insects who feed on human blood.

Speaking to the Full Disclosure podcast, Sue Perkins told how the show is seen as the huge success it is now, but the beginning stages were quite different.

She said: 'Bake Off can only be seen now through the prism of huge success.

Ouch: It comes after it was revealed that Mary Berry was attacked by bed bugs after being put up in budget accommodation by the BBC while taking part in The Great British Bake Off

'But we were there at its inception, when Barry's burger vans were the in-house catering, when we were in a youth hostel at 25 a night  and Mary Berry got bed bugs.

'We were a travelling show and the team had to put the tent up. But it evolved hugely from the intense documentary about foodstuffs into the beloved programme it is now.

'We had a make-up artist who painted a mulberry, purple sort of colour lipstick on me in one series.

'I looked like I'd been dragged from a riverbank, I looked like a mottled corpse on Casualty.

'Bake Off started making people cry. That's our only contribution and it seems like a very simple one, but if it had the effect then I'm very happy with it.'

The BBC declined to comment when contacted by MailOnline.

Mary turned down a huge pay rise to stay with the baking show after it switched networks from BBC One to Channel 4 after seven years.

Her loyalty in remaining with the BBC has certainly paid off, with Mary fronting a number of shows for the station including Mary Berrys Simple Home Comforts, Mary Berry Everyday and Mary Berrys Country House Secrets.
Heather Rae Young took to Instagram on Monday to update her followers on her fertility journey.

The 34-year-old Selling Sunset personality is in the process of freezing her eggs and called the latest update 'not ideal news.'

In a video shared to Stories she said she's 'trying to stay positive.'

News: Selling Sunset star Heather Rae Young, 34, took to Instagram on Monday to update her followers on her fertility journey

The blonde beauty has been sharing her path to starting a family with her new husband Tarek El Moussa, 40.

The couple wed in October at the Rosewood Miramar Beach Resort, and then traveled to the Maldives and Dubai for a lavish honeymoon.

Heather wore a grey track jacket with a subtle camouflage print as she opened up to her 2.3 million followers.

In the video the real estate mogul said she had a total of five eggs. 'But one of them it does not look like it's going to be mature enough to extract to freeze.' she added.

Discouraging update: The Selling Sunset personality is in the process of freezing her eggs and called the latest update 'not ideal news'

Man and wife! The reality star tied the knot with Tarek El Moussa in October at the Rosewood Miramar Beach Resort, and then traveled to the Maldives and Dubai for a lavish honeymoon

Mrs. El Moussa continued, 'I have two that are strong, one that's still growing, and another one that's still growing so I have four that are looking decent.'

The Netflix star said the low count of eggs is 'not the best number' and noted that she planned to ask her doctor if they're worth extracting to create embryos.

Heather wants to avoid 'doing another round' and said she was hoping for some good news when she speaks with her medical professional.

Despite the less than ideal news, Heather kept in good spirits as she continued on with her day.

The entrepreneur shared another video with her fans on Monday as she modeled a cropped Dolce and Gabbana sweater and leather pants.

Positive attitude: Despite the less than ideal news, Heather kept in good spirits as she continued on with her day

The recording showed her walking down a flight of steps with a beverage in hand as she said, 'Off to meetings!'

She simultaneously carried a small black dog in one arm and a black handbag over the other.

Then Young snapped a car selfie as she talked about her everyday lunch routine.

The reality TV favorite looked glamorous in an oversize pair of round sunglasses a she sipped a large smoothie.

She wrote across the image, 'On the go lunch today Heather's Way smoothie from @earthbar. I drink my smoothie every day for lunch & I'm still obsessed with the yumminess.'
Drake seemed to be delighting in his successes on Monday when he revealed his fit figure and financial gains on social media.

The 35-year-old rap superstar proved he'd been staying in tip-top shape lately as he showed off his washboard abs in a mirror selfie on Instagram from his trip to Miami Beach.

He also wrote about his 'fake it til you make it' theory and showed off thick stacks of $100 bills to prove his success.

Flexing: Drake, 35, revealed he had been staying in tip-top shape on Monday with a selfie of his chiseled abs taken on his trip to Miami Beach

In his post, Drake wore his underwear and white pants down low to highlighted his ripped midriff.

He posted shirtless in front of a mirror in a high-rise building by the sea, revealing his many tattoos.

In another picture from his post, the In My Feelings rapper showed black bags filled to the brim with stacks showing $100 bills on top, along with a smaller roles of money wedged in at the edge.

He didn't bother to mention what the cash was for, or whether he was planning to buy something with it.

The stacks of money were comically juxtaposed with two sets of Crocs that Drake had laid out on top of what appeared to be a white safe, while a gold luxury wristwatch lie to the side.

Payday: In another picture from his post, the In My Feelings rapper showed black bags filled to the brim with stacks showing $100 bills on top, along with a smaller roles of money wedged in at the edge

Making it: 'There's a point in the "fake it til you make it" theory where you actually gotta make it...' he captioned his post, which included a photo of him with Isla Management founder Simon Gebrelul

According to the hitmaker, all his cash was the culmination of his 'fake it til you make it' strategy.

'There's a point in the "fake it til you make it" theory where you actually gotta make it...' he captioned his post.

Drake was also seen look cool in a black leather shirt as he enjoyed a beverage with Isla Management founder Simon Gebrelul, who was dressed in all black.

The rapper revealed he'd been enjoying some fun in the sun while staying at Miami Beach's upscale hotel The Setai, as he shared a card from the management that was left on his bed to wish him a relaxing stay.

In addition to showing off his cash and luxury watches, Drake showed he was also driving in style with a photo of a Mercedes in an eye-catching baby blue shade.

Luxury stay: The rapper revealed he'd been enjoying some fun in the sun while staying at Miami Beach's upscale hotel The Setai, as he shared a card from the management that was left on his bed to wish him a relaxing stay

Blue mood: In addition to showing off his cash and luxury watches, Drake showed he was also driving in style with a photo of a Mercedes in an eye-catching baby blue shade

The Hotline Bling rapper seemed to be having a great time at a party in another snap.

He had his face scrunched up and showed off an infectious smile while chatting with the rapper Baka Not Nice and Nicholas Carino.

His friends mugged for the camera in a follow-up photo while Drake couldn't hold back his laughter.

Hanging out: The Hotline Bling rapper seemed to be having a great time at a party in another snap. He had his face scrunched up and showed off an infectious smile while chatting with the rapper Baka Not Nice and Nicholas Carino

Having a laugh: His friends mugged for the camera in a follow-up photo while Drake couldn't hold back his laughter

Drake has lately been sharing photos from his time in Miami Beach and his earlier trip to Turks and Caicos last week.

He was enjoying the tropical heat at the same time that his baby mama Sophie Brussaux was on a vacation of her own to Aruba with some of her female friends.

In October 2017, the two welcomed their son Adonis, who happens to share the same October 24 birthday as his father.

On vacation: Drake has lately been sharing photos from his time in Miami Beach and his earlier trip to Turks and Caicos last week
Former Full House star Scott Weinger was pictured for the first time since Bob Saget's death.

The 46-year-old actor  who played D.J. Tanner's boyfriend Steve Hale on the sitcom  was seen glued to his phone while walking the dog on Monday.

After news of Saget's passing, Weinger fondly called him a 'big brother.' The entire Full House cast additionally penned a joint statement in honor of the late comedian.

A sad stroll: Former Full House star Scott Weinger, 46, was pictured for the first time since Bob Saget's death as he took his dog for a walk in Los Angeles on Monday

America's dad: Weinger (left) played D.J. Tanner's boyfriend Steve Hale on the sitcom from 1987 to 1995; Full House cast pictured in 1993

Scott looked understandably downcast as he was pictured getting a bit of fresh air with his dog.

He wore dark clothing with a pair of checkered vans and seemed taken with his cell phone as he was presumably fielding many texts following Saget's death.

Weinger starred in Full House as Candace Cameron Bure's boyfriend from 1987 to 1995, and also appeared in the reboot Fuller House in 2016.

He took to Twitter to pay tribute to the beloved comedian on Monday and shared he would be donating to an organization close to Bob's heart.

'Bob Saget was more than a friend. He was a big brother to me. Nobody ever made me laugh harder, the kind of laughter where your ribs are sore the next day. He was also a wonderful human being who never missed a chance to say 'I love you' to the people he cared about.'

Fielding messages: Scott looked understandably downcast and seemed taken with his cell phone as he was presumably fielding many texts following Saget's death

'He was a big brother to me': Weinger's statement spoke to the late comedian's character and he also added on Instagram that he would be donating to an organization close to Bob's heart

The entire Full House cast also released a statement which was shared to their respective Instagram pages.

'Thirty-five years ago, we came together as a TV family, but we became a real family. And now we grieve as a family. Bob made us laugh until we cried. Now our tears flow in sadness, but also with gratitude for all the beautiful memories of our sweet, kind, hilarious, cherished Bob.

'He was a brother to us guys, a father to us girls and a friend to all of us. Bob, we love you dearly. We ask in Bob's honor, hug the people you love. No one gave better hugs than Bob.'

It was signed off by John Stamos, Dave Coulier, Jodie Sweetin, Lori Loughlin, Andrea Barber, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, Bure, Weinger and the show's Creator/Executive Producer Jeff Franklin.

Tragic: On Sunday January 9, the 65-year-old actor was discovered in his hotel bed at the Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes 'unresponsive, not breathing' and 'with no pulse' and was pronounced dead at the scene; pictured November 3

On Sunday January 9, the 65-year-old actor was found unresponsive in his hotel room at the Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes and pronounced dead at the scene.

A 9-1-1 call obtained by the New York Post on Monday detailed that Saget was found lying in his hotel bed 'unresponsive, not breathing and no pulse.'

Hotel staff made the discovery one hour after he was supposed to have checked out of his room, and told cops he was 'cold to the touch, yellow and clammy.'

TMZ was the first to report the death, with The Orange County Sheriff's Office confirming the news.

The department said 'detectives found no signs of foul play or drug use in this case. The Medical Examiner's Office will make the final call on the cause and manner of death.'
Omicron surge drives health staff shortages across U.S.

Xinhua) 08:06, January 11, 2022

Medical workers carry a patient into a hospital in New York, the United States, Dec. 13, 2021. (Xinhua/Wang Ying)

About 24 percent of the 5,000 U.S. hospitals reporting their staff status to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) have a "critical staffing shortage." This is the largest share of hospital shortages since the HHS began releasing the data in November 2020.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- The latest COVID-19 surge in the United States driven by the highly infectious Omicron variant is leading to critical staffing shortages across the nation.

About 24 percent of the 5,000 U.S. hospitals reporting their staff status to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) have a "critical staffing shortage," according to data of the HHS.

More than 100 other hospitals said they are anticipating shortages within the next week.

This is the largest share of hospital shortages since the HHS began releasing the data in November 2020.

These staff shortages kept growing as frontline health care workers are either infected or forced to quarantine due to exposure to COVID-19.

At least ten U.S. states deployed National Guard to help overwhelmed hospitals, according to CNN report.

Virginia governor issued state of emergency on Monday for hospitals. The 30-day state of emergency aims to allow hospitals to increase staffing and bed capacity as hospitalizations hit record levels due to the surge in coronavirus cases and the rise in flu cases.

Child hospitalizations also soared to the highest level of the pandemic.

At Los Angeles Children's Hospital, the positivity rate of children tested for COVID-19 increased from 17.5 percent in December to the current 45 percent in January, according the hospital's medical director Michael Smit.

Los Angeles Unified School District, the second-largest school district in the country, is requiring all students and employees to test negative before returning to the classroom.

The recent record-high new COVID-19 infections in the United States have put additional pressure on the overwhelmed health care system.

Healthcare workers help a patient in the "COVID Area" of the Beverly Hospital in Montebello City, California, the United States, Jan. 22, 2021. (Xinhua)

"While early data suggest Omicron infections might be less severe than those of other variants, the increases in cases and hospitalizations are expected to stress the healthcare system in the coming weeks," according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Nearly 5 million new COVID-19 cases were reported across the country last week from Jan. 2 to 8, a record high weekly increase since the onset of the pandemic in the country, according to data of Johns Hopkins University. Up to 11,000 new deaths were reported this past week.

The country set a new daily COVID-19 cases record again last Monday as over 1.17 million daily COVID-19 cases were recorded nationwide.

Currently the country is averaging nearly 700,000 cases each day, the most significant COVID-19 infection surge to date, CDC data showed.

The CDC projected that the Omicron variant may account for approximately 95 percent of new COVID-19 cases in the country.

Health experts have been urging the unvaccinated and those eligible for boost shots to get vaccination as soon as possible.

At least 65.5 million eligible Americans remain unvaccinated.

(Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun)




The father of a dental implant maker employee who was arrested for allegedly embezzling 221 billion won ($185 million) in company funds was found dead in the north of Seoul, officials said Tuesday.







The 69-year-old was found dead inside a vehicle at an empty lot in Paju, 30 kilometers north of Seoul, at around 5 p.m., according to Paju Police Station. Police were searching for him after he went missing earlier in the day, leaving a suicide note.







He was scheduled to face police questioning on suspicions of helping his son stash the embezzlement proceeds.







Police were looking into whether the father, the wife and the sister-in-law of the 45-year-old Osstem employee, identified only by his surname Lee, played a part in the suspected embezzlement.







Lee, who was arrested Saturday, allegedly used the embezzled money to buy 851 gold bars. Police have confiscated 755 of them, including 254 from three separate locations in connection with the father, Lee's wife and his sister.







The focus of the investigation of the three family members was on whether they took part in the suspected embezzlement or stashing of criminal proceeds.







Osstem Implant, the country's largest dental implants manufacturer, has repeatedly emphasized that Lee had acted alone, but police suspect that the fund was too big to be stolen by a single team leader-level employee like him.







A day earlier, the company raised additional embezzlement charges against Lee and separate charges of stashing criminal proceeds against Lee's family members, including the wife, his sister and the sister-in-law's couple. (Yonhap)


She regularly shows off her haute couture looks for her 8.9 million followers on Instagram.

But Heidi Klum stood out on Monday when she put on a fashion show in a stunning yellow Dundas dress with a sky-high slit that revealed her stellar figure.

The 48-year-old model went underwear free in the daring number as she twirled around in the laced-up look in her video post.

Revealing: Heidi Klum, 48, put on a stunning display on Monday in a vibrant yellow Dundas dress with a sky-high slit that left little to the imagination

Heidi was in the corner of a nondescript room as she showed off every inch of her revealing ensemble.

The bright yellow dress reached down to the ground, but it was far from modest, as it featured a slit reaching all the way to the top of her back.

The dress was laced up with a criss-crossing pattern that showed off plenty of skin.

The former Project Runway host also elevated her 5ft9in stature with a set of open-toe heels.

Stunner: The model looked years younger than her age as she twirled around in the laced-up look in her Instagram video post. The bright yellow dress reached down to the ground, but it was far from modest, as it featured a slit reaching all the way to the top of her back

Standing tall: The dress was laced up with a criss-crossing pattern that showed off plenty of skin. The former Project Runway host also elevated her 5ft9in stature with a set of open-toe heels

Playful: In the slow-motion clip, Heidi tousled her hair and held it up before letting it fall back down as she twirled about to show off every angle

She wore her long blond locks cascading down her back.

In the slow-motion clip, Heidi tousled her hair and held it up before letting it fall back down as she twirled about to show off every angle.

She soundtracked the video with Marilyn Monroe's breathy delivery of I Wanna Be Loved By You, which was featured in the classic cross-dressing comedy Some Like It Hot.

'This is my new favorite dress,' Heidi wrote, tagging Dundas and designer Peter Dundas, and she later posted a set of photos to accompany her video.

The German-born beauty celebrated the brand just weeks earlier when she attended the Dundas x Revolve holiday party in Los Angeles.

Big fan: 'This is my new favorite dress,' Heidi wrote, tagging Dundas and designer Peter Dundas (R), whom she spent time with last month at the brand's holiday party; pictured on December 14 with Evangelo Bousis (L)

Heidi has lately been using some of her post-holidays downtime at home to put on sizzling social media shows for her fans.

Last week, she time-traveled back to the 1990s to participate in the 'whale tail' fashion trend in another short video.

While shaking her pert derriere and revealing her washboard abs, the catwalk star also highlighted her black G-string and its straps, which rode up above her rolled-down sweatpants.

Although the sometimes-derided trend once appeared to have left in the past, it has recently been making a comeback among trendsetters.

On trend! Heidi has lately been using some of her post-holidays downtime at home to put on sizzling social media shows for her fans. Last week, she time-traveled back to the 1990s to participate in the 'whale tail' fashion trend in another short video

Missing from Heidi's recent posts was her husband Tom Kaulitz, whom she met while filming an episode of Germany's Next Top Model in 2018.

She and the Tokio Hotel guitarist married in February 2019 after getting engaged the previous year.

Heidi shared several jubilant snaps of herself with Tom and his twin brother Bill Kaulitz (the lead vocalist for Tokio Hotel) as they spent the holidays together.
She's the two-time US Survivor winner that has made her way Down Under for the highly anticipated Blood Vs Water series.

And Sandra Diaz Twine's American followers can't get enough of the international superstar making her Australian Survivor debut.

Comments from international fans rolled in after a trailer showcasing the 'Queen of Survivor' was shared by the Australian Survivor twitter page on Monday.

International followers: American Survivor fans have gone wild over Sandra Diaz Twine appearing on Australian Survivor

'Bow down... there's a new Queen on the Survivor scene,' the caption for the post read.

The trailer features Sandra and her daughter Alanna Twine, or Nina, competing on the upcoming series, with Sandra throwing her famous quote into the mix, saying at the end, 'I will never hand my crown to anyone; Queen stays Queen.'

One American fan tweeted in response to the trailer: 'Will we be able to watch in the USA??? I really love #SurvivorAU and wish we could get more seasons here. This new season looks awesome!'

Sneak peek: Comments from international fans rolled in after a trailer showcasing the 'Queen of Survivor' was shared by the Australian Survivor twitter page on Monday

Mother and daughter team: The trailer features Sandra and her daughter Alanna Twine, or Nina, competing on the upcoming series

One liner: The two-time Survivor winner threw in her famous quote into the mix, saying at the end, 'I will never hand my crown to anyone; Queen stays Queen'

'Will we be able to watch in the USA??? I really love #SurvivorAU and wish we could get more seasons here. This new season looks awesome!' tweeted one American fan

'The Australian survivor promo has Sandra looking like she's in a prestige film about a woman on a revenge mission with the help of her daughter,' joked another.

One American asked the Survivor twitter page if the series would be on the streaming service Paramount+ in the US.

'Love her,' wrote a fourth.

One follower reiterated Sandra's famous one liner: 'QUEEN STAYS QUEEN'.

'The Australian survivor promo has Sandra looking like she's in a prestige film about a woman on a revenge mission with the help of her daughter,' joked another

One American asked the Survivor twitter page if the series would be on the streaming service Paramount+ in the US

One follower reiterated Sandra's famous one liner: 'QUEEN STAYS QUEEN'

Survivor: Blood vs Water will have 24 former castaways playing with - and against - their loved ones.

This concept has already been used twice before in the US franchise - in 2013 with the titular Survivor: Blood vs Water, and again in 2014 with Survivor: San Juan del Sur.

Australian Survivor: Blood vs Water premieres January 31st on 10 and 10 play on demand
Audrey Hepburns son Sean Ferrer revealed he was 'not aware of' the forthcoming biopic about his late mom until news that Rooney Mara would star as its leading lady.

Despite not receiving any advance notice about the new project, the 61-year-old film producer called Mara, who bears an uncanny resemblance to Hepburn, 'a delight.'

'Sounds like there is a lot of love there,' Ferrer told Fox News Digital of the film, which will be helmed by Call Me By Your Name director Luca Guadagnino.

Reacting to the news: Audrey Hepburns son Sean Ferrer revealed he was 'not aware of' the forthcoming biopic about his late mom until news that Rooney Mara would star as its leading lady; Hepburn with Sean when he was just three-years-old

In addition to leading the cast of the movie Rooney, 36, will also be serving as a producer, according to a report in Deadline on Friday.

Known for her immaculately glamorous persona and tender performances, Audrey entranced audiences in such movies as Breakfast At Tiffany's and Roman Holiday.

She was born in 1929 to a Dutch baroness and a British diplomat, a background that instilled in her the elegance and refinement that became her signature.

Happy: Despite not receiving any advance notice about the new project, the 61-year-old film producer called Mara, who bears an uncanny resemblance to Hepburn, 'a delight' (seen in 2003)

Two sons: In addition to her eldest Sean, whose father is Mel Ferrer, Hepburn was also a mother to Luca Dotti (pictured to the right), 51, whose father is Domitilla Dotti; seen in 2009

However her childhood was scarred by the Second World War, which she spent under Nazi occupation in the Netherlands using an assumed Dutch name on account of the potential threat posed by appearing English.

'Had we known the first six months of the war that we were going to be occupied for five years, we might all have shot ourselves,' she said in archival footage included in the Netflix documentary Audrey. 'We thought it would be over next week.'

Audrey, who performed dance concerts to fundraise for the Dutch resistance and transferred messages in her shoes, recalled: 'My uncles were taken from their homes and shot. One brother was sent to Germany. The other one was always hidden.'

Incoming: Rooney Mara (right) will portray the icon Audrey Hepburn (left) in a biopic from Call Me By Your Name director Luca Guadagnino

She added: 'My uncles were the first hostages to be shot in Holland, and it was actually a turning point, because from that day on an underground was formed.'

Her fascist father walked out on the family when she was young, and though she renewed contact later and took care of him financially the bond was never repaired.

After training in ballet and jobbing as a dancer in London, she found herself doing a French movie in Monaco where she was discovered on a beach by Colette.

Icon: Known for her immaculately glamorous persona and tender performances, Audrey entranced audiences in such movies as Breakfast At Tiffany's (pictured)

The French lady of letters was having her novella Gigi adapted for a Broadway play by Anita Loos, whose work included the novel Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.

Colette handpicked Audrey to lead the original Broadway cast of Gigi, which opened in 1951 and made her a star of the American stage.

Two years later she became an international movie star with the romantic film Roman Holiday, which placed her opposite Gregory Peck and won her an Oscar.

Sensation: She was born in 1929 to a Dutch baroness and a British diplomat, a background that instilled in her the elegance and refinement that became her signature

Her best-remembered parts include an American visiting Paris in Funny Face, as well as a nun posted to the Belgian Congo in The Nun's Story.

She turned on the charisma as Eliza Doolittle, a role originated on Broadway by Julie Andrews, in the movie adaptation of My Fair Lady.

However one film that loomed particularly large in her personal life was Sabrina, which placed her in a love triangle between William Holden and Humphrey Bogart.

Fame: Two years later she became an international movie star with the romantic film Roman Holiday that placed her opposite Gregory Peck and won her an Oscar

Aglow: She turned on the charisma as Eliza Doolittle, a role originated on Broadway by Julie Andrews, in the movie adaptation of My Fair Lady opposite Rex Harrison

Directed by Billy Wilder, the movie kicked off her affair with Bill Holden, who according to a book by Edward Z Epstein called her 'the love of my life.'

Bill was a married alcoholic, but Audrey was prepared to venture into the affair anyway, even wanting to marry him herself despite the inevitable scandal.

However the central problem was that Audrey was bent on becoming a mother and he had gotten a vasectomy, so the romance was doomed.

Throwback; However one film that loomed particularly large in her personal life was Sabrina, which placed her in a love triangle between William Holden and Humphrey Bogart

Despite her two failed marriages - first to American actor Mel Ferrer and then Italian psychiatrist Andrea Dotti - Bill remained one of her great loves.

He died in 1981 after he slipped and fell while drunk at home alone and hit his head on a table, bleeding out without anyone to help him.

Audrey, who began the 1960s with her most iconic role in Breakfast At Tiffany's, continued acting that decade in such films as Charade.

But in 1967, now a mother of of a son, she decided to enter semi-retirement and divert her energies to her family, to which she added another son in 1970.

Romance: Directed by Billy Wilder, the movie kicked off her affair with Bill Holden, who according to a book by Edward Z Epstein called her 'the love of my life'

Mel Ferrer's mercurial personality and Andrea Dotti's serial infidelity made both of Audrey's marriages unfeasible and both ended in divorce.

Alongside her acting career she also became known the world over as a committed humanitarian by way of her work for UNICEF.

In the early 1990s she discovered she had a rare form of abdominal cancer and despite fighting the illness she died in 1993 at the age of just 63.

Her legacy as a luminous movie star is matched by her reputation as being the greatest style icon that Hollywood has produced.
She's one of the world's most stunning supermodels.

And on Tuesday, Kelly Gale looked effortlessly beautiful after enjoying a morning swim at the beach while holidaying in St Barts.

Despite being dressed casually, the 26-year-old was hard to miss in a plunging midriff that showed off both her abs and her cleavage.

Gorgeous: She's one of the world's most stunning supermodels. And on Tuesday, Kelly Gale looked effortlessly beautiful after enjoying a morning swim at the beach

'Back from the beach,' she captioned it, before tagging Fashion Nova.

Kelly recently hit back at critics who questioned whether she was 'over-exercising' and 'starving herself' to maintain her slim frame.

And the former Victoria's Secret model defied the haters by flaunting her slender physique in another Instagram snap from her trip to Saint Barts on Saturday.

The Swedish-Australian beauty, who has been holidaying on the Caribbean island with fiance Joel Kinnaman, 42, left little to the imagination as she posed by a beachside pool in a tiny white bikini.

Sun kissed: The 26-year-old had just been swimming at the beach in St Barts

Looking coyly into the camera, Kelly sizzled as she showcased her long legs and voluptuous cleavage.

She wore her hair out in natural waves, and appeared to go makeup-free for the impromptu photo shoot.

'St Barths,' Kelly simply captioned the stunning post.

It comes weeks Kelly was forced to deny she was over-exercising or starving herself to maintain a slender frame.

Not an inch to pinch! Kelly showed off her slender frame in a skimpy white bikini while holidaying in St. Barts on Saturday

During an Instagram Q&A in December, one fan asked the Victoria's Secret model: 'Did you ever over exercise and under eat?'

'Never. I like to take care of my body and mind so I eat foods that are nourishing and taste good and I eat however much I want,' Kelly responded.

'I train to feel good as well and challenge myself. Lately I've been mostly excited about learning new martial art skills than any other training,' she added.
Rebel Wilson has revealed details of her life-changing visit to an Austrian health retreat back in 2020, after vowing to make it her 'Year of Health'.

In an interview for Apple Fitness+, the 41-year-old actress explained she'd visited the health retreat in the town of Altaussee to 'restart' her body.

She said she experienced 'a rebirthing of sorts' after undergoing a water shiatsu massage, describing it as 'the craziest treatment'.

'Bizarre': Rebel Wilson has revealed details of her life-changing visit to an Austrian health retreat back in 2020, after vowing to make it her 'Year of Health'

'Basically, you're in a pool just by yourself but with one Austrian lady. And you kind of have to just close your eyes and lean back and float in the water,' she explained.

'And she kind of drags you around the pool while singing Austrian folk songs, but you can half-hear because your head's mainly under water.'

She said the treatment lasted for 90 minutes, after which time 'you have no idea where you are'.

New start: In an interview for Apple Fitness+, the 41-year-old actress explained she'd visited the health retreat in the town of Altaussee to 'restart' her body

'You know logically you're in the same pool that you were in, but because you've been swirled around for 90 minutes in the water, you don't quite know,' she added.

'It's supposed to symbolise some kind of rebirthing. And it was a very bizarre feeling, but it did feel like you're in the womb, and then at the end, you come out.'

Rebel confessed that while the treatment was 'not something I would've signed up for by myself', it was a 'pretty cool experience'.

Losing it: Rebel made headlines around the world after declaring 2020 her 'Year of Health', and has since lost around 35kgs. Pictured in March 2019 (left) and in December 2021 (right)

She said she visited the retreat with an open mind, deciding to 'try everything', and added that the massage had been 'very relaxing'.

The treatment involves stretches, massages and acupressure in warm water, which helps to soothe physical tension and encourage relaxation.

Rebel made headlines around the world after declaring 2020 her 'Year of Health', and has since lost around 35kgs.
Adam Woodyatt says he is ready for a dramatic return to EastEnders, 12-months after quitting the show to star in a nationwide play.

The actor, 53, is still the show's longest serving cast-member, having starred as hapless fish and chip shop owner Ian Beale since its launch in February 1985.

But he surprised fans by leaving the fictional London soap last January in order to tread the boards in a theatrical production of Peter James' novel Looking Good Dead.

Hint: Adam Woodyatt says he is ready for a dramatic return to EastEnders, 12-months after quitting the show to star in a nationwide play

The actor has since insisted he's open for a return to Albert Square after completing work on the touring play before rounding off the year with an appearance on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!

He told Sunday Brunch: 'I think as long as I live, I'm still going to be seen as Ian Beale. It doesn't matter what I do, what else I do, where I go, Ian Beale is always going to be a part of my life.

'It's not just my decision to make, it's also EastEnders. I left because of the way the storyline was going, because Ian needed to go. Not me going "I want to leave", or them saying "You're going!" that was the storyline.'

Old times: The actor played hapless fish and chip shop owner Ian Beale for 35-years before leaving in January 2020

Woodyatt spent 35-years playing Ian Beale before leaving last January, with the long-serving actor receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award on the show's 30th anniversary in 2015.

But he has since swapped the small screen for the stage after accepting a new role as Tom Bryce, whose life is turned upside down after he witnesses a murder in theatrical crime thriller Looking Good Dead.

The play, which also stars former Coronation Street actress Gaynor Faye, toured the country during the latter part of 2021 before closing for the winter months in October.

Trading the boards: Woodyatt swapped the small screen for the stage after accepting a new role alongside Gaynor Faye in theatrical crime thriller Looking Good Dead (pictured)

There he is: He also appeared on the latest series of I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!

Discussing the play, which reopens at Manchester's The Lowry on January 22, ahead of his appearance on I'm A Celeb in November, Woodyatt suggested he had no immediate plans to return to EastEnders.

He told The Mirror: 'So I literally come out of the castle whenever that is, have Christmas off and then were back into rehearsals because Laurie Bretts taking over from Gaynor Faye.

'And then were doing that until the end of April. Its been its been a lot of fun working and seeing [Laurie] again. Its kind of bittersweet.'

He added: 'Im looking forward to Laurie coming in, Im going to miss Gaynor because shes been an absolute joy to work with. Its been wonderful.'
The New Year couldn't have started any better for Camila Morrone as she topped up her tan while enjoying a welcome beach break with boyfriend Leonardo DiCaprio.

The American model saw in 2022 during a trip to the French-Caribbean island of St. Barts, and she appeared to be in a wistful mood after sharing a series of throwbacks on Monday.

Taking to Instagram, Camila, 24, posted three images of herself as she relaxed on one of the picturesque island's numerous sandy beaches during her festive break with the 47-year old Oscar winner.

Good times: The New Year couldn't have started any better for Camila Morrone as she topped up her tan while enjoying a welcome beach break with boyfriend Leonardo DiCaprio

The brunette step-daughter of Hollywood legend Al Pacino showed off her slender physique while stretching out in the surf, while another image revealed a tropical backdrop that wouldn't look out of place in one of DiCaprio's best known movies - 2000 hit The Beach.

In November it was reported that despite keeping their relationship largely out of the spotlight, the couple - who share a home in Los Angeles - are 'closer than ever.'

'They are really solid and everything is great with Leo and Cami,' a source told E! News. 'It's all status quo.'

This is the life: Taking to Instagram, Camila posted three images of herself as she relaxed on one of the picturesque island's numerous sandy beaches during her festive break

Though there had been many jokes about Leo's predilection for young women  with a history of ending relationships before they hit 25  the couple continue to stand strong.

Morrone hit out at critics of their 23-year age gap previously, telling the Los Angeles Times: 'Theres so many relationships in Hollywood  and in the history of the world  where people have large age gaps.

'I just think anyone should be able to date who they want to date.'

Don't mind me: The brunette showed off her slender physique while stretching out in the surf

While they are seldom seen in public together, the couple continued to prove things were going strong with their affectionate beach antics over the New Yeaar period.

They were accompanied by a group of friends in St. Barts, where they chartered Swiss billionaire Ernesto Bertarellis yacht Vava II.

Leo made the trip to the Caribbean ahead of the New Year and continued to extend his holiday into the following week.

Closer than ever: Though there had been many jokes about Leo's predilection for young women, the couple continue to stand strong.
Jennifer Lopez has revealed that one of her New Year's resolutions is to be the 'best partner' to beau Ben Affleck.

Taking to Instagram on Monday, the hit-maker, 52, flashed her rock-hard abs as she sat on a sofa in her LA home and addressed her 191 million followers ahead of a workout.

Donning a grey crop top and black leggings, JLo candidly told her fans she was mulling over her intentions for the year ahead before referring to Ben, 49.

Resolutions: Jennifer Lopez, 52, took to Instagram on Monday to reveal in a candid post that one of her New Year's resolutions is to be the 'best partner' to beau Ben Affleck, 49

Candid: JLo candidly shared her New Year's resolutions with her social media followers (pictured with Ben in December)

Looking typically radiant without so much as a spot of make-up on and with her hair swept from her face, the star explained: 'Hey guys, how are you feeling? It's raining outside right now and that puts me in a pensive mood.

'I was just thinking - before I have to work out - [about] what my intentions are for this year.

'[I'm] just thinking about being really mindful of what I want my life to be and knowing that my thoughts create my life and keeping those really positive so I can grow and be my best, this year better than ever: mentally, physically, spiritually, emotionally.

'To be the best mother I can be, the best partner I can be, the best friend I can be. The best daughter, sister, boss, person I can be.'

JLo and Ben reunited this past April following her split from former fiance Alex Rodriguez, 46.

The rekindled relationship came 17 years after they previously dated after sharing the screen in the 2003 film Gigli.

Quick chat: The hit-maker flashed her rock-hard abs as she sat on a sofa in her LA home and addressed her 191 million followers ahead of a workout

She explained she wants to be: 'The best mother I can be, the best partner I can be, the best friend I can be. The best daughter, sister, boss, person I can be'

It comes hours after the loved-up couple were spotted out together in LA as it was revealed that her latest film, The Mother, has been put on pause in Spain due to a coronavirus outbreak.

The Mother, which is set to be released later this year, had been filming in Vancouver, British Columbia, before production recently moved to Gran Canaria near the Canary Islands.

PEOPLE magazine confirmed that filming overseas had been halted 'due to positive coronavirus cases associated with the production team.'

Lopez reportedly flew into town last week and had been isolated while awaiting shooting, only to leave on a private plane back to the US just yesterday, according to Page Six.

Back together: Ben and JLo rekindled their relationship 17 years after they previously dated after sharing the screen in the 2003 film Gigli

The actress stars alongside Joseph Fiennes, Gael Garcia Bernal, and Omari Hardwick in the Niki Caro-directed film.

The local paper, La Provincia, first reported that a 'massive' coronavirus outbreak plagued a Netflix shoot, causing 'weeks-long production suspension.'

The Spanish outlet reported that Lopez was first spotted in town on Wednesday and was set to film multiple scenes throughout the week.

It's unclear when production will resume filming.

Outing: It comes hours after the loved-up couple were spotted out together in LA as it was revealed that her latest film, The Mother, has been put on pause in Spain

Spain has seen a rise in COVID-19 cases as the Omicron surges across the globe, with 2,722 cases per 100,000 people reported on Friday, according to Reuters.

The percentage of hospital beds occupied by patients with coronavirus was 11.79%, while the number of patients with COVID-19 in intensive care units rose to 22.06%.

The health ministry reported that 80.2% of the population was fully-vaccinated, and 15million people had received booster vaccinations in Spain.

Back in Los Angeles, 45,584 new cases of COVID-19 were recorded by the Department of Health on Jan. 9  a growing number which prompted the Recording Academy and CBS to postpone the 2022 Grammy Awards, a safe step which was also taken by the Golden Globes and Critics Choice Awards.

'Given the uncertainty surrounding the Omicron variant, holding the show on Jan. 31 simply contains too many risks,' the Recording Academy said. 'We look forward to celebrating music's biggest night on a future date, which will be announced soon.'
Rose Ayling-Ellis and Giovanni Pernice enjoyed another night on the town on Monday, this time heading for cocktails in London.

The Strictly Come Dancing winners, aged 27 and 31 respectively, looked to be having a wild time as she glugged an Aperol Spritz cocktail while sharing giggles with the hunk, weeks after their spectacular win of the BBC show.

Their outing comes just days after the EastEnders actress and the professional dancer enjoyed a meal together at London's restaurant Gola in Fulham on Saturday night, which they documented on social media.

Hey there! Rose Ayling-Ellis and Giovanni Pernice enjoyed another night on the town on Monday, this time heading for cocktails in London

Rose looked typically chic for the night out as she wore a cosy jumper in varying shades of pink and red and wore her hair in loose straight lengths.

Giovanni was clad in a black ensemble and was seen warmly greeting his pal, as they continued their post-show socialising in style.

Last month, the duo were crowned the winners of the 2021 series of Strictly, beating out fellow finalists John Whaite and Johannes Radebe.

The pair went for dinner at London restaurant Gola in Fulham where they enjoyed a glass of wine and pasta.

Yum! The Strictly Come Dancing winners, aged 27 and 31 respectively, looked to be having a wild time as she glugged an Aperol Spritz cocktail while sharing giggles with the hunk, weeks after their spectacular win of the BBC show

Another one? Their outing comes just days after the EastEnders actress and the professional dancer enjoyed a meal together at London 's restaurant Gola in Fulham on Saturday night, which they documented on social media

Stylish: Rose looked typically chic for the night out as she wore a cosy jumper in varying shades of pink and red and wore her hair in loose straight lengths

On Saturday, Giovanni documented the pair's night out as he shared a video on Instagram of them sitting across from each other while pretending to look annoyed.

'Nice catch up,' the dancer captioned the clip as the pair sat in awkward silence. He then shared a clip of Rose about to tuck into her meal and wrote: 'Happy days, food!'

It comes after Giovanni delighted fans after sharing a sweet new year message to Rose on Instagram.

Sleek! Giovanni was clad in a black ensemble and was seen warmly greeting his pal, as they continued their post-show socialising in style

Yum! Her cocktail looked nothing short of delicious, as she sipped the boozy treat - comprising Aperol, prosecco and soda water - through a paper straw from a goblet-style glass

Fans loved the chemistry and friendship that blossomed between the pair, and some couldn't help but speculate that romance could grow between them.

Giovanni did nothing to squash the rumours as he took to Instagram to leave a heartfelt comment to Rose on her latest post.

Rose reflected over the past year with a slew of snaps including selfies with her EastEnders co-stars as well as behind-the-scenes snaps with Giovanni.

She added an inspirational message for her fans, writing: 'Stay afraid, but do it anyway. Whats important is the action.

Night out: The pair went for dinner at London restaurant Gola in Fulham where they enjoyed a glass of wine and pasta

Sweet: Giovanni raised more than a few eyebrows when he shared a sweet new year message to Rose

Inspiring: She added an inspirational message for her fans, writing: 'Stay afraid, but do it anyway. Whats important is the action'

'You dont have to wait to be confident. Just do it and eventually the confidence will follow.

'That definitely what 2021 did for me, the year of growth, discovery and surprises. I cannot wait to see what 2022 would bring.'

Giovanni commented underneath with a simple string of red hearts, sending fans wild in the comments.

One fan wrote: 'Love you both so much! You would make the most perfect couple'.

Reflection: Rose reflected over the past year with a slew of snaps including selfies with her EastEnders co-stars

Champions: She also shared behind-the-scenes snaps with Giovanni

Heartfelt: Giovanni commented underneath with a simple string of red hearts, sending fans wild in the comments

Another echoed: 'I'd actually love you both together. The way you look at each other, always smiling and happy. beautiful both of you.'

'You would make such a lovely couple,' chimed in a third.

It comes after Giovanni announced he will be using a British Sign Language interpreter on his upcoming tour, in a sweet tribute to Rose.

Perfect couple: One fan wrote: 'Love you both so much! You would make the most perfect couple'

Production company Strictly Theatre Co, took to Instagram to proudly announce that Giovanni's show in Glasgow, Hayes and Manchester, would feature a British Sign Language interpreter.

Giovanni's huge tour, This Is Me, will begin on March 1 in Coventry, before wrapping up in London on May 29 in 2022.

His heartfelt gesture follows the pair's emotional silent performance to Symphony by Clean Bandit featuring Zara Larsson, which left viewers in tears.
Kanye West's new girlfriend Julia Fox was seen joining the rapper for dinner at Craig's on Monday, as their new romance continues to heat up.

The actress, 31, once again took inspiration from the Kardashians by sporting a grey distressed leather jacket from one of their favourite brands, Charlotte Knowles, as she arrived at the swanky eatery in West Hollywood.

Julia, whose unlikely romance with Kanye sparked a flurry of reaction from fans last week, highlighted her svelte physique in the off-duty look as she arrived at the restaurant.

Standing out: Kanye West's new girlfriend Julia Fox, 31, was seen joining the rapper for dinner at Craig's on Monday, as their new romance continues to heat up

Julia sported the edgy grey zipped biker jacket with a distressed effect as she arrived at the restaurant.

The brunette beauty was seen heading into the restaurant mere minutes after the rapper, as they prepared to enjoy a romantic dinner together.

Julia finished her look with eye-catching $1,250 jean-boots from Diesel, gloves and a black patent clutch bag.

Around the same time as his new love, Kanye was seen exiting his vehicle and strolling up to the restaurant, sporting a weathered black hoodie.

Funky: The actress once again took inspiration from the Kardashians by sporting a grey distressed leather jacket from one of their favourite brands, Charlotte Knowles

Standing out: Charlotte Knowles is a brand frequently worn by the Kardashian/Jenner clan (Kim is pictured in a leather corset from the brand)

Back in black: Around the same time as his new love, Kanye was seen exiting his vehicle and strolling up to the restaurant, sporting a weathered black hoodie

Heading off: The pair were later seen by each other's side as they departed their dinner date

Out and about: The pair seemed in good spirits with Kanye stopping briefly to chat with fans

It's been clear in recent days that Julia has the same penchant for curve-enhancing, racy outfits as his reality star ex Kim.

Actress Julia slipped into an extremely revealing naked optical illusion dress, which flashed her black lingerie as she attended a Paris Fashion Week show back in September.

The outfit was a near carbon-copy of the iconic Jean Paul Gaultier Spring 1996 collection dress which Kim famously slipped into for the November 2018 People's Choice Awards,

Julia also sported a very revealing lace body stocking worn over black lingerie as she attended the GQ Men of the Year Celebration in LA in December 2019.

Kim 2.0: It's been clear in recent days that Julia 9left in September) has the same penchant for curve-enhancing, racy outfits as his reality star ex Kim (pictured right in 2018)

The ensemble was eerily similar to the scanty stocking worn by Kim in January of that year, even down to the crystal embellished cut-outs. Kim wore the outfit to John Legend's party, which she attended with then partner Kanye.

West is reportedly still hurting over his breakup from Kim Kardashian, and is reportedly using his new romance with Julia to get under his ex wife's skin.

A source told Page Six: 'It's a desperate play for attention. There's no other explanation when he chooses  [Fox] to go public with.'

Kanye has a type: Julia also sported a very revealing lace body stocking worn over black lingerie as she attended the GQ Men of the Year Celebration in LA in December 2019 (left) - identical to Kim's January 2019 outfit (right)

The insider also added that Kanye is 'clearly hurting' and his public outings with the actress are 'a ploy to get under ex Kim Kardashian's skin.'

It comes after Julie detailed her whirlwind romance with Kanye after the pair went public with their romance.

In a new profile on the 31-year-old rising star from The Cut, the actress admitted it's 'all happening so quickly'.

'I'm going with the universe and the flow and seeing where it takes me,' before adding, '...where it takes all of us.'

And again: Julia wore a very risque bejewelled see-through skirt at the 2019 TIFF event (left) with Kim sporting a similar look in a custom-designed haute couture gunmetal skirt by Ralph & Russo at the GQ Men Of The Year Awards in 2014 (right)

PDA-filled: Julia's unlikely romance with Kanye sparked a flurry of reaction from fans last week

She also receives praise from her friend, author Cat Marnell, who said via text: 'She's a legitimate sorceress. She's the Michael Jordan of vixens She's devastating, like a hurricane.'

Julia penned a 217 word account on her first two dates with the rapper, which included a trip to New York City.

Detailing their 'instant connection' after meeting in Miami on New Year's Eve to Interview Magazine, the actress described the Grammy winner's generosity and 'fun' energy.

The article also contained a slew of images documenting their epic night out, from the many kisses they shared to the hotel suite full of clothing Kanye had surprised Julia with.

'He had me and my friends laughing, dancing, and smiling all night. We decided to keep the energy going and fly back to New York City to see Slave Play,' she gushed.

Over: West is reportedly still hurting over his breakup from Kim Kardashian, and is reportedly using his new romance with Julia to get under his ex wife's skin

The Uncut Gems star continued: 'Ye's flight landed at six and the play was at seven and he was there ON TIME. I was impressed. After the play we chose to do dinner at Carbone which is one of my favorite restaurants.'

'At the restaurant, Ye directed an entire photo shoot for me while people dined,' she added. 'After dinner Ye had a surprise for me. I mean, I'm still in shock. Ye had an entire hotel suite full of clothes.'

She said the move was 'every girl's dream come true' and 'felt like a real Cinderella moment.'

'I don't know how he did it, or how he got all of it there in time. But I was so surprised. Like, who does things like this on a second date? Or any date!' she marveled.

Fox concluded her piece by writing: 'Everything with us has been so organic. I don't know where things are headed but if this is any indication of the future I'm loving the ride.'
Ruling Democratic Party of Korea presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung introduces his economic vision at the National Assembly in Seoul, Jan. 11. Yonhap





Ruling party presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung unveiled his economic vision Tuesday, pledging to lead the country to major transitions in science and technology, industry, education and land development so as to make Korea one of the world's top five countries.







"This is a strategy that could turn crisis into opportunity," Lee said during a campaign event, explaining his "new economy" plan at the National Assembly in Seoul. "It is also a map to find a path to sustainable growth."







The Democratic Party of Korea candidate said his definition of the world's top five great countries refers to nations that have strong "hard power," which signifies a country's military and economic capabilities, and "soft power" that boasts high quality cultural influence.







He added that future-oriented innovations, openness guaranteeing human rights and diversity, and contributions to society are requirements for the world's top five great powers.







To achieve the goal, Lee emphasized transitions in four sectors: science and technology, industry, education and land development.







He promised 10 strategic technologies, including artificial intelligence and aerospace, to be pursued as "presidential big projects" and to create a deputy prime minister post for innovations in science technology.







For industry, Lee stressed digital transformation and the energy sector as the country's new growth engines with green energy solutions.







"Ultimately, I will create 2 million jobs with a 135 trillion won ($112 billion) investment in digital transformation," he said. "I will also establish a ministry of climate and energy to support transitions in the energy sector."







He also vowed support to beef up the country's exports and upgrade the manufacturing and service industries, as well as introducing policies for startups and small firms.







In education, Lee said he would increase support for college education and lifelong learning programs.







The candidate called for balanced national development and said he would upgrade the country's transportation system with high-speed trains.







"The world is in competition regarding the pace of the transition and I believe we will see the result in five years at most," he said. "That is why we are now in the golden time for such a major transition."







To support his transition plans, Lee said reforms in the public financial sector were also essential. (Yonhap)


Alia Shawkat has revealed Brad Pitt told her, 'if you hang out with me, it happens' in response to rumours they were dating.

The actress, 32, formed a friendship with Brad, 58, back in 2019 which lead to speculation they were dating.

Speaking to the New Yorker, Alia said the actor had not heard about the rumours until she told him.

Honest: Alia Shawkat has revealed Brad Pitt told her, 'if you hang out with me, it happens' in response to rumours they were dating (pictured in 2019)

She said: '[Brad] had no awareness of it at all. I was like, "You know everyone thinks we're dating?" And he was, like, "I'm sorry. It happens. If you hang out with me, it happens." He had no awareness of it at all.'

Alia also told how the story reached her family, including her grandmother, who was happy to see her in a magazine.

She said: 'The other day I was at my grandmother's house, my father's mother. She's been in this country for over thirty years and still barely speaks English. An Iraqi Muslim woman. She's sitting there, watching her Turkish soap opera. And next to her is this old gossip magazine with Brad's face, and my face in a small circle.

'And it says, "Brad's New Girl!" And then on the inside it's old Instagram photos of me and friends at dinner. It was like, "ALL ABOUT ALIA."'

Pals: The actress, 32, formed a friendship with Brad, 58, back in 2019 which lead to speculation they were dating (pictured in April 2021)

The Search Party star added she was 'embarrassed' by the magazine but her grandmother just laughed.

Alia is set to appear in the forthcoming series The Old Man, which is based on Thomas Perry's 2017 novel of the same name.

The project is centered around a retired CIA officer who becomes the target of an assassin and must protect himself from old and new threats.

The Old Man stars Jeff Bridges in its lead role, with Shawkat slated to portray a character named Angela.

Alia said: '[Brad] had no awareness of it at all. I was like, "You know everyone thinks we're dating?" And he was, like, "I'm sorry. It happens. If you hang out with me, it happens"'

The California native embodies writer Madelyn Pugh in the biographical drama feature, Being The Ricardos.

The flick sees Nicole Kidman and Javier Bardem as Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz while they navigate a turbulent week of work on their iconic sitcom I Love Lucy.

Also appearing in the movie are J.K Simmons, Nina Arianda and Clark Gregg.
Kaia Gerber ensured she caught the eye as she stepped out in Los Angeles on Monday.

The model daughter of catwalk veteran Cindy Crawford turned heads as she left a local cafe with two takeaway drinks following a morning workout at a nearby fitness studio.

Sporting a pair of black Gymshark leggings beneath a navy blue jacket, Kaia, 20, drew attention to her slender physique while making her way back to her car.

Don't mind me: Kaia Gerber ensured she caught the eye as she stepped out in Los Angeles on Monday

The young model has recently been romantically linked with actor Austin Butler, 30, after ending her relationship with Euphoria star Jacob Elordi.

A source told PEOPLE the pair 'are in fact dating' and that 'all of her friends think they are so adorable' together.

'It's a total step up from her last relationship and she knows it too,' said the insider, referencing Kaia's ex. They continued: 'She seems really happy. All of her friends think he's really cute.'

Looking good: Sporting a pair of black Gymshark leggings beneath a navy blue jacket, Kaia drew attention to her slender physique while making her way back to her car

Romance: The young model has recently been romantically linked with actor Austin Butler after ending her relationship with Euphoria star Jacob Elordi

Kaia and Austin were romantically linked in a series of snapshots obtained exclusively by DailyMail.com over a week ago that showed the pair looking cozy while attending a yoga class in Los Angeles.

Speaking in 2020, the model admitted she was grateful to have a 'safe and steady relationship' with Jacob.

She said: 'Being able to be with someone I trust, where we don't want anything from each other, having a safe, steady relationship like that, has really opened my eyes to the possibilities of love and what it feels like to love without conditions.

Following in her footsteps: Kaia with supermodel mum Cindy Crawford at the 6th annual InStyle Awards in November 2021

'Lust is touching other people or wanting them, but love is really seeing someone.'

Kaia, an aspiring actress, revealed she even got acting tips from the star ahead of her acting debut in American Horror Story.

When asked about the advice her boyfriend has given her, she said: 'He's a great person for me to go to because he's gone to drama school and has years of experience that I don't have. So I'm like, "Oh, I'm definitely going to be using you as a resource."'
Lori Harvey has shared an intimate glimpse into her surprise 25th birthday celebrations at celebrity hotspot Nobu.

Revealing that the bash was organised by her beau, Michael B. Jordan, Lori captioned one of her many photos: 'Thank you for my surprise baby,' and made sure to tag actor Michael, 34.

The raven-haired beauty slipped into a skin-tight bodysuit for the occasion and was visibly stunned when she entered a room full of friends and beautifully decorated tables complete with personalised menus.

Wow: Lori Harvey smouldered in a skin-tight bodysuit as she shared an intimate glimpse into her surprise 25th birthday celebrations at celebrity hotspot Nobu

Sweet: Revealing that the bash was organised by her beau, Michael B. Jordan, 34, Lori captioned one of her many photos: 'Thank you for my surprise baby' (pictured in January)

Lori, who is the daughter of Steve Harvey, documented the events on social media and panned her camera around the dimly-lit room.

Friends gathered at tables adorned with beautiful white flowers and model Lori appeared to move from seat to seat, ensuring she spent time with everyone in attendance.

She also shared a clip of herself and others downing bright orange shots and clearly had a blast on the night.

It comes after Lori sparked speculation that she may be pregnant earlier this month when she called Michael 'baby daddy' in a photo of the pair on New Year's Eve.

Lori wrote: 'Thank you for my surprise party baby' and made sure to tag her beau while showing off the impressive lengths he'd gone to

Stunned: Lori was visibly stunned when she entered the private room to find her nearest and dearest waiting

Hotspot: Celebrity hotspot Nobu's signage was visible in the background of one of Lori's posts

On New Year's Eve, Lori posted a mirror selfie of herself and her actor beau, simply penning: 'baby daddy,' alongside a white heart emoji.

Both Lori and Michael later shared snaps from the holiday celebration and in one image the pair were seen kissing passionately as Lori sat perched on Michael's lap and draped her arms around his neck.

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.

Impressive: The beautifully decorated room had been kitted out with flower-adorned tables complete with personalised menus

Pals: Lori appeared to move from seat to seat, ensuring she spent time with everyone in attendance

Shots: She also shared a clip of herself and others downing bright orange shots and clearly had a blast on the night

'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.

On the topic of his personal life, he touched on his relationship with the social media influencer, who's the adopted daughter of Steve.

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.'

On The View, the actor 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 didn't 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 that's like.'
Kanye West was spotted in full promo mode on Monday as he brandished a tee adorned with 'Donda Street Market' while headed to a Los Angeles studio.

The rapper, 44, is in the midst of unveiling his new music including the release of his new Heaven And Hell video and the August release of his tenth studio album Donda, named after his late mother who tragically passed away in 2007.

The T-shirt featured the logo of luxury, multi-designer emporium Dover Street Market - which was conceived in London before spreading around the world - with the word Dover replaced with his mother's name.

In August, Kanye released the merchandise to accompany the Donda album, with the clothing 'engineered' by Balenciaga, with whom he revealed a 'vision come true' new collaboration alongside Gap earlier in the week.

Proud: Kanye West was spotted in full promo mode on Monday as he brandished a tee adorned with 'Donda Street Market' while headed to a Los Angeles studio

The Dover Street Market T-shirt has not been seen much but Kanye brandished the top on the day his new music video was released.

The rapper has been garnering attention in recent weeks, after his love life was laid bare by his new girlfriend as well as his new video hitting the Internet.

On Monday night, Kanye dropped a short film to accompany his song Heaven And Hell, which includes lyrics similar to words that were included in a birthday poem to his estranged wife Kim Kardashian.

Kanye wore a leather gimp mask at one stage during the new video and rapped on a cloud while surrounded by floating bodies, while rapping the lyrics to his single.

Replaced: The T-shirt featured the logo of luxury, multi-designer emporium Dover Street Market - which was conceived in London before spreading around the world - with the word Dover replaced with his mother's name

In he goes: Kanye was seen heading into the studio before showing off the top

Heading out: Kanye is a frequent customer at the various branches of Dover Street Market (pictured at the New York branch with his ex-wife Kim Kardashian in 2019)

The title of the track - Heaven and Hell - was previously seen in a love poem he sent to his ex Kim, where he notably refererred to her as his 'heaven and hell'.

The poem read: 'Late is better than never. You're my devil, you're my angel, you're my angel, you're my heaven, you're my hell, you're my forever, you're my freedom, you're my jail.

'You're my lies, you're my truth, you're my war, you're my truce, you're my questions, you're my proof, you're my stress and you're my masseuse... Love 4ever, Yeezy.'

Hard at work: Kanye has been on the promo trail with his new music and clothing collabs

New collaboration: On Friday, the rapper confirmed the upcoming project by posting an excerpt from a contract signed by representatives of the three brands on his Instagram page

The poem previously inspired the lyrics for his song Lost In The World from his album My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, and he appears to have drawn from the words once again for Heaven and Hell.

On the other side of the page, Kanye had sketched two stick people and written 'Me and Kimmy', Kim had been drawn with 'little hand' and was holding a Birken bag, while his caricature was wearing shades.

The caption read: 'Happy 1- year anniversary to Kanye's My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy album. For those that don't know the story behind Lose In The World. Kanye couldn't come up with some of the lyrics.

Spooky: On Monday night, Kanye dropped a short film to accompany his song Heaven And Hell, which includes lyrics similar to words that were included in a birthday poem to his estranged wife Kim Kardashian

'But then he realised he had them in a poem he had written me that was my birthday card he gave me for my 30th birthday. He took the poem he wrote me and made it the song. I keep everything!'

Kanye's Donda album was released on August 29, 2021 following his split from Kim, which was revealed earlier the same year.

His Heaven And Hell video doesn't appear to feature any references to his ongoing romance with Uncut Gems actress Julia Fox, whom he appeared to begin dating late last month as his divorce from Kim marches on.

'Me and Kimmy': The title of the track - Heaven and Hell - was previously seen in a love poem he sent to his ex Kim, where he noteably refererred to her as his 'heaven and hell'
She is starring in the Scream reboot as her original character, Gale Weathers.

And Courteney Cox and her co-star Neve Campbell appeared on Lorraine to discuss what it was like returning to the franchise 10 years after the Friends star's last appearance on Tuesday morning.

The actress, 57, declared that she told producers she would do 'any stunt', but admitted that they hurt a lot more than the last film she shot in 2011.

Star quality: Courteney Cox and her co-star Neve Campbell appeared on Lorraine to discuss what it was like returning to the franchise 10 years after the Friends star's last appearance on Tuesday morning

Discussing the changes since the last film, Courteney said: 'I think we've changed a lot, but when I saw Neve I thought she didn't look any different.'

While Neve joked: 'It felt like summer camp  but sore.'

Action-loving Courtney admitted: 'I said I would do any stunt, but it hurt this time.'

While giving further background on the film, she said: 'It's a complete relaunch, a new take on it and it still has the humour and horror. The directors made it contemporary and scary on another level.'

Film: Courteney is starring in the Scream reboot as her original character, Gale Weathers (pictured in Scream 2 in 1997)

Try me! The actress, 57, declared that she told producers she would do 'any stunt', but admitted that they hurt a lot more than the last film she shot in 2011

Discussing the changes since the last film, Courteney said: 'I think we've changed a lot, but when I saw Neve I thought she didn't look any different'

While Neve joked: 'It felt like summer camp  but sore'

Neve said: 'This whole new world, it makes it more complicated but also more interesting.'

Their Lorraine appearance comes after she and Neve reunited with her Scream co-star and ex-husband David Arquette, 50, to chat about the new film.

During the virtual interview on The Drew Barrymore Show on Monday, Courteney reflected on her dreaded 'baby bangs' in Scream 3.

While they were discussing their characters' distinct looks, Courteney was reminded of her 'baby bangs' on Scream 3, which she said, 'There was nothing worse.'

Reflecting: Their Lorraine appearance comes after she and Neve reunited with her Scream co-star and ex-husband David Arquette, 50, to chat about the new film

Nothing worse: While they were discussing their characters' distinct looks, Courteney was reminded of her 'baby bangs' on Scream 3, which she said, 'There was nothing worse'

'Each Scream I would try to come up with a different look for her that was just over the top gross, or ugly or too much,' Courteney told Drew, who famously played Casey, the first victim of Ghostface in the original 1996 classic Scream.

Courteney was reminded of the infamous 'bangs' from Scream 3, by Neve who played Sidney Prescott in the movies.

She said: 'Oh that was the worst. I forgot about that. There was nothing worse. That was a big lesson in life because that will forever be on film.'

Scream look: 'Each Scream I would try to come up with a different look for her that was just over the top gross, or ugly or too much'

She added that the production only had, 'one set of bangs' for the 2000 sequel, adding, 'there's supposed to have a thing that starts back here, far back and that's where the part goes for the bangs.

'For some reason, they put it here (center of her head) and started cutting it and I was like, 'Well I don't have a choice now,'' she said.

Neve joked, 'I remember that day because we were all like, 'No they are good, really,'' with a laughing David adding, 'I felt so bad for you!'

Courtney even poked fun at the look in Halloween 2000 where she shared a selfie with someone in a Ghostface seemingly cutting her hair.

'Not the bangs!!!!!!!!' she said in her caption.

Back in 2019, Courteneys s ex-husband David, who she was married to from 1999 to 2013, took responsibility for the look.

Selfie: Courtney even poked fun at the look in Halloween 2000 where she shared a selfie with someone in a Ghostface seemingly cutting her hair

Responsible: Back in 2019, Courteneys s ex-husband David, who she was married to from 1999 to 2013, took responsibility for the look

A meme surfaced which featured a photo from Scream 3 that read, 'If you ever feel like s**t,' just remember Courteney Cox's hair in Scream 3.'

David commented on the post, stating, 'I have to take the fall for this. I suggested a Bettie Page look. It just didn't work. I take full responsibility.'

The new Scream reboot will hit theaters nationwide on January 14
She recently jetted off on a baby moon with her partner Jason Statham, 54, and their four-year-old on Jack, as they await the arrival of their second child.

And after returning from their jaunt, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley updated her Instagram with a series of chic fashion looks by posting a slew of throwbacks.

In one snap, the pregnant model, 34, looked typically stylish in a black dress and blazer combination - which highlighted her toned pins as she posed for the camera.

Glam! Rosie Huntington-Whiteley updated her Instagram with a series of chic fashion looks by posting a slew of throwback

She styled the outfit with a pair of brown strappy heels and accessorised with a pair of drop earrings, while wearing her hair in a sleek loose style.

While another ensemble saw her slip into a floaty midi with a thigh-slit up the leg, teamed with a neutrally-toned blazer and nude knee-high boots.

Rosie later switched her heels for a pair of quirky nude flatforms, teamed with a white dress and the same oversized blazer.

Chic: While another ensemble saw her slip into a floaty midi with a thigh-slit up the leg, teamed with a neutrally-toned blazer and nude knee-high boots

Fashion: Rosie later switched her heels for a pair of quirky nude flatforms, teamed with a white dress and the same oversized blazer

Alongside the images, Rosie wrote: 'A few months ago at my office in LA wearing my @giaborghini shoes. Which are your faves? #GIAxRHW.'

It comes after Rosie shared a string of Instagram snaps from her recent jet-setting with Jack and her partner Jason.

Rosie showed off her bump in a series of chic looks as the family spent time in London, the UK countryside and a tropical location.

Expecting: Rosie is squeezing in plenty of fun with her son Jack, four, before the new arrival

Uploading her favourite memories to Instagram, Rosie looked gorgeous in her holiday wardrobe, wowing in a ribbed grey midi dress and another skin-tight nude number.

The proud mum also shared snaps of her son Jack. One showed the little boy being welcomed on board a private jet, while another saw him enjoying his Spider-Man comics while taking to the skies.

While she didn't share where the family were headed, Rosie showed off a stunning beachside location in another snap, showing Jack exploring among palm trees.

Come fly with me: Rosie shared a string of Instagram snaps from her recent jet-setting with Jack and her partner Jason

This is the life! The proud mum also shared snaps of her son Jack. One showed the little boy enjoying his Spider-Man comics while taking to the skies

The little boy also posed in a bed at the luxury resort, with petals and leaves spelling out 'Baby Moon' on the bedspread.

Another babymoon treat was Rosie's morning coffee, with the staff adding a picture of Rosie and Jason into the foam.

Rosie announced that she was expecting her second child with partner Jason in August.

Chic: Rosie showed off her bump in a series of chic looks as the family spent time in London, the UK countryside and a tropical location

Holiday: While she didn't share where the family were headed, Rosie showed off a stunning beachside location in another snap, showing Jack exploring among palm trees

Family time: The little boy also posed in a bed at the luxury resort, with petals and leaves spelling out 'Baby Moon' on the bedspread

Sweet: Another babymoon treat was Rosie's morning coffee, with the staff adding a picture of Rosie and Jason into the foam

Rosie, has been engaged to actor Jason since 2016, with the couple welcoming their first child, Jack, in 2017.

It's been a busy holiday period for the family, as on Sunday the model shared more photos from a getaway to the UK countryside.

The former Victoria's Secret model shared a sweet snap of little Jack as she showcased her blossoming baby bump beneath her coat.

Baby on board: Rosie announced that she was expecting her second child with partner Jason in August

Stunning: The blonde beauty showed off her bump in a chic skintight dress in one snap

Family: Pregnant Rosie gave another rare glimpse into her family life as she headed out on a country adventure with her son Jack on Monday

Her son posed beside her in a black padded coat and Hunter wellington boots as they for an adventure in their Range Rover.

In another, the tot could be seen he gazed out at the UK from above as they took a helicopter ride.

Alongside the update she penned: 'Heres looking at you 2022! Wishing everyone a very happy new year!'

Sweet: Her son posed beside her in a black padded coat and Hunter wellington boots as they for an adventure in their Range Rover

Wow! In another, the tot could be seen he gazed out at the UK from above as they took a helicopter ride
Daniel Craig has revealed that he was originally told he'd have to star in four James Bond films by boss Barbara Broccoli, leading him to ask if the character could be 'killed off.'

The actor, who made his fifth and final appearance as 007 in No Time To Die last year, confessed it was 'a lot' being told he'd have to make such a commitment to the part, setting the stage for the agent's surprise death many years later.

Speaking on the Awards Chatter podcast, Daniel said that he felt Bond was 'happy and fulfilled' when he finally met his maker, while detailing the moment he became' choked up' during his final day of filming.

Revelation: Daniel Craig has revealed that he was originally told he'd have to star in four James Bond films by boss Barbara Broccoli, leading him to ask if the character could be 'killed off'

Daniel explained that after his first Bond outing in Casino Royale in 2006 he had asked Broccoli how many he had to make.

He said: 'I was sitting in the back of a black Mercedes driving away from the Berlin premiere of Casino Royale with Barbara Broccoli in the back - just me and her - everything was good, the movie was doing great, it was like 'we'd done it, it was time for a bit of celebration'.

'I said 'how many of these movies do I have to make?' And she was like 'four'. And I was like 'oh, really? That's a lot?'

Open: The actor confessed it was 'a lot' being told he'd have to make such a commitment to the part, setting the stage for the agent's surprise death many years later

'I said ''OK, if I make four can I kill him off at the end?'' And she paused, and she just went ''yes''.

'I had a sort of plan in my head, I don't know what the plan was, that if we got it right and if we got it to a place, then they needed to re-set.

'And to properly re-set you need to get rid of one idea of it and start another idea of it. And I just felt like 'get rid of my version and someone else can start, and they can start their version'.

'But it also meant that what I could do is there could be some sort of arc, emotional arc, that I could aim for, and that something he does or has to do means he has to end and that he can't be around any more.

'And that was a really, really difficult story to figure out, but I knew that if we got it right then it would be the ultimate sacrifice, but the ultimate sacrifice for a good reason.'

Speaking out: Daniel explained that after his first Bond outing in Casino Royale in 2006 he had asked Broccoli how many he had to make

In No Time To Die, Craig's Bond is tackling baddie Safin and calls in a missile strike from HMS Dragon to destroy Safin's factory where he has technology to kill millions of people.

Bond is eventually killed in the blast, mere seconds after learning that he is the father of love interest Dr. Madeleine Swann's daughter Mathilde.

Discussing his character's eventual ending, Daniel said: 'He didn't commit suicide, there was no choice, and basing it around a love story and a family love story seemed to me to be the obvious thing.

'I and Cary (director Cary Joji Fukunaga) and Phoebe (Waller-Bridge, screenwriter) all had a lot to do with the end. We wrote it. I scribbled stuff down on paper what I thought it was. Phoebe scribbled her magic over it. It came together.

'We just had to get the right reasons. And the right reasons were ones where there was a diabolical villain who did something diabolical that there was no going back from, and the only thing that he could do to keep the people he loved alive was to sacrifice himself.

'And it felt right. And he went out a happy man. He was fulfilled.

Moving: Speaking on the Awards Chatter podcast, Daniel said that he felt Bond was 'happy and fulfilled' when he finally met his maker

'He could never really be with anybody because he couldn't because he was an assassin. He was always a target and in some ways he got rid of the bad guy, the real bad guy that we had from the first movie, because Safin was in the first movie.

'We got rid of him and Madeleine could go on, and his daughter could go on. I felt very satisfied with it.'

Craig also said that after the final day of filming he became far more emotional than on any of the other Bond films.

He continued: 'That last day on a movie set is always a fairly anti-climactic thing. You go ''bye, see you, lovely working with you, see you again soon''.

'I did the last scene. All of the crew, all of the office staff had stayed and I didn't know they had. So suddenly there was two or three hundred people standing around.

'And it was very difficult not to get emotional. It wasn't about the fact that it was over. It was about the people who were standing around me were the reason that I went to work every day.

Emotional: Craig also said that after the final day of filming he became far more emotional than on any of the other Bond films

'And I realised that at that point that that was the reason. I just looked around, I went 'I come to work for you guys'.

'And it never felt more collective. I never felt more like part of a family on a set at that point than I had ever done in my career, and I realised how much I was going to miss that.

'There will always be moments like that on movie making, but on a Bond movie it's particularly special, and particularly on No Time To Die, where the collective effort was so great.

'At that moment, I realised how much it mattered to me. It was release. You never know. To stop and realise what it all meant, it was difficult not to choke up and be emotional about it.'

No Time To Die received positive reviews from critics, with review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes saying the film 'concludes Daniel Craig's franchise tenure in satisfying style'.

Meanwhile, the battle to replace Daniel as 007 is 'wide open', according to MGM boss Pamela Abdy.

Important: He said: 'There will always be moments like that on movie making, but on a Bond movie it's particularly special'

Pamela, who serves as MGM's President of Motion Pictures, has revealed that the studio has had 'preliminary conversations' with 007 producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson about who will replace Daniel  who bowed out as Bond in the recent flick No Time To Die.

'It's wide open. We've had very early preliminary conversations with Barbara and Michael, but we wanted Daniel to have his last hurrah,' she told The Hollywood Reporter.

Idris Elba has been tipped as a potential 007 but it was recently reported that the Luther star was in 'early' talks to play a Bond villain.

A source told The Sun newspaper: 'Idris has had informal talks with the studio and he has been told there is a role in the next Bond film for him, if he wants it.

'He wont be the title character, but they do recognize the amount of pull and respect he commands, and they want to work with him on a completely original character for the next installment.

'It is still very early days for the conversations but, so far, it looks like it would be the role of a villain.'

Bridgerton's Rege-Jean Page and Lashana Lynch, who played a major role in last Bond movie, might also take on the iconic mantle.
Megan Prescott has told how she turned to OnlyFans and stripping after finding fame on cult Channel 4 hit Skins during her teenage years.

The actress, 30, opened up about how turning to the X-rated photo sharing site helped her make ends meet during the coronavirus pandemic.

Before joining OnlyFans, Megan worked at strip clubs but admitted she feared being recognised and worried that it would affect her getting jobs in the acting world.

Making ends meet: Megan Prescott has told how she turned to OnlyFans and stripping after finding fame on cult Channel 4 hit Skins during her teenage years

Megan, who played Katie Fitch in the British teen comedy-drama, was encouraged to start a page on the raunchy site due to her following of fans from Skins.

Megan told The Sun: 'I thought I may as well try and it went very well. I only do what I'm comfortable with and log on when I want to because it takes a lot out of you.'

She explained that it isn't as 'emotionally draining' as working as a stripper because the hours are more regular and you don't have to bargain over prices.

On the flip side, Megan said that people in real life are 'much kinder', while she has some incel (involuntary celibate) followers who right 'horrendous things'.

Megan said she ignores them and uses the material to fuel her writing, while recognising she is 'prividged' in the sex industry because of her TV background.

Honest: The actress, 30, opened up about how turning to the X-rated photo sharing site helped her make ends meet during the coronavirus pandemic

Blast from the past: Megan (pictured right) appeared as Katie Fitch in the British teen comedy-drama alongside her twin sister Kathryn

The screen star was introduced to stripping aged 22, two years after appearing on Skins, by her friend Heaven, who co-hosts the podcast Strippers In The Attic.

Megan, who said that already stripping on screen 'broke down barriers' while auditioning for the club, said: 'Before my first strip club audition, I sat in a pub and had two shots of tequila. I don't really drink, but I felt it was necessary because I was a bit nervous.

'But once you've danced naked your nerves go away very quickly and then it becomes quite fun  society makes it seem shameful, but it's really not.'

Megan admitted she 'easily' made more money in the clubs - including Bianca Gascoigne's Gaslight Of St James's - than she did at her pub job and found it more empowering.

Concerns: Before joining OnlyFans, Megan worked at strip clubs but admitted she feared being recognised and worried that it would affect her getting jobs in the acting world

However she did fear her new job being exposed, and said: 'I was terrified of something coming out, but at the time I wasn't getting a lot of acting work and had no agent.'

Megan - who has also competed as a bodybuilder - said she kept her job hidden for years due to the 'stigma' which surrounds the sex industry, which she said could have been 'career-ruining'.

She said that on occassion people did recognise her, including one 'drunk' girl who promised Megan she would remain tight-lipped about her identity.

Megan revealed she now thinks the judgement is 'ridiculous' because times have changed and women shouldn't be judged for being naked.

Horrific: Last year, Megan's twin sister Kathryn was left in a critical condition after being hit by a cement truck while crossing a road in New York

'It's ridiculous, it's not the Middle Ages, surely we're past the time of judging women for showing their cleavage and being naked is normal.'

Since appearing on Skins, Megan has had roles in Silent Witness, Holby City and several short films and her own plays.

She said she experienced 'elitism' over some roles because she has not been classically trained in acting.

Last year, Megan's twin sister Kathryn was left in a critical condition after being hit by a cement truck while crossing a road in New York.

The Londoner was rushed to hospital following the horror crash, her sister Megan revealed on Instagram at the time of the accidnet.

The actress, know for playing Emily Fitch in Skins and Carter Stevens in Finding Carter, was in an ICU at a New York Hospital and was said to be 'incredibly lucky to be alive'.

Megan announced the shock news through her social media and said her twin had a broken pelvis, legs, foot and hand.

Her family reported that Kathryn was 'out of danger' shortly after the accident, however the actress has not posted on her social media since the incident.
Apprentice hopeful Akshay Thakrar has been a director of five failed companies, it can be revealed.

Digital Marketing Agency owner Thakrar, 28, first tried his hand at setting up a record label before the firm folded in July 2013.

The London-based digital marketing consultant then set up a firm called Vivid Records Ltd while he was a student.

Not a great track record: Apprentice hopeful Akshay Thakrar has been a director of five failed companies, it can be revealed

The firm was incorporated in November 2011 but was dissolved via compulsory strike-off 19 months later without filing accounts. No reason was given for the move but it is usually initiated when directors fail to file paperwork on time.

In April 2014, he was one of two directors of an advertising agency called Silver Crescent Media Ltd, along with Pareet Shah.

It posted two sets of accounts in 2015 which showed that cash at the bank had dwindled demo 20,330 to just 509 in just over seven months.

The value of the firm's total assets also fell from 1,603 to 509 before the company was voluntarily dissolved in March 2016.

Boss: Akshay (centre right) took on PM duties on the boy's team during the first task last week but ended up on the losing side

Thakrar, who jokes his first word as a newborn was 'profit', set up Aumetric Media Ltd, which described itself as being involved in retail mail, order sales and advertising, in October 2014.

His appointment was terminated in January 2016 and the firm applied to be struck off the official register of companies four months later. It filed accounts covering 2015 that showed it has 566 in the bank and net liabilities of 2,154.

He and pal Shah also set up Nativelabs Ltd in July 2015 which was voluntarily dissolved in September 2016. Thakrar stood down as a director in January 2016 and the firm posted accounts as a dormant company in June 2016.

Its balance sheet covering the 11 months to 31 May 2016 showed that it has assets worth 4, which was the amount of cash in its bank account.

Jet-setter: Thakrar, who jokes his first word as a newborn was 'profit', Akshay speaks seven languages and is able to connect with everyone, therefore 'can sell anything to anyone.

Team: Digital Marketing Agency owner Thakrar, 28, first tried his hand at setting up a record label before the firm folded in July 2013 (pictured center with co-stars Alex Short and Navid Sole)

Big dreams: He is currently director of an advertising firm called AMT BD International Ltd was was incorporated on 17 March last year

In March 2017 he was appointed as a director of another advertising agency called Roq Media Ltd but the firm applied to be struck off the register in July 2017 without filing accounts.

He is currently director of an advertising firm called AMT BD International Ltd was was incorporated on 17 March last year.

A source said: 'Akshay will be hoping Lord Sugar doesn't look too closely at his business back catalogue.'

Describing himself as 'put on this earth to make money' Akshay speaks seven languages and is able to connect with everyone, therefore 'can sell anything to anyone.'

Akshay told MailOnline: 'These companies were simply registered when I was younger. My company, Triple AMT Group Ltd, has now been trading for 4 years and continues to grow year on year with total current asset value worth six figures in the previous account record.'

Akshay was the Project Manager for the boy's team during the first task on the latest series of The Apprentice, which hit screens last week.

Comeback: The Apprentice returned with a splash on Thursday after the series was rested for two years due to the Covid pandemic

The first episode of series 16 kicked off with a challenge on a cruise ship, with the candidates split into teams and tasked with designing an advertising campaign for a destination cruise.

Yet ultimately it was the boys team were unable to stay afloat, with their cruise logo compared to a turd, while Harry Mahmood ended up becoming the first candidate to be fired.

After being thrown in the deep end during the first task, the remaining candidates will face a host of equally daunting challenges ahead as relationships are tested and competitive drive is flared.

Stern: Back in the boardroom, Lord Sugar was left unimpressed with both teams at the end of the cruise ship task

Hilarious: The boys' logo also didn't go down well, with one person remarking it looked like 'projectile vomit', while another noted it resembled a 'turd'

The tasks include being launched into the world of children's oral care, an adventurous brief to boost Welsh tourism with zip lines and steam trains - and the development of an original video game concept will also take things up another level.

The budding entrepreneurs will also find themselves in the spotlight as they sell live on TV, negotiate fishy waters in Cornwall and navigate a racing inspired corporate away day at Silverstone.

There will be no easing gently back into boardroom life this series as Lord Sugar has made no secret that the stakes are higher than ever.

Each task will end with the candidates being summoned in to fight their corner in the boardroom, with one final opportunity to escape the firing line.

The Apprentice airs on Thursday at 9pm on BBC One, followed by You're Fired on BBC Two. Watch live and on-demand on BBC iPlayer.

THE APPRENTICE 2022: MEET THE MEN AARON WILLIS, 38 Occupation: Flight Operations Instructor Lives in: Chorley, Lancashire Key information: Having served in the RAF for 12 years as Flight Operations Instructor, Aaron has set out to start his own security business. He says: 'My strongest point is that I can sell to anybody and I think that's the reason why my business will be a success, because people will buy from me.' AKSHAY THAKRAR, 28 Occupation: Owner, Digital Marketing Agency Lives in: London Key information: Referring to himself as a man who believes sleeping is a 'waste of time' he also claims his first word as a newborn was profit'. He says: 'My friends call me AK 47 because I'm a killer salesperson.' CONOR GILSENAN, 28 Occupation: Sales Executive and former Professional Rugby Player Lives in: London Key information: Hard working and 'hyper motivated by money', ex rugby player Conor describes himself as a 'corporate panther' with a record for getting deals done and who will win this series. He says: 'I'm going to be the corporate panther in the boardroom, I'm going to get it done, and I'm going to be Lord Sugar's perfect business partner.' NAVID SOLE, 27 Occupation: Pharmacist Lives in: London Key information: Qualified pharmacist and Nicki Minaj superfan Navid aspires to create a successful pharmacy business with the help and expertise of Lord Sugar. He says: 'Nothing intimidates me because I just feel like I'm a strong character, strong person, strong mindset.' AKEEM BUNDU KAMARA, 29 Occupation: Strategy Manager for a Financial Firm Lives in: London Key information: Akeem considers himself a people's person who loves being around others, however as a 'numbers guy', his analytical ability often causes him to think carefully about his every move, as he claims he will come in with a 'calculated point of view.' He says: 'My growing up has made me who I am, I'm able to converse with everyone, but also able to show that financial, business side to myself.' ALEX SHORT, 27 Occupation: Owner, Commercial Cleaning Company Lives in: Hertford Key information: With big goals for his commercial cleaning business, Alex is driven, focused and is 'not going to stop' until he gets where he wants to go. He says: 'I would compare myself to a Ferrari, shiny on the outside but under the bonnet, there is a lot of fire and I'm coming for you.' HARRY MAHMOOD, 35 Occupation: Regional Operations Manager Lives in: West Midlands Key information: Inspired by the kindness of his grandparents, Harry wants to help and support people. He says: 'Everything I've looked into achieving, I've achieved I've literally done everything I've put my mind to.' NICK SHOWERING, 31 Occupation: Finance Manager Lives in: London Key information: After 'working in the shadow of his family's business', qualified accountant Nick hopes to make a name for himself in the drinks industry with his line of flavoured water. He says: 'In business I'm a bit of a force to be reckoned with I know what I'm talking about, I know how things work, and I'm extremely experienced So, I'm a bit of an animal in the boardroom' Advertisement
Edinburgh's limestone streets provided the backdrop on Tuesday as Michael Sheen and Jon Hamm filmed their first scenes for the second season of popular fantasy drama Good Omens.

The show, based on the 1990 novel by Neil Gaiman and the late Terry Pratchett, is expected to air on Amazon Prime later this year following the immediate success of season one, which aired in 2019.

Making his first notable appearance on set, Sheen, 52, was dressed in character as Aziraphale, an angel who has lived on Earth since the dawn of creation, as he joined co-star Hamm, 50.

However the mid-twentieth century suit, vintage car and cobbled road suggested Sheen's early scenes preceded the show's typically modern historical context.

Here we go: Edinburgh's limestone streets provided the backdrop on Tuesday as Michael Sheen (L) and Jon Hamm (R) filmed their first scenes for the second season of Good Omens

With winds blowing a gale and temperatures mild at best, the Welsh star held onto his hat as a small production team filmed him climbing from the driver's seat while staring off-camera.

Taking a break between scenes, Hamm - who returns as Gabriel, the leader of the forces of Heaven - adhered to current health and safety guidelines by wearing a protective face covering.

Co-star David Tennant was not present on Tuesday but had previously been seen in the city as recently as November, when he filmed scenes as Crowley, a demon who also has lived on Earth since the dawn of time.

The series follows their characters as they try to prevent the coming of the Anti-Christ when their respective bosses decide to kick-start the apocalypse.

Back at work: The actor was dressed in character as Aziraphale, an angel who has lived on Earth since the dawn of creation, while shooting the Amazon Prime show

Don't mind me: Taking a break between scenes, Hamm - who returns as Gabriel, the leader of the forces of Heaven - adhered to health and safety guidelines by wearing a face covering

Speaking to MailOnline in 2019 about finally getting the show made following Pratchett's sudden passing, Gaiman explained: 'It feels really strange, what we really wanted was to find someone to adapt it.

'Terry and I had no plans to do it, and then we couldn't find anybody, everybody basically turned us down, really good people, saying it was too complicated, too weird or whatever.

'Then in the summer of 2014 he wrote me a letter, and he'd never asked anything of me before, and he wrote and said you have to do this, I know how busy you are, and I know that you can't do it, but you have to do it so that I can see it before the lights go out and I said okay.

Steady on: With winds blowing a gale and temperatures mild at best, the Welsh star held onto his hat as a small production team filmed him

Blast from the past: The mid-twentieth century suit, vintage car and cobbled road suggested Sheen's early scenes preceded the show's typically modern historical context

Action! The production team filmed Sheen as he climbed from the driver's seat of his car

'Then Terry died which astonished me because I thought we had six or seven years with him and I went back from his funeral and started writing the first episode when I got back to America.

'It didn't feel funny, and I missed him a lot, but knowing I was making it for Terry was what kept me going through everything, no matter how difficult it got, no matter how strange, it was just the knowledge that that's what we were doing it for. I think he would like it, I wish he were here tonight.'

Good Omens series 2 is expected to air on Amazon Prime later this year.
A man pulls his dog on a leash up and down in Eunpyeong District, north western Seoul, in this screenshot from a video uploaded by the local animal rights activist group, Care, on Facebook. / Screenshot from Care's Facebook page



By Lee Hae-rin



An animal rights group reported a man to the police, Monday, for violating the Animal Protection Act. He allegedly yanked aggressively on his dog's leash, lifting the animal off the ground.



The report came a day after the group, Care, uploaded a video of the man on its Facebook and Instagram accounts, asking for internet users' help in finding the alleged animal abuser from Eunpyeong District.



In the video clip, the man repeatedly lifts the dog off the ground by the leash as if he were playing with a yo-yo, and then beats the dog with his hand. This video went viral and enraged many internet users.



Activists from the organization found the dog owner, 82, on Monday morning.



"The man did not understand that what he did was animal abuse and told us he treated the dog in such manner because he was 'angry,'" Kim Young-hwan, the head of the activist group, told The Korea Times.



The man insisted that he cannot live without the dog, but the activists convinced him to hand over ownership of the dog to the organization, Kim explained.



The one-year-old Maltese displayed signs of fear and anxiety around his owner although it had no signs of injury. It is now under the protection of the organization at a local animal hospital. The dog will be adopted by one of many candidate owners who applied to adopt it, according to Kim.



According to the Animal Protection Act, the punishments for animal abuse are strong for international standards, such as a maximum three-year jail term or fines of 30 million won according to abuse resulting in the death of an animal, and two years in prison and 20 million won for acts resulting in physical injuries.



The maximum punishments, however, have never been handed down.



"The problem is that the crimes are never taken seriously enough to get the maximum penalty," Kim said.



"Both the physical and psychological aspects of animal abuse, along with its seriousness, must be recognized to prevent animal abuse in the future," Kim said.


Molly-Mae Hague cut a casual figure as she was seen for the first time since apologising for her 'tone deaf' comments on wealth inequality which went viral last week.

The former Love Island star, 22, opted for a laid back look as she left a hairdressers in Wilmslow, Cheshire on Tuesday.

The influencer wrapped up for the outing in a dark grey coat which she wore with a pair of black leggings.

Outing: Molly-Mae Hague cut a casual figure as she was seen for the first time since apologising for her 'tone deaf' comments on wealth inequality which went viral last week

Also sporting a black top and a matching scarf, Molly-Mae donned a pair of white trainers.

Letting her blonde locks fall loose down her shoulders, she completed her look with a black handbag.

The star was seen getting her highlights done in the salon.

It comes after Molly-Mae posted a statement on Monday afternoon insisting she only wanted to 'inspire' her fans with her success story.

Casual: The former Love Island star, 22, opted for a laid back look as she left a hairdressers in Wilmslow, Cheshire on Tuesday

An interview, which was first shared on YouTube on December 13, went viral on Wednesday when it was shared on Twitter, and sparked outrage from fans after Molly-Mae insisted she had worked her 'a**e off' for her success.

Molly-Mae issued an apology on Monday via her Instagram account, which boasts 6.2m followers.

She wrote: 'I wanted to come back online today as normal but I feel like before I do I just wanted to say this...When I say or post anything online, it is never with malice or ill intent.'

Outfit: The influencer wrapped up for the outing in a dark grey coat which she wore with a pair of black leggings

'I completely appreciate that things can affect different people in different ways however I just want to stress that I would never intend to hurt or upset anyone by anything that I say or do.'

She added: 'I apologise to the people that have been affected negatively or misunderstood the meaning of what I said in the podcast, the intentions of the podcast were only ever to tell my story and inspire from my own experience. Love to you all, always x'.

An interview, which was first shared on YouTube on December 13, went viral on Wednesday when it was shared on Twitter.

Backlash: It comes after Molly-Mae posted a statement on Monday afternoon insisting she only wanted to 'inspire' her fans with her success story

'No malice': The reality star posted a statement on Monday afternoon insisting she only wanted to 'inspire' her fans with her success story

In the clip, Molly, who last year was named the creative director of clothing brand PrettyLittleThing, a title with a seven-figure salary, said: 'You're given one life and it's down to you what you do with it. You can literally go in any direction.

'When I've spoken about that in the past I have been slammed a little bit, with people saying 'it's easy for you to say that because you've not grown up in poverty, so for you to sit there and say we all have the same 24 hours in a day is not correct.' But, technically, what I'm saying is correct. We do.'

She went on: 'I understand we all have different backgrounds and we're all raised in different ways and we do have different financial situations, but I think if you want something enough you can achieve it.

Unimpressed: Molly-Mae's subscribers took to the comment section of her latest YouTube video last week to share their opinion of the backlash the influencer has faced

'It just depends on what lengths you want to go to get where you want to be in the future. And I'll go to any length.' She then added: 'I've worked my absolute a**e off to get where I am now.'

Molly-Mae's subscribers took to the comment section of her latest YouTube video last week to share their opinion of the backlash the influencer has faced, with some choosing to hit the unsubscribe button.

Taking to the comment section, one wrote: 'You have done really well for yourself but undoubtedly saying that we all have the same 24 hours came across awfully because we really don't- privilege is so real in today's world, some people work ridiculously hard but have barriers to success such as family background, racism etc...'

Viral: An interview, which was first shared on YouTube on December 13, went viral on Wednesday when it was shared on Twitter under the heading 'If you're homeless just buy a house'

Slammed: One fan tweeted in response: 'She literally just went on a TV dating show and got brand deals, I'm not sure she 'worked here a**e off''

While another follower added: 'Molly, I've supported you through and through since Love Island, but I'm so hurt by what said in the podcast. I can comprehend that perhaps you don't mean it in the way it came across, but the point being is that it came across in a really terrible way.'

'Unsubscribing. What reflection on how our society awards idiots. Meanwhile many of those who make a meaningful contribution struggle,' typed a third.

A fourth subscriber chimed: 'Completely out of touch and deluded. It's embarrassing to listen to her speak on the matter because she just consistently exposes how sheltered and ignorant she is.'

A spokesman for the star told MailOnline last week that Molly acknowledges that people 'are raised in different ways' and 'from different backgrounds' and that she never meant to offend.

Awkward: After her comments went viral, footage also resurfaced of the star being left horrified after being asked to work a 12-hour shift in the PLT warehouse

Not impressed: Molly's statement came as footage resurfaced of the star left flabbergasted after being asked to work a 12-hour shift

A statement read: 'Molly did a podcast interview in December about her own rise to success. If you listen to the full conversation and interview Molly was asked about how the nature of her potential grows and how she believes in herself.

'This part of the interview was discussing time efficiency relating to success. Molly refers to a quote which says "We all have the same 24 hours in a day as Beyonce".

'She was discussing her own experience and how she can resonate with this specific quote. Her opinion on if you want something enough you can work hard to achieve it is how she keeps determined with her own work to achieve more in her own life.

'Molly is not commenting on anyone else's life or personal situation she can only speak of her own experience.

Defence: Dragon's Den star Steven Bartlett defended Molly-Mae after she was 'crucified' over her controversial comments on wealth inequality and poverty on his podcast

Double standards? Taking to Twitter on Friday, the Dragon's Den star claimed none of his male guests who have said similar things have faced such a backlash

'She acknowledges that everyone is raised in different ways and from different backgrounds but her comments here are in reference to timing, hard work and determination in her own life.'

'If you listen to this interview you can see the whole conversation was about her own personal circumstances, how she has grown up and this small clip in the conversation was talking about a quote that inspires her.

Social media users have shared a short snippet from this interview with words such as 'if you are homeless buy a house' and "if you are poor be poor" these are absolutely not Molly's words, these are not Molly's thoughts and this isn't at all the meaning or thought behind that conversation.'

Dragon's Den star Steven Bartlett defended Molly-Mae Hague after she was 'crucified' over her controversial comments.

Love Island star: A clip of her December interview went viral this week, with Molly's comments that she has 'worked my a**e off' for her wealth and that 'everyone has the same 24 hours in a day' to achieve sparking a backlash

Entrepreneur Stephen, 29, who interviewed Molly for the podcast, waded into the debate, suggesting the backlash was a result of sexism as he called out the 'double standard that successful women face' from critics.

Taking to Twitter on Friday he wrote: 'Molly Mae did an interview on my podcast, yesterday a soundbite from that interview went viral, she trended No.1 on Twitter, every newspaper covered it and MP's weighed in.

'I've had male guests say what she said. No-one cared. But when Molly says it, she's crucified? Crazy.'

He continued: 'I have become aware of the double standard that successful women face.

'If I interview a man he can brag about money, take full credit for his success and talk about his cars?

Support: Molly-Mae also found an ally in the form of Small Business MP Paul Scully, with the Conservative minister, 53, stating 'an aspirational approach to life is no bad thing'

'If I interview a successful woman, she's got to tip toe around her success and watch her words.'

Stephen, who recently replaced Tej Lalvani on Dragon's Den then added: 'Gender issues aside, the standard we hold Molly Mae to as a 22 year-old that's figuring out the world is absolutely outrageous.

'She once said she didn't like Italian food, it trended No.1 all day, was written about in every newspaper and she had to issue a public apology. 22.'

The reality star has also found an ally in the form of Small Business MP Paul Scully.

The Conservative minister, 53, waded into the row on Friday, stating 'an aspirational approach to life is no bad thing.'

Asked if her comments were fair, Paul told LBC: 'I think it is, but I think you've got to define success, because some of the comments that I was hearing in the lead up to my piece on this was about money, but success doesn't necessarily equal money.

Social media star: Molly, who boasts six million Instagram followers and 1.5 million YouTube subscribers, made the comments on the YouTube series The Diary of a CEO

'It can be, you know, furthering your job, whether it's in public service or whatever.

'And I think an aspirational approach to life is no bad thing. What we've got to make sure, though, is that opportunity is equally distributed around the country.

'And that's why the levelling up agenda that we often talk about in government is so, so important to make sure that those 24 hours can be matched by the opportunities by education and business across the country.'

Molly-Mae's father Stephen also spoke out in her defence, sharing a lengthy post in which he reflected on the storm surrounding his daughter and also the backlash faced by fellow influencer Elle Darby who lost more than 100,000 followers and was dropped by her management after racist tweets she sent as a teenager emerged.

In his post, Stephen stated: 'It must be tough for the media stars, influencers and public figures. Especially the younger ones who are still learning the emotional rollercoaster of life.

'It hurts me to see people literally driven to death by cruel comments of people who dont know the individuals and hide behind a keyboard often on fake accounts, cancelling someone for something 5,6,7 or 10 years ago, when a child is profoundly naive and shows a real lack of emotional intelligence.'

He added: 'Then attacking people for a sentence made as part of an interview taken out of context  I wouldnt mind but the CEO of Netflix appeared on a podcast called "the same 24hrs" on which many well respected business leaders have appeared  not attacked or cancelled.

'I think the context of Mollys words fit better with the title of that podcast we all have the same 24 hours in every day. But its how we USE those 24 hours that makes the difference in our health, happiness and success  but what do I know.'
John Malkovich put on a dapper display as he enjoyed a spot of lunch in Venice on Tuesday, during a break from filming Showtime's upcoming series, Ripley.

The actor, 68, looked suave in a smart black coat which he styled above a coordinating shirt, trousers and shiny leather shoes.

Accessorising his look with a charcoal trilby hat, he shot a glum express as he sat alone before standing up and tucking a newspaper under his arm.

Emerging: John Malkovich put on a dapper display as he enjoyed a spot of lunch in Venice on Tuesday, during a break from filming Showtime's upcoming series, Ripley

John looked every inch the star in the suave ensemble during the filming.

The highly-anticipated drama is set to star Andrew Scott as Tom Ripley with Dakota Fanning transforming into Marge Sherwood.

Pasquale Esposito will also become Pucci while Johnny Flynn gets into character as Dickie Greenleaf in the eight-part installment directed by Steven Zaillian.

Its plotline follows a 'grifter named Ripley living in New York during the 1960s' who is 'hired by a wealthy man to begin a complex life of deceit, fraud and murder', according to IMDb.

Looking good: Accesorising his look with a charcoal trilby hat, he shot a glum express as he sat alone before standing up and tucking a newspaper under his arm

Prior to shooting, John lamented cancel culture for ruining comedy, insisting what may have been considered funny yesterday could well end an entertainer's career the next in this age of 'social media idiocy'.

He made the admonishment ahead of the release of his new Netflix comedy show, Space Force, in which he stars with Steve Carell.

When quizzed about how he thought the show's jokes about President Donald Trump and his incessant tweeting habits would hold up, John told the New York Daily News' Kate Feldman he was more focused on mourning the death of humor.

Star-studded: The highly-anticipated drama is set to star Andrew Scott as Tom Ripley with Dakota Fanning transforming into Marge Sherwood (both pictured in 2020)

He said: 'What's funny yesterday becomes illegal today and the person uttering it must be canceled. Outrage culture is as strong as it is toxic.'

The Hollywood star opined that the emergence of social media has irrevocably changed the medium of comedy forever, now that the ire of a generation is the matter of a few characters, clicks and retweets away from being sparked.

He added: 'Part of what makes [comedy] difficult is also the tidal wave of idiocy that can be created on social media in a day ... the outrage mob.'
James 'Arg' Argent presented an investigative segment on male eating disorders after struggling with binge eating for years before having a gastric sleeve fitted.

During Tuesday's episode of Loose Women, Arg, 34, explored the rise in male eating disorders by interviewing an expert, two case studies and his mum, Patricia Argent.

Arg, who told viewers one and a half million people in the UK are struggling with an eating disorder and a quarter of those are men, also admitted he was one of them.

Deep dive: James 'Arg' Argent presented an investigative segment on male eating disorders after struggling with binge eating for years before having a gastric sleeve fitted

He said: 'I've been suffering with a binge eating disorder for over half of my life and although people might think that condition is quite rare, more people actually suffer from binge eating disorders than what they do from anorexia and bulimia.'

During the VT, James spoke to his mum, Patricia, and asked: 'When did you notice there was something not right with me?'

She replied: 'Lockdown is when it started to creep up on you. You seemed to be putting on weight every week and I noticed you weren't moving as much as you could have been, and you just didn't seem happy in yourself.'

Exploratory: During Tuesday's episode of Loose Women, Arg, 34, explored the rise in male eating disorders by interviewing an expert, two case studies and his mum, Patricia Argent

James said: 'I wouldn't leave the house, would I?'

Patricia replied, 'You were just staying in. I kept asking you for a walk or a coffee but you didn't want to join me, you kept putting it off and making excuses.'

James added: 'Lying.'

Patricia said: 'Yeah, basically you were lying to me. It was hard to see you feeling so uncomfortable in yourself.'

Struggles: Arg, who told viewers one and a half million people in the UK are struggling with an eating disorder and a quarter of those are men, also admitted he was one of them

He said: 'I've been suffering with a binge eating disorder for over half of my life and although people might think that condition is quite rare, more people actually suffer from binge eating disorders than what they do from anorexia and bulimia'

Before and after: Arg was told he was putting his health at risk before having gastric sleeve surgery last year (pictured before left)

James, went on to explain he was 'so image conscious', and said: 'I hated the way I looked. I would wait until it was dark to leave the house. I think a massive, massive turning point for me was when you came into my room and I was lying there.

'It was during the day and I was just so tired, so uncomfortable, I was so depressed, I didn't feel like getting out of bed. You came in and you just really cried. I remember you saying, 'I don't recognise my son'.'

Looking downwards, Patricia said: 'I do remember that day, James.'

James asked: 'Did you feel like you knew how to talk to me when you were worried? I can imagine it being really uncomfortable'

During the VT, James spoke to his mum, Patricia, and asked: 'When did you notice there was something not right with me?'

Patricia replied: 'I wanted to talk to you and you didn't want to talk. I wouldn't have said my son has an eating disorder. I never thought that was the root of all your problems.'

Explaining his behaviour, James revealed: 'The reason why you lie and keep secrets is because you do feel a bit embarrassed and ashamed but really, if you do want to change and sort out, you've just got to talk about it and be honest.'

During the VT, James also met Jess Griffiths from the eating disorder charity Beat to find out why there's such a rise in male eating disorders.
They've been soaking up the sun on their first holiday together.

And Millie Court offered a glimpse of her tanned physique in a grey bandeau as she prepared for another evening with beau Liam Reardon, 22, during their romantic getaway to The Maldives on Tuesday.

The Love Island star, 24, took to Instagram Stories to show off her evening look after Liam shared a hilarious video of her attempting to launch herself down a waterslide during their romantic break.

Jaw-dropping: Millie Court, 24, flaunted her physique in a grey bandeau as she prepared for another evening with beau Liam Reardon during their getaway to The Maldives on Tuesday

Posting a short video from her luxurious villa, Millie displayed her toned abs in the barely-there grey bandeau, teamed with a matching skirt.

The reality TV beauty swept her blonde tresses into a curled high bun, as she put on a sultry pose for the camera.

Earlier in the day, Liam shared a fun video of his bikini-clad girlfriend attempting to launch herself down a slide into the crystal clear ocean.

Off she goes! The Love Island star also appeared in a fun clip launching down a waterslide during a trip to the beach with Liam

Gorgeous: Posting a short video from her luxurious villa, Millie displayed her toned abs in the barely-there grey bandeau, teamed with a matching skirt

Millie sported a skimpy blue two-piece as she slid into the water while being filmed by her beau.

The couple have openly documented their lavish trip to The Maldives, after previously celebrating the New Year in Dubai.

Later Millie took to social media to share a gallery of loved-up snaps with beau Liam as they prepared to jet back to the UK.

Sweet: Later Millie took to social media to share a gallery of loved-up snaps with beau Liam as they prepared to jet back to the UK

Romantic: The pair shared a tender kiss as they gazed at the stunning beach views together, as they reached the end of their holiday

Amazing: She captioned her snaps: 'What an amazing first holiday with you. Maldives we you'

So much love: Showing their romance was stronger than ever, Millie leapt into Liam's arms before sharing a romantic kiss

She captioned her snaps: 'What an amazing first holiday with you. Maldives we you.'

It comes after Millie took to social media to candidly discuss her struggles with adult acne after bravely posting a makeup-free snap from her holiday.

Captioning the post she penned: 'Stripped back. I feel quite proud of myself for posting these photos today. A completely untouched photo of me.

'A year ago I would never have dreamed of even walking out of the house without makeup on, let alone taking a photo and putting it on the gram for everyone to see.'

Amusing: Earlier in the day, Liam shared a fun video of his bikini-clad girlfriend attempting to launch herself down a slide into the crystal clear ocean

In she goes! Millie sported a skimpy blue two-piece as she slid into the water while being filmed by her beau

She went on: 'As some of you may know, I've struggled with adult acne and it was the thing I was most insecure and self conscious about.

'I've been through a lot of different skin care and treatments and I thought it would never get better, so it feels amazing to be at this point and look at this picture of myself and how far I've come.

She shared some advice for her fans about how to take care of their skin, adding: 'It wasn't an easy journey, nor a quick one, and what worked for me may not work for you. That's the most annoying thing about skincare, it's not a one size fits all.

'But all I can say is do your research, speak to professionals, persevere don't give up because one day you will find something that works for you, like I did.

'I think my skin also loves me on holiday, something about it I don't know what, but it always seems to clear up in the sun and sea. No doubt about it, when I get back home my skin will break out again like it did over Christmas but I guess that's just something I have to deal with now - random breakouts every now and then.

Stunning: It comes after Millie took to social media to candidly discuss her struggles with adult acne after bravely posting a makeup-free snap from her holiday

Unfiltered: She bravely posted a gorgeous photo of her complexion while on holiday in the Maldives enjoying dinner with beau Liam

Millie went on to warn her followers not to be taken in by the flawless images of people on Instagram.

She said: 'Don't be fooled by Instagram either, this is my good side - I have a couple of marks, deep scars and 2 spots on my other side, but to see that one side is clear is enough for me and a huge difference to what it was a year ago!'

'There's a lot of photos on my Instagram (especially pre love island and in the year I was struggling with it the most) where I've smoothed out my skin, or edited spots out we're all guilty of it and we all want to post the best versions of ourselves on Instagram.

'So for those who sometimes forget, Instagram is a filtered life and even though it looks like everyone on Instagram may have perfect skin, I bet you they probably don't, and that is perfectly normal.'

'Our flaws are what makes us who we are, nobody is perfect.. and one of my flaws is my skin. But that's what makes me, me.'
They are making no secret of their blossoming romance.

And Kanye West certainly looked to be going from strength to strength with stunning new girlfriend Julia Fox as they departed their dinner date on Monday.

The rapper, 44, stayed close to his glamorous date, 31, as they departed Craig's before graciously meeting and greeting vying admirers by signing autographs.

Heading off: Kanye West certainly looked to be going from strength to strength with stunning new girlfriend Julia Fox as they departed their dinner date on Monday

Julia looked sensational in a chic grey leather jacket with stripes on the arms while Kanye was more casual in a hoodie and jeans.

Many fans waiting outside to meet the star were delighted to see him stop to sign autographs while many admirers snapped images on their phones.

It comes after Julie detailed her whirlwind romance with Kanye after the pair went public with their romance.

In a new profile on the rising star from The Cut, the actress admitted it's 'all happening so quickly': 'I'm going with the universe and the flow and seeing where it takes me,' before adding, '...where it takes all of us.'

Hey there: The rapper, 44, stayed close to his glamorous date, 31, as they departed Craig's before graciously meeting and greeting vying admirers by signing autographs

Hey there! Many fans waiting outside to meet the star were delighted to see him stop to sign autographs while many admirers snapped images on their phones

She also received praise from her friend Cat Marnell, who said: 'She's a legitimate sorceress. She's the Michael Jordan of vixens She's devastating, like a hurricane.'

Julia penned a 217 word account on her first two dates with the rapper, which included a trip to New York City.

Detailing their 'instant connection' after meeting in Miami on New Year's Eve to Interview Magazine, she described the star's generosity and 'fun' energy.

Out: Julia looked sensational in a chic grey leather jacket with stripes on the arms while Kanye was more casual in a hoodie and jeans

Snap happy: He was surrounded by many fans

The article also contained a slew of images documenting their epic night out, from the many kisses they shared to the hotel suite full of clothing Kanye had surprised Julia with.

'He had me and my friends laughing, dancing, and smiling all night. We decided to keep the energy going and fly back to New York City to see Slave Play,' she gushed.

The Uncut Gems star continued: 'Ye's flight landed at six and the play was at seven and he was there ON TIME. I was impressed. After the play we chose to do dinner at Carbone which is one of my favorite restaurants.'

Presentation: One fan was handing him a pile of envelopes

Strutting their stuff: They looked glamorous following the date

'At the restaurant, Ye directed an entire photo shoot for me while people dined,' she added. 'After dinner Ye had a surprise for me. I mean, I'm still in shock. Ye had an entire hotel suite full of clothes.'

She said the move was 'every girl's dream come true' and 'felt like a real Cinderella moment.'

'I don't know how he did it, or how he got all of it there in time. But I was so surprised. Like, who does things like this on a second date? Or any date!' she marveled.

Fox concluded her piece: 'Everything with us has been so organic. I don't know where things are headed but if this is any indication of the future I'm loving the ride.'

Happy days: It comes after Julie detailed her whirlwind romance with Kanye after the pair went public with their romance

Close shave: Antonio Brown also shared video of West getting his facial hair trimmed to his IG Stories on Monday

New year, new 'do! Kanye sat patiently as the hairdresser shaved his lower cheek
Diane Kruger has revealed Quentin Tarantino initially refused to give her an audition for the war film Inglorious Basterds, which he directed in 2009.

The actress, 45, claimed the filmmaker, 58, held a grudge against her after not being impressed with a previous performance, but eventually gave in.

Although she ultimately won a SAG award for her portrayal of Bridget Von Hammersmark, she was forced to fly to Germany beforehand in order to prove her worth.

'F**k him!' Diane Kruger has revealed Quentin Tarantino 'didn't want her to audition' for Inglorious Basterds and only gave her the role when there was 'no-one else left'

She told the Reign With Josh Smith podcast: 'He didn't want to audition me because he saw a movie that I was in that he didn't like.

'So he didn't believe in me from the get-go. And literally the only reason he auditioned me is because there was no one left to audition.

'I had to pay for my own flight from New York to go to Germany because he wouldn't - even though obviously he's American - see me in the US.

'So I had to jump through all these hoops that definitely put my nose at a joint, but I was like, "You know what, f**k him."

Wow: The actress, 45, claimed the filmmaker, 58, held a grudge against her after not being impressed with a previous performance before eventually giving in (pictured in October 2021)

'I'm just gonna do that and prove to him that I could do it and thankfully it all worked out, but sometimes it just seems unfair and you've gotta change the narrative.'

Admitting she too sometimes underestimates those in the industry, she hinted that there were no heard feelings since it would have acted as 'a lesson'.

Diane concluded: 'I think that for him that must have been a lesson, sometimes I'm sure I'm guilty of that too, you put people in boxes, you know you think they're gonna be one way and then they're not at all.'

The film - inspired by 1978 Italian war movie The Inglorious Bast*rds - follows a band of Jewish-American soldiers dropped into France to get revenge on the Nazi occupiers.

Surprise: 'So he didn't believe in me from the get-go. And literally the only reason he auditioned me is because there was no one left to audition' (pictured in-character)

Diane's comments come after a 2013 interview with Graham Norton resurfaced, in which Quentin was asked about strangling the actress during production.

In the clip, he explained the situation to the chat show host and his guests, James McEvoy and Alan Davies, which he told like a comedic anecdote.

He said: 'Whenever you do a close-up of somebody being strangled in a film, I never buy it, because when somebody's actually being strangled there's a thing that happens to their face  they turn a certain color and their veins pop out.

'What I said to Diane is, "I'm going to be the hands, and I'm going to just strangle you, all right? I'm going to cut off your air, for just a little bit of time, we're going to see the reaction in your face, and then we'll cut, okay?"' adding that 'she trusted him'.

Oh no! It comes after a 2013 interview with Graham Norton resurfaced, in which the director was asked about strangling Diane during production (pictured in character)

Diane personally talked about the incident in a 2009 interview with Parade, in which she revealed Quentin thought actor Christopher Waltz, whose character was the person strangling her in the movie, wouldn't be capable of doing a good job.

She recalled him telling her: 'I know exactly what I need, and I think I should just do it. I have to say it was very strange being strangled by the director.'

The former model has since come out to defend Quentin, posting on Instagram that working with him was 'pure joy'.

She penned: 'In light of the recent allegations made by Uma Thurman against Harvey Weinstein and her terrifying work experience on Kill Bill, my name has been mentioned in numerous articles in regards to the choking scene in Inglorious Basterds.

'This is an important moment in time and my heart goes out to Uma and anyone who has ever been the victim of sexual assault and abuse. I stand with you.

'For the record however, I would like to say that my work experience with Quentin Tarantino was pure joy. He treated me with utter respect and never abused his power or forced me to do anything I wasnt comfortable with.'

In 2002, Uma suffered a concussion and her neck and knees were 'permanently injured' after crashing a Karmann Ghia convertible into a tree at 40MPH on the Mexican set of Kill Bill: Volume 2.

She claimed Weinstein was responsible for orchestrating the scene - which he has vehemently denied.
Kim Kardashian was forced to change her holiday destination after learning that her ex Kanye West was planning to show up at the same place, it has been claimed.

Sources allege to Page Six that Kim, 41, and her boyfriend Pete Davidson were meant to holiday in the Dominic Republic, but switched it to the Bahamas after she learned Kanye was going to try and join them.

The 44-year-old rapper is even said to have gone to Miami for New Year's Eve specifically because he expected Kim to be there.

The way they were: Kanye West is allegedly still trying to reunite with his estranged wife Kim Kardashian, who filed for divorce nearly a year ago; pictured at the 2019 Met Gala

Kim's current boyfriend, Saturday Night Live star Pete, 28, was hosting a New Year's Eve concert in Miami with Miley Cyrus.

'Kim had planned to go to Miami with Pete for New Year, but then Kanye was suddenly doing an impromptu show there,' said a Page Six source.

'Of course, he met his new girlfriend Julia Fox there, and he has made a big deal out of flaunting their new relationship.'

It has been claimed that Kim was planning to travel with Pete to the Dominican Republic for a holiday after his Miami gig, but allegedly changed her plans when she found out Kanye was also headed there.

By the way: Kim is currently involved with Saturday Night Live lothario Pete Davidson with whom she is pictured on the sketch show in October

As a result Kim spent New Year's with her and Kanye's children back home in California and allegedly switched her holiday with Pete to the Bahamas.

Since their separation Kim has managed to keep the couple's marital home in Hidden Hills - but last month, two weeks after she filed to be declared legally single, Kanye bought a $4.5 million house across the street from her.

Kanye is said to have paid $421,000 more than the asking price on his new house to make absolutely certain nobody outbid him.

Wow: In recent weeks he has been seen on dates with Julia Fox, with whom he staged a widely-mocked raunchy photo-shoot in Interview magazine

A Page Six source has said Kim 'was none too happy when Kanye bought a house across the road from her in Hidden Hills.'

Kim and Kanye, who married in Florence in 2014, share four children - North, eight, Saint, six, Chicago, three, and Psalm, two.

Since Kim filed for divorce in February Kanye was briefly linked to Russian model Irina Shayk, whose dating history includes Cristiano Ronaldo and Bradley Cooper.

In recent weeks he has been seen on dates with Julia Fox, with whom he staged a widely-mocked raunchy photo-shoot in Interview magazine.

Incidentally: Julia, who became an It Girl in New York through her role in Uncut Gems, had been on just two dates with him before the photo-shoot

The pictures showed them kissing passionately and rolling around together on the floor and were accompanied by an essay Julia wrote about their romance.

Julia, who became an It Girl in New York through her role in Uncut Gems, had been on just two dates with him before the photo-shoot.

'I met Ye in Miami on New Years Eve and it was an instant connection. His energy is so fun to be around,' she spilled.

She gushed that he surprised her with a hotel suite full of clothes, which was 'every girl's dream come true' and 'felt like a real Cinderella moment.'

Mixed messaging: Kanye has made numerous public statements urging Kim to repair their marriage; they are pictured at the 2020 Vanity Fair Oscar Party

A Page Six source dismissed the Julia romance as 'a desperate play for attention' on Kanye's part, saying: 'He publicly fights for his family back, and then hes linked to all these different girls. Its very strange.'

Another source said: 'Kanye is back in angry mode. He has gone back to telling Kim not to call him directly, but to call his security to make arrangements for the kids.'

Kanye has made numerous public statements urging Kim to repair their marriage, including in lyrics written for his new album Donda.

In one song he pleaded with her to 'come back' to him and in another he goaded her that 'you're still in love with me.'

She has a Kim K look: Fox is seen here in an older photo modeling Kim's SKIMS

During a Los Angeles Mission event to feed the needy on Skid Row the day before Thanksgiving, he allegedly gave a speech about his collapsing marriage.

Kanye, who has cut multiple religious albums, said God wanted him and Kim to patch up the marriage, according to Page Six.

'The narrative God wants is to see that we can be redeemed in all these relationships. Weve made mistakes,' he allegedly said.

'Ive made mistakes. Ive publicly done things that were not acceptable as a husband, but right now today, for whatever reason - I didnt know I was going to be in front of this mic - but Im here to change the narrative.'
Matt Edmondson is the proud father of two.

The Radio 1 DJ has revealed he and his wife Bryony welcomed their second daughter, Willow last week, sharing sweet updates on Instagram.

On Tuesday Matt, 35, posted a video of the moment his eldest daughter Ivy, five, met her baby sister when they arrived home from hospital.

Happy news: Matt Edmondson is the proud father of two. The Radio 1 DJ has revealed he and his wife Bryony welcomed their second daughter, Willow, sharing sweet updates on Instagram

The video shows an excited Ivy beaming as Matt brings in baby Willow in her car seat.

'Do you want to know her name?' Matt asks his daughter. 'She's called Willow. What do you think?'

'Can we unstrap her?' a delighted Ivy asks. 'Yes, I think she's sleeping at the moment but mummy's going to help her have some milk in a second' Matt says.

Over the weekend Matt shared the first photo of Willow, writing: 'Introducing Willow Mae Edmondson. What a week Weve been to hell and back, but baby Willow is here and shes magic.'

Proud dad: On Tuesday Matt, 35, shared the moment his eldest daughter Ivy, five, met her baby sister when they arrived home from hospital

'Bryony was indescribably brilliant and brave, and is now doing well and resting. Were home and safe and hunkering down for a few weeks. Ivy is in love.'

'Thank you to the brilliant NHS staff at Lewisham Hospital who got us through it all- they were stretched so far, but worked so hard so that we didnt suffer.'

Matt regularly shares updates on Instagram about his life as a dad, but he didn't reveal to the public that he was a father until a March 2020 Instagram post, showing Bryony and Ivy for the first time.

He explained at the time that he hadn't posted about fatherhood as 'I quite like my little bubble at home' but he wanted to publicly pay tribute to his wife on Mother's Day and explain how the family had coped during the first COVID lockdown.

Big sister: The video shows an excited Ivy in her pjs and beaming as Matt brings in baby Willow in her car seat

Sweet moment: 'Do you want to know her name?' Matt asks his daughter. 'She's called Willow. What do you think?'

Family: Can we unstrap her?' a delighted Ivy asks. 'Yes, I think she's sleeping at the moment but mummy's going to help her have some milk in a second' Matt says

'This is a photo from a few months ago, of me on holiday with Bryony and our daughter Ivy. I dont post all that much personal stuff on here, as I quite like my little bubble at home, but as its Mothers Day, I wanted to say firstly how amazing Bryony is as a Mum, and how well shes coping in these unusual times,' he wrote.

'Being a parent with all the worry and isolation the pandemic is creating is extremely challenging, but also the very thing that is helping to get us through it.'

'I think its important to try and find the positives in bad situations, and the fact that I get to stay home and spend time with these two, when Ivy is at an utterly magical age and doesnt understand whats happening other than Daddy is not at work so can play dress up ALL day is an opportunity that I wouldnt have had under usual circumstances.'

Last year Matt opened up about his mental health, revealing he suffers from rare disorder cyclothymia - which leaves him feeling 'very low or emotionally high'.

Congratulations: Matt's Radio 1 colleagues and celebrity pals including his co-host Mollie King and Queer Eye's Tan France rushed to congratulate him

Matt told The Sun: 'I need to be doing something at all times, but I have a condition called cyclothymia. I have these extreme episodes where I feel really productive and positive and then periods where I feel low and unmotivated  thankfully this is more rarely.

'Im on top of it now, but it was a little confusing when I was younger. I was in my late 20s when I was diagnosed.'

The lesser-known condition can lead to bipolar disorder if untreated. According to the NHS, cyclothymia, or cyclothymic disorder produces mild symptoms that do not seek mental health treatment.

Often, the emotional highs 'feel nice' so the patient 'does not realise there's anything wrong or want to seek help'. As a result, cyclothymia often goes undiagnosed and untreated.

The NHS website adds: 'The mood swings can affect daily life, and cause problems with personal and work relationships. If you think you have cyclothymia, it's important to seek help from a GP.

'People with cyclothymia are at risk of developing bipolar disorder, so it's important to get help before reaching this stage. Men and women of any age can get cyclothymia, but it's more common in women.'
COVID transmissions may well be falling, but Helena Bonham Carter took no chances as she ventured out close to her London home on Tuesday.

The eccentric actress, 55, covered her instantly recognisable features with a protective face covering while making her way towards a local supermarket.

As always her unique sense of style was evident, with Helena opting to pair a black quilted jacket with a generously cut floor-length dress and red running shoes.

Staying safe: COVID transmissions may well be falling, but Helena Bonham Carter took no chances as she ventured out close to her London home on Tuesday

The actress was without her long-term boyfriend, the Norwegian writer and art historian Rye Dag Holmboe, during her latest appearance in the English capital.

The actress and her former long-term partner, director Tim Burton, 63, famously lived in inter-connecting houses during their 13-year relationship, with each property decorated to their own his 'n' hers tastes and personal styles.

However, the Daily Mail's Richard Eden reported last year that she had made the step of choosing to share a home with her academic boyfriend, even adding to their domestic bliss by adopting house rabbits.

Don't mind me: The eccentric actress, 55, covered her instantly recognisable features with a protective face covering while making her way towards a local supermarket

Offbeat: As always her unique sense of style was evident, with Helena opting to pair a black quilted jacket with a generously cut dress and red running shoes

The couple met at a wedding in 2018, following Helena's split from Burton in 2014.

Explaining how they met, she told The Guardian: 'A totally random thing, which both of us nearly didn't go to, so it was one of those moments that was so chance and ended up determining so much. A really happy accident, and it's an amazing thing.'

Addressing the couple's 22-year age gap, the actress previously said in an interview with The Times: 'Everybody ages at a different rate. My boyfriend is unbelievably mature. He's an old soul in a young body, what more could I want?

Alone: The actress was without her long-term boyfriend, the Norwegian writer and art historian Rye Dag Holmboe, during her latest appearance in the English capital

Coming soon: In her next acting venture, Helena will play veteran Crossroads star Noele Gordon in a new ITV drama

'People are slightly frightened of older women, but he isn't. Women can be very powerful when they're older.'

Helena continues to co-parent son Billy, 18, and daughter Nell, 14, with former partner Burton.

In her next acting venture, Helena will play veteran Crossroads star Noele Gordon in a new ITV drama.

The actress will take on the titular role in Nolly, a brand new three-part drama penned by It's A Sin writer Russell T Davies, and is set to begin filming this tear.

Nolly will explore the all-powerful reign, and fall from grace, of the inimitable Noele Gordon, who was declared the 'Queen of the Midlands' thanks to iconic role as Meg Mortimer in Crossroads.
She is known for her incredible sense of style.

And even on a relaxed date night out, Rihanna certainly was fashion forward.

The 33-year-old Fenty mogul was dressed for comfort but still looked chic while heading to dinner at Nobu in West Hollywood with boyfriend A$AP Rocky.

Bond: Rihanna was dressed for comfort but still looked chic while heading to dinner at Nobu in West Hollywood with boyfriend A$AP Rocky

Rihanna donned a black and blue Marmot Gortex jacket over a chic grey sweat suit.

She also teamed white sunglasses with a matching pair of leather Prada heels.

Her long brunette tresses were worn down into braids as she showcased her natural looks by wearing complementary make-up.

Rocky, 33, looked cool in a yellow and white Letterman's jacket over patterned hoodie along with baggy jeans and brown and red sneakers.

Vibes: The 33-year-old Fenty mogul donned a black and blue Marmot Gortex jacket over a chic grey sweat suit

Stunning: Her long brunette tresses were worn down into braids as she showcased her natural looks by wearing complementary make-up

He accessorized with a brown camouflage beanie and black protective face mask.

ASAP Rocky and Rihanna had been friends for nearly a decade before they began dating officially in 2020.

Last June the Praise The Lord hitmaker admitted in an interview with GQ that Rihanna was 'the one.'

'She amounts to probably, like, a million of the other ones, he said, revealing that he is now comfortable embracing monogamy thanks to his relationship with the pop star. 'I think when you know, you know. Shes the One.'

Coming soon: Rihanna recently announced her Savage X Fenty lingerie line would be opening brick-and-mortar stores

The sighting of the pop star-turned-mogul comes three days after she announced her Savage X Fenty lingerie line would be opening brick-and-mortar stores.

On Instagram she shared a photo of a simulated store front design and said, '2022, we coming in HOT! we bout to bring you a whole new #SavageXFenty experience.'

Rihanna - born Robyn Rihanna Fenty - listed Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Houston, Philadelphia, and Washington DC as the first cities that will see in-person stores.

Expanding her empire: Rihanna listed Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Houston, Philadelphia, and Washington DC as the first cities that will see in-person Savage x Fenty stores

The inclusive fashion line has climbed a steady incline of success since its 2018 launch.

In the last three years Rihanna and her disruptive designs have shaken up the fashion industry, and her business was valued at a whopping $1 billion last February.

About the expansion of first-ever stores a statement from Savage X Fenty read, 'On the heels of the brand's incredible growth since first launching in 2018, this new direct-to-consumer experience is the next step to bringing a fuller expression of the brand to consumers in key markets.'
A medical worker at a COVID-19 testing center near Gangnam Station in Seoul takes a break under a Christmas tree on Dec. 24, 2021. Yonhap



By Ko Dong-hwan



The forest healing program run by Korea Forest Service is becoming increasingly recognized for supporting people suffering from the psychological stresses of living amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, as it has shown positive effects in improving participants' overall mental health over the past two years.



Korea Forest Service, which organizes the program with the Korea Forest Welfare Institute and the Ministry of Health and Welfare, said Jan. 10 that the program has helped public health workers responsible for testing people for COVID-19 or treating COVID-19 patients by improving their mental health.



The health workers have been able to spend a day or one to two nights in one of the designated national forest parks, relieving their accumulated psychological stress by temporarily living off-the-grid.



The program was first launched out of concerns that as the coronavirus was continuing indefinitely, a growing number of medical workers started to quit their exhausting jobs, raising alarms that the country's entire health system might collapse. Some 4,500 medical workers have participated in the program since its creation in 2020.



The authorities recently surveyed 686 medical workers who used the program last year to evaluate how effective the program was to them. A point-based questionnaire survey was designed to see each respondent's levels of anxiety, fear, comfort and confidence, and the total points indicated the respondent's overall mental health level.



The health workers' average total score was 65.3 points before they participated in the program. Following the program, it rose to 74.6 points  indicating that participants' overall average mental health level had improved by 14.2 percent.



The program was first reserved for public health workers dealing with COVID-19 patients when it was first rolled out in 2020. Some 2,500 medical workers participated in the program back then, as the program was conducted in 13 national forest parks across the country 92 times for five months. Among them, 415 participated in a survey to evaluate the program's effectiveness, and showed that participants' average mental health level rose from 66.9 to 71.2 points.





People participate in a forest healing program at the National Center for Forest Therapy in Yangpyeong County, Gyeonggi Province. Courtesy of Korea Forest Service
Mark Wahlberg took to Instagram to wish his daughter Grace a happy 12th birthday.

The actor, 50, posted a short video to the popular social media site which showed him with his arm slung over his youngest daughter's shoulder.

'Happy birthday, big 12-year-old,' the Joe Bell actor said before kissing his daughter on top of her head. 'I love you, I'm so proud of you, my angel. Happy birthday I love you.'

Something to celebrate: Mark Wahlberg took to Instagram to wish his daughter Grace a happy 12th birthday

His daughter responded with an 'I love you' of her own before jumping out of frame.

Her doting daddy then said, 'Twelve, oh my god another pre-teen.'

Wahlberg repeated similar sentiments in his caption which read, 'Happy 12th birthday to my baby girl.'

Holding his daughter close: The actor, 50, posted a short video the popular social media site which showed him with his arm slung over his youngest daughter's shoulder

Proud papa: 'Happy birthday, big 12-year-old,' the Joe Bell actor said before kissing his daughter atop her head. 'I love you, I'm so proud of you, my angel. Happy birthday I love you'

'Another pre-teen': Grace's doting daddy then said, 'Twelve, oh my god another pre-teen' before the video ended

Grace is Wahlberg's youngest of four children, all of whom he shares with his wife, model Rhea Durham.

Along with Grace, Wahlberg also has 18-year-old Ella, 15-year-old Michael and 13-year-old Brendan.

The Invincible actor started dating their mother in 2001. They welcomed their first child in 2003 before marrying in 2009.

One big family: Grace is Wahlberg's youngest of four children, all of whom he shares with his wife model Rhea Durham

Hard at work: Wahlberg's new movie Uncharted, based on the popular video game and co-starring Spider-Man: No Way Home actor Tom Holland, is set for release next month

While he's clearly working hard at his responsibilities as a father, the Four Brothers actor hasn't slowed down in his career one bit.

His new movie Uncharted, based on the popular video game and co-starring Spider-Man: No Way Home actor Tom Holland, is set for release next month.

On top of that Wahlberg has already completed filming two of his upcoming projects one titled The Raven and the other Stu.

While the plot of Stu is currently unknown, it will reunite Wahlberg with his Daddy's Home 2 co-star Mel Gibson and
Blac Chyna's legal team will be able to depose Kim Kardashian, Khloe Kardashian, Kylie Jenner, and Kris Jenner as part of an assault and battery lawsuit filed against her by her ex, Rob Kardashian.

Rob, 34, claimed that Chyna, 33, tried to choke him with an iPhone cord in December 2016 during a fight at a home owned by Kylie.

Chyna's attorney Lynne Ciani said in a statement obtained by Page Six on Monday they are 'very pleased to announce' the reality star will be able to depose the Kardashian-Jenner family as the trial court has 'agreed' the stars are 'not above the law'.

Blac Chyna's legal team will be able to depose Kim Kardashian, Khloe Kardashian, Kylie Jenner, and Kris Jenner as part of an assault and battery lawsuit filed against her by her ex, Rob Kardashian; pictured 2016

According to sources, however, Chyna had initially wanted each of the women to be deposed for seven hours.

At the hearing, Chyna's lawyer said she would agree to a four hour deposition.

The court ended up reducing the deposition to just two hours per person.

'We are pleased the court limited the scope of the depositions to minimize the burden on the very busy members of the family,' Michael Rhodes, counsel for the Kardashian-Jenner family, said in a statement obtained by Page Six on Tuesday.

Legal matters: Kris Jenner, Khloe Kardashian, Kim Kardashian, and Kylie Jenner pictured with Kendall Jenner and Kourtney Kardashian

Chyna's attorney Lynne Ciani said in a statement obtained by Page Six on Monday they are 'very pleased to announce' the reality star will be able to depose the Kardashian-Jenner family as the trial court has 'agreed' the stars are 'not above the law'; Chyna and Rob pictured in 2016

Attorneys for the Kardashian-Jenners had earlier attempted to quash the deposition, arguing the women had already by 'examined exhaustively in a related matter'.

'The subpoenas must be quashed because they present an unwarranted annoyance, embarrassment, oppression, and undue burden on the Non-Parties who have already been examined exhaustively by Ms. White in the related matter,' their lawyers said in court documents obtained by E! News.

'Ms. White has no basis for wanting to depose these Non-Parties again on the same issues, other than to harass and burden the Kardashians/Jenners and generate headlines forcing the Non-Parties to file this motion.'

Claims: Rob claimed in court papers to in addition to suffering injuries to his neck, head and face that Chyna also extensively damaged Jenner's home; pictured April 2016 in New York City

'The court should reject Ms. White's misuse of the discovery process and quash the subpoenas,' they added.

In his filing, Rob claimed in addition to suffering injuries to his neck, head and face that Chyna also extensively damaged Jenner's home.

Jenner claimed that damages were in excess of $100,000.

According to RadarOnline, Chyna has denied attacking Rob. She says her actions were done in self-defense.

Family matters: Kris, Khloe, Kendall, Kourtney, Kim, Caitlyn Jenner, Kylie, and North West pictured in 2016

Chyna unsuccessfully attempted to have the lawsuit dropped after claiming to have proof she never attacked her ex. A judge denied her request to have the suit dismissed.

Chyna claimed Rob told the Los Angeles Department Of Children and Family Services she never attacked him in 2016, according to legal documents obtained by The Blast.

Rob and Chyna split in February 2017 and agreed to joint custody of their five-year-old daughter Dream in September 2017.

Chyna also has son King Cairo Stevenson with ex-fiance Tyga, who previously dated Kylie Jenner.

The upcoming trial is scheduled to begin February 23.
Her estranged husband Kanye West has been seen on multiple dates with Uncut Gems actress Julia Fox who has admitted to being a 'die-hard' follower of Keeping Up With The Kardashians.

And Kim Kardashian would rather her ex be with a fan than an enemy.

The 41-year-old SKIMS mogul is said to believe that 44-year-old Kanye's new girlfriend Fox, 31, being a Kardashian devotee could mean positive things for their co-parenting relationship according to a Tuesday report by TMZ.

Support system: Kim Kardashian is said to believe estranged husband Kanye West's new girlfriend Julia Fox being a Kardashian devotee could mean positive things for their co-parenting relationship according to a Tuesday report by TMZ

Sources close to Kim told the publication that she is happy to see the Donda artist smiling again and hopes to see him with a good person.

As it was recently revealed that Fox has been following her family since the beginning of their reality show, the insider claims that Kim believes the actress being a fan is only 'a good thing'.

They also say that Kim thinks that if Fox's relationship with Kanye begins to blossom and she establishes a relationship with their children then co-parenting will be easier for all parties involved.

Days ago it was revealed that Julia has been following Kim and her family for years on their now defunct E! reality show as she even called herself a 'die-hard' fan.

Sweet: Sources close to Kim told the publication that she is happy to see the Donda artist smiling again and hopes to see him with a good person, as 44-year-old West and 31-year-old Fox are seen during a date at Craig's in West Hollywood on Monday night

Iconic: Days ago it was revealed that Julia has been following Kim and her family for years on their now defunct E! reality show as she even called herself a 'die-hard' fan as she recently said so on her podcast Forbidden Fruits

Julia is said to have been a fan of the since 2007 and recently spoke about Khloe Kardashian on her podcast Forbidden Fruits, encouraging her to forget about Tristan Thompson, saying, 'the girl has not had a break.'

During the episode, she is also said to have asked her co-host: 'Wait can we talk about the Kim and Kanye divorce? Wait can we talk about Kim and Pete Davidson?'

Meanwhile Fox and West were seen leaving dinner at celeb-favorite Craig's together on Monday, as their new romance continues to heat up.

The actress once again took inspiration from the Kardashians by sporting a grey distressed leather jacket from one of their favorite brands, Charlotte Knowles, as she arrived at the swanky eatery in West Hollywood.

Feeling good: Meanwhile Kim took to her Instagram on Tuesday morning to share two selfies as she puckered up while giving the peace hand signal

Julia, whose unlikely romance with Kanye sparked a flurry of reaction from fans last week, highlighted her svelte physique in the off-duty look as she arrived at the restaurant.

The PVT Chat actress sported the edgy grey zipped biker jacket with a distressed effect as she arrived at the restaurant.

Meanwhile Kim took to her Instagram on Tuesday morning to share two selfies as she puckered up while giving the peace hand signal.

No doubt she is in good spirits as he romance with Saturday Night Live funnyman Pete Davidson is also heating up.

The beauty and the 28-year-old comedian were dressed casually as they strolled with their entourage at discount mall, Camarillo Premium Outlets, which is located between her home in Hidden Hills, California and the coastal town of Santa Barbara.

Going strong: Kim and Pete Davidson were seen at the Camarillo Premium Outlets this weekend. Here she is seen modeling a leotard at home in an image shared this weekend

The image was shared by DeuxMoi and then the North West spoof Instagram page Nori's Black Book shared the photo with a snarky comment about how she does not approve of 'mom' Kim shopping at an outlet.

Pete and Kim have been spending a lot of time together since going public with their romance in October 2021.

Last week they enjoyed a whirlwind trip to the Bahamas before Davidson took to the stage with Jack Harlow for a shared performance at The Novo in Los Angeles.

They went Instagram official in the fall: Seen at her mother's mansion in Palm Springs, California during his birthday celebration

Though it may seem like Kim and Kanye are two amicable exes who have both happily moved on there are conflicting reports as it has been claimed that the rapper is still trying to reunite with his reality star ex.

West is even said to have gone to Miami for New Year's Eve specifically because he expected Kim to be there, according to Page Six insiders.

Kim's current boyfriend Davidson was hosting a New Year's Eve concert in Miami with Miley Cyrus.

'Kim had planned to go to Miami with Pete for New Year, but then Kanye was suddenly doing an impromptu show there,' said a Page Six source.

The way they were:Though it may seem like Kim and Kanye are two amicable exes who have both happily moved on there are conflicting reports as it has been claimed that the rapper is still trying to reunite with his reality star ex according to Page Six; pictured at the 2019 Met Gala

'Of course, he met his new girlfriend Julia Fox there, and he has made a big deal out of flaunting their new relationship.'

It has been claimed that Kim was planning to travel with Pete to the Dominican Republic for a holiday after his Miami gig.

However Kanye is said to have been mulling a plan to go to the Dominican Republic while Kim and Pete were going to be there.

As a result Kim spent New Year's with her and Kanye's children back home in California and allegedly switched her holiday with Pete to the Bahamas.

By the way: Kim and Pete are pictured kissing on Saturday Night Live in October
Wintertime has come even to Los Angeles.

And Hailey Bieber, 25, bundled up against the chill when she was spotted stepping out for a green juice in West Hollywood on Tuesday.

Her pal Kendall Jenner and their follow supermodel Sara Sampaio were also seen that day flashing their toned midriffs while heading to a Pilates class.

Warmth: Hailey Bieber bundled up against the chill when she was spotted stepping out for a green juice in West Hollywood on Tuesday

On the move: Her pal Kendall Jenner (pictured) and their follow supermodel Sara Sampaio were also seen that day flashing their toned midriffs while heading to a Pilates class

Hailey, the wife of Justin Bieber wrapped a cozy-looking thick black jacket over a matching knit mock turtleneck for her latest outing.

Sweeping her signature blonde hair into a bun, she warded off the California rays with a sleek pair of black Ray-Bans.

The daughter of Alec Baldwin rounded off the ensemble with a pair of black leggings, a black Mlouye bag and added a splash of color with her sneakers.

Sara cut a stylish figure in a black crop sweater that put her enviably toned midsection on display as she stepped out to Pilates.

Bombshell in black: The 25-year-old wife of Justin Bieber wrapped a cozy-looking thick black jacket over a matching knit mock turtleneck for her latest outing

Off she goes: The daughter of Alec Baldwin rounded off the ensemble with a pair of black leggings and added a splash of color with her sneakers

Mover and shaker: Sweeping her signature blonde hair into a bun, she warded off the California rays with a sleek pair of black Ray-Bans

Letting her luxurious dark hair down, the Portuguese fashionista accessorized her ensemble with a cross-body bag.

Sara, who shot to fame as a Victoria's Secret Angel, pulled on a pair of high-waisted black leggings and clashed them stylishly against black sneakers.

A couple of months ago Hailey joined her supermodel pals Bella Hadid and Kendall at the seaside Florida wedding of their pal Lauren Perez.

Kendall recently defended herself for the revealing black dress she wore to one of the functions, after it was slated online for being 'disrespectful' and 'tacky.'

Out and about: Sara cut a stylish figure in a black crop sweater that put her enviably toned midsection on display as she stepped out to Pilates

Heading off: Letting her luxurious dark hair down, the Portuguese fashionista accessorized her ensemble with a cross-body bag

When a troll called the frock 'cringe' and 'embarrassing,' Lauren herself jumped into the comments and said: 'SHE LOOKED STUNNING AND I LOVED IT!'

Kendall then replied, noting that she 'obviously' got 'approval in advance' from the bride to wear the flesh-flashing Monot gown.

In the original pictures of Kendall's controversial black dress, Hailey could be seen right beside her in a figure-hugging brown sequined frock by Moda Operandi.

Mover and shaker: Sara, who shot to fame as a Victoria's Secret Angel, pulled on a pair of high-waisted black leggings and clashed them stylishly against black sneakers

The outfit cost $2,120 and according to Seventeen it sold out online after Hailey was seen wearing it to Lauren's wedding.

Hailey herself had a courthouse wedding to Justin in New York City in 2018, and then the following year they had a larger ceremony in South Carolina.

Last month on her Who's In My Bathroom? web-series Hailey dished to Rosie Huntington-Whiteley about the bachelorette party before her second wedding.

She spilled that the decor 'was just like penis everything,' including 'd*** straws,' noting she 'was already married for a year before I had like a wedding.'
One of Steve Irwin's most famous quotes has gone viral on Reddit more than 15 years after his tragic death.

The late conservationist, who died filming a wildlife documentary in September 2006, was asked about his personal fortune during one of his last TV interviews.

He responded with an inspiring quote about the value of money and how he wanted to use his wealth to help animals and preserve the environment.

'He was too pure for this world': One of Steve Irwin's most famous quotes has gone viral on Reddit more than 15 years after his tragic death. Pictured here on November 11, 2003, in LA

He told a 60 Minutes Australia reporter he wasn't accumulating wealth because of greed, but instead wanted to use his money to 'save the world'.

'I've been put on this planet to protect wildlife and wilderness areas, which in essence is going to help humanity,' he began.

'I want to have the purest of oceans. I want to be able to drink water straight out of that creek... I want to save the world.'

'Every single cent I get goes into conservation': Steve, who died filming a wildlife documentary in September 2006, was asked about his personal fortune during one of his last TV interviews

'And, you know, money, money's great. I can't get enough money and you know what I'm going to do with it? I'm going to buy wilderness areas with it. Every single cent I get goes into conservation.'

He concluded: 'And I don't give a rip whose money it is... I'll use it to buy land.'

During the interview, Steve's wife Terri looked at her husband with pride.

Touching: Reddit users praised Steve for his commitment to conservation, with one saying he was 'too pure for this world'. Another added: 'We didn't deserve him'

Reddit users praised Steve for his commitment to conservation, with one saying he was 'too pure for this world'.

Another added: 'We didn't deserve him'.

Steve, known to millions around the world as 'the Crocodile Hunter', died on September 4, 2006, at the age of 44 after being pierced in the chest by a stingray while filming the documentary Ocean's Deadliest in Batt Reef, Queensland.

His family, including widow Terri, daughter Bindi, son Robert and son-in-law Chandler Powell, have continued his conservation work at Australia Zoo.

Gone too soon: Steve, known to millions around the world as 'the Crocodile Hunter', died on September 4, 2006, at the age of 44 after being pierced in the chest by a stingray while filming a documentary in Batt Reef, Queensland. Pictured with his daughter Bindi

Bindi, 23, spoke about her father legacy during an interview in 2019.

'He was the greatest wildlife warrior to have ever lived,' she said, adding: 'He dedicated his whole life to protecting wildlife and wild places.

'And I think that it's really special that in this day we can all remember that khaki [the colour of the Australia Zoo uniform] is not just a colour, it's an attitude.

'And to remember the greatest dad on the planet and a wonderful conservationist.'
Princess Andre has revealed she has contracted coronavirus - and is glad because she doesn't have to go to school.

Taking to her Instagram Live on Tuesday, the daughter of Peter and Katie Price, 14, said she has tested positive on three lateral flow tests after feeling 'weird'.

Princess said she was now in isolation, but no-one else in the Andre household is because they've all had negative test results.

Covid scare: Princess Andre has revealed she has contracted coronavirus - and is glad because she doesn't have to go to school

The teenager told her followers as she showed off her positive tests: 'I did three tests and they all came back positive, so now I'm in isolation. To be fair, loads of people have tested positive who I've been contact with, so I have to isolate.

'I don't feel ill, I feel fine. Like I feel normal. I feel normal. I don't even feel ill.

'People who have it, do you guys feel ill, or do you not feel ill? Yeah, I'm isolating. But no-one else has to isolate, because everyone else tested negative. So it's just me.'

Back home again: Just last week Princess had returned to school after spending New Year's on a family holiday in Dubai. Pete had shared this picture waving her off on her first day back

Positive: Taking to her Instagram Live on Tuesday, the daughter of Peter and Katie Price, 14, said she has tested positive on three lateral flow tests after feeling 'weird'

Princess went on to say she's not sure what variant she has but found out she had it after telling her dad Pete, 49, she was feeling unwell.

She said: ' I just tested because yesterday I was like, I said to my dad: "I feel a bit weird, I feel sick" and then he was like, "Go and do a Covid test".

'Then I did one and then the first one came back negative, then I did three more and they all came back positive. So I don't know. It's just a bit weird.

Ill: The teenager told her followers as she showed off her positive tests: 'I did three tests and they all came back positive, so now I'm in isolation'

Isolation: 'I jinxed it though because yesterday I was like: "I wanna get it, cos I don't want to go to school." And then I got it. I feel fine right now'

'I jinxed it though because yesterday I was like: "I wanna get it, cos I don't want to go to school." And then I got it. I feel fine right now.'

Princess said while she didn't want to get ill from it, she 'wanted to get it so I don't have to go to school.

She added: 'But then I actually got it. But I feel fine, so I've got my water.'

Peter was struck down with Covid in January last year, with Princess' brother Junior, 16, and Pete's wife Emily also battling the virus at different times during the pandemic.

Princess' Covid scare comes after Katie lashed out at Emily Andre, 32, in a scathing Instagram post, labelling her a 'disgusting person' in a lengthy rant at the weekend.

The former glamour model has since deleted the blistering outburst which she shared to her Story on Sunday, alongside the cover of a magazine which Emily gave an interview to about parenting in a blended family.

Angry: Princess' Covid scare comes after Katie (left) lashed out at Emily Andre, 32, in a scathing Instagram post, labelling her a 'disgusting person' in a lengthy rant at the weekend

An enraged Katie made a series of allegations throughout the post, including a claim that Emily prevented her daughter Princess from visiting her during her rehab stint at The Priory.

The post began: 'My mouth has been shut for so long but I've had enough of people selling stories on me and particularly this so called woman @dr_emily_official.

'Always said I don't want to be famous yet doesn't do too bad to stay away from media and TV and now trying to make a career out of it.'

'So cringe she has used my children to make money in photo shoots yet covers her own children's faces up!'

The mother-of-five proceeded her rant by calling the NHS doctor 'two-faced' and accusing her of 'putting her down.'

Outburst: An enraged Katie made a series of allegations throughout the lengthy post, including a claim tEmily prevented Princess (pictured) from visiting her during her rehab stint

Katie went on to claim that Emily stopped her daughter from seeing her while she completed a court-appointed stint in The Priory last year after driving while banned, drunk and high on cocaine.

Katie continued: 'She claims to be a doctor who clearly doesn't have a clue about mental health.

'Oh and stopped my daughter from visiting me at The Priory when she wanted to see her mum. She is so jealous of my relationship I have with Princess and puts me down.

'Emily you are not and never will be my kids' parent so mind your own business, your so two faced and definitely not the person you portray to the public.

'I think you're a disgusting person so stop trying to interfere in my life.'

A representative for Emily declined to comment and a spokesperson for Katie has also been contacted.

Katie's ex-husband Peter Andre married Emily in 2015 and they share Amelia, eight and Theodore, five.

Peter and Katie co-parent Junior and Princess. They got married in 2005 after meeting on I'm A Celebrity but divorced in 2009.
Lily James wanted to speak to Pamela Anderson before playing the blonde bombshell in the new Hulu and Disney+ series Pam & Tommy.

But it did not come to be, the British star told the new issue of PORTER magazine, which was released on Monday.

'I was really hopeful that she would be involved. I wish it had been different,' the 32-year-old beauty said adding she had reached out to the 54-year-old Anderson before filming but never heard back.

Reel vs real: Lily James wanted to speak to Pamela Anderson before playing the blonde bombshell in the new Hulu and Disney+ series Pam & Tommy. But it did not come to be, the British star told the new issue of PORTER magazine which was released on Monday

James wanted feedback from the Playboy cover model so she could get it right. 'My sole intention was to take care of the story and to play Pamela authentically,' shared Lily.

And Lily did not call just once but rather several times before the cameras started to roll.

The film star also said she had never worked so hard on a project before. 'I read the books [Anderson] has written, I read her poetry, I can parrot along to all her interviews,' shared the actress.

'I love that about acting; you fit into a character, and you realize youre not as different as you might have thought. You lean in to things in yourself, and discard parts of you that arent useful. We were exploring a particular moment in Pamela and Tommys life in the 90s, this absolute lust for love.'

Missed opportunity: 'I was really hopeful that she would be involved. I wish it had been different,' the 32-year-old beauty said adding she had reached out to the 54-year-old Anderson before filming but never heard back

Pam & Tommy chronicles the sex tape scandal which rocked Pamela and her then-husband Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee (played by Sebastian Stan) during their three year marriage.

It comes after photos of the star in costume hit the headlines, with Lily looking like Pamela's twin in her iconic red Baywatch swimsuit.

Lily explained that the makeup and costume took four hours every day to perfect, and came complete with a prosthetic body suit.

She explained: 'Of course, there was the physical transformation. Slowly, our incredible team found a balance where I resembled Pamela but also felt like I could act through it.

'Ive never done anything where I look very different from myself before. And Id really like to continue in this vein, because I felt there was something very freeing and liberating in it. There was a bravery that came from that. A courage that came from disappearing.'

Her goal: James wanted feedback from the Playboy cover model so she could get it right. 'My sole intention was to take care of the story and to play Pamela authentically,' shared Lily

She tried: And Lily did not call just once but rather several times before the cameras started to roll. Seen with Sebastian Stan who played Tommy Lee

She added that she was sorry to take the costume off at the end of the day, saying: 'I hated it It was like being stripped of all these superpowers! Id really enjoyed the physicality and the sensuality, even down to the long fingernails. There was just so much character to hold on to  it was really thrilling.'

Pam & Tommy chronicles the infamous sex tape which rocked Pamela and her then-husband Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee during their three year marriage.

Speaking about the scandal, Lily said she believes the effects are still being felt today.

She said: 'It provoked an internet and celebrity culture that, now, I believe is just way out of hand. There is no such thing as privacy now. [] Were constantly sharing our lives  with an audience that doesnt really care about you. And giving away information to corporations using it for profit. I know a time before that happened, but there are young girls who have no idea.

The movie promises to be racy: Lily and Stan re-created this image of Pam biting on Tommy's nipple ring

'This was a trigger moment that unintentionally sparked a new time I hope a lot has changed. But sometimes it doesnt feel like its changed quite enough.'

She continued by discussing the prejudice Pamela faced, saying: 'When you look back at some of her interviews from the 1990s, the misogyny is so striking. I mean, its changed so much, but I think its more hidden now, perhaps? Anyway, there was a lot in it that I found I could relate to.

'It felt like a challenge. And kind of essential. The shaming was so extreme. Unfortunately, thats still the case, dont you think? Women are held to much higher standards and attacked in ways that feel so vicious. Pamela had such wit and grace in the way that she held herself. I admire that strength.'

She went on to discuss her intentions behind the role, saying she wanted to 'provoke a conversation' and try and incite change through her work.

Loved-up: Pamela, 54, and Tommy, 59, tied the knot on a beach in Mexico in 1995 after dating for just four days; seen in 1995

Lily said: 'I want to provoke a conversation, and I want to be part of these attempts at change. I realize a lot of its incredibly sensitive and difficult. And so, as an actor, to a certain extent, what you do is make yourself very open to talk to all of that.'

Pamela, 54, and Tommy, 59, tied the knot on a beach in Mexico in 1995 after dating for just four days. At the time, Pamela's mother hadn't even met Tommy.

The pair would go on to welcome sons Brandon, 25, and Dylan, 24, but they divorced in 1998.

In 2015, Pam told Andy Cohen on Watch What Happens Live that she never profited from the sex tape, nor even watched it. She said: 'I've never seen it. I made not one dollar. It was stolen property...

A rollercoaster life: In 2015, Pam told Andy Cohen on Watch What Happens Live that she never profited from the sex tape, nor even watched it. She said: 'I've never seen it. I made not one dollar. It was stolen property.' Seen in the 1990s

'We made a deal to stop all the shenanigans. I was seven months pregnant with Dylan and thinking it was affecting the pregnancy with the stress and said, "I'm not going to court anymore. I'm not being deposed anymore by these horny, weird lawyer men. I don't want to talk about my vagina anymore or my public sex  anything."'

The sex tape was stolen by Rand Gauthier, who is played by Seth Rogen in the show, after Tommy reportedly refused to pay for work that he had performed on their house.

When Gauthier confronted the musician about not being paid the $20,000 he was owed, Tommy pulled out a gun to scare him away.

Gauthier took his revenge by stealing the giant safe that had been kept in the couple's garage, which mainly housed the drummer's guns and Pamela's jewelry, in addition to the sex tape.

Earlier this year, Pam claimed that the video wasn't actually a sex tape, but was merely a compilation of footage of them naked on vacation, which just happened to include sex acts.

Last year, insiders claimed to The Sun that Pam thinks Pam & Tommy is 'a joke and cheap knock-off.' She reportedly called the show 'God awful,' though the series had just begun filming, and she apparently claimed she had never heard of Lily or Sebastian. The source said Pamela had 'no intention of watching this God awful show, absolutely not. Never.'

To see the full interview with Lily James read PORTER and/or download the NET-A-PORTER app for iPhone, iPad and Android
TV weatherman Tim Bailey has highlighted the embarrassing reality of Australia's woeful rapid antigen test rollout amid the Omicron wave.

Australians have been left frustrated by the scarce supply of RATs in supermarkets and pharmacies despite soaring cases.

Even if a resident does manage to find a RAT, they still may not be able to afford it due to the high cost of the products.

The photo that puts Australia to shame: Weatherman Tim Bailey, 57, (left, with his wife Samantha) revealed on Tuesday that he reveals bought a $4 rapid antigen test with his meal at a RESTAURANT in Thailand - as Aussies struggle to find tests and prices soar amid Omicron

Bailey, 57, is currently holidaying in Thailand with his wife Samantha, and on Tuesday revealed he'd purchased an antigen test with his dinner at a restaurant in Phuket for just $4.

Uploading a photograph of his meal and the test, the former Channel 10 star wrote: 'So which country is winning? A brilliant meal in Nai Harn, Phuket, Thailand - and RAT selling for $4 at the same restaurant.'

'Who is winning and who is losing Australia? #ashamed,' he raged.

Australia, you're losing: Uploading this photograph of his meal and test, the former Channel 10 star wrote: 'So which country is winning? A brilliant meal in Nai Harn, Phuket, Thailand - and RAT selling for $4 at the same restaurant'

After weeks of pharmacies being stripped bare of rapid antigen tests and Australians having to wait up to eight hours in line for a PCR test, Prime Minister Scott Morrison finally agreed to provide free test kits last week - but only to low-income or vulnerable Australians.

Some retailers were reportedly selling the hard-to-find tests for as much as $100 each - with some splitting bulk testing kits and selling them individually for a much higher price.

The astronomical increase prompted the government to introduce new laws to hold retailers accountable and punish them with $66,000 fines if they are caught selling RATs for more than 20 per cent of the supply price.

New rules: After weeks of pharmacies being stripped bare of rapid antigen tests and Australians having to wait up to eight hours in line for a PCR test, Prime Minister Scott Morrison (pictured) finally agreed to provide free test kits last week - but only to low-income or vulnerable Australians

Tests for some: Low income earners aren't the only ones who can benefit from accessing the free tests

Despite the new regulations the cheapest testing kit costs around $12 - meaning residents can still be left out of pocket, especially if they have to travel for work and frequently get tested.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister has been widely criticised for his insistence that tests 'can't just be made free', despite handing out $89 billion in JobKeeper payments to businesses.

Providing universally free rapid antigen tests makes economic sense as asymptomatic cases are detected earlier, flattening the curve, new analysis suggests.

Out of stock: Supermarkets have been experiencing supply-chain issues in recent weeks with many stores running low on stock courtesy of transport workers having to self-isolate and not being able to access test kits (pictured: a Queensland Coles store on Monday)

Flinders University health economists on Friday said their modelling suggested five times as many asymptomatic positive cases would begin isolating early if RATs were freely available.

'By making rapid antigen tests free, you can encourage people to test earlier before they have symptoms,' lead author Professor Jon Karnon told AAP.

'If you haven't got a rapid antigen test, then people are less likely to test before they have symptoms. By the time they have symptoms, they could have passed COVID-19 onto many people.'
KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) - The Taliban have released a popular university professor and outspoken critic of successive Afghan governments who was arrested over the weekend, a family member said Tuesday.

Hasina Jalal, Faizullah Jalals daughter, said her father was freed from Taliban custody. The group had accused him of "nonsense remarks on social media, which were provoking people against the government and playing with peoples dignity."

Jalal had been detained Sunday by the Talibans intelligence arm. TOLO TV, Afghanistans largest station on which Jalal was a frequent commentator, tweeted that Jalal was arrested "reportedly for making allegations against government departments, a security source said."

After Jalals detention, he received an outpouring of support on social media, with many users posting Jalals photos. A small group of women protested in Kabul, demanding his release.

The Taliban seized control of Afghanistan last August ahead of Americas chaotic Aug. 31 departure after nearly 20 years of war. The Islamic militant guerrillas-turned-rulers previously held power from 1996-2001.

Afghanistan faces a major humanitarian crisis, with the United Nations warning that 90% of the countrys 38 million people are in dire need. The arrest of a prominent political activist threatened to complicate humanitarian aid efforts.
Mass selling of shares betrays public trust



Executives of Kakao Pay, the payment arm of IT giant Kakao Corp., have invited criticism for selling off their company stocks to make a quick profit. On Monday the fintech firm's chief, Ryu Young-joon, decided to turn down his nomination as co-CEO of Kakao Corp., caving in to public outcry for the abrupt disposal of his shares.



Ryu and seven other Kakao Pay executives have come under fire for dumping a combined 440,933 shares worth 90 billion won ($75 million), Dec. 10, through after-hours block trading by exercising their stock options. The sell-off came about one month after the online payment platform made its market debut in November through an initial public offering (IPO).



There appears to be nothing legally wrong with their sell-offs. But their sudden profit taking is blamed for disregarding shareholder value and causing huge losses to minority shareholders. Kakao Pay's share price hit a record high of 248,500 won Nov. 30, after the company's listing on the Korea Exchange, Nov. 3. But the executives' mass selling prompted a slide in the stock price which lost more than 25 percent of its worth in a month.



The executives' moral hazard reached its apogee. Their blind pursuit of monetary gain cannot and should not be condoned. It constituted a betrayal of the public's trust in the innovative corporation. It also led to the firm's failure to make good on its commitment to shareholder value and social responsibility.



Particularly Ryu has taken flak for making a windfall of 45 billion won by selling 230,000 shares he obtained under the stock option program. He and his company cannot assuage the public's anger by only withdrawing his nomination as the next co-CEO of Kakao Corp. It is disappointing to see that Ryu will continue to serve as Kakao Pay's CEO until March when his term ends. He should resign immediately as it is shameful for him to lead the firm.



When applying for its IPO, Kakao Pay promised to turn the company into a leading global investment bank by pushing for financial innovation. It managed to raise 1.5 trillion won in capital from its IPO, with 1.82 million people rushing to buy new shares of the firm. But the executives' dumping of their shares demonstrated that they have forgotten that promise.



More seriously, their selfish and shameful act of profit taking has something to do with Kakao Corp.'s unfair practices, including its alleged exploitation of subcontractors and small businesses. Kakao Corp., the operator of the country's top mobile messenger KakaoTalk, is under attack for reckless business expansion that has driven small neighborhood stores out of business. It has also raised the ire of taxi drivers due to the exploitative practice of its taxi-hailing platform Kakao Mobility.



Kakao Corp. has emerged as the country's 18th-largest conglomerate with more than 100 subsidiaries, including KakoBank and Kakao Games, by taking advantage of innovation. Yet innovation could be meaningless if the IT behemoth is intent on pursuing profit at the sacrifice of shareholders, business partners and consumers. We urge the group to restore its reputation and public trust by making efforts to play fair, improve transparency, fulfill social responsibility and protect consumers better.


Steven Roberts teaches politics and journalism at George Washington University. He can be contacted by e-mail at stevecokie@gmail.com
Namyang Dairy Product Chairman Hong Won-sik appears at a government audit in the National Assembly on Yeouido, Seoul, Oct. 8. Yonhap



By Kim Jae-heun



Namyang Dairy Product Chairman Hong Won-sik raised a new objection against Hahn & Company, which filed a provisional injunction against Dayou Winia Group's acquisition of the dairy firm through a local court.



Hong said Hahn & Company promised to exclude Baekmidang, an organic ice cream franchise run by the dairy firm, from the company's disposal deal and keep his children's positions in the business, but the private equity fund (PEF) changed the deal later.



He also insisted that Namyang Dairy's previous stock purchase agreement with Hahn & Company is invalid, as a law firm  Kim & Chang  secretly took the legal representative role for both companies. Hong said he had not known about this.



"Lawyers of both Namyang Dairy and Hahn & Company were from Kim & Chang's PEF team, who were closely related to their business. In such large-scale merger and acquisition (M&A) deals, it is difficult to find a case where both the seller's and buyer's legal advisers are from the same company and the same team," Namyang Dairy's new legal representative LKB Partners said.



The local Attorneys-at-Law Act restricts an attorney from accepting a plaintiff and defendant's case simultaneously. However, it is not mandatory in M&A deals.



Kim & Chang said it is impossible for Namyang Dairy to not have realized this beforehand. Hahn & Company also added that the dairy firm is incorrectly arguing that Kim & Chang had acted in violation of its duty.



Meanwhile, the contract between Namyang Dairy and Dayou Winia shows the dairy firm will only hand over its controlling stake after it wins the trial against the private equity fund.



Namyang Dairy had previously signed a memorandum of understanding to sell its company to Hahn & Company, but at the last moment, Hong did not show up to complete the deal. Instead, he found a new buyer, and the PEF took legal action to stop Namyang Dairy's new contract.



The second trial revolving around Namyang Dairy's failed stock purchase agreement with Hahn & Company will be held on Thursday.



Hong resigned from his position last May to take responsibility for the "Bulgaris scandal," in which the company had exaggerated the effects of its yogurt drink against COVID-19 in a report revealed last year.


wellbefore

Last week, reports surfaced from Cyprus of a new Deltacron variant of COVID-19  a portmanteau of the Delta and Omicron variants  that was allegedly a combination of the two previous variants. The lab results indicating deltacron's presence were sent to GISAID, the international database that tracks changes in COVID-19, but experts were quick to say deltacron was likely the result of a contaminated study and not a true variant.

#Omicron and #Delta did NOT form a super variant, tweeted Dr. Krutika Kuppali, an infectious disease researcher at the World Health Organization (WHO). "This is likely sequencing artifact (lab contamination of Omicron fragments in a Delta specimen)."
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The government is also considering rescheduling the holidays due to the current Covid situation in the state, confirmed an education official who requested anonymity. (Representational Image/PTI)

HYDERABAD: Members of the Telangana State United Teachers' Federation (TSUTF) are planning to give a representation to the government with regards to cutting down the syllabus (SSC) for the examinations as only 50 per cent of the portion has been completed so far.

The federation also wants the government to consider the option of changing the paper pattern, keeping it a bit simpler and asking questions only from the portion that has been completed before the Sankranti break which began from January 8.

Ch. Ravi, state general secretary, TSUTF, said a survey was conducted by his team on 56,000 students and found out that only 22 per cent of them were using smart phones and 11 per cent of them were using it for studies. We request the government to also provide better facilities for online education if the holidays are extended as it would be difficult to get the syllabus completed through the current online mode of education, said Ravi. He added that even if holidays were not extended, it would be very stressful to complete the portion on time as the topics would be covered in a rush and more extra classes would be conducted.

Recorded classes are available on Doordarshan and T-SAT Network and students are advised to make use of the same to learn during the current Covid situation by the education officials.

Deccan Chronicle spoke to a few government teachers in the city who said the current Covid situation was not predicted and it might get worse which would bring everyone back to online education. When questioned about students not having access to online education and television, Veera Chary, a government school teacher, said students could access phones and TV networks from their neighbours and figure out a way to study through these modes as there was no other alternative. Teachers added that it would take another three to four years for them to learn about the current sessions they have been missing during the pandemic. Veera Chary added, We have to teach children from the basics and have no other alternative measures to help them.

The government is also considering rescheduling the holidays due to the current Covid situation in the state, confirmed an education official who requested anonymity. He added that most of the children had access to mobile phones and could study though YouTube as well. Other than TV networks, 99 per cent of students have access to smart mobile phones and can use them to study as that is the only option left if the holidays are extended, said the education official.
In virtual mode, chief minister Jagan Mohan Reddy inaugurated 144 Pressure Swing Absorption (PSA) Oxygen Plants at various government hospitals across the state and dedicated them to the nation. (DC Image)

VIJAYAWADA: The Andhra Pradesh government is taking various steps to contain the coronavirus spread ahead of the third wave. As many as 144 oxygen plants were set up at a cost of Rs 426 crore.

In virtual mode, chief minister Jagan Mohan Reddy inaugurated 144 Pressure Swing Absorption (PSA) Oxygen Plants at various government hospitals across the state and dedicated them to the nation.

Jagan said 144 oxygen plants have been set up in government hospitals. The government is also providing a 30 per cent subsidy to private hospitals with over 100-bed capacity to set up oxygen plants. Steps were taken to achieve self-sufficiency in oxygen, as the entire country faced a severe shortage of oxygen during the second wave.

The government has purchased 25 oxygen cryogenic ISO containers for transporting Liquid Medical Oxygen (LMO), along with 74 LMO tanks. Oxygen pipelines were attached to 24,419 beds in government hospitals at a cost of Rs 90 crore and a string of Pediatric Care Units with 20 beds each have been set up at community health centers.

This apart, the CM said, 20 state-of-the-art VRDL labs have been set up in the state, increasing the testing capacity from zero to one lakh tests per day. With the possible threat from Omicron, a genome sequencing lab has been set up in Vijayawada, which is the second in the country, next to Kerala.

As for vaccination, Jagan said 80 per cent of the people above 18 years have received two doses of vaccine and 82 per cent of teens between 15-18 years were administered with a single dose of vaccine. Andhra Pradesh has been standing as a role model to other states in terms of effective Covid containment, whereas over 33 door-to-door surveys were conducted.

Right from setting YSR Health Clinics at village level to introducing the family doctor concept, the government is focusing on the development of the medical and health sector through Nadu-Nedu, construction of 16 new medical and nursing colleges, along with the recruitment of 39,000 staff, the CM said.

Jagan inspected 20 types of advanced medical equipment brought by the Medical and Health Department and showcased at the camp office here, and enquired about their functioning.

Deputy chief minister Srinivas, Municipal and Urban Development minister Botsa, chief secretary Sharma, Medical and Health Principal Secretary Singhal, finance secretary Gulzar, Covid task force committee chairman Krishnababu, Health commissioner Bhaskar, APMSIDC VC and MD Muralidhar Reddy, APVVP commissioner Vinod, APMSIDC chairman Chandrasekhar and director of Medical Health Ravishankar were among the officials present.
Idukki: Two Youth Congress workers were arrested on Tuesday in connection with the murder of an SFI activist at the Idukki Engineering College here.

Nikhil Paily, a district level leader of the Youth Congress and Jerin Jijo were arrested for allegedly stabbing to death Dheeraj Rajendran (21), a student at the college.

KSU unit secretary Alex Rafel has been taken into custody in the case.

Idukki SP R Karuppasamy told the media that except Rafel, others are not students of the college and the police are trying to ascertain why they reached the campus with a knife.

"We need to take more people into custody in order to look into the conspiracy angle behind the crime. The first two accused are not students of the college. We need to find out why they reached there with weapons," the senior police official said.

Two students, Abjijith and Amal, were also seriously injured in the attack.

In the FIR, the police have mentioned that the murder took place due to political rivalary.

The ruling CPI(M) had alleged that the murder was pre-planned and claimed that 21 Left workers were killed in the state in the last six years.

State Congress Chief K Sudhakaran today said his party will never support any sort of violence.

Hundreds of students and senior Left party leaders, including MLAs, gathered at the Idukki Medical college and received the body of Dheeraj after postmortem.

The CPI(M) has purchased land adjacent to the house of Dheeraj, where it said the student activist will be cremated and a monument will be erected.

The procession carrying the body of the SFI activist is expected to reach Kannur this evening.

Meanwhile, the Congress demanded action over violence against their party offices across the state.

The Congress alleged that the protesting SFI and DYFI activists destroyed flag posts of the party and its student outfit KSU in many places including Pathanamthitta, Kollam and Idukki.
Park Dong-hoon, former chief executive of Audi Volkswagen Korea, heads to the Seoul High Court in this Sept. 3, 2021, file photo. Yonhap





The Supreme Court upheld Tuesday a lower court's decision that sharply reduced a fine imposed on Audi Volkswagen Korea and cleared the company of most of the charges in its diesel emissions scandal.







The top court said it approved a Seoul High Court ruling last September, ordering the South Korean unit of the German carmaker to pay a 1.1 billion won ($921,000) fine, instead of a 26 billion won fine ordered earlier by a district court.







It also confirmed the appellate court's decision to commute the sentence for Park Dong-hoon, former chief executive of the Audi Volkswagen branch, from two years in prison to an eight-month suspended term.







The company was indicted in January 2017 after its imported cars were found to be fitted with "defeat devices" that lowered their emissions during government tests.







In February 2000, the Seoul Central District Court ruled the company violated laws on pollution, customs and advertising in connection with about 15 models of 120,000 diesel vehicles it imported from 2008 to 2015.







The appellate court overturned the decision in September last year, saying the prosecution's evidence was insufficient to fully prove Park and company officials knew of the manipulation. The court also rejected the previous guilty verdict on charges of importing about 41,000 vehicles without the government's certification on emissions and noise or replacing their parts after such tests. But it upheld the lower court's ruling that convicted the company of doctoring 149 documents related to emissions and noise tests for vehicles imported from 2010 to 2015.







However, the top court ruled that a former Audi Volkswagen executive, surnamed Yoon, in charge of emissions approval, will have to serve a prison sentence of one-and-a-half years, as ordered by the appellate court. (Yonhap)


Pedestrians walks past closed shops at a market area during a weekend lockdown imposed by the state government as a preventive measure against the spread of the Covid-19 coronavirus in Chennai. (AFP)

Chennai: Amid the surge in the COVID-19 cases, Tamil Nadu Health Minister MA Subramanian on Tuesday said that there is no need for a lockdown in the state amid rising COVID-19 cases.

"There is no need for full lockdown as of now. CM has asserted that the economy should not be affected, restricted lockdown enough for now," Subramanian told the media here.

Tamil Nadu reported 13,990 new COVID cases and 11 deaths in the last 24 hours.

According to the state health department, there are currently 62,767 active cases of COVID in Tamil Nadu. As many as 2,547 patients recovered from the disease in the last 24 hours.

Tamil Nadu government on Monday extended COVID-19 restrictions till January 31 in order to contain the transmission of the virus.

According to the state government circular, devotees will not be allowed in all places of worship between January 14 and January 18.

The special inter-district buses for Pongal will run at 75 per cent capacity.

The night curfew in the state is extended till January 31 and will remain effective from 10 pm to 5 am from Mondays to Saturdays. A total lockdown will be in force on January 16 (Sunday), barring essential services.

The direction of the state government comes after Chief Minister MK Stalin chaired a meeting to review the COVID-19 and Omicron situation across Tamil Nadu earlier in the day. However, the state government has allowed Jallikattu with several restrictions.
Hyderabad: A recent order of the Income-Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT), Hyderabad, dealing with the flow of investments into Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddys media house Sakshi, though indirectly, exposed the chinks in the armour of the Central Bureau of Investigations quid pro quo cases against him and investors in the companies.

Much to the delight of the YSR Congress supremo, the issues that came up for adjudication and the material evidence submitted by the I-T department, which mostly relied on the CBI chargesheets, only substantiated Jagan Mohan Reddys allegations that the quid pro quo cases were botched-up efforts of the then Congress-led UPA government to fix him for rebelling against the Gandhi family.

Jagan Mohan Reddys companies approached the tribunal challenging the levy of income-tax on about Rs 300 crore that they had received from investors after selling shares at a premium of Rs 350 each. Unlike in normal cases, the I-T department treated the investments into the companies as Jagan Mohan Reddys income and levied tax.

The argument the department put forth was that the price of each share was Rs 10 but was sold at a high premium. The ITAT dismissed the I-T departments contention and made certain observations which may have a bearing on the CBI cases. It ruled that the allegation on share premium was bogus in nature and had no basis.

The chargesheets filed by the CBI revealed that the investigation agency had built its case mainly on Jagan Mohan Reddy receiving investments from the companies that in turn were benefited by the government and that illegal routing of money was done through suitcase companies. It also mentioned what it described as jacked up valuation of the media house to attract investments as a strong base to its case.

The I-T department reproduced the chargesheets as evidence to support its argument in front of the ITAT. The tribunal observed that, nothing was brought on record to substantiate the fact that unaccounted income of the assessee (Sakshi) or the unaccounted income of the investor companies, (which are co-accused in quid pro cases), were utilised and brought in the garb of share capital and share premium in assessee company.

Further, it said, We find that the law is now very well settled that it has to be appreciated while evaluating evidence, contemporaneous genuine documentary evidence has to be given precedence over unsupported and uncorroborated statement.

Dismissing questions raised against the creditworthiness of the investor companies, the tribunal said the companies did not indulge in cash transactions but invested from their available bank balances and some of the companies had net worth that was much more than their investment in Jagan Mohan Reddys companies.

With regard to suitcase companies, the material submitted by the I-T department itself revealed that the Central agencies, which alleged that some of the investing companies address could not be found, conveniently hid the fact that the companies did approach them providing new address but no effort was made to drop the allegation.

The tribunal referred to a report submitted by the Kolkata income-tax department wing about the genuine income source of companies, which were dubbed as suitcase entities of Jagan Mohan Reddy by the CBI.
Since January 8, the parcel section of Secunderabad Railway Station has been piled up with packed vehicles ready to be transported to their destinations. (DC file photo)

HYDERABAD: Fearing the spread of Covid-19 yet again, especially the Omicron variant and possible lockdown, migrants from north and north-eastern states, who have been working in the city, have started transporting their two-wheelers to their respective states. They have already booked slots with the South Central Railways to deliver their vehicles to their respective destinations. Hundreds of these migrant workers have already vacated their rented houses and already left for their native places with their families by road.

Since January 8, the parcel section of Secunderabad Railway Station has been piled up with packed vehicles ready to be transported to their destinations. Daily more than a hundred two-wheelers are being transported to seven states.

Some of the migrants, who did not take vaccination, do not possess certificates, and afraid of being held up by the railway authorities, they already left to their states by road. Some of them have not paid the vehicle finances to the bankers but took their vehicles with them.

While those who hold good jobs decided to stay in the city for a second time, but transported their vehicles to their native states through the railways and decided to wait for the governments decision.

Most of these migrants belong to Kolkata, UP, Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Assam, Mizoram and other parts of the country and have been running kiosks, working in hotels or doing jobs as security guards. We have low income in our village. We came to Hyderabad expecting good savings. Leaving our families behind, we came to Hyderabad. Now, we decided to leave before it is too late, Arjun Srivastav, who runs a kiosk in Mallappally, said.

They reside in rented houses in the areas of Krishanagar, Musheerabad, Yousufguda, Gowrishankar Nagar, Nandinagar, Mallapally, Asifnagar, Zeharangar and Ellareddyguda. Most of them left during the first lockdown and then returned after the relaxation.

I have been working as a chef in Hyderabad for the last 11 years. I am familiar with most of the people. Most of them informed me before leaving they transferred their savings to their relatives and will return only after the situation gets back to normal, Abid Khan of Farasha Hotel said.

Our parcel section has started transporting more than 100 vehicles from January 8. For the convenience of the people, we have also started accepting advance bookings following the Covid norms. We have received parcel orders to Dhanpur, Patna, Guwahati, West Bengal, Bhirakpur, Patna and other places. Some of them are transporting their vehicles to Andhra Pradesh may be due to Sankranti, D. K. Shina, chief supervisor of parcel section, Secunderabad Railway Station, said.
Tirupati: Telugu Desam activists led by former Minister Amarnath Reddy and TDP Chittoor parliament president Pulivarthi Nani on Monday staged a protest at TTDs Goshala in Palamaner, alleging that the ruling YSRC men are illegally shifting the cattle from the Goshala to Ongole.

Alleging that the ruling party men are illegally taking away cows and bulls from the Goshala in the guise of farmers, they stalled the shifting of cattle from the Goshala by the TTD.

The TTD refuted the charge and said there has been no misappropriation in the distribution of cows and bulls to farmers. Speaking to the media at Palamaner, Amarnath accused the YSRC government of hatching a conspiracy to shift the TTD Goshala from Palamaner.

Many devotees have donated cows to TTD Goshala. But YSRC men are trying to do away with the TTD Goshala by illegally shifting the cows and bulls to Ongole and other places. Those who do not have land in their names are producing xerox copies of other farmers passbooks and taking away the cattle, he alleged.

Questioning the motive behind the shifting of cows and bulls from the Goshala even as the devotees are donating crores of rupees for its maintenance, the former minister said the TD would launch an agitation if the state government did not stop the shifting of cows to slaughter houses.

TTD said in a statement on Monday that the temple body has taken up the Gau-based farming and has been organising a lot of cow-related programmes. As part of these, the TTD has been distributing cows and oxen to farmers.

This programme is taken forward in a transparent manner and the TTD has been distributing cows to only such farmers as are registered with the AP Community Managed Natural Farming scheme. So far cows and oxen were distributed only to such farmers in the Rayalaseema districts, Nellore, Prakasam and Nagar Kurnool of Telangana state, the TTD explained.

It added that it was unfortunate some vested interests were trying to mislead the public by spreading rumours and alleging that the TTD was distributing the bovines to those who did not have pass books.
Visakhapatnam: Over 90 per cent of domestic travellers have cancelled travel plans, while others are waiting for the official cancellation of air services to save on ticket prices, say travel agents.

Around 500 people had booked their tickets to travel between January 8 and January 16 to Srinagar, Leh, Darjeeling, Konark, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. Of this, 90 per cent have cancelled their tickets and decided to stay at home in the wake of rising Covid cases in the country, said K. Vijay Mohan, the president of the Tours and Travels Association of Andhra Pradesh and the promoter of Holiday World.

Interestingly for the first time around 50 families booked tickets to travel to wildlife sanctuaries at Ranthambore in Rajasthan, Kanha in Madhya Pradesh and other places. All of them were cancelled as the government closed these sanctuaries to the public, Vijay Mohan said.

Tourists have also cancelled short trips to Gopalpur and Konark due the Odisha government decision to impose Covid-related restrictions and the closure of Konark temple for the public.

During pre-pandemic days, he said around 15,000 people were travelling to domestic tourist destinations and 5,000 to Asian countries like Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore. Now the number has been reduced to less than 3,000 and it would reduce to double digits as the virus spreads across the nation, the travel agent said

Lokesh of Travel Leisure said he cancelled eight package tours to Andaman and Nicobar Islands that were scheduled during the last 10 days. Because of the cancellation, he said advance money of the agents was blocked by the hoteliers, which would take some time to get back their money.

We hoped to do good business this season and recover the money lost in the last two pandemics. But all our hopes were dashed, Lokesh said.

He said around 80 travel agents have a business of around 10 crore during winter and summer.

Another tour operator Sheikh Moulali said people were opting for short-distance travel to Chattisgarh and Odisha using their own vehicles.
The fortunes of India irrevocably changed on May 29, 1658 when two Indian armies clashed on the dusty fields of Samugarh, near Agra. Indias history changed forever. Aurangzebs victory over his brother Dara Shikoh marked the beginning of Islamic bigotry in India which not only alienated Hindus but also the much more moderate Sufis and Shias as well. Aurangzebs narrow Sunni beliefs were to make India the hotbed of Muslim fundamentalists, long before the Wahhabis of Saudi Arabia sponsored the fanatics of the Taliban and the Islamic State. It wasnt just a battle for the Mughal throne, but also a battle for the very soul of India.

Aurangzebs victory here and other successful campaigns resulted in the creation of the greatest and biggest Imperial India till then. His empire spanned from Kabul to Calicut in the south and Kamrup in the east. He ruled almost 20 per cent of the worlds population. He ruled with an iron hand and killed his enemies with extreme cruelty. He had Dara Shikoh killed in front of his son, and Guru Tegh Bahadur decapitated in front of a large crowd in Delhis Chandni Chowk area. If emperors were to be judged by territory, population and wealth, he was verily the greatest of the Mughals. But the seeds of this Indias collapse were sowed.

In 1620, India had the worlds greatest national income, over a third of it, and was its greatest military power as well. According to economics historian Angus Maddison, in 1700 India accounted for 27 per cent of the worlds GDP. It was the envy of Europe. European traders came to seek Indian goods for their markets.

But no sooner had the iron hand of Aurangzeb been removed that his imperial India began disintegrating. The iron hand that ruled by dividing rather than uniting and that sought to impose a hierarchy by theological preferences gave rise to much discordance. But for Aurangzeb, Shivaji Bhonsle might have remained a minor western Indian feudatory? There are important lessons for those who rule and seek to rule India in this.

The weakening central rule and profit-seeking peripheral kingdoms allowed European trading posts to be established. Weakening regimes led to the trading posts raising armed guards. Soon, the overseas trading companies began warring with each other and with so many minor states now, free to make their destinies joining hands with one or the other. It were the Europeans who then gradually got established. The Anglo-French wars of the Carnatic were fought by Indian armies beefed up by the trading company levies. The East India Company prevailed and the French, Dutch, Portuguese and Danish got reduced to pockets.

A hundred years later, in 1757, the era of total foreign supremacy over India began when the East India Companys troops drawn from South India and officered by English company executives defeated the army of Nawab Siraj-ud-daulah at Plassey (Palashi), with the now usual mix of superior drilling, resolute leadership and a bit of treachery. At a crucial time, Mir Jaffar and his troops crossed over. India lay prostrate before Robert Clive.

Within a decade, on August 12, 1765, Clive obtained a firman from Emperor Shah Alam granting the dewani of Bengal, Bihar and Odisha to the John Company. A Muslim contemporary indignantly exclaims that so great a transaction was done and finished in less time than would have been taken up in the sale of a jackass. By this deed the Company became the real sovereign ruler of 30 million people, yielding a revenue of four million pounds sterling. The John Company grew from strength to strength and by 1857 the Grand Mughal was reduced to his fort conducting poetry soirees. It was the golden age of Urdu poetry.

The events of 1857 led to the formal establishment of India as a directly ruled colony. It was yet another epochal event. The English established the greatest dominion in India ever. It spanned from Peshawar in todays Pakistan to Pagan in Burma; and from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, India came under one sway for the first time in its history. Even Aurangzeb didnt go down very much beyond the River Krishna.

India changed, for the better and for the worse. All through its long history India had absorbed the waves of immigrants and their dynasties, as it absorbed from the Dravidians, Aryans, Greeks, Persians, Kushans, Afghans, Uzbeks and all those who came to seek their fortunes here. They built on Indias fortunes. The British were the only ones who came to take away its vast wealth in a systematic manner. The wealth taken from India to a great extent financed the Industrial Revolution.

The renowned economist Utsa Patnaik, who worked and taught at the Centre for Economic Studies and Planning in the School of Social Sciences at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), ever since she returned with a Ph.D. from Oxford University, had written a seminal paper on how much Britain had profit by from India? This article, published by Columbia University Press in 2018, categorically refuted British moral assertions. Ms Patnaik concluded that Britain had plundered almost $45 trillion from India between 1765 and 1938, based on nearly two centuries of precise tax and trade data. This amount is almost 17 times the current combined GDP of Britain and India.

From then to another epochal year ending with seven took ninety years. In 1947, India became independent. In that year Indias GDP was only 3.8 per cent of the worlds GDP. It is 2022 now. Indias GDP is now the worlds third biggest. In a few decades from now, it could conceivably become its biggest.

Given its failures on the economic front, the BJP-RSS establishment in New Delhi is now pushing India towards Hindutva nationhood, by seeking to victimise a minority for perceived wrongs and slights of the past. An intolerant religion can never be the basis of nationhood and national unity in India. The legacy of Aurangzeb tells us that. Aurangzeb had created the greatest imperial India since Ashoka the Great. But it didnt take very long for it to dissipate. In the hundred years that followed, a foreign mercantile company gained control over all of India.

The BJP under Narendra Modi might keep gaining electoral dominion over all or most of India. But has he learned any lessons from history? Does he want to become the Hindu Aurangzeb? What is worrisome is that we know history is not Mr Modis forte.
China claims nearly all of the disputed South China Sea, though Taiwan, the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam all claim parts of it. (AFP Photo)

Washington: The US is concerned by China's attempt to "intimidate" its neighbours, including India, as Washington believes that Beijing's behaviour in the region and around the world could be destabilising, the White House has said, asserting that America will continue to stand with its partners.

The remarks of White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki came ahead of the 14th round of military-level talks between India and China on the 20-month row in eastern Ladakh.

Asked about China's aggressive behaviour on its border with India and if the topic came during America's talks with China or Washington sending any message to Beijing on this, Psaki, during her daily news conference on Monday, said that the US continues to closely monitor the situation along the India-China border.

We continue to support dialogue and peaceful resolution of these border disputes, she said.

We've been pretty clear how we view Beijing's behaviour in the region and around the world. We believe it can be destabilising. And we're concerned by the People's Republic of China's attempt to intimidate its neighbours.

We'll continue to stand with our partners on that, Psaki asserted.

According to sources in the security establishment in New Delhi, the 'Senior Highest Military Commander Level' talks between India and China will take place on January 12 at the Chushul-Moldo meeting point, on the Chinese side of the Line of Actual Control in eastern Ladakh.

India is looking forward to "constructive" dialogue with China to resolve issues in remaining friction points in eastern Ladakh, they said, adding that major focus of the talks will be on disengagement in the Hot Springs area.

The Indian side is expected to press for disengagement as soon as possible in all the remaining friction points including resolution of issues in Depsang Bulge and Demchok.

The 13th round of talks had taken place on October 10, 2021 and they ended in a stalemate.

Both sides failed to make any headway in the talks with the Indian Army saying after the dialogue that the "constructive suggestions" made by it were neither agreeable to the Chinese side nor it could provide any "forward-looking" proposals.

In their virtual diplomatic talks on November 18, India and China agreed to hold the 14th round of military talks at an early date to achieve the objective of complete disengagement in remaining friction points in eastern Ladakh.

The eastern Ladakh border standoff between the Indian and Chinese militaries erupted on May 5, 2020, following a violent clash in the Pangong lake areas.

As a result of a series of military and diplomatic talks, the two sides completed the disengagement process last year in the north and south banks of the Pangong lake and in the Gogra area.

Each side currently has around 50,000 to 60,000 troops along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the sensitive sector.

India, the US and several other world powers have been talking about the need to ensure a free, open and thriving Indo-Pacific in the backdrop of China's rising military manoeuvring in the resource-rich region.

China claims nearly all of the disputed South China Sea, though Taiwan, the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam all claim parts of it. Beijing has built artificial islands and military installations in the South China Sea. China also has territorial disputes with Japan in the East China Sea.

The US maintains it will support its regional allies in the defence of a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

America has been periodically sending its naval and air patrols through the South China Sea, challenging China's claims of sovereignty over the area and also asserting the freedom of navigation.

The US says it seeks to preserve peace and stability, uphold the freedom of the seas in a manner consistent with international law, maintain the unimpeded flow of commerce and oppose any attempt to use coercion or force to settle disputes.
People walk past a television screen showing a news broadcast with file footage of a North Korean missile test, at a railway station in Seoul on January 11, 2022, after North Korea fired a "suspected ballistic missile" into the sea, South Korea's military said, less than a week after Pyongyang reported testing a hypersonic missile. (Anthony WALLACE / AFP)

SEOUL: North Korea fired a suspected ballistic missile into the sea, South Korea's military said Tuesday, ratcheting up tensions less than a week after Pyongyang reported testing a hypersonic missile.

The early-morning launch came as the UN Security Council met in New York to discuss last week's test of what Pyongyang called a hypersonic missile, although Seoul has cast doubt on that claim.

After an emergency meeting, South Korea's national security council expressed "strong regret over the launch", according to a statement from the president's office.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida told reporters that it was "extremely regrettable that North Korea continues to launch missiles".

There were no immediate reports of damage to Japanese aircraft or vessels, according to government spokesman Hirokazu Matsuno.

"(The suspected missile) is estimated to have flown approximately up to 700 kilometres and landed outside of Japan's exclusive economic zone," he said.

Seoul's Joint Chiefs of Staff said it had been fired from land at around 7:27 am local time (2227 GMT on Monday).

Pyongyang's second test in a week came after six countries, including the United States and Japan, urged North Korea Monday to cease "destabilising actions" ahead of a UN Security Council closed-door meeting.

France, Britain, Ireland and Albania joined the call for North Korea to "engage in meaningful dialogue towards our shared goal of complete denuclearization".

Analysts said Pyongyang had likely planned the latest launch to coincide with the UN meeting.

"North Korea continues testing to diversify its nuclear arsenal, but it timed the launch on the day of the UNSC meeting to maximise its political impact," Shin Beom-chul, a researcher at the Korea Research Institute for National Strategy, told AFP.

The frequency of testing indicated Pyongyang could be fitting in the launches ahead of the Beijing Olympics next month, said Park Won-gon, a professor at the Ewha Womans University in Seoul.

North Korea has been barred from the Beijing Winter Olympics after skipping the pandemic-delayed Tokyo Games over Covid-19 concerns, a move Pyongyang has blamed on "hostile forces".

Hypersonic?

In the decade since leader Kim Jong Un took power, North Korea has seen rapid progress in its military technology at the cost of international sanctions.

In 2021, nuclear-armed North Korea said it had successfully tested a new type of submarine-launched ballistic missile, a long-range cruise missile, a train-launched weapon, and what it described as a hypersonic warhead.

South Korea has cast doubts over Pyongyang's hypersonic claims, saying last week's test represented limited progress on the regime's existing ballistic missiles.

A second hypersonic test so soon could indicate last week's launch was actually a failure, said Kim Dong-yub, a professor at the University of North Korean Studies.

"It's hard to understand why they would carry out another test less than a week after they announced a success," he added.

Hypersonic missiles move far faster and are more agile than standard ones, making them much harder for missile defence systems -- on which the United States is spending billions -- to intercept.

They were listed among the "top priority" tasks for strategic weapons in North Korea's current five-year plan, and it announced its first test -- of the Hwasong-8 -- in September last year.

No talks

The tests come as North Korea has refused to respond to US appeals for talks.

At a key meeting of North Korea's ruling party last month, Kim vowed to continue building up the country's defence capabilities, without mentioning America.

Instead of the policy positions on diplomacy, for which Kim's New Year statements are closely watched, he focused on food security and economic development.

Dialogue between Washington and Pyongyang remains stalled and the country is under multiple sets of international sanctions over its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes.

The impoverished nation has also been under a rigid self-imposed coronavirus blockade that has hammered its economy.
Uttar Pradesh BJP president Swatantra dev Singh launched the party's door-to-door campaign on Tuesday by visiting the home of beneficiaries of the Central and state government schemes.

Singh visited the Balu Adda locality in Lucknow.

"We are following the EC guidelines and Covid protocols in this campaign," he said.

Also Read -- Mayawati not to contest Uttar Pradesh Assembly Polls

The BJP state chief anointed the voters' forehead with 'kumkum' and 'chandan' and gave them pamphlets and booklets about the various schemes. He also pasted stickers on their doors and appealed to vote for BJP.

BJP leaders across the state have embarked on a door-to-door campaign after the Election Commission clamped a ban on physical campaign.

Teams of party leaders, in groups of five, will interact with voters during the campaign.

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The International Monetary Fund said on Monday it has appointed French-born University of California-Berkeley economist Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas as the Fund's next chief economist, replacing Gita Gopinath, who is joining the IMF management team this month.

The Fund said Gourinchas, who joined UC-Berkeley in 2003 and held previous economic posts at Princeton University and Stanford University, will start part-time on January 24 and transition to full-time Fund work on April 1.

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Images calling for a boycott of Starbucks Korea / Screenshots from Twitter



By Kim Jae-heun



There are signs of a boycott movement against Starbucks Korea sparked by Shinsegae Vice Chairman Chung Yong-jin's recent anti-communist remarks on social media. Shinsegae is the parent company of E-mart, which owns 67.5 percent of Starbucks Korea.



On Monday, some netizens started spreading images on various online communities calling for a boycott.



On Jan. 6, Vice Chairman Chung had uploaded on Instagram an image of an article from Korean daily Chosun Ilbo that had a picture of Chinese President Xi Jinping and was criticizing the Korean government's silence toward a high-level Chinese official who had referred to Korea as a "minor country." Chung tagged the image with the hashtag, "destroycommunism" ("myeolgong" in Korean), and it set off controversy. Later that day, the vice chairman replaced the image with a photo of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. The vice chairman has uploaded anti-communist posts on social media five times in recent months.



The incident spread to the political circle and the spokeperson for ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung subsequently tweeted that he will not drink Starbucks coffee anymore. Supporters of the DPK showed their intention to join the boycott of Shinsegae.



But Starbucks Korea has become the first victim of the boycott. The coffeehouse chain is one of the major subsidiaries of the retail giant, having shown continuous growth since its entrance in the local market. Chung is the one who brought the Starbucks brand here in 1997, and he has referred to himself as the very first fan of Starbucks Korea.



For 2021, Starbucks Korea's accumulated sales as of the third quarter reached 1.72 trillion won, and after its fourth-quarter business performance is revealed, the total sales for last year is expected to surpass 2 trillion won. It will be the first coffee shop franchise to achieve over 2 trillion won in annual sales in Korea. In 2020, Starbucks was also only 71.6 billion won short of reaching the same figure in annual sales.



After E-Mart signed a contract last July to acquire an additional 17.5 percent share from the headquarters, Starbucks Korea became majority-owned by the Korean company. Originally, Starbucks Korea was established 25 years ago as a joint venture between Starbucks Corporation in the United States and E-mart, with each holding a 50-percent share. After E-mart increased its share to 67.5 percent in July, the retailer changed its corporate name to SCK Company.



Market insiders point out that it is natural for ruling party supporters to boycott Starbucks, Chung's favorite coffee shop. The coffeehouse chain is a cash cow for E-mart, as it accounts for 55 percent of the large grocery store chain's annual operating profit. In the third quarter of last year, Starbucks Korea's profit skyrocketed year-on-year by 108.2 percent to reach 80.6 billion won.



But after Chung's anti-communist remarks triggered this recent controversy, Shinsegae's stock value decreased by 6.8 percent to end at 233,000 won on Jan. 10. A Shinsegae official explained the drop by saying, "It is believed to reflect the overall weakness of the cosmetics industry due to unclear prospects in the Chinese market."



As the backlash against Shinsegae grows, Chung said he will stop putting "destroycommunism" hashtags on social media.



JP Morgan CEO Jamie Dimon also made an apology recently after making an offhand comment against the Chinese Communist Party last Nov. 23, nearly jeopardizing his company's business in China.


The number of Russian troops at Ukraines border has remained steady in recent weeks, despite US intelligence predictions of a surge, but US officials say that President Vladimir Putin has begun taking steps to move military helicopters into place, a possible sign that planning for an attack continues.

US officials had expected additional Russian troops to stream toward the Ukrainian border in December and early January, building toward a force of 175,000.

While troop movements have slowed, there are still 100,000 military personnel near the border and now the Russians have positioned additional attack aircraft there, US officials said. Attack and transport helicopters, along with ground attack fighter jets, would be a critical Russian advantage, should Putin decide to invade Ukraine.

US officials say the Russian presidents window for an invasion is limited, dictated by temperatures that will freeze the ground  allowing for the easy movement of heavy vehicles and equipment  before a spring thaw, which could begin by March, creates a muddy quagmire.

But a relatively mild winter has slowed the grounds freezing, and Putins deadline for committing his forces has slipped further toward the spring, officials say. The hard winter freeze that typically comes to Ukraine by January has not happened in many areas of the country. As long as the ground remains muddy, senior administration officials said, Putin might be forced to push back a ground offensive until February at the earliest.

To get a better sense of possible conditions this year, the Biden administration has enlisted meteorologists to look more closely at the likely weather in Ukraine in the coming weeks, according to a US official.

The officials interviewed for this article requested anonymity to discuss sensitive and classified assessments of Russian military movements, along with American efforts to learn about those deployments.

The United States has been regularly flying Air Force RC-135 Rivet Joint electronic-eavesdropping planes over Ukraine since Dec. 27. The planes allow US intelligence operatives to listen to Russian ground commanders communications. The Air Force is also flying E-8 JSTARS ground-surveillance planes to track the Russian troop buildup and the movements of the forces.

The United States is particularly interested in indications that Russia may deploy any of its tactical nuclear weapons to the border, a move that Russian officials have suggested could be an option.

The intelligence agencies have told administration officials that while the Russians have continued planning an invasion, they do not believe Putin has decided whether to begin an incursion. For their part, Russian officials reiterated on Monday that they do not plan to invade Ukraine.

A fierce diplomatic push to give Putin face-saving alternatives to military action began this week in Geneva, where Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman led a US delegation for talks with her Russian counterpart, Sergei A. Ryabkov, and other Russian officials.

But Secretary of State Antony Blinken told reporters at the State Department on Friday that actual progress is going to be very difficult to make, if not impossible, in an environment of escalation by Russia. And after eight hours of meetings with the Russians, Sherman told reporters that such de-escalation had not occurred and that the talks had amounted merely to a discussion, a better understanding of each other and each others priorities.

Putin has made several demands, including that NATO formally pledge never to admit Ukraine and Georgia as members, that US and NATO officials call nonstarters. Instead, the United States is dangling more modest offers, like assurances that US missiles will not be placed in Ukrainian territory  something Washington has never seriously contemplated.

Despite publicly expressing uncertainty about Putins intentions, US officials have assessed that there is little likelihood that he will back down from what they have described as maximalist positions. The Biden administration has promised allies that it will not make any offers to Russia that they do not support, taking off the table any sort of unilateral troop withdrawal from Eastern Europe or pledge not to further integrate Ukraine with the rest of Europe.

Putin has massed his forces along Russias border with eastern Ukraine, where for nearly eight years he has supported a pro-Russian insurgency in the Donbas region that has left up to 14,000 people dead.

In early December, US intelligence agencies predicted that Putin was planning to gather as many as 175,000 troops for a potential incursion into Ukraine.

Weeks later, Putin withdrew some 10,000 troops near Ukraine. But US officials said those troops were not part of the force that Putin appeared to be gathering for a potential invasion in January or February.

Still, intelligence officials thought there would be more of a troop buildup throughout December. A senior administration official said the Russian deployments were continuing, but at a slower pace than in early December.

Currently, Russia has just under 60 battalion tactical groups on the ground, or somewhere between 85,000 and 100,000 troops, according to US officials. Those troops have conducted exercises and drills, demonstrating that the Russian forces are at their highest levels of readiness.

In addition to building up aviation assets, the Russian government has ordered in more units specializing in logistics. While aviation assets would be critical to protecting ground troops during the invasion, the logistics units would be needed to support the ground forces in the event Putin orders his forces across the border.

More than 150 US military advisers are in Ukraine, trainers who have for years worked out of the training ground near Lviv, in the countrys west, far from the front lines. The current group includes Special Operations forces, mostly Army Green Berets, as well as National Guard trainers from Floridas 53rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team.

Military advisers from about a dozen allied countries are also in Ukraine, US officials said. Several NATO countries, including Britain, Canada, Lithuania and Poland, have regularly sent training forces to the country.

In the event of a full-scale Russian invasion, the United States intends to move its military trainers out of the country quickly. But it is possible that some Americans could stay to advise Ukrainian officials in Kyiv, the capital, or provide front-line support, a US official said.

Pentagon officials have warned their Russian counterparts that they need to de-escalate the situation, because an invasion would not end well for Moscow. Gen. Mark Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, spoke bluntly to Gen. Valery Gerasimov, Russias chief of the general staff, on Dec. 22. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin followed that with more diplomatic comments to Russias defense minister, Sergei K. Shoigu, on Thursday.

On Monday, Milley spoke with his Ukrainian counterpart, Lt. Gen. Valery Zaluzhny, about the Russian troop presence and the security situation.

There is still no consensus within the administration, much less the alliance, on how or when to support an insurgency in Ukraine should Russia conduct a full-scale invasion, expand its presence in the Donbas region or some other scenario, according to a senior administration official. Officials in the Biden administration are intensely debating what the available options might be depending on which situations play out.

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Myanmars ousted civilian leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, was convicted Monday and sentenced to four years in prison for possessing walkie-talkies in her home and for violating Covid-19 protocols.

Altogether, Suu Kyi, 76, has been sentenced to a total of six years in prison, with many more charges pending against her.

Mondays guilty verdict on three counts comes on top of her Dec. 5 conviction on charges of inciting public unrest and a separate count of breaching Covid-19 protocols. Initially sentenced to four years on those charges, that sentence was cut in half by the army commander in chief, Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, the leader of the Feb. 1 coup that forced her from office.

Also Read: Myanmar jails ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi for 4 years over walkie-talkies

As the first anniversary of the coup approaches, the court found Suu Kyi guilty of violating Myanmars import-export law and its telecommunications law by possessing the communication devices. Her defenders have said the walkie-talkies belonged to her security detail, and that the charges were bogus and politically motivated.

She was sentenced to two years on the Covid protocol, two years on the charge of importing the walkie-talkies, and to one year for violating the telecommunications law. The sentences connected to the walkie-talkie charges are to run concurrently.

Suu Kyi has been held incommunicado in a house in Naypyitaw, the capital of Myanmar. Amnesty International called the walkie-talkie charges trumped up, saying they suggest the military is desperate for a pretext to embark on a witch-hunt and intimidate anyone who challenges them.

The charge of importing the devices  the first of many charges brought against her  was filed Feb. 3, two days after the coup, and the court proceedings have lasted nearly a year.

The guilty verdict for violating Covid protocols stemmed from an episode during the 2020 election campaign when she walked through a crowd of supporters while wearing a face shield but no face mask. Earlier reports indicated that the conviction was based on the same incident as an earlier conviction in which she stood outside, in a face mask and face shield, waving to supporters in vehicles.

Suu Kyi faces at least seven more charges  including five counts of corruption  with a potential maximum sentence of 89 years if she were to be found guilty on all remaining charges.

Also Read: The trials of Aung San Suu Kyi, from heroine to villain to convict

Human Rights Watch said the military regime was making itself appear ridiculous by accumulating convictions on flimsy, politically motivated charges.

The Myanmar juntas courtroom circus of secret proceedings on bogus charges is all about steadily piling up more convictions against Aung San Suu Kyi so that she will remain in prison indefinitely, said Phil Robertson, the groups deputy Asia director.

Suu Kyi was the Nobel Peace Laureate in 1991 and led her party, the National League for Democracy, to landslide victories three times between 1990 and 2020, but the military allowed her to form a government only once, in 2016.

She spent a total of 15 years under house arrest between 1989 and 2010. She later damaged her reputation as an international icon of democracy by not speaking out against the militarys brutal ethnic cleansing of Rohingya Muslims, which drove more than 700,000 Rohingya into Bangladesh.

Since the coup, Suu Kyi and the ousted president, Win Myint, have been held under house arrest in undisclosed locations near the capital, Naypyidaw. Win Myint was also convicted Dec. 5 of violating Covid-19 protocols and sentenced to four years. The coup leader also cut his sentence in half.

Suu Kyis trials are being held in a house in Naypyidaw that was converted into a courtroom. No members of the public are allowed to attend, and her lawyers are forbidden from speaking about the case.

On Dec. 30, a police court sentenced Cherry Htet, 30, a police lieutenant and former bodyguard to Suu Kyi, to three years in prison for violating rules on police conduct by posting messages on Facebook that the court deemed inflammatory.

In one post, she said simply, We miss you Amay, using the Burmese word for mother. The former bodyguard was also accused of communicating with the National Unity Government, the shadow government formed after the coup by ousted elected officials and other opponents of the military.

Mondays conviction of Suu Kyi came as the military continued its effort to suppress pro-democracy protests, combat a budding resistance movement and battle ethnic groups seeking autonomy. Soldiers and the police have killed at least 1,447 civilians since the coup and detained nearly 8,500, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, a rights group.

The Tatmadaw, as the Myanmar military is known, was accused of committing one of its largest massacres on Christmas Eve when soldiers killed at least 35 fleeing villagers and burned their bodies. Save the Children, one of the groups that condemned the massacre, said two of its staff members were among those killed as they returned home for the Christmas holiday.

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Amir Khan Muttaqi, the Taliban's acting Foreign Minister who is currently in Iran with a 26-member delegation, held talks with National Resistance Front leader Ahmad Massoud, during which the latter was given assurance about his safe return to Afghanistan, according to media reports.

Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid confirmed the meeting, which was also attended by former Herat province Governor Ismail Khan, in a tweet on Monday saying: "Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan tries to make the situation of Afghanistan safe and conducive for everyone so that there is no opportunity for people to oppose IEA."

In a different video posted by Mohammad Naeem, a spokesman for the Taliban's Qatar-based office, Muttaqi was quoted as saying: "Yes, we met with Ahmad Massoud, Commander Ismail Khan and other Afghans. We assured all of them that they can come back and live an unworried life."

Although the anti-Taliban National Resistance Front is yet to officially confirm the meeting, Hafiz Mansoor, a member of the alliance, said that it took place, TOLO News reported.

Iranian media reports, quoting Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzada, reported that Tehran hosted the meeting, adding that the Afghan parties had good discussions.

Massoud reportedly fled to Tajikistan last September after the Taliban captured Panjshir Valley, the last province in Afghanistan to fall to the militants following their takeover of of the country just a month earlier.

Meanwhile, Khan escaped to Iran after the fall of Herat in August 2021.

Muttaqi arrived in Tehran on Sunday for talks with Iranian officials on political, economic and transit issues, as well as on the Afghan refugees in Iran.

This is the first official visit of a high-ranking Taliban delegation to Iran since it took over Afghanistan.

In November 2021, an Iranian delegation had visited Kabul during which the two sides discussed bilateral issues.

Although the Iranian government is yet to recognised the Taliban government, sources told TOLO News that Abdul Qayyum Sulaimani, a nephew of the former Herat Governor, has been appointed acting ambassador to Tehran by Muttaqi.

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The United Nations on Tuesday made what it called a record $5 billion appeal to help Afghanistan and its neighbouring countries, warning half of the country faces acute hunger, millions of children are out of school and farmers are struggling against drought  even as Afghanistan stabilises from decades of conflict after the Taliban takeover in August.

The appeal from the UN Office for the Coordination for Humanitarian Affairs and refugee agency UNHCR reflects the world body's bid to help beleaguered civilians inside a country now run by a militant group that many Western donor countries once fought  and still oppose.

The US-led international coalition left Afghanistan in chaotic scenes as the Taliban overran the country and swept back to power over the summer.

OCHA warned of looming catastrophe in Afghanistan and said 23 million people need humanitarian assistance  or more than half of the country's population. Up to a million children under age 5 will face severe and acute malnutrition if they don't get assistance, it said.

We need to get food to the families where they live. We need to get seeds to the farmers where they plow," said Martin Griffiths, the head of OCHA.

"We need to get health services to the clinics in locations throughout the country, and we need protection services for all those people who want to return home.

Also read: Taliban-ruled Afghanistan stares at mass starvation

This is the largest ever appeal for a single country for humanitarian assistance, and it is three times the amount needed and actually fundraised in 2021, he said.

The joint appeal seeks $4.4 billion for OCHA and its partners, plus another $623 million for the refugee agency to help more than 6 million Afghans who have fled abroad, or about 15 per cent of Afghanistan's total population. Others continue to trickle across the border, UNHCR said, while noting that an estimated 175,000 have returned to the country since the Taliban takeover.

The reality is that people go back because the situation is more secure," said Filippo Grandi, who heads UNCHR.

"The conflict between the Taliban and the previous government is over. And that has opened up some space of security, which I think we need to take advantage of. But to do that, we need those resources that are part of this appeal.

Grandi went on to emphasise the effectiveness of aid and said it allows for creation of a space of dialogue with the Taliban that is invaluable" around issues that matter to many donors  like women's rights, schooling for girls, and the rights of minorities, which are discussed with the country's new leaders every day.

It's that space that we need to preserve, because at the moment, the political sphere is a little bit behind, he said.

The UN has repeatedly said that Afghans face one of the world's fastest-growing humanitarian crises, with the economy in free fall and rights of women and girls under attack.

The funding, if achieved, would amount to the equivalent of about one-fourth of the country's total economic output in 2020, of more than $20 billion, according to the World Bank.
North Korea on Tuesday fired what appeared to be a ballistic missile into its eastern sea, its second weapons launch in a week, the militaries of South Korea and Japan said.

This month's launches follow a series of weapons tests in 2021 that underscored how North Korea continues to expand its military capabilities amid a self-imposed pandemic lockdown and deadlocked nuclear talks with the United States.

South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said the North fired at least one weapon early Tuesday but didn't immediate say whether it was ballistic or how far it flew.

Also Read: UN Security Council to meet Monday on N.Korean missile launch

Japan's Prime Minister's Office and Defence Ministry said the North Korean weapon was possibly a ballistic missile, but didn't immediately provide more details.

The Offices of Guam Homeland Security and Civil Defense said it was monitoring the reports of the North's launch but that no immediate threat was assessed for Guam, a major US military hub in the Pacific.

The latest launch came six days after the North fired a ballistic missile into the sea in what it later described as a successful test of a hypersonic missile, a type of weaponry the North claimed to have first tested in September.

That test came days after North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during a key political conference vowed to bolster his military forces despite pandemic-related difficulties.

US-led diplomacy on North Korea's nuclear programme has been stalled since 2019 due to disputes over international sanctions on the North.

The Biden administration has repeatedly called for resuming the nuclear diplomacy anywhere and at any time without preconditions, but North Korea has argued the US must first withdraw its hostility against it before any talks can restart.

The North's advancing nuclear arsenal is at the core of Kim's rule and what he clearly considers his strongest guarantee of survival.

During his 10-year rule, he's conducted a large number of weapons tests in a push to acquire the ability to launch nuclear strikes on the American mainland.

But his country's economy has faltered severely in the past two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the US-led sanctions over his nuclear ambitions and his government's own mismanagement.

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In a jolt to the BJP in poll-bound Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday, OBC leader Swami Prasad Maurya resigned from the state cabinet and three other MLAs announced they are quitting the party. Maurya is widely expected to join the Samajwadi Party but has not made a formal declaration. The SP, however, welcomed him to their fold, even sharing a picture that showed him with party president Akhilesh Yadav. Meanwhile, Congress formed a manifesto committee headed by party MP Partap Singh Bajwa and a Sunil Jakhar-led campaign panel for the February 14 Punjab Assembly polls.
Mumbai Police's cyber department registered a Non-Cognizable (NC) offence against an unidentified person after a complainant in the Bulli Bai app case told them that she had received threat calls on her phone, an official said on Monday.

The complainant told the police that the caller threatened her over the phone and asked why she revealed their names and filed FIR against them, the official at the Cyber police station in the Bandra Kurla Complex said.

An NC case was registered against an unidentified person on Saturday, he added. He said the police are investigating how the caller got the mobile phone number of the complainant.

No FIR was registered and further investigation is underway, the official added.

The case pertains to the creation of the 'Bulli Bai' app, which targeted Muslim women by putting up their images online for "auction".

Mumbai cyber police had arrested Shweta Singh and Mayank Rawal from Uttarakhand and Vishal Kumar Jha from Bengaluru.

The Delhi police's special cell, which has also registered an FIR in the case, on January 6 arrested one Niraj Bishnoi from Assam. According to the police, Bishnoi was the main creator of the app.

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Calling it a travesty of democratic norms, the Editors Guild of India on Tuesday demanded that the government take urgent steps to investigate the online harassment of women journalists.

The Guilds intervention follows the online 'auction' of Muslim women and news reports of an application Tek Fog which steals unused WhatsApp accounts to send toxic messages to journalists.

The Guild also demanded that the Supreme Court take cognisance of the matter and order an online probe. It said that the continued harassment was part of efforts to silence vocal journalists and intimidate them.

Also read: 'Bulli Bai' case complainant receives threat calls; probe launched

The Editors Guild of India condemns the continuing online harassment of women journalists, which includes targeted and organised online trolling as well as threats of sexual abuse. What is further disturbing is that most of these attacks are targeted at journalists who have been outspokenly critical of the current government and the ruling party, the Guilds statement read. It was signed by Guild president Seema Mustafa, general secretary Sanjay Kapoor, and treasurer Anant Nath.

The Guild mentioned an article in The Wire which reported an extensive and well-funded network built around the Tek Fog app.

The purpose of these deeply hurtful messages was to instil fear in them and to prevent them from expressing themselves freely and go about their jobs. According to the reports, several women journalists were subjected to thousands of abusive tweets, read the statement.

The Guild also mentioned the earlier instances of online auctions of Muslim women on open source apps on GitHub that targeted journalists critical of the government.

Though law enforcement agencies have arrested those supposedly behind such apps, there is need for further investigation in order to ensure that all those behind such despicable acts, even beyond those arrested, are brought to justice, the Guild said.

It demanded that the government take urgent steps to dismantle the misogynistic and abusive digital eco-system, and carry out investigations to identify and punish the culprits behind it.

Further, given the allegations that there may be the involvement of influential people linked to the ruling party with the app Tek Fog, the Guild demands that the Supreme Court of India takes cognisance of the matter and order a probe into it, the Guild said.

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A 74-km-long walkathon organised by several civil society organisations and citizens in Nagaland to step up pressure on the Centre for repeal of the contentious Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA), 1958 concluded at the state capital, Kohima on Tuesday.

The walkathon, which was organised by some citizens and was supported by several civil society organisations in the state, began from Dimapur on Monday morning. The protesters spent the night at Piphema before resuming their march for Kohima on Tuesday morning.

The idea of the walkathon initially started on social media during the public outcry Nagaland witnessed following the killing of 14 civilians by the army in Mon district in December during a botched operation and the aftermath. The number of participants was reduced due to Covid-19 restrictions but people lined up on both sides of the Dimapur-Kohima road at several places to express their solidarity to the march.

Those who took part in the march were seen holding placards that slammed the Centre for not repealing the AFSPA despite demand by common people, civil society organisations and political parties. "How can a democratic country have such a black law?" one protester asked.

Read | AFSPA: Aberration of democracy

"Our first and foremost demand is that the AFSPA should be immediately withdrawan from Nagaland and be repealed. Justice should be given to the families of those who were inhumanly killed by the army at Oting village and the armymen involved in the massacre should be identified quickly and be tried in a civil court (not in military court). We also demand that adequate compensation should be paid to the families of the victims and steps must be initiated to ensure that similar incident is not repeated," he said.

The protesters submitted a memorandum to Nagaland Governor Jagdish Mukhi listing their demands.

The demand to repeal AFSPA, that gives special powers to the army to search, arrest and even shoot at "suspected people" in areas declared disturbed, intensified after the killing of 13 persons at Oting village on December 4. The AFSPA, which was imposed in Nagaland to deal with the Naga insurgency, was not withdrawn even as peace talks with NSCN-IM, the biggest rebel group had started in 1997.

Nagaland Assembly on December 20 unanimously adopted a resolution demanding the Centre to repeal the AFSPA, following which the Centre set up a committee to take decision regarding whether the AFSPA can be withdrawn from the state. The committee has been asked to submit its report within 45 days.

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Naga civil society organisations on Tuesday demanded that the Nagaland government make public the findings of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) set up by it to probe into the killing of 14 civilians by security forces in Mon district last month.

Following the killing of 14 civilians by army para-commandos in Oting area in a botched up operation and its aftermath, the state government set up the SIT and asked it to submit its report within 30 days that ended on January 5.

A section of the Nagaland media on Tuesday reported that the SIT has submitted a preliminary report to the government.

Police sources said that enquiry of the personnel of 21 para-commandos stationed at Jorhat in Assam was done only on December 30 while investigations into some other issues are also in progress.

Also Read | 74-km-long walkathon in Nagaland ends with demand to repeal AFSPA

These are the reasons the final report is yet to be submitted, the sources said.

Global Naga Forum (GNF), an organisation that works for the rights of the Naga people, said the state government is yet to make the preliminary report public.

GNF Convenor Chuba Ozukum said the findings of the SIT should be made public for all to understand the reality.

Naga Students Federation, an influential body of Naga students and youths in Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur and Nagaland, also said the report should be in the public domain.

A Dimapur-based organisation of the Konyak tribe also raised the same demand.

Thirteen of the 14 people killed by army personnel on December 4 and 5 belonged to the Konyak tribe, one of the major tribes of Nagaland.

They were killed in three consecutive episodes of firing by security forces, the first of which has been claimed to be a case of mistaken identity.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah had told the Lok Sabha that the army had received information on the movement of insurgents in Mon and 21 Para Commando unit had laid an ambush.

A vehicle was signalled to stop but it tried to speed away. Suspecting the presence of insurgents in the vehicle, the security personnel opened fire, leading to the death of six of its eight occupants, Shah said.

Regretting the death of the civilians, he had said security forces fired in self-defence.

Eight others, including an army man, were killed in subsequent clashes between the force and villagers.

Several political parties have contested the government version that the vehicle was asked to stop.

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Large LNG ship built by Hyundai Heavy Industries. Courtesy of Hyundai Heavy Industries



By Kim Hyun-bin



Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) Group has won orders worth 3 trillion won ($2.51 billion), already achieving 14.3 percent of this year's sales target of $17.44 billion in just the first 10 days of the year. This exceeds market predictions which set a 20 percent decrease in global new building orders compared to last year.



Despite the robust orders, HHI Group is on its toes, as the European Union's decision whether to approve the Korean shipbuilder's takeover of Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME) is scheduled to be announced next week. The decision has been dragging on since 2019 due to monopoly concerns and was on the verge of cancellation due to strong opposition from EU competition authorities.



At the end of last year, the European Commission announced that it would make a decision on the deal by Jan. 20.



For now, the EU is highly likely to disapprove the deal itself or issue a conditional approval. The EU is concerned that the acquisition will lead to monopoly concerns such as price hikes, as the two companies account for around 60 percent of the global eco-friendly ship market, including LNG carriers and dual fuel-powered large container ships.



Global container shipping companies such as Maersk and MSC as well as large shipbuilding equipment companies such as MAN are concentrated in Europe, a reason the bloc is not welcoming a dominant player in the shipbuilding industry.



In response, the EU is known to have requested HHI Group to artificially reduce its LNG carrier business. A shipbuilding industry official said that this condition is unacceptable as it will result in a drastic market share reduction.



If HHI's acquisition of DSME falls through due to the opposition from the EU, the impact on the two companies is expected to be limited, as the shipbuilding industry continues to move forward in the eco-friendly shipbuilding sector.



From the standpoint of HHI Group, the 1.5 trillion won capital increase, which was originally planned to be used on the DSME acquisition, could be used to finance new growth businesses such as autonomous operation or ammonia-powered ships. However, DSME will be burdened with having to open up to creditors once again or find a new owner.



The dominant analysis is that the failure of the acquisition will lead to a decrease in the competitiveness of the Korean shipbuilding industry in the long term.



Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (KSOE), an intermediate holding company in the shipbuilding division of HHI Group, inked a 1.33 trillion won deal, Monday, to construct nine ships, including one LNG carrier and three medium-sized container ships measuring 2,500 TEU each.



When including orders for 10 ships worth 1.67 trillion won received on Jan. 4, the total order amount reaches 3 trillion won, achieving 14.3 percent of this year's order target of $17.44 billion in the first 10 days. Meanwhile, Clarkson's predicted that this year's volume of global new orders will decrease by 23.3 percent compared to last year.



Industry officials say as the prices of eco-friendly ships are set to rise, shipping companies have been forwarding their orders.



"Inquiries for eco-friendly ship orders have been on a rise since the beginning of this year," a KSOE official said. "We will focus our capabilities on technological advancement so that we can maximize our strengths in the eco-friendly ship sector."


The Calcutta High Court on Tuesday dropped the leader of the opposition in the state assembly from a three-member committee formed on January 7 to monitor compliance of Covid restrictions at Gangasagar Mela in Sagar Island.

The West Bengal government run by the Trinamool Congress objected to the inclusion of the Leader of the Opposition, BJP's Suvendu Adhikari, in the committee.

The division bench of Chief Justice Prakash Shrivastava and Justice Kesong Doma Bhutia has instead reconstituted it to a two-member committee comprising former Justice Samapti Chatterjee and the member secretary of the West Bengal Legal Services Authority.

Also read: SC rejects West Bengal govt's plea against protection from arrest to Suvendu Adhikari

Earlier, while allowing the annual congregation of pilgrims to take place between January 8 and 16, the bench directed that the entire Sagar Island be declared a notified area.

The bench on Monday iterated that this be done within 24 hours. It also instructed that all those visiting the Mela should be doubly vaccinated and test negative in an RTPCR test, conducted 72 hours before reaching the venue.

It has also asked for strict regulation of crowds to maintain social distancing. Declaration of the island as a notified area will empower the state to take measures for safeguarding the health and welfare of the pilgrims as it deems necessary.

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The Central government has for the first time agreed to allow import of pork and pork-products from the United States to India.

President Joe Bidens administration in Washington announced New Delhis decision, just days after two governments signed a framework agreement to allow export of mango and pomegranate from India to the United States.

The US Trade Representative, Katherine Tai, and the Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack, said that the Government of India had agreed to allow import of pork and pork products from the US, removing a long-standing barrier in agricultural trade between the two nations. Indias agreement to allow US pork imports for the first time is great news for the US producers and for Indian consumers, said Tai.

Tai and her counterpart, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, had met in New Delhi on November 23, reviving the India-US Trade Policy Forum. She had taken up with Goyal the issue of barriers in export of the US pork and pork products to India.

We will continue working to strengthen the US-India trade relationship and I appreciate Minister Goyals efforts to facilitate this important development, said Tai.

This new opportunity marks the culmination of nearly two decades of work to gain market access for US pork to India  and it signals positive movement in US-India trade relations, said Vilsack. We will continue working with the Indian government to ensure that the US pork industry can begin shipping its high-quality products to consumers as soon as possible.

The United States was the worlds third-largest pork producer and second-largest exporter in 2020, with global sales of pork and pork products valued at $7.7 billion. The US exported more than $1.6 billion worth of agricultural products to India in the fiscal year 2021.

The Department of Agriculture and farmers welfare (DAC&FW) of the Government of India and the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) signed a framework agreement for export of mangoes, pomegranate and pomegranate arils from India and import of cherries and Alfalfa hay from the US. Mango and pomegranate exports from India to the US is expected to start from January, February 2022 and pomegranate aril exports from April 2022. The export of Alfalfa hay and cherries from the US will begin in April 2022.

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Congress leader Digvijaya Singh on Monday used the "termite" analogy to target the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the ideological mentor of the BJP, which he said is damaging the entire system.

Speaking to reporters here in Madhya Pradesh, Singh also targeted Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, saying his speeches are replete only with divisive references like Hindu-Muslim and Shamshan-Kabristan.

Attacking RSS, the Congress Rajya Sabha MP said it was like "dimak" (termite) which silently damages a house or household goods. Similarly, RSS also works discreetly and damages the entire system.

Read more: Savarkar wasn't against beef consumption: Digvijaya Singh

"I know I will be severely abused for comparing RSS with termite. But, I have not called RSS termite. I have said that the character of the ideology that is silently damaging the entire system in the country is termite," Singh added.

Speaking about upcoming elections in BJP-ruled Uttar Pradesh, he said, "You (media) people must be listening to the speeches delivered by Yogi Adityanath. Have you heard phrases other than Hindu-Muslim, Hindustan-Pakistan or shamshan-kabristan (cremation ground and graveyards) in them? Singh alleged that a false narrative is being created to spread the message that the Hindu religion is under threat.

"This is done so that the fascist ideology can be taken forward and money can be earned through political posts," he claimed.

Singh said that the Hindu religion had never faced any danger even during the hundred years of rule under Muslims and "Christian Britishers".

Speaking at a symposium organised by the state Press Club here, Singh said that the concept of Hindutva is being used as a political weapon and it has nothing to do with Hinduism. He claimed that V D Savarkar had written in his book in 1923 that "it is wrong to assume the Hindu religion as Hindutva".

"Mistaking Hindutva as the Hindu religion would be the biggest mistake not only for Hindus but for the entire country, he said. Singh claimed that the proposal on the Partition under the two-nation theory was supported by the Muslim League as well as by Savarkar.

Referring to the latest cases relating to "Bulli Bai" and "Sulli Deals" hate apps, Singh said that the poison of bigotry is being infused in young minds through the internet and social media.

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The Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections this year will have a lot of Bihar in them.

At least four regional parties from Bihar have formally announced that they will contest the polls in Uttar Pradesh, either in alliance or on their own. Two of these four regional parties are a part of the NDA in Bihar.

The Janata Dal (U) is all set to contest the UP polls and its leaders claim that they are in talks with the BJP for seat sharing.

The BJP, meanwhile, has not uttered a word on a possible seat sharing with JD(U) in Uttar Pradesh.

Also Read -- Battle for UP: Aspirants apprehensive of virtual campaigning

"We have our allies -- Apna Dal and Nishad Party -- with whom seat sharing is being finalised. We are not aware of any other alliance at the moment," said a senior BJP functionary.

Bihar Minister Mukesh Sahani, who heads the Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP), is all set to contest 165 Nishad-dominated seats in Uttar Pradesh. The VIP is not negotiating with the BJP, which has already allied with its arch rival -- the Nishad Party.

The Lok Janshakti Party (LJP), led by Chirag Paswan, is another Bihar party that is trying its luck in the UP elections. The party leaders say that they will contest elections on their own and will try to field a maximum number of candidates.

Also read: State polls hold national importance

Former Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi's Hindustani Awam Morcha Secular (HAMS) is also making a debut in UP politics. Manjhi has said that he would prefer to go solo if not given adequate seats in any alliance.

These Bihar parties may or may not win seats in the Uttar Pradesh elections since most of them lack a proper organisational base in the state but they are bound to cut into votes of major parties and could even upset the apple cart, especially in constituencies along the UP-Bihar border.

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Former Governor Margaret Alva wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressing her concerns over the proposed anti-conversion law in Karnataka and lack of response or action by the Centre against attacks on minorities.

"Mr Prime Minister, how can you close your eyes and remain silent when atrocities on India's minorities are mounting, the Congress leader asked Modi in a four-page letter.

She said his silence is misread as tacit approval and encouragement to violence against minorities. When will you speak up and put a stop to this madness and violence?"

Also Read | Christians under attack: Bigotry and secularism are two sides of the same coin

The former union minister said that the 'Karnataka Protection of Right to Freedom of Religion Bill' is draconian and includes provisions previously struck down by the courts for violating Constitutional norms. "It makes all minorities, our institutions, practices, services and charities suspect," she wrote.

My letter to the PM, New Years Eve 2022. pic.twitter.com/4mibJTJ0ev  Margaret Alva (@alva_margaret) January 10, 2022

The Bill is yet to become a law as it awaits passage in the Karnataka Legislative Council, the upper house.

Personal liberties of privacy, religion, marriage and decision-making are taken away by the proposed legislation, she wrote. Is this the India we have struggled over 70 years to build?"

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The government has set in motion a process for making "comprehensive changes" in the framework of criminal laws to make it "people-centric" with Union Home Minister Amit Shah seeking suggestions from the Chief Justice of India, Chief Ministers and MPs among others.

Shah has written to MPs on December 31 last year requesting them to send their "valuable suggestions" regarding the amendments in the Indian Penal Code, the Code of Criminal Procedure and the Indian Evidence Act.

In his letter, he said the experience of the seven decades of Indian democracy calls for a "comprehensive review" of the criminal laws and adapt them in accordance with "contemporary needs and aspirations" of the people.

Also Read | Feedback, valuation key pillars of Amit Shah's poll strategy

"The government of India intends to create a people-centric legal structure," he said.

He said the endeavour to bring about a "paradigm shift" in the criminal justice system would "actually be an enormous exercise of public participation, which can only be successful with the participation of all stakeholders".

Shah said he has requested the Chief Justice of India, Chief Justices of High Courts, Chief Ministers, administrators of Union Territories, Bar Councils and Law Universities to send their suggestions.

"The MHA intends to make comprehensive amendments in criminal laws after receiving suggestions from various stakeholders. Parliament is one of the three important pillars of democracy. An MP has a significant role in the lawmaking process. The suggestions of MPs will be invaluable in this exercise of comprehensive amendments in criminal laws," Shah said in his letter to MPs.

The MHA had in May 2020 set up a 'Committee for Reforms in Criminal Laws' with five members while the committee now has seven members, including a woman. The composition of the committee had attracted criticism as a group of former judges and bureaucrats, lawyers and academicians have demanded reconstitution of the panel, saying it has no representation of women, Dalits and minorities in the panel tasked with recommending wide-ranging changes in the statutes.

The panel is tasked with recommending reforms in a "principled, effective, and efficient manner which ensures the safety and security of the individual, the community and the nation and which prioritises the constitutional values of justice, dignity and the inherent worth of the individual".

The committee had embarked on an online consultation with experts to recommend wide-ranging reforms in key criminal statutes by looking into aspects like sedition, marital rape and sexual offences.

An RTI query by DH and subsequent appeal seeking a copy of Terms of Reference and deadline set for the committee were not responded to by the MHA.

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Two years have passed since the controversial Citizenship Amendment Act came into existence but the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is yet to frame rules and have sought an extension for the sixth time from a Parliamentary committee for the exercise.

The Citizenship Amendment Act was passed by Parliament on December 11, 2019 and signed by the President the next day. The government notified it on January 10, 2020.

The Opposition had risen in rebellion against the Bill when it came for passage in Parliament, accusing the government of introducing religion as criteria for citizenship. It also resulted in huge protests across the country, amid accusations that it was aimed at targeting Muslims.

With the MHA not notifying the rules, the Act that grants Indian nationality to non-Muslim migrants from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan cannot be implemented.

Also Read | Gauhati HC asks East Pakistan immigrant to apply for citizenship under CAA

The MHA had first sought an extension in mid-July 2020. The MHA sought four more extensions and the latest one ended on Monday.

Sources said the MHA has once again written to Parliamentary Standing Committees on Subordinate Legislation in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha seeking another extension.

According to the Manual of Parliamentary Procedure, rules have to be framed within six months from the date on which the statute came into force.

"In case the Ministries/Departments are not able to frame the rules within the prescribed period of six months, they should seek extension of time from the Committee on Subordinate Legislation stating reasons for such extension; such extension being not more than for a period of three months at a time. The request should be made after obtaining the approval of the Minister," the manual said.

According to the report of the Joint Committee of Parliament that vetted a previous version of the Bill, there were 31,313 people belonging to minority communities from these countries will be "immediate beneficiaries", as they had been given Long Term Visas on the basis of their claim of religious persecution in their respective countries and want Indian citizenship.

Among 31,313 beneficiaries, the Intelligence Bureau told the panel that 25,447 are Hindus, 5,807 are Sikhs, 55 Christians and two each are Buddhists and Parsis.

For citizenship, the IB said, they will have to prove that they came to India due to religious persecution. "If they had not declared so at the time of arrival in India, it would be difficult for them to make such a claim now. Any future claim will be enquired into, including through RAW before a decision is taken," the IB had told the panel.

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India logged 1,68,063 new coronavirus infections taking the total tally of Covid-19 cases to 3,58,75,790 which includes 4,461 cases of the Omicron variant. Over nine lakh beneficiaries received their third dose of the Covid vaccine on the first day of the drive to administer the 'Precaution Dose' to the healthcare workers, frontline workers and sixty plus individuals. Meanwhile, the United States reported at least 1.1 million Covid cases in a day, shattering the global record. Stay tuned for latest updates on the coronavirus from India and around the world.
Tamil Nadus ruling DMK on Tuesday came under fire from the principal opposition party, AIADMK, for looting public money under the pretext of Pongal gift hampers containing 21 grocery items which demanded an inquiry into the discrepancies and irregularities in the scheme.

Party coordinator O Panneerselvam and joint coordinator Edappadi K Palaniswami launched a frontal attack on the DMK government accusing it of procuring the grocery items from traders in North India for a huge amount of commission.

The leaders also criticised the DMK dispensation for ignoring traders from Tamil Nadu and highlighted that people have complained about the poor quality of the grocery items distributed to them as part of the Pongal gift hamper.

Also Read | 2.15 crore families in Tamil Nadu to receive Pongal gift hampers

In a statement, Panneerselvam questioned the need for procuring the products from traders in North India while it opposes Hindi at the drop of a hat. The Chief Minister should order a detailed inquiry into the discrepancies and irregularities in procuring the items and distribution of the Pongal gift hampers, Panneerselvam said.

Speaking to reporters in his native district of Salem, Palaniswami alleged that the hampers were over-priced and that the quality of the cloth bag distributed by the government through ration shops were poor. He also alleged that middlemen procured sugarcane from farmers at a very low rate than the one prescribed by the government.

Not just the quality of the products in the gift hamper, not everyone is getting all 21 products. The government wanted huge commission and that is the reason they procured these items from traders in north India, he said.

Also Read | Ensure Pongal gift hampers are distributed properly: CM to ministers

Corruption, Commission, Collection seems to be the motto of the government, he alleged. However, Food Minister R Sakkarapani dismissed the allegations levelled by AIADMK leaders saying the distribution of Pongal gift hampers were smooth and there were no irregularities.

The allegation by the AIADMK comes two days after Chief Minister M K Stalin directed ministers, district collectors, MPs, and MLAs to ensure that the state governments Pongal gift hampers are distributed to ration cardholders with quality products.

The gift hampers are being provided to 2.15 crore ration cardholders at a cost of Rs 1,297 crore on the occasion of Pongal, which will be celebrated from January 13 to January 16 this year.

Pongal, the harvest festival, will be celebrated on January 14 this year and the government decided to provide a gift hamper with 21 grocery items, including 100 gm of ghee produced by state-owned Aavin, to 2.15 crore ration cardholders.

The AIADMK government had in 2019 and 2021 added a cash gift along with the hampers distributed for Pongal. However, the DMK government decided to drop the cash part from the hamper.

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Prof V Kamakoti, who led the research team that designed and booted up Indias first indigenously developed microprocessor SHAKTI, is the new director of the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology-Madras following Prof. Bhaskar Ramamurthi stepping down from the position after two terms.

An alumnus of IIT Madras, Prof Kamakoti belongs to the Computer Science and Engineering Department of IIT-M. He is currently the Associate Dean for Industrial Consultancy and Sponsored Research (ICSR), IIT-Madras and is also a member of the National Security Advisory Board.

SHAKTI, which can be used in mobile computing devices and networking systems, has the potential to reduce Indias reliance on imported microprocessors in communications and defence Sectors. SHAKTI Microprocessors can be used by other sectors as well as it is on par with its international peers, the IIT-M said.

Prof Kamakoti, who was appointed by the Union Commerce Ministry in 2017 as the Chairman of a Taskforce on leveraging Artificial Intelligence for development across various fields, is a recipient of the Abdul Kalam Technology Innovation National Fellowship, 2020, among other awards.

In the last two decades IIT Madras has focussed on Interdisciplinary translational research of relevance to our Nation. We have also reached out to a large number of students through NPTEL, Swayam and On-line degree programs.

With these gathered strengths, our immediate priority would be on augmenting the skill-set for indigenous technology development addressing local and global requirements aligning with the objectives of the National Education Policy, Prof. Kamakoti said about his priorities.

During Prof. Bhaskar Ramamurthis tenure, IIT-M was ranked no1 in Overall category for three consecutive years in India Rankings released by National Institutional Ranking Framework, Ministry of Education, and as no. 1 in the Engineering Institutions category in the same Rankings for six consecutive years  from 2016 to 2021.

The institute was also adjudged as the Top innovative Institution in the country in Atal Ranking of Institutions on Innovation Achievements (ARIIA) in 2019, 2020 and 2021, besides being selected as an Institution of Eminence in 2019

A statement from IIT-M said Prof. Ramamurthi oversaw a rapid expansion of Campus infrastructure including the launching of a Rs. 1,000-crore satellite campus called Discovery Campus to accommodate the increase in research requirements.
An aircraft of T'way Air / Courtesy of T'way Air



By Baek Byung-yeul



Low-cost carriers (LCC) are planning to increase their air routes to Europe and other medium- and long-distance destinations as the country's two main carriers  Korean Air and Asiana Airlines  may possibly give up some of their flight routes as a condition suggested by the antitrust regulator to approve the former's acquisition of the latter.



In November 2020, Korean Air announced that it would acquire debt-ridden Asiana Airlines for 1.8 trillion won ($1.5 billion), but the acquisition process is still pending awaiting approvals from antitrust regulators in multiple countries.



On a related note, Korea's Fair Trade Commission (FTC) said at the end of December that it will grant an approval for the acquisition on the condition that the two air carriers return some of their airport landing slots and flight licenses.



The slot refers to the right of an airline to use the airport, while the license means the right to operate at airports in overseas countries. By handing over some of its slots and licenses to LCCs, an FTC spokesperson said the competition agency intends to boost market competition and dispel concerns about monopoly issues.



Local LCCs welcomed the decision as the redistribution of the slots and licenses would help them diversify their business models. Since the long-distance routes such as Europe could be included among the routes to be redistributed, they are scrambling to introduce addition large-sized aircrafts.



Though they are currently focusing on short-distance routes to Jeju Island, they are seeking a chance to rebound with long-distance routes after the pandemic situation is under control and international travel resumes.



The local budget carrier T'way Air said recently it will consider introducing medium- and large-sized planes capable of long-distance routes to destinations such as to the U.K., France, Spain as well as U.S. cities.



Another budget carrier Air Premia has been operating Boeing's medium-sized B787-9 jets on its Singapore route. The air carrier, which first launched international flights on the Incheon-Singapore route in December, is planning to launch flights to the U.S. this year. Jeju Air is also reportedly considering launching medium- and long-distance flights.



Experts revealed LCCs' attempt to expand long-distance routes will help improve their performance.



"Airlines capable of operating long-distance routes will be the first to benefit from the recovery of international passengers after the COVID-19 situation gets better," said Na Min-sik, analyst at eBest Investment & Securities. The analyst said T'way will operate jets on long-distance routes after February, adding that the air carrier is "expected to see growth in sales as early as the second quarter."



However, there are concerns about long-distance flights from budget air carriers. These airlines have maintained low airfare fees through relatively low-quality services, such as minimizing in-flight services and reducing the amount of luggage space available on short-distance flights.



It also remains to be seen whether airlines specialized in short-distance flights are capable of operating on longer routes together given long-distance flights require improved service quality and more personnel as well as higher airplane maintenance costs.


In Andhra Pradesh and some parts of Telangana, where cockfights have become a hallmark of the Sankranti festive season, another blood sport seems to be emerging as a low budget option for the punters to bet and the crowd around to entertain on.

Even as the police impose curbs citing the animal cruelty prevention laws and relevant court directions, rooster fights are held on a large scale every year. Hundreds of crores of rupees change hands in betting, majorly over the three days of Bhogi, Sankranti and Kanuma.

Like Jallikattu in Tamil Nadu, Kodi-Pandelu (cock-fights) has become a regional sentiment, something the successive governments in Andhra Pradesh are finding hard to deal with given its huge popularity. Especially in the East-West Godavari, Krishna districts, special arenas are set up in the agricultural fields, coconut groves with several politicians, celebrities from even afar places like Hyderabad in attendance, arriving in their swanky cars for the carnival.

However, away from the police and media glare, pig fights appear to be gaining traction in some regions of the two Telugu states. On Sunday, swines clashed as the people around egged them on along the banks of the Krishna river in Atmakur Mandal, in Telangana's Wanaparthy district, an area close to the Andhra and Karnataka borders.

The country hogs were reportedly brought from neighbouring Andhra Pradesh, where pig fight incidents were reported earlier from places like Tadipatri in Anantapuram district and Tadepalligudem of West Godavari.

Like cock fights, pig fights are also prohibited as it comes under cruelty towards animals. We will take necessary legal action against people indulging in such sports, KS Ratnam, inspector, Atmakur police station, told DH. We all know about cock fights but pig fights are new to us too.

Animal rights activists state the lack of strict enforcement as letting the cockfight culture and gambling money proportions become bigger year on year while some people are turning to whatever animals they could find to satisfy their punting crave.

Animals like cocks, pigs, and rams are being subjected to cruelty in the name of culture, sports. In Assam, there are bulbul fights. It is high time the state governments stop playing to the gallery and put an end to all such blood sports, says Shreya Paropkari, an advocate associated with Humane Society International India.

In cock fights, razor-sharp blades are tied to the roosters' legs, for the victor to emerge in minutes.

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India has secured approval of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for the export of domestic mangoes to America in the new season, the commerce ministry said on Tuesday.

The export of Indian mangoes has been restricted by the US since 2020 as the USDA inspectors were unable to visit India for inspection of irradiation facilities due to restrictions imposed on international travel because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

On November 23, 2021, the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and the USDA signed a framework agreement for implementing the "2 Vs 2" agri-market access issues.

Under the agreement, India and the US will follow a joint protocol on irradiation for India's mango and pomegranate exports to the US and import of cherries and Alfalfa hay from America.

Also read: US stores to sell sought-after Indian mangoes again after two years

The ministry said that a revised work plan has been worked out, including phase-wise transfer of oversight of pre-clearance of Irradiation treatment to India as agreed upon between both countries.

"As part of the mutual agreement, India will be able to export mangoes to the USA in the mango season commencing with the Alphonso variety of mangoes by March onwards...The central government has secured the approval of the USDA for export of Indian mangoes to the USA in the new season," it noted.

According to the ministry, India had exported 800 Metric Tonnes (MTs) of mangoes to the US in 2017-18 worth $2.75 million.

Similarly, in 2018-19, 951 MT mangoes of $3.63 million were exported and 1,095 MT worth $4.35 million in 2019-20.

"As per estimates received from the exporters, the export of mangoes in 2022, may surpass the figures of 2019-20," the ministry said.

The USDA approval would pave the way for exports from traditional mango production belts such as Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) said that this would also provide an opportunity for the export of other delicious varieties of mangoes from North and East India, such as Langra, Chausa, Dushehri, Fazli, etc from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal.

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The Congress in Goa got a shot in the arm on Tuesday, after former state Ports Minister Michael Lobo, who had resigned from the BJP on Monday, formally joined the Opposition party with assembly polls scheduled to be held next month.

After joining the Congress at a formal ceremony at the party's state headquarters in Panaji, Lobo expressed confidence in the Congress winning a majority in the February 14 polls.

"The Congress will win 22 seats in 2022. The people of Goa want a change and the Congress will usher in this change," Lobo told reporters.

Lobo and his wife Delilah were welcomed into the Congress party by All India Congress Committee official and former Karnataka state Congress president Dinesh Gundu Rao. "People of Goa want change. The Congress will surely form a government after the elections," Rao said.

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The CBI on Tuesday told the Supreme Court that the State of Maharashtra was creating several stumbling blocks in its probe against former Home Minister Anil Deshmukh.

In an affidavit, the agency said, It prima facie appears that there is clearly an attempt to meddle in the court entrusted investigation carried on by the CBI and further, an attempt to jeopardize the same. In such circumstances, it is requested that this court may exercise powers vested with it in order to ensure that such attempts by various quarters are thwarted once and for all.

The CBI also cited the chat transcript of Maharashtra DGP Sanjay Pandey given by Param Bir Singh.

Also Read | ED opposes in HC Anil Deshmukh's wife plea against attachment of assets in money laundering case

Taking up a plea by former Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh, a bench presided over by Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul, however, said it is a very disturbing scenario in Maharashtra, where the IPS officer has no faith in the police force, which he headed recently, and the state government has no faith in CBI.

Senior advocate Puneet Bali, representing Singh, on the contrary, submitted that his client was being targeted. He claimed the matter was handed over to the CBI, but the state government has tried to scuttle the proceedings of the CBI.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the CBI, said this is a matter of chain of events.

Senior advocate Darius Khambata, representing the Maharashtra government, contended that the top court will have to look into this matter.

A bench comprising Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and M M Sundresh said: This is the same police force that you headed. Now, the head of the police force has no trust in the police force. The administration has no trust... This is a disturbing scenario. The bench also queried whether there was a possibility to resolve this matter peacefully.

Mehta submitted the state is creating several stumbling blocks in its probe against Deshmukh and making CBIs job difficult.

Bali added that the Maharashtra government has started departmental action against his client in the same cases where FIR has been registered.

The top court, however, extended the protection from arrest granted to Singh in the cases and scheduled the matter for further hearing on January 27.

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At the Dharma Sansad conducted in Haridwar, December 17-19, by Hindu sants and seers, there were calls for killing Muslims to cleanse Indian society. These are calls for genocide. Speakers also called upon army and police personnel to take up arms to kill Muslims. One speaker reportedly called for the socio-economic boycott of Indian Muslims, and stated that governments will have to accept and implement this call, failing which a war more gruesome than the 1857 uprising in India against the British, would be waged. Participants took oath to die for and kill if necessary to create a Hindu Rashtra.

On December 19, in Delhi, during an event allegedly organised by Hindu Yuva Vahini, one Suresh Chavhanke reportedly gave a call to fight, die and kill if required to make India a Hindu nation, and administered an oath to participants. Reportedly, similar organised oath-taking public events have been conducted in other places. Although these are culpable criminal offences, the most that governments and police have done is to ignore the events, and take limited action only when inescapable.

Some commentators have held that the anti-Muslim hate speeches and incitements to violence in civil society and mutiny of armed forces of the country were conducted only by fringe right-wing elements. They questioned the agenda behind a letter written to President Ramnath Kovind and PM Narendra Modi, which called for immediate and stern action by governments against the purveyors of hate and violence who were demanding a Hindu Rashtra.

Read more: Supreme Court to examine plea against hate speeches at 'Dharam Sansad'

Naxals, who have been waging war against the State for decades, however, envisage a different kind of State. As fringe left-wing elements, Naxals were considered the most serious threat to internal security by then PM Manmohan Singh. That has not changed. But now, we additionally have the fringe right-wing elements threat to internal security. Committed to using armed violence, both fringe elements threaten the State, meaning the Republic of India.

The Republic of India is based upon the Constitution of India. It is the apex repository of ideals, ideas and social-economic-political systems of governance, designed to deliver Justice, Liberty and Equality to We, the People, and promote Fraternity among them, so as to assure the dignity of the individual and the unity and integrity of the nation.

With extreme right-wing elements now adding to extreme left-wing elements already attempting to overthrow the State by force of arms, the integrity of our Republic faces serious threat. The nations internal insecurity is seriously amplified.

This eminently benefits our hostile and inimical external forces of China and Pakistan, to further their plans of encroaching into Indian territory, to threaten our territorial and political sovereignty. Chinas superior economic and cyber capability, coupled with Pakistans ready military cooperation, intensifies the challenges which our Armed Forces already face.

Soldiers (and police personnel) who are posted far from their homes, will fear for their families who may be attacked in communal violence incited by right-wing extremists. Further, a soldier may view his comrade of another religious faith, differently from earlier, due to right-wing politicisation of the army with hate against minorities. This will vitiate internal integrity and cohesion of military units and headquarters, and affect the motivation and fighting efficiency of the soldier, who takes oath on the Constitution to protect Indias integrity and sovereignty even to the peril of his life.

In the current situation, any threat to the morale of troops is a direct threat to national security, because it weakens the Armed Forces, the last bastion for Indias Republic, which successive governments have called on in aid of the civil power.

Thus, the proximate rise of right-wing extremism has pushed India from an already difficult situation to a full-blown threat to security, integrity and sovereignty.

If we add to this threat, the ongoing pandemic, our struggling economy, and the very serious economic situation of crores of indigent farmers and workers, it appears that India is heading towards a multi-dimensional crisis across the social, economic and political spectrum.

Questions

Some questions need to be asked at this stage, in the context of a possible upcoming crisis.

1. Why does the government appear focussed only on elections and treat the threats to our nations security with disdain or dismissal?

2. The response of governments to the immediate right-wing threat  the long-standing Naxal threat is being tackled  may indicate that elected and appointed government servants at Centre and in the states have displayed dereliction of duty/culpable acts of omission/culpable inaction. This omission may exacerbate the internal security situation countrywide. Have adequate steps been taken by government servants at various levels of functioning to honour their oath of office to protect national integrity and sovereignty?

3. Calls by persons of the fringe right-wing to kill Muslims is a call for genocide, which is possibly the most serious threat to internal security. When India has ratified the UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, why has the government not taken stern action against the concerned persons?

It is important to note at the present critical juncture that the Constitution of India defines the Fundamental Duty of every citizen to uphold and protect the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India, and to promote harmony and the spirit of common brotherhood amongst all the people of India transcending religious, linguistic and regional or sectional diversities.

The only leader who has the power to set our nation on the course directed by the Constitution is PM Narendra Modi, who has taken Oath of Office to protect national integrity and sovereignty.

This is an appeal to all Indians to perform their Fundamental Duty in this hour of crisis.
The Election Commission has announced a schedule extending over a month for the Assembly elections in five states, without giving due consideration to the negative and undesirable consequences of having such a long poll process. While the polling in Punjab, Uttarakhand and Goa will be held on a single day, it will be held on two days in Manipur and in seven phases in UP. Voters who vote on the first day -- on February 10 -- will have to wait a whole month to know the results. For the voters in Punjab, Uttarakhand and Goa, the waiting period is almost three weeks because of the extended schedule in other states. It is unfair and unnecessary to stretch the poll process and the campaign for such a long period. Governments stand still because of the campaign and the code of conduct, and the people are denied the right to a normal and functioning government for a long period for no fault of theirs.

The voting in UP will be held on seven days over a month, from February 10 to March 7. There is no convincing need or rationale for this. A former Chief Election Commissioner, M S Gill, has said that during his tenure from 1996 to 2001, elections in UP were held in three phases. The logistics and facilities for the conduct of elections have improved so much since then that there may not be the need for even a three-phase schedule now. Elections in the country, just as in other countries, used to be held only on one day. It was because of the problem of booth capturing and other irregularities that they came to be held on more than one day. But there is no need for this now when there is no possibility of such malpractices as polling and all related activities are electronic.

A prolonged campaign is especially hazardous during the pandemic period. The many phases of polling in West Bengal last year contributed to the aggravation of the second wave. An extended campaign will aid the spread of the disease even if the emphasis is on virtual campaigning. A long campaign period will also tire out the candidates, party workers and others and increase the cost of electioneering.

This will help bigger and more resourceful parties and hurt smaller parties, especially as the BJP has tended to garner most of the anonymous donations under the Electoral Bonds scheme, running into thousands of crores. It is the duty of Chief Election Commissioner Sushil Chandra and his two fellow Election Commissioners to provide a level playing field to all parties and to ensure that no party or candidate gets an unfair advantage. A poll schedule that spans over a month is bad in many ways, and is an avoidable health risk in these times.

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Mahua Moitra has emerged as a fiery opposition MP in the Lok Sabha. Now, shes taking on the BJP in Goa as she leads Trinamool Congress charge for the Assembly elections there, scheduled for February 14. Mahua tells DHs Mohammed Safi Shamsi that although its new to Goa, TMC is emerging as a credible alternative to the BJP there.

What made Trinamool to spread its wings all the way to Goa? What are your expectations?

It is a national necessity that Trinamool comes to Goa because Mamata Banerjee has emerged as the only consistent fighter against the BJP and against the divisive politics of the Modi-Shah regime. In Goa, we have to give an alternative to people who dont want the BJP. In 2017, the people of Goa voted for the Congress and gave them 17 seats. But despite having more seats than the BJP, the Congress was unable to form the government. We cannot leave it to the Congress to do the same thing this time. So, we wanted to give the people of Goa a credible alternative to form a government, which is why it was a necessity that we went to Goa.

Read more: Rahul Gandhi meets senior leaders on Goa polls, to hold discussion with state leaders on Tuesday

In a span of three months, we have made a huge dent in the political fabric of Goa. We are really emerging as a credible alternative to the BJP. The rest is up to the people of Goa.

You took over the partys charge in Goa in November, and elections are only a few weeks away. Do you think you have sufficient time to build a support base and take on the BJP?

There is a saying in Hindi, jahan aank khuli wahin se subah shuru. In Goa, the last time, the government was not decided by the people. The government was decided by politicians after the actual vote took place. People had voted (on) 17 seats for the Congress, but politicians did buying and selling of MLAs after the vote and formed the government. We have come well in time to prevent something like that from happening.

Second, studies have shown that the majority of people make up their minds on who they will vote for in the last 72 hours before polling. We have come here on the back of our resounding success in Bengal and on the back of Mamata Banerjees fight against the BJP. It would have been better if we had gone to Goa earlier, but theres no point looking at the past. We are here now, and we are progressing in leaps and bounds, and thats why we believe we are amply justified in coming here.

Whats your take on the Uttar Pradesh elections. Who do you think is more in sync with voters  Yogi Adityanath, Akhilesh Yadav, Mayawati or Priyanka Gandhi?

I am not an expert on UP. All I can say is that Yogi Adityanath is perhaps one of the most dangerous, divisive figures in the history of India. So, it would be a great shame if a man like that, and after the history of the last five years in UP, is brought back to power. I hope the people of UP will vote in the right manner and vote his government out.

Is Priyanka Gandhi going to make a difference in UP?

I cannot comment.

Covid has affected all spheres of life. How is it affecting politics?

As we know, in UP, big rallies have been banned. Already, we have put all Covid protocols in place in our rallies in Goa, and it depends on the state governments moves. But as of now, we have put all Covid protocols in place and obviously, our first duty at this time is to stand with the people. For example, as an MP, it is important that I stand with the people of my constituency in arranging healthcare and all that. I think its the duty of every political person and every government to fight against Covid first. Life doesnt stop, but we have to make sure that we do it the right way.

You have been part of the joint committee on the Personal Data Protection (PDP) Bill. What impact will this legislation on privacy have on the lives of individuals and on businesses?

Trinamool Congress  Derek OBrien and I  has given a dissent note on this Bill. The PDP Bill has got very wide-ranging exceptions for the government, and the government can pretty much do anything. We can turn into an Orwellian State. Every single freedom that any individual has with regard to data privacy, when it comes to the government, that right does not apply. So, unfortunately, even with this PDP Bill, for which we have been waiting for so long, the government has the right to snoop on everybody.

You have been an aggressive voice during debates in Parliament. This has been appreciated. Who among your colleagues in Parliament, across parties, puts across their message as strongly?

There are very good orators in Parliament. There are very good orators who speak in Hindi. There are orators cutting across party lines. In Rajya Sabha, Manoj Jha from RJD, who has spoken very passionately about Covid mismanagement and how, as a nation, we should be ashamed of not being able to provide dignity in death, stands out. In Rajya Sabha, we have somebody new like John Brittas of the CPM, who also spoke on the rot in the judiciary and the dynastic thing in the judiciary. In the Lok Sabha, there are many good speakers. You have Prof. Saugata Roy from our party. You have Shashi Tharoor and Manish Tiwari of Congress. You have Ravneet Bittu, who I would consider most wonderful, passionate about the farm laws. Pinaki Mishra from the BJD on anything legal. So, there are many good speakers.

People feel, however, that you lose your temper very fast. To common readers and viewers, it could appear as arrogance. Does that worry you?

It doesnt worry me. But, obviously, its something I could work on. I am trying to be better at it. I still have a long way to go.

Whats your best achievement in your political career so far?

I think my best achievement has been fighting these last 13 years and getting to be a Member of Parliament without compromising on my basic principles. When you enter politics, everyone tells you that to succeed, you have to do this, you have to do that. I have realised that I dont need to do anything that I dont want to. And if you are strong enough to stay with your beliefs and principles, its always possible to succeed.

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Last year was Earths fifth hottest on record, European scientists announced Monday. But the fact that the worldwide average temperature did not beat the record is hardly reason to stop worrying about global warmings grip on the planet, they said.

Not when both the United States and Europe had their warmest summers on the books. Not when higher temperatures around the Arctic caused it to rain for the first time at the Greenland ice sheets normally frigid summit.

And certainly not when the seven hottest years ever recorded were, by a clear margin, the past seven.

Read more: 2022 aims to see words turn into climate action, accelerate energy transition

The events of 2021 are a stark reminder of the need to change our ways, take decisive and effective steps toward a sustainable society and work toward reducing net carbon emissions, said Carlo Buontempo, director of the Copernicus Climate Change Service, the European Union program that conducted the analysis made public Monday.

The mean temperature globally last year was 1.1 to 1.2 degrees Celsius (2 to 2.2 degrees Fahrenheit) higher than it was before industrialization led humans to begin pumping large quantities of carbon dioxide into the air.

The year was fifth warmest by a slight margin over 2015 and 2018, by Copernicus ranking. The hottest years on record are 2016 and 2020, in a virtual tie.

If you look at all the last seven years, theyre not super close, but theyre quite close together, said Freja Vamborg, a senior climate scientist at Copernicus. And they stand well off from the ones that came before that.

Copernicus temperature records start in 1950, but in its analyses, the group combines these with other records that go back about another century.

The steady warming corresponds with the scientific consensus that increasing levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere are causing long-lasting changes in the global climate. Copernicus said its preliminary analysis of satellite measurements had found that concentrations of heat-trapping gases continued to rise last year, helped by 1,850 megatons of carbon emissions from wildfires worldwide.

The rate of increase in carbon dioxide levels appears to have been down somewhat from a few years earlier, the Copernicus analysis found. However, concentrations of methane, the second-most prevalent greenhouse gas, grew at their fastest pace in two decades, and Copernicus scientists said they were still trying to understand why.

One big reason for 2021s lower mean temperature was the presence during the early part of the year of La Nina conditions, a recurring climate pattern characterized by lower surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean. (La Nina has returned in recent months, which could presage a drier winter in the southern United States but wetter conditions in the Pacific Northwest.)

Read more: Extreme weather costs world billions in 2021: Study

Those effects were offset in the 2021 average, however, by higher temperatures in many parts of the world between June and October, Copernicus said.

When we think about climate change, its not just a single progression, year after year after year being the warmest, said Robert Rohde, the lead scientist at Berkeley Earth, an independent environmental research group.

The preponderance of evidence  which comes from looking at ocean temperatures, land temperatures, upper atmospheric temperatures, glaciers melting, sea ice changes  are telling us a coherent story about changes in the earth system which points to warming overall, Rohde said. Slight variations up or down, a year or two at a time, dont change that picture.

Berkeley Earth is expected to issue its own analysis of 2021 temperatures this month, as are two US government agencies: NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Unlike those groups, Copernicus uses a method called re-analysis, which produces a portrait of global weather conditions using a computer model that fills in the gaps between temperature measurements. Even so, the different groups conclusions usually line up quite closely.

As ever, higher average temperatures were not observed uniformly across the planet last year. Most of Australia and parts of Antarctica experienced below-normal temperatures in 2021, as did areas in western Siberia.

Europes summer last year was the warmest on record, though 2010 and 2018 were not far behind, according to Copernicus. Severe rainfall and flooding caused destruction and death in Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. Heat and dryness set the stage for wildfires that ravaged Greece and other places around the Mediterranean.

The western side of North America experienced off-the-charts heat, drought and wildfires last summer. Canadas maximum temperature record was broken in June when the mercury in a small town in British Columbia hit 121.3 degrees Fahrenheit, or 49.6 Celsius.

Scientists have concluded that the Pacific Coast heat wave would have been practically impossible in a world without human-induced warming. The question is whether the event fits into the present meteorological understanding, even if it is without precedent, or is a sign that the climate is changing in ways that scientists do not fully grasp.

From where I sit right now, I would tend to think that this was probably still a very rare event, even in the modern climate, Rohde said. But theres a degree of wait and see involved.

If the planet does not experience heat events of similar intensity in the coming decades, scientists are likely to look back and regard 2021 as an extreme fluke, he said. If we do, its telling us that something is changed in a more fundamental way.
Omicron's explosive spread potential makes the threat level very high globally, especially in regions with low population immunity, INSACOG has said and noted higher population immunity due to infections and vaccination was behind the apparent reduction in severity compared to Delta and other variants.

In its weekly bulletin of December 27, released on Monday, the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) said global outbreaks of SARS-CoV-2 are increasingly shifting from Delta to Omicron.

"Omicron has a clear growth advantage over Delta with the highest level of immune escape so far as well as high intrinsic transmissibility, leading to larger outbreaks than seen with Delta. Estimates of the severity of illness associated with Omicron are lower than seen in previous outbreaks," it said citing global data.

Also Read | Common cold T cells may offer protection against Covid: UK study

The difference in severity between Omicron and Delta measured over the same time period is smaller, suggesting that the majority of the apparent reduction in severity, compared to previous outbreaks, is because of higher population immunity from previous infections and vaccination, the INSACOG said.

It noted that based on all available data, older non-immune subjects are still likely to be at risk for severe disease, comparable to previous variants.

In view of Omicron's explosive spread potential, the threat level is still very high, especially in regions with low population immunity, the INSACOG said.

"Adjusted estimates of the hazard ratio for hospital attendance for Omicron vs Delta cases in the UK suggest that risk for unvaccinated is only about 25 per cent lower for the same period.

"Importantly, in the UK, individuals who have received at least two doses of either AstraZeneca/Covishield or mRNA vaccines remained substantially protected against hospitalisation, even if protection against infection was largely lost against the Omicron variant," it said.

As many as 4,033 cases of the Omicron variant have been reported so far across 27 states and Union territories.
Preliminary findings from two South African clinical trials suggest the Omicron coronavirus variant has a much higher rate of "asymptomatic carriage" than earlier variants, which could explain why it has spread so rapidly across the globe.

The studies - one of which was carried out when Omicron infections were surging in South Africa last month and another which resampled participants around the same time - found a far greater number of people tested positive for the coronavirus but were not showing symptoms compared to previous trials.

In the Ubuntu study evaluating the efficacy of Moderna's Covid-19 vaccine in people living with HIV, 31 per cent of 230 participants undergoing screening tested positive, with all 56 samples available for sequencing analysis verified to be Omicron.

Also Read | Omicron's explosive spread potential makes threat level very high globally, says INSACOG

"This is in stark contrast to the positivity rate pre-Omicron, which ranged from less than 1 per cent to 2.4 per cent," the researchers said in a statement.

In a subgroup of the Sisonke trial evaluating the efficacy of Johnson & Johnson's Covid-19 vaccine, the mean asymptomatic carriage rate rose to 16 per cent during the Omicron period from 2.6 per cent during the Beta and Delta outbreaks.

"The Sisonke study included 577 subjects previously vaccinated, ... with results suggesting a high carriage rate even in those known to be vaccinated," the researchers said.

Also Read | Common cold T cells may offer protection against Covid: UK study

They added that the "higher asymptomatic carriage rate is likely a major factor in the rapid and widespread dissemination of the variant, even among populations with high prior rates of coronavirus infection".

South Africa experienced a surge in Covid-19 infections from late November, around the time its scientists alerted the world to Omicron. But new cases have since fallen back and early indications are that the wave has been marked by less serious disease than earlier ones.

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U.S.-Russia security talks end without diplomatic breakthrough

Xinhua) 08:07, January 11, 2022

Photo taken on June 15, 2021 shows fences with barbed wires are seen outside the Villa La Grange, the venue for a summit in Geneva, Switzerland, between U.S. President Joe Biden and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.(Xinhua/Guo Chen)

"The talks were difficult, long, very professional, deep, concrete, without attempts to gloss over some sharp edges," said Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov after the talks.

GENEVA, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- A new round of security talks between the United States and Russia concluded Monday evening in Geneva without yielding any diplomatic breakthrough.

While the U.S. side called the latest talks between the two major global powers "our diplomacy in pursuit of a de-escalation with Russia," the Russian side called the talks U.S.-Russia "security guarantees negotiations."

Like the two previous bilateral U.S.-Russia Strategic Stability Dialogues in Geneva last year, the U.S. delegation is headed by U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman, while the Russian side is headed by Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov.

"The talks were difficult, long, very professional, deep, concrete, without attempts to gloss over some sharp edges," Ryabkov told a press briefing after the talks. "We had the feeling that the American side took the Russian proposals very seriously and studied them deeply."

Sherman told a separate press briefing after the talks that "We had a frank and forthright discussion over the course of nearly eight hours at the U.S. Mission in Geneva. This is the third time the U.S.-Russia Strategic Stability Dialogue has convened since President Biden and President Putin met in Geneva last June."

Ryabkov was cited by the Russian Mission in Geneva on Monday that what Russia seeks is legally binding guarantees of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) not to expand further to the East.

"It should dismantle everything it has created while driven by anti-Russia phobias and delusional perceptions about our country's policies since 1997," he was cited as saying.

Ryabkov told reporters after the talks that "the main questions are still up in the air, and we don't see an understanding from the American side of the necessity of a decision in a way that satisfies us."

Photo taken on June 15, 2021 shows fences with barbed wires are seen outside the Villa La Grange, the venue for a summit in Geneva, Switzerland, between U.S. President Joe Biden and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.(Xinhua/Guo Chen)

"We do not trust the other side," he stated. "We need ironclad, waterproof, bulletproof, legally binding guarantees - not assurances, not safeguards."

He said that he has told his U.S. counterpart that Russia has no plans to attack Ukraine, and there was no reason to fear an escalation of tensions with Ukraine.

"Certain threats or warnings were put forward, We explained to our colleagues that we have no plans to attack Ukraine," Ryabkov said. "There is no basis for fearing any escalated scenario in this regard."

Sherman told reporters that the United States came to Monday's meeting to hear Russia's security concerns and to share its own, "We came with a number of ideas where our two countries could take reciprocal actions that would be in our security interests and improve strategic stability."

The senior U.S. diplomat said that the U.S. will not stop NATO's "Open Door" policy, it will not forego bilateral cooperation with sovereign states that wish to work with the United States, and it will not make decisions about Ukraine without Ukraine, about Europe without Europe, or about NATO without NATO.

"We've made it clear that if Russia further invades Ukraine, there will be significant costs and consequences well beyond what they faced in 2014. Russia has a stark choice to make," she said.

She also said that the United States offered to meet again soon with Russian officials to discuss these bilateral issues in more detail.

According to the U.S. mission in Geneva, after Monday's talks with the Russian officials, Sherman will then travel to Brussels on Jan. 11 to 12 for further consultations with NATO leadership, NATO allies, and EU officials.

Photo taken on June 15, 2021 shows security officers stand guard at an entrance to the Villa La Grange, the venue for a summit in Geneva, Switzerland, between U.S. President Joe Biden and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. (Xinhua/Guo Chen)

(Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun)
Karnataka is just months away from securing the Geographical Indication (GI) tag for a rare variety of lemon largely grown in the northern plains of the state, especially in the Indi taluk of Vijayapura district. Often referred to as 'Kagzi Lemon', this is the second lemon variety in India to get the label after Manipur's 'Kachai Lemon'.

After five years of efforts, the Karnataka State Lime Development Board (KSLDB), supported by scientists of the Horticulture University of Bagalkot, is awaiting the final clearance from the GI Registry of India in Chennai.

The cultivation of 'Kagzi Lemons', a distinctive variety of Central India, was started across Vijayapura as early as 1900. However, the ones cultivated in Indi are known for their unique texture and high acidic value.

Yashvantharaygouda V Patil, MLA of Indi, told DH that all necessary documents pertaining to the history and uniqueness of the crop had long been submitted. "However, in the absence of follow-up action by the state government, the issue had taken a back seat. But now, scientists from Bagalkot have offered insights into the uniqueness of the fruit and relevant documents have been submitted for final clearance," he said.

Santosh Sappandi, Managing Director of the KSLDB, told DH that the GI registrar had raised asked questions in the past and an expert committee was appointed for clarifying doubts over the quality of the fruit. "In the last few months, the Board has cleared more than 20 objections that were raised by the GI office in Chennai. They had sought information pertaining to the history, cultivation area, studies on the acidic values along with other technical details. We are expecting the GI tag for Indi lemons in a month or two," Sappandi said.

Compared to other popular varieties, Kagzi Lemons of Indi have a thinner rind and have more juice, adding to the overall weight of the fruit. "The ascorbic acid content is the highest in these varieties," Sappandi said.

Karnataka has been the fourth-largest contributor of lemons at the all-India level while Vijayapura produces 60% of the state's lemons. Indi taluk alone contributes to 30%-40% of the lemon production in the district with over 15,000 farmers engaged in lemon cultivation.

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Karnataka MLA and chief minister's political secretary M P Renukacharya violated Covid guidelines enforced by the government at a bull taming race contest held at Balamuri village in the taluk on Monday. After he came under criticism from various sections of the society, he has openly tendered an apology for taking part in it.

The MLA inaugurated the bull taming contest which was attended by thousands of people. Most of spectators had not worn face masks. His supporters carried him on their shoulders and they also garlanded him and many took selfies with their beloved leader violating the norms.

MLA M P Renukacharya said he participated in the contest as youths of Honnali assembly constituency wanted him to be part of it. "I apologise to people of the state and chief minister for violating guidelines. My participation has embarrassed me."

He also claimed that he had done good deeds during the first and second wave of Covid-19. He promised that he would take steps towards postponing various events including ram fight in his constituency.

Meanwhile, Superintendent of Police C B Rishyanth told that a case will be against organisers and participants in the event.
Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka assembly, Siddaramaiah on Tuesday charged the ruling BJP with not implementing the Mekedatu project to expand its political base in Tamil Nadu.

Joining the padayatra organised by the Congress party demanding speedy implementation of the project on its third day, Siddaramaiah said: "To make its roots stronger in neighbouring Tamil Nadu, the ruling BJP is not implementing the project in the state. They are betraying the people of Karnataka for political gains. The padayatra is being organised not to give BJP any opportunity in this regard. There is only the state's interest in conducting the padayatra."

Reacting to state Home Minister Araga Jnanedra's warning that the Congress will have to take responsibility if there is a spurt in cases and a lockdown has to be announced, Siddaramaiah dubbed it as an irresponsible statement.

Also Read: DH Deciphers | Mekedatu project: What is it and where does it stand now?

"Previous lockdowns have pushed the life of the common public to the brink. If at all the government wants to announce a lockdown, let them release compensation to organised and unorganised sector workers," he said.

The party workers from 11 assembly constituencies have arrived in Kanakapur city to participate in the padayatra. Party workers from Hassan, Mandya, Tumakuru, Chikkaballapur and Kolar will join the padayatra in the coming days. People are coming forward to join the rally voluntarily. This shows their interest in the Mekedatu project, he explained.

The BJP in Karnataka didn't show any interest in implementing the project between 2008 and 2013 when it was in power. "We came to power in May 2013. With the intention to implement it by September, we prepared a DPR and presented it before the Cauvery Water Tribunal. When we were in power, the BJP government at the Centre didn't allow us to take up the project. Now, the BJP is at the Centre as well as ruling in the state. People have elected 25 MPs from the state so why has it not been implemented," questioned Siddaramaiah.

"We are not scared of FIRs. The BJP cannot threaten us by lodging cases. Why are there no cases against Union Ministers of State Shobha Karandlaje, Bhagavanth Khooba who took part in public functions and rallies?" he said.

One lakh masks have been distributed in the padayatra.

Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai is not able to sleep with the response that the Congress is getting and he is trying to stop this at any cost, he said.

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The controversial Mekedatu balancing reservoir project is back in the limelight with the Congress party launching a 100-km-long Padayatra (foot march) demanding its implementation. The project has been in the pipeline for years now, and the Congress party has blamed the BJP for not taking it forward despite ruling both at the Centre and the state. The BJP has, in turn, blamed the Congress party for having done nothing on Mekedatu when it was in power between 2013 and 2018. The project has also faced stiff opposition from Tamil Nadu, which has vowed to get it scrapped. Here's what you need to know about the project:

What is the Mekedatu balancing reservoir project and what will it do?

The project will actually come up at Ontigondlu, about 1.5 km from what is known as Mekedatu (literal meaning, goat's leap), at the confluence of Cauvery and Arkavathi rivers, about 90 km southwest of Bengaluru and 4 km from the Tamil Nadu border.

The project was first announced in 2013 by the then law minister T B Jayachandra during the Congress government.

It's primarily aimed at supplying 4.75 tmcf (thousand million cubic feet) of drinking water to Bengaluru and surrounding areas but will also generate 400 MW of hydroelectric power.

For this, Karnataka wants to construct a concrete gravity dam at Mekedatu with a storage capacity of 67.16 tmcft.

Also read: Government to stop Congress march outside Bengaluru?

What will be the project area?

The project requires a total of 5,252 hectares of land. Of this, about 4,996 hectares will be submerged while the actual dam will be constructed in the remaining 256 hectares. Of the total land required, 3,181 hectares fall in the Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary, 1,869 hectares in a reserve forest and 201 hectares is revenue land.

How much will it cost?

While the project was previously estimated to cost Rs 5,000 crore, the cost has now escalated to Rs 9,000 crore. And considering that the project has still not been approved by the central government, the actual cost will likely go up further depending on when the final approvals come.

What is the current status of the project?

In January 2019, Karnataka submitted the Detailed Project Report (DPR) to the Central Water Commission (CWC) and later to the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) to get the consent of the co-basin states. The CWMA is yet to approve the DPR because Tamil Nadu, which is the co-basin state, has opposed the project. The lower riparian state has also approached the Supreme Court against Mekedatu, and the matter is pending adjudication.

Also read: End Mekedatu padayatra and come for talks, Shettar tells Cong

Why is Tamil Nadu opposing Mekedatu?

If the reservoir is constructed, Tamil Nadu fears, Karnataka will hoard water in the dam, thereby cheating it of its share of the Cauvery water. The neighbouring state has argued that as per the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, Karnataka cannot build the dam without the consent of the lower riparian state, which is Tamil Nadu in this case.

Are there any other hurdles to the project?

Other than opposition from Tamil Nadu, green activists have questioned the environmental price of the project. A major chunk of the land that will be submerged by the dam will be of the Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary area, which is a key elephant corridor. The sanctuary is also home to many endangered wildlife species. The sanctuary also acts as a buffer area for wildlife animals such as tigers in the nearby MM Hills and BR Hills. Activists fear that the loss of this space will only lead to more man-animal conflict.

What's Karnataka's argument?

The Karnataka government has maintained that it is well within its rights to construct the dam as long as it makes sure that Tamil Nadu gets its annual share of water as prescribed by the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal. And since the dam will come up within Karnataka, the state is not violating any law, officials argue. More than that, the state sees Mekedatu as an opportunity to supply sufficient water to meet the ever-growing needs of Bengaluru and the surrounding districts. There is also an acute power shortage, Karnataka has told the Centre. The state also hopes that the dam will boost tourism in the area.

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Karnataka decided Tuesday to extend the existing Covid-19 curbs such as night curfew and the weekend curfew till the end of January, wary of the way the virus is spreading, taking the state's positivity to 10.30 per cent.

The existing curbs were to end on January 19.

The decision to extend the curbs was taken in a virtual meeting with Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai chaired with senior officials, ministers and the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC).

Considering that majority of the cases are from Bengaluru, the government has decided to open 27 Covid Care Centres in the city immediately. Daily testing in the city will also be raised to 1.3 lakh per day.

Also Read | 30 students, principal contract Covid in Davangere

In recent days, there have been several instances of schoolchildren getting affected by the virus. The government has now decided to authorise the Deputy Commissioners of respective districts to take a call on closing residential schools and hostels based on the number of cases, Home Minister Araga Jnanendra said, briefing reporters.

The government also directed officials to ensure adequate children's wards, ICUs and other treatment facilities for children at taluk and district hospitals. Education and Health department officials were asked to conduct a general health checkup in schools every fortnight.

Triaging will be strengthened to ascertain whether an infected person needs hospitalisation or not. The government also decided to rope in the services of House Surgeons and Final Year Nursing students for Home Isolation and Triaging.

Also Read | Modi rings Bommai and enquires about his health post-Covid infection

Meanwhile, all the DCs and SPs were also asked to ensure that Covid guidelines were strictly adhered to in public spaces. The officials were asked to regularly monitor the situation of those under home quarantine and to make sure that they received their health kits on time.

In other decisions, the government decided to speed up the process of booster dose, especially to frontline workers. Markets were another area of focus. In a bid to prevent crowd gathering in large markets, officials were asked to decentralise markets by breaking them into smaller units in proximity to one another.

The officials also discussed the possibility of crowd gathering in temples and other places on the occasion of Sankranti and Vaikunta Ekadashi festivals. To curb the large number of people crowding, both revenue and endowment departments have been asked to issue relevant directions.

The CM also instructed the officials to take stringent action against those holding public conventions. Further decisions are expected to be taken after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's virtual meeting with CMs on January 14.

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The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has sent a letter to the Karnataka Police Department to initiate action against state Congress President DK Shivakumar for failing to follow Covid appropriate behaviour with school children during the Mekedatu Padayatra. NCPCR has further asked the department to submit the Action Taken Report within seven days.

Priyank Kanoongo, Chairperson, NCPCR on Monday sent the letter to Praveen Sood, the Director General and Inspector General of Police, Karnataka in this regard.

"The commission has taken suo-moto cognizance of a video uploaded on Twitter wherein it can be seen that KPCC President DK Shivakumar met school children during the event Mekedatu Padayatra, thereby indulging children into political activity," the letter said.

Also Read: NCPCR seeks action against Shivakumar for 'indulging' kids in politics

In the said video, it can further be seen that the children as well as KPCC President are without masks further failing to follow Covid-19 appropriate behavior.

In view of the above, the Commission deems it appropriate to take cognizance under section 13 (1) (j) of CPCR Act, 2005, and observes prima-facie violation of provisions under Juvenile Justice Act, 2015, Epidemic Disease Act, 1897 and Disaster Management Act, 2005.

The letter further stated that it is requested to look into the allegations made against Shivakumar to ensure the welfare and safety of children and further submit an Action Taken Report within seven days.

The state police department has lodged an FIR against Shivakumar, Opposition leader Siddaramaiah and 30 others in connection with defying curfew orders and carrying out the padayatra.

Thousands are gathering for the padayatra, raising fears of the spread of Covid-19 in the state. However, Shivakumar had stated that the government is showing fake numbers to scuttle the padayatra. He has also refused to undergo Covid test.

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Released: January 10, 2022

Free Rapid Testing and PCR Testing Available

Delaware County now has the highest number of COVID-19 cases in the Southeastern PA region. In response to the surge in cases and the urgent demand for COVID-19 testing, Delaware County has partnered with Personic Health Care, a local Springfield-based health provider, to open a new county-wide COVID-19 testing facility.

The site, located at the Delaware County Emergency Training Center in Sharon Hill, will provide free drive-through COVID-19 testing to hundreds of Delaware County residents each day  helping to address the growing urgent need for testing to slow the virus spread amid the Omicron surge.

COVID-19 cases are rising. Testing is an important tool to slow the spread of COVID-19 and to keep our loved ones and the community safe, said Dr. Monica Taylor, Chair of Delaware County Council. This new site will help address the growing demand for testing by expanding access to residents across Delaware County and is being launched as a result of a successful partnership between the County and Personic Health Care, which has been a leader in local testing.

The Sharon Hill testing site will provide access to both the rapid on-site Antigen testing, with results available in as little as 15 minutes, as well as RT-PCR testing, the gold standard in COVID testing. Because Personic operates its own lab, PCR results will be available quickly, with a one-day turnaround.

All testing services will be available at no cost regardless of health insurance or immigration status. Appointments are not required, but strongly suggested. Individuals can schedule a test at https://covidtestdelco.com/.

We are proud to partner with Delaware County to provide expanded testing to serve patients in our home community, said Dr. Azmat Husain of Personic Health Care. Since the beginning of the pandemic, our testing site at the Springfield Mall has become one of the busiest in Pennsylvania. This new partnership will allow us to serve hundreds of more patients a day and will provide a new tool to help keep families safe.

The County commends our local partners and the State for coordinating efforts to offer increased access to testing as we face a surge in COVID-19 across the County, said Delaware County Board of Health Chair and the Countys COVID-19 Task Force Director, Rosemarie Halt. During this time of extremely high transmission, we remind residents of the critical need to wear surgical masks properly, adhere to social distancing, and practice hand washing and get vaccinated. Vaccines remain our most effective tool to fight the virus and all residents are encouraged to get vaccinated.

Delaware County Emergency Training Center Drive-Thru COVID-19 Test Site

1600 Calcon Hook Rd, Sharon Hill, PA 19079

Mondays  Fridays, 8 a.m.  2 p.m.

PCR Testing (results available in 24 hours); Rapid Antigen Testing (results available in 15 minutes)

Appointments strongly suggested ( https://covidtestdelco.com/)

Ages 18 months and up

Free; no insurance required

Bring ID (and insurance card if you have insurance)

Wear a mask

The new testing site is in addition to the Countys permanent testing sites located at the Delaware County Wellness Center in Yeadon and the Keystone First Wellness Center in Chester, and the new testing site operating 5 days a week on the Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital campus.

Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital

600 S. Wycombe Ave., Yeadon, PA

Week of Jan.10: Tuesday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Testing is reserved for First Responders, Emergency Management Services personnel, and Healthcare Workers from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. each morning.

No appointment is needed

PCR testing for residents age 3 and older

No health insurance needed but please bring ID

Results provided in 3-5 business days

Delaware County Wellness Center

125 Chester Avenue, Yeadon, PA 19050

Mondays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Closed Mon., Jan. 17)

Free PCR testing for residents age 5 and older

Testing by appointment only

No health insurance needed but please bring ID

Results provided in 3-5 business days

Keystone First Wellness Center

1929 W. 9th Street Chester, PA 19013

Wednesdays from 11:00 a.m.  5:00 p.m.

Free PCR testing for residents age 5 and older

Testing by appointment only

No health insurance needed but please bring ID

Results provided in 3-5 business days

A full list of County-sponsored and non-County sponsored COVID-19 testing sites can be found at delcopa.gov/testing. The latest vaccination information, including vaccination eligibility details and hour of operation for County-sponsored vaccination clinics can be found at delcopa.gov/vax.
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Detectives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland's Terrorism Investigation Unit working alongside District Policing and Operational Support Department officers, arrested a 52-year-old woman in the Creggan area of Derry earlier today.

The arrest is part of an ongoing investigation into the New IRA and explosive devices and equipment.

Detective Inspector Clara Heaton of the PSNI has urged the public to contact them if they have any information or suspicions regarding violent crime in Derry.

She said: The woman, who has been taken to the Serious Crime Suite at Musgrave Police Station in Belfast for questioning, was arrested under the Terrorism Act.

Todays arrest is part of Operation Ledging, which is our ongoing investigation into the New IRAs bomb-making activities, as well as the groups storage of explosive devices and equipment.

Our investigation is focused on keeping the community safe and protecting them from the threat posed by violent groups.

The manufacture, storage and use of unstable, home-made explosive devices in residential areas indiscriminately puts everyone at risk.

I would, again, strongly urge people to report any suspicions they have about violent criminal activity in our community to police on 101.

Alternatively, information can be provided to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 which is 100 per cent anonymous.
Foyle MLA Sinead McLaughlin has called on the UK and Irish governments to write the Common Travel Area (CTA) into domestic law in both countries.

At present the CTA is an inter-governmental agreement, but not part of internal UK law.

The SDLP MLA said that the uncertainty brought about by the Borders and Nationality Bill at Westminster that would give the British Government to bar someone from the UK if they have the right to another nationality could have ramifications for the majority of people from the North of Ireland.

Ms McLaughlin, who is the Executive Office Committee chair at the Assembly in Stormont, said: The British government can no longer be trusted when it comes to international agreements  we have seen that most clearly with its disregard for its commitments under the Northern Ireland Protocol.

It has walked away from the very commitments it entered into with its eyes wide open.

We are now seeing in the Borders and Nationality Bill serious threats to the rights of people born here and to those who have obtained Settled Status, who were told they could continue to live here.

Yet the Bill proposes that the Government will be able to bar a person from the UK if they have a right to another nationality.

That would potentially apply to the vast majority of people born in the North of Ireland.

Given these uncertainties, it makes sense for the British government in particular, but also the Irish government, to put the Common Travel Area into their internal legislation.

As chair of the Assemblys The Executive Office committee I have written to the two governments requesting this, with the support of the committee at its last meeting in December.




Pfizer expects a COVID-19 vaccine targeting the Omicron variant to be ready in March, the company's head said Monday.







Pfizer Chief Executive Officer Albert Bourla told CNBC that Pfizer is already manufacturing doses due to keen interest from governments, as authorities contend with huge COVID-19 infection counts, including large numbers of "breakthrough" Omicron cases in vaccinated populations.







"This vaccine will be ready in March," Bourla told the network. "I don't know if we will need it. I don't know if and how it will be used."







Bourla said the existing regime of two vaccine shots and a booster has provided "reasonable" protection against serious health effects from Omicron.







But a vaccine focused directly on the Omicron variant would also guard against breakthrough infections of a strain that has proven highly contagious, but has also resulted in many mild or asymptomatic cases.







In a separate interview with CNBC Monday, Moderna CEO Stephane Bancel said the company is developing a booster that could address Omicron and other emerging strains in the fall 2022.







"We are discussing with public health leaders around the world to decide what we think is the best strategy for a potential booster for the fall of 2022," Bancel told the network.







"We need to be careful to try to stay ahead of a virus and not behind the virus." (AFP)


LONDON, United Kingdom, and TORONTO, Ontario, Canada January 11, 2022  Alphawave IP (LN:AWE), a global leader in high-speed connectivity for the worlds technology infrastructure, is pleased to announce that Microchip Technology has selected Alphawaves AlphaCore100 for its next-generation META-DX2 1.6Tbps Ethernet retimer family. This represents an important milestone for Alphawave as it validates another large customer has adopted its low-power and high-performance 112Gbps IP.

Tony Pialis, President and Chief Executive Officer of Alphawave stated: Microchip was an early customer of Alphawave and we congratulate them on their newly announced META-DX2 solution. This solution leverages our 112Gbps IP that we first delivered to Microchip in 2021. We are pleased to welcome Microchip to the ranks of Alphawave customers that will be taking their solutions to market in 2022.

Microchips META-DX2 is the industrys most compact 1.6T Ethernet PHY solution with up to 800GbE connectivity for Cloud Data Centers, 5G and AI. The product leverages Alphawaves low-power 112Gbps PAM4 SerDes IP that was first developed beginning in 2017 and qualified for production in 2018.

Babak Samimi, Vice President of Microchip stated: We partnered with Alphawave on the 112Gbps generation of our META-DX2 terabit-scale Ethernet PHY product line based on the proven performance of their IP. By working with Alphawave, we have realized world-leading performance and ensuring we achieve our desired time to market. We look forward to supporting our customers on integration of META-DX2 into their platforms over the coming months.

About Alphawave IP

Faced with the exponential growth of data, Alphawaves technology services a critical need: enabling data to travel faster, more reliably and with higher performance at lower power. Alphawave is a global leader in high-speed connectivity for the worlds technology infrastructure. Our IP solutions therefore meet the needs of global tier-one customers in data centers, compute, networking, AI, 5G, autonomous vehicles, and storage. Founded in Toronto, Canada in 2017, by an expert technical team with a proven track record in licensing semiconductor IP, our mission is to focus on the hardest-to-solve connectivity challenges. To find out more about Alphawave IP, visit: awaveip.com






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By CHRISTOPHER RUGABER

AP Economics Writer

WASHINGTON  Federal Reserve Vice Chair Richard Clarida said Monday that he will step down on Friday, the third Fed official to resign in the wake of a trading scandal at the central bank.

The announcement followed new revelations around Clarida's trading in a stock fund in February 2020, when the coronavirus threatened to upend the global economy and the Fed was discussing extraordinary measures to counter its impact.





. . .
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The risk posed by some kinds of aluminum composite cladding was exposed when fire engulfed Grenfell Tower in 2017, killing 72 people.



By JILL LAWLESS

Associated Press

LONDON  The British government on Monday told property developers they must bear the cost of removing dangerous cladding that has left scores of apartment buildings at risk of fire, and thousands of residents facing steep bills to make their homes safe.

The risk posed by some kinds of aluminum composite cladding was exposed when fire engulfed London high-rise Grenfell Tower in June 2017, killing 72 people in Britain's deadliest domestic blaze since World War II.





. . .
Subscriber content preview

AUBURN  In two related sales last month, between the same two parties, a pair of commercial properties traded for about $6.5 million, according to King County records.

The seller was Hart Family LP, which had owned the properties for decades.





. . .
Local

Tupelo-based nonprofit SAFE has a new executive director

Adam Robison | DAILY JOURNAL Takiva Bell is the new executive director of SAFE Inc., a Tupelo-based nonprofit and domestic violence shelter. Bell joined the organization in November, bringing with her a wealth of experience working with the victims of abuse and those suffering with mental health issues. One of her earliest and most important tasks in her new position is the oversight of the organization's ongoing expansion to the services it offers.

TUPELO  SAFE, Inc.s new executive director wants to show SAFE, Inc. is more than just a domestic violence shelter or a place only for women. The Tupelo-based nonprofit offers solace to anyone who needs it, for just about any reason.

Usually, when people think of us as SAFE, they dont think of us as all these other programs that we have, Takiva Bell said. We have no biases, no judgment. If you need help, we are a safe place where any individual can come and receive the help and the services that they need.

Want to help? SAFE is always seeking volunteers to help further the organization's mission. Volunteers of any level of expertise can help by providing classes or hosting one of SAFEs upcoming fundraisers. SAFE is also seeking interns. For more information, contact SAFE at 662-841-9105.

Bell, whose first day was Nov. 15, has a history of nonprofit work and being active in the community. The Columbus native came to the Northeast Mississippi area 20 years ago. She was a student at both Northeast Mississippi Community College and Itawamba Community College before attending college at Our Lady of the Lake in Texas.

SAFE works with victims of domestic violence, sexual abuse or sexual assault, human trafficking, those with mental health issues caused by COVID-19, homeless individuals, and children. Bell brings a wealth of community experience to SAFE, particularly in working with victims of abuse, and those struggling with mental illness, poverty, and many of the issues SAFE sees within their clients.

Before joining SAFE, Bell was a special agent for the Department of Revenue, where she got her feet wet in all the counties in Northeast Mississippi. She already held a bachelors degree in social work, and began volunteering with a local nonprofit. It eventually led to a position as a multidisciplinary team coordinator and assistant director for a 13-county child advocacy program. For several years as part of a team, she assisted local law enforcement agencies, and the district attorney and attorney general offices to with child abuse cases, especially those cases featuring felony child abuse.

Near the beginning of the pandemic, Bell joined Health Connect America, a private mental health agency. Among her many duties as a mental health therapist and program director was ensuring clients received the medications, community support, and services they needed.

But when SAFE began searching for a new executive director, Bell saw a great opportunity to use her knowledge and experience to bring an innovative, energetic thought process to the organization.

Among Bells most pressing responsibilities at SAFE will be overseeing the organizations ongoing expansion of the services it offers.

Our thing here that were doing at SAFE, as we incorporate some of our new programs, is not just to put a band-aid on an issue that that client is having, but to really work with that client throughout those concerns, Bell said.

This may include offering temporary housing at a hotel, ensuring children can continue their education while at the shelter, or providing mental health services. They want to equip clients with tools such as financial literacy and soft skills, connect them with resources, provide educational opportunities and even help clients find employment. And as clients leave the shelter, Bell wants SAFE to be able to provide them with some basic necessities , such as furniture.

SAFE serves nine counties  Alcorn, Benton, Prentiss, Lee, Itawamba, Tippah, Pontotoc, Union and Tishomingo  though they take clients outside of their stated coverage area and welcome partnerships with other shelters for referrals. SAFE works closely with the MS Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

SAFE currently has 16 staff members, with an opening for a nighttime residential aid. The team includes a community outreach person, mental health therapist, community educators, residential assistants, a court advocate, a case manager who is also a licensed social worker to work directly with clients.

Bells mission is to have SAFE recognized as a community-based agency that provides more than shelter and tap into some of the gaps in services they miss with clients.

My goal with SAFE is to partner with others in the community to have a holistic approach to the services that we provide to our clients, Bell said. To be able to not only service the client but help the client heal and be better to become a thriving citizen within the communities in which we all live.

SAFEs new programs includes the Rape Prevention Education program (RPE); a focus on bully awareness, self harm and suicide prevention; COVID-19 awareness; a free Domestic Abuse Intervention program (DAIP) for batterers; support groups; and growing their sexual violence prevention efforts with school-based organizations, churches, employers, and any organization. Every April, they host a Sexual Assault Awareness Month Jeans for Justice in April. They work closely with police departments, judges and circuit courts.

Additionally, SAFE provides a range of nonresidential services, including traveling to clients rather than having clients come to them.

SAFEs homeless prevention program helps individuals who have become homeless or at risk find shelter and work on providing appropriate housing for them. With their Emergency Solution Grant (ESG) program, SAFE is able to provide utilities, deposits, and related needs.

For Bell, among the most important tasks at hand is helping expand community understanding of what SAFE provides, and who, exactly, can be a victim of abuse. Although primarily associated with women, SAFE provides shelter to male victims of domestic violence, as well as the LGBT community.

Bottom line, Bell said, anyone who needs a safe place will find it.

If they need a safe place, we offer housing, Bell said. We want all victims to reach out if they have a need.
Devas Multimedia secures court orders to seize AAI, Air India assets in Canada: report

A Canadian court is reported to have authorsed the seizure of assets belonging to the Airport Authority of India and Air India held with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) in the Quebec province and internationally, in a long-running legal battle between of satellite maker Devas Multimedia and Indian space authorities.

In two separate orders, he Superior Court of Quebec on 24 November and 21 December ordered seizure of assets of the Indian airport operator AAI worth around $6.8 million held by the IATA.

While the value of the confiscated Air India assets wasnt immediately available, the court order comes as a key victory for the shareholders of Devas Multimedia.

An Economic Times report citing representatives of the shareholders said they have so far seized more than $30 million in India-owned assets under the orders of the Canadian court.

According to reports, Air India had removed its ticket inventory from the global distribution system linked to the IATA on 22 December.

Bengaluru-based Devas has won several arbitral awards, including a $1.3 billion (including interest and chargers) order at the International Chamber of Commerces court of arbitration over a 2011 cancelled satellite deal with Antrix Corp, the commercial arm of the Indian Space Research Agency. Its overseas shareholders approached courts in the US, Canada and elsewhere, accusing India of failing to honour the arbitral awards and seeking to capture the countrys assets abroad. They also hired former Elliott Management executive Jay Newman to help collect the arbitral awards, say reports.
IAF approves Tejas Mark 2 design with more powerful engine and larger payload

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has accepted the comprehensive design review (CDR) of the LCA Mark 2 (Tejas)., paving the way for state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) to start releasing drawings for the first prototype of Tejas MK-2, reports quoted Col (retired) Ajai Shukla, a prominent military analyst and columnist, as saying.

On 15 November, the IAF signed a comprehensive design review (CDR) of the Tejas Mark 2, clearing the construction of a new prototype of the LCA for construction and testing. A CDR is a critical step in designing and developing a fighter aircraft.

With the design and capability review the Tejas is evolving from a light fighter to a bigger and more powerful medium fighter that could be a clear notch above its possible adversaries in South Asia.

IAF has already placed order for 123 Tejas fighters (six squadrons) and foreign air forces are evaluating Indias homegrown light combat aircraft (LCA) for acquisition.

The Indian government launched the LCA programme in 1983 with the purpose of developing a new light combat aircraft to replace the IAFs aging fighters, particularly the MiG-21. But the Tejas LCA took its maiden flight only in 2001. It took another 14 years for the homegrown fighter jet to enter service.

The Tejas Mark 2, a 4.5-generation flying machine, has achieved 70 per cent indigenisation, against 62 per cent of Mark IA, and has more advanced technology, in line with the governments Make in India initiative.

The Tejas Mk-2 will be equipped with canards and will be capable of carrying a payload of 6,500 kg. This is about double the payload capacity of the LCA Tejas of 3,500 kg.

It will be guided by the Uttam AESA radar, a Made in India product. This indigenous radar is thought to be advanced enough to give it an advantage over Israeli-made radars currently installed on previous Tejas models.

The Uttam radar is also said to be capable of detecting and neutralising hostile electronic warfare (EW) attempts. A more powerful General Electric F414 INS6 engine will be installed in the Tejas Mark 2.

An onboard oxygen generating system (OBOGS) is the aircrafts most interesting feature. This self-sustainable oxygen generation technology has been used by DRDO for IAF pilots flying the LCA Tejas. This technology is used in fighter jet cockpits to compensate for the rapid decrease in oxygen levels at high altitudes, The EurAsian Times reported previously.

The Tejas Mk-2 will be equipped with the weapons like the Scalp, Crystal Maze, and Spice-2000. A high-definition touchscreen with a 50cmx20cm large area display is another feature to be added to Mk-2. This will enable data fusion and intelligent information display.

HAL and the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) have addressed 12 of the 25 existing concerns with the Mark 1 fighter plane. HAL is now working to integrate the Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missile (ASRAAM) onto the Mark 1A jet, according to Sukhla. Another improvement for the Mark 1A jet is redesigning the cockpit floor to allow pilots to fly the plane comfortably.








A specialist works on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, Jan. 10, in this photo provided by the exchange. Federal Reserve Vice Chair Richard Clarida said Monday that he will step down Friday. AP-Yonhap









Federal Reserve Vice Chairman Richard Clarida / Reuters-Yonhap





Federal Reserve Vice Chair Richard Clarida said Monday that he will step down Friday, the third Fed official to resign after a trading scandal at the central bank that involved potential conflicts of interest.







The announcement followed new revelations around Clarida's trading in a stock fund in February 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic threatened to upend the global economy and the Fed was discussing extraordinary rescue measures.







The New York Times reported last week that Clarida amended his financial disclosures in late December to show that he had sold and then repurchased shares in the stock fund within a matter of days. Previously, Clarida had reported only the purchases, which came a day before Chair Jerome Powell said the Fed was prepared to support markets and the economy. The Fed had characterized the purchase as a simple portfolio rebalancing  an explanation that was undercut by the revelation of the initial sale.







Last year, the presidents of two Fed regional banks  Robert Kaplan of the Dallas Fed and Eric Rosengren of the Boston Fed  also stepped down after their questionable trading was revealed.







Although the trades complied with Fed financial ethics rules, they raised the possibility of conflicts of interest because the officials could have profited from the actions the Fed was taking at the time. Critics, notably Sen. Elizabeth Warren, a Massachusetts Democrat, sharply criticized the trades and called for a ban on stock ownership by Fed officials.







Kaplan had traded at least $1 million worth of stocks in 22 transactions in 2020. Rosengren invested in an investment fund that held mortgage-backed securities, similar to those the Fed bought to try to hold down long-term rates.







Clarida, who has been part of an inner circle of Fed officials close to Powell and known as the ''troika,'' was scheduled to finish his term at the end of this month. Instead, he will instead resign about two weeks early. By doing so, he will miss what would have been his final meeting, scheduled for Jan. 25 and 26.







Clarida started in the position in September 2018 after having taught at Columbia University and previously working for 12 years at the investment fund manager PIMCO. He received deferred bonuses and stock from his work at PIMCO. And when he joined the Fed in 2018, Clarida's financial disclosures, which report assets in a range of values, estimated his wealth at between $9 million and $39 million.







After those resignations were announced, Powell unveiled new ethics rules around trading by Fed board members and other top officials. The rules bar Fed officials from owning individual stocks or bonds and require 45 days' advance notice of any trade. (AP)


Gadkari to use Toyota's hydrogen-powered vehicle, Indian Oil to provide fuel

Union transport minister Nitin Gadkari on Monday said he will be using a hydrogen-powered vehicle as a pilot project once he returns to New Delhi.

Addressing a gathering in Panaji, after the inauguration of various infrastructure projects in Goa, Gadkari said, 'Toyota Company from Japan has given me a vehicle which runs on green Hydrogen. I will use it myself as a pilot project (on alternative fuel)'.

He said Indian Oil from Faridabad has assured to supply green hydrogen for this vehicle.

For the next 15 days, I will not be in Delhi as I will be touring Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. Once I am back in Delhi, I will start using it, Gadkari said and added that green Hydrogen is the fuel of the future.

He said Goa chief minister Pramod Sawant had recommended 13 works worth Rs804.24 crore in Annual Plan 2022-23, which he is sanctioning. They will be awarded soon, he added.

Gadkari said that the additional work to the tune of Rs400 crore on the national highway in Goa has been sanctioned along with another work worth Rs305 crore for this highway.

He said his ministry has sanctioned reimbursement of Rs181 crore for the balance work on the Margao Western Bypass in Goa.

The union minister said that Rs350 crore has been sanctioned to make the road leading to the Goa airport free of traffic signals.

Goa MP and Union minister Shripad Naik, state chief minister Pramod Sawant and other BJP leaders were present.
Auto sales declined by 16 per cent in December 2021: FADA

Auto sales across dealer outlets in India declined by 16.05 per cent year-on-year to 15,58,756 vehicles in December 2021 against 18,56,869 units sold in December 2020, according to figures released by the Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA).

Sales of four-wheeled passenger vehicle in December declined by 10.91 per cent to 2,44,639 units in December 2021, from 2,74,605 units in December 2020. This drop in sales is majorly caused by a shortase in the supply of semiconductor chips needed for auto manufacturing, even as demand remained robust.

FADA also noted that the financial implications of Covid-19 had a dampening effect on the demand for two-wheelers in India. A total of 11,48,732 two-wheelers were sold in the country in December 2021 against 14,33,334 units sold in December 2020 - a 19.86 per cent decline. The dealer association sees a further decline in two-wheeler sales in January 2022 because of the resurgence of Covid cases and subsequent travel restrictions.

"The month of December is usually seen as a high sales month where OEMs continue to offer best discounts to clear the inventory due to change of year. It was, however, not the case this time around as retail sales continued to disappoint thus wrapping up an underperforming calendar year. With semi-conductor shortage continuing to play spoil-sport, PV sales in spite of huge bookings, in December closed in red. Dealers, however, saw slight ease in vehicle supply thus giving some hope of improvement." Vinkesh Gulati, president, FADA, said.

The Indian automobile market has been grappling with sales downturn ever since the onslaught of the Wuhan virus in 2019 and later by the impending transition to BS6 norms followed by a shortage of semiconductor chips. Demand for vehicles continues to remain depressed even as we have entered 2022.
French health authorities detect new Covid-19 variant 'IHU'

Amid the scare over the fast-spreading SARS-CoV variant Omnicron, first reported from South Africa, researchers in France have detected a new variant of the virus, believed to be originated in Cameroon, in central Africa.

The new variant, which the researchers have temporarily named as 'IHU', is of the B.1.640.2 lineage and is believed to have infected 12 people in the country, according to a French government supported study.

"For twelve SARS-CoV-positive patients living in the same geographical area of south-eastern France, qPCR testing that screen for variant-associated mutations showed an atypical combination," reports quoted Philippe Colson, from IHU Mediterranee Infection, Marseille, as saying.

However, he said, "it is too early to speculate on virological, epidemiological or clinical features of this IHU variant based on these 12 cases."

The first patient detected to have been infected with the `IHU; variant, was a vaccinated adult who had returned to France from a trip to Cameroon.

Three days after returning he developed mild respiratory symptoms. His nasopharyngeal sample collected in mid-November 2021, "revealed an atypical combination that did not correspond to the pattern of the Delta variant involved in almost all SARS-CoV-2 infections at that time", and later to Omicron as well, Colson was quoted as saying.

Respiratory samples collected from seven other SARS-CoV-2-positive patients living in the same geographical area exhibited the same combination of mutations screened by qPCR. They were two adults and five children (below 15 years of age).

The respiratory samples from these eight patients were sent to university hospital institute Mediterranee Infection for SARS-CoV-2 genome sequencing as recommended by French public health authorities.

Further tests led to SARS-CoV-2 genotype identification. The analysis revealed 46 mutations and 37 deletions resulting in 30 amino acid substitutions and 12 deletions. Fourteen amino acid substitutions, including N501Y and E484K, and 9 deletions are located in the spike protein.

"This genotype pattern led to create a new Pangolin lineage named B.1.640.2, which is a phylogenetic sister group to the old B.1.640 lineage renamed B.1.640.1. Both lineages differ by 25 nucleotide substitutions and 33 deletions," the study stated.

"The mutation set and phylogenetic position of the genomes obtained here indicate, based on our previous definition, a new variant we named 'IHU'," Colson said, adding that the data is "another example of the unpredictability of the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants".

"Overall, 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," Colson said.

"SARS-CoV-2 variants have become a major virological, epidemiological and clinical concern, particularly with regard to the risk of escape from vaccine-induced immunity. The emergence of the new variant warrants the increase of genomic surveillance of SARS-CoV-2," he said.
Alpha Dhabi acquires ADQ to create UAE's largest health provider

United Arab Emirates-based conglomerate Alpha Dhabi on Wednesday announced the signing of an agreement with Abu Dhabi state holding company ADQ, as he company claims, to create the UAE's largest healthcare provider.

Under the scheme, the merged entity will operate through Alpha Dhabi's unit Pure Health Medical Supplies LLC after the merger of ADQ's Abu Dhabi Health Services (SEHA) and National Health Insurance Company (Daman).

SEHA, the largest healthcare network in the UAE, runs the public health infrastructure in the emirate of Abu Dhabi and also operates COVID-19 screening centres in other parts of the UAE.

Tamouh Healthcare, Yas Clinic Group and Abu Dhabi Stem Cell Center will also become part of Pure Health, an Alpha Dhabi statement said, without specifying from which entity those units were acquired.

Alpha Dhabi is a holding company operating in the healthcare, construction and hospitality sectors. It listed on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange in June and is a subsidiary of Abu Dhabi-listed International Holding Company .

IHC is chaired by Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the United Arab Emirates' national security adviser and a brother of the country's de facto ruler Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed.

Established in Abu Dhabi in 2018, ADQ is one of the region's largest holding companies with investments locally and internationally. Both an asset owner and investor, ADQs broad portfolio of major enterprises span key sectors of a diversified economy, including energy and utilities, food and agriculture, healthcare and pharma, and mobility and logistics, amongst others.
CCA approves Rs12,031-cr intra-state transmission corridor for renewable power

The union cabinet on Thursday approves intra-state transmission system  Green Energy Corridor Phase-II - to be set up with total estimated cost of Rs12,031 crore.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the Green Energy Corridor (GEC) Phase-II scheme for Intra-State Transmission System (InSTS) for addition of approximately 10,750 circuit kilometres (ckm) of transmission lines and approximately 27,500 Mega Volt-Amperes (MVA) transformation capacity of substations.

The scheme is proposed to be set up with total estimated cost of Rs12,031.33 crore and central financial assistance (CFA) at 33 per cent of the project cost, ie, Rs3970.34 crore. The scheme will help in achieving the target of 450 GW installed renewable power capacity by 2030, according to a cabinet release.

The scheme will facilitate grid integration and power evacuation of approximately 20 GW of renewable energy (RE) power projects in seven states, namely, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh.

The transmission systems will be created over a period of five year from the financial year 2021-22 to 2025-26. The central financial assistance (CFA) will help in offsetting the intra-state transmission charges and thus keep the power costs down. Thus, the government support will ultimately benefit the endusers  the citizens of India.

The scheme will help in achieving the target of 450 GW installed RE capacity by 2030.

The scheme will also contribute to long term energy security of the country and promote ecologically sustainable growth by reducing carbon footprint. It will generate large direct and indirect employment opportunities for both skilled and unskilled personnel in power and other related sectors.

This scheme is in addition to GEC-Phase-I which is already under implementation in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu for grid integration and power evacuation of approximately 24 GW of RE power and is expected to be completed by 2022. The scheme is for addition of 9,700 ckm of transmission lines and 22,600 MVA capacity of substations having estimated cost of transmission projects of Rs10,141.68 crore with Central Financial Assistance (CFA) of Rs4056.67 crore.
Qatar Electricity and Water Co to buy remaining 40% stake in Nebras Power for $530 m

Qatar Electricity and Water Company (QEWC), UAEs biggest and the second largest utility company in the MENA region, said on Wednesday its subsidiary has signed an agreement to acquire the remaining 40 per cent stake in energy investment company Nebras Power for $530 million.

QEWC, which already owns 60 per cent in Nebras Power, will acquire the remaining 40 per cent stake through its subsidiary to take full control in the power company, according to a press release.

QEWC's unit Raslaffan Operating Company made the offer to buy the stake from Qatar Holding, a unit of Qatar's sovereign wealth fund, the Qatar Investment Authority, QEWC said in a bourse statement.

The transaction is subject to a number of conditions precedent, which include regulatory approvals and notifications from other foreign jurisdictions where Nebras is present, it stated.

Nebras Power is an international power company established in March 2014 and headquartered in Doha, Qatar. The company was established with an initial capital of QAR 3.65 billion and with a mandate to invest in the conventional and renewable energy, water and utilities sectors globally, outside of the State of Qatar.

A joint venture between Qatar Electricity and Water Company QSC (60 per cent) and Qatar Holding LLC (40 per cent), Nebras Power is a dynamic energy company that aims to become one of the leading corporations in the power sector through investing in feasible and profitable large-scale power and water projects around the world.

Nebras seeks to provide complete solutions in power and water, ranging from providing associated LNG facilities, water treatment plants, fuel sourcing and supply centres, making us a significant player in the MENA region, South East Asia, Europe, and beyond.

Since its inception in early 2014, Nebras Power has built a diversified power portfolio of over 1.5 GW of quality assets (gas, coal, solar) distributed over different countries UAE, Oman, Jordan, Indonesia, and Tunisia, and target to expand its business to be more than 5 GW within the next 5 years.
ADA [ndash] Memorials services for Clifford Brent Hall, 63, of Ada are 10:00 A.M. Thursday, May 5, 2022 at Trinity Baptist Church, Doug Brewer will officiate. Mr. Hall passed away Monday, April 25, 2022 at a local nursing home surrounded by family. He was born August 8, 1958 in Shawnee, OK t
Dundalk TD Ruairi O Murchu has welcomed the news that the EU Digital Covid Certificate (DCC) is updated and being issued to those who have received a booster dose.

The deputy said he was pleased with the development after a number of people contacted his office last week urgently seeking advice ahead of planned trips to Europe.

He said:

The news from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (PER) is welcome, particularly for those who have family holidays booked in places like Italy where there is currently a requirement for an updated certificate in order to go to restaurants and cultural locations.

Some countries in Europe were placing a nine month validity limit on the original certificates, ahead of it being EU-wide from February 1, while others need the booster vaccine to show on the EU certificates.

I contacted PER earlier in the week and was happy to hear the DCCs are being emailed to people so those who were in touch with me about their concerns can expect to have their certificates updated with their booster details and emailed to them ahead of their holiday.

There is still some work to be done on the Northern situation where Irish passport holders who have received their first EU DCC will need to get it updated.

The information in the North is that the system is being updated there this month and will include booster vaccines.

I would hope that when this is done, people who want the EU DCCs in the North will be able to easily update their status.

Deputy O Murchu said that while there are no plans for an updated certificate to be a requirement for hospitality in the State at the moment, people who are planning holidays in Europe will need them.

He said:

If eligible people have not received their updated certificates by the end of this week, they can use the online portal at gov.ie/dcc

Those who dont have an email address will be sent a link on their phones to a number that they can use to contact to update their vaccination status.

People can also request a certificate of recovery if recovered from COVID-19 in the last six months through the online self-service portal, he concluded.
Colaiste Ris Dundalk topped the list of Dundalk secondary schools whose students went onto third level education in 2021.

The annual table compiled by the Irish Times shows that 101% of their students went on to third level education in 2021, with DKIT, DCU and Trinity College the top three choices for students. (The figure of 101% is a result of students from previous years going to third level in 2021 as well as students who sat the Leaving Cert in 2021).

O Fiaich College recorded 92% of students going on to third level with DKIT, TUI Dublin and Queen's University Belfast the top choices for students.

Meanwhile St. Vincents in Seatown saw 92% of students opt for third level with DCU, UCD and DKIT/NUI Maynooth the top options for students.

Elsewhere in the town St Louis and the Grammar recorded 86% of students choosing to attend third level, 84% of students at the Bush, 75% at the De La Salle, 69% at St Marys college and 66% at Colaiste Chu Chulainn.

Figures do not take into account students who went on to third level education outside of Ireland.
A former member of the Defence Forces is seeking to have charges of being a member of so-called Islamic State (IS) and financing terrorism dropped at the Special Criminal Court.

Lawyers for Louth woman, Lisa Smith (39), have made an application for the case against her to be dismissed.

It is expected that they will argue there is not sufficient evidence to convict their client on any of the charges.

The case received widespread attention in 2019 when it emerged that Smith, a former Air Corps soldier who had worked on the Government jet, had been detained in Syria over alleged links to IS.

Smith was arrested at Dublin Airport in 2019 on suspicion of terrorist offences after returning from Turkey in November with her young daughter.

She had travelled to Syria a number of years ago after she converted to Islam.

Smith is charged under Section Six of the Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Act 2005 which makes it an offence to join a foreign unlawful organisation.

It is alleged that between October 28, 2015 and December 1 2019 at a location outside the State, she was a member of a terrorist group styling itself as the Islamic State.

She has also been accused of financing terrorism, by sending 800 euro in assistance by Western Union money transfer to a named individual in 2015.

She has denied the charges.

The trial was scheduled to begin on Tuesday, but the non-jury court will first have to deal with pre-trial application.






U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman and Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov pose for pictures as they attend security talks on soaring tensions over Ukraine, at the U.S. permanent mission, in Geneva, Jan. 10. AFP-Yonhap



Russia told the United States at tense talks Monday that it had no plans to invade Ukraine, as the two sides agreed to make more efforts to keep tensions from turning into a full-blown confrontation.



After more than seven hours of negotiations in Geneva, the Russian and U.S. officials both offered to keep talking, though there was no sign of a major breakthrough.



The high-stakes meeting came amid fears of a Russian invasion of its pro-Western neighbor Ukraine. Moscow has demanded wide-ranging concessions from Washington and its NATO allies, which in turn have threatened severe sanctions for any attack.



Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said he had assured his U.S. counterpart, Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman, that their fears were unfounded.



"We explained to our colleagues that we have no plans, no intentions to attack Ukraine," he told reporters. "There is no reason to fear any escalation in this regard."



Ryabkov said the United States "took Russian proposals very seriously" and that Moscow was "for the continuation of dialogue".



Sherman said Russia offered no proof it would not invade or any explanation for why it has deployed some 100,000 troops towards the Ukrainian border. That assessment was repeated at the Pentagon, where spokesman John Kirby said there had been "no major changes" to Moscow's force posture.



But Sherman also offered reciprocal moves with Russia on de-escalation on missile placements and exercises.





A Ukrainian soldier walks in a trench at the line of separation from pro-Russian rebels in the Donetsk region of Ukraine, Jan. 10. AP-Yonhap



'Non-starters' for US



Sherman insisted that some of Russia's demands were "simply non-starters," including a ban on NATO's further eastward expansion.



"We will not allow anyone to slam closed NATO's open-door policy," Sherman said.



Monday's talks in Geneva launched a week of diplomacy between Russia and the West after Moscow's troop movements triggered a Cold War-style standoff.



A meeting of the NATO-Russia Council will take place in Brussels, Wednesday, then the permanent council of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) will meet in Vienna, Thursday, with the issue of Ukraine expected to dominate.



U.S. State Department spokesman Ned Price said not to expect "any breakthroughs could be achieved or really even contemplated" in the week's talks. The United States was putting ideas on the table to see if progress was possible, he said.



If Russia invades, Sherman warned, "There will be significant costs and consequences, well beyond what they faced in 2014" when Moscow seized the Crimean peninsula and backed an insurgency in eastern Ukraine.



Ryabkov denounced U.S. threats as "attempts at blackmail and intimidation."



But he added: "I don't think the situation is hopeless."





Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Joe Biden shake hands during their meeting at the 'Villa la Grange' in Geneva, June 16, 2021. AP-Yonhap



'Severe costs' of invasion



Any direct military action by the United States or NATO in defense of Ukraine is extremely unlikely.



But Western officials have warned Moscow would face significant economic and financial consequences if it invades, and could see NATO boost its presence and capacities near Russia's borders.



NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said Monday that the alliance would be warning Russia of the "severe costs" of an invasion.



While he did not expect this week's talks to "solve all the issues," he wanted to kick-start a diplomatic process, he added.



"We are aiming for an agreement on a way forward, a process, a series of meetings," Stoltenberg said before talks in Brussels with Olga Stefanishyna, one of Ukraine's four deputy prime ministers.



Measures against Russia under consideration include sanctions on President Vladimir Putin's inner circle, cancelling Russia's controversial Nord Stream 2 pipeline to Germany or, in the most drastic scenario, severing Russia's links to the world's banking system.



The Geneva talks "could have been worse," said Samuel Charap, a Russia expert at the Rand Corporation.



"At least neither side has thrown in the towel on diplomacy ... yet."





Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov gestures during a press conference following talks with his U.S. counterpart on soaring tensions over Ukraine, in Geneva, Jan. 10. AFP-Yonhap
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A medical staff member inoculates a person with a dose of COVID-19 vaccine at a vaccine clinic in San Antonio, Texas, Jan. 9. The Omicron variant has driven a new surge of COVID-19 cases in Texas. Xinhua-Yonhap



The Omicron variant of COVID-19 is on track to infect more than half of Europeans, but it should not yet be seen as a flu-like endemic illness, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Tuesday.



Europe saw more than 7 million newly-reported cases in the first week of 2022, more than doubling over a two-week period, WHO's Europe director Hans Kluge told a news briefing.



"At this rate, the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation forecasts that more than 50% of the population in the region will be infected with Omicron in the next 6-8 weeks," Kluge said, referring to a research centre at the University of Washington.



Fifty out of 53 countries in Europe and central Asia have logged cases of the more infectious variant, Kluge said.



Evidence, however, is emerging that Omicron is affecting the upper respiratory tract more than the lungs, causing milder symptoms than previous variants.



But the WHO has cautioned more studies are still needed to prove this.



On Monday, Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said it may be time to change how it tracks COVID-19's evolution to instead use a method similar to flu, because its lethality has fallen.



That would imply treating the virus as an endemic illness, rather than a pandemic, without recording every case and without testing all people presenting symptoms.



But that is "a way off," WHO's senior emergency officer for Europe, Catherine Smallwood, said at the briefing, adding that endemicity requires a stable and predictable transmission.



"We still have a huge amount of uncertainty and a virus that is evolving quite quickly, imposing new challenges. We are certainly not at the point where we are able to call it endemic," Smallwood said.



"It may become endemic in due course, but pinning that down to 2022 is a little bit difficult at this stage." (Reuters)


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Just after his first week of official practice, new transfer Jesse Miritello persuaded sever
In the week ending 7 January 2022 the net position of the Eurosystem in foreign currency (asset items 2 and 3 minus liability items 7, 8 and 9) decreased by EUR 2.4 billion to EUR 326.6 billion, owing to customer and portfolio transactions and the maturity of US dollar liquidity-providing operations.

As a result of the Eurosystems open market operations and standing facilities, net lending to credit institutions (asset item 5 minus liability items 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5 and 4) increased by EUR 134.4 billion to EUR 1,554.5 billion. This was due primarily to the change in the level of the deposit facility (liability item 2.2).

Claims on non-euro area residents denominated in euro (asset item 4) decreased by EUR 3 billion to EUR 10 billion, mainly owing to maturing Eurosystem operations providing euro liquidity to non-euro area central banks (further details can be found on the ECBs website under Central bank liquidity lines).

Base money (liability items 1, 2.1 and 2.2) increased by EUR 244 billion to EUR 6,080.1 billion.

The table below provides the detailed breakdown of securities held for monetary policy purposes (asset item 7.1) into the different portfolios. All portfolios are accounted for at amortised cost.
TAOISEACH Micheal Martin has said he is confident that Ireland can get through the Omicron wave of Covid-19 without any further restrictions.

Speaking in Cork today, Mr Martin cautioned that the country had not yet reached the peak of the current wave and, praising the publics response, he urged ongoing vigilance.

We havent peaked yet, and Covid has had many twists and turns, but I am confident that, if we maintain the same focus, we can get through this wave, he said.

Mr Martin said that, despite the extraordinary virulence of the Omicron variant, the country had done well.

We are over a thousand now in hospital, and thankfully the conversion to intensive care is not at the same level as it would have been last year, for example, he said.

Vaccination

Mr Martin urged anyone in a position to get a booster vaccine to take it, and urged those yet to get vaccinated to do so.

If you havent had a vaccine to date, please go and get your first and second vaccine, because what is absolutely clear is that if you are vaccinated, it will reduce your capacity to get very ill, he said.

The Taoiseach reiterated that he was in favour of a voluntary approach to vaccination.

Ive been very clear that I favour the voluntary approach to vaccination, and in fact weve done extraordinarily well as a country in terms of 94% vaccination rate of first and second, and even 63% of the booster, Mr Martin said.

We have achieved one of the highest rates in the world through a voluntary system and thats the system that we will maintain.

Review of restrictions

Mr Martin said Nphet would be advising the Government in the coming days on the possibility of adjusting the length of time close contacts needed to isolate, but would do so in the context of the advice of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.

The Taoiseach said the Government would not be reviewing the 8pm closing time for bars and restaurants this week. It is part of restrictions due to expire on January 30.

Homelessness services in Cork

Mr Martin was speaking at an event marking the transfer of the management of homeless services, hitherto provided by the St Vincent DePaul (SVP) in Cork, to the charity Depaul.

SVP had announced in September 2020 that it was planning to transfer the management of its homeless services to other charities with specialist expertise in the sector.

The Cork ceremony saw the handover to Depaul of St Vincents hostel on Anglesea Terrace, which has 73 places for men, and Deerpark House on Friars Walk, which has 51 places for men.

The Taoiseach praised the work of SVP over the years, and he recalled that he had opened Deerpark House in 2002 when he was health minister. He said he could vouch for the quality of the service many people had received there over the years.

He said he was concerned about figures published last week, which show a significant rise in homelessness, noting that supply is a key issue.

He added that the housing first strand of the Governments Housing For All strategy was proving to be a success.

The housing first strategy is a particular intervention that came from providers in the homeless sector, that basically provides housing with supports to people living rough immediately, and its working very well, Mr Martin stated.

The Taoiseach said the Government was aiming to meet its core target of 9,500 direct builds in social housing in 2022, something he felt was key to tackling homelessness.
Primary school students arrive on the first day of the new term in Beijing, Sept. 1. AFP-Yonhap





One of China's biggest tutoring firms has said it shed tens of thousands of staff last year, revealing the extent of damage to the multibillion-dollar sector as Beijing cracks down on private education.







China imposed new rules on tutoring companies in 2021 to force them to become non-profit organizations as part of a series of moves designed to reduce pressure on schoolchildren in the country's cut-throat education system.







The founder and chairman of New Oriental Education & Technology said in a social media post at the weekend that the firm had dismissed 60,000 staff as revenue plunged 80 percent.







The Hong Kong-listed company lost 90 percent of its market value through the year, he added.







"In 2021, New Oriental encountered too many changes, with much of our business in a state of uncertainty due to policies, the pandemic, international relations and other reasons," wrote Yu Minhong on his WeChat account.







The group has since stopped much of its teaching, both in person and online.







In a separate post Monday, Yu added that despite the cutbacks New Oriental still employs around 50,000 staff and teachers, whose livelihoods "depend on the healthy and sustainable development of New Oriental."







Private teaching firms had long tapped into vast demand for academic success in China, with armies of parents eager to get their kids ahead in a ruthless education system in which a single exam can determine a life's trajectory.







With Beijing's new rules effectively wiping out its business model, New Oriental has looked to boost investments in businesses targeting college students and Chinese overseas.







It is also exploring new sectors such as the sale of agricultural products, according to Yu.







The cost of education has been cited by many young Chinese as a reason they are unwilling to have more children, even after China formally allowed all couples to have three children last year in a bid to stave off an ageing population. (AFP)


Updated at 9.22 am

Professor of Immunology Paul Moynagh has called for a long term plan for coping with Covid-19.

Current measures are leading to a wall of immunity, he told Newstalk Breakfast. But there needed to be a long term plan, he urged.

The high numbers of people who had already been infected, the success of the vaccination programme and the subsequent booster programme would protect against new infections, Professor Moynagh explained.



However, this could wane in time which was why there was a need for a long term plan, he added.

According to Professor Moynagh, while officially half a million cases had been identified in the past eight weeks, and the one million cases mark was reached this week, in reality the figure was more likely to be 1.5 million.

The virus was now going to find it difficult to find new people to infect, he said.

The success of the vaccine campaign was the reason why ICU numbers were steady, he added. All the efforts to date had helped build the wall of immunity and that was how the country would get out of the pandemic.

Professor Moynagh also said that he did not understand why approval for FFP2/N5 masks had been withheld until now.

Were coming to this very late he said, commenting that all the evidence showed that the higher grade masks performed very well and were better than cloth masks.

Better protection

Prof Moynagh's comments come as the National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet) has advised the Government that higher-grade respirator masks may give better protection to people who are at high risk from Covid-19.

As reported in The Irish Times, Nphet has said that people can choose to wear FFP3 masks, and the slightly lower-grade FFP2 respirator or medical masks, instead of cloth masks if they wish.

However, the advisory group did not recommend the higher-grade masks to the public instead of cloth ones.

Nphet advised a respirator or medical mask should ideally be worn by anyone who is a confirmed case while infectious, who has Covid-19 symptoms, who is a household contact of a case, anyone who is visiting a healthcare setting or a vulnerable person.

It was also stressed that respirator and medical masks should be prioritised for healthcare workers.

The new advice comes following a request from the Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly for the use of higher grade masks to be examined.

In other countries around Europe, such as Germany, Austria and Italy, the use of FFP2 or equivalent masks have been intodueced in public spaces.

Mandatory vaccines

On Monday, Taoiseach Micheal Martin ruled out the introduction of mandatory vaccination in Ireland. Mr Martin said the system of voluntary vaccination would be maintained.

His comments came following reports that Nphet would be considering the issue following new advice issued from the European Centre for Disease Control (ECDC) for countries which are experiencing extreme stress on their healthcare systems.

"First of all, I think Nphet will examine every issue - it will give advice to Government from time to time. I have been very clear in that I favour the voluntary approach to vaccination," Mr Martin said.

It is understood that Dr Holohan and senior Nphet figures are considering the ECDC advice, which may go to Cabinet on Wednesday.

According to one source, it is unlikely that there will be a wider relaxation of current isolation rules for close contacts among the public before the current Omicron wave of infection peaks.

Taoiseach Micheal Martin said the latest wave is not expected to peak for another seven days or even a fortnight.

It comes as there were 23,909 new cases of the virus confirmed on Monday, bringing the State's total case count to 1,002,013 since February 2020.

Meanwhile, there were 1,063 people with the virus in hospital, up 79 on Sunday's figures.

This is the first time Covid-19 hospitalisations have surpassed the 1,000-mark since February last year.

- Additional reporting by Vivienne Clarke
One of the rarest animals in the world, the saola is so elusive that no biologist has ever observed one in the wild. The critically endangered species was photographed via a camera trap in Vietnam in 2013, which was the first time the Asian unicorn had been seen there in the wild for 15 years, the Daily Mail reported. The saola wasnt even discovered as a species until 1992, the first to be added to the scientific roster of large mammals in more than 50 years, according to the World Wildlife Fund.

Since its remarkable discovery, the saola population is thought to have declined considerably due to the commercial poaching of other wildlife in Vietnam that is caught as bushmeat or to be used in traditional Asian medicine, The Guardian reported. Though the saola are not specifically targeted, they get caught in the traps set for other animals. In an effort to prevent the extinction of this rare creature, scientists are intensifying their search for the saola.

We stand at a moment of conservation history, William Robichaud, president of the Saola Foundation told The Guardian. We know how to find and save this magnificent animal, which has been on planet Earth for perhaps 8m years. We just need the world to come together and support the effort. It wont cost much, and the reward, for saola, for the Annamite mountains, and for ourselves, will be huge.

With the intent of finding the last wild saolas for a captive breeding program, Robichaud and biologist and wildlife conservation specialist Simon Hedges co-founded the Saola Working Group (SWG) in 2006. Their aim is to reintroduce saolas back into a habitat where they can be free from threats, The Guardian reported.

It is clear that search efforts must be significantly ramped up in scale and intensity if we are to save this species from extinction, said director of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) SSC Asian Species Action Partnership, Nerissa Chao, as reported by The Guardian.

With a shrewd yet elegant expression, sweeped back horns and soft white markings that look like theyve been painted on, the saola is so elusive that its movement patterns are listed as Unknown by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

The animals prominent white facial markings and long tapering horns lend it a singular beauty, and its reclusive habits in the wet forests of the Annamites an air of mystery, said Barney Long, senior director, Species Conservation at Global Wildlife Conservation, as reported by IUCN.

In 2001, the population of saola in Vietnam was estimated to be several hundred, and between 70 to 100 in Laos, but more recent estimates by experts have numbered the critically endangered species at less than 100, The Guardian reported. The SWG used 300 camera traps in the Laos Khoun Xe Nongma national protected area between 2017 and 2019, but not a single one of the million photographs taken managed to capture a saola.

Only recently discovered, saola are already extremely threatened. At a time when species extinction on the planet has accelerated, we can work together to snatch this one back from the edge of extinction, said Long, as World Wildlife Fund reported.

Cristen Hemingway Jaynes is a writer of fiction and nonfiction. She holds a JD and an Ocean & Coastal Law Certificate from University of Oregon School of Law and an MA in Creative Writing from Birkbeck, University of London.
Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV), who famously shot a literal hole through the 2009 Cap and Trade bill, said Sunday he could not vote for the Build Back Better Act, likely dooming the bill in its current form.

His opposition, largely predicated on the bills price tag, came despite the bill being significantly scaled down to appease his concerns and assurances after the passage of the bipartisan infrastructure bill last month that he would negotiate in good faith.

In a written statement, Manchin  a millionaire coal baron and former executive at rightwing polluter-friendly bill mill ALEC rationalized his opposition to the bill by invoking disinformation falsely blaming renewables for gas- and climate-driven blackouts in Texas and California, claiming BBB would move us too quickly to a clean energy economy.

On Sunday, many Democrats in Congress criticized Manchins position, but pushed to move forward with a vote on some version of the bill after the new year anyway.

Today, Senator Manchin has betrayed his commitment not only to the President and Democrats in Congress but most importantly, to the American people, Rep. Pramila Jayapal said in a statement. He routinely touts that he is a man of his word, but he can no longer say that. West Virginians, and the country, see clearly who he is.

For a deeper dive:

Associated Press, Vox, POLITICO, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The Washington Post, CNBC, CBS, Insider, MSNBC, NPR, MSNBC, The Hill, Slate, The Guardian; Climate: NPR, The New York Times, Axios, Vox, NBC News, NPR; Congressional reactions: The Washington Post, USA Today, Insider, MSNBC, The Washington Post, Insider, ABC, MSNBC, NBC, NBC, NBC, MSNBC, CNN; Opinion: The Washington Post, James Downie, The Washington Post, Karen Tumulty, The Wall Street Journal Editorial

For more climate change and clean energy news, you can follow Climate Nexus on Twitter and Facebook, sign up for daily Hot News, and visit their news site, Nexus Media News.
Whats around five inches, olive yellow with dark blotches and apparently no longer extinct in the state of Ohio?

The answer is the longhead darter, a small-to-medium size fish which was spotted in the state for the first time since 1939, as the Ohio Division of Wildlife announced on Facebook January 6.

Why are we so excited? This striking creature, native to Ohio, was thought to be extirpated from the state that is until fish management crews captured two this fall during Ohio River electrofishing bass surveys, the division wrote.

A species is considered extirpated if it is locally extinct in one region or area but still present on the planet at large. Experts thought the longhead darter was extirpated in Ohio because it was last seen in the Buckeye State more than 80 years ago when Milton B.Trautman caught seven in the Walhonding River, which is a tributary of the Muskingum River in east-central Ohio.

Fortunately for the longhead darter and for those of us concerned, this species is not extirpated in the Buckeye State, the Ohio Division of Wildlife wrote.

That doesnt mean that the fish is out of hot water. Outside of Ohio, it is present in the Ohio, Tennessee and Allegheny River drainage systems in New York, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Kentucky, Virginia, Tennessee and North Carolina, according to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. The American Fisheries Society considers it threatened in every state where it lives.

However, little is known about its population historically. In fact, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List says that it does not have enough data to assess its conservation status.

The fish relies on clear water with gravel or boulder bottoms, according to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Because of this, the biggest threat it faces is most likely pollution from agriculture, industry and development, the IUCN said.

This means that its return to Ohio is an example of the success of the Clean Water Act, the Cincinnati Enquirer reported. Passed in 1972, the act has led to an improvement in the Ohio Rivers water quality.

Thanks to the cleaner water, the fish are definitely making a comeback in Ohio, Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife aquatic stewardship program administrator John Navarro told the Cincinnati Enquirer.

The longhead darter is a carnivorous fresh-water fish with rayed fins.

Like most darter species, the longhead darter is quite colorful, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation wrote.

It has a bright olive yellow back with more than 12 squarish splotches. It also has connected splotches along its sides.

Longhead darters have a series of black blotches down their side that are connected by a broad lateral stripe, the Guide to the Fish of Ohio wrote. Their blotches are never taller than they are wide. They differ from the very similar dusky and blackside darters in having a series of 3 dark spots along their jaw line on each side of the head. The largest and most posterior of these often connects with a rather distinct tear drop forming a dark crescent from the eye down to the rear of the jaw.
Greenhouse gas emissions rose again in the U.S. as people returned to normal life in 2021, dashing hopes that the coronavirus pandemic might have paved the way for a more climate-friendly economy.

U.S. emissions rose 6.2 percent last year compared with 2020 levels, according to initial estimates from the Rhodium Group released Monday. While emissions are still five percent below 2019 levels, they rebounded faster than the economy itself, which grows at around 5.7 percent each year.

We expected a rebound but its dismaying that emissions came back even faster than the overall economy, Rhodium Group partner Kate Larsen told The Guardian. We arent just reducing the carbon intensity of the economy, we are increasing it. We are doing exactly the opposite of what we need to be doing.

The increase in emissions was down to two major causes, the independent research group said.

Transportation: Transportation emissions rose about 10 percent compared to 2020, accounting for the largest increase in 2021 emissions. The initial lockdown in 2020 decreased transportation emissions by more than 15 percent compared to 2019 levels as people avoided air travel and worked from home. Personal travel didnt completely recover in 2021, but demand for consumer goods meant that freight travel actually rose above 2019 levels, the Rhodium Group said. Coal: Another driver of the emissions increase was a surge in coal power, which rose 17 percent in 2021. This is the first time coal power has increased since 2014, a change that was mostly caused by a hike in natural gas prices.

Overall, the findings mean that the U.S. is not on track to meet its Paris agreement goal of reducing emissions 50 to 52 percent of 2005 levels by 2030. While emissions fell to 22.2 percent below 2005 levels in 2020, they are now back up to 17.4 percent of 2005 levels. This means that the pandemic was not the sea change many hoped for, and that the U.S. will have to pursue policy changes in order to help limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and avoid the worst impacts of the climate crisis.

I think there was hope this moment the pandemic presented would change the way we do things, that it would be an opportunity to invest in the infrastructure we need to recover in a more sustainable way and that did not materialize, Larsen told NBC News. Without some other major intervention, the trajectory were on will get us nowhere close to our 2030 climate goals.

Larsen told The Guardian that the U.S. could move in a more positive direction by passing the Build Back Better Act, which is currently stalled in the Senate. This would be the countrys first major climate legislation.

Penn State University climate scientist Michael Mann agreed.

Weve got to come down from the peak, in fact halfway down to zero, within this decade if we are to remain on course to keep warming below a catastrophic 1.5C, Mann told The Guardian. There was progress at Cop26 but there needs to be much more. And for the US to be able to do its part, we need the climate provisions of Build Back Better to pass Congress as soon as possible.
It was in Murray Hill, New Jersey, that many claim the first solar panel was made. In 1954, three scientists researching for the Bell Telephone company conducted experiments on strips of silicon that led to the development of a solar cell. They announced the invention by using it to power a small toy Ferris wheel and a radio transmitter, shortly thereafter filing a patent for a silicon solar cell reaching 6% efficiency.

The U.S. ramped up its solar panel production through the following century, powering the first solar building and even using solar energy to fuel NASA spacecrafts. The nation was the vanguard of solar technology.

Fast-forward to 2022, however, and the U.S. is home to the headquarters of only one company considered a top solar panel manufacturer. So, what changed? Where are solar panels made today? Does it really matter where solar panels are made?

Lets explore.

Solar Panel Manufacturing

Solar manufacturing refers to the fabrication and assembly of materials across the solar supply chain. This includes not only solar photovoltaic (PV) panels, but items including batteries, inverters and racking equipment as well, each with its own unique chemical and physical makeup.

Relative to where the key parts of solar panels come from, the assembly itself is fairly straightforward. So this begs the question, what are solar panels made of?

Virtually all solar PV panels use crystalline silicon wafers as the main component material. Silicon is used to create semiconductors for about 95% of all solar panels on the market today. Solar panels also require aluminum frames, a backsheet, a junction box, and are typically covered by a layer of glass with an anti-reflective coating.

These parts must all be acquired separately, and are all composed of unique raw materials such as quartz and copper.

Lets start with silicon. By far the most frequently used semiconductor in solar technology, silicon has also become vital as a material for its use in computer chips and modern electronics. Silicon is extracted from materials such as quartz (Silicon Dioxide, SiO2), and undergoes a process of purification and intensification before it can be used as pure silicon.

Solar manufacturers can use recycled materials for the aluminum brackets, but sourcing more sustainable materials for anti-reflective glass or copper wiring has become a challenge. Well explain more about why this matters later on, but these supply chains are what make tracing the impact of a solar company so complex. A final product can be advertised as U.S.-made, even if 90% of what composes it came from Southeast Asia.

Top Global Solar Manufacturers

Wed guess that none of the solar companies listed below hosts all operations solely within its home country. The best companies in the industry are international entities, sourcing and distributing resources throughout multiple countries and climates. The solar supply chain is truly a global one, which is why answering the question where are solar panels made? becomes so complicated.

Below, youll find a list of the top solar manufacturers, along with the locations of their headquarters.

Solar Panel Manufacturer Location of Manufacturing Headquarters LG South Korea SunPower U.S. Trina China Q Cells South Korea REC Singapore Canadian Solar Canada Jinko Solar China LONGi Solar China JA Solar China

Note: The solar panel manufacturers listed above are taken mostly from our list of best solar panels, but we added Jinko Solar, JA Solar and LONGi Solar to account for the high volume of panels they sell globally.

U.S. Solar Manufacturing

So, what explains the shift in manufacturing to mostly Southeast Asian countries? As of the 1970s, the U.S. was leading the globe in the development and production of solar technology. One theory is that, at that time, the U.S. viewed solar too much from the angle of research and development rather than utility-scale use, hence why solar was developed more for space crafts than for homes.

Further, Reagan-era attacks on renewable energy funding set the U.S. back both in terms of policy and perception, as the president slashed federal solar funding by about two-thirds and stripped the White House roof of the solar panels installed under the Carter administration.

This trend continued throughout the 80s, and American solar companies began to struggle, offloading their solar operations to international companies as a result (Exxon in 1984, Arco in 1990 and Mobil in 1994). The second Bush administration stepped in with the solar tax credit in 2005, which has been a saving grace for the American solar economy with bipartisan support since its inception. However, widespread private divestment in renewables still set the U.S. back behind the quickly expanding operations in Southeast Asia.

While the U.S. continued its love affair with domestic oil and gas, Chinese, Japanese and Korean companies spent the 80s, 90s and 2000s developing utility-scale solar technology, even if still somewhat ineffective at that point in history. The solar manufacturing process refined over the decades, eased in costs, and the abundance of polysilicon in Asia certainly didnt hurt the continents accelerated research and production.

So here we are today: The majority of the best solar panel companies import at least some of their equipment from Southeast Asia. However, its worth noting that in recent years, more solar companies have opened up shop in the U.S. to avoid tariffs associated with the international sales of solar technology.

A number of Asia-based companies have started manufacturing facilities in the U.S., notably LG in Huntsville, Alabama, Panasonic in Buffalo, New York, (via a partnership with Tesla) and Q Cells in Whitfield County, Georgia.

Why Does It Matter Where Solar Panels Are Made?

Manufacturing solar panels requires a complex process of extraction, purification and assembly, and each step carries its own impact. For conscientious consumers looking for answers on where the best solar panels are made, the production location wont matter as much as how a solar panel is made. Here are a few reasons why:

Humanitarian Impacts

Regrettably, solar manufacturing has not enjoyed its growth without cases of accompanying human rights issues.

In the past couple of years, genocide through Chinese repression and forced labor of Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities has come to light in Xinjiang, where a significant portion of the worlds polysilicon comes from (the primary material in silicon used for solar cells). The U.S. announced plans to crack down on this forced labor in the global solar supply chain. Energy companies associated with these violations included Hoshine Silicon Industry, Xinjiang Daqo New Energy Company, Xinjiang East Hope Nonferrous Metals Company, Xinjiang GCL New Energy Material Technology Company and Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps.

The solar industry has responded to help support and ensure an ethical solar supply chain.

Environmental Impacts

Environmental challenges surrounding the large-scale deployment of solar energy stem from mining, emissions from purification and disposal of solar panels at the end of their lifetimes.

Some solar companies certainly live the mission of clean and ethical energy better than others. Companies like SunPower, REC and First Solar lead initiatives to recycle solar panels and develop solar cells designed to be reused through a circular economy.

More than anything, we like to see solar companies that are transparent with their environmental management.

Economic Impacts

The economic potential of solar power in the U.S. requires further (public and private) investment in the growing technology. According to the Department of Energy, solar panels on just 22,000 square miles of the nations total land area  about the size of Lake Michigan  could supply enough electricity to power the entire United States.

The global race to lead the clean energy economy is underway, and capitalizing on the potential of solar with land that collects as much sunshine as the U.S. offers more than just environmental benefits. With the cost of solar as low as it is in 2022 and a potential market as staggering in size as the U.S., solar energy production and manufacturing offer a tremendous economic opportunity with proper investment.

Solar Panel Impact Reports: Finding the Best Solar Panel

If not apparent at this point, manufacturing solar panels takes a complex, globally influenced balance of supply and demand. The best way to quell any concerns about the ethics behind your potential solar panel system is to research the transparency of the solar companys operations. Most of the top solar companies will issue reports on sustainability; environmental, social and corporate governance (ESGs); or corporate responsibility to offer customers a glimpse of the systems in place for sustainable environmental and social development.

Weve collected the most recently available reports from the top global solar panel manufacturers. Wed recommend starting with SunPower if youd like a good example of both transparency and sustainability.

*Most recent report as of the date of article publication.

Karsten Neumeister is a writer and renewable energy specialist with a background in writing and the humanities. Before joining EcoWatch, Karsten worked in the energy sector of New Orleans, focusing on renewable energy policy and technology. A lover of music and the outdoors, Karsten might be found rock climbing, canoeing or writing songs when away from the workplace.






Thai prime minister calls for action to fix high pork prices



Increased demand for pork from markets and lowered supply, as well as heightened prices of feed materials such as corn and soybean meal, have been cited as the major causes of expensive pork in Thailand.



High production costs have prompted a number of farmers in country to leave the pork production sector, but authorities said they expect pork prices to normalise within four months.



Thai Prime Minister Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha ordered the Ministry of Commerce and the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives to quickly mend the problem of expensive pork. For the short term, delay of exports will be implemented while wholesalers and retailers will be asked to keep pork prices from rising. Sellers are also asked to avoid setting excessive prices for pork. The prices are expected to normalise within four months.



Finance Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith said the government is addressing the issue of expensive pork by halting pork exports, waiving fees and taxes on pork, promoting the cultivation of feed corn to replace imports and providing special loans via the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives for the purpose of increasing the robustness of the pork production system.



The Department of Livestock Development will be inviting representatives from relevant associations to provide their input on the matter on January 7. Findings will be submitted to the pork and pork products development committee, which is also known as the Pig Board.



- Pattaya Mail
Effingham, IL (62401)

Today

Thunderstorms in the morning, then cloudy skies late. High 68F. Winds WSW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 70%..

Tonight

Mostly cloudy. Low 47F. Winds N at 10 to 15 mph.
The statements made by former commissioner Jose Manuel Villarejo, accusing the Spanish National Intelligence Center (CNI) of being behind the 17-A terrorist attacks, have prompted the pro-independence movement to demand explanations to the Spanish government. President Carles Puigdemont defended that the Spanish state is responsible for the 2017 terrorist attack in La Rambla, and has argued it with an extensive Twitter thread. Puigdemont assured that the Spanish state is responsible for the 16 deaths due to its refusal to fully investigate the connections between the mastermind behind the attack, the Ripoll imam Abdelbaki es Satty, and the Spanish secret services. The state, he said, also has the responsibility for the forceful statements made by Villarejo in court.

According to the president, the former commissioner's statements are valid, as he has been "at the heart of the Spanish deep state", and therefore knows what he is talking about. "He has incriminated Spain in one of the latest terrorist massacres in Europe," he said. Puigdemont argued that the "Spanish deep state" took the lives of 16 innocent people and injured over a hundred others in order to "send a message to the people of Catalonia", who were preparing to hold the October 1st independence referendum. It is for all these reasons that the president considers that the defence of the Spains unity has led to "extremely serious" criminal behaviour.

He demanded that the Pedro Sanchez government open the parliamentary commission of inquiry that the main Spanish political parties have refused, in order to investigate the actions of the CNI and the Spanish police. In addition, he called for the prosecution of those responsible in the police and intelligence services involved in "this crime" in order to "judge them". Puigdemont assured that "getting blood on one's hands" to defend "the homeland" is accepted in certain sectors of Spanish society, politics and the media.

After the statements made by former commissioner Jose Manuel Villarejo, accusing the Spanish National Intelligence Centre (CNI) of being behind the attacks of August 17th, the Catalan pro-independence movement has demanded explanations. It has done so from Barcelona and also from Madrid, where the parliamentary groups of ERC and Junts per Catalunya have registered several requests for hearings, including those of Spanish prime minister Pedro Sanchez and former director of Spanish intelligence, Felix Sanz Roldan. Villarejo has assured that the CNI turned a blind eye to the activities of the Ripoll imam in order to give Catalonia "a scare" a few days before autumn of 2017.

On the one hand, the spokesperson of Esquerra Republicana in the Congress of Deputies, Gabriel Rufian, submitted three requests for hearings in the Congress of Deputies: those of prime minister Pedro Sanchez, minister of the Interior, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, and former director of the CNI, Felix Sanz Roldan. In a tweet, Rufian asked the Spanish government for "immediate" explanations on Villarejo's statements. The ERC spokesperson also said that they will once again push for the commissions of enquiry into the 17-A attacks, which were categorically and obstinately vetoed. "The Spanish government cannot remain silent", he claimed.

The same steps have been taken by Junts per Catalunya. Its spokesperson in Congress, Miriam Nogueras, registered three requests for hearings: Pedro Sanchez, Fernando Grande-Marlaska and the minister of Defence, Margarita Robles, responsible for the CNI. They want them to clarify the level of "knowledge of the Spanish government" about what Villarejo declared in court. At the same time, its spokesperson in the Senate, Josep Lluis Cleries, has registered two requests for a hearing in order to "explain the government's position in the face of serious statements". He also requested the presence of Marlaska and the current director of the CNI, Paz Esteban.
Dan Haug, left, director of the Office of Budget and Planning, shares a light moment on Jan. 10, 2022, with Kari Monsees, deputy commissioner of education, during a hearing of the House Budget Committee.
Two people were freed by firefighters after being left trapped following a collision.

Emergency services were called to Poortown Road near Peel last night.

On arrival, crews found the vehicle had crashed and rolled over onto its roof.

The occupants were were found to be trapped inside the vehicle and were being suspended upside down by their seatbelts.
Athens, AL (35611)

Today

Partly cloudy skies during the morning hours will become overcast in the afternoon. High 82F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Variable clouds with scattered thunderstorms. Low 63F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.
It's now clear when Amazon warehouse workers in Bessemer, Alabama will vote in a mandatory second union election. As Motherboard's Lauren Kaori Gurley notes, the National Labor Relations Board has sent notice that employees at the BHM1 fulfillment center can start voting with secret mail ballots on February 4th, with the vote count beginning on March 28th. Anyone employed at the company from the first week of January 2022 onward is eligible to consider joining the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union.

The NLRB ordered the new vote after determining that Amazon interfered with the first union election in early 2021. The RWDSU filed 23 objections after the 1,798 to 738 "no" vote, accusing Amazon of installing an unapproved mailbox to intimidate staff as well as handing out anti-union material like badges and signs. After an investigation, the NLRB found that Amazon had a "flagrant disregard" for the mail voting process that made a fair election "impossible."

The RWDSU wasn't completely satisfied with the notice. In a statement, the organization claimed the NLRB's decision "fails to adequately prevent" Amazon from skewing the vote. Amazon, meanwhile, repeated its comment from November in response to Engadget's inquiries. It maintained that warehouse workers "overwhelmingly" voted against joining the union, and found it "disappointing" that the NLRB rejected the election.

As before, the stakes are high. A pro-union vote would give warehouse workers collective bargaining rights they could use to improve pay and working conditions  both frequent points of contention. Whatever the outcome, it's safe to presume the election will draw renewed scrutiny from politicians and stars who see it as a turning point for labor at the internet shopping giant.
GM has reversed course on its emissions policy, saying it now recognizes California's authority to set its own vehicle pollution standards, TechCrunch as reported. Previously, the automaker backed efforts by the former Trump administration to force the state to abandon its own standards in favor of federal emissions policies. However, it began to reverse course shortly after Biden was elected president, pulling out of the Trump administration's lawsuit against the state.

As the most populous state with the strictest rules, California generally sets the emissions agenda for automakers and other states. Back in 2018, however, the Trump administration challenged California's ability to set its own rules independently from the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Volkswagen, BMW, Ford and Honda agreed to work with California on voluntary targets, but GM, along with Fiat Chrysler and Toyota, sided with the Trump administration.

"[GM] is committed to emissions reductions that are aligned with the California Air Resources Board's targets and... complying with California's regulations," GM VP Omar Vargas wrote in a letter to California governor Gavin Newsom.

Because of its past decision to side with the Trump administration, GM was banned by California in 2019 for government fleet purchases. "Carmakers that have chosen to be on the wrong side of history will be on the losing end of Californias buying power," Newsom said at the time. Now, the state will allow GM to become a supplier, with Newsom welcoming the company to its "clean vehicle revolution."

After defeating Trump, President Joe Biden announced a plan to accelerate a transition to EVs in order to combat global warming. GM followed those political winds, renouncing the earlier lawsuit and accelerating its own EV plans. The company now says it will stop selling ICE vehicles by 2040 and will spend $35 billion to develop EVs and self-driving cars by 2025. The company recently unveiled an electric version of its Silverado pickup designed to fight Ford's F-150 Lightning that's proved to be a hit with buyers.
In a desperate effort to save the life of a 57-year-old man, doctors at the University of Maryland School of Medicine have accomplished a medical first. Per The Associated Press , this past Friday, surgeons successfully transplanted a pig heart into a patient as part of an experimental procedure.

In doing so, they showed a genetically modified animal organ could survive and function within the human body without immediate rejection. Three days after the procedure, David Bennett, the individual who underwent the surgery, is alive and doing well, according to the hospital.

The Food and Drug Administration authorized the procedure on compassionate grounds. Bennett was ineligible for a traditional heart transplant and had run out of other options. It was either die or do this transplant. I want to live. I know its a shot in the dark, but its my last choice, he said in a statement before doctors operated on him.

Scientists have tried to save humans with animal organs for decades. One of the most notable attempts occurred in 1984 when doctors grafted a baboon heart into Stephanie Fae Beauclair , an infant born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome. The congenital disorder left her body incapable of circulating blood properly. Baby Fae, as she was better known, survived for 21 days before her body eventually rejected the transplanted organ.

According to The New York Times, what makes this latest procedure different is doctors used a heart that had been genetically modified to remove four genes that encode a molecule that causes the body to reject the orphan organ. They also inserted six human genes to make the immune system more tolerable of the foreign tissue. Whether the experiment represents a breakthrough will depend on what happens next. Bennetts body could still reject the pig heart. For the moment, however, hes alive, and doctors are understandably excited about what this could mean for patients.
Over the last year, US greenhouse emissions increased by 6.2 percent compared to 2020 levels, according to a new report from the Rhodium Group. The jump puts the country further behind meeting the reduction targets put forward by the Paris climate agreement. Under the deal, the US has pledged to reduce its greenhouse emissions between 50 percent and 52 percent below 2005 levels by 2030. As of last year, they were 17.4 percent below that benchmark. Thats a step back from the 22.2 percent reduction the country had achieved the year prior.

Behind the increase in overall emissions were corresponding jumps in pollution generated by the countrys transportation and power sectors. Compared to 2021, those sectors generated an additional 10 percent and 6.6 percent of greenhouse emissions. Driving those increases was a 17 percent increase in reliance on coal-generated power and more people driving after a pandemic-related downturn.

The report underscores how important is it is for the US to clean up its power grid and transportation sector. Another recent study found that wind and solar could meet 85 percent of the countrys current electricity needs. So much of whether the US will meet its Paris Agreement commitments will depend on if the country can mobilize investment as part of policies like President Bidens Build Back Better Plan. The fate of the bill is uncertain, but what is clear is that the technology is there to enable a clean transition. Until recently, natural gas had never been more affordable, and yet it was still more expensive than renewable sources of energy.
Enid, OK (73701)

Today

Sun and a few passing clouds. High 67F. Winds NNE at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy during the evening with thunderstorms becoming likely overnight. Low 48F. Winds E at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 60%.
Jason Alexander, the ex-husband of Britney Spears, pled guilty to stalking an unidentified woman on Tuesday.

For breaking an order of protection and aggravated stalking, Kim Helper, the District Attorney General of Tennessee, told TMZ Monday, the 40-year-old was sentenced to 11 months and 29 days probation.

According to the article, as part of the plea agreement, Alexander must submit to random drug tests and a mental health examination.

His interaction with the unidentified female victim is likewise prohibited.

Last year, Alexander, who was only married to Spears for 55 hours, had a number of run-ins with the authorities for various infractions in 2021.

In August 2021, he was brought into jail at Nashville International Airport after allegedly attempting to circumvent the security line and enter an area that was supposed to be off-limits.

At Nashville International Airport, authorities were alerted to a security breach following a report that a guy who had already been through the TSA check was spotted entering and returning to the secure section of the airport without passing through TSA again. Alexander was the man.

On Instagram Live on Tuesday, the 39-year-old described his arrest as a "inconvenience."

"You end up in handcuffs for something stupid," he said. "The media and police are not your friends."

He went on to declare that he "done nothing wrong" as he discussed the event.

ALSO READ: Demi Lovato Finished Another Stint in Rehab in Secret

He was also charged with a misdemeanor and freed on $2,500 bond at the time of the incident.

An arrest for DUI, unauthorized use of drug paraphernalia, and possession or casual trade of a controlled substance occurred in January 2021 in Nashville, Tennessee.

Most people remember him from his brief marriage to Britney Spears.

In a Las Vegas chapel one night, they decided to get married to each other as long-lost childhood pals. Allegedly, the pop star's family forced the dissolution of the union.

Following her marriage to Kevin Federline in the same year, Spears had two boys, Sean Preston, 16, and Jayden James. In 2007, they divorced.

By joining in the #FreeBritney rally in August 2020, Alexander demonstrated that he still cares for his ex-wife despite the fact that she has been in conservatorship for 13 years.

"She's really been a prisoner," he said on a podcast at the time, according to Newsweek. "She's been playing along with the script but kind of waiting it out."

Celebrity conservatorship was lifted in November. Britney Spears is presently engaged to Sam Asghari.

ALSO READ: Prince Harry, Meghan Markle Make Prince William, Kate Suffer Big Time With Latest Shocking Snub: 'Completely Cut Ties!'
11 January 2022

Today the EPO publishes two more case studies and a podcast in its series on how technology transfer from university research teams can create new companies, new jobs and new markets. The series includes examples from Austria, Italy, Ireland, Sweden and Turkey. Each case study provides advice for researchers and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to help them make better use of the patent system. They show how companies can adapt their patent strategy as it grows, in response to threats and opportunities, whilst balancing cashflow issues in the fragile early years.

The first case study is about Blubrake, a spin-off from the Politecnico di Milano which developed an award-winning anti-lock braking system for e-bikes and e-cargos. Incubator e-Novia provided industrial expertise combined with a smart patenting strategy, helping to turn university researchers into entrepreneurs and their technology into a market success. Despite the economic crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the company has been growing fast by providing safety to green mobility. The accompanying podcast features Blubrake's co-founder and general manager Fabio Todeschini along with technology transfer expert Massimiliano Granieri, who also wrote the case study, and examines Blubrake's journey from research lab to market from their perspective.

The second case study looks at 3D printing technologies from Cubicure, one of a number of successful spin-out companies from the Technical University of Vienna that sprang from IP developed jointly with industry partner Ivoclar. A long-term strategy by the university`s technology transfer experts, based on a smart distribution of patent usage rights, led to commercialisation by Ivoclar and the creation of several start-ups that are still supporting each other.

Two additional case studies from Germany and Portugal will follow next month, together with a series of podcasts on our "Talk Innovation" channel.

Further information
Per auto e veicoli leggeri il futuro e elettrico, Per camion, treni e bus: elettrico o idrogeno. Per navi e aerei occorre investire su combustibili alternativi
The Pound Canadian Dollar exchange rate has dipped today, with the Pound (GBP) subdued ahead of key US data and a strong Canadian Dollar (CAD) off the back of rising oil prices.

At time of writing the GBP/CAD exchange rate is at around $1.7158, which is roughly -0.2% down from this mornings opening figures.

Pound (GBP) Dips amid Subdued Market Mood and Profit Taking

The Pound (GBP) has dropped this afternoon following significant gains against its rivals this morning, with Sterling hitting a 23 month high against the Euro. A subdued market mood ahead of the US Chair Jerome Powells testimony this afternoon is likely to be a factor, as well as potential profit taking.

The Pound is likely to be buoyed throughout the day by the UKs gradual easing of Covid-19 measures. Reports on Monday indicated that Prime Minister Johnson was considering further reducing the countrys isolation period from 7 days to 5, whilst confirmatory PCR tests for those exposed to the virus have been scrapped as of Tuesday.

Whilst many UK ministers are keen for the government to push ahead with plans to live with Covid, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has stressed that it is too soon for countries to treat Covid-19 as a flu-like virus.

Catherine Smallwood, WHOs senior emergency officer for Europe, had the following to say on the matter at a media briefing:
Tuesday, January 11, 2022

Were pleased to inform you that Lexis Nexis has introduced new legal issue analysis for PTAB ex parte decisions in LexisNexis PatentAdvisor. For further details, please see their announcement below:

LexisNexis introduces new legal issue analysis for PTAB ex parte decisions in LexisNexis PatentAdvisor, enabling search issue-tagged decisions and locating effective arguments at every interaction with the USPTO.

LexisNexis Legal & Professional today announced the launch of PTAB Decisions, an enhancement to the market-leading patent prosecution analytics tool LexisNexis PatentAdvisor. This launch follows the acquisition of issue-tagged data from Anticipat for ex parte appeal documents.

Last year more than 7,500 PTAB decisions were made by the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) at the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)most resulting from a lengthy, costly process for prosecutors. Yet each decision can be an important resource to support and streamline the prosecution process, making extracting, tagging, and organizing relevant patent appeal content a critical component in their workflow.

PTAB Decisions search in the PatentAdvisor analytics platform features over 111,000 ex parte appeal documents, since 2007, tagged to 217 legal issues, enabling prosecutors to easily find winning arguments and get more accurate and relevant prosecution guidance. PTAB Decision data reveals the substance behind the statistics to guide specific response strategy and gives insights into additional information about examiner behavior that is beneficial throughout all stages of the prosecution process. The dataset will be continuously updated and tagged with the relevant issues using AI-supported algorithms and validated by patent experts.

Our company has been serving the USPTO for more than 50 years, helping to digitize and streamline the prosecution process. With the launch of PTAB Decisions, we continue our commitment to supporting the evolution of the IP professional and fostering data-driven patent prosecution. said Andrew Matuch, President, LexisNexis Reed Tech and Intellectual Property Solutions.

PTAB Decision search is now available in LexisNexis PatentAdvisor.

To learn more or request a demo, visit http://www.lexisnexisip.com/patentadvisor

About LexisNexis Legal & Professional:

LexisNexis Legal & Professional is a leading global provider of legal, regulatory, and business information and analytics that help customers increase productivity, improve decision-making and outcomes, and advance the rule of law around the world. As a digital pioneer, the company was the first to bring legal and business information online with its Lexis and Nexis services. LexisNexis Legal & Professional, which serves customers in more than 130 countries with 10,000 employees worldwide, is part of RELX Group, a global provider of information and analytics for professional and business customers across industries.

About LexisNexis Intellectual Property Solutions

LexisNexis Intellectual Property Solutions brings clarity to innovation for businesses worldwide. We enable innovators to accomplish more by helping them make informed decisions, be more productive, comply with regulations and ultimately achieve a competitive advantage for their business. Our suite of workflow and analytics solutions (LexisNexis IP Data Direct, LexisNexis PatentAdvisor, LexisNexis PatentOptimizer, LexisNexis PatentSight, and LexisNexis TotalPatent One) enables companies to be more efficient and effective at bringing meaningful innovations to our world. We are proud to directly support and serve these innovators in their endeavors to better humankind.

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j.morel@lexisnexis.com

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EDGAR ROMERO/AP

The Great Texas Airshow will return to Joint Air Base San Antonio in April after it was canceled last year in response to the pandemic.

The popular aerial event is set to take place April 23 and 24 at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph and will celebrate the 75th anniversary of the U.S. Air Force, according to a news release. The announcement of the show's return comes amid a surge of COVID-19 cases locally and nationally.
Some of the best years of my life  I miss those people.

Good times and memories, but I have moved on.

Not my best days, but I have made peace with them.

Glad to be away from those people  I dont miss the high school experience.

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Debbie Brooks was hard at work one day back in October when her husband told her two genealogists were trying to reach her.

It was urgent, he told her. Brooks, a senior planner at a semi-conductor plant in central Florida, was thinking it had to be a scam when she responded to the call.

The genealogists had a question:

Did she have a relative whod disappeared a long time ago?

Of course, Brooks said. Her brother, Harold Dean Clouse, had gone missing more than 40 years ago.

Hundreds of miles away, Misty Gillis had news.

We believe we found him, she said. He was murdered. His body was found in 1981.

Theyd also found the body of a young woman, who they were still trying to identify.

Patrick Connolly/Contributor

A young family heads west

When he left his home in Florida to build houses in Houston, life seemed promising for Harold Dean Clouse, said his mother, Donna Casasanta.

Junior, as she called him, had grown up in New Smyrna, a beach town in central Florida.

Hed been a good student, earning decent grades. He had a penchant for taking care of people, Casasanta said, recalling one time when his sisters stormed in after school, upset hed picked up a hitchhiker on the drive home.

But he was sometimes prone to poor decisions, said Brooks, his older sister. In the mid-1970s, hed run off and joined a cult. She said hed dabbled with drugs.

It wasnt until hed returned from that misadventure that he met Tina Gail Linn, his brother-in-laws sister.

Hed started working as a finish carpenter for homebuilders all over New Smyrna and the surrounding region.

Soon, hed become totally infatuated with Linn, Casasanta recalled. But she didnt realize how serious it was until hed walked into their home with news: Theyd gotten married at the courthouse the day before.

They had Hollie soon after. Family photos from that time portray a smiling, young couple cuddling a young toddler. Clouse had a shaggy, roguish haircut and three-day stubble, while Linn had long, blond brown hair and quiet eyes.

With responsibility for a family, Clouse told his mom that he was thinking about moving to Texas.

His bosses wanted to hire him to work full time in Houston with a well-paying job. I can take better care of Tina and the baby! she recalled him saying.

Casasanta agreed to let him borrow  and ultimately buy  her car. He packed the familys belongings into the vehicle, and they headed west.

For a time, letters occasionally arrived in Florida from Clouse and Linn. Then, in late 1980, the letters ceased.

A few months later, Casasanta received a call from a group of people saying they had Clouses car and would drive it back to her from California for $1,000.

This is strange, she recalled thinking.

She agreed to pay the money  then talked to police who patronized the restaurant where she worked.

A trio of women showed up with the car, dressed in religious-looking robes. One appeared to be in her 30s; the other two seemed younger.

Casasanta begged them to let her speak to Clouse, to give her some information about her son.

They couldnt answer any questions about Clouse or Linn, Casasanta recalled, only told her that theyd joined a religious group and were cutting ties with the family.

That was weird, she said. When we really got frightened, and we started searching and searching.

Patrick Connolly/Contributor

Unidentified remains

On a January day in 1981, a dog in north Harris County wandered out of the woods on a block near Wallisville Road. It carried a human arm in its jaws.

That grisly finding led police to the bodies of two people: a young man, beaten to death, and a woman, who died after being strangled. The remains suggested the two people had been dead for a couple of months. Both were 5 feet 4 inches to 5 feet 8 inches tall and had "beautiful teeth," a forensic investigator told the Chronicle in 2011. A pair of green gym shorts and a bloody towel were found discarded near their bodies.

Their identities were a mystery. At the time, medical investigators hired a pastel artist to create sketches based on photos of the corpses  and several other unidentified bodies that police were trying to name.

The move was probably our last shot, the now-deceased medical investigator, Cecil Wingo, said at the time.

But their efforts were fruitless. In Florida, months stretched into years, Casasanta and the couples other relatives waited and wondered. They registered the couple on lists of missing persons. At first, they startled every time the phone rang, wondering if the call contained news. Every time Debbie Brooks went shopping, she watched the people around her, wondering if one of them might be Clouse.

She found herself doing doubletakes as she drove down the road, while passing men who resembled her brother.

Was that Junior?

You cant lay it down, you cant put it to the side, said Casasanta.

After five years and still no information, they inquired with the Social Security Administration and the Salvation Army. They made sure the couples names were on annual missing persons lists.

We always hoped for the best, said Les Linn, Tinas brother.

But they never got any answers.

We pretty much thought they had joined this religious group and didnt want to have contact with us, Linn said.

Years stretched into decades.

Authorities in Harris County exhumed the bodies in July 2011 to extract DNA from them  part of a broader effort to close cases that were still open but had gone cold decades before. Investigators were hoping to determine if the two were related. But that still didnt bring any breaks in the case.

Courtesy

The case remained stagnant until late 2021, when employees at Identifinders International, a California-based organization that performs genetic genealogy for law enforcement, contacted the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences and asked to test the remains.

In this case, the remains were in good condition and investigators had plenty of material to work with, said Misty Gillis, one of the Identifinders investigators who worked the case. They uploaded the information to Gedmatch.com, a genealogy site that allows users to share their genetic information with law enforcement agencies across the country. (Other sites, such as 23andme or ancestry.com, do not share their information with police.)

Soon, they were able to connect Clouses DNA to that of close cousins living in Kentucky.

It had taken her 10 days to track down the identity of a man whod been nameless for 40 years. She began searching for contact information for Clouses cousins and other relatives, trying to find out if her hunch was right.

The break in the case was the latest in an increasing number of cold-cases brought to resolution with the help of new genealogical testing. In recent years, millions of people have uploaded their DNA into genealogy testing sites such as Gedmatch.com or familytreeDNA.com. The information on the sites have helped people connect with long-lost relatives and learn about their origins.

Genealogy tracing has become an increasingly popular tool with homicide investigators attempting to close long-ago murders, especially after police in California used such techniques to identify the Golden State Killer, a former police officer who became a prolific serial killer responsible for the murders of at least 13 people and the rapes of 50 women between 1973 and 1986. Texas Rangers and police in Beaumont used advanced DNA testing techniques and genealogical tracing last year to help close the decades-old murder of Mary Catherine Edwards.

The investigative technique has helped bring closure to at least 40 cases in recent years, said Carol Schweitzer, with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.

Genealogy doesnt just help authorities identify remains of unknown victims  such as Clouse and Linn  but also could help families recover missing children who disappeared decades ago, Schweitzer said.

A missing infant that was abducted to be raised by their abductor, or a child abducted by their non-custodial family member and taken to another country could be resolved with a lead generated by genealogy efforts, she said. We strongly believe there are some long term missing children out there, alive, waiting to be found, waiting to find the truth, and forensic genealogy resources could help finally reveal some long awaited answers.

Finally after four decades  information

In Florida, Brooks listened over the phone as Gillis and her colleague Allison Peacock broke the news  investigators believe theyd identified her brother. She learned they were still trying to identify the body of a woman theyd found with Clouse.

On the phone, Brooks absorbed the news. The woman was likely Tina, she said, explaining that Clouse had been married.

Peacock used that information to track down Florida marriage records, where they were able to find Linns name  and then contact her relatives, whose DNA confirmed her identity.

To think that, something not solved in 40 years  and in an hour, I know more than anyone, Peacock recalled. It was pretty amazing.

When Casasanta finally learned the fate of her son, the news answered the question that has agonized her for decades but brought sharp new pain.

I totally lost it, she said. I kept praying for God to show me what happened and where he died, but I dont know why anyone would want to hurt my son and wife. Weve taken it very hard.

Linn recalled his younger sisters excitement at getting married and leaving the challenging home shed grown up in.

She was excited to see what the future was going to bring, he recalled. That only made the news more heartbreaking. He felt confusion and guilt. Who would have inflicted such violence on his sister and her husband?

Brooks, meanwhile, had just one question: What about their baby?

The missing child

She told Peacock and Gillis that Tina Linn had given birth to a daughter shortly after the young couple got married. The baby, Hollie Marie, was just an infant when the couple went missing.

The few photos from that time show a toddler with short hair, just learning to walk. That her body wasnt found with the remains just raised more questions: Was she still alive? If she was, whoever took her likely had information about her parents deaths  or may have even been responsible for them.

If the baby is still alive, she would be turning 42  although she likely doesnt know anything about her true identity: her birthday, her parents, their deaths  or the dozens of relatives out there wondering what happened to her.

That will likely present significant challenges for investigators, experts said. Their best hopes likely would lie in finding a match in a genealogy database or if the child had committed a crime and had her DNA added to federal forensic databases, said Fil Waters, a former Houston police homicide detective.

The process  especially with this DNA stuff  is only as good as the information inputted into the database, he said. But there were other steps detectives could take.

Unless these people were hermits, I would assume there was a person out there, who knows them, who knows they had a baby and might be able to give some information regarding the child, he added.

Casasanta takes heart in the fact that she finally knows what happened to her son.

We can lay it to rest. We know hes gone and shes gone and I know they are both in heaven, she said.

But she still wonders about Hollie.

I hope we can find her, she said.

Researcher Joyce Lee contributed to this report.

st.john.smith@chron.com
A judge dismissed several parts of a federal lawsuit filed by the family of a 61-year-old mentally ill woman who died in the Bexar County jail after losing 136 pounds.

In a ruling last week, United States District Judge Royce Lamberth granted partial summary judgment for Bexar County and University Health System, meaning portions of the lawsuit against them were dismissed.

However, he allowed other parts of the lawsuit to proceed  including claims that Bexar County and University Health violated Janice Dotson-Stephens right to medical care.

Those allegations will likely be decided during a civil trial, unless the parties settle the lawsuit privately before then.

Dotson-Stephens, who was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder and schizophrenia, was arrested in July 2018 on a misdemeanor criminal trespassing charge and held in the jail on $300 bail.

Because she had a history of mental health issues, she was placed in the jails infirmary, where staff noted her erratic behavior and her refusal to eat.

On ExpressNews.com: The life and tragic death of Janice Dotson-Stephens

Jail records, cited in the lawsuit, indicate that Dotson-Stephens refused meals at least 102 times  although attorneys representing Bexar County contend that jail staff left trays of food for Dotson-Stephens, so its possible she could have eaten some after they left.

By the time she died five months later, she had lost 136 pounds, the lawsuit states. The Bexar County Medical Examiners Office ruled that she died as a result of cardiovascular disease, contributed to by schizoaffective disorder.

Dotson-Stephens case drew national attention and raised concerns about the inequities of cash bail: how it often leaves poor defendants behind bars awaiting trial while those with money walk free.

It also sparked change within Bexar Countys indigent defense system, as it is unclear whether Dotson-Stephens, who had four children and 10 grandchildren, ever met with her court-appointed attorney during the five months she spent in jail.

Starting this month, a new program will oversee indigent defense in Bexar County, replacing a disjointed system of private court-appointed lawyers. Critics of the former system said too many private lawyers take more cases than they can handle, leaving clients languishing in jail.

Quite frankly, I dont blame them for the lawsuit, Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff said in 2019. I dont think we handled it right.

String of deaths

Dotson-Stephens death preceded that of several other high-profile deaths at the Bexar County Adult Detention Center.

Fernando Macias, who was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder and delusional disorder, died in the Bexar County jail on Dec. 16, 2018  two days after Dotson-Stephens.

A lawsuit filed by his family alleged that Macias, also 61, had lost more than 100 pounds and developed bed sores. It also alleged that he was dehydrated, malnourished and suffering from hypothermia. His oxygen levels were dangerously low, and he had not received dialysis for chronic kidney disease in months, the lawsuit states.

On ExpressNews.com: Family sues over jail death of mentally ill San Antonio man who lost 104 pounds, developed bed sores

Another man, 63-year-old Jack Ule, died in the jail about four months later. Ule, who was diagnosed with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, had been charged with a class B misdemeanor of criminal trespassing. His bail was $500.

All three families filed lawsuits against Bexar County and University Health, which provides health care in the jail.

Ules family settled its lawsuit with the county and University Health for $85,000. The lawsuit filed by Macias family remains open.

Specifically, Dotson-Stephens family alleged that the Bexar County and University Health violated her right to medical care and failed to protect her from cruel and unusual punishment.

The lawsuit named several others as defendants, including Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar, University Health Director Jessica Yao, Bexar County Pretrial Services Director Mike Lozito, San Antonio police officer Michael Kohlleppel and the city of San Antonio.

On ExpressNews.com: University Health System and Bexar County settle wrongful death jail lawsuit for $85,000

In his ruling last week, Lamberth dismissed Salazar, Lozito, Kohlleppel and the city of San Antonio from the lawsuit.

The lawsuit also alleged that the string of deaths at the jail showed that Bexar County demonstrated a pervasive pattern of failing to maintain minimum standards. The judge dismissed that claim.

However, Lamberth allowed other claims to stand  such one that alleges Bexar County and University Health violated the Americans with Disabilities Act.

eeaton@express-news.net
The halls of the federal justice system in San Antonio have moved west.

Judges, support staff and other federal employees have left the John H. Wood Jr. federal courthouse at Hemisfair park behind and settled into digs at the new federal courthouse, a 235,000-square-foot building at the southeast corner of West Nueva Street and South Santa Rosa Avenue.

The new courthouse, nearly two decades in the making, is not yet open for trials or court hearings in part because final touches are being made and the pandemic has stalled in-person hearings. But the $144.5 million courthouse has opened its doors for court business, including the filings of lawsuits and payment of fines.

The new building ushers in modern features, with touches of the past. It is much larger than the Wood building, a midcentury landmark that was originally the Confluence Theatre for HemisFair 68.

Jessica Phelps

We tried to do a little bit of old with the new, said U.S. District Judge Xavier Rodriguez, who has led the judiciarys efforts for the new building for 18 years. Its trying to acknowledge our history and bring it into our new courthouse.

Architects replicated the decorative ONeil Ford wood design in the old courthouse in the jury assembly room, Rodriguez said. The Ford design also was re-created in wood used inside the buildings eight courtrooms  in the swinging doors that separate the audience pews from the well, where the plaintiff (or prosecutor), defendant and the attorneys sit during a trial.

Additionally, dark brown leather was incorporated on walls behind the judges benches, similar to the leather that was used in one of the original federal district courts in San Antonio, which is now the Hipolito F. Garcia Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse, next to the Alamo. That building now houses the bankruptcy court and a post office, among other offices.

The center of the new courthouse is a large atrium with natural light coming through the courthouses many glass windows and walls. Office space takes up most of the three floors on one side of the atrium, while courtrooms and judicial chambers are on the opposite side, on two of the floors.

Jessica Phelps

No longer will jurors assemble in the old courthouses windowless basement, which some jokingly referred to as the dungeon. Instead, the jury assembly room in the new courthouse will give jurors views of San Pedro Creek and its River Walk-like walkway  once Bexar County finishes the creek projects ongoing construction.

A stage-like platform was built on the ground floor, below the jury assembly room. Judges plan to use the platform for some ceremonies, such as naturalizations.

A vibrant mural called Riparian Nexus, commissioned by the Art in Architecture Program of the General Services Administration, hangs on a wall below the jury assembly area. The creation of Laredo-born artist Thomas Glassford, the abstract incorporates elements of San Antonios landscape, as well as traditional justice symbols in a work that depicts that justice should flow freely, according to a description of the work.

Jessica Phelps

Glassford also created a long bulbous glass sculpture that hangs from the atrium ceiling and a separate metal sculpture that adorns the exterior of the courthouses west end. They are abstract representations of the scales of justice, Rodriguez said.

The courtrooms are outfitted with modern technology and new furnishings, and employees no longer have to worry about faulty heating and cooling systems, like they saw at the Wood courthouse.

Also, the jury deliberation rooms are hugely improved, Rodriguez said. In the Wood building, 12 people could hardly fit in the deliberation rooms, and there was practically no privacy for jurors going to the bathroom.

Besides function and aesthetics, the new courthouse was also designed to address security issues evident at the Wood building.

At the Wood courthouse, inmates were visible to the public when they were brought to court because transport vehicles descended into an open sally port behind the courthouse. Sharpshooters were often posted around the courthouse for security when defendants or witnesses were brought in during high-profile criminal trials.

At the new courthouse, the sally port is enclosed by iron fence and no longer open to public view, and the U.S. Marshals Service now has holding cells that allow it to separate prisoners from inmates who are cooperating.

Additionally, the judges chambers are housed deep behind secured doors and hallways, not mere feet from the lobby, like they were in the Wood courthouse.

At the Wood courthouse, judges, jurors and court employees used the same corridors and elevators as inmates. At the new courthouse, theres no more intermingling with prisoners, Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez also said the grand jury area is now more hidden and secure than it was in the Wood building.

Jessica Phelps

Judges moved into the courthouse in the latter half of December, along with employees of the clerks office and the U.S. Marshals Service. Employees of the U.S. Probation Office moved in over the weekend.

The courthouse also has executive offices because it serves as headquarters for the Western District of Texas, including the clerk, probation and pretrial services, among others.

It also includes office space for the federal public defender, the U.S. Attorneys Office and the U.S. General Services Administration, which oversees the construction of the new building. The GSA said the builder is Brasfield & Gorrie of Birmingham, Ala., and the architects are Munoz & Co. and Lake | Flato Architects, both of San Antonio.

Funding was pushed through Congress with efforts by U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, and San Antonios congressional delegation, including Rep. Henry Cuellar.

Getting this courthouse off the ground was years in the making and to see those efforts now come full circle as they prepare to open their doors is fulfilling, Cornyn said. A new legacy of safety, community and justice is on the horizon for the people of San Antonio.

Because funding limited the original design, the new courthouse does not have its own public parking. Jurors and visitors must use paid parking lots in the area.

Congress will have to decide what to name the new building. The old courthouse was named for U.S. District Judge John H. Wood Jr., who was killed in May 1979 in a murder-for-hire plot.

Rodriguez said a space has been set aside on the third floor to display Woods judicial robe and portrait and a plaque to pay tribute to the slain judge.

We tried to give a lot of thought to the building and tried to get it all, Rodriguez said.

guillermo.contreras@express-news.net | Twitter: @gmaninfedland
On the banks of the San Antonio River on the South Side, near the Hot Wells park and VFW Boulevard, a tractor is shredding trees and leaving mulch in its wake.

It chomps them up quickly and spits out wooden pieces, layering a portion of the river slope before moving on to the next trunk. So far, yards of trees have been reduced to mulch, while the bank on the other side of the river is completely cleared.

Before the tractors, this area looked like a little forest, with trees and shrubs so dense in parts that passersby could make out the river only through occasional cracks in the vegetation. Residents nearby loved the leafy additions to the river and how the shade made the path there accessible in the summer heat.

But in October, much to the shock of locals, the San Antonio River Authority began removing trees to create a grassland prairie as part of the Mission Reach Ecosystem Restoration and Recreation Project. The process, which takes months, is intended to restore habitat and, more importantly, prevent floods.

On ExpressNews.com: San Antonio River fish making a comeback

Floodplain models produced by the Federal Emergency Management Agency in 2017 predict which types of habitats would best prevent flooding in San Antonio. Habitats along the San Antonio River range from dense woodlands to grasslands. Near Hot Wells, the models called for an area with far fewer trees.

What weve done with the Mission Reach restoration project is create a healthy ecosystem and manage flood control as best we can equally, said Steven Schauer, director for external communications at the river authority. Flood control, however, does take priority, and in some areas, trees and shrubs can negatively impact the floodplain.  Its really about finding the perfect balance.

Trees on the bank

Before the Mission Reach restoration project began in 2008, the river looked more like a drainage ditch. Non-native grass sloped to a winding channel with no recreational paths.

San Antonios native ecosystem consists of grasslands, with dense forest areas and live oaks to the north and prairie land in central Bexar County.

To restore the land to how it was, Bexar County, the city of San Antonio and SARA worked together on the improvements, which were overseen by the Army Corps of Engineers. The priorities  in order  were flood control, restoration and recreation.

Robin Jerstad /Contributor

When SARA began to rip up the trees by Hot Wells, however, many residents were mortified. After watching the trees slowly grow since the restoration began nearly a decade ago, the immediate reaction was devastation and confusion.

Justin Parr, who often uses the trail for recreation, was frustrated by what he felt was an inhuman approach to the tree removal. While he understood the importance of floodplain data, he wished the process had been done with a human touch, such as cutting down the trees by hand and leaving some up. Heavy machinery, he worries, can cause the soil to become compacted, which can harm future growth.

SARA said the tractors were needed to shred the trees, creating mulch nutrients for the future grasslands.

All the wildlife is gone, all the trees are gone, Parr said. Its like your happiness is gone with it. Its like the drainage ditch again.

Meanwhile, he expressed concern about the plastic weed guard fabric and drip irritation tubing from the earlier tree planting, which he says is being chopped up in the process. Hes also concerned that wildlife, such as turtles, are being harmed in the process.

When it rains, Parr said, much of the material will be swept into the river. He said hes found small pieces of plastic from drip irritation floating downstream.

Schauer said that while a SARA trash team collects large pieces of plastic that they see and removes them from the brush, smaller bits might be missed.

But for SARA, this process is necessary.

Near Hot Wells, the trees  or stems, as SARA calls them  can worsen flood conditions along the river by widening the floodplain, causing water to accumulate on the bank instead of flowing downstream. Grassland gives the water room to move, preventing the river from rising during a storm. While some trees can remain to hold the river shoulder in place, most need to go.

Denser vegetation in a river channel results in greater hydraulic roughness, said Brian Laub, assistant professor in the environmental science and ecology department at the University of Texas at San Antonio.

That means water flows more slowly, he said.

It tends to back up that water and hold it a little longer and increase flood levels, Laub said.

Restoring native grassland as a means of flood control isnt necessary in other parts of the riverbank, where woody vegetation is less threatening, Schauer said. It depends on the floodplain map.

Change in plans

Creating grassland along the river wasnt always the plan. Originally, Parr said, the goal had always been trees. SARA had planted 22,000 for the restoration project, including some in the Hot Wells location.

Now theyre coming back and saying its planned to be a grassland, he said. No one ever told us that could change or would change so suddenly.

But during the restoration projects early stages, the floodplain map showed a different outlook for the bank.

The original floodplain map, from 2008, didnt require the same flood controls that the current map does, said Kristen Hansen, manager of SARAs Watershed and Parks Operations Department. When new data comes on board, like the 2017 floodplain map, we are required to use it. And the new map found that the bank (by VFW and Hot Wells) could only handle very few trees during a flood, not all the trees that either we planted or came up on their own.

On ExpressNews.com: A hard rains gonna fall  but where? Engineers hone system for predicting San Antonio flooding

About 90 percent of the trees being removed during the current effort are ones not planted by SARA, referred to as volunteer trees. Before the work at Hot Wells, SARA also removed trees farther south between VFW and Southeast Military. Next year, it plans to remove trees north of the current spot.

Dense vegetation can have many benefits for a rivers ecosystem, such as providing shade to keep water cooler and adding nutrients from organic material such as leaves, Laub said. But vegetated grassland can also provide similar benefits. Grassland can prevent banks from eroding and add its own nutrients to the river.

After the trees are removed, SARA will plant native seeds throughout the bank, which the tree mulch will help fertilize. Already, the area that was converted to grassland last year looks like a wild prairie.

In a years time, this place (by Hot Wells) wont look so ripped up, Hansen. said Itll be all green and lush, with native plants and flowers.

Elena Bruess writes for the Express-News through Report for America, a national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms. ReportforAmerica.org. elena.bruess@express-news.net
Starting this spring, you can fly nonstop from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport to London.

Virgin Atlantic, founded by British billionaire Richard Branson, will begin service to Londons Heathrow Airport on May 25. This will be the airlines first new route from the U.S. since 2015.

On ExpressNews.com: 'Pretty bizarre': Flocks of birds swarm a Texas shopping mall

The service will operate four times a week on the airlines 787-9 aircraft, which boasts 31 upper class, 35 premium and 192 economy seats.

The new service will connect the growing tech hub of Austin directly to London, a leading destination for tech start-ups.

Passengers flying to London can also connect with other Virgin Atlantic destinations, including Delhi, Mumbai and Shanghai.

"This exciting new partnership helps meet our goals of continued recovery from the impacts of the pandemic and furthers our commitment to being the Gateway of Central Texas for both leisure and business travelers alike, said Jacqueline Yaft, AUS chief executive officer in a news release.

Juha Jarvinen, the chief commercial officer at Virgin Atlantic said the airline is excited to launch the new service.

With an impressive food, arts and music scene, we know its a destination our British customers will love to explore, Jarvinen said in the news release.

On ExpressNews.com: Fly to Puerto Rico for $60 out of San Antonio

The upper class menu on Virgins other international flights are impressive. Starters include a pear Waldorf salad with herbal loverage leaves and smoked duck breast with fennel and dill salad. One of the main dishes is a braised pork cheek with cauliflower puree.

Flights, which will operate on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, will be on sale Wednesday at virginatlantic.com. Return economy fares start from $708 per person.

The first flight will depart Austin at 6:05 p.m. and arrive in London at 9 a.m. for a next-day arrival. The return flights will depart London at 11:35 a.m. and arrive in Austin at 4:05 p.m.

Timothy.Fanning@express-news.net
The quiet of a pandemic helped Councilwoman Ana Sandoval come to a big decision.

Shes not so unusual in this regard. A global lull gave others the opportunity to re-evaluate and reset their lives.

Without that halt to my everyday life, I may have simply kept rushing from one initiative to the next and awoken at the end of my term limit, 50 and childless.

Instead, the single, 46-year-old climate change expert and environmental planner is pregnant after using an insurance policy shed taken out in her 30s, when she had her eggs extracted, frozen and stored.

On her first try, in vitro fertilization was successful. IVF is a reproductive procedure in which an egg is fertilized by sperm outside a womans body then implanted in her uterus.

Now in her second trimester, shes healthy, happy and triple vaccinated. Her baby is expected in early June.

Hers was a choice years in the making. Had she not acted, it wouldve become the decision.

It was incredibly courageous, especially for a woman in the public sphere. You cant help but admire that.

Yet becoming a mother while unmarried and not in a relationship can be controversial for any woman, more so for a politician. IVF is also controversial. Its medically challenging, expensive and not always successful.

But Sandoval is part of a special political breed  strong, resilient, educated, an innate planner and a trained one.

Shes prepared for congratulations from a town that cherishes children and family, albeit the more traditional.

The councilwoman, who holds degrees from Stanford and Harvard universities and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, is also braced for potential fallout from the public, even opponents and ex-boyfriends, though none have a role in this chapter of her life.

Her most recent former partner Mario Bravo sits on City Council with her. Together for several years, they ended their relationship well before he ran for District 1 office.

Sandoval is preparing for it all  from getting upgrades in her home to surrounding herself with a network of family and friends from here to Monterrey, where she was born.

Her family immigrated when she was an infant, and Sandoval grew up in San Antonio and went to Jefferson High School at the same time as the Castro brothers.

Another classmate Roxanna Montes, principal of Lamar Elementary School, is a member of Sandovals village and attends doctors visits with her.

Sandovals decision didnt surprise her.

This is something shes always wanted, Montes said. It says a lot about her as a person, as a leader, as a woman of a certain age.

Im extremely proud of her, Montes said.

The happiness was overshadowed by the illness of Sandovals father. It started last summer, right after she vacationed alone in Chiapas, Mexico, to decide on IVF.

Tomas Mauricio Sandoval, who died in November, was supportive, as is her mother Julia Sandoval, who lives next door to the councilwoman.

The first few months were very stressful, Sandoval said. It wasnt as joyful as it could have been, but he knew. He was looking forward to it.

Sandoval remains at work. Her priorities include infrastructure improvements from the citys $1.2 billion bond program.

She and her staff are also focused on constituent services and their chief concern  code compliance.

Outside of work, shes walking, doing yoga, dancing and eating well, mostly. A Whataburger sits awfully close to her field office.

God willing, she says, the baby will arrive safely and someday decide to go to college, though shes trying not to get ahead of herself.

She isnt the first woman, nor the last, to raise a child without a partner. She has all the concerns any parent might have about raising a child in the middle of a pandemic, as climate change looms and U.S. democracy is under attack.

This isnt the right choice for every woman, but she has chosen hope.

The baby can hear, she said of its development. Her doctors know its gender, but she doesnt yet know.

She hesitates giving other women advice but says IVF is possible for some women, even single ones.

Just be aware of what your options are. Dont feel corralled into a corner, she said.

Thats true for all women deciding to have children or not, getting married or not, or marrying only because they want children.

Thats unfair to children.

Its hard to go against the traditional mold, Sandoval said. At the end of the day, its your choice.

Even here in this very Catholic, very traditional town, choosing to be a single parent is possible. Career and family, though difficult, are possible together.

Adoption is another option. So is mothering  and fathering  without being a parent, per se. So many are required in each village.

Parenthood means new romantic relationships are possible, too.

That has no age limit, Sandoval said.

She laughs at what she just said. Though, Im not exactly in the market right now.

eayala@express-news.net
A rural sheriff near the Texas border is under criminal investigation for allegedly having his deputies illegally seize money and a truck from undocumented immigrants during traffic stops.

Last month, investigators with the Texas Rangers and the Texas Attorney Generals Office raided four Real County Sheriffs Office locations as part of an investigation into Sheriff Nathan Johnson, according to search warrants obtained this week by The Texas Tribune. The investigating Texas Ranger said Johnson admitted to regularly seizing money from undocumented immigrants during traffic stops, even if they were not accused of any state crime, before handing them over to United States Border Patrol agents.

One sheriff's deputy told investigators that seizing currency from undocumented immigrants and the driver has been standard operation procedure for as long as he has been employed by the Real County Sheriffs Office, Texas Ranger Ricardo Guajardo wrote in the warrant requests.Guajardo accused Johnson of felony-level theft by a public servant and abuse of official capacity, alleging the sheriffs cash and vehicle seizures were in violation of the states relatively lenient civil asset forfeiture laws.

Johnson did not respond to specific questions Monday, stating that his and county attorneys are reviewing the newly released affidavit. In November, he told investigators money and cars are sometimes held as evidence for potential criminal cases, according to Guajardo. After his offices were raided in December, Johnson said in a Facebook post that he didnt know what prompted the investigation, had not been arrested and would continue to serve his constituents.

Especially in the last year, I have taken a strong stand against human smuggling, drug smuggling, and illegal alien traffic in our community and will continue to do so, Johnson wrote.

Its unclear if any charges have been or will be filed against Johnson. The attorney generals office did not respond to questions Monday, and the Texas Department of Public Safety said it had no information to release.

The search warrants were carried out at two sheriffs offices and two impound lots last month to seek evidence investigators believe will bolster their case against Johnson. The warrants include computers, cellphones, seized evidence regarding money or vehicles, financial statements and other data going back to 2017, when Johnson took office.

The investigation into the Republican sheriff is underway as a political firestorm rages over immigration policy, with the state and country facing record-high levels of U.S.-Mexico border crossings. Blaming the rise on President Joe Biden, Gov. Greg Abbott has sent thousands of state police and military personnel to arrest and jail people suspected of having crossed the border illegally on state criminal charges.

Real County is home to about 3,400 residents and is near but not on the border, sitting about 100 miles northeast of Del Rio, the epicenter of migrant crossings in Texas last year and a focus of Abbotts border security operation.

In Texas, police can take cash and property believed to be related to criminal activity, even if the person involved is never charged with a crime. Such seizures, however, require an already controversial forfeiture process during which prosecutors must file a civil lawsuit against the property for police to keep it.

Johnson, however, told Guajardo in November that he did not initiate such proceedings, the warrant stated. Instead, in two instances when Real County was assisted by neighboring law enforcement agencies, the sheriff classified seized property as abandoned or labeled it as evidence for potential charges, according to the warrant.

Aside from potential criminal charges, avoiding the states forfeiture laws creates constitutional concerns and bad optics, according to Arif Panju, the managing attorney for the Texas office of the Institute for Justice, a legal organization against civil asset forfeiture.

If youre doing it outside the judicial process, you can see the perverse incentive that would exist, Panju said. If you could seize these things, not go to a court, seize it unilaterally and then keep it in your budget  that is again policing for profit with zero oversight.

Guajardo began investigating Johnson in October after discussions with the attorney generals office, the warrant said, focusing on two traffic stops.

Body camera footage of a May 2021 traffic stop taken by a sheriff's deputy from neighboring Edwards County showed Johnson directing his deputies to seize money and a truck from undocumented immigrants. The seized money was to be filed as abandoned cash and deposited into the Real County general fund, Guajardo detailed. Johnson said he would try to find the trucks registered owners, but after 30 days the vehicle would also be considered abandoned.

During another traffic stop in October, more than $2,700 in cash taken from three immigrants wallets was said to be marked as evidence while waiting to see if human smuggling charges against the driver would stick. The other two men were referred to Border Patrol, where they asked what had happened to the money in their wallets. Guajardo said the seizing deputy couldnt say under what authority the money was taken, just that Johnson told him to take it.

When Guajardo questioned Johnson about the October seizure, the sheriff said no legal forfeiture paperwork was filed in money seizures, but that money and vehicles were being held as evidence due to trafficking crimes. Days after the traffic stop, Johnson said he consulted with the local district attorney and was told he needed to initiate forfeiture proceedings after property seizures.

Before then, Guajardo wrote that Johnson said his office was seizing all currency to include currency in possession of undocumented immigrants before being released to the custody of the United States Border Patrol.

This article originally appeared in the Texas Tribune. The Texas Tribune is a nonprofit, nonpartisan media organization that informs Texans  and engages with them  about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues.
After a cool start to the week, the San Antonio area is expected to see a warming trend before another cold front moves in Saturday.

The high is expected to be 59 on both Monday and Tuesday followed by 64 on Wednesday and the low 70s Thursday and Friday. On Saturday, high temperatures will take a tumble back into the 50s.

On ExpressNews.com: A deep freeze and a flooded state Capitol: These were the strange weather events in South Central Texas last year

Below is a day-to-day breakdown of what to expect:

Monday: A breezy and cool day is expected as temperatures struggle to get out of the 50s, according to the National Weather Service. The forecast calls for a daytime high of near 59 with northeast winds around 15 mph and gusts as high as 25 mph.

The winds are expected to die down by the afternoon and evening, setting up a chilly night with temperatures dropping to a low of 38 overnight into Tuesday.

Tuesday: The NWS is predicting below normal temperatures with a possible morning freeze for much of Hill Country.

San Antonios forecast calls for partly sunny skies with a high near 59. Overnight temperatures should dip to about 44.

Wednesday: Expect warmer conditions with a high of near 64 in San Antonio. Expect partly cloudy skies with a low around 43.

Thursday: As the warming trend continues, San Antonios forecast calls for a high of near 71 with plenty of sunshine. Mostly clear skies are expected overnight into Friday with a low around 47.

Friday: Ahead of the weekend cold front, Friday is expected to see a high of near 73 with southwest winds as high as 10 mph and gusts as high as 20 mph. The expected overnight low into Saturday is 50 degrees with a slight chance of rain.

Saturday: Expect mostly cloudy skies with a high of 58. Overnight lows may reach around 37.

Timothy.Fanning@express-news.net
When the people charged with protecting us are in crisis, we all suffer.

Recent reports indicate a Texas National Guard in disarray, with members burdened by low wages and poor living conditions.

The most recent incidents involved two soldiers; one reportedly accidentally killed himself in an alcohol-related shooting incident, while another survived a suicide attempt, according to a Jan. 4 report by the Army Times.

Just weeks before, on Dec. 23, the Army Times reported four other suspected suicides in two months among Guard members.

On ExpressNews.com: Commentary: Biden needs to stop building the border wall

All six soldiers were supporting Operation Lone Star, the controversial mission ordered by Gov. Greg Abbott to stem the flow of immigrants across the U.S.-Mexico border.

Discovering an infantry NCO who had cut his wrists Dec. 28 in a hotel room near McAllen, four soldiers slowed the bleeding long enough for paramedics to arrive and save his life.

The shooting death, under investigation, took the life of a junior enlisted soldier in McAllen from the same mobilized unit  3rd Battalion, 141st Infantry.

Texas National Guard chaplains ordered a morale survey Jan. 3, two days after the incident.

These incidents are unacceptable, and they must be addressed  immediately  by the governor and the military.

Morale problems abound, many involving pay and benefits. The state has struggled to pay soldiers on time, while slashing the two-year tuition assistance budget in half, from $3 million to $1.4 million, according to the Houston Chronicle.

Eric Gay /Associated Press

The Texas Military Department told KHOU 11 News approximately 150 service members were experiencing pay issues, but while a spokesman told reporters the issues have been corrected, the department did not respond to further requests for comment last week from the Houston Chronicle.

No connection between the deaths and the Operation Lone Star mission has been established, but some soldiers faced disruption in their lives following orders to protect the border, often with only a few days notice, as well as problems with pay, health care and educational benefits.

Gov. Abbot is the commander-in-chief of the Texas National Guard, Beto ORourke, the leading Democratic candidate for governor, said in a statement. If he chooses to deploy those under his command, it is his duty to pay them, deliver the benefits he promised them, and ensure they receive proper mental health support in order to prevent the kind of tragedy weve seen in recent months. And if he cant justify their deployment, he owes it to them and their families to send them home.

If pay issues have been corrected, as the Texas Military Department said, officials must be transparent about them. We must not minimize what these men and women do. Whether in Afghanistan or Texas, Guard members risk their lives for us.

On ExpressNews.com: Editorial: Operation Lone Star is a disgrace

To send them on a mission motivated by politics is cruel and stupid. Abbott has deployed 10,000 Guard members to set up border fencing and help Department of Public Safety troopers carry out his plan to arrest and jail migrants on state charges, turning the border into the equivalent of a militarized zone.

More than 2,000 immigrants have been apprehended since the mission started, but legal issues arise when they are detained by state troopers instead of Border Patrol agents. Many, as a result, have been allowed to stay and pursue refugee status. This makes the mission a bureaucratic as well as moral failure.

If Abbott wants to solve the morale crisis within the Guard, he can start by shelving this failing mission. Even if no direct link has been established between the mission and the suicides, such a connection is not only plausible, it is reasonable.

The morale survey should deliver some answers. The question is, how many more tragedies will we see before it is complete? There is no reason to wait. The governor must end his mission  now.
Republicans have gone all in on South Texas, but theyre not content for domination of state and congressional seats. They want local government, too.

One GOP group, Project Red Texas, spent the weeks before the December filing deadline to run in the March primary election traveling the region and recruiting candidates to run for county offices, offering to pay their filing fees. The group ended up helping get 125 candidates on the ballot across 25 counties, according to its leader, veteran party operative Wayne Hamilton. He said the group paid for well over half the filing fees.

Its a big deal, and a lot of it is that people are appreciative that someone is showing up to help, said Hamilton, who managed Gov. Greg Abbotts first gubernatorial campaign in 2014. Somebodys there, and they care enough to make an investment in their county. Thats what were doing.

The focus on county-level recruitment is among several fronts where Texas Republicans are pushing to make South Texas, with a large population of Hispanic voters, more competitive for themselves. They are emboldened to get a stronger foothold there after President Joe Biden underperformed there. This past year, some of the biggest political fights have started at the local level, including debates over school books and COVID-19 mandates.

Project Red Texas is targeting county offices that are on the primary ballot  offices like county judge, county commissioner and justice of the peace. It cost $375 or $750 to file for county offices, but those fees are higher  $1,000 and $1,250, respectively  if the county has 200,000 or more people, which applies to South Texas counties like Webb, Hidalgo and Cameron.

Hamilton and an associate, Judson Stafford, found candidates by working with county GOP chairs and, in some cases, going out into the community, visiting places like barbershops and asking people who they think of when they think of local Republicans, Hamilton said.

Hamilton said candidates are being motivated by the chaos at the border under Biden, calling it the only thing some want to talk about.

Maria Yvette Hernandez, a local business owner who is running for Starr County judge, said she started thinking about running after having an issue with how the county was appraising commercial property at the start of the coronavirus pandemic. Then she said she saw a lot of people coming out of the woodwork to vote Republican in the 2020 election and observed they seemed to be voting on the economy more and more.

She said some local Democrats have suggested Republicans are filing only because their fees are being paid.

No, thats not true, she said. Its people who just got to a point where they say, enough is enough.

In many areas of South Texas, however, it appears to remain an uphill battle for a GOP breakthrough. Seats have gone uncontested for multiple election cycles, and voters are accustomed to voting for Democrats up and down the ticket.

Democrats say they are not worried.

That Republicans are just now realizing people in South Texas matter after decades of being ignored by Republican politicians and their policies does not necessarily mean they have finally developed a conscience and are paying attention to what these communities need, said Angelica Luna Kaufman, a spokesperson for the Texas Democratic Party.

She added that the state Democratic party does not have a program like Project Red Texas because of the wealth of strong candidates in South Texas and that people there know who we are because we have always been there.

Hamilton has had an informal ally in Cat Parks, the Texas GOP vice chair whose portfolio includes candidate recruitment. They have crossed paths throughout the region, and many candidates have gotten to know both Parks, Hamilton and Stafford.

Parks sees the South Texas recruitment as part of a broader effort to entrench the GOP more in local politics, which has seen a growing spotlight during the coronavirus pandemic and debates over school curricula. Last month, the Texas GOP formed a Local Government Committee to help county parties get more involved in nonpartisan elections.

I think congressional seats have always been sexy, and national issues have always been really easy to pull talking points from, but what people have been really waking up to is these policies have been being made by people in their communities and theyre trying to hold them accountable in ways they havent in the past, Parks said in an interview.

The recruitment blitz has helped people like Armando Rosales, who signed up to run for county judge in Maverick County, which is home to the border city of Eagle Pass and saw one of the nations biggest swings toward former President Donald Trump in 2020.

Rosales is a political newcomer who has been an EMT technician since 2006 and helps Border Patrol with medical screenings. He also is a Texas peace officer who works part-time for the Kinney County sheriffs office.

The reason that I decided to do this endeavor is because I want to make a change in Maverick County, Rosales said. Its a border town, and its run mostly by Democrats, but  there is a shift there, a noticeable shift there. We stand a chance, but we just gotta stand united and try our best to make sure people know what we stand for.

Rosales met Stafford through the former chair of the Maverick County GOP, Alfredo Arellano, and Project Red Texas paid his filing fee. Rosales said that was very helpful in getting him to run.

Over the past two decades, only three people have run as Republicans for county offices in Maverick County, according to the vice chair of the county GOP, Rosa Arellano. But now eight are running in 2022, and Project Red Texas paid filing fees for seven of them.

In Terrell County, a sparsely populated county farther west along the border, Project Red Texas is already claiming victory. The GOP is set to capture a majority on the commissioners court after a Republican, mechanic Gene Chavez, filed for a seat that is on the 2022 ballot and currently held by a Democrat, while Democrats did not field anybody.

In addition to newcomers like Rosales, Project Red Texas is also aiding South Texans like Brandon Barrera, who has been long involved in GOP politics for years but sees a new opportunity to run. Barrera is a candidate for justice of the peace in Kleberg County.

I knew that this would be a really good year to run, and there was an open seat, Barrera said, adding that when it comes to GOP competitiveness in South Texas, you have to build it from the ground up.

If youre willing to vote for a Republican on the local level, Barrera said, then you might be willing to vote for them later on at the state or federal level.

Project Red Texas is a super PAC that began in 2017 with $500,000 in initial funding from Michael Porter, the GOP megadonor from the Hill Country. The group was down to $56,000 as of June, but Hamilton said it has since raised money from donors including state Rep. Mayes Middleton of Wallisville, some of the state House Republicans who are not returning and Dallas developer Mehrdad Moayedi.

Hamilton said his group spent the period after the filing deadline following up with candidates and making sure there were no problems with their paperwork. As the new year begins, they are starting to help candidates put together campaign plans.

Candidates like Hernandez say the group has been critically helpful, even if they already have some political experience or were already thinking about running. Hernandez ran for City Council before, she said, but for a race like the one she is now running  countywide  I wouldve been completely lost without their help and education.

The Texas Tribune is a nonprofit, nonpartisan media organization that informs Texans about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues.
CPS Energys financial viability is in the hands of City Council this week.

On Thursday, council members will vote on a proposed 3.85 percent rate hike for the city-owned utility. Its an increase that will add roughly $5 to the average monthly customer bill and generate about $73 million in annual revenue for CPS.

Its the first step in what will likely be a long-term process to relieve financial pressures intensified  if not created  by the COVID-19 pandemic and last Februarys freeze.

Express-News reporter Diego Mendoza-Moyers visited the Puro Politics podcast this week to talk about the rate-hike request.

On ExpressNews.com: CPS Energy trustees OK rate hike; next up, City Council

What CPS has really cited as the need for the rate increase is a dwindling workforce, Mendoza-Moyers said. CPS has seen a lot of its employees leave, so part of the rate increase is to raise wages for employees.

Another part of it is that CPS has to build new substations and new infrastructure to handle San Antonios growing population. The last time CPS sought a rate increase or implemented one was in 2014, so you can consider that the rate of growth in San Antonio in that time is pretty significant.

While some council members remain publicly noncommittal about how they will vote Thursday, Mendoza-Moyers said the rate hike is almost certain to win approval.

Id be really shocked if City Council shoots this rate increase down, Mendoza-Moyers said.

He cited a recent conversation with Councilman Manny Pelaez, in which Pelaez made the case that while council members engage in the process of hashing out various concerns about the management of CPS Energy, they need to deal with the immediate problem of ensuring that the utility is on a stable financial footing.

The reality is if CPS does not raise its rates, the bond rating agencies are going to downgrade CPS credit, Mendoza-Moyers said.

What that really means is that CPS will probably have to pay millions more in extra interest expenses every year, which just go to bond-holding investors on Wall Street or wherever.

Hear more about CPS Energys proposed rate increase on this weeks episode of Puro Politics.

ggarcia@express-news.net | Twitter: @gilgamesh470
WASHINGTON  Texas Sen. John Cornyn led the Republicans in resisting Democrats efforts to pass new voting rights legislation, going toe to toe with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer on the Senate floor Tuesday as both sides gear up for a make-or-break attempt get the bills passed.

The clash between the Texas Republican and New York Democrat highlighted the vast differences between the parties as the national debate over changes to voting laws enacted in Texas and other red states comes to a head in the Senate. Schumer has vowed to change Senate rules by Martin Luther King Jr. Day to pass them.

In a speech on the Senate floor, Cornyn defended the work of the Texas Legislature and said the elections bills that Republicans have consistently blocked are simply about enhancing the political power of the Democratic party. He accused Democrats of creating a narrative of widespread voter suppression that is nothing more than a scare tactic to achieve a political outcome.

BACKGROUND: Schumer sets deadline to pass federal voting rights legislation aimed at Texas, red states

There is simply no concerted effort to attempt to prevent voters of color  or any eligible voters  from casting their ballot, Cornyn said, and the Voting Rights Act  one of the most important pieces of legislation in our nations history  is alive and well.

The federal voting bills are aimed at undoing new legislation enacted last year in GOP-led states including Texas and requiring them to get approval from the U.S. Justice Department for such election changes in the future  something states with a history of discrimination were required to do under the Voting Rights Act until the Supreme Court ended so-called preclearance in 2013.

The push comes as the Biden administration sues Texas over the voting laws and redrawn political maps passed by the GOP-led Legislature in 2021, claiming they are calculated to discriminate against Black and Latino voters and individuals with disabilities.

Cornyn spoke in front of a bright red sign with bold letters reading: 94% of voters said voting in 2020 was easy, based on the results of a Pew survey.

This is a stark contrast to the claimed assault on voting rights weve heard so much about, Cornyn said.

As Cornyn wrapped up his speech, Schumer asked if he could borrow the sign.

My good colleague from Texas says 94 percent of voters said voting was easy in 2020. So why dont we keep it that way? Schumer said as he held up the sign. Right now what were combating is a series of legislatures  19  (and) 33 laws that will make this number surely go down.

Schumer accused Republicans of doing the bidding of former President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly made baseless claims about fraud in the 2020 elections.

Trump has such power over the Republican Party, such power, that they do what he wants, in the legislatures and here in the Senate, he said. I would remind my good friend from Texas that his fellow Texans  George H.W. Bush, George W. Bush  proudly supported extension of the Voting Rights Act. It was bipartisan until Donald Trump came over and, in my opinion, poisoned the Republican Party on voting rights.

After the back-and-forth, Schumer urged Republicans to allow Democrats to bring the elections bills to a vote  which he said they will try to do as soon as Wednesday  so we can have a debate like the debate we just had.

Republicans have repeatedly blocked Democrats attempts to pass the bills, including in August, when Texas Sen. Ted Cruz delivered a blow to Texas Democrats who had decamped to D.C. to push Congress to act.

President Joe Biden traveled to Georgia on Tuesday to deliver a speech calling on Democrats to create a carve-out for voting rights legislation in filibuster rules, which require 60 votes to pass most bills. Schumer has vowed to do so by Jan. 17, if Republicans block the voting bills again this week, even as moderate Democrats, including Sens. Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona, have opposed changing the rules.

We have no option but to change the Senate rules, Biden said in his address. State legislatures can pass anti-voting laws by simple majorities. If they can do that, then the United States Senate should be able to protect voting rights by a simple majority.

FLASHBACK: Sen. Ted Cruz blocks Texas Democrats voting rights blitz during all-nighter in U.S. Senate

On the Senate floor, Cornyn slammed Bidens trip, calling it a bizarre thing for a sitting president to do  to travel to a state with the purpose of villainizing that states laws.

Cornyn defended Texas, pointing to the states two-week early voting period, which he noted is a longer period than in some blue states, including Bidens home state of Delaware. He said the new Texas voting law extended voting hours in more than 60 counties. The law banned 24-hour voting, but requires more counties to keep polling places open for 12 hours during half of the early voting period. And the law clarified that voters waiting in line when the polls closed would still be able to cast their ballot.

Cornyn described steps he said Texas lawmakers took to reduce opportunities for fraud and for mischief. The new law directs the secretary of state to review Department of Public Safety records every month looking for ineligible voters on the rolls, including potential noncitizens.

Cornyn said the state clarified that measures meant to make voting easier during the pandemic were not intended to be permanent.

TEXAS TAKE: Get political headlines from across the state sent directly to your inbox

These clearly are not examples of Jim Crow voter suppression, Cornyn said. These are common sense measures designed to encourage peoples confidence in the integrity of the voting systems and to make sure theyre both accessible and secure.

Cornyn pressed Schumer for an example of how the new laws in Texas or Georgia suppress the right to vote.

There are a long list of them, Schumer said, pointing to limits on voting by mail and the locations of dropoff points to collect those ballots, as well as parts of the new Georgia law that restrict who can collect ballots and make it a crime to give food and water to people waiting in line to vote.

Cornyn asked if all 50 states should allow workers to collect ballots from nursing homes and other places, calling it ballot harvesting.

As long as theres no fraud, if a person in a nursing home cant get to the voting place and they want to vote, and someone collects their ballot  nothing wrong with that, Schumer said. In fact, thats good. That makes it easier for them to vote.

All of these things they bring up, theres been no evidence of fraud. None, Schumer said.

ben.wermund@chron.com
Announcing his candidacy for governor, former U.S. Rep. Beto O'Rourke said Texas has left billions of dollars on the table by failing to expand Medicaid during Gov. Greg Abbott's tenure.

"Expanding Medicaid, which if we had done at the beginning of the Abbott administration, would have brought in $100 billion to this state's economy," O'Rourke said at a Nov. 19 rally in Houston.

Texas is one of 12 states that hasn't expanded Medicaid coverage, which is backed mostly by federal funding. Using 2020 data, roughly 1.4 million uninsured adults would be eligible for health care coverage under Medicaid expansion in Texas  34% of the state's uninsured nonelderly adult population, according to a February Kaiser Family Foundation fact sheet.

There's no doubt Texas passed up a lot of money by not expanding Medicaid. But is O'Rourke's statement accurate that Texas passed up $100 billion?

Where the $100 billion figure comes from

When we reached out to O'Rourke's campaign for evidence to support the claim, an official pointed us to a 2018 editorial from the Houston Chronicle that shared the opinion that turning down federal funding for Medicaid expansion puts the onus on counties to figure out how to serve uninsured people.

The editorial board wrote, "Under the plan passed as part of the Affordable Care Act in 2014, Texas would have received an estimated $100 billion over the course of a decade in exchange for increasing Medicaid eligibility to 138 percent of the poverty line."

In 2021, 138% of the federal poverty line works out to an income of $17,774 for an individual and $36,570 for a family of four.

Texas lags behind the rest of the nation when it comes to health care coverage. According to 2019 Census Bureau health insurance coverage data released in 2020, nearly 1 in 5 Texans, or 18.4%, are uninsured.

Adults without dependents or disabilities are not eligible for Medicaid regardless of income in Texas, and parents of dependent children are eligible up to about 14% of the federal poverty level, according to a 2020 Texas A&M study on Medicaid expansion for Episcopal Health Foundation, an advocate for Medicaid expansion.

So, Texas has a coverage gap between Medicaid eligibility and eligibility for a federally subsidized Affordable Care Act Marketplace plan that begins at 100% of the federal poverty line.

The $100 billion number in the editorial, as well as in other early news articles, appears to have originated from research conducted in 2013 by a consulting firm belonging to Billy Hamilton, former deputy comptroller of Texas.

Commissioned by the Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, the report found that Texas legislators "must decide whether to accept $100 billion in federal funding over 10 years to provide additional Medicaid health care coverage under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) for our states neediest citizens."

The consulting firm analyzed federal funding under scenarios of minimal enrollment, moderate enrollment, and high enrollment levels. The amount of federal dollars Medicaid expansion brings depends on enrollment and enrollee costs per month.

Assuming moderate enrollment, the report looked at total federal spending from 2014 to 2017 and found that it would be nearly $23 billion for adults and $4.5 billion for children  a total of $27.5 billion for those four years. Under the Affordable Care Act, the federal matching rate declined from 100% of the cost to 95% in 2017 and to 90% of the expansion cost in 2020.

In a footnote, the study cited a 2012 presentation made by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission before the Senate Health and Human Services and Senate State Affairs committees on the Affordable Care Act.

Bee Moorhead, executive director of the interfaith legislative network Texas Impact, was a researcher on that study who had worked under Hamilton at the comptroller's office. She said in a phone interview that the presentation did estimate just over $100 billion in federal funding  and that it also included year-by-year estimates up to 2023.

Moorhead said that the methodology used by the agency was the same as that used by Billy Hamilton Consulting. She described the agency's estimates as a realistic outlook on how much Texas could depend on the federal government for funding if it expanded Medicaid.

Moorhead said, however, that more recent estimates on the amount of forgonefederal funding could be a lot less or more than what her study found. That's because other factors, like the state's population growth and poverty rates, could indicate greater possiblefederal funding.

Recent estimates

More recent estimates suggest Texas would receive federal funding between $5 billion and $6 billion annually if it expanded Medicaid. The state, meanwhile, would be responsible for 10 cents on every dollar, or $600 million to $700 million annually, according to an April 2021 article by the American-Statesman.

Two such estimates:

In a 2020 report for Episcopal Health Foundation, former chief operating officer of the Texas Department of State Health Services, Randy Fritz, and Texas Star Alliance found that if Medicaid were expanded to include 1 million enrollees that would bring a total annual cost of $6.3 billion. Of that, Texas would pay $650 million per year including $20 million for administrative, technology and state employee costs.

In a separate September 2020 policy analysis also funded by Episcopal Health Foundation, Texas A&M University researchers estimated that if 73% of newly eligible uninsured people enrolls and 95% of current marketplace enrollees eligible under Medicaid expansion enrolls, there would be $5.4 billion in annual federal funding. The state's share in costs would be $600 million.

Economic stimulus effects

Though his office cited an editorial that focused on federal funding, O'Rourke most likely was referring to the larger economic effects of Medicaid expansion, which "would have brought in $100 billion to this state's economy."

O'Rourke then said, "[Medicaid expansion] would have further fueled the Texas Medical Center the jobs that are being created right there, would have brought more doctors to more big cities and more rural communities alike." He then mentioned the number of rural hospital closures.

Medicaid expansion is expected to have a stimulus effect, or an economic ripple effect, that comes with an injection of money into the state economy, the Texas A&M analysis found.

Predictions for that effect vary. Nationwide research shows state budgets were positively affected under Medicaid expansion, with a "very small" increase in spending by states relative to federal spending.

A December 2020 report by the Perryman Group, and funded by Episcopal Health Foundation and Austin-based St. David's Foundation, looked at the economic effect. The Waco-based economic consulting group estimated the state could see gains of $244.7 billion over 10 fiscal years (2022 to 2031), as well as more than 2.1 million job-years of employment.

Vivian Ho, at Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy, also highlighted the multiplier effect, saying that the economic effect of federal funding was likely more than $100 billion.

"That happens with any type of dollars put into an economy. And so, here it makes sense you have that," Ho said. "These are federal dollars that the state would not receive otherwise, so they boost the economy in general."

Economic effects also include less uncompensated care, increased profitability for health care providers, and improved financial security for low-income adults, according to a review of recent academic research by the Kaiser Family Foundation. A July 2020 insight article in the Journal of the American Medical Association highlighted job creation as a result of Medicaid expansion as an economic stimulus.

So, if O'Rourke is talking about the potential economic effect of the federal funding, then the benefit is likely far more than $100 billion.

Our ruling

O'Rourke said "expanding Medicaid...would have brought in $100 billion to this state's economy" if it had been done at the beginning of Abbott's tenure.

Projections rely on making assumptions for the number of people who would register, the reimbursement rate and additional funding. The figure O'Rourke drew from was based on a 2013 estimate drawn up by the state government and verified by current and former state government financial experts.

More recent research suggests the amount of forgonefederal funding could be less than the $10 billion per year on average that the $100 billion suggests. It could be $5 billion to $6 billion.

But the ripple effect of even this smaller influx of federal money on the state's economy could be larger than $100 billion.

The statement is accurate but needs additional context. We rate it Mostly True.
FAIRFIELD  The new music education program at Sacred Heart University aims to make a vibrant community of forward-thinking teachers, its director says.

Frank Martignetti was recently brought on as assistant professor and director of SHUs new music education program, according to the university. The 42-credit graduate program will begin this summer, with the undergraduate program starting in the fall.

Martignetti said people at Sacred Heart have wanted to create a music major for years  both students and faculty. The university finally made it happen and is investing resources in it. He said he was given a broad brush to create a dream program and was later hired to direct it.

Im really proud of what were building here, he said. I hope it enrolls a vibrant cohort of really high-quality students  both masters level and undergraduate. I hope that it has students teaching successfully throughout the Northeast and that it gets a reputation for being really forward thinking and progressive.

He said he is now working on recruitment, facilities, equipment and staffing for it.

Martignetti, a Fairfield resident originally from New Rochelle, N.Y., said he spent 28 years teaching and performing music. He sang in church and school choral groups throughout his life, and began working professionally as a church organist and choir director, as well as music director for community theater productions.

As he went through his career, Martignetti continued in music education  teaching high school students in New Haven. He later directed the University of Bridgeports music education program for nine years, and eventually ran the entire department of music and performing arts.

SHUs music education masters program takes a year and a half to complete on its own, while the undergrate-to-masters music program will take five years.

Our MAT program is for people who have a degree in the subject, and they have, often, significant professional experience in the discipline, and now they want to teach it, he said.

Martignetti said the program is similar to the previous program he oversaw and revitalized at the University of Bridgeport.

The cool thing about it is that the graduate students who are in the program, range in age from 22  just out of undergrad  to 40 or 50 something, he said. Its a cool mix of adult learners.

Martignetti said he is not sure how many people will enroll in the graduate program this coming summer, adding youre at the point where youve started a new business and youre waiting for the phone to ring.

He said he wants the cohort to be small enough that he can give students individual attention, while also being large enough for them to be able to network and learn from each other.

Its not intended to be a huge program, but we dont want to limit its growth potential either, he said. Its just a solid cohort.

Adult learners have unique strengths and weaknesses, Martignetti said, and so they need individual attention. The teaching certification is broad, covering pre-K through 12th grade and the topics of general music, choir, band, orchestra, technology and music theory  as well as the vast variety of instruments.

No one can teach all those things well, he said. So, its a matter of helping students build on those strengths and finessing their weaknesses and learning new skills so they have a few areas in which they can be effective.

Martignetti said there are several post-baccalaureate teacher prep programs in Connecticut, but the only masters in music programs education are the ones are Sacred Heart University and University of Bridgeport. He said his former students are doing well in the job market.

Everyone is working, he said. Most teaching positions are available in the summertime with a few around Christmas time. But, the job market seems quite good. Unfortunately, some people are retiring from teaching because theyre scared of getting COVID.

Martignetti said there were 18 open music teacher positions in the state as of Tuesday  a number higher than normal.

Another aspect of this program will be the relationship the university and its students have with Bridgeport Public Schools, Martignetti said. He said he has done workshops with Bridgeport music teachers and other professional development during his time at BU, and assisted the district in other ways. He wants to build that relationship while running SHUs program as well.

Were trying to create a unique opportunity where, just like the rest of the teacher programs here, they have the option to go into this Bridgeport teacher residency  where they work with a very good teacher in the Bridgeport schools, he said.

The student would co-teach with that teacher for the full school year, Martignetti, and then Bridgeport would offer them a job if the graduate agreed to work there for at least three years.

We want our students to teach in a variety of contexts to find the context that works for them, he said. We want them to know how to teach all students successfully and well. To create a great music program in a district where the resources are not as good... is a terrific outcome.

joshua.labella@hearstmediact.com
Gov. Ned Lamont is easing into the reelection campaign, investing $210,000 of his own money in the final quarter of 2021, according to his late-night filing Monday with Connecticut regulators, the first since announcing his plans to run for a second term.

Much of the payments totaling $103,703 went to the New York-based Democrat-connected Global Strategies Group Inc., a consulting firm that billed more than $66,000 to conduct statewide polling of the governor, according to the filing with the State Elections Enforcement Commission.

Governor Ned Lamont is laser focused on governing  not on politics  and delivering strong, steady leadership to keep our state moving forward, said Dan Morrocco, manager for the Lamont campaign. Governor Lamonts focus is on continuing his best-in-the-nation COVID response  securing millions of COVID tests, encouraging vaccines and booster shots for Connecticut families, keeping our schools open and safe, and ensuring our economy remains strong.

During an unrelated news conference Tuesday afternoon, Lamont was asked about the expenditures, but declined comment.

Ive got the political guys, theyre out there doing their own thing, he said. Ive really got to focus on the state right now. Thats going to be 100-percent of my focus. Weve got a legislative session coming up. Weve got a lot of infrastructure money. Weve got a lot on our plate. Thats going to be my focus.

During the 2018 campaign, Lamont  whose family wealth dates back to a great grandfather who was a top aide to the New York banking legends J.P. Morgan and his son  spent $15.9 million of his personal funds to win the governors race by 44,372 votes over Bob Stefanowski, a former business executive. Lamont has not taken a salary while in office.

Lamonts filing, which beat the midnight deadline, came hours after Themis Klarides, the Republican former state House of Representatives minority leader, filed financial documents indicating she has invested about $400,000 of her own money in the first months of the campaign, including about $200,000 between Oct. 1 and the end of 2021, the quarter covered in the mandatory filing.

Klarides has spent $198,085, with an additional $12,429 in unpaid expenses, according to the filing.

While most of her consultants, like Lamonts, are out of state, Klarides campaign paid $10,000 to the Garber Group of Hartford. Led by Ross Garber, a lawyer and CNN commentator who has represented governors in at least four states, is best known for being the attorney for John G. Rowland in the months before he resigned the governors office during the historic impeachment investigation in 2004.

In other filings that were due before midnight Monday, Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz raised more than $111,000, nearly all of which came from individuals under the states public-financing guidelines limiting contributions to $250. Bysiewicz, who has spent $12,618, is the only lieutenant governor candidate who has filed for the 2022 race.

The Republican and Democratic conventions will likely be scheduled for May. In 2018, Mark Boughton, then the longtime mayor of Danbury, won the Republican convention nomination for governor, but Stefanowski, who front-loaded his campaign with $2 million in early spending, won the primary along with running mate Joe Markley, who was then a Republican state senator.

In the competition to fill the vacancy of departing Secretary of the State Denise Merrill, two Democrats and two Republicans are on track to seek the nomination.

First-term state Rep. Stephanie Thomas, D-Norwalk, has raised $32,336 and spent $2,007, while Rep. Hilda Santiago, D-Meriden, reported $13,980 in contributions and no expenditures. Among Republicans, Brock Weber, of New Britain, reported a total of $52,445 in contributions, while spending $31,477. Dominic Rapini, of Branford, has raised $47,311 and spent $24,889.

No potential candidates have filed for state treasurer, although Treasurer Shawn Wooden is widely expected to seek reelection. The same is true for attorney general, although Attorney General William Tong, a Democrat like the other constitutional officers elected in 2018, is also expected to announce for reelection.

In the wake of the sudden resignation of State Comptroller Kevin Lembo last month amid health concerns, only Mary M. Fay, a West Hartford Republican who serves on the town council there, filed initial documents on Jan. 4, with no further financial details.

Among those exploring the possibility of campaigning for a spot in the 2022 under ticket, state Sen. Matt Lesser, D-Middletown, has raised $42,275 and spent $788. State Rep. Josh Elliott, D-Hamden, has raised $21,588 and spent $5,609, according to the filings for exploratory committees.

kdixon@ctpost.com Twitter: @KenDixonCT
Contributed Photo / Connecticut State Police

BRIDGEPORT  Police are investigating a shooting that took place on the southbound lanes of Route 25 in Bridgeport Saturday.

State police were notified of the incident just after noon Saturday. There were no reported injuries from the incident, police said.
Farm Shop & Deli Show has unveiled its Retailer Awards for 2022 to celebrate those who have shown innovation to adapt their business during the pandemic.

Entries are now open across ten categories to recognise those specialist retailers who are playing their part in creating a better world through sustainable initiatives, whilst supporting their customers, communities and suppliers.

The nine regions for the Awards are: East Anglia; Midlands; North East; North West; Northern Ireland; Scotland; South East; South West; Wales.

An esteemed panel of judges will consider the ways in which retailers adapted and evolved their businesses throughout the pandemic before announcing Regional Finalists in early April.

The winners will then be revealed live from the Farm Shop & Deli Show, NEC Birmingham on Monday 25 April, culminating in a celebration of the speciality sector.

Andrew Reed, managing director Events & Exhibitions said: During the last 18 months, the specialist retail community has had to be so innovative.

"With these awards we want to celebrate those retailers whose incredible spirit and entrepreneurial mindset has shone through.

If you are, or know, a retailer who deserves recognition for creating a better world through sustainable initiatives, no matter how small those steps may be, we want to hear from you.

"Farm Shop & Deli Retailer Awards are a fantastic way of celebrating our wonderful industry and I urge you to get your nominations and entries in today.

Farm Shop & Deli Show is part of the UK Food & Drink Shows, taking place between 25  27 April at NEC Birmingham.

To nominate or enter the Farm Shop & Deli Retailer Awards please click here.
Prince Charles's charity has unveiled plans for a new agricultural school in Scotland to help bring new talent into the farming and rural sector.

The Prince's Foundation has submitted design plans to East Ayrshire Council, with the proposed site on the grounds of Dumfries House Estate, near Cumnock.

According to the educational charity, the school would seek to bring new entrants into the sector, specifically targeting those with no current connection to it.

Prince Charles's foundation added that the agricultural school would train about 1,800 people a year.

In addition, programmes would continue to promote the wider principle of encouraging people to enjoy the benefits of spending time in the countryside.

A design statement submitted by the foundation to East Ayrshire Council said: Delivery would be hands-on and practical, allowing students to immerse themselves in their subject area, giving them maximum opportunity to grow their knowledge, skills and passion for the industry.

The aim of the courses would be to ignite interest in potential careers and further study pathways to higher level qualifications and specialisms."

The Princes Foundation said it also recognised the need to pass on traditional and rural skills, such as hedge-laying, dry-stone walling and fencing, within the existing workforce.

Target groups include secondary school pupils aged 14 plus, school leavers showing an interest in land-based careers, adult learners looking for a new career as well as farming and rural sector workers looking to upskill.

The statement added: Across the programmes, and including pupil events and sector workshops, the aim is to engage within the region of 1,800 individuals across a given year."

It comes after Prince Charles recently opened Wales's first school for veterinary science at Aberystwyth University, where he was a former student himself.

The Prince toured the new Veterinary Education Centre on 10 December 2021 and spoke to some of the first cohort of students who began in September.
The UK pig sector has raised fresh concerns after Italian authorities confirmed a new case of African swine fever (ASF) in a wild boar.

In a major new development in the spread of the deadly pig virus in Europe, ASF was recorded in a dead boar in the Piedmont region, about 120km south west of Milan.

The Piedmont regional government has asked city mayors to stop hunting following the discovery, while the government is also raising its surveillance of wild boars.

"As in the case of the pandemic, the African swine fever emergency must also be addressed by appealing to everyone's collaboration," said the region's health deputy, Luigi Icardi.

"Piedmont health system is working alongside operators in the sector to prevent the circulation of the virus and protect swine farms."

International animal health body, OIE, has confirmed the positive test, which followed the discovery of a dead wild boar.

The UK's National Pig Association (NPA) said the case represented "another huge geographical leap for the virus".

It follows other recent ASF discoveries in Germany and Poland, as well as a number of eastern European countries.

Asian countries  including major pig producing countries such as China and Vietnam  have been hit particularly hard by it, and cases have also been reported in Sub Saharan Africa.

While the regionalisation approach will apply to EU trade, Italy is now likely to face the suspension of pork to a number of key third country markets.

"The German and wider EU sector is still feeling the impact of the ongoing ban by China," the NPA explained.

"It will be interesting to see whether Italy looks to mirror the deal France has just secured with China, which ensures a regionalised approach to exports in the event of an ASF outbreak in France."

The UK government recently launched an ASF awareness campaign, warning travellers at UK ports and airports of the dangers of bringing in the virus.

African swine fever can only be transmitted to pigs and wild boars, and does not affect humans.
China urges U.S. to stop playing "Taiwan card"

Xinhua) 08:08, January 11, 2022

BEIJING, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- China has urged Lithuania not to act as a pawn for anti-China forces and urged the United States to stop playing the "Taiwan card", Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said here Monday.

Wang made the remarks at a daily press briefing when asked to comment U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai's remarks concerning China.

The United States distorted China's legitimate measures to safeguard its national sovereignty as "coercion", which has fully exposed the hypocrisy and deception of U.S. discourse bullying, Wang said.

Wang said that speaking of coercion, the U.S. government forced the military government of Haiti to step down in 1994, and referred to that as "a textbook example of coercive diplomacy"; in 2003, it explicitly listed 30.3 billion U.S. dollars of military expenses for "coercive diplomacy;" it spared no effort to crack down on its competitors like Alstom and Toshiba and coerced the TSMC, Samsung and other companies to provide to the United States chip supply chain data.

"This is flat-out 'blackmail diplomacy'," he said.

Wang stressed that the fact is clear that Lithuania violated its political commitment it had made upon the establishment of diplomatic ties with China, and created the false impression of "one China, one Taiwan" in the world. "People of insight in Lithuania have also criticized this," he added.

The United States instigated the Lithuanian authorities to undermine the one-China principle from the outset and then supported, aided and abetted them, Wang said, adding that the United States tries to seek political calculation aimed at using Taiwan to contain China at the expense of Lithuania's interests.

"We urge the Lithuanian side to correct its mistakes and not act as a pawn for anti-China forces. We also warn the U.S. side that playing the 'Taiwan card' is counterproductive and will get itself burnt," Wang said.

(Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun)
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Advanced Teaching for Tomorrow, Taught Now

Print School of Education Fact Sheet

At just sixteen years old and paralyzed with fear, Woodbridge N. Ferris stood in front of a classroom of students for the first time as a teacher on November 15, 1869. He said simply, I have come here to help you, boys and girls, if you will let me. Mr. Ferris called it the greatest speech of his life.

Woodbridge went on to found what would become Ferris State University in 1884. He would dedicate his life to education, become a two term Michigan Governor and ultimately, a United States Senator. Mr. Ferris passion for education, for training educators with a hunger for learning, and his advocacy for those boys and girls, men and women who possessed real genius, those whose opportunities were being systematically undercut by circumstances of their birth, remain hallmarks for Ferris State University and its School of Education today.

The School of Education at Ferris State University cultivates the leaders with the greatest collective impact on the foundations of our future society and economy, our teachers. Its mission is to prepare

leadership, life-long learning, reflection, and collaboration in the classroom, school and greater

community.

Offering degree programs from Associates to Graduate level, and a robust Career and Technical Education Teacher Certificate program, its greatest strengths rest in its expert faculty members, strong

relationships with partners offering hands-on experience in classrooms around the State, and consistent focus on connecting strategic assets to educational workforce needs.

School of Education in the Center for Virtual Learning

Recent events have clearly illustrated the need to equip educators with the tools and skills to teach anywhere, across a range of platforms and technology. The integration of the School of Education into the Center of Virtual Learning and positioning of its classrooms and offices with the most technologically advanced programs in the University will skyrocket these efforts forward.

School of Education classrooms will be housed on the second floor of the Center, across from the Information Security and Intelligence Program. Faculty Offices will be on the third floor, sharing a suite with the School of Digital Media faculty. The increased opportunities for collaboration and interprofessional outreaches will enhance the readiness of faculty and students to engage the next generation of lifelong learners.

The School of Education is also seeking to equip the space with cutting- edge content delivery tools and technological innovations to prepare future teachers, not only for the dramatic shifts of the present, but for the next evolution in teaching and education.

Fast Facts

6 out of 10 Michigan school districts started the 2020 school year without enough full-time teachers to fill their classrooms (Michigan Association of Superintendents and Administrators).

Ferris growing School of Education is poised to train the next generation of educators to meet the demand for birth to 12 teachers in a variety of disciplines.

Unique in Michigan, Ferris places a special emphasis on preparing teachers for success in areas with significant economic challenges, urban and rural.

New teacher education graduates earn starting salaries between $37,000 - $45,000 per year depending upon discipline and setting.

7-12 grade and post-secondary Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs are growing in Michigan and nationwide. However, there is a shortage of CTE-certified educators.

In partnership with the State of Michigan, the Ferris CTE program assists those with experience in technical fields to enter the teaching profession.

Because many of these students are non-traditional, programs are designed to be accessible through summer courses and online courses.

CTE Graduates enjoy 100 percent placement and starting salaries of over $54,000 in Michigan and regionally.

Ready to Learn More?

To learn more about how you or your organization can participate in this signature building that will support our students and faculty engaged in high-demand career fields, contact The Ferris Foundation.

Make a Gift Request Info

(231) 591-2365

[email protected]
A State of the Art Home for Education at Ferris

Print CVL Overview

Ferris State University will fully renovate and expand Vandercook Hall, a former residence hall which is centrally located near the library and in the core academic area of campus, to become the Center for Virtual Learning. This 64,000-square-foot facility will serve as one of the core academic buildings on the campus quad, promoting students access to Ferris facilities and services. Construction will begin in August 2021 and is slated to open for classes in Fall 2023.

The Center for Virtual Learning will bring together some of Ferris most acclaimed and cutting-edge academic programs, including the School of Digital Media, Information Security and Intelligence, School of Education, and Online Learning.

State-of-the-art classrooms and laboratories custom designed for each academic program with industry standards as well as cutting-edge technology. Faculty offices and administrative spaces, allowing ease of access for students to engage with professors, creating more cohesive academic programs. Cutting-edge research laboratories to facilitate faculty and student-led research projects.

What You Can Expect

State-of-the-art classrooms and laboratories custom designed for each academic program with industry standards as well as cutting-edge technology.

Faculty offices and administrative spaces, allowing ease of access for students to engage with professors, creating more cohesive academic programs.

Cutting-edge research laboratories to facilitate faculty and student-led research projects.

Facilities designed to deliver online courses to facilitate Ferris growing virtual learning academic programs and courses.

Digital media and television production facilities providing a professional atmosphere for DM students, adding some functionality such as motion capture, virtual reality, and augmented reality.

Five computer labs with high performance computers for student use and classroom instruction.

Capacity for non-traditional students to access post-secondary education while juggling work, families, and emergent circumstances.

Train current and future educators in the School of Education and in Career and Technical Education programs to deliver content remotely, making high quality education increasingly accessible.

The first purpose-built esports arena in Michigan to support the fastest growing campus club sport, an outlet for students who may not feel they fit in elsewhere on campus.

The total construction budget for the Center for Virtual Learning is $32.5 million. The State of Michigan has approved a capital outlay equal to 75% of the budget ($22.125 million). Ferris is responsible for an additional $7.5 million and seek partners who recognize the needs addressed by the project and benefit from these distinctly impactful Ferris programs.

CVL Renderings

Center for Virtual Learning Exterior Rendering Center for Virtual Learning Exterior Rendering Center for Virtual Learning Exterior Rendering Center for Virtual Learning Exterior Rendering Center for Virtual Learning Interior Rendering Center for Virtual Learning Interior Rendering

Floor Plans

Project Schedule

Jul. 2021 - Out for Bid

Aug. 2021 - Mobilization

Sep. 2021 - Footings and Foundations

Dec. 2021 - Core and Shell Jun. 2022 - Building Enclosure

Jul. 2022 - Interior Build-Out

Apr. 2023 - Move-In

Project Details

TOTAL PROJECT COST $32.5 million COMPLETION Spring 2023 CONSTRUCTION TYPE New Construction

Partners

Stantec - Architect Triangle Associates - Const. Mgmt.

Ready to Learn More?

To learn more about how you or your organization can participate in this signature building that will support our students and faculty engaged in high-demand career fields, contact The Ferris Foundation.

Make a Gift Request Info

(231) 591-2365

[email protected]
The DK Eyewitness: Turkey guidebook describes Ani as one of the most evocative historical sites in Turkey. Set on a windswept, grassy plateau along the Barley River (Arpacay), the site contains important remnants of Armenian architecture, including the city walls protecting its northern border, parts of which are still intact.

Registered on the UNESCO World Heritage List, the Ani archaeological site, also known as the city of a thousand and one churches, attracts tourists all year round. The ancient city, which houses Islamic architectural works of the 11th and 12th centuries, was added to the World Heritage List on July 15, 2016.

The view Ani from across the border in Armenia. Photograph courtesy of The Atlantic

Ani is located in the northeast of Turkey, close to Arpacay district in Kars province, on a secluded triangular plateau overlooking a ravine that forms the natural border with Armenia.

The Monastery of the Hripsimian Virgins overlooks the Akhurian River which acts as the modern border between Turkey and Armenia. Photograph courtesy of The Atlantic

This medieval city that was once one of the cultural and commercial centres on the Silk Roads, is characterized by architecture that combines a variety of domestic, religious and military structures, creating a panorama of medieval urbanism built up over the centuries by successive Christian and Muslim dynasties.

The ancient city of Ani. Photograph courtesy of the Atlantic

Inhabited since the Bronze Age, Ani flourished in the 10th and 11th centuries AD, when it became a capital of the medieval Armenian kingdom of the Bagratids, and profited from control over one branch of the Silk Roads.

Later, under Byzantine, Seljuk, and Georgian sovereignty, it maintained its status as an important crossroads for merchant caravans, controlling trade routes between Byzantium, Persia, Syria and Central Asia.

In fact, Ani has hosted some 23 civilizations since its establishment and it is also considered to be the first entrance gate to Anatolia from the Caucasus.

The Mongol invasion, along with a devastating earthquake in 1319 and a change in trade routes, marked the beginning of the citys decline. It was all but abandoned by the 18th century.

In photos: the unique beauty of Ani

A gorge below Ani, showing numerous caves dug into cliffs, as well as fortifications. A modern border fence can be seen at bottom centre, Armenia is on the left, Turkey, on the right. Photograph courtesy of The Atlantic.

The remains of King Gagiks church of St Gregory.

Ani Cathedral. Photograph courtesy of Turkey Photo Guide

An interior shot of the Ani Cathedral shows the scale of some of the ruins. Photograph courtesy of The Atlantic

Ruins of the Mausoleum of the Child Princes. Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia

Church in Ani

Ruins of Ani. Photograph courtesy of Private Tour.

Frescoes inside the Church of Saint Gregory of Tigran Honents. Photograph courtesy of The Atlantic

The ruined church of the Holy Redeemer. Photograph courtesy of The Atlantic

The Virgins Castle, on the cliffs along the Akhurian River. Photograph courtesy of The Atlantic.

The whole world should see it

Lale Hamleci, who came from London, said that she travelled on the Dogu Express to see the ancient site.

The Dogu Express travels from Istanbul, via Ankara to Kars.

I recommend that everyone comes here. I saw Ani on the news and I was very curious. I didnt know what to expect but I decided to go, Hamleci said. It was a huge surprise when I went. It was much more perfect, much more beautiful than I expected it to be. I will go again with friends. If you havent seen Ani, you havent seen the world. I saw the world.

Stephen Hargrave, a British citizen, said that he was mesmerized by Ani, but he didnt even know about it until recently.

One of my friends advised travelling on the Dogu Express. I came here from Ankara on it. I discovered Kars and Ani, and it was a great experience for me. When I return to London, I will tell everyone that they should see this beauty Hargrave said.

Another visitor Pelin Sen, who came from Istanbul, noted that Ani is much more beautiful than the pictures they saw on social media. There are many places that should be seen in Turkey, and Ani is one of them, she said.

Sources: UNESCO/Daily Sabah/DK Eyewitness

Featured photograph courtesy of PeopleOfAr
Next week sees the end of the holy month of Ramadan  Eid-al-Fitr. In Turkey, Eid is known as Ramazan Bayram and is celebrated with three days of feasting.

Muslims celebrate Eid Al-Fitr with prayers called Salat Al Eid in Arabic. There is no audible call to prayer for the Eid prayers. Muslims will gather in mosques or open spaces and offer two units of prayer  called Rakat. The prayers are followed by a sermon, in which the imam asks for forgiveness, mercy, and peace for every being across the world.

Its a tradition to wear new clothes and on the way to the mosque, eat something sweet such as a date, and recite a small prayer called a takbeer.

For many Muslims, Eid al-Fitr is a festival to show gratitude to Allah for the help and strength he gave them throughout the month of Ramadan to help them practice self-control.

Other key elements of the Eid celebrations are giving money to the poor (known as Zakat al-Fitr, the amount to be given depends on the possessions someone has), sending Eid greetings and spending time with families.

It is customary to visit ones relatives, especially older ones, and kiss their hand as a sign of respect.

Children greets their elders by kissing their hand and then touching their foreheads with it which is a major gesture of respect.

Children may go door-to-door, kissing hands of the grown-ups and receiving sweets and small amounts of money in return.

Its also a time of reflection, with many families visiting the graves of those no longer around to share in the feasting.

Seker Bayram (Sugar Feast)

Ramazan Bayram has an alternative name in Turkey, Seker Bayram (the Sugar Feast), because people treat their guests to sweets and traditional desserts during the festival.

Many Turks also give away sweets and desserts (you may have noticed shops and supermarkets piled high with all sorts of sweets and chocolate)

The emphasis on the first day is on sweet food. Baklava and serbet are ever-present; muhallebi (rice pudding) and seker pare (sweet biscuit) are commonly served. As well as the parade of desserts, there are endless savoury nibbles such as nuts, seeds, and pulses.

Baklava is ever present

Things you should know

This year, Ramazan Bayram will begin on Monday, May 2, 2022 and end on Wednesday, May 4, 2022.

During the three days of Ramazan Bayram, government offices, schools, post offices, banks, and some supermarkets will be closed.

Traveling in Turkey on the first and last days of Ramazan can be very hectic and roads are busy as everyone either heads to their family home or escapes to a hotel/beach.

How should you greet people?

The phrase commonly used by Muslims as a greeting on this day is Eid Mubarak, which is Arabic for blessed festival. The proper response to Eid Mubarak is Khair Mubarak, which wishes goodness on the person who has greeted you.

People also greet each other by saying Bayramnz Kutlu Olsun, meaning May Your Feast Be Blessed.

If youre new to the Turkish language it is perfectly acceptable to say Iyi Bayramlar (Ee-ee bay-ram-lar) meaning literally Good Holidays.

Ramazan Bayramnz Kutlu Olsun
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Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 10, 2022) - StraightUp Resources Inc. (CSE: ST)(OTCQB: STUPF) ("StraightUp"or the "Company") announces non-brokered private placement (the "Private Placement"), of up 7,500,000 Units (the "Units") at a price of C$0.20 per Unit for aggregate gross proceeds of up to C$1,500,000. Each Unit in the Private Placement consists of one common share and one-half of one transferable common share purchase warrant. Each whole warrant entitles the subscriber to purchase one additional common share of the issuer at a price of $0.30 per warrant share for a period of two years from the closing date. If the common shares trade on the Canadian Securities Exchange at a price of $0.50 or greater per common share for a period of 10 consecutive trading days, the Company may accelerate the expiry of the warrants by giving notice to the holders thereof, such that the warrants shall expire on the 31st day after the date of such notice. The Company may offer a portion of the Private Placement on a flow through basis.

All securities issued will be subject to a four month hold period from the date of closing of the Private Placement. Finders' fees may be payable on all, or part, of the Private Placement, and such finders' fees may be paid in shares in lieu of cash.

The net proceeds from the Private Placement will be used for the advancement of the Company's exploration assets and for general working capital.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

Mark Brezer President and Director

For further information, please contact:

Mark Brezer

President and Director

mbrezer@straightupresources.com

(604) 989-6275

Neither the CSE nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release).

The securities offered have not been, and will not be, registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), or any U.S. state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons (as defined under the U.S. Securities Act) absent registration or any applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable U.S. state securities laws. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in the United States, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.



Not for Distribution to United States News Wire Services or for Dissemination in the United States

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/109633


OTTAWA (dpa-AFX) - Rogers Communications said it has appointed Tony Staffieri as President and chief executive officer of the company effective immediately.



The appointment follows a search by the Rogers Board of Directors that commenced on November 16, 2021 when Staffieri was appointed interim CEO. Staffieri has also been appointed to the Board of Directors.



Joe Natale had left his role as President and chief executive officer of the company effective on November 16, 2021.



On 7th November 2021, Rogers Communications said that it would not seek an appeal of British Columbia Supreme Court ruling that upheld reconstituted board of Edward Rogers, Chairman and son of the company's founder.



The Court on 5th November affirmed Edward Rogers's authority to make changes to the board without holding a shareholder meeting.



Edward had used his authority as head of the family trust to replace several board members with his own hand-picked directors after he was ousted as chairman.



But, Edward Rogers was appointed as chairman of Rogers Communications at a meeting on 24th October, according to a statement by a group that had said it represented the 'reconstituted board' of the company.



Edward Rogers then said he planned to initiate proceedings in the British Columbia Supreme Court to confirm and implement the Shareholder Resolution.



However, Rogers Communications then said that the meeting was not valid, the board's membership hasn't changed at all and John MacDonald remains the chairman.



Rogers Communications's board voted out Edward Rogers on 21st October, after he tried to replace Chief Executive Officer Joe Natale with another executive. The company had appointed John MacDonald as chairman. MacDonald had been a member of the Rogers Board of Directors since 2012 and held the role of Lead Director and Chair of the Corporate Governance Committee.



Edward Rogers' mother and sisters, who are fellow board directors of the company, had said they support Joe Natale as CEO and support his management team. They remain as duly elected members of the Rogers Communications Board and represent the majority of the Board members of the company. No other group of individuals has any authority to purport to act as the Board of Directors of Rogers Communications Inc.



Edward had said his family has disagreements like every other family and he would resolve those differences privately.







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GUANGZHOU, China, Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- On January 11, 2022, the UAE-Guangdong Boutique Products Exhibition, part of the Guangdong Week of China Pavilion, Expo 2020 Dubai, will be held in Guangzhou in the form of a cloud exhibition and a global live streaming event, with the participation of more than 300 companies.

The hosting of the exhibition further strengthens the economic and trade exchanges between China and the UAE. Furthermore, it goes a long way in unlocking the potential for further collaborations, helping promote a win-win situation for both countries. The exhibition will prove its significance in terms of bringing the China-UAE bilateral trade to the next level by building a key platform where companies from both countries can conduct economic and trade collaborations in the post-pandemic era.

Given the ongoing pandemic, the exhibition was held online and included areas for the display of product, promotions, negotiations and accurate supply-demand matching, with the aim of facilitating the formation of trade and investment partnerships between Guangdong-based companies and companies located in countries and regions targeted by the Belt and Road Initiative. During the exhibition, a number of Guangdong's name brand firms, including Han's Laser Technology Industry Group and Guangzhou Renault Biotechnology, showcased to the world their technological prowess in intelligent manufacturing and smart electronics.

Notably, the exhibition was broadcast simultaneously in versions for large-screen PCs and small-screen hand-helds as well as via the Guangdong Week of China Pavilion, Expo 2020 Dubai's WeChat mini-program, with the express goal of increasing exposure for exhibitors and bringing more customer resources to them. The event gave exhibitors an opportunity to engage in production and marketing collaborations, supply and demand connections, information exchanges and business negotiations with companies from more than 40 countries and regions worldwide. By participating in the exhibition, the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Guangdong Emirates Business Union have helped Chinese firms understand the local industry mix, explore the local market and develop partnerships with local businesses.

Huge potential and promising prospects are foreseen for economic and trade cooperation between China and the UAE. Statistics show that to date, over 4,000 Chinese firms have made investments and built a presence in the UAE, now China's largest export destination and second largest trading partner in the Arab region, with major projects being steadily implemented as part of their bilateral economic and trade relationship.

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Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 10, 2022) - Aurelius Minerals Inc. (TSXV: AUL) (OTCQB: AURQF) (the "Company" or "Aurelius") wishes to announce the granting of incentive stock options to John. B. Carter, who was elected as a director of the Company at the Company's Annual General Meeting held on December 16, 2021, to purchase up to 50,000 common shares under the Company's Incentive Stock Option Plan. The options were granted for a period of five (5) years, commencing on January 10, 2022, exercisable at a price of $0.35 per share and vest immediately.

About Aurelius

Aurelius is a well-positioned gold exploration company focused on advancing its Aureus Gold Properties, including Aureus East and West, the Tangier Gold Project and the Forest Hill Gold Project located in Nova Scotia and described in detail in the Company's press release of November 18, 2019.

Aurelius is also focused on advancing two district-scale gold projects in the Abitibi Greenstone Belt in Ontario, Canada, one of the world's most prolific mining districts; the 968-hectare Mikwam Property, in the Burntbush area on the Casa Berardi trend and the 12,425-hectare Lipton Property, on the Lower Detour Trend.

The Company has a management team with experience in all facets of the mineral exploration and mining industry who will be considering additional acquisitions of advanced staged opportunities in Nova Scotia, the Abitibi and other proven mining districts.

On Behalf of the Board

AURELIUS MINERALS INC.

For further information please contact:

Aurelius Minerals Inc.

Mark N.J. Ashcroft, P.Eng., President and CEO

info@aureliusminerals.com

Tel.: (416) 304-9095

www.aureliusminerals.com

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information

All statements in this press release, other than statements of historical fact, are "forward-looking information" with respect to Aurelius within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including statements with respect, the anticipated use of proceeds and the Company's planned drilling and exploration activities. The Company provides forward-looking statements for the purpose of conveying information about current expectations and plans relating to the future and readers are cautioned that such statements may not be appropriate for other purposes. By its nature, this information is subject to inherent risks and uncertainties that may be general or specific and which give rise to the possibility that expectations, forecasts, predictions, projections or conclusions will not prove to be accurate, that assumptions may not be correct and that objectives, strategic goals and priorities will not be achieved. These risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to those identified and reported in Aurelius' public filings under Aurelius Minerals Inc.'s SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com. Although Aurelius has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Aurelius disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise unless required by law.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/109644
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Hikvision, an IoT solution provider with video as its core competency, will be presenting its latest innovations at Intersec 2022, the largest security exhibition in the Middle East region, held in Dubai from January 16 to 18, 2022. This year, under the theme "Hand in hand for a safer, smarter world", Hikvision will demonstrate its latest intelligent products, technologies, and solutions at the show.

"Hikvision has been active in the MENA region for 12 years, cultivating a variety of partnerships with end-users, distributors, installers, and system integrators," said Binson Xu, Regional President of Hikvision MENA. "Intersec is a great opportunity for us to display our cutting-edge technology, as well as to renew our connections with partners and clients, who we will join hands with to create a safer and smarter world."

Hikvision has been demonstrating its versatile AI solutions at Intersec in the past few years. This year, the focus will be on its intelligent vertical solutions, with success stories from customers across vertical industries such as education, energy, logistics, retail, smart city, and traffic. Key players from various industries are going to talk about the importance of advanced technologies for their respective industries, the challenges they had been facing, how they addressed the problems, and how Hikvision's AI technologies and solutions have helped them to solve the problems.

There will be interactive areas for visitors to immerse themselves in an Artificial Intelligence experience and feel the power of AI technology at the booth, where they can experience Hikvision's market-leading products, solutions, and services across various industries and scenarios.

At the exhibition, Hikvision will also showcase its latest product lines, such as the intelligent cameras with AcuSense technologies, which delivers accurate intrusion prevention alerts; and cameras with ColorVu technology, which provides high-quality color imaging, even at night. The advanced technologies make up a complete portfolio of security solutions for all kinds of business. In addition, Hik-ProConnect, a convergent cloud-based solution designed for security service providers; and Hik-ePartner, a one-stop solution for professional installers, will be demonstrated to provide insight into how system integrators and installers can make the most of Hikvision technologies to help the end customers.

Hikvision will host several technology partners at the booth, including the GET Group, Alfalak, Network Synoptics, and Vostok. Representatives of each partner will be available to demonstrate how their solutions integrate with and complement Hikvision products and technologies.

Visit Hikvision at booth number SA-B12 in the Trade Centre Arena to explore more about the latest Hikvision AI solutions.

About Hikvision

Hikvision is an IoT solution provider with video as its core competency. Featuring an extensive and highly skilled R&D workforce, Hikvision manufactures a full suite of comprehensive products and solutions for a broad range of vertical markets. In addition to the security industry, Hikvision extends its reach to smart home tech, industrial automation, and automotive electronics industries to achieve its long-term vision. Hikvision products also provide powerful business intelligence for end users, which can enable more efficient operations and greater commercial success. Committed to the utmost quality and safety of its products, Hikvision encourages partners to take advantage of the many cybersecurity resources Hikvision offers, including the Hikvision Cybersecurity Centre. For more information, please visit us at www.hikvision.com.

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Wellred Books is proud to announce the forthcoming release of an important new title by Marie Frederiksen, The Revolutionary Legacy of Rosa Luxemburg. This great revolutionary martyr has often been misrepresented as an opponent of the October Revolution, and as standing for some sort of softer, anti-authoritarian Marxism as against that of Lenin and the Bolsheviks.

But as Fred Weston and Parson Young explain in this article from the forthcoming issue of In Defence of Marxism magazine: these are so many myths about Luxemburg, and it is about time to set the record straight.

On Saturday 15 January, the anniversary of the murder of Luxemburg, WellRed Books will host an exclusive online Q&A and book launch of The Revolutionary Legacy of Rosa Luxemburg, with the author Marie Frederiksen. REGISTER HERE. Pre-order your copy of the book here.

Rosa Luxemburg was an outstanding revolutionary Marxist, who played a key role in fighting the opportunist degeneration of German Social Democracy, and in the founding of the German Communist Party. Unfortunately, however, some of her writings and speeches are often used to create a completely false picture of what she stood for, presenting her as an opponent of Lenin and the Bolsheviks.

So-called Luxemburgists present her as a champion of working-class creativity and spontaneity, in opposition to the ultra-centralist Lenin who, supposedly, sought to crush the initiative of the workers and bring them under heel. By building up this image of Luxemburg, left reformists, anarchists, libertarian communists and even bourgeois liberals aim to use the authority of this great revolutionary as a battering ram against Leninism. On this basis, the concept of Luxemburgism has been invented, as if it were a distinct trend within the tradition of Marxism.

 Register now for our book launch and Q&A with author Marie Frederiksen for 'The Revolutionary Legacy of Rosa Luxemburg' on January 15th, 6PM (also the anniversary of Rosa Luxemburg's death).



 REGISTER: https://t.co/jeHiffXvkg  pic.twitter.com/lMAo8cPJGP  Wellred Books (@WellredBooks) December 28, 2021

This so-called Luxemburgism has an attraction to a layer of honest young communists who seek an alternative version of Marxism to what they regard as Leninism. The reason they are seeking such an alternative is because the Stalinist, bureaucratic caricature of socialism  embodied in the USSR under Stalin, and later replicated in Eastern Europe, China, Vietnam and other regimes  has been portrayed as Leninist (or Marxist-Leninist, as Stalinists today like to describe themselves).

However, it is sufficient to read Lenins Last Testament (Last Testament Letters to the Congress, December 1922 - January 1923) to see that he was already becoming concerned at the bureaucratic tendencies that were emerging in the Soviet Union even before he died, and he suggested measures to combat them. Stalinism, rather than being the natural child of Leninism, is a complete negation of what Lenin stood for. Our latter-day Luxemburgists conveniently ignore this fact.

We have to ask ourselves, therefore, what does this Luxemburgism actually consist of? Is it so different from the revolutionary Marxism of Lenin and the Bolsheviks? A serious study of Rosa Luxemburgs writings, her whole life and everything she fought for, reveals that the real Rosa was a revolutionary. At a time when the world workers movement split into revolutionary and reformist camps, Luxemburg was on the same side of the barricades as the Bolsheviks. In the same way that the Bolsheviks fought the opportunist current of Menshevism, Luxemburg waged a battle against the opportunist degeneration of the Social-Democratic leaders in Germany. In spite of this or that criticism that she held at different moments, she fully backed the Russian Revolution led by Lenin and the Bolsheviks.

The next In Defence of Marxism magazine launches this Saturday!



Ideas are an essential weapon in the class struggle - the In Defence of Marxism magazine is a must-have for those seeking to arm themselves with revolutionary theory 



 https://t.co/vvFupbNy2m pic.twitter.com/BV7JjeOsKA  Wellred Books (@WellredBooks) January 10, 2022

Nevertheless, a number of myths persist that attempt to depict Rosa Luxemburg as an opponent of Bolshevism. The first of these is the idea that Luxemburg stood for the spontaneity of the masses as opposed to the Leninist model of the revolutionary party. We can read a prime example of such distortions in what is written about her by the Rosa-Luxemburg-Stiftung  a think tank in Germany affiliated with the left-reformist Die Linke party:

Luxemburg criticized Lenin for his conception of a highly centralized party vanguard; according to Luxemburg, it was an attempt to put the working class under tutelage. Her argumentscharacteristic of all her workcomprised factors such as independent initiative, the workers activity, their ability to learn through their own experience and mistakes, and the need for a grassroots democratic organization.[1]

Similarly, Noam Chomsky  who claims to be an anarcho-syndicalist and libertarian socialist  paints Lenin as a conspiratorial hijacker of the Russian Revolution who destroyed its potential to develop communism. He presents Luxemburg as having warned against this:

Although some of the critics, like Rosa Luxemburg, pointed out that Lenins program, which they regarded as pretty right-wing, and I do too, was, the image was, that there would be a proletarian revolution, the party will take over from the proletariat, the central committee would take over from the party and the maximal leader will take over from the central committee.[2]

This kind of thinking completely ignores the conditions in which the Russian Revolution took place and, most importantly, the consequences of its isolation in a backward country. Thus, according to these superficial critics, the roots of the monstrous Stalinist regime that arose later are not to be found in the objective conditions but in the ideas and methods of Lenin and the Bolsheviks. Such an analysis simplifies to the degree that it is impossible to understand the real objective causes of the bureaucratic degeneration, i.e. the isolation of the Russian Revolution to one very backward country. It relies instead on a subjective explanation of Lenins supposed dictatorial tendencies.

Spontaneity and leadership

What was Rosa Luxemburgs real view on the question of the spontaneity of the masses? How did she view the relationship of the party to the spontaneous action of the masses? And did her views actually differ fundamentally from those of Lenin? Her pamphlet, The Mass Strike, the Political Party and the Trade Unions, is one of her works used by those who claim she was fundamentally opposed to Bolshevism. It is argued that in this pamphlet, which analyses the strength of the spontaneous mass strike movement of the 1905 Russian Revolution, Rosa Luxemburg dismisses the concept of revolutionary leadership. This couldnt be further from the truth, and completely misses the point of why she wrote it and against whom she was polemicising.

It was not against the Bolsheviks, but against the right-wing leadership of the SPD that Luxemburgs Mass Strike pamphlet was arguing against / Image: public domain

The pamphlet was written just as a wave of strikes was sweeping across Germany, inspired by the 1905 revolution, which was very popular amongst the German working class. Unlike Russia, where trade unions were very weak and the forces of Marxism were small, Germany had mass trade unions and the Social Democratic Party (SPD) was a mass force. The problem was that the leaders of the SPD and the trade unions in Germany exhibited a passive and sometimes even a derisive attitude towards these spontaneous strikes.

Whereas Rosa Luxemburg and the revolutionary wing of the party welcomed the strikes and posed the need for the party to intervene, the right-wing SPD leaders dismissed them as premature and doomed to failure. Many SPD leaders claimed that only struggles that were planned and organised by the party in advance could succeed. Therefore all other manifestations from below were fundamentally meaningless. This was, in reality, an indication that these leaders were abandoning the idea of a revolutionary struggle against capitalism itself.

This was precisely what Luxemburgs Mass Strike pamphlet was arguing against. She was not arguing against the Bolsheviks, but rather against the opportunist leaders of the SPD. Her goal was not to dismiss the need for leadership, but rather to push the SPD leaders into actively intervening in these spontaneous struggles precisely because they needed political leadership. As Rosa wrote:

To fix beforehand the cause and the moment from and in which the mass strikes in Germany will break out is not in the power of social democracy, because it is not in its power to bring about historical situations by resolutions at party congresses. But what it can and must do is to make clear the political tendencies, when they once appear, and to formulate them as resolute and consistent tactics. Man cannot keep historical events in check while making recipes for them, but he can see in advance their apparent calculable consequences and arrange his mode of action accordingly.[3]

Any serious analysis will show that both Luxemburg and Lenin agreed that the revolutionary partys task was not to impose a pre-existing schema upon the masses and dictate a schedule for revolution according to its own whim. They both understood that the masses move at their own pace, and when events erupt the task of revolutionaries is to understand them and intervene in them to provide leadership.

Take, for example, the workers councils (soviets) that emerged during the Russian Revolution of 1905. These new organs of workers power were a creation of the Russian workers, an expression of the spontaneity and creativity of the working class. The ranks of the Bolsheviks inside Russia did not recognise their significance, and even tried to impose an ultimatum on the soviets that they submit to the partys control. But Lenin clearly disagreed. In Our Tasks and the Soviet of Workers Deputies (November, 1905), he wrote:

I think that it is wrong to put the question in this way and that the decision must certainly be: both the Soviet of Workers Deputies and the Party. The only questionand a highly important oneis how to divide, and how to combine, the tasks of the Soviet and those of the Russian Social-Democratic Labour Party. I think it would be inadvisable for the Soviet to adhere wholly to any one party.[4]

Lenin recognised that revolutionaries should join the soviets in order to win over the working-class masses that had created them as organs of workers power. This was the very same strategy that Lenin maintained until the success of the October Revolution in 1917. In his April Theses published in April 1917, Lenin summed up the task of the Bolsheviks in relation to the masses:

The masses must be made to see that the Soviets of Workers Deputies are the only possible form of revolutionary government, and that therefore our task is, as long as this government yields to the influence of the bourgeoisie, to present a patient, systematic, and persistent explanation of the errors of their tactics, an explanation especially adapted to the practical needs of the masses.[5]

Here we can find no fundamental difference between Lenin and Luxemburg in their understanding of the necessarily spontaneous nature of the outbreak of struggles, but also of the need for revolutionaries to politically intervene.

Were there any differences between Lenin and Luxemburg? Of course there were, but as Marie Frederiksen shows in her soon-to-be-published work, these were not about whether a revolution needed organisation and leadership or not:

A disagreement was expressed on the Russian Social Democratic Labour Partys congress of 1907 in which Luxemburg criticised the Bolsheviks for putting too much emphasis on the technical side of the uprising in the 1905 Revolution, while believing that they ought instead to have focused on giving the movement political leadership. In this sense, Luxemburgs approach to the revolution was abstract: the masses will move, and when they do it is up to the party to provide the correct political programme. From her experience in the SPD, focus on the practical side of organising was the hallmark of a conservative leadership that held back the movement of the masses. Instead of rejecting the bureaucratic character of the SPD, she rejected the technical, practical side of organising altogether as an evil in and of itself. Luxemburg seemed to believe that the movement of the masses itself would solve the problem of organisation and leadership.

It is abundantly clear that, even when Rosa Luxemburg was making criticisms of the Bolsheviks, she did not reject the need for a political leadership in general, just as Lenin did not reject the spontaneity of mass struggles. What the two differed on was the degree of emphasis revolutionaries should place on the practical tasks of intervening in the mass struggles. On this question, however, Luxemburg was proven to be wrong in her earlier writing, as the act of intervening in and winning over the masses involves highly practical tasks in order to be successful. The experience of the October Revolution would prove that it was precisely the existence of the Bolshevik Party, a highly disciplined and educated organisation with cadres in key workplaces and neighbourhoods, that allowed the Russian workers to take power. Furthermore, towards the end of her life, Luxemburg worked towards building a party along similar lines in Germany.

The inescapable conclusion from what we have been highlighting is that the supposed gulf between these two outstanding Marxists on this question is highly exaggerated. The aim of this exaggeration is to distort the truth in order to ward workers and youth away from a genuine revolutionary outlook, and in particular from the need to build a mass revolutionary party as an essential prerequisite for a victorious socialist revolution.

Bolshevism, Menshevism and Rosa Luxemburg

Whenever currents on the left have begun diverging from a revolutionary standpoint, they have never openly admitted that what they are doing is betraying the basic interests of the working class. Instead, they will often seek this or that authoritative figure of the movement whose words they can distort and exaggerate in order to justify their own bankruptcy. Unfortunately, Rosa Luxemburg has been the victim of such methods time and time again. She is quoted out of context, or criticisms that she later abandoned are dishonestly used to present her as being fundamentally opposed to Lenin and the Bolsheviks.

In the struggle between Bolshevism and Menshevism, between revolutionary Marxism and reformism, Luxemburg stood firmly on the side of Lenin and the Bolsheviks against reformism / Image: Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung, Flickr

In particular, the myth has been woven that Luxemburg stood for genuine workers' democracy in opposition to the dictatorial methods of Leninism. This myth draws from her writings in a 1904 pamphlet called Organisational Questions of the Russian Social Democracy, where she denounced Lenin and the Bolsheviks for their ultra-centralism and even Blanquism  that is, the idea of organising a socialist revolution totally controlled by a small conspiratorial group of revolutionary leaders. In reality, Luxemburg did not understand what Lenin was striving for  at that moment in time.

Those who use this to try to separate Rosa Luxemburg from Lenin ignore the real development of her later thinking. Only a few years later, Luxemburg abandoned these views. Later on, she would set herself the aim, along with Karl Liebknecht, of transforming the Spartacus League into the German Communist Party  a section of the Communist International led, at that time, by Lenin and Trotsky. To attempt, on this basis, to paint Luxemburg as diametrically opposed to Leninism, is sheer dishonesty.

These same currents falsify what Lenin and the Bolsheviks really stood for in order to facilitate this myth-building. The Bolshevik Party is presented as having a monolithic, highly centralised regime under Lenin, where no debate was possible and where there was no internal democracy. The truth is that the history of the Bolshevik Party reveals that there was the fullest freedom of internal debate, with different opinions being freely discussed.

What the reformist critics of the Bolshevik Party really object to is the fact that the party was not a debating club, but a fighting, revolutionary organisation of the advanced layers of the working class. Its task was to clarify questions of programme, methods and tactics and to build a disciplined party whose aim was the overthrow of the capitalist system. Its internal life was governed by the principles of democratic centralism: once an internal debate had taken place on any question, a vote would be held and the majority view would become the policy of the party. On that basis, the whole membership would then be required to take the democratically agreed positions into the wider labour movement.

This has nothing to do with the caricature of Bolshevism drawn by the reformists. Their lie about Bolshevism as nothing but a conspiracy and a dictatorship in party form is complemented by the lie about Luxemburg as someone who stood up against Lenin in the name of democracy. In doing so they conveniently ignore what she wrote a mere two years later in 1906 in Blanquism and Social Democracy, in which she defended Lenin against the charges of Blanquism and attacked the Mensheviks for their opportunism:

If today the Bolshevik comrades speak of the dictatorship of the proletariat, they have never given it the old Blanquist meaning; neither have they ever made the mistake of Narodnaya Volya, which dreamt of taking power for itself (zachvat vlasti). On the contrary, they have affirmed that the present revolution will succeed when the proletariat  all the revolutionary class  takes possession of the state machine. It is high time to finish with such scholasticism and all this hullabaloo to identify who is a Blanquist and who is an orthodox Marxist. Rather we need to know if the tactic recommended by comrade Plekhanov and his Menshevik comrades, which aims to work through the duma as far as possible, is correct now; or, on the contrary, if the tactic we are applying, just like the Bolshevik comrades, is correct  the tactic based on the principle that the centre of gravity is situated outside the duma, in the active appearance of the popular revolutionary masses.[6]

And a year later, in a speech she gave in 1907 at the Fifth Congress of the Russian Social-Democratic Labour Party  where both Mensheviks and Bolsheviks were present in one reunified party  she again defended the Bolsheviks from charges of rigidity and narrowness in terms of organisation:

It is possible that Polish comrades, who are accustomed to thinking more or less in ways adopted by the West-European movement, find this particular steadfastness [of the Bolsheviks] even more startling than you do. But do you know, comrades, where all these disagreeable features come from? These features are very familiar to someone acquainted with internal party relations in other countries: they represent the typical spiritual character of that trend within socialism that has to defend the very principle of the proletariats independent class policy against an opposing trend that is also very strong. (Applause.) Rigidity is the form taken by Social-Democratic tactics on the one side, when the other side represents the formlessness of jelly that creeps in every direction under the pressure of events. (Applause from the Bolsheviks and parts of the Centre.)[7]

The conclusion here is clear. What Rosa Luxemburg, Lenin and the Bolsheviks all stood for, more than anything else, was precisely the proletariats independent class policy. In the struggle between Bolshevism and Menshevism, between revolutionary Marxism and reformism, Luxemburg stood firmly on the side of Lenin and the Bolsheviks against reformism, which is precisely the policy that the so-called Luxemburgists today try to attribute to her. As Lenin later commented: In 1907 she participated as a delegate of the SD of Poland and Lithuania in the London congress of the RSDLP, supporting the Bolshevik faction on all basic questions of the Russian revolution.[8]

Rosa Luxemburg and the Russian Revolution

Another text of Rosa Luxemburg that is used to pit her against the Bolsheviks is one she wrote privately but which she never decided to publish in her lifetime, entitled The Russian Revolution (1918). In this article she makes several criticisms of the actions of the Bolsheviks during the Russian Revolution. However, what the Luxemburgists conveniently ignore is that Luxemburg was in prison when she wrote this article. She had been in prison since 1916 and was still incarcerated when the Russian Revolution took place. She could only get very partial information about the October Revolution and she wrote down her observations privately. After she was released from prison in 1918, aware of the fact that her analysis written in confinement would inevitably be imperfect, she refused to publish anything she had written on the Russian Revolution while in prison. This was because she knew full well that it would be distorted by the enemies of the revolution.

After being released from prison, Rosa Luxemberg stated that her previous views on the October revolution had been wrong and were based on insufficient information / Image: public domain

Clara Zetkin, who had a close relationship with Rosa Luxemburg, later testified that after she was released from prison in November 1918, she stated that her views had been wrong and were based on insufficient information. Rosa Luxemburg was capable of recognising when she had made a mistake, and there can be no confusion here about where Rosa Luxemburg stood in relation to the October Revolution: she fully backed it and the party that led it!

In fact, the 1918 text was only published later, in 1922 by Paul Levi, three years after Rosas death. He published it after his expulsion from the German Communist Party and the Third International for severely violating party discipline. He had never been given Rosas permission to publish the text  a very important detail that one has to bear in mind.

However, even in this text, one still finds that she was fully supportive of the Russian Revolution and the Bolsheviks from start to finish. Hers was a comradely criticism rather than a denunciation of October. If she had genuinely believed that Lenin was setting up a monstrous dictatorial regime, it is hard to imagine why she took the time to offer critical suggestions. Rather, she would have called on the Russian workers to oppose the Bolsheviks. This was clearly not the case. The article opens with the words, The Russian Revolution is the mightiest event of the World War. And this is how she ends the first section of the article:

Moreover, the Bolsheviks immediately set as the aim of this seizure of power a complete, far reaching revolutionary program; not the safeguarding of bourgeois democracy, but a dictatorship of the proletariat for the purpose of realizing socialism. Thereby they won for themselves the imperishable historic distinction of having for the first time proclaimed the final aim of socialism as the direct program of practical politics. Whatever a party could offer of courage, revolutionary far-sightedness and consistency in an historic hour, Lenin, Trotsky and all the other comrades have given in good measure. All the revolutionary honour and capacity which western Social-Democracy lacked was represented by the Bolsheviks. Their October uprising was not only the actual salvation of the Russian Revolution; it was also the salvation of the honour of international socialism.[9]

And she concluded her article thus:

What is in order is to distinguish the essential from the non-essential, the kernel from the accidental excrescences in the politics of the Bolsheviks. In the present period, when we face decisive final struggles in all the world, the most important problem of socialism was and is the burning question of our time. It is not a matter of this or that secondary question of tactics, but of the capacity for action of the proletariat, the strength to act, the will to power of socialism as such. In this, Lenin and Trotsky and their friends were the first, those who went ahead as an example to the proletariat of the world; they are still the only ones up to now who can cry with Hutten: I have dared! This is the essential and enduring in Bolshevik policy. In this sense theirs is the immortal historical service of having marched at the head of the international proletariat with the conquest of political power and the practical placing of the problem of the realization of socialism, and of having advanced mightily the settlement of the score between capital and labour in the entire world. In Russia, the problem could only be posed. It could not be solved in Russia. And in this sense, the future everywhere belongs to Bolshevism.

Only the German Revolution could have saved the Russian Revolution

Luxemburg, however, did not limit herself to supporting the Russian Revolution. She was also aware of the fact that the flaws in the Soviet regime were not the product of the intentions or ideas of Lenin and Trotsky, but of the isolation of the Russian Revolution and the backward conditions in the country. The solution was to break the isolation of the revolution by carrying out the German Revolution:

Everything that happens in Russia is comprehensible and represents an inevitable chain of causes and effects, the starting point and end term of which are: the failure of the German proletariat and the occupation of Russia by German imperialism. It would be demanding something superhuman from Lenin and his comrades if we should expect of them that under such circumstances they should conjure forth the finest democracy, the most exemplary dictatorship of the proletariat and a flourishing socialist economy. By their determined revolutionary stand, their exemplary strength in action, and their unbreakable loyalty to international socialism, they have contributed whatever could possibly be contributed under such devilishly hard conditions.[10]

She also denounced the Social-Democratic leaders in Germany who refused to support Soviet Russia because it was a dictatorship:

Let the German Government Socialists cry that the rule of the Bolsheviks in Russia is a distorted expression of the dictatorship of the proletariat. If it was or is such, that is only because it is a product of the behaviour of the German proletariat, in itself a distorted expression of the socialist class struggle. All of us are subject to the laws of history, and it is only internationally that the socialist order of society can be realized.[11] [Our emphasis].

If we read this article in its entirety instead of picking and choosing quotes out of context in order to misrepresent her views, it is impossible for an honest commentator to interpret Rosa Luxemburg as being opposed to Lenin and Trotsky. She agreed with Lenin on all major questions. She agreed with the way that the October Revolution was carried out. She agreed with what Lenin and Trotsky had to do to defend the young Soviet Republic. And as a genuine internationalist, she understood that the German Revolution had to succeed in order to save (not defeat) the Russian Revolution.

The myth around the Constituent Assembly

Conservatives, bourgeois liberals, reformists and even some on the left, have criticised the Bolshevik government for disbanding the Constituent Assembly after the revolution  an act taken as evidence that Lenin and Trotsky were anti-democratic and authoritarian. So-called supporters of Rosa Luxemburg also join this bandwagon, again quoting her 1918 text:

But the Constituent Assembly and the suffrage law do not exhaust the matter. We did not consider above the destruction of the most important democratic guarantees of a healthy public life and of the political activity of the labouring masses: freedom of the press, the rights of association and assembly, which have been outlawed for all opponents of the Soviet regime.[12]

By presenting the situation faced by the Bolsheviks after the October revolution and using Rosa Luxemburgs quote in this way, the Luxemburgists ignore a crucial factor in the situation: the existence of the soviets as democratic organs of workers power.

Luxemburg stood on the side of the Russian Revolution, on the side of the Bolsheviks and did everything in her power to replicate the socialist revolution in Germany as a step towards the world socialist revolution / Image: public domain

Throughout their history, the Bolsheviks supported the call for a Constituent Assembly  which is essentially a bourgeois parliament  the convening of which would be a huge step forward from tsarist despotism. However, at the time of its dissolution in 1918, the Constituent Assembly in Russia was no longer representative of the Russian masses, who were gravitating towards a higher form of government  the soviets based on the power of the working class. No bourgeois parliament is capable of expressing the rapidly changing views of the mass of working people in the course of a revolutionary upheaval. The Constituent Assembly therefore, which was lagging behind the revolutionary events, had become a focal point of counter-revolutionary forces working to defend the essence of the reactionary tsarist regime.

The Constituent Assembly had come into being when its existence had been overtaken by the real living revolutionary events, and this justified its dissolution by the Bolshevik government. By shutting down the Constituent Assembly, the Bolsheviks were not disbanding democracy. Rather, they were defending genuine workers democracy as represented by the soviets!

The Luxemburgists attempt to portray Rosa Luxemburg as a defender of bourgeois parliamentarism as opposed to soviet power. Yet again, this is absolutely false. Only a few months after she finished writing The Russian Revolution (which, again, let us not forget, she never published in her lifetime), she wrote an article entitled The National Assembly in November 1918 (which she did publish in Die Rote Fahne). Revolution had just broken out in Germany, and the liberals and reformists were calling for a National Assembly (the German equivalent of the Constituent Assembly). At the same time, workers councils were springing up across Germany. This is what Luxemburg had to say about the National Assembly:

The National Assembly is an outmoded legacy of bourgeois revolutions, an empty shell, a requisite from the time of petit-bourgeois illusions of a united people and of the liberty, equality, fraternity of the bourgeois State. To resort to the National Assembly today is consciously or unconsciously to turn the revolution back to the historical stage of bourgeois revolutions; anyone advocating it is a secret agent of the bourgeoisie or an unconscious spokesman of petit-bourgeois ideology.[13]

These words of Rosa are totally ignored by our latter-day Luxemburgists. And the reason is evident: she is clearly calling for the abolition of the bourgeois-democratic National Assembly. Does this mean that Rosa Luxemburg was out to destroy democracy? Quite the contrary! Luxemburg, in exactly the same manner as Lenin and Trotsky, was defending the real institutions of workers democracy  the workers councils, i.e. soviets  from the distraction and confusion that the National Assembly would have created for the revolution.

Far from being the advocate of spontaneity and an adversary of Bolshevism then, as she is presented to us by all those who deny the need to build a genuine revolutionary party, we see that Luxemburg stood on the side of the Russian Revolution, on the side of the Bolsheviks and did everything in her power to replicate the socialist revolution in Germany as a step towards the world socialist revolution. This is the true Rosa Luxemburg, whose legacy we claim. In the words of Leon Trotsky, we say to her false friends: Hands off Rosa Luxemburg!

Notes

[1] Tomas Varnagy, A Central European Revolutionary. 19 April, 2021.

[2] "Noam Chomsky on Revolutionary Violence, Communism and the American Left" - interview by Christopher Helali, Pax Marxista, March 12, 2013, (our emphasis). https://chomsky.info/20130312/.

[3] Rosa Luxemburg, The Mass Strike, the Political Party, and the Trade Unions, (Detroit: Marxist Educational Society of Detroit, 1925), chap. 7, Marxists Internet Archive.

[4] V. I. Lenin, Our Tasks and the Soviet of Workers Deputies, November 2-4 (15-17), 1905, Marxists Internet Archive.

[5] V. I. Lenin, The Tasks of the Proletariat in the Present Revolution, Pravda, April 7, 1917, Marxists Internet Archive.

[6] Rosa Luxemburg, Blanquism and Social Democracy, June 1906, Marxists Internet Archive.

[7] Rosa Luxemburg, Two Addresses to the Fifth Congress of the Russian Social-Democratic Labor Party, May 10, 2021, The Acheron in Motion.

[8] Quoted in Leon Trotsky, Hands off Rosa Luxemburg!, The Militant, August 1932, Marxists Internet Archive.

[9] Rosa Luxemburg, The Russian Revolution, (New York City: Workers Age Publishers, 1940), chap 1, Marxists Internet Archive.

[10] Ibid.

[11] Ibid., (our emphasis).

[12] Ibid., chap 5.

[13] Rosa Luxemburg, The National Assembly, Die Rote Fahne, November 20, 1918, Marxists Internet Archive.
AI & IoT smart solutions provider and designer of the world fair's famous orange mascot, sets sights on smart city expansion for MENA region

Dubai, United Arab Emirates--(Newsfile Corp. - January 10, 2022) - Performing a specially choreographed dance routine to mark today's portal opening of Expo 2020 Dubai's China Day, the world fair's now famous orange robot mascot, Opti, was present to welcome both early arrivals and the staff and management of the official premier partner behind all the robots serving visitors at Expo - Terminus Group.

Along with supplying 50 Optis and a total of over 150 Titan Series robots to assist visitors to Expo 2020, Terminus Group, is a smart solutions provider for buildings, communities, up to city-wide smart solution, with robotics one part of the solutions it provides.

Commenting on the partnership, Mohammed Al Hashmi, Chief Technology Officer for Expo 2020 Dubai, said:

"We are excited to host Expo 2020 Dubai with the presence of Opti, as well as Terminus Group's four other robot models. The positive feedback we have received from visitors - of all ages - has been overwhelming. From food deliveries to engaging with visitors at the stunning site of Expo 2020 Dubai, we are delighted with the impact the partnership with Terminus Group has delivered to the overall Expo experience."

Specialising in the pioneering development of the 'AI CITY' concept, Terminus uses its proprietary smart city management system TACOS (Terminus AI CITY Operating System) to integrate several smart solutions, including Internet of Things (IoT) products, urban digitisation, to robotics. It is this specialisation that has seen Terminus Group establish its first regional HQ in Dubai, and specifically, as an anchor tenant of District 2020 - the mixed-use legacy project of Expo 2020, which aims to become a global smart logistics and tech hub.

Vice President of Transition Unit - District 2020, Nadimeh Mehra, "We are looking forward to seeing the establishment of Terminus Group's R&D centre in AI and IoT at District 2020, as we transition and evolve our future community, following Expo 2020 Dubai. As an innovation leader in future technologies, Terminus Group will add tremendous value to the growth of our global innovation ecosystem, supporting our aims to enable co-creation between diverse stakeholders, and the development of solutions that will lead to smarter, more sustainable, human-centric cities."

Cloud Valley, the first urban digitised community, is a project being developed by Terminus Group and shares similar ambitions to be a benchmark in urban digitisation and placing smart tech at the centre of enhancing community living and wellbeing experience of its residents and workers.

Central to Terminus Group's smart infrastructure offering for the design of future cities is its proprietary core software foundation - TACOS. Effective in producing a more energy efficient and lifestyle ecosystem that seeks to improve the quality of life of all residents and workers using the platform.

Commenting on Expo's Portal Opening earlier today, Victor Ai, Founder and CEO of Terminus Group said:

"As an official premier partner to Expo 2020 Dubai, Terminus Group is proud to open the portal gate to mark the world fair's China Day. As a result of our partnership, and since the start of the Expo, in October last year, Terminus Group has realised a number of business and commercial deals and we are confident that the establishment of our new regional HQ - right in the heart of Expo - and later through the legacy project: District 2020 - we will cultivate a strong working relationship with businesses and governments in the region, offering the kind of integrated smart solutions of the future that will transform the concept of our living, working and leisure time."

###

About Terminus Group

Established in 2015, Terminus Group is committed to driving the upgrading of urban management through digital and smart tech solutions, promoting the prosperity of the industrial ecology, and promoting the implementation of green and low to carbon-neutral approaches.

Taking AIoT technology as the starting point, Terminus Group currently has developed core products such as its proprietary TACOS smart city operating system, a city-wide series of AIoT smart hardware, and solutions for energy saving and carbon reduction in cities.

Terminus Group owns more than 1,000 patents and has been selected for six times in the industry-leading Gartner report for its authoritative IT research and consulting.

Photo #1





Terminus Group open the Expo Portal, marking the beginning of China Day

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

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Photo #2





Terminus Group open the Portal Gate to mark Expo's China Day and are joined by Mohammed AL Hashmi, CTO of Expo (centre-right), Nadimeh Mehra, VP of Transition, District 2020 (centre-left), along with the range of robots serving Expo 2020 Dubai.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

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Photo #3





Expo 2020 Dubai's robot mascot "Opti" performs a welcome dance as his developers, Terminus Group, open the Expo Portal Gate, to mark China Day - joined by Mohammed Al Hashmi, CTO of Expo, and Nadimeh Mehra, VP of Transition, District 2020.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

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Kratos Fan

001-626-4568311

fan.lvwei@tslsmart.com

United States

www.terminusgroup.com

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/109645
Regulatory News:

Technip Energies (PARIS:TE) (the "Company"), a leading Engineering Technology company for the Energy Transition, today announces that it has agreed to acquire 1.8 million of its own ordinary shares from TechnipFMC plc. The Company's agreement to purchase these shares is part of TechnipFMC's announced sell-down of its stake in the Company through a private sale transaction (the "Sale") which also included Bpifrance Participations SA and HAL Investments, the Dutch investment subsidiary of HAL Holding N.V., each agreeing to purchase 3.6 million of the Company's ordinary shares.

The purchase price of the shares subject to the Sale is set at 13.15 per share. The settlement for the Sale is expected to take place on or around January 14, 2022.

Upon completion of the Sale, TechnipFMC's stake in the Company will be reduced to approximately 7%.

About Technip Energies

Technip Energies is a leading Engineering Technology company for the energy transition, with leadership positions in Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), hydrogen and ethylene as well as growing market positions in blue and green hydrogen, sustainable chemistry and CO2 management. The company benefits from its robust project delivery model supported by extensive technology, products and services offering.

Operating in 34 countries, our 15,000 people are fully committed to bringing our client's innovative projects to life, breaking boundaries to accelerate the energy transition for a better tomorrow.

Technip Energies shares are listed on Euronext Paris. In addition, Technip Energies has a Level 1 sponsored American Depositary Receipts ("ADRs") program, with its ADRs trading over-the-counter. For further information: www.technipenergies.com.

Forward-looking statements

This release contains "forward-looking statements" as defined in Section 27A of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements usually relate to future events and anticipated revenues, earnings, cash flows or other aspects of Technip Energies' operations or operating results. Forward-looking statements are often identified by the words "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "plan," "intend," "foresee," "should," "would," "could," "may," "estimate," "outlook," and similar expressions, including the negative thereof. The absence of these words, however, does not mean that the statements are not forward-looking. These forward-looking statements are based on Technip Energies' current expectations, beliefs and assumptions concerning future developments and business conditions and their potential effect on Technip Energies. While Technip Energies believes that these forward-looking statements are reasonable as and when made, there can be no assurance that future developments affecting Technip Energies will be those that Technip Energies anticipates.

All of Technip Energies' forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties (some of which are significant or beyond Technip Energies' control) and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from Technip Energies' historical experience and Technip Energies' present expectations or projections. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements.

For information regarding known material factors that could cause actual results to differ from projected results, please see Technip Energies' risk factors set forth in Technip Energies' filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, which include amendment no. 4 to Technip Energies' registration statement on Form F-1 filed on February 11, 2021.

Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties and speak only as of the date they are made. Technip Energies undertakes no duty to and will not necessarily update any of the forward-looking statements in light of new information or future events, except to the extent required by applicable law.

Disclaimers

This release is intended for informational purposes only for the shareholders of Technip Energies. This press release contains information within the meaning of Article 7(1) of the EU Market Abuse Regulation. This press release is not intended for distribution in jurisdictions that require prior regulatory review and authorization to distribute a press release of this nature.

The shares have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, US persons, absent registration or an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act. There will be no public offer of the shares in the United States or in any other jurisdiction. The shares are being offered outside the United States in transactions that are not subject to the Securities Act pursuant to Regulation S under the Securities Act ("Regulation S") to persons other than US persons (within the meaning of Regulation S) and in the United States to "qualified institutional buyers" ("QIBs") pursuant to an exemption from, or in transactions not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220110006015/en/

Contacts:

Investor Relations

Phillip Lindsay

Vice-President, Investor Relations

+44 207 585 5051

Phillip Lindsay

Media Relations

Stella Fumey

Director, Press Relations Digital Communications

+33 1 85 67 40 95

Stella Fumey

Jason Hyonne

Press Relations Social Media Lead

+33 1 47 78 22 89

Jason Hyonne
Global life science innovator will showcase its latest technology at the China Pavilion from January 11-13

DUBAI, UAE, Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Global life science innovator MGI Tech Co. Ltd. (MGI) is aiming to boost its market share in the Middle East and Asia through participation at Guangdong Week, a dedicated event taking place at the world exhibition's China Pavilion from January 11-13.

The biotech company, which is headquartered in Shenzhen, Guangdong, China, will be demonstrating its sequencing platform DNBSEQ-T7* and its automation system MGISP-NE384 at the event - the technologies that form part of MGI's inventory have played a prominent role in helping the Middle East and Gulf region to combat Covid-19.

"MGI's technology has been pivotal in fighting the spread of the coronavirus through enabling its rapid detection and continued monitoring its changes. This has allowed primary health care providers and authorities to accurately track its movement and spread and take corresponding safety and security measures to protect their populations," said Dr. Roy Tan, General Manager of MGI Asia Pacific.

"The omicron variant has shown that the global community is far from being out of the woods yet and that new forms of the virus - including highly transmissible variants - are likely to be a feature of the Covid-19 picture moving forwards. Prompt detection and identification of such variants is essential in tackling their spread early on and is one of the key factors that influences humanity's ability to ultimately bring the pandemic to an end. Covid-19 will invariably be a permanent feature of all our lives in the new normal, but effective gene sequencing can help to ensure that we minimize its impact by genomic surveillance of its mutation," he added.

As well as being main tools in the armory of health care providers and authorities combating the coronavirus, MGI products are also playing a key role in supporting scientific research and applications in other areas in key regions, including the Middle East. The company says that Guangdong Week at Expo 2020 Dubai is the ideal forum to highlight its gene sequencing platforms* and automation systems to a wider global audience.

"Guangdong Week at Expo 2020 Dubai is the perfect platform to showcase MGI's DNBSEQ sequencing technology that has been instrumental in helping countries fight the coronavirus as well as supporting their other biotechnology initiatives. With 200 nations participating at the world exhibition, and with Guangdong Week attracting officials and policymakers from an array of countries, we see this as the perfect opportunity to heighten awareness of the difference that our technology can make," he continued.

MGI's participation at Expo 2020 Dubai forms part of its overall expansion strategy in the region. The company increased its footprint in the Middle East since February 2019 with a new office opening in Dubai to better serve partners and clients in this part of the world. MGI's expansion in the gulf region includes the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, with the company serving universities, hospitals and healthcare institutions.

In addition to its participation at the Guangdong Week at Expo 2020 Dubai, MGI is taking part in the Arab Health Exhibition and Congress (Arab Health) online from January 5 to February 28. The company will be demonstrating its MGIUS-R3 robotic ultrasound system at the event, which is the largest healthcare conference in the Middle East.

MGI will also be participating at Medlab Middle East from January 24-27 at the booth of Z4G30, held on the sidelines of Arab Health. There, it will be showcasing their DNBSEQ-G400* and DNBSEQ-G50* gene sequencing platforms, MGISTP-3000 automated sample transfer processing system, mobile platform for automated and integrated nucleic acid testing, and MGISP-Smart8 automation sample preparation system which will be launched and revealed to an international audience for the first time.

About MGI

MGI Tech Co. Ltd. (MGI), headquartered in Shenzhen, is committed to building core tools and technology to lead life science through intelligent innovation. Based on its proprietary technology, MGI focuses on research & development, production and sales of sequencing instruments, reagents, and related products to support life science research, agriculture, precision medicine and healthcare. MGI is a leading producer of clinical high-throughput gene sequencers*, and its multi-omics platforms include genetic sequencing*, medical imaging, and laboratory automation. MGI's mission is to develop and promote advanced life science tools for future healthcare. For more information, please visit the MGI website or connect with us on Twitter, LinkedIn or YouTube.
Corbion's Supervisory Board announces it has nominated William Lin for appointment to the Supervisory Board for a term of four years as of the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders (AGM) in May 2022.

Mr. Lin (who has United States of America nationality) brings extensive global business and operational experience, expertise in sustainability, and knowledge of Asian markets. Mr. Lin has worked for BP for 26 years and is currently Executive Vice President for Regions, Cities & Solutions and a member of BP's Executive Committee. Previously, he held the role of Chief Operating Officer in the upstream segment, and prior to that he worked in various other senior leadership roles with P&L accountabilities across the world. His career began with Consolidated Edison Corporation in New York and with Nestle USA in California. William resides in London, United Kingdom.



Chairman of the Supervisory Board Mathieu Vrijsen said: "We are very pleased with William Lin's extensive experience as a member of the executive team of a major international company, and especially with his current role in leading the new business entity for BP's energy transition. This, combined with his multi-cultural background and experience - born and raised in the US, and having both worked and lived in Asia, Middle East and Europe - adds great value to Corbion and further contributes to a well-balanced composition of Corbion's Supervisory Board."

Subject to approval by the AGM, the appointment of Mr. Lin will be effective as of the end of the AGM that will be held on 18 May 2022. The full details and agenda for the AGM will be published in April 2022.

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Basel, January 11, 2022

Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd. (SIX: BSLN), a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company committed to meeting the needs of patients with infectious diseases and cancer, announced today the completion of patient enrolment into the phase 3 ERADICATE study1. This study is investigating ceftobiprole in the treatment of patients with complicated bloodstream infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus, also referred to as Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia (SAB). ERADICATE reached its target enrolment of 390 patients.

ERADICATE is the second of two phase 3 studies necessary for a regulatory filing of ceftobiprole in the U.S. The first study, TARGET2, in patients with acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSI) reported positive results in 2019. If the results of the ERADICATE study are also positive, a New Drug Application will be submitted to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The U.S. is the largest potential market for ceftobiprole, considering the high incidence of MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) infections in the U.S.

Dr. Marc Engelhardt, Chief Medical Officer, said: "ERADICATE is the largest randomized study conducted for registrational purposes of a new antibiotic treatment in Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia, or SAB. With patient enrolment now completed, we expect topline data from ERADICATE to become available in around six months, and these data will define our regulatory strategy for the U.S. SAB is an area of high unmet medical need with limited treatment options. With the ERADICATE study, our goal is to leverage the unique properties of ceftobiprole, for the benefit of patients with these severe bacterial infections, including those with complications such as right-sided infective endocarditis or osteomyelitis."

Basilea's ceftobiprole phase 3 program is funded in part (up to USD 134.2 million, which is approximately 70% of the total potential program costs) with federal funds from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response; Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), under contract number HHSO100201600002C.

About ceftobiprole

Ceftobiprole medocaril, the prodrug of the active moiety ceftobiprole, is a cephalosporin antibiotic for intravenous administration, with rapid bactericidal activity against a wide range of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. This includes methicillin-susceptible and resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA, MRSA) and susceptible Pseudomonas spp.3 The brand is currently approved and marketed as Zevtera and Mabelio in a number of countries in Europe and beyond. Basilea has entered into license and distribution agreements in Europe, Eurasian countries, Latin America, China, Canada, Israel, and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) regions.

About Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia (SAB)

Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia is a leading cause of bloodstream infections, responsible for a broad variety of complications and has been associated with significant morbidity and a mortality of 20 to 40%.4, 5 Several studies have demonstrated that MRSA bacteremia is associated with a significantly higher mortality rate compared with MSSA bacteremia.6, 7 Infections of the inner lining of the heart or heart valves (infective endocarditis) and bone infections (osteomyelitis) are common complications of SAB.

About Basilea

Basilea is a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company founded in 2000 and headquartered in Switzerland. We are committed to discovering, developing and commercializing innovative drugs to meet the needs of patients with cancer and infectious diseases. We have successfully launched two hospital brands, Cresemba for the treatment of invasive fungal infections and Zevtera for the treatment of severe bacterial infections. We are conducting clinical studies with two targeted drug candidates for the treatment of a range of cancers and have several preclinical assets in both cancer and infectious diseases in our portfolio. Basilea is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (SIX: BSLN). Please visit basilea.com.

Disclaimer

This communication expressly or implicitly contains certain forward-looking statements, such as "believe", "assume", "expect", "forecast", "project", "may", "could", "might", "will" or similar expressions concerning Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd. and its business, including with respect to the progress, timing and completion of research, development and clinical studies for product candidates. Such statements involve certain known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which could cause the actual results, financial condition, performance or achievements of Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd. to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd. is providing this communication as of this date and does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements contained herein as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

For further information, please contact:

Peer Nils Schroder, PhD



Head of Corporate Communications & Investor Relations Phone +41 61 606 1102 E-mail media_relations@basilea.com (mailto:media_relations@basilea.com)

investor_relations@basilea.com (mailto:investor_relations@basilea.com)

This press release can be downloaded from www.basilea.com.

References

ERADICATE: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT03138733

K. Hamed, M. Engelhardt, M. E. Jones et al. Ceftobiprole versus daptomycin in Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia: a novel protocol for a double-blind, Phase III trial. Future Microbiology. 2020 (1), 35-48 TARGET: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT03137173

J. S. Overcash, C. Kim, R. Keech R et al. Ceftobiprole Compared With Vancomycin Plus Aztreonam in the Treatment of Acute Bacterial Skin and Skin Structure Infections: Results of a Phase 3, Randomized, Double-blind Trial (TARGET). Clinical Infectious Diseases 2021 (73), e1507-e1517 Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) Zevtera: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/9164/smpc (https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/9164/smpc)

[Accessed: January 10, 2022] A. G. Jensen, C. H. Wachmann, F. Espersen et al. Treatment and outcome of Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia: a prospective study of 278 cases. Archives of Internal Medicine 2002 (162), 25-32 J.-L. Wang, S.-Y. Chen, J.-T. Wang et al. Comparison of both clinical features and mortality risk associated with bacteremia due to community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin-susceptible S. aureus. Clinical Infectious Diseases 2008 (46), 799-806 S. I. Blot, K. H. Vandewoude, E. A. Hoste et al. Outcome and attributable mortality in critically ill patients with bacteremia involving methicillin-susceptible and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Archives of Internal Medicine 2002 (162), 2229-2235 S. E. Cosgrove, G. Sakoulas, E. N. Perencevich et al. Comparison of mortality associated with methicillin-resistant and methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia: a meta-analysis. Clinical Infectious Diseases 2003 (36), 53-59

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COPENHAGEN, Denmark, Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- SNIPR BIOME ApS, a leading CRISPR and microbiome biotechnology company, is pleased to announce that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the Investigational New Drug (IND) Application, for our first development candidate, enabling the company to initiate the first clinical trial in humans with SNIPR001. The trial, which is scheduled to begin in first half of 2022, will investigate safety and tolerability in healthy volunteers, and investigate the effect of SNIPR001 on E. coli colonisation in the gut.

"The SNIPR BIOME team is excited about this important milestone, and we are looking forward to initiating the clinical trial in the US later this year, testing our unique CRISPR technology. SNIPR001 is our most progressed asset, and we are very proud of the team effort that brought us here" says Dr. Christian Grndahl, Co-founder & CEO.

The clinical trial could pave the way for a new type of precision therapy to selectively target E. coli in cancer patients with hematological malignancies - which are cancers that affect the blood, bone marrow, and lymph nodes. These patients are at increased risk of life-threatening bloodstream infections due to the disease, to chemotherapy treatment and, importantly, to pathogen translocation from the gut, in which E. coli is one of the most important players in causing infection.

SNIPR001 aims to target E. coli bacteria in the gut, and thereby prevent the translocation of these bacteria to the bloodstream, while leaving the commensal bacteria in the patient's microbiome unaffected. The approach with SNIPR001 is harnessing a novel application of our proprietary CRISPR/Cas technology to selectively eradicate E. coli bacteria from the gut. This precision approach could transform the way E. coli infections are prevented and treated, especially in the cancer ward.

Today, there are no approved therapies for prophylactic therapy in this setting.

"Based on our pre-clinical data with SNIPR001 we believe that our technology holds a huge potential in designing tomorrow's CRISPR-based medicines against life-threatening infections and to modulate microbiome-associated diseases" says Dr. Milan Zdravkovic, Chief Medical Officer and Head of R&D at SNIPR Biome. "With the rise in anti-microbial resistance there is an urgent need for novel drug candidates to treat infectious bacteria, such as E. coli, and we are grateful for the collaboration with the non-profit organisation, CARB-X on SNIPR001".

SNIPR001 is the first of many potential therapeutic candidates, as highlighted by Dr. Christian Grndahl: "We are building a strong pipeline of novel CRISPR assets and have beyond our interest in infectious diseases, collaborations with the MD Anderson Cancer Center on immuno-oncology, and with Novo Nordisk on applying gene-modulation technologies on the microbiome. We are excited to explore the full potential of our CRISPR technology in the future".

For more information, please contact:

Christian Grndahl, Dr.Med, Co-founder and CEO

E-mail: cg@sniprbiome.com

Mobile: +45 20202747

www.sniprbiome.com

About SNIPR BIOME

SNIPR BIOME is a leading CRISPR and microbiome biotech company incorporated in Copenhagen, Denmark. SNIPR BIOME is engaged in the discovery and development of CRISPR/Cas-based medicines deploying its proprietary and patent-protected CRISPR/Cas platform. The company applies its CRISPR technologies to selectively target microbial pathogens and remodel the microbiome to address important unmet medical needs. SNIPR BIOME is pioneering a novel use of CRISPR/Cas technology to selectively and precisely eradicate target bacteria, while leaving the rest of the patient's microbial community intact. SNIPR BIOME was recently awarded a grant by CARB-X of up to 10.2m USD for CRISPR-based treatment of haematological cancer patients at risk of neutropenic fever and life-threating infections (SNIPR001). In addition, SNIPR BIOME and The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center has a strategic collaboration agreement to advance new CRISPR-based microbiome therapeutics to reduce immune-related adverse events (irAE) in patients being treated with combined immune checkpoint inhibitors. The company also develops proprietary technologies for in situ production of therapeutics in the human microbiome. SNIPR BIOME and Novo Nordisk recently entered into a research agreement on an undisclosed target to evaluate this technology for gene therapy of the microbiome i.e., in situ production of therapeutics in the human microbiome. SNIPR BIOME holds an extensive portfolio of granted patents protecting CRISPR modification of microbiota as an adjunct to cancer therapy, vaccine therapy and other immunotherapies. In March 2019, SNIPR BIOME closed a $50 million Series A financing by Lundbeckfonden Emerge (Copenhagen), Life Sciences Partners (Amsterdam), North-East Family Office (Copenhagen) and Wellington Partners (Munich).

For more details, please visit: www.sniprbiome.com

About CARB-X

CARB-X (Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria Biopharmaceutical Accelerator) is a global non-profit partnership dedicated to supporting early development antibacterial R&D to address the rising threat of drug-resistant bacteria. CARB-X is led by Boston University and funding is provided by the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), part of the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) in the US Department of Health and Human Services; the Wellcome Trust, a global charity based in the UK working to improve health globally; Germany's Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF); the UK Department of Health and Social Care's Global Antimicrobial Resistance Innovation Fund (GAMRIF) funded by the UK Government Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC); the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and with in-kind support from National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) within the US Department of Health and Human Services. CARB-X is investing up to US$480 million from 2016-2022 to support innovative therapeutics, preventatives and rapid diagnostics. CARB-X funds only projects that target drug-resistant bacteria highlighted on the CDC's Antibiotic Resistant Threats list, or the Priority Bacterial Pathogens list published by the WHO, with a priority on those pathogens deemed Serious or Urgent on the CDC list or Critical or High on the WHO list. CARB-X is headquartered at Boston University School of Law. https://carb-x.org/. Follow us on Twitter @CARB_X

Disclaimer

Research reported in this press release is supported by CARB-X. CARB-X's funding for this project is sponsored by the Cooperative Agreement Number IDSEP160030 from ASPR/BARDA and by an award from the Wellcome Trust. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of CARB-X or any of its funders.

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

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Murilo Portugal Appointed to Thomson Reuters Founders Share Company Board of Directors

TORONTO, Jan. 10, 2022 -- The Thomson Reuters Founders Share Company today announced that it has appointed Murilo Portugal to its Board of Directors.

The Thomson Reuters Founders Share Company acts as a guardian of the Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. Established in 1941, the Trust Principles are designed to preserve Thomson Reuters independence, integrity and freedom from bias in the gathering and dissemination of information and news. The new appointment takes immediate effect.

Mr. Portugal has a long and established career across both the public and private sectors in Brazil, and in international organizations. From 1980 to 1984, he was an adviser at the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President of Brazil, and then served as Chief Economic Advisor at the General Secretariat of the Presidency of the Republic of Brazil from 1990 to 1992. He was then appointed Secretary of the National Treasury, where he played a key role in implementing the Real Plan of economic stabilization. He also served as Deputy Finance Minister from 2005 to 2006.

In addition to his experience in Brazil, Mr. Portugal served as an Executive Director at the World Bank Group and as Executive Director and Deputy Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). At the IMF, he oversaw Fund relations with 81 countries across five continents. He has also served as President of the Brazilian Federation of Banks, and served on the boards of Banco do Brazil, Caixa Economica Federal, Electrobras and IRB Brazil RE.

Kim Williams, Chairman of the Founders Share Company's Board, said, "I am delighted to welcome Murilo Portugal to the Trustees of the Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. I am sure he will make a fine contribution to our thinking in defending the Principles and ensuring that we act at all times in a way that is consistent with the best ethical practice, ensuring that values core to the successful sustenance of the Principles over the last 80 years are maintained through sensitive, and sustained, vigilance."

Thomson Reuters

Thomson Reuters is a leading provider of business information services. Our products include highly specialized information-enabled software and tools for legal, tax, accounting and compliance professionals combined with the world's most global news service - Reuters. For more information on Thomson Reuters. For more information on Thomson Reuters, visit tr.com and for the latest world news, reuters.com.

CONTACT

Andrew Green

Senior Director, Corporate Affairs

+1 332 219 1511

andrew.green@tr.com
Retail Veteran Joins Claire's, Further Strengthening Brand's European Footprint

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill., Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Global fashion brand Claire's Stores, Inc. announces the appointment of Richard Flint as President of Europe where he will lead the brand's business in the continent, focusing on growth across channels in the European market. Flint will report to Claire's Chief Executive Officer, Ryan Vero.

With over two decades of experience in retail, Flint's proven track record in key leadership roles, along with his strategic approach to growing and evolving businesses, will be integral as Claire's looks to further expand the brand's international footprint throughout Europe. Flint will focus on amplifying Claire's European presence through a strong growth pipeline and developing the international supply chain to optimize the flow of products to customers through Claire's channels, with an added emphasis on its growing concessions business.

"Richard brings a wealth of experience, an expert knowledge of the market and a drive for optimizing growth, which will be instrumental to our brand positioning and long-term success as a global fashion brand that inspires self-expression," said Ryan Vero, Chief Executive Officer. "I look forward to working closely with Richard to bring our vision for Claire's to life."

"Claire's is a powerful brand with an engaged, global audience, and my mission is to expand Claire's international footprint, seamlessly bringing the brand's trendsetting products, memorable in-store experiences and industry-leading ear piercing services to even more customers in Europe, allowing them to express themselves with our brand," said Richard Flint, President of Europe.

Flint most recently served as Chief Growth Officer and Executive Board Member at HEMA where he delivered significant growth through his digital and multichannel leadership and vision. Flint was also intimately involved in the company's M&A initiative, playing a key role in the leadership team responsible for the sale of HEMA BV in 2018 and the subsequent sale of the company to a private equity consortium in December 2020. Prior to HEMA, Flint served as the Vice President, Direct-to-Consumer at Nike, leading the company's business in Greater China, including the retail turnaround of its brand fleet, and dramatically increasing e-commerce performance across platforms and owned digital properties.

About Claire's Stores, Inc.

Claire's Stores, Inc. is a fully integrated, global fashion brand powerhouse committed to inspiring self-expression through the creation and delivery of exclusive, well-curated products and experiences. For over 50 years, Claire's has been a destination for the curious, creative and influential and an industry-leader in ear piercing services, delivering a trendsetting assortment of fashion products and accessories that help young people worldwide style and define themselves. Through its global brands, Claire's and Icing, the company delivers an immersive, omnichannel shopping experience with owned and concession stores throughout North America and Europe as well as franchise stores in the Middle East and South Africa. More information regarding Claire's is available at www.clairestores.com .

MEDIA CONTACT

Katie Settle - Brand Communications Specialist

Katie.Settle@claires.com

Tel: +44 (0) 1212 507 922

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LEIDEN, Netherlands, Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Amarna Therapeutics, a privately-held biotechnology company developing transformative gene therapies in a range of rare and prevalent diseases, today announced that Amarna and its Swedish CRO partner Redoxis have been awarded a 0.8 million grant from EUREKA Eurostars for their joint ALPHAVAC project. The project is aimed at developing an effective in vivo screening platform for identification and validation of key self-antigens in a range of neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs). The results, initially targeting amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), will following be used to develop innovative gene therapy approaches, based on Amarna's proprietary SVec viral vector platform.

ALS and other NDDs, including Alzheimer's Disease (AD), Parkinson's Disease (PD) and Multiple Sclerosis (MS), have a dramatic impact on society due to their high incidence, mortality, and severe debilitating character. To date, few disease-modifying therapeutic interventions have become available, and an urgent medical need remains to develop safe and effective treatments for patients suffering from this devastating group of diseases.

The ALPHAVAC project

Increasing scientific evidence indicates that components of the immune system are major drivers of NDD disease progression. In the ALPHAVAC project, Amarna and Redoxis will develop a screening platform based on Alphaviruses, AlphaSelect, to identify and validate the therapeutic potential of specific self-antigens in NDDs. The AlphaSelect platform will initially be used by Redoxis to develop an inducible animal model for ALS that is representative of the disease in humans. Subsequently, Amarna will use the inducible ALS model in tolerization experiments to validate therapeutic targets for the development of an effective SVec-based gene therapy for ALS. The Eurostars project complements Amarna's R&D pipeline of selected autoimmune programs that already include MS and Diabetes mellitus type 1 (DM1).

Steen Klysner, CEO of Amarna Therapeutics commented:

"We are very pleased that our approach to neurodegenerative diseases, illustrated here by ALS, has been recognized and awarded a Eurostars grant, and we now look forward to launch the project with Redoxis."

About ALS

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating and fatal neurodegenerative disease associated with muscle weakness, paralysis, and ultimately respiratory failure. Most patients decease within five years after diagnosis. In analogy to other NDDs, to date, effective treatments for ALS have not become available. There is increasing evidence that ALS is a T lymphocyte-mediated autoimmune disease in which the T lymphocytes attack and destroy motor neurons that express a specific self-antigen. The lack of both validated therapeutic targets and animal models representative of the human disease have hampered the development of effective ALS therapies.

About Eurostars

Eurostars is a European program that supports innovative SMEs and project partners (small and medium-sized companies, universities, research organizations and other types of organizations) by funding international collaborative R&D and innovation projects. Eurostars is run by EUREKA, an intergovernmental network, and involves 37 countries.

About Redoxis

Redoxis is a Swedish Clinical Research Organization (CRO) with core expertise and focus on preclinical drug development and efficacy evaluation in models of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. With strong roots in academic research, Redoxis is keeping closely up to date with the latest immunology research and continuously updating its portfolio of models. The company has several on-going collaborations with academic partners for model development and is member of several EU funded projects aiming at developing standardized models for autoimmune conditions.

More information on www.redoxis.com

About Amarna Therapeutics

Amarna Therapeutics is a privately held, preclinical biotech company developing transformative, potentially curative gene therapies for a range of rare and prevalent diseases. The company is pioneering the development of gene therapies with its SVec viral vector, based on simian virus 40 (SV40), a macaque polyoma virus to which humans are immunologically naive.

Amarna has created a proprietary production cell line (SuperVero) that for the first time makes it possible to produce SV40-derived vectors suitable for therapeutic use. The company's fully integrated gene therapy platform combining SuperVero with its genetically engineered SVec viral vector is truly unique in its intrinsic capability to deliver transgenes without eliciting immune responses to the vector nor to the transgene product.

Leveraging this 'natural' non-immunogenicity feature of its gene delivery system in humans, Amarna is developing a broad pipeline of safe, effective and durable gene therapies focused on genetic disorders, autoimmune diseases and chronic inflammation. Founded in 2008, Amarna's head office is based in Leiden Bio Science Park, the Netherlands, with a research subsidiary located in Seville, Spain.

More information on www.amarnatherapeutics.com

Follow us on LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/company/amarna-therapeutics-b.v.

For further inquiries please contact:

Amarna Therapeutics

Steen Klysner, CEO

E-mail: steen.klysner@amarnatherapeutics.com

LifeSpring Life Sciences Communication, Amsterdam

Leon Melens

Tel: +31 6 538 16 427

E-mail: lmelens@lifespring.nl

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1700186/Amarna_Logo.jpg
SINGAPORE, Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Azentio Software ("Azentio"), a Singapore-headquartered technology firm owned by funds advised by Apax Partners , today announced that iMAL R14.5, the latest version of the company's Islamic core banking platform, has successfully completed the annual certification review for the year 2022 by the Accounting and Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions (AAOIFI), the world's leading Islamic finance standard-setting body.

This certification is a tangible proof of Azentio adhering to existing and newly issued AAOIFI Shari'ah and Financial Accounting Standards for the recently acquired iMAL R14.5 by Azentio.

"AAOIFI is here to protect the integrity of the global Islamic finance industry through the means of standardization of best practices in the areas of Shari'ah, accounting, auditing, governance, and ethics. We are pleased to complete the review of the version 14.5 of iMAL for the year 2022 to ensure its compliance with AAOIFI's Shari'ah and Financial Accounting Standards," commented Omar Mustafa Ansari, Secretary General, AAOIFI. "By following and implementing AAOIFI standards in the right manner, we believe iMAL is mitigating Shari'ah non-compliance risks. Our continued collaboration is a testament to Azentio's ongoing commitment of following best practices not only for itself but also for its clients which are the world's leading Islamic financial institutions," Ansari concluded.

Mohammed Kateeb, Global Head of Islamic Banking and President of Middle East & Africa at Azentio, said, "For our core banking platform iMAL new version to be certified by AAOIFI, reflects our ongoing commitment to creating a truly differentiated value proposition. The latest advancement in financial technology has posed unprecedented challenges for incumbent Islamic banks to remain competitive. We are combining advanced technologies with deep knowledge of Islamic finance and embedding this into our new platform to help our clients transform, accelerate innovation, and achieve operational efficiency, while providing Shari'ah compliance assurance to the Islamic financial services ecosystem. We ensure a compliance mindset in our design and development efforts, and continuously challenge ourselves to provide a unique platform that meets or exceeds the needs and expectations of our clients, always complying with the AAOIFI and Shari'ah rules."

Azentio Software provides mission critical, vertical-specific software products for clients in banking, financial services and insurance verticals. The company has over 800 clients in more than 60 countries with a team of over 2,000 employees across offices in 9 countries globally.


WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Big Box furniture retail chain Ikea has decided to cut sick pay for the workers who have not taken the jabs and are having to isolate due to exposure and have tested positive.



The Swedish company has said that the policy will be implemented in its outlet at Wessex Water and other major US stores. The company claims that the measures are the right ones to take under the current circumstances.



The firms across the globe are going through mass absence due to covid and the company has been encouraging its staff to get jabbed. The revised policy states that without mitigating circumstances, the employees will receive euros 96.35 or $130 as statutory sick pay. Usually, a full-time Ikea employee earns around euros 400 or $450 per week. However, this payment will be on the review of the managers of the absentee and will be judged by the trend of the presence of the employee.



'We appreciate that this is an emotive topic and all circumstances will be considered on a case by case basis, therefore anyone in doubt or concerned about their situation is encouraged to speak to their manager,' Ikea said in a statement.



A US representative of the company added. We cannot comment on policies and benefits being offered to IKEA co-workers in other markets. Since the start of the pandemic, the health and safety of our co-workers have been our highest priority for IKEA globally.IKEA US has offered up to 80 hours of emergency sick pay to co-workers regardless of vaccination status, which is regularly reviewed in line with changes to guidance from the CDC and local ordinances,'



For those who are vaccinated and still got exposed to the virus or test positive, the company will pay the full sick pay amount.







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LONDON (dpa-AFX) - SIG plc (SHI.L), a distributor of specialist building products, Tuesday said its fiscal 2021 Group revenues from underlying operations were 22 percent higher from last year to 2.29 billion pounds.



Like-for-like or LFL revenues for the year grew 24 percent from last year, and the growth was 8 percent from the pre-pandemic 2019.



The company continues to expect an underlying operating profit of no less than 40 million pounds for the year.



In its trading update for the year ended December 31, 2021, the company said its fourth-quarter LFL sales grew 17 percent from last year, with growth of 19 percent in UK and 16 percent in EU.



Group LFL sales growth was 22 percent compared to 2019.



In the year 2021, UK LFL sales climbed 37 percent from last year, and the increase was 17 percent in EU. Reported sales in UK was 930 million pounds, and in EU was 1.36 billion pounds.



The company said its profitability is increasingly positive, with the trading performance driving several upgrades during the year.



Looking ahead, the company said it is well placed to build on the significant progress made in 2021.



The company said, 'Our order books continue to be robust, and we remain confident in the effectiveness of our supply chain management.... As a result, the Board is confident that the momentum built in 2021 will continue in 2022 and, providing there is no material disruption to either our business or end markets, expects the Group to deliver solid organic revenue growth in the coming year.'







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LONDON (dpa-AFX) - Pennon Group PLC (PNN.L) said the Competition and Markets Authority or CMA will launch a consultation on the undertakings put forward by Pennon with respect to the merger with Bristol Water. It is expected to conclude by 7 March 2022. Pennon Group noted that the Competition and Markets Authority considers there are reasonable grounds that the undertakings offered by Pennon might be accepted by the CMA under the Water Industry Act 1991. If the undertakings are accepted by the CMA, the merger with Bristol Water will be cleared without reference to a phase 2 review. 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.
PSG's investment seeks to create a leading cloud CRM FMS software suite for SMEs in France and Europe

Sellsy, a leading French provider of all-in-one CRM and FMS (financial management system) software solutions for SMEs, today announced it has secured 55 million in funding from PSG, a leading growth equity firm partnering with middle-market software and technology-enabled services companies.

Sellsy offers a fully-fledged CRM solution, including lead management, quotation and pipeline, marketing automation and contact management, coupled with key FMS functionalities including invoicing, payment reconciliation and liquidity management. The combination of CRM and FMS features in an all-in-one software suite allows Sellsy to cover end-to-end the sales prospecting, invoicing and reporting needs of SMEs in one platform that is built around flexibility and ease-of-use. Sellsy's comprehensive and integrated set of digital tools helps customers save time, boost sales and simplify accounting, and enables SMEs to spend more time focusing on managing and growing their businesses.

Sellsy has rapidly grown to become a market leader in France, with ~6,000 SME customers and serving ~35,000 end users today. Sellsy's growth to date has primarily been organic through a focus on addressing the underserved and underpenetrated SME market, where the majority of SMEs do not use modern CRM or FMS software today.

Sellsy was founded in 2009 in La Rochelle by Co-CEO Alain Mevellec and Chairman Frederic Coulais, who later welcomed Co-CEO Victor Douek as he joined the company in 2016. Following the transaction, Sellsy will continue to be led by the existing management team, working in partnership with PSG to accelerate growth and play a central role in current the wave of digitalisation of SMEs across Europe.

"We are delighted to be partnering with Alain, Frederic, Victor and the rest of the team at Sellsy as we look to build on the company's market leading position in France," said Christian Stein, Managing Director at PSG. "We believe that Sellsy is well-positioned to benefit from the growing digitisation of SMEs and has the potential to become an all-in-one CRM and FMS software champion for SMEs in France and Europe."

Alain Mevellec and Frederic Coulais, Co-Founders of Sellsy, added, "We believe that we have found an excellent partner in PSG based on the firm's significant experience in supporting founder-led software companies seeking to build category leaders. We are looking forward to working with the team at PSG to identify and execute on new opportunities to further accelerate the growth and scale of the business."

Victor Douek, Co-CEO of Sellsy, said, "Not only do we believe that PSG has the expertise to help boost growth at a company like Sellsy, but we also both share an ambitious vision to build on the company's current leadership position in France and create a true SME software champion in France and Europe."

The financial terms of the transaction are not disclosed.

Notes to Editors

About PSG

PSG is a growth equity firm that partners with middle-market software and technology-enabled services companies to help them navigate transformational growth, capitalize on strategic opportunities, and build strong teams. Having backed more than 85 companies and facilitated over 325 add-on acquisitions, PSG brings extensive investment experience, deep expertise in software and technology, and a firm commitment to collaborating with management teams. Founded in 2014, PSG operates out of offices in Boston, Kansas City, and London. To learn more about PSG, visit www.psgequity.com.

About Sellsy

Founded in 2009, Sellsy is a French SaaS software company that offers a fully-fledged CRM suite for SMEs, integrating marketing, sales, billing and payment tools. Its solution currently ~35,000 users in ~6,000 companies to save time, boost sales and simplify accounting. Sellsy is a digital platform designed to be used by the entire company, including marketing, sales and administrative teams.

https://go.sellsy.com/

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220111005633/en/

Contacts:

PSG

Ryan Smith, Prosek Partners

rsmith@prosek.com

+44 785 475 0943

Sellsy

Julie Leplus

julie.leplus@lasuiteandco.com

+33 (0)6 60 82 08 35

Sophie Renard

sophie.renard@lasuiteandco.com

+33 (0)6 82 80 61 97
LONDON, Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Global workplace strategy, design and construction firm Unispace has announced its acquisition of BioPharma Engineering (BPE), an Ireland-based firm that designs and delivers laboratory, research and manufacturing facility space for the life sciences industry. BPE's portfolio of clients includes the top 10 global pharmaceutical and life sciences companies.

This move comes at a time when investment in the UK's pharmaceutical and life sciences sector continues to grow, with the life sciences industry alone reporting nearly half a billion of new investment, supporting 420 jobs and bringing the total investment to over 5 billion since July 2021.

Welcoming the news, Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney said, "Cork is already home to 9 of the 10 of the world's top Life Sciences companies, and the new Unispace Centre of Excellence for Life Sciences further solidifies the region as a globally renowned talent and competency hotspot for the pharma and medtech industries. This partnership between an Irish design engineering firm and a global workspace giant exemplifies the talent and expertise as well as ambition that epitomises Irish businesses. I wish BPE, a Unispace Life Science company, continued success in the future."

"Partnering with BPE is a natural move for us. It will allow us to build on the work we have delivered to date for life science clients. Companies in this sector are challenged with expanding their footprint rapidly to meet skyrocketing demand," said Steve Quick, CEO of Unispace.

"Adding BPE's capabilities allows us to meet this moment for our many global clients in this industry, bolstering our unified team model created to design and deliver spaces that support people, innovation and business growth under today's necessary yet radically compressed timeframes," Quick added.

Unispace has a strong track record of designing and delivering office space for the life sciences industry. Current clients include Boston Scientific, Abbott and Merck. The acquisition of BPE, which will become BPE, A Unispace Life Sciences Company, gives Unispace additional technical capabilities to lead additional project types including laboratory, research and manufacturing facilities. The acquisition will also support the firm's expansion in this sector globally, including key markets in Europe, Asia and North America.

BPE's employees will join Unispace's global team, led by BPE Managing Director John O'Reilly, who has also been appointed Unispace's Global Managing Director for Life Sciences. O'Reilly will continue to be based in Cork, Ireland, and the location will become Unispace's centre of excellence for its life sciences specialization.

"The integration of our team and Unispace's global platform gives us a greater depth and breadth of resources to rise to enhance our exemplary customer service to our global clients," said John O'Reilly. "Just as our clients focus on speed-to-market in the development of pharmaceuticals, our team is taking the same approach on the facility design and construction side to support life sciences companies' expansion and growth goals."



"Our growth strategy is predicated on serving our global clients everywhere they need us," said Quick. "For life sciences companies, that means offering strategy, design and delivery capabilities in all markets and across all facility types integral to the research and development of pharmaceuticals. With BPE by our side in this endeavour, we can't ask for a better partner to propel our growth."

Blitzer, Clancy & Company advised Unispace in the acquisition.

About Unispace

Unispace is a global strategy, design, and construction leader creating people-centric spaces for a rapidly changing world. Unispace world-class strategists, designers, and builders work together as one single, unified team. Our goal: create spaces that spark brilliance, deepen connections, foster a sense of belonging and propel success.

About BioPharma Engineering

BioPharma Engineering (BPE) is a Boutique, Internationally Award Winning Engineering Design and Project Management Company, exclusively servicing the Life Science Sector and specializing in the execution of mid ranges capital investment projects. Our services include a complete portfolio under Engineering Design, Engineering Resourcing, Project Management and Project Delivery.

Media Contact:

Vickie Collinge

BlueSky PR

vickie@bluesky-pr.com

+44 (0)1582 790705
Dr David Lee named as StoreDot's global Chief Science Officer

named as StoreDot's global Chief Science Officer Reports directly to StoreDot CEO and brings over 20 years of experience in battery R&D and world-class expertise in silicon-based technologies

Dr Lee will head up StoreDot's new US-based R&D center, signaling global expansion and supporting mission to enable automotive manufacturers to accelerate electric vehicle adoption with fast-charging technologies

StoreDot gives automotive manufacturers a clear and long-term technology roadmap for seamless and rapid transition to electrification, facilitating the transition to a cleaner world

HERZELIYA, Israel, Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- StoreDot, the pioneer of extreme fast charging (XFC) battery technology for electric vehicles, is further enhancing the expertise of its global leadership team with the appointment of Dr David Lee as Chief Science Officer, effective immediately.

Dr Lee is reporting directly to company CEO, Dr Doron Myersdorf, and will also head up StoreDot's new US-based R&D center and innovation hub. He joins StoreDot from the Evergrande NEV Global Battery Research Institute, where he was Head of Materials Research Center.

His previous roles include Director of Research and Engineering at the Enevate Corporation and he brings over 20 years of experience in lithium-ion and silicon anode battery development, including senior roles with Samsung SDI and the Dow Corporation.

Dr Doron Myersdorf, StoreDot CEO "This is a significant appointment for StoreDot and I am delighted that Dr David Lee is joining our global leadership team. He has impeccable credentials in lithium-ion battery development and is a world-class expert in silicon-based technologies, which is the foundation of our extreme fast charging battery. His insight and experience will be crucial to us as we now move to production at scale, serving global automotive companies.

"I am also hugely excited that he will be heading up our new US facility. This new R&D center will work in tandem with our Israel team, bringing new skills and innovation so that we can execute on our clear technology roadmap, enabling automotive manufacturers to deliver vehicles that overcome range and charging anxiety."

Dr David Lee, StoreDot Chief Science Officer "I have long shared StoreDot's mission to create automotive battery technologies that will speed up the transition to a clean, electrified future. So, it's an honor to be appointed as the company's global Chief Science Officer, helping to build on the brilliant work that has already taken place and to be tasked with establishing StoreDot's new R&D hub in the US, harnessing the talent pool that's available in the US to bolster the development of our world leading XFC technologies and onto the future solid state technologies. I am looking forward to joining and helping to expand an outstanding team and leading them to further develop our capabilities and our transition to mass production."

The new US-based innovation hub is being established to help StoreDot accelerate its mission to create a zero-emissions world, providing automotive battery technologies that will significantly enhance the electrified vehicle ownership experience, eradicating range anxiety.

Set to be fully operational and staffed by the middle of the year, it will work alongside StoreDot's Israel-based R&D teams, helping to bring its revolutionary XFC automotive battery technology to mass production by 2024. It will also immediately commence research into next-generation extreme energy density (XED) solid state capabilities and material science, with the aim of scaling-up these ultra-advanced technologies by 2028.

About StoreDot:

StoreDot is a pioneer of extreme fast charging (XFC) batteries that overcome the critical barrier to mainstream EV adoption - range and charging anxiety.

The company has revolutionized the conventional Li-ion battery by designing and synthesizing proprietary organic and inorganic compounds, making it possible to fully charge an EV in just five minutes - the same time it takes to refuel a conventional combustion engine vehicle.

StoreDot's battery technology is optimized for best driver experience with XFC in Li-ion batteries, as well as future technologies for extreme energy-density (XED).

StoreDot's strategic investors include Vinfast, BP, Daimler, Samsung Ventures and TDK and operates in China with its manufacturing partner EVE Energy.

In 2019, the company achieved a world first by demonstrating the live full charge of a two-wheeled EV in just five minutes. In 2020, the company demonstrated the scalability of its XFC batteries and is on target for Electric Vehicle battery production at scale by 2024.

For more information see: www.store-dot.com .

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1723276/David_Lee___StoreDot.jpg
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 11, 2022) - Tudor Gold Corp. (TSXV: TUD) (FSE: TUC) (the "Company" or "Tudor Gold") is pleased to present the final drill results from the 30,108 meter, 2021 resource expansion and definition drilling program for the Goldstorm Deposit and Calm Before the Storm Zone (CBS), as well as surface sampling results from the Eureka Zone, at their flagship property, Treaty Creek (the "Project"), located within the Golden Triangle of Northwest British Columbia.

Included in this press release are the results of three diamond drill holes that were completed at the Goldstorm Deposit along sections 113+00 NE and 118+00 NE, 500 metres apart, as well as the third exploration diamond drill hole at the recently discovered Calm Before the Storm Zone. Results of a continuous surface channel sample line completed at the Eureka Zone are also included.

The Copper Belle-Goldstorm Deposit (CB-GS) is situated only five kilometers northeast and on trend from Seabridge Gold's KSM deposits, which comprise one of the largest undeveloped gold and copper projects in the world. The CB-GS Deposit currently hosts a 1*NI 43-101 compliant Measured and Indicated Mineral Resource of 19.4 million ounces of AuEq grading 0.74 g/t AuEq and an Inferred Resource of 7.9 million ounces of AuEq grading 0.79 g/t AuEq (see Tudor Gold press release dated March 9, 2021).

Drilling and Surface Sampling Highlights include:

GOLDSTORM

GS-21-125 intercepted the DS5 domain, which averaged 0.82 g/t AuEq over 258.0 m , including 1.91 g/t AuEq over 85.4 m . The hole ended in gold-copper mineralization as unstable ground conditions prevented the completion of the hole.

intercepted the DS5 domain, which averaged , including . The hole ended in gold-copper mineralization as unstable ground conditions prevented the completion of the hole. GS-21-127, the farthest northeast step-out hole completed to date (approximately 200 m northeast of GS-21-119), targeted the deep DS5 domain. This hole successfully intersected the top of DS5 and ended in mineralization before being shut down due to poor field conditions. Results include 0.75 g/t AuEq over 46.5 m and 0.43 g/t AuEq over 70.0 m , which extended to the end of the hole. This target will be re-drilled in 2022.

the farthest northeast step-out hole completed to date (approximately 200 m northeast of GS-21-119), targeted the deep DS5 domain. This hole successfully intersected the top of DS5 and ended in mineralization before being shut down due to poor field conditions. Results include , which extended to the end of the hole. This target will be re-drilled in 2022. GS-21-128 targeted the easterly extension of the CS600 and DS5 domains. The hole intercepted 0.61 g/t AuEq over 43.9 m within CS600. The hole ended in mineralization as field conditions prevented completion of the hole; the final 17.6 m averaged 1.31 g/t AuEq. This intersection is currently interpreted to be the upper part of DS5 and plans are to re-drill this target in 2022.

CALM BEFORE THE STORM

CBS-21-03 returned a near-surface interval that graded 0.85 g/t AuEq over 25.5 m and a second significant interval of mineralization farther down the hole that averaged 0.61 g/t AuEq over 33.15 m, with an enriched mineralized core of 0.94 g/t AuEq over 10.0 m.

returned a near-surface interval that graded and a second significant interval of mineralization farther down the hole that averaged CBS-21-03 confirms that gold mineralization is gaining strength westward and to depth.

EUREKA SURFACE SAMPLING

Channel sample line EK-21-CHN-01 extended the Eureka Zone 300 m to the north of previous drilling intercepts with a continuous surface sample line returning 0.72 g/t AuEq over 139.0 m, including 1.01 g/t AuEq over 69.0 m .

extended the Eureka Zone 300 m to the north of previous drilling intercepts with a continuous surface sample line returning . Plans for 2022 include drilling the area beneath this channel sample line, as well as testing the current model that Eureka may be the eastern extension to surface of the DS-5 domain of the Goldstorm Deposit.

Tudor Gold's President and CEO, Ken Konkin, P.Geo., states: "We are pleased to have completed the 2021 exploration season on a very positive note, having demonstrated that the Goldstorm Deposit still remains open in all directions and at depth. We have significantly expanded the Goldstorm system to the northwest, north, northeast and southeast, in addition to reporting some of our longest and strongest gold-copper mineralized intercepts that surpassed even the results obtained from last years' extremely successful drill program. Our primary goal is to define the ultimate limits of gold-copper-silver mineralization of the Goldstorm Deposit so we can determine the final resource estimate. We are committed to increasing our efforts for 2022 to achieve this goal.

"Exploration in other areas of the Property demonstrated that the Eureka System continues 300 meters to the north from our well-mineralized exploration drill hole EK-21-01 (Press Release September 28th, 2021) that confirmed the near-surface presence of a large gold target. Other notable achievements of 2021 were the successful expansion of the Perfect Storm System, located two kilometres southwest of Goldstorm, and the discovery of the Calm Before the Storm (CBS) system located two kilometres northeast of the Goldstorm Deposit. The Treaty Creek project has now ballooned with the addition of these three new drill targets that will be explored in tandem with definition drilling of the Goldstorm deposit limits in 2022. Our geological team is currently focussing their efforts over the next few weeks to complete the plans for the proposed 2022 diamond drill program. Leading the geological team is our new Vice President of Resource Development, Ms. Natalie Senger (P.Geo.). It's very rewarding for me to see the professional development and advancement of such a deserving geoscientist, who I have had the pleasure of working with during my career."

The complete list of the above reported composited drilling results for Goldstorm and CBS, as well as the drill hole data, including hole location, elevation, depth, dip and azimuth, are provided in Table 1 and Table 2, respectively. Rock channel sample results from Eureka trenching are shown in Table 3. Please click on the following link to view: Plan Map and Cross Sections for the drilling and surface samples reported in this news release.

Table 1: Drilling Results Goldstorm and CBS Zone in Press Release January 11th, 2022

Section Hole From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) Cu (ppm) AuEQ (g/t) 113+00 NE GS-21-128(1) 162.10 206.00 43.90 0.56 2.31 162 0.61

And (DS5) 404.00 421.60 17.60 1.25 4.27 55 1.31 118+00 NE GS-21-125(1) 675.00 702.00 27.00 1.67 2.06 45 1.70

And (DS5) 910.50 1168.50 258.00 0.72 7.06 150 0.82

Including 949.50 1034.90 85.40 1.69 15.62 299 1.91

And (DS5) 1221.00 1292.40 71.40 0.67 7.25 849 0.85

Including 1275.00 1292.40 17.40 1.69 7.17 555 1.84 118+00 NE GS-21-127(1) 489.00 535.50 46.50 0.72 2.49 77 0.75

And (DS5) 621.00 691.00 70.00 0.36 4.69 130 0.43 A - 180 CBS-21-03 8.00 33.50 25.50 0.84 0.76 22 0.85

And 150.50 183.65 33.15 0.53 5.96 86 0.61

Including 156.00 166.00 10.00 0.84 7.89 52 0.94 Eureka Plan GS-21-CHN-01 0.00 139.00 139.00 0.58 7.19 485 0.72

Including 68.50 137.50 69.00 0.86 8.54 392 1.01 (1) Hole ended in mineralization, shut down due to drilling issues. All assay values are uncut and intervals reflect drilled intercept lengths.

HQ and NQ2 diameter core samples were sawn in half and typically sampled at standard 1.5m intervals

The following metal prices were used to calculate the Au Eq metal content: Gold $1625/oz, Ag: $19/oz, Cu: $2.8/lb. Calculations used the formula Au Eq g/t = (Au g/t) + (Ag g/t x 0.01169) + (Cu% x 1.1815). All metals are reported in USD and calculations do not consider metal recoveries.

True widths have not been determined as the mineralized body remains open in all directions. Further drilling is required to determine the mineralized body orientation and true widths.

Table 2: Drill data for holes in Press Release January11th, 2022

Section Hole ID UTM E NAD 83 UTM N NAD 83 Elevation (m) Azi (o) Dip (o) Depth (m) 113+00 NE GS-21-128 429037.0 6272847.0 1233.8 295 -85 421.6 118+005 NE GS-21-125 429209.5 6273224.9 1208.1 300 -83 1292.4 118+00 NE GS-21-127 429265.2 6273285.7 1202.1 305 -75 691.0 A - 180 CBS-21-03 430615.0 6273884.0 975.0 160 -45 312.25

Table 3: Surface Sample Results in Press Release January 11th, 2022

Sample Zone UTM E NAD 83 UTM N NAD 83 Elevation (m) Type Length Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) Cu (ppm) AuEQ (g/t) X557249 Eureka 429712.97 6272502.02 1268.72 CHANNEL 1.50 0.89 21.52 1230 1.29 X557247 Eureka 429715.74 6272503.17 1269.54 CHANNEL 1.50 0.30 10.04 5080 1.02 X557213 Eureka 429766.03 6272507.09 1277.47 CHANNEL 1.50 1.32 3.86 76 1.38 X557207 Eureka 429774.88 6272508.75 1279.68 CHANNEL 1.50 0.93 4.79 208 1.01 X557300 Eureka 429777.82 6272509.33 1280.34 CHANNEL 1.50 3.58 4.86 112 3.65 X557299 Eureka 429779.29 6272509.62 1280.60 CHANNEL 1.50 1.39 2.68 148 1.44 X557297 Eureka 429782.24 6272510.18 1281.31 CHANNEL 1.50 1.11 3.74 634 1.23 X557296 Eureka 429783.72 6272510.44 1281.65 CHANNEL 1.50 1.01 2.32 278 1.07 X557293 Eureka 429788.15 6272511.24 1283.20 CHANNEL 1.50 1.31 7.85 92 1.42 X557292 Eureka 429789.62 6272511.51 1283.46 CHANNEL 1.50 2.02 5.95 81 2.10 X557290 Eureka 429792.45 6272512.50 1283.45 CHANNEL 1.50 0.92 3.25 479 1.01 X557289 Eureka 429793.90 6272512.90 1283.75 CHANNEL 1.50 1.46 4.63 944 1.63 X557288 Eureka 429795.34 6272513.31 1283.87 CHANNEL 1.50 1.07 2.47 452 1.16 X557285 Eureka 429799.76 6272514.14 1284.53 CHANNEL 1.50 0.84 27.33 5851 1.85 X557284 Eureka 429801.25 6272514.35 1285.10 CHANNEL 1.50 2.25 8.56 775 2.44 X557283 Eureka 429802.74 6272514.55 1285.73 CHANNEL 1.50 1.23 12.14 945 1.49 X557279 Eureka 429808.69 6272515.28 1287.91 CHANNEL 1.50 0.68 97.64 2161 2.08 X557267 Eureka 429826.59 6272517.12 1289.80 CHANNEL 1.50 1.36 72.53 141 2.22

Qualified Person

The Qualified Person for this news release for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101 is the Company's President and CEO, Ken Konkin, P.Geo. He has read and approved the scientific and technical information that forms the basis for the disclosure contained in this news release.

QA/QC

Diamond drill core and surface channel samples were prepared at MSA Labs' Preparation Laboratory in Terrace, BC and assayed at MSA Labs' Geochemical Laboratory in Langley, BC. Analytical accuracy and precision are monitored by the submission of blanks, certified standards and duplicate samples inserted at regular intervals into the sample stream by Tudor Gold personnel. MSA Laboratories quality system complies with the requirements for the International Standards ISO 17025 and ISO 9001. MSA Labs is independent of the Company.

About Tudor Gold

TUDOR GOLD Corp. is a precious and base metals exploration and development company with properties in British Columbia's Golden Triangle (Canada), an area that hosts producing and past-producing mines and several large deposits that are approaching potential development. The 17,913 hectare Treaty Creek project (in which TUDOR GOLD has a 60% interest) borders Seabridge Gold Inc.'s KSM property to the southwest and borders Pretium Resources Inc.'s Brucejack property to the southeast. In April 2021 Tudor published their 43-101 technical report, "Technical Report and Initial Mineral Resource Estimate of the Treaty Creek Gold Property, Skeena Mining Division, British Columbia Canada" dated March 1, 2021 on the Company's Sedar profile. The Company also has a 100% interest in the Crown project and a 100% interest in the Eskay North project, all located in the Golden Triangle area.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF

TUDOR GOLD CORP.

"Ken Konkin."

Ken Konkin, P.Geo.

President and Chief Executive Officer

For further information, please visit the Company's website at www.tudor-gold.com or contact:

Chris Curran

Head of Corporate Development and Communications

Phone: (604) 559 8092

E-Mail: chris.curran@tudor-gold.com

or

Carsten Ringler

Head of Investor Relations and Communications

Phone: +49 151 55362000

E-Mail: carsten.ringler@tudor-gold.com

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Statements regarding Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. "Forward-looking information" includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the activities, events or developments that the Company expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future, including the completion and anticipated results of planned exploration activities. Generally, but not always, forward-looking information and statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", or "believes" or the negative connotation thereof or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved" or the negative connation thereof.

Such forward-looking information and statements are based on numerous assumptions, including among others, that the Company's planned exploration activities will be completed in a timely manner. Although the assumptions made by the Company in providing forward-looking information or making forward-looking statements are considered reasonable by management at the time, there can be no assurance that such assumptions will prove to be accurate.

There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's plans or expectations include risks relating to the actual results of current exploration activities, fluctuating gold prices, possibility of equipment breakdowns and delays, exploration cost overruns, availability of capital and financing, general economic, market or business conditions, regulatory changes, timeliness of government or regulatory approvals and other risks detailed herein and from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulators.

Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking information or implied by forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information and statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated, estimated or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information.

The Company expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise except as otherwise required by applicable securities legislation.





TREATY CREEK OVERVIEW - Goldstorm Sections, CBS and Eureka Map Areas - Plan View



To view an enhanced version of this map, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/4494/109617_tudorfigure1.jpg





GOLDSTORM DEPOSIT - Section 113+00 NE



To view an enhanced version of this map, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/4494/109617_tudorfigure2.jpg





GOLDSTORM DEPOSIT- Section 118+00 NE



To view an enhanced version of this map, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/4494/109617_tudorfigure3.jpg





CALM BEFORE THE STORM - Section A - 180



To view an enhanced version of this map, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/4494/109617_tudorfigure4.jpg





EUREKA ZONE - Channel Sample Line - Plan View



To view an enhanced version of this map, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/4494/109617_tudorfigure5.jpg

1 * In April 2021 Tudor published a NI 43-101 technical report, "Technical Report and Initial Mineral Resource Estimate of the Treaty Creek Gold Property, Skeena Mining Division, British Columbia Canada" dated March 1, 2021 on the Company's Sedar profile.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/109617
Western Selection Plc - Disposal of shares

11 January 2022

WESTERN SELECTION PLC

(the "Company")

Disposal of shares in Northbridge Industrial Services Plc

("Northbridge")

The Company announces that, on 10 January 2022, it sold 1,000,000 ordinary shares of 10 pence each in the capital of Northbridge at a price of 170.00 pence per share.

Following this transaction, the Company now holds 1,804,500 ordinary shares in Northbridge which represents 6.21% of Northbridge's issued share capital.

This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of the UK Market Abuse Regulation. Upon the publication of this announcement, this information is considered to be in the public domain.

The Directors of the Company accept responsibility for the contents of this announcement.

For further information please contact:

Western Selection PLC +44 (0) 20 7796 9060

Cairn Financial Advisers LLP +44 (0) 20 7213 0880

(James Caithie / Liam Murray)
Fractal's acquisition of Neal Analytics will deepen Fractal's capability to scale AI on Microsoft's multi cloud ecosystems for its Fortune 500 clients and further expand its presence in North America.

NEW YORK, Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Fractal, (fractal.ai), a global provider of artificial intelligence and advanced analytics to Fortune 500 companies, today announced the acquisition of Neal Analytics, a cloud, data, engineering and AI Microsoft Gold consulting partner, for an undisclosed amount.

Neal Analytics strengthens Fractal's AI engineering capabilities & cloud-first offerings on Microsoft's multi cloud ecosystems and enables clients to scale AI and power decisions; It also strengthens Fractal's presence in the Pacific Northwest, Canada, and India.

Founded in 2011, Neal Analytics is a Microsoft Gold Consulting Partner supporting its cross-industry clients, such as PepsiCo and Microsoft, in their data-driven transformation initiatives. Neal Analytics' 200+ team brings deep expertise on the Azure stack - across data science, AI & ML, IoT, Edge Computing, BI, application development, migration and modernization, and automation. Neal Analytics also has partnerships with Intel, Nvidia, and Databricks.

Srikanth Velamakanni, Co-founder and Group Chief Executive, Fractal, said, "We are excited about partnering with Dylan and his talented team at Neal Analytics. They have built a great client-centric, people-oriented culture, and have an impressive track record of solving and scaling AI engineering challenges, especially on the Microsoft platform, for marquee clients. This partnership will accelerate our ability to power data-driven decisions end-to-end for our Fortune 500 sized clients."

Dylan Dias, CEO, Neal Analytics, said, "This is the successful culmination of a thorough, year-long process. Our goals were to find the best long-term home for Neal's 200+ employees, a platform to scale faster, and the ability to play a bigger role in this fast-accelerating space. Fractal was a clear choice. Our culture and vision are 100% aligned. This is an exciting opportunity to empower our people and work alongside like-minded practitioners to transform businesses with cloud, data, and AI. It will enable Neal Analytics and Fractal to grow and achieve more together."

Satish Raman, Chief Strategy Officer, Fractal, said, "Hyperscale cloud infrastructures are enabling organizations to be more agile and improve their business performance to better serve clients. Neal's award-winning experts in Microsoft's Azure and cloud technologies have been helping organizations to securely migrate, modernize and accelerate their business transformation within the cloud for more than a decade. We're delighted that this acquisition of Neal will further strengthen our rapidly growing analytics, AI, and data engineering business in North America."

About Fractal

Fractal is one of the most prominent players in the Artificial Intelligence space. Fractal's mission is to power every human decision in the enterprise and brings AI, engineering, and design to help the world's most admired Fortune 500 companies.

Fractal's products include Qure.ai to assist radiologists in making better diagnostic decisions, Crux Intelligence to assist CEOs and senior executives make better tactical and strategic decisions, Theremin.ai to improve investment decisions, Eugenie.ai to find anomalies in high-velocity data, Samya.ai to drive next-generation Enterprise Revenue Growth Management, Senseforth.ai to automate customer interactions at scale to grow top-line and bottom-line and Analytics Vidhya is the largest Analytics and Data Science community offering industry-focused training programs.

Fractal has more than 3500 employees across 16 global locations, including the United States, UK, Ukraine, India, Singapore, and Australia. Fractal has consistently been rated as India's best companies to work for, by The Great Place to Work Institute, featured as a leader in Customer Analytics Service Providers Wave 2021, Computer Vision Consultancies Wave 2020 & Specialized Insights Service Providers Wave 2020 by Forrester Research, a leader in Analytics & AI Services Specialists Peak Matrix 2021 by Everest Group and recognized as an "Honorable Vendor" in 2021 Magic Quadrant for data & analytics by Gartner.

For more information, visit fractal.ai

About Neal Analytics



Neal Analytics is a cloud, data, and AI Microsoft Gold Consulting Partner supporting data-driven transformation initiatives from data strategy to solution design, architecture, development, operationalization, and support.

Neal leverages Agile methodologies and flexible engagement models to deliver measurable customer value with a focus on right sized and pragmatic approaches towards digital transformation.

Our offers include Production Yield Optimization to optimize manufacturing processes with AI-powered Autonomous Systems, StockView for Retail to reduce and predict out-of-stock items with AI-powered gap detection at the edge, and Intelligent Order Sequencing to optimize production and reduce customer wait times.

Neal Analytics is headquartered in Bellevue, WA, with 200+ employees across the US, Canada, and India. A well-established Microsoft Partner, Neal has earned 7 gold competencies, 4 advanced specializations, and 4 Partner of Year nominations and awards. Those are a testament to our deep expertise in cloud, data, and AI technologies.

For more information, visit nealanalytics.com
Geneva, Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Illicit trade is a growing global problem that deprives national governments of vital revenues, undermines local economies, endangers public health and fuels organised crime. As part of its anti-illicit trade strategy, the UK has ratified the WHO FCTC Illicit Trade Protocol, with an obligation to implement measures for the tracking and tracing of tobacco products.

Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) by means of public procurement appointed dentsu Tracking with the establishment and operation of the new digital UK Tobacco Track & Trace system, replacing the current provider DeLaRue. The new system becomes operational on 1 July 2022.

Philippe Castella, Managing Director said:

"I am very pleased about HMRC's decision to task dentsu Tracking with the establishment and operation of the new digital UK Tobacco Track & Trace System. Dentsu Tracking brings a wealth of experience and expertise in supply chain control, and we are thrilled to team up with HMRC in their fight against the illicit tobacco trade, helping them to increase revenue collection and protecting citizens and legitimate businesses in the UK."

All businesses engaged in the manufacture, importation, or supply of tobacco products in the UK will need to report their activities to the new UK Track & Trace system.

Jan Hoffmann, Director Regulatory Affairs added:

"Leveraging the advantages of digital technology, dentsu will deliver a Track & Trace system tailored to the specifics of the UK market. It will provide HMRC with a high level of government control over the tobacco supply chain, allowing enforcement bodies to detect the different forms of illicit trade and curb the circulation of non-compliant products. The new system also enables the UK government to comply with the WHO FCTC Protocol."

Dentsu Tracking and HMRC have issued to all stakeholders a joint communication on the track & trace project, explaining the key characteristics of this initiative.





Link: Dentsu UK T&T Resource Portal



About

Dentsu Tracking is a global leader in digital supply chain control solutions, allowing governments to get maximum visibility and control over highly regulated product markets. The solutions implemented by dentsu Tracking are a proven international reference in fighting illicit trade and optimising tax collection. Dentsu Tracking is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, and is a brand of dentsu International, a multinational digital services company with $9 billion turnover and registered on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1722013/dentsu_Tracking_Logo.jpg
This specialization demonstrates our expertise in assessment, design, implementation, and optimization of virtual desktop infrastructure in Azure

ATLANTA, BENGALURU, India and LONDON, Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Microland, a global digital transformation leader, today announced it has earned the Microsoft Azure Virtual Desktop (formerly Windows Virtual Desktop) advanced specialization, a validation of a partner's deep knowledge, extensive experience, and expertise in deploying, scaling, and securing virtual desktop infrastructure on Azure.

Only partners that meet stringent criteria around customer success and staff skilling, as well as pass a third-party audit of their Azure Virtual Desktop technical practices, can earn the Microsoft Azure Virtual Desktop advanced specialization.

Supporting secure remote work for employees is more critical than ever. Azure Virtual Desktop is a Microsoft solution that seamlessly integrates with other Microsoft products and allows customers to implement virtual desktops in a scalable, secure, and cost-effective way.

Partners with validated capabilities in implementing Azure Virtual Desktop can help customers deploy and navigate the licensing efficiencies it offers to deliver the solution that is most efficient for their organization.

"With extensive experience in orchestrating workplace transformation and expertise with virtual desktop infrastructure on Azure, we have been partnering with clients globally to design and implement scalable, secure and transformative digital environments," said Ashish Mahadwar, Chief Operating Officer of Microland. "As enterprises worldwide continue to rely on hybrid workforce, achieving Azure Virtual Desktop Advanced Specialization helps Microland ensure we continue to deliver robust solutions and services that accelerate business growth for our clients."

Rodney Clark, Corporate Vice President, Global Partner Solutions, Channel Sales and Channel Chief at Microsoft added, "The Microsoft Azure Virtual Desktop advanced specialization highlights the?partners who can be?viewed as most capable when it comes to deploying Azure Virtual Desktop in Azure. Microland clearly demonstrated that they have both the skills and the experience to offer clients a path to transition to desktop-as-a-service in a scalable, secure, and cost-effective way."

Microland has been helping mobilize a work-from-anywhere workforce for its clients that allows them to react quickly to business change, establish business processes, streamline IT costs and ROI. Microland SmartWorkspaces eliminates the complexity of traditional hosted solutions by offering fully managed, secure, consistent, and high-performance cloud-based workspaces to end users on any device, anytime and anywhere. Learn more about Microland SmartWorkspaces with Azure Virtual Desktops (AVD) Solution.

About Microland

Microland's commitment to "Making Digital Happen" allows technology to do more and intrude less. We make it easier for enterprises to transition to nextGen digital infrastructure through our extensive service portfolio including Cloud and Data Center, Networks, Digital Workplace, Cybersecurity and Industrial IoT. We ensure that the embrace of the digital services is predictable, reliable, and stable.

In the COVID -19 impacted world, Microland is making digital happen for enterprises with a laser focus on services that are more relevant to our clients and prospects than ever before, guaranteeing business outcomes.

Incorporated in 1989 and headquartered in Bengaluru, India, Microland has more than 4,500 digital specialists across offices and delivery centers in Asia, Australia, Europe, Middle East, and North America.

Read more: https://www.microland.com/

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1343841/Microland_Logo.jpg
Mondi plc

(Incorporated in England and Wales)

(Registered number: 6209386)

LEI: 213800LOZA69QFDC9N34

LSE share code: MNDI ISIN: GB00B1CRLC47

JSE share code: MNP

11 January 2022

Mondi sets ambitious science-based plans to transition to Net-Zero by 2050

Mondi accelerates climate plans by committing to Net-Zero in line with a 1.5C scenario

Builds on two decades of taking action on climate, including 45% reduction in GHG emissions against 2004 baseline

Net-Zero plan aligns with the Science Based Targets initiative's new Net-Zero Standard

Global packaging and paper leader Mondi has accelerated plans to take action on climate by committing to transition to Net-Zero by 2050. This next step builds on almost two decades of progress, including a 45% reduction in specific greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions against a 2004 baseline and science-based targets approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) in 2019.

Andrew King, Mondi's Group CEO said:

"The climate crisis is the most urgent risk facing society and businesses must take decisive action to mitigate their impact. Mondi has a long track record of investing in our operations to reduce our GHG emissions and the Board's approval of our new Net-Zero plan reinforces our commitment to contributing to a better world. The adoption of science-based targets in line with 1.5C is an important milestone in our journey to Net-Zero. However taking action today is an absolute imperative and we already have a clear roadmap to achieve our 2025 milestones."

Mondi's Net-Zero plan, which was developed to align with SBTi's new Net-Zero Standard, commits to reducing GHG emissions across Scopes 1, 2 and 3 in line with a 1.5C scenario. Mondi submitted its Net-Zero commitment to the SBTi in December 2021 and has signed up to the UN Business Ambition for 1.5oC, the world's largest and fastest-growing group of companies committed to taking urgent climate action aligned with 1.5C.

Gladys Naylor, Mondi's Group Head of Sustainable Development said:

"Our current emissions reduction targets were approved by the SBTi in 2019 and we have now increased our ambition in line with climate science and the SBTi's new Net-Zero Standard. While we work with SBTi to validate our new targets, we're taking action - doing the long-term planning to achieve our commitments and working every day to ensure that we are on track to meet our milestones in line with our MAP2030 sustainability framework."

Mondi's MAP2030 action plan can be found on www.mondigroup.com and in this video Andrew King and other senior leaders give further insights on Mondi's approach to sustainability.

Mondi's Sustainable Development Report 2020 can be found here.

Mondi was recently recognised by CDP with a prestigious 'Triple A' score for its leadership on climate, water and forests for the second year in a row.

Contacts

Chris Gurney

Senior Corporate Communication Manager

chris.gurney@mondigroup.com

Susan Brunner

Senior Sustainability Positioning Manager

susan.brunner@mondigroup.com

Clara Valera

Group Head of Strategy & Investor Relations

clara.valera@mondigroup.com

About Mondi

Mondi is a global leader in packaging and paper, contributing to a better world by making innovative packaging and paper solutions that are sustainable by design. Our business is integrated across the value chain - from managing forests and producing pulp, paper and plastic films, to developing and manufacturing effective industrial and consumer packaging solutions. Sustainability is at the centre of our strategy and intrinsic in the way we do business. We lead the industry with our customer-centric approach, EcoSolutions, where we ask the right questions to find the most sustainable solution. In 2020, Mondi had revenues of 6.66 billion and underlying EBITDA of 1.35 billion.

Mondi has a premium listing on the London Stock Exchange (MNDI), and a secondary listing on the JSE Limited (MNP). Mondi is a FTSE 100 constituent and has been included in the FTSE4Good Index Series since 2008 and the FTSE/JSE Responsible Investment Index Series since 2007.

Sponsor in South Africa: UBS South Africa Proprietary Limited.

Glossary of terms

CDP

CDP is an international not-for-profit organisation providing a global system for companies to measure, disclose, manage and share information on climate change, water security and forests.

GHG

Greenhouse gases are gases listed in the Kyoto Protocol of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) that contribute to the greenhouse effect.

SBTi

The Science Based Targets initiative defines best practice in science-based target setting, offering resources and guidance and independently assesses and approves companies' targets.
BRUSSELS (dpa-AFX) - Swiss Re Insurance-Linked Investment Management Ltd., an arm of Swiss Re Ltd (SSREY.PK), said on Tuesday that it has joined hands with Swedish private pension fund Alecta, to secure an investment of $250 million in its 1863 fund platform. With the deal, through the capital efficient fund format, Alecta can participate in Swiss Re's natural catastrophe business and benefit from significant diversification potential as well as Swiss Re's risk knowledge and underwriting expertise. SRILIM, the investment manager of the 1863 fund platform, described the move as a major milestone, particularly in terms of asset raising in the still young history of its 1863 fund platform, which achieved strong investment performance since its launch a year ago. Copyright(c) 2022 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

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SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The global external defibrillators market size is anticipated to reach USD 6.5 billion by 2030, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. The market is expected to expand at a notable CAGR of 9.3% from 2022 to 2030. The key factors driving the market growth include rising technological advancements, initiatives for promoting public access AEDs, and the incidence of sudden cardiac arrest. The COVID-19 pandemic increased awareness about defibrillation training and the use of external defibrillators in case of an adverse cardiac event, thus increasing demand for defibrillators. The pandemic also resulted in logistical bottlenecks and operational challenges.

Key Insights & Findings from the report:

The market was valued at USD 2.9 billion in 2021 and is expected to expand at a CAGR of 9.3% during the forecast period

The manual external defibrillators segment held the largest revenue share of the market in 2021

The end-use segment, on the other hand, was dominated by hospitals as these register the highest patient volume thus requiring defibrillators as part of their cardiology units

North America dominated the market in 2021 due to the presence of key players and growing strategic initiatives deployed by these companies

For instance, in April 2019 Stryker launched LIFEPAK CR2 AED in the U.S., expanding its lineup of defibrillation solutions. The product connects to an AED program manager, LIFELINKcentral, to help an organization's AED manager to monitor and manage device readiness issues remotely. When connected to Wi-Fi, the device also provides near real-time email alerts

Obesity and hypertension are also risk factors for SCA. Obesity continues to be a significant public health crisis. According to a study published online in Pediatrics, obesity rates among children significantly increased during the first few months of the COVID-19 pandemic

Around 80.0% of sudden cardiac deaths are linked to coronary heart disease. It is the most common type of heart disease, and as per CDC, approximately 18.2 million adults aged 20 and older suffer from this disease. Thus, AEDs are important because they increase the chance of survival. They can restore a normal heart rhythm in sudden cardiac arrest victims

Read 140 page market research report, "External Defibrillators Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Product (Manual External Defibrillators, Automated External Defibrillators, Wearable Cardioverter Defibrillators), By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2022 - 2030", by Grand View Research

According to the study published in Elsevier, Inc., the number of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occurring in Paris and its suburbs almost doubled amid the pandemic, from March 16 to April 26, 2020. Such factors are expected to boost sales of external defibrillators. In addition, the International Liaison Committee on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (ILCOR) changed the resuscitation guidelines. The new rules suggested improving defibrillation delivery by providing training to healthcare workers, which can reduce confusion as well as the delay in COVID-19 resuscitation efforts. The training would also ensure that healthcare providers are not exposed to additional risks and patients suffering from tachyarrhythmia arrests can be provided the best chance of survival.

Increasing prevalence of the cardiovascular disease is a major driver for market growth. According to the WHO, in 2019, 17.9 million deaths occurred due to cardiovascular disease, which was estimated around 32% globally. Moreover, more than 75% of deaths occurred in middle- & low-income countries. According to American Heart Association, 390,000 sudden cardiac arrests were reported in 2018. Out of these, 65% of deaths occurred in people aged 75 & above, 6% deaths in the age group of 25 to 54 years, and 29% in the age group of 55 to 74 years. Owing to these factors, the demand for external defibrillators is anticipated to increase over the forecast period.

Despite developments in prevention and treatment, sudden cardiac death remains a leading cause of mortality and is accountable for nearly half of all deaths from cardiovascular ailments. The increasing prevalence of SCA and its associated risk factors are expected to increase the demand for AEDs. SCA is one of the leading causes of death around the globe. Moreover, it is the major cause of natural deaths in the U.S., resulting in about 325,000 adult deaths in the country every year. SCA is also responsible for half of all heart ailment deaths.

Market Segmentation:

Grand View Research has segmented the global external defibrillators market on the basis of product, end-use, and region:

External Defibrillators Product Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2030)

Manual External Defibrillators



Automated External Defibrillators



Semi-Automated ED





Fully Automated ED



Wearable Cardioverter Defibrillators

External Defibrillators End-use Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2030)

Hospital



Pre Hospital



Public Access Market



Alternate Care Market



Home Healthcare

External Defibrillators Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2030)

North America



U.S.





Canada



Europe



U.K.





Germany





France





Italy





Spain



Asia Pacific



Japan





China





India





Australia





South Korea



Latin America



Brazil





Mexico





Argentina





Colombia



Middle East & Africa

&

South Africa





Saudi Arabia





UAE

List of Key Players of the External Defibrillators Market

Koninklijke Philips N.V.

Stryker

ZOLL Medical Corporation

Nihon Kohden Corporation

ProgettiSrl

Schiller AG

MS Westfalia GmbH

AMI Italia

Bexen Cardio

Silverline Meditech Pvt. Ltd.

Mediana Co., Ltd.

Shenzhen Mindray Bio-Medical Electronics

CU Medical

BPL Medical Technologies

Corpuls

Check out more studies related medical devices for cardiac diseases, published by Grand View Research:

Defibrillator Market - The global defibrillators market was valued at USD 10.9 billion in 2020 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.6% from 2021 to 2028. Rising adherence of integrated technology, incidences of cardiac disorders, awareness regarding the importance of good cardiac health, and legislative reforms are the key growth drivers for this market.

- The global defibrillators market was valued at in 2020 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.6% from 2021 to 2028. Rising adherence of integrated technology, incidences of cardiac disorders, awareness regarding the importance of good cardiac health, and legislative reforms are the key growth drivers for this market. Cardiovascular Devices Market - The global cardiovascular devices market was valued over 33 billion in 2015 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.6% over the forecast period. The prevalence of chronic heart ailments and sedentary lifestyles has been steadily rising thus engendering a high incidence of cardiac diseases.

- The global cardiovascular devices market was valued over 33 billion in 2015 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.6% over the forecast period. The prevalence of chronic heart ailments and sedentary lifestyles has been steadily rising thus engendering a high incidence of cardiac diseases. Congestive Heart Failure Treatment Devices Market - The Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) treatment devices market was valued at USD 15.6 billion in 2015 and is expected to witness a CAGR of 8.1% over the forecast period. The rising burden of Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs) is one of the prime factors responsible for the lucrative growth of the CHF treatment devices market.

Browse through Grand View Research's coverage of the Global Medical Devices Industry.

Gain access to Grand View Compass, our BI enabled intuitive market research database of 10,000+ reports

About Grand View Research

Grand View Research, U.S.-based market research and consulting company, provides syndicated as well as customized research reports and consulting services. Registered in California and headquartered in San Francisco, the company comprises over 425 analysts and consultants, adding more than 1200 market research reports to its vast database each year. These reports offer in-depth analysis on 46 industries across 25 major countries worldwide. With the help of an interactive market intelligence platform, Grand View Research helps Fortune 500 companies and renowned academic institutes understand the global and regional business environment and gauge the opportunities that lie ahead.

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Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 11, 2022) - INCA ONE GOLD CORP. (TSXV: INCA) (OTCQB: INCAF) (FSE: SU92) ("Inca One" or the "Company") a gold producer operating two, fully permitted, mineral processing facilities in Peru, reports (unaudited) consolidated gold and silver sales for the three months of October, November and December 2021 ("Q4 2021" or "the Quarter") from its Chala One Plant and Kori One Plant, collectively the ("Plants"). All comparative quarter-over-quarter ("QoQ") sales and production numbers represent consolidated operations from both facilities.

Inca One has recorded its most productive three-month period since achieving commercial production in February 2015.

For the Quarter, the Company recorded gold and silver sales of US$10.7 million, an all-time high surpassing the Company's previous Q3 2021 sales by 10% (US$9.7 million).

The increase in sales was driven by the Company's highest-ever totals for purchasing and milling in any quarter. Inca One's ore purchasing (24,086 tonnes) and milling (23,470 tonnes) surpassed the previous calendar quarter by 34% and 35%, respectively.

The Company's daily average throughput for the Quarter was 255 tonnes per day ("TPD"), reaching an all-time high of 340 TPD in December.

Gold production also increased QoQ by 35%, as the Company produced an averaged of 89 ounces of gold per day over the Quarter.

About Inca One

Inca One Gold Corp is an established gold producer operating two, fully permitted, gold mineral processing facilities in Peru. The Company possesses a combined 450 tonnes per day permitted operating capacity at its two fully integrated plants, Chala One and Kori One and has produced more than 100,000 ounces of gold, generating over US$125 million in sales from its processing operations. Inca One is led by an experienced and capable management team that has established the Company as a trusted leader in servicing permitted, small-scale and artisanal miners (ASM) in Peru. Peru is one of the world's largest producers of gold, and its ASM sector is estimated by government officials to be valued in the billions of dollars annually. To learn more, visit www.incaone.com.

Figure 1. Inca One's gold processing facilities in Peru (left: Chala One facility; right: Kori One facility)





To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/2645/109652_9eb9676e94ded8ad_001full.jpg

On behalf of the Board,

Edward Kelly

President and CEO

Inca One Gold Corp.

For More Information Contact:

Konstantine Tsakumis

Inca One Gold Corp.

ktsakumis@incaone.com

604-568-4877

NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS NEWS RELEASE.

Statements regarding the Company which are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" that involve risks and uncertainties. Such information can generally be identified by the use of forwarding-looking wording such as "may", "expect", "estimate", "anticipate", "intend", "believe" and "continue" or the negative thereof or similar variations. Since forward-looking statements address future events and conditions, they involve inherent risks and uncertainties by their very nature. Actual results in each case could differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements due to factors such as: (i) fluctuation of mineral prices; (ii) a change in market conditions; and (iii) the fact that future operating results may not be accurately predicted based on this limited information to date. Except as required by law, the Company does not intend to update any changes to such statements. Inca One believes the expectations reflected in those forward-looking statements are reasonable but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking statements included herein should not be unduly relied upon.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state in which such offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/109652
The General Aviation Market Size is driven by an increase in the number of high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs), enhanced emphasis on operational safety from regulatory bodies, and ongoing advancements in developing light-sports aircraft. The market in North America is distributed across the US, Canada, and Mexico. In 2020, the US held the largest market share, i.e., 61%, followed by Canada and Mexico.

NEW YORK, Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- According to the new market research report "General Aviation Market Forecast to 2028 - COVID-19 Impact and Global Analysis By Component (Avionics, Airframe, Landing Gears, Engine, and Others) and Aircraft (Fixed Wing and Rotary Wing)", published by The Insight Partners, the global general aviation market is expected to grow from US$ 26,208.00 million in 2021 to US$ 36,461.60 million by 2028; it is estimated to register a CAGR of 4.8% during 2021-2028.

Get Exclusive Sample Pages of General Aviation Market Size - COVID-19 Impact and Global Analysis with Strategic Insights at https://www.theinsightpartners.com/sample/TIPRE00026058/

Report Coverage Details Market Size Value in US$ 26,208.00 million in 2021 Market Size Value by US$ 36,461.60 million by 2028 Growth rate CAGR of 4.8% from 2021 to 2028. Forecast Period 2021-2028 Base Year 2021 No. of Pages 161 No. Tables 88 No. of Charts & Figures 73 Historical data available Yes Segments covered Component, and Aircraft Regional scope North America; Europe; Asia Pacific; Latin America; MEA Country scope US, UK, Canada, Germany, France, Italy, Australia, Russia, China, Japan, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Argentina Report coverage Revenue forecast, company ranking, competitive landscape, growth factors, and trends

General Aviation Market: Competitive Landscape and Key Developments

Airbus, Boeing, Leonardo S.p.A., Saab AB, Dassault Aviation, Pilatus Aircraft Ltd., Textron Inc., Bombardier, Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, and Embraer are among the key players profiled during this market study. In addition to these players, several other essential market players were also studied and analyzed to get a holistic view of the global general aviation market and its ecosystem.

In 2021, Textron Aviation reported that Sichuan Longhao Flight Training Co., Ltd. (China) placed an order for 20 Cessna Skyhawk piston aircraft. The order is expected to be delivered by 2022.

In 2021, Porter Airlines of Toronto placed an order for 30 E195-E2s with purchase rights for additional 50 aircrafts. Deliveries are expected to begin from the second half of 2022.

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One of the major concerns across the aviation sector is environmental emissions as the global aviation industry accounts for ~2.5% of the global carbon emissions, causing environmental pollution. Several vendors and aviation research organizations have been developing advanced power-efficient and low-emission aircraft models, including hybrid electric and fully electric aircraft. Electric aircraft systems are powered by one or more electric motors that drive the propellers. Electricity may be supplied by various methods, the most common being batteries. In 2021, Rolls-Royce announced the completion of its maiden flight for an intense flight testing phase of its fully electric aircraft. According to the company, the airplane utilized a 400-kW electric powertrain with the most power-dense battery pack ever assembled for an aircraft. Eventually, the company would require the aircraft's speed to exceed 300 miles per hour, which is likely to be tested in another phase in the UK. The development of such aircraft is likely to contribute to lowering carbon emission levels of the aviation industry. Thus, the development of electric aircraft will provide significant growth opportunities for the general aviation market players during the forecast period.

With the outbreak of COVID-19, the production and sales of general aviation came to a sudden halt in most of European countries. The collapse of the demand side severely impacted the EU aerospace sector, putting the economies in deep crisis and reducing international trade. The air transport sector plays a critical role in economic growth and employment in many European countries, which were strongly impacted by supply chain disruptions and technological challenges.

The European aerospace industry began to witness airspace inefficiencies, activity delays, and a declining number of flights with the initial spread of COVID-19 in the region. In 2020, the global passenger volume contracted by 60.5%, and the total infrastructure cost declined by 45.4%. The reduced demand has severely impacted the regional General Aviation Market and the general aviation aircraft manufacturers, both in building and maintaining airliners, parts suppliers, and catering, among others. However, when business activities return to normalcy, the EU aerospace industry is anticipated to recover gradually in the upcoming years.

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Demand for Electrification and Overhaul Services for Existing Fleet to Propel Market Growth:

The newly growing interest in aviation electrification is attracting contributions from the manufacturers of aircraft, energy supply equipment, and battery storage. The US federal agencies are funding various efforts that includes technology research, forecasting the aircraft demand, and environmental impacts of aircraft electrification. Most of the vendors in the global aircraft industry are focusing on the development of advanced electric systems meant for deployments in different aircraft assemblies. With the rapidly growing aviation industry from the past few years, the demand for aircraft overhaul services is also increasing. Emerging economies, such as those in APAC, are highly focused on extending overhaul services to general aviation aircraft and helicopters. Economic growth, increasing air passenger count, and growing aviation infrastructure spending in APAC countries are the major factors driving the sales of aircraft overhaul services.

General Aviation Market: Avionics Overview

Avionics generally involve flight control systems, flight recorders, threat detection systems, electro-optic (EO/IR) systems, performance monitors, engine controls, navigation and communications equipment, lighting systems, and weather radar. General aviation aircraft use avionics for tracking and reporting performance measures, and for operating within established safety parameters. Advanced avionics systems are integrated to simplify maintenance, improve performance, and contain costs. Honeywell International Inc., Thales Group, Teledyne Technologies Incorporated, Raytheon Technologies, and L3Harris Technologies, Inc. are among the leading market players that provide avionics systems. L3Harris Technologies, Inc. provides in/out transponder and display system, electronic standby instrument, lightweight data recorder (LDR), cockpit voice and flight data recorders, and modular airborne data recorder/acquisition system. With the growing general aviation sector, demand for high-tech avionics systems is anticipated to grow considerably in near future.

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SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The global surgical simulation market size is expected to reach USD 835.2 million by 2028, registering a CAGR of 16.1% from 2021 to 2028, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. Rising preference for minimally invasive surgical procedures, increasing focus on patient safety, and growing geriatric population are boosting the market growth. With the growing geriatric population, the problem of surgery for these patients has become increasingly important. With the constant aging population, there arises a need for technology-driven surgical simulation to help avoid or diminish medical errors during surgeries, which, in turn, is contributing to the market growth.

Key Insights & Findings from the report:

The orthopedic surgery segment dominated the market in 2020 due to the increased prevalence of orthopedic disorders

The neurosurgery segment is expected to register a lucrative CAGR over the forecast period due to the high prevalence of neurological disorders and the need for a high level of precision in neurosurgery as a result of the intricate nature of brain vasculature

In terms of revenue, the plastic material segment dominated the market in 2020. Factors, such as its compatibility with a variety of 3D printing technologies and the existence of advanced thermoplastics, are anticipated to contribute to the segment growth in the years to come

The hospital segment dominated the market in 2020 owing to the collaboration of hospitals with industry partners to develop custom 3D simulator solutions

For instance, in February 2021 , Apollo Hospitals partnered with Anatomiz3D Medtech to create Hospital 3D Printing Labs in India

The specialty center segment is anticipated to witness the second-fastest CAGR over the forecast period

Read 150 page market research report, "Surgical Simulation Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Specialty (Cardiac Surgery, Neurosurgery, Transplant), By Material (Metal, Polymer), By End-use (Specialty Center, Hospital), And Segment Forecasts, 2021 - 2028", by Grand View Research

During the COVID-19 pandemic, VirtaMed occupied their simulators on 'tour' frequent times to support continuing medical education and supply workshops for residents across France, Switzerland, and Germany. In February 2021, the company started its third tour and training initiative in Berlin with the German Knee Society. In addition, during the pandemic, elective surgeries halted, which resulted in a reduced number of cases available for the education of surgical populaces. Versatile and expanding surgical education solutions are expected to enhance the market growth in the coming years.

Due to technological advancements, 3D printing has gained traction in the medical field in recent years. The applications of 3D printing technology have grown from using 3D models to augment patient education to patient-specific. Moreover, 3D-printed surgical simulators have many advantages over other forms of simulation. Thus, the rising acceptance of 3D printing in surgical simulation contributes to market growth.

Simulation-based healthcare education is a newer modality of training, which was established primarily for patient safety. Rising government initiatives to advance patient safety & patient outcomes in healthcare further support the market growth. For instance, in November 2021, NHS Scotland incorporated physical and digital simulation into its surgical training program to permit trainees to develop vital skills before coming face-to-face with patients.

North America was the dominant regional market in 2020 due to the presence of a large number of key players. Product innovation by market players further facilitated regional market growth. Market players are adopting strategic initiatives, such as partnerships, collaborations, and business expansion to gain deeper market penetration. For instance, in May 2021, PrecisionOS introduced the first fully interactive robotics platform in VR.

Market Segmentation:

Grand View Research has segmented the global surgical simulation market on the basis of specialty, material, end-use, and region:

Surgical Simulation Specialty Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2028)

Cardiac Surgery/Interventional Cardiology



Gastroenterology



Neurosurgery



Orthopedic Surgery



Reconstructive Surgery



Oncology Surgery



Transplants



Others

Surgical Simulation Material Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2028)

Metal



Polymer



Plastic





Others

Surgical Simulation End-use Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2028)

Hospitals



Specialty Centers



Others

Surgical Simulation Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2028)

North America



U.S.





Canada



Europe



U.K.





Germany





France





Italy





Spain



Asia Pacific



Japan





China





India





Singapore





Thailand





Indonesia





Philippines





Malaysia





Vietnam





Myanmar





Cambodia



Latin America



Brazil





Mexico





Argentina



Middle East and Africa (MEA)

and (MEA)

Saudi Arabia





South Africa

List of Key Players of Surgical Simulation Market

Materialise

Startasys Ltd.

Canadian Aviation Electronics, Ltd.

Surgical Science

Mentice

Gaumard Scientific

Simulab Corp.

VirtaMed AG

3-Dmed

Laerdal Medical

3D Systems, Inc.

Osteo3d

Axial3D

Formlabs

Check out more studies related surgical devices, published by Grand View Research:

Minimally Invasive Surgical Instruments Market - The global minimally invasive surgical instruments market size was valued at USD 13.3 billion in 2020 and is anticipated to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.5% over the forecast period. Surgical robots have revolutionized the field of Minimally Invasive Surgeries (MIS) and their acceptance by surgeons is rising globally.

- The global minimally invasive surgical instruments market size was valued at in 2020 and is anticipated to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.5% over the forecast period. Surgical robots have revolutionized the field of Minimally Invasive Surgeries (MIS) and their acceptance by surgeons is rising globally. General Surgery Devices Market - The global general surgery devices market size was valued at USD 14.1 billion in 2018 and is expected to register a CAGR of 8.5% from 2019 to 2026. Increasing number of surgical procedures being performed coupled with technological advancements in the field is anticipated to drive the market.

- The global general surgery devices market size was valued at in 2018 and is expected to register a CAGR of 8.5% from 2019 to 2026. Increasing number of surgical procedures being performed coupled with technological advancements in the field is anticipated to drive the market. Automated Suturing Devices Market - The global automated suturing devices market size was valued at USD 2.7 billion in 2020 and is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.7% from 2021 to 2028. A rise in the number of surgical procedures, growing prevalence of chronic disorders, preference for Minimally Invasive Surgeries (MIS) over traditional surgical procedures are some of the prominent factors expecting to fuel the market growth.

Browse through Grand View Research's coverage of the Global Medical Devices Industry.

Gain access to Grand View Compass, our BI enabled intuitive market research database of 10,000+ reports

About Grand View Research

Grand View Research, U.S.-based market research and consulting company, provides syndicated as well as customized research reports and consulting services. Registered in California and headquartered in San Francisco, the company comprises over 425 analysts and consultants, adding more than 1200 market research reports to its vast database each year. These reports offer in-depth analysis on 46 industries across 25 major countries worldwide. With the help of an interactive market intelligence platform, Grand View Research helps Fortune 500 companies and renowned academic institutes understand the global and regional business environment and gauge the opportunities that lie ahead.

Contact:

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The Veterinary Vaccines Market Size is driven by increasing incidence of zoonotic diseases and rising prevalence foodborne diseases and infections. The livestock vaccines segment is likely to hold the largest market share in 2021 and companion animal segment is anticipated to register the highest CAGR of 7.0% during 2021 to 2028.

NEW YORK, Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- According to the new market research report "Veterinary Vaccines Market Forecast to 2028 - COVID-19 Impact and Global Analysis By Vaccine Type [Livestock Vaccines (Bovine Vaccines and Small Ruminant Vaccines) and Companion Animal Vaccines (Feline Vaccines, Canine Vaccines, and Others)] and Technology (Live Attenuated Vaccines, Inactivated Vaccines, Toxoid Vaccines, Recombinant Vaccines, Conjugate Vaccines, and Others)", published by The Insight Partners, the global veterinary vaccines market is projected to reach US$ 15,536.38 million by 2028 from US$ 9,984.65 million in 2021; it is estimated to register a CAGR of 6.5% from 2021 to 2028.

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Report Coverage Details Market Size Value in US$ 9,984.65 million in 2021 Market Size Value by US$ 15,536.38 million by 2028 Growth rate CAGR of 6.5% from 2021 to 2028 Forecast Period 2021-2028 Base Year 2021 No. of Pages 181 No. Tables 111 No. of Charts & Figures 76 Historical data available Yes Segments covered Vaccine Type and Technology Regional scope North America; Europe; Asia Pacific; Latin America; MEA Country scope US, UK, Canada, Germany, France, Italy, Australia, Russia, China, Japan, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Argentina Report coverage Revenue forecast, company ranking, competitive landscape, growth factors, and trends

Veterinary Vaccines Market: Competition Landscape and Key Developments

Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH; Zoetis Inc.; Merck & Co., Inc.; Virbac; BIOVAC, NEOGEN Corporation; Elanco; HIPRA; Ceva; and Hester Biosciences Limited are among the key companies operating in the veterinary vaccines market. Leading market players focus on new product launch, expansion, diversification, and acquisition strategies to tap prevailing business opportunities.

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In 2021, In North America, the US is the largest veterinary vaccines market. The regulatory agencies in the country have very stringent policies on controlling the spread of infection among animals and humans. As part of such policies, the agencies have adopted various strategies. For instance, in June 2021, the US has banned the import of dogs from 113 Countries After Rising In False Rabies Records. In addition, in 2020, the CDC identified more than 450 dogs imported in the US with falsified or fraudulent rabies certificates, which was estimated to be about a 52% increase compared with the previous couple of years. Vaccination of the pet is mandatory as part of the routine healthcare plan for the pet and livestock animals. There has been a considerable rise in awareness about the vaccination among the owners of the animals country, the increasing prevalence of viral infections, and the presence of prominent market players based in the is expected to augment the growth of Veterinary Vaccines market during the forecast years.

Growing Market in Untapped Economies to Drive Veterinary Vaccines Market:

The veterinary care business is witnessing substantial transformations. Countries across the world have favored sophisticated remedies and supplements that are simple to use and beneficial in healthcare. Countries such as China, India, and Australia are projected to be among the major contributors to the expansion in veterinary healthcare. The increasing rate of pet ownership, rising disposable income of the population, and growing awareness related to pet health are among the factors that are likely to drive the growth of the Veterinary Vaccines Market in the future. Further, improvement in animal welfare across the countries and implementation of rules for the manufacturing of animal vaccines and nutritional supplements would propel the growth of the market in emerging regions in the coming years. There has been a movement in the business approach of animal health enterprises that have grown from medicines to preventive to productivity enhancement and now to total healthcare of animals. This is expected to increase the adoption of veterinary vaccines in the potential market and undeveloped countries, which is projected to create lucrative opportunities for market growth during the forecast period.

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Veterinary Vaccines Market: Segmental Overview

The global veterinary vaccines market, based on vaccine type, is segmented into livestock vaccines, companion animal vaccines, and others. The livestock vaccines segment is likely to hold the largest market share in 2021. However, the companion animal segment is anticipated to register the highest CAGR of 7.0% during the forecast period.

The global veterinary vaccines market, based on technology, is segmented into live attenuated vaccines, inactivated vaccines, toxoid vaccines, recombinant vaccines, conjugate vaccines, and others. In 2021, the live attenuated vaccines segment is likely to hold the largest market share. However, the inactivated vaccines segment is expected to witness growth in its demand at a fastest CAGR during 2021 to 2028.

COVID Impacts:

There have been incidences where companion animals are infected with COVID-19 through their human counterparts. As a preventive measure, various organizations vaccinate animals against COVID-19 infection. For instance, in October 2021, Cincinnati Zoo vaccinated about 80 animals against COVID-19 with two doses veterinary vaccines.

Buy Premium Copy of Veterinary Vaccines Market Size, Share, Revenue, Strategic Insights and Forecasts 2021-2028 Research Report at https://www.theinsightpartners.com/buy/TIPRE00003539/

Browse Adjoining Reports:

Veterinary Rapid Test Market Forecast to 2028 - COVID-19 Impact and Global Analysis By Product (Rapid Test Kits and Rapid Test Readers), Application (Viral Diseases, Bacterial Diseases, Parasitic Diseases, Allergies, and Other Applications), and Animal Type (Companion Animals and Livestock Animals)

Veterinary CRO Market to 2027 - Global Analysis and Forecasts by Service Type (Clinical Trials, Toxicology, Market Authorization and Regulatory Support, Others); Application (Pet, Livestock, Wild); Indication (Oncology, Infectious Diseases, Neurology, Others); End-User (Animal Husbandry, Others)

Veterinary Endoscopes Market to 2027 - Global Analysis and Forecasts By Product Type (Capsule Endoscopes, Flexible Endoscopes and Rigid Endoscopes); Application (Diagnostic and Surgical); Procedure (Bronchoscopy, Cystoscopy, Gastrointestinal, Laparoscopy, Otoscopy, and Other Procedures); End User (Veterinary Clinic, Veterinary Hospitals and Other End Users), and Geography

Veterinary Products Market Forecast to 2028 - COVID-19 Impact and Global Analysis By Product (Vaccines, Performance Enhancers, Animal Pharmaceutical Products, Medicinal Feed Additives, Other); Animal Type (Pet, Livestock, Poultry, Other Animals) and Geography

Veterinary Products For Livestock Animals Market Forecast to 2028 - COVID-19 Impact and Global Analysis By Type (Medicines, Veterinary Vaccines, Other); Application (Poultry, Pig, Other) and Geography

Veterinary Stretcher Market Forecast to 2028 - COVID-19 Impact and Global Analysis By Type (Foldable, Unfoldable); End User (Animal Hospital, Outdoor Emergency, Others) and Geography

Veterinary Ivermectin Market Forecast to 2028 - Covid-19 Impact and Global Analysis - By Formulation Type (Liquid and Solid); Animal Type (Dairy Animals, Horse, Small Companion Animals, Pig, and Other Animal Types) and Geography

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VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / January 11, 2022 / Komo Plant Based Foods Inc. (CSE:YUM)(OTCQB:KOMOF)(FRA:9HB) ("Komo"), a premium plant-based food company, is pleased to announce that BRR Logistics is now carrying all Komo frozen plant-based products for distribution, with a focus on Ontario and Quebec. BRR offers one of Canada's largest selections of high quality frozen consumer goods, working with some of the biggest brands and retailers in the world. BRR is a Unilever Master Distributor and directly services all national grocery banners including Loblaws, Real Canadian Superstore, Metro, The Northwest Company, Sobeys, Costco and Walmart. Additionally BRR services a large number of independent grocery accounts. Its weekly service points include the following jurisdictions; Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Nunavut, Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic.

"Myself and the entire team at BRR are really excited as we prepare to launch Komo Comfort Foods to major grocery retail in Canada. While focusing in Ontario and Quebec we will be making sensible and delicious vegan family options available on shelf for 2 in 3 Canadian households! We have watched as the brand exceeded expectations in Western Canada and we are hearing from buyers across Ontario and Quebec who have also noticed Komo and recognized the gap their products fill in the marketplace. There is an inventory position in Ontario now and we expect to see strong demand for Komo Comfort Foods in Q1 2022," says Michael Wakefield, President and CEO, BRR Logistics Limited.

BRR picked up its first order of Komo Plant-Based foods in late December 2021 and is now actively distributing Komo products across Canada, with a focus on Ontario and Quebec. BRR partners with TransCold Distribution, who began distributing Komo in October 2021, to major grocery chains in British Columbia and Alberta. Komo frozen plant-based products are now carried by five distributors - BRR Logistics, TransCold Distribution (which sells to Safeway, Save on Foods, Loblaws, Real Canadian Superstore, Fresh Co, Thrifty Foods, Whole Foods, Walmart, Nesters Market, Buy-Low Foods, Walmart, Costco, 7-Eleven, Shoppers Drug Mart, SPUD.ca and Pomme Natural Market in Western Canada), Dean's Dairy, Goodness Distributors and Nationwide Natural Foods (which focuses on delivering clean, natural products that cater to a certain lifestyle to major and independent grocery stores, specialty stores, coffee shops and bistros, including Sobeys, Choices, Quality Foods, Country Grocer, Save-On-Foods and Whole Foods across Canada).

In addition to selling through a retail network, Komo sells its products directly to consumers through its e-commerce website and at local farmers' markets. A full list of retail locations can be found at the company's website in addition to over 200 reviews from verified buyers.

About BRR Logistics Limited

BRR Logistics Limited (BRR) is a privately held Canadian corporation providing deep-frozen storage and distribution needs across the entire country. BRR's centralized operations are from a 100 000 sq foot, state of the art freezer facility in Brampton, ON. Utilizing a national dedicated deep frozen logistics fleet ensures all products reach their intended destination on time and in premium condition. Brands and retailers are supported by a full service customer team including strategic brand management, key account management, GS1 - ECCnet management, order entry as well as inbound and outbound EDI orders and invoicing. BRR offers one of Canada's largest selections of high quality frozen consumer goods, working with some of the biggest brands and retailers in the world. BRR directly services all national grocery banners including Loblaws, Metro, The Northwest Company, Sobeys and Walmart on a weekly basis whether direct to store or direct to warehouse delivery. Additionally BRR services a large number of independent grocery accounts as well as national and independent convenience and gas including 7-Eleven and Couche Tard. Weekly service points include the following jurisdictions; Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Nunavut, Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic. BRR partners with TransCold Distribution in British Columbia and Alberta. Suitably BRR Logistics Limited's head office is in one of the coldest capitals in Canada, Winnipeg, Manitoba.

About Komo

Komo Plant Based Foods Inc. is a premium plant-based food company that develops, manufactures and sells a variety of plant-based frozen meals that are always hearty, satisfying, and made with wholesome ingredients. At Komo, our mission is to help make plant-based meals a staple on every dinner table by sharing our love for feel-good food that connects the people to the planet. We believe plant-based eating is the future and - Change can start with a single biteTM. Our experienced plant-based innovation and development team recreates vegan versions of traditionally cheesy and meaty classics, with 100% plants. Komo's products are sold direct-to-consumer through our eCommerce website and a distribution network of online and brick and mortar grocery, convenience and natural retailer channels. Our operating subsidiary Komo Comfort Foods launched in 2021 with our flagship products: plant-based Lasagna, Shepherd's Pie and Chickenless Pot Pie and has recently launched a new line - Komo Plant-Based Meal HelpersTM - versatile meal starters to allow the creation of many dishes at home. All of our products are 100% plant-based, made with wholesome ingredients, free from preservatives, and frozen for freshness. Freezing products is a natural and effective way of keeping food products for longer without having to use any preservatives. Komo's meals have a 1-year frozen shelf life. Komo also sells hot ready-to-eat meals in Metro Vancouver through Uber Eats and Skip the Dishes.

Learn more at: www.komocomfortfoods.com and follow on Instagram: @komocomfortfoods

For further information, please contact:

William White, President & CEO, Komo Plant Based Foods Inc.

will@komoeats.com

1-866-969-0882

The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed, approved or disapproved the contents of this news release.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking information. These statements relate to future events or Komo's future performance. The use of any of the words "could", "expect", "believe", "will", "projected", "estimated" and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on Komo's current belief or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. Actual future results may differ materially. In particular, Komo's product development plans, its ability to launch its products on food delivery apps, its ability to retain key personnel, its revenues, and its expectation as to the acceptance of its products by retailer stores and consumers constitute forward-looking information. Actual results and developments may differ materially from those contemplated by forward-looking information. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The statements made in this press release are made as of the date hereof. Komo disclaims any intention or obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be expressly required by applicable securities laws.

SOURCE: KOMO Plant Based Foods Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/681995/Komo-Plant-Based-Foods-Now-Distributed-in-Ontario-and-Quebec-Through-BRR-Logistics-a-Unilever-Master-Distributor
LONDON, Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- AgDevCo is pleased to announce that Oba Pack Company Limited, a Ghanaian-owned agribusiness, purchased the Babator Farming Company Limited (BFC) on 31 December 2021. Prior to the sale, AgDevCo Limited was the sole owner of BFC.

BFC is a 356 hectare irrigated commercial farm developed by AgDevCo from greenfield. The project was a proof of concept to attract investors to the Babator Irrigated Farming Hub (BIFH), an agricultural concession on the Black Volta River in the Savannah Region of northern Ghana, which could become the country's largest irrigated farming and processing site once fully developed.

Oba Pack will produce onions for its processing facility in Tuobodom, in the neighbouring Bono Region. The company plans to grow over 7,000 tonnes of onions at BFC for sale in the domestic market, with potential for further expansion. Despite being a staple part of local cuisine, Ghana today imports up to 90% of the onions it consumes.

Oba Pack will also grow soya beans, in a sustainable crop rotation to promote good soil health. The soya will be sold to Ghana Nuts Company Limited, a company related to Oba Pack, to be processed into soy cake, primarily for the local poultry feed industry.

BFC already employs 58 staff, of whom half are women, in a rural area with very little formal employment. That number is expected to increase as Oba Pack expands. As the BIFH site attracts other commercial investors there will be further employment opportunities.

Obed Asante, CEO of Oba Pack, said:

"Our investment in BFC is key to our long-term strategy of vertical integration. BFC enables us to start farming immediately, with secure access to land, machinery and equipment. There is ample year-round irrigation, good road infrastructure, and a strong relationship with local communities developed by AgDevCo."

Daniel Hulls, CEO of AgDevCo, said:

"Oba Pack's investment in BFC is an important milestone for AgDevCo as it demonstrates investor confidence in BIFH from a leading Ghanaian agribusiness. This investment should help unlock further investment into BIFH to benefit local communities and help commercialise Ghana's agriculture sector."

Alongside developing the BFC project, AgDevCo has been planting tree crops (including mangoes, cashew and moringa) at BIFH and promoting smallholder outgrower schemes. There is a community fund which receives a share of revenue from commercial investors operating within the concession. To date, the fund, AgDevCo and BFC have supported a local school, health clinic and a water treatment system.

With a further 5,000 hectares of irrigable farmland available at BIFH, AgDevCo is seeking other commercial investors. As demonstrated through rigorous commercial trials, BIFH is suitable for the production of a wide variety of crops, including grains, legumes, vegetables and fruits. There is especially high potential for irrigated bananas.

AgDevCo was assisted by Open Capital Group Limited during the tender process to sell BFC. Charles Russell Speechlys in the UK and SESI LEGAL in Ghana provided legal support.

ABOUT AGDEVCO

AgDevCo is a specialist investor in African agriculture. Our vision is a thriving commercial agriculture sector which benefits both people and planet. At the end of Q3 2021 AgDevCo's portfolio comprised US$ 150 million of committed funds into 47 companies. To date, AgDevCo's investments and technical assistance have engaged 764,000 small-scale farmers and created or sustained 15,600 jobs. UKAid is the principal funder of AgDevCo and the BIFH project. For more information about BFC and BIFH refer to this video and brochure.

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SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The global swine vaccines market size is expected to reach USD 2.09 billion by 2028, registering a CAGR of 4.9% from 2021 to 2028, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. Increasing prevalence of diseases, a surge in the demand for animal protein, and growth in R&D expenditure for vaccines innovation are driving the market growth. Porcine Parvovirus (PPV), Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS), Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2), Foot & Mouth Disease, Classical Swine Fever, and others remain to be extremely prevalent diseases in pig farms affecting economic losses.

Key Insights & Findings from the report:

The inactivated vaccines segment dominated the market in 2020 owing to its easy availability and low cost over others

A recombinant vaccine is expected to register the fastest CAGR over the forecast period owing to the benefits, such as enhanced effectiveness, technology advancement, and increased long-standing prevention

The Porcine circovirus type 2 segment dominated the market in 2020 due to the increased prevalence of the disease. Moreover, this is the quickly mutating of all single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) viruses, therefore it has a great mutation and recombination rate

Asia Pacific is expected to register the fastest CAGR over the forecast period due to the growing cases of infectious diseases in swine, increasing awareness about animal health, rising demand for animal protein, and rapid urbanization

Read 150 page market research report, "Swine Vaccines Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Product (Recombinant, Inactivated), By Type (Pseudorabies, Porcine Circovirus Type 2), By Region (Asia Pacific, North America), And Segment Forecasts, 2021 - 2028", by Grand View Research

The COVID-19 pandemic directly or indirectly impacted the business, results of operations, and financial conditions of market players. The Animal Health business was confronted with various production and supply bottlenecks because of the COVID-19 pandemic; this consists of delays in the delivery of raw materials and active ingredients and capacity constraints in freight transport (especially air and sea freight). While on the other side, the industry has expanded its research at an unprecedented pace in animal health. Thereby, the COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted the market growth.

In addition, the growing investments by key players to develop advanced products for better diagnosis are likely to propel market growth. For instance, in May 2020, Indian Immunologicals Ltd. introduced the Classical Swine Fever vaccine. Stating that it has introduced the product under the brand name 'Raksha Class'. This is a unique cell culture technology-based vaccine developed in cooperation with the Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Bareilly.

Key players are involved in strategic initiatives, such as joint ventures, mergers, acquisitions, and new product launches to gain a higher market share. For instance, in February 2020, the new vaccine created by ICAR, Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), based in Uttar Pradesh, was much cheaper than an already existing one. It costs only Rs 2 for each dose over the present vaccine's rate of Rs 15-20 for each dose and an imported Korean vaccine rate of Rs 30 for each dose.

Market Segmentation:

Grand View Research has segmented the global swine vaccines market on the basis of type, product, and region:

Swine Vaccines Type Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2028)

Swine Influenza



Classical Swine Fever



Porcine Parvovirus



Porcine Circovirus Type 2



M.Hyo



ActinobacillusPleuropneumonia



PRRS



Foot & Mouth Disease



Pseudorabies



PEDV



Others

Swine Vaccines Product Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2028)

Attenuated Live Vaccines



Inactivated Vaccines



Subunit Vaccines



DNA Vaccines



Recombinant Vaccines

Swine Vaccines Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2028)

North America



U.S.





Canada





Europe



U.K.



Germany





France





Italy





Spain



Asia Pacific



Japan





China





India



Latin America



Brazil





Mexico





Argentina



Middle East and Africa (MEA)



Saudi Arabia





South Africa

List of Key Players of Swine Vaccines Market

Merck Animal Health

Ceva

Zoetis

Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH

Elanco

Indian Immunologicals Ltd.

BiogenesisBago

Phibro Animal Health

KM Biologics

HIPRA

Check out more studies related animal vaccines, published by Grand View Research:

Animal Vaccines Market - The global animal vaccines market size was valued at USD 9.2 billion in 2020 and is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.4% from 2021 to 2028. The perpetual introduction of technologically advanced vaccines and the outbreak of livestock diseases have contributed to the changing market dynamics.

- The global animal vaccines market size was valued at in 2020 and is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.4% from 2021 to 2028. The perpetual introduction of technologically advanced vaccines and the outbreak of livestock diseases have contributed to the changing market dynamics. Brazil Veterinary Vaccines Market - The Brazil veterinary vaccines market size was valued at USD 435.3 million in 2019 and is expected to register a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.4% from 2020 to 2027. Rising mandates for vaccination to curb livestock disease outbreaks and increasing demand for livestock-related food products are primary factors expected to drive market growth.

- The veterinary vaccines market size was valued at in 2019 and is expected to register a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.4% from 2020 to 2027. Rising mandates for vaccination to curb livestock disease outbreaks and increasing demand for livestock-related food products are primary factors expected to drive market growth. Aquaculture Vaccines Market - The global aquaculture vaccines market size was valued at USD 322.4 million in 2020 and is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.4% from 2021 to 2028. High aquaculture production, high prevalence of infectious diseases in the aquaculture sector, and growing demand for aquatic animal-derived food products are the factors expected to drive the market.

Browse through Grand View Research's coverage of the Global Animal Health Industry.

Gain access to Grand View Compass, our BI enabled intuitive market research database of 10,000+ reports

About Grand View Research

Grand View Research, U.S.-based market research and consulting company, provides syndicated as well as customized research reports and consulting services. Registered in California and headquartered in San Francisco, the company comprises over 425 analysts and consultants, adding more than 1200 market research reports to its vast database each year. These reports offer in-depth analysis on 46 industries across 25 major countries worldwide. With the help of an interactive market intelligence platform, Grand View Research helps Fortune 500 companies and renowned academic institutes understand the global and regional business environment and gauge the opportunities that lie ahead.

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ROME, Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Leading live streaming platform, Bigo Live, is gearing up for its annual gala by honoring the winners at the 2022 Bigo Awards Gala on January 14, 2022. The event will celebrate Bigo Live's broadcasting culture, community and will also acknowledge the creativity of the platform's broadcasters and their achievement during the year.

In the lead-up to the 2022 BIGO Awards Gala, Bigo Live held Gala Torneo Regionale per Famiglie and Gala Torneo Regionale per Host in Italy. The events have chosen three winners who will be honored in the upcoming 2022 Bigo Awards Gala.

Its first three broadcaster, GIO (BIGO ID: LamboGio), Eddine (BIGO ID: Lina130519) and Lydia (BIGO ID: PikaLydia), as well as three family, Lambo Family, Sasa Tarzan Team, and Aquila Imperiale will be awarded winners with the "Top Regional Broadcaster" and "Top Regional Family" prizes accordingly in the 2022 BIGO Awards Gala, as recognition and appreciation of their accomplishments.

Extensive talents of the winners

Gio is the No.1 host of Gala Torneo Regionale per Host. He previously worked as a staff in a company. Started streaming Bigo Live content in March 2020, Gio quickly became famous with his humor and eloquence in chatting. Along with his fans, he often spend hours for chatting, singing, and exchanging experiences that bring a sense of purpose, social presence, and an impact to virtual economy. Gio has shown amazing performances in the Gala Torneo Regionale per Host and accumulated many fans during the event.

Another winner, Lambo Family, has extensive talents in singing, dancing, and interactive live performances. Lambo family ranked No.1 in Gala Torneo Regionale per Famiglie and TOP 10 in Concorso globale per famiglie.

Lambo's leader, Eddine, said, "Family, as an online community, is a very unique concept of BIGO LIVE. It enables like-minded individuals to connect. I'm delighted to gather more than 1,600 members to form a family in which we felt a sense of glory, unity, and brotherhood."

A spokesperson of Bigo Live added, "We have witnessed remarkable growth on Bigo Live this year as more Italian discovered the benefits of live streaming, so we wanted to share our thanks and give back to broadcasters and their communities with a campaign that amplifies their true connection and talent outside the digital space."

As an appreciation of recognizing their accomplishments, the event will also feature a hype-worthy performance by the Italian broadcaster, Simon A (BIGO ID: 718698589), who will sing a solo of LA SINTESI at the Gala.

Bigo Live will also air a Christmas and New Year special for the audience. During the Christmas period, Bigo Live Italy launched BIGO VOICE 2021 campaigns, to make sure the app's users can reel in the holiday spirit with the broadcasters' help as they celebrate and enter the New Year. For more information, download Bigo Live App.

About Bigo Live

Bigo Live is one of the world's fastest-growing livestreaming social communities where users broadcast in real-time to share life moments, showcase their talents and interact with people from around the world. Bigo Live has around 400 million users in over 150 countries and is currently the market leader in the livestreaming industry. Launched in March 2016, Bigo Live is owned by BIGO Technology which is based in Singapore.

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LOUISVILLE, KY / ACCESSWIRE / January 11, 2022 / Charah Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:CHRA) (the "Company"), a leading provider of mission-critical environmental services and byproduct sales to the power generation industry, has received the Southern Company Technical & Project Solutions (T&PS) Triangle Safety Award for outstanding performance for work completed within the Southern Company system in 2020.

The coveted Triangle Safety Award is presented annually to recognize select contractors whose safety performance on Southern Company (NYSE: SO) projects meet exceptionally high standards including:

Achieved top-quartile status for the Safety Through Everyone's Participation (STEP) observation rate among Southern Company contractors AND maintained a minimum STEP observation rate of 5 observations per 1,000 work hours each month throughout the year for all work, including subcontracted work.

Maintained 100-percent participation in project walk-downs and/or site assessments.

Have zero open safety-related corrective action items and achieved top-quartile status for timeliness of corrective action completion.

Have zero open safety nonconformance reports (SNCRs) and achieved top-quartile status of contractors with fewest SNCRs issued.

Have not caused an outage or damage to Southern Company property in excess of $10,000.

Contractor's total work hours must exceed a minimum number in order to qualify for the award.

Charah Solutions is an industry-leader in safety excellence with a 2020 Total Recordable Incident Rate (TRIR) of 0.36 with no lost time or restricted time injuries and an impressive three-year average Experience Modification Rate (EMR) of less than 0.7.

In 2020, Charah Solutions performed work on four different Southern Company sites. One of the larger projects included an approximate 100-acre surface impoundment closure project. The multi-year scope of work includes the installation of new rail as well as improvements to existing rail infrastructure, and the construction of a large concrete loadout area.

In addition, over the next several years as the closure of the ponds is underway, approximately 2 million tons of ash from the site is anticipated to be beneficially used in the production of Portland Cement. Along with improving the finished concrete product quality, using fly ash in concrete products eliminates the need to dispose of fly ash in landfills. In 2020, Charah Solutions beneficiated and recycled 2.58 million tons of coal combustion residuals (CCRs), saving more than 2.24 million tons of CO2 from entering the atmosphere.

"We are honored to receive this prestigious award from the Southern Company in recognition of our team's uncompromising commitment every single day to keep our workplaces and employees safe," said Scott Sewell, President and CEO of Charah Solutions. "At Charah Solutions, Safety is a core value and integral to our culture. Congratulations to our project teams for this outstanding recognition."

Charah Solutions receives the Southern Company Triangle Safety Award for construction safety excellence on Technical & Project Solutions (T&PS) projects.

About Charah Solutions, Inc.

With 30 years of experience, Charah Solutions, Inc. is a leading provider of environmental services and byproduct sales to the power generation industry. Based in Louisville, Kentucky, Charah Solutions assists utilities and independent power producers with all aspects to sustainably manage and recycle ash byproducts generated from the combustion of coal in the production of electricity. The Company also designs and implements solutions for ash pond management and closure, landfill construction, fly ash sales, and structural fill projects. Charah Solutions is the partner of choice for solving customers' most complex environmental challenges, and as an industry leader in quality, safety, and compliance, the Company is committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions for a cleaner energy future. For more information, please visit https://charah.com/ or download our 2020 Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Report at www.charah.com/sustainability.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this press release that address activities, events or developments that the Company expects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are identified by their use of terms and phrases such as "may," "expect," "estimate," "project," "plan," "believe," "intend," "achievable," "anticipate," "will," "continue," "potential," "should," "could," and similar terms and phrases. These statements are based on certain assumptions made by the Company based on management's experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions, anticipated future developments and other factors believed to be appropriate. Such statements are subject to a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, which may cause actual results to differ materially from those implied or expressed by the forward-looking statements. See the Company's Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 and other periodic reports as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for further information regarding risk factors.

Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to correct or update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

Investor Contact

Roger Shannon

Charah Solutions

(502) 245-1353

ir@charah.com

Media Contact

Tamara Davis

PriceWeber Marketing

(270) 202-8516

media@charah.com

SOURCE: Charah Solutions, Inc.

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Highlights

Widest ore grade intercept to date, intersected 250 meters southwest and down plunge of the current Kaukua Open Pit Mineral Resource Estimate ("MRE").

2.1 g/t Palladium Equivalent (Pd_Eq) over 33.5 meters, within 1.6 g/t Pd_Eq over 121.1 meters , in hole LK21-105, with individual samples grading up to 16.0 g/t Pd_Eq over 0.6 meters.

, in hole LK21-105, with individual samples grading up to over 0.6 meters. Three holes (LK21-101, 102 and 105), spread over 220-meters laterally, have all intersected the down plunge, high-grade 'Core Zone' of the current pit constrained Kaukua Open Pit.

(LK21-101, 102 and 105), High-grade 'Core Zone' of the Kaukua Open Pit remains open to depth.

Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 11, 2022) - Initial down plunge drilling, has intersected the widest ore-grade intercept to date, southwest of the 2019 open-pit constrained MRE of the Kaukua Deposit. Hole LK21-105 intersected 2.1 g/t Pd_Eq over 33.5 meters, within 1.6 g/t Pd_Eq over 121.1 meters, starting at a true depth of approximately 260 meters (Figure 2), said Palladium One Mining Inc. (TSXV: PDM) (OTCQB: NKORF) (FSE: 7N11) ("Palladium One" or the "Company").

Derrick Weyrauch, President and CEO, commented: "We have extended the 'Core Zone' of the Kaukua Deposit 250 beyond the current conceptual open-pit and hole LK21-105 is among the thickest intercepts to date within the Kaukua Deposit and adds significant tonnage to our existing resource endowment. The high-grade 'Core Zone' of the Kaukua Deposit remains open to the southwest for more expansion. An updated NI43-101 Mineral Resource Estimate is schedule for release in Q1 2022 and will incorporate these valuable results"

These drilling results extend a broad, >200-meter wide 'core zone' of mineralization 250-meters southwest of the existing conceptual open-pit, and it remains open for expansion (Figure 1 and 2, and 3). Importantly, the previous geological interpretations suggested that the Kaukua Deposit was cut-off by a northwest trending fault, occupying a distinct magnetic low and topographic lineament. Drilling has now demonstrated that the magnetic low is the result of a later cross cutting dyke (now referred to as the high-titanium gabbro dyke) and that the Kaukua Deposit remains open to the south. Significantly the high-grade 'Core Zone' of the Kaukua Deposit has been extended 250 meters to the southwest and we have encountered some of the thickest intercepts (>100m) to date within the deposit (see news release November 23, 2021).







Figure 1. Historic and current drilling in the Kaukua area having a drill data cut-off date of September 30, 2021 (hole LK21-137), assays have been received for holes up to LK21-108, the remainder are pending. Background is Induced Polarization ("IP") Chargeability.

To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/6502/109611_d3d01541e4fbb877_001full.jpg







Figure 2. Cross sections showing holes LK21-099, 103, 104, 105 and 106 and historic holes KAU09-049 and KAU12-060, and their position with respect to the 2019 Kaukua Mineral Resource Estimate Whittle Open Pit.

To view an enhanced version of Figure 2, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/6502/109611_d3d01541e4fbb877_002full.jpg







Figure 3. Cross section showing holes LK21-100, 108, historic holes KAU09--040, 042, 043, KAU12-053 and their position with respect to the 2019 Kaukua Whittle Open-Pit constrained Mineral Resource Estimate.

To view an enhanced version of Figure 3, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/6502/109611_d3d01541e4fbb877_003full.jpg

Table 1. LK Project, select Kaukua Drill Hole Results

Hole From (m) To (m) Width (m) Pd_Eq g/t*

In-Situ Pd_Eq g/t* Estimated Recovered PGE (Pt+Pd+Au) Pd g/t Pt g/t Au g/t Cu % Ni % Co g/t LK21-100 Upper Zone 37.6 64.0 26.4 0.67 0.42 0.16 0.09 0.03 0.04 0.09 0.10 71 Inc. 37.6 42.0 4.4 1.03 0.67 0.38 0.21 0.09 0.07 0.14 0.13 74 Lower Zone 246.2 359.5 113.4 1.46 0.93 0.87 0.61 0.21 0.04 0.09 0.14 89 Inc. 246.2 284.5 38.4 2.03 1.33 1.30 0.91 0.32 0.07 0.14 0.17 95 Inc. 249.5 259.0 9.6 3.27 2.21 2.25 1.54 0.54 0.17 0.27 0.21 111 Inc. 249.5 254.0 4.6 4.02 2.71 2.82 1.94 0.68 0.21 0.30 0.26 121 And 330.8 338.0 7.2 2.99 2.03 2.31 1.69 0.53 0.08 0.18 0.16 85 Inc. 330.8 335.0 4.2 3.98 2.71 3.20 2.35 0.75 0.10 0.21 0.19 98 Inc. 330.8 332.0 1.2 5.65 3.85 4.65 3.50 1.01 0.14 0.25 0.25 132 And 351.0 359.5 8.5 2.73 1.81 1.87 1.31 0.49 0.07 0.19 0.20 105 Inc. 358.0 359.5 1.5 5.88 3.97 4.45 2.95 1.42 0.08 0.48 0.33 111 LK21-101 Upper Zone 83.0 100.8 17.8 0.76 0.45 0.15 0.08 0.03 0.04 0.08 0.13 103 Lower Zone 272.6 347.1 74.5 1.46 0.94 0.72 0.49 0.17 0.06 0.13 0.16 92 Inc. 276.9 298.7 21.8 1.68 1.08 0.92 0.61 0.23 0.08 0.13 0.17 92 Inc. 290.6 298.7 8.1 2.49 1.67 1.52 1.00 0.36 0.16 0.24 0.20 93 And 325.4 345.0 19.6 2.22 1.47 1.19 0.81 0.28 0.10 0.24 0.21 106 Inc. 325.4 334.0 8.6 2.70 1.84 1.65 1.13 0.38 0.13 0.30 0.20 83 Inc. 333.0 334.0 1.0 4.15 2.77 1.51 1.03 0.29 0.19 0.70 0.48 177 LK21-102 Upper Zone 62.8 82.5 19.7 0.68 0.42 0.16 0.09 0.03 0.04 0.09 0.10 76 Lower Zone 248.2 361.8 113.6 1.57 1.02 0.92 0.63 0.23 0.06 0.12 0.14 92 Inc. 291.5 361.8 70.3 1.85 1.22 1.15 0.80 0.29 0.07 0.15 0.15 90 Inc. 291.5 305.2 13.7 3.16 2.12 2.21 1.58 0.55 0.09 0.24 0.21 107 Inc. 296.0 299.0 3.0 4.22 2.79 3.07 2.22 0.77 0.08 0.21 0.30 141 And 348.7 361.8 13.1 3.04 2.04 2.03 1.39 0.51 0.12 0.26 0.21 104 Inc. 357.7 359.7 2.0 7.98 5.52 5.82 3.97 1.48 0.37 0.78 0.41 138 Inc. 358.7 359.7 1.0 9.56 6.64 7.08 4.81 1.83 0.44 0.95 0.46 150 LK21-103 Upper Zone 54.3 77.0 22.7 0.88 0.55 0.27 0.10 0.03 0.13 0.10 0.12 83 Inc. 55.9 62.0 6.2 1.23 0.84 0.57 0.13 0.05 0.38 0.15 0.12 72 Lower Zone 248.0 343.5 95.5 0.75 0.45 0.29 0.20 0.07 0.02 0.05 0.11 78 Inc. 258.0 330.5 72.5 0.84 0.50 0.31 0.21 0.08 0.02 0.05 0.13 88 Inc. 258.0 275.0 17.0 1.19 0.72 0.49 0.35 0.12 0.03 0.07 0.17 108 Inc. 272.0 273.5 1.5 3.12 2.11 2.01 1.42 0.46 0.13 0.29 0.22 128 And 319.8 330.5 10.7 1.27 0.83 0.82 0.57 0.20 0.04 0.09 0.10 63 Inc. 326.0 329.0 3.0 2.18 1.44 1.39 0.97 0.33 0.08 0.16 0.18 82 LK21-104 Upper Zone 15.3 43.0 27.8 0.81 0.51 0.18 0.10 0.03 0.06 0.12 0.12 83 Inc. 16.8 22.0 5.3 1.07 0.69 0.34 0.17 0.07 0.10 0.16 0.14 75 Lower Zone 209.5 278.0 68.5 0.75 0.42 0.20 0.14 0.05 0.01 0.03 0.14 89 Inc. 211.2 221.2 10.0 1.28 0.79 0.60 0.42 0.16 0.03 0.08 0.16 105 LK21-105 Upper Zone 120.4 131.1 10.8 0.86 0.53 0.20 0.11 0.03 0.06 0.11 0.13 92 Lower Zone 304.3 425.3 121.1 1.57 1.01 0.85 0.59 0.21 0.05 0.13 0.16 94 Inc 321.0 323.7 2.7 3.13 2.15 2.12 1.53 0.49 0.10 0.31 0.18 116 And 344.0 346.9 2.9 4.34 2.92 2.69 1.85 0.66 0.18 0.43 0.33 160 Inc. 346.0 346.9 0.9 7.78 5.29 5.18 3.58 1.25 0.35 0.75 0.52 206 And 390.8 424.3 33.5 2.07 1.36 1.19 0.82 0.29 0.08 0.18 0.19 96 Inc. 407.7 418.9 11.3 2.56 1.65 1.37 0.97 0.32 0.09 0.21 0.27 116 Inc. 407.7 408.2 0.6 15.99 9.54 6.07 4.91 1.07 0.09 0.85 2.60 725 LK21-106 Upper Zone 123.1 137.9 14.8 0.95 0.56 0.20 0.12 0.03 0.05 0.09 0.16 119 Inc. 129.0 130.5 1.5 1.50 0.94 0.43 0.26 0.06 0.12 0.17 0.22 138 Lower Zone 271.3 301.5 30.2 0.84 0.51 0.34 0.22 0.09 0.03 0.05 0.12 88 Inc. 271.3 277.0 5.7 1.34 0.82 0.59 0.40 0.16 0.03 0.10 0.17 119 LK21-107 Upper Zone 86.3 107.0 20.7 0.70 0.42 0.14 0.08 0.03 0.04 0.09 0.11 82 Inc. 89.0 90.0 1.0 1.22 0.80 0.45 0.24 0.12 0.10 0.19 0.14 91 Lower Zone 253.5 262.6 9.1 0.77 0.53 0.17 0.12 0.05 0.01 0.19 0.08 75 Inc. 261.7 262.6 0.9 3.16 2.71 0.03 0.00 0.00 0.03 1.84 0.08 120 LK21-108 Upper Zone 55.7 87.0 31.3 0.59 0.36 0.12 0.06 0.02 0.03 0.08 0.09 74 Inc. 77.2 79.3 2.1 1.15 0.78 0.24 0.12 0.03 0.08 0.26 0.14 98 Lower Zone 264.0 345.9 81.9 0.86 0.51 0.32 0.21 0.07 0.03 0.05 0.13 95 Inc. 265.5 277.2 11.7 1.21 0.73 0.56 0.41 0.13 0.03 0.05 0.16 106 And 336.0 345.9 9.9 2.03 1.34 1.24 0.84 0.29 0.11 0.16 0.17 103 Inc. 337.7 341.0 3.3 3.57 2.44 2.44 1.69 0.58 0.17 0.33 0.22 108

* Pd_Eq calculated using in-situ values and prices from the 2021 NI43-101 Haukiaho Mineral Resource Estimate; $1,600/oz Pd, $1,100/oz Pt, $1,650/oz Au, $3.50 Cu, and $7.50/lb Ni, and $20/lb Co. Limited historical metallurgical work on the Kaukua Deposit indicates final recoveries in the range of 73% Pd, 56% Pt, 78% Au, 91% Cu, 48% Ni and 48% Co and are used in the Estimated Recovered Pd_Eq grade calculation.

**Italicised orange highlighted results are previously released results see news release November 23, 2021.

Palladium Equivalent

The Company is calculating Palladium equivalent using US$1,600 per ounce for palladium, US$1,100 per ounce for platinum, US$1,650 per ounce for gold, US$3.50 per pound for copper, US$7.50 per pound for nickel, and $20 per pound cobalt consistent with the calculation used in the Company's September 2021 NI 43-101 Haukiaho Resource Estimate.

Qualified Person

The technical information in this release has been reviewed and verified by Neil Pettigrew, M.Sc., P. Geo., Vice President of Exploration and a director of the Company and the Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101

About Palladium One

Palladium One Mining Inc. (TSXV: PDM) is focused on discovering environmentally and socially conscious Metals for Green Transportation. A Canadian mineral exploration and development company, Palladium One is targeting district scale, platinum-group-element (PGE)-copper-nickel deposits in leading mining jurisdictions. Its flagship project is the Lantinen Koillismaa (LK) Project in north-central Finland, which is ranked by the Fraser Institute as one of the world's top countries for mineral exploration and development. LK is a PGE-copper-nickel project that has existing Mineral Resources. PDM's second project is the 2020 Discovery of the Year Award winning Tyko Project, a high-grade sulphide, copper-nickel project located in Canada. Follow Palladium One on LinkedIn, Twitter, and at www.palladiumoneinc.com.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

"Derrick Weyrauch"

President & CEO, Director

For further information contact:

Derrick Weyrauch, President & CEO

Email: info@palladiumoneinc.com



Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This press release is not an offer or a solicitation of an offer of securities for sale in the United States of America. The common shares of Palladium One Mining Inc. have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration.

Information set forth in this press release may contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that relate to future, not past events. In this context, forward-looking statements often address a company's expected future business and financial performance, and often contain words such as "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "expect", and "intend", statements that an action or event "may", "might", "could", "should", or "will" be taken or occur, or other similar expressions. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, risks associated with project development; the need for additional financing; operational risks associated with mining and mineral processing; fluctuations in palladium and other commodity prices; title matters; environmental liability claims and insurance; reliance on key personnel; the absence of dividends; competition; dilution; the volatility of our common share price and volume; and tax consequences to Canadian and U.S. Shareholders. Forward-looking statements are made based on management's beliefs, estimates and opinions on the date that statements are made and the Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change. Investors are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/109611
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / January 11, 2022 / Legend Power Systems Inc. (TSXV:LPS)(OTCQB:LPSIF) ("Legend Power" or the "Company") a global leader in commercial electrical system solutions, is pleased to announce the appointment of Florence Tan, CPA, CA, as Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary effective January 11, 2022.

Ms. Tan is a Canadian chartered accountant with over 15 years of progressive senior level experience with publicly listed and private companies in areas of accounting, regulatory and securities compliance, financial reporting and treasury management functions. Ms. Tan is a CPA, CA and holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of British Columbia, and is a volunteer with Futurpreneur Canada.

Randy Buchamer, CEO and President said, "I am very pleased to welcome Florence to the Company. Florence brings great energy and a breadth of experience which will be important attributes during what we expect to be a significant growth period for the Company. The Company also extends its appreciation to Steve Vanry for his dedication and contribution as the Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer and Corporate Secretary over the last six years. We wish Steve continued success in his future endeavors."

The Company also announces, in connection with Ms. Tan's appointed, that it has granted her 50,000 stock options at a price of $0.30 per common share, exercisable for a five-year term expiring on January 11, 2027. The options are subject to vesting provisions, with one-sixth vesting six months from the date of grant, and one-sixth vesting every six months thereafter. The stock options are non-transferable.

About Legend Power Systems Inc.

Legend Power Systems Inc. (www.legendpower.com) provides an intelligent energy management platform that analyzes and improves building energy challenges, significantly impacting asset management and corporate performance. Legend Power's proven solutions support proactive executive decision-making in a complex and volatile business and energy environment. The proprietary and patented system reduces total energy consumption and power costs, while also maximizing the life of electrical equipment. Legend Power's unique solution is also a key contributor to both corporate sustainability efforts and the meeting of utility energy efficiency targets.

For further information, please contact:

Sean Peasgood, Investor Relations

+ 1 647 503 1054

sean@sophiccapital.com

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Statements

This Press Release may contain statements which constitute "forward-looking information", including statements regarding the plans, intentions, beliefs and current expectations of the Company, its directors, or its officers with respect to the future business activities and operating performance of the Company. The words "may", "would", "could", "will", "intend", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect" and similar expressions, as they relate to the Company, or its management, are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future business activities or performance and involve risks and uncertainties, and that the Company's future business activities may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors. Such risks, uncertainties and factors are described in the periodic filings with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities, including the Company's quarterly and annual Management's Discussion & Analysis, which may be viewed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described 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 to not be as anticipated, estimated or intended. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements other than as may be required by applicable law.

SOURCE: Legend Power Systems Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/681939/Legend-PowerRAnnounces-Appointment-of-New-Chief-Financial-Officer-and-Corporate-Secretary
WHITE ROCK, BC / ACCESSWIRE / January 11, 2022 / TDG Gold Corp. (TSXV:TDG) (the "Company" or "TDG") is pleased to announce drill results from drillholes SH21-007 and SH21-008 from its 2021 diamond drill program with both holes drilled approximately 150 metres ("m") north of the historical Shasta Creek Zone open pit. Drill intercepts include 38.0 m of 3.04 grams per tonne ("g/t") gold ("Au") with 101 g/t silver ("Ag") [4.30 g/t AuEq*] in drillhole SH21-008. Assay results were received directly from SGS Canada Inc. ("SGS") from TDG's Shasta project which is located in the Toodoggone District of north-central B.C. Results have been received directly from SGS Canada Inc. ("SGS") and whilst SGS has completed its QA/QC protocols for these results, a comprehensive internal Data Quality Analysis ("DQA") by TDG is still underway with subsequent assay results from the Shasta project still pending. Therefore, the results for the purposes of this news release are still considered preliminary.

The northern section of TDG's Shasta project consists of the northerly portions of the Creek and JM Zones and also the Upper Creek Zone. Collectively, these zones at Shasta represent an opportunity to explore and evaluate the continuity and grade of the historical ore body in an area that was under-explored. The 2021 drilling in this area was designed to step west from the Shasta Fault, test underneath the historical mine workings and confirm the grade of mineralization reported from historical results as part of data validation in anticipation of the Mineral Resource Estimate work underway by Moose Mountain Technical Services. Results presented here are for SH21-007 and SH21-008 (Table 1).

Table 1. Significant Results from Holes SH21-007 & SH21-008.

Hole From To Length Au Ag AuEq* (m) (m) (m) (g/t) (g/t) (g/t) SH21-07 67.6 106.0 38.4 0.71 32 1.11 SH21-08 66.0 104.0 38.0 3.04 101 4.30 including 72.0 79.0 7.0 7.90 220 10.64 SH21-08 116.0 126.0 10.0 0.82 34 1.25 *Gold equivalent ("AuEq") calculated using 80:1 silver to gold ratio. ** Intervals are core-length weighted. True width is estimated between 75 to 95 % of core length.

Historically, drilling and mining was concentrated adjacent to the Shasta Fault, and the entirety of core was not sent for assay analysis. Holes drilled in 2021 within the northern section of the Shasta project consisted of infill drilling between historical holes and to test continuity of mineralization to the north (Figure 1). Select historical results are presented in Table 2 and a cross-section in Figure 2. Results are still pending for 2021 drillholes SH21-006, SH21-013, SH21-017, SH21-019, SH21-021 and SH21-023; and also for re-assays of the 2007 drillholes SH07-13, SH07-14 and SH07-15.

SH21-007 and SH21-008 both intersected the Shasta Fault at the predicted depth. As reported in TDG's news release of September 28, 2021 (see here), the footwall to the fault encountered a broad zone of silicified volcaniclastics with stockwork quartz veining, strong pervasive potassic alteration with a sulphide assemblage comprised of pyrite, chalcopyrite and acanthite, a package of host rocks, mineralization and alteration typical of the Shasta mineralization seen in historical holes.

Figure 1. Plan view of the northern Shasta Creek Zone (Holes SH21-007 & SH21-008).

Table 2. Significant Results from Historical Holes Adjacent to SH21-007 & SH21-008.

Hole From To Length Au Ag AuEq** (m) (m) (m) (g/t) (g/t) (g/t) SH89-040 71.0 108.0 37.0 1.84 106 3.16 SH89-045 109.6 138.7 29.1 0.77 37 1.23 SH89-039 56.0 67.0 11.0 0.85 42 1.37 SH91-011* 41.8 44.8 3.1 0.10 6 0.18 SH91-012* 46.3 63.1 16.8 0.51 18 0.73 SH87-010 14.2 84.0 69.8 0.74 39 1.22 *The only assayed core. **Gold equivalent ("AuEq") calculated using 80:1 silver to gold ratio. ** Intervals are core-length weighted. True width from historical core is unknown.

Figure 2. Cross-section of 6,347,550 N (Holes SH21-007 & SH21-008).

All 2021 drill holes are HQ sized drill cores. Particulars for drill holes (location, depth, etc.) are presented in Table 3. The geology of the 2021 drill holes described in TDG's September 28, 2021 news release? (here). Assay results for remaining 2021 drillholes and 2007 re-assays are still pending at this time.

?Note, in TDG's September 28, 2021 news release, drillholes SH21-007 and SH21-008 were mis-plotted, which has been corrected in this news release. This error does not materially change the content of either news release.

Table 3. Drillhole particulars.

HOLE UTME (NAD83) UTMN (NAD83) Azimuth() Dip() Final Depth (m) SH21-007 620,855 6,347,565 90 -60 151 SH21-008 620,855 6,347,565 60 -60 204

QA/QC

Samples for the Shasta 2021 drill program followed chain of custody between collection, processing and delivery to an SGS laboratory in Burnaby, B.C. The drill cores were delivered to the core shack at TDG's Baker Mine site, and processed by geologists who inserted certified reference materials, blanks and duplicates (pulp and coarse) into the sampling sequence. 2021 Drill core was cut in half (1/2 HQ core) and placed in zip-tied polyurethane bags, then in security-sealed rice bags before being delivered directly from the Baker Mine, to Bandstra Transportation Systems in Prince George, B.C., and ultimately to SGS laboratory Burnaby, B.C. 2007 drill core was split (mechanically). Core samples were prepared for analysis according to SGS method PRP89: dry samples to 105C, crush to 75 % passing 2 mm, split 250 g, pulverize 85 % passing 75 microns.

Samples were analyzed following procedures summarized in Table 4, where information about methodology can be found on the SGS Canada Website, in the analytical guide (here).

Table 4. Au and Ag Analytical Methods.

Certificate Hole Method Au Method Ag Method Au-Overlimit Method Ag-Overlimit BBM21-13116 SH21-07 GO_FAI50V10 GE_IMS40Q12 N/A GO_FAG37V BBM21-13135 SH21-07 GO_FAI50V10 GE_IMS40Q12 N/A N/A BBM21-12566 SH21-08 GE_FAI50V5 GE_IMS40Q12 GO_FAG50V GO_ICP42Q100 BBM21-12567 SH21-08 GE_FAI50V5 GE_IMS40Q12 N/A GO_ICP42Q100 BBM21-12578 SH21-08 GE_FAI50V5 GE_IMS40Q12 N/A N/A

Quality assurance and control ("QAQC") is maintained internally at the lab through rigorous use of internal certified reference materials, blanks, and duplicates. An additional QAQC program was administered by TDG Gold through the use of certified reference materials ("CRMs"), duplicate samples and blank samples that were blindly inserted into the sample batch. If a QAQC sample returns an unacceptable value an investigation into the results is triggered and when deemed necessary, the samples that were tested in the batch with the failed QAQC sample are re-tested. For the purposes of this press release, results are 'preliminary' and thus have not undergone SGS internal QAQC or TDG's DQA investigations.

Qualified Person

The technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Steven Kramar, MSc., P.Geo., a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101.

This news release includes historical drilling information that has been reviewed by the Company's geological team. The Company's review of the historical records and information reasonably substantiate the validity of the information presented in this news release; however, the Company cannot directly verify the accuracy of the historical data, including the procedures used for sample collection and analysis. Therefore, the Company encourages investors to exercise appropriate caution when evaluating these results. Further data review is underway, in order to verify the validity of the data for the anticipated NI 43-101 compliant mineral resource estimate.

About TDG Gold Corp.

TDG is a major mineral claim holder in the historical Toodoggone Production Corridor of north-central British Columbia, Canada, with over 23,000 hectares of brownfield and greenfield exploration opportunities under direct ownership or earn-in agreement. TDG's flagship projects are the former producing, high-grade gold-silver Shasta, Baker and Mets mines, which are all road accessible, produced intermittently between 1981-2012, and have over 65,000 m of historical drilling. In 2021, TDG has advanced the projects through compilation of historical data, new geological mapping, geochemical and geophysical surveys, and, for Shasta, drill testing of the known mineralization occurrences and their extensions. The Company has entered into a binding agreement to acquire the Nueva Esperanza silver-gold advanced exploration and development project located in the Maricunga Belt of northern Chile, subject to closing conditions being satisfied. TDG currently has 78,361,085 common shares issued and outstanding.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

Fletcher Morgan

Chief Executive Officer

For further information contact:

TDG Gold Corp.,

Telephone: +1.604.536.2711

Email: info@tdggold.com

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This news release contains forward-looking statements that are based on the Company's current expectations and estimates. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "suggest", "indicate" and other similar words or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from estimated or anticipated events or results implied or expressed in such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others: the actual results of current exploration activities; conclusions of economic evaluations; changes in project parameters as plans to continue to be refined; possible variations in ore grade or recovery rates; accidents, labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry; delays in obtaining governmental approvals or financing; and fluctuations in metal prices. There may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and accordingly undue reliance should not be put on such statements due to the inherent uncertainty therein.

SOURCE: TDG Gold Corp.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/681970/TDG-Gold-Corp-Drills-380-metres-of-304-gt-Gold-and-101-gt-Silver-at-Shasta-Creek-North-Toodoggone-BC
HALIFAX, NS / ACCESSWIRE / January 11, 2022 / Silver Tiger Metals Inc. (TSXV:SLVR)(OTCQX:SLVTF) ("Silver Tiger" or the "Corporation") intersects 7,807.7 g/t AgEq over 0.6 meters within a broader interval of 5.1 meters grading 1,029.5 g/t AgEq in a new discovery of a mineralized zone in the black shale horizon between the Tiger Vein and the Seitz Kelly Vein. Post-Holiday shutdown, six drill rigs have resumed drilling at El Tigre.

Drill results are detailed in the table below:

Notes: 1. Not true width.

Silver Equivalent ("EqAg") ratios are based on a silverto gold price ratio of 75:1 (Au:Ag).Copper, lead and zinc are converted using $3.66/lb copper,$0.90/lb lead, $1.26/lbzinc at 100% metal recoveries based on a silver price of$26.00/oz.

Attached is Cross Section 5075N which includes Drill Hole ET-21-278 and the new discovery. A Plan Map of the SeitzKelly, Tiger and Sooy Veins with the New Discovery Zone is attached.

Silver Tiger's CEO, Glenn Jessome, stated, "The discovery of a potential new high grade silver-gold vein between the Tiger Vein and the Seitz Kelly Vein exhibiting wide high grade mineralization in the black shale further strengthens our hypothesis of the importance of this shale horizon." Mr. Jessome continued, "I am very pleased that our exploration team returned to the mountain quickly after the Holiday shutdown and that six drill rigs have already resumed drilling."

Seitz Kelly Vein and New Discovery Zone - Section 5075N (Drill Holes ET-21-278 and ET-21-271)

Plan Map of the Seitz Kelly, Tiger and Sooy Veins with the New Discovery Zone

Plan Map of 4.2 Kilometers of the El Tigre Veins and Drill Holes

Drill Hole Location Table

El Tigre Resource Estimate

After acquiring El Tigre, Silver Tiger drilled 12,500 meters to define the wide halo of near surface gold mineralization around the mined high-grade veins of the historic El Tigre Mine. This allowed Silver Tiger to delivera maiden resource estimate for the El TigreProperty to a depth of 150 meters containing indicated resources of 661,000 gold equivalent ounces at 0.77 g/t (21 g/t silver and 0.51 g/t gold) and inferred resources of 341,000 gold equivalent ounces at 1.59 g/t (88 g/t silver and 0.52 g/t gold). The National Instrument 43-101 Technical Report titled "NI 43-101 Technical Report and Updated Mineral Resource Estimate on the El Tigre Project,Sonora, Mexico" effective as of September 7, 2017 and dated October26, 2017 prepared by David Burga, P.Geo., Yungang Wu, P.Geo., Fred Brown, P.Geo., Jarita Barry, P.Geo., EugenePuritch, P.Eng., FEC, CET, Alfred Hayden, P.Eng. and RichardH. Sutcliffe, Ph.D., P.Geo. of P&E Mining Consultants Inc. is available on the Corporation's website at www.silvertigermetals.com and on www.sedar.com under the Corporation's profile.

About the El Tigre Historic Mine District

Silver Tiger Metals Inc. is a Canadian company whose management has more than 25 years' experience discovering, financing and building large hydrothermal silver projects in Mexico. Silver Tiger's 100% owned 28,414 hectare Historic El Tigre Mining District is located in Sonora, Mexico. Principled environmental, social and governance practices are core priorities at Silver Tiger.

The El Tigre historic mine district is located in Sonora, Mexico and lies at the northern end of the Sierra Madresilver and gold belt whichhosts many epithermal silver and gold deposits, including Dolores, Santa Elena and Las Chispas at the northern end. In 1896, gold was first discovered on the property in the Gold Hill area and mining started with the Brown Shaft in 1903. The focus soon changed to mining high-grade silver veins in the area with production coming from 3 parallel veins the El Tigre Vein, the Seitz Kelley Vein and the Sooy Vein. Underground mining on the middle El Tigre vein extended 1,450 meters along strike and was mined on 14 levels to a depth of approximately 450 meters. The Seitz Kelley Vein was developed along strike for 1 kilometer to a depth of approximately 150 meters. The Sooy Vein was only mined along strike for 250 meters to a depth of approximately 150 meters. Mining abruptly stopped on all 3 of these veins when the price of silver collapsed to less than 20 per ounce with the onset of the Great Depression. By the time the mine closed in 1932, it is reported to have produced a total of 353,000 ounces of gold and 67.4 million ounces of silver from 1.87 million tons (Craig, 2012). The average grade mined during this period was approximately 2 kilograms silver equivalent per ton.

The El Tigre silver and gold deposit is related to a series of high-grade epithermal veins controlled by a north-south trending structure cutting across the andesitic and rhyolitic tuffs of the Sierra Madre Volcanic Complex within a broad silver and gold mineralized prophylitic alteration zone developed in the El Tigre Formation that can be up to 150 meters wide. The veins dip steeply to the west and are typically 0.5 meter wide but locally can be up to 5 meters in width. The veins, structures and mineralized zones outcrop on surface and have been traced for 5.3 kilometers along strike in our brownfield exploration area. Historical mining and exploration activities focused on a 1.6 kilometer portion of the southern end of the deposits, principally on the El Tigre, Seitz Kelly and Sooy veins. The under explored Caleigh,Benjamin, Protectora and the Fundadora exposed veins continue north for more than 3 kilometers. Silver Tiger has delivered its maiden 43-101 compliant resource estimate and is currently drilling to update its resource estimate and publish a PEA.

VRIFY Slide Deck and 3D Presentation - Silver Tiger's El Tigre Project

VRIFY is a platform being used by companies to communicate with investors using 360 virtual tours of remote mining assets, 3D models and interactive presentations. VRIFY can be accessed by website and with the VRIFY iOS and Android apps.

Access the Silver Tiger Metals Inc. Company Profile on VRIFY at: https://vrify.com

The VRIFY Slide Deck and 3D Presentation for Silver Tiger Metals Inc. can be viewed at: https://vrify.com/explore/decks/492 and on the Corporation's website at: www.silvertigermetals.com.

Procedure, Quality Assurance / Quality Control and Data Verification

The diamond drill core (HQ size) is geologically logged, photographed and marked for sampling. When the sample lengths are determined, the full core is sawn with a diamond blade core saw with one half of the core being bagged and taggedfor assay. The remaining half portion is returned to the core trays for storage and/or for metallurgical test work.

The sealed and tagged sample bags are transported to the Bureau Veritas facility in Hermosillo, Mexico. Bureau Veritas crushes the samples (Code PRP70-250) and prepares 200-300 gram pulp samples with ninety percent passing Tyler 200 mesh (Code PUL85). The pulps are assayed for gold using a 30-gram charge by fire assay (Code FA630) and over limits greater than 10 grams per tonne are re-assayed using a gravimetric finish (Code FA530). Silver and multi-element analysis is completed using total digestion (Code MA200 Total Digestion ICP). Over limits greater than 100 grams per tonne silver are re-assayed using a gravimetric finish (Code FA530).

Quality assurance and quality control ("QA/QC") procedures monitor the chain-of-custody of the samples and includes the systematic insertion and monitoring of appropriate reference materials (certified standards, blanks and duplicates) into the sample strings. The results of the assaying of the QA/QC material included in each batch are tracked to ensure the integrity of the assay data. All results stated in this announcement have passed Silver Tiger's QA/QC protocols.

Qualified Person

David R. Duncan, P. Geo., V.P. Exploration of the Corporation, is the Qualified Person for Silver Tiger as defined under National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Duncan has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information in this press release.

For further information, please contact:

Glenn Jessome President and CEO

902 492 0298

jessome@silvertigermetals.com

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT:

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This News Release includes certain "forward-looking statements". All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding potential mineralization, resources and reserves, the ability to convert inferred resources to indicated resources, the ability to complete future drilling programs and infill sampling, the ability to extend resource blocks, the similarity of mineralization at El Tigre to Delores, Santa Elena and Chispas,exploration results, and future plans and objectives of Silver Tiger, are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "may", "is expected to", "anticipates", "estimates", "intends", "plans", "projection", "could", "vision", "goals", "objective" and "outlook" and other similar words. Although Silver Tiger believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, there can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from SilverTiger's expectations include risks and uncertainties related to exploration, development, operations, commodity prices and global financial volatility, risk and uncertainties of operating in a foreign jurisdiction as well as additional risks described from time to time in the filings made by Silver Tiger with securities regulators.

SOURCE: Silver Tiger Metals Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/681988/Silver-Tiger-Makes-New-Discovery-Intersecting-78077-GT-AgEq-Over-06-Meters-Within-a-Broader-Interval-of-51-Meters-Grading-10295-GT-AgEq
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / January 11, 2022 / Usha Resources Ltd. ("USHA" or the "Company") (TSXV:USHA)(OTCQB:USHAF) is pleased to announce that it has entered into an advertising and investor awareness campaign agreement (the "Agreement") with Dig Media Inc. dba Investing News Network ("INN"). INN is a private company headquartered in Vancouver, Canada, dedicated to providing independent news and education to investors since 2007.

INN will introduce the Company to INN's audience of educated, active investors. Using a variety of methods including an Enhanced Advertiser Profile, News Marketing, website and newsletter advertising and dedicated emails, INN will encourage its audience to engage directly with the Company to consider investing in the Company. INN does not provide investor relations or market-making services as defined by TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV") policies. The engagement is subject to acceptance by the TSXV.

Under the terms of the Agreement with INN, the Company has agreed to pay INN $29,000 for the campaign, payable in cash in installments of $4,833.33 per month. INN currently holds 96,667 common shares in the Company.

"We are very pleased to be working with INN to expand our audience," stated Deepak Varshney, P.Geo., CEO of the Company. "With their experience in the mining industry and our portfolio of nickel, copper, and gold assets, we are confident that they will be able to help increase awareness of Usha Resources as we move forward into a very exciting year ahead."

About Usha Resources Ltd.

Usha Resources Ltd. is a Canadian mineral acquisition and exploration company based in Vancouver, BC, Canada. Usha is exploring for commercially exploitable mineral deposits and is currently focused on deposits located in Northwest Ontario, Canada and the Lost Basin Gold Mining District in Mohave County, Arizona, U.S.A. Usha increases shareholder value through the acquisition and exploration of quality precious and base metal properties and the application of advanced state-of-the-art exploration methods. Usha's portfolio of strategic properties provides diversification and mitigates investment risk.

We seek Safe Harbor.

USHA RESOURCES LTD.

"Deepak Varshney" CEO and Director

For more information, please phone James Berard, Investor Relations, at 778-228-2314, email jberard@usharesources.com, or visit www.usharesources.com.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-looking statements:

This news release may include "forward-looking information" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Such forward-looking information reflects management's current beliefs and are based on a number of estimates and/or assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Readers are cautioned that such forward-looking information are neither promises nor guarantees and are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties, uncertain and volatile equity and capital markets, lack of available capital, actual results of exploration activities, environmental risks, future prices of base and other metals, operating risks, accidents, labour issues, delays in obtaining governmental approvals and permits, and other risks in the mining industry.

The Company is presently an exploration stage company. Exploration is highly speculative in nature, involves many risks, requires substantial expenditures, and may not result in the discovery of mineral deposits that can be mined profitably. Furthermore, the Company currently has no reserves on any of its properties. As a result, there can be no assurance that such forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements.

SOURCE: Usha Resources Ltd.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/681971/Usha-Resources-Engages-Investing-News-Network
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 11, 2022) - Plurilock Security Inc. (TSXV: PLUR) (OTCQB: PLCKF) and related subsidiaries ("Plurilock" or the "Company"), an identity-centric cybersecurity solutions provider for workforces, announced today that its wholly owned subsidiary, Aurora Systems Consulting, Inc. ("Aurora"), has received a US$308,000 order from the U.S. Department of Defense as part of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) Solution for Enterprise-Wide Procurement (SEWP) program, a U.S. Government-Wide Acquisition Contract Vehicle (GWAC).

The U.S. Department of Defense, America's largest government agency, provides the nation with military forces for defense and national security.1 The average cost of a data breach increased from $3.86 million to $4.24 million in 2021, underscoring the importance of working with experienced cybersecurity and IT services vendors in implementing strong security measures.2

The order is part of the SEWP V program and aligns with Plurilock's stated goal of expanding within the government and defense verticals. Under the terms of the purchase order, Aurora will provide the U.S. Department of Defense with automatic data processing equipment.

About SEWP

The SEWP V program, launched by NASA in 2015, is the leading information technology (IT) contract vehicle, with government agencies spending $7.9 billion in fiscal 2020.3 Estimates anticipate that agencies will utilize SEWP V for $8.8 billion in contracted spending in fiscal 2021.4 The contract vehicle provides Plurilock with the opportunity to access downstream customers in the government sector.

About Plurilock

PlurilockTM provides identity-centric cybersecurity for today's workforces. The Plurilock family of companies enables organizations to operate safely and securely while reducing cybersecurity friction. Plurilock offers world-class IT and cybersecurity solutions through its Solutions Division, paired with proprietary, AI-driven and cloud-friendly security through its Technology Division. Together, the Plurilock family of companies delivers persistent identity assurance with unmatched ease of use.

For more information, visit https://www.plurilock.com or contact:

Ian L. Paterson

Chief Executive Officer

ian@plurilock.com

416.800.1566

Roland Sartorius

Chief Financial Officer

roland.sartorius@plurilock.com

Prit Singh

Investor Relations

prit.singh@plurilock.com

905.510.7636

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain certain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") related to future events or Plurilock's future business, operations, and financial performance and condition. Forward-looking statements normally contain words like "will", "intend", "anticipate", "could", "should", "may", "might", "expect", "estimate", "forecast", "plan", "potential", "project", "assume", "contemplate", "believe", "shall", "scheduled", and similar terms. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, actions, or developments and are based on expectations, assumptions, and other factors that management currently believes are relevant, reasonable, and appropriate in the circumstances. Although management believes that the forward-looking statements herein are reasonable, actual results could be substantially different due to the risks and uncertainties associated with and inherent to Plurilock's business. Additional material risks and uncertainties applicable to the forward-looking statements herein include, without limitation, the impact of general economic conditions, the success of the Company in obtaining new or extended contracts or orders; the Company's ability to maintain existing customers or develop new customers; the Company's ability to successfully integrate acquisitions of other businesses and/or companies or to realize on the anticipated benefits thereof; and unforeseen events, developments, or factors causing any of the aforesaid expectations, assumptions, and other factors ultimately being inaccurate or irrelevant. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect the Company's forward-looking statements. Many of these factors are beyond the control of Plurilock. All forward-looking statements included in this press release are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as at the date hereof, and Plurilock undertakes no obligation to update publicly or to revise any of the included forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable securities laws. Risks and uncertainties about the Company's business are more fully discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" in its most recent Annual Information Form. They are otherwise disclosed in its filings with securities regulatory authorities available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

https://www.defense.gov/About/ https://www.cybertalk.org/2021/12/02/alarming-cyber-security-facts-to-know-for-2021-and-beyond/ https://gov-acq.com/contracts/nasa-sewp-v-contract/ https://about.bgov.com/news/this-is-it-sewp-v-is-the-top-it-vehicle-in-fiscal-2020/

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/109586
From left, former Bethlehem Mayor Robert Donchez accepts a proclamation last June from Northampton County Executive Lamont McClure during a re-dedication of the city's Memorial Pool. McClure said Tuesday Donchez, who was barred by term limits from seeking reelection as mayor, has been appointed deputy director of human resources. (Rick Kintzel/Morning Call)

Former Bethlehem Mayor Robert Donchez didnt spend too long out of work.

Northampton County Executive Lamont McClure has appointed Donchez deputy director of human resources. His first day on the job is scheduled to be Tuesday,according to a county news release.

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Donchez, who served two consecutive terms as mayor, was barred by term limits from running again. J. William Reynolds was sworn in Jan. 3 as the citys mayor.

But Donchezs years as mayor and, before that, 18 years on Bethlehem City Council provided him with experience in human resources. As mayor, Donchez oversaw 579 city employees, conducted regular negotiations with three labor unions and spent approximately 10 hours a week on matters related to personnel.

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McClure said Tuesday that Donchez will earn $79,770 in his county position, and the appointment does not need county council approval. He also said Donchez is succeeding Mary Lou Kaboly, who was promoted to human resources director in December.

Donchez, 71, who also worked 35 years as a teacher at Allen High School before becoming mayor, said he will not accept county benefits. He has health benefits via Medicare and from the Pennsylvania Public School Employees Retirement System, which also provides him a teacher pension.

I am looking forward to the new challenge to working with the county, Donchez said.

Said McClure: We are fortunate that the Mayor has agreed to bring his extensive toolbox filled with experience to help us manage one of the largest workforces in the Lehigh Valley.

The county, which has nearly 2,000 workers, ranks 16th among the top 50 employers, according to the latest online data from Lehigh Valley Workforce Board. It trails Allentown School District, ranked 10th; Lehigh County, 12th; the federal government, 14th; and Bethlehem Area School District, 15th, among public sector employers.

Donchez and McClure are both Democrats.

Morning Call journalist Anthony Salamone can be reached at asalamone@mcall.com.
Developed by ITC SheTrades and powered by Mary Kay in support of WEA, the guided Certificate Programme includes 27 interactive modules enriched with over 200 videos covering seven key stages of business development

The Women's Entrepreneurship Accelerator (WEA), today announced the global launch of its online entrepreneurship curriculum designed to inspire, educate, and empower women entrepreneurs around the world. The Online Entrepreneurship Certificate Programme was first announced during the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 76) on the second anniversary of WEA.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220111005443/en/

Deborah Gibbins, Chief Operating Officer at Mary Kay Inc. (Photo: Mary Kay Inc.)

WEA is a multi-stakeholder strategic partnership convening six United Nations agencies: International Labour Organization (ILO), International Trade Centre (ITC), International Telecommunication Union (ITU), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), UN Women, and Mary Kay. ITC is leading the capacity-building component of the multi-partnership.

Developed by ITC SheTrades and powered by Mary Kay in support of WEA, the guided Entrepreneurship Certificate Programme includes 27 interactive modules enriched with over 200 videos. The aim is to teach women entrepreneurs-aspiring or veteran-the skills to design and set up businesses that have potential to be economically viable. Participants will learn how to adopt an entrepreneurship culture, develop ideas through design thinking and lean start-up methodologies, prepare a business model canvas, design a pitch, identify sources of funding, find the right partners, arrange for mentorship, build a team, and set up their businesses.

The Certificate Programme covers the seven key stages of business development

Certificate 1: Deciding to Become an Entrepreneur (6 modules),

Certificate 2: Developing the Idea Business Ideation (3 modules),

Certificate 3: Business Modelling (4 modules),

Certificate 4: Pitching the Business (4 modules),

Certificate 5: Funding the Venture (3 modules),

Certificate 6: Building up the Team (4 modules),

Certificate 7: Setting up the Business (3 modules).

The WEA Online Entrepreneurship Certificate Programme is now accessible at the fingertips of millions of women directly on the ITC SheTrades website (www.shetrades.com/en/learn/e-learning) and on the WEA website. It is currently available in English, Spanish, and French, with Arabic, Russian and Mandarin coming in 2022. It is free for all users of shetrades.com with no barrier to entry. Participants will receive a certificate upon completion of each of the seven key stages of business development

"The world needs more women entrepreneurs," said Deborah Gibbins, Chief Operating Officer at Mary Kay Inc. "Almost half of all women entrepreneurs claim to be driven by the desire to contribute to the great societal good. Their impact can be immense. The WEA Online Entrepreneurship Certificate Programme is a game-changer for women and girls around the world. With the right tools and support, there's no limit to what women can do."

"We must increase women's participation in international trade, helping them scale their businesses so that they become the catalysts for more inclusive and sustainable communities. Women are powerful agents of change and empowering women benefits whole societies," said Pamela Coke-Hamilton, Executive Director of the International Trade Centre

An official launch event will be held on January 18, 2022, at 15:00 CET in collaboration with Mary Kay. It will convene women entrepreneurs and women-owned businesses from the ITC SheTrades network around the world. The event will be hosted virtually in English and will serve as a platform to present the Entrepreneurship Certificate Programme, and upcoming in-country trainings. The SheTrades team will present the entrepreneurship curriculum as well as other tools available on www.shetrades.com. Register here to the launch of WEA's first free Entrepreneurship Certificate Programme.

The launch of the WEA Certificate Programme on the ITC SheTrades eLearning platform will also be supplemented at the national level with on-the-ground training for women from developing countries interested in entrepreneurship and/or planning to integrate into regional and global value chains. The in-country training sessions will provide practical insight and expertise to women entrepreneurs and MSMEs and will take place virtually in Colombia, Brazil, Mexico and India. The training sessions will be held in Spanish (Colombia, Mexico), Portuguese (Brasil) and English (India). Sessions will focus on two main topics: "Competitiveness and Export Readiness" (19-20 January) and "Digital Marketing and e-commerce workshops" (1-3 February).

The contribution falls under ITC's "Empowering Women to Trade Programme" which contributes directly to ITC's focus area 5 "Promoting and Mainstreaming Inclusive and Green Trade" and United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 5, 8 and 17.

WEA has committed to empower 5 million women entrepreneurs by 2030.

About the Women's Entrepreneurship Accelerator

The Women's Entrepreneurship Accelerator (WEA) is a multi-partnership initiative on women's entrepreneurship convening six United Nations agencies and Mary Kay. International Labour Organization (ILO), International Trade Centre (ITC), International Telecommunication Union (ITU), UN Development Programme (UNDP), UN Global Compact (UNGC), UN Women and Mary Kay have committed to empower 5 million women entrepreneurs by 2030. The ultimate goal of the initiative is to maximize the development impact of women entrepreneurship in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by creating an enabling ecosystem for women entrepreneurs around the world. The Accelerator exemplifies the transformational power of a multi-partnership of unique magnitude to harness the potential of women entrepreneurs. Learn more at we-accelerate.com. Follow us: Twitter and Instagram (@we_accelerator), Facebook and LinkedIn (@womensentrepreneurshipaccelerator).

About ITC SheTrades

The International Trade Centre's SheTrades initiative aims to connect three million women to market by 2021 and rallies stakeholders around the world to work together to address trade barriers and create greater opportunities for women entrepreneurs. It is supported by a web and mobile digital platform. For more information, please visit SheTrades.com: https://www.shetrades.com/en.

About the International Trade Centre

The International Trade Centre is the joint agency of the World Trade Organization and the United Nations. ITC assists small and medium-sized enterprises in developing and transition economies to become more competitive in global markets, thereby contributing to sustainable economic development within the frameworks of the Aid-for-Trade agenda and the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals. For more information, visit www.intracen.org. Follow ITC on Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Instagram Flickr

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220111005443/en/

Contacts:

Mary Kay Inc. Corporate Communications

marykay.com/newsroom

(+1) 972.687.5332 or media@mkcorp.com
Board Addition Enhances U.S. Governance as Part of U.S. Listing Strategy

Carbon Streaming Corporation (NEO: NETZ) (OTCQB: OFSTF) (FSE: M2Q) ("Carbon Streaming" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the addition of Alice Schroeder to the Company's Board of Directors.

"We warmly welcome Alice Schroeder to Carbon Streaming's Board of Directors," stated Company Chairman Maurice Swan. "Her international board experience, combined with her financial and capital markets knowledge will strengthen our Board expertise, especially as we seek to execute on our international investments and U.S. listing strategy."

Ms. Schroeder has chaired and served on several boards in the financial services and health care sectors throughout her career and has chaired or been a member of numerous Nominating Governance, Audit and ESG committees. She is currently serving on the boards of Prudential plc, HSBC North America Holdings, RefleXion Medical, Natus Medical Inc. and Westland Insurance and previously served on the board of Bank of America Merrill Lynch International. Ms. Schroeder was named to the National Association of Corporate Directors "Directorship 100" list in 2020 and is the author of the #1 New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestseller, The Snowball: Warren Buffett and the Business of Life, the story of Buffett and Berkshire Hathaway

"As a shareholder of Carbon Streaming, I look forward to taking an active role as an independent director and contributing my strengths on the board to help fight climate change and positively impact local communities while also maximizing shareholder returns," stated Ms. Schroeder.

Alice Schroeder was formerly CEO and chair of WebTuner Corp from 2014-2017. Prior to WebTuner, Ms. Schroeder was a Managing Director and Senior Advisor in the equities division of Morgan Stanley, leading their global insurance research teams based in London and New York City. She was previously a Managing Director at CIBC Oppenheimer and PaineWebber, beginning her career on Wall Street in 1993.

Ms. Schroeder was appointed to the Board of the Company on January 10, 2022. With this appointment, six of the eight Board members are independent, and three are women. Ms. Schroeder holds an MBA and a BBA from the Red McCombs School of Business at The University of Texas at Austin and is a qualified CPA.

About Carbon Streaming

Carbon Streaming is a unique ESG principled investment vehicle offering investors exposure to carbon credits, a key instrument used by both governments and corporations to achieve their carbon neutral and net-zero climate goals. Our business model is focused on acquiring, managing and growing a high-quality and diversified portfolio of investments in projects and/or companies that generate or are actively involved, directly or indirectly, with voluntary and/or compliance carbon credits.

The Company invests capital through carbon credit streaming arrangements with project developers and owners to accelerate the creation of carbon offset projects by bringing capital to projects that might not otherwise be developed. Many of these projects will have significant social and economic co-benefits in addition to their carbon reduction or removal potential.

To receive corporate updates via e-mail as soon as they are published, please subscribe here.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220111005553/en/

Contacts:

ON BEHALF OF THE COMPANY:

Justin Cochrane, Chief Executive Officer

Tel: 647.846.7765

info@carbonstreaming.com

www.carbonstreaming.com
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / January 11, 2022 / Orchid Ventures, Inc. (the "Company" or "Orchid") (CSE:ORCD) (OTC PINK:ORVRF), a multi-state cannabis innovation company, today announced it has entered into an exclusive agreement with Eurox Pharma GmbH ("EUROX"), Germany based pharmaceutical company. Under the terms of the agreement, Eurox, PurTec, and JWEI, the Company's OEM supplier and partner, will submit one of PurTec's premium disposable vaporizer devices to authorities in Germany for Medical Device Approval. All three companies will be working in collaboration on several requirements and safety studies to prove the efficacy and safety of the device. The companies have already begun securing various certifications to speed up the approval process. Once the device is approved, Eurox will have exclusivity regarding sales and distribution of the PurTec product in the European Union, United Kingdom and Brazil.

The agreement marks PurTec's first project in Europe and Internationally.

"After months of planning and strategizing, we are pleased to announce our partnership with such an established group in Eurox." said Corey Mangold, Founder, CEO and Chairman of Orchid. "We're thrilled to join forces with Eurox and to be submitting one of our most stringently tested vaping products for Medical Device Approval with German health authorities. Once the product is accepted, this will be a huge step forward in our ability to deliver one of the first vaping products to patients and consumers in Germany along with several other European countries. We are confident that with the combined experience and expertise of Eurox and JWEI, we will succeed in getting approval and be among one of the first vaporizer products in-market and available to consumers throughout the EU."

"We are excited about this partnership. We believe that PurTec and JEWI will be valuable, long term partners that can help us expand access to relevant and exciting new products that will compliment our portfolio and advance our growth trajectory. Our objective is to deliver with liquid vaping a controlled and consistent therapy form to patients with need for inhaling in Europe and beyond," said Dr. Bernhard Babel, Co-CEO of Eurox Pharma GmbH.

ABOUT EUROX PHARMA GmbH

Eurox is a German-based, European vertically integrated medical cannabis company, with

German subsidiaries responsible for product development & drug development & holding Intellectual Property,

A cultivation facility in Portugal to secure supply independence,

GMP production in a German GMP manufacturing facility together with a German pharmaceutical partner,

A significant minority ownership in a UK registered medical cannabis clinic,

Strong distribution capabilities with its own sales team and various high caliber distribution partnerships in Germany, other European countries and Latam.

ABOUT ORCHID VENTURES

Orchid Ventures is a California-based cannabis innovation company that has developed a mass-market brand and loyal consumer following with its premium cannabis products and unique vape hardware delivery systems. Orchid also owns 100% of PurTec Delivery Systems, a company that produces, markets and sells clean vaporizer hardware that has been emissions tested against the most stringent standards in the world set forth by the EU and has unrivaled product quality and value pricing. Orchid's management brings significant branding, product development and distribution experience with a proven track record of scaling businesses and building sustainable revenue growth through value-generating partnerships and innovation that creates enterprise value. Learn more at https://purtecdesigns.com/

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS - ORCHID VENTURES, INC.

Corey Mangold

CEO and Chairman

investors@orchidventures.com

Investor Relations

Corey Mangold

949-357-5818

corey@orchidventures.com

The CSE does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Safe Harbor Statement

Except for historical information contained herein, statements in this release may be forward-looking and made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "intend" and similar expressions, as they relate to Orchid Ventures, Inc. and Orchid Essentials any of its affiliates or subsidiaries (collectively, the "Company") or its management, identify forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about the Company's business based, in part, on assumptions made by management. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties, and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may, and probably will, differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in such forward-looking statements due to numerous factors, including those described above and those risks discussed from time to time in the Company's Canadian securities regulatory filings with sedar.com, Factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements include such factors as (i) the development and protection of our brands and other intellectual property, (ii) the need to raise capital to meet business requirements, (iii) significant fluctuations in marketing expenses, (iv) the ability to achieve and expand significant levels of revenues, or recognize net income, from the sale of our products and services, (v) the Company's ability to conduct the business if there are changes in laws, regulations, or government policies related to cannabis, (vi) management's ability to attract and maintain qualified personnel necessary for the development and commercialization of its planned products, and (vii) other information that may be detailed from time to time in the Company's Canadian securities regulatory filings with sedar.com. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

SOURCE: Orchid Ventures, Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/681963/Orchid-Ventures-Announces-Partnership-with-Eurox-Pharma-GmbH-on-Submission-to-German-Authorities-for-Medical-Device-Approval
Building a smarter and fairer future that's grounded in responsible AI, MOSTLY AI raises a Series B that represents Europe's largest synthetic data investment to date

VIENNA, Austria and NEW YORK, Jan. 11, 2022, which pioneered the creation of AI-generated synthetic data, announced today that it has raised a $25M Series B round of funding led by Molten Ventures with participation from existing investors Earlybird and 42CAP , and new investor Citi Ventures .



The company will use the funds to execute on its vision to build a smarter and fairer future grounded in responsible AI. Building on its established leadership in banking and insurance, MOSTLY AI plans to further accelerate its growth in Europe, aggressively capture more of the US market, and ramp up hiring worldwide. MOSTLY AI is already working with multiple Fortune 100 banks and insurers in North America and Europe.

"MOSTLY AI is leading this emerging and rapidly-growing space in terms of both customer deployments and expertise," said Christoph Hornung, Investment Director at Molten Ventures. "It is the top platform for structured synthetic data worldwide, and we are excited that together we can strengthen that position and accelerate MOSTLY AI's hyper growth in the banking and insurance space."

MOSTLY AI CEO Tobias Hann said that a drive towards responsible AI is helping fuel interest in the company's synthetic data solutions. "2022 will be the year of synthetic data," said Hann. "Synthetic data helps solve some of the industry's most vexing issues when it comes to AI. It eliminates concerns about data privacy, it can be freely shaped and formed in order to accelerate AI initiatives, and it enables enterprises to augment and de-bias their data sets. We're extremely excited about the future of synthetic data, and to partner with Molten Ventures, which shares our vision for fundamentally changing how companies work with data."

According to Gartner , by 2024, 60% of the data used for the development of AI and analytics projects will be synthetically generated.

Synthetic data sets look just as real as a company's original customer data reflecting behaviors and patterns with up to 99% accuracy, but without the original personal data points - helping companies comply with privacy protection regulations such as GDPR, while at the same time uncovering insights from the data. Unlike original data, synthetic data can be generated quickly in abundance, and is proven to drastically improve machine learning model performance. As a result, it is often used for advanced analytics and AI training, such as predictive algorithms, fraud detection and pricing models, as well as software testing. It also allows enterprises to use sensitive data in cloud environments.

Recent MOSTLY AI projects include:

Creating synthetic data sets for an insurer for retraining algorithms whose performance had degraded, and were exhibiting bias.

Synthesizing 15,000 home addresses and linking the synthetic geodata to weather patterns for better insurance risk prediction.

Narrowing the gap between high-earning men and women from 20 percent to 2 percent in a US census dataset.

Evaluating a crime/fraud prediction dataset and then creating synthetic data that corrected a skew towards racial bias from 24 percent to just 1 percent.

MOSTLY AI's synthetic data technology has been proven to reduce time-to-data by 90 percent, save larger companies $10M+ annually on data provisioning and internal overhead, and boost available data by 85 percent for test data generation through data synthesis. MOSTLY AI has developed deep expertise in helping companies achieve business value from synthetic data - a goal that many enterprises have found elusive.

In addition to the funding, other recent MOSTLY AI milestones include:

Launching MOSTLY AI 2.0, the first synthetic data platform (https://mostly.ai/synthetic-data-platform/) that can automatically synthesize complex data structures, making it ideal also for software testing.

(https://mostly.ai/synthetic-data-platform/) that can automatically synthesize complex data structures, making it ideal also for software testing. Becoming the first synthetic data provider to achieve ISO 27001 certification (https://mostly.ai/news/first-synthetic-data-company-with-iso-certification/).

(https://mostly.ai/news/first-synthetic-data-company-with-iso-certification/). Creating a new training program (https://mostly.ai/news/new-training-program-to-create-the-next-generation-of-synthetic-data-superusers/) to help train the next generation of synthetic data superusers within enterprises. Several clients have leveraged this first-of-its-kind program to kickstart their synthetic data journeys, with very positive results.



To learn more, visit mostly.ai .

About MOSTLY AI

MOSTLY AI pioneered the creation of synthetic data for AI model development and software testing. MOSTLY AI's synthetic data sets look just as real as a company's original customer data with just as many details, but without the original personal data points - thus helping companies comply with privacy protection regulations such as GDPR, and ensuring models are fair and unbiased. The fast-growing company currently works with multiple Fortune 100 banks and insurers in North America and Europe, and has the deepest expertise in helping companies get business value out of synthetic data. Learn more at mostly.ai .

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/09886ec6-e48d-4f6e-91fa-db10d8b13785

Media contact:

Michelle Faulkner

Big Swing

617-510-6998

michelle@big-swing.com




The Epidaurus, Greece EU-GMP Cannabis Cultivation and Manufacturing Facility is expected to open the EU Market to KAYS' branded cannabis products.

FT. LAUDERDALE, FL / ACCESSWIRE / January 11, 2022 / Kaya Holdings, Inc., ("KAYS" or the "Company") (OTCQB:KAYS), the first U.S. publicly traded company to hold and operate cannabis licenses in all "touch the plant" categories, announced today that its majority owned subsidiary Kaya Farms Greece has executed an agreement to acquire 50% of a Medical Cannabis Project in Epidaurus, Greece ("Greek Kaya"). This marks the Company's second cannabis venture in the EU nation.

KAYS' newest project with 50K square feet of already constructed buildings is designed to fast-track sales of KAYS proprietary branded cannabis products to the EU.

The Epidaurus site consists of 2 connected industrial buildings (approximately 50,000 square feet in total under-air space) situated on 2.8 acres of land, with its own independent industrial electrical power center and ample water supply to service the needs of the facility. The Greek Kaya Project will include 25,000 square feet of indoor cannabis cultivation, a 15,000 square foot EU-GMP extraction and processing facility, and a 10,000 square foot EU-GMP packing area. There is ample room for expansion with room to construct an additional 15,000 square feet on site.

Greek Kaya plans to cultivate and manufacture KAYS proprietary cannabis brands (CBD/THC) for distribution in the Greek, German and other EU markets as permitted by local regulations. The joint venture is awaiting project financing and final license approval from Greek government authorities.

The Epidaurus project is smaller in scale than the Company's 15-acre project in Thebes, Greece, allowing KAYS to fast track cultivation and processing of its proprietary branded cannabis products for distribution in legal EU markets while awaiting greater legal cannabis demand to emerge prior to developing a large-scale capacity in Thebes.

"We expect that 2022 will be a breakthrough year for us as our efforts to gain a foothold in the European cannabis market begin to come to fruition," remarked KAYS' CEO Craig Frank. "We have strengthened our international ties substantially in 2021 and now have the network to undertake bold steps to claim our stake in a global cannabis sector still in its infancy".

About Kaya Holdings, Inc. (www.kayaholdings.com)

Kaya Holdings, Inc. (OTCQB:KAYS) is an industry veteran, touch-the-plant, vertically integrated legal cannabis company operating a number of majority-owned subsidiaries that retail, cultivate, produce and distribute premium medical and recreational cannabis products, including flower, concentrates, oils and extracts, cannabis-infused foods and beverages, topicals and cannaceuticals. KAYS is a fully reporting, US-based publicly traded company, listed for trading on the OTCQB Tier of the over-the-counter market under the symbol OTCQB:KAYS.

Summary of Operations

KAYS corporate structure includes the following three majority-owned subsidiaries, each responding to various demands and opportunities in the cannabis industry:

Marijuana Holdings Americas, Inc. owns the Kaya Shack brand of licensed medical and recreational marijuana stores (www.kayashack.com) and the Kaya Farms brand of cannabis production and processing operations that operate in the United States.

Kaya Brands USA, Inc. owns a wide range of proprietary brands of cannabis extracts, oils, pre-rolls, topicals, food and beverages, cannaceuticals and related accessories.

Kaya Brands International, Inc., was founded to serve as the vehicle for the Company's non-U.S. operations including retail franchising in Canada and cultivation activities in Greece and Israel.

Marijuana Holdings Americas, Inc.- U.S. Cannabis Operations

Kaya Shack Retail Cannabis Stores

In 2014, KAYS became the first United States publicly traded company to own and operate a Medical Marijuana Dispensary. KAYS presently operates two Kaya Shack OLCC licensed marijuana retail stores to service the legal medical and recreational marijuana market in Oregon.

Kaya Farms

Lebanon, Oregon Farm & Greenhouse Facility: KAYS owns a 26-acre parcel in Lebanon, Linn County, Oregon. KAYS has received Linn County Zoning approvals and is awaiting final OLCC inspection and license approval. The Company expects to commence operations in April 2022.

Kaya Brands USA, Inc.- Brand and Product Development

The Company maintains a genetics library of over 150 strains of cannabis and owns a number of proprietary brands in traditional and innovative cannabis categories including Kaya Buddies pre-rolls, Really Happy Glass cannabis accessories, and Kaya Gear, company-related and cannabis-centric fashion. These brands are currently available at Kaya Shack stores. Brands the Company plans to introduce in 2022 include Pakalolo Juice Company, Tony Giggles Pleasure Foods, Wooz Chews, Syzygy Extracts, Sesh Sticks, Soothe Topicals, and Cannamo Pet Treats, Urban Shaman and Aglaea Pharma.

Kaya Brands International, Inc.- Foreign Cannabis Operations

After over six years of conducting "touch the plant" U.S. cannabis operations inside the strict regulatory confines of a public company, KAYS has formed a subsidiary, Kaya Brands International, Inc. ("KBI") to leverage its experience and expand into worldwide cannabis markets. KBI's current operations and initiatives include:

Kaya Kannabis- Kaya Farms Greece S.A. ("Kaya Farms Greece," a Greek Corporation) is a majority owned subsidiary of KBI. Kaya Farms Greece currently has two medical cannabis cultivation and processing projects in Greece- "Greekkannabis" in Thebes and "Greek Kaya" in Epidaurus.

Greekkannabis has a development license from the Greek authorities and a purchase option on 15 acres in Thebes, Greece. The farm has large-scale cultivation capacities and the company expects to develop the site once legal cannabis demand warrants an increase in capacity.

Greek Kaya is situated on 2.8 acres of land in Epidaurus, Greece. The project is in the final stages of receiving its development license from the Greek Authorities and is in process of securing a purchase agreement to acquire the property. The Epidaurus Project will include 25,000 square feet of indoor cannabis cultivation, a 15,000 square foot EU-GMP extraction and cultivation facility, and a 10,000 square foot EU-GMP packing facility, housed in two top-condition connected structures totaling more than 50,000 square feet of under-air space. There is ample room for expansion with room to construct an additional 15,000 square feet on site.

Kaya Farms Israel- Kaya Shalvah LTD ("Kaya Farms Israel," an Israeli Corporation) is a majority owned subsidiary of KBI. Kaya Farms Israel has been awarded its cannabis cultivation development license from the Office of Medical Cannabis at the Israeli Ministry of Health ("YAKAR"). The Company is currently evaluating a number of opportunities in Israel and expects to be announcing its plans by Q2 2022.

Important Disclosure

KAYS is planning execution of its stated business objectives in accordance with current understanding of state and local laws and federal enforcement policies and priorities as it relates to marijuana. Potential investors and shareholders are cautioned that KAYS and MJAI will obtain advice of counsel prior to actualizing any portion of their business plan (including but not limited to license applications for the cultivation, distribution or sale of marijuana products, engaging in said activities or acquiring existing cannabis production/sales operations). Advice of counsel with regard to specific activities of KAYS, federal, state or local legal action or changes in federal government policy and/or state and local laws may adversely affect business operations and shareholder value.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes statements that may constitute "forward-looking" statements, usually containing the words "believe," "estimate," "project," "expect" or similar statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements inherently involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. Factors that would cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, acceptance of the Company's current and future products and services in the marketplace, the ability of the Company to develop effective new products and receive regulatory approvals of such products, competitive factors, dependence upon third-party vendors, and other risks detailed in the Company's periodic report filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. By making these forward-looking statements, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these statements for revisions or changes after the date of this release.

For more information contact Investor Relations: info@kayaholdings.com or 561-210-7664

SOURCE: Kaya Holdings Inc

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/681953/Cannabis-Company-Kaya-Holdings-Inc-Acquires-50-of-2nd-Medical-Cannabis-Project-in-Epidaurus-Greece
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / January 11, 2022 / Gold Terra Resource Corp. (TSXV:YGT)(FRA:TX0)(OTCQX:YGTFF) ("Gold Terra" or the "Company") is pleased to announce positive assay results for drill hole GTCM21-022 drilled as part of the 2021 drilling program on the Yellorex Zone at the Con Mine Property ("Con Mine Option"), recently optioned from Newmont Canada FN Holdings ULC and Miramar Northern Mining Ltd., both wholly owned subsidiaries of Newmont Corporation. Drill hole GTCM21-022 intersected two (2) exceptional zones of 19.74g/t gold ("Au") over 5.44 metres at 273.34 metres down the hole (includes only one assay above 30 g/t Au, or 43.2 g/t over 1 metre), and a second wider zone of 4.16 g/t Au over 11.23 metres including 10.12 g/t over 3.73 metres at 251.77 metres. These two high-grade intersections extend the gold-bearing zone by more than 50 metres along strike, to the north-east limit of the Yellorex Zone. Assays are pending for the last four holes, GTCM21-023 to 026 (see Figure 3).

Chairman and CEO, Gerald Panneton, commented, "The assay results from hole GTCM21-022 confirm our geological model of high-grade mineralized zones within the Campbell Shear. With our 2021 drilling program, all holes were designed to test the Yellorex Zone along strike and at depth and the results have successfully extended the strike length and depth extension. We are confident that our upcoming 2022 drill program will continue to define continuity of the mineralized zones at depth and along strike, and in new unexplored areas at depth and between the Yellorex deposit and the former Con Mine. The Campbell shear target is proving success in delineating more quality high-grade ounces and confirming good high-grade continuity."

Investor Update Webinar

Please join Gerald Panneton, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer on Jan 12, 2022, at 02:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) for an update on the 2021 drilling results, the upcoming 2022 drilling, and the corporate changes at Gold Terra. Please register at the following link:

Webinar Registration - Zoom

Drilling Results

Most of the high-grade zones intersected in holes GTCM21-003, GTCM21-005, GTCM21-014 and GTCM21-020 occur along an axis as shown in cross-section Figure 2. Hole GTCM21-022 was drilled about 50 metres north of that central axis and extends the high-grade mineralized zone to the north. The hole intersected a wide sericite alteration zone which includes several pyrite and arsenopyrite stringers. The high-grade gold intersections are concentrated into two specific zones which consist of thick smoky quartz veins with arsenopyrite, pyrite and minor stibnite and sphalerite.

A complete table of drill intersections for hole GTCM21-022 is shown in Table 1:

Table 1: GTCM21-022 intersections

DDH # Easting Northing Azimuth Dip From (m) To (m) Length (m) Au (g/t) GTCM21-022 635813.9 6922666 114 -63 245.77 247.27 1.50 1.56 GTCM21-022 251.77 263 11.23 4.16 including 258.27 262. 3.73 10.12 GTCM21-022 273.34 278.78 5.44 19.74

Figure 1: Location of hole GTCM21-22 on the Yellorex Zone

Figure 2 - Cross section showing the Campbell Shear and drill hole GTCM21-022.

Figure 3- Yellorex Zone longitudinal section

The 2021 drill program of 26 holes totaling 12,687 metres was completed on December 18th targeting the Campbell Shear over a strike length of 3 kilometres immediately south of the former Con Mine (1938-2003). The Campbell shear target and gold mineralization were intersected in all the holes of the 2021 program illustrating the continuity of the structure and identifying typical gold zoning similar to the former Con Mine gold mineralization.

Drilling is expected to resume on/or close to January 10th, 2022, with one drill which can reach depths down to 1,500 metres, followed by a second drill around January 20th. The Company intends to drill approximately 40,000 metres in 2022, subject to success and subsequent financing. The objective of the drilling is to delineate a high-grade gold mineral resource to add to the Company's current 1.2 million inferred ounces (See the technical report, titled "Technical Report on the 2021 Updated Mineral Resource Estimates, Northbelt Property, Yellowknife City Gold Project, Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada" with an effective date of March 14, 2021, which can be found on the Company's website at https://www.goldterracorp.com and on SEDAR at www.sedar.com) and ultimately advance towards an economic study.

Technical Appendix

This news release reports the assay results from one (1) drill hole totaling 683.79 metres from which 135 core samples were assays. Assays results range from non-detectable gold to a highest assay of 43.2 g/t Au. The Company inserts certified standards and blanks into the sample stream as a check on laboratory Quality Control (QC). Drill core samples are cut by diamond saw at Gold Terra's core facilities in Yellowknife. A halved core sample is left in the core box. The other half core is sampled and transported by Gold Terra personnel in securely sealed bags to ALS preparation laboratory ("ALS") in Yellowknife. After sample preparation, samples are shipped to ALS's Vancouver facility for gold analysis. Gold assays of >3 g/t are re-assayed on a 30 g split by fire assay with gravimetric finish. Samples with visible gold are additionally assayed using a screen metallic method. ALS is a certified and accredited laboratory service. ALS routinely inserts certified gold standards, blanks and pulp duplicates, and results of all QC samples are reported.

Drill holes were drilled at right angles to the structure hosting the mineralization and dip angles of holes were designed to intersect the zones as close to normal as possible. Zones reported here are interpreted to be approximately 90 percent true thickness.

The technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Joseph Campbell, Chief Operating Officer, a Qualified Person as defined in National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

About Gold Terra's Yellowknife City Gold Project

The YCG project encompasses 800 sq. km of contiguous land immediately north, south and east of the City of Yellowknife in the Northwest Territories. Through a series of acquisitions, Gold Terra controls one of the six major high-grade gold camps in Canada. Being within 10 kilometres of the City of Yellowknife, the YCG is close to vital infrastructure, including all-season roads, air transportation, service providers, hydro-electric power, and skilled tradespeople. Gold Terra is currently focusing its drilling on the prolific Campbell shear, where 14 Moz of gold has been produced, and most recently on the Con Mine Option claims immediately south of the past producing Con Mine (1938-2003).

The YCG lies on the prolific Yellowknife greenstone belt, covering nearly 70 kilometres of strike length along the main mineralized shear system that host the former-producing high-grade Con and Giant gold mines. The Company's exploration programs have successfully identified significant zones of gold mineralization and multiple targets that remain to be tested which reinforces the Company's objective of re-establishing Yellowknife as one of the premier gold mining districts in Canada.

Visit our website at www.goldterracorp.com.

For more information, please contact:

Gerald Panneton, CEO & Executive Chairman

gpanneton@goldterracorp.com

Mara Strazdins, Manager of Investor Relations

Phone: 1-778-897-1590 | 604-689-1749 ext 102

Strazdins@goldterracorp.com

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information

Certain statements made and information contained in this news release constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation ("forward-looking information"). Generally, this forward-looking information can, but not always, be identified by use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events, conditions or results "will", "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved" or the negative connotations thereof.

All statements other than statements of historical fact may be forward-looking information. Forward-looking information is necessarily based on estimates and assumptions that are inherently subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance, or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. In particular, this news release contains forward-looking information regarding the current drilling on the Campbell Shear on the Newmont Con Mine Option potentially adding high grade ounces to the Company's current YCG mineral resource, future planned drilling on the Con Mine Option area and the Company's objective of re-establishing Yellowknife as one of the premier gold mining districts in Canada.

There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as the Company's actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in this forward-looking information as a result of the factors discussed in the "Risk Factors" section in the Company's most recent MD&A and annual information form available under the Company's profile at www.sedar.com.

Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that would cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. The forward-looking information contained in this news release is based on information available to the Company as of the date of this news release. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. All of the forward-looking information contained in this news release is qualified by these cautionary statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information due to the inherent uncertainty thereof. Except as required under applicable securities legislation and regulations applicable to the Company, the Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update this forward-looking information.

SOURCE: Gold Terra Resource Corp

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/681959/Gold-Terra-Intersects-Two-High-Grade-Zones-at-Yellorex-1974-gt-gold-over-544-metres-and-1012-gt-over-373-metres-Campbell-Shear-Structure-Con-Mine-Property-Option-NWT
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / January 11, 2022 / CAT Strategic Metals Corporation (CSE:CAT) ("CAT" or the "Company") is very pleased to announce that the consulting firm Watts, Griffis and McOuat Ltd. ("WGM") of Toronto has completed an independent review of extensive historical and recent exploration data concerning areas on or adjacent to CAT's 206.8 km2 South Preston uranium exploration property located near the south-western margin of the Athabasca Basin in Saskatchewan, and east of recent discoveries by Fission Uranium and NexGen Energy (Figure 1).

Figure 1: The CAT dispositions measuring 57 km from west to east are shown with a Google Earth image fill in the lower right corner of the view. The uranium deposits in the Patterson Lake Corridor are shown at upper left. The dispositions of other exploration companies are also shown.

This review was based on the voluminous exploration assessment records filed with the Saskatchewan Ministry for Energy and Resources, with details, conclusions and recommendation provided in a report delivered to CAT in early January.

Based on its comprehensive review, WGM has concluded that further systematic exploration of the CAT dispositions is well justified by the following:

proximity to the Athabasca-basement unconformity;

favourable SW-trending graphitic metasedimentary belts immediately to the north, as confirmed by recent exploration drilling by Azincourt Energy;

a number of previously discovered favourable outcrops and float proximate to the CAT property, including several with significantly anomalous radioactivity;

the absence of any previous systematic exploration of the large CAT property; and,

an opportunity to benefit from more than 40 years of prior exploration experience, avoiding areas already effectively tested while focusing efforts on more favourable sectors with characteristics similar to those hosting known uranium deposits.

The results of the review have provided a foundation for the design of CAT's planned 2022 winter and summer uranium exploration programs, which are subject to regulatory approval and consultations with the local community represented by Clearwater River Dene Nation ("CRDN") management. It has also allowed for improved specifications of geochemical, geological and geophysical surveys.

In terms of historical exploration beginning in the late 1960s, portions of the CAT exploration property were covered by various airborne and ground surveys. The exploration during much of that period was narrowly focused on areas covered by the Athabasca Formation that was deemed to be an essential component of the uranium deposit model. This overlooked the fact that the current area covered by the Athabasca sediments is substantially smaller than what it was during the Proterozoic when uranium deposits were forming. Fission Uranium's recent discovery at Patterson Lake South, much like Gulf Mineral's original 1967 Rabbit Lake discovery, lies outside the area of sandstone cover, indicates that areas of basement exposure where the Athabasca has been removed through erosion have significant potential for unconformity deposits. In that regard, the CAT property lies a short distance south of the unconformity with an outlier of Athabasca sandstone mapped on the eastern portion of the property indicating that, in the CAT project area, the basement rocks are located very close to the original unconformity. Accordingly, they are within what would be considered to be a favourable setting for mineralization.

A variety of airborne geophysical surveys conducted over the past 50 years has covered portions of the present CAT dispositions, providing useful but incomplete radiometric, magnetic and EM coverage. CAT's planned exploration program includes airborne geophysical surveying of favourable sectors lacking effective prior coverage. In particular, recent airborne radiometric surveying by Athabasca Nuclear Corp. during 2014 in the western portions of the CAT property indicated the presence of large areas of high background radioactivity on-strike with Azincourt's very recently discovered A-G zone, a series of SW-trending electromagnetic ("EM") conductors. Azincourt's drilling of 7 holes demonstrated that the conductors are related to graphite-bearing shears in metasedimentary basement rocks. There is a reasonable expectation that this geological setting will be traced SW onto the CAT property in the general vicinity of the aforementioned radiometric anomalies, and close to a site where previous exploration has reported high total count radioactivity in bedrock, reportedly 13X to 20X background.

In the eastern portion of the CAT property, several NNE to ENE-trending EM conductors detected in prior surveys occur in an area that is underlain by the current position of the Athabasca unconformity. A 1x2 km outlier of Athabasca sandstone, elongated NE-SW, is reported at the NE tip of Silvius Lake. A NNE-trending conductor was detected in a 1969-70 airborne EM survey, which is associated with several favourable factors: (1) graphitic metasediments have been reported in this area of the CAT property; (2) several stream sediment geochemical anomalies are present and two small downstream lakes also have bottom sediments that are anomalous in uranium; (and, 3) a radioactive mineral described as a "yellow flaky radioactive mineral resembling uranophane" was reported in graphitic metasediments producing radiometric signatures up to 1,250 cps on a scintillometer, or greater than 60X background. Surprisingly, the report by Denison Mines Ltd. in 1978 lacks any mention of bedrock sampling or analysis.

Based on its evaluation, WGM has proposed an integrated systematic exploration program extending over a 9-month period that is based on a well-proven approach updated to take advantage of recent technical advances. Exploration would be initiated by a radon-in-water and lake-bottom sediment survey of the approximately 100 lakes in the project area during the late winter. An airborne EM-magnetometer survey totalling approximately 800 line-kilometres plus a separate high-resolution airborne radiometric survey is also proposed to cover areas identified as having higher potential that have not been effectively surveyed in the past. A proposed 3-month summer program is also in the planning stages, the details of which will depend on the outcome of the initial surveys. Geological mapping, bedrock sampling and prospecting to confirm the previous results will be fundamental components of that program. Biogeochemical sampling of black spruce trees, a technique proven to be effective over the former Key Lake uranium mine, may also be considered in the summer program. Contingent on the results, this initial phase could be followed by a winter drilling program to test identified targets.

CAT management and its consultants are aware of the various permitting processes needed to be followed in initiating exploration, including meaningful consultation with local First Nations and other stakeholders. Prior to the Christmas break, CAT initiated a dialogue with the Clearwater River Dene Nation to ensure the local community is well-informed and to allow feedback concerning the company's exploration plans. CAT will be engaging with CRDN representatives to foster co-operation and the engagement of local service providers to the maximum extent possible. With the exploration program now reasonably defined, CAT is now initiating its application process with the relevant ministries of the provincial Government to seek approval for its project components and undertaking more sustained dialogue with CRDN management.

CAT CEO, Robert Rosner, stated that "The report provided to the board of directors by our consultants, WGM, was not only exceptionally comprehensive but also extremely encouraging from a potential exploration perspective. Their review of all the historical data associated with our South Preston property, coupled with more recent results from ongoing work by other mining companies in the area, suggest that South Preston may be much more significant than we first thought. As a result of this, CAT is quite excited to take the next steps to ensure the implementation and success of our potential and planned exploration program as soon as is practicable. This includes prioritizing ongoing discussions about our evolving plans with First Nations stakeholder CRDN to capitalize on this exciting project."

The technical content of this news release has been approved by Al Workman, P.Geo. (Saskatchewan and Ontario), Vice-President of WGM and a Qualified Person as defined under Canadian securities rule National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Workman's uranium exploration experience is extensive, including work in the 1970s on the Collins Bay deposits, and since that time experience in a wide variety of geological settings globally.

About CAT Strategic Metals Corporation:

CAT Strategic Metals' overall Mission Statement and corporate strategy is to source, identify, acquire and advance property interests located in mineral districts proven to have world class potential, primarily for gold and copper. In addition to the South Preston Uranium Project, CAT's Burntland Project is focused on the exploration and development of several targets located Northeast of Saint Quentin in the county of Restigouche, New Brunswick, Canada, and The Rimrock Gold mineral property is a low-sulfidation and Carlin-style gold-silver prospect in the heart of the main Carlin and Northern Nevada Rift gold-silver mining belts of northeastern Nevada. CAT's shares trade on the Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE) under the trading symbol "CAT", and on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the symbol "8CH".

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

Robert Rosner

Chairman, President & CEO

Further information regarding the Company can be found on SEDAR at www.SEDAR.com , by visiting the Company's website www.catstrategic.com or by contacting the Company directly at (604) 674-3145.

This news release may contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements address future events and conditions and therefore involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements. Particular risks applicable to this press release include risks associated with planned production, including the ability of the company to achieve its targeted exploration outline due to regulatory, technical or economic factors. In addition, there are risks associated with estimates of resources, and there is no guarantee that a resource will be found or have demonstrated economic viability as necessary to be classified as a reserve. There is no guarantee that additional exploration work will result in significant increases to resource estimates. Neither Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

We seek safe harbour.

SOURCE: CAT Strategic Metals Corporation

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/681990/CAT-Strategic-Metals-Corp-Announces-Completion-of-Detailed-Review-by-WGM-of-its-Large-South-Preston-Uranium-Exploration-Property-on-the-SW-Margin-of-the-Athabasca-Basin-with-Recommendations-for-Further-Exploration
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 11, 2022) - ScreenPro Security Inc. (CSE: SCRN) (OTCQB: SCRSF) ("ScreenPro" or the "Company") is pleased to provide an update on Covid-19 testing businesses to its film and television clients.

The Company is requested by its film and production clients to test on 24-hour rotation effective immediately, instead of the previous 72-hours rotation, due to the surging Omicron SARS-CoV-2 variant (B.1.1.529) numbers. This means ScreenPro is providing testing 300% more than originally scheduled.

For the months of November and December 2021, the Company provided services to 41 production companies: 2 in Montreal, 11 in Toronto and 28 in Vancouver, administering approximately 41,100 tests.

Lena Kozovski, CEO of ScreenPro Security commented, "With over 280,000 active cases reported in the three provinces and the cost to productions having to shut down, the ramp up of testing is necessary in order to ensure that all health and safety protocols are met with the proper tracking and tracing. The utilization of the GoStop application has been integral component in the process as this system allows us to report all current and potential exposure cases."

About ScreenPro

ScreenPro is a Screening and Medical Technology company that provides turnkey screening solutions with its proprietary medical alerting software. ScreenPro's unique access to multiple manufacturers of high-quality test kits and its strategic partnership with labs in British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec allowing ScreenPro to be a full-service nationwide provider of COVID testing solutions across Canada. In addition, ScreenPro has its own medical doctor and nursing professionals along with on the ground support staff and transportation, as access to high quality PPEs to ensure that its clients are protected in all aspects of their testing needs. ScreenPro provides alerting software through its secure GoStop application that enables individuals to use the app for test screening results as well as provides automated identification codes for our laboratories and analytics to our clients on their testing cadence. For additional information on ScreenPro and other corporate information, please visit the Company's website at www.screenprosecurity.com.

For more information about the Company, please refer to the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange (the "CSE") nor it's Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

For further information please contact:

Jamie Hyland, Director

Email: info@screenprosecurity.com

P. (604) 442-2425

Forward-Looking Statements:

Certain statements contained in this news release may constitute forward-looking information, including statements relating to expectations regarding the acquisition and business of Concierge Medical Consultants Inc. and the future development of ScreenPro's business. Forward-looking information is often, but not always, identified using words such as "anticipate", "plan", "estimate", "expect", "may", "will", "intend", "should", and similar expressions. Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking information. The actual results of ScreenPro could differ materially from those anticipated in this forward-looking information because of regulatory decisions, competitive factors in the industries in which ScreenPro operates, prevailing economic conditions, changes to ScreenPro's strategic growth plans, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of ScreenPro. Management of ScreenPro believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking information herein are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking information should not be unduly relied upon. Any forward-looking information contained in this news release represents ScreenPro's expectations as of the date hereof and is subject to change after such date. ScreenPro disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information whether because of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities legislation.

###

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/109564
Ottawa, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 11, 2022) - C-COM Satellite Systems Inc. (TSXV: CMI) (OTCQB: CYSNF) ("C-COM" or the "Company"), a leading global provider of commercial grade mobile auto-deploying satellite antenna systems, announced today that it has received orders in excess of $3 Million USD for its iNetVu antenna systems from various customers in the US, Europe and Asia.





iNetVu FLY-74G Ka-band Flyaway Antenna System

To view an enhanced version of this image, please visit:

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The systems have been purchased by reseller partners, in multiple countries, and will be deployed by commercial customers in the Telecom and Energy markets for cellular backhaul, disaster management and oil & gas exploration, respectively.



"While the worldwide pandemic has dramatically slowed down sales into many regions in 2021, it now appears that business for C-COM in 2022 is rebounding at a fast pace from around the world.

"Despite supply channel and component shortage issues which are affecting many manufacturers, our extensive inventory of ready to ship products makes it possible for us to fulfill large orders within weeks.

"C-COM remains a dominant player in the auto-acquire VSAT terminal market and is delivering the most advanced high in demand solutions to our worldwide customer base," commented Leslie Klein President and CEO of C-COM. "These significant orders, from both new and existing resellers, are indicative that our highly reliable motorized antennas continue to be in great demand, and of significant value, to even the most demanding customers," Klein continued.

Most of these orders have already shipped in December and January and others are expected to be delivered before the end of C-COM's second quarter ending May 31, 2022.

The Company offers classic and next generation Driveaway, Flyaway, Fixed Motorized, and Backpack systems (iNetVu) for any vertical market where communications are challenged due to disruption or deficiency. C-COM has more than 20 different Comm-on-the-Pause antenna models, integrated with all major modem manufacturers, approved with most major satellite operators, and is working closely with more than 550 active dealers in over 100 countries. More than 8,500 iNetVu systems have been sold since the brand's inception.

Working with a renowned research team at the University of Waterloo, the Company is also developing an electronically steerable, Comm-on-the-Move Ka-band flat panel antenna system based on phased array technology with the potential to revolutionize satellite's addressable mobile markets for land, airborne and maritime. The potential market for these types of antennas is predicted to be $42.8 billion by 2026, according to Research and Markets.

C-COM expects that this new modular platform will eventually provide a cost-effective solution for a wide range of applications-from fixed to mobility satellite broadband services, and for the rapidly emerging millimeter-wave 5G cellular services. The goal is to develop a leading world market product line based on this technology, and to use existing distribution channels to sell and support this future product.

About C-COM Satellite Systems Inc.

C-COM Satellite Systems Inc. is a pioneer and world leader in the design, development, and manufacture of transportable and mobile satellite-based antenna systems. The Company has developed proprietary, auto-acquisition controller technology for rapid antenna pointing to a satellite with just the press of a button, enabling Broadband Internet via Satellite across a wide range of market applications worldwide, including regions unserved or underserved by terrestrial access technologies.

C-COM has sold more than 8,500 antenna systems, in over 100 countries, through a dedicated dealer network that provides service to a wide range of vertical markets such as Oil & Gas Exploration, Military Communications, Disaster Management, SNG, Emergency Communications, Cellular Backhaul, Telemedicine, Mobile Education, Government Services, Mobile Banking, and others. The Company's iNetVu brand is synonymous with high quality, reliability, and cost-effectiveness.

C-COM is in late-stage development of a potentially revolutionary Ka-band, electronically steerable, modular, conformal, flat panel phased array antenna. In cooperation with the University of Waterloo, C-COM is engaged in the design of this unique antenna with the intent of providing low-cost, high-throughput mobility applications over satellite for land, airborne and maritime verticals. For additional information, please visit www.c-comsat.com.

The Company is publicly traded on the TSX Venture Exchange (TSXV: CMI) and on the US OTC Exchange (OTCQB: CYSNF).

iNetVu is a registered trademark of C-COM Satellite Systems Inc.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements. These statements relate to future events or future performance and reflect management's current expectations and assumptions. Statements about the future demand for C-COM's products and the perception that demand is growing; C-COM's ability to ship goods from inventory within certain time frames; fulfillment of orders received and the timing of delivery; and the development of new technologies, including timing, features, the potential market for such products and the potential benefits to customers and C-COM from the development of such products, all contain forward-looking information. Several factors could cause actual events, performance or results to differ materially from the events, performance and results discussed in the forward-looking statements. Deployment of units ordered may not be as expected by C-COM and the receipt of the orders may not be reflective of the state of the demand for C-COM's products. Orders may take longer to ship than anticipated and orders may be cancelled for any number of reasons, some of which are beyond C-COM's control. Anticipated benefits of the new technology may not be realized, and new products and services may not be released or, if released may not gain market acceptance. Any of those events and others could influence future performance and C-COM's ability to achieve the results mentioned above. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and C-COM does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances. Readers are directed to the discussion of risk factors associated with C-COM's business as set out in C-COM's most recent management's discussion and analysis available at www.SEDAR.com.

# # #

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

INVESTOR RELATIONS

C-COM Satellite Systems Inc.

Tel: (613) 745-4110 ext. 4950

Fax: (613) 745-7144

lklein@c-comsat.com

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/109590
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 11, 2022) - Grande Portage Resources Ltd. (TSXV: GPG) (OTCQB: GPTRF) (FSE: GPB) ("Grande Portage" or "the Company") announced today that it has filed its 2022 Plan of Operation for mineral exploration at its Herbert Gold project near Juneau, Alaska.

Subject to regulatory approval, the proposed work schedule for 2022 consists of up to 10,000 meters diamond drilling with additional detailed mapping and trench sampling to expand previous exploration. The program will consist of up to two diamond drill rigs utilizing three pads to drill approximately 13 holes.

These holes are planned to test the main mineralized structures at depths to 750 m (plus), while at the same time, penetrating additional structures at shallower levels. Exploration drilling on the Herbert Gold project has progressed to the point where the shallower to mid-depth portions of the major veins between the western and eastern boundary contact faults have been successfully tested over the kilometer strike length. The vein structures and mineralization show no signs of diminishing with depth, therefore it is recommended that further exploration drilling be extended to the deeper regions of the veins which requires a more powerful drill capable of drilling 3000-4000 feet deep. Drilling this deep requires that the drill pads be located further north and eastward because the major veins dip steeply northward and the boundary contact faults both dip to the northeast. In addition, this allows for comprehensive coverage of the veins at depth from two or three pads with fan drilling and also means that expensive drill moves are reduced to a minimum.

Besides drilling the deeper portions of the Goat, Main, and Deep Trench veins, one of the Company's planned drill sites will test the eastern extension of the Deep Trench, the Floyd and the Elusive Structure, which remains virtually unexplored to date.

The purpose of this drilling is:

Demonstrate that the veins are well mineralized to depths extending 2 to 3 times deeper where the resources have been established, and

Continue to test eastward extensions of the known veins, and

Test a poorly exposed section of the property to the north of all known mineralization.

The Herbert Gold Property is host to abundant composite vein-fault structures containing ribbon structure quartz-sulfide veins and lies prominently within the 100 mile long Juneau gold belt, which has produced millions of ounces of gold through a total depth range of thousands of feet.

Additional assay results from the 2021 drill program are expected imminently. Assay processing from the lab has been especially slow this year due to Covid-19 related protocols.

About Grande Portage:

Grande Portage Resources Ltd. is a publicly traded mineral exploration company focused on the Herbert Gold discovery situated approximately 25 km north of Juneau, Alaska. The Company holds a 100% interest in the Herbert property. The Herbert Gold property system is open to length and depth and is host to at least six main composite vein-fault structures that contain ribbon structure quartz-sulfide veins. The project lies prominently within the 160km long Juneau Gold Belt, which has produced over seven million ounces of gold. The Company's updated NI#43-101 Mineral Resource estimate reported at a base case mineral resources cut-off grade of 3.0 grams per tonne gold (g/t Au) and consists of: an indicated resource of 1,196,800 ounces of gold at an average grade of 10.23 g/t Au (3,637,000 tonnes); and an inferred resource of 325,900 ounces of gold at an average grade of 8.91 g/t Au (1,138,000 tonnes), as well as an Indicated resource of 686,700 ounces of silver at an average grade of 5.87 g/t Ag (3,637,000 tonnes); and an inferred resource of 169,300 ounces of silver at an average grade of 4.63 g/t silver (1,138,000 tonnes).

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

"Ian Klassen"

Ian M. Klassen

President & Chief Executive Officer

Tel: (604) 899-0106

Email: Ian@grandeportage.com

www.grandeportage.com

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This news release includes certain "forward-looking statements" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements include estimates and statements that describe the Company's future plans, objectives or goals, including words to the effect that the Company or management expects a stated condition or result to occur. Forward-looking statements may be identified by such terms as "believes", "anticipates", "expects", "estimates", "may", "could", "would", "will", or "plan". Since forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties as described in the Company's filings with Canadian securities regulators. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by law.

NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICE PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED UNDER THE POLICIES OF THE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS NEWS RELEASE

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/109634
A medical helicopter rests next to the Drexel Hill United Methodist Church after it crashed in the Drexel Hill section of Upper Darby Township in Delaware County, Pa., on Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022. (Monica Herndon/The Philadelphia Inquirer via AP) (MONICA HERNDON/AP)

A miracle on Burmont Road is how Upper Darby Township police Superintendent Timothy Bernhardt described the scene after an infant and three crew members escaped a crashed medical helicopter Tuesday afternoon in front of Drexel Hill United Methodist Church.

The medevac was transporting a child from out of state when it began experiencing trouble and went down at 12:56 p.m.

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The tail of the medevac could be seen torn off and folded under the cockpit as it sat on its side on top of a church sign and bushes at the front entrance to the church. Its identification number could not be seen. The front windows of the helicopter were knocked out and a crew member helmet could be seen sitting in front of the downed machine.

The church appeared to be spared any damage in the immediate aftermath of the crash, as did numerous houses across the street.

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Upper Darby fire Chief Derrick Sawyer said the four people in the helicopter self-extricated from the downed aircraft.

The pilot was able to help the nurse that had the baby get out, Sawyer said.

A typical medivac helicopter includes a pilot, nurse and paramedic.

The injuries were not life threatening, its a miracle what you see, Bernhardt said at a brief news conference. Theres no debris, no wires down, no trees. How that pilot was able to get that plane there and all four of themselves out of the helicopter.

The medevac owned by Air Methods Corp. under the LifeNet program was transporting an infant from Hagerstown, Maryland, to Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia when it began experiencing trouble.

Residents across Drexel Hill reported seeing the helicopter struggling to stay aloft, which initially caused confusion for first responders as they responded to the scene. Burnhardt said the first reports were blocks away for a helicopter in distress.

Breaking News Alerts As it happens Get updates on the coronavirus pandemic and other news as it happens with our free breaking news email alerts. >

They could see the helicopter was in trouble and he was able to get to this location and land this helicopter, Bernhardt said. I cant wait to meet this pilot and shake his hand for getting this down the way he did.

The blades of the craft shredded a bush as it landed on its left side next to the church.

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Doug Flanders, vice president of communications at Air Methods, said the crew will cooperate fully with Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board investigations.

By late afternoon, police reported there was just one minor injury to a crew member.

Helicopter crash happened on Burmont Rd at Bloomfield. Reports are everyone got out. pic.twitter.com/IUpDCcZKLi  Pete Bannan (@PeteBannan) January 11, 2022
Thunder Bay, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 11, 2022) - White Metal Resources Corp. (TSXV: WHM) (FSE: CGK1) (OTC Pink: TNMLF) ("White Metal" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has received core assay results from the first three diamond drill holes from its Phase 3 drilling program at its flagship Tower Mountain Gold Project (the "Project" or "Property"). These first three holes were designed to test the strike extent of the A Zone with all three holes intersecting broad intervals of gold mineralization.

TM-21-117 : 30.0 m grading 1.30 g/t Au (from 5.0 m).

: 30.0 m grading 1.30 g/t Au (from 5.0 m). TM-21-118 : 49.5 m grading 1.01 g/t Au (from 8.0 m), including 24.0 m grading 1.8 g/t Au.

: 49.5 m grading 1.01 g/t Au (from 8.0 m), including 24.0 m grading 1.8 g/t Au. TM-21-119: 21.5 m grading 4.05 g/t/Au (from 6.5 m).

Michael Stares, President and CEO of White Metal, commented, "We would like to wish all our shareholders a happy and prosperous 2022 and look forward to this year's very exciting exploration program. We are delighted to report the first assay results from the A Zone drilling that continue to deliver excellent intercepts of gold mineralization, demonstrating that this zone is open for expansion. Encouraged by the success of the Company's Phase 1 and Phase 2 drilling programs, these early results from Phase 3 drilling indicate that the Tower Mountain Gold Project continues to grow while showing potential to host near-surface low-grade bulk tonnage and high-grade gold mineralization. As we await further assay results from the Bench Zone, D Zone and 110 Zone, the current Phase 3 drilling program is targeting the Ellen Zone and the Star Zone, among others."

The Tower Mountain Gold Project represents an area of exceptional and widespread gold endowment hosted predominantly within a broad package of metavolcanic rocks intruded by a Neo-Archean, high-level, multi-phase, sub-alkali intrusion. This widespread gold is characterized by the 21 gold zones that together define some 5.6 km of strike, with interpreted widths exceeding 300 metres. This press release focuses on the A Zone with future core assay results to be reported from several of the other zones.







Figure 1: Tower Mountain Gold Project showing the main gold zones, the location of the field core facility, and the Property boundary.

To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/5364/109637_ef3e52fd64d10871_003full.jpg

A Zone: Summary of Results to Date

Previously reported drill hole TM-21-108 returned 23.8 m grading 3.94 g/t Au (from 3.7 m), including 7.5 m grading 8.77 g/t Au (from 8.0 m) (see news release dated October 21, 2021). Drill holes TM-21-117, TM-21-118 and TM-21-119 (Table 1) were drilled to the west of TM-21-108, a distance of 60 m, 40 m and 22 m, respectively.

Table 1: Summary of Phase 3 Drill Core Assay Results in the A Zone.

Drill Hole From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Au (g/t) Au (ppb) Zone TM-21-117 5.00 35.00 30.00 1.31 1311 A Zone incl. 5.00 11.00 6.00 2.68 2678

TM-21-118 5.00 54.50 49.50 1.01 1014

incl. 5.00 32.00 24.00 1.80 1796

TM-21-119 6.50 27.50 21.00 4.05 4050



Note: drill hole intervals are not true widths and are being reported as core lengths

Drilling to date has been successful in extending the A Zone a total of 60 m to the west and as a result of the encouraging assays received, the Company will now drill an additional four holes to test the down-dip extent of the A Zone and test an additional 50 m along strike.

Although the A Zone was previously worked by Inco Limited and Noranda Exploration Inc., the Company believes that a true understanding of the control of gold mineralization was not fully understood.

Recent exploration by White Metal, such as the 2021 trenching, returned 20.74 m grading 2.81 g/t Au (see news release dated November 18, 2021). This surface trenching, along with recent drilling as described above, demonstrates the importance of the A Zone.

Phase 3 Drilling Program: Holes Completed To Date

Bench Zone:

Previous drilling in this zone, including Phase 2 drill holes TM-21-105, 106, and 107 were designed to test the strike and down-dip extent. Drill hole TM-21-105 was drilled in the northwest area of the Bench Zone and graded 0.75 g/t Au over 22.5 m, including 10.5 m grading 1.01 g/t Au (from 188.0 m). Hole TM-21-106 was drilled 50 m to the southeast of TM-21-105 and graded 0.5 g/t Au over 150.0 m, including 1.01 g/t Au over 58.5 m, including 15.0 m grading 1.74 g/t Au (from 88.0 m). Drill hole TM-21-107, which was drilled 152.0 m southeast of TM-21-105, intersected 0.84 g/t Au over 49.5 m, including 21.0 m grading 1.29 g/t Au (from 143.5 m).

The Phase 3 drilling program at the Bench Zone is focused on extending gold mineralization to the west and testing the down-dip extension. Drill hole TM-21-120 was drilled 30 m to the west-southwest of TM-21-106 and ended at 287 m (results pending). Hole TM-21-121 was drilled 30 m to the west-southwest of TM-21-107 and ended at 293 m (results pending). All Phase 3 drill holes encountered alteration and sulphide mineralization similar to that observed in previous drill holes.

D Zone:

Phase 3 drilling also tested the D Zone, where previously reported hole TM-21-95 intersected two separate zones of gold mineralization, with 30.0 m grading 0.33 g/t Au (from 21.0 m) and 61.5 m grading 0.51 g/t Au (from 112.5 m).

Phase 3 drill hole TM-21-123, collared 240 m to the west of TM-21-95 and designed to test the down-dip extension of the D Zone, ended at 308 m (results pending). Hole TM-21-122, collared 100 m south of TM-21-123 and designed to test the down-dip extension of the D Zone, ended at 314 m (results pending). The two Phase 3 drill holes encountered various phases of alteration and sulphide mineralization similar to that observed in previous drill holes.

110 Zone:

The 110 Zone, a recent new discovery made as a result of drill-testing a high-priority DasVision 3D-IP chargeability anomaly, is located approximately 250 m southeast of the southern extent of the Bench Zone (see news release dated September 23, 2021). It should be noted that the entire 143 m length of TM-21-110 returned anomalous gold averaging 0.44 g/t Au, with the main part of the zone returning 52.0 m grading 0.75 g/t Au (from 2.5 m), including 7.5 m grading 1.02 g/t Au (from 47.0 m).

Phase 3 drill hole TM-21-125 was drilled 50 m to the west of TM-21-110 and was designed to test the down-dip extension of the TM-21-110 drill hole and to test the volcanic contact at the margins of the intrusive monzonite body. TM-21-125 ended at 152 m (results pending) and encountered various stages of altered and mineralized volcanic rocks with disseminated chalcopyrite and carbonate veins before entering the monzonite body which also showed altered carbonated fractures with veins and pyrite and chalcopyrite mineralization. Hole TM-21-124 was drilled 50 m to the northwest and also encountered the same style of alteration and sulphide mineralization as seen in TM-21-125, ending at 163 m (results pending). Hole TM-22-126 is planned to be drilled a further 50 m to the southeast of TM-21-110 and will completed in the next week.

Core from five drill holes, TM-21-120, 121, 123, 124, and 125 (all in the 110 Zone), has been submitted to Activation Laboratories in Thunder Bay and the Company is awaiting results. For Phase 3 planned drill holes (see news release dated November 9, 2021 ) . A map showing drill holes completed to date can be found by clicking here.

About the Tower Mountain Gold Project

The Tower Mountain Gold Project is located 50 km west of Thunder Bay Ontario and consists of unpatented and patented lands totalling 19.68 square kilometres. The Project has excellent infrastructure with access to the regional power grid and the Trans-Canada Highway, which is less than 4 km away from the centre of the Property and can be easily accessed year-round. Mineralization on the Property is described as intrusive-associated and hosted disseminated gold with broad similarities to gold deposits located within the Abitibi Greenstone Belt of northeastern Ontario such as the Kirkland Lake and Malartic gold camps and the Young-Davidson Mine, which is currently one of Canada's largest underground gold mines, forecast to produce between 190,000 to 205,000 ounces of gold for 2021 (as reported by Alamos Gold). The similarity of the Tower Mountain Gold Project and its related intrusive complex to other intrusive related gold deposits is significant in that these intrusions are deemed to be the source of the gold-bearing hydrothermal fluids. This in turn yields great potential for a significant economic deposit. The widespread nature and intensity of host rock alteration and gold mineralization observed on the Property is attributed to the intrusive complex at Tower Mountain and attests to the exciting potential of the Project.

Mineralization hosted by established operations and other exploration projects is not necessarily indicative of mineralization hosted on the Company's Tower Mountain Gold Project.

To view drill hole sections and additional Project information and maps please visit the White Metal website and slide show at https://www.whitemetalres.com/tower-mountain-au.html .

Qualified Person

Technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Dr. Scott Jobin-Bevans (P.Geo.), Vice President Exploration and a Director of White Metal, who is a Qualified Person under the definitions established by NI 43-101.

About White Metal Resources Corp.

White Metal Resources Corp. is a junior exploration company exploring in Canada and southern Africa. The Company's two key properties are the flagship Tower Mountain Gold Project in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada and the Okohongo Copper-Silver Project in Namibia, Africa. For more information about the Company please visit www.whitemetalres.com.

On behalf of the Board of Directors

"Michael Stares" President & CEO

For further information contact:

Michael Stares President & CEO

White Metal Resources Corp. 684 Squier Street

Thunder Bay, ON P7B 4A8

Phone: +1 (807) 358-2420

Thomas Do

Investor Relations Manager CHF Capital Markets

Phone: +1 (416) 868-1079 x 232

Email: thomas@chfir.com

THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE HAS NOT REVIEWED AND DOES NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.

The information contained herein contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking statements relate to information that is based on assumptions of management, forecasts of future results, and estimates of amounts not yet determinable. Any statements that express predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance are not statements of historical fact and may be "forward-looking statements."

Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation: risks related to failure to obtain adequate financing on a timely basis and on acceptable terms; risks related to the outcome of legal proceedings; political and regulatory risks associated with mining and exploration; risks related to the maintenance of stock exchange listings; risks related to environmental regulation and liability; the potential for delays in exploration or development activities or the completion of feasibility studies; the uncertainty of profitability; risks and uncertainties relating to the interpretation of drill results, the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits; risks related to the inherent uncertainty of production and cost estimates and the potential for unexpected costs and expenses; results of prefeasibility and feasibility studies, and the possibility that future exploration, development or mining results will not be consistent with the Company's expectations; risks related to gold price and other commodity price fluctuations; and other risks and uncertainties related to the Company's prospects, properties and business detailed elsewhere in the Company's disclosure record. Should one or more of these risks and uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements. These forward looking statements are made as of the date hereof and the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances. Actual events or results could differ materially from the Company's expectations or projections.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/109637
Enhanced protection of unmanaged endpoints thin clients, personal computing devices, and dedicated work desktop PCs that are network access points of choice for criminals and highly vulnerable to attack

SentryBay, the UK-based cybersecurity software company, and Stratodesk, the leading global innovator in end-user computing (EUC) management and OS software, today announced their technology alliance partnership. This partnership benefits companies by delivering advanced security options to prevent keylogging and screen capture on Stratodesk's operating system layer, rather than just a connected Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) session.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220111005217/en/

SentryBay and Stratodesk channel partners are now able to offer companies across all verticals an additional security layer as part of their VDI, cloud and IoT endpoint solutions to customers.

As organizations move towards bring-your-own-device (BYOD) models enabling them to support the expanding hybrid workforce, the demand for devices running a secure operating system is growing. This partnership allows companies who deploy Stratodesk NoTouch OS to take advantage of SentryBay's patented, anti-keylogging, anti-DLL injection and anti-screen scraping technology. A US-based multinational healthcare and insurance company has chosen the SentryBay and Stratodesk joint solution to ensure additional compliance and security measures are in place for devices inside the organization as well as the more compliance challenged work-from-home devices.

"There is much synergy between SentryBay and Stratodesk," says Brent Agar, VP Business Development, North America at SentryBay. "It made perfect sense to bring our security software together with Stratodesk NoTouch OS in order to deliver an operating system fit for today's ever-shifting corporate and remote/hybrid environment. Defending against the threat of attack on endpoints is a constant battle and our layered approach ensures that organisations can mitigate the risk of data-loss at the point of data entry. We look forward to working together in partnership with Stratodesk."

"Stratodesk NoTouch OS is built to be innately secure," says Stratodesk CEO and Founder Emanuel Pirker. "Those looking to take advantage of SentryBay's advanced, added security will benefit from the quintessential security, flexibility and remote/hybrid work friendly solution that is Stratodesk NoTouch. Our joint customers can leverage secure work from anywhere with impeccable security standards thanks to Stratodesk NoTouch OS and SentryBay Armored Client."

As the network access point of choice for cybercriminals, unmanaged endpoints such as Thin Clients, personal computing devices, and dedicated work desktop PCs are highly vulnerable to attack. Keyboards and displays are especially vulnerable attack vectors that criminals exploit in order to steal sensitive data.

With SentryBay's Armored Client fully verified and compatible with Stratodesk NoTouch OS, organizations that purchase can take advantage of its next level security benefits and be confident that their data is being securely wrapped within a micro-environment which neutralizes the impact of malware threats, in particular keylogging and screen scraping, wherever and however teams are working.

Contact sales@stratodesk.com or sales@sentrybay.com with any queries on the solution.

About SentryBay

SentryBay is a pioneer in technology that approaches security issues from a different and more proactive perspective. Endpoint data protection is essential to provide a secure, cloud-based IT ecosystem that avoids the weaknesses inherent in both technology and users. SentryBay's "secure framework" within which applications can run underpinned by multi-layered anti-keylogging technology -allows these weaknesses to be overcome. The company's product is used by some of the world's largest enterprises from global banks and a central bank to small, medium and large enterprises.

About Stratodesk

Founded in 2010, Stratodesk is the leading global innovator in EUC management and OS software. Stratodesk's cutting edge Linux-based OS and management suite, Stratodesk NoTouch, is redefining end user computing with its hardware agnostic and cloud-ready abilities enabling companies to cost-effectively manage their entire secure digital perimeter. Stratodesk delivers an all-in-one solution for VDI, DaaS and IoT markets and its software works seamlessly across all x64, x86 and ARM/Raspberry Pi based hardware products to provide a unified platform for all your endpoints. Stratodesk NoTouch increases endpoint security, simplifies user experience, and allows customers to maximize the benefits of their existing desktop hardware through PC conversion. Today Stratodesk has nearly one million licences deployed across multiple industries. For more information, please visit www.stratodesk.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220111005217/en/

Contacts:

Zaboura Consultancy, sentrybay@zaboura.com, 07956 955625

Allison Darin, pr@stratodesk.com, 831-359-8208
ROME (dpa-AFX) - Italy's retail sales decreased for the first time in four months in November, defying expectations for further gains, preliminary data from the statistical office ISTAT showed Tuesday. Retail sales fell 0.4 percent from October, when they grew 0.2 percent. Economists had forecast a 0.6 percent increase. On a year-on-year basis, retail sales climbed for a ninth month in a row, up 12.5 percent, in November after a 4.0 percent gain in the previous month. The growth was the strongest since May. In volume terms, sales fell 0.6 percent from the previous month and rose 11.7 percent from a year ago. Online sales rose by 6.6 percent year-on-year in November, rebounding from a slump in October. Compared to the previous month, food sales decreased 0.9 percent in November, while non-food sales were unchanged. All sectors experienced growth, except computers and telecommunications equipment, registered growth compared to the same month a year ago. The biggest increases were reported for shoes, leather goods and travel items, up 57.8 percent, and clothing, up 51.8 percent. 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.
- Development of communication network infrastructure, high investments in digital electricity infrastructure, and supportive government initiatives drive the growth of the global smart meter market.

PORTLAND, Ore., Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "Smart Meter Market By Product (Smart Electricity Meter, Smart Gas Meter, and Smart Water Meter) and End Use (Residential, Commercial, and Industrial): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2030." According to the report, the global smart meter industry generated $21.79 billion in 2020, and is expected to reach $54.34 billion by 2030, witnessing a CAGR of 10.1% from 2021 to 2030.

Drivers, restraints, and opportunities

Development of communication network infrastructure, high investments in digital electricity infrastructure, and supportive government initiatives drive the growth of the global smart meter market. However, high cost of installations of the smart meters hinders the market growth. On the other hand, development of smart city projects creates new opportunities in the coming years.

Download Sample PDF (220+ Pages PDF with Insights): https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/964

Covid-19 Scenario

Manufacturing activities of smart meters halted due to lockdown measures implemented across many countries. Moreover, disruptions in supply chain and shortage of raw materials presented challenges in carrying out manufacturing activities.

The demand from end use industries such as residential, commercial, and others lowered down significantly due to halt in daily operations during the lockdown. However, the demand is expected to grow steadily post-lockdown.

The ban on import-export activities led to disruption in supply chain and created a supply-demand gap. Many smart metering projects were stopped and delayed.

The electricity meter segment to continue its lead position during the forecast period

Based on product, the electricity meter segment contributed to the highest share in 2020, accounting for around three-fifths of the global smart meter market, and is expected to continue its lead position during the forecast period. Moreover, this segment is projected to manifest the highest CAGR of 10.9% from 2021 to 2030. This is attributed to increase in investment in digitalization of electrical systems, expansion of grid infrastructures, and rise in electricity demand from commercial and residential sectors. The report also analyzes the segments including gas meter and water meter.

Get detailed COVID-19 impact analysis on the Smart Meter Market @ https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-for-customization/964?reqfor=covid

The residential segment to continue its leadership status during the forecast period

Based on end use, the residential segment accounted for the largest share in 2020, holding more than three-fifths of the global smart meter market, and is projected to continue its leadership status during the forecast period. This is due to increase in power consumption with rise in use of home appliances such as televisions, ceiling fans, lighting, personal computers, cloth washers, and air-conditioning equipment at residential buildings. However, the industrial segment is estimated to register the largest CAGR of 11.2% from 2021 to 2030, owing to integration of distributed generation and smart meter infrastructures, which enables utilities to utilize smart grid offerings and fully leverage the distributed energy resources. Moreover, it can surge the overall process efficiency by using the heat emitted from generation process.

Asia-Pacific, followed by Europe and North America, to offer lucrative opportunities

Based on region, Asia-Pacific, followed by Europe and North America, held the highest market share in 2020, accounting for nearly three-fifths of the global smart meter market, and is estimated to continue its dominance in terms of revenue by 2030. Moreover, this region is expected to portray the fastest CAGR of 10.6% during the forecast period, owing to high adoption of smart technology in power grid infrastructure and increase in challenges such as aging transmission and distribution (T&D) infrastructure and distributed generation.

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Leading Market Players

Itron Inc.

Landis+Gyr

Schneider Electric SA

Siemens AG

Badger Meter

EDMI

Holley Metering Limited

Neptune Technology Group Inc.

Sensus

Honeywell International Inc.

Suntront Technology

Kamstrup Company

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Related Reports:

IoT Sensors Market Size Is Expected To Reach $141.80 Billion By 2030

U.S. Smart Meter Market Size Is Projected To Reach $7.69 Billion By 2027

Neuromorphic Computing Market Size Is Expected To Reach $8,583.98 Million By 2030

Smart Office Market Size Is Projected To Reach $90.63 Billion By 2030

Consumer Active Optical Cable Market Size Is Projected To Reach $958.5 Million By 2030

About us:

Allied Market Research (AMR) is a full-service market research and business-consulting wing of Allied Analytics LLP based in Portland, Oregon. Allied Market Research provides global enterprises as well as medium and small businesses with unmatched quality of "Market Research Reports" and "Business Intelligence Solutions." AMR has a targeted view to provide business insights and consulting to assist its clients to make strategic business decisions and achieve sustainable growth in their respective market domain.

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DGAP-News: Appyea

Biomedical AI entrepreneur Prof. Amir Geva appointed CSO of SleepX



11.01.2022 / 14:24

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.





World renowned machine learning and bio-feedback expert joins company to execute and lead the development of DreamIT - the company's patented solution integrating its proprietary AI technology in a wearable data driven wristband to treat sleep apnea and snoring.

SleepX, a subsidiary of AppYea (OTC: APYP) focusing on the development of accurate wearable monitoring solutions to treat sleep apnea and snoring, announced today the appointment of Biomedical AI entrepreneur Prof. Amir Geva, as its chief science officer.

Prof. Geva is a world-renowned expert in the field of machine learning, with over 25 years of business leadership experience as the founder and R&D teams leader of biomedical AI companies Elminda, InnerEye and WideMed. He brings over 40 years of deep AI research, serving today as the Head of the Biomedical Signal Processing and Machine Learning Lab and as Professor at the Electrical and Computers Engineering Department at Ben Gurion University of the Negev in Israel.

As of today, Prof. Geva had published 62 scientific articles, and he is Senior Member at the Biomedical Engineering and Computers of the IEEE. In the past he had served also as consultant to the Israeli Air Force and Elbit on bioelectrical signal processing. He is DSc in Biomedical Engineering from the Technion Israel Institute of Technology, and formerly a Major at the Israeli Navy.

"SleepX' is the right solution many had been waiting for", Prof. Amir Geva commented. "The company has introduced a revolutionary combination of sensor technology, data analysis and machine learning to take on the challenge sleep-training for adults and improving people's sleep and general wellbeing. I look forward to working with the team to complete the development of the company's product and realize its market potential."

SleepX is an Israeli research and development company recently acquired by AppYea. The company had developed a unique product for monitoring and treating sleep apnea and snoring. The technology is protected by several international patents and the company plans to start serial production in 2022. The company currently focuses its activities on the development and commercialization of its flagship product DreamIT.

"We are honored to have a world expert in bio-feedback and AI such as Prof. Geva joining us to lead the development of our product's brain analysis capabilities and advance the execution of our go-to-market strategy to realize the company's business plan", said Boris (Bary) Molchadsky, President and CEO of SleepX, and Chairman at AppYea.

AppYea Inc.

Asaf Porat

info@appyea.com

http://www.appyea.com

11.01.2022 Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by DGAP - a service of EQS Group AG.

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.



The DGAP Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases.

Archive at www.dgap.de


Focused on Increasing Awareness and Enhancing Stockholder Value

ST. PETERSBURG, FL / ACCESSWIRE / January 11, 2022 / Energy and Water Development Corp. (OTCQX:EAWD) (the "Company"), an engineering company focused on delivering innovative and sustainable solutions of water and energy, today announced that it has retained ClearThink Capital ("ClearThink"), a strategic advisory firm, to develop and deploy a comprehensive investor outreach and communications program.

"We believe we are now ready to enter the next growth phase of our business, as we got caught up with our annual and quarterly filings in September through November and regained our fully reporting and compliance with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission," stated, Ralph Hofmeier, Chief Executive Officer of Energy and Water Development Corp.

Hofmeier, continued, "Our focus on revenue-producing innovative water and energy generation system projects starts with our first project in Germany in the city of Grunheide (Mark), just 20 miles east of Berlin's city center. An idyllic lakeside village, Grunheide (Mark) is seeing rapid commercial, residential, and industrial development. Tesla's nearby European Gigafactory is expected to begin production shortly. Several of our large eAWGs (energy-supplied Atmosphere Water Generators) will provide up to 2.6 million gallons of water per day and 2 Mw of electrical power to support this growth. As we look to all of this positive momentum, our Board and management believe it is an appropriate time to retain a proactive strategic investor relations firm to help us reach new potential investors and effectively communicate our investment thesis. We are confident that ClearThink will help us more effectively communicate our strategy, business objectives and corporate milestones to a wider audience of sophisticated investors and improve our visibility and awareness."

Brian Loper, Senior VP and Account Manager of ClearThink, commented, "With its filed patent ted energy-supplied Atmosphere Water Generators (eAWGs) generating all the energy each unit needs to turn moisture in the air into clean water for drinking, agricultural, and industrial use and its expansion in Europe by becoming a central player on the Pioneering project in Grunheide (in the immediate vicinity of Berlin and the Tesla Gigafactory, an ultra-modern business park is to be created on 35 hectares of land in the form of the Green Work Park), we believe Energy and Water Development Corp.'s investment proposition is compelling, and the ClearThink team is eager to elevate the company's IR efforts. These efforts will include implementing a comprehensive targeting strategy to communicate a more clear and concise message to an expanded audience of relevant investors that we expect, over time, should help unlock and drive stockholder value.

ClearThink is a consulting firm known for its ability to connect underfollowed and undervalued smaller reporting companies with sophisticated institutional investors, buy-side and sell-side analysts, retail brokerage firms and accredited individual investors. Leveraging decades of cumulative experience, ClearThink develops strategies to help clients effectively communicate with the investment community and works to increase their exposure through targeted outreach and transparent positioning. ClearThink helps public companies deliver the right message to the right audience. Over time, ClearThink helps its clients navigate up the Wall Street value chain and to help them secure a reasonable valuation by broadening their audience, expanding institutional ownership and ensuring clear, consistent communication with the public.

Energy and Water Development Corp.

Energy and Water Development Corp. (OTCQX:EAWD) is an engineering solutions company focused on delivering innovative and sustainable solutions of water and energy. EAWD builds its systems out of proven technologies, using their technical know-how to customize solutions to their clients' needs. The Company offers design, construction, maintenance and specialty consulting services to private companies, government entities and non-government organizations (NGOs).

For additional information, please visit: https://energy-water.com

Forward-Looking Statements:

Statements contained herein that are not based upon current or historical fact are forward-looking in nature and constitute 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. Such forward-looking statements reflect the Company's expectations about its future operating results, performance, and opportunities that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. When used herein, the words "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "upcoming," "plan," "target," "intend" and "expect" and similar expressions, as they relate to Energy and Water Development Corp., its subsidiaries, or its management, are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on information currently available to the Company and are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause the Company's actual results, performance, prospects, and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements.

Corporate:

investor.relations@energy-water.com

eawdteam@eawctechnologies.com

Investor Relations Contact:

Brian Loper

ClearThink

bloper@clearthink.capital

p347-413-4234

SOURCE: Energy & Water Development Corp

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/681967/Energy-and-Water-Development-Corp-Engages-ClearThink-to-Lead-Expanded-Investor-Relations-Program
VANCOUVER, BC, Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- PODA HOLDINGS, INC. ("Poda" or the "Company") (CSE: PODA) (FSE: 99L) (OTCQB: PODAF) is pleased to announce that it has signed a letter of intent ("LOI") with Landewyck Tobacco S.A. ("Landewyck") (collectively the "Parties").

In the year 1847, Josephine van Landewyck and Jean-Pierre Heintz established a tobacconist shop in Luxembourg. Over the years, the business grew to become Landewyck Tobacco - one of the most respected 100% family-owned, independent tobacco manufacturers in the world today. Landewyck currently has around 40 brands that are sold on regional, national, and international markets.

Pursuant to the LOI, the Parties intend to enter into a cooperation agreement (the "Cooperation Project") based on both Parties intellectual property, branding, manufacturing facilities, and distribution channels to develop one or more products ("Cooperation Products") for commercialization.

Before further developing the Cooperation Project, the Parties intend to assess the relevance of their cooperation by implementing a trial period for blend development which could be used for the potential Cooperation Products (the "Blend Development Trial").

By bringing together Landewyck's tobacco manufacturing and distribution expertise and Poda's patented Heat-not-Burn technology, the aim is to develop a consumer centric product offering both convenience and optimal flavour in the reduced risk sphere.

Georges Krombach, General Manager of Export and New Generation Products for Landewyck, stated, "We're very excited to further strengthen our collaboration with Ryan and the Poda team. The technology and intellectual property behind Poda are disruptive and deliver a strong customer experience. By adding our tobacco and our European regulatory and distribution expertise, we expect to have great success in the European marketplace. We manufacture tobacco and cigarettes at our own facilities exclusively in Western Europe, and attach great importance to maintaining the highest manufacturing, working, and product standards that are socially acceptable to our consumers, partners, and importers worldwide. Our master tobacco blenders travel to the farthest reaches of the globe to hand-select the best leaves, hence ensuring the unique flavour of our tobacco products - and all so our customers can enjoy the ultimate in tobacco pleasure. From product and manufacturing standards to employees and retailers, we always ensure that our business decisions and the products we supply are in keeping with our family spirit and upholding our tradition of delivering 100% quality, flavour, and customer satisfaction.

Mr. Ryan Selby, CEO of the Company, commented, "This marks another milestone in Poda's commercialization efforts in Europe and abroad. Landewyck has been working in the tobacco space for over 170 years and brings a tremendous amount of manufacturing and distribution experience and expertise. We intend to get moving immediately on the Blend Development Trial and hope to move quickly into large-scale commercialization of the Cooperation Products."

On Behalf of the Board,

Ryan Selby

CEO, Director, and Chairman of the Board

Poda Holdings, Inc.

Toll-free North America: +1-833-TRY-PODA (879-7632)

Outside North America: +1-406-TRY-PODA (879-7632)

investors@poda-holdings.com

www.poda-holdings.com

ABOUT PODA HOLDINGS

Poda Holdings, Inc. ("Poda" or the "Company") is actively engaged in the global commercialization of Heat-not-Burn ("HnB") smoking products, which have the potential to reduce the risks associated with combustible smoking products. The Company has developed a patented HnB system that uses proprietary biodegradable single-use pods, which are both consumer and environmentally friendly. The innovative design of the Company's HnB platform prevents cross-contamination between the heating devices and the pods, eliminating all cleaning requirements and providing users with the most convenient and enjoyable potentially-reduced-risk smoking experience. Poda's HnB system is fully patented in Canada and is patent pending in over 60 additional countries, covering almost 70% of the global population. The Company's Poda Pods are the first and only cigarettes to have a completely closed end. This exclusive design eliminates all cleaning requirements and provides a truly ashless HnB cigarette. Poda's fully patented system is one of a kind and solves the major pain-point that other HnB products suffer from: daily cleaning requirements. The Company's flagship Beyond Burn Poda Pods contain a unique tobacco-free blend of pelletized tea leaves infused with synthetic nicotine, which provides adult smokers with a smoke-free alternative to their regular habit without sacrificing satisfaction. Beyond Burn Poda Pods have been expertly crafted to mimic the sensorial experience of traditional cigarettes without the smoke, without the smell, and without the tobacco.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Although Poda believes, in light of the experience of its officers and directors, current conditions, and expected future developments and other factors that have been considered appropriate, that the expectations reflected in this forward-looking information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on them because Poda can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Readers are cautioned to not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Actual results and developments may differ materially from those contemplated by these statements. The statements in this press release are made as of the date of this release. Poda undertakes no obligation to comment on analyses, expectations or statements made by third-parties in respect of Poda, its securities, or financial or operating results (as applicable). Poda disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, other than as required by applicable securities laws.

The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the content of this news release.
Surge in prevalence of heart diseases, increase in demand for angioplasty, and rise in the number of approvals for stents drive the growth of the global stents market.

PORTLAND, Ore., Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "Stents Market by Product (Coronary Stents, Peripheral Stents, and Stent Related Implant), Material (Metallic Biomaterial, Polymer Biomaterial, and Natural Biomaterial), and End User (Hospital, Ambulatory Surgical Centers, and Others): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2030." According to the report, the global stents industry generated $11.74 billion in 2020, and is expected to reach $19.76 billion by 2030, witnessing a CAGR of 5.6% from 2021 to 2030.

For Right Perspective and Competitive Insights, Get Sample Report at: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/1603

Drivers, restraints, and opportunities

Surge in prevalence of heart diseases, increase in demand for angioplasty, and rise in the number of approvals for stents drive the growth of the global stents market. However, high cost of procedures associated with stents hinders the market growth. On the other hand, rise in R&D activities and advancements in technology present new opportunities in the coming years.

Covid-19 Scenario

Manufacturing activities of stents were impacted due to lockdown measures implemented during the Covid-19 pandemic by various governments. Many challenges such as shortage of raw materials, disruptions in the supply chain, and others occurred.

During the pandemic, the demand for stents from hospitals decreased considerably. This is due to the postponement of non-essential surgical procedures to avoid cross-contamination and shift in resources to treat patients infected with Covid-19.

The coronary stents segment to maintain its lead position during the forecast period

Based on product, the coronary stents segment accounted for the highest share in 2020, contributing to more than half of the global stents market, and is estimated to maintain its lead position during the forecast period. Moreover, this segment is expected to manifest the highest CAGR of 6.2% from 2021 to 2030. This is due to advancements in technology, rise in prevalence of coronary artery disease, and surge in adoption of drug eluting stents. The research also analyzes the segments including peripheral stents and stents-related implant.

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The hospital segment to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period

Based on end user, the hospital segment held the highest share in 2020, contributing to nearly three-fourths of the global stents market, and is projected to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period. Moreover, this segment is estimated to register the largest CAGR of 6.0% from 2021 to 2030. This is attributed to supportive initiatives by governments for development of medical infrastructure and rise in awareness about treatment and management of disease. The report also discusses the segments including ambulatory surgical centers and others.

North America to maintain its dominance in terms of revenue by 2030

Based on region, North America contributed to the highest market share in 2020, accounting for nearly two-fifths of the global stents market, and is estimated to maintain its dominance in terms of revenue by 2030. This is attributed to rise in prevalence of cardiovascular diseases, surge in the number of approvals for stents products, development of advanced healthcare infrastructure, and presence of key players for manufacturing stents in the region. However, Asia-Pacific is projected to witness the fastest CAGR of 7.3% from 2021 to 2030. This is due to rise in prevalence of coronary artery disease, increase in health care expenditures, and adoption of an unhealthy lifestyle.

Leading market players

Abbott Laboratories

B. Braun Melsungen AG

Biotronik SE & CO. KG.

Boston Scientific Corporation

Becton, Dickinson and Company

Elixir Medical Corporation

Medtronic Plc.

Microport Scientific Corporation

Reva Medical, Inc.

Terumo Corporation

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"We have also published few syndicated market studies in the similar area that might be of your interest. Below are the report title for your reference, considering Impact of Covid-19 Over This Market which will help you to assess aftereffects of pandemic on short-term and long-term growth trends of this market."

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About Us

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Pawan Kumar, the CEO of Allied Market Research, is leading the organization toward providing high-quality data and insights. We are in professional corporate relations with various companies and this helps us in digging out market data that helps us generate accurate research data tables and confirms utmost accuracy in our market forecasting. Each and every data presented in the reports published by us is extracted through primary interviews with top officials from leading companies of domain concerned. Our secondary data procurement methodology includes deep online and offline research and discussion with knowledgeable professionals and analysts in the industry.

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- Methane Sulfonic Acid Market will grow by 4.9% CAGR as Demand in Industrial and Pharmaceutical Sectors Increases. The latest study by Future Market Insight (FMI) provides insights into the governing factors facilitating the growth in the Methane Sulfonic Acid Market

DUBAI, UAE, Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The global methane sulfonic acid market is anticipated to expand at a steady 4.9% CAGR over the forecast period between 2021 and 2031, finds Future Market Insights (FMI) in a recent market analysis. Growing electronics industry is boosting demand for methane sulfonic acid.

The increasing demand from electronics and pharmaceuticals industry is expected to remarkably contribute towards the expansion of the methane sulfonic acid market.

Sales in the electroplating segment will grow due to the increasing consumption of electronics in daily use. Surging production of electronic items, pharmaceutical drugs & medicines are also bolstering the consumption of methane sulfonic acid.

Increasing consumption of methane sulfonic acid in biodiesel production and chemical synthesis where it plays a crucial role as a catalyst, is expected to boost the market over the assessment period. Electroplating & pharmaceutical segment collectively hold the leading share in the global methane sulfonic acid market.

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Methane sulfonic acids are widely used in a variety of industries for various applications, including electroplating, pharmaceuticals & medical, chemical synthesis, biodiesel production, and so on. Methane sulfonic acid has emerged as a green alternative for various acids and are used as a catalyst for different processes.

Spurred by these factors, the methane sulfonic acid market is expected to reach more than US$ 1.13 Bn by the end of 2031 at a compound annual growth rate of 4.9 percent during the coming assessment period.

As per FMI, the market is predicted to be dominated by East Asia. The region which is expected to continue leading the global market through the period of evaluation.

"Surging application in the production of electronics and consumer appliances will remain a chief growth driver. In order to capitalize on existing prospects, the market players are likely to customize their solutions as per industry specific requirements," says an FMI analyst.

Report Preview with List of Tables@ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/methane-sulfonic-acid-market

Key Takeaways:

By grade, demand for industrial methane sulfonic acid is expected to surge at a 5.0% CAGR over the forecast period.

The pharmaceutical grade methane sulfonic acid segment is projected to hold approximately 19.9% of the total market share in 2021.

Electroplating segment is anticipated to grow at 5.1 % CAGR through 2031.

Methane sulfonic acid market in the U.S. is anticipated to grow by 5.1% CAGR by year in 2031.

China will emerge as an attractive methane sulfonic acid market, accounting for maximum sales in East Asia.

Japan and South Korea will collectively account for 14.8 % of the total methane sulfonic acid market share through 2021.

Competitive Landscape

Key participants in the global methane sulfonic acid market elaborated in the report includes BASF SE, Arkema Group, Hydrite Chemical Company, Oxon Italia S.p.A., Varsal Inc., Zhongke Fine Chemical, Hebei Yanuo Bioscience Co Ltd, Miles Chemical Company Inc., Xiaochang Jinji Chemical Co ltd and others.

Key players operating in the market are focusing on increasing utilization of methane sulfonic acid in electroplating of electronics items. They also are focusing on collaborations, mergers, and acquisitions to expand their production facilities and distribution channels. For instance:

In January 2020, as already announced at the end of 2018, BASF will proceed with the expansion of global capacities for methane sulfonic acid (MSA) to 50,000 metric tons per year.

The volumes from the additional capacity are expected to be available from the end of 2021 and are dedicated to mainly serving European customers as well as the rapidly growing Asian market.

For any Queries Linked with the Report, Ask an Analyst@ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/ask-question/rep-gb-12634

Methane Sulfonic Acid Market by Category

By Grade:

Industrial grade Methane Sulfonic Acid

Pharmaceutical grade Methane Sulfonic Acid

By Product Form:

Solid Methane Sulfonic Acid

Liquid Methane Sulfonic Acid

By Application:

Electroplating

Pharmaceuticals

Chemical Synthesis

Biodiesel Production

Others

By Region:

North America

Latin America

Europe

East Asia

South Asia and Pacific

and Pacific Middle East and Africa

More Insights into the Methane Sulfonic Acid Market Report

In its latest report, FMI offers an unbiased analysis of the global Methane Sulfonic Acid market, providing historical data for the period of 2016-2020 and forecast statistics for the period of 2021-2031.

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In order to understand the global market potential, its growth, and scope, the market is segmented on the basis of grade (industrial & pharmaceuticals), product form (solid & liquid) and applications (electroplating, pharmaceuticals, chemical synthesis, biodiesel production & others) across six regions (North America, Latin America, Europe, East Asia, South Asia Pacific and Middle East & Africa).

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Many would call New York City firefighter Matt Zimpfer a hero for helping rescue an infant from a Sunday high-rise fire in the Bronx that left 17 people dead.

To which Zimpfer, 45, a Hellertown native and Saucon Valley High School graduate, would simply thank God for the people he and others helped rescue, and say its part of the job.

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Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families [of the eight children and nine adults killed], but what we do is what its all about, said Zimpfer, who joined the citys fire department in 2002. We coordinate and work together, like different parts of one body, with the goal of protecting life and preventing any further loss.

Zimpfer and his fellow members of Engine 46 Ladder 27 responded to the 11 a.m. fire on the third floor of the 19-story building in the 300 block of East 181st Street. The fire  which was apparently started by a malfunctioning electric space heater  grew to five alarms, prompting a response from more than 200 firefighters.

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[Engine 46 Ladder 27] was one of the additional units assisting the primary units who were first on scene, he said. The primary units began fighting the fire while we were sent [to] search the building and get people out.

Zimpfers job as a chauffeur, or driver, was to set up the aerial ladder from the truck to the upper floors.

We got to the third floor and there was a male hanging out of the window, he said. There was a moderate smoke condition. Several adults got to the window. The mother handed me the baby.

A picture on the NYC Fire Wire Facebook page shows Zimpfer holding the infant, wrapped in a blanket, in one arm while on the ladder.

We then got the mother and the other adults out and she told us her uncle was still in there, he said. I came back down, got my mask on, went back up and went in to look for the uncle, but he was no longer there. I dont know what happened to him.

First Call Daily Leading local stories delivered on weekday mornings >

Zimpfer and other firefighters rescued 63 residents, 32 of whom were taken to hospitals.

EMS did a phenomenal job, despite being inundated and taxed, Zimpfer said, adding that this was the first time he ever rescued a child from a fire. In terms of the number of lives lost, this was the worst fire the city has seen in at least 30 years.

Zimpfers aunt, Renee Zimpfer-Gover of Northampton, said being a firefighter is something hes wanted since childhood, inspired by his grandfathers, both of whom were firefighters.

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Matt is a good, God-fearing man whod give you the shirt off his back, Zimpfer-Gover said. Im so proud of him for being who he is. Hes too humble to toot his own horn, but he is a hero. And we need to honor people like him for what they do.

When asked why he chose the New York Fire Department in particular, Zimpfer joked, I wanted to play for the Yankees.

Seriously, though, its still the best job in the world, he said.

Morning Call reporter Andrew Scott can be reached at 610-820-6508 or ascott@mcall.com.
LAS VEGAS, NV / ACCESSWIRE / January 11, 2022 / UMAX Group Corp. (OTC Markets:UMAX), would like to announce that the Company plans on engaging a PCAOB Auditor to audit its FYE April 30, 2021, Financial Statements and Notes thereto with a view to making application with OTC Markets, Inc. ("OTC Markets") for public quotation on the OTCQB. The Company plans on executing this engagement letter with the auditing firm during the month of January.

Mr. Fletcher (President and CEO of the Company), states"This is the last piece of corporate action that needs to be completed to make the Company a fully functional and transparent publicly traded entity. We feel that this will allow us to make ongoing strategic acquisitions that will show top line revenue and bottom-line income that the investing public can trust to be accurate in its reporting on an ongoing basis."

The preparation of FYE April 30, 2021, audited financial statements and notes thereto will allow the Company to immediately make direct application to OTC Markets for an up list to the OTCQB. The Company will also request that OTC Markets remove the "Shell Status" on the Company which can be seen directly on our landing page with OTC Markets and will allow us to make some strategic acquisitions that are about to be completed.

Mr. Fletcher further stated"We believe the audit and the removal of the Shell status with OTC Markets will bring in a whole new level of market activity and strength for our common stock on the OTC Market quotation system. We also believe it will bring in many new investor eyes on our Company as we start to announce a series of material acquisitions that are now in final negotiations. Again, all of the corporate structural improvements (e.g., including the previously announced cancellation of 500,000,000 shares of Common Stock and the lowering of the authorized to 500,000,000 shares of Common Stock), including the actions announced today, will not only assist us in our strategic business plan of action but will also bring increased market activity which will be a direct benefit to our current and future shareholder base."

About Us

UMAX Group Corp. is a Nevada corporation, is a public-quoted Pink Sheet issuer under the ticker symbol "UMAX". UMAX reports as an alternative reporting issuer with OTC Markets Group, Inc. and is current in its mandatory required filings (E.g., "Pink Sheet Current").

Disclaimer Regarding Forward Looking Statements

Certain statements that we make may constitute "forward-looking statements" under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include information concerning future?strategic objectives, business prospects, anticipated savings, financial results (including expenses, earnings, liquidity, cash flow and capital expenditures), industry or market conditions, demand for and pricing of our products, acquisitions and divestitures, anticipated results of litigation and regulatory developments or general economic conditions.? In addition, words such as "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "estimates," "projects," "forecasts," and future or conditional verbs such as "will," "may," "could," "should," and "would," as well as any other statement that necessarily depends on future events, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees, and they involve risks, uncertainties, and assumptions. ?Although we make such statements based on assumptions that we believe to be reasonable, there can be no assurance that actual results will not differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements.? We caution investors not to rely unduly on any forward-looking?statements.

Company Information:

UMAX Group Corp.

2020 Bay Avenue

Los Angeles, California 90021

Web: New website under construction

Website: https://funnymediagroup.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/funnymediagroupofficial/?hl=en

YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/c/FunnyMediaGroup

Investor Relations: Jack Zietz

Email: investors@umaxgrpcorp.com

SOURCE: UMAX Group Corp.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/681997/UMAX-GROUP-CORP-Engagement-of-PCAOB-Auditor
Rise in air travelling and surge in government expenditure on defense drive the growth of the global aerospace fasteners market.

PORTLAND, Ore., Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "Aerospace Fasteners Market by Material (Aluminum, Alloy Steel, Titanium and Others), Product (Nuts & Bolts, Rivets, Screws and Others), and Application (Military Aviation, Commercial Aviation and Civil Aviation): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2030." According to the report published by Allied Market Research, the global aerospace fasteners market was estimated at $7.42 billion in 2020 and is expected to hit $12.80 billion by 2030, registering a CAGR of 5.5% from 2021 to 2030.

Drivers, restraints, and opportunities-

Rise in air travelling and surge in government expenditure on defense drive the growth of the global aerospace fasteners market. On the other hand, rise in adoption of 3D printing restrains the growth to some extent. However, developments in aerospace applications across the world are expected to create lucrative opportunities in the sector.

Download Sample PDF: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/7345

COVID-19 scenario-

Strict regulations on logistics and air travel services gave way to a steep decline in the production of new aircrafts. This factor impacted the global aerospace fasteners market negatively, especially during the initial phase.

Nevertheless, the market is projected to revive soon, as the global situation gets back to normalcy.

The alloy steel segment to retain the lion's share-

On the basis of material, the alloy steel segment held the major share in 2020, garnering more than one-third of the global aerospace fasteners market, owing to installation of maximum number of steel fasteners in aircrafts. The titanium segment, however, is projected to cite the fastest CAGR of 6.0% throughout the forecast period. This is due to its high tensile strength and capability to withstand extreme temperatures.

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The nuts & bolts segment to dominate by 2030-

On the basis of product, the nuts & bolts segment contributed to the lion's share in 2020, holding more than two-fifths of the global aerospace fasteners market. The same segment would also manifest the fastest CAGR of 5.2% from 2021 to 2030. This is attributed to their stability when used in assembly.

Asia-Pacific, followed by North America, held the major share in 2020-

By region, the market across Asia-Pacific, followed by North America, dominated in 2020, garnering more than one-third of the global aerospace fasteners market. The same region is also expected to cite the fastest CAGR of 5.9% throughout the forecast period. This is due to high air traffic in this region.

Key players in the industry-

Bufab Group

Howmet Aerospace

LISI Aerospace

Stanley Black & Decker Inc.

& Decker Inc. TFI Aerospace

B&B Specialities Inc.

Wurth Group

The Boeing Company

TriMas Corporation

Precision Castparts Corp

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DGAP-News: Newrange Gold Corp. / Key word(s): Miscellaneous

Newrange Samples up to 47.34 g/t Gold in Central Mine Area of Pamlico Project



11.01.2022 / 14:50

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.



VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, January 11, 2022 (TSXV: NRG, US: NRGOF, Frankfurt: X6C) - Newrange Gold Corp. ("Newrange" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that a new mapping and sampling program in the historic Central Mine area of its Pamlico Project in Nevada has indicated widespread gold mineralization with values up to 47.34 g/t. In keeping with the Company's renewed focus on the larger scale geological setting, and as there is little historical information from the mine itself, a preliminary program of mapping mineralized structures and sampling dump material from the numerous adits was undertaken to determine what had been mined in the past. Gold mineralization seems to have been confined to a volcano-sedimentary ("VS") unit on the west side of a limestone ridge. A total of 67 grab samples were taken of quartz breccia material (most with iron oxides) in the old mine dumps extending over an area of approximately 700 metres north-south by up to 350 metres east-west. Of these samples, 55 (78%) returned gold values greater than 0.1 g/t, 29 samples (43%) were greater than 1.0 g/t and 13 (19%) assayed more than 5.0 g/t Au. The average grade of all 67 samples was 4.33 g/t gold. Significantly, other metals are also highly anomalous within this zone. Assay ranges and averages are as follows: - Gold: 0.005 to 47.34 g/t; Ave. 4.33 g/t - Silver: 0.2 to 175 g/t; Ave. 18.2 g/t - Copper: 5 to 34300 ppm (3.43%); Ave. 1420 ppm - Lead: 6 to 38900 ppm (3.89%); Ave. 4386 ppm - Zinc: 2 to 7900 ppm (0.79%); Ave. 1810 ppm - Manganese: 44 to 49000 ppm (4.9%); Ave. 8908 ppm - Arsenic: 6 to 14800 ppm (1.48%); Ave. 717 ppm "These results are very encouraging in that they give us a better understanding of the style of mineralization in the Central Mine area," stated Robert Archer, Newrange President & CEO. "As the area had not been previously mapped in detail, the new information will be important for our follow up drilling. The '91' Zone discovered by Newrange in late 2020 lies just on the eastern edge of here at a vertical depth of approximately 100 metres. Although we do not have any reliable production figures from the mine, the lateral extent and tenor of the polymetallic mineralization in the old dumps coupled with that in the '91' Zone suggests that a significant mineralizing system is present here. Furthermore, the Chargeability anomaly named the 'Line 5' anomaly lies just to the east, under the limestone ridge. It is still considered likely that this anomaly reflects sulphide mineralization within the VS unit below the limestone." The gold-bearing mineralized structures at the Central Mine are sub-parallel with a general north-south strike and dip between 15 and 85 degrees to the east and are offset by east-west faults. The structures contain quartz veins (including banded quartz), silicified vein and fault breccia, and variable amounts of iron-oxides. Veins are between 4 centimetres and 2 metres wide. Limonite, pseudomorphs of pyrite by goethite and boxwork textures all indicate that sulphides were present in the quartz veins prior to oxidation. Copper minerals were noted locally. In addition, recently recognized skarn alteration and extensive silicification exists in the limestones to the immediate southwest of the Central Mine area, which fits with the working hypothesis that mineralization on the Pamlico Project is related to a large intrusive system. Quality Assurance/Quality Control All rock samples were securely stored following collection and delivered to Paragon Geochemical Laboratories in Sparks, Nevada for preparation and analysis. Samples are dried then stage crushed to 70% passing 10 mesh. A 250-gram sub-sample is then split out and pulverized to 85% passing 200 mesh from which 1 Assay Ton (approximately 30-gram) samples are split for analysis by fire assay (FA) with an Aqua Regia (AQR) digest and OES finish. Samples assaying in excess of 5 g/t Au are re-assayed by FA with a gravimetric finish. Silver was determined by FA with an atomic absorption finish. Samples submitted for multi-element geochemistry were subjected to AQR digestion and ICP-OES. In addition to the QA/QC conducted by the laboratory, the Company inserts blanks, duplicates, standards, and certified reference material (CRM) at a rate of not less than 1 in 20. Qualified Person Mr. Robert A. Archer, P. Geo, a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, and the President and CEO of the Company, has reviewed, verified and approved for disclosure the technical information contained in this news release. About Newrange Gold Corp. Newrange is focused on district-scale exploration for precious metals in favorable jurisdictions including Nevada and Ontario. The Company's Pamlico Project in Nevada contains a large-scale multi-phase polymetallic mineralizing system with multiple gold and copper targets spread over more than 5,700 hectares. In the prolific Red Lake District of northwestern Ontario, the past-producing high-grade Argosy Gold Mine is open to depth, while the adjacent North Birch Project offers additional blue-sky potential. Focused on developing shareholder value through exploration and development of key projects, the Company is committed to building sustainable value for all stakeholders. Further information can be found on our website at www.newrangegold.com. Signed: "Robert Archer"

President & CEO FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Sharon Fleming Dave Cross

Corporate Communications Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary

Phone: 760-898-9129 Phone: 604-669-0868

Email: info@newrangegold.com Email: dcross@crossdavis.com Website: www.newrangegold.com Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-Looking Statement: Some of the statements in this news release contain forward-looking information that involves inherent risk and uncertainty affecting the business of Newrange Gold Corp. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements. About CM-Equity AG: CM-Equity is a Munich-based licensed and regulated financial institution according to 15 WpIG. CM-Equity AG is a global financial institution providing services in the field of capital markets, corporate finance & traditional and digital asset management. The company is active in international proprietary trading and liquidity services. For more information: Visit: https://cm-equity.de/ | https://cm-equity.de/liquidity-services/ Contact: info@cm-equity.de

11.01.2022 Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by DGAP - a service of EQS Group AG.

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.



The DGAP Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases.

Archive at www.dgap.de


VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / January 11, 2022 / St. Anthony Gold Corp. ("St. Anthony" or the "Company") (CSE:STAG)(Frankfurt:M1N)(OTC PINK:MTEHF) is pleased to share 2021 wrap-up highlights on both the Company properties in northern Ontario, one of Canada's most prolific mining jurisdictions.

"Exploration activities throughout 2021 were difficult due to Covid-19 restrictions, nonetheless the Company completed 50% of Phase 1 drilling at the St. Anthony Gold Property with exceptional VG showings in all drill holes as previously announced in our news releases. Magabra Resources, the operator and their team at the property did a tremendous job regardless of the onerous times. The Company and Magabra together will be moving forward on the Phase 2 next drill program in 2022 with a goal to increasing the 30% interest in the gold claims to 65%. The Company also earned a 50% interest in 2021 at the Panama Lake property from Benton Resources from our first exploration drill program. There was an immediate focus on the Company's adjacent claims at Panama Lake when Kenoraland Minerals Ltd. optioned its project to Barrick Gold Corp. However; the December 8, 2021 offer by Kinross Gold Corporation to acquire 100% of Great Bear Resources Ltd. for $1.8 billion has again brought major attention to Canada's prolific mining jurisdiction of Northwestern Ontario where both St. Anthony Gold Corp. claims call home. Finally, we closed out the year with our annual general meeting and all resolutions were approved and our board continues their objectives to build value for our shareholders. 2022 is looking to be our best year yet! " concluded Peter Wilson, CEO, St. Anthony Gold Corp.

St. Anthony Gold Claims New Data Compilation Further Enhances Mineral Potential

The Company and Magabra Resources has completed a compilation of historical production from Ontario Department of Mines annual publications that indicates significant resources (non 43-101 compliant) were outlined but never mined between 1905 and 1941 on its St. Anthony Gold Mine property. In addition, a recent publication by the Metal Earth Project, under the Mineral Exploration Research Centre of Laurentian University, provided some structural insights into to the NE trending mineralization associated with the St. Anthony Mine.

"This new data continues to confirm our base case for the St. Anthony Gold Mine property - that there exists a significant ore body that has remained undiscovered and undeveloped. I believe that the enhanced results our geological team are developing will make St. Anthony one of the marquee projects in Ontario. We are ready to complete the 5000m Phase 1 drill program and looking forward to immediately move to the next 10,000m with the financial backing of St. Anthony Gold Corp. and Peter," stated Perry Heatherington, CEO, Magabra Resources.

A review of the historical Ontario Department of Mines is currently under further review. Based upon these reports, it appears some "historical resource" was blocked out (1905-1941) but never mined. For example, the 1940 ODM Annual Report indicates 70,000 tons of ore was defined and mined in 1941. Another 140,000 tons of probable ore was defined but not processed (shutdown in Jan. 1942).

Previous operator Aubet Resources had access to St. Anthony's mine plans and section, and concluded, "If conditions encountered above the 750ft level persist to depth, and there is no technical data available to support or negate this premise, it is possible that about 250,000 tons of ore grading in the 0.20+ oz. Au/ton range will exist in the mine to the 1000ft Level. There is, in addition, no apparent reason that the ore system should not extend below a depth of 1000 feet."

The new geological publication, Number MERC-ME-2021-62, released in July 2021, highlighted the importance of late structural events because they may provide insights on regional exploration targets for precious metals in shear zones. These may have significant importance to the NE trending mineralization associated with the Couture Zone corridor and the parallel Lucky Bones corridor, which their lithological and structural implications.

Panama Lake Property 50% Earned Interest Update

The Company executed an option agreement with Benton Resources Inc. in 2019 in which the Company had the option to earn up to a 100% interest in Benton's Panama Lake gold project located in the Red Lake Mining district, Ontario in the vicinity of the recent and significant Dixie gold discovery of Great Bear Resources Ltd. St. Anthony may earn a 100% interest in the property in a three-stage process by fulfilling various cash (or shares) payments and work commitment obligations. The Company earned its initial 50% interest and has made the required $100,000 payment (cash or shares) by issuing to Benton 808,375 St. Anthony common shares to vest at the 50% interest level. The exploration on the property in the fall of 2019 and summer of 2020 qualified the Company for the work commitment and obligations to Benton in the signed option agreement. The Company has the option to own the balance of the property or 100% ownership of the entire Panama Lake property subject to a 2% royalty under standard industry terms.

Allen J. Raoul obtained his B.Sc. in Geology from Mount Allison University, Sackville, New Brunswick, and is a Registered Professional Geologist in Ontario and a Qualified Person under NI 43-101. He has reviewed and approved the technical contents of this news release

About St. Anthony Gold Corp.

St. Anthony Gold Corp., a Canadian-based mineral exploration corporation, is focused on identifying and advancing high-value mineral properties.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION SEE THE COMPANY'S WEBSITE AT

https://stanthonygoldcorp.com Email to info@stanthonygoldcorp.com

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Certain statements contained in this release may constitute "forward-looking statements" or "forward-looking information" (collectively "forward-looking information") as those terms are used in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and similar Canadian laws. These statements relate to future events or future performance. The use of any of the words "could", "intend", "expect", "believe", "will", "projected", "estimated", "anticipates" and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on the Company's current belief or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. Actual future results may differ materially. In particular, this release contains forward-looking information relating to the business of the Company, its financing and certain corporate changes. The forward-looking information contained in this release is made as of the date hereof and the Company is not obligated to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. Because of the risks, uncertainties and assumptions contained herein, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The foregoing statements expressly qualify any forward-looking information contained herein.

SOURCE: St. Anthony Gold Corp.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/681633/St-Anthony-Gold-Corp-2021-Wrap-Up-Highlights-Annual-General-Meeting-Executed
THE WOODLANDS, TX / ACCESSWIRE / January 11, 2022 / SPYR, Inc. dba SPYR Technologies (OTCQB:SPYR), a technology company whose subsidiary, Applied Magix, Inc., develops and resells Apple ecosystem compatible products in the growing multi-billion-dollar IoT Smart Home and Connected Car markets, announced today that its marketing campaign, which consists of both 30 and 60 second TV Commercials, will air in additional markets to further broaden viewership.

TVA Media Group (TVA) and BB3 Advertising have started a dynamic TV ad campaign for MagixDrive, Applied Magix's wireless CarPlay device. TVA Media Group (TVA) began the campaign by placing "test airings" of the commercials on different channels and timeslots during the week of December 27, 2021. Based upon the channels and the time of day that the commercials aired, TVA estimates that the commercials were seen by more than one million viewers. These initial airings served as a test to determine specific interest from different demographic groups. After analyzing this data, a strategic broadcast strategy was created.

The MagixDrive campaign has begun to move into its next phase by increasing the frequency of aired ads and continuing to focus on those audiences that best fit the demographic profile of a "perfect customer" and expanding it to those who fit within a broader profile of interest.

Dr. Harald Zink, CEO of Applied Magix, enthusiastically commented, "We continue to enjoy working with such talented and experienced organizations like TVA and BB3. This has turned out to be an extremely valuable partnership. With their help, we have created an exciting advertising campaign that we exepect to be a success."

Viewers will be able to order MagixDrive via a dedicated landing page at www.GetMagixDrive.com and toll free at 800-714-8037.

The Company's MagixDrive is currently available at the Applied Magix website: https://appliedmagix.com/shop/

About TVA Media Group

TVA has a 34-year history of creating successful productions and media campaigns for Fortune 500s, startups, non-profits, and government agencies worldwide. Clients include 6 Flags, Ajinomoto, Best Buy, Canon, Cessna, Epson, Jacuzzi, Jenny Craig, Lexus, Marriott, MasterCard, Sitelock, Sony, StreetStrider, Teradata, Ubisoft, Universal Studios, Verizon, and Viking Cruises.

TVA has an A+ rating with the BBB, Class 1 D&B credit rating, hundreds of client references and case studies covering 40 categories; and has won every major award in advertising, DRTV and PR. See https://www.tvamediagroup.com.

About BB3 Advertising

As a boutique agency, BB3 replaces the inflexibility and bureaucracy of a big agency with efficiency and personal service. Their team possesses unparalleled knowledge and experience in the industry, and they are constantly evolving as the media landscape evolves. Learn more about BB3 Advertising at www.BB3advertising.com

About SPYR Technologies

SPYR Technologies (SPYR) is a technology company that through its subsidiary, Applied Magix Inc., develops and resells Apple ecosystem compatible products with an emphasis on the growing multi-billion-dollar IoT Smart Home and Connected Car markets. SPYR continues to identify and target acquisitions that will grow its footprint in the industry and expand the products it offers consumers, including companies developing artificial intelligence (AI) and smart-technology products.

Investors can learn more about SPYR and AppliedMagix at: https://ir.spyr.com/.

Safe Harbor Statement

This release contains forward-looking statements that are based upon current expectations or beliefs, as well as a number of assumptions about future events. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements and the assumptions upon which they are based are reasonable, we can give no assurance or guarantee that such expectations and assumptions will prove to have been correct. Forward-looking statements are generally identifiable by the use of words like "may," "will," "should," "could," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "believe," "intend," or "project" or the negative of these words or other variations on these words or comparable terminology. The reader is cautioned not to put undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, as these statements are subject to numerous factors and uncertainties, including but not limited to: adverse economic conditions, competition, adverse federal, state and local government regulation, international governmental regulation, inadequate capital, inability to carry out research, development and commercialization plans, loss or retirement of key executives and other specific risks. To the extent that statements in this press release are not strictly historical, including statements as to revenue projections, business strategy, outlook, objectives, future milestones, plans, intentions, goals, future financial conditions, events conditioned on stockholder or other approval, or otherwise as to future events, such statements are forward-looking, and are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The forward-looking statements contained in this release are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the statements made. Readers are advised to review our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission that can be accessed over the Internet at the SEC's website https://www.sec.gov, as well as SPYR's website https://www.spyr.com, and SPYR's Twitter account https://twitter.com/spyrinc.

CONTACT:

(303) 991-8000

ir@spyr.com



SOURCE: SPYR, Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/681975/SPYR-Technologies-Expands-Marketing-Campaign-for-Applied-Magixs-MagixDrive
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 11, 2022) - American CuMo Mining Corporation (TSXV: MLY) (OTC Pink: MLYCF) ("CuMoCo" or the "Company") wishes to announce additions to the management team of its majority owned subsidiary, International CuMo Mining Corporation (ICMC).

The incoming team, which brings together many decades of experience in the financing, permitting, and engineering of mineral assets, has a mandate to advance the CuMo Project to pre-feasibility in the most expedient manner possible. Members of the team include:

Steven Rudofsky, appointed CEO, began his career at Glencore, the world's largest trader of minerals and metals. He subsequently served as CEO of TransCanada Pipeline Europe Ltd. (now TC Energy Corp) and held senior positions at Credit Agricole CIB and Alfa Group of Russia. He is a principal of Talex Commodities Capital Ltd., a boutique merchant bank focused on mining and natural resources. He is a graduate of Clark University and Emory University School of Law and is a member of the New York Bar.

Andrew Brodkey, appointed COO, brings 30+ years of experience in the mining industry as a CEO, and in senior legal and business development roles with major mining houses and junior companies. He is a mining engineer and lawyer, and started his career in the industry as VP, General Counsel with Magma Copper Co. (NYSE-traded spin off from Newmont Mining) and later as VP, Business Development for BHP Copper after the friendly merger with BHP Billiton, the world's largest mining enterprise. He later founded the International Mining and Metals Group of CB Richard Ellis, a boutique M&A practice with major mining clients, and thereafter was the CEO of four publicly traded junior explorers. He is currently an expert consultant on mining M&A, technical, valuation, development, legal and operational issues, and an expert witness in mining-related disputes. He graduated with a BS in Mining Engineering (with distinction) from the University of Arizona, and a J.D. cum laude from Creighton University.

Robert Scannell, appointed CFO, is the founder of Tradewinds Investment Mgmt, LP, a hedge fund focused on emerging markets and natural resources. He has served as a director of numerous public and private companies, and previously held roles in institutional sales at Merrill Lynch & Co. He holds a BA & MBA from Penn State University, a JD from Purdue University, and is a Chartered Financial Analyst.

In addition, two highly experienced consultants have also joined the CuMo team:

John E. Hiner, Senior Geological Consultant is an expert professional geologist and Qualified Person (QP) with over 40 years in the minerals business. He has vast experience in resource exploration, definition, acquisition, development, feasibility, operations, and expert technical work as a QP for Canadian NI-43-101 Reports for numerous client projects in a variety of metals and minerals. In private industry he has held senior Geologist positions with major companies such as Phillips Petroleum, and with Queenstake Resources, Westmont Gold, NICOR Resources, and Champion Resources. Mr. Hiner founded and ran Lithium Corp. in 2009. He holds a BS and MS in geology from San Diego State University and the University of Nevada-Reno, respectively.

John R. Hedges, Senior Metallurgical and Development Consultant is a professional geologist, mineral economist, and mining executive with over 45 years' experience in natural resources valuation, project acquisition, financing, technical, tax, structuring, project planning and development, and operational issues. He has been a senior executive for mining and resource companies in roles such as VP Exploration., and VP Finance & Project Development. He started his career as a Mining Analyst for the Canadian EDC corporation and has worked with many international banks on issues such as structured finance, M&A, and debt restructuring. During his time with the EDC, he participated in the financing of most of world's copper development projects from 1980 through 1990. He holds a B.S. (Geology) from Concordia University, and a Dipl. (Mineral Economics) from McGill University.

Mr. Shaun M. Dykes, M.Sc. (Eng), P.Geo., President and CEO of American CuMo Mining Corporation, is the designated qualified person for the CuMo and Bleiberg Projects and has prepared the technical information contained in this news release.

About American CuMo Mining

CuMoCo is focused on advancing its CuMo Project towards feasibility. Management is continuing to build an even stronger foundation from which to move the Company and its projects forward. For more information, please visit www.cumoco.com, www.idahocumo.com and www.cumoproject.com.

For further information, please contact:

American CuMo Mining Corporation

Shaun Dykes, President and Chief Executive Officer

Tel: (604) 689-7902

Email: info@cumoco.com

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this new release.

Cautionary statement regarding forward-looking information

This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation including, but not limited to, statements that address activities, events or developments that the Company expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future, such the Company's ability to move its CuMo Project to feasibility and production, and to become one of the largest and lowest-cost molybdenum producers in the world as well as a significant producer of copper and silver. Forward-looking information is based on a number of material factors and assumptions, including the result of exploration activities, the ability of the Company to raise the financing for a feasibility study and to put the CuMo project into production, that no labour shortages or delays are experienced, that plant and equipment function as specified that the Court will not intervene with the Company's proposed exploration activities at the CuMo Project, and the ability of the Company to obtain all requisite permits and licenses to advance the CuMo Project and eventually bring it into production. Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, future events, conditions, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future prediction, projection or forecast expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Such factors include, among others, the interpretation and actual results of current exploration activities; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; future prices of molybdenum, silver and copper; possible variations in grade or recovery rates; labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry; delays in obtaining governmental approvals or financing, as well as those factors disclosed in the Company's publicly filed documents, including the Company's Management's Discussion and Analysis for the period ended September 30, 2021. There may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking information.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/109589
Phoenix, Arizona--(Newsfile Corp. - January 11, 2022) - The Stock Day Podcast welcomed Upstryve, Inc. (OTC Pink: PBYA) ("the Company"), an international education, training, and career advancement company with a focus on vocational and skilled trades headquartered in Southern Florida. CEO of the Company, Noah Davis, joined Stock Day host Everett Jolly to discuss the potential of an uplist for the Company and recent progress with the NFT series announced in their December 6th press release.

Jolly began the interview by asking about the Company's background and current projects. "ProBility Media was essentially formed in 2016 with a combination of skilled trade companies that were acquired," explained Davis, adding that in 2018 the Company shifted their focus to the most profitable of these acquisitions.

"We positioned ourselves to be in the right place at the right time when online learning became a necessity with COVID," stated Noah Davis "We are a very rare commodity in that we have strong growing revenues. We have profits, we're on the OTC, and our aspirations are much higher."

When asked what the Company is doing to create shareholder value, Davis responded, "We have very consistent revenue. The best way we can create value is to put ourselves in a better exchange."

"We have a lot of interest from larger investors," added Davis. "In order to get those dollars, we need to be fully reporting, we need to go through an audit, and file an S1 in order to become fully compliant. That's going to be our focus and that's going to be what we're working on over the next few months."

"We are currently working on our name change, which we announced a while back, from ProBility to Upstyrve," said Davis. "We're going to continue to deliver results operationally from the company. We're one of the only companies in our space focused on it."

"Could you give us an insight about how management feels about the perception of the market?" asked Jolly.

"We made it very clear back in June and July that we were cleaning up our balance sheet," shared Davis, noting that the Company previously held significant convertible debt. "Naturally, there is going to be some dilution but the majority of the shares are now with management."

The conversation then turned to a recent press release detailing the Company's creation of the first NFT (non-fungible token) series for the trade industry. "We're providing utility to our NFTs, which means that we are going to provide access to different things; we're running conferences and providing business insight on career advancement and wealth," explained Davis. "We have a big conference coming up at the end of the month with a lot of industry influencers and attendees. It is very exciting and we will be launching our NFTs shortly thereafter."

To close the interview, Davis encouraged listeners and shareholders to consider the potential of the Company as they continue to grow and generate strong revenues.

To hear the entire interview with Noah Davis, follow the link to the podcast here: https://audioboom.com/posts/8010795-upstryve-inc-discusses-potential-uplisting-and-new-nft-series-with-the-stock-day-podcast

Investors Hangout is a proud sponsor of "Stock Day," and Stock Day Media encourages listeners to visit the company's message board at https://investorshangout.com/

About Upstryve Inc., formerly ProBility Media Corp.

Upstryve is an international education, training, and career advancement company with a focus on vocational and skilled trades headquartered in Southern Florida. Upstryve owns four brands which include Upstryve, One Exam Prep, North American Crane Bureau Group and Disco Learning Media.

As a combined group of companies, Upstryve owns over 500 test prep courses, 600 self-study books and teaches over 1,000 annual virtual classes through One Exam Prep. It conducts over 400 safety programs through North American Crane Bureau with numerous Fortune 500 clients such as Tesla, Alcoa , General Electric , Lockheed Martin , IBM , U.S. Steel, Flour , Los Alamos National Labs, United States Navy and Air Force and many more. Through Disco Learning Media, specializes in eCourse development, program management, and consulting for companies such as Itron , The University of Texas, the State of Texas K-12 schools and many more organizations.

Upstryve is the only tutoring platform dedicated to providing aspiring trade professionals an affordable all-encompassing learning experience. Upstryve provides 1 on 1 contractor license exam preparation for professionals to confidently pass their state or national exams and obtain their contractor license. One Exam Prep provides licensing assistance and online test preparation for contractors throughout the United States. North American Crane Bureau Group (NACB) conducts over 400 safety programs each year all over the world for safety, rigging and crane training. NACB holds a federal accreditation under 29CFR part 1919, Cal/OSHA accreditation under Title 8, and is recognized by several states entities as being qualified to conduct lift equipment inspection / certification and / or operator training. Disco Learning Media specializes in eCourse development, program management and consulting for learning experiences. For more information, visit www.upstryve.com/investors.

Forward-Looking Statements

This Press Release may contain certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements reflect the Company's current beliefs and are based upon information currently available to it. Accordingly, such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which could cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by such statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or advise in the event of any change, addition or alteration to the information included in this Press Release including such forward-looking statements, except as required by federal securities laws.

This press release is not a prospectus or other offering document under U.S. law or under any other law. It has been prepared for information purposes only. Nothing contained herein should be construed as an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any security.

About The "Stock Day" Podcast

Founded in 2013, Stock Day is the fastest growing media outlet for Nano-Cap and Micro-Cap companies. It educates investors while simultaneously working with penny stock and OTC companies, providing transparency and clarification of under-valued, under-sold Micro-Cap stocks of the market. Stock Day provides companies with customized solutions to their news distribution in both national and international media outlets. The Stock Day Podcast is the number one radio show of its kind in America.

SOURCE:

Stock Day Media

(602) 821-1102

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/109663
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / January 11, 2022 / Pampa Metals Corp. ("Pampa Metals" or the "Company") (CSE:PM)(FSE:FIRA)(OTCQX:PMMCF) is pleased to announce that its partner, Austral Gold Limited ("Austral") (ASX:AGD)(TSXV:AGLD), has commenced the first phase of a drilling program at Pampa Metals' Morros Blancos project located in the Paleocene Mineral Belt in northern Chile, close to Austral's operating Guanaco/Amancaya mining complex.

The drilling program is pursuant to the option agreement (the "Agreement") between Pampa Metals and Austral as announced on July 28, 2021. The Agreement entitles Austral to acquire up to an 80% interest in the Company's Morros Blancos and Cerro Blanco properties, which comprise ~7,300 and ~6,500 hectares, respectively. Since signing the Agreement in late July 2021, Austral has incurred ~US$0.5 million in exploration expenditure on both properties. To acquire the first 60% interest in both properties, exploration expenses of US$1M must be incurred in year 1 and US$2M in year 2 of the Agreement.

Morros Blancos Drilling Program

The first phase of drilling activities will involve approximately 2,000m of diamond drilling (DD) in 5 holes at the Rosario del Alto target in the north of the Morros Blancos property. The targeting process from a semi-regional exploration program was based on the definition of a structural framework and remote sensing processes. Three prospective areas were identified at the intersection of first order NE-striking and NW-striking thick skinned fault zones, together with a 15 km x 3 km NE-oriented favorable hydrothermal alteration corridor.

Target delineation has been completed at the first prospective area named Rosario del Alto, where key elements of a high-sulphidation system have been field validated, including four maar-diatreme structures, multiplicity of phreatomagmatic breccias extending over an area of ~2 km x 1 km, and a preserved structural block based on shallow volcanic features and high-level hydrothermal alteration.

Systematic surface geochemical prospecting at Rosario del Alto with 297 rock chip samples and over 450 spectrometry measurements has validated extensive advanced argillic alteration (~4 km x 3 km) with preserved shallow levels of erosion. Low Au values were detected, which correspond with the exposure level of the system. A pathfinder geochemical anomaly is concentrated on the central zone and is apparently controlled by the border of a suggested volcanic crater.

Newly acquired high-resolution ground magnetic data collected on 38 north-south oriented lines (100 m spacing) is being processed by an external consultant. Preliminary results show demagnetized areas, presumably due to an acidic hydrothermal alteration system with spatially matching phreatomagmatic features. Five east-west oriented CSAMT lines (totalling 12 km) were surveyed over favorably altered centers and confirmed subvertical cone-shaped resistors over 10,000 ohms/m in 1D and 2D inversions.

Location Map & Schematic Geology of the Rosario del Alto Target at Morros Blancos

Julian Bavin, CEO of Pampa Metals, commented: "We are excited to see another project in Pampa Metals' portfolio being drill tested to bring in the new year. Austral is focused on exploring the gold and silver potential at Morros Blancos and their work to date has demonstrated the presence of a possibly mineralised high-sulphidation system with many attractive exploration characteristics. We look forward to the results of the drilling over the coming weeks."

ABOUT PAMPA METALS

Pampa Metals is a Canadian company listed on the Canadian Stock Exchange (CSE: PM) as well as the Frankfurt (FSE: FIRA) and OTC (OTCQB: PMMCF) exchanges. Pampa Metals owns a highly prospective 62,000-hectare portfolio of eight projects for copper and gold located along proven mineral belts in Chile, one of the world's top mining jurisdictions. The Company has a vision to create value for shareholders and all other stakeholders by making a major copper discovery along the prime mineral belts of Chile, using the best geological and technological methods. For more information, please visit Pampa Metals' website www.pampametals.com .

Qualified Person

Technical information in this news release has been approved by Mario Orrego G, Geologist and a Registered Member of the Chilean Mining Commission and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Orrego is a consultant to the Company.

Note: The reader is cautioned that Pampa Metals' projects are early-stage exploration projects and reference to existing mines and deposits, or mineralization hosted on adjacent or nearby properties, is not necessarily indicative of any mineralization on Pampa Metals' properties.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

Julian Bavin | CEO & Director

www.pampametals.com

INVESTOR CONTACT

Ioannis (Yannis) Tsitos | Director

investors@pampametals.com

The CSE nor the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release contains certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this release, other than statements of historical fact, that address events or developments that Pampa Metals expects to occur, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "potential", "indicate" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could" or "should" occur. Although Pampa Metals believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guaranteeing of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements.

SOURCE: Pampa Metals Corp.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/681964/Austral-Gold-Commences-Drill-Program-at-Pampa-Metals-Morros-Blancos-Project-in-Chile
MANILA, PHILIPPINES / ACCESSWIRE / January 11, 2022 / CryptoSX Digital Asset Exchange proudly announces the debut trading of the world's largest STO, Dignity Corp. native token, DIGau on CryptoSX today. US-Based Dignity Corp. has secured $20 Billion in additional gold, silver, platinum and rare earth elements mining reserves along with mill processing operations. On-site mill facilities have been restored and refurbished with a new investment of $2.0MM. A planned upgrade, adding state-of-the-art mechanical metals separation equipment and centrifuges, along with additional eco-friendly resource recovery techniques is scheduled after the initial 90-day operations that commenced this month.

"DIGau will be the gold standard in asset backed security token offering. The Company and management team is totally committed to using security tokens to unlock values and new ways of investing in US precious metals, mining and mineral sectors, benefiting investors globally." CryptoSX CEO, Philip Tam explained excitedly. "We see a large following of Dignity Corp from continental Europe who have been waiting patiently for the listing and trading of DIGau. Let the party begin as we welcome all the existing token holders and those looking to join us on this exciting journey."

Dignity Corp. is a blockchain development company that relies on a regulation-forward approach and security tokens to unlock new ways of investing in United States' precious metals, mining, and minerals sector.

"We're excited to list the DIGau token on CryptoSX and expand access to the gold reserves-backed security that already has a strong base of investor interest," said Kent M. Swig, Chairman of Dignity Corporation. "DIGau offers the simplest path for a wide variety of investors to benefit from opportunities in the United States precious metals, mining and minerals sector. DIGau's unique value lies in the way it combines gold reserves backing, the actual mining of the metals, and the creation of a fund in which the token holders may share in the profits, all registered and regulated in the United States."

The initial DIGau tokens were issued under exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act provided by Rule 506(c) of Regulation D and Regulation S under the Securities Act. They are "restricted securities" as defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act. Additional tokens may be issued to other groups of token holders going forward as they pass the same stringent KYC / AML, suitability, and documentation processes.

About Dignity Gold, LLC

Founded in 2019 by Stephen Braverman and Kent M. Swig, Dignity Gold is the parent company of Dignity Corp. which intends to issue the Dignity token using the ticker DIGau backed by gold deposits located in the United States.

Media Contact:

Jonathan Zaback

Impact Partners

jzaback@impactpartners.llc

About Cryptosx

With the empowerment of world-leading technologies, Cryptosx has built a cutting-edge platform for Security Token Offerings (STOs) backed by Fiat/Crypto conversion capabilities. Cryptosx is compliant with all of the applicable financial and virtual exchange policies and regulations of the Philippine Government under CEZA (Cagayan Economic Zone Authority) 'Rules on Digital Asset and Token Offerings' Supplement to CEZA Financial Technology Solutions and Offshore Virtual Currency Business Rules and Regulations of 2018 ('CEZAFTSOVCBRR of 2018'). CryptoSX was awarded a Full Principal License by CEZA in 2018.

For more information, please visit: www.cryptosx.io and philip@cryptosx.io.

Cautionary Statement

No securities regulatory authority, digital assets securities exchange or stock exchange has approved or disapproved of the information contained in this news release or accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This material contains 'forward looking statements' within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. We undertake no obligation to revise these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that arise after the posting of this material and in no way guarantees the accuracy of this information at any time in the future.

SOURCE: CryptoSX

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/682033/The-US6-Billion-Asset-Backed-Security-Token-DIGau-Started-Trading-on-CryptoSX-Today
RAIPUR, India, Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Stratview Research announces the launch of a new market research report on Military Platform Electro-Optics Market by Platform Type (Airborne Electro-Optics [Military Helicopters, Military Aircraft, and Military UAV], Land Electro-Optics, and Naval Electro-Optics), by Product Type (Multispectral and Hyperspectral), and by Region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World), Trend, Forecast, Competitive Analysis, and Growth Opportunity: 2022-2027.

This strategic assessment report, from Stratview Research, provides a comprehensive analysis that reflects today's military platform electro-optics market realities and future market possibilities for the forecast period of 2022 to 2027. The report segments and analyzes the market in the most detailed manner to provide a panoramic view of the market. The vital data/information provided in the report can play a crucial role for the market participants as well as investors in the identification of low-hanging fruits available in the market as well as formulate growth strategies.

Military Platform Electro-Optics Market: Highlights

Electro-optics are largely used for military applications on different platforms. These systems include both, visible and IR sensors, and provide situational awareness during day as well as night. These systems are largely utilized by military forces for imaging, targeting, and surveillance applications and improve situational awareness during day-night and low-light conditions. Image stabilization and long-range imaging capabilities are two key elements of these systems. These systems are usually installed on military vehicles, aircraft, ships, and UAVs and their usage is primarily focused on target recognition, tracking mobile targets, surveillance, and imaging, even over great distances and in adverse weather conditions. These advanced systems provide the advantage of stabilized panoramic viewing and targeting. The platform remains one of the key application areas of electro-optics as a whole and captures over 40% of the total electro-optical system market.

Unlike other markets and industries, military/defense was relatively untouched by the pandemic. There were some temporary hiccups in the electro-optical system production mainly due to the supply chain sabotage but the year 2020 remained intact with good demand overall. Increasing military expenditure, especially in the major countries, is rendering a positive impact despite the COVID-19 tsunami in the ecosystem. Even the long-term market perspective seems fruitful with good growth opportunities for the market participants. The market is estimated to grow at a healthy CAGR of 4.1% to reach a value of US$ 5.2 billion by 2027.

Click Here and Run Through the Detailed TOC of the Report: https://www.stratviewresearch.com/toc/2474/military-platform-electro-optics-market.html

Based on the platform type, the military platform electro-optics is bifurcated as airborne electro-optics, land electro-optics, and naval electro-optics. In 2021, airborne platforms contributed to a major market share of the market due to the growing usage of electro-optics in UAVs for tracking, surveillance, reconnaissance, and search and rescue. During the projection period, the land platform is expected to grow at a faster pace as compared to the naval platform. Rising geopolitical index across regions in the wake of growing terror threats, territorial conflicts, and border concerns compelled the governments to pay greater attention to surveillance, threat detection, and target identification.

Based on the product type, multispectral electro-optics occupy a lion's share of the market. The multispectral systems commonly collect data from three to six spectral bands in a single observation, whereas the hyperspectral system collects data through several hundred spectral bands in a single acquisition. Such features make multispectral systems cost-effective. Due to their attributes, hyperspectral systems are expensive as they demand more technological advancements to produce more detailed spectral data, which gives rise to issues related to increased sensor and image costs along with data volumes and data-processing costs.

Register Here and Ask for a Free Sample on the Exclusive Report: https://www.stratviewresearch.com/Request-Sample/2474/military-platform-electro-optics-market.htmlform

In terms of regions, North America accounted for the largest market share of the market in the wake of huge expenditure on their overall military assets along with the presence of several major players. The USA remains the workhorse of the North American as well as global market. All the leading electro-optical system providers have a presence in the country to tap the huge market potential. Asia-Pacific, another noticeable region, is expected to witness the fastest growth in the coming five years. Over the years, major countries, such as China and India, have been increasing their military expenditure to solidify their capabilities. Technology advancements remain at the core of these countries.

Electro-optical systems are considered to be specialized products with the presence of limited players. Most of the major players are extremely diversified with the presence in other business segments. Following are the key players in the military platform electro-optics market:

L3Harris Technologies, Inc.

Raytheon Technologies Corporation

Lockheed Martin Corporation

Leonardo S.p.A.

Elbit Systems Ltd.

Thales Group

BAE Systems

Northrop Grumman

Safran Group

Teledyne FLIR LLC

Report Features

This report provides market intelligence in the most comprehensive way. The report structure has been kept such that it offers maximum business value. It provides critical insights on the market dynamics and will enable strategic decision making for the existing market players as well as those willing to enter the market. Following are the key features of the report:

Market structure: Overview, industry life cycle analysis, supply chain analysis.

Market environment analysis: Growth drivers and constraints, Porter's five forces analysis, SWOT analysis.

Market trend and forecast analysis.

Market segment trend and forecast.

Competitive landscape and dynamics: Market share, product portfolio, product launches, etc.

Attractive market segments and associated growth opportunities.

Emerging trends.

Strategic growth opportunities for the existing and new players.

Key success factors

This report studies the military platform electro-optics market and has segmented the market in three ways, keeping in mind the interest of all the stakeholders across the value chain. Following are the three ways in which the market is segmented:

Military Platform Electro-Optics Market, by Platform Type

Airborne Electro-Optics (Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW)

Military Helicopters (Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW)



Military Aircraft (Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW)



Military UAV (Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW)

Land Electro-Optics (Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW)

Naval Electro-Optics (Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW)

Military Platform Electro-Optics Market, by Product Type

Multispectral Electro-Optics (Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW)

Hyperspectral Electro-Optics (Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW)

Military Platform Electro-Optics Market, by Region

North America (Country Analysis: The USA , Canada , and Mexico )

Europe (Country Analysis: Germany , France , the UK, and Rest of Europe )

Asia-Pacific (Country Analysis: Japan , China , India , and Rest of Asia-Pacific )

Rest of the World (Country Analysis: Brazil , The UAE, and Others)

Stratview Research has number of high value market reports in the global aerospace & defense industry. Please refer to the following link to browse through our reports:

https://www.stratviewresearch.com/market-reports/Aerospace-Defense.html

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Robert Durst is escorted to his arraignment before District Justice Barbara A. Schlegel by Colonial Regional officers (left to right) Sgt. Roy Seiple ( hidden behind Durst, Patrolman Gary Hammer, and Officer Dean Benner on Nov. 30, 2001. Durst, a fugitive wanted in the murder of his neighbor in Texas at the time, was caught at a Northampton County Wegmans shoplifting a $6 hoagie. (The Morning Call file photo)

The strange saga of Robert Durst, the millionaire real estate heir who for decades was surrounded by suspicion of murder in the deaths of his wife and best friend, ended with his death Monday.

Durst, who has long faced numerous health issues, died in a state prison hospital facility in Stockton, California, from natural causes, his attorney Chip Lewis said.

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He had been serving a life sentence in the 2000 shooting death of writer Susan Berman, a longtime friend, which was the subject of the six-part HBO documentary series The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst. Prosecutors argued that Durst murdered her because she helped him cover up the murder of his wife, Kathie Durst, and was about to talk to investigators.

Kathie Durst, a 29-year-old medical student, went missing Jan. 31, 1982. Robert Durst was long suspected of killing her, and in November 2021 was indicted for second-degree murder in her death.

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But in 2001, Durst was involved in another case that put the Lehigh Valley in the national spotlight. Charged in Texas with the gruesome murder of a neighbor, Durst skipped bail, prompting a nationwide manhunt.

That manhunt ended when Durst, a 1965 graduate of Lehigh University, was nabbed for shoplifting a $6 hoagie, a Band-Aid and a newspaper at the Wegmans near Bethlehem. At the time, he had $500 in his pocket, police said.

Here is a look back at Morning Call coverage of the arrest and his time at Northampton County Prison before he was extradited back to Texas to stand trial. Tap on a headline to view the full story.

March 2015: Robert Durst offered to wire Northampton County Prison for cable TV during his stay
Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - January 11, 2022) - Hemostemix Inc. (TSXV: HEM) (OTCQB: HMTXF) (FSE: 2VFO) ("Hemostemix" or the "Company") is pleased to announce it has signed a contract with Dr. James Shapiro, University of Alberta, Edmonton and will complete a transfer ACP-01 to Dr. Shapiro's laboratory. The combination of ACP-01, an autologous angiogenic cell precursor that has demonstrated improvement of angiogenesis in the heart and limbs of individuals who suffer from ischemia, and cell transplants from human islets or stem cells, hold huge promise in the treatment of diabetes. Following technology transfer, the team will create a new product by combining the two formulations, beginning with human islets. Thereafter, the team will complete preclinical studies to demonstrate the product's characteristics in vivo, with a plan to move forward with first-in-human testing.

Professor James Shapiro led the clinical team with the "Edmonton Protocol" islet transplant success, and was lead author of the 2000 New England Journal of Medicine ("NEJM") study. He was the principal investigator of an international trial that replicated the Edmonton protocol study success, which was published in the NEJM in 2006. As principal investigator on several international islet transplant trial grants, Dr. Shapiro has brought in more than $85 million in grant and philanthropic support through the U of A for work on islet transplantation. He has been the recipient of multiple awards, including the Hunterian Medal from the Royal College of Surgeons of England, the Gold Medal in Surgery from the Governor General of Canada, Physician of the Century, and was named one of Nature Biotechnology's most remarkable and influential personalities. He was elected Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada in 2012, and was recently appointed as the Department of Surgery's first Canada Research Council's Chair in Transplantation Surgery and Regenerative Medicine.



Professor Shapiro is a busy clinical hepatobiliary and pancreatic oncology and transplant surgeon, and also maintains an active immunology/transplant research laboratory. His group is actively researching personalized medicine approaches to pancreatic and other hepatobiliary cancers, with generation of human tumor transplantation in immunodeficient mouse models, using a novel pre-vascularized subcutaneous implantation site model.

"I am particularly excited about the potential of ACP-01 to improve early engraftment, survival and function of transplanted human islets and stem cell products, and we are poised to explore this potential," said Dr. Shapiro. "We believe that improving cell survival is key to improving short-term and long-term cell transplant function in our diabetes trials, as we look ahead to future cell therapy treatments that could one day reverse diabetes in the 450 million suffers worldwide," he said.

"In facilitating islet cell survival and mitigating local inflammation and autoimmunity, angiogenic cell precursor (ACP) technology will help to surmount two major obstacles to more widespread adoption of islet cell transplantation for treatment of type 1 diabetes," said Dr. Fraser Henderson, CMO. "In addition, we anticipate salutary effects of ACP upon microvasculature in general and renal function in particular," he said.

"This is the first of many such new developments Hemostemix will introduce to the market in 2022. In part, this demonstrates the hidden value of Hemostemix as a stem cell platform technology company," said Thomas Smeenk, CEO.

ABOUT HEMOSTEMIX

Hemostemix is a publicly traded autologous stem cell therapy company, founded in 2003. A winner of the World Economic Forum Technology Pioneer Award, the Company developed and has published seven peer reviewed articles about the safety and efficacy of its lead product ACP-01 for the treatment of CLI, PAD, Angina, Ischemic Cardiomyopathy and Dilated Cardiomyopathy. ACP-01 has been used to treat over 300 patients. ACP-01 is the subject of a randomized, placebo-controlled, double blind trial of its safety and efficacy in patients with advanced critical limb ischemia who have exhausted all other options to save their limb from amputation.

On October 21, 2019, the Company announced the results from its Phase II CLI trial abstract presentation entitled "Autologous Stem Cell Treatment for CLI Patients with No Revascularization Options: An Update of the Hemostemix ACP-01 Trial With 4.5 Year Follow-up" which noted healing of ulcers and resolution of ischemic rest pain occurred in 83% of patients, with outcomes maintained for up to 4.5 years.

The Company owns 91 patents across five patent families titled: Regulating Stem Cells, In Vitro Techniques for use with Stem Cells, Production from Blood of Cells of Neural Lineage, and Automated Cell Therapy. For more information, please visit www.hemostemix.com.

For further information, please contact:

Contact: Thomas Smeenk, President, CEO & Co-Founder

TSmeenk@Hemostemix.com 905-580-4170

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as that term is defined under the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Information: This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein are forward-looking information. In particular, this news release contains forward-looking information in relation to: the commercialization of ACP-01 in combination with other therapeutics. There can be no assurance that such forward-looking information will prove to be accurate. Actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking information. This forward-looking information reflects Hemostemix's current beliefs and is based on information currently available to Hemostemix and on assumptions Hemostemix believes are reasonable. These assumptions include, but are not limited to: the underlying value of Hemostemix and its Common Shares; the successful resolution of the litigation that Hemostemix is pursuing or defending (the "Litigation"); the results of ACP-01 research, trials, studies and analyses, including the analysis being equivalent to or better than previous research, trials or studies as well as management's expectations of anticipated results; Hemostemix's general and administrative costs remaining constant; the receipt of all required regulatory approvals for research, trials or studies; the level of activity, market acceptance and market trends in the healthcare sector; the economy generally; consumer interest in Hemostemix's services and products; competition and Hemostemix's competitive advantages; and Hemostemix obtaining satisfactory financing to fund Hemostemix's operations including any research, trials or studies, and the Litigation. Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of Hemostemix to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such risks and other factors may include, but are not limited to: the ability of Hemostemix to complete its current CLI clinical trial, complete a satisfactory analyses and the results of such analyses and future clinical trials; litigation and potential litigation that Hemostemix may face; general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; general capital market conditions and market prices for securities; delay or failure to receive board or regulatory approvals; the actual results of future operations including the actual results of future research, trials or studies; competition; changes in legislation affecting Hemostemix; the timing and availability of external financing on acceptable terms; long-term capital requirements and future developments in Hemostemix's markets and the markets in which it expects to compete; lack of qualified, skilled labour or loss of key individuals; and risks related to the COVID-19 pandemic including various recommendations, orders and measures of governmental authorities to try to limit the pandemic, including travel restrictions, border closures, non-essential business closures, service disruptions, quarantines, self-isolations, shelters-in-place and social distancing, disruptions to markets, disruptions to economic activity and financings, disruptions to supply chains and sales channels, and a deterioration of general economic conditions including a possible national or global recession or depression; the potential impact that the COVID-19 pandemic may have on Hemostemix which may include a decreased demand for the services that Hemostemix offers; and a deterioration of financial markets that could limit Hemostemix's ability to obtain external financing. A description of additional risk factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from forward-looking information can be found in Hemostemix's disclosure documents on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com. Although Hemostemix has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. Readers are further cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which they are placed will occur. Forward-looking information contained in this news release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking information contained in this news release represents the expectations of Hemostemix as of the date of this news release and, accordingly, it is subject to change after such date. However, Hemostemix expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable securities law.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/109667
RoslinCT positioned as market leader in advanced cell therapies with a focus on innovation and quality

GHO partnering with existing management to support operational growth, customer acquisition and product diversification

Leveraging GHO's sector network to expand international customer base

Global Healthcare Opportunities, or GHO Capital Partners LLP, the European specialist investor in global healthcare, announces their investment in RoslinCT, a leading Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) focused on advanced cell therapies.

Established in 2006 in Edinburgh, Scotland, with support from Scottish Enterprise, RoslinCT was formed through an initial spin-out from the Roslin Institute, which has a famous track record in genetic and cellular biology. Since 2014, the company has had a manufacturing base within the University of Edinburgh's Centre for Regenerative Medicine in a facility shared with the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service. RoslinCT has worked to advance the field of regenerative medicine and today is at the forefront of high-quality cell therapy development and manufacturing. The company recently expanded into facilities at the Edinburgh BioQuarter, and is recognised globally as a unique CDMO establishing its own commercial scale production.

RoslinCT services an established, international customer base of blue-chip Pharma and Biotech companies, partnering from development phase through to late-stage clinical manufacturing. The business is set to benefit from exponential growth in the advanced therapy market which is forecast to grow at up to 50% annually.

With GHO's backing, RoslinCT will significantly increase its development and manufacturing capacity, supporting customer acquisition and product diversification.

RoslinCT will benefit from GHO's sector expertise and international resources to accelerate growth, scaling the business to build on its best-in-class therapies and better service a growing international client base.

The Partners at GHO Capital said: "RoslinCT is renowned for its best-in-class services in developing and manufacturing advanced cell therapies and we are delighted to partner with the team. With an established background in regenerative medicines and a strong foothold in Scotland as the leading centre for cell therapy research, RoslinCT, with our investment and specialist expertise, is uniquely positioned to drive the next stage of its growth. We look forward to realising the shared ambition for RoslinCT become a global CDMO with commercialized cell therapy manufacturing capabilities."

Janet Downie of RoslinCT said: "Having built RoslinCT and our highly skilled team over many years I am delighted to have the support of GHO. GHO have a wealth of healthcare expertise which is key, as we look to drive global growth and expand our operations to meet rising international demand. With huge advancements being made in the cell therapy industry, RoslinCT is now perfectly positioned to truly become a global CDMO, having gone from strength to strength in recent years. I see this as a very natural and exciting step for the business and we look forward to hitting further milestones with the backing of GHO."

Malcolm Bateman, CEO Roslin Foundation, said: "I'm delighted to recognise the success of the company that I, along with colleagues at the Roslin Institute, created back in 2006. The Roslin Foundation have enjoyed working with the excellent team at RoslinCT over the years. This is a fantastic success story and we are confident that the company, in partnership with GHO, will continue to set the standard for high quality cell therapy manufacturing. We wish everyone involved all the best for the future."

Professor Peter Mathieson, Principal and Vice-Chancellor at the University of Edinburgh, said: "The Roslin Institute has a long history of successful spin-out companies, therefore we are delighted that the partnership with GHO will enable RoslinCT to expand its activities in South East Scotland. Roslin has been at the forefront of genetic bioscience for nearly 30 years and researchers at Roslin continue to contribute to advances in frontier bioscience underpinning both human and animal health. The University and our partners including the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service and Scottish Enterprise continue to believe in the life-changing opportunities cell therapies can provide to treat cancer, genetic and other disorders and this deal further validates Edinburgh as a world-leading centre of cell therapy research and commercialization."

Slaughter May acted as legal advisor to GHO, and Alvarez and Marsal acted as both financial and tax advisor, Deloitte as structuring advisor, ClearView Healthcare Partners as commercial advisor, Dark Horse Consulting Group as Technical advisor and ERM as ESG advisor.

Torreya Partners (Europe) LLP served as financial advisor to RoslinCT and Dentons provided legal advice.

- ENDS -

About GHO Capital

Global Healthcare Opportunities, or GHO Capital Partners LLP, is a leading specialist healthcare investment advisor based in London. We apply global capabilities and perspectives to unlock high growth healthcare opportunities, targeting Pan-European and transatlantic internationalisation to build market leading businesses of strategic global value. Our proven investment track record reflects the unrivalled depth of our industry expertise and network. We partner with strong management teams to generate long-term sustainable value, improving the efficiency of healthcare delivery to enable better, faster, more accessible healthcare. For further information, please visit www.ghocapital.com.

About RoslinCT

RoslinCT is a leading UK Cell Therapy Contract Development and Manufacturing Organisation (CDMO) focused on providing services for companies developing cell-based therapeutic products. Originally founded in 2006 as a spin-out from the Roslin Institute, we built on the broad range of scientific expertise available in the field of cell biology. Based at the Edinburgh BioQuarter, we operate fully licensed GMP manufacturing facilities and have a proven track record in the delivery of cell-based products. www.roslinct.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220111005743/en/

Contacts:

Instinctif Partners

Nick Corrin nick.corrin@instinctif.com



Agnes Stephens Agnes.Stephens@instinctif.com



Tel: +44 20 7475 2020
CHICAGO, Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- As Genome Sequencing breaks the $1000 barrier and heads towards $500, aspiring to further reduce it to $100, its shifting D2C business model is creating $45 Bn of revenue opportunity, leading to a million terabytes of genome data by 2025.The genome sequencing market will reach $25 Bn by 2026 - intensified by COVID-19, and oncology and rare disease diagnostics coupled with pan genome studies. Adjacent markets of data storage, high performance computing (HPC), lab automation, and AI will see unlocking of a further $20 Bn.

According to MarketsandMarkets analysis,

$50 Bn of potential opportunity is opening up in Genomics Industry as genome sequencing heads to $100 direct-to-consumer, which was one of the most talked-about trends in 2021.

of potential opportunity is opening up in Genomics Industry as genome sequencing heads to direct-to-consumer, which was one of the most talked-about trends in 2021. The global genomic studies and projects comprising advanced genetic sequencing is expected to drive better clinical decision-making in the coming years, presenting lucrative growth opportunities to NGS companies.

Additionally, the life sciences market is witnessing an increased adoption of AI, personalized healthcare, gene editing, etc., which is likely to disrupt the demand for genomics, in turn impacting the growth of the market.

The increasing demand for sequencing and bioinformatics in diagnostics is predicted to disrupt the demand for IVD over the next few years.

Currently, businesses have low access to primary intelligence to clarify some unknowns and adjacencies in these opportunity areas -

Adoption levels of automation in NGS is low. Currently it ranges between 30-40% globally, however, in developed countries it is approaching 50%. As automation reduces TAT, helps in minimization of errors and provides reproducible results, it is largely used in clinical testing applications

Bioinformatics tools are largely used in clinical settings vs research as former demands data analysis for clinical decision making

Increasing focus on personalized medicine and favorable reimbursement scenario in clinical testing drives the adoption of NGS in hospitals and clinics

Adjacent markets such as Data Analysis, Storage and Management and High-Performance Computing (HPC) provide immense growth opportunities owing to generation of huge data demanding quicker analysis

Some of the growth problems encountered by genomics companies are:

Customer prioritization and assessing unmet needs:

What are the disruptions in our clients' businesses? How can we support them for our own growth?

Who are the most potential customers going forward? Should we prioritize hospitals & clinics over research centers & academic centers or Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology companies?

What are the key unmet needs of customers? Who are the key stakeholders in different settings? Do vendor selection criteria differ by settings? Which new product features should be added to the existing products?

Where to play:

Which applications and disease areas should we focus on? Should it be oncology, rare diseases, reproductive disorders or any other?

Which regions should we place our bets on? Should we continue with developed countries or do developing countries offer more growth opportunities?

Building a compelling Right-to-Win (RTW):

For M&A, which are the right targets for us? Should we target bioinformatics companies or consumables companies? Should we enter new markets directly or through partners?

How can we differentiate from top players? What is their right-to-win vs ours?

Key uncertainties/perspectives which industry leaders seek answers to:

For NGS/Genomics companies:

What sequencing services will be relevant and redundant in the next 5 years?

Can genetic sequencing become affordable for routine testing, or will it continue being used for specific diseases?

What is the level of sensitivity that will be required for advanced genetic sequencing?

How can companies optimize the manufacturing processes to be more agile and efficient to achieve a more seamless workflow?

What regulatory policies can help strategize and achieve volumetric scale-up?

What can be done to train more people into performing and analyzing advanced sequencing techniques on crops and microorganisms?

For Companies in Adjacent markets:

What are the regulations surrounding data privacy and security?

Which machine learning approaches can be used to address data limitations so that AI models do not lead to misleading insights or faulty predictions?

How are companies handling machine bias?

When can a 100% AI integration into genomics be expected?

What will be the impact of automation on genomics market?

Therefore, MarketsandMarkets has announced a first-of-its-kind Genome Sequencing Strategy-as-a-Service that will help both NGS companies and adjacent business organizations deal with specific strategic decision problems. The research and analysis is focused on high-growth, niche markets, such as AI in genomics, spatial genomics & transcriptomics, liquid biopsy, single-cell analysis, and related markets, providing a comprehensive understanding of the entire genomics ecosystem through the World's First Market Intelligence Cloud, 'KnowledgeStore'. It helps find blind spots in clients' revenue decisions because of interconnections and unknowns that impacting clients and their client's clients.

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Our 850 fulltime analyst and SMEs at MarketsandMarkets are tracking global high growth markets following the "Growth Engagement Model - GEM". The GEM aims at proactive collaboration with the clients to identify new opportunities, identify most important customers, write "Attack, avoid and defend" strategies, identify sources of incremental revenues for both the company and its competitors. MarketsandMarkets now coming up with 1,500 MicroQuadrants (Positioning top players across leaders, emerging companies, innovators, strategic players) annually in high growth emerging segments. MarketsandMarkets is determined to benefit more than 10,000 companies this year for their revenue planning and help them take their innovations/disruptions early to the market by providing them research ahead of the curve.

MarketsandMarkets's flagship competitive intelligence and market research platform, "Knowledge Store" connects over 200,000 markets and entire value chains for deeper understanding of the unmet insights along with market sizing and forecasts of niche markets.

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St. Moritz, Switzerland, Jan 11, 2022 - (ACN Newswire) - SHEQONOMI, (pronounced SHE-CONOMY) the world's first and only rewards based podcast listening mobile application on Android, JioStore, iOS, and KaiOS, proudly announces its multi-platform partnership with Reliance Jio which will incentivize 150,000,000 JioPhone users to listen, learn, and earn digital assets and rewards in the very near future."Reliance Jio's partnership with SHEQONOMI will bring a rich collection of women-led podcasts from around the globe on our free mobile app to nearly 150,000,000 users across India, many of whom are women and girls who have never had access to global audio content like this that will also generate digital assets and rewards," said Ms. Anu Bhardwaj."Beginning with SHEQONOMI's application on JioStore for JioPhone, our partnership will bring thousands of new global podcasts and access to digital assets like NFT's and NFTrees that will scale to nearly 150,000,000 ,000,000 beneficiaries from under-resourced households across India, most of whom are first-time internet users over the course of our collaboration in 2022," stated Ms. Anu Bhardwaj, Founder of SHEQONOMI.Our aim is to provide households across India and beyond, including those who have not traditionally had access, with unprecedented opportunities to listen, learn, and earn digital rewards that not only incentivize engagement but also encourage inclusivity of voices that have not been heard before on a global scale, many of whom are women and girls."Since we received a major COVID Innovation grant from the Islamic Development Bank nine months ago, SHEQONOMI has been going viral on KaiOS in Tanzania, Uganda, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Mexico, and the United States. We are extremely confident that our partnership with Reliance JiO and the other startups in our cohort and previous years will lead to even greater synergies as we scale our transformational technology across India. Most importantly, our global team is humbled and honored to join this incredible group of founders, mentors, and partners driving change especially in educating youth around the globe and the impact our tech will have on future generations of our magnificent country," remarked Ms. Bhardwaj."Our collaboration with this women-led team of world-class technologists, designers, digital architects, social media mavens, artificial intelligence and blockchain experts being led by Ms. Anu Bhardwaj will bring a rich curation of digital content including podcasts, NFTrees, and NFT artwork to hundreds of millions of homes across all of India -- especially during COVID times while setting a strong precedent for the new normal by amplifying the voices of women and girls.We are proud to have SHEQONOMI as one of our fiercest female-led startups featured in our prestigious JioDevelopers GrowthPad - Build For Bharat Cohort along with 50 of India's leading startups where they will be receiving mentoring and support to advance and scale over the next few months and beyond," a JiO spokesperson added.SHEQONOMI's digital library includes podcasts about UN Sustainable Development Goals, women and wellness (including meditation, breast cancer awareness, COVID, and mental health), gender-lens investing, global women's entrepreneurship, women climate warriors and climate change, technology, leadership, women driving change, nature and science, as well as content in Spanish and Chinese with more languages to follow including Hindi and Marathi in the very near future."Jio changed the world when they brought low-cost 4G data to millions across India. Now they're doing it again by bringing life-changing podcasts to all of INDIA, especially marginalized and underrepresented women and girls, by encouraging audio education from experts around the globe. Most importantly, we will be creating financial incentives through our digital rewards including NFTrees and NFT's that will be launching soon for JiO users that will facilitate mass adoption of digital assets at exponential levels. Please download now to listen, learn, and earn," invites Ms. Anu Bhardwaj, Founder & CEO of SHEQONOMI.About Anu Bhardwaj & SHEQONOMIFounder of SHEQONOMI, the world's first suite of mobile apps on Android, iOS, and KaiOS focused on women-led podcasts built by women and powered by girls targeting the bottom billion. 2020 Global Transform Fund- (COVID Innovation) Competition WINNERS from the Islamic Development Bank for the Royal Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, The Sultanate of Oman, The United Arab Emirates, The People's Republic of Bangladesh, and the Republic of Indonesia. SHEQONOMI was also one of 10 Global Finalists for Financial Inclusion (The Peoples Republic of Bangladesh) for the 2021 SDG Impact Accelerator hosted by the Government of Turkey, UN Technology Bank, UNDP, and other multilateral and multinational stakeholders. In March 2021, SHEQONOMI launched "Amplifying Her Voice" Global Virtual Summit Series in collaboration with The State of Women Institute, Women Investing in Women DIGITAL and 55 global women's organizations that had 3,500+ attendees, 555 global speakers. from over 125 countries, featured in 90 global newswires including Bloomberg, Thompson Reuters, Yahoo! Finance and other prominent news outlets to date.SHEQONOMI is pleased to work closely with all of our global partners including Reliance JiO, Women Investing in Women Digital and The State of Women Institute as we continue our global platform built on blockchain technology and powered by artificial intelligence.Prior to founding SHEQONOMI, Ms. Bhardwaj spearheaded Women Investing in Women DIGITAL, The State of Women Institute, and the 2010-2013 U.S. Department of Commerce Private Equity/Venture Capital Certified Trade Missions to the Nordics and Middle East, representing over $175 billion USD private-equity and venture-capital interests in collaboration with the International Trade Administration, the U.S. Embassies in the Royal Kingdoms of Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and the Sultanate of Oman. Her client list includes top-tier global private equity, venture capital, and fund-of-funds such as Irving Place Capital, Castle Harlan, W.L. Ross, Pegasus Advisors, NEA, HBG Holdings, 2i Capital, Cubera Private Equity, Lion Capital, Walden INDIA, Novak Biddle, Alinda Capital, Top Tier Capital, Pantheon, Pathway Capital, TH Lee, and Veronis Schuler Stevenson.Her specialties include international business development for private equity professionals, women in private equity, women in philanthropy, high-growth women entrepreneurs, blockchain, digital assets and deep tech.Source: PlatoData IntelligenceSource: SHEQONOMICopyright 2022 ACN Newswire . All rights reserved.
Company hires animal behaviorist Dr. Laura Lidauer to develop and manage the new product

Tractive, the most trusted GPS device in the world for providing round-the-clock, real-time location tracking for pets, today announced the arrival of its new LTE GPS pet tracker developed specifically for cats. This new device dedicated to felines is launched today in North America, as the United States currently ranks as the leading country in cat ownership.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220111005588/en/

The Tractive cat tracker provides the industry-leading features of existing Tractive devices- including GPS live tracking with no distance limits, heat mapping and location history for greater insights into where a cat roams and how long it spends in each location, activity and fitness monitoring to help pet parents stay on top of their cat's health, and impressive battery life that lasts up to seven days. (Photo: Business Wire)

The Tractive cat tracker provides the industry-leading features of existing Tractive devices including GPS live tracking with no distance limits, heat mapping and location history for greater insights into where a cat roams and how long it spends in each location, activity and fitness monitoring to help pet parents stay on top of their cat's health, and impressive battery life that lasts up to seven days. The cat-specific tracker, however, is designed with common behaviors and trouble spots in mind. For example, rather than clipping to the cat's collar in a way that can get hung up or unclipped if the cat finds him or herself in a sticky situation like getting caught in a fence or by a tree branch, the Tractive GPS Cat LTE Tracker is attached by threading the collar through the device for a more secure fit.

To ensure that the new cat tracker appropriately meets the needs of felines, Tractive recently hired animal behaviorist Dr. Laura Lidauerto oversee development and management of the product line. Dr. Lidauer holds a PhD from the renowned Vienna University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU). She is also a cat parent.

"For the cat tracker, we started with extensive research among cat parents to get key answers," said Dr. Lidauer. "What did cats need? What did their humans need? The answers shaped our development process. It led to a fresh tracker design and a new collar attachment that, together, would provide a comfortable, secure fit on a cat's neck."

The Tractive Cat Tracker Difference

With millions of cats spending at least a portion of their time outdoors, approximately 34% of pet owners lose their cat at least once, and about six million animals enter shelters each year in the U.S. alone. Tractive aims to keep pets safe and connected with their families while also giving cat parents new insights into the secret life of their favorite felines.

The new Tractive GPS Cat LTE Tracker was built for adventure. It is both scratch and waterproof, and shock resistant, and it was designed for both safety and comfort. The device is curved to fit each cat's collar with attachments for extra protection which enable it to stay in place and out of the animal's way.

Once a cat is on the move, he or she can be tracked every step of the way in "Live" mode, which provides data in next-to real time, refreshing every two-to-three seconds. Its heat map and location history features enable cat parents to finally know what their cat gets up to when away from home and where they like to go. Location history can show the last 365 days of wandering so that even if the collar gets lost or removed, pet parents have a clear indication of where their feline friend might be hanging out. Virtual fence settings let users know if their cat wanders a bit too far, and with a built-in SIM card, the device has unlimited range across the U.S. and Canada, working across all major providers so that no cat will be "lost" regardless of where it travels.

Focus on Felines

In addition, the Tractive collar provides sophisticated activity tracking. This helps cat parents keep an eye on their furry friend's health. By knowing how much active and rest time a cat gets, it is easy to spot changes that could signal a health condition. Users can also compare their cat's activity levels with those of cats around the world.

"Our GPS Dog Trackers have been successfully worn by cats for the past few years, but as we all know, cats and dogs are distinctly different creatures," said Andrew Bleiman, Tractive's EVP of the U.S. and Canada. "We saw an opportunity to develop a unique, differentiated experience for cat parents where there was both clear need and demand."

In fact, approximately 15% of Tractive GPS Dog LTE Tracker customers are actually cat parents who want the assurance of knowing where their cat is in order to keep them out of harm's way. Prior to its launch in North America, the company released an earlier version of the cat tracker in Europe.

"We got our tracker about three weeks ago, and it has been life changing!" said Lauren Jane H. in a recent review. "Whereas we would often worry and wonder about where a cat was getting to, especially because he is super friendly and has a tendency to follow people, now we know exactly where he is at any moment. I love the Leaderboard feature and that we get to see how active he is. It's also awesome to have a virtual fence that alerts us when he leaves this neighborhood. For any cat owners with adventurous cats, this tracker is an incredible way to get peace of mind."

Tractive has long been known to produce the world's most popular GPS pet trackers, with nearly 40,000 four-star or above ratings across the Apple App Store, Google Play, and Trustpilot. Its new Tractive GPS Cat LTE Tracker is now available for $49.99, with a monthly subscription price of $6.49 for monitoring. Get yours today at Amazon or the Tractive site.

About Tractive

Tractive was founded in 2012 in Austria by a group of paw-ssionate entrepreneurs looking to make lost pets a thing of the past. They specialize in the development of pet tech, wearables and apps. In addition to their GPS trackers and the Tractive GPS app, the company uses its extensive pet data and expertise to come up with ways to delight its users and make the world a better place for cats and dogs. Tractive's North American headquarters are based in Seattle.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220111005588/en/

Contacts:

Editorial Contact:

Amber Moore

GMK Communications for Tractive

amber@gmkcommunications.com
FN Media Group Presents USA News Group News Commentary

VANCOUVER, BC, Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- USA News Group - When targeting the US market and heading into 2022, Swiss food giant Nestle S.A. (OTC:NSRGY) (OTC:NSRGF) has signaled it will "double down" on plant-based meat alternatives, creamers, coffee, and new snacking opportunities, according to a recent interview with Nestle USA'sCMO Alicia Enciso. According to agribusiness and food company Archer Daniels Midland (NYSE:ADM), makers of plant-based proteins will continue to explore new sources of alternative protein over the coming year. Behind many of the new consumer products set to hit the market in the near future, are producers of plant-based proteins from developers including Nepra Foods (CSE:NPRA) (OTC:NPRFF), Conagra Foods, Inc. (NYSE:CAG), and Hormel Foods Corporation (NYSE:HRL).

Adding to its already-launched line of hemp-protein fueled pastas, Nepra Foods (CSE:NPRA) (OTC:NPRFF), creators of nutritious plant-based and allergen-free foods, has announced the launch of their Extra Virgin Hemp Oil, available for shipping on the company's e-commerce platform.

The new product's launch compliments Nepra's proprietary THPTM (textured hemp protein), which the company has worked to produce from its Colorado facility, as a basis for their PROPASTATM line of ready-to-eat frozen meals and meat analogues. Nepra's hemp oils are created in the production of its hemp flours and meat analogues, with direct sales of the product representing the first of a number of potential revenue streams for this valuable by-product.

"Hemp is an incredible nut, which is why we use it as the foundation for so many of our products, including our Extra Virgin Hemp Oil," says Nepra CEO David Wood. "The great care we take in processing preserves the oil's natural health benefits, making our Extra Virgin Hemp Oil superior in taste, nutrition, and overall quality."

The new versatile food-grade oil presents numerous health benefits and can be used for sauteing, dipping, drizzling, or blending into vinaigrettes and marinades Nepra is currently engaged in discussions with several potential customers to create other, value-added product

offerings utilizing these newly launched high-quality hemp oils.

Nepra's Extra Virgin Hemp Oil is cold pressed to preserve the healthy omega-3, omega-6, and omega-9 ratio that naturally occurs in hemp seeds. This "golden ratio" of essential fatty acids is the exact proportion our bodies need for optimum nutrition. With 40% less saturated fat and approximately 75-times more Vitamin E than olive oil, hemp oil is increasingly attractive to health-conscious consumers.

Among these new ingredients, including Nepra's allergen-free high protein N-50 hemp flour also saw its production output increase over 400% in 2021.

Despite posting record sales of their SPAM canned meat products, Hormel Foods Corporation (NYSE:HRL) is investing in a venture capital enterprise dedicated to alternative proteins and plant-based foods, called 199 Ventures-an anchor investor in the new venture capital division of Green Circle Capital Partners.

"We are excited to be investing in the fund and all that it will do to help jump start this growing category," said Bryan Kreske, leader of 199 Ventures. "Since committing to invest in the Fund, we are looking forward to the many areas of investment including alternative protein and plant-based foods."

Back in October, Hormel also announced it would partner with California-based Better Meat Co. to come up with something that looks like meat, tastes like meat, but isn't.

"We're excited about all the options," said Bryan Kreske, Manager of Cultivated Foods at Hormel Foods. "I know we've got our R&D thinking of a lot of great ideas, of how we can use this new technology to develop the next generation of these alternative protein products and plant-based products."

American multi-national fast food franchise giant Subway just launched another meatless menu selection in Singapore, with a new plant-based chicken schnitzel from Harvest Gourmet a brand owned by Nestle S.A. (OTC:NSRGY) (OTC:NSRGF).

Nestle has been quite active in the plant-based protein scene over the past year, and looking into 2022 it's going to ramp up more-with a heightened focus on chicken.

"Consumers are just delighted that we are able to bring them amazing quality in the plant-based chicken area," said Alicia Enciso, CMO of Nestle USA.

Recently Nestle also backed Sundial Foods, a plant-based meats company working to mimic chicken wings. Sundial's products involve fully plant-based skin, meat and bone chicken wings pegged as going "beyond meat".

Multinational food processors Archer Daniels Midland (NYSE:ADM) currently runs an innovation lab in Singapore, creating tailor-made plant-based meat alternatives, which includes a food and flavor analytics lab, a meat and savory lab, and sensory evaluation facilities.

By the end of November 2021, ADM added to its alternative protein portfolio, by acquiring Sojaprotein, a leading European provider of non-GMO soy ingredients, opening a soy protein complex in Brazil, a pea protein plant in North Dakota, started a joint venture with PlantPlus Foods, and new partnerships including with startup Air Protein.

Based on a recent research report on Global Consumer Trends and Shares in 2022, ADM includes meat alternatives and "unexpected protein sources" as a skyrocketing trend to come.

"According to our research, half of flexitarian consumers agree that plant-based alternatives need taste improvements, and more than 20% say that texture needs to be improved," said Petra van Egmond, ADM Product Marketing Manager - Protein, EMEA. "Our full pantry of ingredients helps to deliver a quality sensorial experience for a wide variety of applications by integrating great taste, texture and color through our deep knowledge of protein functionality."

Leveraging soaring meat prices, Conagra Foods, Inc. (NYSE:CAG) promoted its faux turkeys ahead of Thanksgiving in 2021, with its popular plant-based Gardein Holiday Roast.

According to Bob Nolan, Senior VP of Insights and Analytics at Conagra Brands, flexitarian households drove 85% of Gardein's revenue growth in 2021-and these types of consumers won't just settle for a typical vegan burger patty.

Conagra received accolades in October from the FAIRR Initiative, an investor network that defines material ESG issues in the animal agriculture sector to help inform investment decisions. In a report dubbed Appetite for Disruption: A Final Serving, Conagra was named a "pioneer" and the top-ranked US company on sustainable protein research and innovation.

"We recognize the importance that plant-based proteins play in building climate-smart future food systems," said Katya Hantel, senior director of sustainability at Conagra Brands. "As an industry leader in plant-based protein innovation, we are well positioned to meet the needs of investors, customers, and consumers who are calling for more sustainable foods."

For more information go to: https://usanewsgroup.com/2021/09/05/the-plant-based-food-revolution-is-here/

Article Source:

USA News Group

http://USAnewsgroup.com

info@usanewsgroup.com

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TUCSON, AZ / ACCESSWIRE / January 11, 2022 / GainClients, Inc. (OTC:GCLT) ("GainClients" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has launched Remote Deposit Capture Services ("RDC") for its newest client, Capital Title of Texas ("Capital Title"). Capital Title has locations throughout the Texas Market and after some rigorous testing, decided to rollout the GainClients RDC Solution in the Houston, San Antonio, the Valley and Austin Markets. This relationship puts Capital Title at the cutting edge of FinTech serving the Real Estate Markets. Capital Title can now allow their clients, buyers and sellers, Realtors and even their own title sales representatives, the ability to use their smart phones to deposit funds directly into Capital Title's escrow accounts digitally.

GainClients has been helping Title and Escrow Companies collect earnest money deposits digitally since the beginning of the Pandemic. Their "Contactless Earnest Money Capture" was the perfect fit at a time of "Social Distancing." Any real estate transaction is typically initiated by an Agreement and an immediate deposit, made by the buyer of the property, to demonstrate "good faith." This deposit, in most states, is called an "earnest money deposit." GainClients' RDC Tool allows this deposit to occur digitally, saving Capital Title thousands of dollars in courier fees and their employees' time.

"We are excited to add the GainClients Remote Deposit Capture Service to Capital Title's robust portfolio of technologies offered to our customers. Secure and convenient, this platform will create efficiencies for all parties - buyers, sellers, Realtors and the Capital Title team! GainClients was selected as our preferred platform because there is no need to download an app. With the click of a link, customers are directed to a user-friendly interface linked to their specific Capital Title team's account ensuring timely and accurate deposits. Ed and his team have been excellent partners and expeditiously facilitated integration and implementation of the Service. We have had great feedback from our new users and look forward to continued growth with GainClients!" said Kristy Santelia, President of Escrow and Operations - Houston and Golden Triangle Divisions for Capital Title, a Division of The Shaddock Companies. The Shaddock Companies include a family of companies across the real estate industry. Bill Shaddock has been in the industry since 1987 and has now grown the business to over 12 companies that do business across the United States.

"We knew when we first met with Capital Title of Texas over a year ago that they would be a wonderful partner for us. Our Solution fits perfectly with their "Customer First" business practices. We are excited to see where this partnership goes, and we are committed to Capital Title of Texas for the long haul." said Ed Laine, the Company's CEO.

The Company's Remote Deposit Capture Service provides the ability to take a picture of an earnest money check and deposit it into a bank account from a remote location, such as an office or home, without having to physically deliver the check to the receiver. Proven to be secure by the banking industry, mobile remote depositing offers better protection against fraud, lost checks, and saves significant time and money for the Title and Escrow Companies that use the software.

For the real estate agent, the service will eliminate the time spent picking up checks from their buyer clients and fees charged by title companies. For title companies, it will reduce the millions spent on manual courier services and overnight shipping costs. In addition, the system will expedite the escrow opening process, as well as solving their disbursement and/or refunds to avoid becoming Dormant Funds. It's also a beneficial service from title companies to their REALTOR partners that will strengthen existing relationships and forge new ones.

About Capital Title of Texas.

Capital Title of Texas is the largest independent title company in the United States. Capital Title has grown and prospered and now serves its statewide customers with over 100 branch offices in the Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, Beaumont, Austin, San Antonio, Rio Grande Valley, Northeast Texas, and Coastal Bend metroplexes. Capital Title's corporate office, located in Plano, Texas, is directed by the company's Owner & CEO, Bill Shaddock.

Shaddock started in the title business in 1987 as a fee attorney for Dallas Title, which was then the largest independent title company in Dallas. Serving as a one-man operation, Bill filled all the different roles involved in the closing process himself while working from a single office.

Over the next 15 years, Shaddock grew and expanded his operation into the largest fee office network in the state with 25 offices in the Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston areas. This network operated as American Title in Dallas, Commonwealth Title in Fort Worth, and First American Title in Houston. In 2006, Shaddock purchased Capital Title of Texas and integrated his existing fee office network into the new company.

Today, the closing teams of Capital Title represent some of the most experienced and reliable residential and commercial escrow officers in the title industry. We assist over a thousand people a month in realizing their dream of home ownership. We count as our customers leading residential and commercial real estate professionals locally, statewide and nationally.

Most recently, Shaddock has founded First National Title Insurance Company, the 9th Largest Title Insurance Underwriter in the United States.

Capital Title today bases its business philosophy on a strong set of values and ideals, which help to guide team members towards our goal of delivering excellence to each of our customers.

See more at http://www.ctot.com

About GainClients, Inc.

GainClients products, the Remote Deposit Capture Tool or RDC, the GCard, and the Daily Opportunity Service, consist of custom formatted data and marketing services created for the real estate industry including real estate agents and brokers, lender brokerages, title/escrow and insurance companies and individual real estate, mortgage, and title and escrow professionals. Learn more at: http://www.thegainclientsway.com/.

For More Information:

GainClients

Ed Laine, at info@gainclients.com or at +1.206.229.5515;

Corporate Office: 6245 E Broadway Blvd., Suite 400, Tucson, AZ 85711

Capital Title of Texas

Kristy Santelia

ksantelia@ctot.com

713.562.6180

Corporate Office: 2400 Dallas Parkway Suite 560 Plano, TX 75093

Cautionary Statements

This corporate update contains "forward-looking information" that is not clearly historical in nature may constitute forward-looking information. Generally, such forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved".

SOURCE: GainClients, Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/681736/GainClients-Inc-Launches-Biggest-Partner-Yet-Capital-Title-of-Texas
DGAP Post-admission Duties announcement: Haier Smart Home Co.,Ltd. / Third country release according to Article 50 Para. 1, No. 2 of the WpHG [the German Securities Trading Act]

Haier Smart Home Co.,Ltd.: Announcement in relation to the Placing of new H-Shares under General Mandate



11.01.2022 / 16:35

Dissemination of a Post-admission Duties announcement according to Article 50 Para. 1, No. 2 WpHG transmitted by DGAP - a service of EQS Group AG.

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.





Third country release according to Article 50 Para. 1, No. 2 of the WpHG



Announcement in relation to the Placing of new H-Shares under General Mandate

Qingdao / Shanghai / Frankfurt / Hongkong, 11 January 2022 - Haier Smart Home Co., Ltd. (the "Company" or "Haier Smart Home", D-share 690D.DE, A-share 600690.SH, H-share 06690.HK) today published an announcement in relation to the placing of new H-shares under General Mandate.

The announcement is fully available at:

https://www1.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listconews/sehk/2022/0111/2022011100982.pdf



IR Contact:

Haier Smart Home Hong Kong

T: +852 2169 0000

Email: ir@haier.hk

Press Contact:

CROSS ALLIANCE communication GmbH

Sven Pauly

Sara Pinto

sp@crossalliance.de

T: +49 (0) 89 1250903 35



About Haier Smart Home Co., Ltd.:

Haier is one of the world's leading manufacturers of household appliances with a focus on smart home solutions and customized mass production. Haier Smart Home Co., Ltd. develops, produces and distributes a wide range of household appliances. These include refrigerators, freezers, washing machines, air conditioners, water heaters, kitchen appliances as well as smaller household appliances and an extensive range of intelligent household appliances. The Company distributes its products through leading household brands such as Haier, Casarte, Leader, Candy, GE Appliances, AQUA and Fisher & Paykel. Haier Smart Home Co., Ltd. has launched Smart Home Experiential Cloud, which connects homes, users, enterprises and ecosystem partners, and facilitates the integration of Haier's online, offline and micro-store businesses and supports user interaction to further optimize the user experience.

11.01.2022 The DGAP Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases.

Archive at www.dgap.de


Cardston, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - January 11, 2022) - American Creek Resources Ltd. (TSXV: AMK) ("the Corporation") is pleased to present the final drill results from the 30,108 meter, 2021 resource expansion and definition drilling program for the Goldstorm Deposit and Calm Before the Storm Zone (CBS), as well as surface sampling results from the Eureka Zone, at their flagship property, Treaty Creek (the "Project"), located within the Golden Triangle of Northwest British Columbia.

Included in this press release are the results of three diamond drill holes that were completed at the Goldstorm Deposit along sections 113+00 NE and 118+00 NE, 500 metres apart, as well as the third exploration diamond drill hole at the recently discovered Calm Before the Storm Zone. Results of a continuous surface channel sample line completed at the Eureka Zone are also included.

The Copper Belle-Goldstorm Deposit (CB-GS) is situated only five kilometers northeast and on trend from Seabridge Gold's KSM deposits, which comprise one of the largest undeveloped gold and copper projects in the world. The CB-GS Deposit currently hosts a *NI 43-101 compliant Measured and Indicated Mineral Resource of 19.4 million ounces of AuEq grading 0.74 g/t AuEq and an Inferred Resource of 7.9 million ounces of AuEq grading 0.79 g/t AuEq (see American Creek press release dated March 9, 2021).

Drilling and Surface Sampling Highlights include:

GOLDSTORM

GS-21-125 intercepted the DS5 domain, which averaged 0.82 g/t AuEq over 258.0 m , including 1.91 g/t AuEq over 85.4 m . The hole ended in gold-copper mineralization as unstable ground conditions prevented the completion of the hole.

intercepted the DS5 domain, which averaged , including . The hole ended in gold-copper mineralization as unstable ground conditions prevented the completion of the hole. GS-21-127 , the farthest northeast step-out hole completed to date (approximately 200 m northeast of GS-21-119), targeted the deep DS5 domain. This hole successfully intersected the top of DS5 and ended in mineralization before being shut down due to poor field conditions. Results include 0.75 g/t AuEq over 46.5 m and 0.43 g/t AuEq over 70.0 m , which extended to the end of the hole. This target will be re-drilled in 2022.

, the farthest northeast step-out hole completed to date (approximately 200 m northeast of GS-21-119), targeted the deep DS5 domain. This hole successfully intersected the top of DS5 and ended in mineralization before being shut down due to poor field conditions. Results include and , which extended to the end of the hole. This target will be re-drilled in 2022. GS-21-128 targeted the easterly extension of the CS600 and DS5 domains. The hole intercepted 0.61 g/t AuEq over 43.9 m within CS600. The hole ended in mineralization as field conditions prevented completion of the hole; the final 17.6 m averaged 1.31 g/t AuEq. This intersection is currently interpreted to be the upper part of DS5 and plans are to re-drill this target in 2022.

CALM BEFORE THE STORM

CBS-21-03 returned a near-surface interval that graded 0.85 g/t AuEq over 25.5 m and a second significant interval of mineralization farther down the hole that averaged 0.61 g/t AuEq over 33.15 m, with an enriched mineralized core of 0.94 g/t AuEq over 10.0 m .

returned a near-surface interval that graded and a second significant interval of mineralization farther down the hole that averaged . CBS-21-03 confirms that gold mineralization is gaining strength westward and to depth.

EUREKA SURFACE SAMPLING

Channel sample line EK-21-CHN-01 extended the Eureka Zone 300 m to the north of previous drilling intercepts with a continuous surface sample line returning 0.72 g/t AuEq over 139.0 m, including 1.01 g/t AuEq over 69.0 m .

extended the Eureka Zone 300 m to the north of previous drilling intercepts with a continuous surface sample line returning . Plans for 2022 include drilling the area beneath this channel sample line, as well as testing the current model that Eureka may be the eastern extension to surface of the DS-5 domain of the Goldstorm Deposit.

Tudor Gold's President and CEO, Ken Konkin, P.Geo., states: "We are pleased to have completed the 2021 exploration season on a very positive note, having demonstrated that the Goldstorm Deposit still remains open in all directions and at depth. We have significantly expanded the Goldstorm system to the northwest, north, northeast and southeast, in addition to reporting some of our longest and strongest gold-copper mineralized intercepts that surpassed even the results obtained from last years' extremely successful drill program. Our primary goal is to define the ultimate limits of gold-copper-silver mineralization of the Goldstorm Deposit so we can determine the final resource estimate. We are committed to increasing our efforts for 2022 to achieve this goal.

Exploration in other areas of the Property demonstrated that the Eureka System continues 300 meters to the north from our well-mineralized exploration drill hole EK-21-01 (Press Release September 28th, 2021) that confirmed the near-surface presence of a large gold target. Other notable achievements of 2021 were the successful expansion of the Perfect Storm System, located two kilometres southwest of Goldstorm, and the discovery of the Calm Before the Storm (CBS) system located two kilometres northeast of the Goldstorm Deposit. The Treaty Creek project has now ballooned with the addition of these three new drill targets that will be explored in tandem with definition drilling of the Goldstorm deposit limits in 2022. Our geological team is currently focusing their efforts over the next few weeks to complete the plans for the proposed 2022 diamond drill program. Leading the geological team is our new Vice President of Resource Development, Ms. Natalie Senger (P.Geo.). It's very rewarding for me to see the professional development and advancement of such a deserving geoscientist, who I have had the pleasure of working with during my career."

The complete list of the above reported composited drilling results for Goldstorm and CBS, as well as the drill hole data, including hole location, elevation, depth, dip and azimuth, are provided in Table 1 and Table 2, respectively. Rock channel sample results from Eureka trenching are shown in Table 3. Please click on the following link to view: Plan Map and Cross Sections for the drilling and surface samples reported in this news release.

Table 1: Drilling Results Goldstorm and CBS Zone in Press Release January 11th, 2022

Section Hole From

(m) To

(m) Interval

(m) Au

(g/t) Ag

(g/t) Cu

(ppm) AuEQ

(g/t) 113+00 NE GS-21-128(1) 162.10 206.00 43.90 0.56 2.31 162 0.61 And (DS5) 404.00 421.60 17.60 1.25 4.27 55 1.31 118+00 NE GS-21-125(1) 675.00 702.00 27.00 1.67 2.06 45 1.70 And (DS5) 910.50 1168.50 258.00 0.72 7.06 150 0.82 Including 949.50 1034.90 85.40 1.69 15.62 299 1.91 And (DS5) 1221.00 1292.40 71.40 0.67 7.25 849 0.85 Including 1275.00 1292.40 17.40 1.69 7.17 555 1.84 118+00 NE GS-21-127(1) 489.00 535.50 46.50 0.72 2.49 77 0.75 And (DS5) 621.00 691.00 70.00 0.36 4.69 130 0.43 A - 180 CBS-21-03 8.00 33.50 25.50 0.84 0.76 22 0.85 And 150.50 183.65 33.15 0.53 5.96 86 0.61 Including 156.00 166.00 10.00 0.84 7.89 52 0.94 Eureka Plan GS-21-CHN-01 0.00 139.00 139.00 0.58 7.19 485 0.72 Including 68.50 137.50 69.00 0.86 8.54 392 1.01 (1) Hole ended in mineralization, shut down due to drilling issues. All assay values are uncut and intervals reflect drilled intercept lengths.

HQ and NQ2 diameter core samples were sawn in half and typically sampled at standard 1.5m intervals

The following metal prices were used to calculate the Au Eq metal content: Gold $1625/oz, Ag: $19/oz, Cu: $2.8/lb. Calculations used the formula Au Eq g/t = (Au g/t) + (Ag g/t x 0.01169) + (Cu% x 1.1815). All metals are reported in USD and calculations do not consider metal recoveries.

True widths have not been determined as the mineralized body remains open in all directions. Further drilling is required to determine the mineralized body orientation and true widths.

Table 2: Drill data for holes in Press Release January 11th, 2022 Section Hole

ID UTM E

NAD 83 UTM N

NAD 83 Elevation

(m) Azi

(o) Dip

(o) Depth

(m) 113+00 NE GS-21-128 429037.0 6272847.0 1233.8 295 -85 421.6 118+005 NE GS-21-125 429209.5 6273224.9 1208.1 300 -83 1292.4 118+00 NE GS-21-127 429265.2 6273285.7 1202.1 305 -75 691.0 A - 180 CBS-21-03 430615.0 6273884.0 975.0 160 -45 312.25 Table 3: Surface Sample Results in Press Release January 11th, 2022 Sample Zone UTM E

NAD 83 UTM N

NAD 83 Elevation

(m) Type Length Au

(g/t) Ag

(g/t) Cu

(ppm) AuEQ

(g/t) X557249 Eureka 429712.97 6272502.02 1268.72 CHANNEL 1.50 0.89 21.52 1230 1.29 X557247 Eureka 429715.74 6272503.17 1269.54 CHANNEL 1.50 0.30 10.04 5080 1.02 X557213 Eureka 429766.03 6272507.09 1277.47 CHANNEL 1.50 1.32 3.86 76 1.38 X557207 Eureka 429774.88 6272508.75 1279.68 CHANNEL 1.50 0.93 4.79 208 1.01 X557300 Eureka 429777.82 6272509.33 1280.34 CHANNEL 1.50 3.58 4.86 112 3.65 X557299 Eureka 429779.29 6272509.62 1280.60 CHANNEL 1.50 1.39 2.68 148 1.44 X557297 Eureka 429782.24 6272510.18 1281.31 CHANNEL 1.50 1.11 3.74 634 1.23 X557296 Eureka 429783.72 6272510.44 1281.65 CHANNEL 1.50 1.01 2.32 278 1.07 X557293 Eureka 429788.15 6272511.24 1283.20 CHANNEL 1.50 1.31 7.85 92 1.42 X557292 Eureka 429789.62 6272511.51 1283.46 CHANNEL 1.50 2.02 5.95 81 2.10 X557290 Eureka 429792.45 6272512.50 1283.45 CHANNEL 1.50 0.92 3.25 479 1.01 X557289 Eureka 429793.90 6272512.90 1283.75 CHANNEL 1.50 1.46 4.63 944 1.63 X557288 Eureka 429795.34 6272513.31 1283.87 CHANNEL 1.50 1.07 2.47 452 1.16 X557285 Eureka 429799.76 6272514.14 1284.53 CHANNEL 1.50 0.84 27.33 5851 1.85 X557284 Eureka 429801.25 6272514.35 1285.10 CHANNEL 1.50 2.25 8.56 775 2.44 X557283 Eureka 429802.74 6272514.55 1285.73 CHANNEL 1.50 1.23 12.14 945 1.49 X557279 Eureka 429808.69 6272515.28 1287.91 CHANNEL 1.50 0.68 97.64 2161 2.08 X557267 Eureka 429826.59 6272517.12 1289.80 CHANNEL 1.50 1.36 72.53 141 2.22

1* In April 2021 Tudor published a NI 43-101 technical report, "Technical Report and Initial Mineral Resource Estimate of the Treaty Creek Gold Property, Skeena Mining Division, British Columbia Canada" dated March 1, 2021 on the Company's Sedar profile.

Darren Blaney, CEO of American Creek, commented: "It has been an amazing year of discovery at Treaty Creek. Even through some of these last holes stopped short due to conditions, they are showing an extension of mineralization at Goldstorm and will be re-drilled next year. The fact some holes weren't completed due to poor field conditions demonstrates our partner Tudor Gold's resolve to maximise the drilling season beyond the norm and advance the project as quickly as possible. We would like to acknowledge Walter Storm, Ken Konkin, Sean Pownall, and the rest of the team at Tudor Gold for the exceptional work they have done at Treaty Creek.

Tudor has not only expanded the dimensions of the Goldstorm, but has commenced preliminary work on the Perfect Storm and Eureka zones along with discovering a new zone called The Calm Before the Storm. The Goldstorm deposit remains open in all directions and appears to be getting richer and deeper as it extends to the north giving us lots to look forward to in 2022."

Sulphurets Hydrothermal System

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Qualified Person

The Qualified Person for Tudor's news release for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101 is Tudor's President and CEO, Ken Konkin, P.Geo. He has read and approved the scientific and technical information that forms the basis for their disclosure contained in their news release.

The Qualified Person for this news release is James A. McCrea, P. Geo., for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101. While American Creek has not independently confirmed Tudor's information, Mr. McCrea has read and approved the scientific and technical information that forms the basis for the disclosure contained in this news release.

QA/QC

Drill core samples were prepared at MSA Labs' Preparation Laboratory in Terrace, BC and assayed at MSA Labs' Geochemical Laboratory in Langley, BC. Analytical accuracy and precision are monitored by the submission of blanks, certified standards and duplicate samples inserted at regular intervals into the sample stream by Tudor Gold personnel. MSA Laboratories quality system complies with the requirements for the International Standards ISO 17025 and ISO 9001. MSA Labs is independent of the Company.

Treaty Creek JV Partnership

The Treaty Creek Project is a Joint Venture with Tudor Gold owning 3/5th and acting as operator. American Creek and Teuton Resources each have a 1/5th interest in the project creating a 3:1 ownership relationship between Tudor Gold and American Creek. American Creek and Teuton are both fully carried until such time as a Production Notice is issued, at which time they are required to contribute their respective 20% share of development costs. Until such time, Tudor is required to fund all exploration and development costs while both American Creek and Teuton have "free rides".

About American Creek

American Creek is a Canadian junior mineral exploration company with gold and silver properties in British Columbia, Canada.

The Corporation has an interest in the Treaty Creek property, a joint venture project with Tudor Gold/Walter Storm located in BC's prolific "Golden Triangle".

The Corporation also holds the Austruck-Bonanza gold property located near Kamloops.

For further information please contact Kelvin Burton at: Phone: 403 752-4040 or Email: info@americancreek.com. Information relating to the Corporation is available on its website at www.americancreek.com.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Statements regarding Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. "Forward-looking information" includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the activities, events or developments that the Corporation expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future, including the completion and anticipated results of planned exploration activities. Generally, but not always, forward-looking information and statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", or "believes" or the negative connotation thereof or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved" or the negative connation thereof.

Such forward-looking information and statements are based on numerous assumptions, including among others, that the Corporation's planned exploration activities will be completed in a timely manner. Although the assumptions made by the Corporation in providing forward-looking information or making forward-looking statements are considered reasonable by management at the time, there can be no assurance that such assumptions will prove to be accurate.

There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Corporation's plans or expectations include risks relating to the actual results of current exploration activities, fluctuating gold prices, possibility of equipment breakdowns and delays, exploration cost overruns, availability of capital and financing, general economic, market or business conditions, regulatory changes, timeliness of government or regulatory approvals and other risks detailed herein and from time to time in the filings made by the Corporation with securities regulators.

Although the Corporation has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking information or implied by forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information and statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated, estimated or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/109682
Why China's economy remains global recovery engine in 2022

Xinhua) 08:11, January 11, 2022

-- The International Monetary Fund forecasts that China's economy will grow 5.6 percent this year, 0.7 percentage points higher than global economic growth.

-- Analysts believe that the world's second-largest economy will be increasingly shaped by the power of consumption and innovation while continuing to seek greater synergy with global economies.

-- Consumption acted as a pillar of China's economy in 2021, and the country is expected to step up efforts in further unleashing consumer demand, said Wen Bin, chief analyst at China Minsheng Bank.

-- This year, China will continue upgrading its industrial sector and seek new growth drivers, which will further catalyze the growth of foreign business in China.

BEIJING, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- China still raises hopes for a global recovery in 2022 with its strong economic resilience despite challenges and uncertainties amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

A report released at the International Finance Forum (IFF)'s annual meeting in December estimated that China would remain the largest contributor to global growth at 26.3 percent in 2021.

The International Monetary Fund forecasts that China's economy will grow 5.6 percent this year, 0.7 percentage points higher than global economic growth.

Analysts believe that the world's second-largest economy will be increasingly shaped by the power of consumption and innovation while continuing to seek greater synergy with global economies.

Aerial photo taken on July 13, 2021 shows a loaded ship leaving a container terminal in Lianyungang, east China's Jiangsu Province. (Photo by Wang Jianmin/Xinhua)

CONSUMPTION GAINS STEAM

In the first three quarters of 2021, final consumption expenditure contributed 64.8 percent to China's economic growth, 3.1 percentage points higher than the level seen in the first half of the year, data from the National Bureau of Statistics showed.

Consumption acted as a pillar of China's economy in 2021, and the country is expected to step up efforts in further unleashing consumer demand, said Wen Bin, chief analyst at China Minsheng Bank.

In 2022, the country will wield its microeconomic policies to stimulate the vitality of market entities and deepen the supply-side structural reform with a focus on smoothing the circulation of the national economy, said the tone-setting Central Economic Work Conference in December 2021.

A man promotes grapes at his live streaming room in Xiadang Township of Ningde, southeast China's Fujian Province, Aug. 17, 2021. (Xinhua/Zhou Yi)

China's consumption market in solid expansion can underpin foreign trade growth, said Lin Wei, vice chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade Zhejiang Provincial Committee.

The country's massive market has contributed 14.8 percent to the global import growth in the first half of 2021, according to the Ministry of Commerce.

The implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement on Jan. 1 marked a new milestone for China's opening-up. It means the country will fulfill commitments on service trade opening-up and investment negative lists.

NEW DRIVERS EMERGING

This year, China will continue upgrading its industrial sector and seek new growth drivers, which will further catalyze the growth of foreign business in China.

China will take progressive moves in infrastructure investment and guide financial institutions to step up support for sci-tech innovation and green development.

High-tech manufacturing industries such as pharmaceuticals, computers, and office equipment are likely to maintain rapid growth amid the country's continuous efforts to encourage sci-tech innovation in 2022, said Chen Weidong, a senior researcher with the Bank of China.

Workers assemble new energy vehicles at an automobile company in Liuzhou, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Aug. 12, 2021. (Photo by Li Hanchi/Xinhua)

Tu Xinquan, a professor at the University of International Business and Economics, said that more foreign investment would flow into modern service industries and advanced manufacturing industries while China accelerates industrial restructuring.

The country's transition to low-carbon development has also been luring investment into green technologies and creating opportunities for domestic and foreign companies.

At the fourth China International Import Expo in last November, automation giant Honeywell International signed cooperation agreements with more than 20 Chinese enterprises on green and low-carbon development, advanced manufacturing, and digitalization.

China's green and low-carbon transformation has brought broad development opportunities to multinational enterprises, said Steven Lien, president of Honeywell China and Aerospace Asia Pacific.

(Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun)
Southern Lehigh students will have the option of wearing masks starting Jan. 21, after the school board rejected a proposal to keep a mandate at least partially in place.

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The measure allowing for optional mask wearing was introduced by recently elected board member Stephen Maund, who described it as an olive branch' to board members who wanted the existing mandate to stay in place at least until next month.

Maund said the new rule, which begins at the end of the school day Jan. 21, allows students who dont want to be in a non-mask environment to get their education through an online program from the Spartan Academy.

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Additionally, Maunds measure calls for the district to provide KN95 masks to students who want to wear a mask. He said these masks have been proven to provide better protection than cloth or woven masks against airborne viruses, such as the coronavirus.

[ Lehigh Valley school districts reviewing COVID safety plans in light of latest surge. Heres the latest ]

St. Lukes University Health Network recently called on local school districts to require masking as the number of COVID-19 patients being cared for at area hospitals climbs.

What we are experiencing now is our biggest COVID surge yet, Dr. Jeffrey Jahre, infectious disease expert for St. Lukes, said in a statement. If there was ever a time for area school boards, administrators and parents to get behind masking, its now.

Southern Lehigh joins a handful of other districts, including Catasauqua, Northampton, Northern Lehigh and Whitehall, that are mask optional.

In late November, Nazareth decided to go mask optional, but recently announced it would switch back to requiring masks for students in grades five through 12. Masks are still optional at Nazareths elementary schools. Last week, the district had more than 700 students absent on the first day back from break. More than half of those students missed school because of COVID-related reasons.

A number of districts, such as Allentown, Bethlehem and Parkland, still require masks.

[ More than 700 students in this Lehigh Valley district were absent Monday. More than half were COVID-related. ]

Southern Lehighs mask option eliminates masking requirements for all after-school activities, for both students and others who attend indoor events.

The measure was approved 7-2, with William Lycett and Christopher Wayock dissenting.

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The boards decision, which came before an audience of at least 50, came after about an hour of discussion. The board heard from 25 district residents and heard a proposal by board member Jeff Dimmig to keep the existing mask mandate until Jan. 28.

Dimmigs proposal failed 5-4. It would have required masking by students only during the school day. Masks would have been voluntary for all other activities.

Clearly, if we are going to mask it will be for perpetuity, Wayock said before the policy was adopted. That is the question.

After the meeting, board member Kyle Gangewere said, It [the mask option] wasnt what I wanted, but at least we got two weeks [of masking].

She said the mask option changes COVID-19 to an endemic rather than pandemic, and added, Now it will be treated more like a common cold or flu.

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Maund said the policy provides a choice for parents and students and brings a greater level of prevention, from the KN95 masks.

Its a compromise to have a little coming together in this community, Maund said of the new policy.

Lycett said in the two years since the COVID-19 outbreak, the virus has shown little sign of letting up.

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We cant be living like this the rest of our lives, Lycett said. I am not in favor of a mask mandate. Its about choice. America was built on choice.

High school junior Kylie Baker addressed the board, saying she has never had a normal year in school since COVID erupted.

Now is not the time to end the mask mandate, she said. I ask you to listen to the doctors and let me have a real year in high school.

She said after the meeting that she thought there is too much political gaming on the board, and that the student perspective is being ignored.

Politics in our education has been going on far too long, especially with this new board, she said.

District resident Doug Durham, the area captain of the Lehigh County Republican Party, told the board students are suffering under the mask mandate.

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Masks are largely ineffective and immoral, he said.

He said the new board members were elected to bring about choice on mandates. He said Quakertown School District has the mask option, and it appears to be working.

First Call Daily Leading local stories delivered on weekday mornings >

Quakertown reported 137 COVID-19 cases among students and employees for the weeks ending Dec. 31 and Jan. 7.

Dr. Leonardo Claros, a district resident, told the board: There is a reason to wearing masks. The message from the medical community is masks work.  We will hold you accountable. We will be back.

District Superintendent Michael Mahon said after the meeting that the mask option places district teachers and staff in a transitional mode, during which specific guidelines will need to be devised by Jan. 21.

Once we move to the mask option, contact tracing, isolation and quarantine will become more difficult and less relevant, he said. We now have to implement and adjust.

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Charles Malinchak is a freelance writer for The Morning Call.

This story has been updated to reflect that the mask mandate ends at the end of the school day Jan. 21.
Red Deer, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - January 11, 2022) - Further to its press release dated December 17, 2021, Rifco Inc. (TSXV: RFC) ("Rifco" or the "Company") announces that it has received a final order from the Court of Queen's Bench of Alberta approving the proposed plan of arrangement (the "Arrangement") pursuant to which Chesswood Group Limited ("Chesswood") will acquire all of the issued and outstanding common shares of Rifco (the "Rifco Shares") by way of a statutory plan of arrangement under the Business Corporations Act (Alberta).

Completion of the Arrangement remains subject to, among other things, receipt of all applicable TSX, TSX-V and regulatory approvals, and customary conditions to closing. At this time, it is expected that the Arrangement will close on January 14, 2022.

Further information about the Arrangement is set forth in the management information circular of Rifco dated November 25, 2021, which is available under the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

About Rifco Inc.

Rifco is focused on being the best alternative auto finance company through its wholly owned subsidiary Rifco National Auto Finance Corporation. Our mission is to help deserving Canadians own automobiles.

Rifco seeks to create sustainable long-term competitive advantages through personalized partnerships with dealers, innovative products, the use of industry-leading data and analytics, and leading collections practices. Rifco's corporate culture fosters employees that are highly engaged innovative and performance driven.

Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This press release may contain forward-looking statements with respect to the Company, its products and operations and the contemplated Arrangement. These statements generally can be identified by use of forward-looking words such as "may", "will", "expect", "estimate", "anticipate", "intends", "believe" or "continue" or the negative thereof or similar variations. The actual results and performance of the Company discussed herein could differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. Such statements are qualified in their entirety by the inherent risks and uncertainties surrounding future expectations. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations include, among other things, general economic and market factors, competition, changes in government regulations, and the factors described under "Risk Factors" in the Management Information Circular of the Company prepared in connection with the Meeting, Management's Discussion and Analysis and Annual Information Form of the Company which are available at www.sedar.com. The cautionary statements qualify all forward-looking statements attributable to the Company and persons acting on their behalf. Unless otherwise stated, all forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release and the Company has no obligation to update such statements.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

All trade names are the property of their respective owners.

SOURCE Rifco Inc.

For further information: MEDIA CONTACTS: Rifco Inc.: Warren Van Orman, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, 403-314-1288 Ext 7007

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/109684
UPPSALA, SWEDEN - LIDDS AB (publ) announced today that the R&D project with Johnson & Johnson Enterprise Innovation Inc. has progressed into next phase.

"On the back of a strong collaboration, we have generetad promising data which led to a unianimous decision by the joint research committee to move the project into the next stage. At LIDDS, we aim to improve outcomes for those fighting cancer by diminishing severe side effects and enhancing efficacy. The completion of Stage 1 is a key milestone and we look forward to our continued work together", said Nina Herne, CEO of LIDDS.

Through the agreement, the R&D project's aim is to develop an oncology product based on the NanoZolid technology for an undisclosed indication.

For more information, please contact:

Nina Herne, CEO, Phone: +46 (0)70-714 74 57, Email: nina.herne@liddspharma.com

This information is information that the company is obliged to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation. The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the aforementioned contact person, on January 11, 2022 at 17:00 CET.

LIDDS AB.
Grande Prairie, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - January 11, 2022) - Angkor Resources Corp. (TSXV: ANK) (OTCQB: ANKOF) ("Angkor" or "the Company") is pleased to announce the completion of a grid rock sampling and soil sampling program in the Canada Wall porphyry copper target within the 100%-owned Andong Meas Exploration License, Cambodia.

Highlights of the Sampling Program

The rock sampling program covered an area of 4.5 square kilometers which was centered on the copper-molybdenum soil geochemical anomaly.

A total of 142 rock samples were collected at 200m centers over the 4.5 square kilometers to assess the petrology of surface rocks; the rocks will be analyzed using a multi-element, low detection limit method which can help to zero in on the porphyry center.

The soil sampling program was targeting coincident aeromagnetic, resistivity and IP anomalies believed to be another porphyry center which remains untested by drilling.

A total of 108 soil samples were taken on a 100m center grid over a more concentrated area of the coincident multi-spectral anomaly proper using an auger drill to depth of blade resistance as deep as 5.0 meters.





Figure 1



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Company geologists have relogged core and reinterpreted the rock units to be aplite in contact with moderately potassic altered diorite with accompanying pyrite/chalcopyrite veins. Aplite formations tend to pierce the copper deposits and are common in copper porphyry systems.

The next step will be a ground magnetic survey across roughly three-square kilometres of the prospect, taking several weeks with results to follow.

Magnetic susceptibility of previously drilled core and rock samples collected from the area provide the key to interpretation of the magnetic data. The ground magnetic survey will be initiated within the next few weeks.

VP Exploration, Dennis Ouellette explains the rational, "Recent drilling indicates that the potassic altered diorite with pyrite and chalcopyrite has a lower magnetic susceptibility than the granodiorite containing it. The granodiorite is host to pyrrhotite and chalcopyrite mineralization in quartz breccias. It is likely that we have a copper porphyry intruding a copper molybdenum porphyry at Canada Wall."

QUALIFIED PERSON

Dennis Ouellette, B.Sc, P.Geol., is a member of The Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA #104257) and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101"). He is the Company's VP Exploration on site and has reviewed and approved the technical disclosure in this document.

ABOUT ANGKOR RESOURCES CORP.

Angkor Resources Corp. is a public company, listed on the TSX-Venture Exchange, and is a leading resource optimizer in Cambodia with multiple licenses in NE quadrant of the country. In 2020, the company received approval and initiated negotiations on Production Sharing Contract (PSC) terms for Block VIII, a 7,300 square kilometre oil and gas license in Cambodia.

CONTACT:

Delayne Weeks, CEO Telephone: +1 (780) 831-8722 Email: da@angkorgold.ca

Website: http://www.angkorresources.ca or follow us on Twitter @AngkorResources

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Certain information set forth in this news release may contain forward-looking statements that involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the control of the Company, including, but not limited to the potential for gold and/or other minerals at any of the Company's properties, the prospective nature of any claims comprising the Company's property interests, the impact of general economic conditions, industry conditions, dependence upon regulatory approvals, uncertainty of sample results, timing and results of future exploration, and the availability of financing. Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/109687




Washington, D.C., Jan 11, 2022 - (ACN Newswire) - On January 27-28, 2022, Government leaders come to Washington to learn from Liechtenstein's experiences implementing blockchain.In January of 2020, the Liechtenstein Token and Trusted Technology Service Provider Act (TVTG) (known as The Blockchain Act), became enforced as law. With this new law, Liechtenstein became the first country to have a comprehensive regulation of the token economy.Dr. Thomas Dunser, Director of the Office for Financial Market Innovation of Liechtenstein, will be providing insights based on his experience in leading The Blockchain Act, at The Future of Money, Governance, & the Law, held at the National Press Club in Washington DC, and streamed globally. Dr. Dunser will discuss Tokenomics and Crypto-Governance, bringing clarity to the emerging Token Economy.The Token Economy defines a very important development in the digitalization of our economy and society, driven by blockchain technology. Token Economy allows for assets and goods to be represented on a digital transaction system without necessarily relying on a regulated intermediary. Dr. Dunser points out that the Token Economy enables smart contracts to operate, impacting governance beyond the financial services sector.Government policymakers in attendance will be from Washington, El Salvador, Chile, Brazil, Ireland, Jordan, Kuwait, Estonia, Slovenia, Sweden, Australia, Bermuda, and the UK, as well as global governance organizations such as the World Bank, United Nations, the European Parliament, and the Union of Arab Banks.Dr. Dunser's real-world experience in adopting blockchain innovation on a national level will provide a unique opportunity for government legislators to benefit from lessons learned. As this technology continues to land on the forefront of the news, understanding how it has already been implemented will be invaluable for all moving forward.For more information on The Future of Money, Governance, & the Law, go to bit.ly/3ng3KyG.Source: GBACopyright 2022 ACN Newswire . All rights reserved.
LAS VEGAS, Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Realty ONE Group, a modern, purpose-driven lifestyle brand and ONE of the fastest growing franchisors in the world, has sold the franchise rights to Ecuador, which will become the gateway for the popular COOLTURE-driven organization to open more doors and recruit real estate professionals throughout South America.

The new owner, Wendy Franco is a proven entrepreneur with over 26 years in banking and with the airline industry and also as a successful real estate professional. More importantly, she's a perfect fit for Realty ONE Group as she cares deeply about giving back to the people and country that she and her family love.

"We continue to paint the globe gold the right way with ambitious partners like Wendy who will uphold our core values and COOLTURE which are the heart and soul of our dynamic organization," said Kuba Jewgieniew , CEO and Founder of Realty ONE Group. "While we have an abundant opportunity to grow fast, we stay focused on a disciplined expansion strategy that ensures the long-term success of our partners and our company."

Franco first met Realty ONE Group at a National Association of REALTORS(R) convention but knew instantly that the company's extraordinary brand and vision were perfect for Ecuador.

"I believe you should not live just to live, but live to transform lives knowing that anything is possible," said Franco. "Our purpose is to use the gifts that life gives us, turning them into extraordinary opportunities to make dreams come true for others."

The UNBrokerage, as it's known in the industry, now has more than 17,000 real estate professionals in more than 400 offices in 45 states, Washington D.C. and Canada and will be opening in Singapore, Spain and Costa Rica, in addition to the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico.

Learn more at www.OwnAOne.com .

About Realty ONE Group

Founded in 2005, Realty ONE Group is an industry disruptor, radically changing the face of real estate franchising with its unique business model, fun coolture, technology infrastructure and superior support for its real estate professionals. The company has rapidly evolved to include more than 17,000 real estate professionals in over 400+ offices across 45 U.S. states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, Canada, Spain, Singapore and Costa Rica. Realty ONE Group ranks in the top one percent in the nation by REAL Trends, has been recognized by Entrepreneur Magazine as a Top 5 Real Estate Franchise and has been on Inc. 500's list of the Fastest-Growing Companies for seven consecutive years. Realty ONE Group is surging ahead, opening doors, not only for its clients but for real estate professionals and franchise owners. To learn more, visit www.RealtyONEGroup.com.

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WEST PALM BEACH, FL / ACCESSWIRE / January 11, 2022 / WGI Ventures, LLC. (Ventures) is pleased to announce the acquisition of Winter Springs, Florida-based Streamline Technologies, Inc. (Streamline). WGI Ventures is the infrastructure technology arm of WGI, Inc. (WGI), a national leader in providing technology-based design solutions for the construction of public infrastructure and real estate development.

Since its founding in 1984 by Peter J. Singhofen, PE, Streamline is nationally recognized for its flagship water-modeling software, known as, "Interconnected Channel and Pond Routing," or "ICPR." Streamline's ICPR modeling software is used by over 1,000 clients including many ENR 500 firms, as well as countless federal, state, and local agencies, and universities.

Ventures' investment in Streamline will be focused on modeling enhancements, new product offerings, and a soon-to-be-released, real-time flood forecasting system. It will continue operating under the Streamline brand and soon add online virtual training to its learning platform. Peter Singhofen will continue to lead the development team and day-to-day operations. Ventures President, Gregory Sauter, will assume the role of President for Streamline Technologies, contributing his vast knowledge in the innovation space to Streamline's growth.

For Singhofen's part, it was an ideal fit. "It is the perfect pairing of an organization that appreciates the value of my life's work, with the resources and vision to help me and the team sustainably take it to the next level. I'm confident that with the additional resources, and the synergy with the broader WGI team, Streamline's associates and clients will be in the best hands imaginable. I'm looking forward to continuing to lead product development and innovation as we move forward. As we look to the future, sea-level rise and its impact on surface and subsurface infrastructure vulnerability, the global increase of inland saltwater intrusion, and the global increase in weather-related severity will all drive demand for the solutions we provide. I look forward to meaningful contributions and the continued success of Streamline."

For Sauter's part, the excitement at seeing his vision come to fruition is evident, stating: "We created Ventures two years ago as a vehicle to focus our investment in market-leading digital tools and solutions that will have an outsized impact on solving the challenges of the built environment. Streamline's technology will enhance safety and promote sustainability, resilience, and adaptability. I am very excited that Peter Singhofen and his exceptional Florida-based team agreed to join WGI Ventures. This acquisition allows us to fulfill a critical goal of expanding into the infrastructure technology software space, a positive disruptive force in our profession." Prior to this announcement, Ventures also announced it entered a strategic partnership with Jacksonville's Urban SDK in 2020. The investment in Urban SDK provides WGI Ventures a foothold in the data analytics and predictive-intelligence platforms that improve data sourcing, reporting, and analysis, and ultimately increasing safety and traffic flow on roadway networks. Ventures also recently partnered with Shadow Ventures, a venture capital firm focused on intelligent investments in startup companies that innovate the built environment, and is a limited partner in their Shadow Ventures Fund 3.

ABOUT WGI VENTURES, LLC.

WGI Ventures, LLC. is the venture arm of WGI, Inc., a multidisciplinary solutions-providing consulting firm with 19 offices in eight states, serving an active client base in over 39 states. In 2021, ENR ranked WGI #175 - up 12 places -- on its list of the Top 500 Design Firms, while at the same time naming WGI its 2021 Design Firm of the Year in the southeast United States. South Florida Business Journal ranked WGI #5 on its 2021 Top 25 Engineering Firms, and #59 on its 2020 list of Top 100 Private Companies. For more information, please visit www.wginc.com.

WGI Company Contacts:

Gregory Sauter, P.E./president

Gregory.Sauter@wginc.com

561.687.2220

Pete Singhofen, founder & chief technology officer

psinghofen@icpr4.com

407.679.1696

Media Contact:

Kelly Owens

Alchemy Communications Group

ko@alchemycommgroup.com

561.222.4958 (mobile)

561.935.9953 x101 (office)

SOURCE: WGI Ventures, LLC

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/681932/WGI-Ventures-LLC-Acquires-Streamline-Technologies
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 11, 2022) - Stocks2Watch Virtual Luncheon Series announces the date for the first luncheon of 2022 with special guest, Bruce Campbell from StoneCastle Investment Management is scheduled for Thursday January 20. Registration is now open for investors, brokers, funds, advisors, and analysts.

REGISTER NOW AT: https://app.livestorm.co/stocks2watch/jan-20-investor-luncheon

About the luncheon: Gain market insight, find investment opportunities, and consider investing in StoneCastle's various funds all safely in the comfort of your office/home using our latest technology. Confirmed Investor & Finance Professionals will receive a lunch voucher to order in lunch on Thursday, January 20. Bruce Campbell gives a 15-minute presentation highlighting StoneCastle's investment process, the various market indicators, and the funds current focus; and then a handful of companies present concurently afterwards. Bruce is constantly looking for under the radar companies that have high-growth potential and will outperform in a full market cycle.

LUNCHEON AGENDA: (Pacific Time)

12:00PM: Market Outlook - Bruce Campbell, Portfolio Manager at StoneCastle

12:15PM: Rritual Superfoods Inc. (CSE: RSF)

12:30PM: BIGG Digital Assets Inc. (CSE: BIGG)

12:45PM: Company Presentation - TBD

1:00PM: New "Stocks2Watch" Picks by Bruce Campbell, Portfolio Manager at StoneCastle

Registration Open to Investors and Finance Professionals >>> This event is suitable for private investors, brokers, fund managers, financial institutions, funds, buy & sell side analysts, influencers, newsletter writers and journalists. The event is not suitable for people pursuing commercial opportunities.

REGISTER NOW AT: https://app.livestorm.co/stocks2watch/jan-20-investor-luncheon

ABOUT STOCKS2WATCH:

Stocks2Watch hosts Virtual Investor Luncheons and Online Presentations for Publicly Listed and Pre-Public Companies. To learn more about Stocks2Watch and view a complete list of events, please visit www.stocks2watch.ca.

STOCKS2WATCH EVENT SCHEDULE:

Thursday, January 20 - Virtual Luncheon with Bruce Campbell (Growth Stocks)

Tuesday, February 8 - Explore the World of INDIVA (Cannabis)

Thursday, February 10 - Super Bowl Virtual Luncheon (Gaming, Sport Performance, Esports)

Thursday, February 24 - Virtual Luncheon (Mental Health/Healthcare Stocks)

Tuesday Mar 1 & Thursday Mar 3 - prePDAC Virtual Luncheons (Metals & Mining Stocks)

Thursday, April 21 - Virtual Investor Luncheon (Food/Agri Stocks)

Thursday, May 12 - Virtual Luncheon with Bruce Campbell (Growth Stocks)

CONTACT:

Neil Lock,

info@stocks2watch.ca

604-410-4888

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/109723
WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Crude oil prices climbed higher on Tuesday, lifting the most active crude futures contracts to their highest settlement in about two months. Hopes that the spread of the Omicron variant will not derail the global economy and any adversely impact energy demand supported oil prices. Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell said today that he expects the economic impact of the new variant to be short-lived and that the upcoming quarters may be positive for the economy. The recent outages in Libya, and a weak U.S. dollar also contributed to the rise in oil prices. West Texas Intermediate crude oil futures for February ended up by $2.99 or about 3.8% at $81.22 a barrel, the highest settlement since November 11, 2021. Brent crude futures are up $2.96 or 3.7% at $83.83 a barrel. Traders now await the weekly inventory reports from the American Petroleum Institute (API) and U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). The API's report is due later today, while the EIA will release its inventory data Wednesday morning. 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.
WEST MELBOURNE, FL / ACCESSWIRE / January 11, 2022 / BK Technologies Corporation (NYSE American:BKTI) today announced that Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Bill Kelly, 65, will retire after a distinguished 26-year career with the Company. BK Technologies has initiated an external search for a new Chief Financial Officer and Kelly has agreed to stay on board through this process (no later than June 30, 2022) and serve in a consulting role through the transition as needed.

"On behalf of the entire BK Technologies team, I would like to thank Bill for his valuable contributions over the past 26 years with the Company," said Chief Executive Officer John Suzuki. "His dedication has led to the creation of a first-class finance organization which positions us for success in the coming years. I look forward to working with Bill through the transition period and wish him the best in his well-earned retirement."

Bill Kelly has served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of BK Technologies since July 1997, and as the Company's Secretary since June 2000. From October 1995 to June 1997, he was Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company's subsidiary, RELM Communications, Inc.

Mr. Kelly commented, "I am honored to have been a part of BK Technologies' management team for the last twenty-six years and am proud of what the Company has accomplished during that time. BK is at an exciting point in its development with an enhanced product offering and strong balance sheet, and I look forward to ensuring a smooth transition to my successor and subsequently watching the Company's continued success."

About BK Technologies

BK Technologies Corporation manufactures high-specification, American-made communications equipment of unsurpassed reliability and value for use by public safety professionals and government agencies. BK Technologies is honored to serve these heroes with reliable equipment when every moment counts. The Company's common stock trades on the NYSE American market under the symbol "BKTI". Maintaining its headquarters in West Melbourne, Florida, BK Technologies can be contacted through its web site at www.bktechnologies.com or directly at 1-800-821-2900.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements that are made pursuant to the "Safe Harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements concern the Company's operations, economic performance and financial condition and are based largely on the Company's beliefs and expectations. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors and risks, some of which have been, and may further be, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, include, among others, the following: changes or advances in technology; the success of our land mobile radio product line; successful introduction of new products and technologies, including our ability to successfully develop and sell our anticipated new multiband product and other related products in the planned new BKR Series product line; competition in the land mobile radio industry; general economic and business conditions, including federal, state and local government budget deficits and spending limitations, any impact from a prolonged shutdown of the U.S. Government, and the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic; the availability, terms and deployment of capital; reliance on contract manufacturers and suppliers; risks associated with fixed-price contracts; heavy reliance on sales to agencies of the U.S. Government and our ability to comply with the requirements of contracts, laws and regulations related to such sales; allocations by government agencies among multiple approved suppliers under existing agreements; our ability to comply with U.S. tax laws and utilize deferred tax assets; our ability to attract and retain executive officers, skilled workers and key personnel; our ability to manage our growth; our ability to identify potential candidates for, and consummate, acquisition, disposition or investment transactions, and risks incumbent to being a noncontrolling interest stockholder in a corporation; impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the companies in which the Company holds investments; impact of our capital allocation strategy; risks related to maintaining our brand and reputation; impact of government regulation; rising health care costs; our business with manufacturers located in other countries, including changes in the U.S. Government and foreign governments' trade and tariff policies, as well as any further impact resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic; our inventory and debt levels; protection of our intellectual property rights; fluctuation in our operating results and stock price; acts of war or terrorism, natural disasters and other catastrophic events, such as the COVID-19 pandemic; any infringement claims; data security breaches, cyber-attacks and other factors impacting our technology systems; availability of adequate insurance coverage; maintenance of our NYSE American listing; risks related to being a holding company; and the effect on our stock price and ability to raise equity capital of future sales of shares of our common stock. Certain of these factors and risks, as well as other risks and uncertainties, are stated in more detail in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 and in the Company's subsequent filings with the SEC. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release, and the Company assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements.

Company Contact:

IMS Investor Relations

John Nesbett/Jennifer Belodeau

bktechnologies@imsinvestorrelations.com

(203) 972-9200

SOURCE: BK Technologies Corporation

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/682974/BK-Technologies-Announces-Planned-Retirement-of-Chief-Financial-Officer-Bill-Kelly-After-Distinguished-26-Year-Career-With-The-Company
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 11, 2022) - Boosh Plant-Based Brands Inc. (CSE: VEGI) (OTCQB: VGGIF) (FSE: 77I) ("Boosh" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has received confirmation from Save On Foods, a prominent Canadian grocery retailer, for four of Boosh's frozen bowls; Veggie Bolognese which includes Beyond Meat, Coconut Curry Cauli, Mac & Cheese & Peas, and Mexican Fiesta Bowl. The confirmation calls for April delivery into a minimum of 120 stores in Western Canada.

BOOSH Secures Major Order From Prominent National Grocer

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/7944/109736_3d6eac0c54dff80a_002full.jpg

Save On Foods is the flagship chain of Jim Pattison Group with 170 stores in BC and Alberta and one of the major chains in the retail grocery industry in Western Canada. Boosh can also be purchased at Natures Fare and Nester's, which are Save On Foods sister companies.







BOOSH Secures Major Order From Prominent National Grocer

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/7944/109736_3d6eac0c54dff80a_003full.jpg

"The Save On Foods order is a significant milestone as we rapidly expand the Boosh brand throughout Canada and the US," states Connie Marples, founder and president of Boosh. "This order now places Boosh in over 600 stores throughout Canada and growing. I firmly believe we're on track to be selling Boosh in over 1,000 grocery stores in Canada by year end."

"This is a huge win and catalyst for Boosh," states TJ Walch, head of North American sales. "Frozen space continues to be competitive real estate, even with retailers converting more square footage to the frozen section. Orders like these are truly a testament that Boosh has the right plant-based products and innovation retailers, especially sophisticated retailers like Save On Foods, are searching for."

On behalf of the Board of Directors

Jim Pakulis

Chief Executive Officer

Telephone: (833) 882-6674

www.Booshfood.com

About Boosh Plant-Based Brands Inc.:

Boosh Plant-Based Brands Inc., through its wholly owned subsidiary, Boosh Food (www.booshfood.com), offers high quality, non-GMO, gluten free, 100% plant-based nutritional comfort foods for the whole family. We currently offer 24 plant-based SKU's ranging from frozen meals, to refrigerated entrees to shelf stable Mac & Cheezes, and are sold throughout Canada. Boosh, good for you and good for planet earth.

The information in this news release includes certain information and statements about management's view of future events, expectations, plans and prospects that constitute forward looking statements. These statements are based upon assumptions that are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Because of these risks and uncertainties and as a result of a variety of factors, the actual results, expectations, achievements or performance may differ materially from those anticipated and indicated by these forward looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, the Company's proposed use of the proceeds of its initial public offering. Any number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements as well as future results. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in forward looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurances that the expectations of any forward looking statements will prove to be correct. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions, changes in factors affecting such forward looking statements or otherwise.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/109736
The big story on Action News tonight is the end of an era in Philadelphia broadcasting  Jim Gardner will anchor his final 11 p.m. broadcast on 6ABC.

Gardner is an institution in the Delaware Valley, and is just as iconic as the timeless Action News jingle. Hes delivered the news at 11 p.m. since taking over for Larry Kane way back in 1977, and said he has mixed feelings as he approaches his final late-night newscast on Tuesday.

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Its been a long run, and its the first step towards retirement, Gardner told The Inquirer. I hope weve done a good job with the 11 oclock news over a period of almost 45 years. I think we have.

Fortunately, Gardner, 73, isnt relinquishing his role entirely just yet. Hell continue to anchor 6ABCs 6 p.m. newscast alongside Ducis Rodgers and Cecily Tynan through the end of the year.

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For many of us, Jim is the last news voice we hear before ending our day. He has guided us through the good and the bad with calm confidence for more than 40 years, often reassuring us that tomorrow will bring a better day, said Bernie Prazenica, president and general manager of 6ABC. Thankfully, we have another year with him during the 6 p.m. newscast, and we look forward to his continued presence and leadership.

With the spare time opening up on his schedule, Gardner said hes looking forward to finally being able to watch some Philadelphia 76ers games. Back in November, he received a thunderous ovation after ringing the bell at the Wells Fargo Center prior to a Sixers-Timberwolves game.

But Gardner said itll have to wait until this latest wave of COVID-19 infections subside, which has him and his wife, Amy, hunkering down more at home.

I think Im going to say [Tuesday night] that my main wish for the next year is seeing the pandemic retire before I do, Gardner said.

The longtime anchor also recently made a cameo on the new ABC comedy series Abbott Elementary, which is set in a Philadelphia public school and created by West Philadelphia native Quinta Brunson.

Hes fantastic. It was so sweet. I almost passed out I was so starstruck, Brunson told 6ABC.,

Ultimately he decided last year it was time to walk away, and wanted to model his departure on the retirement of former 6ABC meteorologist Dave Roberts back in 2009, who also ended his long career at the station by focusing on the 6 p.m. newscast.

It worked out well for him, I think it worked out well for the station, and Im sure itll work out well for everyone this time around, Gardner said. I think hes a wise man, and he has always given me very, very good guidance.

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So who will replace Gardner on the 11 p.m. newscast? So far, 6ABC wont say, but the station is expected to make an announcement at some point Tuesday.

6ABC also has a deep bench of talent to draw from. If the station decides to replace Gardner from within, possible choices include 5 p.m. news anchor Rick Williams, consumer affairs reporter Nydia Han, and anchor Brian Taff, who currently delivers the news at noon and 4 p.m. Another personality to keep an eye on is reporter Walter Perez, who anchors Action News weekend evening shows.

Theres also anchors Tamala Edwards and Matt ODonnell to consider, though it seems unlikely the station would want to break up their successful Action News Mornings duo. Especially after losing longtime meteorologist David Murphy to retirement back in September (though hes been seamlessly replaced by Karen Rogers).

6ABC also recently hired former Fox News host Jillian Mele as a reporter and anchor. Mele, a Glenside native who previously worked for NBC10 and the station formerly known as Comcast SportsNet, hasnt yet made her first television appearance, but it seems likely shell help make room in the schedule for Gardners eventual successor.

(c)2022 The Philadelphia Inquirer

Visit The Philadelphia Inquirer at www.inquirer.com

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THIS NEWS RELEASE IS INTENDED FOR DISTRIBUTION IN CANADA ONLY AND IS NOT INTENDED FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / January 11, 2022 / Pelangio Exploration Inc. (TSXV:PX)(OTC PINK:PGXPF) ("Pelangio" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that due to additional demand, the Company has increased the size of its previously announced non-brokered private placement of ("Units") from aggregate gross proceeds of up to CDN$625,000 to aggregate gross proceeds of up to CDN$780,063 (the "Private Placement"). Each Unit consists of one common share of the Company (a "Common Share") and one quarter of a Common Share purchase warrant ("Warrant"). Each full Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one Common Share at a price of $0.15 for one year. Pursuant to the Private Placement, the Company will issue an aggregate of up to 7,800,630 shares at a price of $0.10 per common share to raise gross proceeds of up to $780,063. For additional details of the Private Placement, please refer to the Company's press release dated December 22, 2021.

The Company may pay to certain introducing parties, in respect of the Offering, finder's fees of up to?8% cash, subject to compliance with applicable securities legislation and TSX-V policies.The securities issued pursuant to the Offering will be subject to a four-month and one day hold period in accordance with applicable Canadian securities laws and TSX-V policies.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

The securities offered have not been registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any jurisdictions in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. Any offering made will be pursuant to available prospectus exemptions and restricted to persons to whom the securities may be sold in accordance with the laws of such jurisdictions, and by persons permitted to sell the securities in accordance with the laws of such jurisdictions.

About Pelangio

Pelangio acquires and explores world-class land packages on strategic gold belts in Ghana, West Africa and Canada. In Ghana, the Company is exploring its two 100% owned, camp-sized properties: the 100 km2 Manfo property, the site of seven near-surface gold discoveries, and the 284 km2 Obuasi property, located four km on strike and adjacent to AngloGold Ashanti's prolific high-grade Obuasi Mine, as well as its Dankran property located adjacent to its Obuasi property. In Canada, the Company is currently focused in Ontario on its Dome West gold property, situated 800 meters from the Dome Mine in Timmins, as well as its Gowan base metals property located 16 kilometers east of the Kidd Creek Mine.

For additional information, please visit our website at www.pelangio.com , or contact:

Ingrid Hibbard, President and CEO

Tel: 905-336-3828 / Toll-free: 1-877-746-1632 / Email: info@pelangio.com

Forward Looking Statements

Certain statements herein may contain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements or information appear in a number of places and can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate" or "believes" or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements and information include statements regarding the Offering generally, the proceeds that may be raised in connection with the Offering, the proposed use of proceeds and the Company's exploration plans. With respect to forward-looking statements and information contained herein, we have made numerous assumptions, including assumptions about our ability to close additional tranches of the Offering in a timely manner, if at all, and the state of the equity markets. Such forward-looking statements and information are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statement or information. Such risks include the ability of the Company to meet the conditions of closing, our ability to conduct our exploration programs as planned, changes in equity markets, share price volatility, volatility of global and local economic climate, gold price volatility, political developments in Ghana, increases in costs, exchange rate fluctuations, speculative nature of gold exploration and other risks involved in the gold exploration industry. See the Company's annual and quarterly financial statements and management's discussion and analysis for additional information on risks and uncertainties relating to the forward-looking statement and information. There can be no assurance that a forward-looking statement or information referenced herein will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements or information. Also, many of the factors are beyond the control of the Company. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information. We undertake no obligation to reissue or update any forward-looking statements or information except as required by law. All forward-looking statements and information herein are qualified by this cautionary statement.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE: Pelangio Exploration Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/683040/Pelangio-Exploration-Increases-Size-of-Previously-Announced-Private-Placement-up-to-780063
Singapore, Singapore--(Newsfile Corp. - January 11, 2022) - Raffles Financial Group Limited (CSE: RICH) (FSE: 4VO) (OTCQX: RAFFF) ("RFG" or the "Company") wish to announce that its operating subsidiary, Raffles Financial Advisory Pte Ltd ("RFA", formerly known as Alto Vencap Pte. Ltd.), which was acquired by the Company in September 2021, has successfully registered as an Exempt Corporate Finance Adviser with the Monetary Authority of Singapore. An Exempt Corporate Finance Adviser providing corporate finance advisory services can serve accredited investors, expert investors, or institutional investors, and is exempted from licensing and business conduct requirements under the Securities and Futures Act and the relevant regulations.

"Apart from being a business advisory company before, now RFA can be the standalone financial advisor serving mid-size companies by providing a suite of financial services such as corporate finance advisory in IPO, RTO, M&A, family office & trust fund management, REIT & digital asset fractionalization and listing in Singapore," exclaimed Albert Fan, Director of RFA.

About Raffles Financial Group Limited

Raffles Financial Group is listed on the Canadian Securities Purchase under the stock symbol (CSE: RICH), the Frankfurt Stock Purchase under the stock symbol (FSE: 4VO), and the OTC Markets under the stock symbol (OTCQX: RAFFF).

For more information, please contact:

Dong Shim, CFO

604-283-9853 OR

Monica Kwok, Investor Relations

Phone: +65 6909 8765

Email: monica@rafflesfinancial.co

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Certain statements contained in this release may constitute "forward-looking statements" or "forward-looking information" (collectively "forward-looking information") as those terms are used in Canadian securities laws. These statements relate to future events or future performance. The use of any of the words "could", "intend", "expect", "believe", "will", "projected", "estimated", "anticipates" and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on the Company's current belief or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/109767
Aberdeen Standard Global Infrastructure Income Fund ("ASGI")

Aberdeen Asia-Pacific Income Fund, Inc. ("FAX")

Aberdeen Australia Equity Fund, Inc. ("IAF")

The India Fund, Inc. ( "IFN")

PHILADELPHIA, PA / ACCESSWIRE / January 11, 2022 / The above-noted Abrdn U.S. Closed-End Funds (the "Funds" or individually the "Fund"), today announced that the Funds paid the distributions noted in the table below on January 11, 2022, on a per share basis to all shareholders of record as of December 30, 2021 (ex-dividend date December 29, 2021). These dates apply to the Funds listed below with the exception of the Aberdeen Australia Equity Fund, Inc. (IAF) which paid the distribution on January 11, 2022 to all shareholders of record as of November 19, 2021 (ex-dividend date November 18, 2021).

Ticker Exchange Fund Amount ASGI NYSE Aberdeen Standard Global Infrastructure Income Fund $ 0.1083 FAX NYSE American Aberdeen Asia-Pacific Income Fund, Inc. $ 0.0275 IAF NYSE American Aberdeen Australia Equity Income Fund, Inc. $ 0.1600 IFN NYSE The India Fund, Inc. $ 0.6400

Each Fund has adopted a distribution policy to provide investors with a stable distribution out of current income, supplemented by realized capital gains and, to the extent necessary, paid-in capital.

For the Aberdeen Australia Equity Fund, Inc. ("IAF"), this stock distribution was automatically paid in newly issued shares of the Fund unless otherwise instructed by the shareholder to be paid in cash. Shares of common stock were issued at the lower of the net asset value ("NAV") per share or the market price per share with a floor for the NAV of not less than 95% of the market price on December 20, 2021. The reinvestment price per share for this distribution was $5.65. Fractional shares were generally settled in cash, except for registered shareholders with book entry accounts at Computershare Investor Services who had whole and fractional shares added to their account.

To have received the Aberdeen Australia Equity Fund, Inc. ("IAF") quarterly distribution payable in January 2022 in cash instead of shares of common stock, for shareholders who hold shares in "street name," the bank, brokerage or nominee who holds the shares must have advised the Depository Trust Company as to the full and fractional shares for which they want the distribution paid in cash by December 17, 2021; and for shares that are held in registered form, written notification for the election of cash by registered shareholders must have been received by Computershare Investor Services prior to December 17, 2021.

Under applicable U.S. tax rules, the amount and character of distributable income for each Fund's fiscal year can be finally determined only as of the end of the Fund's fiscal year. However, under Section 19 of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act") and related rules, the Funds may be required to indicate to shareholders the estimated source of certain distributions to shareholders.

The following tables set forth the estimated amounts of the sources of the distributions for purposes of Section 19 of the 1940 Act and the rules adopted thereunder. The tables have been computed based on generally accepted accounting principles. The tables include estimated amounts and percentages for the current distributions paid this month as well as for the cumulative distributions paid relating to fiscal year to date, from the following sources: net investment income; net realized short-term capital gains; net realized long-term capital gains; and return of capital. The estimated compositions of the distributions may vary because the estimated composition may be impacted by future income, expenses and realized gains and losses on securities and currencies.

Each Fund's estimated sources of the current distribution paid this month and for its current fiscal year to date are as follows:

Estimated Amounts of Current Distribution per Share Fund Distribution Amount Net Investment Income Net Realized Short-Term Gains ** Net Realized Long-Term Gains Return of Capital ASGI $0.1083 $0.0022 2% $0.0011 1% $0.1050 97% - - FAX $0.0275 $0.0179 65% - - - - $0.0096 35% IAF $0.1600 $0.0176 11% $0.0128 8% $0.1280 80% $0.0016 1% IFN $0.6400 - - $0.0320 5% $0.6080 95%

Estimated Amounts of Fiscal Year* to Date Cumulative Distributions per Share Fund Distribution Amount Net Investment Income Net Realized Short-Term Gains ** Net Realized Long-Term Gains Return of Capital ASGI $0.3249 $0.0065 2% $0.0032 1% $0.3152 97% - - FAX $0.0550 $0.0358 65% - - - - $0.0192 35% IAF $0.1600 $0.0176 11% $0.0128 8% $0.1280 80% $0.0016 1% IFN*** $3.2100 - - $0.1605 5% $3.0495 95%

* ASGI has a 9/30 fiscal year end; FAX and IAF have a 10/31 fiscal year end; IFN has 12/31 fiscal year end.

** includes currency gains.

*** The amount reflected is inclusive of the Fund's four quarterly distributions for 2021 and the special cash election distribution which is disclosed in an additional press release.

Where the estimated amounts above show a portion of the distribution to be a "Return of Capital," it means that Fund estimates that it has distributed more than its income and capital gains; therefore, a portion of your distribution may be a return of capital. A return of capital may occur for example, when some or all of the money that you invested in a Fund is paid back to you. A return of capital distribution does not necessarily reflect the Fund's investment performance and should not be confused with "yield" or "income."

The amounts and sources of distributions reported in this notice are only estimates and are not being provided for tax reporting purposes. The final determination of the source of all distributions for the current year will only be made after year-end. The actual amounts and sources of the amounts for tax reporting purposes will depend upon the Fund's investment experience during the remainder of the fiscal year and may be subject to change based on tax regulations. After the end of each calendar year, a Form 1099-DIV will be sent to shareholders for the prior calendar year that will tell you how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes.

The following table provides the Funds' total return performance based on net asset value (NAV) over various time periods compared to the Funds' annualized and cumulative distribution rates.

Fund Performance and Distribution Rate Information Fund Average Annual Total Return on NAV for the 5 Year Period Ending 11/30/2021  Current Fiscal Period's Annualized Distribution Rate on NAV Cumulative Total Return on NAV  Cumulative Distribution Rate on NAV  ASGI  14.06%3 5.88% 0.34% 0.98% FAX  4.08% 7.67% (1.16%) 0.64% IFN  13.05% 9.75% 14.78% 7.25%

1 Return data is net of all Fund expenses and fees and assumes the reinvestment of all distributions reinvested at prices obtained under the Fund's dividend reinvestment plan.

2 Based on the Fund's NAV as of November 30, 2021.

3 The Fund launched within the past 5 years; the performance and distribution rate information presented reflects data from inception (July 29, 2020) through November 30, 2021.

Fund Performance and Distribution Rate Information Fund Average Annual Total Return on NAV for the 5 Year Period Ending 10/31/2021  Current Fiscal Period's Annualized Distribution Rate on NAV Cumulative Total Return on NAV  Cumulative Distribution Rate on NAV  IAF 2 12.43% 9.16% 38.09% 9.16%

1 Return data is net of all Fund expenses and fees and assumes the reinvestment of all distributions reinvested at prices obtained under the Fund's dividend reinvestment plan.

2 Based on the Fund's NAV as of October 31, 2021.

Shareholders should not draw any conclusions about a Fund's investment performance from the amount of the Fund's current distributions or from the terms of the distribution policy (the "Distribution Policy").

While NAV performance may be indicative of the Fund's investment performance, it does not measure the value of a shareholder's investment in the Fund. The value of a shareholder's investment in the Fund is determined by the Fund's market price, which is based on the supply and demand for the Fund's shares in the open market.

Pursuant to an exemptive order granted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Funds may distribute any long-term capital gains more frequently than the limits provided in Section 19(b) under the 1940 Act and Rule 19b-1 thereunder. Therefore, distributions paid by the Funds during the year may include net income, short-term capital gains, long-term capital gains and/or a return of capital. Net income dividends and short-term capital gain dividends, while generally taxable at ordinary income rates, may be eligible, to the extent of qualified dividend income earned by the Funds, to be taxed at a lower rate not to exceed the maximum rate applicable to your long-term capital gains. Distributions made in any calendar year in excess of investment company taxable income and net capital gain are treated as taxable ordinary dividends to the extent of undistributed earnings and profits, and then as a return of capital that reduces the adjusted basis in the shares held. To the extent return of capital distributions exceed the adjusted basis in the shares held, capital gain is recognized with a holding period based on the period the shares have been held at the date such amount is received.

The payment of distributions in accordance with the Distribution Policy may result in a decrease in the Fund's net assets. A decrease in the Fund's net assets may cause an increase in the Fund's annual operating expense ratio and a decrease in the Fund's market price per share to the extent the market price correlates closely to the Fund's net asset value per share. The Distribution Policy may also negatively affect the Fund's investment activities to the extent that the Fund is required to hold larger cash positions than it typically would hold or to the extent that the Fund must liquidate securities that it would not have sold, for the purpose of paying the distribution. Each Fund's Board has the right to amend, suspend or terminate the Distribution Policy at any time. The amendment, suspension or termination of the Distribution Policy may affect the Fund's market price per share. Investors should consult their tax advisor regarding federal, state and local tax considerations that may be applicable in their particular circumstances.

Circular 230 disclosure : To ensure compliance with requirements imposed by the U.S. Treasury, we inform you that any U.S. tax advice contained in this communication (including any attachments) is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, for the purpose of (i) avoiding penalties under the Internal Revenue Code or (ii) promoting, marketing or recommending to another party any transaction or matter addressed herein.

In the United States, abrdn is the marketing name for the following affiliated, registered investment advisers: abrdn Inc., Aberdeen Asset Managers Ltd., abrdn Australia Limited, abrdn Asia Limited, Aberdeen Capital Management, LLC, Aberdeen Standard Investments ETFs Advisors LLC and Aberdeen Standard Alternative Funds Limited.

Closed-end funds are traded on the secondary market through one of the stock exchanges. A Fund's investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor's shares may be worth more or less than the original cost. Shares of closed-end funds may trade above (a premium) or below (a discount) the net asset value (NAV) of the fund's portfolio. There is no assurance that a Fund will achieve its investment objective. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

If you If you wish to receive this information electronically, please contact Investor.Relations@abrdn.com

https://www.abrdn.com/en-us/cefinvestorcenter/fund-centre/closed-end-funds

SOURCE: Abrdn U.S. Closed-End Funds

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/682969/Abrdn-US-Closed-End-Funds-Announce-Distribution-Payment-Details
anotherblock, a Stockholm, Sweden-based provider of a blockchain-based music rights marketplace, raised $1.2m in a pre-seed funding round.

The round was led by J12 with participation came from Sebastian Knutsson (founder of King, maker of Candy Crush); Mattias Miksche (founder of Stardoll, angel investor in Sana Labs, Estrid, Teamtailor); Mathias Ackermand (co-founder of Transmode and angel-investor in successful startups like e.g. Fishbrain, Fast Travel Games, Next Games, 46 Elks and Freespee) and DJ, music producer and label owner (and member of Swedish House Mafia), and Steve Angello. Advisors to the project include Canadian-American music producer Doc McKinney (who received a Grammy for the Weeknds Starboy album).

The company intends to use the funds to expand operations and its development efforts.

Led by Michel D. Traore, CEO, Sebastian Ljungberg, CTO, and Filip Stromsten, COO, anotherblock is launching a blockchain-based marketplace for music rights in the first half of 2022 and will use blockchain to empower creators and add value to their art. The startup aims to solve three issues:

inability for ordinary investors to access prominent asset-class,

difficulty liquidising and opening-up music rights to a broader market, and

a corresponding undervaluation of the music itself.

NFTs will be the initial focus of anotherblock, at first by introducing tokens connected to royalty rights. Each of these NFTs will generate royalties corresponding to ownership. Secondly, by creating unique NFTs where the buyer is the sole individual who can enjoy the art (whether in-person or within the metaverse). Artists who put their rights on the blockchain will receive a transaction payment / trade-royalty every time the NFT is traded, in perpetuity.

The company will also focus on rights management for artists and labels on the blockchain once the NFT marketplace is established and operating.

FinSMEs

11/01/2022
KoinWorks, a Jakarta, Indonesia-based fintech platform, raised $108m in Series C funding.

The round was led by MDI Ventures, the corporate venture arm of Telkom Indonesia, with participation from previous equity investors such as Quona Capital, Triodos Investment Management, Saison Capital, ACV and East Ventures.

The funding, which consists of $43 million in equity and $65 million in debt capital, will be used to scale KoinWorks solutions and team as the company aims to hire 400 new employees globally to meet demand.

Led by Benedicto Haryono, CEO, and Willy Arifin, Co-founder, KoinWorks provides a financial solution platform that focuses on underserved and underbanked markets. It provides small to medium size businesses owners and freelancers with an account and card, credit and productivity tools. On the platform, users will find a marketplace of integrated applications such as Accounting Software, POS, e-Commerce, HRMS for SME, a Budgeting app alongside KoinWorks staple products such as working capital, invoice factoring, early wage access and treasury management.

The company is headquartered in Jakarta with Holding in Singapore and has a Tech office in Yogyakarta, India and Vietnam. KoinWorks has over 1.5 million users.

FinSMEs

11/01/2022
Novo, a Miami, Florida-based small business banking platform, raised $90m in Series B funding at a $700m valuation.

The round, which brought Novos total funding to more than $135m, was led by Stripes with participation from existing investors Valar Ventures, Crosslink Capital, Rainfall Ventures, and BoxGroup. In conjunction with the funding, Saagar Kulkarni, Partner at Stripes, will be joining Novos Board of Directors.

The company intends to use the funds to build out modern lending capabilities, integrations, and proprietary products that allow small businesses to send and receive money more quickly.

Led by Michael Rangel, CEO and co-founder, and Tyler McIntylre, CTO and co-founder, Novo is a banking platform for small businesses.

New features will add to the series of enhancements the company announced in 2021:

The Novo App Marketplace , which lets businesses centralize their finances, giving them visibility into everything from e-commerce sales, to pending invoices, and cash-on-hand. The marketplace also allows small businesses to take advantage of dozens of native integrations, and connect to over 1,000 applications and tools that they already use.

, which lets businesses centralize their finances, giving them visibility into everything from e-commerce sales, to pending invoices, and cash-on-hand. The marketplace also allows small businesses to take advantage of dozens of native integrations, and connect to over 1,000 applications and tools that they already use. Invoicing , which enables customers to create and manage an unlimited number of invoices on the platform and to process credit card payments via their payment processor integrations.

, which enables customers to create and manage an unlimited number of invoices on the platform and to process credit card payments via their payment processor integrations. Cash flow Insights , which allows customers to review their top income and spending categories, compare income from different time periods, and review cash flow and inbound transactions.

, which allows customers to review their top income and spending categories, compare income from different time periods, and review cash flow and inbound transactions. Reserves, which allows customers to add up to five Reserves to their account, and allocate those funds for different expenses they want to save for, from estimated taxes to large capital expenditures.

The company has surpassed $5 billion in lifetime transactions  processing more than $4 billion in transactions in 2021 alone, and entering 2022 with a run-rate transaction volume of more than $7 billion.

FinSMEs

11/01/2022
Opendatasoft, a Paris, France-based leader in data democratization platforms, completed a $25m funding round.

The round was led by Demeter (through its Paris Fonds Vert fund) with participation from existing investors, including the Banque des Territoires, and two other new backers, ODYSSEE Ventures and Eiffel Investment Group.

The company intends to use the funds to scale its operations, accelerating international and vertical market expansion, strengthen its presence in North America by expanding its existing Boston office, as well as boosting activities in Australia and across Europe, including entering new vertical markets, such as retail, services and healthcare.

Led by Jean-Marc Lazard, CEO and co-founder, Opendatasoft provides a SaaS platform that allows all teams to quickly create compelling digital experiences with their data and share them across their internal and external ecosystems. This allows customers to accelerate digital transformation and development, transform their operations and establish more transparent relationships with their stakeholders.

More than 300 organizations around the world have adopted Opendatasofts platform. They include large enterprises such as Schneider Electric, Groupe BPCE, SFR, Veolia, Enedis and Saint-Gobain, government departments and major cities such as Paris, Vancouver, Lille, Bristol, Namur and Eindhoven.

FinSMEs

11/01/2022
Dr. Doron Myersdorf, CEO and Co-founder, StoreDot (left) and Pham Thuy Linh, Deputy CEO, VinFast (right)

StoreDot, a Herzeliya, Israel-based developer of fast charging (XFC) battery technology for electric vehicles, announced the first close of its Series D funding round of up to $80m, the majority of which have already been secured.

The lead investor is the Vietnamese electric vehicle manufacturer, VinFast, which plans to scale up manufacturing and deploy StoreDots Extreme Fast Charging in future EV architectures. Participants include bp ventures, a current investor and active partner, and Golden Energy Global Investment Ltd., a wholly owned company by EVE Energys founder, Dr. Liu Jincheng.

The capital will be used for completion of StoreDots R&D and mass production scale-up of silicon dominant extreme fast charging (XFC) battery cells by 2024 for electric vehicles and continue the progress on Extreme Energy Density cells based on Solid State technology for future deployment. This funding also enables the company to ramp up its California-based R&D center and commence scale up operations in key global locations, in readiness for full mass production of cells in 2024.

The company is currently shipping cell samples for real-world testing by leading automotive manufacturers

Led by Dr Doron Myersdorf, CEO, StoreDot is a pioneer and leader of extreme fast charging (XFC) batteries that overcome the critical barrier to mainstream EV adoption. The company has designes and synthesizes proprietary organic and inorganic compounds, making it possible to fully charge an EV in just five minutes  the same time it takes to refuel a conventional combustion engine vehicle. StoreDot is in advanced talks with leading global car makers for integration of its XFC technology into their future models. The company demonstrates a clear technology roadmap including its next generation XED, extreme energy density solid state cells with planned mass production in 2028.

FinSMEs

11/01/2022
The University of Pittsburgh says it has disenrolled a number of students from classes for failing to comply with a universitywide COVID-19 vaccination mandate, and also has barred a number of employees from campus buildings.

Pitt officials did not specify the number of individuals affected. Spring classes began Monday, though students are largely taking them remotely under a shelter-in-place order limiting them to their dorms in order to deal with surging cases of COVID-19s omicron variant.

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While we continue to work with those who are trying to come into compliance, late last week noncompliant students were disenrolled from classes, and lost access to Pitt buildings and certain IT functions, Pitt spokesperson David Seldin told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette in an email late Monday. In addition, noncompliant employees lost access to Pitt buildings and certain IT resources.

He added, Students and employees who come into compliance will be permitted to re-enroll and regain access.

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It was unclear how many faculty were affected and what staff and administrators may be involved.

About 29,000 of Pitts 34,000 students attend classes on the Oakland campuses. The balance are enrolled at Pitt Bradford, Greensburg, Johnstown and Titusville.

For most of 2021, the university mounted an aggressive push to encourage its students and 15,500 faculty and staff to get the vaccine, offering incentives for those willing to roll up the sleeve and additional testing requirements for those who did not. However, it stopped short of a requirement.

It achieved a vaccination rate of 93% on all its campuses combined.

In November, Pitt leaders decided it was time to go further, requiring vaccination by Dec. 6. They explained their thinking in a memo to campus:

While successful to date, this approach is not sustainable in the long term. The most effective, data-driven and sustainable approach to keeping our community healthy and safe is one that utilizes vaccination  or an approved exemption  as a condition of studying or working on our campuses, read a statement.

By enforcing this requirement now, we will be able to maintain a high immunization rate on our campuses, while continuing to support our students and research, as well as protect our workforce, with minimal disruption to our programs, activities, or operations.

The U.S. Supreme Court is currently hearing a challenge to the legality of employer vaccine mandates. Meanwhile, more than 1,100 colleges and universities nationwide have enacted mandates covering students, employees or both, according to The Chronicle of Higher Education.

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Lehigh University is requiring all students, faculty and staff to get the booster shot by Friday. Students who do not get the booster will be unable to access their residence hall and campus buildings and will be disenrolled from spring courses, according to the university website.

Lafayette College is requiring all students and faculty to get the booster by Feb. 1. Those failing to do so will be restricted from campus. Muhlenberg College is requiring students, faculty and staff to get the booster shot before Feb. 1 or within 30 days of becoming eligible.

Moravian University is not requiring booster shots, but is strongly recommending the use of surgical of KN95 masks while on campus.

Cedar Crest College and DeSales University are not requiring students to get the vaccine, but are strongly recommending it.

Last Call Daily Get top headlines from The Morning Call delivered weekday afternoons. >

Temple University enacted a requirement to comply with a Philadelphia ordinance. A number of private campuses in the Pittsburgh region, among them Carnegie Mellon and Duquesne universities, have enacted similar rules.

The State System of Higher Education says its 14 state-owned universities can not enact a requirement without an act of the Republican-controlled state legislature.

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The Morning Call news staff contributed to this story.

Bill Schackner: bschackner@post-gazette.com, 412-263-1977 and on Twitter @Bschackner

(c)2022 the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Visit the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette at www.post-gazette.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Geneva, NY (14456)

Today

Increasing clouds with showers arriving sometime in the afternoon. High 69F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%..

Tonight

Steady light rain in the evening. Showers continuing late. Low 56F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 70%.
It has been a few months since Google released Android 12, and the Android 12L stable version is yet to release. Now, details about Android 13 (internally codenamed Tiramisu) has surfaced. This is said to bring tap to transfer feature for media playback and make QR code scanning easier.

In a Google UI demo mock-up posted by Android Police, for parts of the Media TTT workflow has mentions of tap to transfer. The screenshot shows Move closer to play on DEMO and Playing on DEMO with Undo button. This could help you move media between your phone and other devices, like how it works between iPhone and HomePod.

Android 13 is also expected to bring improved QR code scanning. The screenshot mockups show Show QR Scanner in the lock screen section of Settings. This will probably allow you to access the QR Scanner from the lock screen instead of launching the camera app. Android 13 is also said to add a QR code Quick Settings tile.

Google is expected to start public testing of Android 13 sometime mid 2022, which is just a few months away.

Source 1, 2
Fontana High School Class of 2021 graduate Therelin Segura celebrates with Master Sergeant W.K. Harkley and Lt. Col. R.D. Meelarp of the Fohi Marine Corps Junior ROTC after receiving a scholarship from the National Latino Peace Officers Association to continue her pursuit of higher education. Segura was the MCJROTC cadet commanding officer during her senior year at Fohi. (Contributed photo by FUSD)
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I hope we Americans can use the dawn of 2022 to repair many of the divisions that widened among us during the last few years. But to do so, well need to rededicate ourselves to a sense of national community, and of national purpose.

As a professor of American history, Im aware that our nation has seen its share of bitter divides, dating back to the Revolution, which many Americans opposed at point of arms.

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Since then, there have been many episodes: angry arguments between Alexander Hamiltons Federalists and Thomas Jeffersons Democratic-Republicans over the powers of government; arguments over limiting liquor; harsh disputes about the Mexican-American War and the Vietnam War; fearsome controversies regarding organized labor, racial equality and numerous other issues.

The most traumatic of all was the eventual open warfare over the place of slavery in our nation.

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So, division and dispute are not new in the United States, and can be healthy, as citizens debate competing visions and reach answers that meet the needs of the time.

However, divisions can become so stark that they damage the countrys prospects, and I worry that we may now be approaching this point.

Brian Alnutt (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

Benjamin Franklin famously stated the new nation was to be 'a republic, if you can keep it.' (Public Domain // Wikimedia Commons)

Surveys during the past few years showed political attitudes among many Republicans and Democrats became increasingly hostile to each other. In 2014, the Pew Center reported Republicans and Democrats are more divided along ideological lines  and partisan antipathy is deeper and more extensive  than at any point in the last two decades  and things become ever more acute since then.

By early 2021, the same Pew Center found that nearly 80% of Trump and Biden voters believed the others supporters fundamentally disagreed about core American values, Increasing numbers of Democrats and Republicans report that they are reluctant to befriend members of the opposition, or even have a family member marry someone belonging to the other party.

The discord isnt symmetrical. Far more Republicans than Democrats seem to believe politicians they support should avoid compromise with the opposition. And far more Republicans assert voting is a privilege that can be restricted, while most Democrats define voting as a fundamental right.

Going further, two recent surveys found that nearly 40% of Republicans agreed that force might be needed to protect  the traditional American way of life, an ominous sentiment not echoed among Democrats. A few Republican activists have expressed admiration for the illiberal regime of Hungary, in which government power enforces conservative principles.

Certain voices on the left have also fueled a toxic level of division. Some liberal activists denounced this country as an oppressive monument to settler colonialism and criticized the nations Founding Fathers and founding documents for being tainted by slave-holding or misogyny.

This sharp fragmentation not only threatens domestic unrest, but it also makes it difficult to govern the nation. If, in a multiparty democracy, opponents become enemies with whom cooperation is inconceivable, then decision-making slows or halts altogether.

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Citizens of other nations are watching this deterioration, and surveys show most no longer look up to the U.S. as a model.

For the good of future generations, Americans of goodwill can and must overcome this polarization.

First, I urge all of us to renew our sense of American community, and consciously broaden it to include Americans who are very much unlike ourselves.

Benjamin Franklin famously stated the new nation was to be a republic, if you can keep it. Keeping it means making the effort to trust our neighbors, whether or not they are on our political or ethnic/racial team, as fellow citizens pursuing the same goals of liberty, fairness and opportunity for all.

Secondly, its important to renew our sense of national mission, our legacy from the American Revolution.

Thomas Paine famously wrote in 1775, We have it in our power to begin the world over again. A situation, similar to the present, hath not happened since the days of Noah until now.

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Imagine that. We must ground ourselves in that spirit and understand that all of us, right now, are members of this world-changing, hope-filled experiment.

Now let us move forward, together.

Brian Alnutt is a professor of history at Northampton Community College.
Heart-to-heart on cardiotoxicity of treatment

Fred Hutch public health researcher Dr. Heather Greenlee presented findings from the National Cancer Institute-funded Pathways Heart Study in a pair of spotlight poster sessions. The posters broke down the cardiovascular disease risk of different breast cancer therapies by body mass index and investigated the development of cardiometabolic risk factors (such as diabetes, high cholesterol or high blood pressure) following the use of endocrine, or anti-hormone, therapy.

The impetus for this study is that many breast cancer treatments are cardiotoxic, meaning they harm the heart, Greenlee said in her presentation on cardiovascular disease risk and BMI, but its not well-established whether overweight and obesity further contributes to cardiovascular event outcomes such as ischemic heart disease, heart failure/cardiomyopathy (disease of the heart muscle) or stroke.

Working in collaboration with investigators at Kaiser Permanente Northern California, the University of Washington and the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center in New York, Greenlee and collaborators looked at the risk of developing cardiovascular disease after receiving different breast cancer treatments, including chemotherapies (anthracyclines, trastuzumab [Herceptin], taxanes and cyclophosphamide), radiation therapy, and endocrine therapy (aromatase inhibitor, tamoxifen). The analyses included women with breast cancer with normal weight, overweight and obesity.

After monitoring more than 13,000 women for an average of seven years, the researchers found that certain chemotherapy drugs and radiation to the left side of the body (where the heart is located) may confer a higher cardiovascular disease risk for normal-weight breast cancer survivors.

Results showed the risk of specific cardiovascular disease events did vary by BMI category, Greenlee said.

Findings showed women with normal weight who received anthracyclines had an increased risk of ischemic heart disease and heart failure/cardiomyopathy; normal weight women who received cyclophosphamide and left-sided radiation had an increased risk of heart failure/cardiomyopathy and stroke; and normal weight women who received taxanes had a higher risk of stroke.

Overweight women who received anthracyclines had a higher risk of heart failure and cardiomyopathy. Among obese women, however, Greenlee said receipt of any chemotherapy was associated with lower risk of stroke.

Why the counterintuitive finding in obese women?

There may be dose-capping at higher body weights, Greenlee said of the cardioprotective effect in obese patients. For many patients at higher BMI levels, the clinical recommendations are for patients to receive very high doses of anthracyclines, but many clinicians are hesitant to do that so they cap the doses. Thats one possibility. Another possibility is that it could have to do with the way the drugs are metabolized.

Her team will conduct further analysis of specific dosages to see if this modifies the findings, she said.

Greenlees second Pathways Heart Study poster, which also relied on data from Kaiser Permanente Northern California, looked at whether women undergoing different types of endocrine therapy developed cardiometabolic risk factors, such as diabetes, high cholesterol or high blood pressure. People with these risk factors are more likely to develop a cardiovascular event such as heart attack or stroke.

Out of nearly 15,000 breast cancer survivors, most of whom were postmenopausal, the researchers found differences in the effects among pre- and post-menopausal women.

Among premenopausal women, the team found no associations between the use of either tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitors, or AIs, and new cardiometabolic risk factors. However, Greenlee noted that this lack of associations may be due to the relatively low number of premenopausal women in the study.

The findings were different in postmenopausal women. Among postmenopausal women, AI users had higher risk of developing dyslipidemia, compared to tamoxifen users. (Dyslipidemia is an abnormal blood level of lipids, or fats, such as cholesterol.) Neither therapy increased the risk of developing diabetes or high blood pressure.

More work is needed to understand the implications of these associations on long-term cardiovascular health and how to best manage cardiometabolic risk factors in breast cancer survivors with a history of endocrine therapy use, Greenlee said.
Local students lined up their goats for judges to inspect at the 2022 Cooke County Junior Livestock Show , which took place at the Cooke County Fairgrounds and First Christian Church in Gainesville last week.
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editor's pick centerpiece featured

Galveston neighbors head to court over pot-bellied pig

STUART VILLANUEVA/The Daily News Sandra Gonzalez pets her pig, Buddy, as he sleeps in an enclosure in the backyard of her house in Galveston on Friday, Jan. 7, 2022. Gonzalez has kept the pig since it was a piglet as a pet for her son. stuartvillanueva / STUART VILLANUEVA/The Daily News file photo Stephanie Mestanas looks through city ordinances relating to animals kept within Galveston city limits on Friday, Dec. 17, 2021. stuartvillanueva / STUART VILLANUEVA/The Daily News Fred Mestanas speaks Friday, Dec. 17, 2021, about a pig being kept by his neighbors in their Galveston neighborhood. stuartvillanueva / STUART VILLANUEVA/The Daily News Photographs taken by Fred and Stephanie Mestanas of their neighbors back yard show an enclosure where a pig is kept. stuartvillanueva / STUART VILLANUEVA/The Daily News Fred and Stephanie Mestanas voice their frustration Friday, Dec. 17, 2021, about the pig being kept by their next-door neighbors. STUART VILLANUEVA/The Daily News Kent Dodge and Sandra Gonzalez watch as Buddy, a full-grown pot-bellied pig, sleeps in an enclosure in the back yard of Gonzalezs house in Galveston on Friday, Jan. 7, 2022. Gonzalez and Dodges son have looked after the pig since it was a piglet.

GALVESTON

Buddy the pot-bellied pig has lived in the yard of a house on Ibis Drive for 10 years.

Buddy always has had food, shelter when its cold, baths when its hot and a job, his owner said. Practically speaking, Buddy now also has a lawyer.

Owner Sandra Gonzalez said Buddy has never caused problems and provides comfort to an adult with Aspergers syndrome, a form of autism. But neighbors Fred and Stephanie Mestanas, who live next door, complain the pig smells and attracts pests, and they have pointed out that by city ordinance pigs arent allowed in the residential neighborhood.

Gonzalez must go before a municipal court judge to ask to keep the pig and wants the city to create an ordinance that would allow Buddy to remain.

The Mestanases moved to Galveston last year. They hadnt planned to move next door to a pig, they said.

Stephanie Mestanas, who grew up in Santa Fe, is accustomed to being around farm animals, she said. But she and her husband didnt want that in their new neighborhood, she said.

I didnt want that life, Stephanie Mestanas said.

The Mestanases said the pig smells and they had rats in their house when they moved in, which they worry were attracted by the pig food next door, she said.

Theres only one pig, but the flies are abundant, Mestanas said.

Gonzalez bought the pig years ago for her now 25-year-old son who has Aspergers and other mental health conditions, she said.

She had read research pointing to benefits pigs specifically can provide to people with Aspergers, Gonzalez said.

It changed his life, Gonzalez said. To this day, Buddy is his only friend. He can actually look you in the eyes.

Buddy lives in a covered shed in Gonzalezs backyard. The family hangs covers on the walls when its cold and cools Buddy with a water hose when its hot, she said. Neighbors have known about Buddy for years and didnt object, she said.

Gonzalez keeps Buddy clean and feeds him fresh food every day, she said. Pigs actually are very clean, she said.

You dont smell anything out here, she said.

Pigs, however, are illegal in most areas in Galveston.

In an R-1 district, which is a common residential zoning and the zone Buddy lives in, pigs are allowed only on property of about 5 acres, said Joshua Henderson, animal services supervisor with the Galveston Police Department.

Gonzalezs house is on a standard residential lot, much smaller than 5 acres.

Pigs are allowed in areas classified as urban farms, which is land used to farm crops or raise livestock, according to the citys code.

When the city learned about Buddy, Gonzalez was issued a citation, Henderson said. The case has to go through the municipal court, where a hearing is scheduled later this month.

The city has no legal means to grant Buddy an exception, he said.

In theory, it could be a thing, but there is no such process currently outlined in code that could provide them a variance, Henderson said.

Thats essentially what Gonzalez would like, attorney Ramzey Zein-Eldin said.

Weve made every effort to try to obtain some variance in the ordinances by normal processes, Zein-Eldin said.

Zein-Eldin would like to talk to the city about passing an ordinance for Buddy to stay at the home for the remainder of his life, he said.

That would be a year or two, if Buddy is your average pot-bellied pig. Hes 11 years old and such pigs tend to live 12 to 15 years, Zein-Eldin said.

Hes not a nuisance, Zein-Eldin said. Buddy creates no kind of nuisance to anyone. Hes not a smelly pig.

The Mestanases are sympathetic to the fact that Buddy helps Gonzalezs son, but they dont want to live next door to a pig, they said. They just want the rules applied, Stephanie Mestanas said.

Why have an ordinance if youre not going to enforce it?
The first anniversary of the Capitol riot was marked last week with the expected political drama.

Democrats including President Biden condemned that dark day and called for justice and reckoning.

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Republicans generally laid low. A few offered conspiracy theories.

Donald Trump barely noted the dates significance. In a statement blaming Biden for everything except the weather, he said only that Democrats want to own this day to stoke fears and divide America.

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I hope our schools had the courage to acknowledge the anniversary. What happened on Jan. 6, 2021 was unprecedented. It was historical and should be part of our history curriculum.

I raise this point because there was controversy about that in one nearby community.

Pennridge School District in Bucks County instructed teachers not to wade into discussions with students about the events of Jan. 6 due to the current polarization and strong emotions, WHYY reported on Jan. 5.

WHYY obtained a copy of an administrative email to social studies teachers and principals about how to respond if students ask about what happened at the Capitol.

Teachers were told to simply state that the investigation is ongoing and as historians we must wait until there is some distance from the event for us to accurately interpret it.

FILE - The U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. (John Minchillo/AP)

[ Who is to blame for the Capitol riot? ]

Thats the wrong approach.

The facts of that day should not be subject to interpretation. They should be taught now.

And they should be taught in a politically neutral manner. Trigger terms such as riot or insurrection shouldnt be used.

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Students can come up with their own words to describe what occurred. But they must learn that:

Trump supporters, wearing his hats and waving his flag, broke into the Capitol. That followed a rally held by the president nearby where he alleged the election had been stolen from him.

Police officers were assaulted. One later died. The building was damaged. Items were stolen. A woman was shot by police as she tried to climb through the broken window of a door to the House of Representatives.

The violence caused representatives to evacuate and delayed their certification of Biden as winner of the 2020 election. The House later impeached Trump on a charge of inciting violence against the government. He was acquitted during a Senate trial.

[ One year later, Susan Wild looks back at Jan. 6 and dramatic photo that went viral. My heart was pounding out of my chest. ]

Those are the facts, at the minimum. Educators shouldnt be afraid to share them with students. And they shouldnt be barred from sharing them.

Whether Trump incited the violence with his speech remains a matter of debate. He told rally attendees that, If you dont fight like hell youre not going to have a country anymore.

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Whether there was a twisted conspiracy that led all the way to Trump to stop Biden from taking office also remains debated.

As the investigations wrap up, they can be rolled into future history lessons.

But theres plenty of history to teach now. So lets teach it.

After seeing the WHYY report about Pennridge, I reached out to Superintendent David Bolton.

He told me Monday that teachers were not gagged.

At no time did we issue a directive that teachers could not teach about January 6th he said in a statement. We have always trusted our teachers to do what is best for our students, and we have no interest in stifling them.

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The district issued guidance after multiple teachers expressed concerns as the anniversary neared, because of the heightened emotions surrounding the storming of our U.S. Capitol, Bolton said in his statement. We suggested that, if asked, staff could discuss the role that time plays in forming historical views.

Pennridge teachers remain able to address any topic of current events in a constructive and appropriate manner, he said.

When I asked whether students were taught about Jan. 6 on the anniversary, Bolton told me discussions occurred in multiple classrooms.

I cannot provide specifics since it was discussion-based and based on student questions, he said.

Thats good to hear.

If conversations start to get political or heated, teachers can steer them back to a fact-based discussion.

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But they shouldnt steer clear of the topic.

The failure of schools to address it would just be another sad chapter to teach about the history of that day.

Morning Call columnist Paul Muschick can be reached at 610-820-6582 or paul.muschick@mcall.com

[ Capitol rioters prison sentence should make America sleep well - with 42 exceptions in Pennsylvania ]
The House District 44 seat Tina Kotek is vacating in north and northeast Portland will be filled by appointment of the Multnomah County commissioners.

It will be the ninth time this cycle, going back to the 2020 election, that a legislative seat has been filled by an interim appointee.

The process starts upon Koteks resignation Jan. 21. Kotek is a candidate for the Democratic nomination for governor in the May 17 primary. Resigning ahead of the 2022 session, which is scheduled to start Feb. 1, will enable her to raise campaign funds. A House rule bars lawmakers from raising campaign money during sessions.

Kotek has been in the House since 2007.

The timing of Koteks resignation will allow someone to take the seat for part of the 2022 session, which is limited to 35 days. Assuming a Feb. 1 start, the session will end no later than March 7.

State law requires her successor to be a Democrat, because she was elected as a Democrat. Democratic precinct people from within District 44 will nominate three, four or five candidates. All candidates must have lived within the current district boundaries for at least one year, and been registered Democrats for at least 180 days. They also cannot be in the custody of the Oregon Department of Corrections.

The Democratic Party of Oregon supervises the process. Normally the nomination meeting is in person, but because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, party officials can choose alternate methods such as mail ballots or virtual meetings.

Quality journalism doesn't happen without your help Support local news coverage and the people who report it by subscribing to the Albany Democrat-Herald.

The candidates also can be ranked in order of preference, although the order is not binding.

The actual appointment is made by Multnomah County commissioners because the district is entirely within the county. They must choose from the nominees supplied by the party, or they can choose no one. They cannot appoint someone else.

If the process is not completed within 30 days after the seat becomes vacant, Gov. Kate Brown is empowered by law to appoint any Democrat who qualifies within the district. Unlike the county commissioners, she would not be limited to the list of nominees.

Although that hasnt happened recently, Gov. John Kitzhaber invoked that authority twice during his first two terms as governor.

In 1997, after Sen. Bill Kennemer of Oregon City was elected as a Clackamas County commissioner, the then-three member county board declined to appoint any of the nominees Republicans put forward for the Senate seat. Kitzhaber appointed Verne Duncan of Milwaukie, a former state schools superintendent and Idaho legislator, who ended up serving six years after Duncan won a full term in 1998.

In 2001, after Sen. Lee Beyer of Springfield was appointed to the Public Utility Commission and Rep. Bill Morrisette of Springfield was appointed to Beyers seat, Lane County commissioners balked at the nominees Democrats put forward for Morrisettes House seat. Kitzhaber appointed Terry Beyer, Lee Beyers wife, who ended up serving through 2010. Morrisette retired from the Senate that same year, and Lee Beyer ran for and won the Senate seat again.

Koteks seat will be the ninth filled by appointment under state law since the 2020 election  an unusually high number.

The others in chronological order, with the appointee listed first:

 Andrea Valderrama of Portland, a Democrat who succeeded Diego Hernandez in House District 47 in East Portland. Hernandez resigned, effective March 15, 2021, ahead of a scheduled expulsion vote after a House committee concluded he committed 18 violations of a rule against sexual harassment. He was in his third term. She took the seat on April 1.

 Anna Scharf of Amity, a Republican who succeeded Mike Nearman in House District 23 in the Mid-Willamette Valley. Nearman became the first sitting legislator expelled on June 10 in connection with his allowing anti-lockdown demonstrators, some of them armed, to enter a closed Capitol during a special session on Dec. 21, 2020. He was in his fourth term. Scharf, who once worked for Nearman, took the seat on July 6, after the close of the 2021 session.

 Christine Goodwin of Roseburg, a Republican who succeeded Gary Leif in House District 2 in Southern Oregon. Leif, who was in his second term, died of cancer July 22. Goodwin took her seat on Aug. 27.

 Akasha Lawrence Spence of Portland, a Democrat who succeeded Ginny Burdick in Senate District 18, which currently covers Southwest Portland and Tigard in Washington County. (It has been redrawn.) Burdick resigned Nov. 1 after 25 years to accept an appointment to the Northwest Power and Conservation Council. Lawrence Spence took her seat on Dec. 4. Lawrence Spence also was the interim successor in 2020 to Rep. Jennifer Williamson, who resigned early in preparation for a statewide campaign Williamson later dropped.

 Jessica George of Keizer, a Republican who succeeded Bill Post in House District 25. Post, who was in his fourth term, resigned Nov. 30 after moving to Nevada. She took her seat Dec. 13.

 Chris Hoy of Salem, a Democrat who succeeded Brian Clem in House District 21. Clem, who was in his eighth term, resigned Dec. 1 for family reasons. Hoy took his seat on Dec. 10.

 An appointment is in process for the seat of Sen. Betsy Johnson of Scappoose, who resigned Dec. 16 to concentrate on her independent bid for governor. Her interim successor in the Senate will be a Democrat, since Johnsons most recent election in 2018 was as a Democrat. Three Democrats have been nominated for consideration by commissioners in the six counties within District 16. Johnson had been in the House since 2001 and the Senate since 2005.

 An appointment is in process for the seat of Sen. Chuck Riley of Hillsboro, who resigned Jan. 1. Washington County commissioners will choose from the nominees offered by Democrats. District 15 is entirely within the county. Riley was in the House six years, lost a bid for the Senate in 2010, then won in a rematch with Republican Bruce Starr in 2014.

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With more than 18,500 new cases of COVID-19 detected statewide since Friday, Oregon Health Authority officials are asking people to avoid hospital emergency rooms, if possible.

The state is asking residents to consider alternatives for non-urgent health issues.

"Oregonians are being asked to ease the burden on health systems and emergency rooms," according to an OHA news release. "If you are looking for nonemergency COVID-19 treatment, please call your doctor or an urgent care clinic."

Also included in the report Monday, Jan. 10, was the announcement that one mid-valley resident was among the 18 new COVID-19-related deaths logged in over the weekend. Weekend numbers may be under-reported as not every county supplies data to the state on the weekends.

Of those new known cases, 600 of them were detected in Benton County compared to 448 in Linn County. Benton County has recorded 8,000 cases since the start of the pandemic while Linn County has recorded 16,936.

Oregons 5,765th COVID-related death is a 96-year-old man from Benton County who died on Oct. 22 at his residence. He had underlying conditions, though COVID-19 was listed as a significant condition contributing to his death, the OHA stated in its Monday report.

Linn County has logged 210 deaths related to the disease since the start of the pandemic. Benton County has recorded 44 deaths.

Oregon has recorded 459,700 total cases statewide, with 5,761 deaths.

Testing: The OHA said that the number of COVID-19 tests reported for Jan. 7 was the third-highest single day count for Oregon during the pandemic at 51,996 tests administered. The statewide test positivity rate currently sits at 22.1%.

Vaccinations: There were 9,110 new doses of coronavirus vaccine administered over the weekend, bringing the seven-day running average of vaccines to 11,247 per day. To date, just fewer than 2,789,000 people have completed a vaccination series in Oregon.

Hospitalizations: The number of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 currently sits at 692. There are 150 COVID-19 patients in hospital beds across the state. Out of 86 staffed adult ICU beds available in Region 2, which serves Linn and Benton counties, there are five beds available.

Nationally: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 1,549,823 new cases over the weekend and 3,222 new deaths. The United States has recorded more than 60 million cases of COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic, with more than 835,000 deaths.

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Gillette, WY (82718)

Today

Windy with increasing clouds. Slight chance of a rain shower. High around 60F. Winds SSE at 25 to 35 mph..

Tonight

Rain showers in the evening will evolve into a more steady rain overnight. Low 39F. Winds SE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch.
Since 2016, Pennsylvanias medical marijuana program has provided more than 600,000 patients and caregivers with lifesaving medicine. Each day Pennsylvanias medical marijuana patients responsibly use their medicine to treat one of 23 serious medical conditions.

Unfortunately, many patients fear their employment could be affected, given the failure of regulators to explain and enforce current law.

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The commonwealths regulators failed the Pennsylvania workforce by remaining silent when it comes to employment matters. Now, big employers are lobbying for state Senate Bill 749, legislation that will punish working patients for accessing lifesaving medicine.

At a time when employers are struggling to hire, it is unimaginable that Pennsylvania would even consider legislation to further restrict the workforce.

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Instead of opening a complex, bipartisan piece of legislation, our representatives should call on the Secretary of Health and Secretary of Labor and Industry to issue clear guidance for existing law. Guidance would provide clarity and certainty for all parties.

If you or someone you love is a Pennsylvania medical marijuana patient, please call your state senator and tell them to oppose SB 749.

Meredith Buettner

The writer is executive director of Pennsylvania Cannabis Coalition, Harrisburg.
SPS academic awarded 1.49 million ERC Starting Grant

Congratulations to our Senior Lecturer in international Relations, Dr Gerasimos Tsourapas, who has been awarded a prestigious 1.49 million Starting Grant from the European Research Council (ERC). The ERC's mission is to encourage the highest quality research in Europe through competitive funding and to support investigator-driven frontier research across all fields, on the basis of scientific excellence.

Gerasimos will carry out a five-year project, 'The International Politics of Mobility Sanctions (MOBSANCT)', which takes migration research in a new direction. It proposes a comprehensive framework that examines the use of labour and forced migration as an instrument of foreign policy by Western and non-Western countries alike. The project focuses on the seven countries involved in largest waves of migration into, out of, and across the Middle East, namely France, Germany, India, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates.

Gerasimos said: 'I am delighted to have been successful in securing an ERC Starting Grant. The use of migration in international diplomacy is increasingly common across the world, and MOBSANCT develops the first-ever global dataset on the use of labour and forced migration as an instrument of foreign policy. The project explains the rationale behind a range of processes, including Turkeys use of Syrian refugees to elicit European financial and political concessions, and determines the likelihood of their success. Ultimately, MOBSANCT will enable the design of more effective responses to migrant and refugee crises.'

Of the award Professor Anne Kerr, Head of the School of Social & Political Sciences, said: Congratulations to Gerasimos on securing ERC funding for this important new research project. We urgently need to interrogate international policy and political responses to migration and this project will play a leading role in this work.
New York, Jan. 07, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Nuclear Power Reactor Decommissioning Market - Growth, Trends, COVID-19 Impact, and Forecasts (2021 - 2026)" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06195684/?utm_source=GNW

Major factors driving the market include the increasing number of nuclear reactors reaching operational retirement, declining prices of renewable power generation sources (i.e., wind & solar), rendering nuclear power less economical, and growing sensitivity toward environmental issues. However, the lifetime extension of nuclear power plants with favorable government policies is likely to hinder market growth.



Key Highlights

The decommissioning activity of commercial reactors is expected to dominate the market, owing to the end of the operational life of nuclear power reactors and fall in the cost of alternative energy generation sources.

South Korea is one of the new markets for nuclear decommissioning and creates an opportunity for foreign players to provide the necessary expertise that the country needs to develop its decommissioning market.

North America is expected to be a potential market for nuclear power reactor decommissioning, with the United States being the decommissioning being the major decommissioning hotspots in the region.



Key Market Trends



Commercial Reactors Expected to Dominate the Market



As of October 2021, 441 commercial nuclear power plants were in operation across 32 countries. The United States had the largest nuclear electricity generation capacity and generated more nuclear electricity than any other country. France, with the second-largest nuclear electricity generation capacity and second-highest nuclear electricity generation, had the largest share.?

Several factors are responsible for the shutdown and decommissioning of commercial nuclear power plants, which include economic, regulatory, and social factors. Primarily, with the end of operational life and fall in the cost of alternative energy generation sources, such as solar and wind, made nuclear energy less cost-competitive. Moreover, following the Fukushima disaster of 2011, nuclear safety protocols have been upgraded globally, and this has levied additional costs for upgradation of infrastructure and increased operations and maintenance costs. Due to this, operators of many older commercial reactors, which have an operating life of 40 years but can be extended by 20 more years with infrastructural upgrades, are opting to decommission older units. ?

The policy-level initiatives from the governments across the world have also led to the shutdown of nuclear power plants. The governments in many countries planned to reduce nuclear power in the energy mix of the country. Such regulatory policies are prevalent mostly among Western European states, which have a strong renewable portfolio and have serious concerns about the environmental footprint and potential risk of operating commercial nuclear power plants. ?

Germany, as per its national policy, has plans to shutdown all of the countrys reactors by the end of 2022. Similarly, in 2017, Switzerland voted to phase-out nuclear power plants from the country. In September 2020, the Belgian government signed an agreement reaffirming its commitment of phasing out nuclear power by 2025. Spain has also declared that it will close 4 of its 7 operating commercial reactors by 2030 and close the rest 3 reactors within the next 5 years, completely phasing out nuclear generation by 2035. ?

Further, the development of renewable energy technologies and increasing economic viability of the same has led to its massive development. The countries across the world are creating huge infrastructure pertaining to renewable power, which has offset the requirement for nuclear reactors. Moreover, nuclear power generation is being replaced by renewable energy sources, which led to the closure of nuclear reactors. Therefore, the surge in the development of renewable energy sources is a big boost for the nuclear reactor decommissioning market, globally.?

Therefore, owing to the above points, commercial rectors are expected to dominate the market during the forecast period.



North America Expected to Witness Significant Growth



North America is one of the largest regions in terms of operable reactors across the world. The nuclear reactor decommissioning market is expected to witness significant growth, owing to the majority of demand coming from the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

The United States is one of the largest nuclear power producers, accounting for almost 31% of the global nuclear power generated in 2020. The countrys nuclear reactors produced 790 TWh of electricity in 2020, representing a slight decrease of 2.3% from 2019.

As of November 2021, the country has 93 operating nuclear power reactors with a combined capacity of 95.5 GWe in 30 states, operated by 30 different power companies. As of November 2021, two reactors are under construction with a capacity of 2.23 GWe.

As the era of nuclear power winds down in the United States, the decommissioning of nuclear power plants is becoming a major industry. Private companies are acquiring these plants, taking over their licenses, liability, decommissioning funds, and waste contracts.

Around 40 reactors with a combined capacity of 19.17 GWe were shut down, with the latest one being the Indian Point 3 shut down in April 2021. In December 2021, Holtec International received initial approval from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to acquire the Palisades plant in Covert, Michigan, to decommission and dismantle. In addition to this, around 198 reactors are expected to shut down by 2030.

Therefore, owing to the above points, North America is expected to witness a significant growth in nuclear power reactor decommissioning market during the forecast period.



Competitive Landscape



The nuclear power reactor decommissioning market is moderately fragmented. Some of the major players involved in the market include Babcock International Group PLC, Fluor Corporation, GE Hitachi Nuclear Services, AECOM, Bechtel Group, Inc., and Westinghouse Electric Company.



Additional Benefits:



The market estimate (ME) sheet in Excel format

3 months of analyst support

Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06195684/?utm_source=GNW



About Reportlinker

ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place.



__________________________
New York, Jan. 10, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Finland Life Insurance - Key Trends and Opportunities to 2025" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06003629/?utm_source=GNW



This report provides in-depth market analysis, information and insights into Finnish life insurance segment.



It provides values for key performance indicators such as gross written premium, penetration, and premium accepted and cession rates during the review period (2016-2020) and forecast period (2020-2025).



The report also analyzes distribution channels operating in the segment, gives a comprehensive overview of Finnish economy and demographics, and provides detailed information on the competitive landscape in the country.



The report brings together research, modeling and analysis expertise, giving insurers access to information on segment dynamics and competitive advantages, and profiles of insurers operating in the country. The report also includes details of insurance regulations, and recent changes in the regulatory structure.



Key Highlights

- Key insights and dynamics of Finnish life insurance segment.

- A comprehensive overview of Finnish economy, government initiatives and investment opportunities.

- Finnish insurance regulatory frameworks evolution, key facts, taxation regime, licensing and capital requirements.

- Finnish life insurance industrys market structure giving details of lines of business.

- Finlands life insurance reinsurance businesss market structure giving details of premium accepted along with cession rates.

- Distribution channels deployed by Finnish life insurers.

- Details of the competitive landscape and competitors profiles.



Scope

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of the life insurance segment in Finland -

- It provides historical values for Finnish life insurance segment for the reports 2016-2020 review period, and projected figures for the 2020-2025 forecast period.

- It offers a detailed analysis of the key categories in Finnish life insurance segment, and market forecasts to 2025.

- It profiles the top life insurance companies in Finland and outlines the key regulations affecting them.



Reasons to Buy

- Make strategic business decisions using in-depth historic and forecast market data related to Finnish life insurance segment, and each category within it.

- Understand the demand-side dynamics, key market trends and growth opportunities in Finnish life insurance segment.

- Assess the competitive dynamics in the life insurance segment.

- Identify growth opportunities and market dynamics in key product categories.

Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06003629/?utm_source=GNW



About Reportlinker

ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place.



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TORONTO, Jan. 10, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Avicanna USA Inc. together with Avicanna Inc. ("Avicanna" or the "Company") (TSX: AVCN) (OTCQX: AVCNF) (FSE: 0NN), a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development, manufacturing, and commercialization of organic and sustainable plant-derived cannabinoid-based products, is pleased to announce the appointment of Stephen Kim as the Avicannas Chief Legal Officer & General Counsel.



Mr. Kim comes with over twenty years of legal experience with highly regulated and innovative industries. He has significant pharmaceutical industry experience and is very familiar with the complex overlay of corporate, commercial, IP, governance, compliance, and regulatory considerations associated with development, approval, and launch of multiple pharmaceutical products, which he has executed in the US, Canada, and globally.

Prior to joining Avicanna, Mr. Kim held various roles of progressive responsibility at global biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies including Bayer Inc., Celgene Corporation, and Indivior Inc., and also held roles as an associate with leading US and International law firms in New York City and Toronto. Mr. Kim graduated with a US law degree from University of Detroit Mercy (JD) and a Canadian law degree from the University of Windsor (LLB).

I am delighted to be joining Avicanna at such an exciting time and looking forward to partnering and working with the dynamic and visionary Management Team and with the accomplished and experienced members of the Board of Directors. Stephen Kim commented, With my background and experience in domestic and cross-border transactions, as well as pharmaceutical product development, approval, and launch, I am particularly excited about the Companys work in the areas of evidence-based and pharmaceutical products and global business.

We are thrilled to bring someone of Mr. Stephen Kims calibre onboard as we evolve into the next phase of commercialization and development of our pharmaceutical pipeline. Stephens experience and track record coupled with his alignment of vision with the Management Team is precisely what the Company needs to achieve its growth potential, Aras Azadian, Chief Executive Officer, commented.

Mr. Kim will join the Company at his role as the Chief Legal Officer on January 17, 2022, where he will oversee all legal and regulatory affairs at a global level.

About Avicanna

Avicanna is a Canadian commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company established in cannabinoid research, development, and evidence-based products for the global consumer, as well as medical and pharmaceutical market segments. In leading global cannabinoid advancements, Avicanna conducts most of its research in Canada at its R&D headquarters in the Johnson & Johnson Innovation Centre, JLABS @ Toronto, located in the MaRS Discovery District. The company actively collaborates with leading Canadian academic and medical institutions. Avicanna has established an industry-leading scientific platform including advanced R&D and clinical development which has led to the commercialization of over twenty products across four main market segments:

Medical Cannabis & Wellness Products: Marketed under the RHO Phyto brand, or Magisterial Preparations, these medical and wellness products are an advanced line of pharmaceutical-grade cannabis products containing varying ratios of cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). The product portfolio contains a full formulary of products including oral, sublingual, topical, and transdermal deliveries that have controlled dosing, enhanced absorption and stability studies supported by pre-clinical data. The advanced formulary is marketed with consumer, patient and medical community education and training. Avicannas medical and wellness product portfolio also forms the foundation of the Companys pharmaceutical pipeline with the contribution of the formulations that form the basis of the products as well as the data generated from sales and participation of the products in real world evidence studies.

CBD Derma-Cosmetic Products: Marketed under the Pura H&W or Pura Earth brands, these registered, clinically tested, derma-cosmetic products include a portfolio of functional CBD topical products.

Pharmaceutical Pipeline: Leveraging Avicannas scientific platform, vertical integration, and real-world evidence, Avicanna has created a pipeline of patent-pending drug candidates which are indication-specific and in various stages of clinical development and commercialization. These cannabinoid-based drug candidates provide solutions for unmet medical needs in the areas of dermatology, chronic pain, and various neurological disorders. Avicannas first pharmaceutical preparation (Trunerox) is in the drug registration stage in South America.

Cannabis Raw Materials, Seeds, and Bulk Formulations: Marketed under the Aureus brand, the Companys raw material business has successfully completed sales to 11 countries. Aureus offers cannabis dried flower, standardized seeds, full spectrum extracts, and cannabinoid distillates, isolated cannabinoids (CBD, THC, cannabigerol (CBG) and other rare cannabinoids), and bulk formulations derived from hemp and cannabis cultivars through its sustainable, economical, and industrial-scale subsidiaries based in Colombia. The majority of the Aureus products are produced at Santa Marta Golden Hemp S.A.S. (SMGH), the Companys majority-owned subsidiary, which is also Good Agricultural and Collection Practices (GACP) certified and has United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Organic Program certification for its hemp cultivar.

SOURCE Avicanna Inc.

Stay Connected

For more information about Avicanna, visit www.avicanna.com, contact Ivana Maric by email at info@avicanna.com or follow us on social media on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.

The Company posts updates through videos from the official company YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFXPBGdKSxOUOf_VZoSFSUA.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information and Statements

This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking information contained in this press release may be identified by the use of words such as, "may", "would", "could", "will", "likely", "expect", "anticipate", "believe, "intend", "plan", "forecast", "project", "estimate", "outlook" and other similar expressions. Forward-looking information is not a guarantee of future performance and is based upon a number of estimates and assumptions of management in light of management's experience and perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, as well as other factors relevant in the circumstances, including assumptions in respect of current and future market conditions, the current and future regulatory environment, the availability of licenses, approvals and permits, and the utility and potential application of certain drugs, cannabinoids, compounds and products. Although the Company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which such forward looking information is based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward looking information because the Company can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Actual results and developments may differ materially from those contemplated by these statements. Forward-looking information is subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to current and future market conditions, including the market price of the common shares of the Company, and the risk factors set out in the Company's annual information form dated September 3, 2021 and final short form prospectus dated November 27, 2020, filed with the Canadian securities regulators and available under the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. The statements in this press release are made as of the date of this release. The Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, other than as required by applicable securities laws.




Burley, ID (83318)

Today

Cloudy. Snow showers developing late. Low around 35F. Winds WSW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of snow 70%. Higher wind gusts possible..

Tonight

Cloudy. Snow showers developing late. Low around 35F. Winds WSW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of snow 70%. Higher wind gusts possible.
HALIFAX, Nova Scotia, Jan. 10, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Erdene Resource Development Corporation (TSX:ERD | MSE:ERDN) (Erdene or the Company) is pleased to announce that it has received a Tax Stabilization Certificate for the Bayan Khundii Gold Project from the Mongolian Governments National Development Agency (NDA), effective December 21, 2021.



Quotes from the Company

We are very pleased to receive a Tax Stabilization Certificate which protects the Bayan Khundii Gold Projects economics from potential statutory tax or royalty increases, said Peter Akerley, Erdenes President and CEO. The Tax Stabilization Certificate demonstrates the Government of Mongolias commitment to regulatory stability and promotes foreign direct investment in projects like Bayan Khundii, which benefit local stakeholders and Erdenes shareholders, including thousands of Mongolian investors.

Stabilization Certificate  Mongolias Investment Law

Mongolias Investment Law guarantees fair, stable and globally competitive tax treatment for investors through Stabilization Certificates, which fix the taxation rates applicable to qualifying investments at the lower of those in place at the date investment and those currently enacted.

The Tax Stabilization Certificate fixes the statutory tax rates applicable to Erdenes Bayan Khundii Gold Project until December 21, 2030, at no less favorable than those incorporated into the Bankable Feasibility Study, including:

Gold Royalties: 5% of net revenues

Corporate Income Tax: 25% of taxable income

Value-added Tax (VAT): 10% of all goods and services

Customs Duty: 5% for all process equipment, materials and consumables sourced internationally

The Tax Stabilization Certificate is valid for nine (9) years, and may be extended for up to half of the initial term, if certain conditions are met.

Receipt of the Tax Stabilization Certificate was contingent upon the approval of Erdenes Detailed Environmental Assessment, which was announced on December 7, 2021 (press release here).

Khundii Gold District

Erdenes deposits are in the Edren Terrane, within the Central Asian Orogenic Belt, host to some of the worlds largest gold and copper-gold deposits. The Company has been the leader in exploration in southwest Mongolia over the past decade and is responsible for the discovery of the Khundii Gold District comprised of multiple high-grade gold and gold/base metal prospects, two of which are being considered for development: the 100%-owned Bayan Khundii and Altan Nar projects. Together, these deposits comprise the Khundii Gold Project. The Company also has a 100% interest in the Khuvyn Khar license which hosts the large Zuun Mod molybdenum-copper deposit and multiple copper and molybdenum porphyry targets, 30 kilometers east of the Khundii gold district.

The Bayan Khundii Gold Resource1 includes 521,000 ounces of 3.16 g/t gold Measured and Indicated (M&I) and 103,000 ounces of Inferred resources at 3.68 g/t gold. Within the M&I resource, a proven and probable open-pit reserve totals 409,000 ounces at 3.7 g/t (see the full press release here), providing significant potential growth of reserves with the development of the remaining M&I and Inferred resources1.

In July 2020, Erdene announced the results of an independent Feasibility Study for the Bayan Khundii Gold Project (press release here). The Feasibility Study results include an after-tax Net Present Value at a 5% discount rate and a US$1,400/oz gold price of US$100 million and Internal Rate of Return (IRR) of 42%. The Feasibility Study envisions an open-pit mine at Bayan Khundii, producing an average of 63,500 oz gold per year, for seven years, at a head grade of 3.71 g/t gold, utilizing a conventional carbon in pulp processing plant. Production is expected to commence in early 2023 based on the current project schedule.

About Erdene

Erdene Resource Development Corp. is a Canada-based resource company focused on the acquisition, exploration, and development of precious and base metals in underexplored and highly prospective Mongolia. The Company has interests in three mining licenses and two exploration licenses in Southwest Mongolia, where exploration success has led to the discovery and definition of the Khundii Gold District. Erdene Resource Development Corp. is listed on the Toronto and the Mongolian stock exchanges. Further information is available at www.erdene.com. Important information may be disseminated exclusively via the website; investors should consult the site to access this information.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain information regarding Erdene contained herein may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements may include estimates, plans, expectations, opinions, forecasts, projections, guidance, or other statements that are not statements of fact. Although Erdene believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to have been correct. Erdene cautions that actual performance will be affected by a number of factors, most of which are beyond its control, and that future events and results may vary substantially from what Erdene currently foresees. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include the ability to obtain required third party approvals, market prices, exploitation, and exploration results, continued availability of capital and financing and general economic, market or business conditions. The forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. The information contained herein is stated as of the current date and is subject to change after that date. The Company does not assume the obligation to revise or update these forward-looking statements, except as may be required under applicable securities laws.

NO REGULATORY AUTHORITY HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED THE CONTENTS OF THIS RELEASE

Erdene Contact Information

Peter C. Akerley, President and CEO, or

Robert Jenkins, CFO

1 For details of the Mineral Resources see Erdenes Q2/2021 results press release, dated August 16, 2021, and the Companys Q2 2021 MD&A, available on the Companys website or SEDAR.

2 M&I: 171,000 ounces of 3.77 g/t gold Measured, and 349,700 ounces of 2.93 g/t gold Indicated
English Estonian

PRFoods unaudited preliminary consolidated turnover in the 2nd quarter of the financial year of 2021/2022 amounted to 14.90 million euros, a decrease by 12.5% compared to the same period a year ago (2Q 2020/2021: 17.03 million euros), including sales decrease in of fresh fish and fillets product by 38.4% and in other fish products by 10.1%. The sales of smoked products increased by 4,4% compared to the second quarter of the previous year. Compared to the previous quarter i.e. the 1th quarter of the current financial year, the sales increased by 3.50%, (1Q 2021/2022: 14.40 million euros), with wholesale sectors declining by 29.7%, whereas sales in retail sector and HoReCa sector increased by 6.7 and 12.2% respectively.

Indrek Kasela, CEO, PRFoods:

2nd quarter and 6 months sales were mostly affected by closing of Kokkola factory and related reduction of fresh fish sales in Finland both in retail and wholesale. Fresh fish sale is big in volume, but low margin. Fresh fish trading and processing, largely salmon , will move to Estonia from beginning of 2022 and we will ca 3 million annual savings in Finland related to elimination of costs here. During the closing of the plant, the sale of salmon was reduced across the group temporarily. As stated before, the closing of factory will result in ca 10 million reduction of sales of salmon in Finalnd, but this will be compensated by sale of own fish and restart of salmon trading in Baltic states. Salmon trading and wholesale has been loss making in Finland due to the inefficient production and this decision was made already at the end of last financial year. In future, we will concentrate on sale of own farmed fish, whereas in our farmed fish gross margin has been historically ca 30% vs 3-5% in traded fish. Fresh salmon trading and processing will continue in Estonia from 2022 in our Saaremaa factory. Fresh fish sales in Baltics has traditionally been profitable and supports our product portfolio. It is positive to see that our Value Added Products keep growing, like smoked fish, both in Q2 and half year basis. We have achieved profitability in our Estonian and Finnish factories since October, as we have refocussed again on VAP. Due to the closing of Kokkola we have one-off expenses in November and December, that will affect Q2 results.

Compared to last year, we see rapid recovery of HoReCa in 2022. At the same time we are more careful to re-enter these markets due to low profitability and instability. At the end of 2021 we saw increase in COGS and sales prices and significant price increases have been confirmed for 2022. Most likely we will see continous price increases throughout 2022, which is caused by recovered demand and cost increases. In short it is clear that processing industries have been losers in corona crisis and fish farmers have been winners. This we see also in our group, where fish farming is posting record results while processing due to private label size of the market in Finland, has been lossmaking throughout corona like almost all other Finnish processing industries. Therefore we focus only on fish farming and processing industry will play supportive role of our own farms.

In the second quarter of the financial year, the sales increased in smoked products groups compared to the second quarter of the previous financial year as well as to compare the 6 months of previous financial year. The sales of smoked products that accounted more than half of the total sales 55.64% (2Q 2020/2021: 46.63%) increased by 4.4% over the financial years.The sales of tresh fish and fillets product group that formed 22.82% of the product portfolio (2Q 2020/2021: 32.41%) sales decreased by 38.4% compared to the second quarter of the previous financial year.



Turnover by product groups, mln EUR 2Q 21/22 2Q 20/21 Change, EUR Change, % Fresh fish and fillets 3.40 5.52 -2.12 -38.4% Smoked products 8.29 7.94 0.35 4.4% Other fish products 3.21 3.57 -0.36 -10.1% Other revenue 0.00 0.00 0.00 -100.0% Total 14.90 17.03 -2.13 -12.5%





Turnover by product groups, mln EUR 6m 21/22 6m 20/21 Change, EUR Change, % Fresh fish and fillets 8.75 9.63 -0.88 -9.1% Smoked products 15.44 14.24 1.20 8.4% Other fish products 5.11 5.89 -0.78 -13.2% Other revenue 0.00 0.01 -0.01 -60.0% Total 29.30 29.77 -0.47 -1.6%





By customer groups the sales declined in retail chains by 25.8% and wholesale sector 20.0%, in HoReCa sectors the increase was 16.9% respectively. The share of retail chains sales of the financial years total sales was ca 48.12%, HoReCa and wholesale accounted for 22.29% and 18.5% respectively. In the second quarter of the previous financial year the customer groups accounted for 56.71%, 16.7% and 20.26% respectively.



Turnover by client groups. mln EUR 2Q 21/22 2Q 20/21 Change. EUR Change. % Retail chains 7.17 9.66 -2.49 -25.8% Wholesale 2.76 3.45 -0.69 -20.0% HoReCa 3.32 2.84 0.48 16.9% Other revenue 1.65 1.08 0.57 52.8% Total 14.90 17.03 -2.13 -12.5%





Turnover by client groups. mln EUR 6m 21/22 6m 20/21 Change. EUR Change. % Retail chains 13.89 17.08 -3.19 -18.7% Wholesale 6.70 5.33 1.37 25.7% HoReCa 6.26 5.87 0.39 6.6% Other revenue 2.45 1.49 0.96 64.4% Total 29.30 29.77 -0.47 -1.6%





The three largest markets had an aggregated turnover of 11.81 million euros accounting for 79.2% of total sales in the 2nd quarter of the financial year compared to the sales of 14.81 million euros and the share of 86.9% in the same period a year ago. The sales to Latvia continue to account for the largest share of sales to other countries.

Turnover by countries. mln EUR 2Q 21/22 2Q 20/21 Change. EUR Change. % Finland 7.39 11.00 -3.61 -32.8% Great Britain 3.26 2.73 0.53 19.4% Estonia 1.16 1.08 0.08 7.4% Latvia 0.10 0.74 -0.64 -86.5% Other countries 2.99 1.48 1.51 102.0% Total 14.90 17.03 -2.13 -12.5%





Turnover by countries. mln EUR 6m 21/22 6m 20/21 Change. EUR Change. % Finland 16.81 18.83 -2.02 -10.7% Great Britain 5.90 4.74 1.16 24.5% Estonia 2.36 2.48 -0.12 -4.8% Latvia 0.15 1.26 -1.11 -88.1% Other countries 4.08 2.46 1.62 65.9% Total 29.30 29.77 -0.47 -1.6%





Indrek Kasela

AS PRFoods

Member of the Management Board

Phone: +372 452 1470

investor@prfoods.ee

www.prfoods.ee








Indiana, Jan. 10, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Indianapolis, IN based Simple Smile Indy is pleased to offer families in their community comprehensive access to all the dental care they may require. The practice has long made it a point to take care of every dental health issue their patients may have under one roof. Emergency services are available here as well. Learn more at the following link: Dentist Indianapolis.

In addition to general dental care, the practice offers a number of services that take the patients cosmetic preferences into account alongside their dental health demands. These services include teeth whitening, dental implants, restorative dentistry and other cutting edge procedures that are designed to deliver the best results possible while minimizing patient discomfort. Simple Smile Indy understands that their patients want to leave the premises with a beautiful smile, and they have taken every measure to ensure this.

Simple Smile Indy explains that dentistry is a complicated subject that requires years of focused education and practice for a dentist to be competent at, but this does not have to mean that patients also have to endure a grueling experience every time they need dental care. True to their name, Simple Smile Indy seeks to eliminate every obstacle between their patients and the lovely, bright smile they seek regardless of whether they are adults, children or seniors. This is also the case no matter what type of procedure is required. The practice treats broken teeth, gum disease and much more every day, and every service is customized to match each patients individual needs.

A number of other factors make a treatment at Simple Smile Indy a welcoming experience. For instance, the practice believes that patients can make better decisions about their dental health if they are educated about the procedures they are to undergo and understand the value of preventative maintenance. As a result, patients can have an open discussion with their dentist that covers every facet of their care. Simple Smile Indy further understands that going to the dentist can be a difficult experience for some individuals. Their team is equipped to handle such cases as well, offering support for patient anxiety that is backed by a calm atmosphere and advanced treatment options. In certain cases, same day treatment may be available as well, reducing how much time a patient has to wait.

Notably, the dental clinics preventative services rely on more than the patients own efforts to achieve success. The prevention of dental disease and decay may start at home, but the dentists at Simple Smile Indy can do a great deal to prepare their patients even further. To begin with, a visit may include in-office diagnostics that serve to help both the dentist and patient track the latters condition as well as respond to any concerns in a timely and appropriate manner.

This is accomplished via regular exams, cleanings, X-rays and pediatric dentist services. The practices dentists can also make use of intra-oral cameras that provide detailed views of a patients mouth, teeth and gums. By performing several examinations over the course of a patients visits, a visual log of the patients progress can be maintained. If necessary, the dentist may suggest cosmetic or restorative procedures to help the patient correct any irregularities.

Naturally, this attention to detail and personalized care is greatly appreciated by all who visit the clinic. Daniel C. shares in their review, Had 5 fillings, and a wisdom tooth extraction done quickly here in one week without any issues. The staff is awesome and incredibly nice, and the dentist Sean Kelly is efficient and hilarious. I haven't been to a dentist in a long time (10+ years), so I was pretty nervous coming in. But everybody here is very caring, and they made it a very comfortable experience! This 5-Star review was posted to the companys Google profile, and the practice actively looks forward to receiving similar feedback from their patients.

Patients are welcome to phone or email Simple Smile Indy today to schedule their next appointment or raise any concerns about their dental health. Learn more about the practice, the technology at their disposal and every procedure they offer at the following link: Simply Smile Indianapolis.

###

For more information about Simple Smile Indy, contact the company here:



Simple Smile Indy

Alexis

(317) 672-7511

info@simplysmileindy.com

3750 N Meridian St, #200

Indianapolis, IN 46208

Phone: (317) 672-7511
Los Angeles, USA, Jan. 10, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- DelveInsight Examines a Robust Pipeline for Postoperative Pain with More than 55+ Pipeline Therapies as New and Influential Pharma Players Enter the Pain Management Landscape

Innovations in Pain Management, Drug Discovery, and Development, as well as Increasing Awareness about surgical interventions, Rising investments in healthcare by governments, are some of the driving factors for the Postoperative Pain treatment market.

DelveInsights Postoperative Pain Pipeline Insight 2021 report offers exhaustive global coverage of available, marketed, and pipeline therapies in different phases of clinical development, major pharmaceutical companies working to advance the pipeline space, and future growth potential of the Postoperative Pain pipeline domain.

Some of the essential takeaways from the Postoperative Pain Pipeline report:

DelveInsights Postoperative Pain Pipeline analysis depicts a robust space with 50+ active players working to develop 50+ pipeline treatment therapies.

Some of the key pharmaceutical companies working to develop potential drug candidates to improve the Postoperative Pain treatment scenario include Vivozon, Grunenthal, Apsen Farmaceutica, Trevena, Haisco Pharmaceutical Group, Concentric Analgesics, Unither Pharmaceuticals, Formosa Pharmaceuticals, Cara Therapeutics, Taiwan Liposome Company, Adynxx, Teikoku Pharma USA, Cali Pharmaceuticals, ACADIA Pharmaceuticals, Nevakar, Cytogel, Mati Therapeutics, Allay therapeutics, SiteOne Therapeutics, NeurOp, Flexion Therapeutics, Hefei Cosource Pharmaceutical, Layerbio, Neumentum, Antibe Therapeutics, Serina Therapeutics, InSitu Biologics, PharmaTher, Bexson Biomedical, Hana Pharm, Expanesthetics, Algomedix Inc, AmacaThera, Andros Pharmaceuticals, Heron Therapeutics, Endo Pharmaceuticals, Mylan, Camurus, PainReform, Jiangsu HengRui Medicine, Polypid, Pharmaleads, Nuance Biotech Co, PharmaTher , TSRL, Neumentum Inc., Janssen Pharmaceutica NV , McNeil Consumer Pharmaceuticals Co, and many others.

, , and many others. Essential Postoperative Pain pipeline therapies such as VVZ-149, Qutenza , TRV130, HSK21542, CA-008, SVT-15473, APP13007, CR845, TLC590, PRF110, OCS-01, MR-107A-01,JNJ-10450232, HR18042, CPL- 01, ACP-044, NVK-009, CYT 1010, XG005, CAM2048, ATX-101, ST 2427, NP 10679, ND-340, FX301,HYR-PB21, LC-400, NTM-001, RHN-002, ATB-352, SER-227, INSB200, BB106, ATX-201, AMT-143, APC401 , and others are under development in different phases of clinical trials.

, , and others are under development in different phases of clinical trials. In June 2021, Formosa Pharmaceuticals and China Grand Pharma announced that they have entered into an exclusive licensing agreement for the development and commercialization of Formosas APP13007 in the territory defined by Mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau. APP13007, derived from Formosas proprietary nanoparticle formulation platform, is a novel ophthalmic application of one of the most potent known corticosteroids for the treatment of inflammation and pain after cataract surgery.

and announced that they have entered into an exclusive licensing agreement for the development and commercialization of Formosas in the territory defined by Mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau. APP13007, derived from Formosas proprietary nanoparticle formulation platform, is a novel ophthalmic application of one of the most potent known corticosteroids for the treatment of inflammation and pain after cataract surgery. In October 2021, Neumentum entered into a license agreement with Nuance Biotech Co. Ltd , a China based specialty pharmaceutical company, providing Nuance with the exclusive rights to develop and commercialize Neumentums novel ketorolac for IV infusion (NTM-001) in China.

entered into a license agreement with , a China based specialty pharmaceutical company, providing Nuance with the exclusive rights to develop and commercialize Neumentums novel ketorolac for IV infusion in China. In January 2021, IACTA Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Pharmaleads announced they that have entered into licensing agreements, with IACTA acquiring global rights to Pharmaleads' Dual Enkephalinase Inhibitors (DENKI) , a novel class of non-opioid compounds for the treatment of acute and chronic ocular pain.

and announced they that have entered into licensing agreements, with IACTA acquiring global rights to Pharmaleads' Dual , a novel class of non-opioid compounds for the treatment of acute and chronic ocular pain. In June 2021, PharmaTher and TSRL entered into a Co-Development Agreement to jointly develop a microneedle array patch with the aim to control the manufacturing and supply of microneedle patches for the Companies respective clinical and commercial drug programs. PharmaTher and TSRL share the commitment to commercialize a patented hydrogel-forming microneedle patch delivery technology licensed from Queens University of Belfast .

and entered into a Co-Development Agreement to jointly develop a with the aim to control the manufacturing and supply of microneedle patches for the Companies respective clinical and commercial drug programs. PharmaTher and TSRL share the commitment to commercialize a patented hydrogel-forming microneedle patch delivery technology licensed from . In November 2018, The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced fast track status for VVZ-149 (Vivozon Inc) , a non-opioid, non-NSAID analgesic for the treatment of pain.

for , a non-opioid, non-NSAID analgesic for the treatment of pain. In September 2018, Concentric Analgesics announced that it had received Breakthrough Therapy designation from the US FDA for CA-008 in post-surgical pain.

announced that it had received from the US FDA for in post-surgical pain. In October 2019, Neumentum Inc. announced that it has entered into a global licensing agreement with Janssen Pharmaceutica NV and McNeil Consumer Pharmaceuticals Co., both part of the Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies, for the rights to a novel oral analgesic, JNJ-10450232, plus a portfolio of backup compounds. Neumentum wants to take JNJ-10450232, which it describes as neither an opioid nor a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, forward in the treatment of moderate to moderately severe acute pain. The deal, financial details of which were not disclosed. The agreement covers an asset that came through a Phase II pain trial in 2015 only to stall following the completion of the study.

Request a sample and discover more about the report offerings @ Postoperative Pain Emerging Therapies

The Postoperative Pain pipeline report lays down detailed profiles of the pipeline assets, comparative analysis of clinical and non-clinical stage Postoperative Pain products, inactive and dormant assets, comprehensive assessment of driving and restraining factors, as well as the opportunities and risks in the Postoperative Pain pipeline landscape.

Postoperative Pain Overview

Postoperative pain is an anticipated and temporary pain that occurs following grafting procedures or burn excision. Postoperative pain is experienced by the vast majority of patients who undergo surgical procedures. Control of postoperative pain plays an essential role in facilitating a patients recovery to normal function and reduces the incidence of adverse physiologic and psychological effects associated with acute, uncontrolled pain. Postoperative pain control may be achieved by a variety of mechanisms, including (but not limited to) the use of pharmacological agents and interventional techniques. Postoperative pain can be divided into acute pain and chronic pain. Acute pain is experienced immediately after surgery (up to 7 days) and pain that lasts more than 3 months after the injury is considered to be chronic pain. Acute and chronic pain can arise from cutaneous, deep somatic or visceral structures.

Find out more about the disease and recent developments @ Postoperative Pain Pipeline Assessment

Postoperative Pain Pipeline Drugs

Drug Company Phase MoA RoA VVZ-149 Vivozon Phase III Glycine plasma membrane transport protein inhibitors; Serotonin 2A receptor antagonists Intravenous APSCTC Farmaceutica S.A Phase III NA Oral APP13007 Formosa Pharmaceuticals Phase III Steroid receptor agonists Ophthalmic CA-008 Concentric Analgesics Phase III TRPV1 receptor agonists Infiltration ACP-044 ACADIA Pharmaceuticals Phase II Reactive oxygen species inhibitors Oral FX301 Flexion Therapeutics Phase I Nav1.7 voltage-gated sodium channel inhibitors Parenteral ND-340 Nang Kuang Pharmaceutical Phase I NA Intravenous ST-2427 SiteOne Therapeutics Phase I Nav1.7 voltage-gated sodium channel inhibitors Intravenous ATB-352 Antibe Therapeutics IND Lipoxygenase-cyclooxygenase inhibitors Intravenous/Oral ATX-201 Allay Therapeutics Preclinical NA NA

Learn more about the novel and emerging Postoperative Pain pipeline therapies @ Postoperative Pain Pipeline Analysis

Postoperative Pain Therapeutics Assessment

The Postoperative Pain Pipeline report proffers an integral view of the Postoperative Pain emerging novel therapies segmented by Stage, Product Type, Molecule Type, Mechanism of Action, and Route of Administration.

By Product Type

Mono

Combination

Mono/Combination

By Stage

Discovery

Pre-clinical

Phase I

Phase II

Phase III

Pre-registration

Inactive candidates

By Route of Administration

Intra-articular

Intraocular

Intrathecal

Intravenous

Intravenous/Oral

NA

Ophthalmic

Oral

Parenteral

Subcutaneous

Topical

Transdermal

By Molecule Type

Oligonucleotide

Peptide

Small molecule

By Mechanism of Action

Steroid receptor agonists

Lipoxygenase-cyclooxygenase inhibitors

Nav1.7 voltage-gated sodium channel inhibitors

TRPV1 receptor agonists

Reactive oxygen species inhibitors

Scope of the Postoperative Pain Pipeline Report

Coverage : Global

: Global Major Players : Vivozon, Grunenthal, Apsen Farmaceutica, Trevena, Haisco Pharmaceutical Group, Concentric Analgesics, Unither Pharmaceuticals, Formosa Pharmaceuticals, Cara Therapeutics, Taiwan Liposome Company, Adynxx, Teikoku Pharma USA, Cali Pharmaceuticals, ACADIA Pharmaceuticals, Nevakar, Cytogel, Mati Therapeutics, Allay therapeutics, SiteOne Therapeutics, NeurOp, Flexion Therapeutics, Hefei Cosource Pharmaceutical, Layerbio, Neumentum, Antibe Therapeutics, Serina Therapeutics, InSitu Biologics, PharmaTher, Bexson Biomedical, Hana Pharm, Expanesthetics, Algomedix Inc, AmacaThera, Andros Pharmaceuticals, and many others

: Vivozon, Grunenthal, Apsen Farmaceutica, Trevena, Haisco Pharmaceutical Group, Concentric Analgesics, Unither Pharmaceuticals, Formosa Pharmaceuticals, Cara Therapeutics, Taiwan Liposome Company, Adynxx, Teikoku Pharma USA, Cali Pharmaceuticals, ACADIA Pharmaceuticals, Nevakar, Cytogel, Mati Therapeutics, Allay therapeutics, SiteOne Therapeutics, NeurOp, Flexion Therapeutics, Hefei Cosource Pharmaceutical, Layerbio, Neumentum, Antibe Therapeutics, Serina Therapeutics, InSitu Biologics, PharmaTher, Bexson Biomedical, Hana Pharm, Expanesthetics, Algomedix Inc, AmacaThera, Andros Pharmaceuticals, and many others Key Postoperative Pain Pipeline Therapies: VVZ-149, Qutenza, TRV130, HSK21542, CA-008, SVT-15473, APP13007, CR845, TLC590, PRF110, OCS-01, MR-107A-01,JNJ-10450232, HR18042, CPL- 01, ACP-044, NVK-009, CYT 1010, XG005, CAM2048, ATX-101, ST 2427, NP 10679, ND-340, FX301,HYR-PB21, LC-400, NTM-001, RHN-002, ATB-352, SER-227, INSB200, BB106, ATX-201, AMT-143, APC401, and others

Dive deep into rich insights for emerging therapies and assessment, visit @ Postoperative Pain Emerging Therapies

Table of Contents

1 Introduction 2 Executive Summary 3 Postoperative Pain: Overview 4 Postoperative Pain- Analytical Perspective In-depth Commercial Assessment 5 Pipeline Therapeutics 6 Late Stage Products (Phase III) 6.1 VVZ-149: Vivozon 7 Mid Stage Products (Phase II) 7.1 ACP-044: ACADIA Pharmaceuticals 8 Early Stage Products (Phase I) 8.1 ST 2427: SiteOne Therapeutics 9 Pre-clinical and Discovery Stage Products 9.1 INSB200: InSitu Biologics 10 Therapeutic Assessment 11 Inactive Products 12 Company-University Collaborations (Licensing/Partnering) Analysis 13 Postoperative Pain Key Companies 14 Postoperative Pain Key Products 15 Postoperative Pain - Unmet Needs 16 Postoperative Pain - Market Drivers and Barriers 17 Appendix 18 About DelveInsight

For further information on the Postoperative Pain current pipeline therapeutics, reach out @ Postoperative Pain Ongoing Clinical Trials

Track and assess a candidates clinical development journey through Actionable Intelligence and Comparative Therapeutic Assessment

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About DelveInsight

DelveInsight is a leading Business Consultant, and Market Research firm focused exclusively on life sciences. It supports Pharma companies by providing comprehensive end-to-end solutions to improve their performance. Get hassle-free access to all the healthcare and pharma market research reports through our subscription-based platform PharmDelve.

For more insights, visit Pharma, Healthcare, and Biotech News
SALISBURY, N.C., Jan. 10, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Food Lion is recalling its in-store prepared Cobb and Chefs Salad Kits because the vendor has alerted us that the product has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria Monocytogenes. The affected products could have been purchased from the Deli Department at all Food Lion locations between Dec. 26, 2021  Jan. 10, 2022, with a Sell By date of Dec. 30, 2021  Jan. 10, 2022.



Customers who purchased the affected product should not consume it and may return the item to their local Food Lion store for a refund equal to double the purchase price in accordance with Food Lions Double Your Money Back Guarantee."

About Food Lion

Food Lion, based in Salisbury, N.C., since 1957, has more than 1,100 stores in 10 Southeastern and Mid-Atlantic states and employs more than 82,000 associates. By leveraging its longstanding heritage of low prices and convenient locations, Food Lion is working to own the easiest full shop grocery experience in the Southeast, anchored by a strong commitment to affordability, freshness, and the communities it serves. Through Food Lion Feeds, the company has donated more than 500 million meals to individuals and families since 2014 and has committed to donate 1 billion more meals by 2025. Food Lion is a company of Ahold Delhaize USA, the U.S. division of Zaandam-based Ahold Delhaize. For more information, visit www.foodlion.com or job applicants may visit www.foodlion.com/careers.





CONTACTS: Food Lion Media Relations 704-245-3317 publicrelationsteam@foodlion.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2933898e-52fb-423b-9c34-27ff5fd670cd
Hongkong, China, Jan. 10, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A new-age crypto platform is all set to dawn in a new wave in the crypto scene. Titled BNBMeta, the portal is launching the FIRST-ever community-driven platform for monetizing land/assets and metaverse experience on Binance Smart Chain. BNBMeta is soon to have its Whitelisted IDO Presale or PinkSale this month.





Crypto platform BNBMeta introduces FIRST-ever community-driven platform for monetizing lands and metaverse experience



$BNBMETA is the native token of BNBMeta. The token will be launched on Pancakeswap.

In an exclusive interview, the leading spokesperson from BNBMeta shared that the upcoming presale is scheduled for January 22, 2022, 13:00 (UTC).

The Hard Cap is 600 BNB.

Contribution: 0.3  2 BNB

We are excited to share with you all that we are soon to have the first round of our presale or pink sale at the end of this month. We are currently offering 50 limited whitelist spots only  so please hurry up to register for the sale and also inform your friends, stated the spokesperson from BNBMeta.

The FIRST-of-its-kind, BNBMeta is a visionary and ambitious project, backed by a long list of cutting-edge features.

Innovative auto-buyback function

An in-built smart contract function, Auto-buyback is designed to automatically buy back different sums of $BNBMETA whenever someone will sell their tokens. The process will help to stabilize the token prices, which will eventually benefit the investors more than manual buybacks.

SAFU HOLDers Choice

The initial liquidity pool of the token is locked under PinkSale for 12 months. The platform will have its contract independently audited by a leading smart contract auditing firm just before the start of the presale. The platform also has a KYC Certificate. Moreover, BNBMeta has officially announced not to carry any private sale.

Advanced anti-dump contract design

The spokesperson shared that the sell tax on $BNBMETA is higher than the buy tax. As a result, users will receive reflections from every transaction and will especially benefit in times of high volume and volatility. This procedure facilitates the "Diamond Hand" strategy, enabling the platform to attract long-term investors.

Tokens reserved for CZ

10% $BNBMETA tokens have been reserved for Binance CEO CZ and his team. The reserved tokens will be utilized to incentivize the Binance team that will participate in the BNBMeta project as project advisor. In case, there is no partnership, the locked tokens will be burned.

Utility token for Metaverse ecosystem

The $BNBMETA token is a utility token. It can be used to sell or buy lands, NFT items, characters and more. The token can also be used to support various DeFi applications like loans or staking. The BNBMeta development team is developing more use cases to enhance the intrinsic value of $BNBMETA in the coming months.

Huge allocation for marketing

The BNBMeta platform has reserved around 5% of its token for digital marketing campaigns. In addition, 4% of every $BNBMETA transaction is used directly for marketing activities.

We are investing largely on marketing and promotional efforts to improve brand awareness and attract new investors.

For more information, please visit https://bnbmeta.net or telegram channel https://t.me/bnbmeta



Media Details:

BNBMeta

info@bnbmeta.net



The information provided in this release is not investment advice, financial advice or trading advice. It is recommended that you practice due diligence (including consultation with a professional financial advisor before investing or trading securities and cryptocurrency).







News Provided by KISS PR Press Wire


Pune, India, Jan. 11, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global Data Diode Solution Market size is projected to grow from USD 392.2 million in 2021 to USD 880.0 million in 2028 at a CAGR of 12.2% during the 2021-2028 period. Fortune Business Insights provides this information in its report titled, Data Diode Solution Market, 2021-2028. The market size was USD 352.2 million in 2020.

According to our researchers, the growth of the global market is principally powered by the augmented demand for data diode solutions by several industry sectors such as oil & gas, critical infrastructure, and manufacturing, among others.

Moreover, cyber-attacks, ransomware, malware, and phishing attacks have considerably risen in the past few years, therefore compelling the employment of a complete cybersecurity infrastructure in order to protect mission-critical possessions, which is expected to positively influence the global Data Diode Solution Market growth.

Request To Sample PDF Brochure: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/request-sample-pdf/data-diode-solution-market-104770

Rising Cyber-attacks on Manufacturing Industries amid COVID-19 to Fuel Growth

The coronavirus pandemic has generated substantial worries as businesses are adapting to a novel functioning model in which operating business deals from home has turned into a "new normal." Furthermore, companies are fast-tracking their digital alterations, and cybersecurity has arisen as the topmost precedence.

Whereas industry sectors such as oil & gas, manufacturing, among others, are profoundly capitalizing on reinforcing organization cybersecurity solutions during the surging cases of cyber-attacks during COVID-19.

Large-scale oil and gas companies have been compelled to execute complete data diode solutions that permits efficient data flow while preserving security, which can be accredited to the latest cyber-attacks on the oil and gas industry.

To get to know more about the short-term and long-term impact of COVID-19 on this market, please visit:

Report Coverage

Features a detailed market assessment.

Emphasizes key factors, such as leading companies, applications, and others.

Provides crucial insights into the markets regulatory scenarios.

Assesses the COVID-19 pandemics impact on the market.

Suggests strategies to capture growth in the forthcoming years.

Ask for Customization: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/customization/data-diode-solution-market-104770

Segmentation

On the basis of type, the global market has been segregated into regular data diode and ruggedized data diode.

In terms of application, the market is classified into government, energy and power, manufacturing, oil and gas, aerospace and defense, critical infrastructure, and others. The oil and gas industry seized maximum market share in 2020. The oil and gas industry's digitalization has reduced as it is susceptible to cyber-attacks such as malware, denial of service, and phishing.

Geographically, the market is categorized across five prime regions, such as North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, the Middle East & Africa, and South America.

Drivers and Restraints

Growing Occurrence of Prime Cyber Attacks on Oil & Gas Industry to Promote Growth

The active digitization and permeation of progressive technology in the oil & gas sector has uncovered it to a variation of cyber-attacks comprising phishing, data breaks, and ransomware, among others.

Linking the oil and gas business to more technologically refined solutions such as the Industrial Internet of Things (IIOT) has undeniably improved productivity as well as decreased prices, but it has also opened the industry to deadly cyber-attacks.

These malevolent invasions have the capability to bring any functioning of the company to a complete standstill, leading to heavy financial losses, status, and in a few cases, human life damages, as well as environmental tragedies.

Quick Buy  Data Diode Solution Market Research Report: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/checkout-page/104770

Regional Insights

High Internet Use to Promote growth in North America

North America accounted for the largest Data Diode Solution Market share in 2020. Data diode solutions are projected to develop progressively admirable as the region's utilization of the internet continues to expand.

Europe is estimated to inflate at a considerable CAGR during the forecast period. Cyber security set-ups and huge capitalization by principal companies in nations such as the U.K., Germany, France, Italy, and Spain, among others, are navigating the industry forward.

Asia Pacific is anticipated to register the highest CAGR over the mentioned forecast period. In order to tackle the surging requirement for security solutions and facilities, numerous corporations in this region are concentrating on emerging and introducing novel cyber security solutions.

Competitive Landscape

Prominent Players to Collaborate and Form Robust Product Portfolio

Key players often collaborate to launch products, form mergers, and so on, as part of effective strategies in order to conquer the global market. For instance, in March 2021, Deep Secure signed a partnership contract with Ingram Micro U.K. Ltd., headquartered in Milton Keynes, the U.K. This collaboration is expected to amplify the portfolio of Ingram cyber security with the assistance of Deep Secures Threat Removal Platform to swap the info material with high protection and offer safety from cyber-attacks.

Industry Development

September 2021: Forcepoint, which is a global cybersecurity and technology corporation, presented Forcepoint Data Diode, which is a hardware solution that empowers computerized and prompt data flow while guaranteeing security and agreement.

REPORT SCOPE & SEGMENTATION:

Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 2021 to 2028 Forecast Period 2021 to 2028 CAGR 12.2% 2028 Value Projection USD 880.0 Million Base Year 2020 Market Size in 2021 USD 392.2 Million Historical Data for 2017 To 2019 No. of Pages 120 Segments covered By Type, Application, and Region Growth Drivers

Rising Prevalence of Major Cyber Attacks on Oil & Gas Industry to Drive Market Growth

Growing Trend of IIoT Would Contribute to Market Growth

Increasing Number of Cyber-attacks on Oil & Gas and Manufacturing Industries amid COVID-19 to Drive Growth Pitfalls & Challenges

Associated High Costs and Budget Constraints for Small & Medium-Sized Enterprises to Hinder Market Growth

List of Key Players Covered in this Market Report

Advenica AB (Malmo, Sweden)

Belden Inc. (Missouri, U.S.)

Waterfall Security Solutions Ltd. (Melbourne, Australia)

ST Engineering (Ang Mo Kio, Singapore)

Deep Secure Ltd. (Malvern, U.K.)

Owl Cyber Defense (Connecticut, U.S.)

Fibersystem AB (Bromma, Sweden)

Garland Technology (New York, U.S.)

OPSWAT, Inc. (California, U.S.)

Rohde & Schwarz GmbH & Co KG (Munich, Germany)

Detailed Table of Content :

Introduction Definition, By Segment Research Methodology/Approach Data Sources

Key Takeaways

Market Dynamics Macro and Micro Economic Indicators Drivers, Restraints, Opportunities and Trends Impact of COVID-19 Short-term Impact Long-term Impact

Competition Landscape Business Strategies Adopted by Key Players Consolidated SWOT Analysis of Key Players

Global Data Diode Solution Key Players Market Share Insights and Analysis, 2020

Key Market Insights and Strategic Recommendations

Companies Profiled (Covered for key 10 players only) Overview Key Management Headquarters etc.







TOC Continued.





Speak to Analyst: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/speak-to-analyst/data-diode-solution-market-104770

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MAURITIUS, Jan. 11, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Alphamin Resources Corp. (AFM:TSXV, APH:JSE AltX)( Alphamin or the Company), a producer of 4% of the worlds mined tin1 from its high grade operation in the Democratic Republic of Congo, is pleased to provide the following update for the quarter ended December 2021:



Contained tin production up 10 % from the prior quarter to 3, 11 4 tons

from the prior quarter to Contained tin sales up 13% from the prior quarter to 3,056 tons

from the prior quarter to Record Q4 EBITDA 4 guidance of US $ 7 4 m , up 38 % from prior quarter actual

guidance of , from prior quarter actual Net cash position increases to US$6 8 m

position increases to FY2021 dividend of CAD$0.03 per share declared





Operational and Financial Summary for the Quarter ended December 20212

1Data obtained from International Tin Association Tin Industry Review Update 2021 2Production information is disclosed on a 100% basis. Alphamin indirectly owns 84.14% of its operating subsidiary to which the information relates. 3Q4 2021 EBITDA represents managements guidance. 4This is not a standardized financial measure and may not be comparable to similar financial measures of other issuers.See Use of Non-IFRS Financial Measures below for the composition and calculation of this financial measure.



Operational and Financial Performance

Contained tin production of 3,114 tons is 10% above the previous quarter. Improved underground mining practices relating to stope planning, delineation and blasting resulted in better grade control with an average tin grade of 3,8% processed during the five months ended December 2021. Waste development is now well ahead of current mining areas providing flexibility in blending high- and low-grade areas for a more consistent grade profile.

Contained tin sales of 3,056 tons increased 13% from the prior quarter.

EBITDA guidance of US$74m for Q4 2021 is estimated to be 38% higher than the actual EBITDA for the previous quarter of US$53,7m as a result of increased tin production and sales volumes, together with a higher average tin price achieved of US$38,084/t (Current tin price: ~US$39,000/t).

The Group Net Cash position as at 31 December 2021 increased by US$67m from the prior quarter.

Contained tin production guidance for the financial year ending December 2022 is 12,000 tons.

The mineral resource estimation exercise for the Mpama South deposit commenced in December 2021. Drilling activities continue with six rigs on-site and the next large batch of external assay results is expected during January 2022.

Alphamins audited consolidated financial statements and accompanying Managements Discussion and Analysis for the quarter and year ended 31 December 2021 are expected to be released on or about 7 March 2022.

FY2021 Dividend Declared

Alphamins vision is to become one of the worlds largest sustainable tin producers. From a capital allocation perspective, the Board considers the combination of significant exploration, investment in growth and a high dividend yield a robust value proposition. Dividend distributions will be considered based on excess free cash after taking account of working capital requirements, reserve contingencies and expansion opportunities.

On this basis, the Board resolved to declare a FY2021 CAD$0.03 per share cash dividend on the common shares (approximately US$30m in the aggregate) (the Dividend). The Dividend will be payable on 11 February, 2022 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on 4 February, 2022.

Qualified Person

Mr. Clive Brown, Pr. Eng., B.Sc. Engineering (Mining), is a qualified person (QP) as defined in National Instrument 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information contained in this news release. He is a Principal Consultant and Director of Bara Consulting Pty Limited, an independent technical consultant to the Company.

_________________________________________________________________________________________

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

Maritz Smith

CEO

Alphamin Resources Corp.

Tel: +230 269 4166

E-mail: msmith@alphaminresources.com

CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

Information in this news release that is not a statement of historical fact constitutes forward-looking information. Forward-looking statements contained herein include, without limitation, statements relating to expected EBITDA guidance for Q4 2021 and contained tin production guidance for the financial year ending December 31, 2022. Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions management believes to be reasonable at the time such statements are made. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Although Alphamin has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from expected results described in forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: uncertainties regarding estimates of the expected mined tin grades, processing plant performance and recoveries, uncertainties regarding global supply and demand for tin and market and sales prices, uncertainties with respect to social, community and environmental impacts, uninterupted access to required infrastructure and third party service providers, adverse political events, uncertainties regarding the legislative requirements in the Democratic Republic of the Congo which may result in unexpected fines and penalties, impacts of the global Covid-19 pandemic on mining operations and commodity prices as well as those risk factors set out in the Companys Management Discussion and Analysis and other disclosure documents available under the Companys profile at www.sedar.com. Forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date of this news release and Alphamin disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its regulation services provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

USE OF NON-IFRS FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE MEASURES

This announcement refers to the following non-IFRS financial performance measures:

EBITDA

EBITDA is profit before net finance expense, income taxes and depreciation, depletion, and amortization. EBITDA provides insight into our overall business performance (a combination of cost management and growth) and is the corresponding flow driver towards the objective of achieving industry-leading returns. This measure assists readers in understanding the ongoing cash generating potential of the business including liquidity to fund working capital, servicing debt, and funding capital expenditures and investment opportunities.

This measure is not recognized under IFRS as it does not have any standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and is therefore unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. EBITDA data is intended to provide additional information and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS.

NET CASH

Net cash is defined as cash and cash equivalents less total current and non-current portions of interest-bearing debt and lease liabilities.
Eatontown, United States, Jan. 11, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --

The new options complement Positive Resets established services, which include therapy for adults, children and adolescents, couples, and those grieving the loss of a loved one. In addition to traditional therapy for individuals and groups, the clinic also offers cognitive behavioral therapy and psychiatric evaluations.

More details are available at https://www.positivereseteatontown.com

The announcement of the new services is intended to provide more comprehensive treatment options to fit patients unique needs and to optimally support their physical and mental well-being.

Over the past 2 years, the importance of maintaining health in body and mind has become more apparent than ever. Research has found that in early 2020 depression among adults in the U.S. tripled and continued to increase throughout 2021. Comprehensive mental health services like those offered by Positive Reset are especially valuable to counteract the unprecedented toll depression has taken on individuals and communities during the past 2 years.

Telehealth services have become increasingly popular during the pandemic. Positive Reset now accepts new patients via in-person and virtual appointments. They offer a HIPAA-compliant, secure platform, accessible via smartphones, tablets, and computers, for group and individual therapy sessions, allowing patients to participate from the safety of their own homes.

The clinic now also offers medication management services as a complement to psychotherapy. Before any medication is prescribed, the patient and his or her physician will discuss the benefits and risks involved, including possible side effects, and the patients medical history. Once a prescription is made, the physician will check with the patient during their appointments to ensure they are taking their medication as prescribed.

For the past decade, Positive Reset has been a prominent provider of addiction treatments and outpatient behavioral health services. They are certified by Medicare, licensed by the State of New Jersey, and accredited for patient safety by the Joint Commission. Their treatment team includes board-certified psychiatrists, registered nurses, and licensed clinical social workers, among other professional roles.

A satisfied client said: The clinic is very on-point  they have great therapists who are very professional, and the office space is beautiful. The office staff is also top-notch. I would highly recommend their services.

Interested parties can learn more at https://www.positivereseteatontown.com



Website: http://www.positivereseteatontown.com
London, United Kingdom, and Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Jan. 11, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Alphawave IP (LN:AWE), a global leader in high-speed connectivity for the worlds technology infrastructure, is pleased to announce that Microchip Technology has selected Alphawaves AlphaCore100 for its next-generation META-DX2 1.6Tbps Ethernet retimer family. This represents an important milestone for Alphawave as it validates another large customer has adopted its low-power and high-performance 112Gbps IP.

Tony Pialis, President and Chief Executive Officer of Alphawave stated: Microchip was an early customer of Alphawave and we congratulate them on their newly announced META-DX2 solution. This solution leverages our 112Gbps IP that we first delivered to Microchip in 2021. We are pleased to welcome Microchip to the ranks of Alphawave customers that will be taking their solutions to market in 2022.

Microchips META-DX2 is the industrys most compact 1.6T Ethernet PHY solution with up to 800GbE connectivity for Cloud Data Centers, 5G and AI. The product leverages Alphawaves low-power 112Gbps PAM4 SerDes IP that was first developed beginning in 2017 and qualified for production in 2018.

Babak Samimi, Vice President of Microchip stated: We partnered with Alphawave on the 112Gbps generation of our META-DX2 terabit-scale Ethernet PHY product line based on the proven performance of their IP. By working with Alphawave, we have realized world-leading performance and ensuring we achieve our desired time to market. We look forward to supporting our customers on integration of META-DX2 into their platforms over the coming months.

About Alphawave IP

Faced with the exponential growth of data, Alphawaves technology services a critical need: enabling data to travel faster, more reliably and with higher performance at lower power. Alphawave is a global leader in high-speed connectivity for the worlds technology infrastructure. Our IP solutions therefore meet the needs of global tier-one customers in data centers, compute, networking, AI, 5G, autonomous vehicles, and storage. Founded in Toronto, Canada in 2017, by an expert technical team with a proven track record in licensing semiconductor IP, our mission is to focus on the hardest-to-solve connectivity challenges. To find out more about Alphawave IP, visit: awaveip.com

Trademarks

All registered trademarks and other trademarks belong to their respective owners.
Dublin, Jan. 11, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Oral Antiseptics Market - Global Outlook & Forecast 2021-2026" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The oral antiseptics market was valued at USD 2.27 billion in 2020 and is expected to reach USD 3.06 billion by 2026 growing at a CAGR of 5.10%.

The study considers a detailed scenario of the present oral antiseptics market and its market dynamics for the period 2021-2026. It covers a detailed overview of several market growth enablers, restraints, and trends. The report offers both the demand and supply aspects of the market. It profiles and examines leading companies and other prominent ones operating in the market.



During the COVID-19 outbreak, oral hygiene became an important part of health. Most of the oral antiseptics are effective against the COVID-19 pandemic, which has propelled the market growth. Also, increasing awareness about dental care is also one of the positive trends of the market. Herbal and essential oil-based oral antiseptics are also driving the market's growth.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

Growing awareness about oral hygiene and the increasing prevalence of oral care and diseases will drive the global oral antiseptics products market in the forecast period. Going green is now a trend in the oral care market with no side effects. Herbal products are increasingly gaining traction.

Alcohol-free oral antiseptics are mostly preferred by dentists all over the world. This is because alcohol-based oral antiseptic products have side effects in which patients may experience irritation and dryness in their mouth.

GEOGRAPHICAL ANALYSIS

Europe: Europe is a major growth contributor due to its highly sophisticated oral care infrastructure, high awareness level, and high per capita spending. Germany is called 'Dental Land' in Europe owing to a large number of dentists present in the country, which is more than the world average.

North America: North American region has a higher growth rate than Europe. This is due to the increased per capita usage of oral antiseptics. The large pool of elderly population having with increasing gum diseases is driving the market in the region

APAC: This region is home to about a quarter of dentists in the world. India, Japan, the Philippines, and China contribute to 80% of the dentist population in the region. The low-income countries that lack awareness regarding oral health will be an enormous potential market in the forecast period.

ORAL ANTISEPTIC MARKET SEGMENTATION

One of the important properties of CPC is its ability to maintain microbes present in the mouth that are essential for metabolism. Thus, dentists prefer them more, thereby driving the market growth.

Solution-based oral antiseptics are most preferred as they can be used for various indications like a mouth rinse, preparation of oral mucosa for dental surgery, tooth extraction, etc. They also provide several chemical compositions, making them a desirable option.

There is a change in shopping patterns where end users are increasingly turning to digital channels to research pricing and other related information. A lot of vendors have adopted online channels for the sales of their products.

KEY MARKET DYNAMICS

Rising online product sales

Rising demand for herbal and essential oil-based oral antiseptics

The shift towards alcohol-free oral antiseptics

Growing awareness of oral and dental care

Increasing usage of oral antiseptics pre and post surgeries

VENDOR LANDSCAPE

Key Vendors

Procter and Gamble

Colgate Palmolive

Johnson & Johnson

OraCare

Church & Dwight

Other Prominent Vendors

Agrawal Drugs PVT Ltd.

Avrio Health L.P.

Dabur

Dentaid

Dentsply Sirona

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK)

3M

ICM Pharma

ICPA Health

Platinum Pharmaceuticals

Indoco Remedies

KPH Cosmos Pvt Ltd

Luxica Pharma

Uniroyal Herbal

Key Topics Covered:



1 Research Methodology



2 Research Objectives



3 Research Process



4 Scope & Coverage

4.1 Market Definition

4.2 Base Year

4.3 Scope Of The Study



5 Report Assumptions & Caveats

5.1 Key Caveats

5.2 Currency Conversion

5.3 Market Derivation



6 Market At A Glance



7 Introduction

7.1 Overview

7.2 Impact Of Covid-19



8 Market Opportunities & Trends

8.1 Rising Online Sales Of Oral Antiseptics

8.2 Increasing Demand For Herbal & Essential Oils-Based Oral Antiseptics

8.3 Shift Toward Alcohol-Free Oral Antiseptics

8.4 Use Of Oral Antiseptics Against Sars-Cov-2 Virus



9 Market Growth Enablers

9.1 Growing Awareness Of Oral & Dental Care

9.2 Favorable Patient Demographics

9.3 Increasing Use Of Oral Antiseptics In Oral Surgeries & Routine Dental Care

9.4 Availability Of Oral Antiseptics With Safe & Effective Active Ingredients



10 Market Restraints

10.1 Side-Effects Associated With Oral Antiseptics

10.2 Low Awareness Of Oral Hygiene In Emerging Economies



11 Market Landscape

11.1 Market Overview

11.2 Market Size & Forecast

11.3 Five Forces Analysis

11.3.1 Threat Of New Entrants

11.3.2 Bargaining Power Of Suppliers

11.3.3 Bargaining Power Of Buyers

11.3.4 Threat Of Substitutes

11.3.5 Competitive Rivalry



12 Chemical Composition

12.1 Market Snapshot & Growth Engine

12.2 Market Overview

12.3 Chlorhexidine Gluconate

12.4 Cetylpyridinium Chloride

12.5 Herbal & Essential Oils

12.6 Others



13 Application

13.1 Market Snapshot & Growth Engine

13.2 Market Overview

13.3 Treatment

13.4 Prevention



14 Form

14.1 Market Snapshot & Growth Engine

14.2 Market Overview

14.3 Solution-Based

14.4 Gel-Based



15 Distribution Channel

15.1 Market Snapshot & Growth Engine

15.2 Market Overview

15.3 Drugs Stores & Standalone Retail Pharmacies

15.4 E-Commerce

15.5 Others



16 Geography

16.1 Market Snapshot & Growth Engine

16.2 Geographic Overview

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/dql8bm
GLENVIEW, Ill., Jan. 11, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Inverness, IL-based Willow CPA Group, Ltd. has merged with Weiss & Company LLP, effective Dec. 1, 2021, according to a joint statement released by the two privately held CPA firms.

With a focus on tax and assurance services, Willow CPA Group, Ltd. has forged strong ties with the local business community, thanks to the firm's focus on professionalism, responsiveness and excellent service. It was precisely these traits that moved partners Kim Fritzsche and Donna Fasone to seek a merger with Weiss & Company LLP.

"Weiss shares our passion for personal, one-on-one client relationships," stated Fritzsche. "Long-term accounting relationships are built on trust and loyalty, and Weiss has always promoted those principles. Those are values that Donna and I have always held at Willow CPA Group, so it seemed like an outstanding fit from the outset."

Her point is borne out by Weiss's track record as one of the Chicago area's most well-established and successful accounting firms. For over 50 years with a dedicated staff of more than 60 full-time accountants and associates, the Glenview-based firm has thrived by focusing its efforts on building strong relationships with every client, a focus that managing partner Daniel A. Fortman recognized in Willow CPA Group's approach to business.

"While Weiss has always had a strong footprint in assurance work, we were very impressed with Willow's focus on that area," Fortman observed. "But the synergy between the two firms is equally important. Willow's business model, like ours, focuses strongly on accountant-to-client relationships. There's a sense of trust that's built up over years, even decades. That interpersonal focus was incredibly appealing to Weiss."

Willow CPA Group, Ltd. partners Kim Fritzsche and Donna Fasone will join Weiss as principals as a part of the merger and serve clients from both the firm's Glenview and Buffalo Grove offices.

About Weiss & Company LLP

For over 50 years, Weiss & Company LLP has been providing accounting and auditing, tax preparation, and consulting services to clients of all sizes in many different industries. Headquartered in Glenview, Illinois, the firm is a member of the BDO Alliance USA, a nationwide association of independently owned accounting and consulting firms. For additional information about this release, contact mtempleton@weisscpa.com.

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Las Cruces, New Mexico, United States, Jan. 11, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sinuate Media, a full-service marketing technology firm headquartered in Mesilla, New Mexico, announced today the launch of Approach Positive, an online platform that makes digital marketing accessible for small businesses. With the U.S. Census Bureau projecting 17 million new businesses to start in 2022, Approach Positive aims to reduce the strain business owners feel to keep up with digital marketing and compete against large brands who have marketing teams and big budgets to support their growth.

Time and again, we hear from business owners who are overwhelmed by the digital learning curve and do not have the capacity necessary to build a solid digital footprint, says Sinuate Medias CEO and Founder Leah Messina. In launching Approach Positive, our goal is to make it easy  and approachable  for businesses to affordably access marketing expertise, attract an online audience, and keep them coming back.

The self-serve marketing platform, www.approachpositive.com, allows businesses to choose from three options depending on where their business is in development, from startup to established. They are:

 Get Growing: For new businesses with a local focus, this plan builds a presence on Google.

 Get Noticed: For businesses with a website but need to attract more visitors, this option leverages the power of online content and ads to attract customers.

 Get Growing: For sales-focused businesses this plan provides Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system and marketing automations to improve and automate the sales process.

We want small businesses to take advantage of the marketing tools available to them and not feel like they need to spend months learning them while also running their day-to-day operations, says Messina. Leveraging Sinuate Medias 16-year history working with national brands and small businesses alike, we have designed a platform that gives small businesses a great chance to succeed.

Approach Positive will also offer access to marketing resources to member businesses, including training programs and bootcamps. To see plans and sign up for more information, visit www.approachpositive.com.

About Approach Positive

Approach Positive is a self-serve marketing platform offered by Sinuate Media to provide businesses across the globe with access to digital marketing technology and strategies at flat rates. Approach Positive was born out of the necessity for a simpler, affordable, scalable approach to business promotion. www.approachpositive.com.

About Sinuate Media

Since 2006, Sinuate Media has provided full-service digital marketing and communications solutions for engaging brands. By leveraging our Organic MarketingTM process, Sinuate Media has been recognized for blending creativity and analytics to get clients results. Born in Baltimore, MD and now headquartered in Mesilla, New Mexico, Sinuate Media consults with clients across the country. www.sinuatemedia.com.

###

Website: http://www.approachpositive.com
Dublin, Jan. 11, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Global Blood Pressure Transducers Market (2021-2026) by Product Type, Technology, End User, Geography, Competitive Analysis and the Impact of Covid-19 with Ansoff Analysis" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The Global Blood Pressure Transducers Market is estimated to be USD 850.25 Mn in 2021 and is expected to reach USD 1149.68 Mn by 2026, growing at a CAGR of 6.22%.



Market Dynamics

A surge in the geriatric population, increasing sedentary lifestyle, and the prevalence of high blood pressure are majorly boosting the growth of the global blood pressure transducers market. According to WHO, around 1. 13 billion people worldwide have hypertension, most (two-thirds) living in low- and middle-income countries.

Additionally, the increasing awareness for portable and personalized devices and the surge in the adoption of technologically enhanced products are projected to drive market growth. Government initiatives via blood pressure monitoring programs to establish awareness among people are anticipated to further propel the market growth during the forecast period. However, the shortage of competent professionals and the accuracy of tools would restraints the global blood pressure transducers market.



The surge in the adoption of new technology is expected to provide remunerative opportunities for the expansion of the market during the forecast period.



The Global Blood Pressure Transducers Market is segmented further based on Product Type, Technology, End User, and Geography.



Company Profiles

Some of the companies covered in this report are Harvard Apparatus, ICU Medical Company, Kaz, A Helen of Troy Company, Philips Multinational conglomerate company, Merit Medical Systems, etc.



Competitive Quadrant

The report includes Competitive Quadrant, a proprietary tool to analyze and evaluate the position of companies based on their Industry Position score and Market Performance score. The tool uses various factors for categorizing the players into four categories. Some of these factors considered for analysis are financial performance over the last 3 years, growth strategies, innovation score, new product launches, investments, growth in market share, etc.



Why buy this report?

The report offers a comprehensive evaluation of the Global Blood Pressure Transducers Market. The report includes in-depth qualitative analysis, verifiable data from authentic sources, and projections about market size. The projections are calculated using proven research methodologies.

The report has been compiled through extensive primary and secondary research. The primary research is done through interviews, surveys, and observation of renowned personnel in the industry.

The report includes an in-depth market analysis using Porter's 5 forces model and the Ansoff Matrix. In addition, the impact of Covid-19 on the market is also featured in the report.

The report also includes the regulatory scenario in the industry, which will help you make a well-informed decision. The report discusses major regulatory bodies and major rules and regulations imposed on this sector across various geographies.

The report also contains the competitive analysis using Positioning Quadrants, the analyst's Proprietary competitive positioning tool.

Key Topics Covered:



1 Report Description



2 Research Methodology

3 Executive Summary

3.1 Introduction

3.2 Market Size and Segmentation

3.3 Market Outlook



4 Market Influencers

4.1 Drivers

4.1.1 Rising Geriatric Population and Sedentary Lifestyle

4.1.2 Increasing Incidences of Hypertension

4.1.3 Government Initiatives

4.1.4 Increase in Application of Portable and Personalized Devices

4.2 Restraints

4.2.1 High Cost Associated with Technological Development

4.2.2 Stringent Government Regulations

4.3 Opportunities

4.3.1 Adoption of Technologically Advanced Products

4.3.2 Increasing Healthcare Expenditure in Developing Countries

4.4 Challenges

4.4.1 Product Recall

4.4.2 Lack of Trained Professionals

4.5 Trends



5 Market Analysis

5.1 Regulatory Scenario

5.2 Porter's Five Forces Analysis

5.3 Impact of COVID-19

5.4 Ansoff Matrix Analysis



6 Global Blood Pressure Transducers Market, By Product Type

6.1 Introduction

6.2 Disposable Transducers

6.3 Reusable Transducers



7 Global Blood Pressure Transducers Market, By Technology

7.1 Introduction

7.2 Aneroid

7.3 Digital

7.4 Wearable



8 Global Blood Pressure Transducers Market, By End User

8.1 Introduction

8.2 Ambulatory Surgical Centers

8.3 Clinics

8.4 Diagnostic Laboratories

8.5 Hospitals



9 Global Blood Pressure Transducers Market, By Geography



10 Competitive Landscape

10.1 IGR Competitive Quadrant

10.2 Market Share Analysis

10.3 Strategic Initiatives

10.3.1 M&A and Investments

10.3.2 Partnerships and Collaborations

10.3.3 Product Developments and Improvements



11 Company Profiles

11.1 Medtronic

11.2 A & D Company

11.3 AD Instruments

11.4 Argon Medical Devices

11.5 B. Braun Melsungen

11.6 BIOPAC Systems

11.7 Honeywell

11.8 Lepu Medical

11.9 Med Accessories

11.10 Hisern Medical

11.11 ICU Medical

11.12 Merit Medical

11.13 Philips

11.14 Biosensors International

11.15 FISO Technologies

11.16 Harvard Apparatus

11.17 Elcam Medical

11.18 Biobeat Technologies

11.19 BL Lifesciences

11.20 Masimo

11.21 Magnet Schultz

11.22 Guangdong Baihe Medical Technology

11.23 Shanghai Kindly Medical Instruments

11.24 Shenzhen Prunus Medical

11.25 TE Connectivity

11.26 Thyracont

11.27 CODAN Companies



12 Appendix



For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/wn96u
More than half (52%) of global consumers said they are less likely to order an item that requires shipping from overseas than they were a year ago

A third (36%) said that if delivery or pick-up of an item takes longer than two days, they will look elsewhere

NEW YORK, Jan. 11, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As the global supply chain crisis continues to disrupt the retail industry, consumers are being forced to change their shopping habits and buy local (within their own countries) for speed and availability, new global research from SOTI has found.

Consumers are feeling the effects of supply chain issues firsthand, with over half (57%) of global consumers saying they have recently experienced one or more items not being available, have had to purchase alternatives when preferred products were not available, or have had to go to different retailers to find items in stock. Worse still, over one-third (35%) of shoppers said items they wanted to purchase have not been available at all.

Compounding these supply issues, more than a third (34%) said they feel delivery times have been slower than usual and more than half (53%) said that shipping/delivery time is the most frustrating aspect of ordering online.

Unwilling to compromise on speed and availability, consumers are now paying special attention to the purchase journey. More than a third (36%) said that if delivery or pick-up of an item takes longer than two days, they will look elsewhere. Meanwhile, with deliveries from outside their own country now taking longer to arrive, more than half (52%) of global consumers have changed their habits, saying they are now less likely to order an item that requires shipping from overseas than they were a year ago.

As part of the From Clicks to Ships: State of Mobility in Retail 2022 Report, SOTI surveyed 10,000 consumers across the U.S., Canada, Mexico, UK, Germany, Sweden, Australia and France to understand how consumers are responding to the supply chain crisis, as well as their expectations of brands and retailers to cope with it.

Changing Consumer Attitudes and Behaviors Set to Continue

Its clear from the findings that consumers are unwilling to give retailers any leeway. When asked about their expectations and intentions:

Over two-thirds (68%) agreed that they now expect to know where their order is throughout the delivery process at all times

More than half (61%) agree they are continuing to shop with brands that can deliver goods the fastest

More than half (52%) agree they would be more likely to shop from a retailers store if multiple return points were offered

Over one-third (35%) agreed that knowing who a retailers delivery partner is has resulted in them not completing an order with that retailer

Evolving in a State of Flux

The onus is now on retailers to adapt to these behaviors and match up with consumer preferences. Brands and retailers are being forced to pause and think again about how they approach customer relationships and go-to-market strategies in response to these issues. They need to have insightful data at their fingertips to cater to these consumer preferences and combat consumer impatience, while considering that were still very much in a state of fluctuation. There is now a premium on the flexibility that allows brands to provide the best possible customer experience, no matter how or where customers shop, explains Shash Anand, VP of Product Strategy at SOTI.

Looking to the future, when asked if they would consider using any of the following alternative delivery options in 2022, 63% said they would consider in-store delivery/collection (click and collect/buy online and pick up in-store) and half (50%) would consider delivery to a designated drop-off point.

Consumers are also open to even more significant changes in the way they receive their goods as technology advances. Almost half (46%) said they would consider either autonomous vehicles to deliver larger packages to their home or another convenient location, or delivery drones to deliver small packages (43%).

Mobile technology can help retailers to improve communications and customer experience across all relevant channels and media. By ensuring they have mobile-enabled operational intelligence , brands and retailers can diagnose problems quickly and adapt fast to meet developing consumer needs and preferences. In this rapidly shifting retail environment, the only certainty is uncertainty. By ensuring consumers have choices and flexibility, brands and retailers, as well as their logistics partners, will be prepared for all eventualities, concludes Anand at SOTI.

From Clicks to Ships: State of Mobility in Retail 2022 Report can be downloaded here .

Report Methodology

10,000 interviews were conducted using an online methodology with adults aged 18 to 65 years old with nationally representative quotas on gender, age and region set at country-level between November 20, 2021 and December 2, 2021. The 10,000 interviews are split across eight markets as follows: U.S. (2,000 respondents), Canada (1,000 respondents), Mexico (1,000 respondents), UK (2,000 respondents), Germany (1,000 respondents), Sweden (1,000 respondents), Australia (1,000 respondents) and France (1,000 respondents).

About SOTI

SOTI is the worlds most trusted provider of mobile and IoT device management solutions , with more than 17,000 enterprise customers and millions of devices managed worldwide. SOTIs innovative portfolio of solutions and services provide the tools organizations need to truly mobilize their operations and optimize their mobility investments. SOTI extends secure mobility management to provide an integrated solution to manage and secure all mobile devices and connected peripherals in an organization.
AMSTERDAM, Jan. 11, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- FourKites  , the worlds leading real-time supply chain visibility platform , today announced that it will host the 2022 Global Supply Chain Sustainability Summit , the largest virtual conference for supply chain leaders focused on driving positive environmental impact through supply chain transformation. The half-day event will be broadcast live from Amsterdam on March 9, 2022, and will be streamed to participants worldwide.



Sustainability continues to be a growing focus for companies, despite ongoing supply chain disruptions caused by the pandemic. According to a recent survey by Reuters and FourKites, 84% of European supply chain leaders are either increasing or maintaining their focus on sustainability commitments. In addition, 65 companies in the S&P 500 had net-zero targets in place prior to the COP26 Summit , and many are asking their suppliers to disclose data on greenhouse gas emissions. FourKites Global Supply Chain Sustainability Summit will tap the industrys top minds to explore how organizations can make meaningful progress in achieving their sustainability goals by building greener supply chains and logistics operations through transparency, technology and collaboration.

The unprecedented disruptions of the last few years have served as a clarion call to world business leaders, said Dan Tram, Investment Director at Volvo Group Venture Capital .

We must move faster  with our customers, supply chain partners, governments, societies and other stakeholders  to develop and offer cleaner, safer and more circular transport solutions to reach our collective and individual sustainability targets. FourKites Sustainability Summit is an important event, and we look forward to participating with peers from around the globe.

Event speakers will include senior supply chain leaders from companies including Bayer, RHI Magnesita, Henkel, Hoyer Group and Tetra Pak, on topics ranging from alternative energy strategies to electric vehicle readiness, reverse logistics, recycled materials and more. The Summit will also feature thought leaders, including technology entrepreneur, author and Future Planet Founder Donal Daly, who will offer unique perspectives on how companies can grow sustainably.

We are honored to host an event that includes some of the worlds preeminent companies and supply chain leaders sharing insights on how to achieve positive, quantifiable impacts on the community and the environment through innovative new supply chain initiatives, said FourKites founder and CEO Mathew Elenjickal. We look forward to collaborating with and learning from this incredible conclave of thought leaders about the new technologies, processes and programs that are making a difference.

Register here for FourKites 2022 Global Supply Chain Sustainability Summit.

About FourKites

FourKites is the #1 supply chain visibility platform in the world, extending visibility beyond transportation into yards, warehouses, stores and beyond. Tracking more than 2.5 million shipments daily across road, rail, ocean, air, parcel and courier, and reaching 176 countries, FourKites combines real-time data and powerful machine learning to help companies digitize their end-to-end supply chains. More than 750 of the worlds most recognized brands  including 9 of the top-10 CPG and 18 of the top-20 food and beverage companies  trust FourKites to transform their business and create more agile, efficient and sustainable supply chains. To learn more, visit https://www.fourkites.com/ .

Media Contact:

Marianna Vyridi

Big Valley Marketing for FourKites

(650) 468-3263

mvyridi@bigvalley.co

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/eafdfbd2-69a0-4387-8ae9-1bb90e601224
New York, NY , Jan. 11, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Why does history matter in the first place? What difference does it really make? According to author Scott S. Powell, rediscovering America is one of the most fundamental issues confronting our nation today. History is the telling of stories of those who came before us. For us to know who we are we must know where we came from. Philosopher Alasdair MacIntyre put it this way, I can only answer the question What am I to do? if I can answer the prior question Of what story or stories do I find myself a part?



Rediscovering America: How the National Holidays Tell an Amazing Story about Who We Are Hardcover  March 8, 2022





Today, there are many who have sought to use our history to divide rather than unite us. Recently, Scott S. Powell has penned a compelling book entitled, Rediscovering America, on how to save America from external and internal forces seeking to divide us. When asked why he authored this book, he exclaimed, I simply love this country! And am deeply concerned about the world my in which my daughter will grow up.

Furthermore, Scott S. Powell is a husband, father, university instructor, patriot and one of the country's chief champions on what makes America exceptional. For more than 30 years Scott has devoted his life to helping people grasp the importance of why the U.S. Constitution is fundamental to maintaining our God-given freedoms. Powells work has been published in the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Barron's Financial, New York Post, San Francisco Chronicle, and the Chicago Tribune and some 40 other publications.

According to Rediscovering America, although the answer to the question of what it means to be an American is different for each person, almost no one would refer to the United States as just another nation. The concept of America has always carried big and positive attributes. Even repressive and precarious regimes indirectly pay tribute to Americas unique stature in the world by singling out the United States above all other nations as the target of their greatest hatred and condemnation.

From the first settlers to todays immigrants arriving at Americas shores and borders 400 years later, the mythic sense of America as being a place of refuge and sanctuary, a land of second chances, renewal and new beginnings, a place of unexplored frontiers with unlimited possibilities has remained remarkably persistentproviding unique and powerful optimism says Powell.

Powell gives a compelling account in Rediscovering America: How the National Holidays Tell an Amazing Story about Who We Are, in which he gives a point-by-point master class on what its going to take to save America from herself. Powells account of the American story is deeply personal to his very own story. After his freshman year, Powell left college and sailed some 5,000 miles on a 17-foot gaff-rigged sailboat and then backpacked around the world to compare and contrast how other societies and governing systems were different from Americas. By the time of his return, Powell not only recognized how unique our system is, but also why it is critical to keep America a free nation thats governed by the people, for the people.

In Rediscovering America, Powell makes a compelling case that most of our present problems can be solved by better understanding the past. In the course of the book the reader gains insight on character qualities that enabled those who came before us to overcome great obstacles and succeed against what appeared to be insurmountable odds. Most readers of the book find themselves pleasantly surprised by discovering the well-spring of character attributes that built America. By connecting the present to the past, Powell gives an evidence-based criticism of the 1619 Project and Critical Race theory, pointing out how these ideas seek to divide us rather than unite us. In the book, Powell instead clings to the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. who espoused a message of unity rather than a message division and acrimony.

Rediscovering America is not only genuinely entertaining to read, but it is also deeply important! I learned many things from reading it and am already excited to share them with anyone I meet says Eric Metaxas a New York Times bestselling author.

In painting a comprehensive picture of America, Powell doesnt gloss over the hard parts e.g., slavery and Civil Rights. The book acknowledges the fact that America is not perfect. Yet the Declaration and Constitution provided the framework that would provide moral and legal arguments to end slavery and segregation. Evoking the Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Powells message is a message where all Americans regardless of race, creed, national origins, and socio-economic backgrounds can flourish in America, where all men are judged by the content of their character and not the color of their skin. Powells page-turning book is a must read for all who seek Liberty and justice for all and those with an open mind seeking to rediscover the true story of America.

For more information visit: Rediscovering America website: https://www.rediscoveringamerica.net/

The book is also available on Amazon for Presale at: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1637581599

About the Author

About Scott S. Powell

Scott S. Powell is a husband, father, educator, patriot and one of the nations foremost experts on American conservatism. Scott Powell has been an entrepreneur for 30+ years, founding two companies. Over the last three decades Scott has dedicated his life to helping others gain a truthful assessment of America and the American Dream. His writings have appeared in major publications such as the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Barrons Financial, New York Post, San Francisco Chronicle, and Chicago Tribune to name a few. Hes a Senior fellow at the Discovery institute and has been a fellow at Stanfords Hoover Institution. Recently, Scott has penned a compelling book entitled, Rediscovering America on how to save America from external and internal forces.

Media contact

staybusytoday@gmail.com

5616644191



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Beverly Hills , Jan. 11, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cindy Diffenderfer shares how Orion Haus is playing a pioneering role in the sharing economy, turning everyday renters into real estate investors.

Listen to the full interview of Cindy Diffenderfer with Adam Torres on the Mission Matters Money Podcast.

What mission matters to you?

Diffenderfer says Orion Haus turns renters into real estate investors through home-sharing made accessible to all by creating affordable, high-quality, and flexible housing solutions.

How did the journey begin?

Diffenderfer has been an Airbnb host since 2011, first using the platform to monetize her home in New York, but her buildings owners prohibited short term rentals of any kind, she shares, as it posed a security issue for other residents and in their opinion would deteriorate the quality of living for all residents in the building. She started brainstorming how to make home-sharing valuable for owners and transform transient lodging to make it more attractive in residential buildings. When she relocated to South Florida three years later she started working on the idea.

When we met with leadership at Airbnb, they were facing host and traveler attrition since there was no commercial control or system in place to ensure the stability of inventory, she says. Through our partnership, we created a business model that suited the needs of travelers, residents and property owners for compliant, safe and easy short-term and long-term rental management. That led to the launch of Niido, Natiivo and now Orion Haus in 2020.

The real estate and housing landscape

We are witnessing the sharing economy grow in a lot of different verticals, through ride-sharing, co-living or homesharing, Diffenderfer says. It is now a commercial product that appeals to all age demographics from millennials to their grandparentseveryone is participating. She admits that hosts can face emotional barriers at first, i.e., how/why to let a stranger sleep in your bed or drive your car, but she says financial motivators help them get past those roadblocks. Once they experience the benefits of the sharing economy, they continue to expand how and where they use it.

Who benefits the most from homesharing and flexible leases in real estate?

Diffenderfer says Real Property owners, investors and renters benefit the most since they have inventory and opportunity to monetize it. But, she says, residents benefit as well. Our model creates additional revenue opportunities for people which allows them to pursue their financial and lifestyle goals that they otherwise would be struggling with on a fixed income.

How does Orion Haus function?

Orion Haus allows renters to monetize their homes without homeownership, creating an investment income through their rental.

All you have to do is rent an apartment with us and we run it for you, Diffenderfer explains. So if you have a home in another city which you use only when traveling, you can earn revenue off it. If youre a primary resident, you can rent your house when youre on vacation, or spending the weekend with your family, or theres a seasonal event in your area.

She says that the brand also focuses on professional hosts who are also traditional real estate investors; you can become a real estate investor even if you dont have huge capital, she notes, by owning a single condo and renting it out. She describes Orion Haus as a real-estate partner agnostic platform, noting the wide variety of relationships the brand takes part in to bring its value proposition together.

We work with different developers, private equity, and pre-existing buildings, and are open to all distribution channels, she says. We're in the process of converting 22 depressed hotels into home sharing-friendly micro-apartment units. Moreover, we are also syndicating and distributing the short-term rental product on a nightly basis through over 100 online travel agencies.

The company is currently targeting secondary and tertiary markets across the southern US, from Florida to Texas, and up to North Carolina.

Whats it like to partner with Orion Haus?

To participate in the home-sharing program, Diffenderfer says, all you have to do is manage your calendar; and your Orion Haus app alerts you each time you get a booking.

Were like hotel partners, so we handle everything from marketing, lease up, interior design services (and) furniture packages, to pre-cleaning and post-cleaning. We collect the revenue, take our portion and transfer the rest to the renter's account, she explains.

If you want to become a renter, enroll on our waitlist at our website, she advises. When the inventory becomes available, well let you know. Once it delivers, you can put in an application and move and keep it as a furnished or an unfurnished unit. You can tour the apartment, select the floor and furnishing plans, and put your deposit down digitally.

Whats next?

Diffenderfer says Orion Haus is in the process of opening up in 12 different markets. It has secured almost half a billion dollars in funding to be used for the acquisition of portfolio properties. Were looking to buy more depressed hotels and motels in the Southeast corridor, which well redesign and rebrand, she says, noting that deals are currently in development in Atlanta and North Miami.

To learn more about Orion Haus Homes & Hotels, visit orionhaus.com.

Media Communications

Inquiries: adamtorres@missionmatters.com

Publicist for Adam Torres and Mission Matters Media KISS PR Brand Story PressWire

Brand Publicity Partners KissPR.com - T: 972.437.8942



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TORONTO, Jan. 11, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Clearmind Medicine Inc. (CSE: CMND, FSE: CWY0, OTC Pink: CMNDF) (Clearmind or the "Company"), a psychedelic medicine biotech company focused on the discovery and development of novel psychedelic-derived therapeutics to solve widespread and undertreated health problems, is pleased to announce senior appointments to its management team in North America.

Mr. Mark Haden, psychedelic medicine expert, has been appointed as the Companys Vice President Business Development. Mr. Haden was promoted to this position after serving as one of the founding members of Clearmind's scientific advisory.

Mr. Haden has spent his career working to advance the use of psychedelics in medicine. Mark has substantial research experience, including a leadership role in the study of Psilocybin Research Investigating Medical Efficacy, which explores psilocybin as an adjunct in the treatment of substance use disorders, and has spent 10 years as the chairman and executive director of the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies in Canada, an organization he founded. He has also dedicated over 25 years to working directly with patients through the Vancouver Coastal Health Addiction Services. Mr. Haden currently serves as Director of Clinical Research at Psygen Industries, a manufacturer of pharmaceutical-grade psychedelic drug products for clinical research and therapeutic applications and is an Adjunct Professor at the University of British Columbia School of Population and Public Health.

Additionally, the Company wishes to announce that, Mr. Gilad Babchuk has been appointed as the Companys Head of Strategy and Communication. Mr. Babchuk is a serial entrepreneur with 28 years of global experience in establishing, developing, and running organizations. He served as a strategic advisor to top-level managers in both the private and public sectors as well as to certain politicians at various governmental levels. He was a founder and co-founder of over 15 social ventures, as well as a 4-time CEO. Gilad is an acclaimed speaker and is currently a consultant for multinational companies, working with senior CEOs, business leaders, and entrepreneurs worldwide.

Dr. Adi Zuloff-Shani, Ph.D., CEO of Clearmind, commented on the announcement, As we continue to increase our footprint in North America, I am excited to welcome our newest team members. Since joining our scientific advisory board, Adjunct Prof. Haden's contributions have been plentiful and we believe that as VP of Business Development, his expertise and connections will greatly improve the future progression of the company."

Mr. Babchuk has decades of experience in taking companies to their next stage with well-established strategies and tactics. I am confident that our new team members will support Clearmind in achieving its goals for the upcoming year and will facilitate efforts in North America, Zuloff-Shani added.

About Clearmind Medicine Inc.

Clearmind is a psychedelic pharmaceutical biotech company focused on the discovery and development of novel psychedelic-derived therapeutics to solve widespread and underserved health problems, including alcohol use disorder. Its primary objective is to research and develop psychedelic-based compounds and attempt to commercialize them as regulated medicines, foods or supplements.

The Companys intellectual portfolio currently consists of four patent families. The Company intends to seek additional patents for its compounds whenever warranted and will remain opportunistic regarding the acquisition of additional intellectual property to build its portfolio.

Shares of Clearmind are listed for trading on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the symbol "CMND", the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the symbol CWYO and on the OTC pink under the symbol "CMNDF".

For further information, please contact:

Investor Relations,

Email: invest@clearmindmedicine.com

Telephone: (778) 400-5347

General Inquiries,

Info@Clearmindmedicine.com

www.Clearmindmedicine.com

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS:

This news release may contain forward-looking statements and information based on current expectations. These statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those implied by such statements. Such statements include submission of the relevant documentation within the required timeframe to the satisfaction of the relevant regulators and raising sufficient financing to complete the Company's business strategy. There is no certainty that any of these events will occur. Although such statements are based on management's reasonable assumptions, there can be no assurance that such assumptions will prove to be correct. We assume no responsibility to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances.

Investing into early-stage companies inherently carries a high degree of risk, and investment into securities of the Company shall be considered highly speculative.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any province in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. The securities issued, or to be issued, under the Private Placement have not been, and will not be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration requirements.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange (the CSE) nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Jan. 11, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Apollo Silver Corp. (Apollo or the Company) (TSX.V:APGO, OTCQB:APGOF, Frankfurt:6ZF) is pleased to provide an update on its ongoing technical review of historic data at the Waterloo and Langtry projects in San Bernardino County, California. Recently this work has identified a 25 metre (m) thick, gold bearing horizon below silver mineralization. Silver mineralization transitions to gold-dominated mineralization at the variably faulted lithologic contact between Barstow formation sedimentary rocks and Pickhandle formation volcaniclastics. Gold mineralization at the districts only historic gold producer, the Burcham Mine, occurs along this contact 250 m to the southeast. Apollos analysis of historic data has shown that not only does gold mineralization extend beyond the Burcham mine area, evidence suggests that at the Waterloo project the entire 2.2 kilometre (km) long contact between the Barstow sediments and Pickhandle volcaniclastics is prospective for gold mineralization.



Highlights:

Potential for meaningful gold mineralization along the entire 2.2 km long contact for which the majority of historic drill holes did not test;

Gold (Au) mineralized horizon of 25 m (true thickness) returning 0.59 grams per tonne (g/t) Au from 132.60 m below surface, including 1.52 m of 5.52 g/t Au. This horizon is 60 m wide and 110 m length (down-dip) and open in all directions;

The contact represents an excellent exploration target for replacement style gold mineralization, and possibly higher-grade vein hosted gold; and

The upcoming 2022 drill program will test for additional gold mineralization along this prospective horizon.

Our systematic approach to reviewing and validating the historic data is continuing to deliver significant value Apollo CEO, Tom Peregoodoff, commented. We were aware of this historic gold production at the Burcham mine, however it is only recently and through this detailed review that we have come to understand the nature and extent of the host unit, and the potential for a significant gold discovery at Waterloo. This presents an exciting opportunity in that it substantially adds to the exploration potential of the properties and testing of this prospective horizon will form part of our upcoming 2022 drill program. With our pending maiden silver resource declaration for Waterloo and Langtry on track, 2022 is shaping up to be a very exciting year for Apollo.

Gold Mineralization at Calico

Apollos Waterloo project hosts the Burcham mine, the only mine in the Calico Mining District known to produce gold as its primary commodity (refer to Figure 1). Gold was produced from two NW-oriented veins via underground drifts. Gold is hosted in veins varying from 0.3 up to 3 m wide and occurs as replacement style mineralization, with both the Barstow and the Pickhandle volcaniclastics formations hosting disseminated gold in zones up to 9 m wide. Gold was reported to be associated with chalcopyrite, galena, sphalerite and silver chloride, all hosted in a gangue of quartz, barite and iron oxides. There are no known production numbers from this mine, but historic public articles report grades of up to 0.31 ounces per ton (9.7 g/t).

Historic Mining and Exploration for Gold at Calico

ASARCO undertook a number of work programs to better understand gold mineralization in the Burcham area between 1985 and 1989. These included 10 shallow air track holes (188 m total, maximum depth of 29.30 m), three diamond drill holes (335.30 m total, maximum depth of 137.60 m) and underground chip/channel sampling (96 samples, 3-6 m lengths, ~5 kilograms each) from accessible underground workings. A selection of results of gold mineralized intersections from this drilling are shown in Table 1. Results from the underground chip sampling revealed a maximum of 2.01 g/t Au (average 0.63 g/t Au) in the Pickhandle volcaniclastics (12 samples) and a maximum of 4.44 g/t Au (average 0.44 g/t Au) in the Barstow sediments (84 samples). Importantly, this is the only work program completed by Asarco that included assaying for gold.

Between 2008 and 2012, Pan American Minerals, a wholly owned subsidiary of Pan American Silver Corp. (Pan American), completed exploration programs comprising surface geological mapping and drilling. Six reverse circulation holes completed by Pan American show a transition from silver-dominated mineralization to gold-dominated mineralization towards the SW-dipping, unconformable and variably faulted contact between the Barstow and Pickhandle formations. This gold-dominated horizon is up to 25 m thick (true thickness), 60 metres wide, 110 m long and is open in all directions (refer to Figure 2), as identified in drill hole W-0054, which intersected 0.59 g/t Au from 132.60 m downhole, including 7.62 m of 1.44 g/t and 1.52 m of 5.52 g/t Au.

Geological mapping completed by Dr. Warren Pratt in 2008 (for Pan American) identified hydrothermal mineralization along the entire 2.2 km length of the contact on the Waterloo property. Some areas were intensely altered to an acid-sulfate assemblage of kaolinite, alunite and cristobalite, particularly in the volcaniclastics. Acid sulphate type leaching is widespread at surface at the contact in both the Barstow and Pickhandle formations, and the contact appears to be variably mineralized for at least half its length, as hematite, jarosite, goethite, quartz and copper oxides were observed. Historic mining at both the Burcham and Waterloo mines exploited this contact.

Conclusions  Gold Exploration Potential

Apollos analysis of historic Pan American and ASARCO data has concluded that not only does gold mineralization extend beyond the Burcham mine area, there is evidence to suggest that the entire 2.2. km long contact between the Barstow sediments and Pickhandle volcaniclastics is prospective for gold. Historic work by ASARCO demonstrated that the Barstow formation and a wide halo in the Pickhandle volcaniclastics in the Burcham area are mineralized with disseminated gold. Spatial distribution and both Pan American and ASARCO drill log data suggest this is a replacement style mineralized zone preferentially formed along the contact between the Barstow and Pickhandle formation, with the Pickhandle volcaniclastics being the preferential gold host. Shallow drilling by ASARCO and evidence from geologic mapping completed by Pan American suggest this mineralization extends to surface. All gold mineralization occurred in oxidized rock.

Of the 277 drill holes in Apollos Waterloo database, only 18 definitively pierce the contact and have gold assays (see Figure 1). Thirteen of these holes are mineralized (i.e., +0.2 g/t Au). Of note is that many of the holes that pierce the contact do not fully test the adjacent volcaniclastics.

The current focus of the review has been on the Waterloo project. The gold potential at the adjacent Langtry property remains poorly constrained and work is ongoing to better assess this potential.

Testing of the gold prospective horizon will form part of the upcoming 2022 drilling program.

Figure 1 is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/43d6e5d3-a3f7-48c8-a0c6-e032c4c7a68c

Figure 2 is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e2353718-9e61-4bf4-bf4c-d7123e12a62c

Table 1: Selection of gold intercepts from historic drilling at the Waterloo project.

Operator &

Location Drill Hole From

(m) To (m) Intercept

(m) Au Grade

(g/t) Ag Grade

(g/t) Au gram-

metres ASARCO

(1981)

Burcham Area

Drilling































BR-1** 0 27.43 27.43 0.77 n/a 21.12 including 0 7.32 7.32 1.30 n/a 9.52 BD-1* 24.38 40.54 16.16 0.691 0.89 11.17 including 24.38 27.43 3.05 1.206 0.79 3.68 BD-2* 30.33 37.19 6.86 1.096 0.34 7.52 including 30.33 34.9 4.57 1.539 0.43 7.03 BR-9** 3.66 7.32 3.66 1.89 n/a 6.92 BD-2* 58.06 69.80 11.74 0.343 0.50 4.03 including 72.54 80.47 7.93 0.372 1.82 2.95 Pan American

(2012)

Hilltop

Area Drilling























W-0054** 132.58 163.07 30.49 0.59 9.10 17.99 including 135.64 143.26 7.62 1.444 4.30 11.00 including 140.21 141.73 1.52 5.520 5.30 8.39 W-0046** 112.78 126.49 13.71 0.76 17.13 10.42 including 117.35 121.92 4.57 1.692 14.58 7.73 W-0049** 86.87 100.58 13.71 0.340 42.63 4.66 W-0-S-12001** 0 2 2 1.975 34.00 3.95

*Diamond Drill hole **Reverse circulation or air track hole. Assay data is shown as recorded by operators.

Qualified Person

The scientific and technical data contained in this news release was reviewed and approved under the supervision of Cathy Fitzgerald, P.Geo., Vice President Exploration and Resource Development, a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43- 101 Standards of Disclosure for Minerals Projects. Ms. Fitzgerald is a registered Professional Geoscientist in British Columbia, Canada.

For further information about the Waterloo project please see the 2021 N.I. 43-101 technical report NI 43-101 Technical Report Waterloo Project, California, USA with an effective date of May 12, 2021; and for further information about the Langtry project please see the 2021 N.I. 43-101 technical report NI 43-101 Technical Report Langtry Project, California, USA with an effective date of December 1, 2021. Both reports were prepared by H. Samari and L. Breckenridge of Global Resource Engineering, Ltd.

Please visit www.apollosilver.com for further information.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Tom Peregoodoff

Chief Executive Officer

For further information, please contact:

Tom Peregoodoff

Chief Executive Officer

Telephone: +1 (604) 428-6128

tomp@apollosilver.com

About Apollo Silver Corp.

Apollo Silver Corp. has assembled an experienced and technically strong leadership team who have joined to advance world class precious metals projects in tier-one jurisdictions. The Company is focused on advancing its portfolio of three significant pure silver exploration and resource development projects, the historical Waterloo and Langtry projects, in San Bernardino California and Silver District Project in Arizona.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This news release includes forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. All statements included in this news release, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements including, without limitation, statements with respect to the potential of the Companys properties; the potential for a significant gold discovery at Waterloo; the timing and completion of the anticipated maiden declaration of resource estimates at the Companys silver-barite projects; the evaluation of the quality of the historical data collection, historical estimates, geological models, drilling and assay data, data sets prepared by and acquired from previous operators; timing and cost of future exploration, drilling, metallurgical testing and geophysical program plans and targets; success of exploration activities; the estimation of mineral resources; and conclusions of economic evaluations. Forward-looking statements include predictions, projections and forecasts and are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as anticipate, believe, plan, estimate, expect, potential, target, budget and intend and statements that an event or result may, will, should, could or might occur or be achieved and other similar expressions and includes the negatives thereof.

Forward-looking statements are based on the reasonable assumptions, estimates, analysis and opinions of the management of the Company made in light of its experience and its perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, as well as other factors that management of the Company believes to be relevant and reasonable in the circumstances at the date that such statements are made. Forward-looking information is inherently subject to known and unknown risks, significant operational, economic, and competitive uncertainties, contingencies and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including but not limited to risks related to the Companys goal of creating shareholder value by concentrating on the development of the Waterloo project, the Langtry project, or the AZ Silver District project (the Properties); believing that the Properties have the potential to contain economic silver deposits; the Companys assessment of future plans for the Properties; managements economic outlook regarding future trends; the Companys exploration budget for the Properties; and in particular, the availability of equipment, skilled labour and services needed, timing and the amount of the expected budget; the Companys ability to meet its working capital needs at the current level in the short term; expectations with respect to raising capital; sensitivity analysis on financial instruments may vary from the amounts disclosed; government regulation and environmental liability; relations with local stakeholders and the surrounding communities; general business and economic conditions; the timing and receipt of governmental permits and approvals; the timing and receipt of community and landowner approvals; changes in regulations; political factors; the accuracy of the Companys interpretation of drill results; the geology, grade and continuity of the Companys mineral deposits; currency fluctuations; and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate and actual results, and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Companys expectations include actual exploration results, interpretation of exploration results, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, future metal prices, availability of capital and financing on acceptable terms, general economic, market or business conditions, uninsured risks, regulatory changes, delays or inability to receive required approvals, unknown impact related to potential business disruptions stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic, or another infectious illness, and other exploration or other risks detailed herein and from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulators, including those discussed or referred to in the Companys continuous disclosure filings with the securities regulatory authorities in Canada, available at www.sedar.com .

Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward looking information, other factors could also cause materially different results. There can be no assurance that forward looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward looking information. The forward-looking information contained herein is presented for the purpose of assisting investors in understanding the Companys expected financial and operational performance and the Companys plans and objectives and may not be appropriate for other purposes. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.
MONTEREY, Calif., Jan. 11, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Monterey Bay Aquarium illuminates the wonders of Earth's largest living space and most mysterious habitats when its new exhibition, "Into the Deep: Exploring Our Undiscovered Ocean," opens on April 9, 2022.

"Into the Deep," a collaborative exhibition developed with the Aquarium's research and technology partner MBARI (Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute), offers an unparalleled descent from the ocean's surface through the dark abyss of the midwater to the seafloor. Along the journey, the deep-sea exhibition  a fully bilingual experience in English and Spanish  offers a rare look at the animals that thrive in the least explored area of the planet, including species being displayed for the first time anywhere and some that are so new to science they have yet to be named.

"Connecting people with the astounding diversity of life found beneath the waves and inspiring conservation of the ocean is what Monterey Bay Aquarium was created to do," said Julie Packard, executive director of the Aquarium. "This unprecedented exhibition tells the story of the deep sea and reveals the many ways the deep ocean sustains our lives on the surface."

"Into the Deep" is only possible thanks to a generous $15 million donation from The Grainger Family Fund. The gift, which supported the full cost of developing "Into the Deep," allowed the Aquarium team to continue work on the exhibition during the Aquarium's 14-month pandemic closure.

"We are so grateful to the Grainger Family Fund for its vision and generosity, so we could complete the exhibition in such challenging times," Julie Packard said.

"Into the Deep" transports visitors into the largest living space on Earth, telling stories of the creatures that live there, and the people and discoveries that are illuminating the last unexplored reaches of our planet. It highlights how the survival of all life on Earth is linked to the deep and the critical role it plays in sustaining a healthy ocean and stable climate. The exhibition also shows how deep-sea habitats face the same threats as the rest of the ocean  fishing pressure, habitat destruction, plastic pollution, and climate change  and why they need protection.

"Into the Deep" takes people on an exploration through exhibits of living deep-sea animals, interactive exhibits, and multimedia experiences:

Entering "Into the Deep": The exhibition starts with a transition from light-filled surface waters to a darker, deeper realm below.

The exhibition starts with a transition from light-filled surface waters to a darker, deeper realm below. "Diving" down to the deep, guests discover how life at the surface depends on life far below, explore the geography of Monterey Bay's spectacular underwater canyon, and meet the scientists, engineers, marine operators, and communicators at MBARI, which is a global leader of deep-sea exploration. Guests are then introduced to many of the unique animals of the deep sea through an immersive 4K video experience.

The Midwater: Moving into a world of twilight, then midnight, visitors encounter delicate and beautiful animals that are perfectly evolved to survive in a world without light or boundaries, including the bloody-belly comb jelly and bioluminescent animals. Guests can immerse themselves in a bioluminescence experience with never-before-seen video footage and play an interactive video game that educates about midwater survival along with the serious problems plastic pollution causes animals that make their home here.

The Seafloor: Finishing their "descent," visitors come face-to-face with species that make their home in the seafloor habitats, including giant spider crabs, bone-eating worms, and giant isopods and get up close to hydrothermal vent and whalefall communities.

As visitors metaphorically return to the "surface," they see the questions researchers still have about the deep sea and how much scientists are still learning with updates from MBARI explorations.

"For most people, this is the first time they've ever seen a living deep-sea animal," said Beth Redmond-Jones, vice president of exhibitions and facilities. "We want visitors to understand that these habitats, seemingly so distant from our lives and so different from the ocean we're familiar with, are critically important to the health of our planet. We're confident that 'Into the Deep' makes that connection and inspires people to learn more about the deep sea and support its conservation."

The team at Monterey Bay Aquarium spent more than five years developing the 10,000-square-foot exhibition, the largest in North America to focus on deep-sea life. It's an achievement built on the expertise and innovations of MBARI, whose scientists and engineers have been studying the deep ocean for more than three decades - from Monterey Bay to the Earth's poles. The proximity of the mile-deep Monterey submarine canyon and the combination of resources and expertise led to several advancements necessary to realize "Into the Deep."

The exhibition represents a breakthrough in aquarium animal care and life support. Innovations  like the most sophisticated water treatment system the Aquarium has ever designed  replicate the varied conditions needed by deep-sea animals. While all the animals on exhibit can survive at surface pressure, the life support systems created for the exhibition lower water temperatures, adjust pH, and reduce oxygen levels to sustain animals.

Discover more about "Into the Deep" and plan a visit on the Monterey Bay Aquarium website. Purchase single-day tickets or become Monterey Bay Aquarium members to see the exhibit first, have unlimited visits for a year, and support the nonprofit Aquarium's conservation, education and research programs.

About Monterey Bay Aquarium

With a mission to inspire conservation of the ocean, the Monterey Bay Aquarium is the most admired aquarium in the United States, a leader in science education, and a voice for ocean conservation through comprehensive programs in marine science and public policy. Everything we do works in concert to protect the future of our blue planet. More information at MontereyBayAquarium.org.

-30-

Related Images











Image 1: bloody-belly comb jelly





The bloody-belly comb jelly is one of the species featured in Monterey Bay Aquarium's "Into the Deep" exhibition which offers a rare look at the animals that thrive in the least explored area of the planet.









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KIRKLAND, Wash., Jan. 11, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- iObeya, the Enterprise Visual Management company, today announced the opening of five new regional offices: Singapore, New York, London, Hamburg, and Rotterdam. These new offices join the company's Paris headquarters and existing offices in Seattle and Tunis. The new offices will aid in iObeya's global expansion goals, including supporting 500 global organizations around the world. In 2021 alone, iObeya added nearly 80 enterprise customers from both the Fortune 500 and CAC 40 as demand for visual management software skyrocketed during the pandemic. The result has seen iObeya's global revenue grow by 70% year-over-year.

"Even before the onset of the pandemic, businesses around the world struggled to digitize mission-critical operations, particularly Lean and Agile methodologies. Our Enterprise Visual Management platform has risen to meet these unique challenges as hundreds of leading enterprises have decided to use iObeya to manage complex research, development, manufacturing, and related business operations," said Cyril Daloz, founder and CEO of iObeya. "Our new office locations will now allow us to work more closely with our clients around the globe, with each new office serving as a hub for customer excellence headed by an industry leader with hands-on experience."

Each new office represents an opportunity to shape the regional business landscape, especially as industries adapt to a post-pandemic environment, by helping enterprises accelerate their Lean, Agile and Industry 4.0 transformations. The New York office, led by Philippe Collin, will drive adoption among U.S. east coast enterprises including those in manufacturing, financial services, pharmaceuticals, and energy, while the U.S. west coast headquarters in Seattle, led by Robert Iracheta, will strengthen iObeya's foothold among U.S. west coast enterprises, especially those in the technology sector. Eric Bangerter will oversee Singapore and Asian operations across a variety of industry verticals, particularly manufacturing and technology. From the Hamburg office, Tobias Windbrake will deepen iObeya's reach among manufacturers and enterprise brands in the DACH region, while Frederic Cornec will oversee operations in Benelux and Nordic countries from the Rotterdam office with a focus on manufacturing, technology, and retail. Rounding out the newly established team is Christopher Tudway, who will expand iObeya's reach in the U.K. and Ireland with an emphasis on pharmaceuticals and finance.

The Future of Enterprise Visual Management

According to recent industry analysis, the global market for cloud-based visual collaboration and visual management software is expected to grow revenues to $1.67 billion by 2028, up from $461 million in 2019, driven by a number of factors including changing workforce dynamics, economic uncertainty, supply chain disruptions, an increased need for organization-wide collaboration. By the end of this year, the market is anticipated to garner a revenue of more than $537 million.

iObeya is a next-generation Enterprise Visual Management Solution that marries real-time visual collaboration with scaled business systems to support a wide array of enterprise uses: industrial product lifecycle management; manufacturing operational excellence; product development; continuous improvement for business performance and agility; and much more. iObeya is ideal for large organizations with distributed and co-located teams; those that have complex manufacturing, engineering, R&D or extended management workflows; and especially those that want to digitize their Lean and Agile practices.

With iObeya, organizations can:

Digitize all Lean-Agile Practices in a single platform  iObeya strengthens Lean practices and Agile rituals, allowing enterprises to digitize any business performance system to accelerate adoption, increase efficiency and facilitate governance. For 4.0 transformation, iObeya's API supports a wide range of data integrations for industry-specific requirements, such as ERP, MES, BI, and more. For Agile@scale transformation, iObeya provides deep off-the-shelf bi-directional integration with Application Lifecycle Management (ALM) solutions such as Atlassian Jira and Microsoft Azure DevOps Server to power research, engineering, product development, and business agility as well as Microsoft 365.

 iObeya strengthens Lean practices and Agile rituals, allowing enterprises to digitize any business performance system to accelerate adoption, increase efficiency and facilitate governance. For 4.0 transformation, iObeya's API supports a wide range of data integrations for industry-specific requirements, such as ERP, MES, BI, and more. For Agile@scale transformation, iObeya provides deep off-the-shelf bi-directional integration with Application Lifecycle Management (ALM) solutions such as Atlassian Jira and Microsoft Azure DevOps Server to power research, engineering, product development, and business agility as well as Microsoft 365. Unlock the future of enterprise collaboration  Align and synchronize co-located teams in secure virtual "Oobeyas" (Japanese for "big room," a manufacturing concept popularized by Toyota) with visually impactful digital boards equipped for all visual management practices. Every board is highly configurable: Users are armed with a wide array of tools to digitally reproduce paper/Post-Its/whiteboards, making it easy and intuitive for every worker across the organization to understand and use.

 Align and synchronize co-located teams in secure virtual "Oobeyas" (Japanese for "big room," a manufacturing concept popularized by Toyota) with visually impactful digital boards equipped for all visual management practices. Every board is highly configurable: Users are armed with a wide array of tools to digitally reproduce paper/Post-Its/whiteboards, making it easy and intuitive for every worker across the organization to understand and use. Seamlessly transition to digital with an immersive user experience  Utilize paperless yet paper-like interactions on any device. Seamlessly transition to digital by recreating the in-person experience of paper-based Visual Management practices with real-time visual collaboration to enhance team efficiency, creativity, and problem solving.

 Utilize paperless yet paper-like interactions on any device. Seamlessly transition to digital by recreating the in-person experience of paper-based Visual Management practices with real-time visual collaboration to enhance team efficiency, creativity, and problem solving. Increase transparency and accountability across working groups  With iObeya, teams have a single online location to cascade, consolidate and visualize business data for better decision making and quicker problem solving so that projects stay on track and nothing falls through the cracks.

 With iObeya, teams have a single online location to cascade, consolidate and visualize business data for better decision making and quicker problem solving so that projects stay on track and nothing falls through the cracks. Ensure that intellectual property is secure, whether on-premise or in the cloud  Because information is stored in a secure digital format  rather than on paper or whiteboards  iObeya makes it easier for organizations to control access to sensitive information. iObeya is also the only visual collaboration software to be awarded the Information Security Management ISO/IEC 27001:2013 certification from BSI, the premier international security standards organization. iObeya enables organizations to choose between SaaS or an on-premise version for total data governance and compliance.

About iObeya

Initially designed for Stellantis in 2012, iObeya has become the leader in Visual Management, serving many CAC 40 and Fortune 500 companies. Forged on Lean and Agile practices, iObeya is the only ISO27001-certified Enterprise Visual Management platform. Much more than a digital whiteboard, iObeya's unique team-based approach and collaboration features for Lean & Agile companies increase productivity, boost creativity, and facilitate decision-making. iObeya has been designed as a natural and immersive Visual Management System, regardless of device, team locations or organization layers. Clients can deploy their Enterprise Visual Management System for Lean Enterprise, Industry 4.0, and Agile@Scale, all on one ISO27001-certified platform, accelerating cultural change and boosting business performance and agility. In 2020, iObeya raised 15 million euros and has become the world leader in Visual Management for large organizations. Today, iObeya unlocks the power of Visual Management for global enterprises, including Airbus, Thales, Volvo, Philips, Cartier, Axa, Eli Lilly and Company, Western Digital, General Electric, Kimberly-Clark, Danaher, Sanofi, and many more. iObeya is backed by leading VCs including Red River West, Fortino, Atlantic Bridge, and Capital Partners. To learn more, please visit iobeya.com.

Media Contact:

Keara Brosnan

press@iobeya.com

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Nunnelly, Tenn., Jan. 11, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Ranch Tennessee, a member of the Promises Behavioral Health family of treatment centers and premier addiction and mental health treatment provider, announced the return of Zack Ragan as its new facility CEO. In this role, Zack plans to support staff in the efforts to build upon foundational clinical programming to continue to provide excellent care to clients.

Zack is a native Tennessean with a passion for helping people find lasting healing. He earned his bachelors degree in psychology from Tennessee State University. He would later earn his Master of Business Administration shortly after. Zack is a licensed alcohol and drug abuse counselor and has worked at all levels of care in behavioral health for nearly a decade. His specialties lie in education, training and developing staff. All in order to better serve clients experiencing substance use and mental health disorders. He sees each client as a whole person, rather than just a disease, and works with people to heal their mind, body, spirit and soul.

As the Facility CEO, Zack plans to build upon the long history of excellence at The Ranch Tennessee. Working closely with staff, Zack will strategize around available resources to create mental health and substance use care that incorporates the spiritual philosophy of The Ranch while reorganizing key clinical processes. In this way, Zack and The Ranch Tennessee team can streamline their clinical care to better serve a wider range of clients.

There is such a rich history of healing here at The Ranch Tennessee, said Zack. I want to continue to share our philosophy of care with our clients while innovating with our staff to provide programming that truly changes lives.

There are many exciting changes on the horizon for The Ranch  including a remodeled campus. Still, the facility is currently running at full capacity and, as always, welcomes both mental health and substance use disorder clients from all walks of life. To learn more about The Ranch Tennessee, visit the website here or call (888) 645-7453

About Promises Behavioral Health

Promises Behavioral Health is a family of behavioral health programs with regional brands such as The Right Step, The Ranch and Promises. The company currently operates facilities across Texas, Tennessee, Florida, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts. Promises offers comprehensive, innovative residential and outpatient treatment for substance abuse, sexual addiction, trauma and other mental health disorders. Through its programs, the company is committed to delivering clinically sophisticated treatment that promotes permanent lifestyle change for the patient and the entire family network. For more information, please visit www.PromisesBehavioralHealth.com.

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PUNE, India, Jan. 11, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Global Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) Market is growing with a CAGR of 17.1% in the forecast period of 2022 to 2029 and is expected to reach USD 29,307.13 Million by 2029.

The most appropriate, exclusive, realistic, and admirable Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) Market Research Report is delivered with devotion depending upon the business needs. With the precise base year and the historic year, estimations and calculations are performed in this industry report. Market share analysis and key trend analysis are the key accomplishing factors in this market report. Report helps to recognize how the market is going to perform in the forecast years by giving information about market definition, classifications, applications, and engagements. DBMR team provides Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) Market research report with loyalty that is promising and the way in which expected.



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Key Companies operating in the Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) Market are:

Agilent Technologies Inc



Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc



QIAGEN



Illumina Inc



Bio-Rad Laboratories Inc



Roche Sequencing (A subsidiary of F. Hoffman La Roche)



BGI Group



Oxford Nanopore Technologies plc



MACROGEN CO. LTD.



DNASTAR



PerkinElmer Inc



Takara Bio Inc



10x Genomics



Hamilton Company and More

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The first class Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) Market analysis gives an examination of various segments that are relied upon to observe the quickest development amid the estimate forecast frame. The report puts light on the types of customers, product-buyer insights, market changes over last few years, reactions of various geographic regions, new developments in the market, actions of other corporate players and more. All the statistics are signified in graphical and tabular format for a clear understanding on facts and figures. By accomplishing a motivation from the marketing strategies of rivals, businesses can set up inventive ideas and striking sales targets which in turn make them achieve competitive advantage over its competitors.

According to the market report analysis, High-throughput sequencing, most widely regarded as the Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS), is now integrated into routine clinical practice due to the numerous technical and functional developments, while early protocols relied on samples harvested outside of typical workflows in clinical pathology, standard formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded specimens which can be used more regularly as starting material for NGS.

The most significant key factors driving the growth of the Global Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) Market are increased technological advancement and use of next generation sequencing in drug development and wide portfolio offered by major player.

Global Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) Market Segmentation:

The Global Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) Market is segmented on the basis of Product, Application, End-User and Region. Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) market is cover distinctive segment market estimate, both volume and value, also cover diverse businesses customers' data, which is imperative for the makers.

Based on the Product, the global next generation sequencing (NGS) market is segmented into instrument, consumables, and services.

Based on the Application, the global next generation sequencing (NGS) market is segmented into diagnostic, drug discovery, biomarker discovery, precision medicine, agriculture and animal research.

Based on the End-User, the global next generation sequencing (NGS) market is segmented into hospitals & clinics, research centers and academic & government institutes, pharmaceutical & biotechnology companies.

Regional analysis, Instrument segment in the U.S. is expected to grow with the highest growth rate in the forecast period of 2022 to 2029 because of the presence of large number of manufacturer which are delivering instrument to various research labs and others. Instrument segment in Germany is expected to grow due to the high technology laboratory facilities in and adoption of latest technology in the country. Instrument segment in China is expected to grow due to the fact that it has large number of genomic centers and local player for providing products in China.

Click here for Insightful Study Report @ https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/global-next-generation-sequencing-ngs-market



Table of Contents: Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) Market:

Report Overview 2022-2029 Global Growth Trends 2022-2029

Competition Landscape by Key Players

Market Analysis by Regions

Market Analysis by Type

Market Analysis by Applications

Market Analysis by End-User

Key Companies Profiled

Market Manufacturers Cost Analysis

Marketing Channel, Distributors, and Customers

Market Dynamics

Market Forecasts 2022-2029

Research Findings and Conclusion

Methodology and Data Source

Get Download free a Complete Table of Content of Global Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) Market Report 2022 @ https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/toc/?dbmr=global-next-generation-sequencing-ngs-market



Major Key Developments in Global Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) Market:

October 2021  Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. announced that it has launched Applied Biosystem QuantSudio Absolute Q-Digital PCR System, which is a designed to provide highly accurate results in genetic analysis. The digital PCR is already in use for monitoring cancer driven mutations in liquid biopsy. This has helped he company to increase its product portfolio.

February 2021 - QIAGEN announced a partnership with INOVIO to develop next generation sequencing (NGS) companion diagnostic for INOVIOs VGX-3100 for advanced cervical dysplasia. This has increased the company portfolio towards NGS and increase the revenue of the company.

January 2021 - Oxford Nanopore Technologies plc and NVIDIA collaborate to partner the DGX AI compute system with ultra-high throughput PromethION sequencer. This was the worlds most powerful sequencer that supports real-time analyses at scale, and can also analyse any length fragment of DNA/RNA. This helped in exchange of technologies and is expected to help the company in future expansion and plans.

Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) Market Country Level Analysis:

Asia-Pacific Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) Market is growing with a CAGR of 19.8% in the forecast period of 2022 to 2029 and is expected to reach USD 6,039.51 Million by 2029. https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/asia-pacific-next-generation-sequencing-ngs-market



North America Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) Market is growing with a CAGR of 17.4% in the forecast period of 2022 to 2029 and is expected to reach USD 13,301.32 Million by 2029. https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/north-america-next-generation-sequencing-ngs-market



Europe Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) Market is growing with a CAGR of 15.7% in the forecast period of 2022 to 2029 and is expected to reach USD 8,733.08 Million by 2029. https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/europe-next-generation-sequencing-ngs-market



Middle East and Africa Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) Market is growing with a CAGR of 12.7% in the forecast period of 2022 to 2029 and is expected to reach USD 791.18 Million by 2029. https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/middle-east-and-africa-next-generation-sequencing-ngs-market



Browse Trending Reports by DBMR:

Next Generation Sequencing Data Analysis Market, By Product (Service, NGS Commercial Software and Others), Workflow (Primary Data Analysis, Secondary Data Analysis and Tertiary Data Analysis), Mode (In-house Data Analysis and Outsourced Data Analysis), End-Use (Academic Research, Clinical Research, Hospitals and Clinics, Pharma and Biotech Entities and Others), Country (U.S., Canada, Mexico, Germany, Italy, U.K., France, Spain, Netherland, Belgium, Switzerland, Turkey, Russia, Rest of Europe, Japan, China, India, South Korea, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Rest of Asia- Pacific, Brazil, Argentina, Rest of South America, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Israel, Rest of Middle East & Africa) Industry Trends and Forecast to 2027 https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/global-next-generation-sequencing-data-analysis-market



NGS Services Market By Type (Targeted Sequencing/Gene Panels, RNA-Seq, De Novo Sequencing, Exome Sequencing, CHiP-Seq, Whole-genome Sequencing, Methyl-Seq, Other Services), Technology (Sequencing by Synthesis, Ion Semiconductor Sequencing, Single-Molecule Real-time Sequencing, Nanopore Sequencing), Application (Diagnostics, Drug Discovery, Biomarker Discovery, Microbial Genetics, Agriculture, and Animal Research, Other Applications), End User (Academic & Government Institutes and Research Centers, Hospitals & Clinics, Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology Companies, Other End Users), Geography (North America, South America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa) - Industry Trends and Forecast to 2026 https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/global-ngs-services-market



Behavioral Health Care Software and Services Market, By Component (Software and Support Services), Delivery Model (Ownership and Subscription), Function (Clinical, Administrative and Financial), End User (Providers, Hospitals and Clinics, Community Centers, Payers and Patients), Disorder Type (Anxiety Disorder, ADHD, Bipolar Disorders, Alcohol Use Disorder, Depression, Eating Disorder, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PSTD), Substance Abuse Disorder, Schizophrenia and Others), Service (Outpatient Counselling, Intensive Case Management, Home-based Treatment Services, Inpatient Hospital Treatment, Emergency Mental Health Service and Others), Country (U.S., Canada, Mexico, Germany, Italy, U.K., France, Spain, Netherland, Belgium, Switzerland, Turkey, Russia, Rest of Europe, Japan, China, India, South Korea, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Rest of Asia- Pacific, Brazil, Argentina, Rest of South America, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Israel, Rest of Middle East and Africa) Industry Trends and Forecast to 2029 https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/global-behavioral-health-care-software-and-services-market



Fitness App Market, By Product (Care Management Apps, Vital Sign Monitoring Apps, Health And Wellness Apps, Women Health Apps, Medication Management Apps, Consultancy Apps And Others), By Type (Connected Apps and In-Built Devices Apps),Application (Training, Tracking, Fitness Games And Others), Therapeutic Area (Cardiovascular, Dermatology & Skin Cancer, Ophthalmology, Diabetes, Respiratory, Audiology, Sleep Disorders, Nutrition And Others),Operating System (iOS, Android, Windows),Mode Of Purchase (Subscription Based And Non-Subscription Based),End User (Providers, Home Healthcare, Others),Distribution Channel (Direct Tenders And Third Party Distributors).Country (U.S., Canada, Mexico, Germany, France, U.K., Russia, Italy, Spain, Turkey, Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerlands, Rest of Europe, Japan, China, South Korea, India, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Rest of Asia-Pacific, Brazil, Argentina, Rest of South America, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Kuwait, Israel and Rest of Middle East and Africa) - Industry Trends and Forecast 2021 to 2028. https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/global-fitness-app-market



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LOS ANGELES, Jan. 11, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lendistry announces today that it will contribute a portion of its New Markets Tax Credits allocation to the Destination Crenshaw project. A historic Black business district in Los Angeles is about to undergo the largest Black public art project in the country and long-needed improvements to its infrastructure. Lendistry has joined five mission-based organizations in supporting local artists, businesses and residents in a neighborhood that knows its worth and is willing to step up to achieve transformation.

"Destination Crenshaw celebrates the history of the Black community within Los Angeles, one our team members are proud to be a part of and to represent," says Everett K. Sands, President & CEO of Lendistry. "Lendistry invested in this project not only for positive business reasons, but we want to be a part of our communities' future legacies, and this will surely be one of them."

A New Model for Community Elevation

The Destination Crenshaw project was launched to revitalize the Black business corridor along Crenshaw Boulevard between 48th to 60th streets in Los Angeles. This community development project promises to elevate the 1.3-mile district through infrastructure, job training, local business resiliency, environmental equity, and Black artist job creation initiatives.

Much-needed construction projects will revitalize the community's infrastructure.

Public art installations and murals commissioned from over 100 local artists will create a culturally-enriched district that celebrates Black cultural narratives.

Over 800 new trees and 10 "pocket parks" making up 30,000 square feet of sustainable landscaping will add green spaces and improve the community's environment.

With a 70% local hiring requirement, this multi-faceted project will have a positive long-term impact on the Crenshaw Corridor's business district and its surrounding neighborhoods.

Help sustain over 40 local small businesses and non-profits.

Create over 40 permanent jobs and over 600 construction jobs.

An apprenticeship program will forge pathways to living-wage careers for low-income residents.

"Destination Crenshaw is deeply appreciative of our partners' investment in the Crenshaw community and their leadership in providing new market tax credits to this one-of-a-kind infrastructure project," says Jason Foster, President and COO of Destination Crenshaw. "We hope this marks the beginning of a long-lasting relationship with each of them as we continue to invest in our community, our residents and our entrepreneurs."

Destination Crenshaw CDC designed this program to model what's possible when a community commits to honoring its history and claiming its future. This project aligns perfectly with Lendistry's mission to provide economic opportunities and progressive growth for small businesses and their underserved communities.

The Impact of New Markets Tax Credits

A project of this magnitude is possible when mission-driven organizations pool their resources for maximum impact. Lendistry, along with three fellow Community Development Entities (CDEs), supports this project with funding made possible by $30,000,000 in New Markets Tax Credits (NMTC) allocations: Lendistry ($10 million), New Markets Support Company ($7 million), Building America ($8 million), and U.S. Bank ($5 million). U.S. Bank is the sole investor in the NMTCs. This collaboration has provided Destination Crenshaw with $29,230,000 in low-cost funding.

"U.S. Bank is committed to supporting projects that drive racial equity, and we're excited about this unique opportunity to support the Crenshaw community while also spotlighting Black artists and Black history," says Laura Vowell, business development director with U.S. Bancorp Community Development Corporation (USBCDC), the community investment and tax credit division of U.S Bank. "It's why we're not only supporting Destination Crenshaw as a NMTC investor but bringing NMTC allocation through our own community development entity."

Jeff Monge of Monge Capital acted as a consultant, forging relationships between all parties to help this momentous project move forward. Monge's guidance and experience at every step made this complex process run smoothly. "Destination Crenshaw is an innovative investment and game-changer for how infrastructure projects can be positioned to support and sustain community development," says Monge.

The Destination Crenshaw project is exactly the kind of initiative that Lendistry applied to the NMTC program to support. Every aspect of this project, from planning, to funding, to implementation, shows that when community organizations and financial institutions align themselves toward a shared mission, they can make meaningful change that affects generations to come.

About Lendistry

B.S.D. Capital, Inc. dba Lendistry (lendistry.com) is a minority-led and technology-enabled small business and commercial real estate lender with Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) and Community Development Entity (CDE) certification. Lendistry is one of the top-ranked SBA Community Advantage Lenders nationwide, providing responsible financing to small business owners and their underserved communities. Lendistry is a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco, and is headquartered in a Los Angeles Opportunity Zone. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Lendistry provided Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans to small businesses in all 50 states and was selected by the states of California, Pennsylvania and New York to administer their small business relief programs, which distributed grants to businesses that lost significant revenues during the pandemic. Lendistry and its nonprofit partner organization, The Center by Lendistry, are dedicated to providing economic opportunities and progressive growth for underserved urban and rural small business borrowers and their communities.

PR Contact: Communications@lendistry.com

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LAS VEGAS, Jan. 11, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Trusted LASIK Surgeons is pleased to provide updates for Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) and Health Savings Accounts (HSAs). FSAs and HSAs are both pre-tax accounts that can be used to pay for healthcare-related expenses, including co-pays, medical bills, and vision-related expenses. Paying with an FSA or HAS is a great option for those considering LASIK, cataract surgery, or another vision correction procedure.



FSAs operate on a use-it-or-lose-it basis. Any funds in an FSA not spent by the end of the year can be lost unless the plan includes a rollover feature. While FSA benefits typically need to be spent by December 31, employees may be able to carry over unused funds from 2021 to 2022 if management has opted into these options.

The IRS published adjusted tax limits for FSAs in Revenue Procedure 2021-45. The limit on annual employee contributions toward health FSAs for 2022 increased to $2,850 (from $2,750 in 2021) which also included the ability to carry over up to $570 in 2022 (which was $550 in 2021).

If employers provide health care FSA contributions, such amounts are in addition to the amount that employees contribute. Employees can elect up to the IRS limit and still receive the employer contribution. The IRS places the following limits on the amount of the employers contribution to a health FSA based on how much the employee contributes: $500 (whether or not the employee contributes to a health FSA and beginning at $501, the employer can only match on a dollar-for-dollar basis to the employees contribution.

As part of COVID-19 relief, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, signed into law at the end of 2020, and IRS Notice 2021-15, issued in February 2021, employers can offer the following to participating employees: (1) unused balances from plan years ending in 2020 and 2021 may be carried over to the the next applicable plan year; (2) a 12-month extension of the grace period for spending unused FSA funds for plan years ending in 2020 or 2021; and (3) employees who stopped participating in their health FSA plan in 2020 or 2021 may continue to be reimbursed from any unused balances through the end of the plan year in which their participation ended (which may include any extended grace periods).

While funds in your HSA roll over automatically each year, it is important to be aware of the utility and the significant benefits of an HSA, including tax savings and the ability to use it as an retirement investment account.

Trusted LASIK Surgeons emphasizes providing consumers with ways to affordably access vision care, which is why it issues yearly reminders regarding FSA and HSA benefits and has discussions to help save consumers money like the True Cost of LASIK .

Trusted LASIK Surgeons  is an online business that provides LASIK and Cataract Surgeon directories and consumer resources concerning eyesight and vision correction. They can be reached online or over the phone at (844) DOC-4EYE.




QUANTICO, VA, Jan. 11, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Merritt Properties announced today that the company has completed the first of two Class A light industrial buildings at Merritt Business Park at Quantico Corporate Center, with 46,995 square feet pre-leased to local tech company Hayats Pro and government contractor UVision USA Corporation. The park is the commercial developers first project in Stafford County. Once fully developed, the park will include two buildings totaling 171,000 square feet of single-story, 18-foot clear space.

With an extensive fiber-optic network, HUBZone designation and adjacency to the Marine Corps Base Quantico, Merritt Business Park is expected to cater to a diverse industry base, including government contractors, distribution centers, manufacturing and service providers. The park also offers I-95 visibility at exit 148, with easy access to the interstate and Jefferson Davis Highway.

According to Merritts Scott Longendyke, who is spearheading the leasing efforts, When designing these buildings, Merritt was committed to creating high-quality, flexible spaces that would meet the needs of smaller single-bay users, as well as larger warehouse and distribution requirements. Were thrilled to be able to support the growth of the local business community.

Hayats Pro signed on as the projects first tenant, relocating the companys headquarters from Stafford to 21,690 square feet at Merritt Business Park. The company is a leading multi-brand technology solutions provider to business, government, education and healthcare organizations. With plans to expand product offerings and grow their employee base, Hayats new headquarters will include the companys corporate offices as well as their distribution warehouse. The company intends to add tech, warehouse and distribution positions as part of its move to the new facility.

Hayats Pro is excited to announce our transition to a new office and warehouse space built by Merritt, stated Co-Founder Rolly Hayat. As we continue to grow, this facility will allow us to scale our business to better serve both our clients and rapidly growing team.

Defense contractor UVision USA Corporation will occupy an additional 25,305 square feet of the building. The Israel-based company designs and manufactures smart defense equipment systems that use the integration of advanced airborne guidance and sophisticated navigation algorithms. The Quantico location will house the companys production facility for drones and the HERO series of systems for the U.S. government.

We reviewed numerous facilities and locations around the Commonwealth and found this Merritt property completely meets our expectations regarding the size, growth potential, and location. We are happy to be part of the Merritt family, says Jim Truxel CEO of UVision USA.

Merritt Business Park is located within Quantico Corporate Center (QCC), the regions premier Class A business park. The campus is home to leading defense and technology companies, the US government and top academic programs offering both undergraduate and graduate-level degrees.

Merritts second project in Stafford County, Merritt at Austin Ridge, is currently in development and will offer five light industrial buildings totaling 393,075.

With our second building just weeks from completion and Merritt at Austin Ridge on the horizon, we are looking forward to continuing to develop in Stafford County, said Longendyke. The area has so much to offer in terms of access, infrastructure, workforce development and a business-friendly climate. Its a strong foundation on which to build successful companies.

Merritt Construction Services, the construction division of Merritt Companies, is managing the site development, shell construction and interior buildouts.

###

About Merritt Properties

Established in 1967, Merritt Properties owns the largest privately held commercial real estate portfolio in the region, with over 19 million square feet of Class A office, flex, warehouse, industrial, retail and build-to-suit throughout Maryland, North Carolina, Florida and Virginia. Capabilities include leasing, property development and management, and financing. Merritt Properties is committed to Creating Homes for Businesses and providing the highest quality service to its customers. For more information, visit www.merrittproperties.com .

About Merritt Construction Services

Merritt has been providing site development, general construction, redevelopment and interior build-outs for over 50 years. Whether serving as a general contractor, construction manager or design-builder, Merritt Construction Services offers full-service construction capabilities through all phases of development, from feasibility to commissioning. Merritts highly skilled construction team has completed a comprehensive roster of customized projects, including corporate campuses, food processing facilities, LEED-certified green buildings, schools, manufacturing facilities and retail centers. For more information, visit www.merrittconstruction.com .

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Omaha, Nebraska, Jan. 11, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Election Systems & Software (ES&S) announced the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) federal certification of two new voting system releases  ES&S EVS 6200 and EVS 6060. These new releases include a suite of fully integrated election management products enhanced to improve speed and usability for election officials and voters. The releases also include federal certification of the DS950  a new high-speed central count scanner and tabulator.

Security, accuracy, usability and reliability are the cornerstone of our latest releases, said Tim Hallett, ES&S Vice President of Certification. EVS 6200 and EVS 6060 represent thousands of hours of development, programming and testing, culminating with the EAC testing and certification. We are thrilled to offer election officials the enhanced speed, accuracy and security these releases bring to both tabulation and reporting.

ES&S EVS 6200 offers several performance enhancements which allow the Electionware election management software to process data more quickly and efficiently  providing election officials access to important election information in a timely manner. The release was designed to accommodate many unique election types, integrating many state-specific requirements necessary to support a variety of elections into one streamlined product. Among its many offerings, the suite includes expanded support for risk-limiting audits (RLAs), improved ballot layout options, and enhancements for multi-page elections and ballot card capacity.

ES&S EVS 6060 also includes multiple software enhancements to the ES&S product line. The release leverages the robust architecture of the Microsoft Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC operating system to optimize performance and apply the latest security updates. EVS 6060 includes the use of a new line of encrypted USB flash drives with modernized USB 3.0 capabilities, increasing storage capacity and processing speeds. These industrial-grade media add an extra layer of versatility and security to local elections.

Our developers focused on streamlining the performance of both EVS 6200 and EVS 6060 to improve the experience for local election officials, said Victor Williams, ES&S Senior Vice President of Product Development. We were able to optimize Electionware and make significant performance improvements. We look forward to seeing these enhancements improve the experience for election officials on Election Day.

Both EVS 6200 and EVS 6060 include the new DS950 high-speed scanner and tabulator  the most advanced central count tabulator on the market today. The machine meets the nations increasing demand for reliable, accurate paper ballot scanning with customizable, full-speed sorting capabilities. The machines enhanced design and ballot control capabilities allow ballots to be read without scanning interruptions. ES&S patented, embedded Intelligent Mark Recognition (IMR) and Positive Target Recognition & Alignment Compensation (PTRAC) technologies reduce the number of ballots requiring time-consuming manual adjudication.

The DS950 was specifically designed with the future of elections in mind, said Jim Schmidt, ES&S Executive Vice President of Operations. This scanner is purpose-built and engineered with industrial-grade components to ensure reliability and sustainability for many years.

In addition to federal certification by the EAC, each individual state has its own process and requirements for certification. State certification is now underway for EVS 6200 in seven states, and EVS 6060 is pending in two others.

ABOUT ES&S: Election Systems & Software (ES&S) is the nations leading voting systems manufacturer. For more than 40 years, ES&S has been supporting elections by creating and providing secure, accurate and accessible voting equipment to jurisdictions across the country. Learn more about ES&S at www.essvote.com and on Facebook at facebook.com/essvote.
Carlsbad, CA, Jan. 11, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Prescott Companies vice president Robert Kelly, CCAM, CMCA, AMS, was elected to the Community Associations Institute (CAI) San Diego Chapter board of directors for 2022.

Mr. Kelley currently serves as vice president of the San Diego Inland Division of The Prescott Companies, where he heads a team of 16 employees serving more than 60 client accounts. He joined the company in 2017 as a general manager before transitioning to the leadership team in 2020. Mr. Kelly has worked in the common interest development industry since 2007 and started his career as a concierge for The Panorama Towers in Las Vegas.

CAI San Diego provides resources, tools, and education to community association leaders, professional managers, association management companies and other professionals who provide products and services to community associations in the San Diego area.

Robert has consistently demonstrated a passion for the advancement of the community management industry, beyond his duties serving our client portfolio, said Jessica Williams CCAM, CMCA, AMS, PCAM, The Prescott Companies president. Serving on the board of directors for the CAI San Diego chapter is the perfect opportunity for him to apply that passion and his expertise as an industry volunteer. We look forward to watching him continue to advocate for industry stakeholders in this way.

Mr. Kelly holds a California Real Estate License and a Certified Manager of Community Associations (CMCA) designation from the Community Association Managers International Certification Board (CAMICB). In addition, he holds an Association Management Specialist (AMS) designation from the Community Associations Institute (CAI), and a Certified Community Association Manger (CCAM) designation from the California Association of Community Managers (CACM).

About Associa

With more than 200 branch offices across North America, Associa delivers unsurpassed management and lifestyle services to nearly five million residents worldwide. Our 10,000+ team members lead the industry with unrivaled education, expertise, and trailblazing innovation. For more than 40 years, Associa has provided solutions designed to help communities achieve their vision. To learn more, visit www.associaonline.com.

Stay Connected:

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New York, N.Y., Jan. 11, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- IR-Med, Inc. (OTCPINK: IRME).



Our non-invasive monitoring technology enters the public eye  why Im so excited for 2022.

Dear new, old, and prospective IR-Med shareholders,

Welcome to IR-MED. After months of behind-the-scenes efforts, Im excited to share with you what were workingand why Im looking forward to 2022 as a transformative period for our team and our shareholders.

As we look back and reflect on this past year, I am proud of our team and of the progress we have made during the Covid-19 pandemic related uncertainty across all corners of the globe. While the pandemic has presented, and continues to present, many challenges that are out of our control, we remain resolute and focused on that which is within our control, including our operational, clinical and regulatory work. We continue to make progress on all fronts and firmly believe that we are on the right path towards meaningful, value-adding milestones and transformational catalysts.

IR-MED aims to become the gold standard in the detection and monitoring of medical conditions by developing and commercializing non-invasive, high usability, Real Time, Optical diagnostic devices based on the combination of Infra-Red (IR) Optical Spectrography and Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies. Our non-invasive, user-friendly medical devices (which are currently in various stages of development) are being designed to allow for the early detection of myriad medical conditions. Put simply, our devices are being designed to detect and monitor molecules in tissue and blood without having to take a single drop of blood from the patient and providing the physician/care giver a Decision Support System (DSS).

Our initial device incorporating our proprietary technologies targets incipient Pressure Injuries (PI) Sub-dermal before they are visible, a major challenge for care providers globally. Failure to identify and treat PIs is potentially fatal, with an estimated 60,000 mortalities in the US each year (Padula and Delarmente, Int. Wound J., 2019), and treatment is both time-consuming and costly. Currently, PI can best be treated only after appearing on the patients skin: a sore or wound that requires considerable care. Our proprietary, user-friendly, non-invasive and real-time monitoring device  PressureSafe, is designed to provide a Decision Support System and is expected to allow for preemptive detection of PI. The device is at advanced stage of development to deal effectively with the main diagnostic problems of identifying and differentiating between Deep Tissue PI (before it becomes visible) and Stage 1 PI by providing decision support system allowing early and accurate detection. Accurate detection of PI before the Stage I phase may save lives, patient pain, stress, and substantial expense to care providers and patients alike. Our optical scanner is designed to detect Sub-dermal injuries, under the skin surface, and is equally effective regardless of skin tone, while calibrating to each patients skin, i.e. a personalized medical device. PI presents a tremendous market opportunity for our company, and we believe 2022 is our budding year.

We expect the following milestones to be achieved during 2022:

Proof of Concept Results H1 2022 - In early 2022 we are planning to begin a useability study to show proof of concept with our PressureSafe device. In December 2021 we received an IRB-Helsinki Committee approval from Bet Rivka Medical Center, part of Rabin Medical Center in Israel. We expect results quickly and are highly optimistic about outcomes given clinician experience with this device to date.

In early 2022 we are planning to begin a useability study to show proof of concept with our PressureSafe device. In December 2021 we received an IRB-Helsinki Committee approval from Bet Rivka Medical Center, part of Rabin Medical Center in Israel. We expect results quickly and are highly optimistic about outcomes given clinician experience with this device to date. File For FDA Clearance - H1 2022 - We plan to file for 510(k) clearance with the United States FDA in the first half of 2022.

We plan to file for 510(k) clearance with the United States FDA in the first half of 2022. Production capabilities - Q4 2022  By the end of the year, subject to FDA clearance, we are planning to start production activities in order to be ready to launch into the lucrative US PI market.

 By the end of the year, subject to FDA clearance, we are planning to start production activities in order to be ready to launch into the lucrative US PI market. JV and BD Efforts 2022 - We have begun business development efforts to identify nursing homes, home care organizations, and JV or licensing opportunities with both potential customers and partners.

We have begun business development efforts to identify nursing homes, home care organizations, and JV or licensing opportunities with both potential customers and partners. Corporate and Financial Development  We concurrently initiated a strategy to upgrade our position in the public markets and increase IR-Med visibility to a wider range of investors and have submitted application materials to OTC Markets Group to up list to the OTCQB market tier. The OTCQB Venture Market is designed for developing and entrepreneurial companies. Companies must be current in their financial reporting and undergo an annual verification and management certification process, including meeting a minimum bid price and other financial conditions. With more compliance and quality standards, the OTCQB provides investors improved visibility to enhance trading decisions. The listing of IR-Meds common stock on the OTCQB remains subject to the approval of the OTCQB and the satisfaction of applicable listing requirements. IR-Med already meets one of OTCQB Venture Market compliance requirements by having audited annual financials prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP by a PCAOB auditor and maintains a Verified Company Profile at OTCMarkets.com.



In addition to the PressureSafe device, we are concurrently developing an advanced otoscope called Nobiotics to provide physicians with immediate information as to whether an ear infection is viral or bacterial in nature. Over 20 million children in the U.S. and E.U. are affected by ear infections each year (Suaya et al., Vaccine, 2018) and diagnosing a causal pathogen behind the eardrum is nearly impossible. Our device will work through IR-spectrographic analysis, like PressureSafe, to decision support system for ideal treatment for young children.

Reflecting on the considerable work thats gone into our technology to date, Im thrilled that were now public facing. We thank you for your continued support and interest.

Looking forward,

Dr. Rom Eliaz, Chief Executive Officer

About IR-Med

IR-Med Inc., is developing non-invasive spectrographic analysis technology, allowing healthcare professions to detect and measure different molecules in the blood and in human tissue in real-time without any invasive procedures. The first product under development is, a handheld optical monitoring device that is being developed to support early detection of pressure injuries (PI) to the skin and underlying tissue, regardless of skin tone and which calibrated personally to each patients skin, primarily caused by prolonged pressure associated with bed confinement. IR-med skin-device-interphase development of personalized medical devices allows high accuracy readings from the human body in a non-invasive method, that may provide caregiver the optimal decision support-system in cases where uncertainties disturb physicians in their decision processes.

Currently, IR-med holds patents protecting its innovation in the noninvasive tissue analysis, and in the modeling and analysis of subcutaneous tissue. The company is in preliminary process of examining the filing of additional patents applications.

Safe Harbor Statement / Forward-Looking Statements

Statements included in this press release, which are not historical in nature, are forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements relating to the future performance of IR-Med are subject to many factors including, but not limited to, the sufficiency or working capital and our ability to raise the capital needed to fund our development efforts, timing of product development, FDA approval/clearance of products in development, customer acceptance of our products in the market, the introduction of competitive products, the impact of any product liability or other adverse litigation, commercialization and technological difficulties, successful up-list to OTCQB, and the other risks identified in the S-1 resale registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Such statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date hereof, and we do not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of future events, new information, or otherwise.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Jan. 11, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Dominion Lending Centres Inc. (TSXV:DLCG) (DLC or the Corporation) today announced the final results of its substantial issuer bid to purchase for cancellation up to 3,000,000 of its outstanding common shares ("Shares") at a price of $3.75 per Share (the "Purchase Price"), for an aggregate purchase price not to exceed $11,250,000 (the "Offer"). The Offer expired at 5:00 p.m. Eastern time on January 11, 2021.



An aggregate of approximately 1,781,790 Shares were validly tendered. In accordance with the terms and conditions of the Offer, the Corporation has taken up 1,781,790 Shares at the Purchase Price, for an aggregate cost of $6,681,713, excluding fees and expenses relating to the Offer. After giving effect to the Offer, 44,576,051 Shares remain outstanding.

The Corporation will make payment for the Shares tendered and accepted for purchase by tendering the aggregate purchase price to Olympia Trust Company, the depositary for the Offer (the "Depositary"), in accordance with the Offer and applicable laws and payment to the shareholders will be effected by the Depositary. Payment for Shares will be made in cash, without interest. Any Shares invalidly tendered or tendered and not purchased will be returned to the tendering shareholder promptly by the Depositary.

In order to fund the purchase of the tendered Shares under the Offer, DLC will draw down $7.6 million on its previously announced term loan, of which $4.56 million is available to DLC to fund the Offer and $3.04 million will be paid as a pro rata (40%) dividend to the holders of Preferred Shares. DLC will use cash on hand to fund the balance of $2.12 million to complete the purchase of tendered shares under the Offer. The remaining credit available under the $20 million term loan will be cancelled.

Tax Information

To assist shareholders in determining the tax consequences of the Offer, the Corporation estimates that, for the purposes of the Income Tax Act (Canada), the paid-up capital per Share is $2.17. For Canadian federal income tax purposes, a deemed dividend in the amount of $1.58 per Share accordingly arises on the purchase of the Shares under the Offer. The Corporation designates the entire amount of the deemed dividend arising from such purchase as an "eligible dividend" for purposes of the Income Tax Act (Canada) and any corresponding provincial and territorial tax legislation. For the purposes of subsection 191(4) of the Income Tax Act (Canada), the "specified amount" in respect of each Share is $3.80. Shareholders should consult with their own tax advisors with respect to the income tax consequences of the disposition of their Shares under the Offer.

About Dominion Lending Centres Inc.

The DLC Group is Canadas leading network of mortgage professionals. The DLC Group operates through Dominion Lending Centres and its three main subsidiaries, MCC Mortgage Centre Canada Inc., MA Mortgage Architects Inc. and Newton Connectivity Systems Inc., and has operations across Canada. The DLC Groups extensive network includes ~7,500 agents and 515 locations. Headquartered in British Columbia, the DLC Group was founded in 2006 by Gary Mauris and Chris Kayat.

Contact information for the Corporation is as follows:

James Bell

Co-President

403-560-0821

jbell@dlcg.ca Robin Burpee

Co-Chief Financial Officer

403-455-9670

rburpee@dlcg.ca Amar Leekha

Sr. Vice-President, Capital Markets

403-455-6671

aleekha@dlcg.ca

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.
Gloucester, MA (01930)

Today

Cloudy skies early, followed by partial clearing. High around 50F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Cloudy during the evening. A few showers developing late. Low around 45F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%.
Goshen, IN (46526)

Today

Rain early...then remaining cloudy with thundershowers developing in the afternoon. High 58F. Winds E at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near an inch..

Tonight

Showers in the evening, then cloudy overnight. Low 44F. Winds N at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 50%.
Governor Northam Announces Historic Land Acquisition for Chickahominy Tribe

Ancestral site of Mamanahunt, along Chickahominy River, acquired through state funding

RICHMOND  Governor Ralph Northam today announced that the Chickahominy Tribe has re-acquired Mamanahunt, a historic site of more than 800 acres in Charles City County that holds deep cultural significance for the tribe.

The tribe has purchased Mamanahunt, a peninsula in the heart of the ancestral lands along the river that bears the tribes name, with a one-time, $3.5 million appropriation from Governor Northams current budget. The transaction was finalized on December 30, 2021.

As we strive to tell a fuller and more inclusive story of Virginia, it is important to preserve and protect physical places and spaces that represent the history of all Virginians. said Governor Northam. This land acquisition exemplifies our Administrations commitment to the protection of Virginias highest value lands, including those of cultural and historical significance. Returning this historically significant parcel of land to the Chickahominy is one way to recognize tribal sovereignty, honor their rich history and ensure that the Tribal Nation has a place where they can continue their sacred traditions and share their stories.

Chickahominy tribal leaders said they will preserve the natural resources of the waterfront land while pursuing historic and educational outreach opportunities that will generate economic development for the Tribal Nation as well as the local business community.

This is a repatriation of the historically significant land and rich culture of our people, and pays respect to a history that for too long has been held hostage, said Chickahominy Chief Stephen R. Adkins. This gives us a presence back on the river that we came from. Were coming back.

Investing in the preservation of historic and ancestral sites of Tribal Nations is one step toward building a more equitable Commonwealth, said Secretary of the Commonwealth Kelly Thomasson, the Governors liaison with Virginias Indian tribes. Im proud of the strong relationships weve fostered between Virginia and the Tribal Nations located here, and the actions by Governor Northam to addresses injustices of the past.

The property, which has been used for timber and farming, includes woodlands and cypress swamps and habitat for waterfowl and deer.

The Chickahominy, along with Virginias other indigenous peoples, were the original stewards of the Chesapeake Bay watershed, said Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources Ann Jennings. Helping to reconnect the tribe with these lands and waters provides additional benefits such as supporting resilient ecosystems and improving water quality in the bay.

A 1607 map attributed to Captain John Smith labels the town of Mamanahunt in the area. Historians believe the Treaty of 1614 between the Chickahominy and the colonists may have been signed on the peninsula, later known as Peace Hill and Willcox Neck.

In 2019, the Chickahominy Tribe used a state grant to acquire a 105-acre site known as Chickahominy on the Powhatan, along the James River, marking the first time the tribe has owned property on the James or Chickahominy rivers since tribal land was taken from their ancestors in the 1600s. The tribe was federally recognized by Congress in 2018.

Chickahominy leaders said they plan to hold interpretive and cultural events open to the public and offer outdoor recreation opportunities on the sites. It opens a new era for the tribe to share our history, Adkins said. We would like to have a visitors center where we can describe the significance of the property and the reality of the Chickahominy people today. Sometimes we are confined to a 17th century stereotype, and thats not who we are.

Last month, Governor Northam proposed a budget that includes $12 million for other federally-recognized Tribal Nations in Virginia to pursue similar opportunity to acquire and preserve ancestral lands of significance and proposes a $10 million-investment in a new Black, Indigenous and People of Color Preservation Fund to protect important cultural and historic properties.

# # #
Grand Haven, MI (49417)

Today

Cloudy with periods of rain. High 52F. Winds NE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near a half an inch..

Tonight

Showers in the evening, then partly cloudy overnight. Low 41F. Winds N at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
Hong Kong: Advisory on wild pigs issued

The Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department today appealed to the public not to approach, attempt to come into contact with or disturb wild pigs and stay away from these animals upon encountering them.

The department was responding to an organisation's appeal to citizens to help guide pigs away from urban areas.

Noting that wild pigs are dangerous, especially those that are accustomed to scavenging and being fed in urban areas or are huge in size, the department warned these wild animals may bite or knock down people who feed them.

Wild pigs may also transmit zoonotic diseases such as tuberculosis, hepatitis E, influenza A and Streptococcus suis which pose threats to public health, it added.

This story has been published on: 2022-01-11. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Chinese FM holds talks with Saudi Arabian counterpart

Xinhua) 08:23, January 11, 2022

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi holds talks with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud in Wuxi, east China's Jiangsu Province, Jan. 10, 2022. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng)

NANJING, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks on Monday with Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud in Wuxi City of east China's Jiangsu Province.

After an in-depth exchange of views, the two sides reached broad consensus on bilateral relations, practical cooperation and multilateral coordination.

Wang said that China stands ready to work with Saudi Arabia to jointly implement the important consensus reached by two heads of state to promote the development of bilateral relations.

Wang said the two sides should continue to firmly support each other in safeguarding their respective core interests, jointly oppose unilateralism and bullying, safeguard the collective interests of developing countries and the basic norms governing international relations.

Faisal said Saudi Arabia has always opposed interfering in China's domestic affairs, firmly championed the one-China principle and firmly supported China's legitimate position on issues concerning Taiwan and Xinjiang, as well as human rights.

On the Iran nuclear issue, Wang said China supports Gulf countries in setting up multilateral dialogue platforms and taking the initiative in regional issues into their own hands.

The two sides also exchanged views on Yemen, Afghanistan and other international and regional issues of common concern.

(Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun)
BEIJING, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- The Associated Press (AP) has recently cited in a report business and political leaders as smearing China over its pursuit of tech "self-reliance" in an unfounded claim that it might "slow down innovation, disrupt global trade and make the world poorer."

Only too absurd is the logic of the AP's coverage. While admitting the world is suffering from severe chip shortages due to COVID-19, the news agency is still bent on hyping up Washington's vicious attempt to deter major countries like China from independently producing chips and pursuing sci-tech innovation, which has further disrupted the already-tangled global supply chains.

The AP's argument attests to the ulterior motives of those who stubbornly cling to an obsolete "Western-centric yardstick" and the arrogant mindset of "America First." It seems fairly necessary to help them make order out of the confusion of their minds.

Examples abound that in recent years the United States, in order to maintain technology supremacy, has been heavy-handed with foreign companies that strive to develop advanced technologies, despite its long-proclaimed rules of free market economy and international trade norms. Abusing state power under the pretext of national security, Washington has placed hundreds of Chinese institutions and companies into the U.S. "entity list" of export controls, regardless of their contributions to the U.S. economic growth.

For one thing, China's drive to accelerate independent innovation is the natural and necessary path that the country must follow amid rapid social and economic development. It conforms to the law of economics, and is never at the mercy of anybody else.

Such economic bullying and technological blockade did not stop the development of Chinese enterprises, but made more of them earnestly improve research originality and strive for more breakthroughs in professional fields.

"From chasing after others, to running neck by neck with counterparts, and to taking the lead in a race, this is the normal law of development for a major tech power," said Australian economist Guo Shengxiang. "Even without U.S. sanctions, China would devote itself to independent innovation, so as to strengthen tech-driven and innovation-driven economic growth. That's also what China needs to achieve sustainable development."

For another, China's independent innovation does not mean working behind closed doors. As part of global innovation, China helps break the monopoly of a minority of powers and stabilize global supply chains. For years, China has been committed to promoting international cooperation in science and technology and sharing its development dividends with the rest of the world. Up to now, China has established a sci-tech cooperation relationship with more than 160 countries and regions, and joined more than 200 international organizations and multilateral mechanisms.

Notably, China's greater focus on independent innovation and international cooperation has been highly recognized by foreign entities. Foreign direct investment (FDI) into the Chinese mainland, in actual use, rose 15.9 percent year on year to top 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, according to the Ministry of Commerce. In particular, high-tech industries saw FDI inflow jump 19.3 percent.

As has been witnessed, China's innovative development has shown a strong positive spillover effect worldwide. Take BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS-3) as an example. BDS-3 has met the requirements in performance indexes of positioning, velocity measurement, and timing precision, as well as the availability and continuity of its services, based on real-time testing of the international GNSS monitoring and assessment system.

Basic products of the Chinese navigation system have been exported to over 120 countries and regions. Applications such as land rights confirmation, precision farming, digital construction and smart port services based on the system have also been applied in ASEAN countries, South Asia, East Europe, and Africa, contributing to local economic and social development, as well as the construction of the Belt and Road.

As a further illustration, the National Optic Fibre Backbone Infrastructure, one of China-aided projects in the East African nation, has allowed Kenya to expand broadband access, giving a boost to the country's e-commerce as well as the information and communications industry.

Thanks to its improved capability in scientific research and medical technology, China has so far provided 2 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines to more than 120 countries and international organizations, which accounts for one third of total global vaccine use outside of China, thus becoming the biggest foreign provider of COVID-19 vaccines.

China's independent innovation will surely make the pie of global common development even bigger, and more dividends of cross-border exchanges and international win-win cooperation will thus be reaped by all market entities across the world. 
Kandi Technologies Group signed a framework agreement with Hunan Hengrun Automobile Co., Ltd. jointly to produce battery-swap enabled pure electric vehicles.

According to the agreement, Kandi and Hengrun will use their respective capabilities to produce battery-swappable pure electric vehicles. The specific division of labor and cooperation content will be clarified in a separate agreement. The vehicles will be sold under the Henghe brand name.

Hengrun specializes in the research, development, manufacturing, sales and after-sales service of automobiles, parts, and accessories. It is certified for the production of passenger cars and commercial vehicles, including EVs. It is one of several automobile companies fully certified to produce complete vehicles.
XI'AN, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Despite the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, Northwest A&F University (NWAFU) in northwest China's Shaanxi Province strives to continue its agricultural cooperation with countries under the framework of the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

The provincial capital of Xi'an has registered more than 2,000 local COVID-19 cases since Dec. 9 last year. Faced with stringent epidemic prevention and control measures due to the latest resurgence, the university has continued to conduct research at its eight overseas agricultural technology demonstration parks in countries including Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Belarus.

According to Zhang Zhengmao, an NWAFU professor, the university managed to evaluate the drought resistance of four wheat varieties that are resistant to stripe rust with professors in Kazakhstan via video link.

Zhang's team taught local farmers in Kazakhstan cultivation techniques through training courses.

"In this way, we have made our contributions to global food security while helping local farmers raise their incomes," Zhang said.

Hai Jiangbo, director of the African Research Center of NWAFU, offered guidance to cooperation partners in African countries via video materials translated by his team. They also gave online courses to African students in NWAFU.

"Many of our African graduates from the college have become ambassadors of China-Africa friendship after they returned to their homeland," said Hai. "The virus inevitably affects our cooperation, but we have tried our best to advance the cooperation programs."

In 2020, the university took a lead to cultivate postgraduates majoring in agriculture under the BRI framework. Five of the postgraduates in the educational program are now doing internships in foreign-related agricultural companies and 11 are participating in agriculture programs of modern technology in Uzbekistan.

By the end of 2020, the Silkroad Agricultural Education and Research Innovation Alliance led by NWAFU had attracted 85 member universities or research institutes from 17 countries and regions. The SCO Institute of Modern Agricultural Development was also inaugurated by the university in July 2020. 
Rio Tinto will purchase four 7MWh FLXdrive battery-electric locomotives (earlier post) from Wabtec Corporation for use in the Pilbara region of Western Australia as part of the companys strategy to reduce its carbon emissions by 50% by 2030. Production of the units is due to commence in the United States in 2023 ahead of initial trials in the Pilbara in early 2024.

The locomotives, which will haul ore from the companys mines to its ports, will be recharged at purpose-built charging stations at the port or mine. They will also be capable of generating additional energy while in transit through a regenerative braking system which takes energy from the train and uses it to recharge the onboard batteries.

A full transition to net-zero emissions technology of its entire fleet of rail locomotives would reduce Rio Tinto Iron Ores diesel-related carbon emissions in the Pilbara by around 30% annually.

Rio Tinto Managing Director of Port, Rail and Core Services Richard Cohen said delivery of the prototype locomotives will be an important early step for the company on the path toward a decarbonized Pilbara.

Once delivered, the locomotives will be trialed within controlled environments in the Pilbara and tested against a range of safety and functional criteria, including integration with AutoHaul.
Thermo King, the transport refrigeration brand of Trane Technologies, will transition to a lower global warming potential (GWP) refrigerant as standard in its truck and trailer units. This will reduce the carbon footprint of refrigerants used by its customers long-haul, middle-mile and last-mile delivery fleets by nearly 50%approximately 650,000 metric tons of CO 2 e annually, equivalent to the emissions of 143,000 passenger vehicles per year.





While customers previously had the option to drop in the lower global warming potential refrigerant, Thermo King units will now come standard with the lower GWP refrigerant.

The next generation of Thermo Kings Precedent trailer portfolio will transition to R452A (GWP 2,140 4th IPCC, 1,945 5th IPCC) in January 2022, and truck products will come standard with the new refrigerant mid-2022. New units will no longer use R404A (GWP 3,922).

R452A was developed by Honeywell and Chemours as a lower GWP R404A replacement in transport refrigeration with some use in DX low- to medium-temperature refrigeration. A blend of HFC-32/HFC-125/HFO-1234yf (11/59/30 weight %), R452A is non-flammable, closely matches R404A properties and performance, and offers a low compressor discharge temperature.

These actions contribute to Trane Technologies Gigaton Challenge to reduce customer emissions by a billion metric tons by 2030.

In addition to helping customers meet their sustainability commitments, using a lower-GWP refrigerant as standard will help customers prepare for future regulation. Beginning in 2023, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) will require TRUs operating in California to use refrigerants with a GWP of 2200 or less. In North America, Thermo King is one full year ahead of this regulation.

As part of the global transition to more sustainable refrigerants, Thermo King has been using R452A for its entire EMEA portfolio for several years and select products in North America and in Asia Pacific.
In line with its strategy to become the global leader in carbon emission reduction technologies by 2024, Danish technology provider Haldor Topsoe has signed a 45-million loan agreement with the European Investment Bank (EIB) to support its R&D investments in that domain. The EIB financing is supported under the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI), the main pillar of the European Commissions Investment Plan for Europe.

The European funding highlights the companys commitment to developing new technologies to support a wide range of energy-intensive industries in their transition towards a low-carbon future.

This funding will support our research into innovative hydrogen technologies that will ultimately enable our customers to produce low-carbon products for society. We are thankful for the funding, which is a testimony to our strong cooperation with the EIB. Roeland Baan, CEO of Haldor Topsoe

The R&D investments backed by the EIB financing support Haldor Topsoes ambition to develop new technologies and catalysts to assist its customers in the transition towards the increased use of renewable energy, as well as the carbon neutrality of industrial operations. In line with this goal, the company specifically focuses on R&D activities with the highest potential for reducing carbon emissions.

A clear focus is R&D investments for the development of new catalysts, catalytic technologies, and innovative hydrogen technologies that are expected to reduce carbon emissions. Some of the most promising environmentally-friendly technologies in that regard are intended for the production of greener chemicals and renewable fuels, such as green hydrogen, green ammonia, biofuels, and electrified methanol.

The EIB is the long-term lending institution of the European Union owned by its Member States. It makes long-term finance available for sound investment in order to contribute towards EU policy goals. In 2020, the Bank provided more than 600 million in loans for Danish projects in various sectors, including services, innovative industry and small and medium-sized enterprises. The EIB has previously supported Haldor Topse with financing agreements signed in 2013 and 2017.

The European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI) is the main pillar of the Investment Plan for Europe. It provides first loss guarantees enabling the EIB Group to invest in riskier projects. The projects and agreements approved for financing under EFSI have so far mobilized 546.5 billion in investments, benefiting more than 1.4 million small and medium-sized enterprises across the European Union.
More than 5,000 Connecticut workers  most of them millennials  filed applications for paid leave in the first month of the states new program, data shows.

The Connecticut Paid Leave Authority received 5,565 applications in December when the Connecticut Paid Family and Medical Leave Act launched. Under the program, workers can qualify for up to 12 weeks off for varying medical and family reasons, while receiving a percentage of their regular pay.

About 200 people filed applications in the first two hours of the program, according to Andrea Barton Reeves, CEO of the Connecticut Paid Leave Authority.

Weve had family and medical leave since the mid-1990s  its just never been paid, Reeves said. The actuaries thought we would have 85,000 claims in a given calendar year.

With nearly 160 applications in December, New Haven had the largest number of residents seeking paid time off through the program, slightly ahead of Waterbury, Bristol and Bridgeport.

Data obtained by Hearst Connecticut Media shows 7 in 10 claims statewide were filed by women, and more than half by the millennial generation, which comprises 35 percent of the U.S. working population.

In December, just over half of the applications statewide were filed by parents for paid leave during pregnancies, deliveries and bonding time with infants. The next largest group of applications, at 36 percent of the pool, came from people seeking paid time off to recover from ailments and injuries that were not eligible for workers compensation because they were not sustained on the job.

Some of those applications cite health complications from COVID-19, according to a Connecticut Paid Leave Authority official, who noted that workers must have a health professional certify they have had an extended bout of severe symptoms for the request to be approved. The authority has yet to approve any applicant citing COVID-19 as a reason for paid leave.

The federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act, which expired at the end of 2020, allowed workers to get paid leave in instances where exposure to COVID-19 could seriously jeopardize the health of a family member. However, tax credits continued through last September for businesses offering paid time off to workers affected by the virus.

The new Connecticut paid leave program has some employers concerned it will lead to more people taking time off, putting an additional burden on other staff already strained during the pandemic.

Now youve got a program where people can be absent from the workplace up to 12 weeks every single year, said Eric Gjede, vice president of public policy for the Connecticut Business & Industry Association. You have a reaction from some employees of, well Im darn well going to use this thing if Im paying for it.

With a target of $400 million, the Connecticut Paid Leave Authority had collected through December just over $300 million from employers via a 0.5 percent tax on worker earnings. Workers are required to make contributions for three months before qualifying for benefits.

Last week, the state Department of Labor approved a 1 percent catch up surcharge employers can pay to cover any period when they failed to forward contributions to the fund. Through early January, 124,000 employers had registered to withhold the tax from paychecks.

Were just trying to identify those employers that we know should be participating and are not, Reeves said. That, we are still working on.

Employees of companies that already offer paid leave are exempt from the tax, if the benefits of those plans match or exceed the Connecticut Paid Family and Medical Leave Act. In a September 2021 study, the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimated that 23 percent of workers had access to paid family leave under their employer plans, with 40 percent having access to short-term disability payments covering illness and injury.

CBIA is offering its member businesses one such plan underwritten by The Hartford Financial Services Group.

You cant require employees to contribute any more than the state plan, Gjede said. It has to abide by all the same rules and it has to be approved by the authority as equivalent in every way, shape or form.

As the case with unemployment insurance, self-employed workers in Connecticut are exempt from paying the tax, but can opt-in to have the option of filing for paid leave when needing a legitimate break from their job that curtails their income.

For a Connecticut minimum-wage worker making $13 an hour, the program disburses 95 percent of that amount. A formula is then used for those making more than minimum wage that reduces the percentage. The state has an online benefits calculator, which computed a benefit of $780 a week  or less than $41,000 annually  for a person making Connecticuts median household income of about $78,450.

Reeves said the biggest misconception so far has been the assumption that workers can draw 100 percent of their normal earnings from the program. The Paid Leave Authority is launching this week a new round of online workshops with sessions for workers, business owners and employment professionals needing to learn more about the program rules.

Part-time workers are eligible for paid leave if they earned $2,325 in any quarter of the preceding year, or just under $200 a week on average.

The Connecticut Paid Leave Authority hired Aflac to handle claims by workers taking paid leave. Reeves said part of Aflacs appeal was its experience in flagging claims that appear fraudulent.

We really wanted to work with an organization that had a long and deep history in managing disability claims, because thats about as close as you can get to that, Reeves said. They have a special investigations unit  and there are 150 people who work just for Connecticut.

Includes prior reporting by Shayla Colon and John Moritz.

Alex.Soule@scni.com; 203-842-2545; @casoulman
The blustery cold front passed through leaving an icy glaze over the flagstones. The forecast was calling for three to six by the end of the week. Winter was settling in.

My response: mix up a hot toddy! A well-made example cant ward off COVID, but it is reputed to be the cure for many other conditions, including January weather.

The soothing properties of spiced hot water mixed with some booze and sweetener are well documented. The sense of warmth and well-being brought on by a toddy was familiar to our ancestors. They even prescribed toddies for a variety of complaints ranging from the grip to toothaches.

The recipe is simple but has almost infinite variations.

Flavorings can include a cinnamon stick, cloves or even tea. A generous squeeze of lemon is a must. Spike some whole cloves into the used wedge and then drop it in for more flavor. For something different, try a section of two of grapefruit.

Part of the magic of a toddy is the balance of tart and sweet. Honey is the old-time favorite. Go easy. It's sweeter than sugar. If sugar is your preference, use one that will add flavor: brown (either light or dark), or the demerara sugar sold as Sugar in the Raw. I have a friend who sweetens his coffee with molasses. I wonder if that would work in a toddy? Agave syrup would add another dimension. Maple syrup blends well, and it's great with the spices.

Frank Whitman / For Hearst Connecticut Media Group

Add the hot water and give it a good stir to mix in all the sweetener.

Now it's time for the liquor. Whiskey is the place to start. All-American bourbon is traditional  the unmistakable flavor and vanilla overtones a good fit. The British favor Scotch whisky, while on the Emerald Isle, Irish is preferred.

Brandy has a long association with the toddy. Ill bet a tequila or smoky mezcal would be good with the grapefruit-agave combo. Rum, the favorite spirit of colonial America, mixes well with fruit. Use amber or dark rum for the most flavor. Applejack is a natural with the maple sweetener.

Any combination creates fragrant steam that is part of the pleasure. A deep breath is almost as curative as drinking it down.

Over the course of the predicted weather, we tried a few flavor combinations at home.

This is just what I would want if I had a cold, Marsha said while sipping on a toddy made with Harney and Sons Cranberry-Autumn black tea. Sweetened with maple syrup and fortified with brandy, it was soothing under any circumstances.

Frank Whitman / For Hearst Connecticut Media Group

Frank Whitman / For Hearst Connecticut Media Group

Toddys are the result of experimentation and innovation. Use what you have on hand and keep tinkering to find the best flavor.

We learned that a mix of dark brown sugar and honey gives the richest flavor and best color. With lemon, Jamaican Exodus rum and a cinnamon stick the toddy was warming. We let it steep for a few minutes so that the spicy cinnamon flavor would develop.

The classic combo of bourbon and clove was a winner. An extra dash of Meyer lemon juice lent a distinctive fruity, citrus character to balance the rich Makers Mark bourbon.

Sal Baglinvio, manager at Baileys Backyard in Ridgefield said that demand for toddies goes up as the mercury goes down. Their signature version is made with Berkshire Bourbon, local honey, English Breakfast tea and a clove studded wedge of lemon.

At the cozy Fife and Drum in Kent the toddies are based on local Harneys English Breakfast tea with lemon, honey, and a cinnamon stick. Manager Alyssa Potts explained that they offer a choice of bourbon or, for more spice, rye.

We sell a lot of toddies, Angela Grogran at the Bruxelles Brasserie in South Norwalk told me. The most popular version is based on a famous Irish recipe with John Powers Irish Whiskey and brown sugar, flavored with a full-round slice of lemon pierced with a clove in each section. Very pretty.

Frank Whitman / For Hearst Connecticut Media Group

I understand theres a frosty Alberta Clipper on the way  Ill warm the mugs.

Frank Whitman writes a weekly food column called "Not Bread Alone." He can be reached at NotBreadAloneFW@gmail.com.
TAIPEI, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Taiwan on Tuesday reported 12 new locally-transmitted confirmed COVID-19 cases, a daily record high for this year, along with 58 imported cases, the island's disease monitoring agency said.

Nine of the 12 cases were linked to Taoyuan International Airport, bringing the total number of cluster infections to 39, it added.

To date, Taiwan has confirmed 17,463 COVID-19 cases since the pandemic began in early 2020, of which 14,647 are local infections. 
DARIEN  In the past two years, Cassie Mecsery has learned to look for small blessings.

The Darien resident juggles parenting her young children while handling the day-to-day operations of the Greenwich-based Cos Cob TV & Audio. And since 2019, she has been a caregiver for her husband, Sean Mecsery, who is currently living with an aggressive form of brain cancer.

I think I'm not really fully processing it, Cassie Mecsery said. The only way to handle it is almost to live in a state of denial. Yes, it does seem like a lot. But there really is no other option.

Sean Mecsery was diagnosed with late-stage glioblastoma in October 2019, at 48 years old. Glioblastoma is the most common cancer that begins in the brain and takes the form of aggressive and fast-growing tumors, according to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons. There is no cure and limited treatment options.

For the past two years, Cassie Mecsery said her husband has attended numerous doctors appointments, undergone radiation treatment and chemotherapy, and tried a clinical trial in California. The cancerous brain tumor had come back twice within two years. Now, the tumor is back for a fourth time.

In order to cope with the medical expenses, which Cassie Mecsery said have presented the family with a heavy financial burden, she started a GoFundMe earlier this week. In just days, it raised $45,000 of its $75,000 goal from more than 330 donors.

Just the fact that people are donating at all and that they show that they care and they support our family, it just meant a lot to me, Cassie Mecsery said. It's funny how you look at some of the small blessings. That the community is rallying behind us and sharing this GoFundMe  it melts my heart.

Previously, starting a GoFundMe was not something Sean Mecsery wanted to do, his wife said. The family initially did not tell many people that Sean had been diagnosed with cancer.

Launching the GoFundMe now is really sad in a way because the fact that he's OK with it means that he knows things are getting pretty bad, Cassie Mecsery said. Were now on this fourth recurrence that is affecting his language, ability to function, and the expenses are mounting up. They are expenses we were not planning for.

The money will go toward funding the exploratory treatments Sean Mecsery has been using, which are not on the approved list of drugs for the cancer. Because of this, the familys insurance often declines to pay for the treatment, leaving them to pay out-of-pocket, Cassie Mecsery said.

Anything left over will be put into a college fund for the Mecserys two children, 6-year-old Calista and 2-year-old Westley. Sean Mecsery also has another daughter from a previous marriage.

It has been difficult for Sean Mecsery to step away from the family business, which his father created in 1945 and owned before him, Cassie Mecsery said. He began tagging along with his father to the store when he was still in grade school, returning to help run it after graduating from Vanderbilt University.

The store has evolved into an electronics and home video installation service. Cassie Mecesery said the store has customers from all over the area, including Darien.

Sean Mecsery was able to work at Cos Cob TV until early 2020, when Cassie Mecsery helped take over, she said. With some experience in e-commerce and digital retail, Cassie Mecsery said she had to learn the ropes of the business quickly after her husbands condition worsened. She now runs it full-time, along with accompanying her husband to appointments and treatments.

In the Mecsery household, there is now a renewed emphasis on slowing down and being aware of the preciousness of time, Cassie Mecsery said.

Because there is no real cure, most glioblastoma patients are faced with odds that are stacked against them.

The statistics are horrific, in terms of survival, Cassie Mecsery said. When you first get this diagnosis and you read these statistics, you're angry, you're sad. There's nothing good about it.

Currently, Sean Mecsery is experiencing severe symptoms: After the fourth tumor was discovered in February 2021, he has lost much function in his right arm, and he gets easily tired, Cassie Mecsery said.

It is nearly impossible for Sean Mecsery to do tasks like reading or writing. He also has aphasia, a condition that makes coherent speaking much harder.

But she said he still makes it a point to be with his children, taking them to lunch and participating in family photoshoots to capture the little moments.

And he can still express this about his children: Theyre the best, Sean Mecsery said.

raga.justin@hearst.com
GREENWICH  As the Country Table opened its doors Monday, Chef Geoff Lazlo said he plans to take a thoughtful approach to everyday foods with a focus on fresh, seasonal ingredients at the new shop.

The market dishes up a variety of prepared foods, including gourmet sandwiches and made-to-order salads as well as coffee, ice cream and more.
Apples iMessage introduced free messages between iPhone users a decade ago has been discriminating against Google users, and that has been affecting mental health of Android users, a recent report from The Wall Street Journal revealed.

Hiroshi Lockheimer, Senior VP at Google then took it to Twitter to address Apple. He stated that using peer pressure and bullying as a way to sell products is disingenious for a company that has humanity and equity as a core part of its marketing. Androids own account chimed in, saying texting should bring us closer together and there is a solution.

Users of iMessage on iPhone have other iMessage users' chat bubbles in blue, while messages from Android users appear green, and it has been like that since they were able to use their native messaging app on the Google OS back in 2016. According to WSJ, teens and college students dread the ostracism that comes with a green text.

Surveys among some users, such as a 24-year-old masters student from upstate New York, revealed people in her inner friend circle reacted with ew, thats gross when another user had green chat bubbles.

While the solution to this problem is pretty simple - just change the color or put the app on Play Store - Apple execs think differently. Their attempt is to make the messaging platform the industry standard, but without monetizing the app, it would hurt Apple more than it would help, emails linked with the Epic litigation revealed.

Source | Via
BEIJING, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping said Tuesday that China and Indonesia should advance cooperation in a coordinated manner in the post-pandemic era.

In a phone conversation with Indonesian President Joko Widodo, Xi suggested that the two sides integrate Belt and Road cooperation with China's building of a new development pattern and Indonesia's medium- and long-term national development plan. 
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Andrew Solidum recalls attending the Aklan Associations Ati-Atihan festivals at Harmon cliffline and watching his cousins beat the drums in the 1980s.

Curious, he took up the drums and started playing at the festival as an eighth-grader. With 28 years of experience, the Agat resident is now the lead drummer and organizer of the Aklan Association of Guams Ati-Atihan drummers.

They most recently performed at the Santo Nino Fiesta outside San Vicente Catholic Church on Sunday.

In Aklan, Philippines, the Ati-Atihan Festival is part of the Senior Santo Nino (The Child Jesus) Festivity, usually celebrated on the third Sunday of January.

The gathering brings together multiple tribes in beautiful bright, colorful costumes and large, loud drum groups with warriors and dancers dancing to the rhythm.

On Guam, the Santo Nino 2000 Group  made up of the Aklan Association of Guam, Cebu Association of Guam, Iloilo International Association and Iloilo  combined efforts to celebrate the Ati-Atihan, Sinulog and Dinagyang on the second Sunday of January.

Debut in 1976

The Aklan Association of Guam Ati-Atihan Drummers first debuted in 1976 at the Guam Amusement Park in Yigo under Johnny Luces leadership as president of the Aklan Association of Guam. The first celebration with the Ati-Atihan group for Santo Nino was in January 1977.

The drummers have performed on numerous occasions such as village fiestas in Malojloj, Talafofo, Yona, Asan, Agat and Piti, to name a few. They are also known for their performances in the annual Guam Liberation Day Parade, Relay for Life and FestPac.

The drummers pounding beats spices up the festival with variations of slow to very fast intricate beats enticing elevated excitement, said Patrick Luces, president of the Aklan Association of Guam.

Being a drummer and celebrating the Santo Nino has had a very special place in Solidums heart since he finds it intriguing how the beat of the drum draws people in.

The drum signifies that something is coming, Solidum said. We want people to hear. We build anticipation. When people start dancing and enjoying the beat, we are celebrating together.

Aklan visit

The 42-year-old had the opportunity to experience the Ati-Atihan Festival for the first time in Kalibo, Aklan, in January 2020 with his cousin, Lawrence Luces, and longtime fellow drummer Patrick Quitugua.

I regret not going sooner. It is so much more festive in the Philippines, Solidum said. They celebrate for several days. It was exciting to see all the costumes and to listen to all the styles of drumming.

Seeing people from all over the world gathered in one spot to celebrate Senior Santo Nino starting from 5 a.m. to midnight, with endless marching and dancing to the sound of drums, was a joyous experience for Lawrence Luces, who is the associations second lead drummer.

The Agat resident, who has been drumming for 30 years, encourages people to visit Kalibo, Aklan, to experience the Ati-Atihan Festival.

When you hear the loud drums from afar, it brings heart-pounding merrymaking beats and puts you in a festive mood, Patrick Luces said. Youll just want to join in on the fun by dancing and chanting.

Share your culture

Inspired by the Ati-Atihan Festival at Kalibo, Solidum carries on the aspects of the Aklan tradition that has molded him and shares them with Guam residents.

Its always good to learn about the culture of the place you currently reside, but you should learn from those who have come before you, Solidum said. Share your culture with your family, and keep it alive.

Although Solidum believes that the Aklan Association of Guams Ati-Atihan drummers might not be as original as those that he and the others observed in Kalibo, he said that they march to the beat of their own drums.

It feels great to represent our culture, Solidum said. Our path may be a little different, but I like to think it leads us to the same destination.

Ive seen others spread the culture to places like New York and Canada, he continued. We will continue to share it here on Guam.
Contractors continue work behind the fence of a military installation near Potts Junction in Dededo on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2020.
Guam has recorded its 273rd COVID-19-related fatality.

The fatality occurred Jan. 5 at Naval Hospital, according to a news release from the Department of Public Health and Social Services. The patient was a 90-year-old partially vaccinated man with underlying health conditions. He tested positive Dec. 27.

We honor his memory and all our victims of COVID-19 by forging forward in our response, using all the tools at our disposal to protect others from this deadly virus, Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero stated in the release.

Public Health reported 422 new cases of COVID-19 from 2,304 specimens analyzed Jan. 10, with 126 identified through contact tracing.

There have been a total of 21,540 officially reported cases of COVID-19, including 273 deaths, the release stated. There are 2,062 people in active isolation.

The CAR Score is 189.3.

Thirteen people are hospitalized for COVID-19. There are six patients at Guam Memorial Hospital, including one pediatric admission. One patient is in intensive care. Seven are at Guam Regional Medical City, according to the release. Of those hospitalized, six were vaccinated, seven werent.

Testing

The community COVID-19 testing at the old carnival grounds in Tiyan is now using an appointment-based system, which will allow for more efficient processing and reduce long lines and waits, the release stated. Unscheduled drive-ups will be accepted, on a limited basis.

Hours are 8 a.m. to noon, 1 to 3 p.m. Jan. 10-15.

People can fill out a COVID-19 Testing Patient Assessment Form ahead of time, available at dphss.guam.gov/covid-19-testing.

After-school

After-school vaccinations will continue at the following:

From 3 to 6 p.m. Jan. 12 at D.L. Perez Elementary School

From 3:30 to 6 p.m. Jan. 13 at Finegayan Elementary School

From 3 to 6 p.m. Jan. 18 at Captain H.B. Price Elementary School

From 3 to 6 p.m. Jan. 19 at Upi Elementary School

From 3 to 6 p.m. Jan. 20 at M.U. Lujan Elementary School

First and second doses and boosters will be available. Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson/Janssen COVID-19 vaccines available, according to the release.
A contractor who was reported in critical condition from a bacterial infection was medavaced from Wake Island to Hawaii by an Air Station Barbers Point HC-130 Hercules aircrew on Monday, according to a news release from the Coast Guard.

The contractor, who was 56, was transported to awaiting emergency medical services on Oahu.

At 8:10 p.m., Sunday, Joint Rescue Coordination Center Honolulu received a call from medical staff on Wake Island reporting a contractor was suffering from a four-day history of pain in his hip and was having trouble walking.

The medical staff on Wake Island diagnosed the contractor as having a bacterial infection and reported he required a transport to a higher level of care.

A Coast Guard duty flight surgeon conducted a conference call with the doctor on Wake Island and concurred with his diagnosis and recommended immediate transport.

Joint Rescue Coordination Center Honolulu watchstanders deployed the Hercules aircrew to Wake Island to transport the contractor back to Hawaii.

At 3:30 p.m., Monday, the Hercules aircrew arrived at Air Station Barbers Point where the contractor was transferred to an awaiting ambulance and brought to Queens Medical Center, according to the Coast Guard.
Martin Shirai was charged with vehicular negligence in connection to a car accident at Adelup Monday night.

According to the magistrates complaint filed in the Superior Court of Guam, Shirai was found to be the driver of a Toyota Scion with heavy damage to the front of the vehicle. He was parked in the inner lane behind a car that had damages to the rear bumper area upon arrival of Guam Police Department officers.

Shirai was seen to be dazed with a delayed response when officers asked him for identification. He eventually admitted that he didnt have his drivers license, according to the complaint.

When asked if he had anything to drink Shirai said no, but when asked why his eyes were red he responded, because I only smoke marijuana.

Officers noticed Shirai smelled like alcohol, had slurred speech and was unable to maintain his balance, however he refused to take a sobriety test.

A cold bottle of Corona was later found hidden in the car and when asked about hiding it Shirai said, I didnt want to get in trouble, according to the complaint.

Shirai later told officers earlier that evening he smoked marijuana with some friends and drank two beers.

When asked about the crash, Shirai said he didnt see the car stopped.

The officer described Shirai as being incoherent when he was asked background questions, the complaint stated.

Shirai was charged with vehicular negligence as a third-degree felony and an opened container of alcohol as a misdemeanor.
Guam Department of Education Deputy Superintendent Joe Sanchez said that since coming back to school full-time, students have been doing well academically.

This is anecdotal so we dont have large data on this, but teachers are saying that when students return back to five days of instruction, they were able to see the improvement much quicker, said Sanchez. In some cases, its multiple times better.

Students in the most need of academic assistance have been a big concern. Guam DOE is targeting them for the additional educational support.

Weve given schools the freedom to do internal intervention opportunities, whether itll be for specialized classes (or) some schools doing lunch time, said Sanchez.

Superintendent Jon Fernandez said teachers and faculty can also fully assess the students mental health now that students are in classes five days a week.

He said Guam DOE has been concerned about the impact the pandemic has had on students.

When the kids are at home, it has limited our ability to identify and address any situations that kids may be facing outside the school and at the home, said Fernandez. So not just in regards with students who are at risk with attempting suicide, but also ranging in other areas like child neglect, abuse  things that would normally manifest themselves at our schools in terms of kids reporting and talking about it to their trusted adults at our schools.

Support

School employees and psychologists continue to work in partnership with Guam Behavioral Health and Wellness, looking for ways to increase support and awareness for students and employees in need, according to Fernandez.

Guam DOE also is continuing teacher training and student peer involvement.

The students have been important in sharing their personal experiences and ideas as how we can move forward, said Fernandez. Im encouraging more peer-to-peer support, which I think (is) effective (in) helping students to communicate, to discuss and address what they might be feeling as a result of the past two years.
Residents could soon get reimbursed for at-home COVID-19 test kits, but issues with the supply of tests to the island and long lines at testing centers still present barriers to quick testing.

The Biden administration Tuesday announced that private insurance companies will have to cover the cost of at-home COVID-19 tests for Americans, and Guam will be included, according to the Office of the Governor.

Private insurance providers will have to cover the costs of up to eight at-home tests per person in a household, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. People with private insurance coverage will be able to either have their costs covered for the test kits, or to turn in their receipts for reimbursement.

Frank Campillo, health plan administrator of Calvos Select Care insurance, said Guam companies will have to comply by the deadline. They are awaiting final federal guidance before issuing an update to members. Early guidance does not account for supply issues or the costs of tests on Guam.

Apparently, with the guidance that came today, there is a limitation of $12 per test, he said.

At-home tests on Guam can go for between $30 and $50.

Stocks

Some suppliers are having issues keeping at-home tests stocked.

The supply is intermittent at this point. We sold out the other day, but we are expecting more shipments, said Krista Burgin, pharmacist at Mega Drug Pharmacy.

Joe Vitug general manager of MD Wholesale said the company is are out of its current supply of test kits for pharmacies that can be bought by the public.

We sold out of (the kits) last week and we are expecting more incoming ones, although we are also affected with the national shortage, Vitug said.

He said that several stateside suppliers he has talked to for orders have not confirmed when the kits are expected to arrive on Guam, but only that there will be a limited quantity arriving. The only rapid tests they have in stock are to supply clinics and the Department of Public Health and Social Services.

Kit Casares, representative for MEDQUEST Medical Supply in Tamuning, said the company does not have a regular stock of COVID-19 test kits but that they offer to special order them if we get an inquiry.

A quick search for at-home tests on Amazon and Walgreens websites show that most kits are sold out.

Public Health put in an order to receive a portion of the 500 million free at-home test kits that the Biden administration plans to make available to Americans. Public Health officials said they should be available some time this month, but there was no word on when they would arrive, how many, or what kind of tests as of Tuesday, according to Public Health spokesperson Janela Carrera.

Public Health testing

With COVID-19 cases soaring in recent weeks, residents have had to wait in line at the Tiyan testing center.

Yesterday  we hit about 650 tests, and I want to say thats the largest weve ever done at Tiyan, Carrera said Tuesday.

Tiyan switched to appointment-based testing on Monday to ease the hours-long wait times that were common during previous surges, she said. People who do arrive without an appointment will be put into a separate line and be assessed before moving on to be swabbed, though drive-ups are limited.

Registration for a test at Tiyan can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/covidstopswithme.

SampleReport

I have been getting a few complaints from some people saying that they havent been getting their COVID results right away, its been longer than 24 hours, she said.

The most efficient way to receive your test results is by signing up for the automated SimpleReport service. A scannable QR code is available at the Tiyan testing site to sign up for SimpleReport. If you dont have a smartphone, you ask for assistance in signing up online. SimpleReport does require a mobile phone to receive your results by text. Carrera advised anyone without a cell phone to list the number of someone they could trust with their test result.

To report delays in your test results call 311 or email covidresults@dphss@guam.gov.

To keep up with the demand for testing, Public Health has been pulling office staff to assist with efforts as needed, Carrera said. Carrera was trained to collect samples for COVID-19 tests herself and had been assisting at Tiyan on Monday.

She said Public Healths current supply of rapid tests was still adequate. Several shipments amounting to about 30,000 rapid Cue tests were received in the weeks preceding the surge, and it is now down to around 26,000 as of Thursday. That didnt account for the tests that were available on island through private clinics, Carrera said, which still performed much of the testing.
Corrections and Clarification: David Ray San Nicolas was scheduled to appear in court to enter a plea on Jan. 11. Other information was included in a previous version of this story.

David Ray San Nicolas was appointed a new attorney to represent him in the case where he is accused of groping an 11-year-old girl.

San Nicolas appeared at the Superior Court of Guam to plead to charges connected with an incident reported in December, but his court-appointed attorney from the Public Defender Service Corporation withdrew due to a conflict of interest.

The Alternate Public Defender was then appointed to represent San Nicolas.

He is scheduled to plead to the charges on Jan. 25.

Case

San Nicolas is being accused of touching an 11-year-old girl known to him in her primary private area, according to a magistrates complaint.

The girl reported the incident one day when she stayed home from school and her mother was not home. San Nicolas allegedly laid down on a bed next to her when he reached over and groped the girl beneath her clothing, the complaint states.

The girl reported that San Nicolas asked her if it felt good with her response being No. He left the bedroom after.

When the girls mother found out about the incident, she confronted San Nicolas and he admitted to the acts, according to the complaint.

San Nicolas is on conditional release which orders him to stay away from the alleged victim.
BEIJING, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Monday held an interview with the news media after concluding his recent trips to Eritrea, Kenya, the Comoros, the Maldives and Sri Lanka.

Noting the tradition of Chinese diplomacy that Chinese foreign ministers make their first overseas visit to Africa at the start of each year, Wang said that in spite of the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, he travelled to Africa as scheduled, which has demonstrated China's original commitment to promote China-Africa solidarity and cooperation.

Wang said Eritrea is a traditional friend of China, and the two countries share similar views on upholding independence, maintaining political and social stability, and exploring their own development paths.

Kenya, he said, is China's comprehensive strategic and cooperative partner, and China-Kenya cooperation is playing an exemplary and leading role in the joint building of the Belt and Road between China and Africa.

China and the Comoros, though different in size and level of development, have become a model of equal treatment and win-win cooperation between countries, Wang said.

China and Africa share similar ideas and interests, and their cooperation has a solid foundation, great potential and a promising future, he added.

During his visit to Kenya, Wang said that China stands ready to propose the "Initiative of Peaceful Development in the Horn of Africa."

In his interview with the media on Monday, Wang said that the core of the initiative is to support countries in the region to stay out of any geopolitical competition between major countries while keeping their fate in their own hands.

Wang said China has put forward three proposals. First, the Horn of Africa should strengthen intra-regional dialogue to overcome security challenges; secondly, the Horn of Africa should accelerate regional revitalization to overcome development challenges; third, the Horn of Africa should explore effective ways to overcome governance challenges.

The "Initiative," upon being put forward, has received positive responses from Kenya, Ethiopia, Djibouti and other countries in the region, which believe that it meets the urgent needs of countries in the Horn of Africa, and that China's appointment of a special envoy for the Horn of Africa indicates that the Chinese side will play a more active and constructive role there.

On the so-called "debt trap" allegation against China, Wang said that the so-called "trap" is in fact a narrative trap created by those who wish to forever plunge Africa into a "poverty trap" and "backwardness trap."

Wang said China has conducted practical and efficient investment and financing cooperation with African countries on a voluntary, equal and scientific basis according to the needs of the African side, which has benefited, not burdened, the people of Africa.

Noting that Africa's development needs have further expanded with its social and economic development in recent years, Wang said China is ready to work with Africa to consolidate and deepen traditional cooperation such as infrastructure construction, while pushing forward cooperation in other emerging areas.

China will also work with Africa to pay more attention to improving livelihoods and make greater contributions to Africa's industrialization and modernization, he added.

As to the relationship between China and the Maldives, Wang said this year marks the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic ties, adding that the two countries have become a model of friendly exchanges and mutual benefits between countries.

It is in the common interests of the two peoples that China and the Maldives jointly build the Maritime Silk Road, Wang added.

Wang said that the two countries should take a broader view and open up a new chapter of mutually beneficial and friendly cooperation.

On China-Sri Lanka relations, Wang said that the sound political mutual trust between China and Sri Lanka provides a strong impetus for mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries.

Wang said this year also marks the 65th anniversary of the establishment of China-Sri Lanka diplomatic relations, noting that Sri Lanka was the first country to respond to and participate in the Belt and Road Initiative following its announcement.

The Colombo Port City and Hambantota Port are flagship projects of the two sides, who are working closely together to build the Maritime Silk Road. Both projects have become two engines of Sri Lanka's economic development, bringing tangible benefits to the Sri Lankan people, Wang added.

On the proposal of holding a forum on the development of Indian Ocean island countries, Wang said that as the largest developing country in the world, China is ready to share development experience with Indian Ocean island countries and contribute to the common development of all countries.

Wang also said that China always gives priority to developing countries in vaccine cooperation. As long as developing countries have requests, Wang noted, China will respond and take action.

At present, the plan announced by Chinese President Xi Jinping to provide vaccines to Africa has been implemented, Wang said, noting that China will provide Kenya with an additional 10 million doses of vaccine and will continue to offer sufficient vaccines to the Comoros to help it achieve the goal of universal immunization.

The Chinese side will continue to provide vaccines and anti-pandemic supplies to South Asian countries, and cooperate with interested countries in the research and development of specific medicines, Wang added.

Chinese vaccines are now being sent to every corner of Asia, Africa and Latin America where vaccines are needed, he said, adding that China will continue to stand with other developing countries until the final victory against the pandemic is won. 
Guam Civil Defense officials said there was no threat to Guam from a reported missile launch by North Korea Tuesday, the second launch by the nation in a week.

The Offices of Guam Homeland Security and Civil Defense issued a statement saying they were working with the military and others to monitor events surrounding the reported launch.

Events monitored

No immediate threat was assessed for Guam or the Marianas from the reported launch, said Homeland Security Advisor Samantha Brennan. Events such as these will continue to be monitored by our office, while working with local, military, and federal partners.

South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff said the North fired at least one weapon early Tuesday but didnt immediately say whether it was ballistic or how far it flew. Japans Prime Ministers Office and Defense Ministry said the North Korean weapon was possibly a ballistic missile, but didnt immediately provide more details, according to the Associated Press.

The latest launch came six days after the North fired a ballistic missile into the sea in what it later described as a successful test of a hypersonic missile, a type of weaponry the North claimed to have first tested in September.

That test came days after North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during a key political conference vowed to bolster his military forces despite pandemic-related difficulties.

Diplomacy stalled

U.S.-led diplomacy on North Koreas nuclear program has been stalled since 2019 due to disputes over international sanctions on the North. The Biden administration has repeatedly called for resuming the nuclear diplomacy anywhere and at any time without preconditions, but North Korea has argued the U.S. must first withdraw its hostility against it before any talks can restart.

The Norths advancing nuclear arsenal is at the core of Kims rule and what he clearly considers his strongest guarantee of survival. During his 10-year rule, hes conducted a large number of weapons tests in a push to acquire the ability to launch nuclear strikes on the American mainland.

But his countrys economy has faltered severely in the past two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S.-led sanctions over his nuclear ambitions and his governments own mismanagement.
A contractor working for the Guam Waterworks Authority this week closed lanes and restricted access to traffic along Marine Corps Drive, at Adelup, as part of an ongoing project to rehabilitate sewer lines between Asan and the wastewater pump station in Hagatna.

At least one lane is blocked for hundreds of yards into Anigua, with several lanes blocked at the Adelup intersection.

The lane closures, which will be in effect until the end of January, are the most significant in connection with the sewer project, according to project manager Lerny Abayon, with Core Tech-Hawaiian Dredging, LLC.

Although the left-turn lane for southbound Marine Corps Drive traffic currently is blocked off at Adelup, traffic still is allowed to turn left there, by stopping in the left travel lane and waiting for the turn arrow, Abayon said.

Future lane closures will have less impact on traffic, he said.

The work at the Adelup intersection involves repairing a collapsed sewer line, he said.

According to a project description provided by GWA, a new 12-inch plastic sewer line will be installed at the Adelup intersection, connecting to a new sewer manhole in Asan, requiring traffic control and temporary bypassing of sewage.

The overall project, which started last May and is scheduled to end in April 2023, involves cleaning and rehabilitating sewer lines of various sizes between Asan and the wastewater plant, restoring lateral sewer connections to the rehabilitated lines and replacing the concrete collars around sewer manholes. According to GWA, rehabilitating the existing sewer lines is less disruptive because it avoids open-cut excavation.

Core Tech-Hawaiian Dredging, working with the Department of Public Works, is required to provide travel lanes at least 10 feet wide and to keep driveways open.

Sewer lines are being bypassed along Marine Corps Drive, with above-ground lines extending behind Slingstone Coffee and the adjacent Mobil gas station, connecting to a manhole in the closed right-turn lane on Route 6.

Traffic ramps and bypass lines have been installed on the Route 6 entrance of the Mobil gas station, and at the Marine Corps Drive entrances of Matson and Delta Tire.

Drivers exiting the gas station onto Marine Corps Drive arent allowed to turn left because the center lane is blocked.
The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Irish on the Somme, by Michael MacDonagh This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org Title: The Irish on the Somme Being a Second Series of 'The Irish at the Front' Author: Michael MacDonagh Release Date: January 10, 2011 [EBook #34907] Language: English Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 *** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE IRISH ON THE SOMME *** Produced by Jeannie Howse, David Clarke and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive/Canadian Libraries)

Transcriber's Note:

Inconsistent hyphenation in the original document has been preserved. Obvious typographical errors have been corrected. For a complete list, please see the end of this document.

THE IRISH ON THE SOMME

THE IRISH

ON THE SOMME

BEING THE SECOND SERIES OF

"THE IRISH AT THE FRONT"

By MICHAEL MacDONAGH

Author of "Irish Life and Character"

WITH AN INTRODUCTION BY

JOHN REDMOND, M.P.

HODDER AND STOUGHTON

LONDON NEW YORK TORONTO

MCMXVII

TO

THE MEMORY OF

MAJOR WILLIAM REDMOND, M.P.

ROYAL IRISH REGIMENT (IRISH BRIGADE)

WHO DIED OF WOUNDS RECEIVED IN ACTION

JUNE 7, 1917

LEADING HIS MEN IN THE ATTACK

ON WYTSCHAETE WOOD

INTRODUCTION ToC

By John Redmond, M.P.

THE RESPONSE OF THE IRISH RACE

This war is a war of liberation, and its battle-cry is the rights and liberties of humanity. From the very beginning of the conflict my colleagues of the Irish Party, and I myself, have availed of every opportunity in Parliament, on the platform, and in the Press, to present this view of it to the Irish race at home and abroad; and despite the tragic mistakes made in regard to Ireland by the successive Governments which have held office since war broke out, we are still unshaken in our opinion that Ireland's highest interests lie in the speedy and overwhelming victory of England and the Allies.

The response of the Irish race the world over to our appeal to rise in defence of civilisation and freedom has been really wonderful. The example was set by Ireland herself.

At the outbreak of the war I asked the Irish people, and especially the young men of Ireland, to mark the profound change which has been brought about in the relations of Ireland to the Empire by wholeheartedly supporting the Allies in the field. I pointed out that at long last, after centuries of misunderstanding, the democracy of Great Britain had finally and irrevocably decided to trust Ireland with self-government; and I called upon Ireland to prove that this concession of liberty would have the same effect in our country as it has had in every other portion of the Empire, and that henceforth Ireland would be a strength instead of a weakness. I further pointed out that the war was provoked by the intolerable military despotism of Germany, that it was a war in defence of small nationalities, and that Ireland would be false to her own history and traditions, as well as to honour, good faith and self-interest, if she did not respond to my appeal.

The answer to that appeal is one of the most astonishing facts in history. At the moment, fraught with the most terrible consequences to the whole Empire, this Kingdom found for the first time in the history of the relations between Great Britain and Ireland that the Irish Nationalist members, representing the overwhelming mass of the people of Ireland, were enabled to declare themselves upon the side of England. They did that with their eyes open. They knew the difficulties in the way. They knewnone so wellthe distrust and suspicion of British good faith which had been, in the past, universal almost in Ireland. They recognised that the boon of self-government had not been finally granted to their country. They knew the traditional hostility which existed in many parts of Ireland to recruiting for the British Army. Facing all these things, and all the risks that they entailed, they told Ireland and her sons abroad that it was their duty to rally to the support of the Allies in a war which was in defence of the principles of freedom and civilisation. We succeeded far better than we had anticipated, or hoped at the commencement. This is a notorious fact. There is genuine enthusiasm in Ireland on the side of the Allies. Addressing great popular gatherings in every province in Ireland in support of the Allies, I called for a distinctively Irish army, composed of Irishmen, led by Irishmen and trained at home in Ireland. With profound gratitude I acknowledge the magnificent response the country has made. For the first time in the history of the Wars of England there is a huge Irish army in the field. The achievements of that Irish army have covered Ireland with glory before the world, and have thrilled our hearts with pride. North and South have vied with each other in springing to arms, and, please God, the sacrifices they have made side by side on the field of battle will form the surest bond of a united Irish nation in the future.

From Ireland, according to the latest official figures, 173,772 Irishmen are serving in the Navy and Army, representing all classes and creeds amongst our people. Careful inquiries made through the churches in the north of England and Scotland and from other sources, show that, in addition, at least 150,000 sons of the Irish race, most of them born in Ireland, have joined the Colours in Great Britain. It is a pathetic circumstance that these Irishmen in non-Irish regiments are almost forgotten, except when their names appear in the casualty lists. Some of the Irish papers have, for a considerable time past, been publishing special lists of killed and wounded under the heading, "Irish Casualties in British Regiments." One of these daily lists, taken quite haphazard, and published on November 1, 1916, contains 225 names, all distinctively IrishO'Briens, O'Hanlons, Donovans, etc. These men were scattered amongst the following non-Irish regiments

Grenadier Guards.

Coldstream Guards.

Scots Guards.

Welsh Guards.

Royal Field Artillery.

Royal Engineers.

Royal Scots Fusiliers.

The Black Watch.

Northumberland Fusiliers.

Yorkshire Regiment.

East Yorks Regiment.

Dorsetshire Regiment.

Cheshire Regiment.

York and Lancaster Regiment.

Lancashire Fusiliers.

King's Royal Rifles.

London Regiment.

Manchester Regiment.

King's Liverpool Regiment.

Loyal North Lancashire Regiment.

Royal Warwickshire Regiment.

Highland Light Infantry.

Leicestershire Regiment.

Worcestershire Regiment.

Sherwood Foresters.

King's Own Yorks Light Infantry.

Border Regiment.

Durham Light Infantry.

Notts. & Derby Regiment.

Machine Gun Corps.

Army Service Corps.

Army Cyclist Corps.

As showing the extent to which Scottish regiments at the Front are made up of Irishmen, one newspaper quotes four hundred names from the casualty lists issued on four successive days one week. All the names are Irish, all the addresses are Scotch, and in only about twenty cases were the men enrolled in Irish regiments, all the others being attached to Scottish regiments. These sad records show the many thousands of Irishmen serving in non-Irish regiments who are never taken into account to the credit of Ireland, in estimating the part she is playing in this war, until they come to light in the casualty lists.

In addition to these voluntary contributions of Ireland and her sons in Great Britain to the British Army, I am informed on the highest authority that from twenty to twenty-five per cent of all the troops from the oversea Dominions are men of Irish blood. General Botha sent me this cablegram from South Africa: "I entirely endorse your view that this victory"he is referring to his great defeat of the Germans in their colonies"is the fruit of the policy of liberty and the recognition of national rights in this part of the Empire." General Botha had enormous difficulties to face, serious racial animosity, and bitter national memories. Does any fair-minded man think that General Botha could have overcome those difficulties as he did if the war had broken out just after the recognition of those national rights to which he referred and before they had come into operation? The national rights of Ireland are recognised, but they have not yet come into operation. Yet it is true to say that the overwhelming sentiment of the Irish people is with the Empire for the first time. That fact is of incalculable value. Its influence has spread to every corner of the Empire. If the sentiment of the Irish people at home had not been with England in this war, the depressing and benumbing effect would have been felt everywhere in the self-governing Dominions. Ireland herself has made a splendid response, and the result has been that a wave of enthusiasm has stirred the hearts of men of Irish blood throughout the Empire. I received a New Year's card from the commanding officer and the other officers of a regiment raised in Vancouver, commanded by Irishmen and composed of Irishmen. They call themselves "The Vancouver Irish Fusiliers." Then, not long since, in Cape Town, green flags were presented by General Botha's wifea member of the historic Emmet familyto an Irish regiment raised there. These facts constitute a striking result of the action we felt it our duty to take to bring feeling in Ireland in regard to the war into line with that of the rest of the Empire. Then there is that remarkable Irish battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force, the Irish Canadian Rangers, which is composed of Irish Catholics and Irish Protestants in equal numbers, commanded by officers more than half of whom are Catholics and having a Catholic chaplain and a Protestant chaplain. This battalion, unique among the fighting units raised at home or abroad during the war, and a magnificent body of men, made a tour through the ancient motherland of their race in January 1917 (on their way to the Front), and received in Dublin, Belfast, Cork and Limerick the most enthusiastic popular welcomes.

Ireland is very proud of these sons of the Irish race who, in every part of the Empire, have followed the lead which she herself has given in rallying to the cause with which she has always sympathised and has always supportedthe cause of right against might. The Irish race is represented in this war by at least half a million of men who have voluntarily joined the Colours. How gallantly they have fought this book, in part, relates. In his first series of The Irish at the Front Mr. MacDonagh deals with the achievements of the Irish Guards and the Regular Irish regiments of the Line in Flanders and France in the earlier years of the war; the landing of the Munsters and Dublins of the immortal 29th Division at Beach V, Gallipoli; and the fighting of the 10th (Irish) Division of the New Armies at Suvla Bay. The story of these glorious deeds sent a wave of emotion through the land. The King, addressing a battalion of the Irish Guards on St. Patrick's Day, 1916, said

"On St. Patrick's Day, when Irishmen the world over unite to celebrate the memory of their Patron Saint, it gives me great pleasure to inspect the reserve battalion of my Irish Guards, and to testify my appreciation of the services rendered by the regiment in this war.... I gratefully remember the heroic endurance of the 1st Battalion in the arduous retreat from Mons, again at Ypres on the critical November 1st, when, as Lord Cavan, your Brigadier, wrote, those who were left showed the enemy that Irish Guards must be reckoned with, however hard hit. After twenty-eight days of incessant fighting against heavy odds, the battalion came out of the line less than a company strong, with only four officersa glorious tribute to Irish loyalty and endurance.... In conferring the Victoria Cross on Lance-Corporal, now Lieutenant, Michael O'Leary, the first Irish Guardsman to win this coveted distinction, I was proud to honour a deed that, in its fearless contempt of death, illustrates the spirit of my Irish Guards. At Loos the 2nd Battalion received its baptism of fire and confirmed the high reputation already won by the 1st Battalion."

The Daily Telegraph (London), writing on March 18, 1916, said

"There is one key to the soul of Irelandthe word 'freedom.' It was realised instantly that this was no dynastic war on the part of the Allies, no struggle for material ends, but a life and death conflict for liberty of thought and action. Once the issue was exposed, Irishmen, with all the white heat which injustice inspires in their breasts, threw themselves into the battle. The enemy has since felt Irish steel and fallen under Irish bullets. Whatever the future may have in store, the British people will never forget the generous blood of the sister nation, which has been shed on so many hard-fought battlefields since the world-war began."

In this, the second series of The Irish at the Front, the thrilling story is continued. The Irish troops dealt with are all of the New Armiesthe Ulster Division, the Irish Division and the Tyneside Irish Brigade. I am as proud of the Ulster regiments as I am of the Nationalist regiments. I do not want to boast of their valour. We Irishmen are inclined to take it as a matter of course. These Irish regiments, Unionist and Nationalist, merely keep up the tradition of our race. But I say that Lord Kitchener's words remain truethe words that he wrote to the Viceregal Recruiting Conference in Dublin in 1915, when he said that in the matter of recruiting, "Ireland's performance has been magnificent." Let me ask any fair-minded man this question: If five years ago any one had predicted that in a great war in which the Empire was engaged 173,772 men would have been raised from Ireland, and that there would be more than half a million Irishmen with the Colours, would he not have been looked upon as a lunatic? It is the free offering of Ireland. Surely it must be regarded as a proud and astonishing record!

J.E. Redmond.

PREFACE ToC

This narrative is concerned chiefly with the three distinctively Irish units of the New Armies engaged on the Western Frontthe Ulster Division, the Irish Division (representative of the south and west), and the "Tyneside Irish," in which Irishmen living in the north of England enlisted. It also deals incidentally with the Irish Regular regiments of the Line, and with that numerous body of Irishmen serving in English, Scottish and Welsh battalions and in the Anzacs and Canadians.

The first series of The Irish at the Front covers, first, the fighting of the Irish regiments of the Regular Army in France, Flanders and the Dardanelles during the early stages of the war; and, secondly, the operations of the 10th (Irish) Divisioncomposed entirely of "Kitchener's men"against the Turks at Gallipoli. The latter, an exceptionally fine body of young Irishmen, gallantly fought and fellas the story disclosesin that expedition, so ill-fated and yet so romantic, though they had never handled a rifle or done a day's drill before the war. In this series we see Irishmen of the same type matched against the Germans in France. As we know, Germany confidently expected that such levies, hastily raised and insufficiently trained, would break in pieces at the first encounter with her seasoned troops. But it was the formidable German lines that were broken, and they were broken by these very raw levies at the bayonet's point.

For the telling of the Irish part in the story of the Somme I am much indebted to the assistance given by officers and men of the Irish battalions engaged in that mighty battle. But the Irish soldiers are not only "splendid fighting material"a rather non-human phrase now much in vogue, as if the only thing that matters in warfare is the physical capacity of manthey have souls and minds and hearts, as well as strong right hands, and of these also something is said in this book.

Michael MacDonagh.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER I

IN THE TRENCHES WITH THE CONNAUGHT RANGERS ToC

SCENES COMIC AND TRAGIC

"The men are as anxious for the road, sir, as if 'twere to Galway races they were going, no less, or to Ballinasloe Fair," said the company sergeant-major to the captain. Those referred to belonged to a battalion of the Connaught Rangers ordered to the firing-trenches for the first time. "The real thing at last;" "The genuine McCoy, and no mistake," they said to one another as, in preparation for the march, they hurriedly packed their things in the barns and cow-sheds that served as billets, and, to provide further vent for their jubilation, danced Irish jigs and reels and sang national songs.

These Irishmen had read a lot about the fighting, and had heard a great deal more, but they felt that print and talk, however graphic and copious, left many strange things to be disclosed by the actual experience. Some of them would "get the beck"the call from Deathbut what matter? Were not soldiers who died in action to be envied, rather than pitied, by those who found themselves alive when the war was over, and had not been to the mysterious Front at all? So they thought and said, and now that they were on the road there was a look of proud elation on their faces, as though they had been singled out by special [12]favour for a grand adventure. They did not regard themselves in the least as heroes, these entirely unsophisticated men, without a trace of self-consciousness. They had volunteered for service in the belief that Ireland would be false to her historical self if she did not take part in this war for freedom, democracy and humanity. But now there was nothing in their minds about revenging the wrongs of Belgium, or driving the invader from the soil of France, or even of saving the British Empire. It was the fight that was the thing. It was the chance of having a smack at "the Gerrys"as the enemy is called by the Irish soldiersthat they prized. More exalted feelings would come again when the battle was over and won. Then, and not till then, as they return with many gaps in their ranks, do Irish troops see themselves as an army of redemption and deliverance; and the only land they think of having saved is Ireland. To them Ireland personifies all the great causes of the war, and a blow struck for these causes, no matter where, is a blow struck for her.

By the light of many stars sparkling in the sky that dark October night the men could see signs that battles had been fought in the country they were traversing. It was a devastated bare expanse, stretching for miles and miles, very muddy and broken up with shell holes. Roads had been made across it, and along one of these the battalion went in the wake of the guides with swinging lanterns. The men were fully loaded. In addition to his fighting equipment, almost every one carried something extra, such as a pick or shovel, a bag of rations, or a bundle of fire-wood. The company officers also had heavy packs strapped on their shoulders. Great good-humour prevailed. Whenever, at awkward turns of the road, or at very dark points, progress was interrupted, those in front would shout some preposterous explanation [13]of the delay to their comrades behind. "Begonnies, boys, we're taking tickets here for Galway. Word has come down that the war is over," cried one joker. Deep groans of pretended dismay and disappointment rose from the rear ranks. "And poor me, without a German helmet, or even a black eye, to show that I was in it," was one of the responses.

When the open plain was quitted the battalion disappeared into a trench like a narrow country lane winding between high banks. It was much darker in these deeps than it had been outside. The gloom was broken occasionally by the light of lanterns carried by sentinels, or electric torches at junctions where several trenches crossed. Soon the trench became narrower and more tortuous. It also became more soaked with rain. Pools of water were frequently encountered. The battalion was now a floundering, staggering, overloaded and perspiring closely packed mass of men, walking in couples or in single file and treading on each other's heels.

The mishaps arising from this crowded scramble in the dark through mud and mire, between banks of unsupported crumbling earth, did not exhaust the Irish cheerfulness of the battalion. There was laughter when a man got a crack on the skull from a rifle which a comrade carried swung across his shoulder. There was louder laughter still when another, stooping to pick up something he had dropped, was bumped into from behind and sent sprawling. So sucking and tenacious was the mud that frequently each dragging footstep called for quite a physical effort, and a man was thankful that he did not have to leave a boot behind. "Ah, sure this is nothin' to the bog away in Connemara, where I often sunk up to me neck when crossing it to cut turf," was the comfort imparted in a soft brogue. "True for you, Tim," remarked another. "It's an ould sayin' [14]and a true one that there's nothin' so bad but it could be worse."

The trench certainly proved the truth of the saying. Bad as it had been, it sank to a still lower degree of slush. There were deep holes filled with water into which the men went with an abrupt plunge and passed through with much splashing. Just ahead of one of these particularly treacherous points singing was heard. The chorus was taken up by many voices, and its last line was rapped out with hearty boisterousness

"Out and make way for the bould Fenian Men."



This joyous noise heralded the appearance of a party of the Dublin Fusiliers, belonging to the same Division, who were coming down the trench. By the light of lanterns and lamps it was seen that they had taken off their trousers and socks and, holding up their shirts, were wading in their boots blithely through the pools, like girls in bare legs and lifted petticoats paddling at the seaside.

The Connaught men laughed hilariously. "Sure the Dublin jackeens have never been beaten yet for cuteness," they cried. "They stripped to their pelts so as they wouldn't get the 'fluensy by means of their wet clothes. And, faix, 'twould be the greatest pity in the world anything would ail stout and hearty boys like them." As they spoke, the men of the west lay close against the embankments to let the men of the east go by. But weren't the Dublins in the divil of a hurry back to billets? the Rangers went on to remark. And why not? answered the Dublins. Sure if they'd only sniff with their noses they would smell the roast beef and the steaming punch that were being got ready for them by special orders of Field-Marshal Haig for the great things they did away [15]up in the firing-line. "Lucky boys!" shouted the Rangers, responding to the joke. "And tell us now, have ye left us a Gerry at all alive to get a pelt at, and we new at the game?" A Dublin man gave the reply as he went past. "To tell ye the truth, except there's a raid, there isn't much divarshion in the way of fighting; but every man of ye will have his full and plenty of mud and water before he's much oulder." "Well, there's nothing in that to yowl about." "Maybe not, if you can swim." The trench resounded with laughter at the exchange of banter. But for fear any of the Rangers might take some of the talk as half a joke and whole earnest, a kind-hearted sergeant of the Dublins, wishful to say the cheery word, called out, "Don't mind them playboys; there's no more water and mud in it than is natural in such wet weather as we're getting."

The Rangers reached their destination just as the day was dawning in a cold drizzle from a grey, lowering sky. They were all plastered with yellowish mud. Mud was on their hands, on their faces, in their hair, down their backs; and the barrels of their rifles were choked with mud. For the next four days and nights of duty in the trenches they were to be lapped about with mud. War was to be for them a mixture of mud and high explosives. Of the two mud was the ugliest and most hateful. Soon they would come to think that there was hardly anything left in the world but mud; and from that they would advance to a state of mind in which they doubted whether there ever had been a time in their existence when they were free from mud. But through it all this battalion, like the others in the Division, preserved their good-humour. They are known, in fact, as "The Light-Hearted Brigade." Every difficulty was met with a will to overcome it, tempered with a joke and a laugh. No matter how encrusted with [16]filth their bodies might be, their souls were always above contamination.

Men off duty at night slept in shelter pits dug deep into the soil by the side of the trenches. It was overcrowded in stark violation of all the sanitary by-laws relating to ventilation in civil life. No time was wasted in undressing. The men lay down fully clad in their mud-crusted clothes, even to their boots, wrapped round in blankets. During the night they were awakened by a loud explosion. "All right, boys; don't stir," cried the sergeant. "It's only one of those chape German alarum clocks going off at the wrong time. Get off to sleep again, me heroes." In the morning more time was saved by getting up fully dressed, and not having to wash or to shave, so as to spare the water. A private, looking round the dug-out and noticing the absence of windows, remarked, "Faix, those of us who are glaziers and window-cleaners will find it hard to make a living in this country."

As the battalion was new to the trenches, another Irish battalion of more experience shared with them the holding of this particular line. To a group of lads gathered about a brazier of glowing coke in a sheltered traverse an old sergeant that had seen service in the Regular Army was giving what, no doubt, he thought was sound and valuable advice, but which was at times of a quality calculated more to disturb, perhaps, than to reassure.

"Bullets are nothin' at all," said he. "I wouldn't give you a snap of me fingers for them. Listen to them now, flyin' about and whinin' and whimperin' as if they wor lost, stolen or strayed, and wor lookin' for a billet to rest in. They differ greatly, do these bullets; but sure in time you'll larn them all by sound and be able to tell the humour each one of them is in. There's only one kind of bullet, boys, that you'll [17]never hear; and that is the one which gives you such a pelt as to send you home to Ireland or to kingdom come. But," he continued, "what'll put the fear of God into your sowls, if it isn't there already, is the heavy metal which the Gerrys pitch across to us in exchange for ours. The first time I was up here I was beside a man whose teeth went chatterin' in a way that put me in fear of me life. Sure, didn't I think for a minute it was a Gerry machine-gunmay the divil cripple them!startin' its bloody work at me ear. Now, there must be none of that in this trench. If you're afraid, don't show it; remimber always that the Gerrys are in just as great a fright, if not more so. Show your spunk. Stand fast or sit tight, and hope for the best. Above all, clinch your teeth."

The bombardment of a trench by shells from guns in the rear of the enemy's lines, or by bombs thrown from mortars close at hand, is probably the greatest test of endurance that has ever been set to humanity. The devastating effect is terrific. At each explosion men may be blown to pieces or buried alive. Even the concussion often kills. A man might escape being hit by the flying projectiles and yet be blinded or made deaf or deprived of his speech by the shock. All feel as if their insides had collapsed. The suspense of waiting for the next shell or bomb, the uncertainty as to where it is going to fall, followed by the shake which the detonation gives the nervous system, are enough to wear out the most stout-hearted of soldiers. It is then that companionship and discipline tell. The men catch from one another the won't-appear-frightened determination, and the spirit of won't-give-in.

Crash! A fierce gust of wind sweeps through the trench. Men are lifted from their feet and flung violently to the ground amid showers of earth and stones. There is a brief pause; and then is heard the most unexpected of soundsnot the moaning of [18]pain, but a burst of laughter! Four men of the battalion were playing "Forty-five," a card game beloved of Hibernians, seated under a piece of tarpaulin propped up on poles, as much at their ease as if they lay under a hedge on a Sunday evening in summer at home in Ireland, with only the priest to fear, and he known to be on a sick call at the other side of the parish. The bomb came at the most inopportune moment, just as the fall of the trick was about to be decided. When the card party recovered their senses, the man who held the winning card was found to be wounded. "'Twas the Gerryssweet bad luck to them!that jinked the game that time, boys," he exclaimed. His companions, standing round him, burst into laughter at the remark.

Merriment is not uncommon as the shells are bursting. The spectacle of four or five men hurriedly tumbling for shelter into the same "funk hole," a wild whirl of arms and legs, has its absurd side and never fails to excite amusement. The way in which men disentangle themselves from the ruins caused by the explosion is often also grotesque. Racy oddities of character are revealed. One man was buried in the loose earth. His comrades hastened to rescue him, and to cheer him up told him he would be got out next to no time, for Tim Maloney, the biggest as well as the fastest digger in the company was engaged on the job. "I feel that right well," cried the victim, as he spluttered the mud from his mouth. "But I've enough on top of me without him! Pull me out of this from under his feet." There was an explosion close to a man at work repairing the trench. The man was overheard saying to himself, as he turned his back disdainfully to the shell, "Oh, go to blazes, with yez."

But it is not all comedy and farce. How could it be with stern, black-visaged Death always watching [19]with wolfish eyes to see men die? Fate plays unimaginable tricks with its victims. A bullet stops many a casual conversation for ever. "Look at this!" cries a man, holding up his cap for a comrade to see the bullet-hole that had just been made through it. "A close shave," he adds; "but what matter? Isn't a miss as good as a mile?" And, as he was putting the cap on again, he fell a corpse to a surer bullet. There he lay, just a bundle of muddy khaki; and a dozing comrade, upon whom he dropped, elbowed him aside, saying impatiently, "Get out of that, with yer andrew-martins" (jokes and tricks); "can't you let a poor divil get a wink of sleep?" Tragedy takes on, at times, queer, fantastic shapes. A man has his right arm blown off close to the shoulder. He picks the limb up with his left hand, shouting, "My arm! my arm! Oh, holy mother of God, where's my arm?" In raging agony he rushes shrieking down the trench carrying the limb with him until he encounters his company officer. "Oh, captain, darlin'," he cries. "Look what the Gerrys have done to me! May God's curse light upon them and theirs for ever! An' now I'll never shoulder a rifle for poor ould Ireland any more."

The night, and only the night, has terrors for the Irish soldiers, especially those from the misty mountains and remote seaboard of the west and south. In the daylight they are merry and prolific of jest. Strongly gregarious by instinct, they delight in companionship. They are sustained and upheld by the excitement of battle's uproar. They will face any danger in the broad daylight. But they hate to be alone in the dark anywhere, and are afraid to pass at night even a graveyard in which their own beloved kith and kin lie peacefully at rest for ever. They feel "lonesome and queer" as they would say themselves.

[20]So it is that when by himself at a listening post in a shell hole in No Man's Land, lapped about with intense blackness, peering and hearkening, the superstitious soul of the Irish soldier seems to conjure up all the departed spectral bogies and terrors of the Dark Ages. He is ready to cry out like Ajax, the Greek warrior, in "Homer," "Give us but light, O Jove; and in the light, if thou seest fit, destroy us."

Even a Cockney soldier, lacking as he is in any subtle sympathy with the emotional and immaterial sides of life, confesses that it gives him the creeps proper to be out there in the open jaws of darkness, away from his mates and almost right under the nose of old Boche. An Irish soldier will admit that on this duty he does have a genuine feeling of terror. Crouching in the soft, yielding earth, he imagines he is in the grave, watching and waiting he knows not for what. Everything is indefinite and uncertain. There is a vague presentiment that some unknown but awful evil is impending. Perhaps a thousand hostile German eyes are staring at him through the darkness along rifle barrels; or, more horrible still, perhaps a thousand invisible devils are on the prowl to drag his soul to hell. The supernatural powers are the only forces the Irish soldier fears.

The senses of the sentry are so abnormally alert that if grass were growing near him he had only to put his ear to the ground to hear the stirring of the sap. But though he listens intently, not a sound comes out of the blackness. He regards the profound stillness as confirmation of his worst fears. All is silence in the trench behind him, where his comrades ought to be. He would welcome the relief of voices and the sound of feet in the enemy's lines. But the Gerrys give no sign of life. Is he alone in the whole wide world, the solitary survivor of this terrible war? What would he not part with to be able to get up and [21]run! But he is fixed to his post by a sense of duty, just as strong as if he were chained there by iron bands. To cry out would afford immense relief to his overwrought feelings. But his tongue seems paralysed in his mouth. Then he bethinks him of his prayers. From his inside tunic pocket he takes out his beadswhich his mother gave him at parting and made him promise faithfully always to carry about his personand, making the sign of the cross, he is soon absorbed in the saying of the Rosary. Resignation and fortitude came to his aid. The invisible evil agencies by which he had really been encompassedloneliness, anxiety, melancholyare dispelled.

Scouting is the night work that appeals most to the Irish soldiers. There is in it the excitement of movement, the element of adventure and the support of companionship, too, for four, five or six go out together. Oh, the fearful joy of crawling on one's stomach across the intervening ground, seeking for a passage through the enemy's wire entanglements or wriggling under it, taking a peep over their parapets, dropping down into a sparsely occupied part of the trench, braining the sentry and returning with rifle and cap as trophies! This is one of the most perilous forms of the harassing tactics of war, and for its success uncommon pluck and resource are required. Yet, like everything else at the Front, it often has an absurd side. A Connaught Ranger, back from such an expedition, related that, hearing the Gerrys talking, he called out, "How many of ye are there?" To his surprise he got an answer in English: "Four." Then, throwing in a bomb, he said, "Divide that between ye, an' be damned to ye." "Faix, 'twas the bomb that divided them," he added, "for didn't they come out of the trench after me in smithereens." Another party returned from a raid with tears streaming down their cheeks. "Is it bad [22]news ye bring, crying in that way?" they were asked. No! they hadn't bad news; nor were they crying. If it was crying they were, wouldn't they be roaring and bawling? and there wasn't a sound out of them for any one to hear. Only asses could say such a thing as that. 'Twas they that looked like silly asses, they were told, with the tears pouring out of their eyes like the Powerscourt waterfall. What the mischief was the matter with them, anyway? Well, then, if any one cared to know, was the reply, 'twas the Gerrys that treated them to a whiff of lachrymose gas!

The fatigue, the disgust, and the danger of life in the trenches are, at times, stronger than any other impulse, whether of the flesh or of the soul. "'Tis enough to drive one to the drink: a grand complaint when there's plenty of porter about," said a private; "but a terrible fate when there's only the water we're wading in, and that same full upthe Lord save us!of creeping and wriggling things." "True for you; it's the quare life, and no mistake," remarked another. "You do things and get praise for them, such as smashing a fellow's skull, or putting a bullet through him, which if you were to do at home you'd be soon on the run, with a hue and cry and all the police of the country at your heels."

Back in billets again, for a wash and a shave and a brush up, and lying in their straw beds in the barns, the Rangers would thus philosophise on their life. The bestial side of itthe terrible overcrowding of the men, the muck, the vermin, the gobbling of food with filthy hands, the stench of corrupting bodies lying in the open, or insufficiently buried, and, along with all that, its terror, agony and tragedy are, indeed, utterly repellent to human nature. Still, there was general agreement that they had never spent a week of such strange and exquisite experiences. Fear there was at [23]times, but it seemed rather to keep up a state of pleasurable emotion than to generate anguish and distress. Certainly most Connaught Rangers will swear that life in the trenches has at least three thrilling and exalting moments. One is when the tot of rum is served round. Another is the first faint appearance of light in the sky behind the enemy's lines, proclaiming that the night is far spent and the day is at hand. The third is the call to "stand to," telling that a visit from the Gerrys is expected, when the men cease to be navvies and become soldiers againthrowing aside the hateful pick and shovel and taking up the beloved rifle and bayonet.

CHAPTER II ToC

EXPLOITS OF THE ULSTER DIVISION

BELFAST'S TRIBUTE TO THE DEAD

"I am not an Ulsterman, but as I followed the amazing attack of the Ulster Division on July 1, I felt that I would rather be an Ulsterman than anything else in the world. With shouts of 'Remember the Boyne' and 'No Surrender, boys,' they threw themselves at the Germans, and before they could be restrained had penetrated to the enemy fifth line. The attack was one of the greatest revelations of human courage and endurance known in history."A British officer on the exploits of the Ulster Division, July 1, 1916.

One of the most striking and impressive tributes ever paid to the heroic dead was that of Belfast on the 12th of July, 1916, in memory of the men of the Ulster Division who fell on the opening day of that month in the great British offensive on the Somme. For five minutes following the hour of noon all work and movement, business and household, were entirely suspended. In the flax mills, the linen factories, the ship yards, the munition workshops, men and women paused in their labours. All machinery was stopped, and the huge hammers became silent. In shop and office business ceased; at home the housewife interrupted her round of duties; in the streets traffic was brought to a halt, on the local railways the running trains pulled up. The whole population stood still, and in deep silence, with bowed heads but with uplifted hearts, turned their thoughts to the valleys and [25]slopes of Picardy, where on July 1 the young men of Ulster, the pride and flower of the province, gave their lives for the preservation of the British Empire, the existence of separate and independent States, and the rule of law and justice in their international relations.

"The Twelfth" is the great festival of Belfast. On that day is celebrated the Williamite victories of the Boyne, July 1, and Aughrim, July 12, 1690, in which the cause of the Stuarts went down for ever. It is kept as a general holiday of rejoicing and merrymaking. The members of the Orange lodges turn out with their dazzling banners and their no less gorgeous yellow, crimson and blue regalia; and the streets resound with the lilt of fifes, the piercing notes of cornets, the boom and rattle of many drums, the tramp of marching feet and the cheers of innumerable spectators. There was no such demonstration on July 12, 1916. For the first time in the history of the Orange Institution the observance of the anniversary was voluntarily abandoned, so that there might be no stoppage of war work in the ship yards and munition factories. But at the happy suggestion of the Lord Mayor (Sir Crawford McCullagh), five minutes of the day were given reverently to lofty sorrow for the dead, who, by adding "The Ancre," "Beaumont Hamel" and "Thiepval Wood" to "Derry," "Enniskillen," "The Boyne" and "Aughrim" on the banners of Ulster, have given a new meaning and glory to the celebration of "The Twelfth" in which all Ireland can share. Major-General O.S.W. Nugent, D.S.O., commanding the Ulster Division, in a special Order of the Day, issued after the advance, wrote

"Nothing finer has been done in the War. "The Division has been highly tried and has emerged from the ordeal with unstained honour, having fulfilled in every part the great expectations formed of it. "None but troops of the best quality could have faced the [26]fire which was brought to bear on them, and the losses suffered during the advance. "A magnificent example of sublime courage and discipline."

This glory was gained at a heavy cost. There was cause for bitter grief as well as the thrill of pride in Ulster. Nothing has brought home more poignantly to the inhabitants of a small area of the kingdom the grim sacrifices and the unutterable pathos of the war than the many pages of names and addresses of the dead and woundedrelatives, friends and acquaintanceswhich appeared in the Belfast newspapers for days before "The Twelfth" and after. So blinds were drawn in business and private houses; flags were flown at half-mast; and bells were mournfully tolling for Ulster's irremediable losses when, at the stroke of twelve o'clock, traffic came instantaneously to a standstill, and for five minutes the citizens solemnly stood with bared heads in the teeming rain thinking of the gallant dead, the darkened homes and the inconsolable mothers and wives.

The Ulster Division possesses an individuality all its own. It has no like or equal among the units of the British Army on account of its family character; the close and intimate blood relationship of its members; its singleness of purpose; the common appeal of racial, political and religious ideals that binds it together by stronger links than steel. The United Kingdom, as a whole, may be said to have been totally unready when war broke out. But it happened that one small section of this industrial and peace-loving community was prepared, to some extent, for the mighty emergency. That was Ulster. It was immersed in business at the time, just as much as Manchester or Sheffield, and in making money out of its flourishing prosperity. But, unlike those English industrial centres, Ulster had in its history and traditions an influence which bred a combative disposition, [27]and ever kept burning a martial flame, even in its marts and workshops. The community was convinced that in defence of all they hold dearest in religious beliefs and political principles they might have some day, not, as in England when opinions are at stake, to flock to the polling stations at a General Election, but take to the field and fight. The very pick of the manhood of the province joined the Ulster Volunteer Force, and armed and trained themselves as soldiers. So it was that in the years immediately preceding the war it seemed almost certain they would have to follow the example of their forefathers centuries before and raise the Orange flag at Enniskillen and Derry. Then came the challenge of Germany to British ideals. The aim and purpose of the Ulster Volunteer Force remained the same, as the members conceived it, but it was turned into a wholly unexpected channel. By an astounding transformation of events they were to bleed and give their lives for all they revere and cherish, not in Ulster but on the hills and in the woods of Picardy.

The Ulster Division is entirely Protestant and Unionist; or was, until it was decimated on the Somme. It was formed out of the men who had previously bound themselves together by a solemn covenant, signed on "Ulster Day," Saturday, September 28, 1912, to stand by one another in defending, for themselves and their children, their cherished civil and religious heritage, should Home Rule be established. Thus the Division is unparalleled for its kind since Cromwell's "Ironsides" in enlisting stern religious fervour and political enthusiasm in a fighting phalanx. It consists of twelve battalions forming three brigades. It is wholly Irish. Nine of the battalions have the regimental title of Royal Irish Rifles. The other battalions have the titles of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers and the Royal Irish Fusiliers, [28]the two other regiments of the Line associated with Ulster. The battalions have also territorial classifications denoting their origin from the Ulster Volunteer Force, such as "North Belfast Volunteers"; "East Belfast Volunteers"; "Young Citizen Volunteers"; "South Belfast Volunteers"; "West Belfast Volunteers"; "South Antrim Volunteers"; "Down Volunteers"; "County Armagh Volunteers"; "Central Antrim Volunteers"; "Tyrone Volunteers"; "Donegal and Fermanagh Volunteers"; "Derry Volunteers." It has its own Engineers, Army Service Corps, Army Medical Corps and a complete Ambulance equipment. There are also reserve battalions. In the pleasant surroundings of the Botanic Gardens, Belfast, a splendid hospital was established for the care of the wounded, and the provision of artificial limbs to those who might need them; and as evidence of the characteristic thoroughness with which everything was attended to, a fund has been raised to assist members of the Division who may be left maimed and broken in health, and to support the dependents of the fallen, outside any aid that may be derived from the State. The Commander, Major-General Nugent, is a county Cavan man, a Deputy Lieutenant for the county, and a kinsman of the Earl of Westmeath. He served in the King's Royal Rifles for seventeen years, and was wounded in both the Chitral and South African campaigns.

The Division completed its training at Seaford, in Sussex. On visiting the district I was amused to find that the advent of "the wild Irish" had been anticipated by the inhabitants with much misgiving. They were apprehensive of their ancient peace being disturbed by the hilarity and commotion that spring from high and undisciplined spirits. What did happen agreeably surprised the Sussex folk. The Ulstermen quickly earned the esteem of every one for [29]their affable qualities and good-humour. What was particularly remarkable was that they were found to be most pliant and tractablequalities which, by common tradition, are supposed not to be looked for in any body of Irishmen; and as for their moral behaviour, what was more astonishing still was that the church or the chapel was to them infinitely more attractive than the inn.

So the Division prepared themselves for taking the field against the enemy. They were reviewed by the King shortly before leaving for the Front. "Your prompt patriotic answer to the nation's call to arms will never be forgotten," said his Majesty. "The keen exertions of all ranks during the period of training have brought you to a state of efficiency not unworthy of any Regular Army. I am confident that in the field you will nobly uphold the traditions of the fine regiments whose names you bear. Ever since your enrolment I have closely watched the growth and steady progress of all units. I shall continue to follow with interest the fortunes of your Division. In bidding you farewell I pray God may bless you in all your undertakings." In the autumn of 1915 they went to France, determined to uphold the highest traditions of the fighting qualities of the Irish race, and burning for a chance of distinction.

During the winter months of 1915-16 the Division took its turns in the firing-line. Every battalion experienced the hardships and dangers of the front trenches, when the weather was at its worst for chills, bronchitis, pneumonia and frost-bite, and when the Germans were most active at sniping and bombarding. Names of men in the Division began to appear in the lists of casualties within ten days of the landing in France. The battalions passed through these preliminary stages with courage, endurance and splendid determination. They quickly earned a fine reputation [30]among the highest military commanders for such soldierly qualities as willingness and cheerfulness in doing any sort of work, however unpleasant, that fell to them in the trenches, and their coolness and alertness on such dangerous missions as going out at night to the listening posts in No Man's Land and repairing the wire entanglements. Eager to snatch their share of peril and glory, they were also among the foremost in volunteering for such wild adventures as bombing raids on the German trenches under cover of darkness. One such daring exploit by the Tyrone Volunteers was the subject of a special order of the day issued by Major-General Nugent, commanding the Division. It was as follows

"A raid on the German trenches was carried out at midnight on  by the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. The raiding party consisted of Major W.J. Peacocke, Captain J. Weir, Lieutenant W.S. Furness, Second-lieutenant L.W.H. Stevenson, Second-Lieutenant R.W. M'Kinley, Second-Lieutenant J. Taylor, and eighty-four other ranks. The raid was completely successful, and was carried out exactly as planned. Six German dugouts, in which it is certain there were a considerable number of men, were thoroughly bombed, and a machine-gun was blown up, while a lively bombing fight took place between the blocking detachments of the raiding party and the Germans. Having accomplished the purpose of the raid, the party was withdrawn, with the loss of one man killed and two wounded. The raid was ably organised by Major Peacocke, and was carried out by the officers and men of the party exactly in accordance with the plan, and the discipline and determination of the party was all that could be desired. The Divisional Commander desires that his congratulations should be extended to all who took part in it. "Brigadier-General Hickman, in a special brigade order, says the arrangements and plans reflect the greatest credit on Colonel A. St. Q. Ricardo, D.S.O., commanding the battalion, Major Peacocke, and the other officers concerned. The whole scheme was executed with great dash and determination, cool judgment and nerve."

[31]Such was the fame of the raid and its success that the Commander-in-Chief, Sir Douglas Haig, visited the battalion and personally congratulated them.

Dr. Crozier, Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of all Ireland, visited the Division in January 1916; and after a week spent with the battalions, brought home a deep impression of their spirit and devotion. "A more capable, energetic and cheerful body of men I have never come across," he writes. "I have seen them at rifle practice, bomb-throwing, route marching, road-mending, and in the trenches, and everywhere my experience was the sameofficers and men working in splendid harmony, and taking the keenest interest in any and every job they were given to do. One night I met a couple of hundred men coming back from eight days' weary work in water-logged trenches, and they were singing so lustily that I really thought at first they were coming from a concert. And yet the war is to them a terrible reality, and they have already experienced some of its horror. I could not help noticing that this has produced a deep sense of responsibility, and has intensified their belief in the reality of duty; and whether at Sunday services or at weekday informal addresses, there were no restless or inattentive men, but they seemed to welcome every word that spoke of God's presence and guidance in all life's difficulties and dangers."

CHAPTER III

ULSTERS' ATTACK ON THE SLOPES OF THIEPVAL ToC

"NOT A MAN TURNED TO COME BACK, NOT ONE"

The Division was put to the great test on July 1, 1916, the memorable day of the opening of the Battle of the Somme and the British attack in force to break through the German trenches in Picardy. It was a formidable task. The strength of the enemy positions was that they stood on high ground. That, also, was the reason of their importance. The table-land must be taken and held to permit of an advance in the stretch of open country spreading on the other side to the north. It was to be uphill work. So the battle became the greatest the world has ever known, so far, for its dimensions, the numbers engaged and the duration. The Ulstermen were in the left wing of the British lines, and the scene of their operations was, roughly, three miles of broken country, dips and swells, on each side of the river Ancre, between the village of Beaumont Hamel, nestling in a nook of the hill above the river, eastwards to the slopes of Thiepval, perched on a height about 500 feet, below the river, all within the German lines. The main body of the Division assembled in the shelter of a Thiepval wood. "Porcupine Wood" it was called by the men. The trees were so stripped of foliage and lopped into distorted shapes by enemy gun-fire that their bare [33]limbs stood up like quills of the fretful porcupine. At half-past seven in the morning the advance commenced. For ten days the British batteries had been continuously bombarding the whole German front. There was no sudden hush of the cannonade at the moment of the attack. For a minute there was a dramatic pause while the guns were being lifted a point higher so that they might drop their shells behind the enemy's first lines. Then the British infantry emerged from their trenches and advanced behind this furious and devastating curtain of fire and projectiles.

The morning was glorious and the prospect fine. The sun shone brightly in the most beautiful of skies, clear blue flecked with pure white clouds; and as the Ulstermen came out of the wood and ranged up in lines for the push forward, they saw, in the distant view, a sweet and pleasant upland country, the capture of which was the object of the attack. In the hollows the meadows were lush with grass, thick and glossy. There was tillage even, green crops of beetroot growing close to the ground, and tall yellowing corn, far behind the main German trenches. It was like a haunt of husbandry and peace. The only sound one would expect to hear from those harvest fields was that of the soothing reaping-machine garnering the wheat to make bread for the family board of a mother and a brood of young children. But no tiller of the soil was to be seen, near or far. The countryside to the horizon ridge was tenantless, until these tens of thousands of British soldiers suddenly came up out of the ground. Even in the Franco-Prussian War of 1870 the agriculturists of northern Francethen, as now, the zone of conflictremained in the homes and pursued their avocations. During the battle of Sedan, which sealed the fate of France, an extraordinary incident occurreda peasant was observed in one of [34]the valleys within the area of the fight calmly guiding the plough drawn by a big white horse. "Why should the man lose a day?" says Zola in The Downfall. "Corn would not cease growing, the human race would not cease living, because a few thousand men happened to be fighting." But war is waged differently now. It is spread along fronts hundreds of miles in extent and depth. Millions of men are engaged. They burrow underground and are armed with terrific engines of destruction. So it was that behind that green and pleasant land, bathed in sunshine, ferocity and death are skulking underground. Those elaborately interlacing white chalky lines over the face of the landscape mark the run of the German trenches. Each dip is a death-trap. The copses are barricaded with fallen timber and wired; the villages are citadels, the farmsteads are forts, the ridges of the two plateaux are each one succession of batteries. Swallows were darting to and fro hawking for flies for their young, and in the clear air soaring larks were singing to their mates brooding on their eggs in the grass, showing that Nature was still carrying on her eternal processes, but the husbandman had fled the deceiving scene, and the after-crops from his old sowings of corn and mustard were mixed with weeds in No Man's Land.

Things befell the Ulstermen, when they appeared in the open, which were things indeed. The fortunes of war varied along the British advance. A group of war correspondents on a height near the town of Albert, about midway in the line, noticed that while some of the British battalions were comparatively unmolested, the resistance of the enemy to the left or west was of the fiercest and most desperate character. The Germans seem to have expected the main assault at this part of the field of operations. Their guns and men were here most heavily massed. On the left of [35]the valley made by a curve of the river Ancre is a crest, in a crease of which lay on that July morning the village of Beaumont Hamel, or rather its site, for it had been blown almost out of existence by the British artillery fire. Under the villageas shown by explorations made after it fellwere a vast system of passages and cellars, in which whole battalions of Germans found shelter from the bombardment. On the right of the valley is the plateau of Thiepval. It was as strong a position as the consummate skill of German engineers and gunners could make it. On the sky line at the top of a ridge of the plateau were the ruins of the village of Thiepvalheaps of bricks and slates and timber that once were walls and roofs of housesencircled by blackened stumps of trees that once in the spring were all pink and white of the apple blossom. The ground sloping down to the valley, and the valley itself was a network of German trenchesmostly turned into a maze of upheaved earth-mounds by shell-firestudded with many machine-gun posts. The main part of the Ulster Division advanced across the valley that rose gently, with many undulations upwards, to the slopes on the western or left side of Thiepval. They had to take what were called the A, B and C lines of trenches. As will be seen, they pushed far beyond their objective.

Clouds of smoke had been liberated from the British lines to form a screen for the attackers. Into it the men disappeared as they marched, line after line, in extended order, over the intervening stretch of ground. But almost immediately they were all scourgedespecially the Ulster battalions on the extreme left moving towards Beaumont Hamelwith machine-gun fire poured at them from various points, to the continuous accompaniment of short, sharp, annihilating knocks. The bullets literally came like water from an immense hose with a perforated top. The streams [36]of lead crossed and re-crossed, sweeping the ranks about the ankles, at the waist; breast high, around their heads. Comrades were to be seen falling on all sides, right, left, front and rear. So searching was the fire that it was useless to seek cover, and advance in short rushes in between. So the lines kept undauntedly on their way, apparently not minding the bullets any more than if they were a driving and splashing shower of hail.

"Let her rip, ye divils!" shouted some of the Ulstermen in jocular defiance at the enemy and his machine-gun; "and," said an officer relating the story, "the Bosche let her rip all right." One of the wounded rank and file told me that in the advance he lost entire perception of the roar of the British guns which was so impressive as he lay with his comrades in the wood, though they still continued their thundering. Their terrible diapason of sound seemed to be lulled into absolute silence, so far as he was concerned, by the hollow, crepitating "tap-t-t-tap" of the German machine-guns; and the swish, swish, swish of the bullets, of all the noises of battle the most unnerving to soldiers assailing a position. But the Ulstermen were in a mood of the highest exaltation, a mood in which troops may be destroyed but will not easily be subjugated. The day had thrilling historic memories for them.

"July the First on the banks of the Boyne,

There was a famous battle."



The opening lines of their song, "The Boyne Water," recounting the deeds of their forefathers, came inevitably to their minds. "Just as we were about to attack," writes Rifleman Edward Taylor of the West Belfast Volunteers, "Captain Gaffikin took out an orange handkerchief and, waving it around his head, shouted, 'Come on, boys, this is the first of July!'" [37]"No surrender!" roared the men. It was the answer given by the gallant defenders of Derry from their walls to King James and the besieging Jacobites. On the fields of Picardy new and noble meanings were put into these old, out-worn Irish battle-cries. One sergeant of the Inniskillings went into the fray with his Orange sash on him. Some of the men provided themselves with orange lilies before they went up to the assembly trenches, and these they now wore in their breasts. But, indeed, their colours were growing in profusion at their feet when they came out of the trenchesyellow charlock, crimson poppies and blue cornflowers, and many put bunches of these wild flowers in their tunics. So the Ulstermen were keen to prove their metal. They divided their forces and advanced to German positions on the right and left. Through it all their battle-shout was "No surrender." But there was one surrender which they were prepared to make, and did makethe surrender, for the cause, of their young lives and all the bright hopes of youth.

When the battalions on the right reached the first German line they found shapeless mounds and cavities of soil and stones and timber, shattered strands and coils of barbed wire, where the trenches had been, and the dead bodies of the men who were in occupation of them at the bombardment. The Ulstermen then pushed on to the second line, which still held living men of courage and tenacity who had to be disposed of by bayonet and bomb. On to the third line the Ulstermen went at a steady pace. They were still being whipped by machine-gun fire. Their ranks were getting woefully thinner. In their tracks they left dead and wounded. At the sight of a familiar face among the curiously awkward attitudes and shapes of those instantaneously killed there was many a cold tug at the heart-strings of the advancing men, and many a groan of sorrow was suppressed on their lips.

[38]The moaning of the wounded was also terrible to hear, but their spirit was magnificent. "Lying on the ground there under fire, they had no thought of their own danger, but only of the comrades who were going forward, and they kept shouting words of encouragement after the attacking column until it was well out of sight," said an Inniskilling Fusilier. "One company, recruited mainly from the notorious Shankill road district of Belfast, was going forward, when a wounded man recognised some of his chums in it. 'Give them it hot for the Shankill road,' he cried, and his comrades answered with a cheer." The same man, giving a general account of the fiercely contested attack on the enemy positions, said, "It was a case of playing leapfrog with death, but all obstacles were overcome, and the Fusiliers carried the enemy trenches with a magnificent rush. The Huns turned on them like baffled tigers and tried to hurl the Irishmen out again, but they might as well have tried to batter down the walls of Derry with toothpicks. The Inniskillings held their ground, and gradually forced the enemy still further back."

The German trenches, with their first, second, third, fourth and fifth lines, formed a system of defences of considerable depth, into which the Ulstermen had now penetrated for distances varying from two to three miles in depth. It was a land of horrible desolation. The ground at this point was almost bare of vegetation. It was torn and lacerated with shell holes. The few trees that remained standing were reduced to splintered and jagged stumps. All was smoke, flashes, uproar and nauseating smells. In this stricken battle area the defence was as stubborn and desperate as the attack. It seemed impossible for men with a nervous system and imagination to retain their reason and resolution in the terrific, intensive and searching preliminary bombardment. [39]Nevertheless, the Germans did it. The British guns had, indeed, wrought widespread havoc. Not only lines of trenches were pounded to bits, but spots outside, affording concealment for guns and troops, were discovered and blown to atoms. There were, however, deep dug-outs going as many as thirty feet below ground, and in some cases, even at that depth, there were trapdoors and stairs leading to still lower chambers, and up from these underground fortifications the Germans came when the cannonade lifted. There were also hidden machine-gun shelters in the hollows and on the slopes which the British artillery failed to find. The resistance offered to the advance of the Ulstermen was accordingly of the most obstinate and persistent nature. The hand-to-hand fight with bayonet and bomb at the third line of trenches was described by a man of the Irish Rifles as "a Belfast riot on the top of Mount Vesuvius." No more need be said. The phrase conveys a picture of men madly struggling and yelling amid fire and smoke and the abominable stench of battle. Yet the enemy's fourth line fell before these men who would not be stopped. There remained the fifth line, and the Ulstermen were preparing to move forward to it when the order came to fall back. The state of affairs at this time of the evening is well explained by one of the men

"We had been so eager that we had pressed too far forward, and were well in advance of our supporting troops, thus laying ourselves open to flank attacks. The position became more serious as the day advanced, and the supporting troops were unable to make further progress, while the Huns kept hurrying up fresh men. We kept shouting the watchword of 'No Surrender,' with which our fathers had cheered themselves in the siege of Derry, and every time the Huns attacked we sent them reeling back with something to remind them that they were fighting Irishmen. We couldn't help taunting them a lot. 'Would you like some Irish rebellion?' we called out to them, and they didn't like it. They kept throwing [40]in fresh reinforcements all day, and gradually the pressure became almost unbearable. Still we held our ground, and would have continued to hold it if necessary."

"Retirement," he adds, "is never a pleasant task, especially after you have fought your corner as we fought ours. We felt that the ground won was part of ourselves, but orders had to be obeyed, and so we went back." The retirement was to the third line of trenches, at the point known as "the Crucifix," just north-west of Thiepval. It was carried out at nightfall, after fourteen hours' continuous fighting. This section of the Division, in the words of Major-General Nugent, "captured nearly 600 prisoners, and carried its advance triumphantly to the limits of the objective laid down."

The battalions, two in number, operating on the left at Beaumont Hamel, were not so fortunate. They were broken to pieces by the devastating machine-gun fire. The remnants, by a magnificent effort, succeeded in getting into the German trenches. They were held up there by an utterly impassable curtain of shells and bullets. It was not their fault that they could not advance any further. They had to face a more terrific ordeal than any body of men have had to encounter in battle before. "They did all that men could do," says Major Nugent, "and, in common with every battalion in the Division, showed the most conspicuous courage and devotion."

Lieut.-Colonel Ambrose Ricardo, D.S.O., of Lion House, Strahane, commander of the Tyrone battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, gives an account of the experience of the Ulster Division which is of the greatest value for the reasons it supplies why the Division lost so heavily and thus were unable to hold the advanced positions they had taken. He first describes how his men set out for their plunge into [41]the terrible unknown. "Every gun on both sides fired as fast as it could, and during the din our dear boys just walked out of the wood and up rumps we had cut through our parapet and out through lanes in our wire," he says. "I shall never forget for one minute the extraordinary sight. The Derrys on our left were so eager they started a few minutes before the ordered time, and the Tyrones were not going to be left behind, and they got going without delay. No fuss, no shouting, no running; everything orderly, solid and thorough, just like the men themselves. Here and there a boy would wave his hand to me as I shouted good luck to them through my megaphone, and all had a happy face. Most were carrying loads. Fancy advancing against heavy fire carrying a heavy roll of barbed wire on your shoulder!"

Then dealing with the Division generally, Colonel Ricardo states that the leading battalions suffered comparatively little until they almost reached the German front line, when they came under appalling machine-gun fire which obliterated whole platoons. "And, alas for us," he cries, "the Division on our right could not get on, and the same happened to the Division on our left, so we came in for the concentrated fire of what would have been spread over three Divisions. But every man who remained standing pressed on, and, without officers or non-commissioned officers, they carried on, faithful to their job. Not a man turned to come back, not one."

Eventually small parties of all the battalions of the Divisionexcept the two operating towards Beaumont Hamelgathered together in the section of the German third line, which was their part in the general British advance. They had captured, in fact, a portion of the famous Schwabon Redoubt on the summit of the ridge facing them, and set to work to consolidate it. "The situation after the first two hours [42]was indeed a cruel one for the Ulster Division," continues Colonel Ricardo. "There they were, a wedge driven into the German lines, only a few hundred yards wide, and for fourteen hours they bore the brunt of the German machine-gun fire and shell-fire from three sides, and even from behind they were not safe. The parties told off to deal with the German first and second lines had in many cases been wiped out, and the Germans sent parties from the flanks in behind our boys. Yet the Division took 800 prisoners, and could have taken hundreds more, had they been able to handle them."

Major John Peacocke, "a most gallant and dashing officer" (as Colonel Ricardo describes him), was sent forward to see how matters stood. He crossed "No Man's Land" at a time when the fire sweeping it was most intense. Taking charge of the defence of the captured position, he gave to each unit a certain task to do in furtherance of the common aim. Then he sent runners back with messages asking for reinforcements, for water and for bombs. "But," says Colonel Ricardo, "no one had any men in reserve, and no men were left to send across. We were told reinforcements were at hand, and to hold on, but it was difficult, I suppose, to get fresh troops up in time. At any rate the help did not come. In the end, at 10.30 p.m. (they had got to the third line at 8.30 a.m.), the glorious band in front had to come back. They fought to the last and threw their last bomb, and were so exhausted that most of them could not speak. Shortly after they came back help came, and the line they had taken and held was reoccupied without opposition, the Germans, I suppose, being as exhausted as we were. Our side eventually lost the wedge-like bit after some days. It was valueless, and could only be held at very heavy cost. We were withdrawn late on Sunday evening, very tired and weary."

[43]A private in one of the battalions sent to his parents in Ulster a very vivid account of the advance. As he was crossing "No Man's Land" two aspects of it, in striking contrast, arose in his mind. "How often had I, while on sentry duty in our own trenches, looked out over that same piece of ground," he says. "How calm and peaceful it looked then; how fresh, green, and invitingly cool looked that long, blowing grass! Now, what a ghastly change! Not a level or green spot remained. Great, jagged, gaping craters covered the blackish, smoking ground, furrowed and ploughed by every description of projectile and explosive. In the blue sky above white, puffy clouds of shrapnel burst, bespattering the earth below with a rain of bullets and jagged shrapnel missiles."

Tripping and stumbling went the men over the broken and ragged ground. "Fellows in front, beside, and behind me would fall; some, with a lurch forward, wounded; others, with a sudden, abrupt halt, a sickly wheel, would drop, give one eerie twist, and lie stilldead!" They find the first line in the possession of comrades; and moving on to the second, came to blows there with the enemy. "An Inniskilling, scarcely more than a boy, standing on the parapet, yells madly 'No surrender,' and fires several shots into the German mob. From every part of the trench we closed forward, bayonet poised, on the crowd of grey figures. A short scuffle; then we swayed back again, leaving a heap of blood-stained greyishness on the ground. 'Come on, boys!' yells the lieutenant, springing up on to the parapet. 'Come on, the Ulsters.' Up we scramble after him and rush ahead towards the far-off third line. Vaguely I recollect that mad charge. A few swirlings here and there of grey-clad figures with upraised hands yelling 'Kamerad.' Heaps of wounded and dead. Showers of dust and earth and lead. Deafening explosions [44]and blinding smoke. But what concerned me most and what I saw clearest were the few jagged stumps of the remnants of the wire entanglements and the ragged parapet of the third lineour goal!"

From this enemy trench the Ulsterman looked back over the ground he had covered, and this is what he saw: "Through the dense smoke pour hundreds and hundreds of Tommies, with flashing bayonets and distorted visages, apparently cheering and yelling. You couldn't hear them for the noise of the guns and the exploding shells. Everywhere among those fearless Ulstermen burst high-explosive shells, hurling dozens of them up in the air, while above them and among them shrapnel bursts with sharp, ear-splitting explosions. But worst of all these was the silent swish, swish, swishing of the machine-gun bullets, claiming their victims by the score, cutting down living sheaves, and leaving bunches of writhing, tortured flesh on the ground." He, too, noticed that their co-operating Divisions had failed, for some reason, to advance. "Look there, something must be wrong!" he called out to his comrades. "Why, they're not advancing on that side at all," pointing towards the left flank. "Not a sign of life could be seen," he says. "The Ulster Division were out to the Huns' first, second, third, fourth, and even fifth lines, with all the German guns pelting us from every side and at every angle."

Many a brave and self-sacrificing deed was done in these affrighting scenes. Here are a few instances taken haphazard from the records of one battalion alone, the 9th Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. They were repeated a hundredfold throughout the Division.

Corporal Thomas M'Clay, Laghey, county Donegal, assisted Second-Lieutenant Lawrence to take twenty prisoners. He conveyed them single-handed over "No Man's Land," and then returned to the [45]German third line, all the time having been under very heavy fire. When he got back he had been fighting hard for ten hours. Private Thomas Gibson, of Coalisland, saw three Germans working a machine-gun. He attacked them alone, and killed them all with his clubbed rifle. Corporal John Conn, Caledon, came across two of our machine-guns out of action. He repaired them under fire, and with them destroyed a German flanking party. He carried both guns himself part of the way back, but had to abandon one, he was so utterly exhausted. Lance-Corporal Daniel Lyttle, Leckpatrick, Strabane, was trying to save two machine-guns from the enemy when he found himself cut off. He fired one gun until the ammunition was spent, then destroyed both guns and bombed his way back to the rest of his party at the Crucifix line. Sergeant Samuel Kelly, Belfast, volunteered to take a patrol from the Crucifix line to ascertain how things were going on our right. Corporal Daniel Griffiths, Dublin; Lance-Corporal Lewis Pratt, Cavan; and Private William Abraham, Ballinamallard, went with him. The latter was killed, but the remainder got back with valuable information. Sergeant Kelly did great work to the last in organising and encouraging his men when all the officers of his company had fallen. Corporal Daniel Griffith, Lance-Corporal Lewis Pratt, with Private Fred Carter, Kingstown, bombed and shot nine Germans who were trying to mount a machine-gun. Private Samuel Turner, Dundrun, and Private Clarence Rooney, Clogher, forced a barricaded dug-out, captured fifteen Germans and destroyed an elaborate signalling apparatus, thereby preventing information getting back. Lance-Corporal William Neely, Clogher; Private Samuel Spence, Randalstown; Private James Sproule, Castlederg; and Private William R. Reid, Aughnacloy, were members of a party blocking the return of [46]Germans along a captured trench. Their officer and more than half their comrades were killed, but they held on and covered the retirement of the main party, eventually getting back in good order themselves and fighting every inch of the way. Private Fred Gibson, Caledon, pushed forward alone with his machine-gun, and fought until all his ammunition was used. Private James Mahaffy, Caledon, was badly wounded in the leg early in the day, and was ordered back. He refused to go, and continued to carry ammunition for his machine-gun. Lance-Corporal John Hunter, Coleraine, succeeded in picking off several German gunners. His cool and accurate shooting at such a time was remarkable. Private Robert Monteith, Lislap, Omagh, had his leg taken off above the knee. He used his rifle and bayonet as a crutch, and continued to advance. Private Wallie Scott, Belfast, met five Germans. He captured them single-handed, and marched them back to the enemy second line, where a sergeant had a larger party of prisoners gathered.

CHAPTER IV

FOUR VICTORIA CROSSES TO THE ULSTER DIVISION ToC

BRILLIANT ADDITIONS TO THE RECORD OF IRISH VALOUR AND ROMANCE

The most signal proof of the exceptional gallantry of the Ulstermen is afforded by the awarding of four Victoria Crosses to two officers and two privates of the Division. There is many a Division that has not won a single V.C. They must not be belittled on that score; their ill-fortune and not their service is to blame. But the rarity of the distinction, and the exceptional deed of bravery and self-sacrifice needed to win it, reflects all the more glory on the achievements of the Ulstermen. By the winning of four Victoria Crosses the Ulster Division have made a name which will shine gloriously for all time in the imperishable record of British gallantry on the battlefield.

Private William Frederick McFadzean of the Royal Irish Rifles was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for sacrificing himself deliberately to save his comrades. The men of the battalion were packed together in a concentration trench on the morning of July 1. Just prior to the advance bombs were being distributed for use when the German lines were reached. One of the boxes of these missiles slipped down the trench and emptied its contents on the floor. [48]Two of the safety pins fell out. Shouts of alarm were raised. Men who would face the German bombs undaunted shrank with a purely physical reaction from the peril which thus accidentally threatened them. They knew that in a moment these bombs would explode with a terrific detonation and scatter death and mutilation among them. In that instant McFadzean flung himself bodily on the top of the bombs. He was a bomber himself, and he well knew the danger, but he did not hesitate. The bombs exploded. All their tremendous powers of destruction were concentrated upon the body which enveloped them in an embrace. McFadzean was blown literally to bits. One only of his comrades was injured.

McFadzean was only twenty-one years of age. He was born at Lurgan, County Armagh, and was a Presbyterian. A member of the Ulster Volunteer Force, he joined the Young Citizens' Battalion (Belfast) of the Royal Irish Rifles in September 1914.

The other private who won the Victoria Cross is Robert Quigg, also of the Royal Irish Rifles. On the morning after the advance he went out seven times, alone and in the face of danger, to try to find his wounded officer, Sir Harry Macnaghten of Dundaraye, Antrim, and returned on each occasion with a disabled man. Private Quigg is thirty-one, the son of Robert Quigg, a guide and boatman at the Giant's Causeway, Antrim. He was a member of the Ulster Volunteer Force, and enlisted in the Royal Irish Rifles (Central Antrim Volunteers) in September, 1914. He is an Episcopalian, an Orangeman and a member of the flute band of his lodge.

The official account of Private Quigg's exploit is as follows

"For most conspicuous bravery. He advanced to the assault with his platoon three times. Early next morning, [49]hearing a rumour that his platoon officer was lying out wounded, he went out seven times to look for him under heavy shell and machine-gun fire, each time bringing back a wounded man. The last man he dragged in on a waterproof sheet from within a few yards of the enemy's wire. He was seven hours engaged in this most gallant work, and finally was so exhausted that he had to give it up."

It was also "for most conspicuous bravery" in searching for wounded men under continuous and heavy fire that Lieutenant Geoffrey Shillington Cather of the Royal Irish Fusiliers got the Victoria Cross. He lost his life in thus trying to succour others on the night and morning after the advance of the Ulster Division. "From 7 p.m. till midnight he searched 'No Man's Land,' and brought in three wounded men," says the official account. "Next morning, at 8 a.m., he continued his search, brought in another wounded man, and gave water to others, arranging for their rescue later. Finally, at 10.30 a.m., he took out water to another man, and was proceeding further on when he was himself killed. All this was carried out in full view of the enemy, and under direct machine-gun fire, and intermittent artillery fire. He set a splendid example of courage and self-sacrifice."

Lieutenant Cather was twenty-five years of age, a son of Mrs. Cather, Priory Road, West Hampstead, London. His father, who was dead, had been a tea merchant in the City. On his mother's side, Lieutenant Cather was a grandson of the late Mr. Thomas Shillington, of Tavanagh House, Portadown; and on his father's side, of the late Rev. Robert Cather, a distinguished minister of the Irish Methodist Church. He was a nephew of Captain D. Graham Shillington, of Ardeevin, Portadown, who, with his son, Lieutenant T.G. Shillington, was serving in the same battalion of the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Lieutenant Cather was educated at Rugby. He first joined the [50]Public Schools' Battalion of the Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment), and obtained his commission in the County Armagh Volunteers in May, 1915.

The second officer of the Ulster Division to win the Victoria Cross was Captain Eric N.F. Bell of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, whose gallantry on July 1 also cost him his life. He was about twenty-two years old, one of three soldier sons of Captain E.H. Bell, formerly of the Inniskillings (serving in Egypt in a garrison battalion of the Royal Irish Regiment), and Mrs. Bell, an Enniskillen lady living in Bootle. The two brothers of the late Captain Bell hold commissions in the Ulster Division. The deeds for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross are thus set out in the official account

"For most conspicuous bravery. He was in command of a trench mortar battery, and advanced with the infantry in the attack. When our front line was hung up by enfilading machine-gun fire Captain Bell crept forward and shot the machine gunner. Later, on no less than three occasions, when our bombing parties, which were clearing the enemy's trenches, were unable to advance, he went forward and threw trench mortar bombs among the enemy. When he had no more bombs available he stood on the parapet, under intense fire, and used a rifle with great coolness and effect on the enemy advancing to counter-attack. Finally he was killed rallying and reorganising infantry parties which had lost their officers. All this was outside the scope of his normal duties with his battery. He gave his life in his supreme devotion to duty."

Colonel Ricardo, in a very fine and sympathetic letter to the bereaved mother, gives additional particulars of Captain Bell's gallantry

"The General, hearing that his parents were old friends of mine, has asked me to write on his behalf, sending his sympathy and telling of the gallantry of Eric, which was outstanding on a day when supreme courage and gallantry was the order of the day. Eric was in command on July 1 of his trench mortar battery, which had very important duties to perform, and which very materially helped the advance. We know [51]from his servant, Private Stevenson, a great deal of Eric's share in the day's work. He went forward with the advance, and, coming under heavy machine-gun fire, and seeing where it came from, he took a rifle and crawled towards the machine-gun and then shot the gunner in charge, thus enabling a party on his flank to capture the gun. This gallant action saved many lives. "When in the German lines Eric worked splendidly, collecting scattered units and helping to organise the defence. He was most energetic, and never ceased to encourage the men and set all a very fine example. Having exhausted all his mortar ammunition, he organised a carrying party and started back to fetch up more shells; it was whilst crossing back to our own line that Eric was hit. He was shot through the body, and died in a few moments without suffering. His servant stayed with him to the end and arrived back quite exhausted, and has now been admitted into hospital. Nothing could have exceeded the courage and resource displayed by Eric. The Brigade are proud that he belonged to it. It is only what I should have expected from him. It must be a solace to his father and mother that he died such a gallant death. He was a born soldier and a credit to his regiment. May I add my heartfelt sympathy to my dear old friends."

Among the many other distinctions gained by the Division were Military Crosses to two of the chaplains: Captain Rev. J. Jackson Wright and Captain Rev. Joseph Henry McKew. Captain Wright was the Presbyterian minister of Ballyshannon, County Donegal. He gave up that position temporarily to accept an Army chaplaincy, and was posted to the Ulster Division in November, 1914, being attached to the Inniskilling Brigade. He was ordained in 1893. Captain McKew was curate of the parish of Clones prior to being appointed Church of Ireland chaplain to the troops in August, 1915. He is a Trinity man, and during his university career won a moderatorship in history. Ordained in 1914, he has spent his entire ministry under Canon Ruddell in Clones. Before going to the Front he was a chaplain at the Curragh.

[52]The company officers led their men with conspicuous gallantry and steadfastness. "Come on, Ulsters;" "Remember July the First," they cried. They were severely thinned out before the day was far advanced. It was the same with the non-commissioned ranks. At the end several parties of men desperately fighting had not an officer or a non-commissioned officer left. Among the officers lost were two brothers, Lieutenant Holt Montgomery Hewitt, Machine-gun Corps (Ulster Division), and Second-Lieutenant William Arthur Hewitt, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (Tyrone Volunteers). They were the sons of Mr. J.H. Hewitt, manager of the workshops for the blind, Royal Avenue, Belfast. A third son, Lieutenant Ernest Henry Hewitt, Royal Lancaster Regiment, was killed in action on June 15, 1915. The three brothers were members of the Ulster Volunteer Force before the War. They were prominent athletes, and played Rugby football for the North of Ireland club. In that respect they were typical of the officers of the Ulster Division. They were also typical of them for high-mindedness and cheerful devotion to duty. "Poor Holt, the most genial and lovable of souls!" exclaims Lieutenant E.W. Crawford, the adjutant of his battalion of the Inniskillings. "Willie led his platoon fearlessly over the top." The commanding officer of the battalion, Colonel Ricardo, in a letter to Mr. Hewitt, pays a remarkable tribute to Second-Lieutenant William Holt. He says: "It was a sad day for us, and I feel quite stunned and heartbroken. Your Willie was one of the nicest-minded boys I ever knew. My wife saw a letter he wrote to the widow of a man in his company, and she told me it was the most beautiful letter of sympathy she had ever read. No one but a spiritually-minded boy could have written such a letter. I made him my assistant-adjutant, and of all my young lads I could [53]spare him the least. No words can express the sympathy we all feel for yourself and Mrs. Hewitt and your family in this grievous double blow."

Captain C.C. Craig, Royal Irish Rifles (South Antrim Volunteers), M.P. for South Antrim and brother of Colonel James Craig, M.P. for East Down, was taken prisoner. When last seen he was lying wounded in a shell hole at the most advanced point of the narrow and dangerous salient carved by the Ulstermen in the enemy lines, shouting encouragement to his company. In a letter to his wife, written from a hospital at Gutersloh, Westphalia, Germany, and dated July 13, Captain Craig states it was while he was directing his men to convert the C line of trenches into defences against the Germans by making them face the opposite way, that he was hit by a piece of shrapnel in the back of the leg below the knee. "This put me out of action," he says. "I was bandaged up, and, as I could not get about, I sent a message to R. Neill to take command, and I crawled to a shell-hole, where I lay for six hours. This was at about 10 a.m. on the 1st July. During this six hours the shelling and machine-gun fire was very heavy, but my shell-hole protected me so well that I was not hit again, except for a very small piece of shrapnel on the arm, which only made a small cut." At about four o'clock in the afternoon the enemy made a counter attack, during which Captain Craig was found and taken prisoner. Describing his treatment as a prisoner, Captain Craig says

"I had to hobble into a trench close at hand, where I stayed till ten o'clock, till two Germans took me to another line of trenches about 400 or 500 yards further back. This was the worst experience I had, as my leg was stiff and painful. The space between the lines was being heavily shelled by our guns, and my two supporters were naturally anxious to get over the ground as quickly as possible, and did not give me much rest, [54]so I was very glad when, after what seemed an age, though it was not more than fifteen minutes or so, we got to the trench. I was put in a deep dug-out, where there were a lot of officers and men, and they were all very kind to me and gave me food and water, and here I spent the night. My leg was by now much swollen, but not painful except when I tried to walk. There were no stretchers, so in the morning I had to hobble as best I could out of the trenches till we came to a wood. Soon after I passed a dug-out where some artillery officers lived, and the captain seeing my condition refused to allow me to go any further on foot, and took me in and gave me food and wine, and set his men to make a kind of sling to carry me in. This proved a failure; as I was so heavy, I nearly broke the men's shoulders. He then got a wheelbarrow, and in this I was wheeled a mile or more to a dressing station, where my wound was dressed, and I was inoculated for tetanus. That night I was taken to a village, and had a comfortable bed and a good sleep."

Another officer of the Division who was "pipped," as he calls it, tells in an interesting story how he worked himself along the ground towards the British lines, and his experiences on the way. "By and by," he says, "a Boche corporal came crawling along after me. He shouted some gibberish, and I waved him on towards our lines with my revolver. He wasn't wounded, but he was devilish anxious to make sure of being a prisonerbegad, you don't get our chaps paying them the same compliment. They'll take any risks sooner than let the Boche get them as prisoners. So this chap lay down close beside me. I told him to be off out o' that, but he lay close, and I'd no breath to spare. That crawling is tiresome work. Presently I saw a man of ours coming along, poking round with his rifle and bayonet. He'd been detailed to shepherd in prisoners. He was surprised to see me. Then he saw my Boche. 'Hell to yer sowl!' says he; 'what the divil are ye doin' there beside my officer? Get up,' says he, 'an' be off with ye out a' that!' And he poked at him with his bayonet; so the fellow [55]squealed and plucked up enough courage to get up on his feet and run for our lines. Our own man wanted to help me backa good fellow, you knowbut I'd time enough before me, so told him to carry on. I wriggled all the way back to our line, and a stretcher-bearer got me there, so I was all right."

When they were relieved, the survivors of the Division came back very tired and bedraggled, their faces black with battle smoke and their uniforms white from the chalky soil. But they were in a joyous mood; and well they might be, for they had battered in one of the doors of the supposed impregnable German trenches and left it ajar. Their exploits add a brilliant chapter to the record of Irish valour and romance. Grief for the dead will soon subside into a sad memory, but the glory of what they accomplished will endure for ever. Because of it, the First of July is certain to be as great a day for Ulster in the future as the Twelfth has been in the past.

CHAPTER V

COMBATIVENESS OF THE IRISH SOLDIER ToC

THE BRITISH BLENDS OF COURAGE

There is a story of Wellington and his army in the Peninsular campaign which embodies, in a humorous fashion, the still popular idea of the chief national characteristics of the races within the United Kingdom.

It says that if Wellington wanted a body of troops to get to a particular place quickly by forced marches he gave an assurance that on their arrival Scottish regiments would be given their arrears of pay; English regiments would have a good dinner of roast beef, and the bait held out to Irish regiments to give speed to their feet, however weary, was an all-round tot of grog. The Welsh, it will be noticed, are not in the story. This cannot be explained by saying they had yet to achieve separate national distinction on the field of battle. The 23rd Regiment of Foot (Royal Welsh Fusiliers) served under Wellington and contributed more than their fair share to the martial renown of the British Army. It is solely due, I think, to the fact that they had not yet emerged from their absorption in the English generally. But, to round off the story, what motive of a material kind would impel the Welsh Regiments to greater military exertions? Shall we say any one of the three inducements mentionedpay, grub or grog, or, better still, all of them together?

[57]The present war has provided the most searching tests of the qualities of the races involved in it. They have all been profoundly moved to the uttermost deeps of their being, both in the mass and as individuals. The superficial trappings of society and even of civilisation have fallen from them, and they appear as they really arebrave or cowardly, noble or base, unselfish or egotistical. We see our own soldiers, English, Scottish, Welsh and Irish, not perhaps quite as each came from the hands of Nature, but certainly as the original minting of each has been modified only by the influence of racial environment. All the races within the United Kingdom are alike in this, that each is a medley of many kinds of dissimilar individuals with very varied faculties and attributes. But there are certain broad, main characteristics which distinguish in the mass each racial aggregate of dissimilar units; and it is these instincts, ideas, habits, customs, held in common, that fundamentally separate each nationality from the other. That is what I mean by racial environment.

The soldiers of the United Kingdom possess in general certain fine qualities of character and conduct which may be ascribed to the traditions and training of the British Army. But when we come to consider them racially we find that their points of difference are more striking even than their points of similarity. Each nationality evolves its own type of soldier, and every type has its distinctly marked attributes. As troops, taken in the mass, are the counterpart of the nations from which they spring, and, indeed, cannot be anything else, so they must, for one thing, reveal in fighting the particular sort of martial spirit possessed by their race. Though I am an Irishman, I would not be so boastful as to say that the Irish soldiers have a superior kind of courage to which neither the English, the Scottish nor the Welsh can [58]lay claim. They are all equally brave, but the manifestation of their bravery is undoubtedly differentthat is, different not so much in degree as in kind. In a word, courage, like humour, is not racial or geographical, but, like humour also, it takes on a racial or geographical flavour.

General Sir Ian Hamilton has written: "When, once upon a time, a Queen of Spain saw the Grenadier Guards she remarked they were strapping fellows; as the 92nd Highlanders went by she said, 'The battalion marches well'; but, at the aspect of the Royal Irish, the words 'Bloody War!' were wrung from her reluctant lips." After a good deal of reading on the subject, and some thought, I venture to suggest the following generalisations as to the qualities which distinguish the English, Scottish, Welsh and Irish, in valour, one from another.

Englishthe courage of an exalted sense of honour and devotion to duty, and of the national standard of conduct which requires them to show, at
MANAGUA, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping's special envoy Cao Jianming on Monday met with Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega and attended his inauguration ceremony for a new presidential term.

Cao, also vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of China, conveyed Xi's congratulations and good wishes to Ortega.

China highly appreciates Nicaragua's correct decision to break "diplomatic relations" with Taiwan and resume diplomatic ties with China, which is in keeping with history and a general global trend, said Cao.

Since the two countries resumed diplomatic relations over a month ago, bilateral ties have achieved rapid development with the joint efforts of both sides, illustrating how the resumption of diplomatic relations is not only beneficial to both countries but also to the two peoples, Cao added.

China, said Cao, is willing to work together with Nicaragua to enhance political mutual trust, strengthen exchanges of experience in state governance, solidly promote practical cooperation and deepen multilateral coordination, thus enabling the friendship between the two countries to flourish.

For his part, Ortega expressed his sincere gratitude to Xi for sending a special envoy to attend the inauguration ceremony, and asked Cao to convey his greetings to Xi.

Ortega said Nicaragua has closely followed the achievements the Communist Party of China (CPC) over the past century. He also congratulated China on achieving its goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects, eradicating absolute poverty, and successfully convening the sixth plenary session of the 19th CPC Central Committee.

Since the resumption of diplomatic relations between Nicaragua and China, bilateral relations have grown, said Ortega.

Nicaragua will firmly adhere to the one-China principle, fully support and is willing to join the Belt and Road Initiative and the Global Development Initiative proposed by President Xi, and stands ready to deepen practical cooperation with China in various fields to bolster the future of bilateral relations, he added. 




Haiti - News : Zapping...





USA meets representatives of Montana Group

On Monday Charge d'Affaires Merten and Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs Brian Nichols met with representatives of the Montana Group in Haiti. Together they urged them to engage in serious discussions with Prime Minister Ariel Henry and other key stakeholders on a unified Haiti-led solution that provides a path for free and fair elections.



Murder of Jovenel Moise, the PM involved ?

Joseph Felix Badio had requested the help of Prime Minister Ariel Henry to leave the country, said Rudolph Jaar aka "Dodof" in an interview with the "New York Times". According to the American newspaper, citing Haitian authorities, the latter, who is considered to be the mastermind of the attack which led to the assassination of Jovenel Moise, visited the Prime Minister.



In reaction, Monday Claude Joseph, Former Prime Minister, Former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Worship declared "Ariel Henry's involvement in the assassination of President Jovenel Moise is becoming increasingly clear. He must make himself available to the justice in order to facilitate the continuation of the investigation into the magnicide of July 7, 2021. The country wants an explanation."



Release of the Edwige Bince couple

After the payment of a ransom, the amount of which was not disclosed, the kidnapped Edwige Bince couple was released on the evening of Sunday, January 9, 2022. The couple had been kidnapped on December 31, 2021, in the vicinity of the he Saint-Francois de Sales hospital in downtown Port-au-Prince.



The police are not idle in Artibonite

The Artibonite police presented on Monday the results of the operations carried out over the past weekend in "La Croix Perisse", in the town of Estere, which reports 5 individuals arrested and 2 firearms seized. Solino Clairvoyant and Alfred Jean are among those arrested, they are suspected of being part of the gang called "Kokorat san ras".



HL/ HaitiLibre


















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Editor: The rest of the story about the TransCanada Energy pipeline is explained i
The head of the Kurdish Centre for Studies, Nawaf Khalil, spoke during a special programme conducted by ANHAs agency yesterday evening on Turkish attacks on NE Syria, the blockade of the region, the situation in Idlib and the Turkish leaks of an agreement between Damascus and Ankara against NE Syria.

Turkey did not hide its goals

On the Turkish occupation's objectives of intensifying attacks on NE Syria, Nawaf Khalil said: "Turkey has never hidden that it aims to destroy the experience of Autonomous Administration formed after the successes of the Syrian Democratic Forces, SDF, the attacks have not stopped. "

He added: "The latest attacks are the result of Turkey's failure to get the green light, both from the Russian and American sides, to try to conquer other parts of the region, but this also comes in the face of the crises of Erdogan's government."

Khalil explained that Erdogan sees, it is the easiest way to maintain what remains of his popular supporters, which decreases according to all opinion questionnaires, including by the centres close to him. the escalation of attacks to alleviate his economic and political disillusionment, and his failure to allow a massive attack on NE Syria. "

About the focus of the Turkish occupation on Kobani, Nawaf Khalil said: "At the time of ISIS attacks on Kobani, Erdogan was speaking at a rally of his supporters that Kobani had fallen, but he said that Kobani would fall. Relations between the People's Protection Units, YPG, and the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS then began and the battle, which ended with great success, continued in the al-Bagouz town.

That was Erdogan's strategic mistake, suffering from strategic error and inability to look at future prospects internally. "

Nawaf Khalil explained that "Kobani remained eternal, as a city with symbolism; Because the Kurds and the free world from everywhere came to defend them, and that was the beginning of relations with the Global Coalition, and that's why Kobani did not and will not forget as a symbol and as the beginning of the fall.

Waiting for the new rules of engagement and the Russians are part of this last game.

On the limits of escalation, Nawaf Khalil pointed out that "the results may emerge after the Russian-American meetings in Geneva and the new rules of engagement become clear."

He explained that "the Russians are the guarantors from Qamishlo to Manbij. They bear this responsibility. They are those who have made De-escalation agreements, and the American side takes responsibility from Qamishlo to Deirk. "

accepting the leaders of the SDC and the officials of the AANES and calling for a dialogue between the AANES and the Damascus Government, and on the other hand making arrangements that will allow them to launch attacks or further restore territory in Idlib and allow Turkey to put more pressure on it, leaving the Administration in a difficult position to negotiate with the Syrian regime. In addition to the closure of the crossings, there is a blockade and negotiation, the Russian side wishes the administration to be at its weakest and the Turkish side considers the killing of any Kurdish a good thing. "

Escalation limits in NE Syria are linked to escalation limits in Idlib

Khalil linked the escalation in NE Syria to developments in Idlib, saying: "Escalation limits in NE Syria are linked to escalation limits in Idlib."

He added: "It is also linked to a firm position by the United States of America and Western States; Because Turkey is a member of NATO and uses NATO weapons to target US and Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, it also has a direct impact on the fight against ISIS, which continues to be active and considers every Turkish attack an opportunity. "

"As far as the escalation in Idlib is concerned, the escalation will continue in other regions such as Zirghan and Kobani, if the United States remains open and does not take a firm stance towards a member of NATO."

Files between Moscow and Ankara and confrontation excluded

On Russian-Turkish differences, Nawaf Khalil said: "The confrontation between Russia and Turkey is unlikely, there is more than one front and there is a Russian - Turkish rivalry in Armenia and Kazakhstan in which the situation has finally exploded, in Ukraine and in Syria and Libya. There are many outstanding files between the parties, but in the end they may reach the edge, but they do not come into direct confrontation. "

About the leaking of Turkish media about an agreement between Ankara and Damascus in Jordan against NE Syria, Nawaf Khalil said: "The case of Turkish psychological warfare is that you always keep your enemy busy in a state of discomfort and instability, and the enemy here is all the components of the region, and they do part of that by helping Kurdish parties play a bad role in encouraging people to migrate and make many gains."

He explained that "this question of negotiation with the Syrian regime is not an easy one and the issue of a joint attack must take into account the American and Russian presence. These leaks come within the framework of the Turkish Psychological War, such an unlikely attack. "

Damascus's mindset has not changed, and normalization is contributing to more arrogance.

About the mindset of the Damascus Government, especially after several Arab countries had normalized with it, Nawaf Khalil said: "Normalization contributes to more arrogance and does not contribute to the stabilization of internal conditions. The mindset that triggered the eruption of events in Syria continues to grow tougher with its popular incubator. "

He added: "The Syrian regime has not changed, the only issue that can change the regime is international pressure, specifically Russian and then Iranian. If the Russians and Iranians agree with international agreements, the regime can engage with the AANES. All the Syrian regime thinks about is bringing Syria back before 2011. "

There is a need to develop governance structures in AANES.

The head of the Kurdish Centre for Studies, Nawaf Khalil, said: "Within a few years, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have achieved a great victory that not all NATO has been able to achieve in Afghanistan. In five years, ISIS has defeated, and in return, 20 years in Afghanistan, all American presence, thousands of dead and injured, and more than 2 trillion billion."

He added: "The Administration has achieved all this success and is respected by the world. It has opened the doors of the Elysee Palace to leaders of the AANES who ask for political recognition, and has received SDC officials in Congress and other States."

On what is needed to meet the challenges and threats, Khalil said in this context: "These relationships need to be more developed, and Western State officials are bolder to deal with AANES through the provision of various forms of economic support, as well as existing military support and the provision of technical and technical expertise to assist in the development of governance structures in the administration. The administration should be more transparent and visible with millions of Syrians and seek self-potential as well, in addition to developing governance, economic and infrastructure structures and paying more attention to those most in need and affected. "

T/S

ANHA
(The Center Square)  The federal government has denied a request by the Beshear Administration to fund additional days of cleanup costs associated with last months tornadoes that killed 77 people in western and southern Kentucky.

However, Gov. Andy Beshear said the federal government agreed to adjust its 30 days of full coverage to any period within the first 120 days after the Dec. 10 storms.

In other words, we can figure out the costliest 30-day period, and the federal government will cover everything on it, Beshear told reporters Monday. This is not everything we wanted. We are going to ask for something different, at least a little bit more help, but it is going to be significant.

As Beshear plans to go back for more help, the state is working on its own package to help towns and counties recover from the storms that devastated such communities as Mayfield, Dawson Springs and Bowling Green.

Bills in both the state House and Senate call for $200 million in funding for those communities. The House Appropriations and Revenue Committee passed its chambers version Monday.

House Bill 5 includes $30 million to pay for extra educational costs from the storms. That includes providing tutoring and additional mental health services. Affected school districts also will be able to use the funding to cover transportation costs for students now displaced by the storm.

It also covers $15 million for better housing opportunities for families in need of shelter. That includes buying recreational vehicles for families to use as temporary housing.

These resources are just the beginning, and we will continue the process throughout the session, said HB5 sponsor state Rep. Richard Heath, R-Mayfield, in a statement. We are still firming up areas where we can deploy dollars to help local governments so that they can address many different manners such as losses of revenue and insurance shortfalls.

Beshear said Monday that the bills lawmakers filed differed from the proposals lawmakers and his administration discussed. He did, though, express thanks that lawmakers agreed to extend his state of emergency in the affected communities until the end of the legislative session in mid-April.

The governor said he wants to see money available now for the communities to cover their share of the storm cleanup costs. The state has a $1.1 billion surplus from the last fiscal year that it can tap into to cover expenses.

Beshear said cleanup work will likely last until April in communities like Graves County, where Heath represents. That county alone is looking at costs of about $120 million. However, some of that will be covered by federal and state governments.

We have an amazing budget right now, the governor said. We can cover that. It would bankrupt the cities and the counties.
A WOMAN from Checkendon has received an OBE in the New Years Honours list for her services to British foreign policy.

Robin Hart is a senior programme director at Wilton Park, an executive agency of the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, which provides a global forum for strategic discussion.

The 57-year-old lives in Sussex but was born and raised in Checkendon and will be leaving her role in March to move to Ipsden and take over her familys farming business.

She said she was flabbergasted to be honoured.

Its quite funny actually as I was a queue to get my booster jab in Brighton when I found out and I squealed, she said.

But I didnt tell anyone  I was very good. My family were very pleased and very proud when I could finally tell them.

Its just a huge honour and because of my job I was on the diplomatic list of recipients so for me that was very special.

Ive been there for 25 years so it is recognition of the work the organisation does and my amazing colleagues. It was recognition for the whole team.

Ive been working with so many people from all over the world so its recognition of what were doing and my tiny part in it all. Ms Hart, who studied history at Exeter University, worked at the Ministry of Defence for about 10 years before starting at Wilton Park. She contributes to developing events on emerging international policy challenges and leads several young leader programmes, including the Resilient40, the Caribbean 2030 Forum and the British German Forum.

Ms Hart developed and ran Wilton Parks global health programme from 2003 to 2019 and has previously run a series of discussions on humanitarianism and disaster risk reduction.

She led a six-part series on international food security, agriculture and land use and is a director of Bridge International Dialogue, a charity set up by alumni of the organisation.

The award is a nice way to finish that part of my career, she said. I cant tell you how much it means  its a phenomenal honour.

My father, Stephen, received an OBE for his services to agriculture and pest control when I was about seven or eight so as a family it was always a special thing.

Ms Hart celebrated with her mother Vanessa and other family members in Checkendon on New Years Day.
Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi meets with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Nayef bin Falah Al-Hajraf in Wuxi, east China's Jiangsu Province, Jan. 11, 2022. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng)

NANJING, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met on Tuesday with visiting Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Nayef bin Falah Al-Hajraf in Wuxi, east China's Jiangsu Province.

Wang said that, in recent years, China and the GCC have consolidated their political mutual trust and deepened practical cooperation. China appreciates the GCC's understanding of and support for China's propositions on issues concerning China's core interests and major concerns. China also firmly supports GCC countries in safeguarding their national independence, security and stability.

He said that China will continue to oppose any country's interference in the internal affairs of GCC countries under the pretext of "human rights" and oppose linking terrorism with any particular religion or ethnic group.

Both China and the GCC are important forces for stability, Wang said, adding that in the face of uncertainties caused by profound changes of a scale unseen in a century and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, both sides should work together to play a more positive role in promoting regional peace and stability as well as world peace and development.

Nayef said that China is an important strategic partner and the largest trading partner of the GCC, and the two sides enjoy a high level of mutual trust.

The GCC greatly appreciates China's important influence and positive role in international and regional affairs, and has high expectations for the future of bilateral relations, said Nayef.

The two sides agreed that the conditions for China and the GCC to establish a strategic partnership are ripe, and they will accelerate this process. They will also work together to formulate and sign an action plan for strategic dialogue in the next three years, according to a press release.

The two sides agreed to complete negotiations on a free-trade agreement between China and the GCC at an early date, and agreed to strengthen coordination and cooperation on international and regional affairs to jointly address global challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change, according to the press release.

They also exchanged views and coordinated their positions on the Iranian nuclear issue and the Yemen issue. 
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LAGOS, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- Nigerian troops have killed five gunmen in a recent encounter in north Nigeria's Kaduna state, a state official said on Monday.

Samuel Aruwan, the commissioner for internal security and home affairs in the state, said in a brief statement troops based in the state received credible intelligence reports on the movement of the gunmen near the town of Kwanan Bataro in the Giwa local government area of the state.

The troops were mobilized immediately to engage the gunmen in the area and killed five of them in the encounter, said Aruwa, without mentioning when the encounter happened.

There have been a series of gunmen attacks in northern Nigeria in recent months, leading to deaths and kidnappings. 
Greenville, TX (75401)

Today

Scattered thunderstorms in the morning, then cloudy skies late. High 68F. Winds N at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 60%..

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Cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 61F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph.
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
Saint Joseph, MI (49085)

Today

Rain likely. High 52F. Winds NE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall may reach one inch..

Tonight

Showers in the evening with some clearing overnight. Low 42F. Winds N at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 50%.
Chinese community in Cambodia cheers for upcoming Beijing Winter Olympics, Spring Festival

Xinhua) 08:26, January 11, 2022

Participants write calligraphy to cheer for the Beijing Winters Olympics at an event in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on Jan. 10, 2022. (Photo by Bunseng/Xinhua)

PHNOM PENH, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese community in Cambodia on Monday held an event to cheer for the upcoming 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics and Spring Festival.

The event was co-organized by the Federation of Khmer-Chinese in Cambodia and the Cambodian Chinese Calligraphers Association and attended by nearly 100 people.

During the half-day event held in the Cambodian capital Phnom Penh, participants wrote Chinese calligraphy to voice their support for the Beijing Winter Olympics and offer best wishes for the Spring Festival.

Xie Lirong, rotating chairman of the Federation of Khmer-Chinese in Cambodia, said, "We believe that the Beijing Winter Olympics will be the most-ever exciting event."

Feng Lifa, president of the Cambodian Chinese Calligraphers Association, thanked calligraphy enthusiasts for calligraphy performance on the spot, and said, "The Beijing Winter Olympics will be full of profound charm of the traditional Chinese culture because it is not only a sporting event, but also a cultural event."

In a recent interview with Xinhua, Cambodian government chief spokesman Phay Siphan said the Beijing Winter Olympics will promote friendship, solidarity and cooperation among countries around the world.

"The Olympics is an opportunity for athletes from countries around the world to show their physical ability or talent in sports, not ideology or opposition," he said.

"Countries should not politicize the Olympics because it is against the Olympic spirit."

(Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun)
Dr. Anthony Fauci angrily accused Sen. Rand Paul of inspiring death threats against him and his family with lies about the governments handling of the COVID-19 pandemic  all to raise campaign cash.

Testifying before a Senate committee Tuesday, the nations top infectious disease chief, who is also President Bidens chief medical adviser, said Paul (R-Ky.) deliberately riles up his right-wing base of supporters by falsely accusing Fauci of being responsible for hundreds of thousands of deaths.

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All of a sudden, that kindles the crazies, Fauci said. And I have threats upon my life and harassment of my family and my children receiving obscene phone calls.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and chief medical adviser to the president, testifies before a Senate committee hearing to examine the federal response to COVID-19 and new emerging variants, Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. (Greg Nash/AP)

Fauci said the threats pose a real danger, including the case of an armed California man who was arrested on his way to Washington, D.C., to kill him. Court documents show the man, Kuachua Brillion Xiong of Sacramento, had an AR-15-style rifle, ammunition and body armor in his car.

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Pauls campaign website has a fire Dr. Fauci page that includes a call for political contributions ranging from $5 to $100.

You are using a catastrophic pandemic for your political gain, Fauci said.

Paul, in a well-rehearsed retort, responded: Do you think its a great success? Do you think weve slowed down the death rate? You are the one responsible. You are the main architect ... and now 800,000 people have died.

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 feud overshadowed a hearing of the Senate Health Committee designed to examine if policy changes are needed while the U.S. is battling the hugely contagious omicron variant.

Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) (Greg Nash/AP)

Among the chief complaints of Republicans and Democrats alike is a continuing lack of tests to make it easier for people to tell if they have COVID-19 so they can stay home and not spread it.

I just say to all of you right now, testings broken, said an exasperated Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.), the committees ranking member.

Still, Burr and several other lawmakers on both sides of the aisle also thanked Fauci for his work to fight the pandemic.

But later in Tuesdays hearing, Fauci lost his temper when Sen. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) accused him of hiding financial disclosure forms required of public officials.

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Youre so misinformed that its extraordinary, Fauci responded, saying those documents are publicly available upon request. As the exchange ended, Fauci could be heard muttering off-camera, What a moron.

With News Wire Services
Uniontown, PA (15401)

Today

Cloudy skies during the morning hours followed by thunderstorms in the afternoon. Potential for severe thunderstorms. High 77F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 70%..

Tonight

Thunderstorms likely. Low 61F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 80%.
Over 7 million new omicron cases were reported in Europe during the first week of the year as the continent, like much of the world, battles a surge in coronavirus infections.

The World Health Organization said that the number of infections had more than doubled over just two weeks.

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Over 1% of the populations of 26 European countries have contracted the virus each week, WHO Europe director Dr. Hans Kluge said Tuesday at a media briefing.

Medical staff members tend to a Covid-19 patient at the intensive care unit of Cremona hospital, in Cremona, northern Italy, on January 11, 2022. (MIGUEL MEDINA/AFP via Getty Images)

Omicron moves faster and wider than any (previous) variant we have seen, he said.

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Half of Western Europe will have contracted COVID-19 within the next six to eight weeks, said Kluge, pointing to projections from the University of Washingtons Institute of Health Metrics.

A general view of the Nightingale Covid-19 Surge Hub which is being erected at the Royal Preston Hospital on January 11, 2022 in Preston, United Kingdom. (Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

Though the U.N. public health agency had previously implored wealthy, largely vaccinated countries not to administer booster doses of the COVID-19 vaccine until developing nations could widely administer their first and second doses, omicron has shifted that messaging.

Now, Kluge is urging countries to put vaccination, and boosters, at the forefront  in addition to mandating indoor mask usage  for at-risk populations, including the elderly and those working in healthcare.

Countries in Eastern Europe, which have far lower vaccination rates, are at risk of being overwhelmed by omicron, said Kluge.

Russia and Ukraine, for instance, were each seeing a record number of COVID deaths in late 2021, even before omicron was identified as a threat.

Russia in early November reported 1,178 COVID deaths, a record number of daily virus fatalities at the time. Ukraine, just under two weeks prior, reported 546 deaths in a day, then its highest-ever death toll amid the pandemic.

With News Wire Services
The omicron COVID variant continued to pummel New York States hospitals on Monday, but emerging data signal the strain is beginning to loosen its grip.

The statewide coronavirus test positivity rate slid for the seventh straight day, dropping to a still-steep 19.4%, as medical centers battled what could prove the roughest stretch of the winter omicron wave.

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Hospitals across the state were treating more than 12,000 patients infected with COVID, according to figures released by Gov. Hochuls office. And the statewide virus hospitalization tally, which climbed by 275 in the latest data batch, was almost 30% higher Monday than its 2021 peak.

The states COVID death toll rose by 135.

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Dozens of upstate hospitals in high-risk regions were asked to freeze elective surgeries to spare bed space, the state Health Department said Saturday. The virus has also stretched staffing thin in medical centers.

We have the tools to fight this winter surge, and how quickly we turn the corner will depend on our actions, Gov. Hochul said in a Monday statement, urging parents to vaccinate their children, who have appeared to face increased risk during the omicron onslaught.

Wear a mask to help stop the spread, and stay home if you arent feeling well, Hochul added in the statement. Lets learn from the lessons of the past and finally put this winter surge behind us.

Hospital admissions lag cases, and the hospitalization rate appears to be starting to crest after surging dramatically in the first days of January. Hochul and health officials are hoping the drop off the omicron mountain will come as rapidly as the ascent.

Covid-19 testing workers try to warm up in front of a propane heater in the UES Tuesday, Jan. 4, in Manhattan New York. (Barry Williams/for New York Daily News)

In recent days, Hochuls office has started releasing data reflecting how many infected New Yorkers were hospitalized for reasons other than COVID. In the latest batch of figures, almost 50% of infected patients in New York City were hospitalized for noncoronavirus reasons.

The welcome data point reflects the omnipresence of omicron, which spreads ferociously but rarely generates severe illness in people who are fully vaccinated and boosted.

Statewide, 42% of infected New Yorkers were hospitalized for reasons other than the virus, according to Mondays figures.

People get tested at a mobile Covid-19 testing van in Times Square in Manhattan, New York. (TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via Getty Images)

It is not clear how quickly omicron will recede.In South Africa, which faced one of the earliest omicron outbreaks, cases fell quickly after soaring. But it is summer there, and the country has a relatively young population.

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Dr. Mary Bassett, the state health commissioner, expressed caution in a news conference on Friday when asked to chart the path of the virus.

It will end  that much Im prepared to make an assured statement about, Bassett said of the omicron peak. I think that we can expect a difficult January, but that things should be much better by February.

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Federal prosecutors said Monday they are prepared to drop perjury charges against Ghislaine Maxwell to save her victims from having to testify in a second trial.

In a Manhattan Federal Court filing, prosecutors said they would dismiss two counts of lying under oath against Jeffrey Epsteins chief enabler in light of the victims significant interests in bringing closure to this matter and avoiding the trauma of testifying again.

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FILE - In this June 25, 2013, file photo, Ghislaine Maxwell, founder of the TerraMar Project, attends a news conference on the Issue of Oceans in Sustainable Development Goals, at United Nations headquarters. (Rick Bajornas/AP)

The decision hinges on whether Maxwell gets a retrial on sex-trafficking charges over her claims of juror misconduct. Maxwell asked last week for her guilty verdict to be tossed after it emerged one of the jurors on her case could not recall if he had disclosed during jury selection that hed been sexually abused as a child.

Maxwell had expected to face a second trial on the perjury charges, which stem from two depositions she gave in a 2016 lawsuit filed by Epstein accuser Virginia Giuffre.

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Prosecutors say she lied under oath about Epsteins sex toys.

I dont recollect anything about a laundry basket of sex toys, Maxwell said during one of the depositions.

Witnesses testified during Maxwells sex trafficking trial about her stash of sex toys.

Some victims said Epstein used the devices to sexually abuse them. Epsteins former house manager of 10 years, Juan Alessi, testified about Maxwell storing them in her bathroom at the financiers Palm Beach mansion.

I remember finding a large dildo, the longtime housekeeper recalled. I just put my gloves on, put it in the sink, run it under water, and put the dildo in Ms. Maxwells closet in the basket.

Breaking News As it happens Get updates on the coronavirus pandemic and other news as it happens with our free breaking news email alerts. >

Maxwell was convicted on Dec. 29 of facilitating Epsteins sexual abuse of minors from 1994 to 2004.

FILE - The main jury panel sits in the jury box waiting to be dismissed after deliberating during Ghislaine Maxwell's sex trafficking trial, Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2021 in New York. (Elizabeth Williams/AP)

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Prosecutors asked Judge Alison Nathan to schedule Maxwells sentencing on the sex-trafficking charges for March or April. The British socialite faces a maximum of 65 years in prison.

Maxwells lawyers asked for the judge to hold off on scheduling a date while they investigate the juror.

Nathan will rule on the request.
Radisson Hotel Group is proud to announce the opening of Radisson Hotel Riyadh Airport, the debut of the Group's fourth brand in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This brings the Group's portfolio to over 25 hotels, resorts, and serviced apartments in operation and under development in Saudi Arabia, perfectly complementing the Group's collection of city and leisure hotels across Riyadh.

Radisson Hotel Riyadh Airport features 471 rooms including duplex suites, three-bedroom villas and family connecting rooms with a wide range of amenities such as coffee machines and rain-showers to make each guest's stay memorable. The family villas are equipped with private pool, separate living area, dining area with fully-equipped kitchen and washing machine, spread over three floors making them ideal for those planning an extended stay or looking for extra space.

Located just 25 minutes from the city center and five kilometers from the King Khalid International Airport, Radisson Hotel Riyadh Airport offers easy access to the city's main sights like the Riyadh front leisure destination and the Riyadh business gate. In addition, Radisson Hotel Riyadh Airport offers its guests three outdoor pools, two indoor pools, a separate ladies and men fitness studio, and a spa.

The hotel features two dining options that offer both international and Arabic dishes. Start the day right with a 'Super Breakfast' on the terrace of Lune, or enjoy all-day dining from the extensive a la carte lunch and dinner menu. Kasbah Cafe on the ground floor offers a variety of light international dishes and shisha on the pergola terrace.

Tim Cordon, Area Senior Vice President, Middle East, and Africa, at Radisson Hotel Group, says, "We are delighted to welcome our first airport hotel to Riyadh and bring an additional brand from our portfolio to the capital. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia remains a key development area for us, evident in our fast expansion within the country aligned with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030. We are thrilled for guests to experience this upscale hotel brand which enables guests to focus on a work/life balance and find harmony in their travel experience."

Providing an ideal venue for any event, including large groups or weddings, the hotel offers 11 meeting rooms with state-of-the-art technology and a soon to open auditorium spanning more than 1,800 square meters.

Hotel website
In a series of devastating phone calls Monday, Haji Dukuray learned that five members of his extended family had perished in a deadly fire in a Bronx highrise 200 miles away.

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Thirty people including several children were critically injured, with firefighters making dramatic rescues using tower ladders and ladders, after a fire broke out inside a third floor duplex apartment at 333 East 181st Street in the Bronx on Sunday January 9, 2022. (Theodore Parisienne/for New York Daily News)

The 61-year-old Delaware resident then made the hours-long drive to Fordham Heights, his heart broken after learning his 49-year-old nephew with whom he shares a name, the nephews wife and the couples three kids had all died Sunday in the smoky blaze.

He said hed been in touch with his family in Gambia throughout the day, working out how to share the news of the unimaginable tragedy.

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The first step of closure for us is trying to retrieve the bodies, Dukuray told the Daily News.

He identified family members killed as nephew Haji Dukuray, 49, his wife Haja Dukureh, 37, as well as their children Mustapha Dukuray, 12, Miriam Dukuray, 11, and Fatoumata Dukuray, 5.

(L-R) Haji Dukuray, 49, his wife Haja Dukureh, 37, Miriam Dukuray, 11, Mustapha Dukuray, 12, and Fatoumata Dukuray, 5. (Obtained by Daily News)

In some cases we will bury the dead here. In some cases, we may fly them back to The Gambia, he said.

Authorities said a space heater was to blame for the blaze that broke out in the second-floor of a duplex, and spread to the third floor, on E. 181st St. near Tiebout Ave.

The toxic smoke also killed Sera Janneh, 27, who lived in a sixth-floor apartment, and left her younger sister, Ishatou Janneh, 19, in critical condition at Weill Cornell Medical Center, their father told The News.

Sera Janneh, 27, was one of the17 killed in the fire at East 181 St fire in the Bronx. (Kerry Burke )

We were trapped in the fire together, Tijan Janneh, 64, said about his two daughters. We went down the stairs to the fourth floor but it was black with smoke.

Some residents were heading up the stairs as they headed down, he recounted.

Thats where I lost them, he said. I lost them on the stairs.

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The lights went out and as dark smoke surrounded them, it became impossible to see.

We couldnt find one another... I started climbing back upstairs holding the wall, he said. I got back to the apartment and collapsed.

Tijan Janneh, 64, a commercial driver, who was trapped in the fire at East 181 St escaped unharmed. (Kerry Burke )

When he finally escaped, he learned the awful news. Their uncle told me they were in the hospital and Sera was dead, he said. We are praying to God... Its all we can do. He can help us handle anything.

Sera Janneh was an American-born Gambian, the middle child of seven sisters, and family members said she worked as a teacher, educating young children.

She was a nice, humble and caring person. She was a wonderful daughter, her father said. She was engaged for about a year, but she will never get to marry.

Also identified as victims of the smokey blaze were a hard-working married couple, Hagi Jawara, 47, and his wife, Isatou Janie, 31, who perished after they were overwhelmed by smoke in an 18th-story stairwell, said Jawaras brother, Yusupha Jawara.

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Bronx fire victim Hagi Jawara, 47. (Obtained by Daily News)

The whole city was filled with heartache and prayer. Among those praying Monday was Karen Benjamin. She didnt know if her daughter, Dorel Anderson, 38, and her daughters boyfriend, Ramel Thompson, 44, were dead or alive.

Bronx fire victim Isatou Janie, 31. (Obtained by Daily News)

Breaking News As it happens Get updates on the coronavirus pandemic and other news as it happens with our free breaking news email alerts. >

She does know this: Anderson and Thompson are both disabled, and if Anderson did make it out, someone would have had to lift her from her wheelchair.

Were hoping shes not deceased or anything because shes handicapped, shes in a wheelchair, Benjamin said. They were on the 13th floor. Both are disabled. Were worried they couldnt get out of the building.

Anderson lives in Brooklyn and came to the Bronx to visit her boyfriend.

Benjamin and daughter April Stevens have frantically called or visited at least three hospitals looking for the couple.

They werent answering their cell phones, Stevens said.

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Im praying that my sister and her boyfriend are alive, Stevens said. Im praying for their safety.

CORRECTION: A prior version of this story incorrectly stated that a 12-year-old boy who later died in the fire had knocked on the door of a womans apartment and instructed her to stay by her window until help arrived. It was in fact an FDNY firefighter who told the woman to remain by her window until she could be escorted to safety.
Commonwealth Hotels announced today that Cheyenne Albert has been appointed the general manager of the Home2 Suites by Hilton El Reno. Ms. Albert brings over 6 years of hospitality experience to her new role as general manager having previously served as the property's operations manager since joining the Home2 Suites El Reno in 2020.

An experienced leader in both operations and service, Ms. Albert build her career by inspiring vision, effectively leading teams, and developing future leaders through training and mentoring. Prior to joining the Home2 Suites El Reno, Albert served in various leadership roles with the Home2 Suites Oklahoma City South, The Hampton Inn & Suites Oklahoma City South, and Kusum Hospitality. Ms. Albert resides with her family in Mustang, Oklahoma.
Kimberly analyses, structures, and manages hotel financing deals at Aareal Bank, one of the leading lenders in hotel real estate globally. Previously, Kimberly was active at Cushman & Wakefield's Strategic Advisory & Research EMEA. Prior to joining Cushman & Wakefield, Kimberly acquired knowledge and experience of hotel operations, working across various functions for major luxury and limited-service hotel brands in Japan, Singapore, and the USA.

Kimberly graduated from the Ecole hoteliere de Lausanne with a BSc. in International Hospitality Management (High Honors), with the top BSc. grade and second-best thesis of her cohort.
Byron began his career in the healthcare industry, where he co-founded a medico-legal company that provides specialist assessments to plaintiff law firms in South Australia. He then worked for a healthcare consulting firm providing rapid business growth solutions to private practice owners across Australia. With his outstanding entrepreneurial spirit, Byron then co-developed his first mobile application and was a founding partner and director of XOXO Ice Cream, Balis leading dessert chain in 2017. At SABA Hospitality, Byron looks after all things Sales & Marketing. He holds a Masters Degree from the University of South Australia.
Dubai - interTouch, the leading provider of cloud-based Internet and guest-facing technologies to the global hospitality industry, has announced the appointment of Niraj Nadkarni as Vice President Sales and General Manager, Middle East and Africa. In this newly created role, Mr. Nadkarni will be responsible for supporting the companys growth and business strategy in the regions. He will report to Michael Vargosko, Managing Director, Europe, Middle East, Africa, India and Caribbean & Latin America.

With over 25 years of international experience in sales, business development and key account management in the luxury hospitality technology industry, nearly all of which in the Middle East, Mr. Nadkarni is ideally qualified to lead the companys sales and growth in the region.

We have a tremendous opportunity to accelerate our company growth and we are delighted to welcome Niraj to our team at this critical time for the business. We are witnessing incredibly strong demand for our solutions in the Middle East and Africa, a key growth region for interTouch, said Michael Vargosko, Managing Director, interTouch. Niraj brings a breadth of experience that is vital to our business expansion strategy and will help drive our customer experience to the next level. This appointment will further strengthen our position as the market leader in the hospitality sector in these key regions."

Mr. Nadkarni is an accomplished and respected industry veteran and joins interTouch from INTEREL, a global leader in guestroom and energy management systems, where he worked for over nine years, most recently in the position of Sales Director for the Middle East, Africa & Indian Ocean. Prior to this, Mr Nadkarni held various leadership positions with key hospitality technology vendors including ABB and Siemens. In addition to his sales and business development experience, Mr. Nadkarni has a proven track record in product design, business strategy and project management.

I am honoured to join Michael and the team at interTouch and am excited to build on the companys solid and long-standing global customer base, said Mr. Nadkarni I look forward to working with the companys talented team to drive sales and business growth across the region with the vast portfolio of end-to-end solutions for todays hospitality industry and associated verticals that interTouch has to offer.

About interTouch

interTouch is the leading provider of cloud-based Internet and guest-facing technologies to the global hospitality industry. The company enable hotel guests to connect and control their digital experience through high-speed Internet, entertainment, casting, virtual/voice assistant, Passpoint and telephony solutions.

The steadfast connectivity, entertainment and virtual assistant solutions can be tailored to a hotel's brand standards whilst the company's reliable, efficient and scalable networks allow its hotel partners to take full advantage of new technology whenever it becomes available.

With installations in 60+ countries representing more than 320,000 hotel rooms, interTouch has become one of the largest and most trusted providers of integrated guest-facing technologies in the hospitality sector.

Established in 1998 with offices in over 30 countries, interTouch is wholly-owned by investment firm Gate Worldwide Holdings. For more information, visit www.intertouch.com

Anne Bleeker

Managing Director | In2 Consulting

+97144558499

View source
As the New Year begins, we know that people are starting to consider their 2022 travel plans. However, if weve learned anything over the past 18-24 months, it is that no matter how much people want to get back to some sense of normalcy, they will not do it at the cost of the planet.

Mastercard has teamed up with Preferred Hotel Group, the parent company of independent hotel brand Preferred Hotels & Resorts and new sustainable hotel brand Beyond Green, to support the growing number of travelers - both business and leisure - who wish to make more eco-conscious accommodation choices as members of the guest loyalty program I Prefer Hotel Rewards.

For every I Prefer member rate booked and paid for online with a Mastercard, Preferred Hotel Group will fund the planting of one tree up to a maximum of 17,500 trees. This pledge to support global forest conservation through Mastercards Priceless Planet Coalition is valid for I Prefer Member Rate reservations made online between January 10 and December 31, 2022 for staysat any participating Preferred Hotels & Resorts or Beyond Green property.

As the travel community enters a more mindful phase of global movement, it is an honor to be the first hotel company to join the Priceless Planet Coalition, contributing to the creation of more considerate, sustainable programs that meet the evolving needs of todays traveler, said Lindsey Ueberroth, Chief Executive Officer of Preferred Hotel Group. We are committed to finding new ways to achieve greater planetary wellbeing now and into the future, and through this partnership, we look forward to making travel an even greater force for good.

Mastercards Priceless Planet Coalition brings together merchants, bank, cities, and consumers in an effort to preserve the environment, with a goal of planting 100 million trees over five years. Together, with its global forest restoration partners World Resources Institute and Conservation International, Mastercard is committed to not only planting trees, but to restoring forests in geographies that deliver the greatest global impact.

For more information on the campaign and the Priceless Planet Coalition, please visit PricelessPlanet.org.

More on Mastercards battle against climate change

Mastercard uses its global scale and systems, and long-established Priceless brand, which connects to literally billions of people all over the world. It leverages its innovation strength to develop solutions that promote sustainable consumer choices and allow people to contribute to the causes they support in meaningful ways. With its global network of partners  including 20,000 banks and 70 million merchants  they can reach nearly 3 billion cardholders globally. People who increasingly want to help preserve the environment. Creating digital tools, such as Mastercard Carbon Calculator, which educate people about their personal impact on the planet and encourage climate-conscious choices, offering cards made from sustainable materials and enabling people to donate through direct contributions or loyalty point redemptions  supporting the forest restoration work of our Priceless Planet Coalition (which unites 80+ businesses in the restoration of 100 million trees). It also recently launched a global Sustainability Innovation Lab to support work with partners to figure out the payments tech of the future that will enable more sustainable consumer choice.

About Preferred Hotel Group

Preferred Hotels & Resorts is the world's largest independent hotel brand, representing more than 700 distinctive hotels, resorts, residences, and unique hotel groups across 80 countries. Through its five global collections, Preferred Hotels & Resorts connects discerning travelers to the singular luxury hospitality experience that meets their life and style preferences for each occasion. Every property within the portfolio maintains the high-quality standards and unparalleled service levels required by the Preferred Hotels & Resorts Integrated Quality Assurance Program. The I Prefer hotel rewards program, Preferred Residences, Preferred Pride, and Preferred Golf offer valuable benefits for travelers seeking a unique experience. For more information, please visit PreferredHotels.com, StayBeyondGreen.com, HistoricHotels.org, PHGConsulting.com, and BeyondGreenTravel.com.

About I Prefer Hotel Rewards

Launched in 2013, the I Prefer Hotel Rewards program from Preferred Hotel Group extends points for multiple redemption options and other complimentary benefits to members upon eligible stays at more than 650 participating hotels and resorts worldwide. In addition to earning points for eligible room nights, members receive additional benefits based on their tier status. I Prefer also offers a free mobile app, available on Apple and Android devices, which allows members to search and book hotel stays, easily redeem Reward Certificates, and connect directly with their host hotel during a stay. Currently, more than four million travelers have signed up for membership.

Terri McCollin

Executive Director, Public Relations

+1 646 465 9785

Preferred Hotels
AEW Capital Management Acquired Hong Kong Hotel for HKD1.65 Billion

US-based AEW Capital Management, L.P. and Hong Kong-based Crystal Investment Limited have recently acquired Hotel Sav in Hong Kong from Hong Kong-based Chuangs Consortium International Ltd for HKD1.65 Billion. Situated at Wuhu Street in Hung Hom area, the 388-key hotel features an indoor lounge, a 24-hour fitness centre, a parking lot, two meeting rooms, as well as 933 square metres retail space on the first two floor. It is believed the new buyer will convert the property into co-living, as the property is located in close proximity to three metro stations, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, and the Intercity Through Train which connects Hong Kong with Guangzhou, Shanghai and Beijing.

South Koreas Lotte Corporation has Acquired Kimpton Hotel Monaco Chicago

South Korea-based LOTTE Corporation (Lotte) has been revealed as the purchaser of Kimpton Hotel Monaco Chicago from US-based Xenia Hotels & Resorts, Inc for USD36 million. Situated on the border of the Loop, the 191-key hotel is located at an excellent location with walking distance to the Chicago River and all touristic attractions. The hotel features one restaurant and bar, 380 square metres meeting and event spaces, and a 24-hour fitness centre. The previously unknown buyer, Lotte, has been expanding its presence in the States in recent years, debuted with the 822-key Lotte New York Palace hotel in 2015 and followed up with the 189-key Lotte Hotel Seattle in 2020. It is believed that the property will be rebranded into Lottes.

Minor International and Abu Dhabi Fund for Development Announce Joint Venture on Five Assets in Thailand

Thailand-based Minor International Public Company (MINT) and UAE-based Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD) announced a new joint venture agreement to hold shares in four tourist resorts and a plaza mall in Thailand namely: Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort, Avani+ Riverside Bangkok Hotel, Riverside Plaza Bangkok, Anantara Layan Phuket Resort and Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui. MINT will be holding 60% of the share, while 40% will be from ADFD. The aggregate selling price of the portfolio is USD 104.8 million, implying a 12.5x to 2019 EBITDA on an overall basis. This valuation reflects strong confidence in MINT asset management performance and the future economic projections for Thailands tourism sector. The five assets will continue to be operated and managed under the existing brands of MINT. Established in 1971, ADFD is a UAE-linked government entity that has invested in more than 500 projects and companies with more than USD 40 billion in assets.

High Speed China-Laos Railway Officially Opened

In early December 2021, Laos inaugurated the Boten-Vientiane railway, a 414-kilometer high-speed railway that runs between the capital Vientiane and the town of Boten on the Laos-China border. The new railway holds the possibility of transforming Laos, a landlocked country and one of the least industrialized in ASEAN, into a land-linked hub that connects to the broader region. This USD6 billion project is equivalent to one-third of Laoss GDP and is funded by China as part of its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). It is a linchpin of the deepening ties between the two countries. Traveling to the Chinese border will now take less than four hours compared to the 15 hours by car and costs USD 33 for a second-class seat. Currently, most China-ASEAN trade, worth more than USD600 billion in 2020, relies mainly on coastline routes, with the Laos-China trade representing merely two percent of the total China-ASEAN trade. According to a World Bank report, transit trade through Laos could increase to 3.9 million tons by 2030 from the 1.6 million tons reported in 2016.

About HVS

HVS is the world's leading consulting and valuation services organization focused on the hotel, restaurant, shared ownership, gaming, and leisure industries. Established in 1980, the company performs more than 4,500 assignments per year for virtually every major industry participant. HVS principals are regarded as the leading professionals in their respective regions of the globe. Through a worldwide network of over 50 offices staffed by 300 experienced industry professionals, HVS provides an unparalleled range of complementary services for the hospitality industry. For further information regarding our expertise and specifics about our services, please visit www.hvs.com.
Study of Ipsos MORI sentiment analysis and first-party Tripadvisor data shows traveler intent for 2022 demonstrates high demand for booking experiences and a willingness to spend more on travel, while encouraging businesses to maintain safety protocols to win over travelers.

NEEDHAM, Mass. - A new travel trends research paper released today by Tripadvisor, the world's largest travel guidance platform*, in partnership with Ipsos MORI, reveals how consumers are planning to travel in 2022 and beyond, and how their attitudes and behaviors in relation to travel have changed as compared to pre-pandemic. While outside factors like COVID-19 variants, international travel rules and staffing shortages still can represent existential threats to traveler behaviors, year-end sentiment and search data shows ongoing demand for travel remains high. Who benefits from the tourism demand? As travelers spend more, cultural experience providers (tours and attractions), tourism businesses catering to domestic audiences and companies adhering to safety standards will win the hearts and minds of travelers.

'Travel in 2022 - A Look Ahead' which can be viewed for free (click here), combines consumer sentiment analysis, gathered by Ipsos MORI on behalf of Tripadvisor, via surveys in five major international markets, and behavioral analysis of Tripadvisor's first-party search data  uncovering several travel patterns, such as the average length of trip planned for 2022 and the amount travelers are looking to spend, according to searches they actively made on the Tripadvisor platform before year-end.

"Despite new variants of COVID-19, consumers across the globe still want to travel and explore. This is evident in our month-over-month search data which shows a consistent, healthy increase in page views post-holidays," said Kanika Soni, Chief Commercial Officer, Tripadvisor, Inc. "Travelers are quickly adapting to local public health conditions, with cleanliness and safety remaining important factors in their planning."

Unsurprisingly, the report continues to show that the pandemic weighs on the minds of people across the countries featured in this study. The good news is that reported travel intent for 2022 compared with 2019 and analysis of planned average trip spend show prospects for a strong year ahead in the hospitality industry.

Key findings from the study include:

Planned travel in 2022 surpasses actual travel in 2019

Across the five key markets around the world that were surveyed, those likely to travel for leisure purposes in 2022 outpaces pre-pandemic reported travel levels. In the UK, 78% of respondents said that they are likely to travel for leisure in 2022, compared to 72% of those who said that they traveled for leisure in 2019. In the United States, 2022 leisure travel intent is up 8 percentage points (pp) compared to 2019, with 71% saying they are likely to travel for leisure in 2022. Singapore leads the way in travel optimism, with 82% reporting they are likely to vacation in 2022, up 2pp compared to 2019. Australia (72%) and Japan (51%) are trending similarly, with those who are planning a leisure trip in 2022 up 7pp and 5pp from those who reported traveling in 2019, respectively.

Average spend per trip for 2022 is beyond that of 2019, as travelers look to level up their travel experience**

According to Tripadvisor site behavioral data, American travelers are expected to spend 29% more on their average trip in 2022 than they did in 2019. In Australia, average booking rates are expected to be up by 16% in 2022 against 2019. Singaporean travelers booking values are also expected to increase by an average of 7%. On the other end of the spectrum, the average Japanese traveler is expecting to spend 30% less in 2022 compared with 2019. In Italy, average booking spend is expected to be down 19%. While in the UK, Brits are planning to spend slightly less on 2022 travel than they did in 2019 (-1%). Shifting from behavior to sentiment, over a quarter of travelers in each of the five markets surveyed said it is more important now than before the pandemic to splurge on a big trip. In the United States, roughly 3 in 10 Americans (29%) who traveled for leisure in 2019 said it's more important now than before the pandemic to splurge on a big trip. Twenty-eight percent of Singaporean and Australian travelers, 27% of Japanese travelers and 25% of UK travelers said the same.

Domestic travel continues to lead the way

While a sizable proportion of consumers across most of the markets surveyed plan to travel abroad for leisure in 2022, traveling within their home country is still the most favored option. Seventy-four percent of Singaporean respondents plan to travel domestically for leisure, compared with 53% who plan to travel abroad for leisure. Seventy-three percent of Brits say they plan to travel within the UK for leisure compared with 48% planning to travel abroad. In the US and in Australia, 68% of respondents in each market said they are likely to travel domestically in 2022, while 29% of Americans said they are likely to travel overseas in 2022 compared to 38% of Australians. In Japan, 50% of Japanese respondents reported that they are likely to travel within their home country in 2022, compared to 10% of those likely to travel internationally.

Travelers are seeking new travel experiences in 2022 and beyond

More than a third to nearly half of all travelers surveyed in the United States (41%), UK (38%), Australia (46%), Japan (34%) and Singapore (49%) said that traveling to a destination they've never been to before would be more important to them now, compared to trips they took in 2019, when choosing where to travel. Three-quarters (75%) of Americans said that it's important they "see new places" when thinking about their future travel plans, 74% of Australians, 73% of Singaporeans, 70% of Britons and over half (59%) in Japan said the same. The top three most important considerations, across the markets surveyed, in future travel plans to visit a destination was to get immersive by seeing new places, having new experiences and learning about history and culture. Forty-four percent of Singaporean travelers, 38% of Australians and a third (34%) of Americans and UK travelers respectively said that it's more important now than before the pandemic that they choose a destination where they can immerse themselves in "authentic local experiences". A quarter (25%) of Japanese travelers said the same. In both the US and Australia, 30% of travelers said it's more important now that they "pack as many activities" into their holiday travel as possible. While in the UK, 28% said it's more important for them to plan an action-packed travel experience in 2022 or beyond. About 2 in 10 travelers in each of the five markets surveyed said they will do more guided cultural activities  those activities and tours where subject matter experts and professional guides allow for travelers to sit back, learn, relax, and see all that an area has to offer  when planning trips in 2022 or beyond than before the pandemic (except in Japan where this proportion was 14%).

COVID-19 case counts, safety protocols, quarantine restrictions, and cleanliness are all key factors in travel decision making in 2022

Eighty-five percent of Singaporean travelers, nearly three-quarters of Japanese (73%) and Australian (74%) travelers, 72% of British and 70% of Americans say that cleanliness measures of a hospitality business will be an important factor in their travel decision making next year, even after COVID-19 cases have dropped worldwide. Approximately 7 in 10 respondents in each of the markets said that destinations that have a low number of COVID-19 cases are important when making a decision on where to travel next. One-third of the Brits (32%) and Americans (33%) who aren't traveling next year said they've decided against it because of uncertainty surrounding possible travel restrictions. Over half (55%) of Singaporeans, 47% of Australians and a quarter (25%) of Japanese respondents cited the same reason.



**Average spend per trip is based on actual click-throughs with intent as a proxy for spend.

The data cited in this report was gathered and analyzed from two key sources:

A consumer sentiment survey carried out by Ipsos MORI on behalf of Tripadvisor.

Ipsos MORI interviewed a representative quota sample of adults aged 18-75 (2,199 adults in the UK, 2,191 in the US and 2,000 in each of Australia, Japan and Singapore), using an online omnibus and ad hoc approach between November 1-6, 2021.

The sample obtained is representative of this audience of each country with quotas on age, gender, region and working status.

The data has been weighted to the known offline population proportions for age within gender, working status and region in each country in scope and for social grade in the UK and income bands in the US; to reflect the adult population of each country.

Other subsample groups reported on within this release are as follows:

All adults aged 18-75 who traveled for leisure in 2019 (1,598 in the UK, 1,350 in the US, 1,291 in Australia, 909 in Japan and 1,625 in Singapore).

All adults aged 18-75 who are likely to travel for leisure in 2022 (1,744 in the UK, 1,533 in the US, 1,440 in Australia, 1,008 in Japan and 1,654 in Singapore).

All adults aged 18-75 who are unlikely to travel for leisure in 2022 (1,001 in the UK, 1,278 in the US, 1,095 in Australia, 1,457 in Japan and 854 in Singapore).

All adults aged 18-75 who currently subscribe to any travel related paid subscription programs or services (196 in the UK, 382 in the US, 208 in Australia, 109 in Japan, 189 in Singapore).

Site behavioral data sourced from first party traffic data on the Tripadvisor platform, gathered on December 7, 2021, looking at eight key markets: Australia, Germany, Italy, Japan, Singapore, Spain, United Kingdom and United States.

Other recent studies released by Tripadvisor include:

'A Shot in The Arm for Travel? Examining the Vaccine's Impact on Leisure Travel Demand,'

the full report can be read in full, for free, here: https://www.tripadvisor.com/TravelTrendsReportJune2021

the full report can be read in full, for free, here: https://www.tripadvisor.com/TravelTrendsReportJune2021 ' The Year of the Travel Rebound: 5 Traveler Trends to Watch Out for in 2021,' the full report can be read in full, for free, here: https://www.tripadvisor.com/InfoCenter-a_ctr.2021TravelTrends

the full report can be read in full, for free, here: https://www.tripadvisor.com/InfoCenter-a_ctr.2021TravelTrends 'Beyond COVID-19: The Road to Recovery for the Travel Industry,' the full report can be read in full, for free, here: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Covid19WhitepaperMay2020

the full report can be read in full, for free, here: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Covid19WhitepaperMay2020 '2020 - A Year in Travel: Charting the Travel Industry's Path to Recovery', the full report can be read, for free, here: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Covid19WhitepaperNovember2020

About Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor, the world's largest travel guidance platform*, helps hundreds of millions of people each month** become better travelers, from planning to booking to taking a trip. Travelers across the globe use the Tripadvisor site and app to discover where to stay, what to do and where to eat based on guidance from those who have been there before. With more than 1 billion reviews and opinions of nearly 8 million businesses, travelers turn to Tripadvisor to find deals on accommodations, book experiences, reserve tables at delicious restaurants and discover great places nearby. As a travel guidance company available in 43 markets and 22 languages, Tripadvisor makes planning easy no matter the trip type.

The subsidiaries of Tripadvisor, Inc. (NASDAQ: TRIP), own and operate a portfolio of travel media brands and businesses, operating under various websites and apps, including the following websites:

www.bokun.io, www.cruisecritic.com, www.flipkey.com, www.thefork.com, www.helloreco.com, www.holidaylettings.co.uk, www.housetrip.com, www.jetsetter.com, www.niumba.com, www.seatguru.com, www.singleplatform.com, www.vacationhomerentals.com, and www.viator.com.

* Source: SimilarWeb, unique users de-duplicated monthly, January 2022

** Source: Tripadvisor internal log files
LONDON, SINGAPORE and DENVER - OTA Insight, the global leader in cloud-based hospitality business intelligence, has today been named the winner in three prestigious HotelTechAwards by Hotel Tech Report. For the second consecutive year, OTA Insight has been recognized as best-in-class in the following categories:

Rate Insight (Rate Shopping & Market Intelligence)

Parity Insight (Parity Management software)

Revenue Insight (Business Intelligence)

Along with individual software category awards, Hotel Tech Report recognizes the top 10 most customer centric companies globally across all categories. This year, OTA Insight ranked 3rd out of more than 100 of the top hotel tech companies globally in the Hoteliers Choice competition. Hotel Tech Report also annually surveys employees to determine the 10 Best Places to Work in Hotel Tech, and OTA Insight garnered 5th place.

Each month, more than 169,000 hotel industry professionals use HotelTechReport.com to make informed technology purchasing decisions. The HotelTechAwards determine the best hotel software products across every category based on customer feedback and key proprietary data signals such as integration compatibility, organisational health, market share, partner network strength, and customer support quality.

Were passionate about delivering great products and service so were really proud to once again take first place in three categories. Winning all three product categories and placing highly in two of the non-product categories is testament to the hard work, dedication and creativity of our entire team, said Sean Fitzpatrick CEO at OTA Insight. Were thrilled to be acknowledged as one of the best commercial platforms in the hospitality industry - delivering products that really help hoteliers improve their bottom line.

OTA Insight has taken the global hotel industry by storm, beginning with its rate shop product and strategically developing best of breed products in business intelligence and parity management," says Hotel Tech Report CEO Jordan Hollander. Many products on the market still look like they were built in the 80s and 90s, but OTA Insight has designed a beautiful product suite that makes number crunching a breeze for commercial leaders at hotel organisations of all sizes, while being built on a robust data architecture that scales seamlessly. The hoteliers have spoken,and you only need to compare reviews of OTA Insight on Hotel Tech Report to those of legacy vendors to see why the business has grown so quickly."

The HotelTechAwards are often referred to as "the Grammys of Hotel Tech" and winners have been selected from more than 200 of the top technology products around the world. The HotelTechAwards are the industry's only data-driven awards platform with winners determined not by a handful of judges or popularity votes but by product reviews from a global community of verified hotel technology users across more than 120 countries.

About Hotel Tech Report

HotelTechReport.com helps 170k hoteliers each month to understand the changing hotel technology and digital transformation landscape. We help hoteliers make smarter decisions about which technologies to adopt, keeping scalability and adaptability in mind. Hotel Tech Report helps hoteliers uncover the value propositions of emerging technologies and how they align with the needs of your property stakeholders and guests.

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.

Adam Swart

Global Head of Brand
Looking back on 2021, I am proud to see how much hotels have once again pulled together and grown through waves of change and uncertainty. Despite the twists and turns of changing restrictions, 2021 has been a year to remember in terms of pent-up travel demand, and how hotels have adapted to it.

Youre probably wondering now: Whats in store for hotels in 2022? From our perspective, we anticipate that a number of the trends that emerged during the recession will continue in 2022, including hotels direct interaction with guests, the focus on local tourism

In this article, I share what is expected to be the top 10 Hotel Trends to Watch in 2022.

10 Hotel Trends to Watch in 2022

2021 was a bit of a rollercoaster, with shifting tides from the hope of widespread vaccination, to new variants, and, somehow, hotel bookings exceeding pre-pandemic levels over certain periods of the year. Hotels are expected to keep up this momentum, but we will also see a number of new market developments.

Below are the top 10 Hotel Trends to watch in 2022:

1. OTAs will revert to aggressive visibility marketing strategies, and Hoteliers will need to fight harder for direct bookings

Since 2020, hotel direct bookings have continued to grow exponentially, showing the most resilience during the crisis and recovering stronger in the wake of resumed travel demand. However, the end of 2021 is already showing signs that some of the major players in the OTA space are ramping up marketing investments and offerings to grasp recovery momentum.

Phocuswire reports that Booking.com more than doubled its marketing spend in Q2 of 2021 to $988 million, up from $461 million in Q1, 2021. Looking ahead, the giant stated plans to leverage campaigns similar to its "Back To Travel" initiative, launched in the US in April and in the UK in May, offering travel credits for future stays. Expedia has also stated that it has pushed aggressively into marketing ahead of 2022. Its Q2 earnings report reveals adjusted selling and marketing expense for the period was almost $1.2 billion, a 320% increase year-over-year.

OTAs typically focus on closed groups, such as Bookings Genius program, and have free reign to adjust their rates however they see fit. Since the start of the pandemic, Booking and other OTAs significantly lowered the barriers for guests to enter these closed groups, which essentially means the OTAs have free reign to offer lower rates. Although independent hotels could, in theory, establish a closed group in a similar manner, they do not have as much reach as the OTAs. Thus, we anticipate that Hotels will need to fight harder in 2022 to get more direct bookings.

Hotels won more direct bookings in 2021 by virtue of domestic travel and the uncertain climate, where guests are more likely to interact directly with the hotel. Once its back to business as usual, and international markets reopen, hotels will likely see a dip in direct bookings.

But hotels must remember that their strength lies in how their websites convert visitors into guests. In 2022, hotels need to ensure the direct channel has the best value. While it may not be possible to beat the giants in terms of visibility, hotels will need to ensure their direct channels (including mobile) clearly guide consumer decisions and drive direct sales.

2. Hoteliers will focus strongly on reducing labor shortages and upskilling their workforces

When the world shut down in 2020, hotels in the US laid off approximately 6.2 million employees. As some states opened up, the industry saw a third of these jobs recover last summer, though the ongoing pandemic stalled any hope of a quick bounce-back.

France's hospitality sector estimates that 150,000 workers have left the industry. In Germany, union experts estimate that every sixth worker ( almost 300,000 people) left the sector last year. There are about 200,000 vacancies in the sector in Britain, where the effects of the pandemic have been compounded by Brexit.

Hoteliers need to attract and retain new talent, while also reducing the drain on the existing workforce by motivating them in their jobs. Technology will help to solve the issue, not only in the short term but to make existing teams more effective, by allowing staff to develop meaningful connections with guests, instead of spending many hours on processes.

As demand and occupancy continue to increase, hotels must now ensure they have the skilled people to cater to an influx of guests. Hoteliers will be strongly focused on growing and upskilling their workforces in 2022. According to our ongoing Hotelier PULSE research, the majority of Hoteliers surveyed have ranked Upskilling the Workforce among the top priorities for a stronger recovery.

3. AI and Automation will be widely adopted across the industry, as a means to reduce operational costs without compromising service

Due to the social and travel conditions caused by Covid-19, guests now increasingly value more efficient interactions with hotels that clearly guide purchasing decisions. Hotels must respond to this demand in 2022.

Given current labor and cost constraints, we expect widespread adoption of AI technologies, including Virtual Assistants, ChatBots, Big Data, and Machine Learning, from hotels in 2022. This will better enable hotels to respond to increased customer demand, without compromising service. Hotels will want to ensure that they have the software that enables employees to deliver a better and more efficient service at a fraction of the time and cost to the business.

According to a new market research report published by Global Market Estimates, the AI in Hospitality Market will grow with a compound annual growth rate value of approximately 10% from 2021 to 2026. High technical adoption in the hotel industry owing to change in business operations impacted by the covid-19 pandemic will support the industry growth. Due to coronavirus, various industries opted for digital transformation tools to optimize and regularize their operations.

Its evident that there is a strong connection between adopting AI that streamlines the guests stay at all stages, thus freeing up the best team members in the hotel to truly engage with guests when and how they need them - i.e. concierge services or proactive guest relations.

4. Independent Hotels will be challenged to Communicate Uniqueness in Googles Marketplace

In early March 2021, Google announced the launch of its Hotel Free Booking Links program, giving Hotels free listings as a non-paid extension of Google Hotel Ads. This gave hotels the opportunity to increase online visibility and direct bookings in a space once dominated by paid advertisers such as Booking and Expedia. This led to widespread hotel listings on the Google Hotel Free Booking Links program.

However, by flooding the search engine results with booking options, Google is creating a crowded marketplace, thus forcing hotels, OTAs, and other booking websites to compete for visibility and thinking about how they can stand out. Hotels will need to be strategic about communicating uniqueness in the Google marketplace.

One of the obvious options is to participate in the Hotel Ads Commission Program. This CPA (cost per acquisition) model means hotels will pay Google a commission when a reservation is done and not per click, as is the case with Google Ads. This shows Google is moving to the OTAs model where hotels can work with a commission based on the rate booked, just like Booking or Expedia. However, this could likely result in a bidding war where the biggest investors win in terms of visibility.

However, there is a huge opportunity in the Google marketplace to encourage publication of and respond to guests online reviews. Many hotels focus on OTA review management, but not only is Google the more valuable and channel-agnostic option, but it has also trumped Tripadvisor in many markets already.

5. Hoteliers will continue to respond to market changes with agility, and focus strongly on tackling new markets

Where possible, Hotels must continue to embrace flexible cancellation policies as people are still anxious about how the pandemic will evolve. This will continue to give potential travelers the confidence to book. To help assure bookings, many hotels now offer cancellation refunds in the form of a credit towards a future stay. This is likely to continue in 2022.

Furthermore, with limited flight capacity and guests actively pursuing destinations within their own countries, there has been a significant shift from air travel to rail, bus and car travel. Hoteliers will need to think about strategies to put in place in light of this new demand, offering free parking and other perks towards the drive market.

Hotels should also be on the lookout to tackle new markets, as they did in 2021. Some opportunities include celebration backlogs from 2020 and 2021 into 2022 or revenue management in the weddings and private celebrations market.

6. Mobile Bookings will keep Growing, and Hotels will need to Adapt

By the summer of 2020, according to the data processed by over 1,500 hotels within Guestcentrics portfolio, mobile bookings increased to over 24%, almost one-quarter of all hotel bookings. This rise in mobile hotel bookings shows no sign of slowing down. On average in 2021 over 40% of total bookings in 2021 (vs an average of 27% in 2020). In effect, this means that mobile bookings doubled in just two short years. We expect this trend to continue in 2022 and beyond.

According to forecasts by KPMG and Facebook, 9 in 10 bookings will be mobile by 2022. In December 2021, year to date, Guestcentrics research shows that mobile represented nearly 30% of total bookings.

Because there is not as much time to get someone to book via mobile compared to other devices, hotels will need to efficiently eliminate doubt for guests booking via a mobile device. We expect that many hotels will continue optimizing their mobile websites in this regard, offering concise and straightforward content, easy links to contact the hotel directly by phone and push mobile-only offers.

7. 2022 May bring Uneven Business Travel Recovery, and Hotels will need to be Prepared

In a major new report by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), published in early November 2021, the WTTC forecasts business travel spending to reach two-thirds of pre-pandemic levels in 2022. Business travel has been seriously hit but our research shows room for optimism with Asia Pacific and the Middle East first off the starting blocks, WTTC CEO & President Julia Simpson said.

Considering this year and next, WTTC data shows which regions around the world are leading the revival in business travel, led by the Middle East:

Middle East: Business spending is set to rise by 49% this year, stronger than leisure spending at 36%, followed by a 32% rise next year

Business spending is set to rise by 49% this year, stronger than leisure spending at 36%, followed by a 32% rise next year Asia-Pacific: Business spending is set to rise by 32% this year, and 41% in 2022.

Business spending is set to rise by 32% this year, and 41% in 2022. Europe: Set to rise by 36% in 2021 (stronger than leisure spending at 26%) followed by a 28% rise in 2022.

Set to rise by 36% in 2021 (stronger than leisure spending at 26%) followed by a 28% rise in 2022. Africa: Spending is set to rise by 36 percent in 2021, slightly stronger than leisure spending at 35%, followed by a 23% rise in 2022.

Spending is set to rise by 36 percent in 2021, slightly stronger than leisure spending at 35%, followed by a 23% rise in 2022. Americas: Business spending is expected to rise by 14% this year, and by 35% in 2022.

The WTTC believes that while business travel will return, its uneven recovery will have important implications across the global Travel & Tourism sector, making private-public partnerships even more important in the months and years ahead.

8. Hotels will continue direct interaction with guests

Hoteliers are also expected to continue direct interaction with guests over the course of 2022. Now, more than ever, guests require increased communication at all stages of their travel experience, using channels such as WhatsApp or Social Media Messenger apps from the likes of Facebook and Instagram.

Furthermore, staying connected with past and future guests and building a strong brand relationship is critical during these uncertain times. Hotels will likely continue to promote exclusive offers and perks to loyalty members throughout 2022.

9. Sustainability will continue to be top of mind for hotels in 2022

According to Skift Research, 83% of global travelers believe sustainable travel is vital. In addition, according to Booking's Sustainability Report 2021, 73% of travelers would be more likely to choose an accommodation if it has implemented sustainability practices. Of those surveyed, 61% said the pandemic made them want to travel more sustainably in the future.

But that's not all. According to Futtera's latest study in the US and UK, 88% of consumers want brands to help them improve their environmental and social footprint.

As consumers grow more aware and concerned about the social and environmental impact of their travel footprint, upholding business, social, and environmental sustainability will continue to be essential for businesses to achieve growth, attract new clients, and satisfy customers in 2022 and beyond.

10. Bleisure Travel and Hotel Spaces will be in greater demand

Working remotely has today become commonplace for many employees and is forecasted to become more than just a passing trend. A shift accelerated by the global public health crisis, an unprecedented number of high-profile companies  with big tech companies like Twitter, Facebook, and Amazon leading the way  announced that they will adopt a hybrid or flexible approach to working remotely.

According to a recent MICE study by Great Hotels of the World, published in December 2021, Bleisure trumps in group business, and clients need hotels to provide exciting team-building, leisure, and outdoor activities to regroup and align their teams. Over 70% of Hoteliers report that small groups request leisure and outdoor activities. The study also showed that over 46% of hotels currently offer Staycation packages and rates, while over 23% offer workcation rates for long stay work/holiday.

This means that hospitality venues are being used as make-shift offices for bleisure travelers, as well as locals seeking a change of work environment. This is a great opportunity for hotels and F&B venues to capitalize on the trend and adapt their offering to meet the needs and wants of this emerging segment; ample plug sockets, free high-speed WIFI, and great coffee are good starting points.

Conclusion

With increasing customer demand, labor shortages, and upskilling the workforce will continue to be high on the agenda for Hoteliers in 2022. We anticipate widespread adoption of AI technologies to maintain an optimal level of service at less cost, and with smaller teams. AI is set to largely reduce repetitive and administrative tasks, allowing staff to add more value.

In terms of sales and marketing, we anticipate that OTAs will significantly ramp up marketing and challenge hotels in 2022. In tandem, Googles marketplace is also set to become increasingly competitive for independent hotels to compete.

Notably, Mobile bookings are on the rise ahead of 2022, and with a shorter booking pace associated on these devices, Hoteliers will need to ensure their mobile websites provide a concise visitor and booking experience.

In terms of sales and marketing, Hoteliers will need to become more aggressive in the hunt for direct bookings, ensuring their websites offer the best value to guests and drive more direct bookings. Hoteliers must also seek out the opportunities in the current climate, pivoting their offer toward new markets and demands that may arise in these uncertain times.

About GuestCentric

GuestCentric is a leading provider of cloud-based digital marketing software and services that help extraordinary hoteliers promote their brand, drive direct bookings and connect with customers on all digital platforms. GuestCentric's all-in-one platform provides hotels with the only unified solution for managing their guests' online journey: award-winning, high impact websites; an integrated, easy-to-use booking engine; social media marketing and publishing tools; a GDS chain code and a channel manager to offer rooms on Amadeus, Booking.com, Expedia, Galileo, Google, Sabre, TripAdvisor and hundreds of other channels. GuestCentric is a proud provider of solutions that maximize direct bookings to hotel groups and independent hotels from collections such as Design Hotels, Great Hotels of the World, Leading Hotels of the World, Relais & Chateaux, Small Luxury Hotels and Small Danish Hotels. GuestCentric is featured on Skift Travel Tech 250, a list of the top 250 travel tech companies shaping the modern-day travel experience.

Melissa Rodrigues

Content Manager

+35 196 157 3854

GuestCentric Systems

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Emergency first responders remain at the scene after an intense fire at a 19-story residential building that erupted in the morning on Jan. 9, 2022, in the Bronx borough of New York City. Reports indicate over 50 people were injured. (Scott Heins/Getty Images)

Firefighters faced a perfect storm of conflagration as a smoky blaze tore through a Bronx tenement, killing 17 people including eight children, and by all accounts did all they possibly could.

It didnt help that COVID-19 had thinned the ranks of responding firefighters, or that apartment doors may have been broken or left open, or that there was no sprinkler system in the building when the fire erupted Sunday.

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Firefighters made dramatic rescues using tower ladders and ladders after a smokey fire broke out inside a duplex apartment at 333 E. 181st St. in the Bronx Sunday. (Theodore Parisienne/for New York Daily News)

I talked to many veteran firefighters who said it was the worst fire they had ever been to in their lives, Andrew Ansbro, president of the Uniformed Firefighters Association of Greater New York, said Monday.

The members that operated yesterday did so with the utmost heroism in the traditions of the FDNY. Unfortunately, not all fires have a positive outcome, and not everyone makes it out. Its horrible. This fire is something that will live with them forever.

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Even when the oxygen ran out of their tanks, and they were on their knees trying to suck in air off the floor from below the thick, black smoke, the tired firefighters pressed on rescuing residents separated from their families, Ansbro said.

The deadly blaze that tore through a Bronx tenement Sunday was a perfect storm of conflagration. (Theodore Parisienne/for New York Daily News)

The omicron variant had sidelined some of their firefighting team, but no one counted heads before climbing an angled ladder or manning a heavy hose.

Hundreds of residents were taken out of the building, and its a shame many of the residents succumbed to their exposure to the toxic smoke, said Lt. James McCarthy, president of the Fire Officers Association. Our members followed their training and saved as many lives as they could in this incident.

Officials said a space heater was to blame for the late morning fire that ripped through a 19-story apartment building along E. 181st St. near Tiebout Ave. in Fordham Heights.

The deadly blaze and toxic smoke tore through a Bronx tenement Sunday. (Theodore Parisienne/for New York Daily News)

The fire  the citys deadliest since the 1990 blaze at the Bronxs Happy Land Social Club  quickly tore through the building and sent thick black smoke through hallways and apartment units.

More than 30 people were rushed to area hospitals with life-threatening injuries.

The fire, which went to five alarms, was also one of the more difficult ones to fight. The cylinders that firefighters strap on their backs have about 45 minutes worth of air in them, with an alarm that goes off when theyre down to about 10 minutes.

Firefighters rush to medics with a small child after a fire broke out inside a duplex apartment at 333 E. 181st St. in the Bronx Sunday. (Theodore Parisienne/for New York Daily News)

But teams were ignoring the alarms, rescuing residents from every floor of the building, even as dense smoke darkened every hallway and stairwell.

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Many of the firefighters in this incident operated while those alarms were going off and pushing the envelope as close as possible to running out of air, and some did, just to try to save as many lives as possible, McCarthy said.

Ansbro said firefighters have ways to conserve air and slow down their breathing.

A firefighter with a rescued baby at 333 E. 181st St. in the Bronx on Sunday. (Theodore Parisienne/for New York Daily News)

At that point theyre just tolerating an intolerable condition to get the job done, he said

The heroism took its toll. One firefighter received oxygen treatment in a hyperbaric chamber and recovered. Another suffered a burn to his neck.

Firefighters at a deadly, smokey blaze in the Bronx on Sunday. (Theodore Parisienne for New York Daily News)

Firefighters put on a brave face about their work, but this one got to them, McCarthy said. Union officials said they are encouraging members to seek counseling to help them deal with the stress and loss of life.

This tragedy, there are a lot of factors involved, McCarthy said. Trying to point a finger is not what were here to do. We always advocate for fully staffed engine companies to get hose lines in faster and it would have helped with victim removal.

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Q. My uncle from El Paso never married or had children. For many years, he told me and my sisters that we would inherit large sums from him when he died. After he died a few months ago, his youngest sister (our aunt) informed us that we were not beneficiaries and that we would be getting nothing. She had been handling all of his financial matters for the last few years of his life. What can we do?

A. You should start by checking the probate records in El Paso County to see if your uncle had a will that was probated. If so, you can obtain a copy of his will to see who was named to receive his property and to check the authenticity of the document. You might also be able to see a listing of the assets he owned and their values if an inventory was filed. Inventories no longer need to be filed with the court, but not all lawyers know this. And sometimes, an executor will choose to file an inventory even though doing so is not required.

Since your uncle died only a few months ago, you might need to wait a few more months to give the executor time to get the papers filed with the court.

Importantly, much or all of your uncle's property and investments might have passed outside probate. For instance, his home, bank accounts, brokerage accounts, retirement accounts, life insurance policies, and annuities could all have been set up to pass directly and immediately to one or more beneficiaries upon his death.

On HoustonChronicle.com: More legal insights from Ronald Lipman

In other words, all your aunt had to do was get your uncle to sign a few forms (or she could have made some of the changes online as long as she had his usernames and passwords), and she could have made herself the primary beneficiary of everything he owned. No probate for those assets would be required as they would have passed directly to her.

It is possible as well that your aunt might have put all of your uncle's assets into her name before he died. She might have had him sign a power of attorney giving her the legal authority to make the transfers to herself.

If your aunt took any of the steps described above, you and your sisters will have a difficult time recovering any of your uncle's property.

If your uncle had a will and you think he signed it under duress or after having been tricked by your aunt, you would need to hire an attorney to file suit. You would probably be facing years of litigation.

If your uncle had no will, and you think your aunt made herself his sole beneficiary or put all of his properties into her name before he died, you would still need to hire an attorney and file suit to begin the process of figuring out what happened to your uncle's properties.

Of course, your uncle might have decided on his own to give his entire estate to his sister who was there to care for him and manage his finances over the last few years of his life. So even if she was the beneficiary of everything, it might have been entirely legitimate.

The information in this column is intended to provide a general understanding of the law, not legal advice. Readers with legal problems, including those whose questions are addressed here, should consult attorneys for advice on their particular circumstances. Ronald Lipman of the Houston law firm Lipman & Associates is board-certified in estate planning and probate law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Email questions to stateyourcase@lipmanpc.com.
The oil and gas industry paid Texas almost $2 billion more in taxes and royalties last year than in the previous coronavirus-stricken year, according to a new report from the Texas Oil and Gas Association.

The trade group found that payments last year increased 14 percent to $15.8 billion from $13.9 billion in 2020, reflecting the industrys recovery from the pandemic-driven oil bust. The states revenue from the oil and gas industry had peaked at $16.3 billion in 2019, before the start of the global pandemic.

Despite an incredibly difficult two years, the Texas oil and natural gas industry contributed tremendously to state and local tax coffers, TXOGA President Todd Staples said in a conference call with reporters Tuesday. This revenue from oil and natural gas production, pipelines, refineries and liquefied natural gas facilities translates to well over $43 million each and every day that pay for our schools, universities, roads, first responders and essential services.

Although Texas budget isnt as reliant on oil and gas royalties as neighboring New Mexico, they are an important source of K-12 and higher education funding. Last year, 98 percent of the oil and gas royalties were deposited into the states permanent school and university funds.

The permanent school fund supporting public K-12 schools received $1.1 billion last year, compared with $942 million in 2020. The permanent university fund supporting state universities received $979 million last year, compared with $771 million in 2020.

ROYALTIES: Texas landowners win $24M in royalties case

In addition, Texas so-called rainy day fund received $1.1 billion from oil and gas production taxes last year. The oil and gas industry in Texas has paid more than $178.7 billion in local and state taxes and royalties since 2007, when TXOGA began tracking the industrys economic impact.

Texas is the nations top oil and gas-producing state. If Texas were a country, it would be the worlds fourth largest oil producer after the U.S., Russia and Saudi Arabia.

Texas in October produced 4.9 million barrels of crude per day, 43 percent of the nations average daily production of 11.5 million barrels. The state produced 29.9 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day, 26 percent of the nations average daily production of 116 billion cubic feet.

The Energy Department on Tuesday said it expects U.S. crude production will average 12.4 million barrels per day in 2023. Natural gas production is forecast to top 98 billion cubic feet per day in 2023.

The Texas oil and gas industry last year employed 422,122 workers with direct jobs paying an average salary of $108,988. In 2020, the first year of the pandemic, the industry employed 400,974 Texans who made an average salary of $128,861.
The Fort Bend County Sheriffs Office hosted a promotion and awards ceremony on Thursday, Jan. 6. at the Gus George Law Enforcement Academy in Richmond.

Approximately 100 law enforcement officers, dressed in their new dark blue uniforms, attended the event, some with friends and families in tow. The recognitions were for work performed during the last six months.

Six Fort Bend County Sheriffs deputies received their promotional badges from Sheriff Eric Fagan. Members of the sheriffs command staff honored 39 officers with commendations for exemplary service.

We dont just pass out these awards to people, said Chief Deputy Mattie Provost. This is something that you earn. And we know that we are challenged in trying to get you extra pay, so we do want to give you that pat on the back for the job youve done.

The following deputies received their promotional badges:

Lt. Scott Heinemeyer

Lt. Scott Heinemeyer will complete 27 years of service with the FBSCO in February 2022. He was promoted to Criminal Investigations Division sergeant in 2019 and was assigned to supervise the Burglary and Theft, and Robbery- Homicide Units, before being promoted to CID lieutenant in October 2021.

Heinemeyer began working with the FBSCO in February 1995, starting in Detention before transferring to the patrol division where he served for 10 years. He is a member of the Fort Bend County Regional SWAT team.

Heinemeyer was promoted to the CID in late 2007 where he served as a detective in the Robbery-Homicide unit for 12 years. During this assignment, Heinemeyer received several commendations, along with a Detective of the Year Award by Operation American Heroes Foundation.

Lt. Matthew Carl

Lt. Matthew Carl started with the FBSCO in 2010 as a cadet at the Gus George Law Enforcement Academy. Since then, he has served as a detention deputy, patrol deputy, detective, patrol sergeant, CID sergeant, and recently promoted to detention lieutenant. Carl is a certified police instructor and has advanced licenses as a peace officer and jailer.

Sgt. Dawn Eddleblute

Sgt. Dawn Eddleblute began her career with the FBSCO at 19, in March 2003 as a call taker for 911 as well as non-emergency lines and a radio operator for police, fire, and EMS channels. While working full time, Eddleblute attended the police academy at Wharton County Junior College, graduating in May 2006.

In 2011 Eddleblute joined the CID, handling auto theft, misdemeanor offenses and family violence. From 2014 to 2021 she was assigned to the Special Crimes Unit which investigates child abuse, elder abuse, and sexual assaults.

She serves on the board for the Fort Bend County DRC and holds an advanced peace officer license. Eddleblute is currently assigned to the Fugitive Apprehension Unit.

Sgt. Rizkallah Ayoub

Sgt. Rizkallah Ayoub or Rick moved to the U.S. from Lebanon in 2000. He graduated magna cum laude from the University of Houston with a bachelors in construction management. He joined the FBSCO in 2010 after graduating from Gus George Academy. Ayoub has worked in various areas and currently holds title of master peace officer and is a certified jail administrator. Ayoub is married with two daughters, aged 15 and 18.

Sgt. Larry Gammon

Sgt. Larry Gammon began his career at the FBSCO in 2003 as a civilian officer while attending the police academy at Wharton County Junior College. Gammon obtained his Basic Jailers Certification before joining the Patrol Division as a deputy, eventually becoming a field training officer. He was assigned to the Crime Scene Unit, becoming proficient with AFIS, IBIS and specialized crime scene techniques. Gammon obtained his Instructor Certificate and began teaching Crime Scene Search at the Gus George Law Enforcement Academy. He holds Mental Health Officer and Advanced Peace Officer certifications.

Sgt. Lesley Vaught

Sgt. Lesley Vaught spent six years with the Fort Bend ISD Police Department working with troubled teens and the gang task force. She has been with the FBSCO for 15 years, having spent the past 10 years investigating crimes involving child abuse and sexual assault. She is married to FBSCOs Sgt. Eddie Vaught and the couple have four children.

We have the utmost confidence in each and every one of you and we know youre going to go out there and do a great job, said Mattie Provost. We hold out deputies to a high standard and our supervisors to an even higher standard, but we know theyre up to the task.

The FBSCO also recognized administrative clerk Elaine Acedo, who was instrumental in overseeing the transition from brown uniforms to dark blue.

juhi.varma@hcnonline.com
In the final days before the city went on lockdown, federal agents in Houston serendipitously discovered an international smuggling operation with tentacles in Sri Lanka and Honduras. Police landed upon a house where a group of immigrants were being held for ransom after a woman reported shed been kidnapped a few miles away outside a nightclub.

Victor Martinez, the central figure in that harrowing sequence of events, was sentenced in federal court Tuesday after admitting hed held the immigrants hostage in the house. But his plea indicated hed also abducted the woman outside La Herradura night club.

U.S. District Judge Charles Eskridge ordered Martinez, 28, to serve more than four years in prison and three years of supervised release. Martinez is not authorized to be in the country, so it is likely he will be deported following his term.

He previously pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a person without authority to be in the country and conspiring to harbor immigrants. A co-defendant, Eneas Ramos, pleaded guilty to conspiring to harbor unauthorized immigrants. Ramos was sentenced to just over three years in prison and three years of supervised release. A third defendant, Demetrio Martinez-Bucio, remains at large.

As part of his plea deal, Martinez agreed that the government had sufficient evidence to prove the details of a story packed with enough adrenaline and upheaval to merit a feature-length action flick.

Martinez's attorney didn't respond to a request for comment.

The saga began when a woman named Liliana Romero exited La Herradura nightclub in Aldine at 6:30 a.m on March 16, 2020. A lean dark-haired man shed never seen before aimed a handgun at her in the bars dirt parking lot and ordered her to get in his vehicle, according to court documents.

Fearing for her life, Romero agreed to go in his black muscle car. What transpired next would change the lives of six people from four countries whod traveled thousands of miles and invested thousands of dollars to make it to the U.S. Martinez and others  it turned out  were holding them hostage a few miles away, according to the evidence prosecutors collected.

RELATED: Houston case reveals extortion, death threats among brutal tactics used by human traffickers

Parked outside the home where the immigrants were trapped, Martinez explained to Romero he expected her to have sex with him in the residence. She refused to get out of the car. He tried to rape her. She fought him. Martinez offered her money for oral sex. Romero said no.

Martinez then drove north on Interstate 45 to Gulf Bank. Romero hopped out at a red light at a Gulf gas station on the feeder road. As Martinez drove off, Romero snapped an image of his license plate with her cellphone. She told police the address and shared the photograph of the license plate. Within hours, Harris County Sheriffs deputies pulled up with warrants for a suspect and a vehicle parked outside.

Ken Ellis / Ken Ellis illustration / staff

Martinez was leaving the house on Warwick Road as police arrived. In his 2007 Dodge Charger, officers found a loaded Ruger .40 caliber pistol. The officers then knocked on the door, according to court documents.

A tall hefty man, who turned out to be Ramos, 24, responded. Several others were seen jumping out a window at the back of the house. Homeland Security agents ultimately identified six people who had been held captive in the ramshackle three-bedroom house  three from Sri Lanka, two from Mexico and one from Honduras.

The Sri Lankans said they had been held for about a week in the house, which had minimal furniture and one visible air mattress, according to documents. Two armed guards kept them locked in a room and periodically threatened to kill them if they didnt come up with additional money. The refrigerator had no food, and they said hadnt been given water for at least a day. Requests to visit the bathroom elicited outrage from guards, they said.

Kajenthini Anathajeyam, 28, described her journey to officials in English and Tamil, saying shed traveled by plane to Ecuador, took a bus to Colombia, walked to Panama. Handlers guided her through Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Guatemala, she floated across to Mexico on inner tubes and then came to a halt. She then spent 25 days captive at a smugglers camp and an armed stash house in Chiapas, Mexico. Smugglers said she had to cough up another $10,000 to continue to the U.S.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Border officials find 39 migrants in two South Texas stash houses

She said an aunt back home sold some properties to come up with that money but then captors held her for a month at a stash house in Reynosa. She needed another $4,000 to get released from there. In McAllen, a smuggling crew extorted her and kept her captive another 15 days until shed been transported to Houston and her fourth hostage situation. The man who took her north was driving a black Dodge Charger.

Harekokulan Sinnathamby told agents through a Tamil translator that his parents had paid $20,000 to get him to anywhere in the U.S. In Panama, his cellphone and some cash were stolen. Armed bandits threatened him on a mountain trail saying theyd kill him if he didnt give them money. He had spent more than eight months traveling when agents found him at the Warwick house.

Kuganesan Kirushnarasa, a 25-year-old Sri Lankan headed to Dallas, also spent eight months traveling north. He said Martinez had also driven him from the border area to Houston in a Dodge Charger. He also recounted the guard at the house saying repeatedly hed be killed if he didnt come up with $2,450.

Darwin Reyes, a 27-year-old Honduran headed to Denver, said he paid $9,000 at the start of his journey. He had traveled by bus through Guatemala and by inner tube across the Rio Grande, hiked for hours through the brush at night. He then was brought to a warehouse. He stayed in three stash houses in McAllen over a couple weeks time before the crew shipped him to the Houston house. There guards with guns said he had to give them another $5,500.

The one Mexican among the hostages, Fernando Tapia-Sanchez, had left Michoacan, on March 14, just two days before Homeland Security agents showed up at the Houston stash house. He was planning to reunite with his wife who was living in Florida.

Another immigrant told officials Martinez had brandished a gun and threatened the hostages. They considered him ruler of the house.

The half dozen immigrants whod been held hostage were permitted to remain in the U.S. under deferred action due to circumstances of their presence at the house.

gabrielle.banks@chron.com
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A man was shot multiple times Monday night as a group walked away from a Houston club where they were denied admission, according to Houston Police.

Police were called around 10 p.m. to 702 West Dallas St., where the Seaside Lounge is located, and found a man in his late 20s who had been shot in his lower legs, according to Lt. Pavel of Houston Police.
OnScene TV

Two men at a Houston club were shot and injured early Tuesday, reportedly by security guards who then left, authorities said.

Police responded around 2:17 a.m. to the 3400 block of Cavalcade Street. Two men, who are expected to survive, were brought to the hospital  a 25-year-old shot twice in the leg, and a 30-year-old shot seven times in the leg, according to police.
Jay R. Jordan / Jay Jordan, Staff

A woman was killed and her son critically injured when a man entered a southside Houston home on Monday evening and opened fire, according to Houston police.

The incident happened around 6:55 p.m. in the 11700 block of Segrest Drive in the Cloverland neighborhood. Authorities said officers responding to reports of a shooting found a woman in her late 60s dead at the scene and a man in his 30s critically injured.
Emergency first responders remain at the scene after an intense fire at a 19-story residential building that erupted in the morning on Jan. 9, 2022, in the Bronx borough of New York City. Reports indicate over 50 people were injured. (Scott Heins/Getty Images)

The 19-story tower where 17 died Sunday choking on a rising cloud of black smoke was long known to firefighters in the South Bronx as a building where no fire was routine.

On another Sunday 35 years ago  March 2, 1986  a trash compactor fire on the 12th floor sent thick plumes of heavy smoke through a vertical shaft into the six floors above, trapping residents and turning hallways black, according to an FDNY report obtained by the Daily News.

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The Twin Parks North West building early Monday morning. (Luiz C. Ribeiro/for New York Daily News)

When the (elevator) cars doors opened on the 13th floor, the units were confronted with a blast of swirling, hot dense smoke which immediately enveloped them, according to the report on the 1986 blaze.

Much like on Sunday, some terrified tenants panicked as smoke crawled under doors and poured from the windows on all six floors.

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The occupants of one 18th floor apartment broke out a window showering glass on firefighters and spectators. They climbed out on the window sill threatening to jump, the report says. A spectator jeered at them to jump.

The report noted that the buildings mix of duplexes and regular apartments made it harder for first responders to do their jobs. A young mom, the report said, tried to escape with her infant from the 19th floor, but became overwhelmed by smoke four floors below.

Holding the baby close to her, she sat down on the hall floor to die, the report said. Fortunately, the babys crying was heard by several people in a nearby apartment.

Mayor Adams holds a press conference outside the Twin Parks North West building Monday afternoon. (Luiz C. Ribeiro/for New York Daily News)

Describing that difficult day, the reports author, Deputy Chief James Murtagh, wrote that Murphys Law  if anything can go wrong, it will  had reared its ugly head.

The report does not list any fatalities as a result of the previous fire. But the six-page magazine-style article, featuring diagrams and photos, makes clear that the Fire Department recognized the building presented unique challenges. The report credited many tenants for responding properly to the emergency.

A photo show damage from a fire that occurred at the Twin Parks North West building in the Bronx in 1986. (FDNY)

The majority of the occupants in the building had experienced smoke from previous fires and put this experience to good use, the report read.

Part of a complex originally dubbed Twin Parks North West, the tower was built in 1972 with financing from the New York State Urban Development Corp. Called a major landmark in the effort to renew the Bronx, the complex soon struggled with violence and gangs.

Decades later, the building became home to a large working class community of African immigrants. In 2013 it was purchased by a real estate venture that has donated to a wide array of New York politicians.

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On Sunday, a malfunctioning space heater in a second-floor duplex apartment started a fire that crept out an open door and then erupted, rapidly sending plumes of smoke up through the two stairwells and the same compactor shaft from the 1986 fire.

Firefighters hoisted several ladders to rescue people through their windows during a massive apartment fire on Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022. (Theodore Parisienne for New York Daily News)

Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro said the door to the apartment where the fire began did not close as it should have.

The door was not obstructed, Nigro said. The door when it was fully open stayed fully open because it malfunctioned.

Kelly Magee, a spokeswoman for the partnership that owns the structure, said the self-closing door to the fire apartment was checked July 27 and there have been no complaints about the doors since then.

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City records show a trail of previous complaints and violations about building conditions. The building was the subject of 31 tenant complaints in 2021 about poor conditions, including pests, mold, lack of heat, and broken apartment doors, city Department of Housing Preservation and Development records show.

In March, HPD issued a violation for broken or defective fire-retardant material in a courtyard. During 2021, the agency issued two violations for leaks, five violations for roach and mice infestations, and two for a defective ventilation system on the 12th floor.

An FDNY firefighter looks out from a burned apartment at the Twin Parks North West building Monday afternoon. (Luiz C. Ribeiro/for New York Daily News)

In January 2021, HPD reported two apartments with bed bugs where efforts to eradicate them failed, the records show.

The building owners were fined $3,125 in March for a defective elevator that had no working emergency phone inside. The penalty remains unpaid, DOB records show. DOB recorded elevator violations in 2005, 2008, 2018 and 2019.

Nigro said the FDNY is investigating reports of a malfunctioning fire alarm system. Theres been some stories that the alarm system went off regularly, he said. Theres been some stories that people smoking in the halls set off the alarm so our investigation will determine that.

Firefighters rescue a woman from the building. (Theodore Parisienne for New York Daily News)

The Camber Property Group bought the building roughly eight years ago. Its two principals, Rick Gropper and Andrew Moelis, both hold degrees from Ivy League schools and were previously at L+M Development Partners, a firm known for building affordable housing in partnership with government and community groups.

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Moelis father, Ron, founded L+M. The younger Moelis also worked at the Empire State Development Corp., according to his bio.

Gropper served on the housing committee of Mayor Adams transition team. Tiffany Raspberry, who was named Adams senior adviser for external affairs last week, worked as a lobbyist for Camber in 2018 and 2019.

The Daily News Flash Weekdays Catch up on the days top five stories every weekday afternoon. >

Gropper gave $400 to Adams mayoral campaign in 2018.

Gropper, Moelis and the firm have given to other candidates as well. Bronx State Sen. Luis Sepulvedas campaign committee got $1,000 from Camber and $500 each from Gropper and Moelis in 2018.

The scene of the fire. (Theodore Parisienne for New York Daily News)

State records show Gropper has donated a total of $11,370 to candidates, including $720 in 2017 and 2018 to Adams.

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Moelis and Gropper also contributed $250 each last year to Oswald Feliz, the new council member for the district that includes the burned apartment building.

The company has struck recent deals with the city for developments, including a new complex in the South Bronx in September and one in Harlem in August.

With Chris Sommerfeldt and Emma Seiwell
Rice University is one of 16 higher education institutions named in a lawsuit alleging a price-fixing conspiracy to reduce the amount of financial aid they provide to students.

Five former students who attended several of the schools claim in a federal lawsuit that the institutions violate antitrust laws through the use of a shared formula that calculates students financial need. As a result, the net price of attendance for the financial aid recipients has become artificially inflated, resulting in the overcharging of more than 170,000 financial aid students and costing them hundreds of millions of dollars, the plaintiffs said in the lawsuit.

Rice University on Tuesday denied the allegations contained in the suit.

After reviewing this lawsuit, we believe it is without merit, a university statement reads. Rice University is proud of its financial aid practices and we are prepared to vigorously defend them in court.

The 16 universities belong to a group that is predicated on using need-blind admissions policies, which dont consider a students financial status during the admissions process. A 1994 federal act allows schools with need-blind policies to collaborate on guidelines to assess financial need, making them exempt from the antitrust laws that typically promote competition and prohibit the setting of prices.

But nine of the schools in the lawsuit arent need-blind at all, the plaintiffs lawyers said. They did consider the financial status of families in the admissions process at various points, even admitting children of past or potential donors and giving preference to the wealthiest people in waitlist admissions, the attorneys allege in the lawsuit.

Rice is not one of those nine universities, the lawyers said. The Houston school and six others may or may not have considered financial need as part of their processes, but they are accused of conspiring with the schools that did and should have known that the others werent abiding by the rules, according to the lawsuit.

In critical respects, elite, private universities like Defendants are gatekeepers to the American Dream, the lawsuit reads. Defendants misconduct is therefore particularly egregious because it has narrowed a critical pathway to upward mobility that admission to their institutions represents.

The 16 schools are in the so-called 568 Presidents Group, which created the formula in 2003 to determine an applicants ability to pay for college. Lawyers for the students have called for an end to such collaboration.

Rice joined the group in 1993 and withdrew in 2009, before rejoining in 2017, the lawsuit states.

The university has in recent years attempted to expand its reach to low and middle-income students. In December, the school announced it will offer loan-free financial aid to all students who qualify based on need, and will extend full-tuition grants or scholarships to undergraduates whose families earn below $140,000 a year.

samantha.ketterer@chron.com
Harris County Commissioners Court on Tuesday held an emergency session to approve hiring temporary medical staff to help Houston-area hospitals manage the latest wave of COVID-19 patients, driven by the omicron variant.

The court unanimously signed off on a $40 million agreement between the health department and Angel Staffing, a San Antonio-based employment agency, for emergency medical staffing. Another $1.5 million will go to the Southeast Texas Regional Advisory Council (SETRAC), which helps monitor staffing levels and COVID patient loads at facilities in the 25-county region.

The medical staff will go to public and private hospitals in the area, including Ben Taub, Lyndon B. Johnson, Memorial Hermann, Houston Methodist, St. Lukes, St. Josephs, Texas Childrens and HCA.

County Judge Lina Hidalgo said hospitals need supplemental staff because existing employees are suffering from burnout or testing positive from the virus, requiring them to quarantine.

A couple of hospitals are reporting 10 percent of staff out because of COVID, Hidalgo said. Couple that with 18 percent of ICU beds filled with virus patients, and its a perfect storm.

Court members approved a second item to spend $1.8 million for 65,000 rapid antigen COVID tests. Both will be paid for with federal response and recovery funds.

This is, in my opinion, a legitimate use of the federal dollars that have been put into our care to take care of nursing, said Precinct 4 Commissioner Jack Cagle. Theres capacity in our hospitals; they just cant get nurses.

Hidalgo said the county needed to act urgently, because the available stockpile from which it could purchase tests plummeted by more than 20 percent over the weekend.

I felt if we wait another working day, were going to end up with 20, Hidalgo said.

Hidalgo on Monday moved Harris County back to its highest COVID threat level, red, citing a significant increase in virus hospitalizations.

The SETRAC region had 3,332 COVID patients on Monday, more than four times higher than a month earlier. The rate of new admissions is higher than any of the three previous surges of the virus here, putting the Houston area on pace for an all-time COVID hospitalization record within two weeks if the pace does not slow.

Local hospitals have reported staffing shortages driven by the virus since December. While public health officials believe the best way to relieve pressure on hospitals is through vaccinations, the growth in Harris Countys share of inoculated residents has slowed.

It now stands at 59.8 percent, up just 3.3 percent since before Thanksgiving.

Precinct 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis asked whether Harris County also could tap some of the city of Houstons federal recovery funds to help pay for the staff.

Harris County Public Health Executive Director Barbie Robinson said she regularly talks with her counterpart at the city, Steve Williams, who said the city does not have any funding readily available.

Houston testing glitch

Also Tuesday, the Houston Health Department online portal that delivers COVID-19 test results was disabled due to a technical glitch.

The outage applies to tests conducted at the Acres Homes Multi-Service Center, the Hiram Clark Multi-Service Center, the Magnolia Multi-Service Center and the Southwest Multi-Service Center. The four city-run clinics each offer about 250 walk-up COVID testing spots daily on a first-come, first-served basis.

Patients will receive results by phone until the glitch is resolved, health officials said.

It was unclear what caused the outage or how long it would continue. Eight health workers have been reassigned to the citys COVID call center to provide test results as quickly as possible, Porfirio Villarreal, a health department spokesperson, said Tuesday morning.

The blackout was limited to the four city-run clinics, and does not affect results for tests conducted at Curative walk-up testing kiosks or the United Memorial Medical Center testing sites, which include the Butler Stadium, Delmar Stadium and Minute Maid Stadium mega sites.

Villarreal did not anticipate significant delays, but said patients who do not receive their results within 72 hours should contact the citys COVID call center at 832-393-4220.

We have a lot of demand at our testing sites and much shorter lines at our vaccination sites, Villarreal said. If people are vaccinated there would be less need to form a line at the testing sites.

zach.despart@chron.com

nora.mishanec@chron.com
A Houston Health Department online portal that delivers COVID-19 test results was disabled Tuesday due to a technical glitch.

The outage applies to tests conducted at the Acres Homes Multi-Service Center, the Hiram Clark Multi-Service Center, the Magnolia Multi-Service Center and the Southwest Multi-Service Center. The four city-run clinics each offer about 250 walk-up COVID testing spots daily on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Patients will receive results by phone until the glitch is resolved, health officials said.

It was unclear what caused the outage or how long it would continue. Eight health workers have been reassigned to the citys COVID call center to provide test results as quickly as possible, Porfirio Villarreal, a health department spokesperson, said Tuesday morning.

MORE COVID NEWS: Houston hospitals mandating COVID boosters for employees, amid omicron surge

The blackout was limited to the four city-run clinics, and does not affect results for tests conducted at Curative walk-up testing kiosks or the United Memorial Medical Center testing sites, which include the Butler Stadium, Delmar Stadium and Minute Maid Stadium mega sites.

Villarreal did not anticipate significant delays, but said patients who do not receive their results within 72 hours should contact the citys COVID call center at 832-393-4220.

We have a lot of demand at our testing sites and much shorter lines at our vaccination sites, Villarreal said. If people are vaccinated there would be less need to form a line at the testing sites.

nora.mishanec@chron.com
Charges against a 17-year-girl at the hands of a since-fired Harris County constables deputy have been dismissed, with prosecutors noting in court records that a grand jury could always bring the case back.

The girl was arrested in late December on charges of aggravated assault against a public servant and evading arrest with a vehicle in connection to a Dec. 26 clash at NRG Park  where a Precinct 1 deputy accused her of driving erratically and then shot her as she stepped back into a vehicle.

Authorities arrested her and took her to a hospital to be treated for the gunshot wounds.

Precinct 1 officials fired the deputy  whom they have not identified  days later as officials determined that the conduct was not consistent with departmental policies. Court records detailing the charges against the teen, however, identify the deputy as S. Ivory.

Constable Alan Rosen on Tuesday said the deputy used excessive force in the incident and that he worked with prosecutors to have the charges dropped.

Im about fairness, Rosen said. The deputy did not follow policy or training and Im not going to have that. Thats why I took the swift action that I took.

When asked if Rosen plans to release body-worn camera footage from the incident, he said he would without elaborating when that could happen. The Houston Police Department in 2021 began releasing video from officer-involved shootings within 30 days of the incident.

Prosecutors dismissed the two charges against the girl Friday with the following reason: Subject to refile and presentment to a Grand Jury.

Dane Schiller, district attorney's office spokesman, said the investigation remains active.

"All the evidence regarding all potential parties will be presented to a future grand jury to determine whether charges are warranted," he said Tuesday in a statement.

As of Tuesday morning, the girl remains at the Harris County Jail in connection to earlier, unrelated drug possession charges.

nicole.hensley@chron.com
A record number of unaccompanied migrant children and teenagers traveled to the U.S.-Mexico border in 2021, and more ended up in Harris County than any other county in the nation.

U.S. Health and Human Services reported that 7,034 unaccompanied migrant kids were released to sponsors in Harris County in fiscal year 2021, which is roughly 7 percent of all 107,686 total children and teens released to sponsors nationwide.

Hundreds of youths continue to be resettled in the Houston area each month.

Unaccompanied minors arrive at the U.S.-Mexico border without a parent or sponsor and are often immigrating due to poverty, violence or climate-related disaster in their home countries (or a combination of the three). Theyre also commonly seeking to reunite with family members who previously moved to the United States for a better life, many without authorization.

Around 90 percent of the migrant kids arriving at the U.S.-Mexico border without parents or official sponsors in 2021 came from Guatemala, Honduras or El Salvador. Some 15,000 of these migrant youths were released to sponsors in Texas, more than any other state.

Fiscal year 2021 broke records for the highest number of unaccompanied minors to ever enter the country, though setting records is nothing new for this particular population.

Beginning in 2012, we started to see large increases as such that every two to three years there was a spike, said Essey Workie, a director at the D.C.-based think tank Migration Policy Institute, Each spike was more than the former spike so we're constantly setting new historical highs.

She said many factors can influence a youths decision to leave home and migrate. Climate-related reasons play a factor, such as hurricanes and drought, as well as economic and safety conditions.

A lot of the people who are coming to the U.S. are being threatened with their lives, have experienced traumatic acts of violence, including rape. And so it's untenable and thats why theyre coming, Workie said.

Having family already living in the U.S. is also a very common component.

Central American Survey: How poverty and violence impact migration flows

Family reunification is a huge factor in all of this, she said, Children that come to the U.S. and are under federal custody are primarily released to parents and very close relatives.

Though Central American minors are permitted to enter the country under President Joe Bidens current border policy, the majority of adults from the Northern Triangle are being turned away from the border and denied the opportunity to seek asylum under a public health law called Title 42.

These Title 42 expulsions started under the Trump administration at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and have continued under Biden, drawing much criticism from immigration attorneys, international human rights experts and some Democrats.

The Trump administration had also been expelling these Central American minors during the pandemic.

After kids are taken into federal custody at the U.S.-Mexico border, they are sent to shelters that contact their family members so they be moved out quickly into their new households, generally within 40 days.

What happens to youths once the government hands them off to their family members or other sponsors is less clear as theres little governmental follow up with families to see how the children are adjusting to a new culture, language and living situation.

They went through a very traumatic experience having to flee, leave their loved one, go walk through Mexico probably get assaulted or robbed, said immigration attorney Brandon Roche, who has represented unaccompanied minors in court, So there's a lot of counseling probably necessary that a lot of them don't have the means or even wherewithal to know that they need it.

Sometimes children and teenagers are released to family members they havent seen since they were toddlers.

Wisdom High School teacher Garrett Reed has taught migrant teens from all over the world, including the unaccompanied Central American kids.

His class consistently grows in size during the school year, as people arrive in Houston. This school year hes especially seen a lot of Guatemalan unaccompanied minors, as well as the evacuated Afghans.

Hes honest about the challenges the Guatemalan students face in particular, since many grew up with limited formal education and may speak the Mayan language Kiche as their first language.

I'd say about half of them have probably a third-grade Spanish education, he said.

Though Reed is glad to see his international students getting along so well, he wishes the school would add another class specifically for students with interrupted learning thats designed to help them catch up.

He also said keeping these students in his classroom can be a struggle, since many are expected to work and financially contribute to their families.

That's a hard choice and when you turn 17 or 18. Their families expect them to work and send money back home, he said.

As an example, he said when his students did their New Year's resolutions, one students goal was to build a home for his family back in Guatemala.

They're doing the American dream but in a little different way, Reed said. I totally admire that.

elizabeth.trovall@chron.com
U.S. Border Patrol agents recovered the body of a man who drowned near the U.S.-Mexico border in southwestern Texas late last week, Customs and Border Protection reported on Tuesday.

While monitoring a large cohort of people at the border on Friday, soldiers from the Texas National Guard had seen two men leave the group and dash into a gravel pit full of water.

Texas National Guard told agents that the two individuals were part of a larger group observed running away from the soldiers, a Customs and Border Protection news release stated.

One of the men, from Honduras, resurfaced from inside the water-filled pit, the release stated.

The soldiers called agents at Border Patrols Eagle Pass south station for help. They responded with members of the Eagle Pass fire department to rescue the two men.

The Honduran man was found at the edge of the inundated gravel pit, according to Customs and Border Protection. He was transported to a local hospital after authorities decided he needed medical attention.

The other man was still submerged in the pit.

The Border Patrols dive unit was called in and on Saturday they recovered the body of the other man. Customs and Border Patrol did not specify the mans age, name or nationality.

Deadly Journeys: Immigrant deaths rise sharply along Texas border

Hundreds of migrants die attempting to cross the U.S.-Mexico border each year.

In December, the United Nations International Organization for Migration had already recorded at least 650 deaths of people trying to enter the United States from Mexico at that point in 2021, which was a record high since the organization began collecting data in 2014.

In fiscal year 2020, Customs and Border Protection reported 247 deaths at the southwest border - the majority occurred in Texas.

In 2021, Customs and Border Protection performed nearly 13,000 search and rescue efforts at the southwest border.

Drowning is a common cause of death for migrants in the region. The International Organization for Migration has counted 1,810 migrant drowning deaths in the Americas since 2014.

elizabeth.trovall@chron.com
NASA may need to hire more astronauts as it seeks to both operate the International Space Station and return to the moon.

A report released Tuesday by NASAs Office of Inspector General said the agencys process for hiring, training and assigning astronauts is adequate for the space station but may need to be updated so the agency can maintain a sustained human presence in Earths orbit while also pushing deeper into space.

As of September, NASA had 44 flight-ready astronauts that had been trained at NASAs Johnson Space Center. Thats one of the smallest astronaut cadres in 20 years, with the agency peaking at nearly 150 astronauts in 2000 during the space shuttle era.

ASTRONAUT CANDIDATES: NASA announces 10 new astronaut candidates out of more than 12,000 applications

The number of astronauts is largely determined by available seats on upcoming spaceflight missions. NASA also adds a 15 percent safety margin, which provides flexibility should certain skillsets be required for a mission or should astronauts become ill or opt to retire. The agencys assumed attrition rate is three astronauts per year.

NASA searches for new astronaut candidates when a current or future shortfall is identified. According to analyses conducted by the Astronaut Office in April 2019 and March 2021, NASA is projected to fall below its astronaut target in fiscal years 2022 and 2023 due to attrition and additional spaceflights.

This prompted NASA to hire its most recent batch of astronaut candidates. The four women and six men began their training on Monday.

The OIG made four recommendations, including evaluating if the 15 percent safety margin is sufficient for returning to the moon with NASAs Artemis Program. During the space shuttle era, the safety margin was as high as 50 percent.

Fifteen percent works now because all of the astronauts train to live on the International Space Station. They are familiar with the systems and can be quickly added to an upcoming mission should the need arise. That will change as NASA requires different training for new missions and vehicles.

Fewer astronauts will be trained and available for each mission, the OIG report says. The need for ensuring an adequate safety margin is crucial to reducing the risk of insufficient staffing that could impact safety and morale issues and lead to mission delays.

In its response to the OIG report, NASA said the 15 percent safety margin will be evaluated this spring.

The report also noted that the current rate of astronaut attrition is lower than historical averages, and it emphasized the important role astronauts play on the ground. Input from astronauts with flight experience is particularly valuable when designing new spacecraft, and right now astronauts report being spread thin in these positions. The Artemis Program has increased demand for astronauts to participate in development roles.

Another OIG recommendation was to complete a framework for Artemis training at least 18 months before the first crewed Artemis mission (Artemis II will take astronauts around the moon; they wont land on it). NASA concurred.

Artemis missions may require bolstering certain skillsets. Geology, for instance, was recently identified as a specific professional skillset needed for Artemis missions, and NASA has only four astronauts with professional training in geology-related fields. Two of these individuals have been astronauts for more than 15 years.

But astronaut skillset data is not consistently collected, comprehensively organized or regularly monitored and updated. With only 44 astronauts, the Astronaut Office can use its informal knowledge of the individuals to ensure missions have the proper skillsets. But the OIG warns that this might not be effective as NASA adds more astronauts.

SELECTING ASTRONAUTS: 'A lifetime of effort': How NASA's newest class of astronauts were selected

NASAs personnel databases also lack comprehensive demographic information on the astronauts, which poses a challenge with assessing if NASA is meetings its diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility objectives. The OIG acknowledged that NASA has prioritized these efforts and intends to land the first woman and person of color on the moon, but current data limitations restrict NASAs ability to fully measure its progress toward such goals.

The OIG recommended further centralizing and maintaining NASAs collection and monitoring of astronaut skills, certifications, training and demographics. NASA concurred and outlined how this information would be further centralized.

Astronauts could set foot on the moon in 2025, but the OIG said time is quickly diminishing to identify skillset needs, hire additional astronaut candidates and develop a framework for Artemis training.

Overall, the astronaut corps is well managed by the Astronaut Office, the report said. However, NASA now faces new demands and challenges with aligning its current corps and recruiting new astronauts to meet the demanding requirements of this new era of multiple missions in low-Earth orbit and deep space.

andrea.leinfelder@chron.com

twitter.com/a_leinfelder
While a Houston-area teacher has faced some heat after she was accused of putting her child in the trunk of her car at a COVID-19 testing center, some students are coming to her defense.

Posters and letters covered Sarah Beam's Jersey Village home Tuesday, largely from students offering messages of love and support.

Beam, 41, made national headlines after she was arrested Saturday on suspicion of endangering a child after authorities say she put her child infected with COVID-19 in the trunk of a vehicle that she drove to a Harris County testing site.

Prosecutors have alleged Beam was waiting in line on Jan. 3 at the Pridgeon Stadium testing site when she told a Cy-Fair ISD official that her 13-year-old son was in the trunk of her car, to prevent her own exposure to the virus. The official told Beam that her child would not get a COVID test until he was moved to the back seat.

Beam, who at one point had worked as an English teacher at Cypress Falls High School, according to district records, quickly received criticism from parents and even a neighbor, who told KPRC that hearing she is a teacher makes the accusation more unsettling.

"That makes it even worse because shes supposed to be looking out for other peoples children, and if she would do that to her own child, what would she do to some elses child?" the neighbor told the TV station.

The students' posters share a different perspective.

"Mrs. Beam you have changed my life in ways you haven't imagine(d)," read one poster signed from the Class of 2014. "I would not be where I am without you! You've pushed me to be better and keep trying even when we want to give up. You showed me support when I most needed it, so we will do the same to you. Your students will be next to you no matter what."

"You can count on us," another poster on her sliding glass door read.

Beam has now posted a bond of $1,500. She could not be reached for comment.

The teen was not harmed during the incident, Cy-Fair ISD spokeswoman Leslie Francis said Friday in a statement to the Houston Chronicle. She said Beam recently worked as a teacher at their district but that she is currently on administrative leave.
Toward the end of a powerful speech marking the one-year anniversary of the Jan. 6 insurrection, President Biden reached back to pivotal points in American history when democracy was under threat. He referenced the bombing of Pearl Harbor and the vicious beatings of civil rights activists on the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Ala., not necessarily to elicit fear or to portend future political violence, but to illustrate the progress that sprung from those events.

So now let's step up. Write the next chapter in American history, where January 6 marks not the end of democracy but the beginning of a renaissance of liberty and fair play, Biden said.

While his speech was delivered to the entire country on national broadcasts, this line might as well have been aimed solely at the 535 members of Congress, where critical democracy reforms are languishing amid partisan obstruction from Republicans and intraparty squabbling among Democrats.

Bidens Bloody Sunday reference was particularly resonant. The late John Lewis  a longtime Democratic congressman from Georgia  was among the civil rights leaders bloodied while demonstrating for voting rights in Selma. Their sacrifice led to the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which guaranteed nationwide protection of voting rights for every citizen.

Decades later, the landmark legislation has been gutted by a misguided Supreme Court decision that saw Chief Justice John Roberts naively reason that racism had so diminished in America that requirements for states such as Texas to get advance approval for voting changes were no longer necessary. A bill drafted in Lewis name would restore the preclearance section of the Voting Rights Act, while a second bill, the For The People Act, would go even further: creating a new national automatic voter registration; establishing independent redistricting commissions in every state; restoring voting rights for convicted felons; and setting up a public campaign finance system.

Both bills have passed the House on party-line votes and are now gathering dust in the Senate, where Democrats hold a one-vote majority and Republicans have used the mere threat of a filibuster to keep the bills from even getting to the floor. Once upon a time, attracting Republican support for voting rights legislation wasnt much harder than gathering votes for a national defense bill. For decades, every Voting Rights Act reauthorization  in 1970, 1975, 1982 and 2006  was signed by a Republican president and supported by an overwhelming number of Republicans in Congress. The most recent reauthorization in 2006 passed unanimously in the Senate.

What changed? Rather than attempt to broaden its base, Republicans made a calculation that suppressing the votes of an increasingly diverse electorate was better for the partys long-term survival. These days, not even much narrower attempts to reauthorize preclearance can attract more than a single Republican vote in the Senate. Its far easier for Republican senators to hide behind the de facto veto power of the filibuster than to debate the merits of their voting rights position on the Senate floor.

On the Democratic side, there is more urgency to get something done. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said last week that his conference would move to change Senate rules to pass voting rights legislation by Martin Luther King Jr. Day if Republicans continue to block voting and election reforms.

While its unclear whether Schumer has enough support from his own party to change the rules  moderate Democratic senators such as Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona so far remain key holdouts  its long past time to put a bill on the floor and put their intransigent Republican colleagues on the record.

As the bills stand right now, there is no chance that either the For the People Act or the John Lewis Voting Rights Act  packed with Democratic wishlists of democracy reforms  will pass the Senate. Instead, wed like to see Senate Democrats draft a bill with three key provisions that are essential to preserving American democracy and preventing a repeat of Jan. 6:

Restoring preclearance should be the keystone of any voting rights legislation. This year alone, 19 states have enacted laws that make it harder for Americans to vote. Three of the four most restrictive laws were enacted in states that would otherwise be subject to federal preclearance.

Independent redistricting commissions would bring some measure of objectivity to an inherently partisan process. Both Republican- and Democratic-controlled jurisdictions have been known to rig the periodic redrawing of district voting maps to lock in partisan advantage. Independent commissions would ensure unilateral disarmament  seeking to draw geographically compact districts built around communities of interest. Commissions have been shown to more fairly execute the concept of one-person, one vote while protecting minority voting rights and ensuring competitive districts remain so, thereby encouraging voter participation.

Rewriting the Electoral Count Act, the outmoded 1887 law that governs the certification of the presidential vote, would lessen the chances for a repeat of the Jan. 6 attack. Congress should not have the ability to overturn a states popular vote tally. Even some Republicans, including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, have expressed interest in making changes to this law, a rare area of common ground on election reform.

Its certainly possible that even this stripped down version of a voting rights bill would fall short on the Senate floor, but its a good faith attempt to combine provisions that have, in the past, been supported by both parties. If Republicans cant get on board on commonsense legislation, Democrats still have the option of entertaining sensible changes to the filibuster to break the blockade. In Sundays editorial, we suggested in a tone only a tad tongue-and-cheekish that U.S. senators in Washington simply filibuster the old-fashioned way that senators in Texas still do: by talking a bill to death, and not just threatening to do so.

But doing nothing, accepting that political violence will hang over every certification vote and that states can subvert popular elections, is not an option. The president ended his speech at the Capitol saying he would defend this nation from anyone placing a dagger at the throat of democracy. Its time for our Congress members and senators to commit to the same vow.
Detainees in a Rikers Island jail say they are on hunger strike in protest of horrid conditions and a lack of basic services.

Around 200 inmates are participating in the strike at the islands Robert N. Davoren Center, estimated Chris Boyle, director of data research and policy with New York County Defender Services. The strike was underway in four dormitories containing about 50 detainees each, Boyle said.

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The action represents an escalation of longstanding issues within the troubled city jail system. Continuing problems surrounding lack of staffing, the coronavirus pandemic and Correction Department mismanagement made 2021 one of the worst years on Rikers Island in memory.

Security fending surrounds inmate housing at Rikers Island. (Jeenah Moon/AP)

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Boyle told a city Board of Correction meeting Tuesday that the Davoren centers warden hasnt visited the hunger-striking inmates.

As the protest went on, Boyle said, an officer spoke to the detainees and asked: Do you want food? Because were not going to bring it if you dont want it.

They said, No, we dont want it, and he walked out, Boyle told the Board of Correction. So no food is being brought in right now.

Two detainees described their reasons for the strike in voicemails left in phone calls to the Daily News.

This is very important. Right now my unit, were on a hunger strike, detainee Ervin Bowins said in a voicemail.

We have a list of reasonable things that we would like to get on the table so we can get things rolling such as law library, recreation and mental health and medical and stuff like that that were not being afforded.

Bowins, 37, concurred with Boyles estimate that roughly 200 detainees are involved in the protest. Were asking just for a little help, he said.

In a second voice mail, another detainee said they arent receiving mail, any rec time outside or medical services. This continues to linger months and months on end, he said. We are currently on 24/7 lockdown and weve been isolated for 15 days and counting.

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The Daily News Flash Weekdays Catch up on the days top five stories every weekday afternoon. >

Court dates and hearings are constantly being adjourned, motions and bail hearings as well. We are not receiving communication in a timely fashion as well. We are basically here stuck in limbo.

The city is still open for business but Rikers Island is closed, the second detainee said. We are not getting visits or lawyer visits which has continued to hinder our due process as well.

They are at a point where they feel they have no other options, Boyle said at the Board of Correction hearing. It shows that despite what DOC says, things have not gotten better. Theyve gotten worse, and (DOC is) ignoring the problem.

Boyle said he received voicemails from 14 to 15 other detainees on Monday night who said they are also involved in the hunger strike.

As of last night they had missed their 12th meal, he said Tuesday. There is one officer in the bubble for 100 people and no one seems to care.

A Correction Department official said initial reports indicate there is a protest and the detainees are rejecting their meals. But they are sharing commissary food  though the detainees claim that food is limited.

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The Correction official added the detainees are upset about being under quarantine as the jail undergoes a spike in COVID-19 cases.
Regarding Editorial: Cruz took brave stand on Jan. 6 attacks. Then he took it back. (Jan. 8): Thumbs is exactly right about Joe Biden giving a hell of a speech on the Jan. 6 anniversary and reminding many of us why we voted for him in the first place. But characterizing Afghanistan as a major failure for Biden begs the question, by what measure? Although it has now become conventional wisdom that Americas Afghan withdrawal was flawed, it is hard to know what the critics expected. Cable television pundits watched images of Afghans trespassing on the Kabul airport runway trying to glom onto moving planes and decided in real time that the evacuation was disastrous. The Fox News crowd condemned it before it started because Biden was president. Mainstream newspapers featured opinion pieces from former Bush administration officials such as Condoleezza Rice asserting that America should stay in Afghanistan indefinitely. So perhaps as it was from the beginning, Afghanistan is just a no-win situation. But there are some facts that should not be lost in the rush to judgment.

First, the Trump administration, not Biden, negotiated the agreement with the Taliban to withdraw from Afghanistan. Trumps former National Security Advisor General H.R. McMaster called the four-page agreement Americas surrender. The Trump agreement did not make any provision for an American presence following the countys all but conceded eventual fall to the Taliban. Other than moving back the date for withdrawal because the Trump administration had entirely failed to implement a process for withdrawal, President Biden complied with the terms of the agreement. The American militarys evacuation of more than 120,000 people was the largest, quickest, most successful evacuation from an active war zone in the history of the country. Casualties of Americans in Afghanistan were among the lowest in 2021 since our invasion. The number of terrorist attacks against Americans was also the lowest. President Biden, like the majority of Americans, opposed a continued American presence in Afghanistan. He recognized that 20 years of futility was futile enough, and successfully got us out.

Rand Nolen, Houston

Insurrection

Regarding Last Jan. 6, the nations institutions heldexcept the media (January 9): In Marc Thiessens view, the media has squandered its credibility by calling out the many transgressions of former President Trump. By being a Chicken Little in its hysterical journalistic overreach, it somehow poisoned the well of public trust. In retrospect, however, such hysteria was prescient. Because last January 6, a sizable chunk of the sky did fall, as a disgruntled ex-federal employee attempted to overthrow American democracy. And Trump continues to do so though endlessly discredited claims of election fraudall of which Thiessen himself points out in his article.

Which begs the question, what media is he referring to? Conspicuously, the words Fox News appear nowhere in his article lamenting the lack of journalistic credibility. Americas most-watched cable news network, which under the Trump administration functioned more like state-run media, has continued to spread false election claims, forcing serious journalists from Chris Wallace to Jonah Goldberg to flee Fox. Just maybe, millions of Americans believe the election was stolen because thats precisely what Tucker Carlson tells them every night.

Robert Campbell, Katy

The mainstream media is diverse and most journalists are ethical, aware of biases and self-correcting. A little skepticism goes a long way and there are other credible, if also sometimes biased and wrong, sources  think pastors, doctors and scientists. No, the problem lies in people getting their news from sources that are biased, do not promote diversity and are not self-correcting  think the metaverse or Twitterverse. Thiessens thesis, from the title on, aims to sow more distrust. Instead I would like to see a column from him that doesnt just laud the Republicans who put our democracy first but builds the case to support them.

,

Craig Lamison, Houston

Kudos to the Chronicle for several articles in Sunday's edition. The editorial on the filibuster was on target  both parties need to concede that working together is needed, especially in these trying times. The article on James Madison was so timely  the ability for both parties to maintain a way to work for the good of all is sorely needed. Mr. Erickson summed it up by saying that leaders, both right and left, need to work for a unified opposition to corruption and authoritarianism. Marc Thiessen's thoughts on the failure of the media to objectively report on current events and to put aside their political issues and just do their jobs were on point. However, I believe that Leonard Pitts column on the cathartic message of President Bidens January 6 speech missed the point that, while Republicans may not have totally recognized their denial or minimization of what happened on January 6, the Democrats refuse to recognize that democracy prevailed that day  our institutions held. This country is not perfect  none that I know is, but would you rather be here in America or somewhere where your very existence is challenged daily?

Michael Spiech, Sugar Land
The new movie Dont Look Up, about a collision between a planet-killing comet and a frivolous America, is something of a critical failure  its score on RottenTomatoes.com is currently only 55% fresh  but a clear cultural success. In a world where its hard for non-superhero movies to make a ripple, it has broken a Netflix viewing record and launched an array of movie critic arguments and pundit takes  some of them politically unpredictable, including both left-leaning critiques and right-leaning admiration.

Officially the movie is an allegory about climate change, a conceit that its director, Adam McKay, has emphasized in online sparring with its critics. If you dont have at least a small ember of anxiety about the climate collapsing (or the U.S. teetering), McKay tweeted recently, Im not sure Dont Look Up makes any sense. Its like a robot viewing a love story. WHy ArE thEir FacEs so cLoSe ToGether?

Art, though, has a way of escaping the intentions of its creators. McKays tweets notwithstanding, his comet scenario is a lousy allegory for the climate challenge, for reasons painstakingly elaborated by New York Magazines Eric Levitz in one of the best responses to the movie as a would-be policy intervention. But the pandemic that arrived before production started turned out to be a better fit for the allegory  a fast-moving and unexpected threat rather than a grinding, long-term challenge. And ultimately Dont Look Up is most effective when its just a movie about that parenthetical in McKays tweet  the idea of a teetering America, with the specific existential threat almost incidental to the portrait of systemic failure.

This is the biggest reason, I suspect, that the movie is a commercial hit and conversation fodder even for people who dislike it: because it opens one of the widest lenses on American decadence since the years when The Wire and The Sopranos were both on HBO.

Yet Im still one of the critics who thought the movie failed in the end, because its impulse to indict everyone, from TV news to social media, is in tension with its desire to deliver a pious message about listening to science. The latter impulse ensures that its satire is gentlest when it takes on the expert class, the academic-industrial complex. And its plot ultimately turns on a single terrible decision by a populist president, the systemic critique sacrificed to ideological point-scoring.

But since the movie is almost the comprehensive portrait of decadence we need, Im going to offer some script doctoring and give you the cut of Dont Look Up that might have been, had somebody hired me to consult. Here goes:

Act 1: The comet is discovered by amateur astronomy geeks who comb telescope footage the government collects but doesnt bother to examine. Their findings are hyped by a mix of doomsday preppers and tech bros, while academic authorities dismiss the claims as misinformation and Twitter censors users who insist the comet is going to hit Earth.

Act 2: A group of Harvard astronomers confirms the comets dire trajectory, and suddenly the media turns on a dime and begins hyping the threat. But the president, a right-wing populist aiming for reelection, prefers to postpone dealing with it, so she hypes an obscure Bible college astronomer who thinks the chance of impact is under 10%.

Act 3: After protests roil the country, the president reverses course and announces a massive nuclear strike. However, the head of NASA, a media darling, insists that blowing up the comet will rain down fragments and kill too many people, and you need a more limited strike  the subject of his own dissertation, as it happens  that knocks it off course. Fox News vilifies him, but the mainstream media insists his strategy is simply science and no serious person could oppose it. So the United States tries his plan  and it fails completely, because his dissertation was actually based on fraudulent experiments that never replicated outside his lab.

Act 4: Now the president orders the full blow-it-up strike, but it fails as well  because most of the nukes dont work, the military having failed to inspect its arsenal because that part of the budget was spent hiring TikTok influencers to do a new recruitment pitch for Gen Z. In desperation, the government turns to an Elon Musk-style tech wizard, whose Great Bore drill promises to deliver a warhead into the heart of the comet. Unfortunately he supervises the mission himself, and it goes fatally awry when he gets distracted by a Twitter flamewar.

Act 5: Out of options, part of America pretends the comet isnt coming, while another part joins a cult that holds mass repentance ceremonies for white patriarchys sins. At the last minute, a collection of Chinese drones ascends to meet the comet and dismember it, letting its pieces fall into the Pacific to be mined by Chinese deep-sea robots  but a shower accidentally hits the continental United States, knocking out our infrastructure and leaving the worlds former superpower in the dark.

Roll credits, in Chinese. Ill see you all at the Oscars.

Ross Douthat is a columnist for the New York Times.
With just a few days until vote-by mail begins in Texas primary elections, Gov. Greg Abbott is traveling the state showing off endorsements of his get-tough border policies and his backing from key law enforcement groups.

While Abbott is heavily favored to win his primary, hes leaving nothing to chance as he reminds GOP voters where he stands on two of the biggest issues for Republican voters: border security and backing police.

A day after highlighting his support from the National Border Patrol Council in Edinburg, the two-term Republican governor was in San Antonio on Tuesday touting endorsements from a coalition of sheriffs in South Texas. Abbott also rolled out an endorsement from the Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas, which has 27,000 members. On Wednesday hell continue that push when he meets with the Houston Police Officers Union at their headquarters.

Governor Abbotts commitment to law enforcement issues and to the women and men of law enforcement has allowed us to do our jobs and keep our families and businesses safe, Marvin Ryals, President of CLEAT, said on Tuesday as he endorsed Abbott onstage.

Abbott, a 64-year-old Wichita Falls native, on Tuesday highlighted his public fight against the concept of defunding the police. He said he made it a priority during the legislative session to reduce state funding to any city or county that tries to cut its police budget. Austin has become the poster child for that discussion because of its efforts to move police millions in funding to social service programs to try to counter the root causes of 911 calls.

Abbott said he wanted to send a clear message to law enforcement: They have a governor who has their back.

TEXAS TAKE: Get the latest news on Texas politics sent directly to your inbox every weekday

But while Abbott touts those endorsements, his primary opponents are also touring the state questioning his commitment to those same issues. Former State Sen. Don Huffines was in Houston on Monday saying voters have given Abbott plenty of time to fix issues like the border, yet the problems persist.

If Abbott really wanted to secure the border, he could have done it seven years ago, Huffines said after hosting a small protest against vaccine mandates near Rice University on Monday.

Abbott has recently deployed more than 10,000 Texas National Guard personnel to help secure the border, a mission he named Operation Lone Star. But Huffines and former Republican Party of Texas chairman Allen West have said it is more a political show than a strategic effort.

Operation Lone Star is a failure. Its a political optic, West told more than 350 GOP activists at a political forum on Monday night in The Woodlands that was organized by an anti-Abbott group called the True Texas Project.

Huffines, a 63-year-old Dallas native, has called for shutting down all 25 of the states bridges with Mexico to put economic pressure on the Mexican government to do more to stop the flow of illegal migration into Texas. West, a Garland resident who is 60, has called for a better organized military presence and declaring drug cartels terrorist organizations so the state can go after them and seize their assets more easily.

IN-DEPTH: Gov. Greg Abbotts primary showing will settle whether hes undisputed leader of Texas GOP

Abbott on Monday pointed out he has not only surged the National Guard and members of the Department of Public Safety to the border, but hes also started building Texass own version of a border wall similar to what former President Donald Trump advocated for along the 1,200 miles of Texas border. Trump ended up building about 20 miles of his wall and refurbished about 30 miles. Abbott last month unveiled the first 900-feet of about 2 miles of wall he is building in Starr County  between Laredo and McAllen.

Abbott on Monday also released his first television commercial of 2022 that includes Brandon Judd, the president of the National Border Patrol Council, lauding Abbotts actions on the Texas border.

No other governor has done more to secure our border than Greg Abbott, Judd says in the ad.

El Paso Democrat Beto ORourke, the leading contender for governor in the Democratic primary, said during a rally in El Paso on Saturday that Abbott is not listening to border communities.

If he would listen to us, we would tell him that we dont need any more walls or militarization, the former congressman said. We need leadership.

The 49-year-old El Paso native has also challenged Abbotts support for law enforcement. Hes pointed out frequently on the campaign trail that Abbott signed the bill to allow unlicensed Texans to carry guns in public. Many law enforcement groups opposed that legislation, but Abbott still signed the bill into law last fall.

The March 1 Texas primary officially kicks off Friday when vote-by-mail ballots for military and overseas Texans must be shipped out to voters who have requested them. In-person early voting starts on Feb. 14.

jeremy.wallace@chron.com
Chicago, IL (60637)

Today

Windy. A steady rain in the morning, with showers continuing in the afternoon. High 48F. Winds NNE at 20 to 30 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near a half an inch..

Tonight

Cloudy and windy early, becoming partly cloudy late. Low around 40F. Winds N at 20 to 30 mph.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg and Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell played nice Tuesday amid an ongoing dispute about how he plans to prosecute certain crimes.

The sitdown at 1 Police Plaza between two of the citys most prominent law enforcement leaders came as police union officials questioned the DAs decision-making in an alleged knifepoint stickup at a Lower East Side Duane Reade.

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The DA and Sewell said in a joint statement they met to discuss issues of mutual concern.

The discussion was open, candid and productive, the statement said. The meeting was to share ideas and examine policy differences that could be clarified and harmonized toward a common vision that acknowledges the need for criminal justice reform and alternatives to incarceration.

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Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg and NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell (Gardiner Anderson and Theodore Parissene /for New York Daily News)

It was agreed that police and prosecutors would weigh the individual facts and circumstances of each case with a view toward justice and work together to keep New Yorkers safe.

Bragg, a former federal prosecutor who campaigned on a promise of criminal justice reform, issued a memo shortly after taking office stating that line prosecutors should not bring armed robbery charges in commercial settings as long as the offender didnt create a genuine risk of physical harm. Instead, the memo stated, prosecutors should pursue petty larceny charges.

The memo set off a firestorm.

Sewell wrote that the new policy injects debate into decisions that would otherwise be uncontroversial, will invite violence against police officers and will have deleterious effects on our relationship with the communities we protect.

Front page for Jan. 5, 2022: New DA's policy angers some cop unions. Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg (left) says he won't seek jail for crimes like fare-beating and resisting arrest, but will target sex trafficking and other felonies. (New York Daily News)

After the meeting, Bragg and Sewell vowed to continue collaborative discussions. But just as it concluded, the Police Benevolent Association questioned why Braggs office only brought misdemeanor charges against William Rolon, 43, who has 39 arrests and two state prison terms on his record.

New Yorkers know the difference between shoplifting and an armed robbery. This experiment in denying reality has already failed miserably in cities across the country. District Attorney Bragg needs to abandon it, fast, PBA President Patrick Lynch said.

Rolon is accused of brazenly stealing $2,200 worth of items from a Delancey St. Duane Reade on Saturday, stuffing mostly cold medicine and cough syrup into a garbage bag, according to a criminal complaint and the NYPD.

When a store custodian confronted Rolon, he allegedly lashed out, telling her, F--k you  Im taking everything!

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Rolon flashed a silver pocketknife, leaving the store employee in fear of physical injury, serious physical injury or death, according to the complaint.

Rolon fled with an accomplice  but then returned alone later that night and grabbed more than $100 in cold medicine and paper towels, police said. He was then arrested.

Prosecutors only hit Rolon with misdemeanor charges of menacing, weapons possession, petty larceny, harassment and possession of a bag of heroin  misdemeanors punishable by up to a year in jail.

William Rolon

A police source questioned why he wasnt accused of robbery.

He had a knife. It even says it in the complaint. How is that not a robbery? the source said.

Braggs office did not respond to repeated inquiries about the case.

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The Legal Aid Society, which is representing Rolon, said more serious charges would not do any good.

The Daily News Flash Weekdays Catch up on the days top five stories every weekday afternoon. >

Mr. Rolon is a prime example of a person in need of treatment and resources, not incarceration, the Legal Aid Society said in a statement. Jail and prison only create a vicious cycle of incarceration and only serve to exacerbate root-cause issues and to detract from public safety.

Rolon has a pending assault case in Brooklyn, where hes accused of bashing a rival in the face with a broomstick.

He was paroled in December 2017 after serving eight years for an attempted robbery in Brooklyn. Before that, he spent five years behind bars for an upstate robbery conviction.

Bragg, Manhattans first Black district attorney, has said his new policies were misunderstood and vowed that reducing gun violence and ensuring safe streets is his top priority.

We know that our first civil right is the right to walk safely to our corner store, he said Saturday.

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These policy changes not only will, in and of themselves, make us safer, Bragg wrote in the memo. They also will free up prosecutorial resources to focus on violent crime.

With Molly Crane-Newman
A man was fatally shot in the neck during a fight outside a Queens massage parlor Monday afternoon, police said.

The victim, 44, was shot just before 5 p.m. outside the Shangrong Spa, on 41st Ave. near College Pont Blvd. in Flushing.

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Police investigate a fatal shooting outside 132-44 41st Ave. in Flushing on Monday. (Gardiner Anderson/for New York Daily News)

Medics took him to New York-Presbyterian Queens Hospital, but he couldnt be saved. His name has not yet been released.

Police were still looking for the shooter Monday night.
North Adams Planners OK New Apartments in Eagle Street Block



Plans for the top floor apartments include a fifth level for master bedrooms. NORTH ADAMS, Mass.  The developer of an Eagle Street property was stymied last month by technical difficulties in trying to make his case.

On Monday night, it took less than 10 minutes for him to get approval to turn the Tower and Porter Block back into an apartment building.

Owner Veselko Buntic and his architect Barry Berg, both of New York, had submitted plans more than a month ago on redeveloping the four-story, 130-year-old building.

Unfortunately, Buntic wasn't able to signal his presence at the virtual December meeting and, believing he was not present, the board postponed the application to the January meeting.

Monday both he and Berg appeared during the Zoom meeting to answer questions. Berg noted that the board had approved for the structure to be a boutique hotel back in 2018.

"We had done a proposal to convert the building to hotel use," he said. "Subsequent to that, it was decided that it would be better suited as apartments. So we went back to the original use: apartments on the four existing floors and then propose an addition on the roof. That would be the upper story of two duplex units on the fourth floor. So that's the current proposal."

The structure will have three apartments on each of the second and third level. Two will be two-bedroom units and the third will be one-bedroom. The two-bedrooms will be just over 1,000 square feet and the one-bedroom 761 square feet. The larger units will both have two full-bathrooms.

There will be two fourth-floor apartments extended upward with a master suite each on a fifth level. These larger apartments are proposed to be 1,300 and 1,500 square feet with masters of nearly 600 square feet for the smaller apartment and 565 square feet for the larger.

The building had originally been an apartment house with retail on the bottom level on the west, or Eagle Street, side. The east side, on North Church Street, will access the apartments.

Planner Robert Burdick asked about parking for the building. Chairman Brian Miksic noted that developments in the downtown center are not required to have parking spaces but that the board could put it in as a condition.

Buntic said his conversations with the past two mayors had included the use of parking in the Center Street lot either by "donation" or parking permit. He said he planned to bring this up with the new mayor, Jennifer Macksey.

"Whatever needs to be done, I will do that to secure parking so people who come there don't have to go to the office and acquire their own parking," he said.

Planner Paul Senecal questioned the drawings that only showed one egress for each unit into a central hallway when two were required. Berg said they were aware and would be working on it with the building inspector.

Miksic asked what they were doing with the storefronts on the Eagle Street said and Berg said they would be fitted for two stores.

Buntic has said he's put about $120,000-$140,000 into it so far for stabilization, demolition and asbestos removal since purchasing it in 2016. Much of the interior has been removed.

Planner Lynette Bond applauded the proposal, saying, "I think this is fantastic to see more housing for the city. ... We know in North Adams that we're facing a housing shortage so I applaud you. I think this is a great proposal."

In other business, Miksic asked that Planner Kyle Hanlon and Senecal bring nominations for chair and vice chair to the next meeting. Miksic, vice chairman, is currently acting as chair after the departure of longtime Chairman Michael Leary last month.

Miksic welcomed the board's newest members Jesee Egan Poirier and Rye Howard.
Five Local Women-Owned Restaurants Receive Grant Funding

NORTH ADAMS, Mass.  Five women-owned restaurants in the Berkshires received $5,000 each grant support from the Massachusetts Conference of Women

Frankie's Ristorante Italiano in Lenox; Freight Yard Pub and Renee's Diner in North Adams; Truc Orient Express in West Stockbridge, and Crisp in Williamstown were among 80 eateries statewide awarded $400,000 total in grants.

The Massachusetts Conference for Women is a nonprofit dedicated to advancing women in the workplace. This is the second year that it has provided grants.

"We are proud to support these hard-working women entrepreneurs," said Gloria Larson, board president and former president of Bentley University. "We also want to recognize women across the commonwealth who have persevered in the face of extraordinary economic pressures and gender inequities highlighted by the pandemic."

Joanne Chang, James Beard Foundation Award-winner and co-owner of Boston's Flour Bakery and Cafe, praised the grants, saying, "they reflect the importance of women-owned-restaurants in our communities and lives." Approximately 1 in 3 restaurants is owned by women.

It is the second consecutive year the Massachusetts Conference for Women has awarded grants to women-owned restaurants. They previously distributed $330,000 to help restaurants pay rent and employees, adapt their business model, or meet other restaurant needs.

This year's grantees come from 61 communities across the commonwealth, including Boston, Lowell, New Bedford, Southbridge, and Worcester. The Massachusetts Restaurant Association aided in administering the grants.
Li congratulates Rutte on reelection as Dutch PM

Xinhua) 08:30, January 11, 2022

BEIJING, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Monday sent a congratulatory message to Mark Rutte on his reelection as the Dutch prime minister.

In his message, Li said that China and the Netherlands are important partners of each other, adding that in recent years, China-Dutch relations have maintained a good momentum of development and practical cooperation in various fields has been deepening.

Li said that he looks forward to continuing to work hand in hand with Rutte to promote the open and practical comprehensive cooperative partnership between China and the Netherlands to achieve more results for the benefit of the two countries and their people.

(Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun)
Emergency first responders remain at the scene after an intense fire at a 19-story residential building that erupted in the morning on Jan. 9, 2022, in the Bronx borough of New York City. Reports indicate over 50 people were injured. (Scott Heins/Getty Images)

The Bronx apartment where a fire erupted that killed 17 people had several space heaters running at the time of the fire  and all of them, including the one that sparked the fatal blaze, had been left on for days, FDNY sources said Tuesday.

Firefighters made the discovery as they sifted through the scorched rubble of the second-floor in the duplex apartment where the Sunday morning fire started.

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The blaze sent thick plumes of choking smoke throughout the Twin Parks North West building on E. 181st St. near Tiebout Ave. in Fordham Heights.

The fire at the Twin Parks North West building along E. 181st St. near Tiebout Ave. in Fordham Heights on Sunday. (Theodore Parisienne/for New York Daily News)

The fire was the citys deadliest since the 1990 blaze at the Bronxs Happy Land Social Club.

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In Sundays blaze, more than 30 people were rushed to area hospitals with life-threatening injuries. By that afternoon, 17 had died, including eight children. All of them died from smoke inhalation, a spokeswoman for the citys medical examiner said.

On Monday, Mayor Adams surveys the damage in an apartment building where there was a fatal fire a day earlier. (Office of the Mayor)

The FDNY determined space heaters were the cause of 11 fires in 2020 the departments Bureau of Fire Investigation probed the cause of. Space heaters have already sparked two fires investigated by the bureau this year, including Sundays deadly blaze, an FDNY official said Tuesday. The Bureau of Fire Investigation probes the citys fires that are complex, suspicious or fatal.

Now fire marshals are trying to determine what caused the space heater to erupt into flames Sunday and why the apartments self-closing door that should have kept the smoke from spreading throughout the building malfunctioned and remained open.

Investigators said the heat in the building appeared to be working. New boilers were installed in 2015, and they all passed an inspection last year, according to city Buildings Department records.

On Nov. 26, the day after Thanksgiving, the citys Housing Preservation and Development Department received an anonymous tip that the entire building was without heat or hot water, but the situation was quickly corrected and the complaint was closed, according to the agency.

At least four building tenants told the Daily News on Tuesday that they did not have any problems with the heat and wondered why the resident in the fire apartment had so many space heaters. Two residents say they get so much heat they sometimes have to open their windows.

My apartment was warm, said Joyce Anderson, 75, whos lived on the buildings 13th floor since 1972. I had the windows open a little bit like [an inch] in the home because it was very warm.

The Daily News Flash Weekdays Catch up on the days top five stories every weekday afternoon. >

Portable space heaters are involved in about 1,700 fires nationwide a year, resulting in about 80 deaths and 160 injuries annually, and $62 million in damage, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

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The fire at the Twin Parks North West building along E. 181st St. near Tiebout Ave. in Fordham Heights on Sunday. (Theodore Parisienne/for New York Daily News)

In 2019, a portable space heater plugged into a power strip sparked a fire in Flatbush, Brooklyn. A man in his 60s died after he jumped from the building to escape the flames. Seven other people, including a cop who raced to the scene, were also injured.

John Jay College of Criminal Justice Associate Prof. Glenn Corbett said if the heaters were continually running they had to be older or cheaper models. Newer space heaters come with automatic shutoff switches if the unit gets too hot.

If it didnt have an automatic shutoff it was probably an old unit that the tenant got second- or third-hand or got it from somebody else, Corbett said. People want to stay warm, and if the building is not providing adequate heat theyre going to find ways to get heat in that apartment.

The FDNY is continually putting out public service announcements on the proper use of portable space heaters, which should be kept at least 3 feet from any bedding or furniture and must be plugged directly into a wall socket and not an extension cord.

Besides the FDNY, Corbett said building management should have put up posters instructing tenants on the proper way to use space heaters, especially if they knew residents were using them.

Building management should be saying, Hey, folks, if youre buying space heaters you should get the modern ones and learn how to use them properly, Corbett said. Thats what they should have been doing.
A suspect wanted for shoving an Asian man into the path of an oncoming Queens subway train in a random May attack has been nabbed  after cops busted him for groping a woman at another station, police and prosecutors said Tuesday.

A day after the attack, cops released surveillance images of the suspect and asked the publics help identifying him and tracking him down. (NYPD)

Ronald Lacey, 23, of Fresh Meadows, is accused of shoving the 35-year-old victim into the path of an F train at the 21st St.-Queensbridge station in Long Island City about 7:45 a.m. May 24.

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According to cops, Lacey was muttering under his breath as he wandered around the station. Then in an unprovoked attack, he allegedly pushed the victim onto the tracks.

The man who was pushed in front of an F train in Long Island City in May 2021. (Obtained by Daily News)

Panicked commuters flagged down the oncoming train and pulled the victim up to the platform. The victim lost consciousness once he was brought back to safety and suffered a fractured wrist and a deep cut that needed 14 stitches to close, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said Tuesday.

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This could have ended in tragic results if not for the quick action of Good Samaritans, Katz said in a statement.

A day after the attack, cops released surveillance images of the suspect and asked the publics help identifying him and tracking him down.

The victim, who was unemployed because of the pandemic, had just found a new job opportunity, and was on his way to work with a friend whose supermarket business was under construction, his mother told the Daily News after the attack.

But instead of finding work, he ended up with a chunk of flesh torn from his face near his eyebrow, a concussion and severe pain, she lamented.

The wound was really deep and really bad, she told The News. Hes in a lot of pain. He has to rely on painkillers right now.

The 21st Street Queensbridge F line station (Luiz C. Ribeiro/for New York Daily News)

The Daily News Flash Weekdays Catch up on the days top five stories every weekday afternoon. >

The victims mother also expressed her gratitude to the commuters who helped get her son off the tracks and called police.

I want to thank the person who stopped the train in time, but also the people around who called 911 and got him to the hospital in time so I could see him again, his mother said. Thank you to everyone who helped.

Lacey, Katz said, was on the run for months.

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He had a pending criminal case at the time of the attack  he was busted May 17 in Manhattan for weapon possession, menacing and harassment and released without bail the next day.

He never returned to court and was finally arrested last Thursday, though not initially for the subway shove; he was collared for grabbing a 31-year-old womans buttocks at the Union Square station back on Dec. 8, police said.

Lacey was arraigned for the groping Saturday In Manhattan Criminal Court, then charged the same day with the Queens subway shove. A Queens Criminal Court judge ordered Lacey held without bail during a brief arraignment proceeding later Saturday.

Queens prosecutors charged him with attempted murder, assault and other crimes. Although the victim was Asian, Lacey is not currently facing hate crime charges.
Nothing is more crucial than staying connected in times of calamity and DITO Telecommunity has been a lifebelt for many Filipinos who have been massively affected by the recent onslaught of typhoon Odette in the country.

Dr. Jobe Buling-Viernes, the coordinator of San Beda University-Graduate School of Business, joins relief operations to distribute 500 DITO SIM cards to local members of the Philippine National Police (PNP), students, drivers, and municipal employees in Valencia, Negros Oriental. Photos were taken by: Dr. Jobe Buling-Viernes

While most mobile services were temporarily rendered unserviceable by the catastrophe, the newly laid out DITO cell towers stood resilient in the beleaguered provinces, except for only six of DITO microsites that were affected.

In particular, residents of Negros Oriental were able to rely on the continuous and strong connection provided by DITO.

One resident from Valencia, Negros Oriental who participated in the relief operations, Dr. Jobe Buling-Viernes, coordinator of the San Beda University - Graduate School of Business, started distributing 500 DITO SIM cards to local members of the Philippine National Police, students, drivers and municipal employees.

Using #DitoNaKamisaDITO, #DITONaKami, #DitoTayoSaDITO on social media, recipients expressed their appreciation to the telco for its strong internet speed and reliable connectivity while being economical for as low as Php39 for 3GB, Php99 for 10GB, and Php199 for 25GB.

"What struck me the most is the idea of connecting people and lives during disasters  Ive really proven that DITO was there, shared Dr. Viernes.

As government and non-government relief and recovery work began in earnest in the Visayas, DITO also provided 1000 SIM cards to the Armed Forces of the Philippines through the AFP Visayas Command and another 250 to the regional Disaster Risk Reduction Management offices for the use of the responders.

This effort is in collaboration with Udenna Foundation's UCare, UShare initiative, a program that aims to feed, protect, and connect the community in the time of COVID, and DITO CME, a majority shareholder of DITO Telecommunity that provides telecommunications, multimedia, and IT services in the country.
Not surprisingly, the Small Business Administration's (SBA) Economic Injury and Disaster Loan (EIDL) program has created controversy over the past few months. As I have previously written about, the SBA raised the EIDL cap to $2 million without requiring proof of economic injury. While I understand why this step was taken, I do not understand why proof of economic injury was not required. Yes, it will slow down how fast the money gets out, but wouldn't we rather be sure it's going to the right places? To the companies that need it most over those that click the "Submit" button first? This decision completely contradicts the program's original intention and hurts businesses that continue to be impacted by the pandemic.

A few weeks ago, I met an entrepreneur who bragged to me that he was having the best year in his company's history and just had $2 million wired into his account by the SBA. Sadly, this has become all too common in my conversations lately. When I speak to entrepreneurs who have received EIDL funds, I always ask if they actually needed the money to survive, and the overwhelming response is no. No shame, no guilt, just happiness that they were able to get in on the money. The funds are just sitting in their bank accounts as their imaginations run wild with what to do with it. Some of you may be thinking, aren't there restrictions for what the money can be used for? While you are correct, few have chosen to educate themselves on those restrictions before taking the money. I love seeing the surprise on entrepreneurs' faces when I tell them that their plans for the funds are technically illegal. I sympathize that in this crazy world we struggle to find time for things like fine print, but loan documents detailing terms from a $2 million loan from the government should make the top of your list. Others simply don't care about the restriction and are willing to take the gamble because of the low audit risk.

In contrast, I know of a Vietnam veteran whose business was decimated by the pandemic. He and most of his team have not been paid for a year, as they have struggled to survive and keep their 100-year-old company running. He applied for the SBA EIDL increase half an hour after the program went live and has been stuck in the quicksand of the bureaucracy ever since. Yesterday, he was declined because his credit score was too low. A credit score that has only dropped since he began fighting to keep his business alive. Wouldn't the businesses that are desperately struggling have lower credit scores after nearly two years in the pandemic? Shouldn't those be the businesses we are directing aid to?
Last week, the International Trade Commission (ITC) ruled that Google infringed on five patents held by Sonos, related to creating and controlling speaker groups. The ITC entered an order that would have restricted the importation and sale of a variety of the company's Nest smart speakers.

Sonos, as one might expect, declared it a total victory because its patents were affirmed as valid, and the ITC agreed that Google had stolen its technology for use in its own products. The company was hoping Google would pay it a royalty for the infringing technology.

It turns out that it might not be such a victory after all--for anyone involved. That's because, instead of paying Sonos a royalty, Google decided it would simply send out a software update to the products in question to remove the capabilities that are covered by the patents.

That's right, Google is about to intentionally make its products worse for users because it would rather not pay a royalty to Sonos, for technology it misappropriated.

To be clear, Sonos isn't some patent troll. Those are companies that scoop up patents and only exist to sue companies that infringe on their intellectual property without ever releasing products of their own. Sonos makes a lot of products, many of which are considered some of the best in their class.

They got that way because Sonos puts a lot of effort into developing technology so that it can compete with far bigger companies--like Google.

Back in 2013, while Google was considering how it could make its music streaming service work on Sonos's speakers, the latter company gave the search giant an inside look at its technology. At the time, it didn't seem like a big deal. Google wasn't making speakers, and it wasn't in the smart home business at all.

It would be another year before it bought Nest as a way to get into the hardware business. Sonos says that as a result of that inside look, Google "blatantly and knowingly" copied its technology and included it in its own products.

The technology in question relates to the ability to connect speakers in groups and control their volume. Sonos sued Google, and asked the ITC to block the sale of Google's products that infringe on its patents.

The logical conclusion--and the one Sonos had hoped for--was that Google would either agree to, or be forced to, pay a royalty for using the technology. That would have certainly been the best outcome for Sonos, as well as for users. You could argue it would have been the best for Google as well, which would be able to continue to include features that customers have grown accustomed to.

Instead, Google decided to remove the capabilities altogether. Here's what Google had to say in a blog post:

Due to a recent legal ruling we're making some changes to how you set up your devices and [how] the Speaker Group functionality will work moving forward. If you're using the Speaker Group feature to control the volume in the Google Home app, by voice with the Google Assistant, or directly on your Nest Hub display, you'll notice a few changes.

That's an understatement. When Google says "you'll notice a few changes," what it means is that the thing you bought won't do what it did when you paid money for it. For example, these changes mean you'll no longer be able to control the volume of a group of speakers. Instead, you'll have to change the volume on each individually. It also means you'll no longer be able to use the volume buttons on your phone to control a speaker group.

Those may not seem like a big deal, except that Google has marketed its products with the ability to do those things, and people bought those speakers expecting them to do what was promised. Instead of doing the right thing, which would be to pay a royalty to Sonos, Google decided to remove functionality, making the experience worse for users.

It's surprising that Google (or any company, for that matter) would be so stubborn as to make its own products worse to use just to avoid paying what is most certainly an insignificant amount of money for a company the size of Google. Basically, Google lost a fight, didn't get its way, and decided to take its toys and go home. The problem is, it already sold those toys to customers and it's intentionally breaking them.

I'm sure there is no love lost between Google and Sonos, but breaking your own products--especially ones that have already been bought by your customers--it taking spite to an entirely new level.
For all of its ills, Covid-19 has supercharged consumerism in America's health care system, offering tantalizing opportunities for companies interested in lowering health care costs and increasing access to quality medical care.

Speaking at CB Insights' recent Future of Health Conference, Deepa Varadharajan, a senior managing analyst at the New York City-based research and analytics firm, explained that consumers can look forward to improved access and quality of health care, in addition to lowered costs--courtesy of artificial intelligence spurred by the coronavirus.

More than 170 startups are driving "anytime, anywhere care," said Varadharajan, noting that she expects the trend to continue. In addition to providing a growth industry for those working to further A.I., improving accessibility and lowering the cost of care could make the lives of time-crunched workers far more convenient--especially if the technology cuts down the time it takes to see a doctor or get a test done.

Here are the five trends shared by CB Insights that are affecting health care:

1. Bridging the gap between virtual and in-person care

Telehealth visits are lauded for their convenience, but a major limitation with virtual visits surfaces when it comes to manual exams. For obvious reasons, a doctor cannot perform a physical exam virtually, which limits a patient's full assessment--for now, at least.

Enter report monitoring devices. Digital health company Eko offers A.I.-powered stethoscopes along with a hand-held electrocardiogram, a test that evaluates a person's heart health. A patient can, for instance, live stream their heart and lung sounds for their doctor during a virtual visit.

Together, the tools, which are proliferating after the pandemic proved a heightened need for virtual care, bring the medical field closer to completely remote checkups that supplement in-person visits.

2. Expanding lab test accessibility for patients

The pandemic is normalizing at-home Covid-19 rapid testing, and that could further other at-home diagnostics testing. Remote clinical testing company Healthy.io uses computer vision, artificial intelligence, and colorimetric analysis so that patients can conduct at-home urinary tract infection tests or an annual urine test. Varadharajan expects that artificial intelligence will gradually edge out third-party laboratories, at least for certain types of tests.

3. Driving down radiology costs

Artificial intelligence isn't making just radiology faster; it's also driving down the costs associated with pricey scans and other imaging. That's thanks in part to the use of A.I.-assisted computerized tomography scans, which have grown in popularity for diagnosing Covid-induced pneumonia.

But looking to the next wave of artificial intelligence suggests that A.I. will go beyond diagnostics to improve patient experience, Varadharajan says. This could translate to quicker magnetic reasoning imaging. In collaboration with the New York School of Medicine, Facebook is working to improve MRIs and aims to create new methods to expedite the scanning process. Varadharajan explains that hour-long visits could drop to just 15 minutes. And shaving off a patient's time spent in an imaging device that emits radiation, such as with x-rays, can dramatically reduce exposure.

4. Picturing computer vision

Another unintended benefit of the pandemic: Computer vision is making inroads in specialty care. With computer vision, which is a form of A.I. that allows computers to learn to recognize and interpret visuals, fields including physical therapy, where patients almost exclusively rely on the direction of a physical therapist, now see the promise of making virtual connections.

But as long as a patient is armed with a smartphone camera, they can now access care almost anywhere. Kaia Health, a digital therapeutics company in the musculoskeletal space based in both New York City and Munich, is using computer vision for motion and posture tracking, which provides patients with real-time feedback on their exercises. And the Austin-based DentalMonitoring is providing A.I.-powered technology to dentists and orthodontists, which the company claims can reduce the need or frequency for in-person follow-ups.

5. Deploying passive monitoring technology

Apple Watches and Fitbits are some of the more classic examples of wearables, but the evolving wearables space is crowded. Too many options can become overwhelming for consumers required to keep track of different devices, charge them, and monitor separate applications that their devices use.

But A.I. passive monitoring technology may disrupt the wearables space by bringing technology that doesn't require patients to wear a device around the clock. When Google entered the sleep and wellness tracking with its smartphone device, its mantra was "Nothing to wear or remember to charge."

One newer approach to monitoring patients is using contactless in-home monitoring systems, which can keep track of a patent's sleep activities and respiration with the help of a sensor.
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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.
An 18-year-old woman caught on camera leaving her newborn baby in a New Mexico dumpster told police she didnt even know she was pregnant until a day earlier.

Alexis Avila has been charged with attempted murder and child abuse for abandoning the child in a Hobbs garbage Friday after surveillance footage in the parking lot caught her pulling up in a white car and tossing a black bag into the dumpster, then driving away.

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The baby was rescued alive about six hours later after three people digging through the dumpster for valuable materials found the infant and called police. The child was hospitalized and remains in stable condition, as of Monday.

[ 18-year-old New Mexico woman arrested after dumping newborn baby in dumpster ]

Alexis Avila is out of jail on bond. (AP)

During a press conference Monday, Hobbs Police Interim Chief August Fons said that Avila had sought medical care Thursday after complaining of abdominal pain and constipation. Thats when her doctor told her she was pregnant.

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A day later, she gave birth, Avila told police. She then cut the umbilical cord, wrapped the baby in a towel, put him in a plastic bag with some other trash and drove around until finding the dumpster, Fons said.

Fons praised the quick response of the three people who found the baby, labeling their immediate 911 call pivotal to saving the infants life.

Breaking News As it happens Get updates on the coronavirus pandemic and other news as it happens with our free breaking news email alerts. >

Police tracked Avila based on a partial license plate caught on the surveillance footage.

Police tracked Avila based on a partial license plate caught on the surveillance footage.

The teenager and her mother drove to the police station, where Avila confessed to abandoning the newborn.

Asked what she thought would happen to the baby in the dumpster, Avila remained silent and could not answer, according to Fons.

A search warrant of Avilas car and home turned up blood swabs, clothing and a towel.

Avila identified the father of the baby to police, but said the pair had broken up in August.

She was released from jail on a $10,000 bond Saturday.

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New Mexicos safe haven law allows parents to leave an infant no more than 90 days old at a hospital or health care clinic with no questions asked and no risk of criminal prosecution.
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No need to issue cheques by investors while subscribing to IPO. Just write the bank account number and sign in the application form to authorise your bank to make payment in case of allotment. No worries for refund as the money remains in investor's account."

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MAM | Media And Advertising Kurkure's new campaign with Akshay Kumar adds a quirky twist to a heist Starting the year with a 'masaledaar' twist, Kurkure has unveiled a film featuring Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar and actress Samantha Ruth Prabhu. This film is a part of the larger 'Ab Laga Masala' campaign that captures Kurkure as a 'chatpata' anytime snack that adds an element of 'masti' and quirkiness to the daily lives of its consumers. Read More...

MAM | Media And Advertising Simplilearn assures job guarantee in its latest brand campaign Simplilearn, the digital-skills bootcamp has announced the launch of its latest brand campaign #JobGuaranteed focussing on Simplilearn's 'Job Guarantee' programs that assure a job upon course completion. Culturally, Indians look for reasons, big or small, to celebrate or ask for a treat. Read More...

MAM | Media And Advertising Wavemaker India bags media mandate for Tata Consumer Products' brands in India Tata Consumer Products (TCP), the consumer products company uniting the principal food and beverage interests of the Tata Group under one umbrella, has awarded its consolidated media duties of media planning and buying for its India business to Wavemaker India. Read More...

MAM | Marketing Acko launches new print campaign for its paperless service Acko, a new-age insurance company has released a print campaign with Ogilvy India to communicate the advantage of using its paperless services over traditional insurance providers, to the digitally-savvy youth. Insurance companies in India are known for the truckloads of paperwork they make their customers fill for submission for their records. Read More...
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Implementation at the Bangladeshi Bank produced 100% digital transaction growth and 36% manual to digital conversion CHENNAI, India, Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Clayfin Technologies, a leading customer experience focused digital solutions provider for financial institutions, and BRAC Bank, have been awarded the 'Best Digital Channel/Platform Implementation Award  Most Impactful Platform' at IBSi Global FinTech Innovation Awards 2021. The award has been given in recognition of the collaborative implementation of BRAC Bank's new digital platform called 'Astha'. Mobile Banking App 'Astha' comprises of a wide spectrum of digital services and engagement tools in retail banking. This is a prime example of digital infrastructure overhaul targeting superior customer experience, higher adoption rates and market impact. In less than a year of going live, Astha has made a significant impact adding 30% on digital customer growth, 100% in digital transaction volumes and 36% conversion from manual transactions to digital channel. Recognizing the impactful solution implementation, Robin Amlot, Managing Editor of IBS Intelligence, said, "I am thrilled to announce Clayfin Technologies along with BRAC Bank Limited as winners of the Most Impactful Project Award part of the Best Digital Channel/Platform Implementation category at the 3rd edition of the IBS Intelligence Global FinTech Innovation Awards 2021. The solution was highly impactful and resulted in an astounding 100% growth in digital transactions. Congratulations to the duo." On the occasion, Md. Sabbir Hossain, DMD and COO of BRAC Bank, said, "We are immensely honoured to have received this international award. The new Astha digital platform is part of our strategic digital system overhaul for delightful and convenient banking experience for the customers. Over a short period of time, the implementation of the app with the tagline 'Bank Smart' has helped us achieve a significant impact on our customer base. The award will help us launch more digital initiatives to take customer experience to newer heights." Rajesh BLN, CEO of Clayfin added, "We are proud and thankful to receive this award with BRAC Bank. Astha platform for BRAC Bank is functionally rich, intuitive, easy to use, safe and secure. For BRAC Bank, this is just the beginning of a journey. Through its digital initiatives, BRAC Bank will stay ahead of times, and will keep impacting the lives of more and more customers." About IBSi Global FinTech Innovation Awards 2021 IBS Intelligence is a pure-play Financial Technology focused research, advisory, and news analysis firm, with a 30-year track record and clients globally. The third edition IBSi Global FinTech Innovation Awards attracted global attention with over 190 participants from 48 countries. About BRAC Bank BRAC Bank Limited traded as 'BRACBANK' on Dhaka Stock Exchange has been one of the country's fastest-growing banks in Bangladesh with a particular focus on the small and medium enterprise (SME) segment. Taking inspiration from its parent organization BRAC, the largest NGO in the world, it focused on Small and Medium Enterprises. Based out of Dhaka, the bank offers SME Banking, Retail Banking, Wholesale Banking & Custodial Service, Treasury and Foreign Exchange & Related Services through 187 branches, 650 Agent Banking Outlets and digital channels. With more than 1.1 million customers, the bank has already proved to be the largest collateral-free SME financier in just 20 years of its operation in Bangladesh and continues to serve as a benchmark for governance, transparency and compliance in the banking sector. About Clayfin Clayfin is a leading provider of Digital Customer Experience solutions for Banks and Financial institutions. Clayfin works across geographies, and currently supports 80+ implementations across 30+ customers in APAC, Middle East and Africa. Contact: Mr. Jishith Gangadharan jishith@clayfin.com +91-8593931693
Recent Maldivian protests against India's presence in the country, which called for the "Indian military out," prompted the Maldives administration to reiterate its "India First" stance.

This has brought to light the problems that both countries have in forging a strong strategic alliance while also dealing with public concerns. It's not something India has excelled at anywhere in the region.

Protests Held Against Indian Military Presence in the Maldives | themaldivesjournal

The Maldives are a small island nation in the middle of the Indian Ocean. Despite having a population of barely 500,000, its strategic placement astride the Indian Ocean's main marine lanes offers it enormous strategic value. Big nations have sought to gain influence there for centuries in order to prevent rivals' access to it.

In recent years, the Maldives has gained international interest as part of India's and China's rising rivalry. Former President Abdulla Yameen, who was widely regarded as being dangerously close to China, was deposed in a landslide election in 2018.

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's new government declared a "India First" policy, which is now being put to the test as he attempts to combine India's rising influence with the Maldives' long-standing heritage of strong independence.

Solih's "India First" strategy, at the very least, reflects simple geographic truth. The Maldives' closest ally and protector has historically been India. Indeed, many Indian scholars regard the Maldives as part of an Indian zone of influence in South Asia, where competitors should not tread.

Protests Held Against Indian Military Presence in the Maldives | Twitter

India has recently taken a more upbeat approach to proving its role as a "net security provider," emphasising the benefits it can bring to smaller countries.

However, the relationship between one of the world's largest and one of the tiniest countries is naturally fraught with sensitivity. The delicate ties between India and its neighbours Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Nepal demonstrate that these concerns are not always properly addressed.

What does the "India Out" campaign mean?

Last year, the 'India Out' campaign began with on-the-ground protests in the Maldives and swiftly spread to social media. Dhiyares co-founder Shifxan Ahmed told Indian Express that they are merely opposing the military presence in the country and are not encouraging anyone to use violence.

Though the movement has gathered traction in recent months, its origins can be traced back to 2013, when Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom of the Progressive Party (PPM) was elected president. As previously stated, the relationship between India and the Maldives deteriorated, and the PPM was seen as pro-China.

Why is even the Indian military force deployed in the Maldives?

Maldivians are cautious of outside meddling, and the presence of Indian military soldiers in the Maldives has been used by the opposition to criticise the administration.

Protests Held Against Indian Military Presence in the Maldives | TRTWorld

To assist with medical evacuations and sea surveillance, New Delhi gave two Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopters (ALF) and a Donier aircraft to the Maldives. The majority of the 75 Indians now stationed in the Maldives are there to repair and operate the aircraft.

However, some PPM members sparked a debate by claiming that the helicopters signalled the beginning of military involvement in the country. In 2016, the Maldives government requested that India return the helicopters, but India refused.

When the government changed two years later, Ibrahim Mohamed Solih reversed the directives, prolonged the stay, and continued to operate the choppers, igniting the India Out movement. The deposed PPM stated that they were never anti-India and that they had good connections with both India and China.

Nonetheless, the opposition's constant criticism has pushed the government into a corner, forcing Maldives Defense Minister Mariya Didi to publicly admit that Indian troops in the nation were unarmed and presented no threat to the country's sovereignty.

A geological battle between two powers

Former President Yameen, who presided over the country from 2013 to 2018, cultivated close connections with China. He oversaw the building of a four-lane, 2.1-kilometer bridge between Male and the island of Hulhumale.

That is the only bridge that connects islands in the archipelago; otherwise, residents must travel between atolls by boat. The $200 million project was financed by Beijing. For years, China showed little interest in the small island nation of less than 500,000 inhabitants, and until 2012, Beijing didn't even have an embassy there.

That changed under Yameen's administration, when the two nations inked a free trade agreement (FTA) that removed tariffs on Maldivian exports, primarily fish, and opened the archipelago to Chinese goods and services.

AP

The Maldives, which rely on visitors, many of whom are Chinese, for a significant portion of its revenue, was also a recipient of Beijing's funding. China provided a loan of little over a billion dollars to the Maldives to help build the bridge and an airport, among other projects.

However, after Solih's government won power, it accused Yameen of putting the country in a debt trap with China.

India still has a long way to go

Mohamed Saeed, Yameen's Minister for Economic Development, said concerns about increasing Chinese debt were unjustified in an interview with TRTWorld. The amount we borrowed from China was more or less the amount of money we borrowed from the Middle East in syndicated loans. We made a policy of tapping every source of affordable financing.

Most of the Maldives' foreign revenue comes from tourism. However, tourism locations are dispersed among atolls, and a lack of connectedness in the hospitality industry makes job development difficult.

AP

China's investment in the Sinamale bridge, also known as the China-Maldives Friendship Bridge, was supposed to address that problem, according to Saeed. While India has attempted to replace China as the Maldives' primary source of funding, it still has a long way to go.

New Delhi announced last year that it will lend and contribute $500 million to the Maldives. According to Saeed, who cites government budget documents, only $17 million of that sum has been invested thus far.

Under Yameen, the Maldives became increasingly reliant on China for financial support, much to the anger of India, which had previously had a role in the country's domestic affairs. In 1988, India dispatched paratroopers and navy ships to the Maldives to assist former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, who was facing a coup attempt by mercenaries from Sri Lanka.

Because experts believe that India views the Maldives as a crucial partner politically, diplomatically, and economically, it is doubtful that India will risk harming relations with Male by retaining armed forces in the country for any reason other than assisting in training and rescue efforts.

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Cover Image Attribute: The file photo of a Sikh farmer in Richmond, Vancouver yielding to the crop of cranberries. / Source: Anton Bielousov

As Canada and countries around the world respond to the pandemic, key sectors in the economy continue to need more workers to build a strong workforce. This is particularly true in Quebec where the province continues to experience long-standing workforce recruitment challenges.





Today, the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development, and Disability Inclusion, Carla Qualtrough, highlighted important progress made on the implementation of its pilot project with the Government of Quebec. This progress includes the implementation of the increased maximum number of TFWs allowed in low-wage positions that employers in specific sectors can hire, as designated by Quebec. Effective today, those employers can hire up to 20% (an increase of 10% for the majority of them).





"A critical part of Canada's economic recovery and long-term growth is a strong workforce. That's why our government is updating the Temporary Foreign Worker Program to help address labor shortages in Quebec immediately. We will always work closely with provinces and territories to meet the needs of employers across the country." - Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion





"Quebec employers in the agri-food industry have been hit very hard by the labor shortage. Developed in close collaboration between Ottawa and Quebec, this pilot project will allow businesses to recruit more temporary foreign workers and reduce the pressure on their operations." - Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Marie-Claude Bibeau





This announcement also builds on flexibilities to existing advertising and recruitment requirements for specific in-demand occupations, as designated by Quebec, that was implemented on December 6, 2021.





The occupations and sectors selected by Quebec for pilot measures have been identified following consultations with labor market stakeholders part of the Commission des Partenaires du Marche du Travail. This was done to ensure that measures included in this pilot project are representative of labor market needs in the province and do not displace opportunities for Canadian workers.





In the coming months, the Government of Canada and the Government of Quebec, in consultation with Quebec labor market partners, will also be adding to the list of occupations that are currently benefiting from a simpler process to hire TFWs.





When first announced on August 6, 2021, this pilot project was intended to run until December 31, 2023. On November 30, 2021, the Government of Canada agreed to extend the program until December 31, 2024. At the conclusion of the pilot project, the Government of Canada will evaluate outcomes to help inform its future decisions.





Alongside launching these new pilot measures, ESDC is also working to rebuild the TFW compliance regime to help better protect TFWs in the future. Ongoing activities to strengthen ESDC's risk-based approach to target higher risk employers include:




Woodbridge, VA (22192)

Today

Mostly cloudy skies early will become partly cloudy later in the day. High 74F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Rain and scattered thunderstorms overnight. Low 58F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%.
Actress Betty White suffered a stroke nearly a week before her death, according to a report.

The Golden Girls actress died of a cerebrovascular accident, which affected blood flow to her brain, TMZ reported. Citing a death certificate the gossip site said it had obtained, TMZ said the incident that led to Whites death came six days prior to her death on New Years Eve.

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[ TV icon Betty White dies less than three weeks before her 100th birthday ]

She was reportedly alert and coherent in the days that followed the stroke. The Oak Park, Ill., native died in her Brentwood, Calif., bed while sleeping. Throughout the pandemic, White reportedly stayed home for the most part. She would have been a centenarian on Jan. 17.

Betty White attends Betty White fashion shoot for The Lifeline Program at Smashbox Bigbox on May 9, 2012 in Culver City, California. (Brian To)

Even though Betty was about to be 100, I thought she would live forever, her agent Jeff Witjas told the Daily News in a statement on the day she died.
Prince William County state Sen. Jeremy McPike has decided not to run for the newly configured 7th District seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.

McPike expressed interest in the position when the initial map for the 7th District was released by the Virginia Supreme Court in mid-December. That map placed the entirety of Prince William in the 7th, along with Stafford County and the city of Fredericksburg.

However, the final map adopted by the court on Dec. 28 includes only eastern Prince William in the 7th, which now stretches south and west to include all of King George, Stafford, Spotsylvania, Caroline, Culpeper, Orange, Greene and Madison counties. In addition, current 7th District Rep. Abigail Spanberger, like McPike a Democrat, has announced plans to run for re-election in the district even though she lives in Henrico County, which is outside the new boundaries.

Tuesday morning, McPike posted a photo of himself with Spanberger on Twitter and said that while he had received encouragement to run for the seat, he had decided not to.

"With a new Congressional district in Prince William I will be very focused on keeping #VA07 blue in 2022 and was happy to spend some time yesterday with @SpanbergerVA07. I know you will enjoy getting to know her and see the passion & experience she brings to Congress," he wrote.

McPike, who lives in Dale City, was elected to the Senate in 2015 from the 29th District and re-elected in 2019. His Senate seat will be up for re-election in 2023, although the district has been changed somewhat in the redistricting process. It no longer includes the city of Manassas and now also includes portions of northern Stafford County. The district is still rated a safe Democratic seat by the Virginia Public Access Project, however; Hillary Clinton received 56% of the vote there in 2016.
First Underwriting Ltd., the London-based specialist MGA that is part of Kingfisher UK Holdings, announced a five-year capacity deal to place approximately 1 billion (US$1.4 billion) of gross written premium into the market.

Working in partnership with Accredited Insurance (Europe) Ltd., and with broker McGill and Partners, the deal will provide capacity for its range of specialty products.

This extended partnership with Accredited will continue to deliver on First Underwritings strategy to be a total solution for its broking partners and will support new product launches planned for 2022, said the MGA in a statement.

Accrediteds underwriting program is supported by A-rated reinsurance, which is arranged by McGill and Partners, a boutique specialist re/insurance broker. Accredited is a subsidiary of Randall & Quilter Investment Holdings Ltd.

Launched in 2018, First Underwriting initially focused on specialist motor and then expanded across property, casualty and bonds. The company said it quickly established itself as a broker centric and service-led underwriter, delivering 30%-plus growth each year.

The next phase of growth will be to further diversify the book by focusing on niche non-motor lines while retaining its market-leading position in speciality motor, First Underwriting said.

We are delighted to announce this new long-term deal, which will help support the next chapter of our journey. Accredited have supported us from our launch, and, as a result, we have formed a strong and ambitious partnership, commented Tom Donachie, managing director of First Underwriting.

It was important we secured a long-term deal with A-rated paper to provide our brokers and their customers with the confidence of a secure market. We plan to continue focusing on specialist lines, providing a superior service to our brokers and leaning on the experience of our team of experts, he added.

This is a unique and innovative capacity solution which will give First Underwriting the flexibility and scope to build and diversify into a truly multi-line underwriting business. Accredited have been a key partner since First Underwritings inception and it is fantastic to now have the certainty of a five-year capacity commitment from an A-rated partner, said Jacquie Boast, CEO at Kingfisher UK Holdings.

This new long-term contract highlights the success of the First Underwriting team and their profitable and sustainable growth over the past three years that have delivered quality business and exceptional service to their brokers and partners, Boast added.

This is a significant agreement with First Underwriting, with 1 billion in gross written premium targeted over a five-year period, according to Alan Quilter, group CEO of Randall & Quilter, in a statement issued by R&Q. Long-term partnerships will support our objective of delivering sustainable and predictable growth in our program management business and we aim to announce further agreements in 2022.

He said this deal also expands Accrediteds existing relationship with First Underwriting, highlighting our strategy of growing alongside MGAs we know well and with proven track records.

About First Underwriting and Accredited

First Underwriting is wholly owned by Kingfisher UK Holdings Ltd., which is a UK division of NSM Insurance Group. Kingfisher owns, grows and acquires specialist insurance businesses. Accredited is rated as A- with a stable outlook by AM Best and are wholly owned by Randall & Quilter Investment Holdings, who had cash and investments in excess of $1,716 million at 30 June 2021.

Malta-based Accredited Insurance (Europe) Ltd. is licensed to write all non-life classes in all EU member states and is also A- (Excellent) A.M. Best rated. Its Malta insurance company and UK branch office enables the firm to provide a ready-made Brexit solution to European MGAs.

Source: First Underwriting

Topics Underwriting Insurance Wholesale
This edition of International People Moves details appointments at Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance, BMS and Fidelis Insurance.

A summary of these new hires follows here.

BHSI Promotes Kidd to Country Manager, Ireland

Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance (BHSI) announced that Louise Kidd has been promoted to country manager in Ireland. Kidd will also retain her role as head of Third-Party Lines for BHSI in Ireland.

Kidd joined BHSI in 2020 and has nearly 20 years of industry experience in third party lines, the last decade in leadership roles. She holds an honors degree in financial services from John Moore Liverpool University and a diploma in company direction from The Institute of Directors.

The role of country manager, Ireland, was previously held by Hilary Browne, who was recently elevated to the position of regional executive, UK and Europe, at BHSI.

Louise has been an excellent leader to our team in Ireland and solution-provider to our customers and brokers throughout Europe. We are pleased to recognize her excellent contributions with this promotion which will enable her to have an even greater impact on our team and the marketplace, said Chris Colahan, head of UK & Europe, BHSI.

Kidd is based in BHSIs Dublin office and can be reached at +353 86 065 1913 or at louise.kidd@bhspecialty.com

***

BMS Iberia Appoints Melero as Director of Affinity

BMS, the London-based independent specialist insurance and reinsurance broker, announced the appointment of Jorge Melero as director of Affinity and Wholesale Partnerships for Spain & Portugal, effective immediately. Based in Madrid, Melero joins BMS Iberias executive committee and reports to Fernando Claro, CEO of BMS Iberia.

Before joining BMS, Melero was Commercial Director (Affinity) at Willis Towers Watson Iberia, focusing on consumer affinity schemes via insurance and reinsurance channels. In this role, he provided broking and consulting services to some of the largest corporations in the Spanish market. Prior to that, he worked at Aon Affinity from 2007 to 2013, where he also specialized in the design, placement and distribution of insurance programmes for affinity partners.

As a fast-growing and specialist re/insurance broker, BMS Iberia is continuing to invest in enhancing its position as a top-five affinity broker in Spain. Jorges significant experience will be instrumental in consolidating our market presence, by driving the development of innovative solutions that are customised to the needs of each affinity and wholesale client, commented Claro.

***

Fidelis Promotes Jarvis to Deputy Director of Underwriting

Fidelis Insurance announced the promotion of Louise Jarvis to the position of deputy director of Underwriting in addition to her current role of group head of Contract Wordings.

Jarvis joined Fidelis in 2017 as senior wordings specialist and was promoted to group head of Contract Wordings in 2019 where she is responsible for overseeing all risk related contracts. In her role as deputy director of Underwriting Jarvis will support the group director of Underwriting to ensure underwriting excellence through capture and use of data, superior systems, process and reporting.

Louise has done a great job in building a contract wordings team that really adds value to our underwriting process, commented Charles Mathias, group director of Underwriting. Were delighted that she will now bring her rigor and common sense to bear on a wider range of issues as we continue to build market-leading underwriting processes and systems.

Topics Underwriting Willis Towers Watson
A federal judge in Michigan has tossed a lawsuit brought by two gay corrections officers, ruling that some of their discrimination claims werent sufficiently proven and that statutes of limitation barred others.

Michelle Wood alleged in the 2020 suit that she was regularly singled out for taunts and homophobic slurs, then was retaliated against after she complained about them, the Detroit Free Press reported Friday.

Her partner, Loretta Smith, alleged she was demoted to a midnight shift and faced a hostile work environment after Wood complained, the lawsuit alleged.

The Detroit-based attorney for the plaintiffs, Jonathan Marko, expressed disappointment in U.S. District Judge Victoria Roberts ruling and said an appeal was a possibility, according to the newspaper.

My clients are devastated, Marko was quoted as saying. They feel revictimized today.

Wood retired in 2019 after more than 25 years in the job, saying in the lawsuit that she was under so much pressure in a hostile environment that her departure felt like she had been fired.

In her ruling, the judge also said Wood was unable to prove her claims that the department used rule violations as a mere pretext for denying her promotions and that the denials were actually based on illegal discrimination.

Earlier, department spokesman Chris Gautz had said it takes allegations of discrimination in the workplace, no matter what type _ race, sex, orientation, identity _ seriously and investigates such claims as soon as they become known to the department.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Lawsuits Legislation Michigan
South Dakota lawmakers spent the last year figuring out what to do with two voter-approved measures to legalize both medical and recreational marijuana. While a medical program has been implemented, recreational pot remains illegal after the state Supreme Court ruled that the ballot measure violated the state constitution. And some lawmakers want to change the status of both.

A legislative committee has crafted a pair of bills to legalize and then tax recreational marijuana for adults. Also, dozens of bills propose more regulations on the current medical marijuana law, including putting a three-plant maximum on medical users who grow cannabis at home or disallowing home growing altogether.

But lawmakers will be taking up an issue thats politically fraught for Gov. Kristi Noem. She opposed marijuana legalization, tried to slow implementation of the medical marijuana law last year and launched a lawsuit that killed recreational pot legalization. She has struck a softer tone recently on legalization.

Sen. Michael Rohl, who has pushed for legalization, said Noem told lawmakers on a recent call that we were driving the bus on marijuana legislation.

Its not clear whether Noem would veto recreational marijuana if a bill legalizing it reaches her desk. Rohl said he wants to put it on her desk and find out.

Many lawmakers see pot legalization as inevitable _ either through their action, federal legislation or another ballot measure in November.

Some of the folks believe that were either going to do it or have it done to us, Cammack said.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Legislation Cannabis
In the latest turn in litigation over the opioid crisis, a states high court has found an insurer does not need to pay defense costs under a commercial general liability policy for a pharmacy chain facing public nuisance lawsuits.

The Delaware Supreme Court has found that insurer Chubb was right to deny legal cost payments for Rite Aid that is facing county governments claims that it contributed to the opioid epidemic. The court said Chubb was correct because its policy for Rite Aid covered personal injuries, but the counties are not claiming personal injuries.

Reversing a lower court, the Delaware high court ruled that coverage was not triggered because although Rite Aids insurance policy with Chubb covers defense costs for personal injury lawsuits, the lawsuits against Rite Aid by two Ohio counties are public nuisance suits seeking to recover economic damages for the counties, as opposed to lawsuits seeking recovery for personal injuries or treatments for opioid victims.

Because the counties are not pursuing claims for personal Injuries related to the opioid epidemic, Chubb is not obligated to pay up to $3 million in defense costs under a 2015 general liability policy, the high court said.

Rite Aid, a national drugstore company with about 2,500 stores, is among the defendants in multi-district litigation before the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio. Plaintiffs have filed thousands of lawsuits against companies in the prescription drug supply chain for their roles in the opioid crisis.

The complaints of Summit and Cuyahoga Counties in Ohio that were at issue in the Delaware courts are considered bellwether cases among the many so-called Track One Lawsuits. These lawsuits blame pharmaceutical firms for the opioid crisis, alleging they were part of a marketing and supply chain schemes in which they failed to identify and halt suspicious prescription for opioids, thereby contributing to the oversupply of such drugs and fueling an illegal secondary market.

Rite Aid sued after Chubb denied its claim for defense coverage.

On September 22, 2020, the states Superior Court granted summary judgment for Rite Aid. It decided that Rite Aids insurance carriers were required to defend it against the lawsuits, finding there was arguably a causal connection between the counties economic damages and the injuries to their citizens from the opioid epidemic. The court also said that the 2015 policy provision providing coverage for damages claimed by any person or organization for care, loss of services or death resulting at any time from the personal injury applied to the economic loss claims in the Track One Lawsuits because they were at least in part grounded in medical care for the personal injuries suffered by the counties residents.

Chubb appealed.

By a 4-1 vote, the Delaware Supreme Court on January 10 came out in Chubbs favor and reversed the lower court in an opinion by Chief Justice Collins Seitz:

Three classes of plaintiffs are within the scope of the insureds personal injury coveragethe person injured, those recovering on behalf of the person injured, and people or organizations that directly cared for or treated the person injured. To recover under the insureds policy as a person or organization that directly cared for or treated the injured person, the plaintiff must prove the costs of caring for the individuals personal injury. Here the plaintiffs, governmental entities, sought to recover only their own economic damages, specifically disclaiming recovery for personal injury or any specific treatment damages. Thus, the carriers did not have a duty to defend Rite Aid under the governing insurance policy.

Chubb acknowledged that the 2015 policy covers suits seeking damages for or because of personal injury. But Chubb argued the coverage depends on whether the bodily injury was suffered by the plaintiff, or someone asserting bodily injury liability derivatively for the harmed party. Chubb claimed the counties did not suffer personal injury and seek compensation only for economic harms, even though these harms have some causal connection to a bodily injury.

Rite Aid argued that the 2015 policy does not exclude non-derivative economic damages related to bodily injury. If the damages sought are causally related to a covered occurrence, it argued, the duty to defend is triggered. It also contended that since the 2015 policy covers damages suffered by an organization providing care resulting from a covered bodily injury, government entities providing medical care should be included.

The claims in the Track One Lawsuits are substantially similar. Cuyahoga Countys complaint seeks economic damages as a direct and proximate result of Rite Aids failure to effectively prevent diversion and monitor, report, and prevent suspicious orders of opioids. Cuyahoga County alleges that Rite Aids conduct also fell far short of legal requirements and contributed significantly to the opioid crisis by enabling, and failing to prevent, the diversion of opioids for illegal and non-prescription use.

Cuyahoga claims the opioid crisis saddled it with an enormous economic burden of tens of millions of dollars including costs for medical treatment and criminal justice.

However, the Supreme Court noted, personal injury damage claims for or on behalf of individuals who suffered are completely absent from the counties complaints. Rather, the counties expressly disclaim personal injury and do not seek damages for death, physical injury to person, emotional distress, or physical damages to property. The counties further declare that their increased costs are of a different kind and degree than Ohio citizens at large and are not based upon or derivative of the rights of others.

If the counties were suing on behalf public hospitals to recover costs for treatments of injuries caused by over-prescribing of opioids, the court said the 2015 policy would likely be triggered.

The states high court noted that even the federal judge overseeing the MDL Opioid Lawsuits observed that the counties do not seek recovery based on injuries to individual residents.

The case is Rite Aid Corp. et al. v. ACE American Insurance Co..

The ruling is in line with a recent West Virginia ruling and runs counter to an Ohio court ruling in related opioid cases.

The Delaware Supreme Court justices said they agree with the reasoning of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky (Cincinnati Insurance Co. v. Richie Enterprises LLC), where the defendant drug distributor was sued by West Virginia for allegedly illegally distributing controlled substances and supplying excessive drug quantities. The defendant demanded that its insurer defend under its commercial general liability policy. In dismissing the case, the federal district court found that West Virginia was not seeking damages because of the citizens bodily injury; rather, it was seeking damages because it incurred costs due to drug distribution companies alleged distribution of drugs in excess of legitimate medical need.

Rite-Aid, Walgreens Sued by West Virginia Over Opioid Rx Flood

Rite Aid asked the court to consider another case (Acuity v. Masters Pharmaceutical, Inc.), where the Ohio First District Court of Appeals held that similar complaints from the MDL Opioid Lawsuits triggered a duty to defend.

But the Delaware court disagrees with the Ohio appellate courts reasoning in Acuity. We agree that carriers have a broad duty to defend that may be triggered by the factual allegations of the pleadings. But the Track One Lawsuits have no claims for personal injuryjust facts that support the economic loss claims, Chief Justice Seitz wrote.

The justices concluded that Chubb does not have a duty to defend Rite Aid in the Track One lawsuits under the 2015 policy.

Topics Lawsuits Carriers Drugs
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot is the latest politician to contract coronavirus.

Lightfoot tweeted that she had tested positive for COVID-19 earlier in the day Tuesday. I am experiencing cold-like symptoms but otherwise feel fine which I credit to being vaccinated and boosted, said Lightfoot, 59.

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Lightfoot said she will continue her mayoral duties remotely as she follows the CDC guidelines for isolation.

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot gets a COVID-19 booster vaccine at Michele Clark High School on November 12, 2021 in Chicago, Illinois. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)

The Windy City mayor took the opportunity to remind residents to get vaccinated and boosted as its the only way to beat this pandemic.

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Lightfoots infection comes less than a week after the Chicago Public Schools district suspended classes amid the Chicago Teacher Unions refusal to show up for in-person work last Wednesday, due to the spread of the highly contagious omicron variant.

The unions governing body on Monday approved the districts proposal to resume in-person classes Wednesday, after four days without any schooling, according to the Chicago Tribune.

The proposal will also establish protocols to help determine when individual schools move to remote teaching.

Lightfoot applauded the agreed-upon move, saying, No one wins when our students are out of the place where they can learn the best and where theyre safest.

New CPS figures show that roughly 7,500 CPS students and an estimated 2,100 adults are currently in isolation due to having tested positive for COVID or are quarantining following exposure to someone who had contracted the virus, according to the Tribune.
At least two tornadoes touched down in the Houston area over the weekend as storms brought high winds and heavy rains, damaging homes and businesses and causing flooding.

Most of the damage from the storms that came through Saturday night was in Harris, Montgomery and Liberty counties, according to National Weather Service officials.

An EF1, which has estimated wind speeds of 73 miles per hour (117 kilometers per hour) to 112 miles per hour (180 kilometers per hour), was confirmed to have touched down in Humble, while an EFO was confirmed in Montgomery, said National Weather Service lead forecaster Brian Kyle. An EFO has estimated winds of 40 miles per hour (64 kilometers per hour) to 72 miles per hour (115 kilometers per hour) .

He said officials were still surveying damage to in a couple of other areas to determine if there were other tornadoes as well.

In Humble, located just north of Houston, the metal roof from a business crashed into a road, hitting a couple of homes, KTRK-TV reported.

Robert Andrews told the television station that the roof barely missed the bedroom where he was sleeping.

It was a massive sound. They always say, `It sounds like a freight train, and youre like, `Yeah, sure. That sounded like a freight train hitting a brick wall, Andrews said.

A suspected tornado destroyed a mobile home and injured five members of a family in rural northwest Louisiana on Sunday, authorities said.

The Sabine Parish Sheriffs Office said the storm was reported in the Peason community. It damaged or destroyed 15 homes, five barns and numerous sheds and vehicles. It also downed trees and knocked out power in the area.

The conditions of the injured in Sabine Parish were not immediately known. There were no reported fatalities.

The storm hit Sunday morning and was part of a system of stormy weather that moved across parts of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama during the day. Tornado watches stretched across a broad swath of south Mississippi and Alabama on Sunday evening.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Catastrophe Natural Disasters Louisiana Windstorm
Boyd, Shackelford, Barnett and Dixon Adds Stormie Partee

Boyd, Shackelford, Barnett and Dixon has named Stormie Partee as the Commercial Team Lead and Operations Manager. In this role, she will draw on her 18+ years experience to deliver innovative operating and efficiency solutions for BSBDs clients and their team members.

Over the years, Partee has served in various roles including account and operations management for respected regional and national agencies. She hopes to not only build lasting relationships with BSBDs experienced team, but also each client they serve.

Boyd, Shackelford, Barnett and Dixon is an independent retail brokerage firm and specializes their clients property and casualty, employee benefits and high net worth personal lines needs. With offices in Plano and Dallas, BSBD is one of the fastest growing agencies in the DFW market and they currently service clients all across the United States.

Alliant Names Harrison McCorkle as Vice President

Alliant has hired Harrison McCorkle as Vice President. The Houston-based property and casualty insurance expert will create strategic insurance solutions to provide strength and long-term profitability for clients across the region.

McCorkle is highly regarded for his ability to design and deploy customized insurance solutions for clients across a range of sizes and industries. He joins Alliant with a comprehensive background in workers compensation, product liability, general liability, and various other coverages. McCorkle also has significant experience in financial services.

Prior to joining Alliant, McCorkle handled property and casualty risk with a global insurance brokerage and consulting firm. He earned his bachelors degree in political science and government from Hampden-Sydney College.

Topics Alliant
Legislatures in most Southern states convene this week and dozens of insurance-related bills are now in the hoppers. Heres a look at some of the measures that have been filed, which could affect property and casualty insurance, homeowners premiums, workers compensation benefits and insurance regulators and regulations.

Alabama

House Bill 39, sponsored by Rep. Chip Brown and others, would transfer money left in the state Insurance Departments budget each year to whats known as Strengthen Alabama Homes, a wind-mitigation program.

Under current law, any funds that exceed 25% of the amount that was appropriated for that fiscal year should be transferred to the states general fund. The bill would instead send that money to the wind program and would authorize the insurance commissioner to transfer more department funding if needed. Most of the funding for the Strengthen program already comes from fees paid by insurance companies and pays up to $10,000 per home. After inspection, homeowners receive discounts on premiums.

HB 67, sponsored by Rep. Matt Simpson, would make firefighters and law officers with post-traumatic stress disorder eligible for some benefits. Under current law, mental disorders are not compensable unless accompanied by a physical injury. The bill would require municpalities to reimburse the responders for co-payments when they are treated for PTSD.

When an officer is unable to return to work, local governments would have to pay disability payments equal to two-thirds of the responders salary.

Florida

With just days to spare before todays bill-filing deadline, Sen. Jim Boyd has authored a piece of legislation that many in the insurance industry have said is needed to fill holes left by SB 76, the 2021 reform bill that aimed to reduce litigation costs.

SB 1728 goes where some thought lawmakers would not dare to tread: a return to allowing actual cash value  instead of full replacement value  on residential roofs. Insurers have complained for years about current Florida law, which requires replacement of most roof surfaces, even if they have limited damage.

Its a good bill, said Paul Handerhan, president of FAIR, the Florida-based Federal Association for Insurance Reform.

The bill also:

Aims to limit solicitation by roofing companies. Insurance carriers have cried foul over roofers soliciting homeowners with claims that insurers will pay the full amount for a new roof, and the deductible will be covered, even if the damage is from wear and tear, not from wind. SB 76 attempted to outlaw that practice but a judge has temporarily blocked that language as infringing on roofers constitutional right to free speech. Boyds SB 1728 offers new wording, noting that advertising is prohibited unless it includes, in large type, a statement that the consumer is responsible for paying the deductible. The measure also notes that it will be considered a felony offense if contractors offer to pay or rebate the insurance deductible or if they provide intentionally false or misleading statements to the homeowner.

On Citizens Property Insurance Corp., Floridas insurer of last resort that has grown by leaps and bounds due to its lower premiums on many homes, the bill would bar some Citizen renewals if competing offers are available. Current law allows homeowners to stick with Citizens unless premiums on takeout offers from other carriers are the same or less than the Citizens price, for comparable coverage. The bill would dictate that Citizens could not renew a policy unless the premium for coverage from the authorized insurer is more than 20 percent greater than the renewal premium for comparable coverage from the (Citizens) corporation.

The measure also would require that Citizens board members have at least 10 years of full-time experience in the property and casualty insurance business, and the executive director should also have the same experience, character and qualifications as that required of most insurance companies CEOs. The change is something the Florida insurance agents and others in the industry have lobbied for in recent years. We strongly believe they should have that level of experience, said B.G. Murphy, director of government affairs for the Florida Association of Insurance Agents.

Boyds plan also would allow surplus lines to participate in Citizens take-out programs and directly write homeowners policies, if they approved by state regulators, if they maintain a surplus of $50 million or more and meet other requirements.

Several other bills were filed in the last few days that proponents believe would help stem the red ink flowing through Floridas property insurance market. These include SB 1874, also by Boyd, which would make a number of changes requested by the state Department of Financial Services; SB 186, by Sen. Jeff Brandes, which would also allow surplus lines carriers to offer take-outs on Citizens policies, along with with other changes designed to slow Citizens growth; and HB 1307, by Rep. Tommy Gregory, which would address some of the same issues.

SB 468, sponsored by Sen. Keith Perry, passed the Senate Judiciary Committee Monday afternoon. It would make changes to the Hurricane Catastrophe Fund; would exempt smaller businesses from workers compensation premium audits; and would allow Citizens to offer wind-only policies for condominiums, among many other changes.

Georgia

HB 867, by Rep. Mark Newton, would require pharmacy benefits managers to be licensed and regulated. It also would mandate that PBMs disclose the true net cost of prescription drugs and to calculate cost sharing requirements for insureds.

HB 865, by Rep. Tom Kirby, would require employers who obtain workers compensation coverage for any employee through a professional employer organization to either have all of their workers covered through the PEO, or to obtain separate proof of coverage on their employees, through a comp insurance carrier.

Kentucky

HB 62, sponsored by Rep. Richard White, would mandate workers compensation benefits for employees who suffer adverse reactions from employer-mandated COVID-19 vaccinations. It creates a rebuttable presumption that an adverse reaction was caused by the vaccine.

HB 166, by Rep. Ashley Laferty, would end the controversial requirement that pulmonary specialist doctors who evaluate black-lung disease also be radiology specialists, known as B readers. That requirement was added to the states workers comp statute in 2018 in what critics said was an effort to make it more difficult for coal miners to obtain diagnoses and workers compensation benefits.

HB 203, by Rep. Steve Sheldon, would require pharmacy benefits managers to establish adequate and accessible pharmacy networks.

HB 210, by Rep. Bart Rowland, would establish insurance requirements for peer-to-peer car-sharing services.

Mississippi

SB 2024, sponsored by Sen. Kevin Blackwell and others, would update the regulatory framework for travel insurance to be sold in the state.

HB 482 would reauthorize the Property Insurance Clarity Act, which requires insurers to provide policy and premium information to the state Department of Insurance. The bill also would reauthorize the department to compile data on homeowners insurance.

SB 2002, by Sen. Charles Younger, is the Grain Producers Indemnity Act. It would provide indemnification for grain dealers who experience financial failure, through a state agency, and would provide for reinsurance to help cover claims.

HB 521, by Rep. John Lamar, would exempt some workers compensation claims information from public records laws. Some injured workers have complained for years that once they file a claim, they are inundated with solicitations from plaintiffs attorneys and others. The state Workers Compensation Commission has requested the legislation for the last few years.

North Carolina

The General Assembly starts the second year of its two-year, 2021-2022 session this week. No new P&C insurance-related measures had been filed as of Monday, but several bills remain pending from the first half of the session.

Senate Bill 496, known as the Omnibus Department of Insurance Bill, by Sen. Todd Johnson, would make a number of clarifications to state law, as requested by the department. Among those:

The measure would make it clear that when a disaster declaration is made for parts of the state, policyholders have extra time  until the declaration or other order is lifted  to file proof-of-loss statements and pay premiums. But once that period has expired, all premiums that are owed would have to be paid, the bill notes. Insurers would be able to proceed with cancellations of policies after the deferral period.

The bill would require local school boards to provide the Insurance Department with a copy of all property and flood insurance policies on school buildings and equipment. When policies are canceled or changed, the boards would have to notify the department.

It also would bar businesses with a revoked or suspended license in North Carolina from offering insurance products to North Carolina residents through another states licensure.

The bill also would remove personal delivery as a delivery option for certain DOI forms.

The omnibus bill passed the Senate last year and is now in the House Rules Committee after it was reported favorably by a subcommittee.

A bill affecting captive insurance companies, SB 347, also by Johnson, passed the Senate last year and now awaits action in the House. The measure would make a number of changes to captive law, including:

The bill would require the insurance commissioner to maintain the confidentiality of information filed by a captive insurance company when it seeks approval of a distribution of capital or surplus, a change to its plan of operation, or a loan to an affiliate.

It also would authorize the commissioner, upon written request, to exempt any captive from compliance with audit requirements if such compliance would cause it financial or organizational hardship. Under current law only captive insurance companies having less than $1.2 million in written premium are eligible for this exemption.

The move would provide that a captive insurance company is not entitled to claim a gross premium tax exemption as an inactive captive insurance company unless the Commissioner has declared the company to be inactive.

South Carolina

SB 902, by Sen. Gerald Malloy, would make an adverse reaction from a COVID vaccination a compensable condition for those who received an employer-mandated shot.

H 4615, by Rep. Jeffrey Johnson, would require judges and the states Workers Compensation Commission to report all cases of suspected false statements or misrepresentations made in court proceedings to the insurance fraud division of the state Attorney Generals office.

Topics Legislation Property
Kentucky lawmakers, back in session, are planning to take up tornado-recovery legislation this week, with the goal of quickly distributing an initial round of assistance, House Speaker David Osborne said.

The newly introduced legislation proposes $200 million of aid in response to the storms that devastated several Kentucky communities last month, killing 77 people. A New Years Day tornado outbreak also caused damage in several Kentucky counties.

The House Appropriations and Revenue Committee was set to review the assistance package Monday, Osborne said. Storm-relief legislation also was introduced in the Senate.

The plan is to quickly pump an initial $45 million into stricken communities, with $15 million for temporary housing and $30 million for schools, the speaker said. More rounds of the aid will be released later to help meet other recovery needs, he said.

In his recent State of the Commonwealth speech, Gov. Andy Beshear vowed to rebuild every structure and every life in outlining his work with lawmakers to deliver the assistance.

The relief package was put in a separate bill to accelerate legislative action, Osborne said Saturday.

In our discussions with the governor and the administration, there have been a number of things that they wanted to do certainly more quickly than we can get a budget passed, the speaker said.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Catastrophe Natural Disasters Legislation Windstorm Kentucky
Oregon hospitals have new interim guidelines to help them determine which patients should get lifesaving care if the current COVID-19 surge forces them to choose between people because of a lack of beds, staff or critical medical equipment.

The guidelines will only come into play if a hospital has exhausted all other options to treat every patient, including transfers to other facilities, delaying non-urgent surgeries and care, stockpiling supplies and repurposing existing beds and spaces for critical care patients.

The new policy comes as Oregon faces a wave of the highly contagious, but milder, COVID-19 omicron variant. The state set new records for new cases of COVID-19 every day this week; on Friday, health officials announced 10,451 new and presumptive cases, a 373% increase over last month.

Hospitalizations were rising more slowly but there were only 47 available adult intensive care unit beds and 95% of the states staffed adult non-ICU beds are full, the Oregon Health Authority said. Gov. Kate Brown announced Friday she will deploy up to 500 Oregon National Guard members to help at hospitals, with the first 125 members arriving at some of the hardest-hit hospitals next week.

Right now, we want to put a triage tool in the hands of clinicians who are likely to face very difficult decisions in the coming weeks, as the Omicron variant takes its toll and puts more patients in the hospital, said Dana Hargunani, OHAs chief medical officer.

This interim tool isnt perfect, but it ensures that clinicians can be confident they are using criteria firmly grounded in Oregons values of non-discrimination and health equity as they face these gut-wrenching decisions.

The agency acknowledged that the surge of omicron cases did not allow time for the robust, comprehensive and fully inclusive community and clinician engagement needed and that the interim standards are imperfect. A new committee to be established this winter will review the policy and make revisions and additions as needed, OHA said in a preface to the guidelines.

The standards are based on those developed in Arizona, Massachusetts and Washington amid the COVID-19 pandemic. They replace previous ones that were scrapped after Disability Rights Oregon, an advocacy group, filed a federal civil rights lawsuit alleging the rules discriminated against the elderly, the disabled and those with serious pre-existing illnesses.

The guidelines direct hospitals to rank patients by evaluating the likelihood of their short-term survival without judgment about their overall quality of life or long-term survival before the current illness.

In a tie between two patients who need the same resources, the person already receiving care would continue to get it, unless their condition had worsened. In ties between two patients with similar conditions presenting at the same time, hospitals would use a blind drawing to decide who gets care.

Unlike other states, Oregons standards do not prioritize any particular groups of people for lifesaving care. Other states, for example, award more points to pregnant people, those under 18, health care workers, or single parents, Oregon Public Broadcasting reported.

The prior standards allowed hospitals to exclude some people from critical care during a crisis, like those with certain stages of cancer or other serious illnesses.

Hospitals in Oregon can create their own crisis standards of care but they must adhere to the states rubric.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics COVID-19 Oregon
East Tawas, MI (48730)

Today

Cloudy with periods of rain. High 48F. Winds NE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch..

Tonight

Cloudy early with partial clearing expected late. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low near 40F. Winds N at 10 to 20 mph.
Enterprise Ireland is targeting a combined export value of 30bn for its client companies by the end of 2024.

If realised, that would represent growth of nearly 18% over four years, with the agencys client firms generating combined export value of 25.5bn in 2020.

The export target forms part of a new three-year strategy, which also includes the creation of 45,000 new jobs. The State development agency in charge of boosting Irish firms in overseas markets said it saw the highest rise in jobs at client companies in a single year in 2021.

While Enterprise Irelands export figures wont be published until June, its employment figures show a net increase in jobs across client companies of just under 12,000 for 2021.

Enterprise Ireland chief executive Leo Clancy flagged raw material price inflation, competitiveness, skills shortages and supply chain issues as the main challenges facing Irish exporters. However, he said the strong employment growth seen last year suggests the agencys three-year targets are realistic as well as ambitious.

He said while some of last years strong performance was due to pent-up activity from the first year of Covid upheaval in 2020, if 2021 levels can be sustained this year it would be an indication of future growth.

Expectations for continued export growth are positive. The strong jobs growth last year points to a healthy export performance for 2021. Furthermore, as much as 90% of EI client companies said, in October, that they expect to increase exports further in 2022.

Mr Clancy said Enterprise Irelands new strategy is set against a backdrop of "remarkable change" for business.

Resilient, internationally focused, and productive Irish enterprises are critical to the future growth of the Irish economy, supporting livelihoods and contributing to prosperity throughout Ireland," he said.
The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) has partially upheld a complaint against RedFMs Neil Prendeville Show for a segment it said could contribute to the stigmatisation of Travellers.

The broadcast that was the subject of the complaint was an interview by Neil Prendeville with Cork City councillor Ken OFlynn in relation to the Ombudsman for Childrens Office (OCO) report on the dire living conditions for children at Spring Lane halting site.

The complaint made by Cork Traveller Womens Network, was partially upheld by the BAI, which found the presenter had failed to sufficiently challenge the contributors views and the broadcast did not provide a wide variety of views on the subject.

It was found the interview contained an inappropriate and unjustifiable representation of the residents of Spring Lane halting site and of Travellers generally and the content amounted to stigmatisation of Travellers.

The committee was also critical of the broadcasters response to the complaint which demonstrated a lack of regard for its obligation to reflect the views of members of the Traveller community in Cork".

In response to the complaint, RedFM noted "there are clearly very different opinions on the factual content that the contributor made to the programme".

Brigid Carmody, project coordinator with Cork Traveller Womens Network, said she hoped the BAI decision would promote fair, balanced and responsible journalism.

The high levels of discrimination and racism faced by Travellers in Irish society are well documented. We understand that the media can shape the public's understanding of us, especially for many of the public who have had very little face-to-face contact with the Traveller community, or who can assume that we are all the same.

Negative and biased media coverage has a huge effect on our community, it creates hurt and shame, and affects our self-esteem and mental health, especially for our young people," she said.
Interview Juntas Coup Was Declaration of War Against the Myanmar People

Coup leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing inspects troops during the Armed Forces Day parade in Naypyitaw in March 2021.

The Irrawaddy speaks to David Scott Mathieson, an independent researcher on conflict and peace in Myanmar, about the juntas decision to stage its coup and how the Myanmar people are resisting the militarys takeover by both non-violent protest and armed resistance. He talks also about the juntas attempts at divide and rule among the ethnic armed groups and whether the Myanmar military is losing the battle against the Peoples Defense Forces, as well as discussing Chinas role in the crisis and whether the Myanmar people can expect any substantial help from the international community.

What are your thoughts on the situation in Myanmar since the coup?

I think the current situation is the most desperate since Myanmar became independent after the Second World War. Basically, the February coup was a declaration of war by the military against the Myanmar people. Since then, we have seen fighting throughout the country, especially in Sagaing and Magwe regions and Chin State, the sort of conflict that we havent seen before. And then there is the violence in Yangon, Mandalay and Ayeyarwady regions, as well as lots of heavy fighting in Karen and Shan states. Myanmar is a country that the military is trying to destroy so that they can control it. Thats the way I see it. The Myanmar military want a situation where they can say that they are the only ones who can keep the country together. The military say they are trying to prevent the Union from disintegrating, but they are the ones who are destroying the Union. They are the main culprit for what is happening. So they shouldnt be surprised that a parallel government, the National Unity Government (NUG), has emerged along with the armed resistance groups, the Peoples Defense Forces (PDF), even if not many people are actually under the control of the NUG. It is no surprise that the PDFs are fighting back because they are fighting injustice.

In December, the Myanmar people held a silent strike in protest at the junta. Is there space for a non-violent resistance movement in Myanmar?

I think since the coup what were seeing in Myanmar are multiple forms of resistances. Not everyone is going to the jungle to pick up a gun. Not everyone is resisting through violence. People are reacting to the coup in many different ways. The Civil Disobedience Movement and the silent strike are very powerful ways of protesting the regime because they send a very clear message to the military that the people have not forgiven the army for staging the coup. There are other people who will resist by writing poems, or who are still working for businesses or even the government, while doing everything they can to sabotage the junta. Its not just about picking up guns and fighting, there are lots of different ways to resist the coup and that is OK. People should not be branded as collaborators or anything like that without proof, just because they are not fighting with a gun.

The military regime is trying to negotiate with some ethnic armed groups in the north. They met with some last month in Mong-La in Shan State. But the regime is also attacking some ethnic armed groups in the south, in Karen and Kayah states. What do you think the junta is trying to do?

On the one hand, I think it demonstrates that the junta cant be trusted. And that anything they say is a lie. Theyve done this so many times before. The northern ethnic armed groups will not be fooled by this. Its like you talk peace with us, while you attack others? Everyone knows that you cant trust the Myanmar military. I think this is a very cynical move to try to take some of the northern groups out of the equation, maybe by offering lots of concessions. But a lot of those northern group have not been fighting the military since the coup. Theyve been fighting each other. I think the regime is acting out of desperation because they dont want those groups to take a side. They dont have to join the NUG to do that. If they stop fighting each other and put pressure on Myanmar military, that could cause a lot of damage. Weve seen that with the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army in Kokang. Theyve been fighting the military quite a lot in the past couple of months. I think this is the Myanmar military once again trying to divide and rule. To me, its an act of desperation. I think it shows that the military are very weak and desperate to make some kind of progress.

What will China do about the situation in Myanmar?

I think China doesnt particularly like putting direct pressure on its neighbors, even if it does apply a lot of pressure. China should realize that its economic interests, and the stability of Myanmar, depend on getting rid of the military. But China doesnt really want to do that because it will be messy. But China does very much want stability so that they can have access to an Indian Ocean port and so that its economic projects can prosper. All of that is now in danger because of the coup. China doesnt really care if Myanmar is a democracy because Beijing doesnt care about democracy. I think behind the scenes they are putting a lot of pressure on the military. The question here is does the coup leader Min Aung Hlaing really care? He doesnt, because he knows that China wants something out of this more than he wants something from China. I think thats how it will play out. Min Aung Hlaing is just waiting because he knows that eventually the United States, Europe, Japan and China will all come back and make a deal. Its just patience. Thats all it is. Its just a waiting game.

There are a lot of military fatalities being reported in Sagaing Region and Chin, Karen and Kayah states. Do you think the military is losing the battle?

I think the military lost the battle for Myanmar by staging the coup. Even if they can hold on to power, people will hate them for what they did and they are not going to stop resisting. I dont personally agree that body counts, the number of dead soldiers, is a measure of success. But its clear when you look at where the fighting is that the military is really suffering quite a lot. And its their fault. They picked the fight, they declared the war, and the generals are the ones throwing away the lives of ordinary soldiers. If something positive comes from this tragedy, it is that maybe ordinary soldiers will see that this is not good for them and their families, and perhaps they will grow sick of fighting and dying everywhere around the country. But simply counting how many deaths the military suffers is not going to be the primary metric of success or failure.

The military has a lot of experience of fighting, whether against ethnic armed groups or the Communist Party of Burma (CPB). What is your opinion of the militarys capabilities?

The military in the 1960s, 70s and 80s was very tough and very experienced because they were fighting in so many areas of the country. They were fighting the CPB, the Kachin Independence Army, the Karen National Union. What happened in the 1990s was that they signed ceasefire agreements. After that they became softer and more greedy and lazy and they started fighting other groups. For example, they lost a lot of soldiers fighting with the Karen and they didnt want to die to keep Karen State in the Union. And then you had the fighting in 2009 with the Kokang and that showed that they werent prepared for this kind of fighting. And the war in Kachin State, they lost potentially thousands of men. Weve seen fighting with the Arakan Army and others. Their equipment is OK but they dont seem to be very good. So now they are relying more on heavy firepower and its not working. I also think there is a bigger gap between the real soldiers and the officers now. The officers are particularly well trained, the soldiers not so much. The military is not as tough and determined as it used to be.

How do you rate the PDFs capabilities? Are they improving?

When you look at the skills of the PDFs, its important to recognize that seven months ago they were not PDFs. This is a brand new phenomenon: the fact that theyve been staging attacks in different areas and are still going. And they are getting better weapons, as well as designing and manufacturing their own weapons. Seven months ago, they had nothing and now they are making mines and rockets. They are attacking a lot of convoys. If the sophistication of their attacks increases with the sophistication of their weapons, they can inflict a lot more damage, especially with improvised explosive devices. If the PDFs actually reach the point where they can attack targets like military bases and large concentrations of soldiers, then that should really worry the military. What will happen when the PDFs actually know what they are doing and have better weapons?

The Myanmar people were hoping last year that the United Nations (UN) and the international community would help them. Do you think that any help is going to come?

I would give up hope that any help is coming. That was obvious back in March 2021. The UN cannot help in this situation, apart from giving humanitarian assistance. I think mediation, even with the best of intentions, wont be effective. If Min Aung Hlaing doesnt want to talk to you, hes not going to talk to you. He is also a liar. So whatever promises he gives shouldnt be believed. Whether you are the United States, China, the UN or the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, hes going to lie to you because its his nature. I dont think that theres really much help that the outside world can give. They can make more noise on Russia and China, and countries like Pakistan and Israel, for selling weapons to the military. Thats really important.

Thailand is playing a very delicate balancing act. Theyve got to absorb all the bad things that are happening in Myanmar. They probably dont like Min Aung Hlaing, but theyve got to deal with the junta. So I wouldnt look to the outside world for any kind of assistance. It is important to keep pressure on western donors to support the internally displaced persons, the refugees, and to keep providing humanitarian assistance and COVID-19 relief because all of those things are really important.



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Burma Myanmar Junta Airstrikes Continue Near Thai Border

A house destroyed by junta artillery in Palu village, Myawaddy Township, in Karen State on January 10. / CJ

Myanmars regime has used aircraft to attack the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) in Myawaddy and Kawkareik townships, Karen State, on Sunday and Monday.

Fighting continued in Palu village in Myawaddy on the Thai border on Tuesday while the junta each day uses artillery on Lay Kay Kaw new town and Palu along with regular airstrikes, according to the Karen National Union (KNU), the political wing of the KNLA.

Two junta helicopters fired on villages in Kawkareik following fighting on Monday morning, the KNU said.

Around 1,900 residents of seven villages in southern Kawkareik have fled their homes during recent clashes.

Junta artillery injured eight villagers on Saturday after an oil tanker was burned on Friday on the Asia Highway in Kawkareik.

In Myawaddy the Light Infantry Battalion 560 and Infantry Battalion 275 advanced on Palu and confronted the KNLA. Junta artillery destroyed houses in the village following fighting on Monday.

Junta airstrikes tend to follow defeats for its ground troops, said Padoh Saw Taw Nee, a KNU central standing committee member.

He said the KNU had urged the junta to withdraw its troops and stop using artillery and aircraft.

As long as regime troops are there, the area will not be peaceful, he said.

A junta helicopter was seen above Winraw village in Kyainseikgyi Township on Monday.

The KNU said KNLA troops found landmines left inside civilian homes by junta troops in Mae Htaw Talay village in Myawaddy, hampering villagers efforts to return home.

Residents fled Palu, Mae Htaw Talay and Lay Kay Kaw when fighting began in mid-December.

Junta soldiers raided the new town on Dec. 14, alleging that democracy activists and peoples defense force (PDFs) resistance fighters were hiding in the new town.

Junta raids followed accusations the KNU, Myanmars oldest revolutionary force, was supporting and sheltering striking civil servants and resistance groups.

Nearly 5,000 villagers have crossed the Thai border and around 20,000 civilians are internally displaced, according to the KNLA and relief workers.

Ma Sandar, 42, from Palu, who is sheltering in Thailand, said they would not return until the fighting stopped.

I heard our house was destroyed by artillery, she told The Irrawaddy.

Fighting has been reported in almost KNU-held territory in Karen and Mon states and Bago and Tanintharyi regions, said Padoh Saw Taw Nee.

Villagers have also reported junta arson attacks within KNU territory. On Monday, five Pa Wut Kone village houses in Palaw Township, Tanintharyi Region, were burned by the junta.

On Sunday, two Ei Hel villagers in Hpa-an Township, Karen State, were injured by junta artillery. A shell hit an 88-year-old womans house, injuring her stomach and a seven-year-old boys neck.

Last year the KNLA and junta clashed 3,152 times and more than 2,100 junta soldiers were killed, the KNU reported on January 7.

The KNLA lost 42 troops and 130 were injured, while more than 50,000 civilians were displaced, the KNU said.

The group said 31 civilians were killed and 86 injured by junta artillery and airstrikes in KNU-controlled territory in Nyaung Lay Pin, Papun and Myawaddy districts.

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The mother of Damari Perry, the Chicago boy who died after being forced into a freezing shower until he vomited and lost consciousness, was reportedly investigated for alleged abuse just months before his death.

The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services launched an investigation into allegations of abuse or neglect by Jannie Perry in May 2021, the Chicago Tribune reported late Monday, but determined the claims were unfounded.

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Seven months later, Damari was left to die in an abandoned building.

Perry previously lost custody of her six children in 2014 after a DCFS domestic violence investigation, according to the Tribune. Damari, who was born on Dec. 30, 2015, was taken into foster care almost immediately as well.

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The children were returned to her in 2017.

Details of the investigations have not been made public and a spokesperson for DCFS did not immediately return a request for comment from the Daily News Tuesday.

[ Chicago mom, kids forced 6-year-old boy to stand in freezing shower until he vomited, lost consciousness: prosecutors ]

Damari Perry (Chicago Police Dept.)

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Damari was found dead on Dec. 31, a day after his sixth birthday, in an abandoned building in Gary, Ind., according to the Lake County States Attorneys Office.

Police believe that two days earlier, family members had forced him into the frigid shower as a punishment.

Damari began vomiting and lost consciousness, prosecutors said Sunday, but no one sought medical help.

An autopsy was performed by the Lake County coroners office Monday night but a cause of death has not yet been announced.

Jannie Perry, 38, has been charged with first-degree murder, concealment of a homicidal death and obstructing justice.

Jeremiah Perry was charged with aggravated battery causing great bodily harm to a child under 12, concealing a homicidal death and obstructing justice. He is being held on a $3 million bond.

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A second sibling, who has not been publicly identified, faces charges in Lake Countys Juvenile Court.
Burma Myanmar Regime Orders Mid-Ranking Officers Wives to Undergo Military Training

Regime troops on parade during the Armed Forces Day celebration in Naypyitaw in March 2021.

Myanmars military is for the first time requiring the wives of its mid-ranking officers to undergo military training, according to some officers and their wives.

The training for the spouses of captains and majors was launched on Monday at battalions in Pyin Oo Lwin in Mandalay Region as well as in Taunggyi and Aungban in Shan State. The two-week course covers the use of small arms and some heavy weapons, and basic military tatics, according to people who have undergone the training.

The move comes as the Myanmar juntas forces struggle with a shortage of human resources, with many soldiers, including some officers, having deserted their units since the military coup in February.

Military sources said the wives of rank-and-file military personnel were already supposed to undergo small arms training, but it is unprecedented for mid-level officers wives.

The wife of a captain based in Pyin Oo Lwin, where the Defence Services Academy, a training center for military officers, is located, confirmed the training.

We are now taking military training for the first time as wives of military officers. The training is joined by the wives of captains to majors, she said on condition of anonymity.

A military officer based in Taunggyi said, Wives of lieutenant colonels are not included, as lieutenant colonels are heads of battalions.

The reason for the training, which is expected to be introduced at other battalions across the country, is unclear. They only said Its required, said one source.

The regime has been sustaining heavy casualties amid growing resistance not only from battle-hardened ethnic armed groups but also from a newly spawned and widespread armed movement launched by young civilians who took up arms to wipe out military rule in the country.

To compensate for the defections, the junta has also mobilized paramilitary groups known as Pyusawhtee, which comprise pro-military people, some members of the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party, and ex-soldiers.



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News Dozens of Myanmar Regime Troops Killed in Clashes in Four Regions, States

Resistance fighters of the Loikaw-PDF during an intense firefight with regime forces in Demoso Township, Kayah State on Dec. 31. / Loikaw PDF

Dozens of junta troops and some Peoples Defense Force members were reportedly killed during two days of clashes in Magwe and Sagaing regions and Chin and Kayah states.

On Tuesday morning, using a cluster of mines and two homemade heavy shotguns, a combined force of PDF groups ambushed a military detachment of 30 junta troops traveling in Tabayin Township (also known as Depayin) in Sagaing Region.

Three regime soldiers were killed in the attack, according to the Myanmar Defense Force-Depayin, which collaborated in the ambush.

Resistance fighters escaped without any casualties despite the regime troops opening fire on them at random.

On Monday, the combined force used guerrilla tactics to stage another attack on a detachment of 50 regime forces marching to a village in Tabayin Township. There were about 10 military casualties, the resistance group said.

After receiving informationwhich turned out to be falsethat Bo Nagar, a popular leader of the Pale-PDF, had organized a meeting in Ohn Hnauk Village in Sagaings Pale Township, three military helicopter gunships attacked the village on Monday. Meanwhile, more than 100 junta ground troops occupied the village.

Shortly after the raid, Bo Nagar said in a video message that he was safe, and had been in Chin State despite being invited to give a public talk in the village.

During the raid, several hundred residents fled their homes and regime forces torched some houses.

On that evening, the junta-controlled state media said that an exchange of fire occurred at the village when regime forces went there to arrest PDF terrorists who were holding a meeting to plan their activities. But the media didnt mention the juntas airstrikes on the village.

The regime also claimed to have seized five bodies of dead PDF terrorists along with ammunition and firearms.

However, The Irrawaddy was unable to confirm whether those killed are PDF members or villagers.

In December, the junta also conducted airstrikes on two villages in Sagaings Ye-U township and Magwe Regions Gangaw Township after being tipped off that PDF leaders were holding a meeting in the villages. More than a dozen people were killed in the regimes airstrikes.

On that occasion also, the regimes media failed to mention the airstrikes on the villages, and labeled all those killed as terrorists.

However, producing photos at evidence, PDFs and local residents claimed that many of those killed were unarmed civilians including a woman, along with some PDF members.

On Monday, another 21 regime forces including seven militia members trained and armed by the military regime were reportedly killed during ambushes and clashes in three Sagaing townships: Wetlet, Kani and Monywa.

The Myaing-PDF said that two of its members committed suicide by blowing themselves up with a mine to avoid capture on Monday when they were surrounded by regime forces in Myaing Township, Magwe Region.

Currently, several military detachments of around 400 regime forces are scouring for PDF members in the forests in Myaing Township, according to resistance forces. Myaing residents were urged to seek a safe place to hide from junta raids.

The Chinland Defense Force-Matupi also claimed to have killed three regime soldiers and injured many others when it raided Infantry Battalion 304 in Matupi Township, Chin State on Monday afternoon.

The Chin resistance group said the attack was in response to the murder of 10 civilians including a child and a journalist who were killed after being used as human shields by regime forces traveling in Matupi last week.

Fighting between regime forces and resistance groups continued in Kayah States capital Loikaw on Monday afternoon, said the Karenni Nationalities Defense Force (KNDF).

The number of casualties was unknown, however.

Junta ammunition and the bodies of dead regime soldiers were seized when resistance groups cleaned up in clash-affected Dawso Village in Demoso Township in the state on Monday, the KNDF said.

Since the end of December, fierce clashes between regime forces and a combined force of Karenni people and the Karenni Army have occurred in Loikaw, Demoso and Hpruso townships in the state. The clashes have prompted the regime to call in airstrikes

With the exception of Rakhine State, the military regime faces intense attacks from PDFs and many ethnic armed groups across the country.



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Guest Column Boom in Betel Nut Smuggling From Myanmar to India

Areca nut Seized in Mizoram / special arrangement

India is struggling to stop the smuggling of areca nut  better known as betel nut  from Myanmar following a directive from the central government in New Delhi.

The illicit trade is booming in northeast India, with betel nut mainly smuggled into the states of Mizoram and Manipur, both of which border western Myanmar. The contraband betel nut is then distributed across India, where almost 10 per cent of the population use the addictive nut, which has similar properties to nicotine.

We are putting in all efforts to check the smuggling after the instruction received from the central government. Some results have been achieved but the task is extremely challenging, Maria C T Zuali, the deputy commissioner of Champhai, a frontier district in Mizoram State, told The Irrawaddy.

Champhai is one of three districts along the 1,643 kilometre-long India-Myanmar border that are considered to be smuggling hotspots. The other two are Chandel and Tengnoupal in Manipur State.

Government officials in Mizoram and Manipur have gone into overdrive to check the illegal imports of betel nut by engaging the state police in the exercise. The Assam Rifles, which is mandated by the government to police the India-Myanmar border, does not have the resources to plug all the illicit entry points where betel nut and other contraband items such as narcotics and gold are smuggled into India.

The presence of the Assam Rifles is almost non-existent along the border in Mizoram, a government official said, since it is a regarded as a peaceful state in Indias northeast, unlike Manipur and Nagaland which are afflicted by insurgency.

The Assam Rifles and customs have been requested to upgrade their infrastructure in Mizoram if the smuggling is to stop, said one official who did not wish to be named. He added that a large amount of areca nut is still being illicitly imported despite continuous seizures by different government agencies.

Some 1,108.97 metric tons of betel nut smuggled from Myanmar and worth over 358 million Indian rupees (8.5 billion kyats) was confiscated last year up to November in Mizoram, according to media reports. 976.37 metric tons were seized by Indias customs, while 132.60 metric tons were seized by other agencies. As many as 79 betel nut smuggling cases were registered with the authorities during the same period.

India has allowed the tariff-free import of betel nut from Myanmar since the two countries signed a preferential trade agreement in 1994. However, a 40 per cent tariff on the nut began to be levied in 2018 as Indias government suspected that areca nut from Indonesia was being imported via Myanmar.

Vehicles were also barred from crossing into India at the two official border crossings of Rihkhawdar in Chin State and Tamu in Sagaing Region. But the smuggling has continued, with seizures revealing that the smuggling route through Mizoram is more active than the ones in Manipur.

Officials across all departments believe that the illicit trade thrives due to the huge demand for betel nut in the country and is facilitated by corrupt officials and politicians.

In one bizarre incident in December 2021, smugglers lodged an FIR (First Information Report) with the Mizoram Police against the Champhai deputy commissioner after four trucks were intercepted carrying betel nut from the border.

The trucks were likely headed to Silchar in neighbouring Assam State where illegal syndicates dispatch the nut to different destinations around the country. Seizures of smuggled betel nut have also been made elsewhere in India, including one 2016 case where 23 railway wagons loaded with areca nut were seized by railway authorities in the west-central state of Maharastra after being reportedly loaded at a station in Indias eastern region.

There is huge demand for betel nut in India. As well as being chewed, it is a key ingredient in different kinds of smokeless tobacco preparations. The Global Adult Tobacco Survey India Report (2016-17) stated that 8% of Indias population uses betel nut.

Indias Central Bureau of Investigation registered a case last year following an order from the Bombay High Court after public interest litigation was submitted alleging that substandard betel nut was being smuggled into the country with the connivance of custom officials.



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Guest Column Humanitarian Focus Does Harm and Prolongs Myanmars Crisis

A flash mob anti-regime protest is held in Yangon in May. / The Irrawaddy

The humanitarian crisis in Myanmar caused by Senior General Min Aung Hlaings attempted and so far failed coup is deepening every day. For those outside the country, the humanitarian catastrophe evolving in Myanmar is still a bit like the explosion of a very distant star. The explosion has already happened, but its light and waves have still not fully reached us.

There are still not enough dramatic calls and dramatic pictures drawing enough attention. Anybody familiar with the dynamic and depth of the current crisis is aware that this will change soon. The economy has already come to a standstill. Millions of citizens have been without any income for months and their already meagre reserves are running out. Many are trapped in regions where front lines, old and new, have been reactivated. Tens of thousands of highly vulnerable civilians, including women, children and the elderly, are already on the move, fleeing from the punitive military operations of the Myanmar army. The Indian strain of the coronavirus is spreading rapidly from Chin State on the western border of the country.

An ASEAN delegation met Snr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing in Naypyitaw on June 4 to discuss humanitarian issues. Because the humanitarian crisis in Myanmar will soon become urgent and dramatic, we will see many more international actors rushing to discuss humanitarian issues. For that reason, it makes a lot of sense to discuss such issues a bit more carefully and thoroughly.

Humanitarian aid is usually a sacred cow that most of us are reluctant to question and criticize. In a messy, multi-dimensional conflict, at a moment when we face the spiraling of the whole country into the situation of a failed state and Hobbesian brutish Warre, and when, faced with the prospect of large-scale suffering among the civilian population, it seems that humanitarianism is the only option that is left.

As someone who has been on the receiving end of the international humanitarian effort during the war in my country, Bosnia, and who has also raised funds and provided humanitarian aid, I dare to share some experiences and raise a few questions.

In a situation like the one we have in Myanmar now, humanitarian aid has several very problematic aspects and it is good, I believe, to be aware of that.

What are these problematic dimensions? Let me address them one by one, because, as stated, there are several.

Let us start with the recent visit of the ASEAN delegation, because it illustrates well when and how humanitarian aid starts to be a problem. There are many critical issues that need to be discussed when one wants to try to facilitate an international process that will bring a solution to a deepening crisis. However, other issues have not been discussed. Priority is given to the need to respond to the humanitarian crisis. So instead of addressing the critical questions of the Tatmadaw waging war against the nation, state violence and a systematic spree of arrests that already counts in the thousands, instead of opening and discussing critical question of political dialog between Myanmars stakeholders, it seems that ASEAN has abandoned all of the other points in its five-point consensus and decided that the only important topic that remains is the humanitarian issue.

This is the first possibly problematic side. When humanitarian issues replace all other issues as the main priority, then humanitarianism starts to become a cover for the absence of action on the issues that really matter to end the violence, conflict and spiraling crisis.

Another problem is that the humanitarian approach always blurs the issue of responsibility. When you need to secure access for humanitarian deliveries in times of war and violent circumstances, then you negotiate with the one who controls the guns and territory, without regard for whether he is right or wrong, whether or not he is legitimate, whether or not he is a war criminal. You, like it or dislike it, start to talk about all sides in the conflict, about a need for restraint, about humanitarian concerns and priorities.

The mass humanitarian crisis in Myanmar was triggered and created by, and is being sustained by, the aggressive, violent, murderous and oppressive behavior of just one sideSnr-Gen Min Aung Hlaings decision to stage the coup and to try to reimpose, against the will of the population, direct, full and illegitimate military rule. That is the only reason for and the only generator of Myanmars current crisis. There have not been two sides in that, and Snr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing is still, as of today, the sole and only obstacle to starting to de-escalate the current crisis.

Fueling the continuation of the crisis, in spite of all the disastrous consequencesand escalating it into a multi-dimensional war of many against manyis Snr-Gen Min Aung Hlaings belief that ultimately he can win and consolidate the coup. He cherishes this belief not only because of his blundering, power-hungry ambition, but much more so because of the hugely disproportionate military strength he wields. This is why he is uncompromising and why he will not restrain his forces from the violence and arrests, and why he will reject any negotiations that can only lead to a political settlement.

No level of humanitarian effort will change anything in this underlying situation. The senior general can allow ASEAN to focus on humanitarian issues while he continues his war against the people until he can exhaust and crush the resistance. At the same time, with behind-the-scenes support from China and Russia, he will most probably not allow UN humanitarian missions to get involved in Myanmar, in order to avoid a situation in which any Western influence will be smuggled in via UN agencies. The EU, US, Canada and Japan will be welcomed to pay for the ASEAN humanitarian effort, but otherwise both Snr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing and China will do all they can to keep them at a distance from any aid effort. Some international humanitarian NGOs will be allowed to operateunder the very tight scrutiny of the juntas ministries and Special Branchwithin the country, to provide window dressing for the EU and others, creating the impression that they are doing all that is possible in the given circumstances.

This is not the kind of humanitarianism that alleviates the suffering of the civilian population, reduces the humanitarian crisis in Myanmar and contributes to the solution of the crisis. This is humanitarianism that is doing harm by helping the junta win the war against the people and helping Snr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing consolidate a new military dictatorship.

Anything that gives time and legitimacy to the junta and anything that strengthens the current disproportionality of the capacity to use violence on the side of the junta, and the lack of capacity to defend itself on the side of the people of Myanmar, is prolonging and deepening Myanmars crisis.

ASEANs humanitarian aid effort, which will be ineffectually negotiated for several more months, and non-interfering talks with Snr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing in the spirit of ASEAN unity will boost the juntas belief that they can win. So, the violence will continue, the war will escalate further, the crisis will deepen and the humanitarian crisis will intensify.

There is a clear alternative for ASEAN, as well as for all other players in the international community, which they should implement without delay:

Start to talk with representatives of the National Unity Government (NUG) without further delay. Make clear to Snr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing and the Tatmadaw (Myanmars military) that the NUG is legitimate and a full-fledged participant in any ASEAN-facilitated negotiations about a settlement in the Myanmar crisis.

Make clear that the NUG will be invited to any further ASEAN special meetings on Myanmar.

ASEAN must actively support the UN resolution to impose an arms embargo, instead of secretly and shamefully lobbying against it behind the scenes.

Issue a clear statement that the attempted military takeover has no grounds, has no legitimacy, has plunged the country into disaster and has created a serious threat to regional security and stability. Put the condition forward that any future transition period must be civilian-ledagreed by all stakeholders including the Tatmadaw, but civilian-led. Put the condition forward that any future elections can be managed and overseen only by a civilian-led election commission, not one imposed by the military junta.

Demand the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners detained or sentenced after the Feb. 1 coup, and leverage that demand with the threat that Myanmar will be temporarily suspended from ASEAN membership if this condition is not met by a specific date. Strictly demand that no new arrests take place.

Demand an immediate end to the use of state violence and an end to all military operations. Through negotiations it will not be hard to get ethnic armed organizations (EAOs) and peoples defense forces (PDFs) to restrain themselves. Anyway, their actions have been defensive and have been prompted by arrests, indiscriminate killing, raids and punitive operations undertaken by the military and police. Once the juntas state terror stops, all other stakeholders will be happy and ready to restrain their actions.

Immediately, without delay, start to deliver humanitarian aid to internally displaced persons and refugees in EAO-controlled territory. EAOs and the NUG will be glad to issue invitations and agree on a Memorandum of Understanding with both ASEAN and the UN. No need to wait on the good will of the junta to agree on the terms of international humanitarian engagement in Myanmar. The junta is not the legitimate representative of the Myanmar state and its people and should not in any way be allowed to decide under which conditions aid should flow into the country. Once it becomes obvious to the junta that aid is coming to Myanmar through local civil society and is reaching territories not controlled by the Tatmadaw, junta representatives will be quick to open access to humanitarian aid to the territory controlled by the Tatmadaw. They will not allow themselves to fall behind. Assertive, confident action will do much more than pleading for good will and humanitarian concern from Snr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing. He does not have any humanitarian concerns.

This alternative approach will much more quickly activate much-needed humanitarian aid channels to the population and at the same time move us several steps closer to the possible de-escalation of the currently escalating conflict. It will also help us avoid the consolidation of yet another predatory and highly repressive, prolonged military dictatorship.

Igor Blazevic is senior adviser with the Prague Civil Society Centre. Between 2011 and 2016 he worked in Myanmar as the head lecturer at the Educational Initiatives program.



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COMPANY NEWS: Mimecast, a leading email security and cyber resilience company, today announced the availability of Mimecast for Secureworks Taegis XDR. Mimecasts extensible architecture is now integrated into Taegis XDR, which combines threat intelligence across cloud, network, and endpoints to detect threats. The integration is engineered to provide actionable insights and a single console for investigating and rapidly responding in an automated fashion.

Business email compromise is a leading avenue for threat actors attempting to breach an organisation, said Secureworks senior vice president of product management Steve Fulton. Our integration with Mimecast provides insights into whether email has been compromised or presents a potential risk. Together with Taegis XDRs telemetry gathered from cloud, networks, and endpoints, and its advanced analytics, we can quickly prioritise the right alerts for rapid response. This maximises our customers investments in Mimecast and provides the rapid detection and response capabilities that keep customers safe.

The FBI reports that email compromise in 2020 rose to $1.85 billion in reported losses in the US alone. Email is a primary target for threat actors, and a front door for organisational data that must be protected. It is critical that email security data is correlated with other data sources to provide security teams with a comprehensive view of their threat landscape.

By centralising threat data from email, endpoint, network and cloud into a scalable data lake, joint customers can take advantage of the Taegis XDR advanced search query language to better thwart threat actor intent and behaviour. This leads to smarter investigations and faster remediation times, two essential components to improving cyber resilience.

Recent Mimecast research shows that 70% of organisations surveyed expect their business to be harmed by an email-borne attack, said Mimecast vice president of ecosystems and alliances Jules Martin. Its hard to keep up with the onslaught of attacks by threat actors, and security teams are under constant pressure. One way to bridge the gap is to leverage the massive amount of data email systems hold. Our integration with Secureworks helps allow joint customers to easily tap into all this data to proactively enhance visibility and stay one step ahead.
GUEST INTERVIEW: Companies today need up to the minute cyber security, whether through penetration testing, web malware cleanups, code audits, infrastructure security and training, cloud security audits and more, and the CTO of Securelayer7 joins iTWireTV to explain it all.

SecureLayer7. The company is an international provider of integrated business information security solutions, and promises an innovative approach to IT security.

Founded in 2012 with the vision to solve the toughest cybersecurity problems faced by todays leading organisations, SecureLayer7 says it provides actionable solutions and protects users from increasingly sophisticated cyber-attacks while providing quality service serving the ever-changing cybersecurity environment.

SecureLayer7 consults to businesses of all sizes across the United States of America, Europe, UK, Middle-east, and East Asia in both public and private companies - and they've now launched in Australia, which is one of the reasons why we're talking to its CTO.

The company claims that, unlike most cybersecurity firms, it combines "the best in-house developed automated solutions with an extensive manual security testing methodology based on multiple industry-tested and case-specific solutions," so to find out more, Sandeep Kamble, the Founder and CTO of SecureLayer7, joined us on iTWireTV, with the video interview embedded directly below, and a summary of the topics we spoke about listed thereafter, so please watch, and read on!

I started by introducing Sandeep, welcoming him to the program, and asking him what SecureLayer7 started offering when it was founded in 2012, and the products and services it has grown to offer today, as we head into 2022.





Noting the SecureLayer7 site notes the company's deep expertise in penetration testing, cloud infrastructure, security, web malware cleanups, code audits, infrastructure security and training, I asked what is the most popular service customers seek.

Next, I noted the pandemic is still with us, seeing a lot of digital acceleration in cloud adoption, online sales, working from home and remotely, and more, and made reference to the fact the SecureLayer7 site has a giant "CYBERCRIME during COVID-19 message" at the top of the home page, so what lessons did SecureLayer7 learn from COVID, what kinds of cyber attacks have evolved during the pandemic, and what are the types of requests around COVID-19 and cybercrime are your customers asking for help with?





After this, Sandeep told us about BugDazz, which the company describes as the most modern pen testing platform, and why it is a new and popular service.





Obviously noting customers would be sensitive to being identified, I still asked whether there were any customer success stories that Sandeep wanted to to highlight, or scenarios that SecureLayer7 was instrumental in solving.





After sharing more information about the products and services SecureLayer7 offers, including upcoming webinars (which are available via on-demand replay to learn from), I then asked Sandeep to share a memory of his first computer, and a bit about his own history in the world of tech.





We then discussed what was the spark that brought SecureLayer7 to life, how Sandeep saw the company's products and services evolving over the next couple of years, and what the industry might look like in 2030.





Sandeep then shared some of the best advice he has received in life, followed by his final message for iTWire viewers and readers, and for SecureLayer7's current and future customers and partners in Australia and around the world.

You can also see SecureLayer7's YouTube channel here with plenty more information, while the company's webinars page is here.

So, please watch the video interview above with SecureLayer7 founder and CTO, Sandeep Kamble, above to learn more!
GUEST OPINION: Cybercrime flourished in 2021, and there are no signs of a slowdown in 2022. There are several factors behind this high-confidence prediction.

Over recent years, organisations have quickened the pace at which they migrate applications to multiple clouds and leverage new software architectures to increase the agility and feature velocity of their application development.

According to my companys The State of Web Application and API report, 70% of production web applications now run in cloud environments. This increase in distributed and hybrid infrastructure and application complexity is creating even more challenges for organisations in keeping the wide attack surfaces under control.

The report reveals that approximately one-third of respondents anticipate that their organisations most significant application security concern over the next two years will be maintaining a coherent security policy across heterogenous environments. Nearly as many respondents believe that their most significant concern will be gaining visibility into the security events impacting their organisation.

Despite the implementation of new security technologies, organisations continue to struggle maintaining visibility and consistency of security policies across the heterogenous collection of platforms, infrastructures, and technologies.

There are five key challenges for securing hybrid environments. These include emerging threat vectors, broader attack surfaces, agile software development and DevOps cultures that often leave security as a secondary priority, and multi-cloud deployments that convolute the implementation of coherent security policies. Many organisations have simply been unable to overcome all of these challenges.

Hackers for hire

Meanwhile, attackers have been organising their underground ecosystems and gathering followers from skilled hackers-for-hire and affiliates, who are happy to enjoy the profits of large extortion campaigns. For example, the Avaddon, SunCrypt and Ragnar Locker ransomware gangs have been known to use DDoS attacks to put additional pressure on their victims.

Ransomware groups regularly post messages to hire experts in domains such as backup technology, not to fix but to destroy, and conduct high-profile DDoS attacks. For example, cybercrime gang Lockbit was found to be posting ads to recruit affiliates, including Meris botnet operators.

The incentives are large. A survey of 300 US based IT decision-makers found 83% of ransomware victims paid the ransom demand. And the demand for hacking skills and underground resources has been growing ever since ransomware operators began conducting successful campaigns.

With highly motivated threat actors looking for payments from organised cybercrime groups, attacks have shifted from automated to human operated attacks. Agari researchers determined that most leaked password reuse was done by humans and not automation. It is one thing to defend against automation, but far more difficult to defend against human intelligence and perseverance driven by multi-million-dollar payouts.

Because authorities around the world are making efforts to crack down on criminals and roll up parts of their organisations, criminals might be tempted to hit back where it hurts the most.

The attacker economy is currently out of balance with defenders' security budgets. There is little to no opportunity to take out the hacking economy by putting up more barriers and making it more costly and time consuming for attackers to breach organisations and infrastructures. These threat actors are sitting on a mountain of crypto gold. The US Treasury recently said that $5.2 billion in Bitcoin transactions can be tied to ransomware payments over the past two years.

In just one example, US travel services firm CWT Global paid a reported $4.5 million in July 2020 to the Ragnar Locker ransomware gang. A recent report from Unit 42 security consulting group indicated that the average ransomware payment increased 82% since 2020 to a record $570,000 in the first half of 2021. That increase follows a reported 171% increase over 2019.

Cybercrime here to stay

Even if the ransomware issue is resolved more quickly than expected, criminals will pivot and find new ways to monetise crime. The security community will have to be vigilant, and organisations will need to make considerable efforts to keep their attack surfaces under control.

Unfortunately, 2020 and 2021 brought in a new dawn for cybercrime and information security, and its not going away any time soon  certainly not in 2022.
An Arizona mom is expressing her frustration over Delta airlines online booking process, which requires ticket buyers to check a box defining their gender as male or female.

Dawn Henry, 52, came across that conundrum when trying to buy a ticket for her nonbinary 21-year-old child. That persons gender is marked X on their birth certificate and Washington state drivers license, NBC News reports.

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The Transportation Security Administration asks travelers to identify themselves in accordance to their state-issued identification. New York is among the more than one dozen states that let citizens select a nonbinary gender designation.

[ Henry Winkler reacts to Scott Baio COVID tweet: Why is this funny? ]

Plane ticket (Shutterstock/Shutterstock)

In 2019, several major airlines committed to providing nonbinary passengers a way to check-in in accordance with how they identify. American Airlines and United Airlines offer a dropdown menu on their online booking systems while Delta does not.

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A Delta spokesperson told NBC that changing its systems to provide a nonbinary booking distinction is more complicated than it may seem, but that such an option will roll out at some point this year. That rep said the process was slowed by the airlines need to adapt to COVID protocols that have changed the way the world operates and that Delta Air Lines is a proud, long-time supporter of the LGBTQ+ community.

[ 45-year-old child porn enthusiast who identifies as an 8-year-old girl is sent to a prison for men ]

JetBlue and Southwest have not yet adapted their systems to offer a nonbinary booking option either, NBC reports.

According to Henry, Delta said its untrue that non-binary people are stopped from flying, but according to the flummoxed mom, thats not entirely accurate if customers cant book tickets online without selecting male or female as their gender.

I will not stop pursuing this until every U.S. Airline with a discriminatory reservation system has made the long-overdue changes, Henry told NBC.

Henry also posted a Twitter thread detailing her exchange with Delta customer service representatives. She admitted to finding the whole ordeal upsetting, but insisted she was not yelling, just super frustrated and in disbelief.
Johnson City, TN (37604)

Today

Partial cloudiness early, with scattered showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. High 84F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

Partly to mostly cloudy with scattered showers and thunderstorms later at night. Low 63F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
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...FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH TUESDAY MORNING... * WHAT...Flooding caused by excessive rainfall continues to be possible. * WHERE...Portions of southeast Kansas, including the following county, Cherokee. Portions of southwest Missouri, including the following counties, Barry, Christian, Douglas, Greene, Jasper, Lawrence, McDonald, Newton, Ozark, Stone, Taney, Webster and Wright. * WHEN...Through Tuesday morning. * IMPACTS...Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. Low-water crossings may be flooded. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... You should monitor later forecasts and be alert for possible Flood Warnings. Those living in areas prone to flooding should be prepared to take action should flooding develop. &&
Alex Murdaugh, accused of stealing millions of dollars from clients, cant afford to post his own bail, his lawyers argued Monday.

Attorneys for the disgraced South Carolina lawyer told a judge that his $7 million bail  and the fact that he cant pay it  has made fair legal representation impossible due to the jails COVID-19 restrictions.

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Investigators believe Murdaugh stole more than $3.7 million since 2015, but have been unable to track most of it. In his name are three bank accounts with $10,000, a retirement account with more than $2 million, an Edisto Island beach house and the familys Colleton County estate, where wife Maggie and son Paul were found dead in June.

One of the lawyers representing Murdaughs alleged victims, Justin Bamberg, argued that the bail should remain, as committing suicide is the ultimate attempt to flee, referring to Murdaughs failed staged murder plot.

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Judge Alison Renee Lee said she would issue a written ruling on her decision at a later date.

[ The Murdaugh family mysteries: a timeline of murders, cryptic deaths, scandals and power ]

Alex Murdaugh (Orange County Corrections)

Mondays hearing also included the testimony of Thomas Moore, a lieutenant with the state Highway Patrol, who claims that Murdaugh stole $100,000 in insurance money from him after an on-duty car crash that left him with a neck injury and monthly medical bills.

But heres the problem: He treated me that nice, and he stole every dime I had from the injury I incurred, Moore told the judge Monday.

The shooting deaths of Maggie and Paul Murdaugh set in motion the downfall of Alex Murdaugh last summer, unraveling alleged insurance fraud, multiple suspicious deaths and embezzlement from his own law firm.

With News Wire Services
Doctors at the University of Maryland have successfully transplanted a genetically engineered pigs heart into a human recipient, and the persons body has not rejected the organ.

It was 57-year-old David Bennetts last hope. Suffering from terminal heart disease and ineligible for a human transplant, he opted to undergo the experimental procedure, which stemmed from years of research.

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In this photo provided by the University of Maryland School of Medicine, members of the surgical team show the pig heart for transplant into patient David Bennett in Baltimore on Friday, Jan. 7, 2022. (AP)

It was either die or do this transplant, Bennett said in a statement from the institutions the day before his surgery. I want to live. I know its a shot in the dark, but its my last choice.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not approved animal organ transplant but granted emergency authorization for the experimental surgery on New Years Eve via a compassionate use provision, the University of Maryland said in a statement.

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The procedure was conducted at the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC) by faculty at the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM). Together theyre known as University of Maryland Medicine.

It was the first demonstration that a genetically modified animal heart can function like its human counterpart without being immediately rejected by the body, the doctors said.

In this photo provided by the University of Maryland School of Medicine, Dr. Bartley Griffith takes a selfie photo with patient David Bennett in Baltimore in January 2022. (Bartley Griffith/AP)

This was a breakthrough surgery and brings us one step closer to solving the organ shortage crisis. There are simply not enough donor human hearts available to meet the long list of potential recipients, said Dr. Bartley Griffith, the one who surgically replaced Bennetts heart with the porcine version. We are proceeding cautiously, but we are also optimistic that this first-in-the-world surgery will provide an important new option for patients in the future.

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 bodys normal M.O. is to reject animal organs immediately, but this time the Maryland surgeons used one that had been genetically modified to remove a sugar in the cells that is responsible for that near-instantaneous rejection, The Associated Press noted. It was furnished by Revivicor, a subsidiary of United Therapeutics.

The result is far from a slam-dunk for animal-organ transplants, experts noted. Bennett is being closely monitored to see how his body takes to the heart over time. While doctors and scientists at NYU Langone successfully attached a pigs kidney to human blood vessels in September, this was the first transplanted pig heart that seems to be holding steady.

Similar transplant surgery had been tried in 1984, when a baby born with a significant heart defect, Stephanie Fae Beauclair, survived for 20 with a baboon heart before it was rejected and she died.

Pig hearts are the most similar to human hearts, and pig valves have been used for years in human valve surgery.

Rushing into animal-to-human transplants without this information would not be advisable, Karen Maschke, a research scholar at the Hastings Center who is helping develop ethical guidelines for such transplants, told The Associated Press.

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If it works, however, it could prove lifesaving.

There are simply not enough donor human hearts available to meet the long list of potential recipients, Griffith, a distinguished professor at the medical school, told The Baltimore Sun on Monday. We are proceeding cautiously, but we are also optimistic that this first-in-the-world surgery will provide an important new option for patients in the future.
From left, Delegates Adam Burkhammer, R-Lewis, and Larry Pack, R-Kanawha, receive instructions from Brittany Westfall, elections director for the West Virginia Secretary of States Office, as they wait to file their certificate of announcements Monday at the Capitol.
Today

Partly cloudy in the morning. Thunderstorms developing later in the day. High 83F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 60%.

Tonight

Partly cloudy early with increasing clouds overnight. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low near 60F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph.

Tomorrow

Intervals of clouds and sunshine. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 84F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph.
The so-called resettlement agreement [lien / document] signed in secret on November 15 with the government of Niger finally relieved the United Nations of its shameful burden of acquitted or released persons for whom the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) had still not found a host country when it closed in December 2015.

There are nine of these ICTR confined people [see box below]. In vain these men have been waiting between ten and 17 long years for a country to agree to take them and grant them identity documents. Although supposed to be free at the end of their trial or period of detention, they were sharing a secure residence in Arusha (Tanzania), a few steps from the headquarters of the UN tribunal that tried them, without much hope of ever escaping that unworthy and disrespectful impasse.

And then, at the beginning of December, they were told that they were leaving for Niger! No Rwandan born in the land of a thousand green hills dreams of spending the rest of his life in the Sahel. But either way, eight of them accepted this offer, packed their bags, and left their residence in Arusha [our photos], which was suddenly empty.

The nine "confinees" of the Arusha court (Tanzania), pictured with four visitors around Easter 2021 in front of the safe house from which they could not leave due to lack of a host country. From left to right: Francois-Xavier Nzuwonemeye (FXNE), behind him Alphonse Nteziryayo (ANO), third in front Andre Ntagerura (ANRA), followed by Tharcisse Muvunyi (TMI) behind them, then Protais Zigiranyirazo (PZO), in front, Prosper Mugiraneza (PMA), Anatole Nsengiyumva (ANYA), Jerome Bicamumpaka (JBA) and Innocent Sagahutu (ISU).

And so, on the evening of December 5, at the Kilimanjaro International Airport in Arusha, two weeks after the agreement was signed, four acquitted Rwandans  Prosper Mugiraneza, Protais Zigiranyirazo, Francois-Xavier Nzuwonemeye and Andre Ntagerura  and four released after serving their sentences  Anatole Nsengiyumva, Tharcisse Muvunyi, Alphonse Nteziryayo and Innocent Sagahutu  boarded an Ethiopian airlines flight to Niger, which was to be their country of permanent residence, according to the terms of the agreement.

As if they were getting rid of us

Its if they were getting rid of us. They took us by surprise; they came with documents to sign, and told us to prepare our luggage to leave for Niger in three days, said Innocent Sagahutu, contacted by telephone shortly after his arrival in Niamey. Without being consulted, he says, they signed a commitment document, in which each expressed his or her desire and decision to be resettled in the Republic of Niger () of their own free will and voluntarily, without any coercion, incitement or threat from the Mechanism or any other person or entity.The three days at their disposal, he recalls, were very stressful.

The President of the UN Mechanism, which manages the residual functions of the ICTR, cautiously waited until December 13 to announce the good news in a speech to the UN Security Council: I wish to share with Council Members that, on 15 November 2021, a milestone agreement between the Government of the Republic of Niger and the United Nations, on the relocation of persons acquitted or released by the ICTR or the Mechanism, was signed, said Judge Carmel Agius.

I can confirm that the agreement has already been implemented with respect to eight of them, Judge Agius continued. Rwanda blasted the agreement. But no matter, its hasty execution saw eight of the nine residents of the notorious safe house in Arusha, Tanzania, transferred to Nigers capital, Niamey.

Indeed, there was much to celebrate, even for those transferred. The Mechanism, in the commitment document signed by the transferees, promises to pay for housing for the first year and a one-time lump sum of US$ 10,000 to cover settlement costs upon arrival in Niger.

As soon as they arrived in Niamey, the former undocumented migrants from Arusha received residence permits renewable each year and began to make a life for themselves, they told Justice Info, despite the difficulties of cultural adaptation, the cost of living, and the Sahels climatic conditions that are different from those of central and east Africa. Compared to what we experienced in Tanzania, this was progress. With this residence permit, we were able to get SIM cards, we were able to open bank accounts, says Sagahutu.

Bicamumpaka, the recalcitrant

Only one resident of the Arusha safe house did not want to sign up. Jerome Bicamumpaka, acquitted more than ten years ago, had been undergoing treatment for five months in a hospital in Nairobi, the Kenyan capital. He justified his refusal by the absence of specialized hospitals for his treatment in Niger.

Furious, the Mechanisms Registrar reportedly ordered him to leave the safe house in Arusha by December 22  a measure that the Mechanisms president suspended, pending consideration of Bicamumpakas urgent and confidential request against his transfer to Niger.

But then, to everyones surprise, between Christmas and New Years Eve, the tide turned dramatically in Niger. On December 27, Niamey notified its eight new residents by decree that they were definitively expelled from the territory of Niger with a permanent ban on their stay for diplomatic reasons. The document signed by Interior Minister Hamadou Amadou Souley gave them seven days to leave Niger.

Abubacarr Tambadou, the Mechanisms Registrar, had been praised by Judge Agius two weeks earlier before the Security Council for having found a solution to a situation that has seemed, at times, almost impossible to resolve and is referenced in no less than 10 Council decisions, as well as numerous reports. For him, too, the tide has turned dramatically: Tambadou is now instructed by the same judge to maintain dialogue with the competent Niger authorities () and to take all necessary measures to ensure that the expulsion order does not in any way infringe upon the fundamental rights of the resettled persons.

A wind of panic blew over the former residents of Arusha. They were once again without papers. Three days before the decree was issued, the Niger authorities withdrew their residence permits under the pretext that they were going to make corrections to the documents. This was in complete violation of the agreement with the United Nations, which stipulates that the Republic of Niger shall grant to persons released or acquitted, without requiring payment, the status of permanent resident, and shall issue them with the relevant identity documents, within three months of their entry into the territory.

Christmas is over. The glimmer of hope for the undocumented migrants has just faded. Everything is going from bad to worse, said one of them, who wished to remain anonymous, on the phone to Justice Info. We dont know if it was the Mechanism that sold us out, or if it was Rwanda that put pressure on the Nigerien government. We are puzzled. The way we were rushed from Arusha did not bode well, said another.

Niger ordered to suspend expulsion

Nigers decision came at a time when the Mechanisms officials were on vacation. But the Rwandans counterattacked. They sought local lawyers, who applied to the relevant authorities and judicial institutions for a stay of the expulsion order. Three of the acquitted, through their international lawyers including the tough American Peter Robinson, filed an application with the Mechanism on December 29, asking it to order Niger to allow their continued presence on its territory until such time as the [Mechanism] Registrar has made arrangements for relocation to another safe State, or the Expulsion Order is reversed.

The storm subsided temporarily. On the day the seven-day ultimatum expired, the Registrars assistant, Horejah Bala Gaye, announced by email to the Rwandan lawyers: the Republic of Niger has agreed to suspend the expulsion order against your clients for 30 days pending a solution.

Mechanism judge Joseph E. Chiondo Masanche of Tanzania had on December 31 ordered the Niger authorities to provide within 30 days written observations on the validity of the expulsion order, ordering Niger to suspend the execution of the expulsion order and allow the resettled persons to remain on its territory, in accordance with the agreement () until the present issue has been finally resolved.

The shadow of Rwanda

With what effect, no one knows. There is no evidence that Niger, by suspending the execution of the expulsion order for 30 days, has complied with the injunctions of the Mechanism judge. There has been no official document from Niger since the expulsion order, except for the bulk rejections of petitions addressed to Nigers administrative and judicial authorities on behalf of the eight Rwandans by lawyer Hamadou Kadidiatou in the case of Protais Zigiranyirazo and seven others against the State of Niger. The Nigerien lawyer asked for the suspension of the expulsion, saying it is in flagrant violation of the legal commitments to which [Niger] has freely subscribed, and that her clients, now without papers, risked being deported to Rwanda. The lawyer added in her petition that there was no doubt that the Rwandan government is behind the deportation of her clients, but she did not provide any proof.

She is not alone in pointing the finger at Rwanda. In support of this theory, which is gaining ground among Rwandan opponents in exile, including the Rwandan National Congress in a December 30 communique, some are citing as proof the discontent expressed by the Permanent Representative of Rwanda to the United Nations, Valentine Rugwabiza, on December 13, in reaction to announcement of the resettlement of her compatriots in Niger.

Une centaine de ressortissants du #Rwanda et de la communaute africaine ont manifeste devant l'ambassade du #Niger a #Paris pour exiger le respect des accords avec L'ONU et la protection des 8 ex-prisonniers du #TPIR pic.twitter.com/DathQKXxHf  SAVEOURPARENTS (@saveourparents) January 4, 2022

Complaining that her country had not been informed, she said her government was waiting for explanations from the Mechanism, including on the money promised whilst their cases have been closed. We hope that Niger will respect its obligations to ensure that no one uses its soil to undermine the peace and security of the Great Lakes region as has happened in the past, Rugwabiza was quoted as saying by the Rwandan government newspaper Imvaho nshya.

The Afro America Network, based in Baltimore, USA, goes further. In an article published on its website on December 28, the online paper claims that the decision was made after a lengthy call received by President Mohamed Bazoum from French President Emmanuel Macron, on December 20, 2021.

The Afro America Network said the call was about a request by Nigers President Bazoum  who reportedly faced a coup attempt two days before being sworn in  to help strengthen his guard and protect important sites in his country. Rwanda, which according to this website is already protecting French interests in Mozambique, was approached by Macron and volunteered to do so, but made it a condition for sending a contingent that the eight Rwandans be expelled without delay from Niger.

French and Rwandan presidents Emmanuel Macron and Paul Kagame on 20 December in the courtyard of the Elysee Palace in Paris, France. It was on that same day, according to the Afro America Network, that Nigers president Mohamed Bazoum called his French counterpart and decided to expel the Rwandans.  Ludovic-Marin-AFP

Impasse in Niamey

What will happen after the 30-day suspension of the expulsion? Can the eight return to Tanzania in the worst case scenario? Nothing is less certain. Already, the lawyers of these unfortunate people are insisting that the Mechanism urgently evacuate their clients to a safer country. But havent they been refused for almost two decades?

Belgian lawyer Jean Flamme, who is defending the interests of Innocent Sagahutu, believes that Nigers government is indeed not trustworthy because it has fundamentally violated an international agreement with the UN, only a few weeks after it came into force. For him, the risk now is the imminent abduction of these people, currently deprived of all freedom, undocumented, and surrounded by armed police.

When asked, the Mechanism said it could not comment on the situation at the moment.

THE NINE STATELESS OF THE ICTR The following Rwandan personalities were tried by the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR), sitting in Arusha (Tanzania), and released either after their acquittal or after having served their sentence. All are awaiting a host country, and are presented here in the order of how long they have been in the Arusha safe house, where they resided together: Andre Ntagerura (72), former Rwandan Minister of Transport, acquitted by the lower court and then on appeal on July 7, 2006. Protais Zigiranyirazo (84), brother-in-law of former Rwandan president Juvenal Habyarimana, acquitted on appeal on November 26, 2009. Jerome Bicamumpaka (65), former Minister of Foreign Affairs, acquitted on September 30, 2011. Anatole Nsengiyumva (72), former head of Military Intelligence, sentenced on appeal to 15 years in prison on December 14, 2011, and released after serving his time. Tharcisse Muvunyi (69), former commander of the NCO School in Butare (southern Rwanda), sentenced to 15 years in prison on appeal on April 1, 2011, released on March 6, 2011 after serving two-thirds of his sentence. Prosper Mugiraneza (65), former Minister of Public Service, acquitted on appeal on February 4, 2014. Francois-Xavier Nzuwonemeye (67), former commander of the armys reconnaissance battalion, acquitted on appeal on February 11, 2014. Innocent Sagahutu (60), former deputy commander of the reconnaissance battalion, sentenced to 15 years on appeal on February 11, 2014, released three months later after serving two-thirds of his sentence. Alphonse Ntizeryayo (75), former prefect of Butare (southern Rwanda), sentenced on appeal to 25 years in prison on December 14, 2015, released after serving three-quarters of his sentence.
All at-home COVID-19 tests are different, says a new ECRI report.

Patient Safety and Cost Nonprofit Assessment of Seven Antigens test Available in pharmacies and online for convenience, this determines the accuracy of the results.

If at-home testing is complicated, if its cumbersome, it can significantly increase the error rate, which is certainly a concern, said ECRI President and CEO Marcus Schabacker. If you confuse how to test, you can get a false A positive or, more importantly, a false negative test, and then you have a level of comfort that you probably shouldnt have.

The findings are especially important as the spread of COVID and its variants has led to another surge that has put pressure on the healthcare system. Allowing patients to self-test and resulting in inaccurate results could further affect the course of the pandemic.

The On/Go, CareStart, Flowflex test kits were rated Very Good for a variety of reasons, including clearly printed instructions, cases that offer less opportunity to interfere with test strip results, and useful applications. QuickVue, BinaxNOW, and InteliSwab were rated intermediate good, but there were some usability challenges for some users with impaired vision or poor motor control.

BD Veritor came in at the bottom with a barely acceptable rating, mainly because users had to rely on the phone app that came with the test for instructions and results, which ECRI said was time-consuming and potentially problematic for people with motor skills impairments. challenge.

Download the Modern Healthcare app to stay informed as industry news emerges.

Its also important to note that none of the seven tests have instructions in a language other than English or Spanish, which is an important factor when considering health equity, Shabak said.

In a statement to Modern Healthcare, BD said it invested significant time and resources in developing the BD Veritor test through focus groups and usability studies. Using smartphone technology in the tests was actually an advantage, the company said.

BD is the only at-home COVID-19 test that uses a smartphone camera and mobile app to interpret and provide a clear positive or negative numerical display of the results, eliminating the human subjectivity of visual reading testing, BD spokesperson Brooke Houston wrote. We look forward to further reviewing the feedback from volunteers who participated in the ECRI analysis to determine how we can further improve availability and thus improve customer satisfaction with our at-home testing.

A usability test was conducted in December 2021 by 12 engineers (mainly composed of engineers and scientists) at ECRI headquarters.

This first In December 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved over-the-counter at-home testing in the U.S. Nearly a year later, President Joe Biden announced that the federal government would Buy Rapid home tests are distributed to those who request through government websites. The website will launch after test manufacturers deliver products through increased manufacturing capacity. From January 15, private insurers will also be required to pay for home testing through a reimbursement process.
Under federal guidance released Monday, health insurers must reimburse policyholders for up to eight at-home COVID-19 tests per person per month.

Insurers have until January 15 to comply. Health plans cannot impose cost-sharing or medical management tools, such as prior authorizations that limit timely testing. The guidance doesnt apply to Medicare; Medicaid and Childrens Health Insurance plans already require free at-home coronavirus testing.

The free testing program is part of President Joe Bidens strategy to contain the nearly two-year-old COVID-19 pandemic. Announce last month. Biden separately plans to mail 500 million home tests to U.S. households later this month.

By requiring private health plans to cover peoples home testing, we are further expanding Americans ability to get a test for free when they need it, HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra said in a statement. Press Releases.

The government encourages, but does not require, insurers to directly reimburse providers who sell tests to individuals, which will reduce costs for policyholders. This is only a partial response to criticism that having people seek reimbursement after purchasing the tests themselves would hinder access.

Under the guidance, health insurers who choose this option can limit reimbursement for tests purchased at non-preferred retailers to $12 per purchase. Health plans should notify beneficiaries if they offer direct coverage testing and what retailers are involved in, the guidance said.

Reimbursement structures that remove barriers associated with upfront costs will facilitate access to COVID-19 testing and therefore improve health equity, guide Say.

Programs are allowed to require proof of purchase, test written proof for personal use, or establish similar rules to address potential fraud.

Insurance companies are not happy. The Coalition for Community Health Plans believes the policy falls short of its goals, said Michael Berger, policy director for a trade group representing nonprofit insurance companies.

Instead of managing how private insurers are reimbursed, the government should focus on addressing supply chain issues that prevent people from testing at home, Bagel said. Also, he said, the federal government should shoulder the cost, not health plans.

In addition to all the other services we have for COVID (the continued increase in treatment, the increasing number of hospitalizations), home testing is just another unfunded task, Bagel said. The consequences will be higher, he said. Expenses, and then premium increases.
ALBANY  Lawmakers started the new year with a thumbs down for redistricting maps and made election-related bills their top priority Monday as the legislative session got underway.

Democrats in the State Senate approved a package of election and voting measures that included provisions expanding voting on college campuses, allowing absentee ballot drop boxes and continuing pandemic rules related to mail-in votes.

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Since winning control of the upper chamber in 2018, Dems have made voting reforms a priority early on each session, countering efforts by Republicans to restrict access to the polls in many other states.

Our work on voting reform will never be finished because we can always do more to liberate the process, to empower people and to make them understand that again this franchise is the cornerstone of our democracy, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins (D-Yonkers) said, also noting the difficulty Democrats have faced in Washington as they attempt to pass voting rights legislation.

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Democrats in D.C. are considering easing filibuster rules in order to pass a long-stalled voting, ethics and elections package.

Senate Majority leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins (D-Yonkers) (Hans Pennink/AP)

The package of 10 bills approved Monday include measures allowing absentee ballots to be used for anyone concerned about COVID, prohibiting corporate contributions from foreign companies and allowing polling sites on college campuses under certain circumstances.

Another bill, sponsored by Sen. Brad Hoylman (D-Manhattan), allows local boards of elections to establish absentee ballot drop-off boxes. All of the bills must be approved by the Assembly before being sent to Gov. Hochuls desk for her signature.

In recent years, Democrats in New York have approved a host of popular changes at polling sites including the establishment of early voting and the consolidation of federal and state primaries.

However, in November, voters rejected constitutional amendments that would have allowed for no-excuse absentee voting as well as an end to the 10-day voter registration requirement.

Lawmakers in both chambers used their first full day of session Monday to formally reject redistricting maps drawn up by an independent commission meant to take the politics out of the complicated process.

Republicans and Democrats shot down competing sets of maps sent over by the gridlocked commission following months of meetings, giving the panel a second chance to draw up lines for state and congressional districts.

If lawmakers rejects the next set of submissions, the Legislature, fully controlled by Democrats, get to determine the maps before sending them to Hochuls desk.

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New Yorks June primary means maps need to be approved and in place soon in order for candidates to begin canvassing and collecting signatures to get on the ballot.

Stewart-Cousins said she remains confident that new district lines will be drawn up and approved with plenty of time.

Were happy to follow the process and see what it produces, she said. I believe that things are moving at a pace so that we will be able to meet our specific deadlines so that the primary would take place.
UK lawmakers have formed the Crypto and Digital Assets Group to ensure that new rules for the crypto industry support innovation. We are at a crucial time for the sector as global policymakers are also now reviewing their approach to crypto and how it should be regulated, said the British parliament member who will chair the group.

British Lawmakers Form Crypto and Digital Assets Group

UK parliament members and members of the House of Lords have formed the Crypto and Digital Assets Group, the Financial Times reported Friday.

Scottish National Party (SNP) MP Lisa Cameron, who will chair the cross-party group of lawmakers, explained that the group will work to ensure that new rules for the crypto industry support innovation. She detailed:

We are at a crucial time for the sector as global policymakers are also now reviewing their approach to crypto and how it should be regulated.

The new crypto group officially registered with parliament last week. Its members include former Digital Economy Minister Ed Vaizey and Tory MP Harriett Baldwin, a former JPMorgan executive.

Cryptouk, a trade association for digital assets, will serve as the parliamentary groups secretariat. The association has been lobbying lawmakers for a year for positive crypto regulation in the UK

Crypto advocates have warned that the UK government has been too slow to establish rules for digital asset businesses, which risks driving them offshore. The UK financial watchdog, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), has banned crypto derivatives for retail investors and opposed crypto funds .

Regulators have repeatedly warned about the risks from crypto scams and unregulated companies. According to blockchain data analytics firm Chainalysis, scams involving cryptocurrencies cost investors $7.8 billion globally this year.

What do you think about British lawmakers establishing the Crypto and Digital Assets Group? Let us know in the comments section below.

Kevin Helms A student of Austrian Economics, Kevin found Bitcoin in 2011 and has been an evangelist ever since. His interests lie in Bitcoin security, open-source systems, network effects and the intersection between economics and cryptography.











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Jerry Lynn is here. Early indications are that Democrats will come under fire in the upcoming midterms. They should, too, because they have failed to do anything to improve the fortunes of Americans, especially essential workers at the bottom of the economic pyramid, let alone updating the New Deal and Great Society for the 21st century. If party leaders believe the needs of voters are paramount, enacting the right to paid sick leave, especially during a pandemic, should be a no-brainer. Alas, it is donor priorities that determine the political agenda. As a result, employers are now insisting that sick workers return to the workplace, under threat of dismissal, no matter how ill they arelet alone contagiouseveryone may be.

by Brett Wilkins.Originally Posted in common dream

As U.S. workers infected with Covid-19 during the Omicron surge face the stark option of staying home without pay, risking losing their jobs or reporting to work and potentially infecting colleagues and clients, progressives on Monday renewed their call for paid sick leave to leave the country level one.

In the midst of a terrible pandemic, two-thirds of low-wage workers still dont have access to paid sick leave. Thats barbaric, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) tweet.

We must ensure that all workers are entitled to paid sick leave, he added.

according to a Report Monday by Hot news Employees of the seafood restaurant chain Red Lobster, owned by private equity firm Golden Gate Capital, and the advocacy group More Perfect Union have been forced to report to work under threats of reprimands that could lead to dismissal.

NEW: Red Lobster is denying paid sick leave to its more than 50,000 restaurant workers during the ongoing pandemic. Employees told us the horrific stories of managers who insisted on working during the coronavirus. In a new survey, 63 percent of Red Lobster workers said they were sick at work. pic.twitter.com/97cMCTOQDB  More Perfect Union (@MorePerfectUS) January 10, 2022

The report states:

Beginning in December 2019, James Swartz has been a bartender at Pennsylvania Red Lobster for a year and a half. He earns $3.50 an hour, plus tips. Swartz said in an interview that he was threatened when he developed coronavirus symptoms and told management he wasnt going to work on weekends. Red Lobster management told Swartz that he needs to come in for work and that if he doesnt show up or cant find another way to make up the shift, hell be recorded.

Another Red Lobster employee who asked not to be named for fear of retaliation Tell Columbus dispatch We dont have sick days, yes, I go to work when Im sick. If we cancel, well be logged.

The worker said they would be fired after four reports.

Its a vicious circle, said Daniel Schneider, professor of public policy at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. Tell This Associated PressStaffing shortages as people get sick means those who are working have more to do and are less willing to call in sick when they are sick.

An unnamed New Mexico worker told Associated PressThey took time off work to be tested for Covid-19 after showing symptoms of illness.

I think its the right thing to do to protect my colleagues, said the employee, who is losing $160 a day. Now I wish I just went to work and said nothing.

Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) echoed the sentiments of many progressives when she tweet On Monday, there was a simple answer to the plight of those workers: paid time off.
Fintech accounted for nearly two-thirds of the $4.9 billion raised by African tech companies in the past year. Fintech groups also dominate with over $50 million in funding, accounting for 40% of the total number of tech companies.

Covid-19 factor

Nearly two-thirds of the $4.9 billion in funding raised by African tech companies in 2021 goes to fintechs, data from a new report shows. Fintechs accounted for 40% of deals that raised more than $40 million.

as the picture shows Newest 2021 Fintech dominance finally reaches highest number of single non-M&A period, Africa Investment Report [mergers and acquisitions] Recorded transactions to date exceed $100 million. The report also revealed that Nigeria has the largest share of fintech companies that have raised more than $100 million.

Meanwhile, the report suggests that the Covid-19 pandemic is likely to be the main reason behind the surge in funding for both fintech and non-fintech firms.

Logistics and energy are closely followed by funding volumes, but the recent wave of digitalisation  likely driven by Covid-19  is boosting sectors such as e-commerce, agriculture and healthcare, the study concluded.

High concentration of funds

However, the same report does admit that most of the money raised in 2021 is focused on a handful of projects. The report explains:

Although highly concentrated in a few cases, [which] Representing less than 3% of total disclosed deals but more than 55% of total disclosed funding, the size of this investment is significant and a pull factor for some investors.

In addition to equity financing, Investing in Africa data shows that debt financing is increasingly becoming a viable source of financing. To back up this claim, the report states that 6% of the total funding disclosed in 2021 will be debt financing.

From the source of late-stage investors, the data shows that the United States is by far the largest source of funding for African technology companies, accounting for 62.5%. It is followed by the UK with 7.5%, followed by South Africa with 6% and Canada with 4%.

Whats your take on this story? Let us know what you think in the comments section below.

Terence Chimwala Terence Zimwara is an award-winning journalist, author and author from Zimbabwe. He has written extensively about the economic woes of some African countries and how digital currencies can provide an escape route for Africans.































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Biden to amp up the pressure on the Senate to change filibuster rules for voting rights during Atlanta speech
Space heaters in particular come with a risk of fire hazard, especially in older models.
The last 7 years have been the warmest on record as planet approaches critical threshold
Minister of Health Jean-Yves Duclos participates in a news conference on the COVID-19 pandemic and the omicron variant, in Ottawa, on Friday, Jan. 7, 2022. Duclos says about 27 of the 130 passengers on the Sunwing party flight to Mexico have returned to Canada. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
China urges U.S. to lift unilateral sanctions on Afghanistan

Xinhua) 08:35, January 11, 2022

BEIJING, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese foreign ministry Monday urged the United States to unfreeze Afghanistan's assets and lift unilateral sanctions on the country as soon as possible.

Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, acting Deputy Prime Minister of the Afghan Taliban's interim government, is reported saying that the recent rain and snow have aggravated the plight of Afghan people in need of food and clothing, and the economic sanctions imposed by the United States have made Afghanistan face serious challenges.

When asked to comment on Baradar's remarks, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin told a daily press briefing that the Chinese people sympathize with the difficulties the Afghan people are suffering.

He said that although the U.S. military has withdrawn from Afghanistan, the sequela caused by its occupation of Afghanistan for 20 years continues and is further aggravated.

"We urge the U.S. side to deeply reflect on its mistakes, shoulder its due international responsibilities and lift its asset freeze and unilateral sanctions against Afghanistan as soon as possible," Wang said.

The U.S. side is also urged to take concrete actions to make up for the harm caused to the Afghan people, instead of sprinkling salt on the wounds of the Afghan people, according to Wang.

(Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun)
One of Mayor Adams closest political confidants, Ingrid Lewis-Martin, has been tapped to serve as chief adviser in his new administration.

Lewis-Martin served as deputy borough president during Adams tenure as Brooklyn borough president  a job which essentially had her acting as his right hand  and it appears her new role will give her considerable influence in City Hall as well.

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Chief advisor to New York City Mayor Eric Adams, Ingrid P. Lewis-Martin (Gary Gershoff/Getty Images for Housing Works)

She will report directly to Adams as his chief adviser and will serve in partnership with First Deputy Mayor Lorraine Grillo, chief of staff Frank Carone and several other staffers wholl report directly to Hizzoner, according to a statement from Adams team.

My chief adviser has a proven track record of getting stuff done for New Yorkers left behind by government, Adams said in a written statement to the Daily News. This is a 24/7/365 administration, working around the clock to make this city a safer and greater place to raise healthy children and families, and leading a robust and equitable revival that lifts up every one of us.

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Lewis-Martin has served as an adviser to Adams since his days as a state senator, but their relationship predates his political career. Before joining the NYPD and becoming a police captain, Adams attended the police academy with Lewis-Martins husband and eventually became a family friend, according to a source familiar with their relationship.

After serving as a senior adviser and chief of staff to Adams during his time in the senate, he appointed her to the deputy borough president role.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams (Seth Wenig/AP)

All those years and experience have made Lewis-Martin one of Adams most trusted advisers, but she does not come to the job without liabilities, according to sources whove worked with her over the years.

She has always been the one that goes on the attack for Eric, said one source who asked to remain anonymous for fear of political retribution. Now, shes going to have to be more conciliatory. Shes going to have to hear other opinions and has to take them into consideration, and I dont know that she could do that.

Former Deputy Brooklyn Borough President, Ingrid P. Lewis-Martin (Gary Gershoff/Getty Images for Housing Works)

Another longtime Adams ally whos known Lewis-Martin for almost two decades said that over the years Adams has had unwavering trust in his chief adviser, but added that she has a terrible reputation with other elected officials and that she has a habit of threatening political foes with primary challenges if they cross her or Adams.

As someone who likes Eric, Im concerned that her mistreatment of people is going to write a check that Eric Adams cant cash, said the source, who also asked to remain anonymous over fears of political retribution.

But not everyone had such a harsh take on Lewis-Martin.

Councilman Charles Barron (D-Brooklyn), who has already clashed with Adams over solitary confinement in city jails, said he has a great relationship with her, but predicted it wont matter much if he and the administration dont align on policy.

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He suggested if shes not trying to push Adams off some of his law-and-order positions, that he and she will have a little war over policy.

Sabrina Rezzy, a spokeswoman for the Brooklyn Democrats, said that some of the criticisms of Lewis-Martin  for being assertive and fiercely loyal  amount to sexism.

Shes more than qualified and shes an assertive go-getter, Rezzy said.
PLEASANT PRAIRIE  Trifinity Specialized Distribution announced Monday it has signed a multiple-year lease with Link Logistics Real Estate to occupy more than 150,000 square feet at 8505 100th Place in the village.

This new site, which will be operational this month, is located in the Pleasant Prairies LakeView Corporate Park and is in addition to its 250,000 square foot facility at 5312 104th Ave. In December of 2020 Trifinity relocated all operations from Waukegan, Ill. Trifinity is a privately-held distribution and secondary display manufacturer.

The new industrial facility features institutional-quality pre-cast concrete construction, ample on-site car and trailer parking, 24 dock doors and two drive in doors with strategic access to 1-94. The facility will be FDA Registered, ASI Compliant and is expected to employ 34 full-time employees.

We are pleased to announce this planned expansion in Wisconsin. As our 3PL and e-commerce business grows, we will continue to increase our footprint to meet current customer needs and entertain new customers as well, said James V. Merlo, Trifinitys founder and CEO.

l am pleased to welcome Trifinity to the Pleasant Prairie business community; it is exciting to see the company grow and expand into LakeView Corporate Park, said Nathan Thiel, Pleasant Prairie Village administrator. I wish Trifinity great success in the new space and appreciate the new employment opportunities the company is bringing to our area.

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Kenosha fire and police personnel continued to comb the wreckage of Model Market on Monday, working to determine the cause of last weeks fire that destroyed the century-old business and learn any additional information about a missing tenant.

Johnny Mikus, who is in his late 60s, resided in a unit above Model Market and was reportedly there when the fire was reported just before 5 p.m. Wednesday and subsequently raged through the two-story building and its apartments.

Crews searched through the rubble at 2327 54th St. in frigid conditions Monday. The area is still cordoned off and digging equipment was being used at the scene. Much of the debris was frozen as crews climbed and searched through it.

They are continuing to search, said Kenosha Fire Department Battalion Chief Ryan McNeely. Our investigators are out there with KPD and they are continuing to search the rubble at this time. Obviously, the cold conditions make it tough, but they are out there.

McNeely said officials are doing a methodical search of the rubble to see if they can find the missing person.

He said, due to the cold, crews were rotating in and out of the area throughout the day.

McNeely said the cause of the fire is also still under investigation.

He expects the cold and ice will me it tougher to go through the debris.

Kenosha County Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Phan was also on-scene Monday morning. Phan said she could not comment on why she was there.

Whereabouts unknown

The 102-year-old neighborhood grocery store and the dwellings above it caught fire Wednesday night.

Firefighters were on scene continuously for nearly 12 hours Wednesday night and Thursday morning and responded again throughout the day on Thursday as hot spots flared up.

The family of Mikus, a local caterer, is seeking his whereabouts nearly five days after the fire.

Theresa Moon, Mikus niece, said the family has still not heard from him but remains hopeful. They appointed a family representative to stay in contact with police and firefighters.

Were hopeful until we hear otherwise, she said. We havent heard anything. Its very unlikely for him not to contact his family.

Kenosha Police were not immediately available for comment on the investigation on Monday.

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Hopkinsville, KY (42240)

Today

Isolated thunderstorms in the morning, then mainly cloudy during the afternoon with thunderstorms likely. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. High 78F. Winds SW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 80%..

Tonight

Mostly cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy after midnight. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low near 50F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph.
Mental health has blazed its way to the forefront of the national conversation over the last decade. Increased awareness and decreased stigmatization around mental health issues have undoubtedly allowed many to have access to necessary resources, and the world is better off because of it. Influencers no longer shy away from discussing these topics, and employers are taking steps to create cultural change in the workplace. Exacerbated by a global pandemic, it seems like the world is finally beginning to take notice that mental health matters.

Unfortunately, this new reality often looks a little different when its draped under a white coat.

Bold discussions about the importance of mental health are hushed to a whisper in the wards of a hospital, and health care workers are suffering.

A 2015 meta-analysis showed that case rates of depression among physicians are as high as 28.8 percent, and a 2020 survey found that nearly 1 in 4 (22 percent) of physicians know a physician who has committed suicide. This issue is urgent, and as we head into another COVID winter with new concerns about the omicron variant, the mental toll taken on physicians cannot be overlooked.

As a medical student, I worry that I am entering a profession where mental health awareness is severely lacking and barriers to accessing adequate care remain as strong as ever  the issue of physician mental health is pressing and change is long overdue.

There are clear barriers to treatment.

Physicians are less likely to seek mental health treatment for a variety of reasons. A major deterrent for physicians is a fear of professional repercussions in the form of medical licensing.

Physicians fear that disclosing mental health issues to state boards could jeopardize their ability to get or renew licenses, and many decide to stay silent. A publication by the Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law discovered that 32 state licensing boards include questions that are outside the standards set by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Intrusive questions about any past psychiatric treatment or illness history are asked, without mentioning whether they are relevant to the physicians current ability to treat patients. According to a study published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings, nearly 40 percent of physicians report that they would be reluctant to seek mental health treatment due to fears surrounding medical licensure.

Fear of stigmatization in the workplace is also a major inhibiting factor to seeking care. Seventy-three percent of emergency physicians report feeling mental health stigma in the hospital, and concerns about confidentiality also contribute to reluctance. This has been compounded by the emotional and mental toll of the COVID-19 pandemic, where physicians do not feel like they have the time to prioritize their mental health.

The idea that health care workers are sacrificing their own well-being to help others during the pandemic has revealed a dangerous culture within health care, and it has underscored the need for urgent action. Rhetoric of health care heroes has served as a front for policy shortcomings in the arena of health care worker protection, and mental health is no exception.

Change is possible through physician-level advocacy.

Tackling these issues requires actionable change at multiple levels, and change is possible from the ground up.

In a recent case study in New Mexico, physicians effectively proposed and enacted a change in how the state board asks about physician mental health, updating language on the license application. These changes centered around ensuring that questions were limited to mental health issues that currently affect applicants and that they did not unfairly discriminate mental health from physical health.

Any action that makes it more likely that physicians disclose their mental health struggles is one that will benefit patients and providers alike, and other states can learn from these efforts. The American Medical Association has also adopted a new policy to attempt to combat stigmatism against mental health issues in health care professions, and steps are being taken to combat physician burnout.

There are larger initiatives to raise awareness.

Health care systems can support this change by joining the ALL IN: WellBeing First for health care initiative, which aims to provide hospitals with resources and funding to allow physician treatment. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is another pioneer advocating for physicians mental health.

Leaders can look to prevent burnout within their own cohorts by investing in physician-friendly technologies and scheduling, and physicians must work to support their peers in seeking out resources. Individual resources include the National Suicide Prevention hotline (1-800-273-8255) and online resources to combat physician mental health issues.

Ultimately, a culture change needs to be rooted in advocacy and discourse on the inside, and stigmatization needs to be addressed if physicians will ever feel comfortable seeking health care treatment.

As we continue to give mental health the attention it deserves, we have to ensure that health care workers are not forgotten. Physicians will continue to take care of patients, pandemic and beyond, and we must have the ability and resources to take care of them  our lives depend on it.

Rohan Moghe is a medical student.

Image credit: Shutterstock.com
A group of Republicans filed a lawsuit Monday to block the city from allowing noncitizen voting in local elections, setting up a court battle with Mayor Adams administration that could carry implications for nearly 1 million New Yorkers.

The lawsuit, spearheaded by Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella and New York GOP Chairman Nick Langworthy, charges that the citys recently enacted noncitizen voting law directly conflicts with the state Constitution, which holds that every citizen has the right to vote.

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The law is clear and the ethics are even clearer: We shouldnt be allowing citizens of other nations to vote in our elections, full stop, Langworthy said in a statement. We are only two weeks into the Adams Administration and he is already kowtowing to the radical City Council. This lawsuit is the only thing that will stop them from their ultimate goal of eradicating all the lines between citizens and non-citizens.

A poll worker assembles a ballot at Frank McCourt High School in New York's party primaries in Manhattan, New York. (Richard Drew/AP)

Among the conservatives joining Langworthy and Fossella in filing the legal challenge were Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, City Councilman Joe Borelli and the Republican National Committee.

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Jose Bayona, a senior adviser to Adams, said the mayors team will mount a defense against the suit, which was filed in Staten Island Supreme Court.

The administration intends to vigorously defend the law in court, Bayona said.

Passed by the City Council last month, the bill gives immigrants with permanent residency status  most of whom are green card holders  the right to vote for mayor, comptroller, borough president, Council and other municipal-level offices. It extends the same right to some immigrants on work and relief visas, including so-called Dreamers brought to the U.S. from other countries as children.

In total, about 800,000 New Yorkers stand to benefit from the legislation.

The bill, which was written by former City Councilman and current Adams Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez, does not extend the right to vote for president, Congress, governor or other state and federal offices, and undocumented immigrants are not covered by it.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams (Seth Wenig/AP)

After supporting the bill throughout the 2021 mayoral campaign, Adams said last week that he was not ruling out vetoing it due to an aspect of the measure stipulating that eligible noncitizens only have to reside in the city for 30 days to earn the right to vote  the same time frame impressed on citizens.

But Adams announced hours before a Saturday midnight veto deadline that he would not stand in the way after all, saying that his concerns had been assuaged by a productive dialogue with my colleagues in government.

New York City Department of Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez (right) (Mary Altaffer/AP)

Supporters of the bill have argued that it is morally sound in that it extends the right to vote to immigrants with legal status who pay local, state and federal taxes.

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Proponents have also noted that there is precedent for noncitizen voting, with 11 towns in Maryland alone allowing it. New York is, however, by far the largest jurisdiction in the country to give the green light for the practice.

Murad Awawdeh, executive director of New York Immigration Coalition, slammed the Republicans lawsuit as racist and drew a line between their arguments and ex-President Donald Trumps unfounded claims about fraud in the 2020 election.

We wont allow members of a political party that has yet to accept the results of the 2020 presidential election or acknowledge their role in a violent insurrection against our democracy to subvert the will of New Yorkers through a baseless lawsuit, said Awawdeh, whose group played a key role in getting the noncitizen voting bill passed.

But the Republican plaintiffs, echoing Trumps rhetoric, charged that the noncitizen voting bill would hamper the integrity of New Yorks voting system.

There is nothing more important than preserving the integrity of our election system, Malliotakis said. The government should be working to create more trust in our elections, not less. The right to vote is a sacred right given only to United States citizens.

Unless the bill is blocked in court, the 2023 municipal elections will be the citys first to allow noncitizen voting.
EUGENE, Ore.  Dozens of people showed up at a rally on Thursday to show their support for Starbucks workers in Eugene who are trying to unionize.
Homeless campers will have a place to go after temporary site closes
Among the accomplishments Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-N.Y.) touted in a recent mailing to constituents, she cited opposition to congressional Democrats proposed sweeping voting rights legislation. She singled out a measure in the bill that would provide matching funds to political campaigns, a provision aimed at increasing the power of small contributions.

But around the same time, Malliotakis used thousands of dollars in government funds for what a good-government group described as campaign ads herself, the Daily News has learned.

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She took out $13,356 in ads that ran on 1010 WINS from Dec. 7  a day after Democratic former Rep. Max Rose announced hes challenging her for his old seat  through Jan. 2. She also spent $13,290 of her offices funds on ads on 106.7 FM that ran starting on the same date.

The radio spots highlighted her conservative stances on issues from the defense budget to election integrity.

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Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-N.Y.) (Stefani Reynolds/AP)

It looks like it is technically legal but it is not what taxpayer money should be spent for. These ads look and sound like campaign ads, Common Cause New Yorks Executive Director Susan Lerner told the Daily News. Public money should be used to provide the public with information that will assist the public in accessing public services and informing people, not for political gain.

The office of Malliotakis, who reps Staten Island and a swath of Brooklyn, deferred a request for comment to the the Committee on House Administration. It stated her ads were compliant with the regulations and ... official in nature, referencing her policy work and positions in Congress.

Members are allowed to criticize policy and official legislative actions, which members on both sides of the aisle frequently do, added committee spokeswoman Ashley Phelps.

Still, Lerner called the ads ironic in light of Malliotakiss recent mailing. It blasted Democrats election overhaul bill, known as HR1, for allowing taxpayer dollars to fund political campaigns.
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At least two people are dead and several others are missing after a truck slid off an unlicensed ferry and into the Nile River Monday.

Eight were still missing Tuesday and 14 had been rescued following the accident in Giza provinces Monshat el-Kanater, outside of Cairo, according to a statement from the office of the public prosecutor.

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The driver of the truck, which was carrying 24 workers, including children, lost control of the vehicle as it was being transported across the Nile.

That driver and three ferry workers  none of whom were identified  have so far been arrested as authorities look for the owner of the vessel, according to the statement.

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Details concerning the identities of those killed and still missing were not immediately available.

Due in part to a lack of regulations, accidents involving ferries, railways, and vehicles are common in Egypt.

The minister of transport highlights dozens of ferry accidents in the Nile River, as Upper Egyptians have relied heavily on ferries to cross the river, tweeted Egypt Today Magazine, late last month. Hence, numerous bridges every 25 kilometers [15.5 miles] on the lengthy waterway.

With News Wire Services
It has long been the case that the goings-on in tiny tea shops in Queens, barbershops in Manhattan, temples of worship in Brooklyn, and yes, apartment buildings in the Bronx have reverberated to every corner of the globe. This is not just because New York City is a cultural and economic capital, but because it contains in every corner slices of that vast and wonderful world that lies beyond it.

People prepares donations at Gambian Youth Organization near the apartment building where there was a fatal fire the day before, in the Bronx on Monday, Jan. 10, 2022, in New York. (Emma Seiwell/New York Daily News)

Often, these have been reverberations of joy and love, as a wedding in Jackson Heights is celebrated by relatives cutting a cake in Colombia, or the birth of a new child in Brighton Beach is greeted with whoops of ecstasy back in Russia. Sometimes, it is pain that we must all share. Today, the horror that is deeply felt throughout New York in the face of Sundays deadly high-rise fire in the Bronx extends a long tendril into the west African nation of Gambia, from where most of the 17 dead hailed.

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This tight-knit, largely Muslim community was striving for what generations of New Yorkers have sought: security, opportunity, community, prosperity, and the ability to reestablish in this vast and often anonymous metropolis a place that was at once familiar, linked to a millenary culture, and vibrant with new possibilities. A place where the sound of the djembe could intermix with the sounds of New York City, and children could grow to attend a world-class university system alongside those of every other culture, belief and ambition on Earth.

Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 25 Emergency first responders remain at the scene after an intense fire at a 19-story residential building that erupted in the morning on Jan. 9, 2022, in the Bronx borough of New York City. Reports indicate over 50 people were injured. (Scott Heins/Getty Images)

This city has been called a melting pot and mosaic; it is really a glorious, ever-expanding, intricately interwoven tapestry.

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Also, in editorial: The horror: NYC and the Bronx are shocked by the deadliest fire in decades

The smoke has cut this journey short for these victims; there must be meticulous investigation into what went wrong. It has not cut the journey short for this community, with whom we will grieve and demand answers, and with whom we will stand as it moves forward, battered but resolute. Their wounds are our wounds just as their drive is our drive. They are our sisters and brothers.
The year was 2005, and I was a 20-something living in the Chelsea neighborhood of New York City. As such, feeling hip and somewhat subversive, my friends and I looked for hip and somewhat subversive things to do. (Key word: somewhat. We all had real jobs.)

When wed heard that AMC theaters had banned a new movie, The Aristocrats, from its 3,500+ theaters, seeing it went straight to the top of our to-do list.

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Bob Saget attends the 2nd Annual Rebels with a Cause at Paramount Pictures Studios on Thursday, March 20, 2014 in Los Angeles. (Annie I. Bang/Annie I. Bang/Invision/AP)

It was a new documentary from Penn Jillette and Paul Provenza, in which scores of all-star comedians told their version of the same joke about a new fictitious act, always ending with the punchline: Its called...The Aristocrats!

It featured the heaviest of comedy hitters: Whoopi Goldberg, George Carlin, Chris Rock, Robin Williams, Jon Stewart, Sarah Silverman...and then there was Bob Saget.

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In 2005, remember, Saget had been out of the spotlight for some time. Hed been immortalized to all of America as the guy who played Danny Tanner, the dad from Full House, and then the squeaky clean host of Americas Funniest Home Videos, the quintessential non-offensive, wholesome presence in all of our living rooms.

So Ill never forget watching him deliver seven of the most filthy, perverse, stomach-churning, indeed offensive minutes Id ever seen on film while presenting his take on The Aristocrats. We left the theater sore from laughter but also stunned by Sagets surprising star-turn.

It was a whole new Saget to us, one we very much appreciated. It seemed as though his comedian friends were well aware of this odd dichotomy Saget lived in, where his television roles utterly belied his raunchy blue stand-up roots and his dark humor.

Later, perhaps because of his appearance in The Aristocrats, he was able to dabble in both worlds, playing a satirical version of himself on Entourage, writing the book Dirty Daddy, and taking the kind of sitcom roles that made him famous  the voice on How I Met Your Mother, Surviving Suburbia and Fuller House.

A decade after seeing Saget in The Aristocrats, I was asked to participate in a roast of famed political consultant James Carville at The Kennedy Center. Known for being a filthy joke teller himself, Carville was going to be affectionately pilloried by the likes of Jeff Ross, Jim Norton, Triumph the Insult Comic Dog, and several politicos like Paul Begala, Tucker Carlson, Carvilles wife Mary Matalin, and, unimaginably, me.

The roastmaster was none other than Bob Saget.

When the night arrived, I headed backstage, my husband John in tow, to go over the jokes I was to deliver with the writers, themselves an all-star cast of comedy writers who made me even more nervous than I already was.

I winced at the off-color content they wanted me to perform  jokes no one would expect from a young, female, conservative commentator. But I also knew it was genuinely funny stuff that, if I could get through it, would land some big laughs. I steeled my nerves, sighed in relief that I hadnt invited my parents or my boss, and prepared for the show.

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Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 27 Bob Saget, beloved actor, host and stand-up comic, was found dead on Jan. 9, 2022. He was 65. Take a look back at life and career to remember America's funniest and sweetest sitcom dad. Pictured, Bob Saget performs at the "Boys Night Out" comedy benefit at The Laugh Factory hosted by talk radio host Tom Leykis on Oct. 11, 2001, in Hollywood, Calif. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the September 11 relief efforts. (Jason Kirk/Getty Images)

Who let you in here? I heard from the doorway of my dressing room.

The Daily News Flash Weekdays Catch up on the days top five stories every weekday afternoon. >

It was Saget. He warmly introduced himself to my husband and me, and could immediately sense my nervousness. Dont worry, nothing you say will be worse than what were going to say. He gave me a hearty pat on the back and a reassuring smile and we were off.

I delivered my lines unflinchingly, and took my share of off-color commentary as well. At one point Saget joked that he would have hit on me before the show if my husband hadnt been such a c--k block, a joke hed obviously come up with on the spot.

The night was memorable, to say the least, not just because of the stars on that stage, but because I still cant believe how many filthy jokes were told  at the Kennedy Center, home of the Washington National Opera and the National Symphony Orchestra.

After the show, we all gathered backstage for drinks. Bob came over to John and me to make sure we were okay with his jokes. Of course we were, and then he gushed about his new girlfriend, a food blogger from Chicago named Kelly. He was utterly in love, he said. Hed go on to marry Kelly Rizzo in 2018.

And now, Im heartbroken for Kelly, as well the adult children he leaves behind after his unexpected death at just 65. Saget was full of surprises, and I cant help but think he had so many more to share with us.

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But Im lucky. Ill always have that strange and sort of wonderful hour or so on stage, where Bob Saget and I told dirty jokes together. Talk about surprising.

secuppdailynews@gmail.com
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Here's what you need to know: Tuesday Jan. 11
Sundays Golden Globes proved to be a golden night for multiple prominent Latino performers.

Among them was Ariana DeBose, who won best supporting actress for her performance as Anita in the latest adaptation of West Side Story, following in the footsteps of Rita Moreno, who won the same honor for the role in 1962.

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Fellow West Side Story star Rachel Zegler won best actress in a musical or comedy film for her portrayal of the love-struck Maria.

Zegler, who was born in New Jersey, has Colombian roots, while DeBose has Afro-Puerto Rican heritage.

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Ariana DeBose in "West Side Story." (Twentieth Century Fox)

West Side Story, which follows a New York City turf war between white and Puerto Rican gangs, was also named best musical or comedy movie on Sunday, tying it for the most wins of any project with three.

On the TV side, another New Jersey native, Mj Rodriguez, was named best actress in a drama series for Pose. Rodriguez, who has Puerto Rican heritage, became the first trans actress to win a Golden Globe.

Michaela Jae Rodriguez on "Pose." (Eric Liebowitz/AP)

This is the door that is going to Open the door for many more young talented individuals, Rodriguez wrote on Instagram after her win.

They will see that it is more than possible. They will see that a young Black Latina girl from Newark New Jersey who had a dream, to change the minds others would WITH LOVE. LOVE WINS. To my young LGBTQAI babies WE ARE HERE the door is now open now reach the stars!!!!!

Disneys musical movie Encanto, which centers on a magical household in Colombia and features a predominantly Latino voice cast and music from Broadway maestro Lin-Manuel Miranda, was named best animated feature Sunday.

A scene from the animated film "Encanto." (HANDOUT)

Sundays ceremony at the Beverly Hilton in Southern California wasnt televised and didnt have an audience following multiple controversies involving the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, including the Los Angeles Times reporting last year that the HFPA, which organizes the Globes, didnt have a single Black member.

The HFPA has since introduced a board for transformational change, partnered with the NAACP and added 21 new members, including six Black journalists.
Refugee admissions to the United States will restart this week, a State Department spokesperson told CNN, following a temporary freeze put in place late last year to focus on the resettlement of Afghan evacuees.
Map of Latin America and the Caribbean / gettyimagesbank



15 Latin American countries commemorate 60 years of diplomatic ties with Korea



By Kwon Mee-yoo



In 2022, Korea celebrates the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations with 15 Latin American countries. Those countries  Mexico, Nicaragua, Argentina, Colombia, Honduras, Chile, the Dominican Republic, Paraguay, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Haiti, Panama, Ecuador, Jamaica and Guatemala  are becoming increasingly important to Korea's strategy of diversifying diplomacy.



It was in the 1990s that Korea's diplomatic ties and cooperation with Latin American countries began to expand rapidly.



As those countries are trying to recover from the aftermath of COVID-19 pandemic, Korea seeks to boost cooperation, especially in the field of digital and green economy.



Strengthening ties with Latin America was included in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' major projects for this year.



"This year, Korea marks the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations with 15 Latin American nations, which is about half of the countries in the region. The Korean government will organize various events to commemorate the occasion to boost understanding between the people of both countries and continue high-level exchanges," the foreign ministry said in a statement.



"Korea and Latin American countries both aim for post-COVID-19 recovery and sustainable development, so we could collaborate more in the fields of eco-friendly infrastructure, digitalization, and healthcare," it added.



Son Hye-hyun, a visiting professor at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, picked the recovery from COVID-19, elections and the rivalry between the United States and China as the three major issues in Latin America.



"Latin America is one of the regions hit hardest by COVID-19, which resulted in lowered projections of economic growth," Son said during a seminar organized by the Center for Korea-Latin America Cooperation under the foreign affairs ministry.



The United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (UNECLAC) forecast that the region's economy will grow only 2.9 percent in 2022 due to COVID-19, following 5.9 percent growth in 2021.





Ministers from Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala and Honduras listen to Korean President Moon Jae-in's remarks during their visit to Cheong Wa Dae as part of the 2021 Korea-LAC Digital Cooperation Forum, March 16, 2021. Korea Times file
People Power Party presidential candidate Yoon Suk-yeol speaks during a seminar at the Sheraton Grand Incheon Hotel in Incheon, Monday. Joint Press Corps



Third-ranked Ahn's growing popularity raises possibility of fielding unified candidate



By Nam Hyun-woo





The main opposition People Power Party (PPP) faces growing pressure to form a coalition with Ahn Cheol-soo of the minor opposition People's Party for the March 9 presidential election, as surveys show that an alliance offers a greater chance for the opposition bloc to beat ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung.



So far, the PPP has been downplaying the recent rise in Ahn's support rate, saying it is a "temporary phenomenon" stemming from infighting in the main opposition party between its presidential candidate Yoon Suk-yeol and party Chairman Lee Jun-seok throughout last month. However, anticipation is growing that the main opposition party may make a decision in the coming weeks in order to grab the public's attention before the Jan. 31-Feb. 2 Lunar New Year holidays.



According to a Realmeter survey released Monday, the DPK's Lee was leading the pack with a 40.1 percent support rate, followed by the PPP's Yoon with 34.1 percent and Ahn with 11.1 percent. It was the first time that Ahn logged a double-digit number in the weekly survey conducted by the poll agency at the request of OhmyNews.



When asked about who should be the single candidate from the opposition bloc in case the PPP and the People's Party form a coalition, 35.9 percent of respondents picked Ahn and 32.5 percent preferred Yoon. The poll surveyed 3,042 adults from Jan. 2 to 7.



Voters' preference for Ahn over Yoon was better shown in a separate survey by Southern Post, released on Sunday. According to the poll requested by broadcaster CBS, the DPK's Lee secured a 34.1 percent support rate, followed by Yoon with 26.4 percent and Ahn with 12.8 percent.



The survey showed if Yoon and Ahn form a coalition and select Ahn as their single candidate, Ahn outpaces Lee by 42.3 percent to 28.9 percent. If Yoon becomes the single candidate, their chance of winning significantly drops as Yoon takes the lead over Lee by 34.4 percent to 33.6 percent.









The Southern Post survey questioned 1,002 adults from Jan. 7 to 8. Further details on the two surveys are available at the websites of the polling agencies or the National Election Survey Deliberation Commission.



With the polls adding pressure on the opposition bloc to form a coalition between Yoon and Ahn, both sides are still denying any chance of an alliance.





People's Party presidential candidate Ahn Cheol-soo speaks during a forum on Yeouido, Seoul, Monday. Joint Press corps
Main opposition People Power Party presidential candidate Yoon Suk-yeol presents his policy promises during a New Year press conference at a cafe in Seoul, Tuesday. Joint Press Corps



By Kim Rahn



Main opposition People Power Party (PPP) presidential candidate Yoon Suk-yeol has pledged enormous financial support from the government to cope with pandemic-triggered economic difficulties and the nation's ever-declining birthrate.



While he showed commitment to turning the crisis into a chance for the nation's development, concerns have also risen over how the government intends to secure the necessary budget.



He announced his campaign promises during a New Year press conference in Seoul, Tuesday.



One of the schemes was trilateral "rent sharing" among leaseholders, tenants and the government to help small business owners and self-employed people who have been hit hard by quarantine measures against COVID-19 and have had difficulty paying monthly rent.



"I'll introduce the 'rent sharing system' under which leaseholders, tenants and the government pay one third of the rent each," Yoon said in the conference.



Leaseholders would share one third of the rent, meaning they would not receive that amount, and the loss will be later covered by the government through tax deduction when the pandemic is over. Tenants who borrow money from financial institutions to pay the remaining two thirds of the rent, would have to pay back only half  meaning one third  and the government would pay the remainder to the institutions.



"The government budget will be used gradually for three to five years, and I expect about 50 trillion won ($41.8 billion) will be spent in total," he said.



Yoon also pledged to have hospitals set up more intensive care unit (ICU) beds and bolster medical staff in case of future pandemics. If no pandemic breaks out in the future, the government will cover losses incurred by hospitals that boosted the number of ICU beds and personnel.



"I'll ensure people won't suffer from a lack of ICU beds and emergency rooms even if a greater medical crisis than COVID-19 hits the nation. The government will cover the personnel expenses and facility operation costs if they are not used," he said.



In order to boost the nation's birthrate, he also promised 1 million won every month per newborn for a child's first year under a so-called "parents allowance," which is estimated to cost 3.1 trillion won a year.



"Our goal is clear: we have to make the COVID-19 crisis as a momentum to leap toward the status of an advanced nation. I'll form a 'post-coronavirus response committee' and change the pandemic-led shock into a system for reorganization."



But criticism grew that most of the policy promises require huge government budget and are insufficient to resolve the relevant problems. For the rent sharing scheme, Yoon said the government would compensate the losses after the pandemic is over, while there is no telling when it will end. Critics also say the allowance for parents will not resolve the low birthrate which is linked to many other issues such as a low number of marriages, youth unemployment and high housing prices.


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Kanye West is headed to the Kremlin.

The Grammy-winning hip hop superstar, who recently referred to himself Young Putin, is reportedly planning to travel to Russia to meet his highest idol.

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Kanye West Russian and President Vladimir Putin (Getty Images)

According to Billboard, Wests confidant and strategic adviser, Ameer Sudan, is planning the jaunt, which will include the gospel-themed Sunday Service concert, where President Vladimir Putin will be invited as a special guest.

Russia is going to be a second home for Ye, Sudan said. He will be spending a lot of time out there.

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The appearance will be Wests first performance in the former Soviet Union.

Aside from performing, the [N-Words] in Paris rapper will explore business and musical opportunities in the country with billionaire real estate developer Aras Agalarov (known as the Trump of Russia), and Agalarovs musician son, Emin.

Agalarov is the oligarch credited with setting up Donald Trump Jr.s infamous June 2016 Trump Tower meeting with Russian lawyer Natalia Veselnitskaya to dig up dirt on Hillary Clinton.

Sudan is working with attorney Scott Balber to coordinate the arrangements. Agalarovs son is reportedly represented by the managing partner of Herbert Smith Freehills New York office.

A Level 4 Do Not Travel U.S. advisory to the country over terroristic threats, harassment allegations against Russian government security officials and the arbitrary enforcement of local law, wont stop the failed U.S. presidential candidate, who is also now legally recognized as Ye.

After all, Kim Kardashians estranged husband has proclaimed himself to be the greatest artist God ever created.

This is Ye, Ye is going to get there regardless. What are they going to say? Sudan told the outlet. Kanye knows whats going on more than the average human being, hes well aware of things. And its nothing against the United States or to cause conflicts, but Ye is Yehe cant be controlled.
Oprah Winfrey is helping to keep the legacy of Sidney Poitier alive.

Following the Hollywood historymakers death on Thursday night at the age of 94, Apple reportedly has a documentary about him on deck with Winfrey executive-producing and Reginald Hudlin serving as director.

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Oprah Winfrey and Sidney Poitier (Getty Images)

The project, according to Variety, has been in production for more than a year.

The yet-to-be-titled film, an Apple Original Films release, will provide an in-depth examination of Poitiers life that includes the participation of his family.

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In 1964, Poitier became the first Black man to win an Academy Award for best actor for his role in Lilies of the Field.

His other credits include 1967s groundbreaking film Guess Whos Coming to Dinner, in which he starred opposite Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy.

That same year, the Miami-born Bahamian portrayed his most successful character, Philadelphia detective Virgil Tibbs, working alongside a racist white Southern police chief, played by Rod Steiger, in the crime drama In the Heat of the Night. It was a role Poitier would reprise in two sequels.

Another one of his beloved works is 1967s To Sir, with Love, in which he played an inner-city teacher.

Knighted by Queen Elizabeth in 1974, Poitier was appointed Bahamas ambassador to Japan in 1997.

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In 2009, former President Barack Obama awarded the A Raisin in the Sun star with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2009.

Winfrey, who has interviewed the star on her talk show, paid tribute on social media following his death Sunday.

Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 28 Legendary actor, film director, and diplomat Sir Sidney Poitier, KBE, had a historic career in Hollywood, yet his work goes far beyond the big screen. Poitier won an Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in "Lilies of the Field" in 1964, the first African-American to be nominated and win the award. He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1974 and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2009, by President Obama. At 70-years-old, while still a working director and actor, Poitier became the Bahamian Ambassador to Japan in 1997, for a tenure spanning 10 years. (Mark Von Holden/Getty Images)

Friend. Brother. Confidant. Wisdom teacher. The utmost, highest regard and praise for his most magnificent, gracious, eloquent life. I treasured him. I adored him. He had an enormous soul I will forever cherish, she wrote on Instagram, with a photo of them hugging.

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Over the weekend, the Winfrey-founded basic cable channel, OWN, replayed episodes of Poitier programming she produced through the years.

Sidney Poitier defined manhood, he defined excellence, he defined class and elegance, Hudlin shared on Facebook. He represented the best of the Black experience, the immigrant experience, the artistic journey and the American Dream. Blessings to his wonderful family, his brother Harry Belafonte and everyone around the world who was fortunate enough to be touched by his genius.

The House Party directors credits include Boomerang, as well as episodes of TV series like The Last O.G. and Black Monday. Hudlin directed the acclaimed 2019 Netflix documentary The Black Godfather, examining the life of music industry mogul Clarence Avant.

A Broadway play from playwright Charles Randolph-Wright and Tony Award-winning actor Ruben Santiago-Hudson about Poitiers life was also recently announced.
MONTANA - In a press release from Montana Rail Link, it was announced BNSF will reacquire the Northern Pacific main line and resume its operation upon approval from the U.S. Surface Transportation Board.

Montana Rail Link has been in a lease agreement with BNSF since 1987 in which MRL operates mainline tracks between Huntley, MT and Sandpoint, ID. For the last several years, more than 90% of traffic on MRL's leased lines were loads moved on behalf of BNSF, delivering grain, consumer, and industrial products to the West Coast.

According to the release from MRL, by ending the lease, BNSF will eliminate the need to interchange freight between two railroads, strengthening the supply chain.

MRL says BNSF, "has committed to retain all union and non-union employees of MRL in their current jobs with similar pay, benefits, seniority, and other terms of agreement. The lease termination will require the negotiation of collective bargaining agreements with the affected unions. Customers across MRL's network will be able to maintain their service arrangements and rates, providing continuity for Montana shippers."

They say the majority of rail traffic on MRL today is already subject to rates established by BNSF.

"There have been many changes in the rail industry since long-term lease was signed, and given the need to be competitive in the current environment, we believe that this was the right time to revisit our longstanding agreement with BNSF," says Derek Ollman, president of MRL.

Upon approval of the lease termination, president and CEO of BNSF, Katie Farmer, says the line will become the MRL Subdivision of their Montana Division, "in recognition of the shared heritage of BNSF and MRL."
The following is a press release from Montana State University Billings:

BILLINGS, Mont. - Montana State University Billings will celebrate the grand opening of its new Center for Teaching and Learning on January 21, 2022. The Center was granted final approval by the Montana Board of Regents during its November meeting.

The new Center is led by faculty and will provide support for the full spectrum of faculty professional development, including pedagogical innovation, curriculum design, assessment efforts, instructional design, and onboarding for new faculty. In addition to supporting faculty success, the Center will play a key role in student success initiatives, in particular MSUBs retention and graduation initiative, and will offer programming related to inclusive, equity-minded, and growth mindset pedagogy, faculty early alerts, and data-informed strategies to support student learning.

With strong support from Chancellor Hicswa, Vice Provost and professor of communication Sue Balter-Reitz, Ph.D., initiated the development of MSUBs Center for Teaching and Learning while she served as interim provost last spring. She recognized the importance of an all-inclusive teaching and learning center for faculty professional development. Investing in faculty development is crucial for student success, in addition to faculty achievement, said Balter-Reitz.

The Center builds on MSUBs strength in innovative distance education and will integrate the existing office of e-Learning into a more expansive support center for faculty. Tyr Hawkaluk will serve as managing director of the Center. Hawkaluk brings years of instructional design experience to his new position. Incorporating eLearning into the CTL broadens the scope of support for faculty including topics such as technology support and training, workshops on new pedagogical approaches, new instructional modalities such as HyFlex that reach more students, better assessment tools, navigating the complexities of classroom discussions, and more.

The inaugural faculty co-directors for the CTL are Heather Thompson-Bahm, Ph.D., department Chair of Business, Construction and Energy Technology at City College, and Joy Honea, Ph.D., professor of sociology. Both bring a significant amount of experience and passion to their leadership role. The faculty model of the CTL is what makes it so special because its pure development, says Honea. She adds that workshops will be available in-person, online, and recorded, to ensure all faculty can take full advantage of the available offerings. We are modeling the HyFlex design in all we do, especially since we are at the forefront of this technology, and the more we do it the better we become.

Thomson-Bahm notes that one of the goals of the Center is to improve the pedagogy in the community of campus learning. The Center will improve our student experience through establishing quality resources for our new and experienced faculty and foster a culture of learning within our institution. Workshops and trainings will also address faculty well-being and resiliency, and in turn will provide a stronger support base for students. Thompson-Bahm further notes that they are trying to make the Center a comfortable and welcoming area for faculty to meet other faculty and share ideas.

Faculty success and student success go hand in hand, and I am so very excited about all the ways in which the Center for Teaching and Learning will unify and align our faculty success and student success initiatives, says MSUB Provost Sep Eskandari.

The Center for Teaching and Learning will provide services to faculty from two locations: College of Education 328 on the university campus and B001 in the Tech Building at City College. The January 21 celebration will take place at 9 a.m. on the university campus and at 1 p.m. at City College.
MISSOULA, Mont. - Being recognized as one of the country's most innovative new programs, Missoula County's Calibrate program received a $600,000 grant award from the federal Department of Justice.

This prosecution-led diversion program differs from treatment courts in the area. Treatment courts are programs that take place after convictions, where participants of Calibrate are enrolled earlier on, prior to convictions and can avoid them completely.

This grant will be used to hire more staff, get more resources for chemical dependency evaluations, and ultimately create room for more participants.

The program began in 2019 and has had 56 total participants with 30 to 35 people enrolled at a time.

Participants get an individualized treatment plan that addresses the root cause of their crimes, things like chemical dependency assessments, anger management help and GED courses.

The program vets potential participants through a screening tool, interviews and perspectives from victims and law enforcement.

Calibrate currently serves low-risk offenders, meaning people who commit things like property crimes, misdemeanor assault and drug possessions.

Kirsten Pabst, Missoula County attorney, explained how a $600,000 grant will help to expand their client load.

Throughout the pandemic, theres been this certain group in the middle there that have actually been responsible for the most number of crimes," Pabst said. "Those tend to be drug driven, methamphetamine addiction related crimes. Were really trying to look at the lower-risk level of that group, which is higher risk level than our original group.

Over the last year, 32 people entered the program with a 91% success rate.

The county attorney reported participants paid over $25,000 in restitution that goes directly to victims, completed 140 hours of community service and totaled 10,982 days of diversion, meaning not being in jail, on probation or under pretrial supervision.

Pabst emphasized through this diversion, more criminal justice resources are available for higher risk, more violent criminals who are in the system, helping reduce those recidivism rates as well.

Wake Up Montana is working towards getting the perspective of someone who's gone through this program themselves. If interested, email reporter Maria Anderson at maria.anderson@wakeupmt.com.
Zendaya made sure to do her due diligence to let people know what they are in for.

Ahead of the eagerly anticipated season two of Euphoria, the shows star issued a warning to viewers.

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I know Ive said this before, but I do want to reiterate to everyone that Euphoria is for mature audiences, the Emmy Award winner wrote in an Instagram post just hours before the drug- and sex-fueled HBO Max series aired.

Zendaya arrives at the premiere of "Spider-Man: No Way Home" at the Regency Village Theater on Monday, Dec. 13, 2021, in Los Angeles. (Jordan Strauss/Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

This season, maybe even more so than the last, is deeply emotional and deals with subject matter that can be triggering and difficult to watch, she continued about the much buzzed-about teen drama. Please only watch it if you feel comfortable. Take care of yourself and know that either way you are still loved and I can still feel your support.

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All my love, Daya, the 25-year-old fashion icon concluded.

The hot and heavy Euphoria follows a group of high schoolers navigating a minefield of drugs, sex, identity, trauma, social media, love and friendship in todays world.

The Sam Levinson-created shows first season debuted in 2019 and drew criticism for its excessive nudity, including an early scene featuring about 30 penises.

For her portrayal of a recovering teenage drug addict Rue Bennett, Zendaya made history as the youngest Emmy winner in the category of lead actress in a drama in 2020.
A resident processes a self-administered at-home Covid-19 test, received through a government program, in Easton, New Hampshire, U.S., on Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2021. Health insurers must cover the cost of home Covid-19 tests starting January 15, the US Department of Health and Human Services announced.
China livestreams cultural heritage activities to celebrate traditional holidays

Xinhua) 08:41, January 11, 2022

BEIJING, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- The Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Cyberspace Administration of China Monday jointly launched a livestreaming cultural event in the run-up to celebrate traditional Chinese holidays such as the upcoming Spring Festival and the Lantern Festival.

The online event will gather intangible cultural heritage preservation institutions and inheritors in designated areas with traditional holiday customs listed as intangible cultural heritage, record videos of these traditional activities in conformity to anti-pandemic protocols and share them on the event's platform as well as other participating platforms, where netizens can upload their own posts, interact and communicate, according to the organizers.

Participating localities have also rolled out their own action plans as well as pandemic control and emergency response plans for the event in accordance with local anti-pandemic protocols.

The event has a considerable meaning in dispelling the negative impact of the COVID-19 epidemic, leveraging the healing and cohesive role of intangible cultural heritage and spreading China's fine traditional culture, said the organizers.

(Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun)
Are you planning to attend NH Pumpkin Festival this year? If not, what would make you attend?
Walworth County Public Health and the Wisconsin National Guard will continue drive-through COVID-19 testing at the Walworth County Fairgrounds through January. The National Guard testing site will be open to the public from noon to 5 p.m. on Tuesdays throughout the month and January.

Testing is free. Pre-registration is required. To register, visit https://register.covidconnect.wi.gov.

Residents who experience difficulties completing the registration, may register in person at the test site or call 262-741-3200. The National Guard will administer PCR tests for adults and children as young as 1 year of age. The Walworth County Fairgrounds are located at 411 E. Court St. in Elkhorn. Access to the testing site is available through fairgrounds north gate off Highway 11.

We have seen a significant uptick in testing demand over the last two weeks, Walworth County Public Health Officer Erica Bergstrom said in a news release. We are grateful for the continued support of the Wisconsin National Guard as we work to reduce the testing burden on our overwhelmed healthcare systems.

Open Arms Free Clinic, 205 E. Commerce Court in Elkhorn, conducts weekly testing from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Wednesdays. No appointment is needed, but pre-registration is recommended. For more information visit, https://register.covidconnect.wi.gov/en-US/.

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater offers testing from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays and from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Fridays at Esker Hall, 420 N. Prairie St. in Whitewater.

Testing is available to residents 5 years and older. Testing is free. For more information, visit https://www.wihealthconnect.com or call the universitys COVID hotline at 262-472-1362.

The Center for COVID Control, 312 S. Seventh St., Suite 3 in Delavan, offers testing from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays. For more information, visit https://centerforcovidcontrol.org.

COVID-19 rapid and PCR tests are also available through local healthcare providers and select Walgreens locations.

For additional COVID-19 testing and vaccine information, please contact Walworth County Public Health at 262-741-3200, walcoph@co.walworth.wi.us, follow Walworth County Public Health on Facebook, or visit www.co.walworth.wi.us.
Valerie Contreras graduated from the University of Central Florida's Rosen College of Hospitality Management in December 2021 (courtesy of Valerie Contreras).

As the COVID pandemic took hold in March 2020, Valerie Contreras lost her jobs as a Disney hotel concierge and server at a Kissimmee restaurant, both within five days.

Like her fellow students at UCFs Rosen College of Hospitality Management, 25-year-old Contreras from Mesa, Ariz., worried about the future of the hospitality industry and her career prospects within it.

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She returned to her restaurant job a few months later, even taking on managerial and administrative work, but she lost her free tuition through Disney Worlds Aspire program after the company suspended it. By spring 2021, she wondered how to pay for the rest of her senior year, and whether she should stay with hospitality, as she approached graduation in December.

It was really bleak, and it just felt like I didnt know what to do, she said. I was getting really frustrated because I was like, Do I just change my major?

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Contreras paid for most of her fall semester through financial aid and grants. In June, she won a $25,000 scholarship from TV chef Guy Fieri, designed to help the next generation of restaurant owners pursue their goals during the pandemic, and it gave her enough to finish her education and start her career

It gave me that light that I needed to stay with hospitality, she said.

In October, she landed a year-long salaried internship with the Four Seasons Hotel in Atlanta through networking at Rosen. She starts it later this month.

Although the hospitality sector of the U.S. economy is experiencing a hiring spike, jobs remain well below pre-pandemic levels, data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics show. The sector added 53,000 jobs in December  1.2 million below what it was in February 2020 before the pandemic.

Despite that, the 315 undergraduate students who graduated from Rosen in December reported around a 95% expected employment rate by their commencement. For many of these recent alumni, the hiring figures inspire hope, reflecting recovery in an industry initially devastated by COVID-19.

Theres a lot of opportunity right now for anyone chasing a career in this path because everybodys so short-staffed, said Maddie Hollifield, a fall 2021 Rosen graduate.

Tremendous opportunity

Industry experts agree that hospitality students are graduating into a favorable job market, despite uncertainties caused by the pandemic.

It is a time of turbulence, but its a time of tremendous opportunity, said Geoff Luebkemann, senior vice president of the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association. The normal pipeline of developing talent in our businesses, both from the food and the lodging side, have been disrupted, and thats going to create a ton of opportunity for younger folks to move up the chain quicker.

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For 23-year-old Hollifield, the pandemic allowed her to gain leadership experience. She said her mental health took a huge hit when she was furloughed from her club concierge job at Disneys Contemporary Resort in March 2020, but she got another job at Earls Kitchen + Bar and was promoted from a server to event manager and later day manager, she said.

It gave me a lot of really great leadership and work experience that I wouldnt have gotten if I wouldnt have been furloughed, she said.

Maddie Hollifield graduated from UCF's Rosen College of Hospitality Management in fall 2021. She's working as a concierge at the Contemporary Resort at Walt Disney World (courtesy of Maddie Hollifield).

Researcher and UCF professor Robertico Croes predicts the hospitality industry labor shortage could continue for two to three years.

Croes co-authored a report on the state of employment in the sector, published in October. His team of researchers evaluated the pandemics effect on hospitality workers and found it would likely lead to a long-term labor supply shortage, with employment down by a third from pre-COVID numbers.

Theres some disappointment with the industry because they were were disposed of so quickly, without [employers] really taking into account their individual situation, Croes said.

The researchers further found the industry could lose more workers if it doesnt address quality of life issues such as low pay, high turnover and a lack of work-life balance.

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Since the reports publication, Croes said its findings have been further confirmed as workers  particularly those in lower levels of the profession  continue to quit. Over a million people left hospitality in November alone, at a rate more than double that of most other industries, national data show.

Recent graduates can help improve the industry as they fill those gaps, he said.

As future leaders of the hospitality industry, [they can] seize this opportunity to be innovative and to think about a new business model, he said.

Alan Fyall, associate dean of academic affairs at Rosen, said the employment figures for fall 2021 graduates have been excellent. He said the colleges data shows recent graduates are working around 30 hours per week, on average.

Additionally, 60% of them are working for companies they interned with while at Rosen, he said. Though about 15% to 20% of students have taken internships outside hospitality during the pandemic, the significant majority of those students returned to it, Fyall said.

They really want to do it. Its not a, I dont know what I want to do. Ill study hospitality, he said. ... Their passion is really hospitality, so thats great to see.

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The best industry

Rosens recent graduates said most of their classmates are employed in hospitality post-graduation, with many working for Disney or Universal. Others have gone on to graduate school, and a handful has found work in other jobs, recent alumna Nicole Medina-Ulpino said.

Medina-Ulpino, 28, is still looking for a job but is dedicated to working in Orlando hospitality. She has applied for about 30 positions after graduating and only recently got her first call back, she said.

It seems like theyre taking a little longer now to hire people, she said.

Nicole Medina-Ulpino is searching for a job after graduating from UCF's Rosen College of Hospitality Management last month (courtesy of Nicole Medina-Ulpino).

Its hard to know what jobs are looking for when they dont respond to her applications, she said.

I feel like I have to keep rewording my resume so the company can feel more comfortable calling me, Media-Ulpino said. So as of right now, I feel kind of overwhelmed.

Medina-Ulpino, like Contreras, eventually hopes to open her own business in Orlando. Medina-Ulpino wants to open a restaurant and someday own a resort, and Contreras hopes to run a cafe.

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Disney called Hollifield back to work part-time last September. She was promoted to full-time two days after graduation and plans to stay in hospitality, with the dream of one day leading a Disney theme park.

If you love people, its the best industry to be in, Hollifield said. Its a lot of long hours and a lot of holidays and weekends, but its the best decision Ive ever made, and its one of, if not the most, rewarding careers.

krice@orlandosentinel.com and @katievrice on Twitter
LAKE GENEVA  A man reportedly sexually assaulted two children he knew, both under the age of 16.

Barry Brill, 43, of the 1150 block of Center St., is being charged in Walworth county with first degree child sexual assault  sexual contact with a child under age 13; sexual assault of a child under 16 years of age.

He is also charged with two counts of repeat sexual assault in Kenosha County.

According to the criminal complaint:

Police observed the forensic interviews of two children who reported sexual assault on Dec. 27, 2021.

The youth reported the incidents happened in Lake Geneva and Kenosha.
LAKE GENEVA  A woman reportedly got dragged by a truck in the Cove Hotel parking lot, knocking her unconscious.

Kyle Moegenburg, 35, of Hartford, is being charged with second degree recklessly endangering safety and disorderly conduct.

According to the criminal complaint:

Police were called to Cove Hotel for a report of an unconscious woman in the parking lot on Dec. 11, 2021.

Officers made contact with the woman who was reportedly crying and shaking. Police observed that the woman's face was notably swollen with bloody scratches around her eye and lips.

The woman reportedly told police that Moegenburg and her had gotten into an argument that led into the parking lot of Cove Hotel. She reports that Moegenburg tried to leave in his truck when she approached the truck to talk to him through the passenger window. The woman reportedly said that she had reached through the window when Moegenburg rolled the window up, trapping her arm. She then reports that Moegenburg accelerated forward, dragging her on the concrete, knocking her unconscious.

Officers made contact with Moegenburg who claimed that the woman had tried to pull down the window with her arm to try and open the passenger car door. He claims that he took her arm and put it out of the window before driving away. Moegenburg told police that he allegedly saw the woman running after him through his mirror.
Employers would be required to allow proof of prior COVID-19 infection  known as natural immunity  as an alternative to vaccination and regular testing under a Republican proposal taken up by the state Senate, even though studies show unvaccinated people are more than twice as likely to get reinfected with the virus than vaccinated people.

The bill, which came before a public hearing Tuesday, would almost certainly be vetoed by Democratic Gov. Tony Evers, who has continually clashed with Republicans regarding COVID-19 policies and whose communications director said he did not support the bill.

If passed, the bill may also dampen the federal requirement for tens of millions of workers at medium and large businesses to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or submit to weekly tests, which may be blocked by the U.S. Supreme Court as soon as this week.

Similar bills passed last year in Florida and Arkansas, though Arkansas Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson allowed the bill to become law without signing it because, he said, the natural immunity conversation has been harmful to our goal of encouraging vaccines.

The Wisconsin bill has drawn opposition from several Wisconsin medical organizations, including the American Lung Association in Wisconsin, Wisconsin Public Health Association and Wisconsin Medical Society, which all noted vaccination is the best COVID-19 deterrent and cited the lack of evidence on how long natural immunity may protect people from reinfection.

For most of the hearing, Republican lawmakers and bill supporters  including a nutritionist and a nurse from the National Vaccine Information Center, which advocates against vaccine mandates  testified that they consider natural immunity to be at least as effective as being vaccinated. Opponents submitted written testimony but mostly didnt appear before the committee.

This bill seeks to give another tool in the toolbox not only for employees who are potentially looking at a significant loss of employment but also employers who are looking to just do the right thing and maintain their workforce, bill co-author Rep. Cody Horlacher, R-Mukwonago, said at the Senate Labor and Regulatory Reform Committee hearing Tuesday.

Substitute for vaccination?

Dr. Ajay Sethi, a professor at UW-Madison and director of its Public Health masters program, told the Wisconsin State Journal in an interview that communicating to the public that natural immunity is a substitute for vaccination will lead to more hospitalization and deaths.

If the bill becomes law, Sethi said, you would have people who falsely believe that they are protected against reinfection. And the science continually shows that people who are unvaccinated, even if theyve had COVID before, are more likely to be hospitalized compared to people who are vaccinated and havent had COVID before.

Sethis warning comes amid record COVID-19 hospitalization rates in Dane County and data from the state Department of Health Services showing that unvaccinated people are hospitalized at a rate nearly 11 times higher than people who are fully vaccinated.

While studies have shown natural immunity does work as a COVID-19 deterrent, most suggest it isnt as effective as being fully vaccinated. Last year, researchers in Kentucky found that unvaccinated people who previously had COVID-19 were over two times as likely to be reinfected as vaccinated people who previously had COVID-19.

In a statement released alongside the study, CDC director Dr. Rochelle Walensky encouraged previously infected unvaccinated people to get vaccinated.

Getting the vaccine is the best way to protect yourself and others around you, she said.

Another study by Yale University and University of North Carolina at Charlotte researchers suggested natural immunity is short-lived.

Reinfection can reasonably happen in three months or less, said Jeffrey Townsend, a professor of biostatistics at the Yale School of Public Health and lead author of the study. Therefore, those who have been naturally infected should get vaccinated. Previous infection alone can offer very little long-term protection against subsequent infections.

At the hearing Tuesday, bill co-author Sen. Mary Felzkowski, R-Irma, pointed to an Israeli study that showed breakthrough infections after vaccination were 13 times more likely than reinfections in unvaccinated people.

Bill Hanage, an epidemiologist at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health who analyzed the study, told the New York Times that the vaccinated group included more people with conditions that would weaken their immune response, so reinfection would be more likely.

Fight over mandates

Since vaccines came out, COVID-19 vaccine mandate policies and bills have led to repeated clashes between the Evers administration and Republican legislators in Wisconsin, and dozens of court cases nationwide.

Last April, Evers vetoed a GOP-authored bill that would have prohibited public health officials from requiring individuals to get a COVID-19 vaccine.

Our response to this pandemic should be about following the science and public health experts and working together to save as many lives as we can, not finding ways to make it harder to fight this virus or keep Wisconsinites safe, Evers said in the veto message.

In October, the Department of Administration began requiring executive branch agency employees to submit for weekly COVID-19 tests if they were not fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or havent submitted their vaccination status.

That requirement drew ire from Republican legislators, including Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu, R-Oostburg, who said, Governor Evers seems intent on following Joe Biden into legal quicksand in their continued attempts to exert unilateral control over peoples lives.

The Republican bill does not stand alone in considering natural immunity as a viable COVID-19 defense.

In early January, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, who has not been vaccinated and has had COVID-19, told conservative WISN-AM radio host Vicki McKenna, Why do we think that we can create something better than God in terms of combating disease? Why do we assume that the bodys natural immune system isnt the marvel that it really is?

Johnsons comments are among a string of false or misleading suggestions about COVID-19, including that mouthwash, ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine are effective treatments for COVID-19.
The Wisconsin Supreme Court plans to take oral arguments next week in a case that could determine the states political maps for the next decade.

The states high court last year decided 4-3 to follow Republicans request for a least-change approach, deviating as little as possible from the current Republican-drawn maps in crafting new ones.

The court will convene Jan. 19 at 9 a.m. to hear the case, according to an order Tuesday. With eight parties scheduled to testify and each granted 40 minutes, the court appears poised to take more than five hours of argument.

The court on Monday declined a request from Republican members of Congress seeking to submit in the case a second proposed map. The court ruled 4-3, with conservative Justice Brian Hagedorn joining liberals on the court, that doing so would have given the congressional members an unfair advantage by allowing them to submit two sets of maps.

The majority also allowed Democratic Gov. Tony Evers and the group Black Leaders Organizing for Communities to make amendments to the original maps they submitted.

The courts conservative majority also said last year it will not consider partisan balance when drawing legislative maps, and instead ruled that, like the U.S. Supreme Court, the Wisconsin Supreme Court has no standard to judge whether maps present an unfair partisan advantage.

The decision made the boundaries drawn by Evers Peoples Maps Commission, which he created in 2020 to provide a citizen-led alternative to the Republican maps, unlikely to pass muster because they deviated heavily from current maps. Evers ultimately submitted new maps last month.

Republicans have said maintaining the core of existing boundaries disenfranchises the fewest number of voters, but Democrats and proponents of nonpartisan legislative boundaries have criticized the proposal as an attempt to bake in GOP-friendly districts into the states next 10-year maps.

The Legislature must redraw political lines every decade based on the latest population figures from the U.S. Census Bureau. The mapmaking process can allow a party in power, even without statewide majority support, to create or increase a legislative majority based on how district lines are drawn.

In 2011, Republicans controlled the Legislature and governors office during a decennial redistricting process for the first time in decades and drew the maps in secret conditions that excluded Democrats. By packing Democratic voters in cities into lopsided districts and spreading out rural and suburban Republicans into districts with solid, but narrower, majorities, the maps allowed the GOP to hold more than 60% of legislative seats, even when Democrats won all statewide elections in 2018.

Another lawsuit in federal court also lingers over the states redistricting process. The U.S. Supreme Court last month allowed the suit to proceed, denying a Republican request to dismiss the case.

The court has also issued a stay in the Democratic-backed case pending further action by the state Supreme Court. Its unclear if the federal court would take up the matter after the state Supreme Court comes to a final ruling.

Whether the federal court takes up the case hinges on whether the maps drawn by the state Supreme Court comply with requirements in federal law, such as the Voting Rights Act.
The Maryland Department of Agriculture is urging all poultry farmers to remain vigilant and practice enhanced biosecurity on their farms after USDA confirmed findings of highly pathogenic avian influenza in wild birds in the Carolinas.
Ahead of the PA Farm Show, which will kick off this Saturday, Russell Redding, the secretary of the Department of Agriculture, joined other leaders in the dairy industry to unveil this year's butter sculpture.
For many growers and food makers, production is the easy part. Figuring out how and where to sell the products is the bigger challenge.
Washington [US], January 10 (ANI): A new study developed a consensus statement to identify the key issues regarding HIV patients that should be addressed immediately.

The research has been published in the 'Nature Communications Journal'.

Also Read | 'Deltacron' A Lab Contamination, Not A New COVID-19 Variant, Says UK Virologist Tom Peacock.

To guide stakeholders in improving health system responses to achieve the best possible long-term health outcomes for people living with HIV, a global multidisciplinary group of HIV experts led by CUNY SPH Senior Scholar Jeffrey Lazarus and including distinguished Professor Denis Nash and Associate Professor Diana Romero developed a consensus statement identifying the key issues health systems must address in order to move beyond the long-time emphasis on viral suppression to instead deliver integrated, person-centred healthcare for people living with HIV throughout their lives.

Following a rigorous, multi-stage Delphi process, the research team established a diverse panel of experts with expertise in the long-term health needs of people living with HIV. The panel reviewed the literature on multimorbidity and stigma and discrimination in order to identify priority issues to incorporate in the Delphi process to develop a consensus statement.

Also Read | Blood Tests Help Predict Who May Benefit from Lung Cancer Screening: Study.

"An important strength of this consensus statement is that it was generated through this rigorous process, incorporating quantitative and qualitative data from experts from over 20 countries," said Dr Romero.

The panel found that multimorbidity, health-related quality of life, and stigma and discrimination continued to be major issues for people living with HIV, including those who have achieved viral suppression and in particular those from marginalized populations.

"These factors can lead to depression, social isolation, and barriers in accessing health and support services," said Dr Lazarus, who is also an associate professor at the Barcelona Institute for Global Health.

"Many of these issues are not currently addressed in HIV monitoring, strategies, or guideline," Lazarus added.

"There is ample evidence that addressing things like mental health, stigma reduction, quality of life, and in many settings, housing, and food security, will also improve HIV outcomes like adherence to antiretroviral medications and viral suppression," Dr Nash said.

"The field of HIV implementation science can play a key role in assessing the impact of strategies integrated into HIV service delivery to mitigate these issues," Nash added.

The World Health Organization (WHO) and UNAIDS should create new HIV monitoring processes and guidelines, and Member States should commit to reporting on the indicators and implement policies to enhance health system performance and ensure the long-term well-being of the millions of people around the world living with HIV, the authors noted. (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 11 (PTI) Citing reports of fugitive arms dealer Sanjay Bhandari suing French firm Thales over the commission owed to him, the BJP on Tuesday attacked the Congress for alleged corruption under its rule.

Even in defence purchases the Congress encouraged kickbacks and commissions, BJP spokesperson Gourav Bhatia told reporters, noting that Thales was involved in the upgrade of fighter aircraft when the Congress-led UPA was in power.

Also Read | Uttar Pradesh Assembly Elections 2022: BSP Chief Mayawati Will Not Contest UP Polls, Says Party Leader SC Misra.

Bhandari was supposed to get Rs 170 crore of kickback but was paid only about Rs 75 crore, Bhatia claimed, citing reports, and added that this has prompted him to sue the company.

It is under the BJP government that the legal action to get the middleman extradited to India has begun, he said.

Also Read | CBSE CTET Admit Card 2021 Released At ctet.nic.in; Here Are Steps To Download The Hall Ticket.

Bhandari is currently in London.

The BJP leader also alleged that Bhandari enjoyed close links with Congress president Sonia Gandhi's son-in-law Robert Vadra.

For the sake of transparency and accountability, Sonia Gandhi and Rahul besides Priyanka Gandhi Vadra should respond, Bhatia said.

Vadra has in the past accused the government of targeting him due to political vendetta.

(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 11 (PTI) Union Home Minister Amit Shah has sought suggestions from Members of Parliament and other stakeholders on the proposed amendments in the Indian Penal Code, CrPC and the Indian Evidence Act.

In a letter to the MPs and others, the home minister said that the experience of seven decades of Indian democracy calls for a comprehensive review of the criminal laws. especially the IPC 1860, the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) 1973 and the Indian Evidence Act 1872 and adapt them in accordance with the contemporary needs and aspirations of the people.

Also Read | Supreme Court Says Woman Meting Out Cruelty on Another Woman Becomes a More Serious Offence, Jails Woman For Cruelty Against Daughter-in-Law.

"The government of India intends to create a people-centric legal structure," he wrote.

Shah said the Central government under the leadership Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with its mantra of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas,' is committed to ensure speedy justice to all the citizens of India, especially those belonging to the weaker and backward sections.

Also Read | COVID-19 Vaccination in India: Over 153.70 Crore Coronavirus Vaccine Doses Administered in the Country.

In conformity with these constitutional and democratic aspirations, he said, the government has resolved to make comprehensive changes in the framework of criminal laws.

"This endeavour of bringing about a paradigm shift in the criminal justice system by the government of India will actually be an enormous exercise of public participation, which can only be successful with the participation of all stakeholders," he said.

In this regard, the home minister said, he has requested the Chief Justice of India, Chief Justice of High Courts, state chief minister, administrator of Union Territories, Bar Councils and Law Universities to send their suggestions.

"The Ministry of Home Affairs intends to make comprehensive amendments in criminal laws after receiving suggestions from various stakeholders," he said.

Shah said Parliament is one of the three important pillars of democracy and as Members of Parliament have a significant role in the law-making process. their suggestions will be invaluable in this exercise of comprehensive amendments in criminal laws.

"Therefore, you are requested to send us your valuable suggestions regarding amendments in the IPC, CrPC and Indian Evidence Act at the earliest," he said.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Todd Force, left, and David Markland set up a wastewater sampler for COVID-19 testing at Rollins College on Monday, October 19, 2020. Sewage water can be used to detect the presence of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. At Rollins College, wastewater from residence halls is tested on a weekly basis. (Gerald Leong/Orlando Sentinel)

The latest wastewater tests in Orange County and Altamonte Springs sewer service areas show record-high concentrations of COVID-19 viral fragments in Central Florida, foreboding evidence the regions post-holiday surge of infections fueled by coronavirus omicron variant has not yet peaked.

Omicron continues to be an incredibly contagious strain of the virus, said Ed Torres, director of Orange County Utilities.

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In Altamonte Springs, the test results showed the concentration level had doubled in three days.

City manager Franklin Martz said the figure suggests about 70% of the service areas 78,000 population was infected Thursday when testing was done. The Altamonte sewer service area includes the city and parts of Longwood, unincorporated Seminole County, Maitland, Eatonville and Winter Park.

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Orange County meanwhile, also posted a record high amount of virus circulating in the countys wastewater, climbing to 18.7 million parts per liter in samples from the Northwest Water Reclamation Facility in the Apopka area, soaring past the previous record of 13.8 million parts per liter set Dec. 30.

The county operates three wastewater treatment plants which serve about 870,000 people.

The peak should be next week or the week after [based] on the modeling we have seen, said Raul Pino, state health officer in Orange County.

Health officials reported 17 more COVID-19 fatalities in the county last week  including the first of the new year  raising the pandemic death toll here to 2,295.

The Health Report Weekly A weekly update on health news in Florida. >

Pino said hospitalizations also are rising.

He said vaccination continues to be the best defense against death or serious illness, despite breakthrough cases.

The vaccines were never promised to deter all infections.... but they will prevent severe illness and death, Pino said.

Wastewater tests are used as a metric to track COVID-19 in the area, measuring bits of genetic material circulating in sewage.

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Wastewater monitoring has been likened to a Doppler radar early-warning system for COVID-19, detecting infections in people without symptoms and others undiagnosed by laboratory testing. Tests of untreated wastewater samples find viral fragments shed through stool into sewer systems.

Unfortunately, the SARS-CoV-2 RNA concentrations in our wastewater surveillance program have again set record high concentrations for each of the three service areas, Sarah Lux, spokesperson for Orange County Utilities, said of the systems Jan. 6 test results. Our variant results indicate that both the omicron and the delta variants are circulating within all three service areas with the omicron variant being the dominant variant.

shudak@orlandosentinel.com
New Delhi, Jan 11 (PTI) The CBI has told the Supreme Court that efforts are being made by the Maharashtra government to frustrate the investigation against the state's former home minister Anil Deshmukh by resorting to register such cases which are having overlapping effect over the case being probed by it.

The agency, in an affidavit filed before the apex court, said the investigation in criminal cases lodged against former police commissioner Param Bir Singh deserve to be entrusted to the CBI for a complete, thorough and impartial probe.

Also Read | MHA Asks States To Safeguard Rights of Transgender Persons in Prisons.

"It is submitted that considering the reasons expressed by the High Court (Bombay) and this court in the cases concerning the subject matter, in the view of the Central Bureau of Investigation, the present set of issues highlighted by the petitioner (Singh) and the cases mentioned deserve to be entrusted to the CBI for a complete, thorough and impartial investigation," the agency said.

CBI submitted that it has examined and recorded the statement/ explanation of a number of individuals and collected relevant documents with respect to obtaining undue advantage from the Orchestra Bars and other such institutions in order to probe the improper and dishonest performance of public duty by the then Home Minister of Maharashtra Anil Deshmukh and others.

Also Read | Assam: Ex-Militant Shot Dead By Unidentified Gunmen in Cachar District.

"It has also been learnt from the news and the news materials available in media that efforts are being made to frustrate the investigation so far conducted by CBI by resorting to register such cases which are having overlapping effect over the case being investigated by CBI.

"It is submitted that there is the need to ensure the integrity of the investigation being conducted by CBI... It is submitted that subject to a detailed analysis of the investigation of the State of Maharashtra in the said FIR, it is prima Macie discernable that the same is an attempt to overreach the orders of the constitutional courts which vested the investigation with a Central Agency in the peculiar facts and circumstances of the present case exercise the power of judicial review," the affidavit said.

The affidavit has been filed in response to an appeal filed by the former police commissioner against criminal cases lodged against him.

The agency said it prima facie appears that there is clearly an attempt to meddle in the court entrusted investigation carried on by the CBI and an attempt to jeopardise the same.

"It is submitted that in such circumstances, it is requested that this Court may exercise powers vested with it in order to ensure that such attempts by various quarters are thwarted once and for all," the affidavit said.

The state police had earlier told the apex court that Singh cannot be considered as a "whistleblower" under the law as he chose to speak out against alleged corruption involving former home minister Anil Deshmukh only after his transfer.

The top court had granted a major relief to Singh on November 22, 2021 by directing the Maharashtra Police not to arrest him in criminal cases lodged against him and had wondered if he was being hounded for filing cases against police officers and extortionists, "what could happen to a common man".

Seeking dismissal of Singh's plea for a CBI probe into the entire matter and against any coercive action by the state, the Maharashtra government has filed a reply affidavit in the apex court and said that the ongoing probe in criminal cases against the former top cop should not be interfered with.

Singh was placed under suspension in December, 2021 after he was named as accused in at least five cases of alleged extortion in Mumbai and Thane.

Prior to this, the Bombay High Court had dismissed Singh's petition seeking to quash inquiries initiated against him by the Maharashtra government, and said he can approach the Central Administrative Tribunal.

The high court had held that it was a service matter, and rejected his claim that the government's action was a consequence of his allegations of corruption against Deshmukh.

After Singh was shunted out as Mumbai police commissioner in March 2021 in the aftermath of the 'Antilia bomb scare case', in a letter to Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, he levelled corruption allegations against Deshmukh. In his petition, Singh had also alleged that DGP Pande told him that the inquiries were the fall-out of his allegations against Deshmukh, an NCP leader.

Singh was transferred to the Home Guard after Mumbai police officer Sachin Waze was arrested in the case of an SUV with explosives found near industrialist Mukesh Ambani's house, 'Antilia', and the subsequent suspicious death of businessman Mansukh Hiran.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Lucknow, Jan 11 (PTI) In an apparent much ado about nothing, BJP MLA Vinay Shakya's daughter on Tuesday alleged that her father has gone missing after her uncle and grandmother took him to Lucknow from Auraiya but the police saiud the lawmaker is safe at his home in Etawah.

Also Read | Jammu and Kashmir: Indian Army Soldier Shoots Himself Dead in Kupwara.

Amid reports that Shakya too is to join the Samajwadi Party like three other party MLAs after the resignation by UP minister Swami Prasad Maurya, the Bidhuna MLA's daughter Riya on Tuesday alleged that her father has become untraceable after her uncle Devesh Shakya and grandmother took him to Lucknow.

Also Read | Supreme Court Says Woman Meting Out Cruelty on Another Woman Becomes a More Serious Offence, Jails Woman For Cruelty Against Daughter-in-Law.

Riya raised the alarm on a viral video while also demanding from the Uttar Pradesh government to trace her father.

Amid Riya's alarms, Auraiya Superintendent of Police Abhishek Verma said the BJP MLA is well and presently safe with his mother at their residence in Shanti Colony in Etawah.

The charge of kidnapping is baseless and untrue. The matter is of a family dispute. I have myself talked to the MLA on a video call. A Dy SP-level officer is also present there," Verma told PTI.

In the video, Riya is heard saying that her father cannot talk clearly after suffering a brain stroke in 2018 and his whereabouts or condition are not known after he was taken away.

"On May 1, 2018, my father had a brain stroke and he was admitted to the SGPGI in Lucknow. He cannot talk clearly and after the operation, his condition has not been good," she said.

"We are working for the BJP in the area as elections are near. I demand from the government to find out my father and our family members should be given a chance to meet him," she added in the video.

Asked about Riya's purported video about her father earlier, Lucknow Police Commissioner D K Thakur earlier told PTI that he did not have any such information.

There were reports that Vinay Shakya is also going to join SP along with three other MLAs -- Bhagwati Sagar, Roshan Lal Verma and Brajesh Prajapati  after UP Minister Swami Prasad Maurya quit the government.

(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 11 (PTI) Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath attended a key BJP meeting here on Tuesday as party leaders discussed the ongoing campaign for the state assembly polls ahead of the announcement of its candidates for the initial phases in a few days.

Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya and Uttar Pradesh BJP chief Swatantra Dev Singh also attended the meeting besides several other leaders, with its national president J P Nadda, who has contracted the coronavirus, attending it virtually.

Also Read | MHA Asks States To Safeguard Rights of Transgender Persons in Prisons.

With the filing of nomination for the first phase of the seven-phase Uttar Pradesh polls set to begin from January 14, the party's CEC may meet soon to finalise the names of candidates, sources said.

The Uttar Pradesh BJP core group has been working to shortlist probable candidates for the assembly elections, especially for the seats which will go to the polls in the initial phases, they said, but there was no official statement on the confabulations in the meeting held at the party headquarters here.

Also Read | Assam: Ex-Militant Shot Dead By Unidentified Gunmen in Cachar District.

The Election Commission's decision to ban rallies and roadshows due to surging Covid cases till January 15 has also prompted parties, including the BJP, to tweak its strategy with focus shifting to reaching out to voters through extensive use of social media and door to door campaigns.

Polls will be held in 58 seats in the first phase on February 10 and in 55 in the second phase on February 14, and the BJP is likely to announce the names of most of its candidates for these constituencies soon.

(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 11 (PTI) A Ugandan woman was arrested Tuesday by customs officials at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport here for allegedly trying to smuggle in heroin worth over Rs 7 crore, officials said.

The passenger was intercepted after her arrival from Entebbe in Ugandan via Sharjah, officials said.

Also Read | COVID-19 Vaccination in India: Over 153.70 Crore Coronavirus Vaccine Doses Administered in the Country.

Heroin weighing 1.06 kg, concealed in 107 capsules kept inside clothes in baggage has been seized, they said, adding that the passenger was arrested.

The value of seized heroin is Rs 7.43 crore, the officials said.

Also Read | Delhi Riots Case: Umar Khalids Counsel Not Arguing on the Basis of Law, Says Prosecution.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Sharm El-Sheikh (Egypt), Jan 11 (AP) Egypt's leader on Tuesday criticised Europe's handling of the migration crisis and its refusal to receive refugees arriving at its borders, saying his own country has taken in millions of people who left their home countries.

President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi said Egypt hosts at least 6 million people who fled conflict and poverty at home.

Also Read | 7 Million New Cases of Omicron Variant of COVID-19 in Europe Last Week: WHO.

He said his government, unlike some other countries, doesn't hold migrants in refugee camps but allows them to live freely in the community.

For years, people fleeing war and poverty in the Middle East have made dangerous journeys across the Mediterranean and Aegean seas, seeking safety and a better life in Western Europe.

Also Read | Taliban to Resume Hiring Government Employees Sans Women.

But after the arrival of more than a million people in 2015, European Union nations put up concrete and razor-wire walls, installed drone surveillance and cut deals with Turkey and Libya to keep migrants away.

I'm talking about huge numbers, not about five or ten thousand, (that) our friends in Europe refuse to receive, el-Sissi said.

He said his government provides education, health care and other services to all migrants and refugees despite his country's limited resources and economic strains.

We made what we have available (for them) without making a fuss, he said.

Egypt has for decades been a refuge for sub-Saharan African migrants trying to escape war or poverty. For some, Egypt is a destination and a haven, the closest and easiest country for them to enter. For others, it is a point of transit before attempting the dangerous Mediterranean crossing to Europe.

The UN's International Organisation for Migration says Egypt hosts more than 6 million migrants, more than half of them from Sudan and South Sudan, where simmering conflicts continue to displace tens of thousands of people annually. Many of those migrants have established their own businesses, others work in the huge informal economy as street vendors and house cleaners.

El-Sissi said his government has in recent years tightened border security and managed to prevent Egypt from becoming a departure point for migrants fleeing conflict and poverty in Africa and the Middle East.

The IOM says the number of migrant departures from Egypt's coasts has drastically dropped since 2016. The number of Egyptians crossing to Europe was seven times lower in 2020 compared to 2016, the agency said, falling to around 750 from 4,873 in 2016.

We didn't allow people to use Egypt as a crossing point where people cross into the unknown and face a very harsh destiny in the Mediterranean while migrating to Europe, he said.

El-Sissi's comments came at an international youth conference, World Youth Forum, which the Egyptian government organizes in the Red Sea city of Sharm el-Sheikh.

With restrictions and tight security on Europe's Mediterranean borders, a new route to the European Union has emerged through the forests and swamps of Eastern Europe.

In recent months, people from Iraq, Syria and elsewhere have flown to Minsk, the capital of Belarus, on tourist visas and then travelled by car  many apparently aided by smugglers  to the border.

The three EU countries that border Belarus  Poland, Lithuania and Latvia  accuse Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko of acting to destabilize their societies.

Poland has denied entry to thousands of migrants and refused to let them apply for asylum, violating international human rights conventions. The country has been criticized by human rights groups at home and abroad. (AP)

(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 11 (ANI): External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that a comprehensive review of cooperation was held between India and Poland, with its Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau on Tuesday.

Both S Jaishankar and Zbigniew Rau have agreed on the importance of more political exchanges, expanded trade, smoother travel, and regional consultations.

Also Read | 7 Million New Cases of Omicron Variant of COVID-19 in Europe Last Week: WHO.

"A comprehensive review of ties today with FM @RauZbigniew of Poland. Agreed on the importance of more political exchanges, expanded trade, smoother travel and regional consultations. Look forward to welcoming him in India soon," Jaishankar said in a tweet.

In a separate tweet, Foreign Minister Jaishankar informed that he has called Portuguese Foreign Minister Augusto Santos Silva and discussed the COVID-19 situation.

Also Read | Taliban to Resume Hiring Government Employees Sans Women.

"Called my friend FM Augusto Santos Silva of Portugal. Discussed the Covid situation. The India-EU Leaders' Meeting in Porto and Migration & Mobility Agreement with Portugal were landmarks in 2021. Count on Portugal's strong support for expanding India's relations with Europe," he said.

Apart from it, Jaishankar Congratulated Wopke Hoekstra on his appointment as Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of the Netherlands.

"Congratulate @WBHoekstra on his appointment as Deputy PM and Foreign Minister of the Netherlands. Look forward to working with him to advance our strong partnership," he said. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Tripoli [Libya], January 11 (ANI/Xinhua): Turkey's Ambassador to Libya Kenan Yilmaz on Monday stressed his country's support for a political resolution to the conflict in Libya.

The Turkish ambassador made his remarks during a meeting with Libyan Deputy Prime Minister of Hussein Al-Qatrani in the capital Tripoli, according to a statement issued by the Libyan Government's information office.

Also Read | Condom Maker Karex Moves to Medical Glove Manufacturing Amid Declining Condom Sales Amid Lockdown.

"During the meeting, the Turkish ambassador expressed his country's keenness to support the efforts of the political track by listening to all points of view of all the political parties," the statement said.

"He also stressed the need to reactivate the diplomatic and consular representation in Benghazi as soon as possible, as well as the return of commercial exchange between Turkey and eastern Libya," the statement added.

Also Read | Omicron Surge in US Leads to Critical Shortage of Medical Staff.

Al-Qatrani praised Turkey's support for Libya, calling for enhancing joint cooperation between the two countries. (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)
Ankara [Turkey], January 11 (ANI): Despite being a signatory to the '1997 - Chemical Weapons Convention', several media reports reveal how Ankara is using a banned weapon in the middle east region, including the use of prohibited chemical weapons against fighters of Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) in Northern Iraq.

The PKK has been listed as a proscribed terrorist organization by both the United States and the European Union (EU).

Also Read | 7 Million New Cases of Omicron Variant of COVID-19 in Europe Last Week: WHO.

Citing The Jerusalem Post, Paul Antonopoulos, writing in the Greek City Times, said that the report in the publication "alleged Turkish forces vehemently use prohibited chemical weapons against fighters of Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) in Northern Iraq and killed dozens of Kurdish militants in an operation named 'Operation Claw Lightning' that commenced from April 23, 2021."

Against the continued use of chemical weapons, around 50 Kurdish community members held a demonstration on December 3 last year outside the headquarters of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) in The Hague, Antonopoulos said.

Also Read | Taliban to Resume Hiring Government Employees Sans Women.

Though the protesters were arrested by security forces, they demanded investigations on the continued use of banned chemical weapons/substances by Turkish forces in northern Iraq.

According to Antonopoulos, The Jerusalem Post also cited that pro-Kurdish news website ANF reported similar incidences of an organized campaign of chemical weapons use in the combat zone by the Turkish military.

The PKK counted more than 323 chemical weapons attacks during the first six months of the operation, with the first being in February 2021 in the Gare area, the report said.

This chemical weapon attack claimed the lives of six fighters, while 32 others were killed subsequently in Avasin, Metina and Zap region.

"ANF website video footage showed Turkish forces releasing gas towards tunnels held by Kurdish fighters in the Werxele area on June 8 last year. Pro-Kurdish Medyanews also emerged with a video on October 10, 2021 wherein some kind of gas was shown being discharged against PKK fighters," Greek City Times reported.

Turkey continuously denies these chemical weapons use claims to avoid any international inquiry and enjoys the status of being a NATO and US ally to discredit these allegations, Antonopoulos said.

According to Antonopoulos, the accusation against Turkey is not new; they are facing these alleged crime charges for more than two decades. During this period, the OPCW investigation has also not yielded any result to nail Turkish forces.

Kurdish community members are calling for an independent and impartial OPCW or UN-led investigation in Northern Iraq against Turkey and willing to hand-over legit videos and proofs to substantiate alleged usage of prohibited chemical weapons, Antonopoulos said.

It is remained to be seen whether such demonstrations against OPCW or forming a 'Coalition against Chemical Weapons in Kurdistan' by a new European based program, would be able to persuade a high-level delegation on chemical weapons' experts to carry out onsite visit of the alleged crime and come out with concrete evidence to penalize Turkey, Antonopoulos added. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
United Nations General Assembly President Abdulla Shahid meets High Commissioner of India to the Maldives, Munu Mahawar (Photo Credit: Twitter/Abdulla Shahid)

By Unga President Meets High Commissioner Of India To Maldives

Male [Maldives], January 11 (ANI): United Nations General Assembly President Abdulla Shahid on Tuesday met with the High Commissioner of India to the Maldives, Munu Mahawar and exchanged views on achieving greater collaboration and enhancing the strong Maldives-India partnership.

Also Read | 7 Million New Cases of Omicron Variant of COVID-19 in Europe Last Week: WHO.

"It was a pleasure meeting High Commissioner of #India to #Maldives, @AmbMunutoday. Exchanged views on achieving greater collaboration and enhancing the strong #MaldivesIndiaPartnership. Looking forward to boost our cooperation in areas of mutual interest," Abdulla Shahid tweeted.

Meanwhile, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also held talks with Madlaivian counterpart, Abdulla Shahid, on January 5.

Also Read | Taliban to Resume Hiring Government Employees Sans Women.

Taking to Twitter, Jaishankar noted that the mutual benefits of the great progress in bilateral cooperation are "very visible".

India and Maldives have in recent times expanded their strategic cooperation including focusing on counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency.

Last year in September, Mahawar was appointed as the High Commissioner of India to the Maldives. (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 11: The Supreme Court on Tuesday observed that a woman meting out cruelty on another woman becomes a more serious offence, as it upheld the conviction of the (now) 80-year-old mother-in-law of the deceased, under the IPC's Section 498A, and sentenced her to three months imprisonment.

A bench, of Justices M.R. Shah and B.V. Nagarathna, said: "Being a lady, the appellant, who was the mother-in-law, ought to have been more sensitive vis-a-vis her daughter-in-law. When an offence has been committed by a woman by meting out cruelty to another woman, i.e., the daughter-in-law, it becomes a more serious offence. If a lady, i.e., the mother-in-law herein does not protect another lady, the other lady, i.e., daughter-in-law would become vulnerable." Delhi Police Raid 37 Places in Haryana, Rajasthan After Supreme Court Probe Order into Tihar Jail Officials, Unitech Ex-Promoters 'Collusion'.

Finding the mother-in-law guilty of committing cruelty on daughter-in-law while her husband was abroad, the bench, emphasising that no leniency is required to be shown on mother-in-law, said: "The victim was staying all alone with her in-laws. Therefore, it was the duty of the appellant (mother-in-law), being the mother-in-law and her family to take care of her daughter-in-law, rather than harassing and/or torturing and/or meting out cruelty to her daughter-in-law regarding jewels or on other issues."

Convicting the woman, the bench said instead of one year imprisonment for the offence under Section 498A IPC, the appellant Meera is directed to undergo imprisonment of three months with fine and the default sentence, as imposed by the trial court. The bench also cancelled the bail bonds of the 80-year-old woman and asked her to surrender before the appropriate court within a period of four weeks.

The bench, in its verdict, said: "At the time when the incident occurred, the appellant was approximately between 60-65 years. The incident is of the year 2006. Therefore, merely because a long time has passed in concluding the trial and/or deciding the appeal by the High Court, is no ground not to impose the punishment and/or to impose the sentence already undergone."

"However, instead of one year R.I. for the offence under Section 498A IPC, the appellant is directed to undergo imprisonment of three months R.I. with fine and the default sentence as imposed by the trial court."

The victim's mother had lodged a complaint alleging that her son-in-law, his mother, her daughter, and father-in-law were harassing her daughter and subjecting her to cruelty for want of jewels. It was alleged due to this pressure, the victim had immolated herself. All the accused were charged for the offences under Sections 498A and 306 of the IPC.

The mother-in-law had moved the high court challenging the trial court order which sentenced her to 1 year imprisonment. However, the high court dismissed her appeal and confirmed the judgment of the trial court. Later, she moved the top court challenging the high court order.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 11, 2022 10:51 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
Youre bracing yourself for a who-knows-how-many-hours wait at a local COVID-19 test site when you see a roadside sign offering tests for a fee. Maybe you think its worth $50 or $75  or more  to avoid sitting in line. But can you trust a roadside operation?

Maybe, Central Florida officials say. But you should proceed with extreme caution.

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With mile-long lines at test sites, weeks-long waits for online test kits and sold-out pharmacies, the proliferation of phony COVID-19 tests was a scam waiting to happen, officials warn. And even if the tests are real, youll want to make sure you know exactly what the testing measures, which laboratory is doing the test and how you will get your results.

Now more than ever, residents should rely on trusted sources of information for access to COVID-19 testing, vaccinations and monoclonal antibody treatment locations, said Jeremy Lanier, public information officer at the Florida Department of Health in Osceola County. As demand for testing increases, so does the risk.

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Osceola already has had reports of dubious testing operators, including some solicitors going door to door offering at-home COVID-19 tests for a price  or sometimes in exchange for personal identity information, such as Social Security numbers.

Never provide your Social Security number, Lanier said. That should be a red flag.

The Social Security Administration, in a warning about identity theft, concurs: You should be careful about sharing your number, even when youre asked for it, it posted in a July 2021 update. You should ask why your number is needed, how itll be used, and what will happen if you refuse. The answers to these questions can help you decide.

On the other hand, theres nothing illegal or unethical about charging for a COVID-19 test, although government sites and major pharmacies are offering them for free or billing insurance companies without charging out-of-pocket fees.

Lanier said he has seen some pop-up test sites charge as much as $300 for a single test, although the average rate is closer to $85. But its buyer beware.

Right now, there are no checks and balances on roadside places, he said. Just because a roadside facility has a nice tent and says, COVID-19 testing available, you have to ask the right questions.

Those include: What laboratory are you associated with? When should I expect my test results? Do you have a consumer number for a helpline that I can call? If your site moves, how can I get in touch with you?

You also need to know what type of test youre getting.

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The Health Report Weekly A weekly update on health news in Florida. >

An antibody test, for instance, wont tell you if you have a current COVID-19 infection. Its not a diagnostic test. Instead, it will show whether your immune system has produced antibodies to the disease because you were vaccinated or previously infected, and the jury is still out on how long those antibodies stick around.

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, there are two types of diagnostic tests  molecular (PCR) tests that detect the viruss genetic material, and antigen tests that detect specific proteins on the surface of the virus. Typically, the rapid tests are antigen tests, although some PCR tests are faster than others. Antigen tests also produce a higher number of false negatives.

Recently, the FDA issued a warning about fake COVID-19 test kits being sold online  a warning echoed last week by the Federal Trade Commission. To check the validity of online tests, review the FDAs lists of antigen diagnostic tests and molecular diagnostic tests before you buy, run an online search with the sellers name plus the words scam or complaint, and pay by credit card so you can dispute the charge if you dont get the product.

For in-person tests, Lanier recommends using trusted COVID-19 testing locations, such as those offered through local counties, the city of Orlando, major pharmacy outlets and established health providers, including hospitals and community health clinics.

He advises against using tests offered by unsolicited callers or door-to-door sellers or through unknown sites advertised on social media.

If you believe youve been a target of testing fraud, lodge a complaint with the Florida Attorney Generals Office at MyFloridaLegal.com or call 1-866-9-NO-SCAM (1-866-966-7226). At the least, you may help the next would-be victim.

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ksantich@orlandosentinel.com
Lucknow, Jan 11: Bahujan Samaj Party president Mayawati will not contest the upcoming Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls, party general secretary S C Misra said here on Tuesday.

Misra said he will also not contest the state elections, which will be held in seven phases starting February 10.

Since elections are being held in five states, including Punjab, Uttarakhand, and Uttar Pradesh, the BSP president will not contest the polls and help party candidates win, he said. Uttar Pradesh Assembly Elections 2022 Dates And Full Schedule: Voting in 7 Phases on Feb 10, 14, 20, 23, 27, March 3, 7; Counting And Results on March 10.

Later, he told PTI, "The decision of the party for now is that Mayawati ji and I will not fight Uttar Pradesh assembly elections. However, future decisions will be taken by Mayawati ji herself."

Mayawati is neither a legislator nor an MP. Misra is a Rajya Sabha member. The BSP has decided to contest all 403 seats in Uttar Pradesh alone. It has entered into an alliance with the Shiromani Akali Dal in Punjab.

Over poll surveys claiming that the BSP is already "out of the race" for power in Uttar Pradesh, Misra claimed his party will form government in the state and Mayawati will take over as chief minister for the fifth time.

Mayawati had served as chief minister of Uttar Pradesh in 1995, 1997, 2002 and 2007. She was a member of the legislative council in 2007.

The BSP is trying to revive its 2007 winning formula of Dalits-Brahmins combination in the state. As part of their this time-tested social engineering, Misra has been crisscrossing Uttar Pradesh to promote "bhaichara" (brotherhood) among the Dalits and Brahmins.

Addressing a 'Brahmins sammelan' in Lucknow last year, Mayawati had said her party would work for the development of Uttar Pradesh and improve its law and order if voted to power in the Assembly elections.

Though neither the BJP nor the Samajwadi Party talking much against the BSP during their campaign, the Mayawati-led party, with a strong support base among Dalits in the state, has the potential of upsetting their apple carts.
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Tuesday held a meeting with Minister for Economic Affairs of Bhutan Lyonpo Loknath Sharma and discussed ways to strengthen economic ties.
The total fertility rate in Niger state is less than that quoted by the health commissioner  at 5.8 children per woman, not 7.5, according to most recent data. https://t.co/u4rM0BARwu Africa Check (@AfricaCheck) January 10, 2022

(SocialLY brings you all the latest breaking news, viral trends and information from social media world, including Twitter, Instagram and Youtube. The above post is embeded directly from the user's social media account and LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body. The views and facts appearing in the social media post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY, also LatestLY does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.)
Early data from South Africa, the United Kingdom, Canada and Denmark suggest a reduced risk of hospitalization for Omicron compared to Delta. However, the risk of hospitalization is only one aspect of severity https://t.co/Fk2Mba7AiBhttps://t.co/yNHvQvJXo1 World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) January 11, 2022

(SocialLY brings you all the latest breaking news, viral trends and information from social media world, including Twitter, Instagram and Youtube. The above post is embeded directly from the user's social media account and LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body. The views and facts appearing in the social media post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY, also LatestLY does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.)
A 23-year-old Florida woman, identified as Angelina Mayton, was accused of deliberately burning a young girl by pouring hot water on her genitals, buttocks, and back as punishment.

Authorities noted that it would likely leave the young girl permanently disfigured, according to a Law and Crime report.

Mayton was arrested and charged with one count of aggravated child abuse causing serious bodily injury.

The suspect brought the young girl to Palm Bay Hospital on December 27 with third-degree burns below the waist, according to a police affidavit.

Doctors inquired about what happened to the child, and Mayton reportedly said that she had placed the young girl in the tub and left the bathroom shortly because one of her other two children started screaming and crying. Mayton then said that the girl must have turned the hot water on by accident when she left the room. She then claimed that the girl got out of the tub by herself and cried on the floor.

The girl then said that the water was hot.

READ NEXT: Florida Man Punches, Strangles Woman With Shoelace in Random Broad Daylight Attack at Miami Bus Stop

Police Investigation on Angelina Mayton

Investigators noted that the doctor who had been treating the young victim informed them that the girl also had a fractured wrist, which was around two weeks old, according to a Click Orlando News report. The victim also had bruises and scratches, according to the doctor.

The physician told detectives that the victim's burns were in light of an intentional act.

They noted that the patterns were unified, seeming that her back, buttocks, and privates had been dipped into the water.

Detectives also said that there were no burns on the girl's feet or arms, which would mean that they were not submerged in the water and that there were no splash marks.

The physician's explanation was not in line with Mayton's claims that the child had been in the tub and tried to escape when the water became too hot.

The doctor also believed that if it were the accident, the damage would not be as severe.

In addition, the water had to be at least 150 degrees to cause as much damage as it did.

Mayton's two boys were interviewed by a child protective team at the Advocacy Center. They both said that on the day of the incident, the young girl had defecated in the living room and that she was punished, according to a Florida Today report.

Police then concluded that Mayton used the water as a "malicious punishment" for the child after making a mess in the living room.

Mayton noted that she was the only one with the girl during the incident. However, she did not open up to detectives about the child defecating in the living room.

A child protective investigator from the Department of Children and Family Services visited the house to capture photos and take measurements of the bathtub.

The investigators concluded that considering the child's height, the girl was not tall enough to get out of the tub herself.

Mayton is currently bonded out, amounting to $35,000. She was at the Brevard County Jail early Friday morning.

READ MORE: Florida Man Found Dead in Spain Luxurious Hotel After Inviting Some Men He Met at a Party Back to His Room for Sex

This article is owned by Latin Post

Written by: Mary Webber

WATCH: Child Abuse Awareness - from News4JAX






"West Side Story" bags multiple awards on Sunday's Golden Globes 2022, as Ariana Debose and Rachel Zegler bag their awards on the categories they were nominated for.

On Sunday, Ariana DeBose won the Golden Globes for the category Best Actress in a Supporting Role in Any Motion Picture for her role in the hit musical romantic drama "West Side Story.

According to ANI, her win in the Golden Globes also marked her first time being nominated for the prestigious awards ceremony.

The Afro-Latina actress went neck-to-neck with actresses Catriona Balfe for "Belfast," Aunjanue Ellis for "King Richard," Kirsten Dunst for "The Power of the Dog," and Ruth Negga for "Passing."

READ NEXT: Zendaya Warns Fans About Watching 'Euphoria Season 2'; Urges Supporters to Watch Only If They Feel 'Comfortable'

Ariana DeBose on Her Role in 'West Side Story'

DeBose's winning on Golden Globes 2022 came days after she opened up about the challenges that went alongside the role of Anita, the character she played in the "West Side Story."

The Afro-Latina actress said that she burned holes in her shoes when they were dancing outdoors in the streets of New York. DeBose furthered that the dance they performed in the film "was so physical."

The actress also pointed out that the "microaggressions" Anita experienced in the story made her proud.

Despite the challenges she narrated, the Afro-Latina actress said in a Deadline interview that she was glad to have landed as Anita in the "West Side Story."

DeBose noted that she was "very proud" of playing Anita despite being an Afro-Latina. She then explained that it was "very rare" that darker women of color got to take on the role.

"I'm inclined to say that it's because the industry didn't necessarily recognize Afro-Latinas as Latinas. But I mean, it's thrilling to be able to do it in this way, to offer Afro-Lat perspective on it," DeBose underscored.

The Afro Latina actress then shared how she felt about playing the role Rita Moreno once played, touting that Moreno was the Gold Standard in playing Anita.

"When you're offering up new interpretation, it's tough to get people to open their hearts and minds, I think, but I'm very grateful that it seems like they have and that people are finding nuance within the character," DeBose noted.

In a separate interview, DeBose shared Moreno's advice to her, which is leaning into "everything" that makes her unique.

It can be recalled that Rita Moreno as Anita won the recognition of Latina acting in "West Side Story" 60 years ago.

"West Side Story" is an American musical romantic drama film was directed by Steven Spielberg from a screenplay by Tony Kushner. The said film was known to be the second feature-length adaptation of the 1957 stage musical of the same name.

'West Side Story' Star Rachel Zegler Wins in Golden Globes 2022

Aside from Ariana DeBose, her "West Side Story" co-star Rachel Zegler also won Best Actress in a Motion Picture for Musical or Comedy in Golden Globes 2022.

Zegler competed for the title with several artists such as Marion Cotillard for "Annette," Jennifer Lawrence for "Don't Look Up," Emma Stone for "Cruella," and Alana Haim for "Licorice Pizza."

The nominees for Golden Globes 2022 were announced on December 13, as various media organizations such as NBC and streaming giants like Netflix and Amazon boycotted the ceremony due to Hollywood Foreign Press Association's (HFPA) minimal action in increasing the membership diversity.

READ NEXT: 'Full House' Actor Bob Saget Found Dead at Florida Hotel; Cause of Death Unknown

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written By: Joshua Summers

WATCH: Ariana DeBose on Playing Anita in West Side Story, Meeting Spielberg & Giving Rita Moreno Her Bra - From Jimmy Kimmel Live
Another statue of Jesus will soon rise in Brazil and is expected to be completed this year. It will be larger than Rio's Christ the Redeemer statue by 16 feet.

The statue will be called Cristo Protector. It will stand atop the Cerro de las Antenas, a hill near Encantado in the state of Rio Grande do Sul. The statue has been under development since 2019.

The project was supposed to be finished by the end of 2021. However, the state administration decided to push it back until January 2022, NC register reported.

Christ the Protector to be Bigger than the Redeemer

Made of steel and concrete, Christ the Protector will be 118 feet wide hand to hand.

With these dimensions, the Christ the Protector statue surpasses Christ the Redeemer. It can be recalled that the Redeemer was built of reinforced concrete in 1931 and stands 125 feet tall on a 25-foot pedestal. Christ the Redeemer's arms span 92 feet.

The cost of Christ the Protector is estimated to be over $364,000 and has been funded by the local community, particularly the "Amigos de Cristo," (AACristo) a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting "faith and dedication" through the monumental project.

According to AACristo, the statue will become the third-tallest Jesus statue in the world, behind the 172-foot monument in Poland and the 249-foot monument currently under construction in Mexico.

The new statue of Christ was designed by father and son sculptors Genesio Gomes de Moura and Moises Markus Moura. The Protector's head and arms were installed on April 6. The construction began in July 2019 and is expected to be finished by the end of the year.

AACristo is seeking funds to finish the restoration, which will cost roughly $353,000 in total.

ALSO READ: California Allows Hospitals to Force COVID-Positive Asymptomatic Staff to Work to Address Staff Shortage

Cristo Protector to Boost Tourism

The goal of the project is to boost tourism in the area, which is close to Brazil's borders with Argentina and Uruguay.

Once completed, an elevator installed inside the statue will take tourists to look out at the peak of Christ's heart, from which they will have a panoramic view over Encantado, Lake Garibaldi, and the Taquari Valley.

Head project supervisor Artur Lopes de Souza announced on the AACristo website that it will be a glass opening. People will be able to film and photograph the valley where the statue will stand.

Eduardo Leite, governor of Rio Grande do Sul, signed an agreement with the mayor of Valle de Taquari at the end of December, to pave the roads that will allow visitors to reach Christ the Protector.

The project will improve the 1.4-mile track that leads to the Christ statue, and will also include the construction of a pedestrian path.

For nearly 90 years, the Christ the Redeemer statue has stood guard over Rio de Janeiro, and it is one of Brazil's most famous tourist attractions.

READ MORE: Moderna Donates Vaccines to Mexico as COVID-19 Cases Continue to Rise

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Jess Smith

WATCH: All you need to know about Brazil's new 'Christ the Protector' statue - Guardian Nigeria
Under a new budget plan announced by Governor Gavin Newson, California would become the first in the United States to provide health coverage to all immigrants within its borders, regardless of how they arrived.

California taxpayers currently cover the healthcare costs of young adults and persons aged 50 and up who are in the country illegally if they meet certain income criteria.

Newsom now wants California to cover all individuals who are in the country illegally, a move that would cost $2.2 billion per year in the long run, AlJazeera reported.

Newsom's New Budget Allocations for California Tackles Most Pressing Issues

Newsom's $286.4 billion budget proposal addresses five of the state's most pressing issues, which his administration refers to as "existential threats." It includes the escalating coronavirus pandemic, wildfires and drought, homelessness, public safety, income inequality, and lack of health insurance for some immigrants.

The proposed $2.2 billion illegal immigrant assistance program would not go into effect until January 2024.

According to the bill, it would benefit all low-income Californians, regardless of immigration status.

Newsom additionally proposed on Monday, spending $648 million to support wildland firefighters and acquire more helicopters and bulldozers, as well as an additional $1.2 billion for forest management on top of the current budget year's $1.5 billion.

Drought relief will receive an additional $750 million on top of the current budget year's $5.2 billion water program.

ALSO READ:Mexico Announces Newly Imposed Visa Requirements for Venezuelan Visitors

Newsom also pledged to spend $300 million to beef up law enforcement operations to combat retail fraud, as well as $2.7 billion on coronavirus testing and hospital personnel.

He advocated spending $2 billion on mental health services, housing, and clearing homeless encampments to address the state's seemingly intractable homelessness problem. This would be in addition to the $12 billion packages passed last year and would result in the construction of 55,000 new housing units and treatment slots.

To help with California's ever-increasing cost of living, Newsom proposed "doubling down" on the state's current plan to provide free, universal pre-kindergarten, as well as adding thousands of childcare spots and expanding summer school programs.

Newsom also recommended removing fees and granting hundreds of millions in grants and tax benefits to small firms impacted hard by the coronavirus pandemic.

The state will be far away from the doom and gloom of 2020, when Newsom and state lawmakers cut spending, raised taxes, and took money from the state's savings accounts to cover a $54 billion shortfall they predicted would be caused by a pandemic.

That shortfall never materialized. Instead, state revenues climbed to unprecedented heights.

According to the Legislative Analyst's Office, revenue from the state's three principal taxes: personal income, sales, and corporation, was 40% higher in September than in September 2020, and more than 60% higher than in September 2019, before the pandemic struck.

READ MORE: California Allows Hospitals to Force COVID-Positive Asymptomatic Staff to Work to Address Staff Shortage

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Jess Smith

WATCH: Newsom wants health coverage for all CA immigrants - Associated Press


A joint operation between security forces of Colombia and U.S. resulted in the confiscation of more than 4,000 kilos of cocaine off the coast of El Salvador last week.

Authorities said the shipment, containing a total of 4,156 kilos of cocaine, was pulled off from two speedboats that were busted off Punta Remedios, El Salvador, Daily Mail reported.

According to National Police of Colombia general Jorge Vargas, the speedboat and the other similar vessel were intercepted 406 and 430 miles off Punta Remedios, carrying the combined $166 million worth of cocaine.

Vargas said the two narco vessels had sailed from a port in Tumaco city at the northwestern department of Narino last week to transport the cocaine shipment. However, he did not mention the final destination of the delivery.

READ NEXT: Dominican Republic Intercepts Speedboat Carrying 705 Kilos of Cocaine, Arrests 4 Including a Venezuelan

Authorities Intercept Speedboats in Colombia Carrying Cocaine Worth Millions

As officials zeroed in on one of the narco boats, surveillance video shows it idling in the Pacific Ocean seas off the coast of Punta Remedios.

Footage also shows three of the seven suspected drug traffickers raising their hands as authorities approached their speedboat. All of them were arrested and detained.

Authorities said at least two of the suspects were Ecuadorian nationals, while the other five were Colombians.

Vargas noted that the suspects separated the cocaine bundles by using and placing labels of Fendi and Polo Ralph Lauren logos. Three 7's were featured on another label.

The massive shipment, according to Vargas, belonged to a Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia dissident organization headed by Ivan Marquez, a guerrilla leader who was a part of the 2016 peace accord with the government before he abandoned the peace process in 2019.

Vargas said the illegal drug shipment was supervised by Allende Perilla Sandoval, a high-ranking member of the Revolutionary Armes Forces of Colombia dissident group, and sent by guerrilla members Cagua and Malon.

Vargas noted that Sandoval, who reportedly oversees the rebel group's drug trafficking operations, is a top drug trafficker in Tumaco.

According to Vargas, the 4,156 kilos of cocaine bust was the biggest over the last months.

Over 659 Tons of Cocaine Seized in Colombia in 2021

In 2021, Colombian officials seized more than 659 tons of cocaine and destroyed over 5,414 clandestine drug labs, according to an end-of-year narcotics report provided by Defense Minister Diego Molano.

At least 254,000 acres, where coca leaves were planted, were also destroyed, including 148,000 acres in the departments. According to Insight Crime, dismantling a drug trafficking marijuana and cocaine from Colombia to Brazil showed greater connections between organized crime in the two countries.

In a January 3 report, Colombia's Attorney General's Office said five men were recently apprehended in the southern department of Putumayo on suspicion of trafficking drugs across the Brazilian border and selling them to Brazilian cartels.

The men allegedly had their own marijuana plantations in Colombia's Cauca department and then used Indigenous people to transport the contraband. The marijuana and cocaine shipments were reportedly stored near the Brazilian border before being sent across by boats.

READ MORE: California Allows Hospitals to Force COVID-Positive Asymptomatic Staff to Work to Address Staff Shortage

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Jess Smith

WATCH: Colombian Military Intercepts Speedboat With Massive Cocaine Shipment - From QUAN VLOG
Several officials of Nicaragua were hit with sanctions by the U.S. Treasury Department on Monday, hours before the inauguration of Daniel Ortega as the country's president for his fourth term.

The U.S. Treasury Department said in a statement that they imposed sanctions on six Nicaraguan officials, who were accused of state acts of violence, disinformation, and targeting the independent media.

The Treasury Department did not mention all the names of the six Nicaraguan officials they issued sanctions, but CNN noted that the country's Defense Minister Rosa Adelina Barahona De Rivas and Military Chief of Staff Bayardo Ramon Rodriguez Ruiz were among the sanctioned individuals.

New sanctions and visa restrictions target those complicit in the Ortega-Murillo regimes repression, including politically motivated arrests and efforts to stifle independent media. We stand with the Nicaraguan people.  Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) January 10, 2022

In a Tweet, Secretary of State Antony Blinken commented on the new sanctions issued by the U.S. Treasury Department, claiming that the sanctions target "those complicit in the Ortega-Murillo regime's repression."

In a separate statement, Antony Blinken also noted that the United States will "continue to call out" the Ortega-Murillo regime for its "ongoing abuses and will deploy diplomatic and economic tools" in supporting the restoration of democracy in Nicaragua.

Aside from the U.S. Treasury Department, the U.S. Department of State also announced that they are making a move to impose visa restrictions on at least 116 people from Nicaragua, whom the agency accused of undermining the democracy in the country.

The said group of Nicaraguans is reportedly composed of mayors, prosecutors, university administrators, as well as the police, prison, and military officials,

READ NEXT: Brazil: 10 Dead, 32 Injured After Cliff Wall Collapses on Tourist Boats in Furnas Lake

EU Imposed Sanctions on Nicaragua Officials

Aside from the U.S. Treasury Department and the Department of State, the European Council also blasted the Nicaraguan officials with sanctions, as the council added three entities to the list - Nicaragua's National Police, Supreme Electoral Council, and the company overseeing the country's telecommunications and postal services.

The EU also issued travel bans and froze the assets of Ortega and Murillo's family members, including their son and daughter.

"Those targeted are responsible for serious human rights violations, including repression of civil society, supporting fraudulent presidential and parliamentary elections, and undermining democracy and the rule of law," the EU said in a statement.

Daniel Ortega Presidency

The sanction issued by the U.S. and the EU came after Nicaragua's November 7 drew international condemnation.

Daniel Ortega claimed victory in the country's November election after a months-long government crackdown on his potential political rivals. Reports noted that the Ortega regime locked away any credible opposition for the post.

At least half a dozen likely presidential contenders were detained ahead of the vote, clearing Daniel Ortega to be in another five years in the office.

This year, Daniel Ortega would be sworn as Nicaragua's president in his fourth term.

Having served at least four decades as Nicaragua's president, Ortega was credited for bringing down a dictator in the country while he was the leader of Nicaragua's left-wing Sandinista revolution. However, his critics, including his former allies, claim that Daniel Ortega became a corrupt and authoritarian leader.

Daniel Ortega served as Nicaragua's president with his wife Rosario Murillo as vice president.

READ NEXT: Bodies of 2 Haiti Journalists Murdered by Gang Recovered; UNESCO Says 55 Journalists Killed Globally in 2021

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written By: Joshua Summers

WATCH: Nicaragua Presidential Election: Daniel Ortega Set to Win With a Jailed Opposition - From WION
The figure above shows the University of Florida's reported and modeled cases per day in Florida through May 2022 as of Jan. 5. (Courtesy of Tom Hladish, University of Florida)

Omicron cases in Florida will likely peak this week if they havent already, according to a report released from the University of Florida on Jan. 5.

After the peak, cases will rapidly decline, and the wave could be over around the end of February, according to the mathematical model made by Tom Hladish, a research scientist in UFs Department of Biology; biostatistics professor Ira Longini and Alexander Pillai, a research assistant in UFs Department of Biology.

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Right now were expecting it to die down dramatically because when you have such a big epidemic wave sweep through a population, youre kind of depleting the susceptible fuel for the virus, Hladish said.

Florida saw nearly 126,000 new reported cases over Saturday and Sunday. Once omicron recedes, researchers expect low COVID-19 cases for a few months, barring a more infectious variant.

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There are many variants floating around but only a few have the ability to spread throughout the population. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is currently monitoring ten variants that are either nonexistent or very low in the U.S. Only delta and omicron have been marked as variants of concern, a label which designates variants in the U.S. that might be more infectious or severe than past strains, according to the CDC.

UF researchers previously predicted omicron would peak in February, but that was assuming it would behave more like delta.

Hladish said the researchers now predict reported cases could peak at around 90,000, and total cases in the state, including those that go unreported, could peak at an estimated 900,000 if they havent already.

Hladish said the model predicts that the majority of Florida will catch omicron during this wave  he estimates around 80% of the population may be infected when its over  though cautioned against assigning exact numbers to the estimated peaks and percent of people infected.

Some people want exact numbers, but thats just not possible, he said. The reality is were never going to know for sure because we dont have a way of thoroughly surveilling the entire population.

The exact number of unreported cases is definitely significantly higher than the number of positive tests because tests are hard to find; many people with omicron have no symptoms or mild symptoms so they may not get tested; and rapid tests are more likely to give false negatives with omicron, among other reasons, Hladish said.

If you only have the people infected who are showing up as cases you would not be able to sustain transmission, he said. Its much, much more likely that these events are all connected by a lot of other infections that we arent detecting.

The Health Report Weekly A weekly update on health news in Florida. >

Central Florida wastewater also makes it clear that far more people are being infected than positive tests let on: a record level of COVID-19 was found in the Altamonte sewer service area, which includes the city and parts of Longwood, unincorporated Seminole County, Maitland, Eatonville and Winter Park.

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City manager Frank Martz said the figure suggests about 70% of the service areas 78,000 population was infected Thursday when testing was done.

Meanwhile, UF researchers predict reported deaths will peak shortly after cases. This wave will almost certainly bring fewer deaths than delta even if it has a few days with comparable death rates, Hladish said, because it will likely end sooner.

The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation also predicts that deaths will not peak until after cases peak.

Hospitalizations typically do not peak for days or weeks after cases peak but across Central Florida, hospitalizations are rising rapidly. Statewide, COVID-19 hospitalizations have increased by 278% over the last two weeks to reach 43 hospitalizations per 100,000 people, according to data from the Department of Health and Human Services last updated on January 11.

The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation predicts that hospital resource use in Florida will peak later in January.

ccatherman@orlandosentinel.com; @CECatherman on Twitter
Despite applauding President Joe Biden and Department of the Interior Secretary Deb Haaland's announcement in November to protect the Greater Chaco Landscape through a still-undefined "Honoring Chaco" process, members of the Greater Chaco Coalition are tempering their enthusiasm for the Department of Interior's notice of a 90-day public comment process surrounding the 20 year administrative withdrawal of federal minerals from future oil and gas leasing within a 10-mile buffer around Chaco Culture National Park, as the administration has reneged on its promise to end federal fossil fuel leasing, and as Bureau of Land Management moves to finalize its massive fracking plan for the region and broader landscape protection efforts have yet to begin.

READ NEXT: WildEarth Guardians Denounces U.S. Interior Department Climate Lies

Coalition members are calling the limited administrative withdrawal insufficient as it does not begin to address concerns long articulated by impacted communities and fails to initiate a promised new process of collaboration for Greater Chaco Landscape management, nor does it make good on the pledge to finally address the cumulative cultural, climate, and community impacts of fracking in the region.

There is widespread support for protecting ending fracking across the Greater Chaco Landscape, but the Department of the Interior continues to rubberstamp more oil and gas drilling within and outside the proposed 10-mile buffer, approving over 500 new wells since the Bureau of Land Management and Bureau of Indian Affairs admitted it needed a new resource management plan for the area.

Wrought with controversy, the Bureau of Land Management's most recent plan proposes to add between 2,300 and 3,100 new fracking wells, underscoring the need for a meaningful "Honoring Greater Chaco" process to works towards ameliorating a legacy of broken promises and offer alternatives that finally advance justice for the region.

For over a century, the federal government has quite literally treated the Greater Chaco Landscape like a national energy sacrifice zone. The region has been victim to large-scale resource exploitation, and a colonial history of Navajo displacement and land dispossession which has carved the landscape into a complex checkerboard of federal, state, private, and Navajo allotment land.

Today, more than 91 percent of available lands in the Greater Chaco area of northwestern New Mexico are already leased for oil and gas, and New Mexico is now the second biggest oil producer in the United States, responsible for nearly half of all federal extractive emissions. Adding insult to injury, efforts to create a "Hydrogen Hub" in the region threaten to further exacerbate fracking impacts.

The Greater Chaco Coalition continues to call on federal and state agencies to stop papering over problems in the region, and to finally fulfill promises to address the cumulative impacts of fracking, and implement effective laws and regulations to protect the Greater Chaco Landscape and the people who live there.

Statements:

"The Bureau of Land Management is not abiding by President Biden's Executive Order to protect the Greater Chaco landscape through investigating the cultural impacts of oil and gas development on the land, water, air and the sacred sites and ancestral landscape home to Dine people of the Counselor, Ojo Encino, Torreon-Star Lake and Pueblo Pintado Chapters. Federal and state governmental leaders must ensure that the President's Executive Order is fulfilled and the people who reside in the Greater Chaco landscape are protected from oil and gas developmental impacts." - Daniel Tso, Navajo Nation Council Delegate for Counselor, Ojo Encino, Torreon-Star Lake and Pueblo Pintado Chapters

"Protecting lands within an arbitrary buffer zone cannot be the end of the Biden Administration's promise to protect the Greater Chaco landscape. Allotment holders are in a direct trust relationship with the federal government. This relationship is not just a fiduciary one, but according to the U.S. Supreme Court case Seminole Nation v. U.S. (1942) entails '...moral obligations of the highest responsibility and trust'. Allottees are beneficiaries of this sacred federal trust, and our public health concerns are not being heard. New oil and gas wells are still being approved on sacred Navajo land. Oil and Gas operators, and their federal agency facilitators, have long dumped their toxic waste in Navajo Communities without fully communicating the human health impacts of the approved and unapproved toxic releases and spills. This environmental racism must end, and the Chaco withdrawal process must include local grassroots environmental justice considerations." - Corn Howland, Dine Allottees Against Oil Exploitation

"The efforts by the Department of the Interior are a step in the right direction in upholding tribal sovereignty and for protection of the landscape that is centered at the intersection of social, cultural and ecological significance. Free, Prior, and Informed Consent will be a vital tool throughout the "Honoring Greater Chaco" process and will help bridge the efforts between the Interior Department and surrounding Indigenous communities. The fight for the Greater Chaco region is a fight for a healthier future for our children, which cannot be ignored, and concrete action must be taken now. The potential 10-mile mineral withdrawal around Chaco National Park boundaries and the 90-day comment period are a step forward, but we must continue to hold decision makers accountable to the injustice that has historically taken place in this region." - Pueblo Action Alliance

"The recent push to Protect the Greater Chaco Landscape, not just a 10-mile buffer zone, was championed by frontline indigenous environmental justice communities. The 'Honoring Chaco' withdrawal process must have an environmental justice focus. The Department of Interior promised a "whole of government" approach - this approach should not just be a check-the-box exercise of tribal consultation, but a process that adheres to the requirements of Free, Prior, and Informed Consent related to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People.The input of indigenous peoples' related to our public health issues must be core to the withdrawal process and greater landscape protections. Any new process must be more than a dog and pony show." - Carol Davis, Executive Director of Dine Citizens Against Ruining our Environment (CARE)

"The concept of Honoring Greater Chaco requires the Department of the Interior to fulfill long unfulfilled promises to gather and evaluate information, and to protect resources and communities with the recognition that oil and gas should no longer be the dominant priority in a region already overwhelmed by energy development. Meaningful consultation with impacted communities has not occurred on this process to date - DOI has the responsibility to address significant impacts in the Area of Potential Effect which is over 4 million acres in northwestern New Mexico." - Mike Eisenfeld, San Juan Citizens Alliance Energy and Climate Program Manager

"The disconnect between climate rhetoric and meaningful action is nowhere more evident than in Greater Chaco. After turning its back on the promise to end federal oil and gas leasing, the administration is now reneging on efforts to protect the entire Greater Chaco landscape. To truly honor Chaco and advance climate justice, we need much more than hollow words and buffer band-aids." - Rebecca Sobel, organizing director, WildEarth Guardians

"This is an important step forward, but it is not the destination. As New Mexico's leaders and the federal government work to protect the region in the immediate vicinity of Chaco Culture National Historical Park, they must also step up to protect the communities and land of Greater Chaco as a whole. That means first, ending the wave of new fracking permits. Second, it means rejecting boondoggle ideas like fossil gas hydrogen that will only entrench the profit and power of the oil and gas industry. And third, it means providing communities with an opportunity to forge a new, thriving, and just economy that protects land, air, and water." - Ally Beasley, attorney, Western Environmental Law Center

"Oil and gas extraction has impacted the Greater Chaco region for decades, and through initiating a process for a 20-year mineral withdrawal, we hope the administration will do more to protect the Greater Chaco Landscape that extends far beyond the Park's boundaries. The 'Honoring Greater Chaco' process should prioritize protecting the living culture and public and spiritual wellness of communities throughout the region. To truly protect this sacred landscape, the administration must uphold its promise to ban all new oil and drilling and focus its efforts toward environmental justice and not continue a legacy of energy sacrifice zones." - Miya King-Flaherty, Our Wild New Mexico Organizer, Sierra Club Rio Grande Chapter

"Ahee'hee President Joe Biden and Secretary Deb Haaland for listening to the Native Indigenous voices and to the People and Mother Earth in moving forward with a pause on new oil and gas leasing in the Greater Chaco region. This action is a historic event and a victory for the People, although temporary, a victory nonetheless. We must now move forward with needed scientific, environmental, and human health analyses to address adverse impacts of oil and gas. Most of all, we as Indigenous people must educate, enforce and defend our right to protect our Sacred Sites. This is America, where Democracy has ruled for thousands of years." - Terry A. Sloan, Director of Southwest Native Cultures, Albuquerque, NM

"The proposed leasing ban is a good step, but more needs to be done for a region that's suffered for decades from federal and fossil fuel industry exploitation. Environmental justice and our planet's future demand that President Biden keep his promise to end federal fossil fuel leasing and extraction in the Chaco region and the entire country." - Taylor McKinnon, senior campaigner, Center for Biological Diversity

"President Biden took a promising step in initiating the withdrawal of federal mineral and fossil fuel extraction around Chaco Canyon, but he is empowered to do much more. New Mexicans need a permanent end to fossil fuel extraction and development. Chaco Canyon's cultural importance to New Mexico and the whole country cannot be overstated. The President must match his words with action and permanently ban fossil fuel extraction beyond a 10 mile radius in the Chaco region and entire country." - Jorge Aguilar, Southern Organizing Director, Food & Water Watch

"The cultural legacy of Chaco extends far beyond park boundaries. Tribal communities beyond the 10-mile buffer zone deserve protection from the onslaught of fracking and new fracked-hydrogen threats. The climate crisis illustrates that drawing new lines on a map doesn't address the problem - protecting our communities, our clean water and clean air cannot be done in one place, but must include all places. The Department of Interior has the opportunity to right the wrongs of racist colonialism that propels the current bureaucratic mess in northwest New Mexico. If the Administration wants to truly Honor Greater Chaco, they must start with addressing the widespread environmental and community impacts of fracking." - Margaret Wadsworth, Frack Free New Mexico, El Rito, New Mexico

"While President Biden is taking an important step toward permanent protection of the Greater Chaco Landscape, there is still much work to be done. To safeguard tribes and communities from the disastrous effects of fossil fuels, we must hold the administration accountable for ending all oil and gas development in Chaco Canyon and the surrounding area." - Raena Garcia, Fossil Fuels and Lands Campaigner, Friends of the Earth

"This limited pause on leases is an important step, but there should be no delay in moving to stop all fossil fuel development in the Chaco region. Any management plan incorporating new fracking wells is a death sentence for the climate and flies in the face of President Biden and Secretary's Haaland's promises. Building Back Better means permanent protections for a fossil-free Greater Chaco and beyond, and listening to - not just consulting with - the Indigenous communities who've safeguarded Chaco's lands for centuries." - Collin Rees, Campaigns Manager at Oil Change International

READ MORE: Greater Chaco Coalition Celebrates New Path Forward For Landscape Protection
Many netizens are still not convinced that Brian Laundrie is already dead, even though it has been months since authorities found his skeletal remains in a Florida park.

People following this case think that Gabby Petito's fiance is still on the run in Mexico, Canada, or elsewhere. On Monday, an internet sleuth claimed that Laundrie is still alive because he's still the subject of a search.

According to a Twitter account with the handle @ManOfTheLibrary, Laundrie still has an active federal arrest warrant as of January 10. The Twitter user said "this proves that the FBI is still searching for him and needs legal justification to detain him if he is found."

The Twitter user added that Laundrie is also "listed as a safety risk to the community." The internet sleuth shared screenshots of some documents that included a "date" list of court filings and issuance of an arrest warrant for Laundrie, with no note that it has already been "terminated."

The Twitter user acquired the "history" list on January 10 from the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER), which provides an electronic public access service to U.S. federal court records.

The Twitter user captioned the images: "Proof that Brian Laundrie still has an active federal arrest warrant as of January 10, 2022. He is not dead. Otherwise the case would have been closed and the warrant squashed in October."

Proof that Brian Laundrie still has an active federal arrest warrant as of January 10, 2022. He is not dead. Otherwise the case would have been closed and the warrant squashed in October. Anyone can check for themselves on PACER. pic.twitter.com/cinLWmsFHu  Man of the Library (@ManOfTheLibrary) January 10, 2022

The Twitter sleuth further noted that he spoke to some of his "lawyers and law enforcement friends" about it. And they told him that "there is no legal explanation as to how a person who supposedly died in September 2021, can maintain an active federal arrest warrant in January 2022. Other than the FBI still believing that he is alive of course."

Ive spoken to multiple lawyers and law enforcement friends. There is no legal explanation as to how a person who supposedly died in September 2021, can maintain an active federal arrest warrant in January 2022. Other than the FBI still believing that he is alive of course.  Man of the Library (@ManOfTheLibrary) January 10, 2022

In the replies, some netizens were also convinced that Laundrie is "not dead" and believes "he did flee."

READ NEXT: Brian Laundrie Commits Suicide by Gun? Here's What Dog the Bounty Hunter Thinks

FBI Investigation on Brian Laundrie Still 'Open' and Charge Against Him Is Still 'Active'

In November, News Nation Now correspondent Brian Entin said the FBI investigation on the couple's case is still open even though it was nearly a month since Brian Laundrie's remains were found.

"Many are asking for a Gabby Petito/Brian Laundrie case update. There isn't much - but here are a few nuggets. The FBI investigation is still open," Entin tweeted.

Because of the FBI's ongoing investigation, Entin said the North Port Police Department in Florida could not release any reports or videos they had requested.

The U.S. District Court of Wyoming has issued a federal arrest warrant for Laundrie over debit card fraud on September 23. The FBI Denver earlier said the issued warrant was pursuant to the use of unauthorized access devices related to Laundrie's activities following Petito's death.

Laundrie reportedly used a debit card and PIN for accounts that did not belong to him for charges of more than $1,000 sometime between August 30 and September 1. Court documents showed that Laundrie "knowingly with intent to defraud" used a debit card belonging to Petito.

According to Entin, the "federal bank fraud charge case" for the use of "unauthorized access devices" that Laundrie is facing in Wyoming "is still open and active."

Entin noted that federal prosecutors would likely file a motion to drop proceedings in the case once Laundrie's death certificate has been issued.

Records showed that Laundrie's parents, Chris and Roberta Laundrie, recently submitted their son's death certificate in a Florida court together with the details of his bank account as part of their petition to gain access to their son's estate. However, there still no report if Laundrie's case in Wyoming has already been closed.

'Brian Laundrie Is Still Alive,' Claims an Email in Laundrie's Estate Case

An email from an unknown sender also claimed that Brian Laundrie is still alive despite the autopsy result that certified the death of Gabby Petito's fiance.

The email was reportedly part of the court filings in Laundrie's estate case in which his parents are trying to gain access to the $20,000 in their son's Bank of America account.

A copy of the email obtained by The Sun last month said that "Brian Laundrie is still alive." The unknown sender attached an extremely grainy image of Laundrie "running down from the street caught on CCTV on December 3, 2021."

The sender also alleged that Laundrie "is being helped by a friend and family member" without accusing his parents.

"So, I don't think you should not grant a cremate for Brian Christopher Laundrie, who is the son of Roberta and Christopher Laundrie," the wild note concluded.

According to The Sun, "no further action" was taken by the court after receiving the anonymous email. The elder Laundries filed the petition to gain access to their son's estate on December 8. The couple asked to become the estate's administrators since Laundrie did not have a will.

Brian Laundrie and Gabby Petito's Death

Gabby Petito disappeared on a cross-country road trip with Brian Laundrie. They were traveling to Oregon when the Petito 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.

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, Brian Laundrie died of a gunshot wound to the head, and the manner of death was suicide.

READ MORE: Brian Laundrie Case: Here's Why Dog the Bounty Hunter Thinks Remains Found May Not Be Gabby Petito's Fiance

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Joshua Summers

WATCH: More Questions Arise After Remains Of Brian Laundrie Found - From NBC News
Another group of Haitian migrants has made its way through the Florida Straits for the third time in many months.

A total of 176 persons arrived near the shores of the exclusive gated community of Ocean Reef in North Key Largo at around 11 p.m. Sunday.

Coast guards found the boat in almost the same area where two other watercraft arrived from Haiti carrying big groups of refugees.

Reports said this was the biggest group of Haitians to pass through the Florida Straits since boats started arriving again last November after more than a two-year hiatus.

The migrants' arrival in the Florida Keys coincides with an increase in Haitian migrant activity following the assassination of Haiti's President Jovenel Moise on July 7 and an increase in gang criminality and kidnappings.

It also happened after the deadly August 14 earthquake in the southern region of Haiti, where recovery has been hampered by ongoing violent clashes between warring gangs at Port-au-Prince's southern entrance.

Haitian Migrants Escorted Out of the Florida Area by Border Patrol Agents

Eleven Miami-Dade Fire Rescue units went near Ocean Reef Club after receiving reports of over 100 persons on board, with around 20 people requiring medical attention.

Border Patrol agents escorted the migrants out of the area. Officials said 20 people were treated by paramedics at the site, while four people, two adults and two children, were transported to a hospital.

Division chief with U.S. Customs and Border Protection in South Florida Adam Hoffner said Border Patrol agents rushed to the Ocean Reef area at around 12:20 a.m. Monday.

In a statement, he called the arrival of the Haitians "a maritime smuggling event involving a large group of migrants," who "made landfall." Hoffner noted that the investigation regarding this incident is ongoing.

READ NEXT: California Governor Gavin Newsom Wants to Give Health Coverage to All Immigrants

Migrants From Haiti Continues to Arrive in Florida

Several migrants told U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers that 63 Haitian migrants arrived aboard a rickety wooden sailboat in the Upper Florida Keys last November 18 after spending three weeks at sea. The second group of 52 migrants landed on Card Sound Road in Key Largo on Christmas eve.

As of January 6, the International Organization for Migration said the U.S. had already sent 13,320 Haitians back to their country through 125 Immigration and Customs Enforcement charter flights.

The Biden administration began sending the Haitian migrants back in their country in September when the administration announced it was ramping up deportations to Haiti after thousands of migrants arrived at the southern border.

While the majority of the migrants from the two previous boats have been released from detention, they still face deportation to Haiti under U.S. immigration law, according to immigration lawyers.

Much of the migration occurs by improvised boats across Mona Passage, which connects Puerto Rico and Hispaniola, the island shared by the Dominican Republic and Haiti.

After Dominicans, Haitians are the second-largest group the U.S. Coast Guard intercepts, crossing the Mona Passage.

READ MORE: California Allows Hospitals to Force COVID-Positive Asymptomatic Staff to Work to Address Staff Shortage

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Jess Smith

WATCH: Unrest In Haiti & Cuba Driving More Migrants To Try Dangerous Journey To Shore Along The Coast - From CBS Miami
A Texas sheriff is under criminal probe for allegedly having his deputies illegally seize cash and a truck from undocumented immigrants during traffic stops.

According to search warrants recently obtained by The Texas Tribune, investigators with the Texas Ranger and the Texas Attorney General's Office raided four Real County Sheriff's Office locations last month as part of an investigation into Real County Sheriff Nathan Johnson.

Texas Ranger's investigators said Johnson acknowledged regularly collecting money from undocumented immigrants during traffic stops, even though they were not charged with any state crime, before handing them over to U.S. Border Patrol officers.

Texas Sheriff Charged with Felony-level Theft by a Public Servant

Texas Ranger Ricardo Guajardo wrote in the warrant requests that a sheriff's deputy told investigators that seizing money "from undocumented immigrants and the driver has been the standard operating procedure for as long as he has been employed by the Real County Sheriff's Office."

Guajardo accused Johnson of felony-level theft by a public servant. Guajardo also accused Johnson of abusing official capacity, alleging that the sheriff's cash and car seizures violated the state's civil asset forfeiture laws.

Johnson declined to answer specific questions on Monday, saying that he and the county attorneys were reviewing the newly disclosed affidavit.

According to Guajardo, Johnson told investigators in November that money and cars were occasionally held as evidence for possible criminal cases.

After the accused sheriff's offices were searched in December, Johnson said in a Facebook post that he didn't know what prompted the inquiry, had not been apprehended, and would continue to serve the public.

"I have taken a strong stand against human smuggling, drug smuggling, and illegal alien traffic in our community and will continue to do so," Johnson noted in the post.

READ NEXT: California Governor Gavin Newsom Wants to Give Health Coverage to All Immigrants

Texas Sheriff Faces Possible Criminal Charges

According to Arif Panju, the managing attorney for the Texas office of the Institute for Justice, aside from potential criminal charges, avoiding the state's forfeiture laws creates constitutional concerns and bad perceptions.

In Texas, even if the person involved is never charged with a crime, police have the authority to seize cash and property believed to be linked to illegal conduct. However, such seizures demand a complex forfeiture process in which prosecutors must file a civil case against the property in order for police to keep it.

According to the warrant, Johnson assured Guajardo in November that he did not initiate such proceedings. Instead, the Texas sheriff classified confiscated property as abandoned or labeled it as evidence for possible charges in two instances when neighboring law enforcement agencies assisted Real County.

The warrant said Guajardo started investigating Johnson in October after discussions with the attorney general's office focusing on the two traffic stops.

A May 2021 traffic stop footage taken by a sheriff's deputy from Edwards County showed Johnson directing his deputies to seize money and a truck from undocumented immigrants.

In another traffic stop in October, more than $2,700 cash were taken from three immigrants and was said to be marked as evidence while waiting to see if the driver's human smuggling charges would stick.

According to Guajardo, the seizing deputy could not say under what authority the money was taken, only that Johnson told him to take it.

The probe against the Republican sheriff is underway as a political controversy raging over immigration policy, with the state and country facing record-high levels of southern border crossings.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has already dispatched thousands of state police and military troops to arrest and jail those suspected of crossing the border illegally.

READ MORE: California Allows Hospitals to Force COVID-Positive Asymptomatic Staff to Work to Address Staff Shortage

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Jess Smith

WATCH: Texas Rep. 'Moved on' From Asking Kamala Harris for Help at the Border - From Fox News
Courts in Orange and Osceola counties are feeling the local surge in the omicron variant after the offices of both the state attorney and public defender reported Monday more than 60 employees tested positive for COVID-19 or reported they had been exposed.

The office of Orange-Osceola State Attorney Monique Worrell said 30 employees have tested positive for COVID-19, while 24 employees had been exposed to an infected person, according to office spokesperson Keisha Mulfort.

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The office of Orange-Osceola Public Defender Robert Wesley has four positive cases and four employees who are quarantined due to possible exposure, said First Assistant Public Defender Eileen Forrester.

Karen Connolly Levey, a spokesperson for the Ninth Judicial Circuit said five judges and seven staff members are required to remain out of the office due to a COVID-19 infection or close contact.

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While they are not working in the building, many may still be working remotely, Connolly Levey said in a statement.

On the circuits social media pages, court administration recommended last week that the public should wear masks and practice distancing while entering court facilities. The circuit stopped requiring the public to wear face masks during in-person legal proceedings in November.

With the recent surge in COVID-19 cases linked to the omicron variant, the Ninth Judicial Circuit recommends everyone entering our facilities protect themselves and others, the circuits Facebook page said. ... Together, we can safely make it through this pandemic.

County officials reported last week that almost one in three COVID-19 tests in Orange County has been positive over the past 14 days.

Courts in Central Florida and throughout the country have grappled with how to safely hold proceedings since the pandemic began. The Orange-Osceola circuit halted trials for months starting in March 2020, creating a huge backlog of unresolved cases.

Local courts have since adopted a mix of virtual and traditional hearings, but in-person trials have been charging ahead in recent months, even amid the current wave of infections driven by omicron.

mcordeiro@orlandosentinel.com
Portland, TN (37148)

Today

Partly cloudy early. Scattered thunderstorms developing in the afternoon. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. High 82F. Winds SW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 70%..

Tonight

Thunderstorms during the evening, then cloudy skies overnight. Low 54F. Winds NW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 60%.
Employment grew by 4% in the Midlands in 2021 for Irish companies supported by Enterprise Ireland (EI), according to Laois/Offaly Fine Gael TD Charlie Flanagan who wants to see the trend continuing.

Deputy Flanagan said the growth in Laois, Offaly, Longford and Westmeath was part of a year of record jobs growth for EI companies who are connected to markets all over the world.

The 4% increase in Laois and the other Midlands represented an 11,416 increase according to figures provided by Dep Flanagan.

Dublin enjoyed the biggest number of new jobs created at 66,704 - a 7% rise. With 14,668 new jobs, the West had the 9% rise the biggest rate of growth. 68% of job gains were outside the Dublin region last year.

My colleague Tanaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Leo Varadkar, TD has confirmed that nationally, net jobs created in companies supported by Enterprise Ireland increased by 11,911 in 2021, the highest jobs gain in a single year.

Last year 61.6m in funding was approved nationally for 341 Covid-19 impacted companies in 2021. Employment increased across all economic sectors, with particularly strong jobs growth reported in life sciences (14%), business services (12%) and digital technology (10%).

Employment growth under Fine Gael in government has consistently prioritised regional success, and these figures today show that 68% of new jobs were created outside of Dublin.

I want to see the Midlands region and particularly Laois and Offaly continue to benefit from employment growth and a new Enterprise Ireland plan will be key to that. The new three-year strategy for Irish business has an ambition to create 45,000 new jobs by 2024 and increase exports to 30 billion," he said.

Dep Flanagan said Enterprise Ireland is very clear that the new strategy will support the Governments National Economic Plan which has a strong focus on creating more and better jobs, and in ensuring that job creation occurs throughout the country.

They will work closely with our Local Enterprise Offices, ensuring a flexible service to help companies recover from the effects of the pandemic.

The focus now is on restoring the jobs lost in the pandemic and then grow employment beyond pre-pandemic levels. The Tanaiste has confirmed that as part of the Governments ambitious vision for the future of our economy, there is a plan to bring job opportunities and growth to all parts of Ireland increasing total employment to a record high of 2.5 million by 2024, he said.

Minister Varadkar said Enterprise Ireland has worked with Enterprise Offices in Laois and other counties to protect jobs threatened by the pandemic.

"Enterprise Irelands Sustaining Enterprise and accelerate recovery funds have protected hundreds of business and safeguarded thousands of jobs.

"We want businesses to survive and be able to flourish once restrictions ease and we will continue to help those that need it in the meantime.

"Enterprise Ireland with the network of Local Enterprise Offices in communities across the country and of course the overseas team, have been central to our response," he said.
A number of food businesses were served with closure and prohibition orders before Christmas for a variety of reasons, including rat and cockroach infestations.

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland reported that two Closure Orders and three Prohibition Orders were served on food businesses during the month of December 2021 for breaches of food safety legislation, pursuant to the FSAI Act, 1998 and the European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations, 2020. The Enforcement Orders were issued by environmental health officers in the Health Service Executive (HSE) and officers of the FSAI.

One Closure Order was served under the FSAI Act, 1998 on Express Fish and Chips, 39 Abbey Road, Kill of the Grange, Monkstown, Co. Dublin.

Another Closure Order was served under the European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations, 2020 on DFC Take Away, 82b Dorset Street Lower, Dublin 1.

A Prohibition Order was served under the FSAI Act, 1998 on Ballinwillin House, a small meat manufacturing Plant in Mitchelstown, Cork.

Two Prohibition Orders were served under the European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations, 2020 on Pinoy Sari, Sari Store Limited, 25/26 Mary Street Little, Dublin 7 and Healing with Hemp, T/A Kama Hemp, Burdautien, Clones, Monaghan.

According to the FSAI, the reasons for the Enforcement Orders in December include inadequate pest control system in place; food and waste storage rooms had not been adequately cleaned; significant rodent infestation; the carcass of an unknown dead animal was found on the floor of the waste and food storage room; live cockroaches found in the premises; rat droppings observed under waste bins; encrusted food and grease on cooking equipment surfaces, handles and shelving; uncovered and overflowing bin full of dirty food packaging and food waste; premises not in a clean condition; no appropriate traceability information; operation of an unapproved food business.

The FSAI is also published details of a Closure Order served in November 2021 under the European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations, 2020. The Closure Order had been subject to an appeal to the District Court, which was subsequently withdrawn. The Closure Order was served on Healing with Hemp, Trading as Kama Hemp (Closed activities: All activities of the food business, its establishments, holdings or other premises and the internet sites and social media sites operated by food business be ceased for the purpose of placing food on the market), Burdautien, Clones, Monaghan.

Details of the food businesses served with Enforcement Orders are published on the FSAIs website at www.fsai.ie. Closure Orders and Improvement Orders will remain listed in the enforcement reports on the website for a period of three months from the date of when a premises is adjudged to have corrected its food safety issue, with Prohibition Orders being listed for a period of one month.

Looking at last year, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) has stated that 59 Enforcement Orders were served on food businesses for breaches in food safety legislation in 2021, an increase of 40% in comparison to 42 Enforcement Orders served in 2020.

"The increase in numbers largely reflects the reopening of many food businesses following long periods of temporary closures in 2020 due to the impact of COVID-19," The FSAI said.

The FSAI reiterated the importance of robust food safety management systems and stressed that the legal responsibility lies with food businesses to ensure that the food they sell is compliant with food safety legislation and is safe to eat.

Commenting on the annual figures, Dr Pamela Byrne, Chief Executive, FSAI stressed the serious nature of a food business being served an Enforcement Order.

Unfortunately, many of the reasons cited for Enforcement Orders concern the basic requirements for food safety and hygiene and should not be happening in any food business. There is absolutely no excuse for negligent food practices at any time. Enforcement Orders are served on food businesses only when a serious risk to consumer health has been established or where there are a number of ongoing serious breaches of food legislation. All food businesses must recognise that they are legally bound to ensure that the food they produce is safe to eat and that they implement and support a strong food safety culture, within the business. Consumers have a right to safe food. Non-compliance by food businesses will not be tolerated and all breaches of food safety legislation will be dealt with the full extent of the law, said Dr Byrne.
One Senator from Kildare has thrown their support behind the prospect of a flexible Leaving Certificate approach for 2022.

Fianna Fail Senator Fiona O' Loughlin said: "I have been in contact with many in the local education community in South Kildare as I have been since I was first elected to the Oireachtas in 2016: there is no doubt that teachers, principal, Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) and the wider community have pulled out all of the stops to ensure that our schools could re-open after Christmas."

"There is also no doubt that many students are understandably stressed about Leaving Cert 2022 due to the level of restrictions they have experienced, and the potential for disruption given the absences we are seeing in the education system at present.

The Kildare-South representative continued: "I think that we need to see a flexible approach to this years Leaving Cert process.

"As Deputy Chair of the Education committee, I have engaged extensively with stakeholders on the topic of Leaving Cert reform, and I think for 2022 we need to see a more flexible approach being adopted.

However, Senator O' Loughlin stressed that she also feels that there is "absolutely" still a place for conventional examination: "We cannot have a situation where a students first exam would be at third level, so when we speak of Leaving Cert 2022, we need to be conscious of the fact that many students have not sat a Junior Cert exam, meaning their first formal examination could be in a third level or college environment."

"I think flexibility will be key here when we look at Leaving Cert 2022... we need to ensure that students are not disadvantaged due to the impact of Covid, and I will be advocating for a flexible approach," she concluded.

Senator Fiona O' Loughlin recently made headlines last week when she joined a number of Kildare politicians calling for cheaper antigen tests.
A Councillor from County Kildare has said that Ireland's "piss poor health system" is to blame over the current Covid-19 situation in the nation.

Social Democrats Cllr Chris Pender made the comments in a tweet referring to An Taoiseach Micheal Martin's announcement that the State's voluntary vaccination system will be maintained, after it emerged public health experts are exploring a mandatory system.

In his tweet, Cllr Pender said that while he is fully vaccinated and "not anti Vax in anyway", he described the idea of mandatory vaccination as "a horrendous idea to even float".

He explained: "We have a 97 per cent uptake in vaccinations. The issue is our piss poor health system at this point, as opposed to a lack of vaccinated population."

Fully vaccinated here ski not anti Vax in anyway but this is a horrendous idea to even float. We have a 97% uptake in vaccinations. The issue is our piss poor health system at this point, as opposed to a lack of vaccinated population. https://t.co/1DlSkoLA0U via @IrishTimes  Cllr Chris Pender (@ChrisPenderKE) January 10, 2022

The Newbridge native's comments were similarly echoed by Sinn Fein Deputy and former Senator David Cullinane TD, who said that the introduction of mandatory vaccination would be "a mistake."

"Vaccines work, but the voluntary system, in my view, works best," the Waterford representative concluded.

The voluntary vaccination programme has served us well. Mandatory vaccination would be a mistake. People were given the opportunity to listen to the medical & scientific experts & made their own judgments. Vaccines work but the voluntary system in my view works best.  David Cullinane T.D. (@davidcullinane) January 10, 2022

Cllr Pender has been vocal in his critiques of various aspects of the govt: last week, he lambasted leadership from Dept of Education and Minister for Education Norma Foley over the issue of reopening schools, referring to it as "deplorable and downright negligent."

He was also among a number of Kildare politicians, including Sinn Fein's Patricia Ryan TD, Fianna Fail Senator Fiona O' Loughlin, and Green Party Cllr Colm Kenny, calling for cheaper antigen tests.

An Taoiseach's comments:

An Taoiseach Micheal Martin's comments came minutes after a meeting of the National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet) revealed the issue is under discussion, with a paper being prepared by the Dept of Health.

Professor Karina Butler, chairwoman of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) said on Monday that mandatory vaccination could be "necessary for the overall good."

However, the Taoiseach moved swiftly to downplay the issue, pointing to the fact that Ireland had achieved one of the highest vaccination rates in the world under a voluntary system.

The Fianna Fail leader said: "Weve done extraordinarily well as a country in terms of a 94 per cent vaccination rate for the first and second dose and even 63 per cent for the booster.

"Were top of the European Union league table in terms of the booster campaign," he added.

An Taoiseach's full statement can be read here.
A Councillor and Deputy-Mayor of Newbridge has said that he is concerned over the increase in those accessing homeless services in Kildare.

Social Democrats Cllr Chris Pender said that high rents, evictions, and the ongoing impact of the pandemic have resulted in an increase in the number of homeless people and families in November.

He added that this is the sixth consecutive month of increases.

The Newbridge politician also pointed to data from the Department of Housing, which showed that 9,099 people were homeless in November 2021, including 2,548 children.

Cllr Pender explained: "Kildare has 137, an increase of 15 from the previous figure of 122 from October, a 12 per cent increase in those accessing Homeless services in the county."

"Since October, the figures show a 269 increase in the number of people without a roof over their heads, with 1,108 families spending a bleak Christmas in emergency accommodation."

He added that while tenants were afforded additional protection from eviction during the series of lockdowns during the early stages of the pandemic, homelessness is once again on an "upward path."

"This latest increase in homelessness is a stark reminder that high rents are continuing to put families and individuals under increased pressure, while the pandemic's impact is also taking a hefty toll on low-income households," Pender said.

"Landlords served over 2,000 eviction notices in the first nine months of last year  more than in the entire previous year (1,902).

"Since the lockdown restrictions were lifted in April, the number of notices of termination has steadily increased," he added.

Cllr Pender further claimed that "half of the termination notices served on tenants were from landlords selling their rental properties," and that the government's proposed regulations "have done a lot to discourage landlords while doing very little to protect tenants."

"This is extremely concerning at any time, but especially now that the number of Covid-19 cases has risen so dramatically.

"I'm honestly concerned about the months ahead as financial pressures, rising costs, and widespread Covid-19 cases push many people ever closer to poverty: every Christmas, we see an increase in the number of people requiring emergency accommodation for a variety of reasons, with numbers decreasing after the holiday season.

"However, we are in a very different situation this year, as the number of Covid-19 cases in the community has reached an all-time high."

Cllr Pender concluded: "This is having a genuine impact on people who are in unstable housing or employment, with our teams doing everything they can to keep people in their homes and keep them from becoming homeless."

In related news, Cllr Chris Pender publicly expressed on his official Twitter account that while he is not against vaccines, he would disagree with a possible implementation of a vaccine mandate in Ireland.

He instead insisted that it is the "piss poor health system" of Ireland that is a major factor in the nation's high Covid-19 rates, rather than the vaccination rates.
Housing Minister Darragh O'Brien TD has asked the Attorney General for advice over the drafting of potential legislation regarding the sex-for-rent issue.

The Minister's actions follow after an investigation by the Irish Examiner newspaper last month highlighted certain properties on the rental market are being offered at reduced rent or rent-free in exchange for sex.

It is understood that the newspaper has reported that a spokesman for the Department of Housing said Minister O'Brien had written to the Attorney General, Paul Gallagher, seeking advice on whether the practice is covered by the Sexual Offences Act 2017.

They added that the Fianna Fail Minister is also in contact with Minister for Justice Helen McEntee regarding the issue.

The issue is due to appear before the Oireachtas committee on housing later this month.

Controversy:

The issue of sex-for-rent arrangements was previously raised in 2019 by then Solidarity TD Ruth Coppinger, who said that the issue was becoming a reality for many tenants.

Sinn Fein housing spokesman Eoin O Broin said about the issue: "As soon as the Dail reconvenes, I will be raising this with the Minister for Housing and the Minister for Justice to ensure that both departments work quickly together to ensure this kind of thing is prosecutable.

"It is absolutely unacceptable... you could have people who have very acute housing needs and who are in very vulnerable positions being seriously exploited if this is allowed take root."

He added that any platforms that host these type of adverts should face fines with landlords who are offering such arrangements prosecuted.

The arrangements have been condemned by chief executive of the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre, Noeline Blackwell, who said that the reality is that these arrangements equate to non-consensual sex, because the tenant has no power in such a situation.

She explained: "The tenant has no security of tenure, no tenancy agreement."

"They always have to be pleasing to the person giving them shelter: it is a massive power imbalance between the two."

Other politicians who have criticised the advertisements include Fianna Fail Councillor Michael Collins and Social Democrats TD Holly Cairns.
Why does Jeffs Bagel Run refuse to offer toasted bagels?

Amy Drews Answer

The question didnt come in a formal email, but rather a query on the Orlando Sentinels Facebook group, Lets Eat, Orlando, and reignited a topic weve hit on from various angles since I joined the Orland Sentinel team. One Im always happy to revisit.

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Not quite two years ago, I did a piece about burgeoning bagel makers in the Orlando metro. Since then, both businesses  Belanger Bagels and Jeffs Bagel Run  have opened actual shops.

Belanger is a gift to Orlandos College Park neighborhood, selling their unique and beautifully barky brand of Montreal-style bagels to lucky locals. Jeffs Bagel Run, which boils and bakes New York-style, sells out 1,000+ on the reg in Ocoee.

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Its hard to think that its only been six months, Jeff Perera marvels. We only opened to the public in July. Its mind-blowing. It all still seems very surreal.

And when they opened their brick-and-mortar bagelry, they werent looking to deviate much from their cottage operation.

We opened as a retail bakery with limited food service, he explains. And so trying to stay within the bounds of what that meant and our labor model and how we operated our business day-to-day, we just didnt ever really think about toasting bagels. We were simply expanding a little upon what wed done at home: baking bagels. And to that, we added cream cheese and juices and coffee.

Thats not to say they havent taken customer feedback seriously. For example, Lox in a Box, a 4-ounce portion of Nova lox, sliced tomatoes, onion, cucumber, cream cheese and capers ($11, available daily as a bagel add-on). Theyre prepared fresh every morning ahead of opening.

We worked really hard to find the right salmon because were not curing our own. We just wanted to find a good lox that we would eat and sell because people wanted it, he explains. We want to stay as consumer-centric as possible, but there are some things that dont really fall into what being a retail bakery is versus a restaurant.

Danielle Perera, co-founder of Jeffs Bagel Run, places a handmade bagel in a bag for a customer. Always paper, never plastic  better for the crust! (Lizzie Heintz/Orlando Sentinel)

The Pereras, like many bagel aficionados, dont subscribe to toasting on Day One.

If someone handed you a fresh dinner roll out of the oven, would you ask them to put it back in? he asked rhetorically two years ago when wed discussed this very idea. The man at the helm of Long Islands famed Bagel Boss  an entity since 1972  agreed.

Its already hot! Paul Scarione points out to customers who ask for toasting.

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Perera, of course, understands the concept of different strokes.

There are some people who prefer the texture of a toasty, crunchy bagel and thats fine, he says, but toasting extends the time customers spend in line, it extends the labor needs and it begs the question of how toasted is toasted?

Brown on the edges? Lightly toasted? Not toasted enough? He laughs. That equals more waiting and were a very lean team. Our business model is not built for toasting bagels or making sandwiches.

Theyll slice it for you. Theyll give you the cream cheese. Even the lox and accoutrements. But the schmearing and loading is DIY. And theyre OK with that.

I dont think it takes away from the experience, he says, noting that since opening their fresh product has converted many former toasters into fresh-on-the-first-day consumers. You come in, you get a fresh-baked bagel thats at the most hours old, its going to be soft and chewy and delicious with a nice crisp edge to the crust thats satisfying.

What you do with your bagels when they leave the shop, of course, is your business, and is entirely up to you.

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Got a food question? Find me on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram @amydroo or on the OSFoodie Instagram account @orlando.foodie or email me at amthompson@orlandosentinel.com, and your question could be answered in my weekly Ask Amy Drew column. For more fun, join the Lets Eat, Orlando Facebook group or follow @fun.things.orlando on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs has commented on the passing of the president of the European Parliament, stating he'll be remembered for his "warmth and humanity".

Minister Simon Coveney made the comments today (January 11) after the news of the passing of Italian David Sassoli.

Stating he was "deeply saddened" to learn of Mr Sassoli's passing, the minister said, "[He] was an accomplished journalist who covered major events both in his native Italy and internationally. He was also an outstanding representative and a committed European, who contributed greatly as Vice-President, and subsequently as President, to the development of the European Parliament."

Our thoughts are with the family, friends and colleagues of David Sassoli, President of the European Parliament, on his passing.

He was a popular and impactful Italian politician giving great leadership at the top of European Politics and will be missed. RIP. @dfatirl https://t.co/tLoCitEvKv  Simon Coveney (@simoncoveney) January 11, 2022

Minister Coveney continued: "He will be remembered for his warmth and humanity, traits which served him well especially over the last two years as he effectively oversaw significant changes necessitated to the Parliaments operations as a result of the pandemic. My thoughts are with his family at this difficult time. Ar dheis De go raibh a anam dilis."

The Commissioner for Financial Services, Financial Stability and Capital Markets Union, Mairead McGuinness - who is the former First Vice-President of the European Parliament - expressed her sadness.

She said, "So sad to learn of David Sassolis passing. David was a warm, kind and humble man who cared deeply about people. It was a privilege to work with him in the Bureau of European Parliament in his role as Vice-President and President. We will miss him. May his gentle soul rest in peace."

Just yesterday (January 10), President of the EU Commission, Ursula von der Leyon, wished Mr Sassoli a "speedy and fully recovery".

Through her official Twitter account, she stated, "Dear David, my thoughts are with you as you fight for your health. I wish you a speedy and full recovery. Bon courage, as you often say."

E un giorno triste per lEuropa.



Oggi la nostra Unione perde un convinto europeista, un sinchero democratico, e un uomo buono.



Today is a sad day for Europe.



Our Union loses a passionate European, a sincere democrat, and a good man. https://t.co/JzeVTUAlu3  Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) January 11, 2022

Today she called him "a man of deep faith and strong convictions", and stated, "I am deeply saddened by the terrible loss of a great European & proud Italian. David Sassoli was a compassionate journalist, an outstanding President of the European Parliament and, first & foremost, a dear friend. My thoughts are with his family. Riposa in pace, caro David!"
Irish Water has said that it is working in partnership with Kildare County Council (KCC) to safeguard the water supply for homes and businesses in Castledermot.

The mains repair works, which were initially announced this morning, are scheduled to take place tomorrow, January 12 from 9:30am until 2pm.

While works are underway, customers from the Pharmacy on Main Street in Castledermot to Skenagun, Castleroe, Levitstown and surrounding areas may experience temporary, intermittent low pressure and/or water outages.

Irish Water has said that it usually takes two to three hours following restoration time for normal supply to be fully restored to all areas but it is important to continue to follow HSE guidance on hand-washing.

Vulnerable customers who have registered with Irish Water receive direct communications from the organisation for planned and unplanned outages lasting more than four hours.

Speaking about the works, Peter Thornton of Irish Water said: "Irish Water understands that this type of work can be inconvenient and, working in partnership with KCC we will make every effort to minimise the disruption that these necessary works may cause."

He added: "Customers may experience some temporary discolouration of water following the works, and occasionally issues such as internal airlocks may arise.

"For advice on clearing discoloration and airlocks, visit www.water.ie/water-supply/supply-issues/following-an-outage.

Irish Water and Wicklow County Council regret any inconvenience caused.

The Irish Water customer care helpline is open 24/7 on 1800 278 278 and customers can also contact us on Twitter @IWCare with any queries.

For updates, please visit the Water Supply Updates section of the Irish Water website.
Wealthy New York real estate heir Robert Durst who was convicted of killing his best friend and sentenced to life in prison, has died at the age of 78.

Durst died in a state prison hospital facility in Stockton from natural causes due to a number of health issues, his attorney Chip Lewis said.

Durst was convicted in September of shooting Susan Berman at point-blank range in 2000 at her Los Angeles home. He was sentenced to life October 14.



Robert Durst sits in the courtroom as he is sentenced to life in prison

Two days later, he was admitted to hospital with Covid-19, his trial attorney Dick DeGuerin said.

Durst had long been suspected of killing his wife, Kathie, who went missing in 1982 and has been declared legally dead. He was finally indicted in November for second-degree murder in her death.

Prosecutors in Los Angeles presented evidence that Durst silenced Berman because she helped him cover up Kathies killing and was about to talk to investigators.

They also argued he killed a Texas man who discovered his identity when he was living secretly in Galveston after Bermans killing. Durst was acquitted of murder in that case in 2003, after testifying he shot him in self-defence.

Durst discussed the cases and made several damning statements including a stunning confession during an unguarded moment in the six-part HBO documentary series The Jinx: The Life And Deaths Of Robert Durst.

The show made his name known to a new generation and brought renewed scrutiny and suspicion from authorities.

He was arrested in Bermans killing the night before the final episode, which closed with him mumbling to himself in a bathroom while still wearing his mic saying: Youre caught. What the hell did I do? Killed them all, of course.

The quotes were later revealed to have been manipulated for dramatic effect but the production  done with Dursts cooperation against the advice from his lawyer and friends  dredged up new evidence including an envelope that connected Durst to the scene of Bermans killing as well as incriminating statements he made.

Police had received a note directing them to Bermans home with only the word CADAVER written in block letters.

In interviews given between 2010 and 2015, Durst told the makers of the The Jinx that he did not write the note, but whoever did had killed her.

Youre writing a note to the police that only the killer could have written, Durst said.

His defence lawyers conceded in the run-up to trial that Durst had written the note, and prosecutors said it amounted to a confession.

Clips from The Jinx, and from the 2010 movie All Good Things in which Ryan Gosling played a fictionalised version of Durst, had starring roles at trial.

As did Durst himself. His attorneys again took the risk of putting him on the stand for what turned out to be about three weeks of testimony. It did not work as it had in Texas.

Under devastating cross-examination by prosecutor John Lewin, Durst admitted he lied under oath in the past and would do it again to get out of trouble.

Did you kill Susan Berman? is strictly a hypothetical, Durst said from the stand. I did not kill Susan Berman. But if I had, I would lie about it.

The jury promptly returned a guilty verdict.

It long appeared he would avoid any such convictions.

Durst went on the run in late 2000 after New York authorities reopened an investigation into his wifes disappearance, renting a modest apartment in Galveston and disguising himself as a mute woman.

In 2001, the body parts of a neighbour, Morris Black, began washing up in Galveston Bay.

Arrested in the killing, Durst jumped bail. He was arrested for shoplifting a sandwich six weeks later in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, where he had gone to college. Police found 37,000 dollars in cash and two handguns in his car.

He would testify that Black had pulled a gun on him and died when the weapon went off during a struggle. He told jurors in detail how he bought tools and dismembered and disposed of Blacks body. He was acquitted of murder. He pleaded guilty to violating his bail, and to evidence tampering for the dismemberment. He served three years in prison.

Durst had bladder cancer and his health deteriorated during the Berman trial. He was escorted into court in a wheelchair wearing prison attire each day because his attorneys said he was unable to change into a suit. But the judge declined further delays after a 14-month pause during the coronavirus pandemic.

Mr DeGuerin said Durst was very, very sick at his sentencing hearing and it was the worst he looked in the 20 years he spent representing him.

Durst entered the courtroom with wide-eyed vacant stare. Near the end of the hearing after Ms Bermans loved ones told the judge how her death upended their lives, Durst coughed hard and then appeared to struggle to breathe. His chest heaved and he pulled his mask down below his mouth and began to gulp for air.

The son of real estate magnate Seymour Durst, Robert Durst was born April 12, 1943, and grew up in Scarsdale, New York. He would later say that at age of seven, he witnessed his mothers death in a fall from their home.

He graduated with an economics degree in 1965 from Lehigh University, where he played lacrosse. He entered a doctoral programme at the University of California, Los Angeles, where he met Ms Berman, but dropped out and returned to New York in 1969.

He became a developer in the family business, but his father passed him over to make his younger brother, and rival, Douglas the head of the Durst Organisation in 1992.

In 1971, Robert Durst met Kathie McCormack, and the two married on his 30th birthday in 1973.

In January 1982, his wife was a student in her final year at medical school when she disappeared. She had shown up unexpectedly at a friends dinner party in Newtown, Connecticut, then left after a call from her husband to return to their home in South Salem, New York.

Robert Durst told police he last saw her when he put her on a train to stay at their apartment in Manhattan because she had classes the next day.

He would divorce her eight years later, claiming spousal abandonment, and in 2017, at her familys request, she was declared legally dead.

Robert Durst is survived by his second wife Debrah Charatan, whom he married in 2000. He had no children.
Fiddler Steve Wickham of The Waterboys, joins actor Karl Quinn to playfully explore our recent covid experiences; combining classical, folk and rock on fiddle, concertina, and a didgeridoo in The Glens Centre, Manorhamilton this Friday, January 14.

We've all been holding our breath, but for one man, the family working and studying at home, is building up the pressure .... along with the sanitising, news overload, and work Zooms .... he's trying to hold it together with online yoga, home baking, and dancing in the kitchen... but one sneeze could blow it all apart! I think we can all relate!

Carpet Theatres Breath is infused with the joy of music, and the whisper of hope, as we catch our breath together.

Steve Wickham has been based in Leitrim for many years, and previously worked with Sligo-born director Ciaran Taylor and Carpet Theatre actor Karl Quinn on the successful Pigeon, and Wexford Firestation Tour.

He has played with the greats of Irish rock, with his band No Crows; and toured the world with The Waterboys since the 1980s.

Breath is supported by The Glens, which is hosting rehearsals prior to a nationwide tour. The show was chosen as the Leitrim project in the latest round of awards supported by the Bank of Ireland Begin Together Arts Fund in partnership with Business to Arts.

The music theatrepiece in is The Hawks Well Theatre Sligo on Thursday, January 13 but hits The Glens this Friday night at 6.45pm, call (071) 985 5833 or book tickets on www.theglenscentre.com
A LIMERICK man accused of money laundering for an organised crime gang will be granted bail by the Special Criminal Court, despite the objections of gardai, if a "legitimate" person can come up with a 10k surety for him.

At a hearing this Tuesday, gardai objected to a bail application made on behalf of Dermot McManus, who is charged with handling almost 50,000 in crime cash, possessing a stolen vehicle and handling another vehicle.

Mr McManus, aged 51, and co-accused Terese Halpin, aged 49, were both charged last week after gardai executed a warrant at their home address at Keating Park, Killalee, Limerick.

Gardai had described the arrests, made as part of 'Operation Coronation', as a "significant development" in an ongoing investigation targeting the activities of an organised crime group based in Limerick.

Mr McManus is charged with handling sums of cash worth 28,550 and 17,240 (20,600), knowing or believing or being reckless as to whether it was the proceeds of criminal conduct on June 17, 2020, and allowing an account at the Limerick and District Credit Union to be used for the purposes of handling the proceeds of crime on the same date.

He is further charged with possession of a stolen blue Ford Transit van with a 161-L registration between August 10, 2019 and June 12, 2020; and with handling a white 151-C Mercedes Sprinter between June 2 , 2020 and May 23, 2021.

Ms Halpin is charged with possession of the same cash sums on June 17, 2020, and with allowing a Permanent TSB account to be used for handling the proceeds of crime between January 17, 2019 and June 10, 2020.

Objecting to bail at the non-jury court, Detective Garda John Sheahan told Fiona Murphy SC, prosecuting, that he believed Mr McManus to be a flight risk with access to money and that the accused would commit offences if granted bail.

The detective added that Mr McManus has familial links in England and that he regularly travels there.

Det Garda Sheahan said that after a search warrant was obtained for Keating Park in June 2020, 28,550 was found in socks on top of a wardrobe while 17,240 was discovered in a jacket pocket.

He added that gardai also investigated "suspicious" financial transactions by Mr McManus at the credit union.

Regarding the Ford Transit, the detective said Mr McManus had sold the vehicle for 10,000 but it had never been registered in his name.

The detective said Mr McManus told gardai he had bought the Mercedes Sprinter in Northern Ireland but that the accused's only regular income was a disability payment and that he had never filed a revenue return or paid income tax.

Barrister Pat Barriscale BL, defending, said his client had 19 months between his first arrest and being charged and had neither absconded nor offended in that time.

He said Mr McManus regularly travelled to England to see his brother, who is severely ill, and submitted that his client was not a flight risk.

Mr Barriscale said his client had been a market trader who dealt in bed linen and that he had strong family ties to Limerick, which included his wife, two children and his immediate and extended family.

The barrister said a lodgement of 35,000 to his client's account, referred to by Detective Garda Sheahan, was a payment of a personal injury claim after Mr McManus was injured in a road traffic collision.

Presiding judge Mr Justice Tony Hunt said he would grant bail if a "headline figure" of a 10,000 surety could be found from "a legitimate person".

The judge said that concerns about Mr McManus being both a flight risk and concerns about the accused committing an offence while on bail could be met by the surety, in addition to strict bail conditions.

Mr Justice Hunt said that if the surety could be found, Mr McManus was to sign on daily at a Limerick garda station and was not to associate with persons named in the court.

The judge remanded Mr McManus in custody with consent to bail and adjourned the matter with liberty for it to be re-entered before the court for surety approval.

Ms Halpin was granted bail last week when she entered into a bond and undertook to surrender her passport, provide gardai with her phone number, and sign on from Monday to Friday at a local garda station.

She is to appear before the Special Criminal Court in Dublin again on Friday February 18, at 10.30am.
THE Irish Community Air Ambulance was tasked to 34 emergency incidents in Limerick during 2021 - up from 21 the previous years.

In addition to attending a variety of incidents in Limerick, Helimed 92 completed 34 transfers of patients to University Hospital Limerick last year - 20% of all hospital transfers.

In total, 512 missions in 14 counties were completed over the 12 months which was the busiest year since the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) Air Ambulance launched in July 2019. There were 490 taskings in 2020.

The organisation, which is based at Rathcoole in North Cork, is Irelands only charity-funded HEMS Air Ambulance. It works in partnership with the National Ambulance Service and responds to serious incidents and medical emergencies. Each mission costs an average of 3,500, all of which has to be raised or donated.

Commenting on its activities over the past year, Micheal Sheridan, CEO of the Irish Community Air Ambulance, said the charity engaged with the Government and regional political leaders throughout 2021 to secure some State support for the vital service.

The HSE is releasing funding to private Ambulance firms to provide support during the continuing crisis yet the Irish Community Air Ambulance is still entirely funded by public donations. The increased number of taskings during 2021 show that we provide a vital service. The cost to run the charity during 2022 is expected to be 2.1 million which is a significant amount of money to raise," he said.

There were more calls to cardiac arrests, farming-related incidents and falls from heights during 2021. Cardiac arrests accounted for one in five calls with 103 taskings last year, thats up from 81 during 2020.

The incidents responded to included:

89 Road traffic collisions

64 Farming incidents

64 Cardiovascular (Heart attacks and strokes)

63 General trauma calls

61 General medical calls

48 Falls from heights

20 Equestrian incidents

July and April were the busiest months of the year for the service with 57 missions completed each month. Cork, Kerry and Tipperary accounted for the majority of taskings.

"We cover an area of 25,000 square kilometres and treat some of the most critically ill and injured patients, bringing them to the hospital that is best suited to their life-saving needs, not just the closest hospital geographically," said Mr Sheridan.
Lawyers for Donald Trump and his associates have argued that incendiary statements by the former president and others last January 6 before the Capitol riot were protected speech and in line with their official duties.

In response to civil suits running parallel to Congresss own January 6 inquiry, Mr Trumps lawyers claimed he was acting within his official rights and had no intention to spark violence when he called on thousands of supporters to march to the Capitol and fight like hell to disrupt the Senates certification of the 2020 election result.

There has never been an example of someone successfully being able to sue a president for something that happened during his term of office, said his lawyer Jesse Binnall. That absolute immunity of the presidency is very important.





The five-hour hearing in Washington before US District Judge Amit Mehta concerned Mr Trumps attempts to have the civil suits dismissed.

Democratic representative Eric Swalwell brought one of the suits against Mr Trump and a host of others, including Donald Trump Jr, Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani, Alabama Republican representative Mo Brooks and right-wing group the Oath Keepers, charging responsibility for the violent breach of the Capitol building by Trump supporters.

The other lawsuits, brought by Democratic representatives and two Capitol Police officers, claim that statements by Mr Trump and Mr Brooks on and before January 6 essentially qualify as part of a political campaign, and are therefore fair game for litigation.

Plaintiffs are seeking damages for the physical and emotional injuries they sustained during the insurrection.

What he spoke about was a campaign issue, seeking to secure an election, said Joseph Sellers, one of the lawyers representing Mr Swalwell. This was a purely private act.

Mr Sellers said Mr Trumps statements were an overt and unambiguous call for political violence.

Its hard to conceive of a scenario other than the president traveling down to the Capitol himself and busting through the doors but of course he did that through third party agents, through the crowd, he said.

Mr Binnall argued that Mr Trumps calls to derail the Senate vote certification process were in line with any executives right to comment or criticise a co-equal government branch.

A president always has the authority to speak on whether or not any of the other branches, frankly, can or should take action, he said, refencing cases where former president Barack Obama publicly commented on Supreme Court decisions.

Mr Binnall said Mr Trump has already been subject to a trial over January 6  his second impeachment trial, where he was acquitted by the then-Republican majority Senate.

That was their remedy and they failed, he said. They dont get another bite of the apple here.

The judge repeatedly cut off lawyers on both sides with questions and challenges.

Giuliani lawyer Joseph Sibley at one point said: Theres simply no way you can construe the statements that were made by any of the speakers to be an invitation to join a conspiracy to go to the Capitol and commit crimes.

District Judge Mehta asked: Why not?

The judge then refenced Mr Trumps own January 6 speech in detail.

His last words were go to the Capitol and before that it was show strength and fight. Why isnt that a plausible invitation to do exactly what the rioters ended up doing? the judge asked. Those words are hard to walk back.

District Judge Mehta also focused on the hours-long silence from Mr Trump as his supporters battled Capitol Police and DC police officers and rampaged through the building.

He questioned Mr Binnall at length about whether that failure or refusal to condemn the assault as it was happening could be interpreted as approval.

The lawyer responded: You cannot have a situation where the president is obligated to take certain actions or say certain things or else be subject to litigation.
New Irish research assessing levels of COVID-19 antibodies, both before vaccination and at five weeks and six months after nursing home residents received two doses of the Pfizer vaccine, provides strong support for the use of vaccine boosters in this cohort.

The research, involving immunologists, geriatricians and nurses from Trinity College Dublin, Tallaght University Hospital (TUH) and several translational research laboratories including TCDs Trinity Translational Medicine Institute (TTMI) and Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute (TBSI), has just been published in the Journal of the American Medical Directors Association (JAMDA). A copy is available on request.

Previous COVID-19 infection, age and degree of frailty were all associated with six-month antibody levels post-vaccine. While antibody levels predictably declined over time, this decline was particularly striking in those individuals with no previous evidence of SARS-CoV2 infection.

The report continued: "Further, whereas previous infection was associated with much greater levels of anti-spike antibodies at 6 months, increasing age and greater levels of frailty were independently associated with lower antibody levels. Importantly, antibody levels were significantly associated with neutralisation capacity (the ability of antibodies to neutralise the SARS-CoV-2 virus).

"This research highlights the effect of past infection on shaping long-term antibody responses in this group and supports the ongoing use of booster vaccinations in this population. It also suggests that SARS-CoV-2-naive individuals may be particularly vulnerable. It is important to note that the study only considered anti-spike antibody levels and did not examine long-term 'memory' immune cells and the ability of these to fight off future infection  an area of ongoing research for the group."

Dr Adam Dyer, specialist registrar in geriatric medicine & Irish clinical academic training fellow in Trinitys School of Medicine and TUH, said: Our findings demonstrating lower antibody levels in SARS-CoV-2-naive individuals and in those with increasing age and frailty tell only part of the story, but they support the ongoing use of vaccine boosters in this vulnerable population.

Professor Sean Kennelly, clinical associate professor in Trinitys School of Medicine, and consultant geriatrician at TUH, said:

The NH-COVAIR study is an important piece of research that provides support for the use of COVID-19 vaccine boosters in nursing home residents to prevent serious illness. Nursing home residents are frequently excluded from translational research, but as we know they are the population at greatest risk of morbidity and mortality from COVID-19 illness.

Recruitment for the study (NH-COVAIR) was carried out through existing links between Age-Related Healthcare (ARHC) in TUH and five local nursing homes.
The Tanaiste has applauded last year's jobs growth of 70% in Enterprise Ireland supported companies outside Dublin.

Leo Varadkar commented today (January 11) at the launch of Enterprise Irelands (EI) new three-year strategy, Leading In A Changing World, stating the news was "an extraordinary performance".

Speaking at the launch, he said, "I am particularly pleased that jobs growth occurred in all regions with almost 70% of new jobs growth occurring outside of Dublin and particularly strong growth in the north-west and south-east.

"This is an extraordinary performance and I want to thank the Enterprise Ireland team for their phenomenal work in the year gone by. We are well on our way to meeting our target of having 2.5m people at work in Ireland by 2024."

According to the Tanaiste, over 200,000 people work in EI companies with an overall net increase in employment of almost 12,000 (11,911).

He said, "Its great to see Irish exporting companies performing so strongly last year notwithstanding the disruption to trade caused by Brexit and the pandemic."

The new strategy sets out five key goals for Irish enterprise over the next three years, including promoting Ireland as a world-leading place location to start and grow a business.

Other goals include Irish businesses delivering growth across all regions, achieving a competitive advantage through customer-led innovation and digitalisation, leading globally on sustainability and climate action, and Enterprise Ireland providing world-leading service to companies it supports.

It's hoped the strategy will help in the development of 45,000 jobs over three years and increasing exports by EI client companies to 30billion.

Leo Varadar called it an "ambitious vision" for Ireland's economic future.

He said, "We want to bring job opportunities and growth to all parts of Ireland increasing total employment to a record high of 2.5 million by 2024. We want to restore and then go beyond pre-pandemic employment levels, creating secure, long-term jobs in new and exciting areas.

"To ensure our economy is diversified and future-proofed against shocks this means going for growth across a broad range of sectors including exports, construction, the public sector and the care economy, the new green economy, digital, tourism and services."

The Tanaiste highlighted the issue of climate action in particular, calling it "an important part" of the strategy to reduce emissions by 29-41% by 2030.

In his speech today, he stated, "This is crucial. Every part of society is going to have to make changes and reduce our reliance on fossil fuels. We will help businesses to make the necessary changes, and indeed reap the opportunities that will come in a decarbonised society."
There is no need for full lockdown as of now in Tamil Nadu. The CM has asserted that the economy should not be affected, restricted lockdown enough for now, says Tamil Nadu health minister, ANI tweeted.

"There is no need for full lockdown as of now. CM has asserted that the economy should not be affected, restricted lockdown enough for now: Tamil Nadu Health Minister MA Subramanian.

There is no need for full lockdown as of now. CM has asserted that the economy should not be affected, restricted lockdown enough for now: Tamil Nadu Health Minister MA Subramanian on COVID restrictions due to case surge pic.twitter.com/pQ3hbolVCS  ANI (@ANI) January 11, 2022

In order to contain the transmission of the virus, the state govt has extended Covid-19 restrictions till January 31. The night curfew will continue in the state till January 31 and will remain effective from 10 pm to 5 am from Mondays to Saturdays. A total lockdown will be in force on January 16 (Sunday), barring essential services.

As per the order of the state government, people will not be allowed in all places of worship between January 14 and January 18.

Tamil Nadu on Monday reported 13,990 new COVID-19 cases, 2,547 recoveries, and 11 deaths. The active cases are at 62,767.

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A state board recently rebuffed a request from several Democratic lawmakers for an audit of Florida Power & Lights finances, which the representatives sought following reports linking the utilitys executives to figures in the states ghost candidate scandal.

The lawmakers  Orlando-area state Reps. Anna Eskamani, Carlos Guillermo Smith and Travaris McCurdy and Rep. Angie Nixon, of Duval County  on Monday sent a renewed request to the Public Service Commission, which regulates private utility companies in Florida.

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In their initial request, the lawmakers cited reporting by the Orlando Sentinel that showed the political operatives involved in promoting apparent spoiler candidates in three key 2020 state Senate elections had worked closely with FPL executives, including CEO Eric Silagy.

The reporting also showed FPL donated millions in recent years to entities controlled by consultants with Alabama-based firm Matrix LLC, who also billed the utility for more than $3 million days before they began moving money through the entity central to the scandal, Grow United Inc.

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FPL ratepayers deserve to know whether the money they are forced to send the utility every month to pay their bills was used not only to influence elections, but also to undermine democracy through fake candidate schemes, the Democrats Jan. 5 letter to the PSC said.

The state boards chair, Andrew G. Fay, responded in a letter dated the following day, offering the commissions categorical assurances regarding the lawmakers concerns.

Fay wrote that FPL had already been subjected to audits after seeking approval to increase customers rates in March 2021: These audits are precisely focused on the heart of your concerns  to detect any use of ratepayer funds that do not reasonably relate to the provision of service by a regulated utility company in Florida.

Those audits, he wrote, produced no evidence that Florida Power and Light used, or was intending to use, ratepayer funds for the private benefit of the companys lobbying, campaigning, and or marketing affairs.

However, in a response Monday, Eskamani, Smith, McCurdy and Nixon, wrote that news reports about FPLs political activities have raised significant concerns about the comprehensiveness and results of those audits.

While we appreciate the audits that are done as part of the rate case proceeding, given the events that have taken place over the last year, it is in the best interest of Floridians to provide further transparency and answer outstanding questions about FPLs political spending, they wrote.

FPL has repeatedly denied that anyone at the company was involved in the spoiler candidate scheme and said it has found no evidence of wrongdoing by its employees. In a statement Monday, FPL spokesperson David Reuter said Eskamani was engaged in political grandstanding.

As the PSC explained in their follow-up letter, FPL filed more than 100,000 pages of documents with the Florida Public Service Commission as part of its 2021 rate case filing, Reuter said. We have never used FPL customer dollars to participate in the political process or lobby on our companys behalf, and any accusation that claims this is uninformed and false.

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The ghost candidate controversy involves three independent candidates who ran last year in Central and South Florida. They did not campaign but were boosted by an ad blitz promoting them as progressive outsiders.

The mailers were paid for by a pair of political committees set up by a then-GOP consultant and funded by Grow United, a dark-money nonprofit controlled by operatives who at the time worked for Matrix LLC, a political consulting firm that counted FPL among its clients.

Breaking News As it happens Be the first to know with email alerts on important breaking stories from the Orlando Sentinel newsroom. >

Miami-Dade prosecutors have arrested one of the independents, Alex Rodriguez, who ran in Miamis District 37, on charges that he was bribed by former state lawmaker Frank Artiles in an apparent attempt to siphon votes away from the races Democratic incumbent.

The Republican won that race by 32 votes, while Rodriguez drew thousands. He has since pleaded guilty to felony charges. Artiles has pleaded not guilty and is awaiting trial. No one else has been charged or accused of wrongdoing in the scheme, though the investigation is ongoing.

Recent court filings in the Artiles case revealed that prosecutors have informed several figures in the scandal they are potentially facing charges, including Richard Alexander, the Cullman, Ala., man who was listed as chairman for Grow United and whose sister worked for Matrix in 2020.

Another target of prosecutors is Lets Preserve the American Dream, a dark-money nonprofit with close ties to Associated Industries of Florida, the states largest business lobbying group whose donors include FPL.

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The nonprofit was included in a secret spending plan that was sent to a pseudonymous email address for Silagy by Matrix operatives in 2019, which laid out how FPL money could be filtered through it and other entities to conceal political spending, the Sentinel has reported.

Its unclear if the plan was ever utilized.

jeweiner@orlandosentinel.com
MOSCOW : Russia-led forces that entered Kazakhstan to support the embattled government following an eruption of protests would start withdrawing within two days, the Kazakh president said Tuesday as he named a loyalist as prime minister.

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said the mission had been fulfilled and a stage-by-stage pullout of contingents of the Collective Security Treaty Organization, a military alliance that includes several former Soviet states, would take no more than 10 days.

The Kremlin deployed more than 2,000 mostly Russian troops last week at Mr. Tokayevs request after sometimes-violent protests triggered by a sharp rise in fuel prices in the oil-rich Central Asian nation spurred deadly unrest over wider social and political discontent, most prominently in the countrys largest city, Almaty.

The crisis, which Kazakh officials said was caused by outside forces who hijacked initially peaceful demonstrations, threatened to destabilize the country, an important ally of Russia with strategic significance in Central Asia.

On Monday, President Vladimir Putin defended the deployment of Russian troops as part of the security alliance, underscoring his assertion that his country has a privileged sphere of influence over the former Soviet Union, at a time when tensions between Moscow and the West have reached boiling point over concerns that Russia intends to invade Ukraine.

On Tuesday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that it was up to Kazakhstan whether it still needed the alliance troops to remain or withdraw.

This is entirely the prerogative of that country, which turned to the CSTO with this request," he said.

Mr. Peskov said he had no information about foreigners taking part in the unrest, but added that Russian security services were exchanging information with their Kazakh counterparts.

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said the alliances troops would continue to carry out tasks in Kazakhstan until the situation is stable naturally, by decision of the leadership of the Republic of Kazakhstan," the defense ministry said in a message on Telegram.

Mr. Shoigu said the forces were performing tasks to protect important military, state and socially significant facilities on the territory of Kazakhstan," the ministry said.

Almost 10,000 people have been detained in connection with the turmoil, according to Kazakh law-enforcement officials. Health authorities said more than 160 people were killed in the violence, most of them in Almaty. The casualties included 16 law-enforcement officers, according to interior ministry officials, who revised the figure from 18, which had been announced earlier by police officials.

Mr. Tokayev told the Kazakh Parliament that a special group would investigate the unrest and the reasons it erupted.

It is critically important to discover why the state overlooked the presence of militants sleeper cells and operations of their command center, why so many illegal weapons and specialized equipment ended up in the territory of our country, why no intelligence work was conducted to expose and neutralize agents of terrorism," he said.

A sense of normalcy started to return to the country on Tuesday, as residents began to cautiously go about their everyday lives in Almaty, which will remain under an 11 p.m.-to-7 a.m. curfew until Jan. 19. Residents said shops were beginning to open during specific daytime hours, construction sites were operating and some public transportation had resumed. The sound of machine gunfire and the smell of tear gas had gone, they said.

City police officers, who had largely disappeared when the troops arrived, were also back on the streets, residents said. But the city was dotted with armed checkpoints and at night sirens and loudspeakers reminded residents of the curfew, they said.

On Tuesday, Mr. Tokayev, who accepted the governments resignation on Jan. 5, named Alikhan Smailov as prime minister. The 49-year-old official, who had been serving as interim prime minister, was finance minister between 2018 and 2020. The Kazakh president also signed an executive order to appoint other ministers as part of a new government.

Mr. Tokayev touted himself as a reformer when he was designated to succeed longtime leader Nursultan Nazarbayev, who left office in 2019 after nearly three decades as leader. But some civil-rights activists and government opponents said he hadnt done enough to deserve that title.

On Tuesday, the Kazakh president said he would present a new package of political reforms to the country in September that would be prepared through constructive dialogue with experts and members of civil society.

He said Kazakhstan would continue the course of political modernization," adding, This is my principled position."
Myanmars ousted leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, was sentenced to four years in prison after being found guilty of three charges, the most recent verdict in a number of criminal cases brought against her by the countrys military junta that overthrew her government in a coup last year.

Ms. Suu Kyi, 76 years old, has been detained since the military seized power on Feb. 1. She has since been hit with a dozen charges that could see her imprisoned for the rest of her life and is serving a two-year sentence after a conviction in early December.

Lawyers for Ms. Suu Kyi, along with human-rights advocates, have said the charges are politically motivated and intended to keep Ms. Suu Kyi, who led her countrys democracy movement, out of public life. Her trials have been held behind closed doors, and her legal team was banned by the junta from speaking to the press.

A court in Myanmar convicted Ms. Suu Kyi on Monday on three charges, according to a person familiar with her case. The first two charges relate to allegations that she possessed illegally imported walkie-talkies at the time of her arrest. The third alleges that she broke pandemic-related restrictions on gatherings.

She was sentenced to two years imprisonment under the countrys import-export law and one year, to be served concurrently, under a telecommunications law, the person said. She was also sentenced to two years under a disaster-management law, bringing Mondays sentence to a total of four years, the person added.

On Dec. 6, Ms. Suu Kyi was sentenced to four years imprisonment on charges of incitement and a separate charge of violating the disaster-management law, but her sentence was reduced to two years in a partial pardon by junta leader Gen. Min Aung Hlaing. She is serving her sentence at an undisclosed location, where she has been held since May.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken called her first conviction an affront to democracy and justice in the country and urged Myanmar authorities to release her and others who had been detained. The countrys former President Win Myint and other officials from Ms. Suu Kyis ousted civilian administration also remain imprisoned.

The military takeover triggered mass protests nationwide, which were met with deadly force. More than 1,400 people have been killed and over 11,000 arrested since the coup, according to the nonprofit Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, which monitors fatalities and arrests in the country.

In recent months, many of the juntas opponents have joined an armed resistance movement. The military has intensified offensives against them, branding them as terrorists.

As the countrys most prominent pro-democracy advocate, Ms. Suu Kyi has spent long periods detained by the military in the past. She was held under house arrest for about 15 years under previous regimes, and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991 while still detained.

After she was freed, Ms. Suu Kyi led her political party, the National League for Democracy, to a landslide victory in the countrys first free elections in a quarter-century in 2015. The party secured a second term with an even bigger win in elections held in 2020.

The military said it seized power because of widespread fraud, though independent monitors have said the polls were mostly free and fair with no major irregularities. The junta has since annulled the results and says it plans to hold new elections, which the opposition would likely boycott.

Ms. Suu Kyis imprisonment leaves her political future uncertain, but activists and human-rights advocates say the coup ignited wider democratic opposition. Fortunately for her and the future of Myanmar, the Myanmar peoples movement has grown well beyond just the leadership of one woman, and one political party," said Phil Robertson, the deputy Asia director for Human Rights Watch.
This Christmas I received one gift that was really more like 400. A kindhearted and decluttering local bestowed unto me and my limited shelf space his entire collection of classical vinyl - about eight feet of records were you to line them up, as I have, in a single row on the floor until such time as the notion of an Ikea adventure becomes bearable.

The gentleman who gifted these albums had them meticulously ordered and alphabetized before they made their way to me in the trunk of a compact car. Re-sorting them into my existing stacks seems like the perfect winter project.

My album donor had equally generous tastes in composers, with an affinity for non-pianic keyboards of all sorts: organs, harpsichords, clavichords, even a sizable stack of analog synthesizer performances (hello, Tomita) from the "switched on" era. The stacks held heavy helpings of organist composers like Charles-Marie Widor, Cesar Franck and Louis Vierne; and virtuosic interpreters like Albert Schweitzer, Helmut Walcha and E. Power Biggs, able to turn the smallest studio apartment into a grand-seeming studio cathedral.

But the first record that caught my eyes, my ears and has yet to part ways with my turntable is perhaps the most powerhouse pairing ever to bridge the ages: Ralph Kirkpatrick playing Johann Sebastian Bach.

Specifically, Book 1 of Bach's "The Well-Tempered Clavier," which reaches its tricentennial this year.

The WTC, as it's often affectionately abbreviated, is a two-volume set of preludes and fugues written in each of the 24 musical keys, rising two-by-two through each of them, from C major to B minor. Penned nearly 20 years apart, the paired short compositions were intended "for the use and profit of musical youth," but 300 years later, their magic is truly multipurpose.

The WTC lately attends everything from my more focused activities (reading, writing, wall-staring) to my mindless household engagements (dusting, folding, wall-staring). The preludes conjure something like a transcendent beauty - miniature glimpses of Bach's celestial reach. The fugues, meanwhile, weave something more like the wale of a domestic fabric. Taken together, though, the forms and functions of the WTC offer something like an architectural experience - you wander through Bach's arches, the keys catching and coloring the light.

This might be a little facile, I can't really tell these days, but I might also be drawn to the WTC's insistent illusion of order. Maybe alphabetizing my records and cleaning my house and sorting everything that can possibly be sorted and listening to "The Well-Tempered Clavier" for enjoyment is just me trying to dial down or drown out the disorder of everything else.

But even the order the WTC imposes on itself seems illusory. At all times, Bach seems to push against his own organizing principle, his brilliance relentlessly threatening the strictures of its structure. His music is always bigger than how we can think of it; sunlight as trapped by a bird cage.

Here, "well-tempered" refers to Bach's enthusiastic - and then quite edgy - pursuit of an "equal temperament," a tuning that would allow all of the keys to be played. Some, like C-sharp minor, had fallen completely off the intonation table. But that well-struck temperance could just as well refer to the suites' careful balance of form and freedom - as with a poetic form, Bach's limitless possibilities are realized through those very boundaries he sets for himself.

This particular recording, from 1965, seems on its surface to be a standard capture of the most standard of standards, Kirkpatrick studiously seated in a suit at a black and red harpsichord (a Neupert, I'm guessing?) surrounded by bound volumes in an austere-looking drawing room. But this harpsichord rendition has, for some reason, never made the leap to digital. (His earlier recording of the set from 1963 on his preferred instrument, the clavichord, was issued on CD in 2000. This bit of rarity tempering the WTC's ubiquity registers as yet another delectable tension.)

I vibe with Ralph Kirkpatrick in a few ways. For one thing, we were sort of neighbors. Ralph was born in 1911 in Leominster, Mass., the town next to where I was born a generation later. Leominster had the Blue Devils and Fitchburg had the Red Raiders; they had plastics plants, we had paper mills. But shared by both communities was a firm commitment to staying put. My greatest fear growing up in triple-deckered suburbia was that the city limits would become my own.

Ralph, however - good on him - made it out of the Montachusett Valley. After a childhood spent in piano lessons, he got into Harvard University and made his way to Paris, where he studied harpsichord with Wanda Landowska and music theory with Nadia Boulanger. He went to Germany and learned from organist Gunther Ramin, composer Heinz Tiessen and early music revivalist and revered instrument maker, Arnold Dolmetsch.

He performed and recorded now-standard accounts of Bach's "Goldberg Variations," as well as a comprehensive survey of Domenico Scarlatti's sonatas. He also dug into contemporary works by composers including Igor Stravinsky, Elliott Carter and Henry Cowell. He won a Guggenheim Fellowship in 1937, and went on to distinguished teaching careers at Yale University and the University of California at Berkeley.

Oh, and he's also the namesake of an asteroid. Honestly, not too shabby for a Leominster kid.

But my immediate identification with Kirkpatrick goes beyond just a neighborly resonance. We seem to share a mutually stubborn allergy to what I must transpose into horsepucky.

As an interpreter of Bach, Kirkpatrick's renown stemmed from dual senses of fidelity: the crisp, prickly, precise sonics of his playing, but also his devout attention to and reverence for the music itself. Kirkpatrick's interpretation of Bach was akin to a nave's interpretation of its organ, or a priest's recitation of the Word - pure and mere vessel. Ideally invisible.

His New York Times obituary in 1984 took note of this "serious, objective approach to music, setting almost motionless as he played, refusing to exploit his own virtueity, or any flashiness in the score."

And in his liner notes to the 1965 recording in my hands, pianist Walther Kaempfer calls Kirkpatrick "the born exponent of Bach": "Within the strictly observed bounds of historical and stylistic fidelity each work takes on, at his hands, the human characteristics of the culture which gave birth to it."

Kirkpatrick's authority comes, in part, from another aspect of him I have quickly come to love: The man was a true crank. "With the popularity of Telemann and Vivaldi," he said in 1969, "one realized how much people desire banal and comfortable mediocrity."

He also had plenty of thoughts concerning the WTC, of which he was quite protective.

"Much of the vast literature already published about the WTC deserves either oblivion or that kind of specific attack in which here I am unwilling to engage," he wrote in "Interpreting Bach's Well-Tempered Clavier: A Performer's Discourse of Method," a collection of lectures from 1964 published by Yale in the last year of Kirkpatrick's life.

As one might imagine, Kirkpatrick did not view his own examination of the WTC with the same degree of disdain. He asserted that melody, rhythm and harmony were the only matters of concern for those playing the delicate piece, and I love the rules of engagement he set out for pianists (specifically) daring to take it on:

- "Treat temptations to provocative eccentricity and to superficial effects with the contempt they deserve."

- "If you are determined to make Bach sound like something else, then play something else."

- " 'Bach's way' captured kills music; 'Bach's way' followed, confers on it infinite life."

I also love the idea of Ralph from Leominster proverbially hurling a bust of Bach at anyone who would dare approach his favorite composer with anything short of supplication. It reminds me of how I can trash talk my hometown and still feel weirdly protective of it, defensive of the cell of a shell it kept me in for so long.

Something about those limits made me aware of limits, and made want to push past them.

Sometimes I think this is why churches are so tall. To make us aware of what's beyond their reach. Maybe this is where Ralph and I really hit the same frequency, and how he makes some of the oldest music I know sound like something I've never heard. He plays it how it's meant to be played - that is, within and without its limits.

"It is not so much a question of understanding Bach wrongly or rightly as a question of capacities of consciousness and feeling," Kirkpatrick wrote. "It's a question of abstaining from taking a position which in any way precludes further revelation. The mind made up need not necessarily become the equivalent of the mind closed."
Two suspected human smugglers led state police in a vehicle pursuit that started in south of Laredo and ended in the City of El Cenizo, according to an arrest affidavit.

On Jan. 4, a Texas Department of Public Safety trooper tried to pull over a Chrysler 300 for speeding on Mangana-Hein Road. A pursuit ensued when the vehicle accelerated, according to the affidavit. The chase ended when the vehicle stopped at the dead end of Rosales Street in the City of El Cenizo.
Orlando Sentinel Now afternoon update for Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2021. Listen as our reporters, editors and columnists discuss stories that are important to Central Florida: Apple podcasts , GooglePlay , Spotify or OrlandoSentinel.com/Conversations .

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Calls are growing for a rethink of how school exams are to be held in Ireland this year, amid concerns about the disruption students have faced.

However, one leading teachers union has insisted that traditional exams must take place in 2022.

Students have spoken out about the pressures and problems they have faced since school returned in September.

Since schools reopened after Christmas there have also been warnings that some teaching may be forced temporarily online, due to swathes of staff absences caused by Covid-19.

There have been renewed calls for a hybrid approach to exams in which students would have a choice between sitting exams and accredited grades.

Emer Neville, president of the Irish Second-Level Students Union said that pupils would like to know as soon as possible what Junior Certificate and Leaving Certificate exams might look like at the end of term.

ISSU SURVEY ON COVID-19 IN SCHOOLS & THE STATE EXAMINATIONS 2022 IS NOW OPEN!!! Visit: https://t.co/ydGiyNkUKh This survey has questions regarding the return to school, your experience being back or staying at home in isolation. #ISSUSurvey #ISSU4U #Safety4Students pic.twitter.com/M5sa5Pz6jV  Irish Second-Level Students' Union (ISSU) (@issu4u) January 7, 2022

It is very clear that students are continuing to experience really large disruptions and are missing a lot of class time, with no online tuition being made available for those stuck at home.

So the disadvantages these students are facing in their education are also growing each day. As of now, nothing has been done to really address that gap in tuition and the rising inequality facing exam-year students.

Her secondary school students union is currently asking members about exams.

What we know at the moment is that the exams cannot go ahead as planned, she said.

Even students in school are learning in a less-than-ideal environment, she said.

Many students have reported cold temperatures in classrooms, as schools open windows in a bid to improve ventilation.

Were hearing on the ground that students are actually struggling to write in class. Theyre left shaking. Other students have said their hands have been purple coming out of school.

As students return to school this week, we are demanding that the Minister for Education makes the decision to run the Leaving Cert for 2022 as hybrid model of written exams and calculated grades. Sign our petition https://t.co/vPtYYrbB2V#HybridLC2022 pic.twitter.com/yVcRAbiBWE  The Labour Party (@labour) January 7, 2022

These students also missed school in TY [transition year] and they missed school in fifth year and some of them dont even have a Junior Cert.

So I think it more than warrants some sort of change and if a hybrid is introduced thats fantastic. If its safe to do so, theyll be able to sit the exams and whatever we see happening students should be given the best chance to perform best in their state exam.

The calls for some kind of change have been echoed by opposition politicians.

Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald called on the Government to provide clarity.

It strikes me as a matter of fairness to students and indeed to staff at a time where we now have very high levels of infection and whereas schools might be open, thats no guarantee that every teacher will be in.

Its certainly no guarantee that every student will be in a position to attend.

I think as a matter of basic fairness, that blended approach needs to be offered, she told RTE radio on Monday.

Labour TD Aodhan O Riordain and his party have also been calling for Education Minister Norma Foley to introduce a hybrid Leaving Certificate.

Very positive to see the @NAPD_IE come out in favour of choice in Leaving Cert 2022 Many Principals & Deputy Principals can see the pressure their students are under and challenges in covering the course. Students deserve a choice between written exams & accredited grades https://t.co/lON5y8GhsX  Donnchadh O Laoghaire (@Donnchadhol) January 10, 2022

Last week he tweeted: Time for the Minister to listen.

No-one can pretend that 6th years are being experiencing an exam year unaffected by COVID.

This campaign has been backed by some in Fine Gael, one of the three parties in the coalition Government.

Senator Regina Doherty, a former minister and senior party member, said on Sunday: I appreciate that some allowances have been made for this years Leaving Cert students, and Im sure they do too, but that is nowhere near enough.

The decision to grant last years students a hybrid option, which gave them the option of sitting exams or receiving accredited grades, came as a relief to so many.

She called on Ms Foley to give strong consideration to introducing some changes to exams.

We owe sixth year students more compassion than the Leaving Cert as usual  Doherty #HybridLC2022 https://t.co/QEjwNHeGQW via @FineGael  Regina Doherty (@ReginaDo) January 9, 2022

The hybrid option is a compassionate one, and compassion is what our students deserve right now.

Yet some teaching groups have spoken out against any plans to introduce changes.

In a statement on Monday, the Teachers Union of Ireland said it was the strong position of the trade union that the traditional state examinations must take place this year.

The current circumstances are radically different from previous years and there is no justification for offering additional options to students. On that basis, the TUI will not support any other options.

Recent contributions from some political parties around this issue are unhelpful and will inevitably lead to more uncertainty in school communities that are already struggling with the varied consequences of the pandemic.

We are already receiving reports of students disengaging because of an expectation that they will not have to sit examinations. This is very damaging to the education system and to the prospects of those students, the union said.

However, the union said that its position was that further consideration could be given to extending the breadth of topics covered in papers or adjusting marking schemes, and any other reasonable measures that might take account of this years circumstances as we see how the situation evolves.

A spokesman for the Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland (ASTI) said that it was committed to an externally-assessed Leaving Certificate.

The spokesman indicated that the fact that many Junior Certificate exams had been cancelled due to the pandemic had created an absence of data to inform calculated grades.

A significant number of these students are now in their Leaving Cert year. This means that there is no Junior Cert data from externally assessed Junior Cert exams available for these students, the spokesman said.

The National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals (NAPD) has said there needs to be a discussion about what exactly a hybrid system looks like, but is backing measures to support students.

Paul Crone, director of the NAPD said: Were saying we just need to be mindful and considerate that we need to put as much supports in place as we possibly can to support these students.

We would be in favour of the state running the state exams next June, but we also will be saying we need to consider how else we can capture their assessments.

I dont know how we define hybrid. We had to calculate grades in 2020. We had accredited grades in 2021. I am conscious that there are or have been issues with both of them.

We need to put our thinking caps on and come up with some form of supports for students.

Mr Crone said that while he agreed with the TUI on the need to hold exams in June, it was important to bear in mind the unprecedented challenges pupils had faced.

Is that as the sole means  is that being fair to the students?

Is that increasing or reducing the students anxiety? Is that the best, the optimum way, to prepare students and assess students for whatever the next stage of their educational or vocational journey?

The Department of Education has been contacted for comment.
The overall number of Covid cases in Ireland has surpassed one million.

That's according to the Covid Data Hub, which reports 1,002,013 cases have been recorded so far this year.

It comes after a week of record-breaking case loads, with 23,909 cases reported yesterday (January 10).

Longford's courts system heading into 'perfect storm' as Covid crisis intensifies A judge has told of how Longford's judicial system is heading into 'the perfect storm' as the continuing surge in Covid-19 cases gathers pace.

As of this morning, 1,062 people with Covid are currently in hospital with 92 in ICU.

HSE Chief, Paul Reid, doesn't believe the peak in the number of people getting sick and requiring hospitalisation has been reached.

Of 307,451 Covid tests completed over the last seven days, just over half (51%) have come back positive.

However, Mr Reid told RTE Morning Ireland yesterday that the numbers are "thankfully steady in ICU".

He believes the peak of HSE staff absences is yet to come, stating, "It certainly doesn't feel like it right now. That's the sense we're getting from our teams."

He said, "I hope now over the coming days to see more staff coming back than going out and start to get some relief on it. It still doesn't feel like we've reached that peak from a staff impact or hospitalisations impact."

Just under 6,000 deaths have been recorded in the country since the beginning of the pandemic.
A man is to appear in court after gardai seized approximately 12,500 worth of drugs in Longford town earlier today.

The man, who is aged in his 20s, was arrested after gardai stopped and searched a car in Longford town shortly before midday.

During the course of that search, cocaine with an estimated street value of 9,000 was recovered.

The Leader understands a follow up search of a property along the Richmond Street area of town resulted in the discovery of a further 3,500 worth of cocaine.

All the drugs seized have since been sent for analysis as part of an ongoing investigation.

Longford man pleads guilty to endangering the lives of two gardai A man has pleaded guilty to endangering the lives of two gardai by driving head on at a garda patrol car in Edgeworthstown four years ago.

It's understood the seizure was made as part of Operation Tara, an initiative launched in July last year aimed at tackling street-level drug dealing in cities, towns and villages across the country.

The operation has also seen gardai focus on the increasing rate of drug related intimidation where families of users with debts are being targeted with threats of violence and death.

The male suspect who was arrested and detained for a number of hours at Longford garda station earlier today under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act was later charged in connection to the incident.

He is due to appear before a sitting of Longford District Court on February 1.
Irish businesses are showing increasing concerns over the prospect of further cyber attacks in the near future, new research has suggested.

According to research gathered from the tax, audit and advisory firm PricewaterhouseCooper (also known as PwC Ireland) as part of its Global Digital Trust Insights Study, just under two-thirds (62%) of Irish businesses "expect cyber crime to increase in 2022."

Longford's courts system heading into 'perfect storm' as Covid crisis intensifies A judge has told of how Longford's judicial system is heading into 'the perfect storm' as the continuing surge in Covid-19 cases gathers pace.

The study, which involved 3,600 participants, noted that a rise in ransomware attacks is feared most, followed by an increase in malicious malware.

It also found that fewer than two in five Irish corporate leaders have a "high understanding of the risk of data breaches through third parties," while one quarter have "little or no understanding at all of these risks", with 29% professing to having an understanding of cloud risks.

Commenting on the findings, Pat Moran, PwC Irelands head of cyber security, said that fewer businesses are responding to the "escalating threats that complex business models pose."

PwC Ireland also pointed out that says that 62% of Irish companies expect a jump in attacks on their cloud services, while only 29% profess to have an understanding of cloud risks.

To add to the issue, the research found that overly complex IT systems in Irish companies are getting in the way of security protection: three-quarters (76%) of executive respondents blame "data governance" for being an area of "unnecessary and avoidable complexity, while the "cloud environment" (72%) and "data infrastructure" (62%) come next on the problem list.

With Ireland recently seeing a number of cyberattacks on the Health Service Executive (HSE), it appears that the topic of cybersecurity will soon become a more potent one for our society in the near future.
(Alliance News) - Beowulf Mining PLC announced Tuesday that its Finnish subsidiary, Grafintec Oy, and Epsilon Advanced Materials Private Ltd have signed a memorandum of understanding with the City of Vaasa, Finland, for their anode production joint venture.

Grafintec is wholly-owned by Beowulf and owns 49% of the JV, and Epsilon, a subsidiary of Indian coal tar derivatives manufacturer, Epsilon Carbon Private Ltd, owns 51%.

The City of Vaasa has given the JV partners six months exclusivity to a plot in the GigaVaasa area, with an option to extend by another six months.

Grafintec and Epsilon now can begin the first phase of establishing an anode materials production facility, GVA10, conducting technical and environmental studies, and initiating permitting discussions with Finnish authorities.

Nordic-focused exploration company Beowulf expects Phase 1 to generate a production capacity of 10,000 tonnes per annum of anode material. Phase 2 will add 40,000 TPA, giving the plant a capacity of 50,000 TPA. The material will be sold to European battery manufacturers.

The GigaVaasa industrial area focuses on battery value chain manufacturing. It benefits from strong transport connections, and its links to the EnergyVaasa technology cluster and local higher education institutions offer a steady supply of skilled labour for the JV.

Beowulf's share price rose 2.3% to 11.25 pence each on Tuesday afternoon in London.

By Elizabeth Winter; elizabethwinter@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2022 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
(Alliance News) - Kainos Group PLC announced on Tuesday it had wholly acquired Blackline Group Inc.

The Belfast-based software company did not disclose the terms of the acquisition.

Blackline is a speciality services firm that focuses on procurement. It was founded in 2009 in the US and previously worked as an advisory partner for Kainos' Workday Strategic Sourcing. The acquisition is Kainos' sixth in the Workday partner ecosystem.

Workday is a management cloud platform that covers areas such as finance, human resources, and planning for businesses.

Kainos said the acquisition will strengthen its capabilities in the Workday ecosystem and will enhance its Workday presence in North America and Europe by adding over 50 spend management and procurement consultants from Blackline who will support the expansion.

Shares in Kainos were up 2.2% at 1,664.04 pence on Tuesday morning in London.

By Heather Rydings; heatherrydings@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2022 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
This photo provided by The City of Key West, Fla., shows Southernmost Point buoy on Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022 in Key West, Fla. Police are searching for two people who burned a part of Key Westas famous Southernmost Point buoy early New Yearas Day after setting a fire near the landmark tourism icon. (City of Key West via AP) (AP Photo)

A mystery floating around Key Wests burnt buoy has been solved thanks to a bartender, business owner and a man who was stingy with tipping, according to news outlets.

David B. Perkins, Jr., 22, of Leesburg, Florida was arrested Friday and is suspected as one of the men who vandalized Key Wests Iconic southern point buoy. He was released a few hours later after posting bail according to online records from the Monroe County Sheriffs Office. A second man, Skylar Jacobson, 21, of Henrietta, Texas, was identified as the other suspect. Both face a felony charge of criminal mischief with more than $1,000 in damage.

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On New Years Day, the beloved landmark, showing the United States southernmost point, was found to be vandalized with scorch marks after two men set a pine tree on fire in front of it, according to Fl Keys News.

Looking for justice, Key West locals began scouring the internet for answers. Cameron Briody, a bartender at Irish Kevins, a bar on Duval Street, recognized one of the men, Jacobson, who locals suspected of the arson and was identified on a webcam video, Fl Keys News reported.

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Briody remembered the man because he ordered three drinks that night and didnt leave a tip, the only customer who didnt, the report stated. Briody remembered Jacobson had paid with a card and told Daylin Starks, the bars general manager, Fl Keys News reported. Starks found Jacobsons transaction information and with the time stamp was able to find him on the bars camera.

Starks shared the information with police who were able to identify the men on other security cameras.

Police booked Perkins and learned that he and Jacobson found the pine tree and dragged it to buoy and lit it with a cigarette lighter, Fl Keys News reported.

While Briody didnt feel he should be reward for the assistance on the arrests, he was given a case of rum for his efforts by the owner of a rum distillery in downtown Key West, according to the report.

Read more at Fl Keys News.
(Alliance News) - Katoro Gold PLC and Power Metal Resources PLC announced on Tuesday, in separate statements, that a diamond drilling programme has commenced at their Haneti nickel project in Tanzania.

Shares in Katoro were up 12% at 0.62 pence on Tuesday morning in London. Shares in Power Metal were up 1.4% at 1.65p.

The Haneti project is currently held under a joint venture with Katoro, which holds a 65% interest, and Power Metal, which holds the remaining 35% interest.

The planned 1,000 metre drill programme consists of three deep diamond core targeting magmatic sulphide hosted nickel, copper and platinum group metals. The work will be the first diamond drilling conducted by the joint venture within the Haneti project area.

Katoro, a London-based gold and nickel exploration company with projects in Tanzania and South Africa, said it is expected that mobilisation will be completed around January 17 and drilling to commence around January 20.

Power Metal, a London-based metal discovery company with projects in Africa, Australia and North America, added that, in advance of the drilling programme, the Haneti project licences have successfully been renewed for an additional 7 years.

Katoro Executive Chair Louis Coetzee said: "We are very pleased to be starting off the new year on a good note for the Haneti project. Commencing with the next phase of the diamond drill programme marks a milestone in our exploration strategy. Subject to the results from the diamond programme, we look forward to unlocking even more positive developments."

Chief Executive of Power Metal Paul Johnson commented: "The preparatory work leading up to this campaign has been extensive, though ultimately, it is deep diamond drilling that is now needed in order to broaden our understanding of the geological environments and to unlock the potential for a commercial discovery."

By Heather Rydings; heatherrydings@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2022 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
The teaser clip also sees West, 44, in the studio with music stars such as Jay-Z, Pharrell Williams and Kid Cudi.



'jeen-Yuhs' is scheduled to play at the Sundance Film Festival that will take place virtually later this month.



The film's producer and TIME Studios president Ian Orefice stated: Filmmakers Coodie and Chike have created an extraordinary film and were honoured that they have trusted TIME Studios to produce jeen-yuhs: A Kanye Trilogy."



It was recently reported that Kanye - who legally changed his name to Ye last year - was desperate to perform a gig at the last minute on New Year's Eve but had to ditch his plans after his team were unable to secure a venue in time.



A source explained: "His team called everyone in Miami asking if they had a location to do a concert. At 6:15pm on NYE. People just went back to their glass of champagne.



"He wanted such a big group, like 50 or 60 people. A lot of places just didnt have the space."

BANG Showbiz
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.
LANSING  The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services recently updated its K-12 school quarantine and isolation guidance to reflect recent updates made by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that modifies or shortens the quarantine and isolation periods to as short as five days in some circumstances.

Changes include language on isolation guidance that allow students, teachers and staff to return to school sooner after infection, under certain circumstances. Quarantine guidance is also updated, allowing students, as well as staff and teachers, to return to school sooner after a school-based exposure.

A MDHHS news release states that when layered prevention strategies such as vaccination, masking, distancing, testing, isolation and quarantine are applied consistently, school-associated transmission of COVID-19 is significantly reduced. MDHHS is continuing to recommend universal masking in K-12 settings. This guidance will help K-12 schools maintain in-person learning by outlining mitigation strategies when students, teachers and staff are exposed to a COVID-19 case in a school setting.

We always advocate for preventative measures that keep our children safe, said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, MDHHS chief medical executive, in a news release. Children of school age  ages 5 and up  are now eligible to get vaccinated, and children ages 12 and up are eligible to get boosted. In addition to masking and testing, we feel confident that schools can remain as safe as possible for our children.

Quarantine and isolation are determined by the local health department and are used as important tools to prevent the spread of disease.

 Isolate when already infected with COVID-19 and have tested positive, even if one does not have symptoms. Isolation is used to separate people who are infected with COVID-19 from those who are not infected.

 Quarantine when one might have been exposed to COVID-19. This is because one might become infected with COVID-19 and could spread COVID-19 to others.

Overview of COVID-19 isolation guidance for K-12 Schools:

Students, teachers and staff who test positive for COVID-19 and/or display COVID-19 symptoms should isolate regardless of vaccination status:

 If positive with no symptoms, monitor for symptoms from day of exposure through day 10 of isolation; and

 Isolate at home for five days (day 0 is the day symptoms begin or day test was taken for students, teachers and staff who do not have symptoms); and

 If symptoms have improved or you continue to have no symptoms, return to school while wearing a well-fitted mask for days 6 -10; or

 Stay home for 10 days if unwilling/unable to wear a mask.

If one has a fever, stay home until fever-free for a period of 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications.

Overview of COVID-19 quarantine guidance for K-12 Schools:

Close contacts of a COVID-19 case do not need to quarantine at home if they:

 Had confirmed COVID-19 within the last 90 days; and/or

 Are up to date on all recommended COVID-19 vaccines for which they are eligible

These contacts should still monitor their symptoms and mask to stay for 10 days from the date of last exposure.

Close contacts of a COVID-19 case who do not meet the criteria above need to quarantine or may test to stay and/or mask to stay. Exposed individuals may:

 Home quarantine for days 1-5, if feasible test on day 5, and mask to stay for days 6-10; or

 Test to stay for days 1-6 and mask to stay for days 1-10; or

 Home quarantine for days 1-10 if unable/unwilling to mask.

Students, teachers and staff should monitor for symptoms throughout quarantine period (days one through 10). Day 0 is day of last close contact with any COVID-19 positive student, teacher or staff. If symptoms develop, get tested.

Symptom Monitoring

During days 0-10 following exposure:

 Watch for symptoms, such as fever, cough, shortness of breath or other COVID-19 symptoms.

 If symptoms develop, get tested immediately and isolate until receiving test results. If test is positive, then follow isolation recommendations.

 If symptoms do not develop, get tested at least five days after last exposed.

 If possible, stay away from others in the home, especially people who are at higher risk of getting very sick from COVID-19.

For the full 10 days after last exposure, avoid people who are immunocompromised or at high risk for severe disease, and nursing homes and other high-risk settings.

Test to Stay: Test every other day for 6 days following the exposure and consistent and correct use of a well-fitted mask.

Mask to Stay is the consistent and correct use of a well-fitted mask when around others and in school and public settings.

For more information, visit Michigan.gov/Coronavirus.

To find a vaccine, visit VaccineFinder.org.
China commends outstanding grass-roots police officers

Xinhua) 08:50, January 11, 2022

BEIJING, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- China announced a list of 20 outstanding grass-roots police officers and 17 for nomination awards, as Monday marks the second Chinese People's Police Day.

The list of grass-roots police officers along with their stories was released by the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the Ministry of Public Security.

Some of the awardees come from police stations at primary levels, some serve as criminal police and detectives, cyber police, border police, as well as traffic and railway police, and some have participated in the United Nations peacekeeping missions.

They have guarded political security, maintained social stability and the peaceful life of the people with their hard work, and sometimes even sacrificed their blood and lives. They are the best representatives of the Chinese people's police, said a statement by the authorities.

The Chinese People's Police Day, which falls every Jan. 10, corresponds with the country's emergency call number of 110. The establishment of this festival was approved in 2020 in recognition of the extraordinary work of the country's public security guardians.

(Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun)
A Florida woman suffered a serious gunshot wound in her backyard after being hit by a bullet fired from a high-powered rifle from neighbors who were next door target shooting.

Heather Sitton of Indiantown told TV station WPBF that she and her family including three children were out in her backyard with some friends getting ready for a mule ride in the mostly rural town in inland Martin County.

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The station reported that a bullet entered Sittons right arm, shattered the bone, exited the arm, then hit her clavicle and left art. Sitton told the station that her 8-year-old daughter had just been standing in that area moments before, as well.

Sitton was hospitalized with the injury.

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Martin County sheriffs detectives determined the shot likely came from a neighbors property where four people were taking turns with one rifle aiming at paper targets on a 5-foot-tall berm, but the bullet went high, traveling about 900 feet and into Sittons yard, according to the station.

Martin County Chief Deputy John Budensiek told the station that target practice is not illegal, and investigators could not determine which of the four individuals had fired the round. While the incident is under investigation, no charges have been filed.

Read more at wpbf.com.
McAlester, OK (74501)

Today

Cloudy skies early, followed by partial clearing. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 69F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Cloudy in the evening with scattered thunderstorms developing after midnight. Low 57F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 40%.
McAlester, OK (74501)

Today

Cloudy early with partial sunshine expected late. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 68F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Cloudy skies early followed by scattered showers and thunderstorms later during the night. Low 57F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 40%.
Peter Zhong and Jay Zou received honorable mentions in the Computer Research Association (CRA) 2022 Outstanding Undergraduate Researcher Awards. The nationwide award program recognizes undergraduate students who demonstrate exemplary research potential in computing.

I am delighted that Northwestern CS students have made the honorable awardee list for three years in a row now. This a testament to the amazing work our undergraduate students are engaged in and I look forward to seeing more bright minds motivated to get involved in research with faculty - both in computer science and related fields, said Samir Khuller, Peter and Adrienne Barris Chair of Computer Science at Northwestern Engineering. We now have twenty courtesy faculty in computer science and over fifty faculty in the department working with students at different stages in their careers.

Nominated students made significant contributions to more than one research project; authored multiple papers; presented at major conferences; produced software, applications, or algorithms; participated in summer research or internships; served as teaching assistants, tutors, or mentors; or volunteered in community efforts.

Peter Zhong

Advisers: Robby Findler and Christos Dimoulas

Zhong is a third-year student in the bachelor of science in computer science program at the McCormick School of Engineering.

Zhongs research interests center on leveraging language design and code analysis techniques to improve the security and efficiency of software engineering. To address the pervasive issue of poorly specified, tested and verified codebases, Zhong aims to investigate: language design techniques to help programmers write correct-by-construction code; the application of static analysis and dynamic testing techniques to identify mission-critical bugs; and accessibility improvements of mechanized formal verification for industry and broader use.

I am incredibly pleased that my work, in collaboration with other members of my lab, is recognized by the CRA, Zhong said.

At RacketCon 2020, Zhong presented a defensive programming tool he built to automate the process of translating legacy defensive checks in Racket programs to equivalent contracts, which more cleanly and transparently express the requirements of a procedure at the interface level. The tool identifies errors, constructs contracts from their test positions, and removes residual defensive code without changing meaning or hampering reliability.

Zhongs affinity for teaching CS concepts and his belief in the importance of outreach to students from underrepresented backgrounds led him to volunteer at Code Your Chances (CYC), an organization dedicated to introducing young women ages 9-14 to the creative applications of computer science. Zhong developed a workshop on artificial intelligence with fellow Northwestern CS undergraduates Alberta Yoo and Carina Ramos and presented to schools such as Lester Elementary in Downers Grove, Illinois, and institutions such as Christopher House, a personalized, early childhood education and family support organization. Zhong also collaborated with teams from Princeton University and the University of Wisconsin to develop apps that improve the teaching experience. In addition, he served as a supervisor and mentor on the Youth Leadership Board.

In the future, I not only wish to continue theoretical programming languages research, but also to apply my research to real-world industry settings, and ultimately, to empower software engineers, Zhong said.

Zhong intends to pursue a doctoral degree in computer science and plans to continue his career as an applied scientist in academia and teach at the university level.

Jay Zou

Adviser: Istvan Kovacs

Zou is a third-year student pursuing a bachelor of arts degree in physics and astronomy, and the Integrated Science Program in Northwesterns Weinberg College of Arts & Sciences. He is also completing a masters degree in electrical engineering at Northwestern Engineering.

Zous research interests developed in high school when he conducted experimental and computational astrophysics research and published his findings to the International Astronomical Union.

Zou is completing an independent research project at the intersection of physics and computer science studying multipartite entanglement in the quantum Ising model. Using original research, he designed and implemented efficient, robust cluster counting algorithms in Python and bash scripts with Northwesterns QUEST computing cluster to quantify multipartite entanglement, in particular universality and distance dependence. His computational results are further supported by analytical calculations stemming from theoretical physics. Zou presented his work at the 2021 Fall Meeting of the American Physical Society Prairie Section and is finalizing additional statistical analysis. He is preparing the manuscript for journal publication.

Being recognized for honorable mention for the CRA award is not only a testament to my studies and dedication toward my research project, but also a starting point for my future research endeavors, Zou said. Most importantly though, this would not have been possible without the tireless support of my adviser and peers for thoughtful discussions.

Zou serves as a peer adviser, residential assistant, teaching assistant for the Department of Physics and Astronomy, and peer mentor for the new DATA_ENG 200: Foundations of Data Science studio course in the data science and engineering minor program. He is also a telescope operator at Northwesterns historical Dearborn Observatory.

The observatory allows me to not only continue my interests in observational astronomy, which was my initial introduction to computational research, but also allows me to share the passion this subject holds to visitors of all ages and backgrounds ranging from aspiring young scientists to senior citizens.

Zou will be conducting his masters research with Pedram Khalili, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering at Northwestern Engineering, on unconventional computing architecture. Zou plans to pursue a doctoral degree focusing on physics and machine learning with a particular interest in optical and magnetic computing.
Police in Florida say they followed a trail of glitter and arrested two women who threw several containers of the sparkly stuff at a man during an argument, according to a news report.

Kaitlin ODonovan, 27, and Sarah Franks, 29, both face felony charges after the Clearwater attack, WFLA-Channel 8 reported.

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Police said the women lobbed the first batch of the tiny shimmering particles during an argument with the victim at about 3 a.m. Monday as he stood on his fenced balcony on Fairwood Avenue.

He was hit in the head and torso, arrest affidavits state.

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Officers said Franks then climbed over the balcony fence, went into the mans apartment and threw more containers of glitter at him, before unlocking the front door to let ODonovan inside as well, WFLA reported.

The women are then accused of throwing more containers of the iridescent irritant at the man.

Police traced Franks vehicle, which they said was still warm and had glitter inside.

Both women were arrested and charged with felony burglary with assault or battery. Additionally, Franks was hit with a charge of misdemeanor criminal mischief after being accused of breaking a window of the victims apartment.
Good news: Floridas corporate income tax (CIT) rate has returned to 5.5 percent. This is the level it was at for 35 years before state lawmakers temporarily reduced it in 2018. The law reducing the rate was originally supposed to expire in 2019, but state lawmakers extended it twice, with a sunset date of Jan. 1, 2022. Unfortunately, our state has lost out on more than $1.8 billion in revenue during these past few years that could have otherwise been invested in Florida families and communities.

Now, with the 2022 legislative session upon us and the CIT rate back to where it should be, Florida lawmakers should stop the last $624 million payout that some of the states largest corporations are slated to receive this May. Below are three reasons why legislators should halt this final payment, and then invest those dollars in crucial public services (not more corporate tax cuts).

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Sadaf Knight is CEO of the nonprofit Florida Policy Institute (Courtesy of Sadaf Knight)

Floridians with low and moderate incomes need access to crucial public services. A state budget is a balancing act, and when lawmakers spend taxpayer dollars on corporate tax cuts, it results in lost revenue for the state.

\In order to make up for that revenue loss, lawmakers have two choices: raise taxes on working Floridians, who already shoulder the tax burden in our state, or underfund crucial programs and services. Its important to look at this tradeoff in real terms  for example, consider the fact that 70,000 Floridians continue to languish on waitlists for home- and community-based services. Or that people who lose their job in Florida are subject to one of the lowest unemployment insurance benefit levels in the entire country. Or that adults who do not have minor children cannot qualify for Medicaid, no matter how low their income is.

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If corporations receive the $624 million payout this year, it will be to the detriment of other areas of the budget, many of which, like the states UI and health-care systems, are severely underfunded. These tradeoffs have serious implications for the well-being of residents.

Tax relief should be targeted to working Floridians, not corporations. Florida is unique in that it relies heavily on the state sales tax as a source of general revenue. This fact, along with Floridas lack of a state income tax, means that our state has one of the most upside-down tax systems in the nation: the wealthiest Floridians pay less in state taxes, as a share of household income, than people struggling to make ends meet. Instead of giving $624 million in taxpayer dollars to corporations, which does nothing to fix the broken tax code, state lawmakers should invest in real tax relief for people who are working but still having a hard time paying their bills. For example, enacting legislation (SB 234) creating the Working Floridians Tax Rebate, a state version of the federal Earned Income Tax Credit, would provide long-term relief to 2.1 million Floridians with low-to-moderate incomes, including 219,000 people in Orange and Osceola counties.

Only the wealthiest corporations will benefit from the payout. Florida imposes a CIT on corporations and exempts the first $50,000 of net income, as well as small businesses. Of those that are not exempt, more than nine in 10 making under $50 million paid no CIT in tax year 2018-19. Since most corporations do not pay CIT, they would not be receiving the payout in May.

There is still a lot of work to do in Florida. Even before the pandemic, millions of people were having trouble putting food on the table. Now is the time for smart investments in public services, not continued tax breaks and reductions for corporations. We strongly encourage lawmakers to leave the CIT rate alone, stop this years payout, and reject any legislation, like Senate Bill 1090, that would halt the last payout but spend that revenue on yet another corporate tax break.

Sadaf Knight is the CEO of the Florida Policy Institute, a left-leaning nonprofit based in Orlando.
Legislature must find common ground

The Florida Legislature started Tuesday. Much of the extra money available came from federal stimulus and relief packages passed by Democrats. Much of the extra money available came from keeping businesses open, an effort headed up by Republicans. No one should be chest-pounding how great they are. Just get together and solve the many problems Florida faces.

Gee, what a novel idea.

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Charles Lang Orlando

Why are smokers, anti-vaxxers different?

Lately Ive been wondering why society in general treats smokers so differently from those who refuse to get vaccinated or wear masks in public. Smokers seem to have accepted being treated like lepers, with all sorts of restrictions on their freedom, like smoking in almost all public areas: concerts, restaurants, workplaces, etc. Why does society treat anti-vaxxers and non-maskers so differently?

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Robert Salvage Clermont

Congress must learn to compromise

Today, I learned the meaning of compromise. I am approaching the age of 86 and have always lived by the adage of Its better to wear out than rust out. That kept me in pretty fair physical shape throughout the years, but recently my exercise regimen has seemed to be wearing on me.

Today, I had finished my daily walk along the Hillsborough River. I sat down at an outside table, joining an older and wiser gentleman who was sipping a cold beer. I told him about how I feel about wearing out or rusting out, but that I was beginning to feel as if I might be overdoing it somewhat. He grinned, sipped his beer and said, you just need to learn what our Congress cant seem to learn  and that is to compromise. He said if I continued to work exceptionally hard, Id probably die sooner than I would if I would simply compromise and slow down just a little and let a small amount of rust set in.

He added, Im from West Virginia, and Ive been giving that advice to Joe Manchin for five years and he hasnt taken it yet.

Political Pulse Weekly Get latest updates political news from Central Florida and across the state. >

I ordered a beer for both of us and we agreed that we had a worse problem right here in Florida, but we didnt mention Matt Gaetz, Marco Rubio or Rick Scott by name.

James Stuart Emery Valrico

Florida needs a responsible governor

Revered management expert, writer and teacher Peter F. Drucker once wrote, Performing responsible management is the alternative to tyranny and our only protection against it.

After considering Ron DeSantis denial of the significance and truth of the insurrection that occurred at the Capitol last year, and its implications to our democracy (DeSantis downplays Capitol insurrection, Jan. 7), I believe Mr. Drucker is correct.

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Gloria Groome Windermere

Judges waver on abortion, vaccine mandates

In the Jan. 8 article, Justices weigh in on Bidens shot mandate, the same justices who may be against vaccination mandates are also against a womans right to choose to have an abortion. How can these conservative judges be for a mandate against abortion and against a vaccination mandate that will help end a pandemic and save thousands of innocent lives?

William Higgins New Smyrna Beach
Meadville, PA (16335)

Today

Cloudy skies with periods of rain later in the day. High 66F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 70%..

Tonight

Showers and thunderstorms likely. Low 53F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%.
Nathan Myers (left) hugs Clifford Williams during a press conference in 2019 announcing Williams' 1976 death-penalty conviction was overturned. The state paid Williams $2.15 million for the 43 years he wrongly spent behind bars. (Will Dickey / AP)

With 324 people on death row  more than all but one other state  Floridas execution machine could stay busy for years.

Yet heres something many people dont know: Most states dont run those killing machines anymore.

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While about half the states still have the death penalty on the books, only five states actually executed anyone last year.

And over the last three years, only nine states have done so. Florida was one of them.

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This state has a passion for killing people. Not so much for getting it right.

Florida has incorrectly sentenced more people to death than any other state in America; at least 30 times.

Basically, for every 10 people weve executed, weve also been forced to acknowledge we sent three to death row by mistake or malice.

Next on Floridas kill list is James Dailey, an Air Force veteran who was convicted with circumstantial evidence based on the testimony of jailhouse snitches  for a crime to which another man confessed.

Dailey may be either Floridas 100th execution or 31st exoneration. The Supreme Court rejected his latest appeal late last year. And Gov. Ron DeSantis already signed his death warrant once.

Much of the civilized world has stopped executing people. Theres no death penalty in Great Britain, France, Canada or Australia.

The countries still carrying out executions include North Korea, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Libya and Iraq.

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The death penalty is declining across the United States, said Robert Dunham, the executive director of the Death Penalty Information Center. One by one, states are repealing it. In the states that have it, fewer counties are pursuing it  and fewer juries are returning capital verdicts.

There are a variety of reasons why Gallup has tracked a steady decline in public support for the death penalty from around 80% in the 1990s to around 54% today.

Because data shows the death penalty doesnt deter murder. (In fact, the three states with the highest homicide rate in 2019 all had the death penalty in full effect. One study found that the murder rates actually declined in most countries after they abolished capital punishment.)

Because people have realized death sentences arent handed down equally. (Youre more likely to be sentenced to die if youre male, poor, Black or mentally ill.)

And because taxpayers have learned it costs more to try to kill someone than to lock them up for life. (Costly appeals often take decades. And people who cavalierly argue we should just shorten the appeals process ignore the fact that some people have been exonerated 30 or 40 years later.)

But the main reason public support for capital punishment is shrinking is because of the growing list of wrongful convictions.

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No state has gotten it wrong more often than Florida.

Take it from Clifford Williams Jr., a Jacksonville man who spent 43 years maintaining his innocence until finally the state acknowledged he was right. A prosecutor  one of the few in Florida who set up a formal process to proactively seek out mistakes  decided to re-open the case and concluded there was simply no way he couldve committed the murder.

Also from Clemente Javier Aguirre-Jarquin, a Seminole County man who prosecutors confidently sent to death row ... until someone else confessed to the crime. The Florida Supreme Court would later say Aguirre-Jarquin looked more like a scapegoat than a criminal.

People who still support the death penalty dont like to talk about the mistakes  or try to comfort themselves by believing the states long list of exonerations proves the system works. But it takes an amazing suspension of logic to believe we caught every mistake.

Also, many of these mistakes were caught in spite of the government, not because of it.

In Aguirre-Jarquins case, prosecutors were still trying to kill him even after someone else repeatedly confessed. How can anyone have faith in that?

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One of the jurors who sentenced Aguirre-Jarquin to death would later say he was horrified to eventually learn all the facts. I learned things just werent as clear as they seemed at the time, juror Mike Powell told me in 2019. When I learned the truth, I was like Oh my God. "

Yet obstruction efforts continue. Just last year, Attorney General Ashley Moody tried to thwart State Attorney Monique Worrells efforts to get more DNA evidence for death-row inmate Tommy Zeigler. Yes, Floridas top cop objected to a local prosecutor wondering if the state was killing the right man.

Political Pulse Weekly Get latest updates political news from Central Florida and across the state. >

Why would you oppose DNA testing? asked Dunham. It makes no sense if the death penalty is supposed to be an instrument of justice.

If indeed.

So heres what we know about the death penalty:

It doesnt deter murder. Its not applied equally. Juries, judges and prosecutors sometimes get it wrong. And Florida  one of the few states still executing people  has gotten it wrong more than any other state in America.

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Knowing all that, the most honest way to defend the death penalty would be to admit all that and say you just still really want eye-for-an-eye justice . even though you know we sometimes get it wrong.

Thats what leaders in less-developed nations decided as well.

smaxwell@orlandosentinel.com
Often mainstream films, be it in South or Bollywood, are accused of sexism and promoting stalking as romance.

Allegedly, this practice is more rampant in Telugu cinema. The most recent example of the same is being touted as the Allu Arjun starrer Pushpa.

Recently, in an interview with Film Companion, Nagarjuna was asked about the allegations of sexism against Telugu cinema and often stalking is promoted as romance.

 Nagarjuna Instagram

He said that more often than not, things are lost in translation. He added that Telugu language, when literally translated to English, may come across as sexist.



The Telugu language is such, if you translate it literally into English, it is going to look very, very sexist. I also tried to analyze this with many people and talked about it. Even if you pick out Bangarraju songs, they are pure folk tunes... If you translate those lines, it will look like I mean, there are lines which are so beautiful when they are written in Telugu but if you translate it in English, it is going to be like, Are you going to sleep with me tonight? They translate like that but if you look at it, you see Telugu women singing those.

He further admitted that there are some films that are sexist but majority of Telugu cinema isnt like that.

There are some films which definitely are doing what you said they are doing. The world is not a perfect place, this happens. But the majority is not like that.

 Zee Studios

Nagarjuna is currently promoting his upcoming Telugu film Bangarraju which marks his on-screen reunion with elder son Naga Chaitanya. The film also stars Ramya Krishnan.



Directed by Kalyan Krishna Kurasala, the film is slated for a January 14 release.
Sometimes rumour mills can work overtime and pose a threat to the societal standing of a celebrity. Back in 2014, when actor Hrithik Roshan and ex-wife Sussanne Khan announced their split, they broke a million hearts of fans rooting for this relationship. While they announced it was amicable and they continue to stay friends till date, there were some downtrodden rumors around Arjun Rampal being one of the reasons as the actor was a very close friend of the couple.



 Instagram

Later when Arjun and wife Mehr Jessia announced their divorce, there were some upsetting headlines which speculated Sussannes closeness as one of the reasons that drove the couple to split up.



Addressing the rumours and bashing them rightly so, Sussanne had issued a statement back then, clearing the air. Arjun and Mehr are friends and have been for years. To poison a relationship such as this is malicious behavior. I have, with Mehr, earlier stated in the same paper that there is no truth to the claim that Arjun and I are anything more than friends," Firstpost quoted Sussanne.

 Instagram

"I never was and am not an idle Bollywood wife who has all the time in the world to spread canards and lies that damage relationships and lives," she added. Clearly these were rumors as post their divorce, Arjun Rampal got into a relationship and even has a beautiful son with his partner Gabriella Demetriades.



Source: India Today
Meridian, MS (39302)

Today

Partly cloudy skies in the morning will give way to cloudy skies during the afternoon. High 87F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

A few clouds from time to time. Low 67F. Winds light and variable.
TALLAHASSEE  A proposed ban on most abortions after 15 weeks was filed on the first day of Floridas legislative session Tuesday, setting the stage for a contentious debate over the hot-button issue.

The legislation  filed by state Sen. Kelli Stargel, R-Lakeland, and state Rep. Erin Grall, R-Vero Beach  does not include exceptions for rape and incest. It allows exceptions if an abortion is necessary to save the mothers life or prevent serious injury or if a fatal fetal abnormality is detected.

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Gov. Ron DeSantis suggested he would support the measure, saying he hasnt read all the abortion proposals but welcomes legislation on the issue.

When you start talking about 15 weeks where you have really serious pain, heartbeats and all this stuff, having protections I think is something I think makes a lot of sense, he told reporters.

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Abortion is legal up until the 24th week of pregnancy in Florida.

DeSantis said he doesnt see a need to wait until the U.S. Supreme Court rules on abortion to take up the issue. The high court is considering a Mississippi law that also would ban most abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy.

Democratic Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, who is running for governor, blasted Republican efforts to limit abortion in Florida.

My freedom to choose what is best my body ... is so sacred, she said. The fact they are trying to take that away is shameful.

Political Pulse Weekly Get latest updates political news from Central Florida and across the state. >

House Speaker Chris Sprowls, R-Palm Harbor, quickly backed the House abortion bill, which also addresses issues related to curbing infant mortality.

The Florida House remains steadfast in our commitment to Floridas children, both born and unborn, Sprowls said in a prepared statement. HB 5 significantly narrows the available window for elective abortions while providing new resources and programs to reduce infant mortality in Florida.

The Florida proposal doesnt go as far as Texas law that bans abortions after about six weeks of pregnancy. The Texas law relies on citizens to enforce its provisions by suing abortion providers and those who help someone get an abortion after a fetal heartbeat is detected.

State Rep. Webster Barnaby, R-Deltona, proposed in September a Florida law similar to the one in Texas, which the U.S. Supreme Court so far hasnt blocked.

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Barnabys bill would create civil penalties of at least $10,000 for anyone found to have performed, aided or abetted an abortion after a fetal heartbeat could be detected.

But GOP state Sen. Kathleen Passidomo, slated to become Senate President after the 2022 elections, said at the time she objected to the Texas laws provision allowing private citizens to sue. DeSantis also did not seem enthusiastic about Barnabys bill, though he did not rule it out.

News Service of Florida contributed to this report. sswisher@orlandosentinel.com
A deputy jailer with the Daviess County Detention Center was charged with felony promoting contraband last week for smuggling cellphones and other banned items into the jail for inmates.

Kentucky State Police reports say Christian D. West, 22, of Utica was charged Friday with three counts of first-degree promoting contraband, which is a Class D felony.

Jailer Art Maglinger said deputies began investigating after noticing suspicious activity. The jails special response team conducted a search and confiscated three cellphones. KSP reports say tobacco products were also recovered.

Reports say investigators interviewed West, who said he had been paid cash or paid through a cash app to supply cellphones and tobacco products to the inmates.

Maglinger said cellphones are a concern, because they can be used for criminal activity, such as planning for drugs to be smuggled into the jail.

Its definitely a safety and security issue, Maglinger said. Our policy is only supervisors and above are allowed to have cellphones on the secure side.

Its not an uncommon thing to uncover a cellphone. I would say its more common in the prisons.

The arrest citation says West told investigators he knew what he was doing was illegal, and was doing it for the money.

First-degree promoting contraband is a Class D felony, punishable by up to five years in prison. West was also charged with six counts of misdemeanor second-degree contraband, in connection with the tobacco products found in the cells, reports say.

West was booked into the Henderson County jail and released, Maglinger said. West was taken to the Henderson jail so he would not be incarcerated with inmates also involved with the contraband, Maglinger said.

The phones were turned over to KSP.

I know the investigation is ongoing, Maglinger said.

West had worked at the jail since August. The KSP report says West was paid approximately $1,000 over a month-and-a-half period to bring in the contraband.

There was an aspect of inmate manipulation, said Maglinger, who noted that part of deputy training is learning how to avoid being manipulated by inmates.

Were hoping its an isolated incident, Maglinger said. It was a rare event. The deputies try to serve with integrity.

James Mayse, 270-691-7303, jmayse@messenger-inquirer.com, Twitter: @JamesMayse
Owensboro/Daviess County Habitat for Humanity has announced that local resident Jeremy Stephens will be the next executive director of the nonprofit organization, upon the retirement of longtime director Virginia Braswell this spring.

I am really in love with their mission, Stephens said Monday. I am very excited about the opportunity to serve our community and work in an organization with this mission.

Stephens, an Owensboro native, has been the director of operations of the Owensboro Symphony the last eight years.

Braswell will retire March 29 after 29 years of service.

Braswell said Monday that the timing just seems right, and to quote Bob Dylan the times they are a changing.

I think as more and more things are online and electronic, and I am sort of a letter writer and a paper person; I think it is time to move to that other area, Braswell said.

Braswell said in addition to March 29 being her birthday, she also selected the day to retire because the 150th house built by Owensboro/Daviess County Habitat for Humanity should be completed and dedicated by then.

In addition to his work with the symphony, Stephens has also served on several boards and as a community volunteer, including with the Opportunity Center, the Brandon S. Mullins Foundation and Daviess County Public Schools. He is a member of Owensboro Christian Church.

Since it started in 1993, our local Habitat has built 150 homes for people in our community, and as we celebrate our 29th year, I am honored to take the helm of this wonderful organization, with aspirations of not only continuing the work, but growing the organizations impact in Owensboro and Daviess County, he said.

Tim Belec, chairman of the Habitat executive search committee, said the committee actually rewrote the job description, making it more technological and operational. It was also decided to make the executive director role a paid position. It had previously been performed on a volunteer basis.

We will have salary, health insurance, paid time off, Belec said. We worked that out in the compensation package with the next executive director.

Stephens will start with Habitat next month, during which time hell work alongside Braswell until her retirement.

Stephens said that the Habitat for Humanity Board was aware that Braswell was planning to retire and had allocated funding in its annual budget to make the executive director position a paid position.

We had some really great candidates with some really great skills, but (Jeremy) kind of moved it to the next level, which was consistent with what we are looking for and why we created the job description we did.

Belec said the organization received about 33 applications for the position, many of which were local.

(Jeremy) has that presence about him, he is very passionate when he talks about his work and his beliefs in Habitat and that is what we are looking for, Belec said. We are not just looking for an administrator, we are looking for somebody that sees Habitat as a mission and a value to the community, and he definitely feels that way about it.

Nathan Havenner, Messenger-Inquirer, nhavenner@messenger-inquirer.com, 270-228-2837
In summer 2020, The New York Times coordinated a nationwide project to document the lives of Americans out of work because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The study involved collaborating with 11 other local newsrooms around the U.S. The Messenger-Inquirer was the only newspaper from Kentucky in the collaboration. The resulting collection of stories was published Oct. 23, 2020, in the New York Times print edition and at nytimes.com/outofwork. The following list is the Messenger-Inquirer's local unemployment coverage from that time period; read more by clicking the "New York Times Project" header. Click on "Out Of Work In America" to go to the full
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TALLAHASSEE  Gov. Ron DeSantis Education Department is under fire for trying to steer a multimillion-dollar contract to a company whose CEO has ties to the states education commissioner.

Records and interviews show that, before the Florida Department of Education asked for bids, it was already in advanced talks with the company to do the work, subverting a process designed to eliminate favoritism.

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The company is MGT Consulting, led by former Republican lawmaker Trey Traviesa of Tampa, a longtime colleague of the states education commissioner, Richard Corcoran.

During a bidding process that was open for one week, MGT was the only pre-approved vendor to submit a proposal  pitched at nearly $2.5 million a year to help the struggling Jefferson County School District with its academic and financial needs.

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Documents show the departments request for proposals was tailored to MGT. But it did not get the award.

Instead, the bidding process erupted when two of Corcorans top deputies and a member of the state Board of Education filed a competing bid. Their effort led to an internal investigation over potential conflicts of interests and two resignations.

FILE - In this May 11, 2021, file photo, Florida Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran speaks during a bill signing ceremony at St. John the Apostle School in Hialeah (Wilfredo Lee/AP)

The Department of Education is now conducting a new round of bids for the work. But state Rep. Allison Tant, D-Tallahassee, is calling for an independent investigation, saying that even though the department claimed to have carried out a competitive bidding process, officials clearly had someone in mind.

These guys [MGT] clearly had the inside track to come in, said Tant, whose district neighbors Jefferson County. Its really egregious, in my view.

Members of the Jefferson County School Board have been outraged for months, seeing the entire process as a way for the state to siphon more money out of a rural, majority-Black school district and into the pockets of the politically connected.

The decision to hire a company to help the three schools  and have Jefferson County pay for it with federal coronavirus relief dollars  came from the Department of Education, they say.

Its money, Jefferson County School Board member Bill Brumfield said in an interview. Its money and its politics, and they are just trying to kick Jefferson County around again like a bunch of little country bumpkins sitting over there and knowing nothing.

Corcoran said his first, last and only priority has been to ensure the students of Jefferson County receive the high-quality education they deserve.

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The Department has followed not only the letter but the spirit of the procurement process, he said. Our procurements are designed to attract the widest range of bidders to ensure every needed service is available for every child. Any suggestion to the contrary is uninformed.

In a statement, Traviesa said MGT got involved at the request of staff at the Department of Education.

The needs in Jefferson County align with our strengths, and we expressed interest if a competitive process moved forward, Traviesa said. Moving forward, the company is reevaluating its participation and will decide whether or not to participate later this month.

Jefferson County, a rural county near Floridas capital with one of the poorest populations in the state, is coming off the boldest experiment yet in Republicans two-decade effort to privatize public education.

In 2017, amid failing grades and financial mismanagement, the state turned over control of the district and its three schools to a private charter school company  the first, and only, district in the state to be privatized.

That five-year arrangement with Somerset Academy Inc. is set to expire June 30, and Somerset opted against extending the contract. Somerset continues to deal with extreme turnover of instructional staff and extremely low proficiency in math and reading among the majority of students, according to its January 2021 assessment.

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The school district was working with the state and Somerset for a plan to take back control of the schools.

Originally, the countys plan did not include hiring another charter school company to help its transition.

But the Department of Education later decided it would hire a private company to provide assistance with the transition for up to three years, and it would use $4 million of Jefferson Countys federal coronavirus relief money to pay for it.

On Nov. 8, the state announced a request for quotes. The scope was narrow, sent to 25 pre-approved vendors, and all responses were due in one week.

Only one company responded: MGT Consulting.

Based in Tampa, MGT provides consulting services to state and local governments on technology and schools. Since 2009, 10 state agencies in Florida, including the Department of Education, have paid the company more than $11.4 million for various services.

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Political Pulse Weekly Get latest updates political news from Central Florida and across the state. >

Traviesa, its CEO, is a former GOP lawmaker who was once registered on a business, Step to Success Inc., with Corcoran and his wife, a founder of a Pasco County charter school. The mission of the company, according to corporate filings, was to provide at-risk students the tools needed to succeed in kindergarten.

Traviesa served in the Florida House at a time when Corcoran was chief of staff to then-House Speaker Marco Rubio.

MGT had a leg up on the competition for the Jefferson County work: It had been in talks with the Department of Education for at least a week before the procurement was announced, and it was apparently tailor-made for MGT.

State law prohibits state agencies from awarding contracts when a company has an unfair competitive advantage, defined as having access to information that is not available to the public and would assist the vendor in obtaining the contract.

That state officials were already discussing the work with MGT before it opened the bidding appears to violate the spirit of the competitive procurement process, said Ben Wilcox, co-founder of Integrity Florida, a nonpartisan watchdog group.

The company could conceivably have gained inside knowledge of what to put in their bid that would give them an advantage over other companies, Wilcox said. I think it is really highly questionable.

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Some animals will breathe a bit easier with donations coming into area shelters and rescues for their care in honor of late actress and devoted animal lover and advocate Betty White.

Shortly after the icons death on Dec. 31, just weeks before she would have turned 100, the Humane Society of Midland County (HSoMC) received a $100 Chewy (online pet store) gift card, said shelter director Beth Wellman.

As of Monday, HSoMC had raised over $1,300 in honor of the late actress.

A BettyWhiteChallenge on social media asks Whites fans to select an animal shelter or animal rescue organization and donate to it in her honor.

Wellman said when the first donation came in, the HSoMC jumped on the band wagon and started a Betty White Challenge to raise funds for the shelter, which is supported solely by donations and fundraisers.

Wellman, who said she remembers watching White's 1980s sitcom "The Golden Girls" with her great-aunts, said animals were always a big part of Whites on-screen and off-screen ventures. She said the shelter is open to accepting all donations in her name.

HSoMC hasnt earmarked any donations, but Wellman said part of them will go toward surgery for "Rio," a dog that Wellman thinks White would have loved, especially his slobbery kisses and the way he romps even though his legs hurt. She said the 5-year-old sweet and loving Boxer mix needs a $5,000 surgery on his legs, which are currently in braces, so he can live comfortably.

Its a great way to honor a great person, Wellman said of the donation challenge.

Midland County Pit Stop (MCPS) Vice President Gwen Drake said her organization has also received donations in Whites honor. She said the first was from a woman who came into Drake's business, Lil Pear Tree, and gave her a donation there. The woman told Drake she was giving a donation to every rescue that she could find in Whites honor.

Someone we only knew from seeing her on TV inspired people to give, Drake said of the beloved actress. Its amazing.

MCPS is also self-funded, relying on donations and fundraisers.

For both HSoMC and MCPS, most of their revenue goes toward vetting the animals and toward supplies. Both Wellman and Drake say that many of the animals that come in need medical attention and/or are not fixed and vaccinated.

Drake said they only charge $95 for a kitten adoption, but they put $135 into spaying or neutering and shots. But in charging fees, one must consider how much someone is willing to pay to adopt.

SOS Animal Rescue in Midland said they havent yet received any donations in White's honor.

Some people may be waiting until Whites birthday on Jan. 17, the day when people were urged to donate on social media.

Sam Stout of Midland said shes planning to make a donation on Jan. 17. With a dog and cat of her own, who were found by a rescue while they were wondering the streets alone, she wholeheartedly supports animal welfare missions.

I think its great that people are donating in honor of Betty White, Stout said. Its great that her activism lives on.

For those who may not be able to make a monetary donation, there are other ways to help. For example, HSoMC can use volunteers, and MCPS is taking applications for foster parents. To learn more, visit the websites below.

If you are interested in making donations in Betty Whites honor to a local animal organizations, here are a few:

Humane Society of Midland County, 4371 E. Ashman, or https://www.facebook.com/donate/336328014793004/5056816044328960/

Midland County Pit Stop  via Lil Pear Tree, or P.O. Box 1064, Midland, MI 48641 or https://www.midlandcountypitstop.org/

SOS Animal Rescue, https://sosanimalrescue.org/

Great Lakes Bay Animal Society, https://glbas.org/
Anyone who has been driving in Michigan long enough most likely has had a close encounter with deer on the roadway.

One minute youre cruising down a country road at 60 mph, the next minute youre slamming on your brakes to avoid slamming into a doe and totaling the front end of your vehicle.

Clicking on the high-beam setting of your vehicles headlights is a great way to watch for deer down the road, but some drivers are noticing a trend among other motorists: Not everybody appears to dim their headlights for oncoming traffic, a habit that can lead to road rage and create a hazard for drivers.

Huron County Sheriff Kelly Hanson said his department receives complaints on a regular basis about the issue, but he cautioned that just because an oncoming vehicles headlights might be extremely bright, it doesnt mean that driver is being careless or malicious.

Late-model vehicles come equipped with LED head lamps, which can appear as if a motorist has failed to dim their headlights, he said.

I believe theyre coming that way right from the factory, Hanson said.

MICHIGAN VEHICLE CODE - Head lamps; lighting, distance, height (a) Every vehicle upon a highway within this state at any time from a half hour after sunset to a half hour before sunrise and at any other time when there is not sufficient light to render clearly discernible persons and vehicles on the highway at a distance of 500 feet ahead shall display lighted lamps and illuminating devices as hereinafter respectively required for different classes of vehicles, subject to exceptions with respect to parked vehicles as hereinafter stated. When lighted lamps and illuminated devices are required by law no vehicle shall be operated upon any highway of this state with only the parking lights illuminated on the front of the vehicle. (b) Whenever requirement is hereinafter declared as to the distance from which certain lamps and devices shall render objects visible or within which such lamps or devices shall be visible, said provisions shall apply during the times stated in paragraph (a) of this section upon a straight, level, unlighted highway under normal atmospheric conditions unless a different time or condition is expressly stated. (c) Whenever requirement is hereinafter declared as to the mounted height of lamps or devices, it shall mean from the center of such lamp or device to the level ground upon which the vehicle stands when such vehicle is without a load. See More Collapse

Laws governing the brightness of vehicle head lamps state those lights may not exceed 3,770 lumens. Hanson said such standards are set a federal level, so if someone is especially vexed by the issue, they should contact their congressional representatives.

The sheriff did acknowledge that motorists can sometimes show discourtesy to other drivers by intentionally using their high-beams improperly, and he urges drivers to always operate their vehicles responsibly and to never forget to dim their brights when oncoming traffic approaches.

Using high-beams within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle is a violation of the Michigan Vehicle Code, and it could earn you a fine. Drivers are also required to dim their brights for oncoming bicycle and pedestrian traffic, as well. Its also illegal to flash your high-beams within 500 feet of approaching vehicles, too.

Hanson said he knows its easy forget to turn off your high-beams when required, so he encourages drivers to be attentive and avoid distractions like cell phones, GPS units and display screens. Theres no substitution for safe driving habits, Hanson added.

All of us have been in a situation where we become complacent, he said.

Hanson added that some vehicles may appear to have the high-beams activated if headlights are out of alignment, so a driver experiencing this issue may want to have their vehicle checked out by a mechanic.

According to the vehicle code, headlights must emit white light, so colored LED headlights are not permitted for use on public roadways. No more than four head lamps may be lit when on a highway. The rear registration number must be illuminated with a white light, as well.

Its also illegal to operate a vehicle with a burned-out headlight, so using high-beams when one headlight is inoperable is also a violation.
Alistair Berg/Getty Images

As COVID surges, many American college and university students are learning online. By one recent estimate, the number of students enrolled exclusively in online programs had jumped 93% from 2019 to 2020, according to Global Editor in Chief for Newsweek Nancy Cooper.

To help students find a "quality online education," Newsweek and Statista, a market and consumer data company, ranked 150 colleges and universities offering degree programs online by "user reviews and additional institutional indicators," according to Cooper.
Seeking to add a wastewater system, Sanford Village Council members will have the company Wade Trim talk to the United States Department of Agriculture at a time when the department is expected to sink millions of dollars into water projects.

At a Village Council meeting on Monday evening, Troy Andrews and Wayne Hoffman, both of Wade Trim, a civil engineering, planning and surveying company, talked to the council about what might be available to them to help achieve their water infrastructure goals.

Andrews said in 2007, the Department of Environmental Quality had a preliminary engineering report of the septic field for the purpose of converting it to a storm sewer for Jerome Township and the Village of Sanford. The projected cost was $22 million. A separate study done in 2010 for just the village resulted in a $7.5 million price tag.

The Wade Trim representatives said they could talk with the USDA, and if the department asks for an updated plan, Andrews said they would have to dust off and revisit the 2007 document, applying current technology to determine cost.

Andrews said the previous studies have valuable information. Yet, he said there are more cost-effective ways to provide a storm sewer that in addition would leave a smaller footprint. However, an updated study would cost the village about $6,000.

At least we can start a conversation, Andrews said of talks with the USDA. He said there is no cost for that.

Regarding the possibility of the village opting into offering cannabis in the municipality, the council is holding a closed meeting with the village attorney on the matter in the next two weeks. Sanford Village President Dolores Porte said the meeting will resolve what the village does next on the matter.

New Sanford American Legion Post 443 Commander Mark Kloha introduced himself at Monday's meeting. He brought new American Legion Riders Director Shane Talbot, who talked about some of the Riders activities, which includes helping with Toys for Kids and with the Blue Star Mothers sending packages to the troops.

We are a 100-percent charity organization, Talbot said.

In other news, Midland County Drain Commissioner Joe Sova attended to talk about what he does and to give a status on some of the 340 county and inner-county drains.

Sova said the villages drainage district was last looked at in 2006, and it will soon be done again.
File photo / Hearst Connecticut Media

KENT  The Kent Library Association will kick off the celebration of its 100th birthday with a staged reading of Bricks and Books: A Dramatized History of the Kent Memorial Library at 6 p.m. Jan. 29 at St. Andrews Parish Hall, Kent.

The presentation, which traces the beginnings of the Kent Library from the 1880s to the dedication of the library building on Nov. 11, 1925, includes diary excerpts and personal reminiscences from early members of the library association, minutes from early meetings, and letters from the period, including one from a President of the United States.
MIDDLETOWN  In what will be his 40th year operating a recording studio in the city, Michael Arafeh, 58, was chosen as the citys 2022 music ambassador for his countless contributions to the music industry  both locally and beyond.

The Coffeehouse Recording Studio, founded and operated by Arafeh, has been serving local artists at the lower Main Street location since 1990. He admitted that even he is impressed with the longevity and success of the studio.

It boggles my own mind, Arafeh said.

The studio has hosted musical artists from all genres throughout the years, including several of the citys past music ambassadors. In April 2000, Lin-Manuel Miranda and an ensemble from Wesleyan University recorded the first rendition of the eventual Tony Award-winning musical In the Heights there.

I treasure that memory, Arafeh said.

Being able to work with artists from different genres has been one of the favorite aspects of his career.

Before opening his business, Arafeh built his own studio in the attic of his parents house on Bretton Road. From 1982 to 1988, he collaborated with artists in what was dubbed The Egg Room, due to the walls being covered with egg cartons to improve sound quality.

It turns out they dont do anything for sound, Arafeh said. But they sure look cool.

During this time, Arafeh attended the Center for Media Arts in Manhattan, where he was exposed to all aspects of the industry.

That was kind of the center for music at that time, Arafeh said.

He then started an internship at the Trod Nossel Studios in Wallingford  one of the nations longest-running recording studios, where artists such as Fleetwood Mac, Mick Jagger and Michael Bolton have recorded tunes. There, Arafeh helped produce hits from both local artists and those farther afield.

For Arafeh, the recordings hes helped produce throughout the years are works of art which have the ability to outlive him. Its like a time machine, he said.

His work with local musicians continued in his role at WESU-FM, the Wesleyan University radio station. There he produced a live concert series over the air called The Living Edge Show.

I got to meet all of these wonderful college rock-and-roll bands, Arafeh said.

He also got to meet and work closely with Pete Ganbarg, who went on to win multiple Grammy Awards. He is president of A&R for Atlantic Records.

This role, and his line of work in general, was all about helping one another. For everybody that Ive worked with, its been a collaboration, Arafeh said.

It was during his time hosting The Living Edge Show that Arafeh upgraded his home studio  from his parents attic to their basement. He also began operating a studio in a van for remote work, and would often hear some of his pieces on the radio while driving.

I pretty immediately was getting airplay, Arafeh said. It was a thrill.

It was not lost on Arafeh just how much his family contributed to his career. Im so grateful to my parents, he said.

Arafehs mother Barbara comes from a musical background herself. She graduated from the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston before going on to teach music all around the country, including at the Independent Day School in Middlefield. She also founded the Greater Middletown Concert Association.

She said it was clear early on that her son would follow a similar path. Hes an all-around music person, Barbara Arafeh said. You just couldnt get him away from it.

Michael Arafehs accomplishments and contributions were not overlooked by Mayor Ben Florsheim, who selected Arafeh as this years ambassador. A ceremony to mark the occasion was held Tuesday.

Its been quite a trip; quite a journey, Arafeh said. Todays ceremony is just a wonderful milestone.

He added that the day is extra special because his parents, both in their 90s, are able to celebrate the day with him. More than anything, Im happy today that they get to enjoy this, Michael Arafeh said.

Im really proud of him, his mother added.

In addition to being honored, the ambassador has their songs featured on the city phone systems music on hold.

The MCA and I are looking forward to hearing Michaels music showcased this year. My office often receives compliments and inquiries about the hold music that is played on our phones, and I anticipate many wonderful compliments when callers enjoy his music, Florsheim said.

Arafeh had some fun going through his work to choose the hold music for the year. He settled on a piece created for an old STP motor oil commercial starring race car legend Richard Petty.

Its kind of muscle car music, so that should be fun, Arafeh said.

As music ambassador, he plans to do a bit more, including hosting events and youth workshops in Middletown.

For a list of prior ambassadors, visit middletownct.gov.
New York, US (PANA) - UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Monday he was deeply saddened by reports that more than 50 civilians were killed and injured in an airstrike in northern Ethiopia last Friday
CROMWELL  A Hartford developer is looking to build a multi-use facility at the 31,500-square-foot former Red Lion hotel on Berlin Road, which was shuttered a year ago for unpaid taxes.

The private endeavor, to be called The Lord Cromwell, named after the original occupant of the property, is expected to contain two restaurants, one of which will be a high-end, white-tablecloth eatery, homes, dog park, retail businesses, walking trail and more.

A formal application has yet to be received, Planning and Development Director Stuart Popper said.

The state Department of Revenue Services terminated The Red Lions sales and use tax permit last January for nonpayment of taxes, which resulted in the layoffs of 50 employees.

Lexington Partners of Hartford outlined a rough plan for the land owned by 100 Berlin Road LLC at the Dec. 7 town council meeting. The proposal calls for a mixed-use building with 24 townhouses, condos, 260 rental units, 12,000 square feet of space reserved for amenities, such as a pool; retail and 542 parking spaces.

Owner Martin J. Kenney said during the meeting that everything has been demolished except the garage.

Lexington Partners also developed The Tannery at a circa 1800 factory on New London Turnpike in Glastonbury, as well as the Borden on the Silas Deane Highway in Wethersfield, a former office building.

The new name, the Lord Cromwell, recalls the original development at the site. The Radisson Hotel Cromwell preceded the Red Lion.

When 100 Berlin Road LLC acquired the adjacent plot at 15R Christian Hill Road, the parcels size increased to over 12 acres, according to meeting minutes.

Town Manager Anthony Salvatore said there are a lot of pluses to the project, including the convenience of its proximity to Route 9 and Interstate-91.

That parcel is probably one of the best commercial pieces as far as its location. You could live there and be anywhere in a matter of 10 or 15 minutes, he said.

Salvatore expects to see an economic boost for the area once the project is complete, while increasing the amount of housing in town.

The main issue is, rather than a vacant building out there, we get something thats productive, he said.

The Landon of Cromwell, on Country Squire Drive, has a limited number of luxury dwellings, Salvatore said.

The influx of apartments will be really beneficial to those people who really dont want to buy a house, but want to live in this community, he said.

Once the developer submits the application, it will be reviewed by planning and zoning commissioners, said Popper, who expects work on the facility will be complete some time this spring.

Something of this scale takes a long time as far as the engineering and design goes, he said.
MIDDLETOWN  The Middletown Commission on the Arts recently awarded $26,050 in municipal funding for local projects.

Project support awardees are: Oddfellows Playhouse $2,500 for a Jr. Rep Production; Every Note Counts Music Program, $7,800 for Kids Count 2022; Artists for World Peace, $4,000 for Buckets of Love; the Connecticut Storytelling Center, $2,000 for Littlest Listeners; Artfarm, $4,000 for The Afghan Stories; Peter Oberc and John Barton, $5,000 for the Remington Rand Film Project; and Livia Cox, $750 for a Voices of Middletown project.

The MCA welcomes grant applications from organizations, businesses and individuals with proposals of art- and culture-related programs, events or activities that enrich the lives of residents, according to a press release.

Creatives are encouraged to design and implement such community programming to promote and foster an audience of art appreciators, community engagements and cultural learning experiences, the MCAs said.

All programs must take place in the city of Middletown.

For information, visit middletownct.gov.
The recent COVID-19 surge appeared to show little sign of slowing through the weekend after the state reported Monday that the positivity remained above 20 percent and hospitalizations continued to edge closer to a pandemic high.

Since Friday, an additional 31,405 COVID cases were discovered in 132,606 tests for a positivity rate of 23.68 percent, one of the highest on record. Hospitalizations increased a net of 79 patients for a total of 1,889  the highest census since April 23, 2020, when the number was 1,947.

Since the Christmas holiday, infections across Connecticut have been surging amid a substantial demand for testing. Through all of last week, the positivity rate remained above 20 percent and hospitalizations continued to increase to highs not seen since the early weeks of the pandemic.

Despite a rampant increase in the number of infections and hospitalizations, state officials have been reluctant to revive mandates used early in the pandemic to limit the spread of the virus. Gov. Ned Lamont has repeatedly said he has no intentions to institute a broad indoor mask mandate, saying he would rely on local municipalities instead to determine whether residents should wear masks.

All of our densest communities have put in place a mask mandate. As you know, its those communities that are responsible for enforcing something like that. I think you will find that right now, we have the ability to keep ourselves safe, Lamont said Monday. If you go into a store, I can get vaccinated, I can get boostered, Ive got access to a N95 mask. This is a very different situation than we were in a year and a half ago  and I think thats reflected in our policies.

But this latest surge comes as the state logs an increasing presence of the omicron variant, first discovered in November and believed to be highly infectious.

The latest figures from a statewide surveillance effort show that 53 percent of all cases submitted for genomic sequencing in recent weeks have been the omicron variant, with the remaining cases identified as the highly infectious delta strain.

But experts have cautioned that this process takes time, and noted that an early detection method, which requires confirmation from sequencing, has identified 93 percent of recent samples as omicron.

Amid the rash of new cases, officials have been optimistic in noting that it appears infections from omicron are less severe than those from previous variants, especially delta.

But hospitalizations, once considered a top metric for state officials, have been rising sharply in recent weeks.

In a briefing Monday morning, officials at Hartford HealthCare, one of the states largest hospital networks, said there were a total of 501 COVID patients  the most it has seen during the pandemic  in HHC facilities.

Dr. Ajay Kumar, HHCs chief clinical officer, said 65 patients were in the intensive care unit, and 50 of them were on ventilators.

We are patiently waiting the peak of the curve, and hopefully that will be soon, said Dr. Ulysses Wu, chief epidemiologist for HHC.

But, unlike earlier in the pandemic, a portion of the cases are considered incidental  when someone comes to the hospital for a separate reason and then tests positive for COVID-19.

Similarly, at Trinity Health of New England, which runs major hospitals in Connecticut and Massachusetts, the number of COVID-19 patients has been climbing.

At Trinity Health New England, we continue seeing a brisk uptick in our hospitalization numbers. And our positivity rates, as you all know in Connecticut and Massachusetts, are quite high, the highest they've been throughout the course of this pandemic, said Dr. Syed Hussain, chief clinical officer for Trinity Health of New England.

Child care faces latest surge

While much of the focus has fallen on public preK-12 schools, state officials and providers said there is an increased effort to keep students safe in early childhood facilities.

We work with one of the most vulnerable populations ... children 5 and under and they cannot be vaccinated, said Monette Ferguson, executive director of Alliance for Community Empowerment in Bridgeport.

She said her organization is requiring a five-day isolation for staff members who test positive.

For us to keep a workforce going, we have to respect those protocols. Is it injuring? Of course it is. Does it bruise the workforce? Of course it does. But we cannot help our families get back to work ... unless we respect these protocols.

David Morgan, president and chief executive officer of the Waterbury-based human services agency Team Inc., pointed to the effort to get COVID-19 testing kits to providers early last week, similar to what was being done in public schools.

We were challenged by everyone needing testing kits from all sectors, not just child care, school districts and beyond. We had some challenges accessing the testing kits, but make no mistake, we were able to utilize those testing kits in real time, Morgan said, highlighting incidents in which children and workers were identified as being COVID-19 positive.

Our ability to respond in real-time and increase health precautions and protocols, with CDC and public health guidance, that would not have been possible if we did not get those testing kits early last week, Morgan said.

Officials said further distribution was done regionally over the weekend, and have since been able to go out to child care settings.

We need more testing kits, and we need them more frequently, Morgan said.

Keeping child care facilities open during the pandemic has been a focus of Lamonts administration. Lamont remained committed to that Monday, acknowledging that keeping day cares and other facilities open allows doctors and nurses, and other key workers, on the job instead of home having to care for their children.

Speaking to the pandemic broadly, Office of Early Childhood Commissioner Beth Bye said: Its been a real challenge that the providers have met.
A 9-year-old girl claims in a lawsuit that former CNN producer John Griffin repeatedly sexually abused her at his Vermont ski house.

The girl, identified in the lawsuit as Jane Doe, filed the complaint in state Superior Court in Bridgeport through a custodian listed in the filing as Janet Doe. The suit seeks unspecified damages.

This action is brought for personal injuries, including emotional distress and all other attendant consequences, caused by the horrific sexual abuse, sexual exploitation and sexual assault of the plaintiff, the lawsuit stated.

Joel Faxon, the New Haven lawyer who filed the lawsuit Monday on behalf of the girl, said the child is living with the custodian in Connecticut after moving from Nevada.

Griffin, 44, of Stamford, a long-time staffer and producer for CNN, was fired last month following his arrest by the FBI on federal charges, alleging he tried to lure women to his Vermont ski home to train their daughters to be sexually submissive.

Griffins attorney did not immediately respond Monday to a request for comment.

Faxon confirmed that his client in the lawsuit is the same victim alleged to have been sexually abused by Griffin in the federal indictment.

We are seeking to restrain his assets so he doesnt have the financial wherewithal to abuse another child, Faxon told Hearst Connecticut Media Group.

Griffin has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Vermont and has pleaded not guilty to three counts of using a facility of interstate commerce to attempt to entice minors to engage in unlawful sexual activity.

According to the indictment, Griffin began using the alternative website, alt.com, to seek women who were submissive and open-minded.

Griffin, who moved to Stamford from Norwalk after separating from his wife about two years ago, then used messaging features on Kik and Google Hangouts to communicate with some of the women, pretending to be the parents of underage girls, according to the indictment.

In the communications, Griffin tried to persuade parents to let him train their daughters to be sexually submissive, the indictment stated.

In June 2020, Griffin told a mother of 9- and 13-year-old girls that she needed to have her daughters trained properly, the indictment stated. Griffin then transferred about $3,000 to the woman for plane tickets so she and her 9-year-old could fly from Nevada to Bostons Logan airport, the indictment stated.

The mother and child flew to Boston in July 2020. Griffin picked them up and drove them to his home in Ludlow, Vt., where prosecutors said the girl was forced to engage in illegal sexual contact.

After the trip, prosecutors said Griffin tried to bribe a family member of the girl who confronted him about the accusations.

The girls adoptive mother, whose name Hearst Connecticut Media is withholding to protect the childs identity, was charged in August 2020 with two counts of child abuse, two counts of sexual assault against a child under 14 and lewdness with a minor under 14. Her case remains pending in the Henderson Justice Court in Nevada.

Griffins indictment details allegations that he tried to entice two other children over the internet to participate in sexual activity.

In April 2020, Griffin coordinated a virtual training session, where he instructed a woman and her 14-year-old daughter to remove their clothes during the video chat, prosecutors said.

In June 2020, prosecutors said, Griffin offered a trip to a woman and her 16-year-old daughter to his Vermont ski house for sexual training involving the child.

In one of the conversations, Griffin told someone claiming to be the father of a child that he sexually trained girls as young as 7 years old, the indictment stated.
NEW HAVEN  Several school districts, including New Haven and Middletown, have announced plans to delay the start of school by two hours on Tuesday due to anticipated cold weather.

Due to the extreme cold anticipated for tomorrow morning, Tuesday, January 11, 2022, New Haven Public Schools will open with a two-hour delay. Please be sure to dress your children warmly, in coats, gloves, and hats, before they leave for school, said New Haven officials on Facebook in sharing word of the decision.
New York, US (PANA) - After a recent wave of attempts and coups d'etat in Central African Republic, Mali, Sudan and Guinea, the UN Special Representative for the region told the Security Council on Monday this resurgence, particularly in West Africa, is often the consequence of political practices that are completely out of step with the aspirations of the populations
SEOUL, South Korea  North Korea on Tuesday fired what appeared to be a ballistic missile into its eastern sea, its second weapons launch in a week, the militaries of South Korea and Japan said.

This month's launches follow a series of weapons tests in 2021 that underscored how North Korea continues to expand its military capabilities amid a self-imposed pandemic lockdown and deadlocked nuclear talks with the United States.

South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff said the North fired at least one weapon early Tuesday but didnt immediate say whether it was ballistic or how far it flew. Japan's Prime Ministers Office and Defense Ministry said the North Korean weapon was possibly a ballistic missile, but didn't immediately provide more details.

The Offices of Guam Homeland Security and Civil Defense said it was monitoring the reports of the Norths launch but that no immediate threat was assessed for Guam, a major U.S. military hub in the Pacific.

The latest launch came six days after the North fired a ballistic missile into the sea in what it later described as a successful test of a hypersonic missile, a type of weaponry the North claimed to have first tested in September.

That test came days after North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during a key political conference vowed to bolster his military forces despite pandemic-related difficulties.

U.S.-led diplomacy on North Koreas nuclear program has been stalled since 2019 due to disputes over international sanctions on the North. The Biden administration has repeatedly called for resuming the nuclear diplomacy anywhere and at any time without preconditions, but North Korea has argued the U.S. must first withdraw its hostility against it before any talks can restart.

The Norths advancing nuclear arsenal is at the core of Kims rule and what he clearly considers his strongest guarantee of survival. During his 10-year rule, hes conducted a large number of weapons tests in a push to acquire the ability to launch nuclear strikes on the American mainland.

But his countrys economy has faltered severely in the past two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S.-led sanctions over his nuclear ambitions and his governments own mismanagement.

Associated Press writer Mari Yamaguchi in Tokyo contributed to this report.
KEY LARGO, Fla.  The U.S. Coast Guard pulled 176 Haitians from an overloaded, unseaworthy wooden sailing vessel as it approached the Florida Keys, officials said.

The rescue effort unfolded on Monday after a flight crew with Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations spotted the 60-foot vessel some 25 miles (40 kilometers) northeast of Anguilla Cay, Bahamas, the Coast Guard said in a news release.

The crew of the Cutter Paul Clark provided personal flotation devices to those onboard the boat, which didn't have basic life saving equipment or navigation lights, officials said. A crew from the Coast Guard station in Islamorada then worked with federal, state and local law enforcement officers to take the people into custody. Ten were brought to a hospital with symptoms of dehydration.

It is extremely dangerous to navigate the Florida Straits in an unseaworthy vessel, especially off the Florida Keys where the water is extra treacherous with shoals and reefs, said Chief Warrant Officer James Kinney. Thanks to the quick coordination among so many different agencies, no lives were lost during this interdiction.

The Coast Guard routinely returns people interdicted at sea to their country of origin. Coast Guard crews have already rescued 557 Haitians three months into the current fiscal year. That's up sharply from last year, when 1,527 Haitians had been rescued by year's end. The agency said 418 Haitian migrants were rescued in 2020, 932 in 2019, 609 in 2018 and 419 in 2017.
Reenlistment bonuses, permanent change of station moves, training exercises, sexual assault prevention funding and more could all be at risk if Congress doesn't pass a regular Pentagon spending bill this year, top military officers said Tuesday.

The stark warning from leaders was delivered to a House panel ahead of a hearing this week on the potential effects of a full-year stopgap spending measure, which may be necessary if Congress can't agree on annual funding legislation. The chiefs of the Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and Space Force, as well as the vice chief of the Army, submitted concerns over such a measure, known as a continuing resolution, or CR.

Though the chiefs submitted separate statements, they echoed common themes, including concern about ripple effects on service members and their families if lawmakers punt on federal funding.

Read Next: Watchdog to Audit Military's Screening for Extremists at Enlistment

"An extended CR would hurt the most -- and be the hardest to recover from -- at the individual Marine and family level," Marine Corps Commandant Gen. David Berger wrote. "Marines need predictability, some assurance that the government will take care of them and their family."

Marines are "fearless warriors" in combat, but "they take far fewer chances with their family" and the loss of support funding under a CR could damage trust among troops and threaten the all-volunteer force, Berger wrote.

"Failure to pass a budget results in a loss of trust, a belief that government let them down. We cannot go down that path," he added.

The scheduled Wednesday hearing is coming as Congress remains locked in a stalemate over fiscal 2022 government spending three and a half months after the fiscal year started.

In December, Congress passed a defense policy bill that authorized a $768 billion defense budget for fiscal 2022, including $740 billion for the Pentagon. But that money won't actually become a reality until Congress passes a separate defense appropriations bill.

Right now, the Pentagon and the rest of the federal government are operating under a CR, which essentially keeps the government on autopilot by extending last year's funding levels and preventing new programs from being started. The current CR expires Feb. 18, at which point Congress must either pass regular appropriations bills, extend the CR again or face a government shutdown.

The Pentagon has started nine of the last 10 years on CRs, the longest of which lasted seven months. As such, the military has adopted tactics to prevent disruptions during short-term CRs, such as planning to start new programs later in the year.

But a yearlong CR would be unprecedented, and warnings about the effects of one have grown more dire as Congress appears to make little progress on reaching a spending agreement.

Lawmakers' dispute has largely centered on domestic spending increases and policy changes supported by Democrats and opposed by Republicans, such as Democratic efforts to eliminate the so-called Hyde Amendment that bans federal funds from going toward abortions.

But as the fight drags on, Democrats are citing defense spending needs to pressure Republicans in negotiations.

"As we move closer to the new Feb. 18 deadline, some Republicans have disturbingly suggested forcing the Department of Defense to operate under a full-year CR," House Appropriations Committee Chair Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., and defense subcommittee Chair Betty McCollum, D-Minn., wrote in a memo Tuesday as they released the service chiefs' written testimony. "This approach would ignore current needs and have serious and harmful consequences on our national security."

Because certain spending increases have to be funded by law, such as the 2.7% pay raise for troops that took effect Jan. 1, the military would have to make cuts elsewhere to cover those costs.

In his statement to the committee, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. "C.Q." Brown compared the possibility of a full-year CR to the 2013 across-the-board spending cuts known as sequestration that similarly resulted from congressional dysfunction.

"We should note that the Air Force took over half a decade to recover from the negative impacts to readiness caused by the 2013 sequestration," Brown wrote. "As much as a year-long Continuing Resolution affects our Air Force fiscally, the impact it has to our rate of change is more shattering. All the money in the world cannot buy more time; time is irrecoverable, and when you are working to keep pace against well-resourced and focused competitors, time matters."

For personnel accounts, the Air Force could lose up to $1 billion under a full-year CR, which could affect 98,000 PCS moves, Brown said. There could also be a $127 million shortfall that requires curtailing or canceling annual training and professional military education courses.

The Air Force could also lose up to $167 million for incentive and retention bonuses, Brown added.

Cuts in Air Force operations and maintenance funding could mean losing $5.2 million intended for sexual assault and harassment programs; $900,000 for suicide prevention programs; $6 million in diversity and inclusion training and scholarships; and $7.7 million for violence and self-harm prevention programs, according to Brown.

Flying hours would also be cut to "well below what is required to maintain high levels of proficiency," and "shutting down flying squadrons"  as the Air Force did during sequestration  "would again be likely," Brown said.

For the Marines, Berger highlighted that the "somewhat unique" way the service uses reserve forces as part of the total force means a full-year CR would leave insufficient funds to mobilize reservists and require relying instead on active-duty components that weren't scheduled to be used.

Berger also warned about the possibility of curtailing bonuses, reenlistment incentives and PCS moves, putting particular emphasis on the uncertainty that individual Marines and their families could face about their futures.

"A Marine sergeant or captain who is married with kids has to decide whether to renew a lease on the house they rent, but the family isn't sure if the Marine Corps can afford to relocate them next summer, as planned," Berger wrote. "If they don't move as planned -- will that impact promotion opportunities? The Marine's spouse doesn't know whether to accept a new job offer or try and hold onto the one they have today. Will there be a bonus if they reenlist? Marines in critically short specialties typically receive incentive pays -- will that be cut off?"

Vice Chief of Staff for the Army Gen. Joseph Martin warned his service could face a total shortfall of $12.9 billion, including $3.7 billion from military pay, research and acquisition, and military construction and family housing programs.

The Space Force, which is in only its second year of existence, would have its development stunted, including delaying the transfer of the Army's 53rd Signals Battalion and the Navy's Narrowband Satellite Operations Center into the Space Force, Chief of Space Operations Gen. John Raymond wrote.

In the Navy, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Michael Gilday warned the service might have to cut end strength by reducing planned accessions from 31,500 sailors by 23,000.

A full-year CR would also mean "immediately stopping" initial special and incentive pays and selected reenlistment bonus contracts, as well as delaying training and maintenance, Gilday added.

"We are breaking faith with our Sailors," he wrote. "Pilots who don't fly, mariners that don't sail, maintainers that don't maintain, will not stay with us. The combined impact of a year-long CR on our world-class workforce would be yet another erosion of our military advantage over China."

The alarms from the military services come after the Department of Veterans Affairs issued its own similarly stark warning last month. Under a full-year CR, the VA would operate on a discretionary budget $1.8 billion lower than President Joe Biden's fiscal 2022 budget proposal and $9 billion short in mandatory spending.

"Without that funding, there's a real risk that we would not be able to make full payments to veterans for [disability] compensation and pension requirements through September 2022," VA Secretary Denis McDonough said in a call with reporters Dec. 17.

The VA would also face a $941 million shortfall in community care -- the VA's outsourced health program -- and a $458 million shortfall in the construction budget. It would need to scale back its hiring and training of new personnel to manage disability claims  personnel that officials say are needed to address the backlog of claims at the Veterans Benefits Administration, McDonough added.

"What I'm really worried about is it seems several members of Congress are comfortable with the idea that we operate under a continuing resolution for the entire FY '22," McDonough said. "A full-year CR would have a deleterious impact on all VA operations."

-- This article has been updated to correct Adm. Gilday's statement on possible reductions to planned accessions in the Navy.

-- Rebecca Kheel can be reached at rebecca.kheel@military.com. Follow her on Twitter @reporterkheel.

-- Patricia Kime can be reached at Patricia.Kime@Monster.com. Follow her on Twitter @patriciakime.

Related: Biden Signs Defense Bill that Backs 2.7% Pay Raise for Troops
The Department of Defense inspector general has begun an audit of how the military is doing at screening out extremists during enlistment, the latest move in a new push to root out the activity, according to a publicly released memo.

The watchdog audit comes only weeks after the Pentagon unveiled its latest report on extremism in the ranks. That report created new guidelines on activities banned for service members by adding more detail and clarity on what constitutes extremist activity, as well as active participation.

Military extremism was pushed to the forefront last year when some troops and veterans participated in the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol. A mob clashed with police before breaking through doors and windows and stalking lawmakers in an attempt to stop the official vote count in the 2020 election after former President Donald Trump lost.

Read Next: 5 More States Make Military Retirement Tax Free

"The objective of this audit is to determine whether Military Service recruiting organizations screened applicants for supremacist, extremist, and criminal gang behavior, according to DoD and Military Service policies and procedures," the Jan. 3 inspector general memo said.

In April, the Defense Department said it would add questions about current or past extremist behavior to screening questionnaires given to troops during the accession process.

However, throughout the past year, defense officials have repeatedly noted that many of these processes are passive -- relying on either honest self-reporting or reporting by others -- rather than actively investigating and confirming a lack of extremist activity.

During the rollout of the new social media rules, the Pentagon's chief spokesman, John Kirby, stressed that the department is not planning systemic surveillance of service members' social media accounts to find infractions.

The approach has led to at least one public failure of the process to catch an extremist before they enlisted.

In November, federal officials announced that they arrested and charged a 19-year-old man for his actions during the Jan. 6 riot -- but not before he enlisted and shipped off to basic training for the Air Force. Aiden Bilyard was undergoing basic training at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, when FBI agents showed up to question him about his participation in the riot.

The military has struggled to remove some members from its ranks even after they were identified and charged.

A National Guardsman who was part of the mob is still serving in Wisconsin despite having been sentenced by a federal court to probation and a fine for his actions. Fellow soldiers and his commander wrote letters of support ahead of his sentencing.

William Braniff, the director of the National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism (START), told reporters at an event on extremism in the military last month that "when military individuals or veterans participate in violent extremism domestically, they really punch above their weight, having an outsized impact."

Furthermore, Braniff's data shows that these veterans "were affiliated with no fewer than 120 different organizations around the country [like] local militia groups or local white supremacist groups without a national footprint."

-- Konstantin Toropin can be reached at konstantin.toropin@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @ktoropin.

Related: A Year Later, a Guardsman Who Responded to the Capitol Riot Recalls Delays and Uncertainty
Time for a second opinion? General practitioner explains when it might be good to seek further medical advice
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On a trip to the French Mediterranean coast Monday, President Emmanuel Macron unveiled his priorities for police and internal security  most notably plans to double the number of officers on the ground by 2030.

Speaking to an audience of police, gendarmerie and other officials in Nice  a stronghold of rightwing election rival Valerie Pecresse  Macron promised a sharp increase in the number of field teams, including the creation of new positions.

In the works is a reorganisation of law and order to bring together the national and municipal police in an umbrella station equipped with advanced technology.

Officers would be freed of the burden of peripheral tasks such as guarding public buildings, transferring prisoners and policing hearings.

We are going to free them (police and gendarmes) by employing administrative staff or setting up partnerships with private partners under contract, Macron said.

This move, he estimated, would free up the equivalent of 3,500 police officers and gendarmes.

Local media reports said the plan meant there would be administrative staff in the place of police officers to take care of passport controls at Paris's Charles de Gaulle and Orly airports.

Multiple challenges

Accompanied by Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin and Secretary of State Marlene Schiappa, Macron also spoke on other security issues such as crime, femicide and cybersecurity.

Macron announced an investment of one billion euros towards dealing with online attacks. This would include 1,500 new jobs for cyber officers and the establishment of a special training school.

He also used the occasion to defend his track record on fighting terrorism and drug trafficking during his first term in office.

We have created, trained, deployed on 10,000 police and gendarme positions, the head of state said.

In a bid to lighten the load for the court system, Macron also announced that fines would replace prison sentences under one year, often handed down for drug use.

This process of "simplification" would allow for "judges to concentrate on more important matters," he said.

Although not yet officially a presidential candidate for polls in April, Macron's speech had clear campaign overtones as he gave details of a future orientation law on internal security, which would be put in place in case of re-election.

He said a security budget of 15 billion euros over a five year period would be presented at a cabinet meeting in March, and would only be given the green light after the presidential election.

The moves were all part of a road to a quiet life for France.

"I want to tell you how determined I am to work towards this peaceful life to which the French are entitled, Macron added.

We are not there; the road is long, but our duty and our vocation is to continue to improve things tirelessly.

Macron's trip down south was snubbed by opposition MP Eric Ciotti of the righting Republicans party, who represents the Alpes-Maritimes electorate where Nice is located.
Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against the Senate President, Dr Ahmad Lawan and Speaker of House of Representatives, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila over their failure to probe, and to refer to appropriate anti-corruption agencies fresh allegations that N4.1bn of public money budgeted for the National Assembly is missing, misappropriated or stolen.

The suit followed the publication of the annual audited report for 2016 in which the Auditor-General of the Federation raised concerns about alleged diversion and misappropriation of public funds and sought the recovery of any missing funds.

In suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/1609/2021 filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja, SERAP is seeking: an order of mandamus to direct and compel Dr Lawan and Mr Gbajabiamila to perform their constitutional oversight functions to promptly probe the allegations that fresh N4.1bn budgeted for the National Assembly may be missing.

In the suit, SERAP is arguing that the National Assembly has legal and constitutional duties to prevent and combat corruption, as well as promote transparency and accountability in the management of public resources.

According to SERAP: The National Assembly can only effectively perform its anti-corruption role if it can demonstrate exemplary leadership to probe the allegations of corruption and mismanagement involving the legislative body.

SERAP is also arguing that, transparency and accountability in the management of public resources and wealth is essential for promoting development, peoples welfare and well-being, and their access to basic public services, as well as good governance and the rule of law.

It added, The failure of the National Assembly to promptly and thoroughly investigate, and to refer to appropriate anti-corruption agencies the allegations documented in the annual audited report for 2016 is a fundamental breach of the oversight and public interest duties imposed on the legislative body.

According to SERAP, The National Assembly has no legally justifiable reason to refuse to investigate the allegations documented by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation.

The suit filed on behalf of SERAP by its lawyers Kolawole Oluwadare and Kehinde Oyewumi, read in part: Granting this application would serve the interest of justice, reduce corruption and mismanagement, as well as end impunity of perpetrators, and advance the fundamental human rights of Nigerians.

This suit seeks to vindicate the rule of law, the public interest, and to promote transparency and accountability. Government agencies and institutions are responsible to a court of justice for the lawfulness of what they do, and of that the court is the only judge.

SERAP had last year sent a letter to Dr Lawan and Mr Gbajabiamila requesting them to use their good offices to urgently probe and refer to appropriate anti-corruption agencies allegations that fresh allegations of missing N4.1bn of public money.

The letter, read in part: these fresh allegations are not part of the disclosure by the Auditor-General in the audited reports for 2015, 2017 and 2018 that N4.4 billion of National Assembly money is missing, misappropriated or stolen.

According to the Auditor-General report for 2016, N4,144,706,602.68 of National Assembly money is missing, diverted or stolen. The National Assembly paid some contractors N417,312,538.79 without any documents. The Auditor-General wants the Clerk to the National Assembly to recover the amount in question from the contractors.

The National Assembly reportedly spent N625,000,000.00 through its Constitution Review Committee between March and June 2016 but without any document. The Auditor-General wants the Clerk to the National Assembly to recover the amount from the Committee.

The National Assembly also reportedly spent N66,713,355.08 as personnel cost but the payees in the Cashbook did not correspond with those in the Bank Statement. The Auditor-General wants the irregular expenditure recovered from the officer who approved the payments.

The National Assembly also reportedly paid N116,162,522.60 to some contractors between April and June, 2016 without any document. The National Assembly deducted N56,985,568.55 from various contract payments in respect of Withholding Tax and Value Added Tax but without any evidence of remittance.

The National Assembly also reportedly paid N126,264,320.00 as cash advances to 11 staff members between March and December, 2016 to procure goods and services but failed to remit the money.

The Senate reportedly paid N747,286,680.00 as personal advances to staff members between February and December, 2016 for various procurements and services but failed to retire the money. The Senate also deducted N118,625,057.48 as Withholding and Value Added Taxes but failed to show any evidence of remittance to the Federal Inland Revenue Service.

The Senate also spent N109,007,179.73 from the Capital Expenditure vote but without any document.

The House of Representatives reportedly deducted N821,564,296.48 from staff salaries but failed to remit the money to tax authorities. The House also paid N254,059,513.70 as advances to staff members to procure goods and services between January and December, 2016 but failed to retire the money.

The National Institute for Legislative Studies reportedly spent N375,867,000.00 to buy 11 motor vehicles in April 2016. But the Institute also paid the same contractor N36,610,000.00 in September 2016 under the same contract without approval.

The Institute also reportedly paid N10,927,768.80 to 7 members of staff who were redeployed from the National Assembly to provide specialized services but without details about the staff paid, and without any justification.

The National Assembly Service Commission reportedly approved N109,995,400.00 to train some officers in Dubai, United Arab Emirates but spent N127,629,600.00 as Estacode Allowances to participants, and fees for two consultants engaged for the training. The Commission also spent N9,975,000.00 as course fees for 34 officers but it also paid a consultant N4,987,500.00 for the same course fees.

The Legislative Aides Section earned N12,274,587.77 as interests on Bank accounts in a commercial bank between January and December 2016 but failed to remit the money to the Consolidated Revenue Fund.

No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.

Source: Socio-Economic Rights & Accountability Project
Mali's strongman summoned his cabinet on Monday for an extraordinary meeting after the West African bloc ECOWAS imposed stringent sanctions on the fragile Sahel country over delayed elections.

In a sharp escalation after months of simmering diplomatic tensions, leaders from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on Sunday agreed to shutter borders with the Sahel state and impose a trade embargo.

They also pledged to cut financial aid to Mali and freeze its assets at the Central Bank of West African States, and recalled their ambassadors from the country.

The move followed a proposal from Mali's army-dominated government last month to stay in power for up to five years before staging elections -- in contradiction to international demands that it respect a promise to hold elections in February.

Colonel Assimi Goita, Mali's strongman who took power in a military coup in August 2020, has not yet responded publically to the political crisis.

An official in his office, who requested anonymity, said that Goita held a long meeting with his prime minister Choguel Kokalla Maiga on Monday, however.

'Illegal and illegitimate'

Earlier the same day, Mali's junta stated that the ECOWAS sanctions were "illegal and illegitimate" and accused the bloc of being "instrumentalised by extra-regional powers," in an apparent reference to France.

Relations between Mali and France, its former colonial master which has thousands of troops in the country, have deteriorated since the 2020 coup that ousted elected president Ibrahim Boubacar Keita.

Under the threat of sanctions, coup leader Goita had promised to restore civilian rule in February 2022 after holding presidential and legislative elections.

But he staged a second coup in May 2021, forcing out an interim civilian government, disrupting the reform timetable, and provoking widespread diplomatic condemnation.

ECOWAS continued to insist on elections in February, although Mali's government argued that rampant insecurity posed a problem and that peaceful elections took priority over speed.

Mali has struggled to quell a brutal jihadist insurgency that first emerged in 2012, before spreading to Burkina Faso and Niger. Swathes of its vast territory lie outside of government control.

'All necessary measures'

Mali's junta has also announced that it will recall its ambassadors in ECOWAS states and close its borders in response to the sanctions, vowing to take "all necessary measures to retaliate".

Goita's intentions remain unclear. Experts interviewed by AFP have warned that the tough language emanating from the Malian military bodes ominous for the future of its dispute with ECOWAS.

The effects of sanctions are already beginning to be felt.

Air France, for example, announced that it would no longer be serving Mali's capital Bamako over due to "regional geopolitical tensions".

The trade embargo may take longer to take effect, but Malians have voiced concern on social media about the risk of future shortages.

A landlocked nation of 19 million people, Mali is one of the poorest countries in the world.

Mali's junta has said that the new ECOWAS sanctions will "affect populations already severely affected by the security crisis and the health crisis".

It also stated said it had made arrangements to ensure normal supplies, however.

ECOWAS also imposed sanctions on Mali soon after the 2020 coup, in a move thought to have contributed to the army agreeing, at the time, to install a civilian-led government and stage elections.

Many Malians remain worried for the future. "We don't know where this will lead," said Daoulata Haidara, a Bamako resident.

However, Lassana Camara, another resident of the capital, said he opposed the sanctions, casting ECOWAS as an out-of-touch elite club.

"This club runs contrary to Africa, to the West African population," he said.
The Bolgatanga Municipality in the Upper East Region remains a hotshot for HIV infection in the Region, health experts have said.

Mr Sulemana Majeed, Regional HIV Coordinator, who disclosed this at a media briefing, said, Bolgatanga has always been above the national figure, which calls for an increase sensitization and education.

The media engagement was part of a series of activities by the GHS and the Ghana AIDS Commission to solicit the support of journalists to increase public awareness on HIV and help prevent, control and manage the spread of the virus among the public.

Mr Majeed said the Regional figure for HIV infection was 1.9 per cent and noted that the disease was gradually becoming more urbanised with lots of population influx with activities, including commercial sex activities at certain areas within the Bolgatanga township.

He emphasized that the HIV hotspot was not static and peculiar to certain areas in the Region but had over the years swung among the Districts, adding that Navrongo in the Kassena-Nankana Municipality used to be a hotspot.

It moved to Sandema in the Builsa North Municipality for about five years and to the Bolgatanga Municipality. So if you go by the HIV Sentinel Survey (HSS) data, Bolgatanga will be considered as our hotspot, the HIV Coordinator said.

He said per the HSS sites of HIV prevalence, the Bolgatanga Municipality recorded increases from 2.8 per cent in 2018 to 3.6 per cent in 2019, and indicated that though there was a decrease to 2.6 per cent in 2020, the prevalence rate was still high in the Bolgatanga Municipality.

He said Navrongo recorded a constant figure of 1.6 per cent in 2017 and 2018 respectively, with increases to 2.0 per cent in 2019, and 2.2 per cent in 2020, while the Builsa North Municipality saw a consistent increase from 1.0 per cent in 2017 to 1.1 per cent in 2018 and from 1.2 per cent in 2019 to 1.3 per cent in 2020.

The situation, he noted, was not different in the Bawku Municipality as it equally recorded increases from 0.4 per cent in 2017, to 0.6 per cent in 2018, 1.2 per cent in 2019 and 1.3 per cent in 2020.

On the number of positive HIV cases per population, Mr Majeed said the first five hotspot Districts were Nabdam, Bolgatanga East, Builsa North, Bongo and Bolgatanga Municipality.

Nabdam District, he said recorded 214 HIV cases per population, So per every 100,000 population in Nabdam, 214 of them would be HIV positive, Bolgatanga East is 175, Builsa North is 152, Bongo 149 and Bolgatanga Municipality is 112 per 100,000 population.

Dr Josephat Nyuzaghl, Deputy Regional Director of the GHS in charge of Public Health, called on journalists, especially broadcast journalists at various radio stations across the Region, to support the Health Directorate to educate and increase awareness of HIV among members of the public to curtail the spread.

GNA
The Head of Public Relations at the National Ambulance Service (NAS) Simon Yousiff Kewura says the Service cannot be blamed for the death of the nursing mother being transferred from Takoradi to Accra on referral.

Speaking in an interview with Nhyiraba Paa Kwesi Simpson on Connect FM's Omanbapa morning show, Mr. Yousif Kewura revealed that a disagreement between nurses and a doctor at the Holy Child Hospital Fijai in Sekondi-Takoradi might have caused the delay, which perhaps led to the death of the patient.

His response comes after claims by the husband of the deceased, John Obiri Yeboah, that gross unprofessionalism on the part of personnel of the Service led to the death of his wife.

Narrating events leading to the death of his wife on Connect FM's morning show, Mr Obiri Yeboah explained to the host that his wife successfully underwent surgery on Tuesday, January 4 at the Holy Child Hospital.

He had gone home and was preparing food for the wife when he received a call from his wife's sister that his wife had suffered a complication and was to be transferred to the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra.

But Mr. Obiri Yeboah said the Ambulance Service officials demanded an amount of GH600 to enable them buy fuel.

He explained that the officials caused undue delay with their demand for the money.

Whilst on our way to Accra, the [National] Ambulance Service personnel stopped and asked me to bring an amount of GH600 for fuel. I had only GH150 on me then, they took GH50 and bought the fuel. Right after buying the fuel, they returned to Takoradi whilst my wife was suffering, he narrated.

But the NAS PRO insisted the Service cannot be blamed for the death.

We were called by the hospital to convey the patient to Korle Bu. The hospital told us that the husband of the patient will pay the cost of the fuel. We wanted to buy the fuel along the way but the husband of the patient did not have the money. At the same time the hospital called and asked us to return and take the baby she delivered along. After getting to the hospital, there was a heated argument between the nurse and the doctor and that caused the delay and the subsequent death of the patient, so we cannot be blamed, he stated.

Legal action

In the meantime, Mr. Obiri Yeboah has resolved to take the National Ambulance Service to court.

He believes that some people must be punished for the death of his wife and only the court can settle the issue.

Someone must be punished for the kind of negligence exhibited by the personnel of the [National] Ambulance Service. I will seek legal assistance because my wife could not have died if not for their negligence, he noted.

3news.com
A Moroccan journalist sentenced to five years in prison for indecent assault in a controversial case proclaimed his innocence Monday at the start of an appeal hearing.

Soulaimane Raissouni, 49, who was sentenced in July last year, is the latest journalist critical of Morocco's government to have been jailed for sex crimes.

The editor-in-chief of now-defunct Akhbar Al Yaoum was arrested in May 2020 after an LGBT activist accused him of sexual assault.

He has always maintained his innocence and says he was prosecuted "because of his opinions".

Morocco insists its judiciary is independent, that he received a "fair" trial and that the prosecution had "nothing to do with his journalistic work".

Raissouni told the appeal hearing in Casablanca that he had not had "any relationship" with the complainant, and denied having "harassed, confined and assaulted" him.

The judge questioned Raissouni on a Facebook post in which the plaintiff accused him, under a pseudonym, of rape, as well as conversations allegedly showing he had "harassed" his accuser.

"I have nothing to do with these documents," said Raissouni, who tried to convince the court of "inconsistencies" and "contradictions" in the statements of the plaintiff.

Media watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF) described his original trial as "tainted by irregularities".

Raissouni went on a hunger strike last year for 122 days, preventing him from appearing at many hearings of his trial.

He appeared in good health on Monday.

The hearing is to continue on January 17.

Two other Moroccan journalists, Omar Radi last year and Taoufik Bouachrine in 2019, were respectively sentenced to six and 15 years in prison for sexual assaults which they denied.

Radi was also sentenced for "espionage".

Morocco stands at 136 out of 180 in RSF's world press freedom ranking of countries.
11.01.2022 LISTEN

The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) says it is recalling some batches of coagulated milk products from Nestle Ghana Limited off the local market.

It follows widespread complaints from consumers of the products  Ideal and Carnation Milk.

The food regulatory body in a statement disclosed that several batches of the products were recalled after a comprehensive regulatory action and a microbial laboratory analysis of samples of the product at the factory.

According to the FDA, a total of 57,938 cans of the products have been retrieved by Nestle across the country as of January 9, 2022.

Results from the analysis indicated that there was no microbial contamination of samples and therefore there is no food safety issue with the said coagulated milk products from Nestle.

The analysis also confirmed that there was no leaching of dangerous chemicals from the inner (lacquer) lining into the milk product.

So far, the root cause analysis indicates that the skimmed milk powder (raw material) used to produce the milk complained of has poor heat stability. This results in the denaturing of the protein, leading to the coagulation of the milk. Denatured protein, however, poses no health risk, the FDA statement disclosed.

Below are the batches with the affected raw materials that are being recalled:

ldeal Milk: 12651489, 12951489, 12961489, 13001489, 13031489, 13131489, 13161489, 13171489, 13341489, 13351489.

Carnation Milk: 12901480, 12911489, 12931489, 12941489, 12951489,12591489, 12601489, 12611489, 12651489, 13061489, 13071489, 13081489, 13091489, 13101489.

The process according to the FDA is being monitored.

It, therefore, urged persons in possession of ldeal and Carnation milk with the batch numbers listed above to return them to Nestle or any FDA offices nationwide.

The Authority further assured the public that its Industrial Support Department continues to work with Nestle to ensure that the quality defect would not recur.

The FDA wishes to commend consumers for their alertness and to encourage them to continue reporting issues observed with any of its regulated products for the appropriate regulatory measures to be taken to ensure the health and safety of the public, the statement added.

citinewsroom
The European Union (EU) is under increasing pressure to further ease rules on airport take-off and landing slots to cut the number of "ghost flights" airlines are running to retain them.

Carriers say the requirement for them to use 50 percent of their slots -- down from 80 percent in pre-pandemic days -- or lose them is forcing them to operate empty or half-empty flights.

A sluggish return to air travel, as travellers shrink away from the Omicron Covid variant and quickly changing rules for passengers, is dragging out the practice longer than they planned.

Belgium's Brussels Airlines, for instance, says it will have to operate 3,000 under-capacity flights up to the end of March.

18,000 "pointless flights"

Its parent company Lufthansa warned last month it expected it would have to run 18,000 "pointless flights" over the European winter.

As for Air France, it claims that it has never operated an empty flight and has "no plans" to fly with empty planes.

Belgium's transport minister, Georges Gilkinet, has written to the European Commission urging it to loosen the slot rules, arguing the consequences run counter to the EU's carbon-neutral ambitions.

The current reduced quotas were introduced in March last year in a nod to the hardship airlines faced as Covid washed over Europe for a second year running, drastically reducing passenger numbers.

In December, the commission said the 50-percent threshold would be raised to 64 percent for this year's April-to-November summer flight season.

'More flexibility'

"Despite our urgings for more flexibility at the time, the EU approved a 50 percent-use rule for every flight schedule/frequency held for the winter. This has clearly been unrealistic in the EU this winter against the backdrop of the current crisis," a spokesman for the International Air Transport Association (IATA) told French news agency AFP.

He said the commission needed to show more "flexibility [...] given the significant drop in passengers and impact of Omicron numbers on crewing planned schedules".

But a commission spokesman on Wednesday said the EU executive believed "the overall reduced consumer demand [...] is already reflected in a much-reduced rate of 50 percent compared to the usual 80 percent-use rate rule".

(with wires)
The National Deputy Secretary of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) Nana Obiri Boahen has said, the praises from the Greater Accra poultry farmers is a big achievement for the Akufo-Addo's government.

Nana Obiri Boahen who was speaking to this reporter on governanment expectations for the year 2022, said: We expect things to improve. If you hear that Ghana is the most peaceful country in the whole of West Africa. Ghana ranked 2nd in the Sub-region is good news.

He noted that having poultry farmers from Greater Accra writing to praise the government is a remarkable achievement that suggests that President Akufo-Addo is doing it right.

When you have the poultry farmers in Greater Accra writing to praise the government that is also a big achievement but everybody wants to move ahead. Some days ago, the Minister for Roads came out to let us know about the interchange and roads his ministry is constructing. We have been told that the Tamale interchange will be inaugurated in March 2022 and I understand the Accra inland port will come into fruition. So, these are all matters to push this country forward," he stated.

Meanwhile, he expressed confidence that the country will see improvement in the year 2022.
Asantehene, His Royal Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has charged the media in Ghana to work consciously to protect and preserve the unity as well as stability of the country.

He said, at all times, the media should endeavour to work to provide the platform for consensus building that will promote peace and curb conflict.

Let me conclude with a fervent appeal to the media, to all our journalists and media owners, you all have a duty to protect and preserve the unity and stability of our country, in the face of all the turmoil in the world, you are proud because you can point to your country with pride and its stability and increasing success.

A challenging moment it has been but it is so for us to follow the Methodist hymnal and count our blessings, count them one by one and we will know what the Lord has done for us. That knowledge should inspire us to persevere, to work hard to douse conflict, work hard to forge unity and generosity of heart, Otumfuo said.

The revered King said this while speaking at the official opening of the maiden media capacity enhancement programme at the Manhyia Palace on Monday, January 10, 2022.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu II continued, Never mind where the momentum of politics maybe leading, the peace and stability of our nation must be inviolable, the media will be doing a great service to the nation and indeed to humanity if they can create an environment which encourages consensus building to lower the causes of tension within the body politics.

Members of the media should be conscious when they are practising as professionals and when they come to politics.

Over 200 selected journalists are benefiting from the media capacity enhancement programme (MCEP) being organised by the Ministry of Information this year.

According to the Ministry, the programme aims to provide continuous in-service training for media personnel drawn from across the country in order to improve their skills for the industry.
Chinas express parcel volume expected to hit 108.5 bln in 2021

09:06, January 11, 2022 By Li Xinping ( People's Daily

Revenue of Chinas courier industry is expected to hit 1.04 trillion yuan ($163.19 billion) last year, up 18 percent from a year ago, with the number of parcels delivered growing 30 percent to 108.5 billion.

A man runs to collect parcels in a warehouse owned by Chinese e-commerce giant JD.com in Jinyi Comprehensive Bonded Zone, Jinhua, east Chinas Zhejiang province, Dec. 12, 2021. (Peoples Daily Online/Hu Xiaofei)

The industry is also expected to have created 200,000 new jobs and driven online retail sales of nearly 11 trillion yuan.

In the past year, over 130 designated cargo planes flew across China to deliver express parcels, and there were more than 1,500 rail routes employed for express delivery missions. Besides, over 28,500 high-capacity cargo vehicles worked for the sector.

Large parcel distribution centers were transformed into intelligent ones in an accelerated manner, and almost all transfer hubs were equipped with automatic sorting systems.

In addition, terminal services of the courier industry have been constantly improved. A joint delivery mechanism participated by various express delivery companies has been established at village, township and county levels, and the number of smart lockers was on a steady rise. Besides, there were 161,000 public service stations across the country.

As of the end of 2021, express delivery parcels could directly arrive at over 80 percent of administrative villages across China, and almost all villages in east Chinas Suzhou and Zhejiang provinces, and in Shanghai municipality were connected to courier services.

Primary students and a courier in Changxing county, Huzhou, east Chinas Zhejiang province showcase a carton house they have made from used express parcel packages, Nov. 24, 2021. (Peoples Daily Online/Chen Haiwei)

New models of delivery services were emerging, extending courier services to more villages. Courier-postal services combination was newly opened to 155,000 administrative villages last year.

In 2021, the State Post Bureau (SPB) continued tapping into the potential of the rural market and has newly built 40 high-quality programs demonstrating courier services facilitation for modern agriculture, making the total number 100.

These programs streamline the delivery of featured agricultural products, and each of them has helped handle over 10 million parcels over the past year. They benefit a large number of agricultural businesses, such as coarse cereals in Lvliang, north Chinas Shanxi province, seafood in Rizhao, east Chinas Shandong province, Maojian tea in Xinyang, central Chinas Henan province, oranges in Huaihua, central Chinas Hunan province and rice noodles in southwest Chinas Chongqing municipality.

Over the past year, a total of 37 billion express parcels were collected from and shipped to rural areas across China, facilitating rural-urban commodity exchanges totaling 1.85 trillion yuan.

Express delivery companies speeded up the construction of overseas warehouses. So far, 240 overseas warehouses have been established, covering nearly two million square meters.

The SPB launched special campaigns to advance green transition of the courier industry, making strenuous efforts to fix problems such as excessive heavy metals and other specific substances in parcel packages, excessive packaging, and plastic pollution.

An employee of a courier company is working in a distribution workshop in a land port in Lieshan district, Huaibei, east Chinas Anhui province, Nov. 10, 2021. (Peoples Daily Online/Wan Shanchao)

As a result, the stock of packages containing excessive heavy metals and other specific materials significantly decreased, and excessive packaging has been preliminarily controlled.

A total of 6.3 million recyclable express delivery boxes were put into use, and 80.5 percent of e-commerce parcels avoided being packaged for a second time. Besides, the country has newly established 36,000 stations to recycle waste express delivery packages, and employed over 60,000 new energy and clean energy vehicles for parcel collection and delivery.

The SPB offered one-on-one guidance for major courier companies the last year, requesting them to practically enhance the protection over couriers legitimate interests and rights. Wuhan, Shenzhen, Xian and some other cities achieved positive progress in granting priority to primary-level courier stations when they insure their employees against work-related injuries, and Anhui province has fully implemented this policy at both provincial and municipal levels.

Thanks to a series of campaigns launched to offer a better environment for couriers, 5,068 public and affordable houses were rented to them. Besides, 30,000 care centers were built for deliverymen across China, and 393,000 couriers received free medical services.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)
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Ghanas Coronavirus (Covid-19) situation is slowly improving with a daily decline in the number of active cases.

In the latter part of December 2021 and the early part of January 2022, the country recorded over 1000 cases daily.

At the time, health experts attributed the rise in Covid-19 cases to the huge number of people that travelled into the country for Christmas and the countless outdoor programmes attended by thousands of people almost every day.

After the yuletide, the numbers have now started coming down. In the last 24 hours, data from the Ghana Health Service has revealed that more than a thousand people that caught the Covid virus have recovered.

Although there have also been 650 new cases, the number of active cases that was over 13,000 has now reduced to 11,406.

Despite the good news, the government is urging the public to strictly adhere to the Covid-19 safety protocols to help the fight against the pandemic.

Meanwhile, unvaccinated Ghanaians are encouraged to avail themselves to take the available jabs for protection against the virus.
A South African court charged a man suspected of starting a devastating fire that gutted South Africa's parliament with terrorism, adding to robbery and arson accusations, as he made his second appearance in court on Tuesday.

Zandile Christmas Mafe, 49, was arrested around the parliament complex after the fire broke out on January 2 and appeared in court three days later.

He was initially charged with breaking into parliament, arson and intention to steal property, including laptops, crockery and documents, before the new terrorism charge was added Tuesday.

A new charge said the "accused is guilty of the offence of contravening the provisions of... the protection of constitutional democracy against terrorist and related activities", according to a court document.

The prosecution spokesman Eric Ntabazalila told reporters during a court recess that "we have added a sixth charge... the accused detonated a device inside parliament".

The blaze broke out in the Cape Town complex before dawn on January 2, spreading to the National Assembly, the roof of which collapsed.

Protesters outside the court building demanded his release saying he was a scapegoat.

Defence lawyer Dali Mpofu said that Mafe was last week "taken for mental observation on January 3" and diagnosed with "paranoid schizophrenia".

Mpofu, one of South Africa's most famous lawyers, who has defended some high-profile figures, including former president Jacob Zuma, is seeking bail for Mafe.

'He is innocent'

In stark contrast to his first court appearance where he was bearded and dressed in a grey shirt with knee-length denim shorts, on Tuesday he came in clean shaven in a light blue shirt and a dark jacket.

Since his arrest, debate has raged in South Africa over whether Mafe, described in the local media as homeless, was responsible for setting the building on fire.

A group of around 30 people, picketed outside the Cape Town magistrate court demanding Mafe be freed, brandishing handwritten signs such as "Free Mafe", "He is innocent" and "He is not guilty".

One homeless person recounted the events of the night the fire started. He was sleeping on a street near the parliament complex and heard a sound like a car collision. He later suspected that was the break-in before the fire started.

A preliminary report by the city of Cape Town last week said the fire detection system appeared "faulty", that "sprinklers did not activate" and that they were last serviced in 2017, missing a February 2020 scheduled service.

It took scores of firefighters more than two days to extinguish the blaze, which tore through the wood-panelled assembly chamber where parliamentary debates are held.

No casualties were reported in the fire, but the extensive damage has shaken the country and forced the authorities to move the annual state-of-the-nation address to be delivered next month by President Cyril Ramaphosa to an alternative venue in Cape Town.
11.01.2022 LISTEN

The President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Mr. Affail Monney has advised the media to desist from practicing the rawest form of journalism and strive to be top professionals.

Speaking at the official opening of the maiden Media Capacity Enhancement Programme (MCEP) at the Manhyia Palace on Monday, January 10, 2022, the GJA president said journalism that comes with unprintable insults as well as indecent diction must all cease.

Before the programme is extensively rolled out, we hasten to urge that the practice of journalism in its rawrest form must stop. This relates to unprintable insults, indecent dictions, inelegant comments and unnecessary noise which make some practitioners and their outlets trend for wrong reasons, Mr. Monney said.

In addition, the GJA wants the media to promote civility in public discourse and champion healthy debates of national issues, bearing in mind that debates are the lifeblood of liberal democracy such as Ghana's.

Mr. Affail Monney continued that while at it, the media should tone down their partisan slant and blatant spin and tone up their independent streak and objective bent.

This approach, he insists will help meet an ethical imperative of feeding the public with free, fair, balanced and comprehensive information with which they will make reasoned decisions.

Below is the full speech read by the GJA president at the programme:

REMARKS BY GJA PRESIDENT AFFAIL MONNEY AT OPENING OF MEDIA CAPACITY ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM AT MANHYIA PALACE ON JANUARY 10, 2022

Your Royal Majesty, Otumfuo Osei Tutu 11, the Asantehene, Hon Minister of Information, Chairman of the National Media Commission, Rector of GIJ, Presidents of PRINPAG and GIBA, National Public Affairs Director of GJA, Mary Tawiah Mensah, GJA Regional Chairpersons , Director of News, Ghana News Agency, Mrs Beatrice Asamani -Savage, resource persons, participants, distinguished ladies and gentlemen.

At long last, what was perceived as a distant dream or dismissed as an inflated rhetoric is unfolding into historic reality. Accordingly, GJA is profoundly grateful to the government of Ghana, as an indispensable stakeholder in the media, for its staggering sponsorship package. The Planning Committee led by GIJ Rector, Professor Kwansah- Aidoo, and the resource persons also deserve the highest commendation for lending their maximum support for the Media Capacity Enhancement Programme.

While at the pinnacle of gold, and in the precinct of the Golden Stool, permit me, Your Royal Majesty, to sprinkle a gold dust of appreciation on our sector Minister, Hon Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, for his singular vision and tenacious commitment to professional excellence, culminating in the series of training programmes and marriage between industry and academia. The twin Initiative, without doubt, is unprecedented in scope, and unparalleled in depths since 1822 when journalism began in the then Gold Coast, now Ghana.

A dazzling journalist as he was, and a budding politician as he is, Hon Nkrumahs place in the history of journalism in Ghana is definitely assured. If today, touch wood, the President decides to reshuffle him, he will leave with his chest out and his head high because he has something of monumental value to show the present and future generations of journalists.

We recall with utmost pride that in 2015, the Otumfuor journeyed by road from Kumasi to Accra to address the GJA awards. The observations he made and recommendations he gave are still a reference point for the media. Today, we are profusely grateful to the veritable friend of the GJA and unwavering supporter of the media, for his gracious act of condescension which has made it possible, once again, to drink from the fountain of his Solomonic wisdom.

It is trite knowledge that the Enhancement Programme is happening at a time when confidence in the media is on the in wane, and perpetration of mediocrity, on the rise. In terms of professional standards, many journalists are stuffed to the gills, others are rotten to the core. While some display innovative spark and distinctive qualities, many operate in stagnant pools which reflect hackneyed styles and immanent output. The finest opportunity, therefore, beckons to move the paradigm and change the narrative of journalism practice in Ghana. More specifically, the training series is expected to sharpen the reportorial flair, editorial craftsmanship, analytical power, and creative thinking of the participants so that they will not only operate to make a living, they will also be living to make a difference.

Research shows that the average engineer loses twenty percent of his or her knowledge every year, if it not updated. Journalists are not immune from this reality. The logical response, therefore, is to train and retrain all journalists as resources would allow. This should be complemented by heuristic means to achieve an overall quality in media output.

Ann Landers teaches us that the naked truth, is better than a well-dressed lie. And the naked truth is that most media houses and individual journalists are too financially disabled to meet their critical training or self- development needs. Like the signature SHS programme, we hope the free Media Capacity Enhancement Programme has come to stay to help fix the capacity deficit and hone the professional skills of beneficiaries. This will eventually chrystalize into a system which will be a crucible for media credibility, media responsibility and media accountability.

Before the programme is extensively rolled out, we hasten to urge that the practice of journalism in its rawrest form must stop. This relates to unprintable insults, indecent dictions, inelegant comments and unnecessary noise which make some practitioners and their outlets trend for wrong reasons.

The experts tell us anything without humour is almost inhuman. And good humour is a mark of high intelligence. Indeed, we love programmes spiced with humour and enjoy discussions leavened with proverbs. However, this point can hardly be articulated- excessive injection of jocularity and proverbization in news in particular, and other serious programming, is problematic. Such breezy ethical breaches add tinder to the anger of media critics, and make forgiveness for our professional sins hellishly difficult.

Furthermore, the GJA wants the media to promote civility in public discourse and champion healthy debates of national issues, bearing in mind that debates are the lifeblood of liberal democracy such as ours. In the process, the media should tone down their partisan slant and blatant spin and tone up their independent streak and objective bent. This approach will help meet an ethical imperative of feeding the public with free, fair, balanced and comprehensive information with which they will make reasoned decisions.

It goes without saying the Media Capacity Enhancement Programme, presents an iconic turning point in journalism practice in Ghana. In a wider context, the GJA proposes that this programme be executed in tandem with pragmatic steps to improve the working conditions of journalists. Dwindling revenue steam and swingering expenditure cuts, induced by Covid, have conspired to make an already bad situation worse, for majority of the media houses and their workers. While public sector workers fight for premium salaries, the minimum wage is a luxury for a countless number of journalists who have even not be paid for months.

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) reminds us poignantly that there can be no press freedom if journalists live in conditions of poverty, fear and corruption. The causal nexus between flip- flop poverty and below par performance in certain media circles underlines the need to address the salary issue of journalists with urgent promptitude.

Your Royal Majesty, Hon Information Minister, senior media practitioners, learned resource persons, esteemed participants, distinguished ladies and gentlemen. Indeed, our media houses are varied. Our orientation is different. And our backgrounds are diverse. However, our journey from far and near, and our willingness to sit in and learn, presupposes our commitment to be bound by a single strand woven around the desire to use journalism to promote the economic upswing, social uplift, democratic upsurge and developmental upgrade of our dear nation Ghana.

This is a charge to keep. The Sovereign Lord is our helper.

Thank you for your attention.

Afehyia pa.
GJA President Mr. Affail Monney

11.01.2022 LISTEN

The President of Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Mr. Affail Monney has admonished the media in the country to stop spinning issues and also tone down on partisan slants.

Speaking at the official opening of the maiden Media Capacity Enhancement Programme (MCEP) at the Manhyia Palace on Monday, January 10, 2022, the GJA president said it is crucial that instead, the media strives to uphold their independence and also stay objective at all times.

Furthermore, the GJA wants the media to promote civility in public discourse and champion healthy debates of national issues, bearing in mind that debates are the lifeblood of liberal democracy such as ours.

In the process, the media should tone down their partisan slant and blatant spin and tone up their independent streak and objective bent, Mr. Affail Monney shared.

According to the GJA president, this approach will help meet an ethical imperative of feeding the public with free, fair, balanced and comprehensive information with which they will make reasoned decisions.

While at the programme, Mr. Monney took time to expressed the GJA's profoundly gratitude to the government of Ghana, as an indispensable stakeholder in the media, for its staggering sponsorship package to put together the Media Capacity Enhancement Programme.

The programme aims to enhance the capacity of some 250 journalists across the country every year.

Below is the speech read by GJA president Mr. Affail Monney at the programme:

REMARKS BY GJA PRESIDENT AFFAIL MONNEY AT OPENING OF MEDIA CAPACITY ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM AT MANHYIA PALACE ON JANUARY 10, 2022

Your Royal Majesty, Otumfuo Osei Tutu 11, the Asantehene, Hon Minister of Information, Chairman of the National Media Commission, Rector of GIJ, Presidents of PRINPAG and GIBA, National Public Affairs Director of GJA, Mary Tawiah Mensah, GJA Regional Chairpersons , Director of News, Ghana News Agency, Mrs Beatrice Asamani -Savage, resource persons, participants, distinguished ladies and gentlemen.

At long last, what was perceived as a distant dream or dismissed as an inflated rhetoric is unfolding into historic reality. Accordingly, GJA is profoundly grateful to the government of Ghana, as an indispensable stakeholder in the media, for its staggering sponsorship package. The Planning Committee led by GIJ Rector, Professor Kwansah- Aidoo, and the resource persons also deserve the highest commendation for lending their maximum support for the Media Capacity Enhancement Programme.

While at the pinnacle of gold, and in the precinct of the Golden Stool, permit me, Your Royal Majesty, to sprinkle a gold dust of appreciation on our sector Minister, Hon Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, for his singular vision and tenacious commitment to professional excellence, culminating in the series of training programmes and marriage between industry and academia. The twin Initiative, without doubt, is unprecedented in scope, and unparalleled in depths since 1822 when journalism began in the then Gold Coast, now Ghana.

A dazzling journalist as he was, and a budding politician as he is, Hon Nkrumahs place in the history of journalism in Ghana is definitely assured. If today, touch wood, the President decides to reshuffle him, he will leave with his chest out and his head high because he has something of monumental value to show the present and future generations of journalists.

We recall with utmost pride that in 2015, the Otumfuor journeyed by road from Kumasi to Accra to address the GJA awards. The observations he made and recommendations he gave are still a reference point for the media. Today, we are profusely grateful to the veritable friend of the GJA and unwavering supporter of the media, for his gracious act of condescension which has made it possible, once again, to drink from the fountain of his Solomonic wisdom.

It is trite knowledge that the Enhancement Programme is happening at a time when confidence in the media is on the in wane, and perpetration of mediocrity, on the rise. In terms of professional standards, many journalists are stuffed to the gills, others are rotten to the core. While some display innovative spark and distinctive qualities, many operate in stagnant pools which reflect hackneyed styles and immanent output. The finest opportunity, therefore, beckons to move the paradigm and change the narrative of journalism practice in Ghana. More specifically, the training series is expected to sharpen the reportorial flair, editorial craftsmanship, analytical power, and creative thinking of the participants so that they will not only operate to make a living, they will also be living to make a difference.

Research shows that the average engineer loses twenty percent of his or her knowledge every year, if it not updated. Journalists are not immune from this reality. The logical response, therefore, is to train and retrain all journalists as resources would allow. This should be complemented by heuristic means to achieve an overall quality in media output.

Ann Landers teaches us that the naked truth, is better than a well-dressed lie. And the naked truth is that most media houses and individual journalists are too financially disabled to meet their critical training or self- development needs. Like the signature SHS programme, we hope the free Media Capacity Enhancement Programme has come to stay to help fix the capacity deficit and hone the professional skills of beneficiaries. This will eventually chrystalize into a system which will be a crucible for media credibility, media responsibility and media accountability.

Before the programme is extensively rolled out, we hasten to urge that the practice of journalism in its rawrest form must stop. This relates to unprintable insults, indecent dictions, inelegant comments and unnecessary noise which make some practitioners and their outlets trend for wrong reasons.

The experts tell us anything without humour is almost inhuman. And good humour is a mark of high intelligence. Indeed, we love programmes spiced with humour and enjoy discussions leavened with proverbs. However, this point can hardly be articulated- excessive injection of jocularity and proverbization in news in particular, and other serious programming, is problematic. Such breezy ethical breaches add tinder to the anger of media critics, and make forgiveness for our professional sins hellishly difficult.

Furthermore, the GJA wants the media to promote civility in public discourse and champion healthy debates of national issues, bearing in mind that debates are the lifeblood of liberal democracy such as ours. In the process, the media should tone down their partisan slant and blatant spin and tone up their independent streak and objective bent. This approach will help meet an ethical imperative of feeding the public with free, fair, balanced and comprehensive information with which they will make reasoned decisions.

It goes without saying the Media Capacity Enhancement Programme, presents an iconic turning point in journalism practice in Ghana. In a wider context, the GJA proposes that this programme be executed in tandem with pragmatic steps to improve the working conditions of journalists. Dwindling revenue steam and swingering expenditure cuts, induced by Covid, have conspired to make an already bad situation worse, for majority of the media houses and their workers. While public sector workers fight for premium salaries, the minimum wage is a luxury for a countless number of journalists who have even not be paid for months.

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) reminds us poignantly that there can be no press freedom if journalists live in conditions of poverty, fear and corruption. The causal nexus between flip- flop poverty and below par performance in certain media circles underlines the need to address the salary issue of journalists with urgent promptitude.

Your Royal Majesty, Hon Information Minister, senior media practitioners, learned resource persons, esteemed participants, distinguished ladies and gentlemen. Indeed, our media houses are varied. Our orientation is different. And our backgrounds are diverse. However, our journey from far and near, and our willingness to sit in and learn, presupposes our commitment to be bound by a single strand woven around the desire to use journalism to promote the economic upswing, social uplift, democratic upsurge and developmental upgrade of our dear nation Ghana.

This is a charge to keep. The Sovereign Lord is our helper.

Thank you for your attention.

Afehyia pa.
France eased Covid rules in schools on Tuesday after a record number of infections shut down thousands of classes, saddling parents and teachers with the logistical hassle of repetitive testing. Several unions have called for a strike on Thursday.

Prime Minister Jean Castex told France 2 television on Monday that more than 10,000 classes  2 percent of the total  had to be cancelled because of coronavirus outbreaks, adding the government would not "shut down the schools nor the country".

France has suffered more than 125,000 deaths since the start of the pandemic, and on Monday recorded 93,896 new coronavirus cases as the highly contagious Omicron variant drives up daily infections.

Under the first change, from Tuesday, parents will no longer be obliged to pick up their child immediately for Covid testing if they are a contact case.

Home-testing will be deemed sufficient in such cases rather than testing at an officially approved site, such as a pharmacy, with parents signing a certificate to confirm the result.

The test kits, available from pharmacies, will be free upon presentation of a letter from the school.

'undescribable Mess'

France's biggest primary teachers' union the SNUipp-FSU, which denounced the "indescribable mess" in the school system and "a strong feeling of abandonment and anger among the staff", has called for a national strike on Thursday.

Most of the country's other teaching unions have signed up to the proposal.

SNUipp-FSU secretary-general Guislaine David said she was unimpressed by Castex's announcement.

"It displays total contempt for the teachers who are on the ground. This will not at all reduce the number of contaminations at school," David said.

"On the contrary, it will multiply them tenfold, because a certificate on the honour of the parents is now sufficient."

Parents to join

"Once again it's not in the children's interest," Carla Dugault, the co-president of the FCPE union representing parents and teachers told France Info.

"We would've preferred to see saliva tests for the younger students," she said, indicating that rapid testing at home still involved a nasal swab which is often uncomfortable for the child.

The FCPE "doesn't want to see schools closed" she explains, but "let's keep them open in the safest possible way" indicating that for that to happen, schools would need more help to be able to carry out their own tests onsite.

The parents union has decided to march side by side with teachers at the rally planned for Thursday.

"This is an historic event to say 'stop, you've gone too far'. Everyone is exhausted and very angry," Dugault said.

Inequality

"We're going to go from open schools with no students, to open schools with contaminated kids," warns epidemiologist Mahmoud Zureik.

The professor at Versailles-Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines University, west of Paris, says the new protocol will simply increase the disparity between families who can and can't keep up with the rules.

"I wonder how many parents are going to download the document and go and pick up the tests? How many of them will actually carry out the tests properly without fully understanding how important this process is," he told France Info on Tuesday.

"We're going to see inequality on a social level and on a health level," he added, particularly in poorer areas where contaminations tend to be higher.

"Efforts haven't really been made to make schools safer places."

Even though coronavirus has proven to have less serious effects on children, there are 73 children between the ages of 0 and 9 in intensive care in France, and more than 300 in hospital.

(with wires)
Just 10 days into 2022, there has been over 60 fire incidents in the Ashanti Region, the regional fire command has disclosed.

Although the report couldnt outline the actual number of casualties of these fire outbreaks, the Ashanti Regional Command of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) explained that the incidents range from major fire outbreaks to minor ones including vehicular torches.

Speaking on Akoma FMs current affairs and political show GhanAkoma Tuesday, January 11, Public Relations Officer for the Command DOIII Peter Addai explained the number of incidents is overwhelming and his outfit is mounting intense education to ensure the public is sensitized on appropriate ways of averting fire in homes and workplaces.

Mr Addai told sit-in host Sir John that with just ten days into the year and this is what we are faced with, it is nothing good to write home about. So as a command, we have designed a pragmatic approach with community engagement to ensure the fire incidents are reduced drastically.

He further courted the media to assist in the education to ensure collectively lives and properties are protected, especially during the Harmattan.

On Tuesday, January 11, residents woke to a deadly fire outbreak at Kronom Kyerease.

3news.com
The Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) says it will hand over a Nigerian businessman, Martins Eze Obina, to the International Police (INTERPOL) to face United States' District Court over fraud related charges.

Chief Superintendent of Immigration (CSI), Adolf Abogye Asenso, said the GIS had also received an FBI alert indicating that the accused person was a member of a transnational Cyber Syndicate and a hacker.

He, therefore, prayed an Accra Circuit Court to remand Obina so he could go through extradition processes to the USA.

CSI Abogye Asenso informed the Court that a District Court in the US had issued an arrest warrant for Martins Eze Obina through Ghana's US Embassy.

The Court, presided over by Mr Emmanuel Essandoh, obliged GIS's request and offered the Service one week so Obina could go through the extradition processes to the US.

It held that the Court should be updated of the accused person's extradition process after one week.

Obina's extradition came to light after the Court had ordered the GIS to produce Obina in court.

The accused person, through his lawyers had filed an application for bail after the GIS arrested him for obtaining Ghana's Residence permit through false declaration.

According to CSI Aboagye Asenso, Obina had been put before a Kaneshie District Court for acquiring Ghana's Resident permit through false declaration.

The CSI said the District Court preserved his plea.

He said the accused person's lawyer, Mr Paul Abarigah, was emphatic that the Circuit Court had granted Obina bail hence the District Court did not set out any bail condition.

The CSI, who showed the USA District Court arrest warrant to the Court, said Obina had been indicted in the USA in the year 2021.

According to him, the accused person resided in a rented apartment at Teshie and, therefore, he could abscond.

Additionally, the CSI told investigators that he was a shareholder in a company in Ghana but checks at the Registrar General's Department indicated that the company was a sole proprietor firm and as such Obina could not be a shareholder in sole proprietorship.

On the Circuit Court's bail, the CSI, said the GIS was served with a Court order to produce the accused person in court, but the GIS had already put him before a District Court.

The CSI, however, opposed the bail application because of the existence of an arrest warrant.

CSI Aboagye Asenso said the accused person was flight risk and when granted bail, he would abscond.

Ms Sarah Kusi, who represented Obina, argued that her client's passport was with GIS, and he had sureties when granted bail.

On December 27, last year, GIS officials arrested Obina at the Kotoka International Airport when he showed up to go through departure formalities to Lagos.

GIS Personnel nabbed Obina after the Service had received an alert from the FBI.

GIS Information indicate that the accused person is facing charges of conspiracy and other fraud related offences in the US.

GNA
11.01.2022 LISTEN

In 1988, when I was leaving Ghana for Canada to pursue my graduate education, a Ghanaian woman in the program was given the writing task to advise me on preparing for the journey. Though I do not have the letter with me as I write, I remember one thing pretty well from the letter. She wrote, "Stephen, make sure you travel light because everything you will need is here." What great advice! Though I packed my suitcase with many things, I realized that everything I took was there upon my arrival in Canada, as the lady wisely advised me. Why are we gathering so many things that we cannot carry with us?

In an article in "The meaning of life" edited by E.D. Klemke, the philosopher Richard Taylor, compared the meaninglessness of life to the ancient myth of Sisyphus, who betrayed the mysteries of the gods to mortals. Sisyphus was punished, and the gods condemned him to roll a great boulder to the top of a hill. But, every time Sisyphus, with all his efforts and toil, gets the boulder to the summit, it rolls back down, again and again. Nevertheless, Sisyphus had to roll the great boulder to the top of the hill again and again forever.

The myth of Sisyphus had been given various interpretations: the idiotic cycle of eternal human struggle and unquenchable spirit and determination to try repeatedly in the face of perpetual discouragement, failings, and frustrations. But then Taylor adds another dimension to Sisyphus's myth, making it more insightful and exciting. He writes, " Let suppose that the gods, while condemning Sisyphus to the fate just described, at the same time, as an afterthought, waxed perversely merciful by implanting in him a strange and irrational impulse; namely, a compulsive impulse to roll stones. We may, if we like to make this more graphic, suppose they accomplish this by implanting in him some substance that affects his character and drive."

Taylor intends to say that Sisyphus's mundane activity's meaninglessness does not change, but the new substance in his vein makes this meaningless activity enjoyable and more fulfilling. Aren't we all like Sisyphus? Have we gone through the same mundane activities to gather many things we do not need and will never need? I have said several times that it is nonsensical for one person to have a billion dollars. If Money is a medium of exchange for goods and services, then one can ask: How many goods and services does one person need, while others sleep daily without food and shelter?

Many of us live a mechanical life. We wake up in the morning, get into our cars, and drive back and forth to work from Monday through Friday. We come back home, eat, shower, and go to bed only to repeat the cycle the next day. We work to pay the identical bills that do not stop coming: Mortgage, property taxes, water and electricity, waste management, gas, and insurance premium. Rarely do we take a pulse to ask ourselves the satisfaction we derive from these rhythmic and monotonous activities.

As if these monotonous activities are not enough to weary us, we also confront the hostilities of the world, the wickedness of fellow human beings, and our deteriorating health as we age. We face natural forces like torrential rains, earthquakes if you live in California and elsewhere, flooding, and storms that cause severe havoc to our lives and property. Leo Tolstoy, the Russian writer, considered one of the greatest authors of all time, in his autobiographical work, "A Confession," reveals that he became obsessed with the thought that life at the height of his literary work was meaningless. He thought everything leads to the truth, and that truth is death. He saw no reason to live. He saw his literary work as meaningless, despite his fame and popularity. He writes, "Sooner or later; there would come diseases and death  all my affairs would sooner or later be forgotten, and I would not exist." Like the philosopher Albert Camus, he thought suicide was the answer. However, he also realized that he could not find answers to his dilemma in science because science provides knowledge but does not comfort the troubled soul. He concluded that he could not derive answers to the meaning of life by rational or intellectual knowledge, but by instead in "an irrational knowledge,"  Faith. Like St. Augustine, who wrote an autobiography like him, "The Confession," he also concluded that our souls are restless until they find rest in God.

Ladies and gentlemen, where do you find meaning in life? Why are you collecting so much that you cannot carry with you? Have you asked yourself your purpose in this world? Who is God? And does he exist? If God does not exist, then life becomes absurd. If there is no God, then man and the whole universe have no purpose because they will all come to ruination one day. If there is no hope of immortality, the grave will be our eternal bed. If there is no God, there is no purpose or value, and everything is permissible. Another Russian novelist, Fyodor Dostoevsky, wrote, "If there is no immortality, then all things are permitted."

Though the work we do has no eternal rewards or does not satisfy our soul, yet we take delight in rolling the boulders uphill every day? Why do humans behave the way we do, given that we have a short life span? Let us travel light, for we will soon leave everything behind. Let us seek our maker who has a purpose for every one of us. The Scriptures declare that He knew us before we were formed in our mothers' womb. Let us come before the face of God!
The waves rumble and crash onto a beach in southern Benin as dozens of followers of Mami Wata, goddess of the sea, chant to welcome the national holiday of Voodoo.

Every January 10, Beninese pay tribute to the deities of Voodoo, a religion that worships gods and natural spirits along with respect to revered ancestors.

Voodoo, known locally as Vodoun, originated in the Dahomey kingdom, present-day Benin and Togo, former French colonies on the coast of West Africa.

In Ouidah, a small beach town on the Atlantic Ocean and a former slave trading hub, worshippers pay homage each year to Mami Wata, the most famous Voodoo deity.

Mami Wata's followers are women, who believe the deity brings beauty and fertility. By Yanick Folly AFP

Dressed in white cloths and adorned with pearls, around 40 worshippers formed a semi-circle on Monday facing the ocean.

"Every January, I only come to Ouidah because this is the beach where we find the soul of this celebration, the soul of Vodoun," said Gnikplin Hounon Eveole, 70, who travelled from neighbouring Togo for the occasion.

"Mami Wata is not just some fetish, she is the queen of the water. She lives in the sea."

Millions of slaves once passed through Ouidah on their way to the New World, taking Voodoo practices with them.

Many Beninese practise Voodoo beliefs alongside those of Christianity or Islam. By Yanick Folly AFP

Today the religion has 50 million followers worldwide, from Brazil to Haiti to the southern US state of Louisiana.

Many Beninese practise Voodoo beliefs alongside those of Christianity or Islam.

Voodoo deities celebrated in Benin also include Heviosso, the god of thunder, the Earth god Sakpata, and Kokou, the god of war.

Mami Wata, though, is especially revered, credited with the power to provide health, fertility and beauty. Most of those on the Ouidah beach are women.

"I owe all my wealth to this deity," Eveole said. "The main thing is to respect her ways."

Standing nearby, Noellie Tohoundo, 32, attributes her family's happiness to the deity, believing Mami Wata helped cure her sick husband and children.

"The queen of the waters saved them, and it was after they were healed that the deity made me a follower."

Outsiders are told little about the Voodoo deities or their worship and followers are prohibited from revealing the cult's teachings.

Outsiders are told little about the Voodoo deities or their worship. By Yanick Folly AFP

On the Ouidah beach, followers made offerings to Mami Wata, but the uninitiated were kept at a distance from the ceremonies.

The secrecy and mystery are not always welcome.

"Everywhere I go, I am blessed, but I must say that people are sometimes afraid of me," said Renaudia Houngabdji, who goes by the name Zozodia.

"Some men are afraid to approach me as a young woman, but they are wrong," she said. "All my beauty, all my belongings, I owe to my deity."
Cocoa carriers have suspended their sit-down strike after a week of agitation to demand an increment in their wages and other better conditions of service.

Cocoa carriers at Tema, Takoradi, and Kumasi abandoned duties and insisted the 62 pesewas they receive per bag they carry should be increased to GH1.

Although the Cocoa Marketing Company Limited increased the amount to 82 pesewas per bag, the carriers rejected it and insisted on their GH1 per bag demand.

The company employed the services of prison inmates as an interim measure to offload cocoa beans to avoid wastage.

Chairman for the Cocoa Carriers, Raymond Abobiga Atanga told Citi News that they will continue to push for better conditions despite a decision to suspend the strike.

It is painful but because of our motherland, we have to do this. We want to tell the government and the COCOBOD management that this is not over. Next season, we expect them to put things in order before we start work, if not they have failed as management. We have fought a good fight, and today I want to humbly announce to all of us that because of our motherland Ghana, lets not allow all the citizens to suffer, so lets work and pray that COCOBOD will attend to our needs. All carriers should go back to work. If they cant go today, please take the allocation and go tomorrow, he announced.

Raymond Abobiga Atanga said they will accept the proposed 82 pesewas per bag rate on the condition that the management of COCOBOD and the Cocoa Marketing Company will put in place measures to address their concerns about their welfare, social security, among others.

He expressed regret that the contractors who recruited them directly have failed to reach out to them since the beginning of their strike.

The contractors since the strike have not attended to carriers to say anything. The contractors have failed COCOBOD and the carriers. We are not getting back to work because they employed prisoners. We are not getting back to work because we are hungry. We are getting back to work because of the citizens of Ghana. If things are not improved, maybe next season it will be worse. For now, we are accepting the 82 pesewas with conditions that incentives, allowances, welfare and SSNIT should be in place, he added.

---citinewsroom
The Member of Parliament (MP) for Sissala West, Mr. Mohammed Adams Sukparu has provided a refrigerator for the Gwollu District Hospital to be used for the preservation of blood.

The kind gesture follows an appeal made by the management of the hospital to the lawmaker over a problem they have been facing for a while.

Touched by the situation and committed to helping his constituents, Mr. Mohammed Adams Sukparu has gone the extra mile to make the needed support.

The Gwollu District Hospital reached out to me with concerns about their inability to preserve blood due to limited blood bank refrigerators available to them. Im glad to announce that I have fixed that problem, the Sissala MP has confirmed.

In addition, Mohammed Adams Sukparu has also donated wheelchairs, test tubes and other laboratory equipment which were highly needed in the hospital.

According to the MP, the donation is part of his aim to make the Sissala West Constituency better for everyone.

He has assured that he will continue to work to make provisions for all the things needed to improve the lives of his constituents.
Fire on Monday gutted fish ovens belonging to fishmongers at Brawire, a suburb of Axim in the Nzema-East Municipality.

It took residents and fire fighters from the Ghana National Fire Service(GNFS) some hours to douse the fire, which razed down the shed that housed the ovens causing considerable damage to property.

Speaking to the Ghana News Agency, the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Nzema-East, Madam Dorcas Amoah who visited the scene to commiserate with the victims, said huge sums of revenue was lost as a result of the fire outbreak.

Madam Dorcas advised the affected victims and other residents in the area to be careful and vigilant when smoking their fish.

She, however, pledged to help them with a new shed to enable them start their business again.

The Municipal NADMO Coordinator, Mr Ernest Amoah was present to access the damage caused.

The GNFS could however not immediately establish the cause of the fire and said investigations would be conducted soon.

GNA
Albert Salu, a sexagenarian has allegedly committed suicide after he was found hanging dead in his room at Anlo-Afiadenyigba in the Keta Municipality of the Volta Region.

Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Mrs Effia Tenge, Volta Regional Public Affairs Officer, who briefed the Ghana News Agency said on Sunday, January 9, Police in Keta District received a report of the incident by a relative to the deceased's family and visited the scene.

She said though no marks of assault were seen, the deceased was found hanging on a green rope tied to the ceiling of his single room.

He was in a blue striped shirt and a pair of pink shorts.

Residents have narrated that he bears no children and had been going through extreme hardship surviving at the mercy of the people.

Meanwhile, Police in Anlo-Afiadenyigba have activated investigations to unravel the circumstances that led to the death of the 68-year-old.

The deceased body has since been deposited at the morgue of the Keta Municipal Hospital for preservation and autopsy.

GNA
A US man has become the first in the world to get a heart transplant from a genetically-modified pig.

David Bennett, 57, is doing well three days after the experimental seven-hour procedure in Baltimore, doctors say.

The transplant was considered the last hope of saving Mr Bennetts life, though it is not yet clear what his long-term chances of survival are.

It was either die or do this transplant, Mr Bennett explained a day before the surgery.

I know its a shot in the dark, but its my last choice, he said.

Doctors at the University of Maryland Medical Center were granted a special dispensation by the US medical regulator to carry out the procedure, on the basis that Mr Bennett  who has terminal heart disease  would otherwise have died.

He had been deemed ineligible for a human transplant, a decision that is often taken by doctors when the patient is in very poor health.

The pig used in the transplant had been genetically modified to knock out several genes that would have led to the organ being rejected by Mr Bennetts body, the AFP news agency reports.

For the medical team who carried out the transplant, it marks the culmination of years of research and could change lives around the world.

Surgeon Bartley Griffith said the surgery would bring the world one step closer to solving the organ shortage crisis. Currently 17 people die every day in the US waiting for a transplant, with more than 100,000 reportedly on the waiting list.

Dr Christine Lau, chair of the Department of Surgery at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, was in the operating theatre during the surgery.

Hes at more of a risk because we require more immunosuppression, slightly different than we would normally do in a human-to-human transplant. How well the patient does from now is, you know, its never been done before so we really dont know, she told the BBC.

People die all the time on the waiting list, waiting for organs. If we could use genetically engineered pig organs theyd never have to wait, they could basically get an organ as they needed it.

Plus, we wouldnt have to fly all over the country at night-time to recover organs to put them into recipients, she added.

The possibility of using animal organs for so-called xenotransplantation to meet the demand has long been considered, and using pig heart valves is already common .

In October 2021, surgeons in New York announced that they had successfully transplanted a pigs kidney into a person. At the time, the operation was the most advanced experiment in the field so far.

However, the recipient on that occasion was brain dead with no hope of recovery.

A glimmer of hope alongside huge risks

This watershed moment provides hope of a solution to the chronic shortage of donor human organs. But there is still a long way to go to determine whether giving people animal organs is the way forward. Pig hearts are anatomically similar to human hearts but, understandably, not identical. Its not ideal, compared to swapping in a human donor heart. But it is possible to plumb them in and get them working.

The bigger issue is organ rejection. These pigs are bred to lack genes that can cause rejection. They are cloned with certain genes knocked out and reared until they reach an age where their organs are big enough to be harvested for transplantation.

It is too soon to know how Mr Bennett will fare with his pig heart. His doctors were clear that the surgery was a gamble. The risks are huge, but so are the potential gains.

Mr Bennett, however, is hoping his transplant will allow him to continue with his life. He was bedridden for six weeks leading up to the surgery, and attached to a machine which kept him alive after he was diagnosed with terminal heart disease.

I look forward to getting out of bed after I recover, he said last week.

On Monday, Mr Bennett was reported to be breathing on his own while being carefully monitored.

But exactly what will happen next is unclear.

Mr Griffith said they were proceeding cautiously and carefully monitoring Mr Bennett, while his son David Bennett Jr told the Associated Press that the family were in the unknown at this point.

But he added: He realises the magnitude of what was done and he really realises the importance of it.

Weve never done this in a human and I like to think that we, we have given him a better option than what continuing his therapy would have been, Mr Griffith said. But whether [he will live for] a day, week, month, year, I dont know.

Source: BBC
The Sundoulos Advanced Leadership Training (SALT) Institute, a private university accredited to(by) the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission has today conferred on Professor Enoch Opoku Antwi of the Viterbo University, Wisconsin, USA, the title of a goodwill ambassador on leadership and diplomacy. The author of the book, Servant Leaders: the Greatest Amongst us from theory to practice: this is why gained the attention of the institute from his sterling evidence of academic excellence in the area of servant leadership globally. Being the first black person to have written in that area, management of the institute found his laurels worthy of reward.

Conferring the honours on Professor Enoch Opoku Antwi at a colourful ceremony at the institutes Achimota campus , Dr. Fatima Alabo, Rector of the Institute had the ensuing to say;

On behalf of the management of the SALT Institute, we welcome you to our campus located in Achimota in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. As you may be aware, the SALT institute is a private tertiary institution accredited by the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission to run master, bachelor, and specialized courses of varied nature.

The institute has since its establishment rolled out the Master of Arts in Leadership and Management, Master of Arts in International Relations and Diplomacy, Bachelor Of Arts In Transformational Leadership, Bachelor Of Arts In International Relations, and Programmes such as the Postgraduate Certificate in Transformational Leadership, Post-Graduate Certificate in International Relations, and Post-Graduate Certificate in Transformational Leadership. Permit me to add that, we also have the Joseph Business School which specializes in Equipping Entrepreneurs For Transformation.

Our dear Professor Enoch, your visit to us this day is a testament that, the work we have been involved in, in the areas of Leadership and Diplomacy is attracting global attention. That your outfit has decided to visit us amidst all the other tertiary institutions in Ghana makes us a proud institution today.

As a global icon in leadership, we are proud to be associated with your brand, and at this juncture, will want to announce you our global goodwill Ambassador for Leadership and Diplomacy.

Once again, we welcome you to the SALT Institute.

Responding to the honours, Professor Enoch Adjei thanked the management of the institute and pledged his commitment to the role. He added that being the first black to have written on servant leadership should serve as an exemplar for Africans to adopt servant leadership as the new trend of transforming the continent. He further donated his books for the enhancement of servant leadership to the institute.

In a closing remarks, Mr Michael Armah, the registrar of the institute urged potential students to take advantage of the admissions window since forms are available for admissions into the institutes master and bachelor programmes.
Mali's ruling junta has called for nationwide demonstrations on Friday to protest regional sanctions imposed over delayed elections, while also stating that it remains open to dialogue.

In a sharp escalation after months of diplomatic tensions, leaders from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on Sunday agreed to shutter borders with the Sahel state and impose a trade embargo.

France, Mali's former colonial power, and the United States backed the decisions, with French President Emmanuel Macron telling reporters on Tuesday: "We are in complete solidarity with the region and with this very courageous and clear stance" by ECOWAS.

Dmitry Polyanskyi, Russia's deputy UN ambassador, said he "understood" the difficulties faced by Mali's government.

The ECOWAS sanctions came after Mali's interim government last month proposed staying in power for up to five years before staging elections -- despite international demands that it respect a promise to hold elections on February 27.

As well as shutting borders and imposing a trade embargo, the bloc also agreed to halt financial aid to Mali and freeze its assets at the Central Bank of West African States.

Colonel Assimi Goita, the poor Sahel country's strongman, late Monday called the measures "extreme" and urged Malians to stage protests against the sanctions on Friday.

Goita also called the sanctions "illegitimate, illegal and inhumane", while adding that he remains open for dialogue with his West African neighbours.

The UN Security Council is due to discuss the situation in Mali on Tuesday.

Soured relations

Mali's relations with its neighbours and partners have steadily deteriorated since Goita led a coup in August 2020 to topple president Ibrahim Boubacar Keita.

Under threat of sanctions following that putsch, Goita had promised to hold presidential and legislative elections, and to restore civilian rule by February 2022.

Map of Mali. By Elonore HUGHES AFP

But the strongman staged a de facto second coup in May 2021, forcing out an interim civilian government and disrupting the timetable to restore democracy.

Goita also declared himself interim president.

Then in December, his government proposed staying in power for up to an additional five years.

It argued, among other reasons, that rampant insecurity in Mali prevents it from staging safe elections according to the agreed timetable.

The vast nation of 19 million people is in the grip of a jihadist insurgency, and swathes of territory are outside government control.

'Resilience'

Goita has called for calm and "resilience" in the face of the ECOWAS sanctions and has assured Malians that the government will take steps to counter their effects.

Mali, a landlocked nation already battered by conflict, is one of the poorest countries in the world.

Despite international anger towards Mali's military rulers, inside the country, the junta has come under little public criticism over the diplomatic dispute.

Pro-government messages, as well as criticisms of ECOWAS, have flooded social media in Mali in recent days.

Neighbouring Guinea -- an ECOWAS member also under military rule -- announced on Monday that it would neither close its borders with Mali nor block trade.

Goita, in his address, restated his commitment to restoring civilian rule.

But the way out of the standoff remains unclear, as the strongman failed to detail any specifics for restoring democracy.
Ghanaian social media activists were relieved after Ghana's food safety regulator (FDA) broke months of silence on consumer complaints about curdling canned evaporated milk made by Swiss food giant, Nestle.

Coagulated Ideal Milk has drawn the ire of Ghanaian social media activists. Image source: MyJoyOnline

As discussed in my previous post , the FDA's silence despite having been intimately involved in Nestle's investigation into the milk coagulation problem exasperated activists who kept the pressure on until today's regulatory notice recalling 24 batches of the popular Ideal and Carnation evaporated milk brands.

FDA Regulatory Notice dated 10th January

In my own, quite belated, comment on the subject, I reduced the crux of the issue to whether a biological agent was the cause, in which case a safety issue was highly likely, or if instead a quality deviation that only impacted presentation might be the situation.

The FDA says its investigation has revealed the culprit as a batch or batches of milk powder, the key ingredient in the recalled products, sold to Nestle by a supplier or group of suppliers. Somehow, when reconstituted and recombined to prepare the evaporated milk product, the end result fails expected heat stability performance. This is a well known hurdle to cross when using milk powder to make evaporated milk.

The inference here is that some supplier vetting and quality assurance processes failed, batch control was faulty, and remediation has struggled to fix this for at least 6 months now judging by the recency of some of the batch dates. Still, no safety issues were found and no contamination has been established in laboratory tests for any microbial candidates.

So, for now, activists can breathe a bit easy. But, for me, the whole episode raises intriguing policy issues that transcend this specific health & safety scare. Why is Nestle using milk powder rather than fresh milk as it does elsewhere ? Before we discuss that, bear with me as I meander on a detour of industrial policy with a geopolitical twist.

In the year that Britain broke Asante power in the then Gold Coast (now Ghana), the two halves of what became Nestle had their seminal moments. The British controlled half, Anglo-Swiss company, commenced their UK expansion from Cham by buying the Condensed Milk Company. On the continent, meanwhile, Henri Nestle sold out to more energetic investors in Vevey. Anglo-Swiss and the renamed Farine Lactee Henri Nestle would, after decades of bruising rivalry, merge 31 years later (in 1905, that is) to create what would become the world's largest and most formidable food giant.

In the same vein of momentous dates, Nestle entered the Ghanaian market in 1957, the year of Ghana's independence from Britain, to market products made in Europe. It will take 11 years before local manufacturing started, and by 1971 the famous ideal milk was rolling off manufacturing lines in Tema.

For many years, the Government of Ghana owned a quarter of Nestle stock through the state-owned industrialisation-focused bank, the National Investment Bank (NIB). When the joint venture between Nestle and NIB started in 1971, NIB actually owned 49% of the company. Subsequently, the socialist military government of General Acheampong took over and increased state shareholding to 55%.

For nearly 20 years, therefore, the Ghanaian government was the principal shareholder in Nestle. The privatisation wave of the 90s did see the shareholding structure revert to 51% in favour of Nestle in 1993. But Ghana still had plenty of shots to call. Throughout this period also, the Tema plant was Nestle's only milk processing factory in West Africa (by the way, Nestle's West & Central African operations have been run from Accra since 2005). Unsurprisingly, production of processed dairy in Ghana increased from about 3 million litres in 1984 to over 30 million liters in the mid-nineties.

It is mind-boggling that despite the influence of the Ghanaian political and policy elite on Nestle's operations in the region, in the boardroom and elsewhere, the long mulled integrated dairy value chain to supply fresh milk has never taken off in Ghana.

In Northern Nigeria, Nestle has invested substantially in developing fresh milk value chains based on Fulani cattle breeds. Nestle's first zero-emissions dairy farm is in Southern Africa. Nestle Zimbabwe has been investing directly in cows. After concerted business ecosystem efforts, Nestle committed to local dairy value chains in Kenya and Uganda. Some observers have already noted a surge of investor interest in Africa's dairy prospects because of such growing engagement by the likes of Nestle, Arla and Danone.

Yet, Ghana has mysteriously failed to capitalise on its pioneering dairy industry, exemplified by Nestle's and Fan Milk's presence in the country long before regional neighbours got their mojo. Despite Ghana's head start, countries like Senegal , which is positioning for 70% self-sufficiency in milk, are steadily leaving the country in the dust.

When Erik Emborg introduced the Fan Milk brand in Ghana in 1960, the momentous year of the country's republican status, the plan, backed by the Government, was very much to embed the operation in the planned integrated dairy complex, complete with local farms. The idea went nowhere and Erik just went on importing milk powder from Scandinavia.

According to dairy researchers, Bonodong Guri, Godwin Ameleke and their collaborators, Ghana's production of milk, 90%+ of which comes from free ranging cattle, has stayed stagnant at between 36,000 and 43,000 tonnes for over two decades. Compared to 420,000 tonnes of production in next door Burkina Faso (a ten-fold difference). Benin, much smaller and situated in a similar tropical terrain as Ghana, clocks roughly 150,000 tonnes per year. This is no tsetse fly matter.

That there is something spectacularly off about appreciation of the dairy opportunity in official circles is borne out by the failure to capture any significant interventions targeted at boosting fresh milk production in the 5-year initiative known as Rearing for Food & Jobs, the government's flagship livestock development program, launched in 2019. Indeed, the biggest intervention seen in Ghana's dairy sector to date may have been the importation of the White Fulani breed of milk cattle from Nigeria by the Colonialists in 1930.

Yet, there is no shortage of critical needs in the beleaguered industry. Water scarcity; a dilapidated veterinary service; lack of genetic breeding technologies; zero cold chain infrastructure across most of the value chain; and a severe absence of commercial scale pasture are a couple of the most prominent.

In 1999, in response to these age old challenges, donor funds made possible a decade-spanning attempt to revive Ghana's abandoned cattle stations in Nungua, Amrahia and elsewhere. Cross-breeds that can increase milk output per cow by 600% were developed. Supply of tens of thousands of litres of milk to Fan Milk, Ghana's main ice cream producer, and other processors became possible. Over a ten year period, the performance of the Friesen x Sanga cross-breeds (initially introduced into Ghana in the 1960s from the Netherlands and the UK) were celebrated at various conferences. Then it fizzled out slowly.

These days, the government of Ghana spends about $120,000 a year paying workers at the Amrahia Station. It does not budget for operational or capital expenses. Rather, it expects handouts of less than $20,000 a year from donors for that. The biggest investment into the vaunted national integrated dairy complex vision launched in 1965 in the last three years have been some purchases of artificial insemination kits and bovine semen from the Netherlands capable of adding about 300 calves to Ghana's herd of about 2 million cattle.

When in 2019, Government took over the 24% stake held in Nestle by NIB as part of a cash swap to save the latter from insolvency and help it meet minimum capital requirements, there was a brief period of hope that something strategic may be done. Instead, the transaction has today become clouded in opacity as stakeholders are kept in the dark about plans to offload the shares to private interests.

Meanwhile, imports of milk powder continue to surge.

Import volumes of dairy products into Ghana. Source: International Trade Center (2020)

Self-sufficiency remains stubbornly stagnant.

Local production has stagnated whilst consumption rises. Source: Food & Agriculture Organisation (2018)

And talks with Nestle to procure locally, especially from Amrahia, have still not been backed by any serious policy coordination. But given the multiple ecosystemic issues involved, pure private action, in the face of a highly disabling environment, would falter. Not surprising then that the other 10 major dairy processing companies in the country also resort to imports for virtually all their needs, despite episodic domestic sourcing drives.

Beyond the safety, branding and trust issues that surfaced during this whole Nestle Milk saga, what may endure is the opportunity it has provided for the public to move beyond the political PR flourish of projects like 1D1F and Rearing for Food & Jobs. Because, by so doing, the people of Ghana may then be able to take a hard look at how policy on critical matters like integrated value chains is actually executed by the modern State of Ghana.

Source: Brightsimons.com
Dr. Kaderi Bukari, a Research Fellow at the Department of Peace Studies, University of Cape Coast, has urged the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to court the support of the international community to find a lasting solution to the crisis in Mali.

ECOWAS and the military government in Mali have been at loggerheads following a disagreement between the two as to when the latter is expected to hand over political power of the West Africa nation to a civilian government.

On Sunday, January 9, 2022, ECOWAS and the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA), imposed a raft of economic and diplomatic sanctions on the country in response to the Malian military leaders' desire to push back elections until 2025.

The sanctions include the closure of members' land and air borders with Mali, the suspension of non-essential financial transactions, and the freezing of Malian state assets in ECOWAS central and commercial banks.

Speaking in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) on the issue, on Tuesday, via phone, Dr. Bukari, underscored the need for the West African economic bloc to find immediate and a lasting solution to the crisis.

He said though the sanctions meted out to the Malian government by ECOWAS was in the right direction, it would only worsen the economic situation of the ordinary civilians in the country.

It is good to sanction countries, especially using the ECOWAS protocols and the laws that are enshrined in the ECOWAS Treaty, but the problem is that as to whether we will be able to enforce these laws is the question.

If you economically sanction Mali, the military leaders don't care. They will be able to get whatever they want as well as do whatever they want. However, the problem is that the ordinary man is going to be the one to suffer. The people of Mali are going to be the one to suffer from these sanctions and not the military leaders, he noted.

Dr. Bukari explained that seeking the intervention and assistance of the international community, especially France, would therefore, help mount the needed pressure on the Malian military junta to return the country to civilian rule in the shortest possible time.

So, my suggestion is that ECOWAS needs to liaise with the international community, especially the powers that be; the USA, the European Union and the UN in general. We need to liaise with these people and actually put pressure on the military junta to hand over power immediately, he emphasised.

In August 2020, army officers, led by Colonel Assimi Goita, toppled the elected President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita amid street protests.

Under threat of sanctions, Goita subsequently promised to restore civilian rule in February 2022 after holding presidential and legislative elections, but he staged a de facto second coup last May, forcing out an interim civilian government.

The move disrupted the reform timetable and was met with widespread diplomatic condemnation.

GNA
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Tuesday said there had been "significant progress" in tackling a jihadist insurgency in northern Mozambique after a multinational force deployed there last year.

Ramaphosa, who chairs the defence and security section of the Southern African Development (SADC) bloc, gave the update at a summit called to assess developments in the region.

SADC members and Rwanda stepped in six months ago to assist the beleaguered Mozambican army, bringing in more than 3,000 troops.

"Since the deployment... significant progress has been made," said Ramaphosa in opening remarks at the two-day talks in the Malawian capital.

"The security situation in Cabo Delgado is improving, which has allowed for some internally-displaced persons to return to their homes and resume their normal lives," he said.

Operating alongside Mozambican troops, regional forces have helped to create "safe passage" for bringing humanitarian aid into jihadist-hit areas, he said.

Support: A Rwandan soldier on patrol in Mozambique's troubled Cabo Delgado province. By Kun TIAN AFP

The SADC Mission in Mozambique (SAMIM) was initially deployed in July, but its mandate was extended indefinitely in October.

Cabo Delgado, a gas-rich province bordering Tanzania, has been gripped by attacks by Islamic State-linked militants since 2017.

At least 3,500 people have died and around 820,000 have fled their homes.

Atrocities include massacres, beheadings, the torching of homes and mass abductions, especially of girls.
Nigerian authorities should investigate the recent attack on the offices of the Thunder Blowers news website, and hold those responsible to account, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

At around 8:15 p.m. on January 3, eight men entered the outlets office in Gusau, the capital of Nigerias northern Zamfara state, and demanded to see Abdul Balarabe, the websites Hausa-language editor, who was not present, and attacked Mansur Rabiu, also an editor, according to Rabiu and Thunder Blowers managing editor and team lead, Anas Sani Anka, both of whom spoke with CPJ by phone.

Rabiu said the men beat him with sticks for over five minutes, injuring his left arm, and said they only stopped when he escaped into a nearby room and locked the door until they left.

The men also smashed eight desktop computers and an internet server, and stole technical equipment from the outlet, according to Rabiu, Anka, and a police complaint filed by Thunder Blowers, which CPJ reviewed.

Police have opened an investigation into the attack, Anka said.

Nigerian authorities must immediately investigate the attack on the Thunder Blowers news website and the assault of editor Mansur Rabiu, and ensure that the perpetrators are held to account, said Angela Quintal, CPJs Africa program coordinator, from New York. The outlets equipment must be returned immediately, and authorities should make sure that such attacks do not go unpunished.

Thunder Blowers covers politics and general news in Nigeria on its website and YouTube channel, where it has about 1,000 followers.

Rabiu told CPJ that the men approached him immediately after entering the office and inquired about Balarabe; after one of the men demanded Rabiu show his ID to confirm that he was not Balarabe, they began hitting him with sticks.

The men stole three laptops, four cameras, a server decoder with a hard disk, four lights, five phones, two radio transmitters and sound mixers, and two camera memory cards from the office, according to Rabiu, Anka, and the complaint.

In the police complaint, Thunder Blowers alleged that the men attacked the building on behalf of Musa Ardo, a youth leader for the ruling All Progressives Congress party in Zamfara, and identified one of the attackers as Zayyanu Abdullahi, a member of the state APC.

When CPJ called Ardo for comment, he denied any involvement in the attack and said he had never heard of Abdullahi. CPJ called and texted the APCs spokesperson for Zamfara state, Yusuf Idris, but did not receive any reply.

Following the attack, Abdullahi called the outlet and said the raid was in response to recent interviews that criticized the state government, according to the police complaint and Anka, who listened to the call on speakerphone. Abdullahi offered to return the stolen items, but Anka told him that the matter was out of his hands and the police would handle it.

CPJ was unable to find contact information for Abdullahi. Anka told CPJ that the police had invited Abdullahi and Ardo for questioning in the case.

Balarabe told CPJ via phone that he received a call on January 2 from a friend saying that people planned to attack him the following day; he said he decided to avoid the office on January 3 and was not in Zamfara state at the time of the attack.

Balarabe posted about the warning on his Facebook page and said he discussed the threats with Anka before the men arrived at the office, and they planned to report the threats to police the following day.

CPJ called and texted Zamfara state police spokesperson Muhammad Shehu for comment, but did not receive any reply.
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The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has interdicted five of its officers for their alleged involvement in the disappearance of an amount of GH30,000 from an accident scene at Konongo in the Ashanti Region.

The fire officers were said to have made away with the money after working at the scene of a car crash that led to the death of the paramount chief of Sekyere Kwamang Traditional Area, Barima Bretwum Okyere Bediako II on December 22, 2021.

Speaking to Citi News, the Public Relations Officer of the Fire Service, A.C.F.O. Timothy Osafo Affum, said an internal investigative committee is expected to complete work into the matter on Monday.

When issues of this nature happen, a board of enquiry is set up. The officers in grave offences like what we have now are interdicted so that they do not interfere with the investigation. If we finish the investigations, and they are found culpable, we will hand them over to the police.

If there is no criminality involved, then we will go through our normal processes and give them the punishment [or whatsoever] they deserve.

---citinewsroom
Okada riders in the Krachi East Municipality of the Oti Region, have declared a sit-down strike to mourn the death of a member of the Association.

The dead, Abdul Rahman, 30, died on the spot in a motor crash at Dambai at about 2000 hours of Sunday.

Two motorbikes traveling from opposite directions collided head-on, which resulted in the casualty and leaving Goerge Kunde, 22, in critical condition.

Mr Mborti Isaac, Chairman of Krachi East Okada Association told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that he said the person in critical condition had been sent to Kopah Clinic at Dambai and receiving treatment.

He said the strike was necessary to enable all riders to mourn with the family of the deceased.

Mr Mborti called on the authorities to put in measures to ensure that road accidents were reduced.

Police Inspector Lawrence Addo of the Motor Traffic and Transport Division (MTTD), Oti Region, who confirmed the incident to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) said a team of Police officers had been dispatched to sympathise with one Corporal Zakaria Asharift, an Officer who lost a brother in the accident.

GNA
11.01.2022 LISTEN

The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection on Thursday, January 6, 2022 held its first general staff meeting in which Minister Williametta E. Saydee-Tarr cautioned employees that she will maintain a zero tolerance to inefficiency, unproductivity and adherence to all work related ethics governing the Institution in 2022.

Minister Saydee-Tarr used the gathering to further encourage her staff to promote and align all gender related programs or projects within the context of the Ministry's strategic work plan, the Anti-Sexual and Gender Based Violence Roadmap, the Pro-Poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development (PAPD), the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and other Protocols Liberia has ascribed to as it relates to gender equality and the fight against sexual and gender-based violence.

"We are a Ministry that deal with human beings, and therefore, it is required of us to be proactive and productive in the discharge of our respective roles and responsibilities. Society expects zero margin of error or lackluster attitude from us," the Gender Boss stressed.

According to the Minister, policies, programs, and activities instituted by the Ministry geared towards benefiting women, girls, boys, the elderly and vulnerable people remain unchanged.

On an appreciative note, the Minister lauded her team for the pivotal achievements attained in 2021 but quickly stressed that there will be no room for complacency in 2022. In that direction, Minister Saydee-Tarr underscored the importance of maintaining unity amongst the workforce, adding that in unity success is certain.

In addition, Saydee-Tarr particularly highlighted the tremendous work of two staff of the Ministry. She named Assistant Minister for Children and Social Protection, Hon. Maminah Carr-Gaye, and the Technical Assistant of Gender Department, Mr. Mohammed Odu Massalee as two of the few personnel that topped the list of best performers in 2021. She urged others to emulate the tenacity of the two staff in a way that more is accomplished in 2022.

This is the second time in two consecutive years the two distinguished staff have merited Staff of the Year Award.

In closing, the employees thanked the erudite leadership of Williametta E. Saydee-Tarr for its continued support and vowed to strengthen their vigor in promoting, enhancing and implementing programs and activities that have positive impact on gender mainstreaming and social protection.

It can be recalled, with support from partners, through the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Liberia once again passed the Gender in the Economy indicator of the Millennium Challenge Corporation Compact from 81st percentile in 2020 to 94th percentile in 2021 with the score of 83.3.

Also in 2021, as part of efforts to ensure gender responsive planning and budgeting, the Ministry with support from partners: UN Women, UNICEF, UNDP, OHCHR and UNFPA developed what is known as the Country Gender Equality Profile, first of its kind in Liberia. It provides an in-depth analysis, that will enhance the understanding of the differences in the conditions, needs, participation rates, access to resources and property rights, development planning and control of assets, decision-making powers between girls, women, boys and men in their assigned gender roles.
More than 60 persons at Newtown in the Greater Accra Region have been issued with summons by government for not keeping their surroundings clean.

This falls under the piloting of the Operation clean your Frontage initiative by the Greater Accra Regional Minister.

The initiative seeks to obligate individuals and corporate entities to be responsible for the cleanliness of their immediate environments.

During a tour of Accra Newtown by environmental health officers of the Ayawaso North Municipal Assembly, on Tuesday, January 11, 2022, individuals with choked gutters, filthy surroundings, un-emptied waste bins, and unsanitary washrooms were ordered to report at the assembly for further action.

Municipal Chief Executive for Ayawaso North, Mohammed Aminu Zakaria, spoke to journalists about the exercise.

The operation is going on successfully. It is creating awareness, and sanitation officers in Accra are back with a big bang courtesy, the efforts of the Regional Minister. So far, more than sixty people have been summoned, and they will appear before us at the Assembly for cautioning or any other orders apart from prosecution. We are not going to spare anybody because the operation has come to stay, so they should comply.

In the meantime, a task force has been set up to oversee the exercise.

There will be more education and sensitization because when sensitization doesnt go well with enforcement of the law, it does not sit well with residents, Mohammed Aminu Zakaria added.

The government in October 2021 launched the ' Operation Clean Your Frontage ' initiative for the Greater Accra Region to implement sanitation bye-laws.

The policy by the Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council seeks to make it obligatory for all individuals and corporate entities to be responsible for the cleaning and greening of their immediate surroundings.

The campaign will, among other things, encourage the greening of the city.

The necessary by-laws have been passed and gazetted by the 29 Assemblies in the Greater Accra Region to enable the lawful implementation of the initiative.

Greater Accra Regional Minister, Henry Quartey has championed the initiative under the auspices of the Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council and the 'Let's make Accra work' plan.
The Centre of Posterity Interest Organization (COPIO), NGO has expressed discomfort with the challenges and long queues associated with the nationwide on-going SIM card registration exercise, describing the situation as unacceptable.

COPIO is an alliance of rural community women advocating women empowerment and helping to eradicate poverty and oppression among women and girls.

A statement signed by Mr Mustapha Maison Yeboah, the Chief Executive Officer of COPIO, and copied to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Sunyani, however commended the government, Ministry of Communication and the National Identification Authority (NIA) for the SIM card registration exercise.

The SIM card registration will enhance economic growth as more confidence is built in the telecommunications sector and people utilize secured devices to access e-government services and other private mobile based digital solutions.

But it is glaring that challenges associated with the on-going exercise have already killed the interest of most Ghanaians, particularly those living in remote and deprived communities, the statement said, and called on the telecommunication companies to devise realistic strategies to address the challenges.

We believed the influence of accurate data is one of the hallmarks of national development, it said and called for active engagement of civil society organization involved in data collection, Ghana Statistical Service (GSS), Institute for Democratic Governance (IDEG) and the Centre for Democratic Development Ghana (CDD) in the exercise to reduce tension and make it a success.

With the ongoing frustration surrounding the exercise, one may be quick to say that the telecommunication companies, Ministry of Communication, and the NIA failed to put in place the required pragmatic measures.

It is difficult to accept and believe that with the knowledge and expertise surrounding the operations of telecommunication business in the country one may expect such sharp, immediate and inexplicable challenges, the statement indicated.

It said subscribers and customers of the various telecommunication companies could not continue to suffer at the expense of institutional anomaly that could easily be corrected.

The statement said it was unfortunate the NIA card was the only requirement for the SIM card registration, regretting that records showed only seven million, out of the 30.8 million Ghanaians had obtained the NIA card.

If authorities believe the NIA card is the only requirement for registration, then they should have ensured a sizable number of Ghanaians have the card. At the moment, it is evident that the Ghana card being the only identity instrument means that over 23 million Ghanaians would be overburdened, the statement said.

So if the relevant authorities and institutions fail to streamline things, people may have no option than to pull out from the registration which would not augur well for the nation's development, it added.

GNA
The National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) has revealed that Ashanti Region alone contributed 23% to the National road fatality figures in 2021.

According to the Ashanti Regional boss for the Authority, Madam Simbiat Wiredu, the Region had the highest road accident fatality rate from January to December 2021.

Speaking on OTEC FMs social program 'Nyansapo' on Tuesday, January 11, 2022 Madam Wiredu said a total of 700 people were killed in the region during the period while 4000 people were injured in about 4000 cases that were recorded.

She disclosed that the accidents in the Region increased by 12.84 % in 2021 compared to the figures in 2020.

She attributed the increase in road crashes to the congested nature of vehicles in most parts of the region, adding that most of such vehicles are rickety in nature which should not be used on roads.

Our investigations showed that fatigue, overloading, bad roads and speeding as the cardinal reasons for these accidents, she told the programmes host, Captain Koda.

Madam Simbiat Wiredu however warned that with the constant increase in vehicle population in the Region, more persons could be killed in road accidents annually.

Accident trends in Ghana

The Motor Traffic and Transport Department MTTD in a report said a total of 2,924 lives were lost through road carnage in 2021. The figure was a 12.9% increase in deaths compared to the previous year, which recorded 2,589 deaths.

Some 15,680 persons suffered injuries in 2021 from 15,972 accidents. There were 1,106 more accidents and an increase of 163 more injuries compared to 2020.
11.01.2022 LISTEN

The Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) has distanced itself from the decision taken by the Concerned Drivers Association to increase transport fares by 40% from next week.

The Concerned Drivers say, the decision to increase fares from January 17, is to ameliorate the unbearable hardships facing drivers.

However, GPRTU says there is no future plan to increase transport fares.

In an interview with Citi Business News, Industrial Relations Officer of the GPRTU, Imoro Abbas said their decision to rather negotiate with government to scrap some levies on petroleum products is still in motion.

As GPRTU, we want to dissociate ourselves from them (Concerned Drivers Association). We are yet to meet to see if we have any different decision than appealing to the Government to scrap some of the taxes that we earlier complained about to the government.

That was the decision taken, and we're surprised they've come up with this decision. For now, as GPRTU, we haven't decided on the line they are towing now. We don't just come out and say we are doing something without going through the due process, that's why we are saying we want to dissociate ourselves, he said.

Mr. Imoro added that the leadership of the GPRTU will meet after it has resumed from the yuletide break to decide on the way forward.

We'll plead with the public that we'll meet and come out with a decision, so for now we don't want to say anything which we haven't decided on. We've just resumed today, so by Friday you'll hear from us.

---citinewsroom
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has encouraged the citizenry to support the Police with resources and logistics to improve effectiveness in their operations.

Security is a collective responsibility, and each citizen has a role to play. Let us support the Police with resources to help Government achieve its vision of making the country a safe haven for all, he said.

President Akufo-Addo said this on Tuesday at the inauguration and handing over ceremony of a two-storey Police Professional Standards Bureau (PPSB) Headquarters to the Police Administration in Accra.

The building, worth almost GHC 4 million was donated by the TOBINCO Group of Companies.

In a speech read on his behalf by Mr Ambrose Dery, Minister for the Interior, the President said for the Police to become a world class institution, they needed to discharge their duties in a professional and ethical manner with support of the citizens.

He said that would also require that internal measures were put in place to check Police personnel in their day-to-day activities.

The President noted that under Dr George Akuffo Dampare, the Inspector-General of Police, the Police Administration had redefined strategies to make the PPSB more proactive in ensuring professional standards within the Service and prevent instances of unprofessionalism.

He said some of the strategies he was privy to, included the setting up of regional PPSBs across all the 18 Police Regions to bring the Bureau to the doorstep of all and commended the Administration.

The President said the Police was also about setting up a complaint reporting hotline for people who felt aggrieved during any engagement with the Police to call and seek redress in real time.

He said the Police would also establish a police body-worn cameras monitoring centre to provide a 24-hour monitoring of personnel who would be required to wear the cameras during their duty, saying, Moving forward, we are working towards acquiring about 20,000 body cameras to be able to monitor the activities of our Police. This would solve the issue of who did what and make police more accountable.

Also there would be the activation of a WhatsApp number for members of the public to send video footages of Police conducts, both good and bad for investigation and or commendation as the case may be, he said.

The President lauded TOBINCO Group for the gesture, adding that, it demonstrated the Company's goodwill and contribution towards Ghana's development.

The IGP, said though Government was doing its best to retool the Police, they were open to more support from the public.

He noted that though security was the most important factor in the socio-economic development of every nation, security issues had unfortunately been relegated to the background and called for a change of attitude.

The IGP assured the public that the Police would intensify its professional standards to win back the love and trust of citizens.

Elder Nana Amo Tobbin I, Executive Chairman, TOBINCO Group, said the donation was part of the Company's efforts to give back to support society.

He said it was also a means of acknowledging God's goodness upon the firm and to show appreciation to Ghanaians for their continuous patronage of TOBINCO products.

The Executive Chairman commended the IGP for the transformation he had brought to the Police Service.

GNA
Some Ghanaian celebrities have expressed dissatisfaction with the performance of the Black Stars in the ongoing African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cameroon.

The Black Stars lost 1-0 in their opening Group C game against the Atlas Lions of Morocco and some celebrities took to social media handles to express their disappointments and dissatisfaction with the output of the team.

Prior to the opening match scores of Ghanaian music, stars took to social media to render their support for the team with the hashtag, #TeamGhana but the opening loss to Morocco has somehow stalled the confidence in the team

The most decorated Ghanaian rapper Sarkodie who was captured on video supporting the team passionately took to his Twitter handle and wrote this: "Hate and Love this feeling I get when my country plays.

Reggae and Dancehall artiste Stonebwoy expressed his disappointment over the loss but remained hopeful of a better performance in the next encounter.

He Tweeted: Agye Gon! but still vim better luck next match after the team lost by a lone goal."

Award-winning songwriter Kofi Kinaata, despite Ghana's opening loss, was optimistic about a better performance in Ghana's subsequent matches as he wrote, "Still #TeamGhana ''.

The Black Stars would be looking for positive results when they face the Brazilians of Gabon on Friday in their quest to boost their chances of qualification.

GNA
The case in which Blessed Godsbrain Smart, aka Captain Smart, a broadcaster, is accused of making an unsavoury comment, has been adjourned to February 15.

This is because the substantive judge presiding over the case is on leave.

Captain Smart is said to have made the comments on December 1, last year, to wit, where we have gotten to, we require an uprising.

The comment was allegedly made on Onua Television and Radio Station, where the accused work.

He pleaded not guilty for offensive conduct to the breach of peace and admitted to bail in the sum of GHC 100,000 with two sureties, one to be justified.

The Court, presided over by Mrs Ellen Ofei Ayeh, ordered Captain Smart to be reporting every Tuesday and Friday to the Police.

GNA
While struggling to hive off its stake in State-run telecom companies, the Indian government is set to own a 35.8% stake in private operator Vodafone Idea Ltd and about 9.5% stake in Tata Teleservices Ltd (Tata Tele) after converting the total amount of interest related to spectrum auction instalments and adjusted gross revenue (AGR) dues into equity.

In a regulatory filing, Vodafone Idea, a joint venture of UK-based Vodafone group and Kumar Mangalam Birla-led Aditya Birla group, says, ...the board of directors, at its meeting held on 10 January 2022, has approved the conversion of the full amount of such interest related to spectrum auction instalments and AGR dues into equity. The net present value (NPV) of this interest is expected to be about Rs16,000 crore as per the companys best estimates, subject to confirmation by the department of telecom (DoT). Since the average price of the companys shares at the relevant date of 14 August 2021 was below par value, the equity shares will be issued to the government at par value of Rs10 per share, subject to final confirmation by the DoT.

The conversion will therefore result in dilution to all the existing shareholders of the company, including the promoters. Following conversion, it is expected that the government will hold around 35.8% of the total outstanding shares of the company and that the promoter shareholders would hold around 28.5% (Vodafone group) and around 17.8% (Aditya Birla group), respectively, it added.

Similarly, the board of directors of Tata Tele also decided to convert the total amount of interest related to AGR dues into equity.

"The NPV of this interest is expected to be about Rs850 crore as per the company's best estimates, subject to confirmation by the DoT. The average price of the company's shares at the relevant date of 14 August 2021 as per the calculation method provided in the DoT communication works out to be about Rs41.50 per share, subject to final confirmation by the DoT. In case of conversion, it will result in dilution of all the existing shareholders of the company, including the promoters. Following conversion, it is expected that the government will hold approximately 9.5% of the total outstanding shares of the company," Tata Tele says in a regulatory filing.

In October last year, the board of Vodafone Idea had approved availing the four-year spectrum payment moratorium being offered by the Union government as part of its relief package for the telecom sector.

The relief package announced by the Indian government included a four-year break for companies from paying statutory dues, permission to share scarce airwaves, change in the definition of revenue on which levies are paid and 100% foreign investment through the automatic route.

One of the options under the relief package for the government is to convert the due amount about the deferred payment into equity at the end of the moratorium or deferment period. The government had also given an option to telcos to pay the interest amount arising due to the said deferment of payment by way of equity.

According to Vodafone Idea, its governance and other rights of the promoter shareholders are governed by a shareholders agreement (SHA) to which the telco is a party and are also incorporated in its articles of association (AoA).

The rights are subject to a minimum qualifying threshold of 21% for each promoter group, and in light of the conversion of interest into equity, the promoters have mutually agreed to amend the existing SHA for reducing the minimum qualifying threshold to 13% from 21% for the purpose of exercising certain governing rights, e.g., appointment of directors and relating to the appointment of certain key officials, it says.

Further the board of Vodafone Idea says it has also taken note of the proposed changes to the existing SHA and accordingly authorised its execution and recommended changes in the AoA to give effect to the changes in the SHA.

The amendment to the AoA shall be subject to the approval of shareholders in general meeting, for which the board has authorised officials of the company to decide the date of a shareholders meeting following the terms of the amendment to the existing SHA as approved by the board, the company says in its regulatory filing.

In August 2021, Kumar Mangalam Birla stepped down as the non-executive director and non-executive chairman of Vodafone Idea. Mr Birlas resignation came days after it became public that he had written to the Cabinet secretary that he was willing to hand over his stake in Vodafone Idea to government entities in a bid to keep the company operational.

As of August 2021, Vodafone Idea was already in weak financial shape and owed Rs50,399.63 crore as AGR dues and had paid Rs7,854.37 crore.

Read: Kumar Mangalam Birla steps down as Vodafone Ideas Non Executive Chairman ) In his letter to the Cabinet secretary, Mr Birla had warned of a 'looming crisis' and offered to transfer his 27.66% stake in the telco to any public sector, government or domestic financial entity, or any other the government may consider worthy, - to keep (Vodafone Idea) going. (

In November last year, the Union government listed for sale real estate assets of State-run telecom companies Mahanagar Telecom Nigam Ltd (MTNL) and Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) at a reserve price of around Rs1,100 crore. The department of investment and public asset management (DIPAM) website had listed some properties of the two telcos for auction as part of the Rs69,000 crore revival scheme for MTNL and BSNL, approved by the Union government in October 2019.

Both the State-run telcos are expected to identify and monetise assets worth Rs37,500 crore by 2022.
The following is a release from the City of Missoula Police Department:

MISSOULA, Mont. - On January 8, 2021 at approximately 5:00 PM, The Missoula Police Department was dispatched with the Missoula Fire Department for a report of a structure fire in the 1300 block of Scott Street. As officers arrived on scene, they observed a large tree, a structure, two sheds and a vehicle on fire. As the fire department was addressing the structure fire, dispatch relayed receiving a phone call from a female claiming responsibility for the fire. That female refused to identify herself or answer any further questions and hung up. However, dispatch informed officers the phone number was associated with a female identified as Georgena Oldperson.

Officers were aware of Oldperson through prior law enforcement contacts. One of the officers responding to the structure fire recognized Oldperson walking southbound on the Scott Street Bridge as he was responding to the fire. Another officer located Oldperson on the south side of the Scott Street Bridge and could smell the odor of smoke while speaking with her. She also had two cell phones in her possession. The officer called the number used by the female claiming responsibility for the fire, which rang to one of the phones in Oldpersons possession. She was immediately arrested and transported to the Missoula Detention Facility and charged with felony Arson.

There were no injuries reported and although the value of the property damage was high, a precise estimate of the damage is yet to be determined. A Missoula Police Detective will work cooperatively with a Missoula Fire Department investigator on this investigation.
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January 11, 2022

The Danger Of Subjective Reading Of Covid News

This site has linked and quoted pieces by Alastair Crooke, a 'former' MI6 agent and diplomat. Crooke writes a weekly comment for the allegedly Russian financed Strategic Culture Foundation website.

(Sidenote: Independent writers for the SCF, like Russia expert Patrick Armstrong, have come under undue pressure from the U.S. government to quit. Patrick had reason to fear serious consequences and did so.)

Alastair Crooke is an expert on Middle East issues and an outside of the box thinker. But he also, at times, gets things wrong. In several recent pieces he has combined measures against the Covid-19 pandemic and big money lobbying into some global conspiracy theory in which the Bill Gates' of this world want to enslave all other people.

In his latest piece, The Double Helix of Entwined Pandemic and Economic Strategy, Crooke goes off to even greater nonsense. He writes (emphasis added):

[T]hough following the science is the mantra, these measures make no sense: the Omicron variant predominantly infects the double vaxxed, not the unvaxxed. This is never admitted.

That, dear friends, is 'never admitted' because it is utter nonsense.

The link Crooke provides goes to a piece in the Epoch Times, an anti-China rag financed by the Falun Gong cult and best know for promoting Donald Trump. The Epoch Times writer of the piece linked by Crooke is one Naveen Athrappully 'a news reporter covering business and world events at The Epoch Times'.

Headlined - Omicron Spreads Faster Than Delta Within Vaccinated Individuals: Danish Study - the piece is generally correct. However its lead in can be misunderstood:

A Danish study of nearly 12,000 households has discovered that Omicron spreads faster than Delta among those who are fully vaccinated, and even faster between those who have received booster shots, indicating the variants ability to better dodge vaccine-induced immunity. Unvaccinated individuals were about as susceptible to infection as vaccinated. Those with a booster were less susceptible.

The highlighted half-sentence is imprecise and leads to misinterpretations.

The half-sentence does NOT mean that those who have had a booster shot get Covid at a higher rate than those who are unvaccinated or had two doses of vaccine. It does mean that the Omicron variant is better at breaking the immunity barrier than the Delta variant even in people who have received a booster shot.

A look into the original of the Danish study at medRXiv, to which Epoch Times provides a link, supports that interpretation.

The study used detailed statistical data, well available in Denmark, to measure the secondary attack rate of Covid cases of the two virus variants.

It looks at households where one person was infected with Covid-19 and then checks if, within a week, a second person in the same household was also infected (a 'secondary attack' in epidemiology speech). This 'Secondary Attack Rate' (SAR) is then differentiated between the Omicron variant of concern (VOC) and Delta as the virus variant that caused the first and secondary infection. The study also looks at the vaccination status of the secondary infected person.

The abstract of the study already contradicts Alastair Crooke's interpretation:

Among 11,937 households (2,225 with the Omicron VOC), we identified 6,397 secondary infections during a 1-7 day follow-up period. The SAR was 31% and 21% in households with the Omicron and Delta VOC, respectively. We found an increased transmission for unvaccinated individuals, and a reduced transmission for booster-vaccinated individuals, compared to fully vaccinated individuals.

Omicron is more prone than Delta to attack additional people in households where one person is infected. Unvaccinated individuals are most susceptible for a secondary infection. Vaccinated people less so and boostered people have the lowest chance of becoming a casualty of a secondary attack. That is the opposite of what Crooke falsely claims.

The main purpose of the study was to see how much more infectious Omicron is when compared to Delta:

Comparing households infected with the Omicron to Delta VOC, we found an 1.17 (95%-CI: 0.99-1.38) times higher SAR for unvaccinated, 2.61 times (95%-CI: 2.34-2.90) higher for fully vaccinated and 3.66 (95%-CI: 2.65-5.05) times higher for booster-vaccinated individuals, demonstrating strong evidence of immune evasiveness of the Omicron VOC. Our findings confirm that the rapid spread of the Omicron VOC primarily can be ascribed to the immune evasiveness rather than an inherent increase in the basic transmissibility.

The vaccinations protected well, but not completely, against infections with the Delta variant. They however fail to protect more often against the Omicron variant. This does not mean that the vaccinations generally fail to protect. It also does not mean that those vaccinated are more susceptible to get infected than the unvaccinated (i.e. the opposite is true).

It does mean that the Omicron variant is evading the immune protection that the vaccinations created more often than the Delta variant does.

As the results of the Danish study conclude:

Generally, the estimated SAR was higher for the Omicron VOC than for the Delta VOC, for all age groups. Unvaccinated potential secondary cases experienced similar attack rates in households with the Omicron VOC and the Delta VOC (29% and 28%, respectively), while fully vaccinated individuals experienced secondary attack rates of 32% in household with the Omicron VOC and 19% in households with the Delta VOC. For booster-vaccinated individuals, Omicron was associated with a SAR of 25%, while the corresponding estimate for Delta was only 11%.

People vaccinated with two doses (fully vaccinated) became secondary cases just as often as the unvaccinated. (But the severity of the disease is generally less for vaccinated people.) People who had received two doses and a booster shot had much less chance to become a secondary case. The booster shot obviously helped.

This is said even more explicit in the discussion section in that paper:

Furthermore, we show that fully vaccinated and booster-vaccinated individuals are generally less susceptible to infection compared to unvaccinated individuals (Table 2).

Why Crooke misinterpreted the Epoch Times text is hard to understand. It is probably a case where someone wanted to read a confirmation of their preconceived believes even as the text did not confirm those at all.

That can, on a bad day, happen to all of us.

---

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Moultrie, GA (31768)

Today

Partial cloudiness early, with scattered showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. High 88F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 64F. Winds light and variable.
Midland ISD has an important webpage for Midland ISD students and their families interested in learning about Midland ISDs schools of choice, the application process for those schools, Midland ISDs transfer process or enrolling for school schools through a web-based service called Skyward.

It is called Apply Midland, and the Apply Midland application period for the 2022-23 school year continues.

Apply Midland is MISD's platform to apply to schools of choice and for transfers. Apply Midland provides an equitable and consistent way for families to learn about MISD schools, apply to schools of choice, and submit transfer applications, according to the district.

Apply Midland is the go-to place for those with interest in having their children attend:

Carver Center

Bowie Fine Arts Academy

Washington STEM Academy

Pease Communications & Technology

Ben Milam International Academy

Sam Houston Collegiate Preparatory Elementary

6th Grade AVID at San Jacinto

Young Womens Leadership Academy

Early College High School

IDEA Travis

Gifted and Talented Program (Future second-12th grade).

The deadline for Gifted and Talented applications is Friday. For everyone else, Round 1 closes Jan. 28. GT closes earlier to allow time for the testing needed.

Once all applications have been received, a lottery system will select from the applicant pool and automatically inform parents once school assignments have been made. Families will receive offers from schools in March. A second application period opens Feb. 21.

Please call 432-240-1250 if you need assistance with registration/enrollment or re-enrollment.

Note about Carver: The requirements for Carver Center have not changed and students must be tested and identified as Gifted and Talented in order to be accepted to attend this campus. Carver Center does not admit students through a lottery process. Once your application has been processed the Advanced Academics department will share more information about the testing process.

Online:

www.midlandisd.net/apply

www.midlandisd.net/skyward
Sun Valley, ID (83353)

Today

Rain and snow showers in the morning changing to rain showers in the afternoon. High 46F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%..

Tonight

Some clouds early will give way to generally clear conditions overnight. Low 31F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph.
Reverend Terry Garrett, in his 64th year, Surrendered his Soul Tuesday from Tulsa. His Sacred Farewell, 10:00 AM, April 30, 2022, Worship Community Center, and until then, he will rest in Oak Hill Cemetery, Talladega, Alabama. biglowfunerals.com
LIBERTY  The Missouri Court of Appeals, Western District, will convene court at William Jewell College in Liberty, Missouri, on Wednesday, Jan. 26.

The arguments will take place at Yates-Gill College Union on campus beginning at 9 a.m. A three-judge panel, consisting of Western District judges Cynthia Martin and Gary Witt and Missouri Supreme Court Judge W. Brent Powell, will hear oral arguments in four cases on the docket.

After the oral arguments, the judges will take time to discuss the court system, explain the proceedings, and take questions from the audience.

Chief Judge Martin will preside over the proceedings at William Jewell. Judge Martin

joined the Western District in 2009. She practiced law in Kansas City and Lees Summit before joining the Court. She is a 1981 graduate of William Jewell College. Witt was appointed to the Western District in 2010. Immediately prior to his appointment, he served as an associate circuit judge in the 6th Judicial Circuit (Platte County). Previously, he practiced law in Platte County and served in the Missouri House of Representatives and is a 1987 graduate of William Jewell College. Judge Powell was appointed to the Missouri Supreme Court in 2017. Prior to that, he served as a circuit court judge in the 16th Judicial Circuit (Jackson County). He is a 1992 graduate of William Jewell College.

The Court typically convenes court in Kansas City. However, for over 20 years, the Court has held dockets in several of the 45 counties in the Courts jurisdiction, which includes all of northwest Missouri and most of central Missouri. The Court hears oral arguments outside of Kansas City to give individuals an opportunity to observe a part of the judicial system they normally do not see and to familiarize those attending with the Court's role in the judicial system.
Megan Goldhammer is certified to teach early childhood education, ESOL, elementary education and special education, but says her heart is with ESOL. Goldhammer is the My Horry News Teacher of the Month for November.

Goldhammer teaches ESOL (English to speakers of other languages) at Lakewood Elementary School. She teaches kindergarten through 5th grade students to help them become proficient in speaking English.

Goldhammer grew up on Long Island and received her bachelors degree from SUNY Cortland in inclusive special education. She later went on to graduate from Adelphi University with her masters degree in TESOL (teaching English to speakers of other languages).

Goldhammer always knew she wanted to become a teacher.

Both of my parents are retired teachers, she said. Almost all of my grandparents were teachers, too.

She worked in New York for two years before relocating to South Carolina, where she has taught for the last three years. Her undergraduate student teaching was spent at schools in New York City.

When I was doing my student teaching in New York City, there were a lot of students coming from China and the school didnt have an ESOL teacher or program at the time, she said.

Her student teaching host teacher was in the process of being ESOL certified, so Goldhammer was able to build the program alongside him during her student teaching.

At Lakewood Elementary, Goldhammer spends her day teaching six different small group classes. Each class lasts about 45 minutes. One of her favorite lessons is an activity that they do before the class officially starts. The students will teach the class a word in their native language.

They love doing that because they know everyone in the class can speak a different language. This makes everyone feel comfortable, she said.

Most students who she teaches speak Spanish, Portuguese, Albanian or Russian.

She said she enjoys this lesson because she learns new words everyday as well.
Loris City Council named an interim city administrator Monday night after being without any type full-time or interim administrator for more than a year.

In a three-minute special meeting, council voted unanimously Monday night to name William Clay Young as interim administrator.

Im excited about coming to Loris and working with the council and mayor, Young said. I look forward to meeting the community and being part of the community. I think Loris has a lot of great opportunities and I look forward to being a part of that.

As he starts the new job, Young said he wants to hear the goals of locals and engage with the community.

"Hopefully we can all build a good relationship and move Loris in a good direction," he said. "I love this part of the state, it has a lot of opportunities for growth and development."

Young, a native of Chester, previously worked as administrator for two South Carolina counties  he served as administrator of Kershaw County from 2008 to 2011 and Dillion County from 2011 to 2016  and has worked with the cities of Chester and Hanahan.

After briefly serving as an adjunct faculty member at Limestone College and with Pee Dee Regional Council of Governments, he returned to work with Dillon County in 2019 as administrator and economic development director.

Young will begin with the city of Loris immediately.

Loris City Attorney Kenneth Moss said Young was referred to the city by Rep. William Bailey and council later met with Young during executive session last month. Young is retiring from full-time employment and lives in Little River, Moss said.

According to the interim city administrator contract, Young will be paid $49 per hour for 28 hours per week. He is not eligible retirement, health and medical insurance benefits because he has retired from a public job, Moss said.

Loris has not had a full-time administrator for more than two years, though there have been two people to serve as interim since former administrator Damon Kempski resigned in July 2019. Dennis Drozdak served as interim administrator until he left the position June 30, 2020.
A Place for All Conservatives to Speak Their Mind.
As Illinois communities debate whether to install license plate cameras to fight crime, some are calling the technology invasive.

After much debate, Champaign recently voted to install 46 automatic license plate readers around the community. The readers are produced through a company named Flock.

Ed Yohnka, director of communications and public policy with the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois, is not a fan of the technology.

Automatic license plate readers pose a threat to civil rights and civil liberties, Yohnka said. One of the things that is really important is to be able to protect our private information and the information about us without the government or police tracking what we do.

Along with the cameras, Flock will be installing ShotSpotter technology in Champaign for free. Other communities like Peoria and Springfield have already been using similar technology.

Bloomington city leaders are considering entering into a contract with Flock for license plate cameras, but the central Illinois chapter of the ACLU is urging a "no" vote.

Yohnka said parameters must be put in place before entering into such an agreement.

What data is being collected, what database is it being compared against, how long is that data and information stored, and who makes the decision to access it? Yohnka said.

Elk Grove Village Mayor Craig Johnson announced a proposal to buy more cameras to watch city streets with the cameras going up in the spring. He said the cameras would not be the red light or speed enforcement cameras, but license plate reader cameras to watch the 360-degree circumference of an intersection.

Yohnka said if the cameras are not serving their intended purpose, then they should be removed.

Are they really being demonstrated in resolving or solving any crime? Yohnka said. If they arent and thats their justification, then they probably ought to be sunsetted.
On Jan. 6, 2021, Democratic Rep. Brendan Boyle was at his desk at the Longworth House Office Building, near the U.S. Capitol, when he heard an enraged mob, fueled by a former presidents false claims of fraud, making its way up Independence Avenue.

Boyle and other lawmakers had been asked by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to craft remarks defending against Republican attacks on election results.

And, as Im finishing my speech about ... the miracle of Philadelphia in 1776 and 1787, and quoting John Adams that democracy dies by suicide, Im increasingly aware of the crowd thats basically outside my window, Boyle said in a recent interview. Its a surreal juxtaposition. And things went downhill quickly.

Like millions of Americans, Boyle watched on television as the horrific spectacle of rioters sacking the Capitol and viciously assaulting Capitol Police officers unfolded in real time.

Ultimately, the insurrectionists were frustrated in their efforts to prevent the legal certification of President Joe Bidens victory on Election Day. But it came at a terrible cost in lives and in lasting damage to our national psyche.

And from that day to this one, former President Donald Trump, along with his Republican allies in Congress, have tried to convince their fellow citizens that the nation simply needs to move on from the worst attack on our seat of government since the War of 1812, when the British Army set fire to the Capitol, the presidential residence, and other local landmarks.

Trump, who lost, and who repeatedly failed in court to show any evidence of fraud, has sought to discredit the absolutely necessary work of a congressional panel investigating the events of that horrific day. And again, in this effort, hes been aided by fellow Republicans.

But as was the case with the Watergate hearings a generation ago, Americans deserve to know everything they can about how and why the events of that day unfolded, and how it can be prevented from ever happening again.

And if youre inclined to dismiss Boyles assertions as mere partisanship, remember that the rioters were bipartisan in their rage.

They prowled the Capitols halls calling for the execution of former Vice President Mike Pence, in addition to whatever violence they sought to perpetrate against such senior Democrats as Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer.

While the majority-Democrat House approved a single article of impeachment charging the former president with inciting the riot, he once again evaded conviction in the Republican-controlled U.S. Senate.

Nonetheless, a historic number of senators, seven of them, including retiring Republican Sen. Pat Toomey, did vote in favor of conviction.

Boyle said he hopes the House select committee investigating the attacks will recommend fixes that can be turned into legislation, such as reforms to the Electoral Count Act, the arcane bit of law that dictates the certification of election results, so that one member of the House or Senate cant subject us to what we were subjected to on Jan. 6.

Writing in the Washington Post on the eve of the anniversary, a group of scholars, spanning the ideological spectrum, pressed the case for those reforms, arguing that the premise of any reform should be based on the assumption that Congress is not a national recount board, or a court for litigating the outcome of presidential elections. It is not the role of Congress to revisit a states popular vote tally.

But any legislative action has to be accompanied by aggressive prosecution by the Justice Department  no matter where the trail leads, Boyle said.

Imagine if, after Watergate, the only people who were prosecuted were the five burglars, he said.   Anyone, and everyone, regardless of their current or former title, all the way up to the former president, if the facts and evidence warrant it, should be held to account, he argued.

Recent polling showing that the majority of Americans believe that democracy is under threat underscores the need for a thorough account by Congress and by the punishment of those who tried to topple the government.

What worries me the most isnt the Jan. 6 thats already happened, its the Jan. 6 that could still happen in the future, Boyle said.

It's a warning. But it could well be a prophecy if justice isn't served.
Mariposa Public Health Image View Photo

Tuolumne County Public Health reports the death of a man in his 80s due to Covid-19. There are 323 new Covid-19 positive cases identified since Friday, 272 are community cases and 38 are Sierra Conservation Center inmate cases. The newly reported community cases include 53 cases age 17 or younger and 52 cases age 60 or older.

Tuolumne Public Health Officials state, Due to the large number of cases we are experiencing, as well as changing definitions of vaccination status, we are discontinuing the reporting of vaccination status of cases on a daily basis. They encourage the public to review vaccination and other COVID-related data on the State website. If you receive a positive test result, you will likely receive a text or email from a Virtual Agent that will provide information on what to do next. Health Officials say, You can help slow the spread of Covid-19 by responding to texts, calls, or emails, and self-isolating when you have symptoms or a positive test result. Also notify any close contacts youve had from 2 days before you became ill or got tested. Any close contacts should follow current quarantine guidance and get tested 3-5 days after exposure. If you are at high risk of severe disease or hospitalization, you can contact your doctor to discuss potential treatment options. If you are not symptomatic, have not tested positive for COVID-19 recently, and are not in quarantine, get vaccinated or boosted. Updated to the most recent Isolation & Quarantine guidelines the Tuolumne health order is here.

The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) reports 81 currently active inmate cases (includes reinfections, see below). Tuolumne Countys active community cases increased 215 to 447 including 10 people who are hospitalized. The state reports the 14-day average for Covid-19 hospitalized patients is 15 up 7.1% from the prior days 14-day average. The state also reports one ICU bed available in Tuolumne County out of six.

The new Covid cases by gender and age: 11 girls and 18 boys age 11 or younger, 13 girls and 11 boys age 12 to 17, 23 women and 18 men age 18 to 29, 29 women and 18 men in their 30s, 23 women and 22 men in their 40s, 20 women and 14 men in their 50s, 15 women and nine men in their 60s, 12 women and 11 men in their 70s, three women and one man in their 80s, and one woman over 90.

There have been 1,686 inmate cases at the Sierra Conservation Center, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) reports the SCC manages 3,213 inmates with 82% vaccinated including all the southern fire conservation camps and has tested 52% of the prisons population in the past 14 days. There are 70 staff members with Covid an increase of 16 out of 1,170. There is a 56% vaccination rate reported among the staff.

The total current case rate, a 14-day average for Tuolumne County increased to 98.4 from 71.6 per 100,000 population. The case rate reached a low of 15.1 on December 17th. A total of 54 individuals were released from isolation, in all 6,789 have been released from isolation. The number of active cases has been above 60 since near the end of July, the first three Delta cases were identified July 2nd active cases peaked August 16th at 407, with the lowest active cases since July being 62 on November 29th. The county sends samples from residents for sequencing which takes time, so far the Omicron Covid-19 variant has not been detected yet. A total of 59% of the population eligible to get vaccinated has been vaccinated.

Calaveras County Public Health reports 47 new cases since yesterday. There are three fewer active cases for a total of 70 active cases including two Covid hospitalizations. Four of the new cases are age 17 or younger and eight are age 65 and older, in total 867 under age 17 and 821 over 65 have been identified with Covid. There are 50 more counted as recovered for a total of 4,688 cases and 55.92% of the eligible population is fully vaccinated in the county. According to the state, Calaveras 14-day average for Covid hospitalized patients is two with no increase or decrease and there remain five ICU beds available of 12.

Stanislaus had a large jump in reported cases with 2,702 new cases since Friday reported, see chart below.

Mariposa Health officials report they may not be contacting all cases due to the large number who have tested positive. They request those with symptoms or a positive test stay home to reduce the spread. Mariposa shares that people with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms can appear from 2-14 days, and with the Omicron variant seem to most often appear 2-4 days. Here is what they recommend to do if you have any symptoms or feel sick:

Stay home. Most people with COVID-19 have mild illness and can recover at home without medical care. Do not leave your home, except to get medical care.

Do not visit public areas.

Take care of yourself. Get rest and stay hydrated. Take over-the-counter medicines, such as acetaminophen, to help you feel better.

Stay in touch with your doctor. Call before you get medical care. Be sure to get care if you have trouble breathing, or have any other emergency warning signs, or if you think it is an emergency. Details are at cdc.gov.

The US Food and Drug Administration is warning people of fraudulent coronavirus home tests/rapid tests as detailed there.

COVID-19 Testing Public health recommends scheduling an appointment to get tested 5 days after possible exposure and if you are having any symptoms, to get tested right away. The Tuolumne County State testing site schedule is 7 days a week from 7 AM to 7 PM at the Mother Lode Fairgrounds. Appointments can be made at www.lhi.care/covidtesting or by calling 888-634-1123. Testing is also available at pharmacies, at Rapid Care, and the hospital emergency department if you are experiencing any symptoms, or contact your healthcare provider. More details are here.

COVID-19 Vaccine appointments and booster vaccine shots are recommended. The CDC is recommending that moderately or severely immunocompromised 5 to 11-year-olds receive a Covid vaccine booster 28 days after their second shot. The CDC also now recommends people receive a booster shot if they completed a Pfizer series at least five months ago, or the Moderna series at least six months ago, or a J&J vaccine at least two months ago. Vaccine appointments for children ages 5 to 11 can be made through myturn.ca.gov, or by calling 833-422-4255, or through local pharmacies, more details are here. For ways to manage a fear of needles or a phobia and help others with it, view the CDCs information guide here. Learn more about self-care strategies by visiting namica.org

County

Date

New

Active (Hospital)

Total 2022 All Cases (All Deaths) Amador 1/7 11 168 (9) 130 4,104

(62) Calaveras 1/10 47 70 (2) 217 4,852

(94) Mariposa 1/10 60 80 (12) 212 1,975

(18) Mono 1/10 76 219 227 2,202

(5) Stanislaus 1/10 2,702 6,425 (166) 5,653 90,626

(1,499) Tuolumne 1/10 323 447 (10) 783 9,072 (151) Reported cases at end of 2021 and 2020
Microphone and US Flag View Photo

On Monday, U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered remarks on the Senate floor.

McConnell was Tuesdays KVML Newsmaker of the Day. Here are his words:

This week, on this floor, we are poised to witness something that has never happened before in living memory: An attempt to attack the core identity of the Senate by a sitting Senate Majority Leader.

The senior Senator from New York once said nuking the filibuster would, turn what the Founding Fathers called the cooling saucer of democracy into the rubber stamp of dictatorship. He said it would make this country into a banana republic a doomsday for democracy. Now he wants to trigger that doomsday himself.

When I was Majority Leader, some in my own party urged me to break the Senate for our own partys short-term gain. My answer was one word: No.

Less than four years ago, the senior Senator from Illinois said nuking the legislative filibuster, would be the end of the Senate as it was originally devised and created going back to our Founding Fathers. Now he wants the Senate to end on his watch.

The last time Senate Democrats were in the minority, 32 of them signed a letter demanding the legislative filibuster stay in place. Now many of them say they want to break our institution.

The excuses put forward for this behavior are fake.

The supposed justifications are simply false.

The Senate Democratic leaders are trying to use a Big Lie to bully and berate their own members into breaking their word, breaking the rules, and breaking the Senate.

Were going to spend all week sounding the alarm on the radical takeovers that some Democrats want to pull off.

They want to silence millions of Americans and take over the Senate so they can take over elections so they can take over America.

Leading Democrats say they want to break the Senate because of a sinister anti-voting plot that is sweeping America. This is totally fake. It does not exist.

The current control of Congress and the White House were decided in 2020 by the highest turnout in 120 years. 94% of voters said voting was easy.

More Americans say current voting laws are too lax than say they are too restrictive.

Confronted by the facts, the Democratic Leader says theyre irrelevant. He says his entire nuclear push is occasioned by what a few states did in 2021.

But this is nonsense. The Senator from New York has been publicly laying groundwork to nuke the Senate rules since 2019.

More than a year before the 2020 election, the Democratic Leader was openly flirting with nuking the Senate rules if he got power, so hed be able to ram through bigger changes.

None of this was occasioned by what state legislatures did in 2021. This is a years-long quest for power in search of a pretext.

And their hysterical attacks on state laws are fake as well.

The state of Georgia passed a voting law providing for more in-person early voting than New York provides. It allows for no-excuse absentee voting, which New York prohibits.

If there was not a voting crisis in Democrat-run New York six months ago, there is no crisis in Georgia now.

If Georgia is a banana republic today, than New York has been and still is a banana republic. There is zero logic here. Zero consistency.

In the state of Texas, Democrats are hysterical because the state rolled back some unusual, COVID-specific exceptions to their prior procedures, such as universal drive-through voting and 24-hour voting.

If the bar for voting rights now requires the possibility of voting in person at 3:00am, how many blue states in America meet that bar?

Neither of those things existed in Texas before 2020 and neither widely exists in blue states.

Every hysterical claim that our democracy is in crisis rings hollow.

More Americans today say that President Bidens election was legitimate than said the same about the prior president in late 2017!

Yet Democrats are trying to use their fake hysteria to justify breaking Senate rules so they can seize control of elections in all 50 states.

Historically, the Senate has taken up elections legislation on a careful, bipartisan basis. Weve made sure not to trample on the rights of voters and the proper roles of local officials.

In 2002, we passed the Help America Vote Act by a vote of 92-2. The only dissenting votes came from then-Senator Hillary Clinton and the current Democratic Leader.

Thats how you pass election reform if there are actual issues that need tackling. Carefully. Thoughtfully. Bipartisan. Committee work. Regular order.

Our colleagues arent doing anything like that.

Theyre trying to ram through sweeping, partisan legislation which they first drafted and introduced in its first iteration in 2019.

Democrats say theyre concerned about efforts to disempower the appropriate local elections officials. It is their bills that would disempower local officials, by Washington Democrats appointing themselves the entire countrys Board of Elections on steroids.

Democrats say theyre concerned about overturning election results. It is their bills that would overturn election results  overruling the commonsense voting laws that citizens across the country have picked for their own states.

Case in point: The Democrats latest bill would force the entire country to adopt two practices  same-day registration and no-excuse absentees  that the citizens of New York State had as ballot measures last November. And New York rejected both of them!

Why are Washington Democrats refusing to accept the decision of New York voters? Why are they trying to set aside these election results and overturn the peoples will?

Our Democratic colleagues have also talked about a so-called voting rights bill. This is a bill to turn the partisan Attorney General into a national elections czar. The Attorney General would no longer have to sue states and win in court; he could end-run around the legal system and push states around without having to persuade a judge first.

Im sure our Democratic colleagues would have reacted well if Republicans had tried to break Senate rules so that Bill Barr could micromanage elections in blue states. Im sure that would have gone swimmingly on their side of the aisle.

But ultimately, Madam President, the issues at stake this week run even deeper than the fake hysteria. Even deeper than voting laws.

Breaking the Senate and nuking the filibuster would cause a massive political power outage for many millions of American citizens. For entire states.

The filibuster is not just about what bills are blocked. It is the sole feature that gives millions of Americans any voice at all in all the legislation that does pass whenever there is one-party control.

Annual appropriations. Government funding bills. The NDAA. Rescue packages like the CARES Act.

For decades, both Senators and citizens have been able to take for granted that everybody gets a voice, even when we dont have divided government.

If this unique feature of the Senate is blown up, millions and millions of Americans voices will cease to be heard in this chamber.

A radical Senate takeover for a radical elections takeover for a radical takeover of our nations future.

What the Democratic Leader wants to do would not protect our democracy or our system of government.

It would destroy a key feature of American government. Forever.

And Senators on both sides know it.

The Newsmaker of the Day is heard every weekday morning at 6:45, 7:45 and 8:45 on AM 1450 and FM 102.7 KVML.
San Andreas, CA  School leaders in Calaveras County have heard back from Governor Gavin Newsoms office about a plan to require all students to eventually get the COVID-19 vaccine.

Calaveras Superintendent of Schools Scott Nanik has written a myMotherLode.com blog where he provides an update on local efforts to voice opposition to state officials about the directive.

Nanik and other Calaveras school administrators have been asking for the state to allow personal belief exemptions. He is concerned that Calaveras County could lose up to 50-percent of its students if a strict vaccine directive goes into effect.

They sent a letter to Governor Newsom after he indicated that students will be required to receive the COVID vaccine to attend class once it receives full FDA approval.

You can find Naniks blog, providing an update, by clicking here.
TUD Winter Storm Impacts View Photo

Sonora, CA  The County of Tuolumne is joining over 20 others in California declaring a local State of Emergency related to winter storm damage that occurred in late December.

If ratified by Governor Gavin Newsom, it will allow local agencies to receive expedited state, and possibly federal, resources to assist in the cleanup effort. Board Chair Anaiah Kirk declared the State of Emergency yesterday and it was unanimously ratified by the full board of supervisors this morning.

The action came after the Tuolumne Utilities District relayed to the county yesterday that its infrastructure experienced somewhere between $80,000-$90,000 in storm impacts.

Tuolumne County Public Works also has some potentially eligible expenses.

Of a related note, we reported earlier that neighboring Calaveras County declared a State of Emergency for winter storm damage and it was approved by Governor Newsom.
European Parliament President David Sassoli died aged 65 in Italy on Tuesday, his spokesperson said.

Sassoli passed away at 1.15 a.m. at a hospital in the city of Aviano, Italy, spokesperson Roberto Cuillo tweeted.

On Monday, Cuillo said the well-known Italian politician had been hospitalised for more than two weeks due to a serious complication relating to immune system dysfunction, reports Xinhua news agency.

Sassoli was elected president of the European Parliament in 2019 and his term of office would have expired in days.
DALLAS (AP)  Robert Jordan will inherit a long list of challenges when he becomes the sixth CEO of Southwest Airlines, which is struggling to recover from a pandemic that battered its finances and left it a much smaller company.

Southwest had never lost money over an entire year in its half-century history until 2020, when it lost $3 billion. The Dallas-based carrier is likely to have finished 2021 in the black  it will report results later this month  thanks to more than $1.1 billion in federal pandemic relief.

After thousands of employees left in 2020, staffing shortages contributed to high numbers of canceled and delayed flights on Southwest last summer and again in October. The airline is now on a hiring spree to catch up.

Jordan joined Southwest in 1988 and rose through a series of finance and strategy jobs, including overseeing the $1.4 billion acquisition of AirTran Airways in 2011. In June, Southwest announced that Jordan would succeed Gary Kelly, who is retiring as CEO on Feb. 1 after 17 years leading the airline.

Jordan talked to The Associated Press shortly before Christmas about those flight disruptions, whether Southwest will charge for checking bags, and what kind of legacy he wants to leave. The comments have been edited for length.

Q. You've got your work cut out for you. What are you going to focus on first?

A. The company is not broken, but ... I think there are some things that we can do to  Ive used the word modernize. I dont know if thats a good word or not because its not like were behind, but I do think we need to work on, for example, our operational tools. I dont know that (employees) have all the tools to manage the complex company that we are.

Q. Do you mean the way that you reschedule passengers and crews?

A. It could be a whole variety of things. When youre in irregular operations (such as cancellations and delays caused by weather or other factors), Ive got aircraft out of place and customers out of place, and this aircraft needs to end up in that maintenance base. There are probably tools that we can use to more quickly notice problems and provide solutions.

Q. What else?

A. I think we have a terrific customer experience. But (I) think about things like, is our Wi-Fi as reliable as it needs to be? Im not sure that it is. Do we need to think about things like whether power (outlets for passengers) on the aircraft are important? Can you do everything that you need to do as a customer to self-serve for yourself on your phone? Am I going to drastically change the airline? I dont think so, but I do think that there are areas that we can improve.

Q. What about bag fees, change fees and your open-seating system? Any changes coming?

A. No. Were known for doing things that make sense for our customers. No bag fees, no change fees make perfect sense. Its very hard for me to imagine that we would go to assigned seating. There is absolutely no work on rethinking any of those things. But I do put (assigned seating) sort of in the never-say-never bucket.

Q. You are hiring. How long until you're fully staffed?

A. We were hiring about 5,000 this fall, and if you remember, we had about 5,000 that took early retirement (in 2020 and 2021), so were making really good progress. It is harder than normal. We get plenty of applications, we just dont get as many applications for open jobs as we used to. Were hiring even more in 2022, which is why I suspect it takes into the summer to get caught up here.

Q. What's happening to wages?

A. The market for wages is moved and it feels like its continuing to move. I dont know if there is a such thing as a minimum wage anymore because there is a market wage. It feels like $15 (an hour) has become $18 and $18 may (become) $20. Its hard to know is when you equalize and when that stops. I think youre going to continue to see wage pressure for a while.

Q. What will 2022 be like for the airline industry?

A. I think we all wished that 21 was the transition year and 22 was back to normal, and its just clear that 22 is going to continue to be a year of continued transition. Youve got staffing questions, just the whole hiring market that everybodys dealing with. Youve got continued supply-chain issues. You have the pandemic, which we all hope moves to endemic here at some point. Its going to make predicting the business and the schedule a little choppy.

Q. What does that mean for the company?

A. The (last) 21 months have been tough on people, so I want 2022 to be a year where we really invest in our employees, love on our employees, and then get back to being consistently profitable. Im not arguing (Southwest will be profitable) at the levels that we need long term  I think its going to take a little while to get there  but weve got to get back to sustained profitability versus off-and-on profitability.

Q. How will you be different or similar to Gary Kelly?

A. I think were similar when it comes to how we think through problems and process things. Were both analytical, were both data-driven. Ive got a high bias for action. Thats good and its bad  it can be both. I probably am faster to want to get to an answer and need to probably focus on collaboration, where Gary is highly collaborative. Gary is a people person, Im probably even more of a people person. Id spend the whole day wandering the halls, talking to people or being in the stations.

Q. What kind of mark, what legacy do you want to leave as CEO?

A. Ive never been a career-aspiration type person or especially a title-aspiration person. Ive just had a lot of opportunity and just moved along and loved every job that Ive had. I never dreamed that this would be an opportunity. Whenever I leave, there would be no better than two things: One would be that our employees can look back and say that they feel fulfilled, that they love Southwest Airlines. They love that theyve been able to have a career here that has been good for them and good for their families. And then second ... being known as somebody that just did a good job developing others, building good teams. So it isn't anything about profits or customer experience or any of those things. I think they come along.

___

David Koenig can be reached at www.twitter.com/airlinewriter
A culinary switch-up is currently taking place at Signature, the award-winning restaurant at San Antonio's La Cantera Resort & Spa. James Beard Award nominated chef Andrew Weissman is stepping away to pursue other projects while a trio of new chefs takes over the kitchen.

Weissman is known for his various restaurant ventures around town, including burger joint Mr. Juicy and formerly, the Pearl's Sandbar and Osteria Il Sogno and downtown's Le Reve.

The new Signature team will be lead by San Antonio local John Carpenter, who takes over the executive chef position. Joining Carpenter is executive sous chef Jaime Torres and pastry chef Stephane Leopoldo, who cut his teeth perfecting pastries in his native France before relocating to Culinary Institute Lenotre in Houston to teach.

Since September, Carpenter has been working with Weissman to refine some of Signature's well, signature dishes and craft new creations, according to a news release.

"Chef Johns presence at Signature gives me the space and confidence to expand my presence in San Antonio and step away from Signature," says Weissman in a release. "We are thrilled to have him, Chef Torres and Chef Leopoldo on our team and look forward to providing our guests and the greater community with memorable culinary experiences.

Designing the new menu is Carpenter and Torres, who have been working together since 2015 when the pair was at San Antonios Culinary Institute of America restaurant, previously known as NAO. After NAO, both Carpenter and Torres manned the kitchen at Botika restaurant at the Pearl.

Diners at Signature can expect to find "a few surprises" on the menu, including dishes with with Asian and Latin American influences. Among the new dishes is a hamachi crudo and a Spanish octopus, teases the release.

Despite the changes, diners shouldn't expect a major departure from Signature's classic fare. In fact, Carpenter has credited Weissman and one fateful experience as Il Sogno among his culinary inspirations.

"That meal taught me a lot about keeping things simple and letting the ingredients shine. I still consider it one of the best meals of my life, says Carpenter in a press statement.

Joining the team at Signature is an incredible opportunity for me," he adds. "Im looking forward to exploring what we can do in the future while staying true to the spirit of Signature."

Signature is known for its lush scenic views and high-end dining experiences. The menu broadly dishes out contemporary takes on classics, with a uniquely Texas flair.
A well-known chain is opening its newest hotel soon in San Antonio, and its launching a massive hiring event. Marriott San Antonio Airport is located at 77 NE Interstate 410 Loop  just a stones throw away from San Antonio International Airport, and just minutes away from downtown.

It offers 367 rooms with a little more than 15,000 square feet of meeting space in whats described as a convention-style setting. It's slated for a February opening.

Renderings of the new hotel show a lobby with a bar that extends outdoors and focuses on mixology and local flavors. The outdoor pool opens to a terrace with lighting and bar access. The new San Antonio property also features an M Club, a concierge lounge with features such as 24-hour access, complimentary breakfast buffet, refreshments, and WiFi.

Other features include a fully equipped fitness center and an onsite restaurant dishing out Southwest cuisine. It also offers free parking and free airport shuttle service.

With those amenities comes a host of jobs, and Marriott San Antonio Airport is hosting two hiring events to fill positions ahead of its opening date. Open positions are in the following areas: food and beverage, front desk, housekeeping/room attendant, shuttle driver, and maintenance. According to its website, Marriott is looking to hire for more than two dozen jobs.

The first event is Wednesday, January 12 from 9 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Workforce Solutions Alamo Career Center  Datapoint. Thats located at 3652 Bluemel Road.

The second event will be Thursday, January 13 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Workforce Solutions' Walzem location. That address is 4615 Walzem Road, Suite #100.

Both events are in-person. No appointment is necessary, and the job fairs are free. Dress professionally and make sure to bring an updated resume.
Kin Man Hui, San Antonio Express-News / Staff photographer

It's Tuesday, San Antonio. CPS Energy approved the proposed 3.85 percent rate hike on Monday ahead of its appearance before city council. Here's what you need to know.

The city-owned utility approved the proposed rate increase at a Monday meeting along with a fee to help recover $418 million in fuel costs from the winter storm, according to a press release. Trustees say the rate increase will help the utility pay for aging electric infrastructure.
Bob Owen, Staff-photographer / San Antonio Express-News

As COVID numbers continue to increase in San Antonio, the stress on hospitals grows, pushing Mayor Ron Nirenberg and County Judge Nelson Wolff send an letter to the governor requesting hundreds more nurses.

The letter, sent Monday, January 10, calls on Gov. Greg Abbott to send 411 additional nurses and respiratory therapists to San Antonio-area hospitals. The number of COVID-19 positive patients in hospitals have increased from 202 to 778, a 285% increase from December 25, 2021, according to the letter.
By Lambert Strether of Corrente.

Bird Song of the Day

More winter birds.

* * *

Politics

But what is government itself, but the greatest of all reflections on human nature? James Madison, Federalist 51

They had learned nothing, and forgotten nothing. Charles Maurice de Talleyrand-Perigord

When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro. Hunter Thompson

Capitol Seizure

Biden Adminstration

Biden administration lays out rules for reimbursing at-home Covid tests [Politico]. The Biden administration on Monday issued guidance that will require private health insurers to reimburse people for up to eight over-the-counter Covid-19 tests every month beginning Jan. 15. Under the plan, private insurers can set up programs at preferred pharmacies or retailers where the upfront cost of home tests is covered for beneficiaries. A family of four would be able to have 32 home tests covered by their health plan each month. If a physician orders an at-home test for an individual, it does not count toward the eight test-a-month limit. The new regulations governing reimbursement for at-home tests do not apply to people on Medicare or those without health insurance. State Medicaid programs and the Childrens Health Insurance Program already must cover at-home tests, according to HHS.  I love it! Its so complicated! We know [schools] can be open safely. White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki going against @CTULocal1 and urging in-person teaching in Chicago, claiming its safe. pic.twitter.com/yiPwYtMtfb  MEANS TV (@means_tv) January 9, 2022 Whos we? The chateau generals in the West Wing? Not the people on the front lines: Teachers and students. For example: This post from a NYC high schooler about the covid situation right now is wild https://t.co/iefprZq2fy pic.twitter.com/2xSIW5DCBq  Adam J Calhoun (@neuroecology) January 7, 2022 Republicans threaten floor takeover if Democrats weaken filibuster [The Hill]. Senate Republicans are threatening they will attempt a takeover of the Senate agenda by forcing votes on issues ranging from the Keystone XL pipeline to abortion rules to a U.S-Mexico border wall if Democrats weaken the filibuster. Republicans are also looking at smaller bills such as a proposal to prohibit the administration from imposing a fracking ban by executive order, a prohibition on the IRS implementing new reporting on banks to disclose individuals banking activity and mandatory detention for illegal immigrants who commit serious crimes.  I cant believe that bank reporting thing is still alive Manchins Choice on Build Back Better: Mine Workers or Mine Owners [New York Times]. Thicker seams in the owners, I would say. So when the miners union and the West Virginia A.F.L.-C.I.O. came out last month with statements pleading for passage of President Bidens Build Back Better Act  just hours after Mr. Manchin, Democrat of West Virginia, said he was a no  the Capitol took notice. With the miners now officially on the opposite side of the mine owners, it signaled the escalation of a behind-the-scenes struggle centered in Mr. Manchins home state to sway the balking senator, whose skepticism about his partys marquee domestic policy measure has emerged as a potentially fatal impediment to its enactment. While most of the attention to the fate of the social safety net and climate change bill has fixed on ideological divisions among Democrats over its largest provisions and overall cost, the battle underway over parochial issues in Mr. Manchins state could ultimately matter more than the public pleas of liberal groups and relentless bargaining by Democratic leaders.

Democrats en Deshabille

I have moved my standing remarks on the Democrat Party (the Democrat Party is a rotting corpse that cant bury itself) to a separate, back-dated post, to which I will periodically add material, summarizing the addition here in a live Water Cooler. (Hopefully, some Bourdieu.) It turns out that defining the Democrat Party is, in fact, a hard problem. I do think the paragraph that follows is on point all the way back to 2016, if not before: The Democrat Party is the political expression of the class power of PMC, their base (lucidly explained by Thomas Frank in Listen, Liberal!). It follows that the Democrat Party is as unreformable as the PMC is unreformable ; if the Democrat Party did not exist, the PMC would have to invent it. If the Democrat Party fails to govern, thats because the PMC lacks the capability to govern . (PMC modulo class expatriates, of course.) Second, all the working parts of the Party reinforce each other. Leave aside characterizing the relationships between elements of the Party (ka-ching, but not entirely) those elements comprise a network  a Flex Net? An iron octagon?  of funders, vendors, apparatchiks, electeds, NGOs, and miscellaneous mercenaries, with assets in the press and the intelligence community. Note, of course, that the class power of the PMC both expresses and is limited by other classes; oligarchs and American gentry (see industrial model of Ferguson, Jorgensen, and Jie) and the working class spring to mind. Suck up, kick down. * * * A year in, how has Biden done on pandemic response? [Justin Feldman]. Weve already linked to this, but its worth repeating this passage: There has been a failure of various social institutions  the media, the political left, scientists, and unions, to pressure the Biden administration into a course of action that would better prevent mass death. In some other countries, scientists banded together to form organizations like the UKs Independent SAGE that counters government policy with its own, more precautionary policy recommendations. This has not happened in any substantial way in the US, where scientists have made statements only as individuals or in informal, ad-hoc groups. To the extent they have weighed in, American unions have been narrow in their demands for the pandemic response and have not called major strikes over it. Progressive members of the Democratic Party have not put pressure on Biden over pandemic measures except in narrow ways, such as Bernie Sanders calling for an extension to unemployment programs or Cori Bush demanding the Biden administration fight for an extension of the eviction moratorium. Leftist groups like the Democratic Socialists of America have not developed a pandemic response platform, and to the extent they have politicized the pandemic, it has been to talk about long-standing policy goals like Medicare For All. Instead, the loudest voices in civil society have largely supported Bidens approach to the pandemic or pushed him to reject non-pharmaceutical interventions more fervently. This select group of media pundits, public health scientists, and economists has been in direct dialogue with White House officials. The administration has cited their opinion pieces in speeches, coordinated messaging on regular phone calls, and promoted these views on social media (one need only look at the Twitter timelines of Ron Klain, or communication staffers like Ian Sams or Ben Wakana). In other words, were looking at a complete collapse of the PMC that has formed the Democrat base since the Clinton era. They dont want to govern.

2022

What Role Will January 6 Play in The 2022 Midterms? [Amy Walter, Cook Political Report].  The 2022 midterms will be a referendum on the current president, not the former one . This is something on which Democratic and Republican strategists Ive spoken with agree. At the same time, Republicans from swing states or districts who spend their time trying to re-litigate the 2020 election or defend those who attacked the Capitol are putting themselves in political peril. For as horrible as the events of January 6 were, the fact that our constitutional guardrails held is a remarkable and impressive accomplishment. The system bent, but it did not break. But it is this very fact that makes it harder for Democrats to argue that these guardrails are faulty and fragile. Adding to this challenge for Democrats is the fact that many of the voters Biden appealed to in 2020, dont see this same risk to democracy as he and many Democrats do. Earlier this year, I wrote about two focus groups of white swing voters. One group was more conservative-leaning (all had voted for Trump but were defined as not particularly enthusiastic about him, i.e., these are not Trump superfans ). The other group included those who voted for Biden in 2020 after voting for Trump in 2016. In other words, these are the kinds of voters that would be open to more nuanced arguments about issues. They arent simply knee-jerk Trump or Biden voters. My takeaway from listening to them was that both groups of voters believed that fights over voter laws were more about political gamesmanship than an attack on democracy itself. Said one of the Trump voters, everybody just wants to win. One of the Trump-Biden voters said, I dont trust one party more than the other on voter rules. In other words, instead of seeing a threat to the very foundation of our political system, these voters saw crass political calculations. This cynicism isnt confined to just swing voters. When asked about the January 6th commission, one person in a focus group of surge (read: infrequent voting) Democrats said: Its going to be a nice report that no one will read. And by then no one will care anymore.' Concluding: For all the arguments about what will resonate in 2022 and what wont, the only way for things to get better for Democrats in 2022, is for things like COVID and the economy to get better.  And if they dont, what do Democrats have besides 1/6 and our democracy? January 5, 2022: National Poll with USA TODAY marginals (PDF) [Suffok University]. (Marginals appears to refer to a margin of error, rather than those surveyed, who are registed voters.) Of course, 311 days is a long time in politics. One Big Thing Dem Candidates Are Avoiding: Bidens Agenda [Daily Beast]. Salas is far from the only Democratic challenger with a Build Back Better-sized hole in his campaign message: at least seven other Democrats who are running in the most competitive GOP-held House districtsfrom New York to Iowa to Marylandhave said nothing or vanishingly little about Build Back Better. Most of those candidates have not so much as mentioned the name of the bill in their social media posts and campaign materials. And though these Democrats frequently tout their commitment to advancing the goals set out in the billlike lowering prescription drug costs, fighting climate change, and improving child caremany dont explicitly acknowledge that there is, currently, a bill that would achieve those goals. Meanwhile, some Democrats running to break the 50-50 partisan deadlock in the Senate have avoided talking much about the legislation currently languishing in that chamber.  A big, beautiful tent

2024

Kamala Harris channels Jimmy Carter, blames American malaise for Bidens woes [New York Post]. She actually used the word malaise. What staffer let her do that? And: Harriss comment aired just hours after she provoked outrage for a speech at the US Capitol equating the Jan. 6 riot there to some of the most harrowing and deadly days in American history, including the Sept. 11 terror attacks and the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor.  Amy Walter makes a good case on 1/6 (above) but apparently Harris and her entourage do not agree (or nobody in the Democrat leadership bothered to tell them the score).

Realignment and Legitimacy

Corruption is bipartisan: BREAKING NEWS I have just released the full trading report on politicians in 2021. In short, many beat the market. They traded more than ever before. And they made numerous unusually timed trades, resulting in huge gains. Read it here: https://t.co/CQ6JphecwZ pic.twitter.com/ra9DEjV0ok  unusual_whales (@unusual_whales) January 10, 2022 * * * Im putting Covid-related commentary here, because realignment and legitimacy are exactly the stakes. Active epidemiological investigation on SARS-CoV-2 infection caused by Omicron variant (Pango lineage B.1.1.529) in Japan: preliminary report on infectious period [National Institute for Infectious Diseases]. Japan. . A total of 83 respiratory specimens from 21 cases (19 vaccinees and 2 unvaccinated cases; 4 asymptomatic and 17 mild cases) were subjected to SARS-CoV-2 RNA quantification using quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and virus isolation tests. The date of specimen collection for diagnosis or symptom onset was defined as day 0. The amount of viral RNA was highest on 3-6 days after diagnosis or 3-6 days after symptom onset, and then gradually decreased over time, with a marked decrease after 10 days since diagnosis or symptom onset (Figure). The positive virus isolation results showed a similar trend as the viral RNA amount, and no infectious virus in the respiratory samples was detected after 10 days since diagnosis or symptom onset (Table). These findings suggest that vaccinated Omicron cases are unlikely to shed infectious virus 10 days after diagnosis or symptom onset.  Remember when Walensky said that shortening the isolation period to five days was based on science, but then couldnt rightly put her hand on what the science was? Well, here it is, and it looks like Walensky is sending kids, teachers, and workers back out to save the economy when they are most infectious. They really do want to kill us, dont they? Axios-Ipsos poll: America retrenches on COVID [Axios]. Social distancing and self-quarantining have spiked in recent weeks as Omicron puts the nation in a crouch like last spring before vaccines became widely available, according to the latest installment of the Axios/Ipsos Coronavirus Index. We all know or have heard stories about people saying theyd like to just get it over with and get Omicron because it sounds milder than earlier strains. But the survey results suggest most Americans are worried about Omicron and modifying their behavior to try to minimize exposure and spread. They also suggest a possible reason for that fear: vaccines arent as effective in stopping infections as they used to be before Omicron.  Just possibly  hear me out  weve all heard these stories because the press keeps amplifying them, out of class interest. LIttle Madison is so tiring, especially now that Maria cant come to take care of her. And how to we get her into Yale if shes not in school? For example Two Years Is Long Enough [Helen Lewis, The Atlantic]. Helen Lewis is a London-based staff writer at The Atlantic and the author of Difficult Women: A History of Feminism in 11 Fights. Let the whinging and bleating begin! Yet to publicly question the current level of restrictions is to invite accusations from your more COVID-averse friends, or even strangers on social media, that you hate doctors, reject science, and actively want people to die . Actively is doing a lot of work, there: There will be trade-offs, and there will be casualties , but you cant remove all risk from human existence. Casualties are OK, as long as they happen in the passive voice! And the cherry on top: For any country without the discipline, collectivism, and surveillance technology of China, the zero-COVID dream is over. Two years is long enough to put our lives on hold. Personally, Id be in favor of putting Lewiss life on hold for several more years, along with her war criminal editor at The Atlantic. But thats just me. More important is the admission  its not even reluctant  that Chinas political system is better at saving lives than the Wests. Oopsie. Column: Mocking anti-vaxxers COVID deaths is ghoulish, yes  but may be necessary [Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times]. Leaving the inflammatory headline aside, this: Vaccine mandates themselves have been part of the educational system for longer than anyone can remember in every state in the Union: California requires K-12 pupils to have as many as 20 doses of immunizations against polio, measles, mumps, rubella, whooping cough, diphtheria, hepatitis and chicken pox. Those vaccines are well-tested and sterilizing. The mRNA vaccines, at least, are not. And then theres this: By the way, no one has ever claimed that the COVID vaccines are a cure  another smidgen of misinformation Ernby purveyed. The COVID vaccines, however, have been spectacularly effective in reducing the severity of the infection, a result that appears to hold true for the extremely transmissible Omicron variant. Both Biden and Walensky claimed, in so many words, that with the vaccines, You are protectedk, period. The later reduce the severity argument was retconned onto the original claims. Finally: But mockery is not necessarily the wrong reaction to those who publicly mocked anti-COVID measures and encouraged others to follow suit, before they perished of the disease the dangers of which they belittled. Nor is it wrong to deny them our sympathy and solicitude, or to make sure its known when their deaths are marked that they had stood fast against measures that might have protected themselves and others from the fate they succumbed to. There may be no other way to make sure that the lessons of these teachable moments are heard.  So hows the mocking and shaming strategy been workin out for ya? This Is NOT a Pandemic of the Unvaccinated [Peter Daou]. Lets look at two interconnected myths being disseminated by liberal pundits and corporate media outlets Falsely claiming Omicron is mild has led to one of the most egregious and reckless public policies in recent memory: forcing workers and children into the flames of a raging virus that has unknown long-term effects. [And,] while it is true that resistance to vaccines and masks has made things worse, the phrase pandemic of the unvaccinated is demonstrably false in several ways. First, Biden and Democratic leaders have been abject failures at containing the spread of the virus because of their own actions and decisions. From day one, their approach has been vaccine-only. Pandemic of the unvaccinated lulls people by reassuring them that theres a vast swath of Americans who are unvaccinated and only those people will feel the effects of the virus. Which is flatly untrue.

#COVID19

Case count by United States regions:

Giant steps return. (I wrote: As happened in 2020, I would expect a second, higher peak, from Omicron if for no other reason. Here we very are. This chart is a seven-day average, so changes in direction only show up when a train is really rolling.) It would sure be nice if rise like a rocket, and fall like a stick applied, but we cant know that yet. To be fair, previous peaks  how small the early ones look now  have been roughly symmetrical on either side. But the scale of this peak, and the penetration into the population, is unprecendented.

The official narrative that Covid is behind us, and that the pandemic will be over by January (Gottlieb), and I know some people seem to not want to give up on the wonderful pandemic, but you know what? Its over (Bill Maher) is completely exploded. What a surprise!

NOT UPDATED MWRA (Boston-area) wastewater detection:

The Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) service area includes 43 municipalities in and around Boston, including not only multiple school systems but several large universities. Since Boston is so very education-heavy, then, I think it could be a good leading indicator for Covid spread in schools generally.

From CDC: Community Profile Report (PDF), Rapid Riser counties:

Oof. Thats not looking good (though congratulations, Maine. Makes me wonder if General Winter is protecting Maine and the Great Plains, not because Covid is seasonal, but because everybodys hunkered down because of the snow. Ski resorts the exception, I suppose; theyve been hot spots before). It also looks like CDC got its spreadsheet fixed  the one where theyd dropped data from the first seven states in alpha order. Brilliancy prize to alert reader johnherbiehancock for catching this.

The previous release:

I had helpfully marked states where no data is being reported in gray.

Hospitalization (CDC Community Profile):

Makes you wonder when the entire map will be orange, especially since hospitalizations lag cases (Note trend, whether up or down, is marked by the arrow, at top. Admissions are presented in the graph, at the bottom. So its possible to have an upward trend, but from a very low baseline.)

Death rate (Our World in Data):

Total: 861,336 859,356 .

Covid cases in top us travel destinations (Statista):

Might as well check out where we go, in case we bring something back (as from Italy to New York in 2020). This is a log scale. (Sorry for the kerfuffle at the left. No matter how I tinker, it doesnt go away. (The data is from 2019, and so subject to subsequent events, but this is the best I can find.)

The excess deaths charts will appear weekly, on Friday.

Stats Watch

Small Business Optimism: United States Nfib Business Optimism Index [Trading Economics]. The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index in the United States increased to a 3-month high of 98.9 in December of 2021 from 98.4 in November, beating market forecasts of 98.6. More firms are planning to increase employment and capital outlays, improving earnings. There was also a slight recovery in expectations of business conditions over the next six months. Also, the share of owners raising average selling prices decreased two points to 57% and 49% of owners reported job openings that could not be filled, up a point from November.

* * *

The Bezzle: Why Were Still Waiting For the iCar [Bloomberg]. My wife and I absolutely love our Subaru Outback, but since Google Maps started freezing recently (and dangerously) on Apple CarPlay, we found ourselves blaming Subarunot Google or Applefor the glitches. After searching online, it seems increasingly likely that my Outback is not at fault (sorry, Subie!). Until the problem is fixed, Ill be driving my car the old-fashioned way, without any plugged-in Apple, Amazon or Google apps. So far, I havent notice a difference.

The Bezzle: Web3 had better not be Transaction Cost Hell [Noah Smith, Noahpinion]. So far, the main difference between web3 and webs 1 & 2 seems to be that web3 allows you to pay for stuff in cryptocurrency. This suggests that the main attraction of web3 might not be decentralization, but rather what economists call excludability  it will be stuff people pay for, rather than free stuff Imagine if everything you do online required you to decide whether to make a tiny payment. Send an email? Pay a few cents. Read one more paragraph of an article? Pay a few cents. And so on. It would be an utter nightmare. The psychic cost of having to decide whether to pay a tiny amount for a tiny piece of product, dozens or hundreds of times a day, would be enormous. Some people would just choose not to deal with the hassle, and instead to simply use a ton of paid services and see their bill at the end of the month, like they do when using electricity in their house; but this carefree attitude would naturally lead them to buy far more than they really wanted, and when they saw a few of those monthly bills, they would reconsider. In the end, most of these users would likely migrate back to either free ad-supported services or to subscription services that only make you think about payments once in a while. This is why the people trying to build web3 should probably steer away from making it just micropayments, but in crypto. I know this might sound crazy, but having to pay for stuff is not a feature.  Using the blockchain for micropayments seems. ill-advised. So thats probably what theyll try.

Tech: On Releasing Annotator-Level Labels and Information in Datasets [Vinodkumar Prabhakaran, Aida Mostafazadeh Davani, Mark Diaz]. A common practice in building NLP datasets, especially using crowd-sourced annotations, involves obtaining multiple annotator judgements on the same data instances, which are then flattened to produce a single ground truth label or score, through majority voting, averaging, or adjudication. While these approaches may be appropriate in certain annotation tasks, such aggregations overlook the socially constructed nature of human perceptions that annotations for relatively more subjective tasks are meant to capture. In particular, systematic disagreements between annotators owing to their socio-cultural backgrounds and/or lived experiences are often obfuscated through such aggregations. In this paper, we empirically demonstrate that label aggregation may introduce representational biases of individual and group perspectives.  So, a lot of those training sets the AI crowd uses are really, really bad.

Mr. Market: This is fine:

* * *

Todays Fear & Greed Index: 59 Greed (previous close: 50 Neutral) [CNN]. One week ago: 67 (Greed). (0 is Extreme Fear; 100 is Extreme Greed). Last updated Jan 11 at 1:59pm

LAffaire Joffrey Epstein

Ghislaine Maxwell Juror Who Could Upend Conviction Works for Carlyle Group [Bloomberg]. Plot twist: The juror in Ghislaine Maxwells sex-trafficking trial whose press comments may result in a new trial for the convicted socialite works as an executive assistant at private-equity giant Carlyle Group Inc. In video and newspaper interviews since the Dec. 29 verdict, the juror said he was a victim of sex abuse as a child and that his story helped sway other members of the panel who questioned the credibility of some of Maxwells accusers. Following his interviews, prosecutors asked the judge for an inquiry into Scotty Davids comments. Maxwells lawyers said the judge should skip straight to ordering a new trial.

The Agony Column

The Wisdom of Trauma [Gabor Mate]. Trauma is the invisible force that shapes our lives. It shapes the way we live, the way we love and the way we make sense of the world. It is the root of our deepest wounds. Dr. Mate gives us a new vision: a trauma-informed society in which parents, teachers, physicians, policy-makers and legal personnel are not concerned with fixing behaviors, making diagnoses, suppressing symptoms and judging, but seek instead to understand the sources from which troubling behaviors and diseases spring in the wounded human soul.

Groves of Academe

Yale, Georgetown, Other Top Schools Illegally Collude to Limit Student Financial Aid, Lawsuit Alleges [Wall Street Journal]. [faints]. Sixteen major U.S. universities, including Yale University, Georgetown University and Northwestern University, are being sued for alleged antitrust violations because of the way they work together to determine financial-aid awards for students. According to a lawsuit filed in Illinois federal court late Sunday by law firms representing five former students who attended some of the schools, the universities engaged in price fixing and unfairly limited aid by using a shared methodology to calculate applicants financial need. Schools are allowed under federal law to collaborate on their formulas, but only if they dont consider applicants financial need in admissions decisions. The suit alleges these schools do weigh candidates ability to pay in certain circumstances, and therefore shouldnt be eligible for the antitrust exemption. The suit seeks damages and a permanent end to the schools collaboration in calculating financial need and awarding aid.  Sortition!

Class Warfare

The Dawn of Antitrust and the Egalitarian Roots of the Sherman Act [Pro Market]. The conventional interpretation of American antitrust laws origins has under-emphasized their pro-democratic and egalitarian tenor. This has come to pass, in part, by reading them through the analytical prism of the self-coordinating marketa theoretical construct that tends to naturalize some legal and social allocations of economic coordination rights, while casting others as deviant. While I do not claim that antitrusts legal and political origins were homogenous, the legislative history of the first and foundational federal antitrust statute, the Sherman Act, indicates a legal purpose whose primary target was the concentration of economic coordination rightsas embodied, for instance, in the late nineteenth-century business trusts, which left the coordination of markets to a few men sitting at their council board, as Senator Sherman put it at one pointrather than economic coordination as such. While the self-coordinating market ideal can obscure this fact, the legislative history does not indicate disfavor of other, more democratic forms of economic coordinationfor instance, coordination between farmers, small producers, and workers. The legislation was essentially aimed at dispersing economic coordination rights, a conclusion reinforced by earlier precedents.

News of the Wired

Landmark Webb observatory is now officially a telescope [Nature]. After several tense days of unfurling and clicking its various parts into place, the biggest and most sophisticated space telescope ever launched is now complete. On 8 January, NASAs James Webb Space Telescope slowly swung the last 3 of its 18 hexagonal mirror segments into position, locking them together into one 6.5-metre-wide, gold-coated cosmic eye. The move capped an essentially flawless two weeks of engineering manoeuvres  the most complex astronomical deployments ever attempted in space  since the telescopes Christmas Day launch. Photons are now bouncing between Webbs mirrors, making it an operational observatory. This is unbelievable, said Bill Ochs, NASAs project manager for Webb, in a 5 January webcast from mission control at the Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore, Maryland. We actually have a telescope. Next up, Webb will begin tweaking the positions of the primary mirrors 18 segments to align them to properly focus light that they collect. The telescope also continues to cool down towards its operating temperature of around 40 C above absolute zero, or 233 C. It is currently nearly 200 C on its cold side, behind the sunshield. After Webb reaches L2 in about two weeks, it will have around five more months of set-up before it can start returning science results. I cannot wait to see the first data, Nota says.  Im very pleased this hasnt screwed up. Encouraging!

* * *

: Readers, feel free to contact me at lambert [UNDERSCORE] strether [DOT] corrente [AT] yahoo [DOT] com, to (a) find out how to send me a check if you are allergic to PayPal and (b) to find out how to send me images of plants. Vegetables are fine! Fungi and coral are deemed to be honorary plants! If you want your handle to appear as a credit, please place it at the start of your mail in parentheses: (thus). Otherwise, I will anonymize by using your initials. See the previous Water Cooler (with plant) here . Todays plant (JC):

JC writes: For some reason whenever I see this photo (taken a few years ago on Makinac Island, MI) I think of the Water Cooler. Perhaps you can make this tree famous. Carry on with your good works.

* * *

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If you hate PayPal, you can email me at lambert [UNDERSCORE] strether [DOT] corrente [AT] yahoo [DOT] com, and I will give you directions on how to send a check. Thank you!
Jerri-Lynn here. Early auguries suggest the Democrats are going to get slammed in the upcoming mid-terms. As well they should, given their failure to deliver on any measures to improve the lot of Americans, particularly the essential workers at the bottom of the economic pyramid, let alone updating the New Deal and the Great Society for the twenty-first century. Enacting a right to paid sick leave, especially in the midst of a pandemic, should be a no-brainer, if party leaders saw the needs of constituents as paramount. Alas, its donor priorities that define the political agenda. So employers now insist on sick workers returning to the workplace, under threat of termination, no matter how sick  not to mention contagious  each may be.

By Brett Wilkins. Originally published at Common Dreams

As U.S. workers ill with Covid-19 during the Omicron surge face the stark choice of staying home without pay at the risk of losing their jobs or reporting to work and possibly infecting colleagues and customers, progressives on Monday renewed calls for the implementation of paid sick leave at the national level.

In the midst of a horrific pandemic, two-thirds of low-wage workers still lack access to paid sick leave. That is barbaric, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) tweeted.

We must guarantee that all workers have a right to paid sick leave, he added.

According to a report published Monday by Popular Information and the advocacy group More Perfect Union, workers at Red Lobster, the seafood restaurant chain owned by the private equity firm Golden Gate Capital, are being forced to report for work under threat of reprimands that could lead to termination.

NEW: Red Lobster refuses to provide paid sick leave to its 50,000+ restaurant workers during the ongoing pandemic. Employees told us horror stories of managers insisting they work while sick with COVID. In a new survey, 63% of Red Lobster workers said they worked sick. pic.twitter.com/97cMCTOQDB  More Perfect Union (@MorePerfectUS) January 10, 2022

The report states that:

James Swartz worked as a bartender at a Pennsylvania Red Lobster for a year-and-a-half starting in December 2019. He was paid $3.50 per hour, plus tips. In an interview, Swartz said when he developed Covid symptoms and told management he was not coming in for his weekend shifts, he was subjected to threats. Red Lobster management told Swartz that he needed to come in for work and if he didnt show up or find another way to cover the shift he would get written up.

Another Red Lobster employee who did not want to be identified for fear of retribution told The Columbus Dispatch that we dont have sick days and yes, I go into work when Im sick. If we call off, we get written up.

The worker said they would be fired after four write-ups.

Its a vicious cycle, Daniel Schneider, professor of public policy at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, told the Associated Press. As staffing gets depleted because people are out sick, that means that those that are on the job have more to do and are even more reluctant to call in sick when they in turn get sick.

One New Mexico worker, who also did not want to be identified, told the APthat they took time off to get tested for Covid-19 after experiencing symptoms of the illness.

I thought I was doing the right thing by protecting my co-workers, the workerwho lost $160 per day offsaid. Now I wish I just wouldve gone to work and not said anything.

Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) echoed the sentiments of many progressives when she tweeted Monday that theres a simple answer to these workers dilemma: Paid leave.
A pet dog ran off into the mountain wilderness. Four months later, rescuers found it trapped in 5 feet of snow. WaPo

Dolphins Have a Fully Functional Clitoris, Study Finds Gizmodo

Walk on: why 2022 should be the year of the pedestrian Time Out

Coldest air in three years coming to parts of the country NBC

Man gets genetically-modified pig heart in world-first transplant BBC

In Praise of Bad Taste Bookforum

Stendhal syndrome: The travel syndrome that causes panic BBC

Competitive e-cycling lets you be a champion from your apartment MIT Technology Review

Wild Child Dublin Review of Books

Scientists step up hunt for Asian unicorn, one of worlds rarest animals The Guardian

A New Generation of Craft Brewers Rises in the Middle East Afar

Go toss your cookies elsewhere: ten phrases that cause confusion across the Anglosphere The Conversation

A Glimpse Inside the Worlds Most Beautiful Libraries Literary Hub

#COVID-19

***

Sports Desk

Health Care

Climate

I think about this 2018 comment a lot. We should recognize that doing this  and proudly bragging about it  is shameful climate denial. pic.twitter.com/jMPxrhS10f  David Sirota (@davidsirota) January 11, 2022

Class Warfare

The Criminal Justice Issue Nobody Talks About: Brain Injuries Marshall Project

The forever prisoners of Guantanamo Deutsche Welle

Biden Administration

The importance of having House Democrats literally wait in line for the honor of shaking Dick Cheneys hand and heap praise on him isnt so much that it rehabilitates Cheney. What makes it important is what it says about the current-day Democratic Party and what and who they are. https://t.co/wKKYokvB8Y  Glenn Greenwald (@ggreenwald) January 9, 2022



Laffaire Jeffrey Epstein

The Supremes

Vaccine Mandates Have a Bad Day at the Supreme Court New Yorker

Supply Chain

Julian Assange

Australian media must stand up for Assanges freedom Independent Australia

Old Blighty

Turkey

Erdogan playing with economic and political fire Asia Times

Kazakhstan

Syraqistan

India

China?

China to host Iranian foreign minister amid US pressure over nuclear talks South China Morning Post

Antidote du Jour (via):

See yesterdays Links and Antidote du Jour here.
For the first time, India will allow the import of pork from the US, a decision taken at the US-India Trade Policy Forum held in New Delhi last November.

US Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack and Trade Representative Katherine Tai announced that the government of India has agreed to allow the import of American pork and pork products, removing a longstanding barrier in agricultural trade.

Taking to Twitter on Monday night, Tai said that she and Vilsack "are very happy with India's agreement to allow US pork imports for the first time. This is great news for our producers as we continue to strengthen our trade relationship with India.

"Thank you (Union Minister of Consumer Affairs) Piyush Goyal for facilitating this important development."

In a statement, Secretary Vilsack said: "This new opportunity marks the culmination of nearly two decades of work to gain market access for US pork to India - and it signals positive movement in US-India trade relations.

"We will continue working with the Indian government to ensure that the US pork industry can begin shipping its high-quality products to consumers as soon as possible."

In 2020, the US was the world's third-largest pork producer and second-largest exporter, with global sales of pork and pork products valued at $7.7 billion.

In fiscal year 2021, the US exported more than $1.6 billion of agricultural products to India.
Remittances are a vital source of income and foreign currency for many countries but are no substitute for home-grown development.

Between January and November of 2021 Mexico received $46.83 billion in remittances  transfers of money by workers of Mexican descent largely in the US but also other countries to individuals in Mexico. It is a 27% increase on the same period of 2020, which itself was a record year for remittances. According to El Financiero, its the highest rate of increase in 18 years.

The Bank of Mexico still hasnt published the data for December 2021 but barring a sudden, sharp reversal, Mexicos remittance haul for 2021 will surpass $50 billion for the first time ever. Thats after increasing by 11.4% to $40.6 billion in 2020, a year when the U.S. economy, where 98% of the remittances to Mexico originate, suffered its worst annual contraction since 1946.

Mexico has registered 19 straight months of rising remittance inflows. Between January and November 2021, almost 124 million remittance payments were registered, 14.2% more than in the same period of 2020. Mexican migrant workers are not just sending money back home more often; they are sending larger amounts each time. The average remittance in the period was $378, 11% higher than in 2020.

A Blessing for Mexico

On Friday, Mexicos President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador (AMLO) described the trend as a blessing for the country he leads:

It is the main source of income for Mexico. The data for December is an estimate, but I can tell you we have figures before the Bank of Mexico [releases its data] and we make a projection and it generally matches up, and we are calculating that by December we will be at $51.63 billion the equivalent of eight thousand pesos a month for 10 million families.

Mexico is not the only Latin American country to have seen a sharp rise in remittance flows in 2021. According to the World Banks latest projections, published in November, Latin America and the Caribbean would receive a record remittance haul of $126 billion dollars in 2021, which would represent an increase of 21.6% on 2020. Mexico would account for just over 40% of the total.

In most parts of the world, remittances increased in 2021. Though the full data for the year is not yet available, the World Bank estimates that remittances to low- and middle-income countries grew by 7.3% in 2021, to reach a record $589 billion:

For a second consecutive year, remittance flows to low- and middle-income countries (excluding China) are expected to surpass the sum of foreign direct investment (FDI) and overseas development assistance (ODA). This underscores the importance of remittances in providing a critical lifeline by supporting household spending on essential items such as food, health, and education during periods of economic hardship in migrants countries of origin.

The bank expected remittances to grow by 9.7% in the Middle East and North Africa, 8% in South Asia, 6.2% in Sub-Saharan Africa and 5.3% in Europe and Central Asia. The only region where remittances were forecast to fall in 2021 was the Asia Pacific.

The rapid recovery and dramatic resurgence of remittances is one of the big  and largely pleasant  economic surprises of the pandemic era. In April 2020, at the onset of the pandemic, the World Bank painted the bleakest of pictures for global remittances. As the global economy seized up, financial markets plunged and many migrant workers lost their jobs or hurried home, the multilateral lending institution warned that remittances would drop precipitously, just as had happened in the wake of the Global Financial Crisis:

Remittance flows are expected to fall across all World Bank Group regions, most notably in Europe and Central Asia (27.5 percent), followed by Sub-Saharan Africa (23.1 percent), South Asia (22.1 percent), the Middle East and North Africa (19.6 percent), Latin America and the Caribbean (19.3 percent), and East Asia and the Pacific (13 percent).

Fortunately, the forecasts were wildly off target. In the end, global remittances declined by only 1.7% in 2020 and in some regions, such as Latin America, they actually ended the year in positive territory. That trend accelerated sharply in 2021.

The adverse impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and Hurricanes Grace and Ida encouraged migrant workers from Mexico and Central America to send more funds to their struggling families back at home. Other big drivers include the recovery of job markets and fiscal and social assistance programs in host economies as well as the formalization of payment transfers, which mean the money is more likely to show up in official records.

Another key factor is the recent surge in northward migration from Central and South America to Mexico, the United States and Canada, as economic and political instability rises across the region. Venezuela, for example, saw a 664% increase in outbound migration between 2015 and 2020. In 2021, Mexico alone received ten times the number of migrants from Venezuela than it did in 2020, many of whom are trying to reach the United States.

More Migration = More Remittances

The total number of migrant workers in the world has more than tripled since 2010, from 53 million to 170 million, according to the International Labor Organisation (ILO). Migrant workers often end up doing jobs that are deemed essential, many of them low paid. In the U.S. they have been in everything from cleaning services, hospitals and everything that provides services despite COVID-19, says Sonia Plaza, co-chair of the World Banks Global Knowledge Association for Migration and Development (KNOMAD).

Demand for migrant workers could increase sharply in the coming months if the governments of advanced economies carry through with their vaccine mandates, thus consigning millions of unvaccinated domestic workers to the scrapheap at a time of acute labor shortages. They will include untold thousands of doctors and nurses. In their absence, the heath care systems of advanced economies will grow even more reliant on overseas workers  according to the United Nations, close to one third of all doctors in the UK and the United States are already from overseas  while exacerbating the chronic shortage of physicians in developing countries.

The arrival of more and more low-skilled migrant workers is also likely to further drive down the wages of low-wage workers in advanced economies while helping to drive up profits for wealthy corporations. As the U.S. immigration economist George J Borjas noted in a 2016 article for Politico magazine, while the influx of immigrants can potentially be a net good for the nation, increasing the total wealth of the population for many Americans, the influx of immigrants hurts their prospects significantly:

When the supply of workers goes up, the price that firms have to pay to hire workers goes down. Wage trends over the past half-century suggest that a 10 percent increase in the number of workers with a particular set of skills probably lowers the wage of that group by at least 3 percent. Even after the economy has fully adjusted, those skill groups that received the most immigrants will still offer lower pay relative to those that received fewer immigrants. Both low- and high-skilled natives are affected by the influx of immigrants. But because a disproportionate percentage of immigrants have few skills, it is low-skilled American workers, including many blacks and Hispanics, who have suffered most from this wage dip. The monetary loss is sizable [I]mmigration redistributes wealth from those who compete with immigrants to those who use immigrantsfrom the employee to the employer. And the additional profits are so large that the economic pie accruing to all natives actually grows. I estimate the current immigration surplusthe net increase in the total wealth of the native populationto be about$50 billion annually. But behind that calculation is a much larger shift from one group of Americans to another: The total wealth redistribution from the native losers to the native winners is enormous, roughly a half-trillion dollars a year.

There are other downsides and dark sides of the remittances story, which I laid out in the July 20, 2021 article, Remittances to Latin America Surge, Even As Virus Crisis Continues to Bite in Host Economies:

For example, there is the brain drain effect as many of the most skilled workers in low and middle-income countries move to host countries that offer better employment incentives and opportunities. If this process goes too far, it can exacerbate, rather than mitigate, inequalities between countries by depriving low-income countries of their best and brightest. Some countries end up facing acute labor shortages. The Philippines, for example, where roughly two in five qualified nurses end up working abroad, now has the lowest number of nurses per capita in Southeast Asia.

This can end up perpetuating a vicious cycle. The more that low-income countries function to provide cheap labor to high-income economies, the more difficult it is to develop a strong economy at home. As a result, yet more people leave for greener shores. Of course, there are myriad other pressures, pushing people in the Global South to migrate northwards, including climate change, resource wars and drug wars, political instability and all-round economic hardship exacerbated by the virus crisis.

In Mexico, remittances account for around 5% of GDP but in some states, such as Puebla, they can represent as much as 10% of total revenues. In smaller, weaker economies the degree of dependence is even greater. In El Salvador, Honduras and Jamaica, remittances respectively account for a staggering 26.2%, 26.6% and 23.6% of GDP. In all three countries remittances increased by more than 20% in 2021, in part due to the increased flow of migrants to Mexico, the U.S and other countries. If that flow of money were to begin to subside, the impact on those nations already fragile economies would be huge.
By Jerri-Lynn Scofield, who has worked as a securities lawyer and a derivatives trader. She is currently writing a book about textile artisans.

The Interior Department announced yesterday that it intends to block oil and gas leasing on about 11 million acres on Alaskas North Slope, an area previously set aside for fossil fuel development, according to yesterdays Wall Street Journal, U.S. Moves to Restrict Oil Leasing in Alaska.

Per the Journal:

The action, announced in connection with a federal lawsuit brought by environmentalists, would reverse a Trump administration effort to expand oil production in the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska.

The reserve had been set aside for oil and gas development in the 1920s. Under former President Barack Obama, the federal government restricted oil and gas development to 11.8 million acres of the reserve.

The Trump administration moved to expand that to 18.6 million acres, saying developing the resources would improve the nations energy security and boost the Alaskan economy.

Now, I give some credit to the Interior Department for its decision, but nonetheless point out that the agency was prodded by an outside lawsuit to take action. According to the WSJ:

That drew a lawsuit from environmental groups. President Biden ordered a review, and on Monday Interior officials said that cutting back the area that can be leased will benefit threatened and endangered species without offering specifics. Its decision would revert to the Obama-era plan for the region, restoring restrictions on the 7 million acres of land the Trump administration had planned to open up. Mr. Biden has been looking to restrict oil production from federal land as a way to reduce the planet-warming gases that cause climate change.

The Biden administration had pledged during the campaign to undertake a more comprehensive review of federal oil and gas leasing policy but has yet to fulfil that promise. While theres no question of Biden pursuing the drill baby drill policy the Trump administration promoted, nor is it doing much more than maintaining a holding pattern. The Journal reported:

Mr. Biden has been under pressure from environmental groups to fulfill a campaign pledge to ban new permits for oil and gas drilling on federal land and offshore. That still falls far short of what the administrations commitments are on climate, said Jeremy Lieb, a lawyer with nonprofit Earthjustice, of Mondays announcement. Mr. Biden has also suspended oil leasing in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, a largely untouched 19 million acres on the opposite side of Alaskas Arctic, in the northeast corner of the state. Congress in 2017 gave the industry long-sought-after access to the refuge, but Biden administration officials are reviewing options for potentially undoing leases the Trump administration had awarded under that 2017 law.

Legacy of Bipartisan Failure on Fossil Fuel Development and Climate Change

As welcome as the Biden reversal of Trump policy is, its important not to obscure the climate change failures of both parties. Although Democratic and Republican policies on North Slope fossil fuel leases, differ somewhat,even Democratic policy falls far short of a moratorium on further development. Projected near-term production levels on the North Slope carry perils for the planet. As The Frontiersman reported in North Slope oil production holds steady as two new ConocoPhillips projects ramp up:
(Natural News) The Orange County Florida Sheriffs Office announced on Twitter Sunday that legendary comedian and actor Bob Saget was found dead in his hotel room at age 65.

(Article by Kelen McBreen republished from Infowars.com)

Earlier today, deputies were called to the Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes for a call about an unresponsive man in a hotel room, the post stated. The man was identified as Robert Saget & pronounced deceased on scene. Detectives found no signs of foul play or drug use in this case.

Earlier today, deputies were called to the Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes for a call about an unresponsive man in a hotel room. The man was identified as Robert Saget & pronounced deceased on scene. Detectives found no signs of foul play or drug use in this case. #BobSaget pic.twitter.com/aB1UKiOlmi  Orange County Sheriffs Office (@OrangeCoSheriff) January 10, 2022

Notably, Saget admitted during a December 13th episode of his podcast Bob Sagets Here For You that he had received a Covid booster jab just days before.

I went to the pharmacy the other day and got a booster shot, he explained. I should have gotten it in my arm, but I got it in my butt.

TODAYS NEW EP I talk to callers, all with funny or touching storiesI surprised Elizabeth and her super-fan dad, Karen tells me of nightmare Tinder matches, and Sam the DJ who called hungover. Listen at: https://t.co/RtuHo3h5ZP @allthingscomedy pic.twitter.com/qlneBJGKvF

 bob saget (@bobsaget) December 13, 2021

I try not to preach. I got my booster shot. I got my booster shot the day before yesterday, Saget said towards the end of the podcast linked below.

(Around the 1:35:30 mark)

On November 28th, the comedian posted a joke about the booster shot on Twitter.

I went to the dumbest pharmacist yesterday and asked for my booster and he gave me a childs seat. I was pissed until I sat at the table and was a foot taller.

 bob saget (@bobsaget) November 29, 2021

Throughout the pandemic, Saget frequently promoted the experimental mRNA shots on social media.

In a February Twitter post, the Full House star insinuated the Covid vaccines would eliminate Covid by 2023.

Its so cool Covid is gone due to the vaccine and everyone in Congress all get along. Shit, sorry, I set this to post in 2023. My bad.

 bob saget (@bobsaget) February 7, 2021

In May, the comedian talked with CBS News about vaccine hesitancy and real facts about the vaccine.

Really love TODAYS NEW EPISODE with the incredible @DrLaPook@CBSNews talking so knowledgeably about vaccine hesitancy and all of the real facts about the vaccine. Heres another clip. Subscribe & Listen at: https://t.co/izN3LERJFL@ApplePodcastspic.twitter.com/avEtN5roMR

 bob saget (@bobsaget) May 3, 2021

A post from August declaring, I dont wanna preach, went on to ask followers to please get your vaccine today, claiming they save lives.

Please people, I dont wanna preach, but please get your visine today. Sorry, auto-correct I meant vaccine Help save eyesSorry, damn this auto-correct! I meant save lives.

 bob saget (@bobsaget) August 9, 2021

The vaccine appeared to be a huge joke to Saget, who once jested that he gets vaccinated five to six times a day and still feels great.

I get vaccinated five to six times a day and I feel great!!

 bob saget (@bobsaget) July 31, 2021

We are devastated to confirm that our beloved Bob passed away, Sagets family said in a statement.

While Sagets cause of death remains unknown, the booster clearly may have played a role.

Two weeks ago, a New York Times editor died from an unexpected heart attack just one day after he received the Moderna Covid-19 booster vaccine.

Meanwhile, as mainstream media ignores the data and Big Tech silences any dissenting viewpoints online, a report from the UK Health Security Agency reveals vaccinated people made up nearly 75% of Covid-19 deaths in Britain from Dec. 6 to Jan. 2.

The world needs to be made aware of the fact that the experimental Covid jabs are killing people across the globe.

Read more at: Infowars.com
(Natural News) World Alternative Media CEO Josh Sigurdson told the viewers of his Brighteon.com channel that the latest statement of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed what he has been saying since the early part of 2020  that the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) hasnt been isolated from a single human being and that a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test cannot be trusted to determine if a person is truly positive from the disease.

CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky recently said on Good Morning America that the newly updated guidelines of the agency dont require testing at the end of isolation because PCR tests can stay positive for up to 12 weeks. Sigurdson found it hilarious because he was trying to tell that to people from the very beginning.

The World Alternative Media CEO related that he was even called crazy for pointing out the obvious. Sigurdson also noted that YouTube took down his channel in October 2020 for giving information about COVID-19 that will continue to bring the peoples attention.

Sigurdson added that the World Health Organization (WHO) had also said that PCR tests are 96 percent false positive at 40 cycles or more while National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) Director Dr. Anthony Fauci said that 33 cycles or more are about 80 percent false positive. (Related: 22 Highly renowned scientists: Out of all of the COVID patients weve identified with the PCR test, 97% never had COVID.)

He further explained that you cannot discern illnesses with a PCR test  whether it is the flu, the cold or COVID-19.

COVID-positive but fully vaccinated can work; healthy unvaccinated cannot

During his program, Sigurdson also slammed the leaders of Canadian province Manitoba for considering the possibility of allowing COVID-19 positive healthcare workers to keep working as log as they are fully vaccinated.

Dr. Brent Roussin, Manitobas chief provincial public health officer, recently told the media that the province is looking at the possibility of having fully vaccinated healthcare workers who test positive for COVID-19 stay on the job to help avoid strain on the system.

We will have severe outcomes, which puts strain, but then well also see people working in critical jobs where they might be out having to isolate even if they have mild illness, Roussin said.

So as of right now, we make changes to health-care workers who may have been in close contact, if theyre double vaccinated, we can have them back under certain circumstances. And then, of course, if we get under a lot of strain because of transmission, we may have to look at things like that, as right now we dont have a policy where test positives come back and work, but we might have to take steps if necessary.

That didnt sit well with Sigurdson.

So if youre unvaccinated, youre a danger to everyone and you cant go to work, and youll lose your job. And theyll completely destroy the supply chain by firing everybody from their job, Sigurdson said. (Related: NY healthcare system fires 1,400 unvaccinated workers, many of whom have natural immunity against COVID.)

If youre unvaccinated, youre a danger. But lets say youre actually sick, like your nose is running, youre coughing, youre throwing up, youre shivering with a fever and thats okay. You could come to work if youre fully vaccinated. It is so over the top absurd at this point.

People behind the pandemic slowly bringing in a new tidal wave of ridiculous restrictions

Meanwhile, top federal health officials are looking to add a negative test as a requirement along with its five-day isolation restrictions for asymptomatic Americans who catch COVID-19 as the omicron variant continues to spread across the United States.

Fauci on Sunday, Jan. 2, said the CDC is considering including the negative test as part of its guidance after receiving a significant pushback on its updated approvals in the previous week.

Under that Dec. 27 guidance, isolation restrictions for people infected with COVID-19 were cut from 10 days to five days if they are no longer feeling symptoms. The patients are then asked to spend the next five days wearing a mask when around other people.

The guidelines have since earned criticism from several health professionals for not naming a negative antigen test as a requirement for leaving isolation.

There has been some concern about why we dont ask people at that five-day period to get tested. 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 CDC, Fauci stated.

Sigurdson pointed out that the people responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic scare are just slowly bringing in a new tidal wave of ridiculous restrictions.

Its psychological warfare. And they want to see how far they can push us before we fight back. And so far, we, as a general populace, are failing. And theyre winning. Now I know theyre saying all these things now that make us feel like we are winning. The narrative is collapsing. But theyre making way for a new narrative, Sigurdson stressed.

They will continue to crack down. The gauntlet will continue to come down. Theres more lockdown, its going to countries around the world while other ones open. It is all a farce. It is all meant to manipulate the minds of the masses and see how far they can enslave people.

He also mentioned that a fourth and fifth boosters will push through in some places and it will be a good litmus test of how far they can push it. The World Alternative Media CEO lamented that people will just forget about what is currently happening and that people behind the pandemic scare will then pile on more ridiculous restrictions and fearmongering in 2022.

Watch the video below to know more about the fraud called the COVID-19 pandemic.

This video is from the World Alternative Media channel on Brighteon.com.

Follow Outbreak.news for more news related to the coronavirus pandemic.

Sources include:

Brighteon.com

Winnipeg.CTVNews.ca

RepublicWorld.com
China firmly supports Kazakhstan in maintaining stability, stopping violence: MFA

(People's Daily App) 10:00, January 11, 2022

China on Monday said it was willing to firmly support Kazakhstan in maintaining stability and stopping violence at this critical moment concerning Kazakhstan's future.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Wang Wenbin cited Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi's remarks in a phone conversation with his counterpart Kazakh Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tileuberdi.

Wang Yi said during the call that China was ready to work with Kazakhstan to enhance cooperation between law enforcement and security departments, strengthen bilateral cooperation against external interference, uphold the two countries' political system and political power security, forestall and foil any attempt at instigating "color revolution", and jointly oppose the interference and infiltration of any external force, according to the spokesperson.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)


A fresh diplomatic spat has brewed between Nepal and India after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modis recent announcement to expand the road across the Lipulekh area which Nepal claims as its own. Addressing an election rally organised by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at Haldwani in Uttarakhand on December 30, Modi had announced that his government is further widening the road built in the Nepali territory of Lipulekh. Nepal has already protested the Indian government's ongoing construction of roads in Lipulekh and Kalapani areas. Nepal had protested on May 8, 2020, when Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had virtually inaugurated the newly-constructed road in Lipulekh. Following strong protests and criticisms within Nepal over the expansion of roads by India, the government of Nepal had issued new maps covering the areas including Lipulekh, Limpiyadhura and Kalapani. Immediately after that, Nepal tried to hold bilateral talks to amicably resolve the issue of the territory 'encroached' by India, but New Delhi did not show any interest in it. Until now, there has been no formal discussion on the topic. Nepal and India have been indulging in boundary row after India unveiled its new political map in November, 2019. Nepal protested India's decision to incorporate the disputed areas in its territory. In response, the then K.P. Sharma Oli government in Nepal unveiled a new political map in May 2029 incorporating Lipulekh, Kalapani and Limpiyadhura. Though both sides have vowed to settle the boundary dispute through diplomatic and political talks and channels, no concrete bilateral negotiations have taken place yet. Modi, in his speech, had said that the road has been widened to Lipulekh and work is underway to widen the road towards the religious tourist site, Kailash Mansarovar. In this connection, the main opposition Nepal Communist Party-UML has taken exception to the announcement made by Modi on Lipulekh. Issuing a statement on Tuesday, chief of the party's foreign affairs wing, Rajan Bhattarai, called for ending such activities that violate sovereignty, territorial integrity and self-respect of Nepal. "CPN-UML unwaveringly believes that construction of roads and other structures should be stopped, the issue should be promptly resolved through dialogue and no structure should be built at the state level until resolution is reached through dialogue," the statement read. Bhattarai said that several questions have been raised as the government is silent on such serious issues related to nationalism. The party has also urged the government to promptly start dialogue with its Indian counterpart on the issue, ask India to stop all kinds of 'bullying' and take fruitful initiative to establish practical ownership of Nepal over the 'encroached' territories. The ruling CPN (Unified Socialist) also issued a statement on Monday and took exception to the road expansion by India in the 'encroached' Nepali territory of Lipulekh and condemned the recent statement of Narendra Modi. Despite calls from different quarters, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Nepal has not made any comment on the issue yet.




(Natural News) White House Chief Medical Advisor Dr. Anthony Fauci has admitted that the federal government is considering redefining what it means to be fully vaccinated against the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19).

Were using the terminology now keeping your vaccinations up to date, rather than what fully vaccinated means, said Fauci during a meeting hosted by the National Institutes of Health. He elaborated further by saying that keeping vaccinations up to date means getting a third shot of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, or a second shot of the vaccine developed by Johnson & Johnson. (Related: Anthony Fauci SUPPRESSED effective treatments against COVID-19 to benefit Big Pharma  Brighteon.TV.)

Fauci made this announcement in response to the latest news coming out of Israel stating that the countrys government plans to update the definition of fully vaccinated to mean people who have received two COVID-19 vaccine booster doses.

We need to find out what the durability of protection of the third shot is before we start thinking about the fourth shot, said Fauci.

Kristen Nordlund, a spokeswoman for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), contradicted Fauci by claiming that the definition of fully vaccinated has not really changed. The technical definition of fully vaccinated  two doses of an mRNA vaccine or one dose of the J&J vaccine  has not changed, said Nordlund. Individuals are considered fully vaccinated once they have received their primary series.

Jeff Zients, the White Houses coronavirus response coordinator, reiterated Nordlunds claims. Someone is considered fully vaccinated if they receive their primary series of vaccines, he said. That has not changed and we do not have any plans to change that.

Faucis comments came after the CDC recommended that people take the vaccine booster made by Pfizer five months after the first two-dose regimen, which is one month earlier than the agency previously recommended. For the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson boosters, the CDCs recommendations for when to get boosters remain at six months and two months, respectively.

As we have done throughout the pandemic, we will continue to update our recommendations to ensure the best possible protection for the American people, claimed CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky in a statement. Following the FDAs [Food and Drug Administration] authorizations, todays recommendations ensure people are able to get a boost of protection in the face of [the post-vaccine omicron variant] and increasing cases across the country.

Change of definition to affect COVID-19 vaccine mandates

In line with the changing definition of fully vaccinated, government officials have also started changing how they discuss COVID-19 vaccine mandates. Instead of calling them mandates, they now prefer to use the term requirements.

Mandates  thats a radioactive word, said Fauci during an interview with CNBC. Requirements  people seem to respond better to that  they work. We are never going to get out of this outbreak if we still have 50 million people who for reasons that are still very, very difficult to understand, refuse to get vaccinated when you have a virus thats killed 800,000 Americans and caused 50 million infections.

So, if people still do not want to get vaccinated, sometimes you have to, for the common good, make requirements, he continued. (Related: Fauci dismisses peoples freedom as he calls for nationwide vaccine mandate.)

Listen to this Situation Update episode of the Health Ranger Report, a podcast by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger as he sends a dire warning about how 10 million people every day are getting the experimental and deadly COVID-19 vaccines.

This is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com.

Learn more about how Fauci and the federal government are pushing for more dangerous and experimental vaccines at Vaccines.news.

Sources include:

TheEpochTimes.com

WesternJournal.com

Townhall.com

Brighteon.com
(Natural News) French President Emmanuel Macron revealed that part of his strategy against the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) is pissing off the unvaccinated by limiting their freedoms. He added that his government will continue this tactic until those refusing the COVID-19 vaccine relent and agree to get the shot.

The French leader made this admission during a Jan. 4 interview with the Le Parisien newspaper. As for the non-vaccinated, I really want to piss them off. We will continue to do this to the bitter end. This is the strategy. Macron added that he vows to keep the pressure on the unvaccinated by limiting, as much as possible, their access to social life activity, he said.

According to Macron, only a small minority was resisting the countrys calls for vaccination.

How do we reduce that minority? We reduce it  sorry for the expression  by pissing them off even more, Macron said. I am not going to put them in prison, I am not going to forcibly vaccinate them. [Instead, I will] say to them: From Jan. 15  you can no longer go to a restaurant; you can no longer go for a drink; you can no longer go for a coffee; you can no longer go to the theater; you can no longer go to the cinema. (Related: Macron says French citizens who want to shop, dine, travel or worship must get vaccinated for covid.)

Macron repeatedly referred to the unvaccinated as non-citizens throughout his Le Parisien interview. When my freedom comes to threaten that of other people, I become irresponsible. An irresponsible person is no longer a citizen, he explained.

The French president was not the only official who had strong words for the unvaccinated. Prime Minister Jean Castex told lawmakers in the French Senate on Jan. 5: Who outrages [and] fractures the nation? Who drives the nursing staff in our casualty departments to make drastic ethical choices? Its a tiny minority. To be a citizen is also to have obligations.

French government spokesperson Gabriel Attal, meanwhile, said during a Jan. 5 press conference: Who pisses off whose life today? Who ruins the lives of our nursing staff whove been mobilized for two years, snowed under in our intensive care units to save patients who today are largely unvaccinated? Its those who are opposed to the vaccine.

Macrons words condemned inside and outside France

Several personalities inside and outside the country took to social media to denounce Macrons remarks during his Jan. 3 interview. The incumbent French president is seeking a second term in the countrys presidential elections in April 2022. Two of his rivals grabbed the opportunity to condemn his statements.

National Rally candidate Marine Le Pen accused Macron of persisting in division and seeking to make the non-vaccinated second-class citizens. Valerie Pecresse of the Lets Be Free political party said she was offended by the presidents remarks. Its not for the president of the [French] Republic to separate good from bad French people, she said.

Sixty-five-year-old Sophie, who is unvaccinated, said Macrons language was counterproductive. The more you get threats like that, the more people will resist, she told Euronews. The sexagenarian had intended to get the COVID-19 vaccine, but hesitated over safety concerns. (Related: More European nations introducing policies to prevent the unvaccinated from rejoining public life.)

Outside France, Macrons remarks against the unvaccinated did not sit too well with some personalities.

Urologist and Newsmax medical contributor Dr. David Samadi tweeted on Jan. 5 that governments are getting bolder every day with his rhetoric, in reference to Macron dubbing unvaccinated people as non-citizens.

Paul Joseph Watson of Summit News also tweeted on Jan. 5: Macrons comments are completely beyond the pale. Really vile stuff. In a just world, his election hopes would now be toast.

Watch the video below about Macrons plan to force the COVID-19 vaccine on the French population by means of vaccine passports.

This video is from the Kim Osboel  Copenhagen Denmark channel on Brighteon.com.

MedicalMartialLaw.com has more about authorities in France and other countries discriminating against unvaccinated people.

Sources include:

InfoWars.com

Axios.com

Euronews.com

Twitter.com 1

Twitter.com 2

Brighteon.com
(Natural News) Well, butter my buns and call me a biscuit if this aint the biggest revealing tell in years.

Article by Sundance republished from TheConservativeTreehouse.com)

Apparently Big Tech and big propaganda media, Reuters and the Associated Press, have joined together to refute the concept of Mass Formation Psychosis, and pushed their collective narrative into the narrative engineering system:

The Associated Press  SEE HERE and Reuters  SEE HERE, quickly rush to the fact check typeset to stop people from recognizing what is most likely the cause of their own psychosis. In a world where things are no longer shocking, this is, well, a little shocking, in a weird and seemingly Orwellian kind of way.

Yes Alice, the same experts and media who are credibly accused of creating/enabling the mass formation psychosis would like to assure us that no such reality exists. This is almost too funny.

(AP)  [] The concept has no academic credibility, Stephen Reicher, a social psychology professor at the University of St Andrews in the U.K., wrote in an email to The Associated Press. The term also does not appear in the American Psychological Associations Dictionary of Psychology.

Psychosis is a term that refers to conditions that involve some disconnect from reality. According to a National Institutes of Health estimate, about 3% of people experience some form of psychosis at some time in their lives.

[] The description of mass formation psychosis offered by Malone resembles discredited concepts, such as mob mentality and group mind, according to John Drury, a social psychologist at the University of Sussex in the U.K. who studies collective behavior. The ideas suggest that when people form part of a psychological crowd they lose their identities and their self-control; they become suggestible, and primitive instinctive impulses predominate, he said in an email.

That notion has been discredited by decades of research on crowd behavior, Drury said. No respectable psychologist agrees with these ideas now, he said.

Multiple experts told the AP that while there is evidence that groups can shape or influence ones behaviors  and that people can and do believe falsehoods that are put forward by the leader of a group  those concepts do not involve the masses experiencing psychosis or hypnosis. (read more)

Reuters offers this simultaneous rebuttal:

(Reuters)  Mass formation psychosis is not an academic term recognized in the field of psychology, nor is there evidence of any such phenomenon occurring during the COVID-19 pandemic, multiple experts in crowd psychology have told Reuters.

[] There is no evidence to suggest a mass formation psychosis has occurred during the pandemic, experts told Reuters. The term itself is not recognised among academics, and modern research into crowd psychology has shown that crowds do not behave in mindless or non-individualistic ways. (more)

Once a collective group creates an alternate reality of itself, in this case a totalitarian reality based on government needing to create an irrational illusion of fear that becomes part of the accepted national identity, how can anyone call attention to the outcomes without finding themselves in front of the board of inquisition who organizes the collective?

Put another way if the pod under your bed malfunctioned, but the pods under all the other beds in the city worked, what happens when you awaken and realize you are not one of them, but you must engage in the world of them while looking for others -like yourself- whose pods hopefully malfunctioned? That is the current challenge for anyone trying to communicate on contrary evidence and yet avoid the ire from the collective board of COVID compliance who have successfully brainwashed the audience.

As a rather prescient Lewis Carroll shared so brilliantly in his novel of Alice, Through The Looking Glass:

If I had a world of my own, everything would be nonsense. Nothing would be what it is, because everything would be what it isnt. And contrary wise, what is, it wouldnt be. And what it wouldnt be, it would. You see?

So here we are.

Cheers !

Read more at: TheConservativeTreehouse.com
(Natural News) Dr. Jim Meehan called Dr. Anthony Fauci, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and others involved in the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic as monstrous liars and corrupt monsters during the recent ReAwaken America Tour.

The CDC, the NIH, Anthony Fauci, and the rest, they are corrupt monsters, and they are running our country right now. They are puppets. Its always the 1 percent, the Luciferian cabal that has been running our country for so long, said Meehan, a medical director from Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Its time that we show them that 99 percent will kick your ass out of this country. We have all the power. And its time to put our toes on the line, stop playing defense and get on the offense. Were going to take this country back.

The doctor added that its going to have to start by protecting our children.

The erosion in childhood health weve been seeing in the population for the last 50, 60 years. And that erosion is a mystery to everyone in medicine because nobody wants to look at the damn vaccines and see that they are tobacco science. They are based on junk science, said Meehan, a father of five.

Meehan called Fauci and the so-called medical police state monstrous liars that should be held accountable for treason. That man [Fauci] is a monster. If you have not read Robert F. Kennedy Jr.s new book, The Real Anthony Fauci, you dont understand what Ive known for about two decades now that that man is evil. Its not just incompetence, hes evil.

He added that Fauci has been killing patients with AIDS and experimenting on foster children to take the experimental medicines he was pimping for pharmaceutical companies. (Related: Fauci demands America use children as human guinea pigs for covid vaccine experiments.)

He doesnt just torture beagles, he tortures children. And hes going to try to do it to your children with a COVID-19 vaccine that will kill more children, explained Meehan, who also prayed that healthy young children will not die from COVID-19 and that they will be protected from this bioweapon.

Meehan took note that masking children is child abuse since they are breathing bacteria deep into their lungs. He added that bacterial pneumonias are exploding in the population because children are being deprived of oxygen and it is like committing suicide at rates that the world has never seen.

We have all the power. And its time to put our toes on the line, stop playing defense and get on the offense. Were going to take this country back. But its going to have to start by protecting our children. And let me tell you, theyve been poisoning our children for a century now, Meehan stressed.

Child tissues harvested and used in vaccines

Meehan noted that childrens tissues are harvested to become the manufacturing substrate for many of the live virus vaccines like the Janssen COVID-19 vaccine made by Johnson & Johnson.

Were using these cells from a child that was sacrificed at the moment of its birth that were contaminating the lives, the health of our children, Meehan pointed out. He added that many of these cell lines have been mutating over 40 to 60 years and that the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is from an 18-week-old fetus.

The reality is were being lied to at every level. But the poisoning has been going on for a very long time. When you have 54 percent of children in the world suffering from one or more 21 chronic diseases, you have a serious problem, Meehan said.

They think its a mystery because they dont want to look at the vaccines. What are they doing during COVID-19? If youve never hadnt figured it out now, you should know right now. Theyre lying to you. They are taking expert opinion just to avert meta analysis of multiple randomized control trials.

Meanwhile, Fauci recently told reluctant parents that children five years old and above should be vaccinated so that they will protected from COVID-19. If your child is five years of age and older, please get them vaccinated. We need to protect the children. This idea that children are not vulnerable at all is not so, Fauci said.

Fauci noted that although children are less likely to acquire severe COVID-19 infections compared to adults and the elderly, the number of COVID-19 cases in children ages 5-11 is now at over two million.

Its not only good for the health of the child but also to prevent the spread in the community. We have a very safe and highly effective vaccine for everyone, including children 5-11, and thats the reason why we encourage parents to get their children vaccinated, Fauci said.

According to the CDC and Kaiser Family Foundation, estimates released in December showed that only 4.7 million or 16.7 percent of the 28 million American children ages 5-11 have taken at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine with only 4.3 percent of them fully vaccinated.

Watch this video to know more about the people behind the pandemic and the COVID-19 vaccines.

This video is from Thrivetime Show channel on Brighteon.com.

Follow Vaccines.news for more news related to COVID-19 vaccines.

Sources include:

Brighteon.com

BusinessInsider.com
(Natural News) International trial lawyer Dr. Reiner Fuellmich said on Dec. 31 that the latest bombshell about the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines will dismantle the big pharmaceutical companies that have pocketed billions of dollars during the pandemic.

In a video presented by OVAL Media-Prevent Global Genocide channel and shown on Brighteon.com, Fuellmich discussed with Dr. Wolfgang Wodarg the latest game-changing findings by researcher Craig Paardekooper of Kingston University London.

Vaccine batches marked by varying toxicity

According to Wodarg, a German medical doctor and epidemiologist specializing in lung diseases and environmental medicine, the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) data shows vaccine batches are sequentially marked by varying toxicity.

He added that this has now been statistically graphed out and will prove that the COVID vaccine manufacturers have worked in a coordinated fashion with the intent to purposely kill and maim people who have taken their vaccines.

Its not the vaccinations. Its not true that there is the same stuff in each in each shot. And we have a very hard evidence with the batches that are different, shaped differently, have different effect, Wodarg explained.

Wodarg took note of the lots and batches in the U.S. where there were no cases, while other batches showed many people dying. He explained that in some batches you can see that something is happening and this is where cases of toxicity expressed in deaths are seen. The German doctor added that the Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson vaccines have a horrible accumulation of cases in certain batches.

Fuellmich pointed out that once intent has been proven, there is no immunity or liability protection for anyone or any organization involved in these crimes against humanity.

If you look at the totality of the evidence, theres more than enough evidence. A very recent presentation done by [former Pfizer vice president] Dr. Mike Yeadon shows precisely how they use these different batches in order to have an experiment within an experiment in order to try out what kind of dosage is needed in order to kill people and maim people, said Fuellmich, who has successfully indicted big companies like Volkswagen and Deutsche Bank.

And it is inescapable evidence of premeditation and once you have premeditation, there is no immunity for anyone anymore. Not even in the United States.

Wodarg: Vaccines made to kill thousands intentionally

Wodarg said the vaccines were a planned, obscure trial and were made to kill thousands of people intentionally.

Fuellmich added that it was done in a coordinated effort and synchronized way with Pfizer taking the lead and followed by Moderna and Johnson & Johnson. He noted that these pharmaceutical companies all knew about this mass serial killing.

This is a legal problem. But this [graph] makes it a whole lot easier for any lawyer in this world to show intent. There is an inescapable conclusion from these graphs, Fuellmich said. You can show intent. They are deliberately using different dosages coordinated with each other so that they wont interfere with each other in order to try and find out what kills the best or what maims the best.

Dr. Sam White, a doctor from the United Kingdom who was suspended by the National Health Service (NHS) in June 2021 for raising concerns about the safety of the COVID injection, said that everything has been done to disguise the true figures and that the reporting systems were never robust enough for an outright clinical trial of millions or even billions of people.

If we can prove criminal intention, or even gross negligence, manslaughter, it may well be that those whove been harmed, or those whove lost a loved one can actually get some form of compensation, White said. At the moment, its basically impossible in the U.K. and worldwide. And thats been the case with vaccines for a long, long time. Its almost like unbelievable, that theres some sort of synchronized effort.

Fuellmich said that the findings will have immense legal repercussions when it is proven that the vaccines were deliberately and intentionally done to harm people.

You have to draw the legal conclusion and the legal conclusion is its intent. And from its intent, you can get punitive damages. You can go up to 21 times the actual damage, which is added on top of the actual damage. In these cases, I would think you can go up to thousand times because these people got so badly injured. I think this is going to be enough to dismantle the entire industry, Fuellmich concluded.

Watch the video below to learn more about the latest bombshell regarding the COVID-19 vaccines.

This video is from Prevent Global Genocide channel on Brighteon.com.

Follow BigPharmaNews.com for more news about the COVID-19 vaccine.

Sources include:

Brighteon.com

Mizzima.com
(Natural News) Contrary to what we have all been led to believe, there is still no available vaccine for the Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) that has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the prevention of COVID-19 disease in individuals 16 years of age and older.

Pfizers Comirnaty injection was approved (sort of) back in the fall, however it is not legally interchangeable with the Pfizer injections that people have been receiving under emergency use authorization (EUA).

This distinction has created a lot of confusion over whether or not the jabs can legally be pushed on the masses. It turns out that they cannot, though this is being done anyway using sleight of hand.

On August 23, the FDA did supposedly grant full approval for Comirnaty, which the Biden regime used as leverage to coerce millions into taking the shots. However, Comirnaty has not yet made its way into the United States and there appears to be no plans to make it available here anytime soon.

As a reasonable explanation, early on, Pfizer and its government allies claimed that Comirnaty was not yet available because the EUA shots were still lining the shelves, and the FDA-approved version would soon be made available to all, reported Great Game India about the situation.

It has been over 4 months now, since full approval, but Comirnaty is still not being distributed.

Law passed under Reagan requires that experimental childrens-version vaccines receive full approval before drug companies can obtain stronger legal immunity

It is important to emphasize that the FDA recognizes Comirnaty as a legally distinct product with certain differences compared to the EUA product from Pfizer-BioNTech.

At the same time, the FDA, which has financial ties to Pfizer, claims that the safety and effectiveness of both the EUA and the approved shots is the same.

Fact checkers leverage the latter point of safety and efficacy to claim that people are still getting access to ingredients akin to the fully approved product, Great Game India added.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has also confirmed that Comirnaty is not orderable at this time, and that Pfizer does not plan to produce any product with these NDCs (National Drug Codes) and labels over the next few months while EUA authorized product is still available and being made available for U.S. distribution.

Why, you might be asking, is Pfizer refusing to make the fully authorized version available? The answer appears to be that Pfizer does not want to open itself up to legal liability issues.

While an EUA does fully protect a drug-maker while granting zero legal recourse to the patient, a law passed during the Reagan Administration requires that a drug first secure full approval for the childrens version of the jab before more robust legal immunity from lawsuits for injuries and deaths can be granted.

The National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act (NCVIA), which was passed into law in 1986, provides a legal liability shield to drug manufacturers if they receive full authorization for all ages, reports explain.

Now is this the reason why Pfizer is seeking approval for children so that it can protect itself from lawsuits?

Since pharmaceutical companies are involved, this is almost guaranteed to be the case  because everyone knows that the drug industry only cares about one thing: profits. But is there another reason why not only Pfizer but also Moderna and Johnson & Johnson (J&J) are working relentlessly to authorize their products for children, who face near-zero risk from COVID-19, but continue to showcase alarming side effects from the vaccine?

The answer appears to be that these company crave an extensive, additional layer of protection from lawsuits that can only be obtained if Comirnaty becomes available for all ages.

The latest news about Fauci Flu injections can be found at ChemicalViolence.com.

Sources for this article include:

GreatGameIndia.com

NaturalNews.com

NaturalNews.com
(Natural News) Democrats in Washington State are now pushing a bill, WAC 246-100, which would authorize health officers (Democrat vaccine Gestapo) to kidnap anyone at gunpoint and throw them into covid concentration camps which have already been activated. The people targeted under this tyrannical rule need not show any signs of sickness or infection to be ripped from their homes and families. Democrat-run medical goons can simply look at people and declare, Youre sick, and you and you and have you taken away at gunpoint to be incarcerated in concentration camps which are already up and running (see below).

As NewsPunch wrote just yesterday, Democrats File New Bill Authorizing Strike Force to Imprison Unjabbed Families: Our Internment Camps Are Ready

Democrats in Washington State have introduced a new bill that will authorize the detainment of residents as young as 5 years old in Covid concentration camps, for failing to comply with the states draconian vaccine mandate.

If passed, WAC 246-100 will allow local health officers at his other sole discretion to issue an emergency detention order causing a person or group of persons to be immediately detained for purposes of isolation or quarantine.

In essence, a Democrat governor (Inslee) who did nothing to stop the CHAZ seizing of downtown Seattle (and who is clearly working for the radical Marxist Left) is going to launch strike force teams to round up the unvaccinated and exterminate them in death camps.

The vaccine holocaust has arrived, and this is the year theyre taking it kinetic.

Natural News blew the whistle on strike force teams in July of 2021

You may recall that White House spokesperson Psaki openly spoke about strike force operations in July of 2021. We covered it in an article entitled, White House officially announces vaccine strike forces that will go door-to-door, targeting anti-vaxxers in their homes, forcing Americans to take KILL SHOTS.

From that article:

Its official: The White House has publicly and un-apologetically announced the deployment of strike forces  a military term  to go door-to-door across America, targeting unvaccinated people in their own homes. This was proudly announced yesterday by Jen Psaki.

Very quickly, this program will be ramped up to full mandatory status, which means gunpoint enforcement of deadly shots, essentially meaning the U.S. government is unleashing death squads across America.

As Jen Psaki said herself, Our work doesnt stop there and we are going to continue to press to get 12-18-year olds vaccinated thats one of the reasons why we initiated these strike forces to go into communities

Heres the video of Psaki saying this, in case you find it hard to believe:

This plan has been in the making for years. And theyre not stopping just because its illegal. In every way imaginable, the government is literally waging a war of extermination against the American people.

They are taking it kinetic this year.

In September of 2021, Washington Gov. Inslee confirmed the activation of covid concentration camps with issuance of strike team help wanted ads

Just four months ago, Washington States government confirmed they were taking covid concentration camps active by issuing public job listings for strike team coordinators. Natural News covered this story on September 20, 2021, with a headline: CONFIRMED: Gov. Inslee setting up covid concentration camps in Washington state, issuing job listings for strike team coordinators.

We learned in that story how quarantine strike team coordinators were needed to staff up Washingtons covid concentration camps which were in the process of being activated. Heres an image of the original job listing:

Once the news about this job listing went viral, Washington government personnel rapidly stealth edited the job listing to remove strike force language, and they later claimed the job involved little more than washing clothes and delivering food. (Nobody believes them.)

Now, of course, we know the covid concentration camps are actually politically-motivated death camps and that conservatives, Christians, gun owners, Trump supporters and unvaccinated citizens will be rounded up and incarcerated in these concentration camps, like a scene ripped right out of the Nazi Holocaust.

I covered this in great detail in a Situation Update podcast entitled, Situation Update, Sep 21, 2021  Washington State hiring strike teams for COVID quarantine camps. It is available here:

Brighteon.com/e63ae2e0-624c-4438-a59f-3e94eca665cd

In essence, Democrats have built death camps in America and they plan to carry out genocide by declaring unvaccinated people (who are mostly conservatives) to be the other who must not be allowed to exist. In World War II, it was the Jews. In the Cultural Revolution of China, it was the academics. Today in America, its people with natural immunity.

Make no mistake what they are planning: DEMOCIDE (death by government). Theyre simply using vaccines and the covid plandemic as a cover story, but their goal remains the same: the complete extermination of their political enemies.

Covid concentration camps = another so-called conspiracy theory that became reality

In case youre keeping track of all the so-called conspiracy theories that have turned out to be true, covid concentration camps are just one of many. Its also confirmed that covid came out of a lab in China which received gain-of-function funding from the United States government via Fauci. Similarly, while the media has long insisted that any claims of vaccines being dangerous or not halting infections was a conspiracy theory, all that turned out to be true as well.

Now, as we describe the truth that these covid concentration camps are going to be ramped up into extermination / death camps, this will no doubt be labeled another conspiracy theory by the complicit media that has been pushing covid hysteria and vaccine depopulation propaganda this entire time. Yet before the end of 2022, we are going to see mass roundups and medical kidnapping to put people into these camps, right here in the United States of America. It will start in the blue states, naturally.

If you want to understand all this  and survive it  its actually quite simple to understand: The governments of the world are deliberately trying to exterminate the human race, and they are using vaccines, concentration camps, bioweapons and food scarcity (supply chain chaos) to achieve their goals.

Over the next decade, we now know, nearly 1.5 billion people will die from vaccine-related injuries, cancers, neurological disorders, organ damage and economic collapse. Each day, another 30 million vaccines are being administered, leading to the eventual deaths of another 10 million people over the next decade or so. They are essentially murdering 10 million people per day. This is a Holocaust-scale event every 14.4 hours.

And nearly all radical Leftists are in favor of it. They cant wait for the mass murder to commence.

The death camps are being set up to exterminate those who refuse to comply with vaccine mandates. Once they are in full operation, the ovens or guillotines will run 24/7, and the oblivious masses will be led into the cremation chambers after being labeled infected by left-wing health department officers who will be given the power to arrest and incarcerate anyone they want.

They are going to initiate all this with the release of a new bioweapon that ramps up the fear factor to 11. And with that fear, they will attempt gun confiscation, mass extermination and mass vaccination at gunpoint anything they think they can get away with.

In doing this, they are of course going to set off kinetic warfare in America for the simple reason that many people will refuse to be exterminated by a corrupt, criminal, genocidal government regime gone rogue. Check the fictional novel series 299 Days by Glen Tate for a very accurate depiction of how this is going to go down. (Its also available on Audible.com as an audio book. I strongly recommend you give this a listen.)

The holocaust tipping point is now just months away in some areas of the country (the blue areas controlled by Marxists / fascists). This is why all the sensible people are fleeing these areas and heading for red states where such death camps simply wont be tolerated.

And yes, Leftists and Democrats are gearing up to become actual fascist Nazis, running death camps and mass extermination ovens right here in America. This is how they plan to stay in power, just like Adolf Hitler once did  by exterminating dissenters and ruling through terror.

Get full details in todays Situation Update podcast here:

Brighteon.com/061d038d-3cc7-4bae-a007-98575de7552d

Find a new podcast each day  plus interviews and special reports  at:

https://www.brighteon.com/channels/hrreport

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(Natural News) The Corona Investigative Committee in Germany held an online session that was attended by Dr. Michael Yeadon, a former vice president at Pfizer, who shared the latest damning evidence about Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) vaccines.

Yeadon has become something of a conspiracy theorist, at least in the eyes of the establishment. Despite working at Pfizer in an executive-level position for more than three decades, Yeadon does not believe that his former employers injections are safe or effective.

In fact, Yeadon is not necessarily convinced that the Fauci Flu even exists as claimed. If by some off chance it is something more than just a nasty seasonal flu, it still is not even close to being as deadly as the media and governments continue to claim it is.

It turns out that its not a particularly lethal virus, if it exists, Yeadon stated during the symposium. Or its about the same as a bad seasonal influenza.

Everything from the PCR tests to the masks to the idea of asymptomatic spread is fraudulent, Yeadon warns. PCR tests dont tell you anything, he says, and cloth masks if anything make you more likely to catch an unusual bacterial pneumonia because youre breathing through a filthy cloth.

As for the blue masks, these are nothing more than splash guards. Their purpose, Yeadon says, is to stop blood and bodily fluid from going into the nose and mouth of the attending worker at the hospital.

Theyve never been for filtering your breath, and they obviously dont do so, Yeadon says about the blue masks  watch the interview below:

Covid jabs are a depopulation and destabilization plot to usher in a Great Reset

The so-called vaccines are perhaps the most offensive component of the sham, though. These, Yeadon says, were always going to harm people because of the horrible way they were designed.

Not only is messenger RNA (mRNA) technology completely new and experimental, but the encoding that was done to have the shots target just the outside of the spike protein makes them exceptionally dangerous.

By choosing this design, the range of outcomes is probably 1,000 times worse than it would be for a conventional vaccine, Yeadon says about the mRNA jabs.

Another thing is the fact that not every vial of alleged vaccine contains the same ratio of components or even the same components at all. Some people seem to be receiving exceptionally lethal concoctions while others appear to be getting a placebo.

Yeadon also says that two people who receive the exact same injection might experience different outcomes. One person might have no negative effects while the other ends up dying  think Russian roulette.

Yeadon previously spoke out against the safety and efficacy claims for his former employers jabs, warning that there is clear evidence of fraud.

Not only do the jabs not provide any real protection against covid, but they are highly dangerous. They do not prevent infection or spread, and at best, we are told, merely help to lessen symptoms.

If these were true vaccines, vaccinated people would experience a lower viral load than unvaccinated people. The reality, though, is that viral loads tend to be the same in both groups  so what are the jabs actually doing?

In Yeadons view, the whole thing seems to be a widespread plot by those who control the financial systems of the world to destroy economies, supply chains and society at large in order to usher in a new age.

Part of this plot involves massively depopulating the planet, which will largely be accomplished by the injections. There will be other fallout from broken supply chains that lead to mass starvation and societal chaos as well.

This is a conspiracy led by the central banking clique and their clients to take over the world, Yeadon says.

Once theyve done that, destroyed the economy  a great financial reset which will have us using our vax passes and digital ID, and central bank digital currency  you wont like those, you really wont. Itll be the end of cash and any privacy for any transactions.

Yeadon says that if depopulation of the planet is one of the goals, then the setup is so perfect.

The current so-called good batches could be batches with code to activate long-term adverse events, suggested one commenter at Brighteon about the potentially different outcomes of jabs from different production lots. One cant be sure a good batch is a good batch?

Another asked God to protect Dr. Yeadon and others like him who are risking their lives by coming forward to tell the truth about this evil plot.

Be sure to watch the full symposium up above to hear more from Dr. Yeadon and the others who participated in the talk.

The latest WuFlu news can be found at Pandemic.news.

Sources for this article include:

Brighteon.com

NaturalNews.com
(Natural News) The United Arab Emirates (UAE) banned citizens who have not been injected with the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine from flying abroad. It also mandated fully vaccinated Emiratis to get the COVID-19 booster dose as a requirement for overseas travel.

According to the state-owned Emirati News Agency (WAM), the new mandate will be effective starting Jan. 10, 2022. WAM cited the countrys National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation as sources for the new mandate.

However, WAM mentioned two exemptions on the ban on unvaccinated citizens. The prohibition would be lifted in humanitarian cases and in instances where Emiratis need to travel abroad for medical treatment. Foreign workers and citizens who have secured a medical exemption from the vaccine are likewise exempted from the ban.

The two agencies also mandated that fully vaccinated citizens would need to get injected with the booster dose for them to be eligible to travel. According to WAM, the measures were devised to ensure that health and safety are prioritized.

The UAE is the latest country to announce new rules amid a rise in COVID-19 cases there. It confirmed 2,556 new infections, 908 recoveries and one death on Jan. 1, 2022. Based on data from Johns Hopkins University as of Jan. 6, 2022, the country has a total of 774,897 cases and 2,170 deaths.

Meanwhile, figures from Our World in Data showed that more than 90 percent of the Emirati population have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. It also showed that about 34 percent of the UAEs population had received the vaccine booster dose as of Dec. 24, 2021.

Tyler Durden of ZeroHedge wrote about the UAEs new mandate in a Jan. 2 article. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the UAE has imposed restrictions on its denizens  leaving those who refuse the vaccine to languish in a kind of second-class citizen limbo. And now, they wont even be allowed to leave the UAE as the tiny petro-state decrees that its citizens who arent fully vaccinated can no longer travel abroad, he wrote. (Related: In Israel, refusing coronavirus vaccination means your life is over.)

UAE following the footsteps of Kuwait

The UAEs decision to ban unvaccinated citizens comes almost half a year after Kuwait imposed a similar mandate. Kuwait announced a travel ban on unvaccinated citizens last July 27, 2021  with the ban becoming effective on Aug. 1 of the same year. The prohibition announced by the countrys Center for Government Communication (CGC) followed the relaxation of some COVID-19 restrictions that time.

CGC Head Tareq Al-Mezrem said that aside from being prohibited from overseas travel, unvaccinated Kuwaitis will only be allowed to visit a limited number of establishments from Aug. 1, 2021 onward. These include food and beverage outlets, government buildings, medical facilities, pharmacies and consumer cooperative societies.

A day before the announcement, Al-Mezrem announced the lifting of several COVID-19 restrictions in Kuwait. Several activities resumed, but only the vaccinated citizens were permitted to take part. Special activities for children also resumed starting Sept. 1, 2021, but only vaccinated kids were allowed to participate.

The CGC did outline several exemptions to the travel ban on unvaccinated citizens. It does not apply to Kuwaitis who present a certificate that they cannot be vaccinated and expectant women who show proof of pregnancy from the Ministry of Health. Children under 16 years old are likewise exempted from the ban. (Related: Kuwait bans overseas travel for unvaccinated people.)

In case unvaccinated Kuwaitis decide to travel, the CGC mandate says they must get injected with any of the four vaccine candidates  Pfizer, Moderna, Janssen and AstraZeneca  the country has approved. They must also verify their vaccination status using the Immune Mobile App.

The app will show a red color for unvaccinated individuals and those who only have at least one dose for less than 14 days. It will display a green color with the word vaccinated once the 14-day immunity period is achieved. They must present the green vaccinated message before they can travel.

Furthermore, the CGC said Kuwaitis who wish to travel abroad  fully vaccinated or not  must hold health insurance during the duration of their trip. The health insurance should also cover COVID-19 treatments.

Watch the video below in which Dr. Peter McCullough discussed the so-called pandemic of the unvaccinated with Del Bigtree.

This video is from the Corona Facts channel on Brighteon.com.

MedicalTyranny.com has more stories about authorities worldwide limiting the movement of unvaccinated people.

Sources include:

BlacklistedNews.com

Coronavirus.JHU.edu

ZeroHedge.com

Reuters.com

TheNationalNews.com

COVID19.TrackVaccines.org

BAL.com

GulfNews.com

Brighteon.com
(Natural News) The full list follows a National Pulse expose on the China-United States Exchange Foundation (CUSEF), founded by the Vice-Chairman of the Chinese Peoples Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), which has been identified by the U.S.-China Security and Economic Review Commission as a key component of the Chinese Communist Partys United Work Front.

(Article by Natalie Winters republished from TheNationalPulse.com)

The effort, according to the U.S. government report, aims to to co-opt and neutralize sources of potential opposition to the policies and authority of its ruling Chinese Communist Party and influence overseas Chinese communities, foreign governments, and other actors to take actions or adopt positions supportive of Beijings preferred policies.

Evidenced through the Department of Justices Foreign Agent Registration Act (FARA) filings, a relationship spanning over a decade between establishment media outlets and CUSEF can be discerned.

With the assistance of BLJ, CUSEF has sponsored trips to China for the following outlets with the explicit goal of effectively disseminat[ing] positive messages to the media, key influencers, and opinion leaders, and the general public according to FARA filings.

Dubbed familiarization trips, the criteria for participants included effectiveness and opportunities for favorable coverage in order to secure favorable coverage

In order to develop favorable coverage in key national media, BLJ will continue to organize and staff familiarization trips to China. This includes recruiting top journalists to travel to China, selected for effectiveness and opportunities for favorable coverage.

Outlets:

Private Dinners.

In addition to CUSEF-sponsored travel, outlets also met with CUSEF officials and the BLJ CEO in various U.S. cities including New York, Washington, D.C., and Chicago. Often times, the meetings were described as private dinners in FARA filings.

Outlets:

Washington Post

Associated Press

TIME Magazine

New York Times

CBS

Forbes

PBS

The Atlantic

The Economist

CNBC

Wall Street Journal

Financial Times

National Journal

NPR

Politico

Chicago Tribune

Bloomberg

BBC

Los Angeles Times

Quartz

Agence France Presse

McClatchy Newspapers

Congressional Quarterly

Businessweek

CNN

The Hill

Reuters

ABC

Nation

Yahoo!

Newsweek

The National Pulse will continue its fearless reporting into the compromised nature of Western media and the reach of the Chinese Communist Party into U.S. institutions. Please consider supporting this crucial work.

Read more at: TheNationalPulse.com
Northbrook, IL -- (SBWIRE) -- 01/11/2022 -- The global digital utility market is expected to grow from an estimated $135.16 billion in 2017 to $244.31 billion by 2022, at a CAGR of 12.57%, from 2017 to 2022. North America is currently the largest market for digital utility, closely followed by the Europe and Asia-Pacific market. However, by 2022, the market in Asia-Pacific is projected to gain the largest share. The Digital utility market growth is driven by strict regulatory requirements for electric utilities, energy efficiency mandates demanding carbon emission reduction, and an increase in the number of distributed and renewable power generation projects.



The digital utility market in Asia-Pacific is projected to grow at the fastest rate during the forecast period. Increasing investment in the electrical infrastructure and growing decentralized power generation will be driving the growth of the digital utility market in the region during the forecast period. The developing smart grid projects and investments in smart cities are also driving the digital utility market in Asia-Pacific.



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The transmission and distribution segment is expected to lead the digital utility



The growth of the transmission and distribution segment is primarily driven by aging infrastructure in the power utilities industry. New digital devices and communications and control systems improve the efficiency of assets and increase the ability of operators to monitor and manage electric transmission and distribution systems. This would ultimately create new revenue pockets for the market during the forecast period.



North America is expected to be the largest market for digital utility



The utilities in North America have been undergoing a digital transformation for the past several years. Utility providers in the region are focused on the upgradation of power infrastructure through digital technologies such as smart meters and smart grids, among others. The U.S. government launched the Smart Grid Investment Grant (SGIG) program for smart grid development. There was an investment of $118.5 billion, in 2016, in smart cities in the region; this is expected to increase to $244.5 billion by 2021.



Hence, the North American market presents a greater opportunity for the digital utility market. Rising investments in aging electrical infrastructure and increasing electricity demand are driving the digital utility market in the North America. The market in the U.S. is estimated to be the largest in the region, followed by the markets in Canada and Mexico, during the forecast period.



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Some of the leading players in the Digital Utility Market include Accenture (Ireland), Cap Gemini S.A. (France), General Electric Company (U.S.), Siemens AG (Germany), SAP SE (Germany), and International Business Machines Corporation (U.S.), among others.



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(Natural News) Huge city-wide lockdowns to contain the spread of the omicron variant of the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) have resulted to food shortages and dangerous delays in getting medical care in various parts of China.

The lockdowns are part of Chinas zero-COVID strategy, but the draconian policy had a terrible effect on the population as residents in the Chinese cities of Xian and Yuzhou are now suffering from lack of food.

There were also hardships in admitting patients to various hospitals in the cities because a negative test for the virus is required before entry. More than 14 million residents are being affected by the lockdown. Public transportation and the use of private motor vehicles are not allowed, while shops not selling daily necessities have been closed. (Related: A made-in-China pandemic.)

In one instance, a woman in labor lost her baby after she was prevented from entering a Xian hospital. A relative described calling emergency services on the night of January 1 for their aunt after she started feeling pain, but the phone rang out. They rushed her to hospital at around 8 p.m., but the front door security didnt let them in because the nucleic acid test result had been more than four hours ago, they said.

Fully vaccinated Briton tested positive upon arrival in HK

Meanwhile, a Briton who tested positive for the omicron variant after arriving in Hong Kong from London has been locked up for more than two weeks now in a hospital isolation ward.

Fully vaccinated with a booster jab, 29-year-old Darryl Chan tested positive upon arrival on Dec. 19. He tested negative in London.

Hong Kongs zero-COVID policy ruled that positive arrivals must undergo quarantine in hospital until they test negative two days in a row, 24 hours apart. (Related: Passengers on Delhi to Hong Kong flight TEST POSITIVE for the coronavirus despite testing negative before flying.)

To the detriment of Chan, his tests remained positive which resulted to his continued isolation. Even if Chan tests negative, he still needs to transfer to one of the governments isolation facilities where he must complete 14 days of quarantine.

Daily routine in isolation ward

According to Chan, patients must record their blood pressure, blood oxygen levels, heart rate and body temperature. A little pre-recorded musical jingle over the public address system will wake up Chan and the other patients, who must undergo daily PCR tests carried by the hospital staff around 8:30 a.m. daily, followed by breakfast at around 9 a.m. Lunch will follow and dinner will be held at 6 p.m. before lights out at 10 p.m.

Chan described the hospital food as airplane food. He said: Food is nutritious but pretty basic. Being in Hong Kong, the dishes are predominantly Chinese consisting of rice, meat in a thick sauce and some steamed or stir-fried vegetables on the side.

Patients can order through Deliveroo at their own expense. Due to strict security measures and safety precautions, it normally takes 45 minutes for the order to be delivered to the room from the hospital entrance. Friends and relatives are permitted to drop off items, but deliveries are limited to two 30-minute slots per day and only daily necessities are permitted  meaning patients cannot have deliveries of perishable foods, alcohol or cigarettes.

Worried about long-term effect of isolation

Chan related that he suffers from loneliness. While he longs for fresh air, Chan said he spends his time wisely by checking and reading his emails, catching up with friends using social media and watching Netflix. But he admitted that he gets lonely in the early afternoon and is worried about the long-term effect of his isolation on his mental health.

To fight the virus, Hong Kong banned for two weeks flights from Britain, Australia, Canada, France, India, Pakistan, Philippines and the United States. Hong Kong leader Carrrie Lam said dining in restaurant after 6 p.m. is prohibited, while game arcades, beauty salons and bars are also shut down for two weeks.

Lam admitted in a press conference that Hong Kong is on the verge of another surge. The spread of omicron was being blamed on a group of Cathay Pacific crew members, who did not follow quarantine rules by dining in restaurants and bars in the city before testing positive.

Watch the video below about a woman held against her will at Calgary quarantine hotel.

This video is from The Prisoner channel on Brighteon.com.

Follow Pandemic.news for more news and information related to COVID-19.

Sources include:

TheGuardian.com

DailyMail.co.uk

Brighteon.com
(Natural News) The only way the Biden Regime had a chance of taking over the US government was with the help of Communist China. There was no other way to win (steal) the election and run the scamdemic in full swing. That meant having complete control of the mass media, all of social media, Google, YouTube, most newspapers, and nearly every hospital in the country.

The communists in Washington DC also needed to set some extreme examples of what happens to anyone who opposes this administration, and that is why the January 6th insurrectionists are still in jail, just like all political dissidents in China. Its a wonder the CCP/Biden Regime has not already harvested the organs of those prisoners to sell on the black market.

Commissars now run the American mass media complex and the Covid scamdemic that keeps most Americans in a vaxxed stupor of compliance

Commissars are officials of the Communist Party, especially in the former Soviet Union and present-day China, who are responsible for political organization and misinformation (reeducation using propaganda). Commissars now run all of the mass media and social media in America, just like in China, and just as aggressively.

Most Americans, if told this right now, would call it conspiracy theory, and they would be dead wrong. They have no clue just how much information is hidden from them in order to keep them oblivious, silent and compliant.

Communist media takeover equals complete mind control over 200 million Americans

Most Americans believe everything they see and hear on mass media. They cant even begin to fathom that they are being lied to right and left, about everything from war to sickness, and from vaccines to prescription medications. Here are some conspiracy theories that have turned out to be true just in the past few years, turning America quickly into a communist-media-controlled society where most of the populace is so censored and confused they cant see the forest for the trees.

Most Americans think street cameras and Google Earth photos are just for traffic and real estate information.

Most Americans have no idea that any facts or opinions that go against the mainstream narrative are banned, blocked, censored and blacklisted on all of social media.

People have no clue that businesses selling natural remedies and true patriots expressing their freedom of speech are bankrupted off YouTube, Google Ads and social media advertising/podcasts by not being allowed to make money on those media venues.

Pharma shills are paid thousands to bad mouth and discredit any remedies, opinions, people or organizations that actually help fight/beat Covid or try to keep elections fair.

History is being rewritten, and even as it happens, by fake news MSM and the pharma-run US government.

Punishments for not complying with the communist Biden Regime and the Covid Scamdemic include imprisonment without trial (or even legitimate charges brought) and forced vaccination (or lose your job, ability to shop, right to travel, etc.).

Many members of Congress are banned on social media for simply stating the truth and/or their opinions that defy the narrative about Covid and fair elections especially.

Social media giants never justify why they censor and ban conservative and patriotic voices, they just say it goes against community guidelines.

There are ZERO checks and balances for mass media, social media, Google, YouTube, and they have a clear monopoly on communication with the majority of Americans on several different levels.

Heres Steve Kirschs chart on the differences in censorship methods used right now in the US vs. China:

The so-called Black Mirror of Communist China is here. Stay tuned and stay frosty. Tune your internet to Censored.news for huge swaths of truth news thats being censored from the rest of media as you read this.

Sources for this article include:

NaturalNews.com

TheGatewayPundit.com

Censored.news

SteveKirsch.substack.com
(Natural News) Citigroup has become the first major bank to essentially condemn all of its employees to potential harm by mandating a COVID-19 vaccine as a condition of employment, while moving to fire workers who refuse to take the jab for any reason.

The Wall Street behemoth warned employees in a memo last week that it would begin terminating non-compliant workers by the end of January after the company announced its vaccine mandate in October. The memo said that workers have to be fully vaccinated as a condition of employment, while noting that the earlier announcement in the fall required workers to submit proof of vaccination by Jan. 14.

Any worker who has failed to comply with the mandate will first be placed on unpaid leave, with full termination coming by Jan. 31, the memo said, according to Bloomberg, which first reported it. CNBC added that a spokeswoman for New York-based Citigroup refused to comment.

The third-largest U.S. bank by assets, Citigroup, which is also big in fixed income markets, has implemented the most aggressive vaccination policy among large Wall Street companies, and also one of the most dangerous to its employees, potentially, given the still largely experimental nature of vaccines and emerging evidence that they can cause major health problems and even death in some cases. Thus far, banking rivals JPMorgan Chase and Goldman Sachs have not moved to dismiss workers and staff who are not vaccinated, CNBC states.

Citigroup CEO Jane Fraser justified the heinous decision by claiming that the company is a government contractor and as such, is required to comply with Joe Bidens executive order regarding vaccine mandates. In addition, the bank said that the mandate would make employees returning to work in person safer, though that is a blatant lie.

Plus, Bidens mandate, which was officially implemented by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), has been successfully challenged in federal court, though subsequent courts overturned the mandate bans. The Supreme Court heard oral arguments against the mandate last week and according to some reports, a majority of justices appear to be siding with plaintiffs who said the Biden regime has no authority to issue one.

CNBC reported that more than 90 percent of Citibank staffers are vaccinated and that as the deadline nears, compliance is rising, according to a source familiar with the situation. As of last year, the bank employed 220,000 people globally, though the mandate only applies to staff based in the U.S.

While some technology companies have embraced remote work as a permanent model, Wall Street CEOs including JPMorgans Jamie Dimon and Morgan Stanleys James Gorman have been vocal about needing to pull workers back, CNBC reported, adding: But the spread of the omicron variant of Covid-19 has forced companies to suspend back-to-work plans yet again, making it the latest disruption caused by the pandemic.

Omicron is the least potent of all the strains, according to several reports. In addition, there is only cursory evidence that vaccines are making it less likely for people to contract the virus or become severely ill from it. The same people who were vulnerable before  the elderly, the infirmed, and those with preexisting medical conditions  are just as vulnerable now, regardless of their vaccine status. Whats more, the flu is once again spreading, though its not at all clear, given the lies weve been told about COVID since the pandemic began, that the flu simply vanished last year, as some government officials and health agencies claimed.

Regarding the high courts vaccine mandate case, more than 180 lawmakers signed on to an amicus brief urging justices to toss it because they believe it is unconstitutional.

[OSHA] was never meant to be the health police, the lawmakers wrote. Moreover, mandatory vaccinations do not stop individuals from contracting and transmitting COVID-19.

Vaccinated workers can still contract and transmit COVID-19, including the new Omicron variant. Given that fact, imposing masking and testing restrictions only on unvaccinated workers makes no sense because all workers regardless of vaccination status remain potential carriers and transmitters of the virus, they added.

Sources include:

NaturalNews.com

CNBC.com
(Natural News) Yale University is back in the news for trying to imprison its students in the name of protecting them against the Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19).

After earlier demanding that its students wear a mask off campus and even in their home state while visiting family and friends over break, Yale is now insisting that students avoid dining in at restaurants anywhere off campus.

In a recent Facebook post, the Yale Daily News claimed that the school has full jurisdiction to prohibit students from visit[ing] New Haven businesses or eat[ing] at local restaurants (even outdoors) except for curbside pickup.

This post from the school newspaper summarizes the provisions laid out in a new plan from Yale administration for the upcoming spring semester. School officials say that their dictates trump state and local laws, and that students must obey whatever they are commanded to do while enrolled at the institution.

The Yale Daily News followed up its Facebook post with a lengthier excerpt of the email it received from the school after the whole thing attracted widespread media attention.

Welcome to college, now go to your room your[sic] grounded! wrote one person on Facebook in response to the post.

Imagine thinking you have the power to tell people that pay your salary that they cant go out to eat, wrote another.

Getting educated at Yale means becoming a political prisoner of the Branch Covidians

Last spring, Yale joined a cohort of other institutions of higher learning that demanded all students get fully vaccinated for the Fauci Flu before being allowed to return to campus.

Since that largely went off without a hitch, the school is now attempting to up the ante by forcing students to basically stay confined within their rooms eating takeout at all times, except for the occasional walk outside in the park, which is still allowed.

The rules are telling about the consequences of attending Yale, reported The College Fix. Residents of New Haven, Connecticut, are allowed to go into a local restaurant to have a meal. But residents of New Haven who also go to Yale are not allowed to do that.

So going to Yale gives you fewer freedoms, simple as that.

Another thing Yale tried to do previously was force students to wear a mask whenever conducting school business, even if that business was far away from campus in an area off campus where masks are not required.

This interfered with a student film troupe at Yale that was wanting to make a movie featuring unmasked actors. Yale apparently informed these students that they would need to mask up at all times, even while shooting, which prevented it from occurring.

Students returning to campus this spring are also being told that they have to quarantine until Feb. 7 which may be extended depending on public health conditions, the Yale Daily News further announced.

They must quarantine in their residences (except to pick up food and test) until they receive results of an arrival test, the announcement added.

Yale President Pater Salovey issued his own statement explaining that a recent, worldwide surge in COVID-19 cases, driven by the highly infectious Omicron (Moronic) strain, has prompted us to raise alert levels on campus and adjust our plans to best protect our community.

Well, I guess Ivy Leaguers are now disposable, wrote a reader at Natural News. I wonder if they realize that they are not important to the new world order?

Another wrote that students can now sue the living daylights out of Yale for openly infringing on their personal liberties and civil rights.

The latest news about Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) tyranny can be found at Fascism.news.

Sources for this article include:

TheCollegeFix.com

NaturalNews.com

WashingtonExaminer.com
(Natural News) A team from Salk Institute for Biological Studies in La Jolla, California recently reported details about how plants respond to hormones called jasmonic acid that allows them to perceive trouble. Their findings reveal that plants have a complex communication network that could allow researchers to develop crops that are able to withstand more assault, especially in the era of rapid climate change.

This research gives us a really detailed picture of how this hormone, jasmonic acid, acts at many different levels. It enables us to understand how environmental information and developmental information is processed, and how it ensures proper growth and development, Professor Joseph Ecker, co-corresponding author, and Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigator said about the study.

Previous studies posited that plants listen for danger, with vibrations for sounds, such as a caterpillar munching on a leaf, for instance, trigger chemical defenses in plants.

The plant used in this particular study, Arabidopsis thaliana, is a small, flowering plant from the mustard family. It is well-characterized with a popular model system, so scientists can take what they learn from it and apply it to other plants, including those that are being grown for food.

Jasmonic acid, which is found throughout the plant kingdom is important for a plants defense response against fungi and insects. Mark Zander, a staff researcher in Eckers lab, noted: We wanted to precisely understand what happens after jasmonic acid is perceived by the plant. Which genes are activated and deactivated, which proteins are produced and which factors are in control of these well-orchestrated cellular processes?

Extracting DNA from plants

To start their experiment, the researchers started with plant seeds grown in Petri dishes and were kept in the dark for three days to mimic the first few days of a seeds life. co-first author and co-corresponding author Mathew Lewsey, an associate professor at La Trobe University in Melbourne, Australia, said that the first few days of the seed are challenging times, as they may face attacks from insects and fungi. If the seeds dont germinate properly, then there will be no crops.

After three days, the plants are then exposed to jasmonic acid, by extracting the DNA and proteins from the plant cells. They also employed specific antibodies against their proteins of interest to capture the exact genomic location of the regulators. (Related: Health Basics: Understanding GMO engineering and why altering plant DNA in laboratories becomes so DANGEROUS to human health.)

By using different computational approaches, they were able to identify genes that are important for the plants response to jasmonic acid and the cellular cross-communication with other plant hormones.

Two of the genes that played the most important role in the system were MYC2 and MYC3, which are code for transcription factor proteins. This means that they regulate the activity of other genesthousands, in this case.

Lewsey explained that in the past, MYC genes and other transcription factors have been studied in a linear fashion, with scientists looking at how one gene is connected to the next, and the next one, and so on. This is slower because of the many genes and connections. What weve done here is to create a framework by which we can analyze many genes at once, he said.

Zander also noted that by deciphering the gene networks and subnetworks, people are able to understand how the entire system works. With their take on the matter, they were able to have a comprehensive picture ant which genes were turned on and off during a plants defense response. The availability of CRISPR gene editing also uses the details from breeding crops that can better withstand attacks from pests.

Another aspect of this work is the data from the research already available on the Salk website, which researchers can use to search for more information about the genes they study and find ways to target them.

Read more at Science.news.

Sources include:

Nature.com

ScienceNewsForStudents.org
A badger urgently looking for food is reported to have discovered a cache of 209 Roman coins in a cave in northern Spain, which academics have described as an "extraordinary find."

Ancient Roman Coins

The coins, which date from the third to fifth centuries AD, were discovered in a cave near Grado, Asturias' northern area. Months after Storm Filomena poured heavy snow across portions of the nation, they were found within feet from the den of a badger.

Badgers Foraging

The snow, according to researchers, drove the badger to increase its foraging efforts, causing it to poke at a small fissure near its cave in the hopes of finding berries or worms.

Instead, archaeologist Alfonso Fanjul Peraza told El Pas that the animal struck on a cache of worn Roman coins minted in sites as far apart as Constantinople and Thessaloniki.

Most of the coins are composed of copper and bronze, with the biggest weighing more than eight grams and a little under 4% silver thought to be manufactured in London.

In a newly released article, the researchers noted, "To date, this is the greatest treasure hoard of Roman coins unearthed in a cave in northern Spain."

Related Article: More than 500 New Species was Discovered by the Natural History Museum in 2021



Forest of Discoveries

It isn't the first time archaeologists have discovered riches in Grado's deep forests; 14 gold coins dating from Constantine's reign were found 85 years ago. "With care," Fanjul remarked, "the accumulation of large findings may be regarded as a reaction to the tremendous fighting occurring in the border zone."

In 218BC, the Romans invaded the Iberian peninsula and ruled until the Visigoths defeated them in the early fifth century. Recent coins have been suspected to be part of a bigger haul that was quickly stashed to keep them safe amid political and societal unrest.

According to Fanjul, the discovery represents the initial part of the study, and experts aim to return to the location for more digs later this year. "We want to determine if it was a one-time hiding spot or if it was home to a group of humans."

Serendipitous Discovery

Scientists who make discoveries at the crossroads of chance are referred to as "serendipity."

Serendipity awareness is linked to an understanding of the limitations of expectations about potential sources of information. As a defense of this term and its consequences, researcher Samantha Copeland analyzed serendipity in science, focusing on theoretical and empirical studies on serendipity encounters in science and elsewhere. In the study, she concentrated on three linked aspects of serendipity.

Aspects of Scientific Serendipity

First, there are several types of serendipity. Serendipitous discovery can be a complicated process. Second, before meditation on the importance of the unexpected observation or incident about that outcome can take place, a valued effect must be established. As a result, serendipity is classified retrospectively. Third, epistemic expectations' primacy is clarified. Finally, she contextualized her findings in philosophical analyses of the influence of interpersonal competition on the frequency and significance of scientific discoveries in the philosophy of science.

Related Article: 5 Most Important Fossil Discoveries in the World

For more prehistoric news, don't forget to follow Nature World News!
Atmospheric oxygen levels may have decreased during the last 800,000 years due to glacial erosion.

Studying air bubbles preserved in Antarctic ice for up to 1.5 million years have uncovered the likely cause of the depletion of oxygen in the atmosphere for not less than 800,000 years.

How Weathering and Oxidation Affects Atmospheric Oxygen

According to Rice University's Yuzhen Yan, corresponding author of the geochemistry research published in Science Advances, scientists are aware that atmospheric oxygen levels were falling gradually in the late Pleistocene. When glaciation expanded and intensified at the same period, weathering was accelerated by the process itself.

The oxidation of metals is one of the most fundamental processes that break down rocks and minerals during weathering. An example is the corrosion of iron. When iron is exposed to oxygen in the air, a reddish oxide immediately forms.

According to a postdoctoral research associate at Rice's Department of Earth, Environmental and Planetary Sciences, Yan, when new crystalline surfaces from the sedimentary reservoir are exposed to O2, it generates weathering that consumes oxygen.

According to Yan, revealing organic carbon that has been buried for millions of years by glaciers might enhance the consumption of atmospheric oxygen.

Also Read: Decline in Earth's Oxygen Caused by Fossil Fuels, Experts Suggest

The Source and Sink of Atmospheric Oxygen

Yan collaborated on a 2016 research headed by Daniel Stolper, currently an assistant professor at the University of California, Berkeley, that analyzed air bubbles in ice cores to demonstrate that the fraction of oxygen in Earth's atmosphere has decreased by around 0.2 percent during the last 800,000 years..

Scientists from Oregon State University and the University of Maine and the University of California, San Diego studied bubbles in earlier ice cores to indicate that the O2 decrease started approximately 1 million years ago when the duration of Earth's glacial cycles more than quadrupled.

At some point 2.7 million years ago, Earth entered its current ice age. There were dozens of subsequent glacial periods. There were periods when the ice caps expanded, covering up to a third of the earth, and then receded.

Until nearly a million years ago, each cycle lasted around 40,000 years. When atmospheric oxygen levels started to fall, glacial cycles began lasting around 100,000 years, according to Scitech Daily.

Yan said that the reduction is due to the fact that the rate of O2 production is lower than the rate of O2 consumption. That is what scientists call the source and the sink, he continues. Source and sink are the two terms used to describe O2 production and consumption.

Importance of the Discovery

According to these findings, the decrease in O2 levels indicates that people are consuming more gas than previously thought.

According to Yan and colleagues' research, global weathering is the most plausible geological mechanism capable of absorbing enough extra O2 to explain the reduction.

When glaciers advance, the global sea level drops, and when they recede, it rises. There has been an increase in the amplitude of sea level fluctuations as the duration of glacial cycles has increased by more than double. The oxidizing force of atmospheric O2 would have been exposed to areas formerly covered by water as the coasts expanded.

The amount of chemical weathering caused by glacial erosion is difficult to estimate with any precision since the thickness of the ice cover varies from glacial cycle to glacial cycle.

Yan, on the other hand, claims that the research shows that it might extract enough oxygen to explain the reduction.

Related Article: Lack Of Oxygen Will Lead to 'Death' of Most Life on Earth in Billion Years, Say Experts

For more news, updates about oxygen decline and similar topics don't forget to follow Nature World News!
Fossil remains discovered in Romania have helped scientists identify a new species of pangolin. Scientists believes it is Europe's youngest pangolin fossil.

Discovery of New Pangolin Fossils

Pangolin fossil record is "sparse," as per authors of a research documenting the discovery, which was published in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology.

Since they may have shifted to more tropical and subtropical locations after migrating to Europe during the middle Miocene, scientists think that pangolins lived in Europe for a brief period during the early Pleistocene.

A humerus bone unearthed in Graunceanu, Romania, has confirmed the existence of pangolins in Europe. Landslides in the 1960s led to the discovery of the sites in the region. Fossils from a variety of species have been discovered at the sites since then, according to International Business Times.

An uncommon fossil has been unearthed. This is a new species of a weird animal that only has one bone, said University of Arkansas Claire Terhune in the news release from the university.

Pangolin fossils are rare, so scientists are quite happy about this discovery. As far as scientists know, this is the sole Pleistocene European pangolin fossil and the youngest one ever found in Europe.

Also Read: How Pangolins Made it to the 'World's Most Protected Animals'

Noticeable Features of the Discovered Fossil

According to the institution, the fossil is between 1.9 and 2.2 million years old. Smutsia olteniensis was given this name because it has certain traits with other species of the Smutsia genus now found in Africa.

Researchers, however, say that it features a longer and narrower entepicondyle, an increased supinator crest, and an enlarged larger tubercle that warrant it as a distinct species.

Anatomical evidence suggests pangolins lived in Europe throughout the Pleistocene period, according to the study's authors.

Using this specimen, it is now clear that Smutsia had a far broader geographic distribution. Graunceanu's habitat has been recreated to include grasslands and forests, which is atypical for most pangolins, as well as a few other species of pangolin.

The Illegal Trade of Pangolin

Pangolins, also known as "scaly anteaters," are the most trafficked animal in the world, with high demand in Asia, Africa, and even the United States, due to its food and distinctive armor of scales.

There are now eight pangolin species in Africa and Asia, ranging from Vulnerable to Critically Endangered.

A diplomatic conservation effort is urgently needed to help this trafficking pangolin's condition. There is a global problem with wildlife trafficking, and the trafficking of pangolins is a component of it.

It is estimated that wildlife trafficking earns more than $10 billion a year for transnational organized criminal networks via the unlawful hunting, transportation, trading, and sale of wild fauna. In addition to posing a serious danger to national security, illicit commerce may also impede economic growth and contribute to the spread of disease.

On the illegal market, a kilogram of pangolin scales may fetch as much as $3,500. Because each pangolin has more than 1,000 scales, the business's profitability is clear.

Over 12 tons of pangolin scales worth $38.1 million were seized in Singapore in 2019. This represents approximately 20,000 individual pangolins. Between 2015 and 2019, 253 metric tons of pangolin scales were seized across the globe, according to non-governmental organizations.

Scales from Nigeria, Cameroon, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo are often smuggled to China.

Related Article: Pangolin Trafficking: Nigeria's Unauthorized Trading Iceberg Tip Uncovered

For more news, updates about pangolins and similar topics don't forget to follow Nature World News!
Two of the many focuses of Legislative Session 2022 addresses policing and repealing the WA Long-Term Care Fund
Edison, NJ -- (SBWIRE) -- 01/11/2022 -- The Latest research study released by HTF MI "Online Office Platform 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. Some of the Major Companies covered in this Research are HCL Technologies, Sococo, Ascensio System SIA, Flock FZ-LLC, Wrike, Slack, Asana, Zoho Corporation, Atlassian, Samepage Labs, Microsoft, Evernote, LogMeIn, Citrix Systems, Ryver Inc, Bitrix etc.



Click here for free sample + related graphs of the report @: https://www.htfmarketreport.com/sample-report/3776117-online-office-platform-market-1



Browse market information, tables and figures extent in-depth TOC on "Online Office Platform Market by Application (Large Enterprise, Midsize Enterprise, Small Business and Individuals, Others), by Product Type (Cloud-Based, On-Premise), Business scope, Manufacturing and Outlook  Estimate to 2025".



for more information or any query mail at sales@htfmarketreport.com



At last, all parts of the Online Office Platform Market are quantitatively also subjectively valued to think about the Global just as regional market equally. This market study presents basic data and true figures about the market giving a deep analysis of this market based on market trends, market drivers, constraints and its future prospects. The report supplies the worldwide monetary challenge with the help of Porter's Five Forces Analysis and SWOT Analysis.



If you have any Enquiry please click here @: https://www.htfmarketreport.com/enquiry-before-buy/3776117-online-office-platform-market-1



Customization of the Report: The report can be customized as per your needs for added data up to 3 businesses or countries or 2 analyst hours.



On the basis of report- titled segments and sub-segment of the market are highlighted below:

Online Office Platform Market By Application/End-User (Value and Volume from 2021 to 2026) : Large Enterprise, Midsize Enterprise, Small Business and Individuals, Others



Market By Type (Value and Volume from 2021 to 2026) : Cloud-Based, On-Premise



Online Office Platform Market by Key Players: HCL Technologies, Sococo, Ascensio System SIA, Flock FZ-LLC, Wrike, Slack, Asana, Zoho Corporation, Atlassian, Samepage Labs, Microsoft, Evernote, LogMeIn, Citrix Systems, Ryver Inc, Bitrix



Geographically, this report is segmented into some key Regions, with manufacture, depletion, revenue (million USD), and market share and growth rate of Online Office Platform in these regions, from 2015 to 2026 (forecast), covering China, USA, Europe, Japan, Korea, India, Southeast Asia & South America and its Share (%) and CAGR for the forecasted period 2021 to 2026.



Informational Takeaways from the Market Study: The report Online Office Platform matches the completely examined and evaluated data of the noticeable companies and their situation in the market considering impact of Coronavirus. The measured tools including SWOT analysis, Porter's five powers analysis, and assumption return debt were utilized while separating the improvement of the key players performing in the market.



Key Development's in the Market: This segment of the Online Office Platform report fuses the major developments of the market that contains confirmations, composed endeavors, R&D, new thing dispatch, joint endeavours, and relationship of driving members working in the market.



To get this report buy full copy @: https://www.htfmarketreport.com/buy-now?format=1&report=3776117



Some of the important question for stakeholders and business professional for expanding their position in the Online Office Platform Market:

Q 1. Which Region offers the most rewarding open doors for the market Ahead of 2021?

Q 2. What are the business threats and Impact of latest scenario Over the market Growth and Estimation?

Q 3. What are probably the most encouraging, high-development scenarios for Online Office Platform movement showcase by applications, types and regions?

Q 4.What segments grab most noteworthy attention in Online Office Platform Market in 2020 and beyond?

Q 5. Who are the significant players confronting and developing in Online Office Platform Market?



For More Information Read Table of Content @: https://www.htfmarketreport.com/reports/3776117-online-office-platform-market-1



Key poles of the TOC:

Chapter 1 Online Office Platform Market Business Overview

Chapter 2 Major Breakdown by Type [Cloud-Based, On-Premise]

Chapter 3 Major Application Wise Breakdown (Revenue & Volume)

Chapter 4 Manufacture Market Breakdown

Chapter 5 Sales & Estimates Market Study

Chapter 6 Key Manufacturers Production and Sales Market Comparison Breakdown

..

Chapter 8 Manufacturers, Deals and Closings Market Evaluation & Aggressiveness

Chapter 9 Key Companies Breakdown by Overall Market Size & Revenue by Type

..

Chapter 11 Business / Industry Chain (Value & Supply Chain Analysis)

Chapter 12 Conclusions & Appendix



Thanks for reading this article; you can also get individual chapter wise section or region wise report version like North America, LATAM, Europe or Southeast Asia.



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New Castle, PA (16103)

Today

Cloudy skies with showers and a possible thunderstorm in the afternoon. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. High near 70F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%..

Tonight

Thunderstorms in the evening, then variable clouds overnight with still a chance of showers. Low 57F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%.
The latest 5G technical specifications from an overarching standards organization sets a roadmap for development that addresses streamlined IoT support, AI/machine learning, and more efficient use of wireless spectrum.

The 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), a group of seven organizations developing telecom standards, has issued Release 18 of the specs on both 5G systems architecture and radio access networks.

This is deciding on which project the 3GPP ecosystem is going to work on, and how far the scope of each project needs to go, said Qualcomm senior director of technical marketing Danny Tseng. Qualcomm is a member of 3GPP and an important contributor to 5G development.

MIMO improvements

Multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO) technology is a cornerstone of advanced wireless communication in both the licensed and unlicensed worlds, letting single access points or base stations use spectrum much more efficiently by automatically coordinating the operation of multiple antennas on each access point. Hence, a MIMO-enabled system can service a large number of client devices at the same time using less spectrum by allowing each client to communicate via a different antenna.

The key new MIMO spec is for beamformingsending radio signals directionally instead of in an omnidirectional broadcast, according to Forrester principal analyst Andre Kindness. This lets wireless networks use the same spectrum to connect to multiple clients at once without creating interference, as a client located in one direction relative to an access point can be serviced via the same bandwidth as one located in a different direction.

Its on the client side, as well as the radio side, said Kindness. Analysis of packets coming back on each antenna, filtering signal/noiseits the next level of that.

IoT support

Using 5G networks to support IoT deployments appeals to carriers because of its potential popularity. If a commercial 5G service is available where customers wants to network IoT, all the customers need to do is ensure their IoT endpoints support the service and turn it on. Thats much simpler than architecting and deploying their own networks to support the IoT initiative.

An important part of the new IoT support builds on a feature introduced earlier called reduced capability that can provide 5MHz channels for devices that need more than the 200kHz that narrow-band IoT can provide but less than the smallest channel defined in the previous 3GPP specification20MHz. Wearables and certain types of sensors fall into this category, according to Tseng.

The new reduced-capability spec can keep more bandwidth free for more intensive applications and help answer the question, How do we make sure more devices can be more efficienctly supported in the networks? he said.

AI/ML improvements

AI and machine learning apply to 5G on both a network management level and a capability level; that is, AI/ML is both a tool for improving how networks operate and an application that 5G networks are designed to support.

On the operational side, there are several ways improved integration of AI/ML should help networks function, according to Tseng, things like better handoffs, more spectral efficiency, even more accurate positioning, he said.

The need for AI/ML support in networks is a product of increased network complexity, and represents a logical outgrowth of technologies like software-defined networking in the unlicensed wireless sector. The idea is to make the networks themselves smart enough to handle that complexity, said Kindness.

More 5G clients talking to more antennas means more complexity, and the networks are using software to analyze and manage both, he said.
Page Content

The Prime Minister of Sint Maarten Hon. Silveria Jacobs sent a formal congratulatory message to Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte who was sworn in on Monday, January 10 along with members of his cabinet.





The new cabinet of the Dutch Government is the fourth to be led by Prime Minister and Minister of General Affairs Mark Rutte. The new Dutch Government coalition is comprised of the following political parties, VVD, D66, CDA and the ChristenUnie.





The prime minister's formal communique included the following:





"After Hurricane Irma in September 2017, the Netherlands and other Kingdom partners quickly intervened to assist Sint Maarten, for this, we are beyond grateful.





"We look forward to moving towards the goal of economic resilience together with the Netherlands and our other Kingdom partners in the coming years. I wish you and your colleagues a successful term in office.
Newburyport, MA (01950)

Today

Rain early. A mix of sun and clouds by afternoon. High 51F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 100%..

Tonight

Cloudy. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low 44F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph.
Newburyport, MA (01950)

Today

Cloudy skies early will become partly cloudy later in the day. High 51F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Cloudy skies with a few showers later at night. Low 44F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%.
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Can't call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25. 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(0x55e838a93170)', 'main') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 948 HTML::Mason::Request::call_dynamic('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x55e838a9ebd8)', '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(0x55e838a93170)') 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(0x55e838a9ebd8)') 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(0x55e8388fca20)') 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(0x55e838a9ebd8)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 165 HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x55e838a9ebd8)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 831 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handle_request('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x55e82d5a5bb8)', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x55e838a93f50)') called at (eval 592) line 8 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handler('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x55e838a93f50)') called at -e line 0 eval {...} at -e line 0
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Robert Durst, who was facing charges in the 1982 death of his wife, Western Connecticut State University graduate Kathie Durst, has died.

Durst, 78, died Monday in a California state prison hospital, his attorney Chip Lewis told the Associated Press. Lewis said Durst, who previously had COVID-19, died of natural causes after suffering from numerous health issues.

Robert Abrams, an attorney representing Kathie Dursts family, said Monday they will continue their pursuit for justice in her death.

Although Robert Durst has died, the ongoing investigation into those who helped him cover up her murder continues, Abrams said in a statement. On January 31, 2022, the 40th anniversary of Kathies murder, we will provide a further update. In the interim, please say a prayer for Kathie and his other victims.

After Robert Durst was charged with Kathie Dursts death in October, Abrams and Kathie Dursts family vowed to hold accountable those they believe were involved in an effort to cover up the killing.

I think we basically made it very clear that were gonna go after everybody  lawyers, prosecutors, police, friends of Durst  who got paid hundreds of thousands of dollars to participate in this cover up. Sometime in December, were going to present all of the evidence that we have, Abrams said in a November news conference in New York.

Abrams has not released any of the evidence he mentioned during that press conference. At the time, Abrams said much of the evidence he and the family had collected was shared with Westchester District Attorney Miriam Rocah.

On Monday, Rocah said her office was in the process of working with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to have Durst transferred to New York when he died.

After 40 years spent seeking justice for her death, I know how upsetting this news must be for Kathleen Dursts family, Rocah said in a statement. We had hoped to allow them the opportunity to see Mr. Durst finally face charges for Kathleens murder because we know that all families never stop wanting closure, justice and accountability.

Rocah said her office plans to hold a press conference in the coming days to release more information about the case they had built against Durst.

In September, a California jury found Durst guilty of the 2000 killing of a close friend, Susan Berman. During the Los Angeles trial, prosecutors said Robert Durst killed Berman because she was planning to come forward with information in his wifes disappearance. Berman had defended Robert Durst when he faced public allegations that he may have played a role in what happened to his wife.

Weeks after he was convicted and sentenced to life in prison for Bermans homicide, authorities in New York charged Durst with the death of his wife, who disappeared after leaving a gathering with friends in Newtown in 1982.

A state police investigator alleged in charging documents that Robert Durst killed his wife at or near their home in South Salem, N.Y., records show.

In court documents filed by Kathie Dursts family in 2017 that sought to have her declared dead, they alleged Robert Durst was abusive and caused his wife to be hospitalized after one incident. The family alleged that the couple had fought the night she disappeared.

Kathie Dursts family said she was about to finish medical school to become a pediatrician at the time. She was close to her siblings and her mother, and would not have abruptly ended contact with them, according to the court documents.

Robert Durst was first charged in Bermans homicide in 2015 when the final episode of the HBO documentary series The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst, was set to air. The series focused on Robert Dursts connection to three deaths in 40 years.

Robert Durst was acquitted in the 2001 killing of a neighbor in Texas, in which the victim was dismembered.

During an interview for the HBO series, Durst went to the bathroom with a microphone apparently still recording and said: What the hell did I do? Killed them all, of course.
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In honor of National Space Day on May 6, Stacker has compiled a list of key astronomy and astrophysics terms that are out of this world! Click for more.
Pikeville, KY (41501)

Today

Mostly cloudy skies early will become partly cloudy later in the day. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 87F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Scattered thunderstorms during the evening becoming more widespread overnight. Low 64F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.
Champaign, IL (61820)

Today

Thunderstorms in the morning, then variable clouds during the afternoon with still a chance of showers. High 66F. SSW winds shifting to WNW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 70%..

Tonight

Mostly cloudy. Low 43F. Winds N at 10 to 20 mph.
A safety defect in a pressure cooker bought by nearly 1 million consumers has left dozens of users with burns, according to a federal lawsuit filed on Friday.

The suit, filed against Boca Raton-based Sunbeam Products Inc. in U.S. District Court in West Palm Beach, claims that Nicole Ashley Alvarez of Santa Maria, California suffered serious and substantial injuries following a malfunction of her Crock-Pot Express 6-Quart Express Crock Multi-Cooker in January 2020.

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Her injuries resulted from the pressure cookers lid being able to be rotated and opened while [it] was still under pressure ... allowing its scalding hot contents to be forcefully ejected onto Alvarez, according to the suit filed by St. Paul, Minnesota-based Johnson Becker.

At left, Kimberly Rife of Romeoville, Illinois, shows burns on her hand and arm that she says were caused when a Crock-Pot Pressure Cooker malfunctioned and exploded in January 2018. Rife is the lead plaintiff in a class-action lawsuit filed on Jan. 7, 2020, in the Southern District of Florida. At right is a page from the product's user guide that was filed as an exhibit in the suit. (Courtesy / Courtesy)

The model was the subject of a recall by Sunbeam announced by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission in November 2020. Sunbeam received 119 reports of lids detaching from the cooker, resulting in 99 burns ranging in severity from first-degree to third-degree burns, the commission reported.

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[ RELATED: Defect causes pressure cookers to explode scalding contents, lawsuit claims ]

At that point, 914,430 of the units had been sold in the U.S. and 28,330 were sold in Canada. A commission spokeswoman on Monday said the number of consumers who responded to the recall was not readily available.

A report on the commissions website said that the cooker can pressurize when the lid is not fully locked, which can cause the lid to suddenly detach while the product is in use, causing burn risks to consumers from hot food and liquids ejected from the product.

But burn risks are not confined to the model sold by Sunbeam, according to an attorney representing several plaintiffs in a lawsuit against Sunbeam that seeks class action status.

Jason Turchin, a Weston-based attorney, said hes represented clients who claim they suffered burns from similar defects in at least 200 lawsuits against various pressure cooker makers. More than 100 of the suits have been settled, he said.

All of the cases stemmed from claims that consumers suffered burns when scalding hot contents of their cookers exploded unexpectedly.

The claims are similar because the cookers share common design elements. Just a handful of manufacturers in China make almost all pressure cookers sold in the U.S., Turchin said.

In previous generations, pressure cookers were considered a potentially dangerous appliance that should only be used by experienced cooks, Turchin said.

[ RELATED: Diaper donnybrook: Family sues condo board, claim swim diaper ban violates babys civil rights ]

But a few years ago, manufacturers began promoting modern versions as safe to use. Push a couple buttons and you have soup in 30 minutes, he said.

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Promotional materials and product manuals assured consumers that the pressure cooking function will not work unless the cookers lids are locked, and that the lid will never open until consumers release the steam that builds up during the cooking process.

But thats not the case, Turchin said. The Sunbeam cooker and others were made with defective lids that did not always prevent the pressure cooking operation.

Lids are supposed to securely lock when a pin in the lid slides securely into a cylinder. If the pin is not in the locked position, it is supposed to hit a strike plate to prevent the lid from tightening shut, Turchin said. But in some cases, the pin is too short to lock into place. In others, the aluminum lid might be warped, preventing the lid from locking, he said.

And some properly locked models have exploded when their owners follow manufacturers directions by releasing steam before opening them, he said.

Sometimes the valve thats supposed to release the steam gets clogged, Turchin said.

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Most commonly, victims suffer second-degree burns. But in three or four of the cases that Turchin has represented, the owners suffered third-degree burns and required skin grafts, he said.

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Attorneys from the Johnson Becker firm did not respond to requests for comment, nor did Sunbeams attorneys.

Sunbeam has made design changes to address the defects but has not changed the model number or packaging, making it difficult for consumers to know whether or not they have a defective unit.

Turchin advises anyone with a Crock-Pot 6-Quart Express Crock Multi-Cooker to visit the site recall.crock-pot.com to see if the date code on their machine qualifies them for a replacement lid and an installation kit.

Consumers can continue to use their pressure cooker while they wait, the website says. Just be certain the lid is securely turned to the fully locked position by aligning the arrow on the lid with the lock symbol on the base, the recall site states.

Turchin advises using extreme caution and concedes, Not every one of these are going to fail. You just dont know whether yours will be one that does fail.

Ron Hurtibise covers business and consumer issues for the South Florida Sun Sentinel. He can be reached by phone at 954-356-4071, on Twitter @ronhurtibise or by email at rhurtibise@sunsentinel.com.
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A mother and daughter getting vaccinated together as Central Floridians continue to receive the Covid-19 shots at the FEMA-supported Vaccination Site at Valencia College West campus, Monday, March 15, 2021. Monday was the first day of the vaccine eligibility age in Florida being dropped from 65 to 60; Anyone 60 and older can now get the vaccine at federally-supported walk-up and satellite sites in addition to, by appointment, area pharmacies and the Florida Department of Health at the Orange County Convention Center. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel) (Joe Burbank / Orlando Sentinel)

We are answering your questions about the coronavirus vaccines and what we need to do next. Submit your question using this form or email Lois Solomon at AskLois@sunsentinel.com.

Q. We are planning to fly to Europe and are being told that because we change planes, we need to present a QR code to get on the connecting flight. Where do we get QR codes to show our vax status and also a current negative test?  Elise Herman

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A. Check the websites for the U.S. embassies in the countries youre going to. If youre going to Spain, for example, the embassy provides directions for how to download the necessary QR code through the Spain Ministry of Healths website or in the Google Play or iTunes App stores.

Every country has its own requirements, so you have to check online to get that countrys info, said Vicki Bean, a travel advisor at Luxe Travel Management in Boca Raton. It can change anytime, so you have to keep your eye on it prior to departure to make sure you are meeting the most current requirements.

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Another important thing to remember is that when you re-enter the United States, you need a negative test for COVID-19 taken within 24 hours of your return flight or paperwork showing you have recently recovered. Youll have to show these documents to the airline before you board.

[ RELATED: Welcome to Florida. The COVID rules are different here. ]

Q. Can I receive one COVID vaccination in Florida and the second in Colorado?  Julia Feikert

A. Remember when the rules were really strict and you had to show proof of Florida residency to get a shot here? Well those days are gone. Its really easy to walk in to a pharmacy and get a COVID vaccination, and its the same in Colorado. They wont ask for any identification and wont ask if youre a resident of Colorado. But bring the card that you got for your first shot when you go for your second so you can have a complete record of your vaccinations on one piece of paper. For those seeking shots in South Florida, find a list of sites at sunsentinel.com/coronavirus/vaccines.

Q. In November I had stem cell shots for two severely damaged hips. Will obtaining a booster shot interfere with the stem cell therapy? If so, when will it be safe for me to have the booster shot?  Nancy Trimble

A. This is actually one of the frequently asked questions on the American Society of Hematologys website. In short, they say you should go ahead and get a booster. I also asked Dr. Jorge Galvez Silva, medical director for the KIDZ Bone Marrow Transplant Program at Nicklaus Childrens Hospital in Fort Lauderdale, for his view.

Vaccines will not interfere with stem cell therapy, he said. We suggest giving flu and COVID vaccines to patients with immune systems whose numbers/values are in the normal range.

He said some stem cell patients may have a weak response to the vaccines, but they should still get them.

Patients undergoing stem cell therapies for inflammation could respond differently but it will depend on what type of immunosuppressive medications they are on, he said. Either way, COVID vaccination should not affect the stem cell infusion and it is better for the body to have an incomplete reaction than none at all.

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[ RELATED: Welcome to Florida. The COVID rules are different here. ]

Q. I got my booster and tested positive the next day for COVID. Was it a waste to get the booster? Is it still protecting me from the worst symptoms? Should I re-boost?  Eric, Cooper City

A. No need to beat yourself up on this one. You did the right thing, said Dr. Andrea Klemes, chief medical officer at MDVIP, a national physicians network with headquarters in Boca Raton.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends people with COVID wait until their symptoms have resolved before getting a booster. But even if you didnt know you had the virus when you got vaccinated, youll still be fine, she said.

It was not a waste, Klemes said. The CDC is recommending boosters for all adults. There is no reason to re-boost at this point. The COVID you have now is giving you natural immunity on top of your booster. Research has shown that being vaccinated does help minimize the severity of your disease.

Dr. Hila Beckerman, a Delray Beach pediatrician with extensive vaccine experience, agreed.

Now you have very strong immunity, she said. If you knew you had COVID, you could have canceled the booster and postponed it for a month later. But since you didnt know that you were already infected (which happens to many people), there is no harm in receiving the booster.

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[ RELATED: Subscribe to the Sun-Sentinel's new newsletter, Essential South Florida ]

Q. I am in my 80s and had my booster shot in August. My plan in February is to fly and visit my family in another state. As six months will have elapsed since my booster shot, should I get another booster before I travel?  Ruth, Boca Raton

A. It depends whether you fall in the immunocompromised category. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has approved a fourth dose beginning in February for people with weakened immune systems, which includes cancer and HIV patients, and organ transplant recipients. Age is not an included category at the moment.

A fourth shot could become standard for almost all Americans in the coming year. Israel is already offering them to people age 60 and older and medical workers. Needless to say, Americans who are concerned about the omicron variant have started getting fourth shots anyway, whether they are compromised or not, and there are few safeguards in place to prevent this.

[ RELATED: South Floridians skirt rules to get booster ]

Q. I tried to make an appointment for the antibody treatment and there are hardly any locations where they are available. Any ideas or recommendations if this is going to change anytime soon? Getting the treatment early is of critical importance for those who are at risk. Im sure you already know that!  P.L.

A. Treatment availability did slow down last month because federal officials said monoclonal antibodies are not effective against COVIDs omicron variant. However, the federal government has agreed to start shipping them out again. Gov. Ron DeSantis said on Monday U.S. health officials will send at least 30,000 monoclonal antibody treatments to Florida, with new public treatment sites to open as soon as the doses arrive.

The infusions prevent COVID from becoming severe, although they appear to be more successful against the delta variant.

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When the doses arrive, you wont need a doctors prescription. DeSantis said the states surgeon general is going to offer guidance on how to explicitly target the treatment to the elderly population and people with risk factors.

[ RELATED: Welcome to Florida. The COVID rules are different here. ]

Q. A few months ago President Biden stated that rapid testing kits would be sold to the American people for $14. However, Walmart is the only store that I know that lowered the price to $14. Walgreens and CVS are still selling these tests for $23.99. The poor cannot afford to buy these tests. If they are lucky they can find them at Walmart but that is becoming difficult because of the mass buying of these tests.  Sean Cononie, Cosac Foundation for the homeless, Davie

A. President Joe Biden has announced a plan to distribute 500 million free at-home rapid tests to Americans beginning next month. Anyone who wants a test would have to request it through a website that will launch in January. Details are still to come.

Biden had announced earlier this month he wanted home tests to become free and widely available. I couldnt find any reference he made to the $14 price you mentioned.

The president is making this announcement as the omicron variant of COVID-19 is spreading quickly. At-home tests are in high demand now and hard to find, although pharmacies say they are regularly restocking. Prices start at about $7 per test (or $14 for two, maybe thats where you heard the $14 number) and go as high as $38.99. These costs could become prohibitive for a family thats testing regularly, so hopefully the presidents plan will come to fruition.

[ RELATED: Subscribe to the Sun-Sentinel's new newsletter, Essential South Florida ]

Q. My wife and I are fully vaccinated and received our booster shots in late September. If everything stays OK, we would like to visit New York City in May for a week. Would proof of our vaccination (and not a negative COVID test) be sufficient for our trip? And if we travel to Montreal and then on to Toronto from New York, would our full vaccination status still be sufficient? Would our full vaccination status be all thats needed to return to Florida?  David, Aventura

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A. You dont need a negative COVID test or proof of vaccination to travel in the United States, although there could be some venues, such as restaurants or museums or theaters you visit in New York, that will want to see your vaccination cards.

Canada is a different story; you will have to upload your vaccine info and COVID test results to an app called ArriveCAN. You may even have to undergo another test upon arrival: The Government of Canada is increasing the number of fully vaccinated travelers being selected for testing to reach 100% of vaccinated travelers in the coming weeks, according to a government website.

As for returning to Florida, you will not need to show any vaccine or testing documents to anyone. But you can feel good knowing you are fully vaccinated and boosted and unlikely to be spreading COVID or its variants.

Q. I got my second Pfizer shot at the end of February 2021. Every month since then I have suffered facial swelling and vision problems. I am afraid of the booster. What should I do?  Judith

A. This is one for your doctor. These symptoms may or may not be a reaction to your Pfizer shots, said Dr. Andrea Klemes, chief medical officer at MDVIP, a national physicians network with headquarters in Boca Raton.

I would suggest she talk to her doctor, Klemes said. She may have medical conditions causing these symptoms or something new going on. She needs to be evaluated and not assume it is from the vaccine.

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[ RELATED: Sign up for our Essential South Florida newsletter ]

Q. Can I just walk in to my local pharmacy for my booster or do I need an appointment?  John, Coconut Creek

A. Get in line; everyone wants a booster now that the omicron variant is looming among us. A record-breaking 308,217 people in Florida got their boosters last week.

Statewide, the number of people who got boosters from Nov. 26 to Dec. 2 was almost 40,000 more than the previous week, raising the total past 300,000 for the first time since the week of Sept. 3.

You may get lucky and be able to walk right into a pharmacy without an appointment, but I would call ahead and see if they will take you. Publix, for example, prefers that you make an appointment.

While our pharmacies do take walk-ins, appointments receive priority and a pharmacist and/or pharmacy technician may not be available to administer a vaccine that is not scheduled, Publix spokeswoman Maria Brous said. Some stores may have a vaccine check-in table that would allow customers to inquire if walk-in vaccinations are available on that particular day.

Heres a way to see where boosters are available in your ZIP code: Text 438829 to receive a list of nearby pharmacies with doses available.

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[ RELATED: Welcome to Florida. The COVID rules are different here. ]

Q. I need a COVID test to get on an international flight but every place I look into wants to charge more than $100. Is there anywhere that is low-cost or no-cost?  Jill, Coral Springs

A. There are many testing sites in South Florida that wont charge you; the problem is they may not get your results back in time. There are 11 free sites run by the Florida Department of Health in Broward County. They dont require an appointment, will take any age and will take you whether you are vaccinated or not. Results typically come back within two days, spokeswoman Nina Levine said.

Palm Beach County has a similar number of sites with similar rules. Then there are the commercial sites that will either bill your insurance or require you to pay out-of-pocket. They can cost as much as $350, but promise to get you results quickly, sometimes within a few hours. So you have to weigh how fast you need the results with whether and how much youre willing to pay.

[ RELATED: Your cruise leaves in two days and you need a COVID test. Here's what you need to know. ]

Q. I am yet to get my COVID-19 booster. Should I go now, or should I wait until the pharma companies develop a new formulation that will combat the omicron variant?  Martin, Hollywood

A. No need to wait; go now, said Dr. Hila Beckerman, a Delray Beach pediatrician with extensive vaccine experience. The booster likely will offer protection from this scary new variant of COVID-19.

If it has been six to eight months since your second COVID vaccine and you have not contracted COVID since then, it is recommended that you receive your booster, regardless of omicron, she said. While vaccine manufacturers are currently testing the effectiveness of the vaccines against omicron as well as developing specific mRNA codes that target the omicron variant, there is no timeline as of yet as to when these new vaccines will be available.

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The current vaccines protected us from the delta variant, so theres hope they also will shield us from whatever comes our way in the coming months, she said.

Vaccine manufacturers are constantly chasing their tail when it comes to variants, so a new variant may be present by the time a vaccine against omicron and delta become available, she said. Its best to protect yourself as best you can by getting whatever booster is available to you currently.

[ RLEATED: Welcome to Florida. The COVID-19 rules are different here. ]

Q. My husband and I both had a mild case of COVID-19 in January 2021, then got the first shot of Moderna in March, followed by the second in April. I plan to get my booster in the next few days. How long will immunity last with this third shot?

Also, this may be too soon to ask, but my husband and I plan to take my dream trip to Italy the end of June 2022 immediately followed by a trip to England to visit family. Thats seven months from now, so well need to renew our COVID-19 vaccines prior to our trip, right?  Linda, Boca Raton

A. Immunity wanes approximately six months after youve gotten two shots of Pfizer or Moderna or one shot of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, said Dr. Jorge Perez, founder of KIDZ Medical Services, which has offices throughout South Florida. Thats why boosters are now encouraged, although recommendations continue to evolve.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, recently said that the stance on boosters could change in the future as more data on their efficacy becomes available, Perez said. Overall, I recommend that my patients  and my family  follow the CDC recommendations in effect four to six weeks before their scheduled travel date.

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There are no recommendations for a second booster, or a fourth shot, at the moment, although that could change as omicron and other variants continue to emerge in the coming months.

At that time, they also need to reconsider traveling to a country that is in the middle of a surge, as several in Europe are experiencing right now, Perez said.

Q. I am a Type 2 diabetic. I received the Pfizer vaccine. Six months from my last dose would be Dec. 28. Im planning a Christmas trip. Should I get my booster two weeks before my trip, so that I have increased resistance before I travel?  Robert

A. Go for it, said Dr. Andrea Klemes, chief medical officer at MDVIP, a physicians network with headquarters in Boca Raton.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends six months between your second dose and your booster, but I think it makes sense to get it two weeks early to ensure you are protected on your trip, Klemes said. Personally, that is what I would do.

[ RELATED: Here are the COVID-19 rules in Florida restaurants, theme parks, grocery stores and sports venues ]

Q. I had to get a tetanus shot about a month ago. Walgreens only had DTaP. Can I get a COVID booster now or is it too soon? Will the tetanus shot fight the COVID antibodies?  Krista, Fort Lauderdale

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A. DTaP is a triple-whammy vaccine that prevents diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis. Your DTaP shot will get along just fine with a COVID booster, said Dr. Hila Beckerman, a Delray Beach pediatrician with extensive vaccine experience.

This is a very common question, Beckerman said. Each vaccine works by making antibodies to a specific protein found on that virus or bacteria. When you get the COVID vaccine, your body makes antibodies specifically against the spike protein on the outside of the COVID virus. Those antibodies dont affect a different virus or bacteria. So if you get a DTaP vaccine, the antibodies you make as a result of that vaccine dont affect other viruses or bacteria. Therefore, you can receive the COVID vaccine regardless of any other vaccine.

Q. I may be a rare case, but I received my first Moderna vaccination in late January and my second in late February. Then this summer, I caught COVID and became quite ill with it. Do I have any extra protection? Can I get it again? I work with someone in a small office who refuses to get vaccinated and wears a mask only sporadically. Thats troubling.  Susan

A. Its true that youre in the minority, but vaccinated people do get COVID and can get it more than once. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there were 91 cases per 100,000 vaccinated people in the United States who had COVID as of Oct. 2, compared with 452 cases per 100,000 among the unvaccinated.

Now that youve recovered, you have extra protection, but how much and for how long is unknown, said Dr. Andrea Klemes, chief medical officer at MDVIP, a physicians network with headquarters in Boca Raton.

You can get COVID after being vaccinated and you can also get COVID again after having had it before, she said. I would discuss your particular case with your doctor, but you may consider a booster shot if it has been more than three months since you had COVID and you meet the criteria.

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Q. I received my COVID-19 vaccinations in January and February and then went for the monoclonal antibody injection in August. Do I still need to get the COVID booster?  Deb

A. Monoclonal antibodies are proteins that fight the virus and have been successful in treating mild to moderate COVID. According to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center: If you receive monoclonal antibod(ies), it remains important to be vaccinated to prevent serious illness in the future.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that you wait 90 days after treatment with monoclonal antibodies before getting a COVID shot. Depending when in August you got your monoclonal injection, you can head over to a pharmacy now or in the coming weeks to get your booster.

[ RELATED: Here's what you need to know about cruising and COVID-19 tests ]

Q. I am an over-70 survivor of open heart surgery and living with well-controlled Type 2 diabetes. I have had all three Pfizer vaccinations. What is your advice on attending a family gathering with vaccinated adults but several children under 11 still unvaccinated?  Patricia

A. Dont cancel Thanksgiving! There are several things you can do to create a safe gathering. Here are some recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

Stay outdoors as much as possible.

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Make sure indoor spaces have good air circulation and are not too crowded.

Dont go if youre sick.

I would add you should get tested for COVID-19 before you go and ask others who are attending to get tested, too. The Binax Now home tests are about $25 and known for their accuracy.

Since you have some pre-existing conditions, theres extra advice from Dr. Joanna Drowos, an associate professor of family medicine at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton.

As someone who is at higher risk of becoming ill from a COVID-19 infection, the recommendation would be to mask when indoors, and ask others to mask around you as well, she said. You can still enjoy an event with your family, but make sure to spend time outdoors, keep your distance and wash your hands.

[ RELATED: Here's how to find a COVID-19 test if you're going on a cruise or international flight ]

Q. Do you know of anywhere that would give a Pfizer booster in the thigh for someone diagnosed with breast cancer in both breasts?  Survivor

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A. You do have to ask around when you want your shot anywhere beside your arm. One possibility is a doctors office, said Dr. Hila Beckerman, a pediatrician with extensive vaccine experience.

When administering the Pfizer vaccine, the most important aspect is to give it in the muscle, she said. The upper arm is more easily accessible and has less fatty tissue covering the deltoid muscle, which is why it is most commonly administered there. The anterolateral thigh can absolutely be used as an alternative location. However, it is imperative to ensure that the vaccine is placed inside the muscle. Therefore, those receiving a vaccine in the thigh may need to use a longer needle (commonly 1.5 inch, as opposed to a 1 inch needle in the deltoid). This will obviously depend on your body type and weight.

I asked a CVS pharmacist and she said they werent allowed to do this. But some Publix pharmacists do have the training and the right needles; you just need to confirm this before you go, Publix spokeswoman Maria Brous said.

There is additional training that accompanies administering a vaccine at an alternative site, such as the thigh, said Brous, who added that the customer would have to prove a medical need. We would want to ensure that our pharmacist has the training to make it a seamless process for our customer.

Q. I had a mild to moderate COVID infection in July 2020, not requiring any hospitalization. I was vaccinated with the Pfizer shot in January and February of 2021. I am wondering whether it is appropriate to get a booster shot at this time, or do I have enough protection currently and is it wiser to postpone a booster until the one-year mark of my second vaccine?  Susan

A. If you meet the age and health criteria, you can get your booster now, said Dr. Andrea Klemes, chief medical officer at MDVIP, a national physicians network with headquarters in Boca Raton.

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Per the CDC recommendation, you should get a booster if it has been six months since your last shot and if you are over 65 or between 18 and 64 with health conditions that put you at high risk, she said. The CDC recommends those that had COVID get vaccinated as long as they wait 90 days from the start of the infection.

Q. A person who was fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (two Pfizer doses) in January and February 2021 subsequently lost a great deal of blood over a short period of time (June to August 2021) and received over a dozen transfusions. Subsequent to that, an antibody test was administered and it revealed zero antibodies for COVID-19. Is the most likely explanation that the patients body did not respond to the vaccine, that the loss and replacement of the large quantity of blood eliminated the antibodies, a combination of both, or something else?  Renee

A. The transfusions did not affect the patients antibody levels, said Dr. Guillermo De Angulo, a pediatric hematologist-oncologist at KIDZ Medical Services, which has offices throughout South Florida. There are several possible explanations for the antibody loss.

The duration of antibodies seems to differ significantly among patients; thats why the booster is recommended, he said. If the patient was vaccinated with one of the three approved vaccines, my best guess would be that her antibodies were short-lived. But the replacement of blood has no impact on the presence of antibodies.

Q. Im booked on an MSC Divina cruise ship, which departs at 11 a.m. on a Sunday from Miami. They told me I need a COVID-19 test two days in advance, which would make that a Friday test. I have checked with all the people that give tests and they are telling me it takes three days, sometimes up to five days, to obtain your e-mail results and all labs are closed on Sundays! I have spoken to the representatives of MSC cruise lines and theyre telling me that is their policy. Im willing to follow their policy but if I dont get my results, Im standing on the dock ready to board the ship without results of my test. I have received my two vaccines plus my booster shot and I have my documentation to verify that. We are four people trying to get an answer. Do we lose all our money because we didnt follow their rules and regulations?  Jerry, Tamarac

A. Although PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests, which can take several days to come back, are considered the gold standard of COVID-19 tests, MSC accepts the results of rapid antigen tests, which are considered less accurate but come back much quicker.

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MSC accepts several types of COVID-19 testing in order to maximize flexibility for our guests while adhering to our comprehensive health and safety procedures, spokesman Field Sutton said. Rapid antigen testing is an option for anyone 12 and older prior to embarking on a cruise, so theres no need to worry about missing a cruise over the testing requirements. There are numerous places throughout South Florida offering rapid antigen testing with results that arrive within an hour. Its quick and easy to schedule a test  or just walk in at many locations  during the two days leading up to a sailing.

Sutton gave an example of his own experience with a rapid test before a cruise.

I departed on a cruise the afternoon of Friday, Oct. 29, he said. I went to a drive-thru testing facility the morning of Oct. 27, drove to work after being swabbed and had rapid antigen testing results waiting in my email by the time I got to work. I then used those results to satisfy proof of testing for boarding the cruise two days later.

Heres a list of South Florida testing sites with details on how long it takes for results to come back: https://www.sun-sentinel.com/coronavirus/fl-ne-coronavirus-drive-through-testing-south-florida-20200320-vhu64lpmx5d7tjgr5zastjim3a-story.html. Let me know how your cruise goes; Im curious what its like to cruise now that everything is opening up again.

Q. I received my Moderna booster a few months ago. I have COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and have not found any answer as to what type or strength of vaccine I received for this third shot. Is the booster I received acceptable or must I sign up for Modernas new third shot booster?  Gene, Boynton Beach

A. If youve gotten three shots, youre done for now. The booster you got is stronger than the one that was recently approved. Theres no need to return for another dose.

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You likely received a full dose, just like with your other two, said Dr. Hila Beckerman, a Delray Beach pediatrician with extensive vaccine experience. The half dose wasnt approved until this fall. The original Moderna concentration is 100mcg and the booster has shown to be just as efficacious at half that dose, which is 50mcg, and with decreased side effects. There is currently no recommendation for a fourth dose.

Q. Im a yoga teacher in South Florida. I found out that a student who had been in one of my classes came down with COVID-19. The student with COVID told the yoga studio owner, but the owner did not tell me or anyone who was in that class. Was there a legal obligation for the studio owner to share this information with me or the people in the class? I feel like we all should have been told so we would know to get tested.  Concerned instructor

A. Theres no legal requirement. Its more of a moral responsibility, said attorney Peter Sachs, a founding partner and chairman emeritus of the law firm Sachs Sax Caplan in Boca Raton.

The yoga studio owner has an obligation to maintain a safe environment for her customers, Sachs said. In my opinion, this responsibility would include an obligation to notify the other students in the class that one of the students (name should remain confidential) they participated in class with had come down with a contagious disease such as COVID-19. The yoga studio owner breached that duty by withholding this information either intentionally or negligently.

There might have been a legal remedy if the teacher contracted COVID-19 from the student in her class, Sachs said. But I followed up with the teacher and she didnt.

There is no remedy for simply not notifying her, Sachs said. Her option without anything else would be to stop doing business with that studio. The instructor told me thats exactly what shes done.

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Q. How many people have died from taking the COVID-19 vaccine?  John Silberman

A. As of Nov. 8, 9,549 COVID vaccine-related deaths were submitted to the CDCs Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). Thats 0.0022% of the 423 million doses given out in the United States.

But VAERS has proven to be an imperfect source of information. Health care providers are required to report deaths after vaccination to VAERS even if theres no direct link to a vaccine, and average citizens also can submit information. So its a jumble the CDC warns should be analyzed by statistical professionals.

Widely shared reports on social media have said 150,000 people have died from COVID vaccines. But Reuters Fact Check rated these statements as false.

The only causal link thats emerged so far between vaccines and deaths has occurred in some women who took the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. In April, the CDC reported three deaths from a rare blood-clotting disorder among women 18 to 49 who got the single-dose J&J. The CDC halted J&J shots April 13 but approved their resumption 10 days later, saying their advantages outweighed their potential dangers.

Q. I am a Canadian who owns a condo in Coconut Creek. I am planning on flying to Florida Dec. 6. I have had my two Pfizer vaccines. The second one was on June 5. Will I be able to get the Pfizer booster? If yes, will I be charged for it?  Rosa Rudick

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A. You can get your shot here, and theres no cost. COVID-19 vaccines in Florida are available to full-time and seasonal residents, according to the Florida Department of Health.

Additionally, anyone in the state for the purpose of providing goods or services is also eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in Florida, according to the department.

Many people from foreign countries are getting their boosters here, even those who dont own property and are just visiting. Few questions are being asked of anyone arriving at a pharmacy for a shot. You can find a list of sites that offer appointments or allow you to walk in at SunSentinel.com/coronavirus.

Got a question? Email Sun Sentinel staff writer Lois K. Solomon at AskLois@sunsentinel.com
You're likely familiar with the idea of the sterile mule: a hybrid animal born of a horse and a donkey that is unable to breed.

But what about a fertile mule whose teeth just aren't right for chewing the grass in its environment?

Hybrid animals are often infertile or inviable because their genes can be incompatible, a result of natural selection, where species adapt through evolution. These incompatibilities are a by-product of the genes that the parent populations used to adapt to their environments, and occur due to 'mismatched' genes that potentially affect things like cellular processes. These incompatibilities are an important mechanism in speciation, because instead of having different populations or species collapse into one larger population, they can instead remain distinct.

But research conducted at the University of British Columbia on hybrid threespine stickleback fish suggests that hybrid incompatibilities can be dependent on their environment, says lead author Dr. Ken Thompson, a doctoral student in the UBC department of zoology and Biodiversity Research Centre at the time of the study.

Hybrid incompatibilities as a genetic mechanism, are almost always assumed to affect hybrid organisms in all of the habitats that they encounter. But some hybrids can be perfectly viable and fertile in the lab  it's only when subjected to ecological pressures, such as predators or foraging for food that they die off or don't mate as successfully as other fish." Dr. Ken Thompson, postdoctoral fellow at Stanford University's department of biology

Previous research has highlighted that there appears to be a 'mismatch' component to this ecological speciation, for example when some hybrid fish have mismatched jaw traits that reduce their ability to feed. What wasn't clear was whether the genetics of the 'ecological' mismatch were akin to the genetics of the 'intrinsic' mismatch that resulted in infertile or unviable individuals. "Although the genetics of 'intrinsic' incompatibilities have been relatively well-studied for decades, we knew almost nothing about the genetics of 'ecological' incompatibilities that only appear in particular environments. However, these ecological incompatibilities are likely to be quite common in nature" says co-author Dr. Catherine Peichel, a professor at the Institute of Ecology and Evolution at the University of Bern.

Dr. Thompson and his colleagues compiled genetic data from experiments conducted at UBC between 2003 and 2013 of two types of hybrid threespine stickleback fish, where about 3,300 fish had been raised in large artificial ponds at UBC and 550 in a lab. The researchers found fish raised in the pond had a three per cent higher heterozygosity, which indicates that they had a lower incidence of 'mismatched' genes. The researchers theorize that fish with 'mismatched' genes died off only in the ponds, leading to the surviving fish having greater average heterozygosity. In the lab, with no ecological pressures or influence, these 'mismatched' fish survived and heterozygosity did not differ from 50 per cent, the expected amount under classical rules of genetics.

"This is the first paper to show that a genetic signature of hybrid incompatibilities-;the death of individuals with more 'mismatched genes'-;can be caused by ecology," says Dr. Thompson. "However, analyses of average 'ancestry heterozygosity' are very coarse, and further research is needed to identify exactly which genes and which traits are affected."

The research shows how theoretical predictions about selection on mismatched genes, for instance, ancestry heterozygosity, could be applied to real data from experiments, he says. "I think a lot of people will have this sort of genetic data available to them and perhaps they just never thought how they can use it to test predictions about hybrid incompatibilities."
In a recent study posted to the medRxiv* preprint server, a team of researchers conducted a cost-effectiveness analysis of government-funded coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) rapid antigen tests (RATs) in Australia. The researchers at Flinders University also present scenario analyses around expected COVID-19 testing and isolation pathways with and without government-funded RATs.

Study: Should rapid antigen tests be government-funded in Australia? An economic evaluation. Image Credit: Andrei Dubadzel / Shutterstock.com

Background

Easy and unbiased access to COVID-19 testing is the foundation of effective public health response. As a result of the high accuracy of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test for the diagnosis of COVID-19, this approach is widely used in Australia.

However, the emergence of the highly transmissible Omicron variant of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), coinciding with a relaxation of lockdown restrictions, has caused an uncontrolled surge in COVID-19 cases in Australia, besieging the PCR testing system. This diagnostic method is also expensive, as the PCR testing system has cost the Australian government $3.7 billion to date.

RATs are an alternative test for COVID-19, which could supplement the current PCR testing system in addition to allowing for the early detection and self-isolation of COVID-19-infected people. Amid concerns that some people will not be able to afford RATs, the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) approved the use of RATs in November 2021.

About the study

In the present study, the researchers conducted an economic evaluation of whether funding RATs would be cost-effective for the Australian government. In Australia, PCR tests for COVID-19 are free for the public, whereas RATs are available for purchase at supermarkets and pharmacies at the cost of $10-20 per test.

The researchers developed an interactive decision tree model, which described two policies for the Australian government to consider. In contrast, one approach involved government-funded RATs and made them free-for-public-use, the other included individuals purchasing RATs for themselves.

The decision tree represented RAT and PCR testing pathways for a cohort of individuals who would take a RAT test without COVID-19-like symptoms and estimated the likelihood of COVID-19 positive individuals isolating before developing symptoms. Next, the decision tree evaluated the comparative costs of RAT and PCR tests, considering that the PCR testing costs were government-funded and RATs would incur expense only under a policy of government-funded RATs.

Since input parameter values were uncertain, the researchers presented a range of scenarios for analyses. Key input parameters included the prevalence of COVID-19 in individuals using RATs, the unit cost of the tests, and the mean number of tests used per person tested. The model estimations worked on the assumption that 10% of the 'COVID-19 concerned cohort with no COVID-19-like symptoms' will be COVID-19 positive and that 75% of them will eventually develop disease symptoms.

Decision tree structure. Figure presents a decision tree model that describes the testing pathways for a cohort of individuals who do not have COVID-19-like symptoms to estimate the isolation status of the COVID-19 positive members of the cohort. The primary outcome is 'early isolation,' defined as COVID-19 positive individuals who isolate before the development of symptoms. The cohort is defined as individuals who would use RATs if the tests were to be funded by the government. The model estimates individuals' expected testing costs and isolation statuses utilizing a RAT on a single calendar day.

Study findings

The study model estimated that an additional 580 individuals would isolate early under a policy of government-funded RATs at a cost to the government of around $52,000. From these values, for every additional $112 associated with government funding of RATs, one additional individual with COVID-19 and no symptoms would isolate.

Scenario analyses indicated that the incremental cost to the government per additional COVID-19 positive individual isolating with no symptoms would, at most, be a few hundred dollars. These results apply to a cohort of 10,000' COVID-19 concerned individuals' who would use government-funded RATs, assuming 10% prevalence of COVID-19 and 20% of individuals purchasing RATs, even if not government-funded.

According to the study estimates, increasing the prevalence of COVID-19 by 20% and reducing the per-unit cost of RAT by $5 would result in insignificant incremental costs for each early isolated COVID-19 case.

Conclusions

While RAT-based testing allows for the early detection of COVID-19 in infected individuals, in 50-70% of cases, PCR testing detects COVID-19 positives post-infection, thereby leading to unnecessarily longer quarantine times. Although the benefits of early isolation are difficult to quantify, it is an accepted strategy for containing the spread of COVID-19.

According to the study findings, a drop in viral reproduction numbers from 1.5 to 1.2 could reduce daily COVID-19 cases from 20,000 to under 5,000. Furthermore, earlier isolation and controlling COVID-19 transmission could lessen the burden on healthcare facilities and increase the availability of essential workers in Australia, thus economically benefiting businesses.

Taken together, the study presented a range of scenario analyses based on a decision tree model, all of which indicated that even only minor reductions in COVID-19 transmission rates due to early isolation would justify the additional costs associated with a policy of government-funded RATs. In addition, the incremental cost to the Australian government per additional COVID-19-positive individual isolating with no symptoms would only be a few hundred dollars.

Given the potential issues with the supply and distribution of RATs, an implementation strategy targeting a cohort with at least 5% COVID-19 prevalence would be a cost-effective government policy.

*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.
At the first sign of cognitive trouble, people often worry Alzheimer's disease is forthcoming. But poor cognition can be part of the spectrum of normality in older age, according to new research published in JNeurosci.

Kocagoncu et al. compared the brains of cognitively frail adults -; people with reduced cognitive function who haven't noticed memory issues -; to those of adults with a mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or Alzheimer's disease (AD) and healthy controls. They recruited healthy and cognitively frail adults from the Cambridge Centre for Ageing and Neuroscience study. Researchers measured participants' cognition with a battery of tests, their brain structure with MRI, and their brain activity with EEG and MEG.

Cognitively frail adults performed like adults with MCI on the cognitive tests -; both worse than controls. But their brain structure and activity resembled those of the healthy controls: the atrophy in regions like the hippocampus typical in adults in AD did not appear in cognitively frail adults. Impaired cognition can be part of the range of normal aging and is not always an early sign of Alzheimer's disease. Cognitive frailty may instead hinge on lifestyle factors -; many of which are reversible and modifiable -; like physical activity, stress, education, and cardiovascular health.
Researchers at Universite de Montreal have created a nanoantenna to monitor the motions of proteins. Reported this week in Nature Methods, the device is a new method to monitor the structural change of proteins over time  and may go a long way to helping scientists better understand natural and human-designed nanotechnologies.

The results are so exciting that we are currently working on setting up a start-up company to commercialize and make this nanoantenna available to most researchers and the pharmaceutical industry." Alexis Vallee-Belisle, study's senior author, UdeM chemistry professor

An antenna that works like a two-way radio

Over 40 years ago, researchers invented the first DNA synthesizer to create molecules that encode genetic information. "In recent years, chemists have realized that DNA can also be employed to build a variety of nanostructures and nanomachines", added the researcher, who also holds the Canada Research Chair in Bioengineering and Bionanotechnology.

"Inspired by the 'Lego-like' properties of DNA, with building blocks that are typically 20,000 times smaller than a human hair, we have created a DNA-based fluorescent nanoantenna, that can help characterize the function of proteins." he said

"Like a two-way radio that can both receive and transmit radio waves, the fluorescent nanoantenna receives light in one colour, or wavelength, and depending on the protein movement it senses, then transmits light back in another colour, which we can detect."

One of the main innovations of these nanoantennae is that the receiver part of the antenna is also employed to sense the molecular surface of the protein studied via molecular interaction.

One of the main advantages of using DNA to engineer these nanoantennas is that DNA chemistry is relatively simple and programmable," said Scott Harroun, an UdeM doctoral student in chemistry and the study's first author.

"The DNA-based nanoantennas can be synthesized with different lengths and flexibilities to optimize their function," he said. "One can easily attach a fluorescent molecule to the DNA, and then attach this fluorescent nanoantenna to a biological nanomachine, such as an enzyme.

"By carefully tuning the nanoantenna design, we have created five nanometer-long antenna that produces a distinct signal when the protein is performing its biological function."

Fluorescent nanoantennas open many exciting avenues in biochemistry and nanotechnology, the scientists believe.

"For example, we were able to detect, in real time and for the first time, the function of the enzyme alkaline phosphatase with a variety of biological molecules and drugs," said Harroun. "This enzyme has been implicated in many diseases, including various cancers and intestinal inflammation.

"In addition to helping us understand how natural nanomachines function or malfunction, consequently leading to disease, this new method can also help chemists identify promising new drugs as well as guide nanoengineers to develop improved nanomachines," added Dominic Lauzon, a co-author of the study doing his PhD in chemistry at UdeM.

One main advance enabled by these nanoantennas is also their ease-of-use, the scientists said.

"Perhaps what we are most excited by is the realization that many labs around the world, equipped with a conventional spectrofluorometer, could readily employ these nanoantennas to study their favourite protein, such as to identify new drugs or to develop new nanotechnologies," said Vallee-Belisle.
In a recent study published on the bioRxiv* preprint server, researchers examine the role of human sirtuin 5 (SIRT5) in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection.

Study: SIRT5 is a proviral factor that interacts with SARS-CoV-2 Nsp14 protein. Image Credit: SciePro / Shutterstock.com

Role of Nsp14 in SARS-CoV-2 replication

Nsp14 is a component of the replication-transcription complex with two conserved domains that serve different activities. The N-terminal domain (NTD) is an exoribonuclease (ExoN) that works from 3' to 5', whereas the C-terminal domain is a ribonucleic acid (RNA) cap guanine N7-methyltransferase (MTase) that works from 3' to 5'.

During RNA replication, the N-terminal ExoN domain performs proofreading, thus allowing mismatched nucleotides introduced by the viral RNA polymerase to be removed. The C-terminal MTase domain of Nsp14 is an S-adenosyl methionine (SAM)-dependent methyltransferase that methylates the 5 guanine of the Gppp-RNA cap at the N7 position, which is required for viral RNA capping.

The 5 cap is crucial for viral messenger RNA (mRNA) stability and translation, as well as for evading innate antiviral responses in the host. Nsp14 causes translational halting, participates in innate immunity evasion, activates proinflammatory signals, and orchestrates viral recombination.

The Nsp14 protein of SARS-CoV-2 interacts with SIRT5. Sirtuins are key regulators of cellular metabolism and aging that use nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) as a co-substrate.

SIRT5 binds stably with non-structural protein (Nsp14) but not with its cofactor Nsp10, and the enzymatic activity of SIRT5 is required for the association. The knocking out or inhibiting of SIRT5 in cell culture tests has lowered viral loads, thereby indicating that SIRT5 is a proviral component required for successful viral replication.

SARS-CoV-2 hijacks the cellular machinery after entering the cell, which allows for its viral proteins to physically interact with hundreds of human proteins. SIRT5 has been identified as a potential binding partner of Nsp14 in protein interactome studies. The nature of this interaction and the role of SIRT5 during SARS-CoV-2 infection were examined in this study.

Study findings

The findings of the current study showed that SIRT5 interacts with Nsp14 in a stable manner and that this connection is independent of Nsp10. Interestingly, the researchers discovered that the catalytic activity of SIRT5 was required for the interaction, as many SIRT5 catalytic mutants were unable to bind to Nsp14 and certain SIRT5 inhibitors prevented the association.

Although SIRT5 is the primary cellular desuccinylase, demalonylase, and deglutarylase, the researchers were unable to find these lysine modifications on the Nsp14 protein, thus implying that SIRT5 does not modify Nsp14 directly. SIRT5 is also a proviral factor, as demonstrated by the fact that when SIRT5 is removed or inhibited in cell-culture trials, SARS-CoV-2 levels drop. The researchers discovered that SIRT5-knockout (KO) cells have greater basal levels of innate immunity markers and produce a stronger antiviral response, which could explain the decrease in virus levels.

The association between SIRT5 and Nsp14 was prevented when the SIRT5 catalytic domain was mutated or when cells were treated with a SIRT5 inhibitor. Furthermore, the strength of the contact appeared to be controlled by cellular NAD levels.

Characterization of inhibitors.

Using mass spectrometry and immunoblotting, the researchers observed no lysine changes on Nsp14. Furthermore, SIRT5 is the only known desuccinylase, demalonylase, and deglutarylase, and these investigations were carried out in Sirt5-KD cells, which would have enriched the presence of these lysine modifications if they existed.

SIRT5-KO mice have no noticeable phenotype and have strong innate immune responses to a variety of bacterial infections. Even in mock-infected cells, the reduction in SARS-CoV-2 levels was linked with enhanced basal levels of many viral restriction factors in SIRT5-KO cells.

This small but considerable increase could explain the slow propagation of SARS-CoV-2 in SIRT5-KO cells. The findings also suggested that SIRT5 desuccinylation of mitochondrial antiviral signaling protein (MAVS) is not the primary mechanism causing viral levels to drop in SIRT5-KO cells.

Conclusions

Further research into the potential link between, the Nsp14/SIRT5 interaction and the proviral role of SHIRT5 needs to be conducted.

There are several hypotheses to consider. First, Nsp14 could promote viral replication by increasing SIRT5 activity, which would decrease innate immune responses and favor viral replication. Second, SIRT5 could be redirected by Nsp14 to other targets, such as other viral proteins.

Third, as noted by the researchers, SIRT5 and Nsp10 formed distinct complexes and SIRT5 boosted Nsp14 MTase activity marginally. The absence of SIRT5 causes a deficiency in cap methylation, more efficient immunological detection of viral RNA, and greater immune response.

Taken together, SIRT5 is a possible pharmacological target that could help fight viral infections in general and SARS-CoV-2 in particular. Inhibiting SIRT5 will certainly never be utilized as the first line of defense; however, it could be used along with medications that directly target viral enzymes to create innovative COVID-19 treatment regimens.

We further showed that SIRT5 is a proviral factor and that SARS-CoV-2 levels decrease when SIRT5 is deleted or inhibited in cell-culture experiments.

*Important notice

bioRxiv publishes preliminary scientific reports that are not peer-reviewed and, therefore, should not be regarded as conclusive, guide clinical practice/health-related behavior, or treated as established information.
Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have received three grants totaling more than $6.8 million to advance research on a novel imaging system to monitor uterine contractions.

The electromyometrial imaging system, called EMMI, was invented and developed at Washington University. The device allows physicians to measure, in 3D, the electrical activity of a patient's uterine contractions during labor. Such details can help scientists and physicians identify practices to monitor labor status and prevent preterm births, the worlds leading cause of death in children under age 5. Measuring contractions associated with pregnancy and the menstrual cycle also ideally will help safeguard women's health.

Yong Wang, PhD, an associate professor of obstetrics & gynecology, is the leading principal investigator of a new grant from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The five-year grant will support efforts to build a "normal term uterine contraction atlas" to help predict labor arrest and dysfunction. The researchers aim to provide a foundation for future clinical trials involving monitoring labor progression and testing interventions to prevent labor complications such as preterm birth and postpartum bleeding.

Wang also received two research grants from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. One is to help develop a portable, bedside EMMI system suitable for multisite clinical trials and commercialization. The other grant will support EMMI's novel applications to image and understand the role of uterine contractions associated with different phases of the menstrual cycle, with the goal of learning more about abnormal uterine bleeding related to ovulation dysfunction and infertility.
In a recent study published on the medRxiv* preprint server, researchers determined factors influencing local heterogeneities in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination rates and the influence of the French sanitary pass on those heterogeneities using extensive nationwide data from France.

Study: The French domestic "sanitary pass" did not solve Covid-19 vaccination inequities in France. Image Credit: rarrarorro / Shutterstock.com

Background

Although France has a demonstrated history of unwillingness towards vaccination that was confirmed during the COVID-19 pandemic, the acceptance of COVID-19 vaccination in France gradually rose throughout 2021.

Social and territorial inequalities are known to influence people's attitudes towards vaccination. For example, according to surveys conducted in 2020, vaccination rates in France are influenced by interviewees' level of education, income, and confidence in authorities.

To improve COVID-19 vaccination rates, France President Macron announced the implementation of a domestic sanitary pass (le passe sanitaire) on July 12, 2021, which was entirely implemented by August 9, 2021. The health pass was required in most public venues, such as outdoor and indoor dining areas and medical establishments. However, to date, the detailed information on the impact of the French sanitary pass on vaccination inequalities has not been fully assessed.

About the study

In the present study, the association between socioeconomic and geographic factors, COVID-19 vaccination, and health pass implementation in France was determined using comprehensive nationwide data.

The vaccination, socioeconomic, and geographic indicators data were collected from the French State Health Insurance Service (Assurance Maladie) public datasets. The Assurance Maladie provides public datasets of in-depth weekly COVID-19 first-dose vaccination data at the district scale across the country and at the suburban scale for the Marseille, Paris, and Lyon metropolitan areas.

The study included data of 63,601,670 individuals from 1,552 mainland French districts. These districts were associated with the five geographic and 176 socioeconomic indicators obtained from the same public datasets.

The relationship between being a district in the lowest quartile of first-dose vaccination rate and above the median value of each indicator was determined. Subsequently, the socioeconomic and geographic indicators odds ratio (OR) and their 95% confidence interval (CI) were determined on three timestamps that accounted for the before and after effects of health pass implementation.

The vaccination rates for the two socioeconomic and geographic indicators with the highest OR on the same dates were calculated. The analyses were conducted using R (v4.0.3) software.

Study findings

Both the income rate from unemployment benefits and the proportion of overcrowded households were found to be the most associated with local vaccination rates. To this end, the OR of unemployment and overcrowding at weeks 27, 31, and 37 were 12.6, 13.3, 11.9, and 11.6, 12, 15.7, with a 95% CI of [8.7; 18.9], [9.1; 20.0], and [8.2; 17.6], respectively.

The differences in percentile points-based vaccination rates between the first and fourth quartiles of unemployment and overcrowding indicators remained similar across the weeks. At weeks 27, 31, and 35, the difference in vaccination rate of unemployment was 7.6, 8, and 7.9 with a 95% CI of [6.6; 8.7], [7.0; 9.0], and [6.9; 8.9], respectively. The difference in vaccination rate of overcrowding at weeks 27, 31, and 35 were 6.9, 7.6, and 8.2 with a 95% CI of [5.7; 8.1], [6.6; 8.8], and [7.2; 9.1], respectively.

Local vaccination rates depending on the quartile of the two main indicators (Overcrowding rate, left and Unemployment rate, right) and over time (weeks 27, 31, 35, with increasingly darker shading)

Conclusions

The study results demonstrate that many deprived areas in France had more than ten times the likelihood of being among districts with the lowest vaccination rates. Low vaccination rates in France were associated with economically poor populations, thus indicating that the health pass did not resolve vaccination inequalities.

Districts with a large fraction of overcrowded housing or unemployment benefits constituting a large share of local income were strong determinants for low vaccination rates.

Previous studies have shown that most deprived areas had disproportional COVID-19 infection and hospitalization rates throughout the pandemic. The present study provides robust evidence for the strong impact of social inequalities on COVID-19 management.

Economically backward districts were the least vaccinated and at risk, despite implementing the domestic sanitary pass. Taken together, the current study underscores the pressing need for establishing new vaccination guidelines that address social inequalities.

*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.
California's sweeping new program to buy prescription drugs for its nearly 14 million Medicaid patients has alarmed health clinics that say they will lose money and have to cut services.

Gov. Gavin Newsom acknowledged Monday that some clinics, which serve the poorest Californians, would lose funding, and he included $105 million for them in the 2022-23 proposed state budget he unveiled in the state capital.

But the allocation falls far short of what clinic officials say they need to keep critical health care services funded in some of Californias neediest areas. California's federally qualified health centers, which operate more than 1,000 clinics across the state, have filed a lawsuit in federal court to exempt them from the program, but a judge on Monday denied their request for a temporary reprieve while the lawsuit proceeds.

"People are going to be laid off; services are going to be cut," said Anthony White, president of the Community Health Center Alliance for Patient Access, a statewide organization of federally qualified health centers. "Its going to decrease access for our patients."

The drug program, known as Medi-Cal Rx, debuted Jan. 1 and is one of Newsom's key health care initiatives. It takes the responsibility for prescription drug coverage in the state's Medicaid program away from managed-care plans and puts it into the hands of a state contractor.

On his first day in office in 2019, Newsom promised the overhaul would deliver better health care for patients and generate "substantial annual savings" because the state would negotiate lower prices as one of the largest drug purchasers in the country.

The Newsom administration anticipates the state will save $414 million in the 2022-23 budget year and nearly two times that amount in the next one, said Keely Martin Bosler, director of the California Department of Finance.

California's health clinics, however, could lose up to $200 million a year in drug reimbursements, White estimated, money they have been using to care for patients with asthma, HIV and other chronic health problems. The reimbursement money is a key revenue stream for clinics, but they rely primarily on federal grants for their funding, in addition to some patient revenue and private donations.

At issue is money the clinics have received through a federal prescription drug savings program known as "340B." The 340B program requires drug manufacturers participating in Medicaid to offer deep discounts to certain providers that care for underserved and uninsured people, including health clinics. The health centers, in turn, must use that money to expand health care services.

Beginning Jan. 1, California started buying prescription drugs for all its low-income and disabled residents enrolled in Medi-Cal, the country's largest Medicaid program. Because the state expects to get bigger discounts on drugs than the roughly two dozen Medi-Cal managed-care insurance plans did, clinics expect to receive less 340B money.

The $105 million Newsom earmarked for health clinics in his budget proposal to offset their losses was not intended to fully replace them, said Michelle Baass, director of the state Department of Health Care Services, which administers Medi-Cal, in the state's Jan. 5 response to the clinics' lawsuit.

"Plaintiffs have no entitlement to continued profits from selling marked up 340B drugs," she wrote.

The funding Newsom proposed is not guaranteed. Indeed, it is now subject to the annual budget negotiation process. The legislature has until June 15 to negotiate with Newsom and adopt a deal. The 2022-23 state budget takes effect July 1.

Mark Ghaly, secretary of the state's Health and Human Services Agency, said the administration has been working with clinics and is open to further discussions.

"We're always happy to sit down and try to understand what the conditions are today," Ghaly said.

California Healthline's Angela Hart contributed to this report.
In a recent study posted to the medRxiv* preprint server, researchers determined the nature and dynamics of mutations associated with the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) French Marseille-4 variant during 10 months from its onset.

The study concluded that the heterogenicity associated with a SARS-CoV-2 lineage can possibly predict the end of an outbreak.

Background

The characteristics of mutations associated with the SARS-CoV-2 variants leading to subsequent waves of the current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic are complex. The extinction of epidemics is linked to the development of herd immunity, decrease in viral load, and the implementation of therapeutic interventions such as vaccination. Moreover, sufficient data regarding factors and mechanisms associated with the emergence, transmission, and extinction of SARS-CoV-2 variants are not yet available.

About the study

In the current study, the researchers determined the kinetics of a new SARS-CoV-2 variant, called Marseille-4, identified from minks at IHU Mediterranee Infection, Marseille, France, in July 2020. The Marseille-4 variant has 20 mutations, with 13 specific mutations compared to the Wuhan-Hu-1 isolate and one among the seven non-synonymous mutations in the spike (S) glycoprotein region.

The study participants had the SARS-CoV-2 Marseille-4 variant infection and their clinical and epidemiological data were collected from the Assistance Publique-Hopitaux de Marseille (APHM) information system.

The researchers investigated the epidemiological origin and characteristics of the Marseille-4 variant. Genetic data through 10 months from the origin to the extinction of this variant in April 2021 gathered via extensive SARS-CoV-2 genomic surveillance was analyzed using next-generation sequencing. Similarly, the 7,453 genomes of Marseille-4 obtained by next-generation sequencing were classified into lineages and subvariants. The truncated and untruncated forms of ORF8 protein were analyzed by generating a structural ORF8 protein model from the PDB 7JTL file.

The emergence, transmission, and disappearance of the SARS-CoV-2 Marseille-4 variant were determined using these gathered data.

Results

Two subvariants of the SARS-CoV-2 Marseille-4 variant were identified in the study, namely Marseille-4A with 22 lineages from 50 genomes and Marseille-4B. During the study period, 9,616 cases associated with the Marseille-4 infection were identified using specific quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR).

The average lifetime of these two variants was 4.11.4 months and during this period, around 4.12.6 mutations had developed. The growth rate was 0.010 to 0.173 in Marseille-4A.17 and Marseille-4A.15, respectively, and the average value of the growth rate was 0.0790.045. All lineages showed a gamma distribution and were associated with the inactivation of ORF7a or ORF7b genes.

The mutations at unpredicted sites led to a new outbreak, and the accumulation of further mutations led to an increase in heterogenicity, diversity, and extinction of all lineages. None of the mutations were predicted to be probably associated with higher transmissibility, apart from those mutations in the S region.

Marseille-4B emerged after the extinction of all Marseille-4A lineages and its ORF8 gene was inhibited by a stop codon. Further, this subvariant was linked to a high number of SARS-CoV-2-associated hospitalizations and mortality, indicating that ORF8 was a non-virulence gene.

Structural analysis of the truncated form of the ORF8 gene confirmed that stop codon-induced large deletions resulted in a distinct protein that does not share any structural resemblance with the original ORF8 dimer. The average detection time for Marseille-4 lineages was around four months.

Conclusions

The study findings characterized the emergence, transmission, and vanishing of the Marseille-4 variant. The study reported heterogeneity of growth rate for various Marseille-4 subvariants and lineages and indicated that the heterogeneity associated with the SARS-CoV-2 lineage might predict the extinction of the outbreak.

Moreover, the finding suggested that SARS-CoV-2 follows the Black Queen hypothesis, stating that the loss of a gene confers a substantial advantage to the organism when the function of the gene can be dispensable.

The inhibition of the Marseille-4 genes suggested that SARS-CoV-2 originated from a distinct animal reservoir, and the ORF8 and ORF7a/b genes were not necessary to function in humans, pangolins, and minks and may be inhibited in them. The data regarding the inhibition of the ORF8 gene was in line with previous reports on several mink lineages and the Alpha variant.

Overall, it was concluded that the accumulation of beneficial mutations led to an increase in viral fitness, whereas non-beneficial mutations are associated with low viral fitness, transmissibility, and extinction of the lineage.

*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.
Thought Leaders The Food Authenticity Network



The increasing issue of food adulteration has prompted an international response, with experts from academia, industry, and regulatory bodies working together to address this pressing threat to global food supply chains and markets.

Based in the UK, the Food Authenticity Network is one such organization that aims to curate and share best practice guidance and information on food authenticity testing and food fraud prevention. The Networks overarching goal is to help raise food standards worldwide.

In a recent interview, Will Soutter spoke to key members of the Food Authenticity Network - Selvarani Elahi MBE, Dr. Mark Woolfe, and Sterling Crew - to find out more about the Network, the approaches used to detect and address food adulteration, and the range of international collaborations being developed to address this issue.

Selvarani Elahi is the Deputy Government Chemist at LGC, and the Executive Director at The Food Authenticity Network, Sterling Crew is the Chair of The Food Authenticity Network and Dr. Mark Woolfe is the Secretary of The Food Authenticity Network. Now retired, Woolfe used to work for the Food Standards Agency as the Program Manager for the Food Authenticity Program.

How do you define food fraud and why is this such an important issue?

Although there is a lot of interest in food fraud around the world, currently, there is still no legal definition of food fraud. It is widely accepted that food fraud involves intentional adulteration, deliberate mislabeling, or misdescription of food for financial gain.

In the UK, we use the related definition of food crime. Food crime is a form of food fraud, and the UK National Food Crime Unit has defined this as serious fraud that impacts the safety or authenticity of food, drink, or animal feed. This can also seriously harm consumers, food businesses, and the whole industry.

The 2013 horse meat scandal highlighted the issue of food fraud around the world. A lot of global groups are working on definitions for food fraud because this can actually be a barrier to international trade; particularly where food does not meet the standards of both the importing and exporting country.

There are at present two main international groups; CEN - a European standardization group a committee on food authenticity, with a working group (ONE) which is looking to set definitions  and Codex - a worldwide governmental organization with an imports and exports committee that has just tabled a work item on food fraud.

DEFRA in the UK has also commissioned the Food Authenticity Network to look at global definitions. We have just completed that work and fed our findings into the European project and the global Codex project.

Image Credit: papillondream/Shutterstock.com

In the eyes of consumers, issues around food fraud are often linked to food safety and the actual safety of the food that they are consuming. How do you think those legal definitions differ between food safety and food fraud? Is there a link between the two?

Absolutely. Our experience in the food sector as a food regulator, a retailer, or in manufacturing has highlighted the definite link between the two.

Three out of the four largest global food fraud incidents in the last 15 years have demonstrated this large food safety link. Food fraudsters are criminals  they are not food scientists, they are trying to make money and some of the things they do to make money inadvertently create food safety issues.

Perhaps one of the most famous examples of this occurred in 2008, with melanin in infant food in the Far East. People added melanin to infant food to make the milk look more expensive and graze the detection of protein.

They did not realize the health consequences of this, and we had six babies die and 300,000 people potentially develop early kidney problems.

In the horse meat scandal already referred to, the meat was outside of regulatory control and so it was impossible to determine where it came from and whether it was safe to consume.

The most significant food fraud case that has led to public recalls was in Sudan in 2005, where a carcinogenic industrial chemical dye was used to make chili powder look more attractive. Around 470 products had to be taken off the shelf because of this potential food safety issue.

Food fraud can also pose a tangible risk at a local level. A recent case in the UK saw somebody die from anaphylaxis. This person was allergic to peanuts and ordered a dish in a local restaurant that they were assured only contained almonds. The owner had substituted expensive almonds with peanuts to reduce costs, resulting in this customer dying.

There is a very strong link between food safety and food fraud  it is not just about criminality, it is also about safety.

What are the general aims of the Food Authenticity Network?

The Food Authenticity Network was set up as a direct recommendation of the Elliot Review. Professor Elliott from Queen's University in Belfast was commissioned by the UK government in the wake of the horse meat scandal to conduct a comprehensive review of food authenticity practices and present a set of recommendations.

One of these recommendations was around laboratory testing and resilience in the UK, highlighting that those working in this space needed access to laboratories that were using fit-for-purpose methods for food authenticity and that they needed to be coordinated via an appropriate network.

The network was, therefore, set up in July 2015 by DEFRA. Its aim is to signpost to all global practices on food fraud mitigation and food authenticity testing, working towards standardizing methods and approaches to better ensure consistent results regardless of where testing is performed.

Since its launch in 2015, the Network has grown, with over 2,500 members from 81 different countries. In 2020, over 21,500 unique users accessed information on our website from 133 different countries.

Our ultimate goal is to develop an extensive global network that is able to respond to food fraud incidents in an evidence-based rational manner, reducing the impact on consumers and legitimate food businesses, ensuring that consumers have confidence in our global food supply chain.

The network is completely free for people to join  it is open access and anyone in the world can access this information.

Could you tell our readers more about the networks resources and the materials available on its website?

There are nine main features on the Networks website. The most viewed tab is the news items, which includes scientific and review papers on innovative authenticity methods, news on fraud incidents around the world, and details on the problems with crops or animals that may affect global food supplies.

The events tab provides details of meetings, webinars, and conferences that are relevant to food authenticity and food fraud.

The training tab provides a series of videos on different DNA techniques and a workshop seminar on allergens and spices. The website is also a good source for methodologies for assessing authenticity, providing a number of research reports and SOPs from established government-led authenticity research programs.

Centers of Expertise (COE) are connected to this - laboratories that undertake food authenticity analysis and have demonstrated that they have the relevant expertise and experience to achieve recognition.

One of the main reasons we set up this website was to help develop this resilient network of laboratories that could respond to any future food fraud incidents.

Members of the website can also post and engage in discussions; for example, if they are conducting a survey or need to request specific authenticity information from other members.

The website also features a products and services section, where members can post details of new methods or equipment developments for feedback.

Information provided by members helps us look at the global supply chain. This enables global horizon scanning, an essential concept because fraudsters do not recognize boundaries and our network is extremely complex and extensive. It is a fantastic way for people to tell each other what is going on - it is an invaluable asset.

The websites food fraud mitigation section details every relevant system of food fraud mitigation available, and organizations are able to provide information and support on mitigation.

Most food businesses recognize that testing is a core part of their food fraud prevention strategy, but it is also important to work to prevent the fraud from happening in the first instance.

When we first set up the network, it was primarily focused on testing. However, within the first six months, we realized that there was a gap in provision for small businesses that did not have the tools, time, or resources to invest in addressing the underlying causes of food fraud.

Despite this, it was important that they tackle food fraud and food safety as part of a comprehensive food integrity program.

Image Credit: Angyalosi Beata/Shutterstock.com

What impact does this type of information sharing have on the global efforts to address food fraud?

Many companies believe that they should keep their testing methodology secret so that it is not available to people committing food fraud, but there is a lot of evidence to suggest that being public about having detection methodologies in place can deter these forces from entering that territory.

Instead, they will tend to operate in a country or area where there is minimal surveillance and limited knowledge around testing.

We have also noticed that these fraudulent forces are becoming more technologically savvy. Food crimes have historically been unsophisticated and crude, whereas now, current levels of adulteration involve a higher level of skill and technical knowledge.

We cannot afford to be complacent. While we have got a very good system in the UK, we must be proactive and work to keep ahead of these forces.

It is almost like an arms race between us and the forces, where each side is continually working to stay one step ahead of the other.

We will never entirely stop food fraud by testing alone, but the innovation and expertise we have collated via the Food Adulteration Network help us stay at the cutting edge of technology rather than behind the fraudsters.

In our experience, we have learned that the lifetime of a method is limited by the fraudsters who were able to avoid it.

For example, people had been committing food fraud by injecting chicken breasts with hydrolyzed proteins to increase their size and water retention. Once we developed DNA methods to detect this, the fraudsters changed their approach, or they only used chicken DNA to obscure this practice.

Food fraud began with the industrial revolution in the 1800s when there was a mass migration of people from the countryside to towns, creating the need for a centralized food supply. Criminals realized that they could con people by adding ingredients to bulk out the food.

There is increasing evidence that organized crime and criminal gangs are moving into the food fraud space because of the sheer size of the global food market. On a volume basis, there is more money to be made in food fraud than there is in narcotics or other activities.

It is also interesting to see forensic accountants looking at food fraud from a different perspective. There is less chance of a criminal being caught committing food fraud than operating with drugs, and the consequences are much less severe.

As the food industry moves from more traditional chemical tests to more advanced techniques, such as NMR which uses a non-targeted screening approach, what impact has this had on the global effort to address food fraud?

We have seen a move towards more advanced non-targeted methods over the last 5 to 10 years. This has been a core motivation in developing a network of laboratories via the Food Authenticity Network.

There are currently 15 Centers of Expertise  a good illustration of how complex food authenticity testing is.

These centers cover all of the food commodities in the world, and almost all of the analytical technologies available to us now. It is unreasonable to assume that one laboratory would have extensive experience in all these techniques and commodities, which is why the network is so important.

Food safety issues - for example, mycotoxins that are known carcinogens  are typically subjected to legislative limits which set legal maximum quantities in food.

These limits are not set in the food authenticity space, however. Our goal is to compare the results of known authentic samples with an unknown set of samples.

This approach creates uncertainty, particularly around the authenticity of the reference database, the way in which the reference samples were collated and curated, and whether these are representative of the samples being investigated.

An analytical chemist would be required to observe a progression and observe the result to determine if a sample is out of spec. We now use mathematical modeling to evaluate datasets  an approach that has become much more sophisticated and requires specific expertise to evaluate.

This complexity poses a challenge for labs and accreditation authorities because to ensure a method is fit for its purpose, users must ensure they evaluate and validate every step of the data analysis, interpretation, and reporting process.

Additional barriers occur as many operators are traditionally trained to work with chemical or biological tests, but modern approaches to adulteration detection span these and other disciplines. These require further expertise and specialist knowledge.

Access to comprehensive non-targeted methods has helped our work towards international standardization, particularly around food authenticity databases.

A European-funded project called the Food Integrity Project was recently run by Ferris Science. This project saw a group of experts make recommendations around food authenticity databases, including approaches to sampling and validation.

The role of instrument manufacturers should not be understated, and there has been tremendous progress in developing equipment in spectroscopy, NMR, mass spectrometry, NIR, and other spectroscopic methods in the last 15 years.

These methods have been central in performing the non-targeted analysis required to build up these databases.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a huge impact on all industries. How has the pandemic impacted this area of food fraud in the food industry, and how do you think this is going to affect its trajectory into the near future?

It is still too early to know if the conditions created by this pandemic have made it a better space for fraudsters to operate in.

We have seen a lot of disruption as regulators cannot visit facilities and food producers as easily, meaning that the whole supply chain has become more opaque. Regulators and independent auditors have been working to develop new and innovative techniques to address this issue; for example, remote audits or remote testing.

The pandemics biggest influence has been on the global supply network.

Many companies have seen traditional suppliers they have worked with for years disappear due to COVID-19; companies with who they had taken years to develop relationships. COVID has forced them to find new suppliers, develop relationships and build up consumer confidence via ongoing analysis.

These factors have made the global food market an ideal place for food fraudsters to operate, but at the moment we have not seen a significant increase in food fraud. This could be due to reduced levels of testing, however, so it is important to be on our guard.

Our advice at the Food Adulteration Network matches the advice from the Food Standards Agency: do not try to do something different in the challenging conditions to fight food fraud; use the robust tools available and ensure these are being used effectively.

The situation was certainly not as bad as it could have been in the UK, primarily due to the UKs robust infrastructure and the organizations in place to fight food fraud; for example, The National Food Crime Unit and The Food Industry Intelligence Network.

Much of this infrastructure was developed in light of Professor Chris Elliot's Review  the industry saw the value of this and governments got behind it.

Image Credit: alexkich/Shutterstock.com

What role do national governments play in avoiding food fraud and ensuring food authenticity?

A governments most important role lies in implementing a robust legislative framework to prosecute food fraud and maintaining a strong enforcement system to investigate and prosecute if necessary.

The UK government has reacted to this issue by creating the National Food Control Unit in the FSA, and the Scottish Food Crime Unit in Scotland. These are now becoming increasingly active and have been given extra budgets to investigate food fraud.

The UK government was also instrumental in setting up the Food Authenticity Network - a resilient network of laboratories able to face future incidents. Which puts the UK in a much stronger position compared to many other countries.

It is important to maintain links with other organizations and scientists around the world. Selvarani Elahi has built up a very good relationship with U.S. scientists who are both teaching and conducting research in food fraud.

We also have very good links with European institutions through the European projects that we have participated in, as well as with both governments and institutions around the world.

Food fraud is a truly global phenomenon and it is only by working together that we can be more prepared and governments are starting to recognize this.

The Global Alliance on Food Crime was in 2018, with organizations from UK, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the U.S. meeting in different locations and now virtually due to the pandemic.

Our goal is to develop bespoke pages for each of those governments to build a global network on one platform.

Are there any other projects that you have been working on, companies or communities you have been working with, to bring them into this global effort on food authenticity?

When the network was set up, it was very much a government initiative. The government accepted all the recommendations of the Elliot Review and put some good projects and initiatives in place to support that, including the Food Authenticity Network.

The government was clear that the network would need to develop a sustainable model, which involved other parties. The original remit was that the network would operate via government funding for 2 years, and then the hope was that industry would take this on.

We continued with government funding for another 2 years, but at the beginning of 2019, we developed a public/private partnership model - scientific crowdfunding -where we asked for small amounts of money from lots of different people on the basis that everybody should be invested in preventing food fraud.

The UK government still has significant input into the program, and we have funding from BAYS that allows us to operate the network on an open-access basis.

DEFRA, FSA, and FSS are now looking at gaps in the network to potentially supplement the information available, while a number of industry organizations are also supporters of the network and offer small amounts of financial support.

Our next key target is to bring on board other governments to expand the networks global impact. We are also in discussion around another project in the Asia/Pacific region where we hope to add bespoke pages for 19 other countries.

We have also been working with DEFRA on a Food Fraud Project, where we were commissioned to look at the global drivers of food fraud.

This project was commissioned in preparation for Brexit, and on the basis that the UK is now responsible for the safety and authenticity of all food consumed in the UK; both food made in the UK, and food imported into the UK.

In phase one of that project, there were some global drivers of food fraud; for example, the pandemic, climate change, lack of enforcement, price pressures, food shortages, legislation loopholes, and consumer demand.

The demand for high-value products, such as olive oil or organic produce, actually drives the market and creates opportunities for fraud.

Low penalties for food crime and food fraud in the UK were also identified as drivers. Although food law is criminal law in the UK, the penalties when people are caught are not a sufficient deterrent.

There have been new sentencing guidelines and higher fines since the horse meat scandal because this is a recognized problem, particularly in allergen cases where inadvertent mislabeling or negligence can result in deaths.

A lot of work being has been done over the last 5 years on company culture and approaches to embedding a culture of excellence in the company with everyone working to the same standards, taking pride in the work they do and in the products they produce. This is key to creating a food safety and authenticity culture.

As part of this project, we are currently looking at the options available to mitigate food fraud.

How did you get involved in food fraud and what motivated this? What message would you give to anyone who is interested in this area and is looking to do more?

I [Crew] became interested in food fraud around 14 years ago. There was something called Operation Meat Hook in Hammersmith to address a food fraud using unfit meat.

Even in my early 20s in my own locality, I became aware we had been eating a lot of meat that we shouldn't have been eating. That food safety element has drawn me to food fraud throughout my professional career.

I [Woolfe] have been involved with food fraud for over 30 years since I helped to set up the Food Authenticity Program in Merthyr which then moved to the Food Standards Agency.

I was involved with legislation, making sure that there was a good framework, developing research methods, applying these in surveys, and investigating the issues in the UK market.

We had the confidence of the industry at the time, so we were getting a lot of intelligence. This is an important aspect of food fraud, as the industry is aware of problems in the food chain and where food is being sold too cheaply to be authentic.

Could you talk a bit about the changes you would anticipate in the food adulteration space over the next 5 years? What might the sector look like?

We anticipate that the global food authentication community will shift from being very parochial, worried about issues in individual areas and countries, to recognizing that we are all in this together and that this is a global problem. This will be driven by governments cooperating commercially, as well as via networks like our own. Global retailers are also beginning to recognize this.

The other hope for the future lies in new smart technologies. We have already seen how this is having a huge impact on our ability to interpret the millions of points of data involved in food authentication.

People are using artificial intelligence more to evaluate this data and get valuable results.

Following the horse meat scandal and the implementation of the Elliot Review recommendations, the UK is in a good place.

The Food Industry Intelligence Network already has 48 members  competitors working in the same space who have come together to share data anonymously for the greater good, because they see the value in sharing this data.

This sharing of information has enabled much more in-depth trend analysis and to better predict future issues which then informs analytical testing strategies. This is a big step forward, and there's nothing quite like FIIN anywhere else in the world.

Initiatives like the Food Authenticity Network have become hubs for information and experience, which has further enhanced collaborative working across the sector.

Blockchain shows great promise in helping solve our food supply chain issues, particularly around traceability.

There are pilots ongoing. For example, for single commodities like bananas, it is possible to trace their journey from a farm to a retail shelf relatively easily. This may be more challenging for a more complex product like a lasagna, which might have 30 ingredients from different countries and regions, however.

There are lots of different people working in the blockchain environment and the systems do not necessarily talk to one another. Ideally, we would be able to use a common platform that all suppliers in the world can integrate their systems into. Once we get to that level, it will be much easier to see where products come from.

From an analytical testing point of view, there are exciting handheld devices and screening devices available that will help us with triage information, allowing basic on-site or at-line testing which should streamline this process significantly.

We are also apprehensive about the government budget situation because we rely on this budget to develop new methods and the government is having problems funding these areas.

We think that will be compensated to some extent by these more global networks, however, where we can work cooperatively. We are hoping to build the networks and contacts that we have around the world, allowing us to progress our work in a much more global way.

To make this project a success and to help improve food authenticity across the industry, we would encourage your readers to join the Food Authenticity Network. It is a free, open access, global network; and an ideal place to network and horizon scan as part of a community that is fighting food fraud.

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The judge on the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School mass shooting trial is done with delays, no matter which side is asking for them.

Prosecutor Mike Satz asked Broward Circuit Judge Elizabeth Scherer for a continuance Tuesday, pointing to a new list of defense witnesses that need to be deposed before jury selection gets underway. Selection is now scheduled to begin on Feb. 21.

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Shooter Nikolas Cruz pleaded guilty in October to 17 counts of first-degree murder and 17 counts of attempted murder, putting an end to any pretense that he was not guilty, or guilty of some lesser charge.

[ RELATED: Trial date in Stoneman Douglas case set for February ]

But a jury still needs to decide whether Cruz, 23, should serve the rest of his life in prison or face execution for the 17 murders. It would take just one juror to reject the death penalty and guarantee Cruz a sentence of life in prison  under current state law, a jurys recommendation of death has to be unanimous before a judge can even consider a death sentence.

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From the earliest days of the case, defense lawyers have made it clear that Cruzs mental health would play a central role in their strategy. While the defense abandoned an insanity plea when Cruz pleaded guilty, Cruzs history of mental health issues can be presented to the jury as mitigating factors to be considered when deciding his fate.

Prosecutors will be eager to question the eight defense experts before the trial, understand their arguments, and address those arguments during the trial.

Defense lawyers said they were willing to delay the start to accommodate the prosecutors.

But Scherer, whose efforts to start the trial have been thwarted for two years, showed no willingness to entertain further delays. I dont know what to tell you, she said. Ive given you all as much time as I think appropriate.

Lawyers are scheduled to return to court Jan. 24 and Feb. 2, if needed, to settle any remaining questions about what evidence and testimony the jury will be allowed to hear.

Rafael Olmeda may be reached at rolmeda@sunsentinel.com or 954-356-4457. Follow him on Twitter @rolmeda.
How to better detect chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in low- and middle-income countries is a question that has long plagued the global medical community.

A new study led by Trishul Siddharthan, M.D., assistant professor of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, and conducted in Nepal, Peru and Uganda is the first step in identifying solutions.

The study, published online January 11, in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), demonstrates that lay workers in low- and middle-income countries can feasibly administer simple COPD screening instruments to help diagnose the often debilitating lung disease.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a disorder of the small airways in the lungs, is the third leading cause of death globally. It is well recognized in high income settings, but more than 90% of morbidity and mortality related to COPD occur in low- and middle-income settings." Dr. Trishul Siddharthan, M.D., assistant professor of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at University of Miami Miller School of Medicine

This includes countries like Uganda, Nepal and Peru that do not have adequate access to diagnostic equipment and lack skilled healthcare workers needed to treat the disease, as well as treatment modalities such as inhalers, Dr. Siddharthan said.

"It is important from a public health perspective to identify new ways to diagnose and treat COPD in resource limited settings."

Dr. Siddharthan worked with investigators from Johns Hopkins University, University College London, Makerere University in Uganda, Institute of Medicine Tribhuvan University in Nepal, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia in Peru, and others.

The authors conducted a population-based study of more than 10,700 adults in the three countries who were recruited from regions with different degrees of urbanization, COPD risk and economic development. Field workers were trained to conduct assessments with screening instruments and administer bronchodilator spirometry for comparison.

"We found that screening instruments are easy to deliver and have reasonable sensitivity in ruling out the disease. The screenings can be feasibly delivered in low- and middle-income settings by lay community workers," Dr. Siddharthan said.

The authors reported COPD prevalence varied by site, with more than 18% of those studied in Nepal having COPD , compared to 2.7% in Peru and 7.4% in Uganda.

More than one-third of those studied were not smokers. In low- and middle-income settings another important risk factor for COPD is exposure to biomass fuel, or daily cooking over wood and charcoal.

"Twenty percent of the global population with symptomatic COPD has never touched a cigarette in their lives," Dr. Siddharthan said.

The next step in this research is to look at health and cost implications to health systems from identifying cases and triaging them to appropriate health facilities for treatment.

This work reflects the Miller School's global mission, according to Dr. Siddharthan.

"The University of Miami Miller School of Medicine is a global force in Central and South America, where we see patients who present with similar disease types, which makes this work important to our clinical mission," he said.

Dr. Siddharthan and colleagues hope to create awareness among consumers and health care providers about COPD symptoms, early diagnosis and treatment.

There is a lack of awareness about what COPD is, as well as how to detect and treat it early, even in high-income countries, according to Dr. Siddharthan.

"Many of the patients we see in the clinic come with end-stage disease. They have bounced around with primary care physicians and outpatient providers complaining about cough and shortness of breath and by the time they see me they have advanced disease," he said. "We hope to help change that globally."
Jeffersonville, IN (47130)

Today

Thunderstorms likely in the morning. Then a chance of scattered thunderstorms in the afternoon. Potential for severe thunderstorms. High around 80F. Winds SSW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 100%..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies in the evening, then becoming cloudy overnight. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 53F. Winds WNW at 10 to 20 mph.
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(Newser)  Update: China has locked down a third major city, ordering the 5.5 million residents of Anyang in Henan province to stay home and barring most vehicles from the streets. The lockdown, brought in after two cases of the omicron variant were detected, brings the total number of people under lockdown orders in China to around 20 million, the AP reports. In Xi'an, 13 million people have been locked down for nearly three weeks. Another 1.5 million are locked down in Yuzhou. Authorities say 84 people have now tested positive in Anyang, though it's not clear whether they all have the omicron variant, RTHK reports. The Anyang cases are believed to be connected to an outbreak in the northern city of Tianjin, where neighborhoods have been locked down but not the entire city. Our story from Monday follows:

Tianjin, a city of 14 million people in northeast China, isn't under a full lockdown yetbut it may only be a matter of time. The port city, around 70 miles from Beijing, began testing all its residents Sunday after at least two cases of the omicron variant were confirmed, the Guardian reports. Authorities say the first people to test positive were a 10-year-old girl and a worker at an after-school center. On Monday, officials said testing had detected a total of 41 COVID cases, most of them close contacts of the first two cases, reports the AP. They did not disclose whether the new cases also involve the fast-spreading variant.

Two other Chinese cities, Xi'an and Yuzhou, have been locked down tightly after the detection of delta cases, with Xi'an residents banned from leaving their homes even to buy food. For now, some neighborhoods in Tianjin have been locked down but the restrictions are not citywide. Travel to and from the city, which is only around 30 minutes from Beijing by train, has been tightly restricted. Beijing is trying to stamp out COVID clusters before the Winter Olympics begin Feb. 4 but there are signs omicron could have spread far beyond Tianjin, the New York Times reports. In Anyang, more than 250 miles away, officials have confirmed two omicron cases linked to a student who arrived from Tianjin on Dec. 28, raising fears that the variant has been circulating undetected for weeks. (Read more China stories.)
(Newser)  The death toll was lowered from 19 to 17 Monday in New York City's deadliest fire in more than 30 yearsbut with some survivors fighting for their lives in city hospitals, officials warn that the toll could rise again. Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro said Monday that the toll was lowered because there was a "bit of a double count" after the Sunday fire in the Bronx. Some 13 survivors were still in critical condition Monday, per the New York Times. One survivor, Fatima Wood, says she might not have been able to get her family out of the building without the help of a stranger who saw her struggling, NBC New York reports.

Wood says Mohamed Keita, a neighbor she had never met before, saw her at a ninth floor stairwell after she had brought her children through smoke-filled hallways. She says he asked if she needed help and then carried her 3-year-old daughter Kween to safety and got her medical attention. With help from firefighters, Wood managed to make it out of the 19-story building with another daughter. "I was just trying to do the right thing. Everybody was struggling, lots of people lost their lives," Keita says. The young girl was treated in St. Barnabas hospital and was released later Sunday.

Officials said Monday that eight children are among the dead, including a 4-year-old, the AP reports. New York City Mayor Eric Adams called it an "unspeakable tragedy" but added: "This tragedy is not going to define us. It is going to show our resiliency." He said firefighters continued rescuing people from the smoke-filled 19-story building even after their air supplies ran low. "Their oxygen tanks were empty, and they still pushed through the smoke." Investigators say smoke filled the building after a malfunctioning space heater started the fire and a door failed to close. Adams said Monday that the building has self-closing doors and investigators are trying to determine whether a maintenance issue was involved. (Read more New York City stories.)
(Newser)  A month ago, the outlook was extremely bleak for 57-year-old Maryland handyman David Bennetthe needed a new heart, but didn't qualify for a donor organ. At least, not from a human. Bennett, who had terminal heart disease, is now part of medical history after the first successful transplant of a pig heart into a human, the BBC reports. Doctors at the University of Maryland Medical Center received emergency authorization from the FDA on New Year's Eve and performed the eight-hour operation Friday. While the long-term outlook is unclear, Bennett is still alive three days later, and the riskiest period for organ rejection has passed, doctors say.

Doctors describe the case as a huge moment for "xenotransplantation"the transplantation of organs or tissue from animals into humanswhich could give fresh hope to thousands of patients on waiting lists. "Its working and it looks normal. We are thrilled, but we dont know what tomorrow will bring us. This has never been done before," Dr. Bartley Griffith, who performed the operation, tells the New York Times. He says he discussed the treatment with Bennett in a "pretty strange" conversation in mid-December. The doctor says he wasn't sure Bennett fully understood what he was proposing until he asked, "Well, will I oink?" The patient's son, David Bennett Jr., says his dad received a pig valve around a decade ago. He says when his father told him about the transplant, he initially thought he was confused or delirious.

Dr. Muhammad Mohiuddin says 10 genes were changed to make the transplant from a specially bred 1-year-old pig possible, USA Today reports. Human genes were added and pig genes were turned off to reduce the risk of rejectionand an extra pig gene was turned off to stop the heart growing too big after transplantation. For now, Bennett is hooked up to a heart-lung machine and is being monitored very closely. The Maryland School of Medicine quotes him as saying before the operation: "It was either die or do this transplant. I want to live. I know its a shot in the dark, but its my last choice." (In October, a pig kidney worked in a human for 54 hours.)
(Newser)  The vice chair of the Federal Reserve is resigning in the face of questions about his stock trading during the pandemic. Richard Clarida, whose term was in its last month, made the announcement Monday but did not elaborate, the Washington Post reports. "I will miss his wise counsel and vital insights," said Chair Jerome Powell, who faces a confirmation hearing Tuesday on a second term, said in a statement. Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who has urged an investigation, and other lawmakers have been critical of Fed leaders' stock trading, per CNBC.

A Trump appointee, Clarida is the third top Fed official to resign recently over accusations about his deals in connection with the Fed's plans to intervene and prop up the economy. Eric Rosengren, who ran the Boston office, and Robert Kaplan, leader of the Dallas office, also resigned after ethical questions were raised by their deals during the pandemic. Powell announced in October that the Fed's conflict-of-interest rules would be strengthened, including a new prohibition on active trading by Fed policymakers and senior staff members. They're to only invest in mutual funds and other diversified vehicles, per Politico.

The latest resignation "shows there is an epidemic of ethical and legal violations at the highest levels of the Federal Reserve that the chairman has failed to address," said Dennis Kelleher, president of Better Markets. Simon Johnson, an economist at MIT, called it "a shocking and disturbing development," adding, "We need a full investigation of who traded what, when, and on the basis of which nonpublic information in 2020 and 2021." President Biden has nominated Fed Governor Lael Brainard to fill the vacancy on the board. (Read more Federal Reserve stories.)
U.S. COVID-19 cases surpass 60 mln as more countries struggle to battle pandemic surge

Xinhua) 14:02, January 11, 2022

BEIJING, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- The total number of COVID-19 cases in the United States topped 60 million on Sunday, as the Omicron variant ripped through more countries and regions around the world, nudging them to tighten restrictions and ramp up vaccinations against the latest surge.

SURGING CASES

Driven by the Omicron variant, many countries and regions have reported record-high infections recently.

Just days before the United States passed the milestone of 60 million cases, the country had shattered a single-day record with over 1 million COVID-19 infections.

The United States, the country worst hit by the pandemic, with the world's largest caseload and highest death toll, is experiencing the most significant infection surge to date, putting additional pressure on its already overtaxed health care system.

"Due to the tsunami of Omicron cases, the volume is affecting our health and community service," Rebecca Weintraub, assistant professor of Global Health and Social Medicine at Harvard Medical School, was quoted in an ABC News report as saying.

"The burden on the health care system is made worse by nationwide staffing shortages and hospital capacity at elevated levels as many other patients seek care for non-virus related reasons," said the report.

The Omicron variant has sent Britain's daily infections surging over Christmas and the New Year, with 141,472 coronavirus cases reported on Sunday.

The data came one day after Britain's COVID-19-related deaths topped 150,000, making it the seventh country that passed the grim milestone.

India has also saw a steep rise in daily infections with 179,723 new cases reported on Monday, which is the fourth consecutive day that more than 100,000 daily new cases were registered in the country.

The overall caseload in Africa has exceeded 10 million on Sunday with the rapid transmission of the Omicron variant, which is alarming as it only took less than one month for Africa to record an increase of one million new cases since Dec. 15.

Turkey and Kuwait have reported record-daily COVID-19 cases recently, while Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett warned on Sunday that 2-4 million Israelis are predicted to be infected during the current outbreak fueled by the Omicron variant.

EFFORTS TO BATTLE PANDEMIC SURGE

Faced with the current COVID-19 flare-up, countries and regions have stepped up efforts to speed up a vaccination roll-out and impose more restrictions to curb the pandemic.

Temporary mass vaccination sites that were set up months ago across the United States are being reopened to get more people vaccinated and boosted amid the latest spike.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently told Americans to avoid travel on cruise ships, regardless of their vaccination status.

Greece's government has implemented further protection measures due to the spread of the Omicron variant. When schools reopen on Monday, all students and teachers are required to be tested 2-3 times a week during January, regardless of their vaccination status.

Several state governments in India have imposed fresh restrictions due to the latest surge. Maharashtra, India's richest state, said schools and colleges will be closed till Feb. 15, and only fully vaccinated people will be allowed into private offices while limiting the capacity to 50 percent of the total workforce.

The Israeli government has led a policy based on keeping the economy open while aggressively promoting vaccination.

Meanwhile, Africa has highlighted the need to strengthen global solidarity and speed up inoculation in the world's least vaccinated region amid the current surge.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
A launch of passenger train travel along Floridas central coast and on to Orlando becomes one step closer to reality next week when Brightline, the high-speed railroad, starts crew training along its expansion route to Cocoa.

The tests, which will start during the week of Jan. 17, will see engineers and conductors operating trains without passengers, and under the tutelage of supervisors, between West Palm Beach and Cocoa. The trains will travel no faster than 60 mph along the existing Florida East Coast rail line.

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The program unfolds as the railroad copes with another round of South Florida crossing deaths involving motorists who tried to beat trains across the tracks despite the presence of gates, flashing lights and warning bells.

The training period is designed to give crews a chance to familiarize themselves with crossings, signals, landmarks, speed zones and other characteristics of a 130-mile stretch of the corridor.

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[ RELATED: Brightline train rolls off California factory line for delivery to Florida ]

Lasting for the duration of the year, the test runs are an important step for Brightline, whose chief goal in Florida has been to operate a high-speed regional rail link for leisure travelers between Miami and Orlando. The company has carried passengers between the downtowns of Miami, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach since 2018, while also positioning itself as a convenient commuter option for business travelers among the three cities.

Operating a train requires engineers and conductors to be intimately familiar with the rail corridor, including road crossings, signals, curves and speed restrictions, the company said in a statement. During qualifying runs, Brightline train crews will work with a manager already qualified on the territory who will provide oversight and instruction.

Each test run will consist of one round-trip a day. A Brightline train with two locomotives at each end and four passenger cars will follow a northbound Florida East Coast Railway train by 10 to 15 minutes from West Palm Beach, to a point north of Cocoa. On the return trip, the Brightline train will follow a southbound FEC train back to Palm Beach County.

Brightline plans to conduct test runs of its high speed trains starting Jan. 17 between West Palm Beach to Cocoa. The idea is to familiarize crews with the north-south leg of its new segment to Orlando, which is expected to be completed by year's end. (Kevin Spear)

Brightlines service was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced the company to halt operations between March 2020 and early November 2021. Despite the interruption, construction on a $2.7 billion expansion to Orlando via Cocoa has continued.

The company expects the extension, which is 70% built, to be completed by the end of this year, Ben Porritt, senior vice president of corporate affairs, said by phone on Monday.

A heads up

Porritt said public officials up and down the line have been notified that the test trains will be coming through their communities. Though their speeds will be limited to 60 mph, the company envisions the trains running at speeds of 79 to 110 mph when the extension becomes fully operational.

Brightline trains will sound horns at all rail crossings and during emergencies.

We have an aggressive outreach campaign which has been ongoing throughout construction, Porritt said.

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[ RELATED: What makes the combination of South Florida drivers and high-speed trains so deadly? ]

Since resuming operations in South Florida last Nov. 8, at least four accidents with five deaths have occurred on the rail line. Trains have collided with vehicles at crossings as drivers sought to beat the trains across the tracks even after gates were lowered and warning bells and lights were activated. Two deaths involved individuals who walked on the tracks. One was an apparent suicide.

The incidents brought the total fatalities to 53 since January 2018, including one during a test run before the trains started carrying paying passengers.

Recently, the company deployed cameras at two crossing sites in North Miami. During a six-week period, they caught more than 600 motorists driving around crossing gates that were lowering or were lowered. The company sent them all warning letters.

In advance of the test runs to Central Florida, the company is taking to local media to tell motorists to watch out for the trains and to obey laws that require them to stop and wait until the crossings are clear.

[ RELATED: Brightline train and car carrying 1-year-old child collide on the first day of rail service ]

The campaign includes:

Public service announcements on radio and in local newspapers

Variable message boards at multiple crossings throughout each county to convey safety reminders

News interviews

Contacts with local government officials, police and fire rescue departments and school districts.

Announcements on Brightlines social media channels

Tom Rutkowski, Brightliness vice president for engineering and chief mechanical officer, inspects the layout of a locomotive in late 2021. The trains are made by Siemens Mobility near Sacramento, California. (Kevin Spear)

Adding crews, train sets

Porritt said that while Brightline is hiring new train crews, the more experienced ones already on the job will be the first to receive the training.

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Our existing crews will be the first to be trained and we will continue to hire in the lead-up to launching Orlando, and continue to train those new engineers and conductors, Porritt said. Our existing crews have between three and 30 years of experience, giving our locomotive engineers an average of 17 years of experience.

New hires are expected to have at least 3 years of experience and must be certified as engineers, he said.

Since last September, Brightline has been taking delivery of new train sets from the German conglomerate Siemens, which has been manufacturing them in northern California.

When the tests start next week, residents along the Treasure and Space coasts will see some of them pass through their towns and cities. Brightline currently has six train sets in operation with another four on the way.
(Newser)  Starting Saturday, private health insurers will be required to cover up to eight home COVID-19 tests per month for people on their plans, the AP reports. The Biden administration announced the change Monday as it looks to lower costs and make testing for the virus more convenient amid rising frustrations. Under the new policy, first detailed to the AP, Americans will be able to either purchase home testing kits for free under their insurance or submit receipts for the tests for reimbursement, up to the monthly per-person limit. A family of four, for instance, could be reimbursed for up to 32 tests per month. PCR tests and rapid tests ordered or administered by a health provider will continue to be fully covered by insurance with no limit.

President Biden faced criticism over the holiday season for a shortage of at-home rapid tests as Americans traveled to see family amid the surge in cases from the more transmissible omicron variant. Now the administration is working to make COVID-19 home tests more accessible, both by increasing supply and bringing down costs. Later this month, the federal government will launch a website to begin making 500 million at-home COVID-19 tests available via mail. The administration also is scaling up emergency rapid-testing sites in areas experiencing the greatest surges in cases. Biden announced the federal requirement for insurers to cover at-home tests late last year, and it kicks in on Jan. 15, but the administration had been silent until now on details of the plan.

The insurer-covered testing would dramatically reduce costs for many Americans, and the administration hopes that by easing a barrier to more regular at-home testing, it can help slow the spread of the virus, get kids back into school more quickly, and help people gather safely. This is all part of our overall strategy to ramp up access to easy-to-use, at-home tests at no cost, Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra said in a statement. By requiring private health plans to cover peoples at-home tests, we are further expanding Americans ability to get tests for free when they need them. The two main health insurance industry groups said insurers would carry out the administrations order, but cautioned consumers it wont be as easy as flipping a switch, warning that tests are still in short supply. (Click for more on the plan.)
(Newser)  A classic winter scene of kids playing on an icy pond turned frightening in Denver over the weekend, but thanks to an observant neighbor, a major tragedy was averted. KDVR reports that four children, reportedly related, were playing on said pond near an apartment complex when the ice gave way and three of thema 4-year-old girl, a 6-year-old girl, and an 11-year-old boyfell into the water around 3:30pm, per the Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office. As luck would have it, 23-year-old Dusti Talavera lives in the apartment building near the pond and just happened to be looking out the window when the kids tumbled into the frigid water.

"Before I even realized it, I was out there on the middle of the pond, pulling two kids out," Talavera said at a Monday presser of her successful rescue of the boy and the youngest girl. "And that's when I fell in the pond." The young woman found the ice too slippery to gain traction, and so she treaded water in the 15-foot-deep pond, struggling to keep herself and the 6-year-old still in the water afloat, per the Washington Post. That's when the 16-year-old cousin of the little girl rushed to the edge and threw Talavera a rope, which she grabbed onto, pulling herself and the child out of the water.

The 6-year-old girl wasn't breathing and lacked a pulse by the time Arapahoe County sheriff's deputies arrived on the scene, but thanks to their CPR efforts, as well as lifesaving efforts by firefighters from South Metro Fire Rescue, the girl soon became responsive again. She was said to be in critical but stable condition as of Monday at an area hospital and is expected to survive. "I'm thankful for that young man who threw the rope," Talavera says, per 9NEWS. Without the teen's assistance, "I would have been in there longer, she would have been in there longer. I don't know what would have happened."

The first responders who were there, meanwhile, are praising Talavera for her quick thinking. "What she did was amazing," one of the SMFR firefighters says. "I hope that if this happened to one of mine, somebody like her was close by." Authorities are reminding local parents that ice on ponds, lakes, and other bodies of water may not be as thick as it seems and that they should warn their kids about the perils of playing on it. (Read more uplifting news stories.)
(Newser)  Two months after Britney Spears was freed from her conservatorship, #FreeBritney supporters continue their shouts of "Hey hey, ho ho, the conservatorship has got to go!" This time, they're speaking up in the case of 89-year-old Nichelle Nichols, one of the first Black women to hold a leading role on television with her portrayal of Nyota Uhura on Star Trek: The Original Series. Nichols, who suffers from dementia, was placed under a conservatorship in 2018, giving her only child control of her life and finances. As BuzzFeed News reports, Kyle Johnson argued his mother's condition made her susceptible to exploitation in filing for legal guardianship, which gives him the power to "decide who she sees and where she lives."

Nichols' friend, actor-producer Angelique Fawcette, claims abuse in the case. She says Nichols was managing her affairs with help from an assistant before Johnson sold her Los Angeles home and moved her to New Mexico against her wishes. She cites a 2019 audio recording obtained by WGCL in which Nichols protests against the conservatorship while screaming at Johnson to "get your hands off of me." "You're trying to get rid of me," she cries. Additionally, in a September 2020 deposition, a former court-appointed conservator of the estate, BJ Hawkins, claimed Johnson made demands "not in the best financial interest or other interest of the conservatee," threatened to hurt Hawkins, and tried to keep Nichols from appearing in court.

More than a dozen supporters shouted "Free Nichelle Nichols!" and "Isolation is abuse!" outside the Stanley Mosk Courthouse in Los Angeles on Monday afternoon during a hearing in the case. "The conservatee's family supports everything that my client is doing," Johnson's attorney told the court. The judge ultimately decided Fawcette "did not have standing to lodge her complaints," per BuzzFeed. But "we're going to do whatever we can to shed light on the issue and to make sure that there's lasting change for not just Britney, not just Nichelle but everyone who is trapped in this corrupt system," #FreeBritneyLA organizer Kevin Wu tells the outlet. (Read more conservatorship stories.)
(Newser)  A mother of three in Florida is recovering in the hospital after she was struck by a bullet that flew into her backyard during target practice at a neighboring property. Indiantown resident Heather Sitton was in her yard with several people, including her husband and three young children, when the sound of gunfire erupted on Sunday afternoon. Husband Jason Sitton tells WPTV that he'd just asked a neighbor if they were shooting off fireworks when "my wife just dropped." A bullet went through Heather Sitton's right arm, shattering the bone, then struck her collarbone and left arm, per WPBF. "I'm yelling at the top of my lungs, 'Stop, you just shot my wife!'" Jason Sitton tells WPTV. "And they just kept shooting."

A family friend put pressure on the wound while another rushed the children inside. "I am grateful that it did not hit any of the children. I thank God that my life was spared," says Heather Sitton, who was in hospital awaiting surgery Monday night, per WPTV and NBC Miami. She tells WPBF that her 8-year-old daughter had been standing in her place "about a minute prior." The bullet "would have hit her in the head." Martin County sheriff's detectives say four people were using the same high-powered rifle to shoot into paper targets on a 5-foot berm topped with foliage on a property 900 feet to the east. "The bullets seemed to be passing through the trees and weeds," says Chief Deputy John Budensiek.

The property owner reported that the individuals did not have his permission to shoot on the property, according to an incident report. But this is not the first time errant shots have been reported as coming from that property. Neighbor Mark Rutizer tells WPTV that he filed a report with the sheriff's office a few months ago after bullets flew over his home a quarter-mile away. "I've said it before that someone will get shot and unfortunately ... that took place," he adds. "We may never be able to accurately determine who actually fired the round" that hit Heather Sutton, says Budensiek, adding that could be difficult to pursue criminal charges. (Read more shooting stories.)
(Newser)  If you thought the rash of canceled flights over the holidays was the end of it, United Airlines CEO offered a cold dose of reality on Tuesday. In a memo to employees, Scott Kirby explained the company is "reducing our near-term schedules to make sure we have the staffing and resources to take care of customers." CNN reports that he didn't quantify the reduction, but he did offer some other numbers in the email: Namely, that 3,000 employees are currently positive for COVID-19, though the good news is that they're no longer dying.

While United employees had been succumbing to COVID at the rate of more than one per week, Kirby wrote that the company, which has a vaccine mandate in place, hasn't experienced a COVID-related death in 8 weeks among vaccinated employees. Axios reports Kirby's policy "seems to be vindicated" in the letter. Indeed, in the August memo announcing the mandate, the leadership team wrote this: "Over the last 16 months, Scott has sent dozens of condolences letters to the family members of United employees who have died from COVID-19. Were determined to do everything we can to try to keep another United family from receiving that letter."

More from the memo: The New York Times reports the airline had to cancel about 8% of its flights, or 27,000 of them, over the two weeks beginning Dec. 24. To put a number to the strain, Kirby noted that on one day over the holidays, roughly 1 in 3 United employees at Newark called in sick. The cancellation numbers are still there these days, but definitely much smaller, with the Times reporting about 150 United flights were canceled Tuesday. (Read more United Airlines stories.)
(Newser)  The president of Turkmenistan says he wants to close one of the country's best-known tourist attractionsthe Darvaza gas crater, better known as the Gates of Hell. The fiery pit, believed to have been burning since Soviet geologists tried to burn off methane gas more than 50 years ago, lies in the Karakum desert around 160 miles north of the Central Asian country's capital, Ashgabat. In an appearance on state TV, President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov told officials it was time to extinguish the crater, saying it "negatively affects both the environment and the health of the people living nearby," AFP reports.

"We are losing valuable natural resources for which we could get significant profits and use them for improving the well-being of our people," said the president, who was filmed doing doughnuts in a rally car around the crater in 2019, apparently in an effort to dispels rumors he had died. CNN reports that according to state media, Berdymukhamedov has asked senior lawmakers to speak to scientists and find a way to put out the fire. They were instructed to call in foreign experts if necessary. This isn't the first time the leader has tried to deal with the crater, which is 229 feet wide and 65 feet deep, per LiveScience. He ordered scientists to close the Gates of Hell in 2010, though it's not clear if they made any attempt to do so. (Read more Turkmenistan stories.)
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State inmate sentenced to 10 1/2 to 21 years for attempted rape

SUNBURY  An inmate, who was charged with attempting to rape a drug and alcohol counselor at SCI-Coal Township three years ago, was sentenced Friday to 10 1/2 to 21 years in state prison.

Northumberland County Judge Hugh A. Jones sentenced Dustin M. Cornelius, 24, of Richland, in Berks County, to 7 1/2 to 15 years in state prison for a felony of attempted rape and 3 to 6 years to a felony of aggravated assault by a prisoner that run consecutive to each other.

Cornelius, who participated in the sentencing by video, pleaded no contest to both charges Oct. 15.

The defendant was ordered to register as a sexual offender for 15 years.

Cornelius, who admitted being a sexually violent predator, apologized to the victim and her family for causing irreparable harm.

He was represented by attorney Matthew Slivinski, of Selinsgrove.

Northumberland County First Assistant District Attorney Julia Skinner prosecuted the case.

Cornelius, who is currently an inmate at SCI-Phoenix in Collegeville, was charged by state police at Stonington with attempting to rape a female drug/alcohol counselor on Jan. 8, 2019, at SCI-Coal Township.

The victim, who testified prior to sentencing, described Cornelius as a coward and monster who is incapable of changing his violent behavior.

The victim said she has had to seek counseling and psychiatric help for post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, sleepless nights and flashbacks since the attempted rape.

During a one-on-one session with the victim, Cornelius is accused of striking the woman with a lock and attempting to sexually assault her in a group room in the AA housing unit.

Fridays sentencing will run consecutive to a current sentence of 2 to 10 years Cornelius is serving for false imprisonment relating to a May 2017 incident at Barnes & Noble on Paper Mill Road in Spring Township, Berks County.

Skinner said Cornelius pleaded guilty Oct. 24, 2017, to false imprisonment, simple assault and five counts of invasion of privacy relating to the Berks County incident. That incident involved Cornelius zip tying and attacking a 14-year-old girl in a bathroom at Barnes and Noble and secretly videotaping five unidentified women as they used the bathroom while he hid in a stall before the assault.
Shamokin, PA (17872)

Today

Mostly cloudy. Slight chance of a rain shower. High 69F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Rain likely. Low 51F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch.
KEY WEST, Fla. (AP)  Always remember to tip your server, if you know whats good for you.

A tourist made a big impression in a Key West bar by ordering drinks three times on New Years Eve without leaving a tip. That enabled the staff to easily track him down after police released webcam video showing vandals setting fire to a Christmas tree.

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The arson caused more than $5,000 in damage to the citys landmark buoy marking the southernmost point in the United States, and sent the islands coconut telegraph gossip chain into high alert, the Miami Herald reported Tuesday.

[ Repairs complete on Key West landmark after fire damage to the Southernmost Point buoy ]

Like other locals across the city, bartender Cameron Briody watched the video, and recognized the 21-year-old man who had stiffed him at Irish Kevins on Key Wests famous Duval Street. I knew immediately that I had served him and that he had used a card, so his name would be on the slips, Briody told the Herald.

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This photo provided by The City of Key West, Fla., shows Southernmost Point buoy on Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022 in Key West, Fla. Police are searching for two people who burned a part of Key Westas famous Southernmost Point buoy early New Yearas Day after setting a fire near the landmark tourism icon. (City of Key West via AP) (AP Photo)

The bars general manager, Daylin Starks, turned to recordings from the ton of cameras that watch over the bar each night, and matched credit card receipts to time-stamped videos of the man and his 22-year-old friend.

[ Southernmost arsonists: Pair who burned Key West buoy to turn themselves in, cops say ]

We could follow them the whole time, in and out of the bar, Starks said. We could see them getting rejected from all the girls they were trying to hit on.

Armed with their identifications and matching their movements to the vandalism down the street, police swiftly announced arrest warrants for the vandalism suspects, and city workers quickly restored the 20-ton concrete monument, which proclaims it stands just 90 miles from Cuba. Key West visitors couldnt wait to pose for more pictures at the spot.

Weve all been that age and made dumb mistakes and we just learn from them. Starks told The Associated Press on Tuesday. So I hope thats what they do is learn from the mistake.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister has affirmed Bahrains commitment to investing in and supporting government initiatives, including Fikra, which has proven to further the quality of government services.

Fikra, or the Government Innovation Competition, has produced an array of creative ideas which have contributed to furthering excellence across government services benefiting the Kingdoms citizens in line with Bahrain Economic Vision 2030.

HRH Prince Salman yesterday received the 12 finalists of Fikra, at Gudaibiya Palace.

The Deputy Prime Minister, His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa, the Speaker of the Council of Representatives, Fawzia bint Abdullah Zainal, and several senior officials attended the meeting.

HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister highlighted that creativity and excellence are characteristic of Bahrains citizens, and highlighted the importance of implementing plans and programmes based on creative ideas to turn challenges into opportunities.

His Royal Highness further highlighted that this approach enhances competitiveness and creates promising opportunities in line with the Kingdoms comprehensive development goals, led by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.

HRH Prince Salman honoured Fikras winners, noting that their ideas will be incorporated into the Kingdoms development process, which will enhance the public sectors efficiency.

Following a multi-tiered evaluation process, 12 concepts qualified for the final stage of the competition.

The ideas were presented to an evaluation committee comprised of several Ministers and were the subject of a public vote.

The following are the three winning concepts:

1. The Hawiyati Application, presented by Mohammed Abdulrahman Al Ansari and Sayed Ahmed Hameed Ahmed from The King Hamad University Hospital.

2. Green by Grey, presented by Hamad Badu from The Ministry of Works, Municipalities, and Urban Planning.

3. Nasmaek (We Hear You) presented by Muhannad Al Noaimi from The Ministry of Information Affairs won the public vote.

The finalists expressed their thanks and appreciation of His Royal Highness's commitment to supporting government employees and promoting creativity and innovation across government workstreams.

The winners also expressed their pride in winning the competition launched by His Royal Highness and their aspiration to implement their ideas that will contribute to the Kingdoms comprehensive development.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

The Council of Representatives and Jordans House of Representatives have signed a memorandum of understanding to bolster parliamentary cooperation.

The MoU, signed in the presence of Speakers Fawzia bint Abdullah Zainal and the Speaker of the House of Representatives of Jordans Parliament, Abdul Karim Al Daghmi, stipulates working together to enhance, strengthen and develop cooperation through parliamentary tools across various fields.

The two parties will also work on exchanging delegations to benefit from their parliamentary experiences and activities.

Under the MoU, the two sides will exchange views on issues on the agendas of the regional and international parliamentary organisations attended by representatives of the two councils to reach a common vision on these issues.

The two sides will also form joint working groups.

Historical ties

Speaker Zainal emphasised the depth of the strong and distinguished historical relations between Bahrain and Jordan that have contributed to achieving advanced levels of integrated coordination in all political, security, development and parliamentary fields.

She commended the consolidation of the relations of the two brotherly countries based on the keenness of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and His Majesty King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein.

The talks covered developing parliamentary relations and joint work mechanisms, activating agreements and memoranda of understanding, and exchanging views on regional and international issues and topics of shared interest.

The two Speakers stressed that parliamentary cooperation has become more important to face common challenges, saying there is a greater need for wider coordination of visions and positions, the convergence of views, and holding more meetings through visits and all available means of communication.

Al Daghmi stressed the depth of the relations between Bahrain and Jordan and expressed pride in the coordination of visions on various regional and international issues.

He emphasised Jordans firm position in supporting the security and stability of Bahrain, and the decisions it takes to protect its national unity and sovereignty.

He also praised the solidarity of Bahrains leadership, government and people with Jordan and support for the measures it takes to protect its achievements from any attempt to undermine them.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

Pensioners make up nearly 11 per cent of the Kingdoms Bahraini population, according to the latest statistics provided by the Social Insurance Organisation (SIO).

There are 74,303 alive pensioners  40,304 in the private sector and 33,999 in the public sector  while the number of deceased pensioners stood at 13,400, 7,515 in the private sector and 5,885 in the public sector.

Other than pensioners, children topped the list of beneficiaries (47.5pc) followed by widows (40pc) and others (12.5pc).

The others category included father, mother, brother, sister and grandchildren.

Two years ago, His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa issued Decree-Law 21/2020 regarding pension funds in insurance and retirement laws and regulations, according to which the Pension and Social Insurance Fund shall be overseen by the Social Insurance Organisation.

The revenues of the Pension and Social Insurance Fund include those previously allocated for the public sector retirement fund and the Social Insurance Fund, in addition to those incurred from the investment of its funds or any other activities.

The Decree-Law stipulates the cessation of the annual rise in all pensions established under any law, pension or insurance scheme.

The Decree-Law mentions that retirees are not allowed to receive more than one pension under different retirement and insurance systems, except for those entitled to pensions because of disability, work accidents or kinship.

The pensioners who are entitled to any of the previous laws and get jobs that are not subject to the same law in which they are entitled to the pension may combine their previous service period with their new service period, according to the rules stipulated in the retirement and insurance laws and regulations.

They may also choose to continue receiving their pensions for their previous work period, in addition to the salaries they earn from their new jobs provided that they are not subject to retirement laws and insurance against work accidents.

Employers who fail to pay the insurance contributions stipulated by the Social Insurance Law promulgated by Decree-Law 24/ 1976 shall have to pay a fine not less than the total value of the unpaid contributions and not exceeding three times its value.

The value of the fines shall be referred to the Pension and Social Insurance Fund.

There have been calls from many quarters to include expatriates as well in the pension scheme.

The SIO earlier said that the government is considering a move to incorporate expatriates working in the public and private sectors within the pension fund.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

Following approval by the Government Executive Committee, and based on the latest international data and developments, the National Medical Taskforce for Combatting the Coronavirus (COVID-19) has highlighted that starting from Thursday, 13 January 2022, the precautionary quarantine period will be seven days from the date of infection for individuals that hold a green shield on the BeAware Bahrain application.

Green shield holders can exit quarantine after seven days without taking a PCR test.

Individuals who are unvaccinated, or hold either a yellow or red shield on the BeAware Bahrain app, must quarantine for ten days from the date of infection and can exit quarantine after ten days without taking a PCR test.

The Taskforce also announced an update to the precautionary quarantine protocol for travellers entering the Kingdom of Bahrain through all ports of arrival. Individuals holding a yellow or red shield on the BeAware Bahrain app and unvaccinated travellers will need to quarantine on arrival for seven days. Travellers who hold a green shield on the BeAware Bahrain application are not required to quarantine.

The Taskforce stressed the importance of conducting a PCR test if experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 and continuing to adhere to all health precautionary measures.
Agencies | Dubai

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

The UAE government yesterday called for the release of the ship Rwabee and its crew, which were hijacked by the Iran-backed Houthi militia on January 3.

A letter to the UN Security Council signed by Ambassador Lana Nusseibeh said the ship was carrying medical equipment for a field hospital on Socotra Island.

It added that 11 people of different nationalities are onboard Rwabee.

The letter stated that the Houthis had previously targeted at least 13 commercial ships with explosive-laden boats and mines and had hijacked at least three in the Red Sea.

The UAE delegate emphasised that Houthi piracy raises real concerns for the freedom and security of navigation and international trade in the Red Sea.

Rwabee was hijacked by the Houthis on the night of January 3, 25 nautical miles west of the Yemeni ports of Salif and Hodeidah.

The tracking system onboard the ship was suspended at a distance of 18 nautical miles from Salif port several hours later.

The ship was on its way from Socotra Island in Yemen to the port of Jazan in Saudi Arabia, carrying equipment leased by a Saudi company used in a field hospital on the island, the letter said.

Onboard were seven Indian sailors, an Ethiopian, an Indonesian, a Filipino, and a sailor from Myanmar.

The UAE government said that the acts of piracy violate international law and pose a serious threat to the safety of navigation and international trade in the Red Sea.
Reuters | Rome

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

European Parliament President David Sassoli died on Tuesday in hospital in Italy where he was admitted on December 26, his spokesperson and office said.

Sassoli, 65, died at 1.15am (0015 GMT), his spokesperson, Roberto Cuillo, said on Twitter

Sassoli, an Italian socialist and former journalist from Florence, had been hospitalised last month due to a "serious complication" related to his immune system, his office had said on Monday.

He had been president of the 705-seat parliament since 2019.

In his inaugural speech, Sassoli had urged Europeans to counter the "virus" of extreme nationalism and called for a reform of EU rules on migration and political asylum.

His term in the predominantly ceremonial role had been due to end this month.

Due to illness, he had been unable to chair the Strasbourg-based parliament in recent weeks and had missed the European Commission's annual state of the union event in September.
Japanese employers will offer job opportunities to 50,000 highly skilled Asian professionals in digital technology and other in-demand fields under a government initiative announced Monday.

Competition for talent is only heating up across the continent, particularly in the fast-growing members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. The Asia-Japan Investing for the Future Initiative is designed to help Japanese companies secure the workers they need to better compete in booming business areas.

Japan wants to "offer opportunities for ambitious youth," said Koichi Hagiuda, minister of economy, trade and industry, in an online event Monday while visiting Indonesia.

Under the new initiative, the government will work to expand the number of degrees offered jointly by universities in Japan and abroad. Japanese employers will be encouraged to hire graduates of these programs and other skilled professionals over the next five years.

The government will also create more opportunities for foreign alumni of Japanese universities to participate in internships and information sessions by potential Japanese employers.
TALLAHASSEE  A court battle involving a proposed constitutional amendment that would open the door to casinos in North Florida continued to escalate Monday, with a committee linked to the Seminole Tribe accusing backers of the measure of engaging in a widespread, election-law conspiracy in the race to gather enough signatures to place the initiative on the November ballot.

The allegations are the latest twist in a lawsuit filed by Florida Voters in Charge, a political committee financed largely by Las Vegas Sands Corp., that accuses the Seminoles of illegally trying to sabotage the petition drive by poaching workers and paying people to stop gathering signatures.

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But the rival Standing Up for Florida committee, which is funded by the tribe, and that committees chairman, Pradeep Rick Asnani, slapped back Monday, asking a Leon County circuit judge to decide that the signatures gathered thus far have been illegally obtained and should be scrapped.

Documents filed on behalf of Asnani and his committee alleged that Florida Voters in Charge and its contractors are corrupting the petition process throughout Florida by blatantly violating civil and criminal laws in an effort to secure illicit access to Floridas ballots.

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[ RELATED: Sports betting may not be gone for long in Florida despite voided deal. Seminoles appeal federal ruling ]

The documents, filed by West Palm Beach attorney William Shepherd, allege that petition gatherers are being paid by the signature, a violation of Florida law. The court filings also maintain that a contractor illegally disposed of petitions that were incomplete or erroneous to avoid being financially penalized by the Florida Voters in Charge committee.

The accusations Monday came as Florida Voters in Charge faces a Feb. 1 deadline to submit nearly 900,000 signatures to make it onto the November ballot. According to the state Division of Elections website, the committee had submitted 458,608 signatures as of Monday.

The ballot initiative would ask voters to decide whether to allow pari-mutuel operators in North Florida to add casino games to their operations. The measure, if approved, would open the door to Las Vegas-style casinos along the Interstate 10 corridor in North Florida and is geared toward a facility in the Jacksonville area. Las Vegas Sands has contributed nearly $50 million to the effort.

The Seminoles, who operate the only Las Vegas-style casinos in Florida, have launched a major attack against the initiative, dropping at least $20 million into the Standing Up for Florida committee and spending millions of dollars on advertising to dissuade voters from signing onto the ballot measure.

Florida Voters in Charge filed the lawsuit Dec. 1, alleging parties acting on behalf of the Seminoles have engaged in concerted and aggressive efforts to harass and intimidate individuals who are exercising their legal right to obtain signatures necessary to place a citizen initiative on the Florida 2022 ballot. Defendants in the case include Asnani and his committee; Marc Jacoby; Kara Owens; Cornerstone Solutions Florida LLC; and Let the Voters Decide, LLC.

[ RELATED: DeSantis signs sweeping gambling deal that may bring sports betting to Florida ]

The lawsuit includes details of how signature gatherers working on the initiative were offered money to stop collecting petitions and leave the state until Feb. 1.

Allegations of wrongdoing on both sides have swirled in the case, but the documents filed Monday on behalf of Standing Up for Florida and Asnani ratcheted up the stakes --- and the rhetoric.

The Constitution of Florida is under attack, Shepherd wrote in one of the documents. The counter-defendants (Florida Voters in Charge and other parties) illicit conduct is an attack on Floridas election integrity.

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An emergency motion for a temporary injunction to prevent election fraud filed Monday asks Dempsey to block Leon County Supervisor of Elections Mark Earley and Secretary of State Laurel Lee from giving legal effect to all illegally-obtained initiative petitions related to the casino proposal.

The allegations Monday mirrored accusations in a legal challenge filed by Shepherd in Palm Beach County circuit court. A judge dismissed the lawsuit on Dec. 17.

The documents provide details about Florida Voters in Charge contractors and include testimony from former employees or petition-gathering contractors who accused businesses and individuals working on the ballot initiative of illegally paying employees by the signature, shredding incomplete petitions and forging signatures on petitions all over Florida.

These companies only care about gathering signatures, no matter what it takes, Shepherd wrote.

The documents also accused Grassfire LLC, one of the plaintiffs with Florida Voters in Charge in the lawsuit, of mistreatment of its employees by docking workers pay if they fail to meet signature quotas, refusing to cover the agreed-upon per diem for lunch, and evicting at least one employee from the hotel where she was housed.

One former Grassfire manager reports that she received death threats from her team members when Grassfire refused to pay for their worked hours because of a lack of signatures, one of the court filings said.

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The lawsuit filed by Florida Voters in Charge alleges people associated with the initiatives opponents have grabbed clipboards away from signature gatherers, followed workers to their hotel rooms and screamed at voters to keep them from signing petitions.
More than 141,000 people have accessed their COVID vaccination records online since Connecticut launched a digital passport system last month.

However, the states data does not show how many users then uploaded the information to their smartphone to use as proof of vaccination as the program is intended, and the numbers may include duplicates.

But the data obtained by Hearst Connecticut Media Group provides the first look into how many people have accessed the digital records.

Unlike New Yorks Excelsior Pass, Connecticuts system relies on users logging in to the states immunization database to access a copy of their vaccination records. The file contains a QR code that users can then scan with a smartphone. A digital version of their vaccine card, called a SMART Health Card, is then created and can be saved on a smartphone or other device.

Since the option of uploading the card to a smartphone went live Dec. 13, users have accessed their records in the database 141,673 times as of Monday, according to Chief Operating Officer Josh Geballes office.

The state numbers show an increase after the SMART Health Card system went live. In total, vaccination records have been downloaded 198,681 times since the state started allowing people to access the information online. That suggests people may have flooded the database to download a digital vaccine card once the option of putting it on their phone became available.

At most, the numbers reflect about 5.6 percent of the states more than 2.5 million fully vaccinated individuals may be using the digital vaccine cards.

But the numbers also contain duplicate downloads  meaning if someone downloaded their vaccine record more than once, it could be counted twice or more in the data. Its also unclear from the state figures how many people used the system to actually upload it onto a smartphone. A spokesperson for Geballes office said the state is working to get more data from the vendor.

Asked about the program on Monday, Gov. Ned Lamont pointed to the apparent uptake as a success, and said hed like to see more business owners ask for proof someone has been vaccinated.

Hundreds of thousands of folks have downloaded the digital health card, making it a lot easier for them to demonstrate their vaccination status coming into a restaurant, or bar, like BAR down in New Haven requires it, Lamont said.

Lamont was referring to a popular Elm City night club that announced in August it would require proof of vaccination or a negative test from patrons amid a renewed wave of infections brought on by the omicron variant. A handful of other New Haven venues soon followed suit.

Id like to see more restaurants and bars and stores send notice that wed like to see your vaccination status, so I think were making progress on that, Id like to see more, Lamont said.
NEWTOWN - Following news that Police Chief James Viadero will leave the department at months end to take a new state position, a 28-year veteran who manages the departments day-to-day operations will leave at the same time to become the police chief in Plainville.

The resignation of Capt. Christopher Vanghele as the departments second-in-command on Jan. 30 is not expected to result in a leadership vacuum, however.

The reason: the towns Police Commission could have a candidate lined up to replace Viadero before he leaves on Jan. 31 to head a new state office that will investigate police-involved shootings.

If that plan turns out to be more ambitious than successful, Viadero could stay on as chief for a short while longer until his replacement is appointed.

My intention is not to leave the department in (a leaderless) position, Viadero said on Monday.

Joel Faxon, the chairman of Newtowns Police Commission, said he hoped Viaderos replacement could be appointed soon.

The deadline for candidates to submit their resumes is Friday.

I dont have any expectation that it will take that long to go through this process, Faxon said on Monday. Unexpected things can happen, but we are hopeful.

Faxon is referring to a department that at the end of January will be without its chief of the last six years. Faxon credited Viadero with a complete turnaround of the department compared to where it was when he took it over in 2016, when officers were feeling the aftershocks of the 2012 Sandy Hook massacre.

In the last six years Viadero introduced progressive police practices such as community policing, that stressed mutual respect between officers and residents. Viadero also oversaw the completion of the new 25,000-square-foot police headquarters on South Main Street, which voters approved for $15 million.

Viadero will leave Newtown to head the state Office of the Inspector General, which was created under Connecticuts 2020 police accountability act.

The loss of leadership in Newtown is not confined to the police department. In December, schools Superintendent Lorrie Rodrigue announced she would retire at the end of the school year to tend to frail parents. Rodrigue was credited with marshaling social and emotional learning resources to help smooth the aftershocks of the Sandy Hook shooting.

As the five-member Police Commission was making plans to find Viaderos replacement last week, it learned that the departments next-in-line was also leaving.

Vanghele, who manages the budget and oversees the departments bureaus, will start his new job on Jan. 31. The Plainville Town Council appointed Vanghele police chief on Jan. 3.

I have come to know that Chris is very personable, enjoys speaking with citizens, and has a wry sense of humor, said Robert Lee, Plainvilles town manager, in a prepared statement. I believe he will serve the residents of Plainville in fine fashion.

Faxon said Vanghele and Viadero are leaving Newtown on good terms.

In October, Viaderos department scored high in one of the first known body-worn camera studies of its kind in the country. Newtown officers earned either an A or an A- for respectful language, for transparency in explaining police procedure, for fairness in handling responses, and for having a calming presence, the research showed.

The chief left us in an extraordinarily strong position, which is very unique in law enforcement, Faxon said. He left the department on a very good foundation.

rryser@newstimes.com 203-731-3342
DANBURY  Some local state legislators say they may be willing to consider supporting a charter school for the city now that a Connecticut-based operator has been put in charge of the project.

Supporters are still likely to face a fierce battle for state funding and approval, but some Democrats are more receptive to the idea after the announcement that John Taylor, the head of a New Haven charter school, would replace Brooklyn, N.Y.-based Prospect Charter Schools.

Mr. Taylor has a very reputable reputation in Connecticut, state Rep. David Arconti, D-Danbury, said. I think its a better option that its a Connecticut-based organization now. I think we we should keep an open mind. I look forward to meeting with Mr. Taylor and hearing his thoughts and what he thinks he could potentially bring to Danbury.

The Danbury Democratic delegation has previously opposed the project, preventing it from earning state funding in the more than three years since the Connecticut Board of Education approved a charter school for the city. Some legislators couldnt be reached for comment on Monday.

The Danbury Charter School Planning Team switched operators to have someone who was well known in Connecticut and who could champion funding for the school.

Hes (Taylor) literally what we needed in Danbury, said Jose Lucas Pimentel, a member of the planning team and head of Latinos for Educational Advocacy in Diversity, which has advocated heavily for the charter school.

Supporters plan to push the governor to include funding for the charter school in his proposed budget. Pimentel said they may see a breakthrough thanks to legislators indicating they may drop their opposition.

However, state Rep. Ken Gucker, D-Danbury, said he remains firmly against the charter school, largely because he argues state funding should go toward the underfunded public schools in Danbury.

State money for charter schools comes from a different funding stream than the one for public schools, but it all comes out of the state budget, he said.

It does indeed take away from our students, Gucker said.

State Rep. Bob Godfrey, D-Danbury, said he has similar concerns, but hes open minded and looks forward to hearing the details, ramifications and consequences of the plan.

Its certainly better than one from New York City, he said of the operator.

He said he wouldnt advocate for funding the school until hes talked to stakeholders and had his questions answered about what the public schools would need to pay toward transportation, among other concerns.

Im not inclined to take money away from Danbury Public Schools to give to another operator, even if its a nonprofit, Godfrey said. I need to see those numbers and see exactly how it works and see the other costs involved.

He and Arconti said Taylors accomplishments and relationships in Connecticut have led them to take a second look at the project.

Being a Connecticut operator is, I think, an important step, Arconti said.

State Rep. Raghib Allie-Brennan, D-Bethel, said he wants to give parents more options for schools and that the new operator could be promising.

When we had conversations with Prospect, I did have concerns that what may work for Brooklyn may not work in Connecticut, he said. Sometimes I felt like there wasnt a lot of transparency in the questions I was asking. An agency thats asking for state dollars, there has to be accountability.

Booker T. Washington, the New Haven charter school that Taylor runs, was named a School of Distinction by the state in 2018. Taylor and the Danbury Charter School Planning Team cited other academic accomplishments his students had at charter schools in New York.

State Rep. Patrick Callahan, R-New Fairfield, called the plan for the school impressive. Hes visited the building where the school would be constructed and spoken with Latinos for Educational Advocacy and Diversity.

Im completely in favor of it, Callahan said. It gives people a choice and theres a ton of private funding put into it, as well.

Concerns about the school

In 2018, the state Board of Education OKd Prospect Charter Schools specifically to operate the school in Danbury, so the revised plans with the new operator need to go back to the state for approval.

Stephen Tracy, chairman of the planning team, said the group will need to bring a formal written statement to the state indicating what changes would be made.

Were optimistic that they will (approve it), but Im sure theyll have their questions, he said.

Gucker said it would be prematureto fund the school because the new operator hasnt been approved.

How do you ask for money if youre not approved? he asked. This is like me saying I want money to build my house but Im not building my house yet.

Gucker argued the charter school wouldnt adequately address the public school districts overcrowding problem, but building additional public schools would.

The charter school would begin by serving 110 students, adding a grade each year to reach 770 students.

The money and the numbers dont line up, Gucker said.

Gucker questioned how the school could open as planned at the 358 Main St. building that the Latinos for Educational Advocacy and Diversity has made its home.

City zoning regulations require schools to sit on a minimum of two acres, but city property records show the lot is 0.02 acres.

A philanthropist has donated $25 million toward construction of the school, but Gucker noted thats far less than the $99 million Danbury has committed to its career academy, the $84.2 million cost of New Fairfields new high school and the $29.2 million cost of the renovations to one of New Fairfields elementary schools.

Pimentel said he expects the group will seek further donations. Taylors New Haven school is supported by several philanthropic groups, Pimentel said.

Arconti said he and the delegation are looking out for whats best for students.

We want, I want our kids to have the best educational experience they can have, which prepares them for their lives, for their adult lives, Arconti said. So if Mr. Taylor and his organization thinks they can provide a solution or be part of that, then I welcome getting to know them and hearing what they have to bring.

CORRECTION: This article was updated with the correct political party for State Rep. Patrick Callahan, R-New Fairfield.
DANBURY  Police closed their investigation into a missing local woman whose remains were found in a wooded area in Patterson, N.Y. without determining a cause of death, according to newly released documents.

The police records  obtained almost two years after her remains were found  show the Putnam County Sheriffs Department and New York State Police not only closed their investigations into the death of LaelCira DeLima just over two weeks after the February 2020 discovery, but did so absent any conclusive findings regarding her death or disappearance.

There have been no arrests or official determinations made about what happened to the 53-year-old who went missing more than four years ago.

The Putnam County Coroners Office did not return a request for information regarding the findings of DeLimas death, and no such information was mentioned in the investigation reports from the Putnam County Sheriffs Department or New York State Police.

DeLima was last seen Oct. 20, 2017, when she left her Danbury home and told her children to lock the door behind her, police said at the time. DeLima had said she was going to the Walmart in Danbury, but never returned home.

Her 2016 Honda Accord was found weeks later abandoned in the parking lot of the Putnam Diner in Patterson, N.Y.

Authorities from the Putnam County Sheriffs Department, New York State Police and Danbury Police Department responded to the parking lot Nov. 7, 2017, after the diner owners reported a car with Connecticut plates had not moved from its spot for about two weeks and the plate number traced back to a missing person out of Danbury.

Surveillance footage from a nearby business showed the Honda Accord entering the diner parking lot around 6 p.m. Oct. 20, 2017, according to a New York State Police investigation report, but investigators were unable to observe anyone leave the parking lot due to the cameras distance.

The report states that surveillance footage from Putnam Diner was secured as well but does not say what, if anything, it showed.

New York State Police said there were no apparent signs of any suspicious activity at the scene and an extensive search of the area was conducted with drones and police K-9s, but nothing was found.

According to a New York State Police investigation report, the K-9s were unable to pick up a scent due to the time that had elapsed since the vehicle was left in the parking lot.

The report also states that DeLima had a friend residing in the nearby town of Pawling, who Danbury police had previously suspected of picking (her) up  but no one was home when Danbury and New York investigators went to interview the individual.

The Putnam County Sheriffs Department and Danbury Police Department have not returned requests for further comment on the DeLima case.

Two more searches were conducted in May 2018  one involving drone and helicopter flyovers on May 2, followed by an on-the-ground search with K-9s, New York State troopers, detectives and forest rangers on May 8  both of which yielded negative results, according to the report.

Then, on Feb. 1, 2020  more than two years after DeLima went missing  a 35-year-old New York man spotted what turned out to be her skeletal remains while scouting an area for hunting behind the diner.

According to Putnam County investigators, a human skull was located approximately a quarter-mile behind the diner and more evidence  a sneaker, jet black hair and a dark-colored jacket containing skeletal remains  was found within a 10-yard radius of the skull.

The remains were confirmed to be DeLimas through dental record identification and turned over to the Danbury Memorial Funeral Home on Feb. 14, 2020, according to Putnam County Sheriffs Department records.

The Putnam County Sheriffs Department reported no evidence of foul play, and Danbury Police Detective Lt. Mark Williams said the case was turned over to New York investigators with Danbury police providing assistance as needed.

Theres been no explanation as to why nothing was found during the 2017 and 2018 searches of the area behind Putnam Diner.

On Feb. 13, 2020, a spokesperson from the Putnam County Sheriffs Department said the agency was waiting for the coroner to identify the cause of DeLimas death.

Six days later, the investigation into DeLimas death was marked closed by both the Putnam County Sheriffs Department and New York State Police.

Its unclear if a cause or manner of death was ever determined.
TALLAHASSEE  A proposed ban on most abortions after 15 weeks was filed on the first day of Floridas legislative session Tuesday, setting the stage for a contentious debate over the hot-button issue.

The legislation  filed by state Sen. Kelli Stargel, R-Lakeland, and state Rep. Erin Grall, R-Vero Beach  does not include exceptions for rape and incest. It allows exceptions if an abortion is necessary to save the mothers life or prevent serious injury or if a fatal fetal abnormality is detected.

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Gov. Ron DeSantis suggested he would support the measure, saying he hasnt read all the abortion proposals but welcomes legislation on the issue.

When you start talking about 15 weeks where you have really serious pain, heartbeats and all this stuff, having protections I think is something I think makes a lot of sense, he told reporters.

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Abortion is legal up until the 24th week of pregnancy in Florida.

DeSantis said he doesnt see a need to wait until the U.S. Supreme Court rules on abortion to take up the issue. The high court is considering a Mississippi law that also would ban most abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy.

Democratic Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, who is running for governor, blasted Republican efforts to limit abortion in Florida.

My freedom to choose what is best my body ... is so sacred, she said. The fact they are trying to take that away is shameful.

House Speaker Chris Sprowls, R-Palm Harbor, quickly backed the House abortion bill, which also addresses issues related to curbing infant mortality.

The Florida House remains steadfast in our commitment to Floridas children, both born and unborn, Sprowls said in a prepared statement. HB 5 significantly narrows the available window for elective abortions while providing new resources and programs to reduce infant mortality in Florida.

The Florida proposal doesnt go as far as Texas law that bans abortions after about six weeks of pregnancy. The Texas law relies on citizens to enforce its provisions by suing abortion providers and those who help someone get an abortion after a fetal heartbeat is detected.

State Rep. Webster Barnaby, R-Deltona, proposed in September a Florida law similar to the one in Texas, which the U.S. Supreme Court so far hasnt blocked.

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Barnabys bill would create civil penalties of at least $10,000 for anyone found to have performed, aided or abetted an abortion after a fetal heartbeat could be detected.

But GOP state Sen. Kathleen Passidomo, slated to become Senate President after the 2022 elections, said at the time she objected to the Texas laws provision allowing private citizens to sue. DeSantis also did not seem enthusiastic about Barnabys bill, though he did not rule it out.

News Service of Florida contributed to this report. sswisher@orlandosentinel.com
TORONTO, Jan. 11, 2022 /CNW/ - The results of an annual extensive national survey were released today finding that Blue Cross Life Insurance Company of Canada (Blue Cross Life) is Canada's Most Respected Life Insurance company, displacing last year's top-ranked Sun Life.

Of the eighteen companies measured, Blue Cross Life landed the coveted first place spot, followed by Canada Life (which moved from fourth to second place), Sun Life (that dropped from first to third place), and Manulife Insurance (dropping from third to fourth place).

"Having placed second in last year's rankings, Blue Cross Life ascended to the top due in part to stronger awareness and respect scores in Atlantic Canada, British Columbia and Alberta," said Jeff Munn, Executive Director, of the Canada's Most Respected Award Program . "We congratulate Blue Cross Life for achieving this valued recognition, particularly during these challenging times."

Because of the closeness of the national mean scores to Blue Cross Life, Canada Life, Sun Life and Manulife each received Distinguished Recognition designations.

"Corporate respect is the most valued currency that any company can own because it's earned, not given. This award is chosen by the Canadian public, not a committee or group, so it's currency is of the highest order," said Munn.

This year's annual award ranking of Canada's Most Respected Life Insurance Company is based on the results of a nationally representative sample of 4,082 voting adult Canadians conducted by Maru Public Opinion . The complete findings, along with the methodologies and rankings for this year's award is posted here: www.canadasmostrespected.com/awardee-categories.

For the full news release please follow the link: https://canadasmostrespected.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/CMR-2021-22-LifeInsurance-EN.pdf

Established in 2019, the Canada's Most Respected Award Program has measured the public respect scores of entities in eight sectoral categories based on national criteria.

SOURCE Dart Insight and Communications

For further information: Jeff Munn, T: 416-572-7583, [email protected]
The joint research initiative was conducted by Dialogue Health Technologies Inc . (TSX: CARE ) ("Dialogue"), Canada's leading health and wellness virtual healthcare platform, and Environics Research , a market research firm providing evidence-based solutions to real business problems, to measure Canadians' attitudes towards virtual care and the country's public healthcare systems.

56% of Canadians are more conscious, now than before, of their health as a result of the pandemic. 25% of Canadians indicated that the pandemic has worsened their overall health, while almost half (45%) said that mental health concerns like stress and anxiety have worsened as a result of the pandemic.

As Canadians look to make stronger commitments to their health and wellness, 50% said that the pandemic has made it more difficult to access quality healthcare. As COVID-19 creates additional strain on public healthcare systems, 25% of Canadians claimed that it typically takes four to seven days to see a healthcare professional for a minor health concern, while 23% said it can take more than a week. For Canadians concerned about their mental health, 52% believed that they should be able to get same-day support for the care they need. The reality is that 39% accessing mental health support had to wait eight days or more before getting the necessary support.

"We need to take advantage of this collective commitment to health and wellness by providing Canadians with easier, more convenient access to quality care," said Dr. Marc Robin, Medical Director, Dialogue. "Leveraging online virtual care platforms like Dialogue offer immediate multidisciplinary support and empower Canadians to be more proactive with their physical and mental health."

Employee benefits were identified as a key driver for Canadians working to get back on track with their physical and mental health goals. However, many are still unclear about what benefits they have, how to access them or whether they adequately meet their healthcare needs. According to the study, 26% do not know how to access their employee benefits. 24% of Canadians with benefit plans indicated that the mental health support available in their benefit plan is not sufficient, while 17% indicated that they aren't even aware of what mental health resources are available in their employee benefits plan.

Virtual care platforms like Dialogue are making it easier for employers to ensure that employees have more streamlined access to quality healthcare benefits and more. 82% of working Canadians agreed that employers should provide virtual care services for their employees, and about 70% said that virtual care can allow them to be more proactive about their own health and mental health, as well as their family's.

"The research shows that Canadians believe virtual care isn't a pandemic-related trend or need, rather they see the long-term benefits virtual care can offer them and their families in maintaining health and productivity; as well as the benefits it offers employers - reducing absenteeism and maintaining a productive workforce." said Ahsan Sadiq, Director of Market Insights, Environics

Canadians remain optimistic about how virtual care can help improve their health and wellness, as approximately 70% agree that "virtual care represents the future of healthcare," and 60% confirmed they would likely use virtual care if it's available through their benefit plan. For employers, this can have a positive impact on absenteeism and productivity in the workplace, as 81% of Canadians agreed that virtual care can help them avoid missing work (or school).

About the Canadian Attitudes on Health and Virtual Care Report

This annual Canada-wide survey was conducted to measure Canadians' attitudes towards virtual care and the country's public health care systems. The research was sponsored by Dialogue; however, the sponsor of the research was not shared with respondents, ensuring unbiased data collection.

The 2021 survey was completed by 1,760 Canadians representing all age groups and all provinces (except Nunavut, Northwest Territories and Yukon Territories) between September 8 and 22, 2021.

This is the second consecutive research survey; conducted with the intention of measuring changes in Canadians' attitudes over the past year, while also understanding the evolving health landscape in Canada.

About Dialogue Technologies Inc.

Incorporated in 2016, Dialogue is Canada's premier virtual healthcare and wellness platform, providing affordable, on-demand access to quality care. Through our team of health professionals, we serve employers and organizations who have an interest in the health and well-being of their employees, members and their families. Our Integrated Health Platform is a one-stop healthcare hub that centralizes all of our programs in a single, user-friendly application, providing access to services 24 hours per day, 365 days per year from the convenience of a smartphone, computer or tablet.

About Environics Research

Environics Research is a Canadian market research firm that provides organizations with actionable, evidence-based solutions to real business problems. Environics Research partners with clients to understand the business challenges they face and leverage innovative and creative solutions to generate understanding and insights. Founded in 1970, Environics Research delivers evidence-based solutions to clients working in a range of sectors and industries.

SOURCE Dialogue Health Technologies Inc.

For further information: Jean-Christophe de Le Rue, Director of Public and Government Relations, Dialogue, [email protected] / 613-806-0671; Darragh Fitzgerald, Digital Marketing Manager, Environics, [email protected]
India News Manch, the biggest UP- Uttarakhand poll conclave in the run-up to the assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, is being held in Lucknow. The platform brings together all the big-wigs of national and regional politics. As part of the mega conclave, we hosted UP CM Yogi Adityanath for an insightful interview. Read the excerpts of the interview here:

We opened the interview by asking Yogi Adityanath about his controversial 80 vs 20 statement, to which he replied, Those who appreciate nationalism, development, good governance, and security, constitute the said 80%. Explaining the latter part of the contentious remark, he said that well-wishers of criminal elements who put barriers in the development of UP form the rest 20%. 80 vs 20 is the fight between the positive and the negative forces, said the UP CM while summing up his thought.

Speaking on the topic of his government gaining notoriety as a bulldozer regime, Yogi Adityanath stated, We fulfilled our commitment of zero tolerance for crime and criminals. Moreover, he stated, We will use the only language that criminals understand. The UP CM also highlighted the number of beneficiaries under the state and central governments schemes. Benefits to all, appeasement to none, said Yogi while underlining his governments non-discriminatory approach.

Yogi Adityanath also addressed the question about contesting the upcoming assembly elections. I am an ordinary worker of the BJP and Ill contest elections from wherever the party leadership says, he answered. We then steered the discussion towards the Yogi governments willingness to prioritize the promotion of culture in the state, to which he responded, This government has established its cultural identity on a global level. He put forward his governments point over the renaming of UP cities and said, Attempts have been made by the government to restore the cultural identity of these places.

On the subject of terrorism, CM Yogi said about the state, We dont witness any terror attacks nowadays. ATS centres have been established to effectively check terrorism. Slamming earlier administrations, he remarked, Previous governments used to drop charges against terrorists and anti-national elements.

Slamming political opponents for curbing Hindu practices, the UP CM said, These are the same people who locked the temples and attacked Ram devotees. He further accused the previous governments of promoting religious enmity by appeasing particular sections of the society.

Rahul Gandhis ancestors used to call themselves accidental Hindus, and Rahul is the advanced version of that, said Yogi Adityanath on Rahul Gandhis alleged attempt to set a narrative that maligns Hindutva. Continuing his thought, Yogi said, Hindutva is a way of life and Hindus represent the essence of India. Expressing pride over his Hindu identity, the CM said, Im proud of being a Hindu, and I feel blissful living my life in accordance with Hindutva.

Watch the full interview here:
With the return of the India News Manch, national and regional political forces such as Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand are preparing for elections in the months ahead. The summit, which begins at 9 a.m. and will be broadcast LIVE on NewsX and India News, is hosted by Signature Global and co-sponsored by Rakesh spices and Keo Karpin. Live streams of the event are available on Dailyhunt, Zee5, ShemarooMe, Jio TV, Watcho, MX PlayerMzaalo, TataSky, and PayTm.

The National spokesperson of the Bharatiya Kisan Union, Rakesh Tikait joined us for an exclusive interview as part of the conclave.

Tikait started the interview by telling the people that he is with the people of the nation and not with any political party.  I am with the people of the country. Talking about the homa ritual in Delhi, he said, The homa in Delhi was conducted by the Delhi Government. During the offerings, I only had our farmers in my mind. I performed the prayers for them.

Our interviewer further asked Rakesh about who is going to win the UP elections in 2022. Tikait replied, The government can be formed by any party, only the Chief minister is the one for the public. We will work our way through whoever forms their government. I am not in support of any party, I just want them to perform their duties. Definitely, there should be some competition. Without competition, there is no moving forward.

He went on to say that, A protest is going in Allahabad as we speak. The farmers there want to sell grains and the police organization is accusing them of wrongdoings. The merchants want to buy the grains at Rs. 1000 and the government rate is around Rs. 1900. There is a major struggle going on in Allahabad regarding this.

Rakesh reacted to some social media posts where people called him an Event manager. He replied, BJP spends a lot of money on their IT cell. The small channels of our group have given a competition to these IT cells. I would like to thank these channel for showcasing the entire protests on TV. I received around 3600 calls from people who abused me and I just decided to switch off my phone. I am very well aware that these are BJPs doings. Our union has good command over tractors but not Twitter but the youth of the country helped us during our weak moment and supported us.

When asked about what the farmers received from the year long protests, he replied, From those protests the farmers have learned to speak for themselves with sheer confidence. The promises that the govt have made to the farmers of making a committee has not been formed yet. We the people of Sayukt Morcha will assemble on 15th January and discuss the future plans. If the government works against the will of the farmers, the Sayukt Morcha will stand against it and work accordingly. Taking a dig at Modi and Yogi, the BKU leader said, We should conduct a survey asking who are the two Kim Jongs of India.
In the run-up to the assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, the India News Manch, the largest UP- Uttarakhand poll conclave, is being held in Lucknow. The platform brings together all of the nations and regions political elites. We interviewed Uttarakhands Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami as part of the big conclave. Here are some extracts from the interview:

The minister started the interview by talking about the achievements of the BJP in the state of Uttarakhand. He said,  More than 1000 development projects have been initiated in Uttarakhand under the guidance of our honorable Prime minister. On one hand, there are the BJPs doing, and on the other hand, are the wrongdoings on the opposition parties. Now it is upon the mindful public of Uttarakhand to choose between the two. I believe that our good work will be appreciated and BJP will win the 2022 elections with a heavy margin.

Dhami further talked about the issues which are going to be discussed with the public during the upcoming elections. We have done a lot of work in every sector be it railway, airway or roadway. Ive been a part since 6th July an during the course of 6 months, we have taken major decisions for the development of the state. We took decisions on the long going spat between Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand and I want to thank Yogi Adityanath for resolving this issue. Since Modi has come into power, new records have been set everyday. I have gone around Uttarakhand and received blessings from the youth as well as the elders of the state. We will make new history this time.

When asked about how he has been tackling the elite politicians of the state while being the face of the BJP party, Dhami said, I am privileged to be the younger one amongst all. I often receive blessing for the elder members of the party. I am thankful to all and I am also looking forward to work under their guidance. I believe that the conditions of the roads are better since I have stepped in. Now there is more availability of doctors in Uttarakhand. We have now reduced the fees of the medical students from 4 lakh 50 thousand to 1 lakh 45 thousands. We have increased their stipend as well. Meanwhile, we have also increased the pension of our social workers. Moreover, Uttarakhand deserves a government which works hand-in-hand with the central government.

Talking about the vote share of women and what all has the BJP done for them in the state, the chief minister revealed, Women power has a big role in the working of the state of Uttarakhand. Through our campaigns, a lot of women have gotten directly employed. The Lok Sabha Ayog is working day and night to generate further employment for the people of the state. It is to be noted that only government jobs will not be sufficient to curb the problem of unemployment. We have to generate jobs in other sectors as well

The chief minister ended the interview by talking about the various plans of the Modi government to develop the tourism sector in Uttarakhand. Various plans and circuits have been formed to formulated to develop the holy shrines of the country which are located in Uttarakhand, he revealed.
ORANGE  The beloved owner of Chips Family Restaurant, known as much for his philanthropy as his pancake recipes, died peacefully Monday in the arms of his sister and business partner Dina Bajko after a yearlong battle with brain cancer.

Last night he gave me a gift. He passed very peacefully in my arms, said Bajko, whose brother was in hospice care at her home. I cant explain it, but it was beautiful. He gave me strength and continues to do so.

George Georgie Chatzopoulos, who grew the original Chips in Orange to four other communities  Fairfield, Wethersfield, Southbury and Southington  was 55.

He died two hours after his brother and niece arrived from Greece, and Bajko believes he waited for them.

Black bunting was draped around the bright-yellow Chips Family Restaurant sign Tuesday at the popular Orange eatery, 321 Boston Post Road, where it all began.

Bajko said her brother fought the brain cancer with all he had and remained positive through the last year. He had surgery, radiation, chemotherapy.

He fought back and he was so strong. George was the strongest person I know, she said.

Chatzopoulos, who friends say lived the American dream, came here from Greece with nothing in 1988, worked tirelessly at a diner in West Haven, saved money and bought the already existing Chips in 2003, bringing younger sister Bajko on as a partner. Later he expanded to open four additional Chips restaurants.

News of his death Tuesday left many in the community bereft, as he was not only an astute businessman, but a philanthropist with a larger-than-life personality who held countless pancakes for dinner and other fundraisers over the years in the restaurant, as well as donating his pancake batter, syrup, butter and coffee, and even lending equipment for community and church fundraisers.

One local merchant who didnt want to be identified said hes seen Chatzopoulos hand a $100 bill to a person who asked him for a quarter.

The Rev. Peter Orfanakos, pastor of Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Church, said Chatzopoulos was a faithful member, and described his friend as a kind, generous, thoughtful, gregarious man who worked tirelessly at trying to have a positive impact on the people of our town and state.

He had a big heart and was always looking for ways to share the gifts that God had blessed him with, Orfanakos said. Over the years he supported many of the ministries of our parish including in 2011 when we worked together to raise $10,000 to help send a Connecticut Special Olympian to the International Special Olympic Games in Athens, Greece.

Orange First Selectman Jim Zeoli called Chatzopoulos a wonderful friend.

He never said no to someone in need for a cause. You knew he was around before you saw him because his laugh would enter a room before him, always a hello and a laugh, Zeoli said. He will be missed. He never stopped thinking about next steps in business or in life. May he rest in peace.

Former Republican state lawmaker Themis Klarides, a close friend of the family and part of the Greek community, visited Chatzopoulos several times in recent days.

George is the epitome of the American dream.  When you look at what George did, that is what this country is all about, Klarides said. He worked hard, but he gave money all the time because he knew he was lucky.

Klarides said, even though his life was way too short, his life was a fuller than many ever will be.

Jody Daymon, one of three food superintendents for the Orange Country Fair, said shes done printing business with Chatzopoulos through her personal Barr Business Forms Co. and through the fair.

She said Chatzopoulos each year donated batter for his famous pancakes, syrup, butter, coffee and made arrangements for equipment. He recently added waffles to the scene.

He was very generous and kind. He believed deeply the best way to grow a business was to give back to the community in which he lived, Daymon said. George was a really interesting guy. He was a good person and he loved to party and have fun.

Bajko, the youngest of the four Chatzopoulos children, said she and George, 10 years her senior, were close since her birth.

We had a special bond, she said. He always took care of me. She said he treated her young sons as his own, and she and he were so much alike that work colleagues sometimes called her a Mini-George, she said.

Bajko said she and her siblings learned about helping the community from the example set by their parents and the generosity will continue in the community even though her brother no longer is here.

We grew up being very humble and just appreciating everything. We came here with nothing (from Greece), Bajko said. He had this passion, this strength, to take a business and keep building restaurants, and made sure every one of the restaurants would contribute to those communities, she said.

In addition to countless smaller fundraisers, for years (until COVID) Chips held a Thanksgiving Day fundraiser to collect thousands for various charities, and also held an annual spring dining fundraiser for the Michael J. Fox Foundation.

Annemarie Sliby , executive director of the Orange Economic Development Corp., said she was saddened to hear of Chatzopoulos passing.

He was a very kind and generous man and very involved in the Orange community. George served on the board of directors of the Orange Economic Development Corporations early years and was very instrumental in the corporations programs, Sliby said. Even when he left the board, he continued to contribute to our mission, while at the same time donating his time and resources to other town fundraisers. We are proud of the Chips empire he created that began in Orange. He will truly be missed.
Connecticuts legislative leaders on Monday agreed to try one more time to come to bipartisan agreement on a new map of the states five congressional districts after a court-appointed special master warned he was in the process of redrawing the boundaries himself.

Speaker of the House Matt Ritter and state Senate Minority Leader Kevin Kelly now have a noon deadline on Wednesday to haggle over the final districts where cities including Torrington, New Britain and Meriden will be placed after a western shift of Connecticuts population in the past 10 years.

But both Democrats and Republicans, including GOP State Chairman Ben Proto, seemed steadfast in their disagreement, especially as it relates to the makeup of the 1st and 5th districts.

While Connecticuts decennial reapportionment process has been smoother than many states  mostly where Republican majorities in legislatures have gerrymandered districts to benefit GOP interests  Connecticuts state House and Senate districts were agreed upon late last year, with incumbents generally protected.

But changes to the current congressional map, which still bears a so-called lobster claw in the Hartford area dating back from the loss of a seat in 2000, has been stalemated. The state Supreme Court named Stanford University Law School Professor Nathaniel Persily as special master.

During an hour-long virtual public hearing on Monday, Persily, who took a similar job 10 years ago when state lawmakers deadlocked, said that he is already drafting him own map, but wanted to give Connecticut Democrats and Republicans one more chance for a meeting of the minds. The states high court has given him until Jan. 18 to finalize the new map.

In a national perspective  as you know I am doing this around the country  you all are pretty close to each other, Persily said. If you cannot come up with a full plan that you could agree upon, I would ask whether there are sections of the plan you could agree upon.

Persily asked the state lawmakers, leaders of the Reapportionment Commission, to file with him either a partial or complete map. I am eager to see what the commission can come up with in the next 48 hours, Persily said during the virtual hearing.

Persily added: In developing the plan the court has ordered me to modify the existing districts only to the extent reasonably necessary to comply with the following legal requirements. Districts shall be as equal in population as practicable; districts shall made of contiguous territory; the plan shall comply with the Voting Rights Act.

In particular, Persily mentioned the boundaries that currently split Shelton into the 4th and 3rd districts, or the 1st and 2nd district split in Glastonbury.

I cant tell from the briefs whether you all are committed to one way or slicing those towns as opposed to another, Persily said.

Kelly defended the Republican proposal, which would have near-equal populations of about 721,189 residents per district.

He recalled that the map developed by lawmakers after the 2020 Census resulted in the elimination of the states 6th District, lawmakers drew up a new 5th District that included both Danbury and New Britain, because the incumbent U.S. representatives, a Democrat and Republican, lived in those towns.

It is our duty not to turn a blind eye to past failures to fulfill our redistricting principles but rather to confront them and correct them, Kelly said. The Republicans submitted two maps, a least-change map and a good government map.

When the ultimate goal is to have the least amount of change possible, the end result preserves the status quo, Kelly said. When the status quo includes gerrymandered districts as well as well-recognized reduction in competition, the status quo cannot be allowed continue unchallenged.

The problem with the (1st District) claw, as everyone I think will admit privately, is that it is political, Proto said in the virtual hearing. It is politically gerrymandered to fix a problem that occurred in 2001. Simply because something was good in 2001, or the politically expedient thing to do in 2001, does not mean it is the correct thing or the politically expedient thing to do in 2021 or 22, other than to protect the interest of five sitting congressmen, which shouldnt be a consideration.

Ritter, speaking for Democrats, noted that under the current maps, the Republican candidate, Bob Stefanowski of Madison, won both the 2nd and 5th districts.

So, the idea there is no competition, I dont think the stats back that up, Ritter said. But candidates do matter, I will acknowledge that.

Ritter said that the Democratic proposals for new district lines would shift 71,736 people to new districts, while the Republican plans, with a unified Torrington, which is currently split into the 5th and 1st districts, would move 125,000 people. The amount of disruption, I believe, is significant, Ritter said.

Ritter noted that the state House and Senate maps were unanimously approved, culminating a year in which the Census totals were months late in arriving, putting lawmakers drastically behind schedule.

I am personally disappointed, Mr. Special Master, that were at this process, but its not from not trying, Ritter told Persily. We all worked very, very hard to get there, but these things are very difficult to do, particularly in a tight time frame.

Persily said it might be worth the wait if the lawmakers could come to a deal.

I wanted to try just one more time because I do think it could be a model for the country as well, Persily said. You all have worked through the legislative process in a way that is admirable.
CHESHIRE  A crowdfunding effort for a local pizzeria impacted by a fire last month has raised more than $7,000 as of Monday.

Fuoco Apizza on West Main Street was forced to shut down just days after Christmas after a fire left extensive damage to the building, a local fire official said.

A GoFundMe page set up the day after the fire aims to help the pizzeria recover. As of Monday afternoon, the page has raised over $7,200 from 87 donors.

This restaurant has quickly become one of the best pizza places in CT, specializing in coal fired New Haven style pizza with an Owner and Family that has put their blood, sweat and tears into making their dreams a reality, the organizer wrote. Fire is one of the worst things that can happen to a new business and this event proved just that, the oven, cooking equipment and entire interior are a total loss from fire, smoke and water.

Fire Chief Jack Casner told Hearst Connecticut Media after the blaze that smoke extended throughout the building while the fire burned in the kitchen and surrounding structure.

The business shared a link to the fundraiser on its Facebook page last week and said the proceeds would go towards supporting the team.

It has taken alot of effort to grow the family that works at Fuoco and we need to make sure they weather this battle as well! the post said.

The business has also said it plans to honor gift cards at Christos Restaurant & Bar in Wallingford, with the pizza business closed for an indefinite amount of time.

Past reporting by Meghan Friedmann contributed to this report.
MILFORD  A Norwalk man is due in court next month on charges he sold drugs used in the fatal overdose of a Mayflower Court man whose death left his 3-year-old son alone in the home.

Firefighters broke into the house and found the boy uninjured in his crib, according to an arrest warrant for 52-year-old Erley Pulgarin for illegal distribution of narcotics, a felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison.

Pulgarins lawyer did not return a message seeking comment.

According to the warrant, cops were dispatched to the house Sept. 5, 2021 on a welfare check on the 30-year-old man after his mother had been unable to reach him by phone or by banging on the door.

At the time, the mans wife was in Florida at a bachelorette party.

The mother told police her son had a drug problem and had overdosed in the past but had been clean for two years.

After firefighters broke in, the man was found dead on a couch in the living room with his feet up on a coffee table. A medical examiner estimated the time of death sometime the previous evening.

His son was found in a crib in his bedroom and brought to his grandmother, according to the warrant.

In an office next to the living room, police found a paper plate with a rolled-up dollar bill and wax-like fold containing a white powder consistent with the packaging of heroin bundles, according to the warrant.

It appeared that the child never climbed out of his crib and never came downstairs, Detective Sgt. Jeffrey Cortes wrote in the warrant.

The child had no visible injuries and it appeared he had been in his crib the entire time, wrote Cortes, who also noted the presence of child safety gates at the stairs and door to the childs room, as well as a side rail on the crib.

The warrant noted that the drugs would have been within the childs reach if he had come downstairs and entered the room.

An autopsy a day after the victims body was found was inconclusive, but a month later the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner determined the cause to be an accidental overdose of fentanyl, acetyl fentanyl, and heroin, the warrant said.

Police searched the dead mans cell phone, which the warrant said revealed text traffic with Pulgarin, a former roommate, arranging for him to deliver drugs to the Mayflower Court home earlier the day the man died.

When Cortes called Pulgarin, he allegedly said he was a former neighbor of the victims, but then told the detective to call his lawyer with any other questions.

In the texts, the man asked for 3-400, but Pulgarin allegedly texted back Im going to get you 260 I think 300 or 400 too much for you I dont want anything happen to you like shane.

According to the warrant, Pulgarins Norwalk home was the site of a fatal 2016 overdose in which a man was found unresponsive in a bedroom with a needle lying next to him. His death was ruled an accidental overdose of heroin and cocaine.

Pulgarin was arrested Dec. 1 and released on a promise to appear. He is scheduled to appear in court Feb. 23.
kali9 / Getty Images

EAST HARTFORD  Police said they have identified a person of interest in the killing of a man Sunday on Westbrook Street.

In an email, Deputy Chief Joshua Litwin said officers were called to Westbrook Street around 2:45 p.m., and found an unresponsive man who appeared to be the victim of gunshot wounds.
WEST HAVEN  Residents of West Haven Housing Authority properties say they are being barred from taking the initiative when it comes to added security measures, but housing authority officials say those tenants have brought about privacy concerns for other tenants.

In December, residents of Morrissey Manor  a public housing complex controlled by Savin Rock Communities  received a letter advising them that they are not permitted to install Ring brand doorbell cameras and other equivalent video surveillance equipment to their exterior apartment doors or anywhere else adjacent to common areas of Savin Rock Communities properties.

Residents were told to remove any surveillance equipment within 30 days of the Dec. 13 notice.

Failure to comply with the provisions of this Ring Doorbell Policy may result in the initiation of a summary process (eviction) action against the non-complying Resident, the letter said.

Ring is a brand of smart doorbells created by Amazon which have the ability to record both video and audio; owners can access the live footage from an app downloaded on their cellphone as well as preserve a recording of that footage.

At least one resident of the complex, an advocate for the smart doorbells, said the housing authoritys existing security provisions are lacking and cumbersome.

We dont have any security here  theres no physical security, said Morrissey Manor resident Robert Friedman.

Friedman said the population served by the public housing largely is elderly, and therefore vulnerable to attacks. In the Surfside apartment complex, another Savin Rock Communities building, a 74-year-old tenant allegedly was attacked and sexually assaulted in April 2021 by a stranger with no connection to any residents of the building.

They have cameras, but if you say something happened you have to know exactly what time and what day and its a whole big production. Its pulling teeth to get video out of the camera, and the cameras dont film the whole area, only certain parts of the complex, Friedman said.

John Counter, executive director of Savin Rock Communities, disputed the characterization: the campus has more than $150,000 worth of security camera equipment, he said, funded primarily by a competitive federal security grant obtained by the local housing authority.

Other Savin Rock Communities buildings, such as Surfside, are high-rise apartment buildings with two major entrances that serve as chokepoints. The townhouse-style layout of Morrissey Manor, with multiple exterior doors, is too large of a campus for any one security officer to monitor, he said; a facilities manager works collaboratively with West Haven police in the case of any reported disturbances.

If someone jumps a fence, we stitch all that together, noting where one camera feed ends and another starts, he said, which is why pulling up specific security incidents would require both the date and time of any incident.

Friedman challenged the housing authoritys legal ability to enforce the rule, as the lease agreement mentions only that nothing shall be placed on the outside windowsills, thrown or suspended from windows, balconies or railings of the building.

Karen Baldwin Kravetz, an attorney for the housing authority, said the lease agreement was drafted before the smart doorbells became widespread, but the regulation says in spirit that a smart doorbell would be disallowed.

You cant make alterations to your unit or destroy or deface in any way property in the common area, she said. That is a specific provision. As some iterations of the doorbell require electrical wiring to be installed, she said there is no ambiguity that it would constitute an alteration to the unit in the housing authoritys view.

Furthermore, Baldwin Kravetz said Savin Rock Communities has authority from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to make reasonable alterations to the lease agreement.

We arent bound by the language of this lease. We can change the lease at any time and we are allowed to implement reasonable rules and regulations, she said.

Counter said public housing is unique to other homes in that they represent common spaces; the smart cameras are capable of recording video in audio in shared hallways on the premises, which he said could interfere with a reasonable expectation of privacy, free from potential harassment.

If I was paying to live there, I would think as a reasonable person any private conversations Im having in that hallway are protected from not being recorded and not being potentially disseminated, he said.

Counter said there were five tenants using smart cameras in Morrissey Manor at the time of the memo informing residents of the change. He alleged that, of those five, two pairs were using their cameras to record the other. He said it is an example of senior bullying and that everyone has a reasonable expectation of privacy.

The way it came to our attention initially is people were using it to record people who were passing through common areas, and they also have the possibility to record people in their apartment when the door is open or record people in their apartments, Baldwin Kravetz said.

Rich Deso, a Surfside resident who became an advocate for tighter security measures in the building after the alleged assault last year, said he did not know of any tenants in Surfside with smart cameras, but he felt they potentially could be useful. He said some neighbors attempt to be helpful by bringing packages from the mailroom to their neighbors doors, but that makes those packages vulnerable to being swiped from hallways.

I was thinking of getting one because of packages being stolen, he said.

Counter said the ban on smart cameras applies to all Savin Rock Communities properties.

brian.zahn@hearstmediact.com
Hearst Connecticut Media file

WEST HAVEN  Plans to hold a live commemoration of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.s birthday have been shelved for the year in West Haven because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but organizers will be keeping the history alive.

For 36 years, the West Haven Black Coalition has held an annual tribute to King on his Jan. 17 birthday. Coalition founder Carroll E. Brown said the tradition, based in the First Congregational Church of West Haven, is taking a year off.
An organization that gave more than $1 million in 2020 to the dark-money nonprofit at the center of Floridas ghost candidate scandal is seeking to block the public disclosure of bank records that would reveal its donors.

The Miami-Dade State Attorneys Office obtained the bank records for Lets Preserve the American Dream, a nonprofit with close ties to Associated Industries of Florida, the states largest business lobbying group whose donors include Florida Power & Light and Florida Crystals.

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The nonprofit was recently informed that it is being investigated for potential violations of elections and campaign finance laws, according to court records in the case against former state senator Frank Artiles, who is accused of bribing a friend to run as an independent candidate in a 2020 South Florida state Senate race.

After the Orlando Sentinel submitted a public record request for the bank documents, attorneys representing Lets Preserve the American Dream filed a motion seeking to block their release.

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The attorneys for the nonprofit argue that neither the entity nor its executive director have been accused of wrongdoing and that news stories linking Lets Preserve the American Dream to Artiles have caused reputational and financial harm.

Tim VanderGiesen, a public-corruption prosecutor in the Miami-Dade State Attorneys Office, acknowledged last week during a hearing that the bank records arent relevant to the case against Artiles. Rather, he said, theyre part of a parallel investigation into Lets Preserve the American Dream and several people who have a business relationship with Artiles.

Lets Preserve the American Dream received a letter last month from the State Attorneys Office concerning possible violations of Florida elections laws and campaign finance laws, according to the motion filed Monday seeking to shield the bank records.

Ryan Tyson, Lets Preserve the American Dreams executive director, voluntarily sat for a Sept. 30 interview with VanderGiesen and the organization has cooperated with prosecutors, attorneys Matthew Baldwin and Mohammad O. Jazil wrote in the filing dated Monday.

Tyson is a former vice president for Associated Industries of Florida and Lets Preserve the American Dream operates out of the lobbying organizations Tallahassee headquarters.

Artiles has been accused of paying his friend Alex Rodriguez nearly $45,000 to file as an independent candidate in a 2020 South Florida Senate race in an attempt to siphon votes from his Democratic opponent. Though Rodriguez did no campaigning, he received more than 6,000 votes in a race in which Republican Ileana Garcia prevailed by just 32 votes.

During the same time period Artiles is accused of bribing Rodriguez, Lets Preserve the American Dream was paying Artiles $5,000 per month for consulting services. Tyson said the organization canceled Artiles contract after his arrest.

Lets Preserve the American Dream also sent $1.15 million in 2020 to Grow United, a dark money nonprofit that provided all of the funding for two political committees that sent advertisements championing Rodriguez and two other state senate candidates.

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The independent candidates featured in those ads included Jestine Iannotti, who filed to run in Central Floridas District 9 even as she was in the process of moving to Sweden. Republican Jason Brodeur ultimately defeated Democrat Patricia Sigman in that race.

In addition to Lets Preserve the American Dream, three individuals with ties to the 2020 ghost candidate scheme also received prior to letters, which typically alert someone they are the target of an investigation, according to a document first made public last week in a court filing.

One of those people, political operative Alex Alvarado, ran the two political committees that sent out ads promoting Rodriguez and the two other independent candidates. Alvarado works closely with Tyson and used Associated Industries of Floridas Tallahassee headquarters as the primary mailing address on bank records for his committees.

The chairman of Grow United, Richard Alexander, and former Democratic fundraiser Dan Newman, who raised nearly $1 million into Grow United in 2020, also received prior to letters from the State Attorneys Office, the court filing from Artiles attorneys said.

Though a motion from Artiles attorneys temporarily delayed the public disclosure of the prior to letters and other records, attorneys representing the Sentinel and other media organizations intervened and Artiles attorneys said during a hearing last week they did not object to making those documents public. A judge has yet to rule on a request by Artiles lawyers to block the disclosure of Artiles credit report and files collected from his personal laptops and cell phone.

Its not yet clear when the prior to letters will be available publicly. No hearing has yet been set on Lets Preserve the American Dreams request to keep its bank records private.

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anmartin@orlandosentinel.com
Bob Saget (May 17, 1956  January 9, 2022) died unexpectedly at the age of 65, devastating those who grew up with the legendary comedian as well as those who knew him personally.

Born to a Jewish family in Philadelphia, Robert Lane "Bob" Saget rose to fame in the late 80s and early 90s through his stand-up comedy and starring roles on wildly popular TV shows like Full House and America's Funniest Home Videos.

Saget also lived a life quite opposite from his excruciatingly clean-cut TV alter ego, Danny Tanner. He loved dark, dirty humor and was renowned for his ability to take the infamous Aristocrats joke to its sickest, most twisted (and hilarious) conclusion yet. For Millennials like me who let shows like Full House fill in the cracks where most first-time parents miss, seeing the transformation of Bob Saget from the patron saint of cleanliness to somewhat of a (pardon the tired expression) comedy shock jock was unnerving at first.

With the release of the massively underrated 1998 cult classic, "Dirty Work", Bob got to show off his directing skills while his standup specials, books, and legendary Comedy Central Roast let audiences in on the life of a man who, more or less, ending up living out the life of his clean-cut TV alter egos alter ego: Manny Tanner.

Dirty Work - Streaming & DVD MGM amazon.com Shop Now

Dirty Daddy: The Chronicles of a Family Man Turned Filthy Comedian (Kindle eBook) Kindle amazon.com $6.99 Shop Now

The reprisal of the role on the short-lived Netflix series Fuller House showed the comedian had the acting chops and appreciation for his fans to knock the role that made him famous right out of the park.

Netflix - Fuller House Netflix netflix.com Shop Now

Were lucky to live in a time where the dead can be brought back to life through the miracle of media. Bob Saget is there for us whenever we want: stream "Full House" from your Roku, listen to his podcast from the comfort of your shower, or watch a young Bob Saget performing at Dangerfields in 1984.

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Bob was one of the few celebrities whose drive and passion for comedy was palpable, which is we are left with so much Bob Saget content to watch until it starts to feel like that tall goofy fella is right there in the living room with us; there will never be a shortage of Saget shortage. At the end of the night when youre watching AFV for the millionth time, pour our a proverbial drink for the guy who managed to expand his job as a father of four girls into a full-time career as Americas dad.

This ones for you, Bob!
Niagara Falls, NY (14301)

Today

Cloudy skies with periods of rain later in the day. High 61F. Winds E at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%..

Tonight

Rain likely. Low 48F. Winds NNE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near a half an inch.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks during the Republican Jewish Coalition's annual leadership meeting at The Venetian hotel-casino on Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, in Las Vegas. The governor has proposed legislation that would allow parents to sue if their schoolchildren are taught elements of what he calls critical race theory. (Ellen Schmidt/AP)

Gov. DeSantis is the latest Republican to selectively quote Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as he panders to white voters.

Last month, DeSantis announced the Stop the Wrongs to Our Kids and Employees (STOP W.O.K.E.) Act. Its the leader in the clubhouse for most hackneyed acronym of the 2022 election season.

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Behold the governors latest attack on a phantom enemy  critical race theory, or CRT. No Florida school district teaches it. DeSantis offered no examples of private-sector employees having to, as he claimed, endure CRT-inspired training and indoctrination.

Randy Schultz is a Sun Sentinel columnist. (Mike Slaughter / Sun Sentinel/South Florida Sun-Sentinel)

Yet as he manufactures these grievances in the divisive, demagogic style of 1950s segregationists, DeSantis casts his critics as the racists. With typical hypocrisy, he used the assassinated civil rights leader to do so.

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You think about what MLK stood for, DeSantis said in announcing his proposed legislation. He said he didnt want people judged on the color of their skin but on the content of their character. You listen to some of these people (italics mine) nowadays, they dont talk about that.

DeSantis signed legislation that makes it harder for poorer Floridians  who are disproportionately Black  to vote. His anti-riot law fed the myth that Black Lives Matter protesters rampaged through Florida after the murder of George Floyd.

For DeSantis now to align himself with Martin Luther King Jr. is like an arsonist embracing Smokey the Bear. If you dont believe me, lets hear from Bernice King.

Shes the youngest of those four little children King referred to in his I Have A Dream Speech. She runs the King Center in Atlanta.

Last June, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy tried to channel MLK. Critical Race Theory, McCarthy said, goes against everything Martin Luther King Jr. taught us  to not judge others by the color of their skin. The Left is trying to take America backward.

Bernice King responded, When my father shared his dream that we, his four children, would one day not be judged by the color of our skin, but by the content of our character, he was beckoning people to end racism, not deny its existence.

She recommended that McCarthy read her fathers book, Where Do We Go from Here: Chaos or Community? King wrote it four years after that famous speech and warned about new resistance among whites to Negro demands after passage of the civil rights and voting rights acts.

Today, Bernice King said of McCarthy, this would be called dangerous. It was called dangerous then.

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Bernice King also called out Glenn Youngkin, who leveraged CRT to become Virginias next governor.

Youngkin: CRT teaches children to see everything through a lens of race and then to divide them into buckets and have children (who) are called privileged and others (who) are victims.

King: The fear-mongering regarding CRT is aimed at banning all teaching of substance on the past and current devastation of white supremacy/racism.

To achieve that end, STOP W.O.K.E. borrows from the Texas abortion law. Parents could sue school districts if they believe that their children have been made to feel discomfort, guilt, anguish, or any other form of psychological distress on account of his or her race, color, sex, or national origin. Employees could claim discrimination and sue their employers.

DeSantis touted the legislation less than a month ago. House Bill 7, implementing his ideas, was filed Tuesday, the sessions first day. There is no staff analysis.

Its the usual rush job  politics over policy, despite the far-reaching ramifications and unintended consequences. This is DeSantis pushing to be first in line among Trump acolytes running for president.

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HB 7 and DeSantis are nothing like the man whose birthday we celebrate on Monday. Though Martin Luther King, Jr. fought racism, he did not promote discomfort, guilt or anguish. He called on all people to summon their better angels and create a fairer society.

In that 1963 speech from which DeSantis borrowed one line, King warned against a distrust of all white people. Many, he said, have come to realize that their freedom is inextricably bound to our freedom.

King issued a call for unity, not division. STOP W.O.K.E. is the opposite. You might say that DeSantis has shown us the content of his character.

Contact Randy Schultz at randy@bocamag.com.
An activist, Deji Adeyanju, has joined other Nigerians to reject the ambition of Bola Tinubu to become the president of Nigeria, come 2023...

An activist, Deji Adeyanju, has joined other Nigerians to reject the ambition of Bola Tinubu to become the president of Nigeria, come 2023.

Tinubu had on Monday met with President Muhammadu Buhari at Aso Villa, where he declared his interest in the 2023 presidential race.

The national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) told newsmen at the Aso Rock Villa that Buhari did not kick against his ambition.

The former Lagos State Governors ambition has been generating mixed reactions from Nigerians since Monday, with many advising him to leave the political stage for younger ones.

Reacting on Tuesday, the social media influencer said Buhari was 10 million times better than Tinubu, who he described as the bullion vans merchant.

According to Adeyanju, Tinubu would sell Nigeria to himself like he allegedly did with Lagos, saying he was a man with no known source of income except politics.

While praying that such calamity should never befall Nigeria, Adeyanju stated that Buhari was not selling Nigeria to himself.

Tinubu, the Bullion Vans merchant will sell Nigeria to himself like he has done with Lagos State. A man without any known source of income except politics with private jets and uncountable billions.

May such a calamity never befall Nigeria. Buhari is 10 million times better than Tinubu. At least, Buhari is not selling Nigeria to himself, he said in a post.
The All Progressives Congress, APC, in Rivers State has accused Governor Nyesom Wike of encouraging illegal oil bunkering, describing it a...

The All Progressives Congress, APC, in Rivers State has accused Governor Nyesom Wike of encouraging illegal oil bunkering, describing it as the major cause of the soot shortening the lives of residents of the State.

Wike had last Sunday, in a state-wide broadcast, declared those he described as kingpins of oil bunkering activities wanted.

Bunkering and illegal crude oil refining activities are on the high rise in different riverine communities in and around Port Harcourt.

Wike vowed to publish the names of those behind illegal bunkering activities in Okrika communities, Rivers South-East and Rivers South-West Senatorial Districts and declare them wanted if they fail to hand themselves over to the police.

Reacting, the APC said it was baffled that the Governor had kept mute until now before taking such action despite the overwhelming criticism by residents and other concerned Nigerians.

According to the opposition party, From 2015 to date, most major projects by the Rivers State Government since its inauguration are being executed by Julius Berger Nigeria Ltd, the APC said in a statement signed by its State Publicity Secretary, Chris Finebone.

At the present peak of Julius Berger activities in Rivers State, the company consumes on the average about 300,000 litres of AGO per day. This has undeniably become one single biggest AGO consumption volume in Rivers State.

Sadly, the entire volume of AGO is sourced from illegal refiners of the product locally called kpofire and the reason is that Julius Berger in Rivers State buys AGO at between N220 and N240 per litre, whereas, the official ex-depot price of AGO from NIPCO and other major importers range from N315 to N350 per litre.

With Julius Berger buying the product from illegal refiners below market minimum prices, a huge demand has been created for the kpofire (illegally refined) products.

This naturally has encouraged so many people (young and old) to join the illegal refining business because of a thriving and ready market.

The result is a burgeoning illegal refining business which has, in turn, heightened the level of soot descending on residents of Port Harcourt and environs, causing all manner of health problems for both the young and old, in the present and for the future.

We have seen Gov Nyesom Wike, in his overzealous attempt to protect Julius Berger and their common business interests, brazenly sack his Cabinet Commissioner for Environment without replacement to this day.

APC said that this particular action showed that the Governor was not willing to take the needed action towards effectively and holistically protecting the lives of residents but was protecting some persons due to fear or self-interest.

The opposition party wondered who the governor was afraid of in declaring all suspects involved in this life threatening menace wanted in all the Local Government Areas, particularly those contiguous to Port Harcourt.
Governor of Ebonyi State, Dave Umahi, has disclosed that he has formally informed President Muhammadu Buhari of his intention to run for A...

Governor of Ebonyi State, Dave Umahi, has disclosed that he has formally informed President Muhammadu Buhari of his intention to run for All ProgressiveS Congress (APC) ticket for the 2023 presidential election.

This is coming barely 24 hours after former Lagos State Governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, declared his ambition to contest for the presidential ticket as well.

The governor, who said the President advised him to consult widely, said he was not perturbed by Tinubus entry into the race as he believes that the contest is not about might.

Umahi, who left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC in 2021, reiterated his earlier stance that the former ruling party was not ready to cede the 2023 ticket to the southeast, adding that he stands a chance if the APC throws the ticket open.

He said if he gets the opportunity, his presidency will replicate his efforts in Ebonyi State at the national level, saying that he has a lot to show in running governance as business.

The Ebonyi Governor said he supports a political solution to the insecurity problems in the South East, noting that economic activities of the region have been greatly impacted.
Edwin Clark, an Ijaw national leader, says majority of Nigerians believe in state police. Speaking during a recent Channels Televisi...

Edwin Clark, an Ijaw national leader, says majority of Nigerians believe in state police.

Speaking during a recent Channels Television interview, President Muhammadu Buhari had said state police is not an option for the nation.

Reacting to the presidents statement on Monday, Clark said state police is one of the cardinal points of a federal system.

He argued that it cannot be discarded over fears that it could be used by state governors in persecuting perceived political opponents.

Mr. President dismissed the call for state police in the country. He said that state police was not an option, that governors will misuse it. He gave an unrelated instance of the relationship between state governors, and local governments, that there is no functional local government in the country, Clark said.

While the president is right that no local government in this country truly functions as provided by the constitution, not even the joint account under which state governments receive monies on behalf of the local governments, because the accounts are fully controlled by the state governors, it is not enough to dismiss the demand for state police.

Like I stated in my recent interview, state police is a popular agitation by Nigerians and was robustly discussed and agreed upon during the 2014 national conference.

It is very unfortunate that the state governors who are elected under the party are the ones running the party today. But it is unconstitutional for Mr. President to say that state police, which was even recommended by the El-Rufai committee  as one of its items under devolution of power to be transferred from the executive list in schedule 1 of the 1999 constitution, as amended, to schedule II of the concurrent list  should be discarded.

I totally agree with Mr. President that most state governors have undermined the provisions of the 1999 constitution, where local government is provided for under Section 8. They do not only abuse the joint account system but also engage in establishing caretaker committees, rather than conducting free, fair and democratic elections.

I also agree with Mr. President that state police could be used by state governors in persecuting perceived political opponents, but it is also true that the federal government is also using the Nigeria Police Force to persecute perceived political opponents, undermining the NASS and obstructing free speeches. But that does not mean that the whole idea of state police should be discarded? That will mean throwing away the baby with the bathwater.

Clark said there is an urgent need to restructure the country and to have a new constitution for the country to survive.

The Ijaw leader accused the president of being insincere and dishonest with regard to his campaign promise of restructuring the country.
Former Senate President, Bukola Saraki has reacted to the death of Chief Ernest Shonekan, the former head of the Interim National Government...





Former Senate President, Bukola Saraki has reacted to the death of Chief Ernest Shonekan, the former head of the Interim National Government who succeeded General Ibrahim Babangida.





It was earlier reported that Shonekan died on Tuesday in Lagos at the age of 85.





The deceased was the interim head of the Nigerian government between August 26 and November 17, 1993, before he was ousted in a coup led by late General Sani Abacha.





Reacting, Saraki said the late Shonekan always demonstrated a strong commitment to the unity, peace, and prosperity of Nigeria.





He also prayed to Almighty God to grant Shonekans loved ones fortitude to bear the loss.





Saraki tweeted, In both his public and private capacities, our 9th Head of State, Chief Ernest Shonekan, played a remarkable role in the development of Nigeria. Through his actions, he always demonstrated a strong commitment to the unity, peace, and prosperity of our great country.





Today, as we join his family, well-wishers, and all Nigerians to mourn the passing of this great statesman, it is my prayer that Almighty God gives the entire nation and his loved ones the courage, strength, and fortitude to bear this monumental loss.
Kayakers on Billys Creek, a tributary flowing into the Caloosahatchee River near downtown Fort Myers. The creek is a hot spot for Enterococci bacteria, an indicator of fecal contamination which can carry disease-spreading bacterium such as E. Coli. (Calusa Waterkeeper)

The Florida Legislature has had a tough time maneuvering through the politics of clean water to effectively curb pollution and protect public health.

The Legislature enacted the Clean Waterways Act of 2020 with great fanfare, but though penalties were increased, the law was light on enforceable regulations to curb pollution. Instead, it continues to rely on largely voluntary and presumed compliance with state regulations. It also ignored many key recommendations of Gov. Ron DeSantis Blue-Green Algae Task Force.

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But as it begins its 2022 session, the Legislature will have another opportunity  thanks to Sen. Lori Berman of Delray Beach and Rep. Yvonne Hayes Hinson of Gainesville. The two Democratic legislators have introduced the Safe Waterways Act (Senate Bill 604 and House Bill 393).

Howard Simon served as executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida, 1997-2018. He is now president of Clean Okeechobee Waters Foundation, Inc. and a board member of Calusa Waterkeeper.

The proposals most important feature would require (rather than simply authorize) the Florida Department of Health (FDOH) to issue health advisories and  through its network of county health departments  post and maintain warning notices at public bathing places where the water has been found to contain fecal bacteria, including fecal coliform bacteria, such as escherichia coli, and enterococci bacteria.

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It also would require FDOH to notify a municipality or county if such a health advisory is issued within its jurisdiction. The department would be required to maintain such signage until state water quality standards are met.

Currently, the state health department monitors and posts advisories at some coastal beaches and public swimming areas under the Healthy Beaches Program, but as the law currently stands, there is no requirement that any state, county or municipal agency warn people before they swim or launch their kayak.

It is inconceivable that unsuspecting Floridians and tourists could be re-creating in water contaminated with fecal bacteria.

The Legislature must act on this urgently needed proposal.

It is alarming that fecal contamination of Floridas rivers and streams is so widespread. Based on years of monitoring, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection says nearly 9,000 miles of streams and rivers designated for recreation are impaired by fecal bacteria.

High bacteria counts are dangerous. Swimming or wading in contaminated water can cause a host of illnesses and infections, including gastrointestinal distress, rashes and eye irritation.

The sources of the contamination are numerous. They include untreated stormwater, leaks from aging or poorly functioning sewage treatment plants, leaching septic tanks, and runoff from fields that contain animal waste. the governors Blue-Green Algae Task Force also urged health advisories to inform the public about the potential health impacts associated with exposure to algae and/or algae toxins.

Requiring government to warn the public of a health threat should not be a heavy lift. Tornado watches and storm warnings are routinely issued by the National Weather Service. Since 1966, the U.S. Surgeon General has required tobacco companies to warn consumers that cigarette smoking can cause cancer, heart disease, emphysema and more.

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Curbing pollution at its source, rather than dealing with its consequences, clearly is more effective and cost efficient. But absent enforceable pollution-control measures, the least the state can do is provide warnings to the public so people can make an informed decision about whether to wade into the water and risk their health.

For more information on the campaign for a Right To Know, go to right2knowfl.org

Howard L. Simon, Ph.D., served as Executive Director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida from 19972018. He is now president of Clean Okeechobee Waters Foundation, Inc. and a board member of Calusa Waterkeeper.

The Invading Sea is the opinion arm of the Florida Climate Reporting Network, a collaborative of news organizations across the state focusing on the threats posed by the warming climate.
When Cara Solomon, of Philadelphia, was moving into a new apartment 14 years ago, she knew one thing: She didnt want to live like shed been living.

The move to a new two-bedroom, two-story apartment was her chance for change. Maybe if I had an organizer, she thought, I could start out on the right foot, have my things in order, and turn my home into some place I wanted to be, not just a place to sleep.

Ironically, Solomon, a massage therapist who owns and operates a successful day spa, excels at creating an atmosphere of calm and serenity for her clients. I had gotten so busy building my business that I never took the time to make my apartment my home.

She called Darla DeMorrow, a certified professional organizer and owner of HeartWork Organizing, and knew in just two sentences that DeMorrow was up to the task. Once on scene, Darla just floated around my apartment and put things where they should be, said Solomon, who is 50 and single with no kids.

One of the biggest transformations happened in the closet, a crowded mess with heaps of clothes. DeMorrow dug in, asked a few questions, and learned the problem was not simply an unwillingness to hang clothes up. As is often the case, the issue was deeper and had to do with how Cara felt about her clothes and herself, she said.

My weight fluctuates, Solomon said. I struggle with it. I had a lot of clothes that I didnt like and that didnt fit. DeMorrow put her in touch with a local boutique clothing store that specialized in plus sizes, where she found clothes that flattered and fit.

No amount of organizing was going to motivate her to hang up clothes she hated, said DeMorrow, who encourages clients to live well where they are, in the home theyre in, and in the body theyre in.

Solomon purged the clothes she didnt like, and started caring for the ones she did. Once she stopped fighting her wardrobe, her closet fell into place.

People think we make cabinets look pretty, but really we are problem solvers, DeMorrow said. If we dont solve the underlying problem, the clutter will come back.

The women worked together for two days, finding homes for piles of belongings, organizing computer files, and donating items no longer needed, including old electronics. DeMorrow drove all the donations away, and mailed Solomon receipts for deductions. If left to me, everything would stay here, Solomon said.

When they were done, the whole energy in my apartment changed. Even my head got clearer, said Solomon, who recalls the initial effort cost around $700. Now when I come home, I can relax and not be overwhelmed by things out of place. I can entertain, and host overnight guests.

What began as a mass organizing project blossomed into a relationship that has lasted almost 15 years. DeMorrow, a member of the National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals, comes back once or twice a year for touch ups.

Friends say, I cant believe you spent all that money. But they dont realize the expertise they are paying for, Solomon said. A good organizer makes sense out of your clutter. You cant see your way out, but they can.

WHEN TO CALL A PRO: Most clients call a professional organizer when theyve reached a tipping point, experts say. Often, the call is from an overwhelmed mom with young kids. She doesnt know which room to tackle first. Others call when they cant find things. Theyre rebuying things they already have. Their daughter wont bring the grandkids over. Sometimes its a change in living situations: a new house, a kid moves back, guests are coming to stay, an upcoming surgery will require a walker to get through the hallway.

WHAT DO THEY DO?: Depending on the client, some organizers do all the moving and reorganizing. They bring in materials, such as hooks, bins and shelves, to aid storage. Others do some hands-on work, then give clients homework. They can do one area  the kitchen, office, garage, laundry room or kids room  or a whole house. If clients want a lot of work done quickly, or the job is large (you cant park in your two-car garage), many can provide a team. Some offer services virtually.

WHO'S QUALIFIED? Because no certification or licensing is necessary, anyone can call themself a professional organizer. However, NAPO members have training in psychology and ethics, and creating systems with tailored solutions. NAPO members who are also certified professional organizers have completed 1,500 paid client hours, passed a rigorous exam, must adhere to an enforceable code of ethics, and recertify every three years, which helps guarantee a level of expertise and professionalism.

The latest trends in new homes: Warm, light-tone cabinets, quartz counters and more The prospect of making any major home design decision, like picking out flooring, cabinets or counters, turns my intestines into a Gordian kno

HOW TO FIND A PRO: You can find a professional organizer near you online at www.napo.net. Search for organizers near your ZIP code. You can also filter your search to find professionals who specialize in such areas as business, residential, home staging, document and photo management, or productivity.

HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?: Prices vary by location and experience, and range from $50 to $200 an hour. DeMorrow charges $350 for an initial visit, during which she provides organizing services for about three hours. Youd be surprised how much we can get done, she said. After an initial meeting and seeing the project, most organizers will provide an estimate.

Join me next week as one organizer makes sense of a hectic family home.

Marni Jameson can be reached at www.marnijameson.com.
The look around the dining room is spare, with smooth gray walls catching the patterns of artful light fixtures. Then a flash of flames from the grill played across the room, in sync with the aromas of sizzle and char coming from it, and our attention was fixed on the open kitchen, and what might come from it next.

This kitchen stands where there was once a theatrical stage. Now it puts on a show of vivid, sometimes eye-opening flavors, alongside an oyster bar drawing from local and far-flung waters.

The new restaurant Le Chat Noir opened in mid-December, bringing back an old name now recast for a much different role.

The address at 715 St. Charles Ave. was previously the Italian restaurant Marcellos, which closed in the pandemic. But its still known by many as the home of the cabaret Le Chat Noir, which hosted local and traveling performances during a 12-year span from 1999 to 2011.

The dining room takes up the old theater space; the restaurant lounge and its oyster bar occupy the window-lined front bar, which once hosted tango nights and where performers would hobnob after shows.

The new restaurant is the latest from James Reuter, founder of Bearcat Cafe off Freret Street and Bearcat CBD, just around the corner on Carondelet Street.

The Bearcat restaurants have always defied easy categorization, with menus that slalom between health-conscious California cafe and indulgent chef-led tavern.

Le Chat Noir is a much more ambitious restaurant, but it shares some of the same principles. That includes a broad range of vegetarian, vegan, paleo and gluten-free dishes. This is a kitchen where vegetables can take a starring role but not to the exclusion of a marrow bone special or chicken liver terrine (try a slab of it over a side dish of sweet potato, which is transformative).

The chef is Seth Temple, a Lake Charles native who has cooked around New Orleans and in London, where he worked at the Michelin-starred restaurant Lyles.

He has a knack for dishes that, on paper, sound straightforward but prove compelling and even revealing. Eating here is both thrilling and fulfilling, not the easiest balance to strike at the table.

The same goes for the wine here, and more on that below.

For our first meal we had both lobster and steak. Still, when we told people about it, the first dish we wanted to talk about was the turnips. Really.

They have long stems and greens attached, cooked with a tasty bath of miso with spicy, fermented Sichuan-esque flavor. The tangled greens were like crisp noodles to swirl together, and the fresh snap of the turnips played lightly against the intense sauce, while candied citrus brought an extra edge.

Another small dish has white anchovies, the milder, meaty kind with vinegary funk, a staple of Spanish tapas bars. A small flotilla of them is laid in a pool of chive oil and chili oil that start as distinct swirls and combine for a delicious brown muddle that proves irresistible as a dip for some of the crusty focaccia served on the side.

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Do too much to lobster, and you miss the whole point of having lobster. Temple did just enough to the version he drizzled with peppery butter, in the style of New Orleans BBQ shrimp sauce. It was piped with a seam of scallop mousseline, a bit of seafood charcuterie to add another element, silky and briny-sweet.

The steak we tried was a teres major, a lesser-known cut that crosses the tenderness of a filet with the fuller flavor of a strip. This preparation, with a glitter of salt and a side of chimichurri, showed how fine a steak this can be.

For dessert, we had classic madeleines, light and crisp, with a chocolate pudding laced with salted caramel, giving the warm cookie a thick drape of chocolate. It was like dunking churros.

The goat cheese tart was a study in understated finales, a little sour, quite creamy, very mellow. It was like finding a soft landing after a robust meal, rather than going out with a bang.

The sommelier is Kevin Wardell, who moved to New Orleans from Sonoma, where he earned a reputation in the wine business akin to a chefs chef  he and his wife, Sarah, ran a wine bar where the other somms hung out. His list at Le Chat Noir is a tour of unfamiliar finds and revealing pairings.

Wardell is an avid impresario for it all. He might go deep into the subregions of Piedmont, then out to the Canary Islands and back to some crease between the better-known valleys of France. He can bring forth timeless but probably-new-to-you wines that affirm why we go out for these kind of experiences in the first place.

There has not been a good time to open a new restaurant since the pandemic began, and yet they keep coming, often conceived in those windows when it looks like things are maybe going right again. Le Chat Noir opened just as another surge was clouding the whole picture one more time.

So far, though, it seems to be managing well, and it is a stellar example of the exciting new talent and promising places emerging through all of this.

Le Chat Noir

715 St. Charles Ave., (504) 381-0045

Dinner (from 5 p.m.), Tue.-Sat.

Price range: small plates $12-15, main dishes $18-30

+56 Ian McNulty: A year of New Orleans dining in 52 dishes, and a few drinks There are many ways to sum up a year in the New Orleans dining scene. Below, I'm giving you 52 of them, snapshot style, with tastes that contr

+31 Ian McNulty: Meet the people behind uplifting New Orleans food stories of 2021 Following the story of New Orleans food means rolling into a lot of great meals and tracking changes in a field thats constantly in flux. It 

+16 Dunbars Creole Cuisine, post-Katrina restaurant comeback, closes in this latest struggle Through four decades and through several incarnations, Dunbars Creole Cuisine has given New Orleans a taste of soulful country Louisiana cook
A memorial procession for the late television actress Betty White, who died on Dec. 31, was originally scheduled to take place on Whites birthday, Jan. 17, which is also Martin Luther King Day. But the parade will now take place one day sooner on Jan. 16, in deference to the federal holiday dedicated to the iconic civil rights leader.

Parade co-founder Carl Mack said hed applied for a permit to parade on Jan. 17, without realizing that it would take place on Martin Luther King Day. Mack announced the celebrity memorial procession on Jan. 4, and as news spread, the plan received criticism, he said. Social media commenters suggested that the overlap of the Betty White parade and Martin Luther King Day celebrations was inappropriate.

At first, Mack said, he hoped to stick to White's actual birthdate, and he feared the city might not allow him to alter the date. But he was swayed by the concerns expressed online.

We heard them and we agreed, Mack said in a telephone interview Monday. We never meant to be insensitive.

When he stated his case to move the parade, the city immediately allowed him to reschedule one day earlier, Mack said.

The end result is, I feel educated, Mack said. I have no problem changing the day.

Originally the Betty White memorial procession was described as a second-line, a traditional feature of New Orleans funerals, but thats been revised.

We also changed the name to The Betty White Memorial and 100th Birthday Parade, as a few people felt a second-line for an out-of-town celebrity was cultural appropriation, Mack wrote in a Facebook post on Monday.

As criticism of the date and description of the parade simmered between the announcement of the event on Jan. 4 and the change of date and title on Jan. 10, The Times-Picayune requested comment from Whites agent Jeff Witjas, who wrote: The last thing Betty would want is to cause people any stress....She was about kindness for all. When Witjas was informed that the date of the parade had been changed, he wrote: "I believe Betty would have been pleased with that."

Its not the first time a parade for a deceased out-of-town celebrity has been criticized for adopting traditional terminology. In 2017, the Intergalactic Krewe of Chewbacchus science fiction-oriented Carnival parade dropped the words second-line from their memorial parade for Carrie Fisher, who played the character Princess Leia in the Star Wars movie series.

Other past celebrity memorial parades took place in honor of Michael Jackson in 2009, David Bowie in 2016, and Prince in 2016.

Known for her dimpled smile and comic flair, Whites career on the small screen reached back to the 1950s. She starred on the Mary Tyler Moore Show in the 1970s and The Golden Girls in the 1980s, and was a guest host on Saturday Night Live in 2010. She died on the cusp of 2022 at age 99.

The Betty White parade was originally conceived by Santa T. Claus, a retired realtor who said he originally changed his name to that of the Christmas character 17 years back, not long before he moved to New Orleans.

He said that he and friends felt that the 2022 New Years celebration had been dampened by Whites death.

I grew up with Betty White on television, the 70-year-old said. And I thought, Whats the one way we celebrate people dying in New Orleans?

For help in organizing the event, he called on Mack, who is a talent agent and parade producer.

The Betty White Memorial and 100th Birthday Parade is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. at the corner of Canal and Bourbon streets. It will follow Bourbon Street into the French Quarter, turn left on St. Ann Street and conclude with a ceremony outside St. Louis Cathedral on Jackson Square.

The event will serve fund-raiser for the dog rescue organization Villalobos, in honor of White, who was an animal lover. Pets are welcome at the parade.

Reporter Katy Reckdahl contributed to this story.

+17 Quirky stuff you dont know about Mardi Gras: radioactive beads, real Zulus, Rex in Utah Sure, back when you were a kid, your parents told you where king cake babies come from. Later you learned that the length of parades is measur
Jessica Trochezs 5-year old daughter Carly has had a fairly typical kindergarten experience this school year, at least in one regard: The Ella Dolhonde Elementary student has picked up a few viruses and missed a few days.

She hasn't tested positive for COVID, Trochez said, but is still not back in class. Thats because Trochez got a message last week telling her to come pick up Carly. The whole class was being quarantined due to positive COVID cases.

Carly feels fine, but having her home has put a familiar stress on Trochezs shoulders, she said. She has had to miss shifts at her job repairing video poker machines. Her bosses have been understanding, but its still a worry.

Theyre pretty cool about if I miss my day shift, I can work the night shift, she said. But how many times can I really call out before theyre fed up?

With the omicron-fueled fifth surge driving community cases to levels not seen since the delta surge of the summer, parents and caregivers of children are once again facing a quandary: Kids cant go to school, which forces many to juggle their jobs.

The number of Jefferson Parish students quarantining was not available Monday. But other large districts in the metro New Orleans area were reporting a lot of people out of school.

In St. Tammany Parish, for instance, nearly 1,300 students were quarantining and the district had documented 397 positive cases. There were another 172 cases among St. Tammany teachers and staff, the school district said.

And in New Orleans public schools, nearly 2,200 students and staff  around 4.4% of the school districts students and staff  were quarantining, according to data NOLA Public Schools released Monday afternoon. The school district said it was tracking 1,636 student COVID cases and 597 staff cases.

The number is of positive cases is larger than what the district was reporting during the delta surge in August. But at one point last August, New Orleans public schools reported 4,600 people quarantining.

The Orleans Parish school district has administered more than 18,000 COVID tests since Jan. 1, with a number of schools becoming testing sites. On Monday, NOLA Public Schools said there were no plans for a district-wide directive to shift to virtual learning.

Orleans Parish public schools continue to operate under a mask mandate for students and workers  the only district in the metro New Orleans area with such a mandate  and will require students to be vaccinated by Feb. 1.

Becca Swaim said about half of her sons first-grade class at Mandeville Elementary is home from school after a student in class tested positive. She was told to keep him home from school for five days. Then he can return, but with a mask.

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Since Thursday shes been juggling keeping him on task with the reading, math and spelling assignments he would be doing at school  using the promise of time on the xbox when hes done  while occupying her other son, a 3-year-old who desperately wants to be involved. She was thankful that he tested negative Monday morning, she said.

Swaim said she was worried about long-term developmental effects that COVID could have on her children, especially the youngest, a special-needs child who regularly attends therapy.

While Jefferson's school system has not provided a number for how many students are quarantining, it has reported 257 positive student cases and another 175 faculty and staff cases as of last Wednesday, the most recent data available.

In St. Bernard Parish, about 400 students and staff were quarantining as of Friday, schools Superintendent Doris Voitier said, though she noted the number changes daily as some come off quarantine and others go on it. The district had about 190 positive cases, Voitier said.

A representative from the Archdiocese of New Orleans, which dropped a mask mandate the first day children were back in school last week, said all schools are still having in-person classes. However, there has been an uptick in the number of students and teachers quarantined as compared to before the holidays, archdiocese spokesperson Sarah McDonald wrote in an emailed statement.

At least five classes at Holy Name of Jesus School in Uptown New Orleans are out on quarantine, according to parents of children at the school. "The cases and quarantines are occurring in schools that have maintained or reinstated mask mandates as well those where mask mandates have been suspended, McDonald said.

The archdiocese declined to provide the number of classes, students or staff in quarantine.

In New Orleans, a number of campuses have either gone all virtual, some virtual or delayed the start of the semester last week due to the rise in COVID cases, schools spokesperson Rich Rainey said Friday.

Its changing by the hour, he added.

Some charters, like the four run by the Einstein Schools network, have found the return to in-person learning to be a moving target.

On Jan. 4, the association posted a note on its Facebook page telling parents students would have remote learning the first week back from winter break and return to in-person on Jan. 10. Then, on Jan. 7, a post from the association said virtual learning would continue until Jan. 18.

Some New Orleans public schools were reporting hundreds of people quarantining, the data posted Monday show. Harriet Tubman Charter, for instance, had 67 COVID cases and 544 quarantines. And Morris Jeff Elementarys Lopez Campus reported 375 quarantines and 80 active cases, the data show.

Editor's note: An earlier version of this story incorrectly noted the number of St. Tammany public school students who were quarantining. The story has been updated with the correct number
While the citys vibrant culture draws many to New Orleans, celebrity murderer Robert Durst couldnt get enough of the anonymity.

Durst, who died at a California hospital on Monday while serving a life sentence in the killing of longtime confidante Susan Berman, more than once ran from the law to the Crescent City.

He spent his last days of freedom in 2015 at the JW Marriott on Canal Street, looking to be unseen.

Durst checked in under an alias, Everette Ward, holing up with five ounces of marijuana, a flesh-colored latex mask with salt-and-pepper hair, a .38- caliber handgun and more than $100,000 in cash stuffed in envelopes.

He liked the city. Hed been there many, many times, said Chip Lewis, one of Dursts attorneys. It was a place a guy that looks like him, walks around mumbling, usually high or drunk or both, can fit in very easily.

Durst, an eccentric multimillionaire suspected of killing three people, died at 78, months after his conviction in Los Angeles for Bermans slaying in 2000.

His arrest in New Orleans came as HBO was set to air a final, damning episode of the documentary series, The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst. In it, Durst seemed to confess, Killed them all, of course, into a live microphone while in the bathroom.

He was also confronted with a copy of an anonymous note directing police to a cadaver at Bermans home, a letter his lawyers later conceded Durst penned.

By the time Durst bolted for New Orleans, HBO was heavily advertising a showstopper of a finale and camera crews were outside his house in Houston. Lewis said Durst came to see him.

He was getting nervous, spinning ahead, going, What did I get myself into? Lewis said.

I told him to go to Austin. Thats close enough. Nobodyll think youre running ... So he, of course, didnt listen to me and decided to go to New Orleans.

Lewis said they remained in contact. Durst then made a fatal error in his plan to evade arrest. Hed left behind a cellphone but called from the hotel to retrieve his messages on a line that authorities had tapped.

Ding! Lewis said. Thats when they sent the FBI to find him. Mr. Durst was his own worst enemy.

Prosecutors suggested he was headed for Cuba, judging by maps found on him, but Lewis said that wasnt part of Dursts poorly hatched plan.

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Durst got a taste of the justice system in New Orleans following his March 2015 arrest.

He was charged with state and federal gun crimes and housed for a time in protective custody at the Orleans Parish jail before being moved to Elayn Hunt Correctional Center in St. Gabriel.

The state charges were dropped and Durst pleaded guilty in 2016 to a federal gun charge. He agreed to an 85-month sentence in an elaborate deal that allowed him to return to California to answer to a murder charge in Los Angeles over Bermans slaying.

Ive been waiting to get to California for a year so I can state my not guilty plea in Bermans killing, Durst said at his federal sentencing in April 2016.

If theres anything you can do to speed up that process, I would truly, truly appreciate it. I am not guilty of murdering Susan Berman.

Five years later, a California jury disagreed.

It wasnt the first time the diminutive real estate scion, who reportedly had $100 million in assets, chose New Orleans as a hideout.

After his arrest on a murder charge for killing a neighbor, Morris Black, in 2001 in Galveston, Texas, Durst fled, renting a Broadmoor apartment under a womans name. The authorities later found a wig used to support his alias and a money clip that had belonged to Berman.

He moved on, the target of a manhunt that ended more than a month later with his arrest in Pennsylvania for jumping bail.

Although hed dismembered Black, his neighbor, and tossed the body parts in Galveston Bay, Durst claimed he shot in self-defense and a jury acquitted him in 2003.

A year later, though, he pleaded guilty to bail-jumping and evidence tampering and served three years in prison. That conviction made it illegal for him to carry a gun when the feds caught up with Durst in New Orleans 11 years later.

Durst was sentenced to life in October for Bermans murder. Days later, he was hospitalized with COVID-19.

State prosecutors in New York soon charged him with murder in the death of his wife, Kathleen Durst, who disappeared in 1982 and never surfaced.

Note: This story has been changed to remove an incorrect statement by defense attorney Chip Lewis, claiming communication with Los Angeles prosecutors before Robert Durst's arrest in New Orleans.
The coroner's office has released the names of four people killed Friday in separate shootings, part of a rash of violent crime that has come to characterize the pandemic years in New Orleans.

Breshawn Spencer, 23, was killed in a shooting reported at about 9 a.m. that day at the edge of the Pines Village area. Police arrived at 6000 block of Chef Menteur Highway to find Spencer had been shot in the leg. She was taken by paramedics to the hospital, where she died later.

Anyone with information about this homicide may call Detective Matthew Riffle at 504-658-5300 or Crimestoppers at 504-822-1111.

+2 New Orleans ends 2021 with most murders in a year since before Hurricane Katrina: 'Why?' For the second straight year, New Orleans reported an increased number of killings in 2021, erasing gains in public safety achieved in the pas

The coroner identified Sean Cox as the 20-year-old man found fatally shot at 3:14 p.m. the Old Aurora area of Algiers. Cox's parents alerted police after finding him dead with multiple gunshot wounds in a house in the 100 block of Huntlee Drive.

Police said anyone with information on Cox's killing may call homicide detective Leonard Bendy at 504-658-5300 or Crimestoppers at (504) 822-1111.

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Demontre Smith, 23, was killed at 7:41 p.m. in Central City in an exchange of gunfire in the 2000 block of South Claiborne Avenue that wounded two others. Smith was shot in the chest and taken by Emergency Medical Services to a hospital, where he was declared dead. Authorities said after the shooting that a 36-year-old man had been shot in the ankle and a 32-year-old man was in critical condition at the hospital. Their current condition is unknown as of Monday.

The Police Department asked that anyone with information call homicide detective Nick Davis at (504) 658-5300 or Crimestoppers of Greater New Orleans Inc. at (504) 822-1111.

Kahlil Dominick, 24, was shot to death in the 2000 block of Broad Street, the coroner said. Officers were summoned to the scene near Duels Street at 8:24 p.m. and found him dead inside the vehicle. Another victim was wounded and taken to the hospital in critical condition. Police say the victims were sitting in a vehicle when someone pulled up behind them, exited a vehicle, fired multiple shots into their vehicle and fled on St. Bernard Avenue.

Anyone with information on the crime may call homicide detective Jameson Diesburg at (504) 658-5300 or Crimestoppers at (504) 822-1111.

NOPD chief signals national trends, pandemic stressors as drivers of violent-crime spike After the city registered increases in key violent crimes in 2021, New Orleans Police Department Superintendent Shaun Ferguson on Thursday att

Drew Broach and Carlie Kollath Wells contributed to this report.
Two gunmen flipped their vehicle after shooting another motorist on Interstate 10 in New Orleans early Tuesday morning, according to New Orleans police.

It was the second Interstate 10 shooting in two days.

A man was driving on westbound I-10 near the 233.4 mile marker on the edge of the Central Business District about 12:41 a.m. when another vehicle cut him off and two unknown suspects began firing, police said. The victim was shot, his vehicle struck a guard rail, and the suspects' vehicle flipped, police said.

The two shooters ran away, and Emergency Medical Services took the victim to a hospital.

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Police didn't discuss a possible motive in the shooting.

Anyone with information can call Crimestoppers at (504) 822-1111.
Im not surprised Gov. Ron DeSantis and his surgeon general want to reduce the number of people tested for COVID, because it would directly reduce the official number of positive COVID cases reported in Florida.

With those reduced and misleading numbers, the governor can then proclaim that his policies for handling the epidemic are working and are reducing the spread of COVID virus, which is far from the reality in Florida. Evidently, the governors surgeon general must have missed class in medical school the day they discussed Typhoid Mary, who in 1900 was the asymptomatic carrier of the Typhoid pathogen and spread the virus to unsuspecting people in which three people died. Instead of reducing testing, it should be increased to reduce the spread of COVID from those who may be asymptomatic, but still carry the virus and should be isolated to reduce spreading the virus to others.

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David Butorac, Wilton Manors

It was an insurrection

Sorry, Governor. What happened Jan. 6, 2021 was an insurrection and many more will be charged.

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I dont support the twice-impeached former president and I dont suck his kneecaps as you do. We witnessed with our own eyes a mob sent to the Capitol by the disgraced former president to attack police and enter the Capitol with Confederate flags, proudly displaying Nazi symbols and antisemitic apparel. As the governor would say, this was a Charlie Foxtrot. It was an insurrection to change the certification of the vote.

The peaceful transfer of power is what makes America great, and being able to have right to vote and have your vote counted.

Lets remember you won your job as governor in an extremely close contest. You didnt win in a landslide, and you dont speak for all Floridians. Your narrow-mindedness and siding with the former president constantly is not serving all Floridians. While you remain in office, try to remember you serve all Floridians, not only those who voted for a twice-impeached former president who is incapable of admitting his own defeat. Your constant cheerleading for him isnt the role for which you were elected. As governor of Florida, you are a Charlie Foxtrot.

Mark Walker, Boca Raton

Both sides of his mouth

I find it fascinating that our governor blasted the American Rescue Plan for its reckless " spending, but he is more than eager to use the $3.4 billion the state received on various pay raises and tax cuts in an election-year budget.

DeSantis is also playing to the extreme base in wanting to create a new division for election fraud when our state had the cleanest election as stated by his own officials. I do not care which party Floridians belong to. It is time to return some sanity to the politics of this state and our nation.

Barbara Kushner, Davie

The wrong kind of balance

The Sun Sentinel front page of Jan. 7, 2022. (Sun Sentinel )

If first impressions are important, the Sun Sentinels coverage of Jan. 6 was a failure. To visually present both sides as if they bear equal consideration gives credibility to the lies that perpetuated the insurrection.

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It is media coverage like this that bears some of the responsibility for the rewriting of history. Yes, the content reflects more closely the reality of the events. But the striking balance of both sides getting equal space and the headline Opposing Viewpoints only adds fuel to the fire. Looks matter, and so does the design of newspapers.

Daniel DiStasio, Wilton Manors
A man shot to death in the French Quarter on Sunday night has been identified as 41-year-old Russell Ricou of Baton Rouge, according to a family member.

"On behalf of his family and friends, we are shocked and devastated by the news of Russell having been murdered. He was loved by all and will be greatly missed in this world," his brother Denis Ricou said.

The shooting was reported to authorities around 10:27 p.m. near the intersection of Burgundy and Conti streets.

Russell Ricou and another man got into an argument, police said. Security footage published by WVUE Fox 8 shows the men in a verbal altercation. When Ricou threw a punch, the man shot Ricou and left. Ricou was pronounced dead on the scene.

No other details were immediately available, including a description of a shooter.

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"We hope the police are successful in finding the individual that killed my brother and that justice will be served," Denis Ricou said.

Anyone with information about the homicide may call police at (504) 712-2222 or Crimestoppers of Greater New Orleans Inc. at (504) 822-1111.
The former chief of staff for New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell has taken a top job at one of the region's biggest hospital groups.

John Pourciau started Jan. 3 as the assistant vice president of government affairs at LCMC Health, the health care firm that includes under its umbrella Children's Hospital New Orleans, Touro Infirmary and University Medical Center, along with other area hospitals.

Pourciau will be responsible for interacting with government agencies and developing strategic partnerships, according to a Tuesday news release.

The Temple University law school graduate traveled with Cantrell from her seat on the City Council to the Mayor's Office, serving as her chief-of-staff in both positions and as her transition director in between.

+4 Mayor LaToya Cantrell appoints new chief of staff, creates new oversight position Mayor LaToya Cantrell announced two new appointments in her administration, naming a new chief of staff and creating a new position aimed at p

Pourciau played a key role in securing Cantrells fair share initiative, an agreement between the mayor, Gov. John Bel Edwards and local tourism leaders to dedicate millions of dollars in additional funding toward drainage and other local infrastructure projects.

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His installation in September as interim CEO of the Downtown Development District, an agency that continued to spar with the Cantrell administration over revenue from its independent taxing district, stirred up controversy.

Detractors on the board said that Cantrell strong-armed them into selecting Pourciau over the agencys longtime finance director. Ultimately, Pourciaus tenure as interim CEO lasted only two months before the board picked a permanent chief.

+2 Hollywood comes to New Orleans: Downtown Development District picks new CEO Davon Barbour is agency's first permanent leader since Kurt Weigel resigned a year ago

We are thrilled to welcome John to our LCMC Health family, Ayame Dinkler, LCMC Healths chief administrative officer, said in a prepared statement. Along with his vast experience in city leadership, John is well versed in healthcare and governmental policy and shares our commitment to improving health. He brings a wealth of strategic expertise to our strong and diverse team of healthcare leaders and we look forward to his valuable contributions.

It's common for City Hall to see staff shake-ups at the end of a mayoral term, and Pourciau joins a small list of senior staffers to move on as Cantrell begins her final four years in office.

Last month, public safety and homeland security chief Terry Ebbert retired, and was replaced by New Orleans Police Department Deputy Superintendent John Thomas. City attorney Sunni LeBoeuf left in November and is now an executive at Ochsner Health. Dr. Emily Nichols left her position as head of New Orleans EMS in December
Gary Chambers Jr., a progressive activist from Baton Rouge who made a strong showing in a 2021 congressional campaign, plans to announce Tuesday that he will compete in the open primary this fall to defeat U.S. Sen. John Kennedy.

When you look at our state and where we are  we rank 50th in the nation overall, 46th in health care, 47th in infrastructure and the economy, 48th in education, 49th in environment, 50th in crime  we can do better, Chambers said in an interview.

Chambers becomes the second Democrat seeking to derail the re-election bid of Kennedy, a Republican who has the endorsement of former President Donald Trump.

Chambers said he is a strong supporter of President Joe Bidens Build Back Better proposal stalled by opposition from a conservative Democratic senator  the measure would greatly expand the Child Tax Credit, provide free preschool, spend billions to combat climate change and raise corporate taxes  and he supports the giant infrastructure program that Congress just passed.

We need elected officials who can help us build an economy so we can grow a state, its population and its economy, Chambers said.

In early 2021, Chambers campaigned to replace Cedric Richmond in a congressional district centered in New Orleans that stretched up the Mississippi River to include Black precincts in Baton Rouge. Powered by a strong social media presence and an articulate message, Chambers won 21% in the March 20 primary, narrowly missing a spot in the runoff. He then endorsed state Sen. Karen Carter Peterson of New Orleans, who lost the runoff to Troy Carter.

That was Chambers second failed attempt to win office. In 2019, he won 26% in losing to state Sen. Regina Barrow, D-Baton Rouge.

In 2021, Chambers stood squarely in the Bernie Sanders/Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez wing of the Democratic Party, supporting the Green New Deal, the Medicare for All universal health care plan and a $15 per hour minimum wage.

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With a following on social media that far outstripped his opponents presence in the congressional campaign, Chambers surprised analysts by raising $400,000 during that campaign, or nearly as much as Carter and Peterson did during the primary.

Then and now, Chambers has built a huge following on Instagram, Twitter and TikTok that allowed him to raise money throughout the country.

Chambers, a 36-year-old consultant, believes he can surprise the skeptics this year by energizing enough voters to knock off the Republican incumbent, as Raphael Warnock did in Georgia two years ago.

Georgia is on my mind and all theyve done there, Chambers. Our demographics are similar.

The other Democrat in the race is Luke Mixon from Bunkie in central Louisiana. He comes from the John Bel Edwards wing of the Democratic Party as a graduate of the Naval Academy who served as a fighter plane pilot during wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Chambers is seeking to become the first Black person elected to statewide office in Louisiana since Reconstruction 150 years ago.

Most Black candidates who have run statewide have not had the resources to be truly competitive, Chambers said. I think we can raise the money. If we can raise the money, we can touch the people. If we can touch the people, we can win.
Wind-whipped flames are marching across more of New Mexicos tinder-dry mountainsides, forcing the evacuation of area residents and dozens of patients from the state's psychiatric hospital as firefighters scramble to keep new wildfires from growing. The big blaze burning near the community of Las Vegas has charred more than 217 square miles. Residents in neighborhoods on the edge of Las Vegas were told to be ready to leave their homes. It's the biggest wildfire in the U.S. and is moving quickly through groves of ponderosa pine because of hot, dry and windy conditions that make for extreme wildfire danger. Forecasters are warning of extreme fire danger across New Mexico and in western Texas.
Lock Haven, Pa.  Judge Michael Salisbury denied a Lock Haven mans most recent effort to receive a new trial.

Edward Bendik, 34, was found guilty of cruelty to animals, burglary, criminal trespassing, reckless burning, and aggravated assault of a police officer. Authorities said Bendik, who was sentenced to a maximum term of 43 years in State Prison, took a neighbors small dog, killed it, and burnt it inside a dumpster behind an apartment complex in Lock Haven.

Bendik argued he received ineffective counsel during his first trial. He also argued that Lock Haven District Attorney Dave Strouse admitted inflammatory and prejudicial evidence, which deprived him of a fair trial.

Strouse showed pictures of the small dogs remains when it was discovered burning in the dumpster. According to the release, the remains were initially found by city firefighters, who responded to a call for a large blaze behind the apartment building.

Salisbury denied Bendiks petition as he wrote the evidence was overwhelming and found that none of the alleged failures would have changed the outcome of the trial.

Docket sheet

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Partly to mostly cloudy with scattered showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. High 92F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%..

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Partly to mostly cloudy skies with scattered thunderstorms before midnight. Low 64F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 70%.
Napoleon, OH (43545)

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Rain with thunderstorms by evening. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. High 67F. Winds SSE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near an inch..

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Thunderstorms in the evening, then variable clouds overnight with still a chance of showers. Low 47F. Winds N at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%.
Nepalese entrepreneur contributes to deepening Nepal-China friendship

People's Daily Online) 15:38, January 11, 2022

I was born in a mountainous area in Nepal, which is near Chinas Tibet. When I was young, I always wanted to go to the other side of the mountain. Then, I realized my dream of going to China. My Chinese teacher gave me a Chinese name Gao Liang, which is similar to my Nepalese name in its pronunciation, Kalyan Raj Sharma, president of Nepals AOE Tourism Company, told the Global People.

Kalyan Raj Sharma works in his company. (Photo/Global People)

Sharma started to learn about China from the book The Art of War by Sun Tzu. The thoughts proposed by Sun Tzu, the military strategist, such as If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles, deepened Sharmas understanding of what was happening in Nepal and around the world. He had written an article on the book, believing that whoever read and understood its content would prevail themselves in the end. It was from then on that he began to cultivate a deep interest in China.

In 2007, Sharma was admitted by the School of Economics at Fudan University in Shanghai, embarking on a five-year journey to obtain a doctorate degree. Over the course of the five years, he gained a deeper understanding of Chinese culture, publishing a number of papers focusing on tourism economics, which provided a foundation for him when he began running the AOE Tourism Company after he returned to Nepal.

In 2015, a major earthquake hit Nepal, triggering an avalanche on Mount Qomolangma. Several Chinese climbers were hit by rocks falling down the mountain. After receiving a call about rescue efforts, Sharma immediately arranged a helicopter to rescue the climbers. During those days, he received numerous calls associated with the rescue operation, sleeping only four hours each day. He also provided water and food for Chinese tourists stranded at the airport and arranged buses for the tourists to have a place to rest.

Sharma believes that making friends matters more than doing business. He once sent a female Chinese climber to a local hospital after the latter was injured during an expedition to Mount Qomolangma. He also helped the woman handle insurance-related matters.

She appreciated what I had done for her and weve been in touch since then. After her hometown, which is in Anhui Province in east China, was hit by floods, I made donations to support flood relief there. Asian people think alike, believing that we should treat each other nicely. This is also what I learned from the book Analects of Confucius, Sharma said.

Kalyan Raj Sharma and orphans at the orphanage made out of recycled beer bottles. (Photo/Global People)

Sharma said that promoting Nepal-China cultural exchanges has become a part of his life. He would later go on to build an orphanage made out of recycled beer bottles, providing a shelter for hundreds of homeless children. After the major earthquake hit Nepal, the facility was severely damaged. It was then when some Chinese volunteers came by to help rebuild the orphanage, making donations and delivering school supplies for the children. In the concerted relief effort organized by Sharma, many Chinese people working in Nepal would participate by bringing food and clothes along with them to donate to the orphanage on a regular basis and spend holidays with the children.

Nepalese children at the Panda Book Corner. (Photo/Global People)

Sharma has made significant progress in facilitating Nepalese childrens understanding of China. He assisted the Chinese Embassy in Nepal to advance a project called the Panda Book Corner, which donated Chinese-language books to local schools. Students who learned about China through the books expressed their hope to visit China one day. Having learned about these sentiments, Sharma decided to organize about 700 Nepalese students to visit China on a series of study tours. The study tours have since become a regular activity held every year.

China was the first international travel experience for many students. I also arranged for them to communicate with Chinese students at similar ages so that they could deepen their mutual understanding, Sharma expressed.

Sharma opened a selective course on doing business in China at Kathmandu University to introduce Chinas economic development experience to the countrys students. He also initiated a lecture tour across universities in Nepal. The classes proved to be very popular.

Sharma also founded the Nepal China Friendship Forum and the Trans-Himalaya Development Center, building platforms for strengthening people-to-people exchanges between China and Nepal. Up until now, Sharma has organized four seminars associated with the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

Kalyan Raj Sharma speaks at a forum on Trans-Himalaya connectivity cooperation. (Photo/Global People)

The BRI has contributed enormously to Nepals poverty reduction drive, he pointed out, saying that he planned to introduce more of Chinas experience in poverty alleviation to Nepal through the platforms.

Sharma has published articles to voice support for China. In May 2020, he published articles on Chinas anti-pandemic experience in three journals. One month later, he published a commentary to voice support for the countrys law on safeguarding national security in the Special Administrative Region of Hong Kong, saying in the article that there were about 30,000 Nepalese living in the Hong Kong region, and their security and well-being would be safeguarded in a stable Hong Kong. He also pointed out that certain Westerners with ulterior motives who had instigated chaos in Hong Kong were jealous of the long-term growth achievements of the Chinese economy.

Sharma expressed that driven by the BRI, China and Nepal can further deepen exchanges, saying he expects China would voice more support for multilateralism and mutually beneficial cooperation on behalf of developing countries.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)
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Navy veteran Merritt Hale is challenging incumbent Rep. Ben Cline for the GOP nomination to represent the 6th Congressional District in the House of Representatives.
Kohls, which has stores across the Region, donated $100,000 to the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana through its "A Community with Heart" program.

The Wisconsin-based department store chain, which has locations in Highland, Merrillville and Valparaiso, gave $8 million to nonprofits across the country, including the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana.

Receiving this grant is the fruit of a strong collaborative effort of several members of our Food Bank team working together to advance our mission and engage companies like Kohls in our hunger relief efforts," said Victor Garcia, president and CEO of the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana.

Kohl's managers and employees picked community causes from 49 states as part of the retailer's push to advance family health and wellness.

Ive really enjoyed seeing the growth and impact the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana has made over the years in our community. I am so incredibly thankful to work for a company who also noticed this impact and decided they wanted to be a part of continuing that growth," said Lea Glines, Kohls assistant store manager.

Kohl's donated the grant money to the Region's largest food bank through its Kohl's Cares program that donates 100% of the profit of children's books and toys to charity. Local Kohl's employees also volunteer at the food bank, which has fought against hunger in the Calumet Region with mobile markets, supplemental food for seniors and other programs since 1982.

Lea Glines has been a true champion, constantly connecting the Food Bank and Kohls employees, with the result being an incredible amount of volunteer labor, and now this historical grant award," said Amy Briseno, resource development manager for the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana.

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Generations of Region residents have looked to get on at the steel mills, known for union jobs that pay a decent wage and have the potential to provide employment for life.

But opportunities to get hired at the mills have been scarce in recent years.

Lines wrapped around the Genesis Convention Center and down the street in downtown Gary as recently as 2014 with many job-seekers turning out because U.S. Steel had a booth there.

But amid record steel prices and profits, the Region's steel mills have been hiring recently. Billboards along the Borman Expressway advertise job opportunities at U.S. Steel, Cleveland Cliffs and other steel companies in Northwest Indiana.

U.S. Steel billboards in Lake and Porter counties tout the Pittsburgh-based steelmaker's recent profit-sharing checks of $27,000, asking, "Are you being rewarded for your work?"

"There are a number of positions at Gary and Midwest," U.S. Steel spokeswoman Amanda Malkowski said. "We are consistently hiring at most locations."

U.S. Steel is currently advertising more than 200 open positions on its website, including for managers, mechanics, electricians, machinists, armature winders, masons and quality engineers at its operations in Gary and Portage.

The company is touting its benefits and accolades as a workplace, including being named a Most Loved Workplace by Newsweek and a Best Place to Work for LGBTQ Equality by Human Rights Campaign Foundation.

Cleveland-Cliffs, the nation's largest flat-rolled steelmaker, lists around 400 jobs on its careers website. The Cleveland-based steelmaker is hiring for a number of positions at its operations in East Chicago, Burns Harbor and Riverdale.

"When the pandemic started we had 63 workers on probation who were let go," United Steelworkers 6787 President Pete Trinidad said. "We had an agreement the company would hire them back before it would start hiring off the street and they did. We've been hiring ever since pretty consistently, at a pretty good pace. There are jobs on the portal now."

Locally, the steelmaker is hiring for positions like shift manager, IT service desk manager, corporate quality manager, service technician, maintenance technician, analyst and engineer. It's looking for entry-level union positions such as millwright or electrician.

"It's a good job," Trinidad said. "You won't get rich but you can support a family. We've been trying to raise awareness. We're always looking for more applicants. The bigger the pool we have to draw from, the better the employees at the mill. Other companies, contractors here, also are hiring for security, EMTs and firefighters. If you want to get hired here, now's the time."

New York City-based steel analyst Charles Bradford said steel prices shot up after hitting a low of $440 a ton during 2020. Many steelmakers have been expanding such as by building new minimills around the country.

With consolidation, tariffs and strong demand, steelmakers reaped records profits last year and have been growing. They also have needed to replace an aging workforce, Bradford said.

"The steel industry has lost two-thirds of its workforce. It used to employ 400,000 people in the 1970s and that's been down to 140,000 but it's been 140,000 for a while. It's pretty steady," he said. "And there's been a huge number of steelworkers within the retirement age."

Bradford said many employers were struggling to retain employees during the coronavirus pandemic but it wasn't clear the degree to which that phenomenon affected the steel industry.

"You hear all these stories of workers resigning, retiring or staying home during the pandemic," he said. "At a steel mill, you can't work from home."

For more information, visit ussteel.com, clevelandcliffs.com or indianacareerconnect.com.

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Indiana's 2021 state graduation rates show that a slightly lower percentage of students graduated in 2021 than 2020, according to data from the Department of Education.

IDOE released 2021 state graduation rates in late December showing that 86.69% of students graduated last school year.

The graduation rate is down from both 2020 and 2019. In 2020, 87.69% of students graduated and in 2019, 87.29% of students graduated.

A total of 40% of students graduated with a Core 40 honors diploma or an International Baccalaureate diploma. More than 78% graduated without requiring a waiver from passing the Graduation Qualifying Exam.

These numbers show substantial impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the IDOE. The department has launched several accelerated learning programs and additional efforts in response.

"Across our state, our educators, families and community leaders are working to be difference-makers in our students' lives, preparing them not only for graduation but for the rapidly-changing world that awaits, Katie Jenner, Indiana secretary of education, said in a press release. Looking ahead into 2022 and beyond, we must continue to work together to ensure our students earn their high school diploma and have access to intentional post-secondary credentials in high school. This mission takes all of us as we strive to make an impact on our students' lives, now and well into the future."

Here's a list of how Northwest Indiana high schools compare to the statewide graduation rate:

Lake County

The majority of schools in Lake County saw a higher percentage than the statewide average.

Rates ranged from 54.05% at Steel City Academy to 100% at Andrean High School.

Crown Point Community School Corp.: 98.58%

School City of East Chicago: 64.10%

Gary Community School Corp.: 60.45%

Thea Bowman Leadership Academy: 65.79%

Gary Lighthouse Charter School: 65.89%

21st Century Charter School of Gary: 90%

Steel City Academy: 54.05%

Andrean High School: 100%

Bishop Noll Institute: 95.92%

Griffith Public Schools: 71.59%

School City of Hammond: 71.20%

School Town of Highland: 92.03%

Hanover Community School Corp.: 95.48%

School City of Hobart: 91.35%

Lake Central School Corp.: 95.94%

Lake Ridge New Tech Schools: 98.64%

Lake Station Community Schools: 82.47%

Merrillville Community School Corp.: 89.66%

School Town of Munster: 95.49%

River Forest Community School Corp.: 76.19%

Tri-Creek School Corp.: 93.43%

School City of Whiting: 94.29%

Porter County

All school districts except one saw higher graduation rates than the statewide average. Neighbors' New Vistas High School saw a graduation rate of 37.68%.

Metro School District Boone Township: 97.62%

Duneland School Corp.: 93.51%

East Porter County School Corp.: 96.20%

Porter Township School Corp.: 95.90%

Union Township School Corp.: 97.58%

Portage Township Schools: 92.95%

Neighbors' New Vistas High School: 37.68%

Valparaiso Community Schools: 95.26%

LaPorte County

Only two public schools in LaPorte County fall under the statewide average graduation rate: LaPorte Community School Corp. (80.84%) and Michigan City Area Schools (81.01%)

LaPorte Community School Corp.: 80.84%

Marquette Catholic High School: 88.89%

Michigan City Area Schools: 81.01%

Metro School District of New Durham Township: 91.18%

New Prairie United School Corp.: 97.74%

South Central Community School Corp.: 92.50%

Tri-Township Consolidated School Corp.: 91.30%

All data for Indiana graduation rates in 2021 can be found on IDOEs website.

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HAMMOND  An East Chicago man who threatened to shoot up an East Chicago service station last year is going to prison.

Senior U.S. District Court Judge James T. Moody sentenced 25-year-old Ernest Willis on Thursday to 33 months in prison.

Willis pleaded guilty Aug. 4, 2021, to being a felon in possession of firearms.

East Chicago police said they were called Nov. 6, 2020, to the Mobil gas station at 2220 East Columbus Drive because Willis and a Portage woman in his company had threatened to shoot an employee there.

Police said the duo left the station on foot before officers arrived, but they were soon captures in that citys Harbor section, about eight blocks away from the gas station.

Officers found two fully loaded Glocks. They said one was in his sweater pocket and another  with a 30-round ammo magazine  in his waistband.

It was illegal for Willis to possession firearms because he had been convicted in 2016 of two robberies.

He told police he only had the guns briefly. He said they belonged to his female companion, but she didnt have anything to carry them in.

Defense attorney R. Brian Woodward argued to the court in an earlier memo that Willis was raised as a child in a violent Chicago neighborhood and smoked marijuana since age 15 but didnt misuse alcohol or narcotics and was regularly employed until his arrest.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin F. Wolff argued to the court in his sentencing memo that Willis threatened to kill the staff at the East Chicago Police Department after his arrest.

Willis pleaded guilty last Aug. 4 to being a felon in possession of firearms under a plea agreement with the U.S. attorneys office to avoid the maximum statutory penalty of 10 years imprisonment.

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INDIANAPOLIS  A controversial Indiana bill that Republican lawmakers contend would increase transparency around school curricula has drawn opposition from dozens of teachers who testified Monday at the Statehouse that the legislation would censor classroom instruction and place unnecessary additional workloads on educators.

The bill is one of several moving through the Indiana Legislature that seek to require all school curricula to be vetted by parent review committees and posted publicly online, in addition to banning schools' ability to implement concepts like critical race theory.

Critical race theory is a way of thinking about America's history that centers on the idea that racism is systemic in the nation's institutions and that they function to maintain the dominance of white people in society.

Scott Miller, superintendent of the School City of Hammond, emphasized that addressing "sensitive topics" in the classroom is necessary to help young people learn how to evaluate the truth. Attempts to keep students from learning about dissenting ideologies, he continued, "will only end up driving our youth straight to those ideologies."

Miller said he believes the legislation stems from "fear that diverse perspectives on our country's founding will lessen the strength and patriotism of our young people."

"Addressing that fear by attempting to chill classroom discussion and silencing certain worldviews will only further divide our children," he said.

Paul Farmer, a teacher in the Monroe County Community School Corporation, noted that the bill's language requiring educators to separately post all classroom curricula online for parents  including lesson plans, worksheets, presentations and other materials  would be an additional workload for already stressed teachers.

"Is this really going to decrease the number of teachers that go into education? The answer is yes, it will, because it's going to scare them ... because you can't do it all," Farmer said.

Laura Falk, an educator and diversity initiative specialist with the West Lafayette Community School Corporation, said she questioned the bill's intentions amid recent nationwide discussions around "white fragility, and focus on the systemic racist policies that have been so deeply woven into our nation's fabric."

"When I look through my lens as a Black woman, I find many of these items are interesting, as I've experienced decades of discrimination and learned through my experience that there are certain groups that are still discriminated against today ...," Falk said. "Our students deserve an honest and accurate education that enables them to learn from our past mistakes to help create a better future possible  instead of focusing on possible distress that students might experience."

Rep. Tony Cook, a former teacher and school superintendent who authored the House bill heard on Monday, echoed fellow Republican lawmakers, saying the legislation only strives to ensure educators "remain impartial in teaching curriculum" and "ensure that students are free to express their own beliefs and viewpoints concerning curricular materials and educational activities without discrimination."

He noted, too, that at least two forthcoming amendments to the bill are expected to be discussed in the education committee on Wednesday, the same day lawmakers are slated to hear additional testimony and vote on advancing the bill to the full House.

A nearly identical proposal in the Senate, which Republican bill author Sen. Scott Baldwin maintained is intended to prevent certain "discriminatory concepts" from being taught in classrooms, sparked more than eight hours of testimony last week.

Baldwin's exchange with a teacher during testimony on that bill sparked criticism after he said teachers must be "impartial" when discussing Nazism and other political ideologies, although he has since walked back those statements.

The bill is scheduled for a vote by the Senate education committee on Wednesday.

A similar piece of legislation in the House, authored by Republican Rep. J.D. Prescott of Union City, would additionally require students to be taught that concepts like "socialism, Marxism, communism, totalitarianism, or similar political systems" are "incompatible with the concepts of freedom upon which the United States was founded," in grades six through 12.

His proposal  which has not yet been assigned a hearing by the House education committee  would also allow parents to opt their students out of face mask or vaccine requirements, and mandates that schools cannot require students or teachers to be vaccinated against COVID-19 or another communicable disease.

Another Republican-backed House bill that would add political-party identifications to what are now nonpartisan school board elections in Indiana is scheduled to be heard by the House elections committee on Tuesday.

Casey Smith 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.

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Some three dozen Northwest Indiana military veterans and their family members met Monday with state Rep. Mike Andrade, D-Munster, and received a briefing on veterans-related legislation pending at the General Assembly.

The veterans traveled to the Statehouse, courtesy of North Township Trustee Adrian Santos, to participate in the eighth annual Indiana Military Veterans Legislative Day.

In addition to hearing from Andrade, the former service members were able to visit information booths hosted by Indiana veteran organizations and speak with additional state legislators over lunch about Hoosier veteran concerns and needs.

"After putting their lives on the line in service to our state and our country, it is an honor to welcome Hoosier veterans and their families from around the state to the Statehouse for Indiana Military Veterans Legislative Day," Andrade said.

Andrade last year won legislative approval for Senate Enrolled Act 93 authorizing recently discharged military veterans living in Illinois, or any state bordering Indiana, to pay in-state tuition rates to attend Indiana public universities if they enroll within three years of ending their military service.

He said it's important active and veteran service members in both House District 12, and across the state, are properly thanked for their sacrifices and contributions.

"As a member of the House Veteran Affairs and Public Safety Committee, I will continue to advocate on behalf of servicemen and women," Andrade said.

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HAMMOND  A pillar of Northwest Indiana's state legislative delegation for nearly four decades announced Tuesday he's retiring from the Indiana Senate, effective immediately.

State Sen. Frank Mrvan, D-Hammond, did not specify in his resignation announcement why he's choosing to leave the Statehouse with less than 10 months remaining in his four-year term.

Records show Mrvan, 88, missed significant chunks of the 2019 and 2021 legislative sessions due to unspecified health issues, and the Republican-controlled General Assembly currently is employing no COVID-19 prevention measures during this year's 10-week session that began Jan. 4.

In any case, Mrvan said his long tenure in public service, starting as a Hammond city councilman, "would not have been possible without the support of my lovely wife Jean and countless others over the years who have allowed me to be the most effective leader I could be for the constituents of Northwest Indiana."

"Holding the public trust in elected office is an incredible honor and responsibility. Throughout my career, I have always placed a value on being able to listen to the concerns of constituents and be their voice in our states capitol."

Mrvan, a retired banker, has represented Hammond and surrounding communities in the Indiana Senate for all but four years since 1978. He's also the father of the Region's representative in Congress, U.S. Rep. Frank J. Mrvan, D-Highland.

Congressman Mrvan said his father always has been his model of a dedicated public servant.

"His legislative approach and value of bipartisanship and pragmatism will continue to guide me and all those with whom he worked during his career," the congressman said.

Sen. Mrvan, a Korean War-era Air Force veteran, said it was an honor to regularly meet with and represent members of Indiana's veteran community, as well as public safety officers, first responders and the workers of Northwest Indiana.

"I did everything possible to support the members of organized labor, who built not just the foundation of our economic infrastructure, but who have been instrumental to promoting the strength of our manufacturing base, health care industry and public education classrooms," Mrvan said.

"Their contributions and the dignity of all of these workers must never cease to be recognized."

Democrats generally have few opportunities to shape public policy in the Indiana Senate since Republicans control 39 of the 50 seats and tend to prioritize GOP legislation over measures filed by Democrats.

Nevertheless, Mrvan in recent years was able to get several proposals aimed at protecting children and vulnerable adults incorporated into Republican-sponsored legislation that eventually was signed into law by Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb.

Mrvan credited his success to long-standing friendships and partnerships with his Senate colleagues, legislative staff, Indiana governors, and engaged voters from Senate District 1  relationships he hopes to continue in the years ahead.

"As our Region, state, and nation continue to face unprecedented challenges in relation to our health, education and economy, I will continue to do all I can to be engaged in these issues, and supporting the incredible work of our Northwest Indiana nonprofits and charitable organizations that make a difference for so many individuals and families," Mrvan said.

At the same time, Mrvan said he looks forward to "spending more time with all of my supportive family members, children and grandchildren in retirement."

Senate Democratic Leader Greg Taylor, D-Indianapolis, said Mrvan's "commitment to Hoosiers will be missed by our entire caucus."

"During his time in the Legislature, Sen. Mrvan was a tireless advocate for Hoosier families," Taylor said. "Over decades of service, he strengthened protections for children, expanded veterans' benefits and employment, worked to create a state tax-friendly to senior citizens and passed legislation to make transportation safer and more efficient statewide."

Senate President Rod Bray, R-Martinsville, likewise praised Mrvan as "a faithful public servant for the people of Northwest Indiana for many years," and added, "I am truly grateful to have served alongside him."

"Always a gentleman, Sen. Mrvan conducted himself with integrity and kindness, and though we will miss him, we certainly wish him all the best in his retirement," Bray said.

Mrvan's retirement creates an immediate vacancy in Senate District 1, which currently includes south Hammond, Munster, Highland, Griffith, Dyer and Schererville, that must be filled in the next 30 days at a caucus of the district's Democratic precinct committeemen.

Lake County Democratic Chairman Jim Wieser said he hopes the new senator will be able to quickly step into Mrvan's shoes for the remainder of this year's legislative session and successfully defend the reshaped district at the 2022 general election.

Mrvan was not expected to run in this year's elections because his Hammond home last year was shifted into Senate District 2, served by state Sen. Lonnie Randolph, D-East Chicago, during the once-a-decade redrawing of legislative district boundaries.

The new 1st Senate District moved a bit south and now encompasses all of Highland, Griffith, Dyer, Schererville, St. John and the southwestern portion of Merrillville.

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HIGHLAND  The Highland Fire Department is investigating three suspicious fires that may have been intentionally set Monday night inside the Meijer store.

The grocery and general merchandise retailer, located 10138 Indianapolis Blvd., was evacuated shortly after 9 p.m. after the fires were discovered and quickly extinguished.

No one was injured by the fires or in the evacuation, according to Highland Fire Chief William Timmer.

However, Timmer said the combination of multiple fires in different areas of the same store at around the same time is extremely unusual and will be thoroughly investigated.

The Highland Meijer fires follow a similar incident Friday night where two fires were intentionally set inside a Walmart store in Lansing, Illinois, which is located about 8 miles northwest of the Meijer store.

Firefighters said the Walmart was considerably damaged at the two fire sites inside the store. Those fires are being investigated as arson, officials said.

The extent of the damage to the Meijer store has not yet been determined.

A store representative referred all questions about the fires to Meijer's corporate headquarters in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Timmer said approximately 25 firefighters still were working around 11 p.m. investigating the fires and ventilating the Meijer to clear out smoke from the fires.

It's not known if the store will open as scheduled Tuesday morning.

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The Radisson Group has announced plans to open 20 new hotels over the next three years in key Saudi cities including Makkah and Jeddah as part of its big expansion strategy for the kingdom, offering a total of 1,600 rooms.

This will be added to the 24 hotels, resorts and hotel units currently being operated by the group in the kingdom.

Other hotels scheduled to be launched include the Radisson Blu Hotel at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Centre, the Mansard Hotel in Riyadh and the Radisson Collection Hotel, the second hotel for the luxury brand "Radisson Collection" in Riyadh, it stated.

Announcing this today (January 10), Radisson Group CEO Federico Gonzalez said it aims to boost its investment portfolio in the kingdom to around 50% of its total investments in the Middle East by 2026.

The group is set to open a regional office in Riyadh this year to support plans to double its operational portfolio by adding more hotels in various regions, corresponding to its five-year plan to create more job opportunities.

"The commitment of Radisson Hotel Group to developing new hotels in Saudi Arabia and opening a regional office in Riyadh is an effective contribution to enhance the steps taken by the kingdom to achieve its goal of receiving 100 million visits by 2030," he stated.

Gonzalez was speaking to the media following a meeting with the Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khatib.

The Radisson move will be a major boost to National Tourism Development Strategy, which aims to make available 854,000 new hotel rooms, 70% of which will be financed by the local and foreign private sectors, in line with Vision 2030 target to hit the 100 million visit benchmark in the next 10 years, thus putting the tourism sectors contribution to the countrys GDP at 10% and create one million new jobs.

"This cooperation is a continuation of our partnerships with world-leading hotel brands," stressing that continuing the partnership with the private sector is a vital element of the Kingdom's tourism strategy," he added.-TradeArabia News Service
For the last few years Ive been distressed by politics. I got involved with campaigning and activism, but found it to be ineffective. I am a neuromuscular therapist, but with Covid, life changed and I went back to university, studied political science and just got an internship in my State Senate. I want to make an impression and be taken seriously, but like the idea of wearing something special that makes a statement. I have some good basics  a black wool skirt, turtleneck, boots  but wonder if you have any more suggestions?  Susan, Northfield, Minn.

First, congratulations on the internship! Thats very exciting. Also, this week of all weeks, it is good to see someone who is not alienated by politics, but drawn to work within the system for change.

When it comes to that system, however, you are correct in thinking that what you wear is a fraught issue. Hilary Rosen, the vice chair of the political consultancy SKDKnickerbocker, once told me that the general rule with politicians was: Dress for ambiguity so you wont alienate any potential voters because of your clothes. Most of the time, that means generic, classic suiting that lets you blend into the group so only your words stand out.

(There are, of course, political figures who dont observe this rule, like Senator Kyrsten Sinema, but she is an exception with purpose.)

For those who work for legislators, this is only more true. You dont, after all, want to become known for your wacky outfits before you become known for your work, or have what you wear be a talking point. Tammy Haddad, the former MSNBC political director, suggested you approach your quandary the way you would any task, and begin with a little research. Go through local news coverage and check out what elected members of the State Senate are wearing. Pick a role model.
The Rubin Museum said in its statement that these two relics were the first items in its collection that were found to have been unlawfully obtained. The institution is currently five years into a full review of its artifacts, which involves filling gaps in knowledge about provenance records.

We have an ongoing duty to carefully research the art and objects we collect and exhibit. The theft of archaeological objects continues to be a major concern in the art world, Jorrit Britschgi, the museums executive director, said in the statement. We believe it is our responsibility to address and resolve issues of cultural property, including helping to facilitate the return of the two objects in question.

One relic is the upper section of a 17th-century wooden torana (an ornamental gateway in Buddhist and Hindu architecture) from a temple complex in Patan called the Yampi Mahavihara. Another is a carving of a garland-bearing apsara (a female spirit of the clouds and waters) from the 14th century, which was originally part of an ornamental window decoration in the Itum Bahal monastery of Kathmandu.

Scholars working for the museum found that the garland went missing from the monastery in 1999, four years before it was purchased by the Shelley and Donald Rubin Cultural Trust, which represents the Rubin Museums founders. Sandrine Milet, a spokeswoman for the museum, said the two artifacts were purchased in private sales but declined to name the dealers, saying they wished to remain anonymous.

Nepals Department of Archaeology will determine if the objects go back to their original sites or to a national museum. In December, government officials returned a sculpture representing the Hindu goddess Lakshmi-Narayan to its temple pedestal in Patan after the Dallas Museum of Art returned it. During a celebratory procession, attendees reached up to touch the artifact, which is considered a living god, bringing their fingers to their foreheads to communicate a blessing.
Whats new in testing

There has been a lot of recent confusion about using rapid at-home tests, so I called my colleague Tara Parker-Pope for an update on the latest guidance. Here are some things she recommends to keep in mind.

The tests arent perfect. I think people are confused because you can test negative one day and still have Covid a few days later, Tara said. It doesnt mean the test is wrong; it just means the viral load is too low for the test to pick it up.

Some experts have suggested that early symptoms may be an indicator that a vaccine-primed immune system is fighting the virus. It could be that your antibodies are fighting off the virus, and so the initial symptoms may be an indicator of our immune system at work, Tara said. So if you have Covid symptoms but test negative, that does not mean youre in the clear  you should still continue to test a few more times.

Listen to your body. If your test is negative and youve got a sore throat and a headache and youre congested, why would you believe the test over your own body? Tara asked. We have to get over this idea that if were negative for Covid, its OK to be around somebody with the sniffles or a cough  its not. We expect these tests to be perfect, but they cant replace your own good judgment if youre coughing and sneezing and have a fever.

Think of others. Remember, tests dont keep us well  they keep us from infecting other people. I think that message has gotten a little lost in the testing conversation, Tara said. Tests are a huge help, but you still need a multilayered approach of wearing a mask, protecting yourself, avoiding crowded situations.
The Dukuray family had followed the same path as many of their neighbors, leaving the small West African nation of Gambia over a decade ago to join a tight-knit immigrant enclave in the Bronx.

Haja, a mother of three, worked as a home health aide, while her husband, Hajie, took shifts at a fried chicken shop, intending to save and send money back to their homeland, said a relative, Hawa Dukuray. The couples children were all born in the United States: Mustapha, who was just two weeks shy of his 13th birthday; Mariam, 11, and Fatoumata, who had just turned 5.

The family settled in a 19th-floor apartment on East 181st Street, a towering building filled with other West Africans and near the mosques where many of them worship. During Ramadan nights, the family would gather at the apartment to cook Gambian-style chicken and jollof rice.

They were home on Sunday morning when a malfunctioning space heater in a third-floor apartment sparked a blaze that filled the building with smoke  and prevented their escape.

Hawa Dukuray, 21, would hear later that her relatives had tried to descend from their top-floor apartment as the suffocating plumes rose, blackening the hallways as desperate residents sought to flee. They must have assumed, she reasoned, that it would be safer to get out of the building using the only method available: the internal staircases. The building did not have outdoor fire escapes.

They never made it, part of a death toll that stood at 17, nine adults and eight children and that officials warned could rise. Fifteen people remained in critical condition on Monday evening.

Im heartbroken, said Ms. Dukuray, crying.

City officials said that the deaths had largely been caused by the smoke, which spread throughout the building after the door to the apartment where the fire started was left open. Another door, leading from the 15th floor to a staircase, was also open, Fire Department Commissioner Daniel A. Nigro said at a news conference outside the building on Monday.
The Bronx fire that killed 17 people on Sunday was the deadliest fire in New York since 1990, when a fire at a Bronx nightclub left 87 dead.

That fire, which was set by an arsonist after he had fought with his girlfriend, occurred at the Happy Land Social Club, an unlicensed club that lacked sprinklers, fire alarms and fire exits. It had been ordered to close for fire hazards and building code infractions 16 months before the fire, but it continued to operate. The nightclub was on the second floor of a run-down building and was crowded with mostly Honduran immigrants celebrating Carnival.

The arsonist, Julio Gonzalez, a Cuban refugee, had gotten into an argument with his on-and-off-again girlfriend about her quitting her job as a coat checker at the club, before a bouncer ejected him at around 3 a.m. He walked three blocks to a gas station and filled a one-gallon container with $1 worth of gasoline from an attendant there.

At about 3:30 a.m., he went back to the club, splashed gasoline at the bottom of the staircase and lit it on fire, cutting off the only open door and filling the club with smoke. As the blaze grew, he went home.
Before he took office as mayor of New York City, Eric Adams repeatedly said that his top priority was to serve as the citys cheerleader and promote its recovery.

Mr. Adams has quickly begun to fulfill that vow. In his first week in office, he moved to buttress the citys health system during a surge in coronavirus hospitalizations. He fought to keep schools open even as they closed in other cities like Chicago.

And on Sunday, he faced a devastating new challenge when the city had its deadliest fire in decades, and at least 17 people died, including eight children. He held two news conferences at the site of the fire in the Bronx and called for unity at a time of horrific loss. During a tragedy, were going to be here for each other, he said.
At the bottom of a lagoon at a nature reserve in England, a secret lay dormant for millenniums, hidden by mud, water and ice.

Only recently had the fossilized remains been found, a throwback to when dinosaurs ruled the Earth and gigantic marine reptiles, colloquially referred to as sea dragons, marauded the oceans.

This was not just any old find: The remains of the sea creature, an ichthyosaur, were the largest ever discovered of that type in Britain, those involved in a now-complete excavation project announced on Monday. They said it was also one of the largest and most complete skeletons of an ichthyosaur (pronounced IK-thee-uh-sor) found anywhere in the world.

The skeleton is from the early Jurassic Period about 180 million years ago and measures about 10 meters (more than 30 feet), they said. It might never have been unearthed if the lagoon hadnt been drained as part of a landscaping project.
Mr. Biden did not go so far as to call for full-scale elimination of the filibuster, but said he supported an exception in the case of voting rights legislation.

WASHINGTON  President Biden endorsed changing Senate rules to pass new voting rights legislation during a speech in Atlanta on Tuesday, warning of a grave threat to American democracy if lawmakers did not act to protect the heart and soul of the country.

Mr. Biden did not go so far as to call for full-scale elimination of the filibuster, a Senate tradition that allows the minority party to block legislation that fails to garner 60 votes, but said he supported getting rid of it in the case of voting rights legislation. Such a change in Senate procedures has only the slimmest of chances of winning the support of all 50 senators who caucus with the Democrats, which is needed to overcome universal Republican opposition.

Mr. Biden, a former senator and an institutionalist who had long been leery of whittling away at the filibuster, said such Senate traditions had been abused.

Sadly, the United States Senate, designed to be the worlds greatest deliberative body, has been rendered a shell of its former self, Mr. Biden said.

During an at-times emotional speech delivered at a consortium of four historically Black colleges and universities, Mr. Biden laid out the principles he wanted to be associated with  providing access to the ballot, fostering racial equality, and keeping the promise of America alive  and made it clear that, win or lose, he wanted to be on the right side of history.

I ask every elected official in America: How do you want to be remembered? Mr. Biden said.

Do you want to be on the side of Dr. King or George Wallace? Do you want to be on the side of John Lewis or Bull Connor? Do you want to be on the side of Abraham Lincoln or Jefferson Davis? he asked, drawing a sharp line between men who fought for civil rights and others who fought to deny them, comparisons that at moments drew gasps from the crowd.

Equating opponents of Senate rule changes to slaveholders and segregationists is a political gamble for Mr. Biden, whose visit to Georgia was designed to invigorate a Democratic-led effort to pass new voting rights laws in the 50-50 Senate in the coming days.

One bill introduced by Democrats, the Freedom to Vote Act, would, among other provisions, block efforts to restrict mail-in or absentee voting, make Election Day a holiday, and stop state legislators from redrawing districts in a way that activists say denies representation to minority voters. Another, the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, would restore anti-discrimination components of the Voting Rights Act that were stripped away by the Supreme Court in 2013.

The reality remains: Even with Mr. Bidens new call for a filibuster exception, changing Senate rules would require the support of the entire Democratic caucus and the vote of Vice President Kamala Harris to break a tie and pass the legislation.

Senators Joe Manchin III of West Virginia and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona, both Democrats, have expressed strong public opposition to changing filibuster rules. A handful of others have more quietly voiced concerns with the changes. Mr. Manchin said Tuesday that the Senate needs some good rule changes to make the place work better, but getting rid of the filibuster doesnt make it work better.

Republicans, who have sought to point out that Democrats have in the past relied on the protection of the filibuster when in the minority, have been blunter with their critiques.

There is also a reasonable chance Republicans will win both houses in Congress and that Donald Trump himself could once again be elected president in 2024, Senator Mitt Romney, a Republican of Utah, said on the Senate floor on Tuesday. Have Democrats thought what it would mean for them, for the Democrat minority to have no power whatsoever?

(Of Mr. Biden comparing opponents of rules changes to segregationists, Mr. Romney added, So much for unifying the country and working across the aisle.)

Still, in an effort to apply pressure, Senator Chuck Schumer, Democrat of New York and the majority leader, said Republicans could have until Monday, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, to drop their opposition to debate and votes on the issue, or face the prospect of overhauling filibuster rules.

Image Mr. Biden delivered his speech at a consortium of four historically Black colleges and universities and made it clear that, win or lose, he wanted to be on the right side of history. Credit... Doug Mills/The New York Times

Mr. Biden traveled to Georgia with a major piece of his agenda, a large social spending plan, stalled. Pivoting to voting rights gives him a new issue to focus on, but he also risks failing to deliver on his promises.

But for the second time in two weeks, Mr. Biden went on the attack against former President Donald J. Trump, reminding Democrats of the stakes with the midterm elections ahead.

The goal of the former president and his allies is to disenfranchise anyone who votes against them, Mr. Biden said. Simple as that.

Mr. Bidens advisers have promised that he will continue to forcefully support two voting rights bills aimed at beating back a swath of restrictive voting measures passed through Republican-led statehouses around the country.

Back in Washington, multiple proposals to find ways to appease Mr. Manchin, Ms. Sinema, and other possible holdouts are circulating, including restoring the talking filibuster by requiring lawmakers to take the floor, Mr. Smith-style; reducing the number of votes needed to break a filibuster; and limiting its use altogether in some circumstances.

But finding bipartisan comity this time will be all but impossible for Mr. Biden, who spent 36 years in the Senate and views himself as a consensus builder. Republicans have argued that the bills would impede the rights of states to conduct their own election, and that Democrats are using the voting rights legislation to try to gain partisan advantage.

Activists say those critics ignore glaring examples of voter suppression. Voting rights groups in Georgia have already filed a federal lawsuit that accuses legislators of redrawing a congressional district to benefit Republican candidates and deny representation to Black voters.

Senator Mitch McConnell, Republican of Kentucky, promised a scorched-earth response should Democrats try to change the rule: Since Senator Schumer is hellbent on trying to break the Senate, Republicans will show how this reckless action would have immediate consequences, Mr. McConnell said in a statement on Monday.

Mr. Bidens visit to Georgia was also intended to restore his relationship with some voting rights activists who are disappointed that he exhausted his political capital in his first year in office on other efforts, including a bipartisan infrastructure deal and a stalled social spending plan. Georgia, a state Mr. Biden won by only 11,779 votes, has seen some of the most sweeping attempts by Republicans to assert partisan power in elections, particularly through restricting mail-in, absentee or early voting.

Mr. Biden and Ms. Harris leaned heavily on the power of symbolism as he traveled to the former district of Mr. Lewis, the Georgia congressman and civil rights icon for whom the legislation is named. Mr. Lewis, a sharecroppers son, was bloodied in the Jim Crow South as he championed racial equity and the right to vote.

Image President Joe Biden, center, and Vice President Kamala Harris are greeted at the entrance by Senator Raphael Warnock, senior pastor of Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church. Credit... Doug Mills/The New York Times

The pair visited the crypt of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his wife, Coretta Scott King. They also visited the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church, where both Dr. King and Mr. Lewis were eulogized. Senator Raphael Warnock, the states first Black senator and a Democrat who is seeking a full term this year after a runoff victory, is a senior pastor there.

Some activists offered tempered support before the presidents speech, angered by what they said was a lack of attention as state-level restrictions go into effect.

Bee Nguyen, a state representative for Georgia and Democrat candidate for secretary of state, said that she has tried to stress to the White House that activists need to hear more than encouragement to simply out-organize voter suppression, one of the strategies Biden administration officials have encouraged in their engagement with activists.

The burden should not be on the shoulders of Black and brown Georgians to simply exercise the right to vote, Ms. Nguyen said. If we cant get this done its going to be really difficult to climb out of what were seeing.

Stacey Abrams, the voting rights advocate and Democratic candidate for governor in Georgia, declined to attend the speech and her campaign manager, Lauren Groh-Wargo, blamed a conflict. Two Democratic officials familiar with the planning said Ms. Abrams had decided not to go in part because she was not invited to give remarks. But Ms. Groh-Wargo denied that, and said in a brief interview on Tuesday evening that there had been no discussion of a speaking slot. The Democratic officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the private conversations.

One prominent family attended the event. Martin Luther King III, the oldest living son of the civil rights leader, and his wife, Arndrea Waters King, met privately with Mr. Biden in Atlanta before the president and the King family, who have planned a series of marches to pressure Democrats to pass the legislation, visited the civil rights leaders crypt.

Image President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris visited the crypt of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his wife, Coretta Scott King. Credit... Doug Mills/The New York Times

During a private meeting with the president, the Kings said in an interview, they did most of the talking.

We felt that the president cited his pedigree of deal making as a senator while speaking about the importance of voting rights, Mrs. King said. We know that he has the power and influence to do the same today as president. I have to say well be watching closely.

In his speech, Mr. Biden said he wants to let the majority prevail.

And if that bare minimum is blocked, he said, we have no option but to change the Senate rules, including getting rid of the filibuster.

Earlier in the day, Mr. Biden was on his way into the Ebenezer Baptist Church when he was asked what he would say to activists who are concerned that his embrace of changing Senate rules may be too little and too late.

Keep the faith, the president replied, before ducking into the church.

Nick Corasaniti in New York, Carl Hulse in Washington and Zolan Kanno-Youngs in Atlanta contributed reporting.
The overall picture might not be so grim for Democrats, because newer registrants are still leaning Democratic at typical rates, even if they register as independents. The trend has nonetheless alarmed some party insiders.

Theres a big deficit building up on the Democratic side, which could start becoming consequential, said Michael Podhorzer, a strategist and former co-chair of Catalist.

Demographics as destiny

For more than a decade, the Democratic Party has assured itself that demographics is destiny  that a younger, more diverse electorate will inevitably propel Democrats to stable national majorities.

But as much as that approach has worked in presidential elections  Joe Biden beat Donald Trump by more than 7 million votes in 2020  it has been less sound at the local level.

Most voter registration programs on the left arent focused on the closely fought suburban and exurban areas that are crucial to winning state legislative majorities, Forward Majority argues.

Democrats made a strategic error, the group says, by leaving too much of the difficult and expensive task of voter registration to nonprofit advocacy organizations. Because those allied groups are also officially nonpartisan, they focus on signing up carefully chosen demographic groups, such as young voters or people of color in cities and on college campuses. Their voter registration drives tend to look a lot like When We All Vote, Michelle Obamas celebrity-packed nonprofit, which describes its mission as helping to close the race and age gap.

Nobody in the Democratic Party is arguing that such efforts are unwelcome; the New Georgia Project, which has registered several hundred thousand voters since 2014, helped Democrats take two Senate seats in Georgia last year. In September, the Democratic National Committee announced a $5 million investment in voter registration, modeled on that success in Georgia. And its worth noting that American suburbs are increasingly diverse, so its not necessarily the case that more targeted, party-driven efforts would focus on white voters at the expense of voters of color.
Global security company Lockheed Martin said it has secured a contract worth $102 million from Egypt for upgradation of 25 AH-64D Apaches to the E-model version of the aircraft.

This modernization for the Egyptian Air Force includes Lockheed Martins Gen III Target Acquisition Designation Sight/Pilot Night Vision Sensor (Gen III TADS/PNVS) and the Gen III Day Sensor Assembly (Gen III DSA).

As per the deal, Lockheed Martin will be delivering the upgraded sensor kits as part of a remanufacture effort to boost the D-model Apaches to E-models.

"Lockheed Martin is committed to a strong and sustained partnership with our customers in US and around the world," remarked Tom Eldredge, Director of Lockheed Martins Missiles and Fire Control Rotary Wing Sensors programme.

"This contract enables us to respond rapidly to Egypts emerging defence needs, including requirements for new sensor systems and upgrades," he stated.

The award is part of an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (ID/IQ) contract signed with the US Army. The ID/IQ serves as the contracting vehicle to provide Gen III DSA and Gen III TADS/PNVS systems and services, he added.
WASHINGTON  A Somali man who has been held at Guantanamo Bay as a high-value prisoner was approved for transfer with security assurances, according to a document obtained Monday, making him the first detainee who was brought there from a C.I.A. black site to be recommended for release.

Guled Hassan Duran, 47, received word of the decision on Monday morning, the eve of the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the detention facility at the U.S. naval base in Cuba. He became the 14th or 15th of the 39 detainees still at Guantanamo with approval for transfer once U.S. diplomats find countries to accept them with security guarantees that satisfy the defense secretary, Lloyd J. Austin III.

Mr. Duran was captured in Djibouti in 2004, spent about 900 days in C.I.A. custody and has been held in classified detention facilities at Guantanamo Bay without charge since September 2006. He cannot return to his homeland under a congressional prohibition on the transfer of Guantanamo detainees to Somalia, Libya, Syria and Yemen.

John F. Kirby, a Pentagon spokesman, declined to comment on the case or on any approvals that the interagency Periodic Review Board had made but not announced.
Other countries have spent more heavily on rapid testing. In Britain, citizens can use a government website to order free rapid tests for home use. Germany invested hundreds of millions of dollars to create a network of 15,000 rapid testing sites. The United States has instead focused public purchasing on vaccines, and efforts to encourage their uptake.

Some local governments in the United States have invested heavily in rapid testing to counter the latest wave of cases. Washington, D.C., which has experienced a substantial surge in virus cases, now allows residents to pick up four free rapid tests daily at libraries across the city.

The new Biden policy will not apply retroactively to at-home tests that Americans have already purchased. Tests ordered or administered by health providers will continue to be covered by insurance without any co-payment or deductible under a law requiring insurers to fully cover tests at doctors offices, public sites and other facilities.

The administration is working on other efforts to get coronavirus tests to people regardless of their insurance status, including a plan to deliver 500 million free rapid tests to the homes of Americans who order them, starting later this month.

That plan, along with the new rules for insurers announced Monday, is part of a broader effort by the Biden administration in recent weeks to catch up to skyrocketing demand for rapid tests, as virus cases have exploded around the nation with the arrival of the highly contagious Omicron variant.

The administration has also announced plans to make tens of millions of free tests available for uninsured Americans at health clinics and other sites in underserved communities. And it has recently opened federally run test sites in hard-hit regions of the country.

Matt Eyles, president of the health insurer trade group Americas Health Insurance Plans, said in a statement that insurance companies would work as quickly as possible to implement this guidance.
As the House select committee investigating the Jan. 6 assault on the Capitol rushes to gather evidence and conduct interviews, how far it will be able to go in holding former President Donald J. Trump accountable increasingly appears to hinge on one possible witness: former Vice President Mike Pence.

Since the committee was formed last summer, Mr. Pences lawyer and the panel have been talking informally about whether he would be willing to speak to investigators, people briefed on the discussions said. But as Mr. Pence began sorting through a complex calculation about his cooperation, he indicated to the committee that he was undecided, they said.

To some degree, the current situation reflects negotiating strategies by both sides, with the committee eager to suggest an air of inevitability about Mr. Pence answering its questions and the former vice presidents advisers looking for reasons to limit his political exposure from a move that would further complicate his ambitions to run for president in 2024.

But there also appears to be growing tension.

In recent weeks, Mr. Pence is said by people familiar with his thinking to have grown increasingly disillusioned with the idea of voluntary cooperation. He has told aides that the committee has taken a sharp partisan turn by openly considering the potential for criminal referrals to the Justice Department about Mr. Trump and others. Such referrals, in Mr. Pences view, appear designed to hurt Republican chances of winning control of Congress in November.
The intelligence agencies have told administration officials that while the Russians have continued planning an invasion, they do not believe Mr. Putin has decided whether to begin an incursion. For their part, Russian officials reiterated on Monday that they do not plan to invade Ukraine.

A fierce diplomatic push to give Mr. Putin face-saving alternatives to military action began this week in Geneva, where Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman led a U.S. delegation for talks with her Russian counterpart, Sergei A. Ryabkov, and other Russian officials.

But Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken told reporters at the State Department on Friday that actual progress is going to be very difficult to make, if not impossible, in an environment of escalation by Russia. And after eight hours of meetings with the Russians, Ms. Sherman told reporters that such de-escalation had not occurred and that the talks had amounted merely to a discussion, a better understanding of each other and each others priorities.

Mr. Putin has made several demands, including that NATO formally pledge never to admit Ukraine and Georgia as members, that U.S. and NATO officials call nonstarters. Instead, the United States is dangling more modest offers, like assurances that American missiles will not be placed in Ukrainian territory  something Washington has never seriously contemplated.

Despite publicly expressing uncertainty about Mr. Putins intentions, U.S. officials have assessed that there is little likelihood that he will back down from what they have described as maximalist positions. The Biden administration has promised allies that it will not make any offers to Russia that they do not support, taking off the table any sort of unilateral troop withdrawal from Eastern Europe or pledge not to further integrate Ukraine with the rest of Europe.

Mr. Putin has massed his forces along Russias border with eastern Ukraine, where for nearly eight years he has supported a pro-Russian insurgency that has left up to 14,000 people dead.

In early December, American intelligence agencies predicted that Mr. Putin was planning to gather as many as 175,000 troops for a potential incursion into Ukraine.
WASHINGTON  Members of Congress, police officers and government watchdog groups argued in federal court on Monday that Donald J. Trump was liable for major financial damages for his role in inspiring the Jan. 6 attack on Congress, pressing an array of civil suits against the former president amid mounting frustration that he has faced no penalty for the riot.

Over nearly five hours in the United States District Court for Washington, lawyers laid out their cases against Mr. Trump, contending that he deserved to be held responsible for inflaming a violent mob, despite what are typically wide immunity protections for a presidents speech and actions while in office.

Mr. Trump dispatched the crowd that he assembled, said Joseph Sellers, the lawyer for a group of House Democrats, including Representatives Barbara Lee of California, Bonnie Watson Coleman of New Jersey and Hank Johnson of Georgia. After he saw that they were engaged in breaking into the Capitol, instead of trying to calm them, he retweeted his incendiary remarks from the rally before.

During a hearing over whether the suits can move forward, Judge Amit P. Mehta focused on why Mr. Trump did not act more quickly to call off the mob. He asked lawyers for Mr. Trump whether the presidents slow response was not evidence he agreed with the siege after telling the crowd to fight like hell and march to the Capitol.
SEOUL  North Korea launched a ballistic missile off its east coast on Tuesday, its second weapons test in a week, as the United Nations Security Council met to discuss the countrys growing missile threat.

With its latest launch, North Korea appeared to demonstrate progress in developing what it calls a hypersonic missile, the South Korean military said. The missile flew about 435 miles, traveling at up to Mach 10, or 10 times the speed of sound, it said.

It was not only the new missiles speed that highlighted North Koreas growing missile threat to the United States military and its allies in the region. The new missiles North Korea has tested in the past week also had a so-called maneuverable re-entry vehicle, or a warhead that can thwart missile defense systems by changing course in the atmosphere after it is detached from the booster rocket, South Korean defense officials said.

When North Korea conducted its last test of a hypersonic missile off its east coast on Wednesday, South Korea refused to call it hypersonic, noting that it had flown at Mach 6. As if to rebut the South, the missile North Korea launched on Tuesday flew much faster.
But Russian forces in Ukraine have not increased in recent weeks as much as intelligence officials predicted a few weeks ago, American officials told The New York Times, signaling that President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia still may not have made up his mind about whether to proceed with an attack, or might be considering something less conventional than pouring troops over the border.

The U.S. officials say they are preparing for everything from a full-scale invasion, to partial incursions, to cyberattacks intended to paralyze the country.

He tried to maintain a flexible position that would allow Putin to decide either way, Kadri Liik, a Russia specialist at the European Council on Foreign Relations in Berlin, said of Mr. Ryabkovs approach. It will be Putins decision whether to continue these talks under the conditions that the U.S. makes available.

Russia annexed the Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea and fomented a separatist war in the countrys east after the pro-Western revolution in Kyiv, Ukraines capital, in 2014. The war in eastern Ukraine continues to simmer, having claimed more than 13,000 Ukrainian lives on both sides.

In the last year, Mr. Putin has increasingly cast Western support for Ukraine as an existential threat, claiming that the neighboring country, formerly a Soviet republic, was being turned into an anti-Russia that the West could use to attack or otherwise weaken his country.

But Russias aims go far beyond the future of Ukraine, a position it put forth in an extraordinary set of demands to the West last month that sought to roll back NATOs military presence to 1990s levels. It also asked for guarantees that NATO would not expand eastward or keep forces or weapons in former Soviet states that have since joined NATO. .
Helgi brought exquisite taste, an adventurous spirit, a willingness to take risks and an ability to solve problems of all kinds, to San Francisco Ballet, said Sunnie Evers, the co-chair with Fran Streets of the search committee, and the co-chair of the companys board. Finding someone to fill his shoes was a daunting prospect.

Evers said that the committee had been committed to a global search that was inclusive in terms of ethnicity and gender, and people who werent necessarily standard candidates. Over 200 candidates were contacted when they began the process in February, she said, with the list narrowed to eight by July. We had three people of color and three women in that round, she said. There is a lot of talk about ballet being dominated by white men, so I am thrilled we were not.

In a video interview, Tomasson said he had no voice in the selection of his successor but had hoped that the person would continue building a major company and trying new things. Rojo, he said, has been able to elevate English National Ballet to a much higher level internationally, which was what I was asked to do when I came to San Francisco. She has acquired new choreography and respected the classics. So there is a little bit of a comparison.

Rojo was circumspect about her repertory plans for San Francisco Ballet, saying that it was too early to commit to specifics, and that she would spend the next year learning more about the company and its workings. (Tomasson will program the 2022-23 season, including a festival of new choreography.)

I am close to Europe and will bring some of the flavor of the 25 years I have spent in London, she said. And I will continue to focus on female choreographers and to bringing new voices to interpret the classics. She added, I love how theater in the U.K. works with the traditional canon, like Shakespeare, and turns it upside down. That inspired me to invite Akram Khan to do Giselle and I want to do more works like that.
Sometimes prosthetics come in the form of myoelectrics and biomechatronics, she says, referring to top-tier lab advances. Sometimes they come in the form of kitchen tools, straws, peel-and-stick hooks. John is entering that whole heritage.

Powers says that he has always had a strong sense for his bodys limits. When his life feels balanced, Powers says that he can stand for hours, working in silence, making thousands of repetitive motions.

Now he doesnt know those same limits. He feels like his training has prepared him for relearning them.

Its not that everythings going to be OK, Powers says. Its just that as an artist, you cannot think past what youre doing right now. Without thinking, Will I ever have another show? Will I have a retrospective? Will anyone care about this art?

His physical therapy was over at the end of the year. Powers says that he doesnt know when hell be able to lift plywood or return to the table saw. His meticulous cuts may be out. But he can always stack blocks.

Powers says that he thinks with his hands. For now, hes squarely focused on his recovery.

Art has given me a way to look at this, he says, and take part in this.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art has agreed to increase the salaries of its security guards, part of an effort to ease staffing shortages that have arisen as the institution is buffeted by the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.

Like many businesses, health care facilities and cultural organizations, the Met has struggled in recent weeks with employee absences, at times closing multiple galleries to cope with a security staff reduced, on the worst days, by as much as a third because of illness.

On one day in early January, for example, some 80 of the museums roughly 430 galleries were closed, including rooms displaying medieval, Egyptian, Chinese, European and American art and objects.

But while the immediate staffing issue is largely related to the surge of the highly contagious Omicron variant, the museum has also had a longer-term problem hiring guards to rebuild its staff after layoffs in 2020 that came in response to the pandemic.
Diyar Al Muharraq, one of the largest real estate development firms in Bahrain, has signed an agreement with stc, a major digital enabler in the region, to construct and operate telecommunication towers within its integrated city off Muharraq island. This will significantly improve network connection and internet services.

Following the plan issued by the Bahrain Telecommunication Regulatory Authority to rectify and reduce the number of telecommunication towers, these sites will be shared by all telecommunication companies operating in the kingdom, said the statement from stc.

The masterplan will include a total of 13 operating towers, it added.

On the tie-up, CEO Eng Nezar Banabeela said: At stc Bahrain, we continuously invest in Bahrains telecommunications infrastructure by providing coverage to various locations in order to serve a larger segment of customers. Due to the increase in the number of interested customers, we aim to offer the best services to meet their daily needs and stay closer to them."

"We are also working on supporting the national telecommunications plan and strengthening our presence as a leading telecommunications company across new areas in Bahrain with the aim to cover more locations across the kingdom, he stated.

Diyar Al Muharraq CEO Engineer Ahmed Ali Alammadi said: Our partnership with stc Bahrain comes as part of our commitment to provide residents and visitors a holistic and integrated infrastructure. Through the new telecommunication towers, residents will be provided with stronger network and internet services."

"We look forward to expanding the scope of our partnerships to include major service providers in various fields as we aim to further develop the local real estate sector, he added.

Diyar Al Muharraq is one of the largest integrated cities in the kingdom, offering a variety of housing solutions and a luxurious modern lifestyle while persevering the core family values in Bahraini society. It offers a unique, balanced mix of residential, commercial, recreational, and healthcare facilities, creating a fully integrated and futuristic model city.-TradeArabia News Service
A living history museum based on the life of Dred Scott, digitization of books and manuscripts dispersed from the Philippines in the 18th century, a Cherokee translation effort, and an exhibit on the history of jazz and hip-hop in Queens, N.Y., are among 208 projects across the country that are receiving new grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities.

The grants, which total $24.7 million, support individual scholarly projects and collaborative efforts, including initiatives and exhibitions at cultural institutions ranging from local history sites to behemoths like the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

The awards are part of the agencys regular cycle of grants. Last year, the agency also distributed more than $140 million of additional grants supported by funding from the American Rescue Plan Act.

Some of the new awards are dedicated to infrastructure. One grant, of $500,000, is going to the Esperanza Peace and Justice Center in San Antonio to support the refurbishment of seven historic buildings to be used as a cultural center focused on the immigrant communities of the citys Westside neighborhood. A grant of $20,000 will support digital upgrades at the Chapman Center for Rural Studies at Kansas State University, which aims to highlight the history of Great Plains communities at risk of being forgotten.
That clip was like watching one of those dumb cable news segments where a reporter willingly gets Tasered just to show everyone how bad it is.  SETH MEYERS

I also like how Cruz finds a way to mention in that clip that he texted Tucker like theyre good pals. Unfortunately for Ted, any time he tries to text or call someone, it comes up as Spam likely  or, in his case, Likely made of Spam.  SETH MEYERS

And yet, this debacle keeps getting worse for Cruz because he proudly tweeted out the clip of himself groveling, which is a little like posting a video of yourself landing nards-first on a handrail during a skateboard fail with the caption, Check out how epic this is.  SETH MEYERS

And look, we all know Ted Cruz has a thing for self-humiliation. He slinked back from Cancun after escaping a blackout in his state. He endorsed Donald Trump after Trump insulted his wife and his father, and took that infamous photo where he made campaign calls for Trump, looking like Jack Lemmon in Glengarry Glenn Ross. And he keeps showing up in public with that facial hair looking like a Chewbacca who shaved everything but the beard.  SETH MEYERS
The final third of Yonder is about what happens on the groups escape attempt. Here, the story morphs, the struggles of daily life replaced with the thrill of the chase, the fear of getting caught, the untangling of who can be trusted and the questions of whether their directions will help the Stolen successfully avoid slave catchers. In this journey, the unexpected happens, promises are broken and hearts are shattered, but the determination to get yonder, and the belief that they are running to a better place, never wavers. And the Stolen are not completely on their own. Whether its the sudden gentling of a spooked horse, the appearance of advice-giving apparitions, tales of the mythic hero Swing Low or the revelation of a magical people hidden in plain sight, mysterious and otherworldly interventions seem to give the disadvantaged Stolen unexpected help in their quest for freedom.

Jabari Asim is an artist and a professor who has written across a wide range of genres: poetry, nonfiction, fiction and childrens literature. Yonder sits within a rich oeuvre of historical fiction that centers the lives of enslaved people, situating their experience in the context of American history. The novels explorations of love and survival, blended with its examination of violence and servitude, call to mind Alex Haleys Roots and, more recently, Robert Jones Jr.s The Prophets. The books depiction of the myriad ways enslaved people sought to cope with their harsh treatment on the plantation is evocative of Sadeqa Johnsons Yellow Wife. And the novels use of magical realism is similar to Rita Woodss Remembrance and Ta-Nehisi Coatess The Water Dancer.

What sets Asims book apart is the way Yonder portrays the spiritual resilience of enslaved people. A central question of the novel is: What level of hope can one attain in Black skin, in a Black body, when Black people are deprived of the right to determine their own lives? William, for instance, is reluctant to have children because his seed, his person and the work of his hands are all property of a Thief. Theres no guarantee that he will be able to protect any of his offspring. Pandora also notes the lack of agency for the Stolen. What moved Thieves most was the cold fact of our vulnerability: Our men couldnt protect us. Nor could we protect ourselves.

Still, the Stolen hold onto their humanity. Asim showcases their capacity to dream and seek out faithful commitments in a system of constant change. Black love existed in defiance of massas thoughts on Black sexuality and in opposition to the daily horrors of slavery, which included the stealing of limbs, lives and children. Though I was at times unsure of the sexually aggressive stance many of the Stolen women in the novel exhibit while selecting their partners, initiating or demanding satisfaction, Asim never strays to the horrid trope of the hypersexualized Black woman. I believe his portrayal offers agency to these enslaved women, giving them the often-denied ability to choose when and with whom to be intimate. With his handling of Black love, showing how it existed amid the worst circumstances, tender and memorable, Asim delivers a fresh, sweeping, must-read tale.

None of us  Black or white or young or old  know whats over yonder or if well make the journey to reach it. In all those years, my mother never let my brothers travel with my uncle on his watermelon hauls. Today, I realize her reluctance was because of her unstated fears about what her young might face. Dread consumed her, this mother of three boys who, by luck, were not Emmett Till, Michael Griffith or Yusuf Hawkins. It didnt matter that my uncles were savvy men, that my family was middle class  we were still Black and therefore considered a danger by those who never saw us as free. Safety was not certain. But Yonder shows that dreams and Black love have always been tools of survival in the quest to reach that better place just out of reach.
Boeing said on Tuesday that it received 79 new orders for planes in December, capping its best year of sales since 2018 as it tried to move past a prolonged crisis caused by two crashes of the 737 Max jet.

The company sold a net 535 new planes last year after factoring in cancellations. That was a big turnaround from 2020, when cancellations exceeded new sales by 471 planes, and just ahead of its chief rival, Airbus, the European aviation giant. But Boeing delivered 340 aircraft to customers, far fewer than Airbus.

In addition to the Max crisis, the companys performance has been dented by quality concerns about its 787 Dreamliner. The concerns forced Boeing to slow production and suspend deliveries of that plane.

About two-thirds of the planes sold last year were variants of the Max, which regulators around the world grounded for nearly two years after the crashes, which killed a total of 346 people. Boeings December orders included the sale of 50 Max jets to Allegiant Air in what amounted to a big shift by the budget airline, which typically buys used planes.
The dispute concerns Deltas adherence to a recent change by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which has shortened the recommended isolation time to five days for people who are vaccinated and who get the virus, so long as their symptoms are resolving and they have no fever.

The C.D.C.s updated guidance was released after Delta executives sent the agency a letter arguing that the previous 10-day isolation period may significantly impact our work force and operations. Some public health experts had also called for updated guidelines.

Airlines canceled tens of thousands of flights over the holidays in response to bad weather and because thousands of employees called in sick. In a single day, nearly a third of United Airlines employees at Newark Liberty International Airport reported being unable to work. About 3,000 United employees have recently tested positive for the virus.

After the C.D.C. changed its guidance, Delta quickly adjusted its own policies, slashing the Covid-specific paid sick leave to five days for workers who are fully vaccinated, with two additional paid days if they choose to be tested on Day 5 and the results are positive. In accordance with C.D.C. guidelines, it does not require a negative Covid test to return to work. The C.D.C.s decision not to recommend a test after five days of isolation has been criticized by some scientists. Delta, which said that over 95 percent of its work force is vaccinated, said employees may return to work only if they had no symptoms and must wear a mask in all settings through the 10th day after testing positive.

Ms. Nelson has claimed that the union is still getting questions from Delta flight attendants about returning to work with a low-grade fever. She also said the union was hearing concerns about the availability of tests and confusion over guaranteed pay and the quality of masks required for those returning to work.
But the change in health guidance would not give airlines much relief, at least not right away. The weather  and the flight cancellations  continued to get worse, peaking on Jan. 3, when airlines canceled more than 3,100 flights, or about 13 percent of all scheduled trips. It wasnt until Monday that the number of daily flight cancellations fell below 1,000. In recent days, airlines have canceled many flights proactively to get a better handle on their operations and avoid surprising customers with last-minute changes.

Bad weather and staffing problems hit different airlines at different times. Since Christmas, SkyWest Airlines, which operates shorter flights for major carriers, including United, has canceled more than 5,100 trips, more than any other airline. Southwest Airlines was close behind with more than 4,800 canceled flights, followed by United, with over 2,800 cancellations, and Delta, with more than 2,000.

Airlines have generally provided brief public explanations, and representatives for several companies, including American Airlines, Delta and Southwest, declined to elaborate on Tuesday.

In statements, SkyWest has blamed a surge in Covid cases, while Southwest said over the weekend that it was experiencing an uptick in sick calls and quarantines. The airline said on Tuesday that its operations were improving as it overcame the effects of a winter storm that slammed the East Coast, including its hub at Baltimore/Washington International Airport, at the start of the month.

Like United, several airlines have started to prune flights this month to ensure they have the resources available to address the holiday disruptions and prevent further disarray. JetBlue said it would pre-emptively cut about 1,300 flights in the first half of January. Alaska said in a statement recently that it would slash about one in 10 flights planned for the month to gain the flexibility and capacity needed to reset.

Flight cancellations have continued this week, though the number has fallen steadily in recent days. More than 700 flights on Tuesday were canceled, about 150 of them operated by United.
Ms. Milliam, a member of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union, is vaccinated but contracted the virus during the holidays, experiencing mild symptoms. She said that fewer employees were working registers and organizing clothing and that her store had been closing the fitting rooms in the mornings because nobody was available to monitor them.

Macys said last week that it would shorten store hours nationally on Mondays through Thursdays for the rest of the month. At least 20 Apple Stores have had to close in recent weeks because so many employees had contracted Covid-19 or been exposed to someone who had, and others have curtailed hours or limited in-store access.

At a Macys in Lynnwood, Wash., Liisa Luick, a longtime sales associate in the mens department, said, Every day, we have call-outs, and we have a lot of them. She said the store had already reduced staff to cut costs in 2020. Now, she is often unable to take breaks and has fielded complaints from customers about a lack of sales help and unstaffed registers.

Morale could not be lower, said Ms. Luick, who is a steward for the local unit of the United Food and Commercial Workers union. Even though Washington has a mask mandate for indoor public spaces, we get a lot of pushback, so morale is even lower because theres so many people who, theres no easy way to say this, just dont believe in masking, she added.

Store workers are navigating the changing nature of the virus and trying their best to gauge new risks. Many say that with vaccinations and boosters, they are less fearful for their lives than they were in 2020  the United Food and Commercial Workers union has tracked more than 200 retail worker deaths since the start of the pandemic  but they remain nervous about catching and spreading the virus.
In Dont Look Up, a planet-killing comet hurtling toward Earth stands in as a metaphor for the climate crisis, with Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence playing distraught scientists scrambling to get politicians to act, and the public to believe them.

After the film premiered in December, climate scientists took to social media and penned opinion essays, saying they felt seen at last. Neil deGrasse Tyson tweeted that it seemed like a documentary. Several admirers likened the film to A Modest Proposal, the 18th-century satirical essay by Jonathan Swift.

Naysayers, meanwhile, said the comet allegory was lost on those who took it literally, and questioned why Mr. McKay hadnt been more straightforward about global warming. Writing in The New Yorker, Richard Brody said if scientists didnt like what film critics had to say about science, the scientists should stop meddling with art.

Either way, at a time when leaders are failing to take the necessary measures to tackle the planet emergency, and the volume and ferocity of so-called natural disasters reach ever graver peaks, there is little question that the movie has struck a pretty big nerve. According to Netflix, which self reports its own figures and was the studio behind the film and its distributor, the movie is one of its most popular films ever, amassing an unprecedented 152 million hours viewed in one week.

The goal of the movie was to raise awareness about the terrifying urgency of the climate crisis, and in that, it succeeded spectacularly, said Genevieve Guenther, the founder and director of End Climate Silence, an organization that promotes media coverage of climate change.
Back then, I reported from villages in Eswatini, then known as Swaziland, where I couldnt find more than a handful of people my age  just children and elderly people. I wrote from Johannesburg about the day that Nelson Mandela broke a powerful taboo and told South Africans his son had died of AIDS. I told the story of a grandmother named Regine Mamba in Zambia raising 12 orphaned grandchildren. And I interviewed the brave, and often desperately ill, activists, such as Zackie Achmat, a co-founder of South Africas Treatment Action Campaign, who were fighting with their lives to get access to treatment.

Almost two decades later, the fruits of what they fought for were vividly on display, and a reminder  useful at this moment as another Covid wave makes this pandemic seem unending  of how much is possible.

Science, in the form of drugs that quelled if not vanquished a deadly virus; a network of fierce, courageous activists; coordinated international efforts, including a massive investment by the U.S. government  they all combined to deliver the miracle of that empty, echoing Zambian hospital ward.

We know how to do this.

In a clinic outside Cape Town, Linda-Gail Bekker, a renowned H.I.V. researcher, mentioned to me almost in passing that our longevity is back. When I asked what she meant, she showed me the data: The life expectancy of South Africans, which H.I.V. drove down from 63 in 1990 to a low point of 53 in 2004, has risen steadily since treatment began to be delivered by the public health system, and will pass 66 this year.

This was just one of a dozen interactions I had that I could not have imagined 25 years ago, when I began covering H.I.V. in Africa.

In a public clinic in Soweto on my recent trip, I spent time with a community health care worker named Nelly Zulu, who told me that when people test positive for H.I.V. at the clinic where she works, they are given their first pills to suppress the virus that day: no more of the grim wait I used to watch, as people tracked the decline of their immune systems until they qualified for the scarce drugs.
The production designer David Gropman, whose credits include other stage-to-screen adaptations like Fences and August: Osage County, said that to get the feel of this apartment right, he started by inviting Karam to spend time in a friends place uptown.

Gropman liked the scale of the rooms, the long hallway and the mazelike layout. There they discussed the film and how a real space would work. We talked about the width of the hallway, Gropman said, how you get from one room to the next, where the kitchen sits and how its forced into a space that wasnt meant to be a kitchen, what the texture of the walls are like, painted white about a million times.

The apartment truly does drive the narrative, forcing characters together in one room, pulling them apart in others. Its a grim environment for the struggles of a financially squeezed family that is holding grudges and secrets. Gropman and his team built the duplex apartment set at Steiner Studios in Brooklyn, with each floor on a different stage. But it was important that the place felt as real as possible, Gropman said, so that the actors could forget they were on a soundstage and feel that this is where theyre supposed to be or where theyre not supposed to be.

West Side Story

Adam Stockhausen
Aramco Trading Company (ATC), the trading arm of Saudi energy giant Aramco, has signed an agreement with Klesch Group, an international industrial commodities group, for the exclusive supply of feedstocks for its Kalundborg Refinery in Denmark.

This deal with Klesch gives Aramco a strategic footprint in the refining business in North-West Europe (NWE), a fast-growing and under-served market.

Klesch had completed the acquisition of Equinor Refining in Denmark on December 31, 2021, comprising the refinery, including a terminal in the northwest of Zealand, the Hedehusene terminal near Copenhagen, as well as associated infrastructure and industrial property.

The deal allows ATC to exclusively supply 110 million barrel per day of crude with a trading opportunity for Arabian crude placement and third-party crude and condensate and with a provision for refined products offtake, said the statement from Aramco.

It will support Northern Europes energy requirements and give ATC the ability to supply its customers in the EU from regional capacity, it added.

President and CEO Ibrahim Al Buainain said: "I am delighted to note that this transaction will give ATC (Aramco) direct access to the refining system in Europe."

"Hence, this will also pave the way for creating a framework that will allow similar transactions in Europe and other parts of the energy map," he added.

A major player trading in crude, refined products, LNG and LPG, blending components, bulk petrochemicals, and polyolefins, ATC now has four global offices in Dhahran, Fujairah, London and Singapore to support its integration model.-TradeArabia News Service
Last week, the movies lost two giants  Sidney Poitier and Peter Bogdanovich  who each made history in his own way. Our chief film critics discussed the men, their careers and their legacies.

MANOHLA DARGIS When Poitier and Bogdanovich died last week, you and I talked about how each had helped shape the periods in which they emerged. Ive been thinking about that ever since. We know their careers briefly overlapped: Bogdanovich directed Poitier in the 1996 TV movie To Sir, With Love 2, a sequel to the 1967 film. For the most part, though, they had separate trajectories partly shaped by race, personal choices and what was happening both in the country and the industry.

Its fascinating to trace the arcs of these separate paths. Poitiers begins first, with his big big-studio break, the 1950 drama No Way Out. He was working in Jim Crow Hollywood that he would later help overturn, but it took so long. In some ways, the pressures and contradictions he faced came to a head at the end of the decade first with the release of The Defiant Ones in 1958, in which he has equal billing with Tony Curtis. A year later, though, Poitier is on his knees playing Porgy in Porgy and Bess, a role that hed rejected but was effectively forced into taking.

A.O. SCOTT Bogdanovich was fundamentally a historian. Poitier was a history maker. When we started talking about them side by side, it wasnt to compare their achievements, but to look at how their very different careers illuminated the changes underway in American movies after the studio era.
The fire on Sunday was the deadliest in New York since 1990  a fire I wrote about. I couldnt think about it without calling Mireya Navarro, who was my eyes and ears for that story.

I was assigned to rewrite, which, in the days before smartphones and email and instant-messaging apps, meant talking by phone with colleagues who were on the scene and then constructing a story from the information and quotes they passed along. Mia, as she is known, was one of the Times reporters sent to the burned-out Happy Land Social Club.

It had been destroyed in a fire set by a 35-year-old man who had splashed gasoline in the doorway and struck a match. His former girlfriend was inside. She worked there, taking tickets and checking coats. They had been arguing. The bouncer had thrown him out. He walked to a service station, found a container, pumped a dollars worth of gas into it and returned to Happy Land.

What I remembered was how, on the morning after the fire, Mia had gone to a school where the authorities laid out snapshots taken before the 87 bodies were sent to the morgue in Manhattan. Relatives started pouring in, lining up, to look at photographs, she said. I remember getting in line with them. I remember people running into friends who were coming out  they would run into someone who had recognized someone who had been identified, and everybody would explode in sobs.

Mia said she came away feeling she knew the victims, even though she had talked to their relatives only briefly that day. I myself used to go to a lot of Latin clubs in Manhattan, so I knew the atmosphere, she said on Monday. People may drink, they may hook up, but the main purpose is to dance and have a good time. These were people who didnt know what was happening with the fire because they were in the midst of that moment of joy.

I remember talking to her several times as she conveyed the information from her interviews that day. I wrote a story. So did she.
A month into the Omicron surge, Gov. Kathy Hochul of New York said on Tuesday that there was a sign of hope on the horizon as the rate of new coronavirus cases in New York City had begun to plateau.

Still, she said, with case counts continuing to increase elsewhere in the state and a growing number of hospitals forced to limit elective procedures as a result, it would be premature to declare victory over the current virus wave.

Looks like we may be cresting over that peak, Ms. Hochul said at her daily news briefing, before clarifying: Cases are slowing down, the rate of increase is slowing down, but they are still high.

According to data compiled by The New York Times, the seven-day average of new cases in New York City dipped to 40,150 on Monday from 40,526 on Sunday; statewide, the average fell to 73,815 from 74,182 a day earlier.
The complex, known as R.N.D.C., is one of eight active jail buildings on Rikers Island. Many young people are housed in the building, and it is among the assignments that correction officers seek to avoid.

A spokesman for the Correction Officers Benevolent Association, a union that represents correction officers, did not respond to a request for comment.

The new commissioner will face political challenges along with the continuing crisis over conditions inside the facility. Like Mayor Eric Adams, Mr. Molina supports punitive segregation  also known as solitary confinement  as a mechanism of punishment for detainees.

At a Tuesday meeting of the Board of Correction, a jails oversight board, Tiffany Caban, a city councilwoman, said that such treatment amounted to torture.

I want to remind the Department of Corrections that a supermajority of this council opposes solitary confinement and agrees that were never going to torture our way to safety, said Ms. Caban, who has been a consistent critic of the practice.

In interviews, detainees said that they were not being granted access to recreational programming or the law library and that they had not been allowed outside for weeks. They said violence was rampant in the facility. Several described an altercation that had taken place earlier this week that landed one detainee in the hospital after his face was sliced open.

Detainees noted that, with only one correction officer stationed in their dorms, they were compelled to clean up blood and feces on the floor. They said they worried constantly about their safety.
To the Editor:

Re Give Health Workers Hazard Pay, by Sandeep Jauhar (Opinion guest essay, Jan. 10):

As a fellow physician at Northwell, I appreciate Dr. Jauhars sentiment regarding hazard pay for work in the hospital since Covid-19 changed the medical landscape so dramatically. Surely a bonus would be a confirmation of public recognition of the sacrifices weve made and continue to make in the riskier environment we now work in.

But, in truth, as we are all vaccinated (Northwell readily followed New York State guidelines for health care workers), there is certainly less personal risk than in the first terrifying months of the pandemic, when many doctors, nurses, paramedics and other selfless health care workers sickened and often died.

Today extra hazard pay is more of a request for the public we work so hard to care for to take notice of us, and to appreciate what we continue to do every day. The serenading and public displays of gratitude to health care workers back in the early days were a little over the top  but we do miss the sentiment.

What I would prefer over hazard pay would be for every one of our patients to get vaccinated and boostered, as we request constantly. That would be what would make me happy. That would be the ultimate gesture of appreciation to all those toiling to help sick patients  and the communitys way of saying we care about you.
Allison and Fernan Rodriguez thought they were ready to build a house from the ground up.

The couple were longtime residents of the Kessler Park neighborhood of Dallas, and wanted to stay in the area. They had moved once already, when they began having children  Luca, now 7, and Coco, 4  but were soon in need of still more space. They also longed for a home that better reflected their taste.
Shirley McGreals mission to save primates from smugglers, testing laboratories and zoos began in 1971 in Thailand when she saw crates of infant, white stump-tailed macaque monkeys piled up in the cargo area at a Bangkok airport. They were bound for New York.

The babies looked so helpless and, rightly or wrongly, I thought they were appealing to me for help, she told Satya, an animal advocacy and social justice magazine, in 1996. Later, I seemed to run across primates everywhere: people on the same soi  a side street  with pet gibbons, primates for sale in markets.

Inspired, she formed the International Primate Protection League two years later. Combining passion, outrage and relentlessness, the British-born Ms. McGreal became a formidable voice against man-made misery suffered by primates from Asia, Africa and South America.

She helped force India to stop exporting rhesus monkeys to the United States for military radiation experiments. She pushed for the U.S. government to close a lab at the University of California, Davis, that used smuggled baby gibbons in cancer virus experiments. She exposed trafficking rings, like one in which a Florida primate dealer smuggled six baby orangutans from Indonesian Borneo in crates marked birds, with Moscow expected to be their final destination.
A breastfeeding workshop, pants for postpartum comfort, consent education: These are a few of the services and products featured in ads that Facebook has rejected, according to a new report from the Center for Intimacy Justice.

For the report, Jackie Rotman, the nonprofit organizations founder, interviewed employees and leaders at more than 35 companies focused on issues related to womens sexual health  including pelvic pain, menopause, menstruation and fertility  and surveyed dozens more. (The survey was created in partnership with Origin, a pelvic floor physical therapy company.)

All 60 companies had ads rejected by Facebook, and about half of them said their accounts had been suspended at some point, according to the report, which was released on Tuesday. In most cases, Facebook had labeled the ads as containing adult content or promoting adult products and services.

In its advertising policies, Facebook says that ads promoting sexual and reproductive health products or services, like contraception and family planning must be targeted to people 18 years or older and must not focus on sexual pleasure.
On Jan. 11, not quite a year after Donald and Melania Trump left the White House and less than a week after the anniversary of the attack on the Capitol that took place in his name, four years or so after putting her trademarks on ice and shuttering her QVC jewelry line and her skin-care line, Melania Trump returned to the public eye with a new kind of personal brand and a new kind of merch to go with.

The vehicle: a 14-day auction on melaniatrump.com of three pieces that comprise what is called the Head of State Collection.

The name is presumably a wink-wink-nudge-nudge reference to the star lot: what the website describes as an iconic broad-brimmed, one-of-a-kind hat originally worn by Mrs. Trump in 2018 during the state visit of the French president, Emmanuel Macron, and his wife, Brigitte, and signed by Mrs. Trump. (Also on the block: a 2021 watercolor by the French artist Marc-Antoine Coulon of Mrs. Trump in said hat, signed by the artist and subject, and a nonfungible token, or NFT, of the artwork.) The opening bid was set at approximately $250,000 for the group.

The auction follows the sale in December of a group of limited-edition NFTs made of a watercolor of Mrs. Trumps eyes, also by Mr. Coulon and entitled Melanias Vision, which sold for $150 apiece. And it will be followed, according to the original announcement, by more such presumably Mrs. Trump-inspired NFTs.
Holly Vedova, the director of the agencys bureau of competition, said in a statement that the F.T.C. staff presented a strong amended complaint, and we look forward to trial.

Facebook said the judges decision was a partial victory, because he dismissed one claim, that the company had harmed competition by cutting rivals like the video service Vine from accessing data and features of the Facebook platform. That practice ended in 2018, the judge said.

Todays decision narrows the scope of the F.T.C.s case by rejecting claims about our platform policies, said Chris Sgro, a spokesman for Meta. Were confident the evidence will reveal the fundamental weakness of the claims. Our investments in Instagram and WhatsApp transformed them into what they are today. They have been good for competition, and good for the people and businesses that choose to use our products.

The F.T.C. argues in its suit that Facebook obtained a monopoly in social networking and maintained it illegally by acquiring rivals. The lawsuit focuses on the companys acquisitions of Instagram for $1 billion in 2012 and WhatsApp for $19 billion in 2014.

In its amended complaint, the agency used data from Comscore, a publicly available data analysis firm, showing that Facebooks share of the daily social media market had exceeded 70 percent since 2016. That figure jumps to 80 percent a month for smartphone users, 86 percent for tablet users, and about 98 percent for desktop users.

The agency said the company was able to achieve and maintain its dominance by buying rivals including the photo-sharing app Instagram, and WhatsApp, a popular messaging service. Instead of innovating and growing on its own merits, the company removed competition from the market and made it harder for new entrants to emerge, the agency claimed. Those deals, which were approved by previous leaders at the F.T.C., have led to less innovation and a deterioration in privacy and security for Instagram and WhatsApp users, it added.

The agency will need to substantiate these allegations at later stages in the litigation  likely with expert testimony or statistical analysis, the judge said. But lack of proof at this juncture does not equate to impermissible speculation.
The UAE aims to take the agenda of global sustainability forward and accelerate pathways to net zero when it hosts heads of state, policy makers, and international business leaders at Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week.

ADSW 2022, taking place from January 15 to 19 and hosted by Masdar, will be the first major sustainability event after the COP26 climate change conference, and will act as a global catalyst for COP27, which will be held in Egypt in 2022, and COP28, which will be hosted by the UAE in 2023.

Held annually since 2008, ADSW has become one of the latest sustainability platforms in the world, with more than 45,000 people from 175 countries participating in ADSW 2020.

Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, Special Envoy for Climate Change, and Chairman of Masdar, said: "The next few years will be pivotal as we work together across policy, business and industry to accelerate progressive climate action that will deliver economic opportunities and prosperity for current and future generations.

"The UAE has a long-term vision that will build on our longstanding track record in innovating climate solutions across the entire energy spectrum. Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week continues to offer an ideal platform for promoting, deploying and taking these climate solutions to scale around the world. Aligned with the UAE's 'Principles of the 50,' it provides opportunities for global collaboration, knowledge sharing, investment and advancing new technological innovations that will take the global sustainability agenda forward and turn plans into action."

In addition to heads of state, leaders confirmed to participant at ADSW included Antonio Guterres, United Nations Secretary General; Damilola Ogunbiyi, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Sustainable Energy for all, Chief Executive Officer of Sustainable Energy for All SEforAll; John Kerry, US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate; Sameh Shoukry, Minister of Foreign Affairs, President Designate COP27; Alok Sharma MP, COP26 President; Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General, World Health Organisation; Francesco La Camera, Director-General of International Renewable Energy Agency; Ferid Belhaj, Vice-President of the World Bank Group; Ban Ki-moon, President of the Assembly and Chair of the Council of the Global Green Growth Institute, Eight Secretary-General of the United Nations; Rishi Kapoor, Co-Chief Executive Officer, Investcorp; and Karen Wong, Global Head of ESG and Sustainable Investing, State Street Global Advisors, one of the world's largest asset managers with $3.9 trillion under its management.

Commenting ahead of her appearance at the ADSW, Halimah Yacob, President of the Republic of Singapore, said: "To deliver a sustainable future for our planet, the collective action of all stakeholders is needed. Even as we tackle the pandemic, we must not lose sight of other equally pressing global challenges. Governments, businesses, researchers, communities and individuals all have a role in addressing the challenges of climate change.

"The ADSW provides us a timely opportunity to exchange views on our collective response, and the urgent steps needed."

The hosting of ADSW is a key component in the UAE's positioning as a regional and global leader in sustainability and climate action. Last October, the UAE announced its Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative, a national drive to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, the first such initiative in the Mena region.

The UAE was also the first Arab country to set voluntary clean energy targets, and the first Gulf state to sign the Paris Agreement.

Further demonstrating the UAE's leading role in driving action on climate change, at home, in the region, and throughout the world, the ADSW Opening Ceremony and the Zayed Sustainability Prize Awards Ceremony will take place at Expo 2020 Dubai on Monday January 17 to coincide with Global Goals Week. All other ADSW events will take place in Abu Dhabi or virtually.

Since its inception, ADSW has reflected the changing global sustainability landscape, broadening its scope from renewable energy and water, to include new global trends and topics like artificial intelligence, space and mobility.

The number of ADSW events has also expanded over time, with the additions of the Irena Assembly in 2010, the Women in Sustainability, Environment and Renewable Energy' (WiSER) Forum in 2015, Atlantic Council Global Energy Forum in 2017, Abu Dhabi Sustainable Finance Forum 2019, and the virtual ADSW Summit in 2021.

Taking place virtually on January 17, the ADSW Summit will bring together global leaders to engage in dialogue and outline actions to achieve a net-zero future. Delivering global net zero commitments and the journey to the COP28 climate change conference will be key topics for discussion at the ADSW Summit.

The World Future Energy Summit exhibition and forums, which take place at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) during ADSW from January 17 to 19, will showcase exhibitors from nearly 1,000 international companies, supporting the global energy transition.

Exhibiting companies will showcase the latest innovations for clean energy, water, smart cities, and ecowaste. Country pavilions participating at the World Future Energy Summit include China, India, Japan, South Korea, Germany, France, Italy, Netherlands, Austria, Switzerland and Nigeria.

Key ADSW dates include: January 15-16 - Irena Assembly, January 17  Opening Ceremony and the Zayed Sustainability Prize Awards Ceremony, ADSW Summit, January 17-19  World Future Energy Summit, Innovate, Youth 4 Sustainability Hub, January 18-19 Atlantic Council Forums January 18  WiSER Forum, January 19, Abu Dhabi Sustainable Finance Forum.

Delivering ADSW 2022 successfully can only be achieved by the ongoing support of its global sponsors and partners; Abu Dhabi Department of Energy; Aramex, Bee'ah, Credit Agricole, Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation; Engie, Etihad Airways, General Electric, InvestCorp, McKinsey & Company, Mubadala Investment Company, Pepsico, Power China; Tabreed, and the UAE Space Agency. -- TradeArabia News Service
Globalization and the weakening of unions have played roles. But the most important factor is automation, Mr. Acemoglu said. And automation-fueled inequality is not an act of God or nature, he added. Its the result of choices corporations and we as a society have made about how to use technology.

Mr. Acemoglu, a wide-ranging scholar whose research makes him one of most cited economists in academic journals, is hardly the only prominent economist arguing that computerized machines and software, with a hand from policymakers, have contributed significantly to the yawning gaps in incomes in the United States. Their numbers are growing, and their voices add to the chorus of criticism surrounding the Silicon Valley giants and the unchecked advance of technology.

Paul Romer, who won a Nobel in economic science for his work on technological innovation and economic growth, has expressed alarm at the runaway market power and influence of the big tech companies. Economists taught: Its the market. Theres nothing we can do, he said in an interview last year. Thats really just so wrong.

Anton Korinek, an economist at the University of Virginia, and Joseph Stiglitz, a Nobel economist at Columbia University, have written a paper, Steering Technological Progress, which recommends steps from nudges for entrepreneurs to tax changes to pursue labor-friendly innovations.

Erik Brynjolfsson, an economist at Stanford, is a technology optimist in general. But in an essay to be published this spring in Daedalus, the journal of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, he warns of the Turing trap. The phrase is a reference to the Turing test, named for Alan Turing, the English pioneer in artificial intelligence, in which the goal is for a computer program to engage in a dialogue so convincingly that it is indistinguishable from a human being.
Four people, including an infant patient, avoided life-threatening injuries when a medical helicopter crashed in a residential neighborhood near Philadelphia on Tuesday, according to the authorities, who called the outcome a miracle.

The helicopter was carrying the pediatric patient to the Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia around 1 p.m. when emergency responders said they received reports that the aircraft was in distress.

The helicopter crashed next to a church in the residential neighborhood of Drexel Hill in Upper Darby Township, Pa., which is west of Philadelphia.

The aircraft came to rest on its side, avoiding power lines and any structural damage to the Drexel Hill United Methodist Church.
Los Angeles, the second-largest school district in the United States, is forging ahead with plans to open its classrooms for in-person learning on Tuesday.

Like other school districts across the country, Los Angeles Unified is dealing not only with uncertainty over the Omicron variant, but also with politicized tensions over the possibility of a return to remote learning, as well as teacher shortages that have left schools scrambling.

Most students attended classes in person last fall, connecting with their friends and snatching back traces of the normalcy they lost nearly two years ago. Now, school districts across the United States are trying to chart a way forward as coronavirus case numbers break records once again.

Los Angeles public schools had one of the longest shutdowns in the country last school year. The district is ramping up safety measures, but officials there seem determined to keep the children in their classrooms.
During an at-times emotional speech delivered at a consortium of four historically Black colleges and universities, Mr. Biden laid out the principles he wanted to be associated with  providing access to the ballot, fostering racial equality, and keeping the promise of America alive  and made it clear that, win or lose, he wanted to be on the right side of history.

I ask every elected official in America: How do you want to be remembered? Mr. Biden said.

Do you want to be on the side of Dr. King or George Wallace? Do you want to be on the side of John Lewis or Bull Connor? Do you want to be on the side of Abraham Lincoln or Jefferson Davis? he asked, drawing a sharp line between men who fought for civil rights and others who fought to deny them, comparisons that at moments drew gasps from the crowd.

Equating opponents of Senate rule changes to slaveholders and segregationists is a political gamble for Mr. Biden, whose visit to Georgia was designed to invigorate a Democratic-led effort to pass new voting rights laws in the 50-50 Senate in the coming days.

One bill introduced by Democrats, the Freedom to Vote Act, would, among other provisions, block efforts to restrict mail-in or absentee voting, make Election Day a holiday, and stop state legislators from redrawing districts in a way that activists say denies representation to minority voters. Another, the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, would restore anti-discrimination components of the Voting Rights Act that were stripped away by the Supreme Court in 2013.

The reality remains: Even with Mr. Bidens new call for a filibuster exception, changing Senate rules would require the support of the entire Democratic caucus and the vote of Vice President Kamala Harris to break a tie and pass the legislation.
WASHINGTON  Harry Reid lived for the Senate floor. He also lived on it.

When Mr. Reid, a senator from Nevada, became the Democratic whip in 1999, he eagerly assumed most of the day-to-day floor responsibilities for Tom Daschle, then the majority leader, essentially taking up permanent residence in the chamber and becoming as much of a fixture as the desks.

He virtually wore the carpet down between the floor and my office, said Mr. Daschle, noting that Mr. Reid would traipse over a dozen or more times a day to consult, enough that Mr. Reids wife, Landra, would wait for her husband in Mr. Daschles lobby, knowing she could eventually catch him there.

On Wednesday, Mr. Reid will lie in state in the Capitol Rotunda, just down the hall from the chamber where he ensconced himself and then presided as majority leader from 2007 to 2015. His tenure included a three-year period from 2008 to 2011 when the Senate produced an extraordinary burst of legislation, including the Affordable Care Act, a flurry of policymaking that seems almost unthinkable today with the chamber mired in dysfunction and stalemate.

Lying in state in the Rotunda is a rare honor, one that the lawmaker would have never imagined for himself when he happily took on the floor drudgery as Democratic whip, the second-ranking position in his caucus. That work was ideally suited to an inside player like Mr. Reid, who as a law student moonlighted as a Capitol Police officer and later became a leading congressional figure.
WASHINGTON  The Justice Department is creating a unit to fight domestic terrorism at a time when the threat of violent extremism has increased, a top official said on Tuesday.

The number of F.B.I. investigations of suspects accused of domestic extremism has more than doubled since the spring of 2020, the head of the departments national security division, Matthew G. Olsen, said in testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee.

The national security division has a counterterrorism team, Mr. Olsen added, but a group of lawyers will now be dedicated to the domestic threat and ensure that cases will be handled properly and effectively coordinated across the agency and federal law enforcement.

The move is in keeping with Attorney General Merrick B. Garlands vow to prioritize combating domestic extremism. It comes as the Justice Department investigates the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol, an assault that underscores the resurgence of domestic extremism driven in part by the baseless perception that the 2020 election was marred by election fraud.
WASHINGTON  The Supreme Court heard arguments on Tuesday over whether immigrants detained for long periods while they are fighting deportation are entitled to hearings to decide whether they may be released on bond as their cases move forward.

The courts answer to the question, which it considered in two cases, will affect thousands of immigrants detained for many months while their cases are decided by immigration courts facing long backlogs.

Justice Stephen G. Breyer said allowing people to seek release as their cases work their way through the legal system is a bedrock principle with deep historical roots. Given the history of this nation and Britain, where youre going to detain a person, not even a criminal, you know, for months and months and months, why arent they at least entitled to a bail hearing? he asked. Thats all thats at issue.

Curtis E. Gannon, a lawyer for the federal government, responded that Congress can make rules for noncitizens that it cant for citizens and that detention during removal proceedings is constitutionally permissible.
At 2:40 p.m., they will lay a wreath at Dr. Kings crypt and meet members of his family at the King Center for Nonviolent Social Change, followed by a 3 p.m. visit to Ebenezer Baptist Church, where Dr. King was baptized and ordained as a minister at 19.

The president will be traveling with a number of Black lawmakers from Georgia, including Senator Raphael Warnock and Representatives Sanford Bishop, Lucy McBath, Hank Johnson and Nikema Williams. Mr. Warnock, who won a tight runoff race for his Senate seat last year, has been the senior pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church since 2005.

At 3:50 p.m., the president and vice president will deliver speeches at the Atlanta University Center Consortium, a group of four historically Black colleges and universities. In his speech, Mr. Biden is expected to endorse changing Senate rules in order to pass a pair of voting rights bills proposed by Democrats. The speeches will be streamed live on nytimes.com.

One of the bills is named in honor of Representative John Lewis, who represented the congressional district encompassing much of Atlanta, including the grounds where Mr. Biden will speak, for more than 30 years.

The days events are expected to draw civil rights leaders from around the country, including Derrick Johnson, the president and chief executive of the N.A.A.C.P.; the Rev. Al Sharpton; and the Rev. Jesse Jackson.
NAIROBI, Kenya  On the same day that President Biden spoke with his Ethiopian counterpart, Abiy Ahmed, about a possible window for peace in the long-running war in Tigray, at least 17 people, including women and children, were killed in an airstrike, aid workers said.

The strike on Monday came days after dozens more were killed after a drone opened fire on a refugee camp in Ethiopias northern region of Tigray and highlighted the increasingly deadly role of armed drones, some supplied by American allies, in a conflict that has badly destabilized Africas second most populous country.

Video from the aftermath of the strike on Friday, provided by aid workers, showed the charred bodies of women and children laid out on blue plastic sheeting bearing the United Nations logo. On Monday the U.N. secretary general, Antonio Guterres, said he was deeply concerned about the attack, which occurred hours after the Ethiopian government issued a call for national reconciliation. At least 50 people had been killed, he said.
JOHANNESBURG  The man suspected of setting fire to South Africas Parliament buildings in Cape Town was committed to a psychiatric hospital on Tuesday to determine whether he is fit to stand trial on terrorism and other charges.

In a court hearing, prosecutors presented written testimony from the government-appointed Cape Town district surgeon who believes that the suspect, Zandile Christmas Mafe, has paranoid schizophrenia. It was the latest twist in a mystery surrounding the fire that ripped through the parliamentary complex on Jan. 2.

Mr. Mafe, 49, appeared in court clean-shaven and dressed in a black suit, a marked difference from his bedraggled appearance during an initial court hearing last week. But prosecutors said he might not be compos mentis, or fully sane.

The court observed this morning, when he entered the courtroom, he turned around, he appeared to be confused, said the prosecutor, Helene Booysen.
Oman-based OQ Group, a global integrated energy company, is set to open its new liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) plant in Salalah on January 16.

This vital project, which has been designed and built to the highest technical and safety standards, works on processing natural gas liquids (NGLs) extracted from gas networks into LPG, reported Times of Oman.

The RO318 million ($824 million) plant boasts several components, notably a facility for the extraction of rich gas elements such as propane, butane and condensates from natural gas, as well as a fractionation plant, storage tanks, shipping facilities, and an interconnection pipeline system.

OQ LPG can process around 8 million standard cubic metres per day of lean gas to produce about 304 kilotons per year of LPG comprising 155 kilotons per year of propane (C3), 111 kilotons of butane (C4) and 38 kilotons of condensates (C5+).

During the construction phase, the project made an important contribution to the local economy, stated the report.

In line with its In-Country Value (ICV) development strategy, the Omani group awarded contracts worth around RO100 million to local vendors and service providers, thus benefiting more than 150 small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
WHEATLEY, Ontario  Electricity is cut off. Guards sit in cars on every corner. Hundreds of people are out of their homes, some without access to their clothing or belongings.

And officials are frantically working to unravel the grim mystery of what exactly caused a gas explosion last August in Wheatley, Ontario  and how to prevent another explosion from happening.

More than four months after the blast shuttered Wheatleys downtown and injured 20 of the towns 2,900 residents, the authorities still dont know where the gas leak came from, or why it happened.

Residents and local officials are examining the risks associated with the towns history as a site of 19th-century gas wells, vestiges of the areas oil and gas industry. Many are now grappling with whether the center of the town, which was formally recognized in 1865, should be permanently abandoned.
BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan  A Russian-led military alliance will begin withdrawing its troops from Kazakhstan in two days, the countrys president announced on Tuesday, saying they had fulfilled their primary goal of helping stabilize the Central Asian nation as it experienced the worst political crisis in its history.

In a speech to senior government officials and members of Parliament, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said the withdrawal would take no more than 10 days.

In Moscow, Russias defense minister, Sergei K. Shoigu, did not mention specific plans for the troops to withdraw, leaving it unclear when they would actually go home. Speaking at a meeting with the military top brass, he said that the Russian-led soldiers would continue their mission until the situation fully stabilizes but that it would be up to the Kazakh leadership to decide when that happens.

So far, the military operation is regarded as a geopolitical triumph for President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia, who can present himself once again as an effective crisis manager for countries that Moscow considers within its sphere of influence.
Mr. Ryabkov, for instance, told reporters that he was making no ultimatums and foresaw no deal breaker. But he added that it was absolutely mandatory that the United States guarantee that Ukraine would never join NATO.

He said Russia was imposing no specific timeline, but that it needed a fast response to its demands. And while he said there was no reason to fear an escalation scenario in Ukraine, he warned that the West still failed to grasp how dangerous it would be to rebuff Russias demands.

The contradictory messaging continued on Tuesday when the Kremlins spokesman, Mr. Peskov, countered any positive assessments Mr. Ryabkov might have offered the day before. For now, we do not see any substantive reason for optimism, he said in his daily conference call with reporters.

The problem with Mr. Putins approach is that it gives his diplomats next to no flexibility to negotiate on Russias behalf, and sometimes leaves them struggling to maintain a coherent message. Ms. Stanovaya warned that even if diplomats did reach some kind of deal, hawks in Moscow who have more of Mr. Putins ear could soon help derail it.

Analysts noted that Mr. Ryabkov, from the diplomatic side, most likely did not even know what military options the Kremlin was considering. The virus-free cocoon Mr. Putin has tried to establish around himself has meant that even confidants are forced to spend days in quarantine before being allowed into the same room with him, further reducing his connections with the outside world.
In Malaga, for instance, the number of student housing beds rose almost 50 percent over the past year, according to a study published in September by JLL, a real estate services company. Underlining the rebound, new investments in the sector reached 140 million in the first half of 2021, up 140 percent from a year earlier.

Real estate investors are entering a Spanish student housing market that, they say, was not only short of supply but also in urgent need of an overhaul.

Catholic religious orders have long dominated the student dorm market in Spain, and they still provide about half of its beds. But these Catholic residencies rarely have the gyms, cinema rooms and other facilities that the current generation of students expects, and many also enforce conservative rules, including to ensure that male and female students live apart. And at a time when Spains Catholic Church has been struggling to attract its own fresh generation of nuns and priests, it is also facing a staff shortage in its residencies.

In the next decade or so, I think all the religious orders risk running out of personnel, said Alvaro Soto de Scals, the chief executive of Grupo Moraval, a Spanish developer that specializes in building student housing, including for Livensa. In May, Moraval formed a joint venture with EQT Exeter of Sweden to invest 500 million in student accommodations in Spain.

On the other hand, student mobility is increasing, as is the appetite for better education, Mr. Soto de Scals said.
A freelance reporter working for The New York Times in Zimbabwe is scheduled to be tried on Wednesday on accusations that he helped two other journalists for the news organization illegally enter the country last year, a charge that even the government acknowledged at one point to be practically baseless.

The case against the reporter, Jeffrey Moyo, 37, has attracted both domestic and international attention, as evidence of increased harassment and intimidation of the media in Zimbabwe, the landlocked southern African country of 14 million.

He was initially arrested on May 26, then jailed in the southwestern city of Bulawayo for three weeks before he was granted bail. Prosecutors have accused him of violating the Immigration Act, which carries a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, a fine, or both.

The Times, press-freedom advocacy groups and Mr. Moyos lawyers have said Mr. Moyo has been wrongly accused and that he should not face trial. At the bail appeal hearing in June that secured his release from Bulawayos overcrowded prison, the government conceded that its case was on shaky ground, court papers show.
Bank of America will reduce  but not eliminate  overdraft fees for 63 million customers, the biggest step by a major bank to dial back the pricey penalties, which have drawn increased scrutiny from regulators.

In May, the bank, the countrys second-biggest, will cut its fee for overdraft services to $10 from $35, it said in a statement on Tuesday. That fee is charged when a transaction exceeds the accounts balance and the bank covers it, allowing the payment to go through. The bank also will eliminate a $12 fee for transfers from linked accounts to an overdrawn account.

Starting next month, Bank of America will do away with fees for insufficient funds, such as when a check bounces, and will stop customers from being able to overdraw their accounts at A.T.M.s.

Customers will still be able to send their accounts into the red with other transactions, like recurring or automatic payments or checks, and take the $10 charge.
Stillwater, OK (74078)

Today

Some clouds in the morning will give way to mainly sunny skies for the afternoon. High 69F. Winds NNE at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy in the evening. Increasing clouds with periods of showers after midnight. Low 51F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.
A prominent and award winning Offaly businessman has announced his retirement.

Albert FitzGerald is stepping down as Group Managing Director of Tindle CI Broadcasting, bringing to an end a commercial legacy that began with Cork pirate ERI in the 1980s.

Albert is best known for reviving the fortunes of Midlands 103 based in Tullamore. The station was ailing when he joined in 1995 and was subsequently bought by the Tindle family in 2003.

Under his leadership, the service has consistently grown its reach and revenue to become one of the most successful radio franchises in the country. The company expanded to new state-of-the-art studios and offices in Tullamore in 2008, later becoming headquarters for the Tindle Radio Division.

The Cork native was a staunch supporter of many industry innovations including the training body Learning Waves, the Independent Broadcasters of Ireland and IRS Plus in Dublin, where he remains an Executive Director.

He holds multiple awards including a PPI National Radio Award for documentary broadcasting and commercial production accolades, notably the prestigious National Love Radio Award for Best Creative Scriptwriting. He was voted Business Person of

the Year by Tullamore Chamber of Commerce in 2012 and was subsequently named Business Person of the Year for Laois, Offaly, Westmeath and Longford in 2013.

Reflecting on his career, Albert describes broadcasting as an amazing journey.

We are so lucky to have such high quality radio in Ireland and Im especially proud of Midlands 103, operating in the most competitive part of the country but delivering the biggest weekly audience of any local station outside of Dublin and Cork. Its a real credit to the dedication and skill of its management and staff.

He will continue as a non-executive director of the company, while pursuing other personal projects.

Station Manager Will Faulkner, who joined the station in 2005, assumes the role of Managing Director with immediate effect.

Becoming Alberts successor is a daunting honour. He has been a fantastic leader and mentor, and his contribution to the wider industry has been immense. We wish him every happiness and he will always remain a part of the Midlands 103 family."
THE Rialto Digital & Enterprise Hub, Nenagh has been allocated a sum of 1.2 million, which will see the transformation of a former cinema in the town. It is one of the projects for which funding under the Rural Regeneration Development Fund (RRDF) was announced by Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD on Thursday last.

The funding under Category 2 of the Rural Regeneration Development Fund will allow the project to be progressed through design and planning and brought to the point where an application can be made for Category 1 funding to carry out the works.

The main focus of allocations under this fund is the rejuvenation of town centres, driving economic growth and footfall, combatting dereliction and boosting tourism in Rural Ireland.

The former Rialto Cinema, which is a protected structure, was acquired by Tipperary County Council in December 2020. The Rialto Digital and Enterprise Hub project is an exemplar sustainable, town centre regeneration project that will engage in place-making and revitalise the town centre of Nenagh through provision of much needed incubator enterprise space, public realm enhancement and the redevelopment of a back-land brownfield site through planning for the delivery of town centre homes.

A masterplan will plot the sustainable re-imagining of the iconic 1940s cinema building into a modern digital and enterprise hub facility using best practice and appropriate modern architectural intervention to provide excellent office, collaboration and meeting spaces. The associated brownfield site will be master-planned to explore the potential for further digital and enterprise office space, the creation of a new streetscape along Emmet Place, the potential provision of town centre residential units and the delivery of a new public amenity heart in the town centre.

The total cost of this phase of the project is 1,511,059 of which 1,208,847 will come from the RRDF.

The Nenagh RRDF application was submitted by Tipperary County Council in partnership with the Nenagh & District Chamber of Commerce, North Tipperary Development Company and the Local Enterprise Office.

Welcoming the funding announcement, Cllr Michael O Meara, Cathaoirleach of Nenagh Municipal District, said this project will become a fourth pillar in the proposals for the Historic & Cultural Quarter of Nenagh and will complement the substantial investment in the public realm and infrastructure of the town. The proposals will be transformational for the town centre while still ensuring that the heritage architecture of the former Rialto is maintained and that a vacant iconic building is brought back into productive use. With changes in working practices, there is a growing demand for co-working and smarter working spaces. The Rialto is an ideal location for this purpose and will generate significant footfall that will benefit local businesses as well as facilitating local enterprise.

The Nenagh Workspace Study, commissioned by Nenagh Municipal District in 2018 highlighted the absence of co-working, incubation and remote working space in Nenagh and its hinterlands and identified that this was a significant inhibitor to economic growth in Nenagh and the region.

Director of Services for Nenagh Municipal District, Marcus OConnor, said the project would make a significant contribution to Nenagh and the District in terms of employment, facilitating jobs both directly and indirectly. The purchase of the Rialto by Tipperary County Council has enabled this project to be developed. The funding announcement will allow us to progress the project which has the potential to generate an on-going return to the local economy as well as preventing dereliction in a prominent town centre location.

The next steps will be the procurement of a team of consultants to progress the completion of the detailed design and the Part 8 planning process.

Fine Gael Senator Garret Ahearn has welcomed the announcement.

Senator Garret Ahearn said The hub will replace a disused cinema in the town and the plans will also see the re-development of a brownfield site behind the hub, a new streetscape and will explore the potential provision of town centre housing and a new public amenity.

The plans have a strong focus on combatting dereliction, increasing the vibrancy of towns and villages and attracting people back to rural Ireland. This multi-million euro investment aims to bring ambitious regeneration and economic development projects to full readiness.

The funding is being invested in projects that will rejuvenate town centres, drive economic growth and footfall, combat dereliction, develop pedestrian zones and outdoor spaces and boost tourism in rural Ireland.

The applications for funding were subjected to a comprehensive assessment process by the Department, with oversight provided by an independent Project Advisory Board, made up of representatives drawn from key Government Departments along with external independent experts.

Senator Ahearn said I want to acknowledge the excellent work by the chief executive of Tipperary County Council Joe MacGrath and Nenagh district manager Marcus O'Connor for putting the application forward and Councillor Ger Darcy for pushing this project politically with Minister Humphreys and other Ministers whenever they visited Nenagh or Tipperary.

"This will be a positive addition to Nenagh along with the announcement last March of over 9 million for the town under the Urban Regeneration development Fund. It is yet another example of Government recognising the important role rural towns can play to support people and families that want to live and work in communities outside of the large urban cities, concluded Senator Ahearn.

The news was also welcomed by Deputy Michael Lowry. "These monies will bring the projects through the development stage and to the point where they are ready to commence works," he says.

The Nenagh development is one of 27 landmark regeneration projects nationwide valued at 21.5m that will see old schools, cinemas, courthouses and vacant buildings transformed into remote working hubs, creative studios, visitor centres, museums, libraries, enterprise, heritage and community spaces.
Irish businesses are showing increasing concerns over the prospect of further cyber attacks in the near future, new research has suggested.

According to research gathered from the tax, audit and advisory firm PricewaterhouseCooper (also known as PwC Ireland) as part of its Global Digital Trust Insights Study, just under two-thirds (62%) of Irish businesses "expect cyber crime to increase in 2022."

The study, which involved 3,600 participants, noted that a rise in ransomware attacks is feared most, followed by an increase in malicious malware.

It also found that fewer than two in five Irish corporate leaders have a "high understanding of the risk of data breaches through third parties," while one quarter have "little or no understanding at all of these risks", with 29% professing to having an understanding of cloud risks.

Commenting on the findings, Pat Moran, PwC Irelands head of cyber security, said that fewer businesses are responding to the "escalating threats that complex business models pose."

PwC Ireland also pointed out that says that 62% of Irish companies expect a jump in attacks on their cloud services, while only 29% profess to have an understanding of cloud risks.

To add to the issue, the research found that overly complex IT systems in Irish companies are getting in the way of security protection: three-quarters (76%) of executive respondents blame "data governance" for being an area of "unnecessary and avoidable complexity, while the "cloud environment" (72%) and "data infrastructure" (62%) come next on the problem list.

With Ireland recently seeing a number of cyberattacks on the Health Service Executive (HSE), it appears that the topic of cybersecurity will soon become a more potent one for our society in the near future.
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SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP)  California lawmakers on Tuesday will start debating whether to create the nation's first universal health care system in a key measure of whether the proposal will muster the support it needs to pass this year  and be sent to voters who would decide whether to approve he payment method.



The state's progressives have tried for years to create a government-funded universal health care system to replace the one that relies on private insurance.



California voters overwhelmingly rejected a 1994 ballot initiative that would have created a universal health care system. Another attempt passed the state Senate in 2017, but it died in the state Assembly with no funding plan attached to it.



This year, state Assembly Democrats have filed two bills. One would create the universal health care system and set its rules and the other would lay out how to pay for the coverage with increased taxes for some wealthier people and larger businesses.



The first bill will be heard by the Assembly Health Committee, headed by Chair Jim Wood, a Democrat who has already said he will vote for it. Because the proposal was introduced last year, it must pass the state Assembly by the end of January to have a chance at becoming law this year.



Universal health care has been debated for decades in the U.S., most recently during the 2020 Democratic presidential primary, when it was promoted by U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders.



But it has never come close to passing in Congress. State lawmakers in Sander's homestate of Vermont have tried and failed to implement their own universal health care system. And the New York state Legislature has considered a similar plan.



Supporters in California are adopting a divide-and-conquer strategy this year. They hope that separating the idea of a...
Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross has demanded Boris Johnson "just answer the question" about whether he attended a "bring your own booze" event in Downing Street during the first COVID lockdown.
The Republican congressman from Ohio, a close ally of former President Donald Trumps, denounced the House investigation of the..

NYTimes.com 10 Jan 2022
Gold Coast, Australia (SPX) Jan 11, 2022



Rocket engineers at Gilmour Space Technologies have greeted the new year with a successful 110-kilonewton test fire of the most powerful rocket engine ever developed in Australia. The 75-second test was a major milestone for Gilmour Space, which is developing Australian Made rockets that will, over the next five years, be capable of launching 300- to 4,000-kilogram satellites and payloads
The Defence Secretary said Allies must prepare for the worst in crunch diplomatic talks with Russia as he vowed that Britain would stand up to bullies amid fears of an invasion into Ukraine.
Lawyers representing predatory British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell have asked for no sentencing date to be set as the US court should grant her a new trial.
Irelands EU commissioner has said the UK and Brussels must find a solution to the row over the Northern Ireland Protocol before the Assembly elections later this year.
Laxman Pai, Opalesque Asia:

Park Square Capital, European private debt manager, announced that Bonaccord Capital Partners, a private equity firm focused on acquiring non-control equity interests in leading mid-size private markets sponsors, has invested in a non-voting, passive minority stake in the firm.

Terms of the investment were not disclosed, the two firms said in a joint release.

Park Square has $10 billion in assets under management, including senior debt, subordinated debt, and midmarket direct loans to companies in Europe and the U.S backed by private equity sponsors, according to the release.

Its investors include global public and private pension funds, sovereign wealth funds, insurance companies, family offices, and asset managers. The independent firm has offices in London, New York, Frankfurt, Luxembourg, Paris, Stockholm, and Seoul.

Bonaccord's investment marks a further step forward in the institutionalization of Park Square by aligning the team as substantial equity holders, creating a balance sheet to support the future growth of the firm, and enhancing its governance structures, said the release.

The investment will have no impact on the day-to-day management or operations of Park Square and is non-voting, which means the firm's investment and decision-making processes will remain unchanged, it added.

Bonaccord Capital Partners is a subsidiary of P10, a niche-oriented private markets investment firm in Dallas, Texas. P10 acquir......................

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South Africa: All systems go for 2022 academic year

Basic Education Minister, Angie Motshekga, says the arrangements that are meant to protect the school sector from Coronavirus infection will remain in place as schools in inland provinces are set to open their doors to learners tomorrow.

The situation will remain the same with regards to schooling, especially rotational time-tabling where it was applicable when schooling concluded last year.

On Wednesday, five inland provinces - Free State, Gauteng, Limpopo, Mpumalanga and the North West - will receive learners from Grades R to Grade 12, while schools in the four coastal provinces will go back to school only next week.

Presenting the state of readiness at a media briefing held in Pretoria on Tuesday, Motshekga said COVID-19 has had a devastating impact on the basic education sector in the last two years. However, the department and its stakeholders have sought to find every strategy to keep the sector going, even under such difficult conditions.

Working together with our stakeholders, we have been able to return all learners back to school at primary level, she said.

The Minister acknowledged that COVID-19 remains a reality, and continued partnership is necessary to manage it.

We are exploring the possibilities of returning schooling to normal, but we need to do so responsibly and to this end, we rely entirely on the advice of public health experts, through the Ministerial Advisory Committee, the National Coronavirus Command Council, and indeed Cabinet. At the right time, we will come back to report on progress being made.

Motshekga has applauded the schools for doing all they can to ensure that COIVD-19 protocols are observed at all times.

She emphasized that the same is expected to apply this year, as the implementation of the recovery programme is implemented.

We really need to work together to reboot the system and get it back on track again. It will take time, but a concerted effort is required from all stakeholders, the Minister said.

With regards to vaccination among learners aged 12 years and older, the Minister said that there are no vaccination sites in school yet because the Department of Health does not have the capacity to be in all schools.

Motshekga said the sector will use existing sites for vaccination in this age group.

Schools admissions

The department said it is aware that there are still learners who are yet to be placed in schools and is working tirelessly with provinces to ensure that all learners are placed.

The Minister said at the moment, Gauteng is experiencing challenges in this regard. The department has appealed to parents and guardians to cooperate with district officials to resolve any matter.

Traditionally, admissions take a year to process but invariably, we find that due to a variety of reasons, admissions spill over into the ensuing year.

Delayed admissions impact on teaching and learning, as delays occur even where this should be avoided, she said.

Motshekga said they will continue to work with provinces to ensure that all unplaced learners are placed as a matter of urgency.

We, however, implore parents and guardians to accept the schools in which their children are placed. When schools have reached their maximum capacities, further admissions become impossible.

Matric results

On 20 January, the department will release the National Senior Certificate (NSC) examination results for the Class of 2021.

Upon observing the debate and discussion in the public arena on the pass requirements for the NSC, the Minister said the department and various scholars have sought to clarify this matter, and they will continue to do so.

However, the sector discourages the spreading of misleading information regarding the NSC pass requirements.

There is information we have made available in which we explain the pass requirements. All that needs to be said is that 30% is not a pass mark in this country. If a candidate gets an aggregate of 30% in all subjects written, the candidate will surely fail, she said.

The Minster said it was unfortunate and disappointing that the inaccuracies keep being repeated year after year.

School infrastructure

Motshekga said the sector is working very hard to address infrastructure challenges at public schools.

Under the ASIDI programme, we have completed 286 complete new schools, replacing old schools constructed of inappropriate materials. We completed water supply projects at 1 156 schools and electricity supply at 373 schools."

As at 10 January 2022, the Minister said the department remains with 44 old schools constructed of inappropriate materials to be replaced and 115 schools that require water supply. All of these are scheduled for completion in 2022/23.

Under the SAFE programme, the department has replaced basic pit toilets at 1 439 schools. As at 10 January 2022, we remain with 1 423 schools where basic pit toilets need to be replaced. All of these are scheduled for completion in 2022/23, Motshekga said.  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2022-01-11. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Xi's special envoy attends inauguration ceremony of Nicaraguan president for new term

Xinhua) 16:29, January 11, 2022

MANAGUA, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping's special envoy Cao Jianming on Monday met with Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega and attended his inauguration ceremony for a new presidential term.

Cao, also vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of China, conveyed Xi's congratulations and good wishes to Ortega.

China highly appreciates Nicaragua's correct decision to break "diplomatic relations" with Taiwan and resume diplomatic ties with China, which is in keeping with history and a general global trend, said Cao.

Since the two countries resumed diplomatic relations over a month ago, bilateral ties have achieved rapid development with the joint efforts of both sides, illustrating how the resumption of diplomatic relations is not only beneficial to both countries but also to the two peoples, Cao added.

China, said Cao, is willing to work together with Nicaragua to enhance political mutual trust, strengthen exchanges of experience in state governance, solidly promote practical cooperation and deepen multilateral coordination, thus enabling the friendship between the two countries to flourish.

For his part, Ortega expressed his sincere gratitude to Xi for sending a special envoy to attend the inauguration ceremony, and asked Cao to convey his greetings to Xi.

Ortega said Nicaragua has closely followed the achievements the Communist Party of China (CPC) over the past century. He also congratulated China on achieving its goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects, eradicating absolute poverty, and successfully convening the sixth plenary session of the 19th CPC Central Committee.

Since the resumption of diplomatic relations between Nicaragua and China, bilateral relations have grown, said Ortega.

Nicaragua will firmly adhere to the one-China principle, fully support and is willing to join the Belt and Road Initiative and the Global Development Initiative proposed by President Xi, and stands ready to deepen practical cooperation with China in various fields to bolster the future of bilateral relations, he added.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
Laxman Pai, Opalesque Asia:

The global investment firm KKR & Co. has raised $4 billion for its second fund focused on investing in high-growth healthcare companies.

According to a press release from the private equity firm, the Health Care Strategic Growth Fund II (HCSG II) is dedicated to health care growth equity investment opportunities primarily in North America and Europe.

With a diversified portfolio approach, HCSG II will focus on the biopharmaceutical, medical device, health care services, life science tools/diagnostics, and health care information technology sub-sectors, the release added.

HCSG II is the successor fund to KKR Health Care Strategic Growth Fund, KKR's first dedicated health care growth equity vehicle, which held its final closing in November 2017 on US$ 1.45 billion in capital commitments.

HCSG II received strong support from a diverse group of both new and existing investors globally, including public pension plans, sovereign wealth funds, insurance companies, financial institutions, endowments, private wealth and fintech platforms, family offices, and high-net-worth individual investors. KKR will be investing approximately $500 million of capital in the Fund alongside these investors through the Firm's balance sheet, affiliates, and employee commitments.

Alisa Amarosa Wood, Partner and Head of the Private Markets Strategies Group at KKR said: "At nearly three times the size of its predecessor, HCSG II not only speaks to the attract......................

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For more coverage one can strategically deploy more people wearing Personal Communication Jammers and increase jammed area to action zone without need of special anti-drone jammer or other expensive high-power unit. Taipei, Taiwan, April 5, 2019 -- Jammers4U launches wearable police jammer to easily prevent mobile and internet communication on site. Police raid missions do not look the same as a few years ago. With modern communication devices, criminals can easily organize 
January 10th, 2022 (Sanford, Florida) - The Integrated Bioscience and Built Environment Consortium (IBEC), in partnership with the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA), have announced, Protecting Our Most Vulnerable Workers: Challenges, Solutions & Invisible Barriers, a C.L.E.A.N. virtual summit that will be hosted on January 25th, 2022 from 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm EST. Funded by a grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), IBEC & AIHA have 
Oskaloosa, IA (52577)

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ELDON [mdash] A graveside memorial service, with military honors, will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 14, 2022, at the Eldon Cemetery in Eldon, IA for Charles and Irene Stribling. Family and friends are welcome to attend.
Provided by Joan Gamache

MANISTEE  Ham is expected to be part of an upcoming Manistee food pantry offering this week.



The Matthew 25:35 Food Pantry's next event is scheduled for 9-11 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, in Manistee, on Friday.



On Dec. 17, Packaging Corporation of America provided hams to its employees and retirees. There were 100-plus hams left over that were offered to the pantry  We sincerely appreciate PCA and employees for their thoughtfulness and generosity, reads part of a news release from the food pantry. As we welcome the new year of 2022, we would like to extend our appreciation and thanks to all those who have supported our food pantry during the past year through their dedicated work at the pantry as well as donations of groceries, money and prayers.



The pantry also has hand-knitted and hand-sewn hats, mittens and scarves as well, thanks to several parishioners.



If schools are closed due to inclement weather, the food pantry will also be closed. As a backup day, the pantry would open the following day.



For more information, call Joan Gamache at 231-398-0296 or Divine Mercy Parish, St. Joseph Catholic Church, office at 231-723-2619.
The Midland Public Schools Board of Education held an organizational meeting in addition to its regular meeting on Monday evening.

Board members quickly went through the organizational portion of the meeting, approving a slate of officers submitted by the Board of Education Nominating Committee. Scott McFarland was elected as president, Phil Rausch as vice-president, John Hatfield as secretary, and Jon Lauderbach as treasurer.

The board also approved a schedule of meetings for the 2022 calendar year. The Board of Education will meet at 7 p.m. at the MPS Administration Center, 600 E. Carpenter St. in Midland. The Board of Education will hold a special meeting at 8 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 19. Its next regular meeting will take place Monday, Feb. 28.

Other items on the organizational meeting agenda included appointing the boards legal counsel, fiscal designations, personnel authorizations, a hard cap for employees medical benefit plan, and administrative assistant authorization. All of these items were approved by the board.

During the regular meeting, six individuals addressed the board. Jefferson Middle School teacher Mark Hackbarth, who is the president of the Midland City Education Association, offered the board well wishes for School Board Appreciation Month, which takes place in January. He voiced his appreciation for the work that the board does throughout the year.

Its a thankless job, as you know, especially this past year. When you make a decision, half the people dont like it. When you dont make a decision, the other half of the people dont like it, and you always hear about it, Hackbarth said. But teachers in Midland also recognize the work that you put in, and we appreciate all the time you put in to try to guide the district in the right direction.

Three speakers presented a list of questions and concerns regarding COVID safety in the schools. Topics included staff burnout and shortages, the lack of virtual learning options, and masking recommendations and compliance, among others.

Jey Palmer, a junior at Midland High School, recounted her experiences, including hearing how the subject of COVID is often treated as a joke, seeing how fellow students arent learning as well when substitute teachers are covering classes, and the fact that students are worried about not having enough masks. She asked the board for a mask mandate and for students to be sent home to learn remotely.

Normalcy is not what Im looking for. I want safety for my peers and my community, she said.

MPS Superintendent Michael Sharrow touched on COVID protocols at the end of the meeting, prefacing his report with the current case numbers. As of Monday, MPS had 218 staff and students who currently tested positive  26 of whom were staff members  and 865 close contacts.

Addressing the question of wearing masks in schools, Sharrow has seen different percentages of staff and students wearing masks, depending on the building that theyre in. However, he has noticed a slight uptick in mask use since local COVID case numbers have gone up significantly.

I really believe at this point that vaccination and masking are two great tools that people will have to choose or not choose to do going forward, Sharrow stated.

Sharrow also explained MPS is constantly learning what works in terms of mitigating the viruss spread. While some practices, including testing temperatures at school entrances, have been discontinued by MPS, other safety measures have been maintained, including filtering air, disinfecting buildings at night, and conducting serial testing.

He said MPS administration also considers the social, emotional and mental effect of the pandemic on students as the district figures out the safest way to continue to provide a good educational environment.

Its about reducing the risk the best you can with the tools you have as you go, Sharrow said.

The board moved on to address curriculum, facility and finance matters. The board approved four major change proposals: English language arts seminar courses for grades 7-8; high school math seminar courses for Algebra 1, Algebra 2 and geometry; Year 2 of the Elementary English Language Arts Curriculum implementation; and Year 2 of the Elementary Science Alignment Plan. It also approved the purchase of two textbooks, one to be used in building trades, the other to be used in auto tech classes.

The board approved the purchase of four sets of equipment for the Career & Technical Education program. MPS Associate Superintendent Brian Brutyn explained that the four pieces of equipment will be purchased using grant funds that were issued to Midland County ESA.

While the district must be the bidder and purchaser for the equipment, it will be reimbursed for the purchases. The equipment included a plasma arc cutter, shear and 15 welders for the welding program in addition to a telehandler  a vehicle capable of lifting over 6,000 pounds  for the building trades program.

Its great to see textbooks and supplies for the building trades. Theyre sorely needed everywhere in our economy right now, said board member Patrick Frazee.

The final action item on the agenda was accepting a grant of $8,000, given by GENYouth, Inc., to support the COVID-19 Emergency School Meal Delivery.

In other business matters during the regular meeting, Tricia Jendretzke, art teacher at Siebert and Carpenter schools, and Lori Holderby, director of fiscal services, were named the January Shining Stars for their exemplary work.

The board also approved to grant Charles Florey a Midland High School diploma with the graduating class of 2022. A Vietnam veteran, Florey was enrolled in Midland High from 1962-1963 before serving in the military from February 1964 to January 1970, and was then honorably discharged.
A Michigan based company is recalling its infant formula because of failure to meet nutrition and labeling requirements.

Moor Herbs, based in Detroit, is recalling its Angel Formula after testing by the Food and Drug Administration revealed that it didnt meet nutrition requirements despite marketing it as such, according to the recall notice from the FDA.

When the product was tested, the iron, sodium, and potassium content were well over the maximum allowed, which could potentially lead to iron overload and/or electrolyte imbalances, the FDA notice stated.

The product also doesnt contain vitamin D which could lead to a vitamin D deficiency, and in turn could lead to rickets and bone issues in infants, the FDA stated.

The company issuing the recall at the request of the FDA has run into issues over the past few months as well.

The company continues to manufacture products without a state license, and they are not registered with the FDA, a requirement for companies manufacturing infant formula, the notice read.

In August of 2021, the company was issued a cease-and-desist order from Michigan Department of Agriculture to keep it from producing its products. Despite this, the company has continued to sell its products in-store and online.

As of yet, there have been no documented adverse effects from the products. Anyone who has purchased the Angel Formula should discard whatever product they may have.

Those with concerns regarding their infants or their own health should contact their healthcare provider.
Director of Content and Operations

Spencer McKee is OutThere Colorado's Director of Content and Operations. In his spare time, Spencer loves to hike, rock climb, and trail run. He's on a mission to summit all 58 of Colorado's fourteeners and has already climbed more than half.
Paducah, KY (42003)

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Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. High near 75F. Winds WSW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 50%..

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Funeral service for Joseph Harold Patt, 83, of Palestine, TX. passed away on Tuesday, April 19, 2022 in Palestine. Viewing will be held on Friday, April 29 at Emanuel Funeral Home of Palestine from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Funeral will be held on Sunday, May 1 at Emanuel Funeral Home in Palestine a
Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - Senior officials of the Libyan foreign ministry and Civil Aviation Authority on Monday met to discuss the coordination of efforts to secure the lifting of a ban imposed in 2014 by the European Union Commission on all Libyan airlines for safety reasons
Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - Libyan Prime Minister Abdelhamid al-Dbaiba on Monday ordered the immediate opening of four oil fields in the southwest of the country that have been closed by individuals affiliated with the oil facility guards
Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - Libyan Prime Minister of the Government of National Unity, Abdelhamid Al-Dbaiba, has affirmed the government's willingness to build new schools and educational institutions in all regions of the country to solve the problem of overcrowding
New York, US (PANA) - UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, strongly condemned on Monday the appalling attacks perpetrated over the weekend in Nigerias Zamfara State in which scores of civilians were killed
Photo: (Photo : Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

A newborn baby in Florida became an orphan after his parents, who both work as sheriff deputies, took their own lives within a day of each other.

Deputy Clayton Osteen of St. Lucie County died by suicide on Sunday, January 2, and his wife, Deputy Victoria Pacheco, did the same the next day, according to a statement released by Sheriff Ken Mascara. The sheriff said that both parents were an integral part of his team.

The reports stated that Mascara's team responded to the call regarding Osteen's suicide attempt on New Year's Eve. He was taken to the hospital due to his injuries, but he was removed on life support that Sunday.

The following day, the sheriff's office learned that Pacheco had taken her own life, reeling from the loss of her husband. Mascara said they are devastated about this tragedy, but he hopes this will be a catalyst that could "ease the stigma" on normalizing conversations about one's mental health.

Read Also: Suicide Grief: Moms Form Club 'No One Wants to Be In' to Help Families Who Lost Loved Ones

Adored His Wife and Child

Osteen's loved ones wrote that he adored his wife and child in his obituary. He was also very proud of becoming a dad among his accomplishments. Osteen and Pacheco welcomed their son, Jayce Osteen, on Nov. 22, 2021.

A GoFundMe Page was set up by Kelly Ridle, the mother of the couple's co-worker, to help the baby have a "brighter future." Ridle stated that a close family member has decided to adopt Jayce.

Records show that Clayton, a former U.S. Marine, joined the sheriff's office sometime in 2019, followed by Pacheco in 2020. They both received commendations at work, especially Pacheco, who earned a life-saving award after helping a person who overdosed on drugs.

Dana Bennett, a retired deputy, said that many people don't understand the pressures of their work, and he wondered if this was partly why the couple struggled. Bennett now works as a volunteer at a helpline for families who are in law enforcement, dubbed Copline (call 800-COP-LINE). He said that they don't provide counsel but only listen to the problems of their callers.

Copline is a unique service because the person helping at the other end of the line is also a former cop. So, they best understand what the caller is going through. Conversations through this service are kept confidential and anonymous.

Bennet said that the service was established following an uptick of suicides among police officers, prompting Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to say that mental health support and resources should be prioritized among first responders.

Expanding Mental Health Services to Cops

Florida First Lady Casey DeSantis recently announced providing $12 million in funds for the expansion of mental health services across six areas of the Department of Children and Families. This money will support current peer-based services to bolster the intervention efforts addressing issues among the deputies and first responders.

"Firefighters, police officers, and emergency medical service personnel are often the first on scene when a critical incident occurs," the governor's spokesperson said. "They are repeatedly exposed to stressful and potentially traumatizing scenes and events."

Meanwhile, if you or someone in your family is struggling, phone the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline via 1-800-273-TALK (8255), or send the text message STRENGTH to 741-741, the Crisis Text Line, or visit suicidepreventionlifeline.org for more details.

Related Article: Lil Wayne Reveals He Shot Himself at 12 Years Old Because of His Mom
Photo: (Photo : John Moore/Getty Images)

Colorado mom Kelly Turner was due to go to trial in February 2022 for the death of her seven-year-old daughter, Olivia Gant, in 2017. But, she reached a deal with the prosecutors after admitting her guilt in court.

On Monday, January 3, Turner told the Colorado courts that she was guilty of child abuse that led to her daughter's death. She also pleaded guilty to felony charitable fraud and felony theft after pretending that her seven-year-old suffered from an illness so she could become a beneficiary of the Make a Wish Foundation.

However, Vikki Migoya, the district attorney's spokesperson, said that the other charges laid out against Turner, such as murder, were dismissed. Because of her admission, her case will scrap the trial and move on to sentencing on Wednesday, February 9. She could face prison time of up to 16 years.

Read Also: Abandoned Alaska Baby Found in Cardboard Box With Heartbreaking Note From His Mom

What Kelly Turner Did to Olivia

Cops arrested Turner, formerly known as Kelly Gant, in Denver in 2019 after a grand jury indicted her for Olivia's death. The seven-year-old struggled with a mysterious illness, hospitalizations, and surgery for most of her young life.

Her mother claimed that she had problems digesting food and a seizure disorder because her brain had fluid build-up. Her cause of death was attributed to an intestinal failure. However, Olivia's body was exhumed in 2018 because of her mother's indictment. The autopsy revealed no evidence of any of the illnesses Turner claimed.

In the final weeks of Olivia's life, Turner convinced the hospital's multiple doctors that her illness was terminal. She was also able to make one doctor sign a "do not resuscitate" (DNR) order after she decided to stop all of Olivia's treatments and nourish her with a feeding tube.

Authorities saw cause to charge Turner with defrauding Medicaid of $538,000 and ripping off two charities, including the well-known Make-a-Wish Foundation. She also scammed hundreds of donors for various online fundraising efforts for Olivia's treatments. The police were also able to gather evidence that she stole from the funeral home and the cemetery where her daughter was buried.

Suspicions were raised against the mother after she claimed shortly after Olivia's death that her teenage daughter was diagnosed with cancer. However, the girl's medical records belied her claims.

What is Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy?

District Court Judge Patricia Herron said that Turner's case had been a challenging study on Munchausen syndrome by proxy (MSBP). According to the University of Michigan Health, MSBP is a mental health disorder that involves a person, usually a caregiver, who makes up a patient's illnesses. MSBP may be considered a form of abuse.

Herron said that MSBP could be heinous, dangerous, and deadly. She also noted that the scenario could be a "horrific, depraved condition" that could lead to death, as in this case, when undetected.

The district attorney's office is also looking into the Children's Hospital Colorado for accountability as they failed to see Turner's suspicious intentions and never reported her to the police. If they had done this, Olivia's life might have been saved.

Olivia's grandfather, Lonnie Gautreau, said he wants the truth to save other children in the same situation. Reports cited that the hospital settled with the family behind closed doors.

Related Article: Young TikTok Mom Earns Backlash for Dancing to Explain Her Sick Baby's Diagnosis
Photo: (Photo : Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Two Arizona parents were arrested for child neglect after they left their 11-year-old son home alone when they traveled out of state for two weeks during the holidays.

Bobby Jo Green, 40, and Melissa Green, 34, were accosted by the cops at their house on Sunday, December 12, 2021, following reports from a concerned citizen that they did not bring their son with them. Upon investigating, the boy told the cops that his parents instructed him to skip school for two weeks and heat his own frozen food if he got hungry.

While he seemed okay and got by with the stocks of food left for him, the police were concerned that he missed school. The family lived in a small Arizona town with less than 100 people.

In a statement, the Cochise County Sheriff's office said that the child had been turned over to Child Protective Services as his parents had been booked in jail. They are facing three counts of child neglect and have to file a bond of $100,000 for their temporary freedom.





Read Also: Jana Duggar Speaks up About Child Endangerment Charges; Duggar Family Comments on Josh

Police Saw the Boy Home Alone

The police witnessed for themselves that the boy was home alone when they arrived at the Green's house. He relayed that his mother left town first while his father followed after Thanksgiving.

After their discovery, the authorities tried to reach out to the parents and other family members. Since these efforts were unsuccessful, the boy had to be turned over to the local Child Protective Services. The Greens were arrested just before New Year's Eve when they decided to return home from an unknown location.

However, according to Law & Crime, the mom and dad have records for child abuse. One of the parents has a history of "contributing to the dependency or delinquency of a child," while the other parent was charged with child neglect and abuse of a minor before.

Investigations are still ongoing, and it's unclear if Bobby Jo and Melissa hired their own lawyers. In Arizona, child neglect may meet a minimum of a four-year prison term as a Class 2 felony if done with intention.

Florida Parents Also Charged with Child Neglect

Meanwhile, in Florida, a father and mother also landed in jail for child neglect. In December, Kenneth Trout and Alexandra Ebey were arrested separately for handcuffing and locking up a young girl in the closet for nearly a month.

During a wellness check, officials of the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) discovered that the girl appeared malnourished, wounded, and needed medical attention. After further investigations, the police learned that the child would be habitually locked up as punishment.

The neighbors knew about the abuse but could not find any proof until they were not able to see the girl for weeks. So, they called up the DCF to conduct a wellness check. In Florida, persons guilty of child neglect may be imprisoned for five years or under probation for five years. They could also be fined $5,000 for the felony.

Related Article: Turpin Children Continue to Suffer as California Guardianship System Fails Them Again
Photo: (Photo : MAURICIO LIMA/AFP via Getty Images)

A healthy baby born from a frozen embryo stored for 27 years has set the world record for the longest frozen embryo to have successfully resulted in childbirth.

Molly Gibson, born in December 2020, could have been born in 1992, the year her embryo was donated and then frozen through the National Embryo Donation Center in Knoxville. The center also facilitates frozen embryo adoption for the unused samples, which was what happened to Molly, who Tina and Ben Gibson adopted.

Tina and Ben have struggled with infertility and decided to use frozen embryos to start their family. Molly is not their first baby from this procedure. Her older sister, Emma, was the previous record-holder of the longest frozen embryo to become a successful birth. Emma's embryo was frozen for 24 years.

Read Also: Pennsylvania Mom in Her 50s Gives Birth to Twins Two Years Apart

A Leap of Faith

The Gibson couple knew that becoming parents to two girls, whose births were possible through the inventions of science, was a "leap of faith." Tina said she was so scared to go through the pregnancies because she felt she could lose the baby and be ripped all over again.

But Tina and Ben were fortunate to have double successes with this alternative procedure. The mom is still pinching herself from having two girls using old frozen embryos.

Dr. Jeffrey Keenan of the National Embryo Donation Center said that frozen embryos provide couples with a cost-effective option, and sometimes the only opportunity, to have a child. Years ago, the experts were not sure if the age of the embryo could affect the chances of pregnancy, but Molly and Emma's cases prove that frozen embryos could remain viable for years.

Keenan said that there is plenty of technology today to make this possible, thus giving many couples an indefinite time frame for starting a family. The National Embryo Donation Center experts said that 75 percent of embryo donations survive the process because of technology, and around 30 percent become successful implants that turn into full-term pregnancies.

How Frozen Embryo Donation Works

An extra embryo, or eggs fertilized with the sperm, could develop during the in vitro fertilization process (IVF). Some families decide to keep these frozen for future use, while some donate anonymously to help other families.

Fertility clinics that provide the freezing facility have their own way of donation management. Some clinics designate where the embryos should go, considering factors like race, but the general practice is that donors are not informed of what happened to their embryos.

The freezing process also varies per facility. In the past, slow freezing was the more popular choice, but the experts say this gave embryos a smaller chance of surviving the thawing process. After many studies, they discovered that another process called vitrification offered better outcomes.

After the thawing process, the embryo is transferred to the woman's womb. The parents who decide on the donation are informed of the characteristics of the embryo before the procedures. This usually helps couples decide if they are a match to the embryo. In the Gibson family's case, they factored in characteristics like height and weight since they are physically smaller people.

A Well-Informed Choice

However, couples are also informed of the risks since some embryos might not have enough numbers of chromosomes present to survive the implantation. Thus, some facilities conduct a biopsy before a transfer to ensure that it's healthy.

According to the experts, an embryo resulting from a normal and successful pregnancy will likely see that baby growing up into a healthy adult who could conceive her own child as well. However, more research might be needed to determine if the baby developed fetal issues that raise her risk of other diseases like cancer or diabetes.

Dr. Josephine Johnston of a bioresearch center in New York said that parents who want to go this route should be well-informed about the benefits and risks associated with using frozen embryos. Dr. Ginny Ryan of the University of Washington Medical Center said that many couples go to infertility clinics focusing on the outcome and not on the process. She said that counseling is a must because there are many considerations to weigh in this situation.

The experts said that stories like Molly's birth would become more common in the coming years since many donated frozen embryos from a decade ago will be used by hopeful parents.

Related Article: Embryo Mix-Up: California Parents Raising the Wrong Baby Sue Fertility Clinic
In August, Patently Apple posted a report titled "South Korea becomes the First Country to Pass a Law to breakup the Apple-Google Duopoly regarding Mobile Payments." It's now being reported that Apple will allow alternative payment systems in South Korea in compliance with a new local law that bans app store operators from forcing their own in-app payment systems, the country's telecommunications regulator said Tuesday.

The Korea Herald reports that "The move came as a new law went into effect in the country in September last year, restricting app store operators, such as Google and Apple, from forcing their in-app payment systems on developers.

In November, Google pledged to provide an alternative payment system on its app store in South Korea at a slightly reduced service charge in an apparent move to abide by the country's new law.

Apple said it plans to provide an alternative payment system at a reduced service charge compared with the current 30 percent charge, as the tech giant turned in its compliance plans to the Korea Communications Commission (KCC).

The company did not provide the exact date of when the policy will take effect or the service fee to be applied but said it plans to discuss with the KCC on further details."

Apple said in a statement: "We look forward to working with the KCC and our developer community on a solution that benefits our Korean users."
It's being reported this afternoon that Apple has rounded out the ensemble cast for its upcoming drama "Bad Monkey," written and executive produced by Ted Lasso co-creator Bill Lawrence. Ana Villafane (Younger), Rob Delaney (Catastrophe), newcomer Ahmed Elhaj and Arturo Luis Soria (Insatiable) are set as series regulars, joining Vince Vaughn, who also serves as EP, Michelle Monaghan, Jodie Turner-Smith and Meredith Hagner.

Based on Carl Hiaasens popular 2013 novel, Bad Monkey tells the story of Andrew Yancy (Vaughn), a one-time detective demoted to restaurant inspector in Southern Florida. A severed arm found by a tourist out fishing pulls Yancy into the world of greed and corruption that decimates the land and environment in both Florida and the Bahamas. And yes, theres a monkey.

Villafane plays Rosa, a Miami medical examiner who is starting to realize she may not be cut out for her job, so is happy to ditch work and help Yancy try to figure out the story of the severed arm he brings into her lab.

Delaney portrays Christoper, the mysterious boyfriend of Eve (Hagner) Stripling whose husband died under suspicious circumstances.

Elhaj is Neville, a young, mild-mannered Bahamian fisherman who is forced into action when a mysterious businessman bulldozes his family home to start construction on a swanky resort.

Soria portrays Rogelio, a good Key West police detective who comes to his best friend and ex-partner, Andrew Yancy, with a life-changing assignment. It further complicates things that Rogelios husband is also Yancys attorney. For more, read the full Deadline report.

Archive: Apple TV News
Following the passing of Sidney Poitier on Thursday night at the age of 94, Apple reportedly has a documentary about the famed actor on deck with Oprah Winfrey executive-producing and Reginald Hudlin serving as director.

The project, according to Variety, has been in production for more than a year.

The yet-to-be-titled film, an Apple Original Films release, will provide an in-depth examination of Poitiers life that includes the participation of his family.

Winfrey, who has interviewed the star on her talk show, paid tribute on social media following his death Sunday.

Friend. Brother. Confidant. Wisdom teacher. The utmost, highest regard and praise for his most magnificent, gracious, eloquent life. I treasured him. I adored him. He had an enormous soul I will forever cherish, she wrote on Instagram, with a photo of them hugging. For more, read the full report from New York Daily News.

The Morning Show

Variety reports that "The Morning Show" has been renewed for Season 3 at Apple, with Charlotte Stoudt boarding the series as showrunner.

"The Morning Show" was originally picked up for two seasons by Apple when it was initially ordered in 2017. Stoudt coming on as showrunner is part of a new, multi-year overall deal that she has signed with Apple. Kerry Ehrin, who served as showrunner on the shows first two seasons, will serve as a consultant on Season 3 while also developing new projects for Apple under her overall deal.

"Im excited to be joining forces with Apple TV Plus and The Morning Show," said Stoudt. "The cast, led by the phenomenal Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon, are truly to die for. Kerry, Mimi and Michael, and the teams at Media Res, Hello Sunshine and Echo Films, have created an irresistible world that is equally delicious and provocative."

You could also read Apple's official press release on this news, here.

Archive: Apple TV News
Ideally, protecting your privacy shouldnt require hours of time or gobs of money. Instead of having to meticulously manage all the personal data thats floating around on the internet, you should be able to minimize data collection automatically or proactively. If you value privacy like I do, youll want to check out the following apps and tools. While some have premium versions for certain features, all of them are free to use:

Stop mobile trackers with Lockdown

Jared Newman / IDG

Tech giants like Google and Facebook arent the only ones trying to collect data about you. Many other apps also collect details about your phone, your usage patterns, and possibly your location, then ship it off to analytics firms and advertisers.

Lockdown is a free and simple utility for iOS and Mac that prevents apps from connecting with these data trackers. Ive had it on my iPhone since January and in that time its blocked more than 1 million tracking attempts in a completely unobtrusive way. Until sitting down to write this newsletter, Id forgotten that Id set it up already.

Keep in mind that Lockdown is not a VPN, so its not routing any of your internet traffic through its own servers to mask your location, but I think thats mostly a positive since it doesnt interfere with connectivity. If you do want a VPN service, however, Lockdown sells it as an add-on subscription. (One other note: The app can hinder your ability to log into Facebook Messenger or WhatsApp, but turning it off while logging in seems to solve the problem.)

For Android users, DuckDuckGos App Tracking Protection feature is in private beta testing now and provides similar blocking against third-party trackers. To join the waitlist, download the Android app, then head to Settings > App Tracking Protection.

Mask your email address with Abine Blur

Jared Newman / IDG

For marketers that want to track your online behavior, your email address is the ultimate prize. Once you log into a website or app, that site can use tracking cookies to follow you around and associate the data with your email. And, for less scrupulous marketers, opting out of their emails can be a major hassle.

Abine Blur protects your inbox by letting you set up masked email addresses such as lsq9x1tecv1y@opayq.com, which will forward any messages to your actual email. The sender never learns your true address and you can turn off or delete addresses through Abines website to cut off communications. Abine even offers a browser extension that can generate masked emails directly inside of sign-up forms.

Abine Blur isnt the only tool of its kind. Apple offers a Hide My Email for users with paid iCloud+ subscriptions and DuckDuckGo offers masked emails through its mobile apps and browser extensions. But I like that Abine Blur works across platforms and doesnt require changing your default search engine.

The only catch is that you must disable some elements of Abines browser extension if you dont want to use its password manager and other assorted services. To do that, click the browser extension icon, head to Settings > Settings for All Sites, then turn off everything except Mask my email.

Opt out of tracking cookies with Super Agent

Jared Newman / IDG

If youre tired of seeing those annoying accept cookies prompts while browsing the web, a browser extension called Super Agent is the best solution Ive seen yet for making them go away. While other extensions merely hide the pop-ups in a way that can break some websites, Super Agent automatically fills out and dismisses cookie consent forms on your behalf.

When you first install the extension, you decide which tracking cookies to allow or deny and Super Agent quietly fills out those preferences on each website you visit. The extensions icon shows a little green indicator when its successfully dealt with a pop-up and by clicking the extension icon and the gear button inside, you can see a record of all the clicks youve saved.

Super Agent works with every major desktop browser and is also available as a Safari extension on iOS. The developers make money by selling code to websites that want to integrate with the extension and promise never to sell your data.

Protect your phone number with Google Voice

Jared Newman / IDG

Next time a business asks for your phone number and youre not comfortable giving it out, consider handing out a number from Google Voice instead. When you sign up for Google Voice, you claim a phone number from an area code of your choosing. Incoming phone calls will then forward to your real number and you can check text messages through the Google Voice website or mobile app.

Why is this better than handing out your actual number? For one thing, you can avoid getting pestered with unwanted text messages since youll have to proactively check them on your own. And for phone calls, Google Voice offers built-in spam filtering (available through Settings > Security), call screening, and do not disturb hours. If all else fails, you can also switch to a different phone number to cut off previous contacts. Consider it as your secondary spam number for any businesses or other entities you dont fully trust.

Create a locked-down credit card at Privacy.com

Jared Newman / IDG

Similar to how Google Voice can mask your real phone number, Privacy.com lets you use virtual credit cards for online stores and subscription services. You can then put spending limits on each virtual card or even designate them as single-use cards, preventing untrustworthy vendors from running off with the card info.

This isnt just form of payment protection, though. Its also a privacy tool that prevents credit card companies from tracking and selling your shopping habits. Combine this with a masked phone number and email address and vendors will have a much tougher time mining that data. (Check out my colleague Ian Pauls review for more details.)

Want more tips and tricks like these? Sign up for Jareds Advisorator newsletter, where a version of this article originally appeared.
The Kotoka International Airport (KIA) has recorded a total of 2,772 COVID-19 positive cases among international arrivals in the last month.



The cases are out of 76,267 tests conducted at the port from December 6, 2021, to January 5, 2022.



Data on the Ghana Health Service (GHS) COVID-19 update page show that the number of COVID-19 active cases recorded in the country as of January 5 was 13,0007, with 1,325 deaths.



Presently, 45 out of the total active infections are severe with 12 in critical condition.



The data indicate that the Greater Accra region has the highest number of 83,966 infections followed by the Ashanti region with 21,984 cases.



Dr Frankline Asiedu-Bekoe, Director of Public Health at the GHS, told the Ghana News Agency, that more cases were being recorded in the country due to the presence of the Omicron variant.



He urged the public to visit the vaccination centres and receive their jabs to help curb the spread of the virus.



Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), according to the World Health Organization (WHO), is an infectious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus.



Most people infected with the virus will experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without requiring special treatment.



However, some will become seriously ill and require medical attention. Anyone can get sick with COVID-19 and become seriously ill or die at any age.



Signs and symptoms of COVID-19 include fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty in breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, loss of taste or smell and sore throat.



The populace is advised to protect themselves from the virus by observing the safety protocols such as the wearing of a nose mask, observing social distancing, washing hands with soap under running water, observing social distancing, and avoiding handshakes.

Source: GNA









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Nigeria is working to develop a Covid-19 vaccine, President Muhammadu Buhari said in a televised interview on Thursday, as the country battles growing cases of the virus.



Health experts say Nigeria needs to triple its vaccination drive from just over 100,000 doses a day to meet its target of inoculating more than half its population by the end of next year.



The West African country has been exploring options to acquire or purchase vaccines through the COVAX facility to enable it to inoculate at least 70% of its population.



Some of the vaccine donations it received had a shelf life that left only weeks to administer the shots. Nigeria destroyed more than 1 million expired vaccines last month.



"We are working very hard with the ministry of health to develop vaccines," Buhari said on state television. "We shouldn't make noise about it until we succeed."



Speaking to CNN on Friday, Nigeria's minister of state for health, Dr. Olorunnimbe Mamora, said the country was working to establish a vaccine-manufacturing hub within two or three years. But this would depend on the availability of funds, he stated.



"Vaccine manufacturing is not done in a jiffy. Yesterday (Thursday), we had engagements with some of our international development partners and funding partners towards developing our vaccine manufacturing hub. It's a joint venture project between the federal government and an indigenous pharmaceutical company," Mamora told CNN.



The senior health official added: "The timeline is a function of how soon we get funding. We have to source funds through international agencies, as well as technological support. So, we are looking at the next two to three years."



Nigeria, which has not tested widely for Covid-19, has recorded 246,195 cases and 3,066 deaths since the pandemic started.



In 2017, Nigeria's cabinet approved a plan to produce basic vaccines with pharmaceutical firm May & Baker Nigeria (MAYBAKE.LG) via a joint venture. It's unclear whether the project took off.



Buhari said his administration is encouraging Nigerians to get inoculated. Fewer than 4% of adults in Africa's most populous nation of over 200 million have been fully vaccinated.



Mamora says vaccine hesitancy was still a problem among Nigerians. "We desire to double or triple our vaccination rate ... to be able to achieve herd immunity by vaccinating not less than 70% of our population, but we are still dealing with vaccine hesitancy," he said, adding, "We have a large stock of vaccines now."

Source: CNN









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Monday said the media have the duty to protect and preserve the unity and stability of the country.



In the face of all the turmoil in the world, you are proud because you can point to your country with pride in its stability and increasing success, he said.



Otumfuo Osei Tutu, addressing the opening ceremony of the Media Capacity Enhancement Programme at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi, said:

In Ghana, the media can be said to be a major success story in the countrys journey to democratic governance.



The Ghanaian media had evolved over the years with more flexibility compared to the days when both the print and electronic media were owned and controlled by the state.



The contrast today is mind-boggling.



The media terrain today reflects a diversity of political opinion and journalists feel free to operate without the constraints of the now-deceased criminal libel law, the Asantehene said.



The four-day programme is being organised under the auspices of the Ministry of Information, on the theme: Equipping the Media to play an Effective Role in Our Nation Building.



Its principal objective is to enhance the existing knowledge base, skills set and qualitative output of media personnel.



It is also expected to help the media to develop a deep understanding of socio-economic and development issues and the forces that shape, influence and constrain nation-building.



Otumfuo Osei Tutu said the greatest asset of the journalism profession was credibility, adding: Credibility comes from the accuracy of information and fairness with which it is presented.



He reminded journalists to disabuse their minds of the misconception that their freedom was without bounds.



The removal of the criminal libel law only removed the criminal element, which could send journalists to jail, he said.



But, the right of the citizen to have recourse to the law for the protection of their reputation against defamation by the media remains absolutely intact.



The laws of libel and defamation were alive and there were still laws against incitements, offenses likely to cause a breach of the peace and many others designed to protect the peace and security of the state, the Asantehene said.



Mr Kojo Oppong-Nkrumah, the Minister of Information, said the training would consider the laws, regulations and ethics governing journalism practice, pledging governments commitment to assisting the media to perform their roles effectively.



On the Media Capacity Enhancement Programme, he advised the participants to take the lessons seriously as they sought to improve their output.



Journalists, he said, ought to keep learning to build their knowledge base and sharpen their skills for efficient work.



It is expected that the programme would help the participants, selected from the various media organisations nationwide, to appreciate the role of investigative journalism within the framework of institutionalizing efficiency, accountability and transparency in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors to aid national growth.

Source: GNA









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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The Ghana Police Service has thanked the general public for its support in fighting crimes in Ghanaian society.



A statement issued by the service said Police-Community partnership is the master key to crime-fighting.



Let us, therefore, continue to work together for safer communities.



The Police had appealed to the general public to help find two robbery suspects who were part of nine suspects who attacked their victims with an array of weapons at Wassa Akropong and Mpohor in the Western region.



See the tweet below:









Nine Robbery Suspects Arrested in the Western Region



Please read more from the link below https://t.co/P2oTSR9x3s pic.twitter.com/LTTW8oa3nk

 Ghana Police Service (@GhPoliceService) January 10, 2022

Source: 3 news









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An angry and disappointed judge sitting on a case of a land dispute between residents of Dedeso and Begoro Traditional Council, threw his courtroom into a state of drama when he told the police investigator in the face that he had done a poor job on the case.



The presiding judge, Kwame Polley, of the Koforidua Circuit Court B is said to have told the investigator that he had failed to do due diligence in his probe considering there were deficiencies in the charge sheet presented to the court, reports Daily Guide.



The judge noted that there is no link between the accused persons, the charges against them, and the facts supporting the case.



Daily Guide reports that the judge said "the case is incompetent and cannot stand the test of judicial procedure therefore advised the investigator to go back and do a better job".



According to details of the case as presented in court, some fourteen residents of Dedeso, a VRA resettlement community, are facing charges of conspiracy, causing harm, and causing damage.



The fourteen accused persons have been named as Michael Teye Sackey, Richard Naakah and Randolph Tetteh, who are both teachers; Samuel Batsa, Bedasu Kofi Livingston, and Simon Tetteh, all farmers.



The rest, who are all also farmers, are Francis Mausor, Osom Akwetey, Alex Tetteh Bio, Partey Ben, Emmanuel Ahuble, Asare Kofi, Klodu Frederick, and Samuel Agbeitor.



The report added that a 15th accused person, who is still at large, was identified as Bullet.



The Prosecuting Officer, Chief Inspector Owusu Ababio narrated to the court that on June 26, 2021, at about 9 am, the regent of the Begoro traditional area mobilized a group of men numbering about 20 from Begoro, Apaa, and Nsawam communities armed them with his pump-action gun and cutlasses, hired a Nissan Mini truck with registration number GW 1551-21 and two motorbikes and delegated one Nana Barffuor Bimpong to take them onto the disputed land at Perteifoo Junction.



On reaching Abuorso police station, Nana Baffour Bimpong Kwakye requested for police escort at which point Constable Kinni Daniel was detailed to escort the group. The Chief asked the armed men to take the lead as he went to Dedeso Police station to request more police officers, the report added.



The narration continued that the men met some three motor riders and upon identifying the one who they claimed was involved in the disputed land issue, they pounced on him and started beating him.



The Krobo inhabitants on hearing the incident mobilized and armed themselves with guns and cutlasses and rushed to the scene to fight the thugs.



They outnumbered the thugs, brutalized, and inflicted multiple cutlass wounds on two of the thugs namely Godfred Blewusi, 29, and Stephen Tetteh, 28. The rioting residents drove two Hyundai mini-trucks to block the road and subsequently set fire into it, the report added.



It took the police to restore calm to the area even as the police rushed the victims of the confrontation to the Begoro Government Hospital.



The police then effected the arrests of Michael Batsa, Samuel Batsa, and Simon Tetteh at the premises of Begoro District Court, while Randolph Tetteh, an Assembly Member, was pointed out during a parade for his involvement in the fracas.



When they appeared in court at the Koforidua Circuit Court B, they pleaded not guilty.













Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Nigeria's first census in more than 15 years is due to be held in May, the head of the country's National Population Commission has said.



Nasir Isa Kwarra said digital technology would help to ensure that the nationwide survey was reliable and credible.



The findings of Nigeria's last census in 2006 were rejected by some southern groups; they claimed that the figures were manipulated to favour the north.



Estimates suggest that Nigeria's population is over 200 million, compared with 140 million in the previous census.



The exact date of the exercise is awaiting approval by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Source: BBC









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A leading member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Agona West Constituency in the Central Region, Alhaji Gibrine Tanko, has urged communications officers of the party to stand up against vile propaganda against the government by the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).

It appears despite the sterling performance of the NPP government in all sectors of the Ghanaian economy, the NDC is gradually winning the communication game through propaganda against government, he said.





According to him, members of the NDC were throwing dust into the eyes of Ghanaians hence the need for NPP party communicators to step up their game to counter the propaganda from the NDC.



Donation



Alhaji Tanko, who is a former Second Vice Chairman of the party in the constituency, was speaking at an event where he presented mobile phones, undisclosed amounts and other packages to each of the party communicators as a way of motivating them to continue to work for the party.



He said party communication in the constituency had become weak since the party communicators had not been well-resourced to carry out their mandate of making the citizenry know of the works of the government.



Being a party communicator is an arduous task and that it becomes more challenging if the communicators are not equipped with the basic equipment to be able to go all out to speak for the party, he said.



Alhaji Tanko urged the communicators to be abreast of information concerning the government so that they would be able to disseminate such information to the citizenry with ease.



I urge you to broaden your scope of knowledge about government activities and programmes of implementation so as to be on top of issues to defend the records and achievements of the government, he stated.



He urged them to be fully prepared at all times and avoid complacency during radio and television discussions since their shortcomings during such programmes would give political advantage to their opponents.



Commendation



For his part, the acting Constituency Secretary, Nana Kwame Agyei, commended the communicators and indicated that their work was very critical in the partys quest to break the eight-year rule cycle in the 2024 general election.













Source: graphiconline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Director-General of the National Lottery Authority, Sammi Awuku has urged a youth group within Akwapim North to pull down a billboard they independently sponsored and erected to honour him.



According to Awuku, the timing is not right and sends a wrong signal and breeds unnecessary tension.



Thanks to the many enthusiastic youth who decided to design, print and erect this giant billboard in the Akwapim North Constituency. I appreciate your kind heart but definitely not a good time to do this as it sends a wrong signal and breeds unnecessary tension. He wrote.



While appreciating the good faith behind the giant billboard gesture, the NLA boss urged the entire party in the Akwapim North Constituency to support those in authority currently. He, therefore, urged them to do the needful by pulling down the billboard.



Lets support those currently in authority to deliver for our collective good.

Timing is bad and optics not a pleasant one I know out of good faith  You will do the needful before close of day, he added.













Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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National Youth Organizer of the New Patriotic Party, Henry Nana Boakye popularly known as Nana B, wants the Executive Director of Alliance for Social Equity and Public Accountability (ASEPA), Mensah Thompson, "arrested immediately".



To him, the leader of the anti-corruption and civil society advocacy group, has a "penchant of spewing outright lies and false allegations ostensibly to incite the public and endanger lives".



Presidential Jet On X'mas Shopping Trip



Mensah Thompson had alleged that the Presidential aircraft of the Ghana Air Force was used by relatives of President Akufo-Addo for a shopping trip to the United Kingdom between 20th and 30th of December 2021.



According to him, during the said 10-day shopping trip, children of the relative of the president did not go on the fun-filled trip alone, but in the company of their friends.



"So between the 20th and 30th of December, 2021..during the Christmas, the children of a close relative of the President took Ghanas Presidential Jet the Falcon EX jet on a trip to the UK just for Christmas shopping. They didn't go alone, they went with their friends and partied in the sky all through the trip, taking snap videos and flaunting their lucky adventure," Mensah Thompson wrote on Facebook.



He urged state institutions such as the National Security Ministry, Ghana Air Force, and the Defense Ministry to provide answers to why the presidential jet was put at the disposal of these "spoilt youngsters."



GAF Rebuts, Asks IGP To Investigate



Hours after his claims, the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) issued a statement on Sunday, signed by the Acting Director, Public Relations, Commander Andy La-Anyane, dismissing the report saying they are only a figment of the authors imagination.



We believe that this unfortunate publication, which has been circulated widely, is a calculated effort to undermine the image of the Ghana Armed Forces in the eyes of the general public, partion of the statement read.



Whiles calling on Ghanaians, especially politicians, not to drag them into any partisan politics, the Ghana Armed Forces pointed out that details about the presidential jet can easily be verified since there is always a task order for the movement of all Ghana Air Force platforms.



In view of the seriousness we attach to such malicious publications, the issue has been referred to the Inspector General of Police for further investigations, GAF hinted.



Amazing U-turn



But in a dramatic volte-face, the ASEPA boss has issued a groveling apology for peddling falsehoods. His apology on Facebook - the same medium he used to make his earlier assertions - was before the GAF issued a statement denying his claim.



I have had extensive conversations this morning with the PRO of the Ghana Armed Forces pursuant to the usage of the Presidential jet by the children of the relatives of the President.



In the same medium I made the earlier publication, I withdraw the publication pending an official response from the GCAA. I unreservedly apologise to the Ghana Armed Forces if their image was in anyway affected by my publication. We shall put out for your consumption the response to our request from the GCAA records of the Falcon 900-EX.



Penchant For Lies, Arrest Him!



Notwithstanding the apology, the NPP stalwart still wants the ASEPA boss arrested and possibly prosecuted to serve as a deterrent to others. In a facebook post, Nana B cited relevant provisions of law to back his call.



"It does appear that Mr. Thompson from ASEPA has the penchant of spewing outright lies and false allegations ostensibly to incite the public and endanger lives. He persist in doing that, brazenly, because he always get away with it regardless of the magnitude of such evil lies he peddle.



On this current issue, he must be subjected to the full rigors of the law to deter him from hiding behind social media to create confusion in the system. We can't look on for him to always peddle brazen and wicked falsehood and later turn around to say "I am sorry, I apologise for peddling falsehood". There are laws in this country and he must face it squarely. He must be arrested immediately.



Section 76, Electronic Communications Act, 2008 (Act 775):



(1) A person who by means of electronic communications service, knowingly sends a communication which is false or misleading and likely to prejudice the efficiency of life saving service or to endanger the safety of any person,  commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of not more than [thirty six thousand Ghana Cedis] or to a term of imprisonment of not more than five years or both.



(2) A person is taken to know that a communication is false or misleading if that person did not take reasonable steps to find out whether the communication was false, misleading, reckless or fraudulent.

Source: Peacefmonline.com/GHANA









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Deputy Finance Minister and Member of Parliament(MP) for Ejisu, John Kumah, has disclosed that there is no decision to scrap the reversal of the Benchmark value.



According to him, there will be further consultation with the traders as directed by the President to ensure that they reach a heartwarming decision with the agitated traders.



The President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has directed the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) to suspend the planned implementation of the reversal of the benchmark value discounts introduced to cushion Ghanaians against price hikes.



At a meeting with officials of the GRA and other stakeholders, the President gave a deadline of January 17 for all consultations to conclude.



The President says the move will help all players understand the policy before it is rolled out.



The GRA on January 4th announced the implementation of the policy despite stiff opposition from industry players.



But speaking on Okay FM's 'Ade Akye Abia' programme, he explained that they will follow the president's directive and have a consultative meeting with the trade union groups and ensure that they all have a common ground of interest.



That does not mean that the reversal of the benchmark value will be scrapped.



He further argued that the reversal of the benchmark value is to assist local industries to enable them produce more for local consumption and ease import on products.



This will also enable the private sector employ more Ghanaians thereby reducing the high unemployment rate in the country, he added.



About benchmark value reduction



The benchmark value, which is the amount taxable on imports, was reduced by 50 percent for some goods.



The import value for cars was also reduced by 30 percent.



The governments hope was that easing the import regime would make Ghanas ports competitive by increasing the volume of transactions and increasing revenue generated at the ports.



But as the government pushed its industrialisation drive, critics, like the Association of Ghana Industries, also called for a review of the benchmark value reduction policy.



Watch Video Below





Source: Isaac Kwame Owusu/Peacefmonline/[email protected]









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Your biological age may be different from your real age. A new institute plans to explore the issue
Some Ghanaian celebrities have expressed dissatisfaction with the performance of the Black Stars in the ongoing African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cameroon.



The Black Stars lost 1-0 in their opening Group C game against the Atlas Lions of Morocco and some celebrities took to social media handles to express their disappointments and dissatisfaction with the output of the team.



Prior to the opening match scores of Ghanaian music, stars took to social media to render their support for the team with the hashtag, #TeamGhana but the opening loss to Morocco has somehow stalled the confidence in the team



The most decorated Ghanaian rapper Sarkodie who was captured on video supporting the team passionately took to his Twitter handle and wrote this: "Hate and Love this feeling I get when my country plays.



Reggae and Dancehall artiste Stonebwoy expressed his disappointment over the loss but remained hopeful of a better performance in the next encounter.



He Tweeted: Agye Gon! but still vim better luck next match after the team lost by a lone goal."



Award-winning songwriter Kofi Kinaata, despite Ghana's opening loss, was optimistic about a better performance in Ghana's subsequent matches as he wrote, "Still #TeamGhana ''.



The Black Stars would be looking for positive results when they face the Brazilians of Gabon on Friday in their quest to boost their chances of qualification.





Source: GNA









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Logansport, IN (46947)

Today

Heavy rain and thunderstorms likely. High 67F. SE winds shifting to WSW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near an inch..

Tonight

Rain showers this evening with overcast skies overnight. Low 46F. Winds NNW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 50%.
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A high-profile Mount Pleasant property that once housed a used furnishings business has been sold, and plans are in the works to build a hotel on the site.

Bennett Hospitality, led by veteran local developer Michael Bennett, is looking to build a lodging where the Page's Thieves Market operated for more than five decades. The landmark retail store, which sold secondhand furniture and eclectic collectibles to generations of Mount Pleasant residents, was closed in 2018.

The site at Ben Sawyer Boulevard and Center Street measures almost four acres, according to the listing from the commercial real estate firm CBRE Inc. Along with the former Page's parcel, the site also includes a nearby building that's leased to the Mexican-style restaurant Santi's.

The sale of the property to Bennett-Coleman LLC was recorded Jan. 4, according to public property records. The sale price was not immediately available online from the Charleston County Register of Deeds.

Tracy Ray of Bennett Hospitality said the Charleston-based company is hoping to build a hotel with 74 guestrooms and 16 bungalows. It would have a restaurant, a bar and other amenities such as a spa and a pool.

Pool memberships would be available to the public.

"We really want it to be a place where people who live in Mount Pleasant will come and get a glass of wine or have a meeting or come by and get coffee in the morning," Ray said.

But plans for the property might not align with new proposed restrictions on hotel development in Mount Pleasant. Recently, the town has made some changes to its guidelines, said planning director Michele Reed.

For example, the definition of a boutique lodging was recently changed to properties with no more than 25 rooms instead of 50.

Now, town officials are taking a closer look at where future hotels should be allowed to be built.

Bennett Hospitality's Ben Sawyer site could be determined to be appropriate for a boutique hotel, but, under what's currently been proposed, it's not one of the areas that's designated for hotels with more than 25 rooms, Reed said.

Bennett briefly spoke about plans for his project before the Planning Committee during a Jan. 3 meeting when the proposed restrictions for hotel developments were up for discussion. He said the hotel would have a design that's "very reminiscent" of the historic Old Village area.

Renderings for the proposed hotel show "residential"-style features like clapboard siding.

"I think when people see the design, they'll see how special it could be and how much it will fit within the fabric of the Old Village," Ray of Bennett Hospitality said.

The company also said a hotel would generate less traffic and require fewer parking spaces than some other commercial uses, such as offices.

The proposed changes to Mount Pleasant's zoning rules for hotels will be up for review at Town Council's Jan. 11 meeting.

"We hope that they will give us some consideration," Ray said.

Bennett has other projects in the works in Mount Pleasant, where his company owns four hotels. It most recently opened the 175-room Embassy Suites by Hilton Charleston Harbor in the Ferry Wharf development near the base of the Ravenel Bridge. Future phases of the waterfront site include more hotel rooms.

His company also has an agreement with state-owned Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum to develop Patriots Annex, a mixed-use complex that will include hotels, residences, offices and retail space. That project remains in the planning stage.
North Charleston-based South Carolina Federal Credit Union will expand into the fast-growing Greenville market this year under its first merger deal since 2020.

Members of G.H.S. Federal Credit Union recently voted to combine with the Lowcountry financial cooperative, according to a Jan. 11 announcement.

The tie-up is expected to be finalized April 30. Afterward, G.H.S. Federal's two branches will rebranded as under the South Carolina Federal name. No jobs will be eliminated.

"Greenville is an incredible city that has experienced significant growth in a relatively short period of time," said Scott Woods, president and CEO of South Carolina Federal. "We are thrilled to be planting roots in Greenville and are looking forward to welcoming G.H.S. members into our ... family.

No money changes hands in mergers between credit unions, which are not-for-profit lenders owned by their membership.

G.H.S. Federal disclosed the proposed deal with South Carolina Federal on Oct. 18, according to regulatory filings. Like many small credit unions seeking ways to grow and remain relevant, the Upstate lender felt its best and least-costly option was to become part of a larger organization.

Its board of directors determined that the merger "is desirable and in the best interests of members because it will increase efficiency and operations of scale, provide greater access to branches and ATMs, while providing the membership with a wider array of products and services."

Frank Rivers, president of G.H.S. Federal, said the credit union opened its doors in 1954. Today, it has more than 11,000 members. Its loans and other assets totaled about $56.1 million as of Sept. 30.

"We are so proud of everything we've accomplished, and we know our future is bright," Rivers said in a written statement. "Merging with South Carolina Federal will help us better serve our members and do even more for our community."

Started by Navy yard workers in 1936, South Carolina Federal has grown to become one of the largest credit unions in the state, with about 165,000 members, $2.4 billion in assets and about 25 offices in the Charleston, Columbia, Georgetown, Pee Dee and Upstate markets.

It announced no mergers last year, after completing three deals in 2020.

South Carolina Federal established its first brick-and-mortar presence in the Upstate in mid-2019, when it absorbed a small credit union in Spartanburg.
Who said fun is for the birds? Sometimes, it involves birds. Check out the bird walk on Folly Island. There's also a look at history at the Charleston Museum, some music that's not for the birds but for fish, a performance by Michael Bolton and a parade on Monday's holiday.

In other words, plenty of activities to enjoy this weekend.

Lighthouse Inlet bird walk

What: Participate in a bird walk that will focus on the incredibly diverse northeast end of Folly Island. Once the home of a Coast Guard station, this Heritage Preserve protects maritime forest, beach, dunes and marsh habitats for wildlife. This site boasts one of the largest bird lists in South Carolina.

When: 8:30 a.m. Jan. 14

Where: Lighthouse Inlet Heritage Preserve, 1750 E. Ashley Ave., Folly Beach

Price: $9

More Info: 843-795-4386, bit.ly/3znJ50t

Conversations with a Curator: Early Days Gallery

What: Celebrate the Charleston Museum's 249th birthday with a tour of the museum's earliest collections.

The Early Days gallery reflects the Museum's long history from its founding in 1773 to the late 20th century. Join Curator of Historical Archaeology Martha Zierden in the Early Days gallery for the story of the museum's institutional history and a closer look at some of its earliest antiquities.

When: 10:30 a.m. Jan. 14

Where: The Charleston Museum, 360 Meeting St., Charleston

Price: Free with admission

More Info: bit.ly/3FTDUI8

Taste of Folly

What: Celebrate Folly Beach's eclectic beachside cuisine this weekend. The annual event will feature a cocktail competition on Jan. 14 at the Tides and a family-friendly Center Street festival on Jan. 15 with live music, hot-dog-eating and oyster shucking contests, cooking demonstrations and more.

When: 7 p.m. Jan. 14 & 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Jan. 15

Where: Various venues, Folly Beach

Price: $5-$24

More Info: visitfolly.com/taste-of-folly

Off-Road Duathlon

What: Traverse scenic trails at Laurel Hill County Park in the Off-Road Duathlon. This beginner-friendly course consists of a 2-mile run, a 7-mile bike, then another 2-mile run.

When: 8:30 a.m. Jan. 15

Where: Laurel Hill County Park, 1251 Park West Blvd., Mount Pleasant

Price: $55

More Info: ccprc.com/3263/Off-Road-Duathlon

Snowboard Rail Jam

What: The Mex 1 team will fill the front parking lot with 40,000 pounds of snow for regional and national amateur snowboarders to showcase their best tricks and skills. There will be fun for everyone with live music from the Strawberry Squad, visual effects from Lazer Catcher and multiple outdoor bars and vendors.

When: 5 p.m. Jan. 15

Where: Mex 1 Coastal Cantina West Ashley, 817 St. Andrews Blvd., Charleston

Price: $15-$20, Free for ages 12 & under

More Info: bit.ly/3FTJH0o

'Steel Magnolias'

What: Truvys beauty salon in Chinquapin, La., is where all the ladies who are anybody come to have their hair done. Filled with hilarious repartee and revealing verbal collisions, this play is a touching look at a cast of marvelously amiable characters.

When: 3 p.m. Jan. 16

Where: James F. Dean Theatre, 133 S. Main St., Summerville

Price: $25, $20 military/senior/student

More Info: 843-875-9251, bit.ly/3ivaJS3

Michael Bolton in concert

What: Join Michael Bolton for an evening of timeless hits and a musical journey through pop, rock, soul, standards and even classical.

When: 7:30 p.m.

Where: Gaillard Center, 95 Calhoun St., Charleston

Price: $46-$120

More Info: 843-242-3099, info@gaillardcenter.org

Karaoke Sunday

What: Sing your heart out at the Tin Roof karaoke night every Sunday from 9 p.m. to midnight.

When: 9 p.m.

Where: Tin Roof, 1117 Magnolia Road, Charleston

Price: Free

More Info: 843-571-0775, charlestontinroof.com

MLK Day (Virtual) Parade

What: Watch Charleston's annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day parade on WCBD, Channel 2. Because of COVID-19's rapid spread, the event will be virtual.

The parade route, filmed in December, will start at the Citadel and travel around Hampton Park.

When: Noon Jan. 17

Where: Televised on WCBD, Channel 2, Charleston

Price: Free

More Info: 843-722-1644, ywcagc.org/mlk-celebration
CAYCE  A city of Cayce museum committee does not have a culture of racial discrimination, but the museum could do a better job of telling the city's African American history, a city investigation found.

The investigation followed an allegation by a city of Cayce employee that a museum commission member made racist comments at a polling place on Election Day in reference to city of Columbia elections. The employee's account of the comments were credible, City Attorney Danny Crowe told council members in presenting his investigation's findings Jan. 10.

Cayce Mayor Elise Partin called for the probe into whether the comments were reflective of a more pervasive issue within the Lexington County city's government. Marion Hutson resigned in November after 20 years on the Cayce Historical Museum commission over allegations he said the city of Columbia didn't need another "colored person" as mayor.

Hutson declined through his attorney to participate in the investigation and declined a chance to deny he made the comments, Crowe said.

Crowe's findings revealed a power struggle between a small group on the city-appointed museum commission and city administrators. Some on the volunteer commission believe they are independent from the city and should have full control over museum programs and a city museum fund of about $80,000.

"That antagonism (by the commissioners) should not be supported by council, and I hope it will not be any longer," Partin said.

Crowe said the city should consider more clear rules describing the city's control over the museum and the commission's advisory role.

Councilman Skip Jenkins immediately suggested that the museum commission should be dissolved and a new panel appointed in wake of the investigation's findings. Partin said council members could bring potential action on the museum to the next meeting.

Crowe's report also found that, while the city had appointed two Black representatives in recent years to bring more diverse viewpoints to the museum, some of the commissioners believed African American contributions to the city weren't adequately represented at the museum.

Others who spoke to Crowe noted past Christmas tours at the museum with "pro-Confederate" tour guides and Civil War-era clothing.

With the help of a new museum subcommittee, the Christmas decorations in 2021 included playing cards on the Christmas tree featuring prominent Black figures from Cayce's history, Crowe said.

The controversy over Hutson's comments divided a council first over whether to remove Hutson from his post, the rift spilling into how the body handles routine appointments to city boards and commissions.

Council member Hunter Sox successfully pushed for the council to delay reappointments until January from November to review what he said were vague policies for appointing or reviewing commission members in the wake of Hutson's departure.

Sox and fellow council members Tim James and Phil Carter had voted not to remove Hutson from his post, while Partin and Jenkins had voted to remove him before Hutson resigned.

Partin had previously said delaying the appointments sent the wrong message, with one candidate a Native American and the other a political opponent of Sox.

After reviewing the committee appointment processes for six other cities, Cayce administrators did not have any recommended changes to the city's current process. The probe included nearby West Columbia, Lexington, Irmo, Blythewood and Forest Acres.

None of the other cities' processes were particularly complex and allowed for removing committee members at any time without cause, Cayce officials found. Officials in other cities said finding applicants for the volunteer boards was difficult and choosing between multiple applicants for one position was rare.

Sox said Jan. 10 he believed the city needed a more formal process to better vet potential committee members and suggested it be the subject of a future council workshop. He noted that Hutson, whom he referred to as a family friend, had been reappointed numerous times during his more than 20 years on the commission despite the alleged racist views he harbored.

"The results of this investigation are a cry for more vetting, if anything," Sox said.

Partin disagreed, reiterating that appointments should not be a hard process and that more vetting served to only intimidate and discourage potential applicants willing to serve.

Despite the disagreement over the process, the council unanimously appointed new members to four board, including the museum commission position left open by Hutson's resignation.
The Charleston County School Board further delayed a vote on a controversial proposal aimed at potentially improving 21 low-performing schools.

The board removed the charity organization the Coastal Community Foundation of South Carolina's "Reimagine Schools Proposal" from the agenda of its Jan. 10 meeting after it received days of public backlash.

The foundation is asking the board to put $31.6 million toward the creation of a program that would develop three community-based "innovation commissions" which would be responsible for creating improvement plans for the schools. Members of the public are concerned the proposal encourages the privatization of schools.

At the beginning of the meeting board member Lauren Herterich made the motion to remove the item from the agenda so that the board could engage the community in further conversation about the proposal. The board did not set a date to revisit the vote.

Darrin Goss, the foundation's President and CEO, said the future for the proposal remains unclear.

"We think delaying the vote on the proposal is probably in the best interest of more community engagement," Goss said in an interview after the meeting.

The foundation first introduced the proposal at a Dec. 13 board meeting where the board chose to give the community more time to understand it. Since then the foundation has held two community question and answer events that were intended to educate the public more about the plan.

Criticism of the proposal started circling weeks ago when it was first slated for introduction from groups like Stand As One, a community activist group in Charleston, and other organizations. Less than three hours before the Jan. 10 board meeting Rep. Marvin Pendarvis, D-Charleston, held a news conference where he announced that if the proposal was approved, he would pursue legislation to withdraw North Charleston schools from the Charleston County School District.

More Coverage To read more in-depth stories from The Post and Courier's Education Lab, go to postandcourier.com/education-lab.

"North Charleston will be no one's experiment," Pendarvis said.

Pendarvis told The Post and Courier after the meeting that he was pleased the board tabled the item. He doesn't plan to file legislation to remove North Charleston schools from the district anytime soon, but he hasn't ruled it out if the proposal eventually goes through.

Pendarvis would like to see the school board dedicate the funds to improve North Charleston schools directly without help from outside organizations.

"We can reimagine schools with our investments," he said.

Goss declined to comment on Pendarvis's news conference, but the foundation released a statement shortly after it was held saying that there is "much more common ground here than is being represented in his comments."

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Nearly 30 people spoke out against the proposal during the meeting's public comment section even though it was tabled before that part of the meeting.

Sydney Van Bulck, a childhood development teacher at Goodwin Elementary, said that she'd like to see CCSD create its own proposals rather than have input from outside organizations.

"Every school in the state has the ability to do all of the things that the Coastal Community Foundation wants to bring in," Van Bulck said.

If Reimagine Schools is approved, the foundation and the school district would work together to create three community-based "innovation commissions," dedicated to identifying improvement initiatives for select schools in constituent districts 4, 9, 20 and 23, which includes North Charleston, John's Island, downtown Charleston, Hollywood and Ravenel.

Those commissions would be made up of representatives from the Charleston County School Board, a member of the area's constituent school board, chairs of School Improvement Councils and up to 10 community members, including parents, teachers, faith and business leaders, and other key stakeholders.

Those commissions would have a total of $31.1 million to develop plans for the schools included in the proposal (another $500,000 would go toward funding staff.) Those plans can be anything from investing funds into currently running programs to creating public-private partnerships with "innovation management organizations," or nonprofits. It's the latter plan that concerns many community members.

Currently, any school district in South Carolina has the ability to create a public-private partnership through the S.C. Schools of Innovation law. The law also allows schools to apply for waivers from state requirements to have longer class times or hire teachers from non-traditional backgrounds.

Many members of the public worry that the proposal creates an avenue for privatization. Meeting Street Schools at Brentwood and Burns are currently the only two public-private schools that CCSD oversees. The proposal and the law allow for more schools like Meeting Street to be created in Charleston County.

Although the proposal would create a process for CCSD schools to partner with an innovation management organization, Goss said it doesn't encourage or incentivize privatization. He also said that CCF is not considering becoming an innovation management organization for a school.

Goss added that CCF will not be receiving any funds from the school district if the proposal is passed.

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Baristas at coffee shops and cafes that are focused on responsibly sourced ingredients generally make their own simple syrups, adding another step to the process.

With staff shortages in the food and beverage industry, the Butcher & Bee group's marketing director Tara Pates new solo venture could simplify this process, helping folks at home along the way.

Pate was furloughed from her role with the group in spring 2020 before returning later that year. With restaurants and cafes closed, Pate visited Whole Foods to purchase coffee, oat milk and sweeteners in an attempt to recreate her favorite cafe coffees while quarantined at home.

When she looked for organic simple syrups to flavor the homemade creations, she came up empty handed.

Pate, who worked for two consumer packaged goods companies in San Francisco before moving to Charleston to be closer to family, had an idea.

I honestly just had time to think for the first time, coupled with not being about to go to The Daily or Mercantile & Mash or Babas, all my favorite jaunts, said Pate, who helped develop Butcher & Bee packaged products like its fermented honey. I just felt like I had found this piece of the market that wasnt being satisfied.

After months of research, Pate launched Daysie, an e-commerce brand selling certified organic coffee syrups that arrive in recyclable glass containers. Daysies Madagascar vanilla, coconut almond and salted caramel syrups are now available online and at The Daily, the Butcher & Bee group's King Street cafe, starting on Jan. 15.

I understood the different levers that I was going to have to pull, Pate said of launching the business while working full-time. I knew the process of bringing a product to market.

Pate self-funded the business, hiring female accountants, lawyers and branding agencies as independent contractors along the way. To develop her first three flavors, she worked with experienced beverage consultant Cydney Whitmoyer of Parkside Beverage.

The vanilla and salted caramel were designed to be approachable flavors for the typical coffee consumer, while the coconut almond aims to demonstrate the companys range. Pate plans to offer many more flavors, potentially on the shelves at Whole Foods, where the Daysie journey began.

Pate credits local consumer packaged goods experts like Molly Fienning of Red Clay Hot Sauce and David Szlam of Virgil Kaine for providing advice along the way.

Perhaps most important has been Butcher & Bee owner Michael Shemtovs support.

Its just such a good idea, and it just made so much sense, Shemtov said. People have been investing in better espresso machines, and obviously the pandemic accelerated that trend.

Shemtov said The Daily will sell Daysie on its retail shelves and use it behind the coffee bar, a credit to the product and Pates contributions to the company. Other former Butcher & Bee employees have also had success in subsequent solo ventures, including Babas co-owner Edward Crouse and Renzo co-owner Nayda Freire.

Moving forward, Pate plans to keep her director of marketing job.

I think its great that our company can support that, and people can find ways to develop something thats their own while working for us, Shemtov said. I like that (Tara) went organic and well sourced, so it fits with our ethos. I believe in it strongly enough that I would trade her a piece of my company for a piece of hers.

Daysie was established as a Public Benefit Corporation, a for-profit company with a stated mission thats a benefit to the public.

At Daysie, Pate will enhance the access to resources and capital for women entrepreneurs in the food and beverage industry by donating 2.1 percent of Daysies after-tax profits to organizations that fund female entrepreneurs, like Hello Alice.

In addition to adding more flavors, Pate plans to develop pouch packaging that would allow customers to reuse Daysies glass bottles, thus reducing its environmental footprint.
GREENVILLE  U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham promised "a helluva fight" if Democrats follow through on an attempt to change filibuster rules that would allow debate on proposed voting rights legislation.

"Life as we know it in America will change dramatically" if the legislative filibuster rules change, the Seneca Republican told reporters during a news conference Jan. 10 at his office in downtown Greenville.

Democrats, who preside with a one-vote majority, have been stymied in efforts to pass two voting laws that under current Senate filibuster rules require 60 votes to allow debate.

Two moderate Democratic senators, Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona, have resisted efforts to change the rules, which without Republican support can't happen without their blessing.

In a letter last week to Democratic colleagues, Sen. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York said that a vote would occur sometime by the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, according to The Associated Press.

Democrats, including powerful U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn of Orangeburg, have cited widespread Republican claims of a stolen 2020 presidential election and the siege on the U.S. Capitol as a clear and present danger to democracy requiring voting changes.

One of the two proposed laws would reinstate the federal government's review of changes to state laws to ensure they aren't discriminatory.

In an Op-Ed in the Wall Street Journal this week, Schumer wrote that Republicans have "radicalized against democracy" with restrictive laws passed in nine states. He said failure to consider federal legislation requires the Senate "to be restored to the deliberative body it once was."

However, Graham in his comments Jan. 10 said that ending the filibuster would do the opposite and instead turn the Senate into a version of the House of Representatives, which he said is historically a less-deliberative body.

I will not accept the Senate becoming the House without one helluva fight, he said.

The filibuster has long been a sacred institution, he said, where the minority is assured a voice. The rule, he said, has stopped cold any legislation, on both sides of the political aisle, that would drastically shift policy initiatives from one election cycle to the next.

Graham offered a cautionary tale that dates back to 2013, when then-Democratic Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid changed filibuster rules that deal with judicial appointments. The change paved the way four years later for Republicans to bypass filibuster rules to install U.S. Supreme Court justices nominated by former President Donald Trump, creating a right-leaning court.

Weve crossed the Rubicon when it comes to judges," Graham said. "We have thus far as a body resisted the temptation to change the rules of the Senate to shut the minority out.

Graham referred to his role in 2005 as one of 14 senators  known as the "Gang of 14," split evenly between Republicans and Democrats  who stopped Republican efforts to remove the judicial filibuster rule that Democrats had employed to block appointments by then-President George W. Bush.

In 2017, Graham said, he resisted pressure by Trump, whom he supported, to abolish the filibuster.

President Trump constantly asked us to change the rules because a lot of things he wanted to do and I wanted to do couldnt get done," Graham said. "Thats the price you pay to allow the minority voice to exist.
Franklin, TN (37064)

Today

Mostly cloudy early. Scattered thunderstorms developing later in the day. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. High 84F. Winds SW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

Scattered thunderstorms during the evening, then cloudy skies overnight. Low 58F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.
The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control announced new updates to its COVID-19 guidance for K-12 schools amid growing COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations.

The update states that a close contact may shorten quarantine to five days if someone has no symptoms, they test negative on a viral PCR or antigen test on day four or later after the initial exposure, and they wear a mask through day 10 at all times with very few exceptions.

The agency said all three of these conditions must be met for a close contact to shorten quarantine to five days.

The agency also stated schools have two additional options for quarantine, including temporarily using a 10-day quarantine period when necessary and choosing to implement a Test To Stay program, which is heavily dependent on the availability of rapid test kits.

We know there are obvious concerns about decreasing the number of recommended quarantine and isolation days during a time when cases are spiking, Dr. Brannon Traxler, DHEC's public health director, said in a Jan. 10 press release. But we are confident this guidance provides the best opportunity to keep students and teachers in the classroom without increasing exposure."

The news comes the same day the agency reported nearly 45,000 new COVID-19 cases and 47 new deaths related to the virus.

Statewide numbers

New cases reported: 12,996 confirmed, 3,634 probable (Saturday); 11,536 confirmed, 3,698 probable (Sunday); 10,758 confirmed, 2,069 probable (Monday).

Total cases in S.C.: 862,681 confirmed, 231,545 probable.

Percent positive: 29.7 percent.

New deaths reported: Three confirmed, two probable (Saturday); 22 confirmed, eight probable (Sunday); 10 confirmed, two probable (Monday).

Total deaths in S.C.: 12,779 confirmed, 2,014 probable.

Percent of ICU beds filled (with COVID-19 and other patients): 76.56 percent.

S.C. residents vaccinated

In South Carolina, 61.1 percent of people who are eligible for the vaccine have received at least one dose, and 52.3 percent of eligible residents have completed their vaccinations.

This number reflects newly eligible residents in South Carolina, including young children. The latest data from DHEC shows 14.1 percent of children ages 5-11 have at least one vaccine dose.

Hardest-hit areas

Greenville (1,322), Richland (1,085) and Lexington (875) counties saw the highest total numbers of new cases.

What about tri-county?

Charleston County had 850 new cases, while Berkeley had 444 and Dorchester had 375.

Deaths

DHEC releases county-level data regarding COVID-19 deaths and the ages of those who have died from the virus on Tuesdays. According to the latest data released Jan. 4, at least 47 people in South Carolina died from the virus Dec. 26-Jan. 1, and their ages ranged from middle aged (35-64) to elderly (65 and older).

Greenville County recorded eight COVID deaths that week  the highest number of any county in the state.

Hospitalizations

Of the 1,747 COVID-19 patients hospitalized as of Jan. 10, 314 were in the ICU and 152 were using ventilators.

What do experts say?

State health officials are urging residents to get vaccinated against COVID-19 amid a growing number of hospitalizations due to the virus.

Go to https://vaxlocator.dhec.sc.gov to find a clinic near you.
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CONWAY  Despite 8 percent of its students currently under quarantine, daily operations will continue as usual inside South Carolinas third largest school district.

Horry County Schools superintendent Rick Maxey told board members Jan. 10 that individual schools with high number of student and faculty absences might go to virtual learning, but he has no plans to take 46,551-student district away from in-person classes.

As of Jan. 10, 3,800 are in are quarantine, according to the district. No school have announced plans to go to virtual learning.

Theres no way that in a district the size of Horry County Schools that you can say were going to do something with blanket-type motion, Maxey said.

Over the weekend, the state Department of Health and Environmental Control reported almost 45,000 new COVID cases and 47 virus-related deaths.

Horry County Schools does not have a mask mandate, but students that have tested positive through a laboratory or health care facility will be required to isolate for at least five days and wear a mask for up to 10 days, in line with new state public health guidelines.

One of the most important things we can do is continue to have in-person learning for our students," Maxey told board members. "They have, like other students across the country, suffered academically and were going to continue to that."

Meanwhile, Horry County officials said Jan. 10 government facilities will limit capacity inside amid a spike in COVID cases  63 county workers are positive and another 53 are in quarantine awaiting test results.

The countys South Strand auditor location is closed and its treasurers office is available for drive-through services only, but as tax season approaches residents are being asked to do as much business as they can online.
COLUMBIA  Horry County leads South Carolina in reported instances of human trafficking for the third consecutive year as the number of victims statewide marches upward, state Attorney General Alan Wilson said Jan. 10.

Overall, 121 trafficking cases were reported last year, compared with 139 in 2020. But there were more victims: 206 versus 179 in 2020, or a 15 percent jump.

Adults are being exploited within the hospitality and illicit massage industry. Both children and adults are being victimized via internet-based predators, Wilson said at the S.C. Statehouse, where he revealed findings from the 2021 Human Trafficking Task Forces annual report. Human trafficking continues to plague communities across South Carolina.

South Carolina draws information used in its report from three sources: calls to the National Human Trafficking Hotline, state and federal court data, and state Department of Social Services statistics.

A clerical error in the 2021 report was being fixed ahead of its publication online, state Attorney General spokesman Robert Kittle said.

South Carolinas most populous counties, which all have ready access to interstates, round out the areas where cases were most often reported last year. Among those in the top 10: Richland, Greenville, Charleston, Spartanburg, Anderson, York, Dorchester and Greenwood counties, Wilson said.

Additionally, 52 cases are pending in state courts, with 31 closed out last year.

The report's issuance is timed to publish during National Human Trafficking Awareness Month.

People in poverty, the homeless, members of the LGBTQ community, immigrants and the disabled are among the populations most susceptible to trafficking.

Wilson said several new initiatives on track in 2022, including targeted social media campaigns, and prevention education in all middle and high schools.

State and federal authorities have been aggressive in their efforts at prosecuting such incidents. In May, seven people were arrested and four others rescued as part of a Charleston-area crackdown.

And in October, a federal magistrate judge denied bail for Earl Dawson Caldwell IV, a Mount Pleasant businessman accused of providing money, drugs and clothing to a 17-year-old girl in exchange for sex.

Caldwell was arrested Oct. 11 on the federal charge of trafficking a minor for sex. In an indictment unsealed on Oct. 14, Caldwell also was charged with conspiracy to traffic a minor for sex and three counts of sexual exploitation of a child.

Caldwell pleaded not guilty on Oct. 15. He faces up to life in prison if convicted on any of the offenses.

Last year, the task force warned of new and ongoing obstacles posed by the COVID-19 pandemic in the states ongoing efforts to stamp out human trafficking.

Wilson said the most recent figures show the crime remains prevalent despite a slowdown in the economy and extended periods of isolation.

We continue to see reports of increased labor and sex trafficking even through the pandemic. The role of families and intimate partners as recruiters became a top method during the pandemic, he said on Jan. 10.
COLUMBIA  The former sheriff of Chester County will likely spend about four years in federal prison as a result of his corruption convictions in April, a judge indicated Jan. 10.

Alex Big A Underwood, who spent seven years as Chesters top lawman, appeared in court alongside two of his former top deputies to ask a federal judge to show leniency as she decides how much time they will spend behind bars.

But during the three-hour hearing, Judge Michelle Childs swatted down most of their objections to their proposed sentences.

Underwoods lawyers were successful in reducing his potential prison time to 46 to 57 months from the 57- to 71-month span a federal probation office recommended. Underwoods co-defendants were less successful.

Johnny Neal Jr. still faces about four years in prison, while Robert Sprouse faces three.

All three will be sentenced at a later date.

A jury convicted the trio last year on nearly two dozen charges alleging they abused their powerful positions to serve themselves and cover up their wrongdoing.

Prosecutors presented evidence that Underwood, Chesters first Black sheriff, ordered deputies to build him a party barn during work hours and spy on political opponents, skimmed money his deputies had earned working DUI checkpoints and illegally arrested a Chester County man who had taunted him from his porch.

Prosecutors also entered into evidence a Post and Courier investigation that found Underwood and Sprouse had improperly booked first-class plane tickets for themselves and their wives to Nevada for a sheriffs conference.

Neal and Sprouse helped facilitate and cover up some of Underwoods schemes, the jury agreed.

Though they were convicted nearly nine months ago, their sentencings have dragged on for months  stymied by COVID-19, an ill-fated appeal for a new trial, a ransomware attack on the law office of Underwoods attorneys and the defendants objections to the recommended prison sentences.

Federal judges rely on highly technical sentencing formulas as they decide how long a convicted defendant should stay behind bars, if at all. A host of factors  such as the defendants prior criminal history, the severity of the crime and whether the defendant accepted responsibility  impact the recommended sentence for each defendant.

In the Jan. 10 hearing, defense attorneys and prosecutors from the U.S. Department of Justices Public Integrity Unit warred over each of those factors.

They argued over how much public money was actually stolen, how many people were victimized by the defendants crimes and to what extent the three lawmen worked to cover up their conduct as agents from the FBI began asking questions.

The two sides rehashed many of the same arguments they made in the two-week trial in April, with prosecutors repeatedly noting that the jury sided with them.
A conservative advocacy group is challenging Charleston City Council to vote against a recently revised ordinance that would clear the way for a racial conciliation commission.

The American Heritage Association has claimed  in a paid newspaper advertisement, in social media posts, in emails sent to West Ashley residents, and in an online petition  that City Council members, should they vote in favor of a commission, are promoting critical race theory, defunding the police, reparations and releasing criminals without bail. Public speakers before council on Dec. 21 made similar claims.

"This commission is an assault on the people of Charleston. It is based on the false idea that Charleston is a systemically racist city," American Heritage Association President Brett Barry said.

In September, City Council voted against making the Special Commission on Equity, Inclusion and Racial Conciliation permanent. The temporary commission had been created in response to the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis and subsequent protests.

The special commission spent a year studying the history and current manifestations of racial, social and economic injustice in Charleston, and drafted 125 recommendations for addressing a host of issues. Council voted against accepting the commission's final report, though members were under no obligation to approve any of the recommendations.

The new ordinance, up for a vote Jan. 11, replaces the name "Special Commission on Equity, Inclusion and Racial Conciliation" with "Human Affairs and Racial Conciliation Commission," and does not include any of Barry's assertions. That's the point, according to two council members singled out by what they consider to be the American Heritage Association's misinformation campaign.

Apparently, someones out there forwarding information with my name on it saying Im favoring an extremist position, defunding the police, Councilman Peter Shahid said.

The email and social media blitz also suggests that Shahid and his colleague Karl Brady Jr., support teaching critical race theory in schools and adopting a reparations program.

Both councilmen said their records speak for themselves. They oppose reparations and CRT, and they have voted repeatedly over the years to increase police department funding.

The only reason they are now able to vote in favor of the amended ordinance is because reference to specific policies was purposefully omitted, and because the commission now would have a three-year renewable term.

"We don't want to bind a future council," Shahid said.

The American Heritage Association is funding a lawsuit against the city of Charleston to prevent it from lending the decommissioned statue of John C. Calhoun to a Los Angeles-based art exhibit.

In a press release circulated with the lawsuit, the association included a quote from state Rep. Lin Bennett, R-Charleston, who said she would introduce legislation withholding state funding from Charleston if the city agrees to relocate the statute.

State funding directed at cities helps pay for essential services such as policing, firefighting, garbage collecting and more, Shahid said.

Barry said it was his understanding the state funding would not affect public safety.

"This is a desperate attempt by Councilman Shahid to deflect," he said.

Barry said it's not possible to separate the commission from the recommendations contained in the report, and any effort to establish the group now is not substantially different from the first time around.

"It's the same thing," he said. "Theyre just trying to put a new coat of paint on it."

The new commission would "acknowledge" the original recommendations, but it would not be obligated to consider them. Some of the original suggestions, including teaching CRT, do not fall under the purview of council.

Brady said the current vote is only about forming a commission with a revised scope and purpose that would consider ways the city can better serve all marginalized communities, not only African Americans.

We wanted this to be seen as a new commission that would look at issues of equity in city government, and the citys racial history is part of that, but we didnt want it to be just that," Brady said. Supporting a newly conceived commission is in "no way an endorsement of the report.

Before their last meeting on Dec. 21, West Ashley council members Brady, Shahid and Ross Appel  who all had voted against accepting the original report and forming a permanent commission  met with their colleagues Jason Sakran and William Dudley Gregorie to hash out a compromise that resulted in a revised ordinance. No public debate ensued, and the changes were not reflected in the meeting's public agenda, perhaps leading to some confusion over what exactly was under consideration. It passed a first vote. The revised ordinance, now publicly available, is up for a final vote on Jan. 11.

In a statement, Tecklenburg rejected the American Heritage Association's claims.

"I've increased, not decreased, the police budget every year I've been mayor," he said. "I've supported affordable housing and minority business opportunities, not cash reparations. And like most 1960s music fans, I know a lot more about CCR (Creedence Clearwater Revival) than CRT, but wouldn't impose either one on our school kids. Long story short, Council won't be voting on any of those issues Tuesday night and the claims in the petition are false."

Gregorie said he was comfortable with the new ordinance. The recommendations in the report now are merely a matter of reference, a potential starting point for a new commission, he said.

"What we have is a compromise I can live with," he said.
Along the walls of Canvas Hair Company, slim mirrors, bohemian lighting and accent art, along crisply painted white walls welcome you to a space for hair creativity.

As Canvas Hair Company moved from Martinez, Georgia to their new Jackson Square location in North Augusta, they wanted to bring a fresh atmosphere that catered to the community to their salon work.

Everyone is really welcoming and just the location has been really fantastic. We love all of our neighbors here in Jackson Square, co-owner Rebekah Stearns said. Its really neat to see the reaction of our clients, even the ones that do live in Augusta. No complaints about getting here, finding it. Their reaction when they walk through the door is priceless.

Canvas Hair Company, which had been operating in Georgia for one year, decided to move and expand.

Well, the majority of our stylists and clients live in (South) Carolina, live in Aiken County, so that was kind of tugging at us, Stearns said. ...It's just a growing community. We wanted a sense of community because inside of our salon, we have a little community. So we wanted to kind of have community involvement, and we just feel at home over here.

The salon, with nine stylists members, specializes in balayage, highlights and extension hair care services.

Stearns, alongside co-owner Heather Tanner, are excited to add to North Augustas expanding downtown and small town feeling.

Everyone is so friendly and it's a small town, a big town but a small town feel and I like that, Tanner said. So I really have enjoyed it.

Canvas stylist Katie Pfennig agrees.

I think North Augusta needs something that is exciting, and we are kind of like a family here and we wanted to be more of a community with other people, and North Augusta can give us that, Pfennig said.

The salon hopes to add education and esthetician services in the future.

Tanner hopes to add value in hair salon service to the North Augusta community.

We have always been people people, and we love to greet and cater and love, and you dont find that all the time. Its special. Were best friends and we have always treated people like that, and that is something that we have in common, and I think something that reflects in the space, not just the clients but stylists too, Tanner said. ...it is just the heart that is there and that matches the heart that is here, so it's like we have kind of found our home.
COLUMBIA  House Republicans voted to advance proposed congressional maps that would turn the competitive Lowcountry district held by U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace into a safe Republican seat.

The proposal, which passed the House Judiciary Committee on partisan lines Jan. 10, is a recrafting of a previous House map that kept Maces 1st Congressional District  previously one of the more competitive districts in the country  winnable by Republicans and Democrats alike.

The proposal mirrors a Senate proposal that was blasted by critics for being drawn along racial and partisan lines. It also lays the groundwork for a likely legal challenge by groups that believe the maps will marginalize the Black vote.

Redistricting Committee Chairman Rep. Jay Jordan, R-Florence, largely downplayed those concerns, saying the proposed map closely resembles current district boundaries that keep the Lowcountrys Beaufort County  which leans Republican  within District 1.

Democrats lambasted the proposed maps, accusing House Republicans of downplaying the concerns of voters in Charleston against those in more rural, Republican-leaning areas of the state. Specifically, the plan proposes to swap red precincts into Maces district and increase the share of Black voters in U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburns 6th District, which leans heavily Democratic.

We have been cracked so much and packed so much that we don't have a voice in all but one particular congressional district, Rep. John King, D-Rock Hill, who is Black, said during Mondays hearing.

It seems to me if we're looking at the percentage of African Americans and minorities in this state, we would at least have an opportunity to have a voice in more than just one particular congressional district," he added. "It was politics at best that has played into the drawing of this map to ensure that for the next 10 years Black folk only have a voice in one particular district.

The redistricting process is conducted every decade to ensure congressional district boundaries reflect population growth and shifts seen in the U.S. Census. Over the last 10 years, South Carolina added nearly 500,000 people, for a growth rate of 10.7 percent, with a significant share of the expansion along the coast.

Population growth in the Lowcountry has been explosive in recent years  something state Rep. Weston J. Newton, R-Bluffton, says makes it necessary to divide the region to keep populations consistent between the state's seven congressional districts.

While some in Charleston, including former U.S. Rep. Joe Cunningham, have advocated to keep Charleston and North Charleston whole under the congressional re-draw, Newton said he believed the interests of voters in Beaufort  particularly in regard to issues like offshore drilling and tourism  more resembled those of greater Charleston than North Charleston.

He noted North Charleston counts a large Black population and shares borders with similar communities in and around Columbia where Clyburn resides.

Some members of the committee said they believed the politics behind the maps has created lines that would mathematically keep Democrats from holding office, contending also that the process was conducted on a timeline that made it difficult for members of the public to voice their concerns.

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Other Democrats argued the plan treated voters of colors to a different standard than those in districts with Whiter populations, and questioned why a second map was necessary.

Who's to say that their input isn't more important or less important? King said. I don't see where the bar is set to where the information, feedback, input that is given has risen to the level to where we draw an additional map.

Jordan downplayed the role of partisanship or race in the drawing of the maps, saying the reasons for the proposed district lines were practical. But partisanship and race seeped deeply into the tone of Mondays hearings.

Before the House Judiciary Committee began its debate on the maps, King argued the committee was meeting in violation of House rules after Newton was named acting chair in place of Rep. Chris Murphy, R-North Charleston. House rules state that when chair is absent the 1st vice chair  in this case, King  serve as chair.

And while King pressed Republican lawmakers on perceptions of racial packing, Jordan downplayed the role of race, saying the lines were drawn solely on the request of voters in Beaufort.

Once we proposed the alternate plan and took hearing testimony on it, we did hear from folks in Charleston that expressed displeasure with it, Jordan said. I would say that it was not to the same number-wise, the volume wasn't quite as high perhaps, but it did exist.

The alternative map would still likely face legal opposition in the courts if passed by the full House. The American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit challenging the proposals legality shortly after its release, while House Republicans have already begun preparing to defend its plans in court.

The Associated Press reported earlier that members of House Republican leadership are attempting to remove the judge presiding over that case, arguing U.S. District Judge Richard Gergel could not fairly consider the case due to his work on prior redistricting cases.

Jordan, the redistricting committee chairman, defended the committees maps and the process in which they were released, saying that the timeline the committee followed in releasing the maps were due largely to delays in the release of census data caused by COVID-19.

And the maps they voted on, he said, would withstand legal scrutiny, based closely on a plan that had previously received an approving nod from the U.S. Department of Justice a decade prior.

I think we can legally rely on it, Jordan said. It was good enough then, and we've got some basis legally to stand on to say it shouldn't be solid legal footing at this juncture.

Both the S.C. House and S.C. Senate plans will now proceed through the full House of Representatives.
SPARTANBURG  The 35th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Unity Week Celebration in Spartanburg will include the Walk As One event at Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church.

The walk begins at 9 a.m. on Jan. 15 at 502 S. Daniel Morgan Ave. City Communications and Marketing Christopher George said the route will include walks through the Highland and Northside areas of the city. The walk was canceled in 2021 due to the pandemic.

The Unity Celebration scheduled for Jan. 17 at Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium has been canceled due to the pandemic.

"We planned to scale back the Unity Celebration event but with the latest COVID spike we decided not to do that this year," George said. "In the past, the walk has drawn several thousand people. The route this year will leave and return to Macedonia making a loop. It brings folks together and allows them to walk with someone they might not know or who comes from a different community who might not be in the same circles."

On Jan. 17, United Way of the Piedmont will host an MLK Day of Service in Spartanburg County. There are several community projects available. The list of projects can be found at uwpiedmont.org/events.

Celebrating King's legacy remains important, said Rev. Ben Snoddy of Mount Moriah Baptist Church in Spartanburg. Snoddy has regularly participated in the city's MLK Unity Week Celebration.

"I think continuing to remember Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. reminds all of us what we can be and how we can be better as a nation," Snoddy said. "We still need to learn to get along with each other along religious lines and racial lines. If we don't do that, we will self destruct."

Snoddy said King's message of working together despite differences remains relevant. The annual Unity Week Celebration allows Spartanburg residents to express themselves and work to build better relationships with each other, he said.

"If we don't get along, then it's just chaos. It should not get to the point of being hateful and people wanting to hurt other people. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. reminds us to work together and do that everyday."
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte speaks to the press at a polling station in the Hague, the Netherlands, March 17, 2021. (Photo by Sylvia Lederer/Xinhua)

BEIJING, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Monday sent a congratulatory message to Mark Rutte on his reelection as the Dutch prime minister.

In his message, Li said that China and the Netherlands are important partners of each other, adding that in recent years, China-Dutch relations have maintained a good momentum of development and practical cooperation in various fields has been deepening.

Li said that he looks forward to continuing to work hand in hand with Rutte to promote the open and practical comprehensive cooperative partnership between China and the Netherlands to achieve more results for the benefit of the two countries and their people. 
SPARTANBURG  The Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine was recognized by the state Department of Health and Environmental Control for its efforts to provide vaccines to medically underserved communities across the Upstate.

VCOM received DHEC's COVID-19 Community Hero Award on Jan. 10 for administering vaccines through their COVID vaccination clinic and mobile medical unit. The mobile medical unit is an RV that has been converted into a medical facility.

We are both humbled and honored to receive this award, said Matthew Cannon, dean of VCOMs Carolinas campus in Spartanburg. This was certainly not something that was expected, but it was truly a testimony to our school's mission.

In the spring of 2020, VCOM partnered with DHEC to hold school-based mobile vaccine clinics for rising sixth and seventh graders to ensure that they had all required vaccines to start school. The effort led to 18 mobile clinics and was a part of a pilot mobile vaccination program for the Cherokee County School District. Mobile COVID-19 vaccines were held at six locations across the Upstate, including at Tri-County Technical College and Dorman High School.

Throughout the pandemic, VCOM was able to administer routine vaccines for children  such as MMR, tetanus, diphtheria, polio and varicella  who were unable to visit a doctor. The medical school partnered with DHEC in 2021 to open a clinic in the Northside area of Spartanburg, which serves as a COVID-19 vaccine administration site across the street from VCOM.

This has been a pleasure because this has really been truly a joint effort, said Kandi Fredere, Upstate regional public health director for DHEC. And everybody's been at the table really talking through, problem solving and thinking what works best for everybody involved.
Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Marianas awarded a $400 million design-build multiple award construction contract to 10 businesses for work within the NAVFAC Marianas area of responsibility, NAVFAC stated in a press release. Six of the 10 contractors are based on Guam.

The indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity design-build contract was awarded to:

 Agbayanai Construction Corp. of Daly City, California.

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 Allied Pacific Builders of Dededo, Guam.

 BME and Sons Inc. of Mangilao, Guam.

 Fargo Pacific of Tamuning, Guam.

 LRG Construction JV of Anchorage, Alaska.

 Modern International Inc. of Barrigada, Guam.

 Sea Pac Engineering Inc. of Los Angeles, California.

 Serrano Construction and Development Corp. of Dededo, Guam.

 Techni-Con Inc. of Mangilao, Guam.

 Weldin Construction LLC of Wasilla, Alaska.

"This DBMACC award further enables our warfighter readiness in Guam and the Marianas by providing critical facilities and engineering requirements for the Department of Defense," said NAVFAC Marianas commanding officer Capt. Tim Liberatore. "The contract award to (six) local companies demonstrates the Navy's enduring partnership with the island's construction industry to leverage the expertise and talent of our small business community."

The work to be performed provides for new construction, renovation/modernization, and routine repair/maintenance at various federal or military facilities and installations on Guam, NAVFAC stated in the release.

The term of this contract is not to exceed 96 months, with an expected completion date of January 2030. The contract was competitively procured via the System for Award Management Contract Opportunities website, with 22 proposals received, NAVFAC stated in the release.
The Work Zone

Many of us didnt grow up with a strong male influence in the home. My parents split before I was 10, so the majority of the wisdom I picked u Read more
The CDC and other government agencies grossly overhyped the covid epidemic. Many suspect that this was done intentionally, in order to drive President Trump from office. The best argument against this hypothesis is that foreign government agencies were nearly as panic-stricken as our own.

The Minnesota Department of Health maintains an extraordinary volume of records relating to every death that occurs within the jurisdiction. These data include not only the entire contents of the death certificate, but information as to who found the body, the address and phone number of the funeral parlor, and much morea spread sheet with over 250 fields in total. I bought the complete MDH mortality records for 2020 and the first half of 2021, had one of my staff members slim the spread sheet down to the relevant fields, and printed all the records where the death certificate included the words covid, sars-2, etc. I then spent some time reviewing these thousands of records.

If you follow this simple procedure, you immediately realize two things: 1) most covid deaths involve people who have already lived longer than the average life expectancy in our state, and 2) when you look at the various maladies listed on the death certificates, in a large majority of cases covid was the least of the decedents problems. In many if not most instances, it seems a marvel that the person was still living so as to catch the coronavirus.

For whatever reason, government agencies, starting with the CDC, have done their best to obscure these basic realities, demanding that children be vaccinated and masked, for example, when covid is less of a risk to children than the average seasonal flu.

These days, the CDC is finally beginning to express a more reasonable view of the covid epidemic. Maybe this is because the facts have become blindingly obvious, or maybe it is because we now have a Democratic administration that CDC wants to protect. In any event, CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky is backtracking:

Is it time to start rethinking how were living with this virus, that its potentially here to stay? CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky was asked on Good Morning America. The overwhelming number of deaths, over 75 percent, occurred in people who had at least four comorbidities. So really these are people who were unwell to begin with, Walensky replied.

Do tell! This is what many of us have been saying for a long time. But consider the fact that Walensky acknowledges: more than 75% had not just one comorbidity, but four or more. That is consistent with my own review of death certificates. As one doctor said early in the epidemic, the people who are dying with covid are those who had one foot in the grave and the other foot on a banana peel.

Similarly, the CDC now acknowledges that vaccination will not protect you from getting, or spreading, the coronavirus:

Our vaccines are working exceptionally well, Walensky said, They continue to work well for Delta with regard to severe illness and death they prevent it. But what they cant do anymore is prevent transmission.

I am not sure what the anymore means. Obviously, vaccination never has prevented transmission. Unfortunately.

Is the CDC finally getting realistic because it has discovered a newfound dedication to the science? Or is it because we now have a Democratic government, rather than the Trump administration which the federal bureaucracy was determined to bring down?

Your guess is as good as mine. In any event, it is good to see a glimmer of reality entering into the bureaucracys pronouncements about covid.
Adam Kredo reports for the Washington Free Beacon:

A former Iranian official who is a faculty member at Princeton University recently bragged in an interview about how his hardline governments death threats against a former top Trump administration official had him and his family trembling with fear. Hussein Mousavian, a former member of Irans nuclear negotiating team who works as a Middle East security and nuclear policy specialist at Princeton University, said in a recent interview that the Iranian regimes threats to murder Brian Hook, the Trump administrations special envoy for Iran, have heavily impacted Hooks family life.

As always, I love this: Princeton did not respond to Free Beacon requests for comment.

Mousavian was not so reticent:

Mousavian, in an email to the Free Beacon, said he was merely discussing the realities of the threat. Soleimanis assassination, he added, was a clear violation of international laws. During past decades, the U.S. and Iranian official threatened each other thousands of times, Mousavian said. Academics and analysts have always quoted the threat statements and analyzed. In an interview, I mentioned that such threats, cause harms to families which is a fact. The reality is that the assassination of General Soleimani in Baghdad was a clear violation of international laws since he was in an official visit invited by Iraqi prime minister to discuss fight on terror and improvement of Iran-Saudi relations. I always have reiterated that the U.S. and Iran should avoid threatening and the use of force and resolve their dispute through diplomacy.

However:

Mousavian attended Soleimanis funeral and maintained in an opinion piece at the time that the murdered military leader was not a terrorist.

And this:

Mousavians comments were made in a documentary produced and released this month by a company tied to Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps titled 72 hours. His Farsi language remarks were independently translated for the Washington Free Beacon.

Perhaps no comment is necessary.

Related: The Princeton historian mugged by Princeton>
Many shelves are empty again at the local stores where we shop for food. Last week, my store of choice, part of a big local chain, was devoid of yogurt and only two bottles of orange juice remained. Since then, the shortages have become worse.

Whats the cause of this problem? One significant factor appears to be a lack of workers due to illness from the new coronavirus variant.

This problem reportedly is occurring throughout the supply chain. For example, Reuters says there has been a spate of infections among inspectors at meat plants. Slate says that some parents who work in grocery stores are staying home due to widespread school and day care closures, while others have decided their jobs just arent worth the risk of exposure during this surge (a questionable choice, I would have thought).

The weather is very likely another factor in the Washington, D.C. area. My trip to the grocery store occurred less than two days after a snowfall of four to six inches. Thats not much by normal standards, but in D.C. its a crisis.

What about Americas ports? In December, Joe Biden claimed that this part of the supply chain problem had largely been solved by his team. His supply chain czar cited an alleged 50 percent reduction in containers stuck for more than eight days at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.

But now, according to NROs Dominic Pino, the line of ships waiting there is at an all-time high:

There are now more than three times as many container ships waiting for LA/LB berths as there were at this time last year. . .and 31% more than on Oct. 24, when online searches for the term supply chain peaked and the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach announced a new Biden administration-backed congestion fee plan.

Moreover:

The total amount of cargo waiting offshore is 815,958 TEU (20-foot equivalent units). Thats more than the combined amount of imports for Los Angeles and Long Beach for the entire month of November, the story says.

These numbers are surprising because, according to Pino, January and February are usually a time when companies cut seasonal workers and regroup in preparation for the next peak season. Thus, for the congestion to continue to increase through the conclusion of the holidays is not a good sign, and companies will have a hard time catching up before the next peak season starts in August.

The problem at ports, which extends to Oakland, Seattle, Houston, Savannah, Charleston, Norfolk, and New York/New Jersey, appears to be covid related. According to American Shipper, there are omicron-induced dockworker shortages at U.S. terminals.

Presumably, these shortages will ease when new cases per day fall or when people become less fearful of the virus. But when will that happen?
Lani Guinier, the law professor and civil rights attorney, died on January 7. The Washington Posts obituary is here.

The Post uses its obituary to settle old scores against Republicans and to make political/ideological points. Accordingly, the obit begins this way:

Lani Guinier, a lawyer whose innovative and provocative writings on racial justice and voting rights were used to undermine her nomination to lead the Justice Departments Civil Rights Division early in the presidency of Bill Clinton, died Jan. 7 at an assisted-living facility in Cambridge, Mass. She was 71.

The Post seems to suggest that theres something unfair about using a nominees writings to evaluate her suitability for a key government position. Yet, this is standard practice and was at the time.

Nowadays, Republican nominees can even be torpedoed based on what they wrote decades earlier as college students, with no protest from the Post. The writings around which GOP opposition to Guinier centered were all current and on point.

As to those writings, the Post states:

Seeking to deal a blow to Clinton, conservative activists seized on Ms. Guiniers articles in law journals to discredit her as a radical reformer who sought to overturn the countrys election system and remake society. . . . In a controversial article from 1991, she called for Black political candidates to be not just physically black but to demonstrate a cultural and psychological view of group solidarity. She advocated anti-discrimination policies under which roughly equal outcomes, not merely an apparently fair process, are the goal.

To the Post, seizing must be almost as bad as pouncing.

But the policies Guinier favored  ones that seek equal racial outcomes, as opposed to equal opportunities to compete  were radical and would have remade society. Even Bill Clinton, a friend of Guinier who reportedly attended her wedding, realized this and said so when he pulled Guiniers nomination. Yet, the Post wants to make it seem like Republicans were pouncing on Guinier for merely partisan reasons.

The Post goes on to say that Guiniers views have become more mainstream in recent years. Thats true. They may now have majority support among Democrats and they certainly do among Dem politicians.

But they still arent mainstream. Voters continue to favor colorblind, merit-based policies over policies designed to distribute benefits equally on the basis of race. Thats true even in California.

The Post does point, without irony, to one position of Guiniers that might well be mainstream. She wrote:

51 percent of the people should not always get 100 percent of the power.

Someone please break the news to Chuck Schumer.

Lani Guinier was a brilliant thinker and activist who devoted her life to causes she believed in passionately. She deserves to be remembered as such. But only near the end of its obit, after Republicans have been bashed, does the Post finally get around to documenting these virtues.

Its unfortunate that the Posts blatant partisanship and leftism filters into even its obituary page. But its not surprising. The past has its uses and so, I suppose, do the dead.
The Federal Republic of Nigeria has pledged to pay the full capital arrears of US$28.7 million in Shelter Afrique, Nigerias Finance Minister, Zainab Ahmed, disclosed at a meeting with Shelter Afrique Group Managing Director and CEO, Andrew Chimphondah, in Abuja.

The minister further disclosed that the payment will be made in four installments starting January 2022.

In September 2020, the pan African housing development financier received US$$9.4 million from Nigeria. The contribution moved Nigeria to become the second largest shareholder in the organisation with 13.27 per cent of the shareholding, behind Kenya with 17.78 per cent and ahead of the AfDB at 12.83%.

Lauding the government of Nigeria for its show of confidence in the institution and a stamp of approval for the organisations financial turnaround, Mr Chimphondah said, This is a major milestone which is set to propel Nigeria to become the largest shareholder in Shelter-Afrique when the country meets its capital commitment. This is a strong testament of the strong shareholder commitment and support of the Shelter Afrique Board and Management.

Housing Bond

Shelter Afrique is planning to issue 250 Billion Naira Bond (US$500million) in 2022 to support its affordable housing projects in Nigeria. The Company is set to commence the road shows with prospective investors in January 2022 and is expected to conclude fundraising by end of February.

Shelter Afrique has embarked on a defined strategy of developing and deepening local capital markets so that access to local currency which is competitively priced can be made available to Nigerian Developers from the Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria (REDAN), Large Developers and Tier 1 and Tier 2 Banks and Primary Mortgage Lenders. The significance of this is that Shelter-Afrique will have been successful in dealing with the foreign exchange exposure risks that have crippled many African countries caused by the weakening of local African currencies against hard currencies such as the United States Dollar and the British Pound Sterling, Mr. Chimphondah said.

Thanking the Finance Minister for supporting the Bond Issue by the approvals received on critical waivers from the Ministry of Finance, Mr. Chimphondah noted that Nigeria was a critical and strategic market for Shelter Afrique, adding that the fund realized from the bond issue will go a long way in address affordable housing shortage in the country, now estimated at 17 Million Units against the continents 56 million units.

As a response to addressing this housing shortage, Shelter Afrique will implement a transformative strategy that will crowd in additional capital funding into the low cost large scale affordable housing market in a commercially viable manner, Mr. Chimphondah concluded.

Shelter-Afrique is a pan African housing finance and development institution established by African governments to address the need for a sustainable housing delivery system and related infrastructure projects in Africa. Shareholders include 44 African countries, the African Development Bank, the African Re-Insurance Corporation, and Fonds de Solidarite Africain (FSA).

The companys mandate is to provide financing through debt, quasi-equity, and equity to both public and private institutions for housing and urban infrastructure projects in its member countries. Shelter Afrique builds strategic partnerships and offers a host of products and related services to support the efficient delivery of affordable housing and commercial real estate. These include project finance, institutional lending, equity investments & joint ventures, trade finance, and social housing.
The United Nations said it had begun talks in Sudan on Monday to save the move towards democracy after a military coup.

UN officials contacted political parties to find a way to move forward, and the military did not challenge the initiative, UN Special Rapporteur Volker Perthes told reporters.

We want to act quickly, he said.

The UN plan currently represents the only substantive effort to resolve the political crisis.

The October military takeover destroyed a power-sharing agreement with private leaders aimed at paving the way for the 2019 post-overthrow elections of Omar al-Bashir leaders.

The coup also blocked the opening of the Western-backed economy after decades of isolation and sanctions.

Protesters regularly appear on the streets demanding civilian control, and medical personnel in line with the protests say more than 60 people died in clashes with security agencies.

We hope these talks will be like confidence-building measures, at least to help reduce violence, Mr Perthes said.

Protesters and political parties expelled by the coup have so far refused to negotiate directly with the military.

Therefore, the United Nations will begin by approaching the groups individually, hoping to move to the second phase of direct or indirect negotiations, Mr Perthes said.

The first session on Monday afternoon will be attended by a civil society group.

We will have different stakeholders talking to each other every day, he said.

UN officials urged the group to present a vision for progress at the end of the meeting with the aim of forming an agreement on agreements and disagreements.

In a statement late Monday, the military-led Sovereign Council welcomed the initiative and called for the participation of the African Union.

Mr Perthes said that only Mr Bashirs former ruling party and the Sudanese Communist Party rejected the initiative altogether.

He said it would be difficult to set a time frame to finish and start negotiations, and if an additional week or two is needed, no strict deadline will be imposed.

Time is precious, we know it. There is a lot of pressure on Sudan and our situation, he added.

Unless a new path for transition and a path to credible elections are found, Sudans economic plight can worsen and instability can spread inside and outside the border, analysts and diplomats say.

Mr Perthes told Reuters that he would find a way to take advantage of offers from international players such as the United States and Saudi Arabia, which are major donors.

The United States, Saudi Arabia, and a few others are very deeply involved and they helped develop some ideas, he said.

Further large-scale protests against the military are planned, with another round scheduled for Wednesday.

(Reuters/NAN)
After months of speculation, the national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, has formally declared his intention to run for the countrys president in 2023.

He disclosed this to journalists after a closed-door meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari in Abuja on Monday.

In his interview with State House reporters, Mr Tinubu said it has been his age-long ambition to lead the country one day.

I have informed the President of my ambition but I have not informed Nigerians yet, I am still consulting. And I have no problem consulting. And Ive not set a parameter of limitation to the extent of how many people I will consult.

You will soon hear. All you want to hear is the categorical declaration. Youve gotten that truth from me that I have informed Mr President of my ambition, and you dont expect more answers than that, he said.

His position was also confirmed to PREMIUM TIMES by his spokesperson, Tunde Rahman, who implored this reporter to wait for a full transcription of his boss interview with state correspondents.

TVC News, a television station believed to be owned by Mr Tinubu, also confirmed in its report that Mr Tinubu made the statement to reporters.

While the former Lagos governor could not disclose Mr Buharis position on his decision to run to journalists, his statement however, suggests the presidents compliance with his vow not to openly canvass support for any candidate.

Thats our business. He is a Democrat. He didnt ask me to stop. He didnt ask me not to attempt and pursue my ambition, it is a lifelong ambition. So, why do I expect him to say more than that? You are running a democratic dispensation, and you must adopt the principles and the values and the virtues of democracy. Thats it, Mr Tinubu said in response to a question on what transpired at the closed-door meeting with the president.

When asked to comment on his chances if he runs against the duo of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and Governor Yayaha Bello of Kogi State, who has since declared his intention to run for president at the party primary, Mr Tinubu dodged the question but instead stated that he hopes to replicate his feats in Lagos as a governor and also build on the infrastructural achievements of the current administration.

Role of Kingmaker

Without denying his role as a kingmaker in the Nigerian political space, the APC chieftain reiterated his rights to contest for any seat in the country.

About the cap of the kingmaker. Ive never seen the cap of a kingmaker before. That is the truth. And Ive never seen where it is written in the rule book anywhere in any country that a kingmaker cannot be a king unless you commit murder.

So, whatever is your attribute is your own opinion. I want to pursue my ambition without the title of a kingmaker. You can write your literature and your story based upon your own perception, Mr Tinubu said.

With his declaration, Mr Tinubu will be among the frontrunners to succeed Mr Buhari whose tenure as president ends in May 2023.

While Mr Bello declared last year to run for the nations top political seat, Mr Osinbajo has not made his intention public, despite the support he is getting from his allies.
Airlines from neighbouring countries and former colonial ruler France cancelled flights to Mali on Monday, helping isolate a military junta under regional sanctions for trying to extend its hold on power.

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), on Sunday, agreed on a raft of restrictions against Mali, including the suspension of financial transactions, over the interim authorities failure to hold democratic elections next month as agreed after a 2020 military coup.

Neighbours also said they would close road and air borders.

Ivory Coasts national carrier, Air Cote dIvoire, halted flights to the Malian capital Bamako on Monday.

Flights from Senegal were also disrupted, according to a Reuters reporter trying to enter Mali.

Air France had also cancelled flights, an airline spokesperson said, because of security risks, without providing further detail.

The head of Malis airports, Lassina Togola, said in a statement that Air France flights on Monday were cancelled but not suspended long-term.

Assimi Goita, Malis current leader and one of several colonels who overthrew President Boubacar Ibrahim Keita in August 2020, called for calm in a statement on Monday, adding that Mali had the means to withstand the latest sanctions.

Mr Goita, who staged a second coup in May 2021 when he pushed aside the interim president to take the job for himself, said that his government remains open to further negotiations with the regional bloc.

Another military spokesperson had previously condemned the sanctions as illegal and illegitimate.

This is the toughest stance ECOWAS has taken on Mali since it implemented similar measures in the immediate aftermath of President Boubacar Ibrahim Keitas ouster in August 2020.

Those sanctions, which caused a sharp drop in imports to the landlocked country, were lifted inside two months after the authorities promised an 18-month transition to civilian rule.

Guineas transitional authorities said on Monday that they were not associated with ECOWASs decision to sanction Mali, and that their shared border will remain open.

The bloc suspended Guineas membership in September after its own military coup.

The bloc hopes renewed economic pressure, including cutting Mali off from regional financial markets and trade of non-essential goods, will push Bamako to rethink the latest proposal to delay presidential and legislative elections to December 2025  nearly four years after they were supposed to be held.

The Malian government has promised it will try to ensure a normal supply of goods to the public, but sanctions are likely to further hobble the economy in one of the worlds poorest countries where an Islamist insurgency rages, fuelled in part by widespread poverty.

Barrick Gold, which owns Malis biggest gold mine complex, Loulo-Gounkoto, said on Monday its mines in the country had thus far not been affected by the ECOWAS sanctions.

Gold miners Hummingbird Resources and Cora, which also have operations in Mali, said they were monitoring the situation in the wake of the sanctions decision.

Washington on Monday said it backed the sanctions move and shared concerns over the likely destabilising impact of Russia-backed Wagner group forces.

The United States commends the strong actions taken by the ECOWAS in defense of democracy and stability in Mali, State Department spokesperson Ned Price said in a statement.

Malis political upheaval has deepened tensions with France, which has thousands of soldiers deployed across West Africas Sahel region to battle the insurgents.

For now, some residents in Bamako shrugged off the sanctions, saying they supported the governments strategy.

We cannot be independent without suffering; we have to accept suffering, said electronics store owner Aboubacar Yalcouye.

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(Reuters/NAN)
Shares nosedived on Monday due to the fall of real estate stocks caused by massive selling at the end of the trading session.

On the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange (HoSE), the market benchmark dropped 1.62 per cent, to 1,503.71 points.

The market's breadth was negative with only 141 gainers, and 308 losers.

During the session, over 1.38 billion shares were traded on the southern bourse, worth nearly VN41.8 trillion (US$1.84 billion).

The benchmark's downtrend was due to losses of many large-cap stocks, especially in real estate and banking sectors.

The VN30-Index, which tracks 30 biggest stocks on HoSE, fell 1.14 per cent, to 1,514.70 points.

Of the VN30 basket, 24 stocks slid, while only four inched higher and two ended flat.

Banking stocks fell and put great pressure on the overall market, with losers including Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam (BID), Vietcombank (VCB), Sai Gon Thuong Tin Commercial Joint Stock Bank (STB), Sai Gon-Ha Noi Bank (SHB), Asia Commercial Bank (ACB), Military Bank (MBB), VPBank (VPB), Techcombank (TCB), Tien Phong Bank (TPB) and Lien Viet Post Bank (LPB).

Real estate stocks also lost ground, including Investment And Industrial Development Corporation (BCM) and LDG Investment (LDG) both falling to the floor prices. Besides, Nam Long Group (NLG) decreased by 6.8 per cent, FLC Group Joint Stock Company (FLC) decreased by 6.2 per cent. at Xanh Group (DXG) fell 5.6 per cent and Ha o Group (HDG) lost 5.2 per cent.

VNIndex today witnessed a struggling session with the VN-Index touching the area of 1,535 points, said BIDV Securities Co.

Regarding the transactions of foreign investors, today they net sold on the HoSE and net bought on the HNX.

In the coming sessions, the market is likely to struggle with a strong divergence among stocks, but it can be expected that 1,550 points will be the next destination for the VN-Index, it said.

Foreign investors net sold VN477.07 billion on HOSE, including Vincom Retail (VRE) with VN266.61 billion, Vingroup (VIC) with VN160.42 billion, and Vinamilk (VNM) with VN125.61 billion.

Foreign investors were net buyers on HNX with the value of VN66.70 billion.

On the Ha Noi Stock Exchange (HNX), meanwhile, the HNX-Index lost 2.22 per cent to end at 482.89 points.

During the trading session, investors poured nearly VN5.2 trillion into the bourse, equivalent to a trading volume of more than 185.6 million shares. VNS
BEIJING, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- China's civil aviation industry has become smarter, thanks to continuous efforts in injecting new-generation digital technologies and management modes into the sector.

In 2021, major progress was achieved in building a smart civil aviation industry in fields such as airport management and aircraft inflight connectivity, according to the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC).

By the end of 2021, 66 airports nationwide were capable of providing facial-recognition services, data from the CAAC shows.

Meanwhile, 234 airports could serve their passengers with a "paperless" journey by introducing e-boarding and e-security checks, allowing passengers to travel with only their identification cards and eliminating the need for conventional paper boarding tickets.

By the end of 2021, 842 aircraft in China's civil aviation fleet were capable of providing inflight WiFi services.

China has also launched an "easy security check" service, which provides safer and more efficient security-check measures, at major airports with an annual passenger throughput of more than 10 million.

"It's a new security-check mode sustained by information technologies," said Li Tong, deputy head with the public security bureau of the CAAC. "Under ideal conditions, passengers could save up to half the time by going through the new security check at airports."

The application of digital technologies is of great importance to ensuring safety, efficiency and sustainable growth.

The CAAC is committed to making the industry smarter by integrating new-generation digital technologies into the whole industry -- from air travel, air logistics and customs clearance, to the industry's operation and supervision, according to the CAAC's smart aviation strategy.

The administration has also been actively promoting the radio-frequency identification technology in luggage tracking, automatic luggage check-in, and intelligent inquiry services, among others.

Innovation is among the key tasks of the CAAC in ensuring high-quality development of the industry this year, with smart aviation as a highlight.

The administration said it will also boost the development of the BeiDou navigation system and the industrial application of 5G technology in the civil aviation sector. 
As Nigeria, like other countries, continues to battle the COVID-19 pandemic, the country continues to record daily fatalities from the disease.

On Monday, Nigeria recorded eight deaths from the virus, the countrys disease control centre, NCDC, said.

The NCDC disclosed this in an update on its official Facebook page, adding that 420 new infections were reported across 12 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

With the latest update, the new cases have increased Nigerias infection toll to 248,732, while the fatality toll now stands at 3,085.

The new data confirms the fluctuation in the rising cases of infections but a consistent record of fatalities.

The data also shows that a total of 219,479 people have been successfully treated and discharged in Nigeria, while there are over 26,000 active cases nationwide.

Breakdown

The breakdown of the NCDC data revealed that Lagos State reported 103 cases to rank the first on the log, followed by Kwara and Akwa-Ibom states with 90 and 49 cases respectively.

The FCT also reported 39 cases; Kano State, 33; Rivers, 31, while Cross River and Ogun states reported 17 cases each.

Next on the log is Kaduna State with 15 cases, followed by Edo and Niger states with 11 and nine cases respectively.

While Oyo State recorded five cases, Abia recorded a single case to rank the last on the log,

NCDC also noted that seven states: Delta, Ekiti, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Plateau, and Sokoto reported that they recorded no cases on Monday.
Nigerias Amina Mohammed has been reappointed as the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations.

Ms Mohammed, who is also the Chair of the United Nations Sustainable Development Group, will now serve a second term in this capacity.

Accepting her reappointment, Ms Mohammed wrote on Twitter, I am deeply humbled to serve a second term as UN Deputy Secretary-General alongside @antonioguterres.

I begin this new term as a proud Nigerian woman with renewed hope in human solidarity and determination to keep the promise of the #SDGs. We will leave no one behind.

According to the UN, Ms Mohammeds leadership helped advance the conceptual shift from the UN that Member States called for in adopting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

It added that, over the last five years, the UN Sustainable Development Group was strengthened to enhance global leadership and oversight for development and the UN established a strengthened UN Resident Coordinator system as the foundation of a more effective development system.

The Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, who appointed Ms Mohammed, expressed his appreciation for the Deputy Secretary-Generals leadership of the UN Sustainable Development Group and her determination to reinforce collective results and maximise the impact of the UN developments system on the ground.

From our robust response to the socio-economic effects of the COVID-19 crisis; through a boost in climate action and unprecedented momentum for Financing for Development; to her strong emphasis on coherence across humanitarian, political and development action  her role was instrumental in keeping the SDGs alive at country level and protecting the Paris Agreement, despite significant headwinds, he said.

Prior to her appointment in 2017, Ms Mohammed served as Minister of Environment of the Federal Republic of Nigeria where she steered efforts on climate action and efforts to protect the natural environment.

She first joined the United Nations in 2012 as Special Adviser to former Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon with the responsibility for post-2015 development planning.

She led the process that resulted in global agreement around the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the creation of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Ms Mohammed began her career working on the design of schools and clinics in Nigeria. She served as an advocate, focused on increasing access to education and other social services, before moving into the public sector, where she rose to the position of adviser to four successive Nigerian presidents on poverty, public sector reform, and sustainable development.
A former Nigerian leader, Ernest Shonekan, is dead.

Mr Shonekan, 85, died Tuesday.

The Ogun-born statesman was the head of the interim government that led Nigeria between the military governments of Ibrahim Babangida and Sani Abacha.

Already, condolences have been pouring in for Mr Shonekan with both President Muhammadu Buhari and Mr Babangida expressing their condolences to his family.

Details later
On November 30 and December 17 last year, the Federal High Court in Abuja ruled against the faction of Governor Abbdullahi Ganduje in the internal crisis that has torn the All Progressives Congress (APC) apart in Kano State.

The crisis pits Mr Ganduje against a group led by a former governor of the state who is now the senator for Kano Central District, Ibrahim Shekarau. The two factions had held parallel congresses and produced two sets of state executives on October 18.

While Mr Gandujes group produced Abdullahi Abbas as state chairman of the party, Mr Shekaraus camp elected Haruna Danzago to the same position.

However, the Federal High Court on November 30 declared the congress conducted by Mr Shekaraus group as valid and the officials it produced as the duly elected leaders of the APC in the state.

On December 17, the court reaffirmed that judgment while rejecting a motion filed by the Ganduje faction asking the court to stay execution and set aside the judgment.

The judge, Hamza Muazu, further imposed a fine of N1 million against the plaintiffs for filing a frivolous and time-wasting motion.

The Ganduje factional chairman, Mr Abbas, while addressing the party executives produced by his faction at Coronation Hall, Government House, on December 1, dismissed the judgment as nonsensical. He said his executives would remain in place despite the courts pronouncement.

In this very Kano, we dealt with Kwankwaso (Rabiu Kwankwaso, a former governor also at odds with Mr Ganduje). Then who is Shekarau? You should wait and see what we will do with him, Mr Abbass said on that occasion.

We woke up to a commotion that one court in Abuja had dissolved the executives of the party at ward level. This is nonsense talk. No court can elect excos, you are the authentic party executives as far as we are concerned and you will continue to lead as executives, Mr Abbas said.

At the event, Mr Abbas aimed jabs at Mr Shekarau, noting that the former governor enjoyed a waiver to clinch his nomination for his senatorial seat unchallenged.

Shekarau hid under the cover of religion and was freely given governorship ticket under the APP (the All Peoples Party now defunct). Also in 2019 that is how he became senator. But now he is planning to seize the party. That will not happen, unless all of us will lose, Mr Abbas said amidst thunderous cheers from the party supporters.

Any politician aspiring for elective seat must contest for the position, it is left for the electorate to elect him if he/she empowered them with motorcycles or vehicles but you cannot deceive us with religion again.

You cannot tell us that this town (Kano) is not for infidels. Even before you came to this town (Kano), we were practicing Islam. Go back to your state and deceive them, we will no longer believe you in Kano, Mr Abbas said.

A day after the pronouncements by Mr Abbas, thugs burnt down the campaign office of Barau Jibrin, the senator for Kano North and a leader in Mr Shekarus faction.

Although the Ganduje faction denied having a hand in the arson, the Shekarau faction petitioned the Inspector-General of Police, Alkali Usman, accusing Mr Abbas and others as the masterminds.

United minority crushing divided majority

The Shekarau faction, known as G7, which has Mr Jibrin and four members of the House of Representatives, including Nasiru Abdua, Tijjani Jobe, Shaaban Sharada and Haruna Dederi, appears to have the upper hand in the infighting after the court judgments.

However, Kabiru Gaya, the senator representing Kano South, abruptly withdrew from the G7 after the group wrote a petition to the national leadership of the APC accusing Governor Ganduje of hijacking the party.

Mr Gaya said, I told them, if we have any grievances, let us go and meet the governor or any relevant person in the state to explain our grievances. We can hold meetings and discuss and resolve it.

Unfortunately, they have written a letter and made a complaint which all of us should sign but I backed out because I was a governor in the state. I know what it takes when there is instability. I will not encourage instability for the governor in the state, Mr Gaya said.

Mr Gaya said himself and 20 members of the House of Representatives in the Kano Caucus of the National Assembly had written a rejoinder to the APC headquarters to the G7s petition.

But with the G7 gaining support in the party, Mr Gaya might be having a rethink of his decision as he is also confronting another challenge.

A former aide to President Muhammadu Buhari, Kawu Sumaila, who is in the Ganduje faction, on December 4 on a programme on Guarantee Radio, alleged that Mr Gaya has not provided satisfactory representation for his senatorial district.

Mr Sumaila is believed to be eyeing Mr Gayas senatorial seat and from the statement did not seem sympathetic anymore to the Ganduje faction. .

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The Shekarau faction, on November 16, also recieved into its fold Mr Gandujes former deputy, Hafiz Abubakar. Mr Abubakar, a professor, was Mr Gandujes deputy from 2015 to 2018 but dumped him in the build-up to the 2019 election. But after losing the governorship primary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), he rejoined the APC.

On December 28, the Special Adviser to Governor Ganduje on State Affairs, Muhammad Shehu, also resigned his appointment and announced his loyalty to Mr Shekarau.

Mr Shehu told journalists that he took the decision to join the Shekarau faction alongside thousands of his supporters due to lack of purposeful leadership by the Abbas-led faction.

He said he and his supporters would be campaigning for Mr Jibrin for governor in the 2023 elections.

That is not all

A Facebook page, Fagge A yaune which propagates for former Kano speaker, Abbdullahi Atta, who is of the Ganduje faction, also congratulated the Shekaru faction over the December 17 court judgment. However, the post was later removed, PREMIUM TIMES gathered, at the directive of Mr Atta.

PREMIUM TIMES learnt that some members of the APC loyal to Mr Ganduje are also registering their support for the Shekarau faction.

Forces dragging Ganduje in the mud

The party crisis has its roots in the dissatisfaction of many party members with their alleged marginalisation in the party in the state. But it has been aggravated by the politics of succession involving two governorship aspirants who had both been loyalists of Governor Ganduje.

Mr Jibrin, who is also the Chairman of the Senate Appropriation Committee, is considered one of the favourites to clinch the APC governorship ticket for 2023. But loyalists of the governor tend to prefer a member of Mr Gandujes cabint, Murtala Garo. The battle for the control of the partys structure in the state to place the aspirants well in the race for the tickets of the APC was what led to the crisis becoming intractable.

Although Mr Jibrin hails from Kabo Local Government Area in Kano North, he was elected in 1999 to the House of Representatives from the Tarauni Federal Constituency in Kano Central District. In 2015, he returned home to Kano North when he was elected to represent the district at the Senate from Kabo.

Mr Garo, who is the commissioner for local government affairs, is also from Kabo. He had shot into political limelight in the 2019 general election after he stormed the collation centre and allegedly tore up the result sheets of Nassarawa Local Government. That infamous act contributed to the controversial declaration of the governorship election as inconclusive. Until that point in the election, the PDP candidate appeared headed for victory.

The Managing Director of Kano Road and Traffic Agency, Baffa Danagundi, said on Aminci Radio recently that Mr Ganduje was dragged into the crisis by desperate politicians surrounding him. Mr Danagundi, who is considered a member of Mr Gandujes kitchen, said the crisis was initially in Kabo local government area where both Messrs Jibrin and Garo come from. The former Kano lawmaker said contrary to public perception, Messrs Shekarau and Jibrin are not Mr Gandujes enemies.

Barau Jibrins loyalty to Ganduje has been proven over time. Mr Barau was always there for the governor within and outside the state. He has been called names due to his loyalty and closeness to the governor.

Likewise, Shekarau is a long time friend of Ganduje and their wives are the best of friends, Mr Danagundi added.

I believed that Ganduje was caged by a cabal feeding him with fairy tales which do not reflect the true happenings on the ground. You can imagine that Mr Shekarau, who also holds the traditional title of Sardaunan Kano, tryng to see the governor but could not for seven months.

The governor might not be aware of their tricks but I believe he has learnt more from this crisis that he was dragged into, Mr Danagundi said.

Gandujes wife endorsed successor

The wife of the governor, Hafsat Ganduje, had in August endorsed Mr Garo as her husbands successor. Speaking at a political gathering in Ungogo Local Government Area, Mrs Ganduje said Mr Garo is the ideal person to succeed her husband. However, the statement was greeted with criticism from party supporters.

She said what she saw of Mr Garos achievements as commissioner during her trip to Ungogo local government convinced her that he is the ideal candidate to succeed her husband in 2023. She said the governor wants an educated, agile and hardworking young man to run the local governments and to succeed him.

However, after a backlash, the state commissioner for Information, Muhammad Garba, said the governors wife was qouted out of context. He said Mrs Ganduje was only impressed by Mr Garos performance and his support for the policies and programmes of her husbands administration. Notwithstanding the statement, many believe that Mr Ganduje has a soft spot for Mr Garo and wants to impose him as the APC flagbearer in the state in 2023.

How the crisis will end

A political scientist, Saidu Dukawa of the Department of Political Science, Bayero University, Kano, has predicted a possible outcome of the current crisis in Kano APC.

Three things will eventually happen in the Kano APC crisis. The losers after exhausting the legal process, will either concede defeat to the winning faction or leave the party or remain in the party to engage in anti-party activities in the forth coming elections, Mr Dukawa said.

He said an internal crisis in a political party is not strange. He, however, blamed the Kano APC crisis on lack of internal democracy.

Mr Dukawa said had the APC leaders in the state conducted transparent ward and local government congresses, the crisis would not have degerated into a legal tussle. The party had adopted a consensus arrangement for the election of party leaders in in the 484 wards and 44 local government areas of the state. But Mr Dukawa said the consensus mode and the processes were shrouded in secrecy and featured intimidation and arbitrary used of government power, which resulted in the crisis.

Political philosophers note the conflicting interests of humans. That brought about the concept of election to give chances for every aspirant to participate in the process. However, the politician for one reasons or other refused to conduct elections and came out with the consensus arrangement, Mr Dukawa said.

The consensus arrangement was designed to serve the interests of governors and political godfathers. In the process, they impose candidates on the electorate and that normally brings about internal party crisis because the popular aspirant may not emerge, he said.

He said credible elections are the solution to internal party crisis, adding that failure of political parties to conduct elections will always result in legal tussle.

If you can influence the outcome of the consensus process, you may not be able to influence a court judgment. If the Kano APC had followed all the processes, putting into consideration the Nigerian constitution, party constitution and the elections guidelines and procedures; that would have helped them in the legal issues, he said.

2022, year of reconciliation, peace  Ganduje

Mr Ganduje, however, has been preaching peace and reconciliation. In his New Year message, he said 2022 will usher in a new era of peace and reconciliation among politicians in the state and the country in general.

The governor said the next few months should see internal democracy flourish and political parties produce credible candidates at the various levels who can win elections and build on the laudable programmes and policies of their predecessors.

The message signed by the states commissioner for Information, Muhammad Garba, said: From all indications, recent event in Kano is likely to bring a new dawn in the political history of the state.

He said seeing Kano political gladiators emphasising the need for reconciliation has elicited excitement among the people of the state.
Many people are said to be trapped under a collapsed church building in Asaba, Delta State, Nigerias South-south.

The building, located along the popular Okpanam Road in Asaba, collapsed on Tuesday evening.

It is located opposite Rain Oil, Okpanam Road by Noble Academy.

The building, which belongs to the Asaba branch of the Salvation Ministries, was said to have caved in during a service.

Salvation Ministries is owned by a popular Nigerian pastor, David Ibiyeomie, with headquarters in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

PREMIUM TIMES learnt that construction work was ongoing in a part of the church building before the incident.

It was learnt that the victims could be mostly children, as the part of the building which caved in was the children section.

Some of the victims have been rescued and rushed to the hospital.

ALSO READ: Four dead as another building collapses in Lagos

Some corpses, mostly children have been recovered by rescue team. Some of the survivors have been rushed to hospital. It was the children section that caved in, a witness told PREMIUM TIMES.

The spokesperson for the police in Delta State, Bright Edafe, confirmed the incident.

He did not, however, provide figures of casualties.

Mr Edafe said many of the victims have been rescued and evacuated to medical centres in the state capital for treatment.

Rescue mission was still going on as of the time of filing this report.
Workers of the National Assembly, under the aegis of Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN), on Monday, picketed the complex of the legislature over the failure of the management of the institution to honour the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with them.

The workers staged a protest at the entrance of the White House building where the Senate and House of Representatives chambers are located, bearing placards reading No circular supersedes Acts of National Assembly,  Pay us our MOU etc.

PASAN had, after a joint emergency session on January 6, resolved to embark on industrial action on Monday, beginning with the picketing of the building.

In the communique after the emergency session, the union said the management of the National Assembly breached the April 13 MOU on the full implementation of the National Minimum Wage and the reviewed condition of service.

Aside from the issue of wage, PASSAN also decried the non-payment of rent subsidy, non-payment of 15 months arrears of CONPECULIAR allowance, including correction of miscalculated payments of the allowance, and non-payment of six months arrears of hazard allowance for National Assembly staff.

In addition, the union said the management had promised that supplementary budget and virement are some of the sources for funding the MOU but that the supplementary budget has become the source of other items not included in the document.

Therefore, the union demanded that the management should pay with immediate effect, eight months outstanding balance of the minimum wage and 2021 rent subsidy.

Also, the management was asked by the union to pay 15 months arrears of CONPECULIAR allowance and six months hazard allowance to its members.

They asked for the immediate release of the year 2022 training template for staff and evidence of provision of gratuity for retiring staff.

Protests by workers of the National Assembly have become reoccurring events in recent years but the contentious issues remain unaddressed.

PASSAN had shut down the National Assembly in April 2021 on the same issues, while legislative aides, too, have had a series of protests over unpaid allowances.
A Coalition of Civil Society Partners on Electoral Reform has cautioned the National Assembly against the postponement of the resumption date scheduled for January 18, warning it could jeopardise the passage of the amended Electoral Bill.

It said the National Assembly has an urgent task to override the veto of President Muhammadu Buhari or amend, pass and re-transmit the bill back to the executive for assent.

It also called on the lawmakers to suspend the House and Senate rules and bureaucracy of legislative business, and deal with the bill within 48 hours of their resumption.

The coalition disclosed this in Abuja on Monday in a press statement, to advocate for electoral reforms in the country.

The statement, which was jointly addressed by the Executive Director, Adopt A Goal Initiative, Ariyo-Dare Atoye; Convener, Raising New Voices Initiative, Jude Feranmi; and Human Rights Advocate, Rachel Anyanwu, called on the leadership of National Assembly to rectify all errors which may cause issues in the interpretation and execution of the law by government agencies.

They added that such errors were responsible for the refusal of the president not to assent to the bill in the 8th National Assembly.

The group urged the lawmakers to do everything within their power to address the issues raised by the president if they could not get the required number to override the presidents veto.

According to the statement issued at the conference On the 20th day of December last year, President Muhammadu Buhari wrote to the National Assembly citing varying reasons he had refused to assent to the Electoral Amendment Bill sent to him by both chambers. Mr President was quoted to have said that the conduct of elections for the nomination of party candidates solely via direct primaries as envisaged by the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2021 has serious adverse legal, financial, economic and security consequences, which cannot be accommodated at the moment considering our Nations peculiarities.

President Buhari also said that its introduction has implications on the rights of citizens to participate in the government as constitutionally ensured.

This conclusion reached by the President drew various criticisms from the Nigerian populace and outright disappointment from the civil society organisations working to ensure the conduct of freer, fairer and more credible elections in the forthcoming exercises happening in Ekiti, Osun and the 2023 general elections.

To say the least, Mr Presidents refusal to assent to this bill has set back the advocacy for these democratic reforms. However, as civil society organisations, we cannot rest on our oars and must ensure that the desire of Nigerians for a more credible electoral process where the people can elect leaders of their choice and their votes will count must become a reality.

It is for this reason that we are here today to call the attention of the National Assembly to make the following demands.

Under no circumstance should the January 18 resumption date set by the leadership of both chambers for members of the Senate and House of Reps be postponed. Any further delay will put in jeopardy our efforts to ensure the passage of this bill.

The first rule of business upon resumption should be the issue of the Electoral Reforms Amendment Bill. While the National Assembly may choose to override the Presidents veto and go ahead to pass the bill into law, they may also choose to review the bill to meet the Presidents demands and transmit back to him for assent. We are asking that this step, whatever the members may decide should be the first business of legislation.

The statement added that for democracy to bring development to the people and an improved standard of living, elections must be fair and seen, to be honest.
Ahead of the 2023 general elections, the Chief Whip of the Senate, Orji Kalu, says he will consider contesting for president if the All Progressives Congress (APC) zones its presidential ticket to the South-east region.

Mr Kalu disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on arrival at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja on Tuesday after Christmas and New Year break.

NAN reports that many pro-democracy groups have endorsed Mr Kalu and expressed their readiness to see that he emerges as the flag bearer of the APC in the 2023 presidential election.

Also, the presidential campaign posters of the former Abia governor have been spotted in major cities in the country.

While commending the groups drumming support for him to vie for president in 2023, Kalu said that they found him worthy to deliver good governance to the nation.

He also reacted to his posters flooding major cities in Nigeria and said he had not made up his mind to contest.

I want to continue to thank people who are putting up my posters all over Nigeria, I have not made up my mind whether to vie for president or not.

But if opportunity is given to the South-east, I will think again to see if there is room because the party has not said where they are zoning the president to.

But I know the party will bring a president who will work for the unity of the country which is more important, Mr Kalu said.

(NAN)
The late Peju Ugboma was on the wrong setting of the ventilator for 12 hours, the deceased husband told the coroner, M.K.O. Fadeyi, at the Ogba magistrate court on Monday.

Mrs Ugboma, 41, died on April 23, 2021, after her surgery at a hospital where she had undergone surgery for fibroid but later suffered internal bleeding.

Following her death, her family accused the hospital of unprofessional conduct resulting in her untimely demise.

The Lagos State government through the Health Facility Monitoring and Accreditation Agency (HEFAMAA), shut down the intensive care unit of the hospital in June, pending the outcome of its investigation.

Cross-examination

Ijoma Ugboma, the widower, during cross-examination in the witness dock, said that the hospital (Premier) where his late wife had the elective surgery, did not deem it fit to commiserate with him following the death of his wife for three weeks, until the news of her death became viral.

Asked what he made of the comment by one of the medical team, Renner Kingsley, an anaesthetist, during his testimony, that he (Mr Ugboma) should be grateful to the team.

Mr Ugboma said the statement is an insensitive and unfortunate thing I have heard in my life. It is a misplaced statement.

The widower stressed that his wife had no underlying medical ailment before the surgery.

He said that saying that she had an underlying condition is baseless, adding that according to the case note, she was on zinc, calcium and vitamin C.

The surgery was elective, it wasnt a life-threatening condition, my wife did not crawl into Premier hospital and they opted to do the surgery with the PCV of 28.2, he said.

Mr Fadeyi adjourned the case to February 24 and 31.

In October, a consultant pathologist, Olugbenga Oyewole, told the coroner that the post-mortem result of the mother of two revealed that she died of massive blood within the abdominal cavity and pelvic floors.

In November, the Medical and Dental Practitioners Council of Nigeria (MDPCN) had accused three Premier Specialist Hospital doctors, including Mr Kingsley, of unprofessional conduct leading to the death of Peju Ugboma, a Lagos-based chef.
The Lagos4Lagos Movement, a splinter group within the ruling All Progressives Progress (APC) in Lagos State, has again shifted its official declaration of defection to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to January 21.

Abdul-Azeez Adediran, the Lead Visioner of movement that recently announced defection to the PDP, said this in a statement by the groups Press Secretary, Kazeem Bakare, on Monday in Lagos.

Mr Adediran disclosed the change of date during an emergency Central Working Committee (CWC) and Local Organising Committee(LOC) meeting of the movement.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the movement had initially fixed December 18, 2021, for the official declaration to the main opposition party before it was shifted to January 11, then the new date.

Following growing demand by major stakeholders in the PDP, especially the governors to be part of Dr AbdulAzeez Adediran (Jandor) formal declaration, the much anticipated event earlier scheduled for January 11 has been shifted to January 21.

The new date became imperative following an emergency meeting with the leader of the party in Southwest, Seyi Makinde, who is equally the Governor of Oyo State on Sunday, January 10,

Governor Makinde expressed the interest of his colleague Governors, federal lawmakers and other major stakeholders who have signified readiness to be part of the grand event, Mr Adediran said.

According to him, the new date is an opportunity to win more souls into the Lagos4Lagos train.

He noted that the request for a change of date by the governors and other stakeholders was a demonstration of the rising profile of the movement and its symbol.

NAN recalls that the movement had in December 2021 announced its defection to PDP after former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, met with the leaders of the aggrieved APC members on December 4 and wooed them into the party.

The aggrieved APC group had held parallel ward, local government and state congresses at different locations in the state over unresolved grievances.

The group has alleged impunity, marginalisation and imposition of candidates in the APC for its action. (NAN)
People visit the China Pavilion at the Expo 2020 Dubai site in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, on Jan. 10, 2022. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen)

DUBAI, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- The Expo 2020 Dubai has become a bridge of friendship between China and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Chinese Ambassador to the UAE Ni Jian told Xinhua when attending the opening ceremony of the National Day of China Pavilion on Monday.

The China Pavilion's theme of "building a community with a shared future for mankind -- innovation & opportunity" aligns with the UAE's pioneering and innovative national spirit, as well as the current trend of all humanities joining hands and overcoming obstacles, Ni said.

According to Ni, the China Pavilion is an inspiring display of China's tremendous development achievements and wonderful traditional cultures, as well as a sign of the great potential for bilateral collaboration between China and UAE.

During the opening ceremony of the China Pavilion in October 2021, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and other senior UAE officials paid a visit to the pavilion and watched a video message of Chinese President Xi Jinping.

This demonstrates the UAE has attached great importance to the China-UAE relations and China's participation in the Expo, according to Ni.

Expo 2020 Dubai, he said, is the first of its kind in the Middle East and will serve as an important forum for mankind to discuss sustainable economic and social growth, as well as global governance in the post-pandemic era.

According to Ni, the UAE and China have a deep and broad partnership that provides a lot of practical outcomes.

China and the UAE have conducted the first Phase III international clinical trial of a COVID-19 vaccine since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Ni, who also noted that the two countries have worked well together in areas, such as pandemic control and prevention, information sharing, and vaccine research and production.

According to the Chinese diplomat, China has fully supported the UAE's universal vaccination program, helping the UAE in becoming one of the world's most vaccinated countries, while the UAE has established a vaccination center in Dubai for Chinese expats, making a significant contribution to the health of Chinese residents living abroad.

Ni said that the UAE was one of the first countries to advocate renewable energy and is an important partner of China in promoting the Belt and Road Initiative, noting that Chinese companies are leading the world in clean energy such as solar and wind energy, and the UAE has a natural advantage in developing the photovoltaic power industry.

The potential for further cooperation in this field is enormous, the Chinese ambassador said, mentioning recent joint renewable projects such as Shanghai Electric's EPC contract for a UAE photovoltaic program.

He expected that China and the UAE would continue to cooperate closely in the field of new energy and realize their complementary advantages in the "post-oil era" to benefit both their citizens and the world.

The ambassador said that there are 143 schools in the UAE that provide Chinese language lessons, with over 45,000 students, accounting for 15 percent of the country's total number of students in public schools.

China-UAE cooperation has enormous potential in the future, including in traditional fields such as energy, infrastructure, education, and culture, as well as in frontier fields such as artificial intelligence, the digital economy, gene technology, health, and modern agriculture, according to Ni.

The secret to the long-term and stable development of bilateral relations, according to Ni, is win-win collaboration between China and the UAE, which benefits both people in both countries.

"I am confident that under the strategic guidance of the leaders of the two countries, the China-UAE relations will continue to make new achievements," Ni said. 
The Coalition for Whistleblower Protection and Press Freedom (CWPPF) has condemned state security attacks on journalists and vandalisation of media outlets and their equipment.

The statement is coming following an attack on the headquarters of Thunder Blowers Newspapers in Gusau, Zamfara State by suspected political thugs and the arrest of a journalist by security operatives.

Nelson Omonu, a journalist with Summit Post, was arrested by security agents following a story on Federal University, Dutsin Ma.

PREMIUM TIMES reported how thugs attacked the corporate office of Thunder Blowers Online.

The managing editor of the organisation, Anas Anka, told journalists that Governor Bello Matawalle should be held responsible if anything happens to him or his staff.

The FCT council of the Nigerian Union of Journalists had accused Governor Aminu Masari of Katsina State of ordering the arrest of Mr Omonu but later apologised after realising the arrest was ordered by the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University, Dutsin Ma.

Its condemnable

In its statement, the CWPPF said the attacks are condemnable in the strongest terms.

It added that the attack influenced by political powers threatens the health of the Nigerian news media and the resilience of our countrys democracy.

CWPPF also called on Governors Matawalle and Masari to take prompt measures to end these attacks in the news media, protect journalists who through their investigative reporting expose corrupt government officials, and institute cautionary and disciplinary actions against state actors who engage in unruly attitudes against journalists and citizens. CWPPF stands to defend the freedom of the press and expression.

The responses

Both spokespersons for Governors Matawalle and Masari did not respond to enquiries sent to them by this newspaper on the statement by CWPPF.

But in an earlier interview, the Director General Media and Publicity to Mr Masari, Abdu Labaran, said the FCT chapter of NUJ has exonerated the governor.

In a statement Mr Labaran sent to PREMIUM TIMES, he insisted that Mr Masari is a friend to the media.

In another statement sent to PREMIUM TIMES, he said: 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.

On his part, Zailani Bappa, media aide to Mr Matawalle, told PREMIUM TIMES on phone when the allegation was first raised by Thunder Blowers that people should desist from making unsubstantiated allegations against the state government or the governor.

He also issued a statement on the allegations raised thus: Every person or organisation with grudges against any misdeed must follow due process in seeking for redress by reporting any matter to the security operatives and approaching the court of law for redress based on investigation outcome. Hence, such persons or groups must no longer come to the public and accuse His Excellency or his administration with baseless innuendos.

He said freedom of speech does not guarantee anyone to abuse the institution of authority with slander and libel.

We, hereby, draw the attention of all persons and organisations to, henceforth, be cautious of being indiscriminate by directly accusing His Excellency as the law will take its course on any further slander of libel against His Excellency, the statement added.
The World Food Programme (WFP), an agency of the United Nations, has hailed the Nigerian government for its investment in its National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme (NHGSFP), describing it as the best in Africa.

The agency said it is partnering with the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development (FMHADMSD) to provide ICT equipment including tablets, towards promoting nutrition education and better eating habits in the next stage of the feeding programme.

The tablets, it said, will provide access to the PLUS Schools Menus, a free tool to help nutrition officers design nutritious menus for schools.

A statement jointly signed by Halima Oyelade of FMHADMSD, and Chi Lael, of the WFP said the outcome of a joint assessment of the programme prompted the decision for the technical support.

The statement read in part: The hardware will not only support the Ministrys efforts to digitalise its monitoring and evaluation system, but also enable the national roll out of the PLUS School Menu Tool developed by WFP to standardise cost-effective menu development.

This decision results from a joint assessment conducted in the first quarter of 2021 to identify ways of improving, scaling-up and sustaining the NHGSFP.

Speaking on the technical support to be provided, WFPs country director, Ronald Sibanda, said one of the best ways of fighting malnutrition among children is the provision of a healthy school meal.

He commended the country for the initiative, saying this is a great initiative and WFP is very pleased to provide technical support for the Government of Nigeria.

He added: Nigeria is a good example of where the Government has taken the lead from day one and invested resources and funding into the design and implementation of its National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme.

9.8million annual beneficiaries

The school feeding programme, which was introduced by the government in 2016, was according to the government, aimed at establishing a safety net for the poor, increasing enrollment, and eradicating malnutrition in school-age children while also stimulating the national agricultural economy.

According to the joint assessment report of the programme, approximately 9.8 million students in 53,000 public primary schools nationwide are benefitting from the programme annually.

It added that employment has been created for more than 107,000 people who serve as cooks.

Being an important intervention of the current administration, and fully funded by the federal government, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Farouq, said the technical support from WFP is timely, adding that her ministry will ensure the sustainability of the programme, the statement said.

We at the FMHADMSD are here to ensure that this programme is strengthened and sustained so that it can continue to support the needs of the children, families, women and communities it targets. The technical support from the World Food Programme is therefore timely, relevant and well appreciated, the minister said.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has appointed a former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke, as chairman of its newly constituted screening committee.

The five-member screening committee was announced in a statement issued by the PDP National Organising Secretary, Umar Bature, on Monday, to screen its governorship aspirants ahead of the July 16 election in the state.

According to Mr Bature, the committee would be inaugurated at the partys National Secretariat in Abuja on Wednesday.

The screening exercise is scheduled for Wednesday, January 12, 2022, at the NEC Hall of the PDP national secretariat, Abuja at 10 a.m.

All aspirants, critical stakeholders and members of our party in Osun state are by this guided accordingly, the party noted.

Aside from Mr Adoke, other committee members are a former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Aminu Wali; a former Governor of Plateau State, Fidelis Tapgun;a former member of the House of Representatives, Nnenna Ukeje and Rahman Owokoniran, who will serve as the panels secretary.

The screening of aspirants for the Osun State governorship election primary was initially slated for January 11 before it was shifted to January 12.

Mr Adoke-led panel will be screening not less than six aspirants whom PREMIUM TIMES can confirm to have purchased the expression of interest and nomination forms before the deadline.

The aspirants are the partys 2018 governorship candidate, Ademola Adeleke; his nephew, Dele Adeleke; Akin Ogunbiyi, Sanya Omirin, Dotun Babayemi and Fatai Akinbade.

Mr Adeleke, in the controversial poll, narrowly lost to the incumbent, Gboyega Oyetola, who will be contesting for his second constitutional allowed term in office in July.
Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria, the local division of London-headquartered multinational banking and financial services firm Standard Chartered Plc, is discontinuing operation of around 50 per cent of branches in Nigeria, a step targeting prioritisation of digital banking, Bloomberg reported Monday, citing insiders.

The closure teed off in December, which means just 13 branches of the bank will be up and running ultimately, compared to around 25 operating before the move, according to the news outlet.

Lenders are deploying mobile money services on a vast scale in Nigeria to tap the market of the unbanked population comprising approximately 38 million adults, which Dataphyte estimated to be worth N26.2 trillion for the first 11 months of last year.

But formidable competition from mushrooming fintech companies means players late to agency banking rave like Standard Chartered Bank could struggle to gain traction.

The bank is now firming up mobile banking operations at the same time enlisting agents to expand its clientele, according to people who spoke on condition of anonymity.

A Standard Chartered Bank spokesperson did not respond to an email from PREMIUM TIMES seeking comment.

The lender has centred its operations on corporate banking since it launched in the country but is giving increasing attention to retail banking, which has led to the introduction of digital lending aimed at easing access to soft loans and ramping up the size of retail credit.

Many banks including big lenders see agency banking as a cost-saving alternative to setting up branches and a veritable strategy suitable for reaching rural areas and financially excluded communities.
Over 2 million jobs have been retained or created through the implementation of the Economic Sustainability Plan (ESP) programmes, reports indicate.

The reports were presented at the first meeting of the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo-led Economic Sustainability Committee (ESC) in 2022 at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Mr Osinbajos spokesman, Laolu Akande, in a statement on Monday in Abuja, said that ministers and heads of agencies reported further progress in the implementation of the ESP at the virtual meeting presided over by the vice president.

In response to the fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic, President Muhammadu Buhari had in June 2020, mandated the vice president as chair of the ESC, to coordinate the implementation of the ESP aimed at cushioning the economic effects of the global pandemic.

Highlights of the presentations by MDAs today include the report that about 2.1 million jobs have been retained or created through the implementation of the ESP programmes.

And the approval of N10 billion by the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) to fund the deployment and local assembly of 200,000 (off-grid) Solar Homes Systems under the Solar Power Naija partnership between both the NSIA and Rural Electrification Agency (REA).

In a presentation on the Survival Fund made by the Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Mariam Katagum, she said all states of the federation had received varying levels of the N75 billion survival Fund with its different schemes.

She added that each state would soon receive a minimum of N1.7 billion cumulative from all the schemes.

Lagos, Abia and Kano States have already crossed the bar, with Lagos reaching over N2.5 billion and Kano over N2 billion; no state so far has received anything less than N1 billion, she said.

In his presentation, Clem Agba, Minister of State, Budget and National Planning, disclosed that while about 1.3 million jobs were retained through the MSME and Payroll support, 774,000 jobs were created from the Public Works Programme and 26,021 jobs from roads construction /rehabilitation.

Moreso, the committee was briefed that more than 1.1 million Nigerians had benefitted from the different schemes under the ESP MSMEs Survival Fund, thereby saving millions of jobs.

A breakdown showed there are 459,334 beneficiaries under the Payroll Support Scheme and 307,687 beneficiaries from the Artisan and Transport Scheme.

Similarly, 82,491 Nigerians are so far beneficiaries of the General MSME Grants Scheme, and another 17,468 of the Guaranteed Offtake Scheme.

Also, 250,000 business names were registered free under the Survival Funds CAC Formalisation Support Scheme.

Under the Solar Power Naija programme, Ahmad Salihijo, Managing Director/CEO of Rural Electrification Agency (REA), briefed the committee that another 60,000 solar home systems are expected to be delivered in the first quarter of 2022 under the NDPHC-A-solar partnership.

Over 10,000 units of the systems are to be assembled locally; this is besides the 200,000 solar connections to be funded by NSIA.

The ESP Solar Naija programme is designed to provide electricity access to 5 million households, and will serve about 25 million Nigerians in rural areas and under-served urban communities nationwide.

Sadiya Farouq, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, said that the Rapid Response Register (RRR) component under the ESP had since commenced, with 374,759 beneficiaries paid so far.

She said that another 391,185 Nigerians had been earmarked for payment soon.

The RRR is designed as an intervention to cushion the economic shocks of the COVID-19 pandemic on urban poor Nigerians currently not benefitting from the federal governments cash transfer programme.

On the progress of the Export Expansion Facility Programme (EEFP) component of the ESP, the report showed that 281 companies had benefitted from the COVID-grant relief, while 1,105 companies were beneficiaries under the Export Development Fund (EDF), among other milestones.

While the EEFP aims to protect export businesses from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and also safeguard jobs, the EDF is a statutory provision of the Nigeria Export Promotion Council and is being activated for the first time in the history of the council under the ESP.

Also, as part of the ESP, 100 MSMEs exporters have been listed on Amazon, the worlds largest e-commerce platform.

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The NEPC under the ESP also trained 4,500 farmers and exporters on food safety and international standards, while 700 of them have received international certification, which only less than 50 had in Nigeria previously.

Besides, eight new Domestic Export Warehouses are currently being built, including Lagos, Port Harcourt, Kaduna and Abuja, to ease supply chain constraints for exporters in the country.

(NAN)
UN envoy Annadif Saleh says the resurgence of coups detat, particularly in West Africa, is often the consequence of political practices that are completely out of step with the aspirations of the populations.

Mr Saleh, head of the UN Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), said this while briefing the Security Council on Monday at UN headquarters in New York.

Mr Saleh, who is also the UN Special Representative for the Central African Republic, also spoke about the recent wave of attempts and coups detat in the Central African Republic, Mali, Sudan and Guinea.

He commended the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) for its engagement with the crises in Mali and Guinea and said UNOWAS supports all efforts for a return to constitutional order as soon as possible.

Mr Saleh believes that West Africa and the Sahel continue to make progress in many areas but warned that the subregion is struggling with insecurity, which risks reversing hard-won advances.

The Special Representative shared some progress with the council members, such as the state of border negotiations between Cameroon and Nigeria, and elections in Gambia and Cape Verde.

For the Special Representative, these examples confirm the attraction of democracy, as the surest vector for shaping the future of communities.

Despite these political advances, Mr Saleh believes the security environment has become more worrying.

In Burkina Faso, for example, there are incessant attacks by terrorist groups; while in Mali and Niger, large-scale attacks against military and civilian targets continue, he said.

In Nigeria, an upsurge in crime between farmers and herders coincides with extremist violence in the northeast; other incidents, although small in scale, have occurred in the north of Cote dIvoire, Benin and Togo, he said.

For Mr Saleh, these events demonstrate that the threat of acts of terrorism moving from the Sahel towards the coastal countries of the Gulf of Guinea is a reality.

One of the major consequences of the security situation is a multifaceted humanitarian crisis, with rising food prices and increasing poverty.

Right now, more than 38 million people risk running out of food by the next lean season, a 23 per cent increase from last year.

The growing insecurity has also led to massive population displacement.

In November 2021, there were more than eight million refugees, internally displaced persons, returnees and stateless persons in West Africa and 4.1 million in the G5 Sahel countries (Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, Chad, Mauritania).

For Mr Saleh, the main result of all these challenges is that millions of children are growing up in difficult conditions, traumatized, malnourished, poorly cared for, and without education.

The Director-General of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Ghada Waly, also briefed Council members.

She said the Gulf of Guinea continued to be a priority concern, with incidents along the West African coast accounting for the majority of kidnappings at sea for ransom, occurring worldwide.

A new study by the maritime security research group, stable seas, conducted in partnership with UNODC, estimates that piracy and armed robbery at sea are costing the Gulf of Guinea States 1.94 billion dollars every year.

Port fees and import tariffs lost due to decreased shipping activity are estimated at 1.4 billion dollars per year.

These billions represent lost potential, and funds that could otherwise be invested in licit economies and in developing coastal communities, funds that are needed now more than ever in the continuing COVID-19 crisis, Ms Waly said.

Across the region, organised crime, facilitated by corruption, is also perpetuating instability, violence, and poverty.

Lack of opportunities and frustration drive more youth to piracy and crime, and leave them more receptive to radicalization narratives, the UNODC chief warned.

These desperate conditions also render more people vulnerable to human trafficking.

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According to the 2020 UNODC Global Report on Trafficking in Persons, 59 per cent of trafficking victims registered in West and Central Africa, are children, and 27 per cent are women.

Rising non-medical use of pharmaceutical opioids and drug use disorders are harming health and public safety, as the region continues to be heavily affected by illegal tramadol imports.

At the same time, Ms Waly informed, West Africa has emerged as a manufacturer of methamphetamine, mainly destined for markets in East and Southeast Asia.

Greater security threats are being posed by cocaine trafficking, with West Africa serving as a major transit area for onward shipments to Western and Central Europe, as well as cannabis resin trafficking.

The value of these illicit flows exceeds the national budgets of some transit countries, which is highly destabilizing in this complex security situation, Ms Waly said. (NAN)
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday called its fourth prosecution witness in the trial of a former Director, Legal Services of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, who is accused of corruptly receiving money in relation to a 2010 agreement between the ministry and a firm, Process and Industrial Development Limited (P&ID).

The controversial Gas Supply and Processing Agreement (GSPA), described as fraudulent by the Nigerian government, led to the $9.6 billion judgement given by a British court against Nigeria and in favour of P&ID.

Grace Taiga was accused of corruptly receiving $4,969.5 from the owners and promoters of P$ID, a firm incorporated in British Virgin Island, in relation to her roles in the GSPA, on December 30, 2009.

An EFCC operative, Aminu Lawal, who testified in the case at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, said Mrs Taiga received the money from a P&ID affiliate, Marsh Pearl Ltd, through her daughter, Vera Ename Moses Taiga.

The money was paid by Marsh Pearl Ltd, through her daughters account 11 days before the signing of the GSPA, the fourth prosecution witness said.

He added, We discovered that on January 30, 2012, the sum of $5,000 was also paid into her daughters account at HSBC Bank, London, located at Canada Street. The purpose of the payment on the transaction is commission payment. We obtained her statement based on that.

Controversial agreement

The GSPA, which the Nigeria government was designed to fail to the detriment of the country, was signed between the Ministry of Petroleum Resources and P&ID on January 11, 2010 purportedly to boost the countrys electricity supply.

In 2017, P&ID was awarded $6.6 billion in arbitration as compensation for losses it allegedly incurred because of alleged breach of the GSPA by Nigeria.

The award subsequently affirmed by a British court has since risen to $9.6 billion with interest.

Nigeria is still battling to overturn the award at the British court.

The Nigerian government argues that the agreement was fraudulent as it was signed without due process.

It presented to the British court the outcome of its investigations showing that officials were bribed to sign the agreement.

EFCC has since 2019 charged various individuals and corporate bodies with various offences in connection with the P$ID deal.

While P&ID itself and its Nigerian affiliate have been convicted by a Nigerian court in relation to the scam, other individuals associated with the firm are currently facing charges.

But P&ID has rejected the investigations and convictions saying they were being done to arm-twist it into submission.

Prosecution witness testifies further

Mrs Taiga faces 13 amended counts concerning the deal at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. She has since pleaded not guilty to all charges.

According to a statement by EFCCs spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, EFCCs operative, Aminu Lawal, said in his testimony as the fourth prosecution witness, that he found out that Mrs Taiga witnessed the GSPA.

She also drafted the GSPA when she was at the Ministry of Petroleum Resources as Director Legal, he added.

Led in evidence by the prosecuting counsel, Mohammed Abbah, Mr Lawal told the court that his team received a petition dated June 28, 2018, signed by the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, conveying the directive of President Muhammadu Buhari for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the GSPA should be carried out. I came to know the defendant when the investigation commenced.

The witness further told the court that his team discovered a lot of discrepancies including an unsigned agreement between the Ministry of Defence and Khristolm Limited.

He said, We discovered one unsigned agreement between the Ministry of Defence and Khristolm Limited, a company owned and controlled by P&ID Limited and the promoters of P&ID are Michael Quinn, Brendan Cahill, James Nolan and Niel Hitchob.

We wrote a letter of investigation to the Ministry of Defence to give us the details of the contract awarded to the companies that are related to P&ID. Investigation revealed that Marsh Pearl Limited were given contract in which the defendant witnessed the agreement between the Ministry of Defence and Marsh Pearl Limited sometime in 2005.

Documents which included search warrant, the response from the Ministry of Defence, details of transactions and certificate of compliance were tendered in evidence and admitted by the court.

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The trial judge, Olukayode Adeniyi, adjourned the case until March 8 and 16, 2022, for cross-examination of the prosecution witness.

Charges

EFCC initially arraigned Mrs Taiga on eight counts in September 2020, but amended the charges, scaling the counts up to 13.

EFCC said, for allegedly corruptly receiving the sums of money from P&ID, Mrs Taiga committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 8(1)(a) and (b) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
Nigerian doctors under the umbrella of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) and other healthcare workers under the banners of the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) and the Assembly of Healthcare Professional Association (AHPA) have renewed their perennial conflicts over superiority and entitlements.

JOHESU and AHPA- which comprise healthcare workers except medical doctors and dentists, have been on the negotiation table with the Nigerian government over unpaid salaries and hazard allowances, non-adjustment of the CONHESS salary structure and non-implementation of several court judgments, among other demands.

But as negotiations are yet to reach a conclusion, the associations have repeatedly threatened to embark on strike, even as they wrote the government requesting only non-physicians as negotiators on behalf of the government.

In a letter dated December 16, 2021 and addressed to the health minister, Osagie Ehanire, JOHESU and AHPA requested that only non-physicians would be accepted by them in future negotiations with the government.

The letter reads in part; Recent events have compelled the Joint Health Sector Unions and the Assembly of Healthcare Professional Associations to formally draw the attention of the minister to the unending cycle of misnomer, where the Federal Ministry of Health dispatches a team completely dominated by physicians to negotiations involving the welfare and accruing benefit packages of members of JOHESU/AHPA.

The climax of these numerous aberrations usually manifests at times of trade disputes when the Minister of Health would lead teams made up of high numbers of physicians to the negotiating table on matters relating or pertaining exclusively to members of JOHESU/AHPA.

Doctors response

In a statement issued on Sunday, the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) expressed its disapproval of the demands in the letter to the health ministry by JOHESU and AHPA.

In conclusion, by making insinuation not to enter into negotiation with the Federal Government if Doctors were involved, implies that such decisions would be extended to the Honourable Ministers of Health and that of Labour and Employment because they are Physicians, the NMA stated in the statement signed by its spokesperson, Aniekeme Uwah.

The statement added that JOHESU should also stop meeting with the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation and permanent secretaries that are physicians, chief medical directors, chairmen of Senate and House Committees on Health, Governors and Deputy Governors etc. JOHESU has forgotten that the DHS and other Physicians involved in their negotiation were there by virtue of the critical relevance of their offices and NOT in individual capacities as Physicians.

If we copy and travel this discriminatory road, then NMA will not negotiate with the Federal Government.

The doctors association said JOHESU leadership has increasingly become physicianphobic which it said is a form of dysociopath.

The NMA also declared its opposition to some other demands made by JOHESU and AHPA from the government, describing them as unacceptable.

There is no basis for JOHESU to ask for the same salary as for Medical Doctors as this is not the standard practice worldwide. JOHESU knows that there is a relativity agreement between the Federal Government and the NMA on CONHESS and CONMESS, the doctors argued.

Unending rivalry

The latest development has marked the continuation of the age-long battle of who-gets-what in Nigerias health sector, putting the government between two touchy ends.

Medical doctors and other health workers have been on a warpath for long and the main contentions have been salary adjustments and leadership tussles.

This may seem as an over-flogged issue but the rift is always reignited whenever any of the warring groups makes a demand on the government.

Although there have been pockets of discontent, one of the most glaring rifts between both groups before now was in 2018 when medical doctors threatened to withdraw their services if the government accedes to the demands of other health workers who were on strike for over three weeks at the time.

If anyone is to be unhappy, it should be the physicians who are being short changed by the deliberate refusal of the Federal Government to apply internationally accepted relativity in the remuneration of health workers in Nigeria, the NMA said in its Sunday statement.

JOHESU is free to negotiate with anybody, it added.
President Muhammadu Buhari Tuesday endorsed the establishment of the Nigerian Diaspora Investment Trust Fund (NDITF), a private sector investment window for Nigerians in the Diaspora to support direct investments in the country.

According to the presidents spokesperson, Femi Adesina, Mr Buhari announced the endorsement at the presentation of a compendium titled +600 Diaspora Icons @ 60, published by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM).

Pledging his support for the new initiative, Mr Buhari noted that the foreign exchange remittances by Nigerians in the Diaspora have not only helped families but enhanced the development index of Nigeria.

Rebuilding Nigeria is not the responsibility of Nigerians who live at home alone but of every Nigerian irrespective of the place of domicile, Mr Adesina, in a statement sent to PREMIUM TIMES, quoted Mr Buhari as saying.

The president described the 327-page compendium as a historical record of the worth of Nigerians globally. He added that the list in the publication is a reminder of what Nigerians are capable of doing to the delight of the global community.

Irrespective of the few bad eggs among us, and every nation has such bad eggs, Nigeria remains a great country, populated by great people, living at home or abroad, making us proud.

This compendium attests to that fact and the names of people and the fields they have excelled speak about their resilience and how exceptional Nigerians, both at home and abroad, have become.

According to Ms Abike Dabiri-Erewa, who leads the Diaspora Commission, the compendium is birthed out of the necessity to recognise, celebrate and showcase Nigerians in the Diaspora who are doing great things in their host countries and also contributing to the socio-economic development of Nigeria.

She said the commission plans to publish the compendium at regular intervals, towards changing the negative stereotypes typified by the activities of a few Nigerians who do not represent the country well.

Reminding Nigerians of their duty to celebrate fellow Nigerians who are excelling in different paths, Mr Buhari said, No one else will do so for us.

Rather, other people will tend to capitalise on the few bad eggs and characterise us in their own narratives, narratives that seek to characterise us in bad light. We must not allow that to happen.

As we launch the compendium of excellent Nigerians today, we are also celebrating some of our best, nationally and globally.

I call on every Nigerian, irrespective of where they may be, to continue to be of exemplary behaviour and with determination to offer quality services that contribute to the progress of humanity.

He congratulated those whose names made it to this first edition, encouraging others to work more conscientiously to make the list in the subsequent editions.

Nigerians in the Diaspora are our Ambassadors-at-large by their character, comportment and daily actions.

They should be the best and excel in all their endeavours and they should give back by contributing to the development of Nigeria, the president added.
President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed sadness over the news of the death of the former Head of the Interim National Government, Ernest Shonekan.

The president, in a statement by his spokesperson, Femi Adesina, on Tuesday, in Abuja extended condolences to Mr Shonekans wife, Margaret, loved ones, as well as the government and people of Ogun State.

Mr Shonekan died Tuesday at the age of 85.

President Buhari affirmed that, as an internationally-respected statesman with courageous wisdom, Mr Shonekan left his flourishing business career to become the Head of Government, at a delicate time when the country needed someone of his calm mien and pedigree to save the ship of state from sinking.

The president noted that Mr Shonekan demonstrated to all that the love for country and commitment to her development, peace and unity transcended the trappings of office and the transient nature of political power.

According to him, Nigeria owes a great debt to Mr Shonekan, adding that even at the twilight of his life time, he never stopped believing and working for a prosperous and democratic country.

An elder statesman

Also, former President Goodluck Jonathan has expressed sadness over the news of the passing of Mr Shonekan.

Mr Jonathan made this known in a condolence message to the family and the Government of Ogun State, signed by his Special Adviser, Ikechukwu Eze, on Tuesday, in Abuja.

He described Mr Shonekan as an elder statesman, well-loved for his sincerity and sense of purpose.

The former president also described Mr Shonekan as a peacemaker and bridge builder who left enduring legacies.

As a leader, Chief Shonekan was well respected because of the enormous goodwill he brought into governance.

He was a compassionate and determined administrator, a peacemaker and bridge builder who stepped in to lead the nation at a very difficult time in the history of its political evolution.

Before he assumed office as the head of the Interim National Government in 1993, Chief Shonekan had become a boardroom guru, having established himself as a foremost industrialist and one of the leaders of the business world.

He left enduring legacies, part of which was his considerable effort towards mainstreaming the private sector in the development drive of the nation, especially with the institutionalisation of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), which he founded.

Shonekan will also be remembered for his great wisdom, peaceful disposition, the goodwill he extended to all as well as his significant contributions to the growth and economy of the nation, Mr Jonathan said.

(NAN)
BEIJING, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping said Tuesday that China and Indonesia should advance cooperation in a coordinated manner in the post-pandemic era.

In a phone conversation with Indonesian President Joko Widodo, Xi suggested that the two sides integrate Belt and Road cooperation with China's building of a new development pattern and Indonesia's medium- and long-term national development plan.

Since last year, China-Indonesia relations have been moving forward while maintaining stability in defiance of the COVID-19 pandemic, Xi noted.

The two countries, he added, have launched a high-level dialogue cooperation mechanism, and established a new pattern of bilateral cooperation on the "four-wheel drive" of political, economic, cultural and maritime affairs.

China and Indonesia are both major developing countries, and have similar ideals and beliefs in pursuing national development and seeking happiness for their people, Xi said.

Facing major changes and a pandemic both unseen in a century, the two countries should strive to build a community with a shared future, he said, adding that the key to achieving this goal is to get concrete things done well one after another.

Xi stressed that the two sides should work together to fight the pandemic and set a good example of health cooperation.

China, he said, will continue to cooperate with Indonesia throughout the vaccine industrial chain and on drug research and development, help Indonesia build a regional vaccine production center, and work with Indonesia to improve global public health governance and build a global community of health for all on the basis of jointly fighting the pandemic.

The two sides should pursue common development and set a role model for practical cooperation, Xi added.

He called for joint efforts to build the Jakarta-Bandung High Speed Railway with high quality, earnestly implement such key programs as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Corridors and the "Two Countries, Twin Parks" project, and foster such new growth areas as new energy, decarbonization, digital economy and maritime cooperation.

China, he stressed, will actively participate with all its strength in anything that is conducive to promoting Indonesia's development and deepening China-Indonesia cooperation.

Xi said China attaches great importance to Indonesia's role in regional and international affairs, and stands ready to work with Indonesia to implement the consensus reached at last year's China-ASEAN commemorative summit, promote regional economic recovery and safeguard regional peace and stability.

Noting that China and Indonesia hold the chairs of BRICS and the Group of 20 respectively this year, he said China is ready to work with Indonesia to practice true multilateralism, actively implement the Global Development Initiative, safeguard the interests of emerging-market and developing countries, and contribute to promoting global economic recovery and improving global economic governance. 
A former Nigerian leader, Ernest Shonekan, died of natural causes on Tuesday morning, his family has said.

Adeboye Shonekan stated this in a statement on behalf of the family.

The late Nigerian leader was 85.

The family said they would release further details in due course.

The Ogun-born statesman was the head of the interim government that led Nigeria between the military governments of Ibrahim Babangida and Sani Abacha.

Already, condolences have been pouring in for Mr Shonekan, who was popularly known as the Baba Sale of Egbaland.

President Muhammadu Buhari described the late leader as an internationally-respected statesman with courageous wisdom.

Mr Buhari said Mr Shonekan left his flourishing business career to become the Head of Government, at a delicate time when the country needed someone of his calm mien and pedigree to save the ship of state from sinking.

READ ALSO:

In his condolence message, former President Goodluck Jonathan said Mr Shonekan was a peacemaker and bridge builder who left enduring legacies.

As a leader, Chief Shonekan was well respected because of the enormous goodwill he brought into governance.

He was a compassionate and determined administrator, a peacemaker and bridge builder who stepped in to lead the nation at a very difficult time in the history of its political evolution.
Like other sectors of the national economy, Nigerias education sector may not fully recover from the debilitating impacts of the coronavirus pandemic any time soon as insecurity, especially violent attacks on schools by non-state actors, has complicated the woes bedeviling it.

Following the suspension of its nine-month-long industrial action in December 2020, and the ease of lockdown by the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration, Nigerians had hoped for a return to full activities in the education sector in 2021. But many ugly events proved the optimists wrong in the out gone year.

While many tertiary institutions battled to adjust their academic calendar for the year due to the disruption by the COVID-19-induced lockdown, some states, especially in the northern and south-eastern part of the country, were confronted with ceaseless attacks on schools by bandits, forcing such states like Kaduna, Zamfara, among others, to shut down schools.

Violent attacks on schools

Basic education, regarded as the foundation for lifelong learning and human development, is free and compulsory in Nigeria, according to the Universal Basic Education Act, 2004.

But this subsector seemed more troubled in 2021, raising concerns over a possible increase in the number of out-of-school children, whose current figure of more than 10 million ranks highest in sub-saharan Africa.

Nigerias number of out-of-school children is currently put at 10,193,918, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, the minister of state for education, announced in June 2021.

The North-west part of Nigeria which already has the highest share of the figure also witnessed a series of attacks on schools, leaving pupils scared to return to classrooms.

According to SBM Intelligence, at least 1,436 pupils and 17 teachers were abducted between December, 2020 and October, 2021.

For instance, Katsina, Kaduna, Zamfara and Yobe States are part of the top 10 states that make up over 50 per cent of Nigerias out of school children, and they all recorded cases of mass kidnapping of pupils during the year.

Recently, at the Childrens Manifesto launch, President Muhammadu Buhari admitted that the persistent attacks on educational facilities and abduction of students and teachers have left more than 12 million children currently traumatised and afraid of going back to school, especially the girl-child.

The United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF) also estimated that at least one million pupils did not go back to school in October 2021 due to insecurity.

However, the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), the commission supervising basic education in Nigeria, received less than 10 per cent of the total education budget in 2021.

Admission crisis

Due to the many months of lockdown across public tertiary institutions due to COVID-19 and prolonged ASUU strike affecting the universities in 2020, many admission seekers were left in the cold as they were unable to proceed to their institutions of choice.

When the institutions eventually reopened in 2021 , the academic calendar was already disrupted leading to a backlog of applicants who were awaiting their admission when another fresh set joined them.

While some institutions such as the University of Ibadan decided to cancel a session, others like the University of Lagos and Obafemi Awolowo University decided to merge the admissions for both the 2020 and 2021 candidates.

Meanwhile, despite more than a million unadmitted applicants, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), the body in charge of coordination of admission into tertiary institutions in the country, said tertiary institutions in Nigeria still failed to utilise over 400,000 admission spaces for the 2020/2021 session.

Out of a total of 1,949,983 candidates who sat the 2020 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, tertiary institutions were expected to admit less than half of them based on an admission quota of 956,809 given to them.

Of the 601,775 that were allocated to degree-awarding institutions, 422, 445 candidates gained admission, while 179,330 vacancies were unused.

A total of 115,243 was given to institutions that award National Diploma (ND), while 4,870 was allocated to National Innovative Diploma (NID) awarding institutions.

Also, out of the 235,240 slots allocated to colleges of education, only 47,920 were admitted. About 187,320 spaces to admit more candidates remained unused, representing 79.6 per cent.

For National Diploma (ND) awarding institutions, 79,891 candidates got admission out of the 115,243 allocations, leaving 35,352 spaces unoccupied.

Likewise, only 1,297 candidates got admissions out of the 4,870 allocations given to National Innovative Diploma (NID) awarding institutions. A total of 3,573 spaces remained unused.

On budgetary allocations

In 2021, Nigerias education sector, despite facing multiple challenges, received the lowest allocation in a decade, when measured in terms of percentages.

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The sector is already plagued with deplorable infrastructure, poorly trained and over-stretched teachers as well as alarming insecurity.

Early in 2021, the National Personnel Audit (NPA) conducted on Public and Private Basic Education Schools in the country by the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), revealed that Nigeria had a shortage of 277,537 teachers at the basic level, Dr Hamid Bobboyi, the Executive Secretary, UBEC said.

President Muhammadu Buharis allocation of N771.5bn for education in the 2021 budget represented a paltry 5.6 per cent of the total budget, an amount lower than the 15-20 per cent recommended by the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

While the amount budgeted for the sector has been on a steady increase, analysis shows that it is, in fact, on a depressing trajectory when measured in percentages.

An analysis of the budgets for education shows that the highest allocation since Mr Buharis inauguration was 7.9 per cent in 2016. It dropped to 7.4 per cent in 2017, and again to 7.04 per cent in 2018 before rising slightly to 7.05 per ent in 2019, and dropping to 6.7 per cent in 2020.

The 2022 budget

Speaking at the global summit on education in July, 2021, Mr Buhari pledged to increase the education funding by over 15-20 per cent of total spending, as recommended by UNESCO.

Mr Buhari had at the summit promised to increase funding for education by 20 per cent in a few years and 50 per cent by 2025.

A review of the proposed 2022 budget for education shows that the president increased the education budget only by almost 14 per cent.

While the budget had a 13.6 per cent increase of 2021 allocation, it still remains 7.9 per cent of the total budget, falling short of UNESCO recommendations.

The education budget was raised from N771.46 billion in 2021 to N876 billion in the proposed 2022 budget. (TETFund allocation is excluded). TETFund is funded through an education tax of 2 per cent on the profit of all registered companies operating in Nigeria.

A breakdown of the proposed 2022 budget shows that N875.93 billion was budgeted for recurrent and capital expenditure of the Federal Ministry of Education and its agencies, and N139.2 billion for Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC).

Proliferation of tertiary institutions

The much condemned culture of proliferation of tertiary institutions and particularly universities had continued in 2021, with ASUU describing the decision as provoking and unwise.

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved the establishment of 20 new private universities in the country in February, 2021, which were given provisional licenses by the National Universities Commission (NUC) on April 8, 2021, bringing the number of private universities in Nigeria to 99 and a total of 197 universities.

The major argument by the government for proliferation is the urgency of giving access to admission seekers, as nearly two million candidates sit the UTME annually, but this

But stakeholders in the education system in Nigeria warned against the proliferation of universities in the country, insisting that the existing institutions were neither adequately funded nor properly monitored to ensure compliance, with appropriate guidelines.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Registrars of Private Universities in Nigeria, Timothy Olagbemiro, complained about the dwindling number of students seeking admission into private universities due to poor economic conditions.

Mr Olagbemiro, who is the vice-chancellor of Edwin Clarke University, Kiagbodo, in Delta State, said the poor economic condition in the country was preventing many parents from sending their children to private universities, saying this was constituting a major problem facing the institutions.

Not all gloomy

But it was not all gloomy during the year as there were certain steps taken by the government towards restoring the sectors lost glory. Such measures had included the implementation of the 65-year-old retirement age for teachers, release of funds for university workers earned academic allowance and needs assessment funds, among others.

Though, towards the end of 2021, ASUU had threatened to resume its suspended industrial action, the whole of 2021 was largely free from the usual strike.

Teachers day promises

Meanwhile, in a move to retain competent hands and reward dedication to work, the Nigerian government, in October, announced that Nigerian teachers in public schools will begin to enjoy a new salary structure and enjoy elongated service from 35 to 40 years.

Also to encourage more Nigerians to take up a career in teaching, the government plans to provide N75,000 allowance for every student of public universities studying education programmes per semester, and N50,000 for students of colleges of education per semester.
Few days after a groundbreaking transplant surgery, David Bennett, 57, is doing well after receiving a genetically modified pig heart, University of Maryland Medicine said in a news release Monday.

Mr Bennett had terminal heart disease, and the pig heart was the only currently available option, according to the release, CNN reports.

He was deemed ineligible for a conventional heart transplant or an artificial heart pump after reviews of his medical records.

It was either die or do this transplant. I want to live. I know its a shot in the dark, but its my last choice, Mr Bennett said before the surgery, according to the release.

The US Food and Drug Administration granted emergency authorization for the surgery on December 31.

Prior to the transplant, three genes responsible for rejection of pig organs by human immune systems were removed from the donor pig, and one gene was taken out to prevent excessive pig heart tissue growth.

Also, six human genes responsible for immune acceptance were inserted.

According to CNN, Mr Bennetts doctors will need to monitor him for days to weeks to see whether the transplant works to provide lifesaving benefits. He will also be monitored for immune system problems or other complications.

There are simply not enough donor human hearts available to meet the long list of potential recipients, surgeon Bartley Griffith who performed the transplant said in a statement.

We are proceeding cautiously, but we are also optimistic that this first-in-the-world surgery will provide an important new option for patients in the future.

Revivicor, a regenerative medicine company based in Blacksburg, Virginia, provided the heart.

A total of 106,632 people are on the national transplant waiting list, and 17 people die each day waiting for an organ, according to organdonor.gov.

The eight-hour operation took place in Baltimore on Friday, and the patient, David Bennett Sr. of Maryland, is back home and doing.

It creates the pulse, it creates the pressure, it is his heart, said Bartley Griffith, the director of the cardiac transplant programme at the medical centre. Its working and it looks normal.

We are thrilled, but we dont know what tomorrow will bring us. This has never been done before.

Mr. Bennett decided to gamble on the experimental treatment because he would have died without a new heart, had exhausted other treatments and was too sick to qualify for a human donor heart, family members and doctors said, CNN reported.
Tributes have continued to pour in for the late Nigerian leader, Ernest Shonekan, who died Tuesday morning.

Mr Shonekan, 85, died of natural causes, according to a statement issued by his family.

The Ogun-born statesman was the head of the interim government that led Nigeria between the military governments of Ibrahim Babangida and Sani Abacha, from August 26 to November 17, 1993.

In a condolence letter to Mr Shonekans widow, Margaret, former President Olusegun Obasanjo described him as a role model who would be remembered as a man of sustained strong will to succeed.

Mr Obasanjo, in the letter, recalled how Mr Shonekan, in 1994, founded the Economic Summit Group, an advocacy group and thinktank for private sector-led development of the Nigerian economy.

He noted that the body had continued to sustain the legacy of helping to support concerned parties in the execution of policies, programmes and strategies, in response to any emerging trends in national and global economies.

The former president noted that at the hour of great achievement and undisguised success, Mr Shonekan did not lose the common touch and sense of service to his family and his wider community.

On the political scene, Chief Shonekan, as the Head of the Interim National Government in Nigeria, in 1993, though short-lived for the period of three months, through the palace coup orchestrated by General Sani Abacha, rendered outstanding service to our country, and we will never forget that.

It is also worthy of note that as Special Envoy on the Implementation of the Abuja Agreement on Zimbabwe in 2001 and Chairman, Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) in 2008, he was forthright, dedicated and showed great patriotism in the discharge of his duties.

He was a unifying force for the nation and his contribution to the growth and development of democracy in Nigeria cannot be forgotten in a hurry.

In all situations, he lived nobly and he died in nobility. He was an achiever.

Indeed, Chief Shonekan died at a time the country is in dire need of his leadership, wealth of experience and wisdom to tackle the multifaceted challenges facing the nation.

While expressing, on behalf of my family and on my own behalf, our sympathies to you and the entire members of your family as well as to the government and the good people of Ogun State, it is our prayer that the Almighty God will grant him eternal rest and comfort all those he left behind, the letter read.

A peacemaker

Similarly, the national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, said he received the news of Mr Shonekans passing with great sadness.

Mr Tinubus condolence was contained in a statement issued by his media aide, Tunde Rahman, on Tuesday in Lagos.

I received, with great sadness, the news of the passing of Chief Shonekan and l join his immediate family in mourning his passing, but also in celebrating his lifelong contributions to our great nation.

The former governor of Lagos described the deceased as a peaceful man, who tried to bring unity and concord during one of the nations most trying moments.

In his brief time as Head of State, Chief Shonekan tried his best to advance peace, stability and development in Nigeria.

With his passing, the country has lost another important elder statesman; a man of peace, who tried to bring unity and concord during one of the nations most trying moments.

Chief Shonekan will be remembered as a peacemaker and Head of State who took office at a most difficult time, he said.

Reeling out some of his achievements, the former governor of Lagos noted that the deceased was a technocrat and boardroom guru who performed excellently as Chairman of United African Company (UAC).

According to him, the late Mr Shonekan would have led Nigeria with the same vision and skill with which he guided UAC.

He had the character, competence, capability and the technical background to undertake the job.

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The APC leader also extended his condolences to the wife of the deceased, Margaret, and the people of Ogun State over the loss.

(NAN)
Officials of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) have met with a joint session of the National Assembly committees on Niger Delta Affairs.

The agency had appeared before the panel to defend its proposed budget for the year 2021.

Although details of the proposed budget were not made public, a source in the agency  who did not want to be named for fear of victimisation  confirmed to PREMIUM TIMES that the meeting was held last week.

The National Assembly has not approved a budget for the NDDC in two years.

The last budget approved was in 2020, where the lawmakers okayed N453,2 billion for the commission for 2020.

The approval was done amid opposition from some senators who had kicked against the budgetary allocations, citing administrative illegalities in the commission.

The NDDC, which was created by the Olusegun Obasanjo administration in response to decades of complaints of neglect by the oil-rich region, has little to show for the billions of naira it has received in the 19 years of its existence.

Controversies and a vow

Prior to the last NDDC budget approval, the lawmakers had vowed not to pass any budget for the commission until a new board is constituted.

Although the Senate had confirmed 15 nominees for the NDDC board in October 2019, the president refused to inaugurate the board.

After that, the Minister of Niger Delta, Godswill Akpabio, named an Interim Management Committee with Joy Nunieh as the Acting Managing Director. This set-up was changed months later when the president appointed Kemebradikumo Pondei as acting Managing Director.

Past heads of the commission were dismissed over one allegation of fraud or another.

In July 2020, the National Assembly set up a panel to investigate the financial recklessness of the IMC  an investigation that turned messy.

PREMIUM TIMES reported how the commission used about N1.5 billion as COVID-19 relief, and paid officials N85 million to attend graduation in the UK during a lockdown.

This paper also reported how the commission was asked by the Senate to refund all the monies spent.

These events formed the Senates decision not to approve any budget for the NDDC until a board is formed.

Even after the president appointed Effiong Akwa as a sole administrator for the Commission in December 2020, no budget was considered.

U-turn

It is, however, not clear why the lawmakers have changed their mind about considering or approving the NDDCs budget.

At the meeting with lawmakers, Mr Akwa, who led the delegation, told the panel that it is impossible for the agency to function properly without an annual budget. He had also promised to be diligent and transparent in the discharge of his duties.

While the chairman of the committee, Peter Nwaoboshi (APC, Delta North), promised to support the Commission to ensure efficient and effective implementation of the 2021 budget.

Other members of the panel present at the hearing include Orji Kalu (APC, Abia North), Clifford Odia (PDP, Edo Central), Ajayi Boroffice (APC, Ondo North), Matthew Urhoghide (PDP, Edo South) James Manager (PDP, Delta South) and Tunji Ojo (APC, Akoko North East & North West Federal Constituency).

The National Assembly is expected to resume on January 18.

While details of the budget and reasons for meeting during the holiday remain unclear, the committee cannot approve the budget on its own.

The panel is expected to submit a report to the entire chamber(s) for consideration and possible approval.

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Also, the panel is expected to explain why it is necessary to approve the NDDCs budget even while it operates without a board.
The Chief of Army Staff, Faruk Yahaya, a lieutenant general, has approved the posting and appointment of senior officers of the Nigerian Army in a bid to reinvigorate the service.

In a statement by the Director, Army Public Relations, Onyema Nwachukwu, a brigadier general, in Abuja, those affected in the exercise include General Officers Commanding and other senior officers.

Mr Nwachukwu disclosed that Godwin Umelo, a major 3, had been redeployed from Defence Simulation Centre to Defence Headquarters (DHQ) and appointed the Director-General, Defence Research and Development Bureau.

He also disclosed that Maj.-Gen. V Ebhaleme was appointed Director, Support Services in Defence Space Administration while Maj.-Gen. GB Audu moves to Nigerian Army Resource Centre as Senior Research Fellow.

Others, according to him, include the erstwhile Commandant of the Army War College Nigeria, Maj.-Gen. Solomon Udounwa, who had been appointed Chief of Special Services/ Programmes (Army) in the newly established Army Headquarters Department of Special Services and Programmes.

According to him, Maj.-Gen. MT Durowaiye from Army Headquarters Department of Policy and Plans moves to the Army Headquarters Department of Administration (Army) and appointed Director Veteran Affairs Directorate.

Maj.-Gen. AE Attu moves from Army Headquarters Department of Policy and Plans to Defence Training and Operations and appointed Director Peace Keeping Operations while Maj.-Gen. UT Musa moves to Headquarters 81 Division as General Officer Commanding.

Maj.-Gen. CU Onwunle had been appointed Director of Communications DHQ; Maj.-Gen. OO Oluyede moves to Headquarters 6 Division as General Officer Commanding and Maj.-Gen. LT Omoniyi moves to Army Headquarters Department of Operations as Director Campaign Planning, he said.

Mr Nwachukwu further disclosed that Maj.-Gen. OJ Akpor had been redeployed from Nigerian Defence Academy to Defence Headquarters as Director Defence Information, while Maj.-Gen. Abdulwahab Eyitayo moves from 7 Division to Defence Headquarters as Director Campaign Planning.

He also said that while Maj.-Gen. LA Fejokwu had been appointed Director Standard and Evaluation DHQ, Maj.-Gen. JAL Jimoh was redeployed from the Nigerian Army School of Artillery to Headquarters Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) as Chief of Training.

According to him, Maj.-Gen. HT Wesley moves from Office of the Chief of Army Staff to Headquarters Defence Intelligence Agency and appointed Director Administration and Maj.-Gen. JO Ochai moves to Nigerian Army Armour School as Commandant.

He added that Maj.-Gen. SG Mohammed was redeployed from 6 Division to Army Headquarters Department of Policy and Plans as Deputy Chief of Policy and Plans amongst others.

Other senior officers affected in the reorganisation include; Brig.-Gen. AS Maikano who moves from Nigerian Army Welfare Insurance Scheme to 82 Division and as Commander Division Finance and Accounts.

Brig.-Gen. LA Lebo has been appointed Acting Deputy Chief of Training (Linkages/Integration), while Brig.-Gen. MO Ihanuwaze was appointed Director of Budget and Accounts (AHQ) and Brig.-Gen. Ojogbane Adegbe was appointed Director Psychological Operations, AHQ Department of Civil-Military Affairs, Nwachukwu added.

The army spokesperson disclosed that the Chief of Army Staff, Mr Yahaya had charged all the newly appointed senior officers to justify the confidence reposed in them and redouble their commitment to duty.

According to him, the COAS also urged the newly appointed senior officers to ensure value addition in their respective commands.

(NAN)
Haji Lawal has diligently paid his dues in rendering journalism and humanitarian services. It may well be said that beneficiaries of his good heart may deem this special 70th birthday anniversary to reciprocate and even replicate such.

Between Alhaji Abdul Lateef Olumide Lawal and the late first executive governor of Osun State, who later became a two-time senator, Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke, exists a most mysterious but pleasant tie. Adeleke died in 2017 but no year has passed without Lawal dispensing tributes with a fresher angle each year. Countless fellow compatriots from Ede appreciate Haji Lawals faithfulness to friendship. Alhaji Lawals undying commitment to the bond is probably the least the community would jointly volunteer on account of the rescuer intervention that Adelekes emergence as governor symbolised. His disposition to Adeleke only typifies his most outstanding quality  being appreciative of kind gestures, no matter how insignificant.

From Uncle Olumide to children, nephews, nieces and his treasured younger colleagues, every encounter is routinely laden with prayers and inimitable words of inspiration and encouragement. Not one that surrenders to fate where action is indispensable, he relentlessly scouts for opportunities for folks, as if he is the potential beneficiary, even as he is the last person describable as an opportunist. Who can believe that Haji Olumide doesnt feel tempted to plunge into compromise to seek favours from Davido, the renowned musician publicly acknowledged as an indomitable spender, in spite of all he has done for Davidos uncles, Isiaka, Ademola and Adeeyo? Uncle Olumide would not deride anyone either for not patronising him. Quite clearly his is a life dedicated to gratitude, by faith and personal conviction, I would argue.

Today, Uncle Olumide savours the quietude of his country home in Ede, as a journalist supposedly retired, but he still beams with vigour. He had relocated to Ede before Senator Adetunji Adeleke died in 2017 and so was the commanding officer of the Serubawon political campaigns, which yielded victory, even as he had to compete with digital natives on the side of the opponents. Serubawons death hardly impacted anyone as much as it did Uncle Olumide, who became extremely depressed. But that didnt deter him from being protective of Serubawons interest, even after his demise. Promptly, he rose to rouse the campaign facilities for Ademola, Serubawons brother who offered to complete Serubawons term in the Senate. This he did so much to the extent that he became the trans-generational bridge for the success of Ademola, for whosse support he beckoned the young and the old. Although I, for instance, was Ademolas classmate, it was at the instance of Uncle Olumide that Ademola earned my support.

Uncles philosophy consistently manifests the continuity of good legacy. A descendant of the great Lawal Family of Ailaka Compound, Ede, Uncle happened to be one of the leading science students in his class at the Seventh Day Adventist Grammar School, Ede, which was clearly the most expensive in the entire Osun Division in that era. But one of the teachers had managed to introduce political education of the Marxian leaning to the smart ones among the students, who would want to do their best to realise a better Nigeria.

One of the world leaders showcased as excelling with the ideology to the young Olumide was Fidel Castro. On account of the young mans obvious outspokenness, he earned the label Fidel Castro. The young Olumide was also outstandingly ever neat, and thus had the Fidel replaced with Finni (short form of Ajisefinni, meaning one whose most constant priority is neatness. Ajisefinni was the sobriquet for Edes arguably most renowned barber in the 70s and 80s). Consequently, the young Olumide had his nickname properly indegenised to Finni Castro and the name has stuck through ages. He is hailed Castro till date by his contemporaries.

Beyond flying out of the school with the Castro label, he has had his mind moulded. Rather than purse a science inclined career, he chose journalism, the path of his uncle, late Chief Sola Lawal, a pioneer journalist of the Tribune, Nigerias oldest surviving newspapers. Having been politically cultivated at Seventh Day Adventist, there was no stopping the fire in me. I saw a convincing model in Uncle Sola Lawal. My uncle was a highly principled professional, yet was socially and economically successful in the superlative rating. Thus began my career in broadcast journalism, specifically radio, he recalled.

He continued in a recent conversation with me that: I love writing frequently, another strong practice cultivated at Seventh Day Adventist. So, for me, advancing the cause I believe in has to be done through all possible windows. But thats why I defied all odds and threatening risks to stand by Senator Ademola Adeleke when he needed to speak out through the media during his travails. I got all reputable media invited to Ede to come hear his side of the raging story. Fierce looking security operatives had flooded the entire state just to ensure Ademola didnt have access to the world through the media. But what quality would a journalist appropriate to himself if not tenancity? I had to change venue some three times and finally I got Senator Ademolas friends mobilised to speak for him and today the rest history to the glory of God.

Beyond the Adelekes, Uncle Olumide has equally remained steadfast with Sir Eyo, as he fondly referred to late Dr Wale Adeeyo, publisher of the defunct Anchor newspapers. Is it not surprising that somebody who, beyond being a grounded man of letters, was a publisher of a national newspaper, didnt attract published tributes worth citing from at least a few of his former employees? Beloved Castro is the last man standing!

All the good gestures from Haji olumide were merely expressions of aniyan to daa (sheer good wishes), rather than for pecuniary gains, as this new septuagenarian is reasonably endowed materially and visibly radiates contentment as much as discernible. Some five years ago, the wedding ceremony of one of his children, which he personally bankrolled, held at an all amenities completed hotel (to echo Fuji music founder, Ayinde Barrister) in the heart of Lagos. In addition to the monarch from Ede, Kabiyesi Muniru Adesola, Laminisa 1, the Timi of Ede, the guests list was a spectacle of whos who from around Nigeria, even as the lowly were duly catered for in line with the spirit of Finni Castro.

A distinguished broadcast journalist of decades with Nigerias largest radio network, Haji Olumides professional trajectory was characterised by uncommon, high level engagements at different times: Spanning a whole decade, 1990-2000, he was Public Relations Consultant to the defunct Nigeria Sugar Company, Bacita. In 1993, on account of his erudition and dynamism, he doubled as the Chair of the Directorate of Information, Public Relations and Think-Tank constituted by Governor Adeleke of Osun State. Ahead of all these, the energetic professional had been tasked to cover the Hajj in 1984. That was the same year the sitting Chief of Staff to President Buhari, Professor Ibrahim Gambari, who I later learnt from my long time brotherly friend, Afolabi Gambari, happened to be a soulmate of Sir Eyo, performed the hajj.

As one of the outstanding and shining stars of Edeland, Alhaji Olumide Lawal, in a book edited by an Ede born, globally renowned historian, Professor Siyan Oyeweso, is described as a:  self-made man who passed through the crucible and fire, and came out untainted and unscathed, a product of hard workspartan discipline and abundance of native intelligence.

Haji Lawal has diligently paid his dues in rendering journalism and humanitarian services. It may well be said that beneficiaries of his good heart may deem this special 70th birthday anniversary to reciprocate and even replicate such.

Tunde Akanni is an associate professor of Journalism at the Lagos State University (LASU). Follow him on Twitter:@AkintundeAkanni
United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, has condemned the mass killings last week in Zamfara State and charged the Nigerian government to spare no effort to bring the killers to justice.

PREMIUM TIMES reported how marauding bandits, suspected to be loyal to Bello Turji, burnt down five villages in coordinated attacks that lasted two days.

Speaking through the spokesperson for the UN in Nigeria, Stephane Dujarric, Mr Guterres extended his condolences to the bereaved families.

He reaffirmed the UN solidarity and support to the federal government on its fight against insecurity but highlighted that the UN urges the Nigerian authorities to spare no effort in bringing those responsible for these heinous crimes to justice.

President Buhari had also condemned the attacks and assured that banditry will be history.

Zamfara massacre

Bandits burnt down at least five villages and attacked others in Anka and Bukkuyum local government areas of Zamfara State from Tuesday to Wednesday.

PREMIUM TIMES gathered that the villages attacked are Tungar Geza, Rafin Gero, Kurfar Danya, Kewaye and Tungar Na More.

An anonymous source who spoke to VOA Hausa as monitored by this newspaper said the attacks started from Barikin Daji in what was described as a fight between the bandits and Yan Sakai (the unofficial vigilante members).

They had been fighting since yesterday (Tuesday night). What scared us was how they were able to displace Kurfar Danya. You know it was said that Kurfar Danya was impenetrable, but I swear to God, they (bandits) have burnt down the whole village.

They moved to Tungar Na More and to Rafin Gero. As I speak to you now, some houses are still on fire in Rafin Gero. Tungar Isa and Barayar Zaki are also some of the villages that were burnt down, he said.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that villagers had buried 200 corpses as of Saturday morning including the Anka local government area coordinator of the vigilante group.

Mr Turji, who is believed to be behind the attacks, is suspected to be relocating to a new headquarters away from his Fakai base in Shinkafi to Gando forest in Bukkuyum local government area.
The Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi, has declared his intention to contest for president in 2023 on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

He made his intention public shortly after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday at the State House in Abuja.

This is coming a day after a former governor of Lagos State, Bola Tinubu, revealed his plan to run for the office on the ticket of the APC.

Mr Tinubu said, after meeting with Mr Buhari on Monday, that he would contest for the office of president.

Mr Umahi, in an interview with State House correspondents, said he has told the president about his ambition to contest for the seat if the party zones the ticket to the Southern region.

We discussed politics as the growth of our party, APC, in Nigeria, and the South East. And, of course, you know, the interest of the South East, for the seat of presidency in 2023.

And, of course, I told Mr President, that without prejudice to whatever will be the decision of the party, which we shall abide by, that if the party throws the ticket open or zones to Southern part of Nigeria that I believe that with what I have put in place in the past six years plus, that I will be running for presidency on the platform of the APC.

So, I told him and of course, he believes that whoever wants to run for president of this country must have to consult widely, go to all the leaders and that we must do everything to remove ethnicity and religion in our politics so that this country can grow, he said.

Like the APC national leader, Mr Umahi promised to replicate his feats as a governor at the national level if he eventually gets to fly the party ticket and win the presidential election.

The governor, who will round off his second term in office in 2023, was one of the three Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors that dumped the party for the ruling party between late November 2020 and June 2021.

Mr Umahi left the PDP in November 2020, six months before his Cross River counterpart, Ben Ayade defected. Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara State was the last to dump the PDP last year.

The Ebonyi governor had argued that his defection had nothing to do with the 2023 presidential ticket but to take the Southeast region to the centre.

I want to clear the air that I never sought (for) PDP presidential ticket and I will not. So whoever said that I moved to APC because they refused to zone the ticket to me is being very mischievous, the governor had explained at the time.

However, with Mr Umahis declaration, he may be jostling for the APC presidential ticket with Mr Tinubu and the Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, who had declared his intention to contest the presidential election on the APC platform.

The Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, also of the APC, may be a contender but he has not officially declared his intention to run.

The Ebonyi governor joins some of the South-east politicians who have indicated interest in occupying the nations highest political office.

Last year, a former Senate President, Paul Anyim, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), announced his plan to run for president whether his party zones the slot to the South-east or not.

Earlier, Kingsley Moghalu from Anambra State and Sam Ohuabunwa from Abia State had earlier indicated their interest in the race.
An interview with the director-general of the Tinubu Support Management Council, Abdulmumin Jibrin, led to a back and forth as he repeatedly snubbed questions concerning Bola Tinubus source of wealth, cash-carrying bullion van and age.

Mr Tinubu, a former Lagos State governor and national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), had on Monday formally declared his intention to run for the countrys president in 2023 after months of speculation.

On March 29, 2021, Mr Tinubu celebrated his birthday, and a colloquium was hosted to mark the day. Mr Tinubus age is known to be 69.

However, the APC leaders critics claim he is older than 69.

Source of wealth, bullion van, age

While on the morning show of Arise Television, Mr Jibrin, when asked about his principals source of wealth and the discrepancies around his age, said this question you have just asked is part of what I have answered earlier. I think at this point that we have gotten to, our emphasis should be on the pedigree of this candidate..what he has achieved.

He stressed that the focus should be on the presidential aspirants capacity and competence.

Again, he was asked  how did Bola Tinubu make so much money that he had a bullion van in his home on election day. And how old is he?

Mr Jibrin in his response said: When you continue to repeat the question, you will get the same answer. These are all trash from the internet that people put together and we will not elevate such conversation.

But when the campaign commences, we will bring out facts and figures before Nigerians but we will not create a narrative for them.

When he was asked again, he questioned the journalists professionalism while asking the interviewer to tolerate his response.

I responded, if you dont like the way I responded to it, you move on, he said.

Mr Jibrin had earlier during the interview said being a good leader is not a function of age.

You can be a young man and be a bad leader, a young man well educated and be a bad leader and you can be an old man of 70 years even above and be a very good leaderThe most important thing is capacity and competence.

On the eve of the 2019 general elections, viral pictures on social media showed two bullion vans driving into Mr Tinubus residence.

Mr Tinubu later admitted the bullion vans were conveying money to his house, but defended his action, saying he did nothing wrong because he was not a government official.

Corruption allegations

Mr Jibrin said: practically everybody (Nigerian politicians) have been accused of corruption.

However, the only way to know if a politician is corrupt is when a court judgement has been passed.

He said the corruption charge is not unusual because Mr Tinubu is a frontrunner.

At the end of the interview, he was again asked was there a case of a bullion van or not?

He replied: I stand comfortably and strongly on my previous answers to this question.

In October 2020, the former Lagos governor was accused of money laundering, fraud, tax evasion, and sundry corrupt practices by one Dapo Apara, a Nigerian chartered accountant.
BEIJING, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, on Tuesday called for efforts to deepen the review, study, education and promotion of the CPC's history so as to better understand and make good use of the historical experience of the Party over the past century.

Xi, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks when addressing the opening of a study session at the Party School of the CPC Central Committee attended by provincial and ministerial-level officials.

The study session aimed to advance the learning and understanding of the resolution adopted at the sixth plenary session of the 19th CPC Central Committee, Xi noted.

He urged efforts to champion the great founding spirit of the Party, boost historical confidence, promote unity and solidarity, enhance fighting spirit, and motivate the whole Party as well as Chinese people of all ethnic groups to work tirelessly to realize the Second Centenary Goal.

The opening ceremony was presided over by Li Keqiang, and attended by Li Zhanshu, Wang Yang, Wang Huning, Zhao Leji and Han Zheng, all members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee. Vice President Wang Qishan also attended the event. 
Plattsburgh, NY (12901)

Today

Partly cloudy skies in the morning will give way to cloudy skies during the afternoon. High 66F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Rain showers in the evening will evolve into a more steady rain overnight. Low around 50F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near a half an inch.
Implementation at the Bangladeshi Bank produced 100% digital transaction growth and 36% manual to digital conversion

CHENNAI, India, Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Clayfin Technologies, a leading customer experience focused digital solutions provider for financial institutions, and BRAC Bank, have been awarded the 'Best Digital Channel/Platform Implementation Award  Most Impactful Platform' at IBSi Global FinTech Innovation Awards 2021.

The award has been given in recognition of the collaborative implementation of BRAC Bank's new digital platform called 'Astha'. Mobile Banking App 'Astha' comprises of a wide spectrum of digital services and engagement tools in retail banking. This is a prime example of digital infrastructure overhaul targeting superior customer experience, higher adoption rates and market impact. In less than a year of going live, Astha has made a significant impact adding 30% on digital customer growth, 100% in digital transaction volumes and 36% conversion from manual transactions to digital channel.

Recognizing the impactful solution implementation, Robin Amlot, Managing Editor of IBS Intelligence, said, "I am thrilled to announce Clayfin Technologies along with BRAC Bank Limited as winners of the Most Impactful Project Award part of the Best Digital Channel/Platform Implementation category at the 3rd edition of the IBS Intelligence Global FinTech Innovation Awards 2021. The solution was highly impactful and resulted in an astounding 100% growth in digital transactions. Congratulations to the duo."

On the occasion, Md. Sabbir Hossain, DMD and COO of BRAC Bank, said, "We are immensely honoured to have received this international award. The new Astha digital platform is part of our strategic digital system overhaul for delightful and convenient banking experience for the customers. Over a short period of time, the implementation of the app with the tagline 'Bank Smart' has helped us achieve a significant impact on our customer base. The award will help us launch more digital initiatives to take customer experience to newer heights."

Rajesh BLN, CEO of Clayfin added, "We are proud and thankful to receive this award with BRAC Bank. Astha platform for BRAC Bank is functionally rich, intuitive, easy to use, safe and secure. For BRAC Bank, this is just the beginning of a journey. Through its digital initiatives, BRAC Bank will stay ahead of times, and will keep impacting the lives of more and more customers."

About IBSi Global FinTech Innovation Awards 2021

IBS Intelligence is a pure-play Financial Technology focused research, advisory, and news analysis firm, with a 30-year track record and clients globally. The third edition IBSi Global FinTech Innovation Awards attracted global attention with over 190 participants from 48 countries.

About BRAC Bank

BRAC Bank Limited traded as ' BRACBANK ' on Dhaka Stock Exchange has been one of the country's fastest-growing banks in Bangladesh with a particular focus on the small and medium enterprise (SME) segment.

Taking inspiration from its parent organization BRAC, the largest NGO in the world, it focused on Small and Medium Enterprises. Based out of Dhaka, the bank offers SME Banking, Retail Banking, Wholesale Banking & Custodial Service, Treasury and Foreign Exchange & Related Services through 187 branches, 650 Agent Banking Outlets and digital channels. With more than 1.1 million customers, the bank has already proved to be the largest collateral-free SME financier in just 20 years of its operation in Bangladesh and continues to serve as a benchmark for governance, transparency and compliance in the banking sector.

About Clayfin

Clayfin is a leading provider of Digital Customer Experience solutions for Banks and Financial institutions. Clayfin works across geographies, and currently supports 80+ implementations across 30+ customers in APAC, Middle East and Africa.

Contact:

Mr. Jishith Gangadharan

[email protected]

+91-8593931693

SOURCE Clayfin and BRAC Bank
The deal is a significant win for Timex Group India given Guess & Gc market share, reach and brand recognition in the fashion watch segment. The power of the Guess & Gc brands will be a great addition for Timex Group India. This partnership will allow Timex Group India to expand their business through the distribution of style driven product assortments to their fashion focused customer base, further securing credibility among the fashion-conscious youth of India.

Speaking on the deal, Sharmila Sahai (Managing Director, Timex Group India Ltd.) said, "We are delighted to announce this partnership. Guess & Gc branded watches are known for providing quality timepieces for fashion conscious consumers worldwide, and the recognition that these brands have in the Indian market is phenomenal. This strategic collaboration leverages the strength of our retail partner network and allows further expansion of our distribution footprint in the country."

"We are delighted to form a new partnership for Guess & Gc Watches in India through this integration with our Group affiliate. We look forward to building upon the existing appeal and high brand recognition for both GUESS and Gc in the ever-dynamic Indian market. This partnership further solidifies our business position in India and allows for accelerated growth through the professionalism and reach of Timex Group India serving key retail partners throughout the country," says Brett Gibson (President and Chief Commercial Officer, Sequel Division).

The new agreements are effective from January 2022 and aim to deepen the footprint and reach for both parties in the Indian market.

About Timex Group

Timex Group designs, manufactures, and markets innovative timepieces around the world. Timex Group is a privately held company headquartered in Middlebury, Connecticut with multiple operating units and over 3,000 employees worldwide. As one of the largest watch makers in the world, Timex Group companies produce watches under a number of well-known brands, including Timex, Guess, Versace, Salvatore Ferragamo, Gc, Furla, Missoni, adidas, Nautica and Ted Baker.

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1723878/Guess_Gc.jpg

SOURCE Timex Group India Ltd.
LOS ANGELES, Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Aleshire & Wynder LLP , a law firm servicing public agencies throughout California, has elected Tiffany Israel as its new managing partner.

Specializing in the representation of public agencies, Israel currently serves as City Attorney for the City of Fillmore as well as General Counsel for the Pleasant Valley Recreation and Park District and the Fillmore Successor Agency. She is the first woman to lead Aleshire & Wynder since the firm was established in 2003.

Having been with the firm since its foundation, Israel said Monday that she was honored by the elevation and excited to lead. She succeeds Dave Aleshire , who has served as the firm's managing partner for nearly two decades.

"Dave's stable hand helped us grow from an 8-attorney firm purely dedicated to municipal law into a multifaceted public service law firm with six offices and more than six times as many attorneys," Israel said. "But this transition isn't just a change of leadership, it's an opportunity to reimagine the leadership structure and modernize the firm."

Israel will serve for a two-year term ending Jan. 1, 2024. She said she plans to lead with close support from founding Partners Sunny Soltani and Fred Galante , who serve with Israel on the firm's Executive Committee.

"Leadership will be more of a collective effort going forward," said Israel. "The Executive Committee has already been working on new ideas and strategies for the firm's operations that we hope will improve the service to our clients and increase employee connectivity as we continue to add offices and mostly work remotely."

Soltani said Israel was the right choice to lead the firm at a "critical juncture" in the firm's history, noting the firm's continued expansion into the Bay Area and San Diego.

"Tiffany has been a prominent figure in our history and has taken a pioneering role in the advancement of women attorneys in the firm," said Soltani. "We all look forward to seeing her vision unfold in her years of service."

Soltani said the new leadership structure will help the firm meet the diverse needs of its clients.

"We serve unique communities," Galante added. "We have always been committed to building a culture that respects and celebrates the diversity of the communities we serve and our own workforce."

Aleshire & Wynder LLP provides unparalleled legal representation to local communities throughout California. Our attorneys have been loyally serving public agencies for over 35 years.

SOURCE Aleshire & Wynder LLP
RALEIGH, N.C., Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Carolina-South Atlantic (CaSA) Chapter of the International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering (ISPE) will focus on crucial elements driving the dynamic life sciences sector at its 29th Annual ISPE-CaSA Life Sciences Technology Conference on Tuesday, February 15, 2022 at the Raleigh Convention Center in Raleigh, N.C.

More than 1,200 life science and technology professionals from major pharmaceutical companies, universities, business, and industry are expected to attend the conference  one of the largest of its kind in the southeast.

ISPE-CaSA Tech Conference: Aligning Technology, Talent & Transformation takes place in Raleigh, N.C. February 15, 2022 ISPE-CaSA Tech Conference: Aligning Technology, Talent & Transformation takes place in Raleigh, N.C. February 15, 2022

"The conference theme, 'Aligning Technology, Talent & Transformation', spotlights how our industry is transforming through advancements in technology and the talented professionals who drive innovation," said Conference Chair, Shelley Preslar, President and COO of Azzur Training Center in Cary, N.C.

The program features two Keynote Panels of industry leaders.

The Opening Keynote, starting at 9:00 a.m., features an enlightening presentation on "Project Lightyear: Pushing GMP Logistics and Warehouse Facilities to Infinity and Beyond" by Andrew Campbell, Senior Manager, Corporate Real Estate, United Therapeutics. ISPE-CaSA President Chris Small, P.E., Principal with Hanbury, will moderate a panel discussion focused on Technology, including Tracey Tomchick, Senior Director Engineering with Eli Lilly, and Brad Mickey, Associate Director, Head of Manufacturing, Astellas Gene Therapies.

The Closing Keynote Panel, "ISPE-CaSA's Got Talent!", starts at 4:00 p.m. and will be moderated by David Smith, Head of Global Talent Acquisition for Biogen. Panelists are: Leigh Fultz, Chief People Officer, Fujifilm Diosynth; Kimball Hall, President and COO, Abzena, Rick Lawless, Workforce Development Director, NC Biotechnology Center, and Dr. Scott Ralls, President, Wake Technical Community College.

In addition to the panel presentations, the 2022 Conference includes 10 Education Sessions, an Industry Expo with an estimated 250 exhibitors, and a Career Fair, featuring major industry recruiters. Also this year, ISPE-CaSA is supporting five area charities: Children's Flight of Hope, The Women's Center of Raleigh, Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina, Ronald McDonald House of North Carolina and the Raleigh Rescue Mission.

"Now in its 29th year, this conference has grown in size and significance to the life sciences sector," ISPE-CaSA President Chris Small said. "We are excited to serve as leaders in our industry and to showcase the cutting-edge technological advancements in our region."

Open to the public, registration for members starts at $50. The fee on the day of the event is $85. For more information and to register, visit our event website.

The International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering (ISPE), serves 20,000 members in more than 90 countries worldwide. Founded in 1980, ISPE has its global headquarters in Tampa, Fla. Visit www.ISPE.org for more information.

ISPE Carolina-South Atlantic (ISPE-CaSA) is one of the largest and most active ISPE chapters in the world. The Life Sciences Technology Conference is held each spring. To learn more, visit us at www.ispe-casa.org.

Media Contact:

Nancy Lowe

Chapter Manager

(919) 573-5442

[email protected]

SOURCE ISPE-CaSA
UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy on Monday called for ensuring access to vaccines for countries in West Africa and the Sahel.

"Recently, there has been a surge of COVID-19 cases in West African countries. The situation does not allow for optimism. The rapid spread of Omicron highlights the imbalanced vaccine distribution," Dai Bing, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations (UN), told the UN Security Council meeting on the UN Office for West Africa and the Sahel.

"It is necessary to continue to support regional countries to fight against the pandemic, increase assistance, give early access to safe, affordable vaccines, promote exemption of intellectual property rights of vaccines to regional countries and support local vaccine production," he said.

The envoy underscored that China will comprehensively implement the outcome of the eighth ministerial conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, increase vaccine assistance to Africa, and make greater contributions to fighting against the pandemic in the region.

On the security situation in the region, Dai said that the international community should support relevant countries to resolve differences through dialogue, promote political transition, peaceful reconciliation and preparations for general elections in light of their national conditions and within their constitutional frameworks, and strive to maintain stability and eliminate the root causes of conflicts.

Speaking about the fight against terrorism, the envoy said, "the international community should support regional countries in strengthening counter-terrorism capacity-building and provide more support in funding, equipment and logistical supplies through multilateral and bilateral channels."

"It is necessary to respect the countries concerned in carrying out their foreign security cooperation according to their own needs, strengthen the coordination of counter-terrorism operations and information sharing to strive for synergy," he said.

"Through measures such as de-radicalization, we should eliminate the root causes of conflicts, carry out vocational education and training, community correction, address youth education and employment, and prevent youth and even children from being recruited by terrorist forces," he added. 
WASHINGTON, Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) today announced the release of the Workplace Technology Study, a new report examining how technology in the workplace influences the experiences of workers who are blind, have low vision, or are deafblind.

The report summarized survey data from 323 participants who were employed in February 2021, and interviews with 25 of the participants. They shared their experiences with technology used for hiring and onboarding, required work-related training, and productivity; requests for workplace accommodations; interactions with Information Technology (IT) staff; and experiences with telework. Self-employed participants reported on the methods they used to access technology for their work.

"The findings in the Workplace Technology Study show us that many technology barriers still exist for workers with a visual impairment, despite nondiscrimination laws and guidance," said Stephanie Enyart, Chief Public Policy and Research Officer. "It is our hope that this study will provide a basis for understanding where many current workplace practices and protocols have not met their intended marks. The study can serve as a basis for identifying and addressing gaps to create a more fully inclusive workplace."

Some Key Findings Include:

Participants frequently faced accessibility challenges during the process of being hired and onboarding for their jobs. For example, about one-third of the participants who were required to take an automated test or screening during the hiring process reported accessibility challenges. In addition, 59% of the participants reported facing accessibility challenges when completing onboarding forms on paper and 48% reported accessibility challenges with electronic onboarding forms.

Participants reported a variety of accessibility challenges with mainstream technology tools, particularly with video conferencing, instant messaging, and documents prepared by sighted colleagues that were not properly formatted for accessibility.

Most participants requested accommodations from their employer, including purchase of assistive hardware, software, or both. There was tremendous variability in the accommodations request process and outcome, with some participants receiving accommodations easily and quickly, while others reported long waits for accommodations, denied requests, or even job reassignment or termination.

About one in five participants (21%) reported that they considered not requesting a needed accommodation because they were worried about backlash from their employer, coworkers, or clients.

Telework was described as a generally positive innovation for many participants, enabling them to enjoy a more level playing field in the workplace.

The full report is available at AFB.org/WTS, and includes recommendations from AFB experts about how to create more accessible and inclusive recruitment and retention strategies for blind and visually impaired employees.

The American Foundation for the Blind is grateful to the donors who helped fund the research report, including eSight, Google, Hadley, JP Morgan Chase, LCI Foundation, Microsoft, James H. and Alice Teubert Foundation, and Vispero.

About the American Foundation for the Blind

The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) mobilizes leaders, advances understanding, and champions impactful policies and practices using research and data. Publisher of the Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness for over a century and counting, AFB is also proud to steward the accessible Helen Keller Archive, honoring the legacy of our most famous ambassador. AFB's mission is to expand pathways to leadership, education, inclusive technology, and career opportunities to create a world of no limits for people who are blind, deafblind, or have low vision. To learn more, visit www.afb.org.

SOURCE American Foundation for the Blind
MIAMI, Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Rick Wesslund, Founder and Chairman of BDC Advisors, LLC., announced today that Andrew Ziskind, MD, MBA, a distinguished healthcare consultant and physician leader, had been named Managing Director and CEO of the national healthcare consulting firm. "BDC is responding to the market demand and growing," Wesslund said in announcing Ziskind's appointment. "Andy is the perfect person to lead us at this point. His joining will enable BDC to respond to this market demand efficiently and thoughtfully given his background as a consultant, physician executive, and academic healthcare leader."

He added: "Andy shares our passion for improving how healthcare is delivered. He will leverage his consulting and healthcare experience focusing on achieving effective healthcare transformation, including alignment between strategy and operations, advancing population health effectiveness, and supporting innovative and successful affiliations between academic and community health systems." Wesslund explained that Ziskind's appointment, "will significantly strengthen BDC's ability to respond to the issues the firm's clients are asking us to help them with. These include restructuring payer provider relationships, and addressing contemporary contracting challenges and opportunities, organizing durable models of physician alignment, and strategically positioning health systems for growth." Wesslund will continue as Founder and Chairman.

Dr. Ziskind was most recently senior executive officer (CEO) of Southwestern Health Resources (SWHR), the joint venture created by UT Southwestern and Texas Health Resources to support their strategic and operational transition to population health management. SWHR includes a 5,500 provider clinically integrated network, a Medicare Advantage Health Plan, and is responsible for all contracting for UT Southwestern and Texas Health Resources. SWHR was recognized as the #1NGACO in the nation for three consecutive years.

Prior to leading SWHR, Dr. Ziskind was the Senior Vice President of Academic Strategy for Premier, Inc. Prior to his leadership position at Premier, Dr. Ziskind was a Managing Director at Huron Healthcare, the national performance improvement consulting company where he led strategy, clinical operations, physician solutions and population health solutions areas of Huron's practice. Prior to that, he spent five years in a variety of executive and academic leadership positions at Barnes-Jewish Hospital (BJC), including the system's flagship tertiary care hospital in St Louis. Ziskind was recruited to BJC Healthcare from the University of Washington in Seattle where he was Vice Dean for Clinical Affairs and Associate Vice President for Clinical Programs. From 1990 to 1999 Ziskind served in a variety of leadership roles at the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore, serving as Director, University of Maryland Cardiac Network and Vice President for Clinical Services, UniversityCARE.

Ziskind graduated from Bowdoin College, the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, and did his residency in Internal Medicine, and Fellowship in Cardiology at The Massachusetts General Hospital. He is Board-Certified in Internal Medicine and Cardiovascular disease. He also holds an M.B.A. from Loyola College of Maryland in Baltimore, MD. Dr. Ziskind may be reached at (312) 405-7298 or [email protected].

ABOUT BDC ADVISORS

BDC Advisors is a national healthcare strategy consulting firm that transforms and grows healthcare organizations. Established in 1990, the firm is celebrating its 30th anniversary. The firms practice areas include health enterprise strategy, payer/provider innovation, provider network development, organization design and development, population health, and strategic pricing and cost repositioning.

Media Contact: Dudley Morris, 312-286-4865, [email protected]

SOURCE BDC Advisors
"Forty years ago, I had the opportunity to channel my passion, talent, and knowledge into a role at Appleton Estate," recalls Spence. "I was honored to join one of the most revered world-class brands, in the place I call home. Forty years later," Spence continues, "from luxury editions to permanent expressions, I am still immensely proud to continue to innovate and produce luxurious aged rums at the highest quality standards, suited for every occasion. Since 1981, my goal has been to create the world's most exquisite, refined aged rums and to share them with the world. This special edition marks a milestone for me and was created using some of the finest stock in our over 200,000 barrels."

Produced at the oldest continuously-operating rum distillery in Jamaica, Ruby Anniversary Edition is an exquisite blend of five hand-selected column and pot-still rums, crafted with Jamaican limestone-filtered water, with no added flavours, and aged in Jamaica  a taste of the excellence of the land and its people. Aged a minimum of 35 years, one of the charms of the Ruby Anniversary Edition is rooted in its strict ageing process. Each bottle contains liquid as old as 45 years and as young as 35  a luxurious time capsule to taste the flavour of decades in the tropics. Due to Jamaica's climate, Appleton Estate rums age nearly three times more quickly than spirits aged in cooler climates, allowing for richer, fuller flavors to develop in a shorter period of time  meaning that the minimum age of 35 years in the tropical climate of Jamaica is equivalent to over 100 years of ageing in a cooler climate, thanks to the significant loss of liquid by evaporation. "Heaven's envy" is captured in the very limited quantity of liquid bottled for this release.

A truly unique collector's item, Ruby Anniversary Edition is a true work of craftsmanship and expertise, an ode to the talent of iconic Master Blender Joy Spence. To mark such an occasion, a ritual must be encouraged for tasting. Best enjoyed neat or in a tulip-shaped Glencairn snifter, nosing the rum will announce the powerful aromas of cinnamon with minty orange bouquet. Next, airing the rum will reveal notes of delicate apple, overlaying rich vanilla, and continue with bursts of warm butterscotch, and rich coffee with toasted oak. Sipping this luxurious rum reveals on the palate with a delicate molasses and spicy honeyed taste. The finish is delicately smooth, with creamy dry oak a complex sipping rum meant to be enjoyed slowly.

Appleton Estate Ruby Anniversary Edition is a limited-edition release, with only 500 bottles available at the Joy Spence Appleton Estate Retail Rum Experience in Jamaica and at select premium retailers starting in January 2022.

For more information visit: www.appletonestate.com and www.camparigroup.com.

ABOUT APPLETON ESTATE

Nestled in the heart of Jamaica, in the beautiful, lush Nassau Valley lies the Appleton Estate. For over 265 years, we have been crafting authentic, premium rums using time honored traditions that have been passed down from generation to generation. From cane to cocktail, our critically acclaimed rums are created by the environment, ingredients, and practices that are unique to our Estate. Our terroir, with its ideal climate, fertile soil and topography, the natural spring that supplies our water for fermentation, through to distillation, ageing and blending all combine to produce rums that are delicious and alive, vivid and deep with complex flavors and aromas.

The Appleton Estate rum collection includes the Signature rum, 8 Year Old Reserve rum, 12 Year Old Rare Casks rum, 15 Year Old Black River Casks rum and 21 Year Old Nassau Valley Casks rum. Showcasing the Estate's renowned aged rum inventory, limited edition offers, such as: 30 Year Old Jamaica rum and 50 Year Old Jamaican Independence Reserve. Additionally, in 2017 Appleton Estate introduced Joy Anniversary Blend, a limited-edition 25 Year Old rum, to celebrate Joy Spence's 20th Anniversary as the first female Master Blender in the spirits industry.

ABOUT THE CAMPARI GROUP

Campari Group is a major player in the global beverage sector, trading in over 190 nations around the world with leading positions in Europe and the Americas. Campari Group was founded in 1860 and today is the sixth-largest player worldwide in the premium spirits industry. Campari Group's portfolio, with over 50 brands, spans spirits (the core business), wines, and soft drinks. Its internationally-renowned brands include Aperol, Appleton Estate, Campari, SKYY, Wild Turkey, and Grand Marnier. Headquartered in Sesto San Giovanni, Italy, Campari Group owns 22 plants worldwide and has its own distribution network in 22 countries. Campari Group employs around 4,000 people. The shares of the parent company, Davide Campari-Milano N.V. (Reuters CPRI.MI - Bloomberg CPR IM), have been listed on the Italian Stock Exchange since 2001. For more information: www.camparigroup.com. Please enjoy our brands responsibly.

Please enjoy our brands responsibly.

SOURCE Appleton Estate
NORTH BILLERICA, Mass., Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Curriculum Associates has named Blakely Howell of Southwest Middle School in Searcy to its 2022 class of Extraordinary Educators, an annual program that celebrates and connects exemplar K8 teachers from around the country. Chosen from hundreds of nominations, Howell is among 35 educators from 19 states selected for exhibiting best-in-class use of i-Ready, i-Ready Classroom Mathematics, and/or Ready, illustrating growth and achievement via formal assessments, demonstrating innovation and engagement practices for students, being evangelists for high standards and student achievement, and having taught for at least two years.

"With almost 500 years of teaching experience combined, this year's 35 Extraordinary Educators are all innovative and dedicated classroom leaders whose impact does not go unnoticed," said Rob Waldron, CEO of Curriculum Associates. "We commend Blakely for her best practices in the classroom day in and day out and look forward to supporting her with unique professional learning opportunities to help further support the amazing work she does."

This year's class of Extraordinary Educators will have access to a network of peers from around the country to collaborate, connect, and learn from throughout the year, as well as access to professional development opportunities from Curriculum Associates. They will also be invited to participate and present at the Extraordinary Educators Leadership Summit as well as other professional learning events.

This is the third year of the Extraordinary Educators program. This year's class joins 75 additional educators from across the country in receiving this recognition.

"I am very excited to represent my school district, Searcy Public Schools, as an Extraordinary Educator," said Howell. "This program will allow me to brainstorm best math practices with some of the greatest math teachers in the US. I can't wait for this amazing opportunity!"

Today, Curriculum Associates' programs are used in almost half of the state's school districts.

To learn more about Curriculum Associates and the 2022 Extraordinary Educators, visit CurriculumAssociates.com/Extraordinary-Educators/Classes.

About Curriculum Associates

Founded in 1969, Curriculum Associates, LLC designs research-based print and online instructional materials, screens and assessments, and data management tools. The company's products and outstanding customer service provide teachers and administrators with the resources necessary for teaching diverse student populations and fostering learning for all students.

Contact: Kati Elliott Charlotte Fixler

KEH Communications Curriculum Associates

(410) 975-9638 (978) 901-6066

[email protected] [email protected]

SOURCE Curriculum Associates, LLC
MUNICH, Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Telecommunications software leader Axiros is pleased to announce its newest release of AXESS 4.0. The company offers a wide variety of open device management software solutions for large broadband and telecommunications service providers through on-premise and cloud-based programs.

The Axiros AXESS ACS (Auto Configuration Server) is an industry flagship software application used around the world by premier telecommunications and broadband service providers. It allows state of the art management of customer premises equipment (CPE) with Broadband Forum-compliant CWMP (TR-069), User Services Platform (USP) (TR-369) and other open management protocols. AXESS enables highly flexible and scalable interactions with a large number of devices, like configuration and reconfiguration, mass operations including firmware downloads, fault clearance and general real-time subscriber support.

"The new architecture of our device management platform reinforces the technological leadership of Axiros in the area. It will introduce massive benefits to our installed base but also open new opportunities and markets for the future", said Michael Meister, Product Owner AXESS. "It empowers our customers to overcome the most complex device management challenges. It is nothing less than the brain and nerve center for IoT ecosystems and telecom operational support systems (OSS). Built and designed for carrier-class use cases around business-, service-, network- and element management."

This major release introduces the most significant improvements for AXESS in many years. It offers the following new features:

Asynchronous architecture for various southbound and northbound use cases

Support of cloud native approach by all components

New concept to manage project configuration and customization

New user interfaces for all administrative tasks

Full USP support

If you have technical questions about the new release or would like to update from a previous version, please contact [email protected]

To find out more about our company's offerings, please visit the companys website.

About Axiros

Any Device. Any Protocol. Any Service. Any Time. We Manage All THINGS.

Axiros is a global leader in IoT, M2M, TR-069 and device management, providing software solutions and platforms to service providers and equipment manufacturers worldwide to manage and IoT-ize devices. Founded in 2002 and headquartered in Munich, Axiros has sales and service offices and development centers worldwide, so as needs change, Axiros will always be close by to deliver. To learn more about AXIROS, visit www.axiros.com.

Media Contact:

Valeria Wilmsen - Axiros GmbH

Head of Marketing Communications

[email protected]

Photo(s):

https://www.prlog.org/12900592

Press release distributed by PRLog

SOURCE Axiros GmbH
MCLEAN, Va., Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- BBB National Programs today announced the 85 panel pool members of the 2022 National Advertising Review Board. The appellate body for the U.S. advertising industry's system of self-regulation also announced its 2022 vice chair, Heather Hippsley, who retired in 2020 as Deputy General Counsel of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) where, among many senior roles over 35 years, she served as Assistant Director of the Division of Advertising Practices.

The National Advertising Review Board panel pool members, selected for their stature and experience in their fields, provide independent peer review to ensure truthfulness and accuracy in national advertising and help promote voluntary compliance with its decisions. The role of the vice chair is to support the National Advertising Review Board chair, legal advisor to appeals panels, and in the event of the chair's absence, execute that advisory responsibility on the chair's behalf.

Ken Plevan, who returns for his fourth year as chair of the National Advertising Review Board, said: "As NARB begins its sixth decade, the work that we do to promote and maintain truth-in-advertising is more important than ever. I look forward to serving once again with our talented panel pool members, and to welcoming Heather Hippsley as our vice chair."

Founded in 1971, the National Advertising Review Board provides appellate review of decisions of BBB National Programs' National Advertising Division and Children's Advertising Review Unit. These programs are three of more than a dozen self-regulatory, accountability, and dispute regulation programs of the independent non-profit organization, BBB National Programs. In more than 90% of case decisions, companies voluntarily comply with the case recommendations. In cases of lack of good-faith efforts to modify or discontinue advertising as a result of a decision, cases are referred to the appropriate regulatory agency.

For 2022, panel pool members include 85 distinguished leaders from three different categories:

National Advertisers

Advertising Agencies

Public Members (academics and other members of the public sector)

A National Advertising Review Board appellate panel generally consists of five members from the pool, with three national advertising representatives, one agency representative, and one public sector representative on each panel.

Nominations for National Advertising Review Board panel pool members are made by the Association of National Advertisers, American Association of Advertising Agencies, American Advertising Federation, and BBB National Programs. The initial term is two years, and each member is eligible to be re-appointed for two additional two-year terms. This year 20 new members join 65 individuals returning to their distinguished roles.

"Our 2022 National Advertising Review Board panel pool members bring incredible diversity and depth of experience to their role of helping to resolve truth-in-advertising disputes and enhance consumer trust," said Eric D. Reicin, President and CEO, BBB National Programs. "I am honored to welcome our new panel pool members and thank them for the work they will do this year to ensure the success of independent advertising industry self-regulation."

Following is the list of BBB National Programs' National Advertising Review Board panel pool members for 2022.

New Panel Pool Members

Public Members

Nancy J. Gray , Clinical Assistant Professor, W. P. Carey School of Business, Arizona State University

, Clinical Assistant Professor, of Business, Dr. Glynnis M. Johnson , Assistant Professor-Marketing, Morehouse College

, Assistant Professor-Marketing, Daniel John Petek , Education Board of Directors, AAF, Advertising Instructor, Washington State University

Agency Members

Brad Bennett , Chief Firestarter, Wildfire

, Chief Firestarter, Wildfire Allen Bosworth , President, EP+Co

, President, EP+Co Brandon Cooke , Global Partner, Global Chief Marketing & Reputation Officer, FCB

, Global Partner, Global Chief Marketing & Reputation Officer, FCB Stephanie Crockett , President & COO, Mower

, President & COO, Mower Fay Ferguson , Co-Owner & Co-CEO, Burrell Communications

, Co-Owner & Co-CEO, Jeff Larson , President/COO, Mediassociates

, President/COO, Mediassociates Victor Lee , President, Advantage Unified Commerce, Advantage Solutions

, President, Advantage Unified Commerce, Advantage Solutions Bob Morrison , CEO, Morrison Agency

, CEO, Morrison Agency Ingrid Otero-Smart , President, Casanova

, President, Duff Stewart , CEO, GSD&M

, CEO, GSD&M Aaron Walton , CEO, Walton Isaacson

Advertising Members

Nicole Apple , Director of Global Agency Management + Operations, Kimberly-Clark Corporation

, Director of Global Agency Management + Operations, Kimberly-Clark Corporation Denis Budniewski , Director, Agency Strategy and Partner Relations, Verizon

, Director, Agency Strategy and Partner Relations, Verizon Alia Kemet, Vice President, Creative & Digital, McCormick & Company, Inc.

Gary P. Osifchin , CMO and GM, U.S. Hygiene, Reckitt Benckiser

, CMO and GM, U.S. Hygiene, Reckitt Benckiser Simona Rabsatt Butler , Sr. Director Global Strategic Sourcing, Marketing, Visa

, Sr. Director Global Strategic Sourcing, Marketing, Visa Amy Spiridakis , Vice President, Marketing, Target Corporation

Returning Public Members

Jenny Buschhorn

Assistant Professor of Practice, Advertising Program Head, Texas State University

Assistant Professor of Practice, Advertising Program Head, Margaret (Meg) C. Campbell

Professor of Marketing, Anderson Presidential Chair in Business Administration, School of Business, University of California, Riverside

Professor of Marketing, Anderson Presidential Chair in Business Administration, School of Business, Debra (Debbie) M. Desrochers , B.S., M.B.A., Ph.D.

Senior Lecturer, Management, Director of Studies MRes in Management, Marketing, Business & Society, Centre for Business, Organisations and Society (CBOS), University of Bath

, B.S., M.B.A., Ph.D. Senior Lecturer, Management, Director of Studies MRes in Management, Marketing, Business & Society, Centre for Business, Organisations and Society (CBOS), University of Bath Allen Garcie

Associate Professor of Digital Arts, Sybil T. & J. Frederick Patten , Endowed Professor, Director, LaPIXEL Digital Arts & Media Academy, Designer/Facilitator, IdeaSpace, Louisiana State University Shreveport

Associate Professor of Digital Arts, Sybil T. & J. , Endowed Professor, Director, LaPIXEL Digital Arts & Media Academy, Designer/Facilitator, IdeaSpace, Steven Hall

Senior Lecturer, Charles H. Sandage Department of Advertising, College of Media, University of Illinois

Senior Lecturer, Charles H. Sandage Department of Advertising, College of Media, Timothy Hendrick

Associate Professor, Advertising, School of Journalism & Mass Communication, San Jose State University

Associate Professor, Advertising, School of Journalism & Mass Communication, Alice Kendrick

Professor of Advertising, Southern Methodist University

Professor of Advertising, Peg Murphy

Associate Professor, Communication Dept., AAF AdClub Advisor, Columbia College Chicago

Associate Professor, Communication Dept., AAF AdClub Advisor, Joel M. Nichols , M.B.A.

Assistant Professor, Department of Journalism and Strategic Media, The University of Memphis

, M.B.A. Assistant Professor, Department of Journalism and Strategic Media, The Larry Powell

Professor, Advisor for Lindsey + Asp, Advertising & Public Relations, Gaylord College , University of Oklahoma

Professor, Advisor for Lindsey + Asp, Advertising & Public Relations, , Jan LeBlanc Wicks

Professor & Vice Chair, School of Journalism and Strategic Media, University of Arkansas

Returning Agency Members

Wendy Aldrich

EVP, Managing Partner

Universal McCann

EVP, Managing Partner Universal McCann Michael Bassik

Founder & CEO, Axel Solutions , LLC

Founder & CEO, , LLC Laura Jean Bracken

President/COO, Palisades

President/COO, Palisades Dean Broadhead

CEO, broadhead.

CEO, broadhead. Tracy Broderick

President, Karsh Hagan

President, Jeffrey Buntin, Jr.

President & CEO, The Buntin Group

President & CEO, The Buntin Group Faruk Capan

CEO, Intouch Group

CEO, Intouch Group Brad Casper

Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder, Heart and Soul Marketing

Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder, Heart and Soul Marketing Jason Chebib

Head of Strategy, 180NY

Head of Strategy, 180NY Steve Erich

Co-Founder, President and Chief Strategy Officer, Erich & Kallman

Co-Founder, President and Chief Strategy Officer, Erich & Kallman Marina Filippelli

CEO, Orci

CEO, Orci Dan Fromm

President/COO, Barkley US

President/COO, Barkley US Cary Hatch

CEO & Brand Advocate, MDB Communications

CEO & Brand Advocate, MDB Communications Benjamin Jankowski

Founder/CEO, Modern Media Solutions

Founder/CEO, Modern Media Solutions Patrick Kiss

President, BSSP

President, BSSP Luis Miguel Messianu

Founder, Creative Chairman & CEO, Alma

Founder, Creative Chairman & CEO, Krista Nicholson

President, Motive

President, Motive Tom Stein

Chairman and Chief Client Officer, Stein IAS

Chairman and Chief Client Officer, Meredith Vaughan

CEO, Vladimir Jones

Returning Advertising Members

Ron Amram

Senior Director, Global Media, Mars, Inc.

Senior Director, Global Media, Mars, Inc. Homi Battiwalla

Senior Marketing Director  Global Marketing Excellence, PepsiCo Global

Senior Marketing Director  Global Marketing Excellence, PepsiCo Global Maya Battle

Associate Director, Audience Development & Category Specialist, Random House Group, Penguin Random House

Associate Director, Audience Development & Category Specialist, Random House Group, Penguin Random House Adam Benaroya

Director, Global Media Capabilities & Operations, Johnson & Johnson Consumer Health

Director, Global Media Capabilities & Operations, Johnson & Johnson Consumer Health Dave Berlin

President, Marketing Links, LLC

President, Marketing Links, LLC Scott Bishoff

Head of Brand and Reputation Media, YouTube

Head of Brand and Reputation Media, YouTube Katrina Bott

Senior Director, Global Strategic Sourcing, Capri Holdings Limited

Senior Director, Global Strategic Sourcing, Capri Holdings Limited Ivy Brown

VP, Head of Global Brand Marketing, DXC Technology

VP, Head of Global Brand Marketing, DXC Technology Stuart Burkhoff

Senior Director, Media Strategy and Planning, Altice USA

Senior Director, Media Strategy and Planning, Altice Amy Bytell

Senior Marketing Manager, Performance Media, Cox Automotive

Senior Marketing Manager, Performance Media, Cox Automotive Charles Chappell

Head of Global Media and Agency Excellence, The Hershey Company

Head of Global Media and Agency Excellence, The Hershey Company Michael Cruz

Director/Head of Marketing, Tin Building, Creative Culinary Management Company

Director/Head of Marketing, Tin Building, Creative Culinary Management Company Ryan Dillon-Curran

Senior Director, Global Brand Marketing, Peloton

Senior Director, Global Brand Marketing, Peloton David Dobbins

Media Consultant, Pro Unlimited, Inc.

Media Consultant, Pro Unlimited, Inc. Olivier Fleurot, Ph.D.

Global Vice-President, Research, Development & Innovation, S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc.

Global Vice-President, Research, Development & Innovation, S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc. John Fredette

Head of Brand and Marketing, Corporate Affairs, Con Edison

Head of Brand and Marketing, Corporate Affairs, Con Edison Katherine Freeley

Global Media Head, Procurement, Novartis

Global Media Head, Procurement, Novartis Jennifer Gardner

Vice President  Media Platforms, Verizon

Vice President  Media Platforms, Verizon Linda Gharib

Director, Marketing Communications & Media - Legal & Regulatory U.S., Wolters Kluwer

Director, Marketing Communications & Media - Legal & Regulatory U.S., Daniel Glantz

Former Global Head of Sponsorship and Strategic Partnerships, AIG

Former Global Head of Sponsorship and Strategic Partnerships, AIG Jodi Harris

Global Vice President, Marketing Culture and Capabilities, Ab-InBev/Anheuser-Busch

Global Vice President, Marketing Culture and Capabilities, Ab-InBev/Anheuser-Busch Lee Hsieh

Senior Manager, CRM & Digital Experience, Johnson & Johnson

Senior Manager, CRM & Digital Experience, Johnson & Johnson Valerie Light

Former Manager, Broadcast Production, Verizon Communications

Former Manager, Broadcast Production, Verizon Communications Jim Low

President, Rip Van

President, Rip Van Ian McDonald

Global Category Manager, Marketing Procurement, Edgewell Personal Care Brands

Global Category Manager, Marketing Procurement, Edgewell Personal Care Brands Renee Milliaressis

Chief Media Officer, Colgate-Palmolive

Chief Media Officer, Colgate-Palmolive Jason Morros

Vice President, Head of Integrated Marketing, Edison Properties

Vice President, Head of Integrated Marketing, Justin Parnell

Senior Director, OREO, Mondelez International, Inc.

Senior Director, OREO, Mondelez International, Inc. Glenn Roginski

Director, Media Lab, Pfizer

Director, Media Lab, Pfizer David Ronk

Executive Director of Media & Channel Strategy, JPMorgan Chase & Co.

Executive Director of Media & Channel Strategy, JPMorgan Chase & Co. Cassidy Sehgal

Data Protection Officer, Vice President and Associate General Counsel, L'Oreal USA

Data Protection Officer, Vice President and Associate General Counsel, L'Oreal Erin Silver

Director, Social Media and Growth Marketing, Exclusive Resorts

Director, Social Media and Growth Marketing, Exclusive Resorts Manos Spanos

President | Consumer Division, L-Nutra Inc.

President | Consumer Division, L-Nutra Inc. Kwan Yim

Director, Head of Global Agency Management, Citi

Director, Head of Global Agency Management, Citi Doug Zarkin

Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer, Pearle Vision

Learn more about the National Advertising Review Board here.

About BBB National Programs: BBB National Programs is where businesses turn to enhance consumer trust and consumers are heard. The non-profit organization creates a fairer playing field for businesses and a better experience for consumers through the development and delivery of effective third-party accountability and dispute resolution programs. Embracing its role as an independent organization since the restructuring of the Council of Better Business Bureaus in June 2019, BBB National Programs today oversees more than a dozen leading national industry self-regulation programs and continues to evolve its work and grow its impact by providing business guidance and fostering best practices in arenas such as advertising, child-directed marketing, and privacy. To learn more, visit bbbprograms.org.

SOURCE BBB National Programs
Building on ongoing efforts to advance the role of diagnostics in tackling the challenge of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), this collaboration will survey existing diagnostic practices to highlight both benefits and gaps in diagnostic testing in AMR stewardship to improve and further advocate for patient care, clinical practice and health care economics.

"Diagnostic stewardship  meaning coordinated guidance and interventions to improve appropriate use of microbiological diagnostics to guide therapeutic decisions  promotes appropriate, timely diagnostic testing, including specimen collection and pathogen identification as well as accurate, timely reporting of results to guide patient treatment," said Brooke Story, president of Integrated Diagnostic Solutions for BD. "Research shows us that significant barriers must be overcome to make health care workers aware of the importance and positive impact of diagnostics on AMR." i

AMR occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi or parasites change over time and no longer respond to medicines. These changes make infections harder to treat and increase the risk of disease transmission, severe illness and death. As the organisms that cause infections become increasingly drug resistant, even common medical procedures  including surgery, childbirth and chemotherapy  can become increasingly life-threatening.ii A continued rise in AMR could take 10 million lives globally each year by 2050  more than currently die from cancer.iii

The important role diagnostics can play as a tool to improve appropriate use of antibiotics is recognized by policymakers and advocates. AMR Review  an organization commissioned by the U.K. prime minister and chaired by Lord Jim O'Neill  includes promotion of "new rapid diagnostics to cut unnecessary use of antibiotics" as one of its 10 primary recommendations.iv However, progress in implementing the AMR Review's recommendations remains slow and diagnostics remain an under-utilized resource for optimizing antimicrobial (antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral) treatments and supporting antimicrobial stewardship efforts.

"Having the right diagnostic tools for the right contexts, and ensuring their uptake is crucial to fight antimicrobial resistance and save modern medicine," said Dr. Gemma Buckland-Merrett, DRI Research Lead at Wellcome. "We need to preserve and sustain the efficacy and longevity of existing antimicrobials and protect the effectiveness of future drugs. This collaboration will help address the challenge and contribute to better outcomes for patients, clinical practice and health care."

The COVID-19 pandemic has put antimicrobial resistance into sharp focus, with early case studies and surveys of COVID-19 treatment pathways showing a high proportion of antibiotic use despite low risk of secondary bacterial infections in the majority of patients.v This early data prompted the World Health Organization (WHO) to issue a bulletin warning about the risk of the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbating the potential for AMR.vi The collaboration will help raise awareness of the critical role of diagnostics in combating AMR.

"The incorrect use of antimicrobial medicines is a strong contributor to the growth of resistant microbes, and we need to employ antimicrobial stewardship practices as a way of slowing emergence to resistance and prolonging the usefulness of available treatments," said Dr. Pol Vandenbroucke, chief medical officer, Hospital Business, Pfizer Inc. "This greater oversight requires a multifaceted approach spanning key diagnostics, improved education and innovative surveillance measures. As AMR continues to rise, we must all work together  across the biopharmaceutical and diagnostic industries, government and other important stakeholders  to invest in measures that will improve the diagnosis and treatment of patients around the world and contribute to our shared goal of slowing the spread of this deadly global public health threat."

About BD

BD is one of the largest global medical technology companies in the world and is advancing the world of health by improving medical discovery, diagnostics and the delivery of care. The company supports the heroes on the frontlines of health care by developing innovative technology, services and solutions that help advance both clinical therapy for patients and clinical process for health care providers. BD and its 75,000 employees have a passion and commitment to help enhance the safety and efficiency of clinicians' care delivery process, enable laboratory scientists to accurately detect disease and advance researchers' capabilities to develop the next generation of diagnostics and therapeutics. BD has a presence in virtually every country and partners with organizations around the world to address some of the most challenging global health issues. By working in close collaboration with customers, BD can help enhance outcomes, lower costs, increase efficiencies, improve safety and expand access to health care. For more information on BD, please visit bd.com or connect with us on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/bd1/ and Twitter @BDandCo.

About Wellcome

Wellcome supports science to solve the urgent health challenges facing everyone. We support discovery research into life, health and wellbeing, and we're taking on three worldwide health challenges: mental health, infectious disease and climate. Learn more at wellcome.org.

i https://cms.wellcome.org/sites/default/files/2020-11/wellcome-global-response-amr-report.pdf; assessed 11/19/2021

ii https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/antimicrobial-resistance; assessed 12/14/2021

iii https://amr-review.org/sites/default/files/160525_Final%20paper_with%20cover.pdf; assessed 12/14/2021

iv https://amr-review.org/sites/default/files/160518_Final%20paper_with%20cover.pdf; assessed 11/19/2021

v https://www.nature.com/articles/s41564-020-0739-4; assessed 11/19/2021

vi https://www.who.int/bulletin/volumes/98/7/20-268573.pdf; assessed 11/19/2021









Contact:



Media : Investors : Troy Kirkpatrick Francesca DeMartino VP, Public Relations SVP, Head of Investor Relations 858.617.2361 201.847.5743 [email protected] [email protected]

SOURCE BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company)
SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The California Academy of Family Physicians (CAFP) and its more than 10,000 members commend Governor Gavin Newsom on the impactful, forward-thinking approach of his proposed January 2022-23 Budget Proposal. The budget proposal includes key investments to improve access to health care services and to support COVID-19 response efforts. CAFP looks forward to working with the Administration and the Legislature to ensure California continues to build the primary care physician workforce.

"The Governor`s proposed budget includes strategic investments to strengthen future and ongoing efforts to improve equity and access for underserved communities," said CAFP President Shannon Connolly, MD, FAAFP. "As physicians who take care of every member of the family, from kids to seniors, we were pleased to see initiatives to address insulin affordability, maintain and improve access to reproductive health care services and behavioral health services, and promote care for people with cognitive impairment. We applaud the governor for including these investments in the budget," she added.

Governor Newsom announced historical investments to achieve universal access to healthcare coverage by expanding full-scope Medi-Cal eligibility to all income-eligible adults aged 26 through 49 regardless of immigration status. CAFP believes communities are safer and healthier when all individuals, regardless of immigration status, have access to health care.

Also included in the Governors 2022-23 Budget Proposal is $2.8 Billion for the upcoming fiscal year to implement California's recently approved CalAIM initiatives, which aim to achieve broad-based delivery system, program, and payment reform across the Medi-Cal program. CalAIM will apply a whole-person care approach that integrates health care and other social determinants of health to this statewide program, with a clear focus on improving health and reducing health disparities and inequities, including improving and expanding behavioral health care. Family physicians understand that it is important to identify and address social determinants of health for individuals and families to achieve optimal health outcomes.

CAFP supports the Governors science-based approach to fighting COVID-19 and the $2.7 billion investments for vaccines, boosters, statewide testing, and increased medical personnel.

"Covid-19 continues to impact the lives of many Californians and disproportionately impacts communities of color and our most vulnerable populations. It is imperative that we continue to take science-based responses to slow community transmission and to combat the spread of the virus," said CAFP President Shannon Connolly, MD, FAAFP.

About the California Academy of Family Physicians: With more than 10,000 members, including active practicing family physicians, residents in family medicine, and medical students interested in the specialty, CAFP is the largest primary care medical society in California. Family physicians are trained to treat an entire family's medical needs, addressing the whole spectrum of life's health care needs. FPs serve a broad base of patients in urban, suburban, and rural areas, often in California's most underserved areas.

SOURCE California Academy of Family Physicians
PORTLAND, Ore., Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "Cast Resin Dry Type Transformer Market by Type (Converter Transformer and Rectifier Transformer), Cooling Type (Natural Air Cooling and Forced Air Cooling), Phase (Single Phase and Three Phase), Voltage (Low and Medium), and End Use (Industrial, Commercial, and Others): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 20212030." According to the report, the global cast resin dry type transformer industry generated $3.0 billion in 2020, and is expected to reach $5.0 billion by 2030, witnessing a CAGR of 5.3% from 2021 to 2030.

Drivers, restraints, and opportunities

Rise in demand for electricity from different end-use industries and increase in adoption of renewable and non-conventional energy sources drive the growth of the global cast resin dry type transformer market. However, development of solid-state transformers (SSTs) restrains the market growth. On the other hand, adoption of smart grids and digital dry type transformers create new opportunities in the coming years.

Download Sample PDF (311 Pages PDF with Insights): https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/15370

Covid-19 Scenario

Governments across many countries imposed lockdown measures during the Covid-19 pandemic. This halted manufacturing & processing activities and resulted in ban on import & export activities across electrical utilities sector. This resulted in decrease in the demand for cast resin dry type transformers.

Moreover, stoppage in building & construction of electric utility infrastructures, grid network, renewable power plants, and other power plants due to unavailability of workers and increase in demandsupply gap hampered the market growth.

The converter transformer segment to continue its dominant share during the forecast period

Based on type, the converter transformer segment contributed to the highest share in 2020, accounting for around three-fifths of the global cast resin dry type transformer market, and is expected to continue its dominant share during the forecast period. This is due to rise in use in excitation systems for turbo and hydro-generators and electric drives of drilling equipment for the city electrified public transport (tram, trolley bus, and subway) and DC & AC electric drives. However, the rectifier transformer segment is estimated to portray the largest CAGR of 5.5% from 2021 to 2030, owing to rise in demand for cast resin dry type transformer from residential and commercial building spaces for achieving fine voltage regulations in consumer electronics devices.

Get detailed COVID-19 impact analysis on the Cast Resin Dry Type Transformer: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-for-customization/15370?reqfor=covid

The industrial segment to continue its leadership status during the forecast period

Based on end use, the industrial segment held the largest share in 2020, accounting for nearly three-fifths of the global cast resin dry type transformer market, and is projected to continue its leadership status during the forecast period. This is due to rise in demand from various industries such as marine, chemical, oil & gas, renewable energy, power generation, and others. However, the commercial segment is expected to register the highest CAGR of 5.6% from 2021 to 2030, owing to surge in demand from commercial applications such as hospitals, hotels, data centers, underground stores, stadiums, educational facilities, shopping malls, and others.

North America to register the fastest growth rate

Based on region, North America is expected to manifest the fastest CAGR of 5.9% during the forecast period. This is due to rise in demand from the industrial and commercial sectors, increase in the global initiatives toward use of greener energy sources, and plummeting costs of alternative energy sources such as wind energy or solar energy. However, Asia-Pacific accounted for the highest market share in 2020, holding around two-fifths of the global cast resin dry type transformer market, and is estimated to continue its lead in terms of revenue by 2030. This is attributed to rapid growth of the renewable energy integration with main grid, expansion of HVDC network, and availability of the manufacturing industries in the region. Moreover, rise in urbanization and industrialization in the countries such as China, India, and others supplements the growth in the region.

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Leading Market Players

Eaton Corporation Plc

Fuji Electric

General Electric

Schneider Electric

BHEL

Hammond Power Solutions

Hitachi, Ltd.

Kirloskar Electric Co., Ltd.

Siemens Energy

WEG Group

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U.S. cast resin transformer market is projected to reach $1,007.0 million by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 5.7% from 2021 to 2030.

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We are in professional corporate relations with various companies and this helps us in digging out market data that helps us generate accurate research data tables and confirms utmost accuracy in our market forecasting. Allied Market Research CEO Pawan Kumar is instrumental in inspiring and encouraging everyone associated with the company to maintain high quality of data and help clients in every way possible to achieve success. Each and every data presented in the reports published by us is extracted through primary interviews with top officials from leading companies of domain concerned. Our secondary data procurement methodology includes deep online and offline research and discussion with knowledgeable professionals and analysts in the industry.

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LOS ANGELES, Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Walt Disney's grandson, Bradford D. Lund, has filed a request for a temporary restraining order in the Los Angeles County Superior Court in an attempt to block his four trustees  L. Andrew Gifford, Robert L. Wilson, Douglas M. Strode, and the First Republic Trust Company ("FRTC") (collectively, "the Trustees")  from selling a pristine and sentimental 110-acre Wyoming family ranch, set on the outskirts of Teton National Park (owned by his trust, together with his sister's trust) to an undisclosed third party. The Trustees even refused to tell Mr. Lund who the buyers are. He alleges that he has filed this emergency request in order to prevent this family treasure from being lost forever, most probably to commercial development.

According to the filing, Mr. Lund has been attempting to stop the sale since September 2020 when the Trustees for the first time indicated that they entered into a sales contract with an unidentified third-party. Mr. Lund's attempt to stop the sale in the Wyoming state court system was unsuccessful based upon a legal doctrine, forum non conveniens, where the Wyoming court determined that the issue should be decided in the Los Angeles courts with the rest of Mr. Lund's probate case. The Wyoming decision was not based on the merits of Mr. Lund's complaint.

According to Mr. Lund, the Trustees had originally agreed in April of 2019 to allow him to purchase his sister Michelle's ownership in the ranch for an agreed amount. The purchase was to be made with Mr. Lund's trust assets. The Trustees allegedly violated their agreement with Mr. Lund and went forward to sell the ranch to a third party. Mr. Lund believes that the Trustees are only concerned about personally benefiting financially and not concerned about the wishes of Mr. Lund or their agreement with him.

Mr. Lund's filing alleges "the only benefit from the sale of [the ranch] is to the Trustees:

"The only benefit from the sale of [the ranch] is to the Trustees. The Trustees, as custom and practice has dictated in [Brad and Michelle's trusts], are entitled to receive a 2% Real Estate fee regarding the sale of any real estate owned by the trusts. Therefore, a sale of [the ranch] for $35 million will allow the Trustees to receive $700,000 (or approximately $175,000 each) from this sale."

The Ranch has been in Mr. Lund's family for forty years, and his filing asserts that it was always meant to be kept in the family for their use and enjoyment. Mr. Lund believes that the law supports his claims that the Trustees should not be taking any Real Estate Fee for the sale of the ranch and that by doing this they have created a conflict of interest and they are violating their fiduciary duty to him.

"One has to ask why the Trustees are so intent on ignoring the wishes of their own beneficiary, to whom they owe a fiduciary duty," said Lanny J. Davis, an attorney advisor for Mr. Lund. "My client has established that he and his sister's trusts are funded more than enough to last their lifetimes, and the loss of this precious childhood property would be incalculable."

Contact: Alex Lange

[email protected]

(202) 480-4309

SOURCE Lanny Davis
ISTANBUL, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Turkish Airlines (THY), Turkey's flag carrier, said on Tuesday that it has evacuated 167 people from Kazakhstan's Almaty amid the unrest in the country.

A plane carrying THY flight attendants, private air freight company personnel and some Turkish citizens landed at Turkey's biggest city Istanbul on Tuesday afternoon, the carrier said in a written statement.

THY began the evacuation after obtaining necessary permissions from the Kazakhstan government and civil aviation authority, it added.

The THY press office told Xinhua that the company would resume its flights to Kazakhstan's capital Nur-Sultan on Jan. 13, and talks are going on with officials about restarting scheduled flights to Almaty. THY suspended all flights to Kazakhstan on Jan. 7 after massive unrest erupted in the country. 
OAK BROOK, Ill., Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- A third consumer research firm has recognized Ace Hardware's integrated, customer-centric online-offline buying experience.

Released last week, New York-based Incisiv's 2022 " Omnichannel Customer Service Digital Maturity Index" analyzed "bricks and mortar," mobile and online consumer service experiences of 500 U.S. retailers. It placed Ace Hardware among the top 16 "leaders," highest in the home improvement/hardware category.

"More than 90 percent of consumers start their shopping online," said Bill Kiss, Head of Digital at Ace Hardware. "Our website is the front door to our brand  helping customers quickly and easily get what they need. It's also the front door to the best-in-class service  and the unparalleled convenience of our retail stores. Home improvement customers know there's no better combined experience."

An "omnichannel" sales approach seeks to provide a seamless experience for customers engaging with a retailer, whether in a store, on a customer web site or using a mobile device.

In December, Redwood City, California-based Reputation ranked Ace Hardware as the second most beloved retailer in America. The firm analyzed 3.7 million Google reviews to calculate a "Reputation Score" for each; Ace Hardware scored highest for "consumer sentiment" and "shopper engagement."

In November, Quebec-based Orckestra's fifth annual study of omnichannel capabilities ranked Ace Hardware as third overall of 100 retailers considered. It scored highest in the home improvement category, ahead of The Home Depot, Tractor Supply. Co and Lowe's.

About Ace Hardware

Ace Hardware is the largest retailer-owned hardware cooperative in the world with more than 5,500 locally owned and operated hardware stores in approximately 70 countries. Headquartered in Oak Brook, Ill., Ace and its subsidiaries operate an expansive network of distribution centers in the U.S. and have distribution capabilities in Ningbo, China; Colon, Panama; and Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Since 1924, Ace has become a part of local communities around the world and known as the place with the helpful hardware folks. For more information, visit acehardware.com or newsroom.acehardware.com.

Contact: Katie Heraty, [email protected]

SOURCE Ace Hardware Corporation
WASHINGTON, Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Fannie Mae (OTCQB: FNMA) priced Connecticut Avenue Securities (CAS) Series 2022-R01, an approximately $1.5 billion note offering that represents Fannie Mae's first CAS REMIC transaction of the year. CAS is Fannie Mae's benchmark issuance program designed to share credit risk on its single-family conventional guaranty book of business.

The reference pool for CAS Series 2022-R01 consists of approximately 180,000 single-family mortgage loans with an outstanding unpaid principal balance of nearly $54 billion. The reference pool includes collateral with loan-to-value ratios of 60.01 percent to 80.00 percent, which were acquired in January through March 20211. The loans included in this transaction are fixed-rate, generally 30-year term, fully amortizing mortgages and were underwritten using rigorous credit standards and enhanced risk controls.

Fannie Mae will retain a portion of the 1M-1, 1M-2, 1B-1, and 1B-2 tranches and will retain the full 1B-3H first-loss tranche.

Class Offered Amount

($MM) Pricing Level Expected

Rating

(S&P/KBRA) 1M-1 $459.538 1-month average SOFR plus 100 bps A (sf) / A- (sf) 1M-2 $434.007 1-month average SOFR plus 190 bps BBB (sf) / BBB (sf) 1B-1 $306.358 1-month average SOFR plus 315 bps BB (sf) / BB+ (sf) 1B-2 $306.358 1-month average SOFR plus 600 bps NR / B (sf)

BofA Securities, Inc. ("BofA Securities") is the lead structuring manager and joint bookrunner. Nomura Securities International Inc. ("Nomura") is the co-lead manager and joint bookrunner. Co-managers are Barclays Capital Inc. ("Barclays"), Citigroup Global Markets Inc. ("Citi"), Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC ("Morgan Stanley"), and StoneX Financial Inc. ("StoneX"). Selling group members are African American-owned CastleOak Securities L.P. and African American & women-owned Siebert Williams Shank & Co., LLC.

With the completion of this transaction, Fannie Mae will have brought 45 CAS deals to market, issued over $51 billion in notes, and transferred a portion of the credit risk to private investors on just under $1.7 trillion in single-family mortgage loans, measured at the time of the transaction.

To promote transparency and to help credit investors evaluate our securities and the CAS program, Fannie Mae provides ongoing, robust disclosure data, as well as access to news, resources, and analytics through its credit risk transfer webpages. This includes Fannie Mae's innovative Data Dynamics tool that enables market participants to interact with and analyze CAS deals that are currently outstanding in the market and Fannie Mae's historical loan dataset. In addition, our EU Resources and UK Resources webpages help European Union and UK institutional investors, as well as those managing funds subject to EU/UK regulations comply with EU/UK securitization regulations.

In addition to our flagship CAS program, Fannie Mae continues to transfer mortgage credit risk through its Credit Insurance Risk Transfer (CIRT) reinsurance program.

About Connecticut Avenue Securities

CAS REMIC notes are issued by a bankruptcy-remote trust. The amount of periodic principal and ultimate principal paid by Fannie Mae is determined by the performance of a large and diverse reference pool. For more information on individual CAS transactions, visit our credit risk transfer website.

About Fannie Mae

Fannie Mae helps make the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage and affordable rental housing possible for millions of people in America. We partner with lenders to create housing opportunities for people across the country. We are driving positive changes in housing finance to make the home buying process easier, while reducing costs and risk. To learn more, visit:

fanniemae.com | Twitter | Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram | YouTube | Blog

Fannie Mae Newsroom

https://www.fanniemae.com/newsroom

Photo of Fannie Mae

https://www.fanniemae.com/resources/img/about-fm/fm-building.tif

Fannie Mae Resource Center

1-800-2FANNIE

Statements in this release regarding the company's future CAS transactions are forward-looking. Actual results may be materially different as a result of market conditions or other factors listed in "Risk Factors" or "Forward-Looking Statements" in the company's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020. This release does not constitute an offer or sale of any security. Before investing in any Fannie Mae issued security, potential investors should review the disclosure for such security and consult their own investment advisors.

1 Available January 2021 loans include 431 loans with an unpaid principal balance of ~$136MM representing ~0.25% of the total Reference Pool.

SOURCE Fannie Mae
NORTH BILLERICA, Mass., Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Curriculum Associates has named three Florida teachersGeorgianna Castellano of BC Graham Elementary in Tampa, Jillian Johnson of Andover Elementary in Orlando, and Daniella Parra of Aventura Waterways K8 Center in Miamito its 2022 class of Extraordinary Educators, an annual program that celebrates and connects exemplar K8 teachers from around the country. Chosen from hundreds of nominations, Castellano, Johnson, and Parra are among 35 educators from 19 states selected for exhibiting best-in-class use of i-Ready, i-Ready Classroom Mathematics, and/or Ready, illustrating growth and achievement via formal assessments, demonstrating innovation and engagement practices for students, being evangelists for high standards and student achievement, and having taught for at least two years.

"With almost 500 years of teaching experience combined, this year's 35 Extraordinary Educators are all innovative and dedicated classroom leaders whose impact does not go unnoticed," said Rob Waldron, CEO of Curriculum Associates. "We commend Georgianna, Jillian, and Daniella for their best practices in the classroom day in and day out and look forward to supporting them with unique professional learning opportunities to help further support the amazing work they do."

This year's class of Extraordinary Educators will have access to a network of peers from around the country to collaborate, connect, and learn from throughout the year, as well as access to professional development opportunities from Curriculum Associates. They will also be invited to participate and present at the Extraordinary Educators Leadership Summit as well as other professional learning events.

This is the third year of the Extraordinary Educators program. This year's class joins 75 additional educators from across the country in receiving this recognition.

"I am thrilled to be named a 2022 Extraordinary Educator!" said Johnson. "Having the opportunity to connect with other passionate educators from around the country is very exciting, and I am eager to help develop and advance classroom innovation through networking and professional development. It is an honor to receive recognition both locally and nationally with Curriculum Associates. 2022 is going to be an extraordinary year!"

Today, Curriculum Associates' programs are used in the majority of the state's school districts.

To learn more about Curriculum Associates and the 2022 Extraordinary Educators, visit CurriculumAssociates.com/Extraordinary-Educators/Classes.

About Curriculum Associates

Founded in 1969, Curriculum Associates, LLC designs research-based print and online instructional materials, screens and assessments, and data management tools. The company's products and outstanding customer service provide teachers and administrators with the resources necessary for teaching diverse student populations and fostering learning for all students.

Contact:

Kati Elliott

KEH Communications

(410) 975-9638

[email protected]

Charlotte Fixler

Curriculum Associates

(978) 901-6066

[email protected]

SOURCE Curriculum Associates, LLC
MENLO PARK, Calif., Jan. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Silicon Valley-based venture capital (VC) firm Benhamou Global Ventures (BGV) announced today that Patrick Nicolet, the former CTO and Executive Board Member of Capgemini, joined its investment team as an Operating Partner. Additionally, BGV welcomes incoming CFO Sai Sood, the former lead Controller at Sapphire Ventures, along with new associate Romain Lenoir, as it strengthens its team and moves into a new office in Menlo Park, on the heels of closing its fourth fund, BGV IV.

At $110M, and 60% larger than its predecessor fund, BGV IV marks a new chapter for the global firm, which focuses on the intersection of Enterprise 4.0 and cross-border innovation. With its growth, the firm is expanding its footprint in Europe. Given Patrick Nicolet's extensive experience establishing CapGemini's presence outside of France, he brings strong leadership credentials and operational expertise, as well as a deep specialization in distributed computing, digital transformation and decentralized architectures.

"BGV's technical focus and cross-border philosophy align with my outlook on the innovation landscape," explains Nicolet. "My experience as CTO of CapGemini, and then as an entrepreneur with Linebreak Capital, leads me to believe that Europe - and France in particular - is a land of excellence in terms of innovation. I am joining BGV, alongside Sarah Benhamou and Romain Lenoir, to work on sourcing and supporting companies which, tomorrow, will deploy their activities across the Atlantic to become global leaders."

Nicolet joins an investment team made up of six French experts, including new Associate Romain Lenoir, who recently graduated with an MBA from Ecole Superieur, and BGV Principal Sarah Benhamou, who has been spearheading BGV's investment efforts in France.

Sai Sood, Sapphire Ventures' former finance executive, brings proven experience in scaling a global venture capital firm. He will lead BGV's operations, finance, and investor relations teams and is based in Silicon Valley. With the ability to execute consistently, Sai brings a wealth of knowledge in valuations, accounting, tax, and venture capital operations.

"The recent additions to BGV's core team reflect the expansion of our platform in several dimensions," explains Eric Benhamou, Founder and President of BGV. "With Patrick joining our investment team in Europe, we are materially expanding our ability to grow our portfolio companies born in Europe and ready to cross the Atlantic to become a true global leader in their category. We are also expanding our ability to engage European Limited Partners on the ground and attract them to our platform. With Sai joining as our CFO in Silicon Valley, we bring an experienced executive with a proven ability to scale cross-border venture funds and meet the expectations of demanding LPs around the globe. We are delighted to be able to attract talent of this caliber and welcome these new additions to our team."

About BGV

BGV is a venture capital firm with deep Silicon Valley roots and an exclusive focus on global Enteprise 4.0 technology innovation. The partnership sources companies from innovation hubs around the world and deploys financial and human capital from seed stage to IPO. With offices in Palo Alto, Tel Aviv, Paris and Mumbai, BGV has championed a cross-border venture investing model with a portfolio representing businesses in the US, Israel, Europe and India. Visit www.bgv.vc to learn more.

Press Contact

Emmanuel Benhamou

[email protected]

+1.202.341.0269

SOURCE Benhamou Global Ventures
DUBLIN, Jan. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Global Alcoholic Ingredients Market (2021-2027) by Type of the Ingredients, Type of Beverage and Geography, Impact of Covid-19, Ansoff Analysis" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The Global Alcoholic Ingredient Market is estimated to be USD 4.15 Bn in 2021 and is expected to reach USD 7.04 Bn by 2027 growing at a CAGR of 9.2%.

Some of the companies covered in this report are Sensient Technologies Corporation, Ashland Inc., Cargill, Incorporated, Archer Daniels Midland Company, and Chr. Hansen Holdings A/S.



Ethanol is used in the manufacturing process of denatured alcohol along with other sugar contents through a fermentation process. Various other ingredients such as fruits grains like barley, wheat, and rye etc. are also used for the production of several alcoholic beverages such as wine, beer and other spirits. Alcohol, with its bactericidal properties has its implication in other sectors like pharmaceuticals, cosmetics (lotions, perfumes), as well as a chemical intermediate either alone or through different mixtures.



With a rise in the change of the demographics behaviour and the consumption patterns, there has been increased levels of alcohol consumption across the world owing to rise in social drinking, experiential drinking leading to permissible indulgence amongst diverse age groups.

This has further led to the ingredient manufacturers to innovate in order to meet the consumer demands. The consumption patterns of different alcoholic beverages across the globe has driven the growth of this market.

On the contrary, factors like the government imposed regulations and research and development cost for manufacturing unique flavoured alcohol poses a major challenge for the ingredient manufacturers.

Market Dynamics

Drivers

Increasing Consumption of Alcoholic Beverages

Increasing Global Trade in Alcohol

Emergence of breweries and distilleries across the world

Increase in the number of Pubs, Bars, and Liquor-Serving Cafes and Lounges (PBCL) outlets

Restraints

High Cost of Raw Materials and R&D

Stringent regulations and Legislations

Increased awareness about the harmful effects of alcohol consumption

Increased competition from non-alcoholic beverages

Opportunities

Changing patterns of consumption

Trends

Rise in craft breweries

High demand for alcohol made of plant-based ingredients

Key Topics Covered:



1 Report Description

1.1 Study Objectives

1.2 Market Definition

1.3 Currency

1.4 Years Considered

1.5 Language

1.6 Key Shareholders

2 Research Methodology

2.1 Research Process

2.2 Data Collection and Validation

2.2.1 Secondary Research

2.2.2 Primary Research

2.3 Market Size Estimation

2.4 Assumptions of the Study

2.5 Limitations of the Study

3 Executive Summary

4 Market Overview

4.1 Introduction

4.2 Market Dynamics

4.2.1 Drivers

4.2.2 Restraints

4.2.3 Opportunities

4.2.4 Trends

5 Market Analysis

5.1 Porter's Five Forces Analysis

5.2 Impact of COVID-19

5.3 Ansoff Matrix Analysis

6 Global Alcoholic Ingredients Market, By Ingredient Type

6.1 Introduction

6.2 Yeast

6.3 Enzymes

6.4 Colorants, Flavours & Salts

6.5 Others

7 Global Alcoholic Ingredients Market, By Beverage Type

7.1 Introduction

7.2 Beer

7.3 Wine

7.4 Spirits

7.4.1 Whisky

7.4.2 Brandy

7.4.3 Others

8 Global Alcoholic Ingredients Market, By Geography

8.1 Introduction

8.2 North America

8.2.1 US

8.2.2 Canada

8.2.3 Mexico

8.3 South America

8.3.1 Brazil

8.3.2 Argentina

8.4 Europe

8.4.1 UK

8.4.2 France

8.4.3 Germany

8.4.4 Italy

8.4.5 Rest of Europe

8.5 Asia-Pacific

8.5.1 China

8.5.2 Japan

8.5.3 India

8.5.4 Australia

8.5.5 Rest of APAC

8.6 Middle East and Africa

9 Competitive Landscape

9.1 Competitive Quadrant

9.2 Market Share Analysis

9.3 Competitive Scenario

9.3.1 Mergers & Acquisitions

9.3.2 Agreements, Collaborations, & Partnerships

9.3.3 New Product Launches & Enhancements

9.3.4 Investments & Fundings

10 Company Profiles

Archer Daniels Midland Company

Cargill, Incorporated

Chr. Hansen Holdings A/S

Koninklijke Dsm N.V

Sensient Technologies Corporation

Ashland Global Specialty Chemicals Inc.

D.D. Williamson & Co., Inc.

Dohler Group

Kerry Group PLC

Treatt PLC

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/wdqbqp

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]



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Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716

SOURCE Research and Markets
NEW YORK, Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), together with its co-investors, today announced that it has made a Senior Secured Term Loan investment of $175 million in Group Energy Gas Panama S de RL (Borrower), to finance the acquisition and construction of Generadora de Gatun (Gatun), the owner of a 670 MW natural gas cogeneration power plant to be constructed in Colon, Panama. Once constructed, Gatun is expected to be the largest and most efficient Combined Cycle Gas Turbine (CCGT) power plant in the country. Gatun is designed to improve electric reliability by diversifying electricity sources for the nation's power grid.

GIP is making the investment through Global Infrastructure Partners Capital Solutions Fund II (GIP CAPS II), part of GIP's Credit platform (GIP Credit). The investment in Gatun represents the third commitment made by GIP CAPS II. The CAPS strategy provides customized credit financings for infrastructure issuers in GIP's core sectors of midstream energy, power, renewables, energy transition, digital, transportation and water/waste, while leveraging GIP's significant operating expertise.

Group Energy Gas Panama S de RL, is a newly formed joint venture between InterEnergy and The AES Corporation, two of the largest private investors in the Panamanian power and energy market. Proceeds from the investment, in conjunction with proceeds from senior debt at the Gatun level and equity contributed by the sponsors, will be used to fund over $1.0 billion of estimated acquisition and construction costs of the project.

InterEnergy has been developing power projects in the Caribbean and Latin America for over 30 years and is the third largest power generation company in Panama. The AES Corporation has been in Panama since 1999 and currently owns and operates over 1,100 MW through three subsidiaries, AES Panama, AES Changuinola and AES Colon.

Steve Cheng, Credit Partner at GIP, said: "We are very pleased to have entered into this transaction with Gatun and its highly experienced sponsors, AES Panama and InterEnergy. The Gatun power plant is well positioned to meet growing industrial power demand in Panama and is expected to play a key role providing stability to Panama's electric grid considering the significant renewable generation sources already in place. The transaction is in line with GIP Credit's strategy of investing in critical infrastructure with strong sponsorship."

About Global Infrastructure Partners

Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) is an independent infrastructure fund manager that makes equity and debt investments in infrastructure assets and businesses. GIP targets investments in the energy, transport, digital infrastructure, and water/waste sectors in both OECD and select emerging market countries. GIP's teams are located in 10 offices: London, New York, Stamford (Connecticut), Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Mumbai, Delhi, Singapore and Hong Kong. GIP Credit provides financing solutions and makes debt and non-common equity investments in infrastructure assets and companies. For more information, visit www.global-infra.com.

About InterEnergy Group

InterEnergy Group is one of the largest diversified clean energy companies in Latin America and the Caribbean. The Group operates electric power generation plants in Latin America and the Caribbean, specifically in the Dominican Republic, Panama, Jamaica, Chile and Uruguay. For more information, please visit: www.interenergy.com

About The AES Corporation in Panama

AES in Panama owns and operates 1,161 MW, product of the sustained investments over USD 2,700 million since 1999, achieving its commitment of developing greener, smarter energy solutions the world needs.

Media Contacts Media Inquiries Team [email protected] +1.646.282.1545 CLP Strategies [email protected] +1.914.364.8024

SOURCE Global Infrastructure Partners
Early Bird Registration Now Open

GREATER DES MOINES, Iowa, Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Global Insurance Symposium (GIS) has announced its 2022 conference will be held on April 19  21. The event will take place at the Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center in Downtown Des Moines (DSM), Iowa. Since its inception in 2014, GIS has had thousands of attendees from over a dozen countries participate.

This event, which is now open for registration, aims to help insurance professionals from around the world discover what's next, prepare for tomorrow and solve the future. The theme of this year's event is "What Will Insurance Look Like in 2030?"

It will focus on timely and relevant themes of global risk; diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI); dynamic panel discussions; and engaging networking opportunities for attendees. All participants will be assigned to a cross-industry cohort facilitated by an insurance thought leader to help guide discussions and offer additional insights.

"The 2022 Global Insurance Symposium will convene insurtech and fintech thought leaders and innovators from around the world to collaboratively spur new ideas and share best practices to help shape the future of the insurance industry," said Jay Byers, President & CEO of the Greater Des Moines Partnership. "Greater Des Moines is an insurance global hub and this event attracts speakers and attendees who are the top-level leaders in insurance."

The three-day symposium, will offer a full agenda for participants, including an Insurtech Expo, presentations by insurtech entrepreneurs from the Global Insurance Accelerator, several panels and sessions featuring insurance industry leaders and state insurance commissioners, and networking opportunities.

"This is an important event that you won't want to miss for those in or around the insurance industry," said Iowa Insurance Commissioner Doug Ommen. "Whether you lead an insurer, are an interested regulator or have founded a startup focusing on insurtech, there is something for everyone. The 2022 Global Insurance Symposium will help position all leaders in the various parts of our industry to meet current and future challenges."

As the 2022 Global Insurance Symposium approaches, organizers are continuing to carefully monitor all COVID-related concerns and develop comprehensive conference protocols to ensure the health and safety of all who attend.

Early Bird registration is available through February 5 and offers attendees $100 in savings. For more information and to register, please visit globalinsurancesymposium.com.

Media Registration :

Members of the media are invited to attend the Global Insurance Symposium. To inquire, please contact Courtney Shaw at [email protected].

About the Global Insurance Symposium:

Since its inception in 2014, the Global Insurance Symposium has hosted thousands of leading insurance and financial service professionals and regulatory authorities. During the GIS three-day event, attendees hear from the world's most renowned insurance experts and interact with fellow insurance industry colleagues from around the globe. The Global Insurance Symposium is presented by the Greater Des Moines Partnership, the Iowa Insurance Division, the Iowa Economic Development Authority and Iowa insurance firms. For more information, please visit globalinsurancesymposium.com.

Media Contact:

Courtney Shaw

Greater Des Moines Partnership

[email protected]

(405) 747-8757

SOURCE Greater Des Moines Partnership
NORTHBROOK, Ill., Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Hilco Merchant Resources is pleased to announce that interim CEO Raymundo Armendariz has been permanently appointed as Chief Executive Officer and Katie Feodoroff has been promoted to Senior Vice President and General Merchandise Manager of Hilco Wholesale Solutions (HWS) effective immediately. Mr. Armendariz has done a superb job as HWS interim CEO and COO and will fully shift into the CEO role. Ms. Feodoroff will expand her duties and responsibilities as she transitions into the role of SVP and GMM of HWS.

As CEO of Hilco Wholesale Solutions, Mr. Armendariz is responsible for the daily management and growth of the wholesale consumer inventory practice, further enabling HMR to provide retailers, consumer products manufacturers and their advisors with a single source omni solution for all inventory disposition requirements. Mr. Armendariz will work closely with the retail team to optimize special inventory situations and build new revenue streams by leveraging his extensive years of experience with the company and in the sector at large.

Having spent the past two decades with Hilco Global in various capacities, Mr. Armendariz has successfully managed numerous transactions during his tenure with the organization. Mr. Armendariz has very substantial retail operations experience, including over 12 years of service with Levitz Furniture.

Ben Nortman  CEO of Hilco Global Retail Group said, "Ray has done an outstanding job for us as COO and interim CEO of HWS. We're excited to appoint Ray as the CEO of HWS as his extensive retail operations experience, attention to detail, and overall commitment to exceed expectations makes him the perfect leader of the HWS team as it continues its strategic growth into 2022 and beyond."

In her new role, Ms. Feodoroff is tasked with identifying trends and business opportunities, assessing value, and negotiating deals to drive strategic growth. Ms. Feodoroff is an expert in the off-price business model, having 20 years of experience as a buyer, planner, seller, and manufacturer. She has held several roles of increasing responsibility both as a consultant to manufacturers and retailers as well as a buyer for TJ Maxx.

"Katie's skill at working with companies to develop and execute a multi-tiered retail strategy, coupled with her work ethic and leadership have all led to this much deserved promotion," said Mr. Nortman. He continues, "Both Ray and Katie are such invaluable members and pivotal to the strategic growth of HWS."

About Merchant Resources:

Hilco Merchant Resources (www.hilcomerchantresources.com) provides a wide range of analytical, advisory, asset monetization, and capital investment services to help define and execute a retailer's strategic initiatives. The firm's activities fall into several principal categories including acquisitions; disposition of underperforming stores; retail company or division wind downs; event sales to convert unwanted assets into working capital; interim company, division, or store management teams; loss prevention; and the monetization of furniture, fixtures and equipment.

Hilco Global Retail Group is part of Northbrook, Illinois based Hilco Global, the world's leading authority on maximizing the value of business assets by delivering valuation, monetization, and advisory solutions to an international marketplace. Hilco Global operates twenty specialized business units around the world. For more information please visit: (www.hilcoglobal.com).

SOURCE Hilco Merchant Resources, LLC
VANCOUVER, BC, Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - International Battery Metals Ltd. (the "Company") (CSE: IBAT) (OTC: RHHNF) (FSE: 8RE) the Company announced that Ensorcia Metals Corporation ('Ensorcia') affiliate Sorcia Minerals LLC has announced "that it has formed a joint venture with Terra Novo Energy, Triangle Lithium LLC, for the purpose of acquiring and developing specific assets related to the exploration and development of lithium. Triangle through its affiliation with Sorcia, will develop lithium resources utilizing International Battery Metals' proprietary direct lithium extraction technology.

Triangle's initial project is located in the world-class Salar de Antofalla in Argentina on 15,000 hectares of claims acquired by Global Oil Management Group from Lithium Energi Exploration Inc. Development is to commence immediately. "

Ensorcia has an exclusive license to utilize IBAT's technology in Argentina and Chile.

The Company has substantially completed the construction of its first lithium extraction unit. The system modules are currently being heat traced and insulated. The Company expects the final assembly and testing to take place in March in the US prior to deployment to South America.

The Company announced that it has granted, pursuant to its Stock Option Plan, options to purchase 300,000 shares exercisable for a period of 5 years at $3.94 per share to an employee of the Company.

Dr. John Burba stated that "we are extremely excited about the progress made to date under challenging supply chain issues and now look forward to the commencement of testing and the future deployment into the field of the unit"

IBAT is an advanced technology company focused on lithium brine extraction. The company is in the process of creating and applying intellectual property related to lithium extraction from brines.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

"Dr. John Burba"

Dr. John Burba, President CEO & Director

Tel: (778) 939-4228

Neither Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This news release may contain assumptions, estimates, and other forward-looking statements regarding future events. Such forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties and are subject to factors, many of which are beyond the Company's control that may cause actual results or performance to differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements.

Forward  looking and cautionary statements

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any state in the United States in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. The securities referred to herein have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration requirements. This release may contain statements within the meaning of safe harbour provisions as defined under securities laws and regulations.

This release may contain certain forwardlooking statements with respect to the financial condition, results of operations and business of the Company and certain of the plans and objectives of the Company with respect to the same. By their nature, forwardlooking statements involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the future and there are many factors that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forwardlooking statements.

SOURCE International Battery Metals Ltd.
Last May, Governor Noem became the first candidate for public office in the country to sign the "1776 Pledge" from 1776 Action, committing to "promote a curriculum that teaches that all children are created equal, have equal moral value under God, our Constitution, and the law" and "prohibit any curriculum that pits students against one another on the basis of race or sex."

Shortly thereafter, Noem co-authored a joint op-ed with Dr. Carson calling the fight to defeat anti-American indoctrination the "biggest cultural challenge of our lifetime."

Of the address, Dr. Carson said: "As patriots of every color, creed and background expose and combat radical curriculum, the parent-led movement to save our schools is winning. Fortunately, in their corner, they have leaders like Governor Noem who each day is walking the walk and taking real action on behalf of our nation's greatest asset  our children."

The "1776 Pledge" has now been signed by over 300 candidates and officials around the country, including Virginia Governor-elect Glenn Youngkin, who recently rode to victory on the promise of banning Critical Race Theory and restoring parental rights in public education.

In working to fulfill her pledge to South Dakotans, Governor Noem has filed legislation to ban both Critical Race Theory and "Action Civics," which politicizes education by coercing students into engaging in extracurricular political action. She is urging the state legislature to take up and pass that bill this session.

Also in attendance of Noem's address was Adam Waldeck, President of 1776 Action: "In the fight to save our schools from radical political activists, Governor Noem has really become one of the most pro-active elected leaders in the country. She wants to ensure that students understand why, for nearly 250 years, people across the planet have strived to call themselves Americans. We deeply appreciate the legislation she's filed, and hope to see it become law."

SOURCE 1776 Action
DUBAI, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- The national flag of China was raised in morning breeze on Monday under the iconic dome of the Al Wasl Plaza, the central stage of the Expo 2020 Dubai site, marking the start of the National Day of China Pavilion.

In the plaza decorated with traditional Chinese elements like the Chinese blessing knot, officials from China and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) initiated an array of celebration activities showcasing the Asian country's cultural and sci-tech achievements.

As a much-anticipated event at the Expo starting on Oct. 1, 2021, the National Day of China Pavilion also represents the culmination of a chain of China-themed events running through the past three months that have dazzled visitors with splendid Chinese culture and cutting-edge technologies.

OPPORTUNITY TO ADVANCE BILATERAL TIES

The UAE is China's second-largest trade partner in the Middle East and hosts the largest Chinese community in the region, most of them in Dubai and Sharjah. The National Day of China Pavilion is hailed as an opportunity to advance bilateral ties.

At the opening ceremony, Chinese Ambassador to the UAE Ni Jian read a written speech sent by Chinese Vice Premier Hu Chunhua, in which Hu noted that the economies of China and the UAE are highly complementary, and the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the UAE's concept of "Revitalizing the Silk Road" are highly compatible, so the two sides have broad prospects for mutually beneficial cooperation.

China, Hu said, is ready to join hands with the UAE to further enhance political mutual trust and practical cooperation in various areas under the framework of the BRI, so as to enrich the comprehensive strategic partnership for the benefit of the two countries and their people.

In his speech, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation for International Development Affairs Sultan Mohammed Al Shamsi said, "the UAE and China share a steadfast relationship, based on notions of friendship and respect, which has gone from strength to strength over the years."

Bilateral collaboration is strengthened under the BRI, in which the UAE has been a key and supportive partner, Al Shamsi added.

FEAST OF CHINESE CULTURE

At the opening ceremony, Chinese artists wowed the audiences from different countries with fascinating performances.

"It's absolutely breathtaking," Khaled Al Hassan, a UAE visitor, told Xinhua after watching a tenor singing the Chinese song My Motherland and Me. "It definitely makes me want to learn about China because it is such a sophisticated and time-honored civilization."

Besides history and traditions, the pageantry of "China Day" also highlighted China's future-oriented technologies and innovations. To celebrate the opening ceremony, a China-developed orange robot mascot Opti performed a specially choreographed dance routine to welcome visitors.

The one-meter-tall robot, developed by Chinese tech company Terminus Group, has the IQ of a five-year-old child with its built-in artificial intelligence algorithm and is able to provide services including food deliveries, information and guidance.

Apart from 50 Optis, smart solutions provider Terminus Group has also supplied the expo with another 152 Titan Series robots, providing convenience to visitors from across the world with Chinese high-tech.

Moreover, a spectacular light show performed with drones at the China Pavilion attracted hundreds every night. The show, powered by China's advanced technologies in drone manufacturing and the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System, is one of the most-watched performances at the Expo.

"I am very proud as a Chinese citizen to see this stunning performance," said Wu Zhengxi, a Chinese college student in Dubai.

"It tells a China story that is old and new at the same time. We are a nation that has a splendid history, yet we are also a nation with a future-oriented mindset," said Wu.

SHARED FUTURE FOR MANKIND

Under the theme of "building a community with a shared future for mankind -- innovation & opportunity," the China Pavilion has been a window to learn about China's sci-tech achievements as well as its dedication to a more connected world.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, in his video message for the China Pavilion, spoke highly of the significance of the Expo 2020 Dubai, calling on the people of all countries to work together, respond to the call of the times, strengthen global governance, pursue innovation-driven development, and advance the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, the Chinese vice premier said in the written speech.

Many visitors at the pavilion said while China's technological advancements have been stunning, they are also impressed by the sincerity and goodness China has conveyed towards the world through the exhibition.

A Pakistani visitor, who only gave his name as Aladdin, said he came to visit the China Pavilion for two reasons: first, China is a powerhouse for technological innovation; second, China has always been a solid defender of world order and justice.

Salman Mohammed, an Indian visitor, said the National Day of China Pavilion is an exciting event, and he has been waiting to visit the pavilion because China has made extraordinary achievements in technology, infrastructure, and economy.

With an area of 4,636 square meters and in the shape of a traditional Chinese festival lantern representing peace and happiness, the China Pavilion is one of the largest and most popular national pavilions at the Expo. It has received more than 800,000 visitors since it opened to the public. 
This year's theme is "Reboot and Rebloom." Through a collaboration with the U.S. Department of State, haiku submissions are being accepted from around the world. Last year, the BID received submissions from 60 countries, 49 states and the District of Columbia. A youth category, first introduced in 2021, invites students to explore haiku and take part in the competition.

"We're excited to bring back this familiar literary art contest that brings smiles to people's faces as they walk along our streets," said Leona Agouridis, Executive Director of the Golden Triangle BID. "This year's Golden Haiku theme unites our global community as we reflect on challenges and spread hope for the future. We look forward to enlivening our sidewalks with words of inspiration as more workers return to the office."



Golden Haiku follows the Haiku Society of America's guidelines for modern haiku, which does not require the traditional 5-7-5 structure. Removing the strict structural requirements for syllables frees the author to use evocative language to capture a moment or expression of beauty in a short, descriptive verse.

All entries will be reviewed and judged by a distinguished panel of published haiku experts. The panel will select first, second, and third place winners, a regional favorite, and youth category winners.

The authors of the winning haiku will receive:

First place - $500

Second place - $200

Third place - $100

Regional winner - $200

Youth Category winners:

High School: $150



Elementary/Middle School: $75

The expert panelists are:

Abigail Friedman is an award-winning author of numerous works on haiku, including The Haiku Apprentice: Memoirs of Writing Poetry in Japan (Stone Bridge Press), I Wait for the Moon: 100 Haiku of Momoko Kuroda (Stone Bridge Press), and Street Chatter Fading (Larkspur Press). She is a former diplomat and is on the Board of Trustees of the Japan-America Society of Washington, D.C.

Lenard Moore has been authoring haiku for more than 20 years. He was the first African American President of the Haiku Society of America. His published poetry has been translated into multiple languages and includes Poems of Love & Understanding (Carlton Press), The Open Eye (NC Haiku Society Press), and Desert Storm: A Brief History (Los Hombres Press).

Kit Pancoast Nagamura has been a columnist for The Japan Times for more than a decade and appeared as a regular on NHK World's Haiku Masters and Journeys in Japan programs. She has won one of Japan's prestigious Ito-en Oi Cha Haiku Contest prizes and is a member of the Haiku International Association. Her book, Grit, Grace, and Gold, was published in 2020. She will be judging from Japan.

John Stevenson is managing editor of The Heron's Nest. A former President of the Haiku Society of America, he has served as editor of Frogpond. He is the author of books such as Quiet Enough, Some of the Silence, Live Again, (d)ark, and Emoji Moon.

Submissions for the ninth annual Golden Haiku poetry contest will be accepted through February 6, 2022. Winners will be announced in mid-March. Participants may submit a maximum of two self-authored haikus on the BID's website at goldentriangledc.com/haiku.

About the Golden Triangle Business Improvement District

Formed in 1998, the Golden Triangle Business Improvement District (BID) enhances Washington, DC's central business district, the 44-square-block neighborhood stretching from The White House to Dupont Circle. For more information, visit: goldentriangledc.com on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

SOURCE Golden Triangle Business Improvement District
Less than 20% of the investors being researched answered that their annual incomes have increased due to the pandemic

More than 50% of the RENOSY users researched answered that they have changed their views about investment because of the pandemic

Along with the change of viewpoint, more than 80% of the current investors answered that they decided to increase the items for investments because of the pandemic

The item for investment that receives the most attention is "real estate"

Result Summary

Research time period: October 22, 2021 ~ November 9, 2021

Research method: Online research

Practical answered received: 764 (Users with an annual income above 6million JPY)

Data for further reference: https://www.renosy.com/magazine/entries/5002

(RENOSY Magazine)

Details of the Research

(1) Changes of income due to the pandemic

When being asked about "whether your income has been affected by the pandemic?" Only 13.6% gave a positive answer (increase of the income); this is less than 20% of all the users interviewed this time. On the other hand, people with annual income falls in the range of "6,000,000JPY~ 7,990,000JPY" showed the most drastic decrease in their incomes with 16.7% of them answered with "a decrease of the income".

(2) The change of viewpoint towards future investment due to the pandemic

55.4% of the people we have researched answered that they have made some adjustments towards future investment because of the outbreak of the pandemic. From the statistics we could see that people from the lowest income group (annual income falls between 6,000,000 JPY~7,990,000 JPY) suffered the most from the pandemic with their incomes decreasing the most drastically. People from this group also have the most significant change of viewpoint towards investments (63.3%).

(3) Adjustments about number of items for future investment due to the pandemic

When asking the investors whether they have made some adjustments about the number of items for investment. More than 80% of them across all income groups answered that they have added more items for investment on their lists. People with an annual income range between6,000,000 JPY~7,990,000 JPY have the most significant increase which is 95.3%. From this result we could see that regardless of the effect on an individual's annual income because of the pandemic, people with an annual income above 6,000,000 JPY have experienced some kind of changes in their viewpoints towards investment, and for those of whom are currently investing tend to add new items for investment on their lists.

(4) Real estate receives the most attention and becomes the most popular item for investment

Real estate investment tops the list across investors among all income groups. Especially investors with an annual income falling between 8,000,000 JPY~9,990,000 JPY have shown a significant 57.3% increase of putting money into the real estate industry. According to the JRPPI report (*2) released by Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport & Tourism of Japan, the index point of residential real estates was 113.4pt in Dec.,2019 and has risen to 122.4pt in July 2021. Not to mention, the index point has risen from 149.3pt in December 2019 to 167.7pt in July 2021 for residential apartments. In fact, the number of properties sold annually by RENOSY has risen over the years. There was 1.4 times (2,723 listings) increase in 2020 compared to 2019, and a 1.2 times increase (3,460 listings) in 2021 compared to the previous year. We can tell the real estate market is quite vibrant with a continuous increase of the number of deals made starting from 2019 to 2021 despite the hit of the pandemic. Other than these numbers, we have heard many of our customers pointing out that the purpose for investing in real estate is as a preparation for retirement in which it accounts for 68.6% of the customers being researched.

About RENOSY: the comprehensive one-stop real estate transaction supporting platform

RENOSY is a comprehensive one-stop real estate platform provided by GA technologies under the concept of "making house hunting and assets management easier." With the business vision of "inspiring the world with the power of technology and innovation". The purpose of RENOSY is to make everything about real estate easier for our customers, whether you want to "rent", "buy", "sell", "lease", "renovate" or "invest" on a property, you can get what you want and need all in one place. Currently, we have about 24,0000 registered members, and more than 15,0000 existing properties in the center of Tokyo available on our website. GA technologies is working on helping to accelerate the digital transformation process of the industry, and to provide a better customer experience both online and offline.

* Data of the number of RENOSY members: by October 2021 / Data of the number of properties available on the website: by October 2020

About GA technologies

Company: GA technologies Co., Ltd.

Representative: Ryo Higuchi

URL: https://www.ga-tech.co.jp/en/

Head office: 40F of Sumitomo Fudosan Roppongi Grand Tower, Roppongi 3-2-1, Minato District, Tokyo

Year of founding: March 2013

Capital fund: 7,219,146,516JPY (by October 2021)

What we do:

Running the RENOSY service, an online, one-stop real estate service platform

Running the ITANDI BB service, a cloud service targets at real estate management companies

Sub companies: ITANDI Co.,Ltd, Modern Standard Co., Ltd, Shenjumiausuan Co.,Ltd and 8 other companies

Reference: (*1) Tokyo Shoko Research : Report of pre-owned apartments for investment: February 2021( Reference: https://www.ga-tech.co.jp/news/8531/) (*2) The JRPPI report released by Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport & Tourism (July, 2021, second quarter of 2022) (Related release: https://www.mlit.go.jp/common/001429360.pdf) (*3) RENOSY customers voice: https://www.renosy.com/asset/reviews

For this release, please contact below:

Nami (+81-90-1503-9158), Judy, GA technologies Co., Ltd. MAIL: [email protected]

SOURCE GA technologies Co .,Ltd.
Born and raised in Portland, Oregon, Jessica now has 14 years of commercial HVAC experience, working both with mechanical contractors and manufacturers' representatives. She graduated with a BS in Construction Management and Mechanical Engineering from California State University - Sacramento. Her experience in the commercial HVAC and air distribution took off when she started working for Norman S. Wright Mechanical Equipment Company in California and now has been exceling here at ACI Mechanical & HVAC Sales these past two years as a sales engineer.

As the new Sales Manager, Jessica will provide leadership to the sales engineers and engineers on projects, with her staggering experience in preconstruction, estimating, design build, project management, and HVAC Equipment Sales. She is here to provide relationship focused initiative on meeting the needs of our customers and having a successful project for everyone involved.

About ACI Mechanical and HVAC Sales

ACI is the Pacific Northwest's vendor of choice for commercial HVAC applications in education and industrial facilities, data centers, commercial office buildings, and healthcare. Since 1985, ACI has served Oregon and Washington from locations in Seattle, Portland, and Spokane. ACI represents the finest manufacturers, including Ruskin, Price Industries, Loren Cook Fan Co., as well as, many other HVAC product lines. Visit acimechsales.com.

SOURCE ACI Mechanical Sales
DENVER, Jan. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, King Soopers and City Market filed unfair labor practice charges against UFCW Local 7 for refusing to bargain in good faith. Additionally, Local 7 today rejected mediation services to help aid in a peaceful resolution.

The company remains committed to negotiating and reaching an agreement that significantly invests in associates by putting more money in their pocket while maintaining affordable healthcare and a pension for their retirement. However, Local 7 appears dead set on inciting disruption and restricting the community's ability to access fresh food and essentials.

"After three days of refusing repeated requests to return to the negotiating table, Local 7's Kim Cordova has now rejected a reasonable request for mediation to work together toward a contract that will put more money in our associates' pockets," said Joe Kelley, president of King Soopers/City Market. "If Local 7 does not want to negotiate then they should at least have the decency to allow our associates to vote on the current proposal. Our associates should be treated fairly and transparently and should have the opportunity to decide what is best for them and their families. Right now, Local 7 is using our associates' livelihoods as pawns in their political gamesmanship."

The time is now.

Local 7 has given no indication of when they will reengage in the negotiation process. Kim Cordova, president of Local 7 has only said she is willing discuss details again "at an appropriate time in the future." Respectfully, King Soopers/City Market believes the time is now as our associates are currently working without a contract and under threat of strike. The company is eager to invest more money into associates' paychecks as soon as possible.

King Soopers/City Market remains committed to the negotiation process and to settling an agreement that is good for our associates while keeping groceries affordable.

Attached is an independent analysis from economist Nam Pham, managing partner at ndp | analytics, commissioned by the Kroger family of companies, that demonstrates the company's long-standing commitment to our associates and the communities they serve.

For additional information on the unfair labor practice charges click here.

About King Soopers/City Market

At King Soopers/City Market, a company of The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR), we are Fresh for Everyone and dedicated to our Purpose: To Feed the Human Spirit. We are 22,502 associates who serve customers daily through a seamless shopping experience throughout Colorado. We are committed to creating #ZeroHungerZeroWaste communities by 2025. To learn more about us, visit our newsroom and investor relations site.

SOURCE The Kroger Co.
The increasing adoption of advanced ventilators in the treatment of infected patients, availability of government funding & venture capital investments, and growing clinical applications are some of the factors expected to upsurge the demand for this product significantly. Further, several companies adopted innovative strategies to increase their productivity attributed to augmented ventilators demand to treat COVID-19 patients effectively.

Request for a sample of this research report @ https://www.gminsights.com/request-sample/detail/1882

The intensive care ventilators segment valued at USD 8.09 billion in 2020 led by the recent technological advancements and miniaturization of electronic components that enable the development of innovative intensive care ventilators. Several market players are focusing on the launch of a new generation of high-end intensive care ventilators. The integration of advanced features, ease of use, and modularity among intensive care ventilators is allowing healthcare providers to ensure a personalized, lung-protective ventilation therapy for all patient groups.

The non-invasive ventilation segment in the mechanical ventilator market is projected to reach USD 589 million by 2027. This is attributed to the non-invasive ventilation aids the patient's breathing without the requirement for a tracheotomy or intubation. Further, it offers efficient oxygen therapy with a low risk of infection and enhanced survival in patients with respiratory complications. This non-invasive ventilation is widely utilized in healthcare facilities credited to provide accurate inspiratory & expiratory pressures to support patients unique ventilatory demands. Efficient non-invasive therapy can aid patients to use more of their lung capacity, thereby reducing the work of breathing and make routine activities easier.

The adult ventilators segment is poised to exceed USD 2.23 billion by 2027. The increasing COVID-19 infection among the adult population highlighted the requirement for advanced ventilators to manage the large volume of affected patients in hospitals. As of November 2021, the number of coronavirus cases reached more than 265 million across the globe. The above statistics are set to positively drive the demand for adult ventilators in the coming years. Growing conscience among the adult population suffering from central airway obstruction, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, asthma regarding the availability of advanced ventilation treatment options is fuelling the acceptance of adult mechanical ventilators.

The mechanical ventilator market for sleep apnea therapy segment accounted for USD 323 million in 2020 impelled by the mechanical ventilators in sleep apnea therapy treatment. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the widely preferred treatment for sleep apnea. Automatic ventilation can be applied to deliver effective sleep apnea therapy. Adaptive servo-ventilation is a non-invasive mode of ventilation that continuously regulates the breathing status of patients is also recommended by several clinicians.

The combined mode ventilator segment in the mechanical ventilator market captured USD 1.57 billion in 2020. The combined mode ventilator delivers several advantages in the ventilation procedures comprising allow complex ventilatory care for the critically ill patient. This combined mode ventilator represents the basic controlled mechanical ventilation modes used in several applications such as anesthesiology, clinical, etc. Modern mechanical ventilators equipped with combined mode offer a broad variety of features essential in healthcare settings. This mode can quickly assess and respond to each patient's changing condition.

The mechanical ventilator market for ambulatory surgical centers segment is estimated to reach more than USD 594 million by 2027 owing to the growing developments in the ambulatory surgical centers, easy accessibility to advanced respiratory diseases treatment, same-day surgical procedures, cost-effectiveness, etc. The growing number of ambulatory surgical centers providing individualized services coupled with improving healthcare infrastructure across emerging economies is slated to stimulate market expansion in the coming years.

China mechanical ventilator market is predicted to reach over USD 363 million by 2027 due to the growing COVID-19 cases, favorable government initiatives in the country, presence of key players, etc. As of November 2021, coronavirus had infected around 112,300 people in the China. As a result, growing initiatives taken by academic institutions for developing improvised mechanical ventilators will surge the product acceptance rate in the market. Significant investments by private organizations and major players operating in the country will enhance the business growth. This is empowering novel developments in mechanical ventilators that has further expanded their use in treatment of patients suffering from respiratory complications.

Request for customization of this research report @ https://www.gminsights.com/roc/1882

Some of the major companies operating in the mechanical ventilator market are Air Liquide, Dragerwerk AG & Co. KGaA, Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Limited, Hamilton Medical, Medtronic, Koninklijke Philips N.V., Smiths Group plc, Getinge AB, VYAIRE MEDICAL, INC., and ResMed. These leaders adopt strategic initiatives such as partnerships, collaborations, new product launches and commercial expansion to bolster their product portfolio and market presence.

Table of Contents (ToC) of the report:

Chapter 3 Mechanical Ventilator Market Insights

3.1 Industry segmentation

3.2 Industry landscape, 2016 - 2027

3.3 Industry impact forces

3.3.1 Growth drivers

3.3.2 Industry pitfalls & challenges

3.4 Growth potential analysis

3.4.1 By product

3.4.2 By interface

3.4.3 By ventilator type

3.4.4 By application

3.4.5 By mode

3.4.6 By end-use

3.5 COVID-19 impact analysis

3.6 Regulatory landscape

3.7 Porter's analysis

3.8 Competitive landscape, 2020

3.8.1 Company matrix analysis, 2020

3.9 PESTEL analysis

Browse Complete Table of Contents (ToC) @ https://www.gminsights.com/toc/detail/mechanical-ventilator-market

About Global Market Insights Inc.

Global Market Insights Inc., headquartered in Delaware, U.S., is a global market research and consulting service provider, offering syndicated and custom research reports along with growth consulting services. Our business intelligence and industry research reports offer clients with penetrative insights and actionable market data specially designed and presented to aid strategic decision making. These exhaustive reports are designed via a proprietary research methodology and are available for key industries such as chemicals, advanced materials, technology, renewable energy, and biotechnology.

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SOURCE Global Market Insights Inc.
FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich., Jan. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Farmington Kids First and Moms for America, two nonprofit organizations, and concerned parents of students enrolled in the Farmington Michigan Public School District, will hold a press conference and peaceful rally on Tuesday, January 11, 2022, prior to the regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Education. This is the first school board meeting since the revelation that the district sponsored a "21-Day Equity Challenge" promoting racial division and political indoctrination in the district's public schools. Several parents will express their opposition to the board's actions at the media event and will address the board directly during the public meeting.

WHO Parents of K-12 students in the Farmington Public School District

Farmington Kids First, a nonprofit organization

Moms for America, a nonprofit educational organization



WHAT A press conference and peaceful rally featuring parents of students in the Farmington Public School District with comments and signs. Following the press conference, parents will attend the Board of Education meeting, where they will express their concerns to the school board directly.



WHERE North Farmington High School

32900 W 13 Mile Road

Farmington Hills, MI 48334



WHEN Tuesday, January 11, 2022, 5:00 pm EST

- Set-up time for media: 4:00 pm

- One-on-one interviews with parents: 5:00 pm

- Press conference: 5:30 pm

- Conclude media event: 5:50 pm



INTERVIEWS To book interviews with Farmington Kids First, Moms for America, or local parents, contact: Hannah Blair, M 973-525-6318, [email protected].



DETAILS The Farmington Public School District recently hosted a "21-Day Equity Challenge" that was riddled with divisive political messaging  "white privilege checklists," a list of "microaggressions to avoid" such as calling America the "land of opportunity," and calls to "join a BLM or affiliated protest" and donate to bail funds for violent rioters. Parents are objecting to this program saying it inflames racial divisions, promotes anti-American concepts, and detracts from the educational mission of the school district.





Concerned parents can go online to: http://www.familychoicematters.com/





For more about Moms for America, a national nonprofit 501(c)(3) educational corporation rooted on the principles of liberty and virtue our nation was founded on, go to: https://momsforamerica.us/get-to-know-us/our-team/.

SOURCE Moms For America
DUBLIN, Jan. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Medtronic plc (NYSE:MDT), a global leader in healthcare technology, today announced it has received approval from Japan's Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare for the sale and reimbursement of the Micra AV Transcatheter Pacing System (TPS), and the company will launch the product this month.

This approval expands the number of patients in Japan  one of the largest markets in the world  who are eligible to receive the Micra TPS, the world's smallest pacemaker. The Micra AV is indicated for the treatment of patients with AV block, a condition in which the electrical signals between the chambers of the heart (the atria and the ventricle) are impaired. The Micra TPS is the first-ever leadless pacemaker; its first version (the Micra VR) was approved in Japan in 2017 for patients who only require single-chamber pacing.

"Pacemakers have made significant progress over their approximately 60-year history, including miniaturization, improvements in pacing technology, MRI compatibility, and remote monitoring," explained Kyoko Soejima, professor of cardiovascular internal medicine at Kyorin University Hospital and a member of the Micra TPS Global Clinical Trial steering committee. "The first Micra system transformed the concept of pacemakers by eliminating surgical pockets and leads, and Micra AV promises to deliver the benefits of leadless pacing to a larger number of patients because ventricular pacing can be performed synchronously with the atrium."

Historically, patients with AV block have been treated with traditional dual-chamber pacemakers which are implanted in the upper chest, under the skin below the collar bone, and connected to the heart using thin wires called "leads." Identical in size and shape to the original Micra TPS, Micra AV has several additional algorithms which detect cardiac movement, allowing the device to adjust pacing in the ventricle to coordinate with the atrium, providing "AV synchronous" pacing therapy to patients with AV block.

The Micra AV approval is based on data from the MARVEL 2 (Micra Atrial Tracking Using A Ventricular accELerometer) study, which evaluated the safety and effectiveness of accelerometer-based atrial sensing algorithms. The study evaluated the ability of the Micra's internal sensor to monitor and detect atrial contractions and enable coordinated pacing between the atrium and ventricle, thereby providing AV synchrony.

"Since introducing the first battery-powered external pacemaker in 1957 to the innovative Micra leadless pacemaker portfolio, Medtronic continues to pioneer pacing innovations for physicians and their patients," said Rob Kowal, M.D., Ph.D., chief medical officer of the Cardiac Rhythm Management business, which is part of the Cardiovascular Portfolio at Medtronic.

About the Micra Transcatheter Pacing Systems (TPS)

The Micra TPS received CE Mark in April 2015 and U.S. FDA approval in 2016. Comparable in size to a large vitamin, Micra is less than one-tenth the size of traditional pacemakers yet delivers advanced pacing technology to patients via a minimally invasive approach. During the implant procedure, the device is attached to the heart with small tines and delivers electrical impulses that pace the heart through an electrode at the end of the device.

Unlike traditional pacemakers, Micra does not require leads or a surgical "pocket" under the skin, so potential sources of complications related to leads and pockets are reduced, and there is no visible sign of the device.

About Medtronic

Bold thinking. Bolder actions. We are Medtronic. Medtronic plc, headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, is the leading global healthcare technology company that boldly attacks the most challenging health problems facing humanity by searching out and finding solutions. Our Mission  to alleviate pain, restore health, and extend life  unites a global team of 90,000+ passionate people across 150 countries. Our technologies and therapies treat 70 health conditions and include cardiac devices, surgical robotics, insulin pumps, surgical tools, patient monitoring systems, and more. Powered by our diverse knowledge, insatiable curiosity, and desire to help all those who need it, we deliver innovative technologies that transform the lives of two people every second, every hour, every day. Expect more from us as we empower insight-driven care, experiences that put people first, and better outcomes for our world. In everything we do, we are engineering the extraordinary. For more information on Medtronic (NYSE:MDT), visit www.Medtronic.com and follow @Medtronic on Twitter and LinkedIn.

Any forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties such as those described in Medtronic's periodic reports on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results may differ materially from anticipated results.

Contacts:





Tracy McNulty Ryan Weispfenning Public Relations Investor Relations +1-612-819-2190 +1-763-505-4626

SOURCE Medtronic plc
NORTH BILLERICA, Mass., Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Curriculum Associates has named four Mississippi teachersBecki Cope of Pleasant Hill Elementary School in Olive Branch, Sharicka Gray of Fairview Elementary School District in Columbus, Matthew Lambert of Bell Academy in Boyle, and Liska Wallace of Middle School of Poplarville in Lumbertonto its 2022 class of Extraordinary Educators, an annual program that celebrates and connects exemplar K8 teachers from around the country. Chosen from hundreds of nominations, Cope, Gray, Lambert, and Wallace are among 35 educators from 19 states selected for exhibiting best-in-class use of i-Ready, i-Ready Classroom Mathematics, and/or Ready, illustrating growth and achievement via formal assessments, demonstrating innovation and engagement practices for students, being evangelists for high standards and student achievement, and having taught for at least two years.

"With almost 500 years of teaching experience combined, this year's 35 Extraordinary Educators are all innovative and dedicated classroom leaders whose impact does not go unnoticed," said Rob Waldron, CEO of Curriculum Associates. "We commend Becki, Sharicka, Matthew, and Liska for their best practices in the classroom day in and day out and look forward to supporting them with unique professional learning opportunities to help further support the amazing work they do."

This year's class of Extraordinary Educators will have access to a network of peers from around the country to collaborate, connect, and learn from throughout the year, as well as access to professional development opportunities from Curriculum Associates. They will also be invited to participate and present at the Extraordinary Educators Leadership Summit as well as other professional learning events.

This is the third year of the Extraordinary Educators program. This year's class joins 75 additional educators from across the country in receiving this recognition.

"I am excited to be chosen as a 2022 Extraordinary Educator," said Cope. "Kindergarten is an exciting time as students build their foundation for future learning. I enjoy using data to guide my instruction and to monitor student growth. And, I hope to learn more about how to use i-Ready and the data it provides to enhance my students and the students at my school's learning experience."

"Without a doubt, this will continue to push me out of my comfort zone and allow me to grow as an educator," said Lambert. "I look forward to establishing a network of educators who will support me on my journey in education."

Today, Curriculum Associates' programs are used in the majority of Mississippi's school districts.

To learn more about Curriculum Associates and the 2022 Extraordinary Educators, visit CurriculumAssociates.com/Extraordinary-Educators/Classes.

About Curriculum Associates

Founded in 1969, Curriculum Associates, LLC designs research-based print and online instructional materials, screens and assessments, and data management tools. The company's products and outstanding customer service provide teachers and administrators with the resources necessary for teaching diverse student populations and fostering learning for all students.

Contact:

Kati Elliott

KEH Communications

(410) 975-9638

[email protected]

Charlotte Fixler

Curriculum Associates

(978) 901-6066

[email protected]

SOURCE Curriculum Associates, LLC
WASHINGTON, Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Climate researchers from NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) will release their annual assessments of global temperatures and discuss the major climate trends of 2021 during a media teleconference at 11 a.m. EST Thursday, Jan. 13.

Audio of the call will stream live on NASA's website. Participants include:

Gavin Schmidt , director of NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies in New York

, director of NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies in Russ Vose , chief of the analysis and synthesis branch of NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information in Asheville, North Carolina

Members of the media can access the teleconference by dialing 800-369-1910 in the U.S. and Canada (toll-free). International participants can access the teleconference by dialing 312-470-7405 (toll). The verbal passcode is "climate."

Slides for the presentation will be available for download approximately 30 minutes before the start of the teleconference at:

https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/sotc/briefings

NASA and NOAA are two keepers of the world's temperature data and independently produce a record of Earth's surface temperatures and changes based on historical observations over oceans and land.

For more information about NASA's Earth science programs, visit:

https://www.nasa.gov/earth

SOURCE NASA
NORTH BILLERICA, Mass., Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Curriculum Associates has named Rachael Jones of Andrews Middle School in Andrews, NC to its 2022 class of Extraordinary Educators, an annual program that celebrates and connects exemplar K8 teachers from around the country. Chosen from hundreds of nominations, Jones is among 35 educators from 19 states selected for exhibiting best-in-class use of i-Ready, i-Ready Classroom Mathematics, and/or Ready, illustrating growth and achievement via formal assessments, demonstrating innovation and engagement practices for students, being evangelists for high standards and student achievement, and having taught for at least two years.

"With almost 500 years of teaching experience combined, this year's 35 Extraordinary Educators are all innovative and dedicated classroom leaders whose impact does not go unnoticed," said Rob Waldron, CEO of Curriculum Associates. "We commend Rachael for her best practices in the classroom day in and day out and look forward to supporting her with unique professional learning opportunities to help further support the amazing work she does."

This year's class of Extraordinary Educators will have access to a network of peers from around the country to collaborate, connect, and learn from throughout the year, as well as access to professional development opportunities from Curriculum Associates. They will also be invited to participate and present at the Extraordinary Educators Leadership Summit as well as other professional learning events.

This is the third year of the Extraordinary Educators program. This year's class joins 75 additional educators from across the country in receiving this recognition.

"I am excited to be recognized as an Extraordinary Educator for 2022!," said Jones. "I am looking forward to learning from other educators around the country who have also had success using i-Ready and i-Ready Classroom Mathematics. "I look forward to sharing my successes as well and hope that I can help others learn about the joy of i-Ready and how much it can help students grow and learn."

Today, Curriculum Associates' programs are used in a majority of North Carolina's school districts.

To learn more about Curriculum Associates and the 2022 Extraordinary Educators, visit CurriculumAssociates.com/Extraordinary-Educators/Classes.

About Curriculum Associates

Founded in 1969, Curriculum Associates, LLC designs research-based print and online instructional materials, screens and assessments, and data management tools. The company's products and outstanding customer service provide teachers and administrators with the resources necessary for teaching diverse student populations and fostering learning for all students.

Contact: Kati Elliott Charlotte Fixler

KEH Communications Curriculum Associates

(410) 975-9638 (978) 901-6066

[email protected] [email protected]

SOURCE Curriculum Associates, LLC
XI'AN, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Ming Tinggui, 41, a landlord in a community in Yanta District of Xi'an, never expected that he would become famous online because of his beneficence during the COVID-19 lockdown of the city.

Xi'an, capital of northwest China's Shaanxi Province, imposed a citywide lockdown on Dec. 23, 2021, in an effort to curb the resurgence of COVID-19.

Ming had 81 tenants at that time, about 80 percent of whom were students. They came to Xi'an to attend training classes, begin internships or take China's postgraduate entrance exam, scheduled from Dec. 25 to 27 last year.

Most of them only had simple belongings with them that they could fit inside a suitcase, with no room for pots or pans to cook with. Under lockdown, they were not allowed to go out, making mealtime a major headache.

Having seen his young tenants living on instant noodles and snacks, Ming decided to cook meals for them.

He bought as many vegetables as possible in the community and told his tenants via WeChat that he could provide dinner for them each day.

His idea was warmly welcomed. The tenants made their orders in the WeChat group every day, then Ming would prepare their meals accordingly.

His wife and 65-year-old mother also joined him to wash vegetables and dishes. Although the food supply was lacking at the beginning of the lockdown, Ming still managed to buy some meat for his hungry young tenants.

Ming received as many as 45 orders a day. Some of the tenants wanted to pay him for the dinner but were refused.

Ming said he cooked the meals not for money but to help those in need.

With the tenants' safety in mind, Ming divided the orders into small groups so that they could fetch their dinner one by one while keeping a distance of two meters from each other.

Greatly moved, the tenants reported his good deeds to the local media, shooting him to stardom overnight.

Hearing of his generosity, many people offered to give Ming money to help feed his young tenants, though Ming politely refused.

Ming has decided to continue to prepare meals for his tenants until the lockdown is over, or at least until takeout food is available. 
VANCOUVER, BC, Jan. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Orea Mining Corp. ("Orea") (TSX: OREA) (OTCQX: OREAF) (FSE: 3CG) reports that the Supreme Court of France (Conseil d'Etat) has denied a petition by an NGO to join the French Government's appeal against the renewal of the 5-million-ounce Montagne d'Or Gold Deposit mining titles, located in French Guiana, France, owned 44.99% by Orea and 55.01% by Nord Gold plc (the "JV").

France Nature Environnement ("FNE"), has been the principal and leading NGO opponent of the Montagne d'Or gold project. The Supreme Court decision is final and cannot be appealed.

Orea and the JV are awaiting a decision by the Supreme Court on whether it will admit and hear a final appeal by the French Government. On July 16, 2021, the Court of Appeal in Bordeaux rejected the French Government's appeal and its request for a stay of execution of the initial court rulings of December 24, 2020, in favor of Orea and the JV.

If the mining titles are renewed, Montagne d'Or will be subject to various regulatory requirements prior to proceeding with the construction and operation of a mine, which include but are not limited to, the grant of mining and environmental authorizations and construction permits by the State.

Additional updates will be provided by Orea when available.

About Montagne d'Or

Montagne d'Or is a permitting-stage open pit gold deposit that hosts Measured Mineral Resources of 10.3 Mt at 1.804 g/t gold (600,000 oz), Indicated Mineral Resources of 74.8 Mt at 1.350 g/t gold (3.25 Moz) and additional Inferred Mineral Resources of 20.2 Mt at 1.48 g/t gold (960,000 oz), prepared in accordance with the requirements of National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101"). The Mineral Resources are confined within a pit shell defined by a gold price of US$1,300/oz and a cut-off grade of 0.4 g/t gold. Mineral Reserves have also been defined with Proven Mineral Reserves of 8.25 Mt at 1.99 g/t gold (530,000 oz) and Probable Mineral Reserves of 45.87 Mt at 1.50 g/t gold (2.2 Moz). The Proven and Probable Mineral Reserves were estimated using a gold price of US$1,200 per ounce at varied cut-off grades from 0.552 to 0.665 g/t gold, dependent on lithological rock types, economics and estimated metallurgical recovery. Montagne d'Or ore can be readily processed to recover the contained gold and silver values using unit operations considered standard to the industry. For more information, see Orea's news release titled "Columbus Gold Announces Positive Bankable Feasibility Study for Montagne d'Or Gold Project, French Guiana" dated March 20, 2017 and filed on SEDAR and the technical report prepared in accordance with the requirements of NI 43-101 titled "NI 43-101 Technical Report, Bankable Feasibility Study - Montagne d'Or Project, French Guiana" by SRK Consulting for Columbus Gold (now Orea Mining) and Nordgold with an Effective Date of March 6, 2017, and a report date of April 28, 2017, which was filed on SEDAR on April 28, 2017.

Qualified Person

Rock Lefrancois, President & Chief Executive Officer of Orea and Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed this news release and is responsible for the technical information reported herein, including verification of the data disclosed.

About Orea Mining Corp.

Orea is a leading gold exploration and development company operating in a prospective and underexplored segment of the Guiana Shield, South America. Its mission is to develop gold deposits with a reduced environmental footprint using innovative technologies, upholding the highest international standards for responsible mining. In French Guiana, Orea holds a major interest in the world-class Montagne d'Or mine development project and is also advancing the Maripa and Suriname gold exploration projects.

For more about Orea visit the company's website at www.oreamining.com

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD:

Rock Lefrancois

President & CEO

Forward-looking statements

Certain statements made herein, including statements relating to matters that are not historical facts and statements of the Company's beliefs, intentions and expectations about developments, results and events which will or may occur in the future, constitute "forward looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation ("forward-looking statements"). Forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance, reflect current expectations or beliefs regarding future events and are typically identified by words such as "anticipate", "could", "should", "expect", "seek", "may", "intend", "likely", "budget", "plan", "estimate", continue", "forecast", "believe", "predict", "potential", "target", "would", "might", "will", and similar words, expressions or phrases (including negative variations) suggesting future outcomes or statements regarding an outlook. These include, but are not limited to, statements and information regarding: the Company's plans to construct and develop the Montagne d'Or project, including anticipated timing thereof; the timing, processes, outcome and other matters related to the renewal of the Montagne d'Or concessions, including the appeal from the French Government; the satisfaction of regulatory requirements in respect of the permitting, construction and operation of the Montagne d'Or project, including but not limited to, the submission and processing of mine permit applications, the timing thereof and the timing of completion of environmental and engineering studies; the Company's ability to renew the concessions for the Montagne d'Or project and to comply with the conditions thereof; economic analysis for the Montagne d'Or project and related exploration objectives and plans; the conversion of mineral resources into mineral reserves and the conversion of inferred mineral resources into higher resource classification categories; the Company's objective of become an emerging gold producer; the acquisition of exploration projects including terms of acquisition, exploration or development plans, intentions to acquire additional exploration or development interests and the implications thereof; the production capacity and potential of future plant and equipment; future exploration and mine plans, objectives and expectations and corporate planning of the Company, future studies and environmental impact statements and the timetable for completion and content thereof and statements as to management's expectations with respect to, among other things, the matters and activities contemplated in this news release.

Forward-looking statements are made based upon certain assumptions and other important factors that, if untrue, could cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such statements. Such assumptions and analyses are made by the Company's management in light of their experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors management believes are reasonable and appropriate in the circumstances. All assumptions and analyses are those of the Company's. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate. Forward-looking statements are based on numerous assumptions regarding present and future business strategies, local and global economic conditions, and the environment in which the Company will operate in the future, including compliance by the Company with regulatory and permitting requirements applicable in French Guiana, the sufficiency of Company's working capital; the Company's ability to secure additional funding for the continued exploration and development of its properties; the price of gold and other metals; and the Company's ability to retain key personnel. You are hence cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

Certain important factors that could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include, among others, political and economic risks in France, political and economic risks in French Guiana, risks related to the renewal applications for the Concessions and the possible outcomes thereof; possible negative outcomes of any appeals from the decision of the Administrative Court of Cayenne in French Guiana; regulatory risk including but not limited to unforeseen changes in regulatory requirements, the Company's ability to enforce its contractual and other legal rights to explore and exploit its properties, risks related to exploration and development, permitting and licensing risk, the estimation of mineral resources and mineral reserves and related interpretations and assumptions, future profitability of the Company, the ability to obtain additional financing on a timely basis, the price of gold and marketability thereof, government regulations including with respect to taxes, royalties, land tenure and land use, title to the Company's properties, currency exchange rates and fluctuations, environmental risks, dilution resulting from the issuance of additional securities of the Company, joint venture risks, reliance on Nord Gold plc as operator of the Montagne d'Or project, the availability of equipment, conflicts of interest, competition in the mining industry, uninsured risks, market fluctuations, global financial conditions, credit risk and risks arising from pandemics and epidemics such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. These statements, however, are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements.

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve numerous assumptions, inherent risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, which contribute to the possibility that the predicted outcomes will not occur. Events or circumstances could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those estimated or projected and expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ from these forward-looking statements are included in the "Risk Factors" section in Company's annual information form dated December 15, 2021 for the year ended September 30, 2021 ("AIF").

Readers are further cautioned that the list of factors enumerated in the "Risk Factors" section of the AIF that may affect future results is not exhaustive. When relying on the Company's forward-looking statements and information to make decisions with respect to the Company, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential events. Furthermore, the forward-looking statements and information contained herein are made as of the date of this document and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update or to revise any of the included forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. The forward-looking statements and information contained herein are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

SOURCE Orea Mining Corp.
ANAHEIM HILLS, Calif., Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Credit Union of Southern California (CU SoCal) and Pomona Postal Federal Credit Union (PPFCU) completed their merger January 1, 2022.

The credit union will retain the CU SoCal name, and the integration of PPFCU and CU SoCal services will be finalized March 1, 2022, after which all PPFCU accounts will convert to CU SoCal accounts.

In merging with CU SoCal, PPFCU joins a credit union with more than $2 billion in assets, 17 branch locations, and more than 130,000 members throughout Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties. Dave Gunderson, CU SoCal President and CEO, will continue to serve as CEO within the organization.

"Growing our CU SoCal family means more resources for our valued Members," said Gunderson. "We believe the new PPFCU Members will be excited about the rates, new services, expanded operating hours, and added branches that will be available to them."

About Credit Union of Southern California (CU SoCal)

Founded in 1954 as Whittier Area Schools Federal Credit Union, CU SoCal is a credit union open to those who live, work, worship, or attend school in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties. CU SoCal has a superior five-star financial rating from BauerFinancial, holds more than $2 billion in assets, and serves more than 130,000 Members. For more information, visit CUSoCal.org.

SOURCE Credit Union of Southern California
- FinancialNewsMedia.com News Commentary -

PALM BEACH, Fla., Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Uranium mining and the price of the metal are both poised to grow in 2022. An article from industry insider KITCO recently discussed the near and longer term outlook for the industry. It said that: "Uranium surged this year making it one of the hottest commodities in 2021. Uranium spot prices hit a nine year high in September and are up about 50 percent (at year's end). "We are starting to see countries around the world accepting nuclear energy. Those countries realize if they want to reach a carbon neutral future, nuclear energy has to be part of the equation," emphasized an executive of an industry company who spoke to Michelle Makori, Lead Anchor and Editor-in-Chief of Kitco News at the Mines and Money London conference. Standard Uranium is a Canadian uranium exploration company. Also, uranium prices skyrocketed this year, because of the launch of the Sprott Physical Uranium Trust this summer. Sprott purchased millions of pounds of uranium this year. Uranium equites and uranium ETF's also rallied significantly in 2021." "The spot price of uranium was trailing around $34 for a long time, and then Sprott unexpectedly came into the market. Sprott started buying uranium off the spot market, which led it to a nice rally from $34 up to $51," said. "Uranium has come back down to about $46, but it's got a long way to go. The fundamentals, the big picture for the uranium market is strong. There is not enough supply out there to meet demand." Active companies in the markets today include: BASIN URANIUM CORP. (OTCPK: BURCF) (CSE: NCLR), Rio Tinto Group (NYSE: RIO), Denison Mines Corp. (NYSE: DNN) (TSX: DML), Cameco (NYSE: CCJ) (TSX: CCO), Skyharbour Resources Ltd.'s (OTCQB: SYHBF) (TSX-V: SYH).

The executive explained why he expects there will be big moves to the upside for uranium prices in 2022. "There's demand coming from all over the world. China has just announced 150 nuclear reactors to be built in the next 15 years. And that's only one region. The U.S. has 95 nuclear reactors in operation,". "We now have bi-partisan support from both sides of government wanting nuclear reactors to stay operational longer, which is going to drive more demand." The executive discussed his short and long-term outlook on uranium. "Currently, the spot price of uranium is about $46, but in the next six to 12 months, the spot price could be trading in the mid $50's to the mid $60's," Bey said. "I would love to see it trading in the $80's to $90's over the next five years. It would allow our uranium companies to continue to finance, to do our work, and allow those mines to produce for many years and be profitable," he continued.

BASIN URANIUM CORP. (CSE: NCLR.CN) (OTCPK: BURCF) BREAKING NEWS: BASIN URANIUM PROVIDES 2021 YEAR IN REVIEW  BASIN URANIUM CORP. ("Basin Uranium" or the "Company") is pleased to provide a summary of the Company's key accomplishments and transformational development in 2021.

"Last year was a year of significant development for the Company, from IPO through to a transformational acquisition, marking the Company's entrance into the uranium industry. This, coupled with $6.1 million raised, will allow the Company to chart a clear course through exploration and unlocking value for shareholders," commented Mike Blady, CEO of Basin Uranium. "The uranium industry is at an inflection point, with spot prices increasing over 60% from the past 24-months, as the world continues to demand 'greener' power with a smaller carbon footprint. Based on stated goals and recent public-policy developments, the demand for uranium will only continue to rise and further outstrip supply."

Mann Lake Project Acquisition - On October 18th, 2021 the Company announced it entered into an option agreement with Skyharbour Resources Ltd. to acquire a 75% interest in the Mann Lake Uranium project located in the Athabasca Basin, Northern Saskatchewan, Canada. The Mann Lake project is comprised of 3,473 hectares (8,582 acre) project is strategically located 25km southwest of the McArthur River Mine, the largest high-grade uranium deposit in the world, and 15 km to the northeast along strike of Cameco's Millennium uranium deposit. The Mann Lake project is also adjacent to the Mann Lake Joint Venture operated by Cameco (52.5%) with partners Denison Mines (30%) and AREVA (17.5%).

Successful Series of Capital Raises - During 2021, the Company successfully completed a series of financings, raising a total of $6.1 million. On November 8th, 2021 the Company completed a non-brokered private placement for $2.5 million through the issuance of 7,144,661 shares at $0.35 per share. On December 7th, 2021, the Company completed a brokered private placement of charity flow-through units for $3.6 million through the issuance of 5.64 million flow-through units at $0.64 comprised of one flow-through share plus one-half warrant exercisable at $0.75 for two years.

Management Additions - On October 28th, 2021 the Company announced the appointment of Mr. Mike Blady as the new Chief Executive Officer and Mr. Joel Leonard joined as Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Blady is an entrepreneur and geologist with over 12 years' experience in the capital markets and natural resource development and has been involved in capital raises in excess of $100 million over the course of his career. Mr. Leonard is the founding Partner of JCL Partners and has worked with public companies for over seven years providing financial reporting and compliance services in senior capacities.

Corporate Developments - In addition to the Company's primary listing on the Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE), the Company listed its shares on the OTC Markets, trading under the US OTC symbol "BURCF", and also on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under trading symbol "6NP0".

The listing of the Company's shares on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange will broaden the Company's shareholder base in Europe and increase trading activity in its shares, while at the same time facilitating investment in Basin Uranium by the European investing community. The Frankfurt Stock Exchange is the world's third largest organized exchange trading market in terms of turnover and dealing in securities. CONTINUED Read the BASIN URANIUM full press release by going to: https://basinuranium.ca/news/

In other news and developments of note in the markets this week:

Rio Tinto Group (NYSE:RIO) has recently entered into a binding agreement to acquire the Rincon lithium project in Argentina from Rincon Mining, a company owned by funds managed by the private equity group Sentient Equity Partners, for $825 million.

The acquisition demonstrates Rio Tinto's commitment to build its battery materials business and strengthen its portfolio for the global energy transition.

Rincon is a large undeveloped lithium brine project located in the heart of the lithium triangle in the Salta Province of Argentina, an emerging hub for greenfield projects. The project is a long life, scaleable resource capable of producing battery grade lithium carbonate. It has the potential to have one of the lowest carbon footprints in the industry that can help deliver on Rio Tinto's commitment to decarbonise its portfolio.

Denison Mines Corp. (NYSE American: DNN) (TSX: DML) recently filed its Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements and Management's Discussion & Analysis ('MD&A') for the quarter ended September 30, 2021. Both documents will be available on the Company's website and EDGAR. The highlights provided below are derived from these documents and should be read in conjunction with them. All amounts in this release are in Canadian dollars unless otherwise stated.

David Cates, President and CEO of Denison commented, "Our recent In-Situ Recovery ('ISR') field test results reflect several years of progress made towards systematically de-risking the use of the ISR mining method at the high-grade Phoenix deposit  culminating in the successful, and first of its kind, field test of a commercial-scale well pattern located in the expected first phase of the Phoenix orebody. Our accomplishments in the field and the laboratory have significantly increased our confidence in the use of the ISR mining method and support our landmark decision to advance the planned Phoenix ISR operation to the Feasibility Study design stage.

With increased interest in the uranium market and a recent lift in both spot and long-term uranium prices, we are encouraged that future utility customers are returning to the market and looking at Denison's Wheeler River project as a potentially viable source of reliable and low-cost future supply. Taken together with our effective 95% interest in Wheeler River and strong balance sheet, which, as of today, includes 2.5M lbs U 3 O 8 of physical uranium holdings acquired at a price under US$30/lb U 3 O 8 , we believe Denison is well positioned to become an intermediate supplier of choice in the second half of the decade at a time when market fundamentals are predicted to be favourable as a result of growing demand for uranium and a relative shortage of advanced low-cost uranium development assets in stable jurisdictions.

Cameco (NYSE: CCJ) (TSX: CCO) recently reported its consolidated financial and operating results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2021 in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).

"Our third quarter results were as expected and reflect the continued execution of our strategy and the proactive decisions to suspend production to protect the health and safety of our workers, their families and their communities," said Tim Gitzel, Cameco's president and CEO. "With McArthur River and Key Lake in care and maintenance, we are not at the regular tier-one run rate of our business. However, we are positioning to capture long-term value: to respond to the growing need for uranium to generate safe, clean, reliable, and affordable electricity.

"The recent increase in the uranium spot price  about 46% since the end of June, demonstrates the thinning of uncommitted primary supply as unexpected demand from junior uranium companies and financials has led to increased liquidity and better price discovery, a welcome development. As a result, we are beginning to see utility interest in on-market contract activity as their focus shifts to securing material for their uncovered requirements, which has resulted in an increase of almost 28% in the long-term price since the end of June as well. Increasing uranium prices are positive for us. Over time, the market exposure in our contract portfolio will pick up the benefit of rising prices and we will be layering in new contracts with pricing mechanisms that will underpin the long-term operation of our productive capacity. This is why we remain committed to our strategy. We have taken our production well below our sales commitments and will continue to align our production decisions with the market fundamentals, we will continue to be strategically patient with contracting, and we will continue to conservatively manage our balance sheet.

Skyharbour Resources Ltd.'s (OTCQB: SYHBF) (TSX-V: SYH) recently announced that it has acquired by staking six new prospective uranium exploration properties within and proximal to the Athabasca Basin of northern Saskatchewan. These six properties comprise 147,510 hectares (364,505 acres) in the Basin, which is host to the highest grade uranium deposits in the world and is consistently ranked as a top mining jurisdiction by the Fraser Institute. The new properties bring Skyharbour's total land package to 385,934 hectares (953,663 acres) representing one of the largest project portfolios in the region.

Skyharbour's New Uranium Project PortfolioMap Highlights: Riou River Project - 18,227 ha along the Riou River within the Athabasca basin, contains over 40 km of discrete undrilled EM conductors along a magnetic low and anomalous boulder geochemistry; Pluto Bay Project - 28,840 ha northeast of Black Lake hosting numerous uranium showings and several EM conductors east of the regional Black Lake fault; Wallee Project - 20,765 ha about 35 km northwest of Cameco's Eagle Point Mine, numerous untested EM conductors coinciding with significant magnetic and/or gravity lows in the Wollaston Domain; Usam Island Project - 42,186 ha approximately 21 km northeast of Cameco's Eagle Point Mine, contains numerous EM conductors situated along significant magnetic lows of the Wollaston Domain; Foster River Project - 37,529 ha southwest and adjoining Skyharbour's South Falcon Point project, numerous uranium showings including up to 1.25% U 3 O 8 in grab samples; and South Dufferin Project - 922 ha along the trend of the Virgin River Shear, which hosts Cameco's Centennial high grade uranium deposit 32 km to the north.

DISCLAIMER: FN Media Group LLC (FNM), which owns and operates Financialnewsmedia.com and MarketNewsUpdates.com, is a third- party publisher and news dissemination service provider, which disseminates electronic information through multiple online media channels. FNM is NOT affiliated in any manner with any company mentioned herein. FNM and its affiliated companies are a news dissemination solutions provider and are NOT a registered broker/dealer/analyst/adviser, holds no investment licenses and may NOT sell, offer to sell or offer to buy any security. FNM's market updates, news alerts and corporate profiles are NOT a solicitation or recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities. The material in this release is intended to be strictly informational and is NEVER to be construed or interpreted as research material. All readers are strongly urged to perform research and due diligence on their own and consult a licensed financial professional before considering any level of investing in stocks. All material included herein is republished content and details which were previously disseminated by the companies mentioned in this release. FNM is not liable for any investment decisions by its readers or subscribers. Investors are cautioned that they may lose all or a portion of their investment when investing in stocks. For current services performed FNM was compensated twenty five hundred dollars for news coverage of current press release issued by BASIN URANIUM CORP. by a non-affiliated third party.

FNM HOLDS NO SHARES OF ANY COMPANY NAMED IN THIS RELEASE.

This release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. "Forward-looking statements" describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as "may", "future", "plan" or "planned", "will" or "should", "expected," "anticipates", "draft", "eventually" or "projected". You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, and other risks identified in a company's annual report on Form 10-K or 10-KSB and other filings made by such company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements included herein, and not place undue reliance on such statements. The forward-looking statements in this release are made as of the date hereof and FNM undertakes no obligation to update such statements.

Contact Information:

Media Contact email: [email protected] - +1(561)325-8757

SOURCE Financialnewsmedia.com
"When Recreation.gov first launched the 'Share Your Story' contest in 2021, we set out to discover stories from people across the nation who got outside to experience nature in a new way, and particularly how those experiences helped them find peace, tranquility, or adventure during the first year of the pandemic," said Rick DeLappe, Program Manager at Recreation.gov. "We were blown away by the entries, many of which covered memorable moments with loved ones and a newfound sense of gratitude and appreciation for public lands and waters. We look forward to receiving more stories in 2022 of how the great outdoors has brought people peace, enjoyment, and a sense of togetherness, with nature, family, or new friends you meet along the trail."

Participants can submit stories that fall within up to two of four categories, including Traditions (Old and New), RV/Campervans, Family Trips, and Activities and Adventure.

"As we enter the third year of this global pandemic, the outdoors continues to provide comfort and solace," said Eugenie Bostrom, Recreate Responsibly Coalition Manager. "Brought together by a love of the places that sustain us, our outdoor community continues to expand as more see the benefits of nature. The Recreate Responsibly Coalition, in collaboration with Recreation.gov, invites you to share your perspective and experiences of responsible and holistic outdoor recreation."

As we reflect on the benefits that nature provides during challenging times, we can rely on storytelling to keep us connected and to provide comfort. In celebrating stories of outdoor adventures or peace-seeking in nature, we can see ourselves in each other and in the places that tie us together. The genesis of #RecreateResponsibly is to care for one another and for the places that we play or find solace, and we can share that through insightful and uplifting recollections of our experiences."

Participants can enter up to two stories during the contest period for a chance to be one of the total 29 winners of various prizes, including:

- Three Grand Prize Winners: The first Grand Prize Winner will receive $1,500 from an outdoor retailer, the Second Grand Prize Winner will receive a $1,000 from an outdoor retailer, and the third Grand Prize Winner will receive $500 from an outdoor retailer. Additionally, each winner will receive an America the Beautiful  The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands (ATB) Pass, providing access to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites across the country.

- Four Overall Category First Place Winners: Each winner will receive $300 from an outdoor retailer and an ATB pass.

- Four Overall Category Runner Up Winners: Each winner will receive $150 from an outdoor retailer and an ATB pass.

- Four Monthly First Place Winners: Each winner will receive $150 from an outdoor retailer and an ATB pass.

- Four Monthly Runner Up Winners: Each winner will receive $100 from an outdoor retailer and an ATB pass.

- Ten Honorable Mention Winners: Each winner will receive branded gear from Recreation.gov.

Stories and any accompanying photos must have taken place between January 1, 2020 and April 30, 2022 and must be within the facilities of participating agencies: National Park Service; U.S. Bureau of Land Management; U.S. Bureau of Reclamation; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; U.S. Forest Service; U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; National Archives; and NOAA Marine Sanctuaries.

The contest promotion period to submit stories will conclude on April 30, 2022. Those interested in participating can enter their story, between 900 and 3,500 characters, and accompanying photos at https://www.recreation.gov/shareyourstory. Winners will be announced on or around May 15, 2022.

Contest entries will be reviewed by a panel of judges selected by the Administrator and will be rated on the stories submitted only; photographs will not be included in the judging process. For each Contest phase, stories will be judged based on the following criteria: 1) the originality and creativity of the story; 2) the clarity and organization of the story composition; 3) the content of the story and its appropriateness for the designated category; and 4) whether the story showcases the best of America's federal lands and waters recreational opportunities. Each of the criteria will be given equal consideration. Complete contest rules can be found at: https://recreation.gov/shareyourstory/contest-rules.

This Contest is administered by Booz Allen Hamilton Inc. (the "Administrator"), 575 Herndon Parkway, Herndon, VA 20170, who is solely responsible for the administration of this Contest and the purchase, selection and awarding of the prizes, as defined below. You can access our complete toolkit with graphics and descriptions here: https://www.recreation.gov/media-center

About Recreation.gov

This website is a tool to plan your next trip, figure out details, and reserve experiences at over 3,600 facilities and 103,000 individual sites across the country. The Recreation.gov mobile app puts adventure at your fingertips. From booking a weekend getaway to planning a cross-country road trip, the Recreation.gov app helps you find and reserve campsites, review location details, and quickly access information on past and upcoming reservations.

Contact email: [email protected]

SOURCE Recreation.gov
BEAVERTON, Ore., Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Tektronix, Inc., today announced the launch of its newest version of the award-winning 5 Series mixed signal oscilloscope (MSO). With numerous enhancements, the 5 Series B MSO delivers even more versatility while continuing to provide high-fidelity waveforms, unique spectrum analysis capabilities, and flexible signal access appreciated by engineers around the world.

Built on the performance and integrity that engineers rely on with the original 5 Series MSO, the B version includes customer-centric updates led by a new auxiliary trigger input that lets users synchronize the oscilloscope to an external signal without consuming any of the 4, 6, or 8 full-capability input channels. For the optional, built-in arbitrary/function generator, the maximum frequency output increases from 50 MHz to a best-in-class 100 MHz; enabling higher frequency stimulus for measurements such as Bode plots and impedance measurements. These new capabilities are invaluable for making fast, thorough checks of power integrity on power distribution networks.

To serve the needs of engineers working and collaborating outside the lab, the new 5 Series B MSO works with new tools for offline analysis and cloud data storage. TekScope PC software enables analysis of oscilloscope waveform data anywhere, without tying up the oscilloscope. Controls are built into the scope to enable saving to TekDrive cloud storage with a single press of a button so users can easily save waveform data to the cloud, allowing teams to work and collaborate across the world.

"We're excited to offer the latest update to one of our most innovative products," said Suchi Srinivasan, Product Line General Manager at Tektronix. "The new 5 Series B MSO offers users intuitive operations with advanced measurements that teams can easily use almost anywhere with our TekDrive cloud."

Additional features include:

A faster processor makes controls even more responsive and will support additional, more complex measurement analysis in the future.

A new, brighter display provides greater clarity, showcasing waveform detail from the instrument's 12-bit ADCs.

History Mode leverages the 5 Series B's extended memory, allowing users to capture thousands of triggered events and easily review them to find events of interest.

Solid State Drive System ensures all user data is stored on a removable drive. For secure labs where measurement data integrity is mission critical.

"Setting up our 5 Series MSO has been really intuitive," said Wyatt Callister, Associate Test Engineer, Product Support Development at Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories. "Digging through the menus on older oscilloscopes can be quite a headache, but the nice, large, informative buttons on this new scope have been really useful. I appreciate Tektronix's ongoing developments and the improved features they just released."

The B version updates the original 5 Series MSO, which was launched in 2017 and was applauded by engineers for its big display and thoughtful integration of a pinch, drag, and swipe touchscreen user interface. Both the original 5 Series and the new 5 Series B MSO ship with low-loading passive probes with bandwidth up to 1 GHz, also offers support for a wide range of probes, such as power rail and optically isolated probes like the IsoVu Isolated Probe to eliminate common-mode interference using optical isolation.

Since the release of the original 5 Series, Tek has released 16 firmware updates, each adding new capabilities that collectively deepen the instrument's solution coverage measurement applications in areas like serial protocol decoding, motor drive analysis, and RF spectrum analysis.

AVAILABILITY

The 5 Series B MSO is now available globally with prices varying per region. U.S. price listing starts at $16,000 MSRP. For more information please visit Tek.com .

To ensure 5 Series B MSO owners are protected from accidental damage, Tektronix is offering an introductory promotional price on a Total Protection service plan when purchased with the instrument. For more information on the Total Product Protection service plan, visit Tek.com .

ABOUT TEKTRONIX

Tektronix, Inc. delivers innovative, precise, and easy-to-operate test, measurement, and monitoring solutions that solve problems, unlock insights and drive discovery globally. Tektronix, headquartered in Beaverton, Oregon, has been at the forefront of the digital age for over 75 years and is credited as one of the pioneers of Silicon Forest . More information on Tek's products and solutions is available at Tek.com .

Follow us on Twitter , Facebook , Instagram , and LinkedIn to stay connected. Learn more from our engineers on the Tektronix blog and read our latest announcements in our Newsroom .

Tektronix is a registered trademark of Tektronix, Inc. All other trade names referenced are the service marks, trademarks, or registered trademarks of their respective companies.

SOURCE Tektronix, Inc.
SOMERSET, N.J., Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Terumo Medical Corporation (TMC) applauds the publication of updated guidelines from the American College of Cardiology (ACC), American Heart Association (AHA) and the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI) that give radial access a Class 1 (Level of Evidence A) indication for patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for both acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and stable ischemic heart disease (SIHD).*

With the updated guidelines, it is expected that more physicians will expand their use of radial access. A radial approach to coronary care procedures produces demonstrably better outcomes for patients and hospitals, including these well-established and recognized benefits:

Reduction in access-site bleeding and other vascular complications;

Early post-procedure ambulation;

Increased patient comfort and satisfaction;

Potential improved financial and operational outcomes through facilitation of same-day discharge.

Celebrating 30 years of engineering and manufacturing state-of-the-art radial access products, as well as training and educating thousands of healthcare providers on the procedure, Terumo is a pioneer in radial access.

"As the first company to design and manufacture products specifically for radial access, Terumo has been a leader in supporting the important shift to the 'radial first' approach to interventional cardiology," said Dr. Michael Martinelli, TMC's Chief Medical Officer. "Our strategy, our product portfolio, our support for clinical trials, and especially our educational outreach to healthcare providers have provided an essential platform for the growth and success of radial access for coronary intervention and as such contributed significantly to improved outcomes for millions of patients worldwide."

"The decision of the ACC, AHA and SCAI to recognize radial access with this level of clinical evidence will lead to improved patient outcomes, which is our primary goal as a company and an industry," added Chris Pearson, Executive Vice President, Commercial Operations, Terumo Interventional Systems  North America. "We at Terumo are proud to have played a significant role in bringing radial access to the forefront of clinical practice."

*2021 ACC/AHA/SCAI Guideline for Coronary Artery Revascularization: Executive Summary: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Joint Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines; J Am Coll Cardiol. Dec 09, 2021. E-published DOI: 10.1016/j.jacc.2021.09.005

About Terumo Medical Corporation

Terumo Medical Corporation (TMC) is a subsidiary of Terumo Corporation, founded in 1972 as the United States expansion of our larger Tokyo-based parent company. For nearly 50 years, TMC has continued the Terumo mission of offering the best possible solutions to healthcare providers and the people they serve. TMC provides products and services across four divisions: Terumo Health Outcomes, which provides healthcare systems with solutions designed to reduce care variation, improve quality metrics, minimize cost and maximize revenue; Terumo Interventional Systems (TIS), which offers solutions for entry site management, embolization and lesion access; Terumo Medical Products (TMP), which provides devices for injection and infusion therapy; and Terumo Pharmaceutical Solutions (TPS), which develops drug delivery devices. For more information, visit www.terumomedical.com.

About Terumo

Terumo (TSE:4543) is a global leader in medical technology and has been committed to "Contributing to Society through Healthcare" for 100 years. Based in Tokyo and operating globally, Terumo employs more than 25,000 associates worldwide to provide innovative medical solutions in more than 160 countries and regions. The company started as a Japanese thermometer manufacturer and has been supporting healthcare ever since. Now, its extensive business portfolio ranges from vascular intervention and cardio-surgical solutions, blood transfusion and cell therapy technology, to medical products essential for daily clinical practice such as transfusion systems, diabetes care, and peritoneal dialysis treatments. Terumo will further strive to be of value to patients, medical professionals, and society at large. More information can be found at www.terumo.com.

SOURCE Terumo
WASHINGTON, Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) announces outstanding individuals and companies to be honored for their leadership, excellence, and extraordinary achievements in all sectors of the apparel and footwear industry, including design, manufacturing, and retail. They will be honored at AAFA's American Image Awards being held on Tuesday, April 26, 2022 at The Plaza Hotel in New York City.

2022 American Image Awards Honoree Slate

Honorees include Chip Bergh  Person of the Year; Gap Inc.  Company of the Year; Prabal Gurung  Designer of the Year; ThirdLove  Fashion Maverick; and The Ellen MacArthur Foundation's Fashion Initiative  Eco-Steward of the Year. The event will be emceed by Segun Oduolowu of People TV and will benefit the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) Foundation for a sixth year of philanthropic partnership.

"The American Image Awards has always been about excellence and achievement. In a new climate  both the realities of a global pandemic and the increasingly challenging business and environmental realities  innovation and stewardship continue to remain paramount," said Steve Lamar, president and CEO of AAFA. "The 2022 honorees are truly trailblazers who galvanize their employees and their peers across this industry's far-reaching supply chains to ensure impactful contributions to the American and global economies, to our stakeholder community, and the future of fashion."

Person of the Year  Chip Bergh, President & Chief Executive Officer, Levi Strauss & Co.

At Levi Strauss & Co.  one of the world's largest brand-name apparel companies and a global leader in jeanswear, Chip Bergh has led the company to continued global expansion, a dramatic turnaround market by outstanding performance, and a return to the center of culture. The Levi's brand along with Dockers, Signature by Levi Strauss & Co. and Denizen are sold in more than 110 countries through a combination of chain retailers, department stores, online sites and a global footprint of approximately 3,000 retail stores and shop-in-shops. In April 2019, Chip was named one of the World's Greatest Leaders by Fortune Magazine, and he has been widely recognized for his position on values-driven leadership, including his statements and actions on issues like gun-violence prevention, climate change and social and racial justice.

Company of the Year  Gap Inc., accepted by Sonia Syngal, CEO

Gap Inc., a collection of purpose-led lifestyle brands, is the largest American specialty apparel company offering clothing, accessories, and personal care products for men, women, and children under the Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic, and Athleta brands. The company uses omni-channel capabilities to bridge the digital world and physical stores to further enhance its shopping experience. Gap Inc. is guided by its purpose, Inclusive, by Design, and takes pride in creating products and experiences its customers love while doing right by its employees, communities, and planet. Gap Inc. products are available for purchase worldwide through company-operated stores, franchise stores, and e-commerce sites. Fiscal year 2020 net sales were $13.8 billion. Accepting the award will be CEO of Gap Inc., Sonia Syngal.

Designer of the Year  Prabal Gurung

Prabal Gurung launched his eponymous collection in February 2009 with a philosophy encompassing modern luxury, indelible style and an astute sense of glamour. The designer chooses to manufacture in New York City to uphold standards of quality while supporting the local community. The brand recognizes the importance of domestic production, particularly in respect to the quality of the finished product and helps to bring this awareness to an international audience. His focus on quality and innovation has placed Gurung at the forefront of American fashion with designs worn by leading ladies including First Lady Michelle Obama and the Duchess of Cambridge, to name a few. The designer has also collaborated with Target, MAC Cosmetics, TOMS, and Lane Bryant. He was named Global Creative Director of global jewelry brand Tasaki in September 2017.

Fashion Maverick  ThirdLove, accepted by Heidi Zak, Co-founder & CEO

ThirdLove is a women's lifestyle brand focused on elevated essentials across bras, underwear, loungewear, and more, which are designed to support women feeling effortlessly comfortable and confident. To date, over 19 million women have found their fit with ThirdLove's original Fit Finder quiz and can now experience the next-generation 3D interactive fit and style experience via ThirdLove's new virtual Fitting Room. ThirdLove supports the broader community through its TL Effect program, created to encourage and support early-stage companies run by female entrepreneurs of color and through the donation of more than $50 million worth of products to women in need.

Eco Steward of the Year  The Ellen MacArthur Foundation's Fashion Initiative

The Ellen MacArthur Foundation's Fashion Initiative 'Make Fashion Circular' was launched by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation at Copenhagen Fashion Summit 2017 and brings together leaders from across the fashion industry to work with cities, philanthropists, NGOs, and innovators. The Foundation's Fashion Initiative is leading international efforts to stop waste and pollution by creating a circular economy for the industry, where products are used more, are made to be made again and are made from safe, recycled, or renewable inputs.

"Through the American Image Awards, the AAFA brings awareness to important issues facing our industry while celebrating its leaders who spearhead progress and change," said Steven Kolb, CEO of the CFDA. "We are thankful for AAFA's continued support, and look forward to our continued collaboration for years to come."

Additional information on the American Image Awards, including table purchases, can be found at www.americanimageawards.org.

Supporters are encouraged to join the conversation using #AmericanImageAwards.

About the American Apparel & Footwear Association

The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) is the national trade association representing apparel, footwear and other sewn products companies, and their suppliers, which compete in the global market. Representing more than 1,000 world famous name brands, AAFA is the trusted public policy and political voice of the apparel and footwear industry, its management and shareholders, its three million U.S. workers, and its contribution of more than $350 billion in annual U.S. retail sales. AAFA drives progress on three key priorities: Brand Protection; Supply Chain & Sourcing; Trade, Logistics & Manufacturing. AAFA approaches this work through the lens of purpose-driven leadership in a manner that supports each member's ability to build and sustain inclusive and diverse cultures, meet and advance ESG goals, and draw upon the latest technology.

Media Contact:

R. Scott French

917-816-0665

[email protected]

SOURCE The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA)
CHICAGO, Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Theorem Fund Services, LLC, a leading independent third-party fund administration firm, announces it has selected Mourant, and its affiliate, Mourant Governance Services to serve as their preferred provider of Cayman Islands legal, compliance and regulatory services. Under this arrangement Theorem's clients will now have seamless access to a comprehensive range of services including AML officers, registered offices and FATCA/CRS reporting, as well as an experienced team of regulatory professionals.

"This collaboration with Mourant is the culmination of a lot of hard work to identify the very best way to provide a full suite of Cayman services to all of our clients who otherwise would have to research alternatives to satisfy their immediate and future Cayman regulatory needs," remarked Theorem's Co-Managing Member Stephen Giannone.

"We've seen far too many firms offer these services on an ad-hoc basis with no real expertise provided. We knew if we were going to commit to providing these services that we would do so in the most innovative and effective way we could," added Mikhail Davidyan, Theorem's Co-Managing Member.

"We're pleased that Theorem's clients will now have access to our comprehensive range of services, as well as our experienced team of regulatory professionals. We look forward to working with Theorem to provide bespoke solutions and seamless legal, corporate and fiduciary services." said Sandra Edun-Watler, who heads Mourant Governance Services' Cayman Islands Compliance and Reporting Services division and is also the President of the Cayman Islands Compliance Association.

About Theorem:

Theorem Fund Services, LLC is a multi-service fund administrator which offers a unique turn-key solution to investment managers that combines institutional-level technology with strong industry experience and a deep understanding of our clients' needs and goals.

We were founded on the belief that traditional fund administration platforms needed to evolve into a much more comprehensive multiservice offering. This enables an investment manager to maximize their service delivery by dramatically increasing fee efficiency and scalability.

We understand that our success depends entirely on the success of our clients and our ability to develop long-term client relationships that fully support our clients in their work. We are committed to partnering with our clients to ensure they receive the very best value combined with the highest quality service at the best price.

About Mourant:

Mourant is a law firm-led, professional services business with over 60 years' experience in the financial services sector. We advise on the laws of the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Guernsey and Jersey and provide specialist entity management, governance, regulatory and consulting services. We bridge the gap between legal advice and its implementation, taking an integrated approach to deliver the best results for our clients.

Our clients include many of the world's leading financial institutions, international corporations, asset managers and institutional investors. We are routinely instructed to work alongside the world's pre-eminent legal, accounting and financial services firms. We have an outstanding reputation for integrity and professional ethics, underpinned by a strong risk management culture

Contact:

Stephen Giannone

Managing Member

Theorem Fund Services, LLC

(312) 952-1455

[email protected]

www.theoremfundservices.com

SOURCE Theorem Fund Services
SEATTLE, Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Washington Technology Industry Association (WTIA), a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering a robust, equity-centered technology sector that empowers thriving communities, today announced it is the recipient of a $550,000 grant from the State of Washington's Department of Commerce to begin development of an Advanced Technology Cluster and drive private investment, job creation, and world-leading innovation throughout the state.

Washington state has been a driver of technology innovation for decades, with many transformative technologies built within the state leading to significant economic growth regionally and internationally. Several Advanced Technologies will soon be the catalyst for similar economic growth and global competitiveness, making now a critical time for focus on these specific sectors. WTIA will invite its more than 1,200 member organizations to help create an Advanced Technology Cluster that will build connectivity and collaboration across blockchain technologies and quantum computing.

"Today is a proud day for the entire WTIA team," said Michael Schutzler, CEO, WTIA. "The state Department of Commerce has selected us as their lead partner to expand Washington's position as a global innovation hub. Our state has an opportunity to lead the country in blockchain and quantum computing, which will spur economic growth, generate new jobs, and help secure the state's long-term competitiveness."

Leveraging the power of an economic growth "cluster" - which brings together corporations, academia, startups, government, and investors - WTIA will convene diverse sets of stakeholder groups to power growth of the technology sector. Grant funding combined with existing WTIA programs will enable the Cluster will focus on five key areas: (1) mapping the Advanced Technology ecosystem; (2) attracting and accelerating startups; (3) building a diverse workforce including women, BIPOC, and other underrepresented groups; (4) advancing a supportive policy environment; and (5) creating strong partnerships.

To achieve these goals, the Cluster will also invite academia to collaborate on workforce development, build relationships with and provide education to policymakers to create a supportive regulatory environment, grow startup accelerators to support Advanced Technology startups, produce landscape reports to inform long-term Cluster strategy, and provide forums to convene and connect relevant stakeholders.

"As WTIA builds a global center for these new technologies, it will be especially important for us to be intentional about the way the Cluster includes people from underrepresented groups," continued Schutzler. "Building more equitable access to these opportunities is a key part of our DNA at WTIA and something that will be reflected and prioritized in the Cluster."

Today's news comes on the heels of an impressive year of grant awards for WTIA including WA State Commerce Equitable Innovation Accelerator in partnership with Find Ventures, EDA Sprint Challenge Congregate Accelerator with PNWER, and the EDA Build to Scale grant expanding startup programs across the state. The organization also recently published a new report , which explores the tech sector's extensive and far-reaching contributions to Washington state and hosted its first annual DEI Summit .

This project was supported by Grant No. 07 79 07630 awarded by the Economic Development Administration. Points of view in this document are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the Economic Development Administration. Grant funds are administered by the Office of Economic Development & Competitiveness, Washington State Department of Commerce.

About WTIA

The Washington Technology Industry Association (WTIA) is a consortium that includes a not-for-profit member trade association, a not-for-profit tech apprenticeship intermediary (Apprenti), and a for profit corporation providing business services (HRBI). The organization's mission is to foster a robust, equity-centered technology sector that empowers thriving communities. We recruit technology companies and allies that view diversity as a competitive advantage, value collaboration as essential to sustainable growth, and fully embrace the opportunity to partner with and empower the communities in which we operate.

SOURCE Washington Technology Industry Association
The brief asserts that a district court erred in dismissing a suit brought by the attorneys general of the last three ratifying statesNevada, Illinois, and Virginiaand in concluding that a seven-year time limit stands in the way of the ERA. The suit asks the court to compel Archivist David S. Ferriero to comply with his statutory duty to publish and certify the ERA as the 28th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

At stake is constitutional equality (particularly for women and sexual minorities in underrepresented and marginalized groups) and the integrity of the ratification process.

Winston's team was led by Linda T. Coberly, chair of the firm's Appellate & Critical Motions Practice and chair of the ERA Coalition's Legal Task Force. She was joined on the brief by partner Christopher Man and associates Johanna Rae Hudgens, Linda A. Greene, and Courtney S. Block.

The ERA satisfied all constitutional requirements in January 2020, when Virginia became the 38th state to ratify it. The amicus brief argues that the seven-year time frame for adoption that Congress unilaterally imposed in 1972 cannot stand in the way of the ERA, as that timetable does notand cannotalter or override Article V's crystal-clear provisions, all of which the ERA has already met.

Article V leaves no room for time limits. Unless the language of an amendment specifically contains such a limit, none exists. In this case, Congress's arbitrary seven-year time limit appears, not in the text of the amendment itself, but in the resolving clause of the 1972 session's joint resolution. By electing to place the time limit there, Congress made it merely advisory. A time limit created unilaterally by Congress cannot stand in the way of an amendment that has satisfied all requirements of Article V.

In addition, the brief asserts that the district court erred in finding that the Archivist's refusal to publish the ERA makes no difference. While it may have no legal effect, publication by the Archivist is important. Among other things, the Archivist's refusal to comply with his statutory duty to publish the amendment will stand in the way of efforts to press for revision of state statutes that continue to discriminate on the basis of sex.

"The ERA Coalition is proud to sign on to the amicus brief in support of the lawsuit the Attorneys General of Illinois, Nevada, and Virginia have filed. We need to remedy the systemic causes of sex inequality in this country, and you don't get more systemic than the Constitution. This is where it all begins, and the Equal Rights Amendment can help end it," stated Carol Jenkins, President and CEO of the ERA Coalition/Fund for Women's Equality. She added, "There is no time limit on equality."

"The ERA Coalition is glad to be able to present the views of the women's movement in this case. All the constitutional requirements for an amendment have been met, and the failure of the Archivist to publish the ERA is a dereliction of duty that we hope the court will address. Women have waited far too long for constitutional equality, a fundamental human right recognized in other constitutions around the world," said Jessica Neuwirth, co-founder and President Emerita of the ERA Coalition.

Represented on the brief are advocates who have been fighting for the ERA for decades, as well as others who are new to the fight. They include national feminist groups, advocates for immigrant women and women of color, religious organizations, and LGBTQ+ advocates.

Among these groups is the Feminist Majority Foundation, founded and led by Eleanor Smeal. "This amazing amicus brief reviews the nearly 100 years of feminist struggle for the ERA as well as its need, relevance, and popularity today. The diverse array of women's rights, civil rights, social justice, professional, and equality groups representing millions of people throughout the nation signing on to the brief also speaks volumes for the ERA's long-overdue need," she said.

"The need for the Equal Rights Amendment has never been greater," said Winston partner Linda Coberly. "Women are consistently underrepresented, underpaid, and subjected to a national epidemic of domestic and sexual violence. The ERA has already met all constitutional requirements for an amendment, and the Archivist's refusal to publish it runs counter to the will of people and is an inappropriate intrusion by the Executive Branch into the ratification process."

Winston & Strawn is a proud and active supporter of the ERA and the present-day efforts to make it part of the Constitution. The firm's involvement began in 2017 when Winston joined the revived campaign for ratification in Illinois. The firm has since hosted events, coordinated activists, published legal research, led webinars, submitted witness slips, and testified at a legislative hearing. After Illinois' historic ratification in 2018, Winston joined the national ERA Coalition as a Lead Organizationthe first law firm to do so. Linda Coberly continues to serve as chair of the Coalition's Legal Task Force, a group of constitutional scholars working toward ratification.

Support for the ERA from Big Law has never been stronger, as women in leadership positions continue to increase momentum for adoption through a series of supporting briefs. Prominent partners at a series of major law firms are expected to file briefs today.

Winston & Strawn LLP is an international law firm with 15 offices located throughout North America, Asia, and Europe. More information about the firm is available at www.winston.com.

Complete list of participants in today's amicus brief:

Alice Paul Institute

American Association of University Women

American Medical Women's Association

Association of Flight AttendantsCWA

Brooklyn for Reproductive and Gender Equity

for Reproductive and Gender Equity The Black Women's Roundtable

The Dolores Huerta Foundation

The Domestic Violence Legal Empowerment and Appeals Project

Downtown Women for Change

Equality Utah

ERA Coalition

ERA Minnesota

ERA-NC Alliance

ERA Task Force AZ

Feminist Majority Foundation

Fund for Women's Equality

GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders

Hadassah, the Women's Zionist Organization of America, Inc.

Justice Revival

League of Women Voters of the United States

Legal Momentum

The Loretto Feminist Network

Michigan ERAmerica

Michigan Federation of Business and Professional Women's Clubs, Inc

Mormons for ERA

National Association of Social Workers

National Association of Women Lawyers

National Council of Jewish Women, Inc.

National Council of Negro Women, Inc.

National Immigrant Women's Advocacy Project, Inc.

National Organization for Women

National Women's Political Caucus

National Women's Political Caucus Foundation

NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice

Oklahoma Women's Coalition

Project 28 MO

Service Women's Action Network

Shattering Glass

Sisters of Loretto  Loretto Community

 Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet

of Carondelet South Carolina Equal Means ERA

U.S. Women's Caucus at the UN

VA NOW, Inc.

VoteEqualityUS

Voto Latino

Women Employed

Women Lawyers on Guard Inc.

Women Matter

Women's Equality Coalition

Women's Law Project

Women's Media Center

Zonta USA Caucus

Contact:

Michael Goodwin

646-502-3595

[email protected]

SOURCE Winston & Strawn LLP
Policemen in protective gears patrol in a community in Xi'an, capital of northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Jan. 10, 2022. (Xinhua/Zhang Bowen)

XI'AN, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Ming Tinggui, 41, a landlord in a community in Yanta District of Xi'an, never expected that he would become famous online because of his beneficence during the COVID-19 lockdown of the city.

Xi'an, capital of northwest China's Shaanxi Province, imposed a citywide lockdown on Dec. 23, 2021, in an effort to curb the resurgence of COVID-19.

Ming had 81 tenants at that time, about 80 percent of whom were students. They came to Xi'an to attend training classes, begin internships or take China's postgraduate entrance exam, scheduled from Dec. 25 to 27 last year.

Most of them only had simple belongings with them that they could fit inside a suitcase, with no room for pots or pans to cook with. Under lockdown, they were not allowed to go out, making mealtime a major headache.

Having seen his young tenants living on instant noodles and snacks, Ming decided to cook meals for them.

He bought as many vegetables as possible in the community and told his tenants via WeChat that he could provide dinner for them each day.

His idea was warmly welcomed. The tenants made their orders in the WeChat group every day, then Ming would prepare their meals accordingly.

Photo provided by Ming Tinggui shows he is filling a bowl with food for his tenant in a community in Xi'an, capital of northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Jan. 3, 2022. (Xinhua)

His wife and 65-year-old mother also joined him to wash vegetables and dishes. Although the food supply was lacking at the beginning of the lockdown, Ming still managed to buy some meat for his hungry young tenants.

Ming received as many as 45 orders a day. Some of the tenants wanted to pay him for the dinner but were refused.

Ming said he cooked the meals not for money but to help those in need.

With the tenants' safety in mind, Ming divided the orders into small groups so that they could fetch their dinner one by one while keeping a distance of two meters from each other.

Greatly moved, the tenants reported his good deeds to the local media, shooting him to stardom overnight.

Hearing of his generosity, many people offered to give Ming money to help feed his young tenants, though Ming politely refused.

Ming has decided to continue to prepare meals for his tenants until the lockdown is over, or at least until takeout food is available. 
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- WOWorks family of restaurant brands, Saladworks, Frutta Bowls, Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh and The Simple Greek, achieved strong growth and added 60 new restaurants in 2021. The WOWorks' expansion of its better-for-you restaurant concepts included 42 Saladworks, 10 Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh and eight Frutta Bowls locations. WOWorks also ended 2021 by signing a total of 28 new franchise agreements, representing 112 new locations, demonstrating the robust demand for fresh, flavorful and healthy fast-casual dining options.

Some notable WOWorks growth milestones and key accomplishments in the past year include:

WOW orks restaurants as a whole have seen accelerated growth with its brands in non-traditional restaurant venues such as Ghost Kitchens, Combo Kitchens, grocery stores, airports, colleges and universities.

orks restaurants as a whole have seen accelerated growth with its brands in non-traditional restaurant venues such as Ghost Kitchens, Combo Kitchens, grocery stores, airports, colleges and universities. Among the 60 WOW orks restaurants that opened across the US and Canada , nearly 48 percent were non-traditional openings.

orks restaurants that opened across the US and , nearly 48 percent were non-traditional openings. WOW orks opened 15 new locations in Canada , 17 Ghost Kitchens locations, and 10 Combo Kitchen locations.

orks opened 15 new locations in , 17 Ghost Kitchens locations, and 10 Combo Kitchen locations. 18 percent of non-traditional openings were in grocery retail stores, including the first franchisee-owned store-within-a-store Frutta Bowls restaurant in Doylestown, PA.

With seven Saladworks and four Frutta Bowls, the company opened 11 store-within-a-store restaurants at grocery locations.

Besides traditional stand-alone restaurant development, WOW orks opened six co-branded restaurant locations.

orks opened six co-branded restaurant locations. WOW orks' 2021 growth also included new Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh openings in the Salt Lake City Airport and Binghamton University.

orks' 2021 growth also included new Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh openings in the Salt Lake City Airport and Binghamton University. Pennsylvania had the most WOW orks restaurants open in 2021. With seven Saladworks, five Frutta Bowls and two Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh, the state representing 23 percent of WOW orks overall 2021 growth.

had the most orks restaurants open in 2021. With seven Saladworks, five Frutta Bowls and two Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh, the state representing 23 percent of orks overall 2021 growth. Saladworks had the most robust growth with nine franchise and seven corporate openings.

On top of their 60-unit growth, WOWorks added the Simple Greek Brand in 2021, growing the company's portfolio to four healthy halo restaurant brands.

"With our restaurants having the ability and flexibility to work in a variety of locations and footprints, we are attracting new entrepreneurs looking to get into the fast-casual industry and multi-unit operators looking to expand their portfolio and diversify with our proven, profitable concepts, said Kelly Roddy, CEO or WOWorks. "With a number of newly signed franchise deals this past year, we will continue this momentum of strong growth through a mix of restaurant formats in non-traditional and traditional channels well into 2022."

WOWorks franchise owners come from different backgrounds, including existing franchise owners of different brands; varied business ownership backgrounds, such as construction, hotels, and fitness; former professional athletes; and military veterans. The company has franchising opportunities available in 49 states (all states excluding Hawaii) and offers 50 percent off franchise fees for veterans.

If you are interested in owning a WOWorks restaurant brand franchise, visit https://franchise.saladworks.com/, https://franchise.fruttabowls.com/, and https://franchise.eatgarbanzo.com to learn more.

ABOUT WOWORKS:

WOWorks was formed in 2020 with a mission to help guests pursue their passions and live their best lives by serving healthy, nutritious and flavorful meals along with first-rate hospitality. Fully owned by Centre Lane Partners, LLC, WOWorks' portfolio consists of: Saladworks, the nation's leading fast-casual salad brand; Frutta Bowls, a unique restaurant franchise serving a variety of superfood bowls, fresh fruit smoothies, protein bites and more; Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh, a popular Mediterranean restaurant concept; and most recently, The Simple Greek, which offers a fresh and healthy take on traditional Greek recipes in a fast-casual setting. WOWorks seeks to drive explosive growth across all of its brands through a variety of channels, both traditional and non-traditional, including ghost kitchens, food trucks, grocery retail and more.

SOURCE WOWorks
MIAMI, Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- 1NCE, the first provider of connectivity and software for IoT at a global flat rate, announced at the Consumer Electronics Show that it has selected Miami for its new North American headquarters. The company  headquartered in Cologne, Germany  was founded in 2017 and has offices in Cologne, Hamburg, Amsterdam, London, Miami, Rome, Paris, Warsaw, Hong Kong, and Riga.

Ivo Rook, Chief Operating Officer for 1NCE, will also serve as President, North America.

1NCE  which recently received $50 million from multiple investors, including SoftBank and Deutsche Telekom, to fund expansion in the United States and Asia  identified Miami through a nationwide search process and the support of the Office of Miami Mayor Francis Suarez. The company will now begin the search for a permanent location to house the 100-150 new employees it plans to hire locally within the next three years.

"With an enormous number of digital innovation companies and first-class universities, as well as strong logistics and infrastructure, Miami offers fertile ground for 1NCE's ambitious growth plans in the U.S. and beyond. 1NCE is the only IoT provider to offer flat rate connectivity and software that works out-of-the-box anywhere around the globe, while still offering flexibility for design and oversight of IoT  enabling smart cities projects that will truly change how we live and work. And thanks to Mayor Suarez, we now have an amazing new base for our future U.S. workforce to supercharge 1NCE's innovation," said Ivo Rook, Chief Operating Officer and President, North America for 1NCE.

"1NCE is an exciting addition to the rapidly expanding roster of dynamic tech companies that call Miami home. Miami's talent pool for tech is one of the most desirable in the nation, and 1NCE will have great success finding the best and brightest to join its team. I'm pleased to welcome 1NCE to Miami, and I can't wait to see more Internet of Things companies follow its lead," said Mayor Francis Suarez.

1NCE's mission is to deliver global IoT Connectivity-as-a-Service with simplicity and scalability for businesses across borders and industries. All for one flat rate: $10 for 10 years.

More than 70 percent of IoT projects involve multi-national networks. And 75 percent of all IoT projects fail, mostly due to underestimated costs and underdeveloped planning. With a simple IoT flat rate service available across the globe for a 10-year period, 1NCE significantly reduces IT costs and uncertainty surrounding future price hikes, while also increasing flexibility to program and manage IoT networks. The company's next phase of product expansion centers on intelligent software connectivity and over-the-top (OTT) services that stay ahead of the curve of IoT's maturation as an industry.

In 2022, 1NCE plans to expand its footprint to reach more than 140 countries (up from 104 today) while increasing the number of Tier-1 wireless operators in its global CaaS network by 25 percent.

ABOUT 1NCE

1NCE is the first provider of connectivity and software for IoT at a global flat rate  offering fast, secure, and reliable cellular connectivity and software services in more than 100 countries worldwide. 1NCE cooperates with Deutsche Telekom AG and its roaming partners to support all common mobile communication standards such as 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G, NB-IoT and LTE-M. The 1NCE IoT Flat Rate is designed to last over the entire lifetime of an IoT device with a one-off payment. This makes IoT applications affordable and scalable for use cases like smart metering, asset tracking or vehicle telematics. The company  founded in 2017 by our CEO Alexander P. Sator together with Deutsche Telekom AG  is headquartered in Cologne, Germany and has 200 staff in Cologne, Hamburg, Amsterdam, London, Miami, Rome, Paris, Warsaw, Hong Kong, and Riga. More at: www.1nce.com.

Media Contacts:

Brad Chase

[email protected]

Dennis Knake

[email protected]

SOURCE 1NCE
LONDON, Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Global technology intelligence firm ABI Research has been actively monitoring the activities of 52 IoT cellular module vendors for the previous two years, collating all available information about their module portfolios into a single central repository, to offer a thorough overview of all that is available. The first release of this dataset contains information about the vendors, technology, spectrum utilization, form factor, and any value-added features for each module model.

1,037 IoT models from across the 52 module vendors are presented. "Though 5G is not a novelty, there are only 45 cataloged 5G IoT module models available," says Harriet Sumnall, IoT Hardware and Devices Research Analyst at ABI Research. "This is not surprising, due to 5G not being applicable to many IoT applications outside of the automotive space and for fixed wireless terminals, due to the original release of 5G baseband modems being aimed at consumer mobile broadband market."

The largest technology generation of module models cataloged is 4G, which is not a shock since, unlike 2G and 3G, 4G is not under threat from network sunset. 4G represents 60% of the module models cataloged, spanning both high bandwidth  Cat.12 to Cat.20  and low bandwidth  Cat.1 to Cat.4. In addition to this, 4G is a technology that is globally available and is the current technology of choice for mid-to-long term future proofing of IoT devices. Making up a further 20% of the cataloged module models are those featuring Low Power Wide Area (LPWA) technologies, namely NB-IoT and LTE-M. LPWA is still in its earliest stages of growth, with most of the module sales activity to date being in China, and for NB-IoT.

Though LPWA is still emerging as a connectivity technology within the IoT, it will become the leading technology of choice for many applications, such as smart street lighting, in the years to come. "Module vendors will be releasing more of both 5G and LPWA module models as these technologies find their feet within the IoT space. It must be noted, however, that any sluggishness in the uptake of any technology is not due to the lack of availability of module hardware," Sumnall concludes.

These findings are from ABI Research's IoT Cellular Module Model Tracker market data report. This report is part of the company's IoT Hardware and Devices research service, which includes written research, qualitative and quantitative data, and analyst insights. Market Data spreadsheets have extensive breadth and depth, are highly segmented, with market share analysis, and application and technology-specific forecasts to provide detailed insight into where business opportunities lie.

About ABI Research

ABI Research is a global technology intelligence firm delivering actionable research and strategic guidance to technology leaders, innovators, and decision makers around the world. Our research focuses on the transformative technologies that are dramatically reshaping industries, economies, and workforces today.

ABI Research 1990 



For more information about ABI Research's services, contact us at +1.516.624.2500 in the Americas, +44.203.326.0140 in Europe, +65.6592.0290 in Asia-Pacific or visit www.abiresearch.com.

Contact Info:

Global

Deborah Petrara

Tel: +1.516.624.2558

[email protected]

SOURCE ABI Research
SACRAMENTO, Calif., Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Acorn Finance, the world's first embedded lending marketplace for home improvement financing, has raised $8.4 million in Series A funding led by MassMutual Ventures. Moderne Ventures and previous investors Vestigo Ventures, Accomplice and MetaProp also participated in the round. A prior $4 million in seed financing brings the company's total funding to $12.4 million.

The latest investment will enable Acorn Finance to expand the number of lenders in its marketplace by including regional banks and credit unions, process loans almost instantaneously instead of next day, enhance the customer experience by slashing application time in half, and improve its algorithms to help borrowers choose the right offer based on key criteria including location, how quickly they need the money, the type of project and their credit risk.

Eric Emmons, managing director of MassMutual Ventures, will join the Acorn Finance Board of Directors alongside Michael Nugent, managing director of Vestigo Ventures, who has been on the board since 2019.

"This new funding will allow us to double our team and expand Acorn's technology to instantly provide customers with the most competitive lending options at the point of need," said Giri Addanki, CEO and founder of Acorn Finance. "We are thrilled to welcome MassMutual Ventures and Moderne Ventures as investment partners and look forward to leveraging their deep Fintech and Proptech expertise to accelerate Acorn's growth."

In 2021, the number of customers applying for loans through the Acorn Finance platform and Acorn's revenue grew by 800%. Acorn Finance currently serves the $500 billion home improvement market and is exploring an expansion into additional industries including elective healthcare, legal expenses and e-commerce for a total addressable market of $1.7 trillion.

"Acorn's embedded lending marketplace increases consumer choice while improving proposal ticket size and conversion rates," said Emmons. "The team's outstanding combination of vertical-specific expertise and consumer credit allows them to deliver a unique solution for SMB and service businesses."

About Acorn Finance

Acorn Finance is the world's first embedded lending marketplace for home improvement financing, driving better outcomes for borrowers, lenders, contractors and software vendors. Borrowers can shop for the best rates from the best lenders, all within a few seconds and fewer clicks. Lenders can reach more homeowners while also testing the ideal rates for optimum engagement. Contractors can increase sales by offering financing to customers at no extra cost to themselves. Lastly, software vendors to the home improvement industry can add value for contractors and enhance the homeowner's buying experience by embedding Acorn Finance's solution within their products' estimates and invoices. For more information, visit www.acornfinance.com.

About MassMutual Ventures

MassMutual Ventures (MMV) is a multistage global venture capital firm investing in enterprise software, cybersecurity, financial technology, and digital health companies. With our deep expertise and extensive Fortune 500 network, MMV helps entrepreneurs build compelling and scalable companies of value. MMV has offices in Boston and Singapore, with $450 million under management across five funds. The US-based team invests across North America, Europe, and Israel, while the Singapore-based team invests across Southeast Asia, Hong Kong, India, Australia, and New Zealand. For more information, visit www.massmutualventures.com.

About Moderne Ventures Fund

Moderne Ventures is a strategic venture capital firm with over $350M AUM. Moderne invests in technology companies in and around the multi-trillion-dollar industries of real estate, finance, insurance and home services. It has both a Fund and an Industry Immersion Program, the Moderne Passport, designed to foster innovation, partnership and growth between industry partners and new emerging technology companies. Moderne has built an extraordinary network of over 700 executives and corporations within its core industries and evaluates over 4,500 emerging tech companies each year.

SOURCE Acorn Finance
HONG KONG, Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- CNOOC Limited (the "Company", SEHK: 00883) today announces a summary of its business strategy and development plan for the year 2022.

The Company's targeted net production for 2022 is 600 million to 610 million barrels of oil equivalent (BOE), of which, production from China and overseas accounts for approximately 69% and 31%, respectively. The Company's net production for 2021 is expected to be approximately 570 million BOE. The Company's net production for 2023 and 2024 are estimated to be 640 million to 650 million BOE and 680 million to 690 million BOE, respectively.

The Company's total capital expenditure for 2022 is budgeted at RMB 90 billion to RMB 100 billion. The capital expenditures for exploration, development, production and others will account for approximately 20%, 57%, 21% and 2% of the total capital expenditure, respectively.

In 2022, the Company plans to drill 227 offshore exploration wells, 132 onshore unconventional exploration wells, and acquire approximately 17 thousand square kilometers 3-Dimensional (3D) seismic data.

In 2022, 13 new projects are expected to come on stream, mainly including Bozhong 29-6 oilfield development, the development of Kenli 6-1 oilfield Block 5-1, 5-2, 6-1, Enping 15-1/10-2/15-2/20-4 oilfields joint development and Shenfu South gas field development in China, Liza Phase II in Guyana and 3M (MDA, MBH, MAC) project in Indonesia.

To ensure shareholders' return, subject to the approval by the general meeting of shareholders on the proposed dividends for each year, from 2022 to 2024, the expected annual payout ratio of the Company will be no less than 40% and the annual absolute dividend is expected to be no less than HK$ 0.70/share (tax inclusive). Given that 2021 is the 20th anniversary of the Company's listing, the Company plans to pay a 20th anniversary special dividend in addition to the 2021 year-end regular dividend. In 2022, the Company will appropriately implement the share buybacks subject to the authorization granted at the general meeting of shareholders.

Mr. Xu Keqiang, CEO of the Company, said, "In 2022, we will continue to give priority to profit generation, strive to increase oil and gas reserves and production and promote the green energy transition initiatives. While enhancing our capability to create more values, we will implement more stable and transparent dividend policy to share the achievements of the Company with shareholders and ensure that they receive reasonable returns."

- End -

Notes to Editors:

More information about the Company is available at http://www.cnoocltd.com .

*** *** *** ***



This press release includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding expected future events, business prospectus or financial results. The words "expect", "anticipate", "continue", "estimate", "objective", "ongoing", "may", "will", "project", "should", "believe", "plans", "intends" and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements.

These statements are based on assumptions and analyses made by the Company in light of its experience and its perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors that the Company believes are appropriate under the circumstances. However, whether actual results and developments will meet the expectations and predictions of the Company depends on a number of risks and uncertainties which could cause the actual results, performance and financial condition to differ materially from the Company's expectations, including but not limited to the Company and its controlling shareholder being listed in the list of the U.S. for sanction against companies with alleged ties to the Chinese military, those associated with fluctuations in crude oil and natural gas prices, macro-political and economic factors, changes in the tax and fiscal regimes of the host countries in which we operate, the highly competitive nature of the oil and natural gas industry, environmental responsibility and compliance requirements, the Company's price forecast, the exploration and development activities, mergers, acquisitions and divestments activities, HSSE and insurance policies and changes in anti-corruption, anti-fraud, anti-money laundering and corporate governance laws. For a description of these and other risks and uncertainties, please see the documents the Company files from time to time with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Annual Report on Form 20-F filed in April of the latest fiscal year. Consequently, all of the forward-looking statements made in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements. The Company cannot assure that the results or developments anticipated will be realised or, even if substantially realised, that they will have the expected effect on the Company, its business or operations.

*** *** *** ***

For further enquiries, please contact:

Mr. Su Yuchi

Media & Public Relations

CNOOC Limited

Tel: +86-10-8452-5897

Fax: +86-10-8452-1441

E-mail: [email protected]

Mr. Bunny Lee

Porda Havas International Finance Communications Group

Tel: +852 3150 6707

Fax: +852 3150 6728

E-mail: [email protected]

SOURCE CNOOC Limited
NORTH BILLERICA, Mass., Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Curriculum Associates has named three Alabama teachersTaShara Caldwell of Chalkville Elementary in Birmingham, Deborah Kean of Walnut Grove Elementary in New Market, and Jessica Medley of South Girard School in Phenix Cityto its 2022 class of Extraordinary Educators, an annual program that celebrates and connects exemplar K8 teachers from around the country. Chosen from hundreds of nominations, Caldwell, Kean, and Medley are among 35 educators from 19 states selected for exhibiting best-in-class use of i-Ready, i-Ready Classroom Mathematics, and/or Ready, illustrating growth and achievement via formal assessments, demonstrating innovation and engagement practices for students, being evangelists for high standards and student achievement, and having taught for at least two years.

"With almost 500 years of teaching experience combined, this year's 35 Extraordinary Educators are all innovative and dedicated classroom leaders whose impact does not go unnoticed," said Rob Waldron, CEO of Curriculum Associates. "We commend TaShara, Deborah, and Jessica for their best practices in the classroom day in and day out and look forward to supporting them with unique professional learning opportunities to help further support the amazing work they do."

This year's class of Extraordinary Educators will have access to a network of peers from around the country to collaborate, connect, and learn from throughout the year, as well as access to professional development opportunities from Curriculum Associates. They will also be invited to participate and present at the Extraordinary Educators Leadership Summit as well as other professional learning events.

This is the third year of the Extraordinary Educators program. This year's class joins 75 additional educators from across the country in receiving this recognition.

"I am so excited to be selected as a 20222023 Curriculum Associates Extraordinary Educator!" said Kean. "I love learning! This opportunity will allow me to collaborate and engage in conversations with so many talented educators across the United States. My goal is to make a positive impact in the learning community and to change the lives of children for the better."

"Transitioning from an elementary to secondary math teacher has been one of the craziest and most challenging decisions of my life," said Medley. "Through this change I have realized that strategies I have depended on for years still impact student achievement. I look forward to increasing my content knowledge and influencing other educators to step out of their comfort zone and not be afraid to try something new."

Today, Curriculum Associates' programs are used in more than half of Alabama's school districts.

To learn more about Curriculum Associates and the 2022 Extraordinary Educators, visit CurriculumAssociates.com/Extraordinary-Educators/Classes.

About Curriculum Associates

Founded in 1969, Curriculum Associates, LLC designs research-based print and online instructional materials, screens and assessments, and data management tools. The company's products and outstanding customer service provide teachers and administrators with the resources necessary for teaching diverse student populations and fostering learning for all students.

Contact: Kati Elliott Charlotte Fixler

KEH Communications Curriculum Associates

(410) 975-9638 (978) 901-6066

[email protected] [email protected]



SOURCE Curriculum Associates, LLC
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- AliveCor , the global leader in FDA-cleared personal electrocardiogram (ECG) technology, today announced the addition of four new leaders to the company's executive team: Vincent Balsamo as Executive Vice President of Worldwide Sales, Dr. Archana Dubey as Chief Clinical Officer, Dr. Ben Green as Senior Vice President of Services, and Jessica Weinstein as Senior Vice President of Marketing.

"As we continue to expand into new markets and services, the additions of Vincent, Archana, Ben, and Jessica to the team will help advance our goal of becoming the premier provider of remote cardiological care for providers, payors, employers, and patients," said Priya Abani, CEO, AliveCor.

Vincent Balsamo has more than 25 years of experience in the healthcare and technology industries, and has led three acquisitions, two IPOs, and numerous venture rounds. He previously served as Vice President of Sales overseeing the Marketing Cloud Payor business at Salesforce and has held leadership roles in telehealth, digital therapeutics, and health at Cisco, IBM, Avizia (acquired by AmWell), and Propeller Health (acquired by Resmed). Balsamo joins AliveCor from a Sequoia-backed stealth AI company, where he served as Chief Revenue Officer and interim Co-CEO. In that role, he oversaw commercial operations, managed strategic partnerships, helped close a $25 million strategic funding round, and oversaw a corporate restructuring. Balsamo joined AliveCor in December 2021 and reports to Abani.

Dr. Archana Dubey brings more than 25 years of experience as a physician, executive, entrepreneur, and strategic advisor to her role at AliveCor. For more than a decade, she has provided clinical leadership to large self-insured employers including Google, HP, and HPE, as well as serving as Adj. Assistant Professor of Medicine at Stanford University. Prior to AliveCor, Dr. Dubey spent the last six years as Global Medical Director at HP, where she led partnerships with payors and digital health companies to help improve employee engagement and health outcomes. In 2017, Dr. Dubey founded the Invent Health platform, which bridges venture capital funds, health systems, and digital health solutions to give good ideas an opportunity to survive and scale from funding to adoption. Dr. Dubey joined AliveCor in Q1 2021 and reports to Chief Product Officer Alfred Woo.

Dr. Ben Green comes to AliveCor with 15 years of experience in telehealth and home-based care delivery. He spent the last four years at Amazon as the founding Chief Medical Officer for Amazon's first pursuit into health care delivery, Amazon Care, and later as the Principal of Healthcare Innovation for Global Benefits. Earlier, Dr. Green was the Regional Medical Director at Landmark Health and spent eight years in leadership and strategy roles at Carena, Inc. (acquired by Avizia/AmWell), a pioneering telemedicine company. Dr. Green joined AliveCor in Q3 2021 and reports to Chief Strategy Officer Sanjay Voleti.

Jessica Weinstein joins AliveCor as a seasoned global marketing leader and brand builder with more than 20 years of experience driving marketing initiatives to impact consumers' lives and deliver meaningful business results. Throughout her career, Weinstein has worked on multiple joint ventures, acquisitions, and brand integrations; launched dozens of successful new products; and created award-winning campaigns. She has held several global leadership positions in consumer healthcare at Reckitt and GSK, managing portfolios over $1 billion. Weinstein joined AliveCor in November 2021 and reports to Abani.

To learn more about AliveCor's story and product offering, visit alivecor.com .

About AliveCor

AliveCor, Inc. is transforming cardiological care using deep learning. The FDA-cleared KardiaMobile device is the most clinically-validated personal ECG solution in the world. KardiaMobile 6L provides instant detection of Atrial Fibrillation, Bradycardia, Tachycardia, Sinus Rhythm with Supraventricular Ectopy, Sinus Rhythm with Premature Ventricular Contractions, Sinus Rhythm with Wide QRS and Normal Heart Rhythm in an ECG. Kardia is the first AI-enabled platform to aid patients and clinicians in the early detection of atrial fibrillation, the most common arrhythmia and one associated with a highly-elevated risk of stroke. AliveCor's enterprise platform allows third party providers to manage their patients' and customers' heart conditions simply using state-of-the-art tools that provide easy front-end and back-end integration to AliveCor technologies. AliveCor protects its customers with stringent data security and compliance practices , achieving HIPAA compliance and SOC2 Type 1 and Type 2 attestations. AliveCor is a privately-held company headquartered in Mountain View, Calif. "Consumer" or "Personal" ECGs are ECG devices available for direct sale to consumers. For more information, visit alivecor.com .

SOURCE AliveCor, Inc.
DUBLIN and ALAMEDA, Calif., Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Aptiv PLC (NYSE: APTV), a global technology company focused on making mobility safer, greener and more connected, today announced a definitive agreement to acquire Wind River from TPG Capital, the private equity platform of global alternative asset management firm TPG, for $4.3 billion in cash.

Wind River is a global leader in delivering software for the intelligent edge. Used on over two billion edge devices across more than 1,700 customers globally, Wind River's software enables the secure development, deployment, operations and servicing of mission-critical intelligent systems. This edge-to-cloud software portfolio spans the aerospace and defense, telecommunications, industrial and automotive markets and is anchored by Wind River Studio, a highly versatile, comprehensive cloud-native intelligent systems software platform that enables full product lifecycle management for edge-to-cloud use cases. Wind River generated approximately $400 million in revenues in 2021.

"The automotive industry is undergoing its largest transformation in over a century, as connected, software-defined vehicles increasingly become critical elements of the broader intelligent ecosystem," said Kevin Clark, president and chief executive officer of Aptiv. "Fully capitalizing on this opportunity requires comprehensive solutions that enable software to be developed faster, deployed seamlessly and optimized throughout the vehicle lifecycle by leveraging data-driven insights. These same needs are driving the growth of the intelligent edge across multiple end markets. With Aptiv and Wind River's synergistic technologies and decades of experience delivering safety-critical systems, we will accelerate this journey to a software-defined future of the automotive industry. In addition, we are committed to further strengthening Wind River's competitive position in the multiple industries it serves. We look forward to welcoming the world class Wind River team to the Aptiv family as we continue to develop a safer, greener and more connected world."

"Wind River has established itself as a worldwide leader in cloud-native, intelligent edge software that delivers the highest levels of security, safety, reliability and performance," said Kevin Dallas, president and chief executive officer of Wind River. "Combining Wind River's industry-leading software, customer base and talent with Aptiv's complementary technologies, global resources and scale will realize our vision of the new machine economy. Together we will accelerate the digital transformation of our customers across industries through best-in-class intelligent systems software. We look forward to working with the Aptiv team to reach even greater heights and provide further growth opportunities for our customers and partners."

"It has been a privilege to partner with Kevin Dallas and the management team to transform Wind River into a leader in the intelligent systems market," said Nehal Raj, co-managing partner, and Art Heidrich, principal at TPG Capital. "The mission-critical industries they serve are digitally transforming at a rapid pace, and we see significant opportunity ahead as companies look to adopt innovative software solutions that allow them to leverage data to make better and faster decisions. We are excited to see what Wind River and Aptiv will accomplish together."

The acquisition allows Aptiv to execute against the large software-defined mobility opportunity and expand into multiple high-value industries with Wind River's world-class team and leading intelligent systems software platform. The combination will enable multiple end-use innovations and applications, particularly as compute and processing continue to move closer to the edge and connected devices, including vehicles, expand in complexity and capabilities. Aptiv will combine Wind River Studio offering with its complementary SVA platform and automotive expertise to extend its position in automotive software solutions, providing automotive customers with a faster and economical path to full vehicle software architecture. Led by Kevin Dallas, Wind River will continue to operate as a stand-alone business within Aptiv as part of the Advanced Safety & User Experience (AS&UX) segment.

Financing and Terms of the Transaction

Aptiv will finance the transaction through a combination of cash and debt. The acquisition is expected to close mid-year 2022 and is subject to customary conditions, including receipt of applicable regulatory approvals.

Conference Call and Webcast

Aptiv will host a conference call to discuss the acquisition at 8:00 a.m. (ET) today, which is accessible by dialing 800.239.9838 (U.S.) or +1.323.794.2551 (international) or through a webcast at ir.aptiv.com . The conference ID number is 7662806. A slide presentation will accompany the prepared remarks and has been posted on the investor relations section of the Company's website. A replay will be available two hours following the conference call.

Advisors

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC is serving as exclusive financial advisor to Aptiv and Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP and Covington & Burling LLP are serving as legal advisors. Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC is serving as exclusive financial advisor to Wind River and Ropes & Gray LLP is serving as legal advisor.

About Aptiv

Aptiv PLC is a global technology company that develops safer, greener and more connected solutions enabling a more sustainable future of mobility. With more than 180,000 employees strategically located to serve customers globally, Aptiv is solving the industry's toughest challenges with scalable, intelligent platforms that accelerate the transition to software-defined, electric vehicles. To learn more about the company's unique brain and nervous system portfolio and its commitment to sustainability, visit aptiv.com .

About Wind River

Wind River is a global leader in delivering software for mission-critical intelligent systems. For four decades, the company has been an innovator and pioneer, powering billions of devices and systems that require the highest levels of security, safety and reliability. Wind River software and expertise are accelerating digital transformation across industries, including automotive, aerospace, defense, industrial, medical and telecommunications. The company offers a comprehensive portfolio, supported by world-class professional services and support and a broad partner ecosystem. To learn more, visit www.windriver.com.

About TPG

TPG is a leading global alternative asset management firm founded in San Francisco in 1992 with $109 billion of assets under management and investment and operational teams in 12 offices globally. TPG invests across five multi-product platforms: Capital, Growth, Impact, Real Estate, and Market Solutions and our unique strategy is driven by collaboration, innovation, and inclusion. Our teams combine deep product and sector experience with broad capabilities and expertise to develop differentiated insights and add value for our fund investors, portfolio companies, management teams, and communities. For more information, visit www.tpg.com or @TPG on Twitter.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release, as well as other statements made by Aptiv PLC (the "Company"), contain forward-looking statements that reflect, when made, the Company's current views with respect to current events, certain investments and acquisitions and financial performance including the potential impact of the proposed acquisition of Wind River. Such forward-looking statements are subject to many risks, uncertainties and factors relating to the Company's operations and business environment, which may cause the actual results of the Company to be materially different from any future results. All statements that address future operating, financial or business performance or the Company's strategies or expectations are forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the following: global and regional economic conditions, including conditions affecting the credit market; uncertainties posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and the difficulty in predicting its future course and its impact on the global economy and the Company's future operations; fluctuations in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates; the cyclical nature of global automotive sales and production; the potential disruptions in the supply of and changes in the competitive environment for raw material and other materials integral to the Company's products, including the current semiconductor supply shortage; the Company's ability to maintain contracts that are critical to its operations; potential changes to beneficial free trade laws and regulations such as the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement; the ability of the Company to integrate and realize the expected benefits of recent transactions; the ability of the Company to attract, motivate and/or retain key executives; the ability of the Company to avoid or continue to operate during a strike, or partial work stoppage or slow down by any of its unionized employees or those of its principal customers; and the ability of the Company to attract and retain customers. Additional factors are discussed under the captions "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. New risks and uncertainties arise from time to time, and it is impossible for us to predict these events or how they may affect the Company. It should be remembered that the price of the ordinary shares and any income from them can go down as well as up. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events and/or otherwise, except as may be required by law.

SOURCE Aptiv PLC
Wanting to ditch spreadsheets and eliminate as much of the less-value-added work as possible, Aritzia decided the time was right for PLM. After a rigorous and thorough selection process, they chose Centric PLM. Aritzia carefully prepared for a smooth implementation, taking a step back to revisit their existing workflows.

Today, they have cut way back on administrative work for their designers and facilitated large assortments. Their processes are streamlined and automated. Discover what Aritzia's Director of Product Integration, Vanessa Goluboff, and Director of Product Technology, Tim Smith, say about these topics and more!

Read the full story

Discover Centric's Retail solutions at NRF 2022.

About Aritzia (www.aritzia.com)

Aritzia is an innovative design house and fashion boutique. We're about individual style. We're obsessed with quality. And we think shopping should be fun. The Hill family started Aritzia inside their 70-year-old department store in Vancouver. When Brian Hill opened the first standalone boutique in 1984, the idea was simple: offer beautiful clothes in aspirational spaces with exceptional service. Women seemed to like what we were doing, so we grew. And we've kept on growing ever since.

We develop our own brands, treating each as an independent label with its own creative team and aesthetic. As a group, they have a few things in common: an effortless appeal, a focus on fit and an of-the-moment point of view. We sweat the small stuff. It's why we search out the best mills and factories around the world. It's why we consider (and reconsider) every last seam, pleat and button. It's why our clothes look and feel so good. We round out our selection with pieces from brands we love  ones who obsess about craftsmanship and design as much as we do.

Centric Software (www.centricsoftware.com)

From its headquarters in Silicon Valley, Centric Software provides a Product Concept to Consumer Digital Transformation Platform for fashion, retail, footwear, luxury, outdoor, consumer electronics and consumer goods including cosmetics and personal care and food and beverage. Centric's flagship Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) platform, Centric PLM, delivers enterprise-class merchandise planning, product development, sourcing, quality and product portfolio optimization innovations specifically for fast-moving consumer industries. Centric Visual Innovation Platform (CVIP) offers highly visual digital board experiences for collaboration and decision-making. Centric Retail Planning is an innovative, cloud-native solution powered by Armonica Retail S.R.L., that delivers an end-to-end retail planning process designed to maximize retail business performance. Centric Software pioneered mobility, introducing the first mobile apps for PLM, and is widely known for connectivity to dozens of other enterprise systems including ERP, DAM, PIM, e-com, planning and more as well as creative tools such as Adobe Illustrator and a host of 3D CAD connectors. Centric's innovations are 100% market-driven with the highest user adoption rate and fastest time to value in the industry. All Centric innovations shorten time to market, boost product innovation and reduce costs.

Centric Software is majority-owned by Dassault Systemes (Euronext Paris: #13065, DSY.PA), the world leader in 3D design software, 3D digital mock-up and PLM solutions.

Centric Software has received multiple industry awards and recognition, including being named by Red Herring to its Top 100 Global list in 2013, 2015 and 2016. Centric also received various excellence awards from Frost & Sullivan in 2012, 2016, 2018 and 2021.

Centric Software is a registered trademark of Centric Software Inc. All other brands and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners

SOURCE Centric Software
LONDON, Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Hydrogen Generator Market size is witness robust growth at a CAGR of 5.91% during the 2021-2028 period. The Hydrogen Generators Market size reached a valuation of USD 1320.5 Million in 2021, and is likely to grow to USD 1973.8 Million by 2028 end, Analysis by Brandessence Market Research

The hydrogen generators market landscape is a competitive, innovative, and fragmented landscape. The fragmentation in the landscape continues to drive increased collaboration, and development of various innovative products. The growing demand for hydrogen-based energy source to power the future of renewable energy remains a major promise for growth for players in the hydrogen generators market. Some key players in the hydrogen generators market are Air Liquide Air Products and Chemical Inc., Praxiar technology Inc., Linde AG., Proton On-site Inc., Hy9 Corporation, Hydrogenics Corporation, Epoch Energy Technology Corporation, MVS Engineering Pvt. Ltd., McPhy Energy SA, Nel Hydrogen, others

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Hydrogen generators are designed to meet high-end requirement for hydrogen in end-applications like gas chromatography. Hydrogen generators produce hydrogen with the use of electrolysis. The promise of hydrogen fuel cells, among others application promise robust growth for the hydrogen generators market. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), the FCEV or Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle technology remains on a significant rise. According to the IEA, more than 40,000 electric vehicles took to the streets by the end of 2021, with more than 70% annual growth between 2017-2020. The 2021 promises another record year, with the first-half accounting for more than 8,000 sales.

Global Hydrogen Generator Market Segmentation Analysis:

The Global Hydrogen Generator Market is segmented on the basis of product type, process, capacity, application and region & country level.

By Product Type:

Onsite

Portable

By Process:

Steam reforming

Electrolysis

Others

By Capacity:

Less than 300 W

300W - 1 KW

More than 1 KW

By Application:

Chemical processing

Fuel cells

Petroleum recovery

Refining

Others

News: Panasonic Launched 5 kW Type Pure Hydrogen Fuel Cell Generator

On May 26th, 2021; Panasonic Corporation has developed a pure hydrogen fuel cell generator, which generates power through a chemical reaction with high-purity hydrogen and oxygen in the air. In recent years, with the acceleration of initiatives to realize a decarbonized society, several countries and regions around the world have declared their intention to reduce their overall emissions of greenhouse gases to zero by 2050, in other words, achieving carbon neutrality. In order to achieve the goal, it is indispensable to introduce renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, geothermal, hydro, and biomass power. However, power generation using solar and wind has drawbacks such as large output variations depending on weather conditions and the lack of capabilities to adjust power generation to cope with demand.

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In October, 2021, Toyota, a leading global car maker announced that its new model 'Toyota Mirai', recorded the highest fuel-range, with a total of over 1,300 km on a single charge. The Japanese carmaker is expected to bet big on the hydrogen fuel technology. Hydrogen remains abundant in atmosphere, and also promises to solve key challenges associated with EVs, including long-charging times. The growing efficacy of real-world possibilities of hydrogen fuel cells, backed by a major automaker, and growing demand for fuel cell technology remain key drivers of growth for the hydrogen generators market.

Hydrogen Generator Market: Regional Analysis

The hydrogen generator market report covers all key regions including North America, Europe, Asia, Latin America, Middle East & Africa. These regions exhibit a wide range of opportunities, demand drivers, and challenges. Some of these are mentioned below.

UK Hydrogen Generator Market: In Jan, 2022, EasyJet, a major airline in the UK announced that it plans to use hydrogen fuel for its first commercial flight soon. The carrier known for its low-budget offerings, among others may become the first carrier to use the hydrogen fuel technology in the UK. The company has joined hands with Cranfield Aerospace Solutions to advance the hydrogen fuel technology.

Europe Hydrogen Generator Market: EU transport commissioner Adina Valean, noted in December, 2021, that she expects the hydrogen-based future of energy to play a prominent role in both transportation, steelmaking, and chemicals. She noted that there is a need to develop infrastructure for hydrogen-fuelling trucks, in the EU, with estimates of addition of another 60,000 hydrogen-based trucks in the EU by 2030 end. Valean also believed hydrogen fuels can make up for as much as 10-24% of the energy use in other industries by 2050 end.

US Hydrogen Generator Market: In December, 2021, Champaign-Urbana MTD announced that it had become the first US transit agency, with independent ability to fuel its buses, with complete renewable capabilities. The company has launched a fleet of 60-foot fuel cell-based hydrogen buses, to cater to its commercial deployment requirements. The technology was developed with a partnership of several local, state, federal, and non-profit entities.

Japan Hydrogen Generator Market: Three major Japanese corporation, including Iwatani, JGC Holdings, and Toyota have teamed up to launch hydrogen generation technology, based on industrial, and household plastic waste. The technology remains a promising area of innovation for startups, but this remains a first-of-its kind large scale initiative.

China Hydrogen Generator Market: In July, 2021, Beijing became home to world's largest hydrogen station. The new facility, owned by, Beijing Hypower Energy technology, promises to refuel 600 hydrogen fuel cell vehicles in a day, including garbage trucks, buses, cargo vans, and more. It holds the capacity of supplying nearly 5 tonnes of hydrogen supply per day.

India Hydrogen Generator Market: In August, 2021, India-based Sentient Labs, with acollaboration with Agharkar Research Institute, developed fuel-cell technology powered by agricultural residue. The technology identified some of the key roadblocks in the development of hydrogen fuel cell technology, which as the end-result only emits water, making it a promising green solution for global development of hydrogen fuel cell technology.

For Specific Region: https://brandessenceresearch.com/Checkout?report_id=1808

On Special Requirement Hydrogen Generator 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

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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.

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Security forces stand guard in front of the city hall in Almaty, Kazakhstan on early morning of Jan. 5, 2022. (Xinhua)



Putin urged the CSTO to develop measures to jointly counter "destructive external interference."



MOSCOW, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- Well-organized groups of militants, who were trained in terrorist camps abroad, were used to attack Kazakhstan in "an act of aggression," Russian President Vladimir Putin said Monday, commenting on the unrest in the Central Asian country.

Kazakhstan faced a threat to its statehood, which was caused not by spontaneous protests over a fuel price hike, but by the fact that "destructive internal and external forces" took advantage of the situation, Putin said at an extraordinary session of the Collective Security Council of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO).

"We are observing the aggression of international terrorism: where did these gangs of armed people who were trained in foreign countries come from?" he asked at the online meeting, without providing an answer.

Putin praised the CSTO peacekeeping forces for their effective protection of key facilities in Kazakhstan.

The peacekeepers will operate in Kazakhstan as long as its president deems it necessary, and the entire forces will be withdrawn from Kazakhstan after the mission is completed, he said.

"The measures taken by the CSTO have clearly shown that we will not allow the situation to be rocked at home and will not allow the scenarios of the so-called color revolutions to be realized," he said.

Putin urged the CSTO to develop measures to jointly counter "destructive external interference" in the affairs of the organization's member states. 
LONDON, Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- According to Brandessence Market Research, the Acne Treatment Market size reached USD 12.41 Billion in 2021. The Acne Treatment market is likely to grow at robust CAGR of 6.3%, and reach size of USD 19.03 Billion by 2028 end.

This Report is Mainly Focusing On Bellow Acne Treatment Companies:

ALLERGAN

Stiefel Laboratories, Inc.

Galderma S.A.

Johnson & Johnson Services, Inc.

Valeant

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.

GlaxoSmithKline Plc.

Roche Holding AG

Bayer AG

Get Sample Copy of This Premium [email protected] https://brandessenceresearch.com/requestSample/PostId/611

Patients suffering from Acne account for eight largest group of diseased patients worldwide. The findings published in the Global Burden of Disease Project, created by the University Of Washington School Of Medicine, also reveals some other promising insights. The university findings note that skin diseases of all types, increased Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALY) by 8% in Canada, during 1990-2017. It also increased Mortality Adjusted Life years (YLL) by 4%, and Years Lived With Disability (YLD) by 8%. Acne continues to remain a debilitating conditions for many, with as many as 50 million people affected in key regions like the US. In 2013, the American Academy of Dermatology Association estimated that the conditions led to USD 1.2 billion in costs, due to treatment and lost productivity. Furthermore, 5.1 million patients opted for medical treatment for acne in 2013, with primary patients being young adults, and children. Growing awareness about impact of Acne on self-esteem, socio-economic status, and life in general remains a key driver of growth globally.

Acne Treatment Market report is segmented on the basis of type, By Treatment Modality, By End User, By Medication, By Therapeutic Devices and region & country level.

By Type:

Cystic Acne

Inflammatory Acne

Post-Surgical/Wound Acne

By Treatment Modality:

Oral

Topical

By End User:

Hospitals

Clinics

By Medication:

Retinoid

Antibiotics

By Therapeutic Devices:

Lasers

Microdermabrader

Dermabradors

Others

Acne Treatment Market: Covid-19 Impact

The covid-19 had an adverse impact on the growth of the acne treatment market, despite the fact that globally, pharmacies remained open. Like the treatment many other diseases, covid-19 pandemic delayed treatment, while simultaneously disrupting supplies. The year 2020 witnessed resurgence of growth in the acne treatment market, with non-surgical acne related treatments like full field ablative, witnessing tremendous growth. For example, in 2020, the treatment resulted in 225,141 non-surgical procedures globally. The figure rose from 190,978 non-surgical procedures globally in 2019, marking a promising 17.9% growth.

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Acne Treatment Market: Opportunity Analysis

Europe remains the most important market in the global acne treatment market. The region accounted for 76.7 billion in revenues in cosmetic retail sales in 2020. Countries like Germany, France, UK, Italy, Spain, and Poland remain largest contributor to its growth, while Germany leads with 14 billion in revenues. Animal testing and increased demand for natural ingredients pose some concerns to growth in this region. However, increased funding for research and development promise growing alternatives to animal testing. According to Cosmetics Europe, an industry association, modest estimates put the total R&D funding of European cosmetic manufacturers at 2.35 billion in 2017. Major cosmetic companies in the European region spend an average of 5% on R&D, as part of their annual turnover. Growing demand in key regions like Europe, and increased interest in R&D to fuel launch of new cosmetic products remain promising drivers of growth in the acne treatment market.

Acne Treatment Market: Notable Development

Sanofi, a key global vaccine manufacturer acquired Origimm Biotechnology, a company specializing in skin disease, in December 2021. The acquisition is important development in the acne treatment market, because it may introduce a vaccine-based acne treatment to current repertoire of established treatments. The acquisition agreement is expected to provide Sanofi with the licensing rights to ORI-001, a therapeutic vaccine to treat acne vulgaris. The vaccine based on recombinant protein, entered primary clinical study in third quarter of 2021. Sanofi is expected to leverage its own messenger RNA platform to prepare the vaccine for further trials, before the final approval.

On Special Requirement Acne Treatment 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

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LONDON, Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- According to Brandessence Market Research, the Plating On Plastics Market size reached USD 601.59 Million in 2021. The Plating On Plastics market is likely to grow at robust CAGR of 8.2%, and reach size of USD 1044.46 Million by 2028 end. The Detailed Market intelligence report on the Plating On Plastics Market applies the most effective of each primary and secondary analysis to weighs upon the competitive landscape and also the outstanding market players expected to dominate Plating On Plastics Market place for the forecast 2022 2028.

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Key Companies Covered in Plating On Plastics Market

Arteraft Planting, SRG Global Inc , MacDermid Inc., Bolta Werke, Atotech, Cybersheild, , Dixline Corporation, Chromoplastica, BIA Kunststoff- und Galvanotechnik (BIA), Sarrel, Sharretts Plating Company, Dow Chemical Company, Grohe AG, Enthone, Galva Decoparts Pvt. Ltd, JCU Corporation and Phillips Plating Corporation

Plating On Plastics Market Segmentation on the basis of type, end-user and region & country level.

By Plating Type:

Nickel

Chrome

Others

By Base Material:

PEI

PET

PBT

PC

ABS

ABS/PC

Nylon

Others

By Application:

Automotive

Electrical & Electronics

Construction & Building

Others

Plating on Plastics Market: An Overview

The plastic plating, also commonly known as electroplating plastics first appeared on the commercial horizon in the 1960s. The technology was deployed in the automotive sector to manufacture aesthetically pleasing, and more fuel-efficient vehicles. The technology today promises the exact same revolution in the automotive sector, thanks to development of thermoplastic polymers like Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene, with tremendous impact resistance, and toughness. Thanks to the development of electric vehicles, the automotive sector today makes up for nearly 80% of end-demand for electroplating plastics.

Apart from the automotive sector, other applications like aesthetically pleasing plastic-based plumbing fixtures control knobs, and buttons on mobiles, and other electronic devices also make up for large portion of the end-demand in the plating on plastics market. Electroplating is likely to become more common globally, and in new applications as demand for seamless digitalization, aesthetic designs, and cost-reductions offered by plastics remain key to consumers, and manufacturers both. The automotive sector promises the largest application, as plastics provide manufacturers with lightweight vehicles, and molded plastics provide engineers the much needed flexibility to design unique vehicles in a highly competitive industry.

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The current plating on plastics technology has a major potential to grow amidst the upcoming wave of Internet of Things, Robotics, and other similar technology. Such promise is increasingly being brought to life, thanks to promise of technologies like 3D printing, and increased investment in research and development. In November, 2020, Japan's Waseda University developed a metal-plastic hybrid 3D printing technique. The new technique for the first time combines, printing of metals, and plastics together, a combination that is ideal for use in IoT, and robotic applications. The technology not only promises to further end-use, but also reduces costs as metal plating remains reliant on high-powered lasers, which are expensive to use. The increased promise of techniques like 3D printing, the increasing demand for plating on plastics in the automotive, and electronic sector, and growing research in promising innovation remain promising drivers of growth in the plating on plastics market.

Plating on Plastics Market: Key Trends

The growing regulatory oversight has led to increased onus on manufacturers to produce viable trivalent chrome plating solutions in the near future. States like California have proposed legislations completely banning hexavalent coatings, which are known to produce various toxic substances. These legislations are yet not active on ground, as states like California extend periods of transitions. However, the trivalent chrome plating is definitely going to be the future for aerospace, automotive, and various other surface coating end-use industries. Currently, 10 manufacturers in the US promise premium offerings in the trivalent chrome plating solutions. The number is expected to witness major growth, as countries around the world become environmentally conscious.

The growing demand for sustainability in various sectors has led to new innovation promise in the plating on plastics market. In January, 2021, Metal Chem announced a new product line, tagged the 'EN-CONNECT', which replaces use of phosphate, chromium, nitrate, and PFAS in the industry. The product vows to be a new green technology, with similar level of performance in applications like corrosion resistance, and other performance metrics. Such green development is essential as new regulations globally continue to limit water discharge limits, and aim to reduce use of hazardous materials. According to Metal Chem press release, the product is designed for use in automotive, military, and aerospace sectors.

On Special Requirement Plating On Plastics 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

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CHARLOTTE, N.C., Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Bank of America today announced significant changes to its overdraft services, including plans to eliminate non-sufficient funds (NSF) fees beginning in February, and to reduce overdraft fees from $35 to $10 beginning in May. The company will also eliminate the transfer fee associated with its Balance ConnectTM for overdraft protection service in May. These and earlier changes over the last decade, together with industry-leading solutions that can help consumer clients avoid overdraft fees  such as the no overdraft fee SafeBalance account and Balance AssistTM  will lead to overdraft fee revenues being reduced by 97% from 2009 levels.

"Over the last decade, we have made significant changes to our overdraft services and solutions, reducing clients' reliance on overdraft, and providing resources to help clients manage their deposit accounts and overall finances responsibly," said Holly O'Neill, President of Retail Banking, Bank of America. "Throughout the process we have engaged our National Community Advisory Council (NCAC) for their guidance and feedback on our changes. These latest steps will further support our clients and empower them to create long-term financial wellness."

Progress toward reducing overdraft fees

Since 2010, Bank of America has taken many steps to empower its consumer and small business clients to bank with greater confidence and reduce overdraft usage. The company leads the industry in helping clients avoid overdrafts and, in doing so, has significantly reduced the vast majority of fees related to overdraft. Key milestones along this journey have included:

2010  Eliminated overdraft fees for consumer clients when using debit cards at the point of sale

2011  Introduced courtesy low balance alerts

2014  Launched the SafeBalance "no overdraft fee" account

2017  Eliminated the extended overdrawn balance charge

2020  Created Balance Assist, a low-cost solution to manage short-term liquidity needs

2021  Launched Balance Connect for overdraft protection, letting clients link to up to five accounts to avoid overdrafts

Feb 2022  Will eliminate non-sufficient funds fees

 Will eliminate non-sufficient funds fees Feb 2022  Will remove ability for clients to overdraw their accounts at the ATM

 Will remove ability for clients to overdraw their accounts at the ATM May 2022  Will reduce overdraft fees from $35 to $10

 Will reduce overdraft fees from to May 2022  Will eliminate Balance Connect for overdraft protection transfer fee (formerly $12 )

"We remain committed to taking actions that will further bring down overdraft fees in the future and continue to empower clients to drive positive changes to behavior pertaining to overdraft," added O'Neill.

Essential Solutions

In addition to the changes to overdraft related fees, Bank of America's suite of Essential Solutions offers a powerful combination of transparent, low and no cost, easy-to-use offerings that help clients budget, save, spend and borrow carefully and confidently. The full array of solutions includes:

SafeBalance  With SafeBalance, there are no overdraft fees, and the monthly maintenance fee is waived for eligible students under the age of 25 as well as for clients enrolled in our Preferred Rewards program.

 With SafeBalance, there are no overdraft fees, and the monthly maintenance fee is waived for eligible students under the age of 25 as well as for clients enrolled in our Preferred Rewards program. Balance Assist  Balance Assist provides an affordable way for clients to manage their short-term liquidity needs, borrowing only the amount they need, up to $500 (in increments of $100 ) for a $5 flat fee regardless of the amount borrowed. Repayments are made in three equal monthly installments over a 90-day period. To learn more, review these additional product details and eligibility criteria. Borrowers must have been a Bank of America checking account client for at least one year.

 Balance Assist provides an affordable way for clients to manage their short-term liquidity needs, borrowing only the amount they need, up to $500 (in increments of ) for a flat fee regardless of the amount borrowed. Repayments are made in three equal monthly installments over a 90-day period. To learn more, review these additional product details and eligibility criteria. Borrowers must have been a Bank of America checking account client for at least one year. Balance Connect  Balance Connect allows our clients overdraft protection through the ability to link up to five accounts to their checking, while increasing simplicity and accessibility through digital sign-up and management.

 Balance Connect allows our clients overdraft protection through the ability to link up to five accounts to their checking, while increasing simplicity and accessibility through digital sign-up and management. BankAmericard Secured Card  This credit card can help clients establish, strengthen or rebuild credit, and they can apply for an account with a security deposit starting as low as $300 . With responsible credit behavior, over time, this could help clients improve their credit score.

 This credit card can help clients establish, strengthen or rebuild credit, and they can apply for an account with a security deposit starting as low as . With responsible credit behavior, over time, this could help clients improve their credit score. Affordable Home Loans  In early 2019, Bank of America launched its now expanded $15 billion Community Homeownership Commitment, which has already helped 32,000 low- and moderate-income homebuyers achieve homeownership through low down payment loans and down payment and closing cost grants. By 2025, Bank of America anticipates helping more than 60,000 individuals and families to purchase homes through the program.

 In early 2019, Bank of America launched its now expanded Community Homeownership Commitment, which has already helped 32,000 low- and moderate-income homebuyers achieve homeownership through low down payment loans and down payment and closing cost grants. By 2025, Bank of America anticipates helping more than 60,000 individuals and families to purchase homes through the program. Keep the Change  This tool helps clients build savings by automatically depositing spare change from rounded up debit card transactions into a savings account. Over the last 15 years, this program has helped clients direct more than $15 billion in excess change to client savings.

 This tool helps clients build savings by automatically depositing spare change from rounded up debit card transactions into a savings account. Over the last 15 years, this program has helped clients direct more than in excess change to client savings. Better Money Habits  A free financial education platform that provides a simple, accessible way to connect people to the tools, resources and education they need to take control of their finances.

Recognized Leadership

Last year, Bank of America has been recognized with more than 280 industry awards for its innovation, financial technology, and delivering exceptional client services and solutions.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this news release may constitute "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements represent the current expectations, plans or forecasts of Bank of America based on available information. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. These statements often use words like "expects," "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "targets," "intends," "plans," "predict," "goal" and other similar expressions or future or conditional verbs such as "will," "may," "might," "should," "would" and "could." Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and Bank of America undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect the impact of circumstances or events that arise after the date the forward-looking statement was made.

Forward-looking statements represent Bank of America's current expectations, plans or forecasts of its future results, revenues, expenses, efficiency ratio, capital measures, and future business and economic conditions more generally, and other future matters. These statements are not guarantees of its future results or performance and involve certain known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict and are often beyond Bank of America's control. Actual outcomes and results may differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, any forward-looking statements. You should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statement and should consider all of the uncertainties and risks discussed under Item 1A. "Risk Factors" of Bank of America's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, and in any of Bank of America's other subsequent Securities and Exchange Commission filings.

Bank of America

Bank of America is one of the world's leading financial institutions, serving individual consumers, small and middle-market businesses and large corporations with a full range of banking, investing, asset management and other financial and risk management products and services. The company provides unmatched convenience in the United States, serving approximately 66 million consumer and small business clients with approximately 4,200 retail financial centers, approximately 17,000 ATMs, and award-winning digital banking with approximately 41 million active users, including approximately 32 million mobile users. Bank of America is a global leader in wealth management, corporate and investment banking and trading across a broad range of asset classes, serving corporations, governments, institutions and individuals around the world. Bank of America offers industry-leading support to approximately 3 million small business households through a suite of innovative, easy-to-use online products and services. The company serves clients through operations across the United States, its territories and approximately 35 countries. Bank of America Corporation stock (NYSE: BAC) is listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

For more Bank of America news, including dividend announcements and other important information, register for email news alerts.

Reporters May Contact:

Don Vecchiarello, Bank of America

Phone: 770.361.2573

[email protected]

SOURCE Bank of America Corporation
The bath mats market share growth in US by the household segment will be significant for revenue generation. Bath mats for household applications include mats that are used to prevent people from slipping on bathroom floors. Big families prefer to procure several bath mats and keep one ready for use in the restroom while the used ones are washed and kept for drying. For such purposes, customers prefer buying bath mats that are economical or affordable rather than luxurious or premium products. The availability of such product offerings from bath mat vendors in the US is expected to drive the growth of the household bath mats market in the country during the forecast period.





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Key Market Dynamics:

Market Driver - The growing demand for organic bath mats from customers across the US is expected to propel the growth of the market during the forecast period. Customers prefer organic bath mats as these products do not contain any synthetic chemicals and are perceived as not having any adverse side effects when used regularly. Vendors that offer organic bath mats provide complete information about the product to customers on the packaging, including the type of cotton used, as well as the sources of the raw materials. Customers in the US prefer organic home furnishing products that are strictly monitored by regulatory bodies. Such products are marked with the OEKO-TEX and GOTS logos to assure customers about the organic nature of the product.

The is expected to propel the growth of the market during the forecast period. Customers prefer organic bath mats as these products do not contain any synthetic chemicals and are perceived as not having any adverse side effects when used regularly. Vendors that offer organic bath mats provide complete information about the product to customers on the packaging, including the type of cotton used, as well as the sources of the raw materials. Customers in the US prefer organic home furnishing products that are strictly monitored by regulatory bodies. Such products are marked with the OEKO-TEX and GOTS logos to assure customers about the organic nature of the product. Market Challenges - The demand for private-label brands is becoming a key focus area for retailers in the US, who are selling different types of bath mats under their private-label brands to increase their profitability. However, the long product replacement cycle for bath mats may impede the market growth.

The bath mats market in US report is segmented by Application (household and commercial) and Type (rubber, PVC, grips, and others). Technavioreport provides an accurate prediction of the contribution of all the segments to the growth of the bath mats market size in US and actionable market insights on each segment.

View our sample report for additional insights into the contribution of all the segments, and regional opportunities in the report.

Some Companies Mentioned

The bath mats market in US is fragmented and the vendors are deploying various organic and inorganic growth strategies to compete in the market.

Apache Mills



Bed Bath and Beyond Inc.



Crane and Canopy Inc.



Frette North America Inc.



Kittrich Corp.



Peacock Alley



Standard Textile Co. Inc.



Wayfair Inc.



Welspun Group



Williams-Sonoma Inc.

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Anti-Fatigue Mat Market -The anti-fatigue mat market size has the potential to grow by USD 501.25 million during 2021-2025, and the market's growth momentum will accelerate at a CAGR of 3.79%. Download a free sample report now!



Floor Polisher Market -The floor polisher market share is expected to increase by USD 4.31 billion from 2021 to 2026, and the market's growth momentum will accelerate at a CAGR of 5.31%. Download a free sample now!

Bath Mats Market In US Scope Report Coverage Details Page number 120 Base year 2020 Forecast period 2021-2025 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 2.05% Market growth 2021-2025 USD 40.66 million Market structure Fragmented YoY growth (%) 0.49 Regional analysis US Competitive landscape Leading companies, competitive strategies, consumer engagement scope Companies profiled Apache Mills, Bed Bath and Beyond Inc., Crane and Canopy Inc., Frette North America Inc., Kittrich Corp., Peacock Alley, Standard Textile Co. Inc., Wayfair Inc., Welspun Group , and Williams-Sonoma Inc. Market Dynamics Parent market analysis, Market growth inducers and obstacles, Fast-growing and slow-growing segment analysis, COVID-19 impact and future consumer dynamics, market condition analysis for the forecast period. Customization purview If our report has not included the data that you are looking for, you can reach out to our analysts and get segments customized.

Key Topics Covered:

Executive Summary

Market Landscape

Market Sizing

Five Forces Analysis

Market Segmentation

Customer landscape

Geographic Landscape

Vendor Landscape

Vendor Analysis

Appendix

About Us

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

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SOURCE Technavio
BigSpeak earns a Net Promoter Score (NPS) of 82 in 2021, Leads Rivals in Customer Loyalty Tweet this

"When we first started tracking customer loyalty," said Ken Sterling, Executive Vice President of Big Speak, "we would score in the mid-60s or low-70s for NPS, which was pretty good. And we made it our mission to focus on customer satisfaction because that's the best way to keep clients happy and a wonderful way to get repeat and referral customers."

NPS was created by Bain & Company as a way to measure customer loyalty. Clients and customers are sent an anonymous survey in which they rate how likely they would recommend a company on a scale of 0-10, with 0 being the worst and 10 being the best. However, survey scores aren't averaged; the responses are weighted. Scores of 9-10 add to a company's loyalty, while scores of 0-6 detract, and scores of 7-8 add nothing. To earn customer loyalty, a company must receive many exceptional scores of 9-10 from its customer base and very few 0-6s. The NPS system then converts the scores on the scale of -100 to +100.

"If a client has an okay experience or we just meet expectations," said Ken Sterling, "no customer will recommend us. It's like one of our favorite business keynote speakers, Magic Johnson says, 'It's not enough in the marketplace today just to deliver. You've got to over-deliver to your clients and to your customer base."

To achieve these amazing results and up-level their service, BigSpeak has worked with customer satisfaction experts and consultants such as Robert Richman (co-creator of Zappos Insights), Tiffani Bova (author of GrowthIQ and Global Growth and Innovation Evangelist at Salesforce), Molly Bloom (top booked keynote speaker and best-selling author of Molly's Game), Omar Johnson (top booked keynote speaker and former VP of Marketing at Apple), and Mitch Lowe (co-founding executive of Netflix) to improve its customer loyalty. Now the company is scoring 15 points higher than industry norms, which average in the mid-60s.

"One of the secrets to our success in customer loyalty is learning from customer comments," said Ken Sterling. "On our surveys, we ask the ultimate question: If you didn't rate us at a 10, what would it take to give us a 10? We read and obsess over every comment and then we modify procedures to eliminate what was causing the challenge. It's a feel-good and effective way to improve and keep our clients coming back."

About Bain & Company

Bain & Company is a global consultancy that helps the world's most ambitious change-makers define the future.

About BigSpeak:

BigSpeak is a full-service speakers bureau located in Santa Barbara, California. BigSpeak serves 72% of the global Fortune 1000 and is the first choice for clients who need keynote speakers. BigSpeak creates and nurtures long-term relationships with clients, speakers, and other bureaus by providing expert guidance, the best values, and customer experience in its industry.

BigSpeak constantly pushes itself to learn, reinvent the way it works, and serve the event meeting and planning needs of its wide variety of clients including corporations, associations, and universities. BigSpeak's keynote speakers range from business speakers, world-class athletes, bestselling authors, award-winning entertainers to global icons, and more. BigSpeak regularly works with Facebook, Google, Microsoft, Pfizer, Oracle, Cisco and other major F100 companies.

Contact:

Jennifer Neisse

(805) 965-1400

SOURCE BigSpeak Speakers Bureau
COPENHAGEN, Denmark, Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- BioInnovation Institute (BII), a non-for profit Foundation known for incubating and advancing world-class life science research, today announces the award of a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to accelerate efforts to discover translational world-class research to identify new technologies and solutions that can improve the health of women and girls across the world, including low-income countries.

The grant supports BII's vision to strengthen the European ecosystem for research and start-ups that addresses unmet medical needs within women's health and family planning. The grant will allow for sufficient resource allocation to drive the Initiative and BII will contribute by applying its expertise in project scouting in combination with a strong scientific and investor network.

As part of this Joint Initiative, BII will conduct a thorough landscape analysis and identify leading research and start-up opportunities for women's health, with the potential for future funding from BII and partners. BII will also undertake community building and awareness creating activities with selected key partners within the ecosystem.

Commenting on the grant award, Jens Nielsen, BioInnovation Institute CEO, said:

"BII is delighted to have secured this prestigious grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. It enables us to put in place the resources needed to scout and support important initiatives to accelerate improvements in Women's Health - a priority for society and an area of strategic interest for BII. We are excited to drive innovation in this important field, and we will strive to deliver novel solutions for a global unmet medical need."

BII already focuses on women's health and has an existing portfolio of promising women's health and family planning projects. However, the new initiative, with support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, paves the way for BII to accelerate existing efforts to discover translational world-class research that can improve women's health.

Katrine Thor Andersen, Deputy Director, Global Health, Gates Foundation, said:

"The BII team's capabilities and strong commitment to Women's Health has impressed us. We are excited to have BII as a strategic partner to complement our efforts in catalyzing innovation, with the goal of improving the health of women and girls, especially in low-income countries bringing us closer to a more gender-equal world."

Read more on www.bioinnovationinstitute.com and on https://www.gatesfoundation.org/about/committed-grants

About the BioInnovation Institute Foundation

The BioInnovation Institute Foundation (BII) is an international commercial foundation with a nonprofit objective supported by the Novo Nordisk Foundation. BII operates an incubator to accelerate world-class life science innovation that drives the development of new solutions by early life science start-ups for the benefit of people and society.

BII, located in Copenhagen, Denmark, offers start-ups and early-stage projects within health tech, therapeutics, and bio-industrials state-of-the-art labs, vibrant office facilities, business development, start-up business incubation, access to high-level mentoring and international networks, plus unique funding opportunities of up to 1.3 million euro per start-up and 2.4 million euro per project.

Since the inauguration of BII in November 2018, BII has awarded 44 million euros to 79 high-growth start-up companies. Read more on www.bioinnovationinstitute.com

SOURCE BioInnovation Institute
FORT WORTH, Texas, Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- We are pleased to announce that we have joined RUPES as an authorized distributor. Founded in 1947 in Milan, Italy RUPES S.p.A. has been a producer of innovative specialty tools for over 70 years. RUPES USA, the North American arm of the Italian based tool manufacturer located in Louisville, Colorado, was founded in 2015 to exclusively service the North American market. The Colorado facility serves as the corporate offices, a state-of-the-art training center, and features a manufacturing center for RUPES class-leading sanders and polishers. An additional RUPES manufacturing center in Houston, Texas has begun production of the innovative polishing pads and compounds to further bolster RUPES' support of customers in the USA and Canada.

RUPES USA is excited to have Blend Supply build on the tradition of problem solving, innovation and customer service that RUPES customers have come to expect. "Where others provide products, Blend Supply looks to provide their customers with complete finishing solutions," states Rob Volkert, CEO at RUPES USA. "Their knowledgeable and resourceful team provides customers with exceptional service and high-quality product lines, with RUPES being their newest offering. Blend Supply's customer focus alights well with RUPES USA business philosophies."

Blend Supply's President and member of the ownership family, Clint Broadie, stated "RUPES being an industry leader in tool and compound manufacturing gives Blend the right partner in improving our customers' processes. Adding the impressive and highly efficient RUPES line, we know our customers will greatly benefit."

About RUPES

RUPES is a family owned and operated company, founded in Milan, Italy in 1947. Since its inception, RUPES' commitment to product innovation and quality manufacturing has defined the company as a worldwide benchmark manufacturer of professional electric and pneumatic tools, accessory items and vacuum sanding systems. For more information visit rupesusa.com and follow @rupesusa on Instagram and YouTube for informative and educational content.

About Blend Supply

Blend Supply is a full-service distributor of coatings, industrial and MRO supplies with deep industry expertise serving the aerospace, industrial, marine and military markets. As we celebrate our 75th year in aviation, we see why a growing number of people in the industries we represent choose us. Our full-service team provides customer service and on-site technical assistance. Blend Supply offers next day delivery options for most of the country from our many distribution centers across the U.S. For more information, visit blendsupply.com and follow @blendsupply on Instagram.

Contact

Samuel Cowlishaw

800-647-9279

[email protected]

SOURCE Blend Supply
SAN DIEGO, Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Blue Sky Network today announced the certification of its SkyLink 7100 aviation solution, a dual-mode system operating via the Iridium Certus 100 service and local GSM/LTE networks. It will provide its aviation customers with continuous pole-to-pole coverage.

"Blue Sky Network is proud to be leading the charge in bringing Iridium Certus solutions to the markets we operate including land, sea, air, and IoT," says Tucker Morrison, Blue Sky Network CEO. "This latest certification is for the aviation sector, which is where our company first began. We are extending our offer of connectivity solutions across industries and market sectors for customers around the globe."

SkyLink 7100 offers best-in-class performance for rotorcraft, air transport, defense, and the burgeoning unmanned aircraft (UAS) industry. SkyLink 7100 will also unlock new capabilities for infrastructure monitoring, cargo delivery, aerial firefighting, emergency medical services (EMS), airline information, military, and crew communications.

SkyLink 7100 is one of four unique products in Blue Sky Network's SkyLink suite of solutions powered by Iridium Certus 100, with both products and services offered in every market and across land, sea, air and IoT.

"Blue Sky Network has fully embraced all that the Iridium Certus 100 service offers. We look forward to providing this powerful service to Blue Sky Network's customers around the planet be it in the air, on land, or at sea. Theirs is truly a powerful combination of small size and high performance that will make it easier and more affordable for enterprise-grade voice, remote monitoring, and data management, enabled by Iridium's reliable coverage anywhere in the world," said Bryan Hartin, Iridium EVP, Sales and Marketing.

The SkyLink ecosystem consists of lightweight, small form factor devices, and powerful web-based applications that deliver internet connectivity and a suite of IoT/M2M capabilities to and from any place on Earth. The SkyLink Cloud Services platform provides a powerful set of management tools for remote terminal management, diagnostics, and health monitoring. In addition, mission-critical information can be captured, disseminated, and displayed in a secure online portal. Customizable reports, activity alerts, and dashboards work around the clock, ensuring important data is recorded in real time for complete situational awareness.

About Blue Sky Network

Blue Sky Network is an industry-leading provider of mission-critical fleet management, business continuity, and operational analytics solutions, serving commercial and government customers worldwide. Founded in 2001, Blue Sky Network is the partner of choice to track, manage, and optimize high-value assets in real time anywhere in the world for improved safety, reliability, and operational efficiency. Headquartered in San Diego, California, with dealers in over 50 countries, the company holds Anatel certification and maintains offices in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and Scottsdale, AZ. Learn more: www.blueskynetwork.com.

Blue Sky Network is an Iridium service partner and VAM.

Media Contact:

Kelly Rusk

[email protected]

+1 613 558 7897

SOURCE Blue Sky Network, LLC
NEW YORK, Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Bureau Veritas, a world leader in testing, inspection and certification (TIC) services, today announced the appointment of David L. Richter, PMP, FCMAA, FCIOB, as Chief Operating Officer of Infrastructure Project Management, effective immediately. David's responsibilities will include leading and growing the company's Infrastructure Project Management business in North America. He will also oversee the company's newly acquired PreScience business, a California-based leader of project management and construction management services for transportation and infrastructure projects. He will be based in the company's New York City office.

David comes to Bureau Veritas after more than two decades in various senior leadership roles, including Chief Executive Officer, at Philadelphia-based Hill International, where he oversaw Hill's transformation from a small construction consulting firm into a publicly-listed global leader in project management. During his time at the company, Hill's revenue increased more than thirty-fold, from less than $20 million to more than $600 million annually. David will report to Ron Stupi, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Building and Infrastructure for Bureau Veritas North America.

"David is recognized as a thought leader and a doer in the construction industry. With his impressive background in global project management and proven track record in driving financial performance and business growth, he is poised to lead the integration of our newly acquired PreScience team and substantially build our Infrastructure Project Management division," said Ron Stupi, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Buildings and Infrastructure, Bureau Veritas, North America. "We are so excited to welcome him to our team in North America and look forward to his leadership as we continue to focus on the strategic growth objectives of Bureau Veritas."

"I am excited to join Bureau Veritas at a time when infrastructure spending is a national priority and I welcome the opportunity to build upon the 200-year legacy of quality, trust, safety, and transparency that Bureau Veritas brings to the building and infrastructure sector," said David Richter, Chief Operating Officer, Infrastructure Project Management, Bureau Veritas North America. "I look forward to working with our talented team throughout the U.S. and Canada and supporting Bureau Veritas in their dedication to excellence across all of the company's services."

David earned a Master of Public Administration from Harvard University, a Master of Science in Major Program Management from the University of Oxford, and a Juris Doctor, a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, and a Bachelor of Science in Management all from the University of Pennsylvania. In addition, he is currently pursuing his doctorate in civil engineering at Columbia University. David is a certified Project Management Professional and a Fellow of both the Construction Management Association of America and the Chartered Institute of Building.

About Bureau Veritas

Bureau Veritas is a world leader in laboratory testing, inspection and certification services. Created in 1828, the Group has more than 78,000 employees located in more than 1,600 offices and laboratories around the globe. Bureau Veritas helps its 400,000 clients improve their performance by offering services and innovative solutions in order to ensure that their assets, products, infrastructure and processes meet standards and regulations in terms of quality, health and safety, environmental protection and social responsibility.

Bureau Veritas is listed on Euronext Paris and belongs to the Next 20 index.

Compartment A, ISIN code FR 0006174348, stock symbol: BVI.

For more information, visit www.bvna.com, and follow us on Twitter (@bureauveritasNA) and LinkedIn.

MEDIA CONTACTS

Theresa Anderson

+1 917 344 4593

[email protected]

SOURCE Bureau Veritas
JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Cadre Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CDRE) ("Cadre" or "the Company"), a global leader in the manufacturing and distribution of safety and survivability equipment for first responders, today announced the completion of the Company's previously announced acquisition of Radar Leather Division S.r.l. ("Radar"). The acquisition is expected to be immediately accretive. As previously announced, Pietro Pellegrini, CEO of Radar, and Paolo Pellegrini, Vice President of Radar, will remain with the business in their current roles and partner with the team at Cadre to drive continued growth alongside Cadre's wholly owned subsidiary, Safariland LLC.

Established in 1957 by Gisberto Pellegrini and based in Fucecchio, Italy, Radar is a premiere family-owned duty gear business that specializes in the production of high-quality holsters, belts, duty belts, and other accessories. Radar generates the majority of its revenue in Europe, selling its products through distribution partners and directly to agencies.

Warren B. Kanders, Chairman and CEO of Cadre, said, "We are pleased to have completed the acquisition of Radar. The Pellegrini family has built a highly respected and leading duty gear brand, and we look forward to working with Pietro and Paolo to capitalize on compelling growth opportunities."

Pietro Pellegrini, CEO of Radar, commented, "The closing of this transaction is an important milestone for both Radar and our family. I am excited and confident that, together with Cadre and Safariland, we will build upon our more than 60-year legacy to create long-term value for all stakeholders."

About Cadre

Headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, Cadre is a global leader in the manufacturing and distribution of safety and survivability products for first responders. Cadre's equipment provides critical protection to allow users to safely and securely perform their duties and protect those around them in hazardous or life-threatening situations. The Company's core products include body armor, explosive ordnance disposal equipment, and duty gear. Our highly engineered products are utilized by domestic and international first responders in state and local law enforcement, fire and rescue, explosive ordnance disposal, emergency medical technicians, as well as numerous federal agencies and foreign government agencies in 104 countries. Our key brands include Safariland and Med-Eng, amongst others.

Forward-Looking Statements

Except for historical information, certain matters discussed in this press release may be forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include but are not limited to all projections and anticipated levels of future performance. Forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from those discussed herein. Any number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from projections or forward-looking statements, including without limitation global economic conditions, spending patterns of government agencies, competitive pressures, the impact of acquisitions and related integration activities, product liability claims, the success of new product introductions, currency exchange rate fluctuations and the risks of doing business in in the markets in which we operate, including foreign countries. More information on potential factors that could affect the Company's financial results are more fully described in our prospectus filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, on November 5, 2021, and will be included from time to time in the Company's public reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and Current Reports on Form 8-K. All forward-looking statements included in this press release are based upon information available to the Company as of the date of this press release, and speak only as of the date hereof. We assume no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this press release.

Contact:

Gray Hudkins

Cadre Holdings, Inc.

203-550-7148

[email protected]

Investor Relations:

The IGB Group

Leon Berman / Matt Berkowitz

212-477-8438 / 212-227-7098

[email protected] / [email protected]

Media Contact:

Jonathan Keehner / Andrew Siegel

Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher

212-355-4449

SOURCE Cadre Holdings
A new railway operating schedule introduced on Monday will help increase passenger and freight capacity for the upcoming Spring Festival travel rush. The travel rush is projected to last 40 days from Jan 17 to Feb 25, with about 280 million train trips expected to be made. China State Railway Group, the national railway operator, said the network will operate 10,462 passenger train routes and more than twice that number of freight train services under the new schedule. The capacity of high-speed trains from central and eastern provinces to the southern province of Guangdong will be improved, with travel times shortened, it said. For example, it takes only three and a half hours to travel from Nanchang, Jiangxi's provincial capital, to Shenzhen in Guangdong by bullet train under the new schedule, compared to four to seven hours before. The railway operator said the new schedule will also optimize freight transport capacity to meet the nation's coal shipping needs. Thirty-eight additional freight train services will be offered along lines including the one from Beijing to Shanghai and the line from Lanzhou, capital of Gansu province, to Urumqi, capital of the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region. Another four heavy-load freight train services are available on the line from Ordos, Inner Mongolia autonomous region, to Ji'an, Jiangxi, according to the new schedule, in addition to the existing 120 freight train services. The railway operator said that it has also improved policies on refunding and changing train tickets to better facilitate travel during the Spring Festival rush. Ticket services on 12306, a mobile application and website it runs, will be extended to 1 am from the previous 11:30 pm, except for Tuesdays. The services open to the public at 5 am each day. Ticket refund services will be available up to the time the train departs from the station. Previously, travelers were only allowed to get ticket refunds up to 25 minutes before the train departed.


DAMASCUS, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- A war monitor revealed on Tuesday that 600 people were killed between June and October 2017 during the U.S.-led airstrikes targeting positions of the Islamic State (IS) group in Syria's northern province of Raqqa.

According to a report published on the website of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the U.S.-led bombings in Raqqa, the former de facto capital of the IS, killed 600 people from 140 families over the course of the four months.

Their bodies were found when mass graves were uncovered after the IS was defeated in Raqqa, according to the report.

The overall number of people killed by U.S.-led airstrikes is much higher, as evidenced by the 28 mass graves housing more than 6,000 bodies, said the Britain-based observatory, adding the majority of the victims were killed during U.S.-led airstrikes targeting IS positions in Raqqa between 2014 and 2018, while the rest were killed by the IS following its capture of Raqqa in 2014. 
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J., Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Cambrex recently celebrated the 40th anniversary of its founding in 1981. Following forty years of growth and transformation into a leading global contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO), Cambrex continues its commitment to leadership in pharmaceutical drug substance manufacturing with over $100 million of investments in progress across its global manufacturing network.

"As Cambrex celebrates our 40th anniversary, we are proud to be making significant investments in capacity and new capabilities across our network," said Thomas Loewald, Cambrex CEO. He added, "Paired with our growing team of over 2,200 employees; these investments will enable us to serve our customers better as we partner with them in the development and manufacturing of novel, life-changing therapies."

The largest of the expansions in Charles City, IA, is a $50 million project to support the large-scale development and manufacturing of small molecule drug substances. As the latest in a series of significant investments at the site, the expansion will increase the facility's capacity by approximately 30 percent with reactors sized up to 16,000 liters, ideal for efficient production of large-volume commercial drug substances. The new capacity will come online during the first half of 2022.

In October 2021, a further $30 million investment was announced at Cambrex's High Point, NC facility focused on clinical-stage drug substance and small-volume commercial manufacturing services. Now in progress, the expansion will approximately double the facility's capacity by adding new chemistry laboratories, new clinical manufacturing suites, and a small-scale commercial manufacturing operation with reactors up to 2,000 liters. In addition to expanding Cambrex's leadership in continuous flow chemistry, this investment will give Cambrex the ability to develop and manufacture highly potent APIs for its customers within a single facility. The High Point facility expansion will be completed during the first half of 2023.

In Europe, Cambrex is midway through a series of upgrades at its Karlskoga, Sweden facility totaling over $20 million, which will increase multi-purpose capacity by 25 percent and provide more flexibility in API manufacturing. Less than a year removed from installing a new 6,000-liter drug substance production line, the site is now executing a similar project to add additional cGMP manufacturing capacity by the end of 2022.

These investments, which span all scales of clinical and commercial drug substance manufacturing, will ensure Cambrex continues to be well-positioned to support its customers in the development and manufacturing of innovative new therapies that improve human health.

About Cambrex

Cambrex is a leading global contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) that provides drug substance, drug product, and analytical services across the entire drug lifecycle. With over 40 years of experience and a growing team of over 2,200 experts servicing global clients from North America and European sites, Cambrex is a trusted partner in branded and generic markets for API and dosage form development and manufacturing.

Cambrex offers a range of specialized drug substance technologies and capabilities, including biocatalvsis. continuous flow, controlled substances, solid-state science, material characterization, and highly potent APIs. In addition, Cambrex can support conventional dosage forms, including oral solids, semi-solids, and liquids, and has the expertise to manufacture specialty dosage forms such as modified-release, fixed-dose combination, pediatric, bi-layer tablets, stick packs, topicals, controlled substances, sterile and non-sterile ointments.

For more information, visit www.cambrex.com

Contact:

Eli Cohen, Sr. Director of Marketing

Email: [email protected]

Phone: +1 919 544 8638

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1723116/Cambrex_40_Years_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Cambrex
TEL AVIV, Israel, Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- As children head back to schools, monitoring their sugar consumption in food and beverages becomes more challenging. Food-tech start-up B.T. Sweet, Ltd. introduces CAMBYA, its plant-based, sweetening platform to cut loads of sugar from favorite treats, such as hazelnut and chocolate spreads.

Cutting Sugar Loads from Hazelnut & Chocolate Spreads (PRNewsfoto/B.T. Sweet, Ltd.)

B.T. Sweet cracked the code on helping manufacturers create tasty hazelnut and chocolate spreads with less sugar. The company offers leading sweet spread, filling, and coating companies' new abilities to meet their sugar-reduction targets without compromising on much loved flavor qualities (especially those imposed by new regulations).

According to the UK's National Health Service, while it is recommended that adults have no more than 30g of free sugars daily, children ages 7 to 10 should have no more than 24g per day. And children ages 4 to 6 should have no more than 19g of free sugars in a day.

CAMBYA is a plant-based, one-to-one drop-in sugar replacer for use in multiple food & applications. The proprietary formula, based on soluble fibers, monk fruit, and select botanicals, is a 1:1 equivalent to sugar both in function and flavor, while acting as a source of naturally derived beneficial fibers. CAMBYA delivers optimal sweetening capacity, without the need for masking agents. It is ideal for lowering sugar levels in confectionary, cereals and ice cream. Most importantly, it does not leave any lingering aftertastes.

"For many, a breakfast or school sandwich is incomplete without chocolate hazelnut spread," confesses Yoav Gaon, CEO of B.T. Sweet. "Parents struggle with their kids' demands for it and have a hard time resisting it themselves. We succeeded in developing a tasty solution that kids of all ages love simply by switching white sugar with CAMBYA."

Shockingly, sweet spreads typically contain up to 50% sucrose. The start-up's food technology team and chief confectioner tested the sweetening platform in several spread formulations with the goal of creating low sugar spread applications that cut the sugar load by at least fifty percent according to clients' requests. The challenge was to perfectly mimic the flavor, color, and texture of a traditional category leading sweet spread, without any change to the mass of the product. In addition to extensive sensory lab testing across all parameters, the start-up trialed the products among children and their parents.

Kids are the primary market for chocolate spreads, birthday cakes, cookies filled with cream and similar products," explains Dagi Pekatch, Founder and Chairman of B.T Sweet. "We received excellent feedback from them. They loved the taste of our CAMBYA sweetened hazelnut and chocolate spreads, and we all know kids are hard to fool," Pekatch grins.

Since CAMBYA is one-to-one equivalent to sugar in taste, body and texture, there is no need for additives to keep the same weight of the product. A low-sugar spread with CAMBYA, offers a rich, chocolatey, nutty taste with a creamy sensation, without adding any colors, preservatives, or added flavorings. Moreover, it is enriched in fiber and is low in calories.

CAMBYA's "plug and play" sweetening platform allows food companies to reformulate their spreads, as well as other products with less white sugar. Manufacturers have the flexibility to completely switch to BT Sweet's natural sweetening system, or balance it with sugar and other sweeteners according to desired levels without any adjustment to the recipe, thus saving R&D time and money.

About CAMBYA

B.T. Sweet was founded in 2019 by serial industrial entrepreneur Dagi Pekatch, who was showing early signs of developing type 2 diabetes. After studying the negative health impacts of high sugar consumption, Pekatch approached colleagues Gilles Gamon, a veteran in the sugar reduction industry, and, food technology experts Yoel Benesh, Gil de-Picciotto, and Gitay Gryger, PhD. The team recruited Yoav Gaon, a retail and food industry expert as CEO and developed the game-changing, palate-gratifying, botanical sugar substitute CAMBYA. The company has raised seed venture funding helping further its plans to develop sugar reduced proof of concepts for food and beverage companies and currently operates a production plant in Europe.

Company Contact B.T. Sweet Ltd Yoav Gaon CEO and Business Development Manager Email: [email protected] Web: www.cambya.com Press Contact NutriPR Liat Simha Tel: +972-9-9742893 E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.nutripr.com Twitter: @NutriPR_

SOURCE B.T. Sweet, Ltd.
AUSTIN, Texas, Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Card My Yard, the original franchise yard greeting service headquartered in Austin, Texas, is recognized as one of the top 500 franchises in Entrepreneur's Franchise 500, the world's first, best and most comprehensive franchise ranking. The 43rd annual Entrepreneur Franchise 500 is a highly sought-after honor in the franchise industry. Recognized as an invaluable resource for potential franchisees, the 2022 Franchise 500 ranks Card My Yard as number one in the category of Yard Sign Rental Franchises and number 299 overall for its outstanding performance in areas including unit growth, financial strength and stability, and brand power.

"We are humbled and honored by this recognition," Jessica Stanley, co-founder and chief marketing officer of Card My Yard said. "Card My Yard saw incredible growth and success in the past year, and we are looking forward to many years to come of spreading joy throughout the nation."

"These past few years pushed our business in ways we could have never imagined," Amy Arnold, co-found and chief brand officer of Card My Yard said. "Our franchise owners helped us achieve the tremendous success we have seen, and we are ecstatic for Card My Yard to grow to an additional 120 cities in 2022."

Card My Yard experienced an increase of 40% system-wide revenue over the same period as 2020 and franchise owners drove over 970,000 miles to deliver more than 130,000 orders to help their customers celebrate special days so far this year. Card My Yard sets itself apart from competitors with its innovative, streamlined online ordering system that helps bring in about 3,000 system-wide orders every week.

Notable awards for Card My Yard include being selected as an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year finalist, Austin Business Journal's top 2021 fastest growing companies and was an honoree for the 2021 Greater Austin Business awards among others.

Over its 43 years in existence, the Franchise 500 has become both a dominant competitive measure for franchisors and a primary research tool for potential franchisees. Card My Yard's position on the ranking is a testament to its strength as a franchise opportunity.

"The past year has been one of the most challenging for businesses in recent memory, which made putting together our 43rd annual Franchise 500 list more enlightening than ever," says Entrepreneur Editor in Chief Jason Feifer. "The companies named to this year's list showed us how being resilient, supportive, and nimble can help navigate extraordinary challenges and also underscore the grit and innovation that define entrepreneurship."

To view Card My Yard in the full ranking, visit www.entrepreneur.com/franchise500. Results can also be seen in the January/February 2022 issue of Entrepreneur, available on newsstands January 11th.

Card My Yard

Founded in 2014, Card My Yard is America's premier yard greetings service with 450+ franchise locations in 45 states and a national headquarters in Austin, Texas. Catering to special occasions, events and milestones, the company has transformed celebrations across the country and continues to make a positive impact in communities nationwide. With a mission to spread joy on a daily basis, Card My Yard offers readily available and custom signs to commemorate all occasions. For more information, visit www.cardmyyard.com and stay connected @cardmyyard.

Elizabeth Christian Public Relations

Victoria Gonzalez

956.778.8877

SOURCE Card My Yard
DALLAS, Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Detailed Research Analysis on the Cardiac Rhythm Management (CRM) Devices Market delivers prominent statistical information on industry conditions, en-use industries and other substantial details regarding the global Cardiac Rhythm Management (CRM) Devices Market. It also focuses on the sales revenue, profitability, price and industry share of the certain market. Moreover, this research individually analyses fresh growth patterns, down-stream as well as up-stream value chain analysis, raw material inspection, production and consumption product ratio and service offerings.

Cardiac Rhythm Management (CRM) Devices Market Size:

Our recent survey shows that, the global cardiac rhythm management (CRM) devices market size was projected at 17.1 billion in last year and now, it is assumed to reach at a CAGR of around 8.1 percent from the estimated period 2022 to 2029.

The availability of reputed global Cardiac Rhythm Management (CRM) Devices Market players in the specific country-driven industry alongside their creative strategies and business plans that are helpful in competing with local & domestic varieties are also explained in the report. Numerous trade routes, universal tariffs, international polices & rules and import/export scenarios are also determined while designing the Cardiac Rhythm Management (CRM) Devices Market report.

Avail a PDF sample of report: https://calibreresearch.com/report/cardiac-rhythm-management-crm-devices-market-181134#request-sample

CalibreResearch.com has carried out largely systematic and an in-depth research analysis on the Global Cardiac Rhythm Management (CRM) Devices Market Report 2022 which further segregated by primitive players, by geographical regions, by product type (Pacemaker, ICD, CRT) and by applications (Bradycardia, Heart Failure, Tachycardia & Others). The report gives insightful analysis on the growth performance of the Cardiac Rhythm Management (CRM) Devices Market at the regional as well as global scale. Furthermore, it explains a brief scope of the global Cardiac Rhythm Management (CRM) Devices Market along with the comprehensive examination of the segments and sub-segments of the Cardiac Rhythm Management (CRM) Devices Market.

Global Cardiac Rhythm Management (CRM) Devices Market categorized into following segments:

Cardiac Rhythm Management (CRM) Devices Market segmentation by Players:

Physio-Control, Inc. (Stryker)

Schiller

Medtronic

Abbott

Boston Scientific Corporation

Koninklijke Philips N.V.

Zoll Medical Corporation,

BIOTRONIK

Progetti Srl

Cardiac Rhythm Management (CRM) Devices Market segmentation by Product Type:

Pacemaker

ICD

CRT

Cardiac Rhythm Management (CRM) Devices Market classification by application:

Bradycardia

Tachycardia

Heart Failure

Other

Have Any Question about Cardiac Rhythm Management (CRM) Devices Market 2022

Cardiac Rhythm Management (CRM) Devices Market segmentation by Regions:

North America Market ( United States , North American country and Mexico ),

( , North American country and ), Europe Market( Germany , Cardiac Rhythm Management (CRM) Devices France Market, UK, Russia and Italy ),

, Cardiac Rhythm Management (CRM) Devices France Market, UK, and ), Asia-Pacific market ( China , Cardiac Rhythm Management (CRM) Devices Japan and Korea market, Asian nation and Southeast Asia ),

market ( , Cardiac Rhythm Management (CRM) Devices Japan and Korea market, Asian nation and ), South America ( Brazil , Argentina , Republic of Colombia etc.), geographic region

( , , Republic of etc.), geographic region Africa (Saudi Arabian Peninsula, UAE, Egypt , Nigeria and South Africa )

COVID-19 Impact Analysis:

According to the new buzz, the pandemic has affected the appeal for cardiac meter operation angle. Many request players have suffered through massive losses in the cardiac meter operation parts because of the delay in the procedures of cardiovascular. For example, Medtronic produced around 14 decline in its cardiac meter operation bias member in the previous year as compared to 2020. The drop was mainly built in CRT-Ds, ICDs and leaders parts etc. Whereas, some of the equivalent components too have negatively impacted the growth for the cardiac meter operation bias during the coronavirus pandemic.

Outlook: Global Cardiac Rhythm Management (CRM) Devices Market

Reportedly, the defibrillator member directed the appeal for cardiac meter operation bias and meanwhile, organized the biggest profit share of nearly 45.1 percent in 2021. The influence is considered to be a main result of growing repeal for the Subcutaneous Implantable Defibrillator (S-ICD) as well as Transvernous Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (T-ICD) in crucial domestic attentions equivalent as the United States, India, China and other European nations.

Besides this, it is also reported that the Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (CRT) member is expected to witness a powerful growth rate over the forecast timeframe from 2022 to 2029. It provides multiple benefits including declined blood transfusion, sanitarium stay and challenge of infections are major motorist for this member. Many healthcare specialists are decreasingly suggesting less invasive surgeries for CRT-Pacemaker implantation to examine bradycardia as well as cardiac arrest cases. The preference has been given for lower invasive ways for the CRT-P implantation which is presumed to accelerate deals through the predicted time.

Browse Full Report here: https://calibreresearch.com/report/cardiac-rhythm-management-crm-devices-market-181134

Stakeholders of the Cardiac Rhythm Management(CRM) Devices Market:

Distributors/ suppliers/ traders.

Raw material suppliers.

Various Importers as well as exporters.

Commercial research & development institutions.

Several regulatory bodies such as government agencies and NGO.

Government Organizations & consulting companies.

Trade associations and industry bodies.

End-use industries.

Essential aspects covered in the Global Cardiac Rhythm Management (CRM) Devices Market:

The research sheds light on the upcoming trends and industry dynamics of the Cardiac Rhythm Management (CRM) Devices Market.

It demonstrates a high-level competitive benchmarking for the leading vendors of the Global Cardiac Rhythm Management (CRM) Devices Market.

The report gives all-the possible opportunities that are needed to attain profitable business strategies.

Along with industry forecasts, the study on the Cardiac Rhythm Management (CRM) Devices Market provides industry shares and top expenditure pockets of the respective industry.

Competitive Assessment: Global Cardiac Rhythm Management (CRM) Devices Market

Our researchers have used several analytical technologies and methods to sustain flexibility to keep precision while offer widely exclusively and valuable custom insights to existing firms and interested individuals. They have also conduced detailed evaluation of about key facets such as competitive landscape, geographical analysis and segmental survey. The competitive landscape of the Global Cardiac Rhythm Management (CRM) Devices Market has been deeply studied to demonstrate the performance of the principal vendors along with the exhaustive explanation about their company profiles, robust infrastructure, revenue share analysis, pricing structure, profit margin analysis and so on.

Get More Related Reports Here:

Cardiac Implants Market: The is segmented into by Type (Cardiac Implants, Coronary Stent Devices, Prosthetic Heart Valves, Cardiac Assist Devices)By Application(Hospital Pharmacies, Retail Pharmacies, Drug Stores, Online Sales) Regions and Forecast 2029

Cardiac Pacemaker Market: The is segmented into by Type (Implantable Cardiac Pacemake, External Cardiac Pacemaker)By Application(Hospitals, Cardiac Centers, Ambulatory Surgical Centers) Regions and Forecast 2029

It studies special operations performed by the players of Cardiac Rhythm Management (CRM) Devices Market alongside the illustration of vital strategies that have been adapted to enhance their growth prospect as well as topological foothold in the international Cardiac Rhythm Management (CRM) Devices marketplace. It also contains highly comprehensive synopsis of the new marketing events, latest occurrences, collaborative programs, mergers and acquisitions done by various industry-level units to scale up the whole performance and stability of global Cardiac Rhythm Management (CRM) Devices market.

Prime benefits of the global Cardiac Rhythm Management (CRM) Devices market are highlighted as:

The report displays potential demand and supply prospects of the global Cardiac Rhythm Management (CRM) Devices market.

It covers different components impacting the growth of the global Cardiac Rhythm Management (CRM) Devices market in the short-term and long-term phases.

The global Cardiac Rhythm Management (CRM) Devices market dynamics such as constraints, rivers, opportunities, political, technological as well as socioeconomics factors are studied in detail.

New trends and forthcoming probabilities of the global Cardiac Rhythm Management (CRM) Devices market are cited in this report.

It examines topmost companies working in the global Cardiac Rhythm Management (CRM) Devices market and their competitive position in the numerous regions/countries.

Media Contact:

Calibre Research

3626 North Hall Street (Two Oak Lawn),

Suite 610, Dallas, TX 75219 USA.

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://calibreresearch.com/

Tel: +1-214-661-1669

SOURCE Calibre Research
WASHINGTON, Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. (CFP Board) announced today public sanctions against 19 current or former CFP professionals or candidates for CFP certification, effective immediately or on the date noted in each case. Public sanctions taken by CFP Board, in order of increasing severity, include Public Censures, Suspensions, Temporary Bars, Permanent Bars and Revocations of the right to use the CFP marks.

Twelve of the public sanctions announced in this news release are the result of "Historical Investigations" opened by CFP Board following background checks conducted on all CFP professionals to detect potential misconduct that previously had not been reported to CFP Board. This misconduct can include regulatory actions, firm terminations, customer complaints, arbitrations, and civil court litigation that involve professional conduct, criminal matters, bankruptcies, civil judgments, and tax liens.

CFP Board's Enforcement Process

As part of their certification, CFP professionals make a commitment to CFP Board to abide by CFP Board's Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct (Code and Standards), or its predecessor, the Standards of Professional Conduct (Standards), which included the Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility, Rules of Conduct, and Financial Planning Practice Standards. CFP Board's Procedural Rules set forth the process for investigating matters and imposing sanctions where violations have been found.

CFP Board enforces its ethical standards by investigating alleged violations and, where there is probable cause to believe there are grounds for sanction, presents a Complaint containing the alleged violations to CFP Board's Disciplinary and Ethics Commission (Commission). The Commission meets at least six times a year to review any matter in which CFP Board has alleged that a CFP professional has violated the Code and Standards, or its predecessor Standards. The Commission functions in accordance with the Procedural Rules and reviews all matters on a case-by-case basis, considering the details specific to an individual case.

If the Commission determines there are grounds for sanction, then it may impose a sanction. More information on CFP Board's enforcement process can be found at CFP.net/ethics/enforcement.

The Public Sanctions

A short summary of each sanction can be found below. At CFP.net/verify, CFP Board provides the public with:

The ability to check on any individual's CFP Board disciplinary history and CFP certification status.

Links to other sources of information about CFP professionals that may be more recent or that may contain information that has not led to CFP Board discipline and does not appear on CFP Board's website. This information may include customer disputes, disciplinary actions taken by a regulator or employer, certain criminal matters, and certain financial matters (such as bankruptcy proceedings and unpaid judgments or liens).

Links to the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority's (FINRA) BrokerCheck and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission's (SEC) Investment Adviser Public Disclosure databases for individuals who are subject to FINRA or SEC oversight.

STATE NAME LOCATION SANCTION Colorado Gregory R. Anderson, CFP Denver Public Censure Maryland Kevin T. Hutt, CFP Columbia Public Censure Pennsylvania Daniel Weimer, CFP Mars Public Censure Oregon Trevor Looney, CFP Tigard Public Censure Washington Melinda Crary, CFP Mountlake Terrace Public Censure California Jeffrey Stanga Aliso Viejo Suspension Florida Nathaniel Goldenberg Lithia Suspension Illinois Gerald A. Schmitt New Lenox Administrative Suspension New Jersey Louis S. Abrams Newton Administrative Suspension Minnesota Brian S. Stern Eden Prairie Administrative Temporary Bar Nevada Brett S. Ellen Las Vegas Administrative Temporary Bar Ohio R. David Riedy Sandusky Administrative Temporary Bar California Michelle R. Maccio Beverly Hills Administrative Permanent Bar California Gregory W. McCloskey Newport Beach Administrative Permanent Bar New York Bruce A. Mazo Rhinebeck Administrative Permanent Bar New Jersey Charles C. Leonard Haddonfield Administrative Revocation New Jersey M. Imran Rana Township of Washington Administrative Revocation Texas Ryan K. Scott Lebanon Administrative Revocation Texas Brian K. Hobbs Dallas Administrative Revocation

PUBLIC CENSURE

COLORADO

Gregory R. Anderson, CFP (Denver, Colorado): In November 2021, the Disciplinary and Ethics Commission (Commission) and Mr. Anderson entered into a Consent Order in which Mr. Anderson agreed that CFP Board would issue a Public Censure. In the Consent Order, Mr. Anderson consented to findings that he engaged in unlicensed sales representative activity by receiving transaction-based compensation in connection with the sale of real estate investment trusts and private placement securities, which was a violation of Rule 4.3 of the Rules of Conduct. Mr. Anderson also consented to findings that his firm's advertising materials, for which he was responsible, falsely represented an affiliation with a broker-dealer entity that was, in fact, no longer registered, and falsely stated that the firm was a member of the Securities Investor Protection Corporation, which was a violation of Rule 2.1 of the Rules of Conduct. As a result of this conduct, Mr. Anderson and his firm entered into a consent order with the Colorado Securities Division (CSD) in August 2017, which required Mr. Anderson to reimburse clients for $35,000 in transaction-based compensation and imposed other undertakings. Mr. Anderson made a false statement to CFP Board on his Ethics Declaration in December 2018 by failing to disclose the CSD Order, which was a violation of Rule 6.2 of the Rules of Conduct. Accordingly, the Commission issued to Mr. Anderson a Public Censure.

MARYLAND

Kevin T. Hutt, CFP (Columbia, Maryland): In November 2021, the Disciplinary and Ethics Commission (Commission) issued an order in which Mr. Hutt received a Public Censure. The Commission issued its order after determining that Mr. Hutt prioritized paying for college tuition and expenses over paying taxes to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for six years, resulting in the IRS filing federal tax liens against Mr. Hutt totaling almost $230,000. Currently, Mr. Hutt is making timely payments to the IRS pursuant to an Installment Agreement. The Commission determined that Mr. Hutt's conduct violated Rule 6.5 of the Rules of Conduct, which provides that a certificant shall not engage in conduct which reflects adversely on his integrity or fitness as a certificant, upon the CFP marks, or upon the profession. Accordingly, the Commission determined to issue Mr. Hutt an Order of Public Censure.

PENNSYLVANIA

Daniel Weimer, CFP (Mars, Pennsylvania): In December 2021, the Disciplinary and Ethics Commission (Commission) and Mr. Weimer entered into a Consent Order in which Mr. Weimer agreed that CFP Board would issue a Public Censure. In the Consent Order, Mr. Weimer consented to findings that Mr. Weimer violated Rules 3.1, 4.3 and 5.1 of CFP Board's Rules of Conduct when: (1) in August 2019, in anticipation of his departure from his firm, Mr. Weimer printed and removed hard copies of the non-public personal information of 1,300 customers of the firm, without the firm's or the customers' knowledge or consent. The information included the customers' social security numbers, account numbers, and dates of birth; (2) Mr. Weimer retained this information in a secure location without the firm's or the customers' knowledge or consent for approximately six weeks after his resignation from the firm. Mr. Weimer did not use the NPI or disclose it to others. After the firm determined that Mr. Weimer had removed the NPI, Mr. Weimer returned the NPI; and (3) by improperly removing and retaining customer information, Mr. Weimer caused the firm to violate Regulation S-P, and in so doing, violated FINRA Rule 2010. Accordingly, the Commission issued to Mr. Weimer a Public Censure.

OREGON

Trevor Looney, CFP (Tigard, Oregon): In October 2021, the Disciplinary and Ethics Commission (Commission) issued an order in which Mr. Looney received a Public Censure. The Commission imposed this sanction after determining that Mr. Looney was charged with Driving Under the Influence (DUI) in 2007 before he became a CFP professional, which did not result in a conviction, and was subsequently charged and convicted of two additional DUIs in 2018 and 2020 while he was a CFP professional. The Commission determined that Mr. Looney's conduct violated Rule 6.5 of the Rules of Conduct, which provides that a certificant shall not engage in conduct which reflects adversely on his integrity or fitness as a certificant, upon the CFP marks, or upon the profession. Accordingly, the Commission determined to issue Mr. Looney an Order of Public Censure.

WASHINGTON

Melinda Crary, CFP (Mountlake Terrace, Washington): In November 2021, the Disciplinary and Ethics Commission (Commission) and Ms. Crary entered into a Consent Order in which Ms. Crary agreed that CFP Board would issue a Public Censure. In the Consent Order, Ms. Crary consented to CFP Board's findings that Ms. Crary violated Rule 4.3 of the Rules of Conduct when, in February 2017, Ms. Crary entered into a consent order with the State of Washington Department of Financial Institutions, Securities Division (Washington Order). The Washington Order contained findings that between 2011 and 2017, Ms. Crary and her firm were not registered as an investment adviser, and that Ms. Crary was not registered as an investment adviser representative. The Washington Order contained further findings that Ms. Crary and her firm held themselves out as financial planners and solicited financial planning business without registering with the State. As part of the Washington Order, Ms. Crary and her firm agreed to pay a $10,000.00 administrative fine and $5,000.00 in investigative costs. Ms. Crary also consented to CFP Board's findings that she violated Rules 6.2 of the Rules of Conduct when she failed to disclose the Washington Order on her 2017 Ethics Declaration. Accordingly, the Commission issued to Ms. Crary a Public Censure.

SUSPENSION

Jeffrey Stanga (Aliso Viejo, California): In November 2021, the Disciplinary and Ethics Commission (Commission) and Mr. Stanga entered into a Consent Order in which Mr. Stanga agreed that CFP Board would issue a suspension of his right to use the CFP certification marks beginning on the date of the Consent Order and ending on April 4, 2022. In the Consent Order, Mr. Stanga consented to findings that on March 11, 2021, he entered into a Letter of Acceptance, Waiver and Consent (AWC) with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) which imposed a 12-month suspension, a $10,000 fine and disgorgement of $28,539 plus interest, for violating FINRA Rules by failing to fully disclose the nature of his outside business activities and by participating in private securities transactions without providing the required written notice to, or receiving written approval from, his registered firm. Pursuant to the Consent Order, Mr. Stanga also consented to findings that his conduct violated Standard E.2 of the Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct. Accordingly, the Commission issued to Mr. Stanga a suspension. Mr. Stanga's suspension is effective from November 24, 2021 until April 4, 2022.

FLORIDA

Nathaniel Goldenberg (Lithia, Florida): In December 2021, the Disciplinary and Ethics Commission (Commission) and Mr. Goldenberg entered into a Consent Order in which Mr. Goldenberg agreed that CFP Board would issue a thirty-month suspension of his right to use the CFP certification marks. In the Consent Order, Mr. Goldenberg agreed to findings that he: (1) violated Rule 6.5 of the Rules of Conduct when he copied a client's signature to asset transfer paperwork in June 2020 to implement the client's transition to his new firm; (2) violated Rule 6.5 of the Rules of Conduct when he copied a client's signature to asset transfer paperwork in July 2020 to transfer funds away from Mr. Goldenberg's new firm; (3) violated Rule 3.1 of the Rules of Conduct when he failed to treat client information as confidential by saving copies of documents containing non-public personal information (NPI), including names, birthdates, social security numbers, and account numbers, for at least four customers into an electronic folder on a thumb drive prior to leaving his prior firm to start his own firm and with the intention of using this information at his new firm; (4) violated Rule 3.1 of the Rules of Conduct when he failed to take prudent steps to protect the security of information and property by taking a thumb drive containing customers' NPI from his previous employer without password protecting the information; and (5) violated Rules 4.3 and 5.1 of the Rules of Conduct and Standard A.8.a. of the Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct when he caused his prior firm to violate Regulation S-P by saving NPI for at least four customers on a thumb drive with the intention of using this information at his new firm and keeping the customer documents and NPI in his possession after he left his prior firm, in violation of his prior firm's policies and without providing notice to or obtaining consent from these four customers. In the Consent Order, Mr. Goldenberg also agreed to findings that he entered into a Letter of Acceptance, Waiver and Consent with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), in which FINRA determined that Mr. Goldenberg violated FINRA Rule 2010 and imposed a one-month suspension for causing his prior firm to violate Regulation S-P. Accordingly, the Commission issued to Mr. Goldenberg a suspension for thirty (30) months. Mr. Goldenberg's suspension is effective from December 15, 2021 until June 15, 2024.

ILLINOIS

Gerald A. Schmitt (New Lenox, Illinois): In March 2021, CFP Board issued an administrative order suspending Mr. Schmitt's right to use the CFP certification marks for one year and one day. This sanction followed Mr. Schmitt's failure to file an Answer to CFP Board's Complaint within the required timeframe. CFP Board alleged that Mr. Schmitt failed to cooperate with CFP Board's investigation through his lack of response to CFP Board's investigative requests. CFP Board sought to investigate a 2019 Order of Suspension and Prohibition (Order) from the Illinois Secretary of State Securities Department (Illinois) for (1) recommending and selling fraudulent and unregistered securities; and (2) obtaining money through the sale of securities by failing to disclose material facts. Finally, CFP Board also sought to investigate allegations that Mr. Schmitt misled CFP Board by failing to disclose the Illinois Order on his Ethics Disclosure forms. CFP Board's Complaint alleged that Mr. Schmitt's conduct violated Standard E.5 of the Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct. Mr. Schmitt failed to deliver an Answer to the Complaint to CFP Board within 30 calendar days of the date of delivery, as required by Article 3.2 of the Procedural Rules. Under Article 4.1.b. of the Procedural Rules, Mr. Schmitt has been deemed in default. In accordance with Article 4.2 of the Procedural Rules, based on CFP Board's determination of the seriousness, scope and harmfulness of Mr. Schmitt 's conduct, CFP Board issued an Administrative Order of Suspension. Mr. Schmitt's administrative suspension was effective as of July 19, 2021.

NEW JERSEY

Louis S. Abrams (Newton, New Jersey): In October 2021, CFP Board issued an administrative order suspending Mr. Abrams' right to use the CFP certification marks for one year and one day. This sanction followed Mr. Abrams' failure to file an Answer to CFP Board's Complaint within the required timeframe. CFP Board alleged that Mr. Abrams violated Standard E.2.c. of the Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct when he filed for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy protection on June 3, 2021 in the Southern District of New York U.S. Bankruptcy Court. Mr. Abrams failed to file an Answer to CFP Board's Complaint within 30 calendar days as required by Article 3.4 of the Procedural Rules. Under Article 4.1.b. of the Procedural Rules, Mr. Abrams has been deemed in default. In accordance with Article 4.2 of the Procedural Rules, based on CFP Board's determination of the seriousness, scope and harmfulness of Mr. Abrams' conduct, CFP Board issued an Administrative Order of Suspension. Mr. Abrams' administrative suspension was effective as of November 26, 2021.

TEMPORARY BAR

MINNESOTA

Brian C. Stern (Eden Prairie, Minnesota): In October 2021, CFP Board issued an administrative order temporarily barring Mr. Stern from applying for or obtaining the CFP certification marks for one year and one day. This sanction followed Mr. Stern's failure to respond to CFP Board's Notice of Investigation within the required timeframe. CFP Board sought to investigate a tax lien filed against Mr. Stern by the State of Minnesota on February 4, 2016. Mr. Stern did not provide a response to CFP Board's Notices of Investigation within 30 calendar days as required by Article 1.1 of the Procedural Rules. Under Article 4.1.a. of the Procedural Rules, Mr. Stern has been deemed in default. In accordance with Article 4.2 of the Procedural Rules, based on CFP Board's determination of the seriousness, scope and harmfulness of Mr. Stern's conduct, CFP Board issued an Administrative Order of Temporary Bar wherein Mr. Stern's right to apply for or obtain the CFP marks is temporarily barred for one year and one day. Mr. Stern's administrative temporary bar was effective as of November 17, 2021.

NEVADA

Brett S. Ellen (Las Vegas, Nevada): In October 2021, CFP Board issued an administrative order temporarily barring Mr. Ellen from applying for or obtaining the CFP certification marks for one year and one day. This sanction followed Mr. Ellen's relinquishment of his certification and his failure to respond to CFP Board's Notice of Investigation within the required timeframe. CFP Board sought to investigate an arbitration filed against Mr. Ellen on September 4, 2020, in which it is alleged that Mr. Ellen sold unsuitable products. Mr. Ellen did not provide a response to CFP Board's second Notice of Investigation within 30 calendar days as required by Article 1.1 of the Procedural Rules. Under Article 4.1.a. of the Procedural Rules, Mr. Ellen has been deemed in default. In accordance with Article 4.2 of the Procedural Rules, based on CFP Board's determination of the seriousness, scope and harmfulness of Mr. Ellen's conduct, CFP Board issued an Administrative Order of Temporary Bar wherein Mr. Ellen's right to apply for or obtain the CFP marks is temporarily barred for one year and one day. Mr. Ellen's administrative temporary bar was effective as of November 17, 2021.

OHIO

R. David Riedy (Sandusky, Ohio): In October 2021, CFP Board issued an administrative order temporarily barring Mr. Riedy from applying for or obtaining the CFP certification marks for one year and one day. This sanction followed Mr. Riedy's relinquishment of his certification and failure to respond to CFP Board's Notice of Investigation within the required timeframe, as required by Article 1.1 of the Procedural Rules. CFP Board sought to investigate a customer complaint filed against Mr. Riedy on February 22, 2021, in which it is alleged that Mr. Riedy misrepresented monthly insurance premium costs. Under Article 4.1.a. of the Procedural Rules, Mr. Riedy has been deemed in default. In accordance with Article 4.2 of the Procedural Rules, based on CFP Board's determination of the seriousness, scope and harmfulness of Mr. Riedy's conduct, CFP Board issued an Administrative Order of Temporary Bar wherein Mr. Riedy's right to apply for or obtain the CFP marks is temporarily barred for one year and one day. Mr. Riedy's administrative temporary bar was effective as of November 17, 2021.

PERMANENT BAR

CALIFORNIA

Michelle R. Maccio (Beverly Hills, California): In October 2021, CFP Board issued an administrative order permanently barring Ms. Maccio from applying for or obtaining the CFP certification. This sanction followed Ms. Maccio's failure to respond to CFP Board's Notice of Investigation within the required timeframe. CFP Board sought to investigate a Cease and Desist and Revocation order filed against Ms. Maccio by the U.S. Virgin Islands Division of Banking, Insurance and Financial Regulation on October 1, 2020, finding breach of fiduciary duty and other misconduct related to her operation of a hedge fund and her lack cooperation with auditors, as well as a pending action initiated by the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation on November 12, 2020, following the action taken in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Ms. Maccio did not provide a response to CFP Board's Notice of Investigation or CFP Board's second Notice of Investigation within 30 calendar days as required by Article 1.1 of the Procedural Rules. Under Article 4.1.a. of the Procedural Rules, Ms. Maccio has been deemed in default. In accordance with Article 4.2 of the Procedural Rules, based on CFP Board's determination of the seriousness, scope and harmfulness of Ms. Maccio's conduct, CFP Board issued an Administrative Order of Permanent Bar. Ms. Maccio's administrative permanent bar was effective as of November 29, 2021.

Gregory W. McCloskey (Newport Beach, California): In October 2021, CFP Board issued an administrative order permanently barring Mr. McCloskey from applying for or obtaining the CFP certification. This sanction followed Mr. McCloskey's relinquishment of his certification and his failure to respond to CFP Board's Notice of Investigation within the required timeframe. CFP Board sought to investigate a customer complaint filed against Mr. McCloskey in 2018, in which Mr. McCloskey faces allegations of misrepresentation, unsuitability, and high fees; his 2019 resignation from his firm, after it was alleged he failed to follow his firm's heightened supervision plan; and his 2021 bar from associating with any Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) member firm, after he consented to findings that he participated in undisclosed private securities transactions involving a customer and sought to conceal these transactions from his member firms and FINRA. Mr. McCloskey did not provide a response to CFP Board's Notices of Investigation within 30 calendar days as required by Article 1.1 of the Procedural Rules. Under Article 4.1.a. of the Procedural Rules, Mr. McCloskey has been deemed in default. In accordance with Article 4.2 of the Procedural Rules, based on CFP Board's determination of the seriousness, scope and harmfulness of Mr. McCloskey's conduct, CFP Board issued an Administrative Order of Permanent Bar. Mr. McCloskey's administrative permanent bar was effective as of November 17, 2021.

NEW YORK

Bruce A. Mazo (Rhinebeck, New York): In October 2021, CFP Board issued an administrative order permanently barring Mr. Mazo from applying for or obtaining the CFP certification. This sanction followed Mr. Mazo's failure to file an Answer to CFP Board's Complaint alleging that Mr. Mazo violated Rule 6.5 of the Rules of Conduct when he failed to pay his federal tax obligations from 2009 to 2016, which resulted in the issuance of a federal tax lien. Mr. Mazo's total outstanding debt to the IRS is approximately $148,000. Mr. Mazo did not file an Answer to CFP Board's Complaint within 30 calendar days as required by Article 3.2 of the Procedural Rules. Under Article 4.1.b. of the Procedural Rules, Mr. Mazo has been deemed in default. In accordance with Article 4.2 of the Procedural Rules, based on CFP Board's determination of the seriousness, scope and harmfulness of Mr. Mazo's conduct, CFP Board issued an Administrative Order of Permanent Bar wherein Mr. Mazo is permanently barred from applying for or obtaining the right to use the CFP certification marks. Mr. Mazo's administrative permanent bar was effective as of November 12, 2021.

REVOCATION

NEW JERSEY

Charles C. Leonard, Jr. (Haddonfield, New Jersey): In October 2021, CFP Board issued an administrative order permanently revoking Mr. Leonard's right to use the CFP certification marks. This sanction followed Mr. Leonard's failure to file an Answer to CFP Board's Complaint within the required timeframe. CFP Board's Complaint alleged that Mr. Leonard violated Rule 6.5 of the Rules of Conduct on account of the outstanding federal tax liens filed against him totaling approximately $77,000 and other outstanding tax debt totaling approximately $490,000. Mr. Leonard failed to file an Answer to CFP Board's Complaint within 30 calendar days as required by Article 3.2 of the Procedural Rules. Under Article 4.1.b. of the Procedural Rules, Mr. Leonard has been deemed in default. In accordance with Article 4.2 of the Procedural Rules, based on CFP Board's determination of the seriousness, scope and harmfulness of Mr. Leonard's conduct, CFP Board issued an Administrative Order of Revocation. Mr. Leonard's administrative revocation was effective as of November 12, 2021.

M. Imran Rana (Township of Washington, New Jersey): In October 2021, CFP Board issued an administrative order permanently revoking Mr. Rana's right to use the CFP certification marks. This sanction followed Mr. Rana's failure to timely file an Answer to CFP Board's Complaint alleging that Mr. Rana violated Standard E.5 of CFP Board's Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct when he failed to satisfy his Duty of Cooperation by refusing to respond to CFP Board's requests for information and a Notice of Failure to Cooperate. CFP Board sought to investigate Mr. Rana's 1990 and 2014 Chapter 7 Bankruptcy filings. Mr. Rana failed to file an Answer to CFP Board's Complaint within 30 calendar days as required by Article 3.2 of the Procedural Rules. Under Article 4.1.b. of the Procedural Rules, Mr. Rana is deemed in default. In accordance with Article 4.2 of the Procedural Rules, based on CFP Board's determination of the seriousness, scope and harmfulness of Mr. Rana's conduct, CFP Board issued an Administrative Order of Revocation. Mr. Rana's administrative revocation was effective as of November 17, 2021.

TENNESSEE

Ryan K. Scott (Lebanon, Tennessee): In November 2021, CFP Board issued an administrative order permanently revoking Mr. Scott's right to use the CFP certification marks. This sanction followed Mr. Scott's failure to provide a response to or otherwise acknowledge CFP Board's Notice of Investigation within the required timeframe. CFP Board's Notice of Investigation sought information about a 2017 federal tax lien against Mr. Scott. Mr. Scott failed to cooperate with CFP Board's investigation by providing a response to CFP Board's Notice of Investigation within 30 calendar days as required by Article 1.1 of the Procedural Rules. Under Article 4.1.a. of the Procedural Rules, Mr. Scott has been deemed in default. In accordance with Article 4.2 of the Procedural Rules, based on CFP Board's determination of the seriousness, scope and harmfulness of Mr. Scott's conduct, CFP Board issued an Administrative Order of Revocation. Mr. Scott's administrative revocation was effective as of December 3, 2021.

TEXAS

Brian K. Hobbs (Dallas, Texas): In September 2021, CFP Board issued an administrative order permanently revoking Mr. Hobbs' right to use the CFP certification marks. This sanction followed Mr. Hobbs' failure to comply with CFP Board's Interim Suspension Order, dated May 24, 2021. CFP Board had suspended Mr. Hobbs' right to use the CFP certification marks after the U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission filed a civil action against him alleging that he participated in a "cherry-picking scheme." Mr. Hobbs failed to provide CFP Board with evidence of his compliance with the Interim Suspension Order within 45 days thereof as required. Accordingly, under Article 4.1.c of the Procedural Rules, Mr. Hobbs has been deemed in default. In accordance with Article 4.2 of the Procedural Rules, based on CFP Board's determination of the seriousness, scope and harmfulness of Mr. Hobbs' conduct, CFP Board issued an Administrative Order of Revocation. Mr. Hobbs' administrative revocation was effective as of October 24, 2021.

ABOUT CFP BOARD

Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. is the professional body for personal financial planners in the U.S. CFP Board sets standards for financial planning and administers the prestigious CFP certification  one of the most respected certifications in financial services  so that the public has access to and benefits from competent and ethical financial planning. CFP Board, along with its Center for Financial Planning, is committed to increasing the public's awareness of CFP certification and access to a diverse, ethical and competent financial planning workforce. Widely recognized by firms and consumer groups as the standard for financial planning, CFP certification is held by more than 92,000 people in the United States.

SOURCE Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc.
"Last year saw the steepest decline in patent grants in the past decade," said Mike Baycroft, CEO of IFI CLAIMS. Tweet this

The Top 50 and related rankings from IFI provide insight into the most innovative companies and R&D organizations. The information is culled by assignee name from thousands of new patent documents daily, and with the data standardized for quick and accurate analysis.

"Last year saw the steepest decline in patent grants in the past decade. There could be many reasons for this  and clearly some are pandemic-related  but what we're seeing is that corporations are still innovating at an impressive clip despite a challenging environment, particularly U.S. and Asia-based entities," said Mike Baycroft, CEO of IFI CLAIMS Patent Services.

China Surges, as Others Decline

In a year that saw U.S. patent grants decrease anywhere from 8 to 12 percent among worldwide corporations, China-based companies stood out with an increase of 10 percent, going from 18,792 awards in 2020 to 20,679 during the past year. A total of four Chinese companies are now in the U.S. Top 50 including Huawei at #5, BOE at #11, Advanced New Technologies at #43, and Guangdong Oppo at #49. U.S. company grants were down commensurate with the worldwide total decline, 8.3 percent.

Among the top 10 countries awarded grants, U.S.-based companies stood head-and-shoulders above their international peers in innovating, accounting for more than half of all patent grants by USPTO in 2021. Its 150,801 new grants were 69 percent more than Japan, in second place with 47,105. South Korean (21,264), Chinese (20,679) and German (14,663) companies rounded out the top five grantees by country.

Big Blue on Patents

IBM, the established leader in U.S. patents, once again topped the list, though its 8,682 patent grants was down marginally from the 9,130 grants it earned in 2020. Samsung Electronics maintained its No. 2 spot, with 6,366 grants (down 1 percent from 2020), and Canon, with 3,021 grants, held its No. 3 position. Taiwan Semiconductor, Huawei Technologies, Intel, Apple, LG Electronics, Microsoft Technology Licensing, and Qualcomm rounded out the top 10 patent assignees during the past year.

While the same cast of companies comprised the Top 10 in 2020, Taiwan Semiconductor and Huawei Technologies were the biggest risers in 2021, each moving up four slots on the list. Except for Huawei which added only 9 patents, none of the other top 10 rose from 2020 to 2021, however. To find an increase, you have to go down to No. 13 on the list, Samsung Display Company, which saw a slender rise of 4 percent. The only others to earn more patents in 2021 were Micron Technology (+ 17%), EMC IP Holding Company (+ 14%), and Hewlett Packard Development Company (+ 5%).

Amazon, which slid from No. 11 to No. 14 in the rankings, claimed 1,942 patents last year, significantly down from 2,245 the prior year (- 13 %).

Supply Chain, AI and Vaping Ring Up Patents

As was the case in 2020, the largest category of patent activity in 2021  a strong indicator of what's coming down the road  was Computer Systems Based on Biological Models, which saw a 54 percent increase (CAGR) from 2017-21. This hot area of computing uses brain biology as an inspiration and includes Big Tech stalwarts such as IBM, Google, Samsung, Microsoft and Intel. Another area, Flowering Plants, which witnessed such innovations as new soybean, corn and tomato varieties in 2021, saw 42 percent (CAGR) growth in patent awards during that five-year span.

Other hotbeds for new patents included Electrical Smoking Devices (up 40 percent); Machine Learning (up 39 percent); Quantum Computing (up 36 percent); Earth Drilling for Obtaining Oil, Gas or Water (up 36 percent); Computer-Aided Design (up 31 percent); Wireless Network Protocols (up 28 percent); Displays (up 28 percent); and Storing, Control or Detection of Articles in Load Carriers or Conveyors (up 27 percent). To view the full report, visit the 2021 Top 10 Fastest-Growing Technologies published today.

Samsung Leads Total Global Holdings

When it comes to total global patent holdings, Samsung Electronics of South Korea tops the 2021 IFI Global 250 with a portfolio of 90,416 currently held patent families. If you count corporate entities, the U.S. leads the global list with 70 companies in the top 250, Japan is second with 51, and China is third with 46. However, China's growing patent dominance is reflected by holding six of the top 10 slots while the U.S. holds only one, IBM at #8. China's Chinese Academy of Sciences is #2 with 78,415, Midea Group is #3 with 58,495 and Huawei Investment and Holding Co. is #4 with 48,307. Japan's Canon is ninth with 40,706 and Panasonic tenth with 37,538.

If you consider the size of the portfolios, China holds nearly one in three or 29 percent of the Global 250 patent families compared to the U.S. (24 percent) and Japan (19 percent). Deeper analysis shows that U.S. and Japan portfolios are stronger and more mature, nevertheless it is clear that China has stimulated an R&D culture that is serious about intellectual property, according to Baycroft.

Patent activity is a valuable financial indicator for researchers, analysts, and investors who seek insight into companies' R&D productivity and clues to IP strategy, as well as technology trends and the competitive landscape within various industries. Often the true value of a company lies with its intellectual properties. Examining patent assets is a key tool in gauging the intangible assets of publicly traded companies.

To create your own analysis, visit the IFI CLAIMS Live 1000, a free tool which uses data from the top 1000 companies that received U.S. patents. The tool shows live data and offers interactive features that allow users to create and sort their own lists using a variety of filters.

About IFI CLAIMS Patent Services/Fairview Research

IFI CLAIMS Patent Services uses proprietary data architecture to produce the industry's most accurate patent database. The CLAIMS Direct platform allows for the easy integration of applications, other data sets, and analysis software. Headquartered in New Haven, Conn., with a satellite office in Barcelona, Spain, IFI CLAIMS, a division of Fairview Research, is part of Digital Science, a digital research technology company based in London. For more information, visit www.ificlaims.com.

SOURCE IFI CLAIMS Patent Services
BLOOMFIELD, Conn., Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Cigna Corporation, a global health service company, was today named one of America's Most JUST Companies, making this the third year that the organization has been recognized for its corporate citizenship. The company has taken leadership positions on a variety of environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) issues including pay parity, workforce diversity, climate impact, and community involvement.

"In these uncertain times, Cigna's commitment to improving the health, well-being, and peace of mind for those we serve and the communities in which we live has never been more important," said Kari Knight Stevens, vice president and chief counsel, Cigna. "Working to understand what is most important to all our stakeholders  from our customers and clients to our employees and our shareholders  is foundational to the success of our business and our society. We are honored to be recognized again for this important work, and are committed to deepening our connections in the year ahead to help improve the health of people, communities, and the environment."

JUST Capital is an independent non-profit organization widely regarded as the leading platform for tracking, measuring, and improving corporate performance in the stakeholder economy. More information about Cigna's work to support its stakeholders is available in our latest corporate responsibility report.

For its annual rankings, JUST collects and analyzes corporate data to evaluate the 1,000 largest public U.S. companies across 20 stakeholder-focused issues as identified through the most comprehensive ongoing public opinion research on Americans' attitudes towards responsible corporate behavior, engaging more than 150,000 participants since 2015.

About Cigna

Cigna Corporation is a global health service company dedicated to improving the health, well-being and peace of mind of those we serve. Cigna delivers choice, predictability, affordability and access to quality care through integrated capabilities and connected, personalized solutions that advance whole person health. All products and services are provided exclusively by or through operating subsidiaries of Cigna Corporation, including Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company, Connecticut General Life Insurance Company, Evernorth companies or their affiliates and Express Scripts companies or their affiliates. Such products and services include an integrated suite of health services, such as medical, dental, behavioral health, pharmacy, vision, supplemental benefits and other related products.

Cigna maintains sales capability in over 30 countries and jurisdictions, and has over 190 million customer relationships around the world. To learn more about Cigna, including links to follow us on Facebook or Twitter, visit www.cigna.com.

Media Contact

Meaghan MacDonald

1 (860) 840-1212

[email protected]

SOURCE Cigna
GUANGZHOU, China, Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- CNFinance Holdings Limited (NYSE: CNF) ("CNFinance" or the "Company"), a leading home equity loan service provider in China, today announced the retirement of Mr. Paul Wolansky from the Board of Directors, effective on January 11, 2022. Mr. Wolansky has served as a Director of the Company since 2001. At the same time, the Company has appointed Mr. Jun Qian as a Director of the Company, effective on January 11, 2022.

Mr. Jun Qian joined the Company in 2001 and has served as the Vice President of CNFinance since 2010. Mr. Qian has over 20 years of experience in China's loan industry and has served in the Company's senior management team for more than 15 years.

"On behalf of CNFinance, I would like to thank Mr. Wolansky for his services." said Mr. Bin Zhai, Chairman and CEO of the Company. "He has shown his dedication and professionalism during his tenure. His contribution to the Company is greatly appreciated and I wish him the best of luck with his future endeavors. At the same time, we are pleased to welcome Mr. Qian to the Board of Directors. I have worked with Mr. Qian for more than a decade. His extensive industry experience and management skills will be highly valuable to the Company."

About CNFinance Holdings Limited

CNFinance Holdings Limited (NYSE: CNF) ("CNFinance" or the "Company") is a leading home equity loan service provider in China. CNFinance conducts business by collaborating with sales partners and trust company partners. Sales partners are responsible for recommending micro-and small-enterprise ("MSE") owners with financing needs to the Company and the Company introduces eligible borrowers to its trust company partners who will then conduct their own risk assessments and make credit decisions. The Company's primary target borrower segment is MSE owners who own real properties in Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities in China. The loans CNFinance facilitated are primarily funded through a trust lending model with its trust company partners who are well-established with sufficient funding sources and have licenses to engage in lending business nationwide. The Company's risk mitigation mechanism is embedded in the design of its loan products, supported by an integrated online and offline process focusing on risks of both borrowers and collateral and further enhanced by effective post-loan management procedures.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements made under the "safe harbor" provisions of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "will", "expects", "anticipates", "future", "intends", "plans", "believes", "estimates", "confident" and similar statements. The Company may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its reports filed with or furnished to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, in its annual report to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Any statements that are not historical facts, including statements about the Company's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements that involve factors, risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Such factors and risks include, but not limited to the following: its goals and strategies, its ability to achieve and maintain profitability, its ability to retain existing borrowers and attract new borrowers, its ability to maintain and enhance the relationship and business collaboration with its trust company partners and to secure sufficient funding from them, the effectiveness of its risk assessment process and risk management system, its ability to maintain low delinquency ratios for loans it originated, fluctuations in general economic and business conditions in China, the impact and future development of COVID-19 pandemic in China and across the globe, and relevant government laws, regulations, rules, policies or guidelines relating to the Company's corporate structure, business and industry. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in the Company's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. All information provided in this press release is current as of the date of the press release, and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update such information, except as required under applicable law.

For more information, please contact: CNFinance, E-mail: [email protected]

SOURCE CNFinance Holdings Limited
PHOENIX, Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Digital marketing and branding agency LaneTerralever is acquiring Convince & Convert , a global leader in content marketing and customer-experience, founded by industry pioneer Jay Baer . By combining the practices of the two agencies, companies will be able to access the full scope of services needed to guide the customer-experience journey, from initial insights and strategy to a complete portfolio of creative executions, under the guidance of one, cohesive team.

Content Strategy Pioneer Convince & Convert Joins Newly Formed Customer Experience Collective, Experience Dynamic. From left to right: Chris Johnson, CEO and Founder, LaneTerralever; Kelly Santina, President, Convince & Convert; Jay Baer, Founder, Convince & Convert; and Andy Parnell, President, LaneTerralever.

LaneTerralever also is launching a collective called Experience Dynamic, which will be the first truly integrated group of companies, brought together to create winning integrated customer experiences for your business. Convince & Convert will fall under Experience Dynamic as its inaugural acquisition. Both LaneTerralever, one of the southwest's largest full-service marketing agencies, and Convince & Convert will continue to work with clients independently, and they will join forces to offer a complete portfolio of CX services, under the Experience Dynamic umbrella.

Baer will sit on the advisory board of Experience Dynamic as he continues to lead key client relationships at Convince & Convert, alongside its team of 14 global marketing and CX strategists. Kelly Santina, Convince & Convert's new President, will continue to lead the agency, which handles CX, marketing and content strategy and planning for such clients as Oracle, Cisco, Visit California, Purdue University and Sam's Club.

Chris Johnson , CEO and founder of LaneTerralever, which counts the Yaamava' Resort & Casino at San Manuel, TruGreen, Toyota, Western Alliance Bancorporation, and The University of Arizona Global Campus among its clients, is adding the role of CEO of the new Experience Dynamic. With Convince & Convert as Experience Dynamic's founding partner consultancy, Johnson and team will continue to acquire inter-related agencies, across data management, event-marketing and other disciplines, to form a convergence of CX strategic and marketing companies and will be turnkey advisors for brands.

"I have admired Jay and his team for years and no consultancy has a better understanding of how to treat customers in today's fragmented environment," said Johnson. "We're excited to join forces to help CMOs and CTOs tackle what are the greatest challenges of marketers today, customer retention and growth."

Baer, who is the author of six best-selling books on marketing and customer experience, and an inductee into the professional speaking hall of fame, said: "Customer experience marketing without strategy is a recipe for frustration and ineffectiveness. Conversely, customer experience strategy without execution tends to be a lot of 'holding hands by the campfire' exercises. To make a meaningful difference, you have to combine both. Combining strategy and execution in one place better serves today's CMOs who are responsible for guiding an increasingly complex customer journey."

Utilizing consumer data in a purposeful way will be a main objective of Experience Dynamic, noted Johnson, a former industrial engineer. "So much of the focus we see today is on the pre-sales customer experience. This shouldn't come as a surprise: 80% of CMOs today are charged with leading CX transformation, along with delivering on growth. However, the reality is that to truly deliver exceptional experiences change must be made across the entire enterprise. I'm excited to be building a collective that is prepared to help business leaders tackle customer experience transformation by guiding our customers in their evolutions toward truly integrated CX transformation."

Experience Dynamic is launching as digital transformation has accelerated, often outpacing brands capabilities to fulfill promises. A recent study by Twilio estimated that six years of digital transformation had been condensed into months, as part of the COVID-19 lockdowns. swept across industries. Meanwhile, customer satisfaction has been declining since 2018 and remains weak, according to the American Customer Satisfaction Index .

"The data show that marketing departments are increasingly responsible for the entirety of the customer experience," said Baer. "Now is the right time to bring together these two disciplines, with the understanding that it is a full-line process of research, strategy, execution and metrics."

About Experience Dynamic

Experience Dynamic is a customer experience (CX) collective, the first truly integrated group of companies, brought together to create winning integrated customer experiences. Experience Dynamic services encompass CX strategy, change management consulting, customer journey mapping, digital experiences, content marketing and growth marketing, to help companies build loyalty and generate more revenue through targeted customer interactions.

About Convince & Convert:

Founded in 2008, Convince & Convert is a digital marketing and customer experience strategy firm that helps iconic global brands gain and keep more customers. The Convince & Convert strategy team is decentralized and global, able to work with leading corporate clients like Purdue University, Oracle, Cisco, AARP, and dozens more in highly customized services engagements. In addition to its strategic counsel, the firm produces a tremendous volume of education and motivation resources for business executives. The Convince & Convert blog reaches millions of people each year, and the firm's Social Pros podcast just crossed the 500 episodes threshold.

About LaneTerralever:

Recognized as one of the southwest's largest full-service marketing agencies, LaneTerralever derives success from understanding their customers' unique journey, building brand experiences that drive action, and developing marketing strategies for transformative growth  all while maintaining a client satisfaction Net Promoter Score of 82, compared to an industry average of 15.

LaneTerralever provides brand strategy, user experience design, website development, content marketing, creative development, growth marketing, media strategy and buying, public relations, services for clients such as Yaamava' Resort & Casino at San Manuel, TruGreen, Toyota, Western Alliance Bancorporation, Universal Technical Institute, The University of Arizona Global Campus and NextCare Urgent Care.

SOURCE LaneTerralever
NEW YORK, Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Corporate Insight, the leading provider of competitive intelligence and customer experience research to the financial services industry, today released its 2021 Monitor Awards in personal banking, and retail and small business credit cards. Now in its 23rd year, the program recognizes digital innovation and best practices, awarding gold, silver and bronze medals in recognition of significant advances in web and mobile user experience over the past year.

"In 2021, banks and card issuers continued to adapt to a fully digital future where customers can remotely service their accounts, leverage P2P payment technology and seek help via live chat or virtual assistants," said Matt Eschmann, director of research at Corporate Insight. "With the continuing pandemic requiring all financial transactions be digital, we've seen firms perfecting their online account experiences, making sure users of all experience levels can handle their finances online. These experiences are also becoming more personalized as firms are better able to leverage customer data to proactively push suggestions or actions based on user behaviors and spending patterns"

In the Payments category, P2P functionality continued to grow, with Chase earning a gold medal for its comprehensive P2P request functionality, allowing clients to select one or multiple contacts to request a payment; multi-recipient requests reveal a useful bill-splitting feature in which users can include or exclude themselves in the transaction. Citi continues to dominate in the personal and small business credit card spaces, earning gold medals for payment systems that include a helpful feature where users can add a payment account by providing external login credentials.

Many firms continued to sharpen authenticated site functionality in 2021, leading to a new winner in the Website Design & Usability category. Citi won a gold medal by making several authenticated credit card site enhancements in 2021, including improvements to site design and organization resulting in more efficient navigation, better help resource positioning and abundant contextual assistance via live chat and tooltips. CitiBusiness also retained a gold medal for its authenticated small business card site; available in English and Spanish, the site lets users customize and enhance features including delivery settings, online employee access and primary payment methods.

The Account Servicing category maintains key importance as the pandemic continues to push customers toward interactive digital customer service and online account management. Discover earned its third consecutive gold medal in part for its readily available authenticated site live chat equipped with a virtual assistant chatbot and a dedicated message center. CitiBusiness won a gold medal for its live chat support that includes a virtual assistant, as well as an ever-evolving predictive, authenticated site search that appears in a slideout or dedicated page.

About Corporate Insight

Corporate Insight delivers competitive intelligence, user experience research and consulting services to the nation's leading financial services, insurance and healthcare institutions. As the recognized industry leader in customer experience research for 30 years, we have been the trusted partner to corporations seeking to improve their digital capabilities and user experience. Our best-in-class research platform and unique approach of analyzing the actual customer experience helps corporations advance their competitive position in the marketplace.

Schedule a media interview: [email protected]

SOURCE Corporate Insight
Workers arrange a fragment from the marble frieze of the Parthenon temple atop the Acropolis hill at the Acropolis Museum in Athens, Greece, Jan. 10, 2022. (Photo by Marios Lolos/Xinhua)

ATHENS, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- A fragment from the marble frieze of the 2,500-year-old Parthenon temple atop the Acropolis hill, which was returned from Italy on an eight-year loan, was put on display on Monday at the Acropolis Museum next to other segments.

Greek officials warmly welcomed the development, stressing that it shows the way for the return of the Parthenon Sculptures kept for two centuries at the British Museum.

"This is a very important step, because this is a first artifact that is actually being returned from a foreign museum to the Acropolis Museum through a mutually acceptable arrangement and I think it also paves the way for the British Museum to enter into serious discussions with the Greek authorities on finding a solution," Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis told journalists during a ceremony at the Acropolis Museum.

The so-called "Fagan fragment" depicts the lower extremities of Artemis, the goddess of hunting in ancient Greek mythology. It is part of a scene depicting gods observing a procession in honor of the patron of Athens, goddess Athena.

The fragment has been in Palermo, Sicily, since 1818. It was part of the archaeological collection of Robert Fagan, British consul to Sicily and Malta, which was bought by the local authorities and kept for decades in the Antonino Salinas Regional Archeological Museum.

The Italian museum has now returned it on loan to Greece for eight years with a view of permanent repatriation.

"We wish that after Sicily, other regions and countries also decide to take a step forward so that we can build together a new humanism," Alberto Samona, councilor of cultural heritage and Sicilian identity in the Sicily region, said during Monday's event.

"The international community is entitled and demands to see this masterpiece of art in its entirety, reunited here at the Acropolis Museum, and not divided between Athens and London," Lina Mendoni, Greece's minister of culture and sports, said.

In the early 19th century, while Greece was part of the Ottoman Empire, half of the sculptures of the Parthenon were removed by British diplomat Lord Elgin. For decades, Greece has repeatedly asked for their repatriation. 

A fragment from the marble frieze of the Parthenon temple atop the Acropolis hill is displayed at the Acropolis Museum in Athens, Greece, Jan. 10, 2022. (Photo by Marios Lolos/Xinhua)

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis (1st R) looks at a fragment from the marble frieze of the Parthenon temple atop the Acropolis hill at the Acropolis Museum in Athens, Greece, Jan. 10, 2022. (Photo by Marios Lolos/Xinhua)

A fragment from the marble frieze of the Parthenon temple atop the Acropolis hill is displayed at the Acropolis Museum in Athens, Greece, Jan. 10, 2022. (Photo by Marios Lolos/Xinhua)

Workers arrange a fragment from the marble frieze of the Parthenon temple atop the Acropolis hill at the Acropolis Museum in Athens, Greece, Jan. 10, 2022. (Photo by Marios Lolos/Xinhua)
SHENZHEN, China, Jan. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Appotronics (688007.SH) announced on January 6 that, according to two civil judgments (Case No. (2019) Jing73 Min Chu No. 1275 and Case No. (2019) Jing73 Min Chu No. 1276) from Beijing Intellectual Property Court received by Appotronics, it was decided that Appotronics made no infringement and all claims of the Plaintiff, Delta Electronics, Inc.("Delta"), were rejected.

These judgments once again prove the advancement of Appotronics' original technologies and product technologies, as well as the solidity of its patent moat.

"Appotronics is a Chinese company with original technologies and independent intellectual property rights. As the founder of laser display industrialization, in addition to the independently invented original ALPD core technology with high cost performance and solid industrialization basis, Appotronics has also constructed a perfect intellectual property protection system," said TANG Shi, the Vice President of Appotronics.

TANG Shi emphasized that, in recent years, Appotronics have experienced 25 invalidation declaration claims against its basic patents and won all of them, in which the State Intellectual Property Office decided to maintain the validity of Appotronics' patents, which represented the stability of Appotronics' basic patents.

It is worth mentioning that, Appotronics can be regarded as a "consistent winner" in patent defenses depending on its valuable "hard-core patents" from its past patent litigation history. Up to now, Appotronics has lost no patent defense cases.

This case is the subsequent progress of the "First Patent Case in STAR Market". The Plaintiff Delta, a company from Taiwan Region, once negotiated with the Defendant Appotronics for cooperation in 2010. Thereafter, Delta applied for patents that were in line with those of Appotronics without Appotronics' authorization. In 2019, during the Appotronics' IPO application period, Delta brought a lawsuit against Appotronics to Guangzhou Intellectual Property Court, which was the well-known "First Patent Case in STAR Market". It was reported for this case that Guangzhou Intellectual Property Court decided that "Appotronics made no infringement and all claims from Delta were rejected" in 2020. Later, Delta appealed to the Supreme People's Court, but dismissed the appeal subsequently. Besides, for the counterclaim case by Appotronics against Delta, it was decided by the court that Delta had infringed the patent rights of Appotronics. Therefore, Appotronics won the "First Patent Case in STAR Market" completely.

However, despite the court's decision of no infringement by Appotronics, Delta still brought several lawsuits against Appotronics in different cities, such as Shanghai and Chengdu, and some of these cases were dismissed.

In December 2021, Appotronics issued an announcement stating that "It has sued Delta for malicious proceedings." According to Appotronics' opinion, it is inconsistent with the normal litigation rules for Delta' continued filling of infringement lawsuits against Appotronics by virtue of the patent in question despite knowing that there is a dispute over the ownership of the patent in question.

SOURCE Appotronics Corporation Ltd.
"Curbio's branding is introducing an entirely new look and feel, but it's also so much more than that. We've repositioned our brand and updated our solution to truly reflect our mission- to get every listing move-in ready and sold fast, while simplifying the home improvement experience for Realtors and homeowners," says Olivia Mariani, Senior Director of Marketing at Curbio. "Before, many people saw us as solely focused on flipping homes with major renovations to maximize profit. That's still something that we can do, but we're so much more than that. In the last year, we have removed our project minimums, simplified our contract and expanded our solution to help any real estate agent who needs to get a listing updated and on the market fast, from basic repairs to whole-home renovations."

At the core of Curbio's rebranding efforts is the elevation of the role of their proprietary technology in streamlining the home improvement experience. Curbio uses tech to simplify the entire renovation process, from getting an estimate, to sourcing labor and ordering materials. Through the Curbio app, real estate agents and their clients can track project schedules and get visual updates in real-time without ever needing to visit the project site.

With the launch of Curbio's new website, learning about Curbio and requesting their services will be easier than ever before. Real estate agents and brokerages can now easily access tools to win listings, learn about Curbio's solution and request an estimate on behalf of their clients with ease. The site also features a comprehensive outline of Curbio's all-inclusive pricing, adding a level of transparency that has not previously been seen in the home improvement industry.

To learn more about Curbio and view additional details on their rebranding efforts, visit www.Curbio.com.

About Curbio

Curbio is the nation's leading pay-at-closing home improvement solution for real estate agents and their clients. Founded in 2017, the company has set out to transform the process of getting homes move-in ready with its streamlined approach to home improvement. Powered by technology, Curbio has created a one-stop solution for pre-listing home improvements, handling the entire process from start to finish. Curbio is a completely turnkey solution, taking care of all sourcing, project management and communication, and acting as the licensed, insured general contractor on all projects. Curbio makes home improvement accessible and stress-free so that every real estate agent and contractor can grow their business, and every seller can unlock the value in their home. From simple repairs to whole home makeovers, Curbio gets every listing on the market faster and sold for top dollar.

SOURCE Curbio
CRANBURY, N.J., Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- CURE Media Group, the industry-leading multimedia platform devoted to cancer updates, research and education that reaches over 1 million patients, survivors and caregivers, is pleased to announce the addition of five new partners to its Strategic Alliance Partnership (SAP) program.

"Expanding the CURE Media Group Strategic Alliance Partnership program with the addition of five esteemed organizations is an honor," said Mike Hennessy Jr., president and CEO of MJH Life Sciences, parent company of CURE Media Group. "I look forward to seeing how these new alliances will ultimately result in increased patient care initiatives."

The new partners are:

The SAP program brings together advocacy organizations, medical associations and institutions, and community cancer centers with national reach and visibility. By utilizing the MJH Life Sciences oncology communications platform, they are able to showcase cutting-edge initiatives, content, research and thought leadership. The SAP program fosters collaboration and an open exchange of information among trusted peers for the benefit of patients and their families. As part of this joint effort, CURE Media Group will work with these partners to share information and highlight the different cancer communities they support.

For a full list of CURE Media Group's SAP partners, click here.

About CURE Media Group

CURE Media Group is the leading resource for cancer updates, research and education. Launched in 2002 and now celebrating its 20th anniversary, CURE has become the most widely distributed and read consumer publication in the United States for patients with cancer, survivors, and their caregivers. The platform combines a full suite of media products, including its industry-leading website curetoday.com ; innovative video programs, such as "CURE Connections"; a series of educational and inspirational events; and CURE magazine, which reaches more than 1 million readers. CURE Media Group is a brand of MJH Life Sciences, the largest privately held, independent, full-service medical media company in North America, dedicated to delivering trusted health care news across multiple channels.

Media Contact

Alyssa Scarpaci, 609-716-7777

[email protected]

SOURCE CURE Media Group
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Major Price Models in the Customer Acquisition Services Sourcing and Procurement Market

The report discusses in detail each pricing model and the pros and cons attached to every pricing model prevalent in the market. Also, the report provides insights with respect to the category supply chain and the margins of various suppliers within the supply chain.

The most widely adopted pricing models in the Customer Acquisition Services Sourcing and Procurement Market

User based pricing model



Tiered pricing model

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Spend Growth and Demand by Region

The Customer Acquisition Services Sourcing and Procurement market will register an incremental spend of about USD 3.4 Billion during the forecast period. However, only a few regions will drive the majority of this growth. Moreover, on the supply side, North America, Europe, and APAC will have the maximum influence owing to the supplier base. The growth is expected to be primarily driven by increasing demand and adoption of the category across those few regions.

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Most Adopted Procurement Strategies by Buyers Across the Customer Acquisition Services Sourcing and Procurement Market

The report provides a detailed insight of the most adopted procurement strategies by buyers across industries and analysis of these strategies with respect to innovation, regulatory compliance, quality, supply, and cost. Adoption of these procurement strategies will enable the buyers to reduce category TCO and achieve cost savings, while sourcing for thermal equipment requirements.

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About SpendEdge:

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Contact

SpendEdge

Anirban Choudhury

Marketing Manager

Ph No: +1 (872) 206-9340

https://www.spendedge.com/contact-us

SOURCE SpendEdge
"At Deck of Scarlet, we believe in breaking rules and pushing boundaries with first to market innovations that are fun, high-performance and 100% clean," explained CEO and Co-Founder of Deck of Scarlet, Mariya Nurislamova . "With every new innovation, we're really targeting the maximalist makeup lover who likes to be bold and creative with their makeup. When you play with a lot of colors, there's naturally a connection to art, which is why we loved the idea of collaborating with someone as creative and forward-thinking as James. We're thrilled about this new direction for Deck of Scarlet and hope to reach an even broader audience of maximalist beauty lovers."

James Goldcrown is a self-taught artist/photographer based in Los Angeles. His many projects led to his first show at Miami Basel, where his work sold out in 2 hours. Now internationally renowned for his Bleeding Hearts/Lovewall murals, James has put his signature design on Deck of Scarlet's Threeway Solid Lip Oil.



Of the partnership, James said, "I use a lot of colour in my paintings and murals and the colours you use in painting convey a mood or make someone feel a certain way. Partnering with Deck of Scarlet was perfect in terms of brand alignment as our messaging is very similar and makeup is just like painting when it comes to colours and the statement you want to make."



Both Deck of Scarlet and James Goldcrown are excited about this product collaboration, and encourage makeup maximalists everywhere to express themselves and be their own makeup artist when creating their signature Scarlet look. Deck of Scarlet x James Goldcrown in Goldcrown will retail for $28 and be available at DeckofScarlet.com .

ABOUT DECK OF SCARLET

Our mission is to be the change we want to see in clean beauty. We believe in breaking rules & pushing boundaries with first to market innovations to create 100% clean, vegan, and hyper performance formulas that defy categorization. Deck of Scarlet represents makeup maximalism! We seek to inspire courage and passion so our consumers can look and feel unapologetically bold, loud, and daring. At Deck of Scarlet, simply good for you is not good enough. You deserve to have it all. With us, it's more than just makeup  it's a creative revolution.

ABOUT JAMES GOLDCROWN

Born in West London, James Goldcrown is a self-taught artist/photographer now based in Los Angeles. He left school at 17 years old and began working in a South London darkroom, leading him into a career as a fashion photographer. After 7 years in the industry, James left for Africa to create the documentary "To Die No More" which highlighted the AIDS/HIV epidemic. The film went on to win 2 awards and raised over 10,000 which was donated to the people featured in the film. In 2007 James moved to New York and re-entered the fashion world. He began incorporating mixed media into his photography influenced by his previous days as a street artist in the early 90's.

His many projects led to his first show at Miami Basel, where his work sold out in 2 hours. Now internationally renowned for his Bleeding Hearts/Lovewall murals, he has collaborated with brands and companies such as, Skechers, album artwork for Kygo, Elizabeth Arden, Moncler, L'Oreal, Rag & Bone, Sephora, Island Records, Universal, MTV, Vogue, Bandier, Rimowa Luggage, Henri Bendel, Armani and more. In addition to being displayed across cities such as New York, Los Angeles, Miami, London, Australia, Shanghai and Tokyo, his work is also sold privately around the world.

SOURCE Deck of Scarlet
The project will create alliances among device refurbishing organizations, local nonprofits and businesses to acquire previously used computers that will be refurbished into like-new devices and distributed to underserved students affected by the digital divide in the 10 cities. It will also build on work already being done in each metropolitan area to provide long-term device ownership, digital literacy, connectivity, and education support solutions for children and families, as well as divert an estimated 260,000 pounds of e-waste from landfills.

Eleven premier nonprofit technology refurbishing organizations from Digitunity's Alliance for Technology Refurbishing and Reuse (AFTRR) have been selected to participate and provide the refurbishment services in ten cities across the U.S.

Inspiredu in Atlanta, GA

Mission Ignite in Buffalo, NY

Comp-U-Dopt in Dallas, TX

Digital Bridge in Milwaukee, WI

Electronic Access Foundation and Human I-T in New York, NY

Computer Reach in Pittsburgh, PA

Kramden Institute in Raleigh-Durham, NC

Computers 2 Kids in San Diego, CA

InterConnection in Seattle, WA

The Wilderness Technology Alliance in Washington, DC

This project is part of AT&T's $2 billion commitment from 2021-2024 to bridge the digital divide through efforts that promote broadband affordability, accessibility and safe adoption.

"Our commitment to narrowing the digital divide includes ensuring that learners have both the connectivity and the devices critical to success," said Mylayna Albright, Assistant Vice President, Corporate Social Responsibility, AT&T. "Working with Digitunity helps us get devices directly into the hands of those who need them most."

"Nonprofit technology refurbishers are key to eliminating the homework gap across this country. They are making an incredible impact for people who are marginalized and left behind in the digital divide," says Scot Henley, Executive Director, Digitunity. "By bringing together business, government and philanthropy to take action based on community input, sustainable pathways for families to meaningfully participate in today's and tomorrow's digital society will be ensured. We are grateful for AT&T's vision and support to make this happen."

For more information on how local nonprofits, businesses, and community leaders can get involved, contact Karisa Tashjian at https://links.digitunity.org/10-city-contact-us .

About Digitunity

Digitunity, a national nonprofit organization, connects corporate and individual donors of technology to thousands of partner organizations serving people in need across North America. With a proven body of work spanning over 37 years and a national network of member organizations, Digitunity is working to ensure all barriers that limit equitable opportunity to participate in our digitally connected society are removed. Learn more, https://www.digitunity.org.

About Philanthropy & Social Innovation at AT&T

We're committed to advancing education, creating opportunities, strengthening communities and improving lives. As part of our company-wide $2 billion commitment from 2021-2024 to address the digital divide, we launched AT&T Connected Learning to invest in connectivity, technology, digital literacy and education solutions to help today's learners succeed inside and outside of the classroom. Since 2008, we've committed more than $600 million to programs that help millions of students across all 50 states and around the world, particularly those in underserved communities.

Contact:

Susan Krautbauer

Senior Director of Strategy and Development Digitunity

[email protected] | O: 203-863-9100, ext. 375 | C: 952-451-9792

SOURCE Digitunity
LONDON, Jan. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Commonwealth of Dominica is moving toward attaining its "Dynamic Dominica" goal as they announce that a further 1000 homes will be built during 2022. In his first online show of the New Year, Prime Minister Dr the Honourable Roosevelt Skerrit addressed the nation with ambitious plans for 2022, highlighting the ongoing Housing Revolution Project.

Dominica's government has been praised by global organisations like the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for its consistent performance in providing benefits to its citizens, including housing, healthcare, education, and infrastructure building. These life-changing projects are funded by the nation's Citizenship by Investment (CBI) Programme, which continues to have a positive impact on the citizens of Dominica.

The Housing Revolution is one of many projects funded by the country's CBI Programme. The Government aims to build 5,000 new modern, climate-resilient homes for affected families, along with community facilities, health centres and modern infrastructure.

"We are expecting to see the construction of up to 1,000 homes in 2022. Good news for those who are waiting for homes. The Government have given the commitment to housing every family," said Prime Minister Skerrit.

"We touched the lives of families from Marigot, Yampiece, Goodwill, Giraudel, Portsmouth, Sineku, Delices and Warner. This project dates back to my negotiations with the World Bank less than a month after Hurricane Maria for an EC$110 million financial package to restore livelihoods in the agriculture and housing sectors," he added.

The Dominica government initiated this project to build back better after Hurricane Maria hit the island in 2017. All the buildings being constructed are climate-resilient and are capable of handling any category five hurricanes.

"If we work together, we can achieve even more. We will continue to advance these transformational projects in order to create a Dynamic Dominica. Many of these projects, including the Housing Recovery Project, are made possible from the funds raised through Dominica's Citizenship by Investment (CBI) Programme," said Prime Minister Skerrit.

Established in 1993, Dominica's CBI Programme welcomes investors and their families to become citizens of the nation once contributing to an Economic Diversification Fund or through Approved Real Estate Investment. After successfully passing its multi-tiered vetting process, successful applicants gain second citizenship along with travel freedom to over 160 destinations, the right to live, work and study in the nation, as well as the ability to pass down citizenship for generations to come.

[email protected], www.csglobalpartners.com





SOURCE CS Global Partners
HERNDON, Va. and DURHAM, N.C., Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Duke Corporate Education (Duke CE), the premier global provider of leadership solutions in non-degree executive education, today announced its partnership with Learning Tree International, the leading skills training and development partner to more than 95% of Fortune 500 organizations. Together, Duke CE and Learning Tree are launching their Adaptive Technical Leader Certificate Program, which focuses on cultivating key leadership skills technical leaders need to navigate evolving market shifts, drive organizational change, and develop team transformation that leads to market success. The partnership combines decades of practical academic and professional expertise to train the next generation of technical leaders.

The Adaptive Technical Leader Certificate Program will leverage Duke CE's cutting-edge blend of business and university research with learning methodologies dedicated to leadership development. It combines Learning Tree's extensive leadership training, hands-on experience, and knowledge to infuse the program with an invaluable perspective that allows technical leaders to execute and align team goals with organizational objectives.

The collaboration marks the first partnership between both industry leaders and offers a dynamic opportunity for technical professionals around the world.

"Inspired leadership requires interpersonal skills that should not be left to on-the-job learning," said David Brown, Learning Tree's CEO. "This timely certificate program with Duke Corporate Education not only addresses the needs of project managers and executives, but also gives technical professionals the tools and techniques to excel and advance as team leaders."

Duke Corporate Education CEO Sharmla Chetty adds, "Building adaptive leaders is at the heart of what we do because change and sustainable implementation cannot happen without great leadership. To thrive, organizations must move faster and be more adaptive. In our view, leaders are the real levers of change to make this happen. We are eager to work with Learning Tree to develop solutions for tomorrow's technical leaders. "

About Duke Corporate Education

Duke Corporate Education is the premier global provider of leadership offerings that enable leaders at all levels to adapt and move the organization forward. With delivery in over 85 countries, we work together with clients to understand their context and craft the right educational solution for any level of leadership managers, directors, high potentials, or executives. Headquartered in Durham, NC, Duke Corporate Education is a support organization of Duke University, with global offices located London, UK; Johannesburg, South Africa; and Singapore. To learn more, visit dukece.com .

About Learning Tree International

Learning Tree International is a trusted, global partner delivering mission-critical IT training and certifications, as well as the communication and critical thinking skills necessary to effectively deploy major IT initiatives, process improvement, and transformational enterprise solutions. Nearly 3 million IT & business professionals around the world have enhanced their skills through Learning Tree and its expert instructor corps, real-world practitioners who bring our extensive library of proprietary and partner content to life. The Learning Tree "hands-on" approach to skills development reflects how learning is done today and provides greater impact than eLearning or classroom learning alone. To learn more, call 1-888-THE-TREE (843-8733) or visit www.LearningTree.com

Contact:

Christine Robers

Director, Global Marketing, Duke Corporate Education

[email protected]

+1 919.680.5053

Tricia Sacchetti

Vice President, Worldwide Marketing

Learning Tree International

[email protected]

+1 703.925.5552

SOURCE Learning Tree International
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According to the recent market study by Technavio, the Electrical Equipment Market in India is expected to increase by USD 33.74 billion from 2020 to 2025, progressing at a CAGR of 9% during the forecast period. The report provides a detailed analysis of drivers & opportunities, top winning strategies, competitive scenario, future market trends, market size & estimations, and major investment pockets.

Vendor Insights-

The electrical equipment market in India is fragmented due to the presence of several regional and international players. Established players in the market are making significant investments in R&D to introduce new and innovative products to expand their customer base.

ABB Ltd.: The company offers electrical equipment such as drives, low and medium-voltage equipment, and others.

Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd.: The company offers electrical equipment such as transformers, squirrel cage induction motors, slip ring induction motors, and others.

CG Power and Industrial Solutions Ltd.: The company offers electrical equipment such as FHP/commercial motors and others.

EMCO Ltd.: The company offers electrical equipment such as transformers, meters, and others.

Fuji Electric Co. Ltd.: The company offers electrical equipment such as motors, transmitters, flowmeters, and others.

Find additional highlights on the vendors and their product offerings. Download Free Sample Report

Regional Market Outlook

The electrical equipment market growth in India will be significant during the forecast period. The increasing number of manufacturing plants and the introduction of initiatives such as "Make in India" are creating several growth opportunities in the market. In addition, the increasing demand for transformers, such as autotransformers, power transformers, instrument transformers, distribution transformers, potential transformers, isolation transformers, and current transformers is expected to foster the growth of the market electrical equipment market in India during the forecast period.

Download our FREE sample report for more key highlights on the regional market share of most of the above-mentioned countries.

Latest Drivers & Trends Driving the Market-

Electrical Equipment Market Driver:

Increase in the demand for power:

The growth of the middle-class population in India is increasing the demand for housing. In addition, the availability of low-cost labor and favorable government regulations are encouraging global companies to expand their presence by setting up production plants in the country. Also, increasing investments in the construction industry is creating significant demand for electric equipment in the country, thereby driving the growth of the market.

Electrical Equipment Market Trend:

Growth in cross-border electricity trading:

Many people in countries such as Bangladesh, Nepal, and Myanmar do not have access to electricity owing to the lack of power generation capacity. Hence, these countries are involved in cross-border electricity trading with India to meet their energy requirements. The number of such agreements among these countries is on the rise as it helps them reduce energy prices, overcome power shortages, mitigate power losses, and reduce their carbon footprint. This has resulted in a growth in the generation and distribution of power in India and is subsequently driving the demand for electrical equipment.

Find additional information about various other market Drivers & Trends mentioned in our FREE sample report.

Related Reports:

Electrical Discharge Machine Market by End-user and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2021-2025

Carbon Brush Market by Application and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2022-2026

Electrical Equipment Market In India Scope Report Coverage Details Page number 120 Base year 2020 Forecast period 2021-2025 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 9% Market growth 2021-2025 USD 33.74 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth (%) 3.92 Regional analysis India Performing market contribution India at 100% Key consumer countries India Competitive landscape Leading companies, competitive strategies, consumer engagement scope Companies profiled ABB Ltd., Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd., CG Power and Industrial Solutions Ltd., EMCO Ltd., Fuji Electric Co. Ltd., Larsen and Toubro Ltd., Schneider Electric SE, Siemens AG, TD Power Systems Pvt. Ltd., and Toshiba Corp. Market Dynamics Parent market analysis, Market growth inducers and obstacles, Fast-growing and slow-growing segment analysis, COVID-19 impact and future consumer dynamics, market condition analysis for the forecast period. Customization purview If our report has not included the data that you are looking for, you can reach out to our analysts and get segments customized.

About Us

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

Contact

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media & Marketing Executive

US: +1 844 364 1100

UK: +44 203 893 3200

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.technavio.com/

SOURCE Technavio
NEW HAVEN, Conn., Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Environment and Human Health, Inc. (EHHI), a non-profit organization of physicians and public health professionals, is releasing its newly published research report on the dangers of plastics and microplastics to the environment and to health. The report calls for sweeping policy initiatives that need to be enacted by international, federal, state, and city governments, as well as calling on corporations to institute new policies that will better protect the public from harmful plastic and microplastic exposures.

Plastics and their production have been a problem for decades, and the more scientists learn about plastic pollution the more serious the problems are shown to be for the environment and the health of all living things.

Today there are about 380 million tons of plastic produced each year, a similar weight to all the people on earth. At the same time, it is estimated that only 60% of that production gets landfilled, burned, or recycled. The rest of the plastic production ends up somewhere in the environment.

Plastic formulations include numerous additives, often toxic substances, that are incorporated to give the plastic products their desired characteristics. In addition, plastics can absorb an endless number of chemicals and harbor microbes, both of which can be harmful to plants, wildlife, and humans.

Large plastic items  like bottles, food packaging and bags - break down into microplastics, that are tiny bits of plastic smaller than a grain of rice, and sometimes even much smaller than that.

There is probably no other contaminant as abundant as microplastics or one so widely distributed in the global environment. Because of their small size they are found in fruits, vegetables, in water, in beer and even our salt.

How this affects health varies with the size. We know that fish eat microplastics and big fish and large birds eat large pieces of plastic. Whales have been found to die from eating too many plastic bags. Plastic fish netting entangles marine life, often killing turtles, seals, and other large marine animals.

Gaboury Benoit, Ph.D., Professor of Environmental Chemistry, Yale University, Member of EHHI, and author of the report, explained, "Almost 500 scientific studies were reviewed in the writing of this report, and they show that each of us ingests and inhales millions of microscopic plastic particles each year. Microplastics carry chemical additives and coatings as well as potentially pathogenic microbes. Disturbingly, their impact on human health is not yet known."

Hugh Taylor, M.D. Chair of Yale's Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and member of EHHI said, "Exposures to microplastics is perhaps most concerning during pregnancy. Microplastics are found in the placenta and can cross the placenta. The developing fetus is particularly vulnerable to toxic exposures. Pregnant women should avoid plastics as much as possible and our legislators should prioritize protecting them."

"Dr. Taylor's observations concerning microplastics, made from the vantage point of the Chair of Yale's Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, are extremely important, given the long term and multigenerational actions of some of these chemicals, and the fact that microplastics are extensively distributed through food and water which creates a threat to future generations," said David Brown, Sc.D., toxicologist and member of EHHI.

In laboratories researchers working with microplastics have found that they cause irritation and inflammation of the digestive tract. Microplastics also trigger toxic responses in human cells and model organisms. The possibility that these findings translate into animal and human health effects are yet to be fully researched and determined.

People routinely ingest microplastics when eating food and drinking beverages. They inhale microplastics by breathing indoor and outdoor air.

Because almost all microplastics come from the breakdown of larger plastic items, it is impossible to control the amount of microplastics without reducing or stopping the production of plastic. A single plastic water bottle can break down into many trillions of microplastic particles.

"We need to stop plastic production at its source. This will take international agreements between nations, regulations in the United States at all levels of governments, and include the cooperation of industry and the efforts of individual citizens," said Nancy Alderman, President of Environment and Human Health, Inc.

This report can be accessed and downloaded from EHHI's website at: http://ehhi.org

Media Contact Information

Author of Report

Gaboury Benoit, Ph.D. 203-401-1556

President of Environment and Human Health, Inc.

Nancy Alderman 203-248-6582

SOURCE Environment and Human Health, Inc.
BRUSSELS, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- European Parliament President David Sassoli died at 65 in Italy early Tuesday, his spokesperson has said.

Sassoli passed away at 1:15 a.m. (0015 GMT) at a hospital in the city of Aviano, Italy, spokesperson Roberto Cuillo tweeted.

On Monday, Cuillo said the well-known Italian politician had been hospitalized for more than two weeks due to a serious complication relating to immune system dysfunction.

Sassoli was elected president of the European Parliament in 2019 and his term of office would have expired in days. 
With this partnership, EPAM leverages its strategic customer experience and brand expertise to help build excitement and drive reservations for the Grenadier ahead of its launch in 2022. The core of the Grenadier digital experience is its website , where EPAM brings to life the vision for the new vehicle through a purpose-driven showcase. This includes insight into the development process of the Grenadier and a configurator that drives home its versatility, built in partnership with MHP . EPAM also designed the user experience journey that turns casual visitors into customers wanting to reserve a vehicle .

"The Grenadier is one of the most hotly-anticipated new entrants into the automotive industry and we're incredibly proud to work with INEOS Automotive on its launch," said Tarek Nseir, VP, Head of Digital Engagement Practice, Europe, at EPAM. "By harnessing digital to engage an audience of potential consumers with immersive experiences and authentic behind-the-scenes content, we're building a passionate user base for the Grenadier in the lead up to launch."

In 2017, INEOS Chairman, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, a car enthusiast, and experienced adventurer, identified a gap in the market for a utilitarian 4X4 vehicle engineered for modern day compliance and reliability. Combining rugged British spirit and design with German engineering rigor, the Grenadier will be an uncompromising off-roader built from the ground up to meet the most extreme demands of its customers.

"We are building a capable, durable and reliable 4X4 for the world's harshest environments," said Laura Key, Head of Commercial Programme Management, INEOS Automotive. "We're delighted to have EPAM onboard as a strategic digital partner to help us deliver exceptional experiences for our customers. They struck from the outset with their grasp of our requirements and the ability to deliver on those with their innovative approach to digital thinking."

In addition to managing digital strategy, EPAM is working with INEOS Automotive to develop its digital roadmap enabling the brand to deliver major milestones and new experiences. In September 2021, the company helped INEOS launch its 'Reservation Day,' enabling prospective customers to reserve a Grenadier. Starting with a two-week exclusive early access event, followed by a wider release to the general public, it generated significant interest and reservation numbers exceeded targets. The two companies will create similar brand moments in 2022, in the lead up to the official launch and beyond.

To learn more about EPAM Continuum's integrated business, experience, technology and data consulting practice, visit www.epam.com/services/consult-and-design.

To learn more about the INEOS Grenadier, visit https://ineosgrenadier.com/en-gb.



About EPAM Systems

Since 1993, EPAM Systems, Inc. (NYSE: EPAM) has leveraged its advanced software engineering heritage to become the foremost global digital transformation services provider  leading the industry in digital and physical product development and digital platform engineering services. Through its innovative strategy; integrated advisory, consulting and design capabilities; and unique 'Engineering DNA,' EPAM's globally deployed hybrid teams help make the future real for clients and communities around the world by powering better enterprise, education and health platforms that connect people, optimize experiences, and improve people's lives. Selected by Newsweek as a 2021 Most Loved Workplace, EPAM's global multi-disciplinary teams serve customers in more than 40 countries across five continents. As a recognized leader, EPAM is listed among the top 15 companies in Information Technology Services on the Fortune 1000 and ranked as the top IT services company on Fortune's 100 Fastest-Growing Companies list for the last three consecutive years. EPAM is also listed among Ad Age's top 25 World's Largest Agency Companies and in 2020, Consulting Magazine named EPAM Continuum a top 20 Fastest-Growing Firm. Learn more at www.epam.com and follow EPAM on Twitter and LinkedIn .

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes statements which may constitute forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, the accuracy of which are necessarily subject to risks, uncertainties, and assumptions as to future events that may not prove to be accurate. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied include general economic conditions and the factors discussed in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. EPAM undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities law.

SOURCE EPAM Systems, Inc.

Related Links

https://www.linkedin.com/company/60427


DENVER, Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Global workforce management technology provider, Equus Software, has partnered with AIRINC, the world's leading provider of advice, data and decision-making tools for global mobility, to help businesses meet the challenges of a rapidly changing international workforce mobility landscape.

AIRINC

The partnership will enable global mobility teams to access allowance data more efficiently, better understand the costs of international moves and provide market-leading benchmarking insights for their mobility programs at a time when posting workers overseas is more complex and changeable than ever.

Alongside Covid-19 disruption, companies are keenly focused on issues such as new trade relationships, human rights governance, green supply chains, nurturing local talent and building new relationships with customers and partners in new markets, to name just a few. Access to the best and latest data is essential when deploying talent in this dynamic business environment.

As fully integrated partners, AIRINC and Equus Software will offer a combined technology and data solution to help organizations balance risk and opportunity, respond at pace to changes in markets and supply chains, and get key people where they need to be at the right time. The most important takeaways of this partnership between Equus Software and AIRINC can be boiled down to,

Integration of real-time data from AIRINC into AssignmentPro.

A greater range of data and market practice insights to help global mobility teams manage mobile workforces.

Enhanced cost-estimate, compensation calculation and program benchmarking functionality.

"As businesses start sending more key people around the world to fix problems and take advantage of new opportunities, global mobility teams are under pressure like never before. Our partnership with AIRINC provides our AssignmentPro clients with access to a greater range of data and state-of-the-art, on-demand services to meet these challenges with confidence," said Mark Thomas, Founder and CEO, of Equus Software.

In addition to AIRINC's data integration in AssignmentPro, the new partnership will offer the capability to show how this data  such as foreign exchange rates, cost of living and an individual's compensation  changes over time, so clients can generate insights into the implications of those developments.

Global mobility teams can access real-time program metrics and benchmarking in AssignmentPro using AIRINC thought leadership and request holistic program benchmarking reports from AIRINC related to their specific program size, geography, or industry.

This policy audit capability means clients will be able to see how their program compares to the marketplace in real time with market-leading mobility insights, highlighting program efficiencies or areas for further review.

"We are pleased to partner with Equus Software to help its clients make more informed decisions about their global mobility programs," said Jeff Hawk, CEO, of AIRINC. "Effective mobility programs need to be supported by great technology, great data, and helpful advice when they need it. By adding our data and benchmarking to AssignmentPro, Equus Software's clients will have access to information that will help them navigate the increasingly complex world of business travel and international assignments."

About Equus

Equus Software is the global leader in cloud-based international relocation and mobility solutions. More than 2,000 organizations around the world rely on Equus tools and technology to automate mundane, transactional work so that global mobility teams, talent management professionals and other key stakeholders can focus on adding value to the business. Founded in 1999, Equus has a proven track record for delivering cutting-edge talent mobility solutions, continuous innovation, and exceptional customer service. www.equusoft.com.

About AIRINC

Focused on workforce globalization, AIRINC provides compensation insights, allowances, technology, and advice to facilitate global and domestic mobility. AIRINC works with clients from small organizations to Fortune 500 across all industries and geographies. Headquartered in Cambridge, MA with employees located throughout the Americas, Europe, and Asia, AIRINC has been collaborating with clients for over 65 years. www.air-inc.com.

Media Contact:

Laura Panza

(949) 777-2487

[email protected]

SOURCE Equus Software
"We are always looking for talented companies that fit with our strategy and company culture and which we can help grow faster at the same time. This acquisition is a next step in working even closer with Meridix, in order to bring innovation faster to service providers and the companies that rely on our cloud communication technology," says Daan De Wever CEO of the Destiny Group . "The Meridix platform was 'born in the cloud,' it gives our service provider customers powerful data-based business insights for various communication solutions and it is intuitive to work with. It therefore perfectly fits within the business ambitions of the Destiny Group, reinforcing our position as an innovative, user-friendly and market leading UCaaS provider for SMEs and service providers in Europe."

Meridix will become part of the Destiny for Service Provider organization and the team and management will be fully integrated within the Destiny Group. Joining the Destiny Group will enhance business opportunities and future-proof the company for both service provider customers, partners and employees.

"We are proud and excited to team up with the leading UCaaS provider in Europe as a native part of Destiny's product catalog going forward," adds Johan Wendelstam, CEO of Meridix. "We will be in a much better position to continue to support and grow together with our partners and customers, at the same time as we increase technical investments and the product innovation pace." Destiny and Meridix will align their roadmaps so that Meridix service provider customers and partners will even have better performing products. Support for third party solutions like Microsoft Teams, Cloud PBX solutions and Contact Center modules remains in focus and is aligned with Destiny's strategy to play well with others. "Our customers will be managed by the Meridix team as before and as part of the Destiny Group, we will continue to be a trusted and appreciated partner for Service Providers of all sizes within Europe and beyond."

There's still a lot of work, especially in the UCaaS industry, when it comes to businesses making use of their available data in order to obtain better business insights. "Within the Destiny Group, it is our mission to make things easier, go faster and to take away boundaries for our service providers and end customers. Our next step with Meridix is to use machine learning and AI to start mining data and provide actionable information for companies and end-users," concludes Patrik Sorqvist, COO of the Destiny Group.

About Destiny

Destiny, originally Belgian, is a European leader and innovator in secure cloud communications based on its powerful and secure mobile-first products and UCaaS. Destiny empowers +2 million business users to communicate, collaborate and provide excellent customer service. The company enables service providers, channel partners and end customers as well as 3rd party services to thrive in their cloud ecosystem. Destiny, with headquarters in Brussels, has more than 700 employees in 7 European countries and an annual turnover of close to 200 million in 2021.

More info: www.destiny.be

About Meridix

Meridix Systems offer platforms that collect data from most of the well-known communication solutions on the market today and present all that data in clear reports. Meridix platforms enable communication service providers to offer customers insights regarding their internal and external communication.

More info: www.meridix.se

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1719487/Patrik_Sorqvist_and_Johan_Wendelstam.jpg

For further information:

Veerle Wijsgeer

PR Destiny

[email protected]

+32495580797

SOURCE Destiny
PALO ALTO, Calif., Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today Fable, the social reading app, announced the launch of a premium club hosted by the authors Daniel Handler and Nic Stone. The club will offer members exclusive access to the two authors in an intimate conversation about some of their favorite books. Learn more and join the book club at fable.co/nicanddaniel.

Daniel Handler and Nic Stone

Daniel Handler, also known as Lemony Snicket, is the author of seven novels, including Why We Broke Up, We Are Pirates, Bottle Grove, and, most recently, Poison for Breakfast. As Lemony Snicket, he has written dozens of books for children, including the mega-bestselling thirteen-volume Series of Unfortunate Events.

Nic Stone is the author of six young adult novels, including her New York Times bestselling debut, Dear Martin, as well as a middle grade novel, Clean Getaway. Her books have been celebrated for bringing diverse voices and stories to young readers.

Handler and Stone will be co-moderating the book club, and members will be party to their intimate, thoughtful, and witty discussions about books in their club. The first book the club will be reading is Morgan Parker's debut collection of poetry and insights, Other People's Comfort Keeps Me Up at Night.

"I met Nic Stone at a party," Daniel Handler remembered, "and we hid in a corner talking about our favorite books. Fable seems like a great way to enlarge that conversation, to invite more people into our corner where we talk obsessively about the reading that inspires us."

"Confession: My motivation for doing this is wholly self-centric," said Nic Stone. "I want other people to read some of the quirky and obscure stuff I enjoy more than anything else just for the sake of feeling vindicated in my maybe a little bizarre reading tastes. Thankfully my partner-in-club is just as weirdly read as I am."

The club will be open to all at $4.99 a month, and Daniel Handler and Nic Stone will be donating their proceeds from the club to DonorsChoose , a nonprofit that supports public school teachers and classrooms. In addition, every ebook purchased on Fable supports the World Literacy Foundation .

Fable All Access members will be able to participate in the club at no additional cost.

"We're thrilled to be working with these two incredibly talented authors," said Padmasree Warrior, founder and CEO of Fable. "This is our first premium club to feature two moderators in conversation with each other, and we couldn't be happier that Daniel Handler and Nic Stone will be sharing their wit, wisdom, and wisecracks with Fable members."

Fable has ebooks from all major publishers available for purchase in its webstore for readers to enjoy in the app. Fable uniquely allows book club members to see each other's highlights, comments, and discussion prompts, right alongside the text. Find out more at fable.co .

About Fable

Fable launched in spring of 2021 with a catalog of nearly a million books and Folios curated by leading authors and tastemakers. Padmasree Warrior is the Founder, President, and CEO of Fable. Previously, Padma was the Chief Executive Officer of NIO U.S., a manufacturer of smart, electric and autonomous vehicles. Prior to NIO, Warrior served as the Chief Technology & Strategy Officer for Cisco. Warrior has been widely recognized for her creative, visionary leadership. Forbes has named her one of "The World's 100 Most Powerful Women" for three years running.

MEDIA CONTACTS

FABLE GROUP

Alex Posey / [email protected]

310-804-98

NIC STONE

Mollie Glick / [email protected]

Related Links

http://www.fable.co

https://fable.co/club/iceland-readers-retreat-with-iceland-readers-retreat-team-386765280493

SOURCE Fable Group
"This is an exciting concept, with lots of therapeutic potential," said Robert C. Garrett, FACHE, CEO of Hackensack Meridian Health . "These are the kinds of strategic investments that have the potential to help us transform health care for our communities and beyond.''

The investment comes amid rapid company growth. FluidForm has recently accomplished several key milestones, including: establishing a pilot biofabrication line outside of Boston, receiving grants from both NIH and NSF for foundational work on key programs, and collaborating with multiple top life science companies.

Mike Graffeo, CEO and co-founder of FluidForm, said: "As we continue to advance our leading tissue applications, clinical input and partnership are a key element of our successful growth. We are excited to work with the truly outstanding group of clinical and research experts at Hackensack Meridian Health."

The ability to recreate functional human tissue has the potential to transform human health. FluidForm's FRESH printing is a leading technology that has been proven to recreate biology, from structure to function. FluidForm seeks to deliver on the promise of tissue therapies, in order to radically transform human health and longevity.

This investment in Fluid Form is Hackensack Meridian Health's sixth through the Bear's Den, the health network's successful innovation program, which seeks to drive medical science forward by supporting strategic candidates in biotech and pharma.

Launched in 2017, Bear's Den features a panel of experts, including Hackensack Meridian Health CEO Garrett, leading physicians, key network executives, venture capitalists, patent attorneys, who gather regularly to vet proposals from entrepreneurs. The health network's novel incubator has vetted many products and strategies to streamline care delivery, reduce infections, lower hospital readmissions, and help patients partner in their care with physicians.

"At Hackensack Meridian Health, we have identified regenerative medicine as a key focus area where we bring unique expertise and experience," said Dr. Ihor Sawczuck, chief research officer and president of Hackensack Meridian Health's Northern Region. "We are thrilled to invest in and collaborate with FluidForm across their portfolio of tissue applications in novel drug discovery and medical devices."

ABOUT HACKENSACK MERIDIAN HEALTH

Hackensack Meridian Health is a leading not-for-profit health care organization that is the largest, most comprehensive and truly integrated health care network in New Jersey, offering a complete range of medical services, innovative research and life-enhancing care.

Hackensack Meridian Health comprises 17 hospitals from Bergen to Ocean counties, which includes three academic medical centers  Hackensack University Medical Center in Hackensack, Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune and JFK University Medical Center in Edison; one university teaching hospital  Ocean University Medical Center in Brick; two children's hospitals - Joseph M. Sanzari Children's Hospital in Hackensack, K. Hovnanian Children's Hospital in Neptune; eight community hospitals  Bayshore Medical Center in Holmdel, Old Bridge Medical Center in Old Bridge, Mountainside Medical Center in Montclair, Palisades Medical Center in North Bergen, Pascack Valley Medical Center in Westwood, Raritan Bay Medical Center in Perth Amboy, Riverview Medical Center in Red Bank, and Southern Ocean Medical Center in Manahawkin; a behavioral health hospital  Carrier Clinic in Belle Mead; and two rehabilitation hospitals - JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute in Edison and Johnson Rehabilitation Institute in Brick.

Additionally, the network has more than 500 patient care locations throughout the state which include ambulatory care centers, surgery centers, home health services, long-term care and assisted living communities, ambulance services, lifesaving air medical transportation, fitness and wellness center, rehabilitation centers, urgent care centers and physician practice locations. Hackensack Meridian Health has more than 36,000 team members, and 7,000 physicians and is a distinguished leader in health care philanthropy, committed to the health and well-being of the communities it serves.

The network's notable distinctions include having more top-ranked hospitals than anyone in New Jersey, as recognized by U.S. News & World Report, 2021-22. Hackensack University Medical Center is the only hospital in New Jersey with the #1 adult and children's hospital rankings.

John Theurer Cancer Center at Hackensack University Medical Center is New Jersey's best cancer center, as recognized by U.S. News & World Report, 2021-22. This premier cancer center is also the largest and most comprehensive center dedicated to the diagnosis, treatment, management, research, screenings, and preventive care as well as survivorship of patients with all types of cancers. John Theurer Cancer Center is part of Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, an NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center.

Additionally, the network partnered with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center to ensure that patients have access to the highest quality, most individualized cancer care when and where they need it.

The Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine, the first private medical school in New Jersey in more than 50 years, welcomed its first class of students in 2018 to its campus in Nutley and Clifton. The Hackensack Meridian Center for Discovery and Innovation (CDI), housed in a fully renovated state-of-the-art facility, seeks to translate current innovations in science to improve clinical outcomes for patients with cancer, infectious diseases and other life-threatening and disabling conditions.

Hackensack Meridian Health is a member of AllSpire Health Partners, an interstate consortium of leading health systems, to focus on the sharing of best practices in clinical care and achieving efficiencies. To learn more, visit www.hackensackmeridianhealth.org.

About FluidForm

FluidForm is the world leader in functional human tissue for research, repair, and replacement. Our patented FRESH 3D printing technology is the most advanced biofabrication platform in the world, as published in Science. The company's robust pipeline includes development and preclinical programs addressing significant unmet need in human health. These programs include bioprosthetic implantable medical devices, and a new generation of structurally and compositionally complex tissue models to test drug efficacy and cardiotoxicity, with an ultimate focus on tissue and organ replacement. FluidForm is in the Boston area.

To learn more about FluidForm, visit www.fluidform3D.com or email [email protected].

Follow on:

LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/fluidform Twitter at www.twitter.com/FluidForm3D

SOURCE Hackensack Meridian Health
LONDON, Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Fly Now Pay Later ( www.flynowpaylater.com/us/ ), a global fintech company offering consumers an alternative and more flexible way to finance travel, has closed a USD $75m debt funding package provided by funds managed by Atalaya Capital Management to support expansion into the United States - the largest travel market in the world.

As part of the funding package, the New-York headquartered financier has also provided an equity investment into the business.

Building on USD $60M (GBP 45M) of new investment made in the previous two equity funding rounds, the alternative payments provider launched in 2015 by Jasper Dykes (32), has now raised a total of USD $150 million in debt and equity funding to support global expansion.

The milestone has been achieved in less than six years of trading, during which time Fly Now Pay Later successfully navigated 18 months of unprecedented travel sector disruption.

With online US commercial aviation returning to pre-pandemic levels, Fly Now Pay Later will use the new investment to further build out and scale its operational footprint in the world's largest travel market.

Fly Now Pay Later is a leading BNPL player in the largely unaddressed travel sector. With a presence in all core BNPL markets (UK, US and EU). Fly Now Pay Later is the only global player solely focused on the rapidly recovering travel sector.

The alternative lender enables customers to spread the cost of a trip over up to 12 monthly instalments by partnering with leading travel merchants or directly to consumers through its Anywhere app

"To have secured another landmark amount during one of the worst slow downs in travel history after it ground to a halt is testament to the efforts of the whole team," said Fly Now Pay Later founder and chief executive Jasper Dykes.

"The US, which we entered in 2020, purposely formed a big part of our resilience plan as domestic leisure travel has been less affected than in Europe. And will continue to be a key focus as we enter 2022.

"There's always a temptation to put the brakes on in times of significant headwinds, but with consumer expectations continuing to shift from traditional lending towards alternative convenient digital experiences, we upheld our investment commitments into developing our technology and threw ourselves into bolstering our partnership network in the states, which is really gaining momentum."

In the past year, Fly Now Pay Later has entered into significant new commercial partnerships including:, Malaysia Airlines and the airline payments network Universal Air Travel Plan (UATP) (EU merchants only).

In July, the alternative travel payments provider signed a deal with Cross River Bank, the New Jersey-based financial services organization and Banking-as-a-Service ("BaaS") provider, to further fuel its rapid growth internationally.

This was strengthened by a strategic UK and US link-up with ChargeAfter , a global network of BNPL and point-of-sale financing for merchants, making Fly Now Pay Later the first travel-centric installment payment option available on the platform.

"It's a particularly exciting time for the company. The category is experiencing tremendous growth and with that we also welcome the FCA's recent decision to regulate the sector in the UK to facilitate its continuing maturity," continued Mr Dykes.

"There are tens of thousands of people who have families around the world who need a frictionless way to finance their flights.

"By removing financial boundaries, we hope to reconnect people with their friends and families no matter where they are around the globe.

"Since launch, we have been on a mission to make travel more accessible and affordable for more people, by providing payment flexibility at the click of a button.

"Our proprietary platform has been designed to make instantaneous credit decisions - providing highly tailored and digestible payment options to consumers traditionally underserved by existing credit institutions."

The use of BNPL products nearly quadrupled in 2020, to 2.7 billion in transactions in the UK, with five million people using these products since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic.

Analysts forecast that by 2026, spending via BNPL services is predicted to hit almost $51bn (37bn) in the UK alone.

BNPL accounted for 2.1%  or about $97 billion  of all global e-commerce transactions in 2020, according to Worldpay.

Hundreds of travel companies use Fly Now Pay Later to offer finance (from as little as 0% APR) to holidaymakers, who can make repayments in affordable scheduled installments. Its merchant partnerships range from SME travel operators to leading operators like Malaysia Airlines, TravelUp HotelsOne, Air Serbia and Azores Airlines.

The alternative travel payments firm has capitalized on the market opportunity to consolidate its leading position in the UK and expand its merchant base, as travel brands seek to up their e-commerce and digital payments game to drive sales post market recovery.

Since it launched in 2015, Fly Now Pay Later has focused on building a best-in-class product around its audience and their purchasing habits; seeing demand and customer loyalty solidify in the process.

The alternative travel payment provider currently employs 90 staff in the UK, United States & Latvia and is aiming to support each market over the next year in line with customer demand and as travel restrictions ease. It will onboard a further 250 + personnel across the three territories in 2022.

The company can be used to book flights, hotels, package holidays, car hire and more and offers frictionless payment options to support businesses and the end consumer.

"Fly Now Pay Later has handled the past 24 months admirably. It's a strong brand in a high growth mode, that's well positioned to capture the buoyant category demand.

"We're proud to support the company and its experienced management team as they continue to make life easier for travelers and merchants worldwide with its tech-enabled financial solutions." added James Intermont, Principal at Atalaya Capital Management

The service is quick and easy to use, and a credit check is performed instantly. Travel providers who are interested in signing up to Fly Now Pay Later should visit https://www.flynowpaylater.com/us/for-business/ .

Travelers looking for a quick and easy way to book a trip download the app here

Sources:

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/buy-now-pay-later-five-takeaways-from-the-uk-market-301404172.html

https://worldpay.globalpaymentsreport.com/en/download/

About Fly Now Pay Later ( http://www.flynowpaylater.com )

Fly Now Pay Later was founded in 2015 by Jasper Dykes. Dykes came up with the idea when he was shopping for a holiday and was frustrated by the lack of payment flexibility within the travel sector.

"When I was about 20, a friend rang me and said he found a fantastic holiday on Expedia, but it was almost 2000. As with most online travel providers, you typically have to pay the full balance at the point of check out which was really inconvenient at the time. I went in search of alternative payment options for travel, and realized it didn't exist. This was the light bulb moment behind Fly Now Pay Later" he recalls.

It wasn't until many years later that, aged 24, Jasper relocated to London from Dorset to build out his business plan. After meeting co-founder and financier Stuart Jeffrey, they built out a small team, closed a seed funding round and formed Fly Now Pay Later. From small beginnings, Jasper now leads a team of 90 team members across the UK, Europe and US.

About Atalaya Capital Management

Atalaya Capital Management is a privately held, SEC-registered, alternative investment advisory firm. Atalaya primarily focuses on making private credit and special opportunities investments in three principal asset classes  specialty finance, real estate, and corporate. Founded in 2006, Atalaya is headquartered in New York City and has approximately $6 billion in assets under management. For more information visit www.atalayacap.com .

CONTACT: [email protected]

SOURCE Fly Now Pay Later
In May 2021, well-known technology veteran and former OpenText CEO, John Shackleton, joined FutureVault to serve as interim CEO for the balance of 2021. Shackleton accepted the mandate of working closely with the FutureVault Board of Directors and the executive management team to fine-tune the Company's strategic vision and direction while contemporaneously seeking the ideal candidate to take the reigns as the company's new leader.

"Daniel is as versatile of a leader and executive as they come. His expertise in global financial services along with having a deep understanding of software architecture, makes him the perfect fit to lead the organization", commented Shackleton.

Shackleton will continue to work alongside the FutureVault executive team as an executive consultant to provide transition support while continuing to help shape the strategic direction of the firm.

Prior to joining FutureVault as Chief Operating Officer in January 2021, Daniel worked for over 20 years with HSBC globally in Tokyo, Jakarta, New York, and most recently in Toronto where he served as Managing Director & COO for Global Banking and Markets, HSBC Canada. Daniel's background in Systems Design Engineering with Computer Engineering and Management Science Options from the University of Waterloo led him to developing technology-driven strategies and infrastructure across Asia. Upon his return to North America, he oversaw and managed global transformation programs to deploy effective AML and Sanction controls.

"I have been fortunate to work side by side with an incredibly talented group at FutureVault over the past year. 2021 was a notable year for our team in gaining recognition and momentum; all of which have positioned us [FutureVault] for a breakout year in 2022", commented Kenny.

FutureVault Executive Board Chair, G Scott Paterson , commented, "Daniel is a world-class executive with deep operational know-how, hands-on technology expertise, and extensive knowledge in global financial services. We are excited to have him lead us through the next chapter of our journey."

For media inquiries and additional information about FutureVault's patented, industry-leading Digital Vault technology, please visit futurevault.com or contact FutureVault at [email protected].

About FutureVault

FutureVault is an industry-leading provider of secure document exchange and Digital Vault solutions for the financial services industry that enables institutions, advisors, and households to manage information better, together. FutureVault offers a powerful white label solution that transforms the way organizations manage, store, and deliver client documents and statements, onboard and retain clients, onboard and retain advisors, and manage compliance and audit readiness leading to significant operational efficiencies. By leveraging FutureVault's patented technology, organizations save significant time and money in their day-to-day workflows.

SOURCE FutureVault Inc.
Fractal's acquisition of Neal Analytics will deepen Fractal's capability to scale AI on Microsoft's multi cloud ecosystems for its Fortune 500 clients and further expand its presence in North America.

NEW YORK, Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Fractal, (fractal.ai), a global provider of artificial intelligence and advanced analytics to Fortune 500 companies, today announced the acquisition of Neal Analytics, a cloud, data, engineering and AI Microsoft Gold consulting partner, for an undisclosed amount.

Neal Analytics strengthens Fractal's AI engineering capabilities & cloud-first offerings on Microsoft's multi cloud ecosystems and enables clients to scale AI and power decisions; It also strengthens Fractal's presence in the Pacific Northwest, Canada, and India.

Founded in 2011, Neal Analytics is a Microsoft Gold Consulting Partner supporting its cross-industry clients, such as PepsiCo and Microsoft, in their data-driven transformation initiatives. Neal Analytics' 200+ team brings deep expertise on the Azure stack - across data science, AI & ML, IoT, Edge Computing, BI, application development, migration and modernization, and automation. Neal Analytics also has partnerships with Intel, Nvidia, and Databricks.

Srikanth Velamakanni, Co-founder and Group Chief Executive, Fractal, said, "We are excited about partnering with Dylan and his talented team at Neal Analytics. They have built a great client-centric, people-oriented culture, and have an impressive track record of solving and scaling AI engineering challenges, especially on the Microsoft platform, for marquee clients. This partnership will accelerate our ability to power data-driven decisions end-to-end for our Fortune 500 sized clients."

Dylan Dias, CEO, Neal Analytics, said, "This is the successful culmination of a thorough, year-long process. Our goals were to find the best long-term home for Neal's 200+ employees, a platform to scale faster, and the ability to play a bigger role in this fast-accelerating space. Fractal was a clear choice. Our culture and vision are 100% aligned. This is an exciting opportunity to empower our people and work alongside like-minded practitioners to transform businesses with cloud, data, and AI. It will enable Neal Analytics and Fractal to grow and achieve more together."

Satish Raman, Chief Strategy Officer, Fractal, said, "Hyperscale cloud infrastructures are enabling organizations to be more agile and improve their business performance to better serve clients. Neal's award-winning experts in Microsoft's Azure and cloud technologies have been helping organizations to securely migrate, modernize and accelerate their business transformation within the cloud for more than a decade. We're delighted that this acquisition of Neal will further strengthen our rapidly growing analytics, AI, and data engineering business in North America."

About Fractal

Fractal is one of the most prominent players in the Artificial Intelligence space. Fractal's mission is to power every human decision in the enterprise and brings AI, engineering, and design to help the world's most admired Fortune 500 companies.

Fractal's products include Qure.ai to assist radiologists in making better diagnostic decisions, Crux Intelligence to assist CEOs and senior executives make better tactical and strategic decisions, Theremin.ai to improve investment decisions, Eugenie.ai to find anomalies in high-velocity data, Samya.ai to drive next-generation Enterprise Revenue Growth Management, Senseforth.ai to automate customer interactions at scale to grow top-line and bottom-line and Analytics Vidhya is the largest Analytics and Data Science community offering industry-focused training programs.

Fractal has more than 3500 employees across 16 global locations, including the United States, UK, Ukraine, India, Singapore, and Australia. Fractal has consistently been rated as India's best companies to work for, by The Great Place to Work Institute, featured as a leader in Customer Analytics Service Providers Wave 2021, Computer Vision Consultancies Wave 2020 & Specialized Insights Service Providers Wave 2020 by Forrester Research, a leader in Analytics & AI Services Specialists Peak Matrix 2021 by Everest Group and recognized as an "Honorable Vendor" in 2021 Magic Quadrant for data & analytics by Gartner.

For more information, visit fractal.ai

About Neal Analytics



Neal Analytics is a cloud, data, and AI Microsoft Gold Consulting Partner supporting data-driven transformation initiatives from data strategy to solution design, architecture, development, operationalization, and support.

Neal leverages Agile methodologies and flexible engagement models to deliver measurable customer value with a focus on right sized and pragmatic approaches towards digital transformation.

Our offers include Production Yield Optimization to optimize manufacturing processes with AI-powered Autonomous Systems, StockView for Retail to reduce and predict out-of-stock items with AI-powered gap detection at the edge, and Intelligent Order Sequencing to optimize production and reduce customer wait times.

Neal Analytics is headquartered in Bellevue, WA, with 200+ employees across the US, Canada, and India. A well-established Microsoft Partner, Neal has earned 7 gold competencies, 4 advanced specializations, and 4 Partner of Year nominations and awards. Those are a testament to our deep expertise in cloud, data, and AI technologies.

For more information, visit nealanalytics.com

SOURCE Fractal
"We are delighted that Dr. Kunii, who has been at the forefront of global health for many years, will join the GHIT while finalizing our strategic plan for GHIT 3.0 (FY2023-2027)," said Dr. Hiroki Nakatani, Chairman and Representative Director of the GHIT. "With his insights, experience, expertise, and network in global health, we believe Dr. Kunii will be a great force for advancing product development and improving access for neglected populations as well as driving GHIT's further success in close collaboration with the GHIT's Council, Board of Directors, Selection Committee, Management Team, and domestic and international partners."

About Dr. Osamu Kunii

Dr. Osamu Kunii, MD, MPH, PhD, is currently serving as a Management Executive Committee member of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (the Global Fund), as Head of the Strategy, Investment and Impact Division. He is responsible for leading one of the largest divisions of the Global Fund, consisting of five departments (Health Finance; Strategy Information; Technical Advice and Partnerships; Access to Funding; and Community, Rights and Gender). He started his career as an internal medicine physician in Japan and made a shift to work for both governmental and non-governmental organizations, as he finds his passion in global health and feels it is his life's work to contribute to this field. With his strong international experience working for multiple international organizations such as UNICEF and the Global Fund, coupled with his extensive interactions with other global organizations, he is interested in leveraging what he has learned and experienced to give back to Japan and Japanese organizations and lead innovation in global health.

About the GHIT Fund

The GHIT Fund is a Japan-based international public-private partnership fund (PPP) between the Government of Japan, multiple pharmaceutical companies, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Wellcome, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The GHIT Fund invests and manages an R&D portfolio of development partnerships aimed at neglected diseases, such as malaria, tuberculosis and neglected tropical diseases that afflict the world's vulnerable and underserved populations. The GHIT Fund mobilizes the Japanese industry, academia, and research institutes to create new drugs, vaccines, and diagnostics for malaria, tuberculosis, and neglected tropical diseases, in collaboration with global partners.

For more information, contact:

Katy Lenard at +1-301-280-5719 or [email protected]

Nana Arai at +81-36441-2032 or [email protected]

SOURCE Global Health Innovative Technology (GHIT) Fund
"I have long admired the culture, people, expertise, and reputation for excellence and innovation at JSI and World Education. I am delighted to be here and look forward to learning from each other," said Crotty.

Crotty has more than 30 years of experience and a strong record of leadership in both the nonprofit and private sectors in the areas of education and public health. Most recently, she was the CEO of the Partnership with Children .

Crotty serves on various health and education boards, including those of Northwell Health , the Open Medical Institute , the City University Graduate School of Public Health , the United Hospital Fund , and ACCESS Health International .

In an introductory meeting with staff, Crotty spoke of the importance of incorporating equity, diversity, and inclusion principles into all workplace policies, as well as into its work with communities and government funders. "Addressing these issues is critical to moving both public health and education forward," commented Crotty.

About John Snow, Inc. (JSI)

JSI, founded in 1978 by Joel Lamstein and Bert Hirshhorn, and JSI Research & Training Institute, founded in 1980, are public health management consulting and research organizations dedicated to improving the health of individuals and communities throughout the world. We partner with community-based organizations, the private sector, and government agencies to strengthen their capacity to streamline services, develop their workforce, collect and use data, promote healthy behaviors, and strengthen supply chains in an effort to deliver better health services to all.

About World Education

The nonprofit organization World Education joined the JSI family in 1982. Celebrating its 70th anniversary this past year, World Education continues its commitment to improving the lives of the people experiencing poverty through education and social and economic development programs.

About The Partnership for Supply Chain Management

The Partnership for Supply Chain Management (PFSCM) helps strengthen, develop, and manage secure, reliable, cost-effective, and sustainable global supply chains to improve the health and well-being of people in low- and middle-income countries through increased access to quality and affordable health products. PFSCM is based in the Netherlands and specializes in forecasting, procurement, multi-freight forwarder logistics, pharm-compliant storage, and end-to-end supply chain tracking solutions that ensure cost-savings, high-quality products, on-time and in-full deliveries, product integrity, and data visibility from manufacturer to end-client.

Contact:

Penelope Riseborough, Director, Communications

(617) 921-7089

[email protected]

SOURCE John Snow, Inc.
BEIJING, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping said Tuesday that China and Indonesia should advance cooperation in a coordinated manner in the post-pandemic era.

In a phone conversation with Indonesian President Joko Widodo, Xi suggested that the two sides integrate Belt and Road cooperation with China's building of a new development pattern and Indonesia's medium- and long-term national development plan.

Since last year, China-Indonesia relations have been moving forward while maintaining stability in defiance of the COVID-19 pandemic, Xi noted.

The two countries, he added, have launched a high-level dialogue cooperation mechanism, and established a new pattern of bilateral cooperation on the "four-wheel drive" of political, economic, cultural and maritime affairs.

China and Indonesia are both major developing countries, and have similar ideals and beliefs in pursuing national development and seeking happiness for their people, Xi said.

Facing major changes and a pandemic both unseen in a century, the two countries should strive to build a community with a shared future, he said, adding that the key to achieving this goal is to get concrete things done well one after another.

Xi stressed that the two sides should work together to fight the pandemic and set a good example of health cooperation.

China, he said, will continue to cooperate with Indonesia throughout the vaccine industrial chain and on drug research and development, help Indonesia build a regional vaccine production center, and work with Indonesia to improve global public health governance and build a global community of health for all on the basis of jointly fighting the pandemic.

The two sides should pursue common development and set a role model for practical cooperation, Xi added.

He called for joint efforts to build the Jakarta-Bandung High Speed Railway with high quality, earnestly implement such key programs as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Corridors and the "Two Countries, Twin Parks" project, and foster such new growth areas as new energy, decarbonization, digital economy and maritime cooperation.

China, he stressed, will actively participate with all its strength in anything that is conducive to promoting Indonesia's development and deepening China-Indonesia cooperation.

Xi said China attaches great importance to Indonesia's role in regional and international affairs, and stands ready to work with Indonesia to implement the consensus reached at last year's China-ASEAN commemorative summit, promote regional economic recovery and safeguard regional peace and stability.

Noting that China and Indonesia hold the chairs of BRICS and the Group of 20 (G20) respectively this year, he said China is ready to work with Indonesia to practice true multilateralism, actively implement the Global Development Initiative, safeguard the interests of emerging-market and developing countries, and contribute to promoting global economic recovery and improving global economic governance.

For his part, Widodo extended congratulations on the success of the sixth plenary session of the 19th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, saying he believes that the Chinese people will continue to achieve new glories under Xi's leadership.

Last year, bilateral trade and investment grew rapidly, and health cooperation -- especially cooperation in vaccine production and drug research and development -- achieved remarkable results, he said, noting that 80 percent of Indonesia's vaccines came from China.

Meanwhile, the construction of the Jakarta-Bandung High Speed Railway is advancing smoothly and expected to be completed and opened to traffic as scheduled, he added.

The good relations between Indonesia and China are based on mutual respect and win-win cooperation, he said.

Indonesia, he said, is willing to work with China to strengthen cooperation in such fields as economy, trade and pandemic response, actively promote Belt and Road cooperation, and advance the building of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Corridors and the implementation of the "Two Countries, Twin Parks" project.

He added that his country welcomes Chinese enterprises to invest in Indonesia and conduct cooperation in high technology, green development and other areas.

As G20 chair this year, Indonesia is willing to closely coordinate with China to help the group play an active role in promoting international solidarity and global economic recovery, he said.

He also wishes the Chinese people a happy Spring Festival, and China success in hosting the Beijing Winter Olympics and Paralympics. 
Gold Royalty's offer presents a significant upfront premium to Elemental's shareholders

The combination of Gold Royalty and Elemental will create a sector-leading portfolio of 200 strategic royalties

Elemental shareholders who have questions or need assistance tendering their shares can contact Laurel Hill Advisory Group at 1-877-452-7184 or by e-mail at [email protected]

VANCOUVER, BC, Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Gold Royalty Corp. (NYSE American: GROY) ("Gold Royalty", the "Offeror", or the "Company") announced today that, further to its news release dated December 20, 2021, it has formally commenced its offer (the "Offer") to acquire all of the outstanding common shares (the "Elemental Shares") of Elemental Royalties Corp. (TSX-V: ELE) ("Elemental"), together with the associated rights (the "SRP Rights") under Elemental's shareholder rights plan dated December 30, 2021. The Offer is open for acceptance until 5:00 p.m. (Toronto time) on April 27, 2022. Subject to applicable securities laws, the deposit period may be extended, or in certain circumstances reduced, by Gold Royalty.

The Consideration

Under the terms of the Offer, Elemental shareholders will receive 0.27 common shares of Gold Royalty (the "Gold Royalty Shares") in exchange for each Elemental Share, together with the associated SRP Right. The Offer values Elemental at C$1.78 per share and represents a premium of 37% to Elemental shareholders based upon the closing prices of the Elemental Shares on the TSX Venture Exchange and the Gold Royalty Shares on the NYSE American on December 17, 2021, being the trading day immediately prior to the announcement on December 20, 2021 of Gold Royalty's intention to acquire Elemental. The Offer implies a total equity value for Elemental of approximately C$130 million on a fully diluted, in-the-money basis, and Elemental shareholders are expected to own approximately 12% of the combined entity upon completion of the transaction.

Investor Call

Gold Royalty will hold an investor call on Wednesday January 12, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. EST / 8:00 a.m. PST discuss the Offer and respond to questions. Elemental shareholders and other interested parties are invited to participate via live webcast or telephone. To participate in the live webcast and to view the accompanying presentation materials, please log into https://produceredition.webcasts.com/starthere.jsp?ei=1522894&tp_key=edd5c55138 immediately prior to the presentation. To join the teleconference, please call 888-220-8451 toll-free from North America, 647-484-0475 from Toronto (Local), or 604-449-6049 from Vancouver (Local). Elemental shareholders and other interested parties can submit questions ahead of the investor call by e-mailing their questions to [email protected].

Financial and Strategic Benefits of the Offer

Significant Upfront Premium to Elemental Shareholders. The Offer represents a 37% premium to Elemental shareholders based on the closing prices of each of the Offeror's and Elemental's shares on December 17, 2021 . The Offer implies consideration of C$1.78 per share, which exceeds Elemental's 2021 peak share price.





The Offer represents a 37% premium to Elemental shareholders based on the closing prices of each of the Offeror's and Elemental's shares on . The Offer implies consideration of per share, which exceeds Elemental's 2021 peak share price. The Combination of Gold Royalty and Elemental will create a Sector-Leading Portfolio of 200 Strategic Royalties. The combined entity will have a balanced portfolio of cash flowing, development and exploration royalty assets owned by premier operating partners and located in Tier 1 mining jurisdictions. This provides Elemental shareholders with ownership in a larger, more diversified, higher quality portfolio of royalty assets anchored by cornerstone royalties on portions of the Canadian Malartic Property (Quebec, Canada ), Fenelon Gold Property (Quebec, Canada ) and Karlawinda Gold Project ( Australia ). In addition, the portfolio's peer-leading near-term growth profile will be further complemented by a deep development and exploration pipeline, including Gold Royalty's royalty on REN ( Nevada, USA ), Gold Royalty's royalty generator model and future acquisitions.





The combined entity will have a balanced portfolio of cash flowing, development and exploration royalty assets owned by premier operating partners and located in Tier 1 mining jurisdictions. This provides Elemental shareholders with ownership in a larger, more diversified, higher quality portfolio of royalty assets anchored by cornerstone royalties on portions of the Canadian (Quebec, ), Fenelon Gold Property (Quebec, ) and Karlawinda Gold Project ( ). In addition, the portfolio's peer-leading near-term growth profile will be further complemented by a deep development and exploration pipeline, including Gold Royalty's royalty on REN ( ), Gold Royalty's royalty generator model and future acquisitions. Enhanced Trading Liquidity. Gold Royalty averaged approximately US$3.2 million of daily trading liquidity over the six months ended December 17, 2021 , as compared to approximately US$62 thousand for Elemental over the same period. A combination with Gold Royalty is expected to allow Elemental shareholders to realize an immediate premium in a more liquid vehicle.





Gold Royalty averaged approximately of daily trading liquidity over the six months ended , as compared to approximately for Elemental over the same period. A combination with Gold Royalty is expected to allow Elemental shareholders to realize an immediate premium in a more liquid vehicle. Strong Balance Sheet and Access to Capital. Gold Royalty currently has approximately US$37 million in cash and marketable securities and no debt. With an oversubscribed US$90 million initial public offering in March 2021 , Gold Royalty has demonstrated the ability to access capital markets at an attractive cost of capital, providing the combined company with the critical mass to drive continued growth through acquisition.





Gold Royalty currently has approximately in cash and marketable securities and no debt. With an oversubscribed initial public offering in , Gold Royalty has demonstrated the ability to access capital markets at an attractive cost of capital, providing the combined company with the critical mass to drive continued growth through acquisition. Management Track Record in Maximizing Shareholder Value. Gold Royalty has a management team with deep mining and capital markets expertise and an established track record of success in the royalty and mining industry. The Gold Royalty management team has demonstrated its ability, through the recent acquisitions of Ely Gold , Abitibi Royalties and Golden Valley , to successfully execute transformative acquisitions in an increasingly competitive market.





Gold Royalty has a management team with deep mining and capital markets expertise and an established track record of success in the royalty and mining industry. The Gold Royalty management team has demonstrated its ability, through the recent acquisitions of , Abitibi Royalties and , to successfully execute transformative acquisitions in an increasingly competitive market. Clear Path to Rerate Through Increased Scale, Asset Quality and Precious Metals Focus. In combination with Elemental, Gold Royalty will be strategically positioned as a preeminent intermediate gold royalty company. In addition to the upfront premium, Elemental shareholders may benefit from a potential valuation re-rating as a result of the combined company's increased scale, portfolio diversification, trading liquidity, index inclusion within the GDXJ, and the potential for future growth both organically and through acquisition.

The offer to purchase and take-over bid circular and related offer documents (the "Offer Documents") are being mailed to Elemental shareholders and will be filed today with the Canadian and United States securities regulators and will be available on Gold Royalty's website for the Offer at https://www.goldroyalty.com/elemental-offer/, under Elemental's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com, and in the United States under Gold Royalty's profile on EDGAR at www.sec.gov.

A shareholder depositing Elemental Shares will be deemed to have deposited all SRP Rights associated with such Elemental Shares. No additional payment will be made for the SRP Rights, and no part of the consideration to be paid by the Offeror will be allocated to the SRP Rights.

Conditions to the Offer

The Offer is subject to certain conditions, including, among other things: (i) there having been validly deposited pursuant to the Offer and not withdrawn at the expiry time that number of Elemental Shares, together with the associated SRP Rights, which constitutes more than 50% of the Elemental Shares outstanding, excluding those Elemental Shares beneficially owned, or over which control or direction is exercised, by Gold Royalty or by any persons acting jointly or in concert with the Offeror, if any. This condition cannot be waived by Gold Royalty; (ii) there having been validly deposited under the Offer and not withdrawn, at or prior to the expiry time, such number of Elemental Shares, together with the associated SRP Rights, that, together with the Elemental Shares held by Gold Royalty and its affiliates, represents not less than 66 2/3% of the total number of outstanding Elemental Shares, calculated on a fully diluted basis; (iii) Gold Royalty having determined, in its sole judgment, that there does not exist and there shall not have occurred or been publicly disclosed since the date of the Offer, a material adverse effect; and (iv) certain regulatory approvals having been obtained and/or waiting periods expired.

The Offer is subject to certain other conditions in addition to those listed above. A more detailed discussion of the conditions to the consummation of the Offer can be found in the Offer Documents.

The Offer is not subject to the approval of the Offeror's shareholders and is not subject to any financing or due diligence conditions.

Additional Information

Gold Royalty encourages securityholders of Elemental to read the full details of the Offer set forth in the Offer Documents which contains the full terms and conditions of the Offer and other important information, including detailed instructions on how Elemental shareholders can tender their Elemental Shares to the Offer. For assistance in depositing Elemental Shares to the Offer, Elemental shareholders should contact the Information Agent, Laurel Hill Advisory Group, who can be contacted at 1-877-452-7184 toll free in North America or at 1-416-304-0211 outside of North America or by e-mail at [email protected].

Advisors

Gold Royalty has engaged CIBC World Markets Inc. to act as its financial advisor in connection with the Offer and has engaged Sangra Moller LLP to act as its legal advisor in Canada and Haynes and Boone LLP to act as its legal advisor in the United States.

Laurel Hill Advisory Group has been engaged by Gold Royalty to act as its information agent, depositary and strategic communications advisor in connection with the Offer.

About Gold Royalty Corp.

Gold Royalty Corp. is a gold-focused royalty company offering creative financing solutions to the metals and mining industry. Its mission is to acquire royalties, streams and similar interests at varying stages of the mine life cycle to build a balanced portfolio offering near, medium and longer-term attractive returns for its investors. Gold Royalty's diversified portfolio currently consists of net smelter return royalties on gold properties located in the Americas.

No Offer or Solicitation

This news release is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to buy or sell, or a solicitation of an offer to sell or buy, any securities. The Offer is being made solely by, and subject to the terms and conditions set out in the Offer Documents.

Notice to U.S. Elemental Shareholders

The offer and sale of the Gold Royalty Shares in the Offer is subject to a registration statement on Form F-4 (the "Registration Statement") of Gold Royalty covering such offer and sale that has been filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Such Registration Statement includes various documents related to such offer and sale, including a prospectus relating to the Offer. INVESTORS AND SHAREHOLDERS OF ELEMENTAL ARE URGED TO READ SUCH REGISTRATION STATEMENT AND ANY AND ALL OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED OR TO BE FILED WITH THE SEC IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFER AS THOSE DOCUMENTS BECOME AVAILABLE, AS WELL AS ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS TO THOSE DOCUMENTS, BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN OR WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. You will be able to obtain a free copy of such registration statement, as well as other relevant filings regarding Gold Royalty or such transaction involving the issuance of the Gold Royalty Shares at the SEC's website (www.sec.gov) under Gold Royalty's issuer profile, or on request without charge from Gold Royalty, at 1830-1030 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, B.C. V6E 2Y3 or by telephone at 1 (833) 396-3066.

Gold Royalty is a foreign private issuer and is permitted to prepare the offer to purchase and take-over bid circular and related documents in accordance with Canadian disclosure requirements, which are different from those of the United States. Gold Royalty prepares its financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards, and they may not be directly comparable to financial statements of United States companies.

Shareholders of Elemental should be aware that owning Gold Royalty Shares may subject them to tax consequences both in the United States and in Canada. The Offer Documents may not describe these tax consequences fully. Elemental shareholders should read any tax discussion in the Offer Documents, and holders of Elemental Shares are urged to consult their tax advisors.

An Elemental shareholder's ability to enforce civil liabilities under the United States federal securities laws may be affected adversely because Gold Royalty is incorporated in Canada, some or all of Gold Royalty's officers and directors and some or all of the experts named in the Offer Documents reside outside of the United States, and a substantial portion of Gold Royalty's assets and of the assets of such persons are located outside the United States. Elemental shareholders in the United States may not be able to sue Gold Royalty or its officers or directors in a non-U.S. court for violation of United States federal securities laws. It may be difficult to compel such parties to subject themselves to the jurisdiction of a court in the United States or to enforce a judgment obtained from a court of the United States.

NEITHER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES REGULATOR HAS OR WILL HAVE APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED THE GOLD ROYALTY SHARES OFFERED IN THE OFFERING RELATED DOCUMENTS, OR HAS OR WILL HAVE DETERMINED IF ANY OFFERING RELATED DOCUMENTS ARE TRUTHFUL OR COMPLETE. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

In accordance with applicable law, rules and regulations of the United States, Canada or its provinces or territories, including Rule 14e-5 under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, Gold Royalty or its affiliates and any advisor, broker or other person acting as agent for, or on behalf of, or in concert with Gold Royalty or its affiliates, directly or indirectly, may bid for, make purchases of, or make arrangements to, purchase Elemental shares or certain related securities outside the Offer, including purchases in the open market at prevailing prices or in private transactions at negotiated prices. Such bids, purchases or arrangements to purchase may be made during the period of the Offer and through the expiration of the Offer. Any such purchases must comply with applicable laws, rules and regulations. To the extent information about such purchases or arrangements to purchase is made public in Canada, such information will be disclosed by means of a press release or other means reasonably calculated to inform shareholders in the United States of such information.

Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Information

Certain of the information contained in this news release constitutes 'forward-looking information' and 'forward-looking statements' within the meaning of applicable Canadian and U.S. securities laws ("forward-looking statements") and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause Gold Royalty's actual results, performance and achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements expressed or implied therein. The words "believe", "expect", "will", "propose" and derivatives thereof and other expressions which are predictions of or indicate future events, trends or prospects and which do not relate to historical matters, identify the above mentioned and other forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements, the satisfaction of the conditions of the Offer; the anticipated timing, benefits and effects of the completion of the Offer and expectations regarding the combined portfolios of the companies and their future cash flow generation, involve risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, the ability to obtain necessary approvals, and to meet the other conditions under the Offer, the ability to realize the benefits under the proposed transaction, material adverse effects on the business, properties and assets of the parties; the impact of general economic and market conditions; any inability of the operators of the properties underlying the parties' royalty and other interests to execute proposed plans for such properties, risks related to such operators or the exploration, development and mining operations of the properties underlying the parties' royalty and other interests; impacts of macroeconomic developments; and the impact of and the responses of relevant governments to the COVID-19 pandemic and the effectiveness of such responses and the other important risks and uncertainties set out in the Offer Documents, Gold Royalty's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended September 30, 2021 and its other public filings available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and EDGAR at www.sec.gov. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

SOURCE Gold Royalty Corp.
"Providing a great customer experience is what we take pride in at Gotcha Covered," said Paul Linenberg, president of Gotcha Covered. "We want to provide more than just products. We want to give our customers a seamless experience from the beginning of a project to its completion. Michael has shown the drive and determination we look for in our franchisees. We know he will be a great representative of the Gotcha Covered brand in the Naperville area."

With a master's in psychology, Galli spent most of his career as a sales engineer for industrial automation. Deciding it was time to open his own business, he discovered Gotcha Covered through the help of a franchise consultant. He said the family-like atmosphere is what made him decide the franchise was right for him.

"My experience has been fantastic because everyone has been very helpful," said Galli. "It's like drinking from a firehose because everyone is giving me necessary information that I need to succeed. From the beginning, I knew that I had the support from headquarters and other franchisees."

Galli's overall vision for his franchise is to open a storefront with a full staff while consistently being in the top 10 in sales every year. He plans on creating an environment that is welcoming and consultative to both clients and employees.

Adding 27 new franchise locations in 2020, Gotcha Covered currently has nearly 130 total franchises across the U.S. and Canada. The franchise has been operating under the Gotcha Covered name since 2009.

For more information or to find your local Gotcha Covered consultant, visit https://www.gotchacovered.com.

About Gotcha Covered

Gotcha Covered is a leader in custom soft and hard window treatment consultation in the U.S. and Canada. Flying under their Gotcha Covered flag since 2009, they offer custom window treatments including blinds, draperies, shutters and much more. They offer end-to-end consultation with the customer's specific needs and goals in mind. The company currently has nearly 130 total franchises across the U.S. and Canada.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Heather Ripley

Ripley PR

865-977-1973

[email protected]

SOURCE Gotcha Covered
SAN DIEGO, Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Greater San Diego Association of REALTORS (SDAR) is forming new partnerships with foreign real estate associations, seizing on growing opportunities for its members to expand their businesses in international markets.

During the national REALTORS convention held recently in San Diego, SDAR hosted 66 delegates from 24 countries for a tour of local properties and networking event, providing the setting to negotiate reciprocity agreements with real estate associations in foreign countries. These agreements will help link SDAR members to clients around the globe by building collaborations with international real estate professionals and providing a stronger connection to international buyers.

"The strength of the San Diego housing market and its robust economy make it especially appealing for international buyers who trust our members as experts to help them invest in real estate," said SDAR President Carla Farley. "We were grateful to host representatives from so many countries who, despite the complications of global travel during COVID, were eager to learn more about our market and new opportunities to invest."

According to the National Association of REALTORS, from April 2020 to March 2021 foreign buyers purchased over $54 billion in U.S. residential properties, with California as the second largest destination among international buyers. Although this marks a decrease in foreign purchases during the pandemic, significant growth is expected as travel restrictions loosen over time and international students return to U.S. colleges.

In California, almost half of foreign buyers come from Asia, with neighboring Mexico and Canada also making significant investment in the region. By forming partnerships with these and a number of other counties across South America and Europe, SDAR is creating access to a global network that will maximize business potential for local REALTORS. This not only creates opportunities to work with international buyers looking to purchase real estate in San Diego, but also to earn commissions from referring local buyers to properties outside of the United States.

Because San Diego is recognized as a focal point of interest in international real estate, SDAR's Global Real Estate department is devoted to expanding beyond the regional market. Its continued efforts to forge alliances with foreign real estate associations will enable SDAR members to have a greater share of the international market and create new business opportunities. To help prepare REALTORS for expanding into global markets, SDAR also offers Certified International Property Specialist training as one of its many professional development courses.

"SDAR will stay at the forefront of San Diego's real estate industry thanks to these connections we are establishing to markets around the world," said Matias Susel, chair of SDAR's International Real Estate Committee. "For local brokers and agents who are motivated to bring in new clients, this is an exciting opportunity to expand their reach with the resurgence of interest from international buyers in our region."

For more information, contact SDAR at (858) 715-8000 or visit www.sdar.com.

The Greater San Diego Association of REALTORS is the largest trade association in San Diego County and one of the largest local REALTOR associations in California. We help our members, who adhere to a code of ethics and professional standards, sell more homes. We also help people realize the dream of home ownership, and we are dedicated to protecting private property rights. You can follow SDAR on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.

SOURCE Greater San Diego Association of REALTORS
BOCA RATON, Fla., Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Co-Founded by siblings Andreia B. Dickens and Jackson Barboza, Family First World (FFW  https://www.familyfirstworld.com/) announced it was celebrating the importance of extended families in its recently opened, online retail store. Over the coming months, beginning with "The Family Union Is Our Greatest Wealth," FFW will roll out a series of inspirational quotes in multiple designs printed on t-shirts, mugs, water bottles, cell phone covers, and much more. The quote represents the hopes and dreams of a grieving family who wish to remind everyone of the profound beauty of connections. A portion of all proceeds will benefit charity: the Coronavirus Support Fund for the Florida Nurses Foundation.

Andreia B. Dickens and Jackson Barboza The Family Union Is Our Greatest Wealth

"Our founding quote has been the guiding philosophy for the Barboza clan for over two decades," said FFW Co-Founder, Jackson Barboza. "It's a simple phrase that expresses so much, offering us hope during long absences or dark times. We're starting with it as our signature phrase because we recently lost our father to COVID-19. As we came together to mourn his loss, we also realized how brave and important his nurses were. Which is why we decided to give to the Florida Nurses Foundation: to bring healing  especially during the pandemic."

"The Family Union Is Our Greatest Wealth"

FFW celebrates the fact that family lasts forever with designs created to inspire happiness, hope, and the feeling of reconnection with a greater legacy. Designed to be perfect gifts shared between family members after a long absence, offering words that tap into that mutual feeling of connection, the signature FFW quote can be printed in English, Spanish, and Portuguese  with other languages coming soon. Items in the line include apparel, homewares, accessories, and drinkware.

"We're here to help people remember that important feeling, a sensation felt deep in the soul," said Co-Founder Andreia B. Dickens. "We're American Brazilians hoping to teach everyone that kindness and compassion don't have a border. The heart of that philosophy is family  our own individual families, yes, but also our extended human family. All of us are connected every single day, sharing the same home on the same planet. And that's what we mean by our greatest wealth."

FFW is already creating more inspirational quotes and planning to partner with two other local nonprofit organizations in the future. For the latest in new merchandise, design options, Amazon Merchandise announcements, and other First Family World information, follow them on Etsy and @thefamilyunion on Instagram. Or online at: www.FamilyFirstWorld.com.

Media Contact:

Andreia Dickens

561-287-1706

[email protected]

SOURCE Family First World
NEW YORK, Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- GroupM, WPP's media investment group, announced today that JiYoung Kim has been named North America's Chief Product & Services Officer. She will lead and oversee the development and deployment of GroupM Services solutions across the agency network in the region and sit on the North American Executive Leadership team.

In her new role, Kim will be responsible for accelerating client success and growth initiatives through market-leading client delivery and innovative products for GroupM and its agencies, including Mindshare, MediaCom, Wavemaker, Essence, and m/Six. She will be a champion of GroupM's strategy to work with agency and GroupM leadership in the region using its scale to provide more powerful and effective solutions for clients through the development of technology-enabled services.

"Ji's industry experience, and proven track record of delivering towards strategic client objectives will be a complement to the strengths of an already seasoned leadership team," said Kirk McDonald, GroupM North American CEO. "Her attitude and conviction to drive value, embodies the ethos in our vision of making advertising work better for people, and we are thrilled to have her onboard."

Kim comes to GroupM from her previous role as Chief Digital Officer at Carat USA. Throughout her extensive and intensive 20+ year career in the media and advertising industry, Kim has led agencies in their pursuit of defining the agency of the future as being technology-enabled, digitally native, and outcome-focused. She is energized to bring her expertise to GroupM and help us provide more powerful and effective solutions and develop innovative technology-enabled services.

"Advances in media have been accelerating in recent years, and no other player in the market is better positioned to drive the future of our advertising industry for clients today and tomorrow," said Kim. "The breadth of capabilities, combined with the deep bench of experts across GroupM and its agencies, are truly formidable, and I look forward to working with Kirk and the entire services organization to continue the amazing pace GroupM has set in North America."

This appointment is the latest investment in the region's growing leadership bench demonstrating the group's commitment to shaping agencies, products and services of and for the future. She will be based in New York at GroupM's 3 World Trade Center offices.

About GroupM

GroupM is the world's leading media investment company responsible for more than $50B in annual media investment through agencies Mindshare, MediaCom, Wavemaker, Essence, and m/SIX, as well as the outcomes-driven programmatic audience company, Xaxis. GroupM's portfolio includes Data & Technology (Choreograph), Investment, and Services, all united in the vision to shape the next era of media where advertising works better for people. By leveraging all the benefits of scale, the company innovates, differentiates, and generates sustained value for our clients wherever they do business. Discover more about GroupM at www.groupm.com .

Media Contact: [email protected]

SOURCE GroupM
MINNEAPOLIS, Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Health Care Compliance Association (HCCA) is pleased to offer compliance professionals the opportunity to attend our flagship conference this Marchthe 26th Annual Compliance Institute (CI). For over two and a half decades, this event has been HCCA's primary educational and networking event for practitioners, providing attendees the latest in real-world compliance issues, emerging trends, and practical applications.

This year, HCCA is offering participants the opportunity to attend the CI on-site in Phoenix or virtually. Attendees will learn from industry leaders, expand their professional networks, and enhance their careers. Our educational sessions are organized by knowledge level (basic, intermediate, and advanced) and cover a variety of hot topics, such as information blocking, cybersecurity, Anti-Kickback Statute, Stark Law, telehealth, compliance investigations, and much more.

In-person attendees can join us on-site at the Phoenix Convention Center on March 2831. Participants will receive access to 109 educational sessions, network face-to-face with peers and speakers, earn up to 25.2 live Compliance Certification Board (CCB) continuing education units (CEUs), and get the opportunity to take an optional CCB certification exam offered on the last day of the conference. Exams are optional and require a separate application and fee.

For those who can't join in-person, the CI is offering a virtual attendance option on March 2931. Attendees will receive access to 47 educational sessions, be able to explore our robust online platform, touch base with colleagues, and earn up to 18 live CCB CEUs. For those interested in taking a CCB certification exam, CCB also offers a remote proctored exam option.

Both in-person and virtual attendees will receive 60-day access to all available conference session recordings after the event.

Early bird registration is now availablesign up by February 16 to save!

To register or see the full agenda, visit www.hcca-info.org/2022CI

About HCCA

Health Care Compliance Association (HCCA) is a non-profit professional membership organization for healthcare compliance professionals. Since 1996, HCCA has been championing ethical practices and compliance standards to promote the lasting success and integrity of healthcare organizations. From our headquarters in Minneapolis, MN, we serve over 12,400 members who work at hospitals, medical groups, clinics, research facilities, health plan providers, and more.

HCCA offers 50+ conferences annually, weekly webinars, publications, training resources, certification opportunities, and networking for career growth and program development.

SOURCE Health Care Compliance Association (HCCA)
Following three successful rounds of pre-clinical testing where the HPGS was both successfully and uniquely placed in the main pulmonary artery and blood flow was further adjusted after the initial implantation, the most recent trial explored the placement of the minimally invasive HPGS in the arterial branches. This innovative placement resulted in a septum shift and a reaction in the tricuspid valve, indicating that left heart diseases can also be treated with an HPGS intervention in the arterial branches.

"It is encouraging to see that our Implant System has seen significant results in pre-clinical testing, especially as we prepare for our first clinical trials," said Seth Bogner, Chairman & CEO of HeartPoint Global. "This is a significant discovery in the treatment of life-threatening and debilitating left heart diseases. More people die from cardiovascular diseases annually than any other cause, and these successful results are an important step towards our goal of providing equitable and top-tier interventional cardiac care solutions globally."

The HPGS is a first-of-its-kind patented system of stents that allows for the adjustment of blood flow during and after placement in the main pulmonary artery and/or its branches in order to significantly improve the structure of the heart and function of the heart-lung system. The innovative and minimally invasive intervention focuses on treating devastating left heart diseases and structural pulmonary hypertension.

Dr. David Planer, Head of Interventional Cardiology, and Dr. Gabby Elbaz-Greener, both of Hadassah Medical Center, performed the latest pre-clinical intervention in Israel.

"To put it simply, this system performs as described and is set to be a global game-changer in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases," said Prof. Dr. Paul Vogt, Head of Cardiac Surgery at Zurich University Hospital and Chairman of HeartPoint Global's Medical Advisory Board. "This pre-clinical trial success and discovery dramatically expands the patient population and will give the interventional cardiologist more options in treating high-risk patients, including both children and adults."

Pre-clinical trials are ongoing, and clinical trials are expected to take place in Europe within the next few months.

ABOUT HEARTPOINT GLOBAL

As a pioneer of breakthrough medical solutions, HeartPoint Global (HPG) is paving the way for citizens worldwide to receive affordable, cutting-edge cardiac care. In response to the 92 percent of the world's population has no access to cardiac surgery, the leading medical device company is on a mission to provide innovative, minimally invasive, and accessible cardiac care on a global scale to ensure those who would otherwise suffer from or die of cardiovascular disease receive the care they need. HPG's patented Implant System (HPGS) is the first and only patented non-surgical structural heart system that addresses a variety of serious, life-threatening cardiovascular diseases. An estimated 17.9 million died from cardiovascular diseases in 2016, representing 31 percent of global deaths. Of those, more than 75 percent of cardiovascular disease deaths take place in the developing world, where treatments are either not available or are far too expensive. The HPGS allows for the adjustment of blood flow and pressure during and after placement in the main pulmonary artery and/or its branches in order to restore the structure of the heart-lung system. The investigational device's pre-clinical trials are ongoing, and clinical trials will soon begin in Europe. Once approved for public use, this life saving device will be distributed in both the developing and developed worlds, with an immediate focus on patients who do not have access to cardiac care. HeartPoint Global is a privately held American company with operations in the USA, Ireland, and Israel.

HEARTPOINT GLOBAL DISCLOSURE

Except for historical information contained herein, this press release contains forward-looking statements, including statements regarding future clinical trials. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date of this press release and HeartPoint Global undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this press release to reflect new information, events or circumstances after the date they are made, or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

Media Contact:

Sara Klein

212-805-3018

[email protected]

SOURCE HeartPoint Global
LONDON, Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- CA Global Partners - a global leader in asset management and capital recovery and Hickman Shearer - a leading capital asset valuation, management and used equipment sales company, today announced they will conduct a live and online auction of a selection of over 3,000 pieces of high quality and well maintained outside broadcast and TV production equipment on behalf of Kroll LLP, the administrators of Arena Television Limited (in Administration).

The assets, which include outside broadcast trailers and rigid trucks, Sony and Grass Valley camera channels, Canon and Fujinon lenses, EVS, sound and vision equipment, will be sold by negotiated sale and an online and onsite auction over a three day period, beginning on the 22nd February 2022. The full catalogue of assets will be available to view online in the coming weeks, and items will be available to view onsite prior to the public auction.

Hickman Shearer and CA Global Partners combine decades of experience buying, selling, operating and valuing assets in the industrial and commercial industries across Australia, the UK, Europe, North America and Asia Pacific.

"This partnership presented a complete solution for Kroll LLP, combining best-in-class asset valuation and disposition services with the certainty of recoveries for the creditors of Arena Television," said Tim Chapman, Managing Director of Hickman Shearer. "This is a genuinely unique opportunity to purchase equipment from the closure of a major UK business in the outside broadcast space and although the auctions will be held in the UK the sale is expected to attract a global audience of prospective buyers to deliver maximum recoveries to our client," said Dan Main, EMEA Director of CA Global Partners.

For a more detailed asset list and to register your interest in the auction, please visit arenatvsale.com.

Contact:

Auction Inquiries

Tim Chapman

Hichman Shearer

[email protected]

+44 (0)7508 909961

Dan Main

CA Global Partners

[email protected]

+44 (0)7422 358348

Media Inquiries

Ivan MacQuisten

IMacQ

[email protected]

+44 (0)7842 201292

SOURCE CA Global Partners
AUSTIN, Minn., Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Hormel Foods Corporation (NYSE: HRL), a global branded food company, and its Justin's subsidiary (based in Boulder, Colo.) have announced a donation of $10,000 to help Conscious Alliance with its hunger-relief efforts, including efforts to help those impacted by the recent Colorado wildfires. Justin's is also working on additional ways to help the area through product donations and other support.



"The fires happened just outside of Boulder, where Justin's is headquartered," said Randy Simonson, president of Justin's. "The devastating damage impacted thousands of people in our area. We are proud to support our long-time partner, Conscious Alliance, to help those in need."



"We are grateful for our strong ongoing partnership with Hormel Foods and Justin's," said Justin Levy, executive director of Conscious Alliance. "Together we can bring healthy food to community members in crisis. Food connects us all, so to be able to help people eat and share a meal is a truly profound way to give back."

As a leading corporate citizen, Hormel Foods has donated more than $50 million in cash and product donations to nonprofit organizations over the last five years, including $6.4 million in hunger-relief donations in 2020. The company has partnered with Conscious Alliance for several years through monetary and product donations. For additional information about the company's charitable giving, visit https://csr.hormelfoods.com/.

About Hormel Foods  Inspired People. Inspired Food.

Hormel Foods Corporation, based in Austin, Minn., is a global branded food company with over $11 billion in annual revenue across more than 80 countries worldwide. Its brands include Planters, SKIPPY, SPAM, Hormel Natural Choice, Applegate, Justin's, Wholly, Hormel Black Label, Columbus and more than 30 other beloved brands. The company is a member of the S&P 500 Index and the S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats, was named on the "Global 2000 World's Best Employers" list by Forbes magazine for three years, is one of Fortune magazine's most admired companies, has appeared on Corporate Responsibility Magazine's "The 100 Best Corporate Citizens" list for 12 years, and has received numerous other awards and accolades for its corporate responsibility and community service efforts. The company lives by its purpose statement  Inspired People. Inspired Food.  to bring some of the world's most trusted and iconic brands to tables across the globe. For more information, visit www.hormelfoods.com and http://csr.hormelfoods.com/.

Contact: Kelly Braaten

Hormel Foods

507-434-6352

[email protected]

SOURCE Hormel Foods Corporation
THE WOODLANDS, Texas, Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Huntsman Corporation (NYSE: HUN) today announced that it has appointed David B. Sewell to its Board of Directors. Mr. Sewell currently serves as Chief Executive Officer of WestRock Company, was the Chief Operating Officer of The Sherwin-Williams Company and brings nearly 15 years of senior leadership and operational experience at major materials companies to the Huntsman Board. Today's announcement brings Huntsman's multi-year Board director succession plan closer to completion and follows the announcement of several recent strategic actions the Company has taken to support the financial and operational objectives it outlined at its November Investor Day.

"Since Investor Day when we announced ambitious new financial targets, our Board has continued to oversee a series of significant initiatives to achieve those objectives," said Peter R. Huntsman, Chairman, President and CEO. "As part of a comprehensive strategy to enhance shareholder value, we have launched a strategic review of the Textile Effects Division to advance our focus on portfolio enhancement and implemented an incentive compensation program for all Huntsman officers and vice presidents to closely align their interests with the realization of the Investor Day targets, including margin expansion, cost optimization and cash flow delivery."

Mr. Huntsman continued, "We are pleased to welcome David to the Huntsman Board. He is a proven operator in the materials and chemicals industries with a strong track record of driving successful integration and cost reduction initiatives and profitable growth. We look forward to working closely with him and the rest of our Board to build on our strong momentum."

Mr. Sewell said, "I am excited to join the Huntsman Board and start working with my fellow directors and the Company's management team. This board brings tremendous expertise to Huntsman, and I look forward to participating fully as we take further steps together to strengthen the Company's competitive position and unlock additional value for shareholders."

The appointment of Mr. Sewell represents the sixth independent director added to the Huntsman Board in the last 18 months, including the appointments of Curt Espeland, the recently-retired CFO of Eastman Chemical Company, and Jose Munoz, the Chief Operating Officer of Hyundai Motor Company, announced last week.

In addition to bringing Mr. Sewell on the Board, the Company also announced that Wayne Reaud, Chair of the Litigation and Public Policy and Compensation committees, intends to retire from the Board at the 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

Mr. Huntsman said, "On behalf of Huntsman and our many associates that he has supported over the years, I want to thank Wayne for his many years of dedicated service and for the leadership and judgment he's provided in the boardroom. Without a doubt, he has made literally billions of dollars for our shareholders over the years overseeing the Company's successful litigation against Apollo, Albemarle and others, and saved the Company hundreds of millions on the defense side of our cases. We wish him all the best in his well-deserved retirement."

"It has been a great privilege to serve on Huntsman's Board since its inception as a public company and the time is right for me to move into the next chapter of my life," said Mr. Reaud. "I have been so impressed with the quality and character of the new directors who have recently joined the Board, as well as all of those I've served with over the years. I am proud to have played a role in the many strategic initiatives the Company has executed successfully over the years and the ones that are underway and look forward to following the continued success of the Huntsman team in the years ahead."

With the changes announced in the last two weeks, eight new independent directors will have been appointed since 2018, and four directors will be transitioning off the Board at the 2022 Annual Meeting.

About David Sewell

In March 2021, David Sewell became Chief Executive Officer and a member of the board of directors of WestRock Company, one of the world's largest paper and packaging companies with $18.7 billion in sales and nearly 50,000 employees at the end of fiscal year 2021. Prior to joining WestRock, Mr. Sewell was President and Chief Operating Officer of The Sherwin-Williams Company, a global leader in the manufacture, development, distribution and sale of paint, coatings and related products. He was responsible for the global operating segments and oversaw the execution of strategy across all businesses to deliver long-term value and led strategic M&A, including closing three acquisitions. Prior to his 14 years at Sherwin-Williams, he spent more than 15 years in General Electric's Plastics and Advanced Materials Division.

Mr. Sewell holds a bachelor's degree in economics from the University of Southern California.

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
Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador speaks during his morning press conference at the National Palace, in Mexico City, capital of Mexico, on Jan. 10, 2022. Lopez Obrador on Monday said he has tested positive for COVID-19 for the second time. Lopez Obrador, 68, tweeted that he has "mild symptoms" and will continue to work while being isolated. (Str/Xinhua)

MEXICO CITY, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador on Monday said he has tested positive for COVID-19 for the second time.

Lopez Obrador, 68, tweeted that he has "mild symptoms" and will continue to work while being isolated.

"I will communicate virtually until I get through it," said the president, who is famed for his daily morning press conferences from the National Palace.

The president's second infection was confirmed after his usual press conference early Monday, when he appeared with a hoarse voice which he attributed to a common cold, saying he would be tested shortly.

Interior Minister Adan Augusto Lopez will held the press conferences during the president's isolation, and represent him on other official occasions.

Lopez Obrador, who is fully vaccinated and has received a booster shot, first contracted COVID-19 in January last year with mild symptoms. 

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador speaks during his morning press conference at the National Palace, in Mexico City, capital of Mexico, on Jan. 10, 2022. Lopez Obrador on Monday said he has tested positive for COVID-19 for the second time. Lopez Obrador, 68, tweeted that he has "mild symptoms" and will continue to work while being isolated. (Str/Xinhua)

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador speaks during his morning press conference at the National Palace, in Mexico City, capital of Mexico, on Jan. 10, 2022. Lopez Obrador on Monday said he has tested positive for COVID-19 for the second time. Lopez Obrador, 68, tweeted that he has "mild symptoms" and will continue to work while being isolated. (Str/Xinhua)

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador is seen at his morning press conference at the National Palace, in Mexico City, capital of Mexico, on Jan. 10, 2022. Lopez Obrador on Monday said he has tested positive for COVID-19 for the second time. Lopez Obrador, 68, tweeted that he has "mild symptoms" and will continue to work while being isolated. (Str/Xinhua)
NEW YORK, Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Enterprise Community Partners (Enterprise) announced today that its Equitable Path Forward initiative reached its initial $350 million Growth Fund goal just one year after launching in December 2020, enabling it to invest in affordable housing providers of color across the country. Enterprise will continue to channel this unprecedented investor interest to grow the operations and market share of developers of color to address historic inequities in the real estate industry and the communities the industry serves.

The Growth Fund is the central pillar of Equitable Path Forward, which seeks to dismantle the legacy of racism in housingincluding what types of homes get built, where they're built, who builds them and the wealth that they generate. Equitable Path Forward fills the capital gap created by decades of systemic racism, provides advisory services to housing providers and creates new career pathways to diversify real estate, an industry in which only 2% of development companies are Black-led and minority-led firms control only 1.5% of assets under management.

"The response to Equitable Path Forward has been overwhelming. Our coalition of investor partners will help us break down the barriers that have limited developers' access to capital for decades," said Priscilla Almodovar, president and chief executive officer, Enterprise. "We are here for change and we are just getting started."

Investors include a diverse and blue-chip range of companies, banks and foundations, including: Bank of America, Ford Foundation, Go ATL, Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan Chase, Kresge Foundation, MacKenzie Scott, National Philanthropic Trust, Netflix, NY Attorney General, New York Life, Northern Trust, Ralph C. Wilson Foundation, Siemens Foundation, and U.S. Bank.

Through a partnership with Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies and the Community Investment Guarantee Pool, Enterprise also launched as part of Equitable Path Forward a first-of-its-kind Standby Guaranty Facility, a credit enhancement tool that helps unlock access to capital for developers of color whose balance sheets do not meet traditional investor requirements. Not only will this immediately unlock capital to developers who have been locked out of traditional investor pools, but the operating history that follows will help change the system by proving to the capital markets that these investments are well worth making within their required risk-adjusted returns, and that will in turn help unlock exponentially greater investment in these housing providers and the communities they serve.

"JPMorgan Chase is proud to partner with Enterprise to build new levels of equity in Black, Hispanic and Latino communities by supporting housing providers who reflect the neighborhoods they develop," said Alice Carr, Head of Community Development Banking, JPMorgan Chase. "Equitable Path Forward demonstrates bold thinking and practical application, and its objects align well with our firm's Racial Equity Commitment."

Equitable Path Forward's investments span the breadth of the country and the wide range of capital products Enterprise offers. To date, over $150 million has been committed to dozens of developers of color across every region of the country. And Enterprise is in conversations with dozens more housing providers about additional investment, including many businesses that would have limited alternative options for raising the type of capital needed to grow their operations and create affordable homes in their communities.

"To see greater equity and improved community outcomes, capital needs to move to community-driven developers with experience like The Unity Council," said Chris Iglesias, CEO of The Unity Council. "Enterprise's Equitable Path Forward initiative will allow us to preserve the vitality of communities of color that have suffered from decades of disinvestment and racism."

Over the next four years and beyond, Enterprise will continue to advance racial equity and invest in housing providers committed to creating equitable and inclusive neighborhoods.

About Enterprise Community Partners

Enterprise is a national nonprofit that exists to make a good home possible for the millions of families without one. We support community development organizations on the ground, aggregate and invest capital for impact, advance housing policy at every level of government, and build and manage communities ourselves. Since 1982, we have invested $44 billion and created 781,000 homes across all 50 states  all to make home and community places of pride, power and belonging. Join us at enterprisecommunity.org.

SOURCE Enterprise Community Partners, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.enterprisecommunity.org


VANCOUVER, BC, Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Interactive Health International (IHI) is pleased to announce that it is receiving advisory services and up to $474,166 in funding from the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP) and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA). IHI is also contributing funding for a total investment of up to $948,000. These funds will be applied to further develop IHI's CyberPatient technology and the maintenance of competencies for medical crews involved in deep-space flight missions.

The isolation for extreme durations of time for deep-space missions results in medical crews losing their clinical competencies due to the lack of clinical practice. CyberPatient will provide a virtual hospital and other clinical environments with digitally enhanced patients for medical crews to routinely practice and hone their competencies.

"We are incredibly grateful to NRC IRAP and the CSA for their support toward our mission to deliver technology solutions that advance Canada's health and medical, educational system," says Dr. Karim Qayumi, Founder and CEO of IHI, "We are especially privileged to partner with the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and Dr. Nadine Caron, Co-Director, University of British Columbia (UBC) Centre for Excellence in Indigenous Health in implementing the project. IHI, as a UBC and Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute spin-off company, values these partnerships that help shift medical education into the future."

About IHI IHI is a digital technology development company focused on the medical and health education sector. IHI produces digitally enhanced, interactive, competency-based learning tools to address the gap between the theory and practice of medicine and support competency-based health education. These tools provide a virtual hospital and clinic environment under our trademark banner of CyberPatient.

SOURCE Interactive Health International
AUSTIN, Texas and BOSTON, Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Invicti Security today announced seasoned financial executive Jeff Bray has joined the company as Chief Financial Officer. Bray brings decades of experience leading world-class finance teams in both private and public software companies and will lead all aspects of Invicti's financial operations.

Bray joins Invicti from Rapid7, where he built out the financial planning, investor relations and business intelligence teams, managing the consistent delivery of financial results, transformational projects and investor communications, while developing a strong management team. He previously served as Director of Investor Relations at Imprivata and spent over 20 years as an investor in growth stocks at BNP Paribas, David L. Babson and Putnam Investments.

Bray's hire comes on the heels of another record year for Invicti. In 2021, the company achieved net dollar retention of 124% and added nearly 750 new customers. Invicti is poised for continued growth following a recent $625 million investment led by Summit Partners and expects to expand its employee base across every function of the business by as much as 40% in 2022.

"I'm thrilled to join Invicti at this moment of growth for the company," said Bray. "Web application security is an incredibly complex and critical issue and Invicti is tackling it in a differentiated way that meets customers where they are. I'm inspired by this mission and am excited to join this talented team."

"Jeff's deep experience growing companies positions him as the ideal financial leader for Invicti," said Michael George, Invicti CEO. "His operational background and passion for the customer are well aligned with our mission, and we know he will be a critical addition to furthering our market leadership."

Bray earned his B.A. in Economics from Harvard University, resides in Boston, and serves as a Board Member of the United Way of Massachusetts Bay.

About Invicti Security

Invicti Security is changing the way web applications are secured. A leader for more than 15 years, Invicti's DAST, IAST, and SCA empowers organizations in every industry to continuously scan and secure all of their web applications and APIs with a highly integrated, automated approach spanning the entire software development lifecycle. Invicti's products Netsparker and Acunetix are used by organizations of all sizes. Invicti is headquartered in Austin, Texas and serves more than 3,000 organizations all over the world. Learn more at https://www.invicti.com.

Media Contact:

Ariel Miller

Invicti Security

[email protected]

SOURCE Invicti Security
JERSEY CITY, N.J., Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- IT By Design (ITBD), a Master Managed Services Provider (MMSP), today announced that it has once again been named a Great Place to Work-Certified company. This is the second year in a row that the nation's largest privately-held MSP has been recognized with this honor.

Great Place to Work certification is a significant achievement. Using validated employee feedback gathered with Great Place to Work's rigorous, data-driven For All methodology, the certification confirms 7 out of 10 employees have a consistently positive experience at IT By Design. Great Place to Work is the global authority on workplace culture, employee experience, and the leadership behaviors proven to deliver market-leading revenue and increased innovation.

"We're once again honored to be Great Place to Work-Certified," said Sunny Kaila, CEO, IT By Design. "The recognition is a testament to our core belief in putting our team members first. They are the lifeblood of our company and have driven our growth for two decades. We're thrilled that our values and culture have led once again to this great distinction."

Since its launch in 2003, ITBD has focused on building a people-centric business, which is an effort spearheaded by its founders, Sunny and Kam Kaila. The company shares its knowledge for best practices with its MSP partners through robust online educational platforms, Build IT University and Communities of Practice, an annual "Top 50" channel conference, Build IT LIVE, as well as via podcasts and blogs.

According to Great Place to Work research, job seekers are 4.5 times more likely to find a great boss at a Certified great workplace. Additionally, employees at Certified workplaces are 93% more likely to look forward to coming to work, and are twice as likely to be paid fairly, earn a fair share of the company's profits, and have a fair chance at promotion.

About Great Place to Work

Great Place to Work is the global authority on workplace culture. Since 1992, they have surveyed more than 100 million employees around the world and used those deep insights to define what makes a great workplace: trust. Great Place to Work helps organizations quantify their culture and produce better business results by creating a high-trust work experience for all employees. Emprising, their culture management platform, empowers leaders with the surveys, real-time reporting, and insights they need to make data-driven people decisions. Their unparalleled benchmark data is used to recognize Great Place to Work-Certified companies and the Best Workplaces in the US and more than 60 countries, including the 100 Best Companies to Work For and World's Best list published annually in Fortune. Everything they do is driven by the mission to build a better world by helping every organization become a Great Place to Work For All. To learn more, visit greatplacetowork.com.

About IT By Design

With more than two decades of experience as a technology services providerfirst as an MSP, and then for MSPsIT by Design (ITBD) helps clients navigate the volatile technical landscape. As the authority on MSP-trained technical talent, it understands the challenges its customers face when recruiting team members. ITBD addresses those issues through many solutions: dedicated staffing, 24x7x365 NOC services, helpdesk solutions, RMM virtual admin, vCIO consulting, security, and professional services. ITBD is headquartered in New Jersey and has facilities in India and the Philippines. Learn more about ITBD at www.itbd.net.

SOURCE IT By Design
SAN DIEGO, Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Shadowbox, a leading innovator in healthcare automation solutions, is excited to announce the addition of James Budge, CFO of Automation Anywhere, to its board of directors. James brings more than 30 years of financial leadership in fast-growth SaaS software companies, with an extensive track record of raising multi-millions in capital, guiding companies through meteoric growth and ensuring high returns for shareholders.

Prior to joining Automation Anywhere, James was CFO of Pluralsight, where he led the company through 4x topline growth, and an IPO along with multiple secondary offerings. Prior to Pluralsight, he was also CFO at Anaplan, COO/CFO at Genesys, and COO/CFO at Rovi Corporation, collectively raising over $5 billion in funding, and driving in excess of $3 billion in annual revenues.

"James is a visionary financial strategist, fundraising powerhouse and Silicon Valley veteran," said Greg Stein, Shadowbox CEO. "We are ecstatic to welcome James to our board of directors where he is certain to elevate our approach to driving growth and value in the marketplace." Shadowbox CFO Beth Crocker added, "I have known James for over two decades, working with him for many years scaling revenue, driving dozens of acquisitions and raising billions in capital. There is no one better at financial strategy."

"Shadowbox is revolutionizing patient care with an innovative approach to workflow automation across the healthcare ecosystem," said James Budge. "As an investor and long-time advisor to the Shadowbox team, I am honored to join the board of directors."

James began his career at PriceWaterhouse Coopers, building a solid foundation to lead finance at Arbor/Hyperion Software. He subsequently joined CrossWorlds Software, a pioneer in integration platform technology, where he ascended to CFO taking the company public in 2000, and later spearheading an acquisition by IBM. James currently leads finance, investor relations, IT and facilities for Automation Anywhere, the world's leading RPA platform. He was previously a board member at Xura, and a Senior Advisor at Highcrest Management Group.

James holds a Bachelor of Accounting from Brigham Young University. For more information, please see Shadowbox Team Bios

Shadowbox is a ground-breaking, patented integration and automation platform built for healthcare. By powering a browser with security, AI, and user-driven cross-application connections, Shadowbox offers instant integration and automation across the healthcare ecosystem. For more information see www.shadowbox.com.

Automation Anywhere is the world's #1 cloud automation platform, delivering intelligent RPA solutions globally across all industries to automate end-to-end business processes, for the fastest path to enterprise transformation. The company offers the world's only cloud-native platform combining RPA, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and analytics to automate repetitive tasks and build enterprise agility, freeing up humans to pivot to the next big idea, build deeper customer relationships and drive business growth. For additional information, visit www.automationanywhere.com.

Automation Anywhere and Automation 360 are trademarks/service marks or registered trademarks/service marks of Automation Anywhere, Inc. in the United States and other countries.

SOURCE Shadowbox, Inc.
PITTSBURGH, Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- JazzHR , the leading recruiting software provider for small and medium-sized businesses, today announced that over ten thousand businesses now use its best-in-class hiring platform to improve their recruiting results. This milestone is fueled by record demand for the company's small business budget-friendly solutions, as JazzHR added over two thousand customers in the last year alone.

Since 2009, JazzHR has helped over ten thousand businesses post more than two million jobs, source 100 million+ candidates, and successfully complete more than one million hires.

"JazzHR is honored to help more businesses than ever grow their teams through powerful hiring technology," said President Bill Phelan. "Our customers are and will continue to be the cornerstone of everything we do. This milestone is a testament to JazzHR's ability to make hiring a competitive advantage for SMBs."

Peninsula Community Health Services of Alaska , has been with JazzHR since 2009 and attributes their recruiting success to JazzHR's powerful software. "I still love JazzHR - now, more than ever. JazzHR just makes hiring so much easier for me. I post my jobs, send them out to the different job boards, and we get candidates. I have too much to do so using JazzHR relieves the burden from me needing to manage manual tasks," said Patty Eissler, Director of HR at PCHSA.

This latest achievement comes on the heels of a string of recent industry accolades for JazzHR throughout 2021. JazzHR was selected as a Silver winner in the 2021 Brandon Hall Group Excellence in Technology Awards in the category of "Best Advance in Talent Acquisition Technology for Small and Medium-Sized Businesses", a Top Recruiting Software for Ease-of-Use and Implementation by G2 Crowd, and earned a coveted spot on the Inc 5000 Fastest Growing Companies in America for the fifth time.

Earlier in 2021, JazzHR joined forces with fellow industry leaders Jobvite and NXTThing RPO . Together, the companies offer a first-of-its-kind combination of talent acquisition technology and services that helps businesses of all sizes to recruit more effectively.

For more information, please visit www.jazzhr.com or contact [email protected] .

About JazzHR

JazzHR is powerful, user-friendly, and affordable recruiting software built to help growing companies exceed their recruiting goals. JazzHR's best-in-class solution replaces manual, time-consuming hiring tasks with intuitive tools and automation, empowering hiring managers to recruit and hire the right talent faster. To learn more about JazzHR, visit jazzhr.com . The JazzHR, Jobvite, and NXTThing RPO brands, all part of the Jobvite family, are providing TA solutions and services for over 12,000 organizations around the globe.

SOURCE JazzHR
Bill Hines , managing partner of Jones Walker, said, "I am honored to welcome a strong group of newly elected Jones Walker partners. I also look forward to working with Richard and Rivers and the other leaders of our firm as we continue to execute our strategic plan for success and growth. Richard's particular background and leadership in our diversity and inclusion efforts are an essential and welcome perspective for our board of directors and our firm."

Jones Walker's newest partners include former special counsel attorneys Gibbons Addison, Liz Craddock, Nick Irmen, John Morris, and Rose Sher as well as former associates Victoria Bagot, Daniel Baldwin, Jason Culotta, Thomas Slattery, and Joey Steadman. These partnerships are also effective January 1, 2022.

Board Members

Richard Cortizas is a member of the Corporate Practice Group in the New Orleans office and serves as the firm's Chief Diversity Officer. He focuses on transactional matters, representing clients in complex land use and zoning matters, public finance, and economic development projects. He has extensive experience representing corporate clients, developers and individuals before local planning commissions, boards of zoning adjustments, and governing authorities of political subdivisions throughout the state.

Rivers Lelong is a member of the Corporate Practice Group and a reelected member of the firm's board of directors. Rivers' practice involves a variety of commercial transactions comprising secured finance, real estate, acquisitions and divestitures of privately held companies and their assets, and the negotiation of sophisticated commercial contracts. He is also general outside counsel to an international consumer packaged goods company as well as to other smaller private businesses.

New Partners

Gibbons Addison is a member of the Litigation Practice Group in the firm's Baton Rouge office. He represents individuals and businesses, from local organizations to Fortune 250 companies, in commercial, real estate, property damage, construction, employment, personal injury, intellectual property, environmental, oil and gas, and successions, trust, and estate litigation. He handles all aspects of litigation and alternative dispute resolution, including seeking and defending against requests for emergency and injunctive relief. Gibbons serves in the community with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Louisiana and the Big Buddy Program.

Elizabeth "Liz" Leoty Craddock is a member of the government relations team in the firm's Washington, DC, office. She helps corporations, trade groups, and nonprofit entities connect and work with elected and appointed federal officials to educate, develop, negotiate, and pass legislation critical to the success of the US economy. Her areas of focus include energy, environment, natural resources, agriculture, climate change, and trade policy, as well as social justice, ethics, sanctions, and governance issues. Previously, Liz served as the first female majority staff director of the US Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and as vice president of government and industry affairs for an international oil and gas industry association.

Nick Irmen is a member of the Tax Practice Group in the firm's New Orleans office. He is a member on the tax credit finance team and focuses on federal and state new markets tax credit, historic rehabilitation tax credit, and low-income housing tax credit transactions. Nick's experience includes representation of investors, developers, community development entities, syndication funds, and lenders in transactions utilizing the federal new markets tax credit, historic rehabilitation tax credit, low-income housing tax credit, and various state tax credits.

John Morris is a member of the Corporate Practice Group in the firm's Baton Rouge and Lafayette offices. He primarily focuses on public finance transactions and related matters. He serves as bond counsel to local government entities, such as municipalities, special districts, and other political subdivisions, for their debt issuances. John also serves as counsel to underwriters, issuers, and trustee counsel in various public finance transactions. John is a resident of Lafayette, Louisiana, where he is an active community member in Lafayette. He serves on the board of directors for Downtown Lafayette Unlimited and sits on its Executive Finance Committee. John also serves on the Governmental Affairs Committee for One Acadiana.

Rose Sher is a member of the Tax Practice Group and the firm's trusts & estates team in the New Orleans office. She practices in the areas of estate planning and estate administration and is a board-certified estate planning and administration specialist, as certified by the Louisiana Board of Legal Specialization. Rose also holds a Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy professional designation from The American College of Financial Services. In addition to her legal work, Rose also serves on the board of directors for the Jewish Children's Regional Service and for the Jewish Endowment Foundation.

Victoria Bagot is a member of the Corporate Practice Group and the corporate, securities, and executive compensation team in the firm's New Orleans office. Victoria advises public and private companies across a broad array of industries on a range of corporate matters and in a variety of transactions, primarily in the areas of capital markets, finance, and mergers and acquisitions. These matters have included public and private securities offerings of debt and equity securities, initial public offerings, and other transactions, such as tender offers, exchange offers and consent solicitations. She also regularly counsels clients in regard to SEC reporting, securities law and disclosure issues, and corporate governance and compliance.

Daniel Baldwin is a member of the Litigation Practice Group and the Energy, Environmental, & Natural Resources Industry Team in the Houston office. He routinely represents clients in all sectors of the oil and gas industry with an emphasis on disputes involving master service, joint operating, development, and purchase and sale agreements. Daniel has also represented oil and gas companies in matters related to wrongful death and personal injury. He is a Texas Bar Foundation fellow and has been named to Best Lawyer's One's to Watch in Commercial Litigation for the past two years. Daniel is also a member of the Duke University Young Alumni Development Council.

Jason Culotta is a member of the Labor & Employment Practice Group in the firm's New Orleans office. Jason is active member of both the trade secret and non-compete litigation team and the wage and hour litigation team, and his practice focuses on protecting employers from unlawful competition and ensuring employers implement policies that comply with state and federal law. Jason has successfully litigated a wide range of complex commercial and employment matters. He also is an active member of the firm's pro bono team and regularly works with indigent clients on criminal justice and immigration matters.

Thomas Slattery is a member of the Litigation Practice Group as well as the corporate compliance and white collar defense team in the firm's New Orleans office. Tom assists companies in a variety of compliance matters, including corporate policies and procedures, third-party risk management, government enforcement, and internal corporate investigations, with a focus on anti-corruption, sanctions, and trade compliance. He also has significant securities litigation experience representing directors and officers of public companies in shareholder derivative suits and federal securities fraud class actions. Tom is the board secretary for FLYTE (Financial Literacy You Take Everywhere), a New Orleans nonprofit whose mission is to create equitable access to financial and professional resources for minority business owners and families throughout the region.

Joey Steadman is a member of the Litigation Practice Group in the firm's Mobile office. Joey represents banks, financial institutions, and investors in commercial collection disputes and real estate matters in Alabama and Florida state courts. He also has defended municipal clients in civil litigation involving personal injury claims and land use disputes, as well as insurance companies in personal injury matters.

About Jones Walker

Jones Walker LLP (joneswalker.com) is among the largest 125 law firms in the United States. With offices in Alabama, Arizona, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, New York, and Texas, we serve local, regional, national, and international business interests. The firm is committed to providing a comprehensive range of legal services to major multinational public and private corporations, Fortune 500 companies, money center banks, worldwide insurers, and emerging companies doing business in the United States and abroad.

Contact :

Mary Margaret Gorman

504.582.8207

[email protected]

Savannah Kirk

225.248.3435

[email protected]

SOURCE Jones Walker LLP
LOS ANGELES, Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Prominent L.A. attorney Bernard M. (Bernie) Resser brings decades-long complex commercial litigation experience to New York-based Barton LLP, and adds new Southern California office presence for the firm.

Resser, a former Assistant US Attorney, enhances the firm's internal investigations, regulatory enforcement, and white-collar team which already boasts a roster of well-known former BigLaw litigators and ex-government officials, including a U.S. Department of Treasury Special Agent.

L.A. Litigator Bernie Resser

"Bernie's reputation as a top tier national trial lawyer adds incredible talent to our team," said Roger Barton, managing partner of Barton LLP. "After many years of friendship and collaboration on numerous cases, we could not overlook the prospect of having Bernie join us and create a coast-to-coast offering for our clients. He had the opportunity to go anywhere and do anything. We are thrilled he decided to join us."

"Resser's litigation experience representing clients in high stakes matters related to financial services, real estate, shareholder derivative actions, securities litigation, theft of trade secrets, and intellectual property disputes is in perfect alignment with our practices in those areas."

Barton LLP has seen increased legal demand from clients in the US and abroad who are active on the West Coast due to the depth of California's entrepreneurially minded business demographic.

"Barton's domestic and international matters routinely need coast-to-coast legal reinforcements to secure the best client result," said Resser. "Being able to incorporate my years of litigation experience into a team with this much bench strength is priceless for my clientele."

Resser joins Barton LLP from the LA office of Greenberg Glusker Fields Claman & Machtinger LLP where he was a partner for the last 10 years. In addition to his talents as an advocate, Resser is known to be on the forefront of using state of the art trial presentation techniques and technology for which he was featured by The National Law Journal and Law.com.

About Barton

Barton LLP, a mid-size transactional and litigation boutique based in New York with offices in Nashville and Santa Monica, provides services to domestic and international businesses, investment funds, financial service firms, and owners of privately held businesses.

Contact:

Roger E. Barton

[email protected]

711 Third Avenue, 14th Floor

New York, NY 10017

Tel: 212.885.8816

www.bartonesq.com

SOURCE Barton LLP
DENVER, Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- LIME Painting was recognized as one of the top 500 franchises in Entrepreneur's Franchise 500, the world's first, best and most comprehensive franchise ranking. The 43rd annual Entrepreneur Franchise 500 is a highly sought-after honor in the franchise industry. Recognized as an invaluable resource for potential franchisees, the 2022 Franchise 500 ranks LIME Painting as 468 for its outstanding performance in areas including unit growth, financial strength and stability, and brand power. The brand opened 20 new locations throughout 2021, raising their total number of locations from 10 to 30 in operation. The brand is also happy to say that they will be closing out the year with 60 locations still in various levels of development throughout the United States including Indianapolis, Austin, and Oklahoma.

"The past year has been one of the most challenging for businesses in recent memory, which made putting together our 43rd annual Franchise 500 list more enlightening than ever," says Entrepreneur Editor in Chief Jason Feifer. "The companies named to this year's list showed us how being resilient, supportive, and nimble can help navigate extraordinary challenges and also underscore the grit and innovation that define entrepreneurship."

In Entrepreneur's continuing effort to best understand and evaluate the ever-changing franchise marketplace, the company's 43-year-old ranking formula continues to evolve as well. The editorial team researches and assesses several factors that go into the evaluation, including costs and fees, size and growth, support, brand strength, and financial strength and stability. Each franchise is given a cumulative score based on an analysis of more than 150 data points, and the 500 franchises with the highest cumulative scores become the Franchise 500 in ranking order.

Over its 43 years in existence, the Franchise 500 has become both a dominant competitive measure for franchisors and a primary research tool for potential franchisees. LIME Painting's position on the ranking is a testament to its strength as a franchise opportunity.

To view LIME Painting in the full ranking, visit www.entrepreneur.com/franchise500. Results can also be seen in the January/February 2022 issue of Entrepreneur, available on newsstands January 11th.

About LIME Painting

After discovering his passion for home improvement while owning his first painting LLC, Nick Lopez founded LIME Painting in 2013 to set the standard of excellence in painting high-end residential and commercial properties. Five years later, he put his perfected business model to the test and began franchising to provide high-quality interior and exterior painting, coating, and other restoration services to maintain the aesthetic and integrity of luxury properties across the country. LIME Painting currently serves luxury home and business owners in all 34 locations in 14 states. For more information, go to https://limepainting.com/

Contact: Name: Emma Blowers

Company : Franchise Elevator

Email : [email protected]

Phone : (262) 349-1294

SOURCE LIME Painting
NORTH BILLERICA, Mass., Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Curriculum Associates has named Jennifer Pastor of Tioga Elementary School in Ball, LA to its 2022 class of Extraordinary Educators, an annual program that celebrates and connects exemplar K8 teachers from around the country. Chosen from hundreds of nominations, Pastor is among 35 educators from 19 states selected for exhibiting best-in-class use of i-Ready, i-Ready Classroom Mathematics, and/or Ready, illustrating growth and achievement via formal assessments, demonstrating innovation and engagement practices for students, being evangelists for high standards and student achievement, and having taught for at least two years.

"With almost 500 years of teaching experience combined, this year's 35 Extraordinary Educators are all innovative and dedicated classroom leaders whose impact does not go unnoticed," said Rob Waldron, CEO of Curriculum Associates. "We commend Jennifer for her best practices in the classroom day in and day out and look forward to supporting her with unique professional learning opportunities to help further support the amazing work she does."

This year's class of Extraordinary Educators will have access to a network of peers from around the country to collaborate, connect, and learn from throughout the year, as well as access to professional development opportunities from Curriculum Associates. They will also be invited to participate and present at the Extraordinary Educators Leadership Summit as well as other professional learning events.

This is the third year of the Extraordinary Educators program. This year's class joins 75 additional educators from across the country in receiving this recognition.

"What a tremendous honor to be named a 2022 Extraordinary Educator!" said Pastor. "About 20 years ago I had the privilege of experiencing math as students do through some intensive professional development, and this sparked a passion for teaching math in a new way. The professional development that I will receive through Curriculum Associates, along with the opportunity to network with peers nationwide, has rejuvenated my enthusiasm and drive to grow students in innovative and engaging ways."

Today, Curriculum Associates' programs are used in almost all of Louisiana's school districts.

To learn more about Curriculum Associates and the 2022 Extraordinary Educators, visit CurriculumAssociates.com/Extraordinary-Educators/Classes.

About Curriculum Associates

Founded in 1969, Curriculum Associates, LLC designs research-based print and online instructional materials, screens and assessments, and data management tools. The company's products and outstanding customer service provide teachers and administrators with the resources necessary for teaching diverse student populations and fostering learning for all students.

Contact: Kati Elliott Charlotte Fixler

KEH Communications Curriculum Associates

(410) 975-9638 (978) 901-6066

[email protected] [email protected]

SOURCE Curriculum Associates, LLC
BEIJING, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- China will endeavor to provide more convenient and smarter public services in the field of intellectual property rights (IPR) during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), according to a plan issued by the National Intellectual Property Administration (NIPA).

By 2025, China is expected to create a more convenient public services system, build more smart information infrastructure, and provide diversified public services for IPR work, per the NIPA plan.

IPR public services institutions will reach all provincial-level regions by 2025, according to the plan. The country will then have approximately 200 technology and innovation support centers, 150 college-based national IPR information services centers, and 200 national IPR public services stations nationwide.

Intellectual property authorities are committed to supporting the construction of an IPR information platform, the further opening-up of basic IPR data, and the construction of high-level and specialized IPR databases, the NIPA said. 
ST. LOUIS, Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Marcone, a leading distributor of home appliance, HVAC, and plumbing repair parts and equipment across North America and current portfolio company of Genstar Capital, today announced that it has acquired Munch's Supply ("Munch's"), a leading distributor of HVAC equipment, parts and supplies from Ridgemont Equity Partners. The acquisition immediately establishes Marcone as a leader in the HVAC sector and, combined with its recent acquisition of plumbing distributor Professional Plumbing Group ("PPG"), dramatically expands its services to the home. Ridgemont and the Munch's management team will retain a meaningful minority stake in the combined entity.

Founded in 1956, Munch's Supply is a leading supplier of HVAC and plumbing replacement parts and equipment. Headquartered in Hillside, IL, Munch's sells approximately 135,00 SKUs across 65 facilities with a workforce of approximately 1,100 employees. With the addition of Munch's, Marcone now operates in three large, growing markets within the home (appliances, HVAC and plumbing) servicing millions of homes, 43,000 technicians and larger strategic customers such as property managers, retailers, home warranty and ecommerce providers with tens of millions of parts sold annually across its 113 locations throughout the United States and Canada. Marcone also offers a growing suite of services and technology to its customers including training, payroll, insurance, inventory management and field service management.

Jim Souers, Chief Executive Officer of Marcone, stated, "Munch's has built a strategic partnership with the preeminent industry OEMs, offering the highest quality and most trusted brands in the market. Customers value their partnership with Munch's, and we hope to build on the relationships they have established to offer additional products and services. As we further build Marcone as a partner serving the appliance, HVAC and plumbing sectors, I look forward to working with Bob Munch and his team to leverage the core tenets of Munch's philosophy including its reputation as an M&A acquiror of choice in the HVAC sector."

Bob Munch, Chief Executive of Munch's, said, "We have built Munch's over the decades into a one-stop-shop that ensures our customers have a consistent and trusted partner to access the industry's most iconic brands, enabling them to perform critical installation, repair and service work with minimal downtime. Our growing eCommerce presence will also provide best-in-class technology capabilities and deliver seamless integration with our suppliers and customers. Munch's local approach to serving the needs of suppliers, customers, and employees is a strong cultural fit with Marcone, and we look forward to becoming part of their family and building Marcone's HVAC service capabilities to broader geographies."

Rob Rutledge, Managing Director at Genstar Capital, said, "Munch's is a terrific business that fits squarely into Jim's thesis of being the hub for parts and services to the home. We are excited to partner with Bob, Ridgemont and the Munch's team to accelerate the growth of the platform, including through organic initiatives to better serve our combined customer base and continued M&A opportunities in the sizable HVAC and plumbing markets."

Jack Purcell, Managing Partner at Ridgemont, added, "Alongside Bob and his team, we expanded the Munch's platform into several new states, entered the Canadian market and significantly diversified the company's product offering. Even years before our investment in Munch's Supply, we admired the company's legacy as a trusted partner to suppliers and customers at the local level, and we are very pleased to join forces with Genstar and Marcone, an industry leader in the appliance market with a great reputation as a solutions-oriented provider."

Baird and Houlihan Lokey served as financial advisors to Munch's. BMO Capital Markets served as financial advisor to Genstar and Marcone. Alston & Bird served as legal counsel to Munch's. Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP served as legal counsel to Genstar and Marcone.

About Marcone

Marcone is an authorized distributor for major brands such as Whirlpool, Electrolux, General Electric, Maytag, Bosch, Samsung, L-G and many more. Through its vast distribution network, Marcone supplies the largest inventory of original replacement parts in the country for household appliances such as refrigerators, ranges, dishwashers, microwaves, washers, and dryers. Marcone exports globally and also operates a comprehensive training institute offering quality business and technical training. Headquartered in St. Louis, Marcone operates 113 facilities, has approximately 2,000 employees, and serves approximately 43,000 technician customers. For more information, visit www.marcone.com.

About Munch's Supply

Munch's Supply was founded in 1956 by Willard Munch, who wanted to develop a local source of electrical supplies for area contractors. Today, the Company has more than 1,000 employees focused on supplying heating, cooling and plumbing industry contractors with quality products and exceptional service. Proudly celebrating its 65th year in business in 2021, Munch's Supply operates with a commitment to service as a leading distributor for trusted brands such as American Standard, Trane, Mitsubishi, Rheem, IPEX, AO Smith, Kohler, Tempstar, Keeprite and Frigidaire. Through Munch's Holdings, LLC, it operates Munch's Supply, Tommark, O'Connor Company, Comfort Air Distributing, C&L Supply HVAC and Plumbing, API of NH and Delta T, Marks Supply and TML Supply which continue to serve as the premier sources for HVAC and plumbing equipment and supplies to contractors throughout North America. www.munchsupply.com.

About Genstar Capital

Genstar Capital (www.gencap.com) is a leading private equity firm that has been actively investing in high quality companies for over 30 years. Based in San Francisco, Genstar works in partnership with its management teams and its network of strategic advisors to transform its portfolio companies into industry-leading businesses. Genstar currently has approximately $33 billion of assets under management and targets investments focused on targeted segments of the financial services, industrials, healthcare, and software industries.

About Ridgemont Equity Partners

Ridgemont Equity Partners is a Charlotte-based middle market buyout and growth equity investor. Since 1993, the principals of Ridgemont have invested over $5.5 billion. The firm focuses on equity investments up to $250 million and utilizes a proven, industry-focused investment approach and repeatable value creation strategies. www.ridgemontep.com

Contact: Chris Tofalli

Chris Tofalli Public Relations

914-834-4334

SOURCE Marcone
TOLEDO, Ohio, Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Marco's Pizza, one of the nation's fastest-growing pizza brands, was recognized as No. 70 on Entrepreneur's 2022 Franchise 500, the world's first, best and most comprehensive franchise ranking. The 43rd annual Entrepreneur Franchise 500 is a highly sought-after honor in the franchise industry. Marco's moved up more than 20 spots, previously ranking No. 92 in 2021. Recognized as an invaluable resource for potential franchisees, the 2022 Franchise 500 also ranks Marco's Pizza as No. 2 in the pizza category for its outstanding performance in areas including unit growth, financial strength and stability, and brand power.

The 1,000-plus unit brand grew store counts almost 10% in 2021 with more than 70 store openings, all while achieving continuous double-digit same-store-sales record increases year-over-year and over 130 signed agreements. To build off this successful momentum, Marco's has set a vision to become the No. 4 pizza brand in America with aggressive expansion goals to open over 150 stores in 2022 as it seeks multi-unit operators throughout the United States and internationally. Marco's proven performance coupled with high-tier franchise support has resulted in eager and sophisticated entrepreneurs and multi-unit operators flocking to the franchise opportunity.

"Being recognized No. 2 in the pizza category and jumping to No. 70 overall is a great honor  an honor I share with our dedicated franchisees, hard-working team members, our loyal guests and our dedicated executive leadership team, who are the true makeup of this brand," said Tony Libardi, Co-CEO & President of Marco's Pizza. "The future of the industry remains strong and vibrant. Our growth strategy has been centered on finding the right multi-unit franchise partners who want to grow with the brand all while executing with strong operations, and we look forward to a momentous 2022 as we build on our achievements, inch closer toward major brand milestones, and grow our nationwide presence."

In Entrepreneur's continuing effort to best understand and evaluate the ever-changing franchise marketplace, the company's 43-year-old ranking formula continues to evolve as well. The editorial team researches and assesses several factors that go into the evaluation, including costs and fees, size and growth, support, brand strength, and financial strength and stability. Each franchise is given a cumulative score based on an analysis of more than 150 data points, and the 500 franchises with the highest cumulative scores become the Franchise 500 in ranking order.

"The past year has been one of the most challenging for businesses in recent memory, which made putting together our 43rd annual Franchise 500 list more enlightening than ever," says Entrepreneur Editor in Chief Jason Feifer. "The companies named to this year's list showed us how being resilient, supportive, and nimble can help navigate extraordinary challenges and also underscore the grit and innovation that define entrepreneurship."

Over its 43 years in existence, the Franchise 500 has become both a dominant competitive measure for franchisors and a primary research tool for potential franchisees. Marco's position on the ranking is a testament to its strength as a franchise opportunity.

Marco's Pizza continues to grow at a rapid pace, projecting a new store opening every two and a half days on average in 2022. According to FRANdata, a leading research and advisory firm that analyzes the franchise market, Marco's 2021 FUND Score is in the top 1% of all evaluated franchise systems and is among the top three scores for all QSR brands. The Top 50% of Marco's franchised stores generated $1,059,574 AUV for 2020*. For more information on Marco's Pizza franchise opportunities, visit www.marcosfranchising.com or call 866-731-8209.

To view Marco's Pizza in the full ranking, visit www.entrepreneur.com/franchise500. Results can also be seen in the January/February 2022 issue of Entrepreneur.

ABOUT MARCO'S PIZZA

Marco's Pizza is America's Most Loved and Most Trusted Pizza Brand, according to the 2019 Harris Poll EquiTrend Study. Headquartered in Toledo, Ohio, Marco's Pizza is one of the fastest-growing pizza brands in the United States. Marco's was founded in 1978 by Italian-born Pasquale ("Pat") Giammarco and thrives to deliver a high-quality pizza experience, known for its dough made from scratch and its three fresh signature cheeses. The company has grown from its roots as a beloved Ohio brand to operate over 1,000 stores in 34 states with locations in Puerto Rico and the Bahamas. Most recently, Marco's Pizza was ranked No. 2 in the Pizza category on Entrepreneur Magazine's 2022 "Franchise 500" ranking, and No. 4 in the Fastest Growing category on Restaurant Business' 2021 "Top 10 Fastest Growing Chains" ranking. Other recent accolades include a first-time presence on Newsweek's 2022 "America's Best Customer Service" in pizza chains list, ranked No. 42 on QSR's Top 50 and has been featured five consecutive years on Nation's Restaurant News' prestigious "Top 500" ranking.

*Based on the Average Unit Volume of the top 50% of our Franchised Stores for fiscal year 2020. Based on fiscal year 2020, 142 of 369 Franchised Stores in the category (38%) met or exceeded this average. This information appears in Item 19 of our 2021 FDD  please refer to our FDD for complete information on financial performance. Results may differ. There is no assurance that any franchisee will perform as well.

SOURCE Marco's Pizza
CANFIELD, Ohio, Jan. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Mark S. Gervelis is being recognized by Continental Who's Who as a Distinguished Attorney for his excellent work in the field of Law and in acknowledgment of his work at the Gervelis Law Firm.

Mark S. Gervelis

Located in Canfield, OH at 3790 Boardman-Canfield Rd, the Gervelis Law Firm has been helping members of the local community seek justice for over 14 years. Mr. Gervelis began his law firm in 2007, and has been working with the local community to help people who have been injured in car, truck, or motorcycle accidents. He specializes in Plaintiff Personal Injury Law, Wrongful Death Law, and Products Liability Law, and has gained thousands of dollars in damages for his clients.



At the Gervelis Law Firm, Mr. Gervelis and his team of talented lawyers fight for the rights of people who have been injured in serious vehicle injuries. They represent people who have been injured, suffered property damage, or lost a loved one due to a crash caused by someone elses' reckless driving. Mr. Gervelis enjoys giving victims control over their lives through legal options.



Mr. Gervelis knows that car, motorcycle, and truck accidents can have devastating consequences on a person's life. In just a moment, they can lose their health, their ability to work in the short term or long term, or lose a loved one. To make things worse, some drivers may be blamed for the accident. The combined cost of hospital bills, missed work, a destroyed vehicle, and damages can pile up. Mr. Gervelis and his team of lawyers strive to become powerful advocates for their client's rights. The firm investigates on behalf of their clients to form a strong case and hold the responsible party accountable for their actions. While the client is healing from their ordeal, the team at the Gervelis Law Firm can begin to investigate the accident and prepare for their client's future.



Gervelis Law currently has offices in Toledo, Canfield, Columbus, Akron, and Warren, Ohio. They can meet clients at their home or hospital room for convenience if they are still recovering from an automobile accident.



To pursue his education, Mr. Gervelis attended the Cleveland Marshall College of Law School, where he earned his Juris Doctor degree. He is a board-certified Civil Trial Attorney certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy (now known as the National Board of Legal Specialty Certification (NBLSC). Mr. Gervelis is certified to practice law in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Washington.



Before he was running his own firm, Mr. Gervelis worked at Harsham & Gervelis for 15 years, where he was the Chief Trial Lawyer. He now has 35 years experience in the field of Law.



Mr. Gervelis is a member of the Ohio Association for Justice, the Pennsylvania Bar Association, Mahoning Trumbull Trial Lawyers, and the Ohio Bar Association. He was named an Ohio Super Lawyer from 2007-2012 and 2014-2016, and is a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum.



For more information or to schedule a free consultation, visit https://www.gervelislaw.com/

Contact: Katherine Green, 516-825-5634, [email protected]







SOURCE Continental Who's Who
DALLAS, Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- An intelligent study on the Global Medical Display Monitors Market has been included by CalibreResearch.com to its storehouse. This research analysis on the Medical Display Monitors provides an inside and out investigation of different perspectives related to the certain industry such as drivers, restrictions, potential industry patterns and major opportunities available in the Global Medical Display Monitors Market. It represents an investigative overview to figure out various aspects in the industry on the international platform. It also depicts comprehensive details about numerous vendors who are operating over the globe. The latest research report on the Global Medical Display Monitors Market is a competitive study of the Medical Display Monitors Market.

Global Medical Display Monitors Market Size:

A new inspection indicates that the medical display monitors market size was estimated at around $582.1 million in the previous year and alongside, it is anticipated to enlarge at a powerful compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of nearly 8.2 percent from 2022 to 2029.

Get a PDF Copy of this report from here: https://calibreresearch.com/report/medical-display-monitors-market-179471#request-sample

A fresh research on the Medical Display Monitors Market is labelled as Global Medical Display Monitors Market Report 2022-2029 by product type (Greyscale, Color), by application (General Radiology, Mammography, Surgery, Dentistry, Digital Pathology, Others), by technology, by essential regions and well-formed players. Our researchers have delivered all-the necessary information related to the facts & figures of the Medical Display Monitors market. This information is helpful for existing manufacturers of the specific industry and new aspirants who keen to grab knowledgeable data about the same.

The report even offers deep insights on the new industry trends, demand predications, micro as well as macro pointers in the medical display monitors market. Besides this, the factors that are driving and restraining the Global Medical Display Monitors Market are closely highlighted in this study. It is reviewed as an in-depth business intelligence draft based on qualitative and quantitative components of the global Medical Display Monitors market.

Have Any Question about Medical Display Monitors Market 2022

Below we have covered detailed classification of the Global Medical Display Monitors Market:

Some of the Main players operating in the Medical Display Monitors market are:

HP Development Company

L.P

Quest International

Stryker

Double Black Imaging

Steris

UTI Technology

NDS Surgical Imaging

A Novanta Company

Canvys

Advantech Co. Ltd.

Barco

Eizo Corporation

Medical Display Monitors Market Segments by Product Type:

Greyscale

Color

Medical Display Monitors Market Segments by Aspect Ratio:

16:09

21:09

04:03

Medical Display Monitors Market Segments by Technology:

LED

OLED

CCFL

Medical Display Monitors Market Segments by Application:

General Radiology

Mammography

Surgery

Dentistry

Digital Pathology

Others

Medical Display Monitors Market Segments by geographies:

North America Market ( United States , North American country and Mexico ),

( , North American country and ), Europe Market( Germany , Medical Display Monitors France Market, UK, Russia and Italy ),

, Medical Display Monitors France Market, UK, and ), Asia-Pacific market ( China , Medical Display Monitors Japan and Korea market, Asian nation and Southeast Asia ),

market ( , Medical Display Monitors Japan and Korea market, Asian nation and ), South America ( Brazil , Argentina , Republic of Colombia etc.), geographic region

( , , Republic of etc.), geographic region Africa (Saudi Arabian Peninsula, UAE, Egypt , Nigeria and South Africa )

(Saudi Arabian Peninsula, UAE, , and ) Product Type & Technology-based Analysis: Global Medical Monitors Display Market

Based on the product type analysis, the experts said that the greyscale member influenced the request & further captured the highest profitable share of nearly 82.3 percent in last year (2021). Reportedly, Greyscale is known as the discrepancy that allows the picture to be viewed in countless tonnes of slate. Largely affordable and efficiency of proper workflow are major elements that are accountable for surging the expected request growth. As a result, several companies are implementing distinct ways to switch between color as well as snap displays. While, on the other hand, color displays are easier for radiologists so that they can simply differentiate between apkins and cancerous cells which gives immediate perception of separate data. Therefore, it is assumed to gained at an improved rate.

Browse Full Report here: https://calibreresearch.com/report/medical-display-monitors-market-179471

As per the technology-driven segmentation, the LED member witnessed the biggest profit contribution of almost 49.1 percent in 2021. It delivers a variety of benefits such as profitability, lowest power consumption, abundant display size, temperature-sensitive terrain and proper judgments. The OLED member directed the magnificent growth rate because of the improved discrepancy rate mainly in thin & lighter displays, lowest ambient light than LED, ability to display clear stir without blur image, as well as deep color displays. CCFL is the conventional display technology which used by the observers before the initialization of LEDS & OLEDs. But, still, it mostly uses in low conventions and lower league individual centers.

In addition to this, the general radiology member commanded the United States medical display observers' direction and conquers for the greatest share of 28.2 percent in 2021. The reviews made by radiology are the foundation of any sort of interventions. That's why, operation of great-description medical display is of vital importance in order to decrease medical crimes by almost 72 percent. Different driving factors like separate delicacy, declining in crimes and steady requirement of highest-quality imaging displays are boosting the request growth in the general radiology member. Notably, mammography is another form of demanding operation that needs several medical displays to detect slight abnormalities, decrease interpretation period and advances delicacy.

Pivotal Dynamics of Global Medical Display Monitors Market uploaded are:

By referring this report, you can easily understand the competitive standards of the World Medical Display Monitors Market.

It demonstrates a variety of innovative opportunities for the industry players globally.

It explains possible trends and key dynamics of the Global Medical Display Monitors Market.

The report furnishes multiple industrial strategies to gain your business profit.

It makes some marketing forecasts, and meanwhile, examines leading investment pockets and market shares of each company worked in the Global Display Monitors Market.

Competitive Outlook: Global Medical Display Monitors Market

In this study, we have come up with a wider elaboration on the competitive landscape of the global Medical Display Monitors market which has been accountable to recognize the topmost ranking of the prominent industry manufacturers who are actively functioning in the different corners of the globe. Apart from this, it also covers, their revenue contribution, geographical dominance, enchanting infrastructure, as well as powerful footprint in the competitive field over the predicted period.

The research evaluates the manufacturers of the Medical Display Monitors market alongside the introduction of company profile of each manufacturer, recent strategical edge to expand the growth proposal for the overall production of the global Medical Display Monitors industry. It includes an all-inclusive approach of the probable industry functions, current happenings such as mergers, acquisition programs, and essential partnerships executed by various authorities to accelerate the entire performance of the global Medical Display Monitors market.

Get More Related Reports Here:

Monochrome Medical Monitors Market: The is segmented into by Type (1MP, 2MP, 3MP, 5MP, Others)By Application(Hospital, Domestic, Rehabilitation Center, Others) Regions and Forecast 2029

Medical Monitoring Platform Market: The is segmented into by Type (Clinical Monitoring, Remote Monitoring)By Application(Real-time Health Monitoring, Early Warning/Abnormity Warning) Regions and Forecast 2029

The research report answers following questions:

What is the industry size of medical display monitors market in the respective region? What is the actual competitive position in the Global Medical Display Monitors Market? What are the significant modes of entering the global Medical Display Monitors market? What are the crucial factors that impact the growth in the medical display monitors market over the forecast timeline from 2022 to 2029? What are the available opportunities in the Global Medical Display Monitors market?

Media Contact:

Calibre Research

3626 North Hall Street (Two Oak Lawn),

Suite 610, Dallas, TX 75219 USA.

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://calibreresearch.com/

Tel: +1-214-661-1669

SOURCE Calibre Research
First edition of MENA's 50 Best Restaurants honours Mouzawak for his contributions to culinary and social development in Lebanon and beyond

LONDON, Jan.11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Kamal Mouzawak, founder of Beirut's first farmers' market and regarded as Lebanon's most prominent food activist, has been named the winner of the Foodics Icon Award as part of MENA's 50 Best Restaurants awards. Mouzawak will be presented with the award at the inaugural edition of MENA's 50 Best Restaurants, taking place in Abu Dhabi on 7th February 2022. In presenting this accolade, the 50 Best organisation honours outstanding figures in the food sector in the Middle East and North Africa region.
BOSTON, Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Nurses from Brigham and Women's Hospital, represented by the Massachusetts Nurses Association, are sounding the alarm about their hospital's visitor policy amid a surge in COVID-19 cases driven by the highly infectious Omicron variant. Unlike other Boston-area hospitals, the Brigham has not imposed additional visitor restrictions during the current surge and is not adequately enforcing personal protective equipment requirements for visitors.

"The Brigham's lax visitor policy during the Omicron surge is putting patients and nurses at higher risk for infection, especially in maternity units where patients and staff are in close contact with support people for extended periods of time," said Kelly Morgan, a labor and delivery nurse at the Brigham and Vice Chair of the MNA Bargaining Committee. "The hospital is allowing up to two support people in to be with each COVID positive patient. With so many caregivers out with COVID, we would hope hospital executives would step up their efforts to protect us."

Brigham nurses have been urging the hospital to improve its response to the current COVID surge, but management is not listening. The hospital can do much better in protecting patients and staff from infection. When nurses look at the lax visitor policy, PPE issues and lack of booster and testing availability, they see the Brigham as practically an ongoing super spreader event.

Hundreds of Brigham Nurses, Staff COVID Positive

Week of January 4  459 total employees/156 were nurses

 459 total employees/156 were nurses Week of January 11  693 total employees/190 were nurses

Other Hospitals Restrict Visitors Amid Surge

Effective Jan. 11, 2022, Beth Israel Lahey Health restricted visitors. "At Lahey Hospital & Medical Center, we understand that being able to visit your loved ones is important," the hospital system wrote in a statement. "However, to keep our patients and staff safe, effective Jan. 11, 2022, we are not allowing visitors at this time. Thank you for your patience as we adjust and continue to adhere to guidance from infection prevention experts during the COVID-19 pandemic. The safety of our patients, colleagues and visitors is our top priority."

St. Elizabeth Medical Center restricted visitors as of December 15, 2021: "To best ensure the health and safety of our patients and staff, visitor restrictions are currently in place," the hospital said. "Visitation will be restricted until further notice unless an exception has been granted. We encourage family members and friends to use alternative ways to interact with their loved ones, including phone calls, Facetime and Skype."

Boston Medical Center has a very limited visitor policy, effective January 5, 2022.

Tufts Medical Center and South Shore Hospital are allowing a maximum of one visitor per patient, unlike the two allowed at BWH.

COVID Protection Issues Identified by Nurses at BWH

Visitor Policy. Positive visitors are coming into the hospital, putting everyone at heightened risk for exposure, especially when the hospital does not enforce PPE requirements. Also, people who visit COVID positive patients are clearly in close contact and yet they are allowed to make repeat visits. Nurses have urged the hospital to temporarily halt visitors, except for limited exceptions.

Positive visitors are coming into the hospital, putting everyone at heightened risk for exposure, especially when the hospital does not enforce PPE requirements. Also, people who visit COVID positive patients are clearly in close contact and yet they are allowed to make repeat visits. Nurses have urged the hospital to temporarily halt visitors, except for limited exceptions. Booster access. The hospital must make it easier for staff to receive boosters on site, as hospitals such as Tufts are doing. Nurses have encouraged the hospital to bring back retirees as they did previously to administer shots.

The hospital must make it easier for staff to receive boosters on site, as hospitals such as are doing. Nurses have encouraged the hospital to bring back retirees as they did previously to administer shots. Testing Availability. Nurses are having to wait several days for asymptomatic and symptomatic testing. This is negatively impacting the Brigham's staffing crisis and the lives of nurses and other staff.

Nurses are having to wait several days for asymptomatic and symptomatic testing. This is negatively impacting the Brigham's staffing crisis and the lives of nurses and other staff. PPE Issues. Nurses have questioned the hospital's extended use of N95 policy, in which nurses do not automatically change out their N95s between patients. If nurses are not properly protected, it creates greater risk for patients, for our colleagues and families. Nurses have reminded the hospital they need to provide fit testing and additional education about the types of N95s in use.

-###-

MassNurses.org  Facebook.com/MassNurses  Twitter.com/MassNurses  Instagram.com/MassNurses

____________________________________________

Founded in 1903, the Massachusetts Nurses Association is the largest union of registered nurses in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Its 23,000 members advance the nursing profession by fostering high standards of nursing practice, promoting the economic and general welfare of nurses in the workplace, projecting a positive and realistic view of nursing, and by lobbying the Legislature and regulatory agencies on health care issues affecting nurses and the public.

SOURCE Massachusetts Nurses Association
OSLO, Norway and AMSTERDAM, Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- MPC Energy Solutions (MPCES) has achieved the financial close of its Santa Rosa & Villa Sol solar photovoltaic (PV) plants in El Salvador, which have a combined capacity of 21.07 MWp. The financial close with local lender Banco Agricola, a subsidiary of Bancolombia, also marks the successful conclusion of the engineering phase. Enerland Group, the Spanish multinational EPC company and contractor for this project, will commence construction works later this month.

Energy production from the Santa Rosa & Villa Sol project is expected to start in Q4 2022. The minor delay in project execution was caused by a change of the construction contractor. The plants will generate around 43 GWh a year and MPCES expects an annual revenue contribution from this project of around USD 3.5 million. The project's solar power will offer substantial environmental benefits, avoiding nearly 11,000 tons of CO 2 emissions per year.

Once commissioned, the solar plants will sell all their generated energy through a 20-year USD-denominated power purchase agreement (PPA) with CAESS, the local subsidiary of US-based energy company AES. The total investment to reach COD is USD 25.3 million, of which 75% is financed through a 15-year project financing facility.

As part of MPCES's ongoing commitment to Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) measures, the firm has set a minimum target of 10% for the participation of women in the construction workforce.

Martin Vogt, CEO of MPC Energy Solutions, said: "The Government of El Salvador considers the energy sector a strong contributor to economic and social development. The diversification of the energy mix towards clean energy sources has been prioritized. This draws up a long-term energy strategy for the country and shows the high potential of the renewable energy market. We are excited to support the country in this important initiative."

El Salvador has a long history of renewable energy, primarily biomass, hydropower, geothermal and recently solar PV. The deployment of renewable energy technologies reached approximately 1.6 GW in 2021, providing about 30-40% of the national energy supply. National energy demand grew by 6% p.a. in the past five years and is still met mainly by oil fuelled thermal power. The electricity market is liberalized and unbundled with the majority of power plants owned and operated by private IPPs. The government has adopted the Paris Agreement and is currently revising its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) to be in compliance with its commitment to the 1.5C global goal.

- ENDS -

About MPC Energy Solutions

MPC Energy Solutions ("MPCES") is a global provider of sustainable energy and primarily focuses on low-carbon energy infrastructure, including solar and wind assets, and other hybrid and energy efficiency solutions. The Company participates in the full project lifecycle of renewable solutions, from early-stage development through construction and operation. More details at www.mpc-energysolutions.com

Media contacts



MPC Energy Solutions N.V.

Investor Relations & Public Relations

Email: [email protected]

Norway

Jo Christian Lund-Steigedal

Corporate Communications AS

Phone: +47 415 08733

Email: [email protected]

Americas

Perry Goldman

Montieth & Company

Phone: +1 (646) 8643568

Email: [email protected]



United Kingdom

Charles Font

Montieth & Company

Phone: +44 020 38575478

Email: [email protected]

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/mpc-energy-solutions-n-v-/r/mpc-energy-solutions-achieves-financial-close-and-starts-construction-for-21-mw-solar-power-plants-i,c3483802

The following files are available for download:

https://mb.cision.com/Public/20542/3483802/8b9c20dc38d9017d.pdf 2022 01 11 Santa Rosa Villa Sol Financial Close

SOURCE MPC Energy Solutions N.V.
TORONTO, Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- MSP Corp Investments Inc. ("MSP Corp"), a platform of entrepreneurial managed services provider (MSP) operators, has added two new Canadian-based MSPs to its growing portfolio and appointed three new board members following the closing of a $35 million growth capital transaction led by BDC Capital's Growth Equity Partners - Fund II with senior lending participation from CIBC.

"Our pitch to MSPs is a simple one: We are private operators buying private operators," said Ravi Ramharak, co-founder and managing director of M&A at MSP Corp. "From what I can tell, it seems to be resonating with owners, investors, and the industry. We are receiving more inquiries today than ever before, and we look forward to having more conversations with owner/operators, evaluating more MSPs, and welcoming more businesses to the MSP Corp family this year."

MSP Corp, which also provides MSPs access to a full stack of solutions for accounting, legal, insurance, human resources, backup and compliance, has acquired 10 MSPs since 2020 and continues to be an active acquirer throughout Canada, with plans to expand into the U.S. in 2022.

"In addition to the businesses we have recently acquired, I am excited to welcome three new members to MSP Corp's board of directors," he said. "They are well respected in their own respective industries, and I look forward to serving with them in the coming year."

The three new additions to MSP Corp's board include the following members:

Michael Notto, partner of Growth Equity at BDC Capital. Notto has 20 years of diverse professional experience, including roles in private equity, corporate strategy, operations and investment banking. Having evaluated and executed transactions from all sides of the table  as an operator, investor, owner, and advisor  Notto brings a well-rounded and constructive perspective to his partnership with management teams. Before joining BDC Capital, he held several M&A positions at Canadian Tire, Novacap, and Public Mobile (a PE-backed start-up).

Stephan May, managing director of Welch Capital Partners. May has years of experience in M&A, debt capital, private equity, advisory and restructuring services. He works with companies to maximize their value and ensure a smooth transition process, whether through buying or selling, financing, or restructuring. Prior to Welch Capital Partners, May held roles as the managing director for Storeyworks, a boutique finance advisory firm, and the director of corporate development for TUC Brands (now Fully Managed IT), where he was responsible for all corporate development, which included, M&A, partnerships, and corporate finance.

Scott McDonald, principal executive at Amazon Web Services (AWS). For two decades, McDonald has worked in various roles in the technology sector, including enterprise hardware/software, consumer software, cyber security and cloud computing. Prior to AWS, he worked for Herjavec Group, a global leader in cyber security, IT risk management, and managed security services, where he developed the financial services business. McDonald also currently advises a handful of Canadian start-ups and growth stage companies and oversees the development of the Future of Money event in partnership with the Munk School at University of Toronto, Royal Bank of Canada among others.

"MSP Corp continues to deliver on its promise to acquire high-performing MSPs and assist them with providing resources, technology, and business support," said Jason Dacosta, co-founder and president of MSP Corp. "With the addition of our recent round of acquisitions and the highly respected members to our board, we are excited to continue our acceleration of MSP acquisitions throughout 2022 and our expansion into the United States."

MSP Corp raised the $35 million in growth capital in September 2021 to accelerate the acquisition of and partnerships with trusted MSPs across Canada.

About MSP Corp

Led by a group of entrepreneurial MSP operators focused on acquiring and partnering with MSP businesses across Canada, MSP Corp delivers resources, technology, and business support to empower exceptional MSP teams, and provides successful exits for business owners. Unlike other buyout firms, MSP Corp owners and team members have been working in the technology industry since early 2000s and have built multiple IT businesses together. MSP Corp's executives don't just talk IT; they live IT.

Media Contact:

CJ Arlotta

CJ Media for MSP Corp

C: 631-572-3019

E: [email protected]

SOURCE MSP Corp
"As President, Shane has worked extensively with the board and executive team to increase revenue, scale the business, and position MX as the leading financial data platform for organizations everywhere. I am confident that Shane is the right person to lead MX through this next phase of growth and category leadership," said Ryan Caldwell, Founder and Executive Chair, MX. "I look forward to working closely with Shane as we continue to build the business and help organizations connect to and harness the power of financial data to grow their business and transform the way people engage with their money."

Shane Evans was promoted to President of MX in 2021 after joining the organization in 2019 as the company's first Chief Revenue Officer. Since joining MX, Evans has helped establish the company as the market leader, scale the sales and go-to-market teams, and more than double revenue. Prior to MX, he spent five years at Qualtrics playing a critical role in the growth and expansion of a global sales team that culminated in the company's $8 billion acquisition by SAP and laying the groundwork for its $27 billion IPO just two years later.

"I am grateful for the opportunity to help lead MX through our next phase of growth, as we accelerate the business and help organizations unlock the power of financial data," said Shane Evans, Interim Chief Executive Officer and President, MX. "The MX Founders - Ryan Caldwell and Brandon Dewitt - have built an incredible culture and team, despite unprecedented health challenges for themselves and their families. We are grateful for Ryan Caldwell's continued strategic leadership moving forward as Executive Chair and stand committed to honoring their vision and legacy as we continue to build MX."

As Executive Chair, Caldwell will remain an integral member of the MX team and the board of directors focused on providing strategic counsel and helping to accelerate long-term business growth and profitability. In the last ten years, Ryan Caldwell has led MX as Founder and CEO alongside his co-founder and CTO Brandon Dewitt, who passed away in November 2021. He has grown the business to more than 700 employees, more than 2,000 customers, and in January 2021 successfully completed one of the largest funding rounds in Utah's history.

"Under the strategic leadership of Founder and CEO Ryan Caldwell, MX established itself as a preeminent financial data platform, and leader in modern connectivity, and is well positioned for significant growth in 2022 and beyond," said Jon Winkelried, CEO of TPG and member of MX's board of directors. "We look forward to continuing to work closely with Ryan Caldwell as Executive Chair and with Shane Evans in his expanded role as President and Interim Chief Executive Officer. Shane has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the organization, its mission, people, and customers, and we are confident that he brings the right combination of experience and passion to lead MX at this important point along its growth journey."

Join us January 27th for a discussion with MX Interim CEO Shane Evans on the future of fintech and how MX is leading the way in open finance and modern connectivity. To register, visit: https://www.mx.com/webinars/january-2022/

MX helps organizations everywhere connect to the world's financial data and turn raw, unstructured data into their most valuable asset to deliver intelligent and personalized money experiences. To learn more, visit: https://www.mx.com

About MX

MX, the financial data platform and leader in modern connectivity, helps organizations everywhere connect to the world's financial data and turn raw, unstructured data into their most valuable asset to deliver intelligent and personalized money experiences. MX connects more than 16,000 financial institutions and fintechs providing the industry's most reliable and secure data connectivity network. Additionally, MX powers 85% of digital banking providers, as well as thousands of banks, credit unions, and fintechs, with a combined reach of over 200 million consumers. To learn more, follow us on Twitter @MX or visit www.mx.com .

Contact:

Tom Cook

[email protected]

SOURCE MX
WASHINGTON, Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Steel Nail Coalition, which represents the vast majority of U.S. nail manufacturers, filed an Amicus Curiae brief today in support of the U.S. Government, which has been trying to prevent a flood of foreign nail imports in circumvention of 2018 tariffs on steel.

The Government has appealed a decision last year by the U.S. Court of International Trade that invalidated a presidential proclamation extending the original steel tariffs to nails and other derivative products.

In March 2018, President Trump issued Proclamation 9705, placing 25% tariffs on steel imports from nearly all countries under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, which gives authority to the White House to respond to trade threats to national security. Then, in January 2020, the President issued Proclamation 9980, which addressed a large increase of imports of steel derivatives such as nails, which were not covered by Proclamation 9705. That increase was a clear circumvention of the original steel tariffs.

Foreign nail makers, including Oman Fasteners, and U.S. distributors, including PrimeSource Building Products, then challenged the extension of tariffs to nails and won favorable judgments last April. The Biden Administration appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, to which the American Steel Nail Coalition addressed its Amicus brief today.

That brief made three basic arguments:

First, "Proclamation 9980 has had a positive impact on the domestic steel nails industry, and thus, on American steel production and capacity utilization generally." After the proclamation took effect, imports of steel derivatives fell 16% compared with the previous year.

Second, a recent precedent "rejects the central legal basis of the Trade Court's decision to invalidate Proclamation 9980." In a July 13 decision in Transpacific Steel, LLC, et al., v. United States, involving an increase in Section 232 tariffs for Turkish steel imports, the court held valid an extension of the original proclamation "beyond the 105-day timeframe for the initial action set forth by the statute."

Third, the Coalition argues that "Proclamation 9980 is not subject to judicial review because Section 232 commits actions to prevent threats to national security, including circumvention of such actions, to the discretion of the President."

In the Amicus brief, the Coalition's counsel, The Bristol Group PLLC, states that the nail organization and its members "have a substantial interest in the President's ability to ensure the effectiveness of Section 232, particularly when relief is undermined or stymied by circumvention."

The brief adds, "Over the last 45 years and continuing today, members of the Coalition have made concerted and consistent efforts to defend their industry from repeated surges of unfairly-traded imports, and to ensure that U.S. trade laws are enforced by preventing circumvention of antidumping and countervailing duty orders.

"Indeed, the history of efforts by the U.S. steel nails industry to defend itself from unfairly-traded imports reflects highly analogous behaviors to the circumvention addressed by Proclamation 9980.

"Since 2007, members of the Coalition have been forced to file multiple trade cases in response to surges of imports prompted by foreign producers and importers shifting production to circumvent intended relief. Three sets of cases have resulted in eight AD [anti-dumping] and CVD [countervailing duties] orders on seven countries Indeed, as recently as December 29, 2021, the industry filed yet another set of trade cases in an effort to curb injurious imports from new sources."

The members of the American Steel Nail Coalition are: Mid Continent Steel & Wire, Inc.; KYOCERA SENCO Industrial Tools, Inc.; Tree Island Wire (USA) Inc.; Specialty Nail Company; Legacy Fasteners, LLC; American Fasteners Co., Ltd.; The Pneufast Co.; Maze Nails; MAR-MAC Industries, Inc.; and Anvil Acquisition Corp.

The American Steel Nail Coalition

Washington, DC

Contact Elizabeth Heaton at [email protected] or 202-445-9858

SOURCE The American Steel Nail Coalition
El-Ghassim Wane (on the screen), special representative of the secretary-general for Mali, briefs a UN Security Council meeting on the situation in Mali at the UN headquarters in New York, on Jan. 11, 2022. El-Ghassim Wane said on Tuesday that Mali's partners should help lay the foundations for lasting stability in the worn-torn landlocked country in West Africa. (Eskinder Debebe/UN Photo/Handout via Xinhua)

UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- A UN envoy said on Tuesday that Mali's partners should help lay the foundations for lasting stability in the worn-torn landlocked country in West Africa.

Mali's partners should build on the aspirations of the Malian people for peace "to help lay the foundations for lasting stability," the special representative of the secretary-general for the country, El-Ghassim Wane, told the Security Council's meeting on the situation in Mali.

A decade after civil conflict erupted in Mali, hopes for an early resolution to insurgency and strife have not materialized, said Wane.

Instead, the UN top envoy explained, "insecurity has expanded, the humanitarian situation has deteriorated, more children are out of school and the country has been affected by an endless cycle of instability."

In fact, more than 1.8 million people are expected to need food assistance in 2022 compared to 1.3 million in 2021, the highest level of food insecurity recorded since 2014.

And more than half a million children have been affected by school closures, which the envoy believes puts "the future of the country in jeopardy."

Despite these challenges, Wane argued that the situation "would have been far worse" without the engagement of the international community, including the deployment of the UN peacekeeping mission, MINUSMA, in 2013.

The Malian government has been seeking to restore stability following a series of setbacks since early 2012, including a failed military coup d'etat, renewed fighting between government forces and Tuareg rebels, and the seizure of its northern territory by radical extremists.

The special representative also briefed the council on the current stand-off between the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Malian transitional leadership, controlled by the military.

Over the weekend, ECOWAS held an extraordinary summit and decided that the proposed timetable for the transition, lasting up to five and a half years, was "totally unacceptable."

Urging Malian authorities to focus on a speedy return to constitutional order, they decided to uphold individual sanctions put in place on Dec. 12 and imposed additional ones.

The new sanctions include the recall of ambassadors from Bamako, capital and largest city of Mali, the closing of land and air borders, suspension of all commercial and financial transactions (with some exemptions), and the suspension of financial assistance, among others.

Mali reciprocated by recalling its ambassadors and closing its borders with ECOWAS member states.

In an address to the nation on Monday evening, however, Malian transition President Colonel Assimi Goita called for unity and calm, stating that Mali remains open to dialogue.

Wane explained that supporting the transition is a key aspect of the MINUSMA mandate, so the mission will try to find a consensual way out to overcome the impasse.

"A protracted impasse will make it much harder to find a consensual way out, while increasing hardship for the population and further weakening state capacity," he argued, warning that such scenario would "have far-reaching consequences for Mali and its neighbors."

The conflict has also had a devastating impact on civilians and the humanitarian situation.

In such difficult circumstances, Wane described the response to the humanitarian appeal as "lukewarm," with only 38 percent of funding received. 

Photo taken on Jan. 11, 2022 shows a view of a UN Security Council meeting on the situation in Mali at the UN headquarters in New York. El-Ghassim Wane, special representative of the secretary-general for Mali, said on Tuesday that Mali's partners should help lay the foundations for lasting stability in the worn-torn landlocked country in West Africa. (Eskinder Debebe/UN Photo/Handout via Xinhua)
BOSTON, Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- NEJM Group today announces the launch of a new digital journal, NEJM Evidence, coming at a time when research transparency is being openly discussed in the medical community. The new journal publishes high-quality studies from the frontlines of medical research that challenge readers to develop a deeper understanding of the statistical methods used in clinical trials. The January issue of NEJM Evidence is freely accessible for a limited time.

NEJM Evidence, from the publishers of the New England Journal of Medicine, brings new ideas to clinical practice and gives readers an insider's view on how clinical trials are designed, how evidence is generated, and the subsequent implications for diagnostic or treatment decisions to yield more powerful clinical evidence.

"Our goal for NEJM Evidence is to make the methods section fun and engaging, inspiring readers to be highly critical consumers and examiners of clinical trials," said Chana A. Sacks, M.D., M.P.H., Executive Editor of NEJM Evidence. "The new journal enables us to publish outstanding research and contextualize it in a way that will change medicine and practice."

Designed to engage a younger audience in conversations around medical research, the new journal includes two new series  Stats, STAT!, which explains statistical concepts through brief animated videos; and Tomorrow's Trial, short pieces that highlight accepted practices lacking solid evidence and invite clinician readers to propose clinical trials to fill those gaps. The Patient Platform allows patients who have been in a clinical trial or part of a research study to share thoughts on their experience.

"NEJM Evidence offers an exciting new platform for an expanding body of clinical research while adhering to the high editorial standards of NEJM Group, provides an essential resource for health care professionals at every stage of their career, and a compelling new publishing option for authors," said David Sampson, VP Publishing, NEJM Group.

Vetted by editors who are active clinicians, this new journal publishes research from early-stage discoveries to confirmatory trials in all medical specialties. Through case studies, reviews and journal club formats, NEJM Evidence gives readers the opportunity to evaluate trials for themselves, sparking insights around areas of medicine where clinical decisions are often made without sufficient evidence.

"NEJM Evidence will give readers the tools to become sophisticated evaluators of medical evidence," said Jeffrey M. Drazen, M.D., Editor-in-Chief of NEJM Evidence. "This journal will provide a new window into how we evaluate research, fostering conversation among the medical community and transforming the future of collaborative clinical research and practice."

For more information about the journal, visit evidence.nejm.org. Questions about the journal can be directed to [email protected]. Submissions are considered through the NEJM Evidence online submission system at

https://mc05.manuscriptcentral.com/evidence.

About NEJM Group

NEJM Group creates high-quality medical resources for research, learning, practice and professional development designed to meet the demand for essential medical knowledge among academic researchers and teachers, physicians, clinicians, executives and others in medicine and health care. NEJM Group products include the New England Journal of Medicine, NEJM Evidence, NEJM Journal Watch, NEJM Knowledge+, and NEJM Catalyst, NEJM Resident 360, and NEJM Yi Xue Qian Yan. NEJM Group is a division of the Massachusetts Medical Society. For more information visit www.nejmgroup.org.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Annie Farber

Solomon McCown & Cence

(617) 981-2194

[email protected]

SOURCE NEJM Group
TORONTO, Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Neo Lithium Corp. ("Neo Lithium" or the "Company") (TSXV: NLC) (OTCQX: NTTHF) (FSE: NE2) is pleased to announce that its wholly owned subsidiary, LIEX S.A. ("LIEX"), has received a "Declaracion de Impacto Ambiental" (the "DIA") from the Environmental and Mining Authority in Catamarca Province, Argentina. The DIA represents the Environmental and Mining Authority's approval of LIEX's Environmental Impact Assessment (the "EIA") for construction and operation of the mine as set out in the feasibility study for its wholly-owned Tres Quebradas lithium brine project ("3Q Project") announced on October 26, 2021 and described in the technical report filed on November 25, 2021. The DIA is the main environmental approval document required for the construction and operation of mining projects in Catamarca Province.

The issuance of the DIA confirms that the EIA is in compliance with the standards and regulations under the national and provincial mining law and contains customary requirements to maintain the DIA in good standing. As part of the issuance of the DIA, the Company agreed with Catamarca Province to fund an infrastructure trust to be administered for the benefit of the 3Q Project and its impacted areas.

Transaction Update

As announced on October 8, 2021, Zijin Mining Group Co., Ltd. ("Zijin") (SSE: 601899) (SEHK: 2899) and Neo Lithium entered into a definitive arrangement agreement (the "Arrangement Agreement") pursuant to which Zijin agreed to acquire all the outstanding shares of Neo Lithium (the "Transaction") at a price of C$6.50 per share in cash. The Transaction will be completed pursuant to a court approved plan of arrangement under the Business Corporations Act (Ontario).

The issuance of the DIA satisfies one of the final conditions precedent on the part of the Company to fulfill pursuant to the Arrangement Agreement, other than conditions that can only be satisfied at the effective time of the Transaction.

The Transaction was approved by Neo Lithium's shareholders at a special meeting held for that purpose on December 10, 2021, and the Ontario Superior Court of Justice (Commercial List) granted a final order approving the plan of arrangement to implement the Transaction at a hearing held on December 15, 2021. Zijin is in the process of obtaining approval for the Transaction from relevant authorities in the People's Republic of China. Closing of the Transaction would be expected to close soon thereafter.

About Neo Lithium Corp.

The 3Q Project is located in the Province of Catamarca, the largest lithium producing area in Argentina. The project covers approximately 35,000 ha and the salar complex within this area is approximately 16,000 ha.

Additional information regarding Neo Lithium Corp. is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com under the Company's profile and at its website at www.neolithium.ca.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. The TSX Venture Exchange Inc. has in no way approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements - Certain information set forth in this news release may contain forward-looking statements. Such statements include but are not limited to, statements with respect to the expected satisfaction of conditions precedent related to the Transaction, including approval of the Transaction required from the People's Republic of China, the construction and operation of the 3Q Project, and the anticipated closing of the Transaction and the timing therefor. Generally, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects" or "is expected", "scheduled", "estimates" "intends", "anticipates", "believes", or variations of such words and phrases, or statements that certain actions, events or results "can", "may", "could", "would", "should", "might" or "will", occur or be achieved, or the negative connotations thereof. Forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the control of the Company, which could cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from the future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such statements. These risks include, without limitation, the possibility that the Transaction will not be completed on the terms and conditions, or on the timing, currently contemplated, and that it may not be completed at all, due to a failure to obtain or satisfy, in a timely manner or otherwise, required approvals and other conditions of closing necessary to complete the Transaction or for other reasons, the possibility of adverse reactions or changes in business relationships resulting from the announcement or completion of the Transaction, political and regulatory risks associated with mining and exploration activities and operations in Argentina, environmental regulation, and other risks and uncertainties related to the Company's prospects, properties and business detailed elsewhere in the Company's disclosure record, including, but not limited to, the risk factors described in the Company's revised annual information form for the year ended December 31, 2019 available on SEDAR. Although the Company believes its expectations are based upon reasonable assumptions and has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended and undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements.

SOURCE Neo Lithium Corp.
LONDON, LEIPZIG, Germany and SINGAPORE, Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Net Zero Markets, a company dedicated to developing risk management, trading and investment products in the global environmental markets space, has signed agreements with the European Energy Exchange (EEX) and AirCarbon Exchange (ACX) to list the Global Emission Reduction (GER), Net Zero Market's flagship contract  an innovative approach to address the pain points of the Voluntary Carbon Market (VCM).[1] The agreements with EEX  a leading exchange for carbon compliance schemes worldwide  and ACX  a pioneer in the VCM space, headquartered in Singapore  make the GER accessible across multiple time zones to global Voluntary Carbon Market (VCM) participants.

Thanks to the product's innovative design, it will be appropriate for use by offsetters, offset retailers, project developers, investors and the wider trading community. Net Zero Markets believes widespread availability and use is critical to enable the increased liquidity necessary for the VCM to scale, ultimately supporting Net Zero targets.

The GER is built on the foundation of existing standards with appropriate overlays and innovative features that align with a path to Net Zero. The company expects the GER to be progressively listed on the exchanges and commence trading early in 2022.

Louis Redshaw, CEO of Net Zero Markets: "We are delighted to be working with EEX and AirCarbon on the launch of the GER. We have developed this product in conjunction with industry participants and believe its unique and innovative design will achieve the key goals of promoting liquidity and transparency to ensure funding flows to the projects that are needed to meet Net Zero.

While well-meaning companies have bought and retired carbon offsets to play their part towards achieving Net Zero, many more are either confused and put off by the complexity of the market or have found later down the line that their offsets are not as effective as they had been led to believe.

This has created a dynamic where companies and other offsetters need to become experts in the carbon markets to be able to do the right thing. Net Zero Markets firmly believes that this is a prime reason why the VCM has not reached its full potential. Consumers shouldn't need to be experts. If effective offsetting and removal is to happen at scale, buyers need to have confidence and the products need to be simple and transparently priced. The GER is designed to deliver all of these things in line with the recommendations of the Task Force for Scaling the Voluntary Carbon Markets.[2] It is the perfect antidote to further fragmentation of the market."

William Pazos, Managing Director of AirCarbon Exchange: "We are extremely excited to be working with the industry leading team at Net Zero Markets. Their wealth of experience in commoditizing emissions markets, coupled with our position as a leader in bringing commodity infrastructure to the carbon markets, has been instrumental in formulating the GER.

The process of creating the underlying spot GER architecture on ACX has been developed over a full year. We are now poised to deliver to the market a simple and elegant solution to the current pursuit of a core carbon contract. While many are trying to legislate a core contract, the GER creates this by delivering a broad-based solution in one contract."

Tobias Paulun, Chief Strategy Officer of European Energy Exchange: "The voluntary carbon market can play a strategic role to achieve the Paris Agreement, complementing mandatory carbon pricing mechanisms. I am confident the GER represents the innovation that is needed and expected in the Voluntary Carbon Markets.

The GER is planned to be offered alongside our existing products for carbon compliance markets in Europe at EEX but also in North America at Nodal Exchange, thus making them accessible to our global trading community.

An integrated offering for carbon markets, with both Spot and Futures instruments available, is key to bring the necessary liquidity to the market and scale up the VCM. We are excited to build this new market, together with our partners at NZM and ACX, but also with our customers."

[1] Patent pending [2] The TSVCM is now known as the Integrity Council for Voluntary Carbon Markets (ICVCM)

Note to editors: NZM and its partner exchanges will release more details of the GER and how it will operate on exchanges in the coming months.

For more information, please contact Net Zero Markets at [email protected] or visit https://www.netzeromarkets.co.

About Net Zero Markets:

Net Zero Markets is a company dedicated to developing risk management tools, products and contracts in the global environmental space.

The firm's first products are due to be released early in 2022. These products will deliver the level of transparency and commoditisation needed for the carbon markets to flourish, thereby allowing more finance to flow to the projects that are needed to achieve net zero targets.

Combined, the team has over 90 years' experience in the carbon and energy markets. The company's CEO, Louis Redshaw, is one of the founding figures of the global Carbon Markets. In 2006, he created a standard for trading Certified Emission Reduction (CER) carbon offsets that was adopted by all major market participants and the carbon exchanges. This initiative allowed a secondary trading market in CERs to take-off thanks to the establishment of liquidity and price transparency.

Louis has fought hard to protect the integrity of carbon markets, including educating peer financial companies and various authorities including the European Commission, UK Treasury, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) on VAT fraud. Louis has more recently served as an expert witness for the Crown Prosecution Service's criminal prosecutions of fraudsters operating in the voluntary carbon markets, and two civil cases relating to VAT fraud. Louis has served as a Director on the boards of: the International Emissions Trading Association (IETA), the Climate Markets and Investors Association (CMIA) and Tricorona, the 3rd largest carbon project developer.

Louis currently also runs Redshaw Advisors Ltd that was recently voted 2021's best offset retailer and best trading company (Voluntary Carbon Markets) by the readers of Environmental Finance magazine, the sector's leading publication covering sustainable investment and green finance.

Louis is a passionate advocate of emissions trading and has dedicated his career to promoting the efficiency of the carbon markets to achieve not only carbon emissions reductions but also removals. Complementing Louis' deep knowledge and understanding of carbon markets, the Net Zero Markets founding team have a wealth of trading, structuring and legal experience growing products in the industry.

For more information, please contact Net Zero Markets at [email protected] or visit https://www.netzeromarkets.co.

About EEX Group

EEX Group builds secure, successful and sustainable commodity markets worldwide  together with its customers. The group offers trading in power, natural gas, environmental products, freight and agriculturals as well as subsequent clearing and registry services, connecting a network of more than 800 trading participants.

EEX Group consists of European Energy Exchange (EEX), EPEX SPOT, EEX Asia, Power Exchange Central Europe (PXE) and Nodal Exchange as well as the registry provider Grexel Systems and software companies KB Tech and Lacima. Clearing is provided by EEX Group's clearing houses European Commodity Clearing (ECC) and Nodal Clear. EEX Group is based in 19 worldwide locations and is part of Deutsche Borse Group.

EEX Group is a leading exchange group for Environmental Markets operating emissions trading based on the European Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) since 2005 and providing primary auctions in the EU ETS, on behalf of 25 EU Member States. In North America, Nodal Exchange, part of EEX Group, provides the largest portfolio of Environmental products, inter alia, based on the cap-and-trade schemes of California and the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). Moreover, EEX together with New Zealand Exchange (NZX) operates emissions auctions for the New Zealand Emissions Trading System. More information on: https://www.eex-group.com/en/

About AirCarbon Exchange

AirCarbon Exchange ("ACX") is a global exchange revolutionizing the voluntary carbon market. The Exchange's client base comprises corporate entities, financial traders, carbon project developers and other industry stakeholders. ACX provides its clients with an efficient and transparent trading platform which is easy to use, frictionless and with the lowest commission fees available on the market. Its underlying technology will allow the carbon market to scale efficiently to meet global ambitions of Net Zero.

Launched in 2019, the Exchange is a hybrid platform with a traditional central order book architecture that will be familiar to all experienced traders. The Exchange also utilizes the speed and efficiency of the blockchain to achieve atomic T-0 trade execution, clearing and settlement. The Exchange's core matching engine can currently match trades in the order ~10k per second.

As of May 2021, ACX is the world's first carbon negative exchange, having offset its carbon emissions 12 months into the future (to May 2022) through the Onil Stoves Guatemala Uspantan project. ACX is committed to continuing to offset all of its emissions 12 months forward.

For more information or to trade carbon, please reach out to [email protected] or visit https://www.aircarbon.co.

SOURCE AirCarbon Exchange; EEX; Net Zero Markets
GREEN BAY, Wis., Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Carnivore Meat Company, leader in the frozen and freeze-dried raw pet food industry and award-winning manufacturer of popular raw pet food brands Vital Essentials, Vital Cat and Nature's Advantage, announces the acquisition of its fourth facility in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

Carnivore Meat Company continues to grow at a tremendous pace, outgrowing its current manufacturing footprint. The new building boasts 24,000 sq feet of space that will be utilized for finished goods warehousing and will also feature twelve custom-built freeze-dryers. These additional freeze-dryers will increase production capacity by 50% and are expected to be fully operational by July 2022, bringing the company's production facilities up to 35 total freeze-dryers to meet surging consumer demand.

Consumers are increasingly seeking healthier, nutritious freeze-dried pet foods, fueling the company's exceptional three year growth rate of 141% . Pet parents have seen for themselves that simple, natural ingredients are highly beneficial for their pets' health, leading to an increased demand in the United States and internationally for Carnivore Meat Company's popular brands. In line with the core values and mission of Carnivore Meat Company to provide premium pet food, treats and snacks to any pet parent who wants or needs them, the company continues to invest in production capacity to meet the needs of pet parents all across the globe.

"This acquisition has been high on our radar for a number of years. Our commitment and belief in Carnivore's culture were primary drivers in making this a reality. We continuously challenge ourselves to find ways to say 'YES' and we 'make the impossible...possible," states Lanny Viegut, CEO of Carnivore Meat Company. The determination and creativity that exemplifies the culture of Carnivore has been key to the overall success of the organization and is the force behind their bold and strategic decisions, such as the acquisition of this building.



This newest acquisition will allow the company to expand its operations and increase warehousing capacity to better serve its broad customer base, while offering new employment opportunities with Green Bay's fastest growing pet food company. According to Brian Lakari, VP of Manufacturing, Carnivore Meat Company's workforce is projected to increase by 40% from the previous year leading to an immense impact on the local community and Wisconsin's economy.



About Carnivore Meat Company

Carnivore Meat Company is an award-winning manufacturer of premium raw frozen and freeze-dried pet food and treats. Located in Green Bay, Wisconsin, the company's rapidly growing brands include Nature's Advantage , Vital Essentials , VE RAW BAR and Vital Cat , which are distributed to over 6,000 retailers nationwide, in 14 international markets and online to Chewy.com, Amazon, PetFlow.com and others. Long considered a raw pet food pioneer, the company's freeze-dried products division supplies private label, co-packing and ingredients to customers globally. Carnivore Meat Company is family owned and has been recognized for its growth accomplishments and manufacturing excellence with a number of awards in recent years, including Greater Green Bay Chamber Growth Award, Wisconsin Manufacturer of the Year Award, Governor's Export Achievement Award, Greater Green Bay Chamber Manufacturing Award of Distinction and Inc 5000 Fastest Growing Private Companies. www.carnivoremeat.com

Media Contact: Melissa Olson | [email protected] | D: 920-367-4063 | C: 920-615-2460

Carnivore Meat Company LLC., P.O. Box 9227, Green Bay, WI 54308-9227

SOURCE Carnivore Meat Company
"Dean Freudenheim brings to the role a unique, impressive skill set and a passion for legal education," said Board Chairman Albert Balboni. "She is one of a select few law school deans across the country who come from a professional background of legal writing and academic and student support. I am confident that she will continue the school's legacy of preparing students to be successful lawyers while fostering a community of respect and camaraderie among students, staff, faculty, and alumni."

Dean Freudenheim served as co-acting dean of New England Law for the fall 2021 semester and before that was an associate dean beginning in March 2020. She has been a member of the New England Law faculty for more than ten years, teaching legal analysis and academic excellence. She has also taught at Suffolk University Law School, Boston College Law School, and Brandeis University. Dean Freudenheim earned her J.D. from New York University School of Law and her B.A. from Tufts University.

"One's view of a law school changes significantly when shifting to the role of administrator," said Freudenheim. "It is a significant responsibility with nuanced choices to make in the interests of the greater community. As I pass two decades as a legal educator, I notice how our student body has changed in their expectations, and I welcome these changes. The culture at New England Law is unique to any I have experienced, as a student or faculty member. I care about our students and I deeply respect the work of our staff and faculty who make this law school the special place that it is in the minds and hearts of our students and alumni. I am honored and eager to lead this outstanding community as your next dean."

New England Law maintains a long-standing tradition of expanding access to the legal profession with a particular focus on historically-underrepresented groups. Founded in 1908 as Portia Law School, it was the first and only law school established exclusively for the education of women. For decades, most of the women who passed the Massachusetts bar examination were Portia graduates.

To learn more about the school's history visit https://www.nesl.edu/about/history .

ABOUT NEW ENGLAND LAW | BOSTON

New England Law | Boston was founded in 1908 as Portia Law School, the first and only law school established exclusively for the education of women. Today, New England Law offers its co-ed student body flexible, convenient programs that combine rigorous academics, dynamic community, and early access to practical experience, as well as a diverse, global alumni network spanning 29 countries, 50 states, and 99 practice areas. For more information, visit www.nesl.edu.

SOURCE New England Law | Boston
ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- National PTA released findings of a national survey on how parents' mindsets, expectations and concerns around COVID-19 safety guidance and protocols have evolved since their children's return to school.

The surveywhich included 1,427 parents and guardians of children in grades K-12 in public schoolswas conducted November 9-24, 2021, by Edge Research, in partnership with HCM Strategists and supported by the CDC Foundation. This latest survey is a follow-up to a previous survey conducted in August and reported on in September. This most recent survey took place before the emergence of the Omicron variant.

The latest survey findings show:

Almost half of parents (48%) state they have at some point in the 20212022 school year received notice that their child may have been exposed to COVID.

Despite exposure notifications and parent concerns going into this school year, at the time of this survey, more parents felt comfortable having their children attend school in-person than at the beginning of the school year. 70% of parents felt at least somewhat comfortable in November, compared to 61% in August.

Comfort with in-person learning increased across the board with Black, White and Hispanic parents, but the increase was particularly notable among Hispanic parents, with an increase from 53% in August to 68% in this survey.

Parents' preference for full-time in-person learning was 56%, an increase of 6 points from August.

Almost two out of three parents surveyed (66%) said their child is attending school in their preferred way, either full-time in person, hybrid model, or full-time remote/virtual learning.

Parental worries and perceived child anxiety about following safety measures had also decreased since the beginning of the school year.

Caregivers' concern about their child contracting COVID-19 at school remained the top worry, especially among parents of color. 61% of all parents stated they worry a lot or some about their child contracting COVID-19, compared to 75% of Hispanic parents and 66% of black parents.

There were also key findings around mental health, as well as the social and emotional well-being of students:

When asked to compare emotions at the time of this survey to the beginning of the 20212022 school year, pluralities of parents reported both themselves and their child feeling happier, more excited, calmer, and/or safer. Pluralities also say that negative emotions of anxiety, frustration, confusion, sadness, and anger have decreased since the beginning of the school year.

Many parents actively engaged in supporting their child's mental health and look for continued support for their child's social and emotional well-being at home and at school.

The desire for social and emotional support was higher among parents whose schools have shut down at some point during the school year due to COVID-19.

"Teachers and caregivers should feel encouraged by the shift in perspective reported in November's survey," said National PTA President Anna King. "Parents were feeling less anxious about their ability to keep their child safe while in school. Instead, they felt confident about the school's ability to address their child's health, safety, and social and emotional needs. The findings also showed that over half of the parents surveyed were able to identify a new resource that their school developed to address social and emotional concerns. These survey results are an encouraging sign that teachers and school staff will be able to address their families' evolving COVID-19-related concerns and challenges appropriately."

"The pandemic continues to evolve with information changing rapidly. This latest survey from the National PTA was taken at a point in time when parents felt more optimistic about their child's return to the classroom," said Judy Monroe, MD, president and CEO of the CDC Foundation. "Today, it's critical that we take action and get our children, who are eligible, vaccinated and have them practice safe measures at school. Our children are our greatest treasure, and we need to protect them."

"K-12 administrators, teachers, and staff have been working countless hours to overcome prolonged and unprecedented challenges," said Kathleen A. Ethier, PhD, director of CDC's Division of Adolescent and School Health, CDC's lead center for monitoring and addressing school-based health. "These data are reassuring that their tireless efforts are making a difference in many ways, including the mental health of students and their parents."



Students benefit from in-person learning. Schools play a critical role in providing students with health education, helping students feel connectedan important protective factor for youth that can reduce the likelihood of a variety of health risk behaviorsand referring students to mental and physical health services.

CDC recommends all teachers, staff and eligible students be vaccinated as soon as possible. Most children and all teens can get COVID-19 vaccines. CDC recommends everyone ages 5 years and older get a COVID-19 vaccine to help protect against COVID-19, and everyone ages 12 years and older can get a COVID-19 booster shot.



CDC Guidance for COVID-19 Prevention in K-12 Schools is available here.

About the Survey

The online survey was conducted in English and Spanish by Edge Research Nov. 9-24, 2021, from a nationwide sample of 1,427 parents and guardians with children in grades K-12 in public school. The survey included oversamples of Latino/a parents representing a mix of acculturation levels and Black parents. Data were weighted to be representative of public-school parents in the U.S.

This project was supported by the CDC Foundation by way of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and as part of a financial assistance award totaling $447,531 with over 99% funded by CDC/HHS and $2,400, less than 1%, funded by non-government source(s). The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by CDC/HHS or the U.S. Government.

About National PTA

National PTA comprises millions of families, students, teachers, administrators, and business and community leaders devoted to the educational success of children and the promotion of family engagement in schools. PTA is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit association that prides itself on being a powerful voice for all children, a relevant resource for families and communities, and a strong advocate for public education. Membership in PTA is open to anyone who wants to be involved and make a difference for the education, health, and welfare of children and youth. For more information, visit PTA.org.

SOURCE National PTA
JUNO BEACH, Fla., Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NEE) today announced that it plans to report fourth-quarter and full-year 2021 financial results before the opening of the New York Stock Exchange on Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022, in a news release to be posted on the company's website at www.NextEraEnergy.com/FinancialResults. The company will issue an advisory news release over PR Newswire the morning of Jan. 25, with a link to the financial results news release on the company's website. As previously communicated, the company will make available its financial results only on its website.

Jim Robo, chairman and chief executive officer of NextEra Energy, Rebecca Kujawa, executive vice president, finance and chief financial officer of NextEra Energy, and other members of the company's senior management team will discuss the company's fourth-quarter and full-year 2021 financial results during an investor presentation to be webcast live, beginning at 9 a.m. ET on Jan. 25. Results for NextEra Energy Partners, LP (NYSE: NEP) also will be discussed during the same investor presentation.

The listen-only webcast will be available on NextEra Energy's website by accessing the following link: www.NextEraEnergy.com/FinancialResults. The financial results news release and the slides accompanying the presentation may be downloaded at www.NextEraEnergy.com/FinancialResults, beginning at 7:30 a.m. ET on the day of the webcast. A replay will be available for 90 days by accessing the same link as listed above.

NextEra Energy, Inc.

NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NEE) is a leading clean energy company headquartered in Juno Beach, Florida. NextEra Energy owns Florida Power & Light Company, which is the largest vertically integrated rate-regulated electric utility in the United States as measured by retail electricity produced and sold, and serves more than 5.6 million customer accounts, supporting more than 11 million residents across Florida with clean, reliable and affordable electricity. NextEra Energy also owns a competitive clean energy business, NextEra Energy Resources, LLC, which, together with its affiliated entities, is the world's largest generator of renewable energy from the wind and sun and a world leader in battery storage. Through its subsidiaries, NextEra Energy generates clean, emissions-free electricity from seven commercial nuclear power units in Florida, New Hampshire and Wisconsin. A Fortune 200 company, NextEra Energy has been recognized often by third parties for its efforts in sustainability, corporate responsibility, ethics and compliance, and diversity. NextEra Energy is ranked No. 1 in the electric and gas utilities industry on Fortune's 2021 list of "World's Most Admired Companies," recognized on Fortune's 2021 list of companies that "Change the World" and received the S&P Global Platts 2020 Energy Transition Award for leadership in environmental, social and governance. For more information about NextEra Energy companies, visit these websites: www.NextEraEnergy.com , www.FPL.com , www.NextEraEnergyResources.com .

SOURCE NextEra Energy, Inc.
COMMERCE, Mich., Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Nuspire, a leading managed security services provider (MSSP), announced today that it has been named the Best and Brightest Companies to Work For In the Nation, and in Denver and Detroit for 2021 by the National Association for Business Resources.

The Best and Brightest Companies to Work For In The Nation releases the results of the spring, summer, fall and winter applications. The fall Best and Brightest National winners honored 167 winning organizations from across the country out of 1,500 nominations. This year is the sixth year Nuspire has been named a Best and Brightest winner in the nation, the first year to be recognized as a Denver winner and the ninth year as a Metro Detroit winner.

"One of our biggest priorities at Nuspire is creating and maintaining a culture where our team feels appreciated, empowered and challenged with exciting opportunities on a daily basis," said Lewie Dunsworth, Nuspire CEO. "I am honored and proud of our company being part of an exclusive group of businesses in Denver, Michigan and across our Nation that believe employee engagement and satisfaction is a critical part of business success."

The Best and Brightest Companies to Work for Program identifies and honors companies from across the nation based on their compensation, benefits and employee solutions; employee enrichment, engagement and retention; employee education and development; recruitment, selection and orientation; employee achievement and recognition; communication and shared vision; diversity and inclusion; work-life balance; community initiatives; and strategic company performance. Winners of the competition deliver exceptional human resource practices and have a remarkable commitment to their employees.

"The Best and Brightest is a powerful community of elite leaders who share ideas and practices, and have proven they are employers of choice. Best and Brightest winning companies have also been a voice for important actions in creating a sustainable culture that works, ensuring the wellbeing of their employees come first," said Jennifer Kluge, President and CEO, Best and Brightest Programs.

To view current job opportunities and to become part of an exciting work environment at Nuspire, please visit the https://www.nuspire.com/careers or https://www.linkedin.com/company/nuspire/jobs.

About Nuspire

Nuspire is a leading managed security services provider (MSSP) that is revolutionizing the cybersecurity experience by taking an optimistic and people first approach. Our deep bench of cybersecurity experts, world-class threat intelligence and 247 security operations centers (SOCs) detect, respond and remediate advanced cyber threats. We offer comprehensive services that combine award-winning threat detection with superior response capabilities to provide end-to-end protection across the gateway, network and endpoint ecosystem. Our client base spans thousands of enterprises of all sizes, across multiple industries, and achieves the greatest risk reduction per cyber-dollar spent. At Nuspire, we are laser-focused on delivering an extraordinary cybersecurity experience that exceeds client expectations. For more information, visit www.nuspire.com and follow @NuspireNetworks.

About the Best and Brightest Programs

The Best and Brightest Companies to Work For competition identifies and honors organizations that display a commitment to excellence in operations and employee enrichment that lead to increased productivity and financial performance. This competition scores potential winners based on regional data of company performance and a set standard across the nation. This national program celebrates those companies that are making better business, creating richer lives and building a stronger community as a whole. There are numerous regional celebrations throughout the country such as Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Grand Rapids, Houston, Milwaukee, San Diego and San Francisco. Nominations are now being accepted for all programs. Visit thebestandbrightest.com for more information.

SOURCE Nuspire
NORTH BILLERICA, Mass., Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Curriculum Associates has named Valerie Hitchings of Ridgedale Elementary School in Morral, OH and Brianna Lugibihl of Liberty Arts Magnet School in Lima, OH to its 2022 class of Extraordinary Educators, an annual program that celebrates and connects exemplar K8 teachers from around the country. Chosen from hundreds of nominations, Hitchings and Lugibihl are among 35 educators from 19 states selected for exhibiting best-in-class use of i-Ready, i-Ready Classroom Mathematics, and/or Ready, illustrating growth and achievement via formal assessments, demonstrating innovation and engagement practices for students, being evangelists for high standards and student achievement, and having taught for at least two years.

"With almost 500 years of teaching experience combined, this year's 35 Extraordinary Educators are all innovative and dedicated classroom leaders whose impact does not go unnoticed," said Rob Waldron, CEO of Curriculum Associates. "We commend Valerie and Brianna for their best practices in the classroom day in and day out and look forward to supporting them with unique professional learning opportunities to help further support the amazing work they do."

This year's class of Extraordinary Educators will have access to a network of peers from around the country to collaborate, connect, and learn from throughout the year, as well as access to professional development opportunities from Curriculum Associates. They will also be invited to participate and present at the Extraordinary Educators Leadership Summit as well as other professional learning events.

This is the third year of the Extraordinary Educators program. This year's class joins 75 additional educators from across the country in receiving this recognition.

"I was pleasantly surprised when I found out I was named an Extraordinary Educator by Curriculum Associates," said Hitchings. "And, I am so excited to learn from other educators from around the country. My district is new to i-Ready, and I look forward to learning all the tips and tricks from more experienced educators. I am interested to hear others' experiences and perspectives. As an educator, I am always excited to learn, improve, and grow!"

"I am ecstatic to be named a 2022 Extraordinary Educator and be given to the opportunity to network with other teachers while enhancing my utilization of i-Ready programs and their success in our classrooms," said Lugibihl. "I look forward to collaborating with Curriculum Associates and its circle of colleagues in regard to the best trauma-informed and resilient practices and resources to meet the needs of our exceptional, diverse learners. I hope this unique program gives the opportunity to provide essential ongoing feedback about how these products can grow and address the continuing changes in the lives of our students, staff, and communities!"

Today, Curriculum Associates' programs are used in almost half of Ohio's school districts.

To learn more about Curriculum Associates and the 2022 Extraordinary Educators, visit CurriculumAssociates.com/Extraordinary-Educators/Classes.

About Curriculum Associates

Founded in 1969, Curriculum Associates, LLC designs research-based print and online instructional materials, screens and assessments, and data management tools. The company's products and outstanding customer service provide teachers and administrators with the resources necessary for teaching diverse student populations and fostering learning for all students.

Contact: Kati Elliott Charlotte Fixler

KEH Communications Curriculum Associates

(410) 975-9638 (978) 901-6066

[email protected] [email protected]

SOURCE Curriculum Associates, LLC
TYSONS, Va., Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Omnispace, the company that is redefining mobile communications by building a global hybrid network, today announced the expansion of its commercial team. Mahantesh Patil, Carmen Gonzalez, Shahrokh Khanzadeh Amiri, and Ramesh Pattanshetti will play a key role in building strategic partnerships as the company prepares to deliver the world's first global 5G hybrid mobile network.

"We are pleased to welcome Mahantesh, Carmen, Shahrokh, and Ramesh to Omnispace," said Ram Viswanathan, president and CEO. "We are adding four seasoned business development and sales professionals ready to grow our footprint across key regional markets. They will be instrumental in executing across industries that are shaping applications requiring global real-time connectivity, such as IoT, connected vehicles, smart infrastructure, agriculture, and more. We are fortunate to have their business and technical expertise as we engage with partners to deliver satellite-based 5G services to compatible devices, everywhere."

Omnispace will be the first to enable the transformative power of 5G through a single worldwide network direct-to-devices. The network will empower mobile network operators and value added resellers to fuel innovation, power industries, and connect billions of users.

The new team members are:

Mahantesh Patil, will lead business development in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) and Africa regions and will focus on partnerships with mobile operators and IoT providers. He brings more than 20 years of experience in accelerating enterprise opportunities for telecom operators, across Asia and India to Omnispace. Having worked in senior leadership roles at leading satellite and mobile telecom companies, such as Skylo , Sandvine and Astellia (now part of Exfo), his expertise includes developing and growing relationships with enterprise, regulatory and government sector satellite, telecom and internet of things (IoT) providers.

will lead business development in the (APAC) and regions and will focus on partnerships with mobile operators and IoT providers. He brings more than 20 years of experience in accelerating enterprise opportunities for telecom operators, across and to Omnispace. Having worked in senior leadership roles at leading satellite and mobile telecom companies, such as Skylo , Sandvine and Astellia (now part of Exfo), his expertise includes developing and growing relationships with enterprise, regulatory and government sector satellite, telecom and internet of things (IoT) providers. Carmen Gonzalez-Sanfeliu will lead business development in the Americas and Europe and will focus on partnerships with mobile operators and other distribution channels. She brings more than 30 years of international telecom and satellite industry experience supporting business opportunities and alliances with telecom regulatory entities to Omnispace. Her experience includes building global and regional business relationships and alliances with telecom and public sector organizations, governmental and NGO institutions for companies such as ABS Global, Intelsat and PanAmSat.

Shahrokh Khanzadeh Amiri will lead business development in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and will focus on partnerships with distribution channels. He has more than 25 years of expertise successfully leading regional sales, marketing and business development teams with strategic partners. He has worked for some of the world's top media, networks, multinational corporations, including Intelsat, PanAmSat and Telenor.



Ramesh Pattanshetti , will focus on customer solutions engineering and technical sales for Omnispace's 5G connectivity solutions. He brings more than two decades of experience in telecommunications, along with satellite based 3GPP network development and deployment to Omnispace. Previously, at Skylo Technologies, Maxis Group and Norconsult Telematics, he garnered extensive hands-on experience in the wireless communications and IoT fields, and has led diverse global teams to execute business telecom market business strategies.

"Omnispace continues to build a world-class team with these new commercial hires, along with the recent enhancements to our Regulatory department. We look forward to accelerating our activities as we execute our vision of creating the worlds first space-based 5G network," said Viswanathan.

The Omnispace 5G NTN network will utilize the 3GPP standard, backed by the leading global telecommunications and manufacturers, to ensure the security and seamless interoperability with any compatible device. The Omnispace network will utilize the company's existing 2 GHz priority spectrum rights, seamlessly integrating satellite and terrestrial into a single network.

About Omnispace, LLC

Headquartered in the Washington D.C. area, and founded by veteran telecommunications and satellite industry executives, Omnispace is redefining mobile connectivity for the 21st century. By leveraging 5G technologies, the company is combining the global footprint of a non-geostationary satellite constellation with the mobile networks of the world's leading telecom companies to bring an interoperable "One Global Network" connectivity to users and IoT devices worldwide.

Learn more at: Omnispace.com and follow on LinkedIn or Twitter @omnispace

Media Contact:

Marie Knowles

[email protected]

SOURCE Omnispace
UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) released on Tuesday a 1.9-billion-U.S.-dollar Sudan Humanitarian Response Plan for 2022.

More than 800 million U.S. dollars will go to life-saving activities for some of the 10.9 million vulnerable people targeted out of the 14.3 million people across Sudan in need of humanitarian assistance, the office said. It's estimated that half of the highly vulnerable are in the western Darfur, with others in need living in the capital of Khartoum and South Kordofan.

"Sudan is experiencing increasing humanitarian needs largely driven by the economic recession that started in 2018, acute food insecurity, conflict, large-scale displacement, natural hazards, such as floods, as well as reduced social service delivery and capacity to respond to disease outbreaks, including COVID-19," OCHA said.

The plan covering many relief sectors includes essential health services, prevention and treatment of water-borne and vector-borne diseases and access to education, livelihoods, and water and sanitation, the office said.

The increasing magnitude of severity and the levels of deprivation faced by vulnerable people requires urgent early and flexible humanitarian funding, OCHA said.

Last year, aid workers said they reached over 8.1 million people with assistance in Sudan. 
PARIS and BOSTON, Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Opendatasoft (ODS), the European leader in data democratization platforms, today announced the successful completion of a $25 million funding round led by Demeter (through its Paris Fonds Vert fund) and involving its existing investors, including the Banque des Territoires, and two other new backers, ODYSSEE Ventures and Eiffel Investment Group.

The new funding will enable Opendatasoft to scale its operations, accelerating international and vertical market expansion to meet growing demand for its solutions. This will include strengthening its presence in North America by expanding its existing Boston office, as well as boosting activities in Australia and across Europe, including entering new vertical markets, such as retail, services and healthcare.

In an increasingly digital world, data is becoming central to both businesses and society, but is too often only available in formats that require expert knowledge to access and understand. Opendatasoft's powerful technology overcomes this challenge, democratizing data by making it simple for everyone to share and access information, empowering them to reuse it through powerful, relevant data experiences.

This enables organizations to exploit the full potential of data to improve their operations, create new sources of income, build relationships of trust with their stakeholders and respond to the economic, societal and environmental challenges facing them.

Over the past ten years Opendatasoft has worked with public and private sector organizations, including Bloomberg, Michelin, Schneider Electric, the European Investment Bank and the cities of Vancouver, Paris, Brussels, Eindhoven and Bristol, helping its customers launch over 2,000 projects that create real value from their previously under-used data.

"We believe that the role of data is fundamentally changing, both within organizations and across society as a whole, and that it is becoming everyone's business. Thanks to Opendatasoft's platform, we can all become data people: women and men who consume and use data effortlessly through our channels of choice to enrich our knowledge and lives on a daily basis, just as we do now with other content and information," explains Jean-Marc Lazard, CEO and co-founder of Opendatasoft.

"We are very happy to support Opendatasoft and its founders as they expand their operations and grow internationally. We are convinced that sharing data effectively with large audiences for economic, environmental and transparency purposes will play a major role in the growth and success of businesses and in the efficiency of public authorities. Through this investment by our Paris Fonds Vert fund, Demeter will contribute its expertise and network to help create a world leader that supports the energy and environmental transition," said Jean-Charles Scatena, Partner, Demeter.

Legal adviser: Ava Avocats

Financial adviser: Avolta Partners

About Opendatasoft

Opendatasoft is the European leader in the democratization of data. It provides an all-in-one SaaS platform that allows all teams to quickly create compelling digital experiences with their data and share them across their internal and external ecosystems. This allows customers to accelerate digital transformation and development, positively transform their operations and establish more transparent relationships with their stakeholders.

More than 300 organizations around the world have adopted Opendatasoft's platform. They include large enterprises such as Schneider Electric, Groupe BPCE, SFR, Veolia, Enedis and Saint-Gobain, government departments and major cities such as Paris, Vancouver, Lille, Bristol, Namur and Eindhoven. Find out more at www.opendatasoft.com

About Demeter Investment Managers



Demeter IM is a major European private equity player for the energy and ecological transition. Its funds invest between 1 and 30 million to support companies in the sector at all stages of their development: innovative start-ups, fast-growing SMEs and midcaps and infrastructure projects. The Demeter IM team has 37 people based in Paris, Lyon, Bordeaux, Grenoble, Metz, Madrid and Dusseldorf, manages 1 billion euros and has made 180+ investments since 2005. Paris Fonds Vert is a growth capital fund with territorial impact created at the initiative of the City of Paris to accelerate the energy and ecological transition of large metropolises.

SOURCE Opendatasoft
SEATTLE, Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Two-thirds of sales leaders report that it's important for their teams to represent the world around them, according to a new study from Forrester Consulting, commissioned by Outreach, the fastest-growing engagement and intelligence platform provider. During a time of digital and cultural transformation in sales, the study identifies the three areas of focus for sales leaders in 2022: DEI, investing in upskilling sales talent, and improving forecasting.

The study, " B2B Leaders Usher In A New Era of Sales ," surveyed 212 sales leaders who represent more than 20 industries at companies with headquarters in the UK and North America.

"The findings of this study confirmed what we at Outreach have known for some time - the sales industry is on the precipice of a permanent shift to digital sales," said Manny Medina, CEO and co-founder of Outreach. "As such, revenue leaders must craft agile strategies, prioritize DEI, double down on training, embrace new technologies and be prepared to adapt at a moment's notice."

Key Study Findings

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) is a necessary aspect to succeed in the sales world. Sellers are often the first point of contact for an organization; as such, 67% of respondents say that it's important for their teams to represent the world around them, or they risk losing revenue and talent. Sixty-nine percent of respondents report that buyers ask about their stance on social justice. Almost half (46%) believe this requirement will increase in importance for buyers over the next two years. And it's not just sales teams - 82% of sales leaders expect their CEO to take a stand on social issues. Sales leaders are investing in upskilling talent. In response to the need to layer enhanced skills on top of traditional methods to buy and sell in this hyper-hybrid world, sales leaders at organizations have reportedly invested or plan to invest in internal sales training for their managers (85%) and sales reps (89%). Sales leaders believe that for sales managers, the ability to consume, analyze, and act on data is the most important skill. However, only 30% of respondents say their managers have mastered this skill, and 17% of their managers don't have this skill at all. In addition to training programs, leaders need an engagement and intelligence platform that aggregates progress and activities so they can see what is working and what is not, and scale successes across all reps. Forecasting is ineffective and inefficient at many organizations. Sales managers spend too much time crunching numbers, instead of interacting with prospects and customers and closing deals. Seventy-three percent of respondents say members of their sales teams spend over 10 hours a week on forecasting; and 12% spend over 20 hours a week on forecasting. And they're not always accurate - only 43% of respondents are forecasting within 10% accuracy. Sixty percent of respondents said they don't have a well-defined or a scientific approach to forecasting, which leads to inaccurate "calls" and wasted time across sales, operations, and finance organizations. Teams need a platform that can provide a single snapshot of their revenue stream so they can focus on higher impact opportunities for the business, rather than defending their projections.

"Between the ongoing pandemic, Great Resignation, global economic uncertainty, and evolving buyer and employee priorities, this past year has been fraught with new challenges. Sales leaders have been forced to reimagine their talent, tech, and go-to-market strategies," said Mary Shea, Global Innovation Evangelist at Outreach. "This study not only confirms what sales leaders have been facing, but also provides recommendations to help them embrace change and adapt to the new digital-first era."

Additional Information

B2B Leaders Usher In A New Era of Sales is available to download here .

. To learn more about Outreach, please visit the website .

About Outreach

Outreach is the largest and fastest-growing sales engagement and intelligence platform provider. The company helps its customers dramatically increase productivity and drive smarter, more insightful interactions with their customers. Outreach is the only solution provider to integrate sales engagement, conversation intelligence, and revenue intelligence into one platform. The only sales engagement and intelligence platform to make the Forbes Cloud 100, Outreach is also the fastest-growing vendor in the category on the Deloitte Technology Fast 500. More than 5,000 companies such as Adobe, Tableau, Okta, Splunk, DocuSign, and SAP depend on Outreach's enterprise-scale, unparalleled customer adoption, and robust AI-powered innovation. Outreach is a privately held company based in Seattle, Washington. To learn more, please visit www.outreach.io.

PR Contact:

Amanda Woolley

[email protected]

SOURCE Outreach
KNOXVILLE, Tenn., Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- As 2022 is now underway, PetWellClinic, an innovative, walk-in pet wellness franchise, has announced they currently have 111 units in development. As one of the most convenient and affordable veterinary care providers on the market, PetWellClinic has its sights set on system-wide growth and new market expansion in the New Year, offering easier access to preventative care for pet owners and their beloved household animals.

In 2021, PetWellClinic opened three new locations: Arvada, CO; Union, NJ and Scott Township, PA. The franchise just opened their new Pembroke Pines, FL location on January 5 and will open their new Leetsdale, PA location on January 15; bringing the franchise total to ten clinics nationwide. These milestones effectively showcase the value that consumers are placing on services offered by PetWellClinic and the confidence investors have in the growing popularity behind the brand's founding mission.

"Providing consumers with easily accessible pet care that doesn't break the bank is our ethos, and it is largely responsible for the success that the PetWellClinic franchise has enjoyed over the past few years," says Dr. Sam Meisler, DVM, founder and CEO of PetWellClinic. "Those defining characteristics have attracted more attention than ever over the course of 2021 because more pet owners are looking for quality, affordable care amid widespread economic uncertainty. Our clinics provide this option for pets and owners without cutting corners."

Much of 2021 was spent expanding the market reach of the PetWellClinic brand, establishing a greater presence for the franchise with new signed agreements. PetWellClinic signed its second largest market deal to date with a 16-unit signing in Phoenix, AZ. Additional agreements include plans for expansion in California, Louisiana, New Hampshire, New York and D.C.

PetWellClinic locations are designed for complete transparency and openness, so clients can see everything that is happening from the front of the clinic to the back. Through their innovative business model, the PetWellClinic team hopes to further brand awareness and push the pet wellness industry to rethink how they function, shifting their focus to a client-first orientation and changing commonly held practices for the better.

The PetWellClinic model is also a practical option for veterinarians and veterinary technicians looking for a new career with a sustainable workload. The clinics offer 8-hour work days and simplified primary care services, meaning no more overnight or double-shifts and no more complex procedures with a workload veterinarians may take home with them. Each PetWellClinic location also utilizes a proven veterinary software program created by Dr. Meisler to run seamlessly and maximize efficiency.

For more information about PetWellClinic franchise opportunities, please visit www.petwellfranchise.com or contact Joe Sexton at [email protected]. PetWellClinic has partnered with Oakscale, to lead franchise development efforts for the brand. For more information about Oakscale, please visit www.oakscale.com.

ABOUT PETWELLCLINIC

PetWellClinic is a walk-in veterinary clinic, providing excellent preventative, wellness and sick care for dogs and cats on an on-demand basis. There is no need for an appointment because PetWellClinic's technology, design, and operational systems provide customers with a modern-day experience in an antiquated industry. PetWellClinic recently began franchising after the success of its company-owned operations in Knoxville, Tennessee, and has over 100 units in development since August of 2020.

SOURCE PetWellClinic
SAN DIEGO, Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Phanes Therapeutics, Inc. (Phanes), an emerging leader in innovative discovery research in immuno-oncology announced today that it has appointed Mr. Paul Chu, MBA, as Vice President of Business Development.

"We welcome Paul to the Phanes family and are delighted to appoint a professional of his caliber as Vice President of Business Development," said Dr. Ming Wang, Founder and CEO. "We have built a strong pipeline in immuno-oncology by leveraging our proprietary technology platforms and expect to file 3 INDs in 2022, including one best-in-class monoclonal antibody (mAb) program and two first-in-class bispecific antibody programs. We look forward to benefitting from Paul's extensive experience and network in Oncology as we enter 2022 which we expect to be a transformational year for Phanes."

Mr. Chu has extensive experience in pharma and biotech licensing, collaborations, acquisitions, and strategy. He has held senior leadership roles in both small biotech companies and large multi-national corporations and has closed deals valued at over $6 billion with a portfolio that spans across oncology, eyecare, neuroscience, and medical aesthetics. Prior to joining Phanes, Mr. Chu was Vice President of Business Development at HUYABIO International where he in-licensed two oncology assets for development in solid tumors. Prior to HUYABIO, Mr. Chu held similar roles at AiViva BioPharma and UroGen Pharma and earlier in his career was Director of Business Development at Allergan, Inc. where he spearheaded multiple M&A transactions.

Mr. Chu holds an MBA from the University of Southern California's Marshall School of Business and a BA in Finance and Business Administration from California State University, Fullerton.

About Phanes Therapeutics

Phanes Therapeutics, Inc. is a biotech company focused on innovative drug discovery in immuno-oncology. Based in San Diego, California, the company's management team members previously held senior managerial and R&D positions in leading global pharmaceutical and biotech companies with extensive experience in R&D and commercialization. The company's bispecific antibody platform is PACbody, a proprietary approach for constructing native IgG-like bispecific antibodies without using protein engineering so that the antibody molecules maintain native structures with superb CMC characteristics, ATACCbody, a proprietary technology for targeting solid tumors using immuno-oncology molecules with minimal risk of cytokine release syndrome, and SPECpair, which allows mAb-like manufacturability of bispecific antibodies with native IgG-like structures. For more information, please visit www.phanesthera.com.

SOURCE Phanes Therapeutics

Related Links

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HAMPTON, N.H., Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Planet Fitness, Inc. (NYSE: PLNT), one of the largest and fastest-growing franchisors and operators of fitness centers with more members than any other fitness brand, announced today it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Sunshine Fitness Growth Holdings, LLC ("Sunshine Fitness"), a leading owner and operator of more than 100 Planet Fitness clubs in the Southeast United States in a cash and stock transaction valued at $800 million.

Under the terms of the agreement, Planet Fitness is expected to fund the cash portion of the purchase price through the proceeds from a new series of securitized notes issued under their existing securitization financing facility and from available cash on hand. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2022, and, based on historical and anticipated financial results of the Sunshine Fitness locations, is expected to be accretive to Planet Fitness' Adjusted Net Income per diluted share in the low double-digit percent range in 2022. The Company expects to contribute the acquired stores and their related profitability to its wholly-owned securitization subsidiaries, consistent with its existing company-owned stores. In connection with the securitization debt financing, Planet Fitness also expects to refinance its Series 2018-1 Class A-2-I Notes, which as of September 30, 2021, had a principal balance of approximately $558 million. The acquisition and debt financing is expected to result in a slightly lower debt-to-Adjusted EBITDA ratio on a pro-forma consolidated basis.

Sunshine Fitness was the first franchisee in the Planet Fitness system and has been backed by TSG Consumer Partners ("TSG") since 2017. Sunshine Fitness operates 114 locations in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina that will be combined into the current Planet Fitness company-owned portfolio, which is predominantly located in the Northeast. Upon closing of the transaction, Shane McGuiness, Co-Founder and CEO of Sunshine Fitness, who has been an owner and operator in the Planet Fitness system for nearly 20 years, will oversee operations of the combined corporate store portfolio.

"We are excited to announce the acquisition of Sunshine Fitness, one of our best-performing franchisees in the system, with locations that will provide geographic diversity to our current corporate store portfolio and that are in markets with a long runway for future store development," said Chris Rondeau, Chief Executive Officer of Planet Fitness. "Owning corporate stores is an important part of our strategy, as it gives us both relevancy and credibility when making decisions that impact the entire system. Additionally, joining our corporate team is a management team that has built some of the highest store-level profit generating locations in our system which will enhance our corporate store leadership and capabilities."

Rondeau continued, "Following this purchase, we will own more than 200 corporate stores, or approximately 10 percent of our total system, allowing us to retain our asset-light business model which is an important part of our shareholder value proposition."

"Partnering with TSG has been an incredible experience. Their support for our business and growth never wavered and it has led to this next exciting moment in our evolution as an organization," said Shane McGuiness, CEO of Sunshine Fitness. "We look forward to joining the Planet Fitness corporate team and being a part of the brand's next chapter, working with Chris and the broader team to drive continued success in the company-owned stores."

Michael Layman, Managing Director at TSG, commented, "My partner, Pierre LeComte, and I have a deep understanding of, and respect for, Planet Fitness and its management team through our long investment and ownership history in both Planet Fitness and, subsequently, Sunshine Fitness. We are pleased that through this transaction we will once again be a shareholder in Planet Fitness and believe it is well positioned to take advantage of the significant opportunities for growth in the years ahead."

TSG's involvement with the Planet Fitness brand dates back to November of 2012 when TSG acquired a majority stake in Planet Fitness. For nearly five years, TSG and Planet Fitness worked together to develop the Planet Fitness brand and improve the support and value proposition for both members and franchisees. In August of 2015, Planet Fitness began trading publicly on the New York Stock Exchange. After a successful partnership, TSG fully exited its investment in PLNT as of May of 2017. In December of 2017, TSG acquired a majority stake in Sunshine Fitness.

Planet Fitness 2021 Preliminary Key Year-End Metrics

Planet Fitness ended fiscal year 2021 with 15.2 million members, an increase of 1.7 million members over the past 12 months. In 2021, 132 new stores were opened, and the company ended the year with 2,254 stores worldwide. Currently, 98 percent of Planet Fitness' stores are open including 100 percent of domestic locations.

"We exceeded our expectations for both member and new store growth in 2021. The silver lining of the pandemic is that it opened people's eyes to the importance of fitness and overall health, and we're seeing members who are visiting our stores are visiting more frequently than in the past, demonstrating their commitment to improving their health," said Rondeau. "There is tremendous long-term untapped opportunity for our brand to get people off the couch, which is why, as a leader in the fitness industry, we are making this strategic investment for the future."

About Planet Fitness

Founded in 1992 in Dover, NH, Planet Fitness is one of the largest and fastest-growing franchisors and operators of fitness centers in the United States by number of members and locations. As of December 31, 2021, Planet Fitness had 15.2 million members and 2,254 stores in 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Canada, Panama, Mexico and Australia. The Company's mission is to enhance people's lives by providing a high-quality fitness experience in a welcoming, non-intimidating environment, which we call the Judgement Free Zone. More than 90% of Planet Fitness stores are owned and operated by independent business men and women.

About Sunshine Fitness Holdings LLC

Opening its first location in 2003 in Altamonte Springs, Florida, Sunshine Fitness is the very first Planet Fitness franchisee and is now one of the largest operators within the Planet Fitness brand. Started by longtime best friends, Shane McGuiness and Eric Dore, Sunshine Fitness now operates 114 locations. Today, Sunshine fitness still holds true to the original mission of enhancing people's lives by providing a high-quality experience in a welcoming, non-intimidating environment known as the Judgement Free Zone.

About TSG Consumer Partners

TSG Consumer Partners, LP is a leading private equity firm that partners with founders and management teams to build and accelerate growth for best-in-class consumer-facing businesses. Since its founding in 1986, TSG has been an active investor in the consumer industry. Representative past and present partner companies include Backcountry, Canyon Bicycles, Duckhorn, Dutch Bros, e.l.f. Cosmetics, IT Cosmetics, Joe Hudson's Collision Centers, Mavis Tires, Planet Fitness, popchips, Power Stop, REVOLVE, Revolut, Robinhood, Smashbox, Stumptown, and vitaminwater. For more information, including a complete list of TSG's current partner companies, visit tsgconsumer.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the federal securities laws, which involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements include the Company's statements with respect to the acquisition of Sunshine Fitness and potential benefits therefrom, as well as other statements, estimates and projections that do not relate solely to historical facts. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as "believe," "expect," "goal," plan," "will," "prospects," "future," "strategy" and similar references to future periods, although not all forward-looking statements include these identifying words. Forward-looking statements are not assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based only on the Company's current beliefs, expectations and assumptions regarding the future of the business, future plans and strategies, projections, anticipated events and trends, the economy and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of the Company's control. Actual results and financial condition may differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements.

The Company's acquisition of Sunshine Fitness is subject to closing conditions, including conditions relating to the financing of the acquisition and consents from third parties. Important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially include risk that the parties may be unable to satisfy the conditions to closing the acquisition of Sunshine Fitness timely or at all, risk that the Sunshine Fitness management team may not continue their association with the Company for the timeline we expect or at all, risks of liabilities relating to the acquisition, risks that the financing may not be consummated on the terms or timeline we expect or at all, risk that the Company may not achieve the benefits it expects from the transaction, risks and uncertainties associated with the duration and impact of COVID-19, which has resulted and may continue to result in store closures and a decrease in our net membership base and may give rise to or heighten one or more of the other risks and uncertainties described herein, competition in the fitness industry, the Company's and franchisees' ability to attract and retain members, the Company's and franchisees' ability to identify and secure suitable sites for new franchise stores, changes in consumer demand, changes in equipment costs, the Company's ability to expand into new markets domestically and internationally, operating costs for the Company and franchisees generally, availability and cost of capital for franchisees, acquisition activity, developments and changes in laws and regulations, our substantial increased indebtedness as a result of our refinancing and securitization transactions and our ability to incur additional indebtedness or refinance that indebtedness in the future, our future financial performance and our ability to pay principal and interest on our indebtedness, our corporate structure and tax receivable agreements, failures, interruptions or security breaches of the Company's information systems or technology, general economic conditions and the other factors described in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, and the Company's other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In light of the significant risks and uncertainties inherent in forward-looking statements, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which reflect the Company's views only as of the date of this press release. Except as required by law, neither the Company nor any of its affiliates or representatives undertake any obligation to provide additional information or to correct or update any information set forth in this release, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

SOURCE Planet Fitness, Inc.
SINGAPORE, Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Azentio Software ("Azentio"), a Singapore-headquartered technology firm owned by funds advised by Apax Partners , today announced that iMAL R14.5, the latest version of the company's Islamic core banking platform, has successfully completed the annual certification review for the year 2022 by the Accounting and Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions (AAOIFI), the world's leading Islamic finance standard-setting body.

This certification is a tangible proof of Azentio adhering to existing and newly issued AAOIFI Shari'ah and Financial Accounting Standards for the recently acquired iMAL R14.5 by Azentio.

"AAOIFI is here to protect the integrity of the global Islamic finance industry through the means of standardization of best practices in the areas of Shari'ah, accounting, auditing, governance, and ethics. We are pleased to complete the review of the version 14.5 of iMAL for the year 2022 to ensure its compliance with AAOIFI's Shari'ah and Financial Accounting Standards," commented Omar Mustafa Ansari, Secretary General, AAOIFI. "By following and implementing AAOIFI standards in the right manner, we believe iMAL is mitigating Shari'ah non-compliance risks. Our continued collaboration is a testament to Azentio's ongoing commitment of following best practices not only for itself but also for its clients which are the world's leading Islamic financial institutions," Ansari concluded.

Mohammed Kateeb, Global Head of Islamic Banking and President of Middle East & Africa at Azentio, said, "For our core banking platform iMAL new version to be certified by AAOIFI, reflects our ongoing commitment to creating a truly differentiated value proposition. The latest advancement in financial technology has posed unprecedented challenges for incumbent Islamic banks to remain competitive. We are combining advanced technologies with deep knowledge of Islamic finance and embedding this into our new platform to help our clients transform, accelerate innovation, and achieve operational efficiency, while providing Shari'ah compliance assurance to the Islamic financial services ecosystem. We ensure a compliance mindset in our design and development efforts, and continuously challenge ourselves to provide a unique platform that meets or exceeds the needs and expectations of our clients, always complying with the AAOIFI and Shari'ah rules."

Azentio Software provides mission critical, vertical-specific software products for clients in banking, financial services and insurance verticals. The company has over 800 clients in more than 60 countries with a team of over 2,000 employees across offices in 9 countries globally.

SOURCE Azentio Software Pvt Ltd
CLARK, N.J., Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- GEP, a leading provider of procurement software and services to Fortune 500 and Global 2000 enterprises worldwide, announced today that Radisson Hotel Group Americas, one of the world's leading hospitality companies, has selected GEP SOFTWARE, the industry's premier procurement and supply chain software platform, following a competitive review.

Radisson Hotel Group Americas represents Radisson Hotel brands in the United States, Canada, Latin America and the Caribbean. It will be using GEP SOFTWARE to transform its entire source-to-contract process, encompassing sourcing, contract management and supplier management to build closer relationships with suppliers and drive greater value to all stakeholders.

GEP SOFTWARE encompasses GEP SMART, recently named the world's best procurement software for the second year in a row, and GEP NEXXE, the next-generation cloud-native supply chain unified platform. It enables Fortune 500 and Global 2000 clients to drive optimum efficiency, agility, visibility and actionable intelligence into all procurement, purchasing and supply chain functions while eliminating burdensome infrastructure and support costs to achieve maximum ROI.

About GEP SOFTWARE

GEP SOFTWARE provides award-winning digital procurement and supply chain platforms that help global enterprises become more agile, resilient, competitive and profitable.

With beautifully rendered interfaces and flexible workflows, GEP provides users fresh, intuitive digital workspaces that yield extraordinary levels of user adoption and meaningful gains in team and personal productivity.

GEP products capitalize on machine learning and cognitive computing, advanced data and semantic technologies, IoT, mobile and cloud technologies, and are designed to incorporate continual innovations in technology.

GEP's software integrates quickly and easily with third-party and legacy systems, such as SAP, Oracle and all other major ERP and F&A software. And with superb support and service, GEP is an industry leader in customer satisfaction and loyalty.

A leader in multiple Gartner Magic Quadrants, GEP's cloud-native software and digital business platforms consistently win awards and recognition from industry analysts, research firms and media outlets, including Gartner, Forrester, IDC, Procurement Leaders and Spend Matters.

GEP SOFTWARE is part of Clark, NJ-based GEP  the world's leading provider of procurement and supply chain strategy, software and managed services. To learn more, visit www.gepsoftware.com.

Media Contact

Derek Creevey

Director, Public Relations

GEP

Phone: +1 732-382-6565

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE GEP
"We are pleased with the continued acceleration in our product velocities and view this as further evidence that more and more consumers are seeking our Craveable, nutrient dense comfort foods. We believe this acceleration provides our brand permission to expand distribution into existing and new categories and retailer partners. said Bryan Freeman, Executive Chairman at Real Good Foods

Sources: 1. SPINS Total US MULO, excluding Costco, dollar sales for 4-week and 12-week ending December 26th, 2021. All comparisons in this paragraph are to the same measured period in the prior year. 2. The "Overall Frozen Category" and "Health & Wellness Frozen" category excludes Frozen and Refrigerated Meat, Poultry & Seafood.

About The Real Good Food Company

Founded in 2016, Real Good Foods believes there is a better way to enjoy our favorite foods. Its brand commitment, "Real Food You Feel Good About Eating," represents the Company's strong belief that, by eating its food, consumers can enjoy more of their favorite foods and, by doing so, live better lives as part of a healthier lifestyle. Its mission is to make craveable, nutritious comfort foods that are low in carbohydrates, high in protein, and made from gluten- and grain-free real ingredients more accessible to everyone, improve human health, and, in turn, improve the lives of millions of people. Real Good Foods offers delicious and nutritious options across breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacking occasions, with availability in over 16,000 stores nationwide, including Walmart, Costco, Kroger, and Target, and directly from its website at www.realgoodfoods.com. Learn more about Real Good Foods by visiting its website, or on Instagram at @realgoodfoods, where it has one of the largest social media followings of any brand within the frozen food industry today with nearly 400,000 followers.

For interviews with Bryan Freeman, Executive Chairman, email [email protected].

Media Contact

Nikole Johnston

[email protected]



Investor Contact

Chris Bevenour

[email protected]

SOURCE Real Good Foods
SAN DIEGO, Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Realty Income Corporation (Realty Income,NYSE: O), The Monthly Dividend Company, today announced the pricing of a public offering of 250 million of 1.875% senior unsecured notes due January 14, 2027 (the "2027 Notes") and 250 million of 2.500% senior unsecured notes due January 14, 2042 (the "2042 Notes"). The public offering price for the 2027 Notes was 99.487% of the principal amount for an effective semi-annual yield to maturity of 1.974% and the public offering price for the 2042 Notes was 98.445% of the principal amount for an effective semi-annual yield to maturity of 2.584%.

Combined, the new issues of the 2027 Notes and the 2042 Notes have a weighted average term of approximately 12.5 years and a weighted average effective semi-annual yield to maturity of approximately 2.28%. The net proceeds from this offering will be used to fund potential investment opportunities and for other general corporate purposes, which may include repayment of indebtedness under Realty Income's $3.0 billion revolving credit facility and/or Realty Income's commercial paper program.

This offering is expected to close on January 14, 2022, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions.

The active joint book-running managers for the offering are J.P. Morgan, TD Securities and Wells Fargo Securities.

UK MiFIR  professionals/ECPs-only / No PRIIPs or UK PRIIPs KID  Manufacturer target market (UK MiFIR product governance) is eligible counterparties and professional clients only (all distribution channels). No PRIIPs or UK PRIIPs key information document (KID) has been prepared as not available to retail in EEA or UK.

A copy of the prospectus supplement and prospectus, when available, related to this offering may be obtained by contacting: J.P. Morgan, 25 Bank Street, Canary Wharf, London E14 5JP, United Kingdom, Attention: Head of International Syndicate, by telephone at +44-207-134-2468; TD Securities, 31 West 52nd Street, 2nd Floor, New York, New York 10019, Attention: Syndicate Department, by telephone at (855) 495-9846; or Wells Fargo Securities, 608 2nd Avenue South, Suite 1000, Minneapolis, MN 55402, Attention: WFS Customer Service, by telephone at (800) 645-3751 or by email at [email protected]

These securities are offered pursuant to a Registration Statement that has become effective under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. These securities are only offered by means of the prospectus included in the Registration Statement and the prospectus supplement related to the offering. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any offer or sale of these securities in any state or other jurisdiction where, or to any person to whom, the offer, solicitation, or sale of these securities would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or other jurisdiction.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements in this press release that are not strictly historical are "forward-looking" statements. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, which may cause our actual future results to differ materially from expected results. These risks include, among others, general economic conditions, domestic and foreign real estate conditions, client financial health, the availability of capital to finance planned growth, volatility and uncertainty in the credit markets and broader financial markets, changes in foreign currency exchange rates, property acquisitions and the timing, terms or completion of these acquisitions, uncertainties regarding whether the anticipated benefits of the merger with VEREIT, Inc., which closed on November 1, 2021, and the spin-off of the office properties to Orion Office REIT Inc. on November 12, 2021 will be achieved, charges for property impairments, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the measures taken to limit its impact, the effects of pandemics or global outbreaks of contagious diseases or fear of such outbreaks, the ability of clients to adequately manage their properties and fulfill their respective lease obligations to Realty Income, the outcome of any legal proceedings to which Realty Income is a party and those additional risks and factors discussed in our reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Consequently, forward-looking statements should be regarded solely as reflections of Realty Income's current operating plans and estimates. Actual operating results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecast in this press release. Realty Income does not undertake any obligation to publicly release the results of any revisions to these forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date these statements were made.

SOURCE Realty Income Corporation
LAS VEGAS, Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Realty ONE Group, a modern, purpose-driven lifestyle brand and ONE of the fastest growing franchisors in the world, has sold the franchise rights to Ecuador, which will become the gateway for the popular COOLTURE-driven organization to open more doors and recruit real estate professionals throughout South America.

The new owner, Wendy Franco is a proven entrepreneur with over 26 years in banking and with the airline industry and also as a successful real estate professional. More importantly, she's a perfect fit for Realty ONE Group as she cares deeply about giving back to the people and country that she and her family love.

"We continue to paint the globe gold the right way with ambitious partners like Wendy who will uphold our core values and COOLTURE which are the heart and soul of our dynamic organization," said Kuba Jewgieniew , CEO and Founder of Realty ONE Group. "While we have an abundant opportunity to grow fast, we stay focused on a disciplined expansion strategy that ensures the long-term success of our partners and our company."

Franco first met Realty ONE Group at a National Association of REALTORS(R) convention but knew instantly that the company's extraordinary brand and vision were perfect for Ecuador.

"I believe you should not live just to live, but live to transform lives knowing that anything is possible," said Franco. "Our purpose is to use the gifts that life gives us, turning them into extraordinary opportunities to make dreams come true for others."

The UNBrokerage, as it's known in the industry, now has more than 17,000 real estate professionals in more than 400 offices in 45 states, Washington D.C. and Canada and will be opening in Singapore, Spain and Costa Rica, in addition to the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico.

Learn more at www.OwnAOne.com .

About Realty ONE Group

Founded in 2005, Realty ONE Group is an industry disruptor, radically changing the face of real estate franchising with its unique business model, fun coolture, technology infrastructure and superior support for its real estate professionals. The company has rapidly evolved to include more than 17,000 real estate professionals in over 400+ offices across 45 U.S. states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, Canada, Spain, Singapore and Costa Rica. Realty ONE Group ranks in the top one percent in the nation by REAL Trends, has been recognized by Entrepreneur Magazine as a Top 5 Real Estate Franchise and has been on Inc. 500's list of the Fastest-Growing Companies for seven consecutive years. Realty ONE Group is surging ahead, opening doors, not only for its clients but for real estate professionals and franchise owners. To learn more, visit www.RealtyONEGroup.com.

SOURCE Realty ONE Group
People wearing face masks are seen in central Warsaw, Poland on Nov. 7, 2020. (Photo by Jaap Arriens/Xinhua)

BEIJING, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping has sent a message of sympathy to Polish President Andrzej Duda over the latter's infection with COVID-19.

In the message sent on Monday, Xi said that upon learning of Duda's infection with the coronavirus, he would like to extend his sympathy to the Polish president, and wish him a speedy recovery and the Polish people an early victory over the disease.

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, Xi said, China and Poland have supported each other and joined hands to fight the pandemic, during which their traditional friendship has been deepened.

Xi said he attaches great importance to the development of bilateral relations, and is willing to work with Duda to lift the China-Poland comprehensive strategic partnership to new levels. 
DENVER, Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- RE/MAX Holdings, Inc. (the "Company") (NYSE: RMAX), parent company of RE/MAX, one of the world's leading franchisors of real estate brokerage services, and of Motto Mortgage, the first national mortgage brokerage franchise brand in the U.S., today announced that Adam Contos, who has served as the Company's Chief Executive Officer since 2018, has informed the Company's Board of Directors (the "Board") of his decision to leave the Company effective March 31, 2022, to spend more time with his family and pursue new entrepreneurial endeavors. He will also step down from the Company's Board effective March 31, 2022.

The Board has appointed Board member Stephen Joyce to become Chief Executive Officer upon Mr. Contos' departure. Mr. Joyce will serve as Chief Executive Officer on an interim basis. The timing of Mr. Contos' departure allows time for an orderly transition of responsibilities working in cooperation with Mr. Joyce. To facilitate the transition, Mr. Contos and Mr. Joyce will serve as Co-Chief Executive Officers beginning March 1, 2022.

The Company's Board expects to form a CEO search committee to identify a permanent CEO replacement and to retain an executive search firm to assist with the process, which will include evaluating internal and external candidates for the CEO role. Additionally, the Board expects to conduct a formal selection process to add one additional independent Board director who would then maintain the current size of the Board. The Company is committed to a corporate governance program that ensures that its Board has the right people and practices to effectively create stockholder value while considering the interests of all of its stakeholders.

The Company also announced that Nick Bailey has been named President and Chief Executive Officer of RE/MAX effective immediately and will continue to lead all aspects of the RE/MAX brand and business globally. Additionally, Ward Morrison has been named President and Chief Executive Officer of Motto Mortgage and wemlo effective immediately and will continue to lead all aspects of the Company's mortgage operations.

RE/MAX Holdings Chairman of the Board and RE/MAX Co-Founder Dave Liniger said, "The Company posted record results for the third quarter, which we believe is a strong affirmation of our strategy and the recent investments we have made to diversify and expand our business. This performance and the growth opportunities we see ahead give us confidence in our future."

Mr. Liniger continued, "Adam is an outstanding leader, and on behalf of the entire Board, we thank him for his nearly two decades of service to our Company. His leadership and commitment to the Company, working alongside our deep and talented senior management team, have driven our success and established a strong foundation for our continued growth.

"We are delighted that Steve has agreed to transition to the CEO role while we take the requisite amount of time to conduct our search for a permanent CEO. We asked Steve to join our Board nearly two years ago because we were drawn to his extensive track record of success and growth as CEO of publicly traded, global franchisors. His contributions to our Board and Company have been significant. He is a highly engaged executive and during his time in the CEO chair we expect the Company and our shareholders will benefit as he leads the evolution of our strategy to drive enhanced value for all stakeholders."

Mr. Contos said, "Serving as CEO of RE/MAX Holdings has been the high point of my nearly 20 years with the Company. I am proud of everything we accomplished, especially given the dynamic changes in our industry and society. It has been my sincere pleasure to work with our excellent leadership team and employees, as well as some of the most dedicated, productive and entrepreneurial professionals in the real estate and mortgage industries. I thank them for their friendship, support and contributions. I am confident that the future is bright for the Company and for our two incredible networks."

Mr. Joyce commented, "I am honored to work alongside the RE/MAX Holdings management team and Board as we build on our strengths and advance our industry leadership positions. The real estate and mortgage sectors continue to experience tremendous change, but what remains constant is the unique and strong value proposition our Company presents for productive agents, loan originators and franchisees to grow their businesses. We are proud to play such a critical role in their success."

Mr. Joyce is a seasoned executive with proven success leading global franchise operations, including Dine Brands Global, the franchisor of IHOP and Applebee's Grill + Bar, where he was previously Chief Executive Officer and Board member. Prior to Dine Brands Global, he served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Choice Hotels International, where he reinvigorated and grew its hotel brands, expanding them from nine to 13 brands, and grew Choice Hotels internationally to more than 6,700 hotels in over 45 countries. Earlier in his career, Mr. Joyce spent over 25 years with Marriott International, Inc., the world's largest hotel company, where he created its first franchise program and helped build a network of more than 2,500 franchised hotels. Mr. Joyce also serves on the Board of Directors of Hospitality Investors Trust, Inc. and CARE International.

Share Repurchase Program

RE/MAX Holdings also announced that its Board of Directors authorized a common stock repurchase program of up to $100 million, reflecting confidence in the Company's performance and the strength of its balance sheet.

"The investments we have made over the past few years, including our recent acquisition of RE/MAX INTEGRA's North American regions, position us well to continue to grow and generate substantial amounts of free cash flow over the long term," said Mr. Liniger. "Since our initial public offering over eight years ago, the Company has balanced returning capital to shareholders with strategic investments in the business to create shareholder value, and that is how we will continue to prioritize our capital allocation accordingly."

Share repurchases may be made from time to time through a variety of methods, including by means of open market or privately negotiated transactions, through Rule 10b5-1 trading plans or in reliance on indirect purchases of common stock such as by using derivatives. The timing of repurchases and the actual number of shares repurchased will be subject to the discretion of the Company and may be based upon market conditions as well as other opportunities that the Company may have for the allocation of capital from time to time. The share repurchase program does not obligate the Company to purchase any particular amount of common stock. The share repurchase program may be suspended or discontinued in whole or in part at any time without further notice.

# # #

About RE/MAX Holdings, Inc.

RE/MAX Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: RMAX) is one of the world's leading franchisors in the real estate industry, franchising real estate brokerages globally under the RE/MAX brand, and mortgage brokerages within the U.S. under the Motto Mortgage brand. RE/MAX was founded in 1973 by Dave and Gail Liniger, with an innovative, entrepreneurial culture affording its agents and franchisees the flexibility to operate their businesses with great independence. Now with more than 140,000 agents in over 8,600 offices across more than 110 countries and territories, nobody in the world sells more real estate than RE/MAX, as measured by total residential transaction sides. Dedicated to innovation and change in the real estate industry, RE/MAX launched Motto Franchising, LLC, a ground-breaking mortgage brokerage franchisor, in 2016. Motto Mortgage has grown to over 175 offices across almost 40 states.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are often identified by the use of words such as "believe," "intend," "expect," "estimate," "plan," "outlook," "project," "anticipate," "may," "will," "would" and other similar words and expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends that are not statements of historical matters. Forward-looking statements include statements related to: the Company's expectations related to its share repurchase program including any implications about the timing or amount of purchases to be made in connection with the program, statements regarding the Company's capital allocation and return of capital to shareholders, expectations concerning the benefits of the acquisition of the North American operations of RE/MAX INTEGRA, the Company's anticipated growth and its generation of free cash flow, and statements related to the transition of the Company's CEO, including the appointment of an interim CEO and the search for a new CEO and Board member. Forward-looking statements should not be read as a guarantee of future performance or results and will not necessarily accurately indicate the times at which such performance or results may be achieved. Forward-looking statements are based on information available at the time those statements are made and/or management's good faith belief as of that time with respect to future events and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual performance or results to differ materially from those expressed in or suggested by the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, (1) the global COVID-19 pandemic, which continues to pose significant and widespread risks to the Company's business, including the Company's agents, loan originators, franchisees and employees, as well as home buyers and sellers, (2) changes in the real estate market or interest rates and availability of financing, (3) changes in business and economic activity in general, (4) the Company's ability to attract and retain quality franchisees, and the Company's franchisees' ability to recruit and retain real estate agents and mortgage loan originators, (5) changes in laws and regulations, (6) the Company's ability to enhance, market, and protect its brands, including the RE/MAX and Motto Mortgage brands, (7) the Company's ability to implement its technology initiatives, (8) fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, (9) risks and uncertainties related to the share repurchase program including the timing, amount and the price at which any share repurchases might be made in connection with the program, (10) uncertainties concerning the Company's ability to continue to generate free cash flow, (11) uncertainties regarding the returns to be achieved and benefits to shareholders from different allocations of capital and the Company's decisions and expectations around expenditure of capital towards the share repurchase program versus other priorities, (12) the exact details and timing of events related to the CEO transition, including the timing and duration of the Co-CEO period and (13) those risks and uncertainties described in the sections entitled "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in the most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and similar disclosures in subsequent periodic and current reports filed with the SEC, which are available on the investor relations page of the Company's website at www.remaxholdings.com and on the SEC website at www.sec.gov. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made. Except as required by law, the Company does not intend, and undertakes no obligation, to update this information to reflect future events or circumstances.

SOURCE RE/MAX Holdings, Inc.
LONG ISLAND CITY, N.Y., Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Reshyne ( reshyne.com ), a first-of-its-kind repair service management platform, launched today to help jewelry and watch retailers of all sizes unlock new business opportunities and increase company revenue. The Reshyne solution empowers global corporate retailers, independent designers, and every business in between to revolutionize repairs with a high-octane platform designed to usher the jewelry and watch industry into the digital age.

Reshyne allows you to level up your Jewelry & Watch Repair Business with an all encompassing platform Jewelry and Repair Order Management and Visibility

The Reshyne platform streamlines every aspect of repairs, allowing retail companies to supercharge both the services they offer customers and the way they manage repairs through their business. With Reshyne, retailers can offer customers a fully branded experience, from browsing a menu of repair services to placing orders, printing out shipping labels, completing payment, and tracking progress in real time. At the same time, Reshyne unlocks full visibility into the entire repair organization, making it easy for retailers to manage vendors, and partners, streamline workflows, improve productivity, and increase revenue.

Complete customer experience: Customers browse a fully branded menu of services, place and pay for orders, request estimates, print shipping labels, and track order status.

Customers browse a fully branded menu of services, place and pay for orders, request estimates, print shipping labels, and track order status. End-to-end visibility for teams: Store owners, associates, and employees get a robust POS, assign repair work to in-house or third-party vendors, and manage workflows.

Store owners, associates, and employees get a robust POS, assign repair work to in-house or third-party vendors, and manage workflows. Enterprise & corporate management: Increase efficiency, improve productivity, cut costs, boost revenue, and manage relationships, all from within the platform.

Increase efficiency, improve productivity, cut costs, boost revenue, and manage relationships, all from within the platform. Vendor accountability & communication: Vendors can provide pricing estimates and status updates, submit before and after photos, and invoice retailers for work completed.

Retailers can implement Reshyne without changing their vendors, suppliers, or partners; the solution simply makes it easier for jewelry and watch companies to do more of what they do best. For companies that already offer repairs, Reshyne increases customer loyalty and lifetime customer value. For jewelry and watch brands introducing repair services for the first time, Reshyne unlocks an entirely new revenue stream without the investment or overhead required to build an in-house repair department. Reshyne also offers fulfilment capabilities, completing and delivering fine jewelry repairs on your behalf from two state-of-the-art facilities in New York.

"Reshyne delivers much needed innovation to an industry that has been stuck in the dark ages for decades," said Jason Yakubovich, founder and CEO of Reshyne. "Most jewelry and watch businesses are bogged down with unwieldy legacy systems and ineffective manual processes; some still use paper order forms. But contemporary consumers are increasingly digital. They expect and demand tech-enabled experiences from the brands they do business with. In 2020, global e-commerce sales totaled almost $4.3 trillion. By 2024, that number is expected to climb to nearly $6.4 trillion . The incredible expansion of e-commerce represents an existential threat for any retailer that has yet to meet consumers where they are: online in the digital world."

MJJ Brilliant, the industry-leading parent company behind Reshyne, tested the platform internally on sister brand, Quick Jewelry Repairs , before launching it to the public. With over four decades of experience at the cutting edge of the industry, MJJ Brilliant was able to put Reshyne through its paces, refining and evolving the platform's functionality in order to develop this first-of-its-kind digital transformation tool for jewelry and watch companies.

For more information on how the Reshyne platform helps jewelry and watch retailers increase revenue, eliminate inefficiencies, and delight customers, book a commitment-free demo here .

About Reshyne

Reshyne is a first-of-its-kind service management technology platform that helps retailers make the most of repairs. The software's fully customizable customer-facing storefronts, dynamic operations tools, and robust revenue dashboards unlock sustained revenue growth for jewelry and watch retailers of all sizes. MJJ Brilliant, Reshyne's parent company, infuses the platform with over 40 years of proven leadership and a mission to revolutionize the jewelry and watch industry. Reshyne is a private company headquartered in Long Island City, New York. To learn more, visit reshyne.com .

Company Contact

Eleanor Krane

Communications, Reshyne

[email protected]

917-924-9205

SOURCE Reshyne
MENLO PARK, Calif., Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Trisha Plovie, a 25-year veteran of talent solutions and business consulting firm Robert Half, has been promoted to senior vice president, Future of Work. In this role, she will lead strategy for Robert Half's ability to provide flexible, hybrid and fully remote talent. By leveraging the company's global brand, international candidate network and advanced AI technologies, Robert Half is uniquely positioned to deliver hybrid and fully remote solutions for job seekers and employers alike, no matter where they're located.

Trisha Plovie, Robert Half senior vice president, Future of Work

Plovie began her career with Robert Half as a practice group director in Troy, Michigan, and has since held various leadership roles, most recently serving as district president for talent solutions in Michigan. During her tenure, Plovie has gained invaluable field operating knowledge and played a critical role in the deployment of remote work guidance and best practices for Robert Half teams, clients and candidates during the pandemic.

"As one of our most valued and tenured leaders, Trisha has insight into emerging workforce trends that will play a significant role in shaping our company's future business model," said Paul F. Gentzkow, president and CEO of talent solutions at Robert Half. "Remote and hybrid work is only gaining momentum, and we'll continue to explore new ways to serve our clients and candidates by delivering location-agnostic or on-site solutions to best meet their needs."

About Robert Half

Robert Half (NYSE: RHI) is the world's first and largest specialized talent solutions and business consulting firm that connects opportunities at great companies with highly skilled job seekers. Robert Half offers contract, temporary and permanent placement solutions and is the parent company of Protiviti, a global consulting firm. Visit roberthalf.com and download our award-winning mobile app.

SOURCE Robert Half
NEW YORK, Jan. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ --

WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, announces the filing of a class action lawsuit on behalf of purchasers of the securities of Bright Health Group, Inc. (NYSE: BHG): (i) pursuant and/or traceable to the registration statement and prospectus (collectively, the "Registration Statement") issued in connection with the Company's June 24, 2021 initial public offering (the "IPO"); and/or (ii) between June 24, 2021 and November 10, 2021, inclusive (the "Class Period"). The lawsuit seeks to recover damages for Bright Health investors under the federal securities laws. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than March 7, 2022.

SO WHAT: If you purchased Bright Health securities during the Class Period 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 Bright Health class action, go to http://www.rosenlegal.com/cases-register-2236.html or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] or [email protected] 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 March 7, 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 firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.

DETAILS OF THE CASE: The complaint alleges that the Offering Documents were negligently prepared and, as a result, contained untrue statements of material fact or omitted to state other facts necessary to make the statements made not misleading and were not prepared in accordance with the rules and regulations governing their preparation. Additionally, throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and misleading statements regarding the Company's business, operations, and compliance policies. Specifically, the Offering Documents and Defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) Bright Health had overstated its post-IPO business and financial prospects; (2) Bright Health was ill-equipped to handle the impact of COVID-19-related costs; (3) Bright Health was experiencing a decline in premium revenue because of a failure to capture risk adjustment on newly added lives; (4) all the foregoing was reasonably likely to have a material negative impact on Bright Health's business and financial condition; and (5) as a result, the Offering Documents and Defendants' public statements throughout the Class Period were materially false and/or misleading and failed to state information required to be stated therein.

To join the Bright Health class action, go to http://www.rosenlegal.com/cases-register-2236.html or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] or [email protected] 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 investor's 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

[email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]

www.rosenlegal.com

SOURCE Rosen Law Firm, P.A.
STOCKHOLM, Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The SaaS company Safeture AB in Lund has won, together with its partner Falck Global Assistance, a public procurement for a four-year framework agreement regarding travel risk management for the European Central Bank (ECB) in Frankfurt, Germany. The agreement also opens up the opportunity to join other institutions, such as the Central Banks of the Eurosystem and other members of the Eurosystem Procurement Coordination Office (EPCO).

The total contract value depends on how many employees will use the service and which of the other national central banks and institutions join.

Now, the ECB has access to Safeture's unique platform for managing employee safety, no matter where they are.

"The fact that we have won a prestigious assignment in fierce competition testifies to the strength of our offer. It also shows that our business model - which is based on collaboration with leading partners such as Falck Global Assistance - works well."

"The framework agreement contributes to strengthening our position in the important German market and holds great potential with other central banks as potential customers," says Magnus Hultman, CEO of Safeture.

For additional information, visit www.safeture.com or contact:

Safeture CEO Magnus Hultman: +46 706 00 81 66. [email protected]

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/safeture-ab/r/safeture-signs-a-four-year-agreement-with-the-european-central-bank--ecb,c3483997

The following files are available for download:

SOURCE Safeture AB
HOUSTON, Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Scientific Drilling International (SDI) recently announced the promotion of Wes Shedd to Chief Executive Officer and member of the Board of Directors. This comes with the planned transition of Pamela Pierce back to the Board of Directors as Lead Director.

Pam became CEO and President at the onset of the global pandemic and resultant collapse in the oil and gas industry. "Over the past 18 months there have been many changes necessary to stabilize our enterprise. Our streamlined team and technology focused business model, combined with exceptional customer service provide the necessary pillars to navigate the future. I am very pleased to announce Wes's appointment as CEO and President by our Board of Directors to lead this world-class organization," said Ms. Pierce.

Prior to this promotion, Mr. Shedd served as President and Chief Operating Officer of SDI. "Wes's knowledge of our people, our technologies, and our customers make him the perfect selection," said Ms. Pierce. Mr. Shedd responded, "I am excited for the opportunity to lead SDI at this time in our Company's evolution. I look forward to continuing the work we started in 2020 including the delivery of meaningful solutions to our global customers."

Wes joined SDI in 2002 as a Field Engineer in Lafayette, LA and has since served in many field and operations positions of increasing responsibility. Wes holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Mississippi State University.

SDI also announced the election of Steve Orr to the Board of Directors. Steve most recently served as CEO and director for Shawcor Ltd. with prior leadership roles at a major oil field services company in directional drilling and measurement technologies. "With over three decades of energy services experience, we are delighted to have Steve join our Board of Directors," noted Ms. Pierce.

About Scientific Drilling International

Scientific Drilling International is the largest independent service provider of global high accuracy wellbore navigation and directional drilling services. With approximately 1,200 employees, the company has extensive research and development, manufacturing, repair and maintenance, and service capabilities. Strategically found in more than 26 countries, Scientific Drilling supports a wide range of markets, including oil and gas, unconventional resources, geothermal, and coalbed methane.

To learn more about Scientific Drilling please visit www.scientificdrilling.com, and connect with the company on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and YouTube.

Media Contact:

Bo Holland

Manager - US Sales

[email protected]

SOURCE Scientific Drilling
SHANGHAI, Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Shanghai ZhenGe Biotech Co., Ltd. ("ZhenGe Biotech" or "the Company") announced the completion of round C financing of US $100 million, led by Goldman Sachs Asset Management and Sofina. Also investing were Novo Holdings A/S, Qiming Venture Capital, IDG Capital, LYFE Capital, Junxin Capital and Cowin Capital.

The proceeds from Round C will be used to strengthen ZhenGe Biotech's global R & D capabilities and expand its Good Manufacturing Practice ("GMP") manufacturing capacity to better meet demand from domestic and international clients. To date, the Company has raised a total of US$225 million.

ZhenGe Biotech provides one-stop Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) services and offers end-to-end solutions to help customers discover, develop, and manufacture biologics from concept to commercialization. To date, the Company has served more than 100 biopharma and biotech customers and has completed over 150 projects, ranging from cell line development projects to Investigational New Drug (IND) applications and large clinical phase production contracts. Over the years, ZhenGe Biotech has developed deep expertise across monoclonal and bispecific antibodies, Antibody Drug Conjugates (ADC), fusion proteins and vaccines.

ZhenGe Biotech integrates advanced cell culture platform, metabolite analysis platform, recombinant protein analysis platform and customized medium development and production platform for customers to improve titer yield and quality. In addition, ZhenGe Biotech provides advanced analytical services, including Analytical Ultra-centrifugation (AUC) to help customers with overseas drug approval applications.

In addition to R&D Centers across Shanghai and Maryland, USA, ZhenGe Biotech has a 10,000  GMP pilot production center in the Lingang Special Area of China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone (FTZ), a GMP medium production line with an annual output of 200 tons of dry powder, and a commercial manufacturing base with three 2,000L and three 5,000L bioreactors, which are currently under construction.

ZhenGe Biotech also focuses on Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) responsibilities as an integral part of its strategy, and strives to create positive impact by adhering to high Environment, Health and Safety standards while adopting next-generation manufacturing technologies and cleaner energy sources.

Mr. Jianxin Chen, Chairman and CEO of ZhenGe Biotech said: "We are excited to have global investors like Goldman Sachs Asset Management, Sofina and Novo Holdings lead the current round of financing, and we thank them for their support. Round C proceeds will be used to strengthen our R&D and build multiple 15,000L production lines, which will enable ZhenGe Biotech to deliver cost-effective and high-quality solutions for meeting growing demand from existing and new customers."

"Against the backdrop of a large and fast-growing global biologics market, we see continued innovation in drug development being propelled by regulatory policy and capital formation. We expect the outsourcing rate for macromolecular drug development to grow as innovative players start to face capacity and talent constraints. We are excited by the solutions that ZhenGe can offer to its clients, as well as its deep knowhow in up-and-down stream processes to help arrive at viable cell lines," said Kevin Xu, a Managing Director at Goldman Sachs Asset Management, who focuses on the firm's healthcare and life science investment efforts in China. Mr. Xu is now a member of the Company's Board of Directors.

Sofina Head of China Loi Xiao-Tian and Investment Manager Lim Yizhen shared: "We are delighted to support ZhenGe which has been on a rapid growth trajectory given its strong combination of deep technical expertise and commitment to providing its customers with industry leading manufacturing and process excellence in the development and production of affordable and innovative therapeutics. We are confident that ZhenGe will continue to be trusted partner of choice for both new and existing customers and are excited to embark on a long-term partnership with ZhenGe."

Dr. Amit Kakar, Senior Partner and Head of Novo Holdings Asia said: "ZhenGe Biotech is one of the fastest growing Biologics CDMO fulfilling a large unmet need by its high quality, end to end services driven by an industry leading team. Novo Holdings is very excited to partner with them in enabling their domestic and international growth strategy."

About Goldman Sachs Asset Management Growth Equity

Bringing together traditional and alternative investments, Goldman Sachs Asset Management provides clients around the world with a dedicated partnership and focus on long-term performance. As the primary investing area within Goldman Sachs (NYSE: GS), we deliver investment and advisory services for the world's leading institutions, financial advisors and individuals, drawing from our deeply connected global network and tailored expert insights, across every region and marketoverseeing $2.37 trillion in assets under supervision worldwide as of September 30, 2021. Driven by a passion for our clients' performance, we seek to build long-term relationships based on conviction, sustainable outcomes, and shared success over time. Follow us on LinkedIn.

About Sofina

Sofina is a family-owned and run investment company listed on Euronext Brussels, managing its own assets that represent ca. 10 billion. Sofina aspires to be the preferred partners of entrepreneurs and families who lead growing companies by backing them with patient capital and supportive advice. As part of its Sofina Growth investment style, it takes minority ownership positions, typically in the 15 to 50 million range. Common vision and strong alignment of interests with its partners are paramount in the deployment of the strategy. For more information, visit www.sofinagroup.com.

About Novo Holdings A/S

Novo Holdings A/S is a private limited liability company wholly owned by the Novo Nordisk Foundation. It is the holding company of the Novo Group, comprising Novo Nordisk A/S and Novozymes A/S, and is responsible for managing the Novo Nordisk Foundation's assets.

Novo Holdings is recognized as a leading international life science investor, with a focus on creating long-term value. As a life science investor, Novo Holdings provides seed and venture capital to development-stage companies and takes significant ownership positions in growth and well-established companies. Novo Holdings also manages a broad portfolio of diversified financial assets. Further information: www.novoholdings.dk.

About ZhenGe Biotech

Shanghai ZhenGe Biotech was founded in 2017. ZhenGe Biotech's core business is macromolecular biological drug CDMO service, mammalian cell culture medium development and production, etc. Specifically, its services include: macromolecule developability analysis, cell line development, process development and optimization, pilot production, clinical sample production and commercial CMO services, process characterization and validation research, drug analysis services, cell culture medium formulation development and commercial production, etc.

SOURCE Shanghai ZhenGe Biotech Co.,Ltd.
MILWAUKEE, Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Ademi LLP is investigating Comunibanc (OTCPK: CBCZ) for possible breaches of fiduciary duty and other violations of law in its transaction with Civista.

Click here to learn how to join the action: https://www.ademilaw.com/case/comunibanc-corp or call Guri Ademi toll-free at 866-264-3995. There is no cost or obligation to you.

Ademi LLP alleges Comunibanc's financial outlook and prospects are excellent and yet Comunibanc shareholders will receive only 1.1888 shares of Civista common stock and $30.13 in cash for each Comunibanc share, implying a deal value of $60.59 per Comunibanc share based on the closing price of Civista's common stock on January 7, 2022 of $25.62. The merger agreement unreasonably limits competing bids for Comunibanc by prohibiting solicitation of further bids, and imposing a significant penalty if Comunibanc accepts a superior bid. Comunibanc insiders will receive substantial benefits as part of change of control arrangements.

We are investigating the conduct of Comunibanc's board of directors, and whether they are (i) fulfilling their fiduciary duties to all shareholders, and (ii) obtaining a fair and reasonable price for Comunibanc.

If you own Comunibanc common stock and wish to obtain additional information, please contact Guri Ademi either at [email protected] or toll-free: 866-264-3995, or https://www.ademilaw.com/case/comunibanc-corp.

We specialize in shareholder litigation involving buyouts, mergers, and individual shareholder rights throughout the country. For more information, please feel free to call us. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.

Contacts

Ademi LLP

Guri Ademi

Toll Free: (866) 264-3995

Fax: (414) 482-8001

SOURCE Ademi LLP
NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Among the 11 most popular mattress brands, Sleep Number is the most trusted brand in the America's Most Trusted Study released today. According to the Lifestory Research 2022 America's Most Trusted Study, brand trust is a purchase driver among people searching for a new mattress and Sleep Number is the brand people trust the most.

In the Lifestory Research 2022 America's Most Trusted Study, 6,597 people were surveyed and asked their opinions of mattress brands. In the Lifestory Research 2022 America's Most Trusted study, consumers evaluate several brand equity metrics to understand brand trust. Sleep Number obtained the highest Net Trust Quotient score (111.8) among shoppers and earned the #1 ranking in the 2022 Lifestory Research America's Most Trusted study.

To be included in the national ranking, a brand needed to be known by shoppers throughout the United States and be among the most prominent brands within the product industry. The mattress brands in the rankings from the study were Sleep Number, Serta, Sealy, Tempur Pedic, Simmons Beautyrest, Stearns & Foster, Casper, Ashley Sleep, Purple, Leesa, and Spring Air.

For more information about the Lifestory Research 2022, America's Most Trusted Mattress study, visit https://www.lifestoryresearch.com/2022-americas-most-trusted-mattress

To view the online press release, please visit https://www.lifestoryresearch.com/press-release/2022-national-mattress-brand-study

About Lifestory Research

Leaders, companies, and brands know that great ideas are only useful if they move people toward action. Lifestory Research is an independent, science-driven consumer insights and strategy consulting firm that ignites relationships between companies and audiences. We are passionate about customers, employees, brands, and the science of influence. We use quantitative and qualitative research to create customer insights, drive innovation, deliver brand strategy, and move people forward.

America's Most Trusted is a consumer-based research program based on thousands of people's opinions actively shopping for products. To identify America's Most Trusted, Lifestory Research conducts an ongoing annual survey in which people anonymously assess the trust they have in brands they encounter during their active search for specific products. The study uses well-established social science research practices that seek to adhere to the highest quality standards of consumer insight.

For more information, please visit www.lifestoryresearch.com

About Lifestory Research and America's Most Trusted Advertising/Promotional Rules:

www.lifestoryresearch.com/press-release-info-rules

America's Most Trusted is a registered trademark of Lifestory Corporation.

SOURCE Lifestory Research
EMPORIA, Va., Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Bill Stanley, Anthony F. "Tony" Troy, Dean Rod Smolla, Ryan T. McDougle and Jason Hicks, attorneys for Virginia business owner and NASCAR legend Hermie Sadler, today responded to the Supreme Court of Virginia's refusal to hear outgoing Attorney General Mark Herring's appeal of the Greensville Circuit Court's preliminary injunction restoring the operation of skills games in hundreds of Virginia's small businesses.

The Supreme Court received not only an appeal Petition filed by Attorney General Herring, but also received amicus or "friend of the court" briefs filed by Colonial Downs Group/Rosie's Gaming Emporium on behalf of large out-of-state casinos and gaming interests, as well as an amicus brief filed by Virginia "Charitable" gambling in support of Herring's effort to reinstitute the skills game ban. Additionally, Sen. Janet Howell (D-32) of Northern Virginia and Sen. Thomas K. Norment co-authors of Senate Bill 971, the very legislation that the Greensville Circuit Court enjoined from further enforcement against the ban of skill games, also filed an amicus brief in support of Attorney General Herring's appeal of the trial court's ruling.

"We are gratified to have the Supreme Court of Virginia validate what we knew to be true, that the Greensville County Circuit Court got it right when it entered an injunction restoring the operation of skill games in small businesses. Hermie Sadler clearly demonstrated at trial that he is likely to win his lawsuit against the illegal and unconstitutional ban on skill games instituted by SB 971," declared Bill Stanley of The Stanley Law Group, speaking on behalf of the legal team for Sadler. "Despite the big out-of-state casinos' continuing efforts to eliminate small Virginia business owners' participation in the new Virginia gaming industry, they cannot overcome the Virginia Constitution's protection of its citizens. The right of free speech of these Virginia small businesses when they conduct their business cannot and will not be abridged by the casinos, no matter how hard they try to manipulate public policy decisions in the halls of Virginia's Capitol."

"Fortunately, the courts have now ruled on two separate occasions in favor of Virginia small businesses and against this unconstitutional piece of legislation designed to benefit these out-of-state, mega-gaming companies over the small business owner. I am hopeful that when the Virginia General Assembly convenes its Regular Session this coming Wednesday, it will find a solution that will recognize skill games' place in the new Virginia gaming industry, and that it will now make as its priority the rights of Virginia small business owners over the needs of out-of-state gambling interests," Stanley concluded.

Former Virginia Attorney General Anthony F. "Tony" Troy thanked the consortium of small businesses in Virginia that filed an amicus brief in the Virginia Supreme Court in support of Sadler and against the government's position: "This group of small businesses understood the discriminatory impact of this legislation that not only denied them their first amendment rights, but also was so vague that it could not be fully understood in the first place. Small businesses have had a big win today here in Virginia."

Hermie Sadler, the successful Plaintiff in his lawsuit against the Commonwealth of Virginia, made the following statement: "I want to thank the Virginia Supreme Court for its decision today upholding the trial court's correct ruling halting the unconstitutional ban on skill games that operate in small businesses like mine. Convenience stores, truck stops and restaurants throughout Virginia can now breathe a sigh of relief that they will not be deprived of an important source of revenue for their small businesses during these trying economic times. I will continue to fight for their right to be a part of the new gaming industry in Virginia, and I call upon the Virginia legislature to do the same as they consider this issue in the next two months."

Lead counsel Bill Stanley and his law partner, former Virginia Attorney General Anthony F. "Tony" Troy, of The Stanley Law Group assembled a blue-ribbon trial team who successfully argued the Petition for Preliminary Injunction and appeal before the Supreme Court of Virginia. Mr. Sadler's legal team includes Ryan T. McDougle, Esq., Jason Hicks, Esq. of Womble Bond Dickinson, and renowned constitutional legal scholar and lawyer Rodney Smolla, Esq.

CONTACT:

Autumn Johnson, Esq

(540) 721-6028

[email protected]

SOURCE The Stanley Law Group
by Martina Fuchs

GENEVA, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- As the world enters the third year of the pandemic, the climate crisis, growing social divides, heightened cyber risks and uneven global recovery are the top global risks in 2022, the World Economic Forum (WEF) said in a new report published on Tuesday.

The "Global Risks Report 2022" warns that five of the top 10 global risks are environment-related, including climate action failure, extreme weather and biodiversity loss. Meanwhile, the main short-term global concerns include the erosion of social cohesion, livelihood crises and infectious diseases.

"We've seen what can happen when there is public-private collaboration, when we put our faith in science and technology, and when there is global coordination. The result of that was developing a vaccine for COVID-19," Saadia Zahidi, the WEF's managing director, told Xinhua in a virtual interview following the release.

"Now, if we can do that for one specific and very urgent area, we can do the same thing for other areas that require urgent attention, and that includes climate change. There are a number of technologies that are now available; it's really about making that green transition."

Now in its 17th edition, the latest annual report from the Geneva-based forum urges leaders to adopt a coordinated, multi-stakeholder response, and create policies that manage risks and resolve systemic issues.

"Half of the world is still not vaccinated, and half of the world still does not have access to the internet," Zahidi stressed. "We're seeing a rising divergence between the developing world and the developed world.

"It's really about working out who has the best possible models that help governments move out of a constant focus on the emergency situation, towards building recovery and investing in resilience."

"That is where I think the experiences of economies and pulling together the economic, social and green agendas closer together. That's where the proof point is going to lie. And those are the models that the rest of the world have to emulate," she added.

UNEVEN RECOVERY

The report, which has been developed with the WEF's strategic partners Marsh McLennan, SK Group and Zurich Insurance Group, also warns that global economic recovery from COVID-19 will be uneven and potentially volatile in the coming years.

A global survey of experts found that only 1 in 6 is optimistic, and only 1 in 10 believes that global recovery will accelerate.

The economic fallout of the pandemic and diverging levels of recovery also continue to threaten cooperation on other global challenges, at a time when climate and environmental risks loom large, the report emphasizes.

Zahidi added: "China is amongst the very positive growth stories that we've seen in the world in the last 30 years, with people coming out of poverty, having new economic opportunities, and now seeing how China manages this transition, this economic and green and technological transition that is underway. That's going to provide a role model to others."

Zurich Insurance Group's chief risk officer Peter Giger says in the report: "The climate crisis remains the biggest long-term threat facing humanity. Failure to act on climate change could shrink global GDP by one-sixth, and the commitments taken at COP26 are still not enough to achieve the 1.5 C goal."

"It is not too late for governments and businesses to act on the risks they face and to drive an innovative, determined and inclusive transition that protects economies and people."

BUILDING COALITIONS

Last month, the WEF announced that due to continued concerns over Omicron it will defer its annual meeting, which is usually held in the Swiss ski resort of Davos. Initially scheduled to take place between Jan. 17-21, it is now planned for early summer.

In the meantime, participants will join "State of the World" online sessions, bringing together global leaders to find solutions to the world's most pressing challenges.

"A lot of the forum's work is about building coalitions that help address some of these global challenges, whether that is greater access to vaccines and more resilient healthcare systems, building better education and skills systems, or managing the transition towards a greener economy," Zahidi said.

"We do believe that connecting in person is incredibly important. It's part of what helps strengthen the relationships that lead to these coalitions, and we'll be looking towards summer to hopefully bring together global leaders again." 
ZeroAvia has developed the leading hydrogen-electric powertrain propulsion technology for aviation, and as part of its research and development, has flown the world's largest commercial-scale hydrogen-electric aircraft. At this county-owned site in Everett, the company will leverage its $5.5 million refurbishment budget to occupy facilities and prepare the site for their launch team of 20 design and software engineers supporting important strands of its development of the ZA2000 powertrain for a De Havilland DHC-8-400 (Q400) aircraft in conjunction with Alaska Airlines.

The company has chosen to locate its third research and development site in Snohomish County, where more than 500 companies comprise the aerospace cluster. The county's cluster produces more than $60 billion in annual revenues and supports 159,000 direct and induced jobs.

ZeroAvia recently announced a $35 million commitment from investors including United Airlines and Alaska Air Group , building on earlier investments from Amazon's Climate Pledge Fund, Bill Gates' Breakthrough Energy Ventures and others.

"Our state's clean energy and clean aviation future just got stronger. This project is an important part of Snohomish County's continuing efforts to maintain a competitive edge and strengthen the community with good jobs in the aerospace industry of the future. It enables advances in manufacturing and exploring opportunities for cleaner aircraft fuel," said Gov. Jay Inslee.

"Meaningful support for innovation is key to transforming our legacy industries and accelerating growth of new clusters that will keep Washington's statewide and regional economies vibrant for years to come," said Commerce Director Lisa Brown.

"Paine Field was an obvious choice for us. Working from this location, ZeroAvia is well positioned among one of the most talented aerospace and clean energy communities worldwide," said Val Miftakhov, ZeroAvia founder. "We conducted a national search to locate our third R&D site. Given the age of the facility we will be occupying, this grant closed a gap related to facility construction and we are excited to engage in this community."

Targeting 500 nautical mile trips initially, ZeroAvia's engine technology can address the needs of nearly half of worldwide flight departures with hydrogen-electric propulsion systems. The company has secured experimental certificates for two prototype aircraft from the UK's Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), passed significant flight test milestones, and is on track for commercial operations in 2024.

"ZeroAvia is exactly the type of company that Snohomish County wants to attract, because they are innovators, job-creators, part of our growing green economy, and the reason we are the aerospace capital of the world," said Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers. "This addition to our aerospace cluster at Paine Field will help expand our already impressive cutting edge base of technology companies. We welcome ZeroAvia to Snohomish County and wish them every success, since their success helps us reach our long-term economic development and environmental sustainability goals."

EASC, the county's economic development authority, will administer the Governor's Strategic Reserve Fund (SRF) investment on behalf of the state. The SRF is an important business recruitment, retention and expansion tool for Washington state. Funds can be used in several ways including workforce development, technical, planning or relocation assistance, and environmental analysis.

"Many advanced manufacturing sectors are interested in locating to Snohomish County to leverage the existing talent," said Garry Clark, EASC President & CEO. "Our organization works as advocates and problem solvers for companies of all types and sectors, either expanding in this community or looking for a new home. EASC's team credits the business-friendly policies, large and experienced manufacturing workforce and desirable quality of life for its success in in attracting new companies to the county."

ZeroAvia www.zeroavia.com

This firm was founded in November 2017 and hired its core team in April 2018. Val Miftakhov founded to create greener solutions and accelerate the world's transition to sustainable aviation by giving aircraft customers and airframe manufacturers a zero-emission option that serves some of the most common airline trips.

ZeroAvia closed two additional funding rounds in March when they secured an initial $24.3 million to advance engine development for 40+ seat aircraft. This round was led by Horizons Ventures, and joined by a new investor British Airways . Existing investors Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Ecosystem Integrity Fund, Summa Equity, Shell Ventures, and SYSTEMIQ also participated in the financing. This initial closing was followed by the second closing of $13M in June from AP Ventures , a significant investor in breakthrough technologies across the hydrogen value chain, Alumni Ventures Group , SGH Capital , Agartha Fund LP, and existing investors Amazon's Climate Pledge Fund, Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Summa Equity, Shell Ventures, SYSTEMIQ, and Horizons Ventures.

About Snohomish County https://painefield.com/

Snohomish County, led by Executive Dave Somers, is Washington state's third largest county by population and one of the fastest growing. Snohomish County is home to the largest aerospace manufacturing facility by volume in the world. Snohomish County owns and operates Paine Field Airport located six miles southwest of Everett's central business district. Paine Field is a unique airport, driving the economy of the region, having the newest commercial airport terminal in Washington state and serving as home to over 500 aircraft, including small, single engine recreational aircraft, corporate jets, vintage warbirds, and brand-new Boeing aircraft. Paine Field's privately-owned commercial air terminal services a dozen western destinations. Located about 30 miles north of downtown Seattle, the airport offers high quality aviation facilities, including a FAA tower, Cat 1 ILS, Part 139 certification, FBO services and good access to Seattle, Bellevue, Redmond, and Vancouver, B.C.

About Economic Alliance Snohomish County

EconomicAllianceSC.org

Economic Alliance Snohomish County (EASC) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with investors from the public and private sectors and is designated by the State and Snohomish County as the county economic development authority. As such, it generates and advocates for smart economic policy and strategies, grow living wage jobs, and expand the economy through business expansion and attraction. EASC also hosts business services from the SBA and other federal and state agencies to deliver business services to local businesses.

About Commerce http://www.commerce.wa.gov

Commerce works with local governments, businesses, community-based organizations and tribes to strengthen communities. The department's diverse portfolio of more than 100 programs and effective public and private partnerships promote sustainable community and economic development to help all Washingtonians thrive. For information on locating or expanding a business in Washington, visit choosewashingtonstate.com . Subscribe to Commerce press releases by email. You may unsubscribe at any time.

Media Assets

Video Assets:

About Zero Avia: ZeroAvia largest hydrogen-electric aircraft in the world - YouTube About Snohomish County: https://youtu.be/jFpEi3yuFSM

SOURCE ZeroAvia
CHARLOTTE, N.C., Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Stealth Partner Group, an Amwins company and the premier stop-loss general agency, announced the launch of its new comprehensive Stealth Captive Solutions. The new solution offers employers across any industry the option of flexible, self-funded health insurance plans in a cooperative risk share environment featuring unique cost containment solutions as the cost of healthcare continues to rise.

Stealth Captive Solutions offers a unique funding arrangement that allows employers to band together in a captive, or a customized risk-sharing environment, to reap the benefits of self-insurance and capitalize on economies of scale. Employer groups can come together under one umbrella while maintaining the flexibility to choose and fund their own medical and prescription plans and choose health and wellbeing programs that fit their employees' needs. Stealth Captive Solutions also answers employers' call for cost containment, featuring integrated programs from their Sentinel Solutions portfolio like patient assistance and dialysis carve-out, in addition to the added administrative cost-savings that comes with self-funded plans.

"Across the board, we're seeing more employers turn to self-funding as the cost of healthcare continues to skyrocket. Not to mention, proactive health risk management is increasingly becoming a priority for employers looking to attract and retain top talent during current labor market constraints," said Harley Barnes, Co-CEO of Stealth Partner Group. "We're launching Stealth Captive Solutions to empower these employers to pool together with other like-minded organizations to leverage a higher volume of members to gain access to lower health costs, with more choice."

Employers who participate in Stealth Captive Solutions also gain access to transparent monthly reporting to guide decision making, increase predictability and reduce volatility. These reports include projected cost data, projected group risk data and consolidated self-insured claims data that show gaps in care and the quality of providers used. Collectively, the data helps employers understand the cost of healthcare over time and measure the effectiveness of an employer's benefits strategy.

"Our retailers continue to seek out comprehensive captive solutions to help their insureds navigate the volatile and increasingly complex health insurance market," said Josh McGee, Vice President of Program Development, Specialty Division, at Stealth Partner Group. "With the launch of Stealth Captive Solutions, we're looking forward to equipping our existing and prospective clients with best-in-class solutions and support in the dynamic healthcare space."

This seamless solution, managed by Stealth Partner group, is ideal for employers of 50-500 employees across any industry who are interested in transitioning from being fully insured to a self-funded healthcare plan. For more information about Stealth Captive Solutions, visit www.stealthpartnergroup.com/stealthcaptivesolutions.

About Amwins Group, Inc.

Amwins is the largest independent wholesale distributor of specialty insurance products in the U.S., dedicated to serving retail insurance agents by providing property and casualty products, specialty group benefit products, and administrative services. Based in Charlotte, NC, the company operates through more than 155 offices globally and handles premium placements in excess of $26 billion annually. To learn more, visit amwins.com.

About Stealth Partner Group

Stealth Partner Group, an Amwins Company, was founded in 2009 and has grown to be one of the largest specialized general agencies in the country. The firm partners with brokers, consultants, and third-party administrators (TPAs) to negotiate, implement, and assist in managing medical stop loss and ancillary benefits with the nation's top-tier carriers. With 15 offices across the United States, Stealth offers its clients more than 150 years of collective experience in the stop loss and ancillary insurance marketplace. For more information, visit www.stealthpartnergroup.com.

For further information contact:

Amwins Group, Inc.

Lisa Kuszmar

Telephone: 704.749.2780

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Amwins
NEW YORK, Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Launched in 2003, Webretailer.com is the world's leading resource for businesses selling through online marketplaces like Amazon, eBay, and more. Over the years, the site has built incredible trust with its audience. Webretailer helps more than a million yearly visitors with guides, news, ratings, and reviews of everything related to selling on online marketplaces.

Adventrum CEO Kristoffer Lindstrom said, "Webretailer will be a splendid addition to our growing B2B lead-performance sites portfolio here at Adventrum. It has a clear focus on the e-commerce niche, which we find highly interesting. The previous owner has done tremendous work growing the site into a leading resource for online business selling, and we are excited to bring our expertise to grow and expand the site further." Lindstrom was pleased to partner with FE International again as this is their second acquisition through the advisory firm. "We are very satisfied with the process and the work FE has put into the process of closing this deal. The partnership with FE is much appreciated as they show great professionalism every step of the way."

Founder of Webretailer Andy Geldman will now focus his extensive experience on assisting other businesses in the content and e-commerce space. "After 18 years of running Webretailer I'm excited to announce that my business has been acquired by Adventrum. I am looking forward to leveraging my many years of experience in the ecommerce world to help other businesses in the industry."

FE International served as the sole sell-side M&A advisor on the acquisition of Webretailer. "We believe this is an excellent business and are confident it will continue to perform well within Adventrum's portfolio," said Thomas Smale, CEO of FE International. "It was a pleasure working with both parties and we appreciate their professional approach and the flexibility needed to get the deal across the finish line."

To discuss other businesses FE may be representing or to begin a complimentary business valuation, reach out to their team via their website, FEInternational.com.

About Adventrum

Adventrum, a subsidiary of Marketzoo International, was founded through a series of ambitious acquisitions in late 2020. The company owns and operates a variety of digital companies aimed at the B2B performance marketing space.

About FE International

FE International is an award-winning global M&A advisor of SaaS, e-commerce and content businesses, with over 1,100 closed transactions.

Founded in 2010, FE is known for its extensive network of pre-qualified international investors. Its team includes experts in exit planning, valuation, accounting, legal and more.

FE serves clients worldwide with headquarters in New York and regional offices in Miami, San Francisco and London. It was named one of The Americas' Fastest Growing Companies in 2021 and 2020 by The Financial Times and is also a three-time Inc. 5000 company.

Press Contact

Kevin Oh

+1 (800) 403 9067

https://feinternational.com/

SOURCE FE International
ALBANY, N.Y., Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Analysts at Transparency Market Research (TMR) expect the global surface mining market to register growth at a CAGR of 3.2% during the forecast period, from 2021 to 2031.

The growth of the surface mining market can be attributed to many factors such as increasing urbanization and industrialization, expanding construction industry, and improving disposable income in many developed and developing nations.

Asia Pacific is a dominating region in the surface mining market, owing to increased industrialization and presence of sizable number of enterprises involved in the surface mining activities in many countries of the region. Moreover, the Asia Pacific market is projected to be driven by expansion of regional mining industry, owing to rising demand for minerals and metals. China is a prominent country offering lucrative prospects in the surface mining market due to increase in the demand for mining in varied end-use industries, including mineral mining and coal mining in the country.

The market is anticipated to gain promising business prospects in North America due to the presence of considerable number of mining firms in several regional countries such as the U.S. Moreover, the regional market is expected to be fueled on the back of expansion of the metal mining industry in the region.

Get PDF Brochure for More Insights  https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=2373

Surface Mining Market: Key Findings

Several developing nations across the globe are mainly focusing on their infrastructure development. Hence, the number of construction projects is being increased in many emerging economies such as China , Brazil , and India . Moreover, these countries are also experiencing a wave of rapid industrialization. These factors are resulting in revenue-generation opportunities in the surface mining market.

, , and . Moreover, these countries are also experiencing a wave of rapid industrialization. These factors are resulting in revenue-generation opportunities in the surface mining market. Companies in the mining industry are increasing the adoption of technological advancements for performing different surface mining activities. Hence, they are investing in machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI). This factor is driving the growth prospects in the surface mining market.

Many automation service providers are focused on the development of Internet of Things (IoT) platforms that can help in establishing connection between plants from different locations. The use of this technology will allow remote monitoring of hazardous work locations with the help of smart devices and hence, reduce the number of visits to such locations.

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Surface Mining Market: Growth Boosters

Rising industrialization and urbanization across developing nations is anticipated to drive the expansion of surfacing mining market

Increase in construction activities, owing to rising infrastructure development in emerging economies, is creating promising sales prospects in the market

With improving spending power, people across the globe are increasing the demand for long-lasting products, including automobiles and different household equipment that have high contents of metal and mineral. These factors are boosting the demand for surface mining, which, in turn, is bolstering market growth.

Surface Mining Market: Competition Landscape

Players in the global surface mining market are focusing on the expansion of their businesses in newer geographies in order to capture untapped markets

Several enterprises from the surfacing mining industry are incorporated distributed control system, SCADA, safety instrumented system, industrial asset management, and manufacturing execution system in order to achieve automation. The strategy is helping them to maintain safe work environment for workers.

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Surface Mining Market: Key Players

Some of the key players profiled in the report are:

American Mine Services

Perenti Global Limited

BCM International Group

Macmahon

Mining Plus

LAXYO

BAI GROUP LLC

GMS Mine Repair & Maintenance

Banks Group

Technica Mining

DAY Group

Surface Mining Market Segmentation

Methodology

Strip Mining

Open-pit Mining

Mountaintop Removal

Dredging

Highwall Mining

Application

Coal Mining

Metal Mining

Mineral Mining

Others (including Bauxite Mining)

Region

North America

Europe

Asia Pacific

Latin America

Middle East & Africa

Buy an Exclusive Research Report at https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/checkout.php?rep_id=2373<ype=S

Energy & Natural Resources Industry battles Tangible Impact of Economic and Cultural changes, Explore Transparency Market Research's award-winning coverage of the global Energy & Natural Resources:

Underground Mining Diamond Drilling Market - https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/underground-mining-diamond-drilling-market.html

Smart Mining Market - https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/smart-mining-market.html

About Transparency Market Research

Transparency Market Research is a global market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. Our experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyse information.



Our data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts, so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With a broad research and analysis capability, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques in developing distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.

For More Research Insights on Leading Industries, Visit our YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8e-z-g23-TdDMuODiL8BKQ

Contact

Mr. Rohit Bhisey

Transparency Market Research

State Tower,

90 State Street,

Suite 700,

Albany NY - 12207

United States

USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453

Email: [email protected]

Website: http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com

Press Release Source: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/pressrelease/surface-mining-market.htm

SOURCE Transparency Market Research
As a dynamic industry leader for more than 20 years, SSI works with some of the largest organizations in the world. SSI chose a partnership to meet their client's evolving needs both locally and globally. To propel the organization into its next phase of growth, SSI found a partner with shared values, capabilities, and total commitment to serving the commercial market. Haworth's incredible investment and commitment to future looking modern design, diversity of products and laser focus on the needs of today's business and institutional markets aligned with SSI's design and client-centric culture.

"This once-in-a-generation realignment of manufacturer and distribution will provide our clients with exciting new design choices, streamlined interior planning and purchasing. We know our clients and design partners will benefit tremendously from our new partnership. It's an exciting time to be in the commercial interiors industry and we look forward to introducing even better solutions for our customers and design partners in the coming months and years," said Smith.

"Rosemarie built a team and a culture to provide great experiences for their clients. I am truly impressed by System Sources' innovation, growth and bold decisions," said Franco Bianchi, Haworth President and CEO. "Haworth is excited to welcome our newest dealer, Systems Source, as we continue to deliver design solutions for all of our customers."

The Systems Source Headquarters is located at 4685 MacArthur Court, Suite 100 in Newport Beach, California. For more information, please visit www.systemsource.com.

About Systems Source

Systems Source is a leading full-service contract interiors firm headquartered on the West Coast, serving customers throughout North America with quality furniture, demountable wall systems, flooring, accessories, installation, move, and asset management services. An industry leader for over 20 years, its focus has been to transform its clients' missions & brands into operational level environments. SSI works in many collaborative relationships, streamlines, and simplifies complexity and maximizes executional certainty.

About Haworth

Globally, Haworth, Inc enriches spaces with award-winning furniture, interior architecture, and technology solutions to help create beautiful rooms and achieve business goals by supporting collaboration and innovation. Research, knowledge, and design are at the center of the company's strategy and foster a deep understanding of built environments, culture transformations and agile workplace needs. With a strong history of craft, innovation and 400 patents, Haworth is committed to protecting and restoring the environment; creating economic value; and supporting and strengthening communities. Founded in 1948, Haworth remains family-owned, serving markets in more than 120 countries through a global network of 650 dealers and 7,500 employees. Headquartered in Holland, Michigan, U.S.A, the company has net sales of $2 billion USD.

CONTACT:

Jessica Ma

[email protected]

Office: 949-852-0920

SOURCE Systems Source
CHICAGO, Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Weichai Power Releases the World's First Diesel Engine with a Base Engine Thermal Efficiency of 51.09%, along with Major Hydrogen Energy Technology Achievements

At 9:00 am on January 8, 2022, Weichai Power released the world's first diesel engine with a base engine thermal efficiency of 51.09% and major achievements in hydrogen technology achievements.





Tan Xuguang, CPC Secretary and Chairman of Shandong Heavy Industry Group, Chairman of Weichai Power and Director of the Academic Committee of the National Fuel Cell Technology Innovation Center, reported the research findings of the world's first diesel engine with a base engine thermal efficiency of 51.09% developed by Weichai Power, the operation of the National Fuel Cell Technology Innovation Center and the "Hydrogen for Every Home" technology demonstration project. TuV SuD, an world-renowned test authority, issued a certificate of thermal efficiency of 51.09% to Weichai Power. Then the delivery ceremony of hydrogen-powered heavy-duty truck delivery for demonstrative operation between Shandong Heavy Industry and Shandong Port was held.





FISITA, MIT, AVL, FEV, SwRI, Bosch Group and Vitesco Technology, as well as the China Mechanical Engineering Society, the China Automotive Engineering Society, the China Internal Combustion Engine Society and the China Internal Combustion Engine Industry Associations extended congratulations on the release of the diesel engine by message or video link.

Challenging Limits

Scaling New Heights

Today when green and low carbon development has become a global consensus, China has set the strategic goal of achieving carbon peak by 2030 and carbon neutralization by 2060. Transportation is an important field for this target, and the internal combustion engine industry plays an important role in this process.





Thermal efficiency is the yardstick for the fuel efficiency of internal combustion engines: higher thermal efficiency represents lower fuel consumption and better effects of energy conservation and emission reduction. It is also a reflection of a country's technical strength in diesel engines. Improving thermal efficiency has been the common pursuit of the global diesel engine industry since diesel engines emerged 125 years ago. Weichai Power released the world's first commercial diesel engine with a base engine thermal efficiency of 50.23% in Jinan on September 16, 2020, establishing a new thermal efficiency benchmark for global diesel engines, just like the first time in human history that a 100-meter sprint was completed in 10 seconds. Just 480 days later, Weichai set a new world record by increasing the base thermal efficiency to 51.09% just as a 100-meter race was completed in 9 seconds, further enhancing China's significance in the global internal combustion engine industry.

The base engine thermal efficiency of 51.09% is another significant revolution of traditional engines, as well as a technical preparation for the implementation of the "China VII" emission standard. The application of this technology will help Weichai Power lead the world in a full spectrum of diesel engines, be of great strategic significance to promoting the energy-efficient and green development of China's traditional internal combustion engine industry, and play a significant leading role in the global internal combustion engine industry.





According to estimation, compared with existing key products (diesel engines with thermal efficiency of 46%) on the market, those with a thermal efficiency of 51% can lead to a reduction of 10% in fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions alike, saving fuel consumption by 16 million tons and costs by approximately 140 billion yuan annually, and reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 50 million tons annually. With the massive use of the top technology in the industry, it will generate huge economic and social benefits.

Hydrogen-powered Future

While promoting the innovative and low-carbon development of traditional engines, Weichai Power has taken the new energy industry as an important strategy. The first batch of Sinotruk hydrogen-powered heavy-duty tractor trucks with Weichai's high-power hydrogen fuel cell systems are powerful, eco-friendly, safe, reliable and efficient for full-time use.

In 2021, the National Hydrogen Cell Technology Innovation Center, the only of its kind in China, was established under the initiative of Weichai Power. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) and Shandong entered into a framework agreement on the "Hydrogen for Every Home" technology demonstration project. Based on the center, the ministry has carried out multi-scenario demonstrative application of hydrogen energy in Shandong, and sped up breakthroughs in key hydrogen technologies and the development of the hydrogen industry, thereby creating a duplicable Shandong sample for the hydrogen industry.





Since the launch of the "Hydrogen for Every Home" technology demonstration project, with the strong support of MOST and Shandong, the National Hydrogen Cell Technology Innovation Center has established an innovation consortium centered on Weichai Power and constituted by enterprises, universities and research institutes, to accelerate technical breakthroughs and industrialization, and successfully develop 15-200kW hydrogen fuel cell systems. The company's 200kW fuel cell systems were selected for the National Exhibition on Sci-tech Achievements in the "13th Five-Year" Period in October 2021. The company was the first to conduct an environmental adaptability test of fuel cell vehicles in extreme cold, achieving one-time successful start-up at a temperature of 34 degrees Celsius below zero. The company was the first in the industry to turn out products lasting 30,000 hours, pioneering the industrialization of Chinese fuel cells.





Based on its highly reliable fuel cell products, Weichai Power has carried out multi-scenario demonstrative application. In terms of hydrogen-powered parks, the company's first large-power container-type hydrogen fuel cell heating and power generation system and 30kW solid oxide fuel cell heating and power system, both the first of its kind in China, were put into operation in Weifang; the company developed China's first 3t hydrogen fuel cell forklift, creating a zero-carbon-emission logistics handling environment. In terms of hydrogen-powered ports, China's first 80-seat hydrogen fuel cell passenger ship developed by the company was tested successfully with zero carbon emission in the Xueye Lake, Jinan; and the company launched China's first hydrogen fuel cell heavy-duty truck demonstration project at Qingdao Port. In terms of hydrogen-powered highways, China's first highway hydrogen fueling station constructed by the company went into operation; a 49t fuel cell heavy-duty truck powered by Weichai operated for more than 5,000 kilometers from Taishan Steel, Jinan to Dongjiakou Area of Qingdao Port. On October 27, 2021, a Chinese original, world leading and fully-homemade Sinotruk Huanghe ski-waxing truck with a Weichai 162kW hydrogen fuel cell system was delivered for use during the Winter Olympic Games Beijing 2022. On January 4, General Secretary Xi Jinping inspected the ski-waxing truck. A series of outcomes marks that the "Hydrogen for Every Home" technology demonstration project is turning from blueprint into reality.

Tan said the base engine thermal efficiency of the internal combustion engines being up to 51.09%, massive application of new energy in products, and the "dual driving force" strategy, have kept Weichai Power ahead in the development of traditional high-end engines and new energy engines, and opened up a new path for diversified energy transformation under the national strategy of carbon peak and carbon neutralization.

Media Contact: [email protected]

SOURCE Weichai America
The Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe's roots in Minnesota date back to the mid-1700s when it established itself in the region around Mille Lacs Lake. But throughout the next century, non-Indian settlers expanded west and attempted to remove tribal members from the lands they had occupied for generations. Many Mille Lacs Band children were forced to attend government-run boarding schools, forbidden from speaking their language or practicing their cultural teachings.

As a result, generations of Mille Lacs Band members were deprived of their cultural identity, and the Ojibwe language became critically endangered. As part of the Band's commitment to revitalizing the language, educating the public about Ojibwe culture, and providing holistic support to its members, the Mille Lacs Band collaborated with Rosetta Stone to develop Ojibwe language learning lessons.

The lessons feature Ojibwe community members, videos and illustrations that teach vocabulary and grammar in an engaging and effective way. Rosetta Stone's speech recognition engine, TruAccent , compares learners' pronunciation to that of native Ojibwe speakers to help students fine-tune their skills.

The Mille Lacs Band has first access rights to Rosetta Stone Ojibwe, and the lessons are free for its members and descendants. Learners can access lessons anytime, anywhere on iOS and Android mobile devices, or desktop computers. Band members can apply for the program and receive a QR code to sign up through Aanjibimaadizing , a division of the Mille Lacs Band's Department of Administration.

"As Anishinaabe people, our language was given to us by the creator; learning that language helps us connect with our culture and live our lives in a good way," said Mille Lacs Band Chief Executive Melanie Benjamin. "This partnership with Rosetta Stone is important because it will make learning Ojibwe more accessible to Band members and others, and will help preserve our culture for generations to come."

"We often think of languages as what we speak or write, but overlook how they provide priceless insight into cultures. Indigenous languages are becoming endangered at an alarming rate, and many Native Americans are at risk of losing a vital part of their heritage," said Paul Mishkin, CEO of IXL Learning, Rosetta Stone's parent company. "Our collaboration with the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe has created resources that support the revitalization of the tribe's language, help pass down knowledge to the next generation of members and expose the wider public to the Band's rich culture."

The mission of the Endangered Languages Program

Across the globe, children in countless cultures are losing the languages of their parents and grandparents. In fact, as many as 50 to 90 percent of the world's 6,800 languages may be extinct within this century. As each new generation becomes more isolated from its past, ancestral languages slip further out of reach. To stem this loss of knowledge, the Rosetta Stone Endangered Languages Program works with Indigenous groups to preserve cultural assets with software that is specifically designed to revitalize at-risk languages. Learn more about the Endangered Languages Program and its partners here .

About the Non-Removable Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe

The Mille Lacs Reservation is located in east-central Minnesota and is the perpetual home of the Non-Removable Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe ( www.millelacsband.com ). More than 2,300 of the Band's 4,700 members live within reservation boundaries. The Band supports its members with a variety of services for economic, social, and cultural advancement, including health services, early childhood and youth centers, and economic development planning.

About Rosetta Stone

Rosetta Stone is dedicated to changing lives through the power of language education. The company's immersive learning experiences help people build fluency in 25 languages at home, in schools, and in workplaces around the world. The platform's Dynamic Immersion method allows users to learn quickly and intuitively, and advanced speech recognition technology helps perfect their pronunciation. Through Rosetta Stone, learners develop the skills and confidence to communicate and make deeper connections with people from all walks of life. Rosetta Stone joined the IXL Learning family of brands in 2021.

Press Contacts

Kris Jensen

Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe

[email protected]

Eric Bates

IXL Learning

[email protected]

SOURCE IXL Learning
"We are very excited to enter a multi-year partnership with Seqster to create a one-of-a-kind patient registry," said CEO at NPF, David Bakelman Tweet this

The registry will put real-world patient data in the hands of cutting-edge researchers who are working tirelessly to improve care and develop new and improved therapies for individuals suffering from pancreatic disease.

"We are beyond thrilled to empower NPF patients with a comprehensive tool to access all of their health data," said Ardy Arianpour, CEO & Co-Founder of Seqster. "The NPF-Seqster registry is a giant step forward for healthcare researchers and patients suffering from chronic pancreatic disease, providing full visibility into health data and connecting disparate data sources such as EHRs, DNA / Genomics and wearables, all in one place. This is especially critical for pancreatic disease patients receiving care across multiple providers and geographies."

Chronic pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas that does not heal or improveit gets worse over time and leads to permanent damage. Chronic pancreatitis eventually impairs a patient's ability to digest food and make pancreatic hormones. Industrialized countries have estimated an annual incidence rate of 5-12/100,000 people who will develop chronic pancreatitis. The prevalence of chronic pancreatitis is 50/100,000 people. Chronic pancreatitis often develops in patients between the ages of 30 and 40, and is more common in men than women.

Annually more than 60,000 adults in the United States will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. While the disease accounts for approximately 3% of all cancers, it is the third deadliest cancer. For many advocates of those affected by pancreatic diseases, quality healthcare does not focus solely on the management of these conditions, but is also concerned with the treatment of each patient as a whole. With its technology, Seqster will enable a comprehensive, holistic view of the patient, and streamline consent and data collection for clinical research that could lead to faster drug insights & discovery.

"NPF's new registry, powered by Seqster's technology, is a true leadership initiative that leverages an industry-leading patient-centric platform and allows our institutional partners to analyze, visualize, and query the data leading," explained Jane Holt, NPF Co-Founder. "This will lead to a deeper understanding of novel therapies, predictive biomarkers, and significantly improved patient outcomes."

About The National Pancreas Foundation

The National Pancreas Foundation (NPF) is a nonprofit organization that provides hope for those suffering from pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer through funding cutting edge research, advocating for improved therapies, and providing continuous support and education for patients, caregivers, and health care professionals.

The National Pancreas Foundation (NPF) was founded in 1997. Since that time NPF has made it our mission to significantly influence the physician and pancreatic research community and provide much needed education and resources to patients and their families who are afflicted by pancreatic disease. NPF advocates for increased research funding for diseases of the pancreas from both the public and private sectors. NPF works with government, for-profit and non-profit organizations as well as the biopharmaceutical industry to improve the level of awareness, interest and investment in research for pancreas disease.

To learn more, visit: https://pancreasfoundation.org/

About Seqster

Seqster is the leading healthcare technology company that breaks down health data silos at scale. Its enterprise SaaS platforms aggregate disparate health data sources into a single, 360-degree view of a patient in real-time, solving a multitude of challenges for life sciences, patient engagement and data interoperability.

Seqster has nationwide coverage of EHRs from hospitals and medical groups, genomic DNA, wearables, pharmacy and social determinants of health data. Through its customizable white-label approach, Seqster provides accelerated access to de-identified, tokenized, real-time data and comprehensive curated data to address critical needs across the healthcare continuum.

Seqster is privately held and headquartered in San Diego. To learn more about Seqster's platforms for Life Sciences, Patient Engagement and Data Interoperability, please contact us at [email protected] or visit www.seqster.com

SOURCE Seqster
DUBLIN, Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Global Healthcare ERP Market By Function, By Deployment, By Regional Outlook, Industry Analysis Report and Forecast, 2021 - 2027" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The Global Healthcare ERP Market size is expected to reach $9,399.8 million by 2027, rising at a market growth of 6.5% CAGR during the forecast period.

Healthcare facilities and firms are highly embracing cloud-based ERP systems because of the various advantages related to them, like minimum ownership cost, low availability of in-house technical expertise, agile and flexible infrastructure capacity, less capital requirement, and constant upgrades. As on-premises systems need massive capital expenditure and a significant cost, small and medium companies are highly embracing cloud-based ERP systems.

The rise in deployment of ERP systems among small and medium businesses is boosting demand for these systems to bring down operational costs and improve functional outcomes. Moreover, pharmacies and laboratories have started to embrace ERP systems for inventory management, accounts, purchase, point-of-sale profile, and selling.

COVID-19 Impact Analysis

The functioning of global healthcare systems has been severely challenged by the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic has put immense pressure on the workforce, highlighted limitations of current systems, and hampered the supply & demand cycles. With the drastic and rising transition towards remote healthcare and teleworking, companies are embracing cloud services to effortlessly access data, automate inventory and supply chain management functions, simplify the workflow, and enhance the financial & clinical outcomes of the industry.

During the COVID-19 outbreak, numerous hospitals were willing to go live with their ERP. The adoption of ERP solutions has supported the supply chain of CentraCare's, thereby placing the company in a better position to handle and manage the global pandemic.

Market Growth Factors:

Increasing need for Data Integration

These systems enable companies to integrate data collected from human resources, supply chain cycles, manufacturing & inventories, and finances & accounting, and optimize back-end processes like payroll management, inventory management, and account management. Moreover, pharmacies and laboratories have started to embrace ERP systems for inventory management, accounts, purchase, point-of-sale profile, and selling.

Rising awareness about the advantages of Healthcare ERP

The rise in the installation rate of ERP systems among small and medium businesses is boosting demand for these systems to bring down operational costs and improve functional outcomes. Standardized patient data enables streamlined access from remote locations to enhance patient acquisition and patient management techniques. Healthcare facilities and firms are highly embracing cloud-based ERP systems because of the various advantages related to them, like minimum ownership cost, low availability of in-house technical expertise, agile and flexible infrastructure capacity, less capital requirement, and constant upgrades.

Marketing Restraining Factor:

Absence of well-skilled professionals

The management of Healthcare ERP solutions needs many well-skilled employees and staff. On the other hand, the absence of proficient experts and staff has been a major obstacle barrier to the adoption of healthcare ERP solutions in the market. In addition, the healthcare ERP software and solutions must be regularly updated due to technological advancements. Additionally, data security is expected to become difficult as these systems collect data from various processes, computers, and networks that are highly susceptible to being hacked.

Key Topics Covered:



Chapter 1. Market Scope & Methodology



Chapter 2. Market Overview

2.1 Introduction

2.1.1 Overview

2.1.1.1 Market Composition and Scenario

2.2 Key Factors Impacting the Market

2.2.1 Market Drivers

2.2.2 Market Restraints



Chapter 3. Competition Analysis - Global

3.1 Cardinal Matrix

3.2 Recent Industry Wide Strategic Developments

3.2.1 Partnerships, Collaborations and Agreements

3.2.2 Product Launches and Product Expansions

3.2.3 Acquisition and Mergers

3.2.4 Business Expansions

3.3 Top Winning Strategies

3.3.1 Key Leading Strategies: Percentage Distribution (2017-2021)

3.3.2 Key Strategic Move: (Partnerships, Collaborations, and Agreements : 2018, Apr - 2021, Jul) Leading Players



Chapter 4. Global Healthcare ERP Market by Function

4.1 Global Finance and Billing Market by Region

4.2 Global Supply Chain and Logistics Management Market by Region

4.3 Global Inventory and Material Management Market by Region

4.4 Global Patient Relationship Management Market by Region

4.5 Global Other Function Market by Region



Chapter 5. Global Healthcare ERP Market by Deployment

5.1 Global On-premises Market by Region

5.2 Global Cloud Market by Region



Chapter 6. Global Healthcare ERP Market by Region



Chapter 7. Company Profiles

7.1 Microsoft Corporation

7.1.1 Company Overview

7.1.2 Financial Analysis

7.1.3 Segmental and Regional Analysis

7.1.4 Research & Development Expenses

7.1.1 Recent strategies and developments:

7.1.1.1 Acquisition and Mergers:

7.1.1.2 Product Launches and Product Expansions:

7.1.2 SWOT Analysis

7.2 Oracle Corporation

7.2.1 Company Overview

7.2.2 Financial Analysis

7.2.3 Segmental and Regional Analysis

7.2.4 Research & Development Expense

7.2.5 Recent strategies and developments:

7.2.5.1 Partnerships, Collaborations, and Agreements:

7.2.5.2 Product Launches and Product Expansions

7.2.6 SWOT Analysis

7.3 SAP SE

7.3.1 Company Overview

7.3.2 Financial Analysis

7.3.3 Segmental and Regional Analysis

7.3.4 Research & Development Expense

7.3.5 Recent strategies and developments:

7.3.5.1 Partnerships, Collaborations, and Agreements:

7.3.5.2 Product Launches and Product Expansions:

7.3.6 SWOT Analysis

7.4 McKesson Corporation

7.4.1 Company Overview

7.4.2 Financial Analysis

7.4.3 Regional Analysis

7.4.4 Research & Development Expense

7.5 Sage Group plc

7.5.1 Company Overview

7.5.2 Financial Analysis

7.5.3 Segmental and Regional Analysis

7.5.4 Research & Development Expenses

7.5.5 Recent strategies and developments:

7.5.5.1 Acquisition and Mergers:

7.5.5.2 Product Launches and Product Expansions:

7.5.5.3 Business Expansions:

7.6 Infor, Inc. (Koch Industries)

7.6.1 Company Overview

7.6.2 Recent strategies and developments:

7.6.2.1 Partnerships, Collaborations, and Agreements:

7.6.2.2 Product Launches and Product Expansions:

7.7 Odoo

7.7.1 Company Overview

7.8 QAD, Inc. (Thoma Bravo)

7.8.1 Company Overview

7.8.2 Recent strategies and developments:

7.8.2.1 Partnerships, Collaborations, and Agreements:

7.8.2.2 Product Launches and Product Expansions:

7.9 Aptean (Vista Equity Partners)

7.9.1 Company Overview

7.9.2 Recent strategies and developments:

7.9.2.1 Acquisition and Mergers:

7.10 Epicor Software Corporation

7.10.1 Company Overview

7.10.2 Recent strategies and developments:

7.10.2.1 Partnerships, Collaborations, and Agreements:

7.10.2.2 Acquisition and Mergers:

7.10.2.3 Product Launches and Product Expansions:



For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/6ota20

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]



For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470

For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630

For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900



U.S. Fax: 646-607-1904

Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716

SOURCE Research and Markets
DUBLIN, Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Global Purpose-built Backup Appliance (PBBA) Market (2021-2026) by Components, Enterprise, System, Industry Vertical, and Geography, Competitive Analysis and the Impact of Covid-19 with Ansoff Analysis" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The Global Purpose-built Backup Appliance Market is estimated to be USD 5.6 Bn in 2021 and is expected to reach USD 9.54 Bn by 2026, growing at a CAGR of 11.25%.



Market Dynamics

A purpose-built backup appliance (PBBA) is a standalone disk-based storage device designed and configured for backup data storage. Such devices can either be targets for incoming data from a backup program or have tightly integrated backup software into their hardware - in which case they are referred to as an integrated backup appliance. PBBAs, primarily backup data storage devices, usually contain deduplication, encryption, compression, redundant hardware components, and automatic setup and maintenance.



COVID-19 has been one of the primary drivers of development (surprise). The European Union countries are the primary growth drivers in the purpose-built backup appliance (PBBA) industry. These countries' governments and companies aim to ensure that their data is freely accessible. They also want to ensure that it is easily accessible. These businesses also want their remote workers to handle this data and information better.

The increased demand for these appliances from the European Union has prompted manufacturers to invest substantially in R&D. The goal is to create a new generation of devices that are easy to control and use while also being considerably more efficient at what they do.



These appliances, however, cannot provide better coverage for physical or virtual workloads. That's why there is slow growth in the PBBA market.



The Global Purpose-built Backup Appliance (PBBA) Market is segmented based on Components, Enterprise, System, Industry Vertical, and Geography.



Company Profiles

Some of the companies covered in this report are Arcserve, Asigra, Barracuda Networks, Dell EMC, Fujitsu, Netapp, Rubrik, Unitrends, Veritas Technologies, etc.



Countries Studied

America ( Argentina , Brazil , Canada , Chile , Colombia , Mexico , Peru , United States , Rest of Americas)

, , , , , , , , Rest of Americas) Europe ( Austria , Belgium , Denmark , Finland , France , Germany , Italy , Netherlands , Norway , Poland , Russia , Spain , Sweden , Switzerland , United Kingdom , Rest of Europe )

( , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Rest of ) Middle-East and Africa ( Egypt , Israel , Qatar , Saudi Arabia , South Africa , United Arab Emirates , Rest of MEA)

and ( , , , , , , Rest of MEA) Asia-Pacific ( Australia , Bangladesh , China , India , Indonesia , Japan , Malaysia , Philippines , Singapore , South Korea , Sri Lanka , Thailand , Taiwan , Rest of Asia-Pacific )

Competitive Quadrant

The report includes a Competitive Quadrant, a proprietary tool to analyze and evaluate the position of companies based on their Industry Position score and Market Performance score. The tool uses various factors for categorizing the players into four categories. Some of these factors considered for analysis are financial performance over the last 3 years, growth strategies, innovation score, new product launches, investments, growth in market share, etc.



Why buy this report?

The report offers a comprehensive evaluation of the Global Purpose-built Backup Appliance (PBBA) Market. The report includes in-depth qualitative analysis, verifiable data from authentic sources, and projections about market size. The projections are calculated using proven research methodologies.

The report has been compiled through extensive primary and secondary research. The primary research is done through interviews, surveys, and observation of renowned personnel in the industry.

The report includes an in-depth market analysis using Porter's 5 forces model and the Ansoff Matrix. In addition, the impact of Covid-19 on the market is also featured in the report.

The report also includes the regulatory scenario in the industry, which will help you make a well-informed decision. The report discusses major regulatory bodies and major rules and regulations imposed on this sector across various geographies.

The report also contains the competitive analysis using Positioning Quadrants, the analyst's Proprietary competitive positioning tool.

Key Topics Covered:



1 Report Description



2 Research Methodology



3 Executive Summary

3.1 Introduction

3.2 Market Size and Segmentation

3.3 Market Outlook



4 Market Influencers

4.1 Drivers

4.1.1 Increasing Enterprise Data Protection, Infrastructure Recovery Awareness

4.1.2 Data Protection and Data Security are Governed by Strict Rules and Regulations

4.2 Restraints

4.2.1 Storage and Backup Technology has a High Cost

4.2.2 Availability of Low-Cost Substitutes

4.3 Opportunities

4.3.1 Increasing Demand for Data Analytics

4.3.2 The Expansion of IoT

4.4 Challenges

4.4.1 Convenient Cloud Storage Options



5 Market Analysis

5.1 Regulatory Scenario

5.2 Porter's Five Forces Analysis

5.3 Impact of COVID-19

5.4 Ansoff Matrix Analysis



6 Global Purpose-built Backup Appliance (PBBA) Market, By Components

6.1 Introduction

6.2 Components

6.3 Hardware

6.4 Software



7 Global Purpose-built Backup Appliance (PBBA) Market, By Enterprise

7.1 Introduction

7.2 Small and Mid-level Enterprises

7.3 Large Enterprise



8 Global Purpose-built Backup Appliance (PBBA) Market, By System

8.1 Introduction

8.2 Mainframe Systems

8.3 Open Systems



9 Global Purpose-built Backup Appliance (PBBA) Market, By Industry Vertical

9.1 Introduction

9.2 BFSI

9.3 Telecom and IT

9.4 Government

9.5 Healthcare

9.6 Education

9.7 Manufacturing

9.8 Travel and Hospitality

9.9 Energy and Utility

9.10 Others



10 Global Purpose-built Backup Appliance (PBBA) Market, By Geography



11 Competitive Landscape

11.1 Competitive Quadrant

11.2 Market Share Analysis

11.3 Strategic Initiatives

11.3.1 M&A and Investments

11.3.2 Partnerships and Collaborations

11.3.3 Product Developments and Improvements



12 Company Profiles

12.1 Arcserve

12.2 Asigra

12.3 Axcient

12.4 Barracuda Networks

12.5 Cohesity

12.6 CommVault Systems

12.7 Dell EMC

12.8 eFolder

12.9 ExaGrid Systems

12.10 FalconStor Software

12.11 Fujitsu

12.12 Hewlett Packard Enterprise

12.13 Hitachi Vantara

12.14 IBM

12.15 Netapp

12.16 Oracle

12.17 Quantum

12.18 Rubrik

12.19 STORServer

12.20 Unitrends

12.21 Veeam Software

12.22 Vembu Technologies

12.23 Veritas Technologies



13 Appendix



For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/rygpz0

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]



For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470

For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630

For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900



U.S. Fax: 646-607-1904

Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716

SOURCE Research and Markets
(Source: cctv.com)

By Jin Dong and Zhou Weiqi

HONG KONG, Jan. 11 -- Carrie Lam, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), met with Major General Peng Jingtang, the newly appointed commander of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Hong Kong Garrison, at the Government House on the morning of January 10. Chen Guoji, Director of the Chief Executive's Office, attended the event.

Carrie Lam welcomed Major General Peng Jingtang's assumption of office as commander of the PLA Hong Kong Garrison. She said that the PLA Hong Kong Garrison, as an important embodiment of national sovereignty, has been performing its responsibilities in the region in strict accordance with the Basic Law, the Law of the People's Republic of China on Garrisoning the HKSAR and other relevant laws. The PLA Hong Kong Garrison has always been well-disciplined and law-abiding, providing staunch support for maintaining the long-term prosperity and stability of the HKSAR, said Lam.

According to Lam, the PLA Hong Kong Garrison has been committed to deepening communication with Hong Kong society over the years. They actively participated in public service activities, and also organized multiple activities to enhance the understanding of national defense and the PLA troops among all walks of life, including the opening of the military camps to the public, HK Youth Military Summer Camp, and military life experience camps for HK college students, winning esteem and support from the public.

She also believed that under the leadership of Major General Peng Jingtang, the Hong Kong Garrison would continue to uphold its excellent tradition, work with the HKSAR Government to jointly safeguard the sovereignty, security and development interests of the nation, and help maintain the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- On Wednesday, January 12, between 2:00am-3:15pm EST, United Chinese Americans (UCA) is holding a press conference highlighting the personal story, suffering and mistreatment of the China Initiative victims, at the hands of the federal law enforcement.

Attending and speaking at this event will be:



Members of the Congress who have worked on this issue; Dr. Anming Hu , professor at the University of Tennessee , the first academic to stand trial under the DOJ China Initiative. After the jury deadlocked, the judge issued a full acquittal; Phil Lomonaco , trial lawyer who successfully defended Dr Hu; Wendy Chandler , member of the jury in the trial of Dr. Hu; Jamie Satterfield , reporter for local Knoxville News who attended and reported on the trial; Dr. Qing Wang, senior researcher at the Cleveland Clinic, who was charged under the DOJ China Initiative but later government dismissed the charge; Ms. Hong Peng , wife of Professor Tao who is charged under the DOJ China Initiative; Sherry Chen , former federal employee, who was wrongly charged by DOJ and is still fighting to get her civil rights back.

Earlier on the same day, from 11:30am-12:30pm, local Chinese American community members will hold a silent protest outside the Robert F Kennedy Department of Justice Building in DC (at the corner of 9th Street, NW and Pennsylvania Avenue, NW) to protest against the government's racial profiling, selective and overzealous prosecution, and mistreatment of Chinese American scientists.

Rarely before has a press event assembled so many victims and witnesses regarding how our own government has mistreated Chinese American scientists. Rarely before are so many victims willing to speak up, despite fear, about their stories. "The totality of all the suffering and unfair treatment speaks volumes about the urgent need to end the China Initiative as we know it, and to restore the normal atmosphere for these scientists to get back to do their research rather than fear for their future. Enough is enough!" says Haipei Shue, president of United Chinese Americans.

If you are a credentialed reporter or media person, and you are interested in joining this event or know more about the event, please write to [email protected], or call 202-642-5060 informing UCA of your full name, email address and the media company you represent. Upon receiving your email, UCA will send you an invitation with the zoom link for the event.



SOURCE United Chinese Americans (UCA)
Resource Center: Project, contract, supplier, and employment matching

Digital Library: Videos, podcasts, webinars, articles, papers, and research

Virtual Coffee: Online coffee, conversations, and networking

Virtual Community: Physical and digital work and meeting spaces

Book Circle: Social justice book sharing, discussions, and author events

Online Events: Webinars, podcasts, and discussions

"In addition to our certification programs, we felt it was critical to provide a comprehensive resource center," said Betsy Martin, Executive Director, TISJ. "Our goal is to make an impact in six core areas: economic, social, health, safety, education, and environmental. We are excited to see the momentum built over the past year come to fruition with content, resources, and partnerships to be released in the coming weeks. With everything we do, we want to promote understanding, give people the tools to take action, and a platform to share their voices."

For many, the first step to taking action is learning what social justice is, and TISJ has just released an infographic to help them navigate this question. In addition, Dr. Chris Voparil, who teaches philosophy and political theory in UI&U's Ph.D. program in Interdisciplinary Studies, and serves on the editorial board of TISJ, provides a more detailed analysis in his article, What is Social Justice? Dr. Voparil encourages us to move past debates around the definition of social justice. Instead, he suggests a focus on a "working program" that addresses injustices, and creates a more just world. He asserts that "Social justice, above all, is about our relations to others  in our communities, our workplaces and institutions, our cities and states, and, yes, our nation and across the globe. It is not from formal definitions, but direct interaction and experience with others that we can develop the sensibilities and practices that make us responsive to those who are suffering in our midst."

About TISJ

The Institute for Social Justice exists to impact society through participatory and democratic work with individuals and organizations. Beginning with reflective abilities and systemic awareness, it fosters organizational and social structures that no longer perpetuate injustice in society. TISJ applies theory to practice through an alliance of thought leaders who are scholar-practitioners, activists, philanthropists, policymakers, community advocates, and others committed to promoting social justice and equity in the U.S. and globally through research, education, and policy. Since its founding in 1964, UI&U has focused on academic excellence, creativity, diversity, and integrity. TISJ aims to make tangible and significant progress toward social justice by advocating for equality, valuing diversity, and committing to an innovative learning environment that shrinks economic disparities and eliminates racism. TISJ connects programs and persons committed to providing innovative and pragmatic solutions globally. To learn more about The Institute for Social Justice, visit tisj.myunion.edu .

About Union Institute & University

Founded in 1964, Union Institute & University has been a nonprofit pioneer in educating adults through distance learning. Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission Union Institute & University offers undergraduate, master's, and doctoral degree programs, as well as certificates designed for those seeking to make a difference in their own lives and within their communities. The university offers specialized online and low residency degree programs with high-touch faculty attention, designed for students regardless of where they live and work. Union's flexible delivery models emphasize relevant and transformative coursework taught by a national faculty of scholar-practitioners. Union graduates  including two dozen college presidents, leaders in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors, members of the United States Congress, and the first female prime minister of Jamaica  promote Union's legacy of utilizing education to transform lives and communities. Based in Cincinnati, UI&U has additional Academic Centers in California (Los Angeles and Sacramento) and Florida (Hollywood). To learn more about Union Institute & University, visit www.myunion.edu or call 1-800-861-6400.

SOURCE Union Institute & University
DENVER, Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The University of Denver's Center for Professional Development is partnering with cannabis education company Green Flower to offer three non-credit cannabis certificate programs to help provide a skilled workforce in the fast-growing Colorado cannabis industry.

The new certificate programs are The Business of Cannabis, Cannabis Healthcare and Medicine, and Cannabis Agriculture and Horticulture. All courses are delivered online in a self-paced format to meet the needs of busy adults.

As the first state to legalize recreational cannabis, Colorado has been a leader in industry growth, reporting $1.77 billion in cannabis sales and 34,700 cannabis-related jobs in 2020. Nationwide, legal cannabis worker jobs are projected to grow by 250 percent by 2028, outpacing other fast-growing careers. This growth is creating increased demand for a workforce skilled in various aspects of the industry, and the University of Denver cannabis certificates aim to fill that need.

"We are delighted to offer robust cannabis education in partnership with Green Flower, a leader in cannabis education that has worked with universities across the nation," said Renae Jacob, executive director of the Center for Professional Development at the University of Denver. "The Center for Professional Development welcomes students to the vibrant University of Denver community to professionally prepare to make an impact in an industry in which Colorado is a leader. The cannabis industry is constantly and quickly evolving, and we are thrilled to provide quality, relevant training for those who want solid careers in the industry or to become better informed about the field in general. We will also be integrating curriculum on social equity in the industry to educate students about the impact cannabis legalization has on communities and people of color."

Each certificate includes three eight-week online courses that participants can complete in approximately six months. Upon completion of the program, students receive a certificate from the University of Denver and benefit from connections in the state industry, as well as cannabis professionals in Green Flower's nationwide Employer Network.

"Seeing as Colorado was the very first state to boldly legalize cannabis for all adults, it feels particularly powerful that the most respected and highly ranked university in the state is now on-board to help develop the industry by training the next generation of cannabis professionals," said Max Simon, CEO of Green Flower.

Registration is now open, with courses in the three certificate programs starting March 7, 2022. For more information or to register, visit cannabiseducation.du.edu.

About University of Denver's Center for Professional Development

The Center for Professional Development at the University of Denver provides quality, accessible professional education designed to develop new skills and refresh existing proficiencies for career advancement. For more information, visit du.edu/professional. For additional news and updates, follow the Center for Professional Development on Facebook.

About Green Flower

Founded in 2014, Green Flower is the industry leader in cannabis education, empowering thousands of consumers, regulators and professionals with the knowledge they need to succeed in the emerging cannabis industry today. Green Flower's content and technology platform powers the cannabis programs of top universities and colleges across the country, provides customized learning and compliance solutions for cannabis businesses of all sizes, and equips individuals with the skills and credentials necessary to make an impact in the modern cannabis industry.

Contact: Renae Jacob

Phone: 303-871-4161

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Green Flower
DENVER, Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Boom Supersonic, the aerospace company building the world's fastest and most sustainable supersonic airliner, today announced it has entered into a three year strategic partnership with the U.S. Air Force valued at up to $60 million. The Air Force awarded this contract to Boom through its innovation arm, AFWERX, and its AFVentures division, which is designed to accelerate commercial technologies. Known as the Strategic Funding Increase (STRATFI), the STRATFI contract awarded to Boom is one of the program's largest investments and a significant commitment to the future of supersonic aviation.

A derivative of Overture, the Boom Supersonic airliner, could offer the United States Air Force a future strategic capability in rapid global transport and logistics.

The STRATFI contract will accelerate research and development on Overture, Boom's commercial airliner. Overture will carry 6588 passengers at twice the speed of today's airliners. Designed to run on 100% sustainable aviation fuels, Overture is expected to be the first large commercial aircraft to be net zero carbon from day one. The supersonic airliner is set to enter manufacturing in 2023, roll out in 2025, and begin flying passengers by the end of the decade.

STRATFI funding will accelerate critical design and development initiatives on Overture, including wind tunnel testing and propulsion system definition. The award represents a substantial increase in the Air Force's financial investment in Boom following a SBIR Phase 2 contract awarded in September 2020.

"We are proud of the Air Force's continued support and recognition of Boom's leadership in supersonic flightand we see our partnership as mutually beneficial," said Boom founder and CEO Blake Scholl. "With STRATFI, we're able to collaborate with the Air Force on the unique requirements and needs for global military missions, ultimately allowing Boom to better satisfy the needs of the Air Force where it uses commercially-derived aircraft. As a potential future platform for the Air Force, Overture would offer the valuable advantage of time, an unmatched option domestically and internationally."

The new Air Force contract represents a further widening of government efforts to ensure that the U.S. remains at the forefront of supersonic commercial development. Additionally, a derivative of Overture could offer the Air Force a future strategic capability in rapid global transport and logistics. Potential users and applications include executive transport; Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance; Special Operations Forces; and the Pacific Air Forces (PACAF).

About Boom Supersonic

Boom Supersonic is redefining commercial air travel by bringing sustainable, supersonic flight to the skies. Boom's historic commercial airliner, Overture, is designed and committed to industry-leading standards of speed, safety, and sustainability. Overture will be net-zero carbon, capable of flying on 100% sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) at twice the speed of today's fastest passenger jets. Overture's order book, including purchases and options, stands at 70 aircraft, and Boom is working with the United States Air Force for government applications of Overture. Named one of TIME's Best Inventions of 2021, the XB-1 demonstrator aircraft rolled out in 2020, and its carbon neutral flight test program is underway. The company is backed by world-class investors, including Bessemer Venture Partners, Prime Movers Lab, Emerson Collective and American Express Ventures. For more information, visit https://boomsupersonic.com.

Connect with Boom Supersonic on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube

Photos and video available at https://boomsupersonic.com/press.

SOURCE Boom Supersonic
For additional regional insights into the sleepwear and loungewear market - Download a free sample report now!

Market Dynamics

Factors such as demand for designer and premium sleepwear and loungewear and demand for sleepwear and loungewear in developing countries will be crucial in driving the growth of the market. But the presence of counterfeit products will restrict the market growth. The sleepwear and loungewear market analysis report also provides detailed information on other upcoming trends that will have a far-reaching effect on the market growth

Company Profiles

The sleepwear and loungewear market is fragmented and the vendors are deploying growth strategies such as offering customized apparel and selling products in bulk through e-auctioning to compete in the market. The sleepwear and loungewear market report includes information on the product launches, sustainability, and prospects of leading vendors including Authentic Brands Group LLC, Groupe Chantelle, H & M Hennes & Mauritz AB, Hanesbrands Inc., L Brands Inc., PVH Corp., Ralph Lauren Corp., MASH Holdings Co. Ltd., American Eagle Outfitters Inc., and Wacoal Holdings Corp.



Vendor Insights & News

American Eagle Outfitters Inc. - In February 2019 , the company expanded its American Eagle and Aerie brands throughout Europe with a multi-year license agreement with AEO EU

- In , the company expanded its American Eagle and Aerie brands throughout with a multi-year license agreement with AEO EU H & M Hennes & Mauritz AB - In January 2019 , the company announced the launch of its brand COS in Reykjavik, Iceland .

- In , the company announced the launch of its brand COS in Reykjavik, . PVH Corp. - In June 2019 , the company and G-III Apparel Group Ltd. announced today that Calvin Klein , its subsidiary, and G-III have entered into a license agreement for an initial term of five years for the design, production, and distribution of Calvin Klein Jeans women's jeanswear collections in the US and Canada .

Additional information on 20 more vendors and it's offering- Download a free sample report now!

Competitive Analysis

The report includes the competitive analysis, a proprietary tool to analyze and evaluate the position of companies based on their industry position score and market performance score. The tool uses various factors for categorizing the players into four categories. Some of these factors considered for analysis are financial performance over the last 3 years, growth strategies, innovation score, new product launches, investments, growth in market share, etc.

Market Segmentation

By Product, the market is classified into sleepwear and loungewear.

the market is classified into sleepwear and loungewear. By Distribution channel, the market is classified into offline and online.

the market is classified into offline and online. By Geography, the market is classified as APAC, Europe , North America , South America , and MEA.

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Compression Wear and Shapewear Market -The compression wear and shapewear market size has the potential to grow by USD 697.13 million during 2020-2024, and the market's growth momentum will accelerate at a CAGR of 2.54%. Download a free sample now!

Maternity Wear Market - The maternity wear market has the potential to grow by USD 2.91 billion during 2021-2025, and the market's growth momentum will accelerate at a CAGR of 3.23%. Download a free sample now!

Sleepwear And Loungewear Market Scope Report Coverage Details Page number 120 Base year 2020 Forecast period 2021-2025 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 6% Market growth 2021-2025 USD 13.36 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth (%) 5.28 Regional analysis APAC, Europe, North America, South America, and MEA Performing market contribution APAC at 44% Key consumer countries US, China, India, Germany, and France Competitive landscape Leading companies, competitive strategies, consumer engagement scope Companies profiled Authentic Brands Group LLC, Groupe Chantelle, H & M Hennes & Mauritz AB, Hanesbrands Inc., L Brands Inc., PVH Corp., Ralph Lauren Corp., MASH Holdings Co. Ltd., American Eagle Outfitters Inc., and Wacoal Holdings Corp. Market Dynamics Parent market analysis, Market growth inducers and obstacles, Fast-growing and slow-growing segment analysis, COVID-19 impact and future consumer dynamics, market condition analysis for the forecast period, Customization purview If our report has not included the data that you are looking for, you can reach out to our analysts and get segments customized.

About Us

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

Contact

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media & Marketing Executive

US: +1 844 364 1100

UK: +44 203 893 3200

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.technavio.com/

SOURCE Technavio
Market Dynamics

The market is driven by factors such as the increasing prominence of private-label brands, growing demand from millennials, and the growth of the organized retail sector. However, the accidents and fatalities caused by alcohol-impaired driving are hindering the market growth. The holistic analysis of the drivers & challenges will help in deducing end goals and refining marketing strategies to gain a competitive edge. The vodka market analysis report of US also provides detailed information on other upcoming trends that will have a far-reaching effect on the market growth.

Company Profiles

The vodka market in US is fragmented and the vendors are deploying growth strategies such as product expansions and partnering with off-trade distribution channels to compete in the market. The vodka market in us report provides complete insights on key vendors including Anheuser Busch InBev SA/NV, Bacardi Ltd., Becle SAB de CV, Brown Forman Corp., Constellation Brands Inc., Davide Campari Milano NV, Diageo Plc, Pernod Ricard SA, Polmos Zyrardow Sp. ZOO, and Suntory Beverage and Food Ltd.



Few companies with Key Offerings

The report analyzes the market's competitive landscape and offers information on several market vendors, including:

Anheuser Busch InBev SA/NV - The company offers a wide range of vodka through the brand name Redd Rose .

The company offers a wide range of vodka through the brand name . Bacardi Ltd. - The company offers high-quality vodka through its brand Redd Rose .

The company offers high-quality vodka through its brand . Becle SAB de CV - The company offers high-quality vodka under the brand name Three Olives.

The company offers high-quality vodka under the brand name Three Olives. Brown Forman Corp. - The company offers vodka under the brand name Finlandia.

The company offers vodka under the brand name Finlandia. Constellation Brands Inc. - The company offers premium vodka under the brand name SVEDKA.

To make the most of the opportunities, market vendors should focus more on the growth prospects in the fast-growing segments, while maintaining their positions in the slow-growing segments. The vodka market forecast report of US offers in-depth insights into key vendor profiles. The profiles include information on the production, sustainability, and prospects of the leading companies.

Find Additional Companies and it offering information- Download a free sample now!

Competitive Analysis

The competitive scenario provided in the vodka market in US report analyzes, evaluates, and positions companies based on various performance indicators. Some of the factors considered for this analysis include the financial performance of companies over the past few years, growth strategies, product innovations, new product launches, investments, growth in market share, etc.

Market Segmentation

By Product, the market is classified into unflavored and flavored.

the market is classified into unflavored and flavored. By Distribution channel, the market is classified into on-trade and off-trade.

the market is classified into on-trade and off-trade. By Price, the market is classified into premium and value.

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Black Beer Market -The black beer market share is expected to increase by USD 489.59 million from 2020 to 2025, at a CAGR of 2.54%. Download a free sample now!



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Vodka Market In US Scope Report Coverage Details Page number 120 Base year 2020 Forecast period 2021-2025 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 3% Market growth 2021-2025 98.35 mn L Market structure Fragmented YoY growth (%) 1.45 Regional analysis US Competitive landscape Leading companies, competitive strategies, consumer engagement scope Companies profiled Anheuser Busch InBev SA/NV, Bacardi Ltd., Becle SAB de CV, Brown Forman Corp., Constellation Brands Inc., Davide Campari Milano NV, Diageo Plc, Pernod Ricard SA, Polmos Zyrardow Sp. ZOO, and Suntory Beverage and Food Ltd. Market Dynamics Parent market analysis, Market growth inducers and obstacles, Fast-growing and slow-growing segment analysis, COVID-19 impact and future consumer dynamics, market condition analysis for forecast period, Customization purview If our report has not included the data that you are looking for, you can reach out to our analysts and get segments customized.

About Us

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

Contact

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media & Marketing Executive

US: +1 844 364 1100

UK: +44 203 893 3200

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.technavio.com/

SOURCE Technavio
SEATTLE, Jan. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Washington Poison Center and Seattle Children's invite Washington state elementary students to participate in the 16th Annual Poison Prevention Poster Contest. This year's theme is "Mr. Yuk Helps Everyone!"

The annual Poison Prevention Poster Contest asks students in grades kindergarten through 6th to show in poster-format how Mr. Yuk and the Washington Poison Center help keep people safe from harmful substances. The winning artwork will be transformed into the Washington Poison Center's poster and other campaign materials for National Poison Prevention Week, March 20-26, 2022.

Since 2006, more than 3,000 elementary students have submitted artwork illustrating ways to remain safe from poisonous and toxic substances. "We are so appreciative of the students and teachers who, by working on the poster contest, learn about the poison center and shine a spotlight on poison safety," commented Dr. Scott Phillips, the Washington Poison Center's Medical Director. "Encouraging young students to participate in poison prevention awareness is more important than ever, with added poison risks during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our annual Poison Prevention Poster Contest is one way we can engage these students and their communities, and ensure they know who to call, 24/7/365, when they need help."

This year, the Washington Poison Center is pleased to partner with Seattle Children's on promoting the poster contest and developing new online poison safety curriculum for elementary-aged students. Regarding this new partnership, Isabell Sakamoto, Suicide and Injury Prevention Program Manager at Seattle Children's stated, "We're excited to team up with the Washington Poison Center to help spread awareness and information about ways to help keep families healthy and safe. This poster contest is a great way to involve students in poison prevention!"

Poison Prevention Poster Contest Schedule

Contest Kick Off: January 10, 2022

Last day to submit: February 11, 2022

Winner announced: March 1, 2022

The winner will receive a class party and special classroom visit from Mr. Yuk, a Kindle, a visit with their local state legislators, and their artwork included in a poster and media packages for organizations across Washington state.

Click here for rules and additional contest information. Email [email protected] with any questions.

CONTACT: [email protected]

SOURCE Washington Poison Center
Preview of new California Prop 65 warnings

OTTAWA, ON, Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - On 19 January 2022, Claigan Environmental Inc. (www.claigan.com) will present a webinar on the updated proposed changes to California Proposition 65 warnings. This webinar will discuss proposed warning changes likely to go into effect in spring of 2023.

For some time, changes to the Prop 65 short form warnings have been discussed by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) including consultation on the proposed new warnings in 2020 and 2021. Based on comments from those consultations, OEHHA has proposed some additional changes and a short consultation to January 21 2022.

The new changes focus primarily on the placement and text of the short form warnings but include new options for the long form warnings. Like the original consultation, the core element is the need to declare at least one reproductive toxin (if applicable) and one carcinogen (if applicable) in the short form warning.

The main topics to be covered in this webinar are -

New short form text(s)

New long form text option

Short form warning limitations and placement requirements

Deadlines

Managing compliance for consumer products

Managing compliance for professional products

Due to the interest in these topics, two (2) webinars will be held on January 19 to accommodate a larger audience.

Webinars - New Prop 65 Warnings

Date: 19 January 2022

Time: 10am and 2pm EST

Duration: 1 hour plus Q&A

To Register: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/rt/2767054472519625484 or on Claigan Website at www.claigan.com/webinars

Register now or send an e-mail to [email protected]. For more information on Claigan Environmental's restricted materials services - see Claigan's services at www.claigan.com

About Claigan Environmental (www.claigan.com)

Claigan is the leading provide in Prop 65 compliance. Claigan has tested thousands of products for Prop 65 compliance and being the technical support for numerous Prop 65 notice defences. Claigan is an ISO 17025 certified laboratory and is dedicated to providing practical solutions for supply chain due diligence and social responsibility. At Claigan, we believe in 'More Results. Less Journey.'

SOURCE Claigan Environmental Inc.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The White House Historical Association , a private non-profit organization founded by First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy in 1961, has announced a new academic partnership with the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development at New York University. The Association will sponsor a semester-long internship that will support the work of NYU Costume Studies graduate student Maegan Jenkins - the Association's inaugural Digital Exhibition intern.

Jenkins will create a digital exhibit, Glamour and Innovation: The Women Behind the Seams of Fashion at the White House, that will highlight the storied careers of eight independent and lesser-known female designers, seamstresses, and couturiers who created designs for several first ladies.

Through a mix of archival photography, portraits, and press clippings, Jenkins' exhibit will cover over a hundred years in fashion history, beginning with Elizabeth Keckley, Mary Lincoln's dressmaker who was born enslaved.

The internship project aligns with the Association's focus for 2022 on "White House Tastemakers and Trendsetters," which encompasses a closer look at the cuisine, fashion, social traditions, and individuals who lived, visited, or worked in the White House and inspired or influenced American culture.

For more information on the White House Historical Association, please visit www.whitehousehistory.org .

About The White House Historical Association

First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy envisioned a restored White House that conveyed a sense of history through its decorative and fine arts. In 1961, the White House Historical Association was established to support her vision to preserve and share the Executive Mansion's legacy for generations to come. Supported entirely by private resources, the Association's mission is to assist in the preservation of the state and public rooms, fund acquisitions for the White House permanent collection, and educate the public on the history of the White House. Since its founding, the White House Historical Association has contributed more than $50 million in fulfillment of its mission.

About NYU Costume Studies



Since 1979, NYU Steinhardt's MA Program in Costume Studies has focused on the history of dress and textiles in its broadest aesthetic and cultural context. It was the first curriculum in the U.S. to educate specialists in this field. With a core of courses on the history of fashion and textiles, the program trains students in the research and analysis of the fascinating phenomenon of dress.

SOURCE White House Historical Association
BORDEAUX, France, Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Vinexposium group's flagship event will be the first major international gathering of 2022 and an effective tool for promoting market recovery. Highly awaited by the wine and spirits industry, Wine Paris & Vinexpo Paris will welcome 2,800 exhibitors from 32 countries.

"Wine Paris & Vinexpo Paris has rapidly become an unmissable event! We are delighted to be able to take part in this major wine gathering in Paris, to meet up with our customers again and to boost our business in export markets," reacts Philippe Guigal, CEO of E. GUIGAL.

"I eagerly await reconnecting with suppliers and hunting out new great wines and relationships to build on for the year ahead," comments John Chapman, Managing Director of The Oxford Wine Company.

"After 2 years with no exhibitions, it is essential to reconnect with our producers and to list new producers. For the sake of business, the time has come to meet again! The hosting arrangements guarantee that everything will go as smoothly as possible and attending Wine Paris & Vinexpo Paris was a foregone conclusion for me," stresses Sebastien Clement, CEO of Tanium Vins et Spiritueux in Quebec.

Ongoing safety arrangements will be executed with utmost rigour to ensure the event runs seamlessly while providing the conviviality expected. Measures include a valid health pass (or vaccination pass depending on regulations) to access the event, mandatory face coverings and an enhanced cleaning process. Across the French capital, facilities are all-set to welcome the participants. Transportation, hotels, bars and restaurants are open.

These conditions will enable attendees to fully benefit from a high-quality programme with masterclasses and tastings, multi-format talks by experts and themed areas  Be Spirits for spirits and mixology, Wine Tech Perspectives to dive into the heart of innovation and digitalisation and La Nouvelle Vague will highlight young winemakers.

"With 5 weeks to go before the exhibition opens, we are putting all our energy into delivering the event the industry is expecting. We are leveraging all our resources to bring in key international buyers and make Wine Paris & Vinexpo Paris an amazing event in every respect," adds Rodolphe Lameyse, CEO of Vinexposium.

More information on wineparis-vinexpo.com.

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1724103/Vinexposium_Logo.jpg

Contact:

Camille Malavoy

Senior PR Officer

[email protected]

SOURCE Vinexposium
KAMPALA, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- Uganda is set to immunize over 8 million children below the age of five against polio, the Ministry of Health said Monday.

Immaculate Ampeire, a senior medical officer in charge of immunization and vaccines at the ministry, told Xinhua in an interview that the exercise will be conducted door-to-door countrywide from Jan. 14 to 16.

Local council leaders, village health teams, and health officials will move house to house administering the vaccine, she said.

About 8.8 million children under five will be vaccinated with novel oral polio vaccines (nOPV2), Ampeire said.

"Currently we have about 10 million doses of polio vaccines that will only cover the first round of the campaign. We hope to get more doses once we are done with the first round," she said, noting that the second round would take place as soon as more funds are secured.

Ampeire urged efforts to ensure that all children are vaccinated against polio.

She said vaccinated children will be marked and their households numbered.

Last August, Uganda announced that there was a polio outbreak in the country after samples on fecal matter collected in the capital Kampala tested positive. The ministry of health warned at the time that it was the rare wild polio virus type 2, whose vaccine was withdrawn from the country's routine immunization exercises in 2016.

The virus type, according to the ministry, is the most virulent of the three types, 1, 2, and 3. The resurgence was attributed to the reduced routine immunization in the country due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Uganda was certified polio-free in October 2006 by the World Health Organization (WHO) after having reported no indigenous polio cases for 10 years.

According to the WHO, polio is a highly infectious disease caused by a virus that mainly affects children under five years old. The virus is transmitted by the fecal-oral route and by aerosol droplets.

Ampeire said many people who are infected with poliovirus do not become sick and have no symptoms.

"However those who become ill develop paralysis, which can sometimes be fatal," she said. "I appeal to parents to bring their children below 15 years (to hospital) once they develop such symptoms." 
ORLANDO, Fla., Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Zesty Paws, the nation's leading functional pet supplement brand, announced today it has launched Tear Stain Bites, formulated to support normal eye moisture, vision, and immune system function for dogs. The Tear Stain Bites are an excellent eye care supplement for dogs that are prone to weepy eyes that lead to tear stains.

Tear Stain Bites are formulated to support normal eye moisture, vision, and immune system function for dogs

"Many dog breeds, at some point in their lives, develop red-brownish tear stains underneath their eyes, and wipes, pads, and drops aren't the only way to support their tear stains," said Steve Ball, CEO of Zesty Paws. "That's where Zesty Paws' Tear Stain Bites comes into the picture. We have created a product to help with tear stains while providing the functional ingredients that will help support overall eye health."

Zesty Paws' new Tear Stain Bites, made specifically for dogs, is formulated for all ages, breeds, and sizes to provide vision, immune, and antioxidant support. The chicken-flavored eye care supplement is carefully crafted with Eyebright Herb Extract, Ceylon Cinnamon Extract, D Alpha-Tocopherol Acetate, and AlaskOmega fish oil. At 100 mg per chew, this sustainably sourced fish oil provides EPA and DHA Omega 3 fatty acids that may help support normal eye moisture for those puppy dog eyes. In addition, the Tear Stain Bites also features an antioxidant blend that features premium Cran-Max Cranberry Concentrate, along with an Eye Health Blend with Quercetin, Lutein, and Astaxanthin to maintain normal visual function and may help maintain normal histamine levels.

Zesty Paws' Tear Stain Bites are now available direct on Amazon and ZestyPaws.com.

For more information about Zesty Paws, please visit ZestyPaws.com or follow them on Instagram.

ABOUT ZESTY PAWS

At Zesty Paws, our passion is simple: to enable and inspire a ZEST FOR LIFE in pets and parents. We strive to be the most innovative and trusted brand in functional supplements to guide and empower pets on their journey. We use unique formulas based on active ingredients you know and trust, and that are proven to provide tangible benefits to your pet. We have received hundreds of thousands of 5-star reviews on top channels such as Amazon, Chewy and our own site. Pet parents are delighted by our commitment to innovative, high-quality products that work, as well as by our unparalleled customer service. Asa trusted brand for functional pet supplements, the United States-based brand has been regularly recognized as a best seller on Amazon, alongside other top pet retailers. For information about Zesty Paws, please visit ZestyPaws.com or catch up with them on Instagram (@zestypaws), Facebook or Twitter (@zestypaws).

Media Contact:

Cassie Yanogacio

213-225-4436

[email protected]

www.konnectagency.com

SOURCE Zesty Paws
Union Jack Oil PLC (AIM:UJO) said it generated US$2mln of revenues from the Wressle field in Lincolnshire, United Kingdom.

It is cash flow positive for the first time  after covering all corporate, administrative and project operating costs, the company told investors and has 6.27mln in cash and debt free.

Union Jack holds a 40% interest in Wressle which resumed production in August. Production is continuing under natural flow, on a restricted choke.

"The revenues of in-excess of US$2,000,000 to Union Jack, whilst under test production, are highly positive for the company which remains in prime financial health as the above figures illustrate, said David Bramhill, Union Jack executive chairman.

"We believe that Wressle holds considerable further upside which will be demonstrated over the foreseeable future and we look forward to reporting on progress in due course.

Bramhill added: "As well as Wressle, the company has three other cash-generating projects and under current oil prices, for the first time is now cashflow positive and covering all of its outgoings, including corporate, administrative and project operating costs."
Evgen Pharma PLC (AIM:EVG) said it made headway with regulators on both sides of the Atlantic, paving the way for clinical progress in 2022.

Here in the UK, it met with the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) to discuss protocols for a phase I study of the new tablet form of SFX-01, its lead asset.

Approval for the evaluation, which will assess safety, tolerability and the way the drug interacts with the body, is expected this month.

Researchers will also take the opportunity to generate data on dose escalation and target pathway engagement.

In the US, the company will submit a package of information ahead of a meeting with the Food & Drug Administration.

Evgen wants to secure investigational new drug meeting status for SFX-01 so it can carry out a phase I/II study in people with glioblastoma, a type of brain tumour with a very poor prognosis.

Work is expected to start later this year at sites in the UK and Mainland Europe. The trial can be extended to the US if the data are supportive, the company said.

The new tablet form of SFX-01 is ready for use in both clinical groups.

Evgen chief executive, Dr Huw Jones, said: "I am delighted with the positive progress that has been made with MHRA and FDA regarding our two planned clinical trials for SFX-01, both of which we intend to commence later this year.

We look forward to updating the market in due course regarding further progress with these key regulatory authorities and with regard to these two important trials."
Trident Royalties PLC (AIM:TRR) said it will "look at the possibility of an appropriate dividend policy" as it completed the acquisition of a portfolio of producing gold offtake streams from Orion Resource Partners for US$69.75mln.

The acquisition is expected to provide immediate cash flow, amounting to approximately US$13.3mln in 2022, as ramp-up and expansions occur at the Blyvoor and Los Filos gold mines respectively.

This is expected to increase to US$14.3mln per year between 2023 and 2026. From 2027 to 2035 it expects average annual revenue of US$6.3mln

"The completion of this transaction marks the biggest milestone achievement to date for Trident, increasing our number of producing assets by 350%, said Adam Davidson, chief executive of Trident.

When coupled with our existing assets, the addition of a portfolio of offtakes over seven producing mines located in six countries materially increases Trident's scale and diversification. Now, not only do we provide diversified exposure to lithium, copper, gold and iron ore, but we do so with a portfolio underpinned by assets which provide investors with visibility on sustainable, well diversified cash flows far into the future.

"With this, we can now look at the possibility of an appropriate dividend policy in due course which will seek to provide regular returns on investment to our shareholders.

The portfolio comprises offtakes covering seven producing gold mines operated in six countries.

Trident's entire portfolio now encompasses a total of 20 assets, nine of which are delivering cash flow.

Trident has drawn a US$40mln secured debt facility with Macquarie Bank to part-fund the acquisition and to retire the previous US$10mln Tribeca debt facility.
Heathrow Airport called on the government to remove COVID-19 testing for fully-vaccinated passenger after traffic numbers continued to fall and people cancelled travel plans last year.

The airport operator recorded 19.4mln passengers in 2021, less than a quarter of the levels seen in pre-pandemic 2019 and down 12.3% on 2020, as COVID-19 continued to batter the travel industry.

In a statement, Heathrow said at least 600,000 passengers cancelled their travel plans in December of last year, following concerns over the emergence of the Omicron variant of coronavirus and uncertainty caused by swiftly imposed government travel restrictions.

Flight numbers were down 5.4% on 2020.

Heathrow warned that aviation is in for a long-haul recovery unless passengers can be confident that travel restrictions, once removed, will not return rapidly.

There is significant doubt over the speed at which demand will recover, it said, noting that IATA forecasts suggest passenger numbers will not reach pre-pandemic levels until 2025.

It said testing for fully-vaccinated people should be dropped immediately and that quarantine should be allowed at home for any future variants of coronavirus.

"There are currently travel restrictions, such as testing, on all Heathrow routes - the aviation industry will only fully recover when these are all lifted and there is no risk that they will be reimposed at short notice, a situation which is likely to be years away, said Heathrow CEO John Holland-Kaye.

While this creates enormous uncertainty for the CAA in setting a new 5-year regulatory settlement, it means the regulator must focus on an outcome that improves service, incentivises growth and maintains affordable private financing."
Evgen Pharma PLC (AIM:EVG)s positive interaction with regulators in the US and UK have been described as significant value inflexion points by City broker finnCap.

Here in the UK, Evgen met with the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) to discuss protocols for a phase I study of the new tablet form of SFX-01, its lead asset.

Approval for the evaluation, which will assess safety, tolerability and the way the drug interacts with the body, is expected this month.

Researchers will also take the opportunity to generate data on dose escalation and target pathway engagement.

In the US, the company will submit a package of information ahead of a meeting with the Food & Drug Administration.

Evgen wants to secure investigational new drug meeting status for SFX-01 so it can carry out a phase I/II study in people with glioblastoma, a type of brain tumour with a very poor prognosis.

These represent significant value inflexion points for the company, finnCap said.

Evgen has a sufficient cash runway into the third quarter of 2023, which will enable it to deliver on value-enhancing milestones including potential clinical data sets.

The broker repeated its 18p a share price target on stock in the group, which is developing treatments for cancer and inflammation. Mid-afternoon, the share were up 2.6% at 5.8p.
Deutsche Bank is bullish on Direct Line Insurance Group PLC (LSE:DLG), despite general market caution over new regulatory pricing rules.

The German bank has, in a note, upgraded its view the general insurer to a buy rating.

Deutsche acknowledges that while pricing volatility may continue to negatively impact the price in the short-term, the long-term prospects provide optimism.

Analysts highlight medium to long-term catalysts that should help Direct Line perform well over the next 12 months.

Firstly, the bank believes Direct Lines motor insurance pricing should help it attract high volumes should a wider market pricing recovery occur during 2022, which is what the broker expects.

It also believes the companys present transformation programme could improve the bottom-line to the extent where management can choose to target top-line growth.

The transformation should also allow the group to secure reinsurance partnerships, which in turn could help to narrow some of the valuation gap with Admiral.
St George Mining Ltd (ASX:SGQ) has resumed diamond drilling at its flagship high-grade Mt Alexander Project, in the north-eastern Goldfields of WA.

Drilling will focus on testing high-priority targets identified from the seismic survey recently completed at Mt Alexander.

The first target to be drilled is S1, a large seismic target modelled with a dip-extent of 450 metres located down-dip from and within the same Cathedrals Belt structure that hosts extensive massive nickel-copper sulphides drilled at Investigators.

The Warakurna LIP is known to be highly prospective for nickel-copper-PGE mineralisation with deposit examples in Western Australia including the large Nebo-Babel nickel-copper-PGE deposit being developed by OZ Minerals Ltd.

First-ever seismic targets drilling

St George Mining executive chairman John Prineas said: I am delighted that we have been able to commence our drilling so early in the New Year.

The 2022 diamond drilling is our first-ever drilling of seismic targets and the results will be keenly anticipated by all shareholders.

Our excitement has been dialled up with initial findings from the St George-CSIRO research project that the Cathedrals Belt intrusions are associated with the Warakurna Large Igneous Province, significantly increasing the prospectivity for us to discover more large-scale nickel-copper-PGE mineralisation at Mt Alexander.

We wish our shareholders and service providers a happy and safe New Year and look forward to reporting results from our drilling program in the coming weeks.

Drill plans

Drilling will initially be carried out by a single crew with one shift per day.

COVID-19 regulations and border restrictions have delayed the arrival of the second crew.

It is expected that drilling will be carried out 24/7 with two crews within two weeks.

Shares were 8.45% higher to $0.077 and have risen from $0.058 at market close on November 29.

Warakurna LIP technical implications

The St George and CSIRO research project is aimed at better understanding the generation and emplacement mechanism behind the mineralised intrusive system, which may provide an insight into the most prospective areas to host further high-grade nickel-copper-PGE mineralisation in the project area.

CSIRO is Australias peak scientific research authority and has world-leading expertise in producing ore genesis models for nickel sulphide deposits.

Studies by CSIRO of mineralisation from the Cathedrals Belt have dated the host intrusions at around 1.1Ga, linking the mineralisation to the Proterozoic-age Warakurna Large Igneous Province (LIP)  a very large igneous event that spans from central Australia to the west coast of Western Australia.

LIPs around the world are known to host significant nickel-copper-PGE deposits.

This research project with CSIRO is expected to conclude within the next month.

The company looks forward to reporting other significant findings on the architecture and emplacement mechanisms for the Cathedrals Belt.
Creso Pharma Ltd (ASX:CPH, OTCQB:COPHF) subsidiary Halucenex Life Sciences Inc has been invited by Health Canada to become a potential supplier of psychedelics like psilocybin under the new Special Access Program (SAP) in Canada, unlocking potential revenue-generating opportunities.

The SAP announced on January 5, 2022, creates a framework of regulatory changes that allow medical professionals to request access to previously restricted drugs such as psilocybin for emergency treatment purposes.

This regulatory shift marks a distinct change in direction compared to the 2013 decision by Health Canada to ban the use of psychedelic substances, an opportunity Creso and its wholly-owned subsidiary intend to take full advantage of.

The SAP approval process for Halucenex is now progressing, with a range of data to support the safety and efficacy of its good manufacturing practice (GMP) grade psilocybin provided for Canada Healths assessment.

Simultaneously, Halucenex is advancing discussions with medical professionals and clinics and leveraging established relationships to prepare for potential supply agreements.

Strong upward trajectory

Halucenex founder and CEO Bill Fleming said: Psychedelic medicines remain on a strong upward trajectory for both research and compassionate use purposes and this recent shift from Health Canada shows the potential direction towards more liberal policies as public demand increases.

Halucenex is well-positioned to capitalise as a supplier to the SAP upon regulatory approval. If successful in the application process, Halucenex has a large supply of GMP grade, synthetic psilocybin which can be sold to doctors and patients.

Further, we continue to work through growing protocols for botanical psilocybin, which can also be supplied in the future.

Post-approval, we anticipate a number of revenue-generating opportunities to materialise as Halucenex progresses its transition to a leading drug development and supply company.

Access to the PTSD therapeutic sector is potentially a major market opportunity for Creso, with the sector expected to grow to US$10.5 billion in value by 2025.

About Creso Pharma

Creso Pharma plans to bring the best of cannabis to better the lives of people and animals through its pharmaceutical expertise.

The company uses GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) compliant development and manufacturing standards for its products as a reference for quality excellence with initial product registrations in Switzerland.
2021 witnessed milestones in space travel, with three billionaires bolting into space and kickstarting a commercial space race.

The billionaires involved include Jeff Bezos, who is behind Blue Origin, Richard Branson, who heads Virgin Galactic/Virgin Orbit, and SpaceX founder Elon Musk.

The private industry space race of the 21st century started with rockets sent to the mesosphere and thermosphere, orbital rocket launches and suborbital tourist spaceflights.

Blue Origin and Virgin Galactic are in the same market: suborbital space tourism.

In this article:

In July 2021, Richard Branson became the first non-professional astronaut to complete a suborbital spaceflight.

Jeff Bezos made a short journey to space nine days later, in the first crewed flight of his rocket ship, New Shepard.

Two minutes into the flight, New Shepards capsule separated from its rocket and continued upwards towards the Karman Line  the most widely recognised boundary of space, that lies 100 kilometres from the earths surface.

SpaceX, the first private company to successfully launch, orbit and recover a spacecraft and the first private company to send a spacecraft to the International Space Station, was founded in 2002 by Elon Musk.

The company developed its first orbital launch vehicle, the Falcon 1, in 2005 but its first three launches, between 2006 and 2008, all resulted in failures.

Things started to turn around when the first successful launch was achieved shortly after on the fourth attempt in September 2008.

In 2017, SpaceX achieved a 45% global market share for awarded commercial launch contracts and by March 2018, SpaceX had more than 100 launches on its manifest with about US$12 billion in contract revenue.

Falcon 9 rocket and SpaceX building.

SpaceX, recently valued at US$100 billion, was awarded an exclusive NASA contract in April 2021 to put US astronauts on the Moon for the first time since 1972.

In September 2021, SpaceX executed a three-day orbital mission around the Earth featuring four civilians on Inspiration4.

The Inspiration4 team launched on a capsule from Florida and splashed down in the Atlantic Ocean three days later.

Musk, who was named Time's Person of the Year, also has big plans for Mars: to build a self-sustaining city with solar-powered hydroponic farms where humans can permanently live, 34 million miles away from Earth.

He told Time that: "The next really big thing is to build a self-sustaining city on Mars and bring the animals and creatures of Earth there.

While there are differing opinions on the benefits of the billionaire space race, space exploration and research has helped develop and advance many spinoff technologies over the years.

Infrared ear thermometers are a derivative of NASAs technology to measure the temperature of stars and planets using infrared astronomy technology.

Deep space exploration missions use digital image processing technology developed by Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL).

JPL subsequently adapted this technology to help create modern CAT scanners and radiography.

Modern laptops use technology that originated from Shuttle Portable Onboard Computer (SPOC), which was developed in the early 1980s for NASAs space shuttle program.

Many other products including wireless headsets, LED lighting, portable cordless vacuums, freeze-dried foods, memory foam and scratch-resistant eyeglass lenses have all benefited from space technology research and development, according to Aldo Spadoni, president of Aerospace Imagineering.

NASA and other government space agencies continue to focus on solving more difficult problems involving space exploration such as deep space capabilities and improving human life support systems.

Having said that, NASA has placed many of the challenges of commercialising space to the private space industry with the hopes of developing innovations that help improve human living conditions in space.

The billionaire space race and the commercialisation of space in the private sector are expected to lead to reducing flight costs, developing new methods of sustaining human life in space, and may provide the opportunity for more tourists to experience low Earth orbit travel in the future.

The rationale for investment in space exploration has witnessed a dramatic shift since the 20th-century space race.

Space exploration of the late 20th century was driven by competition between the Soviet Union and the US to achieve the first spaceflight and to land a human on the Moon.

Now, the private sector has started investing in space exploration in a major way alongside governments.

The private sector is keen on exploring the potential of space colonisation as a means of ensuring the survival of human civilisation given a planetary disaster.

It can be argued that colonising other planets allows for the dispersal of humans and thus increases the likelihood of survival given a planetary disaster.

The availability of additional resources that can be mined from space could also potentially benefit humans.

These resources can help move high polluting industries to space, reducing the emissions on earth and ultimately lead to finding cleaner energy sources.

NASA has taken some baby steps toward this goal by awarding contracts to four companies to extract small amounts of lunar regolith by 2024, effectively beginning the era of commercial space mining.
Alchemy Resources Limited (ASX:ALY) is set for a busy year across its gold and base metals projects in Western Australia and New South Wales including a number of aggressive drill programs.

The company is ready to begin drilling at the Karonie Gold Project in WA after successfully completing two key heritage surveys last year with no areas of significance identified and government approvals granted.

An aircore rig has been booked for a drill program this month focusing on the 10-kilometre-long corridor adjacent and to the east of Silver Lake Resources Ltds Aldiss mining operations.

This phase-2 drilling will consist of around 7,000 metres testing targets with similar structural features to those that host Silver Lakes Karonie deposits.

Well-funded

And this is just the start for 2022, says chief executive officer James Wilson. With our recent capital raise and rights issue now complete, we are well funded and we look forward to getting boots on the ground and the drill bits turning.

The company raised $3.08 million in the capital raising including $1,232,446 in an oversubscribed pro rata non-renounceable 1 for 6 entitlement offer which followed a placement to sophisticated investors that raised $1.85 million.

READ: Alchemy Resources set to drill at Karonie Gold Project after all clear from two key heritage surveys

At Karonie, east of Kalgoorlie, comprehensive archaeological and ethnographic surveys were conducted in November and December 2021 with the representatives of the Ngadju and the Kakarra Traditional Owners.

These surveys were designed to assess the areas of proposed exploration at the Karonie East, Western Brown, Gilmore, Esplanade and Challenger targets.

Advice from both groups confirms that the areas are clear for stated drill programs to proceed.

Karonie drilling

At the time Wilson said: We are pleased to have finalised these key heritage surveys, which allow us to execute all planned drill programs in 2022 and beyond.

We thank the Ngadju and Kakarra people for progressing the surveys in a timely fashion and look forward to a continuing strong relationship in the future.

Looking forward, we are excited to hit the ground running when we commence drilling at the Karonie East target in early January.

The planned drilling has been refocused on the Karonie East target area as a priority after high-resolution magnetics pin-pointed multiple high tenor structures in proximity to the existing deposits at Aldiss.

After the initial drilling campaign, further drill programs are planned for the Western Brown/Gilmore and Challenger/Esplanade targets during the year with the company awarded an EIS co-funding grant of $111,000 by DMIRS for this work.

Survey work at Yellow Mountain

Also, this month, Alchemy plans to complete heritage survey work at the Yellow Mountain Mine Prospect within the Yellow Mountain Project in central NSW.

In late November 2021, Alchemy hosted representatives of the Condobolin Aboriginal Land Council to the prospect in NSW, however, following significant rain in the region, part of the access was cut-off.

Yellow Mountain, along with the nearby Overflow and Overflow North projects, remains an important strategic landholding for Alchemy in the southern part of the Cobar Basin with a contiguous land position along strike from the Mineral Hill Mine.

Mineral Hill, which was recently acquired by Kingston Resources Ltd (ASX:KSN) for $22.7 million, is around 9 kilometres from Alchemys Melrose Project area and is contiguous with its tenement package which extends for 200 kilometres along strike at the Yellow Mountain, Overflow and Overflow North project areas.

The company is planning to carry out diamond and reverse circulation drilling at these gold and base metals prospects later in the year to test for extensions to existing mineralisation.

Lake Rebecca plans

At Lake Rebecca Gold Project in WA, north of Karonie, Alchemys tenement package is a highly strategic position adjacent to property associated with the recent takeover of Apollo Consolidated by Ramelius Resources Limited (ASX:RMS).

Heritage access agreements are well advanced while data collation from historic datasets is nearing completion.

Historical data shows limited drilling along a 30-kilometre strike extent along the Claypan shear to the north of Breaker Resources NL (ASX:BRB)s Lake Roe discovery.

Alchemy is planning geochemical work, a targeted geophysical campaign and aircore drilling at Lake Rebecca this year with the aim of refining and targeting gold anomalies.
Orion Minerals Ltd (ASX:ORN, JSE:ORN) has unearthed shallow, high-grade copper hits during its maiden drilling program at the Okiep Copper Project in Northern Cape, South Africa.

The copper explorer received results from the first four holes at the project, where assays have reportedly confirmed and exceeded expectations.

Three holes were drilled at Okiep to confirm historical mineralisation, fielding high-grade hits like 10.36 metres at 1.84% copper, 5.71 metres at 1.93% and 4.69 metres at 2.05%.

Along with delivering a series of promising copper hits, the maiden campaign has also demonstrated the potential for additional high-grade mineralised lenses at depth.

The program intersected a new mineralised zone at the Koperberg West target, supporting Orions geological model and generating as much as 4.76 metres at 3.99% copper.

This maiden drilling program is now 55% complete, with 14 diamond holes completed at Koperberg West and two at Koperberg East, comprising nearly 2 kilometres of drilling to date.

High priority focus for 2022

Speaking to the progress to date, Orion managing director and CEO Errol Smart said the company was thrilled with the first assays from its ongoing drilling program.

The results weve received to date have confirmed the historical drill results for high-grade sulphide copper mineralisation near-surface and more importantly, confirming our geological hypothesis for a model for intrusive bodies arranged in en-echelon, sidestepping lenses, he explained.

Historical drilling focused on drilling down-dip projections, without adequately testing the probable sidestepping of mineralised lenses as encountered at the 38-million-tonne Carolusberg Deeps mine, which sits along strike from and on the same structure as Okiep.

This potential for offset, high-grade lenses, which continue down-dip below the extensive, shallow historical mining on the 5-kilometre strike Carolusberg line, presents a very exciting exploration opportunity.

Drill testing this down-dip position has been elevated to a high priority focus for 2022, alongside the testing of EM targets identified through our recent SKYTEM survey.

Our engineering and permitting teams are also making good progress on the early mining project we announced on May 3, 2021, and we anticipate being able to provide market updates on this work shortly.

Turning the soil at Okiep

Currently, drill rigs at Okiep are honing in on the CarolusbergKoperberg line of intrusives, which forms part of a complex that was the biggest contributor to historical mining in the Okiep Copper District.

The Carolusberg Complex delivered 38 million tonnes grading 1.54% copper out of the reported total of 105 million tonnes mined over the past 100 years.

Orion is exploring prospects with known copper mineralisation along strike of Carolusberg, applying an exploration model derived from a structural interpretation of the Carolusberg Mine mineralisation.

The current drilling program also includes twin and infill drilling to verify historical drilling results and to allow future resource estimation.

To date, 1,900 metres of the Orions planned 3,500-metre diamond drilling program has been completed, representing 16 of the 26 planned holes.

Assay results from 39 samples have been received, while further drill holes are being logged and sampled by Orions geological team, prior to dispatch to ALS Laboratory in Johannesburg.

Key findings

Some of the best results from the program to date include:

10.36 metres at 1.84% copper from 58.94 metres;

5.71 metres at 1.93% from 72.85 metres; and

4.69 metres at 2.05% from 49.22 metres.

Ultimately, Orion reports the results to date confirm high-grade, near-surface sulphide copper mineralisation at the Okiep asset.

Importantly, one extended hole intersected 4.76 metres at 3.99% copper from 95.08 metres, representing a new intrusive lens and supporting a model for en-echelon, sidestepping mineralisation occurring along the entire strike of the Carolusberg line.

High-grade mineralisation at the Carolusberg Mine was mined down to 1,900 metres depth and comprised several en-echelon sidesteps down-dip.

Whats more, several other recent holes, with assay results pending, intersected the en-echelon downdip lenses of sulphide mineralisation, supporting this geological model and presenting high-priority follow-up drill targets for follow-up.

Further, drill core logging identified 10 more mafic intersections.
Kingfisher Mining Ltd (ASX:KFM) (Kingfisher Mining Ltd (ASX:KFM)) CEO James Farrell joins Proactive London's Katie Pilbeam on the latest results from the Gascoyne Mineral Field in Western Australia with a high-grade rare earth intercept of 12 metres at 1.12% total rare earth oxides (TREO) from the Mick Wells prospect.

The main Mick Well interval recorded 12 metres at 0.21% neodymium oxide (Nd2O3) and praseodymium oxide (Pr6O11), including 4 metres at 0.31% Nd2O3 and Pr6O11.

Further anomalous results of 4 metres at 0.27% TREO and 4 metres at 0.18% TREO were returned from the same target, with a second drill core from Mick Well returning 4 metres at 0.17% TREO.
Lake Resources NL (ASX:LKE, OTCQB:LLKKF) is advancing its flagship Kachi Project in Argentina towards production while expanding the lithium resource at its other projects including Cauchari and Olaroz, as lithium demand grows at three times the speed of lithium supply.

Consultancy Benchmark Mineral Intelligence (BMI) forecasts battery demand from the auto sector alone will rise by 40 times between 2020 and 2040, as electric vehicles (EVs) become mainstream.

Signatories to COP26s Glasgow declaration, which included automakers Ford, General Motors, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo, said they would work towards all sales of new cars and vans being zero-emission globally by 2040, and no later than 2035 in leading markets, BMI noted in a November 10 report.

BMI estimates that if all cars and vans sold in 2040 were electric, it would represent almost 8,400-gigawatt hours (GWh) of lithium-ion battery demand.

COP26 climate goals necessitate production of over 7 million tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) annually, 17 times more than this years estimated production.

Yet there is currently insufficient investment in raw material supply to meet battery demand in 2030, let alone 2040, BMI CEO Simon Moores said.

Right now lithium demand is growing at three times the speed of lithium supply, he said. Thats a big problem that needs to be solved.

Direct extraction technology

Lake Resources is a clean lithium developer utilising clean, direct extraction technology for the development of sustainable, high purity lithium from its flagship Kachi Project, as well as three other lithium brine projects in Argentina.

The companys four projects cover 2,200 square kilometres in a prime location within the Lithium Triangle, where 40% of the worlds lithium is produced.

Kachi covers 70,000 hectares over a salt lake south of Livents lithium operation, with a large indicated and inferred resource of 4.4 million tonnes LCE.

Lakes technology partner, California-based Lilac Solutions Inc has developed efficient and disruptive clean technology to produce sustainable high purity lithium.

This direct extraction method delivers a solution for two rising demands  high purity battery materials to avoid performance issues and more sustainable, responsibly sourced materials with low carbon footprint and significant ESG benefits.

The method has a small environmental footprint, both physically and by returning almost all brine to its source.

Lilacs cost-competitive technology has been backed by the Bill Gates-led Breakthrough Energy Fund and MITs The Engine Fund, among other leading sustainability investors.

Can lithium miners deliver?

Although building a battery cell production facility can take two years, it can take from five to 10 years to get a new lithium mine online.

Can lithium miners deliver the required supply to meet the worlds electrification targets? And importantly, can they deliver on ESG requirements?

Lake managing director Steve Promnitz says unified action across the entire industry will be crucial.

Lithium companies will need to work closely with governments, investors, communities, employees and all other key stakeholders to facilitate the necessary supply boost, he said.

Importantly, battery-grade supply will be key, yet it also must be delivered in a manner that is environmentally sustainable to ensure the supply chain fulfils its ESG requirements.

This is an enormous challenge, however at Lake we working to help deliver a solution through our environmentally sustainable, direct lithium extraction (DLE) process that can quickly produce high-quality battery-grade lithium while minimising our impact on the environment.

High purity lithium

High purity lithium carbonate samples (99.9%) with very low impurities have been produced from lithium brines from Lakes flagship project.

The growth of higher density batteries to drive the latest EVs has significantly increased demand for a consistently high purity product (battery quality) with low impurities, providing premium pricing for Lakes planned product.

A pre-feasibility study (PFS) on Kachi by a tier 1 engineering firm has shown the potential for a large, long-life low-cost operation, with competitive production costs at the lower end of the cost curve.

Sustainable ESG benefit

By using a benign water treatment process to produce lithium, Lake avoids any mining and returns virtually all water (brine) to its source without changing its chemistry (apart from lithium removal).

The environmental footprint is therefore far smaller than conventional brine evaporation pond processes or of hard rock mining, providing a better outcome for local communities and the environment.

Tier 1 EV and battery makers have been seeking more sustainable, responsibly sourced materials in their supply chain, as stated by VW, Daimler (ETR:DAI), BMW, Tesla and the European Commission, and this is driving demand for Lakes product.

With analysts pointing to an increasing supply deficit for battery-quality lithium, Lakes projects are in the right location at the right time and are ready for development.

Supply chain challenges and opportunities

The recent COP26 global climate change conference has put pressure on governments and industry to speed the energy transition.

Yet the supply chain challenge received little attention from policymakers at the Glasgow summit, according to analysts Wood Mackenzie.

We see mined commodities as being critical to a successful transition, but supply will have little chance of meeting supercharged demand without concerted efforts to invest in new resources, said Wood Mackenzie vice-chair Julian Kettle.

The tone of the COP26 conference reinforced our view that world leaders have little understanding of the supply chain challenges that an accelerated transition could bring.

With the power and transport sectors contributing over 55% of global energy-related emissions, the pressure is on replacing hydrocarbons with green electrons from renewable power and green molecules such as hydrogen.

The electrification of transport requires the complete transformation of demand for battery raw materials such as nickel, cobalt, lithium and graphite.

20 new mines the size of Greenbushes

Wood Mackenzie sees demand for lithium tripling by 2030, and cobalt demand doubling, among other key battery metals necessary for electrification.

The lithium market would require 20 new mines the size of Greenbushes  currently the largest in the world  in operation by 2030 [to meet the demand], it said in an October 13 report. [In lithium brine terms, this would equate to 30 Atacama brine projects (SQM & Albemarle)].

Pointing to the challenge for miners, the consultancy said for most mined commodities the biggest challenge will be ensuring sufficient supply such that the energy transition does not stall just as it gets started.

However, Wood Mackenzie noted that COP26 agreements concerning deforestation, methane and other ESG goals will act to slow supply.
Endari is a prescription L-glutamine oral powder that is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration to reduce complications of sickle cell disease

Our goal was not to develop a pharmaceutical company but just to come up with something practical and safe and effective, explains Dr Yutaka Niihara, as he talks about how he and colleague Willis Lee formed Emmaus Life Sciences Inc (OTCQX:EMMA) and developed Endari (L-glutamine), a treatment for the debilitating sickle cell disease.

Fortunately, we found something based on our basic science research," added Niihara, who is chairman and CEO of Emmaus alongside Lee, the company's president and chief operating officer.

Niihara originally planned to become an oncologist when he entered the fellowship program at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center in 1989. That changed when, as part of his training, he saw the devastating impact of sickle cell disease on hematology patients - young people suffering pain that he says is significantly worse than that caused by cancer, with essentially no treatment at that time apart from narcotics.

The genetic disease is a result of gene mutation and is more likely in regions where malaria is common, or in ethnic groups that have migrated from areas that include Africa, India, and the Middle East. While those with a single sickle-cell gene are resistant to malaria, complications arise in those with two or more genes.

Rigid, deformed red blood cells result in the clogging of small blood vessels in sufferers. Niihara says it is like having mini-strokes or heart attacks throughout the body, resulting in severe pain. It can also lead to lower immunity in those afflicted with the condition, making them more susceptible to infectious diseases as well as strokes, heart attack, kidney failure, liver failure, and lung failure.

Its really a horrible disease, he says. In this country, even though we have among the best medical care in the world, the life expectancy is into their mid-40s. If you go to developing countries, its only about into their 20s at best.

Until 1997, no drugs were available to ameliorate the effects of the disease. Then the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) granted regular approval to hydroxyurea, which increases fetal hemoglobin and decreases the number of attacks. However, the long-term effects of the drug arent yet known.

Numbers game

Its a numbers game, according to Niihara, and the fact that it is perceived as a disease more prevalent in developing countries makes finding drugs to deal with the condition less lucrative for the pharmaceuticals industry.

Until the mid-2000's, Niihara notes, many of the large pharmaceutical companies werent interested in tackling so-called orphan diseases. Globally, he says there are an estimated 20 million to 25 million sickle cell sufferers but in the US there are only about 100,000 patients and even fewer in Europe.

For the effort you put into developing medication, they didnt think theyd get a return, Niihara adds. With sickle cell disease, unfortunately, we dont have strong advocates or activists. It could be because of the socio-economic status due to the ethnicity of the sufferers; Im not really sure.

While Niihara and his colleagues were recognised by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the FDA as very promising developers of medication for sickle cell disease, big pharma wasnt interested in backing them, leading to him forming Emmaus, with Lee joining the company in its embryonic stage as they raised the capital required from family and friends.

Orphan drug designation

The FDAs orphan drug designation for sickle cell  with equivalent status in many other developed countries  made developing drugs to tackle the disease more lucrative due to the economic benefits that accompany the designation.

And once you develop it, you can get by with charging enormous amounts of money because you are protected, Niihara notes. The insurance companies are almost forced to cover this type of medication even though its very expensive.

After a 20-year hiatus with no new drug candidates put forward since hydroxyurea, in 2017 the FDA approved Endari.

Emmaus, now a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company, started marketing Endari in 2018, quickly building a regular client base of about 500 patients, which increased to about 800 by the end of 2019.

However, growth plateaued at about 1,000 patients in 2020 and 2021 due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. With about 20,000-25,000 requiring frequent medical attention, he believes the company could reach about 5,000 patients in the US as COVID-19 restrictions ease.

We are implementing a couple of strategic plans to try to achieve this in 2022, he adds.

Global expansion plans

With limited sickle cell patient numbers in the US, Niihara reveals that Emmaus is also expanding into the Middle East, where the disease is far more prevalent. It has already acquired a temporary licence in Bahrain and is working on an early access basis with other countries including the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait and Qatar.

Hopefully we will have full marketing approval in these countries very soon, he says. We also have a footprint in Europe on an early access basis, especially in France and the UK.

Other applications for Endari

While Endari may have a limited customer base in the US for patients targeting sickle cell disease, Niihara says the drug may also reverse diverticulosis, a disease of the intestine that is common among older patients in the US and other developed countries, with an estimated 40% of over-60s likely to develop it. Among them, he says about 10%-20% will develop a more serious condition known as diverticulitis.

Frequently they require surgery or hospitalisation with antibiotics to reduce the inflammation, he says. Weve never had anything to reverse this diverticulosis, which is the cause of diverticulitis, and we have good evidence that Endari can reverse it.

The first phase of a pilot trial showed a 100% reversal of the condition in one patient within six months and a 50% reversal in a second patient.

So, we are repeating the pilot trial at another institution in Texas and if we can confirm the earlier study among five patients, we plan to embark on phase 3 randomised double-blinded trials, he says.

Endari, or L-glutamine, has been known to help many different conditions, including gastritis, says Niihara. However, as it cant get exclusivity on a remedy for gastritis its not financially feasible whereas Emmaus is the first company to investigate Endari as a remedy for diverticulosis.

We were able to get the patent almost worldwide, so we are really putting our focus on this, he says.

A third-party facility is also using Endari on a research basis on burn patients to see if it accelerates healing, he adds.

More drugs in the pipeline

Endari aside, Niihara says Emmaus is also working on another compound for the treatment of cancers.

In October 2021, the company signed an agreement with South Koreas Kainos (LSE:KNOS) Medicines, granting it an exclusive license to patent rights, know-how and other intellectual property relating to Kainos (LSE:KNOS)' novel IRAK4 inhibitor, referred to as KM10544, for the treatment of cancers including leukemia, lymphoma and solid tumors.

We were fortunate enough to acquire the product and we did our own pre-clinical work, he says. The results were more dramatic than what theyd shared with us, so we went ahead and licenced the product and we are developing it. So far we have seen significant effectiveness in our laboratory against some difficult-to-treat hematological malignancies.

Dividends also in the pipeline

Unlike many of its peers, Niihara says Emmaus has already been able to achieve a net income stream within two years of being in its commercial stage as it invests in drug development within a strict budget. With its planned expansion, he says the company is likely to double, if not triple, the size of the business in the short term.

We have about 1,000 patients in treatment but we believe the US and the Middle East combined will quickly take us to 5,000 patients and I dont think were going to significantly increase our expenditure, he says.

While Emmaus is already net income positive, Niihara says there is potential for significant profits as it expands its customer base and continues developing its pipeline. With that, the company wants to start paying dividends in the near future to reward its shareholders.

We have an exciting pipeline, he concludes. For example, there has never been a treatment that can actually reverse diverticulosis and the market is 600 times bigger than that for sickle cell disease. We want to demonstrate to investors that we are treading the path towards these achievements.

Contact the author at stephen.gunnion@proactiveinvestors.com
Burcon NutraScience Corp is a global technology leader in the development of plant-based proteins for foods and beverages

Burcon NutraScience Corporation has announced that Johann Tergesen will be stepping down as its president and CEO but will remain CEO until either a successor is appointed by the company's board of directors, or no later than February 28, 2022.

Tergesens decision to focus on other pursuits follows completion of the $130 million first phase of a planned three-phase plant protein production facility for Burcon's Merit Functional Foods joint venture, which has been designed and built to exclusively produce Burcons patented proteins, the Vancouver-based company said.

"As a co-founder and management team member for more than 23 years, Johann has played an influential role in Burcon's development," chairman Peter Kappel said in a statement.

"With the completion of the commissioning of phase 1 of Merit Functional Food's new state-of-the-art protein production facility, the groundwork has been laid for Burcon to grow and thrive, he added.

The company noted that the growing preference for sustainable, healthier foods is propelling the plant-based food and beverage industry, in literally every category, around the globe. With plant-based eating poised for explosive growth, it said Merit is ramping up production volumes and sales at the new state-of-the-art plant protein production facility in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

In the past quarter, Merit announced that Phase 1 at the first of its kind plant protein facility is now commercially ready and capable of producing the high-purity pea and canola proteins using Burcon's technology. The highly differentiated Peazazz and Peazac pea proteins and the Puratein line of canola proteins, which are now being produced at the facility under an exclusive license from Burcon, are ideal for use as ingredients in plant-based food and beverage applications, the company added.

On top of the positive momentum at Merit, Burcon said it continues to advance discussions and negotiations with potential partners on additional plant-based protein opportunities. These opportunities have arisen from research and development work conducted at its Winnipeg Technical Centre.

It said its best-in-class proteins have the potential to establish themselves as premium products in the rapidly expanding plant-based food and beverage industry and alternative protein market.

"Burcon's team shared a vision of being the first to bring-to-market functionally and nutritionally valuable proteins from canola," Tergesen commented. "Now, with multiple plant-based proteins, including the world's first human-food-grade canola protein, being sustainably produced at Merit Functional Food's new production facility, and the potential for additional commercial partnerships developing, I have decided to focus on other pursuits for the next stage in my life."

"There is no right time to leave a business that one has put his heart and soul into for over two decades, but Burcon's prospects are now at the point of commercial realisation and I leave the business in the capable hands of our talented and driven team and board of directors," he concluded.

To ensure an orderly transition, Burcon said Tergesen will continue in an ongoing capacity as an advisor to the company and its board of directors.

Kincannon & Reed, an executive search firm specialising in the food and agribusiness sectors, has been appointed to assist in recruiting a new CEO, it added.

Contact the author at stephen.gunnion@proactiveinvestors.com
Cloud DX expects to earn around C$900 in annual recurring revenue per patient under current US reimbursement codes for remote monitoring of chronic disease patients

Cloud DX (TSX-V:CDX, OTCQB:CDXFF) Inc, a provider of virtual care and remote patient monitoring solutions, and its partner Maxwell Telecare revealed that they have secured three new contracts with US-based primary care practices in Illinois.

The North American disruptor in virtual care based in Kitchener, Ontario and Brooklyn, New York, said the three clinics will deploy Connected Health to patients for reimbursed Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) and chronic care management. As part of its Patient-First program, Cloud DX (TSX-V:CDX, OTCQB:CDXFF) works with physician partners to establish criteria indicating a patient will benefit from RPM to control exacerbations, improve quality of life, and avoid hospitalization and emergency hospital visits.

These deployments follow recent agreements with seven clinical facilities in the last three months, including University of Waterloo, two previous Maxwell Telecare clinics, Hamilton Health Sciences, and an Ontario Pulmonary Rehabilitation Clinic, said the company.

READ: Cloud DX announces C$3M placing of convertible debenture units

In December 2021, Cloud DX (TSX-V:CDX, OTCQB:CDXFF) announced an exclusive partnership with Medtronic Canada to provide virtual care services to up to 1 million available patients in Canada.

In a statement, Dr Andrew Rosenson, who is president of Maxwell Telecare said: "As a physician, preventing patients from being hospitalized or re-admitted is excellent for both patients and the healthcare system. Within the Maxwell network, we successfully prevent 80% of re-hospitalizations already and look forward to improving this rate. For chronic care patients especially, adding Connected Health into these new practices will significantly reduce exacerbations and improve patient lives significantly."

Meanwhile, Cloud DX (TSX-V:CDX, OTCQB:CDXFF) founder CEO Robert Kaul said his company is excited to add new Maxwell Telecare clinical partners to its Connected Health platform.

"This important partnership continues to grow. We are making healthcare better, supporting aging in place, and providing easy and timely care escalation, added Kaul. As Maxwell improves patient care, Connect Health can offer Maxwell providers up to a 9.4x return on investment, meaning fewer emergency hospital visits and subsequent admissions. It is truly a win-win."

Cloud DX (TSX-V:CDX, OTCQB:CDXFF) expects to earn approximately C$900 in annual recurring revenue (ARR) per patient under current US reimbursement codes for remote monitoring of chronic disease patients.

According to the company, it is expected to be cash flow positive upon reaching approximately 10,000 enrolled and compliant US RPM patients.

Cloud DX (TSX-V:CDX, OTCQB:CDXFF)s Connected Health platform monitors and reports on physiological data including heart and respiratory rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, weight, temperature, and blood glucose levels, along with condition-specific surveys, wound care and connection to the patient via two-way messaging and video visits.

Contact the author Uttara Choudhury at uttara@proactiveinvestors.com

Follow her on Twitter: @UttaraProactive
Nextleaf is a federally regulated manufacturer and distributor of cannabis vapes and oils under the Glacial Gold brand

Nextleaf Solutions Ltd (CSE:OILS, OTCQB:OILFF) announced that its Glacial Gold Distilled CBD 200 Oil is now available nationally in Canada through its medical cannabis distribution partner Medicibis (Mendo).

Glacial Gold CBD and THC vapes and distilled oils are available through Mendo, via an online portal for medical patients that ships across Canada.

Vancouver-based Nextleaf launched Glacial Gold CBD and THC products for the medical market through Mendo as part of its commitment to improving access to medical cannabis, it said in a statement.

"The team at Mendo are experienced operators with a unique approach in Quebec that has been a major catalyst for the growth of their distribution platform," said Paul Pedersen, CEO of Nextleaf. "Nextleaf is pleased for Glacial Gold vapes and distilled oils to be available to medical patients coast to coast through the Mendo platform.

Jay Schwartz, Mendos COO, told investors that the group has made the process of obtaining a medical cannabis document and becoming a member of Mendo a quick and easy one.

"Canadians that visit our online platform simply follow a link and schedule a consultation with one of our licensed medical professionals. This is done from the comfort of their home by telephone or video conference, Schwartz said.

In most cases the applicant's account is approved within 24 to 36 hours at which point they may begin to place orders for medical cannabis delivered to their home as early as the next business day. We are delighted to offer all Canadians a carefully curated menu of products with compassion pricing, as well as swift access to receive their medical document at no charge."

Nextleaf is a federally regulated manufacturer and distributor of cannabis vapes and oils under the Glacial Gold brand. The company's multi-patented ingredient processing technology transforms cannabis and hemp biomass into high-purity distillate at an industrial scale.

The firm is also a low-cost producer of cannabis oils and supplies THC and CBD ingredients to qualified wholesale partners across Canada.

Contact Angela at angela@proactiveinvestors.com

Follow her on Twitter @AHarmantas
SPYR (OTCQB:SPYR) Inc dba SPYR (OTCQB:SPYR) Technologies announced that its marketing campaign, which consists of both 30 and 60 second TV commercials, will air in additional markets to expand the viewership.

The company said that TVA Media Group and BB3 Advertising have started a dynamic TV ad campaign for MagixDrive, Applied Magix's wireless CarPlay device. TVA Media Group began the campaign by placing test airings of the commercials on different channels and timeslots during the week of December 27, 2021.

Based upon the channels and the time of day that the commercials aired, TVA estimates that the commercials were seen by more than one million viewers, the company said in the release. These initial airings served as a test to determine specific interests from different demographic groups.

The Woodlands, Texas-based company said that after analyzing this data, a strategic broadcast strategy was created.

"We continue to enjoy working with such talented and experienced organizations like TVA and BB3. This has turned out to be an extremely valuable partnership, said Harald Zink, CEO of Applied Magix, in a statement. With their help, we have created an exciting advertising campaign that we expect to be a success."

The MagixDrive campaign has begun to move into its next phase by increasing the frequency of aired ads and continuing to focus on those audiences that best fit the demographic profile of a perfect customer and expanding it to those who fit within a broader profile of interest, the company said.

SPYR (OTCQB:SPYR) Technologies, through its subsidiary, Applied Magix Inc, is developing and reselling Apple ecosystem-compatible products with an emphasis on the growing multi-billion-dollar internet of things (IoT) Smart Home and Connected Car markets.

Contact Ritika at ritika@proactiveinvestors.com




Washington, Jan 11 : US Federal Reserve Vice Chair Richard Clarida has said that he would resign from the central bank on Friday, shortly before his term will expire at the end of this month.

"With my statutory term as Governor due to expire on January 31, 2022, I am writing to inform you that it is my intention to resign from the Board on January 14," Clarida said in a letter to US President Joe Biden.

Clarida, a member and the vice chair of the Fed board since September 2018, said that he was proud to have served with colleagues at the Fed to "put in place historic policy measures" that steered the US economy away from depression and supported a robust recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic, Xinhua news agency reported.

"There is still road left to walk and damage to be repaired... I am confident that once the process of reopening is complete, a welcome return to maximum employment and price stability awaits," he said.

"Rich's contributions to our monetary policy deliberations, and his leadership of the Fed's first-ever public review of our monetary policy framework, will leave a lasting impact in the field of central banking," Fed Chair Jerome Powell said in a statement.

Clarida's resignation follows questions raised over financial transactions he conducted at the start of the pandemic.

The New York Times recently reported that Clarida failed to initially disclose the extent of a financial transaction he made in early 2020 as the Fed was preparing to rescue markets amid the unfolding pandemic.

"This revelation is just the latest evidence of a deep-rooted ethics failure at the Fed and the urgent need for a comprehensive information release about officials' trading activity," US Democratic senator Elizabeth Warren wrote Monday in a letter to Powell.

"I have already requested an SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) investigation into Fed officials' trading activity to determine if any trades violated insider trading rules," Warren wrote, calling on Powell to immediately release information related to Fed officials' trades and changes to the Fed's ethics policy.

Prior to his appointment to the Fed, Clarida served as the C. Lowell Harriss Professor of Economics and International Affairs at Columbia University.
TRIPOLI, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Libya's Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Omar Katti on Monday met with the head of the country's Civil Aviation Authority Mustafa Ammar to discuss coordination to lift the no-fly zone embargo imposed on Libya by the United Nations (UN) Security Council in 2011.

The undersecretary stressed the importance of providing political and technical support for speeding up the lifting of the no-fly zone embargo, the Foreign Ministry said a statement.

Ammar confirmed that the aviation authority under the UN-backed government has been seeking cooperation with air companies from Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Algeria and Turkey.

The two officials agreed to visit some European countries to discuss resuming international flights, the statement added.

In March 2011, the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 1973, establishing a ban on all Libyan airspace in order to protect civilians during the uprising that toppled Muammar Gaddafi's government. 
Seoul, Jan 11 : North Korea fired a suspected ballistic missile toward the East Sea on Tuesday, South Korea's military said, less than a week after it launched what it claimed to be a hypersonic missile.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said it detected the launch from an inland area at 7:27 a.m. It did not elaborate further, Yonhap news agency reported.

"For additional information, the intelligence authorities of South Korea and the US are in the process of conducting a detailed analysis," the JCS said in a text message sent to reporters.

The South Korean military in cooperation with the US is closely monitoring North Korean military movements and maintaining a firm readiness posture, the JCS added.

The North is thought to have fired the latest missile from its northern province of Jagang bordering China, an informed source said.

Jagang Province is where the North tested its self-proclaimed hypersonic missile on Wednesday last week and another such advanced missile in September last year.

Seoul officials have dismissed the North's hypersonic missile claims as "exaggerated," saying it has yet to secure technologies for the high-tech flight vehicle.

The latest launch came as the UN Security Council convened a closed-door session on Pyongyang's launch of the missile last week.

Shortly before the session, the US and five other countries issued a joint statement calling on the North to refrain from "destabilizing" actions, abandon its ballistic missile programs and engage in "meaningful" dialogue toward denuclearization.

South Korea, meanwhile, urged the North to refrain from "worrisome" acts and return to dialogue at an early date.

Commenting on the six countries' joint statement about last week's North Korean missile launch, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it shares their concerns and stressed the importance of dialogue.

Pyongyang's latest saber-rattling came as the North unveiled its ambitious push to develop an array of new, formidable weapons during the eighth congress of the ruling Workers' Party a year ago.

"(The latest launches) are an expression of the North's resolve to forge ahead with the missile activities in line with an institutionalized defense plan irrespective of the external environment," Park Won-gon, a professor of North Korea studies at Ewha Womans University, said.

The North's missile launch handed yet another dispiriting setback to the South's steadfast drive to resume nuclear diplomacy with the recalcitrant regime.

Nuclear negotiations between Washington and Pyongyang have been stalled since the no-deal Hanoi summit between the two countries in February 2019.
Kabul, Jan 11 : Amir Khan Muttaqi, the Taliban's acting Foreign Minister who is currently in Iran with a 26-member delegation, held talks with National Resistance Front leader Ahmad Massoud, during which the latter was given assurance about his safe return to Afghanistan, according to media reports.

Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid confirmed the meeting, which was also attended by former Herat province Governor Ismail Khan, in a tweet on Monday saying: "Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan tries to make the situation of Afghanistan safe and conducive for everyone so that there is no opportunity for people to oppose IEA." In a different video posted by Mohammad Naeem, a spokesman for the Taliban's Qatar-based office, Muttaqi was quoted as saying: "Yes, we met with Ahmad Massoud, Commander Ismail Khan and other Afghans. We assured all of them that they can come back and live an unworried life." Although the anti-Taliban National Resistance Front is yet to officially confirm the meeting, Hafiz Mansoor, a member of the alliance, said that it took place, TOLO News reported.

Iranian media reports, quoting Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzada, reported that Tehran hosted the meeting, adding that the Afghan parties had good discussions.

Massoud reportedly fled to Tajikistan last September after the Taliban captured Panjshir Valley, the last province in Afghanistan to fall to the militants following their takeover of of the country just a month earlier.

Meanwhile, Khan escaped to Iran after the fall of Herat in August 2021.

Muttaqi arrived in Tehran on Sunday for talks with Iranian officials on political, economic and transit issues, as well as on the Afghan refugees in Iran.

This is the first official visit of a high-ranking Taliban delegation to Iran since it took over Afghanistan.

In November 2021, an Iranian delegation had visited Kabul during which the two sides discussed bilateral issues.

Although the Iranian government is yet to recognised the Taliban government, sources told TOLO News that Abdul Qayyum Sulaimani, a nephew of the former Herat Governor, has been appointed acting ambassador to Tehran by Muttaqi.
Tokyo, Jan 11 : Scientists have successfully gathered high-quality data comparable to radiosonde observations using a modified commercially available drone, opening doors to improved weather prediction.

Moreover, the scientists investigated the possibility of collecting high-quality atmospheric data using a conventional low-cost UAS equipped with a radiation shield.

Meteorological data collected from polar regions is essential for forecasting climate and weather using operational numerical weather prediction (NWPs) models. One of the instruments in the meteorological observation network, radiosonde, provides an atmospheric vertical profile. (Radiosonde is a battery-powered telemetry instrument carried into the atmosphere usually by a weather balloon that measures various atmospheric parameters and transmits them by radio to a ground receiver.) The effects of climate change are being felt most acutely in polar regions. This also makes them the ideal place to study ongoing climate variability. In fact, meteorological data collected from these areas is important for operational NWPs, a technique for predicting the weather based on mathematical modeling.

"Radiosonde networks are limited in polar regions. Moreover, they entail high operating costs in terms of sensors, energy, and human resources. Additionally, radiosondes often leave waste over the land and oceans and could be a source of pollution. It is, therefore, necessary to find a complementary way to strengthen the observing network with high-quality meteorological data for NWPs," said a release from the National Institute of Polar Research (NIPR), which is an inter-university research institute that conducts comprehensive scientific research and observations in the polar regions.

Fortunately, unmanned aircraft systems (UASs) or drones could potentially fit the bill. While UASs are limited to the lower boundary layer of the atmosphere, they have smaller operational costs and are easier to use. However, the quality of data collected by UASs is often reduced by radiation effects (from the sun and the drone body), the deposition of precipitation and cloud droplets, and the position of the sensors relative to wind direction.

In a recent study published in Environmental Research, Dr Jun Inoue from the National Institute of Polar Research, Japan and Assistant Professor Kazutoshi Sato from Kitami Institute of Technology, Japan, have investigated the possibility of collecting high-quality atmospheric data using a conventional low-cost UAS equipped with a radiation shield.

"Since the number of radiosonde observations have hardly increased in a long time because of the costs of resources, continuous observations with UASs are a highly desirable alternative to achieve sustainable development as well as meet the needs of ordinary people, such as fisherpersons, with improved forecasts," explains Dr. Inoue.

The study was made available online on December 2, 2021 and is assigned for publication in Volume 205 of the journal Environmental Research on April 1, 2022.

The duo focused on a commercially available drone. They performed laboratory experiments to determine the horizontal distribution of wind and heat exhaust below the M2ED as a way to gauge the ideal location for the sensors. Then using 3D printing and a heat-reflecting coating, they developed a radiation shield for the sensors that maintained ventilation simultaneously. The shield additionally prevented the deposition of precipitation on the sensor.

Next, they performed field experiments on the M2ED drone and compared its performance with two other meteorologically customised UASs. This was followed by field tests on the three UASs launched concurrently with radiosondes and a comparison of their performances. "The results showed that not only did the drone one provide high-quality data equivalent to that of the two other drones, but its accuracy was also, in fact, comparable to radiosondes," the release said.

"Our findings demonstrate that it is possible to make the existing polar observational networks sustainable with UASs. This could significantly boost their observation frequencies and spatial coverage through citizen science programmes," says Dr Inoue.
Prayagraj : , Jan 11 (IANS) A number of 'tainted and jailed' seers and religious organisations have been allotted land in the upcoming Magh mela township, leading to dissent among the seer fraternity.

Anand Giri, who is lodged in Naini Central Jail for alleged abetment to suicide of former Akhil Bhartiya Akhara Parishad chief mahant Narendra Giri, is one such 'saint'.

Anand Giri, the founder of Ganga Sena Shivir, was arrested last year following the death of his guru Mahant Narendra Giri, who was found dead in his ashram on September 20.

The Ganga Sena is being allotted land in Sector 5.

It may be recalled that in 2019 during the Kumbh Mela, it was Mahant Narendra Giri who had requested the Mela administration not to give land to tainted institutions, after which the then mela official Vijay Kiran Anand had banned all such institutions.

Another 'tainted' saint who has been allotted land in the Magh Mela township is Ram Subhag Das of Saket Dham, popularly called Binaika Baba. He is presently in jail in Madhya Pradesh on charges of rape.

The Saket Dham camp is held on Triveni Road in Jhunsi side of the Ganga. The camp of this seer was popular for his liking of electronic gadgets. His camp always has all hi-tech arrangements and 'Binaika Baba' was always available on walkie-talkie. He was among the first to install CCTV cameras in his camp in the Mela area.

Swami Amrit Das will look after the camp of this organisation this year.

Magh Mela Adhikari Shesh Mani Pandey, when asked, said, "It is true that some seers are in jail, but their camps are visited by kalpvasis, who stay here every year. In such a situation, other people of the organisation applied for allotting land. The allotment has been done keeping in mind the interest of the people coming for kalpvas."
Chennai, Jan 11 : Tamil Nadu government has announced that the general public will not be allowed entry to places of worship from January 14-18 in view of the mounting Covid-19 cases. The state will have a complete lockdown on January 16 (Sunday). However, essential services will be exempted, a statement from the state government said.

Passengers will be allowed only up to 75 percent of the seating capacity in buses and the present Covid restrictions will continue in the state till January 31.

Tamil Nadu had reported 13,958 fresh Covid-19 positive cases on Monday and the number of active cases in the state stood at 62,767. The state health minister Ma Subramanian had told the people of the state to be on guard and to celebrate festivals at home as the third wave has already commenced in the state.

The precautionary dose vaccine for the healthcare workers, frontline workers, and senior citizens above 60 years of age with comorbidities also began in the state on Monday.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Bengaluru, Jan 11 : The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has sent a letter to the Karnataka Police Department to initiate action against state Congress President D.K. Shivakumar for failing to follow Covid appropriate behaviour with school children during the 'Mekedatu Padayatra'. NCPCR has further asked the department to submit the Action Taken Report within seven days.

Priyank Kanoongo, Chairperson, NCPCR on Monday sent the letter to Praveen Sood, the Director General and Inspector General of Police, Karnataka in this regard.

"The commission has taken suo-moto cognizance of a video uploaded on Twitter wherein it can be seen that KPCC President D.K. Shivakumar met school children during the event Mekedatu Padayatra, thereby indulging children into political activity," the letter said.

In the said video, it can further be seen that the children as well as KPCC President are without masks further failing to follow Covid-19 appropriate behavior.

In view of the above, the Commission deems it appropriate to take cognizance under section 13 (1) (j) of CPCR Act, 2005, and observes prima-facie violation of provisions under Juvenile Justice Act, 2015, Epidemic Disease Act, 1897 and Disaster Management Act, 2005.

The letter further stated that it is requested to look into the allegations made against Shivakumar to ensure the welfare and safety of children and further submit an Action Taken Report within seven days.

The state police department has lodged an FIR against Shivakumar, Opposition leader Siddaramaiah and 30 others in connection with defying curfew orders and carrying out the padayatra.

Thousands are gathering for the padayatra, raising fears of the spread of Covid-19 in the state. However, Shivakumar had stated that the government is showing fake numbers to scuttle the padayatra. He has also refused to undergo Covid test.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
New Delhi, Jan 11 : The Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) 2022 taking place from January 15-19 will convene global leaders, including heads of state, policy makers, and international business leaders, as the United Arab Emirates (UAE) aims to take the agenda global sustainability forward and accelerate pathways to net zero.

Hosted by Masdar, ADSW 2022 will be the first major sustainability event after the COP26 climate change conference, and will act as a global catalyst for COP27, which will be held in Egypt in 2022, and COP28, which will be hosted by the UAE in 2023.

Held annually since 2008, ADSW has become one of the latest sustainability platforms in the world, with more than 45,000 people from 175 countries participating in ADSW 2020.

Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, Special Envoy for Climate Change, and Chairman of Masdar, said: "The next few years will be pivotal as we work together across policy, business and industry to accelerate progressive climate action that will deliver economic opportunities and prosperity for current and future generations.

"The UAE has a long-term vision that will build on our longstanding track record in innovating climate solutions across the entire energy spectrum. Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week continues to offer an ideal platform for promoting, deploying and taking these climate solutions to scale around the world. Aligned with the UAE's 'Principles of the 50', it provide opportunities for global collaboration, knowledge sharing, investment and advancing new technological innovations that will take the global sustainability agenda forward and turn plans into action." In addition to heads of state, leaders confirmed to participant at ADSW included Antonio Guterres, UN Secretary-General; Damilola Ogunbiyi, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Sustainable Energy for all and Chief Executive Officer of Sustainable Energy for All SEforAll; John Kerry, US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate; Sameh Shoukry, Minister of Foreign Affairs, President Designate COP27; Alok Sharma, COP26 President; Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General, World Health Organization; Francesco La Camera, Director-General of International Renewable Energy Agency; Ferid Belhaj, Vice-President of the World Bank Group; and Ban Ki-moon, President of the Assembly and Chair of the Council of the Global Green Growth Institute.

Commenting ahead of her appearance at the ADSW, Halimah Yacob, President of the Republic of Singapore, said: "To deliver a sustainable future for our planet, the collective action of all stakeholders is needed. Even as we tackle the pandemic, we must not lose sight of other equally pressing global challenges.

"Governments, businesses, researchers, communities and individuals all have a role in addressing the challenges of climate change." The hosting of ADSW is a key component in the UAE's positioning as a regional and global leader in sustainability and climate action.

Last October, the UAE announced its Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative, a national drive to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, the first such initiative in the MENA region.

The UAE was also the first Arab country to set voluntary clean energy targets, and the first Gulf state to sign the Paris Agreement.

Further demonstrating the UAE's leading role in driving action on climate change, at home, in the region, and throughout the world, the ADSW Opening Ceremony and the Zayed Sustainability Prize Awards Ceremony will take place at Expo 2020 Dubai on Monday January 17 to coincide with Global Goals Week.

All other ADSW events will take place in Abu Dhabi or virtually.

Since its inception, ADSW has reflected the changing global sustainability landscape, broadening its scope from renewable energy and water, to include new global trends and topics like artificial intelligence, space and mobility.

The number of ADSW events has also expanded over time, with the additions of the IRENA Assembly in 2010, the Women in Sustainability, Environment and Renewable Energy' (WiSER) Forum in 2015, Atlantic Council Global Energy Forum in 2017, Abu Dhabi Sustainable Finance Forum 2019, and the virtual ADSW Summit in 2021.
New Delhi, Jan 11 : India registered a slight decline in daily Covid-19 cases, with 1,68,063 people testing positive for the virus while 277 succumbed to the infection in the past 24 hours, Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said on Tuesday.

The fresh infections were 6.4 per cent less than Monday when the country logged 1,79,723.

With the fresh fatalities, the death toll mounted to 4,84,213.

Meanwhile, the active caseload has jumped to 8,21,446 which constitute 2.29 per cent of the country's total positive cases.

The omicron infection tally has climbed to 4,461 across the nation. However, out of total Omicron positive cases, 1,711 have been discharged from hospitals after recovery. So far, total 28 states have reported omicron infection, the ministry added.

With 69,959 patients getting cured of the virus in the last 24 hours, the cumulative tally rose to 3,45,70,131. Consequently, India's recovery rate stands at 96.36 per cent.

Also in the same period, a total of 15,79,928 tests were conducted across the country. India has so far conducted over 69.31 crore cumulative tests.

Meanwhile, the weekly positivity rate has climbed to 8.85 per cent amid sudden spike in cases. The daily positivity rate has declined to 10.64 per cent.

With the administration of over 92 lakh vaccine doses in the last 24 hours, the country's Covid inoculation coverage has reached 152.89 crore.

More than 17.11 crore balance and unutilised Covid vaccine doses are still available with the states and UTs.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Mexico City, Jan 11 : Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said he has tested positive for Covid-19 for a second time.

Lopez Obrador, who is fully vaccinated and has received a booster shot, first contracted Covid-19 in January last year with mild symptoms, Xinhua news agency reported.

In a tweet on Monday night, the 68-year-old President said that he has "mild symptoms" and will continue to work while being isolated.

"I will communicate virtually until I get through it," said the President, who is famed for his daily morning press conferences from the National Palace.

Lopez Obrador's second infection was confirmed after his usual press conference early Monday, when he appeared with a hoarse voice which he attributed to a common cold, saying he would be tested shortly.

Interior Minister Adan Augusto Lopez will hold the press conferences during the President's absence, and represent him on other official occasions.
Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 11 : One of the prime accused in the infamous T.P. Chandrasekheran murder case, Kirmani Manoj, presently out on parole was arrested by the Kerala Police while he was taking part in a rave party at Wayanad.

Acting on a tip off, the Wayanad Police after checking at a few resorts in the locality, rounded up 15 people including Manoj at a rave party which was called to celebrate the wedding anniversary of a known goon.

The police recovered MDMA and ganja from the arrested persons and further probe is going on, said the police, but details are awaited on the remaining accused.

The 51-year-old T.P.Chandrasekheran, who launched the Revolutionary Marxist Party, was hacked 51 times by assailants on May 4, 2012 when he was returning home on his motorcycle in his hometown near Kozhikode.

In the case, a court sentenced 11 people to life imprisonment, of which three were middle level CPI-M leaders.

Chandrasekheran was a hugely popular CPI-M leader in Kozhikode district but left the party in 2008 and formed his own outfit --RMP and became a thorn in the flesh of the CPI-M.

The murder had created huge waves in the political scenario of Kerala and at times there were speculations that even the top leadership of the CPI-M were aware of the brutal murder.

Apparently in the 2021 April assembly polls, the widow of Chandrasekheran - K.K. Rema with the support of the Congress led UDF won a stellar victory from the Vadakara assembly constituency, despite the CPI-M trying their best to keep her at bay.

Eyebrows have been raised in the manner in which how rules have been bent in giving parole to Manoj and this has been raised several times in the assembly ever since Pinarayi Vijayan assumed office in 2016.

Speaking to the media Rema said she is the least surprised on how things have turned to the favour of the accused after Vijayan took over.

"Both the government and the CPI-M are supporting the accused. After Covid pandemic just look how these accused have got the benefit of it and are out for nearly two years now. I often see one of the accused in the same case presently out on parole engaged in palliative care of the CPI-M in our locality. We will see what can be done and we will take up the issue legally," said Rema.
TRIPOLI, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Turkey's Ambassador to Libya Kenan Yilmaz on Monday stressed his country's support for a political resolution to the conflict in Libya.

The Turkish ambassador made his remarks during a meeting with Libyan Deputy Prime Minister of Hussein Al-Qatrani in the capital Tripoli, according to a statement issued by the Libyan Government's information office.

"During the meeting, the Turkish ambassador expressed his country's keenness to support the efforts of the political track by listening to all points of view of all the political parties," the statement said.

"He also stressed the need to reactivate the diplomatic and consular representation in Benghazi as soon as possible, as well as the return of commercial exchange between Turkey and eastern Libya," the statement added.

Al-Qatrani praised Turkey's support for Libya, calling for enhancing joint cooperation between the two countries. 
San Francisco/New Delhi, Jan 11 : After expressing its displeasure over Apple's alleged bullying behaviour around iMessages, Google on Tuesday stepped up its fight, saying the tech giant should support Android the way it does other SMS/MMS standards and should not hold back its own customers.

Google's head of Android, Hiroshi Lockheimer, said that Google is not asking Apple to make iMessage available on Android.

"We're asking Apple to support the industry standard for modern messaging (RCS) in iMessage, just as they support the older SMS/MMS standards," he posted in a tweet thread.

"By not incorporating RCS, Apple is holding back the industry and holding back the user experience for not only Android users but also their own customers," Lockheimer added.

RCS (Rich Communication Services) is a next generation SMS protocol that upgrades text messaging with features like payments, high-resolution photo and file sharing, location sharing, video calls and much more.

Google last week accused Apple of bullying its way into smartphone texting, saying that the iPhone maker deliberately creates peer pressure among the teens to use iMessages and shun Android-based texting.

Apple's messaging service turns texts from Android users green instead of the iOS-native blue, a calculated move which has turned iMessage into a status symbol among teens.

"iMessage should not benefit from bullying. Texting should bring us together, and the solution exists. Let's fix this as one industry," the official Android account had said in a tweet.

Lockheimer said in his latest tweet that SMS has evolved, and it's better.

"You can see read receipts, typing indicators, better groups, secure 1:1 messages (groups coming soon) etc. That new standard is called RCS, and it's available now. Supporting RCS would improve the experience for both iOS and Android users alike," he said.

"RCS will also improve the experience and privacy for iOS users," the Android boss posted.

Apple did consider making iMessage available on Android to attract more users, but concluded that doing so would "hurt us more than help us".

"iMessage on Android would simply serve to remove (an) obstacle to iPhone families giving their kids Android phones," Apple's Senior Vice President of Software Engineering, Craig Federighi, said recently.
Beirut, Jan 11 : Lebanon's merchants took a hit in 2021 by the country's unprecedented economic and financial crisis with 35 per cent of them shutting down their stores, according to the Beirut Traders Association.

Adnan Rammal, representative of the trade sector in the Economic and Social Council, told Xinhua news agency that a large number of merchants had to close their stores last year as they were unable to cover the expenses in light of the drop in sales from 50 to 90 per cent, varying among different sectors.

According to Rammal, the sectors that were mostly impacted include furniture, household appliances, electronics and carpets, and the demand for food has also dropped by 40 per cent.

Over the past two years, the country has witnessed an unprecedented financial crisis amid the shortage of US dollar, which prompted a steep depreciation of the Lebanese pound.

As a result of the collapse of the local currency, citizens saw an obvious devaluation of their salaries.

Most of them are employed by the public sector and get paid in local currency, while only an approximate of 20 per cent of them receive their salaries in US dollars.

Moreover, the financial crisis forced banks to impose heavy restrictions on withdrawals from deposits, which has deteriorated people's purchasing power.

Mohamad Rayes, owner of a men's clothes shop in Hamra, told Xinhua that sales at his shop dropped by over 80 per cent compared to the pre-crisis years of 2017 and 2018, as people have been focusing their consumption on necessities.

"If we do not see any improvement in demand during the coming summer season, we will have to close doors and lay off employees," he said.

For his part, Abed Ramadan, sales manager at Dallas, a famous clothes shop in Hamra, told Xinhua that his store has gained no profits since last summer, but the owner is keeping the shop open.

"Any decision to shut down the store will deprive several families from a source of income," he said, adding that his store will not import new clothes for the coming summer season given the deteriorating living conditions of the Lebanese and the political instability.

Meanwhile, Tony Eid, head of Achrafieh's Merchants Association, told Xinhua that a number of merchants are still in the market as some of the operation costs, such as electricity, rent, and salaries, can still be paid in Lebanese pound, which is cheaper.

He called on the government to follow a clear economic and financial strategy by adopting a specific exchange rate of the U.S. dollar to the Lebanese pound.

"We can no longer receive checks or credit card payments by our clients as the exchange rate in the bank is lower than that of the parallel market."
New Delhi, Jan 11 : Vodafone Idea shares fell 19 per cent in early trade on Tuesday as it approved the conversion of adjusted gross revenue (AGR) and spectrum liabilities into equity.

"The board of directors, at its meeting held on January 10, 2022, has approved the conversion of the full amount of interest related to spectrum auction instalments and AGR dues into equity," Vodafone Idea said in a regulatory filing on Tuesday.

"The Net Present Value (NPV) of this interest is expected to be about Rs 16,000 crore as per the company's best estimates, subject to confirmation by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT)." At 11.00 am, it pared some of its intraday losses and traded 12.1 per cent down at Rs 13.05 per share.

The telecom service provider's stocks have slumped around 28 per cent from its 52-week high level of Rs 16.79 it touched in December, 2021.

It further said in the filing that following the conversion, it is expected that the Centre will hold around 35.8 per cent of the total outstanding shares of the company, and that the promoter shareholders would be around 28.5 per cent (Vodafone Group) and around 17.8 per cent (Aditya Birla Group), respectively.
Series: 'Ranjish Hi Sahi' (Streaming on Voot Select) Duration: Average 36 minutes per episode

Director: Pushpraj Bhardwaj

Cast: Tahir Raj Bhasin, Amala Paul, Amrita Puri, Zarina Wahab, Paras Priyadarshan, Naina Sareen, Madan Deodhar, Saurabh Sachdeva

IANS Rating: ***Though it is not blatantly spelt out, 'Ranjish Hi Sahi' which means, 'out of resentment', is a fictionalised, biopic slice of director Mahesh Bhatt's life which details his relationship with late actress Parveen Babi.

With a timespan ranging from 1959 to 2005, this eight-episode series is narrated in a non-linear manner, through the maverick film director Shankar Vats' point of view. It starts on a literally and figuratively hazy note.

The 28-minute pilot episode begins in 1976 in Pune with Shankar Vats walking out of Ajnadham Dharamshala. Later in conversation with actor Vinod Kumar in his car, we are given an insight into Shankar Vats' obstinate personality.

Vinod cajoles Shankar to return to the ashram but is soon physically thrown out from there. After some reflection, Shankar returns to Bombay, and soon the episode sketchily encapsulates what you will see in the series.

Thus, the series boasts many repetitive scenes, but these scenes do not bog down the viewing experience. Through the episodes, we learn how Shankar after delivering three flops in succession, is struggling to keep his family afloat while trying to raise funds for his fourth film. We also get to know how he met ace actress Amna Parvez and developed a bond with her, Amna's ruined relationship with actor Zubair, her mood swings, and her interaction with Shankar's wife Anju.

Practically everyone knows about Mahesh Bhatt's association with Parveen Babi, and thus it is the curiosity factor of how things panned out between them that would hold the viewer's interest, and the series offers this in ample measure. Also, there are scenes in the series which you can associate with Mahesh Bhatt's films, especially 'Zakhm'.

The character of the "Watch Man - who repairs watches" is metaphorically and artfully used to depict conscience.

The series is mounted skillfully with ace production values. The era is brilliantly captured, with kids playing with marbles, the bioscopewalla (the travelling hand-cranked cinema) on the cycle, dated advertisements in the interior of the buses, costumes, period telephones, typewriters, and locks.

Also, the music transports you to the time. The songs, 'O Berehem Zindagi', 'Tham Sa Gaya', and the Sufi number in the eighth episode, along with the background score, are situationally effective.

Consider it as the perfect casting or good acting, Tahir Raj Bhasin in a hideous wig - slips into the shoes of the self-deprecating Shankar Vats with ease. He nails his character to the tee, playing the kind, considerate and honourable husband, friend, father, and son with kind fervour and abject honesty.

Amala Paul plays Amna Parvez with equal passion and conviction. So does Paras Priyadarshan as Shankar's brother Ganesh, Amrita Puri as Anju, Zarina Wahab as Shankar's mother Zubair, Naina Sareen as Amna's aide Mary, Madan Deodhar as Amna's driver Adbul, and Saurabh Sachdeva as the industry mogul Jagmohan Seth. They all shine in their roles effortlessly.

Rajat Kaul as Zubair depicting Kabir Bedi is perfunctory in his histrionics and demeanour.

Overall, this series may appeal only to Hindi film fans who know Mahesh Bhatt and Parveen Babi's history.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 11 : A disclosure by a young housewife that she was being forced to engage in sex through exchange of partners with her husband himself engaging in it, on Tuesday took a new turn when her brother disclosed that this has been going on for a few years.

Speaking to the media, the victim's brother said her husband was terrorising his wife to engage in this and also used to use their young children aged 6 and 7.

"He used to tell the young kids that if their mother wishes, all of them can live in luxury. He used to tell his wife also that if she cooperates, then he need not go for work and can live a good life with lots of money," said the deeply anguished brother of the victim.

"He used to collect money and then send his wife to engage in undesirable activities. If she resisted then she would be harassed. We know that there are quite a number of hapless young women who have fallen in this wife swapping racket. Many of them out of fear of being ostracised are keeping quiet," added the bother.

He also pointed out that two years back when this issue first surfaced, they informed the local police and they suggested his sister be sent for counselling.

"Those who are engaged in this include people from the high society including doctors, engineers and others. We really doubt if the real accused will be caught as they are all influential people. Things are really bad," said the deeply disturbed brother of the victim.

This case surfaced on Sunday when the Kerala Police arrested seven persons in connection with exchange of partners for sex after the above victim lodged a complaint with the Karukachal police in Kottayam district.

The Police are keeping a tab on numerous social media groups where this activity took place and are expected to take more action shortly.

The police team has now found out that the modus operandi was to first join the Telegram and Messenger groups and then two or three couples meet periodically and the group got bigger.

Apart from couples, what has now surfaced is there were 'male studs' drawn from gymnasiums to perform.

By now seven people have been arrested and the police are expecting to round up a few more who are believed to be the lynchpins in this nefarious activity.
Managua, Jan 11 : Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega has been sworn in for a new five-year term.

Ortega and Vice President Rosario Murillo were re-elected in November 2021 general elections, reports Xinhua news agency.

The swearing-in ceremony took place on Monday at the Plaza de la Revolucion here.

After being sworn in and receiving the presidential sash from the head of the National Assembly Gustavo Porras, Ortega thanked the solidarity of countries in helping tackle the Covid-19 pandemic.

He said that in the new term, his government will continue to fight alongside the people to fulfil its commitment to eradicating poverty and hunger, and to improving the living conditions of Nicaraguan families.

In the general elections on November 7, 2021, the Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN), which nominated Ortega and Murillo for a new term, won more than 75 per cent of the vote.

This is Ortega's fifth electoral victory and fourth consecutive victory since he first ran for president in 1984 and was elected in 1985.
UP BJP chief on door to door campaign. Image Source: IANS News

UP BJP chief on door to door campaign. Image Source: IANS News

Lucknow, Jan 11 : Uttar Pradesh BJP president Swatantra dev Singh launched the party's door-to-door campaign on Tuesday by visiting the home of beneficiaries of the Central and state government schemes.

Singh visited the Balu Adda locality in Lucknow.

"We are following the EC guidelines and Covid protocols in this campaign," he said.

The BJP state chief anointed the voters' forehead with 'kumkum' and 'chandan' and gave them pamphlets and booklets about the various schemes. He also pasted stickers on their doors and appealed to vote for BJP.

BJP leaders across the state have embarked on a door-to-door campaign after the Election Commission clamped a ban on physical campaign.

Teams of party leaders, in groups of five, will interact with voters during the campaign.
New Delhi, Jan 11 : The Paytm stock hit an all-time low, trading down a further 2.16 per cent on Tuesday at Rs 1,132 after an almost 6 per cent slide the previous day.

Manoj Dalmia, Founder and Director at Proficient Equities Private Limited said Paytm Share plunged by 6 per cent and is further down 1.48 per cent making its all-time low.

Dalmia said Paytm's payment business accounts for about 70 per cent of revenue, which will be under threat if there are any regulatory changes. Also, its entry into insurance sectors has been rejected by regulators. The stock is trading at about 17 times FY23 sales which seems overvalued considering higher expenses and risk of attrition of senior executives, Dalmia said.

Ravi Singh, Vice President & Head of Research, Share India Securities said Paytm's try into insurance was recently rejected by IRDAI, this could also impact its prospects of getting a banking licence. We expect Paytm to be more downside to touch the levels of Rs 1050-1000 in near terms. Investors may remain cautious towards taking fresh positions in Paytm for the time being, Singh said.

Foreign brokerage Macquarie said on Monday there are no signs of headwinds abating at Paytm as it slashed the target price to Rs 900.

One 97 Communications or Paytm stock was down almost 5.95 per cent on Monday at Rs 1,158.

Since 18 November, PayTM's stock price has fallen 40 per cent vs Sensex's flat performance, Macquarie said.

Post the various business updates and results, Macquarie said, "Revenue projections, particularly on the distribution side, is at risk and hence we pare down our revenue CAGR from 26 per cent to 23 per cent for FY21-26E. We are roughly cutting revenue estimates for FY21-26E on an average by 10 per cent every year due to lower distribution and commerce/cloud revenues offset partially by higher payment revenues. We cut our earnings (increase our loss projections) by 16-27 per cent for FY22-25E owing to lower revenues and higher employee and software expenses. We cut our TP sharply by 25 per cent owing to a lower target multiple of 11.5x (Price to Sales ratio) (from 13.5x earlier) and lower sales numbers."
Chennai, Jan 11 : Tamil Nadu police has arrested nine persons, including a 77-year-old man, at Gingee in Villupuram district for sexually abusing a 16-year-old girl.

The Gingee All Woman Police rrested mne people which included the girl's male cousin (36) and aunt (50).

Besides, Mannakattai alias Venkatesan (77), R. Iyalaraja (28),M.Venkatesan( 24), R. Prabhu (37), K. Babu (22), P.Ezhumalai (26) and A. Satyaraj (28)were the others to be arrested.

The accused were charged under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act.

The crime came to light when the minor girl was taken by her aunt to a nearby hospital after she complained of stomach pain and on a detailed check-up, it was found that she was four months pregnant. The girl's parents had died and she had moved to her aunt's place for her Plus 1 class.

The accused were produced before the court and remanded to judicial custody.
New Delhi, Jan 11 : Known as a software provider for years, India can become an electronics systems and semiconductor design provider for the world in the next five to seven years amid the global chip shortage, Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Rajeev Chandrasekhar said here on Tuesday.

The Ministry of electronics and IT (MeitY) has come up with an ambitious thousand-day plan on how to make India into a trillion-dollar digital economy.

"We can now become electronic systems and manufacturing services design providers. There are whole new opportunities out there, on top of what our core capability was for the last 15 to 20 years," he said during Microsoft's 'Future Ready' virtual event.

The industry has hailed the latest government's decision to set up the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) and approved Rs 76,000 crore ($10 billion) for the development of semiconductors and display manufacturing ecosystem in the country.

The Rs 76,000 crore scheme will be spread across 6 years. As part of the scheme, incentives worth Rs 2.3 lakh crore will be provided to position India as a global hub.

According to Chandrasekhar, there has been a paradigm shift and the most important element of that paradigm shift is that the world's world's technology consuming countries are accelerating their digitalisation.

"They want to source digital products and services from countries and supply chains that they can trust. I think the world is seeking to diversify their value chains and supply chains. That is exactly where India finds itself," he stressed.

"We are now in the post-Covid reality of the world, looking for global value chains and trusted partners, positioning India in a very sweet spot to pursue these opportunities that are now available to us," the minister emphasised.

India is witnessing an increased digital adoption during Covid in areas like Health, fintech, education and skilling.

"It is clear that the Internet in India is not just about surfing and watching Netflix or watching YouTube. It is really about material daily functions of a citizen being met. The Internet has now become an economic lifeline," said Chandrasekhar.

Every corporate, big or small, and every government is now in a race to digitalise its functions, services and businesses.

"That plays to the strengths of India. The next wave of computing performance is going to come from software optimisation, semiconductor design, electronic systems design and innovation," the minister said.
DAR ES SALAAM, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- Four people who were digging a grave for burying their relative died on Sunday after they were hit by lightning strike in Tanzania's southern highlands region of Mbeya, an official said on Monday.

Mayeka Mayeka, Chunya district commissioner in Mbeya region, said one man who was also digging the grave was seriously injured when the lighting hit on Sunday afternoon.

Mayeka told a press conference that the four victims were digging the grave for burying their relative who died on Saturday, adding that all died on the spot.

Last week, five people, including four children, were killed by lightning strike in Tanzania's western district of Kibondo in Kigoma region.

James Manyama, the Kigoma regional police commander, said the four children were hit by lightning on Tuesday at 6 p.m. local time in Kibuye village. Manyama said the fifth victim, a woman, was hit by the lightning when she was farming. 
Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 11 : The Kerala Congress on Tuesday asked the ruling CPI-M not to 'politicise' the murder of an SFI activist in Idukki district.

The activist, who was murdered on Monday, was a student of the Government Engineering College - Idukki.

Three Youth Congress activists from the district have been arrested in connection with the crime.

Soon after the incident, top CPI-M leaders, including state party secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, alleged that ever since K. Sudhakaran took over as the president of the Congress here, violence has picked up drastically.

Former State Minister and veteran CPI-M legislator from Idukki district M.M.Mani went a step further and termed it a "conspiracy" by Sudhakaran.

Defending Sudhakaran was two-time former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy who said the real issue that needs to be addressed by all in the state is to put an end to violence in campus.

"It's strange and surprising that Sudhakaran is being blamed. Fail to understand on why he is being targeted. The real issue is all should sit down and see on how best can violence in campus especially in politics be put an end to," said Chandy.

Leader of Opposition V.D.Satheesan said the CPI-M is playing the political card to attack Sudhakaran.

"Just see what happened across the state after the brutal murder of a SFI student. We the Congress party are not a party where violence is taken up. Everyone knows which party does that. No doubt such a gruesome incident should never ever happen and see the whole of yesterday there were violence at several campuses. The CPI-M should not politicise this," said Satheesan.

Youth Congress president and three time legislator Shafi Parembil said this is what the CPI-M does best.

"They are best known to capitalise on anything to better their interest. The Youth Congress never ever promotes violence and it's known to all who does it. Sudhakaran is being targeted and it will not be accepted," said Parembil to the media on Tuesday.

Sudhakaran's security has been beefed up and taking on the CPI-M, he said they never promote violence.

"All the things said about criminality are best suited to both Pinarayi Vijayan and Kodiyeri. Things will be fine the day the CPI-M puts down arms. We have no role in what happened yesterday and appropriate action will be coming from the party, once we get to know more details," said Sudhakaran.

Most top leaders of the SFI and the youth wing of the CPI-M have arrived at Idukki and the body of the young SFI student is being taken in a convoy to his home district -Kannur.
Lucknow, Jan 11 : In a major jolt to the BJP in Uttar Pradesh ahead of the Assembly elections, Cabinet Minister Swami Prasad Maurya resigned from office on Tuesday.

His daughter Sanghmitra Maurya is a BJP MP from Badaun.

Sources said that Swami Prasad Maurya was likely to join Samajwadi Party.

In his resignation letter, he said that he was upset at the side lining of Dalits and weaker sections of society.

He had been upset because his son Utkarsh Maurya had not been "suitably accommodated" in the Yogi Adityanath government.

Swami Prasad Maurya, once one of the senior-most leader in the Bahujan Samaj Party, had joined the BJP just before the 2017 Assembly elections.

He won the Padrauna seat on a BJP ticket in 2017 and was made Labour Minister.

Sources close to Swami Prasad Maurya said that Sanghmitra Maurya would remain in BJP "for the time being".

Swami Prasad Maurya resignation and his likely joining the Samajwadi Party is a major jolt for the BJP since he remains popular in his community.

-- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed
Lucknow, Jan 11 : Another BJP MLA Roshan Lal Varma (Shahjahanpur) has said that he will leave the BJP at an 'appropriate time'.

Roshan Lal Varma, who came to Raj Bhawan with Swami Prasad Maurya's resignation letter, said that Maurya was unwell and hence he had brought the resignation of Maurya.

He said Maurya had already emailed his resignation to the Governor.

Replying to a question, he said, "I will decide after Maurya's resignation is accepted. About other MLAs, you will come to know by January 14." Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav tweeted his photograph with Maurya, confirming that the latter would join the SP.
San Francisco, Jan 11 : Graphic chip giant Nvidia has acquired Bright Computing, a leader in software for managing high performance computing systems used by more than 700 organisations worldwide, for an undisclosed sum.

Founded in 2009 and headquartered in Amsterdam, leading HPC software company Bright Computing has customers that include names such as Boeing, NASA, Johns Hopkins University and Siemens, among others.

Nvidia said in a statement late on Monday that it has been working with Bright for more than a decade as they integrated their software with "our GPUs, networking, CUDA and most recently DGX systems".

"Nvidia is changing the world as we know it, and we couldn't be more excited for our team and software to play a part in that," said Bill Wagner, CEO of Bright Computing.

The graphic chip maker sees an opportunity to combine its system software capabilities to make HPC data centres easier to buy, build and operate, creating a much larger future for HPC.

NVIDIA's partners will take Bright's software to more markets. And Bright's software and expertise will enhance our growing NVIDIA DGX and data center businesses, said the company.

The latest acquisition comes as the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in the US has sued to block Nvidia's $40 billion acquisition of Arm from Softbank on antitrust grounds.

Regulators in the UK and the EU have also declined to approve the transaction in Phase 1 of their reviews on competition concerns.

Nvidia's $40 billion acquisition of the British chip designer Arm is now facing a deeper scrutiny by the UK watchdog.

The European Commission has also opened an in-depth investigation to assess the acquisition of Arm by Nvidia.
New Delhi, Jan 11 : Chinese mobile manufacturer Vivo has pulled out as Indian Premier League's title sponsor from this year and the BCCI will replace it with Tata, the cash-rich league's governing council decided in a meeting on Tuesday.

Following the governing council meeting, IPL chairman Brijesh Patel confirmed that the Tata Group, one of India's largest business conglomerates has come on board.

"Vivo has exited and the Tatas will be title sponsors," Patel told Cricbuzz.

Notably, Vivo has a couple of years left in its sponsorship deal with the league and during this period, Tata will remain the main sponsor. The league will now be called Tata IPL.

Vivo had a deal of Rs 2200 crore for title sponsorship rights from 2018-2022. However, the Chinese smartphone makers had paused the deal for a year in 2020 in the backdrop of the Galwan Valley military face-off between the Indian and Chinese Army soldiers, when the rights were transferred to Dream 11.

However, Vivo were back as IPL title sponsor in 2021 and the original five-year deal got extended till 2023 because of the one-year break. Following Tuesday's GC decision, the Tata Group will step in and remain the title sponsor for the 2022 and 2023 seasons.
Jammu, Jan 11 : In a significant development, Jammu and Kashmir government on Tuesday constituted a committee of senior officers regarding the issue of commemoration of Dogra Maharaja Hari Singh's birthday and its observance as a public holiday.

An order issued by the J&K administrative department said a 4-member committee headed by the principal Secretary General administration department will go into the issue of commemoration of late Dogra Maharaja Hari Singh's birthday and its observance as a general/public holiday under the negotiable instruments act 1881.

Maharaja Hari Singh was born on September 23, 1895 in Jammu city and he died on April 26, 1961 in Mumbai.

There has been a growing demand by the residents of Jammu, especially the Dogra Rajput community, to observe the late Dogra Maharaja's birthday on an official scale and declare it as a public holiday.

Late Maharaja Hari Singh is seen as an icon of the Dogra pride and valour although the end of his rule in 1947 is observed as the Independence Day of Jammu and Kashmir.

The late Maharaja was negotiating a standstill agreement with India and Pakistan in 1947 when the Afridi tribals invaded the state and started looting and plunder with the support of Pakistan.

The decision to encourage and support the tribal invasion of J&K in 1947 by Pakistan is believed to have been prompted by the efforts of late Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah who was negotiating the accession of the Muslim majority state with India against the doctrine of the Two Nation Theory.
Islamabad, Jan 11 : The US Institute of Peace (USIP), a Washington-based federal institution, has stated that the future of Afghanistan hinges on its relations with Pakistan and funding by America and other nations.

The USIP report stated that Pakistan's relationship with the Taliban regime will pave the way towards shaping the future of Afghanistan.

The report's assessment banks on various studies it conducted during 2021 on Afghanistan.

"Humanitarian aid alone cannot prevent an economic collapse in Afghanistan. Positive relationship with Islamabad could help foster stability, development," the report read.

Pakistan's role holds importance because of the extent of support the Taliban receive from Islamabad in the past, which is considered as a deciding factor in determining Afghanistan's future under the Taliban regime.

"The aid given by the US and partner nations to the Afghan government from now onwards would shape the country's future. The extent of support the Taliban receive from external sources, mainly Pakistan, would also be a deciding factor in determining Afghanistan's future," said Elizabeth Threlkeld, the author of the USIP report.

While the importance of aid and relationship remains important for a better future of Afghanistan, the report also warns that the longstanding issues, grievances and conflicts between Pakistan and Afghanistan, hints towards a negative and an opposite outcome, which the report states, is a much likelier forecast.

"Afghanistan and Pakistan stand the best chance of building on their cross-border ties for the benefit of regional stability and the well-being of their citizens," states Threlkeld.

Keeping the Durand Line dispute as one of the more sensitive point of disagreement between Pakistan and Afghanistan; the report highlights that recent clashes between Pakistani border security forces and the Taliban fighters, signifies that like previous Afghan governments, Taliban are not willing to recognise the international border fencing.

On the other hand, Pakistan is intended towards building a fence along the border to stop cross-border terrorism and movement of the terrorists.

The USIP report highlights that factors, which would become the main point of contention between Pakistan and Afghanistan are sovereignty concerns, security interests, geopolitical dynamics, cross-border ties and connectivity and Trade "Together, these dynamics will shape future prospects of stability in Afghanistan and the broader region."
New Delhi, Jan 11 : The Journalists Foundation of Afghanistan said that mediapersons in the country are going through the worst economic situation as 79 per cent of them have lost their jobs and resorted to other professions to make money and survive, Khaama Press reported.

The Foundation has assessed the lives of Afghan journalists in the past one and a half months and found that they are living the worst life due to the fragile economic situation.

Prior to that, statistics have shown that up to 75 per cent of media in Afghanistan have been shut due to financial woes, the report said.

Findings of the Foundation indicate that 91 per cent of Afghan journalists are satisfied from having chosen the profession while only 8 percent are not happy.

A total of 462 Afghan journalists across Afghanistan took part in the survey, and among them were 390 male and 72 female.

The Foundation called on the International Community and the Taliban government in Afghanistan to address the economic situation of the journalists.

It comes as journalists' advocates in Afghanistan have always been criticised upon as they misused their positions during the past two decades for their self-interest and now left Afghanistan without doing much.
New Delhi, Jan 11 : India Inc is ready to take on the third Covid wave with operational experience gained during the last two-years of pandemic.

Accordingly, the rising cases of Covid-19 as well as subsequent mobility curbs will have a 'relatively mild' impact on India's economy in comparison to earlier waves.

On the other hand, the bounce back powered by the pent-up demand will be strong.

Lately, the covid resurgence have led to various curbs instituted by state governments such as reduced capacity of markets, night and weekend curfews to check the infection transmission rate.

However, the curbs seen till now are less disruptive than Covid 1.0 and 2.0 due to the mildness of the disease.

Besides, businesses have shown "a mature" response to deal with the current wave.

A smooth transition has been seen with offices shifting back to work-from-home mode, alongside uninterrupted supply chains.

Even market associations have imposed a "no mask no sale" policy.

Consequently, economy watchers believe the impact on the country's economic growth due to the current wave will be "mild".

"Even as the Indian economy has rebounded faster than expected post the second wave, the emergence of Omicron has added a fresh dose of uncertainty on Q4 as well as to the next year's outlook," said Dipti Deshpande, Principal Economist, Crisil.

"While the world is still learning about this variant's ability to dodge vaccines and cause severe disease, experience has shown that every successive Covid wave has had a weaker impact on the economy... Healthy vaccination coverage and learning to live with the virus have led to progressively less-stringent lockdowns." Deshpande further cited that in the base case scenario, the impact of Omicron is unlikely to be very damaging on economic growth.

Suman Chowdhury, Chief Analytical Officer, Acuite Ratings and Research, said: "We believe that the economic impact of the third wave will be relatively lower as compared to the previous surges going by the current data on hospitalisation and mortalities which will hopefully translate into lesser risk of large scale and prolonged lockdowns.

"For the whole of FY22, we hold on to our growth estimate of 10 per cent with moderate downside risks." As per average industry estimates, GDP growth in Q4FY22 is expected to come in at 5.5-5.8 per cent year-on-year (YoY).

Earlier, estimates had pegged the growth at over 6 per cent.

"The current wave will induce a slowdown in economic activity. This will inturn impact the Q4FY22 growth. However, less disruptive restrictions as well as past experience to deal with these type of surges will provide a faster turnaround opportunity for the economy," said Sunil Kumar Sinha, Principal Economist, India Ratings.

"Nevertheless, both fiscal and monetary policy support will be required at least for the foreseeable future." Furthermore, the healthy rate of vaccinations coupled with administering of a 'precautionary dose' for frontline workers and senior citizens should blunt any further impact.

"While the Omicron-led uncertainty adds risk to Q4FY22 growth, we note the impact would likely be mild giving limited restrictions and high vaccination rates," said Madhavi Arora, Lead Economist, Emkay Global.

"However, the situation is still evolving and needs a watch." In addition, Aditi Nayar, Chief Economist, ICRA said: "Our early analysis suggests that the impact of an Omicron wave may be limited to one quarter in terms of the duration of the surge in fresh cases, as well as the economic impact given the better preparedness of governments, the health care system and households. However, there continues to be a lot of uncertainty around this.

"The impact on GDP growth will depend on the extent to which restrictions need to be extended across states in the coming weeks. As of now, we see a modest downside to our forecast of FY2022 GDP expansion of 9 per cent." (Rohit Vaid can be contacted at rohit.v@ians.in)

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
New York, Jan 11 : Pfizer's vaccine that specifically targets the Omicron variant of Covid-19 will be ready in March, the pharmaceutical giant's CEO Albert Bourla has said.

Bourla said Omicron is a more difficult target than the previous variants, CNBC reported.

Omicron, which has more than 30 mutations on its spike protein, can evade some of the protection provided by Pfizer's original two shots.

While it is still unclear whether or not an Omicron vaccine is needed or how it would be used, he added that the company will have some doses ready since some countries want it ready as soon as possible.

The vaccine will also target the other variants that are circulating, Bourla said adding that the US-based drug maker has already begun manufacturing.

"This vaccine will be ready in March," Bourla told CNBC's "Squawk Box". "We (are) already starting manufacturing some of these quantities at risk." Bourla also emphasised the importance of a third shot to boost people's protection against Omicron.

He said that the two-dose vaccine does not provide robust protection against infection and its ability to prevent hospitalisation has also declined.

"The hope is that we will achieve something that will have way, way better protection particularly against infections, because the protection against the hospitalisations and the severe disease - it is reasonable right now, with the current vaccines as long as you are having let's say the third dose," Bourla said.

Real-world data from the UK has shown that Pfizer's and Moderna's vaccines are only about 10 per cent effective at preventing symptomatic infection from omicron 20 weeks after the second dose, according to study from the UK Health Security Agency.

However, the original two doses still provide good protection against severe illness, the study found. Booster shots are up to 75 per cent effective at preventing symptomatic infection, according to the study.

Earlier, the US' top infectious disease expert Anthony Fauci has said that there is no need for a booster shot that specifically targets Omicron, because the current boosters work well against the variant.

Meanwhile, Moderna is also working on a booster that targets Omicron.

CEO Stephane Bancel said the company will soon enter clinical trials, adding that the demand is high from governments as they prepare regular vaccination against the virus.
PRAIA, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- The Cape Verde government has announced the cancellation of all carnival-related activities due to the exponential increase in the number of COVID-19 cases in the archipelago.

The announcement was made by the Minister of Internal Affairs, Paulo Rocha, at a press conference on the epidemiological situation in the country on Monday.

According to Paulo Rocha, the decision aims to preserve the response capacity of the national health system.

Carnival groups cannot rehearse or organize parades and presentations of blocks, as well as parties in private or in public spaces, he said.

As of Monday, Cape Verde has reported a total of 50,959 positive cases, and 364 deaths. 
New Delhi, Jan 11 : The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Tuesday said that they have filed second supplementary charge sheet against one Sohrab Hussain in connection with a counterfeit Indian currency racket case.

He was allegedly pumping fake Indian currency in India. It was a cross border conspiracy and Bangladesh connection has been found by the probe agency.

The charge sheet was filed before the special NIA court in Lucknow under sections 120-B, 489 B of IPC and 16 & 18 of UA(P) Act.

Initially, UP ATS had on November 25, 2019 seized counterfeit notes of Rs 1,79,000. They also lodged an FIR in this connection with ATS, Gomtinagar, Lucknow (UP).

Later, the NIA took over the investigation and formed a team to further probe the matter.

During investigation, the NIA found that the accused persons of this case had conspired to smuggle, procure and keep high quality Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN) and had further circulated and supplied to various persons/consignees in the state of UP.

Investigation done so far, revealed that the FICN recovered was being supplied from Malda, West Bengal.

After completing the probe the NIA had in 2020 filed a charge sheet against three accused persons.

Later, in 2021 they filed the supplementary charge sheet against another accused.

"The accused Sohrab Hussain, who has been chargesheeted in the second supplimentary chargesheet, was one of the important player in the conspiracy of FICN trafficking and was also in contact with FICN network based in Bangladesh," said the NIA official.

The NIA said that further probe in the matter was on.
Dhanbad, Jan 11 : Bachchan Nonia (45) died by suicide in November last year in Kusunda, Dhanbad. An employee at Godhar Colliery, managed by Bharat Coking Coal Ltd (BCCL), he was duped by a local moneylender, according to his son Vikas Nonia. "Earlier this year, my father had taken a loan of Rs 2 lakh from Mahesh Chauhan, a local moneylender. But Chauhan tricked him into signing a receipt for Rs 10 lakh and was forcing him to repay this amount. Unable to take the pressure, he killed himself." "In the post-nationalisation era, the oppression of miners continues as exploiters have now taken on the garb of money lenders in their colonies and trade union leaders at the workplace," said R.C. Paswan, an employee of Bastacola Colliery.

Jharkhand, with more than 200 coal mines, holds 27 per cent of the country's coking coal reserves estimated at 19.4 billion tonnes and fuels India's thermal power. However, the families of more than five lakh workers, particularly those in unorganised jobs in the Jharia coalfields region, continue to be victims of exploitation. Government apathy in addition to profiteering private operators with scant regard for worker welfare and safety have forced local coal workers into extreme penury, battling a myriad of health hazards and facing threats of subsidence (sinking of the ground because of underground material movement).

Rinku Rawani (32) lives in Mohribandh locality in Jharia, where an underground coal fire has been raging for decades. One August, four years ago, her neighbour's home sank into the ground and not even the kitchen utensils were spared. Rawani, a loading worker at Golakdih Colliery, continues to live here with this fear hanging over her even as her family are forced to inhale the poisonous gases coming out of cracks in the ground.

She has nowhere else to go and the promised government rehabilitation hasn't reached her yet. She can't help but rue over the lost home from her childhood, once a lush green land, now utterly uninhabitable. "In the past 20 years, because of unscientific and unsystematic mining, especially by private operators, pollution has drastically increased and the threat of subsidence has aggravated." Seasons change but exploitation is constant

The British monopoly on coal mining in Jharia was challenged by Gujarati traders at the turn of the 20th Century and soon other private players followed, making Jharia one of the richest princely estates in the Calcutta Presidency thanks to the huge royalties on mining leases. But local workers got the raw end of the deal, working in harsh conditions for a pittance. The nationalisation of coal mines by Indira Gandhi in the 70s improved working conditions at the PSUs but in the early 2000s, private entities (owned by local business houses, politicians and even local musclemen) once again entered the field as contractors employed for coal extraction, transportation and removal of mines overburden (sand, dust and rock covering the coal). And with that came the return of the unscientific and unethical mining practices pioneered by profit-minded private players.

Consequently, state-owned subsidiaries like BCCL operating in Dhanbad, Central Coalfields Limited (ECL) operating in Bokaro, Ramgarh, Chatra and Ranchi and Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL) operating in Dhanbad and Godda posted fewer and fewer vacancies, opting to outsource the work to contractual employees until the number of permanent employees are now outnumbered by cheap and disposable contact workers.

A.K. Jha, the national general secretary of Congress-affiliated trade union Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC), said, "The employees of these private companies are not provided benefits such as health insurance, gratuity, provident fund and medical reimbursements. Many companies do not provide them with even identity cards and safety gear such as helmets, forcing them to work in unsafe conditions." Nasir Iqbal, a Jharia-based general physician said, "Continuous exposure to coal dust in the air causes diseases such as allergic rhinitis, asthma, bronchitis and tuberculosis to people living and working in these mining areas." Greater govt regulation is the need of the hour, not rampant privatisation

Apart from these contractual workers, musclemen who double as union leaders also engage many labourers from the surrounding areas, mostly women, for Rs 200 per day for loading raw coal and Rs 300 per day for loading prime coal on trucks. Violent clashes between groups engaged by different musclemen over the allotment of work are common at mining sites. Police had to apply brute force to neutralise the situation in Godhar colliery area of BCCL on July 9 this year when two groups started pelting stones at each other. One of these groups was supported by Janta Mazdoor Sangh, a trade union affiliated to the Hind Mazdoor Sabha.

Aasha Devi, who participated in a protest by the residents of Gondudih area of Katras in Dhanbad on December 7 demanding more work allotment, said, "We are allotted work only for 15 to 20 days in a month, that too, for Rs 200 to Rs 300 per day. It is difficult to afford a living with this income and we can't even shift to agriculture because we don't own any land." A resident of Jharia's Mohribandh locality and the central secretary of Bihar Colliery Kamgar Union, Rajendra Paswan, said, "The private operators are responsible for the recent shortage in the supply of coal to powerhouses. They collude with PSUs to falsify paperwork on meeting coal extraction targets. Before their entry into this sector, the PSUs were under pressure to meet their coal excavation targets, and hence, such crisis did not occur." Paswan said the government should ensure that contractual workers get fair wages, medical facilities, safety gear and uniforms. "We also want the government to force mining companies to increase their allocation of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds to improve infrastructure in mining areas by constructing roads, opening schools, ensuring drinking water provisions and taking more steps to control pollution," he said.

"The privatisation in coal mining and amendments in labour laws in favour of private companies by restricting the rights of labourers to protest have aggravated the problems faced by workers," said the area secretary of Central Industrial Trade Union (CITU).

Another threat around the corner for these workers is the green push to combat climate change. Pramod Pathak, a Dhanbad-based management consultant and former faculty at IIT-Indian School of Mines, Dhanbad said, "The focus on green energy technology in the coming days will lead to job losses as unlike the labour-intensive coal mining operations, green energy is technology-centric." (The author is a Jharkhand-based freelance journalist and a member of 101reporters, a pan-India network of grassroots reporters.)
Panaji, Jan 11 : A day after two BJP MLAs resigned from the party, Govind Gaude, an independent legislator and the state's Art and Culture Minister on Tuesday resigned as MLA and said that he would be joining the Bharatiya Janata Party later in the day.

"I have decided that I will be fighting the upcoming elections on a BJP ticket. I felt that contesting on an independent ticket restricts me to my constituency alone. Since I am a man who has risen through agitations I believe this is a step in the right direction," Gaude told a press conference.

While four MLAs have quit the BJP so far over the last one month, three sitting MLAs namely Ravi Naik (Congress), Rohan Khaunte (Independent) Jayesh Salgaokar (Goa Forward) have so far joined the BJP.
Chennai, Jan 11 : Two activists of the Hindu Munnani were arrested by the Podanur police in Coimbatore on Tuesday over the desecration of the statue of Periyar or E.V. Ramasamy Periyar.

The statue in front of the Thanthai Periyar Study Centre was found desecrated on Sunday morning with saffron powder and garlanded with slippers.

The Dravidar Kazhagam (DK) and the Thanthai Periyar Dravidar Kazhagam( TPDK) had conducted protest marches across Tamil Nadu on Monday against the desecration of the statue of Periyar who is considered as the father of the Dravidian movement.

The Podanur police conducted a detailed study of the CCTV visuals obtained from the nearby shop and identified two ward functionaries of Hindu Munnani. The arrested are identified as Mohan Raj and Arun Karthik. Police said that both the offenders were produced before the Judicial magistrate court and remanded in judicial custody for 15 days.
Lucknow, Jan 11 : Resignations are rolling out in the BJP in Uttar Pradesh with an alarming frequency, days ahead of the state goes to the polls in seven phases between February 10 and March 7.

After Swami Prasad Maurya and Roshan Lal Varma, yet another BJP MLA - Brijesh Prajapati from Tindwari in Banda - has said that he has submitted his resignation from the saffron party.

Varma, Prajapati and a host of other OBC MLAs met Swami Prasad Maurya to discuss the political situation.

The MLAs, including Bhagwati Sharan Sagar from Bilhaur, said that the Yogi Adityanath government is not catering to the interests of the farmers, OBCs and other weaker sections of the society.

"We will go wherever Swami Prasad Maurya goes. We came with him from BSP to BJP and our future journey will continue with him," said the legislators.

Another minister, Dharam Singh Saini, is also believed to be ready to quit, but there is no confirmation of the same yet.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Chennai, Jan 11 : Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Tuesday urged the heads of various departments to think big and chalk out plans for the next four years.

He also urged the Secretaries of various departments to start planning for the next year, next four years and till 2030.

Addressing the Department Secretaries at the meeting held to review the status of various announcements made by the government, Stalin asked the officials to interact with the central government to secure the necessary funds and permissions for pending 20 projects.

Stalin asked the officials to think big, dream big so that the results are big and chalk out the road map for future.

The Chief Minister also said the officials should compare the state's development metrics with that of developed nations and that of South Asian countries rather than with other Indian states.

According to him, out of the 1,641 announcements made by the government, orders for 1,313 announcements have been issued. He also asked the officials to issue the orders for the balance announcement.

Stalin also asked the officials to see whether the orders issued have come into force and are being implemented with allocation of sufficient funds.
New Delhi, Jan 11 : Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Tuesday inspected the Parliament House complex to take stock of the health safety measures and other preparations put in place in light of the recent spike in Covid-19 cases.

Birla visited the Covid-19 testing facility set up in Parliament House Annexe for the Members of Parliament, officers and staff of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha Secretariats and reviewed the facilities and preparations there. He directed officials to immediately address any requirements of members and officials that were felt necessary.

He also directed officials concerned to put in place all precautionary measures to check the spread and keep track of positive cases.

He also interacted with doctors and other Corona warriors at the Medical Centre and directed that all additional resources may be made available on priority.

"Necessary arrangements for the 2022 Budget session of Parliament are being made in order to facilitate performance of the constitutional responsibilities of Members of Parliament," Birla said.

He directed officials to take special care of Members of Parliament above the age of 60 and attend to their requirements in a proactive manner.

Birla said that the situation is under control and all steps are being taken to mitigate the impact of the pandemic. "It has been ensured that sanitation and other arrangements are in place at all places, as per official guidelines and SoPs," he said.

He also sought that adequate arrangements for Covid positive officers and employees of Parliament may also be made.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Kolkata Jan 11 : In a revised order by the Calcutta High Court on Gangasagar Mela, the division bench of Chief Justice Prakash Shrivastava and Justice Kesong Doma Bhutia dropped leader of the opposition Suvednu Adhikari from a three-member committee formed by the court on January 7 to monitor compliance of Covid restrictions at Gangasagar Mela in Sagar Island.

The court has instead reconstituted it to a two-member committee comprising former Justice Samapti Chatterjee and the member secretary of the West Bengal Legal Services Authority.

The Trinamool Congress without naming Suvendu Adhikari had objected to the presence of any political personality because that might create problem in taking the right decision. With the High Court order, the ruling Trinamool Congress is considering it to be its moral victory.

Earlier in its order the court had asked the state government to issue notification declaring the Sagar Island as "Notified area" within a period of 24 hours from the time of judgment.

The order also asked the Home Secretary of the State of West Bengal to ensure that restrictions issued by the State are duly implemented without any lapse in Gangasagar Island during the Mela period.

The Home Secretary has also been asked to issue advertisements in the daily newspapers having wide circulation in the state and also through the electronic media, making the public aware of the risk of visiting Gangasagar Island between January 8 and 16, 2022 in large gathering and will make an appeal to them to stay safe and desist from visiting the Gangasagar Island during this period.

It also instructed that all those visiting the Mela should be doubly vaccinated and test RT-PCR negative, conducted 72 hours before reaching the venue. It has also asked for strict regulation of crowds to maintain social distancing. Declaration of the island as a notified area will empower the state to take measures for safeguarding the health and welfare of the pilgrims as it deems necessary.
Kolkata, Jan 11 : Expressing his displeasure, West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar on Tuesday sought clarification from Chief Secretary Hari Krishna Dwivedi and DGP Manoj Malviya for 'skipping' a meeting scheduled with him at 5 pm on Monday.

Dhankhar had summoned the two top officials of the state government to brief him about an incident involving BJP Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, who was allegedly stopped from entering Netai village at Binpur block in Jhargram district on Friday.

In a series of tweets, Dhankhar said: "Stunned at farcical identical messages 'as directed' & premise of meeting boycott with Guv by CS @MamataOfficial & DGP @WBPolice. CS/DGP directed to indicate by 5 PM today under whose 'directions' messages were sent." The Governor's response came after the two top officials sent identical messages to Dhankhar that read: "I have been directed to inform you that most of the senior officers are currently down with Corona or their family members are affected, while the remaining are engaged with Gangasagar duty and management of Covid situation. In view of the above, it is requested to reschedule the meeting with senior officers after this current spate of Corona comes down. Report on the above-mentioned incident is being sent." Surprised at the 'lackadaisical attitude' of the two top officials, the Governor wrote: "The content and tenor could not have been more farcical or bereft of fact content. Their action ridicules and affronts the office of Governor, apart from being in outrage of their conduct legal regime. Boycotting a meeting of the Constitutional head, on such flimsy premise, is antithetical to governance in accordance with constitution and law." "Their action prima facie is in blatant disregard of the All-India Services (Conduct) Rules, 1968. It is noticed from the messages of both the CS - the fulcrum of bureaucracy in the state - and the DGP - whose mechanism of appointment and tenure is secured by the Supreme Court judgment, have imparted messages under 'directions', the authorisation thereof is not spelt out," he added.

"On an issue like this, such lackadaisical approach of the CS and the DGP was not expected. In this situation I am constrained to direct both the CS and the DGP to indicate the authority under whose directions the message was sent to this office and on what legal premise such directive was sought," the Governor added.

The governor's directive to the state administration came after Adhikari had written to Dhankhar alleging that he was not allowed to go to Netai.

Adhikari was going there to pay homage to nine persons who were shot during the Left Front rule in 2011.

Adhikari had complained that on his way to Netai, a huge contingent of West Bengal Police blocked his way, barricading the whole road. He also alleged that he was stopped despite an assurance from the AG to the high court that the Leader of the Opposition was free to go anywhere in the state.

On January 7, 2011 during the Left Front regime, armed goons had fired indiscriminately targeting innocent villagers of Netai, killing nine persons and injuring many more.
Chennai, Jan 11 : The Madras High Court on Tuesday restrained the Tamil Nadu government from prosecuting the Isha Foundation for having constructed buildings without obtaining environmental clearance between 2006 and 2014.

The court prevented the Coimbatore District Environmental Engineer (DEE) from proceeding further with the prosecution initiated against the foundation.

Acting Chief Justice of Madras High Court, Munishwar Nath Bhandari, and Justice P.D. Adikesavalu passed the interim order on a writ petition filed by the foundation contending that the state government authorities had misconstrued an Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) notification issued in 2014.

Senior advocate C.S. Vaidyanathan representing the Isha foundation contended that the 2014 notification was the extension of an earlier notification issued in 2006 and therefore the exemption given to buildings for educational purposes must be extended from 2006 and not from 2014.

He also said that the State level Environmental Impact Assessment authority was also clear on the issue but the state government officials had tried to prosecute the foundation with mala fide intentions after the recent change of government.

Advocate General R. Shanmugasundaram said that it was the Union government that has to clarify whether the 2014 notification had a retrospective effect from 2006 or not. He also said that prosecution had already been launched by filing a complaint before a magistrates court.

On hearing both sides, the judges ordered notices returnable by two weeks to the state government and central government and asked Additional Solicitor General, R. Sankaranarayanan to ascertain the stand of the centre on the issue by the next hearing.
LUANDA, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Angolan President Joao Lourenco on Monday expressed his firm support to strengthen economic and trade relations with Cape Verde.

The president made the remarks as Cape Verdean President, Jose Maria Neves, arrived here on Sunday for a three-day state visit.

Lourenco said he considered the visit a great opportunity to broaden cooperation between both states.

"For this purpose, we have to overcome current obstacles that the COVID-19 imposes on us," said the president, noting how the pandemic has weighed on the economic growth of Angola and Cape Verde and caused unemployment and other social problems.

The Cape Verde delegation includes business people from various sectors, who with their Angolan counterparts may create an important dynamic in trade between the two countries, Lourenco noted.

For his part, Neves said his country intends to cooperate with Angola in the fields of transport, trade, tourism, fisheries, agriculture, security, finance and education, among others.

"I am convinced that our visit constitutes a unique occasion for the re-launching and strengthening of the already excellent historical ties of friendship, fraternity and cooperation between Cape Verde and Angola in the most diverse areas," the Cape Verde president said. 
Kochi, Jan 11 : Beleaguered actor Dileep on Tuesday got temporary relief when his anticipatory bail plea was shifted to Friday with the state government verbally informing the Kerala High Court that no arrest will take place until then.

Dileep had moved the court seeking anticipatory bail in a new case registered by the police team investigating the actress abduction case, in which he is an accused.

He asked the court to shift the bail plea till Monday next as his senior counsel was down with Covid, but the court posted the case for Friday.

Last week, the police had registered a non-bailable case against Dileep, his brother Anoop, his brother-in-law Sooraj and other family members.

The case was registered following a revelation by a close friend of the actor and Malayalam movie director Balachandra Kumar.

In his plea, Dileep said all the revelations are "baseless" and that he has done no wrong.

Kumar, who recently fell out with Dileep, had told the police that the actor is in possession of a few clips of the female actor who was sexually assaulted.

In a related development on Tuesday, Kumar presented himself before the police probe team and gave his detailed statement.

"I have handed over all the digital evidence against Dileep to the probe team on how he has violated the laws," said Kumar.

Dileep was arrested in 2017 and lodged in prison in a case related to a gang sexually assaulting a frontline heroine of South Indian movies and filming the scenes.

After two months in jail, he was released on bail and the trial in the case is on, when the fresh revelation has come.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Bengaluru, Jan 11 : The rise of micro containment zones in Bengaluru has caused a concern in the health department, as there are as many as 412 active micro containment zones in the city, according to official statistics.

The authorities have managed to deactivate 1,662 micro containment zones out of 2,074, however, the existing numbers have seen a phenomenal rise in a month.

Mahadevapura zone tops the list with 143 such zones. It is where the International Tech Park (ITPL) is situated in which more than 100 reputed software companies operate and more than 55,000 professionals work. Apart from the ITPL campus, the zone houses many startups and major IT companies.

Since the movement of people from abroad is frequent, it always registers more number of containment zones. During the second wave also, the area had the most number of micro containment zones in the city.

Bommanahalli stands second with 100 micro containment zones. The zone houses a cosmopolitan crowd and a large number of software professionals reside in the area.

South zone has reported 49 such zones, West (49), East (44), Yelahanka (33), Dasarahalli (6) and RR Nagar (4) are also under radar.

Authorities explain that the situation is being efficiently managed in Mahadevapura and Bommanahalli zones. They have deactivated 315 and 410 such zones in Mahadevapura and Bommanahalli zones, respectively.

Similarly, as many as 288 micro containment zones are deactivated in the East zone to bring down the number to 33. In South Zone, 258 are deactivated and in Yelahanka as many as 199 such zones are deactivated.

In total among 2,074 micro containment zones, 1,662 are deactivated in the entire city. Luckily, the recovery rate in the city is 95 per cent. Stringent measures are initiated to check the spread of the coronavirus.
Patna, Jan 11 : A day after JD(U) leader Upendra Kushwaha claimed to contest the MLC elections for 24 seats in Bihar in a ratio of 50:50, Deputy CM Tar Kishore Prasad and state BJP chief Sanjay Jaiswal claimed that they did not know Kushwaha, and hence wont react to his claims.

"We do not give any value to Upendra Kushwaha's statements. Our top leadership will set the formula for the MLC elections to 24 seats and contest them accordingly," said Prasad, the leader of BJP in the Bihar Assembly.

"I would not reply to a person or leader who is not authorised by his party. I am the state President of BJP and I can only reply to statements made by national or state presidents. The statement of Upendra Kushwaha has no value," Jaiswal said.

On Monday, Kushwaha, the President of JD(U) Parliamentary board, had claimed to contest 12 MLC seats. He had also advocated for seat allocation to smaller alliance partners like HAM and VIP.

In the 2020 Assembly elections, JD(U) had slight upper hand, contesting 122 out of 243 seats in the Vidhan Sabha, giving 7 seats to the Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) from its quota. The BJP contested the remaining 121 seats and gave 11 seats to Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP).

Though the position of JD(U) changed post the election results, as it now has only 45 seats in the Assembly while the BJP has 74 seats.

"JD(U) under the 50:50 formula wants to contest 12 out of 24 MLC seats," Kushwaha said.
New Delhi, Jan 11 : Microsoft has warned that China-based cyber criminals are currently targeting companies and individuals to install a "double extortion" new ransomware strain that emerged last month.

As early as January 4, attackers started exploiting the Log4j 'Log4Shell' flaw in VMware's Horizon product in internet-facing systems.

"Our investigation shows that successful intrusions in these campaigns led to the deployment of the NightSky ransomware. These attacks are performed by a China-based ransomware operator that we're tracking as DEV-0401," Microsoft said in a statement on Monday.

In addition, HAFNIUM, a threat actor group operating out of China, has been observed utilising the vulnerability to attack virtualisation infrastructure to extend their typical targeting.

In these attacks, HAFNIUM-associated systems were observed using a DNS service typically associated with testing activity to fingerprint systems.

The 'Log4j' vulnerabilities represent a complex and high-risk situation for companies across the globe.

This open-source component is widely used across many suppliers' software and services.

"Sophisticated adversaries (like nation-state actors) and commodity attackers alike have been observed taking advantage of these vulnerabilities. There is high potential for the expanded use of the vulnerabilities," said Microsoft.

In January, the company started seeing attackers taking advantage of the vulnerabilities in internet-facing systems, eventually deploying ransomware.

At this juncture, said the tech giant, customers should assume broad availability of exploit code and scanning capabilities to be a real and present danger to their environments.

"Due to the many software and services that are impacted and given the pace of updates, this is expected to have a long tail for remediation, requiring ongoing, sustainable vigilance," the company added.

A report last week from the digital arm of the UK's National Health Service (NHS) said that attackers are targeting VMware's Horizon server software.

VMware has detailed which versions of Horizon components are vulnerable or not, and the different remediation steps for each if they are vulnerable.
Mumbai, Jan 11 : Actor-producer Nikhil Dwivedi was recently felicitated by the State Intelligence Unit of Mumbai Police for his contributions towards the unit and for the help he has provided them.

Praising the Mumbai Police for being vigilant and helping the citizens, Nikhil said, "In the past few years, the Mumbai Police has been the true blue and real heroes at the frontline in the battle against Covid and the pandemic in general. Their relentless efforts are what keeps us and the city safe and it has been remarkable how they have managed to do so." Commenting on being feted by the department, the actor said, "I am honoured to be felicitated by such a notable governing body. When the State Intelligence Unit of Mumbai arrived at my office along with flowers as a token of their appreciation, I was taken aback." "Being such a big governing body, they did not need to felicitate me as I was merely obliging by my duties, but their humble gesture really made me feel proud of all that I have done and I will continue to help them to my utmost capacity," says the producer on being honoured by the department.
Mumbai, Jan 11 : In a significant political development, Nationalist Congress Party President Sharad Pawar announced on Tuesday that his party would contest the upcoming Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, Goa and Manipur, scheduled to be held between February 10 and March 7.

"Of the five states going to the polls, we shall be contesting in three states. We plan to work out alliances with like-minded parties," Pawar told mediapersons here.

He said that in Uttar Pradesh, the NCP would be part of the Samajwadi Party-led alliance, while in Manipur, the party is cobbling up an understanding with the Congress, with which it shares power in Maharashtra's Maha Vikas Aghadi government.

"We are in talks with the Congress and the Trinamool Congress in Goa," Pawar added, while disclosing NCP's programme to contest in three of the five states going to the polls in February-March, barring in Punjab and Uttarakhand.
Bengaluru, Jan 11 : The anti-narcotics wing of the Karnataka Central Crime Branch has arrested a Nigerian national who used to prepare synthetic drugs in a pressure cooker in his kitchen and peddle them in domestic and international markets.

Cocaine, MDMA and chemical substances worth Rs 50 lakh have been seized from his possession by the police team, who will be awarded Rs 70,000 for the catch, Bengaluru Police Commissioner Kamal Pant said.

The arrested person has been identified as Richards. The police have launched a hunt for another accused foreign national. The accused persons ran their racket from the Soladevanahalli police station limits on the outskirts of Bengaluru.

They procured raw materials for preparing drugs from Mumbai, Delhi and also from foreign countries. They prepared MDMA crystals on a pressure cooker in their kitchen.

Once ready, they sent the drugs to clients in reputed colleges through peddlers besides smuggling them to foreign countries. Further probe is on to find out how they managed to procure the drugs, mainly cocaine, from abroad.

The accused came to Bengaluru in 2019 on a business Visa. The police have recovered 900 gm of cocaine, 50 gm of MDMA crystals, 580 gm of Sodium Hydroxide crystals worth Rs 50 lakh from Richards' possession.
New Delhi, Jan 11 : In a unique case, seven people were arrested from Delhi Airport for attempting to travel on fake boarding passes, an official said here on Tuesday. According to the official, the agent who provided them fake boarding passes, RT-PCR test reports and joining letter to board a ship in the United Kingdom, was also later arrested with the help from technical surveillance.

The accused have been identified as Armandeep Singh, Amritpal Singh, Jagdeep Singh, Gurwinder Singh, Rahul Jangra, Deepak, Manbeer and the mastermind agent Pankaj alias Kamal.

Furnishing details about the case, Deputy Commissioner of Police (IGI-Airport) Sanjay Tyagi said, on January 2, a complaint was received that around 0030 hrs, and Air India ground staff approached for offloading of seven Indian passengers. All the 7 accused passengers were earlier cleared immigration for the UK (London) by flight dated January 1 as Seamen.

During scrutiny of their travel documents by Air India SATS at the boarding gate, it was found that their boarding passes were fake, and re-verification of travel documents was done during which it was found that their names did not reflect in the final passenger manifest of the travel chart of Air India flight.

Air India handed over the accused passengers to immigration authorities and subsequently a case was registered under sections 420, 468, 471 and 120B of the Indian Penal Code.

On sustained interrogation, the accused passengers revealed that they had procured their boarding passes, RT-PCR test reports and joining letter to board ship by two Delhi based agents namely Krishna and Kamal for a payment of Rs 12 lakh from each person. These agents also assured them of their permanent settlement in the UK.

They further revealed that all of them were going to the UK as Seamen on CDC (Continuous Discharge Certificates) approved by DG shipping of India. However, it was also planned that once they reach the UK they will destroy CDC certificates and seek asylum from the UK Government.

"The agent had apprehension that if the passengers approached the Airlines counter for boarding passes, the officials might apprehend them on the basis of their profile. Hence, the agent gave fake boarding passes to the passengers so that they can avoid going to the Airlines Counter," the official said.

After obtaining all necessary details, a manhunt was launched for the accused agent who was then nabbed from Bhadohi in Uttar Pradesh. The accused agent admitted that he along with his associates Ranjeet & Krishna arranged the fake boarding pass for the passengers.

Further as per the allegations in the FIR, role of the Airlines staff who tried to push in the passengers to travel on fake boarding passes is also under the scanner and is being investigated, the official added.
Chikkamagalur, Jan 11 : The saffron shawl versus hijab row ended at the Balagadi First Grade College in Koppa taluk of Chikkamagalur district in Karnataka as students and parents called a truce and agreed not to wear either a hijab or a saffron shawl along with the uniform to the college from Tuesday.

However, the girls will be allowed to wear veils on the face. The decision was made at the parents meeting held in the college.

Principal S. Ananth addressing the meeting stated that a similar controversy erupted in 2018. Then, a decision was taken to only cover the face with a veil. This time also consent has been taken from all the parents and a decision on veils has been taken.

The college authorities will take strict measures to see that students do not violate discipline on the campus. He also warned that if any student violates the decision taken in the meeting, their parents would be called and they would be issued a transfer certificate.

MLA Raje Gowda, who also attended the meeting, said the students must maintain discipline on the campus. The behaviour should not be provoking and students must focus on studies and follow the decision taken at the meeting.

The row erupted recently when a group of students started attending classes in hijabs. In retaliation to this, another group of students started wearing saffron scarves and shawls to the college.

The students last week staged a protest by boycotting classes for allowing some of the students to wear a hijab. The students said that uniform norms were violated by some students who wear a hijab along with the uniform. If they are allowed to wear hijabs, then they must also be allowed to come with saffron scarves and shawls, the agitating students demanded.
Chennai, Jan 11 : Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Tuesday called upon the secretaries in various state government departments to set targets for themselves by not competing with other state governments within the country, but with developed South Asian nations as well as other countries.

Stalin, who chaired a meeting to review the status of various announcements made by the state government, said that the secretaries must visit the districts twice a month to monitor the implementation of various government schemes.

The Chief Minister called upon the officials to focus on improving water resources, agricultural production, quality of education, and health indicators.

He also said that the officials must focus on schemes like housing for all, honing skills of youth and eradicating poverty as well as improving the industrial infrastructure of the state.

Stating that of the 1,641 announcements made by the state government, orders have been issued in 1,313 cases, which is about 80 per cent of the total announcements made, Stalin called upon the officials to work on the remaining announcements.

The Chief Minister also asked the officials to ensure that after issuing government orders, the schemes reach the end beneficiaries and the funds are transferred to them.

Stalin said that the officials should communicate with the Union government and chalk out plans for the next financial year as well as strive for issuing orders for the remaining 20 per cent of the announcements made.

The Chief Minister said that the next secretary-level review meeting would be held in February.
MOGADISHU, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Somali President Mohamed Farmajo has welcomed the consensus reached on Sunday by the political leaders and called on relevant bodies to speed up implementation of the agreed electoral schedule.

Farmajo, while addressing the nation in a televised address on Monday evening on the current situation in the country, expressed optimism that the Lower House and presidential elections will be concluded in a peaceful atmosphere.

"The Somali citizens can no longer bear delays and obstacles to the implementation of the ongoing elections," Farmajo said.

The president said he is ready for the polls to be held later this year and emphasized that the electoral process must be Somali-driven.

"Today is not a time for hostility. We all have a responsibility to protect the dignity and governance of our country and to avoid anything that could spoil it," he added.

The president's remarks came a day after Somali prime minister and six regional leaders struck an agreement on completing parliamentary elections by Feb. 25 and ways of enhancing security at the presidential palace.

The leaders also struck a deal on the selection committee appointments, delegate selection, candidate registration, the reservation of seats for women candidates to comply with the agreed 30 percent quota, and the management of candidate fees.

The president called for unity, saying peace and solidarity are their national strength in the defense of their country.

Farmajo also spoke about the country's foreign policy which is based on cooperation and respect for the international community and the protection of the country's sovereignty. 
New Delhi, Jan 11 : In the first major jolt to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Uttar Pradesh, senior minister and prominent leader from the backward community Swami Prasad Maurya has left the party to join the opposition ranks.

The resignation has brought cheer to the opposition camps, especially in Uttar Pradesh, Goa and Uttarakhand, where many BJP legislators have resigned to join the opposition.

Reacting to the developments, Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar said in Mumbai that he is working towards a joint opposition in Goa, and more MLAs will join the Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh. He said: "The people of Uttar Pradesh are looking for a change and they will ensure change in the state." Since these developments, the Opposition has got a major boost as the Congress is the principal opposition party in Uttarakhand and Goa. In the hill state, the party has already poached a few MLAs, and a few others are due to join the party, though the names have not been disclosed by the Congress.

The Samajwadi Party which was feeling the heat after the BJP took early leads in the campaigning has also got some boost in the form of Swami Prasad Maurya who is considered to have influence in the eastern and central Uttar Pradesh.

In Uttar Pradesh after Maurya, Roshan Lal Varma, another BJP MLA -- Brijesh Prajapati from Tindwari in Banda -- has said that he has submitted his resignation from the saffron party.

Varma, Prajapati and a host of other OBC MLAs met Swami Prasad Maurya to discuss the political situation.

The MLAs, including Bhagwati Sharan Sagar from Bilhaur, said that the Yogi Adityanath government is not safeguarding the interests of the farmers, OBCs and other weaker sections of the society.

"We will go wherever Swami Prasad Maurya goes. We came with him from BSP to BJP and our future journey will continue with him," said the legislators.

Another minister, Dharam Singh Saini, is also believed to be ready to quit, but there has been no confirmation yet.

The resignation in Uttar Pradesh followed days after Goa Minister in the BJP-led government, Michael Lobo, resigned as Minister, and another MLA Pravin Zantye, also quit the party.

"The party I had joined on the word and assurance of former Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar is not the same party today," Zantye told reporters after resigning from the party.

Zantye said that he would be joining the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party soon.

Earlier on Monday, Lobo had said that he was quitting as Minister and from the BJP, accusing party leaders of sidelining the grassroots workers.

Yashpal Arya and his MLA son had also joined the Congress after leaving the BJP.
Chandigarh, Jan 11 : Government doctors across Haryana went on strike on Tuesday over their demands and Health Minister Anil Vij subsequently enforced the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA).

Acceding to one of their key demands, Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar also pitched in by giving in-principle approval to the creation of specialist cadre post for MD or MS doctors.

Also, the doctors will not be given any administrative work.

An official statement said the government would create a special sub cadre for specialists who will be designated as consultant or senior consultants.

Earlier, a doctor with MBBS qualification and MD/MS qualification used to be in the same cadre. However, with the creation of specialist cadre post, these doctors will be able to focus on their work which will definitely protect their interest, it said.

Moreover, the specialist cadre doctors will now be posted in big and renowned hospitals, rather than in Primary Health Centres, which will ensure their swift promotions thereby nurturing their talent, it said.

The decision will also be beneficial for patients as they will get the consultation of specialists and the doctors will be closely able to monitor and manage the working of the hospitals.

The Chief Minister said the doctors have a very pivotal role to play in society, especially in the present crisis situation, and the government is committed for their welfare.

Gathered under the banner of the Haryana Civil Medical Services Association, the doctors said the government has ignored their long-pending demands and backtracked on promises made to them by Health Minister Vij.

Acting tough, the minister said with the enforcement of ESMA, health workers will not be able to go on strike for six months.

"This step has been taken after a group of doctors went on strike to obstruct the prevention of coronavirus," Vij tweeted.
Chennai, Jan 11 : Former Chief Minister and the Leader of the Opposition in Tamil Nadu Assembly, E.K. Palaniswami, on Tuesday urged the M.K. Stalin-led state government to launch programmes on its own and not claim ownership for schemes introduced by the previous AIADMK government.

Palaniswami said the erstwhile AIADMK government got Central government's sanction for 11 medical colleges in Tamil Nadu in one year, and allotted funds for their construction.

Owing to the new medical colleges, a total of 1,450 additional seats were created in the state, he said.

Expressing happiness on hearing that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the 11 new colleges on Wednesday through video conferencing, Palaniswami said that he came to know that the DMK government is trying to claim ownership for the same.

Palaniswami said the DMK government is 'sticking its stickers' on various projects introduced by the previous AIADMK government, such as the electric scooter project of Ola Electric, among others.
Silchar : , Jan 11 (IANS) A surrendered militant was shot dead by unidentified gunmen at Chamtilla village along the Assam-Manipur border in Cachar district on Tuesday, the police said.

The police said that the District Superintendent of Police of Cachar, Ramandeep Kaur, has rushed to the bordering village to lead a search operation to nab the perpetrators, details of whom are not known yet.

The villagers told the police that the armed assailants came from Manipur and dragged David Rongmai, 37, out of his house and shot him dead on the spot before fleeing to the neighbouring state.

Rongmai was a cadre of the Naga National Council, a militant outfit, and had surrendered to the police last year.

Assam police have informed the Manipur police about the incident.

In a similar incident, 10 cadres of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim's Isak-Muivah faction had shot at a youth on December 14 at Rani Colony in the same district, as the villagers had refused to provide accommodation and other facilities to the militants.

In the earlier case also, the NSCN (IM) militants came from Manipur, which shares over 200 km borders with Assam.
Chennai, Jan 11 : The Indian Coast Guard on Tuesday said it has rescued four fishermen who were stranded on a fishing boat near Musal Island in Gulf of Mannar on late Monday evening.

The Coastal Security Guard (CSG), Chennai informed the Coast Guard that one mechanised fishing boat with four crew was stranded off Musal Theevu 12 nautical miles (around 23 km) from Pamban.

It was reportedly drifting from land due to engine failure.

The Coast Guard Station at Mandapam deployed Hovercraft to rescue the fishermen.

All the four survivors were taken onboard and provided with first aid, food and water.

One fishing boat operating nearby was directed to tow the disabled fishing boat to the nearest fishing harbour.

Subsequently they were handed over to CSG, Mandapam for further formalities.
Mumbai, Jan 11 : New music director duo Shivam Sengupta and Anuj Danait are quite excited about the way they have experimented with the '90s music in the upcoming web series 'Yeh Kaali Kaali Ankhein'.

The duo are both mates from their time together at the Berklee College of Music in the US.

Talking about the music of the show, Shivam said, "We wanted the music to tell this twisted and fierce love story in our own way and it was an immense honour to recreate the timeless classic that is 'Yeh Kaali Kaali Ankhein' and give it a modern twist as an homage to the legendary anthem." "The themes of the soundtrack explore classic '90s nostalgia and fuse it with a modern vibe. It was an exhilarating experience to work with Shivam on the diverse set of songs which delve into many genres like Romance, Classical, Bollywood, Jazz, Rap and much more," added Anuj Danait.

The duo brings a fresh new vibe to the series' soundtrack with songs like the title track - 'Yeh Kaali Kaali Aankhein' which brings the modern foot-tapping rendition of the favourite '90s song in a new avatar with elements of Latin/Spanish arrangements and dark eerie vocals.

'Bheega Bheega' - a soulful romantic number that features heartwarming lyrics and uses conventional Western instruments along with Indian folk melodies and a powerful action-packed song like 'Teri Baari Hai' to name a few.

Starring Shweta Tripathi, Tahir Raj Bhasin, Saurav Shukla among others - the show releases on Netflix on January 14.
Chennai, Jan 11 : Actor Tovino Thomas on Tuesday expressed happiness at Thiagarajan Kumararaja, one of Tamil cinema's most admired directors, complimenting him for his performance in the recently released superhit film 'Minnal Murali'.

Sharing a picture of the message that director Kumararaja, who is known for having directed the critically acclaimed Tamil film 'Aaranya Kaandam', featuring Jackie Shroff and Guru Somasundaram among others, sent him, Tovino Thomas said, "Have been an ardent fan of Thiagarajan Kumararaja sir and my brother Guru Somasundaram ever since watching 'Aaranya Kaandam'. Words of appreciation from him means the world." "Super happy to be receiving all the love and acclaims for 'Minnal Murali' on a daily basis. Puts a super wide smile on my face every single time!" A few days ago, director Karan Johar had sent a congratulatory message to Tovino.

Posting a picture of Karan Johar's message, the actor had said, "Messages like these ! It's not always that the whole world starts appreciating your work from every nook and corner. And specially when an ace filmmaker like Karan Johar who has given numerous all-time entertainers for us, appreciates our work, it sure feels surreal. Thank you sir for letting us know how much you loved the movie ! Glad to know you enjoyed it thoroughly."
Mumbai, Jan 11 : In a significant political development, Nationalist Congress Party President Sharad Pawar announced on Tuesday that his party would contest the upcoming Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, Goa and Manipur.

Stating that the party will join hands with the Samajwadi Party-led front coming up in Uttar Pradesh, Pawar said that he would attend a meeting convened next week to discuss and finalise alliances and poll strategies for the northern state, which will go to the polls in seven phases between February 10 and March 7.

"Of the five states going to the polls, we shall be contesting in three states. We plan to work out alliances with like-minded parties," Pawar told mediapersons here.

While the NCP would be joining the SP-led alliance in Uttar Pradesh, in Manipur, the party is cobbling up an understanding with the Congress, with which it shares power in Maharashtra's Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government.

"We are in talks with the Congress and the Trinamool Congress in Goa," Pawar added while disclosing NCP's programme to contest in three of the five states going to the polls in February-March, barring in Punjab and Uttarakhand.

Elaborating on Uttar Pradesh, the 81-year-old leader said that "the stage is set for a change" from the current rule by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

"The masses want 'parivartan', and UP is all set for a change (of power). People there are not happy with the BJP's communal style of politics. Polarisation on communal lines is being done in UP ahead of the elections, and the voters will give a befitting reply to this," Pawar said.

Referring to the abrupt exit of Uttar Pradesh Cabinet minister Swami Prasad Maurya, who resigned from his office on Tuesday with sources claiming that he is likely to join the Samajwadi Party soon, Pawar said that "this is just the beginning" and the BJP will get many more such jolts in the run-up to the elections.

Hoping that the Samajwadi Party-led alliance will sweep to power in the ensuing elections, Pawar hinted that at least a dozen more MLAs from various other political parties in Uttar Pradesh are likely to walk over to Samajwadi Party soon.

In Manipur, where the NCP has four legislators, it will be a tie-up with the Congress to contest five seats, while negotiations are underway with Shiv Sena-Congress to repeat Maharashtra's MVA experiment in Goa and ensure BJP's defeat.

For Goa, NCP MP Praful Patel, Sena MP Sanjay Raut and Goa Congress leaders are negotiating to hammer out an alliance on the lines of MVA.

Pawar declared that he would attend a meeting convened by SP President Akhilesh Yadav to discuss the election strategy, saying that the voters will not support BJP's plans to contest elections on communal lines.

The NCP supremo also slammed Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's recent '80:20' statement (80 per cent people are with BJP, 20 per cent are against), saying that it was not befitting of him (Adityanath) to seek to divide the people on religious lines and hurting the sentiments of the minority community there.

Speaking of Punjab, Pawar surmised that the incumbent Congress will return to power, but with the recent turn of events, even the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has become a contender.

On the much-talked about grand opposition alliance at the national level, Pawar reiterated that the Congress must be an integral part of any such opposition front against the BJP.

Nevertheless, he said it is up to the Congress to decide whether to go alone or join hands with like-minded parties in the coming Assembly elections.

MVA ally in Maharashtra, the Congress is yet to react to Pawar's assertions on the proposed NCP-SP alliance in Uttar Pradesh, alliance with Congress in Manipur, and talks with both Congress and Trinamool in Goa.

(Quaid Najmi can be contacted at: q.najmi@ians.in)
New Delhi, Jan 11 : Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science and Technology, Jitendra Singh on Tuesday launched the Artificial Intelligence (AI) driven start-up by IIT alumni for water purification through innovative technology.

The facility aims to provide clean drinking water at a price much lesser than the market price.

Speaking on the occasion, the Minister said, the Artificial Intelligence (AI) driven start-up initiative should be motivating for the other start-ups as well.

An MoU was also signed between the Technology Development Board (TDB), a statutory body of Department of Science & Technology and Swajal Water Private Limited, a tech start up company founded by ex-IITians based in Gurugram.

The company is focused on innovative technologies to make reliable clean drinking water accessible to communities at affordable price, for their project on IoT enabled point of use solar water purification unit for slums, villages and high utility areas.

Welcoming the financial support extended to Swajal by the TDB, Singh said that his Ministry is committed to reach out to the potential small and viable start-ups having skill and talent pool, but lacking resources.

The Minister asked the CEO and co-founder of Swajal, Vibha Tripathi to scale up this technology to help achieve India's ambitious target of providing clean drinking water to all by 2024, as envisaged by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"Apart from the Centre's initiatives like National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP) and Jal Jeevan Mission, private sector should come forward in a big way with state of the art tech solutions to cover nearly 14 crore households where clean drinking water is yet to reach," Singh said.

Referring to Prime Minister's 75th Independence Day speech, where he said that in just two years of the Jal Jeevan Mission, more than four and a half crore families have started getting water from taps.

The minister said: "Ministry of Science and Technology is positively contributing to Prime Minister Modi's vision and mission of 'Har Ghar Nal Se Jal'. The Gurugram based company's patented system, 'Clairvoyant' uses artificial intelligence to optimise purification systems and predict future breakdowns.

These rural water ATMs by Swajal proposed to use solar energy to pump water from rivers, wells, ponds or groundwater depending upon the location.

The water will then be treated with appropriate technology to make it healthy and pure for drinking. With this innovation, the cost of purified water can be brought down to as low as 25 paise per litre.
New Delhi, Jan 11 : The BJP on Tuesday led a frontal attack on Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi's husband Robert Vadra, citing a law suit filed in London by Sanjay Bhandari, Vadra's close aide, and demanded answer on the corruption charges.

Addressing the media at the Delhi BJP headquarters, the party's national spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia said that Sanjay Bhandari has filed a suit in London against Thales Group of Companies demanding he be paid his full 'consultancy fee' for his role as an intermediary in winning the company a contract to upgrade aircraft.

Attacking Robert Vadra and the Congress high command, Bhatia said that according to the agreement between Sanjay Bhandari and Thales Company, Bhandari was to receive Rs 170 crore as bribe, out of which only Rs 75 crore was paid during the tenure of the UPA government.

Targeting Priyanka Gandhi, Bhatia said that she is in public life, and is campaigning in Uttar Pradesh, so she should come forward and give answers to the questions.

Alleging that every corruption case is linked to the Congress, the BJP national spokesperson also made a political attack on Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.

Criticising the Congress, Bhatia said when army personnel were asking for bulletproof jackets, why were they buying VVIP choppers? When the Congress party comes to power, it is their priority to fill their own coffers, he said.

Describing 'commission' as the culture of the Congress, he said that such a system was in place in the Congress that it used to take 'cut' in defence deals as well. Corruption was rampant in the Congress government, he claimed.

Bhatia also said that extradition proceedings were initiated against Sanjay Bhandari only after the BJP government came to power at the Centre, and the final hearing is to be held in February.
DAR ES SALAAM, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Tanzanian police said on Tuesday three people have died following an explosion caused by a suspected hand grenade in the country's eastern region of Coast.

The Coast regional police commander Wankyo Nyigesa told a press conference that the incident occurred on Monday at 2 p.m. local time in Pongwe Msungura village in the Coast region.

He said the three men picked up an object suspected to be a hand grenade that exploded as they examined it, killing them instantly.

"The three men picked up the suspected hand grenade with intent to sell it as a scrap metal but it exploded before they sold it," said Nyigesa.

Nyigesa said police collected the remains of the suspected hand grenade for an examination that will provide clues whether it was a grenade or not. 
Chennai, Jan 11 : The Madras High Court on Tuesday struck down an order providing reservation for women over and above the 50 per cent cap in the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) elections.

The first bench of the Madras High Court represented by Acting Chief Justice Munishwar Nath Bhandari and Justice P.D. Adikesavalu struck down the order while hearing a petition by Advocate R. Parthiban, challenging the validity of the government order.

The petitioner said that 105 of the 200 seats in the Chennai corporation were allotted to women and said that it was unconstitutional and against the law.

The Court has directed the state election commission to provide reservation to only 50 per cent of the seats to women for the Urban local body elections.

The petitioner was represented by senior advocate S. Prabhakaran who argued that in 2016, municipal laws were amended to provide 50 per cent reservation for the women in the local body seats.

He argued that of the 200 seats in the Chennai Corporation, 105 were reserved for women, both in Scheduled Caste and General category. He said that as per the general reservation policy, only 84 seats would have been allocated to women in the general category, and said that flouting norms, 89 seats were allocated to women in the general category.

He said: "The phrase not less than 50 per cent should not be construed to mean that reservation for women can be provided beyond 50 per cent." The senior advocate pointed out that through a government order issued in 2019, 16 seats of the corporation have been reserved for Scheduled Caste women, 16 seats for Scheduled Tribe women, and 89 seats for General category women, and argued that this was unconstitutional and amounts to discrimination against men.
Hyderabad, Jan 11 : The theatrical trailer of Naga Chaitanya and Nagarjuna-starrer 'Bangarraju' is out now.

The trailer gives a glimpse at the supernatural elements in the movie.

The makers of 'Bangarraju' took to their social media to release the theatrical trailer of the much-awaited Sankranti release. Starring Akkineni Nagarjuna and his son Naga Chaitanya in the lead roles, the trailer seems apt for the festival release.

Introducing Naga Chaitanya as the playboy of the village, Ramya Krishna and Nagarjuna play his parents in the movie. They seem to have passed away, but watch their son from heaven, protecting him from a few problems.

A few other aspects from the Kalyan Krishna's directorial are revealed in the trailer, as heroine Krithi Shetty is introduced in a village-belle avatar.

On the other hand, the supernatural elements take the viewers into a serious mode, as actor Naga Babu is introduced as the Yama Dharma Raja, while the rest of the trailer gives glimpses of things related to God.

Zee Studios and Annapurna Studios Pvt Ltd have jointly produced 'Bangarraju', which is slated for release on January 14.

Touted to be the sequel to Nagarjuna-starrer 'Soggade Chinni Nayana', which was released on Sankranthi, 'Bangarraju' is expected to become a hit too.
New Delhi, Jan 11 : The Future Group on Tuesday submitted before the Supreme Court that Future Retail Ltd will sink with its 30,000 employees, if its over Rs 24,000 crore deal with Reliance Retail fails to reach fruition.

The Future Group also sought permission from a bench headed by Chief Justice N.V. Ramana to proceed with the deal to sell its retail assets to Reliance Retail.

Senior advocate Harish Salve, representing Future Retail, submitted that company is in a precious financial situation due to the Covid pandemic, and if its deal with Reliance is obstructed, then 30,000 employees may lose their jobs. He added that his client should be allowed to secure shareholder approval, and seek nod from the CCI and the NCLT.

"Let us get to that final stage... Amazon's interests aren't hurt," he argued.

Senior advocate Gopal Subramanium, representing Amazon, submitted his client has been offering to help the Future Group.

Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for Future Coupons, submitted the assets of the promoters of the Future Group are hypothecated, and if the deal with Reliance fails to go through, then everybody will sink, pointing at thousands of employees.

Citing Indian laws, Salve said Amazon cannot give money to his client, as the law does not permit them to invest in multi-brand retail.

After a detailed hearing in the matter, the bench, also comprising Justices A.S. Bopanna and Hima Kohli reserved the judgment in the matter.

The Future Coupons and Future Retail have moved the top court challenging the Delhi High Court's single bench March 2021 order, directing attachment of assets of Future group companies and its promoters for breach of Emergency Award by Singapore Tribunal. Both sides have so far filed several cases at various forums, which include the apex court, Delhi High Court, and the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC).

In 2020, Amazon invoked arbitration after Future Retail announced its asset sale deal with Reliance Industries Ltd wholly-owned subsidiary, Reliance Retail.

In December last year, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) had imposed a penalty of Rs 202 crore on Amazon and suspended its approval for the e-tailer's deal with Future Coupons, a promoter firm of the group's public listed company Future Retail Ltd, seeking more information. The US e-commerce giant has challenged the CCI order at the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT).
Panaji, Jan 11 : The Congress in Goa has denied reports of talks with the Trinamool Congress over a possible alliance for the upcoming Assembly elections scheduled to be held on February 14.

Speculation of an alliance between the two parties was triggered after Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) supremo Sharad Pawar told reporters in Mumbai that his party is in talks with the Congress and the Trinamool Congress for a pre-poll alliance for the upcoming elections in the coastal state.

"We discussed coming together in Goa and the discussions are still on. No decision has been made yet. Goa needs a change and the BJP government needs to go," Pawar was quoted as saying on Tuesday.

When asked for his reaction, the AICC in-charge of Goa, Dinesh Gundu Rao, said that Sharad Pawar would be in a best position to comment on the development.

"That you ask Mr. Sharad Pawar. I cannot comment on what he has said. I do not know what he said. I cannot react to what he said. He is a tall leader," Rao told reporters.

Reacting to another report in the national media on Monday about senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi leading a discussion about an alliance with the Trinamool for Goa polls, Rao said: "There has been no discussion in the Congress regarding alliance with the Trinamool, nor was there any meeting yesterday regarding that. And they said that leaders (from Goa) have been called to Delhi. Nobody was called to Delhi. Nobody has gone. That was a report which was incorrect." On Monday, senior Congress leader K.C. Venugopal had tweeted after a virtual meeting with Rahul Gandhi and P. Chidambaram, the party's senior election observer for Goa, "The rumour in circulation that a possible alliance with TMC was discussed by Shri @RahulGandhi in today's meeting is completely baseless & untrue. Let me assure that the Congress party is confident - we will put Goa back on the path to progress soon."
Patna, Jan 11 : A gold merchant in Bihar's Begusarai district has threatened to leave the state claiming that the lives of his family are no more secure here.

Pramod Kumar Poddar, a prominent gold merchant of Begusarai, claimed that he had received an extortion call 11 days earlier but the district police were unable to arrest the accused.

"I lodged a police complaint soon after the first extortion call on the night of December 31. We are living in tremendous fear," Poddar told IANS.

"The extortionist contacted me on WhatsApp several times after December 31. He also sent extortion messages. After he learnt that a FIR was registered in the city police station, the extortionist threatened me with dire consequence. I have blocked his phone number," Poddar said.

"I also e-mailed the same to the chief minister five days ago and also sent a reminder the next day, without any assurance, reply or result. I am paying tax to the tune of Rs 70 lakh including Rs 35 lakh to the Centre, still, our life has no value and I am feeling helpless here. I have a family, if anything happens to me or my family, who will be responsible? The chief minister should reply whether we stay here or leave the state. I will take just a couple of days to leave the state. There is complete Jungle Raj in Bihar," Poddar said.

"Bihar police are busy in search of liquor, they do not care about public safety. I had also applied for a gun license some 6 months ago but my file is pending in the office of the district magistrate," he said.

"We have received complaints about extortion and a FIR was registered against the unknown person. We are also tracking the call details of the accused to find some clues about the extortionist. For now, we have deployed police personnel outside the jewellery shop of Poddar," said Yogendra Kumar, SP of Begusarai.
New Delhi, Jan 11 : The Heathrow Airport in London has called for dropping Covid testing for those who are fully-vaccinated, while revealing that "at least" 600,000 passengers cancelled flights during the key holiday month of December, Sky News reported.

The UK's largest airport said that "swiftly imposed" action during the month of December to tackle the Omicron variant in the run-up to the festive season prompted uncertainty among the travellers who faced additional bills for costly PCR tests.

It added that there was now significant doubt on when demand would return despite the subsequent lifting of UK rules last week governing pre-departure Coronavirus testing for people arriving in the country, the report said.

Heathrow urged governments to go further to help the wider travel sector gain traction.

John Holland-Kaye, Chief Executive Officer at Heathrow Airport, said: "There are currently travel restrictions, such as testing, on all Heathrow routes - the aviation industry will only fully recover when these are all lifted and there is no risk that they will be reimposed at short notice, a situation which is likely to be years away", as per the report.

Heathrow said that it carried fewer passengers in 2021 than in 2020 when the crisis first took hold - with lockdowns globally forcing it to cut jobs and report a 2 billion pound annual loss.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Panaji, Jan 11 : One of Trinamool Congress earliest political recruits in Goa, former MLA Lavoo Mamledar, who quit the party last month, on Tuesday blamed ace poll strategist Prashant Kishor's outfit, the Indian-Political Action Committee (I-PAC), for the 'chaos in the party.

Mamledar, who quit Trinamool in December 2021, just three months after joining the party, joined the Congress on Tuesday.

"The reason for the chaos in Trinamool is Prashant Kishore's company.... They write to us telling us what we should speak about a particular person. I have got messages saying I should speak only this, and nothing more," Mamledar told a press conference in Panaji.

He also said that when the Congress announced the possibility of an alliance with the Goa Forward Party in the national capital, I-PAC volunteers gave him a script to read and specifically attack Goa Forward Party founder-president Vijai Sardesai.

"When the Congress-Goa Forward alliance was announced in Delhi, I was sent a script that Vijai Sardesai should be attacked. I-PAC only wants to use people, use Goans and take advantage of them," he said.

Mamledar also alleged that I-PAC volunteers have been given targets for enrolment of voters for registration for the Griha Aadhaar card, a scheme which promises to give women head of household Rs 5,000 as allowance.

"For every 15 persons registered, a volunteer is paid Rs 800. A lot of people have told me this. They are trying to buy people's thoughts. I feel if Trinamool is damaged, it is going to be on account of I-PAC's mentality," he said.

Mamledar also claimed that he was assured a ticket from the Madkai Assembly constituency, adding that the assurance was later reneged upon by the Trinamool after it announced its alliance with the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP).
New Delhi, Jan 11 : Two labourers were killed while two suffered injuries when a wall of an under construction building collapsed on Tuesday in Noida near here, an official said.

According to the official, the incident took place in the afternoon at plot no D-96, Sector 26 in Noida. The four labourers, identified as Pushpa Bai, 35, Bharat Patel, 50, Maya, 30, Rameshwari, 32, all residents of Chhattisgarh were working at the site. "As soon as the accident became known the four of them were rushed to a nearby hospital, where Pushpa Bai and Bharat Patel succumbed to their injuries," the official told IANS. The injured are currently undergoing treatment at Kailash Hospital.

A police official told IANS that legal action is being taken, however, no FIR had been registered till the filing of this report.

This is the second such incident in two months. Earlier on November 16, 2021, two labourers were killed in the basement of a 4-storeyed building in Sector 2 when a newly constructed wall collapsed on them.
New Delhi, Jan 11 : Responding to the submissions of Umar Khalid's counsel's bail plea in the Delhi riots case, the prosecution on Tuesday said "it is very unfortunate that the plea was referred by web series including 'Family Man' and movie 'Trial of Chicago 7', and did not make arguments on the basis of law".

During the hearing of Khalid's bail application, Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) Amit Prasad told Additional Sessions Judge Amitabh Rawat of Karkardooma Court, that on 17 points of Khalid's counsel, first argument was that he wants his plea to be decided by making reference to the web series.

"People have died. You want media hype and to make headlines," he said.

He also argued that there is a clear criminal conspiracy carried out in secrecy, adding there is a continuation after the crime and clear attempt to cover up. The SPP told the court that conspiracy has to be proved taking into account circumstantial evidence and that the riots were not a spontaneous burst of violence.

On the argument of Umar Khalid's counsel who had said that the Investigating Officer was communal, the SPP pointed out that the first conviction in the riots cases was a person from the Hindu community, and thus it proves that it was not biased against Khalid -- a Muslim.

He was referring to a case in which, it was alleged that on February 25, 2020, a mob of rioters, numbering around 150 to 200, attacked a 73-year-old Muslim woman's house when her family was not present at the house and looted all the domestic articles.

The first convict in the case -- Dinesh Yadav of Bhagirathi Vihar in Gokulpuri in Delhi was arrested on June 8, 2020.

Khalid has been booked for offences under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in connection with the northeast Delhi riots that broke out in 2020.
Kathmandu, Jan 11 : A fresh diplomatic spat has brewed between Nepal and India after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modis recent announcement to expand the road across the Lipulekh area which Nepal claims as its own.

Addressing an election rally organised by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at Haldwani in Uttarakhand on December 30, Modi had announced that his government is further widening the road built in the Nepali territory of Lipulekh.

Nepal has already protested the Indian government's ongoing construction of roads in Lipulekh and Kalapani areas. Nepal had protested on May 8, 2020, when Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had virtually inaugurated the newly-constructed road in Lipulekh.

Following strong protests and criticisms within Nepal over the expansion of roads by India, the government of Nepal had issued new maps covering the areas including Lipulekh, Limpiyadhura and Kalapani.

Immediately after that, Nepal tried to hold bilateral talks to amicably resolve the issue of the territory 'encroached' by India, but New Delhi did not show any interest in it. Until now, there has been no formal discussion on the topic.

Nepal and India have been indulging in boundary row after India unveiled its new political map in November, 2019. Nepal protested India's decision to incorporate the disputed areas in its territory. In response, the then K.P. Sharma Oli government in Nepal unveiled a new political map in May 2029 incorporating Lipulekh, Kalapani and Limpiyadhura.

Though both sides have vowed to settle the boundary dispute through diplomatic and political talks and channels, no concrete bilateral negotiations have taken place yet.

Modi, in his speech, had said that the road has been widened to Lipulekh and work is underway to widen the road towards the religious tourist site, Kailash Mansarovar.

In this connection, the main opposition Nepal Communist Party-UML has taken exception to the announcement made by Modi on Lipulekh.

Issuing a statement on Tuesday, chief of the party's foreign affairs wing, Rajan Bhattarai, called for ending such activities that violate sovereignty, territorial integrity and self-respect of Nepal.

"CPN-UML unwaveringly believes that construction of roads and other structures should be stopped, the issue should be promptly resolved through dialogue and no structure should be built at the state level until resolution is reached through dialogue," the statement read.

Bhattarai said that several questions have been raised as the government is silent on such serious issues related to nationalism.

The party has also urged the government to promptly start dialogue with its Indian counterpart on the issue, ask India to stop all kinds of 'bullying' and take fruitful initiative to establish practical ownership of Nepal over the 'encroached' territories.

The ruling CPN (Unified Socialist) also issued a statement on Monday and took exception to the road expansion by India in the 'encroached' Nepali territory of Lipulekh and condemned the recent statement of Narendra Modi.

Despite calls from different quarters, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Nepal has not made any comment on the issue yet.
By Zheng Jiyong

The Korean Peninsula showed two extremes that are different from the past in 2021: the increasing internal correlation, and the increasing external influence. Affected by them, there has been the obvious characteristics of no war, no peace, and little interaction on the Korean Peninsula, and the struggle for dominance, initiative and subjectivity has become more intense.

Promoting the implementation of the end-of-war declaration is the main diplomatic highlight of the Moon Jae-in administration in 2021. In the Northeast Asian community with a shared future, it is impossible to isolate any party to discuss peace, stability and development. The end-of-war declaration is an important beginning and indispensable part of integrating the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) into the international community. The progress on this issue depends on the attitude of the four parties.

(1) The attitude of the DPRK. During the 2018 inter-Korean summit in Panmunjom, Kim Jong-un claimed that there is no need to have nuclear weapons if mutual non-aggression can be guaranteed and proposed two conditions for achieving peace on the peninsula, including the end-of-war declaration. First, the US should give up its hostility to the DPRK. The US repeatedly sanctioned and threatened the DPRK, and repeatedly violated its commitments and agreements. The fundamental reason is the hostile attitude of the US. Second, the US should abandon double standards on the DPRK. Security threats on the Korean Peninsula are spiraling upwards, and both the US and the DPRK are responsible. However, the US cannot regard the DPRK's security enhancements as provocative actions while regard its own military drills and other actions as defensive measures.

However, the US has completely ignored the two conditions put forward by the DPRK. The Moon Jae-in administration has no dominance, so it is impossible to persuade the US nor the DPRK. Although the Republic of Korea (ROK) government has called for the signing of the end-of-war declaration, and even proposed a political declaration to end the state of war on the Korean Peninsula, the DPRK regards it as an empty act because an end-of-war declaration without the substantive recognition of the US doesn't make sense.

(2) ROK's position. The ROK is the most active party involved in this issue. First, the Moon Jae-in government regards it as the most important political legacy. Coupled with the fermentation effect of the Peace Spring in 2018, the Moon Jae-in government hopes to complete the end-of-war declaration before the end of its term in May 2022. The second is the current election situation. If the end-of-war declaration can be achieved, it will undoubtedly be an electoral boost to political figures such as Lee Jae-myung who hope to achieve peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula. It is also a political guarantee to ensure that this state of North-South relations can be maintained. Therefore, in order to promote the end-of-war declaration, the ROK took measures in three aspects, namely, coordinating the US, seeking help from China and expecting the DPRK. The ROK has conducted diplomatic activities between China and the US by means of shuttle diplomacy, and sought understanding and support from Japan, Russia and even European countries.

(3) The position of the US. After the Biden administration took office, it is natural to express a position on the ROK's demand in order to win over it. Therefore, the US publicly expressed support for the end-of-war declaration, but in fact is very wary of this move. Because the realization of the end-of-war will definitely bring about the disintegration of the United Nations Command, the change of the status of the US troops in the ROK, and the substantial acceleration of the transfer of wartime operational command. All of these will eventually lead to subversive changes in the US military presence on the Korean Peninsula and even in East Asia. The US has quite different ideas about the issue of end-of-war declaration with the ROK but it cannot openly oppose it, so it adapts the strategy of being dilatory. While instigating backlashes in the US and the ROK, the US government did nothing but talking and boasting. Similarly, the US is more concerned that the environment for the end-of-war declaration is more favorable to China, especially not conducive to the US strategic prospect of containing China. Therefore, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan pointed out that the US has its own conditions for the end-of-war declaration but is not satisfied with the status quo. The US not only continued to ignore the DPRK without putting forward any condition for resuming dialogue but also imposed additional sanctions.

(4) China's position. The end-of-war declaration is the most consistent with China's position, because it helps to achieve long-term peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula. First, since China is a signatory of the Korean Armistice Agreement and one of the main bodies of the war, China is inseparable from the end-of-war declaration. It is impossible to get rid of China as the US wishes. Although the US does not want the ROK to approach China on this issue, this is the reality of the Korean Peninsula.

In addition, the current key issue to the end-of-war declaration is not only about the nuclear issue, but also the security and development issues. The promotion of end-of-war declaration will help important countries such as the ROK to exert their subjective initiative, and to break the "either-or" problem currently set by the US to a certain extent. If progress can be made, it will undoubtedly be an innovation of the current solution paradigm for international issues.

(The author is the director of the Center for Korean Peninsula Studies at Fudan University)

Editor's note: This article is originally published on thepaper.cn, and is translated from Chinese into English and edited by the China Military Online. The information, ideas or opinions appearing in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of eng.chinamil.com.cn.
ALGIERS, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Algeria on Tuesday warned of the consequences of the emerging crisis between Mali and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), while offering its assistance to end the tension.

"After the grave risks of sanctions imposed by ECOWAS on Mali and the countermeasures announced by the transitional government in Bamako, Algeria urges all parties to stick to self-restraint and return to dialogue to spare the region a spiral of tensions and exacerbation of the crisis," said the Algerian presidency in a statement.

The statement affirmed Algeria's readiness to "actively accompany Mali and the ECOWAS on the path of mutual understanding with a vision of solidarity that safeguards the higher interests of the brotherly Malian people."

The ECOWAS announced on Monday the closure of the borders with Mali, suspending trade with Mali, freezing Mali's assets in the Central Bank of West African States, and recalling member states' ambassadors from Mali.

It said the cancellation of these sanctions is premised on "an acceptable timetable for holding elections" announced by the transitional government in Mali, which has scheduled presidential elections in December 2026.

The Algerian presidency has warned of the political, security and economic consequences that may result from a long-term transfer of power in Mali, with reference to the transitional authorities that have ruled the country since May 2021 after ousting interim President Bah N'Daw and Prime Minister Moctar Ouane.

Receiving a delegation from the Malian transitional authority in Algiers on Jan. 6, Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune stressed the need for making 2022 the year of "establishing a consensual constitutional system, aimed at building on the Peace and Reconciliation Agreement," the statement said.

Algeria believes that a transitional period in Mali for 12 to 16 months would be "reasonable and justified," it said.

After the ousting of Bah N'Daw in May 2021, Algeria has voiced its rejection for any change of government by force in Mali. 
Mumbai, Jan 11 : Spelling glad tidings, Environment & Tourism Minister Aditya Thackeray on Tuesday announced that tribal hamlets in Kharshet-Shendripada, Nashik will get water taps in their dwellings within 3 months to end their daily life-threatening ordeal to get a couple of pots of drinking water.

A decision to this effect was arrived at a meeting held with Water Supply & Sanitation Minister Gulabrao Patil, Revenue Minister Balasaheb Thorat, Women & Child Development Minister Yashomati Thakur and Minister of State for Water Resources Bachchu Kadu.

The Maha Vikas Aghadi government has also decided to allocate Rs 200 crore under the Jal Jeevan Mission scheme for water supply to tribals and remote villages in Wardha, Amravati, Pune, Solapur, Aurangabad, Ahmednagar and Ratnagiri districts, Thackeray added.

The announcements came a couple of days after the state government constructed a make-shift metal bridge to connect around 300 tribals living in two-dozen remote hamlets in the Kharshet-Shendripada hills of Trimbakeshwar region in Nashik.

Last week, the state was shocked to see video clips on local TV channels of how tribal women and children trudged with metal pots of water up and down a steep hillock for their daily stock of drinking water from a difficult to access source - river-water springs up the hills.

At one point in the daily grind, they were forced to gingerly cross a deadly chasm -- around 25 feet wide and at least 40 feet deep -- walking on a single pole of bamboo and another bamboo to hold, both ways, much like a circus act for sheer survival.

There is a small river source near the hamlets, but the water was extremely polluted and dirty, compelling them to go elsewhere.

The tribals told the media that they had been undertaking the gruelling hike daily for many years as the village panchayat had allegedly done nothing for them despite repeated complaints, and over the years, many had fallen into the chasm, resulting in serious injuries.

They also rued how many government schemes were announced for the rural people and tribals in the state but none had reached them since Independence, forcing them to take the risky route daily.

The tribals said they survive on basic agriculture irrigated by only monsoon water, but expressed a desire that if proper supply was ensured, they could take up cultivation round-the-year and improve their economic condition.

Shaken out of its stupor following the revelations, the state government moved at lightning speed to construct a safe to cross, metal rods bridge within 48 hours at the same location to mitigate the plight of the tribal women, a couple of days ago.

Thereafter, the government decided to provide the deprived tribals a permanent solution by bringing tap water to their homes - thrilling the tribals in the 75th Year of Indian Independence.

The tribals were particularly irked how the water from the rivers like Harsul and Taas flowing in the vicinity was given to other people in far-flung areas, but those living in the immediate neighbourhood were bereft of even their drinking and cooking water needs - but hopefully, things may change in the next 3 months.

(Quaid Najmi can be contacted at q.najmi@ians.in)
New Delhi, Jan 11 : Contending that a married woman is not without remedies on the marital rape matter, the Delhi government on Tuesday told the High Court said in such situations, a wife can always depend on divorce under the ground of cruelty or other remedies under criminal law.

A bench of Justice C. Hari Shankar and Justice Rajiv Shakdher was hearing a batch of petitions challenging Section 375(2) of the IPC which exonerates a husband from the punishment of rape for forcible physical relations with his legally wedded wife without her consent.

Advocate Nandita Rao, represented the Delhi government, said just because this is not a criminal offence under Sections 375, does that create a compulsion on a woman to have sex with her husband? "The answer is no." The government counsel also pointed out that the option for divorce is there both under Hindu and Muslim law. The woman also has a right to register a criminal case under Section 498A IPC. As of today, FIRs are registered by the spouses under Section 377, 498A and 326 of IPC, Rao added.

However, the bench observed that the point here is not about divorce and it is about what if an offence has taken place forcefully.

It was also noted that an offence can affect a non-married woman's dignity as well as a married woman's dignity.

The hearing will continue on Wednesday also.

During Monday's hearing, the court had noted that there is no compromise with a woman's right to sexual and bodily integrity, and the husband has no business to compel her.

It also had said that the marriage gives a legal right to expect reasonable sexual relations from the partner.

"We are not recognising the difference if we are saying that they are at par. When a party gets married, each has an expectation, and to an extent a right also, to expect a normal sexual relationship from each other, which does not exist if there is no marriage," it observed.
New Delhi/Islamabad, Jan 11 : The Talibans coming to power in Afghanistan has given a new strategic depth to Pakistan in an area which remains unexplored by them thus far.

The complex situation that has emerged in the region, especially with reservations in the international community to recognise the Taliban, has led Pakistan to deploy its intelligence agency to delve into an issue hitherto beyond its domain.

Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and its operatives have been familiar with the terrain in the region and have close association with various active political and militant entities, not only in Afghanistan but also in the Central Asian states.

The prevailing situation in Afghanistan has given them a unique opportunity to expand their tentacles deep inside these states with the aim of influencing political decision making on Afghanistan and its future.

Analysts and experts dealing with the area feel that Pakistani operatives, who have traditionally been meddling in Afghan affairs, could create a damaging impact in the Central Asian states through influence building and playing one against the other.

Some of the Central Asian states have traditionally experienced difficult political processes of transition over a period of time with several players, including radical elements, contributing to the complexities of the situation.

Russian experts are of the opinion that Pakistani intelligence operatives are often influenced by a false sense of confidence in as far as search for strategic depth in the neighbourhood is concerned, and are already making such efforts in Central Asia as well.

Considering the various Taliban factions and political groups operating in Afghanistan having linkages in the Central Asian states, especially Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, Pakistani operatives have been using them and their access to reach out to various political leaders in some of the Central Asian states, especially Tajikistan.

Russian experts have claimed that Pakistan's intelligence agency has been trying to connect with various groups and individuals in Tajikistan, which are not well disposed towards the government in Dushanbe. The discreet and covert Pakistani activities have been a worrisome factor in these states.

In a recent article on the issue in the Russian daily 'Nezavisimaya Gazeta' (NG), it was mentioned that Pakistani emissaries and their proxies have been paying special attention to Tajikistan and striving to influence the Afghan policy on Dushanbe.

The article further mentioned that a number of sources in Central Asia, especially in Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, have reported that the ISI has been using its deep-rooted links with the Taliban and its various factions for the purpose.

Another concern among Central Asian experts is that following its grip on Afghanistan, Pakistan intends to shift various militant training camps from Pakistan to Afghanistan. This would tend to impact the security in the Central Asian states in the long run.

Moreover, such resource base could be eventually used by the ISI for indulging in any crude strategy that they may envisage in Tajikistan or any other state. These camps could emerge as hot beds of strategic planning with the involvement of various political players in the Central Asian states who would want to make political gains in the given circumstances.

Being more specific, the Nezavisimaya Gazeta article mentions that the Pakistanis have been showing special interest in the Gorno-Badakshan Autonomous Region (GBAO) of Tajikistan, which has witnessed instability and is marred by complex radical undercurrents.

This has given rise to the feeling that Pakistan could exploit the complex underlining in the political situation in Tajikistan with the aim of influencing Dushanbe on the Afghan issue. The daily mentions that its sources have indicated that Islamabad is interested in influencing Dushanbe's policy towards Afghanistan, thereby effectively ensuring Dushanbe's support for the Taliban government and avoid any support to elements not well disposed towards the Taliban regime.

The GBAO has always remained a difficult region in terms of control by Dushanbe. The region is dominated by rabid fundamental elements and criminal groups capable of posing a serious threat to stability in the country.

Historically, no government in Dushanbe has ever had full control over this region. The area was at one point claimed by China, Russia and various Emirs and Khans, but has somehow retained its unique identity of remaining distinct.

Some experts claim that Islamabad's particular attention to the region could be driven by the long-drawn differences between Tajik President Emomali Rahmon and the various local leaders in GBAO. The possibility of the Pakistanis trying to play elements in GBAO against Dushanbe in order to have leverage over President Rahmon cannot be ruled out.

Nezavisimaya Gazeta claimed that in November-December 2021, several contacts were made between representatives of Pakistani intelligence services and a number of influential Tajik businessmen, including natives of GBAO, living outside Tajikistan.

During these meetings, Pakistani emissaries offered their interlocutors a variety of support and a "new strategic partnership" in return for engaging closely with the Pakistanis.

As per the daily, Pakistani representatives also expressed their readiness to become intermediaries between opposition groups in Tajikistan and the Afghan Taliban, who have special camps for training militants.

There is already evidence about the existence of training camps for the training of suicide bombers in the north-eastern Afghan province of Badakhshan, bordering GBAO, where these facilities were transferred from Pakistani Waziristan in the fall of 2021.

There is thus need for Russia to pay more attention to the issue in the coming days, as it could face a difficult and uncertain situation in the region which remains yet volatile. The safest option for Russia under the circumstances would be to ensure mediation with all concerned parties in Tajikistan so that a semblance of stability prevails in the region, not allowing any outside elements, especially the Pakistanis, to create difficulties for Russia and the Central Asian states in the coming days.
New Delhi, Jan 11 : Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday reiterated that the Delhi government is fully prepared to deal with any kind of problem posed by the Covid-19 situation. However, it will not impose a lockdown.

"We are fully prepared. We have the ability to extend up to 37,000 beds if necessary. Our 37,000-bed capacity has yet to be utilised. If necessary, we may prepare 10000-11000 ICUs in Delhi by preparing 37,000 beds. However, there isn't much of a need for that right now," the CM said in a statement after reviewing the Covid preparedness at the Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan (LNJP) Hospital on Tuesday afternoon.

He added: "Today, I held a meeting with Dr Suresh Kumar, Director, LNJP and the entire team at LNJP Hospital. I came here to take stock of the Covid preparations. It treated the highest number of patients successfully. More than 22,000 patients have returned home after receiving treatment at this facility." Speaking on the Covid-19 restrictions, he said, "I would like to convey to them that these restrictions were imposed under compulsion. I understand that we have to maintain a very delicate balance at this time. On the one hand, it concerns the employment of people, and if restrictions are imposed, people's jobs will be jeopardised. On the other hand, if we do not impose limitations, your health and life will be jeopardised." Talking about the restrictions in the areas surrounding Delhi he said, "This I will appeal to the central government. We also requested the central government representatives who attended the DDMA (Delhi Disaster Management Authority) meeting that imposing limitations simply in Delhi would not work; you would have to include the entire NCR. They have assured that these limits would be implemented throughout the NCR." Delhi reported a 25 per cent surge in Covid-19 cases after recording 19,166 fresh cases. With this, the infection tally has climbed to 15,68,896. Meanwhile, the city has recorded 17 Covid deaths on the second consecutive day, pushing the death toll to 25,177.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
New Delhi, Jan 11 : Pulses exporters of Myanmar have requested the Indian government to consider doubling the annual import quotas for tur and urad.

In June 2021, the Indian government had signed an MoU with Myanmar to import 250,000 tonnes of urad and 100,000 tonnes of tur every year from FY22 to FY26 through private trade.

The request to double the annual import quantity was communicated to Nidhi Khare, Additional Secretary, Department of Consumer Affairs, at a virtual panel discussion held recently on tur and urad outlook for India and Myanmar.

"If the quotas are not increased to 500,000 tonnes for urad and 200,000 tonnes for tur by the Government of India, it's possible that farmers will switch over to other cash crops that have a ready market across Myanmar's land borders," Vatsal Lilani, President at Overseas Agro Traders Myanmar Association, said.

"If the Indian demand in subsequent years is for larger tonnages and they are not available, we could see meteoric price rises. We have seen several times earlier that a 10 per cent supply reduction can have up to 30 per cent impact on firming of local prices in India." Therefore, it would be best to formalise rather than leave doubts, which in turn may affect supply adversely, he added.

Myanmar is a key supplier of tur and urad to India.

"Myanmar is a major source of India's imports and contributed about 69 per cent and 98 per cent of total imports in 2019-20 and 2021, respectively. We are dependent on import because there is a huge demand-supply gap," Khare said during the virtual event.

Even though India is a major producer of pulses, its domestic consumption outstrips the production, which pushes the country to import such commodities to fulfil its requirement.

However, lately, the Centre has shown strong interest in raising domestic output of pulses and also took various initiatives as part of its self-sufficiency goal.
New Delhi, Jan 11 : Tibetan monks have been beaten up and arrested for 'leaking info' after being forced to watch the demolition of a giant Buddha statue in Drakgo, Tibet. Chinese authorities after destroying a 99-foot-tall Buddha statue in Drakgo, have arrested 11 monks from Drakgo's Gaden Namgyal Ling monastery for sending news and photos outside Tibet about the destruction.

The Buddha statue was established in 2015 with the financial support of local Tibetans to prevent the region from famine, war, and catastrophes of fire, water, earth, and air. It was for the wellbeing of all.

The US State Department has voiced "deep concern" at reports of the statue's destruction. It said in a statement, "(We) continue to urge PRC authorities to respect the human rights of Tibetans and the preservation of Tibet's environment as well as the unique cultural, linguistic, and religious identity of Tibetan traditions." The statement further said, "We will work with our partners and allies to press Beijing to cease on-going abuses against Tibetans and return to direct dialogue with the Dalai Lama or his Tibetan representatives, without preconditions, to resolve differences." Sophie Richardson, China director for New York-based Human Rights Watch, added that China's demolition of the statue and crackdown on Tibetans sharing news of its destruction show that "religious believers cannot rely on legal or constitutional safeguards of their faith".

China in its current phase of "ultranationalist and statist ideology gives all power to the state, and regards civil society with suspicion and contempt," Richardson said.

The international condemnation of the destruction of Buddha's statue has not deterred China form committing brutalities against the peace loving Tibetan monks.

There are reports that new restrictions have now been imposed on Tibetans following the statue's demolition. Tibetans are not being allowed to hang prayer flags outside their doors. And their fireplaces, which are sometimes used for purification rituals, are also being destroyed in gross violation of their human rights.

Media sites giving source based stories from Tibet are reporting that the Chinese police are now beating Tibetans on unreasonable excuses such as not having 'a proper expression' on their face. Some Tibetans are being made to stand outside in the cold weather and are then released without explanation.

The shattering of the Buddha statue in Tibet is the latest in a series of crackdowns which amount to cultural genocide by the Chinese Communist Party.

The Chinese with their suppression of Tibetan religion and culture are adopting tactics used by the oppressive Taliban, when they destroyed numerous religious artefacts in Afghanistan during their first reign there. This amounts to violations of freedom of thought, conscience and religion in Tibet as espoused in Article 18 of the Universal declaration of Human Rights.

Along with destroying the Buddha statue, Chinese authorities destroyed 45 huge prayer wheels too erected near Drakgo monastery, which are close to the heart of every devout Tibetan. Large vertical prayer flags were also removed from their staves and burned, causing much fear and agony in the minds of Tibetans.

Spinning the prayer wheels, which contain scrolls of scriptures with Buddhist mantras into a clockwise rotation for the well-being of others, is a very old tradition of Tibetans. It has also been part of Tibetan Buddhist culture to erect statues of Buddha to ward off misfortunes and put up prayer flags for good luck.

Demolishing Buddhist statues and structures, destroying prayer wheels and the prayer flags most disrespectfully is an attack on the centuries-long traditions of Tibetans and amounts to grave violation of their fundamental human rights.

Tibetans and monks are horrified how their culture, tradition and religion is destroyed so brutally by the Chinese. They view it as a cultural revolution like crackdown as their religion, culture, language and traditions are brutally crushed. This attempt by Beijing to wipe off Tibetan culture is the worst kind of brutality. Tibetans are denied the right to practice their religion and follow their traditions.

Even more serious than this is that Tibetans have no right to even protest against these Chinese atrocities which include intensified campaign against the Dalai Lama, expansion of legal measures tightening state control over Tibetan religion and destroying symbols of religion and culture as happened in Drakgo.

If Tibetans dare to protest, then they face a torturous future, amounting to arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances and inhumane treatment or punishment. A large number of Tibetans have taken to an extreme measure of protest, they have set themselves on fire in Tibet, including students, monks, nuns and farmers.

Tibetans have been using self-immolation as a means to show their resentment against Chinese crackdown.

The PRC has been keeping a tight control over religious practice and teachings in Tibetan areas with the aim of maintaining the supremacy and authority of the Chinese Communist Party.

For CCP, 'acceptable' religious behaviour and religion is that which does not interfere with or challenge the legitimacy and status of the Party. If exercise of religious freedom is detrimental to the broader political concerns of the state, it will duly be suppressed. The authority of the CCP is supreme.

CCP leadership's stated policy regarding Tibetan Buddhism is to "keep it in line with the socialist society" and this was clearly stated by then president of PRC Hu Jintao in 2011. From 1994 onwards, the Chinese authorities have been following an aggressive campaign against the Dalai Lama, including prohibitions on the display of his photographs and obligation for monks and nuns to denounce the Dalai Lama.

Many Tibetans who have self-immolated have attempted to highlight their religious persecution even through their death. Some have self-immolated beside a stupa or a monastery. Others have self-immolated during prayer ceremonies. One such incident, which was widely reported in 2013, when two Tibetans set fire to themselves and died on February 24 and 25 at monasteries in eastern Tibet where pilgrims had gathered for Losar, a period of particular religious significance for Tibetans.

Regulations to control monasteries and religious activities in the Tibetan areas have been only tightening. In November, 2011, China announced a new structure of Monastery Management Committees, which were headed by party cadres and government and thus it began to control all religious places of Tibetan Buddhists.

Chinese authorities have been devising harsh measures to control Tibetans. One such major crackdown was reported during January 2012, when hundreds of Tibetans were detained upon their return from India after attending a major religious teaching by the Dalai Lama and subjected to "re-education". Since then, Tibetans who return from India are arbitrarily held in detention centres, while many disappear, causing unbearable pain and psychological, financial pressure on families.

Chinese authorities regularly persecute Tibetan monks and nuns, equating them with 'separatists'.

After peaceful protests in Lhasa during March 2008, three senior Drepung monks Jampel Wangchuk, Konchok Nyima and Ngawang Choenyi were detained, two of whom have subsequently received sentences of life and 20 years.

In June 2012, a senior Tibetan monk Yonten Gyatso, who went missing for eight months since his arbitrary arrest in October 2011, had been sentenced to seven years in prison for sharing pictures and information regarding self- immolation by a nun Tenzin Wangmo.

In July 2021, Human Rights Watch gave details of a 61-page report from Chinese authorities titled, 'Prosecute Them with Awesome Power': China's Crackdown on Tengdro Monastery and Restrictions on Communications in Tibet, which exposed for the first time the government's crackdown on Tibetan monks in the little-known Tengdro monastery. Four monks were prosecuted and given harsh sentences, up to 20 years in prison for dubious offences.

The four monks -- Choegyal Wangpo, Lobsang Jinpa, Norbu Dondrup, and Ngawang Yeshe -- received sentences of 20, 19, 17, and 5 years, respectively, and their crime was just that they had sent messages abroad or made humanitarian donations outside China. The Tengdro monks' case demonstrates the arbitrary and extreme manner in which restrictions on online communications are being enforced throughout Tibetan areas.

The Human Rights Watch has been highlighting the plight of Tibetans and it has appealed to concerned governments and the United Nations to pressurise China to respect Tibetans' human rights.

A similar call was given in June 2020 by 50 UN human rights experts to establish a standing monitoring mechanism on China at the UN.

The Tibetans are suffering day and night as their way of life and religious beliefs are crushed in a systematic manner. They hope and pray in vain that the world community would speak for them so that the Chinese oppression in Tibet comes to an end.
New Delhi, Jan 11 : The Supreme Court on Tuesday observed that a woman meting out cruelty on another woman becomes a more serious offence, as it upheld the conviction of the (now) 80-year-old mother-in-law of the deceased, under the IPC's Section 498A, and sentenced her to three months imprisonment.

A bench, of Justices M.R. Shah and B.V. Nagarathna, said: "Being a lady, the appellant, who was the mother-in-law, ought to have been more sensitive vis-a-vis her daughter-in-law. When an offence has been committed by a woman by meting out cruelty to another woman, i.e., the daughter-in-law, it becomes a more serious offence. If a lady, i.e., the mother-in-law herein does not protect another lady, the other lady, i.e., daughter-in-law would become vulnerable." Finding the mother-in-law guilty of committing cruelty on daughter-in-law while her husband was abroad, the bench, emphasising that no leniency is required to be shown on mother-in-law, said: "The victim was staying all alone with her in-laws. Therefore, it was the duty of the appellant (mother-in-law), being the mother-in-law and her family to take care of her daughter-in-law, rather than harassing and/or torturing and/or meting out cruelty to her daughter-in-law regarding jewels or on other issues." Convicting the woman, the bench said instead of one year imprisonment for the offence under Section 498A IPC, the appellant Meera is directed to undergo imprisonment of three months with fine and the default sentence, as imposed by the trial court. The bench also cancelled the bail bonds of the 80-year-old woman and asked her to surrender before the appropriate court within a period of four weeks.

The bench, in its verdict, said: "At the time when the incident occurred, the appellant was approximately between 60-65 years. The incident is of the year 2006. Therefore, merely because a long time has passed in concluding the trial and/or deciding the appeal by the High Court, is no ground not to impose the punishment and/or to impose the sentence already undergone." "However, instead of one year R.I. for the offence under Section 498A IPC, the appellant is directed to undergo imprisonment of three months R.I. with fine and the default sentence as imposed by the trial court." The victim's mother had lodged a complaint alleging that her son-in-law, his mother, her daughter, and father-in-law were harassing her daughter and subjecting her to cruelty for want of jewels. It was alleged due to this pressure, the victim had immolated herself. All the accused were charged for the offences under Sections 498A and 306 of the IPC.

The mother-in-law had moved the high court challenging the trial court order which sentenced her to 1 year imprisonment. However, the high court dismissed her appeal and confirmed the judgment of the trial court. Later, she moved the top court challenging the high court order.
Bengaluru, Jan 11 : Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, who has tested positive for Covid-19, held a virtual meeting on Tuesday from his residence to discuss Covid situation against the backdrop of the surge of cases in the state.

The meeting has decided to extend the precautionary guidelines on Covid till the end of this month.

Discussing the rise in cases among school children, a decision has been taken to authorise the Deputy Commissioners to take a call on closing schools based on the number of cases, and reports from the BEOs and Health officers.

Officials were instructed to arrange a children's ward, ICUs and other treatment facilities for children at taluk and district hospitals.

Education and Health Department officials have been asked to conduct a general health checkup in schools every fortnight. DCs and SPs are instructed to strictly enforce Covid guidelines at public places.

Instructions have been issued for monitoring the health of those home quarantined and timely distribution of health kits for them.

The CM directed the officials to strengthen the triaging to ascertain whether an infected person needs hospitalisation or not immediately on getting the test report.

It was also decided to utilise the services of house surgeons and final year nursing students in the home isolation and triaging process.

It was also decided to start 27 Covid Care Centres in Bengaluru immediately, while. Revenue and Endowment Deppartments were instructed to issue appropriate guidelines to be followed during the coming Sankranti, Vaikunta Ekadashi, and other festivals.

The meeting also decided to increase daily testing in Bengaluru to 1.30 lakh.

Bommai instructed the officials to take stringent action against those holding public conventions.

Ministers K. Sudhakar, B.C. Nagesh, Araga Jnanendra and senior officials participated in the meeting.

Meanwhile, Bommai, who was shifted to the hospital in the morning, was discharged by noon after conducting tests.

Minister for Law J.C. Madhuswamy and his daughter have also tested positive for Covid-19, and both are in home isolation.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
New Delhi, Jan 11 : The Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways' Secretary, Sanjeev Ranjan, on Tuesday called for expediting the widening of NH-53 (Paradip to Chandikhol) under the Gati Shakti plan.

"The widening of SH-12, Paradip to Cuttack to four lanes also may be undertaken on a priority basis," Ranjan said while addressing the inaugural session of a workshop organised by the Paradip Port Trust in Bhubaneswar. He said that PPT has the potential to be a world class port by addressing the issues of efficiency and cost related matters. Waterways can play a crucial role in effective logistics movement. The PPT's proposed Riverine Port is the right step in that direction.

Ranjan also suggested a dedicated heavy haul rail corridor from Salegaon to Paradip.

On the occasion, IPICOL & IDCO, MD, Bhupinder Singh Poonia said that the Odisha government has set a target of 100 MMTA steel production. It is also stressing on port-led industrialization. "To boost connectivity, a 600 km road stretch is being planned. RITES has been engaged in making a comprehensive logistics study for the state of Odisha," he said. Accordingly, a comprehensive industrial plan for Paradip is being planned. The PPT's initiatives for containerized cargo will improve agro and marine products from the state.

The inaugural session was followed by two technical sessions -- "Coastal movement of thermal coal - Opportunities & Challenges" and ''Convergence & Divergence of logistic chain - Industrial perspective".

Paradip Port Trust Chairman PL Haranadh made a detailed presentation on the capacity augmentation plans, efforts for synergy of different modes of transport and ease of doing initiatives of the port. Paradip port is enabled to handle 60 MMTPA of thermal coal by coastal shipping.He requested coal India and Railway to increase the allotment of more rakes of thermal coal to Paradip.
Gandhinagar, Jan 11 : Amid the surge in Covid-19 cases in Gujarat, the state government on Tuesday decided not to allow more than 150 people in gatherings during political, social, educational, cultural and religious events.

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, while chairing a meeting on the Covid situation, decided that the current limit on allowing the people from gathering at a spot for any event needs to be changed.

Accordingly, it was decided that the maximum limit for any political, religious, cultural, social, educational or any other should be under 150.

If held in closed spaces, the ceiling in the functions and gathering will be same, but the capacity of venue requires to be double compared to the number of persons present.

Wedding functions in open can be organised only in the limit of 150 people.

When held in closed venue, the ceiling will remain the same with 150 people but the capacity of the venue requires to be double compared to the number of persons present.

Wedding functions will need to be registered on Digital Gujarat Portal.

These new decisions will be effective from January 12 midnight to January 22 till 6 a.m.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
COLOMBO, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka's health officials on Tuesday said that the number of COVID-19 Omicron variant patients had surpassed the 100-mark in the country, cautioning people to strictly follow health guidelines.

Health officials said the Omicron variant began to spread in the community, and the speed might outpace other variants including the Delta variant.

COVID-19 Coordinator Anwar Hamdani was quoted by local Daily Mirror as saying that the daily caseload of COVID-19 patients had gradually decreased within the last two weeks and so had the number of deaths caused by the virus.

"However, an Omicron-fueled wave might emerge if people fail to receive booster doses on time and comply with health practices," he said. 
Chennai, Jan 11 : Tamil Nadu recorded 15,379 fresh Covid cases and 20 deaths on Tuesday.

With this, the active cases in the state stand at 62,767.

Chennai reported 6,484 of the new cases.

While Tamil Nadu has a Test Positivity Rate (TPR) of 10.3 per cent, the state capital's sate stood at 18.1 per cent.

Meanwhile, Health Minister Ma Subramanian, in a meeting of Department officials, said that there was no reason for the state to go for a total lockdown. The Health Department was monitoring the situation closely and would take an appropriate decision, he added.
Amaravati, Jan 11 : The row over cinema theatre ticket prices in Andhra Pradesh continued unabated as the panel set up by the state government met on Tuesday but could not take a decision, while well-known filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma again hit out at the state government for taking decisions detrimental to the interests of film industry.

The committee met for the second time since it was constituted late last month to examine and rationalise the rates of admission into cinema halls in the state. The meeting was presided over by Principal Secretary (Home), Kumar Vishwajeet.

Film exhibitor Vemuri Bala Ratnam said they made suggestions on ticket prices, especially in rural areas. "We told the committee that with the reduced prices, the theatre owners can't even pay the electricity bills," he said.

It was brought to the committee's notice that 200 theatres have been shut across the state due to slashing of ticket prices. They also wanted some relaxation in rules for theatres.

Committee member on behalf of cinegoers, Gampa Lakshmi, said they stressed the need for rationalisation of ticket prices. The meeting discussed suggestions relating to the provision of basic facilities in cinema halls.

The committee was constituted as per the orders of Andhra Pradesh High Court which had struck down GO 35, under which the state government had slashed cinema ticket prices.

The government said the committee will take into account all the factors relevant to the fixation of admission rates like classification of theatres such as multiplexes and single screens and the amenities required to be provided to the cinegores.

The panel comprises principal secretaries, information and public relations commissioner, law department secretary, representatives of film exhibitors, distributors and cinegoers.

Meanwhile, a day after holding talks with Minister for Cinematography, Perni Venkataramaiah (Nani), Ram Gopal Varma on Tuesday launched a scathing attack on the state government.

In a series of tweets, Varma questioned the government's action in cutting down ticket prices.

He urged the government to leave ticket pricing, number of shows and timings of shows to the film industry and just concentrate both its energy and resources on enforcing safety regulations and collection of its due taxes.

He wondered if the government is putting a restriction on the sale price of any other privately manufactured product apart from films.

"How can a Rs 500 crore film like 'RRR' and a film costing just Rs 1 crore be forced to sell tickets at the same price," he asked, referring to the government's contention that the ticket prices should be uniform for all the films, irrespective of the banner or the stars.

Some sections of the film industry feel that the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) government led by Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy is targeting his political opponents who are also the biggest stars oof Tollywood, such as Pawan Kalyan and Balakrishna.

RGV, as the Varma is popularly known, pointed out that Maharashtra is allowing Rajamouli's 'RRR' tickets to sell at Rs 2,200 but his home state Andhra Pradesh is not even allowing it to sell them for Rs 200.

"In another state, tickets being sold for even Rs 2,200 and in AP state if even Rs 200 isn't allowed, isn't it in direct violation of Article 14 which prohibits discrimination," RGV asked.

After the meeting with RGV, the state minister had said that the government is empowered to fix the prices of movie tickets as per the Cinematograph Act, 1956.

The filmmaker said that the way the Act was suddenly dug out and implemented by the government after 70 years is unacceptable. He called for challenging the Act in court.

RGV also wondered why should the government have a problem with how much a producer is paying to a star, unless it has prior knowledge of some criminal intimidation or extortion by the film star trying to extract money from the producer.

"With regard to why Pawan Kalyan or any other star should be paid so much, if we break an i-phone and calculate the actual cost of the material used, it might not even be Rs 1,000 but it's sold for almost Rs 2 lakh because of the idea, the brand and market demand," he tweeted.

The filmmaker stated that what the government is not supposed to do directly, it is doing indirectly by applying an excessive exercise of authority by compelling tickets to be sold at lower rates.

He warned that forced lowering of ticket prices may lead to collapse of the theatre exhibition system or "the entire system will start running in black which will be bad both for the film industry and the government".

Cinema owners in the state have been at loggerheads with the government ever since the latter fixed the new rates under a government order issued in April 2021. They say the slashed prices have made their business unviable.

The recent crackdown on theatres by the authorities for allegedly not adhering to certain norms has only made the matters worse for them. This has resulted in the closure of several theatres during the last few weeks.
New Delhi, Jan 11 : Soon the 4.4 millions Indians residing in the US or the entire 332 million people of the US can taste the Indian mangoes again as the Central government has secured the approval of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) for export of Indian mangoes to the US in the new season.

As part of the mutual agreement, India will be able to export mangoes to the US in the mango season commencing with the Alphonso variety of mangoes by March onwards.

The export of Indian mangoes has been restricted by the US since 2020 as USDA inspectors were unable to visit India for inspection of irradiation facilities due restrictions imposed on international travel because of Covid-19 pandemic.

Recently, in pursuant to the 12th India - USA Trade Policy Forum (TPF) meeting held on November 23, 2021, the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and US Department of Agriculture (USDA) have signed a framework agreement for implementing the 2 Vs 2 Agri market access issues. Under the agreement, India and the US would follow joint protocol on irradiation for India's mango exports and pomegranate exports to the US and import of cherries and Alfalfa hay from the US.

A revised work plan has been worked out, including phase-wise transfer of oversight of pre-clearance of Irradiation treatment to India as agreed upon between both the countries.

The USDA approval would pave the way for exports from traditional mango production belts such as Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) said that this would also provide an opportunity for the export of other delicious varieties of mangoes from North and East India such as Langra, Chausa, Dushehri, Fazli, etc from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal.

Notably, there is a huge acceptance and consumer preference of Indian mangoes in the USA as India had exported 800 Metric Tonnes (MTs) of mangoes to the USA in 2017-18 and the export value of the fruit was $2.75 million.

Similarly, in 2018-19, 951 MT mangoes of $3.63 million were exported to the USA and 1,095 MT of $4.35 million of mangoes were exported to USA in 2019-20.

As per estimates received from the exporters, the export of mangoes in 2022, may surpass the figures of 2019-20.
New Delhi, Jan 11 : Industry body Automotive Component Manufacturers Association (ACMA) has urged the Centre to implement a uniform GST rate of 18 per cent on all auto components.

In its recommendations for the forthcoming Union Budget, the ACMA requested the government to consider the upward vision of 'RoDTEP' (Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products) rates along with adopting measures for enhancing investments, including that for R&D.

"The auto component industry, being an intermediary, has recommended for a uniform GST rate of 18 per cent on all auto components," ACMA President Sunjay Kapur said.

"The industry has significant aftermarket operations that are plagued by grey operations and counterfeits due to the high 28 per cent GST rate. A moderate rate of 18 per cent will not only address this challenge but will also enhance the tax base through better compliance." Furthermore, the industry body pointed out that current RoDTEP rates for auto components sector is at 1 per cent or lower, and said that these rates are inadequate to cover the incidence of unrefunded taxes and duties borne on export products.

"This is deterring the competitiveness of the Indian auto component industry," the ACMA said.

Additionally, it asked for provision to reintroduce investment allowance at 15 per cent for manufacturing companies that invest more than Rs 25 crore in plant and machinery.

"This will motivate manufacturers to invest in new technologies, specifically e-mobility and its components or ancillaries related plant and machinery," the industry body said.

In addition, it recommended to retain the weighted tax deduction on R&D expenditure.

"The 2016-17 Budget reduced weighted deduction benefit from 200 per cent to 150 per cent and has further restricted the deduction to 100 per cent from 1st April 2020." "The association has also put forth several suggestions to 'ease' acost of doing business' in India."
Srinagar, Jan 11 : An Indian Army soldier shot himself dead in J&K's Kupwara district on Tuesday, police said.

Police sources said Havaldar Gurjeet Singh of 6 Rashtriya Rifles shot himself dead with his service rifle in Kachhal village of Keran tehsil in Kupwara.

"Police has taken cognisance of the incident. What prompted the soldier to take the extreme step is being ascertained," a source said.
Ferozepur: Prime Minister Narendra Modi's convoy stuck on a flyover for around 20 minutes at Hussainiwala as some protestors blocked the road in Ferozepur district on Wednesday, January 05, 2022. (Photo: Twitter) Image Source: IANS News

Ferozepur: Prime Minister Narendra Modi's convoy stuck on a flyover for around 20 minutes at Hussainiwala as some protestors blocked the road in Ferozepur district on Wednesday, January 05, 2022. (Photo: Twitter) Image Source: IANS News

New Delhi, Jan 11 : The Supreme Court on Wednesday will announce the name of the retired top court judge who will head the committee to investigate Prime Minister Narendra Modi's security breach in Punjab last week.

On Monday, after a detailed hearing in the matter, a bench, headed by Chief Justice N.V. Ramana and comprising Justices Surya Kant and Hima Kohli, said the court will set up a committee headed by a retired top court judge to probe the PM's security breach and asked both the Centre and Punjab government to not move ahead with their respective inquiries into the matter.

The bench said it will pass a detailed order in the matter. During the hearing, it orally proposed that other members of the committee would be Director General of Police, Chandigarh, Inspector General, National Investigation Agency (NIA), Registrar General of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, and Additional DGP, Security, Punjab.

The bench said: "We are taking the PM's security breach very seriously." It added that it will ask the committee to submit its report to it within a short span.

Advocate General D.S. Patwalia, representing the Punjab government, complained against show-cause notices to its Chief Secretary and the DGP. He urged the top court to form an independent committee to probe the matter. "Hang me if I am guilty... but don't condemn me unheard," submitted Patwalia.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre, defended the show-cause notices issued by the Central government. However, the top court expressed its displeasure at Centre's stand, questioning what is the point of asking the court to examine the matter if the Centre wanted to go ahead on its own.

Senior advocate Maninder Singh, representing the Delhi-based petitioner Lawyer's Voice, emphasised on the importance of protection to the PM of the country and cited previous top court ruling that looked at the SPG Act.
New Delhi, Jan 11 : The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Tuesday appointed Arun Kumar Chatterjee as the next Indian Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan.

"Shri Arun Kumar Chatterjee, presently Additional Secretary in the Ministry, has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the Kyrgyz Republic. He is expected to take up the assignment shortly," the MEA said in a statement.

Chatterjee is an Indian Foreign Service (IFS) official of 1992 batch. Presently, he is serving in the MEA headquarters here as an Additional Secretary. He also assumed additional charge as Dean at the Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service (SSIFS) in September last year.

Chatterjee had previously served as the Counsellor in the India Embassy in Seoul from February 2006 to July 2007, as First Secretary/Counsellor in Permanent Mission of India (PMI), Geneva ,from December 2002 to December 2005, and as Third/Second Secretary in the Embassy of India, Almaty, Kazakhstan, from May 1994 to September 1998.

In the MEA, Chatterjee has worked as Under Secretary/ Deputy Secretary (East Europe), Director (Finance), Director/Joint Secretary (CNV & I), Chief Vigilance Officer, Joint/Additional Secretary (Passport Seva Project) and Chief Passport Officer from April 2016 to November 2020.

His compulsory foreign language is Kazakh, while he also has working knowledge of Russian and French.
New Delhi, Jan 11 : The Delhi Police on Tuesday told the High Court that real estate barons Sushil Ansal and Gopal Ansal cannot take advantage of their old age in their plea seeking suspension of the seven-year jail terms in the evidence tampering case related to the 1997 Uphaar cinema hall fire tragedy.

Delhi Police's counsel, advocate Dayan Krishnan also submitted that the duo had made every attempt to delay the trial in the matter during the course of hearing in the matter before a bench of Justice Subramonium Prasad.

The bench posted the matter for further hearing on January 14 and said the copy of the trial court record be placed before it before the next date of hearing.

On December 15, the high court had issued notice on the pleas filed by Sushil Ansal (83) and Gopal Ansal (73) challenging a trial court that had dismissed their interim pleas seeking suspension of the seven-year jail terms in the Uphaar case.

On December 3, Additional Sessions Judge Anil Antil observed that the trial court itself cannot be the sole criteria to grant relief to the Ansals when they were involved in the procrastinated trial of the case.

On November 8, Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, Patiala House Court, Dr Pankaj Sharma, had sentenced Ansals to seven years imprisonment besides imposing a fine of Rs 2.25 crore on both in the evidence tampering case.

The court also pronounced a seven-year jail term to former court staffers P.P. Batra, Anoop Singh, and Dinesh Chandra Sharma while slapping them with a fine of Rs 3 lakh each.

On June 13, 1997, halfway through the screening of Hindi film "Border", a fire broke out in the Uphaar cinema, located in Green Park in south Delhi, killing 59 people in one of the worst tragedies.
Bengaluru, Jan 11 : Covid test positivity rate in Karnataka crossed 10 per cent to 10.3 per cent as daily cases rose to 14,473 in the state on Tuesday, of which 10,800 were in Bengaluru, Health Minister K. Sudhakar said.

Meanwhile, 1,356 persons have been discharged from the hospitals across the state. The active cases in the state stood at 73,260 and in Bengaluru, they were 59,000.

Five fresh deaths were reported on this day and 1,40,452 tests have been conducted throughout the state, Sudhakar said.

As many as 32 children between 0 and 15 years tested positive for Covid in Vijayapura district. District Commissioner P. Sunil Kumar stated that they included two kids of 2 to 5 years of age, five kids of 5 to 11 years, and 25 children of 11 to 15 years of age.

Meanwhile, a 15-year-old boy, who returned from Om Shakthi yatra in Tamil Nadu, tested positive after death. As many as 22 persons who went to Tamil Nadu for pilgrimage with the boy have tested positive. Chamarajanagar district authorities have taken measures and are monitoring the situation.

Delta cases in the state jumped to 2,937 and Omicron cases stood at 479. Dakshina Kannada district reported 583 cases, the most after Bengaluru, followed by Mysuru (562), Mandya (263), Tumakuru (332), Udupi (250), Ramanagar (59) and Dharwad (178).

Bagalkot, Haveri, and Koppala districts reported new Covid cases in single digit numbers.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Tianjin, Jan 12 : North China's Tianjin municipality put a Covid-19 testing lab into use to meet the demand for citywide mass nucleic acid tests, said the local authorities.

Equipped with six chambers, the lab in the city's Binhai New Area can handle 1.2 million nucleic acid samples a day, the authorities added on Tuesday.

The test results will come out within four to six hours after the samples arrive at the lab, said Chen Mei, Executive General Manager of one of the companies in charge of the lab construction, Xinhua news agency reported.

The municipality of 13.86 million people that neighbours Beijing launched citywide mass testing at 7 a.m. Sunday. A total of 97 people had tested positive for Covid-19 as of Tuesday noon in the city.
CANBERRA, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Australian authorities welcomed a "fantastic" start to the coronavirus vaccine rollout for children on Tuesday when the country is still in a battle against the surging COVID-19 infections.

From Monday, children in Australia aged five to 11 were eligible to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

Deputy Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Michael Kidd on Tuesday said more than 35,000 children were jabbed on the first day and the government was confident that the rollout would gather momentum ahead of schools returning in late January.

"And this is a fantastic start to the five to 11-year-old program, getting those children obviously back to school safely for this year," he told Seven Network television.

Parents have reported issues booking vaccine appointments for their children and doctors canceling appointments due to supply shortfalls.

"We currently have over 6,000 sites where children can receive the Pfizer paediatric COVID-19 vaccine, that will be increasing to 8,000 sites over the coming few days," said Kidd.

"If you can't get an appointment there over the coming week, if you look around, there are pharmacies in your local area, the state and territory vaccination clinics are opening up and offering appointments."

Australia on Tuesday reported more than 80,000 new COVID-19 cases and more than 20 deaths, according to the health department figures from states and territories, meaning the total number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Australia since the start of the pandemic had surpassed 1 million.

"What we are doing is watching very closely to see what's been happening in countries around the world, which have started their Omicron outbreak ahead of when we first saw Omicron in Australia," he said. 
Damascus, Jan 12 : A war monitor has revealed that 600 people were killed between June and October 2017 during the US-led airstrikes targeting positions of the Islamic State (IS) group in Syria's northern province of Raqqa.

According to a report published on the website of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights on Tuesday, the US-led bombings in Raqqa, the former de facto capital of the IS, killed 600 people from 140 families over the course of the four months, Xinhua news agency reported.

Their bodies were found when mass graves were uncovered after the IS was defeated in Raqqa, according to the report.

The overall number of people killed by US-led airstrikes is much higher, as evidenced by the 28 mass graves housing more than 6,000 bodies, said the Britain-based observatory, adding the majority of the victims were killed during US-led airstrikes targeting IS positions in Raqqa between 2014 and 2018, while the rest were killed by the IS following its capture of Raqqa in 2014.
Budapest, Jan 12 : Hungary's President Janos Ader has set April 3 as the date for the country's 2022 general election.

In the previous election held in 2018, Prime Minister Viktor Orban's Fidesz party and its coalition partner Christian Democratic People's Party (KDNP) won 49.27 per cent of the vote, which translated into 133 seats in the country's 199-seat unicameral Parliament.

The country's six major opposition parties -- the Democratic Coalition (DK), Jobbik, LMP -- Hungary's Green Party, Momentum Movement, Hungarian Socialist Party and Dialogue for Hungary -- have decided to unite before the election to maximise their chances to win.

The opposition alliance held primary elections in October 2021 to pick Orban's challenger, Xinhua news agency reported.

Peter Marki-Zay, the 49-year-old conservative mayor of Hodmezovasarhely in southeast Hungary, came out as the primary's winner.

A political party must receive five per cent of the vote to enter Parliament.
When someone is new to using catheters, theyre going to have a lot of questions and concerns. Having someone there who really knows what youre going through is important, especially for folks who are new to living with a spinal cord injury

As the nations leading supplier of home-delivered catheters and ostomy supplies, 180 Medical has been dedicated from its beginning to the mission of helping turn lives around. 180 Medical does this by providing the best service and supplies as well as ongoing support, tools, tips, and resources.

180 Medicals team of Patient Advocates takes this mission to a new level with in-person care and support in childrens hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and other healthcare facilities across the country.

When someone is new to using catheters, theyre going to have a lot of questions and concerns. Having someone there who really knows what youre going through is important, especially for folks who are new to living with a spinal cord injury, says Steve Kearley, a 180 Medical Patient Advocate. Steve has been living with a C6 spinal cord injury since he went through a car accident in 1988, and he knows firsthand how it feels to be told that not only will you not walk again but you also have to start using catheters.

180 Medical Patient Advocate Brendan Downes was born with spina bifida. In the beginning, his parents faced a lot of challenges. Luckily, having person-to-person support and resources that could answer their questions made all the difference. I like to pay it forward, and I get to do this through my job where I can support and help out kids with spina bifida as well as their families and caregivers, says Brendan.

The Patient Advocates at 180 Medical use their experience of navigating life with disabilities to provide personalized peer support, whether in-person or virtually through online video meetings and chats. This one-on-one support can be crucial for helping patients adjust to using catheters while also finding the right product that works best for their unique needs.

Urinary catheters arent a one-size-fits-all kind of medical supply. Using the wrong intermittent catheter can have an impact on overall quality of life. Plus, not knowing how to hygienically self-catheterize can lead to costly issues like recurring UTIs (urinary tract infections). Thats why having that in-person care from real people can be a life-changer.

180 Medicals Patient Advocates are here to help ease the transition to home from rehab or the hospital while providing a caring connection with the educational resources that patients need to survive and thrive.

About 180 Medical:

180 Medical is a leading nationwide provider of sterile intermittent catheter supplies and ostomy supplies. Its focus is on helping the members of the 180 Medical community find the right products to suit their needs and preferences. In addition, 180 Medical offers one of the largest online educational resources on their blog and website. Its Patient Advocates regularly contribute helpful content for people living with disabilities like spina bifida and spinal cord injuries.

As an ACHC-accredited provider, 180 Medical is in-network with thousands of health insurance plans, including Medicare and state Medicaid programs as well as private insurance plans such as Blue Cross Blue Shield, UnitedHealthcare, and Cigna. They offer free samples, free shipping, and no upfront costs.

To learn more, visit http://www.180medical.com.


To date, Barbizon Modeling & Acting has awarded $1.5 million in college tuition scholarships since the inception of the program.

Local Hickory Ridge High School student Sydnee Lear was recently named the winner of Barbizon Modeling & Actings $100,000 college tuition scholarship. The 11th grade student from Harrisburg, North Carolina is the 15th person to receive this accolade since the inception of the scholarship in 1994.

With a passion for math, Lear has goals of using the scholarship funding to attend the University of North Carolina or Georgia State University to pursue studies in actuarial science. She is driven, goal-oriented and currently participates in the HOSA Club, BETA Club, RENEWED Mentoring for Girls and many other education and community driven extracurricular activities.

When asked what makes her a good candidate for this scholarship, Lear replied I believe that I am a good candidate because my education is one of the most important things to me. Getting this scholarship would lessen the burden that a high cost college education puts on my disabled veteran parents and makes my dream of becoming a college graduate come true.

The $100,000 College Tuition Scholarship program is funded and awarded by Barbizon Modeling and Acting every two years to support and invest in the companys core value of education. To date, $1.5 million in college scholarships have been awarded.

We are thrilled to be able to offer this incredible scholarship opportunity to someone as deserving as Sydnee, shared Laura LaBelle, chief operating officer at Barbizon USA. Our core mission as a company is to support kids and teens on their path to a bright future and to have the confidence and knowledge to chase after those dreams. This scholarship is one of our most valued offerings to support that mission.

Entries for the next college scholarship award can be submitted at barbizonmodeling.com/scholarships.

Founded in New York City in 1939, Barbizon offers children and teens modeling and acting training in addition to life skills instruction. With more than 200 markets worldwide, Barbizons program focuses on the development of confidence and self-esteem as well as a lifelong commitment to support students and graduates who choose to navigate into the industry of professional modeling and acting.
Enabling Chairish to showcase Europes finest sellers is an important step forward in our quest to be the global design communitys source of the worlds finest design objects.

Chairish, the design communitys indispensable source for high-end, vintage home furnishings, announced today that Chairish shoppers can now access 160,000 exceptional European items in addition to 650,000 domestically located pieces. This international expansion follows two years of explosive growth for the nine year old, San Francisco-based company and builds upon their 2021 acquisition of Pamono, Europes leading luxury vintage marketplace.

Chairish saw 39% year over year revenue growth in 2020 and, with the addition of Pamono, 54% YOY revenue growth in 2021. That momentum shows no sign of slowing down in 2022, with the resale home furnishings category projected to grow by 54% over the next 5 years3.5x faster than traditional retail.

"Chairish connects high-end sellers and affluent design lovers with the most comprehensive and chic selection of home furnishings available worldwide, said Gregg Brockway, Chairish Co-Founder and CEO. Enabling Chairish to showcase Europes finest sellers is an important step forward in our quest to be the global design communitys source of the worlds finest design objects."

Having re-sold over 588,000 vintage items since inception, Chairish is the home furnishings industry leader in recommerce and sustainable shopping. In 2021, Chairish began offsetting 100% of its estimated carbon emissions from worldwide shipping and published its first-ever Home Furnishings Resale Report on the state of recommerce in the home furnishings sector. The report, released in September 2021, detailed the growing popularity of recommerce, which shoppers increasingly value for its more sustainable approach to home decoration, and outlined the online growth of the home furnishings industry as a whole.

Chairish is well positioned at the intersection of ecommerce and recommerce, two seismic shifts rocking the home furnishings industry. We've benefited from the surge in online shopping and growing demand for vintage items, due to supply chain driven slowness on new goods and rising consumer interest in sustainability, said Brockway.

Other highlights of 2021 include, Chairishs first-ever television ad campaign, the launch of Chairish Magazine, the first Chairish The Days annual sitewide-sale, the introduction of Chairishs Buy Now Pay Later program with Afterpay, and the launch of Chairishs Android App.

About Chairish

Founded in 2013, Chairish is the leading online emporium where designers and tastemakers shop for exceptional home furnishings and art. Named the #1 cant live without decorating app that will change the way you shop for furniture online by Architectural Digest, Chairish delights millions of shoppers with its expert curation of exclusive and diverse inventory, refreshing shopping experience and award-winning customer care. As a marketplace, Chairish is committed to building a more sustainable home industry thats kinder to the planet and supports the circular economy through the buying and reselling of vintage and antique pieces. Entrepreneur lists Chairish as one of the best entrepreneurial companies in America'' and USA Today readers named Chairish the "best place to shop online for furniture and home decor." Chairish has raised funding from investors such as Tritium Partners, Altos Ventures Ltd, Azure Capital and OReilly AlphaTech Ventures. Chairish Inc. is the San Francisco-based parent company of Chairish.com and Pamono.com.

About Pamono

Pamono is the leading European marketplace specializing in one-of-a-kind design objects and the stories behind them. Driven by the belief that a life well lived means surrounding yourself with beauty and soul, Pamono offers design connoisseurs over 250,000 extraordinary items sourced from 2,000 high profile galleries, shops, editors, artisans and designers. Now offering 4,000 new arrivals weekly, Pamono was founded in 2013 by Christian Ahrendt, Letizia Luperini, Oliver Weyergraf.
BJGs well known customer service model combined with Leach technology will provide end users with an outstanding customer experience.

New York based BJG Electronics Group, has signed a distribution agreement with Leach International Corporation significantly expanding BJGs offering of relays, contactors, switches, and circuit breakers. Leachs product line complements BJGs existing line card which already includes the worlds top interconnect and electromechanical lines. Leach is expected to benefit from BJGs award winning service platform, assuring its military-aerospace customers on-time delivery performance, design support and consistent quality.

BJG President and CEO Kent Smith explained, This agreement with Leach enhances BJGs product portfolio. Leach International Corporations Electromechanical product offering is highly complementary to our existing products and services. BJGs customers will directly benefit from the Leach-BJG partnership.

Elijah Dobrusin, Vice President of Sales & Marketing for Leach International Corporation commented on the new relationship between the two companies: BJGs well known customer service model combined with Leach technology will provide end users with an outstanding customer experience. We look forward to combining forces in the marketplace.

BJG is well underway building an inventory of Leach products. Combined with other electromechanical products already represented by BJG, the company offers a compelling one-stop solution for its military and aerospace customers.

About BJG Electronics, Inc.

Based in Ronkonkoma, NY, BJG Electronics, Inc. is a value-added distributor and light manufacturer of high reliability electronic components. Certified to ISO9001:2015 & AS9100:2016, the company serves the defense, commercial and business aviation markets. BJG is widely recognized for its outstanding customer service, comprehensive range of franchised suppliers and quality practices. For more information, visit http://www.bjgelectronics.com.

About Leach Corporation

From a modest beginning as a one-product company in 1919, LEACH products have become the standard for the design and manufacture of electrical switches, aircraft relays, electrical relays and control devices. Designed for applications as diverse as civil and military aviation, satellites and railway systems, the extensive LEACH line of products includes a full selection of hermetically sealed relays. LEACH contactors are available with single or multi-pole contacts in latching or non-latching configurations. A variety of complementary devices provide time delay and power measurement functions. The majority of these products are available in different mounting styles and terminals. Comprehensive lines of relays, contactors, solid state power controllers, limit switches and equipment (power distribution assemblies) also play important roles in the companys product mix. Please Visit http://www.Leachcorp.com for more information.
It is an honor to partner with the USDA and the Biden-Harris Administration in working toward its goal of advancing equity across the Department.

Star Cypress Partners announced it has been awarded an 8(a) contract award to support the United States Department of Agricultures (USDA) Equity Commission. Under the contract, Star Cypress Partners will work with the Commission to identify and make recommendations on actions the USDA can take to advance equity within the department and throughout its programs.

It is an honor to partner with the USDA and the Biden-Harris Administration in working toward its goal of advancing equity across the Department,  said Heidi Jackson Everett, Star Cypress Partners President & CEO. This work is in direct alignment with our companys purpose and values to improve outcomes for underserved communities and to transform large and influential organizations such as the USDA  an organization that touches the lives of every American.

This contract award underscores Star Cypress Partners commitment to create solutions with senior executives while engaging important stakeholders throughout the process. We look forward to working with the USDA and the communities it serves. Our company is proud to be part of these transformational efforts, she said.

The USDA Equity Commission and its Subcommittee on Agriculture were established on October 14, 2021, by the Secretary of Agriculture in accordance with section 1006(a)(3) of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (the ARP Act) and the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA). The ARP Act directs the Agriculture Secretary to create a commission to advise the department in address[ing] historical discrimination and disparities in the agriculture sector and to address racial equity issues within USDA and its programs.

In the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming Americas food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit http://www.usda.gov.

About Star Cypress Partners

Star Cypress Partners is a minority-owned, woman-owned, veteran-owned management consultancy that provides organizational solutions to improve work for people. We work with government, non-profit, and private sector organizations to design and activate pathways for change. Through a focus on people and organizational development, we help clients navigate through complex systems and challenges to move forward in the pursuit of progress and a higher purpose. Headquartered in Fairfax, Virginia, Star Cypress Partners capabilities focus on addressing our nations greatest challenges to include: defense health; education; the future of work and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG); and organizational and leadership development. Visit http://www.starcypresspartners.com.
This partnership will aid in strengthening the digital prospect experience for multifamily housing properties, and in turn enhance the leasing process.

Pynwheel, Inc., the multifamily industrys leading tour technology company, has just completed a new integration between Pynwheel Self Tour and PERQs innovative AI technology platform for the multifamily prospect. This partnership will aid in strengthening the digital prospect experience for multifamily housing properties, and in turn enhance the leasing process.

The integration will sync Pynwheel Self Tours scheduling widget to PERQs AI leasing assistant on a propertys website so that when the website user requests a property tour through the PERQ platform, prospect information will automatically integrate between the two solutions.

I am thrilled that Pynwheel Self Tour is now able to integrate with PERQ, says Jennifer Cyphers, Founder & CEO of Pynwheel. Our two solutions complement one another very well as they both provide an interactive and individualized experience to multifamily prospects which will now be leveraged through this new integration. This partnership will allow our clients that use PERQ to enjoy a more seamless operational process for managing leads and provide PERQ clients the opportunity to add to their personalized prospect journey with the most comprehensive self-guided tour solution in the industry.

PERQ focuses heavily on developing comprehensive integrations with key multifamily technology products like website providers, CRMs, and single-point tools, said Andy Medley, CoFounder & CEO of PERQ. Pynwheel Self Tour is a powerful integration that will provide a smoother process for lead management while also improving the experience for rental prospects.

For additional information, visit http://www.pynwheel.com or http://www.perq.com.

About Pynwheel

Pynwheel is a privately-held marketing technology company in Denver, Colorado founded in April 2012 by Jennifer Cyphers, former Co-Owner, Sole Managing Member, and President of Engrain (fka Multifamily Edge) and Director of ApartmentGuide.com at PRIMEDIA. Pynwheel designs interactive applications for the multifamily housing industry. Pynwheel innovation makes leasing easier for hundreds of apartment communities across the United States. For more information, visit http://www.pynwheel.comhttp://www.pynwheel.com or follow Pynwheel on https://www.facebook.com/PynwheelFacebook,https://www.linkedin.com/company/pynwheel-inc-LinkedIn, or @Pynwheel on Instagram and Twitter.

About PERQ

PERQs AI technology automates the multifamily prospect journey and gives every prospect the rental experience they crave. PERQ connects to a PMCs website and lead sources to engage, nurture and convert every lead. More than just a leasing assistant, PERQ combines powerful capabilities that interact with the prospect across multiple channels to get better results and, because PERQ leverages artificial intelligence (AI), PERQ knows exactly when it is time to hand off a lead to a member of the PMC leasing team. To learn more, visit http://www.perq.comhttp://www.perq.com. You can also follow PERQ on https://www.linkedin.com/company/perq/LinkedIn, or @PERQmarketing on Instagram and TikTok.

# # #

MEDIA CONTACT:

303.640.3652 Ext. 119

mailto:media@pynwheel.com [media@pynwheel.com __title__ null]
NUR-SULTAN/MOSCOW, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Several countries and groups have voiced support for Kazakhstan in cracking down on riots and bringing back normal life as an externally-stoked "terrorist attack" has caused great losses to the central Asian country.

The Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), a Moscow-led military alliance, held an extraordinary session via video link on Monday, when leaders of the member states showed solidarity with the Kazakh authorities.

According to Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the CSTO has deployed 2,030 peacekeeping troops with 250 pieces of equipment to Kazakhstan to protect key facilities in the country.

During the CSTO meeting, Russian President Vladimir Putin praised the peacekeeping forces for their effective work, saying that they will operate in Kazakhstan as long as Kazakh president deems it necessary and will be entirely withdrawn from the country after the mission is completed.

"Russia intends to further prioritize strengthening the strategic alliance with all the CSTO member states. I am confident, of course, that the leaders and people of Kazakhstan will be able to handle this situation and respond to these serious challenges with honor," Putin said.

Also on Monday, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi held a phone conversation with Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tleuberdi to show China's support.

As a permanent comprehensive strategic partner of Kazakhstan, China is willing to firmly support Kazakhstan in maintaining stability and stopping violence at this critical moment concerning Kazakhstan's future, Wang said.

China stands ready to work with Kazakhstan to implement the important political consensuses reached by the two heads of state, and do its best to provide necessary support and assistance to Kazakhstan, he stressed.

Tokayev met on Monday with European Council President Charles Michel in a video conference to brief him on the details of the riots and the government's responses.

Michel underlined the importance of obtaining reliable information against the backdrop of various interpretations of what is happening in Kazakhstan.

"We support the sovereignty and territorial integrity of your country. We are ready to further strengthen cooperation with Kazakhstan," he was quoted by the Kazakh presidential website as saying.

EXTERNAL INTERFERENCE

During the meeting with Michel, Tokayev called the unrest "a terrorist attack" with the participation of foreign fighters, mainly from central Asian countries, including Afghanistan, as well as from the Middle East.

The Kazakh president said that the "unprecedented act of aggression and encroachment on Kazakhstan's statehood" has led to great losses: 16 members of law enforcement and the military were killed, over 1,300 wounded, and the number of civilian casualties is yet to be confirmed.

During the recent riots in Kazakhstan, 164 people were killed and over 7,900 were arrested, according to the Kazakh Health Ministry and Interior Ministry.

Over 1,270 businesses were affected nationwide, with more than 100 shopping centers and banks looted and about 500 police vehicles damaged or burnt, Tokayev said, adding that the economic damage could amount to 2 billion-3 billion U.S. dollars.

At the CSTO session, Putin also noted that well-organized groups of militants, who were trained in terrorist camps abroad, were used to attack Kazakhstan.

He urged the CSTO to take measures to jointly counter "destructive external interference" in case of emergency in the organization's member states. 
Look Both Ways is available for purchase on Amazon.com Brooke has learned what can be accomplished when fear makes room for hope, how a positive attitude can reframe a struggle into an opportunity to move forward, and how limitations can inspire creativity.

Nearly two decades since her film-adapted autobiography, Miracles Happen, Brooke Ellison, PhD has released Look Both Ways, a uniquely honest confessional that imparts lessons she has learned from living more than three decades with quadriplegia. In Look Both Ways, Ellison offers a more mature, more contemplative look at life after the accident that left her paralyzed from the neck down at age eleven. Using personal and, at times, emotionally challenging events in her life as a platform, Ellison compels readers to reflect upon experiences in their own lives and thrive as a result of them.

Brooke has learned what can be accomplished when fear makes room for hope, how a positive attitude can reframe a struggle into an opportunity to move forward, and how limitations can inspire creativity. - Rick Hansen, Founder, Rick Hansen Foundation, former Paralympian (gold medalist)

The real lesson of her compelling story is to remind us that people with disabilities need to be defined not by what part of them is physically broken, but as full and complete human beings. - Susan Solomon, President and CEO of the New York Stem Cell Foundation

Look Both Ways is available for purchase on Amazon.com.

About Brooke Ellison

Brooke Ellison, PhD, is an associate professor of health policy and medical ethics at Stony Brook University. Following a car accident that left her paralyzed from the neck down and dependent on a ventilator at age eleven, Ellison went on to graduate from Harvard University in 2000 and received her masters degree in public policy from Harvards Kennedy School of Government in 2002. She ran for New York State Senate in 2006 and was granted an honorary degree from Rutgers University in 2011. In 2014 Ellison was chosen to be a World Forum Young Global Leader. She joined the board of directors of the New York Civil Liberties Union in 2017 and was chosen to be a Truman National Security Project Political Partner in 2018. She was appointed to the Suffolk County Human Rights Commission in 2020. Her first book, Miracles Happen (2002), was adapted into a movie directed by Christopher Reeve, The Brooke Ellison Story. She lives in Stony Brook, New York, with her family. For more information go to: http://www.brookeellison.com.
We are honored to be included in Entrepreneurs prestigious list of America's top franchises, and particularly proud to see the brand named the leader in its category.

Gong cha was recognized as one of the top 500 franchises in Entrepreneur magazines Franchise 500, the worlds first, and most comprehensive franchise ranking. Regarded as an invaluable resource for potential franchisees, the List ranks Gong cha as #1 in the Tea category for its outstanding performance in areas including unit growth, financial strength and stability, and brand power.

As the worlds premier bubble tea brand, with over 2,000 locations globally, Gong chas impressive first showing on the list reflects an aggressive U.S. growth strategy. Since 2014, Gong cha has opened over 150 stores in the U.S. across 11 states and Washington, D.C., and plans to reach 200 stores in 18 states by the end of 2022. Yearly store growth has nearly tripled since 2018, and 2021 openings were more than double that of 2019 and 2020. Additionally, Gong cha recently announced plans to open its first corporate owned stores in the Chicagoland area in early 2022 (with the long-term goal of opening more than 50 throughout downtown Chicago and the surrounding suburbs), signed a new master franchisee in Louisiana, and is actively developing additional master franchise territories across the country.

We are honored to be included in Entrepreneurs prestigious list of America's top franchises, and particularly proud to see the brand named the leader in its category, says Einar Gustafsson, CEO of Gong cha Americas & Europe. Bubble tea has taken off here in the U.S., and there is much growth potential ahead for both the Gong cha brand and our master and sub-franchisees.

Gong chas success can be attributed to several distinct factors including:



Premium Quality Products: Gong cha sources its teas from the finest estates across Asia, prepares the tea and tapioca pearls fresh in each store throughout the day, and offers customers the ability to customize their beverage to their exact specifications, with over 600 possible combinations of toppings, ice, and sweetness levels available.

Simple & Scalable Operational Model: Gong cha shops require only a moderate capital investment and minimal buildout; equipment costs are low thanks to efficient use of space and limited food preparation requirements; virtually all ingredients have a long shelf life (so theres very little waste); and its a low cost of goods with high markups.

Strong Corporate Support: Gong cha provides its franchisees with access to a fully built-out supply chainwith the highest quality ingredients sourced and shipped directly from Taiwan, assistance identifying optimal store locations, and robust consumer marketing and advertising programs.

Master Franchise Model: Gong cha employs a master franchise model that allows seasoned entrepreneurs with the enterprise-level experience, passion, and financial resources to develop, support, and sustain a large territory, typically across multiple states. Additionally, sub-franchising opens the door to entrepreneurship for many people to own their own business, and get in on the ground floor of the next big thing in the food/beverage industry.

Gong cha is actively seeking master and sub-franchisees to continue its rapid growth across the U.S. For more information on these opportunities, please visit https://gongchafranchising.com/.

ABOUT GONG CHA Founded in Taiwan in 1996, Gong cha is the worlds premier bubble tea brand. Its commitment to quality starts with its name: Gong cha means to offer the best tea to the emperor from all of ones possessions. From the most seasoned bubble tea connoisseur to a first-timer, Gong cha offers its customers the ability to customize their beverage to their exact specifications, and never sacrifices flavor or technique. With over 1,670 locations across 20 countries, it is also one of the fastest-growing bubble tea brands, attracting entrepreneurs across the globe to its lucrative franchise program. For more, please visit gong-cha.com.
Implementing Always On VPN (Apress Media, ISBN 978-1484277409), a new book by Richard M. Hicks, is now available. This book covers the latest Microsoft secure remote access technology for Windows 11 and Windows 10, called Always On VPN.

Like its predecessor DirectAccess, Always On VPN provides seamless, transparent, and always-on remote network connectivity for Windows 11 and Windows 10 clients. Always On VPN is implemented using modern cloud management platforms like Microsoft Endpoint Manager (formerly Intune). It also integrates with Azure Active Directory and supports advanced cloud security features such as Azure Multifactor Authentication and Conditional Access.

Microsoft is no longer investing in DirectAccess and is now focused exclusively on Always On VPN. Until now, administrators had to rely on sparse documentation from Microsoft that often lacked context and covered only limited deployment scenarios.

Implementing Always On VPN is a comprehensive implementation guide that contains detailed, prescriptive guidance for planning, designing, configuring, supporting, and troubleshooting all aspects of an Always On VPN deployment. The book will be a vital resource for administrators planning to adopt this new technology now and in the future. Implementing Always On VPN is full of practical knowledge gained from many years of experience deploying Always On VPN for organizations worldwide. It covers various deployment scenarios and includes critical insight into current implementation and security best practices.

Richard is the go-to expert for Microsoft Always On VPN. He helped our organization deploy this solution in the middle of a pandemic while all of our users were remote, said Dan Vohasek, Microsoft Azure and Cloud Engineer for Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP. If you want to support your company using Always On VPN, Richards new book should be considered required reading.

This essential reference will be invaluable for those considering an Always On VPN deployment. Visit https://aovpnbook.com/ for additional information.

About Richard M. Hicks

Richard Hicks is the founder and principal consultant at Richard M. Hicks Consulting, Inc. He is a widely recognized enterprise mobility expert with more than 25 years of experience implementing secure remote access and public key infrastructure (PKI) solutions for organizations worldwide. He understands that providing visibility, control, and assurance for field-based devices is vital to ensuring the highest level of security and productivity for todays highly mobile workforce. Richard M. Hicks Consulting, Inc. is based in Southern California and offers consulting services globally.

Contact Information

Richard M. Hicks  Founder and Principal Consultant

Richard M. Hicks Consulting, Inc.

(949)287-8683

https://www.richardhicks.com/
AmazeVR You really need to experience our VR concerts to get a full grasp of how impactful they are. ... Thanks to our tech, we can evoke a real sense of presence you cant get from a screen, the feeling that your favorite artist is right there, face to face with you."

AmazeVR recently closed a $15MM round of funding to support its industry-leading vision for VR concerts. Funding was provided by Partners Investment, Smilegate Investment, Quantum Ventures Korea, ABC Partners, Everrich Group, and GS Futures, the corporate venture capital arm of GS Group, one of the largest Korean conglomerates.

In addition to these investors, AmazeVR has been backed by several other major investors: Timewise Investment, venture capital arm of CJ Group; LG Technology Ventures; Mirae Asset Capital; Mirae Asset Venture Investment; Murex Partners; Dunamu Partners; Base Investment; and We Ventures. The bridge funding was oversubscribed within three weeks. It includes $9.5MM in previous bridge financing and brings the Los Angeles-based companys total raise to $30.8MM.

This funding allows us to keep hiring aggressively, says AmazeVR co-CEO Ernest Lee. In 2021, we tripled our team in Hollywood and Seoul. Weve been able to attract top talent from the industries we touch, including creatives who have worked with artists such as Kanye and Cardi B; a former marketing director at Live Nation; a film buyer for Regal/Cinemark; and an AI engineer from NVIDIA. This puts us in an ideal position to take full advantage of VR and the metaverses growing popularity, as we deliver breathtaking VR concerts from major artists, first to theaters, then to homes worldwide.

Teaming up with 3x GRAMMY winner Megan Thee Stallion, AmazeVR is rolling out its innovative approach to VR concert experiences in select AMC Theatres in Spring 2022. This first-ever VR concert tour springs from years of R&D that resulted in proprietary 9K cameras and in software that can automate complex Unreal Engine-based visual effects and run more than 100 headsets at a time. Using this technology, the company plans to scale its content creation, releasing new VR concert experiences weekly by 2024 to both in-theater and at-home viewers.

To drive this rapid growth, AmazeVR will raise a Series B in early 2022, bringing its mobile theater guised as an artists tour bus to potential investors in Silicon Valley and beyond.

You really need to experience our VR concerts to get a full grasp of how impactful they are. VR can finally blow all 2D experiences out of the water. Thanks to our tech, we can evoke a real sense of presence you cant get from a screen, the feeling that your favorite artist is right there, face to face with you, explains Lee. This opens up a new dimension for music, one of the first new ways for artists and fans to connect since recordings appeared. Were thrilled that investors are grasping this and are supporting us as we innovate and grow.

About AmazeVR

AmazeVR is a VR concert platform company that brings fans closer to artists than ever before. Headquartered in LA with offices in Seoul, AmazeVR creates experiences with renowned, bold artists, featuring crystal clarity and unprecedented proximity through live-action 3D footage combined with environments using a proprietary Unreal Engine-based VFX pipeline. AmazeVR creates VR concerts in fantastical new worlds that are widely accessible to fans, distributing through movie theaters and eventually at-home VR. Its first VR concert tour with Megan Thee Stallion is coming to AMC Theatres across the US in Spring 2022. For more information, visit amazevr.com.


We are pleased to offer this free tool to hiring organizations to bring greater awareness to the issue of unconscious gender bias and enable employers to be part of the solution by eliminating biases in their job ads," said Heather Salerno, chief marketing officer at Appcast.

Appcast, the global leader in programmatic recruitment advertising technology and services, today announced the launch of its Gender Bias Decoder, an intuitive online tool that helps hiring organizations eliminate unconscious gender bias in their job ads, develop more inclusive hiring processes and increase the overall volume of quality job applications. Leveraging an academic study done by the University of Waterloo and Duke University, the Decoder, created by a team of linguists and data experts, detects and identifies gender-biased terms in job ads, highlights them and suggests alternative words where possible.

Over the past two years, the dynamic variables of the labor market have resulted in a workers market. Employers face a number of challenges when it comes to attracting and retaining talent - including record-high quit rates, particularly among women. As employers look to improve gender diversity, as part of diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, companies will need to implement a wide range of strategies to attract the diverse talent they seek.

At Appcast, we recognize that word choice plays a critical role in the effectiveness of job ads. Specifically, our research consistently indicates that the inclusion of gender-coded words in job ads can reduce the number of job applications from both men and women, said Heather Salerno, chief marketing officer at Appcast. We are pleased to offer this free tool to hiring organizations to bring greater awareness to the issue of unconscious gender bias and enable employers to be part of the solution by eliminating biases in their job ads.

Available for use free-of-charge, the Gender Bias Decoder is an extension of Appcasts longstanding commitment to helping organizations create more inclusive hiring strategies. In January 2021, Appcast unveiled the findings of its Impact of Gendered Wording on Candidate Attraction" report that explores how gender-coded words can impact recruitment outcomes. The report finds that job ads with gender-neutral language (i.e., language without male- and female-coded words) overwhelmingly perform best, enabling organizations to reduce cost per application (CPA) while increasing apply rates (AR) and the number of applications per job. In fact, the report revealed that job ads with gender-neutral language resulted in 41% lower CPA than ads with both male- and female-coded words. Further, job ads with gender-neutral language resulted in 29% more applications per job than ads with male- and female-coded wording.

To access Appcasts Gender Bias Decoder, visit

https://www.appcast.io/gender-bias-decoder/

About Appcast

Appcast is the global leader in programmatic recruitment advertising technology and services. With advanced technology, unmatched market data and a team of the industrys best recruitment marketers, Appcasts technology and services manage over half a billion dollars in job advertising annually on behalf of more than 1,500 clients. Headquartered in Lebanon, N.H. with offices in Boston, Mass., New Brunswick, Canada and Minsk, Belarus, Appcast is a subsidiary of StepStone, one of the worlds largest job classified businesses. To learn more, visit https://www.appcast.io/ and follow on Twitter @appcast_io.


The HeroZona Foundation is excited to announce its co-founder, Alan AP Powell, will be one of the honorees recognized at the 28th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Community Celebration Dinner hosted by the Scottsdale nonprofit, Community Celebrating Diversity (CCD), on Wednesday, Jan. 12. Additional honorees include Interim President at Scottsdale Community College Chris Haines and ONE Community & ONE Community Foundation co-founder/president Angela Hughey.

Alan AP Powell, co-founded HeroZona and currently serves as chairman and CEO of AP & Associates, LLC, founded in 2004. Since the firms inception, Powells business philosophy has been turning contacts into contracts. His diverse industry experience includes work with companies like ISC, Diageo, Harley-Davidson, Coca-Cola, University of Phoenix, and Miller-Coors. Powell has previously served as an advisory board member for Arizona 7th District Congressman Ruben Gallegos Veterans Advisory Council, the University of Phoenix Criminal Justice Industry Advisory Board, City of Phoenix Aviation Advisory Board, and District 8s African American Advisory Council.

Powell was recently recognized with the Arizona Black Chamber of Commerce Corporate Star Award (2016), the MLK Living the Dream Award (2017), Greater Phoenix Urban Leagues Whitney M. Young Jr. Award (2017), the American Association for Access, Equity and Diversitys Edward M. Kennedy Community Service Award (2017), ABC 15 and Sanderson Fords Saluting Arizonas Veterans Award (2018), Humanitarian Award from South Mountain Community College (2019), NAACP Community Service Award (2020), and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Award of Merit (2021). He also served as the Grand Marshall for the Phoenix Veterans Day Parade in 2017 and was honored by Arizona Public Service with the John S. McCain Inspiration Leadership Award in November of 2018. Powell also won 2019s Most Influential Man in the Valley by Arizona Foothills Magazine.

Powell has previously served as an advisory board member for Arizona 7th District Congressman Ruben Gallegos Veterans Advisory Council, the University of Phoenix Criminal Justice Industry Advisory Board, City of Phoenix Aviation Advisory Board, and District 8s African American Advisory Council. Powell served on the advisory board for the Phoenix Theatre.

Getting recognized by the CCD and standing next to these other incredible honorees is something I am very proud of, said Powell. Its a privilege to receive this award in memory of Martin Luther King Jr., a pioneer of the civil rights movement in the country and across the world.

HeroZona serves students and veterans by giving them access to educational opportunities to ensure they get to cross the finish line. The foundations programs include the HeroPreneur National Veteran Business Summit, Veterans Reach to Teach, Phoenix Tools 4 Schools and the Bridge Forum. It was an instrumental organization in creating the largest COVID-19 testing site in 2020 and co-launching the OneCommunity Initiative, which focuses on reaching diverse, underserved communities, and aims to track demographic data to identify disparity gaps and ensure that the vaccines are distributed fairly and equitably.

Scottsdale's MLK Celebration was initiated by CCDs founding members, Sandra Rembrandt and Don Logan, in the early 1990s. Today, the event serves as a signature celebration for the entire Valley that includes nationally renowned speakers representing a myriad of diversity perspectives honoring the history and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

For more information about the foundations community program partnerships visit herozona.org or follow on Facebook.com/HeroZonaOrg.

About HeroZona Foundation

The HeroZona Foundation is a non-profit organization that empowers Heroes in the community through entrepreneurship, employment, and education. The group works with veterans, first responders and those that bring social good to future generations and under-served communities. The foundations mission is to create opportunities for the brave men and women who serve their country, and community, every day. For more information, please visit HeroZona.org.

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Kays Crafts By Kay Cassidy In the book, I start with the smallest, easiest patterns first and work my way up to the largest ones in the proper order, said Cassidy. Each chapter will detail a different craft that any experienced crafter can enjoy.

There are numerous ways to craft and knit, and Kay Cassidy provides her 50 years of experience in her newly released book, Kays Crafts. The author introduces various designs that any crafter would love, which are seen throughout the pages.

The book is an excellent introduction for readers looking for a new hobby that they can do in their downtime. Kays Crafts is a unique book filled with different patterns and directions for coming up with the perfect craft. Throughout the book, the author shares colorful photographs and steps that will make learning these new skills fun.

Readers will learn how to crochet, make quilts, paint, among other things that will bring color and light into their lives. Cassidy has been knitting and crocheting since she was 13 years old and hopes that her designs will be new additions to any crafters catalog of work.

In the book, I start with the smallest, easiest patterns first and work my way up to the largest ones in the proper order, said Cassidy. Each chapter will detail a different craft that any experienced crafter can enjoy.

Ultimately, Kays Crafts will provide a how-to-guide for any skill level. By the end of the book, readers will learn new ways to come up with fun designs and will learn a new hobby they will thoroughly enjoy.

Kays Crafts

By Kay Cassidy

ISBN: 9781665529778 (softcover); 9781665529785 (electronic)

Available at AuthorHouse, Amazon and Barnes & Noble

About the author

Kay Cassidy is an avid knitter and crafter. She recently published a new book, Kays Crafts. She has also written four additional books thus far, each an autobiography. Cassidy was born in Bremerton and lived on the West Coast for most of her life. She loves to travel, craft, write and also sing. In addition to writing books, she has also written songs and plays seven musical instruments. Cassidy currently resides in Port Orchard, WA.

General Inquiries:

LAVIDGE  Phoenix

gconnor@lavidge.com | 480-998-2600


Baird will work with water engineering and environmental consulting firms, utilities, and water industry organizations to develop partnership strategies to improve drinking water quality. Greg has been an industry leader for two decades, addressing the aging water infrastructure funding crisis. Gregs reputation, experience, vision, and boundless enthusiasm will accelerate not only BlueConduits growth but also the industrys work to reduce the publics exposure to lead.

Twenty-year drinking water industry veteran Greg Baird joins leading water analytics company BlueConduit as its executive director of national lead service line inventory and replacement. Bairds leadership will combine water infrastructure asset management, artificial intelligence modeling, and water infrastructure finance to help communities remove lead pipes.

Michigan-based BlueConduit detects lead service lines through its iterative, machine-learning methods. Experts estimate there are over 12 million lead service lines in use across the United States. Removing lead in drinking water pipes is a vital step in protecting public health and increasing trust in tap water.

Greg has been an industry leader for two decades, addressing the aging water infrastructure funding crisis, said Eric Schwartz, BlueConduit co-founder and University of Michigan professor. Gregs reputation, experience, vision, and boundless enthusiasm will accelerate not only BlueConduits growth but also the industrys work to reduce the publics exposure to lead. And, we especially value his prioritization of environmental justice, such as his work aiming to get funding for disadvantaged communities.

Baird joins the BlueConduit senior leadership team, which has recently expanded from a technical focus on data science, machine learning engineering to include a non-founder CEO as well as product, marketing, and customer success leadership.

Lead service lines have been neglected in the water industry due to a historic lack of funding and other factors. Thats all changing as the perspective of water quality extends from source water to the tap and all of the assets in between, said Baird. The recently passed Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act earmarks $15 billion over five years for municipalities for lead service line removal. Yet with funding and new compliance requirements, the underlying challenge of locating the lead pipes remains.

Baird previously has served as a municipal finance officer and water utility CFO, worked for several large engineering consulting firms and many of the top water digital solutions tech companies. At BlueConduit, Baird will work with water engineering and environmental consulting firms, utilities, and water industry organizations to develop partnership strategies to improve drinking water quality.

BlueConduits data-driven SaaS software, which was originally used in Flint, Michigan, to save tens of millions of dollars, predicts the location of lead service lines. Accurate predictions expedite lead pipe removal and replacement, and prevent unnecessary digging to inspect pipes. The companys platform supports compliance with the EPAs Revised Lead and Copper Rule and addresses some of the environmental justice issues related to service line replacement.

About BlueConduit

BlueConduit is a water analytics company that has the most accurate predictive machine-learning methods to locate lead service lines, empowering local officials with the information to efficiently remove those pipes. Named one of TIMEs Best Inventions of 2021, the companys model enables utilities to focus their resources on digging where the lead is and accelerating the removal of this significant health concern, and save millions of dollars in avoided digs. Since 2016, BlueConduit has worked with more than 50 municipalities and inventoried over 1 million service lines, which serve more than 2 million people. Learn more at BlueConduit.com.
NEW YORK, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) has test-fired a hypersonic missile, the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported early Wednesday local time.

The test-fire was conducted by the Academy of Defence Science on Tuesday, the report said.

"The test-fire was aimed at the final verification of overall technical specifications of the developed hypersonic weapon system," it added.

Kim Jong Un, top leader of the DPRK, watched the test-fire, before which he was briefed on the hypersonic missile weapon system, according to the KCNA. 
"This step is a tremendous opportunity to invest in our future."

Centrisys announced today that USA company leadership has successfully completed the process of acquiring complete ownership of the business. Centrisys manufactures dewatering centrifuges and sludge thickeners and provides global centrifuge service, repair and parts for all decanter centrifuge brands.

This step is a tremendous opportunity to invest in our future. For our customers and suppliers, it creates certainty and predictability. For our employees, it offers greater stability and a prosperous future, said Centrisys Chief Executive Officer and founder Michael Kopper.

Kopper and a business partner were the original owners and founders of Centrisys in 1987. With success came new opportunities. Centrisys and Techcent, a Chinese company, formed a joint venture in 2007 which gave Centrisys access to new markets in Asia and cost-effective manufacturing options. In 2015, with the success of their partnership apparent, Techcent purchased 80 percent of Centrisys. Kopper continued as Chief Executive Officer of the company.

A few years after the acquisition, Techcent ran into financial trouble. The uncertainty associated with a financially distressed foreign parent company threatened the viability of the Centrisys business and the jobs of about 100 Centrisys employees.

Kopper turned to Bill Gardner of von Briesen & Roper, s.c., and Steve Mayer of Franklin Place Capital to develop and implement a strategy to reacquire 100% of the Centrisys business.

We met all of our strategic goals. We once again own the Centrisys business. We eliminated tens of millions of dollars of debt while maintaining our business relationship with Techcent. Every employee was retained. We are now well positioned, both financially and operationally, to meet the increasing needs of our national and international customers. We are in full control, and our future is bright, said Kopper, who noted the transaction closed on December 31, 2021. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

About Centrisys: Centrisys, headquartered in Kenosha, Wisconsin USA, is a leading global manufacturer of dewatering centrifuges and sludge thickeners and provides global centrifuge service, repair and parts for all decanter centrifuge brands. CNP, a subsidiary of Centrisys, supplies nutrient recovery and advanced biosolids treatment systems for phosphorus recovery and thermal hydrolysis processes. Founded in 1987, Centrisys has manufacturing facilities and operations throughout the USA, South America, Europe and Asia. http://www.centrisys.us
We are excited to provide the permanent financing for this new construction 4% bond deal through our P-TEL Program.

Churchill Stateside Group, LLC (CSG), a real estate and renewable energy financial services company, is pleased to announce the closing of financing for a new-construction affordable housing project in Orlando, FL. The apartment community will consist of 91 units catering to family tenancy. The improvements will be constructed utilizing Federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Equity and conventional loan financing. CSG will be providing a $6.3MM permanent loan commitment.

Michael Spain, Vice President of the Southeast region for CSG, said, We are excited to provide the permanent financing for this new construction 4% bond deal through our P-TEL Program. The 91-unit project will provide high quality apartments that will aid in the demand for safe affordable housing for the residents of Orlando.

Keith Gloeckl (GLEK-el), Chief Executive Officer of CSG, added, Churchill is pleased to provide financing for much needed affordable housing for the Orlando community.

For more information about CSGs multifamily finance programs and services, please contact Dan Duda, SVP and National Director of Originations and Acquisitions, at (727) 269-5198 or via email at dduda@csgfirst.com.

About Churchill Stateside Group

Churchill Stateside Group (CSG) and its wholly owned affiliates serve the affordable housing and commercial renewable energy industries. CSG sponsors tax credit equity investment funds for institutional investors and provides a variety of construction, permanent, and bond financing solutions. With over $3 Billion of assets under management, CSG has long-standing and successful investment relationships with numerous corporate investors and pension funds. The companys investor and developer clients benefit from our experienced staff, prominent and proactive senior leadership, and attractive debt and equity platforms. The company, through its subsidiary Churchill Mortgage Investment LLC, is an approved USDA Rural Development and HUD/FHA MAP and LEAN lender and Ginnie Mae Issuer.

For more information, please visit http://www.CSGfirst.com.
Dealer eProcess is proud to announce that they are now part of the Jaguar and Land Rover Certified Website, Digital Marketing, and Streaming TV programs. Jaguar and Land Rover dealers now have the ability to enjoy all the latest tools and features that Dealer eProcess has to offer while staying within their OEM program guidelines.

As part of the program, Dealer eProcess dealers get to choose from unique Jaguar and Land Rover website designs that are fully responsive and ADA compliant in addition to featuring SSL security. There are high-converting elements within each section of the websites, from the user-focused SRP (Search Results Page) and advanced VDP (Vehicle Details Page) to several different Chat options. Dealers will be able to target their unique set of customers with SEO packages and encourage online shopping with SPARC (Syndicated Payment and Rate Customizer), a tool that provides data-driven payments. Jaguar and Land Rover dealers can also utilize Dealer eProcess robust dashboard that includes in-depth reporting, lead information, website management, and customization, all in a user-friendly format. Packages and add-on features include SEO Custom Content, Google My Business optimization, and Local Listing Management.

Jaguar and Land Rover Certified Website Customers can also utilize Dealer eProcess Digital Marketing, capturing customers ready to take home a new vehicle, research a used vehicle, or schedule a service can be done in numerous ways. Dealer eProcess digital marketing includes Dynamic Inventory Based Search Marketing, Market Protection with Geo/Local Campaigns, and Dynamic Inventory Based Remarketing. Social Media options cover Waze, Facebook, and YouTube, along with Google Posts to increase both branding and visibility. Data transparency with tools such as CARoi are key elements that ensure dealers can monitor progress with all of their marketing campaigns and overall website strategies.

Jaguar and Land Rover Dealer eProcess website customers can also enroll in OTT (Over The Top) Streaming Video Advertising as part of their Digital Marketing strategy. OTT Video Advertising is a powerful marketing tool designed to reach ready-to-buy shoppers in a dealerships marketplace while they stream their favorite premium content via their connected devices. Through Dealer eProcess partnership with Amazon (among other data providers), DEP isolates customers who show a high-priority for being in-market Jaguar and Land Rover customers. As an Amazon Partner, Dealer eProcess has access to the full depth of customer data that they provide (unlike non-partners, who cannot access any of Amazons data).

Jaguar and Land Rover Certified Website, Digital Marketing, and Streaming TV options through Dealer eProcess are available immediately. To learn more about available products and packages, as well as co-op eligibility, please visit the program page on the Dealer eProcess website. You can also schedule a demo or contact the DEP sales team at 877-551-2555.

About Dealer eProcess

Dealer eProcess is the industry leader in automotive websites and digital marketing. Dealer eProcess has won dozens of awards and is recognized by the experts as the most technologically-superior website and digital marketing solution for automotive dealers. Along with being a recognized leader in and award-winner, Dealer eProcess has also partnered with the best in the business to offer their dealers the most complete digital solution available. Dealer eProcess is a Google Premier Partner, Yahoo/Bing Select Partner, a Reynolds & Reynolds certified provider, and has partnered with numerous other industry-leading solutions. Dealer eProcess is headquartered just outside of Chicago, IL, and has offices in Washington and Arizona. You can learn more about Dealer eProcess on their website: http://www.dealereprocess.com.
Due to the pandemic, clinical trials have taken a more digital approach, but recent research shows a worrying lack of patients informed consent to the treatment they are undergoing. With digital communication, prospective clinical trial participants can ask questions, discuss the trial with investigator team, to complete a proper informed consent remotely. Trial sponsors can translate background material, including educational videos, into as many languages as needed.

Under pressure of the COVID-19 pandemic, multitudes of clinical trials of new medications and treatments have moved to a decentralized model, bringing them to the patients rather than having patients come to a central trial site such as an urban medical center.(1) At the same time, recent research shows a worrying lack of patients informed consent to the treatment they are undergoing.(2) This, says Dr. Harsha Rajasimha, founder and CEO of Jeeva Informatics, is not an acceptable situation. The extent to which patients comprehend the consent they grant is essential to the ethical conduct of medical research.

Informed consent as defined by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not, Rajasimha points out, mean simply getting a research participants signature on a consent form. It includes:



Providing enough information to allow for an informed decision about participating in the clinical investigation

Verifiably ensuring the potential participant understands the information

Enough time for the potential participant to ask questions and discuss the trial with friends and family

Obtaining the potential participants voluntary consent to participate

Continuing to provide clarifications as the study progresses.(3)

Objections to clinical trial management

Both regulators and participants, says Rajasimha, have raised objections to decentralized clinical trials. Regulators including institutional review boards (IRBs) view informed consent as a divine contract between researchers and patients that is foundational for trust building. Their objections include a lack of ability to:

Verify the patients comprehension via a quiz or questionnaire;

Provide convenient means for the patient to ask questions;

Documentpresumably through a signed letter of agreementthat the patient has understood to what he or she is consenting.

Participants, says Rajasimha, raise their own objections to the informed consenting process. They tend to include:

A sense of compulsionthat this may be the only chance they have to see the doctor before making a decision;

A sense of being hurried to make a decision within a 15-min consultation;

Cultural humility and aspects such as language or religionhaving a faith, for example, which precludes their doing something on a seven-day-a-week schedule.

The best way to deal with these issues, suggests Rajasimha, is to use human-centric technology to resolve these objections. For both trial regulators and participants, the basic concerns are free information exchange and verificationboth parties understanding what has been toldand a way to resolve side issues.

With digital communication, he notes, prospective clinical trial participants can ask questions, discuss the trial with investigator team, to complete a proper informed consent remotely. Trial sponsors can translate background material, including educational videos, into as many languages as needed. Enabling participants to join a trial from any browser enabled device that they are already comfortable withsmartphone, tablet, or laptopcan also create better ties with the community.

Both sides need options, says Rajasimha. Clinical trial participants need to be able to get information from the comfort and safety of their own homes. Trial sponsors need to make the field of participants as diverse as possible, and at the same time they need to make sure theyre getting informed consent. Digital technologyparticularly bring your own device (BYOD)is the way to satisfy all stakeholder requirements.

In Other News

Dr. Rajasimha will be at the 40th Annual J.P. Morgan Health Care Conference, which is currently under way until this Thursday, Jan. 13. The conference, which is taking place in a virtual format, gathers global industry leaders, up-and-coming companies, innovators, and investors at the largest and most informative health care investment symposium in the healthcare and life sciences industry.(4)

The conference gives hundreds of companies the opportunity to connect with thousands of investors from around the world. Present at the event are companies representing the entire health care community, including pharmaceutical firms, health care service providers, medical device manufacturers, profit and non-profit health care companies, and others.(5)

About Jeeva Informatics

The personal experience of losing a child born with a rare disease and a brother with a chronic disease became the springboard for Dr. Harsha Rajasimha to apply his years of postdoctoral training at NIH and FDA to accelerating therapies for rare and common conditions. He knew that technology in itself is not the limiting factor and that patient-centered design guided by stakeholder needs and regulatory requirements would guide their continuous learning digital platform. By digitizing and automating manual repetitive tasks and reducing the logistical burdens on patients and study teams by over 70%, Jeeva accelerates the process of bringing new medicines or vaccines to patients who need them by over 3x faster. The Virginia-based companys modular software-as-a-service platform is fully scalable and facilitates patient enrollment, engagement, and evidence generation in clinical trials on any browser-enabled mobile device. Visit https://jeevatrials.com/

1. No Place like Home? Stepping up the Decentralization of Clinical Trials. McKinsey & Company, 28 July 2021, mckinsey.com/industries/life-sciences/our-insights/no-place-like-home-stepping-up-the-decentralization-of-clinical-trials.

2. Pietrzykowski, Tomasz, and Smilowska, Katarzyna. The Reality of Informed Consent: Empirical Studies on Patient Comprehension-Systematic Review - Trials. BioMed Central, 14 Jan. 2021, trialsjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13063-020-04969-w.

3. Informed Consent for Clinical Trials. U.S. Food and Drug Administration, fda.gov/patients/clinical-trials-what-patients-need-know/informed-consent-clinical-trials.

4. JP Morgan; About the 40th Annual J.P. Morgan Health Care Conference; Accessed 04 Jan 2022; jpmorgan.com/solutions/cib/insights/health-care-conference#about

5. Digital Health Today, Events; January 2022; Accessed 4 Jan 2022; digitalhealthtoday.com/events/jp-morgan-global-healthcare-conference/
Making AIOps-Driven Network Performance Management a Reality webinar

Enterprise Management Associates (EMA), a leading IT and data management research and consulting firm, today announced it will host a webinar titled Making AIOps-Driven Network Performance Management a Reality featuring Shamus McGillicuddy, vice president of research covering network management at EMA, Jeremy Hughes, offering manager of IBM's Reactive Platform, Jacob Yackenovich, program director of product management of IBM Cloud Pak, and Jason Carrier, senior product manager at SevOne.

When done right, AIOps has the potential to transform network performance management. New research from EMA found that 90% of network infrastructure and operations professionals believe AIOps-enabled network management can lead to better business outcomes. Unfortunately, only 30% believe they have been fully successful with using AIOPs for network management so far.

During this webinar, McGillicuddy, Hughes, Yackenovich, and Carrier will have an informative discussion on how professional can do better, as well as discuss:



The potential benefits of applying AIOps to network management

How IT teams are already succeeding with AI/ML in network performance management today

IBMs plan to transform network performance management by combining the power of IBM Watson AIOps and IBM SevOne Network Performance Management

The webinar is Wednesday, January 19 at 11:30 a.m. Eastern. Registration is available at: https://info.enterprisemanagement.com/making-aiops-driven-network-performance-management-a-reality-webinar-pr

About EMA

Founded in 1996, EMA is a leading industry analyst firm that specializes in providing deep insight across the full spectrum of IT and data management technologies. EMA analysts leverage a unique combination of practical experience, insight into industry best practices, and in-depth knowledge of current and planned vendor solutions to help their clients achieve their goals. Learn more about EMA research, analysis, and consulting services for enterprise line of business users, IT professionals and IT vendors at https://www.enterprisemanagement.com.
Ensono, a leading end-to-end managed services provider, today announced its acquisition of ExperSolve, a mainframe modernization company. The addition of ExperSolve further expands Ensonos mainframe optimization and modernization services.

Organizations running mainframe applications face obstacles to modernization, often due to a shortage of expert staff, complex dependencies, and outdated interfaces, to name a few. Depending on business and technical requirements, it may make sense to migrate the applications off the mainframe to a private or public cloud or modernize the application on the mainframe. ExperSolves capabilities help with either path.

ExperSolves proprietary software toolchain converts COBOL and other mainframe programming languages to modern languages such as Java and C#, so applications can be migrated off the mainframe onto private or public clouds. Clients can expect the following in their transformation journey:

 Application modernization assessments

 Application migration services

 Preservation of known business logic and processes

 Fully maintainable code

In addition, ExperSolve can optimize and modernize on the mainframe, by, for example, updating legacy databases to DB2 to optimize utilization and batch processing times. By modernizing on the mainframe, clients can extend their investment and ensure they are getting the most from their mainframe applications.

A key focus for Ensono is its clients digital preparedness and long-term success, which is why ExperSolve aligns well with Ensono, said ExperSolve Founder and President, Noah Ross, who takes on a new role as Managing Principal at Ensono. Both companies are dedicated to innovation that will help our clients meet their business outcomes and stay relevant in todays enterprise. We look forward to supporting Ensono clients by expanding its mainframe modernization services and capabilities.

Application modernization remains a bigger-picture and longer-term IT objective at many organizations, motivated by the promise of modern architectures and technologies to deliver performance, cost and efficiency benefits, said Liam Eagle, Research Director at 451 Research, part of S&P Global Market Intelligence, in a recent report. These efforts are driving cloud adoption and migration across enterprises as organizations see cloud platforms and their component services as a means of modernizing legacy applications.

ExperSolve will become ExperSolve, an Ensono company, retaining all current employees and leadership so they can continue to support and provide expertise for Ensonos mainframe modernization

services. ExperSolve will join Ensonos Advisory and Consulting Practice under Mainframe and Security Consulting.

Ensono is committed to being a relentless ally to our clients and meeting their needs for today while helping them prepare for the future, said Ensono Senior Vice President, Advisory and Consulting, Larry Goldberg. Our clients needs are evolving at an ever-growing pace and therefore our client sponsors want additional reliable choices that our Advisory and Consulting services can provide. Whether its modernizing applications so they can continue to be supported on existing infrastructure, or migrating them to a cloud platform, our goal is to have a robust set of end-to-end or lifecycle solutions that help our clients meet their business outcomes. ExperSolves proficiency in modernizing legacy applications is an impactful addition as we continue to provide our clients with lifecycle managed services, grow our mainframe modernization services and help clients get the right workloads on the right platform.

Financial terms for the deal were not disclosed. martinwolf acted as advisor to ExperSolve.

For more information about our mainframe consulting capabilities, visit https://www.ensono.com/services/advisory-consulting/mainframe-consulting/

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About Ensono

Ensono helps IT leaders be the catalyst for change by harnessing the power of hybrid cloud to transform their businesses. We empower clients in various industries to achieve business outcomes through purpose-built, workload-optimized technology solutions. Our expertise spans across all mission-critical platforms, from mainframe to cloud, so we can meet clients wherever they are in their digital transformation journeys, offering 24/7 support. We are certified experts in AWS, Azure and Google Cloud, and recognized as Microsoft Datacenter Transformation Partner of the Year. Ensono has over 2,700 associates around the world and is headquartered in greater Chicago. Visit us at http://www.ensono.com.

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1. Enterprises cite major modernization requirements, with strategies still to come  Highlights from VotE: Digital Pulse October 12 2021
Canadian River Bridge in Logan New Mexico - Winner ASBI Bridge Award of Excellence, Courtesy Jacobs Engineering Group and Malcolm International Epoxy Polymer Concrete, or EPC, has fast become the favored option for bridge deck repair and restoration projects, displacing legacy polyester options, but the Canadian River Bridge project demonstrated EPCs viability in new construction as well.

EPC, or Epoxy Polymer Concrete from E-Chem LLC has been utilized in a new construction project in New Mexico, and an impressive design at that.

In the summer of 2021, five outstanding examples of segmental concrete bridge construction were selected as recipients of the ASBI Award of Excellence. Projects were judged by the ASBI panel according to innovation of design and/or construction, rapidity of construction, aesthetics and/or harmonization with the surrounding environment, cost competitiveness, and minimization of construction impact on the traveling public. All concrete segmental or cable-supported bridges located within the 50 United States and completed between January 1, 2019 and August 1, 2021 were eligible, and International projects involving ASBI members were also given consideration.

This year, one of the five projects showcased in this prestigious awards presentation (held during the 2021 ASBI Convention in November) was the US 54 Canadian River Bridge Project south of Logan, New Mexico. The Canadian River Bridge is New Mexicos first cast-in-place segmental bridge, and the first bridge project where epoxy polymer concrete overlay was included in the design of a new construction project in the state. Epoxy Polymer Concrete, or EPC, has fast become the favored option for bridge deck repair and restoration projects, displacing legacy polyester options, but the Canadian River Bridge project demonstrated EPC's viability in new construction as well. The US 54 bridge deck will benefit from a waterproof deck surface that prevents chemical intrusion and boasts a surface life of 25 years, and additional benefits were recognized during the planning and construction of this award-winning structure.

Environmental awareness was at the center of this project, as the Canadian River, its surrounding wetlands, fish and wildlife were to be protected during the construction of this bridge. The choice to construct a segmental bridge to replace an aging steel desk truss bridge was made in part because construction could be completed almost entirely from above, limiting the necessity for work crews to traverse the delicate ecosystems in the valley below. The use of E-Chems EPC further limited environmental impact as the product contains no volatile organic compounds, or VOCs - chemicals harmful to humans and wildlife alike. Crews working on the CRB project could work unencumbered by the organic vapor respirators necessary when working around traditional polyester polymers, and no VOCs or HAPs (hazardous air pollutants, as categorized by the EPA and the Clean Air Act) were released during the installation of this deck.

Cost and speed to completion, qualifying factors considered by the judging panel, are always of importance to everyone involved in a project like this. Jacobs Engineering, Malcolm International and its subcontractors, the community of Logan, New Mexico, the New Mexico Department of Transportation and the drivers of the 6,500 or so vehicles that cross the bridge each day (3200 of which are heavy trucks) all had a vested interest in an on-time delivery. The 700-foot bridge, containing more than 500 tons of rebar and 3,300 cubic yards of concrete was completed in a timely fashion and opened for traffic in June of 2021. Again, the use of epoxy polymer concrete played a role. EPC, in contrast to its predecessor, is moisture insensitive (Surface Saturated Dry) and requires no bonding agent, leading to faster installation and lower incident of weather delays.

NMDOT, Jacobs Engineering and Malcolm International, and the myriad other contractors involved in the design and build of this exceptional infrastructure project are well deserving recipients of this award. E-Chem and its parent company Meridian Adhesives Group are honored to have played a role in the construction of the Canadian River Bridge, a structure that is bound to remain a pinnacle of American engineering and an enduring monument along the main corridor from Chicago to El Paso, just south of Logan, in the alluring desert of New Mexico.
"I am delighted to welcome Zuri to our growing team at EGF. His expertise in national security and US foreign policy...will help us better articulate US security interests in Asia and the world." - Allyn Summa, Eurasia Group Foundation Executive Director

The Eurasia Group Foundation (EGF) announced today that Dr. Zuri Linetsky has been hired as a research fellow. Based in Washington DC, Dr. Linetsky will conduct original research and analysis for EGFs Independent America project, exploring the advantages and policy implications of a less militarized US foreign policy. Dr. Linetsky has spent nearly a decade consulting for governmental and non-governmental organizations in conflict-affected and fragile regions, assessing the implementation of development and foreign aid programs. He will focus on US grand strategy and US foreign policy in Asia.

Allyn Summa, executive director, commented, I am delighted to welcome Zuri to our growing team at EGF. His expertise in national security and US foreign policy, as well as his first-hand knowledge as a practitioner having worked in conflict zones across the globe, will help us better articulate US security interests in Asia and the world, and more thoughtfully engage the complexities that surround great power competition.

Dr. Linetsky most recently worked at DevTech Systems, Inc. where he served as Director of Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, and Learning, and as Chief of Party when he spent six months in Nigeria assessing the impact of American aid programs across the country. Prior to DevTech, Dr. Linetsky worked at Social Impact, Inc. where he designed and led assessments of US programs in countries affected by fragility and conflict.

Dr. Linetskys experience evaluating the effectiveness of America-funded international aid, counterterrorism, countering violent extremism, and security cooperation programming in Africa, Asia, as well as Mexico and Central America has provided him with valuable insight into national security, resource allocation, and the implications of a militarized US foreign policy.

Im thrilled to join EGF, says Linetsky. I have spent my career studying the micro-level impacts of American grand strategy. I look forward to shifting my attention to the formulation of grand strategy itself. I hope to apply what I have learned in the field to informing a more nuanced discussion of the use of force in the pursuit of American national interests. Lessons Ive learned working throughout the global South will help me inform a thoughtful discussion of US foreign policy in Asia, as well.

Mark Hannah, a senior fellow at EGF who leads the Independent America project, also welcomed Mr. Linetsky: EGF has hired Zuri Linetsky at a turning point for US foreign policy. A broad and original thinker committed to empirical rigor and fresh ideas, Zuri is uniquely qualified to help EGF expand its impact and explore critical questions about Americas role in the world.

EGF is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization committed to helping people make meaning out of the impact geopolitics has on their lives and empowering them to get involved in the issues that matter to them most. EGF takes complex issues and ensures they are accessible to everyone through traditional and nontraditional media, including events and meetings, papers and presentations, videos, infographics, podcasts, and the full array of social media. http://www.egfound.org.
LISBON, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- At some 90 percent, Portugal has one of the highest COVID-19 vaccination rates in the world and public support remains strong for the government's drive to fully inoculate the population.

Unlike in other European countries, anti-vaccine protests are rare in Portugal and people generally accept, respect and follow the authorities' containment and health safety measures.

Pedro, a supplier of food products for restaurants, told Xinhua that he readily followed the recommendations of the scientists and the health authorities, and that is why he was preparing to take the booster vaccine dose.

However, he complained that the restrictions imposed by the government on the movement of people caused economic losses for the hospitality industry.

Roberta, who owns a restaurant in the city of Viseu, told Xinhua that she was vaccinated but remained skeptical.

She said that while the confinement has heavily penalized certain sectors, other businesses, such as the country's supermarkets and retailers, ended up benefiting from the "state of calamity" decree that has been in force in Portugal since Dec. 1, 2021.

In recent weeks, daily COVID-19 infections have soared to record highs and the sharp increase in hospitalizations continued to put enormous pressure on the country's healthcare system.

Last Sunday, Portugal registered 26,419 new cases, bringing the cumulative total since the start of the pandemic to more than 1.6 million. The day also saw 22 deaths, taking the count to 19,113. Currently, 1,449 patients require hospital treatment, 150 of them in intensive care units (ICUs).

According to health experts consulted by Xinhua, the vast majority of the severe COVID-19 cases and of those in ICUs either have not completed the two-dose vaccination course or have comorbidities.

The number of daily confirmed cases in children aged between five and 11 is also high, the health authorities said. The country has started to vaccinate this age group in recent weeks only.

"All hospitalized children are unvaccinated," said Maria Joao Brito, director of the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Unit at Hospital Dona Estefania in Lisbon.

She said that the vaccines are effective at protecting against "severe diseases and complications associated with COVID-19, such as pneumonia, MISC-C (Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome) or the infection of the central nervous system."

According to infectology specialist Jose Pocas, "even those who are vaccinated are not completely protected, but it is better to vaccinate to prevent an exponential increase of cases." 
Experiencing the suppression of important truthful information and suppression of healing practitioners that offer holistic approaches to health seekers and the need for people to know and understand that they need to protect their freedom to access what they need to survive and be always able to make decisions for their own body and health inspired Diane Miller, J.D. to write Health Freedom: The Greatest Freedom of All (published by iUniverse).

This book tells the story of how Miller got involved in the health freedom movement and the events that followed. It includes the story of helping to defend a Minnesota farmer, Herb Saunders, who was criminally charged for practice of medicine without a license when he offered colostrum from his dairy cows to sick people. And the story of a group of Minnesotans passing a law to provide a safe harbor criminal exemption for herbalists, homeopaths, farmers and many healers

This book also presents the Principles of Health Freedom and the many ways that laws impact and shape the health stories of regular people and why Miller believes that health freedom is essential and in need of protection as the world evolves into a technical age that impacts humans and Mother Earth.

This book comes at a critical time in the history of the world and all people are searching for answers about their rights and freedom and the role of government in our lives. It is a personal story of a leader at the same time it contains the legal principles of health freedom worthy of a text book, Miller says. When asked what she wants readers to take away from the book, she answers, That they themselves shape the laws and public policies in a country of the people, by the people, and for the people, and their participation is essential in helping to protect freedom and health. For more details about the book, please visit https://www.iuniverse.com/en/bookstore/bookdetails/816759-health-freedom

Health Freedom: The Greatest Freedom of All

By Diane Miller, J.D.

Softcover | 6 x 9in | 262 pages | ISBN 9781663220196

E-Book | 262 pages | ISBN 9781663220202

Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble

About the Author

Diane Miller, J.D., is the director of law and public policy for National Health Freedom Coalition and its sister lobbying organization, National Health Freedom Action, and a graduate of Hamline University School of Law and the College of Saint Teresa. As the co-moderator of the U.S. Health Freedom Congress and director, educator, lobbyist, and advocate for health freedom, she works to implement the principles of health freedom in all areas of health and law. She is also the author of The Principles of Health Freedom.

iUniverse, an Author Solutions, LLC, self-publishing imprint, is the leading book marketing, editorial services, and supported self-publishing provider. iUniverse recognizes excellence in book publishing through the Star, Rising Star and Editors Choice designationsself-publishings only such awards program. iUniverse is headquartered in Bloomington, Indiana. For more information or to publish a book, please visit iuniverse.com or call 1-800-AUTHORS.
FDU Provost Michael Avaltroni "Dr. Avaltroni is a well-respected and long-time colleague and leader in FDUs academic community, bringing to the Universitys top academic position an excellent record of academic achievement and program development," said FDU President Christopher A. Capuano.

Michael Avaltroni, who has been serving as dean of FDUs School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences for nearly a decade, has been named FDUs new University Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, effective January 1, 2022.

"Dr. Avaltroni is a well-respected and long-time colleague and leader in FDUs academic community, bringing to the Universitys top academic position an excellent record of academic achievement and program development, a comprehensive understanding of FDUs multifaceted university operations, and a wonderful reputation as a thoughtful and dynamic educator, administrator, and leader," said FDU President Christopher A. Capuano.

Avaltroni became the dean of FDUs School of Pharmacy  as it was then called  as it welcomed its first class in 2012. Since then, he has presided over the extraordinary development and growth of the school as it expanded its offerings, built its enrollment, earned prominent accreditations, and gained a stellar reputation in the process. Among his many achievements, Avaltroni oversaw several strategic planning processes including the development of new programs in health sciences, thereby necessitating the name change for the school to accurately describe its broader scope. Recently he led the creation of new programs in public health, physician assistant studies, occupational therapy, and social work. Avaltroni also played a pivotal role in establishing more than 250 partnerships with healthcare providers, corporate partners, and other organizations across the state and the region.

Fairleigh Dickinson University has been an integral part of my academic journey since my college experience, said Michael Avaltroni. I am proud and excited to be given this opportunity to lead the academic vision of our institution as we continue our path forward into what I believe will be a bright and encouraging future.

Avaltroni was one of the principal architects of the formation of the School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences as well, as he had earlier served as executive associate dean and associate dean for academic affairs for the school. He also served FDU as chairperson of the Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences earlier in his career.

A proud FDU alumnus, Avaltroni earned his BS in chemistry from FDU, and then earned an MA and PhD in chemistry from Princeton University.

About Fairleigh Dickinson University

Fairleigh Dickinson University offers over 100 undergraduate and graduate degree programs, including doctoral programs in pharmacy, nursing practice, clinical psychology and school psychology; and an AACSB-accredited business school. Degree programs are offered on two New Jersey campuses and at two international campuses: Wroxton College, in Oxfordshire in England, and the Vancouver Campus, in British Columbia, Canada. For more information, visit FDU.edu.
2022 Family Friendly Business Award Platinum Level Our employees are our greatest asset, and it is simply good business to take care of them as well as we possibly can, said Aimee Abby, Flow Sciences HR Manager.

Flow Science, Inc. has earned Platinum level distinction for its workplace policies by Family Friendly New Mexico, a statewide initiative recognizing employers that have adopted policies that give New Mexico businesses an advantage in recruiting and retaining the best employees. This is Flow Sciences sixth year in a row winning a Family Friendly New Mexico award and second year in a row at the Platinum level.

Flow Science is proud to receive Platinum recognition from Family Friendly New Mexico for the second year in a row. Our employees are our greatest asset, and it is simply good business to take care of them as well as we possibly can, said Aimee Abby, Flow Sciences HR Manager.

The Family Friendly New Mexico initiative offers training, support and resources to help businesses implement family friendly policies, provides recognition to businesses and organizations that offer family friendly benefits, and acts as a resource and clearinghouse of information for businesses and community leaders as they develop policies on issues such as paid family leave and childcare assistance.

As we grow the states economy, we have the opportunity to be a national leader in offering New Mexicans workplaces that help companies attract and keep the best workers, said Giovanna Rossi, founder and Director of Family Friendly New Mexico. Implementing family friendly policies can be a simple, concrete investment a company can make to ensure it can compete for highly qualified employees. Studies have shown that costs associated with creating family friendly benefits are more than made up for in improved productivity, employee morale and employee retention. We are happy to recognize Flow Science as a distinguished leader in implementing family friendly policies.

Flow Science offers its employees medical, dental and vision insurance plans employer-paid at 90%, flexible spending accounts, life and disability insurance, retirement and financial planning assistance, a 401(k) plan with generous employer matching contributions, vacation and sick pay, maternity and paternity leave, commuter benefit, training and education, and a wellness benefit. A new program implemented in 2021 encourages employee volunteerism and offers a charitable donation matching program.

Any New Mexico business is eligible to apply for the New Mexico Family Friendly Business Award. For a full list of family friendly policies and to learn more about the New Mexico Family Friendly initiative and see if your company qualifies, please visit http://www.nmfamilyfriendlybusiness.org/

About Flow Science, Inc.

Flow Science, Inc. is a privately held software company specializing in computational fluid dynamics software for industrial and scientific applications worldwide. Flow Science has distributors and technical support services for its FLOW-3D products in nations throughout the Americas, Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Australasia. Flow Science can be found online at https://www.flow3d.com. FLOW-3D is a registered trademark in the USA and other countries.
Working with such talented, smart people resulted in a seamless rollout of critical biometric cyber-security technology that will provide a foundation for the ambitious and progressive programs at FAB, and setting an example for the rest of the world.

Gulf Data International (gDi) has been a trusted MENA tech integrator and solutions provider for nearly 40 years. Now in partnership with biometrics technology leader FaceTec, gDi announces the launch of Liveness Detection and 3D Face Authentication software at First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB), after a successful rollout for the class-leading solution.

FAB has chosen gDi to integrate their digital security solution, which is powered by FaceTecs 3D Liveness Detection and 3D Face Matching software. The system provides unparalleled security during user onboarding, while providing an interface that is fast and intuitive for everyone, regardless of their device.

Sunil Dixit, Head of Digital Banking, Consumer Banking Group at FAB said, FAB consistently works to apply innovative technologies to deliver a simpler, more convenient and smarter customer experience, at every step in the banking relationship. FaceTec offers us a valuable tool towards achieving this objective, with their solution allowing us to conduct liveness checks quickly and seamlessly without the customer needing to do anything other than look into the camera. Their 3D matching capability is unique and is widely adopted by leading organizations worldwide, with local support through their channel partners. It was a pleasure for us to work with gDi on the implementation of this cutting-edge solution, which will enhance the overall experience customers have with us.

Based in Abu Dhabi, FAB is the UAEs largest bank and one of the worlds largest and most trusted financial institutions, offering an extensive range of personal solutions, products, and services that provide a tailored customer experience. The addition of 3D Liveness Detection and 3D Face Matching now provide unprecedented security while onboarding new users and verifying existing customers from any smart device. A two-second video selfie proves the users Liveness, matches the users 3D FaceMap to their official photo ID, and sets up their new account. Every time the user returns, the ongoing authentication checks again for Liveness and then compares their new 3D FaceMap to the one acquired during enrollment. If the correct user is present, they get instant access. All onboarding transactions are processed via the FAB platform Payit, which has now expanded to many other applications within the Banks portfolio.

The implementation of 3D Liveness Detection and 3D Face Matching has enabled higher levels of security for Payit, the UAEs first all-in-one digital wallet. Created by FAB, Payit was built with a vision to help the UAE evolve into a cashless society.

Omar Atta, gDis CCO, explains, This project was implemented together with our partner, FaceTec, who also helped us tailor the product to the specific requirements of the UAE market. The rollout was well prepared beforehand so that we were able to execute it entirely without delay. A quick and effective rollout has resulted in FAB expanding the solution through its network of bank-wide applications in Q4, 2021.

We are honored to be working with both gDi and FAB on such an important and forward-thinking project in the UAE, said Kevin Alan Tussy, CEO of FaceTec. Working with such talented, smart people resulted in a seamless rollout of critical biometric cyber-security technology that will provide a foundation for the ambitious and progressive programs at FAB, and setting an example for the rest of the world.

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About Gulf Data International

gDi is a pioneer in digital transformation and automating businesses in the MENA region since its establishment in the UAE in 1983. This IT solutions provider and systems integrator identifies advanced technology opportunities using AI and other emerging technologies for regional organizations in verticals like the public sector, banking, healthcare, and oil & gas, to better their functional capabilities. It delivers solutions in systems integration, enterprise resource planning, corporate performance management, and systems development. It also delivers vertical solutions in transport management, manufacturing, asset management, and waste management.

Having successfully implemented hundreds of projects all over the Middle East, their team of consultants, project managers, and developers are experienced professionals who combine a solid technology foundation with an in-depth understanding of business processes. gDi services are dedicated to 100% customer satisfaction. It does this through a series of full project life-cycle services including project management, planning, analysis, design, construction testing, deployment and post-deployment support.

For more information and business inquiries, please visit gdi-me.com. For inquiries, please contact gDi at gulfdata@gdi.ae

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About FaceTec

Founded in 2013, with staff in the United States, Brazil, Portugal, Mexico, and Singapore, FaceTec is the leading provider of 3D Face Verification and Authentication software. FaceTec's patented, industry-leading Certified 3D Liveness Detection, face matching, optical character recognition, Barcode/NFC Chip scanning, and age estimation technology binds a unique, live user to their digital accounts with a proprietary biometric modality, creating a secure chain of trust for mobile and web applications.

For more information and business inquiries, please visit FaceTec.com. For media inquiries, please contact John Wojewidka at JohnW@FaceTec.com.

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About FaceTec 3D Face Authentication

FaceTecs pioneering 3D Face Authentication is fast becoming the global standard in onboarding, KYC, and ongoing authentication, and stops ID fraud and unauthorized access for tens-of-millions of users on six continents for many of the worlds leading organizations in IAM-IDV, financial services, mobile payments, border security, connected transportation, blockchain, e-voting, online dating, and many more.

FaceTecs 3D Face Authentication Platform features:



100% software, for all modern smartphones, tablets, and PCs with webcams

World-leading 3D Face Matching rate of 1-in-12.8M FAR at less than 1-percent FRR

Patented UI generates data-rich 3D FaceMaps from standard 2D cameras

Unshareable, unphishable 3D FaceMaps ensure trust without creating a honeypot

IDV dashboard with integrated 1-to-N de-duplication & fraudulent user lists

World-leading 1-in-500,000 FAR 3D FaceMap-to-2D-photo-ID matching

Free anonymous age estimation and age checks with every 3D Liveness Check

Free 2D single-frame Liveness Checks for semi-supervised scenarios

Fast, intuitive interface with 98-99% first-time, real-world user success rates

Easy to integrate, customize, deploy, and manage

$100,000 Spoof Bounty Program + Levels 1 & 2 Certified Liveness Detection

Anyone can try the FaceTec Demo Apps at FaceTec.com for iOS, Android and any PC with a webcam, and free FaceTec Developer Accounts are available at dev.FaceTec.com.

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About Liveness.com

An educational resource for biometrics users, vendors, analysts, media, and regulators, Liveness.com provides a comprehensive history and explanation of Presentation Attack Detection, Camera Bypasses and Template Tampering, as well as methods and means for evaluation, certification testing, and bounty programs.

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About First Abu Dhabi Bank

FAB is the UAEs largest bank and one of the worlds largest and safest financial institutions. FABs vision is to create value for its employees, customers, shareholders and communities to grow stronger through differentiation, agility and innovation.

Headquartered in Abu Dhabi, the banks international network spans five continents, providing global relationships, expertise and financial strength to support local, regional and international businesses seeking to do business at home and abroad. FAB is a trusted adviser and regional partner to major institutions, emerging companies and individuals seeking to do business in the UAE, the MENA region and beyond. As an engine of growth for the region, it helps customers to thrive and grow stronger by managing risk, providing access to capital and facilitating trade flows across developed and emerging markets.
Gleim-Cambridge Partnership Were honored to be working with Cambridge Business Publishers. Together well positively impact the lives of accounting students and instructors. Lorie M. Gleim, CEO of Gleim Exam Prep

Gleim Exam Prep is excited to announce a partnership with Cambridge Business Publishers to provide students using their accounting textbooks access to Gleims CPA Exam review materials. This powerful combination of accounting leaders will help students gain a deeper understanding of accounting concepts while building the confidence needed to pass the CPA Exam.

Our goal is always to provide colleges and universities with the highest-quality accounting texts and resources, says George Werthman, President and Editor-in-Chief of Cambridge Business Publishers. The materials Gleim creates are best-in-class, and a partnership between Cambridge Business Publishers and Gleim means great things for our instructor and student customers.

Research indicates that students who use CPA test prep materials in college are significantly more likely to pass the CPA Exam on their first attempt. Combining Cambridge texts with Gleim questions and task-based simulations allows students to enhance their understanding of accounting. This increased accounting knowledge translates to success on the CPA Exam and beyond.

Gleim was founded by my father, who was first and foremost an accounting professor. We have always maintained an academic focus with deep ties to educators and students, said Lorie M. Gleim, CEO of Gleim Exam Prep. Were honored to be working with Cambridge Business Publishers. Together well positively impact the lives of accounting students and instructors.

In collaboration with Gleim, Cambridge Business Publishers will also provide professors with preassembled exams formatted to reflect the actual Prometric CPA Exam testing experience. This unique tool will allow professors to simultaneously assess their students while helping them gain comfort with the exam environment.

About Gleim Exam Prep

Gleim creates online self-study courses for accounting certification exams, including the CPA, CMA, CIA, and EA. For 45+ years, Gleims mission has been to maximize knowledge transfer while minimizing customers time, frustration, and cost. With their proven system of success, Gleim Exam Prep has helped millions of candidates earn passing scores.

About Cambridge Business Publishers

Cambridge Business Publishers is a publisher committed to developing premium classroom resources for accounting markets at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. The company provides the highest-quality, contemporary teaching and learning resources in both traditional and electronic formats.


Elizabeth Ross Hadley, a shareholder in the Government Law & Policy and Litigation Practices of global law firm Greenberg Traurig, LLP in Austin, has been elected president of the Dress for Success (DFS) Austin board.

Having been involved with DFS for over a decade, I have seen the impact it has made on the lives of the thousands of women served, Hadley said. It is truly an honor to be entrusted as the next president of the DFS Austin board and I look forward to working closely with all the board members.

A member of the DFS Austin board since 2013, and a volunteer since 2010, Hadley will serve a year-long term as president. In this role, Hadley will be responsible for advancing and supporting the DFS mission.

"Dress for Success Austin is fortunate that Elizabeth has been a long-time supporter of our nonprofit. Elizabeth is a great ambassador of ours in the Austin community and her leadership as board chair will be invaluable," Mia Johns, executive director of Dress for Success Austin, said.

DFS Austins mission is to help women+ thrive in work and life and achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, development tools, and professional attire, according to its website. Since 2003, DFS Austin has served over 17,000 women+ in Central Texas through referrals from 100+ non-profit and government agencies.

Hadley's government practice includes representing clients with legislative, regulatory, and administrative issues across all policy areas with an emphasis on insurance regulation, economic development, technology, health care, education, the Texas Public Information Act, and campaign finance compliance in Texas. She has an intimate understanding of legislative and government agency processes given her prior experience working within the U.S. Senate, the Texas State Senate, and the Texas Department of Agriculture. Hadley also practices civil litigation in Texas and Mississippi for a number of clients across various subject matters.

About Greenberg Traurig, LLP  Texas: Texas is important to Greenberg Traurig, LLP and part of its history. With approximately 130 Texas lawyers in Austin, Dallas, and Houston, Greenberg Traurig has deep roots in the Texas business, legal, and governmental communities. Greenberg Traurig Texas works with clients to address their interdisciplinary legal needs across the state utilizing the firms global platform. The Texas attorneys are experienced in industries key to the states future, including: aviation, chemicals, construction, education, energy and natural resources, financial institutions, health care, hedge funds, hospitality, infrastructure, insurance, media, medical devices, pharmaceutical and biotechnology, real estate, retail, sports, technology and software, telecommunications, transportation, and video games and esports.

About Greenberg Traurig: Greenberg Traurig, LLP (GT) has approximately 2,300 attorneys in 40 locations in the United States, Latin America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. GT has been recognized for its philanthropic giving, diversity, and innovation, and is consistently among the largest firms in the U.S. on the Law360 400 and among the Top 25 on the Am Law Global 100. The firm is net carbon neutral with respect to its office energy usage and Mansfield Rule 4.0 Certified Plus. Web: http://www.gtlaw.com


The merits of blockchain technology impact space research positively. HashCashs continued dedication to innovation and excellence has resulted in a strategic partnership with a Swiss space research organization.

Global blockchain development company HashCash Consultants is delighted to announce its latest collaboration in space research with a renowned Swiss organization. The US-based company would be contributing its technical expertise towards the construction of Tracking and Data Relay Satellite(TDRS) connections.

TDRS are essential communication tools from the earths surface to the orbiting satellites, providing crucial information in real-time through relay links. The information transfer method, similar to a relay race, is greatly optimized with the incorporation of blockchain technology.

HashCash CEO and noted blockchain pioneer Raj Chowdhury has been vocal on blockchains increasing presence in the space research industry, stating, The merits of blockchain technology impacts space research positively. HashCashs continued dedication to innovation and excellence has resulted in a strategic partnership with a Swiss space research organization.

Smart contracts and other blockchain protocols can facilitate transactions by transforming space commodities into digital assets. The provision of additional intelligence to space shuttles will propel newer conceptual designs towards the effective utilization of blockchain technology.

A global frontrunner in blockchain innovations, HashCash-designed products and solutions are used in more than 26 nations worldwide. The blockchain development company won the top honors in an international list compiled by a global business services review firm. The company has a prominent presence in space research, having recently partnered with US Space Research corporations for the development of a virtual Space Commodities Exchange and blockchain-powered Orbital Asset Tokenization.

Blockchain, without a doubt, will become one of the most important technological innovations within a few years. The scope of implementation is too great, and the volume of returns will keep attracting new businesses and investors towards blockchain, time and again, mentioned Chowdhury.

Firmly rooted in innovation and blockchain incorporation, HashCash continues to move forward setting trends in balancing space research and practical technology applications.



About HashCash Consultants:

HashCash is a global software company. HashCash Blockchain products enable enterprises to move assets and settle payments across borders in real-time for Remittances, Trade Finance, Payment Processing, and more. HashCash runs a US-based digital asset exchange, PayBito & digital asset payment processor, BillBitcoins. HashCash offers custom crypto exchange and payment processor software solutions, ICO services, and customized use cases. HashCash propels advancement in technology through Blockchain1o1 programs and its investment arm, Satoshi Angels. HashCash offers solutions in AI, Big Data, and IoT through its platforms, products & services. HashCash solves the toughest challenges by executing innovative digital transformation strategies for clients around the world.
"We are pleased to add David to the team as we take the next step in our evolution. This was a real market opportunity for us and puts HYPERAMS in a position to continue its rapid growth trajectory." - Tom Pabst, HYPERAMS President

HYPERAMS, LLC announces that Buffalo, NY based Blackbird Asset Services, LLC will be merging its operation with HYPERAMS effective immediately. Blackbird Managing Director David Fiegel will assume the role of Managing Director of Auction Services and manage all facets of HYPERAMS auction operations.

David joins the team with extensive experience in the auction/liquidation industry as an auctioneer, appraiser, and asset consultant, specializing in industrial machinery, equipment and plant infrastructure. Since its inception, David has grown Blackbird into a respected industry stalwart, and the combination of these two operations will make for a dynamic auction team. In addition to new business development, David will manage the day-to-day activities of the Industrial Disposition division, including due diligence valuation, set up, marketing and both live and online auction functions. More significantly, David will add real estate auction services to the HYPERAMS platform, allowing a new level of turn-key services for our clients. David holds real estate broker and auctioneer licenses in multiple states, is a certified appraiser as designated by the Association of Machinery and Equipment Appraisers (AMEA), and is a member of the National Auctioneers Association (NAA), Turnaround Management Association (TMA), and American Bankruptcy Institute (ABI). David serves on the board of directors of the Industrial Auctioneers Association (IAA) as well as the Upstate NY chapter of the TMA. Blackbird is a member of the Machinery Dealers National Association (MDNA).

Tom Pabst, President of HYPERAMS said, We are pleased to add David to the team as we take the next step in our evolution. This was a real market opportunity for us and puts HYPERAMS in a position to continue its rapid growth trajectory, not only in talent but adding new markets in Upstate New York and Northeast USA. David brings over 30 years of experience in the auction business, from having worked for some of the largest auction firms in the industry to launching and growing Blackbird over the past 11 years. It is this entrepreneurial spirit, along with decades of practical experience, that make him such a great addition to the team.

Merging the Blackbird brand and team with HYPERAMS makes sense on so many levels, said Fiegel. The HYPERAMS backbone and Midwest headquarters opens new markets for us, along with adding enormous bench strength in the appraisal division. Were all very excited with what comes next in the collective firms evolution.

HYPERAMS Senior Managing Director of Appraisal Services Jonathan Deptula added that David brings an abundance of both auction and appraisal experience to our team, and we are excited to add Blackbirds clients to our growing appraisal practice.

About HYPERAMS, LLC

HYPERAMS is a full-service auction, appraisal, retail advisory and liquidation, and reverse logistics firm. The Company specializes in assisting both distressed and healthy companies manage surplus assets by providing clients with a complete asset disposition strategy. The Asset Disposition division focuses on investing in excess assets and conducting live and webcast auctions. The Appraisal division provides valuations of machinery, equipment, and inventory in most industry verticals. Since its inception, HYPERAMS has performed thousands of appraisals, auctions, and store closings on behalf of financial institutions, restructuring/turnaround professionals, private equity firms, as well as business owners.

About Blackbird Asset Services, LLC

Williamsville, NY based Blackbird Asset Services, LLC is a boutique action and valuation firm providing asset recovery solutions and certified appraisals to asset-based lenders and legal professionals nationwide.
InHome Therapy is the first Home Therapy as a Service (HTaaS) solution in the market and is on a mission to solve the increasing therapy and staffing needs of a booming home health industry by becoming an employer of choice for therapists. The brand has successfully been able to provide pristine care by positioning itself as an attractive option for therapists, providing talent with a community, training and resources to gain confidence and excel their careers.

While many traditional staffing companies operate as transactional brokers, InHome Therapys HTaaS model allows agencies to engage highly qualified and motivated home-health therapists to deliver services in the home. Not trying to compete and already standing out from the competition, InHome Therapy takes complete ownership and pride in the at-home model of therapy it offers and does not see the interaction as transactional, but rather an ongoing relationship between a patient and a therapist.

InHome Therapy CEO Matt Murphy, a former officer in the Navy, made his civilian career as a healthcare services attorney, then into senior care businesses, most recently at a prominent national senior care franchise as president and CEO.

Im bringing the most from my experience in senior care, and its the reason that I partnered with the private equity firm NewSpring Healthcare to find this opportunity in home health, stated Murphy. I really recognized that home health is the preferred setting for everyone associated with healthcare services. Everybody wants to do it, but the reality of it is, it's complicated because peoples lives are at stake. What I learned is that the vagaries of people's lives has defined care at home differently for just about every patient.

The company leaders  Murphy and his team of Kristie Kamps, Clinical Director; Sarah Peterman, Director of Marketing; Meaghan Chitwood, Chief Operating Officer; Therese Williams, Chief Talent Strategy Officer; Rick Anglin, Corporate Development Officer and Dave Connor, Chief Financial Officer  identified that being in the home-health industry, they knew they would have to be the solution as the direct agency provider in solving the labor shortage by helping solve it for customers.

The labor shortage is going to be a prevailing factor, Murphy said. It's not just an issue today; it's going to be the issue for the next five or 10 years. We knew we were going to have to figure out how to help the labor shortage for our customers, and we welcome the opportunity to be a difference maker.

InHome Therapy recognizes the value of the work these professionals do day-to-day and sees the importance of building a community for them. While the office is not in-person, there is a strong, thriving online community for the InHome therapists to communicate with each other. This fosters camaraderie and brand unity. The brand roughly has 300 therapists currently across the four states of Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Illinois and Florida and is now looking to grow into the states of New Jersey, Indiana, South Carolina and California.

Murphy remarked that the best care starts by providing the companys therapists with the tools, support and flexibility they need to deliver the best care possible. The physical, occupational and speech therapists who join InHome Therapy are forging the path to a healthier future under Murphy and his teams guidance to take the burden of finding the right people at the right time and place out of the picture. The brand leverages its unmatched systems, processes and tools to unlock a new approach for delivering sustainable and measurable results to home therapy patient care, ensuring the world can move easier and live better.

The company was built by some of the top therapists in the country who are intimately familiar with the scope and importance of their work. Now, this therapist-centric brand is recognized for providing best-in-industry care support for not only hiring top therapists but supporting them to advance their careers.

InHome Therapy is more than just therapy in the home, Chitwood said. What we're trying to do is flip the model. Instead of us posting jobs, were trying to know and build relationships with as many therapists as possible. By doing this, when we have a need in a given location, we can simply reach out and say, Here's what's available, is anybody interested?

Chitwood noted that InHome Therapy realizes the heroism in the work of the therapist and has identified any challenges they may face to set these professionals up to be as successful as possible. In particular, she stated that the brand begins by identifying where therapists are in their career path and seeing if the InHome community may be a right fit. For example, a therapist just out of college may value the experience and training to develop confidence in the field. Or, on the contrary, a veteran therapist may have reached a place in their career where they wish to give back and they desire a more flexible schedule.

The company is taking strides to ensure it builds relationships with the best practitioners, offering a number of lucrative incentives to join.

We look at how we can build these relationships with individuals because our goal line and our capability of being able to grow really comes down to the facet of therapists having a very positive attitude about the brand and seeing it as a stepping stone up for who they are, said Chitwood. One thing we will be doing is offering continuing education credits for free to the therapist community  something they usually have to pay for. The therapists need to feel like they have what they need to live their passion. 

When forming InHome Therapy, Murphy says he considered that many therapists want the stepping stone aspect of their career  they want an environment to grow, learn and really focus on several different types of patients and become great at what they do. Murphy therefore wanted to find a way to not only attract, but retain these highly trained professionals to make an impact and develop the repertoire of the InHome Therapy brand. This was done by making the training simple and eliminating the tedious, unnecessary processes such as the clipboard of paperwork before each session. InHome Therapy allows therapists to conduct therapy sessions without the hassle of paperwork and data entry.

Chitwood says InHome Therapys model is a home-run for therapists by eliminating the stress of the profession and simply allowing them to do their jobs.

We keep therapists because they are passionate, and that is because we realigned a profession where therapists were so caught up in daily stressors. We eliminated their burdens and brought back their ultimate purpose and passion: healing others, Chitwood said.

As InHome Therapy grows into new states, it is actively seeking new therapist partners who align with its mission to redefine how care is delivered to clients.

"We're proud to have partnered with some of the most talented and passionate professionals in this industry, and we can't wait to build on that momentum as we continue to grow, Murphy said. As the first HTaaS solution in the market, theres a lot of ground to cover on this new frontier of healthcare  and were excited to do it with some of the most talented professionals who genuinely care about our grassroots mission and wish to grow in their field.

About InHome Therapy

InHome Therapy leverages its unmatched systems, processes, and tools to unlock a new approach for delivering sustainable and measurable results to home therapy patient care, ensuring the world can move easier and live better. Today InHome Therapy employs over 300 therapists and has completed over 2 million patient visits in key locations across the country, utilizing powerful and easy-to-use tools and training that allow therapists to continuously deliver optimal care. For more information, visit http://www.inhometherapy.com
The InsightFinder leadership team takes a break at North Carolina State University's Centennial Campus. "It's always a great feeling when you finish a year strong, but this year I'm particularly thrilled at how the InsightFinder team kept focused throughout 2021 to put our customers and innovation first, directly leading to these fantastic results," said Helen Gu, founder and CEO of InsightFinder.

InsightFinder, the leading AIOps platform for anomaly detection and incident prediction, today announced that the company posted record results in 2021 across multiple domains, including a tripling of Annually Recurring Revenue (ARR). Building on a strong 2020, the company was able to maintain its full slate of customers with zero churn.

"It's always a great feeling when you finish a year strong, but this year I'm particularly thrilled at how the InsightFinder team kept focused throughout 2021 to put our customers and innovation first, directly leading to these fantastic results," said Helen Gu, founder and CEO of InsightFinder. "InsightFinder's leading AIOps Platform continues to help organizations of all sizes find ways to optimize their technology investments, from infrastructure to application management."

InsightFinders extreme focus on customer success, along with its innovative platform, led to companies like Dell, Credit Suisse, and China Mobile increasing their investment in the platform. In fact, InsightFinder achieved a 100% renewal rate from existing customers, in addition to contracts from new organizations including a leading American card payment service company and NTT Data, a leading Japanese multinational information technology service company.

The year also saw the company build strong new partnerships with Sentry and Google Cloud, based in part on the rising market demand for more comprehensive AIOps platforms. These partnerships include direct integration between applicable products to help mutual customers achieve more efficient and better performing IT systems. Specifically, Sentrys error monitoring solution can now push alerts to InsightFinder for anomaly detection, prioritization and prediction alongside other sources of metrics, logs, traces and change events. Building on the Google partnership, InsightFinder is now available in the Google Cloud Marketplace and is pre-integrated with Googles suite of cloud services.

To meet growing demand for its AIOps solution, InsightFinder continues to add talent to its leadership team. The company welcomed industry veteran John Whittington as Chief Revenue Officer plus sales leader Jason Girardi and lead pre-sales engineer John Lindley. Whittington joined the company most recently from StrongKey having spent time previously at organizations like Wily Technology. Girardi and Lindley both joined InsightFinder from ScienceLogic.

In recognition of InsightFinders continued commitment to innovation, InsightFinder was awarded an NSF Small Business and Innovation grant, focused on the companys industry-leading self-supervised machine learning technology and auto remediation throughout 2022. The company was also named Most Backable in the VCIC annual Venture Capital competition.

Unlike alternative solutions, InsightFinder uses unsupervised machine learning algorithms to drive its AIOps analysis, prediction and health monitoring capabilities. The patented technology behind InsightFinder helps IT organizations of all sizes get a better understanding of their full environment, helping them prioritize incidents, while predicting and preventing future outages and service incidents.

In 2021, the company delivered a set of new capabilities across the award-winning AIOps platform including the new Root Cause Analysis Focus and Incident Prediction Knowledge Base features. Both features make it easier for ops teams to achieve near zero downtime with faster analysis and deeper insights into the root cause of operational incidents. Learn more about InsightFinders AIOps Platform at https://insightfinder.com.

ABOUT INSIGHTFINDER

InsightFinder is the provider of the worlds first AIOps platform completely built on unsupervised machine learning technology. Founded by renowned machine learning and distributed system expert Dr. Helen Gu, InsightFinder analyzes data streams to detect anomalies, predict incidents and automate root cause analysis, helping organizations of all sizes automate data analysis from all their data streams including observability, infrastructure, cloud and business data sets. Learn more about InsightFinder and the Unified Intelligence Engine at https://insightfinder.com.
COPENHAGEN, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- World Health Organization (WHO) European Regional Director Hans Kluge warned on Tuesday that the Omicron variant could become more prevalent in Europe as the "tidal wave" of infections spreads eastward.

"I am also deeply concerned that as the variant moves east, we have yet to see its full impact in countries where levels of vaccination uptake are lower. We will see more severe disease in the unvaccinated," said Kluge.

According to him, the Omicron variant, now spreading into the Balkans, is already present in 50 of the 53 countries in the region spanning Europe and Central Asia.

"At this rate, the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) forecasts that more than 50 percent of the population in the Region will be infected with Omicron in the next 6 to 8 weeks," said Kluge.

Kluge said the hospitalizations were rising due to the unprecedented scale of transmissions in the region.

To better manage the coronavirus's destructive impact on health services, economies, and societies, Kluge called for practical actions, including acting immediately and planning for contingencies, and prioritizing response systems during the "closing window of opportunity."

He also emphasized the importance of protecting the vulnerable and "minimizing disruption to health systems and essential services."

The WHO official also urged schools to remain open.

"Keeping schools open benefits children's mental, social, and educational well-being significantly. School buildings should be the last to close and the first to reopen," Kluge stated.

Additionally, Kluge outlined his five pandemic stabilizing mantras: vaccination, third doses or boosters, increased mask use, ventilation of crowded or enclosed spaces, and the continued use of new clinical protocols to guide the response to Delta or Omicron.

And the WHO Europe also said it's "way off" from treating the COVID-19 as endemic.

"We're still a way off. Endemicity assumes, first of all, a stable circulation of the virus at predictable levels and potentially known and predictable waves of epidemic transmission," said Catherine Smallwood, Senior Emergency Services Officer at WHO Europe, when asked about opinion on Spain's recent request to the European Union to discuss the possibility of COVID-19 being classified as an endemic illness, similar to the flu or malaria, which is always present in a particular population or region.

"What we're seeing at the moment coming into 2022 is nowhere near that... We still have a virus that's evolving quite quickly and posing quite new challenges... and there's still a lot of unpredictability, " she said. 
Brian Liedberg, Chief Business Officer at TradAir, said, Were delighted to be partnering with BlockQuake, extending our solutions to benefit IONs customers."

ION, a global provider of trading, clearing, analytics, treasury, and risk management solutions for capital markets, commodities, and treasury management, today announces that one of its group companies, TradAir, has partnered with BlockQuake, a global regulatory-driven cryptocurrency and digital asset exchange, to improve seamless liquidity integration.

As a leading provider of liquidity integration technology with roots in traditional finance, TradAir brings sector expertise to the cryptocurrency space. Through this partnership, BlockQuake will further its vision for merging cryptocurrency and blockchain with traditional financial services. This alliance will allow markets to operate in parallel and communicate with one another, improving efficiencies so traders can benefit from a wider selection of assets.

The partnership will give TradAir and BlockQuakes top global regulated liquidity providers an improved, seamless, overall liquidity integration. Customers will be offered deeper liquidity and better pricing thanks to the alignment of market makers and liquidity providers in the digital asset space. This depth of liquidity will allow trades of all sizes to be executed.

BlockQuake is on the path to become a one-stop-shop with multiple fiat gateways into and out of various cryptocurrencies and stablecoins, said Antonio Brasse, CEO and Co-Founder of BlockQuake. Through this partnership, we will tap into a wider customer base and not only be able to service retail clients globally but also institutions, family offices, and other entities interested in transacting high volumes. I look forward to this alliance as it will enhance overall liquidity integration, creating a better user experience and ultimately, drive greater adoption into the industry.

Brian Liedberg, Chief Business Officer at TradAir, added: Were delighted to be partnering with BlockQuake, extending our solutions to benefit IONs customers. Through this partnership, BlockQuake will be able to provide deeper liquidity and better pricing to its customers while TradAir will benefit from interfacing with a new powerful exchange geared to the trading and investing community.

About ION Group

ION Group provides mission-critical trading and workflow automation software, high-value analytics and insights, and strategic consulting to financial institutions, central banks, governments, and corporates. Our solutions and services simplify complex processes, boost efficiency, and enable better decision-making. We build long-term partnerships with our clients, helping transform their business for sustained success through continuous innovation. For more information, visit https://iongroup.com/.

About ION Markets

ION Markets provides transformative technology and solutions to financial institutions dealing in equities, fixed income, foreign exchange, cleared derivatives and secured funding. Our award-winning end-to-end solutions simplify clients operations by automating the full trade lifecycle, providing tools to manage risk, and maximizing access to liquidity, while giving real-time access to critical information required for timely operational decisions and execution on a global scale. For more information, visit https://iongroup.com/markets/.

About TradAir

TradAir is a provider of end-to-end front office trading solutions, designed to offer financial institutions the ability to enhance their client relationships and participation in the FX, CFD, and Crypto global markets. TradAir provides an end-to-end cloud native infrastructure from liquidity optimization, price generations, dynamic distribution, and White Label to aggregation and execution optimization. An underlining analytics layer provides support for business intelligence and regulatory compliance. For more information, visit http://www.tradair.com.

About BlockQuake

New York City FinTech startup BlockQuake is a regulatory-driven, digital asset platform that offers USD onramps and major cryptocurrencies and stable coins that include BTC, ETH, LTC, and USDT, representing approximately 75% of the existing markets. Traders from over 140 countries can use their credit or debit card to deposit funds into their exchange account. Created by a team with over 100 years of collective experience in blue-chip financial services, the BlockQuake Exchange aims to set the industry-standard in global compliance. For more information, visit https://www.blockquake.com/.
This global forum brings together industry leaders, experts, and peers to share how they collaborated during a global crisissomething uncommon prior to the COVID era, said Jeffrey Biskup, PE, CEO and Chairman of the Board, CRB, and Chair of the 2022 ISPE Facilities of the Future Conference.

The International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering (ISPE) announced experts from leading pharmaceutical manufacturing organizations and agencies, including BioNTech, Catalent Pharma Solutions, CDER/FDA, Gilead Sciences, Inc., Merck, Nephron Pharmaceuticals, and The White House, will convene for the 2022 ISPE Facilities of the Future Conference. Taking place on 12 February in North Bethesda, Maryland, leaders will share insights and lead panel discussions on the impact of COVID-19 and applications of future manufacturing operations and the facilities required to produce products that are safe, cost-effective, and meet the needs of patients.

Speed to market is often a primary consideration for most innovative products in the pharmaceutical portfolios for most companies, and the pandemic has placed additional emphasis on speed to market. Therefore, facility design, flexibility, and project execution approaches that enable speed to market while following regulatory standards will be explored.

This unique global forum brings together industry leaders, experts, and peers to share how they collaborated during a global crisissomething that had been very uncommon prior to the COVID era, said Jeffrey Biskup, PE, CEO and Chairman of the Board, CRB, and Chair of the 2022 ISPE Facilities of the Future Conference. Speakers will share examples of corporate collaborations, lessons learned, and how COVID motivated relationship changes in pharmaceutical manufacturing of the future. This event is a great opportunity to hear these companies tell their stories, share learnings and describe how relationships with competitors and peers have changed long term.

Featured Speakers:



John Chiminski, Chair & CEO, Catalent Pharma Solutions

Rick Friedman, Deputy Director, Office of Manufacturing Quality, CDER/FDA

Joydeep Ganguly, Senior Vice President, Corporate Operations, Gilead Sciences, Inc.

Oliver Hennig, Senior Vice President, Operations, BioNTech

Matthew Hepburn, MD, Senior Advisor to the Director, Pandemic Prevention, U.S. Office of Science and Technology Policy, Executive Office of the President

Lou Kennedy, CEO and Owner, Nephron Pharmaceuticals

James Stephanou, Vice President, Global Engineering Solutions, Merck

Featuring technical presentations from regulatory authorities and industry leaders already planning and building facilities of the future, the 2022 ISPE Facilities of the Future Conference will explore other topics such as the of patient-specific cell and gene therapy facilities, new developments in the use of artificial intelligence, and innovations in treatment and the transforming technologies that produce them.

To ensure this experience is accessible to all, this will be a hybrid event with virtual componentsdelivering thought-provoking learning and global networking opportunities whether attendees choose to join us in-person or virtually.

Explore the agenda and register at ISPE.org/FOF22.

About ISPE

The International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering (ISPE) is a not-for-profit association serving its Members through leading scientific, technical, and regulatory advancement across the entire pharmaceutical lifecycle. The 18,000 Members of ISPE are building solutions in the development and manufacture of safe, effective pharmaceutical and biologic medicines, and medical delivery devices in more than 90 countries around the world. Founded in 1980, ISPE has its worldwide headquarters and training center in North Bethesda, Maryland, USA, and its operations center in Tampa, Florida, USA. Visit ISPE.org for more information.
JPMA 60th Anniversary Over six decades, weve witnessed an incredible shift toward supporting families so they can enjoy this special phase of life and fully integrate baby into more aspects of life. Innovative, safe products help make that possible, said Kelly Mariotti, executive director of JPMA.

This year, the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) marks its 60th year of helping protect future generations by advancing the availability and safety of products used to care for babies and young children.

JPMA was founded in 1962 by a group of manufacturers in response to a 1959 government-imposed tax that threatened the car seat industry, a relatively new category at that time. Since then, JPMA has been at the center of some of the most critical and now widely supported product safety advances in our nations history, as well as a cultural shift in how we meet the unique needs of infants and celebrate family life.

When we look back at JPMAs formation in the 1960s, this was really an emerging industry. Most baby products that are considered essential for new parents today were incredibly innovative for their time, and often considered a convenience rather than a safety imperative, said Kelly Mariotti, executive director of JPMA. Over six decades, weve witnessed an incredible shift toward supporting families so they can enjoy this special phase of life and fully integrate baby into more aspects of life. Innovative, safe products help make that possible.

With just a small number of companies in the founding cohort, today JPMA has grown to represent 95 percent of the prenatal to preschool industry in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. These companies manufacture, import and distribute infant products such as cribs, car seats, strollers, and play yards.

Many of the baby products that ease caring for children from birth to pre-school today didnt exist 60 years ago. Early versions of now core categories, like car seats, strollers and cribs, were growing in popularity. Modern parent favorites like carriers, monitors and even general safeguarding products were still decades away, as were laws requiring car seats and modern guidance on safe sleep.

Our industry listens closely to caregivers to understand how they use existing products and unmet needs where an innovative product could improve baby safety, added Mariotti. Car seats, cribs and other baby products have saved thousands of lives in the last half-century, and our industry continues to work to make them easier for parents to use and safer for babies.

In its ongoing quest to better serve manufacturers and parents, JPMA established a voluntary product certification program in 1976. It works closely with parents, manufacturers and representatives from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and is active in the ASTM International process to test and develop standards for juvenile products. Today, more than 2,500 products in 30 categories have been JPMA Certified. Parents can look for the JPMA Certified seal, which confirms a product meets all government standards and has been further tested at an independent lab to verify it meets the highest standards for safety and functionality.

To serve its purpose of supporting the juvenile products industry while promoting childrens safety, JPMA serves as a resource to both parents and companies through ongoing efforts, including:



Baby Safety Month  Founded by JPMA in 1982 and recognized each September in the U.S. and abroad, Baby Safety Month helps increase awareness of the unique safety needs of babies and young children and serves to educate parents and caregivers on the safe selection and use of baby products.

The JPMA Summit  Hosted annually by JPMA, the Summit serves as an opportunity for members, manufacturers, government entities and media to come together in a joint forum to discuss the most pressing challenges and opportunities within the industry and to identify ways to better support the communities they serve.

JPMA Innovation Awards  Held annually since 1989, the JPMA Innovation Awards recognize the most innovative and noteworthy new childrens products in the industry making caring for baby safer and easier than ever before. Since the programs inception, JPMA has awarded titles to products across many categories, including the coveted "Most Innovative" title to more than 300 companies.

JPMA Cares - Founded by JPMA in 2021, JPMA Cares is an industry-based charitable foundation that contributes to the long-term success of babies and young children by reducing barriers to healthy development, ensuring fundamental needs are met, and promoting a safe and nurturing environment to learn and grow. More can be learned about JPMA Cares and its initiatives at jpmacares.org.

To learn more about innovative baby products to ease your parenting journey, baby safety tips, car seat installation resources and more on the history of the juvenile products industry, visit jpma.org.

*About the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA)*

The Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) is the voice of the industry on quality and safety for baby and children's products in North America. We work to advance the interests of manufacturers, parents, children and the industry at large by advocating for safety through product certification programs and legislative and regulatory involvement. We support our broad and diverse membership through member-only programming and industry promotion, and we act as a comprehensive source for baby product information and education. Established in 1962, this year JPMA marks its 60th year of helping protect future generations by advancing the availability and safety of products used to care for babies and young children.


Kyli Cotten joins Kasier Hafezi Law, 2022. She aspires to utilize her legal capabilities to advocate for those who have been injured in serious accidents, as well as further develop her litigation craft alongside the other skilled attorneys at Kaiser Hafezi Law.

Kaiser Hafezi Law, located in Bensenville, Illinois, is a well-regarded legal practice focusing on personal injury matters. The firm is excited to welcome Associate Attorney Kyli Cotten as the newest member of its practice. An eager and energetic lawyer, Ms. Cotten is a well-suited addition to the Kaiser Hafezi Law team.

Ms. Cotten earned her Juris Doctor Degree in 2020 from Baylor Law School. The schools Trial Advocacy Program is renowned and ranks 2nd in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. While pursuing her law degree, Ms. Cotten was actively involved in projects aimed to provide pro bono legal services to the community. In 2017, Ms. Cotten graduated with honors from the University of Texas at Austin with a dual degree in Government and History.

Ms. Cotten, a born-and-raised Texan, fell in love with the Chicago Area. She is excited to call Illinois her new home and begin her legal career serving Chicagoland and the surrounding communities. Ms. Cotten was admitted to the Illinois State Bar in 2021. She aspires to utilize her legal capabilities to advocate for those who have been injured in serious accidents, as well as further develop her litigation craft alongside the other skilled attorneys at Kaiser Hafezi Law.

About Kaiser Hafezi Law

Kaiser Hafezi Law commits its legal services to fighting for maximum compensation for injury victims. The firm prides itself in providing a big firm experience while simultaneously providing their clients with small firm attention.

The DuPage County personal injury firm is adept at handling a range of injury cases, including motor vehicle accidents, premises liability, product liability, medical malpractice, nursing home abuse, and wrongful death. The team at Kaiser Hafezi Law is also experienced in representing clients facing legal issues related to workers compensation, including truck drivers, factory employees, construction workers, retail workers, and airline employees. The firms attorneys have helped clients recover compensation after suffering work-related injuries including traumatic head and brain injuries, repetitive stress injuries, back and spine injuries, burn injuries, amputations, and exposure to hazardous materials.

To learn more about this firm and the services they offer, call 630-233-9946 or visit https://www.kaiserlawoffice.com/.
"It has been an honor to serve as CEO of BluSky during this period of growth and I sincerely thank our employees whose hard work and dedication have allowed us to achieve so much." ~Kent Stemper

On Monday, BluSky Restoration Contractors, LL C, a leading national property restoration company in the U.S., announced Kent Stemper will leave his role as chief executive officer after seven years and join the firms board of directors as vice chair. Drew Bisping, current BluSky president, will succeed Stemper as chief executive officer.

The moves, effective immediately, are the culmination of a multi-year leadership and succession plan.

It has been an honor to serve as CEO of BluSky during this period of growth, and I sincerely thank our employees whose hard work and dedication have allowed us to achieve so much, said Stemper. I also want to thank our clients and partners for their ongoing support.

Stemper joined BluSky in 2011 as chief financial officer and was named chief executive officer in 2014. Under his leadership, the company has grown from a regional presence into one of the largest restoration firms in the U.S. with office locations spanning the country.

I am honored to be named the next CEO of BluSky and want to thank both Kent and our board for the confidence they have placed in me to lead this amazing team, said Bisping. BluSky truly is a family culture and I consider the success of our people to be my primary focus as we build this business to become the premier service provider in our industry."

Bisping began his career in the construction industry more than 25 years ago. He joined BluSky in 2007 and has led the companys operations in a variety of capacities for the majority of those years. Recently he oversaw the firms growth through mergers and subsequent integrations both as head of corporate development and as president.

The board and I are thrilled to promote Drew Bisping to CEO, and I would like to thank Drew for his significant accomplishments to BluSky," Stemper added. "Drew is strategic, has incredible vision, is extremely driven toward growth, and has a will to win that is second to none. The board and I have the utmost confidence in his ability to continue the upward trajectory that BluSky has been on. I look forward to continuing to work with Drew and the executive leadership team in my role as vice chair of the board.

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About BluSky Restoration Contractors, LLC

Denver, Colorado-based BluSky Restoration Contractors, LLC is a full-service national restoration, renovation, environmental and roofing provider for properties damaged by water, fire, storms and other disasters across the nation. For more information about BluSky Restoration Contractors, please visit GoBluSky.com or call (800) 266-5677.
Limavady Single Barrel Irish Whiskey

Limavady Single Barrel Whiskey, a game-changer in the Irish whiskey category, is pleased to announce top honors awarded by the spirit industrys leading competitions. One of Irelands oldest whiskeys dating back to 1750, Limavady made a remarkable comeback earlier this year, and is now celebrating four Gold Medals from the Beverage Testing Institute, Whiskies of the World, The Drinks Business Awards and John Barleycorn Awards, as well as being named #1 Irish Single Malt by the Beverage Testing Institute and 2021s Best Irish Whiskey by John Barleycorn. Limavady will be expanding across the United States and launching in key international markets in 2022.

In 2021, Limavady launched in Northern Ireland, California, Florida, Washington, Arizona and Colorado. In 2022, Limavady will expand its presence in the United States, with the brand launching in Texas, Illinois, Georgia, and Maryland in February, as well as abroad, with the addition of Australia and the UK this Spring. It can be found in premium bars, restaurants, and retailers with a SRP of $49.99 per 700ml bottle.

We are honored to have won several of the industrys top awards, bringing an immense amount of pride to me and the Limavady team. We look forward to expanding the brands availability across the United States and internationally, says Darryl McNally, Master Distiller and Founder, Limavady Irish Whiskey. The foundation for Limavady has been reestablished and I couldnt be happier with all the momentum behind it, both in the US  one of the worlds most exciting markets for Irish whiskey  and back at home in Northern Ireland.

About Limavady Single Barrel Irish Whiskey

Limavady Single Barrel Irish Whiskey, one of Irelands oldest whiskeys dating back to 1750, is reborn and breaking new ground for the fast-growing Irish Whiskey category. Darryl McNally, international recognized Master Distiller, and descendant of the Limavady Distillerys 18th century operators is leading the revival in partnership with WhistlePig Whiskey, declaring a new era of Irish Whiskey with Single Malt quality and Single Barrel distinctiveness. For additional information please visit http://www.limavady.com and follow @limavadyirishwhiskey on Instagram, @limavadywhiskey on Twitter.
Katie Louise Miller wanted to tell her story and add to a new genre of transgender storytelling which seeks to help others going through what she went through, to help them, and those closest to them, understand why they feel the way they do and provide them with hope for the future. It is for these reasons she has written Night and Day (published by AuthorHouse UK), the story of a transgender womans journey of transition as she learned to live a life without regret and accept her true self; moving from night to day.

At the tender age of 6, Miller knew precisely the path she wanted to take, even if it meant challenging societal norms. Unfortunately, she had no idea that lifes idiosyncrasies and unexpected challenges would throw everything into turmoil from that point forward. In a candid retelling of her journey through gender dysphoria and a decision that changed her life forever, Miller discloses the trials and tribulations, the extreme highs and lows, the hurdles she encountered, the moments she marveled at, and the choices she made or did not make, and the subsequent consequences as she walked down an often obstacle-lined path to realize her true identity.

I hope my story will open the readers eyes, hearts and minds to the plight of people like me; 'guys' who start their transition to become girls later in life, putting their responsibilities as a husband and father before their own needs. I may be part of a generation of transsexuals that will soon die out, given that pubescent boys and girls today wanting to change their sex can do so, supported by their parents, by schools and colleges and by their doctors who are able to stall puberty, prescribe HRT medication and organize gender-affirming surgeries. They don't know the half of what it was like for people like me in our teens, feeling the way they are feeling but very much on our own, Miller says.

When asked what she wants readers to take away from her book, Miller answers, I want them to know and understand that being transgender, being a transsexual person is not about sexual gratification. It is about having congruence between how they feel about themselves and what they see in the mirror. For me, it has been a very difficult journey. It has taken a lot of time, a lot of heartache and it will take a lot of money to even get close to such congruence, with no guarantees of sexual gratification! I have nothing against the LGBTQ community, but I will not be flying a rainbow flag. I am and, post-op, I will be a heterosexual woman. For more details about the book, please visit https://www.authorhouse.com/en-gb/bookstore/bookdetails/816113-night-and-day

Night and Day

By Katie Louise Miller

Softcover | 6 x 9in | 176 pages | ISBN 9781665594127

E-Book | 176 pages | ISBN 9781665594110

Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble

About the Author

Katie Louise Miller is still on the path to her ultimate destiny. Night and Day is her first book.

AuthorHouse, an Author Solutions, Inc. self-publishing imprint, is a leading provider of book publishing, marketing, and bookselling services for authors around the globe and offers the industrys only suite of Hollywood book-to-film services. Committed to providing the highest level of customer service, AuthorHouse assigns each author personal publishing and marketing consultants who provide guidance throughout the process. Headquartered in Bloomington, Indiana, AuthorHouse celebrates over 23 years of service to authors. For more information or to publish a book visit authorhouse.co.uk or call 0-800-014-8641.
Love is beautiful when expressed correctly. Love your spouse with your entire heart and don't hold back any part.

Because divorce is at an all-time high, it is my sincere desire to help those that may be struggling in their marriage and even those that are preparing for marriage, to take a minute and evaluate the real cost of the ring before they say I do or even I cant anymore, Twyla D. Harrison-Neale states.

After she conquered the life of marriage, divorce, single motherhood and remarriage, Harrison-Neale came to understand the true meaning of family. In The Cost of The Ring (published by AuthorHouse), she provides insight to the highs and lows of marriage and a tool to equip couples on how to ride both waves. This read will encourage couples on how to conquer the world and not allow the world to conquer them.

This book will appeal to readers because although the outcome in marriage is not always favorable, most couples desire for their marriage or relationship to be restored and will seek help before giving up on the relationship, Harrison-Neale says. She adds, Love hard and live long should be the motto for every marriage. It's okay to be vulnerable. It's okay to allow your spouse in as long as there is a mutual entrance. Love is beautiful when expressed correctly. Love your spouse with your entire heart and don't hold back any part.

When asked what she wants readers to take away from the book, Harrison-Neale answers, Marriage takes more than love to succeed, it requires hard work and determination by both husband and wife. The state of a marriage is the result of the work put into it by both parties. My sincere prayer is that they will allow themselves the pleasure and the joy of becoming one with their spouse. Leadership and submission are not words of taboo but rather words of power. The strength of leadership and the peace of submission are beautiful when exerted properly. For more details about the book, please visit https://www.authorhouse.com/en/bookstore/bookdetails/836685-the-cost-of-the-ring

The Cost of The Ring

By Twyla D. Harrison-Neale

Softcover | 5 x 8in | 98 pages | ISBN 9781665544238

E-Book | 98 pages | ISBN 9781665544412

Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble

About the Author

Twyla D. Harrison-Neale is a mother of five children, one bonus child, and four grandchildren. She is a licensed minister that has walked out the life of a wife, divorcee, single mother and now remarried. She is a college graduate and repeat author. She has experienced many of the lows in marriage that many have including infidelity, substance abuse and unemployment which qualifies her to offer helpful solutions concerning successful marital resolutions.

AuthorHouse, an Author Solutions, Inc. self-publishing imprint, is a leading provider of book publishing, marketing, and bookselling services for authors around the globe and offers the industrys only suite of Hollywood book-to-film services. Committed to providing the highest level of customer service, AuthorHouse assigns each author personal publishing and marketing consultants who provide guidance throughout the process. Headquartered in Bloomington, Indiana, AuthorHouse celebrates over 23 years of service to authors. For more information or to publish a book visit authorhouse.com or call 833-262-8899.
I would like the reader, upon completion of the book, to realize that although intelligence work is very unusual it is still carried out by individuals not that much different from them.

In Maury Berthons spy thriller, Unseen Wars Quiet Battles (published by Archway Publishing), intelligence agencies from around the world must band together in an attempt to stop an international movement with a dark mission.

As an international movement that appears to have noble intentions is discovered to have a dark mission to create havoc in Israel and the United States, those inside Mossad, the CIA, MI6, and the FBI must attempt to turn the table on the creators of the movement. Every decision and action has the potential to affect the balance of power in the world. But when the creators seemingly have a change of heart, a chain of events unfolds in the United States, Great Britain, Iran, and Israel that transforms everything.

My hope is Unseen Wars Quiet Battles is an entertaining read for individuals who find an interest in spy novels written by a writer that was involved in the work, Berthon says. I would like the reader, upon completion of the book, to realize that although intelligence work is very unusual it is still carried out by individuals not that much different from them.

Unseen Wars Quiet Battles is available for purchase online at the Archway link above, from Barnes & Noble and on Amazon at: https://www.amazon.com/Unseen-Quiet-Battles-Maury-Berthon-ebook/dp/B09M8CC7P1.

Unseen Wars Quiet Battles

By Maury Berthon

Hardcover | 5.5 x 8.5 in | 278 pages | ISBN 9781665711791

Softcover | 5.5 x 8.5 in | 278 pages | ISBN 9781665711784

E-Book | 278 pages | ISBN 9781665711807

Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble

About the Author

Maury Berthon spent 25 years as a special agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation working all over the world. He is a licensed attorney and a proud marine who currently resides with his wife, Beth, in the New Orleans area. Berthons other publications include 'A Strange Business, A Tale of Intrigue.

Simon & Schuster, a company with nearly ninety years of publishing experience, has teamed up with Author Solutions, LLC, the worldwide leader in self-publishing, to create Archway Publishing. With unique resources to support books of all kind, Archway Publishing offers a specialized approach to help every author reach his or her desired audience. For more information, visit archwaypublishing.com or call 844-669-3957.
The ELO ECM Suite gives our clients a future-proof information management solution.

ELO Digital Office USA, enabling businesses to improve collaboration and digitalize information management, announces that Oxygen Technologies has joined the ELO Business Partner community. The information technology company provides technical support and enablement to companies throughout Canada from its headquarters in Winnipeg. The ELO ECM Suite for business process digitalization and document management will further strengthen Oxygen Technologies robust portfolio spanning managed services, cyber security, cloud solutions, and project management. As an ELO Business Partner, Oxygen Technologies is part of a global network of more than 1000 ELO partners reselling ELO ECM solutions.

Problem-Solving and Innovating with the ELO ECM Suite

Information technology is all about business problem solving, said Darren Downey, sales and marketing manager with Oxygen Technologies. In this age of digital transformation, we are always thinking about creating innovations for our clients that empower them to grow. The ELO ECM Suite gives our clients a future-proof information management solution that easily digitalizes all business processes to fuel increased efficiency, productivity, and competitive edge. Plus, the ELO family shares our commitment to professionalism, teamwork, and continuous innovation, all of which are aimed at ensuring our joint customers success.

The ELO ECM Suite gives Oxygen Technologies clients a secure and comprehensive document management solution that accessible anytime  anywhere - and on any device, which is a value-add for hybrid working models. Seamlessly integrating with existing systems, the ELO ECM Suite is home to living documents within an intelligent system. It offers digital, version-controlled filing, enabling users to quickly find documents, data, and all types of information. Users can then link that information to workflows, collaborate with colleagues, and gain deep insights with powerful analytical tools.

With ELO ECM capabilities for document management, records management, and comprehensive enterprise content management, Oxygen Technologies customers can digitalize all business processes and workflows companywide with specific solutions for:



Invoice management for accounting

Contract management from procurement to legal

Personnel and staffing management

Knowledge management for the entire company

Were delighted to kick off 2022 by announcing Oxygen Technologies as a new ELO Business Partner, noted Szilvia Horvath, president and CEO of ELO Digital Office USA. Recognized by Channel Futures as one of the Top 501 Managed Services Providers, Oxygen is an award-winning and forward-thinking MSP that will extend the value of the ELO ECM Suite to small and medium-sized businesses in western Canada. Moreover, the ELO ECM Suite will bring quantifiable value to the industries that Oxygen targets such as retail, automotive, manufacturing and distribution, and pharmaceutical.

About ELO Digital Office USA

ELO Digital Office USA provides innovative digital content management solutions for organizations of all sizes and industries throughout the Americas. The ELO ECM Suite gives businesses an electronic and secure way to easily capture, archive, and manage business documents and information  both paper-based and digital. A subsidiary of ELO Digital Office GmbH (founded in 1998), ELO USA is headquartered in Miami, FL and is part of a network of global ELO offices throughout Asia, Australia, Europe, and North and South America. Visit ELO USA. Follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter.

About Oxygen Technologies

Oxygen Technologies is a Winnipeg-based IT and Print Services firm, serving clients nationally. Our approach focuses on Customization, Transparency, Operational Excellence and Producing IT Velocity to achieve success for our clients. With well-developed practices in Managed Services, Cyber Security, Cloud Solutions, IT Projects and Procurement we help our clients transform by delivering a unique IT Consumption-Based model that aligns technology with their business growth. Visit Oxygen Technologies. Follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn.

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All product and service names mentioned herein are the trademarks of their respective owners.
SOFIA, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Ivan Ivanov, the Bulgarian Minister of Agriculture, said here on Tuesday that he wants to strengthen agricultural cooperation with China.

"I personally will be happy if the Chinese side wants to import Bulgarian agricultural products," said Ivanov who took office on Dec. 13, 2021, at a press conference while introducing his team and priorities.

Ivanov also recalled that the Association for the Promotion of Agricultural Cooperation between China and the Central and Eastern European Countries (APACCCEEC) is based in Bulgaria.

Established at the intergovernmental level in Sofia in June 2015, the APACCCEEC coordinates the activities of the ministries on the one hand and the businesses on the other.

"We are going to talk to the APACCCEEC, review its activities and see what progress there is," Ivanov said.

China was Bulgaria's second largest export destination outside the European Union in the first ten months of 2021, according to Bulgarian official statistics. 
Jayson Waller's Own Your Power There are eight principles in my book that are foundational to the culture weve built together at POWERHOME SOLAR, Waller said. Our annual employee event is a great opportunity to recognize our incredible team while celebrating this momentous occasion together.

POWERHOME SOLAR CEO, serial entrepreneur, TV personality and top-performing podcast host Jayson Wallers new book, Own Your Power: No Excuses. No Bullsh*t. Your Time Is Now is now available for purchase at OYPbook.com and Amazon for $19.95.

Readers who purchase the book from OYPbook.com before Jan. 31 will get an exclusive invitation to join Waller in a private 1-hour Zoom workshop on Feb. 22 that is aimed at sharing valuable entrepreneurial insights that helped Waller build a nearly billion-dollar business. OYPbook.com is also the only place to purchase the collectible hardcover edition of the book for the same $19.95 price.

Waller and his team of more than 2,200 employees at POWERHOME SOLAR will commemorate the book launch with giveaways at their annual employee party on Jan. 15 at 6:30 p.m.

There are eight principles in my book that are foundational to the culture weve built together at POWERHOME SOLAR, Waller said. Our annual employee event is a great opportunity to recognize our incredible team while celebrating this momentous occasion together.

The downloadable version of Own Your Power already has achieved best-selling accolades on Amazon, the Wall Street Journal and USA Today. The book is a culmination of lessons Waller has learned over more than 15 years of entrepreneurship in the home security and solar industries. Waller has become a multimillionaire without a college education or generational wealth, having bootstrapped his way to the top.

Waller pivoted to solar in 2014 after seeing another home security entrepreneur make a similar change. Wallers current company, POWERHOME SOLAR, is one of the nations top installers of solar and energy-efficiency products, having been named to the Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing private companies four times in the last five years. The company has hired nearly 1,500 people since 2020.

When I was named an EY Entrepreneur of the Year Southeast Award winner in 2019, I was encouraged to start a podcast or write a book because my story was so unique, Waller said. Its impossible for me to choose one thing over the other, and in writing this book, I now can say Ive done both. My goal is to inspire as many people as I can to take control of their lives  thats how I can give back.

Wallers influence has grown with each touch of media. His podcast, True Underdog, has been ranked as a top 3 Apple entrepreneurship podcast and has achieved more than 1.5 million downloads since launching early in 2020. He is also a judge on David Meltzers pitch show 2 Minute Drill, airing on Bloomberg TV and Amazon Prime Video, and a guest on Meltzers new late-night business talk show Office Hours, airing on the same networks.

About Jayson Waller

Jayson Waller, an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2019 Southeast Award winner, is a true champion of industry, having successfully launched and sold two home security companies. His current endeavor, POWERHOME SOLAR, launched in 2014 with just 15 employees, now employs more than 2,200, and has expanded to 15 states. Hes done all of it without a college degree. In addition to his EY honor, Waller has received numerous other awards, most recently having been named a member of the Detroit 500 list of the most powerful executives in southeast Michigan, and hes also has been named to the Charlotte Business Journals 2020 list of Most Admired CEOs. Under his guidance, POWERHOME SOLAR has been ranked on the Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing private companies in America four times in the last five years. Waller is a judge on the Bloomberg TV business pitch show 2 Minute Drill, and he is also a routine guest on the late-night entrepreneurial talk show Office Hours which airs on the same network. His podcast True Underdog has reached acclaim as a top 3-ranked podcast in Apples entrepreneurial category. Learn more about Jayson on his personal website https://jaysonwaller.com or contact him at jwaller@powerhome.com.

About POWERHOME SOLAR

POWERHOME SOLAR is an energy efficiency company that provides high-quality American-made solar panels as part of a complete energy-savings package for residential customers. The company launched in 2014 in Mooresville, N.C., and today has more than 2,200 employees, including a commercial division. Operating in 15 states, it is ranked No. 520 on the 2021 Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing private companies in America  the fourth time in five years that the company has made this prestigious list. For more information, visit http://www.powerhome.com or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.


Its an honor to be a part of an organization that makes education accessible for so many amazing kids. If you are able to sponsor a child, I encourage you to do so.

Brillo de Sol, USA, a non-profit based in the United States, provides support to the school of the same name located in San Gaspar Vivar outside of Antigua, Guatemala. The mission of Brillo de Sol, USA is to provide education and rehabilitation support to the children of Guatemala while respecting their unique and individual learning abilities, building self-esteem, fostering creativity, and promoting discovery.

In 2022, the Board of Directors of Brillo de Sol, USA will be led by Michael Fraas (President), who assumes the leadership role from outgoing President Sabrina Cooper. The remaining Board members include Joe Phebus (Treasurer and Founder of Brillo de Sol, USA), Brian Nocella (Secretary), Steven Cooper, Suja Srinivasan, and Ravi Srinivasan. Dr. Fraas has big plans for the Board in the coming year as they develop initiatives to support student tuition, teacher training and support, and infrastructure development.

Its an honor to be a part of an organization that makes education accessible for so many amazing kids. If you are able to sponsor a child, I encourage you to do so, says Professor Michael Fraas.

Brillo de Sol school was established in 2005 by Leticia Letty Lopez Contreras. Frustrated with the inability of public schools in Guatemala to adequately address the special learning needs of her son, Letty decided to start her own school. This year, the school provides education and services to nearly 100 children with a variety of learning abilities. Many of the children come from extreme poverty.

If you are interested in learning more about Brillo de Sol, USA or if you wish to provide a donation or sponsor a child, you can do so at their website, https://brillodesol.org/USA/.

About Professor Michael Fraas:

Michael is a speech-language pathologist and received his Ph.D. in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Cincinnati in Ohio. He has 21 years of clinical experience working with individuals across the life span. Michaels research has focused on the areas of cognitive-motor interference following stroke, cognitive rehabilitation, concussion in sport, and narrative medicine-based approaches for meeting the needs of adults with acquired brain injury. He is a member of the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine, and is actively involved in several task forces conducting evidence-based reviews of treatments for traumatic brain injury and stroke. Michael has traveled to Guatemala on four separate occasions, bringing college students for service-learning excursions. In 2017, his students spent a month at Brillo de Sol collecting baseline cognitive and linguistic data so teachers would have a way to track student progress. He is thrilled by the opportunity to serve as President of Brillo de Sol.


Kyle Hoylman, CEO of Protect Environmental, said of the acquisition, Were excited to welcome ACE Radon to our family, especially given the alignment with our core values that already exists."

Louisville-based Protect Environmental, a national leader in the environmental consulting and construction industry, with a focus on radon and chemical vapor intrusion management, today announced that it has acquired Denver-based ACE Radon. The acquisition signifies the companys expansion into the Denver market, a key national market that will anchor future growth and serve as its gateway for expansion into the western portion of the country.

Founded in 1987, ACE Radon is the most referred, qualified, and trusted radon company in Colorado, having successfully completed more than 45,000 projects. By joining Protect Environmentals national network of trusted professionals, ACE Radon is perfectly positioned to take advantage of the resources the network offers to support its continued growth in Denver and throughout the Colorado market.

Over 34 years ago, our company was one of the first radon businesses to open its doors. We have worked hard to establish a reputation of quality services and integrity with both our customers and employees, said Jeff Goard, ACE Radon President. It is the fulfillment of a dream to partner with a company like Protect Environmental, which has the same ideals and has assembled other like-minded industry leaders that are poised to become the premier national provider of radon and vapor intrusion services.

As part of its transition to Protect Environmental, the companys existing leadership team, including Jeff and Dawn Goard, will continue to lead the day-to-day operations in Denver and throughout the Colorado market.

Kyle Hoylman, CEO of Protect Environmental, said of the acquisition, Were excited to welcome ACE Radon to our family, especially given the alignment with our core values that already exists. I look forward to working with Jeff, Dawn, and the rest of the ACE Radon team to continue building and maintaining healthy, safe, and sustainable indoor environments for our clients.

About Protect Environmental

Protect Environmental is a national leader in the environmental consulting and construction industry, focusing on radon and chemical vapor intrusion management. With a proven track record spanning 15 years and completed projects in all 50 U.S. states and 2 U.S. territories, the company provides expert service from its trusted professionals to provide peace of mind protection to property owners seeking efficient and effective management of environmental risks and liabilities. For more information, call 502-410-5000 or click on to https://www.protectenvironmental.com.
Employees often wait for end-of-the-year bonuses to make a change, or see what new opportunities arise in the new year," career strategist Carolyn Kleiman says. "Plus, as the pandemic continues, people continue to evaluate their lives, and work is a large part of that."

ResumeBuilder.com, the premier resource for free and professional resume templates, has published a new survey report examining the current U.S. labor market. The study analyzes several factors contributing to the high employee turnover rate in various industries. Research experts generated responses from 1,250 American adults.

According to the study, 23 percent of employees plan to find new jobs in 2022, and nine percent of workers have already accepted a new job offer for the new year. Sixty-one percent of employees expect to leave their current positions during the first 6 months of the year. Most people who plan to resign say they will do so between January and June. In contrast, 39 percent of respondents say they will wait until the new year to begin looking for new employment.

Survey results indicate that staff turnover will be higher among workers in the retail and food and hospitality industries. Thirty-one percent of retail personnel and 26 percent of food and hospitality employees plan to find new jobs. Additionally, employers in the education, office and administrative support, and business and finance industries can expect a quarter of their workforce to switch jobs in 2022.

When it comes to experience level, people in middle management plan to quit at a higher rate. Twenty-six percent of mid-level managers say they are looking for new jobs. Likewise, 23 percent of non-management employees and 17 percent of senior management staff plan to pursue new job opportunities this year. Thirty-two percent of respondents also say theyre looking for work in different industries.

Employees often wait for end-of-the-year bonuses to make a change, or see what new opportunities arise in the new year," career strategist Carolyn Kleiman says. "Plus, as the pandemic continues, people continue to evaluate their lives, and work is a large part of that."

Fifty percent of respondents say they are quitting to find jobs with better pay and benefits. Oppositely, 42 percent of workers will leave their current roles for jobs they are more passionate about. Thirty-two percent of respondents also cite poor working conditions as a reason for seeking new employment.

ResumeBuilder.com commissioned this survey to discover major influences that drive increased resignation among workers. Each respondent was found via a screening question, and the study was conducted over two days. This survey was administered via the online survey platform Pollfish from December 17, 2021, to December 18, 2021. To view the complete report, please visit https://www.resumebuilder.com/1-in-4-workers-plan-on-quitting-in-2022-as-great-resignation-continues/.

ABOUT RESUMEBUILDER.COM ResumeBuilder.com provides free templates to help create professional resumes. The website also offers up-to-date information and machine learning tools for job seekers. With a team of certified resume writers, recruiting experts, and hiring managers, users gain a competitive advantage and confidence to get hired faster. To learn more, visit https://www.resumebuilder.com/.
We are dedicated to providing excellent service and support to students and educators, and our high retention rate reflects the value that schools find with the VHS Learning program, said Carol DeFuria, President & CEO of VHS Learning.

Over 670 schools across 63 countries, two U.S. territories and all 50 U.S. states partnered with VHS Learning for the 2020-21 school year. Additionally, 92% of schools that partnered with VHS Learning in the 2019-20 school year continued to do so in the 2020-21 school year. In fact, over the past three years, on average, 92 percent of schools have stayed on as partners of the nonprofit online provider, year after year.

We are dedicated to providing excellent service and support to students and educators, and our high retention rate reflects the value that schools find with the VHS Learning program, said Carol DeFuria, President & CEO of VHS Learning. According to our latest participant surveys, 94% of school administrators, 93% of site coordinators and 87% of teachers reported satisfaction with their VHS Learning experience.

VHS Learning has gained a reputation for its high standard of educational quality, including rigorous professional development for teachers. All VHS Learning teachers must successfully complete VHS Learnings graduate-level Online Teaching Methodologies (OTM) training course to learn best practices for online teaching and learning. Teachers who provide instruction for VHS Learning courses are high school certified in their subject areas, with 81% possessing a masters degree or higher.

There were more than 23,000 student enrollments in VHS Learning courses in the 2020-21 academic year. Courses are open to students through their local schools participation in the VHS Learning program and are also available to homeschool and other students who choose to enroll in VHS Learning courses directly. With more than 250 unique online courses, including 24 Advanced Placement (AP) options, the program is typically used by schools to give students additional course and scheduling choices.

In the 2020-21 academic year, students overall pass rate (defined as completing a course with a final grade of 60 or higher) was 92%. And for the last three years, on average, 92% of students taking a VHS Learning course have succeeded in achieving a final grade of 60 or higher.

The results that our partner schools have experienced are even more gratifying given the challenges they faced during the pandemic, said DeFuria. Our 26 years in online education has prepared us to provide expert guidance to schools, and we are doing everything we can to help schools provide students with the rigorous instruction necessary to prepare them for college, careers, and beyond.

About VHS Learning

VHS Learning is a nonprofit organization with 25 years of experience providing world-class online programs to students and schools everywhere. Offering more than 250 unique online courses for high school credit, including 24 AP courses, credit recovery, and enrichment courses, VHS Learning is accredited by Middle States Association Commission on Elementary and Secondary Schools (MSA-CESS), Accrediting Commission for Schools, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (ACS WASC), and Cognia. Courses are approved for initial eligibility by NCAA. For more information about VHS Learning please visit https://www.vhslearning.org/ and follow us on Twitter at @VHSLearning.
West Islip High School, touring our facility in Hicksville, New York. We are excited about the future of manufacturing and by sharing our experiences we hope to spark interest in choosing manufacturing as a viable career.

With manufacturing jobs going unfilled there is an urgent need to create interest in choosing manufacturing as a career path. Stock Drive Products/Sterling Instrument (SDP/SI), a leader in providing engineering development and precision manufacturing for a wide range of applications, is on a mission to correct any misconceptions young people and their families may have about manufacturing.

Connecting with local schools has become a priority. SDP/SI, a Designatronics brand, recently opened its doors to West Islip High School allowing students and their teachers a glimpse into a modern-day manufacturing company. Touring the facility, they entered a safe, bright, spacious, and clean environment where rows of CNC machines were working to produce thousands of small precision gears and mechanical components. Meeting the machinists they learned about the day-to-day operation, years of experience, and opportunities that exist. When talking with the students, we attempt to share our enthusiasm about what we do and how rewarding a career manufacturing can be, said Robert Kufner, CEO, and President of Designatronics. Most young people dont realize the numerous opportunities that are available to them as they increase their skill level, with the willingness to learn various paths open for advancement.

Last month SDP/SI joined Oerlikon Metco, another local manufacturer, in presenting an interactive program to Nassau County Boces Schools via ZOOM. Creating a video specifically for the event SDP/SI was able to tell their story and focus on what is offered todays manufacturing employees such as better wages and benefits, growth opportunities, clean and safe working conditions, apprenticeship programs, college tuition reimbursement, and so much more. Tours of the facilities, interviews with machinists on the shop floor, and question and answer sessions were included. Perhaps manufacturing is not your first choice as a career path, but do you have a Plan B, Kufner asked. We are excited about the future of manufacturing and by sharing our experiences we hope to spark interest in choosing manufacturing as a viable career.

SDP/SI products are available with a wide range of standard features for easy integration intended for robotics and industrial automation applications. To cover any system requirements SDP/SI offers Integrated Motor Drive Controllers, DC Motors, Gearheads, AGV Gear Motors, and a wide range of AGV accessories: such as optical flow sensor, magnetic track following sensor, and controller network communication options.

About Stock Drive Products/Sterling Instrument (SDP/SI) a Designatronics company

SDP/SI, ISO 9001:2015 + AS9100D certified, offers custom mechanical-based design, engineering, and manufacturing services for critical motion control and small power transmission applications, including aerospace, medical, defense, robotics, recreational, and industrial automation. Over 87,000 standard inch and metric small mechanical components are available for fast turnaround. SDP/SI specializes in high-quality machined parts, molded components, synchronous belt drives, precision gears, and subassemblies. For more information go to: https://sdp-si.com
Kents positive, professional leadership has been a key factor in Smiths strong upward momentum in Asia over the past two decades.

Smith, a leading global distributor of electronic components and semiconductors, today announces the appointment of Kent Pang to the position of President, APAC. In this role, Kent will support the companys eight offices in the region and help drive Smiths global corporate strategy.

Smiths presence in the APAC region is growing and thriving now more than ever before, said Kent. I am thrilled to accept this new position and guide our trajectory as we develop and strengthen our relationships with customers around the world.

He is taking on this role alongside Minji Hong, who also holds the same title. Kent and Minji both previously served as Smiths Vice President, APAC since 2017. They will work together under Choon Byun  Chairman, APAC  to manage Smiths business opportunities in the APAC region.

Kent began his career at Smith in 2000 as a purchasing agent before moving to broker sales and then serving as trading manager of the companys Hong Kong office. He helped to open additional offices in Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Taipei over the next decade and was promoted to sales director in 2012.

Kents positive, professional leadership has been a key factor in Smiths strong upward momentum in Asia over the past two decades, said Bob Ackerley, Co-Founder and Director at Smith. His constructive mentorship and unique expertise will help Smith to continue providing the premier service and support needed to power our customers innovations.

About Smith

Founded in 1984, Smith sources, manages, and distributes the electronic components that go into everything from mobile phones and computers to appliances and directional drilling systems. In 17 cities around the world, Smiths legion of employees communicates in 50 languages and dialects and buys and sells components 24 hours per day, generating global annual sales in excess of $1.39 billion in 2020. Smith is always moving: helping manufacturers navigate market shifts; customizing supply chain solutions; testing components using cutting-edge technology. The support of Smiths flexible Intelligent DistributionTM model optimizes customers supply chains from beginning to end, including offering customized options for IT asset disposition that deliver maximum ROI, sustainability, and security. Smiths testing and logistics hubs in Houston, Hong Kong, and Amsterdam cover critical areas like quality management, counterfeit prevention, and environmental safety. Smiths operations, purchasing, and sales worldwide are seamlessly integrated with the companys global IT infrastructure, offering real-time, global inventory and logistics visibility. Smith is the leading independent distributor of electronic components and ranks number eight among all global distributors. For more information, please visit http://www.smithweb.com or reach out to a Smith representative any time of day at +1 713.430.3000.
STACK.aero, a leading developer of business operations systems for aviation, today announced that Catherine Cat Buchanan has joined the STACK.aero team as Director of Business Development.

Reporting to the CEO, Cats mandate is to raise STACK.aeros profile internationally, qualify prospective clients and drive adoption of the upcoming second generation of the STACK.aero system, with specific focus on business aircraft charter-brokers in Europe and the Middle East.

We are very pleased to welcome Cat to the STACK.aero team, says Greg Jarrett, CEO, STACK.aero. She brings a lot to the table: 15 years of expertise and C-level experience in business aviation charter and brokerage, exceptional knowledge of the Middle East market, an impressive academic record, and a lifelong passion for flying.

The STACK.aero team has a unique vision  to offer a central nervous system that optimizes the entire sales/operations cycle for brokers and charter salespeople, adds Cat Buchanan, Director of Business Development, STACK.aero. Drawing from my real world experience with both boutique charter and large-fleet operators, I believe that I can help shape how we develop our business. Having lived the operational challenges of charter, I clearly see the significant commercial impact of automating and digitizing tasks while having real time visibility into aircraft availability and customer data. Simply put, we help our clients grow.

Prior to joining STACK.aero, Cat spent 15 years in charter, brokerage and related business aviation services principally in the United Arab Emirates. Most recently, she held several C-level roles at Vertis Aviation. Previously, Cat was Head of Brokerage and FBO Sales at Royal Jet, Sales Manager at Chapman Freeborn and Passenger Charter Analyst at Air Charter Service.

Cats passion for aviation dates back to her youth. She joined the Air Training Corps at age 13 and earned a single engine piston private pilot license at 18. Later, Cat received a BSc (Hons) in Aviation Technology and Management from the University of Leeds and a Postgraduate Diploma in Data Ethics, AI and Responsible Innovation from the University of Edinburgh. Currently, she is completing an MSt in Science Communications from the University of Cambridge.

Cats expertise will allow her to develop the charter-broker segment of the market as we prepare to launch a new version of our system that is tailor-made for them. Ultimately, our objective is to deliver technology solutions that help our clients build better businesses by facilitating end-to-end trip request lifecycle management, generating powerful data and delivering insightful analytics, concludes Greg Jarrett.

Catherine Buchanan may be reached at +44.7703.688.311 or cat(at)stack.aero.

About STACK.aero

STACK.aero is a leading developer of business operations systems for aviation. Utilizing the Salesforce.com platform, STACK.aero solutions save time by automating sales processes, drive growth by prioritizing high-value requests, centralize access to information, create company-wide transparency and harmonize integration of scheduling, accounting, marketing and e-mail systems. STACK.aero has offices in the US, UK and Australia. For more information, please visit http://www.stack.aero.

Media Contact:

Mark Lowe, PRagmatic Communications

mark.lowe(at)pragcom.com / (514) 576-2519
Virtual learning, using computers and the internet to study courses taught in the classroom, isnt meant to replace an in-school education. But it provides a genuine alternative for families who have challenges that interfere with attending brick-and-mortar schools. - Julie Young, co-author

Virtual learning in K-12 education continues to grow due to the health threat caused by coronavirus variants and the assistance this learning model can provide to at-risk students, according to two papers released today by Pioneer Institute.

Though the two factors are distinctly different, their impact is the same, as more families have been prompted to explore the possibilities of digital learning. They have discovered that expert virtual learning differs from what many parents and students experienced after schools unexpectedly shut down in March of 2020. Others have seen how the use of technology can address the unique needs of certain children and high schoolers, the two studies report.

The papers are authored by Julie Young, founder of Florida Virtual School and managing director of Arizona State University Prep Academy and ASU Prep Digital, and William Donovan, a writer and former journalist. The reports also draw on government information, foundation studies, and interviews with experts in the digital learning field.

Virtual learning, using computers and the internet to study courses taught in the classroom, isnt meant to replace an in-school education, says Young. But it provides a genuine alternative for families who have challenges that interfere with attending brick-and-mortar schools.

The level of parental demand for remote instruction has declined from the peak of the shutdown surge, as students returned to school full time in 2021. But states and school districts in California, Florida, North Carolina, Utah and elsewhere in the U.S. are continuing to expand their pre-pandemic virtual learning capacity to accommodate further enrollment growth.

In Virtual Learning, Concrete Option, the authors explain why established virtual schools and their programs are much different from the frantic switch to remote teaching that schools were forced to make after the 2020 closing. That hasty rush soured virtual learning for many families. True virtual schools apply years of experience to create courses designed for the online platform. Courses are developed by teams of designers, expert in user interface, graphics, instruction, and curriculum.

Most of the more than 330,000 students who attend one of the nearly 500 full-time virtual schools in the U.S. did not experience the same disruptions as in-class students, the authors state.

Virtual learning is a specific form of education that takes place through an online platform. It has often been swapped with the term remote to describe out-of-classroom learning as if they were the same. Virtual learning is much different from what was often a hasty attempt to remotely push classroom instruction through a computer screen when schools were closed. Remote learning is a broad description of what was happening.

In the second paper, Online and On Course, Young and Donovan lay out the benefits that virtual learning can provide to at-risk students, particularly minority students and those from low-income families. Those students often face personal or social issues such as violence in school, teenage pregnancy, or the need to work to help support their family. Unable to attend school, many drop out and ultimately fail to graduate.

The primary advantage that digital learning can provide those students is to free them from restrictions that tie learning to set hours in a specific place.

Too often we limit students in a system in which time is fixed and learning is variable, says Young. Online learning flips that system and makes time variable and learning fixed. Enabling students to work at their own time and pace is a way for them to meet their academic requirements and their responsibilities outside of school.

While touting the virtues, the authors advise parents to scrutinize digital programs closely. Their quality and effectiveness vary widely. Students are poorly served by point-and-click assessments with no engagement, virtual schools with videos instead of real teachers, and programs without pacing and scheduling support.

A key differentiator between questionable and quality virtual programs is adherence to the National Standards for Quality Online Learning, which includes standards for virtual teaching, programs, and courses. A competent virtual program should adhere to those standards.

The papers offer many recommendations, including the need to build out the digital learning infrastructure with broadband access to rural communities; investment in training teachers in virtual instruction; and the need for districts to be more forward-thinking in school designs such as hybrid models, learning pods, and micro-schools.

About the Authors

Julie Young is ASU Vice President of Education Outreach and Student Services and Managing Director of ASU Prep Academy and ASU Prep Digital. She is a visionary CEO, educator, and entrepreneur passionate about leveraging technology and building innovative school models that put students at the center of every decision. Under Julies leadership over the last four years, ASU Preparatory Academy has grown exponentially in both enrollment and global impact, currently serving more than 7,500 full-time K12 students and over 400,000 student enrollments in school partnerships around the U.S. This unique program offers students an accelerated path toward college admission and careers of the future with the chance to earn concurrent high school and university credit, shortening time and cost to degree. Julie was the founding President and CEO of Florida Virtual School (FLVS ), the worlds first virtual statewide school district that began as a small grant initiative and grew to become the largest public K-12 program in the U.S., serving more than 2 million students in 50 states and 68 countries.

William Donovan is a former staff writer with The Providence Journal in Rhode Island where he wrote about business and government. He has taught business journalism in the graduate programs at Boston University and Northeastern University. He received his undergraduate degree from Boston College and his masters degree in journalism from American University in Washington, D.C.

About Pioneer

Pioneers mission is to develop and communicate dynamic ideas that advance prosperity and a vibrant civic life in Massachusetts and beyond. Pioneers vision of success is a state and nation where our people can prosper and our society thrive because we enjoy world-class options in education, healthcare, transportation and economic opportunity, and where our government is limited, accountable and transparent. Pioneer values an America where our citizenry is well-educated and willing to test our beliefs based on facts and the free exchange of ideas, and committed to liberty, personal responsibility, and free enterprise.
MEXICO CITY, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- Mexico's Foreign Ministry on Monday reaffirmed the country's foreign policy of committing to multilateralism, identifying support for multilateral organizations as one of its main objectives for 2022.

Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard stressed the importance of "contributing to peace and stability" in the world at the opening of the annual meeting of Mexico's ambassadors and consuls.

"We are going to continue participating in the peaceful resolution of disputes and conflicts not only in the region, but throughout the world," and supporting multilateralism in "a world with significant geopolitical tensions," Ebrard said.

Latin American countries respect Mexico's fight against corruption and for justice, as well as the fact that it is a consistent government, he said.

Other Mexican foreign policy objectives for the year include active cooperation with trade partners towards the country's economic recovery, continued support for Mexican nationals living abroad and promoting strategies to deal with mass immigration, the official said. 
The Wars Not Mine: From Bound to Broken, Now Blessed!: a potent and emotionally open exploration of life, faith, and Gods saving grace. The Wars Not Mine: From Bound to Broken, Now Blessed! is the creation of published author Syn'Cere Ann-Unique ManSarry, a loving wife and native of Kentucky who attended pharmaceutical classes at Daymar College and surgical technician classes and phlebotomy classes at National University College. Later, ManSarry completed a certificate in ministry and leadership through Southwestern Christian University.

ManSarry shares, This Wars Not Mine is a book that speaks about the once-rejected life that a wife and her husband had to endure long before they met, and the wars they fought through together, theyve learned to encourage themselves and each other with the trust of their Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ.

After having to deal with rejection from loved ones, friends, and even members of their own family, they talk about how they were able to overcome this. This Wars Not Mine talks about how this now-married couple found the purpose in their rejected pain. Not only did they learn that their whole life was ordained by their Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ, but they also believe that He ordained their steps so that their paths would cross.

This Wars Not Mine encourages the reader that there is a purpose in their pain.

Published by Christian Faith Publishing, Syn'Cere Ann-Unique ManSarrys new book is an inspiring exploration of the authors personal and spiritual life.

ManSarry shares in hopes of encouraging others to fight through the hard times to reach the joyous promise of Gods grace.

Consumers can purchase The Wars Not Mine: From Bound to Broken, Now Blessed! at traditional brick & mortar bookstores, or online at Amazon.com, Apple iTunes store, or Barnes and Noble.

For additional information or inquiries about The Wars Not Mine: From Bound to Broken, Now Blessed!, contact the Christian Faith Publishing media department at 866-554-0919.
Bit of LUV Necklaces, by Karina Brez Jewelry. Image by Frank Callisto Photograph The Bit of LUV bracelet feels like butter in your hand. All the links are movable, and the pictures are great, but the feel of it is even smoother and more comfortable to wear than one realizes.

The art of horseback riding is a skill, and an ever-evolving partnership between human and horse. It integrates products to help facilitate the communication between horse and rider, and celebrates all parts working in tandem. The horse bit, part of the bridle, is designed to communicate a riders wishes to the horse. Equestrian fine jeweler, appraiser, and gemologist, Karina Brez, is internationally renowned for her equine-inspired aesthetic, merging her passion for riding with a second-generation legacy of exceptional jewelry design. Launching in advance of the holiday season and winter equestrian festivals, Brez is bringing the Bit of LUV Collection to horse enthusiasts everywhere.

Regarding the inspiration behind the collection, Brez says, A client brought me her horse bit, laying it on the counter, asking me to create a custom piece for her. After careful inspection of the bit and noting its creative details, I create the one-off piece. Since, I would often get requests for horse bit jewelry, yet hadnt designed more. While in my Palm Beach shop recently, I began sketching a bracelet concept that would stack with my Huggable Hooves, offering devoted clients a chance to add to their equine jewelry collection. I decided to go for a mini size on the bit design, which is something I havent seen done before, and which resembles a chain link. Brez continues, The Bit of LUV bracelet feels like butter in your hand. All the links are movable, and the pictures are great, but the feel of it is even smoother and more comfortable to wear than one realizes. It is fashioned in solid gold. Bit of LUV is a collection of jewels to experience and wear every day, made for the horse enthusiast.

With nine show-stopping designs, the Bit of LUV Collection is comprised of a horse bit-inspired necklace, link bracelet, and ring, each available in either 18K yellow, 18K rose, or 18K white gold. The collections signature necklace design had a 1.5 in. wide horse D bit design, and is 20 in long, with an 18 loop. The Bit of LUV Link Bracelet is available in three sizes (6, 6.5 and 7 length options), with white diamonds, and the Bit of LUV Diamond Ring features white diamonds, available in sizes 5-11. Morphing utilitarian horse-riding equipment into a work of art, Brez turns bit rings into chain links, and the mouthpiece into hinges, offering comfort and flexibility to a classic, luxurious link bracelet and necklace. The Bit of LUV Diamond Ring offers a sleek, modern look, with a lustrous gold sheendrawing attention to the hands. Whether shopping for a Valentine, a Galentine, a horse enthusiast or oneself, there is a Bit of LUV piece that fits any style. Horses, Love and Diamonds. Its the perfect combination says Karina Brez.

For those who want to shop the Bit of LUV collection in person, the Palm Beach flagship Karina Brez Jewelry store is open Wednesday through Thursday, from 11:00 AM-4:00 PM, Friday and Saturday from 11:00 AM-7:00 PM, and by appointment Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.

In addition, Karina Brez will be hosting a pop-up boutique in the VIP area of the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF), from now through April 3, 2022, at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington, FL. Karina Brez Jewelry is celebrating its 10th year as an official sponsor and vendor of the Winter Equestrian Festival, one of the largest and most prestigious international horse shows.

For sales inquiries or retail partnership inquiries, contact Karina Brez at 561-400-4085 or email info@karinabrez.com. For press inquiries, contact Pietra Communications at 212-913-9761 or email info@pietrapr.com.

About Karina Brez

A first generation Ukranian-American, Karina Brez earned the title of Miss Florida USA in 2012, and was inspired to design a jewelry collection after fellow contestants were impressed by the design she created for her own pageant dress. A horse enthusiast with a passion for gemstones, Brez completed the GIA Graduate Gemologist program, is an appraiser, and advocates for non-profits introducing children to the healing power of horses. Her signature fine jewelry collections are Huggable Hooves and Horse LUV. In 2020, Karina Brez was voted one of the top three Equestrian jewelers by Equestrian Living Magazine. She opened a retail location in Palm Beach, Florida in 2021.


TIIP's new report helps investors modify conventional investment tools and utilize advanced techniques to address income inequality through action on labor and workers rights, CEO compensation, and taxes.

The Investment Integration Project (TIIP), an applied research and consulting services firm that provides thought leadership, research support, and implementation guidance for integrating system-level investing, today released Systemic Stewardship: Investing to Address Income Inequality. The guide provides:



An overview of what system-level investing is and why it matters;

What income inequality is, and why investors should care about it;

How investors can integrate systemic considerations into the investment process to address income inequality.

At its core, Systemic Stewardship, which was funded by the Generation Foundation, helps investors modify conventional investment tools and utilize advanced techniques to address income inequality through action on labor and workers rights, CEO compensation, and taxes. It provides a step-by-step process for system-level stewardship so that a variety of market participants, including pension fund managers, investment advisors, consultants and asset managers, can proceed with confidence that their investment decisions will effectively address income inequality.

This is a cutting edge, first-of-its-kind guide for investors in two capacities. First, this guide moves the needle on fundamentally addressing the issue of income inequality and improving long-term investment returns for investors, said William Burckart, President of TIIP. It also guides investors step-by-step on how to move from conventional investing to system-level investing  explaining crucial differences along the way.

So, what is system-level investing? As established by TIIP, it helps investors recognize the scope and scale of their impact and influence on environmental, social, and financial systems. System-level investing guides investors in intentionally managing this impact toward the goals of minimizing long-term systemic risks, capitalizing on related opportunities for long-term value creation, and building resilient systems that support investments across all asset classes.

While Systemic Stewardship focuses on income inequality, the stewardship process laid out gives investors the tools necessary to confront other system-level challenges, such as climate change and public health crises. By doing so, investors take the step of mitigating systemic risks and creating systemic social and environmental benefits. In short, it helps investors across all asset classes build more equitable, sustainable, and resilient social, environmental and financial systems, ones that produce long-term returns while simultaneously creating a more prosperous society.

Asset owners and managers are increasingly being asked to consider the impact of their investment decisions on critical systemic issues, said Alison Paton from the Generation Foundation. However, there is a long way to go before social issues, like income inequality, are addressed to the same extent as climate change, which is why we are delighted to support the work of TIIP to help investors navigate these systemic social issues.

Systemic Stewardship represents the keystone of TIIPs work on income inequality. Why and How Investors Can Respond to Income Inequality, released with United Nations-backed Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) in 2018, established three areas that are key leverage points relevant to income inequality and material to long-term investors: employee relations and the structure of labor markets; corporate tax policies and practices; levels of CEO compensation. Confronting Income Inequality, published in 2021, laid out practical guidance for how investors can address income inequality through action on labor relations, workers' rights, and financial and political equity  a specific lever illustrated in the 2018 report.

It is also part of TIIPs expanding resources for investors. The firms current Build the Market initiative focuses on encouraging wide-spread adoption of system-level investing across investor segments and facilitating broader industry reform, away from a near-exclusive focus on the short-term and toward incorporation of systemic considerations. As part of this program, TIIP is surveying financial industry stakeholders to assess industry experience with, and readiness to adopt, new approaches to managing systemic social and environmental risks.

About TIIP

TIIP, The Investment Integration Project, is an applied research and consulting firm whose mission is to help investors understand how healthy environmental, social, and financial systems can benefit their portfolios. TIIP provides consulting services, thought leadership, and a turnkey solution that support investors pursuit of system-level investing, an advanced sustainable investing approach that focuses on managing systemic risks and investing in solutions to systemic problems. For more information, visit https://www.tiiproject.com
Maya Angelou Quarter

The United States Mint (Mint) has begun shipping the first coins in the American Women Quarters (AWQ) Program. These circulating quarters honoring Maya Angelou are manufactured at the Mint facilities in Philadelphia and Denver. Coins featuring additional honorees will begin shipping later this year and through 2025.

It is my honor to present our Nations first circulating coins dedicated to celebrating American women and their contributions to American history, said Mint Deputy Director Ventris C. Gibson. Each 2022 quarter is designed to reflect the breadth and depth of accomplishments being celebrated throughout this historic coin program. Maya Angelou, featured on the reverse of this first coin in the series, used words to inspire and uplift.

A writer, poet, performer, social activist, and teacher, Angelou rose to international prominence as an author after the publication of her groundbreaking autobiography, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. Angelous published works of verse, non-fiction, and fiction include more than 30 bestselling titles. Her remarkable career encompasses dance, theater, journalism, and social activism. The recipient of more than 30 honorary degrees, Angelou read On the Pulse of Morning at the 1992 inauguration of President Bill Clinton. Angelous reading marked the first time an African American woman wrote and presented a poem at a Presidential inauguration. In 2010, President Barack Obama awarded Angelou the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and she was the 2013 recipient of the Literarian Award, an honorary National Book Award for contributions to the literary community.

The reverse (tails), designed by United States Mint Artistic Infusion Program (AIP) Artist Emily Damstra and sculpted by United States Mint Medallic Artist Craig A. Campbell, depicts Maya Angelou with her arms uplifted. Behind her are a bird in flight and a rising sun, images inspired by her poetry and symbolic of the way she lived. Inscriptions are UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, MAYA ANGELOU, E PLURIBUS UNUM, and QUARTER DOLLAR.

The obverse (heads) depicts a portrait of George Washington originally composed and sculpted by Laura Gardin Fraser to mark George Washingtons 200th birthday. Though her work was a recommended design for the 1932 quarter, then-Treasury Secretary Mellon ultimately selected the familiar John Flanagan design. Of Fraser, Deputy Director Gibson said, I am proud that the new obverse design of George Washington is by one of the most prolific female sculptors of the early 20th century. Laura Gardin Fraser was the first woman to design a U.S. commemorative coin, and her work is lauded in both numismatic and artistic circles. Ninety years after she intended for it to do so, her obverse design will fittingly take its place on the quarter.

Inscriptions are LIBERTY, IN GOD WE TRUST, and 2022. The obverse design is common to all quarters issued in the series.

Authorized by Public Law 116-330, the American Women Quarters Program features coins with reverse (tails) designs emblematic of the accomplishments and contributions of trailblazing American women. Beginning in 2022 and continuing through 2025, the Mint will issue five quarters in each of these years. The ethnically, racially, and geographically diverse group of individuals honored through this program reflects a wide range of accomplishments and fields, including suffrage, civil rights, abolition, government, humanities, science, space, and the arts. The additional honorees in 2022 are physicist and first woman astronaut Dr. Sally Ride; Wilma Mankiller, the first female principal chief of the Cherokee Nation and an activist for Native American and womens rights; Nina Otero-Warren, a leader in New Mexicos suffrage movement and the first female superintendent of Santa Fe public schools; and Anna May Wong, the first Chinese American film star in Hollywood, who achieved international success despite racism and discrimination.

Maya Angelous writing and activism inspired countless Americans and her legacy helped fuel greater fairness and understanding across our nation, said Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Senate sponsor of the bill. She is exactly the type of leader I had in mind when Senator Fischer, Representative Lee and I wrote our bipartisan legislation to create a series of quarters honoring the contributions of American women. This coin will ensure generations of Americans learn about Maya Angelous books and poetry that spoke to the lived experience of Black women.

As a leader in the civil rights movement, poet laureate, college professor, Broadway actress, dancer, and the first female African American cable car conductor in San Francisco, Maya Angelous brilliance and artistry inspired generations of Americans, said Representative Barbara Lee (D-CA), House sponsor of the bill. I will forever cherish the private moments I had the privilege to share with Maya, from talking in her living room as sisters to her invaluable counsel throughout the challenges I faced as a Black woman in elected office. I am proud to have led this effort to honor these phenomenal women, who more often than not are overlooked in our countrys telling of history. If you find yourself holding a Maya Angelou quarter, may you be reminded of her words, be certain that you do not die without having done something wonderful for humanity.

Please consult with your local banks regarding availability of AWQ Program quarters honoring Maya Angelou in late January and early February.

View B roll of Maya Angelou quarter production here.

View images of the Maya Angelou quarter here.

Numismatic Products

We invite you to learn more and enroll in the American Women Quarters Program today. Limited quantities will be produced, so sign up to ensure you receive a complete collection of American Women Quarters Program numismatic products.

About the United States Mint

Congress created the United States Mint in 1792, and the Mint became part of the Department of the Treasury in 1873. As the Nations sole manufacturer of legal tender coinage, the Mint is responsible for producing circulating coinage for the Nation to conduct its trade and commerce. The Mint also produces numismatic products, including proof, uncirculated, and commemorative coins; Congressional Gold Medals; silver and bronze medals; and silver and gold bullion coins. Its numismatic programs are self-sustaining and operate at no cost to taxpayers.

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The new Fletcher Jones Endowed Professor for Artificial Intelligence will help the university expand its academic offerings in AI and cybersecurity, with the goal of growing our diverse pipeline of graduates in these in-demand fields, said University of La Verne President Devorah Lieberman.

A $1 million gift made shortly before year-end by the Fletcher Jones Foundation will make it possible for the University of La Verne to create an endowed professorship in artificial intelligence (AI) and grow its program in a field expected to transform global productivity.

The new Fletcher Jones Endowed Professor for Artificial Intelligence will help the university expand its academic offerings in AI and cybersecurity, with the goal of growing our diverse pipeline of graduates in these in-demand fields, said University of La Verne President Devorah Lieberman.

Demand for people trained in AI and cybersecurity far outpaces the number of candidates available for companies to hire, said Seta Whitby, chair of the universitys Department of Computer Science and Computer Engineering. The universitys new programs will give our graduates a competitive advantage and prepare them for jobs in many fields.

A nationwide search for a full-time endowed professor in AI will begin this spring.

AI and cybersecurity are emerging as critical disruptive technologies of the future, and skills in both areas are in high demand, said Kerop Janoyan, university provost. We look forward to growing our program and opening doors to these sought-after careers for our students.

The Department of Computer Science and Computer Engineering currently offers a concentration in artificial intelligence and a certificate in cybersecurity. The AI concentration is the first to be offered in Southern California at the Bachelor of Science level, said Whitby.

As a Hispanic Serving Institution with a core value of promoting diversity and inclusivity, the University of La Vernes increased presence in programs preparing AI and cybersecurity professionals will help alleviate the shortage of women and people of color in a field where they are significantly underrepresented.

This is the third faculty position within the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of La Verne to be endowed by the Fletcher Jones Foundation. Previous awards support an endowed chair in computational biology and an endowed professor in biology. Proceeds from each endowment support a portion of the salary for the designated faculty member and allow the university to attract and retain top experts in the fields.

We are so very grateful to the Fletcher Jones Foundation for its belief in and support of the University of La Verne, Lieberman said.

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About the University of La Verne

Founded in 1891, the University of La Verne is a private, nonprofit, comprehensive institution founded on four core values: lifelong learning, ethical reasoning, civic and community engagement, and diversity and inclusivity. The university serves students on the historic La Verne campus as well as across regional campuses and online.
Janet and Clint Reilly have a long history of uplifting and supporting future leaders from underserved communities throughout the Bay Area. We have absolutely appreciated their continued support of Leo T. McCarthy Center and USF, stated McCarthy Center Senior Director Derick Brown.

The Leo T. McCarthy Center for Public Service and the Common Good at the University of San Francisco (USF) has announced Bay Area philanthropists Janet and Clint Reilly as the recipients of the 2021 Award for Public Service.

Janet and Clint Reilly have a long history of uplifting and supporting future leaders from underserved communities throughout the Bay Area. We have absolutely appreciated their continued support of Leo T. McCarthy Center and USF, stated McCarthy Center Senior Director Derick Brown. Its an honor to further acknowledge their work and the support they have continued to provide our society.

The Leo T. McCarthy Award for Public Service is awarded biannually to those whose work makes a difference in the lives of people most affected by injustice. The award recognizes persons of significant accomplishment who continue to lead for progressive change serving the common good. Like the awards namesake, winners inspire others to lead, devote their energy to equity and justice, and maintain the highest ethical standards in their personal and professional lives. Public service is defined broadly to include persons in government, philanthropy, education, and the nonprofit world.

This years award recipients, Janet and Clint Reilly, founded Bay Scholars, a nonprofit that creates educational equity for students from underserved communities through four-year scholarships to successful Catholic college-prep high schools in the Bay Area. Bay Scholars formula is to recruit great students, connect them with great schools, and remove the greatest barrier to education -- cost. To date, Bay Scholars has awarded more than $7 million in scholarships. The Reillys also tirelessly devote their time and resources to numerous other charitable organizations.

Janet Reilly is the co-founder and board president of Clinic by the Bay, a free, volunteer-powered health clinic for the working uninsured in San Francisco and San Mateo counties. Established in 2010, Clinic by the Bay is 100 percent privately funded and does not rely on government funding. Clinic by the Bay is located in the Excelsior/Outer Mission neighborhood of San Francisco, a medically underserved area with few health and social services.

In 2019, Governor Gavin Newsom appointed Ms. Reilly to the University of California Regents for a term expiring in 2028. From 2015-2018, Ms. Reilly served on the Presidio Trust Board of Directors, a position she was appointed to by then-President Barack Obama. Previously she was director of the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District from 2003 to 2015, where she was president of the Board of Directors from 2010 to 2012. She is currently an advisory board member of the Walt Disney Family Museum and the Leo T. McCarthy Center for Public Service and the Common Good, and a board member of the CommonSpirit Foundation.

Clint Reilly is the founder and owner of a diversified family of commercial real estate, hospitality and media businesses in San Francisco. His wholly owned portfolio includes five office buildings in the Financial District and Jackson Square, as well as the historic Julia Morgan Ballroom and Merchants Exchange Club event venues. Reillys media holdings include the 156-year old San Francisco Examiner, the SF Weekly and Nob Hill Gazette. The company also owns and operates Credo restaurant. Reilly was named by San Francisco Business Times as one of the Bay Areas Most Admired CEOs in 2018.

Clint Reilly is a current member of the Board of Directors for the Bay Area Council, also serving on the Advisory Board of UC Berkeleys Robert T. Matsui Center for Politics & Public Service, as well as USFs Presidents Advisory Board. A strong supporter of the arts, Reilly also serves on the accessions and collections committees for the SFMOMA, and on the board of the Manetti Shrem Museum of Art at UC Davis. He served on the Board of Directors for Catholic Charities of San Francisco from 1997-2006, including as President of the Boardthe first layperson to hold the postfrom 2002-2006. Clint and Janet Reilly founded the Archbishops Loaves and Fishes Dinner as part of a fundraising initiative that erased a multi-million-dollar operating deficit and put the social services arm of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of San Francisco on solid financial footing. Catholic Charities, whose door is open to all, operates approximately 30 programs serving 40,000 people in San Francisco, San Mateo and Marin counties. Clint also served as president of the board of directors of the Oakland Military Institute, a successful charter school in northwest Oakland.

Prior to his current business career, Reilly was one of the countrys foremost political consultants, with Clinton Reilly Campaigns helping elect a series of leaders who would go on to become champions for families, the environment and the poor, including U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senator Dianne Feinstein.

The Leo T. McCarthy Center for Public Service and the Common Good is dedicated to inspiring and preparing students at USF to pursue lives and careers of ethical public service. The McCarthy Center provides a forum for education, service and research in public policy-making and programs for the common good, supporting undergraduate and graduate academic programs, service learning, and government experiences for students.

Leo T. McCarthy, Speaker of the Assembly from 1974 to 1980 and Lieutenant Governor of California from 1983 to 1995, was a man of great political wisdom and personal integrity. He began his career in the 1960s as a San Francisco supervisor and was instrumental in establishing the citys Human Rights Commission and keeping freeways out of Golden Gate Park. He was a champion of people without a voice and those pushed to the margins.

USF plans to officially present the Reillys with the Leo T. McCarthy Award at an event to be held Thursday, March 3, 2022, bringing together civic leaders, dignitaries, philanthropists and McCarthy Center supporters to celebrate the centers mission to train a new generation of leaders dedicated to ethical public service.

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About the Leo T. McCarthy Center for Public Service and the Common Good at USF

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The Leo T. McCarthy Center for Public Service and the Common Good is dedicated to inspiring and equipping students at USF to pursue lives and careers of ethical public service, and the service to others. The center provides a non-partisan forum for education, service and research in public programs and policy-making. It supports undergraduate and graduate academic programs, including a masters program in public affairs and an undergraduate minor in public service. Additionally, the McCarthy Center provides community-based learning opportunities and facilitates government experiences for students. Engage San Francisco is a transformative university-community partnership that achieves community-identified outcomes supporting children, youth and families in The Fillmore/Western Addition neighborhood through student learning, research and teaching aligned with USFs mission and vision. This university-wide initiative supports neighbors living below San Franciscos poverty level to achieve their full potential in education, health, and career development, and housing. For more information, visit https://www.usfca.edu/mccarthy

About the University of San Francisco

The University of San Francisco is a private, Jesuit Catholic university that reflects the diversity, optimism, and opportunities of the city that surrounds it. USF offers more than 230 undergraduate, graduate, professional, and certificate programs in the arts and sciences, business, law, education, and nursing and health professions. At USF, each course is an intimate learning community in which top professors encourage students to turn learning into positive action, so the students graduate equipped to do well in the world  and inspired to change it for the better. For more information, visit usfca.edu.
Office-based providers need relief in the February omnibus appropriations package or the consequences will be dire. - Dr. Garcia

Today, United Specialists for Patient Access (USPA) is asking members of Congress to join the bipartisan letter led by U.S. Representatives Bobby L. Rush (D-IL) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) which asks the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate leadership to reverse the clinical labor cuts in the February omnibus appropriations legislation.

If Washington does not act to stop the CMS-directed cuts, they will result in fewer options for patients, cause a rise in health inequity, and hasten the consolidation of our nations health system. In addition, office-based providers will be forced out of business if the cuts remain in place.

The latest Rush-Bilirakis letter aims to stop the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) from implementing the updated clinical labor policy in the 2022 Physician Fee Schedule (PFS). USPA is asking office-based specialists to contact Congress and encourage their U.S. Representatives to join the letter.

The changes from CMS will force drastic cuts to specialty providers of up to 20%. In September, Rush and Bilirakis led a bipartisan, 75-member letter asking CMS not to finalize these cuts citing the devastating impacts on patients and providers.

Dr. Mark Garcia, USPA Board Member, the CMO of American Vascular Associates, and the CEO of Endovascular Consultants, said, USPA is proud to support the bipartisan efforts of Congressman Rush and Congressman Bilirakis. Office-based providers need relief in the February omnibus appropriations package or the consequences will be dire. If Congress fails to prevent the clinical labor cuts, the end result will be worse patient outcomes, the acceleration of health system consolidation, and a wider health equity gap. Furthermore, the middle of a global pandemic that is overwhelming hospitals is not the time to squeeze out office-based specialists because they serve as a necessary relief valve.
Owner Eric Casteel is ready to introduce Iowa City residents to his new Woodcraft store. Woodcraft is happy to see Eric Casteel entering the Iowa City business community.

Iowa City and Johnson County residents are invited to 3 Escort Lane at 9 a.m. Monday, January 17, for the opening of a new Woodcraft Supply retail store.

Owner Eric Casteel is eager to introduce local woodworkers, DIYers and others to Woodcrafts line of quality woodworking tools, accessories and supplies. Based on his market research, Casteel said he knows there are a lot of professional and hobbyist woodworkers in eastern Iowa, as well as do-it-yourselfers, who can benefit from having a woodworking store within driving distance.

Casteel discovered this need firsthand during COVID when he was at home a lot and doing woodworking and DIY projects. In the quest for tools and supplies, I became frustrated at the lack of availability in the eastern Iowa/western Illinois region, he said.

Everything about our store location is exciting, Casteel said. Not only is it easily accessible, regardless of which direction our customers are coming from, it also provides us the opportunity for expansion. Plans are already in the works to add an additional 3,500 square feet. The additional space will house a dedicated classroom and allow us to expand our already wide selection of lumber, including domestic hardwoods, sheet goods, and hard to find exotic species.

Woodcraft President and CEO Jack Bigger said, Woodcraft is happy to see Eric Casteel entering the Iowa City business community and bringing the Woodcraft retail store experience to a new area in the heartland of the US.

Store hours are: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-7 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; and Sunday, Noon-5 p.m.

For more information about the Woodcraft of Iowa City store, call (319) 259-7175 or visit woodcraft.com. Follow the store on Facebook.
In her impressive new story collection, Observations by Gaslight, Edgar finalist Lyndsay Faye depicts Sherlock Holmes from perspectives other than Watsons. Drawing on canonical supporting characters (Mrs. Hudson) as well as lesser-known ones (Henry Wiggins), Faye pushes the envelope judiciously, providing depth to the iconic sleuth without transforming him beyond recognition. For example, The Adventure of the Stopped Clocks, narrated by Irene Adler, the one woman who bested Holmes, fleshes out his admiration for her intellect, and explores the impact on the sleuth of Watsons marriage and move out of Baker Street, all within the context of an ingenious take on an untold case centered on why all the clocks in a mans home have stopped.

There are three kinds of people in the world: those who havent read Sherlock Holmes; those who read Sherlock Holmes, nodded affably, and walked away; and those who, having already read Sherlock Holmes, simply forgot to stop reading Sherlock Holmes. Im of the last variety, those who didnt get the memo saying Okay, youve read them all, you can move onto something else! There is something to adore about each and every story.

But as with all foods that nourish us, body or soul, we have our likes and dislikes, and no one would be foolish enough to argue over whether some snacks are tastier than others. A flavorful Thai curry for supper is always going to trounce saloon floor wood shavings. So goes it with the Sherlock Holmes mysteries, and countless Best Of lists have been compiled with childlike enthusiasm. (Sir Arthur Conan Doyle even made one himself, the cheeky little scamp.) Repeat offenders in the excellence department include The Red-Headed League, The Blue Carbuncle, and The Speckled Band.

A far more intriguing query, to my mind, is which of the 56 short stories and four novels are the most consistently underrated? Which slide under the radar, becoming the canonical equivalent of WWII fighter pilots? And if they ought to be recognized more often, then why? I invite you to peruse my personal list of Sherlock Holmes stories worthy of greater admiration than theyre generally afforded. They might not pack a knockout punch, but as the great detective himself might put it, they deliver a straight left against a slogging ruffian.

10. The Golden Pince-Nez

Its not the most exciting case in the canon, I admitthe entire premise is that of an old woman hiding in a wardrobe. But Holmes plays a plucky trick in scattering cigarette ash to pick up footmarks, and the backstory is a poignant one. Anna, the murderess (manslaughter, in fact, as it was unintentional) has just finished a long stint in Siberia for Nihilism, and her heartless betrayer is the professor whose home she has broken into. Bonus for our dear Inspector Stanley Hopkins appearance!

9. The Valley of Fear

The shining star of the four Sherlock Holmes novels is also one of the most famous works of English literature: The Hound of the Baskervilles. Following on its heels are A Study in Scarlet simply for its iconic introduction of our heroes, and The Sign of Four for its rip-roaring treasure hunt, Watsons introduction to his bride Mary Morstan, our first poignant glimpse into Holmess drug use, and hey, we get a boat chase.

Still, The Valley of Fear is not at all without merit. Theres Holmes cracking a cipher message in the cozy Baker Street sitting room intro. Birlstone House, where the murder investigation takes place, aint no cottagetheres a moat. Add the old switcheroo where the corpse isnt very dead at all, the nefarious Prof. Moriartys involvement, and an engaging backstory featuring the Pinkertons, and you have yourself a very solid Sherlockian entry.

8. The Lions Mane

I know exactly why this one is underrated, even by me: Sherlock Holmes is not as compelling a narrator as John Watson is, nor can he be. The Sherlock Holmes stories at their heart arent about the crime at all; theyre about Watson watching Holmes, munching popcorn and being utterly fascinated.

Still, this glimpse at Holmess post-retirement life in Sussex fleshes out his biography beautifully, sketching a portrait of a solitary man living a peaceful existence following his life of well, lets face it, both crime and crime-solving. If thats not enough, I have two words for you: killer jellyfish.

7. The Beryl Coronet

Alexander Holder is a banker who has issued a gargantuan loan. His prominent client, in what Id term a moment of not-so-brightness, offers the invaluable beryl coronet as collateral. In a second shining instance of not-quite-brilliance, Holder decides its more secure in his private safe and trots it off homeward. Key problems arise when Holder discovers his son Arthur violently wrestling with the priceless diadem, which is now missing a hunk containing three gems.

Arthur promptly clams up. Holder is convinced Arthur did the deed. Holmes is convinced he didnt. Cue tangled skeins of love and loyalty, plus Holmes doing footprint magic and holding villains at gunpoint. Its all very tightly written, highly satisfying, and most importantly, vastly underestimated.

6. The Sussex Vampire

This one would make the list based solely on Holmess stern line to Watson regarding the existence of vampires: The world is big enough for us. No ghosts need apply. It also contains Watsons offhand mention of the case of the Giant Rat of Sumatra, a story for which the world is not yet prepared, which has spawned frillions of pastiches and enough salivating speculation to fill an Olympic pool.

Apparently, Robert Ferguson has discovered his exotic Peruvian second wife suckling blood from their babys neck; this is admittedly troubling. She refuses to explain, locks herself in, and assiduously avoids Fergusons 15-year-old son Jack from a previous marriage, who lacks full use of his legs.

Holmes has this situation clocked quickly, and it turns out that the insanely jealous one is actually young Jacky, who loathes the healthy new baby and was attempting to poison him before his stepmother orally extracted the toxin. Its a simple enough premise, but tumultuous emotions are involved, Holmes gets in some real zingers, and this case has atmosphere.

5. The Creeping Man

I have a deep affinity for things that are really, truly, genuinely bad. Bad movies, cheesy music, and in this instance, a story I think Doyle must have written during an opium-fueled fever dream. Or maybe Sir Arthur was just off licking poisonous tree frogs again. I really dont know what mental state could have produced itLSD hadnt been invented yet.

Prof. Presbury, 61, is engaged to a fine upstanding younger woman. But suddenly hes doing rather eccentric things like crawling on all fours and climbing walls without the use of ladders. Whats up with that?

Ill tell you what: monkey serum. Maybe Doyle was on monkey serum during this writing process? Lord, it all makes so much more sense now.

4. The Adventure of Black Peter

This case has some truly great features, including your classic Holmes-style entrance into the Baker Street sitting room, whistling Dixie with a giant harpoon slung over his shoulder. Why, Watson asks?

Because harpoon murder, Watson. Please. Where have you been all these years?

3. The Reigate Squires

Im aware Im putting this too far up the list, but Holmess shenanigans are off the mapits a delight. First, we learn that Holmes isnt actually superhuman; hes prostrate with nerves after an exhausting case, laid up in France, and Watson is off arrow-quick to carry his buddy back to London like a sack of potatoes. To speed his recovery, Watson convinces the detective to take a wee springtime vacay, and the pair end up at the bachelor pad of his friend Col. Hayter.

A sick Holmes is sure still a frisky one. The case itself is negligible, but we are treated to pure Sherlockian mayhem. Witness Watson practically sitting on Holmess chest trying to keep him out of a local murder mystery (Watson fails). Shudder as Holmes fakes a seizure (is our hero still so very ill?). Gape as he shoves over an end table with a bowl of oranges on it (does Holmes hate oranges?). Marvel as Holmes apologizes to his doctor over the whole seizure thing (does Holmes perchance care?). Its a lighthearted romp I thoroughly enjoy.

2. The Boscombe Valley Mystery

This is one of the most genuinely touching stories to ever be underrated. A pair of expat Australians, John Turner and Charles McCarthy, live in separate homes on a large estate. Their children, Alice and James, grew up together. When McCarthy is murdered near a pool, it quickly develops that he was there to meet with his son James, who was armed when they fell into a vicious argument. James wont talk (I sense a theme here) and is already incarcerated for what everyone thinks is going to be the most open-and-shut homicide investigation of all time.

Sherlock Holmes, as ever, thinks differently. James admits to the quarrel but claims he is innocent. Holmes talks with Alice, who suggests she was the cause of the tiff; McCarthy wanted James and Alice to marry, a stance to which Turner was adamantly opposed. A star-crossed love story is revealed. James is in fact besotted with Alice but is already married to a barmaid. All Holmes must do now is spring James from the clink.

Which our hero does, of course. The true tragedy of this case is that McCarthy has slowly been bleeding Turner dry. Turner, a broken man, confesses the murder to Holmes. Before the Australians emigrated, Turner was part of a gang that robbed a gold convoy; McCarthy was the driver. Turner bought property with his ill-gotten ore, married, and fathered his beloved Alice. Then McCarthy turned up demanding a house, plenty of pocket money, and finally, the hand of Alice for James. And thats where Turner drew the line.

Holmes practically gives Turner a medal for offing a blackmailer. Obviously moved, he says quietly after Turner leaves that he cant see a story like this without thinking there, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes. Our great detective sure makes for one lousy cold-blooded reasoning machine.

1. The Bruce-Partington Plans

I dont know how, if I even wanted to, I could overstate it: this is my favorite tale in the entire canon. It has absolutely everything, and I cannot understand why people dont realize this more often. A body dumped on the roof of a train! Rarely glimpsed affectionate moments between the doctor and his detective over dining tables! Holmes and Watson breaking and entering by night! Top secret documents! The fate of the British government at stake!

And the cameos, oh the cameos. Lestrade is here. Mycroft is here. Id not have been surprised if Irene Adler suddenly swanned in to lend a hand. And that, friends, is why I count it as the most underrated adventure of all.
The Chinese foreign ministry Monday urged the United States to unfreeze Afghanistan's assets and lift unilateral sanctions on the country as soon as possible.





Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, acting Deputy Prime Minister of the Afghan Taliban's interim government, is reported saying that the recent rain and snow have aggravated the plight of Afghan people in need of food and clothing, and the economic sanctions imposed by the United States have made Afghanistan face serious challenges.





When asked to comment on Baradar's remarks, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin told a daily press briefing that the Chinese people sympathize with the difficulties the Afghan people are suffering.





He said that although the U.S. military has withdrawn from Afghanistan, the sequela caused by its occupation of Afghanistan for 20 years continues and is further aggravated.





"We urge the U.S. side to deeply reflect on its mistakes, shoulder its due international responsibilities and lift its asset freeze and unilateral sanctions against Afghanistan as soon as possible," Wang said.





The U.S. side is also urged to take concrete actions to make up for the harm caused to the Afghan people, instead of sprinkling salt on the wounds of the Afghan people, according to Wang.





Produced by Xinhua Global Service
Fable, the mobile platform for online book clubs launched in early 2021, has announced $20 million in Series A funding. The new round of financing, led by Tiger Global, follows an initial seed round of $7.25 million. The additional money will be used to expand operations. Currently, the platform is focused on enabling readers to join online reading cubs moderated by experts, authors, and influencers, or to start their own clubs. The platform, accessible on both iOS and Android, runs a proprietary e-book store where 20% of the net proceeds from every book purchased is donated to the World Literacy Foundation.

Weve come a long way, said Padmasree Warrior, CEO of Fable, noting that the company now employs 25 people and that the platform has seen the establishment of more than 300 public book clubs. Several clubs are attracting growing audiences. The largest is the Spicy Romance Book Club, which has 11,192 members. It is run by Ayman Chaudhary, a 21-year-old social media influencer from Chicago with more than 650,000 TikTok followers and accumulated 1.4 billion views for her videos. The Chamber of Secrets Book Club, run by Cameron Capello (440,000 TikTok followers), is second in the number of total members, with 4.000. The site regularly offers reading guides to books that are seeing a surge in popularity due to social media activity, such as the work of Colleen Hoover whose book sales soared last year with the help of TikTok where readers expressed their enthusiasm for her novels.

While Fables core services are free, a $69 premium annual subscription gives users access to a broader selection of clubs and allows members to host larger clubs. Among these is LaVar Burtons Book Club, which has nearly 650 members and has featured discussions with A-list authors, including Jesmyn Ward. Another new club is by actor Sean Astin, who starred in The Lord of the Rings films as Samwise Gamgee and has attracted 200 members to read the Tolkien trilogy with him.

Numerous notable authors and personalities, including Anthony Doerr, Katherine May, David Sedaris, Adam Grant, Jasmine Guillory, Mimi Lok, and Paulo Coelho, have all created Fable Folios  lists of recommended books  for the platform. New to Fable is a partnership with a bricks-and-mortar bookstore. The company has partnered with Bel Canto Books in Long Beach, Calif., which has selected a folio of recommended books to post on Fable and will be hosting a premium book club moderated by bookstore founder Jhoanna Belfer and focused on the books by and for Asian American Pacific Islander readers on Fable's app.

Primarily, we see Fable as helping readers discover new books, said Warrior, who in her social media posts-where she has 1.3 million followers on Twitter-extolls the virtues of reading as an antidote to some of the stress of living through the pandemic.

Looking ahead, the site plans to establish more topical or subject-oriented clubs, like one on books related to the climate, one based on the Iceland Reader's Retreat, or the recently launched RN Book Challenge club, which is focused on helping readers meet a reading challenge issued by Kim Nam-joon, better known by his stage name, RM, and the leader of the South Korean musical group BTS. In addition, Fable is looking at offering support for audiobooks.

Our plans are simple: we are making Fable into an amazing social community for book lovers, said Warrior.
Attorney, former gymnast, and abuse survivor Rachael Denhollander wants to remind boys of their immeasurable worth in a new picture book, How Much Is a Little Boy Worth? (Tyndale, Feb. 8). Denhollander became a leading evangelical voice against sexual abuse after her eyewitness testimony helped lead to the conviction of former USA Gymnastics doctor and serial abuser Larry Nassar in 2018.

She wrote about her experiences, including why she decided to speak out publicly and testify against Nassar, who sexually assaulted her when she was 15, in the 2019 memoir, What Is a Girl Worth? Published simultaneously, the childrens book How Much Is a Little Girl Worth? featured a poem meant to teach young female readers to love themselves. Now, Denhollander is encouraging boys to look away from man-made standards for self-esteem in How Much Is a Little Boy Worth?

Really, boys struggle with the same core issues of understanding their own value and identity, and learning to derive it from the right sources, she tells PW.

Linda Howard, associate publisher at Tyndale Kids, agrees. In a society where men are consistently told that their worth lies in their accomplishments and strength, this book reminds boys that their value isnt earned by the things they do, it is a gift from their creator who has loved them from the beginning of time, she says.

It was important for Denhollander to write a book for boys in order to expose social stigmas that can jeopardize their sense of self-worth and even silence victims of abuse. Additionally, How Much Is a Little Boy Worth? takes a visible stand for male survivors of abuse in all forms, she says. Even during the Nassar trial, I felt the voices of male survivors was noticeably absent from discussion. So much suffering has been endured in silence, with deep social stigmas.

Denhollanders husband, Jacob Denhollander, co-authored the book. He explains: We felt it was helpful and important to hear these truths coming from a male voice also, especially since there can be such a stigma around men discussing emotional topics.

He adds that How Much Is a Little Boy Worth? will serve the next generation of boys in a post-#MeToo worldthe #MeToo movement caught global attention in 2017 and brought worldwide awareness to how widespread sexual harassment is.

Culturally we are finally beginning to reckon with the reality of male abuse, and also the struggles boys and men have with low self-image, Jacob tells PW. And we have to grapple with the reality that when boys are not emotionally healthy and secure in their own value and identity, it can set the stage in adulthood for aggression or acting in damaging ways to others who are vulnerable.

Rachael Denhollander helped spur momentum around #MeToo after coming forward with her accusations against Nassar. Hundreds of women followed with their stories, and the former physician was sentenced to up to 175 years in prison for criminal sexual conduct. Denhollander continues to work as a speaker, advocate, and educator to bridge the gap between survivors and the society and institutions that may have failed them, according to her website. Ultimately, the Denhollanders want How Much Is a Little Boy Worth? to start conversations between caregivers and young readers about the ultimate questions we all wrestle with in life: Who am I? Where does my value come from? What defines me?, Rachael says.

She adds: And we hope that our little men everywhere will absorb the love, compassion, and strength that comes from knowing how deeply and securely they are loved and valued.
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind.  The annual Purdue Ag Alumni Fish Fry, originally set for Feb. 5, has been postponed until April 30 due to safety concerns surrounding the current COVID-19 Omicron variant surge in Indiana.

Danica Kirkpatrick, executive director of the Purdue Ag Alumni Association, spoke about the difficult decision made by the event planning team.

We became concerned that we could not produce this event safely, Kirkpatrick said. We will return to the Indiana State Fairgrounds and will have a wonderful celebration this spring.

Ticket holders who plan to attend the April 30 event will be able to use the tickets they have purchased.

Ticket holders who are no longer able to attend the 2022 Fish Fry should email Kirkpatrick at danica@purdue.edu so that a refund can be processed as soon as possible.

We will return to the February dates in 2023, Kirkpatrick said. Thank you for understanding, stay safe and healthy, and well see you in April.

Media contact: Jillian Ellison, ellison1@purdue.edu

Agricultural Communications: 765-494-8415;

Maureen Manier, Department Head, mmanier@purdue.edu

Agriculture News Page
Produced by ITN Productions for Channel 5 in the UK, The Costa Concordia: Why She Sank is the definitive story of the sinking of the Costa Concordia, which happened off the coast of Tuscany, Italy, on 13 January 2012. There were 4000 people on board the liner, and while a rescue mission saved thousands of lives, 32 people would die. Captain Francesco Schettino, who abandoned his ship, was blamed and ultimately found guilty of manslaughter. He was sentenced to 16 years in prison. The cruise ship company, Costa Cruises, was also heavily criticised but did not face criminal charges.While detailing precisely how the Costa Concordia sank, the documentary series also looks to answer pertinent questions: Was this a tragedy waiting to happen? Should lessons have been learned from previous disasters? And could it happen again? It combines exclusive first-person testimony from survivors and rescuers with previously unseen footage, graphic reconstruction, and expert insight to tell the astonishing story of what happened on the night in forensic detail.Among the initial deals struck by European broadcasters up for the series are TF1 in France , Discovery in Italy, TV2 in Norway, SVT in Sweden, RTL in the Netherlands, VTM in Belgium, Ceska TV in the Czech Republic and WP1 in Poland. In Australia, the title has been acquired by SBS.Ten years on, The Costa Concordia: Why She Sank provides a compelling and insightful look at this shocking event, said Holly Cowdery, Beyond Rights  VP sales for France and CEEMEA commenting on the deals.  ITN Productions has an enviable reputation for creating top-quality factual programming. With this new series, it continues to demonstrate its investigative prowess by revealing new information, and cleverly weaves together details on a story that we thought we knew into something fresh and totally gripping. We are delighted that so many broadcasters share our view of this fascinating series and are confident that these early deals will be the first of many.
Arizona State University prides itself as a world leader in innovation. Under the leadership of President Michael Crow since July 2002, the university has undergone a rapid and groundbreaking transformative evolution into one of the worlds best public metropolitan research universities.

Under Crows leadership, ASU has established 25 new transdisciplinary schools, including the School of Earth and Space Exploration, the School for the Future of Innovation in Society, and the School of Human Evolution and Social Change. ASU has long had a strong focus on energy, including projects on grid operation and advanced concepts on electricity transmission, microgrids, biofuels, and biosciences, with a dollop of solar energy also in the mix.

Perhaps the most exciting work at the Tempe-based institution is the LightWorks initiative, which bills itself as providing solutions to the worlds most pressing global fuel, electric, and social challenges through the simple idea of energy from sunlight.

LightWorks director Gary Dirks, an ASU alumnus who returned to his alma mater after a successful career with energy giant British Petroleum (BP), says the programs success relies on the synergy created by bringing researchers together across university boundaries, disciplines, and existing programs. The resulting collaborations facilitate innovative projects using fresh approaches that leapfrog over old ways of thinking. Further synergy comes via connections with industrial groups and other external players.

Today, the LightWorks website [Home - LightWorks (asu.edu)] boasts that, We discover and invent energy solutions to the worlds fuel, electric, and social challenges. The vision encompasses a resilient and equitable energy future supported by innovations in technology, policy, law, and markets.

LightWorks is an innovation accelerator that provides connectivity between the universitys assets and researchers and government agencies, nongovernmental organizations, and corporations to solve sustainability challenges. LightWorks pursues breakthroughs not just to power the world, but to empower and enrich peoples lives, to enlighten communities across the globe, to achieve energy security and energy justice, and to inspire future generations.

To those ends, LightWorks seeks to solve pressing challenges by creating an ecosystem of innovative technologies through interdisciplinary and out of the box design thinking. The LightWorks Innovation Accelerator explores solutions in a broad range of sections, including the carbon economy, food systems, the Internet of things, green finance, sustainable engineering, and clean water.

Often people flow into the initiative as they are applying for a grant or seeking to commercialize a technology or to draw in partners from other institutions. As they interact across disciplines with other scientists, they are often able to upgrade their own research. Thus, LightWorks is a platform that helps individual ASU programs, rather than agglomerate credit to itself.

In the now-worldwide LightWorks external network, disagreement among colleagues has become a great tool for exploration and development of ideas. In order to progress, Dirks says, people have to have the freedom to be wrong. Otherwise, they will fear not getting it right and may not even bring up controversial ideas that may have merit.

As of now about 150 faculty members have loosely affiliated with one or more of the four broad areas that LightWorks has been pursuing. These include an initiative involving basic science and engineering to determine appropriate policies to drive rooftop solar, along with work on solar electrons and the electric grid. A second focus, on sustainable fuels and products, addresses how to get from solar to materials, fuels, and support for the food industry.

A third focus, on policy and social equity, has two components. First is energy policy directed towards the transition to lower carbon energy involving the grid and fuels. The second is on social justice and how to incorporate ideas of equity into the complex energy transition we are experiencing. The fourth major area is centered on economic development that connects businesses and the larger communities with efforts toward sustainability.

The entities and individuals who participate have their own high aspirations, and thus assigning credit to the initiative that merely brings people together to improve their own work product through conflict and collaboration would likely be counterproductive. But the participants know the benefit they obtain through the relationships LightWorks facilitates.

The criteria for a successful energy transition are, first, net zero carbon dioxide, but also that energy remain just, reliable, and affordable. The world, he notes, has accepted that climate change is a risk, but the good news is that renewable energy has become much cheaper to produce and distribute. There are, however, significant gaps that require attention.

While, as Dirks acknowledges, we cannot say with absolute certainty that we know the path to the future, there are ways to build a new energy system that works for people and the environment. Big questions remain to be answered with any certainty, including how the military will fuel its fleets and how the petrochemical industry will survive and thrive once petroleum is no longer an acceptable fuel source.

For example, every surface except perhaps the glass in even electric vehicles is a polymer. Too, until energy storage issues are solved, natural gas will continue to be needed, along with hydropower where available, as backup energy sources to keep things running during wind and solar energy shortfalls. Again, LightWorks insists on solutions that are sustainable for both the environment and people.

These examples demonstrate that science and common sense, not ideology, is the chief driver of the LightWorks initiative. The mandates for affordability and equity require an open mind and a willingness to accept the best possible energy mix that balances economic justice and preventing any potential climate calamity.

Duggan Flanakin is Director of Policy Research for the Committee for a Constructive Tomorrow.
By Zhang Dan

Russia and the US held a meeting in Geneva, Switzerland on January 10 discussing nuclear arms control and the tension stemming from the Ukraine issue  the third meeting between the leaders of the two countries after they established the mechanism of strategic stability dialogue last June. The new round of dialogue held at the beginning of a new year aimed at controlling security risks is much welcomed, but analysts generally believed there was no quick solution to their divergences and the strained Russia-US relations will sustain.

Divergences and conflicts to persist

The topics at the dialogue show that the core conflicts between Moscow and Washington lie in nuclear arms control and the Ukraine issue, but their fundamental and strategic nature decides that they wont be resolved in the short term.

With the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF Treaty) coming out of effect, the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty(New START) is now the only arms control treaty between the two powers and will be extended for another five years according to the agreement reached last February. Both sides intend to reach a new arms control treaty during this period.

Moscow and Washington have different calculations when it comes to arms control. While Washington is concerned about Moscows tactical nuclear weapons and the new weapon systems in the pipeline such as nuclear-powered torpedo, Moscow worries about Washingtons missile defense system and conventional precision strike capabilities. Their different stance on the nuclear issue has made arms control negotiations more difficult.

In recent years, Russia has been in consistent tension with the US and other western countries because of the Ukraine issue. The US-led NATO tries to bring Ukraine to its side through intensified military cooperation and other means, and has kept ramping up military and political containment of Russia while hyping the risk of it invading Ukraine. Russia, on the other hand, has emphasized that the sustained aggravation of the situation is caused by NATO continuously squeezing its security space and it has drawn the red line several times. Besides, the two sides also have prominent divergences on cybersecurity, human rights, intervention in the election, and other issues.

Its foreseeable that the US wont stop its suppression and containment of Russia in the new year, and that will surely incur vehement reaction and countermeasures from the Russian side.

More strategic mutual trust needed

For a long time, the Russia-US relation, due to their lack of strategic mutual trust and the structural conflicts, has been frozen so deep that an ice-breaking breakthrough doesnt seem likely anytime soon.

In the past year, the US announced massive sanctions against Russia and expelled Russian diplomats on the grounds of suspected cyberattacks and intervention in American election. It also made constant pressuring and provocative moves against Russia by supporting NATOs frequent military exercises in the Black Sea region and providing weapons and equipment to Ukraine. After withdrawing from the Treaty on the Limitation of Anti-Ballistic Missile Systems (ABM) and the INF Treaty, the US went further to exit the Open Skies Treaty. It also tried to help Australia build nuclear-powered submarines, which will increase the risk of nuclear proliferation and send shock waves through the international nuclear non-proliferation system. All these have continuously eroded the foundation of military trust between the two countries.

There is a series of historical reasons behind the lack of strategic mutual trust between Washington and Moscow. After the Cold War ended, the US wished to keep Russia under western control and the anti-Russia sentiment was prevalent in domestic politics. On the other hand, Russia insists that a unipolar world with the US as the only hegemon is unacceptable, the US-dominated eastward expansion of NATO is threatening its national security interests, and Americas condescending attitude doesnt help matters at all.

The superposition of historical factors and current conflicts of interests has added insult to injury in bilateral relations. Whether the two parties will break the ice and lead their relations to a new era in 2022 is worth watching.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- The International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva on Monday announced her intention to appoint Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas, professor at the University of California, Berkeley, as the institution's chief economist.

Gourinchas, who joined the UC Berkeley in 2003, is currently the faculty director of the Clausen Center for International Business & Policy. He was also assistant professor of economics at the Princeton University and the Stanford University.

Gourinchas is also program director of International Finance and Macroeconomics at the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER), a non-profit, non-partisan U.S. organization. From 2012 to 2013, he was a member of the French Council of Economic Advisors to the Prime Minister.

From 2009 to 2016, Gourinchas was IMF visiting scholar and the editor-in-chief of the IMF Economic Review, the Fund's premier research journal, according to the multilateral lender.

"I am very pleased to announce that Pierre-Olivier will join us as the Fund's next Chief Economist," Georgieva said in a statement, describing the French economist as an outstanding macroeconomic scholar and practitioner with "his finger on the pulse of global economic issues."

"He brings a stellar track record of scholarship and intellectual leadership in macroeconomic areas critical to our work - from global imbalances and capital flows to the stability of the international monetary and financial system, and more recently, to economic policies for the pandemic era," Georgieva continued.

Gourinchas will begin his work as the IMF's new chief economist on Jan. 24, "initially on a part-time basis" as he concludes some prior teaching commitments, transitioning to full-time on April 1, 2022, according to the statement.

Gourinchas will succeed Gita Gopinath as the Fund's economic counsellor and director of the Research Department.

Gopinath, who joined the IMF as chief economist in early 2019, said in October last year that she had planned to return to Harvard University in January 2022.

In early December, however, Georgieva unexpectedly announced that Gopinath is set to succeed Geoffrey Okamoto as the institution's first deputy managing director. 
Peacock has acquired documentary Use of Force: The Policing of Black America and will release the film on Friday.

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The documentary will explore police brutality against people of color and how to address the issue.

Hip-hop legend Chuck D serves as narrator and co-produced the project, which was written and directed by Cary Grant Jr.

A trailer for the film features footage of protests that took place across the U.S. following the deaths of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd.

"As reports of fatal police violence continue to flood the headlines, Use of Force: The Policing of Black America shines a light on not only the circumstances of these cases but how to improve the system as a whole and heal the communities they impact.," reads a synopsis.

Use of Force: The Policing of Black America will feature interviews with law enforcement, former senior advisor to former President Barack Obama , Valerie Jarrett, mother of shooting victim Sean Bell, Valerie Bell, co-founder of Black Lives Matter Alicia Garza, former police chief of Linden, N.J., Jonathan Parham and more.
Star Jones is joining the long-running series Divorce Court.

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The 59-year-old attorney and television personality will replace Faith Jenkins as host and judge on the show in September, People reported Monday.

As the new judge, Jones will preside over divorce proceedings, domestic disputes and other cases on Divorce Court.

"Before I was the legal correspondent for NBC News covering high-profile trials and conducting exclusive jailhouse interviews, I spent six years in a Brooklyn courtroom as a NYC homicide prosecutor and assistant district attorney," Jones said in a statement.

"Since the beginning of my TV career, it's been my mission to serve as a voice for the voiceless; and after more than 30 consecutive years on television and in people's homes, that remains true," she added.

Jones said she will offer viewers and the parties on Divorce Court "a no-nonsense approach to the law and a decision driven by my proven legal expertise, compassion and empathy, personal experiences and hard-earned common sense."

Jones confirmed her casting on Twitter, saying she is "incredibly honored" to join the show.

Her previous TV credits include The View and Celebrity Apprentice.

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Jenkins has served as host and judge on Divorce Court since 2020. Lynn Toler and Mablean Ephriam were the previous judges.
TRAVERSE CITY  The number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 is rising at Munson Healthcare, with 13 new inpatients admitted across the networks six hospitals since Tuesday.

On Monday, Munson reported 87 beds occupied by COVID-19 inpatients across the networks six hospitals, with 50 of them at Munson Medical Center. There are currently 9 patients on ventilators across the system. The rise is a marked reversal of a downtrend in hospitalizations during the last weeks of 2021.

The latest on COVID-19 Continuing coverage of COVID-19 and its impact. If you have a question about the novel coronavirus pandemic and haven't been able to find an a

And according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, on Friday, there were 86,560 cases and 1,590 deaths reported in northern Michigan since the start of the pandemic.

Brian Lawson, spokesperson for Munson Medical Center, said he believes the recent rise in hospitalizations follows a rise in test positivity in northern Michigan.

The percent positivity rate is currently at 17.8 percent for the region, which was at 14.8 percent on Jan. 3. Statewide, the percent positivity rate is 30.2 percent, up from 19.8 percent on Jan. 3.

Other factors, he said, were Omicron arriving in northern Michigan, holiday gatherings and travels and school coming back into session in the new year.

Lawson said he also expects to see more patients in the hospital with the higher transmissibility of Omicron and that it is recommended that people get a fourth booster if it has been five months since their last.

I think that, with every surge, there have been multiple factors that have gone into why we see hospitalizations rise. I think its a matter of the variant and a matter of the time of year and whats going on, whats occurring in the community in terms of safety behaviors and things like that. So, theres always a lot of variables that go into it. But the transmissibility of whatever strain is out there is always a big one, he said.

The first case of Omicron in northern Michigan was officially detected in a Newago County resident on Jan. 4.

And on Friday, Grand Traverse County Health Department said in a press release that the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) notified the county that they detected Omicron in a Grand Traverse County resident, with the test result dating back to Dec. 20, when Omicron was first detected in Michigan.

The release also said there were 558 cases and three deaths in the past seven days, averaging about 80 new cases per day.

According to a press release issued on Monday by the Benzie-Leelanau District Health Department, the department was notified by MDHHS that the Omicron variant was detected in one Leelanau County resident from a sample taken Dec. 28.

Lisa Peacock, Health Officer for BLDHD, reiterated to residents in another press release on Thursday that, regardless of variant, if COVID positive or exposed, the protective measures are the same  correct and consistent masking, getting tested, and staying home when symptomatic or while waiting for test results.

MDHHS also detected the Omicron cases in Antrim County and Charlevoix County on Dec. 28, according to a press release from the Health Department of Northwest Michigan on Monday.

Lawson said its accurate to say Omicron is circulating in the region, but it is too early to tell what its effects will be.

He also said Munson Healthcare isnt able to sequence samples in-house, so the hospital system sends samples to state labs for sequencing instead.

Weve certainly been monitoring the Omicron variant, but weve also known that Delta to hold the possibility of continuing to send more patients to the hospital as well. And, in preparing for that, weve also been preparing for whatever variant is next. And, thats really how the last two years have gone. Weve seen these ups and downs in terms of patient surges, he said.

Despite hospitalizations declining in December after the most recent surge, health officials had been anticipating and preparing for another increase when the new COVID-19 variant arrived.

Lawson said, Munson remains at the pandemic status level red and the hospital system has taken steps to increase capacity since the most recent surge.

Even though they went down and that was really good, theres still a lot of patients in the hospital, he said, talking about how numbers remained high during the most recent surge.

So, weve remained in that level red status because we know that things can change very quickly.
Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi holds talks with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud in Wuxi, east China's Jiangsu Province, Jan. 10, 2022. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng)

NANJING, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks on Monday with Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud in Wuxi City of east China's Jiangsu Province.

After an in-depth exchange of views, the two sides reached broad consensus on bilateral relations, practical cooperation and multilateral coordination.

Wang said that China stands ready to work with Saudi Arabia to jointly implement the important consensus reached by two heads of state to promote the development of bilateral relations.

Wang said the two sides should continue to firmly support each other in safeguarding their respective core interests, jointly oppose unilateralism and bullying, safeguard the collective interests of developing countries and the basic norms governing international relations.

Faisal said Saudi Arabia has always opposed interfering in China's domestic affairs, firmly championed the one-China principle and firmly supported China's legitimate position on issues concerning Taiwan and Xinjiang, as well as human rights.

On the Iran nuclear issue, Wang said China supports Gulf countries in setting up multilateral dialogue platforms and taking the initiative in regional issues into their own hands.

The two sides also exchanged views on Yemen, Afghanistan and other international and regional issues of common concern. 
People gathered in Harmony Parking lot in Brattleboro on Friday, April 22nd for a street festival and parade in celebration of Earth Day. According to Nancy Braus of 350 Brattleboro, the goal was to celebrate the ways in which the community is working towards climate justice and to empower 
Brattleboro, VT (05301)

Today

Cloudy. Slight chance of a rain shower. High around 60F. Winds light and variable..

Tonight

Rain showers early will evolve into a more steady rain overnight. Low 47F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 80%.
Beckley, WV (25801)

Today

Scattered clouds with the possibility of an isolated thunderstorm developing this afternoon. High 82F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 30%..

Tonight

Scattered thunderstorms this evening becoming more widespread overnight. Low 61F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 70%.
TOKYO, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Tuesday an entry ban on non-resident foreigners to the country will be further extended until the end of February.

"The framework of the current border controls will be maintained until the end of February," Kishida told reporters Tuesday morning.

The entry ban on non-resident foreigners to the country in its current form has been in place since Nov. 30, following Japan's first case of the highly contagious Omicron variant of COVID-19.

The current border control measures, which prohibit entry to Japan by non-resident foreigners and require returning Japanese nationals and foreign residents to quarantine in government-designated facilities, have been initially put in place for about a month.

Kishida had suggested on a TV program recently that a formal decision whether to continue with the strict entry ban in its current form would be decided once the weekend finished. 
East Hartford Police / Contributed Photo

EAST HARTFORD  A 15-year-old boy from Hartford was charged in connection with a 17-year-old who was fatally shot Sunday afternoon, police said.

The juvenile, who police did not identify, was charged with first-degree manslaughter with a firearm and is in state custody, the East Hartford Police Department said Tuesday.
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As the film URI: The Surgical Strike completed three years of its release, Vicky Kaushal got nostalgic and took to his Instagram handle to post many pictures. The movie holds a special place in the actor's life as it was a blockbuster amongst the audiences. Earlier, in the day, the female lead of the film, Yami Gautam had also shared some behind the scenes (BTS) pictures from the shoot. The Aditya Dhar directorial went to bag notable awards after its release.

Vicky Kaushal shares BTS pics from URI: The Surgical Strike

Vicky Kaushal and Yami Gautam amazed the buffs with their performances in Uri: The Surgical Strike. Taking to his Instagram handle, Kaushal shared some of the BTS pictures from URI: The Surgical Strike. While in the first picture, he could be seen in action with his army, in the second one, the Manmarziyaan actor is seen rehearsing his script. The third picture features Vicky Kaushal laughing over some joke with the director and other cast members.

The next picture had Kaushal and Aditya Dhar celebrating one year of the National Award win for their film. The actor and the director won their first National Awards for their work on the film which was based on the Indian Army's 2016 surgical strikes on terror launch pads in Pakistan. The actor captioned the post, 'Forever grateful. #3yearsofUriTheSurgicalStrike'.

Yami Gautam posts pictures from the sets of URI

Earlier, in the morning, Yami Gautam had also shared some of the BTS pictures from the sets of URI, while expressing gratitude for being a part of the project. For the uninitiated, the Vicky Donor star essayed the role of Pallavi Sharma/ Jasmine D'Almeida, an undercover RAW agent. Yami treated the fans and followers with various stills, starting with the film's poster and ending with a still from one of the promotional events, where the cast is clad in t-shirts having Uri's famous dialogue Hows the josh' written all over them.

Vicky Kaushal on work front

Meanwhile, Vicky is currently busy shooting for his upcoming venture in Indore. Recently, the glimpses from the sets went viral in which Vicky was seen riding a bike while Sara Ali Khan was sitting at the back. The movie's name has not been revealed yet, but reportedly it is titled Luka Chuppi 2. If the reports of Bollywood Hungama are to be believed, Vicky may also star as the male lead opposite his wife Katrina Kaif in Jee Le Zaraa. The makers of the film have approached the Sanju actor and if everything goes as expected then the film will mark the couple's first on-screen appearance together.

Image: Instagram/@vickykaushal09/Twitter/@taran_adarsh
The Border Security Force (BSF) has foiled three attempts of smuggling from Pakistan along the India-Pakistan border in the Ferozepur sector of Punjab. BSF has recovered 22kg of heroin, 430gm of opium, 01 Pistol, 01 magazine, and 08 cartridges. The amount of heroin recovered is worth over Rs 100 crores in the international market.

BSF in its statement said, On 11th Jan' 2022, during wee hours, alert Border Security Force troops, observed some suspicious movement ahead of BS Fence in the AOR of Ferozepur Sector. On search of the area, 10 pkts of contraband item suspected to be Heroin (Gross weight - 19.375 Kgs) & opium (Gross weight -appx 430 gms) tied in yellow wrapping along with 01 Pistol, 01 magazine and 08 cartridges were recovered.

The statement further added, In another incident, during a search in the AOR of Ferozepur Sector alert BSF troops recovered 01 pkt of contraband item suspected to be Heroin (Gross weight - appx 1.195 Kgs). In the third incident, during a search carried out by alert BSF troops of Ferozepur Sector, 01 pkt of contraband item suspected to be Heroin (Gross weight - appx 01 Kgs) was recovered.

J&K: BSF recovers heavy arms, ammunition, and drugs near IB

Earlier on January 3, hours after shooting down a Pakistan intruder at the International Border (IB) of Jammu, the personnel of the Border Security Force (BSF) recovered a huge amount of arms and ammunition including drugs during ZLP (Zero Line Patrolling). The recovery made near the International Border in the Jammu sector on Monday morning included three AK-47 rifles, five packets of heroin, four pistols, five magazines of AK-47 rifles, two pistol magazines, 14 rounds AK-47, and seven bullets of 9mm.

The recovery was made by the BSF personnel of 98 Battalion around 10.10 AM when the arms and ammunition were hidden in a white colour sack bag in the bushes near Border Post 35 along the International border. Sharing images of the same, BSF said, "During special ZLP, alert troops of 98 Battalion recovered following arms, ammunition, and heroin hidden in Sarkanda near IB near BP 35." Meanwhile, the recovered sack had the markings of "Karachi Fertilizers Company Limited".

Image: Republic World
In a swift operation, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) on Monday evening rescued four fishermen from a stranded fishing boat near Muyal Theevu island in the Gulf of Mannar. The fishing boat was reportedly stranded at sea since that morning and was drifting away from land due to inclement weather.

The rescued fishermen were taken onboard the hovercraft and provided with first aid, food and water, the ICG said. Subsequently, the disabled Inter Fairy Boat was also towed by another fishing boat to the Vedalai fishing harbor.

On Saturday, the ICG had apprehended 10 Pakistani nationals from the Arabian Sea off the Gujarat coast. All of them were aboard the Pakistani boat 'Yasin' that was caught sailing 6-7 miles inside Indian waters by ICGS Ankit. Two tonnes of fish and 600 liters of fuel were recovered from the deck and further checks were carried out after the boat reached Porbandar for interrogation.

ICG's crackdown on drug smuggling

Last month, the ICG, in a joint operation with Gujarat ATS apprehended a Pakistani fishing boat carrying 77 kgs of heroin. The Pakistani boat 'Al Huseini' with 6 crew members was caught entering Indian waters with a narcotics cache worth approximately Rs 400 crores, said PRO Defence, Gujarat. The boat was later brought to Jakhau for further investigation.

Back in September, a boat carrying 12 Pakistani crew members was caught off the Gujarat coast during a surveillance mission. The ICG informed, On the night of September 14, Indian Coast Guard ship 'Rajratan', while on a surveillance mission apprehended a Pakistani boat named 'Allah Pawawakal' in Indian waters with 12 crew members."

Smugglers from Pakistan had been trying to use the Gujarat coast as a transit route to transport narcotics to their destination, especially in the last four years, but all such attempts were foiled, said Gujarat ATS Deputy Inspector General (Operations) Himanshu Shukla.
In a strong message to anti-India forces, at least 20 Pakistan-based YouTube channels promoting false narratives about the country were banned from all international broadcasts, at the request of the Indian government.

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB), helmed by Union Minister Anurag Thakur had issued two separate orders on Monday, directing the internet service providers to block 20 news channels/portals on YouTube spreading fake news on the internet.

The move gains significance as such ban requests are typically made by governments only in local jurisdictions. In an extraordinary step, Google, which owns the video-sharing platform, pulled the plug on Pakistani Youtube channels globally.

The banned Pakistan Youtube channels include - The Punch Line, International Web News, Khalsa TV, The Naked Truth, News24, 48 News, Fictional, Historical Facts, Punjab Viral, Naya Pakistan Global, Cover Story, Go Global eCommerce, Junaid Haleem Official, Tayyab Hanif, Zain Ali Official, Mohsin Rajput Official, Kaneez Fatima, Sadaf Durrani, Mian Imran Ahmad, and Najam Ul Hassan Bajwa.

According to the I&B Ministry, these channels and websites belong to a coordinated disinformation network operating from Pakistan and spread fake news about various sensitive subjects related to India. The channels were used to post divisive content in a coordinated manner on topics like Kashmir, Indian Army, minority communities in India, Ram Mandir, General Bipin Rawat, etc, it added.

Pakistan propaganda channels banned

"The modus operandi of the anti-India disinformation campaign involved 'The Naya Pakistan Group (NPG),' operating from Pakistan, having a network of YouTube channels, and some other standalone YouTube channels not related to NPG. The channels had a combined subscriber base of over 35 lakh, and their videos had over 55 crore views. Some of the YouTube channels of the Naya Pakistan Group (NPG) were being operated by anchors of Pakistani news channels," an official statement read.

Notably, these YouTube channels had also posted content on issues such as the farmers protest, protests related to the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, and tried to 'incite' the minorities against the Government. It was also feared that these YouTube channels would be used to post content to undermine the democratic process of the upcoming elections in five states, the ministry said.
Amid the chaotic situation in Sudan, the comprehensive dialogue initiated by the United Nations (UN) was extensively appreciated by Sudan's Transitional Sovereign Council. According to a report by news agency Xinhua, the dialogue was facilitated among the Sudanese parties in a bid to end the ongoing political turmoil. "The council made its stand clear during a meeting held at the Republican Palace, chaired by the council's Chairman Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan," the news agency quoted the statement released by the council. During the meeting, the council members urged the African Union to join the initiative and also urged to contribute to the success of intra-Sudanese dialogue.

Also, the Council members emphasised to speed up the formation of the next government (caretaker government) in order to fill in the executive void left by Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok. Notably, the Prime Minister had resigned on January 2, Sunday. UN envoy for Sudan, Volker Perthes, during a press conference in the capital, Khartoum, said that the main aim of the meeting is to build confidence between the military and the pro-democracy movement before they engage in direct talks. "The time has come to end violence and to enter a comprehensive consultative process to solve the crisis," he said.

World and regional powers urge all Sudanese players to grab this opportunity

Notably, the country has been facing severe protests came after the top military officer, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, ousted the government and took the charge in October last year. Despite the coup drawing international criticism and massive protests in the streets of the capital of Khartoum and elsewhere in the country, it has formed a new ruling council in order to tighten its grip. Meanwhile, several countries including, the United States, the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates urged all Sudanese players to grab this opportunity to revitalise the countrys transition to civilian democracy in accordance with the 2019 constructional document that establishing the transitional government.

With inputs from AP

Image: AP
The United Nations on Monday began meetings with Sudanese groups to find a way out of the political deadlock that has paralyzed the country since an October military coup.

UN envoy for Sudan, Volker Perthes, told a news conference in the capital, Khartoum, that consultations will first aim to build confidence between the military and the pro-democracy movement before they possibly engage in direct talks.

"The time has come to end violence and to enter a comprehensive consultative process to solve the crisis," he said.

The turmoil in Sudan has intensified with the resignation of embattled Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok last week following the failure to reach a compromise between the military and the pro-democracy movement.

Perthes said the consultations that began on Monday could eventually result in a consensus that would help find a compromise to ease the grinding stalemate.

The UN mission was meeting with a civil society group on Monday and would continue engaging with other players in the coming days, he said.

"I can say that the military didn't oppose our initiative and that is important," he added.

He said some protest groups have rejected the UN offer for talks and put the removal of the military from power as a condition to engage in negotiations.

Perthes was referring mainly to the Sudanese Professionals Association, which led the uprising against al-Bashir.

The SPA announced its rejection of talks on Sunday, saying the only way out of the ongoing crisis is through the removal of the generals from power.

In a statement, the ruling Sovereign Council welcomed the UN initiative to facilitate talks among Sudanese players and called on the African Union to "support and contribute" to the efforts.

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Nearly a month after the European Union restricted flights following the emergence of the new COVID-19 variant, Omicron, it has ended travel restrictions on flights landing from South Africa on January 11. According to the announcement made by the EU on Tuesday, the 27 member states agreed to lift the emergency suspension to resume air travel with southern Africa which was imposed due to Omicron variant of the Coronavirus. However, it directed the travellers from South Africa and adjoining countries to check up on their health before boarding the flights. "Travellers from South Africa and neighbouring countries will still be subject to the other health measures on vaccinations and recovery from the disease that other third-nation visitors also face," EU said in the latest notification.

The announcement came few days after South Africa announced that the country has passed the COVID wave as it reported nearly very few cases as compared to cases registered in December last year. The South Africa cabinet noted that the new variant was highly transmissible but added the rate of hospitalisation was relatively low as compared to earlier COVID variants. The health ministry informed that the cases of all kinds of COVID variants dropped 29.7% compared to Christmas week. "It was a short wave and the good news is that it was not very severe in terms of hospitalisations and deaths. It is not unexpected in epidemiology that a very steep increase, like what we saw in November, is followed by a steep decrease," Marta Nunes, senior researcher at the Vaccines and Infectious Diseases Analytics department of the University of Witwatersrand, told AP.

US lifted COVID-19 travel ban on Christmas eve

Notably, in the third week of November, scientists in South Africa identified the new COVID variant called B.1.1529, or Omicron. The announcement prompted several countries to either restrict international travel or tighten their grip by formulating the popular "TTT" strategy-- Tracing, Testing and Treatment. Despite the regular updates from the global health agencies, the situation is not clear whether the new variant is more lethal than earlier variants or whether the vaccine affects the Omicron variant or not. Earlier on the eve of Christmas, the United States also announced to lift restrictions amid an abrupt surge in Omicron cases. Surprisingly, the US announcement came merely two days after the CDC said Omicron accounts for 73.2% of new cases in the country.

With inputs from AP

Image: Pixabay/Shutterstock
In a keynote speech at the Folk och Forsvar, an annual conference of Sweden's security and defence policy community, Defence Minister Peter Hultqvist claimed that Russia's activities threaten the entire European security order, Sputnik reported. Hulqvist, the defence minister stated referring to UN principles that all countries have the right to their own sovereignty, and Russia is thereby violating international law.

Russia's demands on NATO and the current situation on the Ukrainian border were also discussed by the minister. Hulqvist further stated that Sweden has to be able to cooperate with NATO, and the EU is Sweden's most significant security policy platform.

According to Sputnik, he stated, "Our strategy is to build security together with others. We are today a respected partner that helps deliver security. What we do is our own choice and based on decisions taken by the Swedish Riksdag. That is how it should remain. There is no room for compromise on this point."

Opposition asks govt to convene high-level talks on Sweden's security policy

In reaction to Russia's operations on the Ukrainian border, the Opposition, led by the Moderates, has urged that the government convene high-level talks on Sweden's security policy. Ulf Kristersson, the leader of the Moderate Party, also spoke at this year's convention, addressing Russia's demands about NATO.

Sputnik reported, citing Kristersson, "Simply put, it is completely out of the question, for Ukraine, of course, for free states that used to be part of the Soviet Union, but also for countries like Finland and Sweden."

He also said that Sweden should follow Finland's lead on NATO, citing Finnish President Sauli Niinisto's New Year's address, in which he stated that his country is free to join the alliance if it desires. Demands made by Russia, in December, alarmed European non-NATO members, particularly Sweden, which has expanded ties with the alliance despite having no ambitions to join any soon. Among the demands are the rejection of further NATO expansion and Ukraine's entry into the alliance, as well as the cessation of all NATO military operations in Ukraine, Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, and Central Asia.

Since then, Sweden's government has increased diplomatic effort, with Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson meeting with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg on Friday. According to NATO ambassadors, Russia cannot have a veto over the alliance's future growth, and NATO has the right to determine its own military stance. The demands, according to Moscow, are necessary for easing European tensions and defusing a crisis over Ukraine, which Western countries accuse Russia of sizing up for an invasion after stationing troops along the border. On the other hand, Russia has rejected any invasion plans.

(With inputs from agencies)

IMAGE: @SPOKESPERSONMOD/Twitter
The Ministry of External Affairs on Tuesday asserted that seven Indian sailors aboard the United Arab Emirates-flagged ship Rwabee that has been captured by the Houthis, are safe. The Union government is making immediate efforts to secure their release as soon as possible.

While responding to media queries on the detention of the Indian sailors aboard the Rwabee ship, MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi apprised that the government has been monitoring all the developments related to the ship that was seized on the port of Hodeidah (Yemen) on January 2, 2022.

All Indians onboard Rwabee ship are safe: MEA Spokesperson Bagchi

The MEA spokesperson further informed that the government is in touch with the operating company that had seized the UAE-flagged ship and informed that out of 11 sailors being held captive by them, seven are Indians.

Ministry of External Affairs informed in the statement, "Government of India has been closely monitoring developments following the seizure of the UAE flagged ship Rwabee off the port of Hodeidah (Yemen) by the Houthis on January 2, 2022. We are in touch with the company operating the ship and have been informed that out of the 11 crew members onboard the ship, seven are from India.

'Govt in touch with Houthis, we have demanded early release of Indian sailors': MEA

We also understand from the company and other sources that all Indian crew members are safe, Government of India is making all efforts to secure their early release, the statement read.

Indian sailors on the UAE flagged ship Rwabee seized by the Houthis are safe. Govt of India is making all efforts to secure their early release: MEA pic.twitter.com/WKplpYSI2B  ANI (@ANI) January 11, 2022

The External Affairs Ministry had also stated that they have urged the Houthis to ensure the safety and well being of the members on board. The government is in constant touch with the Houthis and have requested them to immediately release the Indians on board. We urge the Houthis to ensure the safety and well-being of the crew members and release them immediately, MEA said in a statement.

Further acknowledging the ongoing dispute and infighting in Yemen, the MEA had said that India is concerned about the growing dispute in the Middle-Eastern country and stated that India hopes for an early resolution of the matter.

India is concerned at the recent intensification of fighting in Yemen and hopes that all parties will come to the negotiating table to find a peaceful resolution to the Yemen issue, External Affairs Ministry said in a statement.

Image: AP, Representative
In a letter to EU's foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, Greek Member of the European Parliament (MEP) Emmanouil Fragkos slammed Pakistan over the ongoing persecution of minorities. Fragkos said that the everyday life for non-Muslim communities in Pakistan has been degrading and dangerous. The Greek MEP also stated that for several years now, the international community has been silent before the unacceptable situation of cultural decline inside the South Asian nation.

Emmanouil Fragkos said, Everyday life for Christians, like for all Pakistan's non-Muslim communities, has been degrading and dangerous. Christians are treated as second-class citizens, as are Hindus and smaller religious minorities."

He added that no real moves have been made by the EU to overthrow the dominant, governmental policy of Islamist extremism".

In the letter, Fragkos went on to give examples of blasphemy cases related to the persecution of minorities. He informed that 26 Christians have been condemned by the Pakistani society, using the unacceptable anti-blasphemy legislation. The Greek MEP said that these laws make non-Muslims vulnerable to enslavement or even physical extermination.

"The reason is that an "allegation for blasphemy", even if not proven in court, arms the extremists to "render Islamic justice", said the Greek MEP.

Further, Fragkos questioned the strategy of the EU. He asked if there is a timetable and specific initiatives to deal effectively with the persecution of Christians and other religious minorities in Pakistan. He also noted that the 16 other MEPs have written on the importance of European intervention in Pakistan and elsewhere in tackling the persecution of Christians and other religious minorities.

Pakistan's blasphemy laws source of suffering

Meanwhile, it is to mention that according to the Center of Political and Foreign Affairs (CPFA), violence and discrimination against minorities in Pakistan have increased since 2001. As Christians are connected to the West due to their religious belief, they have at times even been made scapegoats for the US-led invasion of Afghanistan, as well as the enormous human suffering, it said.

The CPFA has reported that Christians in Pakistan continue to suffer targeted violence and other abuses, including grabbing rural areas, abductions and forced conversion, and the vandalisation of homes and churches. Additionally, Pakistans latest blasphemy law also continues to be a source of controversy and suffering, having adverse effects on the accused and their families. Notably, a false accusation can be a punishment in itself since a number of cases have provoked brutal mob violence against the accused and their families.

(Image: Twitter/AP)
New information from the European Union's satellite system reveals that the previous seven years have been considered to be the hottest on record, as planet Earth's temperature continues its worrisome increase due to the heat-trapping fossil fuel emissions. According to the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) of the European Union, which measures worldwide temperature and other climate factors, 2021 was the fifth warmest year on record.

Despite the fact that 2021 was among the cooler years of the previous seven, but which has been slightly warmer than 2015 and 2018, Europe nonetheless had recorded its hottest summer, as per the research released on Monday. The warmest years on record are still 2020 and 2016, Independent reported.

The last seven years were the warmest on record, with 2021 5th but with a small margin to 2015 and 2018. See in the video which regions had the largest geographical anomalies for the year. #CopernicusClimate #C3S pic.twitter.com/1sbG5cLdVg  Copernicus ECMWF (@CopernicusECMWF) January 10, 2022

During the early months of 2021, La Nina conditions, which is a climatic phenomenon that creates cooler waters in the Pacific Ocean, have contributed to the lower average temperature. Globally, the yearly average temperature was 1.1-1.2 degrees Celsius higher than it was at the start of the industrial period in the mid-19th century.

Impacts of climate change in different areas of the world

Furthermore, the negative impacts of increasing temperatures could be seen in a number of extreme climate events that have occurred throughout the world during the last year. Central Europe was hit hard by severe heatwave events and floods in summer 2021, with Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands being particularly hit hard. During a lengthy heatwave in Greece, Spain, as well as Italy, a temperature of Sicily was recorded 48.8C, shattering the European mark by 0.8C.

The extreme heat and dry conditions formed a raging inferno, resulting in enormous wildfires over the eastern and central Mediterranean, wreaking havoc in Turkey, Greece, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Albania, North Macedonia, Algeria, as well as Tunisia. The overall yearly temperature in Europe was outside the top 10 highest on record, but the summertime was the hottest, BBC reported.

In addition to this, in 2021, large temperature abnormalities occurred in areas of North America, leading to the continent's hottest month of June on record. An extraordinary heatwave hit the northwest US and Canada, with peak temperature records being broken on many days in a row.

Carlo Buontempo, the director of the Copernicus Climate Change Service stated, These events are a stark reminder of the need to change our ways, take decisive and effective steps toward a sustainable society and work towards reducing net carbon emissions, BBC reported.

In spite of this, scientists noted that methane concentration in the atmosphere has risen to a historic 1,876 parts per billion. Methane increase was also faster than expected in 2020, according to Copernicus, and both rates were extremely high when compared to satellite data from the previous two decades.

Image: Unsplash
Khalid Balti known as Mohammad Khurasani, a most-wanted leader of the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan(TTP) was killed in the eastern Nangarhar province of Afghanistan on Sunday. Speaking to the Dawn under conditions of anonymity a security official of Pakistan confirmed that the news, adding that 50-year-old Balti was involved in several attacks on people and defence forces of Pakistan. Confirming the death of Balti, the senior official refused to disclose further details about the elimination of the high-profile terrorist leader.

As per reports, Balti had been visiting Kabul frequently since the Taliban overtook Kabul in mid-August. The senior leader of the outlawed outfit was reportedly uniting various TTP factions and drafting plans to launch serial attacks in collaboration with TTP chief Mufti Noor Wali Mehsud. Recently, there was also an indication of potential terrorist attacks in Pakistan, the defence official informed.

Hailing from Gilgit-Baltistan, Khurasani joined the cad extremist group Tehreek Nifaz Shariat-i-Muhammadi in the Swat area of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa around 2007. He was appointed as the TTP spokesperson in 2015 and thus played a key role in spreading terrorist propaganda campaigns. He also established close ties and cordial relations with Mullah Fazullah, the former chief of the TTP and other top-tier leaders. Khorasani ran terrorist hideouts in the Miramshah town of North Waziristan tribal district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. However, he fled to Afghanistan after operation Zarb-i-Azab in 2014.

Afghanistan's Taliban govt denies involvement in Khurasani's killing

Balti was arrested in 2015 in Nangarhar by Afghan forces and remained in Bagram jail, a TTP leader told the Dawn. However, they were freed last year after the Taliban seized power in Kabul and resorted to releasing prisoners during the military offensive. The killing comes amid the breakdown of the ceasefire between TTP and the Pakistan army. The ceasefire was drawn in November 2021 and continued for over a month. Last week, Pak army spokesman Maj Gen Babar Iftikhar informed that the ceasefire broke as the TTP made a list of unacceptable demands. "The ceasefire finished on December 9... Operations are going on against them (militant), he had said, adding that operations would continue until the menace of militancy was over," PTI reported quoting General Iftikhar. Meanwhile, the Taliban regime in Afghanistan on Monday denied involvement in the killing of Khorasani.

"I do not confirm these reports. They are not true. No such incident has taken place on this (Afghan) side," said the Taliban interim govt. spokesperson Bilal Karimi, as quoted by the Dawn.

(Image: AP (representative)
External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar on Monday spoke to his Cambodian counterpart Prak Sokhonn and discussed India-ASEAN and the current situation in Myanmar. Taking to Twitter, Jaishankar said that India will work closely with Cambodia, which last year took as the coming years chair of the 10-member regional bloc - ASEAN.

Spoke to DPM and FM Prak Sokhonn of Cambodia.



Discussed India ASEAN relations, Mekong-Ganga Cooperation and the situation in Myanmar. Will work closely with Cambodia in its capacity as ASEAN Chair.  Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) January 10, 2022

Cambodian PMs trip to Myanmar

It is to mention that EAMs conversation with Sokhonn assumes significance as PM of Cambodia Hun Sen visited Myanmar last week, the first foreign leader to visit the war-torn country since the army seized power almost a year ago. Sens meeting with Myanmars military chief, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, triggered protests in Myanmar and criticism abroad. Opponents said that it legitimised the military takeover and broke the generals near-total diplomatic isolation.

However, while speaking to reporters on Saturday, Sakhonn defended Sens trip to Myanmar. He said that the talks between Sen and Myanmars junta leader achieved a very good, positive result with a progressive step forward on the implementation of peace efforts agreed to by the ASEAN. Sukhonn added that if there is anyone who opposes progressing these negotiations and the agreements, it is only those people who love war, those who do not want to see Myanmar return to stability and peace.

Meanwhile, ASEAN has sought to play a mediating role in Myanmars crisis given concerns over how it could affect regional peace and stability. Last year, the bloc reached a consensus on a five-point plan in a bid to try to help restore stability, however, Myanmar has made little effort to implement it. ASEAN's member countries are Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand Vietnam and Myanmar, which was barred last year from attending the ASEAN meeting after the groups special envoy was prevented from meeting political detainees.

(Image: AP/ANI)
Kazakhstan authorities have released well-known Kyrgyz musician Vikram Ruzakhunov, whose arrest over his alleged participation in the Kazakh unrest sparked outrage in neighboring Kyrgyzstan.

Ruzakhunov was shown in a video on Kazakh television saying he had flown to the country to take part in protests and was promised $200.

In the video, apparently taken in police custody, Ruzakhunov's face was bruised, and he had a large cut on his forehead.

Kyrgyzstan's Foreign Ministry had demanded Ruzakhunov's release, and the country's authorities on Monday sought to open a probe on charges of torture.

On Monday evening, Ruzakhunov returned to Kyrgyzstan.

He told a local TV channel that he came to Almaty on 2 January to visit a friend, but several days later, as the protests turned violent, decided to travel back to Kyrgyzstan and was detained.

In jail, Ruzakhnunov said he heard from cellmates that confessing to going to Almaty with the purpose of taking part in the protests and being offered money for it was the quickest way to get deported home, so that's what he decided to do.

"It was a path (home), so I decided to implicate myself, even though I didn't do it," Ruzakhunov said.

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
As civil unrest in Kazakhstan worsened throughout the week, Russian envoy to the US, Anatoly Antonov, on Sunday, called on the democratic forces to restore peace and stability in Kazakhstan. Dubbing the situation as a "colourful revolution" by "thugs and robbers", the Russian ambassador asserted that Kazakhstan has "come under attack of radicals manifesting dehumanising ideologies".

Antonov's assertions come after at least 164 civilians were killed in the anti-government civil protests that turned violent over the week.

"Thousands of jihadis and looters with human-hatred ideology tried to undermine the constitutional order. They used weapons against civilians and inflicted damage to public and private property," Ambassador Antonov said in a statement published on the Russian Embassy's Facebook page.

Accusing the US of fuelling extremist ideas in the region, Antonov said, "I'd like to note that all this is happening after the American escape from Afghanistan."

He also stressed that the democratic forces in the world to help Kazakhstan recover from the turmoil without trying to further deteriorate the situation. It is pertinent to mention that Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on Friday permitted the deployment of the Russia-led Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO) to help the Kazak military restore constitutional order in the country.

"All decisions on sending the collective forces to Kazakhstan were made according to the CSTO statutory documents and at the request of the legitimate president of the country," Antonov stated.

164 killed, over 5000 detained since January 2

Kazakhstan has been on the boil for the past one week after thousands of people took to the streets to protest against the skyrocketing fuel prices in the country. The unrest spread across cities quickly as demonstrators set state buildings on fire and stormed the international airport in Almaty. Police fired tear gas and stun grenades to disperse agitators from the main square in Almaty City Center, CNN had reported.

In the wake of the protests, at least 164 have been killed, including three children and at least 5,800 people have been detained since January 2, the office of the President informed on Sunday. At least 103 deaths were reportedly in the country's largest city, Almaty.

The interior ministry had earlier told state media that around 1,300 security officers were injured during the unrest. Meanwhile, authoritarian President of the country Tokayev on Friday ordered "shoot to kill without warning", further escalating public anger and manifold deterioration of the crisis.

(Image: AP)
NagaWorld employees will not join talks until their representatives are freed, they say.

Casino workers gather in front of Cambodia's Labor Ministry holding pictures of detained union leaders and a petition demanding their release, Jan. 10, 2022.

Striking workers at a casino and hotel in Cambodias capital Phnom Penh say they will not enter talks to end their protest until union leaders are released from jail, sources said on Monday.

The strike at the NagaWorld casino and hotel, now in its 23rd day, has drawn hundreds of workers since Dec. 18 and the dismissal by managers of more than a thousand employees. The protesters are demanding that 365 of those laid off be rehired.

In a petition submitted to Cambodias Labor Ministry on Monday, workers said that they would not participate in talks to resolve the dispute until eight union leaders were freed from jail.

Among those now held is Chhim Sithar, leader of the union at the NagaWorld casino, who was taken into custody by police in plain clothes on Jan. 4. She was surrounded by police as she got out of a car at the protest site near Cambodias National Assembly building.

Striking worker Men Sothy Wathanak, 30, told RFA that before their arrest that union representatives had repeatedly asked Cambodias Labor Ministry to provide them with the formula used to calculate workers compensation, but that ministry officials had failed to do so.

However, after union leaders were arrested, the ministry reversed its position, admitted that compensation had not been fairly calculated in the past and invited workers to join them in talks to end the dispute, she said.

But we have now lost the union leaders who could speak for us in those talks, she said. We call on the authorities to first release our eight representatives so that we can return to negotiations.

While workers held a press conference on Monday to announce their petition, Ou Ratana  a ministry official in charge of resolving labor disputes  came out of the ministry building to invite workers inside for talks.

We need to sit face to face to resolve this dispute, not by staging strikes like this, he said.

Workers remained firm in demanding their representatives release, however.

Khun Thao, a labor rights program manager for the workers advocacy group Central, blamed the ministry for its failure to resolve the NagaWorld strike now entering its fourth week.

I see that the Labor Ministry still wants to trick these workers, dividing them by considering their cases individually rather than as a collective dispute, he said.

The ministry has yet to respond to the unions demand for the reinstatement of its leaders, and is just focusing on the issue of the proper calculation of compensation. I think that this will only cause a deadlock, and the dispute wont be resolved, he said.

Reported by RFAs Khmer Service. Translated by Sovannarith Keo. Written in English by Richard Finney.
Recent changes to laws under leader Xi Jinping mean that marrying is more of a risk for women.

New marriage-friendly policies being introduced by the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) as part of a campaign to return to traditional family roles under leader Xi Jinping have met with a less-than-enthusiastic reception among the country's young women, many of whom told RFA they would prefer to focus on owning their own home.

Young, unmarried women are emerging as a fast-growing segment of the property market, as many women see more of a future in real estate than in marrying and having kids.

"The day the sale was completed, I picked up the keys and took the documents across the street where I had a bowl of hot and sour noodles," divorced millennial Joey Zhou, who saved enough for a down payment on her first home through a job in Beijing's financial sector, told RFA.

"Sitting there in the cafe, I knew I would be in debt from the moment I swiped my card," she recalled. "But the psychological sense of security was hard to describe."

Qi Sun, a 34-year-old tech employee, bought herself a 60-square-meter apartment in Shanghais Songjiang district in the summer of 2021, following the advice of a friend and to avoid a sense of insecurity that came from renting.

"My friend said that it could be easier to buy a house than to find a boyfriend," Sun said with a wry smile, before adding: "But when I bought a house, I really started to feel that getting married isn't so important any more."

Sun said many of young women in her social circle are doing the same.

"All of my female friends who have bought a home have almost no regrets," she said. "Their only regret is why they didn't grit their teeth and get a bigger one."

Zhou and Sun aren't alone.

A 2021 report by the Shell Research Institute found that more women are buying homes than men in several major cities including Chongqing and Tianjin.

The proportion of women buying houses in 30 key cities in China has risen from 45.60 percent in 2017 to 47.54 percent in 2020, with much faster growth rates reported among female buyers under 29.

Once the preserve of anxious parents looking to nab a property in a good school district, rich elders looking to buy a home for young newly-weds or real estate speculators, China's real estate market is increasingly being used by young women to seek a sense of security and self-worth outside marriage.

A joint report in 2021 by realtor 58.com and Anjuke found that some 82 percent of women are planning to buy a home in the next five years, while 40 percent want to be owner-occupiers within two years.

"Many of these young women come from a generation of only children [under the one-child policy], and their sense of themselves was shaped during the 1980s and 1990s," professor Dong Yige of the State University of New York at Buffalo told RFA.

"Their vision for themselves is to have their own lives, their own property, and an independent sense of who they are," Dong said. "And yet now they're being told that women are expected to be good wives and mothers, and stay home to help the kids with their homework."

Dong said such rhetoric from CCP leaders is unlikely to cut much ice among a generation that has been left to battle a rising tide of sexism at work and in society at large.

"They are finding that the [job] market discriminates against women, as does being married," Dong said. "In a situation where the wealth divide is widening ... the best option for individuals is to invest all of their resources into something they can own."

Emma Zang, an assistant professor in the Department of Sociology at Yale University, said changes to the official judicial interpretation of China's Marriage Law in 2011 have also affected this generation of women.

"Before 2011, the changes in Chinese marriage laws were generally conducive to protecting the rights and interests of women during divorce," Zang told RFA. "When a couple divorced, the law considered the marital home to be the joint property of the couple."

"But a new judicial interpretation of the Marriage Law was promulgated in 2011, which decreed that the ownership of the marital home depends on whose signature is on the property deeds," she said. "Chinese traditional custom has it that the husband's name is on the property deeds."

Growing discontent, but less keen on divorce

Zang said married women have become less keen on divorce since then, because they could lose their property, while there is also growing discontent among women who stay married.

"We also find that women are spending more time on household chores [than their husbands], and they have less confidence in the future," she added.

All of those factors mean that young women have more incentive to remain single, and to invest in property on their own account, Zang said.

These attitudes are already being reflected in official marriage statistics, with 8.13 million couples marrying in 2020, compared with 10 million in 2019. Marriage figures are at their lowest point since 2003, and 60 percent lower than a recent peak in 2013.

The government has responded to falling marriage rates with a new mandatory, 30-day "cooling-off" period for couples seeking divorce that took effect from Jan. 1, 2022.

For Joey Zhou, she decided to leave her marriage before the process was complicated by children, but still ran into opposition from her family.

"I never expected that the hardest part of my divorce would be convincing my parents," Zhou said. "They are very traditional, and think that a woman should stay married."

But for Zhou, both the traditional sense of marital obligation nor the romantic ideal of soulmates sharing their lives forever are now a busted flush.

"Some people will tell you that it's hard to marry a woman who already has her own home," Zhou said. "I say, stay away from people like that."

"People like that are exactly the reason why people like me want to buy a home before getting married," Zhou said. "But we girls all know that we have to make a living first, and then look for love."



Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie.
Justice for Myanmar believes more teak has been routed through third countries to disguise its origin.

Burmese teak, a tropical hardwood favored by luxury yacht builders, is continuing to find its way to U.S. timber yards despite sanctions that civil society groups say should make its import illegal.

In April last year, U.S. officials sanctioned Myanma Timber Enterprise, describing the state-owned company as a key generator of government revenue for the military, which had taken power in a coup two months earlier. MTE enjoys a legal monopoly over Myanmars timber trade, leading activists to conclude that any import of wood from the country would constitute a sanctions violation.

That view is shared by many in the European Union, which placed MTE under its own sanctions in June. The Irish government issued a notice the following month advising that as a result of the companys designation, All timber and timber products exported from Myanmar to the European Union will be regarded as illegal.

A man uses a chainsaw to cut teak logs in a logging camp in Pinlebu township, Sagaing, northern Myanmar, in this picture taken March 5, 2014. Credit: Reuters However, an analysis of U.S. customs data has revealed that this is not the interpretation of many in the American hardwood industry, according to a report released by Justice for Myanmar on Tuesday. The NGO found that some 1,600 metric tonnes (1,763 tons) of Burmese teak had been imported from Myanmar by American companies between the start of the coup on Feb. 1 and Nov. 30.

MTE was not listed as the exporter on any of the customs records relied upon by Justice for Myanmar. The NGO nonetheless believes that the imports constitute sanctions violations, describing the listed suppliers as intermediaries between MTE and the American buyers, who they accuse of evading sanctions by not buying directly from MTE.

This indirect trade between companies in the U.S. and MTE may not have attracted penalties from OFAC at this stage, but it still appears to contravene U.S. sanctions, the report claimed.

OFAC, or the Office of Foreign Assets Control, is the part of the U.S. Treasury Department responsible for enforcing sanctions. In a statement released alongside the report, Justice for Myanmar spokesperson Yadanar Maung called on OFAC to investigate the NGOs findings.

Sanctions must be enforced in order to be effective. We urge OFAC to investigate U.S. imports of timber from Myanmar since sanctions were imposed on MTE, Yadanar Maung said.

The Treasury Department did not respond to a request for comment.

A vessel travels near teak logs awaiting export in the Bago river in Yangon, Feb. 2, 2014. Picture taken Feb. 2, 2014. Credit: Reuters In attempting to verify Justice for Myanmars findings, RFA found records of teak imports from Myanmar as recently as Dec. 28, when a single U.S. company received approximately 50 tonnes. That importer, East Teak Fine Hardwoods, is identified in Justice for Myanmars report as the largest post-coup importer of Myanmar timber, accounting for 49 percent of all Burmese teak imported to the U.S. between February and December of last year.

East Teak Fine Hardwoods president Wayne Rogers did not respond to an email seeking comment. But this is not the first time his companys connections to Myanmar have come under the spotlight. It was named in a 2019 report by the London-based Environmental Investigation Agency detailing the exploits of a Chinese timber trader named Cheng Pui Chee.

Reportedly so powerful in Myanmar that associates dubbed him Burmas Second Forest Minister, Cheng allegedly deposited millions of dollars in bribes into the offshore accounts of senior Myanmar government officials. The EIA found that in 2018 companies controlled by Cheng constituted East Teak Fine Hardwoods second-largest supplier.

Justice for Myanmar identified at least four other U.S. companies that had imported Burmese teak following the coup, with the largest volume by tonnage arriving late in 2021, several months after the imposition of sanctions. The NGO believes, however, that this is likely just the tip of an iceberg, with even more likely to have been routed through third countries to disguise its origin.
Observers say Hun Sen hopes to legitimize the regime, which has ignored ASEANs demands.

Hun Sens visit to Myanmar will do little to help the countrys people amid an ongoing political crisis that has led to hundreds of civilian deaths and thousands of arrests, analysts said Monday.

The Cambodian prime minister and chairman of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on Jan. 8 concluded a two-day trip to Myanmar, during which he met with junta chief Snr. Gen. Min Aung Hlaing to discuss international and regional issues. The visit marked the first by a foreign leader to the country since the military seized power in a Feb. 1, 2021, coup and came despite protests over what is seen as his support for the military regime and its repressive policies.

Following the meeting, the two sides released a statement that sought to highlight that the inclusion of a special envoy in talks to deescalate tension in Myanmar was an important step in meeting ASEANs so-called five-point consensus. Min Aung Hlaing agreed to the conditions during an emergency ASEAN meeting on Myanmars political crisis held in April, but the junta has failed to implement any of the steps and ASEAN has declined to invite its delegations to several high-profile meetings, including its annual summit.

On Monday, junta spokesman Maj. Gen. Zaw Min Tun told RFAs Myanmar Service that the junta had recently declared a year-long ceasefire with armed ethnic groups in the countrys remote border regions, and therefore fulfilled the first of the five ASEAN recommendations, which was to end all violence.

We also agreed to give participation to both Cambodia and the ASEAN chair in talks with the [ethnic armies], he said.

Since deposing the democratically elected National League for Democracy (NLD) in February, junta forces have killed nearly 1,460 civilians and arrested more than 8,500  mostly during nonviolent protests of military rule. The military also launched an offensive against armed ethnic groups and prodemocracy Peoples Defense Forces militias in rural Myanmar, who the junta has labeled terrorists.

When asked whether Hun Sen had met with any of Myanmars prodemocracy leaders, including jailed NLD chief Aung San Suu Kyi  another condition of the five-point consensus  Zaw Min Tun said that the prime minister had only met with the government during his visit.

Political analyst Sai Kyi Zin Soe told RFA that Hun Sen only received the militarys side of the during his visit.

The fact that Cambodia, the current chair of ASEAN, has a story to tell the ASEAN community from the visit, gives the junta a chance to rejoin ASEAN, he said.

On the other hand, our people did not get a chance to have their voices heard at a time when they are contesting with the military politically. This visit is not going to benefit the people of Myanmar at all, especially since it only involved the junta and not other parties or organizations that represent the people.

Ye Tun, a former member of Myanmars Parliament, said Hun Sens stated goal was to get the junta to implement the ASEAN agreement but that the visit only benefitted Min Aung Hlaing, who has been ostracized by much of the international community.

The conflict in Myanmar cannot be solved in a one-sided fashion  he must keep trying, he said of Hun Sen. Right now, [the junta] has profited politically. However, if there is no further progress, the ASEAN chair may be disappointed with [it].

Implications for ASEAN

Kyaw Zaw Han, a political analyst, said Cambodia is likely to invite Myanmar to future ASEAN meetings following the visit.

[Cambodia] was proud to get word from the military that there will be a ceasefire for the whole of 2022, he said.

But he pointed out that the deal was inconsistent with the ASEAN five-point consensus as it appeared to only address conflict between the military and armed ethnic groups.

What the military might get [in return] is that Cambodia can give [the junta] a voice in ASEAN. It is possible that [the junta] will be able to attend [future meetings], especially the ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting scheduled for next month.

Kyaw Htwe, a member of the NLDs Central Working Committee, told RFA that although ASEANs rare tough stance on Myanmar provided a shot in the arm for prodemocracy groups in the country, Hun Sens visit was a disappointment.

It is true that ASEANs stance on Myanmar over the past year has strengthened Myanmar's democracy, but it is hard to guess at this time what might come as we dont know what Cambodias next move as ASEAN chair will be.

Prime Minister Hun Sen holds the ceremonial gavel in a virtual meeting as Cambodia takes over the ASEAN chairmanship from Brunei, Oct. 28, 2021. Courtesy: Samdech Hun Sen, Cambodian Prime Minister, via Facebook Hun Sen lauds successful trip

On Monday, Hun Sen declared his diplomatic efforts a success, saying he had obtained three major outcomes from the talks: a ceasefire, humanitarian aid to all parties, and the agreement to allow ASEAN Special Envoy to Myanmar Prasat Khun to join ceasefire talks between the military and armed ethnic groups.

He said he had held a discussion with Min Aung Hlaing on the five-point consensus and the ASEAN Charter, governing the blocs jurisdiction over its 10 member nations.

That is the Bible for me  I didnt go beyond [what was agreed upon by] ASEAN, he said, during an inauguration ceremony in Cambodias Battambang province.

Hun Sen vowed to continue to try to resolve Myanmars crisis.

I have advised Deputy Prime Minister Prak Sokhonn to make efforts to coordinate with ASEAN to create two mechanisms, namely on the ceasefire and on the humanitarian issue, he said.

He acknowledged that the crisis in Myanmar would not end during Cambodias term as the chair of ASEAN and that the responsibility to resolve it will likely fall to Indonesia when it takes over the post in 2023.

Cambodian observers weigh in

However, opposition activists in Cambodia dismissed Hun Sens visit as being part of a bid to legitimize the junta.

Hay Vanna, the head of the youth movement for Cambodias dissolved Cambodia National Rescue Party in Japan, told RFAs Khmer Service that Hun Sens visit brought shame to his country by ignoring bids by ASEAN and the international community to hold Myanmars junta to account.

He said the ceasefire was simply a ruse for Hun Sen to protect the junta because the prime minister had no intention of meeting the governments opponents.

We have already seen that the junta regime led by Min Aung Hlaing has never complied with what ASEAN wants, which is the five-point consensus, he said.

Men Nath, a Norway-based representative of the Cambodia Watchdog Council, told RFA that Hun Sen is incapable of resolving the political crisis in his own country, let alone the multifaceted one in Myanmar.

Hun Sens real intention is to lobby the international community to recognize and give legitimacy to Myanmars junta, but the plan would fail, Men Nath said.

The result  is the complete opposite from the ASEAN mechanism for resolving the Myanmar issue, he said. What he has done by referring to the ASEAN mechanism is merely causing ASEAN to fracture.

Asked whether Cambodia will invite Myanmar junta leaders or minister of foreign affairs to join the upcoming ASEAN foreign ministers meeting in Cambodia on Jan. 17, Koy Koung, spokesman for Cambodias Foreign Ministry, told RFA to wait for an official ministry statement, which he said would be available in days.

At the conclusion of Hun Sens visit, the ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights issued a statement calling his meeting with Min Aung Hlaing a brazen and dangerous attempt to seize the initiative away from ASEANs collective approach to the crisis in Myanmar.

These two coup makers are conducting another coup within ASEAN that threatens to split the organization itself, the statement read, calling on the other eight members of the bloc to jointly demand that Cambodia adheres to the five-point consensus and works within the collective framework of ASEAN to resolve the crisis in Myanmar.

Reported by RFAs Myanmar Service and Khmer Service. Translated by Khin Maung Nyane and Sovannarith Keo. Written in English by Joshua Lipes.
Loten, a 23-year-old college graduate, had complained about the required use of Chinese in Tibetan schools.

A young monk dubbed as a recognized reincarnation or "living Buddha" studies a Chinese-language textbook during a class at the Tibetan Buddhist College near Lhasa in western China's Tibet Autonomous Region, Monday, May 31, 2021, as seen during a government organized visit for foreign journalists.

Authorities in northwestern Chinas Qinghai province arrested a Tibetan college graduate last year for speaking against Chinese policies mandating the teaching of Chinese language in Tibetan areas, RFA has learned.

Loten, 23, was taken into custody on Dec. 20 in Matoe (in Chinese, Maduo) county in the Golog (Guoluo) Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture after objecting on social media to the replacement of Tibetan-language textbooks in local schools, a source in Tibet said.

He said that Chinas policy will eventually disconnect young Tibetans from their own language in the future, RFAs source said, speaking on condition of anonymity for security reasons.

Loten is now being held at an unknown location in Qinghais provincial capital Xining, the source said. His family was only informed of his arrest over the phone and hasnt been allowed to see him yet. They were told that Loten is now being given political education, he added.

Beginning on Sept. 21, 2021, the Tibetan language has been sidelined as the medium of instruction in Tibetan schools in Qinghai, with more focus given now to classes in written Chinese language and basic Chinese speaking skills, RFAs source said.

Many Tibetan parents are concerned about these changes and the policies being implemented by the Chinese government, but they have no way to do anything about them, he said.

Qinghai authorities had earlier detained two Tibetan students identified as Gyuldrak and Yangrik, both 19, in Gologs Darlag (Dari) county in August for opposing plans to use the Chinese language as the only medium of instruction in Tibetan schools, sources told RFA in earlier reports.

The policy had already aroused widespread opposition among Tibetans in neighboring Sichuan, where Tibetan private schools have been closed and children sent to government schools amid parents concerns for their childrens connection to their native language and national culture, sources said.

"It has been evident in recent years that the Chinese government has no plans to ease up on its hardline policies and tight control inside Tibet," said Namgyal Choedup, representative in The Office of Tibet in Washington, D.C., speaking to RFA.

"Tibetans are firm in their conviction to protect their Tibetan identity, but the Chinese government's Sinicization of the Tibetan language and religion poses threats to the survival of Tibetan Buddhist culture and values in Tibet."

"We have spoken urgently to the U.S. government and U.S. officials from time to time about these deteriorating situations inside Tibet. The policies implemented inside Tibet by the Chinese government do more harm than benefit in reality for the Tibetans," Choedup said.

The Chinese language being taught in a primary school in Matoe county in Tibet, in a September 2021 photo provided by a resident of the region.

Chinese Communist Party efforts to supplant local language education with teaching in Chinese have raised anger not only among Tibetans, but also in the Turkic-language-speaking Uyghur community of Xinjiang and in northern Chinas Inner Mongolia.

Plans to end the use of the Mongolian language in ethnic Mongolian schools sparked weeks of class boycotts, street protests, and a region-wide crackdown by riot squads and state security police in the fall of 2020, in a process described by ethnic Mongolians as cultural genocide.

Formerly an independent nation, Tibet was invaded and incorporated into China by force 70 years ago.

Language rights have become a particular focus for Tibetan efforts to assert national identity in recent years, with informally organized language courses in the monasteries and towns deemed illegal associations and teachers subject to detention and arrest, sources say.

Translated by Tenzin Dickyi for RFAs Tibetan Service. Written in English by Richard Finney.
Police broke into the home as the husband was on his YouTube channel, family says.

Police in Vietnam broke into a home and arrested a couple while the husband was livestreaming criticism of the government, their family told RFA.

Nguyen Thai Hung and his wife Vu Thi Kim Hoang were arrested Jan. 5 at about 6 p.m. in their home in the southern province of Dong Nai while Hung was on YouTube.

Viewers of the livestream were able to witness the arrest as it occurred. About 20 minutes into the broadcast, Hung left his computer to investigate what sounded like glass breaking. Shortly after, a man in an orange Electricity of Vietnam uniform appeared in frame, shouting, Stay still. Dont move.

At that point, the webcam was turned down to show only a corner of the table and what looks to be a script.

Provincial authorities charged Hoang with abusing the rights to freedom and democracy to violate the states interests. They have yet to make any official statement on Hungs arrest.

The couples arrest was carried out by people in plain clothes, Hoangs sister, Vu Giang Tien, told RFA.

Two men suddenly broke into my sisters house by climbing over the fence. Then they cut the gate lock open and rushed into the house, she said.

My sisters oldest daughter got scared and started screaming. My mother, who lives next door, came over immediately and shouted, Robbers! Robbers! when seeing the intruders in plain clothes, not in police uniforms, Tien said.

When a man wearing yellow appeared with a gun, Tien said her mother stopped shouting out of fear.

Those people took the two kids to a room upstairs to ask questions. Others who had already entered the house broke the glass door to open it. They searched the house, making a big mess, and they arrested Hung and Hoang and took them away, Tien said.

The police did not announce why the couple were arrested or present any documents related to the arrest, the family said.

When the family asked why Hoang was also arrested, the police said they needed to take her away for investigation because she was involved in concealing a crime.

Two days later, the family went to the police station to find out more and were told by police that Hoang had been arrested for abusing the rights to freedom and democracy and that she was being held at a detention house elsewhere in the province.

The police did not provide them with any information about Hung, they said.

Tien said that Hung had been sharing his views on his YouTube channel for more than a year. The channel, established in January 2020, has around 40,000 followers. Videos are no longer available on the account.

Hungs Facebook account is active, but the most recent post, which discussed the death of a young soldier, Tran Duc Do, is from July 2021.

Vietnam is ranked 175th out of 180 countries in the Paris-based Reporters Without Borders World Press Freedom Index for 2021. Vietnams already low tolerance of dissent deteriorated sharply in 2020 with a spate of arrests of independent journalists, publishers and Facebook personalities in the run-up to the ruling Communist Party Congress in January 2021.

Police have arrested at least 40 political dissidents since then, most of them charged with "disseminating anti-state materials, according to RFA reports.

Translated by Anna Vu. Written in English by Eugene Whong.
The evacuation of civilians from Ukraine's devastated southern port city of Mariupol has stalled as Russia resumed shelling the Azovstal steel plant where hundreds remain holed up a day after a first group left the underground bunkers.

A group of around 100 Ukrainian civilians left the Mariupol on May 2 for the southeastern city of Zaporizhzhya, some 230 kilometers away, according to the authorities and video released by the two sides.

Live Briefing: Russia's Invasion Of Ukraine RFE/RL's Live Briefing gives you all of the major developments on Russia's invasion, how Kyiv is fighting back, the plight of civilians, and Western reaction. For all of RFE/RL's coverage of the war, click here.

Mariupol Deputy Mayor Sergei Orlov told the BBC that the evacuees were making slow progress and would probably not arrive on May 2 as hoped. Authorities gave no explanation for the delay.

Orlov said high-level negotiations were under way among Ukraine, Russia and international organizations on more evacuations.

If successful, the evacuation would mark rare progress in easing the plight of the Mariupol civilians. Previous attempts to open safe corridors out of the besieged Sea of Azov port and other places have broken down.

Mariupol's strategic location near the Crimea Peninsula, which Russia illegally annexed from Ukraine in 2014, has made it a target for Russian bombardments that have turned the city, which had a prewar population of some 400,000, into ruins.

A maternity hospital was hit in a Russian air strike in the first days of the invasion, and hundreds of people were reportedly killed in the bombing of a theater.

As many as 100,000 people may still be in Mariupol, including an estimated 2,000 Ukrainian fighters beneath the sprawling Azovstal complex, the only part of the city not occupied by the Russians.

Thousands are believed to have been killed and those still holed up in the besieged Azovstal complex were running out of water, food, and medicine.

"The situation has become a sign of a real humanitarian catastrophe," Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk said.

Since Russia launched its unprovoked invasion on February 24, its troops have failed to completely take over any major Ukrainian city.

On the battle front, a British intelligence estimate said on May 2 that Russia's elite forces have suffered such large casualties that it will take years to replenish them. It said more than 25 percent of Russia's invading force has been disabled since the start of the conflict.

In its daily bulletin, Britain's Defense Ministry said that at the start of the invasion on February 24, Russia had committed more than 120 battalions representing some 65 percent of its entire ground-combat capabilities.

"It is likely that more than a quarter of these units have now been rendered combat ineffective," it said, adding that some of its best units, including its airborne forces, have suffered the highest casualties.

"It will probably take years for Russia to reconstitute these forces," the British intelligence report said.

Ukraine, meanwhile, announced the temporary closure of its four main seaports after losing control of them to Russian forces or having them blockaded.

The Agriculture Ministry said in a statement on May 2 that the seaports of Berdyansk, Mariupol, Skadovsk, and Kherson will be closed "until Ukraine regains control over" them.

After encountering surprisingly staunch resistance in the north around the regions of Kyiv and Chernihiv, Russia withdrew its forces to redeploy them in the south and east where fighting has intensified in recent days.

Ukraine's east and south are seen as key strategic goals for Russia, allowing it a land link to Crimea, which it seized from Ukraine in 2014.

Moscow raised fears those goals may stretch further, to Moldova's breakaway region of Transdniester, which is backed by Russia and borders Ukraine to the southwest along the Dniester River. Moldova also borders NATO-member Romania.

Early on May 2, authorities said a Russian rocket strike hit a main bridge across the Dniester estuary just west of the port city of Odesa.

European Union ministers met in Brussels to discuss a response to Russia cutting gas supplies to Poland and Bulgaria and plans for a possible oil embargo to punish Moscow for invading Ukraine.

But the ministers also discussed a potential embargo of Russian oil while acknowledging the economic impact of such a move. EU diplomats have said that the bloc is leaning toward a ban on Russian oil by the end of the year as part of a sixth package of sanctions against Russia.

In Germany, Chancellor Olaf Scholz again appealed to Russian President Vladimir Putin to end his war against Ukraine.

"Stop this war, stop the senseless killing, withdraw your troops from Ukraine," he said on May 2 after meeting in Berlin with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Scholz also said that Putin will not see sanctions lifted without reaching a peace agreement with Ukraine, adding that the aim must be that Russia's readiness to use violence does not succeed.

Modi said dialogue was the only way to a reach a solution.

"We believe that there will be no winner in this war, everyone will lose. We are in favor of peace," said Modi, who did not take questions after reading from prepared statements.

Modi, whose government procures most of its military hardware from Russia, has called for a cease-fire but resisted Western calls to condemn the Kremlin's actions.

U.S. First Lady Jill Biden will visit Romania and Slovakia on May 5-9 to meet U.S. service members and embassy personnel, Ukrainian refugees, humanitarian aid workers, and teachers, her office said on May 2.

NATO and EU members Romania and Slovakia have taken in hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian refugees fleeing the Russian invasion.

The UN's refugee agency reported on May 2 that more than 5.5 million people had fled Ukraine since the war began on February 24.

On the diplomatic front, Israel on May 2 summoned Russia's ambassador and demanded an apology from Moscow after Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov suggested that Adolf Hitler had Jewish roots.

Lavrov was asked during an interview with an Italian television channel on May 1 how Russia could claim that it needed to "de-Nazify" Ukraine when the country's president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, was Jewish.

"When they say, 'What sort of Nazification is this if we are Jews,' well, I think that Hitler also had Jewish origins, so it does not mean anything," Lavrov told Italy's Rete 4, speaking through an Italian interpreter.

Israeli Foreign Ministry Yair Lapid said the Russian ambassador would be summoned for "a tough talk" over the comments, which he called "unforgivable and scandalous and a horrible historical error.

With reporting by Reuters, AP, AFP, BBC, and dpa
MINSK -- Maryya Kalesnikava, a leading opposition activist in Belarus who was sentenced to 11 years in prison in September, has been transferred to a penal colony for women in Homel, a town 300 kilometers southeast of the capital, Minsk.

Rights activists told RFE/RL on January 11 that Kalesnikava has been sent to Correctional Colony No. 4, where she will spend her first two weeks in quarantine as part of the facility's COVID precautions.

Kalesnikava and another opposition figure, Maksim Znak, were sentenced to prison terms of 11 and 10 years respectively on September 6, after being found guilty on charges of conspiracy to seize power, calls for action to damage national security, and calls for actions damaging national security by trying to create an extremist group. Both pleaded not guilty and rejected the charges.

Kalesnikava, 39, was a coordinator of the electoral campaign of an excluded presidential aspirant, former Belgazprombank head Viktar Babaryka. After Babaryka was arrested weeks before the August 2020 presidential election, Kalesnikava joined forces with another presidential candidate, Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya, who is widely believed to have won the election.

After joining Tsikhanouskayas support group, Kalesnikava became a member of the opposition Coordination Council and turned into a prominent leader of protests demanding the resignation of strongman Alyaksandr Lukashenka, who was officially announced the winner of the election, which demonstrators say was rigged and which the West has refused to recognize.

Kalesnikava was snatched from the streets of Minsk on September 7, 2020, by masked men along with two staffers. The three were driven early the next day to the border, where authorities told them to cross into Ukraine.

Security officers reportedly failed to deport Kalesnikava because she ripped her passport into small pieces after they arrived in the no-mans land between Belarus and Ukraine. Her two associates entered Ukraine, but with no valid passport, Kalesnikava remained in the country and was subsequently detained.

A dozen human rights watchdogs based in Belarus have recognized Kalesnikava and two other associates who are also being detained as political prisoners and have demanded their immediate release from custody.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has called her trial a "politically motivated conviction and shameful sentencing" on "bogus" charges.

Last year, Kalesnikava won the Vaclav Havel Human Rights Prize awarded annually by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) to honor "outstanding" civil society action in the defense of human rights amid an ongoing crackdown in Belarus on pro-democracy activists and groups by Lukashenka.
SOFIA -- Nikola Minchev, the speaker of Bulgaria's parliament, has tested positive for COVID-19 after he attended a meeting with the country's top politicians and officials.

In response to the development, Bulgaria's entire state leadership has gone into quarantine as a precautionary measure -- including President Rumen Radev, as well as Prime Minister Kiril Petkov, the economy minister, the minister of the interior, and all other party and parliamentary group leaders.

Bulgaria's chief health inspector said on January 11 that the length of time each person must remain isolated will be determined by the health department after their vaccination status is checked. Quarantine could last as long as 10 days.

Minchev felt unwell right after a National Security Advisory Council meeting on January 10 that was discussing Sofia's relations with neighboring North Macedonia. Minchev's positive COVID-19 test was announced by a spokeswoman for parliament.

Minchev attended the seven-hour meeting alongside the president and prime minister as well as the ministers of defense, interior, and finance, and the army chief of staff. The heads of the security and intelligence services also attended the meeting along with a deputy foreign minister and top representatives of the seven parties with seats in parliament.

A 10-day quarantine for Bulgaria's political leadership could set back attempts to normalize relations with North Macedonia -- a development that the meeting had concluded was necessary before Sofia drops its veto on the start of European Union membership talks with North Macedonia.

Petkov is due on January 18 to make his first official visit to North Macedonia since taking office in December as prime minister.

He has promised to work on resolving remaining disputes between the two Balkan countries, indicating that a six-month deadline for normalizing relations was realistic.

With reporting by Reuters, dpa, and Trud.bg
The European Union has threatened Bosnia-Herzegovina's Serb-dominated entity with sanctions and a reduction in assistance if its leadership continues to fuel political paralysis and division in the Balkan country.



Should the situation further deteriorate, the EU disposes of a wide toolbox, including the existing EU sanctions framework, and a review of the overall EU assistance, EU spokesman Peter Stano said in a January 10 statement.



The stern warning comes as a protracted political crisis deepens over secessionist moves by Bosnias Serb-dominated entity, Republika Srpska, reviving fears that the peace deal which ended a 1992-95 war could unravel and threaten regional stability.



In the latest provocative act, the Serb-dominated entity on January 9 celebrated what its leaders call their national day holiday but what the countrys top court has declared unconstitutional.



The holiday, Republika Srpska Day, marks the date in 1992 when Bosnian Serbs declared their own state in Bosnia, triggering a devastating four-year war that killed over 100,000 people and left millions homeless.



The EU condemns the negative, divisive and inflammatory rhetoric used by Republika Srpska leaders during the celebrations, Stano said.



The Serbian entitys leadership should contribute to ending a worrying trend of hatred and intolerance. This must include putting an end to glorification of war criminals and to denying or glorifying their crimes, he said.



The Bosnian War ended in 1995 with the U.S.-brokered Dayton peace accords which created two highly autonomous entities that share some joint institutions: Republika Srpska and the Bosniak-Croat Federation.

The country is governed and administered along ethnic lines established by the agreement, with a weak and often dysfunctional central government.



Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik, the Serbian representative in Bosnia's tripartite presidency, has repeatedly threatened to withdraw from state-level institutions. He has described Bosnia as an experiment by the international community and an impossible, imposed country.

Most recently, he led a campaign that saw Serb lawmakers vote on December 10 to start a procedure for Republika Srpska to withdraw from the Bosnian Army, security services, tax system, and judiciary.



Lawmakers also voted on a declaration that calls for the drafting of a new constitution for the entity intended to cast aside the powers of the international Office of the High Representative.



Dodik's separatist push gained momentum last summer when the Western-appointed high representative imposed a series of laws prohibiting the denial of genocide, war crimes, and the glorification of those convicted of such crimes before international or local courts.



The office is responsible for overseeing and coordinating the implementation of the Dayton agreement, but its sweeping powers have made it the target of criticism.



Dodik has repeatedly said the 1995 Srebrenica massacre in which some 8,000 Muslim men and boys were slaughtered by Bosnian Serb forces did not take place. The massacre has been deemed genocide by the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia and the International Court of Justice.



The continued blockade of Bosnia-Herzegovina institutions, the complete lack of constructive dialogue and the use of inflammatory rhetoric in public only lead to instability and delays in achieving reforms, which are important for the country and better life of its people, the EU said.



On January 5, the United States imposed new sanctions on Dodik for corruption and threatening the stability and territorial integrity of Bosnia.
Two years after Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) shot down a Ukrainian passenger plane over Tehran, families of the victims are still searching for answers and seeking justice.

Among them are Iranian university professors Mohsen Asadi-Lari and his wife, Zahra Majd, who lost two of their children in the crash.

Mohammad Asadi-Lari, 23, and his 21-year-old sister, Zeynab Asadi-Lari, were on their way back to Canada, where the siblings had been studying.

"Mom, don't cry so much," Majd recalled Zeynab telling her on January 8, 2020, the day of the doomed flight. "We will see each other in less than two months."

Hours later, the Kyiv-bound plane crashed and exploded into a fireball after being hit with two surface-to-air missiles.

All 176 people on board -- passengers and Ukrainian crew -- were killed. Many of the victims were Iranians and Canadians, though several Afghans, Britons, Swedes, and some Germans were also among the dead.

After three days of denials and amid growing international pressure, the IRGC admitted to shooting down the plane "unintentionally" after misidentifying it as a threat amid heightened tensions with the United States.

Days earlier, a U.S. drone strike had killed IRGC commander General Qasem Soleimani in neighboring Iraq. Tehran's delayed claim of responsibility for the shootdown sparked angry protests in Iran and increased distrust in the clerical regime.

Hours before the tragedy, Iran had launched missile strikes on U.S. bases in Iraq to avenge Soleimani's killing, and Tehran's air defenses were on high alert in case of U.S. retaliation, which never came.

Iranian officials later said several people had been detained and charged over the "disastrous mistake." No senior officials were dismissed or resigned over the incident.

Two years later, the families of the victims are still seeking answers, including why Iran did not close its airspace amid the dangerous tensions with the United States. They have also expressed skepticism about Iran's version of the tragic events.

'Blame America'

Asadi-Lari and Majd revealed on January 10 that they had recently taken the unprecedented step of filing a lawsuit against three senior security officials over the death of their children -- IRGC chief General Hossein Salami, IRGC aerospace commander Amir Ali Hajizadeh, and secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, Ali Shamkhani.

Majd told the Shargh daily that Salami had personally visited the couple and hailed their children as martyrs, saying their deaths prevented a deadly conflict with the United States. "He said if this had not happened, 10 million people would have been killed and that this incident prevented a war," Majd quoted Salami as saying.

An IRGC spokesman confirmed on January 11 that Salami had visited the couple. But he said Salami's comments, as recalled by Majd, were "incomplete" and "distorted."

Asadi-Lari, who is a former senior Health Ministry official, in a recent interview suggested that the IRGC deliberately shot down the plane, a claim that has been made by some of the victims' families based in Canada.

It was the first time that an insider of Iran's Islamic regime had leveled such serious allegations against the powerful IRGC. Many of the victims' families in Iran have been largely silent due to fear and state intimidation.

"We've come to the conclusion that they [used] the plane as a human shield," Asadi-Lari, who served as director-general of international affairs at the Health Ministry, told the Iranian news site Ensafnews.ir on January 8. "Maybe they wanted to hit [the plane] and blame America."

Asadi-Lari and Majd also suggested that the 10 military personnel on trial in Iran over the incident may not be the real culprits. They said the person identified as the operator of the air-defense system that downed the plane is a top expert who would not have made such a mistake.

The couple said they were determined to find the truth even while nurturing little hope for justice. "My father was put on trial 48 years ago," said Asadi-Lari, referring to the one-party state under Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, who ruled until the Islamic Revolution in 1979.

"We didn't have any hope for justice from that system," Asadi-Lari told Ensafnews.ir. "But [Islamic republic officials] always talk about justice. Where is it? Is this it? Definitely not."

"We will try until our last breath to find out some truths," Majd added.

A Canadian forensic team's report last year accused Iran of incompetence and recklessness over the downing of the passenger plane. The report found that while the downing of the plane had not been premeditated, it did not absolve Iranian officials of responsibility. Iran criticized the report as "highly politicized."

'Hid The Truth'

Asadi-Lari and Majd are among dozens of victims' families who have been seeking justice for the past two years. Iran has offered to pay compensation to the families, but many have publicly rejected the offer, saying it is an attempt to close the case and escape accountability.

Afghan citizen Mohammad Mehdi Saadat, who lost his 19-year-old son, Zainul Abedin, in the crash, told RFE/RL's Radio Azadi that he wants those responsible for the tragedy to be brought to justice. "We are very disappointed with Iran," he said. "They hide what they have done. They hid the truth about the plane crash for three days."

The families of the victims have called for an independent investigation into the incident, with some threatening to take the case to the International Court of Justice. "The most important demand of the [victims'] families is the launch of an international investigation, a criminal investigation," Javad Soleimani, a Canadian citizen who lost his wife in the crash, told RFE/RL's Radio Farda.

Last week, the families of the victims marked the second anniversary of the tragedy by gathering at the crash site near Tehran's airport, demanding justice for those were killed.

In videos shared on social media, they held pictures of their loved ones and called for "Justice! Truth!"

A Canadian court recently awarded $84 million to the families of six people who died in the crash. The relatives awarded compensation in the ruling announced on January 3 had filed a civil lawsuit against Iran and officials they believed were to blame for the incident.

The same court ruled in May that the destruction of the commercial plane was an intentional act of terrorism.

Canada along with Ukraine, Britain, and Sweden on January 6 announced that they were abandoning a two-year effort to negotiate compensation with Tehran, saying they had concluded that the attempts were "futile."

They said they would focus "on subsequent actions to take to resolve this matter in accordance with international law."
Kazakh President Qasym-Zhomart Toqaev says troops from the Russian-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) will begin withdrawing from Kazakhstan in two days as the situation calmed following the deadliest violence in the ex-Soviet republic's three decades of independence from Moscow.

In a televised address to parliament on January 11, Toqaev said the CSTO troops will complete their withdrawal over the next 10 days now that order has been largely restored.

Meanwhile, Russia's Defense Ministry said two of its Il-76 military transport planes arrived in Moscow on January 11 after leaving from the airport in Kazakhstan's largest city, Almaty.

The ministry said each plane was carrying 145 Russian citizens. It also said that the repatriation of Russia citizens from Kazakhstan "will continue until the task is implemented in full."

The CSTO military contingent arrived in Kazakhstan last week after the leadership of the oil-rich country asked the Russian-led bloc for military assistance when protests sparked by a fuel price hike turned deadly with security personnel and mobs clashing on city streets nationwide.

Toqaev claimed that "foreign-trained terrorists" were behind the protests in an attempt to overthrow the government. But analysts say there appears to be an internal power struggle between the president and followers of former leader Nursultan Nazarbaev, who has remained a powerful figure in the country since handpicking Toqaev as his successor in 2019.

Human rights experts from the United Nations on January 11 called on the Kazakh authorities to halt their "unrestrained use of force, including lethal force, against protesters."

Fionnuala Ni Aolain, the UN's special rapporteur on counterterrorism and human rights, said in a statement that Kazakhstan's overly broad use of the term "terrorism" to describe protesters, civil society activists, human rights defenders, journalists, and political parties "appeared aimed at instilling fear and was deeply concerning."

Other UN rights experts also expressed concern that Toqaev had given orders for his security forces and army to "open fire with lethal force" against protesters that he described as "bandits and terrorists."

The UN rights experts also called for "independent and human-rights-based investigations of state use of force against protesters" in Kazakhstan.

Toqaev on January 11 suggested for the first time that there was an internal power struggle in Kazakhstan, saying that "under the country's first president, very lucrative companies and internationally known rich people appeared."

"The time has come to give people what belongs to them, to provide help systemically. The government must look into such companies to define what their contributions to the For Kazakhstan's People Fund should be," he said, chiding the nation's oligarchs who have "diminished competition" in the country.

In a major move targeting people around Nazarbaev, Toqaev also ordered the government to shut down operations of Operator ROP, a major disposal and recycling company that many in Kazakhstan says is connected to Nazarbaev's youngest daughter, Alia Nazarbaeva.

Toqaev on January 11 nominated Alikhan Smailov for the post of prime minister, a move that lawmakers approved hours later in parliament.

Smailov, 49, served as first deputy prime minister in the previous cabinet which Toqaev dismissed last week as the country was engulfed in unprecedented protests that turned violent and left at least 163 people dead.

Later in the day, Toqaev's office issued a presidential decree appointing a new government, which saw some former cabinet members, including the interior minister, defense minister, and foreign minister, retain their posts,

Deputy Prime Minister Roman Sklyar was promoted to the post of the first deputy prime minister, while the ministers of information, justice, health, industry, economy, culture, finance, and energy were replaced.

Kazakhstan was thrown into turmoil in the past week after protests in the remote western region of Manghystau over a sharp hike in the price of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) spread across the country all the way to Almaty.

What morphed into peaceful protests against wider economic and political grievances erupted into a spasm of violence, with mobs ransacking and torching public buildings and stores in Almaty, the commercial capital of 1.8 million people, and elsewhere.

The head of the Almaty City Health Directorate, Nariman Tabynbaev, told reporters on January 11 that during the violence more than 1,200 people visited medical facilities for assistance because of injuries they had suffered.

"Some 176 individuals are currently in hospitals [in Almaty], of whom 18 are in intensive care units, including three children," Tabynbaev said, adding that most of the hospitalized patients had suffered gunshot wounds.

The Interior Ministry said on January 11 that security forces have detained 9,900 people in connection with the deadly unrest.

So far, authorities have failed to produce solid evidence to support claims that "terrorists," including "foreign fighters," were behind the unprecedented protests in the authoritarian country. Some have blamed government forces for fueling the violence.

In the face of a mounting crisis, Toqaev declared a state of emergency on January 5 and called on the CSTO to deploy troops to help maintain security.

At the same time, he dismissed his cabinet and removed the 81-year-old Nazarbaev as head of the National Security Council, a powerful position from which the longtime leader continued to exert considerable influence.

Toqaev also dismissed the head of th National Security Committee (KNB), longtime Nazarbaev ally Karim Masimov, then had him arrested for high treason. Several other security officials were also detained.

Toqaev sought to reassure citizens that he was working toward economic stability, ordering the central bank and the financial regulations agency to ensure foreign exchange market stability in order to build confidence in the local currency, the tenge.

With reporting by Reuters and AFP
Prominent writer Viktor Shenderovich, an outspoken Kremlin critic, says he has left Russia because of a pressure campaign against him by officials, including his controversial designation as a "foreign agent."

Shenderovich, a columnist for The New Times, wrote on Facebook on January 10 that he decided to leave the country "until better times in Russia" after a libel probe was launched against him at the request of businessman Yevgeny Prigozhin, a close associate of President Vladimir Putin.

Shenderovich, 63, has criticized Prigozhin for allegedly leading the private Russian military contractor Vagner Group, a paramilitary force that Western governments say the Kremlin has been using in conflicts in Ukraine, Libya, Syria, Sudan, Mozambique, and the Central African Republic.

Last month Shenderovich was placed on the foreign agent list by the Justice Ministry. Russia's foreign agent laws require those designated to register with the authorities and label their content with an intrusive disclaimer, with criminal fines for not doing so.

Kremlin critics say the foreign agent designation brings up Soviet-era connotations and is intended to root out any independent, civic activity in Russia.

Many activists, journalists, and associates of jailed opposition politician Aleksei Navalny have left the country in recent months amid increasing pressure on independent media and those voicing dissent. Several of those to leave the country were on the foreign agent list.

"(My) departure is exactly what the Kremlin has been hinting at me to do over the last 20 years of endless and demonstrative criminality directed at me," Shenderovich wrote on Facebook.

"We're talking about the prospect of imprisonment."

Russia denies a link between the government and the mercenaries, often describing the paramilitary force as trainers or advisers, despite evidence they have been engaged in combat operations.

President Vladimir Putin has said the Vagner Group does not represent the Russian state and is not paid by it. He has also said private military contractors have the right to work and pursue their interests anywhere in the world as long as they do not break Russian law.

Prigozhin, who is believed to run the Vagner Group, is sanctioned by the United States, Britain, and the European Union in connection with his dealings with the Russian Federation's Ministry of Defense and his efforts to subvert U.S. democratic processes. Prigozhin has denied the international allegations.

Last year, he sued Shenderovich for comments the writer made during an interview on Ekho Moskvy radio.

A Russian court in December found Shenderovich guilty of slander for calling Prigozhin a criminal and a murderer during a show on Ekho Moskvy and ordered him to pay 100,000 rubles ($1,330) in damages.

At the end of December, Prigozhins company, Konkord, said it was looking at filing criminal charges against Shenderovich for the libel case, which under Russian law could result in a prison sentence of up to five years if found guilty.
When U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman emerged from more than seven hours of talks with a senior Russian diplomat at one of the tensest moments since the Cold War, she was clear about one thing.

She wasnt sure if Moscow was committed to the discussions.

Russia understands that the best way to pursue diplomacy is for them to reduce those tensions and to de-escalate, she said, referring to a major troop buildup that has raised fears of a new military offensive targeting Ukraine.

We'll see how serious they are.

Sherman entered the January 10 meeting in Geneva ready to put missile placement and military exercises on the table in negotiations with Moscow in an attempt to defuse tensions and reduce the chances that Russia would attack Ukraine.

The talks were initiated after Russia massed about 100,000 troops near its border with Ukraine and in Russian-controlled Crimea in late autumn before presenting the United States and NATO with a list of security demands.

The demands include an end to NATOs eastward expansion and to cooperation with former Soviet republics that are not members of the Western military alliance -- in particular Ukraine. Russia is also calling for limitations in Europe on missile deployment and military exercises.

After the talks with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov, Sherman said she made clear that the first two demands -- which would keep Ukraine out of NATO forever and bar military cooperation with Kyiv -- are nonstarters.

"We will not allow anyone to slam closed NATO's open-door policy, which has always been central to the alliance. We will not forgo bilateral cooperation with sovereign states that wish to work with the United States, Sherman told reporters following the meeting.

She said the United States offered to meet again soon with Russia to discuss bilateral issues in greater detail, including missile deployments and military exercises.

Ryabkov, meanwhile, said that Moscow favors the continuation of dialogue and described the talks with Sherman, which began with a shorter session on January 9, as having been very professional.

"We got the impression that the American side took the Russian proposals very seriously and carried out their in-depth study," said Ryabkov, who days earlier had warned that Moscow could walk out quickly if it felt it wasnt being heard.

But he said there had been no progress on Russias demand for a binding guarantee that Ukraine, Georgia, and other former Soviet republics never join NATO.

And ahead of subsequent talks with NATO on January 12 and in the framework of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), he left the door open for Moscow to make its exit from the diplomacy at any moment.

This is one of the major problems before us, Ryabkov said of the impasse over the demands on NATO enlargement and military cooperation. And I would say the rest depends to a great extent on what will happen further down the road on precisely this issue."

Dedicated To Diplomacy?

Ryabkovs remarks added to existing questions about Russias commitment to diplomacy, analysts said.

The U.S. side would have liked to come out of today's discussions understanding whether the Russians are serious about negotiating and I don't think that we got the answer to that today, Angela Stent, a former U.S. national intelligence officer on Russia and a professor at Georgetown University, told RFE/RL.

William Courtney, a former career diplomat who took part in U.S.-Soviet defense talks, said the U.S. proposals on missile deployments and exercises are essentially a return to the arms control and confidence-building measures that had existed between the two nations but which the United States accused Russia of violating, leading to their demise.

Courtney said the U.S. negotiating position puts the Kremlin in a tough spot: If it attacks Ukraine, it will incur severe economic sanctions, and if it accepts deals negotiated in the past, it has to figure outhow to handle this as an accomplishment in terms of domestic propaganda.

If Russia is seen as backing down on its demands, some in the domestic audience would perceive that as a big embarrassment or humiliation.

However, other analysts have said they believe the Kremlin would be willing to accept any compromise that advances its goals, and that the extent of state control over the media, the elites, and the security apparatus in Russia would enable Putin to spin trade-offs with Washington and NATO as victories.

Sherman will lead the U.S. delegation to the NATO-Russia Council meeting on January 12 in Brussels, where the Kremlins security demands and the Wests concerns about Moscows actions will again be in the spotlight.

The meeting will feature delegations from all 30 NATO nations and Russia.

On January 13, delegations from the United States and Russia are to take part in a meeting of the OSCE in Vienna, concluding nearly a week of talks.

Sherman said the United States and Russia will convene again at the end of the week after those two meetings and discuss the way forward.

Stent said the United States is unlikely to get an answer in the coming days about whether Russia is serious or not about pursuing diplomacy.

I would think it's still going to take a couple of weeks, she said, adding that if Russia intends to pursue diplomacy, it could begin to pull troops back from areas near the Ukrainian border slowly to avoid losing face.

If Russia chooses aggression, Sherman said, it may well be quite apparent that they were never serious about pursuing diplomacy at all.
Patriarch Porfirije, the head of the influential Serbian Orthodox Church, has tested positive for COVID-19 amid a surge in coronavirus infections in the Balkan nation after massive New Year celebrations that included open-air concerts and relaxed antivirus rules.

Porfirije, 60, became the head of the Serbian Orthodox Church after the previous patriarch, Irinej, died of COVID-19 in November 2020 at the age of 90.



Porfirije "remains with very mild symptoms of the virus infection and ... will be treated at home," his office said in a statement on January 11, adding that he was carrying out administrative duties entirely without problems.



On January 9, Porfirije attended a mass ceremony in Republika Srpska, the Serb entity of neighboring Bosnia, where few people wore face masks.

Porfirije last year also went into isolation after being in contact with an infected priest.

The Serbian Orthodox Church numbers some 12 million followers, mainly in Serbia, Montenegro, and Bosnia.

Serbia, a country of 7 million people, has registered 1,359,544 infections and 12,936 coronavirus deaths.

The country reported nearly 9,000 new infections on January 10.

With reporting by Reuters and AP
A homeless mother and her young child sleep on a night bus as it weaves through the empty streets of the Iranian capital, Tehran.

The pair are among a growing number of Iranians who are resorting to sleeping in public buses out of economic desperation.

Photos of the mother and daughter have gone viral on social media, serving to highlight the deepening poverty in Iran, where the economy has been crippled by tough U.S. sanctions, the coronavirus pandemic, and years of mismanagement.

The plight of the "bus sleepers," as labelled by Iranian media, was first reported by Tehran-based trade publication Tejaratnews on December 29.

The outlet reported that many of them were residents with menial jobs. Unable to afford rent, they purchase tickets to the end of a bus line. During the hourslong journey, many take refuge from the winter cold and catch up on sleep. They usually get off the bus before the morning rush hour, the outlet reported.

According to Iranian media reports, the cost of rent in Tehran and its suburbs has jumped by around 50 percent in the past year. Those remaining in the capital spend between 60 and 70 percent of their income on housing, reports say.

"For them, a seat on the bus is like cheap accommodation in the capital. But even this cheap accommodation costs them between 360,000 and 750,000 tomans per month ($12 to $30)," Tejaratnews reported.

"During the day, each of them is busy [working] and at night they take refuge here," an unnamed bus driver told Tejaratnews. "Do not think that they're all [drug] addicts. Each of them has a job."

The semiofficial ISNA news agency, which published images of the bus sleepers, reported that Tehran's public buses are the only safe places to sleep for many poor Iranians who make a living as laborers or street traders.

"The buses on these cold nights are full of homeless women, men, and even children who each have different stories," ISNA said.

The news agency claimed that many of those sleeping on buses have refused to go to shelters, calling them "unhygienic." Some reports also suggested there were not enough shelters for the growing number of homeless people in the city.

Downplaying The Issue

Photos and media reports about the bus sleepers have promoted reactions by Iranian officials, who have attempted to downplay the issue by saying many of them were drug addicts. Some officials have accused foreign-based, Persian-language media outlets of using the issue to spread "negative propaganda" about the country.

Mahmud Tarafo'e, the managing director of the Tehran Bus Company, claimed the issue was less widespread than reported.

"How can we tell if a [bus] traveler has a place to sleep or not?" he was quoted as saying by the state news agency IRNA on January 1. "We do not deny the existence of this phenomena, but it is a social and economic issue, and the Tehran Bus Company has no role in it. We have also seen in the past that drug addicts sleep in buses."

But Ahmad Ahmadi Sadr, the managing director of the Welfare Organization of Tehran's Municipality, said that 20 buses in 20 different areas of Tehran had already been designated for the homeless to sleep in during this winter.

For his part, Mehdi Chamran, the head of Tehran's city council, quoted the mayor as saying that the bus sleepers will be relocated to an unspecified location. He did not provide further details.

"There are problems but whatever we do our work is being [misinterpreted]," he said on January 4. "We're being scrutinized by domestic and foreign media. Foreign news agencies have forgotten how garbage collectors live in [cities like] London or [in other] countries."

'A Time Bomb'

In an interview with RFE/RL's Radio Farda, Sweden-based sociologist Mehrdad Darvishpur accused Iranian authorities of attempting to diminish the importance of the issue. "Not only does it not help to resolve the issue, but this issue will keep growing and [become] a time bomb," he said.

Iranians have shared the images of the homeless sleeping in buses on social media while expressing concern over rising poverty in the country.

"This is Tehran," said Twitter user Vahid Jafari, who posted a video of people sleeping on a bus. "The poverty of the dear people of Iran increases every day."

"How can [one] not break by seeing these images?" journalist Elham Zohrevand wrote on Twitter while sharing the viral photo of the homeless mother and child sleeping in a bus.

Homelessness in Iran has increased significantly in recent years as millions have been pushed into poverty, according to observers. The exact number of homeless people in the Islamic republic is unknown.

Iranian media reports say that homeless people have resorted to sleeping in cardboard boxes, under bridges, or in cars.

In 2016, the daily Sharvand shocked the nation by publishing photos of homeless people sleeping in graves outside the capital.

Former lawmaker Ahmad Tavakoli, a member of Iran's powerful Expediency Council, a body that advises Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said last year that 60 percent of people in the country of some 84 million live under the poverty line.
In the wake of Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov's order to extinguish the flaming Darvaza gas crater, photographer Amos Chapple recalls visiting the site before it became one of Turkmenistan's most famous tourist destinations.

I assumed I was looking at a volcano. In the summer of 2007 I was on a late-night flight from Istanbul to Tashkent. As we overflew Turkmenistan's Karakum Desert I was staring out of the window, peering down at the occasional brightly lit Turkmen towns, fascinating for their waffle-like street patterns, when our plane passed a massive, fiery hole in the desert. I was transfixed for several minutes as we tracked past the flaming crater. When I finally poked my head above my seat to ask someone the obvious question -- "What the hell was that?" -- there was no one awake in the mostly empty plane to ask.

Details of the origins of the Darvaza gas crater remain murky, but according to many reports it was created in 1971 when a Soviet gas-drilling rig collapsed into the desert and vast amounts of gas began spewing into the air. With local villages at risk of being silently asphyxiated, the decision was made to ignite the gas and it's been burning ever since. In the years after my first glimpse of Darvaza, I made two attempts at getting a tourist visa to Turkmenistan to see the crater up close but was rejected. The tightly controlled police state is notoriously picky over who it lets in.

Finally, in 2012 I gave it one last shot. I arranged a visa for Kazakhstan, then flew into Iran, where New Zealand citizens had easy access. From Tehran I traveled to the eastern border town of Mashhad and claimed I needed to travel by land through Turkmenistan to cross into Kazakhstan. It worked, and the Turkmen Consulate in Mashhad issued me a transit visa. I had three days to get into Turkmenistan, head for Darvaza, then leave the country. At the time, the gas crater was an obscure destination even inside Turkmenistan but one local tour operator told me she could arrange a driver to make the trip. The company rep met me in my hotel lobby as her silent driver sipped tea. When I asked if we could extend the trip for a visit to the spectacular Yangykala Canyons further north, she rejected the idea emphatically, pointing out the vast distances and the tire-shredding conditions of the desert roads. When I pushed, she ended the debate decisively on behalf of her overworked colleague by looking at me with exasperation, declaring that "our last driver worked so hard he died."

The road north from Ashgabat was lonely and hot. Opening the door of the air-conditioned Land Cruiser felt like opening an oven. When we finally made it to the crater, evening was approaching and goats were beginning to gather near the crater's edge. The driver told me animals enjoy the fiery spectacle as much as people and on chilly mornings snakes and scorpions gather for warmth near the crater's edge.
The U.S. ambassador to NATO says members of the alliance "stand united" ahead of high-stakes talks with Russia over the future of European security as concerns about a possible Russian invasion of Ukraine hang in the balance.

The Western military alliance's 30 members will meet with Russian officials at NATO headquarters in Brussels on January 12 to discuss Moscow's demand for security guarantees as well as the Kremlin's troop buildup near Ukraine.

Russia is demanding NATO commit to ending its eastward expansion and roll back its advances in Central and Eastern Europe since the 1990s.

"It has become crystal-clear that not a single ally inside the NATO alliance is willing to budge or negotiate anything as it relates to NATO's open-door policy," U.S. Ambassador to NATO Julianne Smith said on January 11.

"NATO is open and committed to a meaningful reciprocal dialogue with Russia," Smith said. "At the same time, we stand united to deter threats against NATO allies and further Russian aggression against our partners in Europe."

Russia has amassed nearly 100,000 troops near its border with Ukraine and in Ukraine's Russian-occupied Crimean Peninsula in what the United States has said could be a prelude to an invasion.

Western officials and analysts say Russia's buildup is an attempt to pressure the United States and European allies to make concessions.

On January 11, Russian forces staged live-fire exercises with tanks and about 3,000 troops near Russia's southern border with Ukraine.

Smith reiterated the U.S. call for Russia to de-escalate by withdrawing its troops and pursuing diplomacy.

NATO in 2008 committed to accepting Ukraine and Georgia, two former Soviet states that border Russia, into the alliance at an undetermined future date.

Russia has called Ukraine's membership in NATO a "red line." Many analysts say that Ukraine's membership in the alliance is at least a decade away.

The NATO-Russia Council meeting on January 12 follows bilateral talks between the United States and Russia in Geneva on January 10.

U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman, who led those talks, briefed officials from NATO earlier in the day about her conversations with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov during eight hours of talks she described as "serious" and "businesslike."

"I briefed the North Atlantic Council on yesterday's discussions with Russia at the Strategic Stability Dialogue in Geneva," Sherman wrote on Twitter on January 11 after meeting with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg and ambassadors from NATO member states.

"The United States is committed to working in lockstep with our Allies and partners to urge de-escalation and respond to the security crisis caused by Russia," she added.

During a call with media on January 11, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the U.S.-Russia talks were open and direct but did not lead to any progress on issues that Moscow deems urgent.

"We see no real reason to be optimistic so far," Peskov said.

The NATO-Russia Council talks are to be followed by a meeting of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) on January 13 in Vienna. The United States, Russia, and Ukraine are all members of the OSCE.

Peskov said Russia would get a "clear picture" of where the United States stands with regards to its demands at the conclusion of all the talks this week in Europe.

Sherman said on January 10 that the United States and Russia would sit down following the OSCE meeting to discuss the next steps.

Peskov said there was "no deadline" for the talks, but "Russia's position is that we would not be satisfied with an endless dragging out of this process."

Meanwhile, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba on January 11 praised "unity" with the West against what he called Russian "ultimatums."

Ukraine's Foreign Ministry said in a statement that Kuleba told U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on January 11 that the Geneva talks proved "our strength lies in the unity and coherence of positions against...Russian ultimatums."

Kuleba also said the United States remains Kyiv's No. 1 security partner.

U.S. President Joe Biden and Putin held two phone calls in December, accompanied by a flurry of diplomacy involving officials from the United States, its European allies and Ukraine, and Russia ahead of the meetings this week.

Ryabkov commented after the Geneva talks that he had assured Sherman that U.S. and NATO concerns about Russia's military buildup on its border with Ukraine were unfounded.

Still, Sherman said in a separate tweet on January 11 that Washington's support for Kyiv was unwavering.

"We affirmed a unified @NATO approach toward Russia balancing deterrence and dialogue and stressed our unwavering support for Ukraine," she wrote.

With reporting by Todd Prince in Washington, Reuters, AP, AFP, dpa, TASS, and Interfax
Richmond, KY (40475)

Today

Thunderstorms likely this morning. Then a chance of scattered thunderstorms this afternoon. Potential for severe thunderstorms. High 81F. Winds SSW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 100%..

Tonight

Thunderstorms during the evening will give way to cloudy skies after midnight. Low near 55F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 60%.
(econotimes.com) - Companies throughout the world have been impacted because of the limits and other steps that had to be implemented due to the Coronavirus pandemic. The diamond industry, as has been reported widely, was not immune to these detrimental consequences. Worse, the pandemic is likely to have far-reaching implications for our industry, communities, and partners for many years to come.
Roanoke Rapids, NC (27870)

Today

Mixed clouds and sun this morning. Scattered thunderstorms developing this afternoon. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. High around 85F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%..

Tonight

Thunderstorms likely this evening. Then a chance of scattered thunderstorms overnight. Low 64F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%.
Korea imported a record 209,034 tons of American beef from January to October this year, up 7.9 percent on-year and accounting for 50.4 percent of all beef imports, the Korea International Trade Association said Monday.

U.S. beef accounts for more than half of all beef imported here for the first time in 16 years.

The last time imports from the U.S. accounted for more than half was in 2003 (68.3 percent), just before an outbreak of mad cow disease in America temporarily halted them.

Demand for Australian and New Zealand beef, which surged after the outbreak, has declined.

Australian beef imports fell 1.1 percent on-year to 175,082 tons in the first 10 months of this year, while beef from New Zealand dropped 13.5 percent to 18,371 tons.

Moon Byung-ki at KITA said, "The rising imports of U.S. beef appear to be due to lower tariffs, which have fallen two to three percent each year since the Korea-U.S. free trade agreement took effective in 2012."


Rutland, VT (05701)

Today

Rain showers this morning with overcast skies during the afternoon hours. High 62F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

Rain showers early will evolve into a more steady rain overnight. Low 47F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch.
On the afternoon of January 10, the Ho Chi Minh City Steering Committee for Covid-19 prevention and economic recovery held a press conference to provide information on the epidemic situation in the city.

The program with the theme "People's health - doctor's smile" jointly organized by the Oriental Medicine Association will provide free medical examination, screening, and psychological counseling for 12,000 people including 6,000 people serving the cause of the nations revolution, elderly party members, and 6,000 people of poverty households.

Speaking at the press conference, Deputy Head of the Propaganda and Education Department of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee, cum Deputy Head of the Steering Committee Pham Duc Hai said that as of 6 p.m. on January 9, Ho Chi Minh City had recorded 508,502 new cases of Covid-19 confirmed by the Ministry of Health, including 507,851 community infections and 651 imported cases.

Currently, Ho Chi Minh City is treating 4,602 patients, in which, 91 children under 16 years old, 305 critically ill patients on ventilators, 18 patients treated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO).

Deputy Head of the Propaganda and Education Department of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee (Photo: SGGP) Deputy Head of the Propaganda and Education Department of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee (Photo: SGGP) On January 9 alone, 257 patients were hospitalized, 282 patients were discharged and 19 people succumbed to the disease. Up to now, Ho Chi Minh City has administered more than 421,000 additional doses of a vaccine and more than 2.55 million booster shots.



Regarding the plan to organize direct learning for students in Ho Chi Minh City, Mr. Trinh Duy Trong, Head of the Ideological Politics Division under the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training, said that at present, students in grades 7 and up are participating in face-to-face learning.

From January 4, learners can return to centers for foreign languages, informatics, and extra-activity classes directly.

Those who can go to school directly must follow the direction of the municipal People's Committee. Currently, the Department requested educational institutions to be ready to welcome students back to schools, said Mr. Trong. He added that currently, about 7,500 primary students cant come back to schools in person.

According to Mr. Nguyen Van Lam, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs, after the Tet holidays ( the Lunar New Year), the city is expected to need about 45,000 skilled workers in the fields of trade, leather, footwear, mechanics for local businesses.

The department directed the employment service center to organize job fairs to help businesses recruit laborers and workers from other provinces and cities to return to Ho Chi Minh City after the Tet holidays.

Currently, the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City has scheduled to send related agencies the Tet bonus plan with the total expenditure of more than VND901 billion (more than US$39 million).





Deputy Director in charge of the Center for Disease Control in Ho Chi Minh City (HCDC) Nguyen Hong Tam Deputy Director in charge of the Center for Disease Control in Ho Chi Minh City (HCDC) Nguyen Hong Tam According to Deputy Director in charge of the Center for Disease Control in Ho Chi Minh City (HCDC) Nguyen Hong Tam, the booster shot vaccination rate at some districts is 90 percent currently. It is expected that the southern largest city will complete the third dose of the vaccination plan before the Lunar New Year 2022.

Chief of Office of Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health Nguyen Thi Huynh Mai informed that in addition to 310 medical stations, the city has set up 391 mobile medical stations . The number of mobile medical stations depends on the number of Covid-19 patients who are being treated at home. So far, teams of medical workers have taken care of 168 stations with 406 people at different times.

After the military medics withdrew, newly graduated doctors will take charge of the mission, said Ms. Huynh Mai.

Before the news that the city had recorded many cardiac, pulmonary, and post-Covid-19 sequelae, Ms. Huynh Mai said, the health sector and city leaders have been taking heed of this group. The city is conducting vaccination for these groups according to the Ministry of Healths guidance.

In addition, hospitals have post-Covid-19 clinics to deliver ongoing care for anyone who has recovered from Covid-19. Particularly, several large hospitals in Ho Chi Minh City such as Children's Hospital 1, Hospital for Tropical Diseases, Le Van Thinh Hospital, Hospital for Rehabilitation and Treatment of Occupational Diseases, Cho Ray Hospital, Thong Nhat Hospital, Institute of Traditional Medicine have established post-Covid-19 treatment departments. In addition, the Department of Rehabilitation Engineering in the University of Medicine and Pharmacy has recently developed a handbook for recoveries after Covid-19.

In respect of test kits of Viet A Company , Ms. Huynh Mai revealed three hospitals in HCMC including Pham Ngoc Thach Hospital, Thu Duc City Hospital and Binh Tan District Hospital have purchased test kits from Viet A Company. Currently, the authorities are investigating and have not come to any conclusion. The investigation result will be publicized.





By Thanh An  Translated by Uyen Phuong
Danvers, MA (01923)

Today

Becoming partly cloudy after some morning rain. High 53F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 100%..

Tonight

Cloudy skies early, then off and on rain showers overnight. Low 44F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
Sanford, NC (27330)

Today

Partial cloudiness early, with scattered showers and thunderstorms during the afternoon. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. High 88F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

Partly to mostly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low around 65F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph.
An exceptional discovery of more than 200 Roman-era coins in Spain was credited to a burrowing badger that was likely only hunting for food but ended up digging the treasure trove. A vast snowstorm paralyzed the country in January 2021, which might push the badger to desperately burrow so deep that it happened to dig the coins.

Archaeologists said that the coins were discovered in April in La Cuesta cave, Berceo, in the Austrias region. Researchers from Madrid's Autonomous University published outlined the exceptional find in the Journal of Prehistory and Archaeology.





A Treasure Hunter Badger

Storm Filomena hit Spain last year that brought heavy snowfall, affecting not only humans but also wildlife. Archaeologists who found the ancient coins believe that the desperate attempt of the badger to find food has caused the discovery of the coins as it likely inserted its legs into a small crack opening next to its refuge, BBC News reported.

Since it has no use for the gold coins, the badger abandoned some of the pieces in front of its den. In total, there are 209 Roman-era coins on the site that were found by two archaeologists.

Archaeologists called it an exceptional find because the coins date back between the third and fifth centuries AD. Spanish newspaper El Pais reported that the coins were believed to have been forged in Constantinople, present-day Istanbul, Turkey, and Thessaloniki, Greece.

Furthermore, researchers said it was the largest treasure trove of Roman coins ever found in a cave in northern Spain. In the 1930s, archaeologists found treasures in the dense woodlands of Grado. There were 14 gold coins at that treasure trove that date back to when Constantine I was still the Roman emperor who ruled from 306 to 337 AD.

Researchers hope to return to the site where the coins were found to excavate as they could hold more artifacts from the past. But for now, only the badger knows where the treasure can be found.

ALSO READ: Early Money: Archaeological Discovery Shows Ancient European "Standardized Bronze Objects"





Origins of the Roman-era Coins

Archaeologists wrote in their paper that on the floor of the cave, the sand looked like a badger dug it up, and at the entrance of it were more coins.

Phys.org reported that most of the late Roman era coins likely originated from the north and the eastern Mediterranean, that later on reached Rome and Arles, and the southern region of France in Lyon, although they argued that it could have also come from London.

The team said that what makes the treasure trove an exceptional find is the undoubted archaeological interest of the transition to the early medieval period. They believe that the coins may have been moved there due to the "context of political instability" linked to the invasion of the Germanic people called Suebians who pushed into the northwestern region of the Iberian peninsula during the 5th century.



RELATED ARTICLE: Hoard of 5,500 Roman-era Silver Found Buried By The River in Augsburg City in Germany; Who Owned It?

Check out more news and information on Archaeology in Science Times.
The Seattle Times has compared the city's recent population boom to that of the Klondike Gold Rush, and the data behind it are pretty eye-opening.

If Seattleites were skeptical about whether the city has been growing fast, they should stop right now.

Since 2010, more than 14,500 people per year -- on average -- moved to the Emerald City. Between 2012 and 2013 alone, Seattle saw another 18,000 people added to its population.

Amazon can't bring them all here, but the retail giant is no doubt influencing a significant amount of that growth, and its employees are not getting off easy for it.

According to census data, Seattle hasn't seen a population boom like the latest since the earliest decade of the 20th century, shortly after gold was discovered in Alaska.

The Klondike Gold Rush was a boon for Seattle businesses and workers. Businesses quickly saw the chance to profit and began outfitting would-be miners, or running pack services, or running ships north.

Whatever the skills, there was work in Seattle and people came here for it. The boom in population ensured that even after the initial rush, businesses would still have people to sell goods to.

Of course, as the Times points out, the years between 1900 and 1910 were also when Seattle annexed much of the surrounding area, which likely inflates the numbers a bit. That means the most recent boom is likely the largest honest influx of people.

Thanks to our friends over at MOHAI, we pulled together some images from Seattle during and after the gold rush, as well as from gold camps or routes to the gold fields.

In both times, the city was booming. But today's boom looks a lot different than what the city saw during the gold rush.

Daniel DeMay covers business, transportation and Seattle culture for seattlepi.com. Reach him at 206-448-8362 or danieldemay@seattlepi.com. Follow him on Twitter: @Daniel_DeMay.
The Seattle area has seen its share of hits, brand-wise.

From UPS and Boeing to Costco and Amazon, the region has birthed dynamic, influential companies that have shaped the nation and the world. Microsoft is practically an industry unto itself.

Some smaller entities have made their mark. Jones Soda, Filson and Subpop might not be household names, but they lead their particular packs.

Unfortunately, not all Seattles brands can be winners.

Check out the gallery above for a look at some Seattle-born brands that didnt hold up. Some were huge  looking at you Washington Mutual. Some were beloved, like the SuperSonics. Some were barely there.

Theyre all gone now.

What did we miss, and which do you miss most? Send us an email at citydesk@seattlepi.com.

RELATED:

Follow former Seattlepi.com reporter Levi Pulkkinen on Twitter at twitter.com/levipulk.
Check out the slideshow above for a look at the top 30 Washington-born celebrities, as ranked by IMDB.

Key takeaways include:

Washington actors are way over-represented on Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D."

Jeffery Dean Morgan is once again having a moment, this time thanks to "The Walking Dead."

Portlandia employed two of the states most interesting stars.

Twilight put a lot of Washingtonian actors to work. So thanks, Stephenie Meyer.

A note on the methodology: Included here are celebrities who were described as having been born in Washington. Much-loved imports wont be found above, but most of them are here  Seattle's TV stars  and here  Washington's celebrities.

Seattlepi.com reporter Levi Pulkkinen can be reached at 206-448-8348 or levipulkkinen@seattlepi.com. Follow Levi on Twitter at twitter.com/levipulk.
Asahel Curtis lived the life of a legend.

He climbed previously unclimbed peaks, helped found the Mountaineers and, paradoxically, promoted developments that would irrigate Washingtons fields at the expense of wild places.

Born in 1874, Curtis traveled to the Yukon for the Gold Rush, tricked President Hoover into an off-road adventure and had an epic falling out with his brother. Seems he drew a paycheck from the Seattle Post-Intelligencer for a time, too.

Mostly, Curtis took photos. His images captured the landscapes and commerce of Washingtons early years. Theyre a view into the rural, rough place that had yet to be remade.

RELATED: Color photos: Airplanes from the World War II era

The gallery above collects hand-colored lantern slides made by Curtis and preserved by the Washington State Archives. The archives digital collection illustrates Washingtons transformation beautifully and includes many of the documents important to state history.

The slides were something of the Instagram of their time. The colors were selected and painted by the photographer  sunsets and fire get a little otherworldly.

RELATED: In color: The West in Depression, WWII

With the use of a lantern, the images could be projected for viewers. Many of those shown above were used by the states Department of Conservation and Development, which used them to push for immigration and investment in the state. Most of the states major water projects  including the hydroelectric dams that would later power Boeings rise  were in part a result of that effort.

More on Curtis is available at HistoryLink.org, which provides the source of the information included here.

Seattlepi.com reporter Levi Pulkkinen can be reached at 206-448-8348 or levipulkkinen@seattlepi.com. Follow Levi on Twitter at twitter.com/levipulk.
Good morning, Bay Area. Its Tuesday, Jan. 11 and an endangered salmon species is returning to Marins waterways. Heres what you need to know to start your day.

In another grim milestone, more than 20% of COVID tests in California are coming back positive. And thats just the PCRs  theres no telling how many at-home antigen tests are coming back with two lines, or how many people are carrying the virus but have not been tested.

Labs are overwhelmed by the influx of tests right now, making it difficult to tell whether this is an accurate, real-time count of coronavirus in the state.

Now weeks into the omicron surge, health care facilities are bracing for an even greater influx of new patients. With more than 1,700 people in ICU beds statewide and scores of medical staff coming down with illnesses, hospital top brass are anxious about whats next.

Read more from Aidin Vaziri.

 Some experts are now recommending swabbing both the throat and nose when taking at-home rapid COVID tests.

 Why did San Francisco cut hours at four city testing sites?

 Opinion: Here are seven reasons you dont want COVID right now.

Vehicular violence

Santiago Mejia / The Chronicle

Are the Bay Areas freeways getting deadlier?

Freeway shootings have nearly quadrupled in the Bay Area in recent years, and nearly half of incidents that occurred in 2021 took place in Alameda County. The stretch of Interstate 580 east of the MacArthur Maze in Oakland emerged as a particular hot spot.

Motives in these shootings are often attributed to road rage incidents or targeted gang violence, but several recent, high-profile incidents appear to be innocent victims caught in the crossfire.

Police have struggled to apprehend suspects. The nature of the crime  perpetrators long gone and few witnesses or bystanders (if any) at the scene  make the shootings hard to solve.

Read more from Rachel Swan.

What to eat

Courtesy Uli Elser

Plenty of fresh eats in the Bay Area this week, starting with good news for fans of Oakland pitmaster Matt Horns fried chicken sandwich. The humble buttermilk-brined bird on a bun is finally getting its time to shine at Kowbird, Horns latest venture, which opens Friday.

Elsewhere in the East Bay, theres a pretzel bakery thats drawing huge lines. Reporters Janelle Bitker and Elena Kadvany have the scoop on what to order at Squabisch. (Hint: Their top pick wasnt savory!)

And in San Francisco, fans of Inner Richmond favorite Halu have banded together to reimagine the restaurant. Rebranded as Moku Yakitori-Ya, there are plenty of proteins including steamed clams and bacon-wrapped mochi on the list of their dinner service-only offerings.

Around the Bay

Nina Riggio / The Chronicle

 Wet season: Is California any closer to emerging from its drought? Here's what the maps show. Plus: Track the Bay Areas drought restrictions with The Chronicle.

 Ranch attack: A bull allegedly killed a rancher in Contra Costa County before a sheriffs deputy fatally shot it.

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

 $20,000 per student: That's how much the states public schools would receive under a new education budget proposal from Gov. Gavin Newsom.

 Speaking of...: The governor has other financial plans in store, outlining a plan to direct Californias $46 billion surplus to combat homelessness, wildfires and other crises. Also: Listen to The Chronicles Joe Garofoli and Dustin Gardiner break down the financials.

 Fraud case: A federal appeals court tossed the sentences and $20 million in restitution for two former Sonoma Valley Bank executives and the attorney for a major borrower.

 Behind bars: Two months after closing, a Northern California jail has reopened to detain immigrants the federal government wants to deport.

 BottleRock lineup: Metallica and Pink will headline the Napa Valley festival this year.

Here, fishy fishy

Alvin A.H. Jornada/Special to The Chronicle

Coho salmon are native to the North Bay, but drought conditions have made it exceedingly hard for them to return to their homes. They made a rare appearance in Marin County creeks where they havent been seen for years after storms refilled the regions waterways.

Although the endangered species spawns in Marins rivers every year, this was the first season in more than 15 years they made it as far north as San Geronimo Valleys Montezuma Creek. Hows that for determination?

Read more from Tara Duggan.

Bay Briefing is written by Gwendolyn Wu and sent to readers email inboxes on weekday mornings. Sign up for the newsletter here, and contact the writer at gwendolyn.wu@sfchronicle.com.
A plan to build 1,200 apartments on the site of a former high school in Daly City won city council approval Monday night despite objections from residents who said the development would be too tall, too expensive for many families and would eliminate a sprawling vegetable garden.

The Daly City council voted 4 to 1 to approve the preliminary plan for the development, which would be built on 22 acres at Serramonte and Callan boulevards, across from the Serramonte Center shopping mall. The project, which needs to undergo environmental reviews, would still need final approval.

The Jefferson Union High School District owns the land and wants to partner with a developer to build the project  five rental apartment buildings set to rise over the the next 10 to 15 years on its Serramonte Del Rey campus  to bring in much-needed revenue. The district includes students from Brisbane, Colma, and Pacifica, in addition to Daly City.

At Mondays hearing, school district representatives said the district has struggled to boost teacher pay, update facilities and expand student programs. It loses about a quarter of teachers every year, often to other districts that pay more and have more modern facilities, they said. District officials presented a chart showing that Jefferson teachers start at $53,000 and top out at $93,5000, while faculty in the San Mateo Unified High School District start at $75,000 and can earn as much as $139,000.

The development would generate between $800,000 and $1.3 million per year for the city, officials said.

The fight over the future of the site has become a flash point in the Bay Areas housing battles. Proponents argue that the new housing would not only create desperately needed apartments but would generate millions for a school district in dire need of resources. Critics say that the housing would likely be unaffordable to many Daly City residents and that the plan to offer just 10% of the units at below market rates is inadequate.

Though the council approved the preliminary plan, council members directed the district to make a good faith effort to double the percentage of affordable units to 20% or more. Jefferson Unified High School District Trustee Kalimah Salahuddin said the preliminary vote will enable the district to work with affordable housing developers to see how many units on the 1.8 acre site can be set aside for below market rate housing.

Im committed to building as much affordable housing as we can so long as it doesnt fiscally impact our ability to do the project, said Salahuddin.

In December, the median home price in Daly City was $1.1 million, about 8.2% higher than a year earlier, according to Redfin. Median rent for a one-bedroom apartment is about $2,200, a 6% jump from a year earlier, according to Zumper.

The lone no vote came from Council Member Glenn Sylvester, who objected to the height of the buildings and that the affordable units would be concentrated in one structure rather than spread throughout the complex.

This is not the first time the school district has jumped into the housing development business. Three decades ago, it built a 396-unit apartment complex on the Serramonte Del Rey campus, also to raise revenue. That project, which is 20% affordable, generated $1.2 million for the school district last year and has pumped about $20 million into the districts coffers over the past 16 years.

In addition to the proposed Serramonte Del Rey development, construction has already begun on housing for faculty and staff on the campus at 699 Serramonte Blvd. Approved in 2018 through a bond measure, that 122-unit project is expected to be completed in the spring. Of the apartments, 110 are designated for staffers whose households earn no more than 80% of the average median income, and 12 are for those earning 70% or less.

Several critics of the new project argued that the development would be 90% luxury housing, and would further drive up housing costs in the area. At the hearing Monday, Sabrina Brennan, who heads up the Sierra Clubs Loma Prieta Chapter, said the project should be at least 30% affordable. By building exclusively for the wealthy, all you are doing is gentrifying Daly City and reducing diversity, she said.

But the fact that the city moved forward with teacher housing first shows it is committed to building residences for the local workforce, said Kelsey Barnes of the group Peninsula for Everyone. She said the market rate housing would be filled by local professionals but not the rich.

How many rich people do you know who are renting apartments? she said. Rich people on the Peninsula buy single-family homes. That is the real luxury housing.

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

The projects come at a time when the state is finalizing each city and countys housing production requirements for the next eight years, a process called the Regional Housing Needs Allocation. But unlike past RHNA cycles, when the majority of cities ignored their production goals, the state now has an enforcement unit tasked with making sure housing is approved as long as it meets local zoning and general plan goals.

The school district project represents about 23% of Daly City allocation of 4,838 units.

While several speakers at the meeting lamented that the council had twice put off voting on the plan, project opponent Xavier Gomez said the delay was warranted.

I think three meetings is OK for a 12-story building that is going to last hundreds of years in our community, he said.

Vice Mayor Raymond Buenaventura, who in October made the motion to delay the vote on the plan, said he was satisfied that he had enough information to move it forward.

I cannot see myself getting in the way of this project, he said. Its not perfect. Its not going to make everybody happy. But I think we have to fall back on the true mission here, which is to support our teachers and to support our students.

J.K. Dineen is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jdineen@sfchronicle.com
A federal appeals court upheld the fraud convictions Monday of two former top executives of the collapsed Sonoma Valley Bank, and the attorney for a major borrower, for concealing their roles in millions of dollars of dubious loans.

But the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals set aside their sentences  eight years for the bank executives, 6 years for the attorney, and $20 million in restitution  and said the trial judge had lacked evidence for her conclusion that the mens conduct had caused the banks failure in 2010, a finding that increased their punishment.

The court told U.S. District Judge Susan Illston of San Francisco to reconsider the prison terms, under sentencing guidelines that would entitle them to immediate release unless she found additional evidence they had caused the bank to collapse.

In May, Illston said that, if allowed by the appeals court, she would grant a request by the attorney, David Lonich, to be released from prison and serve the rest of his term in home confinement after being diagnosed with prostate cancer and COVID-19. The court did not address that issue Monday.

The two other defendants were the banks chief executive, Sean Cutting, and a top loan officer, Brian Melland. Federal prosecutors presented evidence that the two men had conspired for years with Lonich and his client, real estate developer Bijan Madjlessi, to approve more than $35 million in loans to Madjlessi, violating state limits, and to hide them from federal regulators.

Prosecution witnesses said the executives helped Madjlessi take possession of a condominium complex, Park Lane Villas in Santa Rosa, using a straw buyer to take an initial loan and then issuing a fraudulent $5.4 million loan to the developer. On another occasion, the court said, Melland approved a loan for Madjlessi after the developer agreed to invest $50,000 in an energy drink company that Melland owned.

After a federal grand jury indicted all four men in 2014, Madjlessi, 58, died when his car fell 400 feet off a cliff in Mill Valley.

In challenging their convictions, the three men argued that they were denied their constitutional right to a speedy trial because the case was not tried until October 2017. In the meantime, they said, some records had disappeared and some witnesses memories had faded.

But the court said the defendants had agreed to postpone the trial until March 2017, giving prosecutors time to obtain a more precise indictment, and were not harmed by the additional delay.

There was overwhelming evidence that (the three) participated in fraudulent schemes, Judge Daniel Bress said in the 3-0 ruling.

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

But he said Illston did not ask the jury to decide whether the illicit loans had caused the banks downfall, and made her own decision without adequate evidence to support it.

Illston relied on reports by three bank examiners and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp., but the examiners did not spell out the reasons for their conclusion, and the FDIC mentioned other possible causes, including poor overall bank management and deteriorating market conditions, Bress said. He also said not all the loans the executives approved for Madjlessi were illegal.

It is unclear if the loans associated with defendants criminal wrongdoing led to the banks failure, Bress said. He said Illston could consider any available evidence on causes of the failure before resentencing.

Lawyers for the three men were not available for comment.

Bob Egelko is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: begelko@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @BobEgelko
Gov. Gavin Newsom wants California to commit to another year of record spending to battle a wildfire crisis that shows no sign of letting up  among billions of dollars proposed, in a draft of the state budget, to protect communities from future climate disasters.

The budget plan calls for the state to reach into an estimated $46 billion budget surplus and devote $1.2 billion over the next two years to wildfire. Much of the money would go toward fire prevention, including $482 million for projects creating more fire-resilient landscapes through a combination of reforestation, forest thinning, prescribed burns and livestock grazing programs.

The draft budget, released by the governors office on Monday, includes just over $284 million to pay for more equipment to battle fires, including adding four specialized helicopters that fly at night to the states air resources fleet, as well as additional helitankers and bulldozers. The money would also help the state expand its permanent hand-crew staff, which has been in short supply.

Wade Crowfoot, Californias natural resources secretary, said California saw last fall how areas of thinned forests and firebreaks helped firefighters stop the Caldor Fire from burning into South Lake Tahoe  indication the money would be well spent.

Our interventions are getting better, Crowfoot said during a news conference.

More than 2.5 million acres burned last year across the state in major fires including the Caldor Fire and the nearly 1-million-acre Dixie Fire in the northern Sierra, both massive blazes that charred forests and destroyed homes. The number of fires burning simultaneously throughout California last fall forced an exhausted firefighting force to work for weeks on end with little to no breaks.

Tim Edwards, union president of Cal Fire Firefighters, said the proposed spending was crucial and acknowledged the serious toll the wildfire crisis has taken on the people on the front lines.

Alvin A.H. Jornada/Special to The Chronicle 2021

No elected official in my lifetime has been dealt a tougher hand than the first four years of Gov. Newsoms administration, Edwards said. While COVID has altered our social structure, drought and climate change have resulted in fires of such catastrophic nature as to create a new normal.

The proposed wildfire funding was part of the governors climate package, which would include significant investments in reducing heat-trapping emissions and fostering the states clean energy sector.

Newsom proposed spending an additional $6.1 billion over the next five years on reducing emissions. Money would be allocated to help the state transition away from gas-powered vehicles to electric ones, including for school buses and short-haul trucks. Funding was also proposed for equity projects to help low-income communities build the infrastructure needed to support more electric vehicles.

Stephen Lam/The Chronicle 2021

The plan also proposed $2 billion for the decarbonization of heavy industry, offshore wind infrastructure and greater energy storage capacity. It also proposed programs to train workers in the oil and gas sectors to work in clean-energy fields.

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

Newsoms proposed $286.4 billion budget covers the fiscal year beginning July 1 and needs approval from the Legislature before moving forward.

Ellie Cohen, executive director of Santa Rosa-based nonprofit the Climate Center, commended the governor for proposing significant investments on urgent climate issues, especially decarbonizing the energy, industrial and transportation sectors.

But she called for Newsom to commit even more funding to energy resilience and clean energy programs.

Much more is needed to advance solutions at the speed and scale science demands, she said.

Julie Johnson is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: julie.johnson@sfchronicle.com. Twitter: @juliejohnson
A student support manager at Santa Rosa Junior College and a man believed to be her boyfriend were arrested Monday in Santa Rosa on suspicion of drug trafficking, officials said.

Santa Rosa police detectives began investigating a drug trafficking operation involving Hilleary Zarate, 44, and Rey David Garcia, 42, in December. On Monday, detectives executed search warrants at their homes and arrested them, Santa Rosa police said in a statement.

Detectives found about 8 ounces of a substance believed to be methamphetamine split up in small baggies inside of Zarates home on Elk Lane. She was booked into Sonoma County Jail for possession for sale of methamphetamine, officials said.

Erin Bricker, director of district and community relations at Santa Rosa Junior College, said the college will be placing Zarate on leave until further notice.

Zarates online profile on the colleges website says she works closely with college students and has oversight with first time to college and undocumented students, as well as student grievances.

Zarates son, Darrick Zarate, 20, was also inside the home on Elk Lane during the search. He was arrested when detectives found that he was in possession of a ghost gun, a violation of his probation, officials said.

He was previously arrested in November 2020 after he inadvertently and repeatedly stabbed a friend in the arms during a fight involving multiple people, according to the Santa Rosa Press Democrat.

Inside Garcias home on Somers Street, detectives found about 3 pounds of a substance believed to be methamphetamine split up in small baggies, as well as four baggies containing about 2 ounces of suspected cocaine, officials said. He was booked into Sonoma County Jail for possession for sale of methamphetamine and cocaine, possessing brass knuckles and violating his probation, officials said.

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

In addition to the alleged drugs, detectives found multiple digital scales, multiple cell phones and cash in both of the homes, officials said.

Garcia and the Zarates could not immediately be reached for comment.

The drug trafficking operation is still under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact Santa Rosa police at srcity.org/CrimeTips.

Andy Picon is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: andy.picon@hearst.com Twitter: @andpicon
Empty of immigrant detainees for two months, Yuba County Jail is once again incarcerating noncitizens that the federal government wants to deport.

The move dealt a blow to activists who hoped Californias last county to contract with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement would finally get out of the detention-for-profit business, and who now worry that the jail is refilling beds as the highly contagious omicron variant pulses through the country.

I think its a horrible idea for them to bring back ICE detainees, said Carter White, supervising attorney at the King Hall Civil Rights Clinic at the UC Davis School of Law.

White toured the jail on Dec. 13 as part of the legal team monitoring the jails compliance with a court-ordered consent decree originally adopted in 1979 to improve conditions inside.

Two weeks after the legal teams visit, Yuba County Jail received its first immigrant detainee since late October. A second detainee arrived the first week of January, and local officials say they are prepared to accept more.

There are any number of problems that arise with more incarcerated people, and obviously the risk of this highly infectious variant of the COVID virus (spreading) is right up there, White said.

In an October 2021 monitoring report, jail officials were asked to impose a vaccine mandate for all staff, something that hasnt happened, said Leslie Williams, spokesperson for the Yuba County Sheriffs Office, which operates the jail in Marysville.

While Williams cited personnel confidentiality rules in declining to say how many staff members have contracted the virus or are vaccinated against it, White said he and the other monitors were told during last months visit that 52% of the jails staff was vaccinated against COVID-19.

The Sheriffs Office spokesperson did say that 40.7% of the people currently incarcerated in the jail are vaccinated, adding that inmates are being offered $50 credits to their commissary accounts if they choose to receive the vaccine.

Neither of the two new detainees currently has the coronavirus, according to ICEs tracking. Jail officials said no other inmates have tested positive in the latest wave.

A spokesperson for ICE told The Chronicle that the agency remains committed to applying CDC guidance and providing vaccine education that ensures those in our care and custody can make an informed choice during this global pandemic.

Inmates and community activists have been calling attention to conditions inside Yuba County Jail through hunger strikes and protests for years.

In April 2020, seven detainees filed a federal class-action lawsuit against the Mesa Verde Detention Facility in Bakersfield and Yuba County Jail, alleging that conditions had become even less safe because of the coronavirus pandemic. According to a state inspection report, Yubas detainees were being issued new cloth masks on a weekly basis and instructed to sleep head to foot on bunk beds.

Court orders in the class-action lawsuit caused Yubas detainee population to steadily decline, from 127 in May 2020 to zero on Oct. 27, 2021, when the last incarcerated noncitizen was released. Activists briefly celebrated and hoped to use the momentum to prevent the jail from accepting future detainees.

But ICE and Yuba County had quietly extended their contract indefinitely in 2018. The contract stipulates that Yuba County receive a minimum of $24,000 a day whether any detainees are in its jail or not. In the two months the jail was without detainees, the federal government paid Yuba County almost $1.4 million.

As word trickled out that the Northern California jail might begin accepting new detainees, formerly incarcerated men and community supporters protested outside the federal immigration court in San Francisco last month.

A report by the team overseeing the jails compliance with the court-ordered consent decree found that a severe breakdown of the Jails mental health system contributed to the suicide last month of a man who had been in the jail for only a few days. It also found that officials had failed to fix previously cited suicide risks, and that there was inadequate medical and mental health staffing and treatment.

Weve known for decades that Yuba County Jail has a horrific record of mental and medical care that has unfortunately resulted in tragic deaths and lots of pain for lots of families, said Laura Duarte Bateman, communications director for the California Collaborative for Immigrant Justice, which organized last months protest against Yuba accepting new detainees.

Deepa Fernandes is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: deepa.fernandes@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @deepafern
An El Cerrito police officer was killed and two other motorists were injured in a collision involving five vehicles on Sunday, according to a statement released by the El Cerrito Police Department.

The department identified the officer killed as 26-year-old Jerrick Bernstine.

Bernstine was on his way home from work during the time of the accident, which temporarily shut down all lanes of eastbound Interstate 80 in San Pablo, when a van in front of him lost control and collided with the center median around 6:14 a.m., according to the statement.

The officers car subsequently struck the van, and he died at the scene. The two other victims injured during the collision were transported to a local hospital after suffering major injuries.

Bernstine began his career with the Police Department as an academy recruit in 2019 and became an officer in February 2020.

Officer Bernstine was passionate about giving back to his community and became a police officer after first working as an in-home caregiver, said the department.

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

In his two years with the ECPD he was recognized as a model officer, combining a humble personality with a tenacious crime fighting spirit.

Ryce Stoughtenborough is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: ryce.stoughtenborough@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @rstoughts
Hayward Unified is returning to remote instruction this week, the first major Bay Area district to revert to online learning amid the omicron surge as districts struggled over the last week to staff classrooms.

The district voted to stay remote for a week in the face of 500 students testing positive and a shortage of teachers to helm classes.

A long line of cars snaked around the corner of the districts headquarters Monday, as officials handed out Chromebooks and hotspots, harking back to March 2020 when Bay Area school districts scrambled to complete the transition to remote learning. District staff finally managed to make it through the morning rush around noon, having distributed more than 100 Chromebooks in just one hour so families are prepared for the switch of its 18,800 K-12 students to online learning on Tuesday.

Hayward isnt the only Bay Area district struggling to respond to skyrocketing cases and a staffing crisis. Oakland shut 12 schools on Friday in the face of a teacher sickout, with some educators complaining about safety protocols, and other staffers who were ill with COVID. San Francisco had to pull every credentialed administrator from the central office last week to teach after illness and a substitute shortage  as well as a sickout one day  cut the number of adults on campus. Palo Alto on Sunday night sent out a letter to families asking for parent volunteers to keep schools running.

Milpitas Unified School District, in Santa Clara County, reversed plans to hold classes remotely this week. After talking to health officials, the district learned it didnt have the authority to declare a district-wide quarantine.

The stakes are high for districts that choose remote instruction. Hayward risks losing $2.5 million a day in per-pupil funding if the remote instruction doesnt meet state requirements, trustees said Friday.

Scott Strazzante/The Chronicle

District parent Michelle Sterling was just one of the parents who had come to pick up Chromebooks for her elementary school children. She felt conflicted about the switch to remote learning. On the one hand, its more convenient because it takes her up to an hour and a half each way to bring her children to school on public transit.

But her younger daughter has struggled with remote learning in the past. Sterling said online learning can be near-possible at times for Arianna, a fourth-grader in the special education program at Bowman Elementary, who has autism. Her older daughter, Antoinnette, attends sixth grade at Park Elementary.

The difference is night and day, Sterling said, referring to how online learning has affected her children. Seriously, day by day I just get up and pray that today goes the way I need it to go.

At the distribution center, district spokesperson Dionicia Ramos stressed that many teachers and families were relieved that the district had switched to virtual learning in the face of the overwhelming surge of coronavirus cases. The surge was compounded by delays in home-test distribution and a rash of illnesses among its testing vendors.

Scott Strazzante/The Chronicle

Ramos said some families had even asked for the switch to be extended through months end.

Baldev Singh, whose fifth-grader picked up a Chromebook on Monday, said the family was able to support the abrupt change in part because his wife can stay home and take care of the children.

On Monday, students were asked to work on assignments given out last week. From Tuesday through Friday, students will have live and asynchronous instruction that mirrors what they had earlier in the pandemic. The district set up six learning hubs for students not currently in quarantine who need access to virtual learning from a school facility, but Ramos said no families had showed up as of Monday afternoon.

The district says its offering weekly on-site testing at school sites, four stationary testing sites across Hayward, and a mobile response team that can quickly be dispatched to any school site that needs additional testing due to an exposure or students and staff exhibiting symptoms.

Hayward Unifieds Superintendent Matt Wayne said last week that the Alameda County Office of Education had encouraged his district to remain open, but he recommended to the Board of Education that it pause in-person classes.

The district adopted a vaccination or weekly testing mandate for students 12 and older that took effect in mid-December. Ramos said 67% of students age 12 and older across the district are fully vaccinated.

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

Hayward teachers met with school administrators Monday to review the districts remote learning requirements, which call for at least three hours of synchronous, or live, instruction for kindergarten students, and restructured lesson plans for online ahead of Tuesdays return to remote instruction.

By the middle of last week, teacher and student absences had surged and some Hayward schools were quarantining multiple classrooms during the school day as positive cases were identified, said Mercedes Faraj, president of the districts teachers union, the Hayward Education Association.

It got to a point where it (in-person instruction) just wasnt meaningful for our students and our teachers any longer, Faraj said.

The districts school board is scheduled to revisit its decision to revert back to remote learning at the end of the week. The districts unions and its members, Faraj said, should have a say in determining how the district would transition back to school in person.

Were the folks that are seeing the faces of everybody or not, Faraj said, and we really need to have some weigh-in as to what that threshold looks like, and what we can do thats sustainable and meaningful for our communities.

Its unclear how long remote instruction will remain in place in Hayward. Gov. Gavin Newsom and the states teachers unions and education advocacy groups issued a rare joint statement over the holiday break affirming a commitment to keeping schools open.

Also unclear is whether the Hayward district will lose funding from the state by going to remote learning. While the state law that allowed for remote instruction expired last summer, California schools can submit waivers asking the states education department to withhold financial penalties for school closures made under extreme circumstances, such as natural disasters or staffing shortages.

We dont think that schools should be punished for responding to a pandemic, particularly when reducing funding is only going to further erode their ability to cope with COVID-19 and to provide for students learning needs, Troy Flint, spokesperson for the California School Boards Association, said.

Annie Vainshtein and Ricardo Cano are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: annie.vainshtein@sfchronicle.com, ricardo.cano@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @annievain, @byricardocano
2 1 of 2 Liz Hafalia/The Chronicle 2014 Show More Show Less 2 of 2 Mason Trinca/Special to The Chronicle 2017 Show More Show Less



The days of Brown Sugar Kitchens crispy fried chicken with golden cornmeal waffles and tangy apple cider syrup have come to an end. Tanya Hollands acclaimed soul food spot, one of the most famous restaurants in Oakland, has permanently closed after nearly 15 years in business.

Holland told Berkeleyside, which first reported the news, that the pandemic made it challenging for the restaurant to break even, particularly after she shut down Brown Sugar Kitchens Ferry Building outpost at the start of 2020. Last year, she filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in an effort to keep her Oakland restaurant open. Holland confirmed the closure with The Chronicle but declined an interview.
California marked a pandemic high for positive coronavirus test results on Monday with more than 1 out of 5 tests showing COVID-19 infection, as hospitals braced for an even greater influx of new patients.

With Mondays count, California surpassed 6 million cumulative coronavirus cases reported since the pandemic began. The states most recent seven-day average hit a rate of 22% positive results on Jan. 5, according to the most recent state data compiled by The Chronicle. That marks a substantial increase over Californias previous seven-day high of 17.1% recorded during last years winter surge and is dramatically up from 5.4% just two weeks ago.

But the states actual positive rate may be much higher: Testing sites across California and the Bay Area report staffing shortages and laboratory delays in processing results, due to the surge driven by the highly contagious omicron variant of the virus. Nor does the rate take into account the results of at-home tests, which are increasingly harder to find and are not typically reported to health officials.

The Bay Areas seven-day average of new cases soared to more than 243 per 100,000 residents on Sunday, up from 11 per 100,000 residents just a month earlier. Statewide, the seven-day average has climbed to 273 per 100,000 people.

The state has reported roughly 100,000 cases each day for the past several days as the omicron surge explodes, Dr. Mark Ghaly, secretary of California Health and Human Services, said during a news briefing Monday.

COVID once again with omicron is gripping our state, challenging our health systems and impacting communities that have already been hard hit, Ghaly said. When COVID cases are added to the rest of the hospital population, the state is knocking on the door of nearly 52,000 people hospitalized, only about a thousand fewer than last winters peak.

Many health care facilities are anticipating surging hospital admissions in the coming weeks as a result of the current infection spike.

State officials project the statewide number of hospital patients with COVID, which stood Monday at 11,048  up from 3,345 a month ago  could grow to as high as 23,000 to by Feb. 2, a little over three weeks from now, Gov. Gavin Newsom said Monday.

So it gives you a sense of where we are. Its manageable, but its challenging, Newsom told a budget briefing where he outlined an influx of spending to fight the pandemic. He added that frontline nurses and doctors have just been overwhelmed.

The number of COVID-19 patients in intensive care unit beds statewide reached a total of 1,710.

To keep hospitals operating under the strain, the state Department of Public Health said Saturday that health care workers who test positive for the virus but have no symptoms can remain on the job  at least through Feb. 1.

The new guidance is meant to provide overburdened hospitals with more options for maintaining critical staffing and should not be used to require infected people to return to work, Ghaly said Monday. The guidance is a short-term solution to what could be a very challenging few weeks, he said.

Were providing the latitude, the flexibility, to have certain individuals who are asymptomatic and willing to come back to work to help serve patients, Ghaly said. Nobody at the state is requiring health care workers to come back who are infected or quarantining.

UCSF Health wont be taking that step at this point, although about 1,158 people  7% of the workforce  were out due to COVID as of Monday, said spokesperson Elizabeth Fernandez. Asymptomatic COVID-positive workers will not return to the systems hospitals without an isolation period and negative COVID test, she said. Any change will be determined by staffing levels and patient care needs.

At AHMC Seton Medical Center in Daly City, about 60 nurses called in sick last week because they were quarantining  up from the usual 15, said Dr. Robert Perez, who oversees physicians there.

So many nurses are having to call in sick because theyre testing positive, so we are having a hard time filling their shifts, Perez said Monday. The good news is theyre not super sick like the previous episode but nonetheless, if they turn positive you cant have them on the floor infecting other patients.

At San Francisco Zuckerberg General Hospital, Weve never seen anything quite like this during the surges weve had so far, CEO Dr. Susan Ehrlich said this past weekend. The hospital had about 10% of its staff, or 400 people, out for COVID-19 related reasons.

Organizations representing health care workers objected to the new state guidance allowing infected, asymptomatic health care workers to return to work. Health care unions predicted that forgoing more strict precautions would increase workplace outbreaks and put vulnerable patients at risk.

Hospitals should reject the guidance and maintain stricter precautions such as requiring a negative test before an infected or exposed health care worker returns to work, said SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West.

Our union will fight for safe working conditions for hospital workers who have continuously put their lives on the line during this pandemic, said union president Dave Regan.

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

UCSF infectious disease expert Dr. Peter Chin-Hong compared the states new strategy to an understandable game plan for extreme situations, like in war. He added, But the question is how are different organizations going to interpret that? The gray area is where people are nervous.

Until now, hospital staff testing positive had to isolate for five days and not return until after testing negative. That will not apply under new guidance through Feb. 1. Nor will asymptomatic health workers need to spend time at home quarantined if exposed to someone with COVID.

This doesnt reflect a change in the science, said Dr. Abraar Karan, a Stanford infectious disease expert, tweeted. It reflects a failure in our policies to stop the epidemic.

Ascertaining the true extent of increased public infection rates in San Francisco became a bit harder Monday when city health officials temporarily reduced hours at four city-run test sites, due to a slowing of processing results at overloaded labs. That will reduce the citys capacity by about 250 tests per day out of the current seven-day average of 6,000 tests per day at city-affiliated sites.

Chin-Hong said schools and other institutions may need to double-down on masking, ventilation and other mitigation steps, prioritize those who are symptomatic and people who are in close contact or those who are infected.

A surge in 911 calls amid COVID-related staff shortages led San Francisco officials to urge people to call only for life-threatening emergencies, not for things like finding a COVID test.

Many experts are holding on to the hope that the COVID pandemic could eventually become endemic, like the flu, once we get through the current surge.

Chronicle staff writers Catherine Ho, Nami Sumida, Erin Allday and Rita Beamish contributed to this report.

Aidin Vaziri and Catherine Ho are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: avaziri@sfchronicle.com cho@sfchronicle.com
Even as coronavirus cases break records almost daily across the Bay Area, many county health officials said Tuesday that they have no plans for new restrictions and are leaning on the regions high vaccination rates to keep the omicron surge from overwhelming hospitals.

The average number of new daily coronavirus cases is well over 10,000 for the Bay Area  more than double the peak of last winters surge. COVID hospitalizations for the region are currently about 65% of last winters peak.

A day after Sonoma County announced a new ban on large gatherings and advised residents to stay home as much as possible for the next 30 days, health officials in the eight other Bay Area counties said they dont intend to follow suit, despite the all-time high case counts and mounting pressure on health care systems.

We know this is a really tough time. But like Ive said in the past, we are learning to live with COVID, and that means everyone assessing their own risk, it means making smart choices. ... It does not mean imposing new restrictions, said San Francisco Mayor London Breed in a news briefing Tuesday. These next few weeks will be very, very hard, but we will get through this as we have before.

Statewide, more than 1 in 5 tests are coming back positive in the past few days, and California has reported roughly 100,000 coronavirus cases a day recently; cases previously had topped out last winter at about 45,000 a day. And though this surge could burn out faster than previous waves, it isnt expected to peak for another week or two at least  so cases will continue to climb.

In the Bay Area, no county has been spared the omicron explosion. Updates Tuesday at county supervisors meetings throughout the region were filled with health officers superlatives on the escalation in infections and the crushing demand for coronavirus testing.

The rapid climb in cases is breathtaking, Dr. Sara Cody, the Santa Clara County health officer, told her Board of Supervisors.

As of Sunday, cases in every Bay Area county had at least doubled from Jan. 1, a week earlier, and the spike has been much sharper in some places. Alameda, Santa Clara, Solano and Sonoma counties have reported fourfold or higher jumps in cases over that period.

Cases statewide are almost certainly underreported as residents increasingly use home test kits to diagnose themselves and do not report positive results to officials.

But Cody and others noted that so far hospitalizations as a proportion of cases are much lower than during last winters surge due to the protection provided by vaccines.

Still, how well hospitals manage the expected increased patient load remains to be seen. Emergency departments are carrying the heaviest burden at the moment, Dr. Erica Pan, the state epidemiologist, said Tuesday at a meeting with health care workers.

We are seeing near crisis levels of E.D. overcrowding in certain areas, Pan said. She noted that several counties  including some in the Bay Area  now are pleading with residents to avoid seeking emergency treatment for mild COVID symptoms or for coronavirus testing.

More than 11,800 people were hospitalized with COVID in California as of Tuesday, including 1,451 in the Bay Area. At the peak of last winter, nearly 22,000 people were hospitalized with COVID statewide, and 2,200 in the Bay Area. Pan said state officials are trying to determine how many of the current patients are hospitalized for COVID and how many were being treated for other issues but tested positive upon being admitted.

Several Bay Area counties reported that though the COVID strain on hospitals is not yet unbearable, health systems are under stress from so many workers being out sick or in quarantine due to a coronavirus exposure. Thats a growing problem statewide, Pan said.

Staff shortages are creating backlogs across health care systems that ultimately lead to longer wait times in emergency rooms and difficulties placing patients who arrive in ambulances, Pan said. It's harder to admit patients when you don't have nurses to take care of the patients, she said.

Napa Countys health officer, Dr. Karen Relucio, told the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday that staff shortages are challenging everything from testing clinics to long-term care facilities. The county has 13 active outbreaks in congregate living facilities, plus 19 other workplace outbreaks.

Still, Napa is not considering new restrictions similar to those in neighboring Sonoma County, Relucio said. We anticipate that the omicron surge will be a tall thin spike, and at this point we dont believe that restricting activities is likely to make a significant difference in the spread of omicron, she said in an email to The Chronicle.

Implementing health orders for shelter at home or restricting gatherings requires enforcement, she said. At this juncture, enforcement is challenging for most of our jurisdictions and it is hard to justify shutting down gatherings when omicron, for the most part, is mild among vaccinated and boosted populations.

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

Other Bay Area health officers similarly said they did not believe new restrictions would significantly slow transmission at this point.

Given how widespread COVID-19 is, a similar order would be disruptive and would not significantly impact on the trajectory of the pandemic in Alameda County at this time, said Dr. Nicholas Moss, the Alameda County health officer, in an emailed statement. Alameda County is a highly vaccinated and boosted community  over 80% fully vaccinated overall. The potential to avert severe disease this winter with an order like the one issued by Sonoma County is likely small.

Sonoma Countys ban, starting Wednesday, restricts indoor gatherings to no more than 50 people, and caps the number of people who can convene outdoors at 100. The order exempts schools, offices and places of worship, and does not limit capacity at business like restaurants and stores.

Pan, as well as local health officers, said shes hopeful that this surge will pass quickly, as has happened in some other countries, but shes not yet counting on that. She pointed out that some health experts had assumed the delta wave would pass quickly in California because it had moved so fast through India, where the variant first emerged. But the delta surge lingered for several months.

Still, its possible, and maybe likely, that the omicron surge will peak in just a week or two and then quickly recede, health officials said.

We are in the middle of the worst of this omicron surge. But we can and we should and we must be looking to the future, said Dr. Grant Colfax, head of the San Francisco Department of Public Health. We have reason to believe, based on data from other parts of the world, that we could be starting to turn the corner soon. But we are not there yet.

Chronicle staff writers Catherine Ho, Aidin Vaziri and Kellie Hwang contributed to this report.

Erin Allday is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: eallday@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @erinallday
A Bay Area county has banned large indoor gatherings and advising residents to shelter in place for the next 30 days amid the omicron surge, but other counties in the region are not following suit. California hospitals are bracing for an even greater influx of new patients as the state shatters pandemic highs for new COVID-19 cases. An East Bay school district reverted to online learning amid the omicron surge as districts struggled over the last week to staff classrooms.

Latest updates:

Bay Area schools in disarray: The resurging spike in coronavirus cases has pitched many Bay Area schools into disarray, as districts struggle to keep classrooms open amid a record-high number of cases, too few substitutes, a shortage of tests and teacher sickouts, among other challenges. The return to school after the winter break has created confusion in many communities, with some teachers, parents and students pushing to return to distance learning. Read the full story about beleaguered schools' efforts to stay open.

Google free-test policy irks some employees: Full-time Google employees have access to at-home COVID-19 tests for themselves and their families, but thats not the case for thousands of company contractors and temporary workers, according to a Google engineer. The company says free, at-home and in-person testing options are available to employees as well as temps and vendors. Read why some temp and contract workers see the policy as unfair.

Omicron associated with lower hospitalizations rates, shorter hospital stays than delta, says California study: The omicron variant is associated with lower rates of hospitalization and ICU admission, shorter hospital stays, and less need for mechanical ventilation compared to the delta variant, according to a California study posted Tuesday. The study, which has not been peer reviewed, was led by a researcher at UC Berkeleys School of Public Health. It analyzed nearly 70,000 COVID cases from Kaiser Permanente Southern California between Nov. 30 and Jan. 1. About 75% of the cases were omicron and 25% were the delta variant. The findings mirror those from South African and European studies.

Fauci fires back at Sen. Paul: Dr. Anthony Fauci at a hearing on Tuesday accused Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., of raising campaign funds off false attacks on him that have encouraged threats on Faucis life, the Washington Post reports. Paul and other conservatives have questioned the science behind COVID vaccines and other public health measures and voiced unfounded conspiracy claims about Fauci having a role in creating the coronavirus. Fauci has been under stepped-up security protection since 2020. Fauci, senior White House medical advisor, called the attacks a distortion of reality. He cited the arrest of a California man last month who police said was enroute to Washington with an AR-15 rifle and allegedly had Fauci on his hit list. When Paul makes completely untrue, accusations, Fauci said, all of a sudden that kindles the crazies out there, and I have  threats upon my life, harassment of my family and my children with obscene phone calls because people are lying about me.

S.F. probes COVID testing outfit as potentially bogus: San Francisco city officials are investigating a California company that may have operated illegal coronavirus testing sites in the city. The City Attorneys Office sent a letter to Community Wellness America on Monday asking for the companys cooperation in an investigation about its legitimacy to administer tests. The letter came after city employees raised concerns about testing sites near Golden Gate Park, Dolores Park and other locations in the city. Read the full story.

Sacramento schools suspend extracurricular activities: Citing increased case numbers among students and staff, Sacramento City Unified School District is temporarily suspending a long list of non-essential activities outside the classroom. They include field trips, dances and rallies, as well as sports tournaments that are not part of a playoff or final, according to KCRA. Our challenges are real, Superintendent Jorge Aguilar said in a video statement Tuesday. He said about 21% of staff members were out last Friday, with about 1,600 cases reported at school. Our district and school site leaders are working hard to manage staffing shortages as they arise while keeping our students and staff safe through our health and safety protocols.

United Airlines says 3,000 employees have COVID-19: About 3,000 workers, accounting for 4% of the carriers U.S. employees, have tested positive for the coronavirus, CEO Scott Kirby said on Tuesday. But due to Uniteds vaccination mandate, he said, none of the affected employees have experienced severe outcomes or required hospitalization. Customers may experience service disruptions. The omicron surge has put a strain on our operation, Kirby said. Just as an example, in one day alone at Newark, nearly one-third of our workforce called out sick.

Omicron peak in U.S. may be near: Scientists are seeing signals that COVID-19s alarming omicron wave may have peaked in Britain and is about to do the same in the U.S., at which point cases may start dropping off dramatically. The reason: The variant has proved so wildly contagious that it may already be running out of people to infect. Its going to come down as fast as it went up, said Ali Mokdad, a professor of health metrics sciences at the University of Washington in Seattle. But experts warn of much uncertainty about the next phase of the pandemic. The plateauing or ebbing in the two countries is not happening everywhere. And weeks or months of misery still lie ahead for patients and overwhelmed hospitals even if the drop-off comes to pass, the Associated Press writes.

When to throw out an N95: People switching up their face masks to the more protective N95, KN95 or KF94 respirators should not just throw those models into the washing machine like they did with their old cloth masks. The disposable masks are not necessarily single-use, but they cant be reused for long periods of time. Read what the experts say about how long you can you wear one before you have to toss it out.

No new restrictions for most of Bay Area: Even as coronavirus cases break records almost daily across the Bay Area, many county health officials said Tuesday that they have no plans for new restrictions and are leaning on the regions high vaccination rates to keep the omicron surge from overwhelming hospitals. Read the full story from Erin Allday.

Do not have omicron COVID parties, warns WHO: The World Health Organization is warning people against deliberately getting infected with omicron even though they may feel infection is inevitable. Ive heard some very scary stories about, you know, parties of people and trying to get infected. Please, that is very unsafe, Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove, the WHOs technical lead, said during a Tuesday briefing. We dont know the implications of omicron, which replicates in the upper respiratory tract as opposed to the lower respiratory tract, and if that has any implication on your chances of developing longer-term effects. Talk of COVID parties is similar to chickenpox parties of the past where parents would allow their children to become infected at a convenient time in the hopes of achieving immunity.

Los Angeles schools report 53,000 cases first day back: As students in the nations second-largest school district returned to classrooms from winter break on Tuesday, Los Angeles Unified reported 52,949 active COVID-19 cases among students and staff, according to a Los Angeles Times database of district cases. At least 879 of the 887 campuses in the district have an active case among staff and students, with 765 schools currently reporting more than 10 active cases. More than 140 schools report more than 100, and six high schools report more than 300. About 450,000 students attend district schools.

More COVID treatments coming to California: Allocations of three COVID therapeutics  two types of oral pills and one monoclonal antibody infusion product  are increasing to California, but are still a trickle compared the current rise in new infections. The state this week has been allocated about 4,600 courses of the infusion treatment sotrovimab  up 34% from 3,400 last week, state epidemiologist Dr. Erica Pan said Tuesday. And allocations of the Pfizer pill Paxlovid and the Merck pill Molnupiravir are also increasing  by 55%, to 9,600 courses, and by 33%, to 38,000 courses, respectively.

S.F. city leaders vow to keep schools open: Despite fast-rising COVID case rates among public school students and staff, San Francisco city leaders said Tuesday that classrooms will stay open and in-person through the omicron surge. We are committed to keeping our schools open with regular testing, said Superintendent Vincent Matthews during a briefing. Students and staff have self-reported 879 cases since schools reopened Jan. 3. Another 471 cases were detected at school testing sites. That 1,350 total for just over a week is more than double the 647 total cases reported by SFUSD during the entire fall semester. The district did not require coronavirus testing for students and staff after the winter break due to access issues, Matthews said. Many city-run testing sites have reported staffing shortages, reduced hours and processing delays. Matthews said resumption of remote classroom instruction is not planned, but concerned families can give up their school placement and opt into an independent online learning program mandated by the state.

San Mateo County works on expanding testing: Amid record numbers of COVID-19 cases, San Mateo County health officials are working to add testing hours and locations to meet demand that is outstripping capacity of providers and pharmacies, county health chief Louise Rogers said Tuesday. More tests have been administered in San Mateo County in the last week than any time since the pandemic began, she told a briefing. We are being forced to live with COVID-19 and continue the protective measures we can take, hoping a strong vaccination rate will sustain against more death and severe disase, she said. The countys 7-day reported case average is 116 cases per 100,000 residents, compared to 79 per 100,000 a week ago, with the numbers expected to climb in the coming days. Rogers urged people with mild symptoms to stay home rather than go to overloaded emergency rooms for testing or mild cases. In summary, she said, At this point, I would characterize the situation as challenging but manageable, with the pressure on intensive care units less than a year ago.

S.F. cracks down on testing by private providers: San Francisco on Tuesday announced an order requiring private health care providers to prove theyre testing people who have COVID-19 symptoms and their close contacts within 24 hours, and reporting results within 48 hours. The move underscores public health officials longstanding frustration that the city is shouldering the burden of testing and wish for more aggressive action by private providers. Read the full story here.

No new COVID restrictions in S.F., Breed vows: Even as new coronavirus cases skyrocket in San Francisco, officials said Tuesday the city is not considering new restrictions or shelter-in-place rules. It does not mean imposing new restrictions. Thats not what were doing, Mayor London Breed said during a briefing. Added the citys health officer Dr. Susan Philip, At this time, Im not considering additional restrictions in San Francisco. But we will continue to follow the data closely and make adjustments as needed. The mayor pushed personal responsibility and urged private health care providers to step up access to testing, where the city has fallen behind. These next few weeks will be very, very hard, Breed said. But we will get through this, as we have before. She also vowed that schools would remain open and that the city was planning to eventually deliver KN95 masks to school staff and surgical masks to students. We will continue to do everything we can to be as supportive as we can to keep our children in school, she said.

Hundreds of S.F. employees in quarantine: The San Francisco Police Department has 132 employees in quarantine due to COVID-19, Mayor London Breed said Tuesday. In addition, the quarantine roster includes 140 employees of the city Fire Department, 160 from the Municipal Transportation Agency and 250 from San Francisco General Hospitals staff. Our workforce is stretched but they are holding through this surge to deliver what we need, Breed told a news conference.

We are in the middle of the worst of this omicron surge: San Francisco is reporting all-time high coronavirus case rates with more than 1,250 people testing positive per day on average. We are in the middle of the worst of this omicron surge, said Dr. Grant Colfax, the citys health director. The citys average case rate has now reached 149 per 100,000 residents, a substantial increase from the previous peak of 42 per 100,000. I know this is not how we wanted to spend the first month of 2022, but we will get through this, Colfax said. He said the city was working on increasing testing capacity and pushing vaccinations.

Napa is not going the way of neighbor on gathering bans: A day after Sonoma County announced a renewed ban on large gatherings, Napa Countys health officer said Tuesday that Napa is not planning to follow suit. That was an independent decision made by Sonoma County, said Napa Countys Dr. Karen Relucio. Asked at a Board of Supervisors meeting whether such a move was likely, she said, When we learned about it  a lot of us were at this point not going in that direction.

Meta postpones return to Facebook offices: The parent company of Facebook has postponed the return-to-office date for its U.S. employees to March 28. The company will require employees to show proof of full vaccination and booster shots to work in the offices. Were focused on making sure our employees continue to have choices about where they work given the current COVID-19 landscape, Janelle Gale, vice president of Metas human resources department, said in a statement to CNN. We understand that the continued uncertainty makes this a difficult time to make decisions about where to work.

Staff shortages at Napa test sites compound problems: Testing demand continues to exceed supply, as more people are getting sick and more people are testing for travel  resulting in long wait times for tests and test results, Napa County public health officer Dr. Karen Relucio said Tuesday. The countys drive-through testing site operated by the state has increased lanes and may extend operating hours to seven days a week. The lead staffer at the test site is out sick, and is having to oversee operations virtually. This is the reality of what were facing now, Relucio said.

COVID-19 nowhere near becoming endemic, says WHO official: Even as many experts project the prospect of a time when the widespread coronavirus will become endemic, like the seasonal flu, a senior World Health Organization official said Tuesday that it is unlikely to happen anytime soon. Dr. Catherine Smallwood said during a briefing that the change would require stable circulation of the virus at predictable levels, and potentially known and predictable waves of epidemic transmission. She added, What were seeing at the moment coming into 2022 is nowhere near that. We still have a huge amount of uncertainty. We still have a virus thats evolving quite quickly and posing quite new challenges. So were certainly not at the point of being able to call it endemic.

Omicrons crazy-fast dominance  now more than 98% of U.S. cases: The highly contagious omicron variant has overtaken delta as the dominant variant in the United States, accounting for 98.3% of total COVID-19 infections nationwide. On Dec. 11, the variant accounted for just 7.5% of cases. The delta variant that drove cases through 2021 now accounts for less than 2% of cases.

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

Nursing home outbreaks preventing hospital discharges: Hospitals cannot discharge stable patients to skilled nursing facilities because of outbreaks at the nursing facilities, Napa County public health officer Dr. Karen Relucio told county supervisors Tuesday. These are patients who are not stable enough to go home and would normally go to nursing homes for care. There are currently 13 outbreaks at congregate care settings in the county.

CDC looking at updated mask guidance: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is considering updating its mask guidance to recommend the public use the highly protective N95 or KN95 masks worn by health-care personnel, the Washington Post reports, citing an official close to the deliberations. Since those high-quality masks are more protective against airborne virus than cloth masks, experts have increasingly urged the Biden administration to take that step in the face of the highly infectious omicron variant.

China locks down third city; 20 million now confined to homes: Chinese officials locked down the city of Anyang Monday because of a COVID-19 outbreak, the Associated Press reported. Anyang, with a population of 5.5 million, became the third city ordered to lock down in China, following Xian and Yuzhou. Some 20 million people in all are under lockdown orders in China.

Why some COVID experts are backing throat-plus-nose swabs for your at-home test: With attention intensely focused on how to get hold of home rapid tests for COVID-19, a debate has arisen about how to most effectively use the coveted kits amid the omicron surge - namely, should you go for the throat as well as the nose? Possible differences in how omicron proliferates in the body compared to previous variants have led to some disagreement  including among prominent infectious disease experts  about whether users of self-testing kits should collect samples from their throat in addition to their nose. Read the full story here.

How long can I keep using the same N95 respirator mask? Heres what Bay Area experts say: The disposable masks are not necessarily single-use, but they cant be reused for long periods of time. So how long can you wear one before you have to toss it and use a fresh one? The short answer, according to experts: It depends. Read the full story here.

Pfizer CEO says an omicron vaccine will be ready in March: Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla said a vaccine specifically designed to combat the omicron variant will be ready in March during an appearance on CNBC Monday. While the precise utility and the extent of the demand for variant-specific vaccines was not immediately clear, Bourla said, the hope is that we will achieve something that will have way, way better protection particularly against infections, as opposed to preventing serious illness, hospitalizations and death.

Omicron could infect 50% of Europe in next 6-8 weeks, WHO director says: If current trends persist, 50% of Europe could be infected with the omicron variant in the next six to eight weeks, a top World Health Organization official said. The EUs hospitals are also expected to strain under the burden of such a massive influx of new patients, according to Hans Kluge, the WHO official. Once again, the greatest burden of responding to this pandemic is being carried by our health and care staff, and other essential front-line workers. They also carry the highest exposure to the virus, he said during a briefing about the surge in Europe.

Sonoma County bans large gatherings, advises residents to shelter in place for next 30 days: Sonoma County is banning gatherings of more than 50 people indoors or 100 outdoors and recommending that all residents shelter in place and avoid contact with those outside their households over the next 30 days to help slow down an omicron-fueled coronavirus surge. Read the full story here.

Californias COVID shatters pandemic high  more than 1 in 5 positive test rate: California marked a pandemic high for positive coronavirus test results on Monday with more than 1 out of 5 tests showing COVID-19 infection, as hospitals braced for an even greater influx of new patients. With more than 6 million cumulative coronavirus cases reported since the pandemic began , Californias most recent 7-day average hit a rate of 22% positive results on Jan. 5. Read the full story here.

This Bay Area school district returned to remote learning Monday amid the omicron surge: Hayward Unified returned to remote instruction Monday, the first major Bay Area district to revert to online learning amid the omicron surge as districts struggled over the last week to staff classrooms. Read the full story here.

Palo Alto seeking parent volunteers to keep schools open: Palo Alto schools are getting traction on a call to action, pleading for parent volunteers to help out while staff members are out due to the COVID-19 crisis. Parents are needed in designated roles that are coordinated by PTA and school leadership, Palo Alto Unified officials said on the district website. The district said it had responses from 360 parents by Monday morning. Jobs include helping with coronavirus testing, lunch and recess duty, light custodial duties, office work and classroom support.

S.F.s health department cut hours at 4 COVID testing sites amid the omicron surge. Heres why: Four COVID-19 testing sites affiliated with the San Francisco Department of Public Health temporarily reduced their operating hours in response to staffing shortages and soaring processing times for test results, city health officials said. Read the full story here.

California officials warn against price gouging of home coronavirus test kits: With coronavirus tests nearly impossible to find in the Bay Area  and San Francisco health officials saying they will limit testing early this week because of challenges beyond our control  California officials are now warning against price gouging for at-home test kits. Read the full story here.

Health care workers push back against new CA return-to-work guidance: Organizations representing health care workers reacted strongly against California health officials new guidance saying these workers can stay on the job if they are infect with COVID-19 but do not have symptoms. Health care unions predicted that foregoing more strict precautions will increase workplace outbreaks and put vulnerable patients at risk. SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West said hospitals should reject the guidance and maintain stricter precautions such requiring a negative test before a COVID-19 positive or exposed healthcare worker returns to work. Our union will fight for safe working conditions for hospital workers who have continuously put their lives on the line during this pandemic, said union president Dave Regan.
With attention intensely focused lately on how to get hold of home rapid tests for COVID-19, a debate has arisen about how to most effectively use the coveted kits amid the omicron surge - namely, should you go for the throat as well as the nose?

The new variants alarming spread has fueled tremendous demand for home tests, as people seek to quickly learn their infection status to make crucial decisions about quarantining, isolation and treatment.

But possible differences in how omicron proliferates in the body compared to previous variants have led to some disagreement  including among prominent infectious disease experts  about whether users of self-testing kits should collect samples from their throat in addition to their nose.

This is the area where scientists and health care professionals currently differ, said UCSF infectious disease expert Peter Chin-Hong. Some call for more data, but others argue that by the time more rigorous data comes, omicron will have come and gone with many people infected by folks with false negative tests.

Most home tests available in the U.S. instruct users to collect swabs only from their nostrils, which is the method authorized by federal officials. But since some early research has indicated that omicron might initially be more concentrated around the throat rather than the nose, some test takers have been swabbing their throats and posting their results to social media with the #swabyourthroat hashtag.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration weighed in Friday: Those swabs are for your nose and not your throat, the agency tweeted.

The home antigen tests available today are only authorized using nasal swabs, the FDA said. We dont have any data yet suggesting throat swabs are an accurate or appropriate method for at-home tests.

Use your at-home #COVID19 test exactly as directed to avoid invalid results or injuries, the agency said.

But also over the weekend on Twitter, UCSF chief of medicine Dr. Bob Wachter, in describing his sons recent infection, said he tried a throat-plus-nose swab a day after a standard nasal rapid test yielded negative results. The combo swab was positive, he said.

John Swartzberg, an infectious disease expert at UC Berkeley, said he would not recommend people swab both their throats and nostrils until there is more data. But he also acknowledged that Personally, if I had symptoms of COVID-19, I would do a nasal swab antigen test. If it was negative AND I did not have access to a PCR nasal test, I would try a mouth/throat antigen test."

Many rapid kits available in the U.S. contain two tests, which are meant to be used by the same person over the course of two or three days to obtain the most accurate results.

If you believe youve contracted the virus  through exposure or symptoms  eventually if you wait long enough, a sample picked up from the nose will likely turn up positive in a true infection; hence the recommendation sometimes for a second rapid test from the nose 2 or so days later, if the first is negative and your suspicion for COVID is high, said Chin-Hong.

However, growing evidence indicates that nasal rapid tests may not detect omicron as effectively as they did previous coronavirus strains. In a recent real-world study that has not yet been peer reviewed, saliva PCR tests were generally able to detect omicron infection three days before nasal at-home rapid antigen tests.

Late last month, an FDA update stated: Early data suggests that antigen tests do detect the omicron variant but may have reduced sensitivity.

Evidence suggests that compared to other variants, more omicron virus may be initially produced in the throat and bronchus  the airway between the windpipe and a lung  and it may take longer to proliferate in the nose, Chin-Hong said.

In other variants, the nasal virus seemed to be in higher production earlier so perhaps the test was picking up virus in the test earlier, Chin-Hong said.

Swartzberg said that such findings, if true, will change how we diagnose omicron.

Some tests have users provide a saliva sample - generally PCR tests that are sent to a lab for analysis. Some countries, including the U.K., also instruct users of at-home rapid antigen tests to swab both their noses and throats.

Israel on Monday instructed people add a throat swab to their nasal swab to increase the sensitivity of rapid antigen tests to omicron, Reuters reported. It's not what the manufacturer instructs but we are instructing this," said Sharon Alroy-Preis, Israel's public health chief.

Eric Feigl-Ding, an epidemiologist and former researcher at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, and Michael Mina, an epidemiologist and chief medical officer at eMed, have tweeted anecdotes about people who tested positive using the nose and throat method after nasal samples produced negative results.

Omicron is very different from all other variants, Feigl-Ding said, so we need to adapt to changing testing strategies.

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

Nevertheless, a webinar hosted Saturday by the Infectious Diseases Society of America and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention emphasized that rapid COVID tests are not approved for use for the mouth and throat, said Swartzberg.

Attendees were told the CDC is collecting data and will have an update in a week or two, he said.

Until new guidance is issued, people should continue to follow the instructions provided with rapid tests to ensure accuracy, said Dr. Christina Wojewoda, chair of the College of American Pathologists Microbiology Committee. There could be things in a throat swab that either cause false positive or false negative results, she said in an email.

Additionally, Swabbing your own throat well can be very difficult, so there is a risk of not collecting a good sample, she said. The risk is that people think they are negative and go on to infect others.

But Chin-Hong said that apart from the ick factor of swabbing your throat followed by your nose with the same swab, there is likely no harm in the combined method.

U.K. public health agencies offer a written guide and instructional video, which some U.S. experts have pointed to as a straightforward explanation; it notes that this process may make you gag but should not be painful.

Although this two-fer has not been studied formally, it likely increases the yield by providing both saliva and nose samples, therefore theoretically increasing the accuracy of the test, Chin-Hong said.

Alternatively, Chin-Hong said if you have a high chance of being positive and you dont believe your negative at-home test, wear a mask, go get a more accurate PCR test and wait for your results.

Kellie Hwang is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: kellie.hwang@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @KellieHwang
San Francisco city officials are investigating a California company that may have operated illegal coronavirus testing sites throughout the city.

The City Attorneys Office sent a letter to Community Wellness America Monday asking for the companys cooperation into an investigation about its legitimacy to administer tests after city employees raised concerns about testing sites near Golden Gate Park, Dolores Park and other locations in the city.

We have reason to believe that Community Wellness America is associated with an unlawful COVID-19 test site in San Francisco, City Attorney David Chiu said in the letter.

The company has previously run afoul of COVID testing regulations in the Bay Area as well as other parts of California.

According to the letter, an individual offering the tests last week had an expired Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) license.

Dr. Steve Sterling, a San Diego physician and CEO of Community Wellness America, did not respond to multiple requests from The Chronicle for comment.

Private COVID-19 testing operations are required to obtain a valid CLIA license from the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and must be able to provide it when asked, a spokesperson for the San Francisco Department of Public Health said.

Labs are required to have CLIA licenses to help officials ensure high quality testing, and they must report test results to the state, officials said.

While reports of potentially unlicensed facilities are concerning, these reports represent a small fraction of COVID testing operations in San Francisco, a representative with the City Attorneys Office said in a news release Tuesday.

The letter says that the CLIA license that was provided was issued to Crestview Clinical Laboratories and had expired in November 2021.

Justin Nguyen, a representative from Crestview Clinical Laboratories, said in an email that he was unaware that testing sites in San Francisco were using a CLIA license under the companys name. He said Crestview does not receive swap samples from Community Wellness-operated testing sites in San Francisco.

They should be shut down immediately, he added. They must have used our license without our approval.

City officials said that Community Wellness does not have a permit to operate on city property.

Community Wellness came under fire last year when Marin County health officials shut down one of the companys testing sites after it conducted tests at a private residence without authorization.

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

As a result, the California Department of Public Health said it was investigating the company.

Representatives with the states public health department did not immediately respond to emails from The Chronicle about the status of the investigation.

The company has also raised concerns in Washington state and San Diego, where health officials in San Diego are warning residents of unlicensed operations. But the California Department of Public Health told the San Diego Union-Tribune last week that Community Wellness was in fact working with a licensed lab and found no evidence of non-compliance with clinical lab laws.

The San Francisco City Attorneys Office asked Community Wellness to provide copies of a valid CLIA license, a permit to operate on public property and information that shows the company is using FDA-approved COVID-19 tests by Jan. 17.

If Community Wellness America is not authorized to administer COVID-19 tests in San Francisco, it must immediately cease providing tests in San Francisco and is prohibited from conducting testing until it is appropriately authorized to do so, the letter said.

Residents were encouraged to go to their health care provider for a COVID-19 test or visit sf.gov/gettested to find a testing site.

Jessica Flores is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jessica.flores@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @jesssmflores
Recology might owe San Francisco customers even more than the nearly $95 million that the waste management company already agreed to reimburse them, a city supervisor said Monday.

Recology last year agreed to pay San Franciscans back after city lawyers investigating the corruption scandal surrounding former Public Works Director Mohammed Nuru found that the trash hauler had improperly raised rates.

But Supervisor Aaron Peskin told The Chronicle that the $94.5 million refund might cover only a portion of what city customers were overcharged.

The exact amount that Recology could still be on the hook for is not yet clear because city officials still are investigating the issue.

In an emailed statement, Recology spokesperson Robert Reed said the company had not seen any analysis to support the notion that the company still owes San Franciscans more money than was agreed to in the settlement with the city.

City lawyers and prosecutors have alleged that Nuru, who had a central role in authorizing Recologys prices in San Francisco, took bribes from the company. Officials have also said Recology failed to account for expected revenue, which in turn allowed it to obtain a 14% rate increase when rates should have only increased 7%.

We have ongoing questions and concerns regarding past Recologys rate setting and charging practices, San Francisco Controller Ben Rosenfield said in a statement.

Rosenfields office provided a copy of a Nov. 16 letter he sent to Recology asking for more information about the companys reported expenses, revenues and supporting financial documentation. In the letter, which was responding to Recologys latest annual rate report, the controller asked about a difference between actual and projected personnel costs and an apparent 300% increase in building and property rental costs, among other matters.

It would be premature for us to provide figures regarding the value of any potential overcharging, as that process is continuing, Rosenfield said in the statement. When we come to conclusions  which we dont expect will be in coming days given the complexity of the analysis  we will report our findings to the Mayor, Board (of Supervisors), and rate-paying public.

Reed said Recology has been working closely with the Controllers Office to provide complete and accurate responses to all their questions.

Recology has a monopoly on San Francisco waste collection that dates to a 1932 ordinance passed by local voters. The ordinance says that any company collecting refuse in San Francisco must have a city permit  all of which are now owned by Recology and its subsidiaries.

In light of the revelations arising from the Nuru scandal, Peskin and other San Francisco officials have sought to reform the citys waste management practices. At Tuesdays meeting, Peskin and Mayor London Breed introduced a potential June 7 ballot measure that would provide greater regulation of Recology. Peskin said it would reform the broken system that has been the law of this land for almost one century.

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

Recology already is working to put its own measure before voters, as reported by the San Francisco Standard. Peskin said the companys measure would be more favorable to the company than what the city is considering.

Theyve really got a lot of chutzpah at this point for thinking they can buy their own meal ticket on our ballot, Peskin said of Recology.

Reed said the company agrees that improvements to the system are warranted but it objected to a proposal from a city-backed working group that would completely remove voters authority over the rate-setting process and transfer voters power to City Hall instead.

We remain committed to reform and would still like to work toward a consensus measure ... but it is essential that the will of the voters be preserved, Reed said.

J.D. Morris is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jd.morris@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @thejdmorris
On Saturday, in response to hospitals begging for relief from a massive staffing crisis, the California Department of Public Health announced that most hospitals and skilled nursing facilities can bring COVID-positive and exposed staff back to work without testing or quarantines. The staffers must be asymptomatic, are required to wear N95 masks and are encouraged to work with patients who are already COVID-positive as much as possible.

This news might come as a surprise to people who have been reading dire warnings about omicron and some public health officials pleas to cancel plans and stay home. Many public health officials have argued these measures are necessary to prevent hospitals from being overwhelmed with COVID patients. Indeed, for the past few weeks, San Francisco hospitals have been in dire straits. But its not because people are sick  its because of staffing shortages driven by overly strict state quarantine rules, the director of COVID response at UCSF's emergency department, said.

After reviewing the charts of every COVID-positive patient at UCSF hospitals on Jan. 4, Dr. Jeanne Noble, an associate professor of emergency medicine at UCSF, determined that 70% of them were in the hospital for other reasons.

"The real COVID crisis that our hospitals are facing is a severe staffing shortage that is compromising the quality of our care," Noble said Friday, shortly before the policy change was announced.

Staffing shortages are so severe that California is considering canceling elective surgeries, as happened during the worst of last years peak.

"The crisis from the Omicron peak is not generated by serious COVID illness in regions with highly vaxxed populations," Noble wrote in an email to SFGATE. "The crisis we are suffering in the Bay Area is largely driven by disruptive COVID policies that encourage asymptomatic testing and subsequent quarantines.  The vast majority of COVID-plus patients I take care of need no medical care and are quickly discharged home with reassurance."

Its true that case counts are shattering records set last year, and Noble predicts the peak is still a week away. But fewer people are hospitalized with COVID today in California compared with this time last year. And, especially in highly vaccinated areas, few of those patients are actually in the hospital because of COVID illness. In LA, where 71% of eligible people are fully vaccinated, two-thirds of hospital cases were caught on screening for the virus, the LA Times reported.

Policies encouraging people to take a test whether or not theyre sick, and to stay home just because they were near someone who tested positive, may be doing little to slow the virus; in San Francisco, four times as many people are testing positive every day than at the peak of last years winter surge. But isolation policies have strained hospitals, shuttered restaurants, disrupted public transportation, reduced capacity at testing sites and sent some kids back to virtual education, some experts say. Punishing quarantine measures have compounded already-existing staff shortages driven by large numbers of health care providers quitting in the past year.

Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE

Its not just health care workers who have recently received updated guidance. Both the California Department of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently made quarantine requirements less punishing for everyone else, as well.

Now, if you test positive for COVID-19, both agencies ask that you isolate for five days, even if you have no symptoms. At the end of day five, the CDC says people with COVID can leave quarantine without taking a test, but ask that they wear a mask for another five days. In California, public health officials say people with COVID can end their isolation after five days, but only with a negative test. (Read SFGATEs guide to the confusing quarantine guidelines.)

Over the weekend, the state Department of Public Health loosened guidance on COVID-19 isolation and testing for health care workers. Local health departments have the option to implement stricter procedures and follow prior guidance.

Dr. Monica Gandhi, an infectious disease expert and a professor of medicine at UCSF, thinks more changes to the quarantine requirements are coming.

At some point  once the population and public health officials feel comfortable enough with their vaccination rates and the effectiveness of the vaccines- isolation protocols are likely to be shortened even further, Gandhi wrote in an email.

Noble said that when she reviewed the charts on Jan. 4 at four UCSF campuses (UCSF Parnassus, Mission Bay, Mount Zion and Childrens Hospital of Oakland), she identified 44 hospitalized patients (both adults and children) with COVID. Of those, just 13 were admitted because of COVID. I do not expect that number to increase substantially, or become unmanageable in the coming week," she wrote. The death rate in California is actually falling. And the predicted peak of cases is only about a week away.

The remaining 31, or 70%, of patients tested positive after being admitted for unrelated reasons, including a hip fracture and a bowel obstruction. Theyre all completely asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic, Noble said.

[Emergency departments] are flooded with the worried well that are simply seeking testing and reassurance, she added. I have not intubated a single COVID patient during this Omicron surge. We have a total of 5 patients with COVID on ventilators across our 4 hospitals. An average of 1.25 intubated COVID patients per hospital is a good news story."

For most of the pandemic, public health officials have used the number of COVID patients in hospitals as a key metric for determining how an area is faring with the virus. They use that number when determining whether to tighten or loosen restrictions, including school closures and mask mandates.

The hospitalization number now has new meaning, according to several experts who spoke with SFGATE. The majority of people in the Bay Area are vaccinated, and huge numbers of unvaccinated people have already been infected over the past two years, which confers significant protection against severe disease. In addition, 79% of cases in California are now caused by the omicron variant, which causes more mild illness than previous strains of the virus. A study from the U.K. Health Security Agency found people who contracted the omicron variant were about half as likely to need hospital care as those who contracted the delta variant.

Last week, the U.S.s top health official Dr. Anthony Fauci said that it is much more relevant to focus on the hospitalizations as opposed to the total number of cases.

But some experts think we need even more nuance than that, taking into account the number of people who happen to have (or catch) COVID while in the hospital for something else, as well as local immunization rates. While omicron appears to be kinder to unvaccinated people than delta, anyone without prior immunity is still at significant risk of severe illness and death. People who are immunocompromised and elderly people are especially vulnerable to COVID-19, and thats why the CDC highly recommends that they get vaccinated and boosted.

CDPH

In California, the hospitalization numbers can be misleading. For one thing, almost the same number of people were in the hospital for any reason at this time last year as this year, about 50,000. But in January 2021, more than 20,000 people in the hospital had COVID at the peak, and the vast majority were there to treat symptoms of the virus, according to the California Department of Public Health. Now, about 11,000 people in California hospitals have tested positive for COVID. Some of the discrepancy is likely because last year many people who were sick with other things stayed away from hospitals and doctors canceled patients appointments to make room for COVID patients.

At a press conference last Wednesday, the states top health official, Dr. Mark Ghaly, addressed hospitalization numbers and couldn't say how many patients were admitted to hospitals because of illness associated with COVID versus how many went to the hospital for different reasons and incidentally tested positive.

"Right now, we dont have a specific number," Ghaly, secretary of Health and Human Services, said at the press conference, as reported by Cal Matters. "That distinction is really important and helps us not only help manage the staffing challenges within some of the hospitals, but also project out the need for additional ICU capacity. And as we see an increasing number of fully vaccinated individuals, boosted individuals, admitted to the hospital with incidental COVID. I think were starting to see a sort of different approach to that."

But county-level data tells the story. Last week, Marin County recorded a spike in COVID-19 hospitalizations. But of the 19 people hospitalized in the county, at least 42% were incidental cases, including five patients in a psychiatric ward who have no symptoms of the virus. (Marin is the most highly protected county in the state, with 93% of the eligible population fully vaccinated).

The same is true at hospitals run by the LA County Department of Health Services, where about two-thirds of positive tests came from patients there for other reasons, as Health Services Director Dr. Christina Ghaly told the LA Times. Its not just California, either. In New York City, an estimated 51% of cases in hospitals are incidental.

If we view everyone in the hospital with COVID-19 as being in there because of infection, well estimate severity in a potentially damaging way, Marin County Health Officer Dr. Matt Willis told SFGATE. Im not saying were there yet, but  if, in fact, were at a point where the consequences of being infected are predictably benign enough, then we need to rethink the entire notion of quarantine and isolation.
On Aug. 17, 2021, the Torrance Police Department put out a Facebook post detailing an arrest from the previous night.

"Last night, officers responded to a male subject passed out in a vehicle in the 7-11 parking lot," the post reads. "Officers learned he was a felon & located Xanax pills on him. Officers continued their investigation and discovered a loaded firearm, methamphetamine, thousands of pieces of mail, a scale & multiple CA drivers licenses and credit cards in other individuals names."

The post also included images of some of the stolen items, such as the "thousands of pieces of mail." Among the thousands of items were mail ballots for Gov. Gavin Newsom's upcoming recall election  which caught the eye of Facebook users.

Torrance Police Department public information officer Sgt. Mark Ponegalek told SFGATE this week that the initial Facebook post was widely shared by right-leaning users claiming election fraud. Because of the attention the initial post received, he put out a second one on Aug. 24 specifically addressing the ballots.

That post states that "300 election ballots were recovered from the suspects vehicle" and that the "U.S. Postal Service and the LA County District Attorney Public Integrity Unit" had joined the investigation to "figure out how the election ballots ended up in the suspects vehicle and what their intent was in having them." This second post, critically, did not mention the fact the 300 ballots  all unopened and not delivered  were among thousands of pieces of mail. After the second post, the incident spawned national headlines, including one from the Associated Press reading, "Passed out man found with 300 California recall ballots." It also went viral on conservative forums where users were quick to use the incident to cast doubt on the legitimacy of the upcoming recall election.

Ponegalek said that early signs (the multiple driver's licenses and credit cards) pointed to the case being one of stolen mail, identity theft and bank fraud, which is precisely what investigators found. In November, the suspect, 34-year-old Eduardo Mena, was charged with bank fraud and identity theft, with the police department putting out a statement last week noting that "investigators have not uncovered any evidence indicating Mena intended to engage in any type of election fraud," and alleging that Mena stole the mail from a Postal Service vehicle.

But the damage had already been done.

Ponegalek said that after the second Facebook post went out, he talked to news outlets and stressed that the ballots made up a small proportion of the stolen mail, but it was difficult to convey that necessary context beyond headlines relaying only that 300 ballots had been stolen.

"Could we have done a better job in recognizing the current national environment with claims of election fraud? Absolutely," he said. "I never shied away from talking about the case when media outlets reached out, but it shows we have to be careful about which pictures we share with posts."

The incident highlights the difficulty reporting on incidents involving mail-in ballots without fueling conspiracy theories that widespread voter fraud has actually changed the results of contests, such as the 2020 presidential election.

"Part of the reason we put out that second Facebook post was not wanting to hide anything," Ponegalek said. "But in peoples interpretation of evidence, they prioritize specific things to use however they want, and we dont have control over what people say."

The Torrance stolen ballot story was so widely shared that CalMatters published a debunker on the allegations as well as general allegations of widespread voter fraud in California.

Ponegalek said that he's received calls from the California Republican Party on the case, and that after the department announced that there was no evidence showing that Mena attempted commit voter fraud, he was inundated with calls from citizens demanding to know why. He said the amount of interest the incident has received is "insane."

"Election fraud is a specific crime not general intent crime," he explained. "We have to show that someone is actually doing election fraud or planning to do election fraud, and didn't just steal unopened mail-in ballots along with other mail. Then that's just simply theft of mail."

Several laptops and flash drives were seized from Mena's car, and investigators say they found evidence that he was engaging in bank fraud and identity theft. But there was no evidence that the ballots were seized for any reason beyond simply being in the vehicle Mena allegedly stole the mail from. Ponegalek said he wishes he was able to more successfully disseminate that context at the time of the incident.

"We cant control what people think, say or do," he said. "But I think this specific case and the fallout would be great example of needing to do our best to be careful in this national climate."
At a pop-up COVID-19 testing site in San Francisco, near Golden Gate Park on Stanyan and Haight, families waited for tests last Tuesday afternoon. Workers denied service to any late stragglers. It seemed legitimate.

But after getting a test at this site, one San Francisco resident, who spoke to SFGATE on condition of anonymity, said that he and his wife have yet to receive any results from their initial tests. The group that helmed the pop-up site, Community Wellness America, has also been the subject of past scrutiny over the course of pandemic, and has drawn new concerns just in the past week.

A spokesperson for the San Francisco Department of Public Health confirmed to SFGATE that "they did not have a permit to set up on City property or to occupy the right of way of a sidewalk." They also added that "the City Attorneys Office is investigating whether this group has the proper CLIA licenses to operate."

The individuals partner had found the testing site on Nextdoor in a pinch, he told SFGATE, among the ad hoc resources that people have turned to as demand for COVID-19 tests intensifies and the omicron variant continues to lay siege to the Bay Area. Nationwide and throughout the Bay Area, at-home rapid tests are unavailable and same-day appointments are rare  further intensifying demand for any tests as more people get sick.

The first  and only  red flag he felt, in hindsight, took place early. A worker told him to put down his drivers license information, even though it was not an official box on the form he was given.

But it helped that the nasal swab samples they took felt like ones he had taken before, he said, quelling any concern he may have had at the time. They were packaged in an official-looking biohazard bag, complete with a tube labeled with its own QR code.

But since then, the source has found others on Nextdoor who have yet to receive their test results from that same site.

A report from Mission Local also found that another testing site operated by Community Wellness  located on 18th and Dolores  was unable to provide permits to operate in the area. The testing sites are also not listed on the city's authorized COVID-19 testing locations.

A site run by the organization in Marin County was shuttered by county health officials for the same reason last year, as reported by the San Francisco Chronicle. (SFGATE and the Chronicle are both owned by Hearst but operate independently of one another.) And in Seattle and throughout the state of Washington, officials have warned against Community Wellness Americas alleged unsafe practices, namely using inappropriate PPE.

The California Department of Health, however, told the San Diego Union-Tribune on Saturday that Community Wellness appears to be operating collection sites and sending the specimens to a licensed California lab for testing.

Community Wellness America sources out its laboratory responsibilities to Southern California-based Crestview Labs. Reports have also popped up in Southern Illinois of officials decrying Crestview for also requesting more information than other testing providers require. One Southern Illinois county official told KSDK in St. Louis that if they ask you for Social Security number, driver's license number, things like that, its a red flag.

Justin Nguyen, the president and CEO of Crestview Labs, told SFGATE in an email that that they are only a testing laboratory working with multiple vendors.

None of [the vendors] are authorized to use Crestview credentials, representing Crestview Lab or claiming that they work for Crestview as an employee or a contractor, Nguyen said. Nguyen added that test results may face an additional delay of up to two days because of the omicron surge.

When asked about these pop-up sites, a spokesperson for the San Francisco Department of Public Health did not identify Community Wellness by name, but said to not use testing sites that seem too good to be true because they are not trustworthy.

We are aware of groups offering COVID-19 testing in the city that do not appear to have the appropriate permits and licensing to set up testing stations, a department spokesperson said in a statement to SFGATE. We know demand for testing is high and we are taking the necessary steps to address the situation and looking into the appropriate enforcement measures.

But it may already be too late. By the time the local resident returned to the same place, the testing site was nowhere to be found.
Disneyland first announced changes to Splash Mountain nearly two years ago, with an intention to make the ride more inclusive. While the company has maintained that the plans are still in place, it doesn't appear that major changes are happening any time soon.

Plans to remove the Brer Rabbit theming on Splash Mountain, the log flume water ride that opened in 1989 in Disneyland and 1992 in Walt Disney World, were announced in June 2020 but have not yet been implemented. With Disneylands closure of the ride as of Jan. 10, it seemed possible that the re-theming to a storyline from The Princess and the Frog, Disneys only movie with a Black princess, might finally be happening  but Disney has confirmed that the ride closure isn't related to those changes.

"Splash Mountain will undergo a seasonal winter refurbishment that is expected to take one to two months," a Disneyland official told SFGATE.

As of press time, Disneyland has posted which rides will be closed for refurbishment through Feb. 21; Splash Mountain is listed as unavailable through that date. At Walt Disney World, Splash Mountain is listed as closed for refurbishment through Feb. 10.

Disney Parks

The current story line of Splash Mountain is based on Song of the South, a movie so racist and problematic that it was never released on home video in the U.S. and isnt available to stream on Disney Plus. In March 2020, just a few months before the ride change was announced, then-Disney executive chairman Bob Iger told shareholders that the film is not appropriate in todays world, so much so that the company wouldnt even release it with an outdated cultural depictions disclaimer, as Disney has with other films on its streaming platform like "Peter Pan."

The new concept is inclusive  one that all of our guests can connect with and be inspired by, and it speaks to the diversity of the millions of people who visit our parks each year, the company said about the reimagining in a statement in June 2020.

Julie Tremaine

Since that announcement, Disneyland and Walt Disney World have revamped Jungle Cruise to remove problematic cultural depictions. Disney announced those changes in January 2021 and opened Disneylands updated version in July of the same year, with the Florida version following shortly afterward. This fall, Disneyland removed sexualized depictions of Jessica Rabbit on Roger Rabbits Car Toon Spin.

"Disneyland pushed the planned 2022 opening date for Mickey & Minnies Runaway Railway to 2023, clearing a spot on the calendar for the Splash Mountain makeover," the Orange County Register wrote. "But the lack of any mention of Splash Mountain during the Destination D23 event and recent comments from Disney World officials suggest the project will take longer than initially expected."

Courtesy of Getty

There are additional Princess and the Frog features being added to New Orleans Square, the area adjacent to Splash Mountain, including a gumbo restaurant reflective of Tianas Place, the restaurant the movie's main character opens in New Orleans. A version of Tianas Place is also offered on some Disney Cruise Line ships.
The test comes just days after Kim delivered an end-of-year speech that provided few hints about North Korea's foreign policy direction for this year. Although Kim mostly focused on plans to jump start his country's economy, he also pledged to continue bolstering national defenses to deal with an "unstable" international situation.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida told reporters Wednesday the launches are "truly regrettable." South Korea's National Security Council, which held an emergency meeting, also expressed its concerns and emphasized the need to quickly resume talks with North Korea.

It is North Korea's first launch since October, when it tested a submarine-launched ballistic missile. The North has frequently tested short-range ballistic missiles since mid-2019, shortly after nuclear negotiations between North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and former U.S. President Donald Trump broke down.

The North fired what appeared to be a single ballistic missile from its northern Chagang Province toward the sea off its east coast, South Korea's military said. The missile traveled for about 500 km, according to Japanese Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi. No further details were available. North Korea typically announces its launches in state-run newspapers the following day.

Other analysts caution that North Korea likely has additional motivations for such a launch, including shoring up domestic political support, testing key new technologies, and demonstrating a deterrence against the U.S. and its allies.

"I question to what extent this is meant for external messaging and how much more this is just a regular part of what they would have done regardless," says Mason Richey, a professor at South Korea's Hankuk University of Foreign Studies.

North Korea has not conducted an intercontinental ballistic missile or nuclear test since 2017. Such a move would presumably risk a firmer response by the United States. Richey says it is unlikely North Korea will dramatically escalate its weapons tests before China, North Korea's ally and economic lifeline, hosts the Winter Olympics next month.

North Korea is prohibited from any ballistic missile activity, including launches of any range, by a series of United Nations Security Council resolutions. But since 2019, the United States has downplayed the North's short-range launches, presumably to preserve the possibility for future talks.

North Korea has ignored repeated offers by the U.S. to restart negotiations, saying Washington must first drop its "hostile policy." At various points, North Korea has demanded the United States end joint military exercises with its ally, South Korea. It has also called for the U.S. to withdraw troops from the Korean Peninsula. The United Stattes has approximately 28,000 troops in South Korea -- a remnant of the 1950s Korean War, which ended in a truce rather than a peace treaty.

On Tuesday, State Department spokesperson Ned Price repeated the U.S. offer to hold talks with North Korea. "We've made this point repeatedly -- but we have no hostile intent towards [North Korea]. We are prepared to meet without preconditions. We hope the DPRK will respond positively to our outreach," Price said at a briefing.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in, who has prioritized talks with North Korea, said Wednesday he would not give up hope for dialogue, despite the latest test. Moon made the comments at a groundbreaking ceremony for a railroad at an inter-Korean border town that Seoul hopes can eventually cross into the North.


Richard Clarida, the Federal Reserve's vice chair, announced Monday that he will resign, following more revelations of his stock trading at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic.

Clarida, whose term as the Fed's second-in-command was to expire at the end of this month, sent a letter to President Joe Biden on Monday saying he would resign on Jan. 14. He's the third Fed official in recent months to resign over questionable trades during the pandemic, as the Fed began its tremendous intervention to support the financial system. These trades are now under review by an inspector general, as the officials were in a position to benefit from insider knowledge of economic conditions.

Scrutiny over Clarida's disclosures began in October after initial reports from Bloomberg News showed that he bought shares in February 2020 of an investment fund that held stocks, just before the Fed announced it was prepared to help the economy as the pandemic began to take hold, bringing confidence to the markets.

Attention on Clarida's trades intensified last week after the New York Times reported that Clarida initially failed to disclose the full extent of his trading. Clarida corrected his public disclosures of stock trades in December, showing that he moved money out of a stock fund as the pandemic spread and the markets fell. Then three days later, after the markets plunged, Clarida moved money back into the same fund, just before the Fed announced it was prepared to step in and provide new economic supports to the financial system.

"This is a shocking and disturbing development, which raises further questions about the policies and procedures for trading by Fed governors. We need a full investigation of who traded what, when, and on the basis of which nonpublic information in 2020 and 2021," said Simon Johnson, an economist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Clarida didn't immediately return a request for comment on Monday.

Last week, a Fed spokeswoman said the reason Clarida updated his disclosure was because he had caught "inadvertent errors" that required changes to his disclosure forms. The spokeswoman said Clarida reviewed his financial transactions with the Fed's ethics office. A letter accompanying Clarida's amended forms from the Fed's ethics officer said that even with the corrections, Clarida was still "in compliance with applicable laws and regulations governing conflicts of interest."

Clarida's resignation follows that of two Fed other top Fed officials, Robert Kaplan and Eric Rosengren, who led the Dallas and Boston Feds, respectively. Both officials also left their posts after their stock trading behavior during the pandemic raised ethical questions and drew tremendous outside scrutiny.

Kaplan's trading activity included 27 individual stocks, funds or alternative asset holdings, each valued at more than $1 million. Rosengren's trading activities were on a much smaller scale but included stakes in four real estate investment trusts, at a time when Rosengren was publicly raising concerns for the commercial real estate sector.

Those resignations, which happened on the same day in September, did not end pressure on the Fed to seriously examine its own rules - and change them. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., has asked that the Fed turn over and release documents related to the questionable trades.

"Clarida is the third senior Fed official to resign due to possible insider trading during the pandemic, which shows there is an epidemic of ethical and legal violations at the highest levels of the Federal Reserve that the Chairman has failed to address," said Dennis Kelleher, president of Better Markets, which advocates for stronger market regulation.

In response to reports of the questionable trades, the Fed announced a major tightening of its rules overseeing the personal financial activities of top officials. Fed Chair Jerome Powell is also likely to face sharp questions on the scandal and how the Fed will guard against similar trading in the future, when he testifies before the Senate Banking Committee on Tuesday for his hearing on his confirmation to a second term.

In his resignation letter to Biden, Clarida did not acknowledge the trading scandal. Nor did Fed Chair Jerome Powell in a brief statement on Monday in which he said Clarida's contributions would "leave a lasting impact in the field of central banking." Speaking at a conference in October, Clarida indirectly addressed attention on his financial activities.

"I've always acquitted myself honorably and with integrity with respect to the obligations of public service," Clarida said at the time.
Buyenlarge/Getty Images

Human remains discovered by a hiker at a lakeside campground in Tahoe National Forest last month were recently identified by police as a Northern California man who was reported missing in early November, according to a statement released by the Yuba County Sheriffs Department on Friday.

Tyler Love, 44, of Grass Valley, was reported missing to the Nevada County Sheriffs Office on Nov. 2 by a friend who said that he was last seen at the end of September 2021, a spokesperson for the department told SFGATE.
Editor's note: A 3-year-old pit bull that had been missing since the Caldor Fire in Lake Tahoe was recently rescued after a backcountry skier spotted the dog in the mountains above South Lake Tahoe. After the dog was sighted, a local nonprofit that specializes in animal search and rescue called Tahoe PAWS and TLC 4 Furry Friends dispatched a team to rescue the missing dog. Wendy Jones, the founder of the nonprofits, coordinated the rescue with volunteers who hiked into the snow-covered terrain and found the dog. It was the "happiest moment I've ever had," the rescue worker told South Tahoe Now, which originally reported the story. The following is a profile of Jones that SFGATE published last summer. Since the story has published, Jones has successfully rescued many animals, including those who went missing during the Caldor Fire.

In the middle of February, a 30-pound dog named Canela ran into the forest that edges a neighborhood in Lake Tahoe  and disappeared.

More for you This dog water bottle went viral on TikTok and is 40% off

Pet owners often think of Tahoe as a dogs paradise. There are mountain trails to run. Forests to smell. Lakes to swim. In Tahoe, dogs are as much a part of the lifestyle as a ski pass and an A-frame. But pets dont always stay close to home or their owners.

For all sorts of reasons  a dog escapes in a hole in a fence, it gets startled by another animal and runs away, wind might blow a gate open, a kid opens a door and the dogs run out, it sniffs its way into the forest and gets disoriented, it gets scared from loud noises like lightning and fireworks, or there are always those irresponsible pet owners  dogs in Tahoe get lost on a near daily basis in the spring, summer and fall. The missing pet signs follow.

Canela was the bright spot in the pandemic for Jonathan Burk, her human, a registered nurse in the Bay Area who works in a hospital. That day in February when Canela went missing, Burk and his boyfriend canceled their ski plans and spent hours walking in the woods, looking for paw prints, shouting her name, on the verge of tears. The more time that passed, the more desperate Burk felt.

The next morning, Burk went online and found a volunteer who specializes in dog search and rescues in Lake Tahoe and beyond. Her name is Wendy Jones. He called her right away.

Wendy got, like, incredibly involved immediately, he told me. When I spoke to Burk on the phone in August, he told me that Jones is the sweetest person. He called her an angel. But the first time he spoke with Jones, he got a lecture: She was so intense. She was like, Youre doing everything wrong.

---

Its early on a Saturday morning in the middle of a heat wave in July, and I am sitting in the backseat of a van thats covered in dog hair, with leashes and empty water bowls at my feet. Jones is in the front passenger seat, talking very fast into her iPhone. Heidi Nelson, the co-founder of an animal rescue service, is driving. We are heading down an arrow-straight highway that cuts across the sagebrush desert in Nevada, just on the other side of the mountains from Lake Tahoe. Our destination is a boondocked campsite, where a small fluffy white dog named Baby was last seen before it ran away a week ago.

Jones, 52, is a lifelong Tahoe resident. She has two dogs, a big one named Molli and a little one named Buddy. She describes herself as a personal caregiver. She works at the homes of elderly or disabled people and her career has been in the medical and criminal justice industries. Occasionally, she also makes money by working backstage security for concerts.

But her true passion is animals. Every single hour shes not working she spends volunteering for her animal search and rescue service, TLC 4 Furry Friends, which she runs under her nonprofit, Tahoe Paws.

I first heard of Jones when my friends dog, Goldie, went missing in June. Goldie is a shaggy blonde-haired mutt with pointy ears and clear blue eyes. She was 9 months old when she ran into the woods behind my friends house on the North Shore of Lake Tahoe and got lost.

The nights were the worst, Jill Kadota, one of Goldies humans, told me this week. Taylor Tomlinson, Kadotas fiance, is Goldies other human. Just to go to bed and think about her being lost, sleeping somewhere, not knowing where she was.

Late that first night after Goldie went missing, Kadota and Tomlinson called Jones.

After that, we were in contact with her constantly, Kadota said.

Courtesy of Jill Kadota

At any given time, Jones is working on a dozen missing animal cases, she told me. Summer is the busiest time of year; it's the peak season for tourism. But Jones also told me about a cat who went missing in Emerald Bay over Christmas, and Burks dog ran off in the snow in February. It happens all year long.

Jones has been working animal search and rescue and emergency response for 25 or 30 years. She responds to car accidents and wildfires  most recently, the Tamarack Fire  to help victims recover their animals. She guides and supports animal search and rescues across the globe. But most of the time, shes working with out-of-towners who come to the Sierra Nevada region and lose their pets on their visit. (Its mostly tourists, but not always. She told me about some longtime Tahoe residents who have lost their pets, too.)

Jones grew up in Zephyr Cove. She raised her son here (hes now 31). She told me that when she gets overwhelmed from her volunteer work rescuing animals, shell go down to the lake and paddle out on the water to calm down. Tahoe is the center of her life. Its where she goes to rejuvenate herself. But living in Tahoe is getting harder and harder.

Jones is among the growing number of Tahoe residents and longtime locals who no longer can afford the cost of housing here.

She has floated from one unstable housing situation to the next for years, unable to find a secure, reliable and permanent place to live that she can afford. Along the way, shes run into many old and run down houses that charge overpriced rents and terrible landlords that are not responsive. Most recently, she had to move out of a place in April and she has not been able to find a permanent home to live in since.

Its hard. Its hard on me. Im exhausted. Im stressed, Jones said. And I have no place to go. Im commuting and living in stholes, couch-surfing, my dogs are completely stressed out and anxious. And Im still trying to hold myself together to be professional and compassionate, to support all these people through hell. Im not just a dog search and rescue specialist and community response team. Im a therapist for these people. I support them for 24 hours a day.

Occasionally, donations come in to her nonprofit. But donations arent enough to cover the expenses of the equipment and supplies for the animal rescues. Because the nonprofit doesnt have money coming in, Jones pays for rescue expenses out of her pocket  including the motion-sensored cameras, batteries, website costs, the humane traps, food for the animals, gas to commute all over the Tahoe Basin, training and more. Shes on the verge of shutting down her nonprofit. Jones knows what shes good at. Thats finding lost animals. She also knows what shes not good at and doesnt have time for. Thats business and marketing on social media.

She rarely sleeps. Most nights, shes monitoring at least six cameras that shes set up wherever animals are missing, and people call her at all hours of the night. When her phone is not ringing, thoughts of the animals shes searching for run at a constant pace through her mind. Shes not just financially invested. Its emotional, too.

I just care more about animals than anything, Jones said. Anything besides my child.

---

In the van, Jones is speaking on her phone with a ranger at Sugar Pine Point State Park on Tahoes West Shore. The ranger had just seen a dog that had been missing for two weeks. During a family camping trip, the dog was on a walk when it got attacked by another dog in the campground, and it escaped its collar and ran away. Its owners dont live in Tahoe and they left after their camping trip to go back home, so Jones put her phone number on the missing pet flyers  something shell do only as a last resort.

Im on another dog search in the middle of Nevada, Jones tells the state parks ranger. If you can keep an eye out for her  just do not call her. Do not call her. Do not call her.

This is one of the cardinal rules of Jones method to finding lost dogs: Never call their name.

Survival mode is fear, fight or flight, Jones tells me in the van. When a dog bolts, adrenaline takes over and its like a switch flips on in their brains. When dogs are in survival mode, their sole focus is on staying alive, safe and running from anything they perceive as a threat. Everything is a predator to them, Jones said. Often, when a dog is in this state of mind, they wont recognize their owner. They wont recognize their name. They just run.

The only time they stop is to take a little rest if its a safe place to hunker down, or if there is water or a food source, Jones said. It takes several days or even a week for them to get tired and settle down, she noted. But even then, if a person approaches them, a dog in survival mode will most likely run away.

Courtesy of Wendy Jones

At first, her directions can seem counterintuitive  dont call the pets name and dont run after it. But if a pet owner doesnt follow her instructions, she says shell wish them luck and part ways. She wont waste her time working with people who dont follow the plan. She knows her method works to bring pets home, and she has little tolerance for wasted time. But mostly, the people she works with understand that, in order to get their pet back, they need to do what she says. On first impression, Jones comes off as tough and abrasive, but underneath, she has an overwhelming passion and deep love for dogs, cats and all animals. (Shes also a volunteer with local rescue teams to save bears, coyotes, raccoons and other wildlife.) She told me several times that she works this hard for the animals, more than the people.

When Goldie was missing, Kadota and Tomlinson said they spent the entire first night combing through the woods and shouting her name, which is what every pet owner I spoke with did at first. Its our human instinct to go searching for lost pets, but Jones also says this is the worst thing you can do. She instructs her clients to stay put. She doesnt want them spreading their scent or chasing their dog because that will only push the animal away further.

At one point, Kadota and Tomlinson saw Goldie while they were driving through their neighborhood. Kadota slammed on the brakes and got out of the car slowly. But when Goldie saw her and Tomlinson, she paused for a split second before she bolted back into the forest and down a hill covered in manzanita bushes.

We witnessed firsthand that Goldie was in survival mode, Tomlinson said. Like, she didnt recognize us. She didnt see who we were. So that was the pivotal moment for us.

From then on, Kadota and Tomlinson followed every instruction Jones gave them.

I have so many stories of little dogs that have lasted 13 days, or 14 or 16 or 18 days, Jones said. I have so many amazing stories. Unfortunately, not all of them are united. Some things happen. But I am very successful. Its a passion. I know what Im doing.

Key to Jones success is her method, which involves a very precise set of directions and also a process that adapts as the search unfolds. When Goldie was missing, Jones spent hours on the phone with Kadota and Tomlinson, guiding them every step of the way and shaping a plan to rescue their dog.

Every step, yeah, was a little hard to take in because it did all feel counterintuitive and because she was so intense about it, Burk said, when he was working with Jones to find Canela. But then everything made so much sense as we went on.

As a nurse, Burk said he can relate to Jones when shes in a position where she has to tell people feeling big emotions, in the middle of a crisis, things they dont want to hear or listen to.

Thats always where her underlying emotion was coming from, Burk said. Shes so invested. She puts so much work into every single rescue, and shes had people not follow her directions and then have things go wrong. Shes an animal lover herself. She gets so much from it. But she also takes on so much.

Courtesy of Jonathan Burk

Jones makes flyers for pet owners with a photo of the missing dog and their phone number, but not the pets name. She drives all over the Tahoe Basin to set up humane traps that are designed to shut the door when an animal walks in them. She sets up cameras to keep watch.

But she does not charge for her services. She is a volunteer. Kadota and Tomlinson said she never mentioned a cost, even though she was driving long miles to get to them and handing them supplies to use in their rescue.

Its not about the human, its about the animal, Jones said.

She is adamant that she helps missing animals as a volunteer-based service, through her nonprofit, so that money would never interfere or stop her from doing the work. All she asked in return, Kadota said, was that they follow her instructions.

I am very independent, Jones said. I dont like to charge, and I dont like to ask. I dont like to promote. I dont even like to tell people they can donate. I dont ever, ever, ever do that. But Im at the point where I am, basically, homeless.

In the van, Nelson pulls off the highway and drives up a dirt road surrounded by sagebrush, parking next to a muddy watering hole where Jones suspected the missing white fluffy dog was getting water. The van belongs to Heidi Nelson, who co-founded a nonprofit called Animal Rescue Relay that rescues dogs, cats, even a goat or two from kill shelters and adopts them into homes. Nelson often volunteers to help Jones on dog searches.

[Jones] thinks like a dog, Nelson told me. She meant this in the best way possible.

She understands fight or flight mode, Nelson said. I honestly dont know if its because shes in that mode a lot, herself, with her housing situation. She gets it. Shes on edge. She gets that.

---

Goldie was missing for more than a week when a neighbor spotted her in their backyard. Thats when Jones set up another one of the humane traps with a door thats designed to automatically shut when an animal walks in. She set up a camera to keep watch. Then they waited.

Several days later, Jones called Tomlinson just before 5 a.m. In the middle of the night, her camera sent her a photo with a figure in the trap. She thought it was Goldie. Tomlinson woke up Kadota and her mom, and the three of them walked down to the trap, holding out hope that theyd find their dog.

Its hard to describe the feeling, Tomlinson said. But Ill never forget showing up there and walking toward the trap.

It was Goldie. At first, she didnt recognize her humans. But then, Kadotas mom put her hands close to the kennels edge, and the scent immediately triggered something in Goldie that helped her recognize the humans standing near her were not a threat. They were her family.

It was like a flip switched in her mind, Tomlinson said. Like she snapped out of it, like a different animal.

Kadota says she was in shock when they finally found Goldie. Their dog had survived in the forest for 12 days. Goldie lost 10 pounds while she was out in the wilderness and when she came home, she slept for nearly two days. But after that, she was back to her normal self.

We were really hanging our last hope on [Jones], Kadota said. She was right. All the things that Wendy had been telling us the whole time, she was right about all of it.

Three days after Canela had gone missing, Burk reunited with his pet, too. He followed Jones instructions: posted flyers, stayed close to where she was last seen. Just as a storm was blowing in, someone called Burk, reporting that theyd seen Canela. Soon after, Burk was sitting in the middle of the street, waiting for her to recognize him. Eventually she came within arms reach and Burk scooped her up in his arms.

I cannot deal with how much this dog means to me, Burk said. Im just so grateful to Wendy because shes right. We would have been doing everything wrong and we would have been totally clueless.

A couple weeks after I spent a morning with Jones in the sagebrush desert, I called her again. Unfortunately, the fluffy white dog, Baby, was still missing, and as of this week, she still hasnt been found. But the dog at the campground at Sugar Pine Point had been found and reunited with its family. And Jones told me about yet another successful rescue, this time it was a 13-pound Chihuahua that had been missing for 32 days.

It was a happy reunion, Jones told me.

The joy she expressed was short-lived. She immediately dove right into the next case, telling me about a rescue shes currently working on. Her work never stops.

For more information about animal search and rescue services, visit TahoePaws.org or call (775) 721-DOGS (3647).
A hush fell over the two-story Victorian on 1709 Broderick Street.

About a dozen people were gathered in front of the iconic Full House home on Monday afternoon to pay their respects to the late comedian Bob Saget, who died Sunday at the Ritz-Carlton in Orlando. He was 65 years old.

Cellophane-wrapped bouquets of flowers and a loaf of white bread decorated the front stoop of the house made famous by the hit 90s-era sitcom. Some snapped photos, while others stood quietly and stared up at the house that defined a special part of their childhood.

Almost everyone had something to say about their parasocial relationship with the star.

Its almost like hes your second dad. You know what I mean? said Lindsey Brown of Bakersfield, who stopped by with her eight-year-old son Jaxon. I grew up with Full House. When you watch it from the time youre little, you have that emotional attachment to it and you feel like you know the people in it. It hits a little harder when they pass away.

Amanda Bartlett/SFGATE

The show follows Danny Tanner (Saget), a San Francisco morning news anchor who recruits his brother-in-law Jesse (John Stamos) and his best friend Joey (Dave Coulier) to help raise his three daughters D.J. (Candace Cameron Bure), Stephanie (Jodie Sweetin) and Michelle (Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen) after he learns his wife was killed by a drunk driver. Both tear-jerking and fun-loving, it was an after-school staple for just about any kid growing up in the 90s.

For Brown, "Full House" transcended generations. She started watching the show when she was about five or six years old, and said she got her son hooked on all five seasons of the 2016 Netflix reboot, Fuller House."

After all these years, its the advice from Danny Tanner that connected with her most.

You listen to all of those life lessons, she said, beginning to choke up. The one thats been going around since he passed was the one where hes talking to D.J. after their mom passed. He tells her how memories are what keep people alive. That sticks with you, for sure.

Charles Russo/SFGATE

Saget was also famous for hosting Americas Funniest Home Videos, as well as narrating How I Met Your Mother and making a number of scene-stealing cameos on Entourage. He had a popular podcast, Bob Sagets Here For You and a decades-long stand-up career that brought him to Florida last weekend as part of a nationwide tour.

I had no idea I did a two hour set tonight. Im back in comedy like I was when I was 26, read a Instagram post from Saget after his last show on Saturday evening. I guess Im finding my new voice and loving every moment of it.

Amanda Bartlett/SFGATE

On Sunday, he was pronounced dead shortly before 4:20 p.m in his hotel room. His body was sent to the local medical examiner's office, which said in an email that it could take up to four months from the date of exam to complete an autopsy report, reported the Associated Press.

That same night, Aries Garcia and Bryan Pena had just arrived in San Francisco. The two, who were visiting from New Jersey, said the Full House home was at the top of their sightseeing list.

Then they heard the news.

We just couldnt believe it. We were still talking about it this morning, said Pena as he gazed up at the house. Its so sad. As a young guy, while I was growing up, I learned so much from [Saget] and this show that I wasnt taught at home.

Amanda Bartlett/SFGATE

Garcia said the show had a realism that particularly resonated with her as a child.

You saw a single dad who lost his wife. It helped  For kids that grew up like that too, it made it seem like it was okay.

Tiare Lopez and Amber Willingham, visiting from Sacramento after spending the weekend in Napa, were equally surprised to hear about the actors death.

We were talking about trying to find this house yesterday, and bam, said Lopez. The next minute he was gone.

Charles Russo/SFGATE

Perhaps more memorable than the Full House home itself were the Painted Ladies in Alamo Square, which the show's opening credits panned over. The row of colorful houses saw their fair share of tourists on Monday afternoon.

George Horsfall, who owns and lives in the blue Painted Lady, watched people drop off flowers and offer their condolences.

I cant say Im a huge fan of the show, he said. But its one of those things that I know from living here  there's generations of kids that have an affinity for him. They come by every day and ask about the show. Its one of the first things you learn about when you move here.

Horsfall has two golden retrievers named Elsa and Thunderbear, who people commonly mistake for Comet, the Tanners family pet.

The opening scenes are so prominent that this has become an iconic place, he said. Id say any day the park is crowded, at least 50% of the people up there are here to see the Full House house.

Charles Russo/SFGATE

For many grieving fans, especially those who visited San Francisco Monday, Saget was as much a beloved childhood figure as he was an emblem of the city.

The show has been around for so long that no matter what, youre going to associate him with San Francisco, said Brown. Full House is San Francisco. And he was part of that.
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As of Jan. 1, all Colorado employersregardless of sizeare subject to traditional paid-sick-leave requirements thanks to the Healthy Families and Workplaces Act. Additionally, public health emergency leave is still in effect for all Colorado employers given that the pandemic is still with us in the new year. What do Colorado employers need to know about your new and continuing paid sick leave obligations

Healthy Families and Workplaces Act

Beginning Jan. 1, the act requires all employers to provide paid sick leave to their employees, accrued at one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked, up to a maximum of 48 hours. Employers with more than 16 employees have been providing this leave since Jan. 1, 2021.

Employee Rights and Employer Obligations

An employee:



Begins accruing paid sick leave when the employee's employment begins.

May use paid sick leave as it is accrued.

May carry forward and use in subsequent calendar years paid sick leave that is not used in the year in which it is accrued.

If you already have a more generous paid-time-off (PTO), vacation or sick-leave policy (meaning providing at least 48 hours of sick leave), you do not need to provide additional leave. But the accrual must be as generous as that required in the act and be available immediately and for part-time employees. Additionally, the PTO policy must provide notice to an employee that additional leave will not be provided as the PTO policy meets the requirements of HFWA.

Additionally, while the act refers to paid sick leave as "wages," it specifically provides that unused paid sick leave need not be paid out at termination. Any unused paid sick days must be reinstituted if the employee is rehired within six months of termination. The paid sick leave also carries over to any successor employer.



What Can Leave Be Used For?

Employees may use accrued paid sick leave to be absent from work for the following purposes:

The employee has a mental or physical illness, injury or health condition; needs a medical diagnosis, care or treatment related to such illness, injury or condition; or needs to obtain preventive medical care.

The employee needs to care for a family member who has a mental or physical illness, injury or health condition; needs a medical diagnosis, care or treatment related to such illness, injury or condition; or needs to obtain preventive medical care.

The employee or family member has been the victim of domestic abuse, sexual assault or harassment and needs to be absent from work for purposes related to such crime.

A public official has ordered the closure of the school or place of care of the employee's child or of the employee's place of business due to a public health emergency, necessitating the employee's absence from work.

Documentation



Employers may require documentation from the employee if they take four or more consecutive paid sick days.

Public Health Emergency Paid Sick Leave

In addition to the new paid-sick-leave law that just went into effect, all employers in Colorado have been obligated to provide public-health-emergency (PHE) leave since Jan. 1, 2021. Under state law, all Colorado employers must provide this leave if there is a federal, state or local declaration of emergency. While our state declaration has been lifted, the federal declaration is currently still in place, and therefore the obligation to provide PHE leave is still currently in place.

However, PHE leave is a one-time leave obligation. If an employee used all of their supplemental PHE leave in 2021, they must rely on their accrued leave or take any additional COVID-19 leave unpaid.

Use of PHE Leave

As background, the act requires an employer to provide its employees an additional amount of paid sick leave during a public health emergency in an amount based on the number of hours the employee works. There is no documentation requirement for an employee to take this leave for self-isolation due to a positive diagnosis, seeking medical treatment with respect to a disease, caring for a family member or a child, or inability to work due to pre-existing health conditions.

Amount of Leave

For full-time employees, this amounts to up to 80 total hours of leave. For employees who regularly work less than 40 hours per week, employers must provide the greater of the number of hours the employee is scheduled to work in a 14-day period or the average time the employee works in a 14-day period.

What Should Employers Do?

Employers should make sure they have updated their paid-leave and COMPS posters and are providing COMPS Order #38 to employees with any handbook updates. The paid-leave poster and notice provides employees with a written notice of their rights under HFWA. You should also ensure your policies are up to date, and you should schedule an internal training for your human resources staff and managers on the new and continued requirements.

Kristin R.B. White is an attorney with Fisher Phillips in Denver.  2022 Fisher Phillips. All rights reserved. Reposted with permission.
The hub was launched in partnership with both the countrys governments and leading education institutions, such as Northwestern University and Purdue University.

FREMONT, CA: The American Association of Engineers of India Origin (AAEIO) has launched the AAEIO Innovation Hub to help engineers commercialize critical technologies available with leading agencies in the United States and India.

The hub was launched in partnership with both the countrys governments and leading education institutions, such as Northwestern University and Purdue University. The hub was inaugurated in Chicago at AAEIOs holiday party. Dignitaries such as AAEIO President Gladson Varghese, President-Elect Ajit Pant, VP Nitin Maheshwari, and other board members were present at the inauguration, along with US representative Bill Foster, who represents Illinois 11th district in the house.

Dr. Deepak Vyas, CEO of Redberri Group, highlighted that the US space agency NASA has over 16,000 technologies that are yet to be commercialized, and AAEIO can be at the forefront of the innovation required to bring them to global markets. As part of the center, AAEIO has set up a fund where state and other grants can be used in conjunction with the associations startups and corporates. Regular members can also utilize the fund on selective technologies. Dr. Promod Vohra, President of ProBys and former engineering dean of Northern Illinois University, reiterated the need for engineers and educators to work in tandem and address the current technological challenges. Vohra also requested AAEIO to improve its engagement, innovation, and education programs for Indian-origin engineers. The association swiftly became a major force in the last four months and will continue to witness such exponential growth. President Gladson Varghese said that he is excited about the future of the association, which will have over 10,000 members in the next decade.

Starting January 2022, AAEIO will host bi-monthly breakfast events where keynote speakers will lecture on topics related to digital transformation, cryptocurrency, and more. A spring startup event will be held in Chicago where venture capitalists and CEOs will come together, and Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella is invited to the event.
Are you planning to start a franchise business? Choosing the route to go for running a franchise is not an easy one. A franchisor is a company that grants franchises in order to expand the product or service within a specific region.

A franchise business is a business that has such equity that the very name of the franchisor carries enough value and hence any business, anywhere in the world can be run successfully and successfully. Franchise networks are mostly seen in up scaling businesses like food chains, hotels, automotive stores and real estate companies etc.

Franchising is one of the best ways to run a business for many reasons. As a franchisee, you will have more control over your business. However, starting a franchise often means joining a network along with other franchisees which means following the guidelines from different authorities. It requires significant initial investment and training, most often referred to as the time and effort to build an asset for your business. If you compare a franchise business plan with that of a traditional business like a car wash business plan in India you will notice these differences for yourself. There is some great advice on Khatabook to prepare business plans and compare them.

So before you jump onto this lucrative ship here are a few disadvantages with the franchise business:

1. It can be expensive

Many people think that franchise companies provide them with enough capital to get started on the right foot, but this isnt always the case. This is particularly true when it comes to creating the first system and supporting franchisees. The cost of getting up and running as a franchisee can be challenging which is why it's essential for franchise owners to have ample funding from their own resources before beginning their business. For instance the dominos franchise cost in India may not be suitable for if you have very low capital to invest. If you want to learn more about franchise prices then click here.

A good solution to this problem is saving money by outsourcing some of the tasks. Additionally, you can also apply for a business loan

2. Creating an infrastructure

Building a healthy infrastructure is critical for any business, but often times it can be a particularly challenging aspect of starting a new franchising operation. One of the most important things that you will have to consider as you grow your franchise is how to build a system that will provide sustainable growth for all of your future locations. It's important to have systems and procedures that franchisees can learn from. The first location will take the most time, but once you have it up, setting up new locations will be easier.

To solve this problem before you start giving out franchises you should conduct an analysis of the successful procedures in the system. You can apply the findings of this analysis to your own system and infrastructure

3. Selecting the right franchisees

The importance of choosing the right franchisees cannot be stressed enough. Choosing the wrong partners could mean an uncertain future for your business, and this goes for any business. While there are many ways in which you can choose your franchisees, it is vital to ensure that your chosen people have a genuine interest in your vision, values and most importantly; will support them both during stressful and prosperous times. If a potential franchisee does not have the same passion or vision as you do for the business, it could result in both parties becoming unhappy with the partnership.

The simplest solution to this problem is networking, finding good franchisees and then building good relations with them.
Born in Vishakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, Neeli immigrated to the US in 1986 for her higher education.

FREMONT, CA: Indian-American marketing and consumer behavior specialist Neeli Bendapudi was appointed as the president of Pennsylvania State University in the US. She became the first woman and person of color to hold this position. She is currently the president of the University of Louisville, Kentucky. Neeli will succeed Eric J Barron, who has served the university for three decades.

The Girl from Vishakhapatnam

Born in Vishakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, Neeli immigrated to the US in 1986 for her higher education. After earning her Ph.D. in marketing from the University of Kansas, she was a teacher at Texas A&M University and the Ohio State University. She also served as the executive VP and Chief Customer Officer for Hunting National Bank. She consulted for some worlds largest enterprises, such as Proctor & Gamble, AIG, and the US Army.

Neeli is known in the community as a dynamic and innovative individual who has dedicated the lions share of her professional life to higher education for helping the universities advance and support their students, serve society, and inspire young people to gain knowledge.

Accomplishments and Accolades

Neeli Bendapudis work has been featured several times in popularly daily newspapers, magazines, and big new media outlets, including The New York Times, CNBC, CNN, MSNBC, Fox News Network, and WebMD.

About Pennsylvania State University

Pennsylvania State University is a public land-grant research institution supported by the state government of Pennsylvania. The university has campuses and facilities across the state. PSU was founded in 1855 as the Farmers high school of Pennsylvania, Penn State.

Around 90 Olympic athletes, 11 past and present congressional representatives, and several other accomplished professionals have graduated from the college. Some famous names include writer and producer Adam McKay, president and CEO of Nike Mark Parker, television personality Lara Spencer, actor Ty Burrell, and the first African-American to travel to space, Guion Bluford.
Parikh was born and raised in Cincinnati, and he graduated from the Princeton High School, Xavier University, and the Saint Louis University School of Law.

FREMONT, CA: Pavan Parikh, an attorney of Indian descent, is set to succeed Aftab Pureval as Hamilton County Cleark of Courts. Parikh is a democrat and a former judicial candidate and a judge advocate in the Army Reserve. He was unanimously selected for the role by the Democratic Central Committee last month. His fellow Democrat Aftab Pureval, the son of an Indian father and Tibetan mother, is set to become the first Asian-American Pacific Islander (AAPI) mayor. He beat the city councilman and former mayor David Mann with 66% votes.

Expertise in the Legal System

Pavan Parikh was appointed as he is well known in the courthouse for his expertise in the legal system and can win re-elected and keep the democratic seat. In the press conference held by Hamilton County, Chairwoman Gwen McFarlin said that Pavan Parikh is serious about the position, and he wil use it as a stepping stone for higher grounds.

Duties of Hamilton County Cleark of Courts

Some of the major responsibilities of the Hamilton County Cleark of Courts include maintaining court records, overseeing courthouse security for municipal courts and processing passport applications and traffic tickets. Parikhs position will be open for re-election in November 2022. In the press conference, Parikh said that he is looking forward to working in the courthouse and getting out in the election. He reiterated that the party needs to keep the seat and will make sure that all of its judges get elected.

Boy from Cincinnati

Parikh was born and raised in Cincinnati, and he graduated from the Princeton High School, Xavier University, and the Saint Louis University School of Law. He commenced his legal career working at the courthouse under the guidance of Judge Nadine Allen. He is passionate about public services and has worked as a political staffer on issues of voting rights before he was appointed the chief legal counsel for the Ohio Senate Minority Caucus. Parikh also volunteers as a mentor to the next generation of Cincinnatis leaders. At the statehouse, he was responsible for monitoring and negotiating legislation on issues such as criminal justice, voting rights, ethics, and constitutional law.
Atul has served in critical senior US government positions in the past couple of years and is a twenty-eight-year veteran of the Department of State.

FREMONT, CA: The US Chamber of Commerce recently announced the appointment of US-Indian diplomat Atul Keshap as President of the US. India Business Council, effective from January 5th 2022. He has recently served in New Delhi as the US ChargeadAffaires to India and led the US Embassy team in the country.

Atul has served in critical senior US government positions in the past couple of years and is a twenty-eight year veteran of the Department of State. Keshap will succeed Nisha Biswal, a former US Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia. Nisha will stay active in the institution as the US Chamber of Commerces senior VP of international strategy and global initiatives and South Asia.

Considering how essential is the US-India Business Council in driving commercial cooperation between the two countries, Atul Keshaps expertise and deep global network will enable USIBC to reach even greater heights and serve the members. In the press conference held by USBIC, Atul Keshap said that as the next president of USIBC, he is honoured and excited and will contribute to help shape and strengthen the collaboration between the two countries. Keshap also added that India and its citizen hold a special place in his heart and he believes that USIBC is the best place to serve the US-Indian diaspora.

Atul Keshap has previously held the position of US Ambassador to Sri Lanka and the Maldives, Charge dAffaires at the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi, United States Envoy for Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia and Pacific Affairs, and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia in Washington, DC. He has also worked in different roles at the National Defense University, the White House National Security Council, and diplomatic roles in the capital city and abroad. USIBC portrays the worlds leading companies operating in the United States, India, and Indo-Pacific.
Joe Biden accepts the amazing fact that Indian-descent Americas are taking over US and their success is reflected in the Bidens administrations appointment of a large number of them in the government.

FREMONT CA: Joe Biden on Thursday stated that Indian-Americans are taking over the United States, in remarks that were pronounced as head-turning and tone-deaf effort at levity.

Biden commented during a call to NASA while speaking to Swati Mohan, NASAs guidance and administers operations head for the Mars Perseverance rover landing, was apparently made in the event of the Indian-American addition in the science and technology sector.

While talking to Mohan, who guided the Preservance rover landing last month, Biden said that it is pretty amazing how Kamala Harris and Vinay Reddy, the Indian-American descent are taking over the country. America is a diverse country as they bring the best out of every single unique culture and give people an opportunity to let their dreams run forward, added Biden.

Pew research study mentions that 70% of Indian origin aged 25 and above own college degrees, with 40% securing postgraduate degree, 2.5 times the rate among the overall US population. Even though Neera Tanden, whom Biden appointed was rejected by Conservative lawmakers for political reasons, still stands a chance to serve in the administration which requires no Senate confirmation. Vivek Murthy as US Surgeon General, Vanita Gupta, as Associate Attorney General, Uzra Zeya, Under Secretary of State for Human Rights and Democracy are among other prominent appointees.

Joe Biden noted in 2006 while when discussing of their leap in his home state of Delaware, that Indian-American are also presented as CXOs in universities, small business and in corporate as well.
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Renwick Street residents were alarmed at the potential overshadowing of their homes, arguing shadow diagrams underpinning the consent were grossly inaccurate. The neighbours fears were assuaged at the end of 2016 when nothing had materialised. Development approvals expire after five years unless work is physically commenced. So residents were astonished when Mr Boyce issued a construction certificate in 2017 allowing work to begin, which listed the date of development approval as the year before - instead of 2011. When the residents complained to council, Mr Boyce blamed a typographical error. He insisted the approval hadnt lapsed because tree lopping occurred in 2016, supplying an invoice for $5500 from the tree lopping company, MA Civil Pty Ltd, which council accepted.

Neighbours obtained the invoice under freedom of information and were infuriated to discover MA Civil Pty Ltd did not exist when it was issued. They also alerted council to Google maps images showing unchanged tree cover at the site after the tree lopping supposedly took place. Alleged criminal activity by a fraudulent company is not within councils powers or procedures to investigate, a council staffer responded. Residents said they were also told by regulators that certifiers like Mr Boyce are under no obligation to check whether an invoice submitted by a developer is genuine if - like in this instance- it appears so. The staffer said satellite imagery showed a shrub was removed from the property in 2016 and accepted Mr Boyces evidence that a surveyor pegged the site in 2013, which also prevented approval from lapsing.

We have no evidence that a site peg-out did not occur, councils chief executive Monica Barone wrote to residents, although she admitted to issues with the tree lopping invoice. A City of Sydney spokeswoman reiterated to the Herald it was satisfied the approval didnt lapse because of the peg-out but did not address questions over the potentially fake invoice. A development under construction at Renwick Street, Alexandria. Credit:Oscar Colman NSW Ombudsman guidelines state that if council is provided with false or misleading information, a prosecution may be appropriate even if the breach was minor. Residents also complained about inconsistencies between the construction certificate and development consent, including unauthorised bathrooms inserted on top of the garages and an increased roof height.

The certificate erroneously referred to three-storey, instead of two-storey, townhouses. A council staffer acknowledged the inconsistencies and said usual practice would be to report Mr Boyce to regulators, but it was unnecessary as he had already been banned. The staffer noted the council had softened its approach to enforcement during the pandemic (a comment he later retracted and apologised for) and treated each non-compliance on its merits. Another staffer told residents construction certificates prevail over development consents. The City of Sydney spokeswoman said construction certificates must not be inconsistent with DA plans and said it had raised the inconsistencies with the certifier.

Loading The construction certificate plans were modified to bring them into line with the approved DA plans, she said. The spokeswoman also noted inaccurate shadow diagrams had been updated and reviewed by council staff, who had concluded the level of overshadowing was acceptable. The council spokeswoman said the certifiers conduct was a matter for the state government regulator, NSW Fair Trading. Mr Boyce said he had been cleared of wrongdoing by the regulator.

Loading The controlling body of the industry and the council examined the approval and found the construction certificate was in order, he said. Fair Trading did clear Mr Boyce in 2019 over a complaint he issued the construction certificate after development approval lapsed. However, the regulator confirmed it had not investigated councils allegations the construction certificate contained inconsistencies and was inappropriately issued. NSW Fair Trading has not received any complaints relating to the matters put forward by The Sydney Morning Herald, a spokeswoman said.

Loading Mr Boyce is no longer the projects certifier after Fair Trading cancelled his accreditation over unrelated matters. Ms Knight said residents were not opposed to dense living but wanted planning rules consistently enforced. It would appear there are significant flaws in this whole process, she said. The developer declined to comment when contacted by the Herald.
Panicked Victorians calling for ambulances in non-life threatening situations are exacerbating the problems. The Age has also confirmed that up to a dozen deaths and other adverse incidents have been referred to Inspector-General Tony Pearces ongoing inquiry. Mr Pearce will examine if adverse patient outcomes were contributed to by call-taking delays or other problems at ESTA, according to sources not authorised to comment publicly. A senior health source said they were aware of eight deaths and more serious events since October. In each case, the source said, callers had been unable to get through to the triple-zero service or had waited up to 15 minutes before talking to an operator. State Coroner Judge John Cain. Authorities have reported at least four deaths to the Coroners Court in which ESTA delays may have played a factor. The court, led by Judge John Cain, will await the outcome of Mr Pearces thematic review before considering whether to hold a major public inquiry.

Assessing the extent to which a call-answering delay may have contributed to a death is difficult because it may be hard to conclude the fatality would have been avoided by a speedier response. But the eight sources with knowledge of ESTAs operations all said the agency had been overwhelmed in January. We have been absolutely smashed, one source said. Two experienced ESTA ambulance call-takers also gave disturbing accounts of conditions inside the agency. They said that during the ongoing surge in demand, multiple Victorians were consistently waiting on hold to request what could be life-saving care. I used to feel whenever I came into work I would have at least one experience where I could say, I helped that person.  Emergency call-taker

Both call-takers have seen waiting times to connect to emergency ambulance operators blow out beyond 30 minutes in extreme circumstances, but say it is a daily occurrence for times to reach between five and 10 minutes. When you are in a situation where you are waiting for CPR or something ... seconds matter, one call-taker said. ESTA declined to provide data on call-response times this week, but sources within the triple-zero service or familiar with the data said the number of calls being answered within five seconds had fallen at times close to 10 per cent. A senior official said thousands of calls had taken more than eight minutes to be answered in December. One ESTA operator said they lived with the constant fear that among the calls waiting to be answered was a cardiac arrest, a car accident or a baby choking. Another operator described a wall board hanging at all the ESTA operations centres which changes colour depending on how long people have been waiting. Its meant to be a visual cue to the team leader to re-call staff back from their breaks if needed. If a call is waiting more than four minutes, the board flashes red.

The operator said the board was now almost always red. Loading Every now and again it goes orange, to indicate that [the wait] is less than four minutes. But its rare that its green where there are no calls waiting. It generally doesnt last more than a few minutes they said, adding staff were often missing their breaks or having them shortened. They estimated that in the past week people had generally been waiting between seven and 12 minutes. A one to two-minute wait used to be super busy, whereas now thats almost standard and acceptable, said one operator. You just dont think you are making a difference any more. I used to feel whenever I came into work I would have at least one experience where I could say, I helped that person.

We dont have that any more. Youre just constantly chasing your tail and constantly dealing with people in despair and difficult situations and theres just nothing you can do, they said, noting that even when they got to the call, there was often a shortage of ambulances available to dispatch. Both call-takers declined to be identified because they were not authorised to speak publicly. The triple-zero service is currently reporting an unprecedented number of calls, with ambulance calls averaging more than 3000 a day, up from 2400 in August. The increase has been blamed on people delaying everyday medical assistance during the pandemic, people misusing triple zero and increases in mental health emergencies and COVID-19 cases. The reform of ESTA is being led by an interim CEO, Stephen Leane, following the sudden departure of former agency boss Marty Smyth. Two other senior ESTA staff members have also recently left the agency in what insiders said was evidence of Mr Leanes far more aggressive reform ambition compared to Mr Smyth. In addition to the Inspector-General for Emergency Management inquiry, the state government has commissioned former police chief commissioner Graham Ashton to lead an independent review of ESTA and provided additional funding for 43 new staff to begin taking calls in February.

A government spokeswoman said the service continued to experience enormous spikes in demand. Loading As COVID-19 cases continue to surge, ESTA is offering overtime shifts to all workers, recalling employees seconded to other projects and giving incentive payments for people who are already trained in the job, including people who have left in the past year and those on paternity leave. Almost a dozen ambulance call-takers have been seconded from NSW Ambulance and student paramedics are undergoing training to assist staff. An ESTA spokesman urged the public to save triple zero for emergencies and use Nurse on Call instead where appropriate (1300 60 60 24), saying more than one-in-five calls received was not actually in need of an emergency ambulance.

Our triple-zero operators care deeply about the service they provide and the community they serve; any delays are unacceptable and we understand callers facing delays could be incredibly distressed, the spokesman said in a statement. Danny Hill, secretary of the Victorian Ambulance Union, which represents a number of ESTA call takers, said he was aware of instances in the past week where people waited up to 17 minutes to get through to triple zero. Paramedics are also speaking to the family members of cardiac patients and other sick people who had waited more than 10 minutes to reach a triple-zero operator. He said part of the problem was people thinking of triple zero as a one-stop-shop for everything COVID. Its not, its only for dealing with emergencies.
Two students accused of attempting to murder a teacher at Willetton Senior High School are due to appear before a judge next month after making a brief appearance in Perth Childrens Court on Tuesday.

The 13 and 14-year-old girls, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, were arrested on November 1 after one allegedly stabbed a year 8 co-ordinator on school grounds.

Two students accused of plotting to kill a teacher at Willetton Senior High School appeared in court on Tuesday. Credit:Lauren Pilat/Nine News Perth

It followed an alleged online plot devised by the pair to kill the woman and set fire to the southern suburbs school.

The girls, who are both on bail, did not acknowledge one another during their court appearances on Tuesday and left separately with their parents, without talking to journalists.
London: The boss of Heathrow Airport has called for the removal of testing for all vaccinated travellers after rules introduced to combat the Omicron variant of coronavirus saw 600,000 flight bookings cancelled in December alone.

The plea coincided with a World Health Organisation (WHO) prediction that by March half of Europes population would be infected with the highly transmissible variant that causes COVID-19.

Heathrow Airport management has called for an end to compulsory pre-departure testing. Credit:Getty Images

Spain also weighed in, calling on Europe to debate whether the time had come to treat COVID-19 like the flu.

Global travel restrictions introduced by governments in an effort to contain the pandemic have seriously hindered the aviation sector.
Washington: The Pacific may well be the part of the world most likely to see a strategic surprise, the US Indo-Pacific coordinator Kurt Campbell said, in comments apparently referring to possible Chinese ambitions to establish island bases in the region.

Campbell told Washingtons Centre for Strategic and International Studies on Monday (Tuesday AEDT) the United States has enormous moral, strategic, historical interests in the Pacific, but had not done enough to assist the region, unlike countries such as Australia and New Zealand.

Kurt Campbell says America needs to step up its game in helping Australia in the Indo-Pacific. Credit:Andrew Taylor

If you look and if you ask me, where are the places where we are most likely to see certain kinds of strategic surprise  basing or certain kinds of agreements or arrangements, it may well be in the Pacific, he told an Australia-focused panel.

Campbell called it the issue he was most concerned about over the next year or two, adding: And we have a very short amount of time, working with partners like Australia, like New Zealand, like Japan, like France, who have an interest in the Pacific, to step up our game across the board.
PHILIPSBURG:--- President of the Windward Islands Teachers Union (WITU), Stuart Johnson has expressed deep concern about the current state of St. Maartens educational system and the quality of learning for students.

He said the country has over 1500 Covid-19 active cases and it seems ad hoc decisions are the order of the day.

Johnson revealed that WITU has made two attempts via written correspondence to have a meeting with the Honorable Minister of Education drs. Rudolph Samuel but to no avail.

The WITU President said a message of reassurance for those educators affected directly or indirectly would have been expected by now but not a single word has been given to guide us through this quagmire."

On December 13, 2021 WITU met with representatives of the various school boards in a very fruitful meeting with one of the outcomes being a joint meeting with the Education Minister.

"The quality of education worries me daily as there is no vision or clear plan to guide us through this pandemic," Johnson said.

He continued, "Its unforgivable how our students and teachers are being treated. Put aside the proposed cost-cutting measures, I just want to see someone actually showing they genuinely care about what happens in education on St.Maarten," Johnson pleaded.

WITU is also worried about the exam and pre-exam classes of both primary and secondary schools, especially as we are approaching rapidly the Foundation Based Education (FBE) Group 8 Exams.

The WITU will be calling a general membership meeting with its members to apprise them of all the developments and to discuss the next steps forward.

I want a clear mandate from our membership as what is happening is affecting them daily and I am fearful of what is yet to come if we accept things blindly," Johnson added.

The closure of various schools and the high absenteeism of students/staff have the full attention of the WITU.

"I am calling on the relevant authorities to act as to make no mistake the WITU will do so if there is any more delay," Johnson concluded.
Somerset, KY (42501)

Today

Scattered thunderstorms in the morning, then mainly cloudy late. High 83F. Winds SW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 60%..

Tonight

Thunderstorms in the evening, then variable clouds overnight with still a chance of showers. Low 57F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 70%.
Indonesia's government may allow coal exports by Tuesday, a senior minister said on Monday, as pressure mounts on the world's biggest thermal coal exporter to end a ban imposed at New Year.

The suspension, which came after state power utility PLN reported critically low inventory levels of the fuel, sent global coal prices higher last week and prompted calls by Japan, South Korea and the Philippines for it to be eased. "End of today or tomorrow we can release some of the big vessels," Coordinating Minister of Maritime and Investment Affairs Luhut Pandjaitan said in an interview with CNBC on Monday.

Energy Minister Arifin Tasrif had earlier on Monday told Japan's industry minister Koichi Hagiuda that he hoped Indonesia may come to a decision in the coming days.

Hagiuda said Japanese companies wanted clarity from Indonesia. "Also, there are some Japanese ships that have already been loaded (with coal), so if it takes time to make an adjustment," he said. "We would like to ask you to at least allow those ships to leave for Japan."

Japan's embassy in Jakarta last week asked Indonesia to exclude from the ban high-calorific coal, which is not used by domestic power plants. Although authorities have said the coal supply emergency was over at PLN, the government has said other issues needed to be addressed before lifting the ban.
Kampala (Uganda) January 10, 2022 (SPS) - The Ugandan magazine "New Vision" published today, an article written by the Sahrawi diplomat, Ambassador of Saharawi republic to Uganda, Mr. Hamadi Bachir, entitled " Moroccos new membership in the African Union: Is it regrettable or not?

Below the full article :

After leaving OAU/AU voluntarily in the eighties of last century in protest against the membership of the Sahrawi Republic, Morocco, which is often proud of being more European than African, launched in 2016 desperate efforts in a robust campaign towards the African continent seeking readmission. Morocco gave many promises that have not been fulfilled to date, in order to mobilize support for rejoining the continental organization. Early 2017, Morocco was readmitted into the AU but without changing the reason for which it had left the organization. Since then, Morocco who clearly violates the AU Charter through illegally occupying parts of the national territory of Sahrawi Republic, sat next to their victim in the AU, who is a founding member of the continental organization!

Before accepting Moroccos membership in the AU, a heated debate raged among the member states that almost eroded the unions unity. Some countries demanded adherence to the principles of the charter and thus stay Moroccos readmission until it respects the right of the Sahrawi people to self-determination, but another group seemed they do not know the expansionist nature of the Moroccan regime. The latter insisted on accepting Moroccos membership arguing that it would be more positive within the African family. Recently, official documents have appeared documenting the bribes and inducements offered by Morocco to several African countries in exchange for voting in its favour to rejoin the AU.

Morocco's membership was greeted with warm welcome in the African Summit Hall. In his speech in front of African leaders summit, the Moroccan king himself (the only AU summit he attended) presented many lies and false promises disguising the real motive for seeking the readmission. Shortly after readmission, the real Moroccan intentions and plans Morocco tried to achieve under the African dome became clear. Goals were nothing but desperate attempts to influence the membership of the Saharawi state, dismantle the organizations consensus on clinging to the values of the continent, destroying the principles of the Charter and violating the spirit of preserving the peoples right to freedom and dignity.

A few months upon the readmission of Morocco, the AU Peace and Security Council summoned the two member states; the Sahrawi Republic and Morocco to discuss their differences, and find a solution. It was hoped that by the end of the discussion, Morocco would stop the violation of the African Charter and withdraw from the Sahrawi territories it occupies by force. This would be well in line with AU/UN settlement plan of 1988, which both parties signed but was blocked by Morocco for more than three decades. The Sahrawi Republic attended but the Kingdom of Morocco was absent without giving any reasons.

At the AU partnership summit with Japan held in Maputo/Mozambique, 2017, the Mozambican security forced out of the gates of the conference hall, the Moroccan delegation headed by Minister of Foreign Affairs Nasser Bouzita, as it sought by force to prevent the participation of Sahrawi delegation. This demonstrated a flagrant violation of the laws and procedures of the AU that guarantee the participation right for all member states. Thus, Morocco presented an ugly picture of the morals of Africa in front of the Japanese delegation that was looking at the skirmishes, quarrels, and the lack of modesty of the Moroccan delegation with astonishment. The scene resembled a fight in the jungles not a diplomatic meeting with a self-respecting continent.

Since its readmission, Morocco has influenced some African countries to join her in the violation of the AU Charter. For example, they have formerly opened illegal consulates in the Moroccan occupied cities of the Sahrawi Republic. The expansionist Moroccan regime was not satisfied with its unilateral violation of the values of the organization, and deliberately dragged other African member states to implicate them in breaking the spirit and laws of the union.

By the end of 2020, through its flagrant breach of the cease-fire agreement of 1991 signed with the Sahrawi Republic under AU/UN supervision, Morocco has torpedoed all its remaining credibility, discarding all the values and principles of AU which it sought to join by all legal and illegal means. By this violation, Morocco reignited the outbreak of war in the northwest of the continent, multiplied its violations of the rights of the Sahrawi people, killed dozens of civilians, continued to loot Saharawis natural resources, and prevented African and international observers from entering the occupied parts of Western Sahara.

Therefore, it is now clear that Morocco's quest to rejoin the African Union was not for the continent, neither was it an attempt to establish peace in Africa, nor an attempt to help advancing development and political situation of AU. By its actions, Morocco has proved to the countries which endorsed its readmission into the AU that they were misled, while those who rejected it were far sighted.

All severe violations to AU charter, principles and spirit committed by the Kingdom of Morocco show that the organization will regret the ill-considered decision it took granting Morocco an undeserved membership. More recently, Morocco worked hard under the table to force the controversial observer membership to Israel in AU, another evidence that this country is not in line with the African family spirit. It is expected that AU summit will be held this year at the beginning of February, it would be an opportunity for AUs atonement, to stop Moroccos unjustified intransigence, compel it to respect the principles and charter of the organization and to complete the decolonization of a member state Sahrawi Republic, the last colony of Africa.

Hamadi Bachir, Ambassador of Saharawi republic to Uganda.

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Three containers with almost 77 tonnes of waste consisting of unusable second-hand clothing, imported from Canada by a company from Mures County, were discovered by the authorities on Tuesday, in the seaport of Constanta. The entire quantity of waste will be returned to the sender, the Coast Guard informed on Tuesday, Agerpres reports.

There were 76,789 kilogrammes of clothing in the containers, extremely worn-out, which were not cleaned, disinfected or disinsected."On 11.01.2022, the border guards from the Coast Guard, in cooperation with customs inspectors from the Constanta Sud Customs Office, commissioners from the National Environmental Guard - Constanta County Commissariat and commissioners from the National Authority for Consumer Protection - Constanta County Commissariat carried out checks on three containers, loaded according to the accompanying documents with second-hand clothes, which were to be imported from Canada by a company from Mures County. After verifications, the authorities found 76,789 kg of extremely worn-out clothing, which were not cleaned, disinfected or disinsected," shows a press release of the Coast Guard.According to the same source, the representatives of the Environmental Guard and of the National Authority for Consumer Protection have established that this is, in fact, unusable waste and cannot be put up for sale in Romania, so that the entire load will be returned to the sender.The action benefited from the support of the European FRONTEX Agency.In this case, investigations are being carried out under the coordination of the Prosecutor's Office attached to the Constanta Court of Appeal, into waste import offences violating legal provisions in force, while introducing waste in Romania to get ride of it.
As many as 8,861 new cases of people infected with SARS-CoV-2 were recorded in the last 24 hours, 4,757 more than the previous day, with more than 73,000 tests being carried out, the Strategic Communication Group (GCS) reported on Tuesday, Agerpres reports.

Of the new cases, 991 are in patients who are reinfected, tested positive at a period of more than 180 days after the first infection.As of Tuesday, 1,857,502 cases of infection with the novel coronavirus have been registered in Romania, of which 15,459 are in reinfected patients, tested positive at a period of more than 180 days after the first pass through the disease.According to GCS, 1,760,487 patients were declared cured.At the national level, 11,226,970 RT-PCR tests and 6,397,111 rapid antigen tests were processed.In the last 24 hours, 22,619 RT-PCR tests were performed (11,611 based on case definition and medical protocol and 11,008 on request) and 50,907 rapid antigen tests.Apart from the newly confirmed cases, following the retesting of patients who were already positive, 468 people were reconfirmed positive with COVID-19.As many as 43 deaths - 22 men and 21 women - in patients infected with the novel coronavirus have been reported in the last 24 hours, the GCS reported.Of the 43 deaths, one was recorded in the age category 40 - 49 years, five in the age category 50 - 59 years, seven in the age category 60 - 69 years, nine in the age category 70 - 79 years and 21 in the category of age over 80 years.According to the GCS, 41 of the deaths were recorded in patients who had a medical history, one deceased patient had no comorbidities, and for another, no comorbidities have been reported so far.Of the 43 deceased patients, 38 were unvaccinated and five were COVID-19 vaccinated. The five patients vaccinated were aged 50 to 59 years and over 80 years and had comorbidities.Since the beginning of the pandemic, 59,070 people diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 infection have died in Romania.As many as 3,023 people infected with SARS-CoV-2 are hospitalized in health facilities, of which 173 are children, GCS said.According to GCS, 415 patients are hospitalized in the ICU wards, including eight children. Of the patients admitted to intensive care, 30 have a certificate attesting to the anti-COVID vaccination.According to the data existing in the alerte.ms application, at national level, there are 1,271 ICU beds for COVID-19 patients, of which 311 in Bucharest.Throughout Romania, 29,721 people confirmed with infection with the novel coronavirus are in isolation at home, and 2,975 in institutional isolation. Also, 47,595 people are in home quarantine and 61 are in institutional quarantine.The law enforcement staff applied, in the last 24 hours, 1,283 contravention sanctions, totaling 310,850 RON, as a result of violating the provisions of Law 55/2020 on some steps to prevent and combat the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the GCS reported on Tuesday.Also, through the competent structures of the Police, a criminal file was drawn up for the prevention of diseases, an act provided for and punished by article 352 of the Criminal Code.

The most new cases of infection with SARS-CoV-2 since the last report are in Bucharest - 1,045 and the counties of Suceava - 506, Timis - 456, Brasov - 422, Cluj - 398, Constanta - 397, Bihor - 366, Maramures - 307, the Strategic Communication Group informed on Tuesday.



The county of Cluj remains in the red scenario, having the highest infection rate in the country, at 4.04 cases per thousand inhabitants, which has gone up from the previous day, when it was 3.44.



The Capital City is in the yellow scenario regarding infection rate, having an incidence of 2.97 cases per thousand inhabitants, going up from the previous day, when the registered value was 2.57 per thousand inhabitants.
The organization of a joint meeting of the Governments of Romania and the Republic of Moldova represents the priority zero of the diplomacies of these states, Victor Chirila, the ambassador of the Republic of Moldova in Bucharest, declared on Tuesday.

According to him, the joint meeting of the executives of the two countries will take place "very soon" in Chisinau.

"The priority zero, in the short term, is to organize the joint meeting of the two Governments. The Embassy, of course, will also play an important role in this organization and we very much hope that this joint meeting, which will be very soon, will have concrete, significant results, in signing several essential agreements for our strategic partnership, first of all with the signing of the non-repayable Technical Assistance Agreement. (...) This meeting is essential for the way our strategic partnership will evolve," Chirila said.

President Klaus Iohannis received on Tuesday, at the Cotroceni Palace, the Ambassador of the Republic of Moldova in Bucharest, Victor Chirila, on the occasion of presenting the letters of credence
On the feast of Theophany, His Eminence Archbishop Teodosie officiated the Great Blessing of Waters on the seafront at the Tomis Harbour, expressing his hope that we will get through this difficult period: May we have joy all year long, and let us not be afraid of the future waves. With God, we are above the waves: God has overcome both the waves of the sea and the waves of sin.

We hope even now that the milder disease will be overcome this time with prayer, faith, with the power of God, and with holy water, he said January 6, 2022.

The feast day began with the celebration of the Divine Liturgy at the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul Cathedral in Constanta. After the Divine Liturgy, clerics and believers set off in procession to the seafront in Constanta, where the archbishop blessed the waters.

The ceremony was attended by the Honorary Guard consisting of Naval Forces soldiers and Naval Forces Band.

We pastors will do our duty to urge the people and bring them to more faith. Where there is faith, there is light, there is life, and there is joy, the Archbishop of Tomis added.

In the end, as part of the Epiphany ritual, His Eminence Archbishop Teodosie threw three crosses into the sea and rewarded those who retrieved them.
Foreign Minister Bogdan Aurescu said on Tuesday, at the death of European Parliament President David Sassoli, that Europe had lost "a great spirit and a true promoter of the European project".

The head of the Romanian diplomacy was present at a press conference that marked, in Bucharest, the takeover by France of the presidency of the Council of the European Union. At the beginning of the event, a moment of silence was held in Sassoli's memory.

"I would like to begin by expressing my deep sadness at the disappearance of a great European: David Sassoli, President of the European Parliament, journalist, politician, defender of European values. I extend my sincere condolences to his family. Europe has lost a great spirit and a true promoter of the European project," said Bogdan Aurescu.

The European Commission Representation in Bucharest also sent a message on Facebook in memory of the former President of the European Parliament.

"We are deeply saddened by the terrible loss of a great European and proud Italian. David Sassoli was a compassionate journalist and a remarkable President of the European Parliament. Our thoughts are with his family," reads the message.

European Parliament President David Sassoli passed away on Tuesday at the age of 65, Agerpres informs.
The subprefect of Timis County, Ovidiu Draganescu, said on Tuesday that the phenomenon of migration had gained momentum in recent years in the western part of the country, reaching a peak in 2021, when almost 75,000 people who attempted to enter the country illegally were stopped at the border by the policemen from the Timisoara Border Police Inspectorate (IPTF), which is in charge with the area that includes the Timis, Caras-Severin and Mehedinti counties.

"It's a phenomenon that gained momentum in 2020 and peaked in 2021. Nearly 75,000 people who wanted to cross the border illegally [into Serbia - editor's note] were stopped last year, compared to less than half of those recorded in 2020, and 6,170 persons, respectively, in 2019. This is an exponential increase in the last two years compared to what we had in 2017 - 2019. We acted in an integrated system (...) The border committee that finds these migrants on the territory of the country treats them as asylum seekers, and even as humanitarian cases," said Ovidiu Draganescu, during a press conference on the phenomenon of migration in the county.

However, more than 7,304 migrants managed to enter the country illegally last year, having been taken to the Timisoara Border Police headquarters. As many as 5,295 of them were found to be asylum seekers, 2,009 were found without documents, and 708 people were handed over to the Serbian authorities based on the readmission agreement.

The head of the Timis Public Health Directorate, dr. Flavius Cioca, explained that the institution was also overburdened by this, as it tested more than 5,000 people quarantined after entering the country from Serbia, and 44 cases of COVID were detected, Agerpres informs.
The National Institute of Public Health (INSP) reported on Tuesday that the criteria for significant community transmission of the Omicron variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus at the national level have been met, Agerpres reports.

According to INSP, in the week of January 3-9, 203 cases with the Omicron variant were confirmed.As of January 9, 295 Omicron cases have been confirmed: 28.1% (83 cases) have a travel history to the UK (32), Italy (11), South Africa (8), Tanzania (6), Nigeria (5), Spain (4), USA (3), Austria (2), Bulgaria (2), UAE (2), France (2), Belgium (1), Cyprus (1), Mexico (1), The Netherlands (1), Portugal (1), DR Congo (1).Moreover, 9.2% (27 cases) are in 18 family outbreaks, totaling 58 cases of COVID-19. The outbreaks were detected in Bucharest (10) and the counties of Cluj (2), Iasi (2), Arges (1), Brasov (1), Calarasi (1), Prahova (1). Of the outbreaks, 11 reported a history of travel/contact with a person arriving from France (1), Spain (1), the United States (1), and the United Kingdom (8).According to the INSP, 13 cases were epidemiologically related to a COVID-19 case; 135 cases have no epidemiological link mentioned, and 37 cases - could not be contacted.Of the 295 confirmed cases with Omicron, 192 (65%) had been vaccinated, of which 191 (99%) had a complete vaccination schedule.No deaths were reported in confirmed cases with Omicron, the INSP said.
The Minister of National Defence, Vasile Dincu, received David Muniz, the charge d'affaires of the US Embassy in Bucharest, on Tuesday.

The agenda of the discussions focused on bilateral relations for the next period, in the context of the implementation of the provisions of the Roadmap dedicated to cooperation in the field of defence for the period 2020-2030, reads a Defence Ministry press release.

During the conversation, the two officials also addressed the current challenges of the security environment, with a focus on those in the Black Sea area, in the light of recent developments in the region, the quoted source said.

The Romanian dignitary underlined the solidity of the Strategic Partnership and its importance for the modernization process of the Romanian Army and thanked the American partner for the very good level of bilateral cooperation.

At the same time, the Romanian Minister of Defence conveyed appreciation for the US support on strengthening NATO's deterrent and defense position on the Eastern flank and in the Black Sea region, emphasizing the importance of this region in the equation of ensuring the security of the Eastern flank of the Alliance, Agerpres informs.
The "Education on Climate Change and the Environment in Sustainable Schools" report, drawn up by the Working Group on Climate Change and Environmental Education set up at the level of the Presidential Administration, will be launched for public debate on Tuesday, at the Cotroceni Presidential Palace, Agerpres reports.

"On Monday, President Klaus Iohannis promulgated the bill laying the groundwork for a strategy on environmental education and encouraging the development of students' environmental skills, by including them in the areas of competence of the national curriculum for primary and secondary education. The report "Education on Climate Change and the Environment in Sustainable Schools" to be launched for public debate tomorrow [Wednesday, ed.n.], is a first step in concretely developing this strategy," informs the Presidential Administration.According to the cited source, President Iohannis has constantly promoted education, environmental protection and the fight against climate change as priority topics of his mandates. In order to generate public policies and concrete solutions in these fields, the head of state decided to organize, at the level of the Presidential Administration, various working formats, some more wide-ranging, carried out over several years, such as those that were completed with the 'Educated Romania' project, others on specific topics, such as the working group on "Combating Climate Change: An Integrated Approach", set up at the beginning of 2022.The Working Group on Climate Change and Environmental Education has been in operation since 2021, bringing together representatives of the Presidential Administration, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Environment, Waters and Forests, of educational institutions, students, teachers, and parents, as well as of NGOs with relevant experience.The main objective of this working group is to contribute to the improvement of the quality of education on climate change and the environment, by developing a climate education program at national level. The Presidential Administration points out that one of the main criteria considered for the selection of the members of the group was previous experience in the elaboration and implementation of educational projects in the field of climate change and the environment.The working group met constantly throughout 2021 to address issues related to infrastructure, teacher training, curricular area, teaching materials, digital tools for climate education, educational activities in nature, so on and so forth. All these elements were summarized in the report titled "Education on Climate Change and the Environment in Sustainable Schools", which will be launched for public debate on Tuesday, at the Cotroceni Presidential Palace."The document is aimed at pre-university education and widening access to education on climate change and the environment, and includes a number of concrete proposals and measures. Once implemented, all of these will increase students' exposure to information on climate change factors. At the same time, the practical component was taken into account, thus providing the students with the context to get involved, during their schooling, in hands-on activities of environmental protection," shows the Presidential Administration.On Monday, the head of state posted on his Facebook page a video of students and young people voicing their support for climate change education.
France will make "every effort" to contribute to the expansion of the Schengen Area, showing that Romania already meets the technical criteria in this regard, French Ambassador in Bucharest Laurence Auer said on Tuesday.

She attended a conference marking France's takeover of the presidency of the Council of the European Union for the next six months. She was accompanied by the Romanian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bogdan Aurescu, and the Head of the Representation of the European Commission in Bucharest, Ramona Chiriac.

"During these six months, we will make every effort to contribute to the expansion of the Schengen Area, to include Romania," the French diplomat said. Laurence Auer spoke about the fact that Romania already meets the technical criteria for inclusion.

"I have stated several times that Romania has met all the criteria, passed all the technical tests so that it is ready to join the Schengen Area (...) We are ready to work to expand the Schengen Area. Now we work on the connection between the package of measures for Schengen and for asylum and migration in order to strengthen the Schengen Area," the diplomat said, according to the official translation.

She underscored that, in this context, "we are all involved in decisions that require consensus."

"The French presidency does not have a specific plan for this expansion of the Schengen Area, there is no precise timetable for the EU Council, because in the Schengen file we also have the need to strengthen the customs code. The two exercises, from the point of view of the presidency, the enlargement and the strengthening must take place simultaneously, in order to have a harmonious Schengen Area as a whole and (...) we aim to make an area in which the Schengen member states can help each other," Laurence Auer said.

For her part, Ramona Chiriac pointed out that "Romania has its role, clearly established in the future architecture of the Schengen Area, of a Schengen Area that the European Commission wants to be robust and able to respond to the various threats we will have to face."

"The clear message of the European Commission regarding Romania's membership of the Schengen Area is that Romania meets all the technical criteria and that now the political decision will be unanimously up to the Council of the European Union and in this sense we welcome the priority of the French Presidency in this respect," said the Head of the Representation of the European Commission in Romania.

Minister Bogdan Aurescu said that "the recent development, including in the context of the pandemic, has shown us that the fragmentation of the Schengen Area, by maintaining internal borders, can have a negative impact on the integrity and functioning of the single market."

"Romania supports a perfectly integrated Schengen Area, which will also include the functioning of the single market. Regarding the new dimension, which imprints a political dimension on the Schengen Area, Romania's accession to the Schengen Area remains a priority objective, since our country checked all the accession criteria a few years ago," highlighted the Minister, according to the official translation, Agerpres informs.
The Minister of Justice, Catalin Predoiu, on Tuesday had a meeting with the Indian Ambassador to Romania, Rahul Shrivastava, in which context they discussed the development of bilateral judicial cooperation between the two countries, and migration.

According to a press release of the Ministry of Justice sent to AGERPRES, the meeting addressed issues such as judicial cooperation in criminal and civil matters, as well as migration issues and international legal assistance of the citizens of the two countries.During the talks, Minister Predoiu mentioned the expectations for Romanians tried in Indian courts to benefit from a fair and impartial trial, while referring thus to two concrete cases tried in the state of Kerala.
The Minister of National Defence, Vasile Dincu, received on Tuesday, at the headquarters of the Ministry of Defence, the visit of the Ambassador of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to Romania, Andrew Noble, with whom he spoke about regional security challenges.

According to a release from the Ministry of Defence, the Minister of Defence reiterated "the concern about the consolidation of Russia's military presence in the vicinity of the Alliance".

At the same time, it emphasized the position of the Romanian side on the need to strengthen NATO's deterrent and defence stance in a coherent and comprehensive manner on the entire Eastern flank, including the Black Sea.

Vasile Dincu appreciated the support of the British partner for consolidating the allied position in the Black Sea region, by participating in reinforced air police missions, the constant presence of military ships in the Black Sea, as well as by participating in military exercises or NATO structures in Romania.

The meeting was also a good opportunity to address practical cooperation issues, with a view to continuing the bilateral projects envisaged for the current year. The exchange of views also included other topics on the Allied agenda, ahead of the NATO Summit in Madrid in June, the source said, Agerpres informs.
President Klaus Iohannis sent, on Tuesday, a message of condolences upon the death of the President of the European Parliament, David Sassoli, emphasizing that he was a friend of Romania and a leader who fought for European values and principles, Agerpres reports.

"Deeply saddened by the sudden passing away of David Sassoli @EP_President. He was a friend of Romania and a leader who fought for European values and principles. His European legacy will endure. My thoughts are with his family," President Iohannis wrote, on Tuesday, on Twitter.The President of the European Parliament, David Sassoli has died, on Tuesday, at the age of 65. He was admitted to the hospital in the Italian city of Aviano.
President Klaus Iohannis stated, on Tuesday, that education is one of the "pillars of improving response" to climate change, Agerpres reports.

"Education, environment protection and combating climate change are priority topics for my mandate as President. They are essential domains, on which political stakeholders are still leaning on too little and that's exactly why I organized at the level of the Presidential Administration working groups, reflection groups, to produce a series of concrete proposals. Such a demarche was the one finalized through the elaboration of the 'Educated Romania' project, which, through the record sums obtained through the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, is finally gaining financial allotments in order to be put into practice. Continuing the 'Educated Romania' project, I have decided, throughout 2021, at the level of the Presidential Administration, to establish a working group on the topic of education regarding climate change and the environment," said the head of state, at the Cotroceni Presidential Palace, at the launching in public debate of the report "Education regarding climate change and the environment in sustainable schools," drawn up by the Working group on climate change and environmental education established, in 2021, at the level of the Presidential Administration.He showed that the report launched in debate signals a series of problems, but also presents solutions, both to widen access to education regarding environment protection and to combat the effects of climate change, as well as for the underpinning of a green school infrastructure.The head of state stated his conviction that, at the level of society, there are also other actors which may contribute to the implementation in the best form of the proposals.He showed that in the education regarding climate change and the environment at the pre-university level it is essential to place emphasis on the pupil."The schools in which our pupils learn must themselves become examples of good practices in matters of sustainability, in order to inspire pupils to adopt an adequate behavior to protect the environment. The benefits of a green educational infrastructure are indisputable, scientifically proven, from the creation of a much more adequate environment for the development of children, to the increase of educational quality and school performance," said President Iohannis.President Iohannis expressed his absolute confidence that the Government will approach with full openness and responsibility the accomplishment of this priority national objective, in close partnership with the association environment, the private environment, but also with representatives of youths."I desire in the next stage to amplify at the international level cooperation in matters of education regarding these topics. I am convinced that Romania will find many partners, because no state is immune to the effects of environment degradation and climate change, and education is an important instrument in counteracting them," Iohannis also said.
President Klaus Iohannis on Tuesday welcomed, at the Cotroceni Presidential Palace, the ambassadors of Algeria, Qatar and the Republic of Moldova to Romania, on which occasion the latter presented their letters of credence.

"The President of Romania, Klaus Iohannis, received on Tuesday, at the Cotroceni Palace, the approved ambassador of the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria to Romania, Menad Habbak, the approved ambassador of the State of Qatar in Romania, Osama Yousef AA Alqaradawi, and the approved ambassador of the Republic of Moldova to Romania, Victor Chirila. President Klaus Iohannis wished the new ambassadors success in fulfilling their mandate, assuring them of the full support of the Romanian authorities in this regard," reads a press release sent to AGERPRES by the Presidential Administration.

According to the same source, during the meeting with the ambassador of the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria, Menad Habbak, Iohannis highlighted the good level of the bilateral relationship between the two countries, in the context of this year's 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Romania and Algeria.

"President Klaus Iohannis underscored the interest in relaunching political dialogue as well as in strengthening economic relations and sectoral cooperation in areas of common interest. The Algerian ambassador appreciated the very good bilateral relationship between the two states and the interest in expanding and diversifying Romanian-Algerian cooperation, especially in the field of agriculture and information technology," reads the press release.

During his talks with Qatar Ambassador Osama Yousef A. A. Alqaradawi, President Iohannis welcomed the very good status of the political and diplomatic dialogue and reaffirmed Romania's interest in deepening it.

"During the meeting with the Ambassador of the Republic of Moldova, Victor Chirila, the President of Romania evoked the sustained and substantial bilateral political dialogue of the last period, which offers the opportunity of an applied and comprehensive approach to the sectoral agenda and the establishment of solid benchmarks for advancing common priority projects. President Klaus Iohannis reaffirmed Romania's commitment to give full support to the Chisinau Government's transformation, modernization and implementation of reforms, in the spirit of the Strategic Partnership for European Integration between the two states. Moreover, they evoked the future joint meeting of the two countries governments, which will take place in the next period to focus, with concrete cooperation decisions and solutions, on the common priority areas and projects," informs the Presidential Administration, Agerpres informs.
European member of Parliament, Eugen Tomac, is declaring himself "deeply shocked by the earth-shattering news" regarding the death of the president of the European Parliament, David Sassoli, Agerpres reports.

"He was a brave politician, full of courage, he was appreciated as a journalist in Italy and a staunch European who firmly militated for defending human rights all around the world. It is a sad day for us all, we had a lot of respect for him, we appreciated his diplomacy and commitment with which he led one of the most important institutions of the European Union during these awful times, that bring sad news every day and seem to have no end in sight. I am sending my thoughts to all those close to president Sassoli and I am offering my sincerest condolences, it is a heavy loss for the entire Europe," Tomac wrote on his Facebook page.The President of the European Parliament, David Sassoli, died during the night between Monday and Tuesday, at the age of 65.
With increasingly more fishermen from Romania's eastern Dobrogea giving up their traditional activity and leaving abroad, an association in the village of Sinoe - Constanta County is hiring workforce from Bulgaria and Turkey; this situation is caused both by the low income from fishing and the lack of continuity in this activity.

57-year-old Valeri Zuda is one of the few lucky fishermen of Jurilovca - Tulcea County, because he lives on his pension after decades of work on offshore oil rigs."Surviving as a small commercial fisherman is impossible, especially during this period. You set off to the lake once a week, catch 20-30 kilograms, but fish sells for petty money and one cannot make enough. One could just prepare it at home for one's own use, but the money from fishing is not enough to pay your bills," Zuda told AGERPRES.He adds that in Jurilovca the number of fishermen has fallen to 15 percent compared to a few decades ago, after people went to work abroad."The fishermen have left because one cannot make ends meet. Now they live in foreign countries like Scotland or Ireland, and so the traditions and absolutely everything is going lost. The fishermen will disappear. If no action is taken, the last ones left will move out too and fishing rooms will no longer be heard of," Valeri Zuda says.In the nearby village of Sinoe, the 'Grindul Lupilor' association has only 30 fishermen working of the nearly 200 from 10 years ago, and the association's president Eugen Dragoi says that this is the effect of the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve Administration's decision to no longer issue permits for trading companies, so that there is a long activity break every year."Without these permits we can no longer use the manpower from December until April-May, when fishing at sea begins. So we had to lay people off. Some of the men we kept and gave them work to the extent available. The fired fishermen have gone to other countries for work," said the president of the 'Grindul Lupilor' association.Eugen Dragoi explains that in the absence of Romanian workers, the association's seven vessels are manned with fishermen from Bulgaria and Turkey."We have three Bulgarians who instruct Romanian fishermen, because our people have moved to better paid activities. Now it's the Bulgarians and Turks who do the sea fishing in Romania, because we cannot guarantee employment continuity for our men. The number of Romanian fishermen is going down every year while that of foreign fishermen is rising," Dragoi said.According to him, Romania currently has 27 fishing vessels in the Black Sea.
Goldfish is growing up.

Pepperidge Farm, which makes the crackers, is rolling out a new line of snacks called Goldfish Mega Bites, which is designed to appeal to adults. Mega Bites come in two flavors: Sharp Cheddar and Cheddar Jalapeno.

The Mega Bites crackers, which are larger than traditional Goldfish, are available for purchase now for a suggested retail price of $2.69 per 5.9 oz. bag.

Keep scrolling for 8 healthy snacks to pack for long drives

During the pandemic, stressed out and home-bound consumers turned to snacks and comfort foods. The demand for nostalgic products helped boost sales of these types of products, and Goldfish was no exception.

Campbell Soup, which owns Pepperidge Farm, said that in 2020 sales of snacks jumped 5%, thanks in part to Goldfish. In the third quarter of this year, Goldfish sales continued to grow  even as other Campbell products declined. Campbell hopes Mega Bites will help inject even more growth into the powerful Goldfish brand by broadening its appeal.

"Nostalgia has and continues to be huge with snacking and providing a sense of comfort, especially the past two years," Janda Lukin, Chief Marketing Officer at Campbell Snacks, told CNN Business. "With Mega Bites, we're giving adult consumers  many of whom grew up eating Goldfish  a new way to experience their beloved snack."

Grown-up flavors and cocktail pairings

Pepperidge Farm launched Goldfish in the United States in 1962. At first, the snacks were targeted toward adults: Early on, the crackers were marketed as a bar snack, said Lukin. Julia Child, she noted, used to pair Goldfish with her upside-down martinis.

Since the 1990s, however, Goldfish has been marketed as a kids' snack. But adults never stopped eating them.

In fact, "about 47% of Goldfish buyers don't have children in their household," said Lukin. "Capitalizing on this opportunity, we've been on a mission to expand our audience and become a beloved brand for adults," she said.

To appeal to grown consumers, Goldfish has been experimenting with spicy flavors.

In the spring, Goldfish teamed up with Franks' RedHot on a limited-time hot-sauce flavored line of Goldfish. And in September, it introduced another limited-time spicy flavor, Jalapeno Popper. That item launched in partnership with JNCO, maker of the the extra-wide jeans popular in the '90s, to up the nostalgia factor.

Goldfish has also been returning to its roots by suggesting cocktail pairings with its signature snack. One recent video posted to the brand's TikTok page showcased eating Goldfish Vanilla Cupcake Grahams while sipping an espresso martini.

"We've heard anecdotally that many adult Goldfish consumers enjoy the crackers alongside their favorite adult beverage," Lukin said. "We worked with our chefs to develop some ways to perfectly pair different types of Goldfish with different beverages." (Mega Bites, she noted, is not supposed to be a bar snack. Instead, it's designed as a "hand-to-mouth munchable snack.")

Campbell is not the only brand leaning on nostalgia to satisfy consumers. PepsiCo recently brought back Crystal Pepsi for a limited time, and McDonald's returned Hi-C to restaurants last year after a nearly four-year hiatus.

***

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Tony Messenger Tony Messenger is the metro columnist for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Follow Tony Messenger 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

Nearly two years ago, University of Missouri President Mun Choi issued a shocking statement to his employees that was meant to tamp down some simmering dissent related to his authority.

If you are a leader, a senior leader at the university, and you dont agree with the philosophy of the university or you dont trust the motivations of the senior leaders, then I think you should leave, Choi said.

Some university leaders had expressed dismay over Chois handling of a dispute over a Thomas Jefferson statue on campus. Some students wanted it removed because Jefferson was a slave owner. Choi spoke those words during a Zoom meeting, because the COVID-19 pandemic had shut down most in-person meetings and classes.

That pandemic has hit a new, dangerous phase, with the omicron variant spreading like wildfire. Every day brings a new record in terms of cases and hospitalizations. Health care facilities are crowded and they are facing a true emergency, even though Gov. Mike Parson has decided on his own that one no longer exists.

Responding Tuesday morning to the reality of the rising numbers and hospitalizations among his students, staff and the communities where his campuses are situated, Choi did what a responsible leader does. He went to his bosses, the University of Missouri Board of Curators, and asked the board members to approve the same sort of limited mask mandate that helped the university system get through other phases of the pandemic.

In a vote tilted more toward Republican politics than public health, the leaders of the states flagship research institution said no. Chois bosses, the people who hire him, who set policy at the University of Missouri, the senior leaders, of the states largest public university, said no to science, no to public health, sending a message that they dont even respect the research conducted on the campuses they are entrusted to lead.

They are hardly alone.

The night before, in Wentzville, Superintendent Curtis Cain, the reigning superintendent of the year in Missouri, asked his board of education to reinstitute a mask mandate. In Wentzville, and in nearly every public school district in the St. Louis region, chaos reigns as COVID-19 has devastated staffing. Teachers, administrators and support personnel are hospitalized or quarantined; there arent enough substitutes to handle classes. Some districts went to mask optional policies after threats of frivolous lawsuits issued by Attorney General Eric Schmitt, who is using the pandemic as a political launching pad for his run for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate.

Cains board, like Chois, told him no. Let the kids get sick. Never mind that pediatric hospitalizations are breaking records. No mandates, they say, repeating the ridiculous mantra put forth by Schmitt and Parson.

Politics is literally killing our health care workers, our teachers and principals, our neighbors. More than 800,000 Americans have died; our hospitals are overwhelmed, and our educational institutions are bowing to the pressure of constant political attacks from Republicans making up falsehood after falsehood in an attempt to weaken already underfunded public schools.

Its time for leaders to lead.

For Choi, that means he either needs to follow his own advice and let the curators know he can no longer mesh his philosophy with theirs, and thus resign; or he can stand up to them, blaze a path forward that puts students and faculty first, and let the chips fall where they may.

In all of his ridiculous, over-the-top speeches on Fox News and vapid, poll-tested Tweets, Schmitt tells his voters hes a fighter. Well, its time to give him a fight. Its time for school boards, for Choi, for students, teachers and regular, everyday parents and Missourians to stand up to the political bullies and do what we have to do to save lives and bring about a quicker end to this pandemic.

Vaccines work. Masks work. The science produced by our states universities prove it.

Follow the science or get out of town.

From City Hall to the Capitol, metro columnist Tony Messenger shines light on what public officials are doing, tells stories of the disaffected, and brings voice to the issues that matter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.
ST. LOUIS  St. Louis police Chief John Haydens phone lights up  day or night  when theres a homicide in the city.

Heading into 2021, after the city had seen a history-making surge in murders in 2020, the chief was bracing for another year with his phone abuzz with bad news.

But sometime last spring, the surge began to wane.

St. Louis criminal homicides fell about 26% last year  to 195 from 263 in 2020. That returned the citys total to near its average in the five years before 2020. In each of those years, the citys homicide rate led the nations big cities.

Still, 2021 moved in the right direction. For that, Hayden is thankful, he told the Post-Dispatch this week.

That surge was definitely noticeable. I had a lot of sleepless nights.

Meanwhile, St. Louis County police  the areas next-largest law enforcement agency  investigated about 28% more murders last year within the departments jurisdiction, which covers more than a third of the county. The 55 killings marked the most in the county police jurisdiction since at least 1984, according to department and FBI crime data.

There were an average of 36 homicides in the same area in the previous five years.

St. Louis County police Sgt. John Wall, of the robbery and homicide investigations unit, said personal feuds, domestic killings and the prevalence of guns may be driving that trend.

Theres parts of North County where just about everybody over 12 has access to a gun, Wall said. So thats part of the problem.

Comprehensive law enforcement data on homicides for the entire county is not available, as many of the more than 55 police agencies in the county have not submitted final totals to the Missouri Highway Patrol, which compiles the states crime stats.

But there were at least 89 killings in the county in 2021, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatchs homicide tracker, which launched online this week and is derived from news coverage of killings in the region.

That compares with 114 murders reported countywide in 2020, and an average of 78 annually in the five years before that, according to Missouri Highway Patrol police data.

The city drop

St. Louis fared better than many other large cities in 2021.

Homicide totals returned to pre-pandemic levels here, while other big-city departments saw killings continue to rise following the 2020 spike.

The warmest months, which typically spark the most homicides, drove the citys drop. From May through August last year, the citys murder count fell by more than half to 63, compared with 136 in 2020.

Hayden said his departments work targeting the most violent areas and people, as well as an easing of some desperation and anxiety caused by the pandemic, may be factors behind the reduction in murders.

I think theyll be studying that for a long time, but thats at least one explanation, he said.

St. Louis Mayor Tishaura O. Jones told the Post-Dispatch in an interview that changes her administration made in policing have moved the citys homicide totals in the right direction.

Her public safety director, former St. Louis police chief Dan Isom, introduced new policing strategies over the summer, adding more officers on duty during high crime times and in areas where crime was spiking.

The department continued to support the Cops and Clinicians program launched by previous Mayor Lyda Krewsons administration in January 2021. The program puts mental health professionals in police cars with St. Louis officers to provide resources to people in crisis at crime scenes. The program has logged more than 3,700 interactions since it was launched, according to city data.

The mayor has said the goal of the program is to improve community relationships with police and help defuse crises before they escalate to violence.

Ive said over and over and over again that this is an all-hands-on-deck effort that is going to take everybody doing their part, not only in law enforcement, but also in the community, Jones said. She added: But again, one homicide is one too many. We know that we have a long way to go.

This year, Jones said, her administration plans to dedicate $5 million to expand Cure Violence, a violence-reduction program that hires people from high-crime areas to works as interrupters. They help people to find jobs and get other support while also de-escalating conflicts before guns are drawn.

Neighborhoods for the expansion have not yet been selected, Jones said. The program launched in 2020 and is operating in parts of five neighborhoods: Walnut Park East, Walnut Park West, Hamilton Heights, Wells-Goodfellow and Dutchtown.

Overall, homicides have dropped in the Cure Violence neighborhoods. Totals from all areas went from 54 in 2019, to 55 in 2020 and 30 in 2021.

Cases cleared

The homicide rate wasnt the only improvement in the city in 2021.

Reports of violent crimes  homicides, manslaughter, rape and aggravated assaults  were down about 11% overall in the city through October compared with 2020, according to the most recent available data published by St. Louis police. City police changed systems for tracking crime statistics in 2021, but the Bureau of Criminal Justice Statistics found the change should typically account for about a 1% increase in violent crime totals.

St. Louis police also registered the departments highest murder clearance rate since 2012.

City police had a clearance rate of 55% last year. That puts St. Louis on par with the national average of about 54% of homicide cases cleared, according to FBI statistics. In 2020, the citys rate was just 36%.

Clearance rates divide the homicide cleared that year, regardless of what year the solved cases occurred in, by the number of homicides in the current year. That means the high number of unsolved homicides in 2020 could contribute to the higher clearance rate in 2021.

Fifteen cases in which police made an arrest but St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kimberly M. Gardners office declined to file charges in 2021 are included in the 108 homicides considered cleared by police.

Hayden said he thinks improved cooperation from witnesses helped the department close more homicide cases.

Were getting seemingly more cooperation with folks that are telling us more information, he said. And so again, I think that all goes toward showing that the relationship between the community and the police is improving, when people are willing to share more.

Average caseloads for homicide detectives also fell in the city from 10 each in 2020, to eight in 2021. Hayden redirected the departments six gang unit detectives to help homicide investigators this year to ease the workload, he said.

Since 2016, St. Louis homicide detectives had handled an average of nine to 13 cases a year, far higher than the three to six recommended by policing experts, the Post-Dispatch reported in 2021.

Homicides in the city continue to be concentrated in north St. Louis, which encompasses eight of the nine neighborhoods with the most killings last year. About 91% of homicide victims in the city last year were Black. A gun was the sole weapon used in 95% of the killings.

Fifteen of the citys homicide victims were younger than 17, a drop from 17 the year before.

While St. Louis trends improved, homicides were up about 6.5% through 2021 in the nations 99 largest cities, according to the most recent data collected by crime analyst Jeff Asher, a co-founder of AH Datalytics.

As St. Louis killings mount, city detectives face 'overwhelming' caseloads Experts recommend homicide detectives be assigned three to six cases a year. In St. Louis last year they averaged 10 cases.

Murder was up last year in 65 of those 99 big cities.

Self-defense claims

Within the last four years, St. Louis police have seen a jump in a category of killings not counted in the citys criminal homicide total: self-defense.

There were 26 killings classified as justifiable by police last year. The large majority of those did not involve a law enforcement officer but rather a claim of self-defense made by a civilian, according to department data.

Before 2018, the city had averaged about seven justified homicides a year. The number increased to 10 in 2019 and 16 in 2020.

Hayden said Missouris self-defense and gun laws are driving the upward trend.

Over the past 15 years, the state Legislature has repealed requirements for gun permits and safety training to carry a concealed weapon. At the same time, legislators expanded legal safeguards for use of a gun in self-defense, including in 2016 removing the requirement that people attempt to back away from trouble in public before using deadly force if there is fear of bodily harm.

People are more comfortable with making a challenge, Hayden said. A lot of our homicides are personal disputes and the challenge (of) self-defense is something that I think has been offered quite a bit more often.

Adding self-defense killings into the citys homicide count, total homicides would still have dropped 22% in 2021 from 2020.

County police increase

As in the city, homicides in St. Louis County are intensely concentrated to the north.

The Post-Dispatch homicide tracker found 85 of the 89 killings recorded in 2021 occurred north of Interstate 64 (Highway 40) and more than 70% of them happened north of Interstate 70.

Wall, the county homicide sergeant, said that beyond the prevalence of guns, he thinks the rise of social media may play a role in disputes growing so heated that they end in violence.

People are angrier. Its getting to the point of pulling out a gun faster, he said.

Despite the rise in killings in 2021, the county police jurisdictions homicide rate  about 14 murders for every 100,000 residents  remained far lower than in St. Louis. The city saw about 65 murders for every 100,000 residents last year.

The Post-Dispatch homicide tracker shows county homicides in 2021 clustered in communities near the city.

Police leaders acknowledged an increasing number of crimes spanning the city-county border when they launched a pilot program in 2020 to combine efforts in Jennings in the county and the citys Walnut Park West neighborhood.

Crime doesnt know geographical boundaries, which is why its in the regions best interest to address public safety together, then-Mayor Krewson said at the time.

About 80% of 2021 homicides investigated by St. Louis County police by early December were committed with a firearm.

In recent years, Wall said a new category of cases has emerged with parents charged after their young children were killed or seriously injured through contact with the drug fentanyl.

Parents were charged with exposing their young children to fentanyl in at least four cases in St. Louis County last year, including at least one homicide. One-year-old Emya Woods died in August from fentanyl exposure.

County homicide detectives handled an average caseload of 10 to 12 cases each, and their clearance rate was high  96%, according to department statistics.

We put in an extreme amount of hours. Thats what people dont understand the most, Wall said. These guys are canceling vacations, missing off days, missing birthdays. You work until the work is done.

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ST. CHARLES COUNTY  Two people killed Saturday in a plane crash in rural St. Charles County were both experienced pilots from Ohio on a flight to pick up cargo in Denver, authorities said at a news conference Tuesday.

George King, 55, of Westerville, Ohio, and Amanda Youngblood, 35, of Huber Heights, Ohio, were killed in the crash about 7:15 p.m. Saturday off Highway F in a wooded area near the New Melle area, roughly 6 miles northwest of Defiance.

No one else was on board the plane, said air safety investigator Mike Folkerts with the National Transportation Safety Board.

Both pilots worked for cargo airline AirNet II LLC, based in the Columbus, Ohio, area.

The pilots aircraft, a 1981 twin-engine Beechcraft Baron 58, took off from Spirit of St. Louis Airport in Chesterfield about 9 minutes before the crash. It had reached an altitude of 8,000 feet before sliding into a rapid descent.

Folkerts said the crash included a higher speed of impact than is typical in crash investigations.

The plane was headed to pick up cargo that it was to return to St. Louis from Centennial Airport outside of Denver.

The cause of the crash is still under investigation, Folkerts said. The plane fragments have been recovered from the scene, he said.

The plane did not have a flight data recorder nor cockpit voice recorder onboard, but NTSB and Federal Aviation Administration investigators will be analyzing the pilots information, the plane, air traffic control recordings as well as home security camera video that captured the crash to determine the cause, Folkerts said.

Our goal is to try to prevent the next accident, so we try to keep as broad a perspective as we can, Folkerts said.

The pilots did not transmit a distress call to air traffic control before the crash, but Folkerts said investigators are reviewing some communications that indicated a problem with the flight.

St. Charles County police Chief Kurt Frisz said the hilly, rural terrain complicated the job of first responders at the scene, including the St. Charles County police and ambulance district, the Missouri Highway Patrol and the fire protection districts in New Melle, Cottleville, Wentzville, Augusta and Wright City.

We needed citizen reports of where the explosion was heard, Frisz said, adding that the rainy weather, lack of obvious fire and the rural area meant it took a couple hours to find the scene.

The wreckage was spread over about 300 yards of where the aircraft was believed to have made impact, authorities have said.

The NTSB is expected to issue a preliminary report on the cause of the crash within the next two weeks.

A request for comment from AirNet II was not immediately returned Tuesday.

A LinkedIn page for Youngblood shows she served for more than 16 years in the Air Force Reserve in medical supply. She was also listed as a flight instructor at Dayton Aviation Sales.

She had logged more than 1,000 flight hours, Folkerts said.

George King was a pilot with the Ohio State Highway Patrol for more than 22 years before he retired and began working with AirNet, according to his LinkedIn page and posts from friends.

King had more than 6,000 flight hours, Folkerts said.

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JEFFERSON CITY  Gov. Mike Parson, boss of more than 48,000 state employees, has watched as COVID-19 cases among his own workers have skyrocketed, potentially based on the policies hes implemented.

Parson, a Republican who has eschewed business closures and remote work during the two years of the pandemic, oversees a workforce that is now forced to take sick leave when they test positive, removing an incentive for asymptomatic employees to work from home rather than spread the deadly respiratory disease among their colleagues.

Statistics provided by Parsons own personnel department show positive cases among state employees have jumped eightfold since his decision to alter policies for workers as part of a strategy to begin moving on from the ongoing pandemic.

On Dec. 31, the day before Parson allowed a state of emergency to expire, the governors Office of Administration tallied 31 positive cases. Four days later, the state reported 265 new cases among workers. For the next four days, through Jan. 7, the state reported more than 228 new cases each day.

Some of them are high-profile workers. Former Rep. Becky Ruth, R-Festus, who was recently appointed to head the Office of Child Advocate, wrote on Facebook Monday that she was hospitalized with neurological problems linked to COVID-19.

I was taken by ambulance this afternoon to Mercy Jefferson. Ive been dealing with COVID since Dec. 29. Im having some neurological issues as a result, and they just told me I have COVID pneumonia, Ruth wrote in a post first reported by Missouri Scout.

On Tuesday, Ruth said the doctors planned to admit her for another night at the hospital.

There is no indication from the governors office that he plans to reinstate the state of emergency as the latest surge affects Missouri hospitals, which are struggling with the fresh influx of sick patients and an alarming number of hospital employees out of work because of the virus.

In a memo from the Office of Administration, which oversees personnel matters for the state, workers are urged to get vaccinated, but told that they can no longer work remotely without losing sick days.

Team members who have tested positive for COVID-19 and do not currently fall under an approved distributed team should use their available leave until they are able to return to the workplace, the memo says.

We are also continuing to provide free voluntary COVID-19 and influenza testing for team members in the Jefferson City area, OA spokesman Chris Moreland added.

The change in sick leave policy has likely resulted in people who are infected choosing to work, resulting in further spread, said Rep. Rudy Veit, R-Wardsville, whose district includes thousands of state employees.

I can tell you Ive had numerous calls from people complaining about the situation, Veit said Tuesday. A lot of them indicate they could do their job at home.

Veit urged Parson to review the policy, saying the numbers make it clear there is a problem.

I assume they are aware of the problem, Veit said.

The surge among state government workers is evident in the daily and weekly reports submitted by individual state agencies. After nearly snuffing out the disease at the Missouri Department of Mental Health, the number of workers and residents at multiple facilities has steadily increased.

As of Monday, there were more than 270 DMH workers with active cases, the agency reported.

The Missouri Department of Social Services, which operates juvenile detention facilities, also has seen steady increases in recent weeks following a summerlong slowdown in cases.

Among the youths at the Missouri Hills Youth Center in St. Louis, there are 10 active cases. A Kansas City detention center reported 22 cases Tuesday.

The Missouri Department of Corrections also has seen cases spike at some of its prisons.

As of Jan. 10, OA said there have been 48 state workers who died due to COVID-19 since the numbers began being tracked in March 2020.

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CLAYTON  Despite enacting a public mask requirement last week, the St. Louis County Council was poised to meet Tuesday without any guarantee the public health measure would be enforced at its own meeting.

Republican Councilmen Tim Fitch, Mark Harder and Ernie Trakas have said they wont wear a mask, arguing the order is unenforceable because it carries no criminal or civil penalties. And they say it violates a state law that placed restrictions on public health orders.

Democrats Lisa Clancy, Kelli Dunaway and Shalonda Webb have urged their council colleagues to set an example by following the law  or else return to meeting by teleconference until the latest surge of COVID-19 cases begins to decline.

But despite voting for the mask requirement and wearing a mask personally, Council Chair Rita Heard Days, a Democrat, has insisted it is not her responsibility to ensure masks are worn in council chambers.

Days on Monday argued that County Executive Sam Pages administration is responsible for ensuring visitors entering county headquarters in Clayton  where the council meets  wear masks.

If the county executive wants to do that, he has full authority to mandate masks in the chamber and require police officers to act in a certain way, Days said. That is not under my purview.

Page spokesman Doug Moore said the county executive supports the council meeting virtually if it wont enforce masks.

But he did not respond to Days, other than to refer to past statements issued in October, when Republicans and crowds of anti-mask and anti-vaccine protesters defied a mask order approved by Democrats.

Moore said at the time: There is a mask mandate and everyone should follow it. The anti-mask group lost in court. Masks are required in county buildings.

At the hearing on Friday, Clancy, Dunaway and Webb had urged their council colleagues follow the mask policy and said Republicans were failing a responsibility as county leaders to uphold the law. The Friday hearing was meant to consider changes to the public forum period at council meetings; the three Democrats argued that people should be barred from speaking if they dont comply with the rule.

I think its really a shame that were deciding which laws we want to pick and choose to follow based on our political preferences, Dunaway said.

Webb, who had previously voted with Days and council Republicans against earlier mask orders, agreed.

Im at the point where if we cant come in here and follow the rules, the rules that we voted for, then everyone stay home, and well go back to virtual. Because whole politics of it is what causes the greatest confusion, she said.

If we look at this in black and white, there is a rule, Webb said. We follow the rule. And if you cant follow the rules then dont come in.

Fitch, a former police chief, argued that if Days were to enforce the mask rule, she would be putting police who provide security at meetings in the position of being the mask police.

He posed a hypothetical scenario: Mask opponents would refuse to abide by the rule or leave the chambers, and police officers would be forced to remove them but without a law violation they could cite as a basis.

When you go hands-on as a police officer you better have a charge, a criminal charge, Fitch said.

Fitch, a mask mandate opponent, said some people want to have a public display of civil disobedience.

Fitch said that while the council approved a mask rule, it could be struck down eventually by a court. People have the authority to disobey unlawful orders, he said.

What if tomorrow the council passes another illegal order, do we then follow that one? Fitch said.

Clancy questioned why Fitch would suggest the possibility of physical confrontations.

I dont know what its saying about us or about our thoughts about people in the chamber if were automatically assuming theres going to be a brawl, she said.

If masks wont be required, the council should return to meeting by teleconference, she said.

Holding meetings by teleconference would turn the temperature down for a minute and allow us to focus on our agenda.

Dunaway and Webb agreed.

If we cannot come to this decision that is the benefit of all ... then I would recommend that we go to virtual, Webb said.

Trakas said the move shouldnt be made to avoid a hard decision over whether masks can be required in council chambers.

The idea that we can avoid that hard decision by going virtual does little more than kick the can down the road, Trakas said.

Fitch said he would support whatever Days and a majority of the council decides. But he said this Tuesday is too quick.

Days argued transitioning to virtual meetings would require two to three weeks to set up teleconferencing  despite the council having broadcast meetings and allowed council members to participate remotely since at least March 2020.

I think proper planning needs to take place, that may be two or three weeks down the road, Days said.

Clancy pointed to the councils quick decision in early 2020 to go virtual, urging quick action in light of record COVID-19 cases.

I want to heavily push back against the idea that it takes weeks to put up virtual meetings, she said.

We are in a crisis right now. We need to act on this quickly.

Webb, council vice chair and chair of a committee on council meeting rules, said she would craft a proposal for the council to consider at Tuesdays regular meeting.

But no such item was added to the council agenda by Monday evening.

Webb did not respond to requests for comment.

The council met by teleconference for much of the pandemic, voting unanimously March 24, 2020 to stop meeting in-person, as the global pandemic first hit the region.

The council returned to in-person meetings in June, after Days became chair and Harder vice-chair, citing declining COVID-19 cases and the availability of vaccines.

The City of St. Louis continues to hold legislative meetings by teleconference.

The St. Charles County Council resumed in-person meetings in May 2020, shortly after Gov. Mike Parson loosened restrictions and called for reopening the state.

Originally posted at 6:45 p.m. Monday, Jan. 10.

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JEFFERSON CITY  Missouri senators dont agree on a lot of issues. On Monday, they couldnt initially agree on how to operate.

In a procedural move designed to improve debate in the Legislatures upper chamber, the Senate discussed a rule change authored by Senate Minority Leader John Rizzo, who wants to make it harder to force a vote to end a filibuster.

Rizzos proposal would increase the number of senators needed to force a vote to end debate to 10 from five and require a two-thirds vote for the motion to be sustained, rather than a simple majority.

Rizzo, D-Independence, said he believes it could increase trust in a chamber that has been roiled in controversy in recent years.

Missouri senators have met three times this year. All three days have been punctuated by the kind of quarreling among Republicans that marked the 2021 session.

The tension comes in large part from a seven-member bloc of Republicans who call themselves the Conservative Caucus, which includes Sens. Bob Onder of Lake Saint Louis, Bill Eigel of Weldon Spring and Andrew Koenig of Manchester.

They have pushed other Republicans to adopt their harder-line policies, which include a complete shutdown of Planned Parenthood in Missouri.

Senate President Dave Schatz, R-Sullivan, said Rizzos proposal was unlikely to win support of the GOP majority as it was originally crafted.

The majority of our members are probably unwilling to go down that path, said Schatz, who then countered with an alternative plan that would keep the 10-member threshold but eliminate the necessity of getting a two-thirds majority.

Rizzo accepted the change as a way to cool tempers during debates over controversial issues.

It forces people to sit down and negotiate more, Rizzo said. I would like to get things done for the people of the state of Missouri.

But in a continuation of an ongoing feud among Republicans, members of the conservative caucus said Schatzs proposal was not discussed in closed-door meetings among Republicans minutes before the issue arose on the Senate floor.

I cant believe this, said Sen. Rick Brattin, R-Harrisonville. This is complete, total distrust.

Onder also levied criticism at Schatz, saying his changes were not agreed to by other Republicans. He called the changes radical and said they would make it harder for the GOP to enact laws cracking down on abortion.

I dont think these changes need to be made now, Onder said.

Brattin said the discussions are a sign that the Senate could unravel with major issues going unresolved between now and the end of the session in May.

After more than two hours of sometimes angry debate, Schatzs compromise was adopted on a 22-11 vote, spurring Onder to tweet the change was insanity.

The latest back-and-forth came after Schatz also introduced a rule change clarifying who has the power to try to override a veto by the governor.

Under Schatzs proposal, only the sponsor of a bill can bring his or her legislation before the full Senate for reconsideration.

The rule change addresses a September incident when Sen. Mike Moon, R-Ash Grove, sought to override a budget bill he didnt sponsor. When his attempt was thwarted, angry members of the conservative caucus brought business in the chamber to a crawl.

Originally posted at 6:15 p.m. Monday, Jan. 10.

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JEFFERSON CITY  Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft expressed disappointment on Tuesday after a Monday deadline to place Missouri House special elections on the April ballot passed without any action from Gov. Mike Parson.

Ashcroft last week called on Parson to file writs of election to fill several vacancies, saying paperwork needed to be filed by Monday for the contests to appear on the April 5 municipal election ballot.

Secretary Ashcroft is disappointed the governor has not issued writs of election as he feels all Missourians should be represented fairly and equally, JoDonn Chaney, spokesman for Ashcroft, said in an email. As well, Missouri Statute calls for the governor to call for special elections to fill vacancies.

There are currently six vacancies in the Missouri House. Ashcroft said that without a special election, the six affected districts would go without representation until January 2023.

On Tuesday, Kelli Jones, spokeswoman for Parson, said in a text message: Gov. Parson has not announced a special election.

Jones hasnt responded to questions since Friday about the governors rationale.

Chaney said Tuesday Ashcrofts office received no formal response to a letter the elections chief sent Parson regarding the vacancies.

Ashcroft, in his letter to Parson, told the governor that holding the special elections during the April municipal elections would result in minimal costs to taxpayers but substantial benefit to Missourians.

Last week, two days after Ashcroft publicly called on Parson to issue the writs of election, the elections chief said in a statement to the Post-Dispatch that he had complete faith that the governor will do what he has done before to fill vacancies in the Legislature in the most practical manner possible, and I appreciate his continued help in doing so.

This isnt the first time a governor has held off on calling a special election despite a provision of Missouri law that says the chief executive should act on vacancies without delay.

Former Gov. Jay Nixon was sued in 2014 over vacant legislative seats that went unfilled. Due to vacancies, Republicans were taken below a two-thirds majority in the House they needed to override the Democratic governor.

Two current vacancies are due to Parson tapping lawmakers for high-profile positions in state government.

Parson recently named former state Rep. Wayne Wallingford, R-Cape Girardeau, as head of the Department of Revenue. He named former state Rep. Becky Ruth, R-Festus, to be director of the Office of Child Advocate.

Former state Rep. Justin Hill, R-Lake Saint Louis, said last week he was resigning and moving to Florida with his family. Rep. Aaron Griesheimer, R-Washington, also resigned last week to take a job with a contractors organization based in St. Charles, the Washington Missourian reported.

Former state Rep. Tom Hannegan, R-St. Charles, died in October. And former state Rep. Rick Roeber, R-Lees Summit, was expelled from the House last year after his now-adult children accused him of abuse when they were minors.

Both Ashcroft and Parson are Republicans.

Originally posted at 1:15 p.m. Tuesday; updated at 4 p.m. with comments from Ashcrofts spokesman.(tncms-asset)50ca968a-6cd2-11ec-ade1-00163ec2aa77[0](/tncms-asset)

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JEFFERSON CITY  An abandoned prison sits on a bluff overlooking the Missouri River north of the states capital city.

Shuttered in 2004, the Central Missouri Correctional Center is surrounded by a security fence topped with razor wire that keeps people out nowadays, rather than in.

In Cameron, to the west, another abandoned prison awaits a decision on what will happen to it after it was shuttered in 2019 due to a drop in the number of prison inmates and the scarcity of people wanting to work in prisons in the region.

The empty facilities have become a concern for at least one Missouri lawmaker, who said the state should have a better plan to either sell or repurpose state-owned real estate so the unused facilities dont become an eyesore.

We should have a plan for future use. Or we should have a plan for liquidation, said Rep. Randy Railsback, R-Hamilton.

Under legislation filed by Railsback and heard in a House committee Tuesday, a task force would be established to review surplus property and how much it is costing to keep it in its mothball state.

At the abandoned Central Missouri Correctional Center, the state has converted a farm portion of the facility into a conservation area in the bottomlands of the Missouri River valley.

Up top, however, a mix of prison buildings  from cellblocks to cafeterias  sit empty. Some graffiti has appeared on the walls, but the facility remains mostly intact.

At the Crossroads Correctional Center, Railsback praised plans by Gov. Mike Parson to convert a portion of the facility into a training center for prison guards.

But even that plan is slow in coming.

Parson asked for more than $650,000 last year to start the training grounds, but the plan has not gotten off the ground, said Missouri Department of Corrections spokeswoman Karen Pojmann.

Even if the facility does begin operating, Railsback said there are other potential uses for the sprawling site.

It has lots of unused buildings, Railsback told members of the House Corrections and Public Institutions Committee.

Among potential uses under consideration is a regional county jail or as a site to film prison scenes.

We need to do something, Railsback said. Youre not going to change a prison into a motel.

Rep. Dave Griffith, R-Jefferson City, expressed support for the idea, saying his hometown continues to grapple with the legacy of the historic Missouri State Penitentiary just blocks from the Capitol.

The massive old prison was shuttered in 2004 and parts of it are used for tours. But, after a 2019 tornado, some of the remaining buildings sit unrepaired.

Efforts by Jefferson City officials to develop the area around the old prison have not yielded dividends yet.

Rep. Mike Henderson, R-Desloge, said the task force could help the administration get rid of unused properties.

Were probably burning through tax dollars that could be used for other purposes, Henderson said.

The task force would be composed of members of the House and Senate and representatives from the governors office.

The panel would have to submit a plan by September 2023 outlining what should be done with each property, as well as funding recommendations.

The legislation is House Bill 1757.

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Regarding Tony Messenger's column "Old West prison contains lessons for broken criminal justice system" (Jan. 7): The injustices of our criminal justice system are perpetrated not only against those imprisoned but for family members as well. We wind up creating a generation of children who grow up to be societal problems.

Incarceration of a family member is one of the 10 adverse childhood experiences described by Felitti et al. in their groundbreaking article, The Adverse Childhood Experiences study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine in 1989. Family members, especially the young, are traumatized by incarceration of a family member and can go on to have a great many problems.

Medically, the consequences include neurological, memory and anger issues, hallucinations, depression, anxiety, panic attacks, somatic disorders and flashbacks. They can produce adverse adult behaviors including substance abuse, mental health issues, obesity, suicide attempts, self-injury, sexual promiscuity, dissociation, perpetration of domestic violence and repetition of the original trauma.

Socially, they can lead to homelessness, prostitution, violence, criminal behavior, inability to sustain employment, re-victimization, including rape and domestic violence, long-term dependence on social services and an inability to parent. Poor parenting can contribute to the cycle of self-perpetuating, intergenerational trauma.

These childhood traumas can also shorten a life span by 20 to 25 years. Further, those most and disproportionately affected are members of marginalized communities, primarily African Americans.

We need to rethink and reform our criminal justice system, not only for those incarcerated but for their families and for ourselves. The sooner we do so, the better.

Terry Weiss, M.D.  St. Louis
LONDON MARKET CLOSE: Johnson Matthey up as investor builds stake

Friday, April 29, 2022 - 17:12

Stocks in London on Friday ended a volatile month of April in a positive fashion, with a strong first quarter performance from Smurfit Kappa allowing other packaging firms to rise in a positive read-across.

The FTSE 100 index closed up 35.36 points, or 0.5%, at 7,544.55 - ending the week overall up 0.3%. Over the month the UK flagship index lost 0.5%.

The mid-cap FTSE 250 index ended up 89.09 points, or 0.4%, at 20,708.71 and lost 0.8% over the past 5 days.

The AIM All-Share index finished up 7.40 points, or 0.7%, at 1,022.26 - closing out the week 2.3% lower.

The Cboe UK 100 index closed up 0.5% at 750.31. The Cboe 250 closed down 0.6% at 18,265.99, and the Cboe Small Companies closed down 0.2% at 15,139.35.

In mainland Europe, the CAC 40 stock index in Paris ended up 0.4%, while the DAX 40 in Frankfurt up 0.8%.

As China's lockdowns continue and new infections continue to spread in Beijing, the central government outlined wide-ranging economic stimulus plans to temper expected losses. The government will subsidise businesses, pausing unemployment insurance payments if companies avoid mass layoffs, as well as electricity and internet charges.

In the FTSE 100, Smurfit Kappa closed up 4.3% after the paper and packaging firm reported first quarter earnings growth despite headwinds at the start of 2022.

The Irish firm reported year-on-year revenue growth of 33% to 3.02 billion in the first quarter of 2022, with earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation rising at the same rate to 514 million. Its Ebitda margin was flat at 17% despite inflationary pressures in the period.

Rivals Mondi and DS Smith rose 3.4% and 1.6% respectively in a positive read-across.

Pearson closed up 1.9% after the educational materials publisher provided a positive update on first quarter trading, while also announcing a new acquisition.

Pearson has agreed to buy Mondly, an online language learning platform. It provided no financial details, but said it expects the purchase to accelerate revenue growth for its English Language Learning division from 2023 onward. It expects mid-teens margins for the division by 2025.

Turning to its own recent trading, Pearson reported underlying sales growth of 7% in the first quarter. It reaffirmed its guidance for adjust operating profit in 2022.

Pearson added that its 350 million share buyback programme has begun, with 75 million already completed.

AstraZeneca added 0.5% after the Anglo-Swedish drugmaker reported a sharp rise in first-quarter revenue.

Quarterly pretax profit shrank 66% to $553 million from $1.61 billion a year ago. Revenue rose by 56% to $11.39 billion from $7.32 billion. Revenue from its oncology arm grew by 21% to $3.64 billion from $3.02 billion.

AstraZeneca completed its $39 billion takeover of Boston-based rare diseases firm Alexion Pharmaceuticals in July last year, helping to boost its top line.

In the quarter, AstraZeneca generated $1.09 billion in sales from its Covid-19 vaccine Vaxzevria, ups sharply from a year prior. Contracts with the vaccine are expected to complete delivery by the second half of the year, the firm added.

Astra backed annual guidance. It tips revenue to rise by a high teens percentage and core EPS to climb by a mid-to-high twenties percentage.

At the other end of the large-caps, Hikma Pharmaceuticals ended the worst performer, down 7.2%, after the drugmaker noted its Generics business has experienced some headwinds.

Hikma explained its Generics business has been hurt by increased competition and a challenging pricing environment, resulting in a slow start to the year.

Nonetheless, Hikma said it continues to expect full-year Generics revenue growth between 8% to 10%, though it noted this would likely be weighted towards the second half of the year.

Conversely, Hikma reported its Branded business is performing well.

Vodafone closed down 4.3% after Bank of America downgraded the telecommunications firm to 'neutral' from 'buy'.

NatWest Group lost 2.2% despite reporting largely positive first-quarter numbers.

In the three months to March 31, the Edinburgh-headquartered bank recorded an operating pretax profit of 1.25 billion, surging 41% from 885 million in the same period a year prior. Attributable profit rose 36% to 841 million from 620 million.

NatWest - formerly Royal Bank of Scotland - saw total income rise 17% to 3.03 billion from 2.59 billion. Net interest income rose to 2.05 billion from 1.86 billion, while non-interest income increased to 982 million from 727 million.

Looking ahead, NatWest said its 2022 income excluding notable items will be comfortably above 11.0 billion in the 'go-forward group' - advancing at least 4.7% from total income of 10.51 billion in 2021.

In the FTSE 250, Johnson Matthey ended the standout performer, up 19%. A regulatory filing on Friday showed industrial investor Standard Investments LLC has built a 5.2% stake in the specialist chemicals firm. Standard Investments is based in New York.

The pound was quoted at $1.2568 at the London equities close, up from $1.2458 at the close Thursday.

The euro stood at $1.0547 at the European equities close, up from $1.0524 late Thursday. Against the yen, the dollar was trading at JP129.68, down sharply from JP131.00.

On the continent, the eurozone's economy grew at a slower pace than expected in the first quarter of 2022, while separate data showed inflation picked up slightly in April.

According to Eurostat, eurozone gross domestic product grew 0.2% quarter-on-quarter in the first three months of 2022. The figure fell short of an FXStreet cited estimate of 0.3% growth. In the fourth quarter of 2021, GDP had expanded by 0.3%.

Annually, first quarter economic growth from the single currency area was 5.0%, accelerating from the fourth quarter's 4.7% rise. Annual growth came in line with FXStreet cited consensus.

Separate figures from Eurostat showed inflation accelerated to another record high in April, as expected. The eurozone annual inflation rate for April was 7.5%, an uptick from 7.4% in March. The April figure was in line with FXStreet cited consensus. On a monthly basis, consumer prices grew 0.6%.

New York was sharply lower at the London equities close amid disappointing corporate earnings reports.

The DJIA was down 1.1%, the S&P 500 index down 1.6% and the Nasdaq Composite down 1.7%.

Amazon.com plunged 13% after reporting its first quarterly loss since 2015 as sales growth slowed while the company faces challenges with rising costs.

Intel was down 5.6% after the semiconductor maker warned the global chip shortage will remain a challenge for the industry until at least 2024, particularly in areas such as foundry capacity and tool availability.

Brent oil was quoted at $110.30 a barrel at the equities close, up sharply from $106.55 at the close Thursday.

Gold stood at $1,906.75 an ounce at the London equities close, higher against $1,887.75 late Thursday.

The economic events calendar on Monday has manufacturing PMI readings from the Germany at 0855 BST, the eurozone at 0900 BST and US at 1445 BST. Financial markets in the UK are closed on Monday for the Early May bank holiday.

Copyright 2022 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
China is currently negotiating with the West African nation of Equatorial Guinea to build, maintain and use a naval base for Chinese warships operating in West Africa and the Atlantic. The Chinese offer includes large loans and large bribes for local officials. Similar deals are being made with Myanmar (Burma). China already has bases in northeastern Africa (Djibouti) and Pakistan.

The Equatorial Guinea deal is particularly attractive because the base would be an expanded version of an existing base for the tiny local navy. Piers would be extended to handle any Chinese warship. This base is adjacent to an oil refinery, so refueling is not a problem. The Burma situation is more complex because Chinese investments are keeping an unpopular military government in power. China has been selling that government weapons at discount prices, including a used submarine.

All of these bases are made possible by Chinese financing in the form of investments and large loans. What this means is that China is increasingly using its large foreign investments as weapons. A typical situation involves loaning poor countries large amounts of money for huge development projects, like ports, roads and railroads. The loans are on terms that look attractive but eventually must be repaid by governments that find themselves unable to do so. When the debtor nation runs into trouble making payments, China offers to reduce the load in return for control, if not majority ownership, of the ports, railroad, airport or whatever. With control of these facilities China can probably run them more efficiently, and profitably. But control means it is easier for China to use the facility for military or espionage purposes.

This use of loans is called DTD (Debt Trap Diplomacy) and has been a favorite Chinese tactic for ever since they became a major trading nation in the last few decades and one of the wealthiest nations in the world. Nations currently vulnerable, because of large Chinese debts, include those in need of expensive port upgrades, like Sri Lanka, Djibouti, the Maldives, Pakistan, Venezuela and Equatorial Guinea. Most nations are aware of the DTD trap but where there is a lot of corruption China can create a DTD situation anyway. Some of these DTD efforts go bad and cost China a lot of money, but on average DTD is a net gain for China as it acquires military, economic and diplomatic advantages without having to fight.
The 124th Fighter Wing hosted four F-35B Lighting IIs, Jan. 7-9, 2021, at Gowen Field. Pilots assigned to the U.S. Marine Corps' Attack Squadron 225 (VMFA-225), based out of Marine Corps Air Station, Yuma, Arizona, trained with Idaho's A-10 Thunderbolt II pilots, utilizing Idaho's ample training air space and the Orchard Combat Training Center and Saylor Creek ranges. Training with different aircraft exposes Air National Guard members to scenarios beyond their normal close air support mission and provides a unique experience to enhance the units joint operations capabilities. (U.S. National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Becky Vanshur)

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Intertrust ExpressPlay Joins AWS Independent Software Vendor Accelerate Program

Video service operators benefit from pre-integrated solutions with secure workflows that reduce time to market and project risk.

San Francisco, CA( )

SAN FRANCISCO, January 11, 2022 Intertrust ExpressPlay, a leader in media security and anti-piracy services, is now an Amazon Web Services (AWS) Technology Partner within the Independent Software Vendor (ISV) Accelerate Program. As a Partner, Intertrust ExpressPlay can now participate in the new AWS ISV Partner Path allowing further differentiating, co-marketing, and co-selling opportunities.

AWS ISV Accelerate Program is a co-sell program for organizations that provide software solutions that run on or integrate with AWS. The program helps drive new business and accelerate sales cycles by connecting participating ISVs with the AWS sales organization.

As a prerequisite to joining the AWS ISV Accelerate Program, Intertrust ExpressPlay completed a Foundational Technical Review (FTR) of their ExpressPlay DRM cloud service. The AWS FTR, formerly known as Technical Baseline Review, enables AWS Partners to identify and remediate risks in cloud service offerings. The FTR is led by an AWS Partner Solutions Architect who reviews AWS Partner cloud services using a specific set of requirements based on the Security, Reliability, and Operational Excellence pillars of the AWS Well-Architected Framework.

ExpressPlay DRM is a complete multi-digital rights management (DRM) monetization service for over-the-top (OTT) streaming service providers and content distributors. This cloud-based service offers broad client device compatibility for live and premium video on-demand services with proven scalability through its work with some of the worlds largest OTT streaming platforms.

We are proud to work with AWS to offer cloud solutions for OTT streaming platforms, content owners, and pay-TV broadcasters, said Ali Hodjat, VP Marketing at Intertrust ExpressPlay. By joining AWS Partner Network and leveraging the AWS ISV Accelerate Program, our customers benefit from pre-integrated solutions with secure workflows that shorten time to market and reduce operational risks.

ExpressPlay DRM is a key component of the ExpressPlay Media Security Suite, which consists of a cloud-native multi-DRM service, unique cloud-based broadcast security solution, comprehensive anti-piracy services, and an offline multi-DRM platform. ExpressPlay DRM cloud service supports all major DRMs, as well as all major operating systems and adaptive bitrate protocols. Content owners and distributors of premium content can use ExpressPlay DRM with AWS Elemental MediaPackage to reliably prepare and protect live and on-demand video for delivery over the internet.

About Intertrust ExpressPlay

Intertrust ExpressPlay offers robust protection and anti-piracy services optimized for rights owners and distributors of live and VOD content, enhanced by a rich partner ecosystem. The cloud based ExpressPlay Media Security Suite features the world-leading ExpressPlay multi-DRM service, ExpressPlay XCA broadcast security solution, and ExpressPlay Anti-Piracy and Watermarking services, with proven scalability in the largest OTT streaming platforms globally. ExpressPlay DRM Offline enables secure streaming of premium content through an offline multi-DRM platform. Additional information is available at www.expressplay.com or follow us on Twitter or LinkedIn.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Jan. 11, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Christina Lake Cannabis Corp. (the Company or CLC or Christina Lake Cannabis) (CSE: CLC) (OTCQB: CLCFF) (FRANKFURT: CLB) released the following open letter to shareholders today:

I am pleased to provide a summary of the operational progress made by Christina Lake over the past 12 months as we go into 2022, which is poised to be an exciting year for us. We will be growing our third crop of sun-grown cannabis, with a primary focus on strains with cannabinoid profiles that are ideal for producing distillates and other cannabis extracts with high levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and terpenes, a specialty we have embraced in accordance with trends in the cannabis market.

In Q1 of fiscal 2021, we closed our first commercial purchase orders, generating sales of approximately $62,421 with direct costs of approximately $19,711 excluding changes in fair value of inventory sold. In the subsequent two fiscal quarters, we generated sequential sales growth by approximately 247% to $216,738 in Q2 and 496% to $1,290,722 in Q3, with $71,794 and $532,428 in direct costs, respectively. Anticipated sales in Q4 increased approximately 60% from the prior quarter to approximately $2,063,569* with direct costs of approximately $745,428 excluding changes in fair value of inventory. The growth throughout fiscal 2021 was attributed to additional investment in processing equipment and continuously refined production methods, resulting in higher quality/in-demand inventory. The sales team was able to form supplier relationships with licensed producer accounts across Canada, establishing repeat demand from several key industry players.

It is becoming clear to us that our reputation as a reliable and efficient grower/processor/supplier of high-quality cannabis products has developed and continues to grow. Although our primary offering is high-potency distillate oil, we have also added new product categories to downstream licensed producers of cannabis in Canada. As we kick off 2022, our business plan will be anchored by a principal focus on further establishing a dominant position in the cannabis oil market as we continue to improve our efficiencies and refine our production methods.

Below, are some more detailed updates:

Yield Numbers from Second Growing Season in 2021

In a press release dated July 14, 2021, the Company announced that several of its experimental proprietary strains of cannabis were performing especially well during the record-high temperatures in southern British Columbia during summer 2021. This performance was sustained through the harvesting phase, ultimately resulting in an overall yield of approximately 38,000 kg of dried biomass (roughly 15% higher than our inaugural harvest in 2020) during 2021.

Impact of Pre-Processing Equipment

In 2021, the Company outfitted its facility with leading pre-processing equipment. Our master growers have determined that the use of this equipment has enabled the Company to systematically capture high-potency elements of feedstock while discarding low-value parts with minimal wastage, resulting in significantly reduced production costs. This has also helped to ensure that biomass with a high concentration of THC is the predominant input into Christina Lakes extraction machinery, without the inefficiencies caused by the presence of low-value elements, even in small quantities. This was a significant milestone in the Company's production efficiency over the previous year. As such, the Company has been able to begin manufacturing new product ranges at a scale that would not have been possible with our previous equipment configuration.

Improvements to Christina Lakes Cannabis Extraction Facilities and Processes

In 2021, a co-solvent injection system was added to our extraction facility, enabling an acceleration in our processing workflows, and reducing production time by more than 60%, which resulted in improved efficiencies and economics. This equipment gives the Company the ability to capture terpenes; it can be operated using CO2 as a mono-solvent if desired; and it remediates residual ethanol from the spent biomass. This solution has enhanced the Company's extraction process without forcing it to make a trade-off between quality, purity, or profit. Christina Lake continues to see a decrease in extraction runtime, lower operating pressures, greater selectivity in the extraction process, and an overall increase in extract quality; all while utilizing minimal quantities of ethanol.

Furthermore, in 2021 Christina Lake designed and invested in a proprietary filtration system that allows the Company to continue to the next step with higher purity and potency than ever before. To complement this improvement, additional distillation equipment was recently purchased and commissioned. This combination allows for even further refinement of our already pure high-potency oils, while increasing distillation throughput to meet growing sales demand.

Next Steps into 2022

We are confident that, as a result of the application of these technologies, along with our strong outdoor genetics and highly experienced team combined with our cost structure, we are positioned well going into 2022. I am extremely proud of the teams achievements this year. At the outset of 2021, our goal had been to de-risk our business model by developing a broad sales channel and establishing a market for our consistent and high-quality distillate and other cannabis products. After just one year, I believe we have made significant progress towards achieving that goal. Our processing and extraction facilities are presently operating at capacity based on expected sales orders and fortunately have not been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic to date. Our site management has in place a robust COVID-19 Prevention and Control Policy as well as contingency plans in the event of on-site incidents. Further, the sales team was able to develop a strong pipeline in the final quarter of 2021 and will focus on carrying that momentum throughout 2022.

In Conclusion

Overall, I am very pleased with the direction in which the business is going as we strive to become known for producing the most reliable, consistent, and cost-effective premium-quality oils in the marketplace. The recognition the Company is receiving is very encouraging to me, and we are looking forward to growing our customer base in 2022.

Yours truly,

Joel DumaresqChief Executive Officer

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/0462da92-b6e3-4355-bcae-8a936d06c9c2

Readers using news aggregation services may be unable to view the media above. Please access SEDAR or the Investor Relations section of the Companys website for a version of this press release containing all published media.

ABOUT CHRISTINA LAKE CANNABIS CORP.

Christina Lake is a licensed producer of cannabis under the Cannabis Act. It has secured a standard cultivation licence and corresponding processing amendment from Health Canada (March 2020 and August 2020, respectively) as well as a research and development licence (early 2020). Christina Lakes facility consists of a 32-acre property, which includes over 950,000 square feet of outdoor grow space, offices, propagation and drying rooms, research facilities, and a facility dedicated to processing and extraction. Christina Lake also owns a 99-acre plot of land adjoining its principal 32-acre site, which allows for future expansion. Christina Lake cultivates cannabis using strains specifically developed for outdoor cultivation and in its inaugural harvest year produced 32,500 kg (71,650 lb).

For more information, please visit www.christinalakecannabis.com and www.sedar.com (CLC.CN).

For more information, please contact:

Jamie FrawleyInvestor Relations and Media Inquiries (e) [email protected] (m) 416-268-9432

Forward-Looking Information

Certain statements within this press release relating to the Company constitute forward-looking statements, within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including without limitation, statements regarding future estimates, business plans and/or objectives, sales programs, forecasts and projections, assumptions, expectations, and/or beliefs of future performance, are forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual and future events to differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to commercial operations, including production and/or sales of distillate and other cannabis products, quantities of future production, anticipated revenues in connection with such sales, the overall projected size of the market, improvements and/or expansion of production facilities, actual or expected biomass yields and the growth of such yields, and other information that is based on forecasts of future results, estimates of production not yet determinable, the impact of general economic conditions and the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada, and other key management assumptions. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and involve risk and uncertainties relating to the Companys historical experience with changes in distillate and other cannabis product prices, actual operating performance of facilities, the impact of general economic conditions and the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada, and other uninsured risks. A description of assumptions used to develop such forward-looking information and a description of risk factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from forward-looking information can be found in the Companys disclosure documents on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com. The Company assumes no responsibility to update or revise forward-looking information to reflect new events or circumstances unless required by law.

*This press release also contains future-oriented financial information and financial outlook information (collectively, FOFI) about our prospective results of operations for Q4 2021, including anticipated sales (i.e., gross revenue) for Q4 2021, all of which are subject to the same assumptions, risk factors, limitations, and qualifications as set forth above. Readers are cautioned that sales figures (i.e. gross revenue) are a component of results of operations and do not include expenditure numbers, and therefore area not a substitute for net income. The Company generated a net loss of $350,204 for the three quarters ended August 31, 2021, and expects to release full audited financial statements for the year ended November 30, 2021 in March 2022. Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on FOFI and forward-looking statements. Christina Lake's actual results, performance or achievement could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements and FOFI, or if any of them do so, what benefits Christina Lake will derive therefrom. Christina Lake has included the forward-looking statements and FOFI in this press release in order to provide readers with a more complete perspective on Christina Lake's future operations and such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. Christina Lake disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

Reader Advisory

THE CSE HAS NOT REVIEWED AND DOES NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS RELEASE, NOR HAS OR DOES THE CSES REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER.

Picture 1 The Company has released a short video showing a compilation of on-site footage of various aspects of its 2021 Harvest season. The video can be watched by clicking the thumbnail above, or by clicking here.

Source: Christina Lake Cannabis Corp.
BRISTOL, Va., Jan. 11, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Micronic Technologies, the first company to offer a patented tornadic-enhanced purification technology to the industrial wastewater sector, today announced that Cimbria Capital's Brian V. Iversen has joined as Strategic Advisor. He will serve as a direct advisor to Micronic's Board of Directors and management team on questions of finance, organizational structure, and go-to-market strategies. Mr. Iversen will work tightly with Micronic Chief Executive Officer and co-founder, Karen Sorber, who brings more than 35-years of experience in building and leading private and federal organizations.

"Mr. Iversen's addition to the team signifies a developing strategic relationship between Cimbria and Micronic to seize rising market opportunities for evolving treatment tech in industrial wastewater," said Karen Sorber, CEO of Micronic. "His reputation as a seasoned investor with a keen ability to perceive market patterns and provide sober corporate advice is critical to the company as we expand. We are especially honored to have Cimbria partner with Micronic for achieving our growth."

Micronic's patented water purification technology - developed in collaboration with partners like the US Navy, USDA, EPA, and the Commonwealth of Virginia - generates near-total reduction in wastewater contamination and achieves near Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) affordably, efficiently, and effectively for targeted markets. Micronic is the recipient of several awards and accolades and was most recently selected as the Greater Washington's 2021 Clean Tech Innovator of the Year. Micronic is now focusing on commercializing its technology for the ZLD industrial wastewater market as water resources narrow and regulatory pressures mount.

"Unwavering in her leadership, Ms. Sorber has built Micronic into a company with a transformative technology positioned to profit from stringent regulations, surplus demand, and strong industrial markets," said Brian V. Iversen, Managing Partner of Cimbria Capital. "I'm excited to support Ms. Sorber's team on how to grow Micronic and gain powerful customers in profitable segments like food and beverages, petrochemicals, energy, and pharmaceuticals.

Industrial wastewater purification and reuse are more important than ever as American regulators, infrastructure planners, investors, and customers apply pressure to corporations to manage natural resources sustainably. Companies employing this technologic water purification innovation will benefit economically from this trend.

About Micronic Technologies: Micronic Technologies is a woman co-founded and led water-tech start-up commercializing a patented wastewater concentration technology, the Tornadic One-Pass (TOP). The company specializes in treating ultra-high total dissolved solid (TDS) industrial wastewater for customers requiring near Zero-Liquid Discharge (ZLD) and water reuse innovation. Micronic is headquartered in Bristol, Virginia.

About Cimbria Capital:Cimbria Capital is a private equity investment firm conducting growth capital buyout investments focused on the Water Economy in North America and the Nordics. Cimbria allocates capital to visionary companies and supports these businesses with operational expertise through its value-add Acceleration Program. Cimbria is headquartered in Houston, Texas; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; and Denmark.

To learn more about Micronic Technologies, please contact [email protected]

This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com.

Source: Micronic Technologies
NEW YORK, Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), together with its co-investors, today announced that it has made a Senior Secured Term Loan investment of $175 million in Group Energy Gas Panama S de RL (Borrower), to finance the acquisition and construction of Generadora de Gatun (Gatun), the owner of a 670 MW natural gas cogeneration power plant to be constructed in Colon, Panama. Once constructed, Gatun is expected to be the largest and most efficient Combined Cycle Gas Turbine (CCGT) power plant in the country. Gatun is designed to improve electric reliability by diversifying electricity sources for the nation's power grid.

GIP is making the investment through Global Infrastructure Partners Capital Solutions Fund II (GIP CAPS II), part of GIP's Credit platform (GIP Credit). The investment in Gatun represents the third commitment made by GIP CAPS II. The CAPS strategy provides customized credit financings for infrastructure issuers in GIP's core sectors of midstream energy, power, renewables, energy transition, digital, transportation and water/waste, while leveraging GIP's significant operating expertise.

Group Energy Gas Panama S de RL, is a newly formed joint venture between InterEnergy and The AES Corporation, two of the largest private investors in the Panamanian power and energy market. Proceeds from the investment, in conjunction with proceeds from senior debt at the Gatun level and equity contributed by the sponsors, will be used to fund over $1.0 billion of estimated acquisition and construction costs of the project.

InterEnergy has been developing power projects in the Caribbean and Latin America for over 30 years and is the third largest power generation company in Panama. The AES Corporation has been in Panama since 1999 and currently owns and operates over 1,100 MW through three subsidiaries, AES Panama, AES Changuinola and AES Colon.

Steve Cheng, Credit Partner at GIP, said: "We are very pleased to have entered into this transaction with Gatun and its highly experienced sponsors, AES Panama and InterEnergy. The Gatun power plant is well positioned to meet growing industrial power demand in Panama and is expected to play a key role providing stability to Panama's electric grid considering the significant renewable generation sources already in place. The transaction is in line with GIP Credit's strategy of investing in critical infrastructure with strong sponsorship."

About Global Infrastructure PartnersGlobal Infrastructure Partners (GIP) is an independent infrastructure fund manager that makes equity and debt investments in infrastructure assets and businesses. GIP targets investments in the energy, transport, digital infrastructure, and water/waste sectors in both OECD and select emerging market countries. GIP's teams are located in 10 offices: London, New York, Stamford (Connecticut), Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Mumbai, Delhi, Singapore and Hong Kong. GIP Credit provides financing solutions and makes debt and non-common equity investments in infrastructure assets and companies. For more information, visit www.global-infra.com.

About InterEnergy GroupInterEnergy Group is one of the largest diversified clean energy companies in Latin America and the Caribbean. The Group operates electric power generation plants in Latin America and the Caribbean, specifically in the Dominican Republic, Panama, Jamaica, Chile and Uruguay. For more information, please visit: www.interenergy.com

About The AES Corporation in PanamaAES in Panama owns and operates 1,161 MW, product of the sustained investments over USD 2,700 million since 1999, achieving its commitment of developing greener, smarter energy solutions the world needs.

Media Contacts Media Inquiries Team [email protected] +1.646.282.1545 CLP Strategies [email protected] +1.914.364.8024

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/global-infrastructure-partners-announces-senior-secured-term-loan-to-fund-acquisition-and-construction-of-a-670-mw-power-plant-in-panama-301457894.html

SOURCE Global Infrastructure Partners
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CUMBERLAND, Ga. (Tribune News Service)  Two leaders from Dobbins Air Reserve Base addressed the pandemic, military operations and national defense, while crediting the Cobb County, Ga., community for its continued support during the Cobb Chamber of Commerce's first Marquee Monday event of 2022.

Maj. Gen. Tom Grabowski of the Georgia National Guard and Maj. Gen. Bret Larson, the commander of the 22nd Air Force, reviewed for the crowd gathered at the Coca-Cola Roxy Theatre the military missions on and off base over the last three years.

Dobbins Air Reserve Base is one of nine standalone reserve bases in the Air Force Reserve. The installation is home to the 94th Airlift Wing, 22nd Air Force headquarters, Lockheed Martin Plant 6, the Georgia National Guard, Navy Operational Support Center Atlanta and units of the Army Reserve, Marine Reserve and Civil Air Patrol. The 94th Airlift Wing is the installation host and operational flying unit with eight C-130H3 Hercules aircraft, and more than 2,000 Air Force Reserve and civilian personnel, according to the base's website.

"The bottom line for the taxpayer, you guys, is the National Guard provides a cost effective part-time combat ready strategic reserve to defend the nation ... (and) provide support to domestic operations," Grabowski said.

Some of those operations over the last few years include aiding Georgian Defense Forces in the country of Georgia, transporting supplies in and out of food banks at the height of the pandemic, surveillance of Russian forces along the Ukraine border, defending the U.S. border and many more initiatives, Grabowski said.

"We rapidly mobilized and deployed help in hospitals, nursing homes with infection control teams, COVID testing sites. ... We even converted one of our parachute operations to make masks, and we delivered around a million meals to schoolchildren," he said.

Despite facing the pandemic and keeping the peace at protests around the country in the summer of 2020, the Georgia National Guard still had several deployments to the Middle East, Georgia, Morocco, South Korea, Brazil and Argentina, Grabowski said.

"During that same period, COVID did not relieve us from our responsibility to protect our way of life," he said.

Service members on the base have contributed significantly locally and around the world, Grabowski said, but not without the support of Cobb County.

"These organizations coupled with the Cobb Chamber of Commerce and programs you facilitate, like the Honorary Commanders Program and Commanders Alumni Association, are what makes Team Dobbins and this relationship special," he said. "The entire enterprise here is really a best-in-class example of what a public, academic, private and military partnership ought to look like. You continue to answer when called upon, you are the gold standard for a community and base partnership and yes, I'm a little biased, but I'm not sorry to say so."

Now, the National Guard is preparing to mobilize again for the omicron surge, Grabowski said.

"Your Air National Guard is community connected but globally engaged and we've been busy and we will continue to be busy," he said.

Grabowski closed his speech, stating he couldn't be more proud of the men and women in the National Guard, their employers, their families, Dobbins and everything the chamber does to support them.

"I'm often asked if the Guard is overextended or tired," he said. "My answer is a resounding, 'No.' Our soldiers and airmen are fired up and ready to get after any and all missions. If you get a chance to hire one of our people, I promise you won't be disappointed."

Maj. Gen. Larson, who oversees the 22nd Air Force at Dobbins, continued Grabowski's sentiments of crediting Cobb County, the community and the chamber for their continued support and success. Larson said he is responsible for 12,000 airmen that report to him through the chain of command.

The 22nd Air Force has command supervision of the Air Force Reserve's tactical air mobility operations and other vital missions to include distinguished visitor airlift, undergraduate pilot training, flight test operations and a highly mobile civil engineering response force.

"Our job was to be ready, but only when the Air Force and our country really, really needs us," Larson said. "Up until about 20 years ago, that was our job, but we were a reserve force ... since the War on Terror, we have become an operational force ... and have been for the past 20 years. We're constantly on the go."

The Air Force Reserve provides 20% of the Air Force's capability for national defense for 3% of the budget, Larson said.

"That is a huge value proposition for what we have to offer our nation," he said. "These are your neighbors, these are your firefighters and teachers. These are the people serving you coffee and running businesses in your communities. About 80% of our force is part-time and their full-time jobs are civilian jobs outside the base."

Larson echoed his colleague's earlier comments by thanking the chamber for committing to the 22nd Air Force's future with programs such as the Honorary Commanders Association, an initiative that annually selects community and business leaders and pairs them with military commanders in a year-long educational program.

"I have lived on 15 different air bases," he said. "I've seen the support I have and haven't gotten, that we get at Dobbins Air Base, and I truly want to thank you for that, what you do for the 94th Air Force Wing, the 22nd Air Force and all the men and women in and out of the Air Force."

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An 82nd Airborne Division paratrooper was cleared of all charges related to a deadly 2020 gunfight in Syria between U.S. troops and forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad.

Sgt. 1st Class Robert Nicoson initially faced two counts of failure to obey an order, two counts of reckless endangerment, one count of communicating threats and three counts of obstructing justice.

One of those counts was dropped during the trials evidence phase, and Nicoson was found not guilty Friday on the seven remaining charges after a nearly weeklong court-martial trial at Fort Bragg, N.C., his attorney Phil Stackhouse told Army Times.

The Army brought the charges about eight months after the August 2020 battle with Syrian regime loyalists at a checkpoint near the town of Qamishli, in the countrys northeast.

Syria is in the midst of a civil war, which began in 2011, but the U.S. has troops there supporting mostly Kurdish-led militias that are fighting the Islamic State group. The U.S. forces also help guard oilfields from falling into terrorist hands.

After the skirmish, officials in the anti-ISIS coalition said the Americans were on routine patrol and had received safe passage but came under fire. A member of the Syrian side was killed and two others were wounded. There were no reported coalition injuries.

Prosecutors accused Nicoson of risking the platoons safety by going within 2 kilometers of the pro-regime forces, even though he was in a vehicle in the rear of the formation, Stackhouse told Stars and Stripes last May.

Meanwhile, a platoon leader toward the front got only a reprimand, he said.

The patrol told leaders it would go to the area of the incident, and the platoon leader was communicating with them as Nicoson spoke with the pro-regime fighters at the roadblock, Stackhouse told Army Times last week.

Prosecutors said Nicoson, a platoon sergeant with Blackhorse Troop, 1st Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, had threatened to kill the fighters if they didnt allow the Americans to pass.

What he told them through a translator was the subject of some dispute, Stackhouse said after the trial, but the alleged threats were meant to ward off an attack.

Military authorities also accused Nicoson of ordering soldiers in his unit to delete footage of the fighting to cover it up, but Stackhouse told Stars and Stripes last May that his client didnt know there would be an investigation and was merely enforcing a policy about such videos.

Lt. Col. Brett Lea, a spokesman for the 82nd Airborne Division, confirmed the acquittal in an email Saturday to Army Times. Officials did not immediately respond to a Stars and Stripes query Tuesday.

More than 20 witnesses testified before a combat-experienced jury made up of two lieutenant colonels and six command sergeants major, Stackhouse told Army Times.

The panel deliberated for about two hours before its president announced the verdict in Nicosons favor, he said.
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FORT SMITH, Ark. (Tribune News Service)  The Arkansas National Guard announced Jan. 6 in a press release that 40 National Guardsmen from the 39th Infantry Brigade Combat Team will deploy to nine hospitals across that state to assist local health care facilities as case numbers rise.

The Guardsmen were set to report for in processing Jan. 10 at Camp Joseph T. Robinson in North Little Rock and will report to their assigned hospitals on Jan. 11.

Their initial orders are for 30 days, which may be extended or curtailed as conditions dictate, according to the release.

The announcement came amid a record-breaking week for Arkansas.

An all-time high of 6,562 cases new cases reported by the Arkansas Department of Health on Tuesday, Jan. 4, was quickly overcome as numbers surpassed 7,000 and then 8,000 in the following days.

On Friday, Jan. 7, a record-breaking 8,434 cases were reported. The ADH reported 61,121 active cases across the state on Monday.

Four National Guardsmen will head to Mercy Hospital Fort Smith. There will also be Guardsmen sent to the Medical Associates of Northwest Arkansas in Fayetteville, six to St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro, four to Northeast Arkansas Baptist Memorial Hospital in Jonesboro, six to Baptist Health Medical Center in Little Rock, two to Baxter Regional Health System in Mountain Home, two to Jefferson Regional Hospital in Pine Bluff, six to Mercy Hospital Northwest Arkansas in Rogers, and six to Washington Regional Medical Center in Springdale.

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(Tribune News Service)  More than half of Ohio Army National Guard members are vaccinated, and Ohio National Guard Adjutant Maj. Gen. John Harris expects that percentage to rise after last weekend, which was a drill weekend for Guard members in Ohio.

"We generally see (vaccination) surges in the numbers over the weekends," Harris said in an interview Tuesday. A Guard spokeswoman said she was working on getting the latest numbers.

As of Jan. 6, 56% of Ohio Army National Guard troops have been fully vaccinated, and another 11% have received a first dose, Harris told the Dayton Daily News last week. He expects the Army vaccination rate to follow that of the Air National Guard, which quickly reached a 90% vaccination rate after commanders set a deadline.

It's that 11% figure for first doses that gives Harris optimism that the Army's rate is headed in the right direction.

"When you look at those first shots, 11% have taken their first shots," the two-star general said Tuesday. "As we get deeper into this process for the Army (National Guard), I expect to see what we saw with the Air National Guard  and that's a pretty significant increase as we approach the mandatory (vaccination) requirement date."

Army Guard members are required to be fully vaccinated by March 31.

"End of March is a long time to wait to get ready, but I'm giving the soldiers the benefit of the doubt. But this medical readiness is nothing new," Harris told the Statehouse News Bureau in a story last week.

Asked Tuesday if he was frustrated with the pace of vaccinations, Harris said the frustration was not with individual soldiers.

"The frustration is just helping soldiers and Airmen weed through the myriad of information, the amounts and amounts of information  some of it correct, some of it incorrect  about the vaccine and helping them get to a decision to get the vaccine," he said. "It's just very confusing."

About 65% of the Guard already deployed is in hospitals in Northern Ohio with 20% in Central Ohio and 15% in the state's Southern half, Harris said.

Some 80 Guard members have been deployed to Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton to assist with staffing, Harris said Tuesday. He expects additional troops will help with a testing center at Dayton Children's by either late this week or by Monday.

Troops are assisting with COVID testing, collecting test samples, he said. They are also assisting with transporting patients within hospitals, helping deliver food and assisting with administrative tasks where needed. Some are also working at cleaning rooms, as well.

Vaccination rates have not prevented the Guard from helping out at area hospitals, Harris said.

"As the needs have increased, he (Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine) has called, and we've been able to meet that demand each time," the adjutant general said.

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WASHINGTON  The Navy will comply with a Hawaii emergency order to empty fuel tanks and make repairs at a storage facility that contaminated drinking water with jet fuel at Pearl Harbor, an official said Monday, appearing to abandon its legal fight with the state before Navy leaders are grilled about the public health crisis in a hearing on Capitol Hill.

A November leak of 14,000 gallons of jet fuel at the long-troubled Red Hill underground fuel-storage facility at Pearl Harbor flowed into a Navy-operated well, sickening scores of people and driving 3,500 military families from their homes between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

The Hawaii Department of Health issued an emergency order on Dec. 6 after tests showed fuel had contaminated a well at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. The order required the Navy to develop a plan that would empty the tanks, identify needed repairs and address deficiencies within the operation, along with the installation of water filtration at the contaminated well.

The Navy suspended operations at the facility and began treating water but went to court to contest the order. But the Navy's resistance ended Friday, following a decision from the state deputy attorney general to uphold the emergency order that was later affirmed by Hawaii health officials last week.

"U. S. Pacific Fleet is complying with the Department of Health's Emergency Order for Red Hill," said Capt. Bill Clinton, a spokesperson for the command, in a decision that has not been publicly announced. The pause in operations at Red Hill has been in effect since Dec. 7, Clinton said, and there have not been any impact on operations at this time.

It is unclear if the Navy will appeal the decision, according to a defense official who spoke on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the issue. The Navy is in talks with the Justice Department on options and long-term solutions for the facility with national security implications in mind, the official said.

Environmental attorneys told Hawaii Public Radio that an appeal is possible but would be a challenging fight for the Navy. Military officials have contended the Red Hill facility is the linchpin fuel operation in the Pacific, capable of storing up to 250 million gallons of fuel as the Pentagon focuses on China as its most pressing adversary.

The Red Hill water shaft, the site of the November contamination, is near the huge facility of 20 underground steel fuel tanks encased in concrete, each about 20 stories tall. The tanks were carved into the basalt rock after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, following concerns that aboveground fuel depots would be targets for subsequent strikes.

The facility itself is about 100 feet above Oahu's only freshwater aquifer, stoking fears among environmentalists and lawmakers that continued problems at Red Hill will threaten the entire island. About 93,000 people rely on water from the Navy's wells.

The site has been the source of numerous and costly problems. David Day, Hawaii's deputy attorney general who rejected the Navy's arguments in the hearing, said leaks going back decades totaling about 200,000 gallons is likely an undercount.

"The evidence shows that the Red Hill Facility is simply too old, too poorly designed, too difficult to maintain, too difficult to inspect, along with being too large to prevent future releases," Day wrote in his recommendation to uphold the order, calling the facility a "ticking time bomb."

Nearly a dozen families told The Washington Post that they had experienced similar symptoms as early as spring, leading to suspicions that there was more extensive contamination than the Navy has disclosed.

Senior Navy officials are slated to testify before the House Armed Services Committee on Tuesday.
PASCAGOULA, Miss. (Tribune News Service)  With a gentle assist from tugboats, LPD 29 lifted off the floating dry dock as Ingalls Shipbuilding launched the latest in its line of amphibious assault transport ships last week.

The USS Richard M. McCool Jr. (LPD 29) is the 13th in the San Antonio class of amphibious assault force ships. Launching is one in a series of significant milestone events in bringing a ship to life, with LPD 29 expected to be delivered to the U.S. Navy later next year.

The LPD class ships, like all of our programs, are critically important to U.S. national security, said Ingalls president Kari Wilkinson. In addition, thousands of Americans, from engineers to electricians, have worked on LPD 29 over the years.

Ingalls Shipbuilding is proud to build them and even more proud of the talented people that make up our shipbuilding team.

Ingalls is the nations sole builder of the San Antonio class, state-of-the-art ships designed to support U.S. amphibious assault, special operations and expeditionary warfare missions in the 21st century.

The 684-foot long ships displace 25,000 tons and are used to transport and land U.S. Marines, equipment and supplies ashore via air cushion or conventional landing craft and amphibious assault vehicles, supported by helicopters or vertical takeoff/landing aircraft such as the MV-22 Osprey.

LPD 29 is the first U.S. Navy ship named in honor of World War II hero Richard M. McCool Jr., who was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as commanding officer of infantry landing support craft at the Battle of Okinawa in June 1945.

McCool graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1944 and was commissioned a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy. On June 10, 1945, off the coast of Okinawa, McCool helped rescue the survivors of the sinking destroyer USS William D. Porter. The following day, his own ship was hit and severely damaged by a Japanese kamikaze aircraft.

Despite suffering severe burns and shrapnel wounds during the attack, McCool continued to lead his crew in the firefighting and rescue efforts.

McCool also served in both the Korean and Vietnam Wars and retired from the Navy with the rank of Captain in 1974, ending a distinguished 30-year career. He died of natural causes in 2008 at the age of 86.

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WASHINGTON  The fuel spill at a Navy-run facility in Hawaii that supplies water to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam was most likely the result of an operator error, though an ongoing investigation into the cause is expected to draw more definite conclusions, service officials told the House lawmakers Tuesday.

The spill on Nov. 20 at the Red Hill underground fuel storage facility leaked jet fuel into the base drinking water, sickening some military families and forcing about 700 people to leave their homes. The incident has cost the Navy more than $250 million so far, said Rear Adm. John K. Korka, who is in charge of the Navys engineering systems command.

The Navy has a comprehensive and transparent recovery plan and we are executing our mission, Korka told members of a House Armed Services Committee subpanel during a hearing dedicated to the incident. I pledge my commitment to continue to work alongside other service counterparts and our regulatory partners to deliver safe drinking water, return our families to their homes [and] remediate the Red Hill well.

Rear Adm. Blake Converse, the deputy commander of the Pacific Fleet, said the investigation will consider the spills possible connection to a May 6 spill that was also concluded to have been caused by operator error.

The investigation is being conducted by an officer outside Red Hills chain of command and will include a team with a high-degree of technical expertise, including third-party civilian fuel-distribution experts and local hydrologists, Converse said.

The Hawaii Department of Health in December ordered the Navy to halt operations at Red Hill and the service complied. The state health department on Jan. 3 gave the Navy 30 days to submit plans on how it will drain the fuel facility.

Converse said the Navy plans to submit the fuel-draining plans, but Rep. Elaine Luria, D-Va., questioned why the service would close and drain the facility if the cause was not due to a problem with the storage tanks.

Im really quite confused, if this was related to operator error and the particular incident that happened most recently does not have to do with the integrity, structural integrity, or condition of the tanks, what point [does defueling] serve? Luria asked.

The Navy could contest Hawaiis order, but Converse said before decisions can be made, the Navy should wait until a full investigation into the incident is completed to understand the full scope of the issue.

A decision on whether to contest the order has to take into account the strategic importance of Red Hill, the alternatives and a number of factors that are associated with the combatant commanders responsibilities, he said. Ultimately the secretary of the Navy and [the defense secretary] will have to make a decision on that.

The incidents costs are expected to rise. For example, the Navy will pay for any follow-on care for medical issues related to the spill, Converse said.

Capt. Michael McGinnis, the Pacific Fleet surgeon, said most military families exposed to contaminated water have had symptoms that include nausea, vomiting, headaches, diarrhea and skin or eye irritations. He said those issues were rapidly resolved after their exposure to the contaminated water ended.
(Tribune News Service)  A crew of U.S. Navy personnel helped save injured Iranian mariners in the Gulf of Oman.

Details of the story, which were reported by the Defense Department, are vague, but singled Chief Boatswain's Mate Erick Chavez of Fraser, Mich.

The essence of the Dec. 15 rescue seems to come down to this:

The USS Lewis B. Puller, an expeditionary sea base platform, and the USS Sirocco, a patrol craft, saw mariners who were in distress and injured in some kind of an explosion, and sent sailors to save them.

"The entire crew, both military and civilian mariners, stepped up to perform incredibly that day," said Capt. Richard G. Burgess, Puller's commanding officer. "Our team did not waiver for a moment, and acted with professionalism and compassion to save lives."

Chavez added the crew maintained a steel resolve during the chaotic rescue.

The mariners, who identified themselves as Iranian citizens, were taken to the Puller for treatment. Two were flown by helicopter to Oman for medical treatment, and the other three were taken to Oman.

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One of the most indelible - and ultimately telling - moments of the early coronavirus pandemic came in late February 2020. A top official at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that the spread of the virus was "inevitable."

"It's not a question of if this will happen, but when this will happen, and how many people in this country will have severe illnesses," Nancy Messonnier said. The comment caused a blowup at the White House and among top administration officials, who had to account for then-President Donald Trump's consistent desire to downplay the threat during his reelection campaign. Then-Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar would later acknowledge that Messonnier had been "right."

On Tuesday, nearly two years later, came another such plainly stated and significant warning of what lies ahead in the pandemic: for most people, an infection.

"I think it's hard to process what's actually happening right now," said Janet Woodcock, acting commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, "which is most people are going to get covid."

Woodcock pitched this as being a necessary acknowledgment when it comes to charting the path forward - recognizing that the focus now needs to be on averting the worst that widespread infections could bring in the near term.

"What we need to do is make sure the hospitals can still function, transportation, you know, other essential services are not disrupted while this happens," she said. "I think after that will be a good time to reassess how we're approaching this pandemic."

Woodcock's projection might not be terribly surprising, given the number of daily positive tests rising to record levels. On Monday, the seven-day average reached more than 760,000, meaning about 1 in every 60 Americans has tested positive in the last week alone. (And that's likely a significant undercount, given the mildness of many omicron cases and the availability of at-home tests.) A study released about four months ago - before the rise of the unprecedentedly infectious omicron variant - estimated that 31% had already been infected even by that point.

Her comment also came shortly after a World Health Organization official warned the same day that Europe could see more than 50% of its population infected over the next six to eight weeks.

But as with Messonnier's comment, the acknowledgment is a momentous one in the fight against the virus. There has been some hope that omicron could spike and fade relatively quickly - as it appears to have in South Africa. But the ranking member of the Senate health committee which hosted Woodcock and other health officials, Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C., noted Israeli scientists were less bullish that their country would be following the same trajectory.

In responding to Burr's comments about South Africa, Anthony Fauci added another reality check, warning of inevitable future variants and that omicron infections might not provide natural immunity against them.

"If we wind up getting infected with omicron at a very, very low level of pathogenicity, is that going to be sort of almost like a live attenuated vaccine? I don't think we can say that right now," Fauci said.

Fauci added: "We really have to see how things spread out, when we see how that fares in the next variant. So there will be invariably another variant; we're going to have to take a look at whether or not there's going to be any protection there."

Even as they warned about the peril that lay ahead and the likelihood of infection for many Americans, Woodcock, Fauci and the others were careful to emphasize the importance of preventing infections as much as possible, given the strain widespread infection could put on hospitals and essential services.

Woodcock also repeatedly seemed to argue for a new footing in the fight against the virus: One that acknowledges what lay ahead in the near term and deals with institutional changes later on.

Sen. Mike Braun, R-Ind., later in the hearing cited a Washington Post editorial arguing for a change in approach to the pandemic from the administration. Braun compared the situation to a business where high-ranking officials might be fired and things would be decentralized.

"I think that we're talking about a natural disaster, and you can fire your board of directors because your factory was devastated by a hurricane, a tornado or a wildfire," Woodcock said. "But I don't know whether that would improve this situation."

Woodcock added: "I think right now we need to focus on continuity of operations for hospitals and other essential services as this variant sweeps through the population. I don't think that will last a really long time, but that's where I think we are right now."
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United Airlines is reducing its near-term flight schedule as the airline grapples with the staffing impact of the rapidly spreading omicron variant of the coronavirus.

"In one day alone at Newark, nearly one-third of our workforce called out sick," United Chief Executive Officer Scott Kirby wrote Tuesday in a memo to workers. "To those who are out sick or isolating, we wish you a speedy recovery."

About 3,000 of its workers are currently positive for covid-19, the CEO said. United is among multiple U.S. carriers whacked by a recent surge in omicron infections nationwide, which resulted in tens of thousands of flight cancellations across the industry during the holiday travel period.

The company will trim its flight schedule in January and February "on an ongoing basis" to adjust to staffing levels, a company spokeswoman said Tuesday. The airline declined to discuss specific capacity figures for the schedule reductions. Last week, Alaska Air Group Inc. announced a 10% capacity cut for January to help address Covid-related staffing shortages.

Kirby also touted the company's mandatory vaccination policy and said no vaccinated employees are in the hospital due to the virus. United had 85,300 employees as of Sept. 30.

The shares fell less than 1% at 9:40 a.m. in New York.
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The omicron variant is expected to have infected more than half the population in the European region in the next six to eight weeks if current trends hold, a World Health Organization official said Tuesday.

In the first week of 2022, Europe registered at least 7 million cases of the coronavirus, more than doubling over a two-week period, WHO regional director Hans Kluge told an online briefing. Almost all the countries in the WHO's European region - 53 nations and territories including some in Central Asia - have confirmed omicron cases.

"At this rate, the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) @IHME_UW forecasts that more than 50% of the population in the Region will be infected with Omicron in the next 6-8 weeks," he wrote on Twitter.

The latest data confirms the variant's high transmissibility, according to Kluge, "because the mutations it has enable it to adhere to human cells more easily, and it can infect even those who have been previously infected or vaccinated."

This "unprecedented scale of transmission" has led to rising numbers of covid-19 hospitalizations, Kluge told reporters. "I am also deeply concerned that as the variant moves east, we have yet to see its full impact in countries where levels of vaccination uptake are lower."

Some European countries with high vaccination rates have eased restrictions or reduced isolation periods for the immunized as part of an effort to avoid more disruptions to daily life, while others are tightening curbs on people who have not been vaccinated.

WHO officials including Kluge maintain that existing coronavirus vaccines provide protection against severe disease and death including in the case of an omicron infection. The global health body said in an update that more research was underway to determine the extent. It also said omicron growth rates have declined or stabilized in many countries but remain "significantly higher" than for the delta variant.

The WHO said initial information on the severity of the variant from some countries including South Africa and Britain suggested that it could carry a reduced risk of hospitalization but that more data was necessary to better understand its impact, especially in parts of the world with low levels of population immunity and vaccination rates.

In the United States and other countries grappling with omicron surges, health care workers are waiting to see whether the wave will mirror those of South Africa and London, where the variant passed its peak while causing relatively fewer deaths and hospitalizations than some models had predicted.

Doctors still worry that because the more contagious omicron will infect more people, even a small fraction of them landing in hospitals could further strain medical systems.
ENID, Okla. (Tribune News Service)  A Vietnam-era Bell UH-1 Iroquois military utility helicopter  nicknamed Huey  arrived at its final resting place at Woodring Wall of Honor and Veterans Park in Enid, Okla., on Monday.

The Huey helicopter came from the now closed Cold War Museum in Lancaster, Texas, and will be on display as part of the M.L. Becker Educational Center and Woodring Wall of Honor exhibits.

"We are privileged to have this as a permanent part of our park," said Elaine Johns, Wall of Honor executive director. "We can't wait for the rest of 2022, that we can't talk about right now, but there is more coming."

The helicopter is temporarily missing its blades and transmission. Accompanying the incoming war bird is a World War II jeep that will be displayed in the museum.

Admiring fans and veterans met the helicopter at Hutch's Oil and Convenience Store on South Van Buren as it arrived in Enid. The Huey was transported on a trailer by museum volunteer Justin Messenger from Lancaster, Texas.

The Huey was escorted to Woodring by Enid Police Department, followed by dozens of vehicles in the procession.

"The team worked 22 hours getting there and breaking the Huey down for transport and working their way through Dallas," Johns said. "It was a slow process as there were several wrecks and lots of 'lookieloos' while driving by the Huey."

The helicopter left Lancaster at 11 p.m. and arrived in Oklahoma City at 4 a.m., leaving there at 9 a.m. to arrive in Enid around 11 a.m., Messenger said.

"We navigated an insane amount of traffic, but especially because people were looking at the helicopter," Messenger said. "This helicopter is an actual Vietnam veteran. It got damaged so badly that they had to rebuild it in the United States after the war."

A mine on a landing pad is what ultimately took this helicopter out of commission, Johns said. Formerly, it was used as transportation before the bomb when off and damaged its underbelly, Johns said.

The Huey will be housed with the A-26 Lady Liberty for now, but there isn't enough room in the hangar to display the helicopter properly.

"Now we have to start a new campaign to get a new building," Johns said. "We already have an account open at Security National Bank. We will be accepting new donations because we are going to have to build a large building that is going to be able to house what we think we are going to be getting this year. That's 10,000 square feet of memorabilia that could be added to the park this year."

The fully assembled helicopter will be unveiled at Woodring's Memorial Day celebration.

The museum is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays.

The Woodring board previously had gone to look at a different Huey helicopter, belonging to the U.S. Army in Kansas, but were unable to get it.

"Justin, one of our volunteers, has a Cobra. He and his brother own it," Johns said. "There was a man in Texas that said, 'If you ever find this part for a Cobra, I'll trade a Huey for it.' Justin told me three weeks ago and said that he had found that Cobra part on eBay for $15,000. We knew we could raise $15,000 to get that Huey. So we did. We are so honored to have it now."

Several veterans gathered at Woodring with the arrival of the Huey. Many of them recounted their memories of the war and their involvement with jeeps and helicopters like the ones new to Woodring.

"I joined in 1991 and served until 1996," veteran Brent Roberts said. "I went to air assault school at Camp Gruber in 1993. I rappelled three times out of the Huey. They had the Blackhawk there, but I went old school. I remember, on the skids there, they had a special tower you had to train on the Huey. If you had a misstep, you would catch a possum hang. There is a static probe that, if you touch it with your foot, you were in trouble."

One veteran, Lawrence Payne of the Army's 101st Airborne Division "The Comancheros," knew a lot about the Huey, specifying differences between different models and talking about the material make-up of the helicopter.

"I was a crew chief for 14 months in Vietnam on an H model Huey in '70 and '71," Payne said. "B models are early. It's got a shorter door. The H model has two windows in the sliding door, and it's got another little quarter door in front of it. It's got quite a bit bigger cargo compartment, bigger lift engine and rotor blades."

kjeanne@enidnews.com

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(Tribune News Service)  The USS Orleck, a former U.S. Navy destroyer that saw combat in the Korean and Vietnam wars, is heading to Jacksonville, Fla., to begin a new life as a floating military museum.

The Jacksonville Historic Naval Ship Association announced Tuesday that it has acquired the ship and that it will soon be Jacksonville-bound after passing a seaworthiness inspection last month in Texas.

Plans call for the Orleck to be towed from Port Arthur, Texas, to Jacksonville in late February or early March. It is to be berthed at the westernmost pier at the Jacksonville Shipyards, near the Berkman Tower. The ship will be docked perpendicular to the shoreline, with its stern facing inward.

Daniel Bean, president of the association, said the Orleck will become a museum focusing on the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam era. "Unlike any other warship on display in the United States, our focus will be on Vietnam," he said Tuesday in a ceremony at Manifest Distillery.

The 390-foot ship has a long and colorful history. It's a Gearing Class destroyer that was built in Texas and launched in May of 1945, near the end of World War II, at a cost of $6.3 million. It operated as part of the Seventh Fleet during the Korean War, then underwent extensive renovations under the Navy's Fleet Rehabilitation and Maintenance program in 1962.

During the Vietnam War, it earned the nickname "Gray Ghost of the Vietnam Coast" and fired more rounds in support of ground troops than any ship in the Navy. The ship earned 18 Battle Stars, four during the Korean conflict and 14 during the fighting in Vietnam.

It later served as a training ship and appeared in the TV miniseries "Winds of War." In 1982 it was transferred to the Turkish Navy, where it was renamed the TCG Yucetepe, serving until 2000.

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President Moon Jae-in will leave for a weeklong visit to the Middle East later this week. He will visit the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Egypt.

The trip was originally scheduled for last year but was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Cheong Wa Dae said, "It is expected to strengthen trust and friendship with the leaders of the three Middle Eastern countries."

Starting off his schedule in the UAE on Jan. 16, Moon will attend a business roundtable meeting and other events. He will then travel to Saudi Arabia for a two-day visit on Jan. 18. The final leg will take him to Egypt.

Moon will return to Seoul on Jan. 22.


North Korea launched what appeared to be a ballistic missile off its eastern coast, South Korean military officials announced Tuesday morning.

The projectile reached speeds of Mach 10, or 10 times the speed of sound, and was more advanced than a so-called hypersonic missile the North launched Jan. 5, the South Korean Defense Ministry said in a news release Tuesday.

Tuesdays launch occurred at 7:27 a.m. inside North Korea, according to a text message to reporters from the Souths Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Our troops are maintaining their readiness posture and monitoring relevant moves thoroughly under close cooperation between [South Korea] and the U.S. in preparation for an additional launch, the message said.

The missile reached a peak altitude of 37 miles and flew over 435 miles, according to the Defense Ministry.

Japans Ministry of Defense in a press release also estimated the missile traveled about 435 miles and landed outside of the countrys exclusive economic zone.

South Koreas National Security Council held an emergency meeting and expressed strong regret immediately after the launch, which came at a time when a stable state of affairs is very necessary, the presidential Blue House said in a statement Tuesday morning.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida following the launch told reporters it was extremely regrettable.

The launch follows what Pyongyang claimed to be the firing of a hypersonic ballistic missile on Jan. 5, its first such test this year.

South Koreas Defense Ministry on Friday dismissed the Norths claim that it successfully fired a hypersonic weapon last week, according to The Associated Press.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in, who has advocated to formally end the 1950-53 Korean War, in a speech urged not to give up dialogue with Pyongyang immediately following the Jan. 5 missile test.

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield on Tuesday condemned the communist regimes previous launch and declared it a violation of multiple U.N. Security Council resolutions.

[North Koreas] continued pursuit of weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs is a threat to international peace and security, the ambassador said in a joint statement. This launch is the latest in a series of ballistic missile launches and shows [North Koreas] determination to expand its unlawful weapons capabilities.

South Korea did not sign the joint statement by the United States, Japan, Albania, France, Ireland and the United Kingdom.

Stars and Stripes reporter Hana Kusumoto contributed to this report.
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TOKYO  U.S. military commands in Japan accounted for nearly 800 cases of COVID-19 over the past six days as another wave of the coronavirus gained strength in the country.

Japan on Tuesday extended into February the pandemic border controls that keep out most foreign travelers, The Associated Press reported. The ban was set to expire Jan. 31 but cases have grown from handfuls per day to thousands.

Meanwhile, the U.S. military population in Japan passed a second day restricted mostly to their homes or bases, except for essential services. U.S. Forces Japan and the Japanese government agreed to keep American service members, Defense Department civilians and their families close to their installations to curb further spread of the disease.

Okinawa prefecture, where about 25,000 U.S. soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines are stationed, on Tuesday reported 1,161 new coronavirus infections, of which 386 are associated with the U.S. military, according to a daily update from the prefectural Department of Public Health and Medical Care.

Elsewhere in Japan, Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, 25 miles south of Hiroshima, confirmed 83 new coronavirus infections from Sunday and Monday, down from a high of 182 on Jan. 4, according to base news releases. Sasebo Naval Base on Kyushu Island reported 66 from both days, according to posts on its Facebook page.

Yokota Air Base in western Tokyo, headquarters for USFJ, reported 74 people tested positive for the virus between Thursday and Tuesday, according to an update on the base website Tuesday.

Three people tested positive after recently arriving in Japan and while still in restricted movement, a form of quarantine; 20 were also in quarantine as close contacts, according to the base. The remaining 51 appear to be generated in the community. The base has 179 active cases.

Someone at Joan K. Mendel Elementary School on Yokota tested positive, according to a message on Tuesday to parents and staff from assistant principal Holly Vance. She said contact tracing is underway but made no mention of an interruption of classes.

Naval Air Facility Atsugi, about 25 miles southwest of Tokyo, on Tuesday reported 138 active cases, according to a post on the air stations Facebook page.

Base commander Capt. Manning Montagnet, in an update posted Monday on Facebook, said NAF Atsugi has nearly four times the infections as its previous pandemic high, 39.

The number of coronavirus cases in Japan has doubled in the past week and now exceeds 8,000 new cases a day, with 46% attributed to the omicron variant, Montagnet wrote.

In short, he wrote, Wave 6 has started.

The fifth wave of coronavirus in Japan, the most extreme thus far, subsided in September. But a surge beginning in December is still gaining steam. Japan reported 8,144 new cases on Monday, according to the World Health Organization. That number was 87 on Dec. 14.

Tokyo reported 962 new COVID-19 cases on Tuesday, more than six times the number a week prior, according to public broadcaster NHK. The seven-day running average was nearly 775 on Monday. On Dec. 14, it was 18.1, according to metropolitan government data online.

The metro government reported 768 people hospitalized Monday, and just four with severe symptoms.

Stars and Stripes reporter Mari Higa contributed to this report.
(Tribune News Service)  The U.S. military is tracking a Russian spy ship in the Pacific Ocean near Hawaii, officials confirmed to the Star-Advertiser today.

The vessel has been in waters just outside of the Hawaii's exclusive economic zone while commanders have monitored movements since at least Friday.

"U.S. Indo-Pacific Command is monitoring the Russian vessel operating in international waters in the vicinity of Hawaii," INDOPACOM spokesman Maj. Rob Martins said. "As part of our normal daily operations, we closely track all vessels in the Indo-Pacific area of operations through maritime patrol aircraft, surface ships and joint capabilities. We operate in accordance with international law of the sea and in the air to ensure that all nations can do the same without fear or contest and in order to secure a free and open Indo-Pacific."

In May, the U.S. Pacific Fleet tracked the Vladivostok-based Russian spy ship the Kareliya, which was lingering about 15 miles to the west of Kauai. The island is home to the Pacific Missile Range Facility Barking Sands, which is used by the Navy and the Missile Defense Agency to test-fire missiles.

The Kareliya's presence prompted American commanders to delay a planned missile test.

That incident preceded the arrival of dozens of warships from Russia's Pacific Fleet in June that conducted what Russian officials described as the largest exercise its navy has conducted in the Pacific since the end of the Cold War.

American jets scrambled several times in response to Russian bombers flying close to Hawaii's airspace. And after the majority of the warships left at the end of the exercise, a spy ship stayed behind to monitor maneuvers by the American aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson.

That exercise coincided with President Joe Biden's first meeting with Russian President Vladamir Putin since his inauguration. A Russian spy ship also lingered near Hawaii in 2016 to monitor the biennial U.S.-hosted Rim of The Pacific naval exercise.

The latest appearance of a Russian vessel this year comes as the Biden Administration works to diffuse tensions as the Russian military assembles a massive buildup on the border with Ukraine that many Ukrainians fear is the mobilization for an invasion. Russia previously invaded and annexed Ukraine's Crimea region in 2014.

The Pentagon currently considers the Pacific its top priority of operations and considers China to be its main rival in the region, but Russia is still a major player in the region.

The Kremlin maintains military ties and arms trading deals with several countries across Asia and maintains its own sizeable Pacific fleet. American fishermen sailing in the Northern Pacific near Alaska have reported increasing interactions with Russian military ships and aircraft.

Hawaii is a critical hub for U.S. military operations. INDOPACOM, which is headquartered at Camp Smith, oversees all operations across the Pacific Ocean, much of the Indian Ocean and parts of the Arctic region.

The U.S. military is increasingly recognizing connections between these regions as melting polar icecaps have begun to open new trade routes between Europe and the Pacificalong with potential undersea energy deposits that Russia and China are eager to secure.

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The European Union is looking into ways it can counter rising secession threats by Bosnian Serbs, including potentially suspending some funds and financial assistance, several people familiar with the matter said.

After years of such threats, the Bosnian Serb parliament last month adopted a series of measures aimed at cutting judicial, security and military ties with the rest of Bosnia-Herzegovina.

The country has been left with weak centralized rule and deep political division since 1995, when the fighting that killed an estimated 100,000 people ended. Bosnia is divided into two entities along mainly ethnic lines between Bosnian Serbs, presided over by Milorad Dodik, on one side, and Muslims and Croats on the other.

About 10 EU member states have asked for such options to be prepared, one of the people said. These could also include curbs in funding from the bloc's multi-billion euro economic investment plan, another person said.

A small number of states, including Germany, have called on the EU to adopt sanctions on Dodik, matching those imposed by the U.S. administration last week for engaging in destabilization and corrupt activities that threaten to split apart Bosnia-Herzegovina.

The EU is nowhere near agreeing on measures that require unanimity, like sanctions. But in the meantime it can present and implement other options, including freezing some of the funds to state institutions and those that benefit Dodik's regime, two of the people said. That would not require unanimous backing, the people said.

The bloc issued another warning to Dodik on Tuesday.

"The priority is to stop the divisive, unacceptable, inflammatory behavior, actions and rhetorics, and to renew the work of state institutions in Bosnia," EU spokesman Peter Stano told reporters in Brussels. If the situation in Republika Srpska deteriorates and the efforts to end the crisis fail, the EU will consider a "wide toolbox" of measures, including sanctions and the review of EU assistance plans, he said.

The situation in the former Yugoslav republic will be discussed at the meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brest, France on Jan. 24.

The EU has so far invested more than 3.5 billion euros ($4 billion) in Bosnia's overhaul and projects reaching from de-mining to boosting agriculture and strengthening the rule of law, since the end of the war.
(Tribune News Service)  "In a triangle with three countries, you don't want to be the one opposite the other two."

Should their interests combine, America could face a greater military and foreign policy threat than during the Cold War. That's the view of former CIA analyst Andrea Kendall-Taylor of the Center for a New American Security.

Many American and European foreign policy professionals believe a Russian invasion of Ukraine  beyond the Ukrainian territory it already controls  is all but inevitable. And China-watchers say once the Beijing Olympics are over and the nation holds its Communist Party National Congress in the fall, Taiwan is likely to face a direct threat as well.

Gordon G. Chang, author of "The Coming Collapse of China," thinks Americans should be more concerned.

"Defense experts are not as worried about China and Russia as they should be," says Chang. "We should not be surprised because they have not been particularly concerned for a long time."

Chang says the experts focused too much on the things that divided Beijing and Moscow rather than the issues that could unite them.

"Those dividing interests will almost certainly prevent an enduring partnership over time," Chang concedes. "But we should not care about what their relationship will be like a century from now. We should care about their effective alliance now (because) in the here and now, the pair is working closely against us and the international system."

Since signing a memorandum of understanding for military cooperation, China and Russia have engaged in multiple joint defense exercises. In 2018, Russia invited China for the first time to its largest annual defense exercise. A year later, they held their first-ever joint bomber patrols along the Korean Peninsula, drawing warning shots from South Korean pilots.

The two nations have also increased their economic cooperation. Bilateral trade between China and Russia reached more than $120 billion in 2021, a significant increase from 2020 despite the impacts of COVID. And the newly-completed Power of Siberia pipeline is expected to send 1.3 trillion cubic feet of Russian natural gas to China by the year 2025.

China and Russia are so close now that Chang considers them the New Axis. The question is, what are they after?

"I doubt that China would invade Taiwan this year given that Beijing has the Olympics next month and President Xi Jinping has his hands full trying to manage Omicron, the economy, and the upcoming Party Congress meeting later in the year," says Zach Cooper, a Senior Fellow in Foreign and Defense Policy at American Enterprise Institute (AEI). "The real worry is how China and Russia help each other in terms of technology-sharing and by posing challenges that make it hard for the United States to focus on one region at a time."

Cooper acknowledges concerns about a simultaneous Ukraine and Taiwan invasion scenario, but he thinks that is an incredibly low likelihood event this year.

"We will see lots of diplomatic coordination and some defense technology cooperation, but I don't expect deep operational trust between the two militaries, and I think the two sides are working on different timetables," says Cooper. "Russia wants action now in Ukraine (but) China likely does not want to get into a fight over Taiwan this year, so I think the coordination will continue, but it will be of a different sort than some are suggesting the last few weeks."

Chang's fear is that a foreign policy misstep could result in a two-front challenge to the West.

"Once either China or Russia, intentionally or accidentally starts a conflict, the other could act, either in coordination or on its own, taking advantage of the situation," says Chang. "So, let's say China starts a conflict with Taiwan, Japan, the Philippines, or India. Russia could move against Ukraine."

The Biden administration has yet to lay out a strategy for confronting either nation or driving a wedge between them. Biden was elected touting his extensive foreign policy experience, but in the wake of the Afghanistan withdrawal fiasco, Biden's foreign policy approval ratings are underwater with the American people.

"Neither Xi Jinping nor Vladimir Putin seems to be particularly impressed with the United States at the moment," says Chang. "Deterrence is breaking down."

When it comes to what each nation brings to the table militarily speaking, Cooper says China is ahead in some areas.

"We certainly have a set of programs that are developing various hypersonic capabilities, but China already has conventionally-armed ballistic missiles with anti-ship capabilities, so it has an edge there," says Cooper.

"China is at least a half-decade ahead of us in hypersonic technology, probably more like a decade," says Chang. "Once, in the 1960s, the United States was the world leader in hypersonic flight (but) we did not develop the tech in the hope that we could entice Beijing and Moscow into similar restraint and, in short, we deluded ourselves about the nature of the Chinese and Russian regimes, (so) Americans should be furious at their policymakers."

Chang also sees a slight advantage for China when it comes to artificial intelligence.

"China is certainly ahead of us in quantum communications."

Quantum communication is defined by research and development company PicoQuant as a field of applied quantum physics closely related to quantum information processing and quantum teleportation.

"It's most interesting application is protecting information channels against eavesdropping," says PicoQuant in a webpage on quantum communication.

In terms of undersea capabilities, Cooper believes the U.S. has a clear lead. The same with space and cyber, generally speaking.

"We have perfected carrier flight operations, which the Chinese are just getting comfortable with, but China has quantity, which as the saying goes can have a quality all its own," says Cooper. "So, we may be ahead in many areas, but China may not need to be our equal to pose serious problems since in many areas it will likely field more systems at less expense than the American military."

America is also using high-tech training like the Synthetic Training Environment (STE) Live Training System to give U.S. pilots the ability to train against the fighters and weapons used by China and Russia in a virtual "real world" experience.

"The more realistic our training the better prepared our forces will be, but this is hard to observe for the opponent," says Cooper. "So this may be more helpful in a war-fight than for deterrence purposes."

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FREDERICK, Md. (Tribune News Service)  Mariela Roca sees her bid for Congress as a chance to continue a life of service.

After five years in the Air Force, including a tour of duty in Afghanistan in 2007, and 10 years as a civilian government employee, Roca, 36, is running for the Republican nomination in Marylands 8th Congressional District. The seat is currently held by U.S. Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md.

This to me just feels like another way of serving, she said.

Shes the first Republican to file, according to the Maryland State Board of Elections. Howard County Democrat Andalib Odulate and Libertarian candidate Andres Garcia of Montgomery County are also seeking to represent the Eighth District.

Originally from Puerto Rico, Roca moved to Maryland while in the military.

She stayed and attended Mount St. Marys University, earning a masters in business administration, along with a bachelors degree in computer information technology and a doctorate in business administration from University of Maryland Global Campus.

Roca said shes running because she feels like the country has to make drastic changes in its direction, moving away from the Biden Administrations plan to just tax and spend to help the economy. Shes also concerned about how the government is dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic.

With two kids in public schools, education is another priority. She said schools should be focusing on teaching kids how to think rather than what to think.

In a district that stretches from the Washington, D.C., suburbs of Montgomery County through Frederick County and into Carroll County, Roca believes living in Frederick County will help her be able to reach out to all parts of the district and make sure shes talking to everyone.

She believes Raskin hasnt spent enough time in the Frederick County and Carroll County parts of the district, though she said the layout makes it hard to make sure youre representing the interests of all your constituents.

The district is two different worlds that have been smushed together into a district, she said.

Roca has spent the past month making phone calls to introduce herself to voters and plans to have a kickoff event in the next few weeks.

Politically unaffiliated when she moved to Maryland, Roca said she was drawn to the Republican Partys support for the military, along with other issues.

She views U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace, a South Carolina Republican, as a political role model of someone with firm conservative values who can still talk to people on both sides of the aisle in a common sense approach.

Thats an approach Roca hopes to emulate if elected.

I really think weve got to get away from bashing each other, she said.

___

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ATLANTA - President Joe Biden threw his full support Tuesday behind changing the Senate filibuster to ease passage of voting rights bills, using a major speech in Atlanta to endorse an idea increasingly backed by Democrats and civil rights activists seeking momentum on what has been an intractable issue.

The remarks from Biden, who was a senator for 36 years, amounted to his strongest endorsement yet of changes he had resisted for most of his career. The president made clear that he, like many others in his party, now believes the filibuster is being abused to block legislation that is fundamental to democracy.

"The United States Senate, designed to be the world's greatest deliberative body, has been rendered a shell of its former self," Biden told hundreds of college students, civil rights activists and elected officials at the Atlanta University Center. "I believe that the threat to our democracy is so grave that we must find a way to pass these voting rights bills."

If the Senate does not at least agree to debate the voting bills, "we have no option but to change the Senate rules, including getting rid of the filibuster for this," Biden said, to applause.

Much of the speech was a blistering attack on Republicans of the kind Biden has long avoided, taking aim at those opposing voting rights measures in Congress as well as those enacting voting restrictions in the states.

"The facts won't matter. Your votes won't matter," Biden said. "They will just decide what they want and then do it. That's the kind of power you see in totalitarian states, not in democracies."

The tough language extended Biden's shift toward a more combative tone in recent weeks, after nearly a year of carefully courting Republicans and Democratic centrists. Last month the White House issued a sharp condemnation of Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., and Biden on Thursday condemned former president Donald Trump in newly forceful terms.

Under the Senate's filibuster rules, most bills need 60 votes to pass, a threshold that is increasingly difficult to meet in the polarized chamber. The Senate is split 50-50 between the parties, and Republicans are almost entirely unified against the voting rights bills.

Many civil rights activists are frustrated that Biden has not pushed harder to protect the vote, and some stayed away from the president's visit. The Rev. Al Sharpton met with Biden after his address, saying, "I told the president he gave a monumental speech and, though I have been challenging him for months to be forthcoming, it was better late than never."

Vice President Kamala Harris, herself a former senator, also embraced amending the filibuster as she spoke before Biden at the Atlanta University Center, sandwiched between two historically Black institutions in a state that is steeped in civil rights history.

"Nowhere does the Constitution give a minority the right to unilaterally block legislation," Harris said. "The American people have waited long enough."

The Democratic efforts are focused on two bills: the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, which would restore the federal government's authority to review certain state voting laws to prevent discrimination, and the Freedom to Vote Act, a broader bill that would create national rules for voting by mail, early voting and other parts of the electoral process.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., plans to bring a package of rules changes to the floor before Martin Luther King Jr. Day next week. On Tuesday, Schumer warned that the threats of voter suppression are not false - as Senate Republicans have claimed - but dangerous, and he indicated that Senate action could come as early as Wednesday.

"Failure is not an option for the democracy of America," Schumer told reporters.

Any shift would require the agreement of all 50 Democratic caucus members. But at least two centrists - Manchin and Sen. Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona - have resisted the changes, making the prospects for action uncertain at best.

While Manchin has spent weeks in negotiations with fellow Democratic senators over possible rules changes, he told reporters Tuesday that he was not interested in changing the Senate's rules on a party-line vote.

"We need some good rules changes, and we can do that together," he said. "But you change the rules with two-thirds of the people that are present so it's Democrats, Republicans changing the rules to make the place work better. Getting rid of the filibuster does not make it work better."

In Atlanta, the president did not point a finger at specific senators by name, but he said the Senate vote would mark a turning point in American history.

"Will we choose democracy over autocracy? Light over shadows? Justice over injustice? I know where I stand," Biden said. "The question is, where will the institution of the United States Senate stand?"

Biden's speech is the latest move in an increasingly bitter partisan fight over voting. Democrats are angry at an array of voting restrictions imposed by GOP-led states, including Georgia, where Biden visited King's crypt on Tuesday before making his speech.

Republicans have made clear they will not take part in any effort to rewrite the Senate rules to pass the voting bills. At a Capitol Hill news conference Tuesday, more than a dozen Senate Republicans blasted efforts to change the filibuster. Several quoted Schumer's own past remarks on the topic, including a 2005 comment that eliminating the rule would spell "doomsday for democracy."

"Here we are today, with them eating their words," said Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va. "That's hypocritical at the face of it."

Several senators in the Democratic caucus who signed a 2017 letter arguing for the preservation of the 60-vote threshold for legislation said circumstances have changed amid Republican efforts to undermine voting rights across the country.

One of them, Sen. Angus King, I-Maine, said he believed the upcoming vote would be the most important one he takes in his life.

"It's ironic in the extreme to enshrine the principle of bipartisanship here in the Senate to the extent that we can't repair damage done to the democracy by 100 percent partisan legislatures" around the country, King said.

Reflecting the lack of a clear path forward, Democrats have not arrived at a unified proposal for amending the filibuster.

Discussions have centered on two main alternatives: creating a carve-out that would simply exempt voting rights legislation from the 60-vote threshold, or returning to the "talking filibuster," which would require senators to physically speak on the floor to block a vote on legislation.

Historically, that requirement has led to marathon speeches, as dramatized in movies such as "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington." But currently, senators only have to state their intention to block a bill, making the tactic far easier.

Biden on Tuesday called on Congress to pass both the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act immediately. He has made phone calls and met virtually with a handful of Democratic senators in recent weeks, and he signaled that his patience is waning.

"I've been having these quiet conversations with members of Congress for the last two months. I'm tired of being quiet," Biden said, striking the lectern with his palm.

Several Democrats joined Biden on Tuesday, including Georgia's two senators, Democrats Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff.

But notably absent was Stacey Abrams, who has been at the forefront of registering voters in Georgia and is running for governor. Seth Bringman, a spokesman for Abrams, said she "has a conflict, expressed her support and will continue to."

Before leaving Washington earlier Tuesday, Biden dismissed the notion of any friction between him and Abrams, telling reporters he was insulted by the question. White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Biden and Abrams held a "warm" phone call earlier Tuesday. Abrams, in a statement late Tuesday, thanked the president and vice president "for returning to Georgia to continue their steadfast advocacy for passage of federal legislation to protect the freedom to vote."

Still, a number of civil rights groups announced boycotts of Biden and Harris's visit, expressing impatience with the lack of action from Washington. Psaki declined to comment on the protests, noting that Biden was flying with a "full plane of congressional leaders and advocates for voting rights" and meeting with an array of civil rights leaders in Georgia.

Republicans, many embracing the discredited notion that Trump won the 2020 presidential election, dismiss Democrats' complaints about the new state-level voting restrictions and argue that the changes are needed to prevent fraud and restore faith in the vote.

Georgia's law, for example, expands voter ID requirements, imposes new rules on early voting, and forbids handing out food or water to people waiting in line to vote, among other measures.

Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel said it was Democrats who were abusing the process by seeking to overrule state voting laws. "No number of lies told or fake hysteria pushed today justify Democrats' agenda to break the Senate and destroy American elections," McDaniel said.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., on Tuesday renewed a threat to grind the Senate to a halt using time-consuming procedural maneuvers if Democrats unilaterally change the rules.

"If the Democratic leader tries to shut millions of Americans and entire states out of the business of governing, the operations of this body will change," he said. ". . . But not in ways that reward the rule-breakers, not in ways that advantage this president, this majority, or their party. I guarantee it."

Five times since the Voting Rights Act was first passed in 1965, Republicans have voted to reauthorize it, but GOP support for key enforcement provisions has all but evaporated since the Supreme Court gutted them in recent decisions. Only Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, voted with Democrats last year to advance the John Lewis bill, which would restore federal oversight of election laws in jurisdictions with a history of racial discrimination.

The Freedom to Vote Act, meanwhile, has garnered no Republican support. It not only sets a single nationwide minimum standard for early voting and vote-by-mail in a bid to reverse some of the new state-level GOP laws, but it also aims to overhaul a wide range of election and campaign-finance practices.

- - -

DeBonis and Wang reported from Washington. The Washington Post's Vanessa Williams in Washington contributed to this report.
FORT WORTH (Tribune News Service)  On the night of Jan. 4, 61-year-old Derick Wheeler of Fort Worth told his younger brother that he felt ill and he would probably go to the Fort Worth VA Clinic the next morning.

Dwayne Wheeler said Tuesday he wasnt sure what was wrong with his older brother.

But it would be the last conversation the brothers would ever have.

On the morning of Jan. 5, Derick Wheeler tried to cross East Loop 820, his brother said, and he may have been on his way to catch a bus to the VA hospital when he was hit by a truck whose driver never stopped to help him.

Derick Wheeler was pronounced dead at the scene, and Fort Worth police on Tuesday continued their search for the hit-and-run driver.

My brother was not an animal; he wasnt a dog, Dwayne Wheeler said Tuesday in a telephone interview with the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. I dont know why he (the driver) would keeping going and not stop.

Derick Wheeler was hit and killed by a pickup truck on Loop 820 near Meadowbrook Drive in east Fort Worth, authorities said.

The accident was reported just before 7 a.m. on Jan. 5.

A 911 caller reported that a man ran in front of a truck and the pedestrian was hit by the vehicle, according to a police call log.

Fort Worth police have only released that the vehicle was a black truck with over-sized tires.

He may have panicked or he may have been under the influence, Dwayne Wheeler said. We just dont know.

Dwayne Wheeler and his family just want the hit-and-run driver to surrender to authorities.

Born and raised in Fort Worth, Derick Wheeler was a disabled U.S. Army veteran who had served five years, his brother said.

The Fort Worth man, who suffered from PTSD, had been homeless at one time, and he had had some legal problems, but he had turned his life around, Dwayne Wheeler said.

Derick Wheeler was a happy man who had loved the military, his brother said.

At this time, Dwayne Wheeler said his family just wants closure.

I want justice for my brother, the San Antonio man said. Hes just not another dead man in Fort Worth.

Funeral services for Derick Wheeler are still pending, but a memorial service is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on Jan. 17 at the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery in Grand Prairie.

Anyone with information should call Fort Worth police at 817-392-4892.

___

(c)2022 the Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Visit the Fort Worth Star-Telegram at www.star-telegram.com

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DETROIT  FBI agents infiltrated an alleged plot to kidnap and hurt Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and hid recording devices in key fobs that captured conversations among undercover informants and accused plotters, according to a court filing late Monday.

A defense lawyer for one of the accused ringleaders, Potterville resident Adam Fox, 38, argued conversations captured by the spy gadget will prove there was no conspiracy to kidnap Whitmer and that the government entrapped five men awaiting trial in a case that has focused attention on violent extremism in Michigan. Defense lawyers are fighting to play the recordings for jurors during a trial starting in March in federal court in Grand Rapids.

"Adam Fox asserts that portions of these same recordings and messages show that there was no agreement between the defendants to commit a crime and that the government through its informants and agents entrapped the defendants into the limited participation the government did induce," Fox lawyer Christopher Gibbons wrote Monday.

Court records show the key fobs were part of a broader package of spy tools a dozen informants and undercover FBI agents used during an investigation that ended in arrests in October 2020. Prosecutors have more than 1,000 hours of conversations, secretly recorded video and reams of text messages.

Fox's lawyer was responding less than a week after the FBI and prosecutors tried to distance themselves from a rogue informant, Stephen Robeson, 58, of Oxford, Wisconsin. Prosecutors said Robeson was a double agent who offered to use a drone to commit domestic terrorism and use charity money to finance attacks before being dropped by the government and indicted on a gun charge.

But the FBI knew he was breaking laws while working as an informant and paid the convicted felon $19,328.79 as informants and federal agents entrapped the five Whitmer defendants, according to Fox's lawyer.

Prosecutors have argued in court filings that FBI agents did not entrap anyone and that the defendants were predisposed to commit the crime and attack other politicians, including Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine.

Key fob cameras are widely available, selling for as little as $38.97 online. Some models feature infrared night vision, motion detection, high-definition video and a hidden USB port.

The filing Monday provided new details about Robeson's involvement and active role in helping the FBI build a case. In the filing, Robeson is referred to as CHS Steve, an acronym for "confidential human source"

Robeson was working for the FBI as an informant for one year, starting in October 2019.

He organized and paid for an anti-government meeting in Dublin, Ohio, in June 2020 that served as a catalyst for the kidnapping plot, according to the lawyer and court records.

There were several FBI informants at the meeting and they were wearing recording devices, Fox's lawyer wrote.

"The FBI provided CHS Steve with his recording device, taught him how to use it, and how to properly record an event with timestamping and the like for forensic purposes," Fox's lawyer wrote.

Robeson also hosted a field training exercise in Wisconsin in July 2020 that was attended by a second FBI informant known as "Dan."

Later that month, Robeson hosted another meeting in Peebles, Ohio, a tiny village about an hour's drive east of Cincinnati.

"Steve provided pizza, moonshine, and paid for attendee's hotel rooms at the meeting," Fox's lawyer wrote.

Robeson also attended a training exercise in northern Michigan in September 2020 at a remote camp owned by convicted kidnap plotter Ty Garbin of Hartland Township, according to the indictment and lawyer.

Garbin is serving a six-year sentence in a federal prison and is expected to be the government's star witness at trial.

While at the camp in Luther, Robeson and "Dan" assembled several defendants into a car to conduct nighttime surveillance of Whitmer's vacation home, according to Fox's lawyer.

"...the government attempts to minimize the extensive contact and control it exercised over the actions and person of CHS Steve throughout the investigation," Fox's lawyer wrote.

"In contrast, the FBI recruited, supervised, and paid CHS Steve to organize, attend, and clandestinely record the meetings and events that are the backbone of the superseding indictment levied against Adam Fox in this case," Gibbons added. "The argument that CHS Steve was not acting as an agent of the government should be firmly rejected."

The government knew Robeson was offering to use charity money to buy weapons for future attacks, Fox's lawyer wrote.

Using the charity was discussed during a recorded phone conversation between Fox and informant "Dan," the lawyer wrote. Two FBI agents supervised the call.

Prosecutors indicted Robeson in March with illegally obtaining a sniper rifle, an act that amounted to the first sign of trouble for the government team in the kidnapping case. In the ensuing months, one of the lead FBI agents was arrested and accused of beating his wife after a swinger's party, dropped from the Whitmer case and fired.

Robeson, who is not allowed to possess firearms as a convicted felon, is not expected to spend a day in prison despite pleading guilty to a 10-year gun crime in October under terms of a plea agreement filed in court. The agreement calls for Robeson to serve two years' probation for illegally possessing a high-powered sniper rifle, but U.S. District Judge William Conley will choose the sentence Feb. 3 in federal court in Madison, Wisconsin.

___

2022 www.detroitnews.com.

Visit at detroitnews.com.

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The U.S. Mint has begun shipping quarters featuring writer and civil rights activist Maya Angelou to banks in the United States, the bureau said Monday - making her the first Black woman to be featured on a quarter-dollar.

It's the first in a series of coins designed to celebrate the accomplishments of American women.

Other women whose likenesses will soon be featured as part of the American Women Quarters Program include Anna May Wong, widely considered to be the first Chinese American movie star, and Sally Ride, the first American woman to fly to space.

"Each time we redesign our currency, we have the chance to say something about our country - what we value, and how we've progressed as a society," U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said in a statement. "I'm very proud that these coins celebrate the contributions of some of America's most remarkable women, including Maya Angelou."

Angelou died in 2014, a few years after receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor, from President Barack Obama. The Washington Post's Emma Brown described her as "a child of the Jim Crow South who rose to international prominence as a writer known for her frank chronicles of personal history and a performer instantly identified by her regal presence and rich, honeyed voice."

Her 1969 memoir "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" detailed, as Brown wrote, "the racism and abuse she endured during her harrowing childhood."

The new 25-cent coin will feature Angelou from the hips up, with her arms uplifted, a bird in flight and a rising sun behind her - "images inspired by her poetry and symbolic of the way she lived," according to the U.S. Mint. To the right are the words "e pluribus unum," Latin for "out of many, one," a phrase also on the national seal. The coin's designer was Emily Damstra, and its sculptor, Craig Campbell. It was issued in 2022 and minted in Philadelphia, Denver and San Francisco.

The flip side of the coin features a portrait of founding father George Washington designed by Laura Gardin Fraser. According to the U.S. Mint, Fraser became the first woman to design a U.S. commemorative coin when she created a portrait of Washington to mark his 200th birthday.

"Though her work was a recommended design for the 1932 quarter, then-Treasury Secretary Mellon ultimately selected the familiar John Flanagan design," the Mint statement reads.

Mint Deputy Director Ventris Gibson said of Fraser's portrait of Washington, "Ninety years after she intended for it to do so, her obverse design will fittingly take its place on the quarter."

Angelou is the first of five women whose likeness are set to be featured on new 25-cent coins in 2022 as part of the American Women Quarters Program. The program was authorized by an act of Congress in 2020, which directs the Secretary of the Treasury to issue up to five quarters per year until the end of 2025 representing "the accomplishments and contributions" of a range of American women in various fields related to politics, science and the arts.

"Each 2022 quarter is designed to reflect the breadth and depth of accomplishments being celebrated throughout this historic coin program," Gibson said in the statement. "Maya Angelou, featured on the reverse of this first coin in the series, used words to inspire and uplift."

Some lawmakers cheered the news of the rollout of the Maya Angelou quarter Monday, including Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Calif., the sponsor of the resolution that paved the way for the creation of the American Women Quarters Program.

Others, such as Democrats Colorado state Rep. Leslie Herod and Pennsylvania state Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, joked on social media about their preference for the Angelou quarters over existing quarters.

As they celebrated the first Black woman to be featured on a quarter, others referenced a separate effort to add abolitionist Harriet Tubman to the 20-dollar note - an effort first launched when Obama was president that was opposed by President Donald Trump but that the Biden administration has attempted to revive.

The U.S. Mint recommends that those interested in the coin's release date ask their local bank if they have any available in late January and early February.

A proof set of the coins in the series is available to preorder online.
(Tribune News Service)  A veteran accused of killing two men on Hilton Head Island, S.C., in 2017 pleaded guilty on Friday, with a prosecutor and defense lawyer saying that the shooter's mental health played a role in the killings.

Malcolm Melton, of Wilmington, N.C., pleaded guilty to two counts of voluntary manslaughter, two counts of possession of a weapon in commission of a violent crime, and one count of unlawful carrying of a pistol, court records show.

On April 2, 2017, two men were shot in the head and killed: Marcol McNair, 25, and Quincy King, 20, of Ridgeland, S.C. Melton was arrested the same day as the killings.

On Friday, Circuit Judge Carmen Mullen sentenced Melton to 30 years in prison, which will amount to a little over 25 years subtracting the time Melton has been in jail.

Melton, 30 at the time of his arrest, was originally charged with murder by the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office, but a negotiated plea deal resulted in Melton pleading to voluntary manslaughter on Friday.

"Everyone agreed that it was appropriate for voluntary manslaughter for 30 years. Guilty but mentally ill," said Trasi Campbell, prosecutor with the 14th Circuit Solicitor's Office. "He will receive mental health treatment within the S.C. Department of Corrections."

McNair went to Jasper County High School, according to his Facebook page. The page is lined with years of posts about McNair since his death, as recent as last week.

"Well respected no matter the terms," one poster wrote. "[Marcol] always helped anybody & everybody the best way he knew how."

"You made everybody laugh," one commenter wrote on King's obituary page days after the killing.

Family members for King and McNair spoke on Friday before Melton's sentencing "about the tragedy and loss of their sons," Campbell said.

Mental illness and drugs

Melton served in the military and was stationed in Iraq in 2004, developing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) as a result of that experience, said his defense lawyer, Justin Kata of the Giese Law Firm in Columbia.

Kata said Melton was later diagnosed by a psychiatrist.

At the time of the killings, "he had PTSD symptoms and he was self-medicating," Kata said.

On the evening of April 2, 2017, the Wilmington man was visiting Hilton Head with his girlfriend and was spending time on the island with people she knew. They were at a home on Muddy Creek Road and had planned to go to a cookout later, Campbell said.

Then, a "bizarre twist" occurred, she said.

"During his trip to Hilton Head Island, Melton took large amounts of illegal narcotics, including Ecstasy, and continued to do so for the next four days. He had not slept since he and his girlfriend arrived on Hilton Head," a Solicitor's Office news release said.

Melton shot McNair and King, thinking they were a threat and trying to harm him. He hid behind the refrigerator and shot both men in the head.

"During his visit, Melton complained that others at the residence were conspiring to rob or kill him. One of the residents cautioned him to stop taking drugs and get some sleep," it said.

Melton ran and was caught by a Sheriff's Office K-9 in the underbrush near the Cross Island Expressway, with a semi-automatic handgun on him. Methamphetamine was also later found in Melton's possession, Campbell said.

"You can't feed your head with all these drugs and there's no criminal responsibility," Campbell said.

Kata said Melton's PTSD, worsened by the drugs, caused him to shoot the two men.

"It essentially caused him to have hallucinogenic visions," Kata said.

In court

Melton initially pleaded not guilty by insanity, his lawyers arguing he should not be held criminally responsible for killing the men while under duress from mental illness. His lawyers commissioned a report by Dr. Donna Mattox, a well-known Columbia psychiatrist, that found that Melton suffered from PTSD and shouldn't be held responsible.

Campbell said the Solicitor's Office hired its own psychiatrist to analyze Melton. The psychiatrist "did not characterize his condition as mental illness," according to Campbell.

After several delays due to the amount of time for both reports and the arrival of COVID-19, the case was ready to go to trial last week. But instead, both sides agreed to a plea deal, said Campbell.

(c)2022 The Island Packet (Hilton Head, S.C.)

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Sergei Tolstoy, a great-grandson of the Russian literary giant Leo Tolstoy who said he made and then squandered a fortune on horse-betting at Maryland racetracks, died Jan. 4 in a hospice center in Bethesda, Md. He was 99.

He had heart and swallowing disorders, failing hearing and eyesight, and he may have suffered a stroke, said Mary Kay Canarte, who holds power of attorney.

Silver-haired and with a level of old-world charm, Tolstoy (who also was known as Serge) was among more than 200 lineal descendants of his accomplished ancestor, a nobleman of Imperial Russia who wrote "War and Peace" and "Anna Karenina" and whose family had been awarded the title of "count" by Peter the Great. Leo Tolstoy had 13 children before he died in 1910. Most of them fled Russia after the 1917 Bolshevik Revolution that led to the murder of Czar Nicholas II and his family as well as the slaughter of thousands of Russian aristocrats.

After spending much of his life in Europe, predominantly gambling, Tolstoy became a Washington, D.C.-area resident by the late 1960s. And he proceeded to lose most of whatever money he had betting on horses, The Washington Post reported in 2010, noting his presence six days a week at the Laurel, Bowie, Timonium and Pimlico tracks. "I made my bread and butter at the track," he said. "Many rich ladies wanted to marry me and become Countess Tolstoy. It is too late now, but I could have been a millionaire."

For three decades, he lived in a low-income, assisted-living apartment in the District of Columbia's Foggy Bottom neighborhood. Before that, he had been thrown out of a high-rent apartment where he had been living beyond his means. He rakishly referred to himself as "the homeless count."

Sergei Tolstoy was the only son of Vera Tolstoy, one of the author's grandchildren who fled Russia in 1920. She settled in what then was Yugoslavia, where she became a secretary to a Czech lumber baron, Odo Bakovsky. They married in an Islamic ceremony and had a son, Serge, born Oct. 20, 1922.

Within a short time, Bakovsky had lost much of his fortune, and Vera Tolstoy began working in a Prague beauty shop. The marriage became quarrelsome, according to a press account at the time of their divorce in 1926 - reportedly granted on bigamy charges because Bakovsky was legally wed to another woman at the time.

Worsening matters, Bakovsky absconded with Serge to Czechoslovakia, but the boy was soon returned to his mother. Tolstoy became Sergei's surname. His mother was reputed to have said at the time that she considered herself an aristocrat and her husband a proletarian, and that she would rather raise her son alone as "an illegitimate Count Tolstoy than a legitimate Bakovsky."

"From the start, my life was kind of strange," Sergei Tolstoy told the Baltimore Evening Sun six decades later. "Who is kidnapped? Who has no father? I remember, my first toy was four or five matchboxes, to make a train. There was no money."

He attended boarding schools in France and traveled with his mother for a while. During World War II, he told the Sun, he was recruited on a special mission for the U.S. Army to conduct intelligence work against the Russians based on his language skills. To explain why he was ineligible for military benefits, he said he did his assignment under the name "Captain Longfellow."

He spent the post-war years in Paris, befriending Prince Aly Khan and other jet-setting playboys who frequented casinos. He told the Sun he had no aptitude for a real job but taught Russian and prospered for a short while in the import-export business. He also was a movie extra in the Normandy invasion drama "The Longest Day" (1962), in which he played a German soldier.

At the behest of his mother, who lived in Washington and had become a Russian language specialist with Voice of America, Tolstoy emigrated to the United States. She disapproved of his dissolute lifestyle, he said, and forced him to marry. The woman's name was Natasha, and she was another Russian emigre, but he was hard to domesticate. The marriage lasted seven weeks, he told the Sun, because she only enjoying cooking and fixing her hair. "That's all," he said. "I didn't pay too much attention."

Tolstoy told The Post in 2010 that his income consisted only of a $213 monthly check from Social Security, of which $64 went toward his rent at St. Mary's Court, the low-income facility where he lived for 30 years.

"I'm living like a bohemian," he told The Post. "I beg, borrow and steal."

His mother died in 1999, and he had no immediate survivors.

Late in his life, Tolstoy made periodic visits to family reunions at Yasnaya Polyana, the estate 200 kilometers south of Moscow where Leo Tolstoy spent most of his life. The estate was nationalized by the Soviet government in 1921 and is operated as museum where his writing is still revered as a Russian cultural treasure, despite the author's aristocratic status.

In recent years, Tolstoy had suffered serious injuries in a fall near his home and had been cared for in an apartment in Rockville, Md., by Canarte.

There he pondered his longevity. "They tell me that's because I have blue blood," he told The Post in 2016. "But every time I check, it's red."
Stillwater, OK (74074)

Today

Cloudy early, becoming mostly sunny in the afternoon. High 69F. Winds NNE at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy in the evening. Increasing clouds with periods of showers after midnight. Low 51F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.
Changes to the SunCommercial's back end processing means the e-edition is getting a facelift. The biggest change is the e-edition, by default, is now presented in Text view.
Weather Eye

with John Maunder

The graph below shows the range of Tauranga's December rainfalls, from an extreme high of 447 mm in 1962 to a low of only 4 mm in 1930.

The second wettest December was 2018, when 278 mm was recorded

The second driest December was in 1994, when only 14 mm fell.

The rainfall for December 2021 was 116 mm.

The long-term average rainfall for Tauranga for December is 100 mm.

The graph of the December rainfall shows, at first glance, normal variations from year to year.

However, there has been an increase in December rainfalls during the last few decades. Indeed, the average December rainfall in Tauranga for the 50-year period from 1961-2010 of 109 mm, is 20 percent higher than the rainfall for the 50-year period 1911-1960. In contrast, four recent December months (2015, 2016, 2017, 2020) have had low rainfalls of 18 mm, 44 mm, 29 mm and 19mm.

Since 1898, there have been nine Decembers with a rainfall of 200 mm or more, six of which occurred during the period 1962 to 2018. Nine December months have experienced rainfalls of 30 mm or less. Of significance are the high rainfalls in the consecutive December months of 1962 and 1963, of 447 mm and 224 mm respectively.

In chronological order, the nine-wettest Decembers are 1924 with 225 mm, 1928 with 227 mm, 1936 with 240 mm, 1962 with 447 mm, 1963 with 224 mm, 1996 with 241 mm, 2001 with 208 mm, 2011 with 276 mm, and 2018 with 278 mm.

In contrast, the ninth-driest December months in chronological order are 1902 with 27 mm, 1912 with 22 mm, 1919 with 22 mm, 1930 with 4 mm, 1986 with 30 mm, 1990 with 21 mm, 1994 with 14 mm, 2015 with 18 mm, and 2020 with 19 mm.

For further information on a range of weather/climate matters see:

Fifteen shades of climate By John Maunder ... My new book ......

*********************************************************************

The idea for the book came about when I was visiting my family in Adelaide in January 2020 during a heat wave. One day when the forecast was for 45C my daughter Denise suggested I should stay inside, shelter from the heat and write another book. I asked what did she have in mind and she simply said Climate the Truth. My son Philip who has lived in Adelaide for about 30 years thought it was a good idea but after a few days thought I settled on a more appropriate title Fifteen shades of climate... the fall of the weather dice and the butterfly effect.

The book is now available through the web site amazon.com. Just Google fifteen shades of climate for details.

www.amazon.com/dp/B08NDR1GFD? ref_=pe_3052080_397514860
Bay of Plenty

Are you looking for a labouring job that has an immediate start date? Do you like to be active and engaged while working...



View or Apply on GoodWork.co.nz
Tauranga is a hotspot for holiday goers as thousands of Kiwis have flocked to Bay of Plenty for their summer holidays.

Air New Zealand chief customer and sales officer Leanne Geraghty says the more than 47,000 visiting the region over the summer holiday period on around 1400 flights will be a welcome boost for Bay of Plenty tourism and accommodation providers.

"We're excited to help connect Kiwis with their friends and whanau this summer, says Leanne.

Its such a special time of year to spend with loved ones, so were thrilled to be helping people connect all around the country.

"These numbers underscore the strength of Air New Zealand's domestic network, which is one of the best in the world, and the confidence Kiwi families have in getting out to explore this beautiful country of ours."

Air New Zealand is preparing for a busy summer, with the airline flying more than 915,000 customers across New Zealand between December 15, 2021, and January 31, 2022.

"We're enjoying a bumper season and bringing much-needed visitors to regional New Zealand, says Leanne.

All customers aged 12 or older are required to show proof of either full vaccination or of a negative Covid-19 test result taken within 72 hours of travel.

"The process is running quite smoothly, with around 300,000 customers uploading their My Vaccine Pass to their Airpoints profile."

Air New Zealand is encouraging customers looking for something to do during their holidays to check out their range of Qualmark-endorsed activities.
Muriwai Ihakara, one of the titans of kapa haka and Maori culture and arts, has died aged 63.

His death is being described as both a huge loss to Maori arts, and the wider te ao Maori.

Muriwai's body was returned to Te Waiiti marae on the shores of Lake Rotoiti on Monday, where he will be farewelled at a tangi.

Muriwai was a kaumatua for Bay of Plenty iwi Ngati Pikiao and Ngati Makino, which he also represented on governance entities.

He was well-known as a pillar of knowledge for Maori arts and for his decades-long involvement with kapa haka, for which he was one of the foremost composers and proponents.

He led his Ngati Pikiao group, Te Hikuwai, to Te Matatini national competition in 2017, and has judged the competition for several years.

Muriwai was also a former chair of Te Kura o Rotoiti, and served in governance roles for both Ngati Pikiao, which is based around Lake Rotoiti, and Ngati Makino, on the coast at Maketu.

In a statement, Ngati Makino iwi authority describes him as a dedicated and tireless worker for his people.

"[He was] A humble and compassionate leader who quietly led from the front while ensuring that those who were working at the back were well supported and taken care of.

"Muriwai leaves us with a great sense of loss and sadness but also a huge sense of purpose and pride that we intend to uphold."

He also represented Aotearoa at the Pacific Festival of the Arts, and was also a senior Maori leader at Creative NZ.

Ngati Whakaue leader Monty Morrison described his death as a great loss for the wider Te Arawa waka, and Maoridom in general.

"Certainly Muriwai Ihakara's passing is a blow not only to his own people but to us in Te Arawa, you know, [he made] major contributions for the country in kapa haka and in his work for Creative New Zealand," says Morrison.

"He will be sorely missed."

In paying tribute, Waiariki MP and Te Pati Maori co-leader Rawiri Waititi described Ihakara as the epitome of how haka should be performed.

"Muriwai was right up there as one of the best. I took a lot from his style as he used his entire body to haka," he wrote on Facebook.

"From his head to his toes he would be quivering, trembling, shaking, eyes like headlights."

Associate Minister for Arts, Culture, and Heritage Kiri Allan has expressed her great sadness and deepest condolences at the passing.

Muriwais passing is not only a loss for the wider creative sector but for all of Aotearoa New Zealand. The country has lost a much beloved kaumatua, kaiarahi and tohunga, says Allan.

His death leaves a huge void. Muriwai was a renowned kapa hapa expert and a passionate and highly respected te ao Maori advocate.

He was humble, generous and influential across generations. His was a mighty and powerful voice and he was instrumental in creating opportunities for Maori to thrive in the arts.

The significant legacy Muriwai has left behind, alongside the matauranga Maori that hes passed on, will continue to benefit future generations of Maori to come.

My thoughts and aroha are with Muriwais whanau and loved ones, Kiri Allan said.

- RNZ/Jamie Tahana
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Tahlequah, OK (74464)

Today

Cloudy skies early will become partly cloudy later in the day. High 67F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Partial cloudiness early, with scattered showers and thunderstorms later during the night. Low 52F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 40%.
Wind, combined with cooling temperatures, will dip the Temple area below freezing once again Tuesday morning.
Rice University is one of 16 universities named in a new lawsuit that accuses the private universities of working together to unfairly limit student financial aid.
WhiskeyTangoFox Newbie

Join Date: Dec 2021 Location: Bengaluru Posts: 15 Thanked: 149 Times

My transition to Electric Vehicles | MG ZS EV and Ather 450 Plus





Our WagonR and yes, that's me





In the meantime, in about 2013 or so, we also bought a Hyundai Verna SX(O) Petrol AT, which was our primary car. My parents work in the same institution, so they used to commute together and only occasionally used both cars on the same day. This helped us keep fuel costs relatively low. Plus, this was when petrol prices never crossed the Rs 60/ Litre mark. Anyway, once we sold the WagonR, we were looking at a small city hatchback with high fuel efficiency, as this was when the infamous "Bangalore Traffic" started to show its face for the first time. We finally settled on the Renault Kwid RTX (O) AMT because of its high promised fuel efficiency of about 24 kmpl. However, during the five odd years that it was with us, it returned only 14 kmpl in the city and around 18kmpl on the highway. The Verna returned only 9 kmpl in the city and around 14 kmpl on the highway. This wasn't excellent fuel economy but was manageable as petrol prices, which had, although gone up, was still around the 75-80 Rs/ Litre range. This all changed when two significant incidents took place:





The Verna







The Kwid





1) The petrol price slowly crept up to almost 112 Rs/ Litre in Bangalore (It reached 118 Rs at one point!!!)

2) The service cost for both the Verna as well as the Kwid skyrocketed at the company-owned service centres



The Contenders and the Decision - This was when my family decided to replace the Verna with an electric car. This was in mid-2021, and the three options available were the Tata Nexon EV, the MG ZS EV, and the Hyundai Kona. We ruled out the Hyundai Kona as it hadn't been updated for the current model year and due to its high promises in terms of range and non-deliverance of anything remotely close to that. We initially did consider the Nexon EV, but considering that this was going to replace our Verna, which we also used for occasional long-distance journeys, primarily to Chennai, Coimbatore and Madurai (where some of my other family members reside), or to nearby hill stations, we needed a car that was safe, had a relatively good driving range, good service network, fairly spacious interiors and also some modern tech like android auto. We took a test drive of the MG ZS EV and immediately loved the gorgeous interiors with that beautiful sunroof. When I drove it, I knew it was the right car. The performance was excellent, as was the ride quality. It simply wafted over potholes and did so with style. The proportions were good, and it looked composed and elegant. There were ample safety features too, with ABS, EBD, ESP, 6 Airbags, Hill Hold, Hill Start Assist, Adaptive Reverse camera, All four Disc Brakes etc. The SA was also prompt, and the dealership (Electronic City) answered all our queries and even brought the car to our house a few days later to see if we could fit the vehicle in our portico. We booked the car about a month later, and the SA said that there was a blue MG ZS EV ready and it would take about 2 weeks for all the registration formalities to get over, whereas the other colours would take 45 days to be delivered. We agreed on the blue vehicle, and the total on-road price at the time was about 26.5 lakhs. About a week and a half later, we got a call saying that the car was ready for delivery, we did our PDI right before the delivery and found no issues, and we happily took it home.













It's been about 5 months, and we've driven just about 3000 kms and here are my observations so far.



1. City Range - The Claimed Range is 419 Kms, but in reality, you can expect 350-360 Kms in the city with the AC used only when required and normal driving (No extremely harsh acceleration and braking).



2. Long Distance - We have made one long-distance trip on the highway to Yercaud, and I drove it like a regular car with speeds ranging between 80 kmph to 140 kmph and the car was absolutely planted which negligible body roll. There are a fair amount of chargers towards Tamilnadu, so we had no issues. To be on the safe side, we did charge in between at Krishnagiri and Salem since this was our first long-distance trip, but we soon discovered we could've made the entire trip from Bangalore to Yercaud with one charge. There is one Zeon Fast Charger at Krishnagiri (50 kW), One Tata Power Charger at Salem (25 kW) and one Zeon Charger at Yercaud, inside the GRT Hotels (22Kw AC). The average efficiency while driving on the highway to Salem ranges between 7 - 8.3 kms/kwh (trip computer indicated), which equals 311.5 to 369 kms of driving range (on relatively plain highways with gradual inclines and declines). While driving from Salem to Yercaud, full of steep hairpin bends, the car returned an abysmal 3.1 km/kwh, which is understandable as a lot more power is used while climbing uphill. However, it more than compensated for this as while coming back downhill from Yercaud to Salem, it charged up the battery from 90% to 96% using level 3 regen alone!!!! (trip computer indicated around 32 km/kWh). The car can easily do 300-320 kms on a full charge on the highways on Eco Mode (I kept regen at level 3, occasionally shifting to level 2. While in Yercaud, we also took a tour of the Cauvery Peak Coffee Estate, wherein we took the MG into the estate, and boy did it not stutter even once. There is ample ground clearance, and even steep 30 degree inclines on surfaces with loose gravel isn't an issue. The number of chargers on the highways will only grow, so don't worry about it. If your commute is primarily in the city and occasionally on the highway, the ZS is an excellent car.



3. Charging and Maintenance - Coming to the charging and maintenance costs, the MG costs about 1 Rs per Kilometre to run in the city, which works out to about 500Rs a month for our usage. It was a little higher on the highway, where it was about 1.5 Rs per Km. In comparison, the Verna and Kwid (which we used alternately) cost us about 6000-8000 Rs a month for fuel. We use only the 15 amp charger to charge up the car once a week, and we don't typically charge it beyond 80% unless needed. The battery is rated for around 1.5 lakh kilometres and comes with an 8-year warranty. The first five services are free for the MG, after which the service cost is only about 3500Rs a Year (The SA told us that in comparison, the Hector costs around 14000 a year for service.) We have finished one service at the Electronic City branch and have had no issues.





4. Cons - There are a few cons; however, the infotainment system, although mostly excellent, is occasionally slightly laggy, and we would've liked more interior and exterior colour options. It also would've been nice if they used more soft-touch materials on the inside, like the Astor.





Getting an Ather - More recently, we decided to sell the Kwid as it started to give us some issues, and after shelling out almost 30,000 Rs to fix it, we bid it adieu. I wanted a personal vehicle for myself as my parents use the car primarily, and I knew that a two-wheeler was better in the city due to traffic and the lack of parking in public places. I also wanted it to be electric because of the low running costs and the fantastic performance. The requirements were good build quality, at least a decent service network, good looks, good performance, some nice features, maybe?



I immediately ruled out the smaller brands as they didn't have a good service network and the build quality and their performance was inadequate. The major contenders were the Ather Twins, The Ola S1 Pro, The Revolt RV 400 and the Simple One. The Revolt being priced a little too high and the poor reviews on its reliability made me remove it from my list. As there was no proper information on the launch of the Simple One, I chucked that too. I wasn't impressed by the gimmicky features on the Ola, such as the Speakers and the Cruise Control and after seeing the initial impressions of auto journalists about the sub-par build quality, buggy software, lack of features, heating and throttle calibration issues, it was a big No-No for me. Finally, my parents and I went to Ather Indiranagar to check out the Ather twins. The SA was very enthusiastic and patient and answered all our queries.



The on-road prices, including the FAME II Subsidy at the time, were 1.29 Lakhs for the Ather 450 Plus and 1.49 Lakhs for the Ather 450x. I chose the former as I didn't feel that the features that the 450x had, such as Bluetooth and the extra 15 kms of range, mattered to me. My daily commute wouldn't exceed 40 kms (normally around 20kms), so the 450 Plus was just fine. We made the full payment, but it took a whole month for the scooter to be delivered due to the chip shortage. However, props to the Ather team. They did everything they could to make it happen as soon as possible and constantly kept me updated. A friend of mine has the Ather 450, and it has been a smooth experience for him so far, so I hope it's the same for me. Anyway, I took delivery of the Ather just a few days ago (7th January 2022) after its PDI, and the performance is just excellent. The build quality is good, and I have had no issues as of now. The battery is rated for 50,000 kms and comes with a 3-year warranty. The boot space is more than adequate and fits my full-sized helmet as well.





Charging Cost - So I am yet to charge the vehicle, but since its a 2.9 kWh battery, and at Rs 7 a kWh, it should cost just around 20Rs for a full charge that gives 70 Kms. That's cheaper than the BMTC Buses!!





The initial cost of electric vehicles - The initial Cost of EVs is definitely higher than their ICE equivalents, and I totally understand this. However, this definitely will reduce as time progresses. However, one must understand that it is not too far off. For Example, with regard to the MG ZS EV, a comparable vehicle would be the Hyundai Creta. Its fully-loaded car (quite similarly specced with a few additional features, Diesel AT) costs around 23.5 Lakhs. The MG is just 3 Lakhs off and offers a much lower running cost. With time, the more you drive it, you will break even with the ICE Car in terms of price, and the ICE car will soon surpass the EV in terms of expenses. With regard to the Ather, an equivalent scooter, like the TVS Ntorq, can cost up to a lakh and has much higher running costs again.



In Conclusion, there is still a long way to go for complete electrification in India, but we are making steady progress, and I believe that for most people out there, an EV would definitely make sense. So EVs are pretty obviously the future, but understandably, there is some apprehension about shifting to them primarily due to their high initial downpayment and also the ever-present 'range anxiety. So here I am to share my experience with you with my personal vehicles, and hopefully, I'll address most of your conundrums. Firstly, a little background about the previous vehicles my family (My parents and I) have had. We started off with a humble WagonR Lxi in 2006, and it served us well for a good 10 years before we bid it adieu.In the meantime, in about 2013 or so, we also bought a Hyundai Verna SX(O) Petrol AT, which was our primary car. My parents work in the same institution, so they used to commute together and only occasionally used both cars on the same day. This helped us keep fuel costs relatively low. Plus, this was when petrol prices never crossed the Rs 60/ Litre mark. Anyway, once we sold the WagonR, we were looking at a small city hatchback with high fuel efficiency, as this was when the infamous "Bangalore Traffic" started to show its face for the first time. We finally settled on the Renault Kwid RTX (O) AMT because of its high promised fuel efficiency of about 24 kmpl. However, during the five odd years that it was with us, it returned only 14 kmpl in the city and around 18kmpl on the highway. The Verna returned only 9 kmpl in the city and around 14 kmpl on the highway. This wasn't excellent fuel economy but was manageable as petrol prices, which had, although gone up, was still around the 75-80 Rs/ Litre range. This all changed when two significant incidents took place:1) The petrol price slowly crept up to almost 112 Rs/ Litre in Bangalore (It reached 118 Rs at one point!!!)2) The service cost for both the Verna as well as the Kwid skyrocketed at the company-owned service centresThis was when my family decided to replace the Verna with an electric car. This was in mid-2021, and the three options available were the Tata Nexon EV, the MG ZS EV, and the Hyundai Kona. We ruled out the Hyundai Kona as it hadn't been updated for the current model year and due to its high promises in terms of range and non-deliverance of anything remotely close to that. We initially did consider the Nexon EV, but considering that this was going to replace our Verna, which we also used for occasional long-distance journeys, primarily to Chennai, Coimbatore and Madurai (where some of my other family members reside), or to nearby hill stations, we needed a car that was safe, had a relatively good driving range, good service network, fairly spacious interiors and also some modern tech like android auto. We took a test drive of the MG ZS EV and immediately loved the gorgeous interiors with that beautiful sunroof. When I drove it, I knew it was the right car. The performance was excellent, as was the ride quality. It simply wafted over potholes and did so with style. The proportions were good, and it looked composed and elegant. There were ample safety features too, with ABS, EBD, ESP, 6 Airbags, Hill Hold, Hill Start Assist, Adaptive Reverse camera, All four Disc Brakes etc. The SA was also prompt, and the dealership (Electronic City) answered all our queries and even brought the car to our house a few days later to see if we could fit the vehicle in our portico. We booked the car about a month later, and the SA said that there was a blue MG ZS EV ready and it would take about 2 weeks for all the registration formalities to get over, whereas the other colours would take 45 days to be delivered. We agreed on the blue vehicle, and the total on-road price at the time was about 26.5 lakhs. About a week and a half later, we got a call saying that the car was ready for delivery, we did our PDI right before the delivery and found no issues, and we happily took it home.It's been about 5 months, and we've driven just about 3000 kms and here are my observations so far.1.The Claimed Range is 419 Kms, but in reality, you can expect 350-360 Kms in the city with the AC used only when required and normal driving (No extremely harsh acceleration and braking).2.We have made one long-distance trip on the highway to Yercaud, and I drove it like a regular car with speeds ranging between 80 kmph to 140 kmph and the car was absolutely planted which negligible body roll. There are a fair amount of chargers towards Tamilnadu, so we had no issues. To be on the safe side, we did charge in between at Krishnagiri and Salem since this was our first long-distance trip, but we soon discovered we could've made the entire trip from Bangalore to Yercaud with one charge. There is one Zeon Fast Charger at Krishnagiri (50 kW), One Tata Power Charger at Salem (25 kW) and one Zeon Charger at Yercaud, inside the GRT Hotels (22Kw AC). The average efficiency while driving on the highway to Salem ranges between 7 - 8.3 kms/kwh (trip computer indicated), which equals 311.5 to 369 kms of driving range (on relatively plain highways with gradual inclines and declines). While driving from Salem to Yercaud, full of steep hairpin bends, the car returned an abysmal 3.1 km/kwh, which is understandable as a lot more power is used while climbing uphill. However, it more than compensated for this as while coming back downhill from Yercaud to Salem, it charged up the battery from 90% to 96% using level 3 regen alone!!!! (trip computer indicated around 32 km/kWh). The car can easily do 300-320 kms on a full charge on the highways on Eco Mode (I kept regen at level 3, occasionally shifting to level 2. While in Yercaud, we also took a tour of the Cauvery Peak Coffee Estate, wherein we took the MG into the estate, and boy did it not stutter even once. There is ample ground clearance, and even steep 30 degree inclines on surfaces with loose gravel isn't an issue. The number of chargers on the highways will only grow, so don't worry about it. If your commute is primarily in the city and occasionally on the highway, the ZS is an excellent car.3.Coming to the charging and maintenance costs, the MG costs about 1 Rs per Kilometre to run in the city, which works out to about 500Rs a month for our usage. It was a little higher on the highway, where it was about 1.5 Rs per Km. In comparison, the Verna and Kwid (which we used alternately) cost us about 6000-8000 Rs a month for fuel. We use only the 15 amp charger to charge up the car once a week, and we don't typically charge it beyond 80% unless needed. The battery is rated for around 1.5 lakh kilometres and comes with an 8-year warranty. The first five services are free for the MG, after which the service cost is only about 3500Rs a Year (The SA told us that in comparison, the Hector costs around 14000 a year for service.) We have finished one service at the Electronic City branch and have had no issues.4.There are a few cons; however, the infotainment system, although mostly excellent, is occasionally slightly laggy, and we would've liked more interior and exterior colour options. It also would've been nice if they used more soft-touch materials on the inside, like the Astor.More recently, we decided to sell the Kwid as it started to give us some issues, and after shelling out almost 30,000 Rs to fix it, we bid it adieu. I wanted a personal vehicle for myself as my parents use the car primarily, and I knew that a two-wheeler was better in the city due to traffic and the lack of parking in public places. I also wanted it to be electric because of the low running costs and the fantastic performance. The requirements were good build quality, at least a decent service network, good looks, good performance, some nice features, maybe?I immediately ruled out the smaller brands as they didn't have a good service network and the build quality and their performance was inadequate. The major contenders were the Ather Twins, The Ola S1 Pro, The Revolt RV 400 and the Simple One. The Revolt being priced a little too high and the poor reviews on its reliability made me remove it from my list. As there was no proper information on the launch of the Simple One, I chucked that too. I wasn't impressed by the gimmicky features on the Ola, such as the Speakers and the Cruise Control and after seeing the initial impressions of auto journalists about the sub-par build quality, buggy software, lack of features, heating and throttle calibration issues, it was a big No-No for me. Finally, my parents and I went to Ather Indiranagar to check out the Ather twins. The SA was very enthusiastic and patient and answered all our queries.The on-road prices, including the FAME II Subsidy at the time, were 1.29 Lakhs for the Ather 450 Plus and 1.49 Lakhs for the Ather 450x. I chose the former as I didn't feel that the features that the 450x had, such as Bluetooth and the extra 15 kms of range, mattered to me. My daily commute wouldn't exceed 40 kms (normally around 20kms), so the 450 Plus was just fine. We made the full payment, but it took a whole month for the scooter to be delivered due to the chip shortage. However, props to the Ather team. They did everything they could to make it happen as soon as possible and constantly kept me updated. A friend of mine has the Ather 450, and it has been a smooth experience for him so far, so I hope it's the same for me. Anyway, I took delivery of the Ather just a few days ago (7th January 2022) after its PDI, and the performance is just excellent. The build quality is good, and I have had no issues as of now. The battery is rated for 50,000 kms and comes with a 3-year warranty. The boot space is more than adequate and fits my full-sized helmet as well.So I am yet to charge the vehicle, but since its a 2.9 kWh battery, and at Rs 7 a kWh, it should cost just around 20Rs for a full charge that gives 70 Kms. That's cheaper than the BMTC Buses!!The initial Cost of EVs is definitely higher than their ICE equivalents, and I totally understand this. However, this definitely will reduce as time progresses. However, one must understand that it is not too far off. For Example, with regard to the MG ZS EV, a comparable vehicle would be the Hyundai Creta. Its fully-loaded car (quite similarly specced with a few additional features, Diesel AT) costs around 23.5 Lakhs. The MG is just 3 Lakhs off and offers a much lower running cost. With time, the more you drive it, you will break even with the ICE Car in terms of price, and the ICE car will soon surpass the EV in terms of expenses. With regard to the Ather, an equivalent scooter, like the TVS Ntorq, can cost up to a lakh and has much higher running costs again.In Conclusion, there is still a long way to go for complete electrification in India, but we are making steady progress, and I believe that for most people out there, an EV would definitely make sense.
Neversaygbye BHPian



Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Calcutta Posts: 221 Thanked: 691 Times

View My Garage





Calcutta to Vizag in a Tata Vista - 2241 kms round-trip



So we looked at other alternatives and Vishakhapatnam or Vizag came up as one of the options. Now, I had been to Vizag on work for a couple of days about ten years back but had not really had a chance to go around the city on that trip. Whatever little I had seen of Vizag, I had really liked and had always planned to go back one day. My better half had not been there either and she was quite gung ho about this destination the moment I suggested it. And thus Vizag was finalized as our holiday destination.



Since we had 6 days in hand, we decided that we would do this as a driving trip rather than take the conventional modes of transport, i.e. air or rail. There were three reasons for this. First was Covid - we wanted to minimize our dependence on public transport and the resultant exposure. Plus we had plans of going to Araku/Borra caves and do local sightseeing for which we would need to hire a cab anyway (train tickets to Araku were not available at such short notice). Also, from our previous road trips, we had come to appreciate the flexibility that a well planned road trip provides.



At this point, I would like to digress a bit and talk about the car, which in this case is an Indica Vista Quadrajet VX diesel in the 90 BHP VGT avatar with ABS but without airbags, purchased in June 2013. It has been a constant companion over the last 8 and a half years, is extremely reliable and cheap to run and maintain and has been my ride on multiple road trips across thousands of kilometres. Even after 8 and a half years it runs as smoothly as it did when it was new. The car is solidly built, has a rear bench that accommodates three easily, has lumbar support for the driver and very comfortable seats with more than adequate under thigh support, along with great handling and high speed stability. It is also powerful yet frugal and really shines on highway drives thanks to the 200nm torque on offer.



Now that the bit about the car is out of the way, let me go back to the trip.



We decided to try an experiment. Google maps was showing the distance between Calcutta and Vizag as about 900 kms with a journey time of 16 to 22 hours. So the better thing to do would have been to split the journey and do it over two days. This would obviously mean that we would have had fewer days in Vizag with 4 days just going in driving, and this did not seem like a great option. So we took a call that we would try to reach Vizag within a day. For that we would start really early on late Friday night or early Saturday morning and take it from there. We would base ourselves in Vizag for 4 nights and go to other places from there. On the return leg we would break the journey and stay one night at Bhubaneshwar. In any case this itinerary would give us 3 clear days in Vizag, which we felt was good enough to see all there was to see.



However, for this plan to work, we would need to reach Vizag in the minimum possible time, and we were in no way confident that we would be able to do that. One of our friends who had recently driven down to Calcutta from Bangalore mentioned that the stretch of highway running through Odisha was really bad with lots of diversions and we should be prepared for congestion and delays. So just to hedge our bets, I made a separate cancellable booking for the first day. Since 2 pm was the cancellation time, that would give us adequate time to change our plan if we saw that we were nowhere close to reaching Vizag even after 10 or 11 hours of driving.



So with that safety net and with a lot of optimism, we started our journey early in the morning of 18th December. In any case, the route was quite straightforward - we just took the erstwhile NH6 (which is now NH16) that goes from Calcutta to Chennai.







Day 1: Saturday 18th December 2021



The target was to leave after getting at least 5 hours of sleep, considering the long drive of 900 kms ahead. So we went to bed early at about 9 pm on Friday night and got up with enough time in hand to get out of the house by 3 am. However, cleaning the car and checking that we did not leave anything behind meant that we could only leave by about 3:30 am, with the Odo reading 85305 kms.









We made pretty good progress as luckily the roads were devoid of traffic and in just about an hour's time reached Kolaghat, which is some 70 odd kms from Calcutta and has many dhabas and roadside eateries, and usually takes close to two hours to reach. One of the roadside eateries had just opened, and we stopped for a quick cup of tea and also stocked up on chewing gum. I have found that chewing gum helps me stay alert on long drives.









We did pretty good time till Jaleshwar (covered 200 kms in less than 3 hours) but after Belda the roads took a turn for the worse. Not only were there numerous diversions, but even where the road was fairly good, the bridges had horrible craters wherever the bitumen layer had worn off. Unfortunately I just have the one pic of this stretch as I was too busy navigating it, but most of the road from Belda to Cuttack is bad plus the speed limit in Odisha is also 80 kmph (and in some places 75 and even 50) even on the NH.









This slowed down our progress and we also took a short break for breakfast. We eventually crossed Bhubaneshwar at about 11 am and decided to carry on till the OTDC Panthaniwas in Rambha where we would have a stopover for lunch. We duly reached Rambha at 1:29 pm just when we were feeling hungry.









The OTDC property in Rambha is quite a large property, but not particularly well maintained. Service was also a bit tardy.









The strange thing is that while most government resorts are usually in the best possible location, this property was actually not that close to Chilka lake. Or is it that the lake has receded? This is the view of Chilka lake from the boundary wall of the property.









After having a pretty ordinary lunch, we were on our way again and decided to take things slow as the stretch from Gopalpur to Brahmapur had numerous 50 kmph speed limit signs plus these cameras on high masts. Are these speed cams? I didn't try to find out the hard way. But they were a dime a dozen plus there were also cameras on the median.







A little after Brahmapur, we entered Andhra Pradesh. The roads had improved quite a bit after Bhubaneshwar, except for the odd diversion, but the roads in Andhra Pradesh were completely in a league of their own. Butter smooth surface with very little traffic and we quickly made up for the time lost in Odisha. The sun was setting while we were still about two hours away from Vizag.









We finally reached our hotel in Vizag after covering 911.4 kms in a little less than 16 hours including two breaks adding upto a total of two hours.









Our hotel the Bay View was right on R K Beach and the promenade. It had ample covered parking, rooms were great and so was the food, but service was atrocious. There was no bell hop available and after a 16 hour drive, we had to carry our luggage to our rooms by ourselves. The hot water took an eternity to come (you have to leave the tap open and waste water till the time it comes), housekeeping forgot to clean the room or even the cups, room service forgot to send plates and cutlery with the food, and on day 1 we got two 1 litre bottles of water which were promptly downgraded to 500 ml bottles from day two. The complimentary breakfast was great but for some reason they were loathe to give the salt and pepper cruets on the table. Despite all these shortcomings, I would still recommend this hotel simply because of the location. Just be prepared to make multiple calls to housekeeping and room service to make things happen.









The hotel is situated in a happening place on the Beach Road, and an unexpected bonus was that the state boxing championship was happening just opposite our hotel and it really gave a festive flavour to our stay.









There were also numerous street food options available. These looked like permanent stalls and not temporary ones put up only for the championship.







After spending some time on the promenade, we ordered food in our room and called it a day.



Day 2: Museums, Kailasgiri, Thotlakonda and Rushikonda



After a hearty breakfast, we walked to two of the unique museums of Vizag. They were hardly a five minute walk from our hotel. On the way we passed the monument dedicated to victory at sea in the 1971 Indo-Pak war. The Eastern Naval Command in Vizag had played a major role in that victory.











The INS Kursura was one of the first submarines of the Indian Navy which was purchased from the erstwhile Soviet Union back in the '60s. It was later decommissioned and converted into a museum that is one of its kind in India.









The Torpedo tubes form a part of the most potent offensive equipment on the sub. The last two tubes also double as escape hatches.









The entire length and breadth of the sub is full of equipment and it is really astonishing how ingenious humans are, to design something this complex. It is also a testament to the training of the 75 member strong crew that they could run something this complex for upto 60 days at a time.









Apart from the very difficult job of running and maintaining the sub, the crew also had to deal with extremely cramped quarters plus a total ban on bathing due to the limited fresh water availability. There was also the very real possibility of tripping or banging their head if they were not careful. A sub is a study in hardship, I realized.









Right opposite the submarine museum is the TU-142 aircraft museum which features a decommissioned Tupolev 142 aircraft.









The Tu-142 is one of the fastest turboprop planes anywhere and this particular model could be used in both defensive and offensive roles.









There was even provision for a gunner at the rear of the aircraft.









From the TU-142 museum we decided to drive down to Kailasgiri which is on the way to Rushikonda and has a nice park on a hilltop and a ropeway with excellent views of the bay.









The view of the bay from the ropeway. Unfortunately, it wasn't a very clear day. Also, there was a huge line at the ropeway and most people were not wearing masks.









Kailasgiri is a nice place for a picnic with excellent views all around. It also has a nice statue garden.









By the time we finished our Kailasgiri visit, it was already past 2 pm, and we quickly made our way to Sea Inn - Raju ka Dhaba which is one of the most highly rated joints in Vizag and came highly recommended by BHPian Abhi_1512. Even at 2:30 pm it was absolutely choc-a-bloc









While Raju ka dhaba is known for its sea food, we were almost totally out of luck. The only things that were available were chicken biryani and fish fry. The biryani was pretty much standard but the fish fry was excellent. Looks like this is one place that I will have to go back to, to do justice.









BHPian TurboNath had suggested that we visit Thotlakonda and Bheemili and while we did not get the time to visit Bheemili as it was almost 4 pm by the time we finished lunch, we did get the time to go to Thotlakonda, which has the ruins of a 2000 year old Buddhist monastery on a hilltop.









Many of the ancient structures have been restored by the AP government (and not ASI, surprisingly!) and the entire layout is great for understanding how monks used to design their monasteries 2 millennia ago.









Not very far from Thotlakonda is Rushikonda beach, which is a nice lagoon and was packed to the brim with people when we reached in the evening.









We spent some time at Rushikonda beach and then made our way back to the hotel. The drive from Rushikonda beach is quite nice with the sea on one side and the hills on the other side.



As the last two weeks of 2021 rolled by, the workload in office eased off and a quick chat with my manager got me four days of leave just before Christmas. Since it was still just the 6 days including the weekend, the options were limited. My better half and I toyed with the idea of a quick trip to the hills of North Bengal/Sikkim but we had too many days in hand and it was also a case of been there/done that.So we looked at other alternatives and Vishakhapatnam or Vizag came up as one of the options. Now, I had been to Vizag on work for a couple of days about ten years back but had not really had a chance to go around the city on that trip. Whatever little I had seen of Vizag, I had really liked and had always planned to go back one day. My better half had not been there either and she was quite gung ho about this destination the moment I suggested it. And thus Vizag was finalized as our holiday destination.Since we had 6 days in hand, we decided that we would do this as a driving trip rather than take the conventional modes of transport, i.e. air or rail. There were three reasons for this. First was Covid - we wanted to minimize our dependence on public transport and the resultant exposure. Plus we had plans of going to Araku/Borra caves and do local sightseeing for which we would need to hire a cab anyway (train tickets to Araku were not available at such short notice). Also, from our previous road trips, we had come to appreciate the flexibility that a well planned road trip provides.At this point, I would like to digress a bit and talk about the car, which in this case is an Indica Vista Quadrajet VX diesel in the 90 BHP VGT avatar with ABS but without airbags, purchased in June 2013. It has been a constant companion over the last 8 and a half years, is extremely reliable and cheap to run and maintain and has been my ride on multiple road trips across thousands of kilometres. Even after 8 and a half years it runs as smoothly as it did when it was new. The car is solidly built, has a rear bench that accommodates three easily, has lumbar support for the driver and very comfortable seats with more than adequate under thigh support, along with great handling and high speed stability. It is also powerful yet frugal and really shines on highway drives thanks to the 200nm torque on offer.Now that the bit about the car is out of the way, let me go back to the trip.We decided to try an experiment. Google maps was showing the distance between Calcutta and Vizag as about 900 kms with a journey time of 16 to 22 hours. So the better thing to do would have been to split the journey and do it over two days. This would obviously mean that we would have had fewer days in Vizag with 4 days just going in driving, and this did not seem like a great option. So we took a call that we would try to reach Vizag within a day. For that we would start really early on late Friday night or early Saturday morning and take it from there. We would base ourselves in Vizag for 4 nights and go to other places from there. On the return leg we would break the journey and stay one night at Bhubaneshwar. In any case this itinerary would give us 3 clear days in Vizag, which we felt was good enough to see all there was to see.However, for this plan to work, we would need to reach Vizag in the minimum possible time, and we were in no way confident that we would be able to do that. One of our friends who had recently driven down to Calcutta from Bangalore mentioned that the stretch of highway running through Odisha was really bad with lots of diversions and we should be prepared for congestion and delays. So just to hedge our bets, I made a separate cancellable booking for the first day. Since 2 pm was the cancellation time, that would give us adequate time to change our plan if we saw that we were nowhere close to reaching Vizag even after 10 or 11 hours of driving.So with that safety net and with a lot of optimism, we started our journey early in the morning of 18th December. In any case, the route was quite straightforward - we just took the erstwhile NH6 (which is now NH16) that goes from Calcutta to Chennai.Day 1: Saturday 18th December 2021The target was to leave after getting at least 5 hours of sleep, considering the long drive of 900 kms ahead. So we went to bed early at about 9 pm on Friday night and got up with enough time in hand to get out of the house by 3 am. However, cleaning the car and checking that we did not leave anything behind meant that we could only leave by about 3:30 am, with the Odo reading 85305 kms.We made pretty good progress as luckily the roads were devoid of traffic and in just about an hour's time reached Kolaghat, which is some 70 odd kms from Calcutta and has many dhabas and roadside eateries, and usually takes close to two hours to reach. One of the roadside eateries had just opened, and we stopped for a quick cup of tea and also stocked up on chewing gum. I have found that chewing gum helps me stay alert on long drives.We did pretty good time till Jaleshwar (covered 200 kms in less than 3 hours) but after Belda the roads took a turn for the worse. Not only were there numerous diversions, but even where the road was fairly good, the bridges had horrible craters wherever the bitumen layer had worn off. Unfortunately I just have the one pic of this stretch as I was too busy navigating it, but most of the road from Belda to Cuttack is bad plus the speed limit in Odisha is also 80 kmph (and in some places 75 and even 50) even on the NH.This slowed down our progress and we also took a short break for breakfast. We eventually crossed Bhubaneshwar at about 11 am and decided to carry on till the OTDC Panthaniwas in Rambha where we would have a stopover for lunch. We duly reached Rambha at 1:29 pm just when we were feeling hungry.The OTDC property in Rambha is quite a large property, but not particularly well maintained. Service was also a bit tardy.The strange thing is that while most government resorts are usually in the best possible location, this property was actually not that close to Chilka lake. Or is it that the lake has receded? This is the view of Chilka lake from the boundary wall of the property.After having a pretty ordinary lunch, we were on our way again and decided to take things slow as the stretch from Gopalpur to Brahmapur had numerous 50 kmph speed limit signs plus these cameras on high masts. Are these speed cams? I didn't try to find out the hard way. But they were a dime a dozen plus there were also cameras on the median.A little after Brahmapur, we entered Andhra Pradesh. The roads had improved quite a bit after Bhubaneshwar, except for the odd diversion, but the roads in Andhra Pradesh were completely in a league of their own. Butter smooth surface with very little traffic and we quickly made up for the time lost in Odisha. The sun was setting while we were still about two hours away from Vizag.We finally reached our hotel in Vizag after covering 911.4 kms in a little less than 16 hours including two breaks adding upto a total of two hours.Our hotel the Bay View was right on R K Beach and the promenade. It had ample covered parking, rooms were great and so was the food, but service was atrocious. There was no bell hop available and after a 16 hour drive, we had to carry our luggage to our rooms by ourselves. The hot water took an eternity to come (you have to leave the tap open and waste water till the time it comes), housekeeping forgot to clean the room or even the cups, room service forgot to send plates and cutlery with the food, and on day 1 we got two 1 litre bottles of water which were promptly downgraded to 500 ml bottles from day two. The complimentary breakfast was great but for some reason they were loathe to give the salt and pepper cruets on the table. Despite all these shortcomings, I would still recommend this hotel simply because of the location. Just be prepared to make multiple calls to housekeeping and room service to make things happen.The hotel is situated in a happening place on the Beach Road, and an unexpected bonus was that the state boxing championship was happening just opposite our hotel and it really gave a festive flavour to our stay.There were also numerous street food options available. These looked like permanent stalls and not temporary ones put up only for the championship.After spending some time on the promenade, we ordered food in our room and called it a day.Day 2: Museums, Kailasgiri, Thotlakonda and RushikondaAfter a hearty breakfast, we walked to two of the unique museums of Vizag. They were hardly a five minute walk from our hotel. On the way we passed the monument dedicated to victory at sea in the 1971 Indo-Pak war. The Eastern Naval Command in Vizag had played a major role in that victory.The INS Kursura was one of the first submarines of the Indian Navy which was purchased from the erstwhile Soviet Union back in the '60s. It was later decommissioned and converted into a museum that is one of its kind in India.The Torpedo tubes form a part of the most potent offensive equipment on the sub. The last two tubes also double as escape hatches.The entire length and breadth of the sub is full of equipment and it is really astonishing how ingenious humans are, to design something this complex. It is also a testament to the training of the 75 member strong crew that they could run something this complex for upto 60 days at a time.Apart from the very difficult job of running and maintaining the sub, the crew also had to deal with extremely cramped quarters plus a total ban on bathing due to the limited fresh water availability. There was also the very real possibility of tripping or banging their head if they were not careful. A sub is a study in hardship, I realized.Right opposite the submarine museum is the TU-142 aircraft museum which features a decommissioned Tupolev 142 aircraft.The Tu-142 is one of the fastest turboprop planes anywhere and this particular model could be used in both defensive and offensive roles.There was even provision for a gunner at the rear of the aircraft.From the TU-142 museum we decided to drive down to Kailasgiri which is on the way to Rushikonda and has a nice park on a hilltop and a ropeway with excellent views of the bay.The view of the bay from the ropeway. Unfortunately, it wasn't a very clear day. Also, there was a huge line at the ropeway and most people were not wearing masks.Kailasgiri is a nice place for a picnic with excellent views all around. It also has a nice statue garden.By the time we finished our Kailasgiri visit, it was already past 2 pm, and we quickly made our way to Sea Inn - Raju ka Dhaba which is one of the most highly rated joints in Vizag and came highly recommended by BHPian. Even at 2:30 pm it was absolutely choc-a-blocWhile Raju ka dhaba is known for its sea food, we were almost totally out of luck. The only things that were available were chicken biryani and fish fry. The biryani was pretty much standard but the fish fry was excellent. Looks like this is one place that I will have to go back to, to do justice.BHPianhad suggested that we visit Thotlakonda and Bheemili and while we did not get the time to visit Bheemili as it was almost 4 pm by the time we finished lunch, we did get the time to go to Thotlakonda, which has the ruins of a 2000 year old Buddhist monastery on a hilltop.Many of the ancient structures have been restored by the AP government (and not ASI, surprisingly!) and the entire layout is great for understanding how monks used to design their monasteries 2 millennia ago.Not very far from Thotlakonda is Rushikonda beach, which is a nice lagoon and was packed to the brim with people when we reached in the evening.We spent some time at Rushikonda beach and then made our way back to the hotel. The drive from Rushikonda beach is quite nice with the sea on one side and the hills on the other side. Last edited by Neversaygbye : 5th January 2022 at 18:11 .
Fitts-Woolard Hall sits on Centennial Campus on Thursday, Aug. 20, 2020. The building is for the College of Engineering and its purpose is for it to serve as a home for the Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering and the Edward P. Fitts Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering.
News Editor

I am a third-year studying English with a minor in biology. I joined Technician in the fall of 2020 as a correspondent and am now working as the News Editor. I plan to graduate in the spring of 2022.
A hot potato: Open-source software (OSS) comes in a variety of flavors. Some are massive projects developed and maintained by thousands of volunteers. Others are smaller programs that might only be supported and worked on by a single developer sharing to GitHub. Because OSS is sometimes freely used by large corporations, there is a bit of controversy over whether these companies should contribute to the community monetarily.

It appears that an open-source developer has intentionally fried two widely used javascript libraries. The commits to faker.js and colors.js caused programs using them to get stuck in an infinite loop.

Developers use the faker library to generate fake contextual data for testing or demos, while colors adds color to javascript consoles. Thousands of programs use these public packages, with faker seeing around 2.5 million weekly downloads and another 22.4 million per week for colors.

Marak Squires, the developer of the two libraries, uploaded version 6.6.6 of faker to GitHub and the NPM registry earlier last week. Colors "v1.4.44-liberty-2" was committed on Saturday. Both updates cause the same behavior. When called, "Liberty Liberty Liberty" outputs on the first three lines followed by a string of Zalgo text representing an American flag. Colors has since been fixed, but faker remains on version 6.6.6. Developers using faker should switch back to the last valid version (5.5.3).

NPM has reverted to a previous version of the faker.js package and Github has suspended my access to all public and private projects. I have 100s of projects. #AaronSwartz pic.twitter.com/zFddwn631S  marak  (@marak) January 6, 2022

Squires's reasoning for sabotaging the libraries is unclear. Some suggest that because of the "liberty" theme and a seemingly sarcastic GitHub issue report, Squires may be trying to grab attention for the plight of unthanked open-source developers.

Back in November, in a comment thread on his faker.js GitHub page titled, "No more free work from Marak - Pay Me or Fork This," Squires said he was going to quit freely supporting "Fortune 500" companies that, in his mind, steal his work without compensation.

"Respectfully, I am no longer going to support Fortune 500s ( and other smaller sized companies ) with my free work," he noted. "There isn't much else to say. Take this as an opportunity to send me a six-figure yearly contract or fork the project and have someone else work on it."

Squires has also changed the "read me" file for faker.js to simply say, "What really happened with Aaron Swartz?"

Aaron Swartz was a developer/hacktivist who helped found Creative Commons, RSS, and Reddit. Swartz was accused of stealing documents from JSTOR to make them public and then committed suicide in 2013 after a prolonged legal battle.

The responses to the colors.js/faker.js author sabotaging their own packages are really telling about how many corporate developers think they are morally entitled to open source developers' unpaid labour without contributing anything back.  the intersex intifada  (@sadiekatze) January 9, 2022

Regardless of his motives, the stunt got Squires suspended from GitHub, removing his access to the two affected libraries, as well as the hundreds of other public and private projects he has uploaded.

While most in the community were not surprised that GitHub punished Squires for rendering his own software useless, many support him for his decision to call attention to a for-profit industry that has grown to feel entitled to the unpaid labor of others.

"Removing your own code from [GitHub] is a violation of their Terms of Service? WTF?" said developer Sergio Gomez in support of Squires's actions. "This is a kidnapping. We need to start decentralizing the hosting of free software source code."

"The responses to the colors.js/faker.js author sabotaging their own packages are really telling about how many corporate developers think they are morally entitled to open source developers' unpaid labour without contributing anything back," tweeted another OSS community member.

It's worth mentioning that most members of the OSS community support the continued development of free-to-use software because they are passionate about programming. However, there is an expectation that those that benefit from OSS use contribute something back to the community, even if it's just fixing bugs or some other type of support.
In brief: Given the growing popularity of electric vehicles in the US, one might think the country would be on track to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions substantially. However, it seems that the opposite may have occurred in 2021: according to new estimates, US GHG emissions increased by 6 percent last year. It's a small but not insignificant uptick that suggests the world is starting to get back to normal, at least where fuel demand is concerned.

It's worth noting that this figure is relative to 2020's numbers, which were lower than usual due to a massive decrease in fuel demand. Fewer flights were taking off (indeed, many airlines were forced to ground their fleets), and many would-be drivers were staying at home; either quarantining or working from home via Microsoft Teams and Zoom.

Compared to the pre-Covid days of 2019, 2021's emissions were still lower across the board. During 2019, the US saw well over 1800 metric tons of CO2 released into the atmosphere from transportation alone. In 2020, that figure dropped all the way down to sub-1600 levels, but in 2021, it bounced back to a little over 1700 metric tons -- still notably lower than 2019's figures, of course.

Other sectors saw less drastic changes. Industry and Building emissions increased only slightly over 2020's numbers and just about reached parity with 2019's last year.

The group behind these estimates, Rhodium Group, notes that 2021's emissions put the US "further off track" when it comes to meeting its Paris Agreement environmental targets. Of course, expecting the country to continue a downward emissions trajectory after a year like 2020 is not entirely reasonable, given how much of an outlier it is.

Nonetheless, as Rhodium points out, the Paris Agreement's targets require the US to reduce emissions by 50-52 percent below 2005 levels by the year 2030. As of 2020, the US reached the 22 percent mark, but in 2021, progress has tapered back to 17.4 percent.

It remains to be seen whether emissions will increase even more this year. It wouldn't be a surprise if lockdown fatigue finally gave way to a massive boom in travel and vacations, but only time will tell.

Masthead credit: American Public Power Association
What just happened? Add the Associated Press to the growing list of companies looking to cash in on the non-fungible token (NFT) craze. The news agency has announced plans to launch an NFT photography marketplace on January 31. The initial collection will feature photos from current and former AP photojournalists complete with original metadata detailing the time, date, location, equipment and settings used to capture the image.

Pulitzer Prize-winning images will also be available to purchase as rare drops that take place once every two weeks. These photos will have increased scarcity to preserve their status and may be limited to the market's most active collectors, we're told.

The news agency is partnering with Xooa on the project. The NFTs will be minted on the Polygon blockchain, an Ethereum-compatible layer two platform founded in 2017. AP digital collectibles will support secondary market transactions and will be purchasable using credit cards as well as crypto.

Matic, the native cryptocurrency of the Polygon network, is up nearly 13 percent on the news.

The AP said price points will vary in order to appeal to a range of novice and advanced collectors, adding that as a non-profit, proceeds will go towards funding AP journalism.

The Associated Press isn't the only news organization to hop aboard the NFT bandwagon. Quartz last year sold its first NFT news article for $1,800, and The New York Times sold its first-ever NFT article for 350 Ethereum, or nearly $1.1 million given current exchange rates. Proceeds from the NYT's sale went to the Neediest Cases Fund.

Image credit: JPizarro
In brief: Cyberattacks on corporate networks increased 50 percent in 2021 compared to the previous year and reached an all-time high of roughly 925 attacks a week per organization, globally, last month during the height of the Log4J scare.

The Log4J zero-day vulnerability surfaced in early December and quickly morphed into a major problem. Amit Yoran, head of cybersecurity firm Tenable, described it as the single biggest, most critical vulnerability of the last decade - and perhaps even the biggest in modern computing history.

Check Point Research in its latest report said education and research industries experienced the highest volume of attacks in 2021 with an average of 1,605 attacks per organization each week. The military and government sector also saw an uptick in attacks, fielding an average of 1,079 each week and resulting in a 47 percent increase year over year.

In fact, every industry that Check Point tracked saw a significant increase in attacks last year.

Geographically, Africa was hit hardest by cyberattacks followed by APAC, Latin America, Europe and North America (in that order). Attack frequency increases year-over-year ranged from 13 percent on the low side in Africa to a whopping 68 percent increase in Europe.

Check Point said all too often, organizations come under attack after failing to apply a patch for a known vulnerability.

The security company recommends segmenting networks and putting strong firewall and ISP safeguards between them in order to keep infections from propagating across the entire network. It's also a good idea to educate employees to recognize tell-tale signs of potential threats and train them to report unusual findings to security teams immediately.

Image credit: Tima Miroshnichenko
Moderna is now looking into developing the fourth COVID-19 vaccine from the company, and it would be the second booster jab from the pharmaceutical company. The CEO of the medical company addresses the many risks of not getting the proper immunity from COVID, and the booster is a need for people to fight against the rapidly mutating strains.

Moderna's COVID-19 Booster Shot: Now Under Development?

According to Reuter's report, Moderna is campaigning about the new booster shot that it aims to bring for the world to use, and this would help in further protecting against COVID-19 and its variants. The latest shot would be the fourth COVID-19 vaccine from Moderna, with the first two being the initial doses of the vaccine, while the third and fourth are the boosters.

The intentions of Moderna for this new booster suggest that it is under development of the fourth vaccine or the second booster, as they call it. According to Fox News, Moderna is already pushing for its creation, but it does not convince many experts like doctors and health professionals for its need.

Read Also: 'Flurona': Is It a COVID-19 Mutation? Cases Found in LA, Other US States

Moderna COVID-19 Booster: People Needs the 2nd Shot

An interview with Stephane Bancel, the CEO of Moderna Therapeutics, by Goldman Sachs first saw what the pharmaceutical company says for the COVID booster. Here, Bancel said that the world is still in danger from COVID-19, and it would help to have another layer of immunity to protect oneself, and it is needed by the fall of 2022.

That means that either the same booster formula will remain, or a new one will surface once that time comes.

COVID-19 Boosters and the Virus Now

It is the year 2022, and it is almost two years since the pandemic started affecting the lives of the public with its dangers and easily-transmittable virus that can lead to many deaths. The vaccine produced towards the end of 2020 was taught to be everyone's savior, finally ending the pandemic once and for all, but that changed when variants came and multiplied.

Now, the world faces a new variant known as the IHU, first discovered in France. However, it is being contained in the European country now, and experts hope to stem its transmission from there alone.

The world is still coping with the transmissions from the Omicron variant that is the most dangerous strain available to man now. It also faces a massive spread as most of the world already reported cases of Omicron that came within its borders.

COVID-19 boosters are the answer to the ever-evolving strains of the virus, protecting people further from the effects and dangers it brings. The life threats made by COVID face answers from the boosters, but it seems that it is not yet enough, says Moderna, who is already planning to create a new one, suitable for the fall of 2022.

Related Article: New COVID-19 Deltacron Combines Omicron, Delta Strains! Variant Mostly Detected in Hospitalized Patients

This article is owned by Tech Times

Written by Isaiah Richard

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
T-Mobile has blocked the Apple iCloud Private Relay on its very own cellular network. Quite interestingly, T-Mobile noted that the reason it isn't available is because it is "not compatible."

Apple iCloud Plus Subscription Features

According to the story by XDA-developers, Apple initially announced its very own iCloud Plus subscription sometime last year. To add, the subscription has a few additional features beyond those of the usual cloud storage functionality that is already offered by the more affordable iCloud plans.

The new subscription even includes a secure video for home cameras, its very own email proxy service, and a Private Relay, which is a VPN-like feature that is already supported on the iOS 15 routing all the internet traffic in the official Apple Safari web browser throughout multiple points in order to obscure the origin.

T-Mobile is Not Compatible with iCloud Private Relay

The feature is reportedly intended to improve privacy, but it seems like T-Mobile remains uninterested. With that, there have been a number of reports saying that T-Mobile has been blocking the iCloud Private Relay on the company's cellular network ever since its initial launch.

A noted tech leaker, Max Weinbach, shared a screenshot back in June explaining T-Mobile is not compatible with iCloud Private Relay. To expand, there were reports from others back in July, September, and even December, which included evidence of some customers that are using T-Mobile's network like Mint Mobile being affected.

T-Mobile Web Guard Blocks the iCloud Private Relay

An article by 9to5Mac was officially able to confirm the issue but as of the moment, Private Relay currently works for a number of T-Mobile users. To add, the Tmo Report was able to get an internal document stating customers using content filtering and blocking features enabled like T-Mobile Web Guard block the iCloud Private Relay.

T-Mobile, as of the moment, isn't the only carrier that could be worried about Private Relay. As per The Telegraph, a number of European network operations actually signed a joint letter towards the European Commission back in August calling for Apple to discontinue its own Private Relay.

Read Also: Apple Promotes 'Privacy,' While Allowing Developers Access to Collect Data from 1 Billion iPhone Users

Companies Sign a Letter Regarding Private Relay Implementation

Telefonica, Vodafone, Orange, and of course, T-Mobile (or European T-Mobile) have all signed the letter stating that how the private relay is implemented will actually have quite significant consequences when it comes to its terms of undermining European digital sovereignty.

Furthermore, the letter noted that the private relay would actually impair others to be able to innovate and compete in the downstream digital markets. To add, the letter also noted that it could negatively impact the ability of the operators to efficiently manage certain telecommunication networks.

As of the moment, there is no other statement regarding T-Mobile's decision to block the Apple iCloud Private Relay aside from the letter.

Related Article: Spotify Original and Exclusive Podcasts Will Now Show In-App Ads When Mentioned | Ads on Spotify Premium?

This article is owned by Tech Times

Written by Urian B.

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Signal CEO and founder, Moxie Marlinspike, announced his resignation from the encrypted messaging app on Monday or on Jan. 10 to be more precise.

Signal CEO, Founder Resigns

As per the report by Android Central, the Signal CEO declared in a blog post that he is stepping down from his position on the messaging service, noting that the app is now meant to continue without him as the chief executive.

Although Marlinspike has yet to name his official successor, the co-founder of WhatsApp, Brian Acton, is taking over Signal as the interim chief executive.

On top of that, the founder of the encrypted messaging app further noted that he will name the next CEO of Signal in the next few months.

In the blog post of Marlinspike, entitled "New year, new CEO," he began by sharing that Signal has grown into a firm that employs around 30 people, including the engineers of the app, its designers, support staff, and its top brass.

Despite the growth of Signal, the CEO noted that the encrypted app has remained "embedded" to both its "values and mission."

Signal's New CEO: WhatsApp's Co-Founder

What's more, the Signal founder also revealed that over the next months of 2022, he will then be replaced by the co-founder of WhatsApp, Acton, who now sits as a board member of Signal Foundation, a subsidiary of the messaging service.

The co-founder of WhatsApp currently serves as the Executive Chairman of the foundation of Signal. Acton co-founded WhatsApp, which is now part of the social media assets of Facebook's parent firm, Meta since 2014.

Acton has already left the messaging service he co-founded when he stepped down in 2017. Since then, the new interim CEO of Signal has been critical of the new owners of WhatsApp.

In the same blog post, the Signal founder shared that Acton will only lead the messaging app temporarily, but he has "every confidence" that the WhatsApp co-founder will remain committed to the mission of the firm.

As such, despite that, Marlinspike is still searching for his permanent successor.

Read Also: Elon Musk Boosts 'Signal Advance' Stock to 1,100 Percent But is the Wrong Company-CEO Meant the Messaging App!

Signal

According to the news story by Gizmodo, Signal has made a name of its own for being heralded as one of the most secure messaging services out there.

Marlinspike founded the messaging service that flaunts its end-to-end encryption way back in 2014. Now, Signal claims that it already has more than 40 million active users, as of writing.

Related Article: Signal Announces Difference Between its App and Other Big Tech Apps: 'Signal Knows Nothing

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Written by Teejay Boris

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
A Prostate Cancer Risk Test from 23andMe gets its awaited FDA Clearance to focus on its testing and availability to different places, especially as it focuses on the new mutation. According to researchers and 23andMe, a new mutation that puts men more at risk for the said cancer is available to see on the said test, helping experts understand more and prevent it.

Prostate Cancer Risk Test from 23andMe Gets FDA Clearance

According to 23andMe's press release, the company applied for an FDA clearance for its Prostate Cancer Risk test, which will soon receive its license to use for subjects. The new risk test is the third that 23andMe already made for cancer diseases. It provides help for people to get to know alarming cases present in the body already.

A study made by 23andMe along with researchers entitled "Prevalence of the HOXB13 G84E germline mutation in British men and correlation with prostate cancer risk, tumour characteristics and clinical outcomes" talks about the new mutation.

The study focused on the HOXB13 gene, which saw the G84E mutation that causes thrice the risk of getting prostate cancer for men. European men are more susceptible to cancer as one in 70 people have the said mutation.

Read Also: 23andMe CEO Compares Complicated Genetic Risk Reports To Simple At-Home Pregnancy Test

Prostate Cancer Mutations and the Studies Behind It

The risk test that 23andMe developed looks into hereditary prostate cancer and the phenomenon behind it. The press release by the company said that it would be available for people to use, and then have experts look at it for interpretations of the said test and determine the risk they have, from the present up to the future.

23andMe's Advancements on Health Tech

The famous Sunnyvale, California-based biotechnology company, 23andMe, brings one of the only endorsed direct-to-consumer distribution by the US Food and Drug Administration. The company is known for several availabilities of tests that help experts look into different health conditions possible existing or pre-existing in a person.

One of the most popular releases of 23andMe's advancements includes that of a Genetic Testing Kits that show the risks of the different conditions in a person's profile. The test shows the genetic risk of a person, with as many as 10 diseases that it can determine and show for people to learn more about, also allowing experts to look into specific fields.

Now, another testing kit from the company is available and it helps men know more of their condition, especially regarding their prostate which is one of the notorious killers of the gender. 23andMe does not stop with Prostate Cancer test kits as the company also has breast cancer and colorectal cancer risk tests that it has available.

Related Article: 23andMe Genetic Report Can Tell If You Are Likely To Develop Type 2 Diabetes

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Written by Isaiah Richard

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Canon is still feeling the impact of the global chip shortage as it cuts down costs and diminishes parts on its products.

Recently, the camera maker announced that it would now sell printer cartridges with no Digital Rights Management (DRM) chip. This piece of component is essential to prevent users from depending on third-party ink for copy protection purposes.

Canon Ditches DRM on its Printers

Due to the lack of supplies in the chips, Canon shifted its ways to allow customers to break the DRM. Ars Technica wrote in its report that first-party cartridges usually embed chips on its printers for authentication.

Since the semiconductor crisis is still hitting several chipmakers and tech companies, Canon suggested that customers could now "defeat" the warnings shown on printers regarding the use of third-party components.

The company, which specializes in optical and imaging, is experiencing difficulties in procuring the electronic components that are used on its products.

According to its German support website, the company decided to "supply consumables without a semiconductor component" to its printers. Until the supply returns to its normal state, the company will be sticking to the new changes.

Canon ordered its customers to bypass the error that showed up on the machine. The company suggested they should just close any warnings about the use of third-party inks and follow the steps as-is.

Related Article: Top 5 11x17 Printers You Need in Your Home or Office Now

Will This Affect the Quality of Prints?

In a separate story written by Gizmodo, Canon told the users that the quality of their prints would not be compromised even if they change their inks.

However, they could observe noticeable changes on improper toner levels. In some cases, if the cartridge is empty, it might instantly plunge to 0% from 100%.

Regarding this policy change, it should be noted that once the global chip shortage eases up, Canon would revert to its tactic of disallowing third-party ink cartridges to operate on its printers.

Speaking of Canon, Tech Times reported that the company faced a lawsuit in October following a complaint about its deceptive marketing practice. According to the plaintiff, the lens maker was just selling cartridge replacements for the Pixma printer for the sake of the company's profit.

List of Affected Canon Printer Models

The support page of Canon listed the following models that are affected by the recent changes. Here's a list of them.

ImageRunner 1435i 1435iF /

image runner 2625i / 2630i / 2645i

image runner ADVANCE 4525i / 4535i / 4545i / 4551i and III, II

image runner ADVANCE C250i / 350i / C351iF

image runner ADVANCE C255i / C355i / C355iF / C256i / 356i

image runner ADVANCE C256i / 356i II and III

ImageRunner ADVANCE C3320i / 3325i / 3330i

imageRUNNER ADVANCE C3520i / 3525i / 3530i, II and III

imageRUNNER ADVANCE C5535i / 5540i / 5550i / 5560i, II and III

imageRUNNER ADVANCE DX 4725i / 4735i / 4745i / 4735i / 4745i / 47725i

ADVANCE ADVANCE ADVANCE DX 6000i

imageRUNNER7 imageRUNNER

imageRUNNER ADVANCE DX C3720i / 3725i / 3730i

imageRUNNER ADVANCE DX C3822i / 3826i / 3830i / 3835i

imageRUNNER ADVANCE DX C5735i / 5740i / 5750i / 5760i

imageRUNNER C1325iF / 1335iF

imageRUNNER C3025i

imageRUNNER C3125i

imageRUNNER C3226i

Last month, Tech Times reported another case related to printers. At that time, the hackers added anti-work slogans on receipt printers to urge workers to demand better working benefits and conditions from their employers.

Read Also: How Yuichi Ishizuka Became Canon Chief Executive



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Written by Joseph Henry

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
LAPD or Los Angeles Police Department cops who played "Pokemon Go" while a robbery is occurring in their vicinity have been denied their appeal for being fired.

As per the report by USA Today, the two police officers from LAPD were discharged from the police force way back in 2017 for ignoring a robbery call in favor of playing the augmented reality game, "Pokemon Go" instead.

After being fired, the two cops appealed the decision to the court. Now, court documents show why they were discharged and their appeal has been denied.

LAPD Cops Fired for Playing 'Pokemon Go'

According to the news story by Arstechnica, former LAPD officers Louis Lozano and Eric Mitchell have been caught by a video recording from the digital in-car video system, wherein the two cops decided to hunt for Snorlax on the augmented reality game instead of heeding the robbery call.

The ruling of the California Court of Appeal said that the two officers were "guilty on multiple accounts of misconduct" for "playing a Pokemon mobile phone game while on duty."

The court document further declared that the LAPD cops went on to search for a Pokemon in the mobile app instead of assisting "a commanding officer's response to a robbery in progress."

The court ruling disclosed that one of the officers in the incident, Mitchell, told the other LAPD cop, Lozano, that a Pokemon, "Snorlax, just popped up at 46th and Leimert."

On top of that, 20 minutes after the two cops learned that "Snorlax '' appeared, both officers drove to various locations where other Pokemon creatures were seen.

In fact, while the two were driving towards "Snoxlax," Mitchell went on to notify Lozano again about another Pokemon sighting. The former told the latter that "a Togetic just popped up."

Read Also: 'Pokemon Go' Changes Base Limit to 80 Meters to Keep Players Socially Distanced Due to the Pandemic

'Pokemon Go' Playing Cops Appealed

The ruling also revealed that both officers appealed the decision to relieve them from their position in LAPD. The appeal noted that both of them were denied from their protection under the Public Safety Officers Procedural Bill of Rights Act.

The two officers also claimed in the appeal that Los Angeles used the DICVS recording to conclude their disciplinary proceedings.

But still, the California appeals courts have denied the petitions of the two former LAPD cops, who were caught playing "Pokemon Go" during an ongoing robbery incident.

In fact, the three judges of the petition unanimously denied the appeal of the two fired cops.

Related Article: 'Pokemon GO' Fest 2021 UPDATE: Hoopa To Appear, But Trainers Can't Capture It; When Can You Acquire Them?

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Written by Teejay Boris

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Last year, a truck heist involving GPUs took place in California. Jacob Freeman, the product manager of EVGA, confirmed at that time that a shipment of EVGA GeForce RTX 30-series cards were stolen out of a truck that was heading from San Francisco to Southern California.

GPUs Stolen Last Year Turns Up in Vietnam

According to PCGamer, the cards have a retail value between $329.99 to $1959.99 and it is safe to say that there were very high end cards included in the mix of cards that were stolen.

When they were confirmed stolen, EVGA also warned that the serial numbers were all on record, and those trying to register them for warranty or for potential sale would be caught.

According to VideoCardz, it turns out that some of the cards have now shown up on the other side of the world as they have been spotted in Vietnam.

Also Read: EVGA Says that 'Bad Soldering' Was The Reason for RTX 3090 Deaths During 'New World' Debacle

A Vietnamese retailer also known for packing GPUs into mining rigs has been caught distributing some of the stolen GPUs.

Customers have reported after purchasing the cards that the serial numbers belong to some of those that were flagged by EVGA. Thus, they could not be registered for warranty claims.

One buyer reportedly purchased two Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 Ti GPUs and had the same problem with each.

Customers said that the cards were given a one month warranty by the store, as well as a good price which is to be expected of illegally imported GPUs.

VideoCardz did not reveal the name of the retailer in order to avoid people from purchasing stolen cards from them.

However, they did say that it is not just a small, local retailer. This means that the one distributing the stolen GPUs is a known chain store, which is a bit troubling.

It is very likely that a lot of unwitting customers, perhaps those who are not familiar with the current prices of cards, have thought that they bagged a deal after coming across the GPUs sold by the said retail store without knowing the potential problems of trying to have it registered.

The chip shortage together with eager crypto miners continue to make getting a new GPU more difficult. It is hard to get excited for anything new when the scarcity is a massive problem. With that being said, the GPU shipments is expected to increase by 10% in 2022.

Increase in GPU Shipment

According to Digitimes Asia, GPU shipments are expected to rise a further 10% over the course of 2022. If you are looking for a GPU, maybe the public will see a downwards price trend as soon as the Omicron slump is over.

The resurgent Omicron-led pandemic is leading to worsening market conditions, which will obviously delay things up. Semi-conductor shortages, isolating workforces, and logistical delays are having the dual effect of reducing supply and increasing demand.

If you are isolating at home, in quarantine, or if you are waiting for your workplace to open again, the chances are you have more time for gaming. Consoles cannot be bought in main street stores and there is a shortage in accessories, but things are said to be looking up this year.

Related Article: Low-End Laptop CPUs See Declining Demand Amid Pandemic | Worst Quarter-Over-Quarter Downturn so Far

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Written by Sophie Webster

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
A redesigned Pfizer vaccine is expected to arrive this coming March as stated by the company's CEO, Albert Bourla. He said that the new vaccine is specifically developed against the new Omicron variant.

Right now, the global pandemic is worsening as more infectious strains are being discovered by medical experts and scientists across the globe.

Because of this, some schools in the United States are now deciding to cancel the classes to prevent further infections. Omicron is not the only variant that worries people.

Recently, TechTimes reported that the new COVID-19 variant Deltacron was identified in Cyprus. On the other hand, the World Health Organization also confirmed another strain called IHU.

Redesigned Pfizer Vaccine to Arrive

According to Reuters' latest report, Pfizer is now working with BioNTech SE to create the new vaccine. This new vaccine is expected to contain the previous version of the vaccine and the new one.

Also Read: Omicron Variant To Be Tackled By New Air Decontamination Device From Canadian Company Ti-DOX

"This vaccine will be ready in March. We [are] already starting manufacturing some of these quantities at risk," said Bourla via CNBC.

He added that the new Pfizer vaccine is expected to provide better protection against Omicron infections. As of the moment, the efficiency of the new medicine against Omicron is still unknown.

But, you can expect more information from Pfizer as days go by. Meanwhile, the CEO said that they are preparing to file for a U.S. regulatory approval for the new vaccine.

He added that switching to the new vaccine's development will not be an issue since Pfizer has already built a better manufacturing capacity.

Why the Redesigned Vaccine is Important

Albert released a new statement saying that two regular vaccine doses are not enough to prevent Omicron infections. He added that they don't offer strong protection against the new variant.

Pfizer's CEO also explained that the new COVID-19 strain is harder to target. If this is true, then the upcoming redesigned vaccine will be quite essential.

However, this will still depend on the results of the vaccine's upcoming tests.

For more news updates about Pfizer's new vaccine and other COVID-19 topics, always keep your tabs open here at TechTimes.

Related Article: 'Flurona': Is It a COVID-19 Mutation? Cases Found in LA, Other US States

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Written by: Griffin Davis

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
China's artificial sun could possibly outshine our own sun after reports have stated that the fusion reactor just got five times hotter, setting a new personal and world record.

China's Artificial Sun's New Record

China's Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak or EAST has set a new world record-or should we say off-world record?

Per Xinhua News Agency, the artificial sun or EAST by China ran a plasma temperature of 158 million degrees Fahrenheit (70 million degrees Celsius) for 1,056 seconds (17 minutes).

Scientists are celebrating this moment because it means the world is now one step closer to creating a source of clean energy that is entirely limitless.

In 2003, a French tokamak set a record when plasma in a coiling loop remained at a similar temperature for 390 seconds, but the Chinese reactor has just beat that record.

Then in May 2021, EAST set another record by running for 101 seconds at an unprecedented 216 million Fahreinheit (120 million Celcius). This record garnered the highest temperature but fell short in time, compared to the new record.

For reference, the actual core of the sun, by contrast, is about 27 million Fahrenheit (15 million Celsius).

"The recent operation lays a solid scientific and experimental foundation towards the running of a fusion reactor," experiment leader and plasma physics researcher Gong Xianzu said to Xinhua Net.

The EAST experiment, expected to conclude in June, is expected to cost China more than $1 trillion.

Also Read: China Planning To Launch 'Artificial Moon' Predicted To Be 8 Times Brighter Than The Real One

More Artificial Suns?

China's EAST experiment will not be the last and only artificial sun out there.

After its completion, EAST will be used to test out technologies for an even bigger fusion project under construction in Marseille, France, called International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER).

As the largest nuclear reactor in the world, ITER is a collaborative effort among 35 countries, including every country in the European Union, the United Kingdom, China, India, and the United States.

In a report by Live Science, ITER contains the most powerful magnet ever developed. Because of this, it can produce a magnetic field that is 280,000 times as powerful as that generated by the Earth's sun.

Future fusion reactors will "hopefully" provide scientists with deeper insight into how star's power can be harnessed on Earth when ITER comes online in 2025, according to the report.

However, China won't stop at EAST as Chinese nuclear fusion research is on the rise. Currently, the Asian nation is experimenting on inertial confinement fusion and plans to have a new tokamak up and running by the early 2030s.

Meanwhile, a US company may be able to finish its first viable fusion reactor as early as 2025 and a British company hopes to generate electricity from fusion by 2030.

Nuclear fusion is the process by which stars burn and it has taken scientists more than 70 years to figure out how to harness its energy.

All these experiments would not just help scientists. It would also generate enormous amounts of energy without releasing greenhouse gases or generating long-term radioactive waste.

Read Article: South Korea's KSTAR Fusion Reaction Breaks Own Record, Soon A Self-Sustaining Nuclear Energy Power Source?

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Written by Thea Felicity

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Madisonville, KY (42431)

Today

Mixed clouds and sun with scattered thunderstorms. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. High 78F. Winds SW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 50%..

Tonight

A few clouds from time to time. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 52F. Winds NNW at 10 to 15 mph.
There is no plan for East Baton Rouge Parish to go back to requiring masks amid the latest surge of COVID-19 cases, officials said Tuesday.

"Mayor Broome has no plans at the present time to re-establish a mask mandate," spokesman Mark Armstrong said in a statement. "However, it certainly remains an option as she is staying in close contact with local hospitals and healthcare providers about the best practices we should all take during this current surge."

Masks are still required in all city-parish buildings.

The announcement comes as hospitalizations climb across the state from a wave of cases driven by the omicron variant  and as Mardi Gras approaches.

The parish is averaging over 800 confirmed cases a day over the past week. Local hospitals are again straining under a surge of people hospitalized with COVID as many doctors and nurses also come down with the virus and are unable to work.

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New Orleans announced the return of its indoor mask mandate on Tuesday. Officials pointed to the millions of tourists that are expected to flood into Southeast Louisiana for Carnival season as a reason to reinstate the mandate.

Last week, Broome said it was still too early to determine if local Mardi Gras parades should be cancelled due to the surge. A series of January service projects and events intended to honor the legacy of civil rights advocate Dr. Martin Luther King were postponed by the city-parish last week due to the surge in cases.

Officials urged Baton Rouge residents to stay home if they feel sick and get vaccinated and boosted, if they haven't already.

"The Omicron Variant is very contagious and is having real impacts on our local hospital capacity," Armstrong said.
For Denham Springs native Morgan Almeida, the choice to stay in the Baton Rouge area grew out of a love she developed for the region as a college student.

An alumna of Live Oak High School and the Louisiana School for Math, Science and the Arts in Natchitoches, Almeida graduated from LSU in 2016. While on campus she interned with TEDxLSU, a speaker forum, which allowed her to work with community organizations pushing for positive change in Baton Rouge.

I think thats where my love for Baton Rouge first started to blossom, said Almeida, president of Forum 225, a leadership and networking organization for local young professionals.

According to data from the Baton Rouge Area Chamber, however, Almeida is among a declining number of residents planting roots here early in their careers.

From 2015 to 2019  the latest data available  the Baton Rouge area lost 6,903 people ages 25 to 44 to out-of-state markets. BRAC deems those ages as early-to-mid career professionals.

Thats compared to a potential growth in population for the Baton Rouge metro area by roughly 24,000 residents by 2025, according to BRAC data. And it comes at a time when 44,000 jobs are open in the region.

To help combat the workforce challenge, BRAC and Forum 225 have announced a partnership to convince young workers to stay. Theyll work together to connect young people to professional networks and career opportunities in the area.

As part of the collaboration, BRAC said it will promote Forum 225 as its primary young professionals organization. The two organizations will also co-host a young professionals conference sometime in May.

Hurricane Ida damage helped make 2021 one of most expensive years for natural disasters, report finds BERLIN  Damage wrought by Hurricane Ida in the U.S. state of Louisiana and the flash floods that hit Europe last summer helped make 2021 one 

What has BRAC and Forum 225 officials optimistic about their efforts is data showing that those who stay feel good about their future. More than 60% of young professionals in the Capital Region surveyed by BRAC said they have a positive outlook about their career arc.

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The people who are paying attention see some momentum (in Baton Rouge), said Andrew Fitzgerald, senior vice president of business intelligence at BRAC.

Its important to keep those younger workers here so they can provide a larger tax base and stimulate economic momentum even through basic activities like grocery shopping and movie watching, Fitzgerald said. They can also fill job openings as older employees retire.

Whether its urban, suburban or rural areas of Baton Rouge, continued growth is very vital, Fitzgerald said.

A variety of factors have fed into the outward migration, Fitzgerald said. Top of mind for younger generations isnt just top jobs with top pay. Quality of life factors  such as available public amenities and cost of living  play a key role.

Young talent wants cost of living to be affordable. They want high quality of place, he said. They want good public amenities. They want good jobs. They want affordable housing and walkability with that affordable housing.

Return of college football boosts East Baton Rouge spending up 19.2% Consumer and business spending in East Baton Rouge Parish was up 19.2% in October compared to the year before, because of easy comparisons wit

As a mid-sized city, Baton Rouge can win the cost-of-living battle against major metro markets, Fitzgerald said. But challenges like crime, blight and litter can make an impact in the retention war. A lack of bicycle paths and public transit, particularly downtown, also impact the citys recruiting efforts.

There are some livable place factors that definitely play a role that we need to be more proactive about solving, Fitzgerald said.

Reaching those young professionals early is key, Almeida said, hence the BRAC-Forum 225 partnership promoting each others efforts.

It is a lot of work to get people to stay, said Almeida, who works as a marketing strategist for Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System. But I believe in this partnership.
A teacher union in Baton Rouge is trying to shut down public schools in town Wednesday after the local school district failed to agree to demands to shift immediately to virtual instruction districtwide and return to in-person learning only after a significant decrease in COVID-19 cases.

The union, the East Baton Rouge Parish Association of Educators, announced a day of action for Wednesday at a press conference Tuesday afternoon, urging school employees to refuse to show up for work. It's meant to protest the districts continued insistence on in-person instruction amid a fifth surge of COVID spurred by the omicron variant that has sent cases rising at a startling rate.

Valencea Johnson, president of the union chapter, said the school system cant handle the current spike in cases, and it needs to go virtual until it can.

We have all of these cases because we cannot function, Johnson said. We are trying to function and we cant.

Teacher protests over sanitation of buildings stresses Baton Rouge schools; closes only 5 campuses About 11% of the teachers in East Baton Rouge Parish public schools opted to take Monday off, protesting what they view as the substandard san

The union issued a handful of demands to Supt. Sito Narcisse late Monday and asked him to respond by noon Tuesday, which he did not. It held its press conference at the Baton Rouge office of its parent, Louisiana Association of Educators.

Shortages of school personnel in the East Baton Rouge Parish school system over the past week since schools returned from Christmas break have already prompted more than a dozen schools to shift to virtual. On Tuesday, two more schools, McKinley Middle and Southdowns Pre-K Center, decided to go virtual and wont come back in person until Jan. 18.

EBRPAE, which says it has about 1,100 members, is pressing for all schools to make the shift because the shortages are worse than school leaders are saying.

We have received reports of entire departments being out, and classes being combined, the union said in a statement. In addition, teachers, ancillary, office staff, and other staff are being forced to cover classes, putting the health and safety of educators and students are at risk.

Johnson said that the shortages are forcing schools to combine not just classrooms but buses, mixing what are supposed to be static groups, raising the possibility of more infections.

That is a safety hazard, she said. That is spreading COVID.

In a statement, Narcisse said the district was working to enforce masking, test staff, regularly clean schools and taking other measures.

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"I understand that many staff members have been asked to stand in the gap for their colleagues who may be sick or have tested positive, and for that we continue to be extremely grateful," Narcisse said. "When weighing the decision to transition a school or class to remote learning we have to consider the burden that places on working family members, staff and students. If the last few years have taught us anything, we know that our students thrive when they are with us in classrooms, supported by professional educators and collaborating with their peers."

Candita Belona-Sims, vice president of the chapter, said the sickout Wednesday is a last resort that is about protecting the health and safety of our kids and the union is prepared to call for similar actions in the future if nothing changes.

We felt like this is the only way at this point, Belona-Sims said.

On Friday, the school system reported 613 COVID cases on 55 campuses for last week, prompting 1,589 quarantines. That's four times the number of cases and a 41% increase in quarantines compared with late August, the peak of the fourth surge in Louisiana, just before Hurricane Ida. The week before Christmas saw just 37 cases and 237 quarantines.

The union has sought work stoppages twice since the pandemic started. It succeeded at a few schools, but failed to shut down the entire district as sought.

The first sick-out was in September 2020, prompted by reports of poor cleanliness in schools as they returned to in-person instruction for the first time since the start of the pandemic in March 2020. The second attempt was last April and was prompted by Narcisses plan, later shelved, to have employees return several days early for the 2021-22 school year to try to catch up students whod fallen behind during the pandemic.

Which East Baton Rouge schools had greatest teacher, staff absences in Monday 'sick-out?' To get a sense of how deeply Monday's "sick-out" by East Baton Rouge Parish public school employees impacted district operations, we asked the

The rival teacher union, the East Baton Rouge Federation of Teachers, declined to take part in the proposed sick-out, just as it did not take part in the EBRPAEs attempts at work stoppages last year.

"We are encouraging our members to not take the day," the Federation of Teachers chapter said in a post on Facebook. "However, we are in talks with the superintendent about the Covid situation. We have brought your concerns to him."

EBRPAE has issued other demands:

Doubling the number of special COVID leave days from five to 10, matching the number the district provided employees last school year.

Allowing telework for departments of the school district that can do so, rather than insisting that employees work in person.

At the press conference, EBRPAE officials also said theyd like the district to focus more on deep cleaning schools after outbreaks, improving vaccinations rates among students and expanding weekly COVID testing to all students, particularly after students return from a break.
Months after the Baton Rouge Police Department sought to have an attorney held in contempt for releasing body camera footage showing a juvenile suspect being strip-searched, a federal judge lambasted the department, calling its recent legal pursuits an astounding display of hypocrisy.

In a ruling Friday, U.S. District Court Judge John DeGravelles said department leaders retaliated against the attorney, Thomas Frampton, because he brought them bad publicity.

The ruling marks the latest development in a convoluted and contentious series of court filings, which now include opinions from two different federal judges, criticizing the conduct of Baton Rouge police officers and department leaders.

The drama began in December 2020 when Judge Brian Jackson, also of the Middle District of Louisiana, issued an order excoriating one BRPD officer for his questionable traffic stop and warrantless search. Jackson called the case "emblematic of precisely the type of foul blows universally condemned by our jurisprudence."

Federal judge voids gun charge, calls bad BRPD bust a 'foul' against justice system Almost a year after the January 2020 traffic stop that landed Clarence Green in jail on a gun possession charge, federal prosecutors in Baton 

The defendant in that case, Clarence Green, was arrested alongside his little brother, the juvenile seen in the video being searched. Police said Green had a fully loaded gun hidden in his underwear, and his brother had marijuana. But the juvenile was never charged and prosecutors dropped the counts against Green.

A University of Virginia law professor and attorney licensed in Louisiana, Frampton agreed to represent the Green family pro bono soon after Jackson issued his rebuke of the investigation. He sued the department on their behalf.

In Spring 2021, the city of Baton Rouge issued a $35,000 taxpayer-funded settlement to resolve the lawsuit, and Frampton released excerpts of the bodycam video to the media, along with a press release criticizing the actions of the BRPD officers involved and announcing the settlement.

After federal judge calls bad BRPD bust 'foul' against justice system, city pays $35,000 settlement After a federal judge excoriated a Baton Rouge police officer for conducting a questionable traffic stop and warrantless search, the East Bato

In response to ensuing media attention, Baton Rouge Police Chief Murphy Paul filed a motion in East Baton Rouge Juvenile Court asking a judge to hold Frampton in contempt, claiming he had violated a state law that seals most juvenile court records from the public.

Paul argued Frampton should have received permission from the juvenile court before releasing the footage. A contempt charge carries up to six months in jail and a $500 fine.

Paul also held a press conference the same day during which he played additional parts of the video, saying he wanted the public to see more context than what Frampton provided in his edited version. Paul said he had obtained permission from a juvenile court judge before releasing those segments.

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Frampton, in turn, responded by filing another motion, this time in federal court. He requested an injunction to halt the contempt proceedings  and that request is what yielded the Friday ruling from DeGravelles, who said the department clearly acted "in bad faith" and retaliated against Frampton.

BRPD wants lawyer held in contempt for sharing footage of officers illegally searching a minor Attorneys for the Baton Rouge Police Department have asked a judge hold a lawyer in contempt, saying he improperly sent a press release that i

East Baton Rouge Parish Attorney Andy Dotson declined to comment on pending litigation and advised the police department to similarly keep quiet about the case. It was not immediately clear whether the department has withdrawn its contempt motion, as DeGravelles ordered in the ruling.

"The Court finds the overwhelming evidence in this case shows that the City/Parish acted in bad faith and in retaliation against Frampton for Frampton's issuance of a press release and video which cast BRPD in a bad light," the judge wrote. "The hypocrisy of the City/Parish's position is astounding."

DeGravelles also highlighted the nonsensical nature of the contempt motion itself, stating "it is no small matter (and no small irony) that BRPD, the part of the City/Parish which now complains so loudly about the video's public release, was the entity that released the video in the first place."

In dispute over BRPD bodycam release, attorney facing contempt charge asks judge to intervene After lawyers for the Baton Rouge Police Department sought to have him held in contempt of court for releasing edited bodycam footage of offic

Months before Frampton disseminated the footage, BRPD gave it to federal prosecutors who were then pursuing gun and drug possession charges against Green. Portions of that footage were filed into the court record as discovery and released to The Advocate via public records request  all developments the judge discussed in his ruling.

"In each case, the video was released without restriction of any kind having been placed on the use of the video," he wrote, adding that the department has never sought similar sanctions against any other entities who released the same videos.

The ruling cites testimony from Deelee Morris, attorney for BRPD, who said she "didn't know" why Frampton was the only one facing contempt charges when others allegedly committed identical violations of state law. Her statement provides "further proof" that the department was motivated by "harassment and retaliation," DeGravelles wrote.

He granted Frampton a preliminary injunction, which means the department cannot proceed with a contempt hearing until the federal case is resolved.
How to address Louisiana's worsening teacher shortage, teacher pay raises, and steps to recover learning loss sparked by the pandemic will be key topics during the 2022 legislative session, officials said Monday.

The Louisiana Federation of Teachers, Louisiana Association of Educators and Louisiana Association of Business and Industry have started crafting their education priorities ahead of the regular session, which begins March 14.

What the state can do to ensure every public school classroom has a teacher will be one of the topics.

Tia Mills, president of the Louisiana Association of Educators, said her group's legislative committee Saturday said luring educator retirees back into the workforce is one of its goals.

Louisiana's teacher shortage is raising alarms: 'Fewer teacher candidates than ever' Louisiana's teacher shortage is getting worse with retirements on the rise, the number of new teachers plunging and superintendents finding it increasingly difficult to fill classroom jobs.

State education leaders say what used to be chronic shortages in special education, math and science classes have spread to virtually every subject.

Teacher and other school personnel retirements rose 25% from 2020 to 2021.

Veteran educators say they are grappling with unprecedented challenges just to make sure students have a teacher in their classroom.

Mills said the drop has been going on since 2010.

"It has been a steady decline in educators returning to work," she said. "There are critical shortages everywhere."

Gov. John Bel Edwards, who is starting the third year of his second term, likely has one more chance to fulfill his pledge to boost teacher salaries to the regional average. The 2023 session will take place in an election year, and the Democratic governor's lame duck status will hinder any push for breakthrough measures.

Teacher pay trails most of the region; governor has vowed to end the gap A new survey shows average teacher pay in Louisiana is 12th of 16 states in the South, which raises doubts on whether Gov. John Bel Edwards wi

Teacher pay here ranks 12th of 16 states in the South, with average salaries of $51,566 compared to the regional average of $55,205, according to the Southern Regional Education Board.

The U.S. average is $64,133.

Cynthia Posey, legislative and political director for the Louisiana Federation of Teachers, said pay hikes of at least $1,000 are needed to be meaningful amid rising health insurance and other costs. Posey said some of the problem stems from "political games" played by Edwards' critics, including debates over how much money should be available for teachers and other areas.

The Revenue Estimating Conference is set to meet Tuesday to settle on Louisiana's financial outlook between now and June 30 and for the financial year that begins July 1.

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Mills said the LAE also favors a pay raise but has not settled on any specifics.

"We have to stay optimistic and have the necessary conversations," she said. "We are losing so many educators to other states."

Stephen Waguespack, president of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, said one of his group's priorities will be addressing learning loss sparked by 22 months of education upheaval caused by the pandemic.

Nearly three out of four public schools showed drops in their school performance scores during the 2020-21 school year. That year was marked by a mixture of in-person and virtual classes amid efforts to curb the coronavirus.

Annual public school letter grades were canceled here, part of the freeze on school accountability measures across the nation.

Louisiana will cancel public school letter grades pending approval from federal government Louisiana's top school board Tuesday voted to shelve public school letter grades this year but made it contingent on final approval from the f

Waguespack was chief of staff for then Gov. Bobby Jindal in 2012 when the Legislature, at Jindal's urging, approved sweeping changes in public school operations. He later served on the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.

"Every state is going to be focusing on it," Waguespack said of learning loss.

"They have two years of students who either stayed home or have been in and out," he said. "We cannot leave this generation of kids behind."

Legislation to ensure teachers have duty-free lunches will be another priority of the LAE.

LFT's Posey said allowing teachers to get key test results, such as LEAP 2025, in time to help guide instruction will be another session goal. "Right now they get it so late there is no way for it to inform," she said.

Waguespack said expanding parental school options, especially for special needs students and those stuck in failing schools, is another LABI goal.
A coalition of civil rights groups is urging state lawmakers leading redistricting to draw new maps that add another minority seat on Louisiana's top school board.

The request was submitted Monday to the state House and Senate Governmental Affairs committees.

A special session is scheduled from Feb. 1-20 to redraw boundaries for the state's congressional delegation, the Legislature, the Public Service Commission and the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, which sets policies for about 700,000 public school students.

Defining fairness is tough part about redrawing congressional districts The legislative road tour has been hearing conflicting ideas about how to redraw Louisianas six U.S. House districts to best fit the states 

BESE has 11 members, with eight elected from single-member districts and three at-large members named by the governor.

The current configuration includes two majority-minority districts, which means a district in which Black residents, who make up a minority of the state's population, comprise a majority of the BESE district.

Senate Education Committee Chair Cleo Fields, D-Baton Rouge, was not part of the request but said Tuesday the issue is worth pursuing. "There is an opportunity to create an additional minority seat and we are certainly going to be exploring that option," Fields said in an interview.

The request came from the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, American Civil Liberties Union of Louisiana, Urban League of Louisiana, and former BESE member Linda Johnson, of Plaquemine, who once held one of BESE's two minority seats.

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+5 Civil rights groups push for redistricting to increase chance of second Black Louisiana lawmaker A coalition of major civil rights organizations demanded Monday that Louisiana legislators redraw election districts to increase the chance th

"Nearly half of Louisiana residents under the age of 18 and eligible to attend public schools in the state or will be in coming years are Black or Latino, but Black and Latino Louisianans are severely underrepresented on the BESE," the groups said in a statement that accompanied the letter.

"Current maps deny voters of color in northern Louisiana a meaningful opportunity to elect candidates of their choice," they said.

A similar issued slowed approval of new maps when BESE boundaries were revamped a decade ago.

Lawmakers failed to agree on a plan during a special session in April, 2011, partly because of efforts to boost the percentage of Black voters in the two majority-minority districts.

The new boundaries eventually won House approval 94-0 and passed the Senate 33-1.
For now, though, the money is pouring in. Binance generated at least $US20 billion of revenue last year, according to a Bloomberg analysis of its trading volume and fees. Thats almost triple what Wall Street analysts expect Coinbase Global, a publicly traded firm with a market value of $US50 billion, will collect for 2021. Loading Coinbase might appear to be the 800-pound gorilla from a US perspective, but Binance is significantly bigger, said DA Davidson & Co. analyst Chris Brendler. Zhao declined to comment for this story, and Binance disputed the accuracy of Bloombergs estimates of the firms market value and his net worth.

Crypto is still in its growth stage, Binance said in a statement. It is susceptible to higher levels of volatility. Any number you hear one day will be different from a number you hear the next day. Im not an anarchist A month before watching Formula One stars Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen battle it out on the Yas Marina Circuit, Zhao spoke at the Bloomberg New Economy Forum in Singapore, where he rattled off the numbers behind the meteoric rise of the firm he created in 2017. In one recent 24-hour span, Binance completed $US170 billion of transactions. On a really slow day, he said, its about $US40 billion  and thats up from as little as $US10 billion two years before that. In the crypto world, these are gargantuan numbers. Binance routinely facilitates as much trading as the next four largest exchanges combined.

When Bloombergs Erik Schatzker asked the billionaire about his wealth during the November interview in Singapore, Zhao demurred. I dont care about wealth, money, rankings, he said. The slender crypto entrepreneur, donning rimless glasses and a slightly oversize striped tie, added that such matters are a distraction and that hes prepared to give away almost all of his fortune before he dies. Whether Zhao can hang on to what hes gained remains to be seen, and he has plenty of reason to be concerned about his firms unbridled growth. In addition to the DOJ and IRS investigation, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission is probing possible market manipulation and insider trading within Binance, and whether it illegally allowed US clients to trade derivatives tied to cryptocurrencies, according to people familiar with the matter. The CFTC declined to comment. Binance also has been the subject of consumer warnings in the UK, Japan and Germany, among other countries. On December 30, a Canadian securities regulator reprimanded the company for telling users of its trading platform that it was allowed to continue operations in the country when it still lacks a registration to do so.

A spokesperson for Binance said the company is working with regulators around the world and we take our compliance obligations very seriously. Zhao has said he welcomes  and wants  regulation. Until recently it was rare for a crypto entrepreneur to appear on global wealth rankings. An increasing number are making the cut as more firms in the industry tap venture-capital funding or public markets, bringing greater transparency into the value of these businesses. Im not an anarchist, he said at the Bloomberg forum. I dont believe human civilisation is advanced enough to live in a world without rules. Fortunes built on crypto have ballooned along with the value of digital tokens, which totalled $US2.09 trillion on January 7, up from $US135 billion three years ago.

Until recently it was rare for a crypto entrepreneur to appear on global wealth rankings. An increasing number are making the cut as more firms in the industry tap venture-capital funding or public markets, bringing greater transparency into the value of these businesses. Exchanges such as Coinbase, Gemini, FTX and Kraken have attracted hefty valuations in public and private markets, and Binances popularity with users and myriad products may be even more enticing to investors. Crypto fortunes, however, are volatile. Bitcoin has slumped more than 11 per cent this year to about $US41,000 and is well below early Novembers highs of nearly $US69,000. Coinbase shares have tumbled about 35 per cent over the past two months. And some businesses have run afoul of regulators. BitMex, once the worlds largest crypto-derivatives exchange, is a cautionary tale. The volatility of cryptocurrecnies have made estimating personal fortunes difficult. Credit:AP

In August, BitMex paid $US100 million to settle cases with the CFTC and Financial Crimes Enforcement Network over claims that it allowed illegal derivatives trades and violated anti-money laundering laws. The firm didnt admit or deny the allegations. Founders Arthur Hayes, Samuel Reed and Ben Delo are awaiting trial after entering not guilty pleas in a separate Justice Department case that accuses them of violating the Bank Secrecy Act. The Bloomberg Billionaires Index estimated Binances 2021 revenue using its US dollar-denominated spot and derivatives exchange volumes as published by industry researchers Coingecko and Nomics, and its advertised trading fees. The calculation doesnt include the firms other revenue sources, such as margin lending, technology, consulting and NFTs. Its valued using the enterprise value-to-sales multiple of publicly traded peers. It assumes Zhao owns 90 per cent of the firm, based on his public statements and regulatory filings in jurisdictions where that information is required to be disclosed. Binances revenue is realised across hundreds of crypto tokens, which the firm doesnt convert to traditional currencies, Zhao told Bloomberg during the November interview. We just hold them, he said. If you calculate the number today, its one number, and 5 minutes later its a different number because every price is changing. Road to crypto riches

Zhao, a Canadian citizen, was born in Chinas Jiangsu province. His father, a university professor, was exiled to the countryside during the Cultural Revolution and, when CZ was 12, moved the family to Vancouver. Exposed to technology at a young age, Zhao later studied computer science and eventually landed finance jobs in Tokyo and New York, including a four-year stint at Bloomberg LP, the parent of Bloomberg News. Loading His road to crypto riches began in Shanghai in 2013 during a friendly poker game with Bobby Lee, then CEO of BTC China, and investor Ron Cao, who both encouraged him to put 10 per cent of his net worth into Bitcoin. After spending some time studying it, he took the plunge and ended up selling his apartment for Bitcoin. In 2017, he founded Binance (a portmanteau of binary and finance) and it quickly blossomed into a crypto powerhouse. Zhao even got the companys logo tattooed on his arm.

Binance has become the top destination for trading alternative coins  cryptocurrencies that are less liquid than more established tokens such as Bitcoin and Ethereum and have become some of the most speculative corners of the market. The firm offers trading in more than 350 coins on its international exchange, more than double of whats offered by Coinbase, according to Coingecko. Binance succeeded in creating user stickiness, in part by allowing clients to use Binance Coin to reduce trading fees, said Tim Swanson, head of market intelligence at Clearmatics, a London-based blockchain firm. They dont even have to be the first to list a coin anymore for liquidity to aggregate there, Swanson said of Binance. Zhaos firm is also the largest provider of derivatives trading by volume, letting users speculate on crypto with even more risk and potential reward. Initially, Binance allowed clients to open accounts with nothing more than an email address. It focused on crypto-to-crypto transactions, limiting its interactions with traditional banks and their regulators. In August, the company announced that all new users must verify their identity, and existing users who havent will be limited to withdrawals.

It has never had a formal headquarters. Binance was founded in China, banished to Japan and self-exiled to Malta, whose financial regulator later denied having oversight of the exchange. While the firm has a major presence in Singapore, it was dealt a setback last month when its local unit withdrew an application to run an exchange in the city-state. In one recent 24-hour span, Binance completed $US170 billion of transactions. On a really slow day, Zhao said, its about $US40 billion. Credit:Bloomberg Now Binance is trying to settle on a location, Zhao said during the November interview, adding that an announcement about the headquarters would be coming in a very short period. Thats an about-face from 2020, when Zhao said that the companys headquarters was wherever he happened to be. In legal filings, the firms lawyers have said that its incorporated in the Cayman Islands, which is well-known for being an offshore tax and regulatory haven. Binances ability to operate just about anywhere has made it difficult for regulators to establish jurisdiction over the company.

Their approach was, We dont need a regulator, we are decentralised, said Brendler, the DA Davidson analyst. That worked really well for growing and scaling and product innovations. Zhaos freewheeling approach may need to change as Binance seeks to raise money from outside investors, who typically want some measure of government oversight as an assurance that a business is legally sound. Zhao is driven to find a supportive regulatory regime, according to people familiar with his discussions in the UAE. Binance has been filling senior posts with former employees of UAE regulators, and it signed an agreement with the Dubai World Trade Centre authority to help craft a crypto regulatory framework. Not all of Binances efforts to ingratiate itself to regulators have gone smoothly. Last year, Binance.US, a separately managed trading operation associated with the exchange, hired a former US acting comptroller of the currency as CEO. His appointment was seen as a positive step toward addressing regulatory concerns, but he lasted just three months, departing in August after citing differences over strategic direction.

Despite its legal challenges, investors may be tempted to take a chance on the worlds most successful crypto exchange. Late last year, Binance was seeking to raise money from sovereign wealth funds, and its US affiliate was also pursuing investors with the goal of an initial public offering. In November, the Wall Street Journal reported that former executives estimated the company could be worth as much as $US300 billion. Loading To raise capital, we believe that the company needs to show a path to settling on a global headquarters and consolidating operations, said Robert Le, an analyst for Pitchbook. If Binance pulls it off, it could make Zhao even richer than Elon Musk, currently the worlds wealthiest person, and No. 2 Jeff Bezos, whom Zhao said he admires. I dont know him personally, Zhao, speaking at the November Bloomberg event, said of the Amazon.com Inc. founder. But I would love to be associated with him in the future.
NSW has surpassed half a million COVID-19 infections after the state reported 25,870 new cases and 11 deaths on Monday.

The milestone comes as the state government prepares to mandate the registration of positive rapid antigen tests with official figures underestimating the number of infections in the community.

NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant. Credit:Rhett Wyman

There are 2186 people in hospital with the virus, up from 2030 on Monday. Of those patients, 170 are in intensive care.

The days positive results were produced from 71,325 PCR tests, resulting in a positive rate of 36.2 per cent.
Australian data confirms COVID-19 is a mild disease in children, that the few hospitalisations are short-lived and that the overwhelming majority of children recover from this virus without adverse effect, they said. The letter called children the lost voices of the pandemic. Credit:Matt Golding A delay in returning to in-person learning puts childrens mental health at risk, with additional increases in the risk of child abuse, obesity and delayed social and emotional development. The lifelong impact of this is not known, it said. At this stage of the pandemic we must acknowledge and follow the principle set by both the World Health Organisation and the United Nations Childrens Fund, that in a pandemic schools must be the last to close and the first to open.

Dale Pearce, principal of Bendigo Senior Secondary College, said schools were concerned about potential staff shortages due to COVID infection or isolation requirements, as well as the lack of rapid antigen tests to prevent positive people attending. Loading We saw how difficult it was through last year with the number of staff that we had absent because they had to care for their kids at home or they needed to isolate and wait for tests, he said. We will have to consider whether its possible for those teachers  if theyre well enough to do so  to deliver from home temporarily. Mr Pearce said he had been approached about buying rapid antigen tests for his school but would hold off until he received Education Department advice.

Chad Ambrose, assistant principal of Glen Waverley Secondary College in Melbournes east, said schools had become adept at adapting to COVID-19 rules and were focused on getting children back into a routine as quickly as possible. What the government has said to us is theyve got a strong focus on kids wellbeing and getting them connected back to schools, and thats what teachers are trained to do, he said. He said schools spent a large amount of time talking with families  particularly those for whom English is not their first language  about face-to-face learning and remote learning during the pandemic. I would anticipate there are some families who are really anxious about sending their kids to school. There will be some families who are really comfortable sending their kids and everything else in between. As Australia starts to vaccinate primary school-aged children, the Andrews government announced on Tuesday it would pay pharmacists and GPs to vaccinate children aged five to 11 on school grounds.

Thirty primary schools will offer the paediatric vaccine on site as part of the state governments push for every child to have access to a jab before state schools reopen on January 31. Victoria recorded almost 38,000 COVID-19 cases on Tuesday, as a government spokeswoman said the state would follow the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisations advice on whether to shorten the gap between paediatric doses from eight weeks to as little as three. Education Minister James Merlino said he hoped primary school-aged children would get vaccinated at similar rates to the broader Victorian population, which was on track to be about 95 per cent double jabbed. All government and low-fee non-government schools are scheduled to have air purifiers by the start of term one.

Professor Fiona Russell of the University of Melbourne. A government spokesperson said on Tuesday the state had spent more than $190 million to prevent further learning disruption this year. Schools typically use teacher agencies, graduates and retirees during staff shortages, or cancel programs if necessary. In the event of staff shortages, the department can draw on a wide range of teaching staff including casual relief teachers. Paediatrician Fiona Russell said even a single vaccine dose was highly protective for children. Omicron is everywhere, so to say that schools have to be closed when weve got the tennis and the cricket and bars open, we have to really question, what are our priorities here? she said.
The nations biggest employer groups have launched a combined push to overhaul coronavirus isolation rules and free up supplies of rapid antigen tests in a warning to political leaders about the risk to the supply of essential products from chronic staff shortages.

One day after the federal government unveiled shorter quarantine rules for food and grocery workers, the peak industry groups urged cabinet ministers to adopt similar rules for more than 1 million workers across sectors ranging from trucking to retail.

Australian Industry Group chief executive Innes Willox: Its urgent that governments get to grips with this because this threatens not to be just a handbrake on our recovery but a handbrake on our economy. Credit:Dominic Lorrimer

The employers also aired their frustration at a chronic shortage of rapid antigen tests despite federal government assurances that it would supply 10 million tests to the states over the coming weeks.

With households and employers unable to find the rapid tests, Australian Industry Group chief Innes Willox said governments had to step in to improve supply and help cover some of the cost of the kits.
The end of coronavirus lockdowns, Black Friday sales and early Christmas shopping led to record retail spending in November, but the Omicron outbreak has since dented confidence and curtailed the shopping spree.

Australian Bureau of Statistics data for November shows retail turnover jumped 7.3 per cent, following rises of 4.9 per cent in October and 1.3 per cent in September. There was a 1.7 per cent fall in August as lockdowns hit major cities.

Shoppers went on a spending spree in November but this has been halted by Omicron. Credit:Getty

ABS director of quarterly economy-wide statistics Ben James said the percentage increase in November was the fourth-strongest monthly figure on record, and retail sales hit a record $33.4 billion, led by a surge of shoppers in Victoria. The previous record was in November 2020.

Further easing of COVID-19 restrictions in the south-eastern states and territories has seen the retail industry recover all lost momentum caused by the Delta outbreak, Mr James said. Spending increased 5.1 per cent in NSW, and 19.2 per cent and 20 per cent respectively in the ACT and Victoria as restrictions eased.
Although he emphasises that most properties will be fine, specific properties and specific communities will be affected, making now a good time to make long-term plans. Loading The technology around climate change analysis has improved in the past couple of years, allowing property-specific risk analysis where banks can assess a mortgage application and see whether a house is on the side of the street that floods or the side that doesnt, he said. Mallon issues hundreds of reports a week for potential homebuyers who are checking property risk, warning its naive for homeowners to think they can sell a property to someone who wont be doing the same. A homebuyer will experience 30 years of sea-level rise by the time they pay out their mortgage, and if they sell at any time, the new owner will also be looking 30 years ahead.

People in coastal areas need to be thinking quite long-term in terms of the future value of their property, he said. Mallon warns owners of coastal property not to go without insurance, and to consider the possible impacts to their house. For example, is it near a river that could break its banks? Is it low-lying and at risk from a large storm on top of high tide, when a small rise in sea levels can be magnified to push waves further inland? Does the local council have a plan to deal with coastal inundation, especially for properties that arent at least 10 metres above sea level? Could the beach in front of the house be eroded? The beach near Inverloch Surf Lifesaving club, as erosion affects Victorias coastline. Credit:Jason South Its no hypothetical in Collaroy on Sydneys northern beaches, where last week large swells washed away sand in front of a sea wall that was designed to protect properties and the beach from storm surges. Laing + Simmons Narrabeens Chris Gamarra has been fielding enquiries from potential buyers about coastal erosion and flood.

Erosion and flood are hot on buyers minds at the moment, understandably, he said. I have just sold a lakefront [home] in Narrabeen  the concerns there for flooding and flood risk was very significant. A strong swell washed away sand in front of the Collaroy sea wall last week. Credit:Brook Mitchell He noted concerns held by some in the community about the sea wall management and predicted an increase in values for properties away from the affected area that are seen to be on a safer part of the beach. I think you will see properties change in their price depending on their risk level, which is not something we have had in the past.

But LJ Hooker Mona Vales Kylie Segedin said others in the community expected the sea wall would give them more protection in time, which made them feel safer. Last week just after that storm, we had enquiries on that [property] weve got for sale on Collaroy Beach. Its not a concern, she said. There will be people that are concerned about erosion, but they are not the buyers for those properties. The sea wall at Collaroy was constructed last year. Credit:James Brickwood A recent report estimates a $30 billion investment is needed in coastal protection and adaptation projects over the next 50 years.

Prepared for the Insurance Council of Australia, the report calls for relatively modest spending that would avoid losses for individuals and communities, through coastal protection infrastructure, better data collection and difficult decisions about the long-term viability of some properties. A survey of 94 coastal councils in 2020 found 90 per cent rated coastal hazards a priority issue, but identified funding issues as critical to deal with the challenge, the Australian Coastal Councils Association said. Some coastal areas are already experiencing climate change impacts, especially during storms, said Sarah Boulter, senior research fellow at the National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility at Griffith University. In some parts of the country, councils are very aware of some of those risks, she said. A diligent owner should be looking and thinking, is there a risk here and how soon will I experience that risk?

Although living by the coastline defines the Australian lifestyle, it is going to become more challenging, she said. Loading This could mean hard engineering solutions such as sea walls in some areas, or sand-dune nourishment and revegetation, or changes in planning rules to avoid developing at-risk areas. Australia is a wealthy country with very good engineers who will be able to protect important parts of the coast over time, University of Sydney Associate Professor in the School of Geosciences Ana Vila Concejo said. And in some areas, the houses are not so close to the coastline as to be in immediate danger, although others are at risk and may be best managed through moving the residents into less dangerous areas, she said.

That will be the only solution in some areas. In other cases, if the Australian government and Australian public think this is worth saving, there can be engineering interventions. She warned potential homebuyers to look at the surrounding environment  are there stable cliffs in front of their beach house, or is it near an estuary that could flood? If your dream property is just behind the dunes and the elevation is not very much above the high water mark  I would not buy there either. Major banks are preparing their home loan books for climate change, and working with their regulator.
Nick Kyrgios, who is battling COVID ahead of the years first Grand Slam, said he was embarrassed to be an Australian athlete after the Novak Djokovic visa debacle and blamed media for what he considered to be divisive coverage of the matter.

Djokovic, the Serbian world No.1 and nine-time Australian Open champion, is at the centre of one of the biggest stories in world sport after he was threatened with deportation after his visa was cancelled by Australian border officials.

That was overturned on appeal, clearing the way for Djokovic to play in Melbourne next week, but the final say now rests with the Federal Government and its immigration minister Alex Hawke, who could yet show the door to the 20-time Grand Slam winner.

Kyrgios has criticised Djokovic in the past, most notably when the Serb organised his Adria Tour events at the height of the pandemic in 2020, but the Australian has been sympathetic to the treatment of Djokovic, who was detained in a hotel until he was cleared at Mondays hearing.
Washington: Dr Anthony Fauci accused Senator Rand Paul, in a Senate hearing on Wednesday AEDT of making false attacks on him to raise campaign funds that have encouraged people to make threats on Faucis life.

Fauci, the director of the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and President Joe Bidens chief medical adviser on coronavirus, has drawn criticism throughout the pandemic from Paul and other conservatives who question the science behind coronavirus vaccines, masks and other public health guidance and have made false claims that Fauci is part of a conspiracy that led to the creation of the coronavirus in a Chinese lab.

Dr Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and chief medical adviser to the president, accused Republican Senator Rand Paul of raising money off of criticism of him. Credit:AP

After Paul confronted him at a Senate health committee hearing, a clearly furious Fauci demanded to speak uninterrupted. He called Pauls attacks a distortion of reality, and cited the arrest of a California man in Iowa last month who police said was travelling to Washington with an AR-15 and multiple magazines of ammunition, who had a hit list including Fauci and several others, mostly Democratic politicians and officials.

What happens when he [Paul] gets out and accuses me of things that are completely untrue? Fauci said of Paul.
Complete casting has been announced for the world premiere of Out of Time, a collection of five brand-new monologues by five award-winning Asian American playwrights. The play begins performances at the Public Theater on February 15 ahead of an official opening night March 1. Performances are scheduled through March 13.

Commissioned by the National Asian American Theatre Company (NAATCO), the five monologues of Out of Time were written for and will be performed by an Asian American actor over the age of 60. They include Black Market Caviar by Jaclyn Backhaus, Disturbance Specialist by Sam Chanse, Ball in the Air by Mia Chung, Japanese Folk Song by Naomi Iizuka, and My Documentary by Anna Ouyang Moench.

The cast will be led by NAATCO co-founder and actor-manager Mia Katigbak, who remarked, "The pandemic's imposition of isolation, an affliction generally thought to more devastatingly affect the elderly, was suddenly familiar to the population at large. The eruption of civil unrest brought about protests against racism, police brutality, and white supremacy. The accrual of these turbulent discontents has altered the state of our world."

Joining Katigbak onstage will be Glenn Kubota, Page Leong, Natsuko Ohama, and Rita Wolf. Les Waters (Dana H.) directs, and helped conceive the production.

Out of Time will feature scenic design by dots, costume design by Mariko Ohigashi, lighting design by Reza Behjat, sound design by Fabian Obispo, and dramaturgy by Sarah Lunnie.
Electric Vehicle OEM Supplier's Forecasts Differ







Washington DC January 11, 2022; The AIADA newsletter reported that as established automakers and industry newcomers talked up new electric models at CES last week, major suppliers for many of those vehicles have significantly different forecasts for how quickly consumers will buy them.

Take ZF Group and Magna International, the world's third- and fourth-largest suppliers.

ZF anticipates EV production accounting for about 45 percent of global vehicle output by 2030, with EVs representing 49 percent of all vehicles assembled in North America. "We see the U.S. certainly catching up globally to the other major markets," said John Hawkins, ZF's vice president of electrified powertrains for North America.

Magna, meanwhile, sees EV sales accounting for only about 20 percent of the global market by 2030, with the U.S. coming in below the global average.

According to Automotive News, the discrepancy between the two suppliers' forecasts underscores the lingering uncertainty over how quickly the new-vehicle market will shift toward EVs.

Their forecasts may differ, but ZF and Magna agree that North America will be slower to adopt EVs than Europe and China. For more predictions,click here.
South Africa: Taxi Relief Fund applications open

Eligible mini bus taxi drivers, cab drivers and e-hailing drivers, who were hard hit during COVID-19 necessitated hard lockdowns, are now able to apply for financial assistance via governments COVID-19 Taxi Relief Fund (TRF).

Transport Minister, Fikile Mbalula, officially opened the application process of the R1.1 billion fund on Tuesday.

At the launch, the Minister reflected on the impact that the pandemic has had on the transport industry, which he said left many unemployed and facing serious financial troubles.

The loss of revenue during the lockdown for the various transport modes presented an economic challenge, as transport operators experienced an unexpected shortfall in their finances. The taxi industry was no exception to this reality.

Almost 20% or more of the taxi industry experienced total loss of income, particularly the long-distance and cross-border operators as a result of the closure of international borders and the prohibition of inter-provincial travel, he said.

According to Mbalula, at least 227 000 operators are expected to receive an estimated R5 000 in once-off relief.

We believe that the disbursement process we are launching today is a stepping-stone towards the transformation and formalisation of the taxi industry. While this is a once-off ex gratia payment, it is a demonstration of the seriousness with which we take the role of the taxi industry in the broader public transport value chain, Mbalula said.

The R1.1 billion relief fund was allocated by Parliament as early as July 2020. However, disagreements with the industry led to a delay in its disbursement, which have now been resolved.

The disbursement will be done through the National Empowerment Fund (NEF). We have appointed the NEF as the implementing agent of this process and they have worked tirelessly to put systems in place to enable the release of funds to thousands of eligible operators, Mbalula said.

The following conditions for a successful application apply:

An applicant must be a South African citizen or a permanent resident.

They must be in possession of a valid Operating Licence or a receipt as proof of renewal issued on or before the date of the declaration of the national state of disaster. This is applicable only in instances where the Operating Licence has not been subsequently issued by the relevant Provincial Regulatory Entity (PRE).

The applicant must be registered with the South African Revenue Service (SARS) as a taxpayer.

The application process of the relief fund is premised on a web-based system, which will be accessed via the [Transport] departments website. Applications will be completed online by the operator or via the assistance of a call centre agent.

The call centre is reachable via a toll-free number and operators will be able to either call in or send an SMS with their Identification Number, and a call centre agent will call the operator to assist telephonically with the online application, Mbalula said.

Taxi operators can begin the application process by:

 Visiting http://transport.gov.za

 Contacting the call centre toll free on 0800 201 971

 Or sending an SMS to 45864

The application period is expected to be concluded by March this year.  SANews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2022-01-11. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
North Korea fired another missile into the East sea on early Tuesday morning, military authorities here said. The launch comes less than a week after it fired what it claimed was a hypersonic missile last week.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff here said they detected the launch at 7:27 a.m., and are analyzing it in cooperation with the U.S.

The launch came only a day after UN Security Council on Monday discussed a fresh round of sanctions against North Korea for test-launching a supposed hypersonic missile on Jan. 5. It reviewed whether the North violated UNSC resolutions banning the launch of all kinds of ballistic missiles.

But permanent members China and Russia are indifferent to further sanctions against the isolated regime.

The South Korean government has claimed that the North Korean threat is "overblown." The Defense Ministry here said last Friday, "The North's claim about a 'hypersonic' gliding warhead having made a 120 km lateral flight distance and hit a target 700 km away is overblown."

Seoul claimed this was not in fact a missile with a hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV) but a ballistic missile with a maneuverable reentry vehicle (MaRV).


2022 Honda Civic Named 2022 North American Car of the Year

DETROIT January 11, 2022:

Civic wins North American Car of the Year for 3rd timepreviously taking top honors in 2006 & 2016

All-new 11th-generation Civic honored for simple and sporty design, class-leading safety performance, excellent driving dynamics and fun-to-drive personality

Civic is Americas most popular vehicle with young and first-time buyers

The all-new 2022 Honda Civic, the 11th generation of America's most popular compact car, has earned the prestigious 2022 North American Car of the Year award. Civic was honored by the North American jury of automotive journalists for the third time, with the 10th-generation Civic winning in 2016 and 8th generation taking the top honor in 2006.

This marks the fourth time in the past six years that a Honda model has received a North American Car or Truck of the Year award, following the Honda Civic (2016), Honda Ridgeline (2017) and Honda Accord (2018).

The Honda Civic has long set the standard by which other compact cars are measured and this all-new Civic raised that bar in every conceivable way," said Michael Kistemaker, assistant vice president of Honda national sales, American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "Were especially proud for the Civic development team in Japan and our production associates at our plants in Greensburg, Indiana and Alliston, Ontario where the 2022 Civic Sedan, Hatchback and Si are built.1

The North American Car, Utility and Truck of the Year awards honor excellence in innovation, design, safety features, performance, technology, driver satisfaction and value. Initiated in 1994, they are judged by 50 professional automotive journalists from the United States and Canada who work for independent magazines, television, radio, newspapers and industry websites.

Redesigned from the ground-up, the all-new Honda Civic Sedan, Hatchback and Si models feature a more rigid body structure, an advanced and enhanced chassis wrapped in a more sophisticated, sleek and sporty design with top class interior space and comfort. The drivetrain options include a high-torque VTEC Turbo engine and a 6-speed manual transmission. The 2022 Civic also includes a host of new standard safety, driver-assistive and connected-car technologies.

Honda has produced nearly 11 million Civics in North America (more than 5 million in the U.S.), representing nearly 30 percent of our vehicle production in the region since Honda began making cars in America 1982.

About Honda

Honda offers a full line of clean, safe, fun and connected vehicles sold through more than 1,000 independent U.S. Honda dealers. Honda has the highest fleet average fuel economy and lowest CO2 emissions of any major full-line automaker in America, according to the latest data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The Honda lineup includes the Civic, Insight and Accord passenger cars, along with the

HR-V, CR-V, Passport and Pilot sport utility vehicles, the Ridgeline pickup and the Odyssey minivan. Hondas electrified vehicle lineup includes the Accord Hybrid, CR-V Hybrid and Insight hybrid-electric sedan.

Honda has been producing automobiles in America for 40 years and currently operates 18 major manufacturing facilities in North America. In 2021, 95 percent of all Honda vehicles sold in the U.S. were made in North America.
Ford Bronco and Maverick Earn North American Utility and Truck of the Year Honors

Ford has earned double honors for the second year in a row from the North American Car, Utility and Truck awards committee, taking home the 2022 North American Utility of the Year award for 2022 Ford Bronco  and the 2022 North American Truck of the Year award for 2022 Ford Maverick  pickup

and the 2022 North American Truck of the Year award for 2022 Ford Maverick pickup Meeting a customer need to find adventure far from home, Bronco elevates the off-road SUV game for a new generation of adventurers thanks to the 4x4-only brands Built Wild  capability, durability and innovative design



capability, durability and innovative design The truck for people who never knew they needed a truck, Maverick is the first standard full-hybrid pickup in America and the most fuel-efficient truck on the market with an EPA-estimated rating of 42 mpg in the city*; while its compact size makes it easy to maneuver and park, theres room for five adults and plenty of storage space



DEARBORN, Mich., Jan. 11, 2022  The all-new 2022 Ford Bronco has taken home the 2022 North American Utility of the Year award and the all-new 2022 Ford Maverick received the 2022 North American Truck of the Year award today.

This marks the second year in a row a Ford vehicle has earned recognition from North American Car, Utility and Truck of the Year jurors, following last years top honors for F-150 and Mustang Mach-E.

Were thrilled and honored to earn both Truck and Utility of the Year from the NACTOY jury for the Ford Maverick and Bronco, especially among such a strong field of competitors, said Kumar Galhotra, president, Americas and International Markets Group. But were also proud because these awards are well-deserved recognition for the tremendous amount of work, focus and energy our teams have invested in designing, engineering and building exciting vehicles for our customers. This also reflects the overwhelming reception weve had from our Maverick and Bronco customers alike.

North American Car, Utility and Truck of the Year awards are bestowed by a broad and distinguished panel of 50 jurors, recognizing the most outstanding new vehicles of the year  those that define or redefine their segments with superlative attention to innovation, design, safety, handling, driver satisfaction and overall value.

As the flagship model of the Ford outdoor brand of 4x4-exclusive Built Wild vehicles, the 2022 Ford Bronco offers thrilling off-road experiences with heritage-inspired style, rugged engineering and smart off-road technology. The formula and product are hitting the mark with customers, with Bronco turning on dealer lots in just seven days on average.

Reinventing the modern compact pickup for truck customers who never knew they needed a truck, the all-new and affordable Ford Maverick is the first standard full-hybrid pickup in America and the most fuel-efficient truck on the market with an EPA-estimated rating of 42 mpg in the city*. Its compact size makes it easy to maneuver and park, theres room for five adults and plenty of storage, with payload and towing capability to accommodate a huge range of needs. Maverick is turning on dealer lots in just four days on average.

Both Bronco and Maverick are designed to enable the adventures and needs of their owners, from scaling trails to helping a friend move a couch. These new vehicles are just what customers have asked for and thats reaffirmed by the honors each has earned to date:

Ford Bronco

SEMA  2021 4x4 of the Year Award

Motor1  Best Adventure Vehicle

Top Gear  2021 American Car of the Year

Forbes  2022 Forbes Wheels of the Year

North State Journal  Best of the Year

Gear Patrol  GP100 Awards, 2022 Best in Motoring

CarBuzz  2021 Off-Road Warrior Award

iF Design Gold Award 2021

North American Utility of the Year  2022 Finalist

Autotrader.ca  2022 Best Vehicle for Adventure

The Detroit News  Readers Choice Awards, Baddest Off-Road Vehicle

The Detroit News  Readers Choice Awards, Best Family Fun Finder

Ford Maverick

KBB Best Buy Awards  2022 Best New Model and Best Compact Pickup

The Car Connection  2022 Best Car to Buy

Forbes Wheels  2022 Pickup of the Year

Popular Science  2022 Best of Whats New

Detroit Free Press  2022 Truck of the Year

The Detroit News  2021 Vehicle of the Year

CarBuzz  Peoples Car Award

Green Car Journal  2022 Green Truck of the Year

Gear Patrols GP100 Awards  Best in Motoring

North State Journal  Best of the Year

TFLTruck  2022 Best Truck of the Year

# # #

* EPA-estimated 42 city/33 hwy/37 combined mpg. Actual mileage will vary.

About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company is a global company based in Dearborn, Michigan, that is committed to helping build a better world, where every person is free to move and pursue their dreams. The companys Ford+ plan for growth and value creation combines existing strengths, new capabilities and always-on relationships with customers to enrich experiences for and deepen the loyalty of those customers. Ford designs, manufactures, markets and services a full line of connected, increasingly electrified passenger and commercial vehicles: Ford trucks, utility vehicles, vans and cars, and Lincoln luxury vehicles. The company is pursuing leadership positions in electrification, connected vehicle services and mobility solutions, including self-driving technology, and provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. Ford employs about 184,000 people worldwide. More information about the company, its products and Ford Motor Credit Company is available at corporate.ford.com.
Hyundai sweeps awards in five different categories, with its newly introduced dedicated BEV and MPV models to be honored in the transportation category

Awards reflect competitiveness of Hyundais design identity in the global market



SEOUL, January 10, 2022  Hyundai Motor Company announced it has received multiple accolades at 2021 GOOD DESIGN Awards, with its IONIQ 5 and STARIA models both selected as winners in the transportation category. Hyundai Motor also triumphed across several other categories, including interactive media, household, mobile applications and graphic design.

We are greatly honored to be recognized by GOOD DESIGN Awards for these very important vehicles and innovations, said SangYup Lee, Executive Vice President and Head of Hyundai Global Design Center. This honor speaks to the outstanding work of our design dream team, who put their passion and heart into this project and also our R&D center engineers who made this achievement together. It also reflects the competitiveness of Hyundais design identity in the global marketplace.

IONIQ 5 is Hyundai Motors midsize crossover utility vehicle built on a dedicated battery electric vehicle (BEV) platform. Its progressive design explores a new EV typology that has been well received by consumers around the world. Hyundais signature Parametric Pixels on the vehicles exterior lightings provide a distinct, modern style while representing IONIQ 5s timeless design value.

A ?Living Space theme runs throughout IONIQ 5s interior, most notably embodied by the Universal Island, a moveable center console, and flat floor where the batteries are stored. Many of its interior touchpoints, such as seats, headliner, door trim, floor and armrest, are made of eco-friendly materials, reflecting Hyundais commitment to a more clean and sustainable future for all.

STARIA, Hyundais multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) lineup, boasts a strikingly futuristic and mysterious exterior that evokes a spaceship. A single stroke running from front to rear is reminiscent of the curve of light that illuminates the Earths horizon at sunrise when viewed from space.

The cruise ship-inspired interior of STARIA delivers a unique atmosphere that focuses on the drivers convenience and passengers comfort. The lowered beltlines and panoramic side windows improve overall visibility and create a feeling of openness. This sense of spaciousness, inspired by traditional Korean ?hanok architecture, allows passengers to feel as if the outside scenes are an extension of the vehicle interior.

Below is a list of Hyundai Motors products and innovations that earned recognition at 2021 GOOD DESIGN Awards.

Transportation category

IONIQ 5

STARIA

E-Pit Ultra Fast Charging Station



Interactive media category

Hyundai Infotainment System  Aqua Design

Hyundai EV Infotainment System  Jong-e

Hyundai N Infotainment System



Household category

HTWO Hydrogen Power Generation System



Mobile applications category

Hyundai Connectivity Application  Bluelink



Graphic design category

Hyundai Brand Collection



Celebrating its 71st anniversary, the GOOD DESIGN Awards program is one of the oldest design competitions in the world. Every year, the program selects a list of product designs and graphics that have chartered new directions for innovation and pushed the envelope for competitive products in the world marketplace. For more information about the GOOD DESIGN Awards, please visit the official website: https://www.good-designawards.com/

###

About Hyundai Motor Company

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.
Homes in the Faubourg Marigny neighborhood, a bohemian district of New Orleans east of the French Quarter.
Staff Reporter

Nyamekye Daniel has been a journalist for five years. She was the managing editor for the South Florida Media Network and a staff writer for The Miami Times. Daniel's work has also appeared in the Sun-Sentinel, Miami Herald and The New York Times.
Cheyenne, WY (82001)

Today

Mostly cloudy and becoming windy. Slight chance of a rain shower. High 56F. Winds SSE at 20 to 30 mph..

Tonight

A steady rain in the evening. Showers continuing late. Low 34F. Winds NE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch. Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph.
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DuBois, PA (15801)

Today

Cloudy this morning with showers during the afternoon. High 68F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 60%..

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Rain. Low 59F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall around a half an inch.
Robert Durst. Photo: Alex Gallardo/AP/Shutterstock

Robert Durst, presumed serial killer and subject of the 2015 documentary The Jinx, has died at the age of 78. According to his attorney, Chip Lewis, Durst was transported to the San Joaquin General Hospital to undergo tests, but went into cardiac arrest. His health  not good even before his murder conviction in September  declined further after he was hospitalized for COVID-19 in October, days after a judge sentenced him to life in prison. The exact cause of Dursts death has not yet been announced, though he was known to have bladder cancer, plus a suite of other ailments.

An heir to a commercial real-estate dynasty, Durst is believed to have murdered three people: His wife, Kathleen, who vanished under suspicious circumstances in 1982; his longtime friend and alibi for the night of Kathleens vanishing, Susan Berman, in 2000; and his neighbor, Morris Black, in 2001. Durst received his life sentence for Bermans murder; prosecutors argued that he confided in Berman after he killed Kathleen, then turned around and murdered her to keep her from talking. The one killing he actually did admit to was Blacks, though he claimed it had been self-defense. He had been hiding out in Galveston, Texas, at the time, dressing up daily as a woman. But Black  described by the New York Times as a 71-year-old cantankerous former merchant seaman  somehow saw through that disguise and discovered Dursts real identity. Durst then shot him, dismembered his body, and dumped it in Galveston Bay.

The law caught up with Durst at a Pennsylvania Wegmans, where he had been shoplifting a chicken salad sandwich. (Never mind that he had $37,000 in cash just sitting in his rental car, per the Times.) Though he admitted to sawing and chopping his across-the-hall neighbor limb from limb, he said, during a 2003 trial, that his actual death had been an accident: He purportedly shot Black in the face after his gun went off while the two men fought. Seeing as no one ever found Blacks head, prosecutors could not disprove the narrative, and Durst was acquitted. But the whole thing came up again during the Berman trial, underscoring the prosecutions argument that he was ready and able to kill people in order to silence them. Durst pleaded not guilty in 2016, but his account often seemed wildly, even brazenly, suspect  or, that is the inescapable implication of The Jinx, the HBO doc that ended (thanks to heavy editing) with Dursts apparent hot-mic admission that he killed them all, of course.

It took about five years for Durst to stand trial for Bermans murder, the date repeatedly pushed because of his health; Hurricane Harvey; a surprise admission that, actually, Durst wrote the letter telling police where they could find Bermans body  something only the killer could have written, he said in the doc  and finally, the pandemic. The trial began in May 2021 and concluded with his first-degree murder conviction in September. About a month later, state police in Lewisboro, New York, filed a criminal complaint against Durst for the alleged murder of Kathleen, 39 years after her disappearance.
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BAINBRIDGE - Zilphia "Zippy" Tobey Furman, 86, passed into heaven following a brief illness with her family by her side. She was born on Jan. 4, 1936. Zippy graduated from Bainbridge High School and lived in Bainbridge for most of her life. She retired from Amphenol Corporation. Zippy enjoye
Meet Trooper! Trooper is 5-years-old. His favorite activities include sleeping, going on walks and sticking his head out of the car sunroof. T
Forest City, NC (28043)

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Sun and clouds mixed. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 84F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph..

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Partly cloudy this evening with more clouds for overnight. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 64F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph.
6 Top-Performing Chip Stocks of 2021and Why to Watch Them in 2022

What could have been a devastating year for semiconductor manufacturers in the wake of a global pandemic and an escalating trade war with China wound up being just the opposite.

What Happened?

The telecommunications, automotive, computing, and Manufacturing sectors are being transformed with new digital technologies. During the third quarter of 2021, the Semiconductor Industry Association reported semiconductor shipments reached an all-time high with global sales totaling $144.8 billion, an increase of 27.6 percent from the third quarter of 2020. Here are the six top-performing chip stocks of 2021:

1. NVIDIA Corporation currently trading at $258.75, boasting 89.95 percent gains from Jan. 10, 2021.

2. Axcelis Technologies, Inc. trading at $64.64, is up an astounding 110.07 percent from Jan. 10, 2021.

3. Advanced Micro Devices Inc. is trading at $125.34 showing 29.07 percent growth from Jan. 10, 2021.

4. Applied Materials Inc. is at $143.42, an increase of 46.39 percent from Jan. 10, 2021.

5. ASML Holding N.V trading at $703.40, up 38.64 percent from Jan. 10, 2021.

6. NXP Semiconductors N.V currently trading at $215.87, up 24.63 percent from Jan. 10, 2021.

Why is it Important?

Lets take a look at some catalysts that could deliver the above-mentioned stocks great performance in 2022:

1. Nvidias quarterly earnings report is due in February, along with the launch of a new Data Center and Gaming Products at the flagship GPU Technology Conference in March.

2. Axcelis announced multiple shipments of Purion H200 SiC power series implanters, and closure of the Purion XE SiC evaluation tool. This is a key step in the production cycle for advanced and mature-node chips.

3. AMD announced new software targeted toward Gamers at CES 2022 titled AMD Software: Adrenaline edition.

4. Applied Materials recently announced a quarterly cash dividend of 24 cents per share. The company also announced a new phase of research collaboration with the Institute of Microelectronics (IME). Under the new phase of their R&D engagement, Applied Materials and IME aim to accelerate the AI era of computing by driving breakthroughs in heterogeneous integration and advanced packaging for semiconductor innovation.

5. ASML has an upcoming event on Jan. 19, highlighting fourth-quarter and 2021 results, as well as the companys initial views on 2022.

6. NXP ramped up their flagship 4D imaging radar chip to production, adding new products tailored for the fast-growing L2+ market. The company also announced a Jan. 31 conference call to review fourth-quarter and full year 2021 financial results.

By AJ Fabino

 2021 The Epoch Times. The Epoch Times does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
A cornerstone of Western culture that continues to speak to us

The canon of Western literature is like some storied gold mine, deep and old, and filled with riches.

The Bible. The Iliad and the Odyssey. The Aeneid. The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius. The Canterbury Tales. Dantes Divine Comedy. The plays of Moliere and William Shakespeare. Jane Austens Pride and Prejudice. Tolstoys War and Peace and Anna Karenina.

This short list only skims the surface of the hundreds of notable books from the last 3,000 years. Philosophy, scientific treatises, histories and biographies, poetrythe inventory of writers and their works seems inexhaustible.

Philosopher Roger Scruton (19442020) spent a lifetime exploring these treasures. The culture of a civilization, he once stated, is the art and literature through which it rises to consciousness of itself and defines its vision of the world.

Scrutons declaration is true of all the worlds great civilizations. Even today in Western society, when so many either ignore or attack traditional culture and values, all of useven the most vehement opponentsare indebted to thinkers and artists like Socrates, Pascal, Giotto, Michelangelo, Scarlatti, and Mozart.

One often overlooked architect of Western culture is a man shrouded in the mists of time, but whose influence has been enormous: the maker of fables, Aesop.

A bust of Aesop, a cast in the Pushkin Museum from the Hellenistic statue, Art Collection of Villa Albani, Rome. (shakko/CC BY-SA 3.0

The Mystery Man

Scholars have long debated the identity of Aesop and, indeed, whether he ever existed. Even to the ancients, Aesop was a riddle. Some thought him a slave, others regarded him as an adviser to King Croesus, and still others considered him a Greek, a Thracian, an Ethiopian, or a riddle solver from the island of Samos who became an adviser to the king of Babylon.

While we may never know whether a man called Aesop walked the earth, composed or collected fables, and then passed them along to his contemporaries, we do know for certain that the moralistic tales gathered under his name have long influenced our culture and contributed to the education of our young people.

Even today, Aesops fables appear in childrens anthologies. In William Bennetts The Book of Virtues for Young People, for example, we find The Fox and the Crow, The Frogs and the Well, The Flies and the Honey Pot, The Bear and the Travelers, Hercules and the Wagoner, and The Farmer and His Sons, all attributed to the ancient fabulist.

An illustration of The Hare and the Tortoise from Aesops Fables, published by Ballantyne & Co., London, 1912. (Public Domain)

The Tortoise and the Hare

Here is perhaps the best known of Aesops fables. We find this story of a race between a rabbit and a turtle in numerous collections of childrens literature as well as stand-alone storybooks. If we go to YouTube and check for The Tortoise and the Hare, multiple videos about this most famous of races also pop up. Indeed, as long ago as 1934, Walt Disney Studios produced a cartoon of this popular tale.

In case you need a reminder, heres the fable in brief. A hare proclaims himself the swiftest creature in all the forest. Tired of the hares braggadocio, a tortoise accepts the challenge to a race. The hare agrees, and off they go. The hare so quickly outpaces the tortoise that he decides to take a break, lies down, and falls asleep on the sunlit grass. The plodding tortoise passes by the sleeping hare and crosses the finish line just as the hare awakens to find himself the loser.

The moral of the story: Slow and steady wins the race.

The first Roman emperor, Caesar Augustus, also known as Octavian, adopted as his personal motto Festina lente, which translates into English as Make haste slowly. In other words, keep on moving but do a thorough job. Had Aesops fable inspired Octavian in this regard? We cant be certain, but he was surely familiar with the Greek and his stories as one of the emperors freemen, Phaedrus, put together a collection of these tales.

Whatever the case, most of us have heard any number of times Slow and steady wins the race, which is one more sign of Aesops ongoing influence on our culture.

More Gifts

Other popular fables accredited to Aesop include The Fox and the Grapes, The Ant and the Grasshopper, The Lion and the Mouse, and The Wolf in Sheeps Clothing.

Just like The Tortoise and the Hare, each of these tales imparts a lesson. In The Lion and the Mouse, for instance, a mouse awakens a lion, who intends to eat his tiny intruder. The mouse begs for his life, promising the lion that someday he may be able to help the king of the jungle. Laughing at this absurdity, the lion releases the mouse. Later, when the lion becomes ensnared in a trap, the mouse hears his roaring, runs to assist him, chews through the ropes binding him, and saves the lions life.

The moral of the story: A kindness is never wasted and Big or small, we can help each other.

The Lion and the Mouse illustrated by Ernest Griset, from Aesops Fables, 1869.

For the Grownups

But what of the fables less well-known to readers? In particular, what fables might fit our own era and our station in life?

Below are two of Aesops fables that seem aimed at todays political turmoil and mess. Both are from a selection of Aesops tales from The Aesop for Children presented by the Library of Congresss website. Despite that title, many of us of any age can find sound advice for living in these tales. In addition, some of the stories seem intended more for adults than for children. Here are two of them.

The Animals & the Plague tells of animals who, suffering from widespread sickness, gather together to discuss the situation. The lion proposes that they offer in sacrifice the guiltiest among them to propitiate the gods, and then confesses his own sins of having eaten different animals and even a shepherd or two. Other carnivores such as the wolf relate similarly bloody attacks on their fellow animals. But when the ass admits to eating grass from a field not his own, the other animals blame him as the cause of the plague, turn on him, and devour him on the spot.

The moral of the story: The weak are made to suffer for the misdeeds of the powerful. Its also a denunciation of scapegoating and laying false accusations of blame.

An illustration of the Aesop fable The Animals and the Plague by Francois Chauveau in La Fontaines Fables. (PD-US)

In The Wolf & the Lamb, we receive another lesson in tyranny. A wolf spies a lamb at the edge of a creek and says, You deserve to be punished for stirring up all the mud in the creek. The lamb denies this charge, but the wolf persists, taking a new direction of attack: You told lies about me. Or it was your brother. When the lamb denies the charge, claiming to have no brother, the wolf says It was someone in your family, and I have no intention of being cheated out of my breakfast. The wolf then seized the poor lamb and carried her off to the forest.

The fable The Wolf and the Lamb is relevant for our times. The 1747 painting of Aesops tale by Jean-Baptiste Oudry. Palace of Versailles. (PD-US)

The moral of the story: The tyrant can always find an excuse for his tyranny.

Both these tales carry implications and warnings for our own time, and appear especially pertinent to our time of pandemic and mandates.

Crosscurrents

These fables also speak to our time because they cut across cultural boundaries. The scholarly speculation about Aesops ethnicitywas he Greek? Thracian? Ethiopian?alone reveals the multicultural origins of these stories.

And unlike the writings of a Plato or a Descartes, attacked by some today who are bent on undermining Western civilization, Aesops fables, like the fables from West Africa or India or any other region, are carriers of truths that supersede race and creed. Their morals are universal in their appeal to common decency and our humanity.

The frequent use of anthropomorphism in so many of these fables adds to this universalism, creating characters removed from the tribalism of the human race. Talking bears and roosters enhances a neutrality that might be absent had the fabulist used human beings.

Aesops fables have been cherished all over the world. A Japanese woodblock illustration (ehon) of the fable of Hercules and the Wagoner from an 1872 edition of Tsozoku isho monogatari. (Public Domain)

No matter what our race or political beliefs, the morals of these fables should resonate with us. They complain most who suffer least (The Oxen and the Axle-Trees), Give assistance, not advice, in a crisis (The Boy Bathing), and Deeds, not words (The Boasting Traveler): These three examples all express commonsense ideas which, particularly in an age of moral ambiguity such as ours, might serve as building blocks for virtue and character.

An illustration of The Oxen and the Axle-Trees by Edward Julius Detmold from the 1909 edition of The Fables of Aesop. (PD-US)

Keeping the Tree Alive

In his Preface to Culture Counts, Roger Scruton remarked: Our civilization has been uprooted. But when a tree is uprooted it does not always die. Sap may find its way to the branches, which break into leaf each spring with the perennial hope of living things. Such is our condition, and it is for this reason that culture has become not just precious to us, but a genuine political cause, the primary way of conserving our moral heritage and of standing firm in the face of a clouded future.

Among the ancient roots of that tree of culture and civilization are Aesops fables. When we share these stories and their precepts with our children, or when we ourselves visit these old, cogent guidelines for living, pondering their significance and taking them into our hearts, we water those roots and keep alive that tree.

The moral of the story: Read some Aesop and introduce his fables to your children.

Jeff Minick has four children and a growing platoon of grandchildren. For 20 years, he taught history, literature, and Latin to seminars of homeschooling students in Asheville, N.C. He is the author of two novels, Amanda Bell and Dust On Their Wings, and two works of non-fiction, Learning As I Go and Movies Make The Man. Today, he lives and writes in Front Royal, Va. See JeffMinick.com to follow his blog.
When it comes to face-to-face interviews, its a good idea to think about how youll respond ahead of time. (Dean Drobot/Shutterstock)

Answering the Scariest Question of a Job Interview

So, what is your desired salary?

This is a question that can make any job candidates stomach drop, whether theyre reading it on an application or hearing it from an interviewer. You dont want to give a lowball answer, but you also dont want to seem like you have unrealistic expectations.

Before you can give a concrete answer to this question, you should have an actual number in mind. You should know what youre aiming for, and whats realistic, so you can be confident about the salary offers you will and wont accept. Here are a few things to help you figure it out.

Research

A Google search can usually tell you the industry standards for salary in your desired position. Most job search websites will let you search for the standards in your geographical location as well. Sometimes pay ranges vary depending on state or region. The size of the company youre looking at and its level of success will also affect the pay scale.

Another way to research is by asking other employees in similar roles what their pay is like. Keep in mind, though, this is personal information and not everyone may be comfortable sharing. You could also ask any recruiters in the field (who dont work at the company youre applying to) if they can share the average salaries they see for the type of position you want.

Skill Level and Experience Are Factors

If you know me, you know Im a big believer that you dont have to get a four-year degree to get a great-paying job. Still, education and training will still be taken into consideration at many companies, depending on the role. Having more years of experience in a given industry will usually mean higher pay. So even if you dont have a ton of education, but youve spent years getting hands-on experience in jobs that are related to the one you want now, your pay should reflect that.

Another thing to consider is skill level. Skill level isnt necessarily equivalent to the amount of time youve spent working in an industry. Be honest with yourself about your skill level, and if youve got a competitive edge, factor that into the amount that you think you should be paid.

Cost of Living

How much do you realistically need to make to take care of all your familys expenses (or if youre single, even just your own)? How much do you need to make to live comfortably? Would you need to relocate if you were to take a certain job?

We all need to budget our money and live below our means. However, theres no denying an income can make or break the ability to reach our financial goals.

What About the Benefits?

Things such as health insurance, paid time off, and 401(k) options can make a big difference in your desired salary. Maybe you want to make $75K per year, and youre looking at a company that offers a little less than that, but they also offer unlimited PTO (yes, thats a real thing at some places). You might be willing to adjust your desired salary because a certain benefit is worth it.

Once youve taken all these factors into consideration, decide on your deal-breaker salarywhats the absolute lowest salary youd accept before walking away from the job offer? Its up to you to decide if youre firm at one number or if theres a salary range youd be willing to work with.

Its better to not reveal your desired salary too early in the hiring process because it can limit you if the company is prepared to pay more. Not all applications will ask for your desired salary, so if they dont ask, theres no need to give one. And if they do ask, keep things simple by saying salary is negotiable or salary may be discussed during the interview process.

When it comes to face-to-face interviews, its a good idea to think about how youll respond ahead of time. Again, you arent obligated to give a concrete number, and you shouldnt let a recruiter pressure you into giving one if youre not ready. There are plenty of respectful and professional ways to answer this question that wont tie you down to a specific dollar amount:

I dont have a specific number in mind, but Id expect to be paid what you think is fair based on the industry standard and my level of experience.

My top priority is finding a job thats a great match for my skill set at a company Im passionate about. Im open to talking about the salary you feel is fair as we advance in the interview process.

I usually dont discuss salary until the point when Im being offered the job. Would it be all right if we continue the interview process to see if Id be a good match for this position before discussing salary?

There are many ways to talk about your desired salary professionally without putting yourself in a box. Honesty paired with standing firm in what you want and need will go a long way!
U.S. Army's M1A2 tank from 2nd Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment of the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team of 2nd infantry division participate in a river crossing exercise in Yeoncheon-gun, South Korea, on May 30, 2013. Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images

Australia Will Spend $3.5 Billion on Over 100 US Tanks and Armored Vehicles

Australia will purchase 127 tanks and armoured vehicles from the United States in an AU$3.5 billion (US$2.52 billion) deal that comes as the federal government continues bolstering its defence force amid ongoing tensions in the Indo-Pacific.

Under the deal, Australia will acquire from the U.S. State Department: 75 M1A2 SEPv3 Abram tanks, 29 M1150 Assault Breacher Vehicles, 17 M1074 Joint Assault Bridge Vehicles, and six M88A2 Armoured Recovery Vehicles.

Initially announced in May 2021, the first vehicles are expected to arrive in 2024 and will be deployed from 2025.

The new Abrams will give our soldiers the best possibility of success and protection from harm, Defence Minister Peter Dutton said in a press release.

The M1A2 Abrams will incorporate the latest developments in Australian sovereign defence capabilities, including command, control, communications, computers and intelligence systems, and benefit from the intended manufacture of tank ammunition in Australia, he added.

Rick Burr, chief of army lieutenant general, said the vehicles were essential to Australias ability to maintain a credible land force.

The main battle tank is at the core of the Australian Defence Forces (ADF) Combined Arms Fighting System, which includes infantry, artillery, communications, engineers, attack helicopters and logistics, he said.

U.S. Army M1A2 tank during maneuvers with U.S and South Korean soldiers participate in a river crossing exercise on May 30, 2013 in Yeoncheon-gun, South Korea. The joint exercise is one of several the two countries have held in recent months. (Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images)

Because of their versatility, tanks can be used in a wide range of scenarios, environments and levels of conflict in the region, he added. This system is the only part of the ADF that can successfully operate in medium to high-threat land environments.

The purchase order will more than double Australias current fleet, which stands at 59 Abrams Main Battle Tanks.

It continues an ongoing revamp and build-up of the ADF, triggered by increasing tensions in the South China Sea region from Beijing.

In December, the Australian government signed off a historic AU$1 billion weapons deal with South Korea for the purchase of 30 self-propelled howitzers, and 15 armoured supply vehicles from defence giant Hanwha.

While in September, Australia signed off the AUKUS deal with allies the United States and the United Kingdom, a move that would significantly shape the power balance in the Indo-Pacific by giving Australia access to rare, nuclear-powered submarines.
Workers tend to a well head during a hydraulic fracturing operation at an Encana Oil & Gas (USA) Inc. gas well outside Rifle, in western Colorado. (AP Photo/Brennan Linsley)

Australian Cattle Station Giant in Legal Dispute with Energy Supplier over Onshore Fracking

Cattle station landholder Rallen Australia has taken leading natural gas supplier Santos to court for allegedly misleading stakeholders about the extent of their fracking operation in the Beetaloo Basin, situated between Tenant Creek and Katherine.

The two major Australian companies appeared in the Northern Territory (NT) Supreme Court on Monday, with Rallen accusing Santos of failing to adequately inform the landowners of an expansion of their fracking operation, which may prove environmentally risky, NT News reported.

While the agreement stipulated that Santos had permission to drill nine wells on the Tanumbirini Station near Daly Waters, the gas supplier filed a revision to its environmental management plan (EMP) to accommodate two additional wells.

Rallen senior counsel Marcus Pesman told the court that Santos had an obligation to inform stakeholders of the revised plan.

One (email) sentence was the sum total of the stakeholders engagement that Santos engaged in after they were told of substantial new risks, he said.

In response, Santos representative Jonathan Horton QC stated that while he accepted, there was inattentiveness to the revised EMP, the matter was squarely on the consumer law plane rather than a regulatory breach, which would result in a more severe penalty.

According to Santos, the landowners should have had a reasonable assumption that a revised plan would be required.

However, Justice Judith Kelly replied that in Rallens submissions, they said they have a reasonable expectation that Santos will comply with the law.

How were they supposed to know you were going to engage in activities that required (an EMP) if you dont tell them? she asked.

In response, Horton said there had been extensive consultation with the previous land managers, one of whom was a station manager who went on to work for Rallen after they purchased the property.

Fracking, short for hydraulic fracturing, is a drilling method for extracting natural gas or oil from underground shale rock formations by injecting liquid at high pressure. Drilling into the rock layer can be conducted vertically or horizontally, the latter enabling the creation of new pathways or extension existing channels.

Supporters argue that the rapid growth in oil and gas production using fracking has regenerated the energy sector and offers a sustainable pathway for the industry.

However, Protect Country Alliance, an NT advocacy group made up of landholders, communities, and civil society groups has mounted a campaign against fracking in the Northern Territory, saying the practice could potentially cause huge environmental damage to the Beetaloo region.

Fracking for shale and tight gas is an extremely water-intensive practice that also uses a range of dangerous and toxic chemicals, the Alliance said in a blog post on their website.

According to one UN report, a single frack operation on a shale gas well will use between 11 and 34 million litres of water, roughly 3601100 truckloads. Currently, there is no public information about where this water is to come from or the implications of it being removed from ground or surface water systems. The risks to groundwater are especially concerning in the Beetaloo area where the Tindal Aquifer provides water supply to towns, homesteads, agriculture and the cattle industry.

The Alliance cites analysis from the U.S. studies that argue potentially carcinogenic chemicals may escape while drilling, contaminating nearby groundwater.

However, the U.S. industry attributes the incidents of pollution to bad practice, as opposed to fracking being a risky method.

The Northern Territory government in 2016 placed a moratorium on fracking amid concerns the drilling method could harm the environment. However, the Gunner government in 2018 walked away from the ban after commissioning a study that argued the risks were manageable as long as the government tightly regulated the industry.
Empty shelves of eggs are seen at a supermarket in Sydney, Australia, on Jan. 7, 2022. (AAP Image/Mick Tsikas)

Australian Farmers Call for Calm After Panic Buying Hits Fresh Produce

Australian farmers are urging against panic buying, assuring customers that plenty of fresh food supplies are available and have requested for the consumer watchdog to monitor prices.

Our growers are sending plenty of produce down to the Sydney Markets, and were working on making sure farm businesses can continue to harvest these crops, New South Wales (NSW) Farmers President James Jackson said.

Sadly, weve seen some companies and individuals use the scarcity of tests and images of empty shelves as an opportunity to lift their prices, so we would ask the ACCC to keep a close eye on retailers to make sure they dont bump up prices above any movements in the farm gate price of fresh fruit and vegetables.

Customers across the eastern Australian states have been met with empty supermarket shelves as Omicron has forced workers across the supply chain into isolation.

New guidelines that allow COVID-19-positive asymptomatic essential workers to return to work have been approved by the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) and is currently under review by the national cabinet. It has already been signed off by the NSW and Queensland governments.

A shopper is seen looking at the empty shelves inside the Coles Supermarket at Kedron in Brisbane, Australia, on Jan. 8, 2021. (AAP Image/Darren England)

John Coward, the representative for Queensland pork and egg producers, told The Epoch Times that the industry was very pleased with the action taken by the government but that it would take about three weeks before shelves returned to normal.

Because already, we are seeing animals being kicked back from slaughter, and were also seeing incredible shortages on shelves, Coward said. So they tell us itll be about three weeks before we get food supply back into our supermarkets and back on shelves.

The Australian Fresh Produce Alliance (AFPA) estimated that it would take less than a week for fruit and vegetables to return to shelves with the return of workers under the new guidelines.

The measures that change requirements for close contacts which have been announced are very welcome because they put capacity back in the system, but its still going to be a very tight situation, AFPA CEO Michael Rogers told the AAP, warning that fruit and vegetables could be left rotting in fields without the changes.

The new set of arrangements only affect workers in non-customer facing roles, such as critical food manufacturing, logistics, and distribution. Although, other industries could soon adopt similar rules.

The national cabinet is expected to approve the guidelines on Thursday.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison speaks to the media during a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra on Jan. 6, 2022. (Stringer/AFP via Getty Images)

Australian PM on Back to School: Once We Go Back, We Stay Back

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison wants a consistent set of principles to guide back to school plans nationwide after the Queensland government delayed the start of the school year due to the projected peak of COVID-19 cases.

Its obviously a key issue for parents as they are thinking about their children going back to school in a few weeks time, and well look to have those arrangements very clear by the time that occurs, Morrison told reporters on Monday.

The federal government is working to harmonise back to school plans with states and territories amid the varying peaks of the Omicron variant wave projected for each jurisdiction.

The idea is, once we go back, we stay back, Morrison said. Well be working through those issues this week and to get further certainty and harmonisation between the states and territories, and I thank all of them for working with us on that process.

The dominance of the Omicron variant, alongside states reopening their domestic borders, has led to a surge in COVID-19 cases throughout the country.

Australia reached 1 million cases this week, with more than 50 percent recorded in the last week alone.

Widespread infection and resultant staff shortages have seen supply chain issues nationwide, impacting supermarkets, health services, hospitality, and more.

With the Omicron wave expected to peak at different times in different states and territories, the jurisdictions face the challenge of mitigating the risks of COVID-19 with the need to get children back into the classroom both for their learning and because it will free up a significant amount of the countrys workforce including the crucial health sector.

They are the issues that are being managed, Morrison said. I think we can have some very clear principles around all of those that can be applied to the relevant circumstances on the ground in each state and territory. Because its a big country and the situation is different in many parts.

Australian Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly addresses the media during a press conference in Canberra, Australia, on Dec. 17, 2021. (AAP Image/Lukas Coch)

Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly said the federal governments expert advisory body, the AHPPC, is analysing how to balance the importance of face-to-face learning in schools with the risk of COVID-19.

Kelly noted that the vast majority of children with COVID-19 caused by the Omicron variant have a very, very mild disease.

Thats the reality. There are many other reasons why children should be at school, he said.

These are the matters that are before the AHPPC to give that health advice in the widest terms, including mental health, including developmental health, including physical health outside of COVID.

Morrison said the wave in New South Wales and Victoria was clearly going to peak at about the same time, but it wasnt so clear with other states, such as Queensland and Western Australia (WA).

Queenslands decision to delay the school term until Feb. 7 just pushes the wave further out, Morrison said, while he indicated that once WA opens its borders, the Omicron variant will spread the same way it has in every other state.

We know what happens with Omicron. And that will happen everywhere. The minute it gets in, and it will be in everywhere it will, it will take that path. Thats why I say you have to push through as one  riding that wave, he said.

But you do that as sensibly and as carefully as you can, taking the best possible medical advice on the way through which is what we are doing, he said.
When a couple was stranded on a highway behind a Baltimore bakery truck during a heavy snowstorm, they reached out to the company in hopes to open the truck so as to help feed the people who were stuck in their cars. Bowled over by their response, the driver and the bakery went viral for their act of kindness.

On Jan. 3, a 50-mile stretch of Interstate 95 between Washington and Richmond, Virginia, suffered heavy snowfall. Many drivers got stuck overnight with nothing to eat or drink, but relief came when Casey Holihan and her husband, John Noe, who were traveling from Ellicott City, Maryland, to North Carolina, decided to do something.

Casey Holihan and her husband, John Noe. (Courtesy of Casey Holihan Noe)

This is an incredible thank you to Schmidt Baking Company for your humanity and compassion, Casey wrote on Facebook. After almost 21 hours of being stuck on 95 South, sleeping here overnight, not having access to food or water, and all of the nearest towns being out of power, we were tired, frustrated, and hungry.

Explaining the situation further, Casey wrote that many of the people who were stuck had small children and pets in their cars. Witnessing the situation, the couple contacted Schmidt Baking Company and begged them to open the truck that was stuck with them.

Casey said she didnt think it would work, but less than 20 minutes later, she and John got a personal call from parent company H&S Bakerys co-owner and Senior Vice President of Transportation Chuck Paterakis. Casey was instructed to pass the phone to Maryland resident Ron Hill, the truck driver, and Paterakis gave the go-ahead.

[Hill] opened the back of the truck, and with the help of some people close by, passed out bread to more than 50 cars who were all incredibly thankful, Casey said. This was one of the kindest moments I have ever witnessed. Thank you, Schmidt.

Caseys post went viral, amassing 50,000 reactions and 29,000 shares, winning the hearts of netizens.

During the snowstorm, temperatures dropped into the teens, Baltimore Magazine reported. Hill, who gave out 500 of the trucks estimated 8,000 loaves of bread, told the media outlet that he had been praying in the back of his truck before the couple came to him.

He was already thinking that he should hand out bread and catch the weight later.

From what I can gather, it was very icy, slippery, and they were on somewhat of a hill, said Paterakis, who runs H&S with his three brothers. There were a lot of people who were hungry, but didnt want to get out of the car or open the door because they had limited gas and didnt want the heat to escape.

When I heard from Casey, all of these things were going through my mind, but the main thing was that this is our core value. Were cultured to help out in situations when things are desperate.

I didnt take these for myself. I was holding these in my arms to pass them out to people in the cars; I needed one hand free to catch myself when I fell on the ice, Casey said. (Courtesy of Casey Holihan Noe)

Casey and John, who were among those who helped Hill distribute the loaves, were touched to find community in the midst of crisis. Casey said that as they were going up to people holding the bread, motorists were touched knowing that it was for free.

She said that just a few hours prior, everyone stuck in the jam seemed frustrated and kept honking.

But then you remember that these are real people.  We got to talk to some of them, and pet their dogs, and ask them about where they were going. It was a little pocket of humanity and community that we created on that stretch of I-95 that wont be forgotten, Casey said.

After 27 hours of being stuck in the snow, Casey and John used shovels that were in their trunk to help clear a pathway to freedom. All vehicles were cleared by the evening of Jan. 4, and no injuries or deaths were reported.

Share your stories with us at emg.inspired@epochtimes.com, and get your daily dose of inspiration by signing up for the Epoch Inspired newsletter at TheEpochTimes.com/newsletter.
Beijings Tight Control Over Chinas Economy Creates Uncertainty for Foreign Investors

News Analysis

In light of Xi Jinping tightening his control over Chinas economy, investing in Chinese stocks is risky. One never knows where or how Beijing will involve itself in the economy, but government intervention is inevitable and unopposable.

Investment guru Jim Cramer said that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is a wild card. He told CNBCs Squawk Box in an interview on Jan. 5 that the uncertainty is too high for U.S. investors to continue to invest in China.

Xi has complete contempt for us, complete contempt for shareholders, and very contemptuous of rich people whom he thinks threaten his power, Cramer said.

The bond king and DoubleLine founder Jeffrey Gundlach calls China uninvestable because he does not trust the CCPs data. He told Yahoo Finance on Jan. 5 that given the animosity between the United States and China, he fears that China investment assets could be confiscated.

Furthermore, the CCPs tech crackdown has already spooked investors in that sector, with giant Chinese tech companies feeling the heat. Alibaba lost 45 percent of its value in the last 12 months, while Tencent lost 40 percent. Chinese ride-hailing app Didi is planning to delist from the New York Stock Exchange due to pressure from the CCP. Now, there are no Chinese companies left among the worlds 10 largest firms.

The after-school tutoring industry has also been effectively wiped out by Xis edicts, preventing them from hiring foreign teachers and earning profits. Consequently, shares of the multibillion-dollar TAL Education Group lost 95 percent of their value. Two other leading firms in Chinas tutoring industryGaotu and New Orientalexperienced similar losses. The countrys three largest education sector entrepreneurs lost a combined total of $27 billion of their net worth.

Under the new regulations, the tutoring sector is also prohibited from doing initial public offerings (IPOs). But even if the IPOs were allowed, it seems unlikely that investors would put their money into firms that are barred from earning a profit.

The Chinese stock market reflects the general loss of confidence in the economy. In 2021, the Golden Dragon Index, which tracks mid- and large-cap Chinese stocks, plummeted by roughly 49 percent. The Hang Seng Index declined by roughly 15 percent, wiping about $600 billion in market capitalization.

In the United States, Chinese stocks lost approximately $1 trillion in value over fears of delisting.

A girl carrying a schoolbag stands near an outlet of private educational services provider New Oriental Education and Technology Group in Beijing, China, on July 26, 2021. (Tingshu Wang/Reuters)

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) said in July 2021 that it will no longer process IPO listings for Chinese companies that fail to meet transparency requirements. Consequently, the Chinese listings and IPOs are being shifted to Hong Kong.

As a result of increasing uncertainty in China, some fund managers are considering removing Chinese investments from their emerging markets portfolios.

Regina Chi, vice president and portfolio manager at AGF Investments, said in a recent commentary that the MSCI China Index, which monitors large and mid cap stocks, had declined by 14 percent for the year 2021 up to Oct. 31, while other emerging markets were up. For example, MSCI India increased by 25 percent and MSCI Argentina increased by 34 percent over the same period. Chi blames the CCPs hardline on economic issues. She said that by selling off China assets, cash could be reallocated into other economies that are performing better.

Last years tight economic controls caused a rise in defaults, increased market risk aversion, as well as increased risk of defaults, according to Chi Lo, senior market strategist at BNP Paribas. He predicts that maintaining economic growth will be a priority for the CCP this year. The proceeds from last years local government bond quotas will be used to expand the economy. That means that reducing debt, stabilizing the economy, and hitting pollution targets will all take a backseat.

Last year, COVID-19 restrictions in the rest of the world made it difficult to manufacture products locally, which increased Chinas exports. This year, the situation is reversed. As other countries allow their factories to get back to work, demand for Chinese products will decrease.

Meanwhile, the CCPs strict zero-COVID policy is hamstringing Chinas manufacturing sector. Constant interruptions and repeated factory and shipping closures are going to eat into Chinas GDP. As consumers in other countries complain about supply chain disruptions and shortages of goods, local manufacturers will begin picking up the slack.

Many of the worlds leading financial institutions anticipate weak GDP growth in China. BNP Paribas and DWS see China struggling to hit 5.3 percent growth in 2022. HSBC predicts Chinas growth will be at 5 percent or below. Bank of America is expecting China to be an outlier, with slower growth than other countries. Credit Suisses forecast is for an economic slowdown in China. And HSBC Asset Management says that the world could experience a negative shock caused by a COVID-19 resurgence or a hard landing in China. And Chinas hard landing could easily come from its COVID lockdown regimen.

The zero-COVID policy is just one more example of the draconian control the CCP has over the economy. The stroke of a pen can force Chinese companies to delist from foreign exchanges. A government whim can decimate an entire industry, like private tutoring or big tech. And Beijings insistence on zero COVID can shut down factories and seaports, accelerating the shift of global supply chains away from China.

In short, the fluctuations of Chinese stocks, as well as the ups and downs of the general economy, are not predicated on free market forces but rather on CCP mandates. This suggests that China is not a market economy. Additionally, the risks of investing in China are neither predictable nor calculable because they are predicated on decisions taken by the CCP.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Betty White attends Betty "White Out" Tour at The Los Angeles Zoo with The Lifeline Program at Los Angeles Zoo in Los Angeles, Calif., on Dec. 11, 2012. (Brian To/Getty Images for The Lifeline Program)

Betty White Died Six Days After Suffering a Stroke: Death Certificate

Comedic actress Betty White died six days after suffering a stroke, her death certificate states.

According to the certificate, which was obtained by The Associated Press, the beloved Golden Girls and Mary Tyler Moore Show actress died at her home in the Brentwood, Los Angeles, as the result of a Dec. 25 cerebrovascular accident, the medical term for a stroke.

No underlying causes or conditions were listed on Whites death certificate. The cause was provided by Whites doctor, as is typical in such cases.

Jeff Witjas, Whites longtime agent and friend, said she had been staying close to her home during the COVID-19 pandemic.

I was told that Betty passed in her sleep peacefully without pain, Witjas told Fox News Digital on Monday. To me, that is the most important thing and brings me comfort as her dear friend.

The information from the death certificate was first reported by TMZ which noted that her death was not reported to a coroner and that there was no autopsy or biopsy performed as of Jan. 7.

White died on Dec. 31 at her home in California, just weeks shy of her 100th birthday.

Witjas previously issued a statement saying that the late star 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, Witjas said on Jan. 3. She died of natural causes. Her death should not be politicizedthat is not the life she lived.

White, an award-winning actress, had a career that spanned more than eight decades. Her 100th birthday would have been on Jan. 17.

Even though Betty was about to be 100, I thought she would live forever, Witjas said on Dec. 31. I will miss her terribly and so will the animal world that she loved so much. I dont think Betty ever feared passing because she always wanted to be with her most beloved husband Allen Ludden. She believed she would be with him again.

White was stepmother to Luddens three children, but never had any of her own biological children. The pair reportedly met after she appeared as a guest on the televised game show Password, where Ludden was the host, according to Romper.

On Jan. 17, Whites milestone birthday, the documentary Betty White: A Celebration will be screened nationwide. The films title was changed from Betty White: 100 Years YoungA Birthday Celebration after her death.

President Joe Biden, Mel Brooks, and many other celebrities and prominent leaders paid tribute to White after her death.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Afghan men sit along with food packets being distributed by the members of World Food Programme (WFP) to the families in need in Kandahar on Dec. 23, 2021. (Javed Tanveer/AFP via Getty Images)

Biden Administration Donates More Than $300 Million to Afghanistan

The United States is donating approximately $308 million in humanitarian aid to Afghanistan and will also contribute additional COVID-19 vaccine doses, a White House spokesperson confirmed on Tuesday.

National Security Council (NSC) spokeswoman Emily Horne said in a government statement that the United States remains the single largest donor of humanitarian aid in Afghanistan and the latest donation brings American aid for the impoverished nation and Afghan refugees in the region to nearly $782 million since the chaotic ending of the 20-year war.

The new humanitarian assistance by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) will directly flow through independent humanitarian organizations and help provide lifesaving protection and shelter, essential health care, winterization assistance, emergency food aid, water, sanitation, and hygiene services in response to the growing humanitarian needs exacerbated by COVID-19 and healthcare shortages, drought, malnutrition, and the winter season, Horne said.

Meanwhile, the country will also be supplied through global vaccine sharing program COVAX with one million COVID-19 vaccine doses, bringing the total of U.S. contributed vaccines to 4.3 million doses.

The confirmation on the latest U.S. donations come as the United Nations on Tuesday launched a multi-billion dollar funding appeal to avert a humanitarian and economic crisis in the country.

Today we are launching an appeal for $4.4 billion for Afghanistan itself for 2022, U.N. Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths said during a conference in Geneva, Switzerland, adding that the appeal is the largest ever in humanitarian assistance for a single country.

United Nations (UN) Under-Secretary-General for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief coordinator Martin Griffiths gestures during a press conference on the launch of the 2022 humanitarian response plans for Afghanistan and the region at the United Nations (UN) Offices in Geneva, Switzerland, on Jan. 10, 2022. (Fabrice Coffrini/AFP via Getty Images)

Already stressed by continuous drought and conflict, 22 million Afghanis inside the country and 5.7 million beyond its borders are in need of humanitarian assistance following the Taliban terrorist groups takeover in August, according to the U.N. refugee agency.

Griffiths warned that if the international community doesnt take immediate action in supporting the country, the agency will ask for $10 billion next year.

This is a stop-gap, an absolutely essential stop-gap measure that we are putting in front of the international community today, he said. Without this being funded, there wont be a future, we need this to be done, otherwise there will be outflow, there will be suffering.

Nearly 80 percent of Afghanistans previous governments budget came from the international community. That money, now cut off, financed hospitals, schools, factories, and government ministries.

International funding was suspended and billions of dollars of Afghanistans assets abroad, mostly in the United States, were frozen after the Taliban took control of the country.

A Taliban fighter stands guard along a street near the Zanbaq Square in Kabul on Sept. 23, 2021. (Wakil Kohsar/AFP via Getty Images)

The decision by the United States and the international community not to recognize the Taliban-led government, which governed with a strict interpretation of Islamic law when it was in control from 1996 to 2001, has created a quandary for Western powers about how to provide enough aid without giving the Taliban legitimacy or putting money directly into its hands.

A lack of funding has led to increased poverty in the country, and aid groups have warned of a looming humanitarian catastrophe. State employees, from doctors to teachers and administrative civil servants, havent been paid in months. Banks, meanwhile, have restricted how much money account holders can withdraw.

The U.S. Agency for International Development has called on the Taliban to allow all aid workers, especially women  to operate independently and securely as humanitarian groups look to assist those in need of aid.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

From NTD News
President Joe Biden speaks in support of changing the Senate filibuster rules that have stalled voting rights legislation, at Atlanta University Center Consortium, on the grounds of Morehouse College and Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta, Ga., on Jan. 11, 2022. (Patrick Semansky/AP Photo)

Biden Calls for End to Filibuster if Needed to Pass Changes to Voting Rules

President Joe Biden gave a speech in Georgia Tuesday to push for legislation to change the rules for voting in American elections, and to advocate for the end of the filibuster if its needed to pass the voting bills.

The threat to our democracy is so grave that we must find a way to pass these voting rights bills, Biden said. Debate them. Vote. Let the majority prevail, and if that bare minimum is blocked, we have no option but to change the Senate rules including getting rid of the filibuster for this.

As the rules stand now, a 60-vote super majority would be required to move either of the measures forward.

One bill, named for the Georgia congressman John Lewis, who died in 2020, passed the House along party lines in August and has since stalled in the Senate. That measure would, among other things, require federal clearance for any changes made to local election rules.

The second bill, the Freedom to Vote Act, is also in the Senate. It would expand automatic and same-day registration as well as vote-by-mail and early voting.

Republicans have decried the bills as allowing for federal overreach. They also say many of the provisions in the legislation, like removing voter identification requirements and required funding for campaign ads, are not popular with American voters.

Democrats dont want free and fair elections, they want elections that only Democrats can win, said Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) on a call with reporters and Republican National Committee (RNC) Chair Ronna McDaniel ahead of Bidens speech. So, as we watch last year theyve had a difficult time, the Democrats, of passing their radical agenda, so they want to change the rules.

Scott, McDaniel, and others also accuse Biden and the Democrats of a naked power grab, saying the end goal is not to increase voter rights but to end the filibuster.

This is why Joe Biden is in Georgia today, said McDaniel on the call. This is his plan: to change the Senate rules, upend our country, upend 200 years of precedent in the Senate to change election laws and have the greatest power grab in history.

Others in Bidens own party have spoken out against ending the filibuster.

We need some good rule changes to make the place work better, but getting rid of the filibuster doesnt make it work better, Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) told reporters Tuesday.

Manchin has been outspoken against provisions in Bidens Build Back Better spending plan as wellanother measure Democrats have sought to pass without any Republican support.

Partisan debate over voting rules has been playing out on the state level as well.

Since the 2020 election, 19 states have passed laws adding new voter requirements like voter I.D., according to the progressive Brennan Center for Justice.

On Tuesday, Biden referred to these laws as Jim Crow 2.0 and said its the goal of the former President [Trump] and his allies to disenfranchise anyone who votes against them.

Meanwhile, New York City passed a law in December that purports to give non-U.S. citizens the right to vote in its elections. McDaniel announced an RNC lawsuit Monday filed against New York Mayor Eric Adams, the city council, and its board of elections challenging the citys new law.
Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona answers questions during the daily briefing at the White House on Aug. 5, 2021. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Bidens Education Secretary Allegedly Requested Domestic Terrorism Letter From School Boards Group

Newly surfaced emails suggest that the U.S. Department of Education might have played a more important role than previously thought in the creation of a highly controversial letter, which likened concerned parents to domestic terrorists.

In a letter (pdf) sent to President Joe Biden on Sept. 29, 2021, the National School Boards Association (NSBA) characterized disruptions at school board meetings as a form of domestic terrorism and hate crime. The organization also urged the federal government to invoke counterterrorism laws to quell angry mobs of parents seeking to hold school officials accountable for teaching Marxist critical race theory and for imposing COVID-19 restrictions such as mask mandates on their children.

Just five days later, on Oct. 5, U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland issued a memo directing federal law enforcement to help address an alleged disturbing spike in harassment, intimidation, and threats of violence against teachers and school leaders. The memo remains in effect, despite the NSBA having since apologized for and rescinded the letter.

According to email exchanges obtained by advocacy group Parents Defending Education (PDE), the NSBA letter appears to be a response to a request for information by U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona.

On Oct. 5, NSBA board member Marnie Maldonado sent an email (pdf) to fellow board member Kristi Swett, asking her whether the NSBA had gone through all the correct procedures before sending the letter to Biden.

I am very concerned about the process by which the statement was made and the tone that essentially allowed the White House to direct the Attorney General to consider members of our community domestic terrorists,' Maldonado wrote, adding that she wanted the NSBA to focus on civility.

In response, Swett said she agreed that there were communication issues within the NSBA. She also mentioned that Chip Slaven, then-interim director of the NSBA, told officers he was writing a letter to provide information to the White House, from a request by Secretary Cordona [sic].

In an interview with Fox News, PDE President Nicole Neily indicated that the letter Cardona allegedly requested and the domestic terrorism letter are the same thing.

Should this allegation be true, it would reveal that this administrations pretextual war on parents came from the highest levels, Neily told Fox News.

Attorney General Merrick Garland unequivocally stated that he based his memo on the NSBAs letterwhich in turn mobilized the FBI and U.S. attorneys, she said. If Secretary Cardona was truly involved in this ugly episode, it is a significant breach of public trust, and he should be held accountable.

The new information comes amid questions over the Biden administrations involvement in the creation of the NSBA letter, which still serves as the basis of a series of actions taken by the Justice Department.

According to internal files leaked to Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), the top Republican on the House Judiciary Committee, the FBIs Criminal Investigative Division has created a new threat tag titled EDUOFFICIALS, and directed agents to apply the tag to all investigations and assessments of threats relating to school boards.

This disclosure provides specific evidence that federal law enforcement operationalized counterterrorism tools at the behest of a left-wing special interest group against concerned parents, Jordan said in a letter to Garland. The FBIs actions were an entirely foreseeableand perhaps intendedresult of your October 4 memorandum.
The Orange County Classical Academy in Orange, Calif., on March 10, 2021. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

Big Brothers Big Sisters Volunteers Recognized for Making a Difference

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County and the Inland Empire will recognize two volunteers as exceptional mentors to youth facing adversity, including low-income youth, during National Mentor Month.

The organization will recognize the two individuals out of 10 finalists nominated for the 2022 Big of the Year Award during a Jan. 20 annual awards ceremony in Newport Beach, California.

A lot of our volunteers go above and beyond, Big Brother Big Sister spokesperson Casey Gomez told The Epoch Times. This campaign is all about highlighting and celebrating our exceptional volunteers who have an impact.

The nonprofit organization matches youth with a mentor to assist them in reaching their full potential academically, socially, and mentally.

Nominees are submitted based on the impact a volunteer has had on the life of his or her mentee over the span of two years, according to Gomez.

While picking out nominees, organizers at Big Brother Big Sister observe the progress a child has made from when they first started the program. Factors such as family background and challenges faced before beginning the program are taken into consideration.

Mental health has been a common concern for mentees amid the COVID-19 pandemic and distance learning.

[There are] a lot of different challenges that our kids have been facing recently and [some are] kind of unprecedented, Gomez said. Volunteers really stepped up in a huge way.

Sending daily text messages to make sure mentees werent feeling too isolated made a massive difference in their lives, Gomez said.

So many of our youth are feeling that loneliness these days, she said.

The 10 finalists have helped their mentees reach academic goals while also improving socially and mentally.

Nominee Amy Ellis stepped up to assist her mentee, Esmeralda, as her grades and mental health was suffering during the pandemic, according to the organizations website.

By Ellis simply setting weekly check-ins to help her mentee with her homework and have quality time, Esmeralda was able to thrive academically during her first year of high school.

Nominee Michael Justiniano assisted his mentee, Adrian, with building his self-esteem and mental health by taking him on intentional outings.

Justiniano and Adrian volunteer together and participate in sport fitness activities. Through the mentorship of Justiniano, Adrian joined his high school wrestling team and is continuing to be exposed to different career paths.

Nominee Zachary Stangle has been walking alongside his mentee, Elijah, since 2013. Stangle has guided Elijah through his academics and has motivated him to receive a higher education.

Elijah is about the graduate high school and will attend college.

Big Sisters and Brothers of the Year Finalists

Monica Da Re

Jennifer Detlefsen

Amy Ellis

Steve Guzman

Conner Halsted

Michael Justiniano

Samantha Leonard

Braulio Moreno

Mayra Sanchez

Zachary Stangle
Carnival dancers perform during the closing ceremony of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at Maracana Stadium on Aug. 21, 2016, in Rio de Janeiro. (Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Brazilian Capitals Cancel Carnival as CCP Virus Cases Surge

SANTA CRUZ, BoliviaEduardo Paes, mayor of Rio de Janeiro, announced the cancellation of the citys famous Carnival street festival during a Jan. 4 online conference, making it the second year in a row that the city has canceled its highly-anticipated celebration.

Rio de Janeiro is the 18th of 27 Brazilian capitals to call off its Carnival celebrations in 2022 because of a surge in CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus cases.

Paes said the nature and democratic aspect of Carnival makes it nearly impossible to host the famous street parties while also controlling the spread of infections.

However, he agreed to allow the traditional parade of Rios famous samba schools, which are known for their impressive costumes and floats, to take place within the citys Sambadrome stadium.

Paes said authorities would be able to impose sanitary protocols and control the access of spectators during the parade.

On Jan. 6, Ricardo Nunes, mayor of Sao Paulo, Brazil, publicly announced the suspension of the citys 2022 Carnival parties. Until last week, Sao Paulo, the nations largest city, had maintained a neutral stance on the Carnival, leaving the responsibility of the festivals up to individual city halls.

However, Sao Paulo state governor Joao Doria stepped in the day after Nunes made his decision to cancel festivities and said he wouldnt authorize any closed Carnival parties in the state.

The news comes as a major blow to small businesses and tourism, which have already taken a hard hit during the COVID-19 pandemic. Of Brazils 17.5 million registered small businesses, the majority of those are in Sao Paulo, Minas Gerais, and Rio de Janeiro, all of which canceled Carnival celebrations for 2022.

Brazils Carnival parties generate millions of dollars in revenue for the local economy, much of which comes from tourism. Shortly before the onset of the pandemic in 2020, more than 2 million tourists attended Carnival in Rio de Janeiro alone.

They are killing us as business owners, Lucas Costa told The Epoch Times.

As a bar owner in the Lagoa neighborhood of Rio de Janeirowho also operates satellite facilities with his brother during the Carnival street parties, known locally as blocosCosta and other entrepreneurs will suffer a loss of income from the suspension of the festivities.

Street parties are where the money is for small businesses. Unless youre with a big events group or one of the samba schools, you dont make money from the parades, he said.

Officials argue that the sacrifice of another year of Carnival parties is a necessary evil.

A peak in CCP virus cases occurred on Jan. 3, when the weekly case count shot up by 186 percent from Dec. 27, 2021, according to World Health Organization data. Since Jan. 3, 2020, the CCP virus has reportedly caused 619,937 deaths in Brazil.

Rios municipal health secretary, Daniel Soranz, said the Omicron coronavirus variant is to blame for the increased caseload.

For 17 weeks we had been registering a reduction in COVID-19 cases, Soranz said. Suddenly, we started to have an increase in new cases, which indicates the presence of a new variant. Every time we have a new variant arriving it means we will have more cases.

He said that while the cases are rising, the subsequent number of critical patients, deaths, and hospitalizations arent as dramatic.

Of course, its still too early to come to a conclusion, Soranz said.

National Confederation of Trade in Goods, Services, and Tourism economist Fabio Bentes described the cancellation of the 2021 Carnival as having a very negative impact on service-related industries.

Bentes also highlighted that Rio de Janeiro accounts for nearly a third of the profits generated by the massive event, followed by the Northeastern capitals, which count on the annual event as an important source of revenue.

Costa is still struggling to understand the decision.

We have a vaccine, we have protocols, but still no Carnival, he said. It really feels like this will never end.
CCP Mismanagement, Authoritarianism Pushing China Down Road to Economic Ruin: Experts

Fiscal mismanagement, exacerbated by the growing authoritarian tendencies of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), is quickly undoing economic and social progress and setting the stage for soaring poverty and social unrest throughout China, according to experts at a Hudson Institute virtual event on Jan. 11.

The virtual event Is China Headed for an Economic Crisis? featured Thomas Duesterberg, a senior fellow at Hudson Institute, a Washington-based think tank, and Leland Miller, chief executive of China Beige Book International.

Looking at China today, Duesterberg outlined a number of festering issues that the CCP has proven to be singularly ill-equipped to address in recent years.

One of the biggest looming problems has to do with the countrys demographics. China has what Duesterberg referred to as a severely aging population, in which the number of working-age men and women is expected to decline sharply as a percentage of the citizenry in coming years. He predicted that by 2050, 500 million Chinese will be over the age of 60, and that many will require extensive support through an already strained social welfare system. Not only is that system underdeveloped when compared to the social networks and safety nets found in Western countries, but its also underfunded.

Compounding this issue is a growing trend in the system toward inequality, which takes myriad forms.

Theres an unequal distribution of income, both vertically and geographically. The IMF [International Monetary Fund] noted in a paper a few years ago that from being one of the most equitable economies in 1990, China now has inequality higher than most, with inequality in urban regions rising sharply. This inequality extends also to the education system, to jobs, opportunities, and to opportunities for women, Duesterberg said.

He cited the statistic that women currently make up only about 5 percent of the total membership of the central committee of the CCP, a 205-member high-level decision-making body of the Party, and they suffer from a marked wage gap.

Further complicating the long-term economic picture is the ongoing degradation of the natural environment of China, as air, water, and soil become increasingly polluted amid Beijings heavy-handed efforts to control Chinas river systems. Additionally, for all its natural resources, mismanagement at the top contributes to a general lack of self-sufficiency with regard to food, energy, and minerals, Duesterberg said.

Favoring State-Owned Enterprises

All these problems would be daunting enough even in a country with highly capable and transparent leadership. The growing authoritarianism of the Xi Jinping regime and its tendency to favor state-owned firms rife with cronyism and incompetence and to sideline private-sector players seriously exacerbates the countrys many economic and social ills, Duesterberg said.

Estimates are that the state-owned private enterprises of China are only about 20 percent as productive in the industrial sectors as those in the advanced economies of the West, he said. Xi Jinping also promoted the role of the CCP officials in company management boards, often advancing politics rather than economic efficiency as the goals of management.

A clampdown on independent media sources is part and parcel of the regimes authoritarian approach, which puts China at a further disadvantage when competing with other countries. Xi is averse not only to large and successful Chinese firms such as Alibaba, but also to dynamic firms in the digital marketplace that had been poised for growth in such realms as video-gaming, ride-sharing, and health care, Duesterberg said.

Looking at all these trends in aggregate, there can be no doubt as to their stalling effect on Chinas economy, Duesterberg said. According to his figures, China must devote 7 to 9 yuan for every single yuan it hopes to gain in overall gross domestic product (GDP). In the boom years of the 1990s, the corresponding figure was 1 to 2 yuan for every single-yuan advance in GDP.

The diminished capital output ratio has, predictably, led to soaring levels of both public and private debt in China, according to Duesterberg. Part of Beijings response has been to pursue increasingly reckless real estate schemes at home.

In the 1990s, Beijing began to allow sales of land, and local governments seized the opportunity to engineer a boom in land development, which enables them to meet some goals, [but also] created a bubble much larger than in the U.S. and Europe 2008 and comparable to the disaster that faced Japanese bubbles in 1990s, Duesterberg said.

One-half of Chinas economy in [the] recent two decades has been attributed to the real estate sector, and 80 percent of personal wealth now is tied up in real estate. Half of revenues from local sale and development land taxes are underpinning of the solvency of local government finances.

All this has set China up for a catastrophic bursting of the real estate bubble, he said, pointing to the Evergrande crisis in recent months.

Long-Term Decline

Miller agreed to a large extent with Duesterbergs analysis but said he doesnt think China is poised for a Lehman moment, a reference to the catastrophic collapse of Lehman Brothers in the United States that triggered the global financial crisis in 2008. Rather, Miller said he expects Chinas economic woes to play out in a more incremental fashion over time.

I think the consequence of these challenges is that youre looking at a future of long-term stagnation, he said. One thing you keep seeing is that with all this buildup of debt, so much of it non-performing, and with more and more capital going to non-productive uses instead of productive uses, it slows the economy down dramatically over time.

Duesterberg and Miller both identified a role for foreign capital in bailing out Chinese industry and alleviating some of the most serious problems. The deployment of foreign wealth in the form of stocks, bonds, and venture capital could provide increasing political leverage to make Beijing abide by its World Trade Organization duties and curb its more egregious human rights abuses, Duesterberg said.
Cheri Warner, left, stands with her daughter, Brea, and speaks calling for the Chicago school district and teacher's union to focus on getting students back in the classroom in Chicago, Ill., on Jan. 10, 2022. (Charles Rex Arbogast/AP Photo)

Chicago Officials Reach Deal With Teachers Union to Return to Classrooms

Chicago officials and leaders of the citys teachers union have reached a deal that will see teachers return to classrooms on Tuesday.

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) and the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) hammered out a pact after nearly a week of negotiations.

CTU members voted last week to stop teaching in-person. CPS rejected an attempt to abruptly shift to virtual learning and ended up canceling school for four days.

Under the new deal, teachers and other staff members must return to schools on Tuesday and in-person classes will resume the following day.

After being out of school for four days in a row, Im sure many students will be excited to get back into the classroom with their teachers and peers, and their parents and guardians can now breathe a much deserved sigh of relief, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot, a Democrat, told a press conference announcing the deal.

Lightfoot had resisted union efforts to switch to virtual learning until at least mid-January. CTU leaders argued a recent spike in COVID-19 cases and an alleged lack of safety measures in schools made it too dangerous to teach in-person.

One sticking point was whether to introduce COVID-19 testing for all students, forcing parents to opt-out if they didnt want their children tested. The agreement includes the goal of ramping up a testing program that would have at least 10 percent of students in every school tested on a weekly basis.

There are also triggers outlined in the deal that, if reached, would automatically shift a school to virtual classes for a period of time.

Its not a perfect agreement. But its something that we can hold our heads up about, partly because it was so difficult to get, CTU President Jesse Sharkey told a remote briefing on Monday night.

Chicago students depart one of the few schools that remained open after the Chicago teachers union refused to teach in-person, leading to the cancellation of many classes, in Chicago, Ill., on Jan. 10, 2022. (Charles Rex Arbogast/AP Photo)

It does include some important things which are going to help safeguard ourselves and our schools and we look forward to continuing to keep our members united, and continuing to do the work to serve the people in the city and children of Chicago, he added.

The unions House of Delegates approved the deal but members have not yet voted on it. Some members expressed support after the agreement was reached and city officials said they were optimistic that the deal, which runs through the end of the school year, would be cleared by the union.

The White House had been in touch with Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, Lightfoot, and the union, but there was no immediate sign that officials helped break the logjam that had left parents scrambling.

Lightfoot noted that studies indicate school closures dont bring down COVID-19 case numbers and lamented how some 100,000 children disengaged from the citys school system when schools were remote earlier in the pandemic.

Hopefully we put that issue behind us once and for all, she said. I want to see us get back to what our primary function is, which is teach our kids and model the kind of example that we want them to follow.
A partially removed company logo of China Evergrande Group is seen on the facade of its former headquarters in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, China, on Jan. 10, 2022. (David Kirton/Reuters)

China Evergrande Moves From Shenzhen HQ Building to Cut Costs

SHENZHEN, ChinaHeavily indebted property firm China Evergrande Group said on Monday that it has moved out of its headquarters in Shenzhen to another property in the city to cut costs and was still registered in the southern Chinese city.

The company issued its statement after the Chinese media outlet The Paper reported that Evergrande had moved its headquarters from Shenzhen to nearby Guangzhou.

Evergrande said it has moved out of Shenzhens Excellence Centre, which is owned by another company, to a building that Evergrande owns in the city but gave no further details on the new set-up.

The worlds most indebted developer, Evergrande is struggling to repay more than $300 billion in liabilities including nearly $20 billion in offshore bonds deemed in cross-default by ratings agencies last month after it missed payments.

On Monday afternoon, the companys logo had been partially removed on one side of the Excellence Centre. Security personnel, accompanied by security vehicles, kept watch, and several of them said that the company had left the building last month.

Last September, the Shenzhen building was the scene of chaotic protests when investors crowded its lobby to demand repayment of loans and financial products.

Last year, the Guangzhou government sent a working team to Evergrande, sources told Reuters.

Sources have also said that lawsuits against the company from around China are being handled by a court in Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong Province, where Shenzhen is also located.

Evergrande was founded in Guangzhou, and only moved to Shenzhen in 2017.

Last Tuesday, protests also began at the Guangzhou offices, with around 100 investors in financial products issued by the company gathering to express their worries about getting their money back.

Small crowds of protesters have continued to gather near the site since, said 10 protesters interviewed by Reuters.

By David Kirtonv
A section of the Evergrande mega-project complex is seen on Ocean Flower Island in Danzhou in south China's Hainan Province on Nov. 19, 2019. (Chinatopix Via AP)

Chinas Evergrande Ordered to Demolish 39 Buildings on Worlds Largest Artificial Island

Before resuming trading on Jan. 4, Chinas troubled real estate giant Evergrande Group issued a notice disclosing a letter of decision it received from Danzhou City, Hainan Province, five days earlier. The letter ordered the demolition of 39 high-rise buildings on Ocean Flower Island, the companys star project, to rectify damages to the marine environment incurred by the company.

Ocean Flower Island, the largest artificial island in the world, is actually made up of three separate artificial islands. Island 1 mostly contains hotels and amusement parks, such as Childrens World, Water Kingdom, Ocean Paradise, and an International Conference Center28 businesses in total. Island 2 and Island 3 are mainly reserved for residential use. According to Evergrandes website, the islands took 12 years to build, at a cost of hundreds of billions of yuan.

In August 2013, Oriental Outlook, a magazine run by Xinhua News Agency, reported that Lin Dong, mayor of Danzhou City at the time, was the contact person for the Ocean Flower Island project. Dai Wenda, the director of Danzhou Citys Department of Marine and Fisheries, was quoted as saying that the Ocean Flower Island project was a key project in Hainan Province and the procedures for use of the sea area have been approved by the central government. There is no problem with the procedures.

However, it was later revealed that the Danzhou Municipal government and the Marine department approved the project illegally by splitting it into parts. They divided the reclamation project into 36 sub-projects each comprising an area of less than 27 hectares (approximately 67 acres), and approved 18 sub-projects within one day on Jan. 21, 2013 and another 18 sub-projects also within one day, on July 4, 2013.

Violating Regulations

Ever since the high-profile reporting on Evergrandes Ocean Flower Island on China Central Television and in several dozen paper media in November 2015, reports of Evergrandes violations of regulations in building the island have appeared online and in the press.

The illegal operations began with the initial reclamation work. CaiXin Weekly, a Chinese magazine, revealed in its 29th issue in 2017 that Evergrande Group had started reclamation work before obtaining permission to use the sea. On March 25 and Aug. 30, 2013, Ocean Flower Island was granted the certificate and number of sea use rights by Chinas State Oceanic Administration. But several local residents said they had witnessed the start of the reclamation project as early as 2012, which is consistent with the construction date disclosed in the news by the Tianjin Waterway Bureau Co., Ltd., the first company to enter Ocean Flower Island.

Ocean Flower Island remained a key project promoted by Hainan authorities between 2016 and 2020. But according to the official report, the 783-hectare (about 1,824 acres) reclamation of Ocean Flower Island has damaged the marine environment with extensive coral reefs and white butterfly shells destroyed by the construction of the project. In 2017, the Central Environmental Protection Inspection Team described the island as making fortunes, destroying the ecology and recommended that Hainan Province make ecological repairs. However, Evergrande settled and continued the construction with a penalty of 215 million yuan (about $34.4 million).

But now the planning permit for the 39 buildings, which have a floor area of 43,500 square meters (468,230 sq. ft.), has been revoked. Citing violation of Article 40 of Chinas Urban and Rural Planning Law, Evergrande was ordered by the Danzhou Municipal Comprehensive Administrative Law Enforcement Bureau to tear down the buildings.

Previous Violations

This is not the first time Evergrandes Ocean Flower Island has been asked to demolish existing projects. On Oct. 24, 2020, Chinas Department of Ecology and Environment announced their second round of the Ecological Protection and Rectification Plan in Hainan Province.

According to the Rectification Plan, the first round of inspections had made it clear that Evergrandes illegal construction projects within the sea area should be stopped and resumed only after the required rectification was in place. However, Evergrandes subsidiary Ocean Flower Island Company failed to comply with requirements. By July 2019, it had built four culvert pipe bridges in violation of regulations, and formed an illegal area of 369 hectares (approximately 912 acres) of sea.

The Plan also said that although Danzhou City punished the company from August 2017 to June 2018 for illegal activities such as construction without approval, it allowed the company to continue its construction work. Regarding its use of land, slated for tourism infrastructure, for real estate development, Hainan Province asked Danzhou City to adjust and optimize the construction plan, but the planning had not been approved by the time of inspection. The company continued to build 39 new residential buildings on Ocean Flower Island in 2018, while the Danzhou Citys Ecological Environment Department was providing it with additional Environmental Impact Assessment procedures.

The Rectification Plan called for removal of the four culvert pipe bridges, restoration of the public sea properties, disposal of 39 residential buildings, regulation and implementation of ecological restoration, and elimination of safety hazards on the island.

According to an official notice issued in November 2021, the #3 and #4 culvert pipe bridges of the Ocean Flower Island project were demolished and other demolition work was in progress.

Zhang Qi, a former member of the Standing Committee of the Chinese Communist Partys (CCP) Hainan Provincial Committee and former secretary of the CCP Haikou Municipal Committee, was sentenced to life in prison for taking bribes, and all his personal assets were confiscated by the Guangzhou Intermediate Court on Dec. 3, 2020. The court found that during his various positionstenure as Vice Mayor of Sanya, Deputy Secretary of the Sanya Municipal Committee, Deputy Secretary of the Danzhou Municipal Committee, Mayor of Danzhou City, and Secretary of the Danzhou Municipal CommitteeZhang provided assistance to various individuals and companies in matters such as land development, project contracting, and project advancement, in exchange for property totaling more than RMB 107 million (approximately $17.12 million).

Collusion Between Government and Business

Ocean Flower Island is a typical example of collusion between government and business under the CCPs rule, Li Yuanhua, former associate professor at the College of Education and Science of Capital Normal University, told The Epoch Times on Jan. 6. The fact that the project was approved in the first place shows that some administrative departments were turning a blind eye. Why is this being brought up now? This is related to the power struggle within the CCP. Evergrandes days are over.

Li said that Evergrande wasnt part of Xi Jinpings faction to begin with, and now it has lost its political supporters. Some of the high-level backers have stepped down or were sent to prison, so bribes are no longer possible.

Commenting on the 10-day deadline to demolish 39 buildings, Li said: The CCP is just a brutal rogue. The CCPs cruel officials consider persecution of others as acts of boldness in their jobs.

When Evergrande had money and support, it might have offended some people, Li said. Its also possible that some didnt receive any benefits, and now these people are handling Evergrande without any fear.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams, behind podium, gives a press conference at the site of the Jan. 9, 2022 five-alarm fire in the Bronx, New York on Jan. 10, 2022. Bronx borough president Vanessa Gibson looks on. (Dave Paone/The Epoch Times)

New York City Officials Promise Support for Schools Affected by Horror Fire

BRONX, NYThe day after a five-alarm fire severely damaged an apartment building in the Fordham section of the Bronx, New York City Mayor Eric Adams (D), as well as several other officials, held a press conference at the site for both the media and the residents of the area.

Adams noted the medical examiner modified the number of casualties to 17 deceased (nine adults and eight children). The original number was reported as 19.

The mayor called the situation an evolving crisis and an unspeakable tragedy and promised to share any new information he gets with the public and media.

Adams said he and New York City Schools Chancellor, David C. Banks, visited every school in the area where the childrenour young scholarslost their lives, earlier in the morning. He said they sat down with principals and teachers and had a private moment with them.

We will support these schools in every way possible in the coming months, he said.

Adams said he had received a call from President Joe Biden moments before.

He has made it clear that whatever we need, the White House is going to be there for us, Adams said.

The mayor praised the high level of heroism of first responders and hospital staff.

Banks spoke after Adams, saying how the two of them visited two traditional public schools and two charter schools, adding, I think its important to note that, because when it comes to moments like this, theres no separation between us.

Banks said he and the principals and teachers spoke about each child who died. And my heart broke, he said.

Many residents in the area are of Gambian heritage and The Gambias ambassador, who traveled from D.C., spoke next.

Newly elected Bronx borough president Vanessa L. Gibson (D) noted the tragedy occurred on her first week on the job, and sang the praises of the fire department.

But we know that in times of challenge, New Yorkers step up because thats just what we do, she said.

The aftermath of a five-alarm fire in an apartment building in the Bronx, New York, on Jan. 10, 2022. (Dave Paone/The Epoch Times)

Congressman Ritchie Torrez (D) said, The Bronx is no stranger to deadly fires and spoke of experiencing one firsthand a few years ago. He also spoke about possible, future legislation regarding fire safety in apartment buildings.

Several other officials spoke as well, including FDNY Commissioner Daniel Nigro, who said hes certain the fire started with a faulty, portable heater, although the investigation is ongoing.

While the fire was contained, he said it was the smoke that permeated the building that caused the deaths and injuries.

New York City firefighters watch the press conference in the Bronx, New York, at the site of a five-alarm, apartment building fire on Jan. 10, 2022. (Dave Paone/The Epoch Times)

A spokesperson from NYC Emergency Management predicted many of the apartments in the building will be able to be reoccupied as the week goes on.

We are going to get through this moment and were going to get through it together, said Adams.
Northern Territory Chief Minister Michael Gunner arrives at Kirribilli House to meet with Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison in Sydney, Australia on October 16, 2020 (Dan Himbrechts - Pool/Getty Images)

Close Contact Essential Workers in Northern Territory Now Able to Work

Australias Northern Territory government has introduced a new health direction that allows workers who are essential to the operation of critical frontline services to still work if they are a close contact of a COVID-19 case.

Issued on Monday, the direction means that employees such as healthcare, childcare, and supermarket workers who are deemed close contacts can front up to work as long as they are fully vaccinated and take a rapid antigen test (RAT) each day.

Northern Territory Chief Minister Michael Gunner said on Monday that as OMICRON spreads, managing COVID-19 includes making sure the Territorys essential services stay open and stay staffed.

This comes after daily COVID-19 cases in the Territory hit a peak of 594 on Saturday, and the high number of close contacts has meant staff shortages across multiple businesses and services, which has affected business in the state, with bare supermarket shelves becoming a common sight.

Gunner said the new measure had been introduced so that critical frontline staff could continue to perform their essential duties.

A childcare worker who is a close contact but not symptomatic can continue working while wearing a mask and keep getting tested if they are necessary to keep that childcare centre open, he said.

A close-contact supermarket worker can keep working while testing negative and being asymptomatic so long as they are wearing their mask and staying away from common areas like break rooms.

Gunner reiterated that the direction only applies to essential workers who are needed to keep that place functioning.

Meanwhile, Shadow Health Minister Bill Yan pointed out in a social media post that essential workers are not required to go to work if they are close contacts in isolation, but can choose to.

Australian Medical Association NT President Dr Robert Parker welcomed the measure, saying it was necessary to achieve a balance.

There needs to be a balance struck between a safe society and making society work, he told the Epoch Times on Tuesday.

People need to obtain food and services.

Meanwhile, as the lockout for unvaccinated residents ended on Monday, the Territory Government introduced a new vaccine pass which will require people to show proof of vaccination when entering certain venues considered to be high-risk.

These venues include pubs, clubs, casinos, restaurants with a liquor licence, cinemas, theatres, and ticketed events for more than 500 people in urban centres or more than 100 people in non-urban centres.

The vaccine pass consists of a vaccine certificate linked to the Territory check-in app.

For unvaccinated residents, these venues will be off-limits.

Gunner also tried to redirect the residents of the Northern Territory response about the new mandates away from the hospitality staff who are enforcing the orders, saying that the blame should be placed on him, not them.

Its not our hospitality venues that are responsible for this law. We are, Gunner said.

Dont blame them; blame me.
Andrew Scheer Launches Petition to Defund CBC

Conservative MP Andrew Scheer has launched a petition to defund Canadas public broadcaster, citing concerns about CBC News radical left-wing content and its impact on the countrys media landscape.

More and more Canadians are fed up with the CBCs radical left-wing agenda, the petition website says.

There are also concerns that CBCs online news presence is undermining the viability of Canadian print and online media, reducing the diversity of voices available to Canadians.

Scheer noted in his petition that CBC receives $1.5 billion in annual Canadian taxpayer money, despite CBC television being watched by less than 3.9 percent of Canadians and CBC News broadcasts attracting less than 1 percent of Canadians.

Scheers petition has accrued over 3,800 signatories as of the publishing of this article.

The petition comes after the recent resignation of CBC producer Tara Henley, who accused the public broadcaster of declining journalistic standards.

The news broadcaster embodies some of the worst trends in mainstream media, she wrote on Jan. 3 on Substack, an online newsletter platform increasingly popular with writers who seek greater independence.

In a short period of time, the CBC went from being a trusted source of news to churning out clickbait that reads like a parody of the student press, Henley said in her article titled Speaking Freely.

She also said that working at CBC News in the current climate is tantamount to embrac[ing] cognitive dissonance and to abandon journalistic integrity.

It is to sign on, enthusiastically, to a radical political agenda that originated on Ivy League campuses in the United States and spread through American social media platforms that monetize outrage and stoke societal divisions, Henley wrote.

It is to pretend that the woke worldview is near universaleven if it is far from popular with those you know, and speak to, and interview, and read.

Henley said good journalism cannot be done under this context, which she says is to capitulate to certainty, to shut down critical thinking, to stamp out curiosity. To keep ones mouth shut, to not ask questions, to not rock the boat.

Following Henleys remarks about her resignation, Conservative Leader Erin OToole said on Twitter that he would love to sit down and start a conversation with her on how to fix the CBC.

The state broadcaster model is broken and getting worse. Even longtime CBC employees are starting to speak out on this. Ill start by cancelling the $675 million Trudeau increase and by reviewing its mandate for the digital age, OToole later wrote on social media.

In the 2020 Conservative leadership race, OToole had promised to defund CBC Newsreducing it to radio and French-language services, and cut funding for CBC English TV by 50 percent.

He called for a modernization of the CBC News during an interview with the Canadian public broadcaster prior to the election, which he said was deleted by the corporation.

The ratings show that very few Canadians watch CBC. And so why should 100 percent of taxpayers subsidize it? OToole said. So it should be more of a public broadcaster model, with less commercials, less competition.
A person holds a photo of late Haitian President Jovenel Moise during his memorial ceremony at the National Pantheon Museum in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on July 20, 2021. (Matias Delacroix/AP Photo)

Dominican Agents Detain Haiti Presidential Slaying Suspect

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican RepublicAuthorities in the Dominican Republic told The Associated Press on Monday that they have detained a key suspect in the killing of Haitis president with help from the U.S. government.

An official not allowed to speak publicly about the case said Rodolphe Jaar was being handled as a U.S. prisoner and was arrested under instruction by U.S. authorities.

The official said Jaar was arrested Friday when he tried to enter the Dominican Republic, which shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti.

Jaar has not been formally charged. It wasnt immediately clear if he had an attorney or would be extradited to another country.

U.S. officials declined to comment, saying the investigation is continuing. Haitian authorities could not be reached for comment.

The Dominican Republics Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it was waiting for authorization to speak on the case.

Jaars arrest came just days after Mario Antonio Palacios Palacios, who is one of the main suspects in the July 7 slaying of President Jovenel Moise, was extradited to the United States to face U.S. charges in the case.

Palacios, a 43-year-old former Colombian soldier, is charged with conspiracy to commit murder or kidnapping outside the United States and with providing material support resulting in death, knowing or intending that such material support would be used to prepare for or carry out the conspiracy to kill or kidnap. He was detained in Jamaica in October.

Jaar is one of more than 40 suspects held in the case. He was born in Haiti and has a college degree in business administration, according to court records. He is not a U.S. citizen.

Jaar was indicted in 2013 in federal court in South Florida on charges of conspiring to smuggle cocaine from Colombia and Venezuela through Haiti to the U.S. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to nearly four years in prison, according to court records.

At Jaars 2015 sentencing hearing, his lawyer told the court that Jaar had been a confidential source for the U.S. government for several years before his indictment. Jaar also agreed to cooperate with federal authorities and asked for a lighter sentence, saying he had a wife, 1-year-old child and elderly parents.

On Saturday, Claude Joseph, who briefly served as Haitis interim prime minister following the presidents assassination, tweeted that more arrests were pending. He accused Haitian authorities of not investigating the case in an attempt to thwart justice but praised the international community.

The international cooperation we have always been asking for is becoming more active every day. The crusade will not stop, he wrote.

By Martin Adames
Equality in Servitude: From Citizen Competence to Therapeutic Despotism

Commentary

A dozen or so years ago, I took temporary leave from Georgetown University and moved to Iraq for two years to preside over The American University of Iraq-Sulaimani. Some of the young men and women enrolled in our fledgling university carried the double burden of having survived both the American invasion and the Kurdish Civil War that had occurred 20 years earlier. To give a sense of the difficulties the university had to contend with, we found it necessary to develop a scholarship categoryAnfal studentsfor those whose parents had been gassed to death by Saddam Husseins cousin, nicknamed Chemical Ali, during the Kurdish genocide in Halabja and elsewhere. More than 175,000 Kurds died in that offensive, whose name, Anfal, means the spoils of war. Those who died in Halabja convulsed, fell to the ground, and choked in their own green vomit before succumbing. In America, we talk of hardship students. Few have experienced trauma of the kind our students in Iraq endured.

Teachers at the American University of Iraq were of two sorts. There were those who sympathetically said to their students: We dimly understand what you have been through, but the only way we can help you is by upholding high standards, so that you can develop the competence you will need to live well. And there were others whose guilt about the American invasion and its consequences was all-consuming. For these teachers, the development of student competence was of secondary importance. What mattered was that they be merciful and empathetic toward their students, who were, after all, innocent victims. These teachers did not require that their students hand in their work on time, or at all. They ignored cheating. An inordinate amount of their time was spent making tearful pleas, in the hope that administrators would be lenient when student grades fell below the level required to retain scholarships.

Iraq had its divisions, and the American University of Iraq had them, too. One faction consisted of tough-love teachers and their hungry students; the other consisted of teachers and students who were co-dependent on one another. The teachers in this latter group declared that their students could not succeed without softened standards, and their students depended on these softened standards, not hard work, to get the passing grades they needed. Imagine how these teachers would have responded if their co-dependent students came to class one morning and said: Your tears on our behalf do us no good. We can and must succeed without your help. Regardless of what has befallen us, we are not innocent victims. Our dignity is not measured by what we have suffered, but by how we will respond to it. Suffering is not an argument against standards. Treating us as innocent victims may bring meaning to your life, and it pays you well. But you may not purchase meaning in your life at the expense of our lives becoming whole, and decent, and good, which can only happen if we rise above our afflictions.

When competence is your goal, neither guilt nor victimhood should have a place. Standards and goals must be respected and maintained. When the co-dependency of guilt and victimhood metastasize in your university, you ask of your students something anathema to educationthat each day they deepen their awareness of their own victimhood, and that they pay ever more tuition to the army of mental health administrators and woke professors who fatten off of their misery. Seek to produce competent students, and you honor your commitment to higher education; seek to produce innocent victims, and you transform your university into an institution of higher infantilizationan exercise in therapeutic redemption, not education. We, the Board Directors of this once-hallowed university, certify that you were admitted, not because of your grades or SAT scores, which are racist, but because you saw yourself as an innocent victim or knew what sort of social-justice-genuflecting would be necessary if you were not; and we certify that you graduated not more competent but more righteous than when you arrived. Now go forth and subdue the earth, enchained by your student debt and your frailty.

Today, not only our universities, but indeed in the whole of America, we are engaged in a fateful struggle that revolves around the answer to one question: Does our nation go forward committed to what, in American Awakening (Encounter Books, 2020), I have called the politics of competence, or to the identity politics of innocence, whose false promise of justice has captivated fully half of the American population? Through the identity politics of innocence, we will amplify misery, division, and strife. Through the politics of competence, we will build a world together that we can scarcely imagine. These are our two alternatives. They sit like a devil on one shoulder and an angel on the other, bidding us to choose. The choice cannot be evaded.

Set aside for a moment the identity politics of innocence. What does citizen competence look like, and how does it develop? Let us imagine two distinct futures, each of which have equality as their watchword. One is based on equality in freedom; the other is based on equality in servitude. These were the alternatives Alexis de Tocqueville laid out with depth and eloquence in Democracy in America (1835). Because his prophetic anticipation of the future is unrivaled, it is worth revisiting his thinking today. Equality in freedom rests on the firm foundation of competence. The carpenter or stone mason with weathered hands who assures the nervous homeowner that a challenging project can be done well, and on time; the hardware employee who knows the content and use of everything in every aisle of his store; the professor who, without notes, speaks simply and beautifully about difficult ideas he has wrestled with for decades; the nurse whose gentle yet firm bedside manner has been earned through years of trial, and which can never be rendered in a how-to manual; the mother whose saint-like patience and strength radiate outward for all to see; the pastor, priest, or rabbi whose elegant and comforting words reveal a depth of spirit that cannot be taught but only witnessedthese examples of competence and millions more that are each day acted out in America are what make equality in freedom possible. Equality, because citizens are equally respectful of all men and women with useful and noble competences; and freedom, because the tasks of government can only remain modest, and the arena for freedom expansive, when competent citizens care for themselves, for their neighbors, and for the world they share.

Contrast this healthy, life-giving, confidence-inspiring arrangement with what Tocqueville called an equality in servitude. Here, citizens are indeed equalnot because of the plurality of their competencies, but because they are all equally incompetent and co-dependent on the state and its agents for help. How does this infantilized, co-dependent form of equality arise? Tocquevilles account in 1835 stands firm nearly two centuries later: to destroy citizen-competence, the mediating institutions through which it is formedfamilies, churches and synagogues, civil associations, along with our commercial and educational institutionsmust be relentlessly undermined. As they are hobbled and citizen competence wanes, the state confidently steps up and declares that it must intervene. This has been the central argument of Progressivism for over a century. Expert competence and guidance, not citizen competence, would fulfill The Promise of American Life, to cite the title of Herbert Crolys 1909 classic statement of the idea. Implementing it has inaugurated a vicious cycle of cause and effect, which has yielded not an efficient national government but ever-more expansive and expensive government programs that diminish citizen competence and infantilize every group they touch.

Dont the examples of our indigenous American Indians and a shamefully large swath of black America since the onset of the so-called Great Society Program in 1963 show that the best way to produce permanent co-dependency is for the state to overrun the mediating institutions through which citizen competence is developed? Systematic racism does not afflict our nation; the systematic undermining of the mediating institutions of our most vulnerable citizens by the state does. Such heavy-handed paternalism is the bigotry of soft expectations, as the late Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan called it.

What about the identity politics of innocence? How does it undermine the politics of competence? Confusion abounds about the lefts contemporary political project. The identity politics of innocence is not Progressive; nor is it Marxist. It is not Progressive, because it seeks to overthrow the criteria of competence itself; it is not Marxist, because instead of providing a secular version of Christianity, in which the sufferings of history are brought to a triumphant end through revolution, identity politics appropriates from Christianity the claim that sin must be paid for by a sacrifice, by a scapegoat. For Christians, Christ is the divine scapegoat who, through His death, takes away the sins of the world (John 1:29). For the identity politics left today, the scapegoat is the white heterosexual male. Scapegoat him, purge him from the body social, and the world will heal. Not surprisingly, every major action item of the Democratic Party today (and the left more broadly) is traceable to the supposed toxicity that the white heterosexual male has wrought. The lefts pushback against national borders; its insistence that fundamental political and economic transformations are necessary to address climate change; its disgust with dirty fossil fuels; its demand for wealth redistribution; and its resolve that every mediating institution in which citizens gather must be altered so as to become inclusiveall of these have at their root the supposition that the nation-state, market commerce, the petrochemicals that fuel it, the conventional generative family, our civic institutions, and our religious institutions are unclean or obsolete because of the hand that white, heterosexual man has had in building and maintaining them. This Manicheanism, this perverse art of demonization, is hardly inclusive.

The dangerous delusion of the left today, which will eventually culminate in violenceas every revolutionary attempt to purify and heal the world always doesis that sin is someone elses problem, not ones own, as Christianity claims. This utter lack of self-reflection, of narcissistic indulgence that takes the form of projecting the darkness that resides in every human heart onto just one group of people, is a pathology that we can only hope will be analyzed in depth after the violence it will justify abates. Shortly after World War II, researchers went looking for the authoritarian personality, in the hope that by discovering its roots, bloodshed of the sort that the war brought could be averted in the future. I suspect that in the next several decades, researchers will look for the roots of the identity politics personality with similar hope.

Identity politics in its many guiseswokeness, cancel culture, the frenzied quest for social justice, DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion), critical race theory, and so onshare in common the view that identity is about more than the kind you are. Identity politics is a claim about the relative purity of one kind in relationship to another kind. If you are a white, heterosexual man, for example, you receive zero innocence points on your Intersectional score-card. You are the prime transgressor, in principle beyond redemption. All others stand in a peculiar relationship to you and receive innocence points in proportion as they can establish their distance from you, the common object of their revulsion.

If you are a woman, you receive one innocence point. Wasnt it the lesson of Bret Kavanaughs September 2018 Senate confirmation hearing that, facts aside, every man really is a rapist, deny it though he may? If you are black, you receive two innocence points. It does not matter that the claim that America is systemically racist is unprovable, or that white-on-black violence is annually dwarfed by black-on-black violence. George Floyds death is not the exception to the rule; the exception is the rule. If you are gay or lesbian, you receive innocence points as well, though it is not always clear how many. That black comedians who in the past have told gay jokes get cancelled, as Kevin Hart was for the February 2018 Academy Awards, suggests the pecking order.

A person holds a transgender pride flag in a file photograph. (Angela Weiss/AFP/Getty Images)

Today, a fourth distinct group of innocent victims has emerged: the transgendered. Consequently, the term of derogation, heterosexual, once leveled at white men to cast light on the innocence of gays and lesbians, will no longer do. To indicate an even greater depravity that white men possess, and to highlight transgender innocence, the toxicity of the white man is being recast before our eyes: his toxicity now consists in being heteronormative, an abstraction with no clear meaning. His irredeemable transgression? He believes (as many gays and lesbians also do) that man and woman are natural categories, not to be trifled with. Adherents of identity politics believe otherwise. The idea of an enduring human nature is the enemy to be rooted out and discredited.

How this barbaric accounting system of identity politicswhich, like slavery, evaluates human beings as if they were cuts of meat to be prized or discardedends, no one can say. In the interim, many Americans are spending a growing portion of their day anxiously determining what cut of meat they are, and how they might be prized if on the (white) face of things they do not make the cut. Their competence increasingly counts for nothing, and they know it. This is not a recent development, of course; our elites began outsourcing the making of things to other countries decades ago. (Today, we cant even repair many of the things we import. When broken, our things are ground up or shipped whole back to China on diesel-fired freighters to be melted down in massive coal-fired smelters for yet more products we cannot fix.) Identity politics completes the destruction of competence that outsourcing began. We have reached the End of Days. Because there is nothing left for us to build together, developing competence has become an anachronistic aspiration. What alone matters now is your innocence or guilt, defined by surreal ideological categories.

This grim picture is not yet complete. That every day, across this extraordinary country, we privilege innocent victimhood over hard-won competence is a national catastrophe, for which we will pay dearly. Beyond these daily delusional choices being made to wreck our country lays the deepest of questions: Is Americaindeed, is the West as a wholesuffering a crisis of guilt for which the only solution is the nihilistic destruction of its civilization? Not long ago, Christianity gave Western man a way to address his guiltthrough repentance, forgiveness, and atonement. He could live for the future in hope because his guilt about his past behavior could be lifted. Today we feel the ever-increasing burden of guilt that identity politics piles on but see no way to lift its weight from our shoulders.

The officiants of identity politics do, however, offer absolution. For the burden of our guilt to be lifted, they merely require that we sacrifice our nation and every mediating institution through which we develop competence and live in freedom. Your nation is tarnished by its past; so, too, is your heteronormative family and your homophobic church. Your civic institutions are systemically racist, as are your educational institutions, and your corporations. For your burden of guilt to be lifted, you must fully renounce them, as Christians once fully renounced Satan in order to be baptized into the communion of saints. This a bleak world without hope or redemption, a world where self-loathing is the reigning principle.

In America today, millions have made this compact already with identity politics. They need absolution, and identity politics, unlike Progressivism and Marxism, promises to give it. They will do anything to free themselves of guilteven destroy the institutions and ideas of their civilization. They will do anything, that is, except return to the transcendent God, who alone can lift their burden.

From RealClearWire

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
European Parliament President David Sassoli is seen before a plenary session in Brussels on May 27, 2020. (Johanna Geron/Reuters)

European Parliament President David Sassoli Dead at 65: Spokesperson

European Parliament President David Maria Sassoli has died at the age of 65, his spokesperson announced on Tuesday.

Sassoli, an Italian Social Democrat, former journalist, and television news anchor from Florence, died at 1:15 a.m. local time, his spokesperson, Roberto Cuillo, said on Twitter.

The @EP_President David Sassoli passed away at 1.15 am on 11 January at the CRO in Aviano (PN), Italy, where he was hospitalized, Cuillo said. The date and place of the funeral will be communicated in the next few hours. Cuillo did not give details regarding the circumstances of Sassolis death.

Sassoli, who has previously been treated for leukemia, has been hospitalized multiple times since September due to serious health issues, including pneumonia.

Due to his ongoing health problems, he has been unable to chair the Strasbourg-based parliament in recent weeks and did not attend the European Commissions annual state of the union event, where he was set to deliver a speech, in September.

On Monday, his office said he had most recently been in hospital since Dec. 26 because of a serious complication due to a dysfunction of the immune system. As a result, all of his official activities were again canceled.

Born in Florence on May 30, 1956, Sassoli began his career working as a journalist at small newspapers and news agencies, before moving to the editorial office of the Italian-language national daily newspaper Il Giorno in Rome, where he worked for seven years.

In 1992, he began working as a television news reporter and correspondent for the Italian state-owned TV channel TeleGiornale 3 (TG3) where he also worked on news programs on Rai Uno and Rai Due before joining the editorial staff of TG1 seven years later as a special correspondent.

Over the next 10 years, Sassoli became a household name covering major national and international events and in 2007, he became deputy director of TG1.

On June 7, 2009, he was elected to the European Parliament as a member for central Italy before being reelected again in 2014, as well as being elected vice-president of the European Parliament, where he was responsible for Mediterranean policy, the budget, and buildings.

Sassoli began his third term as a member of the European Parliament in May 2019 and was elected president of the 705-member Parliament on July 3, replacing outgoing president Antonio Tajani.

In an interview with POLITICO at the time, Sassoli admitted he was surprised at being the last-minute choice for the Parliament presidency, where he faced stiff competition from Sergei Stanishev, a Bulgarian who was the president of the Party of European Socialists.

It happened at the very last minute, Sassoli said. I wasnt on the EU leaders list, I am not a product of the Council. I am the product of a conclusion pro-European groups of the Parliament have reached.

Stanishev on Tuesday reposted a Twitter post from the Party of European Socialists that reads: Shocked and terribly saddened by the death of EP president David #Sassoli, a generous, good man who fought for the European project until the end. Our thoughts are with his family. He will be very much missed.

In his inaugural speech, Sassoli had urged Europeans to counter the virus of extreme nationalism and called for a reform of EU rules on migration and political asylum.

In these months, too many people have fueled divisions and conflicts that we thought were a sad reminder of our history. Instead, the citizens have shown that they still believe in this extraordinary path, the only one capable of providing answers to the global challenges before us, Sassoli said.

We must have the strength to relaunch our integration process, changing our Union so to be able to respond more strongly to the needs of our citizens and give real answers to their concerns, to their increasingly widespread sense of loss, he said.

His death comes just days before the end of his term as president. The European Parliament is due to elect his successor in Strasbourg next week.
Paramedics and healthcare workers transfer a patient in Toronto on April 28, 2021. (Cole Burston/AFP Via Getty Images)

From Ambulance Delays to Transit Disruptions, COVID-19 Absences Hit Canadas Public Services

From delayed ambulances to police shortages, Canadian public agencies hit hard by COVID-19 worker absences have cut back on service, rearranged staff or warned the public that emergency responses may be disrupted.

Over the weekend, paramedics in Toronto, Canadas largest city, said there were briefly no ambulances available to respond to emergencies. The city said about 12.8 percent of its essential and critical services staff were off due to COVID-19 as of Monday.

It is not unusual for ambulances to be tied up at any moment, city spokesperson Brad Ross said. But with workers sidelined by COVID-19 and stretched hospitals delaying ambulance offloading, it was becoming more common.

Low-priority calls may be put off and some will go to the fire department, he said.

Like much of the rest of the world, Canada is swamped by the fast-spreading Omicron variant. Earlier this month Canada broke its previous one-day record for the highest number of people hospitalized with COVID-19, at more than 4,100 nationally.

Ontario regional transit operator Metrolinx cut its service by 15 percent as 2030 percent of its staff were off work due to COVID-19, spokesperson Anne Marie Aikins said.

About 9 percent of Winnipeg Police Service staff were on leave due to COVID-19, and the police service said it had reallocated officers from specialized units such as gang enforcement to street patrol.

The Atlantic city of Halifax cancelled bus and ferry trips due to COVID-19 absences.

By Anna Mehler Paperny and Rod Nickel
ATHENS, GreeceIts only the size of a shoebox, carved with the broken-off foot of an ancient Greek goddess.

But Greece hopes the 2,500-year-old marble fragment, which arrived Monday on loan from an Italian museum, may help resolve one of the worlds thorniest cultural heritage disputes and lead to the reunification in Athens of all surviving Parthenon Sculpturesmany of which are in The British Museum.

A conservator stands next to a Parthenon fragment, on loan from the Antonino Salinas Regional Archaeological Museum of Palermo, at the Parthenon Gallery of the Acropolis Museum, in Athens, on Jan. 10, 2022. (Thanassis Stavrakis/AP Photo)

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said the Sicilian museums gesture opens the way, I believe, for other museums to be able to move in a similar direction.

The fragment was part of a 520-foot frieze that ran around the outer walls of the Parthenon Temple on the Acropolis, dedicated to Athena, goddess of wisdom. Much was lost in a 17th-century bombardment, and about half the remaining works were removed in the early 19th century by a British diplomat, Lord Elgin. They ended up in The British Museum, which has repeatedly rebuffed Greek demands for their return.

Officially, Sicilys A. Salinas Archaeological Museum is only lending the foot of Artemis, goddess of the hunt, to Greece for a maximum of eight years. But the ultimate aim, Italian and Greek officials say, is its indefinite return to Athens. In exchange, Greece will loan significant antiquities to Italy.

The solution we found proves that, where there is will among museums and the cultural authorities of two countries, there can be a mutually acceptable solution, Mitsotakis said during a ceremony at the Acropolis Museum, where Greeces surviving sections of the frieze are inset among casts of those in London.

Artemiss foot will snuggle in like a missing jigsaw piece between two original fragments and a copy of a larger section now in London.

Successive Greek governments have lobbied for the return of The British Museums share of the works, which include statues from the Parthenons pedimentsthe all-marble buildings gables. They argue that Elgin illegally sawed off the sculptures, exceeding the terms of a questionable permit granted by Turkish authorities while Greece was a part of the Ottoman Empire.

People visit the Acropolis Museum, with the ancient Parthenon temple in the background, in Athens, on Jan. 10, 2022. (Thanassis Stavrakis/AP Photo)

The British Museum rejects that stance anddespite indications that public opinion in the U.K. favors the Greek demandhas shown no intention of permanently returning the works.

Mitsotakis raised the matter again in a meeting with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson in London in November. He said Monday he was encouraged by Johnson saying the British government wouldnt oppose a potential deal on the sculptures returnshould The British Museum and Greece reach one.

The Italian fragment, which measures 12 by 14 inches, was acquired under unknown circumstances by 19th-century British consul in Sicily Robert Fagan, and his widow sold it to the Sicilian museums precursor.

Acropolis Museum director Dimitris Pantermalis said the marble foot may have been dislodged from its place in 1687, when a mortar fired by besieging Venetian forces hit the Parthenon, which the Acropoliss Turkish garrison was using as a gunpowder store. But, he said, it was in better condition than other surviving frieze fragments.

In all other cases, the surface is slightly scratched, he said. Here it has the freshness of the original, and that makes us proud.

The Parthenon was built between 447432 B.C. and is considered the crowning work of classical architecture. Despite being successively used as a church and a mosque, it survived virtually intact until the Venetian siege.

The frieze depicted a procession in honor of Athena. Some small bits of itand other Parthenon sculpturesare in other European museums.

By Nicholas Paphitis
Hershey Office Workers Face Jab or Job Choice

No vaccinations are required for other employees

Office workers at The Hershey Company say that while they must be vaccinated or face job loss, employees working in food production and Chocolate World, the companys retail outlet stores, do not have a vaccination requirement.

The Pennsylvania snack company has continued food production operations throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Its retail stores are now fully open, but early in the pandemic, mitigation protocols were in place limiting the number of people in stores and scanning each patron for a fever.

Office workers worked from home and started returning to the office in June. They are required to get vaccinated for COVID-19. Those office workers who are not vaccinated will lose their jobs.

Hershey has not implemented a vaccination requirement for the rest of its employees. The Hershey Company did not respond to requests for comment on this story.

Several office workers, who did not want to be named as they are attempting to keep their jobs, have sought religious exemptions but were denied. They are willing to be tested regularly or to work from home as they had been doing.

The employer claims that granting an exemption presents an undue hardship to the employer, without giving a reason or data to support this claim other than Hersheys intent to have employees report to the office, Jeff Schott, a labor and civil rights attorney at the Scaringi Law Firm in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, wrote in a letter to the company on behalf of the employees. Absent detailed data or reasoning, it can only be assumed that the company purports to believe that the vaccinations are necessary to protect employees from the spread of the virus. Not only has it been well established that the vaccines do not do so, but the belief is contradicted by Hersheys own failure to implement and enforce the same mandate thus far on production workers and Chocolate World employees who have, unlike many of the office workers such as my clients, been unable to do any work from home and have been reporting to work side-by-side or directly with the public without the requirement and with no undue hardship to the company.

Hersheys online COVID mitigation updates clearly show employees have different rules.

For manufacturing facilities, Hershey describes this set of rules:

Our safety protocols include wearing masks, physical distancing and temperature checks when checking into work each day, in addition to adjusted work schedules and work teams to ensure employee safety, we are also encouraging our employees to follow the recommended and mandated guidelines outside of work, adhering to all government health and safety protocols. We are increasing our efforts to educate and encourage vaccination but are not requiring vaccination for our manufacturing team members at this time.

These enhanced protocols will not change for the foreseeable future, the companys website says.

Here are the rules for Hersheys corporate and commercial offices:

We believe we have an important role to play in helping bring an end to this pandemic and vaccination is one of the ways we are taking steps together. We are requiring proof of vaccination for U.S. corporate and commercial employees in line with the Department of Labors Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidelines. Taking these steps will get us to a place where we can use our offices for collaboration and connection and be together safely. Its important for our culture, our business agility and future growth.

Those who work in business-to-business sales and at the Hershey Chocolate World retail stores are encouraged but not required to get vaccinated.

Those office workers who asked for religious exemptions have been suspended and some of their job positions have been advertised as being open, Schott said.

The responses my clients have received to their exemption requests indicate that their requests were not given adequate individual consideration regarding the sincerity of their religious beliefs, and further claim an undue hardship on the company, Schott told The Epoch Times. They all received nearly identical responses and, in that other employees who worked side by side, or with the public are not required to be vaccinated, the companys claim is beyond absurd.

Hershey manufacturers many popular snack foods, including Kisses, Reeses Peanut Butter Cups, Kit Kat, Twizzlers, Jolly Rancher, Ice Breakers, Carefree, Breath Savers, chocolate syrup, baking cocoa, ice cream fudge, chocolate milk, Brookside, York Peppermint Patty, Almond Joy, Pay Day, Whatchamacallit, Skinny Pop popcorn, and more. The company recently announced its acquisition of Dots Pretzels and Pretzels Inc., a related pretzel manufacturer, for $1.2 billion.
An interior area of the Chinese PT.OSS power plant in Kendari, Indonesia, in 2021. (Courtesy of Xiao Yonghong)

Indonesia Resumes Coal Exports Amid Pressure From Philippines, Japan, South Korea to Lift Ban

The Indonesian government will gradually allow the resumption of coal shipments, with 14 vessels loaded with coal permitted to leave the port on Monday, a senior minister said, amid pressure from major buyers to revoke the countrys ban on coal exports.

Indonesia imposed a month-long ban on coal exports on Jan. 1, due to insufficient supply at domestic power plants, which raised concerns that it could lead to widespread blackouts.

Coal miners failed to meet the domestic market obligation (DMO) to sell 25 percent of their annual production to state-owned electricity company PLN at a maximum price of $70 per ton, which is well below market prices.

Coordinating Minister of Maritime and Investment Affairs, Luhut Pandjaitan, said the government will conduct a review on Wednesday in which if it decides to scrap the ban, it will do so gradually as it considers how the resumption affects compliance with the DMO policy.

As of today, after seeing a much better supply condition at PLN, 14 vessels that have already been fully loaded with coal and have been paid by the buyers, can be immediately released for export, Luhut said.

Luhut also noted that a new pricing structure will be established under the DMO to ensure that the PLN purchases coal at market prices.

The announcement came a week after some of its major buyers, particularly the Philippines, Japan, and South Korea, called on Indonesia to end the suspension of coal exports, citing the policys disruption on their economic activities.

The Philippines energy secretary Alfonso Cusi made an appeal to Indonesia on Jan. 6 to lift the ban specifically to the Philippines, Manilas Department of Energy said in a statement on Monday. Cusi made the appeal in a letter sent to Indonesias Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Arifin Tasrif.

In his letter, Cusi stated that the ban would be detrimental to economies that are heavily reliant on coal-fired power generation systems, including the Philippines, which sourced 2.3 million metric tons monthly from Indonesia to fuel its coal-fired power plant.

Japans embassy in Jakarta also requested Indonesias energy ministry to cancel the ban, citing a serious impact on Japans economic activities as well as peoples daily life, local reports stated.

South Koreas Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo held a virtual emergency meeting with his Indonesian counterpart Muhammad Lufti on Jan. 7 to call for the resumption of Indonesias coal exports and raise concerns about the policys economic impact, Yonhap News Agency reported, citing the Trade Ministry.

Reuters contributed to this report.
Initiative For Public to Vote on Laguna Beach Development Moving Forward

LAGUNA BEACH, Calif.A local activist group submitted enough signatures for a possible ballot initiative to the Laguna Beach City Clerks office Jan. 10, which could give residents a chance to approve major development projects in the coastal community.

We believe passage of this initiative will raise the bar to bring better projects to Laguna Beach, Chris Catsimanes, a board member for Laguna Residents First, a non-profit residents organization established in 2020, said in a statement. It will also encourage developers to consider residents concerns, leading to faster approvals of good projects.

Last year, the organization created the Beautiful Laguna Overlay Zoning District Ballot Initiative, a zoning measureif approvedthat would apply to some projects on Laguna Canyon or Pacific Coast Highwaythe only two major roads providing access to the city.

The groups goal with the ballot initiative, they said, is to preserve the towns heritage and charm.

David Raber, a principal officer for the residents organization said he believes Laguna Beach residents will vote for the initiative come this November.

There was a very positive response, to the initiative while out gathering signatures, Raber told The Epoch Times. I think people in town will take a careful look and approve the things that will improve Laguna and I think theyre also not going to look kindly on another cookie-cutter hotel.

The new potential law would put developers at the mercy of residentsa trend shaping other Southern California cities like Costa Mesa, Newport Beach, and Dana Point.

If approved, any development that exceeds the citys current 36-foot height limit, or spreads over 22,000 square feet, or increases traffic with 200 or more daily trips would be subject to a public vote.

Projects that provide less parking or combine large building lots will face residents approval, too.

Peter Blake, a Laguna Beach City Councilmember who opposes the initiative, said Laguna Beach already has a tough reputation for building new businesses or remodeling current establishmentsand the proposed law would only stifle the citys future growth.

The initiative has always been an attempt to usurp the will of the people via the ballot box, Blake told The Epoch Times. They act as if its only huge developments to collect signatures, but in reality, a restaurant could trigger a public vote.

Blake also said signature gatherers were disingenuous with information and have blown the issue of over-development out of proportion.

When you threaten people with the loss of their small-town community and all of their quaintness and charm, of course, youre going to get people to sign, he said.

A city study on the fiscal impact of the new rule, if passed, will be reviewed by the Laguna Beach City Council on Jan. 11.

Highlights from that report include the possibility that if approved the city would face a downturn in development due to a significant element of risk and uncertainty of projects and the city would lose approximately $2 million over five years from property taxes, sales taxes, and hotel taxes.

Volunteers collected approximately 2,600 registered voters signatures. The Orange County Registrar has until Feb. 23 to verify at least 2,000 as valid.

If verified, the issue will be decided by Laguna Beach voters in the November 2022 general election.
Insurers to Cover 8 At-Home COVID-19 Tests per Person Monthly: Biden Administration

Insurance companies and group health plans must cover the cost of over-the-counter, at-home rapid COVID-19 tests for people with private health coverage, starting Jan. 15, the Biden administration announced Monday.

The new coverage requirement means that most consumers with private health coverage can go online or to a pharmacy or store, buy a test, and either get it paid for up front by their health plan, or get reimbursed for the cost by submitting a claim to their plan, reads a statement from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). This requirement incentivizes insurers to cover these costs up front and ensures individuals do not need an order from their health care provider to access these tests for free.

Insurance companies and health plans must cover eight over-the-counter, at-home tests per month per person. That means a family of four, all on the same plan, would be able to get up to 32 of these tests covered by their health plan per month, according to the HHS statement.

There will be no limit on the number of tests, including at-home COVID-19 tests, that insurers or health plans must cover, if a health care provider orders or administers it after a clinical assessment, HHS stipulated.

Over-the-counter test purchases will be covered in the commercial market without the need for a health care providers order or individualized clinical assessment, and without any cost-sharing requirements such as deductibles, co-payments or coinsurance, prior authorization, or other medical management requirements, according to the department.

When plans and insurers make tests available for upfront coverage through preferred pharmacies or retailers, they are still required to reimburse tests purchased by consumers outside of that network, at a rate of up to $12 per individual test (or the cost of the test, if less than $12), it adds.

HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra said the latest move is in addition to the Biden administrations effort to purchase 500 million COVID-19 tests and send them to Americans who need them, free of charge. Initial contracts to kickstart the delivery of the tests are funded through taxpayer money as part of the American Rescue Plan Act that Biden signed into law in March 2021.

By requiring private health plans to cover peoples at-home tests, we are further expanding Americans ability to get tests for free when they need them, Becerra said in a statement on Monday.

When enquired about what incentives were offered or are being offered to insurers or health plans as part of the requirement, a spokesperson from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) told The Epoch Times that if the plan or insurer sets up a direct coverage program such that covered individuals can get their tests cost covered up front, then it is permitted to limit the reimbursement for tests purchased outside of the plan or insurers network to $12 per testor the actual price of the test, if less.

If the plan or insurer does not set up a process through which individuals can obtain test with no upfront costs, then the plan and insurer must reimburse in the full cost of the test, even if the test costs more than $12, the CMS spokesperson added.

Many commercially available at-home tests run about $12 or less per test.

The Biden administration in 2021 required state Medicaid and Childrens Health Insurance Program (CHIP) programs to cover all types of FDA-authorized COVID-19 tests, including at-home tests, without cost sharing.

Medicare pays for COVID-19 diagnostic tests performed by a laboratory, such as PCR and antigen tests, with no beneficiary cost sharing when the test is ordered by a physician, non-physician practitioner, pharmacist, or other authorized health care professional, according to HHS. People enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan should check with their plan to see if their plan offers coverage and payment for at-home over-the-counter COVID-19 tests.

The Biden administration has taken on other efforts to open up access to COVID-19 testing. HHS is providing up to 50 million free at-home tests to community health centers and Medicare-certified health clinics to distribute to patients at no cost to them. The department has also established more than 10,000 free pharmacy testing sites across the United States.

Editors note: This article has been updated with a statement from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida wearing a face mask delivers his policy speech at the start of an extraordinary session of the lower house of the parliament, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, in Tokyo, Japan, on Dec. 6, 2021. (Issei Kato/Reuters)

Japan Extends Entry Ban for Foreign Visitors Amid Rising Omicron Cases

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Tuesday said that the government will further extend its entry ban on foreign visitors until the end of February amid a surge in the countrys Omicron cases.

Japan has been suspending new arrivals of foreign visitors since Nov. 30, 2021, while returning local citizens and foreign residents are required to undergo quarantine in designated facilities.

The infection situations regarding Omicron are clearly different at home from abroad, so the framework [of the current border controls] will be maintained until the end of February, Kishida told reporters, Kyodo News reported.

The government has also set a daily limit for the number of people arriving in Japan at 3,500 to curb the spread of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) virus, commonly known as coronavirus.

However, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno stated that foreign residents returning from 11 high-risk countries where Omicron has been detected will now be allowed to re-enter Japan under humanitarian considerations.

Japan has detected a total of 1,191 Omicron cases as of Jan. 4, including 479 cases considered community transmissions. The country has seen a spike in the daily number of CCP virus cases, with 8,249 new cases reported on Jan. 9.

The government has placed three prefectures, including Okinawa, Yamaguchi, and Hiroshima, under a quasi-state of emergency until the end of January due to the increase in infections there.

Under the quasi-state of emergency, governors are allowed to impose stringent measures in the specified prefectures, such as shortening business hours and restricting the serving of alcohol in the prefectures.

Certified dining establishments are not subject to such restrictions during the quasi-emergency, but they will be asked to halt dine-in alcohol service amid the governments effort to curb the spread of the CCP virus.

Gov. Denny Tamaki said that Okinawa prefecture, host to the vast majority of U.S. military bases in Japan, has entered the sixth wave of the CCP virus. Okinawa had the most CCP virus cases among the other prefectures, with 1,533 new cases reported on Jan. 9.

Tamaki attributed the increase in CCP virus cases to the Omicron variant detected in multiple U.S. military bases in Japan and accused the U.S. forces of insufficient management.

The U.S. Forces Japan announced on Jan. 9 that the movement of U.S. military personnel outside base facilities will be restricted to essential activities for two weeks starting from Jan. 10 onwards.

It stated that all forces personnel are required to wear masks both on and off base, as well as when outside of their residences. They must also undergo coronavirus tests before and after arrival in Japan.

[The U.S. Forces Japan], in consultation with [the government of Japan], will continuously monitor the COVID-19 situation and make adjustments to these measures as necessary, it added.
Riot police officers patrol in a street in Almaty, Kazakhstan, on Jan. 5, 2022. (Abduaziz Madyarov/AFP via Getty Images)

Kazakhstan Detains Almost 10,000 Over Deadly Unrest

Security forces in Kazakhstan have detained 9,900 people regarding last weeks unrest, the interior ministry of the central Asian nation said on Tuesday.

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, who called the violence a coup attempt, nominated Alikhan Smailov for prime minister on Tuesday, and the lower house of parliament swiftly voted him in during a session broadcast live on state television.

Smailov, 49, served as first deputy prime minister in the previous cabinet which Tokayev dismissed last week amid violent unrest.

The oil-rich former Soviet republic says government buildings were attacked in several major cities after initially peaceful protests against hikes in the price of car fuel turned violent.

Tokayev has said Islamist militants from regional nations and Afghanistan, as well as the Middle East, were among the attackers.

He dismissed his cabinet amid the unrest, along with a number of security officials and detained on suspicion of treason the most senior among them, Karim Masimov, a former head of the national security committee.

Protesters attend a rally triggered by energy price hikes in Almaty, Kazakhstan, on Jan. 4, 2022. (Abduaziz Madyarov/AFP via Getty Images)

The demonstrations began on Jan. 2 over a near-doubling of prices for vehicle fuel and quickly spread across the country, with political slogans reflecting wider discontent with Kazakhstans authoritarian government.

In a concession, the government announced a 180-day price cap on vehicle fuel and a moratorium on utility rate increases. As the unrest mounted, the ministerial cabinet resigned and the president replaced Nursultan Nazarbayev, former longtime leader of Kazakhstan, as head of the National Security Council.

One of the main slogans of the past weeks protests, Old man out, was a reference to Nazarbayev, who served as president from Kazakhstans independence until he resigned in 2019 and anointed Tokayev as his successor. Nazarbayev had retained substantial power at the helm of the National Security Council.

Despite the concessions, the protests turned extremely violent for several days. In Almaty, Kazakhstans largest city, the protesters set the city hall on fire and stormed and briefly seized the airport. For several days, sporadic gunfire was reported in the city streets.

A burned-out administrative building is seen behind a fence in central Almaty, Kazakhstan on Jan. 6, 2022. (Alexandr Bogdanov/AFP via Getty Images)

The authorities declared a state of emergency over the unrest, and Tokayev requested help from the Collective Security Treaty Organization, a Russia-led military alliance of six former Soviet states. The group has authorized sending about 2,500 mostly Russian troops to Kazakhstan as peacekeepers.

Tokayev has said the demonstrations were instigated by terrorists with foreign backing, although the protests have shown no obvious leaders or organization. On Friday, he said he ordered police and the military to shoot to kill terrorists involved in the violence.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
An at-home COVID-19 nasal swab testing kit provided by the Los Angeles County Home Test Collection program, which provides test kits to county residents for free via mail, is seen in this file photo. The program was temporarily paused on Jan. 5, 2022. (Courtesy of County of Los Angeles)

LA County Restarts Take-Home COVID-19 Test Program

LOS ANGELESLos Angeles County reintroduced a take-home program for COVID-19 test kits Jan. 10 as a way to expand testing during the rapid surge in infections.

The county paused a similar delivery-only program a week earlier due to logistics of processing these kits, according to authorities.

The county Department of Health Services said the program is designed for residents unable to get appointments as the demand for tests increases during a dramatic upswing in infections due to the Omicron variant.

Residents will be able to pick up a PCR test kit at one of 13 testing sites without an appointment, complete the test on their own, and return the completed kit to one of several designated locations for processing.

Residents are expected to be notified of test resultswhich cover both COVID-19 and the fluwithin 2448 hours.

A test kit-by-mail program that was suspended last week due to lack of supplies is also expected to be restarted this week.

We look forward to reducing the waiting time to get tested for individuals unable to book an appointment, said Paula Siler, director of Community Mobile Testing Operations at the Department of Health Services.

Once all 13 pick-up testing locations are fully operating and once our home testing kit-by-mail program is simultaneously re-launched later this week, we will have successfully added over 10,000 additional daily COVID tests available to the residents of LA County.

The county has also increased the hours and days of operations for testing sites and added mobile testing units.

Supervisor Janice Hahn issued a statement Monday calling for the county to deploy disaster service workers and open up new testing sites at more locationsincluding county health clinics and librariesto meet the growing demand.

It is unacceptable how long our residents have had to wait or how far they have had to drive just to get tested for COVID-19 these past few weeks, Hahn said. LA County needs to treat this demand for testing with urgency. I am urging the county to deploy our disaster service workers and

calling on our Department of Health Services to set up testing sites at L.A. County Libraries and health clinics.

During earlier surges, the county pressed a wide range of employees into temporary service as emergency workers.

Sen. Alex Padilla said the federal government should be doing more.

Padilla joined Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Los Angeles) and more than 40 members of the House and Senate in sending a letter to President Joe Biden calling on the administration to ramp up the supply of rapid tests and remove financial and logistical barriers to access.

The rapid spread of the Omicron variant over the past weeks suggests that Americans are in a dramatically more vulnerable position than we had anticipated being just last month, the letter stated in part. There is no time to waste, and widespread and affordable access to rapid tests will be an integral part of our countrys public health response to the Omicron variant and through the duration of the pandemic.

The letter went on to suggest that free over-the-counter tests should be made available nationwide throughout the duration of the pandemic. It noted that some public health officials are calling for twice that number, or roughly 2.3 billion tests per month.

On Dec. 21, the Biden administration announced plans to purchase 500 million antigen, or rapid COVID-19 tests, and develop a system to distribute them nationwide at no cost.

Los Angeles Countys new take-home tests are intended for residents experiencing symptoms or who believe they have been exposed to someone with COVID-19. Supplies are limited, and tests are not intended for use by those testing as a requirement to return to school, work, or other activities.

Health officials said those individuals should seek testing from their employer, school district, or other entity requiring the test.

Information on locations for free pick-up testing kits is available at https://covid19.lacounty.gov/la-county-pick-up-testing-kit-program/,

About 260 testing sites vetted by the county are listed at covid19.lacounty.gov/testing/. All tests at those sites are offered for free, regardless of insurance coverage or immigration status.

Other testing sites located in Los Angeles County are run by private companies, have not been approved by county officials, and some charge for services.

Jack Bradley contributed to this report.
A registered nurse stirs a nasal swab in testing solution after administering a COVID-19 test at Sameday Testing on July 14, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)

LA County Officials Warn of Fake COVID-19 Tests, Identity Theft

LOS ANGELESLocal officials are warning of fraudulent COVID-19 tests online and at pop-up COVID-19 testing locations, as the demand for COVID-19 tests surges along with infections due to the Omicron variant.

Sellers of fake tests are also stealing patient data for purposes of identity theft, according to Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger.

The harder it is to find a testing site, the more individuals that are predators  are going out and doing illegal activity with kits that are not even accredited and stealing identities of patients, Barger said.

Volunteers hand out boxes of Covid-19 rapid antigen Lateral Flow Tests, in north east London on Jan. 3, 2022. (Tolga Akmen/AFP via Getty Images)

Barger asked county staff to come up with an enforcement plan for cracking down on fraudsters as well as an educational campaign to alert the public to the risk and point them to legitimate resources.

It is imperative that the board ensure residents can be confident that they are receiving an accurate and a legitimate test without risking their private information, Barger said, reading from her motion.

These (fraudulent sites) are popping up on street corners, she warned.

The Federal Trade Commission sent out an alert last week warning about fake tests online. The FTC cited the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in warning Americans that fake and unauthorized at-home testing kits are popping up online as opportunistic scammers take advantage of the spike in demand.

The FTC offered the following tips:

Check the FDAs lists of antigen diagnostic tests and molecular diagnostic tests before buying;

Conduct a web search for the sellers name or website along with scam, complaint, or review;

Compare online reviews from a wide variety of websites; and

Pay by credit card so that you can later dispute the charge if necessary.

California is also moving against price gougers taking advantage of the surging demand for test kits. Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an executive order, announced last weekend, that prohibits sellers from increasing prices on at-home test kits by more than 10 percent.

A report in response to Bargers motion is expected back in 30 days.
U.S. Rep. Ken Buck (R-Colo.) questions witnesses at a House Judiciary Committee hearing on police brutality and racial profiling in Washington on June 10, 2020. (Greg Nash-Pool/Getty Images)

US Tech Companies Should Not Assist Communist China: Lawmaker

Rep. Ken Buck (R-Colo.) said it is a serious issue that some American tech companies have chosen to please the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in order to do business in China.

I think it is really important that we recognize just how compromised these companies are, when they deal with foreign governments and try to enter foreign marketplaces, Buck said during a recent interview with NTD.

The lawmaker singled out Apple as an example, in particular over its decision to pull crowd-sourced app HKmap.live from its App Store in China.

The map app was popular among Hong Kong protesters to avoid direct confrontation with the Hong Kong Police during the anti-CCP, pro-democracy protest movement of 2019 and 2020. At that time, the citys police officers were heavily criticized for their violent handling of protesters and journalists.

When [Apple] did that, the protesters were at risk, Buck said. They were at risk for a totalitarian regime to crack down on free speech [and] on protesting something that in this country would consider vital to our democracy.

Hong Kongs protest movement is now largely over, first due to the spread of the CCP virus, the pathogen that causes COVID-19, and then Beijings implementation of a draconian national security law in the summer of 2020. The law punishes vaguely-defined crimes such as subversion with a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

Hong Kong Police arrested at least 10,265 individuals in connection to the protests as of July 31, 2021, according to data released by the Hong Kong government. Among them, 2,684 had been prosecuted at that time.

Aside from pulling the map app, Apple has also made other controversial decisions related to China in recent years, including moving some of its iCloud data to China-based servers and Apples CEO Tim Cook being named to become the chairman of an advisory board for Chinas Tsinghua University School of Economics and Management.

U.S. tech company Cisco Systems assisted Beijing to build its Internet censorship apparatus known as the Great Firewall.

Google also came under scrutiny for not renewing a Pentagon contract in 2018, but decided to cooperate with Tsinghua University over an artificial intelligence research body.

Former Attorney General William Barr voiced similar criticism against U.S. tech companies and Hollywood in July 2020, when he said they have allowed themselves to become pawns of Chinese influence.

For the sake of short-term profits, American companies have succumbed to [Chinese] influence, even at the expense of freedom and openness in the United States, Barr added.

Barr made the comment during a speech at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum Grand Rapids in Michigan.

Currently, Buck serves as the top Republican on the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust, Commercial, and Administrative Law. He also serves on the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, and Nonproliferation.

Buck also co-chairs a Republican-led Freedom from Big Tech Caucus.

Frank Fang journalist Follow Frank Fang is a Taiwan-based journalist. He covers news in China and Taiwan. He holds a master's degree in materials science from Tsinghua University in Taiwan.
Long-Time Democrat Liel Leibovitz Finds Himself Politically Homeless

Liel Leibovitz, a senior writer for Tablet Magazine and host of the Unorthodox podcast, told The Epoch Times that in the last few years he has found himself, politically homeless, falling out with his circle of people because he challenged their views.

Leibovitz is the author of the popular Tablet essay on this topic, The Turn: When I saw the left give up everything I believe in, I changed politically. You can, too.

The turn is the moment when you kind of begin to understand, a little bit like that movie The Matrix, that everything you assumed was the very fabric of reality, its not just politics, its the entirety of existence, may be called into question, Leibovitz told Jan Jekielek, host of EpochTVs American Thought Leaders program.

I grew up like so many people with this idea that if you were a good, decent human being, you are, of course, are on the left, said Leibovitz. And on the right, there were at best, people who only cared about money.

Leibovitz said that in his circles he felt he couldnt freely express himself and say things that are empirically true, for example, that the notion that there are only two genders, which is a notion that is confirmed by literally the biological makeup of every cell in your body, is not only dangerous but now wrong.

He began to realize that his allegiance to the left was misguided and that he did not agree with what they seemed to value or seemed to believe.

Once you start asking yourself wait a minute, what is it that you guys actually believe? What can I and can I not say? And look at what has actually become of so much of contemporary American sort of establishment democratic left of center politics, you figure out that none of it is true. You figure out that the party that hails itself as being the party of the working class supports this major oligopoly of corporations.

Because Leibovitz chose to voice disagreements with what his friends and family were saying, he lost many of those relationships.

Its breaking apart from family and friends and loved ones and feeling judged. This notion that you have to sit at the dinner party, and feel, for example, that you cant say that maybe burning stores and looting isnt the best way to demonstrate for social justice, said Leibovitz.

American Communist Party leader Gus Hall speaks at a press conference announcing the partys platform to be ratified at their New York City convention in February 1966. (Agence France Presse/Getty Images)

He likened the destruction of family and faith to the two key goals out of the 45 (pdf) that communists had explicitly stated in the 1960s.

It turns out that were still fighting the Cold War. And it turns out that the communists are winning, said Leibovitz, to know that the destruction of both the church and the traditional nuclear family were goals one and two, respectively  because thats where the real source of resistance to the sort of authoritarian dominance comes from.

The prevalence of technology and social media is further eroding peoples connections to one another and making it harder for them to relate as fellow humans, said Leibovitz.

And you see this, in the destruction of our ability to have a calm, sane talk about politics. You see this in the destruction of our ability to disagree politely with people who see the world a different way, Leibovitz said about people leading lives of isolation while being consumed by technology Were also becoming really dumb machines [only] capable of thinking A and B: Democrat or Republican, pro-Trump or Never Trump. Its so stupid.

Leibovitz experienced a lack of empathy from many of his university colleagues, as they warned him that his views were not welcomed.

If you dont have that basic human empathy, this connection to a person, because hes a person, because you love them, because you feel connected to them. And if you are no longer able to use that love and empathy to strike a real dialogue or feel the emotional exchange of not just ideas, but feelings between people, then I dont want to be a part of this camp.

Leibovitz urged people who are in the situation of being politically homeless to reflect on the cost of staying silent.

However, I think the thing to remind ourselves of is that there is no alternative. Because once you start lying to yourself, once you start saying, Well, I accept the fact that I now must pretend I can only say this, even though I know this to be completely untrue because otherwise they just cant go to this dinner party or cant keep this job  then something very profound and very human has already died inside of you, youve already paid a price. And the price is much, much, much higher than any one you could pay regardless. Sure dissidents suffer greatly, which is why we see so few of them. But they are free.

Jan Jekielek Senior Editor Follow Jan Jekielek is a senior editor with The Epoch Times and host of the show, "American Thought Leaders." Jans career has spanned academia, media, and international human rights work. In 2009 he joined The Epoch Times full time and has served in a variety of roles, including as website chief editor. He is the producer of the award-winning Holocaust documentary film "Finding Manny."
Longtime CNN Producer John Griffin Hit With Second Lawsuit After Arrest for Enticing Young Girls

John Griffin, the longtime producer for CNNs New Day fired in December over child trafficking allegations, has been hit with a $15 million civil lawsuit filed on behalf of a 9-year-old.

The lawsuit, filed in Bridgeport last week on behalf of a 9-year-old Jane Doe and custodial next best friend Janet Doe, alleges despicable acts of horrific sexual abuse and exploitation, Fox News reported.

For several years prior to 2020, the defendant solicited young girls, including the minor plaintiff, for the purpose of knowingly persuading, inducing, enticing and coercing them to engage in sexual activity, sexual exploitation, and/or sexual trafficking, the lawsuit alleges.

Griffin, fired last month by the network, is alleged to have pressured parents to bring their daughters to a home he acquired in Vermont to engage in illegal sexual acts. He faces one trafficking charge, and two counts of attempted trafficking in federal court in the state.

The pressure worked in one case, according to charging documents filed in Vermont and Nevada.

Griffin allegedly convinced a mother to fly with her daughter from the latter state and they spent time together at the Vermont home.

Griffin and the woman are accused of engaging in sexual acts with the girl, 9. He faces up to life in prison if convicted of a single count.

The civil lawsuit filed last week similarly alleges that between April and July 2020, Griffin invited three women and their underage daughters over for the purposes of sexual training.

The suit seeks up to $15 million in damages and fees.

It alleges that Griffin took drone footage of a completely naked 9-year-old girl standing beside him while he was wearing his underwear.

When confronted with this video during an interview by FBI agents, Griffins first response was merely to suggest he was not looking at the naked girl, despite that she was standing so close to him to be touching, the prosecutors pretrial detention memo states.

After he was arrested on Dec. 10, without prompting, Griffin told authorities, Without incriminating myself, I just want to let you guys know that Im ashamed you even know my name at all, according to court papers.

In the time Im with you guys, in the event I do anything inappropriate, I just want you to know that Id feel the same way you guys would if I were in your situation. Thank you, Griffin also purportedly said.

The woman who brought the girl to the northeast, described in court documents as the girls adopted mother, was charged in 2020 with child abuse and other counts.

Griffin has pleaded not guilty to all charges against him and is being held without bail in Vermont.

Zachary Stieber contributed to this report.
Witness Dominick Black testifies during the trial of Kyle Rittenhouse at the Kenosha County Courthouse in Kenosha, Wis., on Nov. 2, 2021. (Sean Krajacic/Pool/Getty Images)

Man Who Bought Rifle for Kyle Rittenhouse Avoids Jail Time

The man who admitted to buying the rifle Kyle Rittenhouse used in Kenosha, Wisconsin in 2020 pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor on Monday.

Dominick Black was charged with two felonies related to purchasing the gun. Each charge could have landed him up to six years in jail. But he saw those charges dismissed with prejudice in a plea deal.

Black pleaded no contest to contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Kenosha County Circuit Judge Bruce Schroeder accepted the no contest as a guilty plea.

Black agreed to pay a $2,000 fine in the plea deal and received no jail time or probation. Black, who has referred to Rittenhouse as a brother, and was dating the teenagers sister when the shootings unfolded amid rioting in Wisconsin, told the trial last year that he bought a rifle for his friend.

Assistant District Attorney Thomas Binger, who failed in his bid to prosecute Rittenhouse, told the brief hearing that Black was cooperative during the Rittenhouse investigation and noted that he testified during the trial, which ended with Rittenhouse being acquitted of all charges.

The resolution that we have reached in this case involves the issuance of a county ordinance citation for contributing to the delinquency of a child, under Kenosha County Ordinance 9-948.40, Binger said. Mr. Rittenhouse was legally considered a child at the time of the purchase of this firearm, and therefore Mr. Black would be liable for violating that county ordinance. We have agreed to a fine of $2,000 here.

Before Rittenhouse was acquitted, Schroeder dismissed a misdemeanor weapons charge against him.

The judge said at the time Wisconsin law allowed Rittenhouse to possess the weapon despite being younger than 18.

Tony Cotton, Blacks lawyer, told reporters after the hearing that part of the reason for prosecutors agreeing to the deal was because Rittenhouse was acquitted.

I think the moment the jury acquitted Rittenhouse it made it pretty clear that a much lesser situated defendant would have to have a dismissal or a similar outcome, Cotton said.

Black was pleased with the jurys decision and hes glad to have this nightmare behind them, the lawyer added.

It was really a long road that hes been down here. We always felt all along like the two charges were a bit of an overkill situation for him. Thats why we filed a motion to dismiss right out of the gate here. It took a long time to get to this point. But I have to credit the district attorneys office, they really did the right thing and reached the right decision ultimately, he said.
A medical helicopter rests next to the Drexel Hill United Methodist Church after it crashed in the Drexel Hill section of Upper Darby Township in Delaware County, Pa., on Jan. 11, 2022. (Monica Herndon/The Philadelphia Inquirer via AP)

Medical Helicopter Crashes Near Church; All 4 Aboard Survive

UPPER DARBY, Pa.A pilot crash landed a medical helicopter Tuesday without casualties in a residential area of suburban Philadelphia, miraculously avoiding a web of power lines and buildings as the aircraft fluttered, hit the street, and slid into bushes outside a church, authorities and a witness said.

None of the four people on board, including an infant, sustained life-threatening injuries, Upper Darby Police Superintendent Timothy M. Bernhardt said at a press conference, adding that he was eager to shake the pilots hand for getting the helicopter down the way they did.

Rescue crews rushed to the wreckage by the Drexel Hill United Methodist Church in Upper Darby at about 1 p.m. and helped get the pilot, two crew members and the infant patient out of the aircraft, Bernhardt said.

The infant was taken to a hospital as authorities worked to notify the childs family, Bernhardt said. The flight originated out of state.

At the crash site, a stop sign on the corner was cleaved in two, appearing to be hit by the helicopter as it came down. The aircraft was on its side in two pieces, just outside the church. Insignia indicated it was a medical helicopter.

Its a miracle, its an absolute miracle, here what you see behind me, Bernhardt said.

The Federal Aviation Administration said it was investigating, along with the National Transportation Safety Board.

Firefighters from Upper Darby, Pa., stand near a medical helicopter that crashed next to a church in a residential area of suburban Philadelphia, on Jan. 11, 2022. (Claudia Lauer/AP Photo)

Jerrell Saunders, 28, said he had was walking from his work in maintenance at an apartment building nearby when he saw the helicopter just floating, like real low, like extremely low, like it could land on the building that I work at.

He got in his car to go to the hardware store and the helicopter was going in the same direction. He said he saw it hit the ground in the middle of the road and slide across the ground until it crashed.

It turned on its side and as smoke was coming out. He saw people jumping out of the helicopter.

Im telling my grandkids about this one, he said.

A fire official said the helicopter had about an hours worth of fuel left at the time of the crash, and crews took steps to keep leaking fuel out from contaminating water.

By Claudia Lauer and Thalia Beaty
President of Mexico Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador speaks as part of the daily briefing at Palacio Nacional in Mexico City, Mexico, on Dec. 16, 2021. (Hector Vivas/Getty Images)

Mexican President Tests Positive for COVID-19 for Second Time

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador announced on Monday he has tested positive for COVID-19 for a second time.

In a statement, he said that he has mild symptoms. He said he will remain in isolation and will only do office work and communicate virtually pending recovery.

Meanwhile, the Secretary of the Interior, Adan Augusto Lopez Hernandez, will represent me at press conferences and other events,the 68-year-old leader said on Twitter.

Lopez Obrador sounded hoarse in his morning press conference earlier in the day, prompting reporters to inquire about his health.

He previously tested positive for COVID-19 in January 2021. At the time, he said his symptoms were mild.

Lopez Obrador had his first booster dose of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine in early December 2021. He received his first dose of AstraZeneca, a two-dose regimen, in April 2021.

Two of the presidents cabinet secretaries, the heads of the environment and economy departments, also announced they had tested positive in recent days.

COVID-19 has been confirmed in at least 300,000 deaths in Mexico since the start of 2020, when the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, also known as the novel coronavirus, spread from Wuhan to sweep the globe.

Little testing is done in the country of 126 million that a government review of death certificates puts the real death toll at almost 460,000.

The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the country increased by 186 percent last week. This contributed to the cancelation of 260 flights between Jan. 6 and Jan. 10, after airline employees had to isolate after testing positive for the virus, causing staff shortages, the Mexican president said.

Since Christmas, Mexicos private pharmacies and the few available testing centers have been overwhelmed by long lines.

Reading advice posted on Twitter, Lopez Obrador told Mexicans on Monday that if they have symptoms, they should just stay at home, take paracetamol and isolate, rather than going out and trying to find tests. The Twitter advice drew on guidelines from authorities in Mexico City and other health authorities.

Lopez Obradors administration has long refused to implement mass testing, calling it a waste of money. He called on companies not to require COVID-19 tests for employees.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Conservative MP Leslyn Lewis rises during question period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Dec. 2, 2021. (The Canadian Press/Sean Kilpatrick)

MPs Praise Regional Medical Officers Compassionate Tone Amid Polarizing Vaccine Rhetoric

MPs are praising the top public health doctor serving Haldimand and Norfolk counties in southwestern Ontario for saying he is against any attempt to foment hate, as some politicians and others have spoken in anger or vitriol about those who have chosen not to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

Dr. Matt Strauss, acting medical officer of health (MOH) for the region, posted a screenshot on Twitter on Jan. 8 showing the status of those in the intensive care unit in Ontario on that date, with 123 unvaccinated cases, 18 partially vaccinated, and 137 fully vaccinated.

There are 123 unvaccinated Ontarians in an ICU bed with Covid-19 today, wrote Strauss, who is also an assistant professor of medicine at Queens University and the former medical director of the critical care unit at Guelph General Hospital.

I have looked after some of them. I am deeply uncomfortable with any attempt to foment hate against these of my patients.

Strauss said his health unit has always tried to look after people without judgment regardless of vaccination status.

There are 123 unvaccinated Ontarians in an ICU bed with Covid-19 today. I have looked after some of them. I am deeply uncomfortable with any attempt to foment hate against these of my patients. pic.twitter.com/YGJVcYYG2W  Matt Strauss, MD (@strauss_matt) January 8, 2022

Conservative MP Leslyn Lewis, who represents the riding of Haldimand and Norfolk, said on Twitter she is so proud to have Strauss serve as MOH in her riding.

We must engender unity, understanding, compassion and science to get through this pandemic  together, she said in a tweet on Jan. 9.

Conservative MP Kyle Seeback, who represents Dufferin-Caledon riding in Ontario, posted his support for Strausss message on Twitter, saying that everyone should read the resulting social media thread.

Seeback added that the unvaccinated have become scapegoats for pandemic policy failures.

Politicians blaming the unvaccinated know exactly what they are doing. Trying to blame someone other than themselves for their failures. Its wrong and deeply shameful, he tweeted on Jan. 9.

Rhetoric Ramps Up Against the Unvaccinated

The federal government has been highly critical of unvaccinated Canadians for their refusal to get the shot, and in the past week has indicated a preference to make COVID-19 vaccinations mandatory.

In a press conference on Jan. 5, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that Canadians are angry and frustrated with the unvaccinated.

When people see that we are in lockdowns or serious public health restrictions right now because of the risk posed to all of us by unvaccinated people, people get angry, he said.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau listens as Minister of Health Jean-Yves Duclos speaks during a news conference on the COVID-19 pandemic in Ottawa, on Jan. 5, 2022. (The Canadian Press/Justin Tang)

In another interview on Quebec talk show La Demaine des 4 Julie on Sept. 17, 2021, Trudeau told host Julie Snyder in French that people who are opposed to vaccines dont believe in science, and are often misogynists, racists. Do we tolerate these people? he asked.

On Jan. 7, federal Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos told reporters in a press conference that hes in favour of making vaccination mandatory across Canada.

In Quebec, Health Minister Christian Dube said his government will soon extend the vaccine passport mandate to shopping malls and other non-essential services in order to put pressure on the unvaccinated to get the jab.

The message Im sending to non-vaccinated people [is]: if you dont get vaccinated, stay home, he said in a press conference on Jan. 6.

Quebec Health Minister Christian Dube speaks during a news conference in Montreal on Dec. 30, 2021. (The Canadian Press/Graham Hughes)

In addition to governments, Quebecs physician regulator College des medecins du Quebec (CMQ) recently urged the provincial government to step up the pace of introducing measures that limit the publics exposure to unvaccinated people.

The number of cases will be on the rise, hospitalizations too, as will the reduction of surgeries and other care  this is why we must do better and faster to vaccinate the population and expand the scope of the vaccination passport, CMQ said in a press release on Jan. 7.

Dr. Katherine Smart, president of the Canadian Medical Association said the unvaccinated have led to the countrys health system becoming overwhelmed.

We have this small minorityabout five to 10 percent of the populationthat are leading us to where we are right now, and I think we need to get serious about what were going to do about that, she told the Big Story Podcast, reported on Jan. 5.

Strauss said that in his medical experience, there are many different reasons why some Canadians choose not to get the shot.

Some of them havent had the educational opportunities you have had. Some of them dont trust authority. Some of them have been hurt and have reasons not to, he wrote, calling for a more tolerant approach.

Education, support, and listening work a lot better than judgment. I promise.
Then ambassador to China Dominic Barton stands near a barricade tape in August 2021 as he arrives at a detention centre to meet Canadian Michael Spavor, who was arbitrarily detained in Dandong, China. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

Canadian MPs Seek Probe Into Former China Ambassadors Rio Tinto Appointment

Canadas former ambassador to China recently accepted a top appointment with a mining giant which does over half of its sales in China. Now, two MPs are asking the Ethics Commissioner to probe the issue to determine if any conflict of interest rules were broken.

NDP MPs Heather McPherson and Matthew Green wrote a letter to commissioner Mario Dion highlighting areas of concern such as the string of events ahead of ex-ambassador Dominic Bartons new appointment. McPherson is NDP critic for foreign affairs and Green is the ethics critic.

Barton met with executives from the Anglo-Australian mining company Rio Tinto in October 2021, according to a Globe and Mail article published last month. Barton announced on Dec. 6 he would be stepping down from his Beijing post by year end.

Rio Tinto announced Barton was appointed chair of the company on Dec. 19, saying he would join the board in April and become chair in May.

Given that Mr. Barton held a position within public office at a high level of responsibility and influence and, given that Mr. Barton met with Rio Tinto executives as recently as October 2021, it should be of concern to all Canadians that less than three months after meeting with the gold mining company, he announced his intention to become Chair of Rio Tintos Board of Directors, says the letter authored by McPherson and Green, according to the Globe.

The letter notes that conflict of interest legislation is in place to protect Canadians from officials in positions of power unethically leveraging their public service to unfairly benefit themselves or their family, either financially or through greater influence and position.

The Treasury Boards Directive on Conflict of Interest states that public servants need to seek approval with a senior manager if accepting an appointment to a board of directors of outside entities with which they had significant official dealings in the year immediately prior to leaving their employment in the public service.

The Epoch Times contacted Global Affairs Canada (GAC) to ask if Barton sought and received such approval. GAC did not answer directly but said that as a Governor in Council appointment, Barton is subject to the Conflict of Interest Act and to the terms and conditions of employment for full-time Governor in Council appointees.

It is our understanding that this was taken into account before Mr. Barton accepted his new appointment with Rio Tinto, GAC said, adding that any request concerning his post-employment should be addressed to the Ethics Commissioner.

John Brassard, the Conservative critic for ethics and accountable government, said his party is looking into the issue.

Canadas Ambassador knows the rules of conduct, he knows the Conflict of Interest Act. He should be adhering to them, and we will find out whether, in fact, that was the case with Rio Tinto, Brassard said at a press conference about a separate matter on Jan. 10.

Barton was appointed ambassador to China in September 2019; at that time he was the chairman of Canadian natural resources company Teck Resources. He had previously worked at McKinsey and Company for decades, a management consulting firm that included Chinese state-owned enterprises among its clients, some of which have built militarized artificial islands in the Pacific in contravention of international law. Barton was global managing partner of the firm from 2009 to 2018.

Barton is taking over for Rio Tinto chairman Simon Thompson who stepped down amid a scandal involving the destruction of the 46,000-year-old Juukan Gorge aboriginal sacred rock shelter in Australia in 2020.

Barton said in a Rio Tinto press release that he is excited to join the company as it navigates a shifting competitive landscape and seeks to emerge as a leader in the climate transition.

Rio Tinto chief executive Jakob Stausholm said in the statement he is looking forward to working with Barton to strengthen Rio Tinto, in particular drawing on his wealth of experience across Asia in both a business and diplomatic capacity.

China counts for 60 percent of Rio Tintos total sales according to the companys latest results, which is fuelled by the communist-led countrys need for iron ore for steelmaking.

Editors note: This article was updated to include remarks from Global Affairs Canada.
Chicago police officers along with other city workers and their supporters protest against the mayor's COVID-19 vaccination policy for city employees, at city hall in Chicago on Oct. 25, 2021. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Bidens Vaccine Mandate for Private Employers Takes Effect Amid Ongoing Supreme Court Battle

The Biden administrations vaccination mandate pertaining to private employers went into effect Monday, despite that the rule is facing legal challenges in the Supreme Court, leaving some businesses unsure as to how to proceed.

As of Jan. 10, businesses with 100 or more employees are now required to ensure that all employees have been fully vaccinated with either two doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines or one dose of Johnson & Johnsons, and they must provide paid leave to workers getting the vaccine.

Businesses included in the mandate must also keep track of workers vaccination status via a database, provide employees with their companys vaccine policy and procedures, and ensure unvaccinated employees wear a mask while indoors.

The rule, which is enforced by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), applies to some 84 million U.S. workers. Businesses that are not compliant face fines of up to $14,000 per violation.

However, OSHA has said it wont issue penalties for non-compliance until Feb. 9, which is the same deadline by which businesses must implement the weekly COVID-19 testing alternative for unvaccinated employees.

The Supreme Court has yet to make a final decision on the rule, which is currently subject to legal challenges from a number of business groups, along with the states of Ohio, Missouri, Louisiana, and more, who are challenging the lawfulness of President Joe Bidens vaccine mandates.

In November, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals temporarily halted the nationwide implementation of the rule. However, it was reinstated last month after the case was reassigned to the 6th Circuit.

Many businesses, including the U.S. Postal Service (USPS), are concerned that the mandate could create further labor shortages at a time when businesses are already struggling to hire new workers. Last week USPS asked federal officials for a temporary waiver from Bidens vaccine mandate due to potential staffing and supply chain shortfalls.

Given the significant challenges that our nations supply chains are already experiencing, we respectfully suggest that the nation cannot afford the additional potential substantial harm that would be engendered if the ability of the Postal Service to deliver mail and packages is significantly negatively impacted, Deputy Postmaster General Douglas A. Tulino wrote in the request to OSHA dated Jan. 4.

The Supreme Court on Friday heard two oral arguments about the mandate, the first regarding Biden v. Missouri, in which the federal government wants to lift lower court stays that are blocking it from enforcing a Nov. 4, 2021 emergency regulation by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

The regulation requires that more than 10 million employees at health care facilities that participate in the Medicare and Medicaid programs get vaccinated.

Protesters gather outside New York State Capitol to protest against proposed policies related to COVID-19 vaccine mandates in Albany, N.Y., on Jan. 5, 2022. (Bill Pan/The Epoch Times)

People stand in a courtyard outside the Florida Capitol to urge lawmakers to pass bills against mask and vaccine mandates, in Tallahassee, Florida, on Nov. 16, 2021. (Nanette Holt for The Epoch Times)

The second case, from the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) v. Department of Labor, concerns the administrations large private employers vaccine mandate.

During Fridays oral arguments on the private-sector mandate, Chief Justice John Roberts said the federal government may be overreaching with its mandate, and attempting to cover the waterfront by imposing COVID-19 policies, a matter that should, in fact, be dealt with by Congress.

Roberts said the pandemic sounds like the sort of thing that states will be responding to or should be  and that Congress should be responding to or should be, rather than agency by agency, the federal government, the executive branch, acting alone is responding to it.

Elsewhere on Friday, NFIB attorney Scott A. Keller said that OSHAs economy-wide mandate would cause permanent worker displacement rippling through our national economy, which is already experiencing labor shortages and fragile supply lines. OSHA has never before mandated vaccines or widespread testing, much less across all industries.

Yet while the Supreme Court justices on Friday appeared to express some skepticism regarding the rule, they stopped short of blocking the mandate from going into effect on Monday.

An October poll from the Kaiser Family Foundation found that 37 percent of unvaccinated workers said they would leave their job if they had to get vaccinated or tested weekly. However, while a quarter of all adults surveyed said they knew someone who had quit their job due to the vaccine requirement, just 5 percent of unvaccinated workers said they had themselves done so.

The Biden administration has argued that the vaccine mandate will not only save lives but result in as many as 5 million American workers going back to work, and promote a faster and stronger economic recovery.
New California Order Permits COVID-19 Positive Health Care Workers to Return to Work

Under a new temporary guideline to combat the surge in COVID-19 patients, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) will allow health care workers to work if theyve tested positive for COVID-19.

The new order will run until Feb. 1, and it only applies to asymptomatic cases. It was issued because of the spread of the Omicron coronavirus variant, which has caused staffing shortages in all sectors, including nursing. The spread is beginning to cause most hospitals to fill capacity.

Given those conditions, [we are] providing temporary flexibility to help hospitals and emergency services providers respond to an unprecedented surge and staffing shortages, a spokesperson from CDPH said in an emailed statement.

Hospitals have to exhaust all other options before resorting to this temporary tool. Facilities and providers using this tool should have asymptomatic COVID-19 positive workers interact only with COVID-19 positive patients, to the extent possible, and ensure the workers are always wearing N-95 respirators.

A hospital staff member peers through the window of an outside tent area of Hoag Hospital in Irvine, Calif., on Dec. 11, 2020. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

According to the new rule, health care workers with the virus can return to work immediately without isolation or testing and should be assigned to work with COVID-19 positive patients outside of emergency settings.

But not everyone agrees with the new guideline.

The California Nurses Association (CNA) is calling on California Gov. Gavin Newsom to rescind the decision, citing safety concerns.

Governor Newsom and our states public health leaders are putting the needs of health care corporations before the safety of patients and workers, CNA President Cathy Kennedy said in a Jan. 8 statement. We want to care for our patients and see them get betternot potentially infect them. Sending nurses and other health care workers back to work while infected is dangerous.

California was the first state to implement a strict COVID-19 vaccine mandate for health care workers. Those who didnt abide by the mandate were suspended or terminated.

A nurse recieves a COVID-19 vaccination at St. Joseph Hospital in Orange, Calif., on Dec. 16, 2020. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

The shifting guidelines come days after the state mandated that all health care workers must receive a COVID-19 vaccine booster shot by Feb. 1.

A nurse, who asked to remain anonymous out of fear of losing her job, told The Epoch Times that when she was first made aware of the new guidelines, her initial reaction was confusion.

The narrative by hospital administration prior to these new guidelines were enacted was get vaccinated or be let go, and we know that this is exactly what happened to many nurses, she said.

It isnt clear if the new rule will help stave off potential shortages of care or only add to increasing sickness from the virus. But many nurses have had enough, according to a 2021 report by the University of CaliforniaSan Francisco (UCSF) Health Workforce Research Center on Long-Term Care. Data analysis in the report indicates that many older registered nurses have already left the profession, and many intend to retire or quit within the next two years.

Anecdotal reports cited in the UCSF report also found that nurses quit during the pandemic out of fear of contracting COVID-19. Others walked away from their jobs to recover emotionally from the high stress of working during a pandemic.

Health care workers at St. Joseph Hospital in Orange, Calif., on Dec. 16, 2020. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

Meanwhile, fewer people are enrolling in school to become nurses, according to the report.

The nursewho spent most of 2020 living in an Airbnb so she wouldnt infect her family at home at the then height of transmissionssaid she cant speak to the science behind asymptomatic spread, but that its time for hospital administrators to advocate for their employees and put politics and agendas aside so nurses can do their jobs.

My fear is, particularly within the nursing community, weve allowed the overwhelming noise and heartbreak from multiple angles to harden our hearts, she said.
Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie arrives to deliver the State of the State Address in the Assembly Chambers at the Statehouse on January 14, 2014 in Trenton, New Jersey. (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images)

New Jersey Assembly Temporarily Changed Vaccine Mandate to Test Requirement After GOP Protest

Assembly speaker tested positive for COVID-19 two days after policy change

New Jersey state assembly speaker announced on Jan. 7 that all assembly members and staffers will be required to present a negative COVID-19 test result regardless of their vaccination status to enter the legislative premises.

Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, a Democrat, said in a statement that all who intend to access the Assembly Chambers of the New Jersey legislature on Jan. 10 and Jan. 11, including lawmakers, staffers, and the press, must show a negative COVID-19 rapid test taken after 12 p.m. on Saturday.

The new policy will be effective until the end of the current legislative session on Jan. 11, when newly elected Assembly members will be sworn in. A negative COVID-19 test is also required for all who attend the swearing-in ceremony, Coughlin said.

Those who test positive or cannot make the sessions in person will be able to join all proceedings remotely via phone, Coughlin said.

Prior to the announcement, all persons, including lawmakers, staff, and the public who attended all gatherings and meetings in the New Jersey state capitol building, were required to show either proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 or a negative PCR test result.

On Jan. 9, the Assembly Speaker announced in a statement that he has tested positive for COVID-19, and has been in in self-quarantine. He said that he was experiencing very mild cold-like symptoms and would remotely participate in activities held during the two final days of the current legislative session.

I remain extremely grateful that my symptoms are more than manageable, which is thanks to the science of vaccination and boosters, as well as the extra precaution of wearing a mask, Coughlin said in the statement.

Republican lawmakers made several attempts to defy the policy to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination or negative test in order to enter the New Jersey State House, calling it discriminatory.

On Dec. 2, the day when the policy became effective, several Republican Assembly members refused to show proof of their COVID-19 vaccination or negative test result when entering the State House. They were stopped by uniformed troopers for about 10 minutes before they eventually entered the Assembly chambers without disclosing their COVID-19 status.

The day before the policy went into effect, Senate and Assembly GOP lawmakers filed a lawsuit at a state superior court to block COVID-19 policy that restricted public access to the New Jersey legislature but the request was denied by Appellate Division Judge Allison Accurso on Dec. 10, according to The Associated Press.

On the next legislative session held on Dec. 20, six GOP lawmakers continued to defy the rule by refusing to show their vaccination or negative test proof, but this time the state police blocked them from entering the legislature building. After being denied entry to the State House the Republican lawmakers had to vote outside of the Assembly Chambers.

On the same day, New Jerseyans rallied in front of the State House to protest the COVID-19 policy restricting access to the state legislature.

Republican Assemblyman Jay Webber who was one of the lawmakers prohibited from entering the legislature building commented on Twitter on the Speakers new COVID-19 policy:

Gratified that our principled stands in December forced better policy in January: NO vax passports at Statehouse next week. Amazing we had to go to such lengths, but weve been vindicated. Universal testing and NO discrimination against unvaccinated persons.

Gratified that our principled stands in Dec forced better policy in Jan: NO vax passports at Statehouse next wk.

Amazing we had to go to such lengths, but weve been vindicated.

Universal testing & NO discrimination against unvaccinated persons.https://t.co/saJoogTiZd  Jay Webber (@JayWebberNJ) January 7, 2022
People watch a TV showing a file image of North Korea's missile launch during a news program at the Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea, on Jan. 11, 2022. (Ahn Young-joon/AP Photo)

North Korea Launched Unidentified Projectile Off Its East Coast, Says South Korea

North Korea on Tuesday launched an unidentified projectile off its east coast, the militaries of South Korea and Japan said, marking a second report of a missile launch in under a week.

Less than a week after North Korea fired what it claimed to be a hypersonic missile, South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) sent out an alert of another launch.

JCS said in a media statement that the launch was detected around 7:27 a.m. from an inland area of North Korea toward the ocean off its east coast.

Japans Prime Ministers Office and Defense Ministry said the North Korean weapon was possibly a ballistic missile, while the Kyodo news agency reported that the projectile appeared to have landed outside Japans exclusive economic zone (EEZ), citing government sources in Tokyo.

The launches by nuclear-armed North Korea this month follow a series of weapons tests last year that underscored how the Kim Jong Un regime continues to expand its military capabilities amid a self-imposed pandemic lockdown and deadlocked nuclear talks with the United States.

The [South Korean] military is maintaining a readiness posture while closely monitoring related trends under close cooperation between [South Korea] and the U.S. in preparation for additional launches, the JCS statement said, adding that it was probing the incident with U.S. intelligence agencies.

North Koreas missile launches were very regrettable, said Japanese prime minister Fumio Kishida.

The suspected weapons launch came shortly after the U.S. mission to the United Nations, alongside France, Ireland, Japan, the United Kingdom, and Albania, denounced last weeks missile launch in a joint statement.

These actions increase the risk of miscalculation and escalation and pose a significant threat to regional stability, U.S. ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield said on Monday, adding that such tests expands what North Korea can provide to illicit arms dealers globally.

[North Korea] makes these military investments at the expense of the well-being of the North Korean people, Thomas-Greenfield said.

North Korea claimed last weeks launch was a hypersonic missile, but that has yet to be independently confirmed.

Pyongyang state media Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) claimed on Jan. 6 that the hypersonic gliding warhead manoeuvred 120 kilometers (75 miles) laterally before it traveled 700 kilometers (435 miles) to precisely hit its target.

The governments of Japan and South Korea, meanwhile, said they had reason to believe that it was a possible ballistic missile.

The Epoch Times has contacted the U.S. State Department for comment.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during a key political conference earlier this month vowed to bolster his military forces despite pandemic-related difficulties.

U.S.-led diplomacy on North Koreas nuclear program has been stalled since 2019 due to disputes over international sanctions on the North. The Biden administration has repeatedly called for resuming the nuclear diplomacy anywhere and at any time without preconditions, but North Korea has argued that the United States must first withdraw hostility against it before any talks can restart.

North Koreas nuclear arsenal, supported by the Chinese communist regime, is a major support to Kims rule and the survival of his regime. During his 10-year rule, hes conducted a large number of weapons tests in a push to acquire the ability to launch nuclear strikes on the American mainland.

But his countrys economy has continued to falter severely in the past two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S.-led sanctions over his nuclear ambitions, and his governments own mismanagement.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Off-Duty LAPD Officer Shot and Killed in Street Robbery

LOS ANGELESAn off-duty Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) officer was killed in an apparent exchange of gunfire with three armed robbery suspects in the unincorporated Firestone-Florence neighborhood, and authorities are seeking public help on Jan. 11 to solve the crime.

Sheriffs deputies responded about 9:15 p.m. Monday to the 8700 block of Beach Street, west of South Gate, where they found the officer with gunshot wounds, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department.

A black pickup truck approached the male adult victim, an off-duty Los Angeles Police Department officer, and several suspects exited the vehicle, according to a sheriffs statement. An argument ensued and an officer-involved shooting occurred. The pickup drove away in an unknown direction.

Deputies from the Century Station responded to the location and transported the victim in their patrol car to a local area hospital where he was pronounced deceased.

A perimeter spanning several blocks was set up as deputies scoured the area for suspects.

Officer Fernando Arroyos, 27, was a three-year veteran of the department, assigned to the Olympic Division, according to the LAPD. Arroyos, an only child, is survived by his mother, father, and stepfather.

He had a promising future, a bright future, that was taken away viciously over a street robbery, LAPD Chief Michel Moore said.

Authorities said Arroyos was in a car with his girlfriend and exited the vehicle when the confrontation occurred with the three suspects, and the officer is believed to have exchanged gunfire with the assailants. Its unclear if any of the suspects were struck. The officers girlfriend was not injured.

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, appearing at a back-to-school event hosted by the Los Angeles Unified School District Tuesday morning, said Arroyos was a son of immigrants. The mayor said Arroyos was with his girlfriend at the time of the attack, looking for their first home.

My heart is broken. Our citys heart is broken, and certainly our LAPD familys hearts all grieve, Garcetti said. I spoke with his mother, whos an immigrant, last night, at the hospital and stepfather.  And because this happened outside the city of Los Angeles, the sheriffs department is taking the lead on all investigations, with very strong support from our Robbery-Homicide officers as well.

And so I just want to send my love again to the family, to the LAPD family, he said. This man died a hero trying to defend himself and his girlfriend.

Earlier, Moore told reporters that authorities recovered the officers handgun and a firearm believed to have been used by a suspect in the crime.

We do believe that we have an officer-involved shooting here, that our officer exchanged gunfire with at least one of these suspects, Moore said. We do have our officers gun, and we have an additional weapon that we believe was responsible for this assault.  We know that we need the communitys help, but we also have every faith and confidence that well be identifying the person or persons responsible for this terrible act and this grievous loss.

Shortly before daybreak on Tuesday, the officers body was taken in a procession of vehicles from St. Francis Medical Center in Lynwood to the Los Angeles County coroners facility near downtown Los Angeles.

Tonight, we mourn the loss of one of our officers who was shot [and] killed in an armed robbery attempt, according to a tweet from the Los Angeles Police Protective League, the union that represents LAPD officers. The officer was off-duty. We pray for the officers family, and their fellow officers, during this time of pain and sorrow. This is an active investigation.

According to Fox11, a wounded person was found in a vehicle in the area following the officers shooting, possibly with a gunshot wound, and investigators were working to determine if that person was a suspect in the crime.

Anyone with information was urged to call the Sheriffs Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500.

I want to say that this morning we mourn the loss of one of our young officers, someone who lost his life last night while defending himself and his girlfriend, Los Angeles Police Commission President William Briggs said during the commissions meeting Tuesday morning.

On behalf of the Board of Police Commissioners, I want to extend our heartfelt condolences to the officers family, friends and loved ones. He died at the hands of vicious powers, those who perpetrated this horrible act, they will be caught, they will be prosecuted.
Ontario Allowing Retired Teachers to Work More Days Amid Staffing Shortages

Ontario is nearly doubling the number of days retired educators are allowed to work in public schools, in an effort to address significant staffing shortages.

Retired teachers, principals, and vice-principals will now be allowed to work 95 days per academic year, up from 50 days, the provincial government said in a statement on Jan. 10, after reaching an agreement with the Ontario Teachers Federation (OTF). The temporary measure will be in effect until June 30.

We are seeing staff shortages impacting all sectors of the economy. Well before Omicron came to Ontario, school boards were reporting high rates of absenteeism from education staff, Education Minister Stephen Lecce said in the release.

We need staff in order to continue providing live teacher-led remote learning and safely operate our schools when students return to in-person learning.

The province is also investing $304 million to enable the hiring of over 2,000 staff while expanding access to second-year teacher candidates.

The measures come as the projected shortfall in occasional teachers is anticipated to be 7,000 across all school boards, as reported by school boards in the Fall of 2021, according to the statement.

In a release, the OTF said it does not expect that many retirees are interested in working in the current environment but that the change may extend the number of days that some retirees choose to work.

The OTF also said that more robust health and safety measures in schools could incentivize more occasional teachers to make themselves available to the provinces public schools.

In an effort to increase the safety of teachers and students amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ministry of Education has said they will provide N95 masks as an optional alternative for all staff, as well as accelerated access to booster shots for education and child care staff. The province is also supporting school-focused vaccination clinics and ventilation improvements in schools.

Chris Cowley, president of the OTF, said on Jan. 10 that the decision to increase the number of days pensioners can work from 50 to 95 is meant to alleviate, but wont fix, the growing teacher shortage in this province and that asking retirees to fill the gap year after year is not a long-term solution.
Paramedics transfer a patient from an ambulance to the emergency department at Michael Garron Hospital in Toronto on Jan. 10, 2022. (The Canadian Press/Nathan Denette)

Ontario to Deploy Internationally Trained Nurses to Bolster Health-Care Workforce

Ontario is making it possible for internationally trained nurses to work in health-care settings that are strained by staffing shortages, Health Minister Christine Elliott says.

Elliott announced at a press conference on Tuesday that the province is deploying internationally educated nurses to hospitals and long-term care homes that are short-staffed, part of a collaboration between Ontario Health and the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO).

Through this initiative, these nurses who have applied for registration with the CNO to practice in Ontario will have the opportunity to meet their application requirements by working in health-care settings under the supervision of a regulated health-care provider, Elliott said.

More than 1,200 applicants have already expressed interest in participating and the matching process with hospitals is expected to begin later this week.

The minister also said COVID-19 patients length of stay in intensive care units (ICU) has decreased slightly, with the median stay currently at seven days compared to 20 days during the peak of Delta variant infections.

At this time, approximately 600 ICU beds remain available today, with the ability to add nearly 500 additional beds if required, she said.

Elliott said that government has invested $5.1 billion to add 3,100 beds to the health-care system, with a total of roughly 2,500 ICU beds and 17,000 medical surgical beds. Since the start of the pandemic in March 2020, the province has also added more than 6,700 health-care professionals through its emergency programs.

The minister also said that starting Wednesday, the province will update its COVID-19 reports to distinguish between patients who are hospitalized with the virus from those admitted for other non-related reasons but later testing positive for COVID.

Today, the data tells us that 54 percent of individuals were admitted to hospital for COVID-19 and 46 percent were admitted for other reasons, but have tested positive for COVID-19, Elliott said.

In our ICUs, 83 percent of individuals were admitted for COVID-19 and 17 percent were admitted for other reasons, but have tested positive for COVID-19. While this doesnt change the serious situation in Ontarios hospitals, we feel it is important to share this data to provide additional context and support our continued response to the pandemic.

As for the situation with schools, children will go back to in-person learning on Jan. 17, following a brief shift to online learning on Jan. 5, a spokesperson from Premier Doug Fords office said on Monday.

We know that it helps students to be in school for their mental and physical health, Elliott said, adding that weve seen the numbers of mental health needs rising rapidly.

She said the province has introduced special clinics for teachers to receive COVID-19 vaccinations and provided over 9 million masks for staff and students. PCR tests have also been made available in schools for when students and staff return.

When asked what has changed that made a return to school safer on Jan. 17 compared to the previous week, Elliott noted that extra time was needed to put the additional safety measures in place.
Students walk to their classrooms at a public middle school in Los Angeles, Calif., on Sept. 10, 2021. (Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images)

Parents Call for Schools to Remain Open Amid Omicron Surge

After a wave of school closures due to COVID-19, parent advocate groups across the U.S. request schools to remain open.

Despite an uptick in Covid-19 cases and the surge of the Omicron variant, schools are safe, essential and must remain open for in-person learning, a parent groups open letter read.

Several California and Los Angeles-based parent groups, including the California Students United, California Parent Power, UTLA Uncensored, and Reopen California Schools, signedalong with almost 40 other parents organizationson Jan. 3 the letter to K12 schools nationwide.

The open letter argued that throughout the pandemic, children, despite being the lowest-risk demographic, have been subjected to the harshest restrictions and forced to pay the greatest price, while adults have largely gone on with their lives and recreational activities.

Last Thursday, almost 3,800 public schools in the U.S. were still not offering in-person instruction due to the pandemic, according to Burbio, a digital platform that tracks public K12 school calendars from across the nation.

The tracker also shows that over 5,400 schools did not return to campus for one or more days during the week of Jan. 2 for pandemic-related reasons.

As for Los Angeles County, about 50 school districts resumed classes on Jan. 3, while about 30 other districts reopened on Jan. 10. The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) will resume classes on Jan. 11.

Margaret Orenstein of California Students United told The Epoch Times that keeping schools closed for so long may also exacerbate inequality in urban areas where students were already underperforming.

Elite private schools were open  earlier than these urban school districts, where kids who are extremely vulnerable and where [education] is a steppingstone out of povertyand weve taken that away, Orenstein said. There really is no catching these students up.

Founder of Reopen California Schools, Jonathan Zachresonwho is also running for State Assembly District 5told the Epoch Times that he founded the group because it was clear early on to parents that were paying attention how damaging online learning was.

There was not much learning happening, Zachreson said. And if we go to distance learning at any point in time  were just getting further and further behind.

Zachreson called on state and local leadership to put an end to the restrictions for children.

We need state leadership and local leadership to stand up to this and say, This is nonsense. We are going to put kids first and do whats right for them, Zachreson said.

LAUSD Board Vice President Nick Melvoin said Jan. 7 that going remote is really the option of last resort. Weve seen the challenge to students.

Dr. Robert Gilchick of the Los Angeles County Health Department told The Epoch Times in a previous interview that as of Jan. 3, the department had no intention of recommending a delay in return to campus.

Gilchick acknowledged the difficulties and learning losses many students faced during remote learning and said the safety precautions are designed to keep students as safe as possible while on campus.

We know how much detriment there was during the long period when [students] were doing a distance learning only, Gilchick said. It affected mental health, it affected physical health, it affected social development. So the state and the county are very committed to doing whatever we can to keep schools as safe as possible so kids can stay in the classroom.

A spokesperson for LAUSD did not respond to a request for comment.

Correction: A previous version of this article misstated a signatory of the open letter. UTLA Uncensored signed the letter. The Epoch Times regrets the error.
In addition to domestic journalists, the CIO has inquired into the data of journalists from at least four foreign media outlets -- Asahi Shimbun, Mainichi Shimbun, Tokyo Shimbun, and the Nikkei, all based in Japan. In early January, the Japanese paper Mainichi Shimbun learned that the CIO collected information on three of its reporters based in Seoul, two of whom are Japanese nationals. "We're really concerned. When a government agency checks the phone records of journalists, freedom of speech is endangered," a Seoul correspondent at Mainichi said. "Finding out that the government is checking our activities is terrifying."

"It's crucial for journalists to be able to protect their sources," said Jean H. Lee, a former Pyongyang bureau chief for the Associated Press and a senior fellow at the Wilson Center. "Ordering telecommunications companies to hand over phone logs should not be allowed or tolerated as a routine practice in a democratic society -- only as a part of a specific criminal investigation or national security issue."

For many, the extent of the CIO's inquiry is worrying because of its allegedly "indiscriminate" scope, extending even to civilians and foreign correspondents. The news has sparked concerns about press freedom in Korea. It has also renewed scrutiny around a law that allows investigative agencies to access phone records without a warrant.

Chung is one of over 120 journalists from over 22 media outlets who are known to have had their communication data queried by the agency, known as the Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials (CIO).

In recent weeks, a growing number of journalists, civilians, and politicians have learned that their phone records have been accessed by an investigative agency that was created last January to investigate corruption among high-ranking government officials.

The surprise came when he learned that the agency had searched the phone records of not only journalists, but also some of their family members. "That's a whole different terrain," said Chung, who's been a journalist for over 18 years. "I've never seen this happen before."

When TV Chosun journalist Chung Dong-kwon found out a state investigative agency had searched his phone records, he wasn't shocked. It is relatively common for investigative agencies such as the police and the prosecution to collect phone records of citizens in Korea without a warrant. So while Chung was somewhat startled, he knew that such an occurrence wasn't out of the question.

Under Korea's relevant media laws, investigative agencies such as the CIO can demand users' phone records if the agency deems those records necessary for investigation, trials, sentencing, or national security. Upon request from an investigative agency, a telephone company must provide a user's name, resident registration number, address, mobile plan start date, and communication history. Communication history includes the phone numbers of incoming and outgoing calls. The investigative office is not required to receive a warrant or explain the nature of the investigation.

When Mainichi asked the CIO why it searched its reporters' information, the CIO responded that it conducted the searches for the purpose of an investigation, not to monitor news gathering. The CIO did not specify the details of the investigation. "Just citing 'investigative exigencies' does not dispel concerns over threats to freedom of the press," a public relations official at Mainichi said in response. "We demand that the agency provide additional explanation about how and why it made the information request, and that it never commit similar acts in the future."

Lee, the former AP bureau chief, also said she believes the CIO should be more transparent regarding the purpose of its queries. "I think the CIO owes journalists and the public a detailed explanation for the practice," she said.



When a person's phone records are accessed, they do not automatically receive a notification. To find out whether one's records have been accessed, a person must submit a disclosure request to their telephone company. Upon a disclosure request, the company must tell the person which investigative agencies have checked their data within the past year and when. Because of this mechanism, a person does not know if their phone records were checked unless they proactively seek out the information. It is almost certain that there are more cases than have been reported thus far.

According to a foreign correspondent for an American media company, the recent revelations have set off a flurry of other foreign correspondents checking to see if their own phone records have also been queried. Three members of the Seoul Foreign Correspondents' Club, which seeks to defend media rights, told Chosun Ilbo that SFCC leadership has sent out a notification about the recent events to its members.



In the notification, the SFCC said that the CIO has collected the phone records of a number of SFCC members. The club also asked members to let the board know if they learn that the CIO has accessed their telephone records.

In light of the CIO's failure to specify the details of its investigations, many journalists are left to wonder how they might be connected to potential CIO probes. "The CIO was created to monitor high-ranking officials," said a TV Chosun journalist whose communication history was checked by the CIO four times. "So my initial reaction was: Why me?"

The CIO not only looked into her phone records, but also some of her family members'. Other journalists at TV Chosun and the newspaper Joongang Ilbo have also learned that the CIO looked into their family's phone records. The CIO checked the phone records of one TV Chosun journalist's mother, a housewife, and her younger sister, an office worker. "My mom and my sister are just ordinary citizens," she said. "My mom was really scared, and my sister was scared for me."

Journalists at Joongang Ilbo have alleged that the CIO has been checking phone records to identify the sources of leaks to the media. On Jan. 9, Joongang Ilbo reported that the CIO checked a KakaoTalk chat room where over 70 of the paper's journalists and editors made editorial decisions. These allegations have raised concerns that the CIO's actions violate press freedom and will discourage whistleblowers from coming forward in the future.



The CIO has claimed that its data requests were legitimate because the people whose phones they checked had phone conversations with people linked to its ongoing investigations. But according to the TV Chosun journalist, her family members are civilians and had no conversations with high-ranking officials.

Because the CIO has checked even the phone records of journalists' family members, Chung and the TV Chosun journalist said they suspect that journalists themselves are the target of the investigations, rather than high-ranking officials. "When an investigative agency has a prime suspect, they usually check the phone records of the suspect and their close contacts the day of, the day before, and the day after an incident," Chung said. "Because that was the case for our journalists, I believe that journalists were the subject of investigation."

Chosun Ilbo asked the CIO to respond to the allegation that the CIO is investigating journalists and news-gathering procedures rather than high-ranking officials. "The CIO is conducting investigations in accordance with due process, and it is difficult to provide specific details of each ongoing investigation," an official wrote. "However, as we have stated in our official position, please be aware that we are working on ways to improve investigation practices, such as an internal inspection of communication queries."

Critics have also accused the CIO of focusing disproportionately on the opposition People Power Party and opponents of President Moon Jae-in. Around 80 out of 105 opposition party members in the National Assembly have reported that the CIO has searched their phone records. The CIO has also queried the communication history of the PPP presidential candidate Yoon Seok-youl, as well as his wife Kim Keon-hee.

As of Jan. 10, neither the ruling Minjoo Party presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung nor any MP lawmakers have reported that their communication history has been queried.

The article of the media laws that allows investigative agencies to access phone records without a warrant has long been criticized on the grounds that it violates privacy.

Similar criticisms about the collection of phone records have been leveled against the police and the prosecution, including during PPP presidential candidate Yoon's tenure as prosecutor-general.



"Over the decades, we have seen domestic media reports that Korean prosecutors and other law enforcement have been collecting phone records on Korean citizens," said an American media reporter who requested anonymity because he requires clearance from his media outlet to speak to other media.



But some journalists said they believe the extent of the CIO's recent queries -- especially its querying of foreign correspondents -- has been cause for particular concern. "The CIO investigates crimes of high-ranking officials. So why is it searching Japanese media?" the Mainichi correspondent said. "I've never heard of government agencies checking the phone records of Mainichi journalists. This is really the first time for us."



On Jan. 3, on Chosun Ilbo's YouTube channel, Cheong Wa Dae spokesman Park Soo-hyun claimed that the CIO's communication queries are standard procedure for investigative agencies. He noted that, as of last June, the police had looked into 1.8 million phone records and the prosecution 600,000. The CIO checked 135.

Park did not provide a more recent number that includes the searches the CIO has conducted since June. Many of the queries that have recently come to light -- including those on journalists from Mainichi, Nikkei, and Joongang Ilbo -- happened later than June.

For many, the widespread nature of communication data query by the government does not excuse the CIO. Rather, it is cause for large-scale reform.



The National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK) has criticized the collection of phone logs by investigative agencies since as early as 2014. Last Thursday, Song Doo-hwan, the chief of the NHRCK, issued a statement urging the government to enact new systems and legislation to prevent human rights violations in the collection of phone records. Song called the current requirements for government agencies to demand communication history "too broad." Song also noted that the United Nations has recommended that Korea improve its phone data collection measures three times in 2015, 2017, and 2019.



Another Chosun Ilbo reporter whose phone records were checked said he worries that the CIO's actions threaten the ability of journalists to report news accurately and thoroughly. "The way a journalist acquires their information is private," he said. "If the government looks at our phone records, it can guess what we're onto and what we're going to release next."

The Mainichi correspondent said he also worries that the CIO's actions threaten the foundations of a free press. "We simply have to protect the people who cooperated with us. This is the basis of journalism," he said. "We totally don't know why our staff were targeted. But we believe it should not be repeated again."

Jung Ye-lim contributed reporting.
Albert Bourla, chief executive officer of Pfizer pharmaceutical company, at the New York Stock Exchange in New York City on Jan. 17, 2019. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

Pfizer CEO Says an Omicron-Targeted Vaccine Will Be Ready in March

Albert Bourla, the CEO of Pfizer, said a COVID-19 vaccine that specifically targets the Omicron variant of the virus as well as already circulating variants will be ready in March.

This vaccine will be ready in March. I dont know how if we will need it, I dont know how it will be used, but it will be ready, and in fact, we [are] already starting manufacturing some of these quantities at risk, Bourla told CNBC on Monday.

Separately, at J.P. Morgans annual health care conference, which is being held virtually, Bourla said Pfizer is ready to file for U.S. regulatory approval for the redesigned COVID-19 vaccine, and that the company has built up ample manufacturing capacity, such that it will not be a problem to switch immediately.

COVID-19 vaccines eventually could be an annual shot for most people, Bourla said, and some high-risk groups might be eligible to receive the shots more often than that.

Omicron, which was first reported by South Africa in November, quickly overtook the Delta variant to become the most dominant strain in the world.

Bourla previously told CNBC in December 2021 that he believed a fourth dose of the COVID-19 vaccine would be needed. He said that he had earlier thought it could be taken 12 months after the third dose, but the timeline may need to be moved up with the emergence of Omicron.

On Monday, Bourla told CNBC that more tests would be required to see whether fourth vaccine doses would be necessary. I dont know if theres a need for a fourth booster, thats something that needs to be tested, and I know Israel has already started some of these experiments and we will also conduct some of these experiments to make sure that if needed, we use it, he said.

Israel in late December 2021 approved the rollout of a fourth COVID-19 vaccine dose, from Pfizer-BioNTech, for immunosuppressed people. It is holding back on approving the fourth vaccine dose for those over age 60 and health care workers.

Last week, Stephane Bancel, CEO of rival COVID-19 vaccine manufacturer Moderna, said people may need a fourth shot (a second booster) in the fall, because the efficacy of the first booster is likely to decline over the next few months.

A nurse fills up syringes for patients awaiting COVID-19 booster vaccination during a Pfizer-BioNTech vaccination clinic in Southfield, Michigan, on Sept. 29, 2021. (Emily Elconin/Reuters)

Currently available COVID-19 vaccines in the United States are the messenger RNA-based (mRNA) vaccines from Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna, and the non-replicating viral vector vaccine from Johnson & Johnson. Pfizer-BioNTechs vaccine is currently the only one available to those under 18 in the United States, with emergency use authorization granted for ages 12 and above.

A current advisory from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) outlines the booster intervals available for different vaccines.

A report from the UK Health Security Agency (pdf) found that Among those who had received 2 doses of Pfizer or Moderna effectiveness [against symptomatic disease] dropped from around 65 to 70 [percent] down to around 10 [percent] by 20 weeks after the second dose.

The report says of the first booster dose: 2 to 4 weeks after a booster dose vaccine effectiveness ranged from around 65 to 75 [percent], dropping to 55 to 70 [percent] at 5 to 9 weeks and 40 to 50 [percent] from 10+ weeks after the booster.

Data suggest that vaccine protection against hospitalization due to Omicron is much greater than that against symptomatic disease, in particular after a booster dose, where vaccine effectiveness against hospitalisation is close to 90 [percent], according to the report.

Pfizer on Monday announced three deals to broaden the use of the mRNA technology that its COVID-19 vaccine was based on, including a deal worth as much as $1.35 billion with gene-editing specialist Beam Therapeutics.

The company is also seeking to collaborate with Codex DNA Inc, to potentially enable more efficient development of mRNA-based vaccines, therapeutics, and other biopharma products.

It also has a private biotech Acuitas Therapeutics will focus on the use of the Vancouver-based companys lipid nanoparticle technology for developing up to 10 vaccines or therapeutics.

Reuters contributed to this report.
Previously Deported Illegal Aliens Arent Entitled to Bond Hearing After 6 Months Detention, Supreme Court Hears

An illegal alien under a deportation order isnt entitled to a bond hearing after six months of detention, the Biden administration told the Supreme Court during a Jan. 11 hearing.

At issue is whether Zadvydas v. Davis, a 2001 Supreme Court ruling that found that federal law provides an implied time limit of six months for the immigration detention of noncitizens when their removal isnt reasonably foreseeable, applies to detainees who have been ordered to be removed from the country.

The case is Johnson v. Arteaga-Martinez, court file 19-896. Tae D. Johnson is the acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

The respondent, Mexican citizen Antonio Arteaga-Martinez, entered the United States repeatedly without authorization. The U.S. government deported him to Mexico once. He reentered most recently after 2012. He claims that a criminal gang in Mexico has targeted him and his family and that he was beaten and robbed and his car was stolen. He says that he reentered the United States in order to be safe from the violence in Mexico.

He was arrested by immigration agents in 2018 and a prior removal order against him was reinstated. While detained, he said he was afraid of returning to Mexico, and an asylum officer determined that he had a reasonable fear of future persecution in Mexico. He stayed in detention while his claimsome such claims take years to be resolvedwas processed. After several months, he filed a legal challenge to his detention, according to a SCOTUSblog summary.

Arteaga-Martinez was eventually released, but his attorneys say ICE still has the right to detain him and that they were challenging that with the lawsuit.

During oral arguments before the Supreme Court, Department of Justice attorney Austin Raynor said 8 U.S. Code Section 1231 provides that certain categories of non-citizens, including inadmissible non-citizens like respondent here, may be detained beyond the removal period.

This case is about whether that language requires that noncitizens  be afforded a bond hearing before an immigration judge after six months of detention, at which the government bears the burden of proving by clear and convincing evidence that the non-citizen is either a flight risk or a danger to the community, according to Raynor.

That question answers itself, he said.

This is why the respondent focuses on an altogether different issue, namely, whether he is entitled to outright release under this courts decision in Zadvydas because his removal is not reasonably foreseeable.

Because he didnt raise this argument, which is nonetheless mistaken, earlier in the litigation, he isnt entitled to raise it now before the Supreme Court, Raynor said.

The basic point of Zadvydas is you really cant keep someone indefinitely without a reason basically.  [It] cant be just whim, Justice Sonia Sotomayor told Raynor. We dont like this person becauseeasy to point to a racial reason, but it could be something as simple as we just dont like him.

The system seems biased against would-be immigrants, according to Sotomayor.

Its hard to see how impoverished people, unfamiliar with the workings of this government, of this country, are going to find lawyers, she said.

Justice Stephen Breyer asked Raynor when the government was likely to finalize Arteaga-Martinezs case.

I asked you for an estimate by the government as to when the government is likely to find a place, Breyer said. I dont care what place. Any place in the world besides the United States where you will send him.

Raynor said his next hearing would be in 2023 because hes on the non-detained docket, which moves more slowly than the docket for detained individuals.

What if the withholding of removal proceedings continue to drag on and on and on or [as] in Zadvydas, there was no country willing to take him, but he  was removable? Justice Amy Coney Barrett asked.

The respondents attorney, Pratik A. Shah, said federal officials had determined that his client had demonstrated a reasonable fear of torture if removed to his home country, a threshold standard that only 13 percent of applicants satisfy.

That determination entitled him to an immigration court adjudication of his claim for relief, which often takes a year or, as in this case, much longer, during which time he cannot be removed, according to Shah.

Now, three years later, the government still seeks the power to imprison him, despite his significant family ties and lack of any criminal record, pending his modified yet still unadjudicated withholding-of-removal claim.

Justice Neil Gorsuch asked Shah if the fact that his client had been released mooted his legal claim.

I dont think, legally, it moots the claim  because the government still seeks the power to re-detain him, Shah said. And so, if you were to rule against us, in the governments view, it could simply put him back into custody.
Quebec Public Health Director Resigns, Cities Erosion of Public Opinion Over Measures

MONTREALQuebecs director of public health, Dr. Horacio Arruda, tendered his resignation on Monday, citing an erosion in public trust as the province grapples with record hospitalizations during a fifth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Premier Francois Legault accepted the offer, with Arrudas departure confirmed to The Canadian Press by the premiers office.

His resignation comes as the province is in the midst of a surge of COVID-19 cases fueled by the more transmissible Omicron variant of the novel coronavirus.

On Monday, Quebec reported 2,554 hospitalizations due to COVID-19a new pandemic highas well as 248 intensive care cases. The province has reported 11,966 deaths since the beginning of the pandemic.

Arruda wrote in a letter dated Monday that his office has offered public health opinions and recommendations amid uncertainty and based on the best available knowledge and various expert opinions.

But he acknowledged there was a certain erosion in public support for health measures.

Recent comments about the credibility of our opinions and our scientific rigor are undoubtedly causing a certain erosion of public support, Arruda wrote. In such a context, I consider it appropriate to offer you the possibility of replacing me before the end of my term of office.

Arrudas contract was renewed for three years in August 2020.

In recent weeks, the province has brought back several stringent health measures including a curfew for a second year in a row amid rising infections and hospitalizations.

There were also calls to replace Arruda previously over comments that the use of rapid tests or even wearing a mask gives a false sense of security.

Legault will hold a news conference on Tuesday to address the departure.

Legault had given Arruda a vote of confidence on Dec. 30 in announcing several further measures including the curfew, with the premier insisting he was the right person to lead the public health department.

Arruda has been at the forefront of the provinces COVID-19 pandemic response since it was declared in March 2020, seen as a reassuring figure as the province was hit hard during the pandemics first wave.

Arruda had held the post of public health director since the summer of 2012. In his resignation letter, he offered to serve the government in a different post.

Do not see in this gesture an abandonment on my part, but rather the offer of an opportunity for you to reassess the situation, after several waves (of the pandemic) and a context in constant evolution, Arruda wrote.
Questions About the Ghislaine Maxwell Trial

Commentary

The recent trial of Ghislaine Maxwell raises, as prominent or complicated trials in the United States often do, serious questions about how the American criminal justice system operates.

I have known Ghislaine Maxwell for 35 years and knew her father quite well when we were both proprietors of British national newspapers. He was a flamboyant but undoubtedly highly unethical man who had an extraordinary career including a creditable war record, a discreditable status as supplier of school texts to African countries, and a creditable career as publisher of the London Daily Mirror and affiliated newspapers, in which capacity he showed considerable talent at pitching to the British tabloid market.

Altogether discreditable was his fawning over communist leaders in what were then called the satellite countries and in continually representing himself as a person of great political influence in many of the countries of the world, usually, but not always, a complete fiction. His last interview with Romanian dictator Nicolae Ceausescu, a few weeks before he was overthrown in a mass revolt and executed with great public enthusiasm, included the gem: Tell me, Mr. President, why do your people love you so?

I remember visiting him at his home near Oxford and asked him at one point about a splendid dinner service displayed in glass-doored cabinets along an entire wall of a large room. Bob nonchalantly explained that when, as a multilingual member of the British Army occupation force in West Berlin after World War II, he roamed about the prosperous residential areas, which had not been heavily bombed, requisitioning valuable objects for himself, (a serious breach of military rules for which he could have been reduced in rank from his status as a captain). He happened upon this service for which he claimed the provenance of the Romanoffs (ruling house of Russia), which was believable given its magnificence.

Bobs detachment of men for his mission of personal looting was forcibly removing it from a private home and putting it in a British Army truck, oblivious to the fact that he was in the French quarter of West Berlin. A patrolling French soldier happened by, notified higher-ups and a French colonel shortly arrived and advised him to put the dinner service back where he found it.

Bob said to me, quite plausibly and with evident pride that he responded to the French colonel: I think I have a better idea Colonel. Why dont you and I designate someone to divide this splendid dinner service equally and I will have one half delivered to your attention anywhere in the three Western Allied zones, and Ill take care of the other half. This was agreed. Bob Maxwell was a talented raconteur and had many tales to tell.

Ghislaine Maxwell was a very attractive young woman, vivid, vivacious, and charming. When her father died, unleashing an immense scandal over his alleged removal of extensive funds from the Mirror pension fund, which his family has never ceased to claim he intended to repay, his considerable fortune vanished.

It has never been clear whether his death was accidental or a suicide, (I discount the inevitable rumors of murder), and his two younger sons were charged with complicity in financial fraud and were acquitted, which leaves Robert Maxwell himself, tenuously unconvicted of financial wrongdoing. His sons were tried as replacements for him, as Ghislaines counsel alleged in her recent trial that she was for the late Jeffrey Epstein.

Ghislaine was scrambling for income somewhat until after some years she took up with Epstein. I knew Jeffrey also, though not as well; he was a very close advisor to a director of our company, the very successful womens clothing retailer Leslie Wexner, with whom he was financially very influential, as well as personally close. I saw Jeffrey and Ghislaine from time to time and they seemed to me to be a prosperous and presentable middle-aged man and his attractive girlfriend.

Obviously, I had no idea of the illegal activities that they have been convicted of committing. Alan Dershowitz acted for Jeffrey and at times for me also and I trust his analysis of Jeffrey Epsteins original legal problems. These were settled on a basis that Epsteins critics considered to be too soft, and which caused some embarrassment to the prosecutor, the future Trump era Labor secretary, Alexander Acosta, who had to resign under this pressure when Epstein was reindicted.

Both Mr. Acosta and Professor Dershowitz have stated that the evidence against Epstein was not particularly convincing and that the available witnesses would have been vulnerable on cross-examination. There was certainly audible complaint over the allegedly soft sentence that Epstein achieved, in reporting to the prison in West Palm Beach only in the evenings and for about eleven months.

So when he was seized when he landed in his own airplane coming back from Europe and his grand house on Fifth Avenue (which he bought from Wexner), was broken into by the police, and heavy charges were laid against him following which he notoriously died in prison apparently a suicide, I was one of the few people who suggested that we might wish to give him the benefit of a trial before convicting him.

All he stands convicted of today is the 2009 plea bargain. His premature death made that question academic. Years passed and as Ghislaine Maxwell would not be difficult to locate, I assumed she had cleared herself of any legal vulnerability. She is a French citizen, among other nationalities, and I assumed that if she had any concerns in that regard she would relocate to France which does not extradite to the United States, as Roman Polanski has demonstrated.

I didnt follow her trial exceptionally closely, but I was not especially impressed with the testimony of the four anonymous witnesses and some of the testimony from more than 25 years ago, and I did not agree with the judges commendation of them as courageous.

They came forward anonymously after a silence of many years, and were encouraged by the prosecutors, who authorized substantial amounts of money for them from the Jeffrey Epstein Defense Fund if they would testify and who advised them that if they did testify, they would have a stronger argument to get more from the Epstein Defense Fund, towards which such prosecutors have some fiduciary obligation.

I believe this is an improper form of incentivization of witnesses and that in this, as in a great many other areas, American criminal procedure is stacked against defendants. Other recent revelations of conversations between a juror who had himself been sexually victimized, and the media and his influence on other jurors cast additional doubt upon the proceedings. A declaration of mistrial has been requested.

I emphasize that there is no alternative but to assume that the verdicts are just, but for the sentence of Ghislaine Maxwell to be just, extenuating factors should be considered. Of course Ms. Maxwell is responsible for her actions and if she had any reason to know that she was procuring minors for Epsteins and even her own sexual delectation, though there was no evidence of coercion or penetration, that is a grievous criminal matter.

But the legal status of women of the age of consent, who voluntarily returned, were never victims of physical coercion and remained silent for over a decade until incentivized from the Epstein Defense Fund being used by prosecutors as a slush fund to convict Ms. Maxwell to generate larger payments out of the same fund, would be unfair to Ghislaine Maxwell and to the legitimate heirs of Epsteins estate.

I think discussion of a sentence in this case of over 15 years is distressingly severe. I discount as wildly exaggerated reports that a large number of prominent people paid Epstein scores or even hundreds of millions of dollars in blackmail, and ultimately had him murdered, and are rewarding Ghislaine Maxwell for her silence. The world is full of false conspiracies.

As Ive written before here and elsewhere, the United States has five percent of the worlds population and 25 percent of its incarcerated people, and an average of nine times as many incarcerated people per capita as Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, and the UK.

In federal indictments the conviction rate is approximately 98 percent, 95 percent without a trial, because the chances of a successful defense are so minimal, chiefly because of the prosecutors ability to manipulate the plea bargain system to suborn or extort evidence that is immunized from charges of perjury. If this case is not deemed a mistrial, there is still no excuse for inflicting a penalty of 15 or more years in prison, as is widely expected, on Ghislaine Maxwell.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Rep. Ed Perlmutter (D-Colo.) looks over at other committee members during a House Rules Committee hearing in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 17, 2019. (Samuel Corum/Getty Images)

Rep. Ed Perlmutter Becomes 26th Democrat to Announce Retirement In 2022

Rep. Ed Perlmutter (D-Colo.) has added his name to the already-expansive list of Democrats who have announced that they will be retiring ahead of the 2022 midterm elections.

Most of these retirements have thus far come from the House, where Republicans are expected to put on a real challenge to Democrats who are looking to keep their majority.

In the Senate, where Democrats have a more favorable election map, there has only been one retirement, that of Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), president pro tempore of the Senate.

The slew of Democratic retirements in the House has led some to speculate that there is a connection between the difficulty that Democrats will face in the 2022 elections and the growing list of retirements.

During a speech announcing his retirement, Perlmutter brushed off any such speculation.

Even though the numbers are slightly tighter, we will win, the 68 year old Coloradan said of the Democratic Party, adding Ive never shied away from a challenge but its time for me to move on and explore other opportunities.

Perlmutter, who represents a competitive district in the Denver suburbs, would have faced a steep challenge in holding onto his seat if he had run again. The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC), one of the top organizations in GOP electioneering, considers Perlmutters seat highly vulnerable in 2022.

Perlmutters political career began in 1995. Hurling past the Colorado lower chamber, Perlmutter won election to the state Senate, which he served in until 2003.

In 2006, Perlmutter made a bid for the U.S. House of Representatives.

Initially, GOP opponent Rick ODonnell was the expected winner in the state, which was far more Republican at the time. However, after Perlmutters team began running attack ads on ODonnell for having supported abolishing social security in the past, Perlmutter handily defeated ODonnell by double-digit margins.

In 2010, the GOP considered the seat a target. Ultimately, they could not flip the seat, and they have not targeted it heavily since then. Throughout the 2010s, Perlmutter won each election with around 60 percent of the vote.

Coming from Colorado, where marijuana was legalized for recreational use in 2012, one of Perlmutters most fought-for initiatives has been the Safe and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act. The bill, first introduced in 2013 and reintroduced several times since, would expand access for cannabis-based firms to banks and other financial services.

In 2019, after Democrats took back the House, the bill was passed through the lower chamber with overwhelming bipartisan support; in total, the bill had 203 cosponsors, comprising about half of the House of Representatives. The passage of the legislation through the House marked the first time that either chamber of Congress had passed a substantive cannabis reform bill since marijuana was made legal.

However, the bill did not have as much luck in the Senate, where it died in committee during the 116th Congress.

The bill was reintroduced in 2021, and it again passed the House by a bipartisan vote. Currently, it is sitting in the Senate Committees of Jurisdiction and has seen little movement since March.

Perlmutters decision to not seek reelection provides a golden opportunity for Republicans.

Amid redistricting across the country in the wake of the 2020 census, the GOP may again have a chance at taking Perlmutters district, which they have largely ignored since 2010. The Democratic candidate for Perlmutters district will face a steeper challenge than Perlmutter has historically, as neither party will have the incumbents advantage during the upcoming election.

Similar opportunities for Republicans are springing up across the country in the midst of one of the longest list of Democratic retirees in years.

In 2010, when Republicans gained around 60 seats (but failed to take back the majority), only 17 Democrats had plans to retire. In the current landscape, where Democrats have only a five seat majority, 26 House Democrats have now announced their intention to retire.

This includes Rep. John Yarmuth (D-Ky.), house budget chairman and a top Democratic official, among many others in seats that Democrats cannot afford to lose.

Having such a long list of retirees is bad news for President Joe Biden and the Democratic leadership. And it is likely that Perlmutter will not be the last.

During a Sunday night appearance on Fox News, GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) suggested that he believes that the final number of retirees may top at over 30.

The growing list of retirees could bode well for GOP prospects in 2022. Following Perlmutters announcement, NRCC spokeswoman Courtney Parella said simply, Ed Perlmutter knows House Democrats wont be in the majority after the midterm elections. He made the smart decision to retire rather than lose reelection.
Russian Bullying Wont Deter UK From Helping Ukraine: Defence Chief

Britain will not be deterred by bullying by Russia when it comes to helping allies such as Ukraine, Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has said.

Addressing the House of Commons on Monday, Wallace said he would visit a number of countries in Eastern Europe and Scandinavia this week, many of whom are very, very worried by what has been happening.

Tens of thousands of Russian troops are massing near the border with Ukraine, raising Western concerns over possible Russian aggression.

Wallace told lawmakers that the UK will work with whoever wants us to work with them who share our values.

We will not be deterred by bullying, we will not be deterred by distance, he said. We shall step up and help those countries in Eastern Europe, those countries in Scandinavia, and Ukraine, should they wish our assistance.

Wallace also said it was important to help Ukraine sustain a navy capability after the country lost large parts of its navy when Russia illegally annexed Crimea.

Russia has demanded that NATO reject Ukraines application to join the military alliance and roll back its deployments in Eastern Europe.

Russian and U.S. officials held talks in Geneva but gave no sign of narrowing their differences on Ukraine and wider European security.

Russia will hold talks with NATO in Brussels on Wednesday and will meet representatives from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OECD) in Vienna on Thursday.

At an event to mark the 40th anniversary of the Falklands War on Monday, Wallace said: While we are hopeful of the best outcomes of this weeks diplomatic efforts, we should not be overly optimistic and prepare for the worst.

The parallels with 40 years ago barely need articulating but for me the most valuable are the threats to our country, our people, our allies, and our territory come from any direction and at any time, he said.

Distance should not deter Britain, nor will the scale of the challenge, and history is littered with the consequences of those who underestimated this small island.

The UK Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO) also urged Russia to stop its acts of aggression.

The UK is working closely with our allies and partners, including the U.S., to make clear to Russia that we will not accept its campaign to subvert its democratic neighbours, a spokesman said.

Any military incursion into Ukraine would be a massive strategic mistake with severe costs, he said.

PA Media contributed to this report.
Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev greets Russian President Vladimir Putin before the informal annual summit of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) at the presidential residence of Konstantin Palace in Strelna, outside St. Petersburg, Russia, on Dec. 28, 2021. (Yevgeny BiyatovI/AFP via Getty Images)

Russian Troops to Start Withdrawing From Kazakhstan in 2 Days, Says Kazakh President

Troops from a Russia-aligned group who flew to Kazakhstan last week following serious unrest in the Central Asian nation will start withdrawing in two days after completing its mission, the president announced on Tuesday.

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev requested help from the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), a military alliance of six former Soviet states, for international support on Jan. 6 after nationwide protests erupted into violence.

The primary mission of the CSTO peacekeeping forces has been successfully completed, Tokayev said during a session broadcast live on state television.

The gradual withdrawal of the CSTO peacekeeping contingent will commence in two days, the president went on to say. The process of withdrawing the contingent will take no longer than 10 days.

The mostly Russian troops were deployed to Kazakhstan as the country faced the worst public unrest since the former Soviet nation gained independence around three decades ago.

In this photo taken from video released by the Russian Defense Ministry Press Service, Russian peacekeepers board on a Russian military plane at an airfield outside Moscow, in Russia to fly to Kazakhstan on Jan. 6, 2022. (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP)

Tokayev said in his request for aid that military assistance was necessary to help overcome a terrorist threat. Thus far, Kazakh police have detained more than 9,000 people in the unrest that has seen 164 people officially killed, the countrys interior ministry reported.

According to unconfirmed reports on social media sites such as Twitter, the actual death toll is much higher, as government forces implemented Tokayevs order to shoot to kill, without warning.

Nationwide protests, which started on Jan. 2 in the city of Zhanaozen in Kazakhstans Mangistau region, began in response to an increase in the price cap for propane gas to 120 tenge (27 cents), from 2021s price of 60 tenge (14 cents).

A victims body covered by a banner (R), lays near to a military truck, which was burned after clashes, in Almaty, Kazakhstan, on Jan. 6, 2022. (Vladimir Tretyakov/NUR.KZ via AP)

A burned car is seen in front of the mayors office building which was torched during protests triggered by a fuel price increase in Almaty, Kazakhstan, on Jan. 6, 2022. (Pavel Mikheyev/Reuters)

On Tuesday, Tokayev appointed a new prime minister, Alikhan Smailov, with a view to developing a government framework for action for 2022 within three weeks.

Kazakhstans government resigned last week in what was seen as one of several concessions aimed at mollifying the protesters, along with a 180-day cap on fuel prices and the ouster of Nursultan Nazarbayev, the countrys former longtime leader, from his influential post as head of the National Security Council.

Nazarbayev stepped down as president in March 2019 after thirty years as the leader but has continued to maintain control over the ruling party Nur Otan until Dec. 2, 2021.

Victoria Kelly-Clark and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

From NTD News
Teacher Stuart Abram holds a sign in support of the Chicago Teachers Union before a CTU caravan Wednesday, the first day that classes were canceled amid the dispute over COVID-19 safety measures. (Chicago Tribune via TCA)

School Daze

Commentary

For the third straight day last week, the Chicago Teachers Union canceled classes, choosing to return to virtual learning and citing dangers from the Omicron variant as their excuse.

To many, this is seen as nothing more than a teachers strike and power grab executed by a union that historically supports Democrat politicians. Democrats send federal aid to the union, and the union then uses it to turn out more votes for Democrats. Anyone else see a double problem in this mutual back-scratching system?

When Boston police officers went on strike in 1919, then-Massachusetts Governor Calvin Coolidge called the strikers deserters and traitors, adding, in a telegram to Samuel Gompers, president of the American Federation of Labor, There is no right to strike against the public safety by anybody, anywhere, any time.

While the situation in Chicago is different from the Boston police strike, the refusal by teachers to return to classrooms is causing a different kind of harm to children and parents. There is the mental and emotional damage caused to children, in addition to challenges associated with learning from home and the financial and childcare pressure on parents.

The federal government has supplied $5 billion to Illinois for the purpose of keeping schools open and in-classroom teaching. As in many other states, Illinois has been using the money for other purposes. While this is technically allowed, politicians should demand the money back if states and cities dont use the money for the purpose for which it was intended.

Could the fact that most private and religious schools remained open during the pandemic be because they didnt have union bosses dictating to them?

There may never be a better time to break the power of the teachers unions, and what is likely the last monopoly in America, the public school system.

School choice is the answer. Competition works in every other field. It can also work in education. Currently, there are 27 voucher programs in 16 states and the District of Columbia, according to Education Commission of the States. More are needed and now is the opportune moment for voters to pressure politicians into creating them in other states that dont offer them. Illinois offers K-12 students and their parents several types of school choice, including two private programs, charter schools, magnet schools, home schooling and intra-district public school choice via an open enrollment policy, according to edchoice.org. More parents should investigate and take advantage of them.

The intellectual, moral, and patriotic education of our children are keys to maintaining the country we have enjoyed for more than two centuries. Other countries, especially China, are way ahead of us when it comes to math and science. They send many of their top students here to be educated at our best universities and many then return to China to apply what theyve learned in ways that further the interests of their country, interests which are often counter to our own.

One of the definitions of monopoly is An exclusive privilege to carry on a business, traffic, or service, granted by a government.

The education monopoly has long-exceeded its sell-by date and needs to be broken up. This will allow parents, not government, to decide which system best suits their children. Education choice puts children first ahead of government and unions.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Lokesh Verma (R) with his wife Aashi Verma and their two daughters at the Shen Yun performance in Austin, Texas on Jan. 9, 2022. (Sally Sun/Epoch Times)

AUSTIN, TexasShen Yun is a perennial draw for families and couples for a simple reason: its universal message and appeal.

Lokesh Verma, an IT engineering consultant for a gaming company, and his wife Aashi Verma, brought their daughters to see Shen Yun.

Mrs. Verma saw a brochure for Shen Yun at her elder daughters school but wanted to wait until she was old enough to appreciate it. Now, four years later, the family has had their first Shen Yun experience.

I enjoyed it so much that Im thinking I should come next time also, said Mrs. Verma. The backdrop, the magnificent costumes, everything was amazing. And the story they tell interests me more to look into the culture.

Shen Yuns mission is to bring back 5,000 years of Chinese civilization as it existed before communism. Through classical dance and live music, it has delighted audiences all over the world since 2006. At the core of its performances is a theme of faith and reverence for the divine.

I think [faith is] one of the foundations for any society or any culture to grow, said Mr. Verma. We have been in India, so we see people practice every religion and people pursue different paths. They have freedom of speech and freedom of religion.

Mrs. Verma agreed.

Spirituality plays an integral role in all the society, whether its Chinese, or whether its Indian or whether any other society because there is some more important power who is protecting us, she said.

She added that the Shen Yun performance is important during our unique times.

It can bring people together because it shows compassion, benevolence, kindness, so it really helps during this time, Mrs. Verma said.

Mark Jensen and Liz Jensen at the Austin performance of Shen Yun on Jan. 9, 2022. (Sonia Wu/Epoch Times)

Realtor Mark Jensen surprised his wife Liz for Christmas with Shen Yun tickets. Mrs. Jensen, a vice president of a consulting company, had wanted to attend a performance for years.

Just from the stories I saw portrayed it makes me want to learn so much more about Chinaabout the culture and what has happened and what is happening now, Mrs. Jensen said. Through the beauty of dance, the stories really opened my eyes.

Mr. Jensen appreciated the stories of redemption.

It came through in many of the dances [with] people having [an] awakening, like when there were the bandits that robbed the temple and then at the end [with] them coming and paying respects and praying.

Mrs. Jensen added: I think theres definitely a message of hope and that we will all go through tribulations and challenges and come through on the other side.

She recommends the show highly. Knowing that its all-new every year, I think we might make it an annual tradition, Mrs. Jensen said.

Reporting by Sonia Wu and Sally Sun.

The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts. We have covered audience reactions since Shen Yuns inception in 2006.
Policemen and passengers are seen in the main train station of Duesseldorf, western Germany, on March 10, 2017. (Horst Ossinger/AFP via Getty Images)

Shocked Parents Watch Train Speed Off with Baby on Board

BERLINA baby in Germany has been reunited with its parents after they watched in horror as it speed off on a train without them on board, police said Monday.

Federal police said the father had put a stroller with his 11-month-old child inside onto the train but was waiting on the platform for his wife to join them when the doors closed and it pulled out of Duesseldorf station early Sunday.

The panicked parents rushed to a taxi in hopes of catching the train at its next stop in the nearby city of Duisburg. But passengers who spotted the unaccompanied baby alerted the conductor, who ordered the train to return to Duesseldorf.

The parents eventually returned too and the baby was handed back into the care of its grateful parents, police said in a statement.
Snoop Dogg arrives at the LA Premiere of "Coach Snoop" at the TCL Chinese 6 Theatres in Los Angeles on May 16, 2016. (Rich Fury/Invision/AP)

Snoop Dogg Files Trademark Application to Sell Hot Dogs Under Snoop Doggs Brand

Snoop Dogg is planning to launch his own brand of hot dogs called Snoop Doggs, Billboard reports, citing a December legal filing at the federal trademark office.

In December, Snoops attorney Lawrence E. Apolzon filed a trademark application on his behalf to use his stage name to sell hot dogs and other kinds of sausages under the brand Snoop Doggs.

As per the legal filing, Snoop, whose legal name is Calvin Broadus, would be selling food including hot dogs, hot dog sausages, sausages, turkey sausages, and vegetarian sausages for consumption on or off the premises.

While the 50-year-old rapper has not yet launched the brand, his legal team filed an intent-to-use application, and the accompanying application notes serious intent, Billboard reports, which suggests that he likely plans to do it, although the exact date is currently unknown.

The Epoch Times has contacted Snoop Doggs spokesperson for comment.

The reported business launch comes despite Snoop Dogg in 2016 admitting that he had never eaten a hot dog before.

During an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, when the rapper was shown a video of how hot dogs are made, he said This is a hot dog!? Oh cuz, I aint never eating a [expletive] hot dog! If thats how they make hot dogs, I dont want one. Im good.

Snoop Dogg is no stranger to business ventures, having launched a cannabis company in 2015 called Leafs By Snoop which sold medical and recreational marijuana-related products.

The California native has also invested in a string of cannabis startups through his venture capital firm Casa Verde which focuses exclusively on the cannabis industry.

In June 2018, Casa Verde invested in the UK-based Oxford Cannabinoid Technologies (OCT), a biopharmaceutical company focused on researching the potential of cannabinoid-based medications to develop treatments to improve the quality of life for millions of patients around the world.

In October 2020, Casa Verde invested $15 million in Portuguese medical cannabis company AceCann.

We aim to create the gold standard in medical cannabis  from cultivation to commercialization, with IP ownership at every step in the value chain, AceCann CEO Pedro Gomes said in a statement at the time. With the support of our investors, we are able to accelerate our mission to develop consistent, high-quality products that give patients access to life-changing innovation.

The rapper also ventured into the liquor industry in September 2020, when he announced a partnership with Trusted Spirits and Prestige Beverage Group to launch his own brand of gin which is gluten-free, distilled five times and contains no added sugar called Indoggo Gin.
Former Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams campaigns for then-candidate Joe Biden in Las Vegas, Nev., on Oct. 24, 2020. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Stacey Abrams to Miss Bidens Speech in Georgia

Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams will not attend President Joe Bidens speech in Georgia on Tuesday.

Abrams aides confirmed to news outlets she will skip the event, which will take place in Atlanta.

Aides cited a scheduling conflict.

Abrams campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Abrams wrote on Twitter thanking the president for traveling to Georgia and refusing to relent until the work is finished.

Abrams was missing from a list sent by the White House detailing people who would be traveling or meeting with Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris during the trip to Atlanta.

Abrams is the top Democrat candidate for Georgias governor. She lost the 2018 election to Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, a Republican who is running for another term.

Abrams has repeatedly claimed she won the election, which was certified for Kemp.

Biden told reporters on Tuesday before the speech, I spoke with Stacey this morning, we have a great relationship, we got our scheduling mixed up.

Were all on the same page and everythings fine, he added.

Biden plans to speak in support of legislation that would federalize elections. Democrats have been unable so far to garner enough support to pass the bills in Congress. Democrats say the bills would expand voting rights while Republicans argue they would dramatically alter the way elections are run and make it easier for fraudulent votes to be cast.

Biden will speak about what the path forward looks like to advocate for this moving forward in the Senate, White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters in Washington.

President Joe Biden walks across the South Lawn after returning to the White House in Washington on Jan. 10, 2022. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Biden will say, according to an excerpt released by the White House, that when the bills come up for a vote in the coming days, it will mark a turning point in this nation.

Will we choose democracy over autocracy, light over shadow, justice over injustice? I know where I stand. I will not yield. I will not flinch. I will defend your right to vote and our democracy against all enemies foreign and domestic. And so the question is where will the institution of United States Senate stand? Biden plans to say.

The bills are the John Lewis Voting Rights Act and the Freedom to Vote Act.

Both pieces of legislation need 60 votes to pass in the Senate, which is currently divided 5050 between Democrats and Republicans.

No Republicans have expressed support for them and several Democrats, including Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), have voiced concerns.

Democrat leaders want to abolish or alter the filibuster, which would lower the voting threshold for most bills from 60 votes to a simple majority. Democrats can break ties through Harris, who is president of the upper chamber.

Sens. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) was set to travel with Biden to Atlanta and Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), and Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) planned to fly with Harris to the city.

Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.) was scheduled to meet with Biden later in the day, along with a number of members of the House and activists like Rev. Jesse Jackson and Derrick Johnson, president and CEO of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

Other activists planned to skip the speech over frustration with the lack of progress on the bills, including members of the Asian American Advocacy Fund and Black Voters Matter.

Now is not the time for another speech, we dont need him to come to Georgia and use us as a prop. What we need is work, Cliff Albright, co-founder of Black Voters Matter, said on CNNs New Day.
U.S. dollars and other world currencies lie in a charity receptacle at Pearson international airport in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, on June 13, 2018. (Chris Helgren/Reuters)

State Pension Funds Help Repressive Regimes Like Chinas, Critics Warn

Some American institutional investors, in pushing for the highest returns, could soon find themselves hanging by their own rope while destroying the country, critics warn.

Thats because several big American money managers are investing in China through retirement funds, according to critics, who say theres good reason for these investments to be reviewed.

They say American dollars fund Chinese venture capital firms, undercutting American businesses and violating human rights.

Can anyone explain to me why the Maryland State government is helping tech startups in China to compete with U.S. companies? MD pension fund invests in Chinese government-influenced VC fund, Rob D. Atkinson, president of the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF), wrote on Twitter recently.

ITIF is a Washington-based technology think tank.

The Maryland State Retirement and Pension System in a December filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), reported that it increased its stake in Yum China Holdings Inc. by 3.4 percent in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing. The institutional investor owned 32,072 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 1,065 shares during the period.

Marylands retirement systems holdings in Yum China were worth $1,897,000 at the end of the most recent quarter, the SEC reported.

Yum China Holdings operates restaurants and fast-food chains in China, including Kentucky Fried Chicken and Pizza Hut restaurants. However, several analysts have recently rated it as a sell. In November, Zacks Investment Research downgraded it from a hold to a sell. TheStreet in November dropped its rating from B to C-plus.

People walk past a Huawei store below a Pizza Hut in Beijing on Oct. 22, 2020. (GREG BAKER/AFP via Getty Images)

Michael Golden, a spokesman for the Maryland State Retirement Agency, didnt respond to numerous phone and email requests from The Epoch Times on why the state fund is expanding its China ties.

Asked why some American pension funds are investing in China, Atkinson told The Epoch Times that most state pension funds are underfunded.

Theyre underfunded because theyve given in to the demands of state employees, he said.

BlackRock, a big money manager, defends its huge investments in China. A spokesman told The Epoch Times that its doing whats best for the investor.

The assets we manage are not our own, they belong to our clients. Our obligation as an asset manager and a fiduciary is to manage those assets consistent with our clients objectives and choices, the spokesman said.

But a critic of China-based investing said BlackRock isnt acting in a fiduciary manner.

In China, its illegal for foreigners to actually own shares of those companies. We question whether those returns are real, with the way that BlackRock is investing, said William Hild, executive director of Consumers Research, a conservative watchdog group that has been critical of BlackRock.

Hild notes that China has no generally accepted accounting standards. He points to a July 30, 2021, statement by SEC Chairman Gary Gensler on U.S.Chinese investments.

To raise money on such exchanges, many China-based operating companies are structured as variable interest entities (VIEs), Gensler wrote.

In such an arrangement, a China-based operating company typically establishes an offshore shell company in another jurisdiction, such as the Cayman Islands, to issue stock to public shareholders. That shell company enters into service and other contracts with the China-based operating company, then issues shares on a foreign exchange, like the New York Stock Exchange.

The shell company, Gensler said, has no equity ownership in the China-based operating company. He is calling for reforms in China.

Atkinson says that seeking higher returns doesnt excuse investing taxpayer dollars with major competitors that could destroy the United States.

We just cant do this anymore, because many of these companies will start competing against us, he said. We dont want to start advancing the rapid development of the Chinese technological economy.

I dont blame Maryland for doing this, but the point is that individual rationality can lead to collective irrationality.

Atkinson also believes that its incumbent upon the federal government to ensure that any federal aid should be dependent on a state not investing in Chinese companies.

His complaints are not just with Maryland officials. Many exchanges routinely list China-based companies. Critics contend that many Americans, unaware of the dangers, are buying their shares.

Letter to Governors

U.S. investors have put $458 billion into Chinese and Hong Kong stock exchanges and bonds, an estimated $302 billion of which is held by mutual and pension funds, according to Richard Manning, president of Americans for Limited Government. He filed these comments with the U.S. Labor Department on Dec. 13 citing Department of Defense (DOD) numbers.

DOD tallied 44 companies listed on U.S. stock exchanges that are either owned or controlled by Chinas ruling Communist Party, Manning said.

This is the critical point, he said: Many investors dont know what theyre buying.

China did not suddenly stop controlling its state-run enterprises or using slave labor, and this is nothing more than a dereliction of duty that should not be repeated, he said.

Hild sent a letter to the 10 governors of the states with the most pension money invested with BlackRock, asking that they reassess their relationship with China.

These ties date back to the early 2000s and create concerning conflicts that consumers should be aware of. These ties start from the top. BlackRocks CEO, Larry Fink, has become a trusted partner with Chinas communist leadership, Hild wrote.

He wrote to governors including New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, and Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf.

BlackRock officials told The Epoch Times they disagree with these criticisms and the campaign to persuade big money managers to disinvest from China.

As a fiduciary to our clients, BlackRock focuses on matters like diversity in the boardroom and climate risk because we believe these are material issues that can affect the long-term value of our clients investments, a BlackRock spokesman said. Those are the issues the funders and leaders of this campaign do not appear to agree with.

Hild dismissed these arguments. He said that recently, the U.S.China Economic and Security Review Commission, a body of security and economic experts convened by Congress, recommended that the United States curtail, not expand, economic ties with China.

In its 2021 report to Congress, the commission said that whats at stake is the safety and security of the United States, its partners, friends, and allies.

The Chinese Communist Party, the commission wrote, is a long-term, consequential, menacing adversary determined to end the economic and political freedoms that have served as the foundation for security and prosperity for billions of people. Each decision the United States makes over the coming months and years must be taken in consultation with concerned partners and be purposefully directed at upholding an international system that has largely served us well.

Without the right policies, the report said, we will continue to see the slow but certain erosion of the security, sovereignty, and identity of democratic nations.

Hild says Americans must understand the multiple risks posed by BlackRocks extensive investments in Chinese companies, both from an ethical standpoint as well as the fiduciary responsibility owed to U.S. pension holders and retirees.

BlackRock Chair and CEO Laurence D. Fink attends a session at the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos on Jan. 23, 2020. (Fabrice Coffrini/AFP via Getty Images)

The BlackRock spokesman said that by engaging with China, the money manager will encourage improved financial norms.

BlackRock is committed to continually pushing for improved standards, governance, and accounting transparency from all companies and countries wherever they are operating in the world. Our approach to China will be no different, the spokesman said.

Hild is unconvinced. Still, he seems to generally agree with BlackRock on one point: The debate over Chinese markets is about more than finding profitable investments.

Read More Americans Fund Concentration Camps in China

Investment in Chinese companies, Hild told the governors in the letter, could also make U.S. investors unwitting accomplices in the expansion of the Chinese Communist Partys surveillance and intelligence gathering apparatus, or worst yet, make them party to human rights abuses like the ongoing genocide against Uyghurs in Xinjiang, China.

Florida Decouples From China

Late last month, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced that his states pension funds would no longer invest in China. He said that some American companies are apologizing to tyrants.

If you look at how these major companies behave when faced with Chinese disapproval, they censor what the CCP tells them to censor and we see groveling apologies, he said.

Go back a generation, and the idea of the American elites was, If we allow China into the WTO and give them most favored nation status, that will make China more like us. This experiment has failed, and it has endangered our nations national and economic security.

However, the allure of big returns combined with underfunding pension systems still seems important. Florida officials are the only ones who have responded to the Consumers Research complaints and disinvested, Hild said.

Still, BlackRock officials insisted: Our approach to Chinese related investments is consistent with U.S. foreign policy.

Atkinson also said that many American institutional investors arent following Floridas lead, but may be following the prediction of one of the most important communist leaders in history.

Vladimir Lenin, the founding leader of the Soviet Union, famously said the capitalist was so avaricious that they will sell us the rope with which we will hang them.

Atkinson says, The only way you can keep a capitalist from hanging himself is to have a rule that says he cant hang himself.
Workers inside Smithfield Foods' Sioux Falls, S.D., pork processing plant wear protective gear and are separated by plastic partitions as they carve up meat on May 20, 2020. (Courtesy Smithfield Foods via AP)

Supermarket CEO Warns of Omicron-Related Meat and Egg Shortages

John Catsimatidis, CEO of the New York-based supermarket chain Gristedes, warned in an interview on Monday that the Omicron variant of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus could cause shortages of meat and eggs in the upcoming months.

[A]s Omicron grows, and its gonna grow over the next two to four to five to six weeks, Omicron is taking its toll at different levels of the supply chain, whether its the warehouses, whether its the selectors, the drivers, the loadersand as they call in sick, theres interruptions in the system, Castimidis said during an appearance on Fox and Friends.

Gristedes owner John Catsimatidis. (Courtesy of John Catsimatidis)

Now, right here in the Northeast where our stores are located, we have multiple suppliers, where the national chains in the Midwest have one or two, or one main supplier. And whats happening is, if those suppliers are short on product because of the situation of people being out because of the Omicron, then theyre gonna have interruptions. What were seeing in the Northeast is price increases.

Catsimatidis analysis highlights the ways in which supply chain disruptions have affected different regions asymmetrically. In poorly serviced or isolated rural communities, supply chain issues have manifested as scarcity of certain products, whereas well-serviced regions such as the Northeastern megalopolis experience inflated prices as food distributors attempt to manipulate demand. However, the results are to varying degrees universal: consumers are finding it harder, whether due to financial or distributive barriers, to access the products they desire.
Supreme Court Likely to Rule Against Biden Administration Vaccine Mandates: Rob Henneke

The Supreme Court appears poised to rule against two Biden administration COVID-19 vaccine mandates but will likely do so in a limited way, a lawyer who brought a case against the mandates says.

I believe that on the federal vaccine mandates, the Supreme Court is going to land on a very limited position that just looks at the text of the federal statute to say this statute does not give the Biden administration the authority to do this, Robert Henneke, executive director and general counsel at the Texas Public Policy Foundation, told EpochTVs American Thought Leaders program. The full interview will premiere on Epoch TV on Thurs, Jan 13, at 7pm ET.

Justices heard arguments last week for and against the mandates, one of which applies to every private business with 100 or more workers and the other of which covers every health care institution that receives Medicare or Medicaid funding.

Most justices seemed skeptical that the federal government has the power to impose such broad mandates, but others appeared to support the vaccination requirements.

Henneke, whose group brought a suit against the business mandate, said he sees a court that is comfortable, at some level, with mandates.

The Supreme Court has not ruled against any mandates and declined to intervene in multiple cases dealing with ones at the state level, including a mandate for New York health care workers.

As I look at the court, as I look at where five justices may bethey accepted this case, challenging the Biden vaccine mandates, but they rejected other cases that have come from state vaccine mandatesand what that tells me is that the court may be thinking this is not proper for the federal government but were not going to disturb the states in their power to regulate and adopt laws for public health and safety,' Henneke said.

So it could leave a situation where itll be a state-by-state decision. I think that would go too far. I still think that intrudes upon the personal autonomy and liberty of the individual. But it does also restore kind of the states as the policymakers of the nation and at least allows citizens to live and work in a state that may have policies and laws that best reflect their views.

If justices decide to go that route, that could very well trigger certain migration patterns, whether its people moving to a state that has stricter policies or looser ones, Henneke predicted.

I think this could be another example of where, for individuals that dont want to have government into their personal business and in terms of health care choices, will move to those kinds of states where those policies best reflect their personal beliefs. And if you want to live in a state that has passed vaccine passports and vaccine mandates and heavy health care regulatory requirements, good for youchoose one of those states to live in. And well kind of see how the American population sorts itself out, he said.

The Supreme Courts decision on the mandates could come any time but because it hasnt acted yet, the private business mandate took effect on Monday. The health care vaccination requirements have a deadline of Jan. 27 as of now for the 25 states in which they have not been blocked by lower courts.

If the court doesnt overrule the mandates, it could still block them temporarily and order the various cases back to lower courts. The third option? The court rules that the administration did have the power to mandate vaccination.

Henneke said that choice is the least likely, but its certainly on the table, and really gives me concern for the future of this country.

Zachary Stieber Reporter Follow Zachary Stieber covers U.S. and world news. He is based in Maryland.
Sweden Orders Cafes, Eateries to Close at 11 pm

COPENHAGEN, DenmarkSwedens prime minister, Magdalena Andersson, on Monday ordered cafes, bars, and restaurants to close no later than 11 p.m., urged people to work from home when possible and said distance learning was an option in higher education to try to combat rising levels of COVID-19 infection.

Despite millions of people getting the vaccine, we believe that the situation requires further measures over a period of time, in order to curb the spread of infection and reduce the burden on health care and care, Andersson said.

Sweden which has previously stood out among European nations for its comparatively hands-off response to the pandemic, is in the midst of a fourth wave with a high spread of infection and high disease rates, Social Affairs Minister Lena Hallengren said.

Andersson said that the situation has without a doubt worsened.

Restrictions are not something we introduce lightly and we are aware that the past two years have been a trying for all of us in Sweden, Andersson said.

Head of the Swedish Public Health Agency Karin Tegmark Wise added: We are in an extreme situation.

As of Jan. 14, cafes, bars and eateries must close at 11 p.m., a limit of eight people per group in these places is being introduced, anyone who can work from home should do so, and distance learning can be introduced in higher education.

For people without a vaccination certificate, the government introduced a ceiling of 50 people for public gatherings and public events.

Authorities reiterated their calls to people to be vaccinated, with Andersson saying vaccination is the most powerful (tool) we have against the spread of COVID-19.

For most of the pandemic, Sweden stood out among European nations for its comparatively hands-off response. The country never went into a lockdown or closed businesses, relying instead on citizens sense of civic duty to control infections. Authorities have emphasized individual responsibility instead of government health measures.
A woman holds a placard stating "Give me LIBERTY OR GIVE ME DEATH" while joining demonstrators at a rally outside the Pennsylvania Capitol Building to protest the continued closure of businesses due to the coronavirus pandemic in Harrisburg, Penn., on May 15, 2020. (Mark Makela/Getty Images)

Taking Back Our Liberty in 2022

Commentary

For those of us who value liberty, these past two years have been a bad dream. It seems like we fell asleep in early 2020 and woke up in 1984! They said that if we just put on a mask and stayed home for two weeks, wed be able to return to normal. The two weeks came and went and instead of going back to normal they added more restrictions. These past two years have been a story of moving goalposts and experts like Anthony Fauci constantly contradicting themselves.

Early on, in April 2020, I warned in an article titled Next in Coronavirus Tyranny: Forced Vaccinations and Digital Certificates, that the ultimate goal of the two weeks crowd was to force vaccines and a vaccine passport on Americans.

My concerns were at the time written off as just another conspiracy theory. But less than a year later that conspiracy theory became conspiracy fact. I am not happy about being right on this. The introduction of vaccine passports was from the beginning my worst nightmare. The idea that you must show your papers to participate in society is a concept that is totally opposed to a free society. It is inhuman.

The history of these past two years is that the worst ideas have been adopted by force and anyone questioning those ideas has been suppressed by force. We learned recently that Dr. Fauci and the director of the National Institutes of Health conspired to deliver a quick and devastating take-down of the esteemed scientists behind the Great Barrington Declaration. Were the Great Barrington scientists horribly wrong? Fauci and his boss could not have cared less. They were not interested in a debate. Their only goal was to shut down any opposing views. Thats not science. Its ideology, politics, and probably self-interest.

As my son Rand said on a recent Liberty Report, thousands of people died because Fauci refused to consider the proven effectiveness of natural immunity against Covid. He and his colleagues were determined to deny any outpatient treatments and insisted on vaccines as the only way out. Now, as we see the vaccines performing so poorly versus natural immunity, their whole strategy lies in tatters. Will anyone apologize to the relatives of all those who died?

When we look back at these two years, hopefully one thing that will be remembered is how the institutions of state power have all lost their credibility. They have been exposed as frauds and worse.

In a recent massively popular Joe Rogan interview with Dr. Robert Maloneinventor of the mRNA technology that is the backbone of the vaccinesMalone discusses the disturbing concept of mass formation psychosis, where fear and manipulation are used to drive a society mad in the service of a group of elites with an agenda. We saw it in Germany in the 1930s.

As Charles Mackay wrote in the 19th century about the madness of crowds, humans go insane in groups but recover one at a time.

What is to be done to defeat tyranny in 2022? We must continue to tell the truth. The truth is winning and the liars are losing. One by one their lies are being exposed. But it is not an easy task. Each of us in 2022 can do a little something to promote truth. Do what you can. The rewards are great!

From Mises.org

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Tencent and Alibaba Fall From Global Top Ten as China Fosters Super State Firms

On Dec. 30, 2021, the share price of Chinas e-commerce giant Alibaba Group Holding Ltd (9988.HK) closed at HK$109.9 (approximately $14.3), down 52.75 percent from the same period in 2020. Similarly, Chinas gaming and social media company Tencent Holdings Ltd (0700.HK) suffered a decline of 21.38 percent per share the same day. Both have fallen out of the global top 10 firms in 2020 ranked by market capitalization.

The year of 2021 marked mounting pressure from Chinese regulators on domestic private enterprises. A large number of investors, who were drawn to internet companies in the first months, found themselves losing money by the end of the year. While it intensified its efforts to regulate private Chinese firms over anti-trust concerns, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) encouraged state-owned enterprises (SOEs) to make acquisitions or mergers and gain more competitive positions in the market.

Hong Kong-based China expert Alexander Liao described the phenomenon as a trend where state enterprises advance as private firms retreat in the country.

Policy uncertainty has posed the biggest threat for private companies in China, he warned in an interview with The Epoch Times. Under the CCP authoritarian regime, regulatory policies are, to some degree, arbitrary, which oftentimes exceeds investors expectations.

Tencent, Alibaba, and shopping platform Meituan (3690.HK) occupied the top three in Hurun China 500 Most Valuable Private Companies 2020. However, they each experienced a sharp drop in share prices after the CCP regulators rolled out anti-monopoly measures in 2021.

Investors Sustain Losses Amid Anti-Trust Probes into Private Firms

In December 2020, the State Administration for Market Regulation kicked off an anti-monopoly investigation into Alibaba. Findings show Alibabas implementation of its one or the other policy that excludes merchants who sell on Alibaba from using its competitors excludes and limits competition in the service market of online retail platforms in China, violating Chinas anti-monopoly law. Consequently, the company received a substantial fine of $2.863 billion on April 10, 2021.

The logo of Alibaba Group is seen at the companys headquarters in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China on July 20, 2018. (Aly Song/Reuters)

In the same month, regulators also turned their spearhead against Meituan. In October 2021, the shopping platform was fined $541 million for alleged monopolistic practices, including one or the other policies in the market for online food delivery services in China, prompting merchants on its platform to enter into exclusive partnership agreements.

The two fines against Alibaba and Meituan alone hit roughly $3.4 billion, which far exceeds the average annual fine amount of $62 million over the past five years, according to Haitong Securities.

Likewise, internet giants like Tencent, Baidu, Inc. (9888.HK), DIDI Global Inc (DIDI.NYSE), and Jingdong Group Co Ltd (9618.HK) were targeted and placed on a list of anti-monopoly investigations that involved their previous mergers.

In July 2021, Chinese authorities ordered Tencent to give up its exclusive music licensing rights in response to its hold of more than 80 percent of the exclusive music library in Chinas online music playback platform market in the wake of an acquisition of stakes in China Music Group.

On Nov. 20, 2021, the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMA) punished domestic internet firms for further monopolizing the industry through mergers. In each of the 43 cases involved, each company received a capped penalty of about $80,000 under the anti-trust law. Tencent, Alibaba, Baidu, Didi, and Jingdong were among the hard-hit. Tencent was the most affected, involving 13 cases and with total fines of approximately $1.04 million. Alibaba was charged in eight cases, which led to combined fines of $640,000.

The CCPs sweeping anti-trust crackdowns caused a plummet in share prices in Chinas internet sector. The Hang Seng Tech Index (HSTECH), which includes the above-mentioned companies, stood at 5,475.7 points on Dec. 30, 2021, nearly 50 percent off its peak of 10,945.22 points on Feb. 17.

As a result, investors who put heavy stakes in technology stocks sustained heavy losses. The SoftBank Group Corp, a venture capital firm, also lost a great deal of money as an investor. The SoftBank Group announced its earnings results on Nov. 8, showing that its net asset value had dropped 23.4 percent to $187 billion as of Sept. 30 from $244 billion on June 30. The primary contributing factor was the plunge in Alibabas share price.

Additionally, China-focused exchange-traded funds (ETFs) also suffered huge losses. Among those worst affected funds, the Krane Shares CSI China Internet ETF (KWEB) experienced its net worth plunge from its February peak, according to the Financial Times.

CCP Spurs State-Owned Firms to Become Super Players

While it tightens its grip over private firms in the name of anti-trust, China encourages and even leads SOE mergers to cement their market positions. Nurturing super players has become one of the CCPs ways to transform its SOEs.

SOEs should become market players with core competitiveness, the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission (SASAC) announced in a 3-year action plan for SOE transformation (2020-2022) in October 2020.

Actually, the year of 2021 saw the emergence of multiple super players among Chinese SOEs. In December alone, there were reportedly two of them: China Rare Earth Group and China Logistics Group.

China Rare Earth Group was created in the city of Ganzhou, eastern Chinas Jiangxi Province, on Dec. 23. It mainly consists of five entities, namely Aluminum Corporation of China, China Minmetals Corporation, Ganzhou Rare Earths Group, China Iron & Steel Research Institute Group, and Grinm Group Corporation Limited. The last two are research-oriented companies in the industry. Moreover, China Minmetals Corporation ranked 19th in the top Chinese 500 enterprises in 2021.

China Logistics Group, established on Dec. 6, includes China Railway Materials Group Corporation and four companies in the logistic segment of China Chengtong Holdings Group Ltd. Meanwhile, the group has recently had China Eastern, China COSCO SHIPPING Corporation Limited, and China Merchants Group as its investors.

A worker checks containers at a logistics center near Tianjin port, in Tianjin, China, on Dec. 12, 2019. (Yilei Sun/Reuters)

The newly formed China Logistics Group has more than 600 branches, 120 exclusive railway lines, 42 futures delivery warehouses, and nearly 3,000,000 specialized freight vehicles, according to state media People.cn. Its business network functions in 30 Chinese province-level regions as well as five overseas continents. Such a massive scale brings self-evident competitive advantages to the state-owned giant in the international logistics market.

There is Sinochem Holdings. It appeared on May 8, 2021, deriving from Sinochem Group Co., Ltd. and China National Chemical Corporation Ltd. via restructuring. Its total assets and revenues both exceed $157 billion, which People.cn describes as the worlds largest chemical company.

Also notably, Chinese provincial SOEs are moving toward super players by merging and reorganizing. An outstanding example is northern Chinas Jinneng Holding Group, which ranked 44th in the top Chinese 500 enterprises in 2021. It represents an unprecedented effort of restructuring firms in the province of Shanxi. Formed on Oct. 30, 2020, the group was based on Datong Coal Mine Group Co., Ltd., Jincheng Anthracite Coal Mining Group Corporation of Shanxi, and Jinneng Group Corporation. It also absorbed assets of Luan Group of Shanxi and Huayang New Material Technology Group Co., Ltd. as well as China Taiyuan Coal Trading Center.

Nearly 40 central SOEs have been regrouped since CCPs 18th National Congress in 2012, according to People.cn. Hao Peng, head of the SASAC, expressed that SASAC would promote optimization of the state-owned capital pattern and help create a batch of key enterprises in different sectors.

Anti-trust itself propels market economy as monopoly often goes with inefficiency and lack of innovation, said Liao. However, the CCP is building up monopolistic SOEs while brandishing the stick towards private firms.

Frank Yue Follow Frank Yue is a Canada-based journalist for The Epoch Times who covers China-related news. He also holds an M.A. in English language and literature from Tianjin Foreign Studies University, China.

Kate Jiang Follow Kate Jiang is a financial analyst and an Epoch Times contributor based in Hong Kong.
The Abuse of Science

In ordinary logic, almost all effort is concentrated on the syllogism. The logicians seem scarcely to have thought about induction. They pass it by with barely a mention and hurry on their formulas for disputation. But we reject proof by syllogism because it operates in confusion and lets nature slip out of our hands  Sir Francis Bacon, London, 1620

Where is Sir Francis Bacon when we really need him?

As a pioneer of the scientific method, Bacon recognized that reliance on syllogisms led medieval thinkers astray. That same deficient approach to understanding nature is embedded in the global warming hysteria.

You are told that science only endorses one theory on global warming caused by human emissions of CO2. But how good it the science? The case developed by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is no more than a computer-powered syllogism. Thomas Aquinas would have been comfortable with its conclusions. It takes us right back to medieval thinking.

One of the more annoying themes of the sourpusses in todays establishment is that ignorant bozos like you and I have deserted the principles of science, threatening to let the COVID-19 pandemic run wildas well as destroy the planet.

If you dont believe me, ask Greta Thunberg; you remember her. She is the Swedish school girl acclaimed as an authority on climate and invited to address the United Nations after holding a sign saying School Strike for Climate outside the Swedish parliament at the age of 15.

As a thinking citizen, you should be cautious when the mainstream news media anoints someone as a moral authority on science whose only credential seems to be a strangely precocious and humorless fanaticism.

Greta Thunbergs devotion to saving the planet would be forgivable as a harmless adolescent fantasyif it were not incorporated as a headline-selling point in the multi-trillion hustle.

As you consider the catalog of the awful consequences attributed to climate change, it is well to consider my late fathers dictum: Never ask the barber whether you need a haircut.

In the case of climate change, we have not one barber licking his chops over our shaggy heads but a whole industry dedicated to confusing Swedish school girls about the perils of life on Earth while piling on the gravy train.

Peter J. Taylor shrewdly noted in The Way the Modern World Works: World Hegemony to World Impasse that the invention of ecocatastrophe can be understood as a way for the rich to maintain their dominant status in society. He described the selfish interest of those wishing to reserve the good life for themselves as requiring a justification that would be seen as a logical, sensible reaction to a world in crisis.

Hence, the invention of the global warming hoax. It may be bad science, riddled with evident shortcomings. Still, it offered a path forward for those among the rich and powerful who want to conserve their acquired capital while denying capital accumulation to others.

The far-fetched proposition that driving your automobile threatens to destroy the planet provides a rationalization for retracting the promise of American-style middle-class prosperity for billions of people in emerging economies.

There are still huddled masses yearning to breathe free, but not only has the Statue of Libertys welcome mat been retracted; the climate bullies now say the huddled masses cant be allowed to drive. Anywhere. All their billions of little cars would get in the way of the limousine traffic and pump up CO2 levels.

What is more, global warming alarmism threatens to retract the promise of American middle-class prosperity for most of the American middle class. By mandating the use of costly low-density alternative energy sources, the global warming vigilantes could achieve a no-growth economy through the back door, pricing the bottom 90 percent of the American income distribution out of access to the good life.

This amounts to what Taylor describes as ecofascism. It is a policy that augurs ill for independent capital accumulation, but it perfectly suits Al Gores world of crony capitalism. It also seems set to trigger a big reduction in consumption, possibly even famine, on a large scale.

Dont make the mistake of supposing that the global warming hoax is an innocent misunderstanding, merely a matter of misprogrammed computer models or a failed excursion into thin air of theoretical physics. It is really a matter of life and death.

While we have been living longer, adding an average of three months to life expectancy every year in Western countries, the agenda of ecofascism is not survival for all. On the contrary, it means death to the many with the promise of comfortable survival for the fewAl Gore and his privileged pals.

Taylor foresees the ecofascist world system as involving two zones: a rich zone, in which capital accumulation will essentially cease, conserving the good life for the powers that be, and a poor zone in which capital accumulation will be prevented through coercion. Add the end of an interstate system to this lack of capital accumulation, and capitalism will be replaced by a postmodern global apartheid or neo-fascist world system ostensibly dedicated to saving the Earth.

The Earth really doesnt need saving, especially from CO2. Past increases in CO2 emissions due to volcanic eruptions dwarf those now attributable to human activity. Contrary to the IPCCs claims that high atmospheric CO2 persists, carbon dioxide is naturally recycled by the Earth. In fact, concentrations of atmospheric CO2 have decreased dramatically over the past 545 million years as the Earth has efficiently sequestered CO2, mainly by growing forests.

Remember that there is compelling evidence that CO2 is not a pollutant but an essential life-giving atmospheric element, crucial to growing food, as any greenhouse operator can confirm. CO2 is an important contributor to the organic capture of solar energy through photosynthesis. That is why an efficient greenhouse operation will triple ambient CO2 of about 400 ppm to 1,300 ppm during the day by pumping in extra CO2. They would not do that if CO2 were really a pollutant.

Indisputable Natural Solar Cycles

As a matter of logic, there is a glaring deficiency to the theory of anthropogenic global warming: it disregards a well-documented historical record showing that climate on Earth repeatedly warmed and cooled for millennia before humans built industrial factories or drove automobiles. For example, anthropogenic global warming could not have caused the Roman Warm Period.

For more details on climate history, review the Blytt-Sernander sequence, a series of climate phases identified from the study of peat bogs in Northern Europe. These divisions, determined by radiocarbon dating, show that the warmest phase of the current Holocene interglacial period, the Atlantic, happened long ago, occurring between 5,000 and 8,000 years after the end of the last ice age.

If the warmest period in history was thousands of years ago, long before the Industrial Revolution, in that case, that ancient episode of global warming must have been driven by something other than human emissions of greenhouse gases like CO2.

Planetary Alignments and Climate Variability

Solar-planetary theorist Ken McCracken claims that the paleoclimatic record over the last 9,400 years reveals 26 Grand Minima similar to the Maunder Minimum. He shows that the Grand Minima in the Holocene, including the Maunder Minimum, all occurred during disordered phases of the Suns motions.

Barycenter Anomalies and Solar Inertial Motion

Notably, solar physicists have correlated proxy climate records (dendrochronology: Carbon-14 and Beryllium-10 solar activity proxies from the Arctic and Antarctic) with the Jet Propulsion Laboratorys tabulation of the barycenter coordinates of the Sun, the eight major planets, and Pluto.

These records show that the Solar System is indeed a system that involves complex planetary synchronization. The plot of planetary alignments coincides with repeating, sometimes almost identical, patterns of climate change as reflected in the solar activity proxies. It has little or nothing to do with atmospheric CO2.

Data from the Little Ice Age (LIA) that followed the Medieval Warm Period offer a powerful tell, if you wish, to understand climate. The LIAone of the colder Grand Minima of the Holocene climate epoch that began 11,700 years agohad a twin. Proxy records, centered around 3,500 BC, show almost identical solar radiation patterns. When the two series are overlaid, the difference in the curves is practically imperceptible.

As the planets move in their counterclockwise orbits around the Sun, the barycenter oscillates in a range of repeating trefoil patterns. It seems evident that specific planetary alignments coincide with barycentric anomalies that disrupt normal solar radiation.

Astronomer Geoff Sharp has identified a planetary configuration with Jupiter, Neptune, and Uranus within fifteen degrees of alignment on one side of the Sun, and Saturn opposite associated with solar cycle slow down or shutdown that occurs in every case.

Obviously, no one was correlating climate with the planetary alignments of Neptune and Uranus 4,267.25 years ago. Neptune was only discovered 175 years ago. Further to that, due to orbital drift, the return of the four outer planets to the same position every 4,267.25 years is not identical.

$100 Billion for Climate Change Propaganda

The ongoing quest to understand the natural causes of solar cycles exposes the dubious nature of the $100 billion or more invested by the worlds governments, purportedly for IPCC-approved climate research but actually for propaganda to justify establishing an ecofascist world systemimplemented through climate accords such as the recently concluded Glasgow Climate Summit.

If governments were interested in cultivating a better understanding of the drivers of climate, an allocation of even 20 percent of the resources squandered on global warming propaganda could have gone a long way toward illuminating the natural basis of solar cycles. But the IPCC explicitly limits its inquiries to consideration of only human-caused global warmingincredible intellectual dishonesty.

It would kill the whole bogus enterprise of controlling anthropogenic global warming by clarifying that climate change is determined by the rhythms of nature, not by your commute.

For well, you know that its a fool,

Who plays it cool,

By making his world a little colder.  Hey Jude, The Beatles, 1968

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Readers share their treasured recipes

Submitted by Elda Capuni-Lemmon, Apalachin, New York

My childhood food memories are of simple cooking, big and small family gatherings and celebrations, and food lines and rations.

I was born in communist Albania, which remained so until 1991. Food diversity was limited, so every family cooked very similar dishes. Climbing my apartment buildings stairs, I could often tell by the smell what each family was cooking.

Some smells, such as that of white or red bean stew (a cheap weekly staple in every household), I didnt find inviting. Other smells I found lovely: fried green sweet peppers stuffed with feta, baked chicken and potatoes, byrek with feta or other fillings, warm cornbread (nonsweet), and the rare beefsteak! Most of these dishes only required a few ingredients, directed by necessity.

Then there were the desserts: baklava and kadaif (a shredded phyllo dough pastry), homemade bonbons and fruit cakes, and shendetli (a walnut cake soaked in sugar syrup). Baklava and kadaif were made only in the days preceding New Years. This secular celebration was the biggest family celebration in atheist Albania and also the only time you could find delicacies such as oranges, tangerines, nuts, and turkey (sometimes kept and fattened in our one-bedroom apartment for several days). The menu for that whole week was something we looked forward to all year!

The women would recruit the help of family members or neighbors for a whole day in order to roll the large paper-thin pastry dough layers for baklava. The living room (which also functioned as the kitchen) turned into a battleground of rolling pins flattening each piece of dough into submission. I tried my hand at rolling the pastry alongside the women, while also trying to sneak handfuls of the scarce walnuts into my mouth before they made it in between the layers.

Today, I prepare gourmet and simple dishes from various cuisines for my family of five. But I derive the most pleasure from having my three children enjoy the dishes I grew up with.

They have their favorites, some of which also happen to have a special meaning for me. These are simple and non-messy dishes that were convenientyet deliciousto take along on school field trips or weekend day trips to the beach with my high school class. They take me back to school picnics amid the ancient ruins of Apollonia (a Greek colony half an hour outside of my home city, Fier) and on the shores of the Ionian Sea, where my three best friends and I would share our simple lunches before plunging again into the clear blue water.

Here, Ill share two recipes: pite with feta cheese (similar to a calzone, but stuffed with just feta cheese and fried) and qofte (meatballs), with my personal twist.

The smell of fried pite and the occasional oozing feta reminds me of the weekend mornings of my childhood. Although I do cook them, my children prefer my moms touch, and so its a special treat whenever Grandma visits or we visit her.

The qofte recipe is a modification of the traditional recipe, which uses no cheese. These meatballs were part of every celebration, but were also made whenever rations allowed for ground meat. During the summer of my junior year in high school, I participated in a youth program with Catholic Italian university students. It was the first experience of its kind for me, with its community involvement, hikes, and exposure to faith. A couple of the students came to share a meal at my house, and one of them loved our meatballs. She also shared the way she made them in southern Italy, which adds grated parmesan. As a feta cheese fanatic, I also added that to the list of ingredients.

Fried pite stuffed with feta. (Courtesy of Elda Capuni-Lemmon)

Pite With Feta Cheese

Note: If you dont have yeast, you can substitute it with 1 tablespoon of baking soda, mixed in with the flour before adding to the wet ingredients, and substitute the water, sugar, and milk with 12 ounces plain Greek yogurt, mixed in with the eggs.

Makes 16 to 17 pite

1/2 tablespoon yeast

Pinch of sugar

3/4 cup lukewarm water

3/4 cup lukewarm milk

3 eggs, room temperature

3 to 4 teaspoons oil or melted butter

1 teaspoon salt

5 cups flour

2 pounds feta, crumbled, or more to taste

Vegetable oil, for frying

Dissolve the yeast for a few minutes in the lukewarm water with a pinch of sugar.

In a large bowl, mix together the eggs, yeast mixture, milk, oil or butter, and salt. Add the flour. Knead the dough until it becomes soft and supple. Cover and let sit for an hour or so to rise. After 1 hour, you can also refrigerate it overnight to use the next day.

Separate the dough into 16 to 17 small balls. Roll out each ball into a circle of medium thickness, about 6 inches in diameter. Fill half of each dough circle with about 2 ounces of crumbled feta cheese (3 ounces if you are a feta lover), then fold the other half over it, pressing the sides together.

Heat 1/4 inch of vegetable oil of your choice in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add as many stuffed pite as you can fit without them touching. When golden brown, turn them over. Turn them sideways, also, to give a quick browning to the edges, then remove them from the pan and serve! You can choose to pat them with a paper towel to absorb some of the oil (although theyre not as oily as fried dough).

You can also cook them in the oven for a less oily and less time-consuming option: Brush the stuffed pite with a thin layer of oil or butter and bake at 400 degrees F until golden brown.

Qofte, Albania meatballs. (Courtesy of Elda Capuni-Lemmon)

Qofte (Albanian Meatballs) With Feta Cheese

Makes 18 to 20 meatballs

1 1/2 pounds ground beef

1/2 pound ground pork

3 eggs

1 slice bread (can use gluten-free), made into small crumbles

1 to 2 cloves garlic, finely minced

2 green onions, finely minced (or some other type of onion)

1 teaspoon dried parsley, or 2 teaspoons fresh

1 teaspoon dried basil, or 2 teaspoons fresh

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

1/4 cup grated pecorino (my choice) or parmesan cheese

1/2 to 3/4 cup finely crumbled feta cheese

Salt and pepper to taste

Mix all the ingredients together and form medium-large-sized meatballs. Cook in oil of your choice (I prefer olive oil) over medium-high heat in a pan until browned on both sides. They can be served with tzatziki sauce, called yogurt sauce in Albania, for added flavor.

___________________________

Do you have a treasured family recipe that holds a special place in your family history, heritage, or traditions? We would be honored if you would share it with us.

Along with the recipe, tell us its storywho gave it to you, its journey through the generations, and the personal meanings and memories it carries. Is it a special-occasion dish, or an everyday family favorite? Does it connect you to your cultural heritage or to a certain loved one?

How have you kept the recipe alive, and why is it important to you to do so?

Send your recipe and comments, along with your full name, state, and contact information, to home@epochtimes.com, or mail it to: Home,The Epoch Times, 229 W. 28th St., Floor 7, New York, NY 10001.
3rd Vaccine Shot Mandated for Tens of Thousands of Australian Workers

Australian state governments are tinkering with how fully vaccinated individuals are defined, with booster shot mandates now inching across four states.

Western Australia was the earliest jurisdiction to make the COVID-19 booster shot mandatory for its million-strong workforce in a directive issued on Dec. 22on top of an existing vaccine mandate.

The emergence of Omicron throughout the world and on the east coast is extremely concerningcase numbers are skyrocketing, as is the number of people in hospital, Premier Mark McGowan told reporters.

New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia have followed suit, introducing targeted booster mandates.

Healthcare workers in South Australia will need to have a booster shot within four weeks of becoming eligible (pdf).

Currently, Pfizer and Moderna boosters have been approved for use by Australian drug regulators.

On Jan. 10, Australias most populous state, New South Wales, ordered all education staff to receive the booster. The announcement came soon after authorities began its vaccination rollout on children aged 5 to 11.

As we prepare for the start of Term 1, our focus remains on keeping our staff and students safe. Adding a booster shot to the vaccination mandate will help maintain confidence that schools are a safe place to learn and work, Georgina Harrisson, secretary of the NSW Department of Education, said in a press release.

As with the initial vaccine mandate, we will ensure school-based staff have sufficient time to obtain their booster, and I encourage everyone to secure an appointment when their booster is due.

Victorian authorities on the same day rolled out their booster mandate on top of an existing vaccine mandate covering healthcare, aged care, disability, emergency services, correctional services, hotel quarantine, food distribution networks, as well as abattoirs, meat, poultry, and seafood processing.

All of these groups are already covered by existing mandates for those first two vaccinations, and this is a sensible addition for the relatively high-risk nature that these sectors operate when it comes to vaccine protection and, of course, their critical contribution to keeping Victoria operating, Health Minister Martin Foley told reporters.

Meanwhile, the federal government has remained consistent in its stance that boosters are not mandated.
Trump Attorneys Cite Immunity Over Jan. 6 Lawsuits, Say Speech Was Official Act

Former President Donald Trumps attorney on Monday argued in court that Trump cannot be sued for statements he made prior to the Jan. 6 breach of the U.S. Capitol building as they were protected speech and he was acting within the scope of his official presidential duties.

Trumps lawyer, Jesse Binnall, said during a five-hour court hearing in Washington before U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta that Trump was immune, or shielded, from three lawsuits by Democratic members of Congress and two police officers.

Executive immunity must be broad, Binnall said.

Democratic lawmakers, including Reps. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) and Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.), and two U.S. Capitol Police officers filed civil lawsuits against Trump and others, including Donald Trump Jr. and Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani, arguing liability for injuries to police and lawmakers on Jan. 6.

Binnall, however, argued that Trump was acting within his official rights and is not responsible for any violence that ensued during the events that unfolded on Jan. 6.

The breach took place during a joint session of Congress when lawmakers met to certify electoral votes submitted by the states. The Capitol grounds and building were breached by protesters and some rioters, some of whom wanted to voice their stance against then-Vice President Mike Pences refusal to intervene in the certification process. Thousands of peaceful protesters remained outside.

There has never been an example of someone successfully being able to sue a president for something that happened during his term of office, said Binnall. That absolute immunity of the presidency is very important.

Joseph Sellers, one of the attorneys representing Swalwells suit argued that Trumps statements were a purely private act.

What he spoke about was a campaign issue, seeking to secure an election, said Sellers, arguing that the former presidents remarks were an overt and unambiguous call for political violence.

Its hard to conceive of a scenario other than the president traveling down to the Capitol himself and busting through the doors  but of course he did that through third-party agents, through the crowd, Sellers said.

Binnall, meanwhile, asserted Trumps authority to speak on whether or not any of the other branches, frankly, can or should take action, citing the case of former President Barack Obama commenting publicly on rulings by the Supreme Court.

Judge Mehta, an Obama appointee, meanwhile challenged Trumps claims of absolute immunity during the lengthy hearing.

Is there anything the president could say while president of the United States that could subject him to civil suits? Mehta asked Binnall.

Mehta also asked Binnall what he should do about the fact the president didnt denounce the conduct immediately, asking whether from a plausibility standpoint, it indicated that Trump plausibly agreed with the conduct of the people inside the Capitol that day?

Binnall responded, The president cannot be subject to judicial action for any sort of damages for failing to do something.

Mehta is set to rule on the case at a later date, which is yet to be confirmed.

Reuters and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Commuters wear protective facemasks as they arrive at Paddington station in London on Nov. 30, 2021. (Leon Neal/Getty Images)

UK Closest of Any Country to Exiting COVID-19 Pandemic: Expert

The UK is the closest of any country in the northern hemisphere to exiting the COVID-19 pandemic and seeing it become endemic, an expert has said.

Professor David Heymann, from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), said the UK is probably one of the countries with the highest levels of population immunity.

Talking at a Chatham House online briefing on Tuesday, Heymann said that countries in the northern hemisphere have varying stages of the pandemic, and the UK is probably the closest to any country of being out of the pandemic if it isnt already out of the pandemic and having the disease as endemic.

He said population immunity is already high and seems to be keeping the virus and its variants at bay, not causing serious illness or death.

Heymann cited the Office for National Statistics as saying that about 95 percent of the population in England and a little less in other parts of the UK already have antibodies either from vaccination or from natural infection.

The CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, which caused the COVID-19 pandemic, is now functioning more like an endemic coronavirus than one that is a pandemic, he said.

The leading expert said there would be resurgences of COVID-19 in the future and more variants will arise, though it was not clear of what severity.

Were fortunate in that we have vaccines which can be modified very rapidly, and put into production very rapidly to deal with an escapee, he said.

Other British experts have voiced similar views on the trajectory of the disease.

Clive Dix, former chairman of Britains vaccine taskforce, said over the weekend that mass vaccination against COVID-19 should come to an end and the UK should focus on managing it as an endemic disease like flu.

Tim Spector, professor of genetic epidemiology at Kings College London and the lead scientist on the ZOE COVID Study app, said last month that the symptoms of the Omicron variant feel much more like the common cold.

Paul Hunter, professor in medicine at the University of East Anglia, also added on Dec. 28 that COVID-19 will become just another cause of the common cold.

But an expert working for the European arm of the World Health Organisation (WHO) said COVID-19 is still a way off from becoming endemic.

Dr. Catherine Smallwood, senior emergency officer at the WHO Regional Office for Europe, told a press briefing on Tuesday that the conditions for endemicity are not being met as the virus is not settling into a stable rate of transmission and theres still a lot of unpredictability.

PA Media contributed to this report.
UK Supermarket Chain to Remove Use By Dates on Own-Brand Milk to Reduce Food Waste

British supermarket Morrisons will remove use-by dates from milk packaging at the end of January in an attempt to stop millions of pints of its own-brand product from being thrown away unnecessarily by customers each year, a spokesperson confirmed to The Guardian.

The Bradford-headquartered supermarket said it will instead place best before dates on 90 percent of its own-brand milk, including own-brand British and Scottish milks, Morrisons For Farmers milks, and Morrisons organic milks, as per The Guardian.

Morrisons is asking customers to use a simple sniff test to discern whether or not the milk is drinkable.

The retailers senior milk buyer Ian Goode said, Wasted milk means wasted effort by our farmers and unnecessary carbon being released into the atmosphere.

Good quality well-kept milk has a good few days life after normal use by datesand we think it should be consumed, not tipped down the sink, he continued. So, were taking a bold step today and asking customers to decide whether their milk is still good to drink.

Food waste not for profit organization Wrap said Morrisons is the first supermarket in Britain to announce the move.

Marcus Gover, Wraps chief executive, said, I am delighted that Morrisons is the first U.K. supermarket to take this important step to help reduce household food wasteit shows real leadership and we look forward to more retailers reviewing date labels on their products and taking action.

The U.K. wastes about 330,000 tonnes of milk every year, worth more than 150 million ($204 million), according to 2018 data from Wrap. The majority of wasted milk is thrown away in the home, making it the third most-wasted food in the U.K. after household staples like potatoes and bread.

Morrisons is one of the many companies that has signed the Courtauld commitment 2030, a voluntary agreement to deliver reductions in food waste, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and water stress as the U.K. food and drink industry looks to achieve its global environmental goals.

A use-by date relates to food safety while a best before date pertains to food quality. For products, including milk, that have a use-by date, the U.K. Food Standards Agency (FSA) states that consumers should only eat the food until and on the use-by date but not after.

Food can look and smell fine even after its use-by date, but that doesnt mean its safe to eat. It could still be contaminated, the FSA guidance states. You cannot see, smell or taste the bacteria that cause food poisoning.

However, the best before date placed on products refers to the quality and not safety, and the FSA says such products are safe to eat after this date but may not taste as good.

Morrisons told The Guardian that customers should check milk by holding the bottle to their nose. If it smells sour then it may be unusable. If it has curdled and lumps have formed that also indicates that it may have gone off.

The Epoch Times has contacted a Morrisons spokesperson for comment.
UKHSA Under Pressure to Shorten COVID-19 Isolation After Amending Misleading Guidance

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has added to the mounting pressure on the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) to look for ways to further cut the isolation period for people who test positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus.

It comes amid high levels of COVID-19-related staff shortages in health care and other industries, and as the UKHSA on Monday corrected a mistake in its rationale against shortening the period, which claimed the self-isolation period in the United States was not necessarily shorter than that in the UK.

The length of the self-isolation period in the UK was cut from 10 to seven days on Dec. 22, subject to lateral flow test results. Those who isolate due to a positive PCR test may end their isolation from day seven, after two negative lateral flow tests that are taken 24 hours apart.

Johnson said on Monday that there was an argument to be had about whether the isolation period should be cut to five days, like in the United States, while his office backed UKHSAs Chief Executive Dr. Jenny Harries, who came under fire due to the agencys mistake, saying the prime minister has confidence in Harries.

Ministers have been pressured for days to follow the steps of the United States after the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) slashed the length of the self-isolation period to five days.

Arguing against the call to follow suit, the UKHSA said the two countries cannot be compared like for like.

An agency blog post asserted that while the self-isolation clock in the UK starts on the day when symptoms are showing (day zero) unless the person is asymptomatic, the U.S. self-isolation clock starts with a positive test that may come some days after the first symptoms.

The UKHSA amend the blog on Monday, saying, In the United States, the advice is to isolate for at least 5 full days from the same point as in the UK. The agency said the correction come after clarification from the CDC.

But the agency maintained its position on keeping the self-isolation period of at least six full days (with two negative lateral flow tests on day six and day seven), citing modelling results that suggested 10 to 30 percent of people will potentially still remain infectious on day 6, if no re-assurance tests are performed at this point.

While visiting a vaccination centre on Monday, Johnson brought up during an interview that there was an argument to be had about the quarantine period, whether to come down from seven days to five days, unprompted by journalists.

The thing to do is to look at the science, the prime minister said.

Johnsons spokesman said on Tuesday that the government was gathering the latest evidence on the issue, but would not be prejudging anything.

The prime minister hasnt received formal advice either way yet. So, well await that and then make a decision, he said.

The Downing Street spokesman said Johnson has confidence in Harries. He also added that there were currently no plans to remove working-from-home guidance, but said, Wed obviously want to remove that as soon as is right to do so.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, who is self-isolating after testing positive for the CCP virus last week, said on Monday that he would be inclined to support shortening the isolation period if the scientists and the medical experts say that it is safe to do so.

PA contributed to this report.
Union Strike At Krogers King Soopers Stores Imminent After Negotiations Fail

A general strike on Jan. 12 by employees at Denver area Krogers King Soopers grocery store appears likely following the breakdown of negotiations between the company and a workers union after offers of federal mediation were rejected on Jan. 7.

The workers union, United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7, which represents more than 8,700 workers in the Colorado stores, has no plans to return to the bargaining table.

Fifty-eight percent of King Soopers full-time employees in metro-area stores are unionized.

King Soopers, the local brand of Kroger, is the largest grocery chain in Colorado and operates more than 100 stores in the state.

Sales boomed during the pandemic, with shares of Kroger last week hitting a record high.

Many full-time store employees, facing the brunt of the pandemic and suffering from deteriorating wages, say they are upset at the companys treatment of them.

More than two-thirds of Kroger workers have claimed that they are struggling to afford food, housing, or other basic needs due to low wages and part-time work schedules, according to a Jan. 10 report from an advocacy group published by the Los Angeles Times.

Labor relations at the grocery chain deteriorated in December when the union filed a lawsuit against the company for violating previous labor agreements after it hired third-party contractors and Instacart gig workers who were then paid more than most King Soopers employees with a starting wage of $16 an hour.

King Soopers responded by offering to increase wages by more than $148 million and signing bonuses over the next three to four years.

That would bring the average hourly wage for 75 percent of store associates to $18 an hour, with 50 percent of them receiving over $20 an hour.

Kim Cordova, the President of United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7, which represents King Soopers workers, says that worsening working conditions and labor practices since the pandemic are the problem, not the financial compensation being offered.

She said the union wants an offer that improves on-the-job safety and not a new contract that may potentially weaken the union members health care coverage.

The (company) is not taking our proposals seriously, said Liz Wesley, a 17 year veteran store manager at Colorado Springs to Reuters.

We want a better contract for us, she said.

Wesley claims that only the union put forth a proposal during the three days of talks and that King Soopers refused to accept any contract without revisions.

King Soopers has yet to provide the information the union needs to revise its initial proposal, according to Cordova.

The companys complaint accused the union of refusing to bargain in good faith.

Cordova said the union rejected the grocery stores offer to bring in federal mediation, saying at this point in the process adding another presence is not going to be productive.

She cited past failures over mediated contract negotiations and demanded that King Soopers negotiators bargain directly with employee union representatives.

King Soopers is preparing for the strike, said the companys division president, President Joe Kelley.

They rejected our initial proposal within an hour, so they didnt even negotiate, said Kelly, adding that a negotiation is just that, right, a back and forth.

We have brought in 300, 400 people from across the country from some of our sister companies in Kroger.

We have also been hiring temp workers the best we could. You know what the work market looks like, said Kelley.

The stores have already been operating with roughly 2,400 fewer employees due to the pandemic.

Neither side has given any indication of when they will return to the negotiation process.

Over 8,000 union members from 78 of the stores plan to establish picket lines at 5 a.m. CST on Jan. 12 and will go out on strike until Feb. 2.
Western Australia Premier Mark McGowan during a press release at the COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic in Claremont, Perth, Australia on May 3, 2021. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

Unvaccinated West Australians told Life Is About To Get Very Difficult for You

Western Australia (WA) Premier Mark McGowan has given a clear warning that unvaccinated residents will suffer the consequences of vaccine passports once border restrictions ease next month.

If you, for some reason, have not had your first dose yet my advice would be to make a booking today, otherwise life is about to get very difficult for you, McGowan told Western Australians on Jan. 10.

Currently, 86.3 percent of the states 12-and-over population has been fully vaccinated. Out of those between 16 and 49 years of age, nearly one in every ten has yet to receive one dose of the vaccine. This grows to more than one in every four in those aged 12 to 15.

The sizeable number of unvaccinated residents throughout WA comes despite sweeping vaccination mandates, with more than 75 percent of the states workforceequivalent to over a million workersneeding to be fully vaccinated.

Proof of vaccinations is also required for pubs, taverns, hotels, and major events with a capacity of more than 500, with restrictions being put in place after the state recorded two cases of community transmission of the CCP virus.

Members of the public wait to be vaccinated at a COVID-19 mass vaccination clinic in Midland, an eastern suburb of Perth, Australia on Sep. 9, 2021. Western Australia currently has the lowest percentage of people double-vaccinated in the country. (AAP Image/Richard Wainwright)

However, McGowan has promised that over the next few days a longer-term vaccine passport system will be released and will cover a wide range of new venues, including restaurants and indoor fitness centres.

He added that unvaccinated individuals faced being locked out of the Pilbaraa region home to many of the states most prized tourist attractionsgiven the vaccination rate in the region is well below 60 percent.

McGowan explained that the heightened measures came ahead of the states reopening, with border restrictions easing from Feb. 5.

This policy will come into force as we move closer to easing border controls, McGowan said.

Once borders ease, fully vaccinated travellers will no longer need to undergo mandatory quarantine if returning a negative test result for COVID-19, but those who are unvaccinated will remain barred from entry.

The premier justified the strict measures given that those who have not received the jab are much more likely to present to hospital with COVID-19 than those who are fully vaccinated.

We know that unvaccinated people are well and truly enormously over-represented when it comes to cases, serious illness, hospitalisations, intensive care presentations and deaths, he said. Far too many resources are being used over east to care for individuals who would not take the basic steps to care for themselves.

According to data from the New South Wales (NSW) COVID-19 Critical Intelligence Unit, as of Sep. 28, 2021 the state saw COVID-19 hospitalisations dominated by unvaccinated individuals, with 66.9 percent of patients being unvaccinateddespite making up less than 10 percent of the states population.

However, the admittance of fully vaccinated Australians presenting with COVID-19 has gradually increased as vaccination efficacy has waned against the newer Omicron strain of the virus.

In particular, in January, NSW for the first time saw the number of fully vaccinated presenting with COVID-19 surpassed the unvaccinated, though the unvaccinated are still largely over-represented given their population.

According to NSW Health, 93.7 percent of the state residents aged 16 and over have been double vaccinated, while 78.1 percent of the 12 to 15 cohort have received two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine.
Unvaxxed Tax: Quebec Announces Significant Financial Penalty on the Unvaccinated

Quebec has announced that the unvaccinated will have to pay an extra health contribution, making it the first jurisdiction in Canada to impose a financial penalty on those who refuse the shot.

Premier Francois Legault made the announcement at a press conference on Tuesday, a day after receiving the resignation of Horacio Arruda, the provinces director of public health, who said he was stepping down because of an erosion of public confidence in health-protection measures.

When asked if the penalty would be in the range of $50 or $100, Legault said it would be more than that. The amount hasnt been decided but it will be significant, he said.

The premier said he was in talks with the ministry of finance, as the penalty would likely have to be paid when Quebecers fill their taxes every year. People not covered by a private insurance plan need to pay a yearly health contribution, and the new tax would work similarly, he said. The tax will will not apply to those with a medical exemption.

I think right now its a question of fairness for the 90 percent of the population who made some sacrifices, Legault said. I think we owe them this kind of measure.

The announcement came a day after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau held a call with the premiers to discuss the pandemic response.

The readout of the call did not mention mandating vaccination, but after the call New Brunswicks premier Blaine Higgs told CBC that I think its something that will get further discussion in New Brunswick, and probably across the country.

The topic of mandating vaccination for all Canadians was raised on Jan. 7 by federal Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos. Health is a provincial field, but the federal government plays the role of procuring vaccines, providing test kits, and influencing provincial policy through financial incentives.

Quebecs health-care system has been strained by the pandemic and the arrival of the Omicron variant, but the issue is a longstanding one. Past flu epidemics have led to overwhelmed hospitals in 2019, 2018, 2017, and 2016.

On Jan. 10, Quebec reported 433 new COVID hospitalizations, with 290 of the cases (67 percent) being fully vaccinated. Over a period of 28 days, the fully vaccinated accounted for 65.5 percent of hospitalizations, according to Sante Quebec. Regarding ICU admissions, 17 out of 32 were fully vaccinated, and over the 28 days, the fully vaccinated count for 52.8 percent of the case load. Over the last 28 days, 80 percent of reported COVID-19 cases have been in the fully vaccinated.

As of Jan. 11, 82 percent of Quebecers have been fully vaccinated, and close to 85 percent have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.

Quebec, like many other jurisdictions such as Ontario and some U.S. states, has recently recognized that a sizeable number of cases counted as COVID-19 hospitalizations are not hospitalized because of the virus but rather test positive while being admitted for something else, such as giving birth. Arruda said that in Quebec, the number is at least 30 to 40 percent of patients.

The province also reported 62 new COVID-19 deaths on Jan. 10. Government data shows that 97.8 percent of COVID deaths in Quebec had a preexisting medical condition, with 93 percent having two or more.

The Canadian Press contributed to this report.
Amazon workers arrive with paperwork to unionize at the NLRB office in Brooklyn, N.Y., on Oct. 25, 2021. (Brendan McDermid/Reuters)

US Labor Board Sets Dates for Union Vote at Amazon Warehouse in Alabama

SAN FRANCISCOThe U.S. National Labor Relations Board said on Tuesday that it will send unionization ballots to workers at an Amazon.com Inc. warehouse in Bessemer, Alabama on Feb. 4.

Ballots in the election, which is a re-run after the NLRB found Amazon interfered in the vote last year, will be counted starting on March 28, according to a notice published by the NLRB.

Spokespeople for Amazon and the Retail, Wholesale, and Department Store Union (RWDSU), which is seeking to represent the workers, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Workers at the warehouse rejected forming a union by a more than 2-to-1 margin in April 2021 after an organizing drive that garnered support from U.S. lawmakers and President Joe Biden. But in August, an NLRB hearing officer said the companys conduct around the previous vote had interfered with the election, and the board officially called for a re-run election in November.

The election intensifies scrutiny of working conditions at Amazon, whose workers have recently sought to organize unions at facilities in New York and Canada.
The District of Columbia Jail is seen in a file photograph. (Angus Berwick/Reuters)

US Marshals Identify Deficiencies in DC Jail Holding Jan. 6 Defendants

U.S. Marshals conducting an examination of the Washington jail that holds Jan. 6 defendants found deficiencies there, a new court filing revealed.

Many people charged with crimes in connection with the Jan. 6 breach of the U.S. Capitol are being held in the Central Treatment Facility (CTF), including Robert Gieswein.

The Marshals conducted a surprise inspection of the jail in the fall of 2021. Acting U.S. Marshal for the District of Columbia Lamont Ruffin said at the time officers found evidence of systemic failures, including evidence water was shut off to inmates as punishment, in another part of the jail, the Central Detention Facility.

He also said conditions at the CTF were observed to be largely appropriate and consistent with federal prisoner detention standards.

However, U.S. Attorney Matthew Graves said in a new filing in Giesweins case that the Marshals have been monitoring conditions in both portions of the District of Columbia jail and have, in the intervening time, observed additional deficiencies in its monitoring, including several deficiencies at CTF.

The service was ordered by the court to produce a report on conditions at the lockup. The service will provide that report to federal judges in Washington later this week, according to Graves.

He asked for an additional week to respond on behalf of the service with respect to conditions at jail because the information in that report is being verified.

Public defenders representing Gieswein said in a separate filing they didnt object to giving the government an extra week to respond but asked the court not to delay a hearing scheduled for Jan. 19.

One of the attorneys declined to comment while the D.C. Department of Corrections (DOC) and the U.S. Marshals did not respond to requests for comment.

Conditions at the jail have been judged lacking for months, prompting an order to transfer over 400 inmates from the facility to other jails.

U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth, a Reagan nominee, in October 2021 held jail officials in contempt for violating a Jan. 6 defendants civil rights by impeding access to medical care. The following month, he ordered the defendant released over the issue.

Around the same time, multiple defendants were removed from their cells on stretchers after guards reportedly began spraying a chemical substance and didnt stop for 15 minutes.

Defendants have complained about substandard care, including alleged assaults by guards in addition to lack of medical care.

Theyre being treated like third world country political prisoners, Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Texas) told The Epoch Times.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), who toured the jail with Gohmert, said that the defendants are political prisoners who have been blocked from speaking with attorneys.

Greene told The Epoch Times in an emailed statement that the new disclosure is more evidence proving the conditions at the DC Gulag are atrocious and inhumane.

This is more evidence proving J6 pre-trial detainees are being mistreated for being conservative Trump supporters. And this is more evidence proving left-wing political activist Deputy Warden Kathleen Landerkin must be terminated and investigated immediately! When will my Republican conference join me in the fight to stop the two-tiered justice system in America violating human rights? she added.

DOC officials have said the agency works to ensure detainees Constitutional rights and that problems identified by Marshals would be fixed.

A DOC official told the court last week that, since entering into a memorandum of understanding with the Marshals, the agency has worked tirelessly to correct all verified deficiencies at its correctional facilities, including CTF.

That includes increasing staff training on agency policies, auditing inspection sheets, assessing conditions daily, and developing a new policy on when and how water can be shut off to inmates.

Additionally, a group of officials including representatives of Washington Mayor Muriel Bowsers office of legal counsel met on Dec. 24, 2021, to discuss what DOC has done to correct the problems to date and agreed to meet at least once a month to ensure compliance with the rectification efforts, the official said.
A container ship (R) docked at India's Adani Port Special Economic Zone (APSEZ) in Mundra on December 21, 2016. Arthur Wiegenfeld recommends the United States increase trade with India. (SAM PANTHAKY/AFP/Getty Images)

US Pork Products Gain Access to Indian Market After Nearly 2 Decades

India has agreed to allow the import of American pork and pork products into the country after nearly two decades of work to remove the U.S. pork trade barrier, U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said on Monday.

The agreement follows the U.S.India Trade Policy Forum held in New Delhi in November 2021, during which Tai spoke with Indias commerce minister Piyush Goyal about the importance of access to the Indian market for American pork products.

Both Tai and Goyal expressed their intent to expand trade of some agricultural products and to continue working together on resolving outstanding trade issues as some of these require additional engagement in order to reach convergence in the near future, according to a joint statement between the United States and India.

This new opportunity marks the culmination of nearly two decades of work to gain market access for U.S. pork to Indiaand it signals positive movement in U.S.India trade relations, Vilsack said in a statement.

Washington is currently working with the Indian government to ensure that the U.S. pork industry can begin exporting products to India as soon as possible, Vilsack added.

India has previously banned the import of U.S. pork products due to the U.S. refusal to comply with its universal veterinary health certificate for importing pork into India, according to the United States Trade Representatives 2021 national trade estimate report (pdf).

The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) has been calling on India to lift its de facto ban on U.S. pork and to accept the science-based veterinary export certificate proposed earlier by the U.S. Agriculture Department.

After decades of work, a market that had been closed to the U.S. is being opened, NPPC President Jen Sorenson said in a statement, applauding the U.S.-India pork trade agreement.

The United States is the worlds third-largest pork producer and second-largest exporter, with global sales of pork and pork products valued at $7.7 billion in 2020. The U.S. Agriculture Department said it exported more than $1.6 billion of agricultural products to India in fiscal year 2021.

Meanwhile, President Joe Biden met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House in September last year, where both leaders agreed to uphold democratic values and to strengthen trade between the two countries.

I think that the relationship between India and the United Statesthe largest democracies in the worldis destined to be stronger, closer, and tighter, Biden said at the time.
Vehicles wait to enter Canada at the US/Canada Thousand Islands border crossing in Lansdowne, Ontario, on Nov. 8, 2021. (The Canadian Press/Lars Hagberg)

US Warns Citizens to Avoid Travel to Canada Due to COVID-19 Cases

With Canadas rising COVID-19 cases, the U.S. government is warning its citizens to avoid travelling north of the border.

On Jan. 10, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Level 4 Travel Notice that put Canada at the highest risk in its alert system.

Avoid travel to Canada, the notice says, citing a very high level of COVID-19 in the country.

If you must travel to Canada, make sure you are fully vaccinated before travel, it added.

Because of the current situation in Canada, even fully vaccinated travelers may be at risk for getting and spreading COVID-19 variants.

U.S. travellers are told to follow Canadian public health recommendations and requirements, including wearing a mask and maintaining six-foot social distancing.

The CDC has also issued a Level 4 Travel Health Notice for 81 other countries around the world.

Last month the Canadian government issued its own travel advisory warning residents against all non-essential international travel due to the Omicron variant.

While evidence shows that Omicron causes much less severe illnesses due to significantly lower lung infections, the variants high transmissibility is driving up COVID-19 cases across Canada.

On Jan. 11, Quebec reported 2,742 hospitalizations, an increase of 188 over the previous day, including 433 new admissions and 245 discharges while intensive care cases increased by seven for a total of 255, with 45 new admissions and 38 discharges.

In Ontario, COVID-19-related hospitalization rose to 3,220 on Jan. 11 from 2,497 on Jan. 10 with 477 patients in intensive care, a 10 percent increase in 24 hours.

While several provinces across Canada have delayed the return to in-person learning in an effort to curb the rising cases, the two westernmost provinces moved ahead to reopen schools on Jan. 10.

British Columbias top doctor Dr. Bonnie Henry said on Jan. 7 that the return to school is essential for the emotional, physical, and intellectual well-being of children, and that students are safer in the classroom than in other unstructured settings outside of the school environment.

On Jan. 10, B.C. reported 2,106 new cases, with 431 people currently hospitalized and 95 in critical care.

Alberta is also bringing kids from in kindergarten to Grade 12 back to classes after an extended holiday break.

Alberta reported 5,281 new cases on Jan. 9, a drop from 6,135 cases the previous day. The province has 635 people in the hospital with the coronavirus, with 72 in intensive care.

The Canadian Press contributed to this article.
Members of Victoria Police stand outside the CFMEU Office in Melbourne, Australia, on Sept. 21, 2021. (Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

Watchdog: $75,000 Fine Not Enough for Union Officials Insults

The construction union has been told to pay over $75,000 for insulting workplace safety inspectors and police, but an industry watchdog has said the penalties are insufficient.

The Federal Court penalised the Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) and its two officials $75,600 (US$54,300) for verbally abusing a WorkSafe Inspector and Victoria Police officers in a 2019 dispute at the site of Melbournes $6.7 billion West Gate Tunnel Project, a flagship project of the Victorian government.

The fine comes after CFMEU officials Paul Tzimas and Ron Buckley entered the worksite and stood in an exclusion zone, blocking builder John Holland attempts to install five 16-tonne beams needed to construct part of the projects bridge.

Union official Elizabeth Doidge said the officials attended the site after workers raised safety concerns. However, the watchdog for the industry, the Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC), said the two were making the workplace unsafe for builders.

Tzimas and Buckley refused to leave despite repeated requests from project management, forcing a standoff that lasted six hours before the sites head contractor called WorkSafe and police to resolve the dispute.

A Worksafe inspector decided there was no imminent risk to the health or safety of workers that would justify a stoppage. The CFMEU officials then accused him of being a lapdog, corrupt, incompetent, and a disgrace when he asked the officials to leave.

Melbourne Federal Court (Wikimedia Commons)

The two also accused Victoria Police on the site of being on the head contractors payroll, acting as lapdogs, and demonstrating corruption at its finest.

The Federal Court ruled that Tzimas and Buckley were entitled to stand their ground since the builder didnt provide the required safe work protocol, but they contravened the Fair Work Acts improper speech rules.

Mr Buckleys abusive comments in the aftermath of those events to the effect that the police were on John Hollands payroll, had been exhibiting corruption at its finest and had sided with Mr Drury in defending a tyrant went beyond that which can be accepted, judge Duncan Kerr said.

The judge also said Tzimass allegation that a WorkSafe Inspector was willing to risk the safety of employees as a result of corruption cannot be characterised as other than a grossly wrongful instance of an official acting in an improper manner.

The Court penalised the CFMEU $63,000, Tzimas $8,800, and Buckley $3,780 (suspended for a period of 2 years).

The ABCC has filed an appeal to the Full Court of the Federal Court against the judgment, arguing that the penalties imposed were manifestly inadequate.

The Epoch Times has reached out to CFMMEU for a comment on the ruling but did not receive a reply at the time of publication.
Ray Epps, who is accused of being a federal agent, is seen outside the Capitol in Washington on Jan. 5, 2021. (CapitolPunishmentTheMovie.com/Bark at the Hole Productions)

Who Is Ray Epps? DOJ Wont Say

Top federal law enforcement officials have declined to answer numerous questions about Ray Epps, the Arizona resident captured on video encouraging Jan. 6, 2021, protesters to breach Capitol Hill.

Controversy has surrounded Epps in recent months due to questions about his possible connection to law enforcement. Despite video evidence of him making repeated calls for action, Epps hasnt been charged in relation to the Jan. 6 incident, and his photo has been removed from the governments list of most-wanted people from the event.

The Democratic-led House committee investigating the breach reportedly stated on Jan. 11 that it has interviewed Epps, and that Epps denied any connection to law enforcement.

But at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing earlier that day, Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) were unsuccessful in obtaining answers about Epps.

Cruz asked Jill Sanborn, FBI assistant director for national security, 10 questions about Epps and other potential undercover feds, none of which received substantial answers.

Sanborn admitted that she is aware of Epps, but said she doesnt have specific background for him.

When Cruz asked whether Epps worked with the FBI, Sanborn declined to answerlikewise for when Cruz asked about whether federal informants participated in the riots, encouraged the riots, or removed barriers.

I cannot answer that, Sanborn responded to each query.

Five seconds after Mr. Epps whispered to a person, that same person began forcibly tearing down the barricades. Did Mr. Epps urge them to tear down the barricades? Cruz asked.

Similar to the other answers, I cannot answer that, Sanborn replied.

Cotton asked a similar line of questions to Assistant Attorney General Matthew Olsen, the head of DOJs national security branch.

Olsen said he wasnt aware of any plainclothes officers among the Jan. 6 crowd, and that he didnt know whether any undercover agents entered the Capitol.

Your answers are all I dont know, Cotton said. Did you prepare for this hearing? Did you know it was happening before this morning?

Olsen also said he didnt have any information about Epps.

This was a man on the most-wanted page for six months. Do you really expect us to believe that you dont know anything about him? Cotton asked.

I simply dont have any information at all, Olsen responded.

When pressed further, Olsen said he couldnt say how many rioters were arrested for crimes related to violence, or name a single person from the governments list of most-wanted Capitol Hill rioters. This provoked further criticism from the Arkansas senator.

This is a hearing to mark the one-year anniversary of Jan. 6, and you cant even tell us how many people have been charged with crimes of violence. Would you go into a briefing with the attorney general and not be able to answer such basic questions? Cotton asked.

I guess were going to have to seek our answers elsewhere. This was not a stellar performance.

Toward the end of the hearing, committee chair Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) entered into the record a fact-checking article from PolitiFact, which says theres no evidence that Epps was a federal asset.

Durbin said he never heard of Epps before Jan. 11.

Epps couldnt be reached for comment. His address is listed on public court recordsJan. 6 defendant Kelly Meggs has issued a subpoena for him to testifybut a number connected to that address appears to have been disconnected. Epps also had a number listed on the page for the Arizona Oath Keepers, but a call to that line went straight to Eppss voicemail, which was full.

In a January 2021 interview to The Arizona Republic, Epps reportedly said of his comments caught on video: The only thing that meant is we would go in the doors like everyone else. It was totally, totally wrong the way they went in.

Following the hearing, right-wing pundits took to Twitter to congratulate Cruz and Cotton for their questions. Cruz had been denounced by Fox News host Tucker Carlson a week earlier for referring to the Capitol Hill riots as domestic terrorism.

Constructive criticism works, Darren Beattie, the author of the Revolver News articles on Epps, wrote on Twitter.

The Jan. 6 Committee issued the following statement shortly after the hearing: Committee is aware of unsupported claims that Ray Epps was an FBI informant based on the fact that he was on the FBI Wanted list and then was removed from that list without being charged.

The Select Committee has interviewed Mr. Epps. Mr. Epps informed us that he was not employed by, working with, or acting at the direction of any law enforcement agency.
A man moves his finger toward SVH (Servo Electric 5 Finger Gripping Hand) automated hand made by Schunk during the 2014 IEEE-RAS International Conference on Humanoid Robots in Madrid on Nov. 19, 2014. (Gerard Julien/AFP via Getty Images)

Why Is the Human Being Not Like a Machine?

Commentary

In defense of regulatory mandates during oral arguments, the following words were spoken by Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor: Why is a human being not like a machine if its spewing a virus? For her, it is a simple matter: regulatory impositions rule the machine world so why not the human one too?

The question came across to listeners (millions heard these arguments for the first time) as shocking. How can anyone think this way? Human beings carry pathogens, tens of trillions of them. Yes, we infect each other, and our immune systems adapt as they have evolved to do. Still, we have rights. We have freedom. These have granted us longer and better lives.

The Bill of Rights doesnt pertain to machines. Machines dont comply with Constitutions. Machines have no volition. Machines are things that must be powered by external sources, programmed by humans, and behave exactly as they are managed to behave. If a machine doesnt do what is expected, it is broken and therefore repaired or replaced.

All this seems incredibly obvious and undeniable, so much so that one can only stand back in awe that anyone would doubt it, particularly a judge who holds the fate of human liberty in her hands. It seems utterly astonishing that such a person would not quite grasp the difference between the human experience and a mechanized widget.

And yet, what she said is actually not out of left field. It wasnt a point she made up on the spot. The presumption that people should be managed like machines has been a baseline assumption pervasive in pandemic planning for the better part of 15 years. The delusion was born in the heads of a handful of people who happened to be close to power, and it has grown ever since.

Many great thinkers have tried to blow the whistle on these intellectual trends for a very long time. Twenty years ago, Sunetra Gupta warned us. Nonetheless, the modelers and planners carried on, building more models, fantasizing of central plans, cobbling together mitigation strategies, and otherwise plotting to remove human volition from the list of unknowns during a pandemic.

In other words, treating people like machines is not a radical idea and it is not purely the cranky invention of an ideologically motivated court judge. What Sotomayor said isnt unusual at all, at least not in the confines of her intellectual bubble. She offered up a summary statement concerning many of the presumptions behind lockdowns and now mandates. It has been part of the agenda for a very long time, a view held by some of the worlds leading intellectuals that gradually gained influence within the epidemiological profession over the last decade and a half.

All of this is well documented. We just hadnt fully experienced it until 2020. That was the year in which they found the opportunity to test the theory that humans can be managed as machines and thereby generate better results.

Have a look at Michael Lewiss mostly awful book on the topic. For all its failings, it does a deep dive into the history of pandemic planning. It was born in October 2005 at the urging of president George W. Bush. The innovator was a man named Rajeev Venkayya, who today runs a vaccine company. Back then, he was head of a bioterrorism study group within the White House. Bush wanted a big plan, something similar to the big vision that led to the Iraq War. He wanted some means to crush a virus. More shock and awe.

We were going to invent pandemic planning, Venkayya announced to the staff. He recruited a group of computer programmers who had zero knowledge of viruses, pandemics, immunity, and no experience at all in the management and mitigation of diseases. They were computer programmers and their programs all presumed exactly what Sotomayor said: we are all machines to be managed.

Among them was Robert Glass from the Sandia National Laboratory, who cobbled together the idea of social distancing with the help of his middle-school-aged daughter. The idea was that if we all just stayed away from each other, the virus would not transmit. What happens to the virus? It was never clear but they believed that somehow a virus that could not find a host would then somehow disappear into the firmament, never to return.

None of it ever made sense, except in the models. In the world of computer modeling, everything makes sense according to the rules as set up by programmers.

You can read the original Glass paper on the CDC website, where it still lives today. It is called Targeted Social Distancing Designs for Pandemic Influenza. Its a central plan that removes all human volition. Everyone is mapped according to their likelihood of spreading disease. Their choices are replaced by the plans of scientists. The model is based on a small community but it applies equally to an entire society.

Targeted social distancing to mitigate pandemic influenza can be designed through simulation of influenzas spread within local community social contact networks. We demonstrate this design for a stylized community representative of a small town in the United States. The critical importance of children and teenagers in transmission of influenza is first identified and targeted. For influenza as infectious as 195758 Asian flu (50% infected), closing schools and keeping children and teenagers at home reduced the attack rate by >90%. For more infectious strains, or transmission that is less focused on the young, adults and the work environment must also be targeted. Tailored to specific communities across the world, such design would yield local defenses against a highly virulent strain in the absence of vaccine and antiviral drugs.

Here is a small map of infection transmissions as presented in this seminal paper.

Wait, this is my community? This is society?

You see here how this works. They have mapped what they imagine to be the infection path. They replace this path with closures, separations, capacity limits, travel restrictions, forcing everyone to stay home and stay safe. You wonder why they targeted schools? The models told them to.

Thus pandemic planning was invented, contradicting a century of public health experience and a millennia of knowledge concerning how pandemics really end: through herd immunity. None of this mattered. It was all about the models and what seemed to work on their computer programs.

As for human beings, yes, in these models, they are machines. Nothing more. When you hear the claims reduced to preposterous quips by a judge, they are laughable on their face. Or scary. Regardless, they are plain wrong. Surely every intelligent person knows the difference between a person and a machine. How can a person believe this?

But in a different context, you can take that same worldview, throw up some colorful charts, back it by a Powerpoint presentation, add variables that can change the models workings based on certain presumptions, and you can generate what appears to be a highly intelligent computerization that reveals things we otherwise would not see.

Blinded by science, we might say. Many people in the White House were indeed blinded. And the CDC too. They had hoped to deploy the newly codified system of virus control in 2006, with the Avian bird flu, which, experts warned, could kill half of the people who got the bug. Anthony Fauci said the same thing: a 50 percent case fatality rate, he predicted.

And yet many people were disappointed: the bug never jumped from birds to humans. They could not try out their great new scheme. Still, the modeling movement grew steadily over a decade and a half, gaining recruits from many sectors, and then enjoying enormous funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Obviously Gates himself was and remains convinced that the best way to deal with pathogens is through antivirus programs we call vaccines, while otherwise mitigating spread through human separation.

In 2006, I had speculated that disease planning was a new frontier for state control of the social order. Even if the flu does come, I wrote, the government will surely have a ball imposing travel restrictions, shutting down schools and businesses, quarantining cities, and banning public gatherings. Its a bureaucrats dream! Whether it will make us well again is another matter.

It is a serious matter, I continued, when the government purports to plan to abolish all liberty and nationalize all economic life and put every business under the control of the military, especially in the name of a bug that seems largely restricted to the bird population. Perhaps we should pay more attention.

At the time, most people just ignored all this as so much noise. It was just another White House press conference, just another wacky bureaucratic dream from which our laws and traditions would protect us. I wrote about it not because I believed they would attempt it. My alarm was that anyone could dream up such a crazy plot to begin with.

Fifteen years later, that noise became the calamity that has fundamentally destabilized American liberty and law, wrecked trade and health, shattered countless lives, and thrown our future as a civilized people into grave doubt.

Let us not turn away from the reality: all of this was a product of intellectuals who did and do think exactly as Sotomayor. We are not humans with rights. We are machines to be managed. In fact, if you look back at the March 16, 2020, news conference at which these lockdowns were all announced, Dr. Birx said just in passing the following sentence:

We really want people to be separated at this time, to be able to address this virus as comprehensively that we cannot see, for we dont have a vaccine or a therapeutic.

Here we have a leading advisor to the president essentially advocating for completely new and radical social transformation, as managed by public health professionals. A comprehensive plan for everyone to be separated, exactly as the disease planners 15 years earlier had advocated in their hare-brained computer models.

Why did reporters not ask more questions? Why did people not scream that this whole cockamamie scheme is inhumane and deeply dangerous? How could people have sat calmly listening to this gibberish and pretend it was normal?

Its sheer madness. But madness can transverse the decades so long as its creators live within intellectual bubbles, enjoy generous funding, and never have to confront the results of their schemes.

This is the story of what happened to liberty in the United States and all over the world. It was shattered by fanaticism, all rooted in a core presumption that wed be far better off as human beings if our ruling class regarded us as no different from machines spewing sparks. They were permitted to reorganize the whole of our lives based on that principle.

What the Justice Sotomayor said strikes us now as both dangerous and delusional. It is. And yet her conviction is widely shared, and has been for at least 15 years, among the class of intellectuals who gave us lockdowns and pandemic controls. Its their template. At their parties and conferences for all these years, such thoughts were considered normal, responsible, intelligent, and wise.

Now that they have had a go at it, where are they to defend the results? Instead, they have mostly left the scene, leaving the bag of intellectual rubbish in the hands of a Supreme Court justice who is both their accidental mouthpiece and their sacrificial victim. It was the statement that will define her career, forever cited as proof that she should never have been approved for that position.

In fact, what Sotomayor said about machines and humans was not rooted in ignorance as such; it was the fulfillment of the delusions of countless intellectuals the world over for most of this century. She was summarizing countless papers and presentations in the form of a casual quip, thus revealing it for the fundamental insanity that it truly is.

Madmen in authority, wrote John Maynard Keynes, who hear voices in the air, are distilling their frenzy from some academic scribbler of a few years back. Sometimes that very distillation is what reveals precisely what weve tried so hard for so long to ignore. Sotomayor revealed the existential threat, in a way that was mortifyingly ridiculous, but also encapsulated everything that has gone wrong in our times.

From the Brownstone Institute

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Why Kazakhstans Unrest Will Reverberate Around the Globe

Commentary

Over the past several weeks, Kazakhstan has exploded into widespread civil unrest. The country is a critical Russian ally. This unrest has wide-ranging global implications and may affect the developing U.S.Russia confrontation over Ukraine.

The unrest is fostering Russian fears that the United States and its allies are intent on creating color revolutions along its periphery and ultimately in Russia itself. It also has broad implications for the political stability of Central Asia and the other stans, as well as on Chinese policy in Xinjiang, China.

The violence has resulted in at least 164 dead, including about two dozen police officers, hundreds of injured people, and the arrest of more than 5,800 protesters. More than 100 banks and businesses were looted, and roughly 400 vehicles were destroyed. Almaty, Kazakhstans largest city and its cultural and economic hub, now resembles a war zone.

The demonstrations in Kazakhstan were triggered on Jan. 2, when the Kazakh government announced an almost doubling of the price of liquid petroleum gas (LPG) to 120 tenge, or roughly $0.24 per liter ($1.06 per gallon). In addition to using LPG for heating homes, its also widely used in Kazakhstan for fueling cars.

Anger at the price increases quickly morphed into calls for political reform and democratic elections, including direct elections of regional leaders instead of their appointment by Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. Demonstrations began in the city of Zhanaozen, Kazakhstan, but quickly spread across the country.

People take part in a protest against the LPG cost increase following Kazakh authorities decision to lift price caps on liquefied petroleum gas in Almaty, Kazakhstan, on Jan. 4, 2022. (Pavel Mikheyev/Reuters)

On Jan. 4, the Kazakh government announced that LPG prices would be rolled back by more than 50 percent to $0.11 per liter. Then, on the next day, Tokayev accepted the resignation of the Kazakh government. Internet service was suspended in many parts of the country and Tokayev announced that riot police would be deployed to dispel the crowds with tear gas and stun grenades and that they would have shoot to kill orders.

However, the protestors refused to disperse, briefly taking control of the airport and attacking and damaging government buildings, including the offices of the mayor of Almaty, the home of Tokayev, and the offices of the ruling political party, Nur Otan.

On Jan. 6, 3,000 Russian paratroopers arrived in response to a request by Tokayev to the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) for assistance. The CSTO is a collective security organization set up by Russia that includes several former Soviet states.

Tokayev claimed on Jan. 7 that domestic order had been restored by Russian troops acting in concert with Kazakh police and security forces and that the Russian military had taken over the administration of Almatys international airport.

Russian media outlets also reported that former President Nursultan Nazarbayevwhose nearly three-decade-long rule was marked by widespread corruptionhad left the country along with his three daughters and their families.

On Jan. 8, the Kazakh government again claimed that order was being restored, although protests were continuing in Zhanaozen and continued to flare up in Almaty. On Jan. 9, Interior Minister Erlan Turgumbayev repeated the claim that order had been restored and announced that a counter-terror operation is continuing in an attempt to re-establish order in the country.

Kazakhstan is crucial to Russia, arguably as important to Russias continental defense as Ukraine and Belarus. Its an integral part of Russias space program and defense establishment, as well as an indispensable source of uranium for Russias nuclear program.

The Baikonur Cosmodrome, Russias main space launch facility, is in Kazakhstan. A second cosmodrome is being built in Vostochny, Russia, located north of the Amur Oblast in the Russian Far East. Although the first launch occurred in 2016, the facilitywhich has been plagued by cost overruns and delaysisnt expected to be fully operational until 2025. Currently, the facility can only handle Soyuz-2 type rockets.

Kazakhstan also hosts the Sary-Shagan ballistic missile test site, where the Kremlin is developing the S-550 anti-ballistic missile system.

Kazakhstan has the worlds 12th largest reserve of petroleum at 30 billion barrels and also has 85 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. It produces 1.6 million barrels per day (BOPD) and 4.15 billion cubic feet of natural gas. More importantly, the country is crisscrossed by scores of oil and gas pipelines. Roughly 25 percent of Chinas natural gas imports transit from Kazakh territory.

Kazakhstan is also the worlds largest producer of uranium. Its responsible for 40 percent of global uranium production, and its the primary supplier of uranium to Russia.

Russia and Kazakhstan also have the longest continuous land border in the world. The CanadaU.S. border is longer, but only if you add the AlaskaCanada border. The border between Russia and Kazakhstan runs for roughly 4,107 miles.

About a quarter of Kazakhstans 19 million inhabitants are ethnic Russian. There is long-standing friction between ethnic Russians in Kazakhstan, who are predominantly Russian Orthodox, and Kazakh nationalists, who are predominantly Muslim.

The Kremlin fears that anti-government violence in Kazakhstan could easily morph into ethnic violence and ethnic cleansing resulting in millions of Russian refugees streaming across the border into Russia.

The unrest in Kazakhstan has also fueled Russian fears that the United States and its NATO allies are determined to stage color revolutions along its periphery and ultimately within Russia itself. As in Ukraine in 2014, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) were instrumental in organizing and helping to fund the organizations spearheading the domestic protests in Kazakhstan.

The Kremlin claims that many of these NGOs, such as the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), are foreign agents that are funded in part by the U.S. government and function as an arm of U.S. foreign policy.

In 2020, NED and its associated organizations received roughly $300 million from the U.S. government. Currently, NED supports more than 1,500 NGOs in more than 90 countries around the world. In 2020, NED spent approximately $1 million funding various groups that were promoting democracy in Kazakhstan.

The unrest in Kazakhstan is also relevant to China. Kazakhstan borders the Chinese province of Xinjiang, with whom it shares a 1,068-mile-long border. Approximately 1.6 million ethnic Kazakhs, about 7 percent of the population, live in Xinjiang. Roughly 200,000 Uyghurs, about 5 percent of the population, live in Kazakhstan.

Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Kazakhstans President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev review an honor guard during a welcoming ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Sept. 11, 2019. (Mark Schiefelbein/AFP via Getty Images)

Starting in 2017, the Chinese regime, in response to what it claimed was combatting separatists and promoting deradicalization, introduced a series of repressive measures against the Uyghur population in Xinjiang. Its estimated that internment camps, designed to deradicalize so-called Uyghur extremists, now hold between 1 million and 2 million ethnic Uyghurs. Critics have charged that the campaign is part of a long-term effort to sinicize Xinjiang and eradicate the religious and ethnic identity of the Uyghur population.

According to a New York Times report, Chinese authorities systematically track virtually every aspect of Uyghur daily life. Activities that are deemed suspicious will typically lead to detention in an internment camp.

A pro-Islamic/pro-Uyghur government in Kazakhstan would cause enormous problems for China in Xinjiang and potentially fuel civil unrest among the Uyghur population there. Not surprisingly, Beijing has been quick to condemn the demonstrations in Kazakhstan as being orchestrated by the United States and its allies.

The unrest in Kazakhstan may abate over the next few weeks, but the deep-seated resentment against the governments corruption and authoritarianism is unlikely to dissipate anytime soon. Kazakhstan will remain a powder keg primed to explode at the nearest provocation.

The unrest in Kazakhstan will continue to color Russian and Chinese calculations regarding both of their foreign policies to the other stans in the region, as well as their own domestic politics. Additionally, it will shape Russias policy toward Ukraine.

It will also underscore how fragile the stability of Russias periphery is and how Moscows attempts to bring the Near Abroadthe former states of the Soviet Unionunder its economic, political, and diplomatic umbrella are deeply unpopular in those countries.

Simply put, what happens in Almaty is unlikely to stop in Kazakhstan, but will ripple broadly through the region with potentially explosive and highly destabilizing consequences.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
China Urged to Release Human Rights Activist After Death of His Wife in US

Family and activists urged the Chinese regime to release renowned human rights activist Yang Maodong (pen name Guo Feixiong) and allow him to go to the United States to take care of family issues as soon as possible.

Guos wife Zhang Qing, in her early 50s, passed away in Germantown, Maryland on the morning of Jan. 10. Their two children, Zhangs only family members, are in turmoil after losing their mother.

The two children cant handle the funeral and related matters, Guos sister Yang Maoping stated on Monday. She asked Guo to look after the particulars in the United States. However, Guo disappeared after he asked to leave China five weeks ago.

We urge the Chinese regime to allow Guo Feixiong to come to the United States immediately without any condition, Chen Guangcheng, a well-known Chinese human rights activist and lawyer in exile, told The Epoch Times on Jan. 10. He needs to take care of his wifes death.

We demand the Chinese regime to immediately allow her husband Mr. Guo Feixiong to travel to the United States to comfort their two surviving children, Bob Fu, founder and president of ChinaAid, wrote in his statement on Monday.

Disappeared Activist

In the afternoon of Dec. 5, 2021, one of Guos friends in China received a message from him saying that he was detained. Since then, no family member or friend has been able to reach Guo.

Based on my experience, he [Guo] is detained in a black jail in China that is operated by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), Chen said.

Before his disappearance, Guo sent an open letter to Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Nov. 29, 2021, in which he asked the premier to allow him to take care of his sick wife who lived in the United States. Activists believed that the regime detained Guo to silence him.

In the letter, Guo explained that his wife was diagnosed with phase IV colon cancer and underwent surgery in January last year. In November, Zhang suffered intestinal obstruction again, and it was determined that cancer had spread to other organs, and her situation was not operable.

The cancer cells had spread to her liver, lungs, lymph nodes, and appendages [before she passed away], Chen said in a phone interview.

Since Guo first heard that Zhang was diagnosed with colon cancer, he has tried to reunite with his family. However, he was intercepted at the airport when he tried to leave China.

On Jan. 28, 2021, Guo was stopped from boarding for a flight to San Francisco by border inspection officers at the Shanghai Pudong International Airport. He then disappeared for a long time.

Human rights activist Yang Maodong, also known as Guo Feixiong (canyu.org via Radio Free Asia)

Guo Feixiong

Guo has a bachelors degree in philosophy, and used to teach at a university in Wuhan, central Chinas Hubei Province. In 2001, He started to defend human rights in China, and has been detained several times because he spoke up for Chinas vulnerable groups, like villagers whose homes were demolished and Falun Gong practitioners who were detained and tortured because of their beliefs.

Guo was once sent to prison for five years (from 2006 to 2011) after he helped villagers from Taishi in Yuwotou township, Panyu District in Guangzhou city, southern Chinas Guangdong Province.

In 2013, Guo was detained again after he supported the reporters and editors from state-run magazine Southern Weekly, and was sentenced to six years in prison. The editorial staff had prepared articles praising Constitutionalism in the magazines first edition in 2013. However, Guangdong Provincial Propaganda Minister Tuo Zhen didnt approve the draft and forced the magazine to change the content to praise Chinese leader Xi Jinping at the last minute.

The magazine was published with content that favored the regime, but it had many faults, such as bad grammar, typos, and inaccurate timing due to the last-minute-changes. The magazines editorial staff then said in its paper and on social media platforms that the CCP led the media, and the media no longer had the right to publish what they want. The regime quickly censored related information and demoted the relevant editors.

To avoid persecution from the Chinese regimes collective punishments on family members, Guos wife escaped China with their two young children in February 2009, arrived in the United States two months later, and obtained refugee status in November 2009.

Sherry Dong contributed to this report.
Chinese Communist Partys head Xi Jinping (C) waves to the attendees with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (R) and member of the Communist Party of China's Politburo Standing Committee Li Zhanshu (L) applauding by his side, after being elected for a second five-year term during the 5th plenary session of the first session of the 13th Congress in Beijing, China, on March 17, 2018. (Etienne Oliveau/Getty Images)

Xis 2022 First Military Order Aimed at Preventing Political Enemies, Expert Says

On Jan. 4, Xi Jinping, head of Chinas Military Commission, signed the commissions first order of 2022, announcing the start of annual training for the entire army and stressing the importance of military training in a bid to ensure the smooth running of the Twentieth Congress.

In the brief military order, Xi asked the army to keep an eye on the changes in national security and military struggle, and the changes in technology, warfare, and opponents. Xi didnt indicate who those opponents are.

Xis current concern seems to be over the ruling partys infighting, with his guns inward-facing to protect the partys Twentieth Congress, preparing for a civil war or defending against political enemies, according to Chen Pokong, a U.S.-based current affairs commentator.

In previous years, Xi had been focused on military threats from foreign countries and warfare preparation, with numerous paragraphs describing how to prepare for war. This year, however, has no such text, merely an emphasis on the importance of military training for the Twentieth Congress.

For Xis consideration, the goal is to pursue reelection in the 20th Congress, Chen said.

The Twentieth Congress will be held in the fall of 2022, a crucial time that will reveal who Chinas leader will be in the next four years.

Notably, Xis three short paragraphs highlighted carrying out decisions of the Partys Central Committee and Military Commission, relatively low-key compared to language in previous years which contained six or more longer paragraphs, Chen added.

The day after Xi issued the military order, Jan. 5, Wang Xiaohong, secretary of the Party committee of the Ministry of Public Security, who is considered Xis close confidant, published an article in the mouthpiece Peoples Daily, saying public security departments should be guided by Xis thought to maintain a social environment of stable country and peaceful people to ensure the partys congress be held successfully, and crush all kinds of attempts to endanger political security.

According to the article, political security, including the security of the Chinese Communist Partys (CCPs) regime and system, is the first thing to safeguard.

Of course, what Wang cant speak out is, the security is actually about Xis personal security  so his article is to defend Xis security in the name of the people and the country, Chen said.

Wangs speech is aimed at the partys political opponents, revealing murderous intentions towards the anti-Xi camp.

Qiushi, another state media, set a similar trend earlier on Jan. 1, re-mentioning Xis speech at a CCPs central committee meeting in 2021 and citing political gang and small clique within the ruling party that must be investigated strictly.

With Xis past internal speech being officially put up on the first day of the year, the signal could not be clearer: around the Twentieth Congress, internal struggle is even more important than the external one, said Zhong Yuan, a Chinese Epoch Times current affairs commentator.

Aside from his own re-election, Xi is arranging his people to occupy more decisive positions, which definitely spur infightings with the opposite or other gangs of the party.

According to Zhong, in the nine years since Xi Jinping took office, the struggle with former Communist Party leader Jiang Zemin and former Politburo Standing Committee member Zeng Qinghong has continued, with many anti-Xi officials pulling down from power. But the Xi camp still feels threatened at all times, and many officials appear to be loyal to Xi but are actually not.

The stage seems to be set for a big play in 2022, said Zhong.
STAMFORD  A 77-year-old New Canaan man accused of fatally shooting his wife in 2021 is expected to plead not guilty by way of insanity, according to his attorney.

Attorney Mark Sherman said during a remote court hearing Tuesday morning that he expects his client Albert Kokoth to proceed with an insanity defense once an expert concludes her evaluation of his client.

Kokoth was charged with murder in July after evidence from New Canaan Police allegedly showed he had fired his shotgun, emptied the cartridges, reloaded and fired again in the fatal shooting of his wife, 75-year-old Margaret Kokoth, which he told police was an accident.

Kokoth was previously charged with second-degree assault, second-degree assault with a firearm and illegal discharge of a firearm for the fatal shooting.

Sherman said he believes the report will show that Kokoth is dealing with a very serious mental health problem when it is completed over the next three to four weeks.

This tragedy was the result of a mental health condition that we are currently investigating, Sherman said.

Once the evaluation is completed, Sherman would need to formally request a trial by a three-judge panel. The panel would then decide if the defendant is guilty, not guilty, or not guilty by way of insanity.

If Kokoth is found not guilty by reason of insanity, the court would then order him committed to confinement at the Whiting Forensic Hospital in Middletown for an evaluation of his mental condition. Following that evaluation, the court would then hold a hearing to determine whether he should be indefinitely confined, conditionally released, or discharged.

Cases that center around the insanity defense are relatively rare around the courthouse. In fact, only two defendants have been found not guilty by reason of insanity since 2017.

The latest instance was in 2019 when Judge John Blawie found Imani Monique Brown, then 26, not guilty by way of mental disease or defect of slashing the throat of a sleeping bagel worker at a Stamford bakery. Following the verdict, Brown was committed to Whiting until she is no longer a danger to herself or others.

Assistant States Attorney Danie Cummings said the state will need to review the experts evaluation before deciding how it will proceed on Kokoths case.

Kokoth is accused of slaying his wife and trying to cover up the homicide as an accident, according to his arrest affidavit.

The 77-year-old told police he was showing his wife a shotgun before a trip to a local gun range when he accidentally shot her, the report said. When officers asked if she was still breathing, the report said, Kokoth allegedly chuckled and said he didnt believe so.

A neighbor told investigators they heard two shots from the Kokoth home about 15 minutes apart.

The Kokoths daughter told police that Margaret Kokoth knew he owned the shotgun for years, the report said. Their daughters husband told authorities, according to the report, that his wife told him recently, if they dont do something, theyre going to find (Margaret Kokoth) shot dead.

Kokoth has been held on $2 million bond since his arrest in May.

He is next expected to appear at state Superior Court in Stamford on March 7.
GLEN CARBON  As a lifelong space enthusiast and collector of NASA-related items, Jim Jones was more than happy to educate his grandson about the history of the space program.

Now hes using his knowledge to help educate other people about the Apollo era.

The Apollo Experience, featuring items from Jones personal collection, arrived at the Edwardsville Public Library on Jan. 1 and will be on display through Jan. 31.

Bringing the exhibit to local schools and libraries has become a new passion for Jones, who lives in Glen Carbon and was a police officer in the village for 45 years until retiring last June.

I grew up during that era (of the Apollo program) and I always wanted to be an astronaut, but that didnt work out, so I did the next best thing and became a police officer instead, Jones said. I have a grandson who is 10 now and I was talking to him and he had no idea that man walked on the moon and all of the other things about the space program.

I talked to my wife (Debra) and we realized that a lot of kids dont know anything about it. We decided to go to the schools and show them some of the things I had in my collection.

Jones took The Apollo Experience to a school in Glen Carbon and two schools in Edwardsville and also went to the Glen Carbon Library.

They were all happy about it and the kids really loved it, and we also went to my grandsons school in Pelham, Tennessee, where we took it all down there and set it up for a day, said Jones, who was a motorcycle officer in Glen Carbon.

We also took it to a space museum in Bonne Terre, Missouri. They wanted my Apollo (replica) spacesuit to be on display for one day for the grand opening of their Gus Grissom room.

Around that time, though, the COVID-19 pandemic hit, and Jones was no longer able to bring the exhibit to local schools.

Instead, he shifted his focus to libraries.

In the last year weve done Glen Carbon, Columbia, Fairview Heights and Salem, and now were in the Edwardsville Public Library, Jones said. Its scheduled next month for Troy and in March it will be at the Collinsville library. Were talking about going to Granite City in April and Fairmont City also has a library that is interested.

The libraries have been very welcoming to us and really went out of their way. A story about it appeared in the Salem newspaper and they had over 300 people show up to see it.

While Jones hopes to return to the exhibit to schools, he appreciates the wider audience that the libraries offer.

The adults seem to like it as much as the kids do, so the more people who can enjoy it, the better, Jones said. I dont have everything on display because there are some collectors items I dont want to put out, but its still a lot of stuff.

I bought a minivan for it because it wouldnt all fit in my car anymore, and weve been taking that to all of the libraries. It takes two and a half hours to set things up and almost three hours to break it down and put it back in the van.

Jones takes special care that to ensure that all of the items in The Apollo Experience look as authentic as possible.

None of this is the real stuff from the Apollo program  they are all models or replicas, Jones said. I searched on eBay and I found a lot of the models I made as a kid. Of course, I paid a little more than what they were originally worth back then back in the 1960s.

I bought some of the other stuff from different collectors over the years. I picked up a spacesuit from a guy who makes them for museums.

Once he got the spacesuit, Jones added some other touches to make it more authentic.

Anything that wasnt exactly right, I found the parts I needed and took them to a machine shop and they made it for me, Jones said. Everything was exactly the way it should be, and I had the imprints on the sleeves silkscreened.

For anything he couldnt find, Jones contacted Ryan Nagata, an artist in Los Angles who has made spacesuits for Adam Savage, the former co-host of the television show MythBusters and also made spacesuits for the movie First Man.

He sold me some items for a really good price, like the meters that measure the pressure on the suit and the tips of the gloves, Jones said. I wanted everything to be exactly the way the real thing looked. The only thing I dont have is a replica of the camera that Neil Armstrong wore on the moon for Apollo 11.

I called a company out on the East Coast that made the suits, but they told me they couldnt sell me anything because everything they make is contracted to NASA. I found Ryans name on the internet and sent an email to him and he responded.

Among the items on display at The Apollo Experience is a replica of a moon rock.

In the 1970s, not long after the Apollo area, NASA had a commissioned some replicas of the oldest moon rock that was found by Apollo 15, Jones said. It was called the Genesis Rock and they made 500 of them. I was lucky to find one of them and I bought it.

The display also includes a model of an Apollo command service module and a model of the lunar excursion module (LEM) from Apollo 11.

There is also a replica of what they call a Snoopy cap, which is a communications cap that was used for the Apollo missions, Jones said. I got some of the parts from Ryan Nagata and I bought the mission patches from the Bradford Exchange. I bought one patch every month and when you got them all, they send you a case to put them in.

I bought a small Lunar Rover model from the Air and Space Museum that they were getting rid of because it was damaged. One of the seats got broken off and I fixed that.

The Apollo Experience features a television with a DVD playing video from the Apollo program that people can watch while they browse the exhibit.

There is also a LEGO model of a Saturn 5 rocket that is over a yard tall, Jones said. I bought that, and it took me about a month to put it together because its about 2,000 pieces. I went to a display at the Planetarium in St. Louis, and they had a guy there who had the same rocket that I did, and he also had the launch umbilical tower and the launch pad.

He told me that LEGO was going to make it and decided not to, but a Japanese group made it and sold it over the internet. I found it and bought it and it was 3,000 pieces with no instructions. You had to go online and download the instructions, and what they sent was just pictures of it being built. It took me over a month to finish it and it fell apart several times because it wasnt very stable, but its now encased in Plexiglas and it looks great.

In addition to his online sources throughout the country, several local businesses also worked with Jones in helping to prepare his items for public display.

A lot of people around here have helped me out and I really appreciate it, Jones said. I had some banners that were made for me by a sign shop in Edwardsville, and the cases that the items are in were made by a place in Collinsville, Show Case Products, that gave me a big discount once they found out what I was doing with it.

The Edwardsville Public Library is open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 1-5 p.m. on Sunday.

The library will be closed on Monday, Jan. 17 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

For more information, visit https://www.edwardsvillelibrary.org/.
EDITORS NOTE: The Intelligencer requests briefs be submitted at least 10 days prior to the desired publication date. Due to the volume of community-submitted briefs, the content may be published within 10 days of submission. Holidays and weather forecasts may impact some events. The Intelligencer cannot guarantee that submission will be published.

River Kayaker Adventures with Perry Whitaker

6 - 7:30 p.m. online. Sierra Club Piasa Palisades Group Speakers Series. Perry Whitaker is the Missouri state director for the American Canoe Association, a Missouri Master Naturalist and expert on the confluence of the Missouri River near St. Louis to the confluence of the Ohio River at Cairo, IL, referred to as the Middle Mississippi. There will be no live event at the Old Bakery Beer Co. due to risk with the surge of virus. The ZOOM registration option is available via the events tab at https://www.sierraclub.org/illinois/piasa-palisades. Contact: Chris Krusa on 410-490-5024 cell/text for questions

Cribbage Club

6 p.m. at Camelot Bowling Alley, 801 Beltline Road, Collinsville. Beginners welcome, free to attend. Contact Phil (618) 288-7910 or Susan at (618)978-1664 for more information.

American Legion Post 199 meeting

6:30 p.m. at the American Legion Post 199 at 58 South State Rt. 157. All legion members are encouraged to attend the meetings. Non-member visitors are welcome.

Pasta Dinner Every Tuesday

4-8 p.m. Dine-in or Carryout at the Edwardsville American Legion Post 199, 58 S. State Rt. Edwardsville. Pasta of the week served with salad. 618-656-9774

Glen Carbon Library Book Club & Chat

6:30 p.m. via Zoom. Glen Carbon Library. Reading Life After Life by Kate Atkinson.

Wednesday, Jan. 12

Virtual Evening Flow Yoga with Anne

5:30  6:15 p.m. at Glen Carbon Library via Zoom. A Slow Flow mixed levels practice that will lead you through a series of yoga poses that focus on strengthening, lengthening, and stretching. Requires Registration

Thursday, Jan. 13

NAMI Meeting

7-8:30 p.m via Zoom. The National Alliance on Mental Illness Southwestern Illinois (NAMI SWI) family support meetings may also be in person. To receive the link for a Zoom meeting or address for an in-person meeting contact Pat Rudloff, silverlining6@charter.net.

Chicken Dinner Every Thursday

4-8 p.m. Dine-in or Carryout at the Edwardsville American Legion Post 199, 58 South State Rt. 157, Edwardsville. Two or four pieces of chicken and vegetables, mashed potatoes and gravy and a biscuit. 618-656-9774

Friday, Jan. 14

Fish Fry Every Friday

11 a.m.-8 p.m. Dine-in or Carryout at the Edwardsville American Legion Post 199, 58 South State Rt. 157, Edwardsville. Two pieces of cod or one catfish filet and sides. 618-656-9774

Fish Fry

4:30-8 p.m. at the Edwardsville Moose, 7371 Marine Road, Edwardsville. Dine-in and carryout options. 618-656-5051

Saturday, Jan. 15

Goshen Winter Market

10-noon in the expansion parking lot on St. Louis St. Outdoors.

Tri Township Library Book Sale

9 a.m. - noon at the Tri Township Library, 209 South Main St., Troy. Book donations are accepted during the book sale and on Tuesdays from 9 a.m. - 8 p.m. Sponsored by the Friends of the Library.

Monday, Jan. 17

Woodlawn Cemetery Board

7 p.m. in the Woodlawn Chapel. All are invited to attend, whether you are a lot owner or have considered purchasing a lot.

36th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration

10 a.m. at Mt. Joy Church, 327 Olive St., Edwardsville. The event will also be streamed live on the Mt. Joy Facebook page. The program is free and open to the public. Hosted by Granite City High School Senior Martaja Hill. Main speaker Dustin Jumper will speak on The Dilemma and the Challenge of Growth.

Tuesday, Jan. 18

Cribbage Club

6 p.m. at Camelot Bowling Alley, 801 Beltline Road, Collinsville. Beginners welcome, free to attend. Contact Phil (618) 288-7910 or Susan at (618)978-1664 for more information.

Pasta Dinner Every Tuesday

4-8 p.m. Dine-in or Carryout at the Edwardsville American Legion Post 199, 58 S. State Rt. Edwardsville. Pasta of the week served with salad. 618-656-9774

Watershed Cairns: Water Marked with Art

6:30 p.m. virtual event. The National Great Rivers Research and Education Center will kick off 2022 with a virtual Neighbor Nights event, featuring the work of artists Libby Reuter and Joshua Rowan and their "Watershed Cairns: Water Marked with Art" project. Reuter and Rowan, with a van full of glass, travel backroads in river watershed areas, where they create and photograph cairns made from thrift-store glassware. Registration is required. Sign up at https://conta.cc/3mQQTmu. The link will be emailed prior to the event. For more information contact Jen Young at 618-468-2785 or jenryoung@lc.edu.

Toddler Time

10 a.m. at the Edwardsville Public Library. Ages 0-2. Theyve got the books, bops and bubbles. Bring your babies and toddlers to share stories and songs with Miss Kristen and all the Story Time friends. Registration Required.

Teen Magnet Letters Take-Home Kits



Available at the Edwardsville Public Library during open hours. Registration required. Leave notes for your friends on the fridge or your locker with your own set of letter magnets. Teens who register can pick up their kids at the library from Jan. 18 - Jan. 22.

Thursday, Jan. 20

NAMI Meeting

7-8:30 p.m via Zoom. The National Alliance on Mental Illness Southwestern Illinois (NAMI SWI) family support meetings may also be in person. To receive the link for a Zoom meeting or address for an in-person meeting contact Pat Rudloff, silverlining6@charter.net.

Chicken Dinner Every Thursday

4-8 p.m. Dine-in or Carryout at the Edwardsville American Legion Post 199, 58 S. State Rt. 157, Edwardsville. Two or four pieces of chicken and vegetables, mashed potatoes and gravy and a biscuit. 618-656-9774

Gateway Wedding Show

5-9 p.m. at the Gateway Convention Center, 1 Gateway Drive, Collinsville. Free admission. The Gateway Wedding Show features different vendors that can help couples and event planners personalize their upcoming special event. The show will feature area wedding and event vendors, food and beverage sampling, a wedding decoration showroom, live fashion show, prize giveaways and more. For information regarding show details and free ticket registration visit www.gatewayweddingshow.com.

Preschooler Story Time

10 a.m. at the Edwardsville Public Library, 112 S Kansas St. If youre ready for a story, clap your hands. Ms. Megan will be sharing fun tales & tunes, and dont forget, bubbles. Ages three - five. Registration required.

EPL Book Club

6:30 p.m. at the Edwardsville Public Library. Good books. Good company. Good talk. Untamed Shore by Silvia Moreno-Garcia.

Teen Magnet Letters Take-Home Kits



Available at the Edwardsville Public Library during open hours. Registration required. Leave notes for your friends on the fridge or your locker with your own set of letter magnets. Teens who register can pick up their kids at the library from Jan. 18 - Jan. 22.

Friday, Jan. 21

Fish Fry Every Friday

11 a.m.-8 p.m. Dine-in or Carryout at the Edwardsville American Legion Post 199, 58 S. State Rt. 157, Edwardsville. Two pieces of cod or one catfish filet and sides. 618-656-9774

Fish Fry

4:30-8 p.m. at the Edwardsville Moose, 7371 Marine Road, Edwardsville. Dine-in and carryout options. 618-656-5051

Saturday, Jan. 22

Watershed Discovery Day

10 a.m. - noon at the Watershed Nature Center, 1591 Tower Ave. Edwardsville. Join the Watershed for a celebration of winter birds in the region. This free community event for families will feature hands-on activities, story time by local author Jennifer Ward, a bird feeder craft, eagle cam observation station, birding information from Wild Birds Unlimited, hot cocoa & cookies and a scavenger hunt around the Watershed's trails. The first 100 children will receive a stuffed Eagle through Phillips 66 Wood River Refinery.

Coloring for Grown-Ups

1 - 3 p.m. at the Edwardsville Public Library. Join them for a relaxing and fun afternoon session of coloring. The library will provide colored pencils and adult coloring books along with refreshments.

Teen Magnet Letters Take-Home Kits



Available at the Edwardsville Public Library during open hours. Registration required. Leave notes for your friends on the fridge or your locker with your own set of letter magnets. Teens who register can pick up their kids at the library from Jan. 18 - Jan. 22.

Tuesday, Jan. 25

True Crime Book Club

6:30 p.m. at the Edwardsville Public Library. Join other armchair detectives to discuss the shocking details and events found in this popular non-fiction subgenre. I'll Be Gone in the Dark, by Michelle McNamara.

Pasta Dinner Every Tuesday



4-8 p.m. Dine-in or Carryout at the Edwardsville American Legion Post 199, 58 South State Rt. Edwardsville. Pasta of the week served with salad. 618-656-9774

Wednesday, Jan. 26

Percy Jackson Book Club

4 - 5 p.m. at the Edwardsville Public Library. Grades 6-12. This month theyre reading Book 4, The Battle of the Labyrinth." Once you register, stop by the Youth Desk to get your free copy of the book. Registration Required.

Roxana HCE Meeting

12 p.m. at Rox-Arena in Roxana Park. HCE (formally Home Bureau) meeting. Light lunch is served. Open to the public. For more info contact Vi at 618-803-2795.

Virtual Evening Flow Yoga with Anne

5:30  6:15 p.m. at Glen Carbon Library via Zoom. A Slow Flow mixed levels practice that will lead you through a series of yoga poses that focus on strengthening, lengthening, and stretching. Requires Registration

Thursday, Jan. 27

Movie Matinees



12 p.m. at The Edwardsville Public Library. The library hosts Movie Matinees for adults in their meeting room. Bring a brown bag lunch and theyll provide drinks and popcorn. The library is not able to publicize movie titles. Call (618) 692-7556 for details.

NAMI Meeting

7-8:30 p.m via Zoom. The National Alliance on Mental Illness Southwestern Illinois (NAMI SWI) family support meetings may also be in person. To receive the link for a Zoom meeting or address for an in-person meeting contact Pat Rudloff, silverlining6@charter.net.

Preschooler Story Time

10 a.m. at the Edwardsville Public Library, 112 S Kansas St. If youre ready for a story, clap your hands. Ms. Megan will be sharing fun tales & tunes, and dont forget, bubbles. Ages three - five. Registration required.

Chicken Dinner Every Thursday

4-8 p.m. Dine-in or Carryout at the Edwardsville American Legion Post 199, 58 South State Rt. 157, Edwardsville. Two or four pieces of chicken and vegetables, mashed potatoes and gravy and a biscuit. 618-656-9774

Ongoing Events

Al-Anon

For information call 618-463-2429. For more information, visit SIAFG.org and District-18.org.

Winter Reading Challenge Begins

Dec. 1 - Jan. 31 at the Edwardsville Public Library. Read books, earn badges and be entered into prize drawings on Beanstack. This challenge is for all ages, 0-109. To register visit www.edwardsvillelibrary.org.

Take Home Crafts

Pick up a take-home craft bag at the Edwardsville Public Library with all the materials to make the project. A new craft will be available each month at the Youth Desk.
Salida, CO (81201)

Today

Sunshine in the morning followed by partly cloudy skies and gusty winds during the afternoon. High 72F. Winds S at 20 to 30 mph. Higher wind gusts possible..

Tonight

A few clouds. Low 37F. Winds WSW at 10 to 20 mph.
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The confirmation of intent to contest the Presidential election by the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Mr Bola Tinubu, did not go down well with the former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Mr Bode George, who has described it as a huge joke.

George, who was speaking on Monday after Tinubu made the declaration to State House correspondents after a visit to President Muhammadu Buhari, said the number one position in the land was not meant for characters like Tinubu.

This so-called ambition must be a huge joke. The Presidency of Nigeria is not for characters like Bola Tinubu, he said.

Look at how he mismanaged the resources of Lagos State. It is surprising that he can even dream of becoming the President of Nigeria. He is living in cuckoo land, said George.

He added that Tinubu would be shocked by how things will go and how he will be double-crossed by those he is trusting.

While carpeting Tinubu for dreaming about the presidency, he said the South-West had quality leaders who could be next President of Nigeria. He, however, said Tinubu was not one of them.

According to him, it will be an insult for the South-West, which is the most sophisticated region in the country, to settle for Tinubu.

He described it as unfortunate that a hallowed ground like the Presidential Villa would be the location for Tinubu to declare his ambition.

Tinubus declaration confirmed reports by THE WHISTLER in late 2021 that he will declare his presidential ambition in January.

Tinubu, who was governor of Lagos State, said he informed Buhari that he would want to contest for president.

The former governor lamented that he was tired of being a kingmaker and that it was his life dream to run for president.

But reactions against his declaration were quick with party insiders saying he wont get his wish as the partys National Convention in February 2022 is still in doubt.

Sources have said the courting of former President Goodluck Jonathan by the APC and his endorsement by two APC northern governors, are a that the party may wait till June to carry out both presidential primary and national convention.

It is said to be aimed at ambushing Tinubu as the powerful northern elements feel a Jonathan second term will pave way for power to shift to the North.
The Spokesperson and Director, Social Communication of Catholic Diocese of Sokoto has debunked an alleged invitation extended to the Bishop of Sokoto Catholic Diocese, Mathew Hassan Kukah by the Department of State Service (DSS), describing it as fake news.

Reverend Father Christopher Omotosho, Director Social Communication Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, disclosed this on Monday while speaking to newsmen.

He urged members of the public to ignore the statement describing it as fake news.

Omotosho further explained that the news that the Bishop was summoned for questioning by the DSS regarding his Christmas message was not true because the Bishop is yet to receive either call or mail from the security body.

Nigerian Tribune recalled that the social media was awash at the weekend with stories of the summoning of the Bishop by the DSS, a situation that has elicited relations from many Nigerians.

The youth wing of the Christians Association of Nigeria (CAN) had earlier in a response to the report, threatened to mobilise Christians youth across the nation to accompany the bishop to the DSS headquarters in Abuja.
Abuja  As schools reopen in Nigeria, the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development (FMHADMSD) with technical support from the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) announces, it will be taking to the next level, the National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme (NHGSFP), launched by the Federal Government of Nigeria in 2016. This decision results from a joint assessment conducted in the first quarter of 2021 to identify ways of improving, scaling-up and sustaining the NHGSFP.

Home Grown School Feeding initiatives promote nutrition education and better eating habits and encourage the diversification of production with a special emphasis on local crops. WFP is backing the next stage with a significant transfer of ICT equipment. This includes tablets with access to the PLUS Schools Menus  a free tool to help state Nutrition Officers design nutritious menus for schools.

The hardware will not only support the Ministrys efforts to digitalize its monitoring and evaluation system, but also enable the national roll out of the PLUS School Menu Tool developed by WFP to standardize cost-effective menu development.

By 2021, this breakthrough initiative serves school meals to over 9 million students in 53,000 public primary schools, making it one of the largest school feeding programmes in Africa. It has also led to a significant increase in school enrollment across the country. Moreover, the programme has provided a much-needed boost to local economies by buying the products of smallholder farmers and providing jobs to more than 107,000 cooks from low-income families.

Schools provide local farmers with a predictable outlet for their products, leading to a stable income, more investments and higher productivity. The children enjoy healthy, diversified food; this makes it more likely that they will stay in school, perform better, and improve their adult job prospects.

In line with one of the key pillars for sustaining the NHGSFP, several partnerships have been realised across various relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the Government, which have truly strengthened the collaboration and cooperation for a more effective service delivery. Key partners include the National Youth Service Corp, Ministries of Agriculture, of Education, Information, Trade and Industry, Water Resources amongst others.

Quotes

Honorable Minister Sadiya Farouq, Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development

The NHGSFP remains an important intervention of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari. Through it hunger, malnutrition, poverty, education can all be addressed. It is an investment that is fully funded by the Federal Government of Nigeria because of its sheer potential as a development driver. We at the FMHADMSD are here to ensure that this programme is strengthened and sustained so that it can continue to support the needs of the children, families, women and communities it targets. The technical support from the World Food Programme is therefore timely, relevant and well appreciated.

Ronald Sibanda, WFP Country Director a.i.

One of the best ways of fighting hunger and preventing malnutrition among children is to provide them with a healthy school meal. Nigeria is a good example of where the Government has taken the lead from day one and invested resources and funding into the design and implementation of its National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme. This is a great initiative and WFP is very pleased to provide technical support for the Government of Nigeria.
Biafra Nations League, BnL, has warned of the daring consequences of not adhering to calls to release all Biafrans detained in prisons especially the leader of Indigenous people of Biafra, IPOB, Mr Nnamdi Kanu and Mr Benjamin Onwuka the leader of Biafra Zionist Federation, BZF. This is coming hours after the group's Militias eliminated a flying spy drone camera belonging to the Nigerian security operatives in the Bakassi Peninsula area.

Addressing newsmen in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State today, the Deputy Leader of BnL, Ebuta Takon said the January 23 ultimatum issued to the federal government to release Kanu, Onwuka and others stands "and would attract severe sanction" he said.

Meanwhile, Cameroonian Military have blocked it's maritime borders with Nigeria in Isangele subdivision of Bakassi Peninsula following the attack on Military spy drone by suspected Militant members of BnL. Report say travellers who have no ID card were not allowed to cross to the ceded area under Cameroonian control.
The disturbing level of criminality, as seen in the rising number of Internet fraudsters has left the question of why so many in this generation, with an increased population and limited options to turn to, many now showcase prowess in being a man as society calls for, in illegitimate means. After all General George Patton has said "Duty is the essence of manhood"

Critically, an alarming number of the youths in Nigeria, especially the male folks have now turned to cybercrimes (Yahoo Yahoo), and the perpetrators' are nicknamed Yahoo boys.

Yahoo is the cultural name given to fraudulent persons who use the internet to defraud people. The name is common among Nigerians and the act is quite common among Nigerian undergraduates.

Meanwhile, the United States FBI, ranked Nigeria 16th most affected country by internet crime in 2020, with 443 complaints in that year. In 2018, commercial banks lost 15 billion naira to cybercrimes, and in 2020 the Covid 19 pandemic invited more cybercrimes.

Nonetheless, we could ascribe the problem of the increased number of cybercrimes, to the intense rise in population and the corresponding inability of the government to provide employment or an enabling environment.

The opportunities that previous generations had, held their hopes up for a sustainable standard of living. Opportunities that were not driven by favouritism, tribalism, religious discrimination, selfish interest. Opportunities that were strictly awarded based on merit.

Recently, Nigerian lawyer and human rights activist, Femi Falana during an event dubbed the CABLE COLLOQUIUM, he asserted that the current situation of the country can be linked to the increased rate of cybercrimes.

"...and now EFCC is dealing with Yahoo boys including graduates, I laugh. You are going to be surprised if I tell you as young people, when we went to the university I did not pay school fees, apart from not paying fees government was paying us bursary and loans"

The admission process back then was not completely corrupt. Employment was equally not as Scarce as today, and do not forget an idle man is the devil's workshop.

As young adults, society place constant reminders of the impression that being a man comes with more responsibility, we see that in the title "head of the family", that doesn't just point to the role of taking decisions but to the factor of being able to provide the basic needs of man, as well as others. Society plays its part in grooming a gender that feels worthless without being able to meet up with its expectations and therefore runs to a fast, easy solution, not putting its legitimacy in mind.

On account of, family is where socialization begins, the bulk of the ideas we hold on to were taught in the family and some of the values taught, places more financial pressure on men and the focus here is the problem of what so much pressure on this gender has caused.

The pressure is one thing, the disturbing need to possess a large amount of money at a young age is another, yes the situation in the country calls for a lot of hard work but not in the sense we're seeing it.

Conclusively, there has been condemnation from the president and others, the former once said Nigerian youths are lazy, but they have failed to look at the many changes and denied opportunities amidst many factors as compared to earlier generations.

Perhaps the youths of this generation are not lazy but are faced with the pressure to achieve success amidst little options and though time has changed our definition of success may differ from the previous generation, and so the need for a firm and fierce push which is leading many astray.
Four separate raids net drugs, guns and arrests

PHUKET: Police have reported four separate raids that took place between Jan 7-9 in Phuket that resulted in the seizure of illegal drugs, firearms and saw arrests made.

crimedrugspolice

By Eakkapop Thongtub

Tuesday 11 January 2022, 04:01PM

The four separate cases were overseen by Lt. Col. Lertphaiboon Sukhapirom, Deputy Inspector-General, Phuket Provincial Police along with officals from the Narcotics Suppression Bureau.

Other police officials involved in the cases included the Commander of Phuket Provincial Police Pol Maj Gen Sermphan Sirikong, Deputy Commander Pol. Col. Chaikiat Wiriyasathitkul, Superintendent Pol. Col. Bundit Khaosutham, Deputy Superintendent Pol. Lt. Col. Kiattisak Janda, Deputy Superintendent Pol. Col. Thapanapat Jaturonphan, and Pol. Lt. Col. Pairote Thanapannathorn.

The first case involved 39-year-old Satun native Pongphan Durabiab, otherwise known as Wang, who was arrested at Room 102, House No. 54/41 Soi Lukkaew, Moo 6, Ratsada, and charged on two separate counts of illegal possession of a category 1 narcotic, specifically amphetamine and crystal meth (ya ice), and for illegal possession of dry cannabis sticks, a category 5 narcotic.

Wang was found to be in possession of 600 meth pills (ya bah), 93.6 grammes of crystal meth (ya ice) and 25.8 grammes of dry cannabis sticks (kan cha).

Police also confiscated two rounds of 9mm calibre ammunition, a phone, a set of digital scales and a plastic zip-lock bag believed to be used for packing the ya ice.

A Trang-registered black-red Honda Wave 125i motorcycle valued at B25,000 was also seized.

The second arrest was that of a Mr Siriphong NaoPhrai, known as Mr Lip. A Phuket resident, the 32-year-old was apprehended at Room No. 25/28, Soi Bangkontee, Moo 4, Rawai and charged with illegal possession of a category 1 narcotic, namely crystal meth (ya ice), with intent to sell.

The police seized 15.14 grammes of ya ice, a phone, a set of digital scales and a plastic zip-lock bag believed to be used for packing the ya ice.

Mr Lips Phuket-registered Blue Honda Dream motorcycle valued at B25,000 was also seized.

The third arrest was Mr Kriangkrai MaHoSot, also known as Mr Fat. He was arrested and facing charges for illegal possession of a category 1 narcotic, crystal meth (ya ice), with intent to sell.

Originally from Krabi, 33-year-old Mr Fatwas arrested at House No.78/351 Phuket Villa Village 5, Chaofa Rd.,Moo 2, Wichit.

He was found in possession of 85.62 grammes of ya ice, a phone, a set of digital scales and a plastic zip-lock bag believed to be used for packing the ya ice.

The fourth and final case pertained to the arrest of a Mr Pawnpawit Weerawat, otherwise known as Mr Mew. The 32-year-old was arrested for illegal possession of a Glock 19 semi-automatic pistol, a 9mm calibre ammunition holster and 12 bullets of 9mm pistol ammunition.

Mr Mew was arrested at the roadside of the entrance to Phuket Villa Village 2, Moo 2, Wichit.

Wang was taken to Muang Phuket Police Station, Mr Lip to Chalong Police Station and Mr Fat and Mr Mew to Wichit Police Station where they will all be questioned further respectively and face subsequent prosecution.
Hospitals ordered to immediately admit child COVID cases

BANGKOK: All hospitals are being instructed they must not reject children infected with COVID-19 and must also have on hand suitable medication for their treatment.

CoronavirusCOVID-19healthSafety

By Bangkok Post

Tuesday 11 January 2022, 09:07AM

Officials inspect a new isolation centre for children infected with COVID-19 in Dusit district, Bangkok, on Saturday (Jan 8). Photo: Apichart Jinakul

Traisuree Taisaranakul, deputy government spokeswoman, said yesterday (Jan 10) that Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha had ordered the Public Health Ministry to ensure public and private hospitals do not refuse admission to children infected with the coronavirus, reports the Bangkok Post.

She said hospitals must prioritise services for their young patients.

The prime minister is concerned about the reported case of a hospital rejecting a child. He asked the Public Health Ministry to arrange for the efficient admission or referral of this group of patients, because children have lower immunity from not having been vaccinated like adults, Ms Traisuree said.

Her comments follow reports that a couple in Nonthaburi province could not find a hospital that would immediately admit their eight-month-old grandchild for treatment. The child had been infected with COVID-19 by its parents and had a fever and low blood oxygen levels.

It was reported that hospital staff had told them to queue and wait their turn.

The prime minister had ordered the Queen Sirikit National Institute of Child Health to admit all COVID-19-infected children whatever the severity of their symptoms, and to advise hospitals nationwide on treatment for the young and the preparation of liquid favipiravir antiviral medication for them, the spokeswoman said.

She also advised parents to avoid taking their children to crowded places and to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 themselves, to reduce the chance of their youngsters being infected.
Revered monk on 1,500km barefoot trek

NAKHON RATCHASIMA: A revered 72-year-old monk is nearing the end of his 1,500-kilometre barefoot pilgrimage from Phuket to his home province of Nakhon Phanom.

religion

By Bangkok Post

Tuesday 11 January 2022, 04:19PM

Luang Ta Bun Chuen lightly touches a worshippers head with a stick, bestowing good fortune, in Nakhon Ratchasima today (Jan 11). Photo: Prasit Tangprasert

This morning (Jan 11), Luang Ta Bun Chuen arrived in Bua Yai district, Nakhon Ratchasima. Many people waited by the roadside to receive his blessing, reports the Bangkok Post.

The monk gently tapped their heads with a stick he carries, imparting good fortune.

Those waiting to pay homage to Luang Ta Bun Chuen said he was a monk devoted to doing good deeds and had renounced all material possessions. He accepted only gifts of drinking water, which he mostly donated to local schools and hospitals.

The monk was due to arrive at Waeng Noi district, Khon Kaen province, later in the day.

Before entering the monkhood in 2009, Luang Ta Bun Chuen served as a military conscript and fought in the Vietnam War in 1969. He married and had four children and then told his family he wanted to become a monk and study Buddhism.

Every year he undertakes a pilgrimage, in accordance with Buddhist monastic code.
Southern Pines, NC (28387)

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Partly cloudy early. Scattered thunderstorms developing in the afternoon. High 88F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

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Considerable clouds early. Some decrease in clouds late. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 66F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph.
Clearfield, PA (16830)

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Cloudy this morning with showers during the afternoon. High 68F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%..

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Periods of rain. Low 57F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Rainfall near a half an inch.
In the Press Corps of the Indiana Statehouse in downtown Indianapolis, in an office lovingly called "the Shack," the journalism majors of Franklin College's Pulliam School of Journalism work alongside the best reporters in the state, digging into the behind-the-scenes stories of Indiana politics. We're a student newsroom, but our work doesn't sit on a professor's desk. We create content five days a week for this website and 35 professional media partners around the state.
Heber Springs, AR (72543)

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Scattered thunderstorms in the morning, then cloudy skies late. High 72F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

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Considerable cloudiness. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 53F. Winds light and variable.
CARLINVILLE  City officials have applied for a $1.4 million grant from the state.

Carlinville is seeking a Rebuild Illinois Downtowns and Main Streets Grant through the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. The project will focus on public infrastructure improvements and Americans with Disability Act (ADA) compliance around the city square and the Macoupin County Courthouse.

In many communities, town squares have suffered from loss of business, vacant storefronts, and declining use by residents and civic organizations, Carlinville Mayor Sarah Oswald said. Our square, by contrast, remains the center of the towns social activities, serving as the host for a number of festivals, community events, farmers markets, and concerts.

"We are thrilled at the opportunity to make this investment to support our small businesses and residents, she said.

When we partnered with the Chamber of Commerce on a community listening session for ideas for the scope of this grant, improving infrastructure around the square was easily the most suggested program from the citizens, Oswald said. Upgrading the infrastructure around the square could be a huge step forward for downtown businesses and our tourism appeal, particularly when the world visits Carlinville in 2026 for the 100th anniversary of Route 66.

The downtown project would include new sidewalks, repaving the city parking near the square and ensuring ADA compliance for building access and parking for every business on the square.

It also would create a welcome plaza next to the Chamber of Commerce and address other infrastructure needs, such as a new crosswalk.

The grant submission included letters of support from state Sen. Doris Turner, D-Springfield, Macoupin County Board Chairman Larry Schmidt, Macoupin County Sheriff Shawn Kahl, Great Rivers and Routes Tourism Bureau President & CEO Cory Jobe, the Carlinville Community Chamber of Commerce, Winning Communities, NFL, and the Carlinville Business Partnership, Inc.

Jobe linked the proposal with opportunities for job creation, increased sales tax, and increased visitor growth for the community.

Route 66 will be turning 100 in 2026, Jobe said. The State of Illinois and the federal government will be focused on attracting visitors from around the world to travel and experience Route 66. It is imperative that we support and develop our historic infrastructure and Route 66 product and small business in Illinois.
Illinois American Water

GODFREY  Illinois American Water will reschedule an open house that had been planned this week to discuss a major project in Godfrey.

Company officials said the meeting, initially scheduled for Tuesday, was being postponed "to support the safety and health of our team and our customers." A new date for the open house will be announced by the company.
Elon Musk recently said, Failure is an option here. If things are not failing, you are not innovating enough.

This is true in many things we do, transforming a community mindset being among them. We will always stress the need for your community to rapidly create a truly local community mentality. Being truly local isnt just a nice to do, it is critical for the survival of your community.

Numerous studies show dollars spent with locally owned businesses will, in turn, recirculate throughout your community between three and seven times. Compared this to those same dollars spent with national chains, which will circulate only once.

Using 10% sales tax as an example, $5 million spent with national chains in your community will return $500,000 in local sales tax with $4,500,000 lost forever. This same $5 million spent with locally owned businesses will bring the same $500,000 in tax receipts; however, it turns that $5 million into $15-30 million dollars floating through the community.

What would an extra $15-30 million mean for your local business base and jobs?

Additional studies show owners of locally owned businesses support local causes, organizations, and charities by approximately a three-to-one margin over businesses with outside ownership. The foundations of local communities are built through active participation, volunteerism, non-profit organizations, and civic groups. These are necessary and vital components to thriving communities.

Owners and managers of locally owned businesses are four times more likely to be involved in leadership, politics, Chambers, Main Street and Economic Development organizations with in their communities than owners and managers of out-of-town owned businesses.

Another interesting study indicated a communitys poverty rate is directly linked to the percentage of prosperous locally owned and operated businesses. The more local innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurs there are, coupled with active support of such by the various communitys government entities, the greater expectation for an increase in the average household income.

Bottomline, the greater percentage of your retail dollars spent with out-of-town business owners within a smaller or midsized community, the higher the poverty rate will be. Grow local!

Where a community invests their tax dollars is vital. There is no better investment in your community than revitalizing a communitys downtown. Tax dollars and private investment into your downtown will bring an average of approximately 30% higher return than an investment in other parts of the city. Communities neglecting to restore their downtown district to greatness damages the entire community. There is no greater return on investment than restoring the heart and soul to your community through downtown revitalization.

Want to grow the real estate values in and around your downtowns? It has been shown that by returning the vibrancy, heart, and soul of your community to the downtown, you can expect to see an increase in surrounding real estate values as well. Not only does this create renewed pride in the community, it grows the real estate ad valorem tax base, which benefits the school as well as the entire community. I should point out, improvements anywhere in your community benefit the community but the greatest return is in your central or downtown area.

Out-of-town owned business arent bad, this isnt the case at all. The devil is always in the details, or in this case, the devil is in the balance. Cities must find ways to balance the growth of national chains in the community with the growth and support of their truly local business base will find an economic balance leading to greater prosperity.

True balance is achieved by understanding. Communities must understand and realize national chains are only a fraction of the foundation from which to build. There is nothing more powerful than a Truly-Local Community knowing what it takes to succeed and bringing true vibrancy to your community.

In addition to balance, it is also about building and creating uniqueness, something that only a truly local concentration provides. Uniqueness is vital in the emerging economics of your community.
COLLINSVILLE  After not having a show in 2020 because of COVID-19 cancellations, the Lets Go Fishing show was back at the Gateway Convention Center in Collinsville over the weekend.

There was still a show last year in 2021 that drew similar numbers to this years show. Show producer Jamie Lane estimates that the show brings in roughly 8,000 to 10,000 people to the Gateway Convention Center over the course of a full weekend.

Along with 104 vendors selling fishing tackle, rods and reels and fishing boats, the show also had free seminars, live demonstrations, a live animal exhibit and a small pool for kids to fish live fish out of. Other activities for kids included face painting and balloon animals.

The seminars included speeches from Brandon Palaniuk, who won the 2020 Bassmaster Elite at Santee Cooper and was named the 2017 Bassmaster Angler of the Year.

All of these vendors have experienced growth with products and resources, Lane said. Boats are selling faster than they can get them out.

Since fishing is an outdoor activity that can be done with social distancing in mind, COVID-19 actually increased interest in fishing.

The show was missed by vendors and spectators in 2020 because of the in-person interaction. Even though online stores are used by most businesses, nothing can simulate the face-to-face interaction of shows and events of this caliber.

They enjoy it, and this is the perfect avenue for that, Lane said. People are excited for an event like this.

Bluff City Outdoors, located at 2813 E. Broadway in Alton, was in attendance as a vendor at the show. Theyve been at the show for nearly 20 years now.

We come out hear to see our local fishermen and have a good time talking fishing with everyone, owner Mark McMurry said. Its good to see our customers, see new faces and be back out in the public.

McMurry emphasized the fact that people are developing fishing as a new activity during COVID-19 times, as fishing license sales increased for the first time in 30 years.

Bluff City Outdoors has seen an uptick of customers of all ages coming into the store who are new to the fishing world.

With the Mississippi River and a number of Illinois rivers nearby, McMurry said this is a underrated area of fishing because of the size and quality of the catfish.

They dont realize whats out there and its amazing, McMurry said.

Bluff City Outdoors hosted the Alton Catfish Classic for the first time in 2019 and will host it again this fall on Sept. 10.

The first year, they allowed 100 boats maximum. Last year, the second year of the Alton Catfish Classic, the registration sold out in the first 30 hours it was open to the public.

Registration for the 2022 Alton Catfish Classic is planned to open around Jan. 15 to give past participants a 10-day window to register before its open to the public.

Bluff City Outdoors will also host a kids fishing derby in early June for the second straight year. Last year, most of the proceeds from the fishing derby were donated.

The store is also adding 8000-square feet to the original store, that will include a boat shop, archery range and more fishing equipment.
EDWARDSVILLE  Prosecutors started presenting evidence Tuesday morning in the trial of an Alabama man charged in three Bethalto deaths in December 2019.

Brady K. Witcher, 42, of Birmingham, Alabama, is charged with nine counts of first-degree murder in the Dec. 19, 2019 shooting deaths of Shari Yates, 59; her son, Andrew AJ Brooks, 30; and John McMillian, 32. The three were found in Yates' home.

Witcher is also charged with armed robbery and aggravated vehicular hijacking, and unlawful possession of weapons by a felon.

If convicted he faces natural life in prison.

Brittany McMillan, 30, also of Birmingham, pleaded guilty in early December to three counts of first-degree murder in the deaths. She will serve a life sentence, the maximum allowable under Illinois law.

The trial, under Circuit Judge Kyle Napp, began Monday with jury selection. That finished up Tuesday morning with the selection of two additional alternate jurors as a COVID-related precaution.

Assistant Madison County States Attorneys Lauren Maricle and Morgan Hudson began with opening statements shortly after 10 a.m.

Hudson said Yates was kind-hearted and willing to help those in need and had given McMillan a place to stay earlier that year.

This defendant repaid Shari Yates for her kindness by methodically killing everybody in her house, Hudson said.

Hudson also summarized Witcher and McMillans crime spree that led them to Bethalto, including the kidnapping and torture of a woman in Alabama and the attempted murder of a couple in Tennessee.

Defense attorney Steve Griffin did not give an opening statement, reserving the right to do so later.

Before breaking for lunch, prosecutors called four witnesses:

 Detective Matthew Zufall of the St. Louis County Police Department, a member of an FBI Violent Crime Safe Streets Task Force at the time of the murders and part of the team that arrested Witcher and McMillan;

 Bethalto pPolice Officer Jack Wofford, who was called by Zufall and asked to go to Yates house after her car was discovered in St. Louis;

 Chris McMillian, the brother of John McMillian; and

 Amber Higgins, the daughter of Shari Yates and the sister of Andrew Brooks.

Zufall testified that the FBI had tracked Witcher and McMillan through a cell phone to a Days Inn in North St. Louis County, and that he was the first officer on the scene during the apprehension.

Wofford testified that Zufall had called asking them to do a welfare check on Yates because her vehicle had been found during the couples arrest. He also spoke about his subsequent visit to the home and finding the three bodies.

McMillian and Higgins identified the victims in court.

During her testimony, Higgins said she had met McMillan, who stayed with Yates for about three weeks and gave Higgins a bad vibe.

She also testified that the last time she had contact with her mother was a text message and response at 9:16 a.m. on Dec. 19. Higgins said she texted her later in the day, but her mother never responded.

More testimony is scheduled for Wednesday. Napp has said she expects the trial to go through Friday, and possibly Monday.
Consumers have a right to know whats in the food they buy, and the labels on grocery products convey important information.

Although genetically modified food is healthy and safe, we respect that some people prefer to avoid it, and they should be able to see on a label whats modified and what remains as nature intended.

Under the U.S. Department of Agriculture's mandatory labeling rules you will notice new symbols and terminology to flag genetically modified products. This should be a good day for consumers and the food industry alike.

But heres a shocker: The Feds have managed to turn a straightforward mandate, designed to better inform the public, into a complicated decision tree that only a bureaucrat could love.

For starters, the government has replaced the commonly used term genetically modified and the acronyms GM or GMO. Instead, food manufacturers now are required to use bioengineered, or BE for short, on their labels. That would be fine, and less pejorative, if anyone apart from experts understood what it meant.

For the everyday grocery shopper, seeing bioengineered on a label will elicit, at best, a huh? At worst, the unfamiliar term could lead people away from a perfectly good product.

The USDA also bent itself into a BE pretzel trying to define why a particular product should (or should not) be called bioengineered. Most of the Midwests economically crucial corn and soybean crop is grown from genetically modified seed. This technology has been a boon to agriculture, enabling farmers to use pesticides and herbicides more efficiently and to achieve better yields during droughts. So, if most of the corn and beans we grow are modified, wouldnt corn or soybean oil made from those same crops need to be labeled as bioengineered?

Probably not, according to the USDA, where a hairsplitting legal team must have had the final pen on the regulations.

Labels are supposed to disclose ingredients derived from biotechnology or ingredients derived from a bioengineered source. Yet refined products like oil do not require a disclosure if the bioengineered material is removed in processing. Similarly, sugar from GMO sugar beets, widely grown in the U.S., wont need a label if the GMO part is undetectable using common testing methods.

Theres a loophole you could drive a tractor through.

Also, the new regulations do not apply to meat, poultry or eggs, as those products are regulated separately. Even if the second ingredient on a label is bioengineered, for instance, no disclosure is required if the first ingredient is meat.

The USDA assumed far too much in giving food companies communication options. Food labels already are packed with required information, and we support making them simpler and more succinct. But the USDA is allowing food companies to use electronic or digital links such as QR codes that need to be scanned with smartphones. Thats bad news for the millions of Americans who dont have smartphones at the ready in the grocery store but still deserve to know whats in their food.

The timing of these new rules is a problem, too. The food industry is reeling from COVID-19 staffing shortages and supply chain gridlock that has forced it to source ingredients from far and wide. Some companies havent had the time or resources to pin down every ingredient that might need to be labeled, and the USDA declined requests to postpone the Jan. 1 deadline. What happens next is anyones guess, as enforcement of the new rules is likely to be catch-as-catch-can, and mainly in response to random complaints as opposed to any consistent policing from the Feds.

Whats most surreal about this bureaucratic frolic is that no one should doubt the safety of genetically modified food anymore. Weve been consuming it for generations with no ill effects, and, mercifully, were seeing fewer of the Frankenfood scare campaigns used by anti-GMO advocates in decades past. Many consumers with strong feelings on the matter have gotten used to buying organic, which is never bioengineered.

In fact, the world needs more genetically modified products to improve nutrition and feed the planet, as climate change plays havoc with the weather. The technology will be critical for making agriculture sustainable in the future.

All along, the foods derived from bioengineering deserved better treatment than they received. This latest labeling complication has only added to the problem.




London, KY (40741)

Today

Widely scattered showers or a thunderstorm this morning. Then partly cloudy. High 83F. Winds SSW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 30%..

Tonight

Variably cloudy with scattered thunderstorms. Low 58F. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 50%.
MADDY BARRETTE, Chariho, Softball, Sophomore; Barrette hit a two-run single in the seventh inning, lifting Chariho past Cumberland. For the week, Barrette was 4 for 8 with three RBIs and a double in three games.

MADDIE STEPSKI, Stonington, Softball, Senior; Stepski hit two home runs in back-to-back games for the Bears. In three games during the week, she was 10 for 13 with four homers, two doubles and 12 RBIs. Stepski is hitting .750 for the season with 22 RBIs and six home runs.

MICHAEL POOLE, Westerly, Baseball, Freshman; Poole struck out 14 Rogers batters to earn his second win of the season. Poole pitched a four-hitter and allowed just one earned run. For the season, Poole has 19 strikeouts in 12 innings with a 1.14 ERA.

SEAN BERGEL, Wheeler, Baseball, Sophomore; Bergel pitched a complete-game two-hitter in a 1-0 win against Putnam. Bergel struck out seven and did not walk a batter. He is 2-1 with a 1.68 ERA this season.

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Tifton, GA (31794)

Today

Partial cloudiness early, with scattered showers and thunderstorms during the afternoon. High 87F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%..

Tonight

Scattered thunderstorms during the evening. Partly cloudy skies after midnight. Low near 65F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 40%.
Tillamook, OR (97141)

Today

Cloudy skies early will become partly cloudy later in the day. High around 55F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Mainly cloudy. Low around 40F. Winds light and variable.
The Korean city of Daegu is joining Bloomberg Philanthropies' Global Mayors Challenge that has been held since 2013 to stimulate urban innovation. This year's theme is innovative policies of cities around the world to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic, and 631 metropolises in 99 countries are vying for the accolade.

Daegu in southeastern Korea has proposed its "Re-Permissioning the City" policy for the challenge. The crux of the policy is to connect public spaces both indoors and outdoors using smart technologies that are left idling so that people can use them, breathing new life into urban areas.


Thomasville, GA (31792)

Today

Partial cloudiness early, with scattered showers and thunderstorms during the afternoon. High 87F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 50%..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low near 65F. Winds light and variable.
Kingsport, TN (37660)

Today

Partly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High near 85F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Low 63F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 60%.
The United Nations said it was starting consultations in Sudan on Monday to try to salvage the countrys move to democracy after a military coup.

U.N. officials were contacting parties to look for a way forward, and the army had raised no objections to the initiative, U.N. special representative Volker Perthes told reporters. We want to move quickly, he said.

The U.N. plan amounts to the only substantial effort at present to resolve the political crisis.

The military takeover in October wrecked a power-sharing arrangement with civilian leaders that was meant to pave the way to elections after the overthrow of leader Omar al-Bashir in 2019.

The coup also halted a Western-backed opening up of the economy after decades of isolation and sanctions.

Protesters have regularly taken to the streets demanding civilian rule, and medics aligned with the protest movement say more than 60 people have died in clashes with security services.

I do hope that these consultations can become something like a confidence-building measure and would help to at least reduce the violence, Perthes said.

Protest groups and the political parties ousted by the coup have so far refused to negotiate directly with the military.

So the United Nations would start by approaching groups individually, in the hope of moving onto to a second phase of direct or indirect negotiations, Perthes said.

The first sessions on Monday afternoon would involve civil society groups. We will have every day a mix of stakeholders we are talking to, he said.

U.N. officials have asked the groups to present their visions for a way forward, with the aim of producing a consensus on points of agreement and disagreement at the conclusion of talks.

Perthes said that only Bashirs former ruling party and the Sudanese Communist Party had rejected the initiative outright, while the military had not objected to the process.

He said it would be tricky to set a timeframe for concluding talks and starting negotiations and that if one or two more weeks were needed, hard deadlines would not be imposed. Time is precious, we know that. Theres a lot of pressure on the situation in Sudan and on us.

Unless a new course for the transition and a path to credible elections is found, Sudans economic plight could worsen and instability could spread inside and outside its borders, analysts and diplomats say.

Perthes told Reuters he would find ways to make use of offers of support from international players including the United States and Saudi Arabia, both key donors, and that others including European states and Kenya had also offered backing.

The U.S., the Saudis, and a couple of others are very heavily involved, they helped in developing some ideas, he said.

More mass protests against the military are planned, with another round expected on Wednesday.

SOURCE: REUTERS
Shutterstock

Amid whats being dubbed "The Great Resignation," millions are quitting their jobs and giving up a work to live mentality. An early pandemic adopter was Andreas Flaten, who was employed by an autoshop in Georgia before quitting last March.

After reporting an outstanding final paycheck to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), his remittance finally arrived in a rather unorthodox way: nearly $1,000 in greasy pennies (91,500, to be exact) dumped in his driveway, reportedly topped with a note reading, "Fuck you!" (In a video posted by Flatens girlfriend, she can be heard saying, Theyre covered in something; dont know what it is, but it smells funny, while showing an oily film on her fingers after picking up some of the pennies.)
Well, its over. Now two weeks in the past, 2021 has gone and with it a few food trends we might be glad to cheer goodbye. With any luck, feta and cream cheese will be back on shelves now that the TikTok cheese-and-tomato pasta has reached its viral sell-by date. And while pesto eggs might be last years flavor, the espresso martini revival seems here to stay.

Unlike last January, were kicking off this new year with vaccines and boosters at our disposal, but the omicron variant will ensure dining at home remains an unbroken trend. Other habits will become more entrenched: Restaurant takeout and meal kits for participatory cooking at home will stay, and local delivery services will win over the third parties known for price-gouging. Customer interest in food sources, local supply chains, foods with CBD and adaptogenic drinks designed to keep us calm will remain, like most of us, high. But what else can we expect in the trend forecast for 2022? A few surprises but plenty that makes sense for the health of the industry overall.

Restaurants with boundaries

Impacted by staffing shortages and high food costs, well continue to see restaurants open fewer days, with smaller, tighter menus and higher prices. There will be stricter cancellation policies, some requiring a credit card, with no-shows and last-minute cancellations incurring a per-person fee.

On the service side, there will be more pooled tips for front- and back-of-house staff, a more equitable flat rate hourly wage and gratuity suggestions on the bill that start at 20 percent but show the math for tips at 22 percent and 25 percent or higher.

If youre still expecting servers to work so you can eat out, nows the time to embrace that big-tip energy.

Dining experiences

High-end fine dining is back. We will see an increase in prix-fixe tasting menus and chef collaborations.

Just as musicians collaborated on pandemic releases, well see more of the upstate/downstate collaborations with residencies, visiting chefs and advance-sale tickets paid in full upfront through sites like Tock.

Outdoor dining will last, too, fueled by the rise in outdoor events, open-fire cooking and asado barbecues.

All comfort food, all the time

Well see more comfort food from chefs cooking the foods that reflect who they are, where they are and their sense of home, from Nigerian fufu to Lebanese kibbeh.

With previous national trends for Korean tacos and desi Indian pizzas already available upstate, well see fusion menus from chefs less concerned by restrictive labels or strict authenticity. Well be treated to more culinary mashups like Itameshi, the Japanese spin on Italian food, or Mexican-Chinese with dim-sum tamales and tacos with lettuce in lieu of tortillas.

Plant-based and environmentally conscious eating

Last year brought a tidal surge in plant-based eating and the mainstreaming of vegan menus. In 2022, we can expect more, including the rise of Reducetarianism among those who arent swearing off animal products but reducing the amount of meat, dairy and eggs they want to consume.

Well continue to see mushroom-based meat alternatives, and with more people eating their vegetables from direct-to-consumer farm channels like CSAs and farmers markets, the pandemic growth of frozen vegetables is not likely to stop.

Plus, heres a weird one: You know soy, rice, almond and oat milk, but potato milk is being hyped as the next big thing.

Fermented and preserved foods

Another pandemic pastime drove the popularity of pickling, canning, drying and salt-preserving, and this looks set to continue with restaurants expanding pickle programs, exploring koji fermentation and using fermented products like vinegar and kombucha in cooking and cocktails, some even drying and finding uses for those powerfully potent kombucha mothers. Kombucha and kefir drinks that are good for the gut will continue as part of the broad interest in drinks that do a body good.

Low-ABV cocktails

While nonalcoholic cocktails found a respected home on cocktail lists for those who arent drinking, it's the widespread interest in low-alcohol cocktails that shows a major market shift.

Consumers are choosing low-alcohol spritzes and amari-based cocktails to lower their overall alcohol consumption or alternate with boozier drinks on a night out. Canned cocktails continue to reflect this interest and are taking over from the low-cal, low-ABV hard seltzers of 2020.

Non-dairy ice cream

Sunflower-seed butter and oat milk are two plant-based high fliers on the ice cream or fro-yo scene, and with Ben and Jerrys featuring four non-dairy flavors, Oatly oat milk partnering with 16 Handles and Hudsons own Culture Cream selling kefir and probiotic sorbets and ice cream in fermented and boozy flavors, we can expect more cool treats in 2022.

Spice and heat

Chile crisp oil was the standout star of 2021, and who hasnt watched the "First We Feast: Hot Ones" episodes with celebrities working through progressively painful hot wings? Well, spicy sauces like gochujang and hot chile oil were just the tip of the condiment berg, and we can expect to see more chile heat on our plates this year.

Splurge on luxuries

My New Year's social media was filled with people dumping out 1- and 2-year-old sourdough starters in some oddly cathartic and symbolic end to their required self-sufficiency.

But just as many posts featured hefty spoonfuls of caviar piled on potato chips, latkes and fried chicken with a smear of sour cream. Between this and the unstoppable interest in pet-nat wine and genuine Champagne, it appears our taste for the luxuries of life are racing back.

Dining with pandemic puppies

You cant have missed the epidemic of pandemic puppies that skyrocketed when isolation and the need for contact and emotional support was at an all-time high.

Now those little fur blobs are trailing their owners to sidewalk parklets for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and more restaurants are willing to accommodate well-behaved pooches outside and in, even if the health department says the latter is forbidden.
SCOTIA  Stewart's Shops, the Saratoga County-based convenience store chain, is continuing expansion and renovation plans for 2022.

The Scotia Village Board of Trustees is expected on Wednesday night to green light a recommendation by local planning officials to grant the company a special use permit to allow gas pumps at its 3,975 square-foot, retooled shop at the corner of Mohawk Avenue North Ten Broeck Street.

Then on Friday, the company is poised to hold its first grand opening of the year in Colonie at one of its new, more modern stores as part of its continued expansion, according to the Stewart's website.

In Scotia, the public will have a chance to weigh in during a public hearing before the governing body votes on the proposal.

"I think there's a consensus," Mayor Tom Gifford said Monday about the proposal. "I don't think it will take long, depending on who wants to speak at the public hearing."

People can attend either in person or remotely over Zoom beginning at 7 p..m.

Gifford conceded that without approval, the project would likely not happen.

A spokeswoman for Stewarts did not return calls Monday to her office seeking comment.

But the company's website boasts an ambitious plan that calls for the opening of 20 new shops, including 13 rebuilds and 7 new-to-market shops "covering every corner of our market area" in 2022.

Gifford said Wednesdays action by the trustees on the special use permit will cap a nearly yearlong application process and comes weeks after the Planning Board approved the proposal during a Dec. 20 meeting.

The results are in See the winners of each category of the 2022 Best of the Capital Region contest, as determined by popular vote.

Plans call for Stewart's to purchase and then demolish 206 and 208 Mohawk Avenue, small residential retail sites, as well as the village-owned police parking lot behind the current Stewart's location.

Police parking will be move to James Street, once that parcel of land is renovated, a project that the mayor said Stewarts has agreed to pay for as part of the swap.

In a recent update to village residents, Gifford indicates that the new store will be constructed where the residential structures are currently located and that the building will face the fire station and feature a "prominent entrance on Mohawk Avenue close to the sidewalk."

Once the new store with gas pumps is complete, the old one will be demolished.

Stewart's Shops operates more than 345 convenience stores in 31 counties across upstate New York and southern Vermont, according to its website.
ALBANY  Residents in two communities afflicted with contaminated water are being invited to take part in a health study to monitor the long-term effects of exposure to the manmade manufacturing chemicals that polluted underground wells in Newburgh and eastern Rensselaer County.

The state said it will be an "invitation only" study that will include having participants provide urine and blood samples. The study will also collect information on participants' immune response, metabolism, kidney function, and any health problems such as thyroid and liver diseases and diabetes. The information will be confidential.

New York state is collaborating with some of the best researchers in the country to collect data from participants with common exposures, said state Department of Health acting Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett. What we learn by working with these researchers could provide important clues about the complex relationship between PFAS exposures through drinking water and human health outcomes.

The study will be done in partnership with the University at Albany School of Public Health.

The Hoosick Falls area and the city of Newburgh in Orange County were among many communities across the country that have had public water supplies and private wells contaminated with perfluorinated chemicals.

A Community Advisory Panel comprised of volunteers from the Hoosick Falls and Newburgh communities will help advise researchers on the study's design, outreach and progress, according to the health department.

The study will have researchers examine the role of PFAS  per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances  "in various health outcomes by analyzing results from blood tests, health-related laboratory tests and assessments, medical, exposure histories and childrens educational records," the release on the study states.

There will also be studies of newborn babies to test them for PFAS, including analyzing their birth mother's exposures to the chemicals leading up to and during pregnancy.

A toxic manufacturing chemical used by local factories in Hoosick Falls had contaminated the community's water supplies. The discovery of that pollution more than seven years ago culminated last year with pending class-action settlements worth $89 million between multiple manufacturing companies, including Saint-Gobain, and thousands of residents across multiple Rensselaer County communities. The residents will also have access to long-term medical monitoring and the companies are paying for a new water supply that will supplant the contaminated wells near the Saint-Gobain plant, which had been a focus of the pollution.

For many current and former residents, the pending settlements will also compensate them with cash payments for the potential health consequences of their exposure to the chemicals, as well as the potential loss of property value.

The $65.25 million settlement reached by three of the companies blamed for polluting public and private water supplies in and around the village of Hoosick Falls was reached shortly before a federal judge approved the terms of a second settlement, for $23.5 million, with Tonoga Inc., which owns Taconic Plastics, in nearby Petersburgh.

The companies all for decades had manufactured products coated with perfluorinated chemicals, including those that contained perfluorooctanoic acid, or PFOA.

PFOA exposure has been linked to health problems, including testicular and kidney cancer and thyroid disease.
ALBANY  Data underpinning contentious debates on the success or failure of New York's revised bail laws is in question after the state Office of Court Administration temporarily removed the information from its website Monday, due to an error in how the statistics were tabulated.

The outcome appears to have lowered the number of times that a person was reported as being rearrested prior to the adjudication of the criminal case for which they were released pending trial.

After the data was removed for most of the day, it came back online around 5 p.m. in an updated version that officials said reflected the accurate number of rerarrests. The state had been "looking to resolve the discrepancies," Office of Court Administration spokesman Lucian Chalfen said Monday afternoon.

An initial Times Union analysis of the state's public data found the error appears to have led to a fewer number of individuals arrested after being released by a judge  and slightly lower percentages of those arrested on new offenses.

The state Division of Criminal Justice Services "discovered an anomaly in the publicly available pretrial release data," DCJS spokeswoman Janine Kava said in a statement Monday evening. "The previously posted data was accurate but over-inclusive."

The data posted by the state included counting the arrest of someone whose prior case had already reached disposition, despite the state having said the data was to only show rearrests between arraignment and the initial case being closed.

Part of the intention of the data was to show the effect of the changes to the pretrial process.

Lawmakers and advocates wanted the ability to evaluate other factors, including whether a defendant maintained employment or if certain types of monitoring influenced someone's likelihood to show up for a court date.

The newspaper first published an analysis of the state's data earlier this month, which showed how many cases included someone charged with another crime before their case reached disposition  and while they were released from custody pending trial. The data point was quickly used by politicians and advocates on both sides of the debate to trumped their positions on the impact of changes of the bail system in 2019.

The Office of Court Administration and DCJS were required by the Legislature to merge data they independently collect into one, unified data set 18 months after the law went into effect in January 2020. The case disposition information is kept by the court system and rearrest data provided by DCJS.

The state data now may show a more modest picture of re-offending rates while a person is awaiting the conclusion of their case.

The Times Union had analyzed the state's data based on offenses that were included in the state's changes to the bail laws, which include dozens of nonviolent felonies. The intent of gathering the data, and the newspaper's analysis, was to measure how many individuals who may have previously been detained pending trial were committing new crimes while out on lower bail, released on their own recognizance or released under supervision.

The paper's analysis relied, in part, on a list of charges that both the Center for Court Innovation and that the offices of district attorneys have been using to identify the alteration of the bail statutes, which some judges may now be misinterpreting.

The Times Union had excluded data in the first six months of the data set, January to June 2020, because portions of the state's updated bail laws would end up being amended in the first half of the year as debate waged on about the implementation of the changes.

The result showed 3.5 percent  or 3,460 cases  that led to a person being rearrested for a violent felony, and about 30 percent of cases had ended up with a new arrest for some type of criminal offense out of 98,145 cases. (Each case does not necessarily represent a different individual.)

An accurate picture of where the numbers stand remained uncertain Monday evening, although it was clear that the numbers had dropped and in some cases substantially.

The state data had included at least 1,300 instances of instances where a person was rearrested more than one year after their initial arraignment, when looking at the entire 18-month data set that includes 284,000 cases. Overall, it appeared to have included more than 25,000 additional arrests than intended, according to a review of the data initially posted by the state.

Advocates and lawmakers who support the bail changes said they were made to create greater equity in a system that is intended to limit or halt the pre-trial incarceration of someone accused of a crime but unable to afford bail. Research shows that bail laws also often disproportionately led to people of color being held for alleged crimes.

When the Times Union initially published that nearly 4 percent of cases led to a rearrest on a violent felony, advocates for the changes to bail pointed to data from New York City.

The city's data, which dates to 2009, indicates that rearrest rates for a violent felony has been between 4 and 5 percent for about a decade. Advocates pointed to that data as an indicator that the changes to the bail laws did not increase crime, as Republican and law enforcement officials have argued.

Still, New York City's data set offers a different snapshot than what the state's data was intending to show. The city's data tracked individuals rearrested within a year of their initial arrest, regardless of when their initial case ended.

But the state's data may still depict rearrest rates lower than the city's data point.
Farmington, WV (26555)

Today

Cloudy early, then thunderstorms developing this afternoon. Potential for severe thunderstorms. High 78F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%..

Tonight

Thunderstorms. Low near 60F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%.
(The Center Square)  Dozens of Pennsylvania schools are returning to remote learning in response to a spike in COVID-19 cases across the commonwealth, despite conflicting concerns about the move.

At least 88 schools in the School District of Philadelphia shifted Monday to online only classes because of staffing issues related to the pandemic, following other school districts across the state that delayed a return to in-person classes after the holiday break.

Omicron continues to impact staffing in our schools and central offices. We ask for your patience as we conduct daily reviews to inform school-by-school decisions as quickly as possible, Philadelphia Superintendent William Hite wrote in a prepared statement. During these reviews, we assess a range of information such as COVID-related staffing data, temporary measures the school can take to keep their schools operating smoothly, and how we can deploy Central Office staff to help maintain safe and orderly school environments.

The announcement followed a Friday ultimatum from the American Federation of Teachers Pennsylvania to pause in-person learning for two weeks or to implement a series of demands to mitigate the spread of the omicron variant.

Ideally, we would keep all schools open for in-person learning all the time. However, that has become untenable with the rising rate of infection of teachers and a shortage of qualified substitute teachers, AFT Pennsylvania President Arthur Steinberg said. Therefore, we are asking the Pennsylvania Department of Education to reinstate COVID mitigation layers in all school districts, rather than the current patchwork that exists.

This includes negotiated vaccination mandates for educators and school staff, masking requirements with KN95 masks or greater, and asymptomatic and pool testing of students and staff regardless of vaccination status. If these layers of mitigation cannot be instituted in a timely manner, we believe there is no choice but to pause in-person learning for two weeks.

The demands conflict with advice from experts at the Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia, which adjusted recommendations Friday on testing students and staff and shortened recommended quarantine times.

With evidence that COVID-19 is becoming a milder infection in most children, and at a time when all adults and youth in K-12 settings have been offered vaccination, Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and PolicyLab at CHOP support in-person education, even in times of significant community transmission, and propose new guidance that reduces excessive burden to school staff and families, according to a CHOP statement.

CHOP recommendations include continued indoor masking, allowing a return to school five days after infection, allowing exposed but asymptomatic staff and students to continue attending school, and encouraging vaccines for students and staff. The recommendations also advise schools to discontinue required weekly testing of asymptomatic students, teachers and staff.

Now, with limited access to testing at community sites and many schools overwhelmed with contact tracing and required testing solutions that are no longer feasible or sustainable, the time has come to pivot towards solutions that prioritize normalization of in-school education across all communities alongside practical safety measures, the advice reads.

The Pennsylvania Department of Education has not yet responded to the conflicting advice for commonwealth schools.
Lawyers representing predatory British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell have asked for no sentencing date to be set as the US court should grant her a new trial.

Setting out their arguments in a letter to Judge Alison Nathan, the 60-year-olds defence counsel said there was a compelling basis to overturn Maxwells conviction for sex trafficking after a juror revealed they had been a victim of sexual abuse.

Maxwell, who was labelled dangerous by the prosecution during her three-week trial in New York, was found guilty of enticing vulnerable teenagers to Jeffrey Epsteins various properties for him to sexually abuse between 1994 and 2004.





The US government, who prosecuted the case, said in the same letter that a sentence date should be set for three to four months time.

The prosecution also said if all defence motions were denied, and a sentencing date could be set, they would dismiss the outstanding perjury counts against Maxwell.

The severed charges allege the convicted sex trafficker lied under oath by hiding her participation in Jeffrey Epsteins offences during a separate civil case brought against her by the Duke of Yorks accuser, Virginia Giuffre.

Confirming their position in the letter, the US government said: In the event the defendants post-trial motions are denied, the Government is prepared to dismiss the severed perjury counts at the time of sentencing, in light of the victims significant interests in bringing closure to this matter and avoiding the trauma of testifying again.

If any of the defendants post-trial motions are granted, the government proposes that the parties be directed to promptly confer and propose a schedule for further proceedings.

That schedule may depend on the manner in which the court resolves such motions.

The prosecution also requested the preparation of a pre-sentence investigation report, but the defence argued anything Maxwell said in the report could be used against her at her retrial.

Setting out their position in the letter, Maxwells lawyers said: The defence requests that the court delay setting a schedule for sentencing because there is a compelling basis for the court to overturn Ms Maxwells conviction and grant her a new trial based on the disclosures of Juror 50 during deliberations.

The defence therefore objects to setting a schedule for sentencing until this motion is resolved.

Furthermore, requiring Ms Maxwell to participate in the preparation of the pre-sentence investigation report, while she is awaiting a decision on her motion for a new trial, will adversely impact her Fifth Amendment rights (the right to silence so as not to incriminate oneself).

Ms Maxwell will be forced into the position of not cooperating with the probation departments investigation because any statement she makes to Probation, and any documents she provides, may be used against her at her retrial.
The worst part of new development schemes around Downtown Kansas City is that there isn't really much "new" about them at all.



Accordingly, here's hype for another project and promotion of the latest tax break . . .



Of course its disguised as news . . .



The proposed project encountered obstacles on the way, including push back from the Federal Aviation Administration about its height, and concerns from downtown advocates that its original, 400-space garage proposal was too large.



The FAA has given tentative approval to the 13-story height, significantly taller than the seven- to eight stories the agency originally contemplated. The FAA has authority over building heights because of flight paths to the Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport.



The planned garage no longer will replace the 160 public spaces that exist on the surface lot. It now will include 20 paid public spaces and 20 free spaces for City Market tenants. The remaining 220 spaces are for residents.



There also will be 23 on-site surface spaces available to the public.

We're not sure but a new set of steak knives might also be part of the deal for hipsters who call now.



Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com news link . . .
In the aftermath of her latest defeat, Legislator Crystal Williams used her private social media account to lash out at critics.



Special thanks to THE VERY BEST & MOST KICK-ASS DENIZENS OF THE DISCOURSE who think that voters have a right to see an elected official comment on policy and her agenda.



Check-it . . .



Of course we disagree and maintain that her legislation is misguided and without important checks & balances.

Moreover, other elected officials also disagreed with Crystal Williams . . .

IS A COUNTY LEGISLATOR ARGUING THAT HER COLLEAGUES ARE ENDANGERING YOUNGSTERS & OLD FOLKS?!?!



Sadly, our local media won't press Crystal Williams on her social media rants.

Instead, she is left to scurry back to her clique of enablers with her tail between her legs when reasonable people rightly vote to take their time and question dangerously sloppy legislation.



Developing . . .


More violence to report Monday as COVID continues to frustrate locals.



Here's our latest blast of new headlines, police action and community reports . . .



FBI searching for man suspected of robbing Kansas City bank The FBI said it is searching for a man suspected of robbing the US Bank at 6405 N. Cosby Ave. Monday afternoon.Investigators said the man walked into the bank at 4:45 p.m., walked up to a teller and demanded money.The FBI said the man made a threat and showed a gun.Authorities said the suspect is a Hispanic man in his 50s.

Police investigating homicide at Kansas City, Kansas manufactured home community by: Brian Dulle Posted: / Updated: KANSAS CITY, Kan. - The Kansas City, Kansas Police Department is investigating after someone was killed in a shooting Monday evening. Just after 5 p.m., officers responded to a shots fired call near S. 74th Terrace and Buttonwood Avenue in the River Oaks Manufactured Home Community.

Man faces murder charge for woman's death in Cass County PLEASANT HILL, Mo. - A 31-year-old man is facing charges in the death of a woman in Cass County, Missouri. The Cass County Prosecutor's Office charged 31-year-old Levi G. Mitchell Monday afternoon with second-degree murder and armed criminal action related to the death of 39-year-old Sara B. Maloney.

Kansas City man pleaded guilty in armed carjacking that led to fatal crash KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Kansas City, Missouri, man pleaded guilty Friday to charges related to his role in a car jacking that led to a high-speed chase and a crash that killed another driver. Derrell M. Wade, 20, pleaded guilty to one count of carjacking and one count of brandishing a firearm during a violent crime.

Threats to 2 Kansas City area schools prompt extra officers on campus by: Juan Cisneros Posted: / Updated: KANSAS CITY, Kan. - The Kansas City, Kansas Public School District will have extra officers at Sumner Academy Monday following threats made on social media. According to Director of Communications Sharita Hutton, threats were made to Sumner Academy but are not believed to be credible.

Woman admits to role in Capitol riot days after crash arrest SULLIVAN, Mo. (AP) - A Missouri woman who was photographed last year carrying a wooden name plate torn from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's office pleaded guilty Monday to a misdemeanor for her role in the insurrection and was ordered to undergo a mental health evaluation and substance abuse treatment.

Homicides fall 26% to pre-COVID levels in St. Louis, rise for St. Louis County police in 2021 ST. LOUIS - St. Louis police Chief John Hayden's phone lights up - day or night - when there's a homicide in the city. Heading into 2021, after the city had seen a history-making surge in murders in 2020, the chief was bracing for another year with his phone abuzz with bad news.

Dealers are spiking drugs with fentanyl, and killing even more Kansans during the pandemic People come to Valley Hope in Atchison, Kansas, to get clean. They're fed up with addiction to cocaine or methamphetamine or OxyContin. And that's when some find out through a drug test that they're actually hooked on something else, too: A drug they didn't even know they were taking. Fentanyl.

Jackson County Courthouse delays in-person trials while hospitals get overloaded with COVID patients As COVID-19 cases continue to spike across the metro, hospital systems are straining to keep up with new cases and staff illnesses. In Kansas, there have been 13,557 new cases since Friday, according to the most recent numbers from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.

Developing . . .


Local progressives are quick to turn slapdash legislation into their next local crusade.



To be fair . . . If local Democratic Party loyalists don't impose their will, then they might have to admit that iron-fisted pandemic crackdown policy has finally moved out of public favor.



Here's the way public radio describes the sloppy legislation . . .



"An ordinance proposed by Jackson County legislator Crystal Williams would return authority to the county health director. But Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt has already threatened a lawsuit."



Actually, the legislation does a lot more than that.



The switcheroo turns the county health director into a dictator and offers very little checks & balances for his power.

Smarter people than TKC have reservations and, of course, the Missouri AG has threatened to sue after calling the effort "truly insane" . . .

Moreover . . .

Representing this move as a mere "change in framework" or restoration is incorrect . . . Voters are well within their rights to speak up against a rushed alteration in healthcare protocol and granting broad powers to un-elected officials.



Real talk . . . The entire debacle might just be the latest excuse to start a costly political fight with the leading Missouri candidate for Senate.



Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com news link . . .
The tragic local death count starts in The Dotte as the rising level of violence continues to confront the entire metro.



Here's a glimpse of the sitch . . .



Officers were called to the 2600 block of South 37th Street around 2:40 a.m. for a shooting. A man was found deceased inside a home from an apparent gunshot wound. The case is under investigation. For jurisdictions that utilize the Greater Kansas City Crime Stoppers Tips Hotline, anonymous tips can be made by calling 816-474-TIPS (8477)

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com news links . . .

KCKPD investigating city's first homicide of 2022 after early morning shooting Detectives with the Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department are investigating the city's first homicide of 2022.Officers were called to the 2600 block of South 37th Street around 2:41 a.m. to investigate a reported shooting. When they arrived, they found a man shot to death inside a home.

KCKPD investigating first homicide of 2022 KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department is investigating the city's first homicide of the year. Officers were called to the 2600 block of South 37th Street around 2:40 a.m. for a shooting. A man was found deceased inside a home from an apparent gunshot wound.

KCKPD investigating city's first homicide of 2022 KANSAS CITY, KS (KCTV) -- The Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department is investigating the city's first homicide of the year. According to the KCKPD, officers went to the 2600 block of S. 37th St. just before 2:45 a.m. after receiving a call about a shooting.

Developing . . .
It's a glorious day for Kansas City politicos and pundits who prize petty administrative designations over student safety and quantifiable academic progress.



To wit . . .

CELEBRATE!!! COVID DROPPED STANDARDS AND SPARKED A RETURN TO FULL ACCREDITATION FOR KANSAS CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS!!!



The punchline: Local parents who care about their youngsters rarely suffer the direct rule of the district if any other options are available.

For instance, charter schools have overtaken KCPS and today's decision might be their victory . . . If any real progress can be argued.

Still . . .



Remember that since the 1970s the KCPS has suffered an 80% decline in enrollment. The fight to "save" the district was lost back in 1985.



Nevertheless . . .

We don't want to let depressing facts stand in the way of so much municipal back slapping.

Here's a bit of perspective . . .



KCPS was the first school district in the country to lose accreditation in 2000. The district became partially accredited a few years later, then lost that accreditation in 2011. The school district re-gained partial accreditation in 2014, but hasn't been fully accredited since 2000.

This step marks a decades-long battle for the district to prove itself and show the state education department now believes KCPS is at least on the right path.

Or maybe . . .

Missouri official relented when the American public education system crumbled during COVID.



Now . . .

So many industrious youngsters do the majority of their learning from home just like desperate housewives attempting career advancement after their husband's job at an auto supply box store proved insufficient.

Good luck learning everybody!!!



Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com news link . . .

State gives full accreditation to Kansas City Public Schools for the first time in 2 decades JEFFERSON CITY, MO (KCTV) -- The Missouri State Board of Education on Tuesday morning voted to give Kansas City Public Schools full accreditation for the first time in two decades KCPS was the first school district in the country to lose accreditation in 2000.

Unanimous vote restores accreditation to the Kansas City, Missouri School District The Missouri State School Board Tuesday praised the Kansas City School District for efforts over the past decade to turn the district around.Those efforts were awarded with what many believe was a long time coming - the restoration of full state accreditation for the first time in two decades.

Missouri State Board of Education restores full accreditation to Kansas City Public Schools by: John Pepitone Posted: / Updated: KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Missouri State Board of Education unanimously voted Tuesday to restore full accreditation to Kansas City Public Schools. It's been more than 20 years since the district was last fully accredited, and one state board member called the district's performance awful at that time, with hundreds of students suffering as a result.

Developing . . .
Thanks to some of the very best denizens of the local discourse . . Our KICK-ASS TKC BLOG COMMUNITY put this story on blast FIRST to start the day.

Even better . . .



TODAY THE COURTHOUSE CONFRONTED EPIC OUTRAGE OVER HAPHAZARD PUBLIC HEALTH POLICY!!!



A lesser blog attempted to make excuses for hapless politicos . . .



Jackson County is mulling whether to enact its own set of rules for managing health emergencies after a court ruling last fall negated the state regulations that the county was relying on to manage the COVID-19 pandemic.



The county has the authority to do so under its constitutional home rule charter. But some members of the county legislature on Monday expressed concerns about the proposal as presently written, and Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt took to Twitter as legislators met and threatened a court challenge in a series of tweets.



This ordinance proposal that I just read out of Jackson County, MO is truly insane, Schmitt posted from his personal Twitter account. It essentially grants unilateral authority to the Jackson County Health Department. It would basically create a public health dictatorship.



County legislators Tony Miller and Jeanie Lauer said they worried that the ordinance would give too much power to the county health director to order businesses closed and enforce quarantines.



But the county administration and the sponsors of the proposed regulatory framework, legislators Jalen Anderson and Crystal Williams, said the ordinance is not an overreach. It borrows liberally from the health regulations that Kansas City, which also has home rule powers, has on its books and were not affected by the Cole County court ruling.

TV news was a bit more direct in dealing with the hot mess . . .

Here is where the concerns come in. The health director would have broad authority to investigate including "persons who are suffering from or who have been exposed to communicable diseasesand represent a health threat to others, may be placed under isolation or quarantine restrictions," according to the proposal.



People could also face punishments for non-compliance.



"One person is given the authority to close down schools and buildings and I think that's too much. One person is given the authority to have your health records, which I believe goes against HIPAA violations," Legislator Theresa Cass Galvin said.



An apt closing line and cause for real world concern . . .

Explanations have not calmed expressed concerns over the proposal allowing the county to "inspect any premises that the health director has reasonable grounds to believe are in a condition conducive to the spread of the disease."



There will be more discussion on the proposal next Tuesday.

And so . . .

As the MSM tells us . . . See you next Tuesday . . . Here's the upshot . . .

VOTERS LIT UP PHONES AND OFFERED OVERWHELMING PUSH BACK AGAINST THE COURTHOUSE PUBLIC HEALTH POWER PLAY!!!

And so this clandestine power play was pushed back by the power of Democracy and people unwilling to trust politicos with unspeakable power.



Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com news link . . .
A suburban sign of the times and even in suburban red state Kansas . . . There is no escaping the pandemic dress code.



Here's a bit more perspective about the news . . .



If a student tests positive or someone suspects they're positive due to symptoms, they're out five days and they must wear masks in school days six through 10.



The board also added a provision for when the schools come back from a long break. If the county reports an 8% positivity rate, masks come back on until they can figure out the school's rate, which needs to be below 3%.



The board heard from Shawnee Mission South senior Jack Shaw, who says the plan doesnt go far enough with masks.



I'd advocate for universal mandate, because I know that there are those that have to be at school, Shaw said. Unlike other things you don't just choose to be there, but Ive had teachers who have been absent consistently, friends of mine who are immunocompromised, teachers who are immunocompromised.

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com news link . . .
This local roundup from The Pitch is basically a laundry list of complaints from white ladies who get most of their news from the other moms on Facebook.



However, there's a gem that needs to be picked out . . .



The local white lady intelligentsia has very legit concerns about courting disgraced former Governor Greitens and swallowing Democratic Party leadership strategy about an easier opponent . . .



We need to prepare for a barrage of the most repellent campaign ads imaginableGreitens revisiting his glory days as a Navy Seal, Schmitt bloviating about his presumed war on tyranny, and everybody shamelessly sucking up to Trump.



Some Democrats are not-so-secretly pulling for Greitens to win the Republican primary on the theory that the sex scandal and shady campaign finance dealings in his past will steer voters toward the Democratic in the general election. Even Missouri Republicans have been accused of trying to kneecap his campaign.



I am not so sure about this. The Democratic field lacks a heavyweight candidate. Do we really want to risk the prospect of Greitens and Josh Hawley both representing Missouri in Washington?

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com news link . . .
The debate over COVID & public health lost any semblance of civility long ago. Now, as stats seem to be worsening for winter . . . Things are getting downright mean.



More to the point . . .

HERE'S WHAT "THE SCIENCE" SEYZ: HOT MIC CAPTURES DOC FAUCI CALLING KANSAS SEN. MARSHALL A MORON!!!



It's not the worst insult in the world but something that reveals a palpable level frustration and a worsening divide amongst health care pros as the pandemic persists.

Here's more reporting on the story . . .



The exchange, which happened during a Senate Health Committee hearing was broadcasted on CSPAN-3. An open mic caught Dr. Fauci muttering what a moron, and followed with Jesus Christ following the conclusion of Marshalls time.

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com news links . . .

Fauci calls Sen. Marshall "moron" off mic after heated exchange WASHINGTON, D.C. (WIBW) - After a heated exchange over the Coronavirus response, Dr. Anthony Fauci, National Institute of Allergy & Infection Diseases Director was heard off-mic uttering his displeasure with U.S. Senator Roger Marshall (R-KS). The exchange, which happened during a Senate Health Committee hearing was broadcasted on CSPAN-3.

Fauci caught on hot mic calling senator 'a moron' after heated questioning NIAID director Dr Anthony Fauci was heard mocking a Republican senator at Tuesday's hearing of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions after the senator in question sparred with Mr Fauci regarding whether his financial disclosure was publicly available.

You decide . . .
At the Transportation Research Board (TRB) Annual Meeting in Washington DC this week (January 9-13) Joel Jundt, South Dakota Department of Transportation (SDDOT) secretary, is being officially welcomed as a new board member for the organization.

Jundt will become a member of the Executive Committee which is the senior policy body for the TRB. The Executive Committee is comprised of approximately 25 members appointed by the chair of the National Research Council of the National Academies, which TRB is a part of.

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Jundt has only been officially heading up South Dakota DOT for under a year  South Dakota governor Kristi Noem named Jundt as secretary in March 2021. Joel has long been respected throughout the industry and has dedicated his life to promoting transportation access and opportunity in South Dakota, said Noem at the time. He has proven himself to be the leader who can spearhead the future of mobility here in South Dakota.

A native of Rapid City, Jundt graduated from South Dakota School of Mines in 1985 with a degree in civil engineering. He has been a part of the DOT for his entire career, starting as a road design engineer and working his way up to be Rapid City region and operations engineer, director of planning and engineering, and deputy secretary. He began serving as interim secretary of DOT in November 2020.

As part of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, the TRB provides leadership in transportation improvements and innovation in all modes of transportation. TRB stimulates research and offers research management services that promote technical excellence; provides expert advice on transportation policy and programs; and disseminates research results broadly and encourages their implementation.
Brevard, NC (28712)

Today

A mix of clouds and sun. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High near 80F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy this evening with more clouds for overnight. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 63F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph.
Sitges Hills Villas, the leading holiday rental agency covering the popular Spanish seaside town of Sitges and its surrounding areas, today announced plans to expand its business operations following a highly successful 2021 season.



(TRAVPR.COM) UNITED KINGDOM - January 11th, 2022 - Despite the negative impact of travel restrictions, testing requirements and Covid passports, the company is reporting that 2021 booking revenues will exceed those of the pre-pandemic 2019 season.



Stronger than usual demand from domestic Spanish visitors and from neighbouring France, combined with longer stays generated by the workcation phenomenon, meant revenues easily exceeded any shortfall in business from Northern European and North American markets.

The companys management expect the 2022 season to be even stronger and have put in place plans to ensure that the business is in the best possible position to capitalise on this growth.

A key component of the expansion plan is the addition of five new high-end properties to the portfolio, with more additions expected to follow soon. The focus has been on sourcing premium luxury properties and homes with unique character. Examples include Villa Madonna, a luxury mansion with a prime beachfront address in the most prestigious area of Sitges and with a peak season rental price of just under 21,000 Euros per week, and Masia Capdet, an historic manor house situated amongst the vineyards just outside Sitges and recently transformed into a wonderfully luxurious boutique retreat.

A number of new staff positions have been created in property management, guest services and accounting to ensure that the high standards of property care and guest service that the company is known for can be maintained across an expanded portfolio.

In addition, the company recently signed a lease on a new office located in a prominent position on a major route into the town centre, allowing additional space to accommodate new staff hires and offering a more convenient location for guests and property owners to visit.

The Pandemic has been an extremely challenging time for all businesses operating in the travel sector, however, our ability to successfully pivot to new markets and adapt to emerging travel trends enabled us to recover well in 2021, said Ali Scriven, Director of Sitges Hills Villas.

She continued We want to build on this recovery and drive the company forward by positioning ourselves to take maximum advantage of the rebound in travel that we expect to continue into next year. This expansion plan should be seen as a clear statement of our confidence both in Sitges as a world-class travel destination and in the resilience of the holiday rental sector, which continues to go from strength to strength..

About Sitges Hills Villas

Sitges Hills Villas is the largest holiday villa rental agency specialising in the Sitges area of Catalunya in Spain. The agency has been operating since 2010 and currently maintains a portfolio of around 100 properties. Sitges is a popular holiday resort located 35 km south of Barcelona on the northern Mediterranean coast of Spain. The town is renowned worldwide for its International Film Festival and Carnival as well as its beautiful beaches, historic architecture, vibrant nightlife and sunny micro-climate.

###
Johnstown, PA (15901)

Today

Cloudy this morning with showers during the afternoon. High 71F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

Rain. Thunderstorms possible...mainly overnight. Low 61F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%.
BLANFORD [mdash] Eric Todd Vandevender, 60, of Blanford and formerly of Cayuga, passed away at 7:55 a.m. EDT Saturday, April 16, 2022 at Clinton Gardens in Clinton, Indiana. Eric was born on May 6, 1961 in Danville, Illinois, the son of the late Floyd A. and Irma Jean (Weir) Vandevender. Sur
BRIDGEPORT - A Trumbull woman has been charged with setting fire to her apartment in the Stern Village housing complex.

Anna Maria Lombardi, 51, of Hedgehog Circle, was charged Tuesday with first-degree arson, two counts of first-degree reckless endangerment and two counts of criminal mischief.

During Lombardis arraignment Tuesday afternoon, Senior Assistant States Attorney Nicholas Bove urged Superior Court Judge Ndidi Moses to set a high bond on Lombardi, citing the serious nature of the allegations.

But Lombardis lawyer, Assistant Public Defender Michael Paris, urged the judge for leniency for his client.

She has mental health issues and was off her medication that day, Paris told the judge.

Judge Moses ordered Lombardi held in lieu of $100,000 bond and continued the case to Jan. 18.

According to Trumbull police, on Dec. 12, firefighters from the three Trumbull fire districts were called to Hedgehog Circle in the Stern Village elderly housing complex for a fire.

When firefighters got to the scene they found one of the units in the apartment complex on fire. Police said Lombardi was standing outside the burning unit barefoot and covered in soot.

Police said the apartment complex was safely evacuated of residents and there were no injuries.

When Lombardi was asked if she knew how the fire was started, police said she told them she didnt want to talk about it and then began yelling at officers.

Police said an investigation showed the apartments hard-wired smoke detector had been disabled and that shredded paper had been placed in piles throughout the apartment and ignited. They said the apartment was a total loss from the fire.
Tullahoma, TN (37388)

Today

Some sun in the morning with increasing clouds during the afternoon. High around 80F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Scattered thunderstorms. Low 62F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.
Stop the bias against Muslims. It's the call to action coming from one Imam, as the Muslim c
Hi, my name is Scott C. Waring and I wrote a few books and am currently a ESL School Owner in Taiwan. I have had my own UFO sighting up close and personal, but that's how it works right? A non believer becomes a believer when they experience their first sighting. You witnessed it, your perceptual field changes, so now you need to share it.





I created this site to help the UFO community get a little bit organized. I noticed that there was a lot of chaos when searching for UFO sighting reports, so I hope this site helps. I wanted to support those eyewitnesses who have tried to tell others about what they have seen, yet were laughed at by even closest of friends.





More and more each day the governments of the world leak bits and pieces of UFO information to the public. They have a trickle down theory in hopes of slowly getting citizens use to the idea that we are not alone in universe and never have been. The truth is being leaked drop by drop until one day we look around and find ourselves neck high in it.





The discovery of alien species in existence is the most monumental scientific event in human history, suppression of that information is a crime against humanity.





About me:

I live in Taiwan. I OWN MY OWN ENGLISH SCHOOL, AND ONCE HAD 5 SCHOOLS.

Am Former USAF at SAC base (flight line).

Age: 42

Educ: BA in Elem ed. Masters in Counseling ed.





I had two UFO sightings, (30+bus size orbs) in military and in 2012 personally saw the UFO over Taipei 101 building on New Years Day (and recored it).
As of 11:00, January 11, no ceasefire violations by the Russian-occupation forces were recorded in the Joint Forces Operation (JFO) area in eastern Ukraine.

"As of 11:00, no ceasefire violations by the Russian-occupation forces were recorded," the press center of JFO Headquarters posted on Facebook.

As reported, on January 10, the Russian occupiers launched two attacks, killing two Ukrainian servicemen.

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In 2021, Ukraines fresh apple exports to Ethiopia increased more than six-fold and reached 222 tonnes.

As the State Service of Ukraine on Food Safety and Consumer Protection informs with reference to the EastFruit portal, Ukraine left behind such large apple exporters as Poland, Italy, China, the United States, and Serbia in terms of supplies to Ethiopia.

As noted, the Service takes measures to expand exports of Ukrainian products, including apples, by agreeing on an assessment of the state control system by the competent authorities of trading partners in the field of quarantine and plant protection.

"Ukrainian products are in demand in many countries and their list is constantly growing. We receive inquiries from businesses to expand markets and actively work towards this issue with partner countries," said Vladyslava Mahaletska, Head of the State Service of Ukraine on Food Safety and Consumer Protection.

Efforts are currently made to export apples to Israel, Vietnam, China, Egypt, Canada, Indonesia, Malaysia, and India.

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During the latest talks in Geneva, the United States reiterated to Russia that any discussions on European security issues will take place only with the involvement of European officials, which also applies to Ukraine.

This was stated by the head of the American delegation, Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman, who spoke at a telephone briefing following the meeting, Ukrinform's own correspondent reported.

"We will not forego bilateral cooperation with sovereign states that wish to work with the United States. And we will not make decisions about Ukraine without Ukraine, about Europe without Europe, or about NATO without NATO," said the deputy secretary of state.

Sherman also called on Russia to abide by its obligations under international norms and agreements, which it has repeatedly reaffirmed over the years.

"One country cannot change the borders of another by force, or dictate the terms of another countrys foreign policy, or forbid another country from choosing its own alliances," Sherman said.

She also noted that during the Geneva talks, the United States offered a number of ideas for cooperation with Russia on security issues that could be of common interest and improve strategic stability. In particular, according to Sherman, the American side offered to continue more detailed talks on the deployment of missiles and large-scale military exercises in areas close to international borders.

In addition, Sherman called on Russia to take "concrete steps to de-escalate tensions" in order to achieve progress in diplomatic negotiations.

As Ukrinform reported earlier, the main meeting of the U.S. and Russian delegations within the framework of the Strategic Stability Dialogue took place in Geneva on January 10. One of the major goals of the talks was to find ways to de-escalate the situation in Europe against the background of the amassing of more than 100,000 Russian troops near the Ukrainian border.

Photo: State Department

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The head of the Russian delegation at the talks with the United States, Sergei Ryabkov, says t Russia "has no intention of attacking Ukraine," while the risk of military confrontation remains high.

The official spoke following a meeting between U.S. and Russian delegates in Geneva, at a press conference broadcast online, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

"We explained to our American counterparts that we have no plans or intentions to attack Ukraine, and cant have any, while all combat training measures are being carried out within our national territory," Ryabkov said.

At the same time, he claimed the U.S. was unwilling to resolve the issue of "security guarantees" in a way that suits Russia."

In this context, the Russian deputy foreign minister recalled the issues of NATO non-expansion eastwards, the promise not to deploy missiles near Russia's borders, and the reversal of the vow to engage Ukraine into NATO.

At the same time, Ryabkov said that "the risks of a military confrontation cant be underestimated," and that the American side, by refusing to stop NATO expansion, underestimates all seriousness of the current situation.

The US-Russia bilateral talks, which lasted more than seven hours, were held in Geneva on January 10.

The negotiations, which took the form of a U.S.-Russia Strategic Stability Dialogue, were the first round of U.S. discussions with the Russians, aimed at finding ways to de-escalate the situation in Europe. The dialogue is taking place against the backdrop of the buildup of Russian troops near Ukraine's borders, as well as the Kremlin's ultimate demands for new "security guarantees" in Europe. Last month, Moscow said it wanted the North Atlantic Treaty Organization to return to its 1997 position and for Ukraine and Georgia to lose any prospects of NATO accession.

The Americans denied their readiness to discuss such demands, stating they would talk with the Russians only on security issues where there is room for diplomatic dialogue.

A meeting of the Russia-NATO Council is scheduled to be held in Brussels January 12. The next day, January 13, talks with the Russian side are to take place in the format of the OSCE Permanent Council in Vienna.

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U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman said that during the latest talks in Geneva, the Russian delegation assured there were no plans in the works to invade Ukraine, while the movement of troops was only about the exercises.

Thats according to the BBC, Ukrinform reports.

"But I would note that none of this was notified to anyone, and it is typical that we notify each others exercises to each other where we can. And they can prove that, in fact, they have no intention by de-escalating and returning troops to barracks," Sherman said.

According to the senior diplomat, the United States has proposed several options that will help de-escalate tensions, including capping the number of troops involved in the exercises. In addition, the United States offered to hold talks on limits on the placement of missile weapons. At the same time, according to Sherman, U.S. diplomats rejected all of Russia's demands, seen in Washington as non-starters, including on the commitment to not accept Ukraine into NATO.

"We will not allow anyone to slam closed Nato's open-door policy, which has always been central to the Nato alliance," she said.

Sherman added that the American delegation informed the Russians that any invasion would be met with "significant cost and consequences well beyond what they faced in 2014" when Russia annexed the peninsula of Crimea from Ukraine.

These measures could include sanctions against key financial institutions, export controls, "enhancements of NATO force posture on allied territory" and wider security assistance to Ukraine, the head of the U.S. delegation noted.

As Ukrinform reported, the American and Russian official delegations held a meeting in Geneva on Monday, aimed at finding a diplomatic path to easing tensions in Europe. The U.S. delegation rejected any possibility of curtailing NATO's open-door policy for other countries, including Ukraine.

Photo: @DeputySecState

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Over the past month, the U.S. administration has quietly gone through a process of approving and authorizing an additional $200 million in defense support for Ukraine.

This was reported by CNN, citing four sources familiar with the issue, Ukrinform wrote.

" In late December, the Biden administration quietly authorized an additional $200 million in security assistance to Ukraine," the report reads.

The security package authorized the shipment of much of the same defensive equipment the US has provided in the past, including small arms and ammunition, secure radios, medical equipment, spare parts and other equipment.

Read also: United States mulls over supplying Stinger missiles to Ukraine

The latest package was authorized just weeks before the U.S. and Russia were set to launch security talks.

According to two CNN sources, the Biden administration told Congress in early January that new aid to Ukraine had been approved. This was also done without any publicity, the report notes.

Anonymous officials added that it would take some time to deliver the aid to Ukraine.

As Ukrinform reported, in early September, during Volodymyr Zelensky's visit to the United States, Joe Biden announced that Ukraine would receive additional defense aid worth $60 million. In December, the Pentagon reported on sending the last tranche of the package.

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Igor Zhovkva, Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, discussed the preparations for NATOs forthcoming Madrid Summit with the Allies and Alliances leadership.

Today I took part in the NATO-Ukraine Commission meeting in Brussels ahead of the Russia-NATO Council scheduled for January 12. We coordinated positions with the NATO Member States and armed them with arguments before the planned dialogue with Russia. Our arguments were heard and taken into account," Zhovkva posted on Facebook on January 10.

The official noted that he could not disclose the discussion details as the meeting had been held behind closed doors: "I would like to note only that all 30 Allies expressed their position, [reaffirming] support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, as well as praising Ukraines restraint amid the tense situation on its borders and resolve not to succumb to various provocations. I assured this would continue in the future."

Zhovkva also informed that preparations for the forthcoming NATO Madrid Summit were discussed with the Allies and Alliances leadership.

I underscored that it was important not only to invite Ukraine to the Summit as a partner country but also to make clear-cut decisions on its further movement towards NATO membership, preferably with specific timeframes, said the Deputy Head of the Presidents Office.

According to him, most of the meeting participants said that Ukraines future in NATO was a matter that only 30 Member States and Ukraine as an aspirant country can make decisions on, and nobody else.

This inspires cautious optimism about Madrid Summits success and further movement towards NATO," Zhovkva said.

As reported, a meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Commission was held in Brussels on January 10, attended by Olga Stefanishyna, Ukraines Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration. Its main purpose was to coordinate positions ahead of the NATO-Russia Council meeting slated for January 12.

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said at a meeting with Jens Plotner, foreign and security policy advisor to the German Chancellor, and Emmanuel Bonne, diplomatic advisor to the French President, that Ukraine is ready to make the necessary decisions at a new Normandy Four summit in an attempt to end the conflict in eastern Ukraine, the President's Office has said.

According to the report, Plotner and Bonne visited Kyiv in accordance with previous agreements reached during a video conference on January 4 this year, following their talks in Moscow as part of the dialogue in the Normandy format.

The parties exchanged views on ways to intensify joint work within the Normandy format, the report said.

Zelensky welcomed the efforts that Ukraine's partners in the Normandy format continue to make for the practical implementation of the leaders' agreements reached during the Normandy Four summit in Paris in December 2019.

"It is time to substantively agree on an end to the conflict, and we are ready for the necessary decisions during a new summit of the leaders of the four countries," he said.

The parties exchanged views on the current situation and continued discussions on further steps towards a peaceful settlement of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, as well as de-escalation of the situation on Ukraine's borders.

The head of the President's Office, Andriy Yermak, confirmed that the Ukrainian side remains committed to the political and diplomatic path of settlement.

He emphasized the need to ensure compliance with the ceasefire, implement further stages of the mutual release of detainees and the opening of entry-exit crossing points, and implement other decisions of the Paris summit of the leaders of the Normandy Four countries.

The parties agreed to continue to maintain contacts within the Normandy format at the level of advisors in order to agree on modalities for the organization of the next summit of leaders of the countries participating in the Normandy format.

"Ukraine, France and Germany are making active efforts to resume effective work in the Normandy format at various levels. We expect the Russian side to support these efforts, as well as contribute to the progress in implementing the decisions of the Paris summit of the Normandy Four. Holding the next summit in the Normandy format would give a serious impetus to the peace process," Yermak said.

Ukraine informed Plotner and Bonne in detail about the implementation by the parties of the Minsk agreements and decisions made at the latest summit in 2019, the report said.

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The administration of U.S. President Joe Biden is bracing for the Russian side to spread misinformation about the Geneva talks.

This was reported by Ukrinform with reference to a briefing by White House Spokesperson Jen Psaki.

"I will note a couple of things that  as youre looking at this: We are preparing ourself for the possibility and likelihood  no one should be surprised, I should say, if Russia spreads disinformation about commitments that have not been made, or if it goes even further and instigates something as a pretext for further destabilizing activity. And so, we would continue to urge everyone not to fall for any attempts to push disinformation out there," Psaki said.

As Ukrinform reported earlier, the American and Russian official delegations concluded a one-day meeting in Geneva on Monday, aimed at finding a diplomatic path to easing tensions in Europe. The U.S. delegation rejected any possibility of curtailing NATO's open-door policy for other nations, including Ukraine.

U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman said that after meeting in Geneva with Russian officials, she could not say whether Moscow was ready to de-escalate the situation near Ukraine's borders.

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If Russia's attack happens, Ukraine will respond clearly, in every single way.

First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Emine Dzheppar said this in an interview with ITV News, news editor Emma Burrows posted on Twitter.

We are not the country of 2014. The Ukrainian army is drastically different. It's not only about a military response, it's about confidence. If an attack happens, we will respond clearly, in every single way, Dzheppar said.

As the official noted, Ukraine regards the United States as its reliable partner.

We have to be very clear telling Russia what it should expect if it attacks Ukraine once more: a diplomatic, economic and security response. The main idea of Russian policy is to remain in control of former Soviet countries. But the Cold War is over, the first deputy foreign minister stressed.

As reported, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman said that after meeting with Russian counterparts in Geneva, she could not say whether Russia was ready to de-escalate tensions near Ukraine's borders.

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The European Commission is consistent in providing broad support to Ukraine, including in the context of the current escalation of the security situation in connection with Russia's military build-up along Ukraine's borders.

European Commission spokesperson Eric Mamer said this at a press briefing in Brussels on Tuesday, January 11, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.

Mamer was asked whether the European Commission intends to join in resolving the current tensions around Ukraine.

"The Commission has been involved in discussing the situation in Ukraine in many cases, as well as the state of our relations with Russia. As you know, [European Commission] President [Ursula von der Leyen] visited Ukraine in October last year. The EU High Representative has also just been there. The European Union is one of the fundamental sources of support for Ukraine during this ongoing crisis. We are helping Ukraine from many points of view - in terms of energy security, economic support, through sanctions against Russia for its actions on this territory," he said.

Mamer recalled that Europe is fully present in diplomatic contacts aimed at de-escalating security tensions around Ukraine, as most European countries are members of NATO and the OSCE, and these talks are taking place within these platforms.

"We are involved in discussing these issues in many dimensions, and we will continue to do so," he said.

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In the event of a full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, more than 90% of Ukrainian citizens will defend their country, according to Andriy Yermak, head of the President's Office.

He said this in a comment to Britain's Channel 4 News, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.

"First of all, I am absolutely sure that more than 90% of our population will be here, defending our country. If this [further Russian invasion] happens, it will be a verdict for NATO and a big problem, because all Western countries will have to explain to their citizens why they have been negotiating for so long, but this [Russian invasion] has still happened," Yermak said.

Yermak stressed that the goal of Ukraine's joining NATO is enshrined in the Constitution of Ukraine.

"We have made this decision. And only the Ukrainian society and NATO members have the right to decide [on the country's accession to NATO]. If any NATO member state is against this decision, please tell us about it in a proper, honest and friendly manner," he said.

Yermak also added that the victory of Ukraine, the settlement of the Ukrainian case will be one of the greatest victories for all partners of Ukraine.

"At the same time, some problems and the continuation of the war in Ukraine or the escalation of the situation will be one of the biggest losses for our partner countries," he added.

On January 10, in Geneva, the U.S. and Russian delegations held a one-day meeting aimed at the diplomatic search for ways to defuse tensions in Europe. The U.S. delegation rejected any possibility of curtailing NATO's open-door policy for other countries, including Ukraine.

The second round of talks with Russia is scheduled for January 12 as part of the NATO-Russia Council meeting in Brussels. On January 13, the situation around European security will be discussed within the OSCE.

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Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has congratulated Ioannis Kasoulides on his appointment as Minister of Foreign Affairs of Cyprus.

He posted the greeting on his Twitter account, Ukrinform reports.

"Sincere congratulations to Ioannis Casoulides on his appointment as Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus. Looking forward to working together for the benefit of our two nations," Kuleba wrote.

In the first half of January, the Cypriot government is expected to introduce new measures to combat the spread of COVID-19.

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The Ministry of Health of Ukraine plans to consider COVID-19 vaccination for children aged 5-11 years in April.

"There have been no recommendations from the European Technical Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization on vaccinating children aged over five. That is, such an issue was not considered at the European level. We plan to consider vaccinating children aged over five approximately in April," Deputy Minister of Health, Chief State Sanitary Doctor of Ukraine Ihor Kuzin told BBC News Ukraine in an interview.

According to Kuzin, the experience of other countries, where such vaccination campaigns are already carried out, shows that such vaccination is safe. COVID-19 vaccination helps prevent premature death, especially against the background of severe somatic illnesses, outbreaks in organized groups.

As noted, 140,000 children aged over 12 have been vaccinated against COVID-19 in Ukraine.

"Children are vaccinated only at the request of parents. About 140,000 children aged 12-18 years old have already been vaccinated, the State Sanitary Doctor of Ukraine said.

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| By Deborah Kotz

In a first-of-its-kind surgery, a 57-year-old patient with terminal heart disease received a successful transplant of a genetically modified pig heart and is still doing well three days later. It was the only currently available option for the patient. The historic surgery was conducted by University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) faculty at the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC), together known as University of Maryland Medicine.

This organ transplant demonstrated for the first time that a genetically modified animal heart can function like a human heart without immediate rejection by the body. The patient, David Bennett, a Maryland resident, is being carefully monitored over the next days and weeks to determine whether the transplant provides lifesaving benefits. He had been deemed ineligible for a conventional heart transplant at UMMC as well as at several other leading transplant centers that reviewed his medical records.

Bartley P. Griffith, MD, with patient David Bennett

It was either die or do this transplant. I want to live. I know its a shot in the dark, but its my last choice, said Bennett, the patient, a day before the surgery was conducted. He had been hospitalized and bedridden for the past few months. I look forward to getting out of bed after I recover.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted emergency authorization for the surgery on New Years Eve through its expanded access (compassionate use) provision. It is used when an experimental medical product, in this case the genetically modified pigs heart, is the only option available for a patient faced with a serious or life-threatening medical condition. The authorization to proceed was granted in the hope of saving the patients life.

This was a breakthrough surgery and brings us one step closer to solving the organ shortage crisis. There are simply not enough donor human hearts available to meet the long list of potential recipients, said Bartley P. Griffith, MD, who surgically transplanted the pig heart into the patient. Griffith is the Thomas E. and Alice Marie Hales Distinguished Professor in Transplant Surgery at UMSOM. We are proceeding cautiously, but we are also optimistic that this first-in-the-world surgery will provide an important new option for patients in the future.

Considered one of the worlds foremost experts on transplanting animal organs, known as xenotransplantation, Muhammad M. Mohiuddin, MD, professor of surgery at UMSOM, joined the UMSOM faculty five years ago and established the Cardiac Xenotransplantation Program with Griffith. Mohiuddin serves as the programs scientific/program director and Griffith as its clinical director.

This is the culmination of years of highly complicated research to hone this technique in animals with survival times that have reached beyond nine months. The FDA used our data and data on the experimental pig to authorize the transplant in an end-stage heart disease patient who had no other treatment options, said Mohiuddin. The successful procedure provided valuable information to help the medical community improve this potentially lifesaving method in future patients.

About 110,000 Americans are currently waiting for an organ transplant, and more than 6,000 patients die each year before getting one, according to the federal governments organdonor.gov. Xenotransplantation could potentially save thousands of lives but does carry a unique set of risks, including the possibility of triggering a dangerous immune response. These responses can trigger an immediate rejection of the organ with a potentially deadly outcome to the patient.

Xenotransplants were first tried in the 1980s, but were largely abandoned after the famous case of Stephanie Fae Beauclair (known as Baby Fae) at Loma Linda University in California. The infant, born with a fatal heart condition, received a baboon heart transplant and died within a month of the procedure due to the immune systems rejection of the foreign heart. However, for many years, pig heart valves have been used successfully for replacing valves in humans.

Before consenting to receive the transplant, Bennett, the patient, was fully informed of the procedures risks, and that the procedure was experimental with unknown risks and benefits. He had been admitted to the hospital more than six weeks earlier with life-threatening arrythmia and was connected to a heart-lung bypass machine, called extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), to remain alive. In addition to not qualifying to be on the transplant list, he was also deemed ineligible for an artificial heart pump due to his arrhythmia.

Revivicor, a regenerative medicine company based in Blacksburg, Va., provided the genetically modified pig to the xenotransplantation laboratory at UMSOM. On the morning of the transplant surgery, the surgical team, led by Griffith and Mohiuddin, removed the pigs heart and placed it in the XVIVO Heart Box perfusion device, a machine that keeps the heart preserved until surgery.

The physician-scientists also used a new drug along with conventional anti-rejection drugs, which are designed to suppress the immune system and prevent the body from rejecting the foreign organ. The new drug used is an experimental compound made by Kiniksa Pharmaceuticals.

This unprecedented and historic procedure highlights the importance of translational research which lays the groundwork for patients to benefit in the future. It is the culmination of our longstanding commitment to discovery and innovation in our xenotransplantation program, said E. Albert Reece, MD, PhD, MBA, executive vice president for medical affairs, University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB), and the John Z. and Akiko K. Bowers Distinguished Professor and dean, UMSOM. "Our transplant surgeon-scientists are among the most talented in the country, and are helping to bring the promise of xenotransplantation to fruition. We hope it will one day become a standard of care for patients in need of organ transplants. As has happened throughout our history, the University of Maryland School of Medicine continues to address the most complex medical and scientific problems.

Bruce E. Jarrell, MD, FACS, UMB president, who himself is a transplant surgeon, recalled: Dr. Griffith and I began as organ transplant surgeons when it was in its infancy. Back then, it was the dream of every transplant surgeon, myself included, to achieve xenotransplantation and it is now personally gratifying to me to see this long-sought goal clearly in view. It is a spectacular achievement.

This is truly a historic, monumental step forward. While we have long been at the forefront of research driving progress toward the promise of xenotransplantation as a viable solution to the organ crisis, many believed this breakthrough would be well into the future, said Bert W. OMalley, MD, president and CEO, UMMC. I couldnt be more proud to say the future is now. Our skilled team of UMMC and UMSOM physician-scientists will continue to advance and adapt medical discovery for patient care that could offer a lifeline for more patients in dire need.

Mohan Suntha, MD, MBA, president and CEO, University of Maryland Medical System, added: The University of Maryland Medical System is committed to working with our University of Maryland School of Medicine partners to explore, research, and in many cases implement the innovations in patient care that make it possible to improve quality of life and save lives. We appreciate the tremendous courage of this live recipient, who has made an extraordinary decision to participate in this groundbreaking procedure to not only potentially extend his own life, but also for the future benefit of others.

Organs from genetically modified pigs have been the focus of much of the research in xenotransplantation, in part because of physiologic similarities between pigs, human, and nonhuman primates. UMSOM received a $15.7 million sponsored research grant to evaluate Revivicor genetically modified pig UHearts in baboon studies.

Three genes  responsible for rapid antibody-mediated rejection of pig organs by humans  were knocked out in the donor pig. Six human genes responsible for immune acceptance of the pig heart were inserted into the genome. Lastly, one additional gene in the pig was knocked out to prevent excessive growth of the pig heart tissue, which totaled 10 unique gene edits made in the donor pig.

We are thrilled to support the world-class team of transplant surgeons led by Dr. Griffith and Dr. Mohiuddin at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, said David Ayares, PhD, chief scientific officer of Revivicor, Inc. This transplant is groundbreaking, and is another step in the investigation of xeno organs for human use.

Mohiuddin, Griffith, and their research team spent the past five years perfecting the surgical technique for transplantation of pig hearts into non-human primates. Mohiuddins xenotransplant research experience spans over 30 years during which time he demonstrated in peer-reviewed research that genetically modified pigs hearts can function when placed in the abdomen for as long as three years. Success was dependent on the right combination of genetic modifications to the experimental donor pig UHeart and anti-rejection drugs, including some experimental compounds.

As a cardiothoracic surgeon who does lung transplants, this is an amazing moment in the history of our field. Decades of research here at Maryland and elsewhere have gone into this achievement. This has the potential to revolutionize the field of transplantation by eventually eliminating the organ shortage crisis, said Christine Lau, MD, MBA, the Dr. Robert W. Buxton Professor and chair of the Department of Surgery at UMSOM and surgeon-in-chief at UMMC. This is a continuation of steps to making xenotransplantation a lifesaving reality for patients in need.

Daniel G. Maluf, MD, FAST, professor of surgery and medicine at UMSOM and director, UMSOMs Program in Transplantation, added: This is a breakthrough for the field of organ transplantation and medicine. This event is the final achievement of years of research and testing from our multidisciplinary team led by Dr. Griffith and Dr. Mohiuddin and represents a beginning of a new era in the field of organ transplantation medicine. I am proud of our teams incredible achievement.

Peter Rock, MD, MBA, the Dr. Martin Helrich Chair and professor in the Department of Anesthesiology at UMSOM, said: We carefully considered the unique needs of this patient in preparing him for surgery and the intricacies involved in modifying our anesthetic techniques for this xenotransplant procedure. Our planning paid off, and the surgery could not have gone better thanks to the herculean efforts of the medical team involved in this landmark event.

About the University of Maryland School of Medicine

Now in its third century, the University of Maryland School of Medicine was chartered in 1807 as the first public medical school in the United States. It continues today as one of the fastest-growing, top-tier biomedical research enterprises in the world  with 46 academic departments, centers, institutes, and programs, and a faculty of more than 3,000 physicians, scientists, and allied health professionals, including members of the National Academy of Medicine and the National Academy of Sciences, and a distinguished two-time winner of the Albert E. Lasker Award in Medical Research. With an operating budget of more than $1.2 billion, the School of Medicine works closely in partnership with the University of Maryland Medical Center and Medical System to provide research-intensive, academic and clinically based care for nearly 2 million patients each year. The School of Medicine has nearly $600 million in extramural funding, with most of its academic departments highly ranked among all medical schools in the nation in research funding. As one of the seven professional schools that make up the University of Maryland, Baltimore campus, the School of Medicine has a total population of nearly 9,000 faculty and staff, including 2,500 students, trainees, residents, and fellows. The combined School of Medicine and Medical System (University of Maryland Medicine) has an annual budget of over $6 billion and an economic impact of nearly $20 billion on the state and local community. The School of Medicine, which ranks as the 8th highest among public medical schools in research productivity (according to the Association of American Medical Colleges profile) is an innovator in translational medicine, with 606 active patents and 52 start-up companies. In the latest U.S. News & World Report ranking of the Best Medical Schools, published in 2021, the UM School of Medicine is ranked No. 9 among the 92 public medical schools in the U.S., and in the top 15 percent (No. 27) of all 192 public and private U.S. medical schools. The School of Medicine works locally, nationally, and globally, with research and treatment facilities in 36 countries around the world. Visit medschool.umaryland.edu.
| By Laura Lee

BALTIMORE  The University of Maryland School of Dentistry (UMSOD) and Saint Louis University School of Medicine (SLU) recently received a combined $5.3 million from the Department of Defense (DOD) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), to study a new way to treat and prevent migraines by switching off specific pain receptors.

l-r Marcela Romero-Reyes, DDS, PhD and Simon Akerman PhD

Migraine, a complex brain disorder that brings on throbbing headaches as well as a host of other symptoms including nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light, and mood changes, affects 30 million people in the U.S., including children as young as 5 years old.

The team proposes a novel approach  which will target two distinct receptors, sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 1 (S1PR1) and adenosine A3 receptor (A3AR) to turn off pain signals involved in inflammation. The treatment will be especially helpful to the approximately 50 percent of migraine patients who get little relief from existing medications.

The collaboration brings together Simon Akerman, PhD, research assistant professor, and Marcela Romero-Reyes, DDS, PhD, clinical associate professor, UMSOD Department of Neural and Pain Sciences; and Daniela Salvemini, PhD, academic chair SLU Department of Pharmacology and Physiology.

The grant will allow Akerman and Romero-Reyes to combine their basic science and clinical expertise in migraine and orofacial pain with Salveminis extensive experience in pain disorder drug development to pursue a promising new approach to migraine pain relief and prevention.

The research is particularly promising because drugs targeting these receptors already exist, including one that is FDA approved to treat multiple sclerosis (MS). As a part of this study, the team will be able to conduct pre-clinical screening, speeding the way to possible clinical trials repurposing these compounds for migraine pain.

Our approach is exciting, said Akerman, because it could fast track relief for millions of people affected by migraine."

Romero-Reyes agreed, The S1PR1 class of drugs we are testing both already have FDA approval for MS. That is a huge advantage because the development of the drug itself has already been done, but we are able to repurpose these molecules to dissect a completely novel mechanism and therapeutic approach in migraine."

Calling her UMSOD colleagues, world experts in migraine, Salvemini said, our collaboration over the years has led to remarkable findings that can now be pursued with the ultimate goal of translating our discoveries from the bench to the bedside, hopefully impacting the lives of many individuals.

About University of Maryland School of Dentistry

Founded in 1840, the University of Maryland School of Dentistry, the worlds first dental college, offers superlative educational programs in oral health. As one of six professional schools and an interdisciplinary Graduate School on the University of Maryland, Baltimores 71-acre campus, it is part of a thriving academic health center that combines groundbreaking biomedical research and exceptional patient care. The school is Marylands predominant provider of comprehensive and emergency oral health services. www.dental.umaryland.edu

About Saint Louis University School of Medicine

Established in 1836, Saint Louis University School of Medicine has the distinction of awarding the first medical degree west of the Mississippi River. The school educates physicians and biomedical scientists, conducts medical research, and provides health care on a local, national and international level. Research at the school seeks new cures and treatments in five key areas: infectious disease, liver disease, cancer, heart/lung disease, and aging and brain disorders.
From November until March, the weather in Jordan can be harsh. With temperatures sometimes dropping below zero, life is not easy for the more than 750,000 refugees registered with UNHCR.

This year, for Nawal, Shatha and Om Attala, UNHCRs winter cash assistance has been a valuable lifeline. Thanks to the support of UNHCR Jordans donors, over 100,000 refugee families in Jordan living in both urban areas and refugee camps were assisted this winter through cash assistance distributions.

Nawal

As a 42-year-old Syrian widow, Nawal has lived in East Amman since 2013 after she fled from Syria to Jordan. A mother of five, she currently lives in a small, rented apartment. Since 2016, she has been the sole provider for her children after her husband passed away from cancer.

My life turned upside down after he left us.

In November, Nawal explained that she was worried about the approaching winter. Her apartment was damp, and water leaked through the roof when it rained. Her family was also in desperate need of a new gas heater. Last winter, we only had a couple of blankets to keep us warm. My daughter Raneem gets sick fast from the cold, and I cant afford extra expenses to treat her.

Nawals family used to receive UNHCRs monthly cash assistance, but it was cut off two years ago due to lack of funding. In 2020, she received UNHCR COVID-19 cash assistance to support her in her living expenses, but over the past year affording anything beyond the basics of rent, electrical bills, and medicine, has been a struggle.

On November 18th, 2021, at 11:45, though, everything changed. Nawal received an SMS from UNHCR stating that her family would receive winter assistance this year. I cant describe my feelings right now. Winter assistance will provide mercy for us.

For Nawal, this has meant that she has been able to pay off old rental debts, buy medicine for her daughter and prepare for winter such as through purchasing gas refills for heating and carrying out the maintenance for her house to stop the water leakages which she had long wanted to do.

Shatha

Around 20 percent of refugees in Jordan live in refugee camps. Located in the North-East of Jordan, Azraq Camp is known for its weather extremes, often reaching over 45 degrees in the summer and below zero in the winter. Shatha, a 38-year-old Syrian refugee, has struggled through these extremes for the last five years ever since she fled her home in Homs, Syria.

My life was like heaven, she recalls describing her life back in Syria. There, she was surrounded by family members, but after becoming a refugee her life changed dramatically. In Azraq Camp, she is the sole caretaker for her elderly father and mother, as well as her brother who suffers from mental and physical disabilities.

With all these responsibilities, she has sacrificed much of her life for her family. I rejected several marriage proposals so I could be able to help and support my very vulnerable family. But despite everything, she still believes it is an honor to help her family.

In winter, though, Shatha needs some extra help. Refugees in the camp live in small, metal prefabricated caravans which often flood or experience damage to their roofs due to heavy wind and rain. Shatha explains, the camp is in the desert, and it gets really cold here, the weather is harsh and its very hard to conduct daily life in the winter.

Combined with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Shatha has struggled financially because of limited livelihood opportunities. The need to find a job close to home, inside the camp, so she can continue to support her family also poses an extra challenge. Its hard to find the means to support my family with medicine, winter clothes, and slippers.

In preparation for winter, UNHCR provided winter cash assistance to all refugees living in camps. Shathas family was one of them. With the money, she has refilled the gas cylinders for heating and bought winter clothes and medicine for her parents. If we didnt receive winter assistance this year, we would have struggled a lot.

Om Attala

Fandieh, or Om Attala as she is otherwise known, didnt expect to spend the latter years of her life as a refugee. But instead of enjoying her old age in peace, she is now one of the 80,000 Syrian refugees living in Zaatari Camp. A grandmother who has assumed responsibilities for her four grandchildren after they lost their mother in the war and whose father is still missing.

Despite all adversity, Om Attala is a woman with great spirit and personality who refuses to accept the hardships life has dealt. Always with a smile on her face, she graciously plays the role of mother and father for her grandchildren, mending their clothes, cooking their meals, and making sure they complete their education.

This year, UNHCR cash assistance helped her, help them.

If I didnt receive the assistance, I would be helpless. I received 230 JOD as cash assistance; 100 JOD was spent on caravan maintenance. We bought two wooden boards in order to seal the caravans roof and floor against flooding water. It also helped us to pay off some of our debts.

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Rehman Gul* with his two-year old daughter near their home on the outskirts of Kabul. The family fled Jalalabad 10 years ago because of fighting (*Name changed for protection reasons).  UNHCR/Andrew McConnell

Geneva  The United Nations and non-governmental organizations will today launch joint response plans aiming to deliver vital humanitarian relief to 22 million people in Afghanistan and support 5.7 million displaced Afghans and local communities in five neighbouring countries.

The humanitarian and refugee response plans combined require over US$5 billion in international funding in 2022.

People in Afghanistan face one of the worlds most rapidly growing humanitarian crises. Half of the population face acute hunger, over 9 million people are displaced, millions of children are out of school, fundamental rights of women and girls are under attack, farmers and herders are struggling amidst the worst drought in decades, and the economy is in free fall. Without support, tens of thousands of children are at risk of dying from malnutrition as basic health services have collapsed.

Conflict has subsided, but violence, fear, and deprivation continue to drive Afghans to seek safety and asylum across borders, particularly in Iran and Pakistan. More than 2.2 million registered refugees and a further 4 million Afghans with different statuses are hosted in the neighbouring countries. This has stretched the capacity of the communities hosting them, and they also need support.

UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths said: Events in Afghanistan over the past year have unfolded with dizzying speed and with profound consequences for the Afghan people. The world is perplexed and looking for the right way to react. Meanwhile, a full-blown humanitarian catastrophe looms.

My message is urgent: dont shut the door on the people of Afghanistan. Humanitarian partners are on the ground, and they are delivering, despite the challenges. Help us scale up to stave off wide-spread hunger, disease, malnutrition and ultimately death by supporting the humanitarian plan we are launching today.

UN High Commission for Refugees Filippo Grandi said: The international community must do everything it can to prevent a catastrophe in Afghanistan, which would not only compound suffering but would drive further displacement both within the country and throughout the region. At the same time we must also urgently scale up the response in support of refugees and the communities that have hosted them for generations. The needs of refugees cannot be dismissed nor can the generosity of host countries be taken for granted. They need support and they need it today.

The plan for responding inside Afghanistan requires $4.44 billion, the largest humanitarian appeal ever launched for a country. If funded, it will ramp up delivery of live-saving food and agriculture support, health services, nutrition, emergency shelter, water and sanitation, protection, and emergency education.

The regional refugee response plan requires $623 million in funding for 40 organisations working in protection, health and nutrition, food security, shelter and non-food items, water and sanitation, livelihoods and resilience, education and logistics and telecoms.

Todays launch will be hosted by UN humanitarian chief Martin Griffiths and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi at a virtual event beginning at 1130 CET.

The launch is webcast on UN Web TV

Media resources with links

Media contacts

OCHA:

UNHCR:
Beloved neighborhood staple Milton City Pizza, in downtown Milton-Freewater, has closed  but those still itching for longtime owner Ron Jones classic pies need fear not because the local pizza joint is only closing to reinvent itself.

Milton City Pizza will reopen as The Sunny Side in early February, serving breakfast Wednesdays through Sundays from 7-2 p.m.

Jones is assuring his customers that he will honor his tradition of serving house-made, quality dishes while ensuring his menu offers options for the whole community.

We will still be making everything from scratch, Jones said. We are also trying to expand into including folks who are not traditionally thought of in menus of small towns like Milton-Freewater, like the vegetarians and vegans among us.

Jones and his team have developed recipes that will provide an alternative to favorite lunch items, such as a vegan hamburger patty and a vegan scrambled egg.

But meat eaters wont be forgotten.

I will still be making my own smoked meats by hand. Ill have a chorizo for the classic dishes like sausage and eggs, Jones said.

Slice of Milton City Pizza history

Milton City Pizza lived its first incarnation as Rons Place between 1987-2015. After selling the business for a short stint and then taking it back, Jones rebranded the local favorite as Milton City Pizza.

Our dough has always been made from scratch. We hand spun the crust and made our own sauce, he said, adding that hes been encouraged to see the farm-to-table movement grow in the restaurant industry. We have always embraced that, and we will continue to.

Ron Jones prepares food at Mobile Food Adventures truck Ron Jones prepares food at a private party in his Mobile Food Adventures truck, July 2019.

Jones grew up in Umapine, Oregon. After spending some years in Portland, family brought him back to the Milton-Freewater area.

While he had always loved to cook and dreamed of owning his own restaurant, life put those plans on the back burner. But when he saw a local pizza stop on South Main Street closing down, he had an idea.

The owner was closing up, so I went over and talked to the gal. We worked out a deal, and I kid you not, I charged $100 worth of food on my credit card and opened up the next week praying that everything worked out. And it did, Jones said.

His pizza operation moved locations a few times before setting up permanent shop on 1014 S. Main St.

This is my form of retirement, Jones said, speaking of his transition to breakfast service.

The entrepreneur said the new schedule will give him nights off in an industry notorious for long hours and late nights. He said hell be using his newfound time to be a grandfather and invest more energy into his food truck project, Mobile Food Adventures.

Most customers are understanding about the transition. The reason you work in a small town like this is that your customers become an extension of family. You know who their kids and their grandkids are and where they went to school, Jones said.

We have some of the best customers on the planet, and we hope theyll be coming back for breakfast.
Samyah Sanders, 9, left, and Khyriah Jordan, 9, get nasal swabs for rapid COVID-19 tests, Dec. 30, 2021, at a testing station along Cottage Grove Avenue in Chatham. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune/TNS)
Diane and Marvin Querry, pictured in 2018, have been married for 47 years. Diane has lived at Barone Alzheimeras Care Center in Nevada, Missouri, for two years. (Courtesy Paula George/Kaiser Health News/TNS)
RCEP deal enters into force as first freight train off to Vietnam

From:ChinaDaily | 2022-01-10 09:13

BEIJINGSoon after midnight on New Year's Day, a freight train departed from South China's Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region for Vietnam, a member country of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership.

The RCEPthe world's largest free trade dealcame into force on Jan 1. The X9101 train carried electronics, daily necessities and chemical products worth more than $10 million. It was expected to reach Hanoi in 28 hours after leaving Nanning, the regional capital of Guangxi.

Also on Jan 1, some 5.6 metric tons of imported reflective films from Japan arrived at a port in Shenzhen, Guangdong province. The reflective films will be used for the production of mobile phones, digital cameras and other electronic products.

The implementation of the RCEP agreement has helped lower the cost of customs duties by 6,000 yuan ($942.6) for the films worth 1.33 million yuan, said Chen Guogang, a director from a Shenzhen-based supply chain service provider called Jiuli.

The RCEP was signed on Nov 15,2020, by 15 Asia-Pacific countriesthe 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Australia and New Zealandafter eight years of negotiations that started in 2012.

With optimized trade rules among the signatories, streamlined procedures and wider opening-up in the sectors of services trade and investment, it will bring tangible benefits to the companies of all member countries.

"The company and overseas partners both benefit a lot from following the trend of regional economic integration in East Asia, and I believe the RCEP will further promote this process," said Li Dongchun, a manager of Guangxi Liugong Machinery Co Ltd, a machinery manufacturer based in Liuzhou, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region.

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the first 11 months of 2021 saw the company's exports increase by 70 percent year-on-year to reach 15,000 units, of which 3,000 units were sold to ASEAN countries, said Li.

In Central China's Hunan province, customs authorities issued RCEP certificates of origin to companies including Zhuzhou Cemented Carbide Works Imp& Exp Co on Jan 1.

"With the RCEP in effect, tariffs will be gradually reduced to zero. We will further expand our overseas market," said Li Yuhong, a manager of the company that exports products to ASEAN countries, Japan and the ROK.

Experts said that under the RCEP, a higher level of opening-up, a larger market and better policies will bring new development opportunities and potential, and this will inject sustained momentum into the recovery of the global economy.

Xinhua
Jennifer Ann Hancock was born Nov. 20, 1956, in Atlanta, to William Roy and Martha Jones Hancock. She went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, April 26, 2022, in Gray. She was preceded in death by her father, William Roy Hancock, and her brother, Timothy Roy Hancock, as well as grandparents
Vice Chancellor National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) Lt Gen Syed Muhammad Imran Majeed (Retd) said on Tuesday days were not far off when Pakistan would be making its own vaccines and NUMS Institute of Advanced Studies and Research(NIASR) would provide the research base for indigenization of vaccines and manufacturing of ingredients for essential drugs

RAWALPINDI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 11th Jan, 2022 ) :Vice Chancellor National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) Lt Gen Syed Muhammad Imran Majeed (Retd) said on Tuesday days were not far off when Pakistan would be making its own vaccines and NUMS Institute of Advanced Studies and Research(NIASR) would provide the research base for indigenization of vaccines and manufacturing of ingredients for essential drugs.

He was making these remarks in a tv programme on surging Omicron virus, medical education and production of local vaccines. He thanked the Planning Commission for approving Rs 3.488 billion to set up state-of-the-art research facilities at NIASR. NUMS is ready to start construction of this institute in Rawalpindi which would be a leap forward in bolstering the country's research facilities. NUMS has already constituted its Task Forces under the Office of Research, Innovation and Commercialization (ORIC) and NUMS scholars were engaged with both national and international institutions to boost the country's efforts in development of vaccines, pharmaceutical agents and on ensuring good nutrition. Indigenization of vaccines are national requirement and as viruses keep on mutating hence strain-specific vaccines as required should be prepared , he added.

Sprawling over an area of 3.

99 acres, NIASR has planned to train PhD scholars and researchers at world renowned research institutions in areas like Molecular Basis of Disease, Infectious Diseases, Vaccine Design, Cancer Biology, Animal Model of Disease, Pharmacogenomics, Epigenetics, Biotechnology & Drug Development, Bio Banking, Clinical Trials and Bioequivalence Studies.

The Vice Chancellor said the job of the universities is to do research and work out a strategy to develop required technologies. He emphasized the need to establish strong linkages between the academia and the Private Sector. The Private Sector needs to be encouraged and incentivized by the Govt. by formulating required policies and creating a conducive environment in this regard.

Sars COV 2, the virus that causes COVID-19, has a greater ability to multiply as compared to influenza and is tackled by those who had strong immune system hence good nutrition was very important.

Answering another question on National Licensing Examination(NLE), he said it was an internationally accepted standard to pass it before practicing as a registered doctor. It was introduced by Pakistan Medical Commission in the country in view of the mushroom growth of medical colleges in Private Sector to ensure quality of medical services.
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Houston, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 11th Jan, 2022 ) :A number of people turned out in Texas Monday to show support for a mother who was charged with endangering a child after locking her 13-year-old son in the trunk of her car to take him for a Covid test.

Supporters, including former students, hung placards and letters of encouragement on the teacher's home in Jersey Village, Texas, a suburb of Houston.

Sarah Beam, 41, had driven last week to Houston's Pridgeon Stadium, where people can get tested without getting out of their car.

She told the site manager that she was there for her son, who had tested positive previously, and explained that she had put him in the trunk of her car so as not to risk being infected herself.

The site worker asked to see the teenager and then told her that no test could be done until he was in the back seat of the vehicle.

She then alerted the police, who verified her story with surveillance cameras.

Last Saturday, Beam was arrested on suspicion of endangering a child. She was released the next day on $1,500 bail.

On Monday, her former students came to her house to defend her, putting up messages of support.

One wrote she was "a real hero with no cape, an asset to the school and a blessing to the students," while another said she was an "amazing teacher, a loving mother, and an empowering woman." Cardboard signs hanging from the windows of the house said "We stand with you always" and "Don't judge a book by its cover".

Beam is currently "on administrative leave," her school announced.

Court officials have not yet announced when her case will be heard.
The intelligence chief of Bati Kot district in the eastern Afghan province of Nangarhar has been killed in an attack carried out by militants of the Islamic State (IS, outlawed in Russia as a terrorist group), a source told Sputnik on Tuesday

KABUL (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 11th January, 2022) The intelligence chief of Bati Kot district in the eastern Afghan province of Nangarhar has been killed in an attack carried out by militants of the Islamic State (IS, outlawed in Russia as a terrorist group), a source told Sputnik on Tuesday.

According to the source, terrorists ambushed Abid Bashir, the head of the Islamic Emirate Intelligence Agency on Monday night, while he was patrolling the district area.

So far, no group has claimed responsibility for the attack, but the source claimed that Bashir was apparently killed by the IS militants due to a major offensive that he had launched earlier against the IS terrorists in Bati Kot district.

Abid Bashir was one of the key commanders of the Taliban (under UN sanctions for terrorism) in Nangarhar province, who had twice before escaped after militant ambush.

The Taliban-IS standoff has been ongoing in Afghanistan since 2015, when IS militants began forming terrorist cells in the country and recruiting fighters, compromising the Taliban influence.

Fierce clashes erupted between the Taliban and the Islamists in Nangarhar, Logar and Farah provinces.

Since the Taliban return to power in Afghanistan in mid-August, the Islamists have allegedly carried out several terrorist attacks across the country, including the blast at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul in August that killed more than 180 people, and an attack at a Shiite mosque in Kunduz city in October that resulted in over 150 deaths.

The Taliban have repeatedly expressed their commitment to eliminate the IS faction in Afghanistan and pledged to stop the attacks, saying they would make every effort to capture Shahab al-Muhajir, the IS local affiliate leader.
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Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev issued rare criticism of his long-ruling predecessor Tuesday, and said he expected Russian-led forces to leave the troubled Central Asian country in the next 10 days

Almaty, Kazakhstan, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 11th Jan, 2022 ) :Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev issued rare criticism of his long-ruling predecessor Tuesday, and said he expected Russian-led forces to leave the troubled Central Asian country in the next 10 days.

The oil-rich country's descent into chaos has laid bare infighting at the very top of a government once utterly dominated by Tokayev's mentor, 81-year-old Nursultan Nazarbayev, who retains the constitutional status of "Leader of the Nation" despite stepping down from the presidency in 2019.

Addressing the government and parliament in a videoconference call broadcast live, the 68-year-old Tokayev fired an eyebrow-raising broadside at Nazarbayev as the post-Soviet country reels from unprecedented violence that began with peaceful protests over an energy price hike.

Tokayev said Nazarbayev's rule had created "a layer of wealthy people, even by international standards".

"I believe that the time has come to pay tribute to the people of Kazakhstan and help them on a systematic and regular basis," Tokayev added, noting that "very profitable companies" would be asked to pay money into a state fund.

Both Kazakhstan and Russia have framed last week's unrest that left dozens dead and has seen almost 10,000 people arrested as a coup attempt assisted by foreign "terrorists", but have provided little evidence to support the claim.
The UN Security Council has not yet received a request to discuss the latest missile launch by North Korea, the second in one week, but is concerned by the development, the council's President, Norwegian Ambassador to the United Nations Mona Juul said on Tuesday

UNITED NATIONS (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 11th January, 2022) The UN Security Council has not yet received a request to discuss the latest missile launch by North Korea, the second in one week, but is concerned by the development, the council's President, Norwegian Ambassador to the United Nations Mona Juul said on Tuesday.

North Korea launched a missile, apparently a ballistic one, at around 22:27 GMT on Monday from inland toward the Sea of Japan. American and South Korean intelligence agencies are now thoroughly analyzing the data. The latest launch came less than a week after North Korea conducted its first missile test this year.

On Monday, hours before the second launch, the UN Security Council gathered for closed consultations to discuss the January 5 test.

"We will see whether there will be a new request or whether we will request a meeting on this issue," Juul told reporters. "It is really extremely concerning that the DPRK (North Korea) continues with missile launches."

Juul said the Security Council needs to gather more information on the most recent launch.

The diplomat noted that the council still has not gotten any request to address another pressing issue - the question of human rights during mass protests in Kazakhstan.

"We (Norway) have from our side expressed really grave concern about the situation... And the fact that (there have been) so many civilian casualties is really very tragic," Juul stated.
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu and Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian will visit China at the invitation of State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on January 12 and January 14 respectively, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin said on Tuesday

BEIJING, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 11th Jan, 2022 ) :Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu and Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian will visit China at the invitation of State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on January 12 and January 14 respectively, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin said on Tuesday.

During the visit, the Chinese foreign minister will have a meeting with his Turkish counterpart and have an in-depth exchange of views on bilateral relations and international and regional issues of common concern, the spokesperson said during his regular briefing.

He said in recent years, China and Turkey had maintained high-level exchanges and communication at all levels, achieved fruitful outcomes in practical cooperation, and joined hands in fighting the pandemic, thus deepening their strategic cooperative relationship.

"Last year, the two countries celebrated the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic relations. China is ready to work with Turkey to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, render each other mutual understanding and mutual support on issues concerning our respective core interests, strengthen the alignment of development strategies, and promote the sound and steady development of the bilateral relations," he added.

About the Iranian foreign minister's visit to China, the spokesperson said the two foreign ministers would hold talks during the visit.

Wang Wenbin said China and Iran enjoyed long-standing and profound friendship. Under the leadership of the two heads of state, the relations had achieved marked progress in recent years.

"We firmly support each other on issues concerning our respective core interests, promote practical cooperation across the board in a steady manner and maintain close communication and coordination in international and regional affairs," he added.

He observed facing the impact of COVID-19, China and Iran rendered each other help and assistance in times of need, highlighting the strength of the profound relations.

"In 2021, the two countries jointly celebrated the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties and opened up a new chapter in our friendship," he added.

"Standing at a new historical starting point, China is ready to work with Iran to further deepen the China-Iran comprehensive strategic partnership to the benefit of our two countries and two peoples," he said.
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The Armenian Defense Ministry said on Tuesday that the Azerbaijani military used artillery and drones during shelling at the border

YEREVAN (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 11th January, 2022) The Armenian Defense Ministry said on Tuesday that the Azerbaijani military used artillery and drones during shelling at the border.

"On January 11, at 17.30 (13:30 GMT), units of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces resumed shelling the Armenian positions deployed in the eastern direction of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, using artillery and unmanned aerial vehicles.

The Armenian side took adequate response measures. As of 18.30 (14:30 GMT), the shootout continues," the ministry said in a statement.

The ministry also said that three Armenian soldiers have been injured during the border shootout.
Valdosta, GA (31601)

Today

Partial cloudiness early, with scattered showers and thunderstorms during the afternoon. High 89F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%..

Tonight

Isolated thunderstorms early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Low 64F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 30%.
The Bishop of Banjul in the Gambia has told his compatriots that notwithstanding uncertainties and challenges, they should never lose trust in Gods power to see them through all difficulties in the New Year, 2022.

Vatican News English Africa Service.

Even at the beginning of this New Year with its uncertainties and challenges, we should renew our hope and trust in Gods goodness, guidance, and faithfulness in our various vocations in life. So, my New Years message is: Our Hope in God will not disappoint us, said Bishop Gabriel Mendy C.S.Sp., the Ordinary of Banjul, in his message for the New Year, 2022.

A New Year that is more peaceful and prosperous

The Gambia is a predominantly Muslim country with a total population of 2.5 million inhabitants. Approximately ninety-six per cent of the population is Muslim. Christians make up 4.2 per cent of the population. Most of the Christians are Catholics. The Diocese of Banjul is part of the Inter-territorial Catholic Bishops Conference of the Gambia and Sierra Leone (ITCABIC).

Bishop Mendys New Year message was widely circulated and well-received by non-Catholics, in the country.

Every New Year, we have new hope and plans we want to achieve in our lives as individuals, a community of faith, and a nation. We hope for a better New Year that is more peaceful, healthy, successful, and prosperous than the previous year. If we experienced misfortune, sickness, and disappointment the year before, we hope for good health, success, and progress in the New Year. We look forward to a year of blessing, favour, and fulfilment in our lives, said the Bishop.

Covid-19 and its effects

The whole world has seriously suffered for the past two years from the deadly effects of the Coronavirus pandemic that is still a danger to human life and activity. So, our hope for this New Year is obviously the eradication of this deadly pandemic so that we can experience good health and resume normal interaction and activity. Those who endured pain, disappointment, and hardship this past year also have new hope for a more prosperous and comfortable life in the New Year, said Bishop Mendy.

Bishop Mendy encouraged Gambians to plan but be mindful that God had the last word.

So, our hope and plans are usually set in place in the New Year, but they may or may not be realised in the course of the year. For, our hope and plans are not fully within our own power and ability to accomplish without Gods blessings and assistance, said the prelate of Banjul.

God will not deceive or disappoint us

Bishop Mendy urged his countrymen and women to work today for what they hope to achieve in the future. We are not expected, therefore, to simply hope for a better life, a better future, and the fulfilment of our plans in the New Year, he said.

He continued, So we should be convinced that our hope in God will not deceive or disappoint us even if our condition in life is not what we expect. God will still support us and grant us our spiritual and material needs when we least expect them. Therefore, we have no reason to be anxious and doubtful of what will happen to us in this New Year. Our future is safely in Gods hands. We should confidently look forward in faith and hope in Gods power to sustain and guard us against all misfortune and danger, the West African prelate encouraged.

He concluded, As the Catholic Bishop of the Diocese of Banjul, I wish the priests, religious, and faithful of the Diocese, our Christian brothers and sisters, Muslims, believers of other faiths and their families and friends, Gambians at home and abroad a healthy, peaceful, and prosperous New Year. May God bless and protect you all throughout this year of 2022.
Kazakhstan holds a day of national mourning for the victims of recent unrest in the Central Asian nation, as the small Catholic community joins in prayer with special Masses for the dead.

By Lisa Zengarini

Catholics in Kazakhstan joined together in prayer on Monday for the victims of the governments crackdow on last weeks street protests, in which 160 people were killed.

Local bishops invited all priests to celebrate special Masses for the dead as Kazakhstan held a day of national mourning.

In a video message, Archbishop Tomas Peta of Mary Most Holy in Astana (the capital now named Nur-Sultan, ed.) also invited the faithful to gather in prayer on 13 January for their eternal rest and for peace in the country.

Crackdown on protests

Kazakhstan plunged into unrest early in January following a spike in fuel prices. Protests quickly turned against the government and former President Nursultan Nazarbayev, who led the former Soviet state for three decades and is still believed to have a strong political influence in the country, despite handing over the presidency in 2019.

As street demonstrations degenerated into violent clashes with security forces, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev declared a state of emergency with a brutal crackdown on protesters and internet shutdowns, and called in troops of the Russian-led Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO).

Latest developments



Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday said their deployment had been crucial in defending Kazakhstan from what he described as a terrorist uprising backed by external forces. According to Kazakh authorities, order has now been largely restored, and almost 10,000 people have been arrested in connection with the protests.

On Tuesday, President Tokayev told Parliament that the CTSO will be withdrawing its troops in two days' time. He also said he was appointing a long-serving career public servant, Alikhan Smailov, as prime minister, and spoke of initiatives to narrow the wealth gap, raise taxes on the mining sector, and eliminate irregularities in state procurement.

Bishops grateful for Pope Francis' support

In this context, the Catholic bishops of Kazakhstan have expressed gratitude to Pope Francis for his prayerful thoughts for Kazakhstan.

During the Angelus prayer on Sunday, the Holy Father said he prays for the victims of the protests and their families, and expressed hope that social harmony will be restored as soon as possible through the search for dialogue, justice and the common good.

Pope Francis reiterated his call for dialogue in the Caucasus region in his New Year Address to the accredited Ambassadors to the Holy See on 10 January.

Read also 09/01/2022 Pope prays for victims of protests in Kazakhstan Pope Francis prays for the numerous people who have died whilst protesting in the streets of Kazakhstan.

Small Catholic minority

Kazakhstan hosts three Catholic dioceses and one apostolic administration of Latin rite, with a total of 70 parishes served by 91 priests.

Catholics represent a small minority, also including a small Eastern rite community. According to the official local data, Catholics count for some 1 percent of the population, most of which is Muslim, with Christians, mostly Orthodox, representing 26 percent of the total.
People trade wood in the streets of Kombolcha, Ethiopia (AFP or licensors)

The Director of the UN's children's agency, Henrietta Fore, decries recent airstrikes that killed dozens of people in Ethiopia's Tigray region.

By Vatican News staff writer

A statement released on Sunday by UNICEF Director-General Henrietta Fore expressed UNICEF's indignation at recent airstrikes that struck refugee camps in Tigray, northern Ethiopia.



UNICEF is outraged by the recent airstrikes on camps for internally displaced persons and refugees in Tigray, northern Ethiopia," the statement read.

The January 5 and 7 attacks reportedly resulted in the deaths of scores of civilians, including children, and injured many more.

Dozens killed

At least 56 people were killed and 30 others wounded in Ethiopias Tigray region following an air raid on a camp for civilians displaced by the brutal conflict in the northern region.

Refugee camps and IDP settlements, including schools hosting displaced children and families and the essential facilities that provide them with humanitarian services, are civilian objects. Failing to respect and protect them from attacks may constitute a violation of international humanitarian law," said Ms. Fore.

More than a year since the conflict in Tigray broke out, brutal acts of violence, including grave violations against children, continue to be perpetrated across northern Ethiopia by all parties to the conflict," she added.

In this regard, Ms. Fore wrote that UNICEF renews its call for an immediate cessation of hostilities. We urge all parties to the conflict to build on the initial signs of progress of the past several weeks, to adhere to international human rights, humanitarian and refugee law, to facilitate humanitarian access and to protect children from harm.
A Ukrainian serviceman walks the front line with Russia-backed separatists in the Donetsk region (AFP or licensors)

As the United States and Russia begin negotiations in Geneva over the Ukraine crisis, Pope Francis renews his call for dialogue to find an acceptable and lasting solution to the ongoing tensions.

By Lisa Zengarini

In his New Years address to accredited Ambassadors to the Holy See, Pope Francis mentioned growing international tensions over Ukraine. As international talks get underway in Geneva, the Holy Father reiterated that the crisis can be resolved through dialogue based on mutual trust.

In his annual address to the members of the Diplomatic Corps on Monday, the Pope stressed that reciprocal trust and readiness to engage in calm discussions should inspire all parties at stake. The call follows his latest appeal during the Angelus prayer on December 12.

Read also 10/01/2022 Pope to diplomatic corps: Great challenges of our time are all global Pope Francis gives his annual state of the world address in his greetings to the diplomatic corps accredited to the Holy See that takes place at the beginning of the year.

Mutual distrust

Indeed, lack of mutual trust between Russia, on one side, and Ukraine and the West, on the other, have hindered any diplomatic way out to the crisis which triggered off after Russias annexation of Crimea in 2014 and Moscows involvement in the armed conflict in the separatist Donbass region.

The conflict has claimed at least 14,000 lives and displaced more than 1.5 million people, resulting in a major humanitarian crisis.

Russian troops on the Ukrainian border

Tensions have escalated again in recent weeks, following Russia amassing some 100,000 troops on the borders with Ukraine, which has prompted fears by NATO members of an invasion and of a new war.

US President Joe Biden has repeatedly warned Russian President Vladimir Putin that the United States and its European allies would impose unprecedented sanctions if Moscow chose to invade the country. Both the US and the EU have said they are committed to defend the sovereignty and the territorial integrity of Ukraine.

For its part, Russia has denied invasion plans and said it is responding to what it calls an aggressive and provocative behaviour from NATO and Ukraine. This issue has been lingering since 2008, when the western military alliance agreed to admit the former Soviet states of Ukraine and Georgia, but had to postpone membership talks following firm opposition from the Kremlin.

Dim prospects of a breakthrough

In late December, Moscow presented a series of diplomatic demands that include a ban on further NATO expansion to former Soviet states and an end to the alliance's activity in central and eastern European countries that joined it in the 1990s.

However, the United States and NATO have rejected a large part of the Russian proposals. This is why, according to many analysts, the talks starting today are unlikely to produce a breakthrough.

Read also 12/12/2021 Pope on Ukraine: Resolve tensions with dialogue, not arms Pope Francis prays that this Christmas might bring peace to Ukraine, and calls on the international community to resolve tensions through dialogue.

Major Archbishop Shevchuk praying for Donbass

The conflict in the eastern Donbass region was recalled by Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk of Kiev-Halych during the Christmas festivities.

In his Christmas Message, the Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church espressed his closeness to the prisoners of war and those held captive in the conflict and encouraged them to not lose spirit.

In his homily for the Eastern Rite Christmas Day, on January 7, he sent his greetings to Catholics in Donbass and Crimea, and also expressed prayers for the brothers and sisters in Kazakhstan, who are facing a crackdown on protests by the government supported by Russia.
Whether we like it or not, the COVID-19 pandemic is coming with us into its third year.
Normal, IL (61790)

Today

Scattered thunderstorms in the morning followed by occasional showers in the afternoon. Morning high of 60F with temps falling to near 50. WSW winds shifting to NNW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 70%..

Tonight

Cloudy skies early will become partly cloudy later at night. Low near 40F. Winds N at 10 to 20 mph.
The Beijing municipal government has fined its local 7-Eleven convenience stores over its website depicting maps featuring Taiwan as a country and including inaccurate frontiers for Xinjiang and Tibet.

Besides an official warning, 7-Eleven Beijing was fined 100,000 yuan (US$15,689) for errors including the wrongful act of assigning Taiwan province as an independent country on its online map and an additional 50,000 yuan (US$7,844) for the offline version, totaling 150,000 yuan ($23,533), the Dongcheng branch of the Beijing Municipal Planning and Natural Resources Commission announced in a statement on Dec. 21.

Incomplete Chinese maps used by foreign brands have stirred anger in Chinese society in recent years, Beijings mouthpiece, the Global Times, remarked.

I am not aware of the situation you mentioned, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said at a press conference on Jan. 7 when asked about the fine.

I would like to reiterate that Taiwan is an inalienable part of the Chinese territory and the one-China principle is a universally recognized norm in international relations and the consensus of the international community, Wang said.

Beijing also complained about erroneous borderlines in the Aksai Chin region in the far west and southern Tibet  both of which China has controversies with India over.

Local authorities also contended that the 7-Eleven website failed to use Chinas proper names for some disputed islands in the South China Sea, including the Diaoyu islands, or Senkaku Islands as Japan administers the islands calls them.

Apologies

According to its website, 7-Eleven Beijing operates over 260 shops in Beijing and over 140 in the nearby city of Tianjin. It is controlled by 7-Eleven (China), which is a subsidiary of Japanese firm 7 & i Holdings.

Seven & i is taking the issue seriously and making sure to prevent a recurrence, the companys spokesman said, according to The Straits Times.

The penalty was handed down in December but was first reported on by Asia Nikkei on Jan. 7.

Many Global Times readers commented in favor of the fines issued by authorities, saying, 150,000 Yuan ($23,505) fine is just nuts for a big corporation, it equals to 32 Yuan fine for a common person.

A user going by the Western sounding name, Bill Admon said, But Im glad to see that China is empowering its rights in the international sphere, adding that, Foreign corporations still havent learnt that if they want to be welcomed guests, they must behave like polite and respectful guests!

Several other companies operating in China  from Daimler AG to airlines including United Continental Holdings Inc and ANA Holdings Inc  have apologized and updated their websites depicting Taiwan as a unified part of China.

In 2018, U.S. clothing company The Gap apologized and swore to take more rigorous reviews in the future after one of its T-shirt models was embellished with a map of China that did not incorporate Taiwan, which sparked outrage among Chinese netizens, The Global Times reported.

In 2019, a similar scenario happened to MAC Cosmetics, a U.S. cosmetics retailer, which also had to give in to pressure after posting a map of China that omitted the island of Taiwan.
Cargo containers can be seen in practically every cargo ship across the seas and oceans, as todays worldwide shipping network is dependent on these huge metal boxes to deliver goods from one country to the next.

Lately, these containers have been highlighted due to their role in a crisis that has mired the global shipping network. How did we become so dependent on these receptacles and what steps are necessary to improve the situation?

How cargo containers shaped our economy

While trade has been part of civilization since time immemorial, the development of cargo containers contributed to numerous shifts in how goods are stored and transferred. When containers used to come in all shapes and sizes, loading and unloading mixed goods was a complicated and costly procedure.

In the 1950s, entrepreneur Malcolm McLean found a way to simplify and streamline the loading and unloading of cargo transports. In 1956, he created the standard cargo container, a 33 foot long steel box, eight feet wide and tall. These standardized boxes were not only more efficient, they also offered superior protection for cargo.

Their use and structure evolved over time as global trade increased. Now, they are a standard 40 feet long, and are used widely not only to ship goods, but also raw materials, breaking up the manufacturing process and making the supply chain more complex. They are so standardized that one can be lifted by any crane in any port or train yard in the world, due to identical devices on each corner.

Shipping containers are now so standardized and uniform that they can be picked up by any crane around the world. (Image: Tom Fisk via Pexels)

A just in time manufacturing model developed, whereby companies rely heavily on overseas suppliers and manufacturers for low cost labor and materials, resulting in a lengthy production process involving multiple shipping steps.

A shipping-dependent supply chain

In 2020, businesses and factories across the world were forced to close down or shorten production due to pandemic measures. Since growing numbers of laid off workers reduced spending power at the same time, manufacturers and shipping companies predicted that demand would plunge dramatically. But it was not that simple.

With lockdowns, and many individuals being forced to quarantine indoors, there was a sudden trend of online shopping. On top of that, many countries provided monetary aid through government recovery programs. Little money could be spent on services during covid restrictions, so that money went mainly towards goods.

The demand for sustainable and preventive goods, in particular, skyrocketed. With many of these goods coming from China, cargo vessels spread across the globe. Pandemic-related delays, and international ports filled with empty shipping containers left China with a shortage of containers while their factories continued to produce goods.

The cargo ship Ever Given was stranded on muck as it sailed through the narrow Suez Canal. With its sheer size, the ship blocked off shipping routes, causing at least 369 ships to be left waiting on either side of the canal for several days, costing up to $9.6 billion a day ($400 million an hour.)

According to historian Marc Levinson, in an interview to Recode, ship lines normally charge more on services from Asia to North America than vice versa. Because the ship lines find it more profitable to send back empty containers than to wait for them to re-load, American exporters are finding it difficult to secure cargo containers for their goods.

Possible solutions

Levinson believes that many companies were too focused on costs of production and transportation when building their supply chain, neglecting to consider the risks that could disrupt them. Companies are more aware of the risks now, and may be looking for different strategies to handle their respective chains.

Greater competition may improve the situation. Levinson pointed out that the container ship lines have formed three major alliances, which decreased the competition in oceanic shipping, and lowered maritime activity for the business world. Levinson suggested that the worlds governments may need to reconsider whether or not these alliances are beneficial.

Amazon, the massive online retailer, arranges not only its own shipping, but also that for many of its competitors, giving them potential insight into their private operations, and thus calling on the attention of antitrust authorities.

Cheaper manufacturing has also led to over-consumption problems. In this regard, the solution lies in our own hands. Buying local, domestic, and necessary, rather than indulging our every whim just because we can afford it, could help shift the world economy to a more traditional, and stable, setting.

Darren Muang contributed to this report
In order to help curb widespread civil unrest, Peoples Republic of China (PRC) foreign minister Wang Yi said Beijing would be willing to increase law enforcement and security cooperation with neighboring Kazakhstan in order to help counter so-called external forces  that is, anti-government protesters  currently active in the large Central Asian country.



According to the Chinese foreign ministry, Wang, who also acts as a state councilor for the PRC, offered the assistance during a phone call to Kazakhstans foreign minister Mukhtar Tileuberdi on Jan. 10.



Recent turmoil in Kazakhstan shows that the situation in Central Asia is still facing severe challenges, and it once again proves that some external forces do not want peace and tranquility in our region, the ministry quoted Wang as telling Tileuberdi.



Wang Wenbin, a spokesman for the PRC Foreign Ministry also added that As Kazakhstans permanent comprehensive strategic partner, China would like to express its firm support for the Kazakh sides efforts to maintain stability and end violence at a critical moment bearing on the countrys future.

Shoot to kill

Kazakhstan is currently experiencing the worst unrest it has seen in more than a decade. Violence has erupted in the largest city of Almaty and several other cities as protesters riot against a near doubling in fuel prices while showing disapproval for the countrys ruling party.



Government buildings can be seen being set on fire as widespread protests erupt across the former Soviet republic of nearly 20 million people. Kazakh media is reporting that dozens of protestors have been killed in confrontations with police as troops were ordered to shoot to kill, Reuters reported. Almaty airport was also overtaken by protesters last week and escalated into a violent shootout resulting in the deaths of several police officers and protesters.



This image grab shows protesters near an administrative building during a rally over a hike in energy prices in Almaty on January 5, 2022.  Protesters stormed the mayors office in Kazakhstans largest city Almaty on January 5, 2022 as unprecedented unrest in the Central Asian nation spun out of control. (Photo by AFP via Getty Images)

Videos posted on social media showed demonstrators facing off against hundreds of security forces in riot gear. Crowds of rioters were also seen pulling down the statue of authoritarian leader and former president Nursultan Nazarbayev.



The escalating turmoil has prompted Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to request military assistance from Russia and other Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) countries. The Eurasian alliances member countries include Russia, Belarus, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.



Ive never seen anything like this in Kazakhstan. Its absolutely unprecedented, Maximilian Hess, a Russian and Central Asian expert and fellow at the Foreign Policy Research Institute, told CNBC on Jan. 6.



READ MORE:

Russian-led Troops Enter Kazakhstan to Quell Unrest; Dozens Dead

Russian aid prompts US concerns

On Jan. 6, Russia and other members of the CSTO announced they would send troops to help restore order and stabilize the country after Tokayevs appeal for assistance. The first of about 2,500 Russian-led troops arrived in Kazakhstan last week, BBC reported.

After the arrival of Russian units, they assisted Kazakh troops in taking firm action to regain control in Almaty. On Jan. 7, local media published videos showing government troops opening fire on protesters as more armed rioters took to the streets.

The countrys Interior Ministry says 26 armed criminals and 18 security officers have been killed so far in the clashes and President Tokayev blamed what he called foreign terrorists for the violence.

While addressing reporters at a State Department briefing on Jan. 7, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that one lesson of recent history is that once Russians are in your house, its sometimes very difficult to get them to leave.

It would seem to me that the Kazakh authorities and government certainly have the capacity to deal appropriately with protests to do so in a way that respects the rights of protesters while maintaining law and order, Blinken added.

The State Department issued an update to its travel advisory for the country on Jan. 7, encouraging non-emergency U.S. government employees and families of all U.S. staff to leave Almaty due to the rapidly developing and unstable situation.

Strategic energy producer

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Kazakhstan is the biggest oil producer in Central Asia, extracting about 1.6 million barrels of oil per day. It is also the ninth largest country in the world and has extensive oil reserves, making it strategically and economically important. However, despite the nations vast mineral wealth, discontent over poor living conditions and corruption has spread in many parts of the country.

Until 2015, Kazakhstan was one of the worlds 10 fastest-growing economies, and its GDP per capita has increased sixfold since 2002  mostly due to its development of its oil, gas, coal and metals sectors. Kazakhstan is also home to some key infrastructure, including gas pipelines stretching from Central Asia to China.

In theory U.S. companies could be most affected by a hit to Kazakhstans energy production, as they are the leading crude producers in the country, Matt Orr, Eurasia analyst for risk intelligence firm RANE, told CNBC.

In 2019, U.S. oil producers accounted for roughly 30 percent of extracted oil in Kazakhstan, compared with about 17 percent produced by Chinese companies, and just 3 percent by Russias Lukoil, Orr said.
Reports of successful hypersonic missile tests have emerged from Russia, China, and even North Korea. What are these missiles capable of and with this technology, in the hands of rogue states and aggressive regimes, what are the implications?

Over the past several years the governments of Russia, China and the United States have invested billions of dollars in the development of hypersonic missiles. So far, Russia and China have demonstrated the technology and North Korea has claimed they have, though experts question the validity of the latters claims.

Modern hypersonic missile tech

Speeds over Mach 1  the speed of sound  are considered supersonic, while Mach 5 and above is hypersonic speed. While many military combat aircraft are capable of supersonic flight, most transport planes and airliners fly at between 500 and 600 miles per hour (less than Mach 1) to conserve fuel and avoid roaring sonic booms.

Hypersonic aircraft have been around for decades since the X-15, a small rocket plane developed for NASA. This manned aircraft first flew in 1959 and achieved a top speed of 4,520 miles per hour  6.7 times the speed of sound.

Ballistic missiles, which launch vertically and follow an arcing trajectory to their targets, travel even faster, achieving speeds of up to Mach 20 in their descent.

These missiles are easily detected and their flight path is highly predictable. The cruise missile, so named because it flies horizontally like a normal aircraft, is much more maneuverable, but also much slower.

The difficulty of developing a weapon that possesses the speed of a ballistic missile and the maneuverability of a cruise missile eluded researchers during the Cold War, but todays militaries may be overcoming this challenge.

Reports have emerged that this year, Russia will have a hypersonic missile that can reach speeds of up to Mach 9. Thats 6,669.87 miles per hour, meaning this new technology could deliver a payload between New York City and Los Angeles in just under 37 minutes.

READ MORE: Chinas Nuclear-Capable Hypersonic Missile Test Takes Washington by Surprise

Missiles traveling at such blistering speeds do not even need an explosive payload to cause significant damage. The kinetic energy these missiles create could destroy many targets without the need for an explosive warhead.

Most critically, modern hypersonic missiles would not need to follow a set trajectory like ballistic missiles, the first of which were used in World War II by Nazi Germany.



Due to their very high speeds, ballistic missiles are already difficult to devise countermeasures; a hypersonic missile traveling on an unpredictable flight path would be all but impossible to shoot down using presently conceivable air defense technology.

Russian dominance in hypersonic technology

A Russian MiG-31 interceptor jet carries a hypersonic ballistic missile, the X-47M2 Kinzhal, as it flies over Moscow for a 2018 military parade celebrating the 73rd anniversary of the countrys victory in World War II. (Image: The Presidential Press and Information Office of Russia/CC BY 4.0)

Based on what information is available to the public, Russia is the leading power in hypersonic missile technology.

Sputnik quoted Russian President Vladimir Putin as saying that We have now tested, and successfully, and from the beginning of the year [2022] we will be armed with new sea-based hypersonic missiles, Mach 9 [speed].

Citing perceived threats from NATO countries, Putin claimed that we have been forced, I want to emphasis this, we have been forced to start developing hypersonic weapons. The Russian leader also asserted that the development of this technology was partially in response to reports that NATO countries have deployed MK-41 launchers in European nations within striking distance of Russian territory.

The MK-41 launcher, or Mark 41 Vertical Launching System (Mk 41 VLS) is a shipborne launching system which provides a rapid-fire launch capability. The system can fire an array of missiles including the RIM-66 Standard, the RGM-109 Tomahawk and the RUM-139 VL-ASROC anti-submarine missile, among others.

Putin also claimed that the development of the tech was justified, saying that the Russian nation has been detecting more than 50 NATO reconnaissance aircraft and drones near the Russian border, every week for some time, Republic World Reported.

In November 2021, Russia reportedly tested its Zircon hypersonic weapon, hitting a target some 215 nautical miles away, Fox News reported.

Chinese capabilities

In August last year, China successfully tested a Fractional Orbital Bombardment (FOB) nuclear-capable hypersonic glide vehicle much to the surprise of the U.S. intelligence community. The tests reportedly involved a hypersonic glide vehicle that circled the globe and nearly hit its target.

A person familiar with the test told the Financial Times, who first reported on the test, We have no idea how they did this.

Global Times, a Chinese Communist Party (CCP) mouthpiece, wouldnt confirm the Financial Times report; however it noted that the U.S. generally has the ability to monitor global missile launches.

Paul Bernstein and Dain Hancock with the Georgetown Journal of International Affairs wrote in January 2021, Beijing is making a major investment in hypersonic missiles. Chinas leadership sees this technology as an important element of its regional warfighting strategy and possibly its strategic deterrent. China possesses one operational hypersonic missile, has tested several others, and maintains an active research and development program.

The development of this tech has allowed China to deploy weapons at low altitudes, making it difficult for U.S. satellites to track.

The United States conducted a new hypersonic weapons test in September of last year, completing its first successful test since 2013. However, a follow-up test in October ended in failure. In the face of this, the U.S. Army has emphasized the capability of its Hypersonic Air-Breathing Weapon Concept (HAWC), which the Air Force says can operate at Mach 5 speeds and beyond, Fox News reported.

The U.S. has been focusing on counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency efforts for nearly two decades, leaving the development of hypersonic technologies on the backburner.

Lockheed Martin currently has four hypersonic weapons in development; however, it is unclear when or even if this technology will come to fruition.

North Korean claims

According to South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), North Korea fired an apparent hypersonic missile into the waters off its east coast from Jagang Province at 7:27 a.m. on Jan. 11, The Diplomat reported. The launch came six days after North Korea fired another hypersonic missile on Jan. 5 which reportedly flew more than 700 kilometres (435 miles) at a maximum speed of Mach 10. The missile reached a top altitude of approximately 60 km (37.28 miles), JCS said.

Despite observing this performance, the JCS is not labeling the technology as hypersonic.

Even the improved performance seen on Tuesday was not enough to recognize the Norths claim that it has successfully tested two hypersonic missiles in less than a week, The Diplomat reported.

On the Friday following the test, South Korea appeared to downplay the capability of the Norths second hypersonic missile test saying that Pyongyang exaggerated its performance.

Its not surprising that South Korea would question the Norths claims. The North also claimed this week that Kim Jong Uns father, Kim Jong II, invented the burrito in 2011, shortly before he suffered a fatal heart attack.

Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar arrives for the first meeting of NATO ministers in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization headquarter on Feb. 12, 2020 in Brussels, Belgium. NATO ministers had a two-day meeting, and discussed building stability in the Middle East, the Alliances support for Afghanistan and challenges posed by Russias hypersonic missile system. (Image: Thierry Monasse/Getty Images)

Implications

Hypersonic weapons technology in the hands of rogue regimes like North Korea could no doubt wield catastrophic consequences. North Korea already represents an immediate threat to its neighbors  South Korea and Japan  and should the regime wield hypersonic missiles it could strike either nation with little to no warning.

Despite being the apparent leader in hypersonic missiles, Russia already possesses the most nuclear weapons of any country, so its development of hypersonic missiles does not drastically change the balance of power in Europe.

Chinese deployment of hypersonic weapons strengthens the CCP vis-a-vis the U.S and its allies, since the Chinese regimes current nuclear arsenal is not large or sophisticated enough to threaten the United States with overwhelming destruction.

In terms of conventional warfare, hypersonic missiles in Chinas inventory would pose a greater threat to U.S. ships and bases in the West Pacific.

According to a former Pentagon weapons developer, the successful tests by Beijing introduces tactical and strategic threats to the United States and its Pacific allies of great consequence, the National Interest (NI) reported.

Dr. Michael Griffin, former Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering told NI that if China establishes any kind of hypersonic weapons overmatch against the United States, it might be able to block U.S. and allied forces from approaching certain vital areas such as Guam and Taiwan.

Griffin said that if China has an arsenal of operable hypersonic weapons, the U.S. simply would not have the defenses to counteract these new missiles. Defending allies in the West Pacific, such as Taiwan, would become even more difficult.

He believes that Beijing may now have the ability to block U.S. and allied forces from entering waters near Taiwan and Guam.

To date, the only defense against a massive hypersonic missile attack would be to ensure a catastrophic commensurate response or, in other words, a nuclear response.

In most if not all circumstances, there would be virtually no real defense against an incoming salvo of enemy ballistic, nuclear and hypersonic weapons. Sheer volume alone would likely overwhelm any kind of defense apparatusDeterrence through an assured responsive strike in the event of attack may be the only way to prevent a major assault with hypersonic weapons, The National Interest wrote in a blog post.

Clearly the Chinese today are ahead of us in certain aspects of hypersonic offensive capabilityWe not only need to match but overmatch their offensive capability so they understand they are just as hostage as we are, Griffin said.

Leo Timm contributed to this report.
On Jan. 4, an MP of the Lithuanian government, Gitanas Nauseda, claimed that his country supports the democratic government of the Republic of China (ROC) in Taiwan against the increasingly hostile communist government of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), stating that they would not stand for authoritarian rule of a democratic state.

However, Lithuanian president Gitana Nauseda seemingly expressed his doubts about how the statement was shared, worried that the MPs declaration could lead to consequences between the communist nation and the Eastern European state.

Confusion amongst the leadership

In the midst of his countrys supposed opposition to the CCP, President Nauseda stated that it was a mistake to allow Taiwan to open a representative office in Vilnius  a decision made last year, which caused an uproar from Beijing.

According to Nauseda, while the two governments can open representative offices without diplomatic status, the usage of the name was the problem, which has had serious ramifications on Lituanian-Chinese relations.

I think it was not the opening of the Taiwanese office that was a mistake, but the name, which was not coordinated with me, he told a local radio station.

Taiwan representative offices have all been using the name of Taipei, honoring an international commitment to respect Beijings One-China policy. Even though the ROC has declared itself a self-governing entity since 1949, the CCP continues to claim the island of Taiwan as its own territory.

Beijings foreign ministry said that Nauseda recognizing the mistake was a right step, but emphasized that the excuses did not help solve the problem.

While Nauseda and the Lithuanian government respect the One-China policy, they still justify their right to establish ties with the ROC.

In response to the opening of the representative Taiwanese embassy, Beijing withdrew its ambassador from Lithuania and undermined its diplomatic ties with the state.

The Chinese government had to lower diplomatic relations between the two countries to safeguard its sovereignty and the basic norms of international relations, Beijings foreign ministry said, adding that, The Lithuanian government must bear all consequences that arise from this.

Moreover, the ministry added that Lithuania abandoned the political commitment made upon the establishment of diplomatic relations with China.

Beijing also imposed an import sanction on Lithuania, blocking imports from entering the communist nation and threatening to target global supply chains. The CCP also accused the U.S. of inciting Lithuania, after Washington officials shared their support for the European nation in the face of Chinese economic pressure.

Echoes of a controlling past

According to Matas Maldeikis MP, chairman of the Lithuanian legislatures Group on Parliamentary Relations with Taiwan, in an interview with Breibart, Nausedas comments are nothing more than a battle of egos between him and Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis, whom the former ordered to de-escalate the situation.

Landsbergis insisted that he consulted with the president regarding the naming of the Taiwanese office.

Regardless, Maldeikis assured that, while Nauseda and Landsbergis battle of egos may create a leadership struggle, it would not affect Lithuanias support for Taiwan.

It has nothing to do with Taiwan, its a question of internal politics between the Presidents office and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Maldeikis said. Its not about our stance on China or our other commitments.

When it came to Lithuanias stance on China, Maldeikis said that it is imperative that his nation stands up against authoritarianism, and aid democracies to prevent them from suffering the same fate as Lithuania itself did during the occupations of both Nazi Germany (1941  1945) and the Soviet Union (1940  1941; 1944  1990) during the 20th century.

We dont want to get to the situation like in the 1940s where authoritarian regimes  then it was Stalin and Hitler  decide our fate behind closed doors, he said.

Maldeikis also said that it is vital to show the Lithuanian people that opposing the CCP is not only a moral endeavor but one that can be a win-win situation, hoping for increased trade and job opportunities for the citizens.

Maldeikis also anticipated the import sanctions China launched after the opening of the Taiwanese office, but he was also surprised that the CCP also focused its outrage on the European Union (EU) altogether.

Other than Lithuania, other EU countries like Sweden, France, and especially Germany, were also hit by import sanctions, as well as blockades on products that were made with Lithuanian parts.

The problem is that they are also pressing our European partners, mostly in terms of German business, which is a serious thing, Maldeikis said. Its a big challenge for us, I wont lie, because German business is very important for us, and we hope that our stance on China wont impact the business relations in the EU market.

During the chancellorship of Angela Merkel in Germany, its economy was reliant on cheap labor from China as companies like Volkswagen, BMW and Hugo Boss shifted production to the Asian nation. As such, these companies and more are accused of profiting off the backs of slave labor in Xinjiang, China, where millions of Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities are believed to have been arrested and detained in re-education camps

Maldeikis also affirmed that opinion of China in other capitals has been damaged in recent years as the CCP continues to enforce rapid changes that has since completely changed the country for the worse.

The EU also ceased a massive investment pact with China, which aimed to increase trade between the bloc and China by 120 billion euros ($136 million). However, Olaf Scholz, Germanys current chancellor, assured CCP leader Xi Jinping that Germany would rekindle the deal and have it take effect as soon as possible.

France, as the new leading representative of the EU Council, requested Belgium to implement a proposed anti-coercion instrument to aid Lithuania in its economy after Chinas sanctions.

Maldeikis also said that Xi Jinping has dusted off the authoritarian playbook as China faces new problems within its borders.

On the other hand, Lithuania has received support from Taiwan as the island government set up a $200 million fund to assist the Baltic nations economic problems due to the CCPs attacks.

A leader of a delegation of the Baltic States to Taiwan earlier in 2021, Maldeikis believes that, should Taiwan help bring prosperity to Lithuania, it will be a crack into Europe and bring more opportunities of cooperation. He is also known to love Taiwanese pineapples  also a product banned in China.

Fellow Lithuanian MP Dovile Sakaliene of the Social Democratic Party in the Lituanian Parliament, said that the country will not be intimidated by the CCP in response to the Taiwanese representative offices naming.
In a rare occurrence, MI6 Chief Richard Moore has responded to a tweet from China Xinhua News. The tweet from the Beijing-backed news agency featured a spoof video about a secret meeting between MI6 and CIA agencies. The clip appears to be designed as a response to Moores speech in November in which he revealed that the UK considered China to be its single greatest priority.

Moore, who is codenamed C within the British intelligence community, replied to the tweet saying, Thank you for your interest (and the unexpected free publicity).

The spy chief also linked his reply with a copy of the speech he had delivered in November. In the speech, Moore talked about being careful about debt traps, exposure, and vulnerability to political coercion. Moore added that Beijing was miscalculating through overconfidence over Taiwan.

British cabinet members, diplomats, and administrative officials typically tread carefully when it comes to Beijing. Moore had earlier issued a warning about the rapid spread of Chinese surveillance technology, which he stated was used to target the Uyghur population in Xinjiang.

The spoof video released by Xinhua News on Twitter was named No Time to Die Laughing and the basic plot involves two MI6 agents, named James Pond and Black Window having a telephone conference with CIA agents. The video is essentially a jibe against Western spy agencies who are apparently targeting China and misrepresenting its policies for their own benefits.

At some point in the beginning, Black Window reads out from a dossier, supposedly on China, stating that Beijings national security agency was monitoring phone and internet communications in around 193 countries. Later, the character states she made a mistake, that she was reading from the wrong dossier and that it was actually about the U.S.

In another instance, agent Pond raises a toast to thank the head of British intelligence for playing up the Chinese threat by making up fictional propaganda regarding the Chinese debt trap and data trap so that the British spy agency could secure a massive budget for their operations in the following year.

Moore, in his speech, talked specifically about the Chinese debt trap wherein China coaxes developing countries into taking loans from them. In return, Beijing ends up gaining access to key infrastructure as well as data.

In a conversation with the CIA agent, Pond realizes that his phone has been tapped by the U.S. and expresses exaggerated shock. Responding to Ponds question regarding his phone being tapped, the CIA agent warns him against using a Huawei phone due to it having a backdoor issue.

This exchange between the CIA and MI6 agents is said to be a reference to Britain allying with the Trump administration against Huawei. In June 2020, the UK had announced that it will dismantle Huawei kits from the countrys 5G networks. Trump had insisted that Huawei would pose a substantial security risk if it was allowed to integrate with communication networks.

There are allegations that Huawei uses its technology to carry out spying operations on U.S. citizens on behalf of the Chinese regime. These allegations have been denied by Huawei. However, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has designated the Chinese telecom company as a national security risk.

Pond concludes the overly bizarre conversation by saying, To be Americas enemy is dangerous. But to be Americas friend is fatal.
Kazakhstans President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said Monday that his country had weathered an attempted coup coordinated by what he called a single center after the most violent unrest since the former Soviet Republic gained independence.

He said, "It became clear that the main goal of recent protests was to undermine the constitutional order and to seize power."

Tokayev spoke at the virtual summit of the Collective Security Treaty Organization, a Eurasian intergovernmental military alliance.

The leader of the former Soviet republic had asked Russia and its president, Vladimir Putin, for help in quashing the demonstrations. Russia and several other members of the CSTO responded by sending troops.

The Russian leader told the summit, "Of course, we understand the events in Kazakhstan are not the first and far from the last attempt to interfere in the internal affairs of our states from the outside.

In an effort to halt the protests, President Tokayev issued a shoot-to-kill order, enabling security forces to open fire on demonstrators without warning.

Monday was declared a day of mourning for victims of the unrest.

The protests were prompted by a fuel price increase but grew over dissatisfaction with the countrys authoritarian rule.

Kazakh state media reported that 164 people had died in the protests, but on Sunday retracted that number, blaming a technical mistake. The ministry also reported that 26 armed criminals and 16 security officers had died in the violence.

The ministry said Monday that nearly 8,000 people were detained.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Sunday on ABC-TVs This Week program that Kazakhstan has the ability to maintain law and order, to defend the institutions of the state, but to do so in a way that respects the rights of peaceful protesters and also addresses the concerns that theyve raised  economic concerns, some political concerns.

The demonstrations prompted Tokayev to dismiss both his Cabinet and his mentor, former President Nursultan Nazarbayev, as head of the countrys security council. Nazarbayev had led Kazakhstan from its independence from the Soviet Union in 1990 until 2019.

Authorities also announced the arrest of Karim Massimov, former head of the National Security Committee, on suspicion of high treason. Masimov, 56, led the committee, which is responsible for counterintelligence, until Tokayev removed him last week.

Erica Marat, a professor at the National Defense University in Washington, told The New York Times that Tokayev traded his countrys sovereignty to Russia for his own power and the interests of kleptocratic elites.

(Some material in this report came from the Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse)
Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said Tuesday that Russian-led security forces would begin withdrawing from the Central Asian country two days after completing its mission to help restore order in the troubled country.

The forces are part of the Collective Security Treaty Organization peacekeeping mission made up of soldiers from four other former Soviet republics. They were deployed to Kazakhstan at Tokayevs request, who blamed the unrest on foreign-supported terrorists.

Demonstrations erupted on January 2 in the western part of the country to protest doubling fuel prices and escalated into the worst public unrest since Kazakhstans independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.

Dozens of civilians and law enforcement officers have been killed in the unrest, during which protesters in the former capital of Almaty set government buildings on fire and briefly seized the airport before it was largely quelled last weekend.

Because the protests grew and spread so quickly, some political observers have suggested they reflected wider discontent in the country that has lived under authoritarianism since gaining independence.

The main mission of the CSTO peacekeeping forces has been successfully completed, Tokayev said in a videoconference address to the government and parliament.

He said a phased withdrawal of the forces would begin in two days and would be completed in no more than 10 days.

When asked if it was premature to begin withdrawing the forces only five days after their arrival, Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said it was "utterly and completely" Kazakhstan's decision.

Tokayev also announced the appointment of Alikhan Smailov as the countrys new prime minister. The countrys government resigned last week in an apparent concession to the protesters, along with a 180-day cap on fuel prices and the firing of Nursultan Nazarbayev, the countrys first president, as head of the National Security Council.

Kazakhstan's Interior Ministry reported Tuesday that 9,900 people had been detained in the unrest. The presidents office said 338 criminal investigations linked to the violence and attacks on law enforcement officers have been launched.

Some information for this report came from Agence France-Presse and The Associated Press.
Myanmars ousted de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi has been convicted and sentenced to four years in prison for illegally importing and possessing portable two-way radios and violating coronavirus rules.

A source with connections to a court in the capital Naypyitaw told news outlets that Suu Kyi was sentenced to two years in prison for violating Myanmars Import-Export Law for importing the two-way radios, commonly known as walkie-talkies, and another two year sentence for violating the countrys NaturalDisaster Management law for breaching the coronavirus rules.

Mondays sentences come more than a month after Suu Kyi was convicted for inciting public unrest and a separate charge of violating the Natural Disaster Management Law for breaking COVID-19 restrictions while campaigning during last years parliamentary elections. She was initially sentenced to four years in prison, but junta leader General Min Aung Hlaing cut it in half.

The 76-year-old Suu Kyi is facing more than 100 years in prison if convicted of the numerous charges leveled against her by the military junta since she and her civilian government were ousted on February 1, 2021. She is also charged with breaching the Official Secrets Act, inciting public unrest, misusing land for her charitable foundation, and accepting illegal payments of $600,000 in cash plus 11 kilograms of gold.

The UN called for Suu Kyis immediate release as well as others who have been arrested by the miltary government.

Our immediate thought is to, of course, call yet again for the immediate release to all those who have been detained arbitrarily, including Aung San Suu Kyi and many others, whether known political figures or people who have been detained since the coup in February last year, who have been detained arbitrarily, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters Monday. All political prisoners must be released. And clearly this is not a step in the right direction.

Her supporters say the charges are intended to prevent her from ever taking part in politics again.

Suu Kyis National League for Democracy party won the November 2020 general elections in a landslide over the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party. The junta cited widespread electoral fraud in the elections as its reason for toppling the civilian government and invalidating the results. The civilian electoral commission denied the allegations before it was disbanded.

Suu Kyi, who led the ousted government as state counsellor, President Win Myint and other high-ranking officials have been jailed since the coup.

Violent clashes between the military and citizens who have staged mass demonstrations against the junta have left nearly 1,400 citizens dead, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, a nonprofit monitoring group. Deadly clashes have also broken out between the military and several armed ethnic groups across the country.

Some information for this report came from The Associated Press, Reuters, and Agence France-Presse.
North Korea launched another suspected ballistic missile Tuesday, its second major weapons test this year, according to the South Korean and Japanese governments.

South Korea's military said the North Korean missile appears to have demonstrated improved capabilities compared to the one Pyongyang launched last week.

North Korea last Thursday claimed a successful test of a newly developed hypersonic missile, although South Koreas government had said that claim is exaggerated.

According to South Korea's defense ministry, the latest missile traveled about 700 kilometers at a maximum altitude of 60 kilometers. It said the missile was launched from the same northwest region as last week's test.

The missile landed in the sea outside Japans exclusive economic zone, with no damage reported, Japans Kyodo news agency reported Tuesday.

US, others condemn

The latest test came just hours after the United Nations Security Council held a closed-door meeting to discuss the North Korean launches.

At the meeting, the United States and five other Security Council members condemned the tests, saying they pose a significant threat to regional stability.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Tuesday called the launches extremely regrettable. South Koreas National Security Council also expressed strong regret.

North Korea has not confirmed the latest test. It typically offers details about its launches when state-run newspapers are published the following day.

In an end-of-year speech, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un spoke of the need to improve his countrys defense capabilities without a moments delay.

Exaggerated claims?

Since it resumed major missile tests in 2019 amid a breakdown in talks with the United States, North Korea has unveiled multiple short-range weapon systems designed to overwhelm or evade the missile defenses of the U.S. and its allies.

Many of the Norths recent tests have focused on developing new mobile platforms from which to launch missiles, such as submarines and trains. In at least two of the tests, including last Wednesdays launch, North Korea purported to make advances in so-called hypersonic missile technology.

Specifically, North Korea said its test last week involved a hypersonic glide vehicle, or HGV. HGVs sit atop a booster rocket and detach from it before gliding to their target. Since HGVs fly at relatively low altitudes and can be maneuvered in flight, they are, in theory, harder to intercept.

But South Korea insists North Korea is exaggerating the range and maneuverability of the weapon it tested last week. According to Seouls defense ministry, the North Korean test involved a similar but less advanced technology, known as a maneuverable reentry vehicle, or MaRV. Many defense analysts agree.

It could be considered a type of HGV  its hypersonic, it can glide, and its a vehicle  but it does not represent quite the same category of technology that we normally associate with that label, said Joshua Pollack, a researcher at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies.

In a September launch, North Korea appeared to use technology more closely resembling an HGV. Pictures in state media showed a vehicle with a flattened, winglike shape that was attached to a larger rocket. Analysts say that shape helps it glide longer distances.

By contrast, North Koreas launch last week appeared to involve a cone-shaped weapon typically associated with MaRVs.

Its a really tough technology to master, and the North Korean turn to calling a MaRV an HGV might indicate that they feel they overreached with their (missile launched in September), and its nowhere near ready for prime time, Pollack said.

Defense analysts also caution that the phrase hypersonic is misleading, since most ballistic missiles already travel at hypersonic speeds (faster than five times the speed of sound). The more relevant question, they say, is the extent to which North Korea has mastered the ability to make such weapons maneuverable and accurate.

It is not clear whether North Koreas latest test also used hypersonic technology.

Regardless of the specific nature of the missiles tested, Pentagon press secretary John Kirby on Monday stressed that the North Korean missile tests violate U.N. Security Council resolutions.

Weve called it a ballistic missile, and were still assessing the details of it, Kirby said at a news conference.

North Korea is prohibited from any ballistic missile activity, including launches of any range, by a series of U.N. Security Council resolutions.
A Ugandan author who wrote critical comments about President Yoweri Musevenis son has been charged with offensive communications. Kakwenza Rukirabashaija's lawyer says he was tortured in detention.

Award-winning writer Kakwenza Rukirabashaija appeared before a court Tuesday and was charged with two counts of offensive communication.

Rukirabashaija was arrested on December 28 and taken from his Kampala home. The government says he was using his Twitter account to offend President Yoweri Museveni and his son, Commander of Land Forces Lieutenant General Muhoozi Kainerugaba.

The writers lawyer, Eron Kiiza, tells VOA he was not made aware of his clients court appearance until later.

"This was a clandestine move intended to deny him an opportunity for legal representation and an opportunity to pursue his legal remedies like bail and opposing the charges which are bogus, said Kiiza.

Rukirabashaijas court appearance comes a day after the high court issued an order for it to take place before the close of business Wednesday.

The magistrate Tuesday also issued an order for him to be subjected to a medical examination by prison authorities to ascertain his health status.

During a January 3rd search at his home in Iganga district in the Eastern region, the writer reportedly whispered to his wife that he had been tortured. Photos of his blood-stained undergarments were later posted on social media.

The author was allegedly detained at the Special Forces Command facility in Entebbe, a claim the army vehemently denied.

The award-winning writer has been remanded to a prison facility until January 21, when he reappears before a court.

This is the third time he has been arrested. The first time was in April 2020 for his novel, The Greedy Barbarian, a fictional account of high-level corruption. He was again arrested the following September for his second novel titled Banana Republic, which detailed torture.

He won the PEN Pinter Prize International Writer of Courage Award in 2021.
U.S. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris visited the southern state of Georgia on Tuesday to promote voting rights legislation that would greatly expand federal purview over elections but has stalled in the Senate.

Biden advocated for the right to vote in free, fair and secure elections untainted by partisan manipulation, and said that the way to guarantee those rights is by enacting two pieces of voting legislation introduced by Democrats.

The next few days, when these bills come to a vote, will mark a turning point in this nation, Biden said, according to a White House excerpt of his remarks. Will we choose democracy over autocracy, light over shadow, justice over injustice? I know where I stand. I will not yield. I will not flinch. I will defend your right to vote and our democracy against all enemies foreign and domestic. And so, the question is where will the institution of United States Senate stand?

He later said on Twitter, History has never been kind to those who have sided with voter suppression over voting rights. And it will not be kind to those who fail to defend the right to vote.

But Republicans in Congress have uniformly opposed the measures, contending that each of the individual 50 U.S. states should continue to set their own rules, including on voting hours, how many days of early voting should be allowed ahead of the traditional early November election days and the extent to which mail-in balloting is allowed.

In the 2020 presidential election, Biden ousted former President Donald Trump after a single White House term. Biden won some states where voting days were added, voting hours extended and mail-in balloting expanded to limit the need for voters to go to traditional, crowded voting places on Election Day in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.

Now, Democrats, in the legislation Biden supports, want to codify many of those changes for future elections, including the 2022 elections next November, when all 435 seats in the House of Representatives and about a third of the Senate seats are up for grabs. Numerous Republican-controlled state legislatures in the last year have curtailed many of the changes enacted for the 2020 election, fearing that Democrats would gain a permanent electoral advantage if the rules were left in place.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is expected to force votes this week on both the Freedom to Vote Act, which would overhaul federal election rules, and separate voting legislation that would strengthen the 1965 Voting Rights Act requiring federal approval of newly enacted state voting regulations.

But Senate Republicans are set to use the 60-vote legislative filibuster to block those bills from advancing. The 100-member Senate is evenly divided 50-50 between Democrats and Republicans and the entire Republican caucus opposes the Democratic election legislation, meaning Democrats can likely only pass their proposals if they carve out an exception to the filibuster rule for voting rights legislation and win approval on a 51-50 vote, with Harris casting the tie-breaking vote.

Schumer has vowed to hold a vote by next Monday to change the legislative filibuster rules, but at least two Democrats, Senators Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona, remain opposed to changing the legislative filibuster rule, even for voting rights measures.

Republican Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has adamantly opposed the Democratic election law legislation and changing the filibuster rule.

No party that would trash the Senates legislation traditions can be trusted to seize control over election laws all across America," McConnell told the Senate recently. "Nobody who is this desperate to take over our democracy on a one-party basis can be allowed to do it."

Democrats routinely criticize Trump and his Republican allies for what they characterize as his Big Lie that he was cheated out of re-election. McConnell, in turn, attacked Democrats over the lefts Big Lie, what he said is the belief that there is some evil anti-voting conspiracy sweeping America.

In supporting greater federal control of elections, Schumer cited data from the Brennan Center for Justice at the New York University Law School showing that in the last year at least 19 states have passed 34 laws restricting access to voting. One of the states enacting more restrictions is Georgia, where Biden and Harris won in 2020 and are visiting on Tuesday.

But Senate Democrats have no path forward unless they change filibuster rules that prevent contentious legislation from advancing without the support of at least 60 of the 100 senators.

The White House official said Biden would voice support for changing the rule in order to protect voting rights and make the drawing of geographical lines for congressional districts less partisan.
In male-dominated societies like Burkina Faso, wives are most often blamed when marriages run into trouble. But a project funded by the World Bank is testing the concept of teaching men how to be better husbands by taking them to school. Henry Wilkins reports from Yako, Burkina Faso. Camera: Henry Wilkins
In male-dominated societies like Burkina Faso, wives are most often blamed when marriages run into trouble. But a project funded by the World Bank is testing the concept of teaching men how to be better husbands by taking them to school.

Yeli Ouigo, who is married to Kwama Zoupoka, attended so-called "husband schools" to help him become a better spouse. The program was organized by the Sahel Women's Empowerment and Demographic Dividend (SWEDD).

"Before taking part in the classes, life as a couple wasn't easy," Ouigo said.

He said that there was a time when he didn't think that women and men had much in common when it came to problems with family life. But, after the classes, he understood they can complement and help each other.

Burkina Faso is a male-dominated society, but the schools use a variety of teaching techniques, including role plays, to help the men understand the needs of their wives and how to meet them  for example, helping with housework.

They also teach the men about women's rights, family planning, health and hygiene. In addition, men are encouraged to include women in making family decisions.

The coordinator of the project, Nabalou Bibata of the Association for the Promotion of Women and Children, said the classes have made a big difference to women in the community. Some men have even attended the childbirth of their wives, she added, which is part of assuming responsibility for the care of the children by the fathers.

And for the men of the village who weren't able to participate in the husband schools, Bibata said, the men who did attend have become role models.

Although these are the first schools of their kind in Burkina Faso, similar projects have been implemented in countries like South Africa and Niger.

Edward Wageni, global head for the U.N. Women HeForShe Initiative, said the husband schools can help reduce incidents of domestic violence.

"The acknowledgement that gender equality is not just about women and girls, gender equality is about everybody," he said.

Wageni said the husband schools also could be beneficial in countries outside Africa, where statistically gender equality is better than Burkina Faso.

"So, this is a good idea that can be replicated and even scaled up in other parts of the world, including those countries that feel they have made a lot of gains," he said.

Zoupoka, meanwhile, said the classes have made her husband much more helpful and considerate.

And the love between her and her husband is growing, she said, adding that her husband now even brings her little gifts from the market.

The national coordinator of the husband schools called the project a resounding success, and said it will be expanded to other parts of the country. The second phase of the project is due to start later this year.


The number of patients in hospitals in the Australian state of Victoria with COVID-19 has risen to its highest level since the pandemic began. The total number of coronavirus infections across Australia has now passed one million.

Lockdowns and border closures are credited with helping Australia limit the spread of COVID-19. But as the country attempts to ease rules following high rates of vaccinations, infections have reached record levels.



New South Wales, the most populous state, has reported more than half a million COVID-19 cases since the pandemic began after a recent surge in infections.



In neighboring Victoria, infections are also increasing sharply. It has diagnosed 38,000 new cases in the past day. Health officials said Tuesday there are 861 coronavirus patients in hospital  a figure not seen since the pandemic began  and 117 patients are in intensive care.



Most of the reported cases are omicron variant infections which have placed the health system under immense strain. Ambulance authorities in Victoria Tuesday issued its second Code Red warning in the space of a week, highlighting extreme demand for paramedic services.



Under new orders coming into force this Thursday, staff in key sectors in Victoria, including health and aged care, must receive a third dose of a COVID-19 vaccine before they are allowed to work.



But Victoria state premier Daniel Andrews said that lockdowns and other tougher restrictions are not being considered.



"I do not know what variant is coming in a month, or in six months," he said. "But we are going to do everything we possibly can to have as few rules as possible. That is what living with this, or normalizing this, or pushing beyond it is all about. We are having to live a bit differently, but we have got very few rules compared to, you know. Go and have a look at Europe at the moment. You know, it is, yes, very, very difficult."



Across Australia, more than 3,500 people with COVID-19 are in the hospital, up from about 2,000 people a week ago, according to official health data. It also shows that 2,389 people have died since the start of the pandemic.



Ninety-two percent of Australians aged over 16 have received two vaccine doses. Children aged 5-11-years are now eligible for a coronavirus vaccination in Australia.
An air strike in northern Ethiopia's Tigray region has killed 17 civilians, mainly women, and wounded scores more, according to aid workers.

The strike late Monday near Mai Tsebri town in northwestern Tigray came the same day U.S. President Joe Biden raised concerns about air strikes on civilians with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.

A report by the local administration said women at a flour-grinding mill made up most of those killed, a source who saw the report told the Associated Press.

Government communications minister Legese Tulu and state minister for the government communications service Kebede Desis did not respond to requests for comment.

Biden on Monday called on the government and the Tigray Peoples Liberation Front, which has ruled Tigray for decades, to end hostilities, begin a national dialogue and open humanitarian access to Tigray.

It's the second deadly air strike reported in Tigray in less than a week. On Friday, aid groups said an airstrike on a displaced persons camp near the town of Dedebit, close to the Eritrean border, killed more than 50 people and wounded 138 others.

The U.N Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said 12 of those killed were children, and that the airstrike destroyed temporary structures.

The strikes have disrupted aid delivery to Tigray. On Sunday, OCHA said aid partners delivering help in parts of Tigray have stopped operations due to insecurity
Eight soldiers including a high-ranking commander have been detained over a plot to destabilize Burkina Faso's institutions, military prosecutors and security sources said Tuesday.

The military prosecutor's office in the capital, Ouagadougou, said it had learned of an "allegation of a project to destabilize the institutions of the republic being planned by a group of soldiers."

The office learned of the plot on Saturday after "a member of the gang" denounced the plan, it said in a statement.

An investigation has been launched and eight soldiers have been detained for questioning, the statement added.

The West African nation's government has come under sustained pressure over failures to stem the bloodshed of a brutal six-year jihadist insurgency that claimed about 2,000 lives and forced 1.4 million from their homes.

Security sources told AFP that Lieutenant Colonel Emmanuel Zoungrana, the commander of western forces fighting jihadists in the country, was among those arrested.

One of the security sources said that "suspicions of a plot to destabilize (the government) with ramifications abroad" hung over Zoungrana and several soldiers since protests in November.

Hundreds took to the streets on November 27 to protest the state's inability to stop the jihadist violence, with about 10 injured in clashes between demonstrators and police.

Tensions had been raised after 57 people, including 53 police officers, were killed by a jihadi attack that overran a northern Inata base earlier in November.

Two weeks before the Inata attack, the police based there had warned the authorities of their precarious situation, saying they were so short of food and were relying on poaching to eat.

Last month in a bid to defuse public anger over the jihadi violence, President Roch Marc Christian Kabore accepted the government's resignation.

Lassina Zerbo, a former U.N. official who was installed as the prime minister of the new government, has called for "cohesion" in the face of the jihadi threat.

Like its neighbors Mali and Niger, Burkina Faso has been caught in a spiral of violence since 2015, attributed to jihadi groups affiliated with al-Qaida and the Islamic State militant group.
When developing a new war plan, the United States and South Korea should consider ways to counter Chinas increasingly aggressive stance in Northeast Asia, a former commander of the U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) said.

General Robert Abrams, the commander of the U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) from 2018 to 2021, said in addition to threats from North Korea, Washington and Seoul should develop new operational war plans (OPLANs) that account for military aggression by Beijing, whose presence has significantly increased in the region since 2010.

Abrams made his remarks in a televised YouTube interview with VOAs Korean Service that aired on December 25. He was discussing new strategic planning guidance (SPG) that U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and South Korean Minister of Defense Suh Wook had approved for an update at their annual Security Consultative Meeting on December 2.

Countering China

Austin and Suh agreed to expand the allies military role in the region beyond North Korea to include security cooperation in the Indo-Pacific and the world where mutual interests align as encapsulated in a joint communique.

It is the first time Washington and Seoul have updated their war plan since 2010.

In the VOA Korean Service interview, Abrams said there has been a 300% increase in the violation of the Korean air defense identification zone (KADIZ) by Chinese military planes in the three years ending in 2021.

VOAs Korean Service contacted the Chinese Embassy Washington, D.C., for comment but did not receive a response.

The KADIZ is a buffer between international air space and South Korean air space where incoming flights are required to identify themselves.

In December 2020 and November 2021, Chinese and Russian aircraft intruded on the KADIZ, prompting the South Korean military to respond with fighter jets on both occasions.

Backlash in Seoul

Abrams comments stirred controversy in Seoul, and the Ministry of National Defense criticized his remarks as personal opinion on December 27.

A source at the South Korean Ministry of National Defense who spoke to VOAs Korean Service on Monday and asked to remain anonymous due to the sensitivity of the issue said Abrams remarks on Chinese threats related to SPG were very surprising.

The source said the purpose of the newly approved SPG is to update war plans against North Korean threats.

Pentagon spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Martin Meiners told VOA on Monday the Defense Department regularly conducts combined planning with South Korea on a range of security issues that cannot be discussed in detail due sensitive security matters.

Military experts said Abrams remarks reflect the regions changed security environment that emerged due to Chinas increased military aggression, a change that must be incorporated in the new OPLANs.

Retired U.S. Army General James Thurman, the commander of USFK from 2011 to 2013, said, At some point, we must understand the PRCs [Peoples Republic of China] intentions when you are conducting military planning, and you must plan for all conditions.

Bruce Bennett, a senior defense analyst at the RAND Corporation, said the new OPLAN at the very least must include the possibility of a Chinese military intervention on the Korean Peninsula if the North Korean regime collapses or a war breaks out between the two Koreas.

David Maxwell, a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, also said a war plan should include measures against Chinese aggression if crises break out on the peninsula.

Maxwell said, The best way to deter conflict is to prepare for it and ensure China knows our alliance have the strategic resolve to protect all alliance partners.

Impact on denuclearization effort

Some experts, however, questioned the idea of stating Chinas threat in OPLANs.

Ken Gause, director of the Adversary Analytics Program at CNA, said Seoul will be reluctant to publicly acknowledge that Beijing's threats should be incorporated in OPLANs as doing so would make it difficult for South Korea "to use China's influence to engage North Korea."

Seoul has been trying to forge inter-Korean activities, including peace efforts, even as North Korea continues to test its missiles.

South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff said North Korea launched what appeared to be a ballistic missile, off its east coast, on Tuesday. It is Pyongyangs second missile test of 2022.

Joseph DeTrani, who served as the special envoy for the six-party nuclear talks with North Korea, said the allies should discuss all relevant military issues and whatever the decision, it should not have a negative impact on nuclear talks with Pyongyang.

Harry Kazianis, senior director of Korean Studies at the Center for National Interest, said, South Korea will be very wary about including China in any sort of war planning.

Kazianis continued, While surely Seoul is worried about Beijings long-term intentions, for now, not antagonizing China is a smart strategy as China is South Koreas economic engine of growth for Seoul.

Carla Babb of VOAs News Center and Young Gyo Kim of VOAs Korean Service contributed to this report.
The tension between India and China is mounting again in the Himalayan region of Ladakh over a new bridge constructed by the Chinese on the banks of the Pangong Tso Lake in eastern Ladakh. Analysts say there is a possibility of continued skirmishes between the two nuclear states.

An open-source intelligence analyst, Damien Symon, with the Twitter handle @detresfa_, recently shared satellite imagery of the area that showed a bridge-like structure connecting the two banks of the Pangong Tso Lake.

The head of the department of Peace and Conflict Research at Swedens Uppsala University, Professor Ashok Swain, told VOA this is a clear sign China has no plans to withdraw from the areas of India from which it took control in 2020.

Swain emphasizes that India lacks the military muscle to push China to agree to de-escalation. He says Chinas President Xi Jingping gains the upper hand in the escalating the border conflict, while Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's political calculation forces him to downplay the Chinese aggression, and within this context, disengagement is the best India can hope to achieve.

This standoff in the frigid Himalayan region also comes amid the allegation Beijing is erecting settlements on the Indian side. India criticized China for building a bridge in eastern Ladakh, which India's Ministry of External Affairs, or MEA, asserted was being erected in territories that have been under unlawful occupancy for around 60 years now by the Chinese.

While confirming the development, Arindam Bagchi, an official spokesperson with the MEA said, "The administration has been keeping a close eye on allegations that China is building a bridge over Pangong Lake. The land on which this bridge is being built has been illegally occupied by China for the better part of 60 years."

Reacting sharply to Indias allegation, China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Wang Wenbin, in a media briefing, said, "I want to stress that China's infrastructure construction on its territory entirely falls within its sovereignty and is aimed at safeguarding China's territorial sovereignty and security, as well as peace and stability in the China-India border."

Long-simmering dispute

The fundamental reason for the tension between the two countries, according to senior fellow and co-director China, East Asia at the Stimson Center, Yun Sun, is the dispute about the territory and both want to advance their positions and strengthen their claims. Sun told VOA the Chinese also can present their own complaints about the buildups by India in the disputed region. The result is a classic infrastructure race, akin to an arms race.

Experts say the purpose of this new bridge is to ensure quicker military action if needed by reducing the distance to the other side by about 125 kilometers. Earlier in 2020, China faced a setback when the Indian army took control of the Kailash Range on the southern bank of Pangong Tso Lake.

Michael Kugelman, deputy director of the Asia program and senior associate for South Asia at the Wilson Center, told VOA the new transport infrastructure for Chinese troops is significant because it strengthens China's posture along the border in the event of another showdown with India.

Since the border isn't clearly defined and is disputed in different places, any new act, even if seen in isolation as perfectly harmless, can be perceived by the other side as a problem, if not a provocation. With India-China relations still tense even nearly two years after the Ladakh crisis, it won't take much to cause a new crisis.

This is why dialogue will be essential, and especially military-to-military, to preempt the possibility of a new crisis, Kugelman added.

Building infrastructure

Pravin Sawhney, a former Indian army officer and author of many books, told VOA the Chinese People's Liberation Army is creating a permanent habitat, training positions and an operational base on the borders of Ladakh. At present, about 75 percent of the lake is with China, and according to the intent behind China's new bridge, seems to take over the whole lake, Sawhney claims.

Another reason for renewed tension between India and China is the new maps being drawn by India, where Ladakh is shown as being Union Territory and certain parts claimed by China are shown as being Indian areas. It has not gone well with China, said Sawhney.

Additionally, analysts say a gray-zone operation like this one by the Chinese side could reach a threshold limit any time and be a prelude to a war in the near future. According to Sawhneys assessment, the PLA will be ready for conflict by 2023, and then actually going to war will be only a matter of time. "PLA is doing it all under grey-zone operation," Sawhney said. "War between India and China can't be ruled out."

Tense standoff

Aparna Pande, research fellow and director at the Hudson Institutes Initiative on the Future of India and South Asia, underscored that there will always be tension along a border between two nuclear-armed countries that have more than 200,000 troops facing each other. She says there is a possibility of continued skirmishes but not necessarily a war.

Pande told VOA that the more aggressive China is on the border and in South Asia and the Indian Ocean region, the more India will push back and align closer to the U.S. and its allies. The less aggressive China is, the more India will continue with a policy of hedging and balancing.

Contrary to what Pande believes, Craig Singleton, an adjunct fellow at the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies  a nonpartisan research group focused on foreign policy and national security issues  told VOA that Chinas leaders are clearly unnerved by New Delhis deepening ties with Washington, not to mention Tokyo and Canberra.



By maintaining an active presence on Indias border and by seeking leverage over New Delhi, China may be attempting to coerce Indias leadership to make political concessions.

Singleton assesses that China is attempting to establish leverage over India by denying its territorial integrity without engaging in wanton expansionism. What remains unclear, however, is how far Beijing is willing to go in antagonizing New Delhi at the same time its leaders face serious domestic economic challenges and increasingly find themselves isolated on the world stage.

The move has come at a time when the residents of Chushul already are deeply concerned. These new developments further add to their worries. Last October, the commander-level military discussions came to a standstill when the Indian Army said the Chinese side had not accepted their positive proposals following the 13th session.

India and China have agreed to resume the 14th round of military discussions expected to be held on January 12. More than 50,000 troops currently guard the sensitive region of the LAC from both sides.
Kenya experienced a nationwide power outage on Tuesday after a major transmission line collapsed.

Blackouts were reported in many parts of Kenya after the power line fell to the ground in Nairobi.

At least 25 million people had lost power in Nairobi, western and central Kenya, the Rift Valley region and the Nyanza region.

State-controlled Kenya Power said in a statement that electricity has since been restored to all parts of the country.

Earlier, Kenya Power blamed the outage on a tower collapse along the Kiambere- Embekasi transmission line.

Kenyans depend on Kenya Power, the main electricity provider in the country.

In December, another power line in the town of Suswa collapsed, resulting in power rationing across the country.

In May 2020, a geothermal power plant about 75 kilometers outside Nairobi broke down, leaving much of the country without power for hours.
West African sanctions imposed on Mali this week, after the countrys military government postponed elections, block all but essential commercial and financial transactions. While the punitive move aims to pressure the military to hold elections as promised in February, experts say ordinary Malians are also set to suffer.

Regional bloc ECOWAS, the Economic Community of West African States, imposed sanctions on Mali after a special summit on January 9 held in Accra.

ECOWAS had already sanctioned members of Malis military government and threatened further sanctions if Malis military leaders did not abide by a formerly agreed upon election date of February 2022.

In December, Malian leaders proposed holding the next presidential elections in 2026.

Malian President Assimi Goita said that he remains open to further dialogue with ECOWAS to find a solution, despite illegitimate, illegal, and inhumane decisions by the regional bloc, and urged them to reconsider sanctions.

He said, we call on ECOWAS once again, for a thorough analysis of the situation in our country, placing the best interests of the Malian population above all other considerations.

Salimata Coulibaly, like more than 70% of Malians, works in the informal sector.

After finishing school, she was unemployed, and opened a shop with her family selling used appliances, childrens toys, and clothes brought by shipping container from France via Senegal.

This merchandise will not be able to pass into Mali along with other nonessential goods, while the sanctions are in place. Salimata and her family rely on the stores income for basic living expenses.

Right now, she said, everything we do depends on the store. If we cant get the containers here, its going to get us into trouble. Frankly, it will really get us into trouble. But we pray to God that ECOWAS and Mali can find an agreement, so that all this is over.

Kobi Annan, a risk consultant based in Accra with Songhai Advisory, a firm that does political and economic risk analyses in sub-Saharan Africa, said that Senegal is Malis biggest import partner.

He said that the widespread support of the military government in Mali will play a role in how Malian citizens view the sanctions.

People will probably be willing to take a bit of suffering for a kind of patriotic stand, to show that Mali will not just back down in the face of opposition from ECOWAS. I think they will get to a point where it will start to get difficult. Mali is an import-heavy economy. They do well, relatively, in terms of food subsistence, but other things have to be imported, and as a landlocked country thats especially difficult if your land borders are closed, he said.

Guineas military junta released a televised statement Monday affirming the countrys support for Mali and stating that borders between Mali and neighboring Guinea will remain open.

Guineas former president Alpha Conde was ousted in a coup detat in September 2021, and the country has been under military rule since. ECOWAS has mounted pressure on Guinea to return to constitutional rule.

An open border with Guinea, just 130 kilometers southwest of Bamako, gives Mali access to the port of Conakry.
The South African man charged with arson for burning down large parts of the country's historic parliament buildings has also been charged with terrorism.

Forty-nine-year-old Zandile Christmas Mafe made his second appearance in court Tuesday. He is now facing several charges related to the fire, including terrorism, arson, breaking and entering and theft.

Mafe was arrested shortly after the fire erupted at the parliament buildings in Cape Town in the early hours of January 2nd.

He was allegedly found with laptops, documents and crockery in his possession. Prosecutors now say he was also in possession of an explosive device, hence the additional terrorism charge.

In his first court appearance his lawyer denied all charges against him.

Mafe has since changed lawyers, and is now being represented by the famous Dali Mpofu, who is affiliated with the left-wing Economic Freedom Fighters political party.

Mpfou has also been representing the countrys former president Jacob Zuma, who was jailed for contempt of court.

Mafes bail hearing was postponed till the 11th of February and he will be detained in a psychiatric institute.

It was revealed that hed already been sent for psychiatric observation on January 3rd and was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia.

The estimated damage to the parliament complex is just over 14 million U.S. dollars. That excludes the cost of moveable assets inside, like computers and furniture.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and his senior aides have repeatedly claimed that Western powers broke promises they made not to expand NATO as the Soviet Union collapsed.

In his annual end-of-year press conference in Moscow in December, Putin accused NATO of deceiving Russia by giving assurances in the 1990s that it would not expand an inch to the East  promises made to Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev during negotiations between the West and the Soviet Union over German unification, the Russian leader said.

They cheated us  vehemently, blatantly. NATO is expanding, Putin said. He cited former U.S. Secretary of State James Baker as Exhibit One in his indictment and quoted a remark Baker made to Gorbachev in 1990, saying, NATO will not move one inch further east.

The Russian leader has made the claim frequently about NATO skullduggery, accusing Western powers of taking advantage of a weakened, disoriented Russia as the Soviet Union fell apart. And the Wests supposed trickery and violation of a solemn pledge not to expand has figured prominently as an important component in a Putin foreign policy narrative which presents Russia as a victim and aggrieved party.

In a speech at the Munich Security Conference in 2007, he asked, What happened to the assurances our Western partners made after the dissolution of the Warsaw Pact?

And then again in a Kremlin speech after Russias annexation of the Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea in 2014, he accused Western leaders of having lied to us many times, made decisions behind our backs, placed before us an accomplished fact. This happened with NATOs expansion to the East.

After that speech, former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Steven Pifer said in an essay, Western leaders never pledged not to enlarge NATO, but that the story fits so well with the picture that the Russian leader seeks to paint of an aggrieved Russia, taken advantage of by others and increasingly isolatednot due to its own actions, but because of the machinations of a deceitful West.

Most authoritative Western scholars and historians who have studied diplomatic memos, the minutes of meetings and transcripts released by both sides since the 1990s dispute the idea that NATO made any formal pledges.

And Western leaders have vigorously protested the Putin narrative, saying there was never any deal about not expanding NATO into central Europe. Last week, U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, on the eve of bilateral talks between American and Russian diplomats in Geneva, told reporters: NATO never promised not to admit new members. It could not and would not  the open door policy was a core provision of the 1949 North Atlantic Treaty that founded NATO.

Blinken referred reporters to remarks in 2014 by Mikhail Gorbachev to Russia Beyond, a multilingual project operated by the nonprofit of the Russian state-owned news agency RIA Novosti. During the interview, the former Soviet leader was asked why he had not sought a document to legally encode what Baker had said about not moving one inch further east.

What Baker meant

Gorbachev explained that the Baker remark was being taken out of context and replied: The topic of NATO expansion was not discussed at all. But another issue was discussed: Making sure that NATOs military structures would not advance and that additional armed forces would not be deployed on the territory of the then-GDR [German Democratic Republic] after German reunification. Bakers statement was made in that context.

Gorbachev added, The agreement on a final settlement with Germany said that no new military structures would be created in the eastern part of the country; no additional troops would be deployed; no weapons of mass destruction would be placed there. It has been obeyed all these years.

But Gorbachev did say in the interview that what has unfolded since 1990 with more countries deciding to join NATO was a violation of the spirit of the statements and assurances made to us in 1990, although he did not elaborate.

Scholars take Gorbachev to mean that the West had portrayed the coming era as one of security cooperation between East and West with the United States working with Russia on the development of a new, inclusive European security arrangement. That inclusive security structure did not materialize, although Putins critics argue the blame for that lies more with Russian adventurism, than with NATO.

Gorbachev also acknowledged in May 1990 when signing off on German reunification that NATO expansion was likely, saying that he was aware of the intention expressed by a number of representatives of east European countries to withdraw from the Warsaw Pact and subsequently join NATO.

Declassified American, Soviet, German, British and French documents posted online in 2017 by the National Security Archive at George Washington University in the American capital suggest Gorbachev had some reason to be disgruntled later.

The documents show that multiple national leaders were considering and rejecting Central and Eastern European membership in NATO as of early 1990 and through 1991, that discussions of NATO in the context of German unification negotiations in 1990 were not at all narrowly limited to the status of East German territory, the Archive notes in its assessment of posted documents.

Boris Yeltsin became angry when the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and the Baltic states joined NATO in waves from 1997 onward. Yeltsin upbraided then U.S.-President Bill Clinton, who maintained that NATO was not breaking promises and argued, as subsequent U.S. administrations have done, that sovereign independent states have the right to choose whether to join alliances.

Russian diplomats say the principle that countries can choose their alliances should not override Moscows essential security needs and concerns. For Moscow, the old principles of security on the continent are no longer working. NATO expansion has created a new military and political landscape, Fyodor Lukyanov, an influential Russian international affairs analyst, noted recently.

Russia will have to change the system, he argued in a commentary, suggesting that countries adjacent to Russia should retain their sovereignty but stay out of the geopolitical fray.

Western policy makers say that Russia in effect acquiesced to enlargement when in 1997, it and NATO signed the Founding Act on Mutual Relations, Cooperation and Security. In that political agreement, which was meant to build East-West trust and establish habits of consultation and cooperation, NATO committed to avoid stationing permanent substantial combat forces on the territories of the former Warsaw Pact states which had joined the Western alliance. It could, however, rotate detachments in and out to conduct drills and maintain the interoperability and integration of alliance forces.

Yeltsin wanted a Russian veto on any further expansion included in the Founding Act, but Western leaders rebuffed him. NATO has avoided stationing substantial forces in the central European countries, although some of their leaders have argued, since the 2014 annexation of Crimea, that Russia has been breaking the commitments it made in the Founding Act to show the same restraint as NATO with force deployments, military buildups, and incursions.
With tensions high over the prospect of a Russian invasion of Ukraine, analysts say Turkey has a pivotal role as the enforcer of an international convention governing naval access to the Black Sea. As Dorian Jones reports from Istanbul, Ankara is aware any conflict will bring pressure from both Moscow and Turkeys NATO partners in its role as gatekeeper to the Black Sea. Producer: Rod James
The Kremlin said Tuesday it has little optimism about a breakthrough on talks with the United States this week about its European security concerns, while Washington said Moscow's massive troop buildup along the Ukraine border is at the root of current tensions.

After a day of talks with U.S. diplomats Monday in Geneva, Moscow said it would wait for the outcome of more meetings set for Wednesday in Brussels and Thursday in Vienna before deciding whether it's worth it to continue negotiations with Washington officials.

But in the U.S., Victoria Nuland, undersecretary of state for political affairs, told reporters, "We haven't seen the slightest hint of de-escalation" on Russia's part. "It is Russia that created this crisis out of whole cloth" by deploying 100,000 troops just across from Ukraine's eastern border.

At the Geneva talks, Russia demanded guarantees, rejected by Washington, that the West's 30-country NATO military alliance halt further eastward expansion toward Russia and curb military deployments in Eastern Europe.

"NATO poses no threat to Russia. It is a defensive alliance whose sole purpose is to protect its members," Nuland said.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the first day of talks in Geneva were "open, comprehensive and direct," an assessment echoed by Washington. But Peskov said it was the result that ultimately matters.

"So far, let's say we see no significant reason for optimism," he said in a conference call with reporters.

NATO and Russia are holding talks in Brussels, while the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe is meeting in Vienna.

"There are still several rounds [of talks] ahead of us, which will allow us to work out a clearer understanding, a clearer picture of where we stand with the Americans," Peskov said.

He said Russia is not setting deadlines for the talks but also would not accept dragging them out.

Western allies fear that Russia is planning to invade Ukraine after annexing its Crimean Peninsula in 2014. Russia has denied it plans to invade its one-time Soviet satellite state but also has not acceded to U.S. demands that it withdraw troops from the border.

U.S. President Joe Biden has ruled out a military confrontation with Russia in the event it decides to attack Ukraine but says the U.S. and its allies would impose significant economic sanctions if it does invade.

U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman, who led the U.S. delegation in Geneva, said Tuesday on Twitter, "The United States is committed to working in lockstep with our allies and partners to urge de-escalation and respond to the security crisis caused by Russia."

In Monday's bilateral talks, the two parties discussed "reciprocal action that would be in our security interest and proved strategic stability," Sherman said. That includes possible limits on both sides on the size and scope of future military exercises in the region.

European Council President Charles Michel reiterated that "we have clearly said that if there was to be a military offensive against Ukraine, there would be a massive reaction from the European Union in coordination with our partners and allies."

Estonian Defense Minister Kalle Laanet called the Russian demands to curb NATO expansion, if it wishes to do so, "completely unacceptable," adding that he expects the alliance members at Wednesday's meeting to "be very clear in saying that ... NATO's collective defense continues to be a value that is being defended by its members."

In Geneva, Russian negotiator Sergei Ryabkov rejected U.S. demands that Moscow pull back its estimated 100,000 troops from the Ukrainian border, saying it had the right to deploy them wherever it wanted.

Some material in this report came from The Associated Press.
In Yemen, the Saudi-led coalition and its Yemeni allies have captured all of the country's energy-rich Shabwa province. The development deals a blow to pro-Iranian Houthi rebels who control the country's capital, Sanaa, and much of the north of the country. Analysts say the victory gives the pro-Saudi coalition a way toward retaking parts of adjacent Marib province, which is also a major energy prize.

Arab media broadcast video of Saudi coalition forces and their Yemeni tribal allies on the ground advancing on desert areas of Marib province Tuesday, after capturing all of Shabwa province Monday.

Both the coalition and the Houthis have been vying for key parts of Marib for months.

Saudi coalition spokesman Colonel Turki al Maliki told a press conference in Riyadh Tuesday that "the battle to recapture Marib began at dawn Tuesday and is now continuing."

The Houthis reportedly have acknowledged in private that they lost Shabwa but have made no public statements.

Yemeni analyst Mohammed Qameim told Saudi-owned al-Arabiya TV that recent Saudi coalition airstrikes on Houthi forces and their weapons stockpiles have "degraded the Houthis military capabilities and pushed them back in Shabwa and Marib provinces."

The Saudi-backed government of exiled President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi controls the city of Marib, but the Houthis still hold other energy-rich regions of Marib province. The Houthis have repeatedly fired missiles and rockets into the city, killing and wounding scores of civilians.

Middle East analyst Paul Sullivan of the Atlantic Council told VOA that the Saudi coalition's victory in Shabwa means that it now "controls a large percentage of the effective coastline in southern Yemen," and that this is a "building block for putting Yemen back together again."

Shabwa, he noted, "has significant oil and gas fields....as well as two ports for exporting energy." He added that its main port of Balhaf has a liquid natural gas facility.

Theodore Karasik, a Washington-based Gulf analyst, says there has been a serious increase in military and diplomatic activities in Yemen, being driven by the perception that the United States is not playing an active role in trying to resolve the conflict, leaving the stage open to other players.

"The perception in the region is that the U.S. is not being helpful with any kind of settlement (of the Yemen conflict) or helping the players achieve their strategic goals, so you see Russia and China and Iran beginning to enter into the negotiating picture in a much stronger way," Karasik said.

Officials from the United Arab Emirates, which is part of the Saudi coalition in Yemen, have visited China in recent days, while Iran's foreign minister was in Oman Monday to meet with a Houthi delegation.

Tehran supports the Houthis in Yemen militarily. The Houthis are reportedly seeking more weapons after Saudi coalition airstrikes destroyed various Houthi assets, including rockets, missiles and drones at Sanaas airport.
Afghanistans ruling Taliban government has asked Uzbekistan and Tajikistan to return air force planes and helicopters flown to the neighboring countries by fleeing pilots as the U.S.-backed government in Kabul collapsed last August.

Addressing an Afghan air force ceremony in the capital Tuesday, Taliban Defense Minister Mohammad Yaqoob said his government would never allow the aircraft to be seized or used by these countries.

I respectfully call on [Uzbekistan and Tajikistan] not to test our patience and not to force us to take all possible retaliatory steps [to retake the aircraft], Yaqoob said without elaborating further.

U.S.-trained Afghan air force pilots flew themselves and their families to safety in Uzbekistan aboard more than 40 aircraft, including A-29 light attack planes and Black Hawk helicopters, just days before the Taliban takeover of the country on August 15.

Uzbek authorities reported in early September they had deported hundreds of Afghan pilots and their families for illegally flying into the county aboard military aircraft.

The Afghan citizens were reportedly transferred to a U.S. military base in the United Arab Emirates under an arrangement Washington negotiated with Uzbekistan to move more than 450 Afghans.

But the fate of the aircraft remains unclear. Before the fall of the government in August, Afghanistan had more than 164 active aircraft, a large number of which were flown out of the country. Only 81 were left behind, according to Afghan media reports.

Yaqoob in his speech Tuesday invited all the pilots and engineers to come back to safety in Afghanistan. They wouldnt be honored in foreign countries. We will honor them. They are the treasure of our country, he said.

Critics say the Taliban consider the pilots among the most reviled members of the U.S.-trained and equipped former Afghan security forces for their role in carrying out airstrikes against Taliban insurgents over many years.

Analysts remain skeptical about Taliban security assurances and a blanket amnesty the group has announced for former Afghan government officials. Dozens of ex-Afghan security personnel have been killed in recent weeks, allegedly by Taliban forces in reprisals attacks, charges the Islamist movement denies.
The U.N. human rights office says it is seriously concerned about what it sees as a deteriorating human rights situation in Tunisia and is calling on the government to protect and respect the rights and freedoms of its people.

One of the latest gross violations occurred on December 31. On that day, two men, one a member of parliament and former justice minister, and the second man, a former interior ministry official, were snatched from their homes by men in plain clothes. They subsequently were bundled into cars and driven away without any explanation to unknown destinations.

U.N. human rights spokeswoman Liz Throssell says the lawmaker, Noureddine Bhiri, subsequently was put under house arrest. Since he has a heart condition, he has been transferred to a hospital, where he remains under guard.

The second man taken away, identified in media reports as Fathi Baldi, is now under house arrest.

Throssel says the men reportedly are suspected of terrorism-related offenses, though neither has been formally charged.

Although the mens families and the U.N. Human Rights Office in Tunisia have since been able to visit them, these two incidents echo practices not seen since the Ben Ali era and raise serious questions regarding abduction, enforced disappearance and arbitrary detention, Throssel said.

Ben Ali was Tunisia's authoritarian leader from 1987 until he was ousted by Arab Spring street protests in 2011. He died in self-exile in Saudi Arabia in 2019.

The U.N. rights office is urging Tunisian authorities to promptly let the men do free or charge them according to due process standards for criminal proceedings.

Following violent demonstrations on September 1, spokeswoman Throssell says President Kais Saied called on the countrys Internal Security Forces to change their practices and respect the rights and freedoms of the Tunisian people.

However, she noted authorities have yet to translate their words into action.

As well as the actions of the Internal Security Forces, we are concerned at the stifling of dissent in Tunisia, including through the improper use of counter-terrorism legislation, and the increasing use of military courts to try civilians, which raise serious concerns regarding the equitable, impartial and independent administration of justice, Throssell said.

U.N. officials say Tunisia has made tremendous progress toward promoting and realizing human rights over the past decade. They urge authorities to continue in that pathway.

They call on them to reform the security and justice sectors so they are fully compliant with Tunisias international human rights obligations.
The United Nations launched a record funding appeal Tuesday for more than $5 billion to provide life-saving relief aid to 28 million people inside Afghanistan and five neighboring countries of refuge this year.

The bulk of the funds, $4.4 billion, will be used to deliver vital relief aid for 22 million Afghans, or nearly half of the countrys population, facing acute hunger. Nearly 9 million people reportedly are one step away from famine.

U.N. Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths says the humanitarian appeal is the worlds largest ever, marking the enormity of the crisis in Afghanistan.

Without intervention, nearly 4 million children under the age of 5 will be malnourished this year, over 1 million of them severely so. Our staff on the ground are witnessing this tragedy unfold every day and across the country, Griffiths said. It is a moment of profound consequence for the people of Afghanistan.

Deputy administrator of the United States Agency for International Development, Isobel Coleman, while speaking at the event, announced $308 million in additional U.S. humanitarian assistance. It brings total U.S. relief aid for Afghanistan and for Afghan refugees in the region to nearly $782 million since last October.

European countries also announced fresh contributions to the Afghan humanitarian response plan.

U.N. aid agencies describe Afghanistans plight as one of the worlds rapidly growing humanitarian crises, with more than 9 million Afghans estimated to be internally displaced.

Millions of children are out of school, womens and girls rights have continued to come under attack, farmers and herders are struggling amid the worst drought in decades, the economy is in free fall, and basic health services have collapsed, noted Tuesdays appeal statement

Griffiths rejected concerns the funding would be used to support the interim Taliban government. He insisted the money would go directly into the pockets of nurses and health officials in the field so these services can continue, not as support for Afghan state structures.

The Talibans control of the country prompted the United States and other Western donors to immediately suspend most non-humanitarian funding to the aid-dependent South Asian nation and freeze about $9.5 billion worth of Afghan foreign cash reserves.

Aid groups say the punitive actions and long-running international sanctions on Taliban leaders have brought the national economy to the brink of collapse, worsening the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan stemming from years of wars, natural disasters and poverty.

No country has recognized the Islamist groups government in Kabul, making it difficult for countries to ensure an unhindered flow of relief aid, and hampering work of humanitarian operations on the ground.

Foreign governments are scrambling to work out how to engage the Taliban to scale up humanitarian aid and help in preventing an economic meltdown in the country, while avoiding formally recognizing the new government.

The United States continues to urge the Taliban to allow unhindered humanitarian access, safe conditions for humanitarians, independent provision of assistance to all vulnerable people, and freedom of movement for aid workers of all genders, the USAIDs Coleman said in a statement.

Aid agencies say Afghans are running out of money, while the price of food, medicine and other basic items has skyrocketed amid U.N. warnings Afghanistan could see near universal poverty by mid-2022, with 97% of Afghans impoverished.

A full-blown humanitarian catastrophe looms. My message is urgent: dont shut the door on the people of Afghanistan, Griffiths said.

More than 6 million Afghan refugees have been living in neighboring countries, mostly Pakistan and Iran, for decades. Pakistani and Iranian officials say both countries have received hundreds of thousands of new refugees since the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan last August.

U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi said it is urgent to help sustain Afghanistans economy and public services to ward off more large-scale displacements.

The key issue here is to transform this massive internal displacementprobably the biggest in the world in terms of numbersand prevent this from becoming a massive external displacement, which is a very major risk at this point, Grandi warned.

He pressed the global community to do everything it can to prevent a disaster in Afghanistan. Grandi called for $623 million to support 5.7 million Afghans refugees and the communities hosting them in neighboring countries.

Lisa Schlein contributed to this report from Geneva.
The U.N. human rights office is calling for prompt, independent, and impartial investigations into the deadly crackdown by Kazakhstan authorities on protests that erupted in the country January 2 over rising fuel prices.

Officials in Kazakhstan say dozens of people have been killed over the past week and that some 9,900 protesters have been arrested and are in detention.

U.N. human rights spokeswoman Liz Throssell says her agency has not been able to verify an official death toll from the protests.

What we expect, and hope is that, of course, as more information comes to light, that we are able to get more complete and reliable figuresinto these killings. And that would include, for example, whether unnecessary and disproportionate use of force was made by the security forces, she said.

Under international law, Throssell said, people have the right to protest peacefully and express their opinions. She said people should not be arrested and detained simply for exercising their rights. Throssell said those currently held should be released immediately.

The spokeswoman said it is important that Kazakhstans ombudsperson be able to visit places of detention to monitor conditions under which prisoners are held. Regardless of what people have done, she said detainees should be allowed contact with a lawyer.

That is a key human rights safeguard that we repeat on many occasions as you know And it is very important that the people like the ombudsperson in Kazakhstan are able to visit places of detention to prevent any torture and ill treatment, to monitor the situation of detainees, she said.

Throssell said her agencys regional office in central Asia is monitoring developments in Kazakhstan from its base in nearby Kyrgyzstan. She said U.N. staff will engage with the Kazakh authorities whenever it deems appropriate and is possible.

Kazakhstans President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on Monday claimed the main goal of the recent protests was to undermine the constitutional order and to seize power.
The United States announced Tuesday $308 million in new humanitarian aid for Afghanistan.

It came as the United Nations launched a record appeal for the people of Afghanistan, warning that half the countrys population is facing acute hunger.

U.S. National Security Council spokesperson Emily Horne said in a statement that the aid would go directly from the U.S. Agency for International Development to independent humanitarian organizations.

USAID said in its own statement Tuesday that the funding would specifically go toward food and nutrition aid, supporting health care facilities and mobile health efforts, making sure aid workers and supplies can reach difficult areas, and programs to help people get through the winter such as shelter kits, heaters, blankets and warm clothing.

The United States remains committed to helping the people of Afghanistan, USAID said. However, for this assistance to be the most effective, all aid workers, especially women, must be permitted to operate independently and securely and be able to reach women and girls without impediments. The United States continues to urge the Taliban to allow unhindered humanitarian access, safe conditions for humanitarians, independent provision of assistance to all vulnerable people, and freedom of movement for aid workers of all genders.

In addition to announcing its own contributions, the United States also urged other nations to contribute.

The humanitarian situation in Afghanistan has deteriorated since the withdrawal of U.S.-led coalition forces in August and the subsequent freezing of international aid to the Afghan government with the Talibans takeover of the country.

The U.N. Security Council approved a resolution in late December exempting certain humanitarian aid activities from U.S. sanctions against Taliban figures to try to get help to the Afghan people without relief funds benefitting the Taliban.
The United States is creating a new unit to help investigate and prosecute cases of domestic terrorism, citing a rising threat and a growing caseload.

Assistant U.S. Attorney General Matthew Olsen told lawmakers Tuesday he was establishing the new unit as part of the Justice Departments National Security Division to ensure that these cases are handled properly and effectively."

"The threat posed by domestic terrorism is on the rise," Olsen said during testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee. "We've seen a growing threat from those who are motivated by racial animus as well as those who ascribe to extremist anti-government and anti-authority ideologies.

Olsen said the number of domestic terrorism investigations initiated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation has more than doubled since March 2020, and that U.S. intelligence officials expect the threat to persist.

Olsens testimony comes less than a week after the U.S. marked the first anniversary of the January 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol.

To date, more than 725 people have been arrested for their roles in the riot. More than 325 of them have been charged with felonies.

In September, FBI Director Christopher Wray told lawmakers that the bureaus domestic terrorism caseload has exploded, and warned the prevention of terrorist attacks would be the FBIs top priority for the foreseeable future.

On Tuesday, FBI Executive Assistant Director Jill Sanborn told lawmakers domestic violent extremists carried out four attacks in 2021, leading to 13 deaths.

Many domestic violent extremists also plotted to conduct attacks due to personalized grievances, including anger at government responses to COVID-19, immigration policies and perceived election fraud," Sanborn said.

We assess domestic violent extremist reactions to socio-political events and conditions will continue to drive the threat of violence, she said. Racially or ethnically motivated violent extremists and anti-government or anti-authority violent extremists will continue to pose the most serious threats."

An unclassified U.S. intelligence assessment released in March warned of a broad threat from domestic extremists, focusing its concern on lone offenders and small cells, all subscribing to a diverse set of violent ideologies but "galvanized by recent political and societal events."

President Joe Biden released a strategy to confront domestic terrorism last year, which called for hiring additional domestic terrorism analysts, investigators and prosecutors.

During Tuesdays hearing, the ranking Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee, Chuck Grassley, criticized the Biden strategy for focusing too heavily on the January 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol and ignoring what he described as anti-police riots that rocked our nation for seven full months.

There was almost no mention of leftwing terrorism at all, Grassley said in his opening statement, further citing testimony by FBI Director Wray about weaknesses in the left-wing domestic terrorism program that had prevented the FBI from getting the visibility they needed into the riots from that time to now.

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Democrat Dick Durbin charged in his opening remarks that the threat landscape has been more dangerous by Republican lawmakers who have come out in support of allegations by former President Donald Trump.

They have rationalized the worst assault on our Capitol since the War of 1812, Durbin said. And, in turn, they are normalizing the use of violence to achieve political goals.
The U.S. military carried out significantly fewer airstrikes in 2021 than it did in 2020, a change that defense analysts say is due at least in part to the August withdrawal from Afghanistan and the Biden administrations emphasis on diplomacy over military force.

According to data obtained by VOA, U.S. airstrikes in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Yemen and Somalia totaled 852 last year, which was 42% fewer than the 1,459 U.S. airstrikes carried out in the same war zones in 2020.

More than a third of the strikes in the Middle East in 2020 and 2021 were carried out by a special counterterror joint task force, whose 2021 airstrike numbers are being disclosed for the first time in this report.

In addition to the counterterror joint task force data provided by U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), VOA used airstrike confirmations provided in press releases by U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) and airpower summaries published by U.S. Air Forces Central Command (AFCENT) for this report.

Two weeks after Inauguration Day, President Joe Biden announced his administration would take steps to "course-correct" U.S. foreign policy to "better unite our democratic values with our diplomatic leadership." He tasked Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to lead a review of U.S. forces around the world, so that America's military footprint was, in his words, "appropriately aligned with our foreign policy and national security priorities."

Michael OHanlon, a senior defense analyst at the Brookings Institution, told VOA the published airstrike numbers reflect the ensuing defeat in Afghanistan last year, along with the more stable situations against Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.

There were fewer targets to hit and fewer reasons to do so, he told VOA.

U.S. forces halted strikes in Afghanistan following the end of its troop withdrawal on August 31, 2021.

The Pentagon has vowed to use "over the horizon" airstrikes from outside Afghanistan to target terrorists in the country who plan to attack the U.S. homeland or the homelands of American allies. However, the last such strike occurred on Aug. 27, 2021, targeting the Islamic State-Khorasan terror group in eastern Afghanistan. That strike came a day after a suicide bombing at Kabul's international airport killed 13 U.S. service members and scores of Afghan civilians.

In Iraq and Syria, U.S. and international forces officially transitioned to a non-combat mission on Dec. 9, 2021, a day before Iraq's government celebrated its fourth anniversary of defeating the Islamic State. Airstrikes there in 2020 and 2021 were used to target the terror group's remnants and defend U.S. and international allies from attacks by militant groups backed by Iran.

"Even as the (Biden) administration negotiates with Iran in Vienna, Tehran's proxies are attacking our troops," Bradley Bowman, senior director of the Center on Military and Political Power at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, told VOA. He added that increased attacks from Iranian-backed militants and decreased U.S. airstrikes were a result of the president's "misunderstanding of the relationship between diplomatic success and military power."

Only one strike was carried out by the military in Yemen in 2020, which once saw multiple airstrikes each year against members of al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), according to CENTCOM. No U.S. military airstrikes were carried out in Yemen in 2021.

In the Horn of Africa nation of Somalia, U.S. airstrikes surged during the Trump administration, as military commanders used the strikes to quickly target the al-Qaida affiliate al-Shabab without placing significant numbers of troops on the ground.

The fast pace of strikes continued into the final days of Trump's presidency, with six of the 10 strikes of 2021 carried out before Biden took office January 20.

Criticism of civilian casualty investigations

Though U.S. commanders and some analysts have applauded airstrikes' ability to limit risk to American forces, these strikes have come under increased scrutiny in recent weeks after a New York Times investigation revealed several flaws in the Pentagon's dismissals of civilian casualty claims.

Civilian casualty claims were dismissed a majority of the time by the civilian casualty cell tasked with assessing them. However, the Times reviewed 80 such assessments and repeatedly found what appeared to be simple mistakes -- oversights that Times reporters were able to detect using resources widely available to the public.

In one example, a civilian casualty claim in the Mosul neighborhood of Siha was dismissed because investigators failed to locate the neighborhood. Times reporters found the neighborhood in Google Maps simply by adding an h to the end of Siha, as Arabic names often have multiple spelling variations when converted to English. Several news reports at the time had also verified the neighborhoods location.

Other times claims were dismissed because of the investigator's inability to determine which of many strikes in the area was the subject of the claim.

The Pentagon has said that it is committed to investigating these mistakes.

"Civilian harm is something that we do take seriously, and as the secretary said himself, we do recognize that we've got to do better," Pentagon press secretary John Kirby said earlier this month in response to a question from VOA. "And as we make improvements, as we make changes, we'll certainly be transparent about that."

Editor's note: This story has been updated to show more complete numbers regarding airstrikes released by the U.S. military.
The U.S. and Russia have launched "frank and forthright" discussions aimed at de-escalating tensions between the two powers as Russian President Vladimir Putin continues to station an estimated 100,000 troops along the Ukrainian border, the White House said Monday.

"There are two paths for Russia to take at this point, for President Putin to take," White House press secretary Jen Psaki said. "He can take the path to diplomacy. There's two more rounds of talks this week. We've seen them as a package of three, which I think they also reiterated from their side. Or there's a path of escalation. We are surely hopeful, that the path to diplomacy is the path that they will take."

Biden is asking Putin to order the troops back to barracks. The White House said, in several recent statements, that the U.S. "will respond decisively if Russia further invades Ukraine."

"We explained to our colleagues that we have no plans, no intentions to 'attack' Ukraine," Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov told reporters after the talks ended Monday. "There is no reason to fear any escalation in this regard."

The Kremlin is concerned about the eastward expansion of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. The collective security alliance was founded to counter the former Soviet Union. Ukraine, a former Soviet state, has been seeking to join NATO, over Moscow's opposition. Putin says the current troop buildup is necessary for self-defense against an aggressive West, and that he does not plan to invade.

Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said Monday, "We've seen no major changes to the force posture by the Russians in the border areas around Ukraine. There continues to be a sizable element there.  If the Russians are serious about de-escalating, they can start by starting to remove some of those troops, decreasing some of that force posture."

Diplomats from the United States and Russia met Monday in Geneva. Putin and U.S. President Joe Biden spoke twice by phone in December about the situation in Ukraine; neither is participating directly in this week's talks.

Monday's discussions are the first of three rounds of talks planned for this week that will bring the U.S. and Russia to the negotiating table. The other two rounds will involve the North Atlantic Treaty Organization on Wednesday in Brussels and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe on Thursday in Vienna.

In Monday's bilateral talks, the two parties discussed "reciprocal action that would be in our security interest and proved strategic stability," said Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman, the top U.S. diplomat present. That includes possible limits  on both sides  on the size and scope of future military exercises in the region.

Sherman noted that the two nations did not discuss political unrest in Kazakhstan, where recent fuel-price demonstrations grew into larger protests against pro-Russian authoritarian rule.

The U.S. held firm on a few issues, she said, including against Russia's demand that Ukraine be denied NATO membership.

"We will not allow anyone to slam closed NATO's open-door policy, which has always been central to the NATO alliance. We will not forego bilateral cooperation with sovereign states that wish to work with the United States. And we will not make decisions about Ukraine without Ukraine, about Europe without Europe, or about NATO without NATO," Sherman said.

Russia's Ryabkov said, "Unfortunately we have a great disparity in our principled approaches to this. The U.S. and Russia in some ways have opposite views on what needs to be done."

Sherman further conveyed that "if Russia further invades Ukraine, there will be significant costs and consequences well beyond what happened in 2014. We are very ready and aligned with our partners and allies to impose those severe costs."

She said those costs could include sanctions against key financial institutions, export controls, increased NATO presence in allied territory and more security assistance to Ukraine.

Ahead of Monday's U.S.-Russia session, top diplomats from both countries expressed little optimism that tensions between these two longstanding rivals would be eased in one week of discussions.

"It's hard to see we're going to make any progress with a gun to Ukraine's head," U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken told CNN's State of the Union show.

Russia has denied it plans to invade Ukraine and demanded an end to NATO expansion and a halt to the alliance's military exercises in central and eastern European countries that joined it after 1997.

Washington expects Moscow to promote its own narrative outside of the talks, Psaki said.

"We are preparing ourselves for the possibility and likelihood  no one should be surprised, I should say  if Russia spreads disinformation about commitments that have not been made, or if it goes even further and instigate something as a pretext for further destabilizing activity," she said. "And so we would continue to urge everyone not to fall for any attempts to push disinformation out there."

VOA's Nike Ching and Carla Babb contributed to this report. This report contains content from Agence France-Presse and Reuters.


President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Monday fired State Security Minister Owen Mudha Ncube, who was placed under targeted sanctions last March by the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) for alleged human rights abuses.

In a statement, Misheck Sibanda, Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, said Mnangagwa removed Ncube with immediate effect for conduct inappropriate for a minister of government.

Sibanda did not disclose the reasons for Ncubes removal from office.

Indications are that he allegedly intimidated people attending a Zanu PF provincial meeting to confirm winners of provincial party elections conducted two weeks ago.

He was unreachable for comment as his phone was switched off. Ncube was allegedly linked to a violent mob known in the Midlands province as Al Shabaab before his appointment as Minister of State.

OFAC last year removed former Mashonaland East governor Ray Kaukonde and three other people from the targeted sanctions list and imposed the restrictive measures on former special forces commander, Anselem Sanyatwe, and Ncube.

On Sanyatwe and Ncube, the U.S. State Department said they were linked to human rights abuses related to political repression in Zimbabwe.

OFAC designated Sanyatwe and Ncube pursuant to Executive Order 13469, which reinforces the Department of States previous designations in 2019 under Section 7031(c) of the FY 2019 Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act.

As a result of this action, all assets, property, and interests of property of Sanyatwe and Ncube that are, or come within, U.S. jurisdiction, or the possession or control of U.S. persons, are blocked, and U.S. persons are generally prohibited from dealing with them.

OFACs actions are independent from the Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act (ZDERA), which requires the United States to vote against new lending or debt relief for Zimbabwe from international financial institutions, except for lending intended to support basic human needs or good governance.

The United States imposed targeted sanctions on some Zanu PF officials over claims of human rights abuses and election-rigging.
ST. PAUL, MN  Governor Mark Dayton today signed an agreement with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), securing $350 million in federal funding to protect and improve waters in 60,000 acres across 54 Minnesota counties. The new state-federal effort, the Minnesota Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP), will target areas of southern and western Minnesota facing significant water quality challenges, to protect and improve our natural resources for future generations.

Minnesota is at a critical juncture in addressing our states serious water quality challenges, said Governor Mark Dayton. Through this landmark agreement, Minnesota will be better able to protect and improve our waters for our families, natural habitat, and our future. Clean water is everyones challenge, and everyones responsibility.

Through the Minnesota CREP, farmers and agricultural landowners can voluntarily enroll land in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) and Reinvest in Minnesota (RIM) Reserve easement program to create buffers, restore wetlands, and protect wellheads for drinking water. Farmers and other landowners who voluntarily participate in the program will be eligible for $350 million in federal funds for direct payments to farmers.

This landmark agreement will protect Minnesotas most sensitive natural resources for future generations to enjoy and ensure our farm families are compensated for their conservation efforts, said Lt. Governor Tina Smith. I thank Secretary Vilsack and the U.S. Department of Agriculture for working with us to establish this partnership.

The Minnesota CREP will invest a total of $500 million in Greater Minnesota. To leverage the full $350 million in federal funds, the state of Minnesota must commit $150 million, of which $54.8 million has already been appropriated in past legislative sessions. Governor Dayton and Lt. Governor Smith have included $30 million for CREP in their 2017 Jobs Bill. Additional funds will be recommended through the Clean Water Fund, the Legislative-Citizens Commission on Minnesota Resources, and the Lesssard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council.

The Minnesota CREP is a five-agency effort, led by the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) and including the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, Minnesota Department of Health, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, and Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. The project will be completed in partnership with USDA  Farm Service Agency.

The agreement has the support of nearly 70 organizations and agencies in Minnesota including Pheasants Forever, Audobon Minnesota, Minnesota Rural Water Association, and the Minnesota Association of Soil & Water Conservation Districts. To see a complete lists of organizations supporting Minnesota CREP click here.

Addressing Minnesotas Clean Water Challenges

Despite the states abundance of lakes, rivers, groundwater and streams, more than 40 percent of Minnesotas waters are currently listed as impaired or polluted. And damaging aquatic invasive species have infested more than 550 lakes statewide.

The water treatment plants and clean drinking water systems that make Minnesotans water safe to drink, cook with, and bathe in, are also in serious disrepair. Some communities still rely on wooden pipes, installed more than 100 years ago, for their drinking water. In fact, Minnesota is $11 billion behind in just maintaining our aging water treatment and delivery systems over the next 20 years. And initial testing indicates that 60 percent of the wells in Central Minnesota may not provide safe drinking water. Thats why Governor Dayton and Lt. Governor Smith have included $167 million in their 2017 Jobs Bill to repair and improve water treatment infrastructure across Greater Minnesota.

Governor Dayton has declared a Year of Water Action urging all Minnesotans to rethink water usage in daily life, make informed consumer choices, and talk to others about clean water protection and preservation. The Governor and Lt. Governor will host a Town Hall Water Summit at the University of Minnesota, Morris on January 27, 2017.
This article is a follow-up to :

 "Russia wants to force the US to respect the UN Charter", January 4, 2022.

US President Joe Biden responded to Russias proposal for a Treaty guaranteeing peace on the basis of strict compliance with the UN Charter and keeping ones word [1] in a telephone conversation with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, on December 30, 2021. Unsurprisingly, he did not respond to the substance of the Russian request, merely mentioning a possible end to US operations in Ukraine.

At the same time, the US National Security Council has initiated several actions against Russia. It is not a question of overthrowing governments or launching new wars, but of forcing Moscow to intervene outside its borders in order to exhaust it. The Russian Federation already has a huge territory that it is unable to exploit with a population of only 150 million.

In May 2019, the Rand Corporation, the think-tank of the US military-industrial complex, listed six options in this regard [2]:

 1. Arming Ukraine ;

 2. Increase support for jihadists in Syria;

 3. Promoting regime change in Belarus;

 4. Exploiting tensions in the South Caucasus;

 5. Reducing Russian influence in Central Asia;

 6. Rivaling the Russian presence in Transnistria.

Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland visited Moscow from October 11 to 13, 2021 to meet with the Russian government. The Russian government exceptionally lifted the ban on her travel to Russia for the occasion [3]. Indeed, Ms Nuland is not just another civil servant. She is a figure of the US deep state, participating in all administrations, whether Republican or Democrat, with the exception of the Jacksonian administration of President Donald Trump. It was she who, in 2001, called up the Allies to fight in Afghanistan despite the opposition of French President Jacques Chirac and German Chancellor Gerhard Schroder. It was she who saved Israel at the end of the 2006 war against Lebanon, organising a unilateral ceasefire so as to avoid the humiliation of a military defeat. And she was also the one that organised the colourful Maidan revolution in 2014 to overthrow Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych and replace him with Nazis, among others. The contempt in which it holds Europeans was then evident, causing unease in Brussels and sanctions from Moscow.

Mrs Nuland belongs to an illustrious neo-conservative family. Her husband is none other than Robert Kagan, one of the founders of the Project for a New American Century (PNAC), which raised the funds for the accession of George W. Bush (the son) to the White House and wished for "a new Pearl Harbor", which the attacks of September 11 brought about. His brother-in-law, Frederick Kagan, is a pillar of the American Enterprise Institute. He was the inspiration for the US policy of occupation of Afghanistan and Iraq. His sister-in-law, Kimberly Kagan, is president of the Institute for the Study of War. She has played a leading role in all the wars in the wider Middle East, including the surge policy in Iraq.

Victoria Nuland explained her approach to dealing with Russia in a provocative article in Foreign Affairs in July 2020, Pinning down Putin [4]. The neo-conservative author was then working for former Democratic Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and outlined what the next president should do with Moscow. After presenting a Russia in ruins and a beleaguered Putin, she proposed negotiating a new START treaty, fighting Russian use of the internet, supporting Ukraines membership of the EU (and then Nato), and the armed opposition in Syria. She imagined US investment in Russia to modernise this poor country in exchange for its political alignment with the "Western democracies". The Kremlin, which does not recognise any of her findings, received her just as it had accepted the Biden-Putin summit in Geneva after the US president had insulted his Russian counterpart on television.

Nothing has come out of these closed-door meetings. But it is highly likely that Ms Nuland threatened Russia once again, as she has been doing so continuously for the past twenty years. In any case, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov confirmed that she was not ready to support the implementation of the Minsk agreement to resolve the Ukrainian crisis.

As soon as her trip to Moscow was over, Victoria Nuland went to Beirut to meet Najib Mikatis new government, then to London to sound the alarm. There she announced that Moscow was massing troops on the Ukrainian border and preparing to invade the country.

Three weeks later, CIA Director William Burns rushed to Moscow to fix what Victoria Nuland had broken. He tried to be conciliatory and was received by President Putin himself.

However, Washington has just stopped blowing hot and cold. After (1) arming Ukraine, (2) supporting jihadists in Syria, (3) attempting regime change in Belarus [5], (4) exploiting tensions in the South Caucasus with the Azerbaijani attack on Armenia [6], Washington (5) is trying to reduce Moscows influence in Kazakstan and should soon (6) compete with Russia in Transnistria. In short, it is pursuing the Rand Corporations plan.

Kazakhstan

In Central Asian culture, the ruler is a kind of Kubilai Khan and his family are privileged. Kazakhstan has only been a nation for a few years. It owes this to President Nursultan Nazerbayev who managed to unite different tribes. His successor, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, democratised the country, but attitudes are still influenced by the Turko-Mongolian culture.

On January 2, 2022, protests against a 13% increase in gas prices turned into a riot. Coordinated groups attacked public buildings and often local businesses. Snipers fired from rooftops at both protesters and police. Military armouries were attacked. The loot was distributed among the groups of attackers. The phenomenon was repeated throughout the country. The Taldykorgan prison, where Islamists are held prisoner, was also attacked.

The operation is led by jihadists who fought in Syria and by former Afghan collaborators of the CIA. The groups they lead are made up of Kazakh Islamists.

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev recognised the legitimacy of the demonstrations and cracked down on terrorist attacks. He declared a state of siege and arrested the chairman of the Security Council, Karim Masimov, a former banker who was twice prime minister and head of the presidential administration. He is currently charged with high treason. Tokayev then appointed his successor and convened the Security Council.

Reports from his administration put the number of insurgents at around 20,000, including both foreign jihadists and rioters and Kazakh Islamists. The country has had cordial relations with Israel for many years, long before the Kushner plan for normalisation. Although former President Nazerbayev had held anti-religious positions during the Soviet era, he later converted and made the pilgrimage to Mecca. Churches were allowed, subject to registration. An inter-religious summit, comparable to the one the Vatican organises in Assisi, takes place every year.

Kazakhstan distinguishes any kind of religion from political Islam, which is prohibited. However, the Muslim Brotherhood and the Hizb ut-Tahrir (Liberation Party) have developed throughout Central Asia with the help of the British MI6. It was to combat this separatism that the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation was created.

The Security Council has passed on to the Kremlin the information it already has on the plot against the country. It has asked for help from the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO) to fight the jihadists. President Tokayev immediately ordered his security forces to shoot without warning and kill any jihadists they found [7].

The CSTO responded immediately by deploying 2,500 soldiers, Armenians, Belarusians, Russians and Tajiks, under the command of General Andrei Serdyukov, Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Federation Paratroopers. The Peoples Republic of China has announced its readiness to help, if necessary.

Turkey supported President Tokayev, indicating that it was not involved in the Islamist plot. Afghanistan did the same, which is less surprising insofar as the Taliban are Deobandis and the Afghans involved in the jihadist attack are former CIA collaborators who have fled the country [8].

It was soon learned that the National Endowment for Democracy [9], of which Victoria Nuland is a former administrator, had given millions of dollars since Joe Bidens arrival in the White House to "extend democracy" in Kazakhstan.

In the past, the former energy minister, the oligarch Mukhtar Ablyazov, created an (unrecognised) opposition party, the Democratic Choice of Kazakhstan (QDT), with President Nzerbayevs son-in-law, Rakhat Aliyev. Together they tried to overthrow him with the help of George Soros. Aliyev died in 2015 in prison in Austria while Ablyazov went into exile in the UK and then France. He was arrested several times in the European Union for murder in Russia, but was never extradited. He was granted political asylum in France and has been living in Paris for over a year. From the first day of the riot, he called for the overthrow of the regime, i.e. not only President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, but also former President Nursultan Nazarbayev, now officially retired but still very influential.

According to some unconfirmed sources, Mukhtar Ablyazov is linked to President Nazerbayevs nephew, Samat Abish, a former deputy director of the secret services. He was reportedly arrested on January 7 for high treason. He is known to be a militant of political Islam like his father, who built a gigantic mosque in Almaty.

President Nursultan Nazerbayev has returned to the capital. If his health allows it, he could take things in hand, notably with the help of his daughter, Dariga Nazarbayeva.

Transnistria

According to the RAND plan, after Kazakhstan, Transnistrias turn will come.

The United States has mobilised the European Union to carry out an economic blockade of this unrecognised state, whose population broke away from Moldova in a referendum when the USSR was dissolved. Officials of the European Union Border Assistance Mission to Moldova and Ukraine (EUBAM), led by Stefano Sannino (the former OSCE representative in Serbia), have been supervising the Moldovan and Ukrainian customs (which are not EU members) to carry out the blockade of this country since January 1, 2022. Russia will be forced to develop the former Soviet space base and create an air bridge to feed the 500,000 inhabitants of this enclave.

The citizens of the European Union have forgotten that in 1992 the United States tried in vain to militarily crush Transnistria (now the Dniester Moldavian Republic) using an army recruited from Romanian prisons [10]. The courage of this population, faithful to the Soviet model, and particularly of its women, scuppered the CIAs project.

It should be noted in passing that although the population of Transnistria speaks Russian, three villages still speak French. They are inhabited by descendants of Napoleons grognards who married and settled there during the Russian campaign.

In conclusion, if Washingtons response to the Moscow Treaty proposal to secure peace was officially a halt to its eastward advance, it is unofficially that it still has the capacity to do harm.
Saget on a season-one episode of Full House, Dannys Very First Date, in 1988. Photo: ABC

Bob Saget became famous for starring in a very popular sitcom that did not let the public see the full breadth of his skills as a comedian.

As Danny Tanner, the widowed father on ABCs TGIF classic Full House, Saget, who died unexpectedly on January 9 at the age of 65, was amusing and affable. But he tended to play the responsible straight man to the somewhat wilder children (his three daughters D.J., Stephanie, and Michelle) and man-children (his brother-in-law Jesse and friend Joey) in his unconventional household. What most viewers in the 80s and 90s, who also watched Saget as host of ABCs Americas Funniest Home Videos, didnt realize was how wry, filthy, and hilarious he could be outside of the constraints of a broadcast-network comedy attempting to be clean enough for the whole family to enjoy. Members of the comedy community may have known Saget for the full measure of the dirty-joke teller that he was. But it took the rest of America and the world a little while to realize it.

For some, it happened when they saw Dave Chappelles stoner comedy Half Baked in 1998, in which Saget, less than three years after Full House ended its eight-season run, played a recovering addict who stood up and announced, Marijuana is not a drug. I used to suck dick for coke. For others, the awareness came with the first of Sagets numerous appearances on HBOs Entourage, where he played a version of himself who lived next door to Vincent Chase, took hits off a bong, had sex with prostitutes, and shocked the Entourage boys with his ability to cockblock Kevin Dillons Drama.

Saget showed off his filthy side again in The Aristocrats, the 2005 documentary about a joke with a deliberately lengthy setup that dares comedians to push the boundaries of taste. The guy formerly known as Danny Tanner pushed them pretty far, spinning an incredibly twisted yarn that involved an intense amount of incest, diarrhea, sodomy, a flattened penis, and the loss of an eyeball, sometimes cracking himself up the longer and lewder he went. What the fuck am I doing? he asks at one point while telling the joke. Then he raises another tongue-in-cheek question: Can I get a copy of this? Id like to send it to the kids on Full House.

For a stretch in the mid- to late 2000s, it seemed like Saget was on a deliberate mission to separate himself from all the nice-dad stuff he had done on that series. His 2007 HBO stand-up special Bob Saget: That Aint Right made that abundantly clear via bits where he subverted his years of engaging in gentle, family-friendly good humor  I have three daughters. Theres D.J., Stephanie, Michelle  that little bitch Kimmy Gibbler. I feel bad I banged her, but anyway   and sang an irony-laden song, to the tune of the Backstreet Boys I Want It That Way, called Danny Tanner Is Not Gay. His fellow comedians seemed to love him all the more for it, as they demonstrated, in their way, during the Comedy Central Roast of Bob Saget in 2008. One thing that bonds us as comedians is were bitter and jealous and we hate everyone else who has any success, said the now-late Norm Macdonald at the end of his performance at that roast. But Bob honestly has never had an unkind word for anybody, and I love him and I hope everybody else does.

That hard skid into more adult humor was less a turn for Saget than a return. In his early days as a comic, Saget often worked pretty blue. I had it rough when I was a kid. I never got to go to camp, he says in a 1984 set at Dangerfields, where he was introduced by Rodney himself. My mom thought Id get embarrassed undressing in front of little boys, but Ive changed because I kinda like it now. After a pause: Thats not true, Im no senator. Saget did this often when he told an off-color joke: He undercut it so youd know he was not really a sicko, just a guy pretending to be one for laughs.

Despite that tendency, Saget got cast as Danny because the Full House producers Jeff Franklin, Thomas L. Miller, and Robert L. Boyett knew him from their work on the Tom Hanks/Peter Scolari sitcom Bosom Buddies, where Saget was the warm-up comic for the studio audience and appeared in one episode as Bob the Comic. (So basically, himself.) According to this Screen Rant piece, Miller was convinced Saget would be right for the role after seeing him in the 1987 Richard Pryor film Critical Condition.

Once he was established as a doting dad, the reputation stuck. The Full House projects added another dimension to what had become Sagets public persona, but they didnt erase his association with Danny Tanner, approachable sportscaster and caring father. If anything, they made it possible to appreciate what he did on Full House more because it was so far afield from his own instincts as a comic. The most important quality that Saget needed to bring to Danny wasnt quick-wittedness or perfect timing, though Saget had both. It was sincerity. No matter how corny the dialogue or situations he found himself in, it was imperative that the audience believe Danny was a genuinely good man raising his daughters with supreme love and care in a land where the filthiest jokes were Oh Mylanta! and You got it, dude. As goofy as Full House could be, a lot of kids  maybe kids who had negligent dads or no dads at all  watched it and saw, in Sagets version of fatherhood, a model of parenthood that brought them comfort for a half-hour a week. There was value in that.

Saget certainly saw that value, too, as evidenced by his enthusiastic participation in the Fuller House reboot that ran on Netflix from 20162020. While Saget was obviously acting when he played Danny, the affection and sincerity he displayed in both series didnt seem like a stretch. They seemed like an extension of who he was.

That felt all the more true when tributes began to pour forth from Hollywood following the news of Sagets death. Two words kept coming up: nice and kind. Just wanted you guys to know that Bob Saget was one of the nicest men on the planet, wrote Pete Davidson in a post shared by Dave Sirus. This guy definitely made being nice a thing, said Natasha Leggero on Instagram. Bob Saget was the kindest, warmest male comic there was, tweeted Chelsea Handler. He was the guy that everyone loved.

In an interview with Vulture a few years ago, Saget even talked about kindness and how his own father embodied it:

One time I was hosting Americas Funniest Home Videos and my dad came on the set. I said, Dad, what would you like to say to people? and he took two minutes of ABC network time at 7:20 at night to say, Youve got to be kind to each other. He gave this speech and said that people need to treat people the way they would like to be treated. Kindness was something that was incredibly important to him. He was 100 percent right.

The fact that Saget was kind wasnt just essential to his work on Full House, it was also crucial to his humor. Part of what made you spit up laughing when Saget went on one of his more profane runs was knowing those nasty words were coming out of the same mouth that cooed reassuring words at the Olsen twins when they were toddlers. But it was also funny because you knew he didnt really mean what he was saying. Saget uttered unspeakably horrible things while radiating niceness, which reassured us that we also could have a wicked side and still remain fundamentally decent. It was exactly the kind of lesson that only a really great dad could teach.
An investigator on Friday shared details of the relationship between the former Huntsville officer and his pregnant girlfriend, as well as details from a five-hour interview in which he admitted to shooting her.
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After a years-long legal battle surrounding its sale, the Uruguayan Court of Appeals has ordered that an 880-pound bronze eagle from the stern of the German warship Admiral Graf Spee can be sold. The process had been put on hold following fears it could be purchased by those with sympathies to the Third Reich.

The Graf Spee was one of three Deutschland-class warships developed by the Weimar Republic between 1929 and 1936. They had the speed of a cruiser and were more heavily gunned than one, leading the British to refer to them as pocket battleships. Their design made them perfect for commerce raiding, which led the Graf Spee to be deployed to the South Atlantic following the outbreak of World War II.

Between September and December 1939, the Graf Spee managed to sink nine Allied merchant ships. Her first (and last) naval battle came off the coast of Uruguay with the Battle of the River Plate on December 13, 1939. After being spotted by three British cruisers, it became engaged in a firefight, causing substantial damage to the Allied vessels. However, it didnt make it out unscathed, and had to sail to the port in Montevideo.

Unable to sail into the open ocean, but not wanting the ship to be captured by the Royal Navy, the ships captain, Hans Wilhelm Langsdorff, ordered it to be scuttled. After ensuring his crew had been safely transferred to Buenos Aires, Argentina, he had the ship sunk, after which he died by suicide.

Following the Graf Spees sinking, the British government used a local engineering company to purchase the salvage rights. They were after the radar range finder, due to the accuracy of the ships guns during the Battle of the River Plate. Its recovery later helped the Royal Navy develop numerous countermeasures.

The vessel remained off the coast of Montevideo for decades. In February 2004, the decision was made to remove it from its location below the water, as it was creating a navigation hazard. Two brothers, Alfredo and Felipe Etchegaray, agreed to conduct the removal and cover the costs. Two years later, the ships 880-pound bronze eagle was recovered.

Following its recovery, the eagle was on display at a local hotel, until protests forced it to be placed into storage. In 2019, a lower court ruled that Uruguay should dispose of it, so as to pay the brothers what they were owed for their services, as theyd been permitted to sell any items they recovered from the wreck.

The bronze eagle was scheduled to be sold at auction in 2020 for up to $26 million, with Alfredo Etchegaray saying at the time that numerous parties had expressed interest. However, complaints soon arose over the exhibition of Nazi paraphernalia, with fears arising that it would be purchased by white supremacists or Third Reich sympathizers. As such, the sale didnt proceed, and the adornments future was left in limbo.

In December 2021, the Uruguayan Court of Appeals ordered the countrys government to sell the eagle. Daniel Sielecky, a 64-year-old boating aficionado from Punta del Este, Argentina, has expressed interest in purchasing it. Speaking with local news outlet Correo de Punta del Este, he said he planned to immediately blow it into a thousand pieces, with any remaining pieces being pulverized. There will be nothing left.

Regardless of who ends up purchasing the relic, Uruguayan Defense Minister Javier Garcia has said the country will guarantee it doesnt become the object of worship or negative publicity.
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The enhanced Child Tax Credit has expired and I, for one, will not mourn it. Neither should you. Sure, its been extremely popular  who doesnt like getting more money from the government? But its not great policy. Taxpayers and recipients of the credit deserve better. Wp Get the full experience. Choose your plan ArrowRight Heres a quick review: The enhanced tax credit was a successor to the $2,000 version that was part of the 2017 tax reform. The credit was increased last year by the Joe Biden administration to $3,600 annually for each child under 6 and $3,000 for older children, with half of that paid monthly and the rest claimed on your tax return. Every family got the same amount up to an income limit. The pandemic-inspired enhancement was set to expire at the end of 2021, when the credit reverted to the prior $2,000. The presidents Build Back Better plan would extend the increase, but that proposal is in limbo as the bill remains blocked by opponents in Congress.

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Since the expiration of the enhanced credit means families will lose money relative to last year, some economists and pundits are arguing that the program should be preserved, since it was a great success in achieving its goal of reducing child poverty. Dont believe the hype.

The enhanced CTC may have had intentions, but its not entirely clear what they were. Based on the timing and communication from the White House it aimed to reduce child poverty and provide relief to families during the pandemic. The pandemic justification never made much sense. Between the economic impact payments, enhanced unemployment benefits, eviction moratorium and pause in student loan payments, most families werent financially much worse off than they were before the pandemic. So presumably the enhanced CTC was supposed to meet the larger, pre-existing goal of reducing child poverty while offering relief to cash-strapped middle-class families. And who can argue with those goals?

The case for a permanently larger middle-class entitlement isnt as strong. Maybe the U.S. should have a big entitlement state for working middle- and upper-middle-class families. But this is not a cheap program, and it represents a big change in American welfare, which has traditionally targeted the poor, disabled and elderly.

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The enhanced CTC costs more than $100 billion a year, and $1.6 trillion over the next 10 years if made permanent  more than is spent on food stamps, income support for low earners and housing assistance. Essentially, the larger credit means choosing either less money for other programs or European-sized taxes. Maybe thats our future, but there are trade-offs in terms of the expense and a less efficient economy.

The case for trying to reduce child poverty is easier to make. Before the pandemic about 14% of American children lived in poverty, compared to 12.8% of children in other OECD countries. Thats shameful for the worlds richest country. And as proponents of the new CTC point out, it did reduce poverty. Estimates put the reduction of child poverty at about 34%, and it may have reduced food insufficiency by 27%. This isnt surprising; if you send lots of families checks they will have more money.

But the reduction in poverty doesnt necessarily mean this is a good policy. First of all, the pandemic is still raging. We really dont know how the enhanced CTC works in normal times and in a normal labor market. For example, many poor children didnt get regular schooling, which is a source of food from the free lunch program. And perhaps child poverty could be reduced in other, better ways that cost the taxpayer less money.

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By these standards the enhanced CTC falls short. By one estimate only 57% of households earning less than $25,000 even got the credit because it is administered by the IRS and very low earners or no earners dont always file. The enhanced CTC aims to reduce poverty, but compared to other government programs a smaller fraction of the money goes to low-income people. This is because of the substantial benefits paid to middle and upper middle-class earners.

Its sometimes argued that its necessary to offer the credit to higher earners because if you take benefits away as people earn more it discourages advancement. But the current version of the CTC also has harmful distortions. The 2017 CTC created incentives to work by increasing the size of the credit as income rose (up to $30,000 in earnings). Taking away this feature and offering a flat credit (within a higher income limit), reduces the return-to-work benefit (the money youd get from working compared to not working).

For some people, the return to working has fallen substantially. Economists estimate that the reduction is on par with eliminating the Earned Income Tax Credit, a federal subsidy that increases the return to work because an income is required for eligibility. If we believe the EITC has been successful at getting people to work (and most economists do), it stands to reason the enhanced CTC must discourage it. The economists estimate that as the economy returns to normal, the reduction in work could undo the improvement to deep poverty that the credit provided during the pandemic.

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The enhanced CTC may have good intentions of reducing child poverty, but creating a large middle-class entitlement state and undermining work incentives is not good policy  aside from the expense to taxpayers. There are better, more targeted alternatives, such as reforming welfare.

Policy needs to be judged on its execution, not just on its intent. This is a problem shared by many programs in Build Back Better. Just because a policy has good intentions, whether its more affordable childcare or less poverty, that doesnt mean its a good policy. How well it actually solves the problem is what matters most.

More From Other Writers at Bloomberg Opinion:

 The One Senator Who Could Rescue Bidens Agenda: Karl Smith

 Heres How Biden Could Rescue Build Back Better: Editorial

 Key to Democrats Success Is Big Government: Matthew Yglesias

This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Allison Schrager is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist. She is a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute and author of An Economist Walks Into a Brothel: And Other Unexpected Places to Understand Risk.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com/opinion

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Last weeks vote by employees of the Democratic National Committee to join a union raises at least two questions. First: You mean they werent in one already? Second, and more seriously: Should left-leaning organizations encourage their employees to unionize? Wp Get the full experience. Choose your plan ArrowRight DNC staff employees will now become part of SEIU Local 500, which already represents workers in Maryland and Washington. Meanwhile, many other Democratic-leaning fundraising and social media firms are also unionizing.

In one sense, this trend is unsurprising. The Democratic Party platform states: Democrats will make it easier for workers, public and private, to exercise their right to organize and join unions. The party, which relies on unions for a lot of financial support, is merely practicing what it preaches.

One effect of social media is that they have made some kinds of hypocrisy harder to pull off. If the DNC and affiliated firms were to stay non-unionized, the tweets and Facebook posts reminding the world of that would never stop. What could they say in response? Unions for thee but not for me is not a message that will boost support and influence.

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Liberal media outlets face similar issues. Vox Media unionized in 2019, in the face of pressure from their workers and readers. The National Labor Relations Board has criticized The New York Times for discouraging its employees from supporting a union covering some Times technology workers, although the paper disputes their account.

The dilemma is also present at universities, which especially at the top level tend to be left-leaning. There is a graduate student unionization struggle going on at Columbia University, and the likely result will be a 30% pay hike for graduate student teachers.

In economics, there are good rationalizations for the efficiency of (some) unions. When U.S. automakers had oligopoly power in the postwar environment, and had invested heavily in fixed assets such as factories, unions may have been an efficient way to force the companies to share some of their profits with workers. That said, those same unions later proved a liability when Japanese and other foreign competition emerged. Unions may also be an efficient means of bargaining over collective worker goods, such as greater perks in return for lesser pay.

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But a lot of these business conditions dont apply in current circumstances, so the union rationalizations dont either. And there are cases in which unions are imposed on relatively thinly capitalized institutions. The new union for the Politics & Prose bookstore in Washington, D.C., for instance, probably doesnt have a lot of excess profit it can capture. Sometimes a union can win a one-time pay increase but no permanent boost to longer-term compensation.

Columbia University, with its sizable endowment, is a relatively well-capitalized entity. Still, its appropriate to ask what problem is solved by a graduate student union. The main difficulty for these students seems to be a lack of jobs when they graduate, and a pay hike might crowd the field further, with unwelcome consequences for the job market. And in the long run, the university could simply cut back on its initial financial aid offerings. The point is, it is hard for graduate student unions to bargain effectively across many of the most relevant dimensions of their student and work experience.

In the meantime, all of these unions are introducing additional veto points into the workplace, sometimes slowing response times. If you run the business and plan to make a big change in how it operates, you might feel  either contractually or tactically  that you need to check with the union first. And if you are a Democrat and a pragmatist, you might prefer a more effective but less unionized DNC, which after all is a major promoter of unionization for the U.S. economy as a whole.

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What would a less hypocritical version of a Republican organization look like? Should everyone be given equity shares, or should there be bonuses for star performers? Whatever the answer may be, it probably wont be debated much in public, as Republicans tend to be more circumspect about such matters. Thats a danger for Republicans, who may find it harder to live up to their principles if no one is calling them to account.

The Democrats, in contrast, tend to stage noisy debates  most of which, sooner or later, seem to settle in the same direction. Thats not a healthy norm of discourse, either.

More at Bloomberg Opinion:

 Companies Made Heaps of Money in 2021. And Workers? Chris Bryant

 Why Companies Might Learn to Love Unions: Conor Sen

 The Great Resignation Is Great for Low-Paid Workers: Justin Fox

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This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Tyler Cowen is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist. He is a professor of economics at George Mason University and writes for the blog Marginal Revolution. His books include Big Business: A Love Letter to an American Anti-Hero.

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Although a strike by the Chicago Teachers Union thankfully ended this week, the damage has been done. The unlawful walkout exposed an indifference not just to science but to the emotional and academic well-being of more than 340,000 schoolchildren. It also showed why President Joe Biden and other Democratic leaders need to break the grip of teachers unions over the countrys public schools  or risk irreversible damage to the students who can afford it least.

The refusal of Chicagos teachers to show up to classrooms had forced the city to close all public schools for four days, until a deal was reached on Monday. Union leaders had demanded that the district revert to virtual learning until Jan. 18, and to close all schools again if Covid cases didnt subside. Mayor Lori Lightfoot had offered to meet some union demands, but rightly refused to bend on calls for schools to shut down altogether if Covid cases exceeded a certain benchmark, pointing out that kids were safer in schools than out of them. Although full details wont be known until the unions full membership votes on the deal later this week, early reports suggest the mayor has agreed to set metrics that would trigger a return to remote learning for individual schools.

If true, this could prove unwise. Given the transmissibility of the omicron variant, its inevitable that Covid cases will rise as schools reopen. But the health risk the variant poses to children is far outweighed by the proven cognitive and emotional harm caused by remote learning. Nor would a lack of tests justify systemwide closures. Even if tests are unavailable for all students, the risks of in-person learning can be diminished through vaccination, grouping students in social pods, and requiring masks indoors. Under the guise of promoting the safety of students, union leaders had demanded working conditions that far exceed whats necessary for them to do their jobs safely.

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Lightfoot had warned that teachers who didnt return to the classroom would be docked pay and face possible termination. The city also filed a legal complaint against the union for illegal labor practices. Biden shouldve stood unequivocally with the mayor in this dispute  and with Chicagos students, whove already suffered far too many interruptions in recent years due to labor disputes.

In the short term, Bidens influence is largely limited to the bully pulpit. He can, however, do more to prevent unions in other districts from attempting to follow the CTUs lead. At a minimum, federal education funds should be conditioned on how well school districts maintain in-person instruction  something Congress failed to do in last years $1.9 trillion Covid relief bill.

Over the longer term, curbing the power of teachers unions will require deeper reforms. The administration should push states to offer alternative forms of teacher certification, which would broaden the teaching labor pool and bring new talent into the profession. Districts should be encouraged to tie teachers pay to their performance  including how much time they spend in the classroom  rather than seniority.

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Critically, Biden should seize on the unions resistance to reopening as reason to increase federal funding for charter schools, which generally employ nonunionized teachers and provide options in areas where traditional schools are failing to deliver, if theyre open at all. Embracing charters would merely align Democrats with parents nationwide, who are voting with their feet: In 2021, enrollment in public charter schools rose 7%, compared to a 3% drop in traditional schools. (Michael R. Bloomberg, the founder of Bloomberg LP, recently announced a $750 million initiative to support public charter schools.)

Across the board, the impact of the pandemic on students learning has been disastrous. The walkout by Chicagos teachers has potentially subjected hundreds of thousands of kids to additional academic harm. Its past time for Democratic leaders, starting with the president, to show whose side theyre on.

Editorials are written by the Bloomberg Opinion editorial board.

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China has been overhauling its health-care system with the aim of providing broader access to quality drugs for its enormous population. The result: Drug prices are tumbling and the once-high profit margins of drugmakers, both local and foreign, are eroding. For manufacturers, the pressure is set to intensify as China hones its strategy of demanding mega-discounts in exchange for access to the worlds No. 2 pharmaceuticals market.

1. What exactly is China doing?

It has a two-pronged campaign. The first approach is to add top-of-the-line new treatments to its so-called National Reimbursement Drug List only if drugmakers agree to drop their prices. Thats a bitter pill to swallow for pharmaceutical companies that have spent billions of dollars developing treatments. New medicines developed by giants including Pfizer Inc. and AstraZeneca Plc as well as domestic biotech companies, treating everything from cancer to autoimmune diseases and dementia, have made it to the list in recent years. In 2021 it expanded again to add drugs for rare diseases developed by companies including Biogen Inc. -- but only when the companies agreed to more than halve the price charged in China, effectively making them among the cheapest anywhere.

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2. And the other approach?

Basically bulk buying of generic drugs, which can be made by low-cost manufacturers as well as the original developer, and medical supplies. China has initiated a nationwide program that requires drugmakers to submit bids to supply public hospitals, which has led in some cases to price cuts of more than 90% as cheap generics replace Western brands such as Lipitor, Viagra and Pulmicort. Five rounds of bulk buying since 2018 have helped save 260 billion yuan ($40.8 billion) in medical insurance costs and patient expenditures as of September 2021, according to the government.

3. So this is bad news for pharmaceutical companies?

Not entirely. The price reductions inevitably hurt the bottom line of both Chinese and multinational drugmakers. On the other hand, the program is designed to open access to a vast patient population, at least for companies that make the reimbursement list. Chinas 2.34 trillion yuan national medical insurance fund covers 95% of the 1.4 billion population, and getting the drugs on that list means they are available for far more people. Medicines that were previously prohibitively expensive suddenly become more affordable as they are mostly covered by the state medical insurance, and volume increases help offset lower margins. The expanded coverage is in part enabled by much-lower prices.

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4. What about generic manufacturers?

After the initial pilot round in 2018, nearly 70% of Chinas 65 listed drugmakers flagged slower profit growth citing, among other reasons, the procurement plan. The bulk buying is driving consolidation in what has been a very fragmented industry in China. Many drugmakers are ramping up research spending on new products to support their bottom line because the days when they could easily reap profits from making generic copies of brand name medicines are gone. Local drugmakers and biotech startups such as Jiangsu Hengrui Medicine Co. and BeiGene Ltd. are also trying to accelerate drug development with the goal of competing with Western pharmaceutical giants on the global stage.

5. How are multinationals faring?

They are seeing some of their off-patent drugs being replaced by ultra-cheap domestic generics one by one, but they are also seeing many of their top-of-the-line therapies being launched in China faster and getting state medical insurance coverage sooner. Some see lower prices of their new drugs being offset by an explosion in demand. Chinas regulator has reformed its drug approval process and is already greenlighting some therapeutics faster than U.S. regulators. AstraZeneca has said it expects new treatments to contribute 60% of its China revenue by 2024, up from just a fraction currently, as its business pivots away from generics.

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January 2022 is one of the worst possible times to get Covid-19. Thats not only because hospitals are dangerously full, but because after nearly two years of gradually learning more about SARS-CoV-2, the omicron variant has thrust scientists and doctors back into a state of ignorance and guessing. Tests and treatments are in short supply. But this isnt March 2020 all over again; in fact, the situation is likely to improve dramatically in just a couple of months.

Omicron seemed to come out of left field. Scientists had predicted that any new variants would likely be offshoots of delta, since that variant accounted for most infections worldwide, but omicron is a distant cousin that nobody knew existed until it was rising at an alarming rate in South Africa.

Scientists are still trying to figure out if deltas decline is being caused by omicrons rise, or whether omicron is just making it look small by comparison. And more broadly, theyd like to know how new variants take over, since this is a phenomenon that might happen again.

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It is somewhat mysterious why we see these surges appear and you have one variant completely replace the other, said Jeremy Luban, an infectious disease specialist at University of Massachusetts Medical School. We saw that with Alpha when it first appeared, it was quite startling.

There is evidence that immunity is allowing omicron to actively push back its predecessor. Recent unpublished data from a respected group in South Africa demonstrates that omicron infection leaves people with immunity that defends against delta. The cross immunity between the variants works much better in this direction. People infected with delta appear to have very poor protection against omicron.

That asymmetrical immunity would clearly give omicron an advantage, but its still not clear whether delta could hide somewhere and return, maybe in an altered form that evaded omicron antibodies.

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Luban said that omicron infections may also be preventing the delta variant from spreading to new hosts. Viruses, once they enter cells, can actively block entry from other viruses, he said. They dont like to share hosts. Omicron appears to be much more transmissible, so its winning this footrace.

These fundamental questions have big practical implications. For example, monoclonal antibody drugs that saved lives and truncated illness earlier in the pandemic are no longer being offered in most places because they dont work against omicron, which responds to a different drug. And few hospitals have the resources to analyze each patient to figure out whether they have omicron or delta, which still isnt completely extinguished.

Then theres the question of why and how omicron spreads so much more readily than other variants. It doesnt appear to leave people with a higher viral load, but it might linger at levels that keep people infectious for longer, said Mark Siedner, an infectious disease epidemiologist and clinician at Massachusetts General Hospital.

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Thats a touchy subject now that the CDC has shortened its recommendations for isolation and quarantine, and questions are arising about the ability of rapid tests to catch cases early enough to stop transmission.

Siedner is involved in a study aimed at measuring how long people remain contagious with omicron infections. PCR tests are notorious for coming up positive for days or weeks after people have cleared any live virus, because the test can find inert remnants of viral RNA. So his group will test people whove come up positive every couple of days for several weeks to see if they can isolate samples of the virus that are still viable.

That data could help CDC formulate better guidance on isolation and quarantine. Im hoping in the next week or two were going to be able to show fairly clearly how long are people contagious with omicron, he said. I know the CDC is asking us to isolate for five days ... If people are infectious for 10-15 days  that might explain some of what were seeing.

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So scientists wont remain in the dark about omicron forever  or even for very much longer. And after this winter surge is over, it will be easier for everyone to get tested and easier for the sickest to get the right monoclonal antibodies. In just a couple more months, doctors expect to have antiviral pills that work against all known variants.

Some experts have warned that nearly everyone will get this virus in one form or another eventually, and that may be true if it hangs around for decades. But timing is everything.

This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Faye Flam is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist and host of the podcast Follow the Science. She has written for the Economist, the New York Times, the Washington Post, Psychology Today, Science and other publications.

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One of the big lessons of this pandemic, supposedly, is the need for more resilient supply chains. The story goes something like this: In an effort to drive down costs, manufacturers and retailers cultivated gossamer-thin networks dependent on low-priced, just-in-time shipping from around the world. That lithe approach boosted profits when times were good  but when a crisis hit, it snapped.

Theres only one problem with this story: Very little of it is true. There were major supply problems in 2021 in the world in general and the U.S. in particular, but they had little to do with the chains.

Consider the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, often cited as illustrations of the broken international supply chain. In the last two decades, the number of cargo containers handled each year in the adjacent ports almost doubled, growing from almost 4.9 million in 2000 to more than 10 million in 2021, a record high (the figure was 9.9 million through November).

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Yes, the pandemic created a lot of strain for the ports and the supply chain they are part of. Average shipping times from China doubled, and price of moving a typical container rose from 4% of its value to nearly 20%. The number of ships waiting to unload at any given time rose from one or two in the summer of 2020 to high of 82 this past November. President Joe Biden considered sending in the National Guard to ease the pressure.

About that last point: If it is the sprawling international supply chain that is failing, how would it help to add extra manpower at its point of convergence in the U.S.?

The answer, of course, is that the ports are under strain not because the supply chain is breaking down under the weight of the pandemic. Theyre under strain because volume has surged in response to demand. Personal Consumption Expenditures on Goods, a broad measure of U.S. consumer spending, has surged 25% since the pandemic began, and the value of imports has risen by a nearly identical 27%.

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Yes, imports from China are flat or slightly down. But there were increases from alternative sources. Imports from Vietnam, for example, have grown by more than 50%. That is precisely the response one would expect from a resilient global supply chain.

The problem is the U.S.s domestic distribution network, which has been unable to keep up, in large part because its in a mad scramble for labor. Employment in trucking collapsed in the spring of 2020 and recovered slowly, just reaching its pre-pandemic levels in November. By contrast, the payrolls of couriers and messengers, a category that includes local delivery drivers, grew rapidly through most of the pandemic.

Likewise, intermodal rail traffic  which competes against long-haul trucking  is flat since the start of the pandemic, even as retailers have seen their inventory-to-sales ratio fall from 1.43 to 1.07.

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The story, then, is clear: Americans are buying, foreign markets are supplying  and the domestic distribution network is struggling.

Part of the story is simply that distribution is hard work that many Americans prefer not to do in a tight labor market. Solid growth in warehousing and storage employment, however, shows that they can be persuaded to take such jobs. Businesses such as Amazon have faced tremendous turnover but have pulled out all the stops  raising pay and hiring with a click on an app  in order to increase the size of their workforce.

Its the so-called legacy distribution network that is sclerotic, over-regulated and slow to adopt new technology. The industries that have evolved the least in response to the rise of global supply chains are holding the system back.

More at Bloomberg Opinion:

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 Pandemic? Supply Chain Snarls? Lets Do a Deal: Brooke Sutherland

 Shopping Is Going to Be a Lot More Painful in 2022: Andrea Felsted

 How to Get the Worlds Ships to Run on Time Again: James Stavridis

 How Companies Can Help Solve the Supply Chain Mess: The Editors

This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Karl W. Smith is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist. He was formerly vice president for federal policy at the Tax Foundation and assistant professor of economics at the University of North Carolina. He is also co-founder of the economics blog Modeled Behavior.

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Early on in the pandemic, many of us hoped that India would help vaccinate the world. Indias pharmaceutical sector, dominated by companies capable of churning out generic medicines in vast quantities, looked like the obvious location for vaccine production at the scale needed to inoculate the developing world. Wp Get the full experience. Choose your plan ArrowRight That hasnt worked out, partly because the Indian government restricted vaccine exports after the Delta variant emerged here  but also because of the unexpected and early success of the mRNA-based shots from Moderna Inc. and Pfizer Inc. These came on the market early and set high standards for efficacy against the original variant of the virus. But they were remarkably ill-suited for production and distribution in the emerging world. They need to be stored at untenably low temperatures, and their novel and unfamiliar production process isnt easy to replicate.

Given their effectiveness as the mainstay of rich-world vaccination programs, it isnt surprising that, on the infrequent occasions that the West thinks about vaccines for developing countries, the focus is on how to expand mRNAs footprint. The emergence of Delta and then the Omicron variant  against which booster mRNA shots seem to work better than many alternatives  has led some to the conclusion that, unless the entire world switches to mRNA, effective global vaccination is impossible. Certainly, thats what both activists and rich-country policy makers seem to think.

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But we shouldnt be too sure. Indian regulators have just approved two shots  both, as it happens, developed largely in the United States  which might turn out to be a safer bet than mRNA for much of the world.

The first has been developed by Maryland-based Novavax Inc. It encodes genetic sequences from the spike protein into a virus that targets insects, then loads that virus into cultured moth cells. Novavax  which received $1.6 billion in 2020 from the Trump administrations Operation Warp Speed, the largest such payout at the time  took some time scaling up this fiddly process. Its Indian partner, the Serum Institute of India, complained last year that the Biden administration was holding back the raw materials India needed to produce the shot, delaying its rollout by six months or more.

The vaccine has now been approved by India, the European Union and the World Health Organization  and is already being administered in Indonesia and the Philippines. Like the mRNA vaccines, the Novavax shot retains efficacy against the Omicron variant. A booster shot ups protection 73-fold, a higher multiple than mRNA boosters provide.

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Moreover, protein subunit shots such as Novavaxs can be stored in regular refrigerators. And the technical process behind such vaccines has been described as old-school, far better understood than that for mRNA vaccines. That has allowed Novavax to enroll manufacturing partners in countries across the world, though Serum Institute will be its workhorse, producing 150 million shots a month.

The other new vaccine is called Corbevax. While its Phase III trial data is not yet public, its potential is exciting. Its also a protein subunit vaccine but, instead of baculoviruses and moth cells, the manufacturing process uses yeast  similar to the methods that have been used for decades for Hepatitis B vaccines. It was originally developed by researchers at Texas Childrens Hospital and Baylor University, and co-developed subsequently by India-based Biological E Ltd., a major producer of Hepatitis B vaccines.

Perhaps most importantly, the technology to make Corbevax is not just easy to understand and replicate, it involves no complicated intellectual property questions. That means production can be scaled up quickly in many different parts of the world. The vaccines developers have already transferred the technology to manufacturers in developing countries such as Indonesia, Bangladesh and Botswana.

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Heres whats strange: Corbevax wasnt on policy makers radar. The vaccine took only $7 million to develop, mostly raised from Texas philanthropists. You cant help wondering if old-school vaccines had received a fraction of the billions handed out by G-7 countries to innovative vaccines, whether we would be a lot further toward ending the pandemic than we are. One of the vaccines developers told NPR that government officials werent interested in their shot: People were so fixated on innovation that nobody thought, Hey, maybe we could use a low-cost, durable, easy-breezy vaccine that can vaccinate the whole world.

We shouldnt make that mistake twice. Accelerating global vaccinations is the only way to ensure we dont ruin 2022 or 2023 with yet worse variants. To ramp up production globally, we need to focus on processes that are easy to replicate and where the technology can swiftly be transferred. mRNA isnt the only game in town.

This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Mihir Swarup Sharma is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist. He is a senior fellow at the Observer Research Foundation in New Delhi and head of its Economy and Growth Programme. He is the author of Restart: The Last Chance for the Indian Economy, and co-editor of What the Economy Needs Now.

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Web3, or Web 3.0, has become the latest craze for investors who fear missing out. Hotter than Bitcoin, harder to understand than artificial intelligence and also painfully abstract, Web3 points to a more transparent, decentralized and equitable web, which in principle is better than an internet controlled by a handful of mega corporations. Wp Get the full experience. Choose your plan ArrowRight This idea for the next iteration of the web is a terrific concept, but one that, like communism, cant really work in its current form.

The problem is Web3 is not all that distributed, nor is it particularly equitable or transparent. It is highly centralized, despite being touted as a decentralized alternative to the web. That was the indictment from Moxie Marlinspike, a highly respected cryptographer and founder of encrypted-messaging app Signal, who published a damning blog post about Web3 over the weekend. On Monday, Marlinspike also announced he was stepping down from Signal after a decade of running the company.

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To be sure, bigger names have already taken a shot at Web3:

But Marlinspikes post caused waves in the tech industry for its clear-eyed and technical breakdown of why Web3 wasnt working as promised.

Web3 broadly refers to a next chapter of the internet where the apps and services people use are radically restructured to run on blockchain technology, as opposed to company-owned platforms, meaning their inner workings are made more transparent and content creators have opportunities to take a slice of proceeds. It has been pushed hard by venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz, which has invested in several Web3-building companies because the digital status quo is broken.

If Web1 was the beginning of the internet with read-only websites, Web2 ushered in the internet platforms on which users read and published, while the platforms consolidated power and proceeds. Web3 is supposed to disrupt the power of those gatekeepers. In actuality, it doesnt.

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Marlinspike created his own apps for investing in NFTs to poke around the current system, and he found a small group of companies that users had to trust in order to access data stored on the blockchain. In todays Web3, access to the blockchain is still concentrated among just a few firms. That is something many people who use decentralized apps already knew but didnt recognize for what it was: a bug in the systems mechanics and principles.

Marlinspike made an NFT of a geometric drawing of lines. He posted it to OpenSea, a popular NFT marketplace that recently raised $300 million, minting its two founders as billionaires. Within a few days his NFT was taken down and, more concerningly, it disappeared from his crypto wallet. The reason: End-users like Marlinspike dont have direct access to the blockchain, and some Web3 companies, such as his crypto wallet provider, had to go through a few, bigger companies to access it too.

To see a piece of art on the blockchain, even one that he owned, his crypto wallet provider had to access the necessary data via OpenSea, which had taken it down without warning or explanation. It wasnt that his NFT didnt exist anymore  his wallet just couldnt show it to him. A spokeswoman for OpenSea said it was against the companys policy to sell NFTs using plagiarized content, which appears to have become an issue when Marlinspike allowed people to mint a token for his NFT.

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Marlinspike provided a few other examples in his post to illustrate the point that blockchain services were actually centralizing the flow of data. In other words, the very first applications of Web3 technology are already gravitating toward structures that underpinned the current web.

A quick view on the mechanics and why this is so: Blockchain technology works by creating trust-distributing connections between servers, aka powerful computers, not between people with mobile phones like us. People dont want to run their own servers, Marlinspike wrote. That is why companies have begun selling access to servers connected to the blockchain, becoming not unlike the companies that built the infrastructure of Web2. Ozone Networks Inc., the owner of OpenSea, is one company doing this, as are Infura Inc. and Alchemy Insights Inc. Many so-called distributed apps, or dApps, link to these firms to access the blockchain.

These companies are not bad. They are simply seizing a business opportunity that exists within the limits of blockchain. While its technically possible to restructure the rules of blockchain to make it less reliant on a few firms, that would require getting the consensus of thousands of developers over the course of years. That is a big, human problem, not a technical one, which makes solving it look all the more unfeasible in the near future. The difficulty of tinkering with software and getting many other people to agree to changes is why one of the worlds most popular protocols, underpinning email, looks no different to how it did a decade ago.

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For his part, Marlinspike does not speak about the investment premise of Web3, other than to say that it wont be a blip and there is enough money in the space to keep it going for some time. His bigger concern is privacy  not surprising given his work helping to build the protocol that underpins end-to-end encryption on WhatsApp, as well as his own messaging app, Signal. In acting as gatekeepers of data, Web3 companies have even more insights into what users are doing than companies like Alphabet Inc.s Google and Meta Platform Inc.s Facebook.

That could become a bigger problem if Web3 companies reach the scale of Big Tech today. Given the strangeness of their mechanics, though, it is hard to see that growth happening anytime soon, if ever.

More From Other Writers at Bloomberg Opinion:

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 Robinhood Has Become an Attractive Takeover Target: Jared Dillian

 Omicron Came for Lululemon. Which Retailer Is Next?: Andrea Felsted

 Uniting Grand Theft Auto and FarmVille Is a Game Changer: Tae Kim

This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Parmy Olson is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering technology. She previously reported for the Wall Street Journal and Forbes and is the author of We Are Anonymous.

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Once again, the party in control of the U.S. Senate is feeling frustrated by the filibuster. Thats the prerogative enjoyed by the minority party to demand never-ending debate on legislation, thwarting its passage. Filibusters once required senators to stand and speak for hours, but since the 1970s, bills can grind to a halt at the mere threat of one: Almost all bills are doomed unless supported by the three-fifths supermajority required to end a filibuster. Of the more than 1,700 filibusters since 1917, half have taken place since 2000. With Democrats currently in control by only the slightest possible margin, impatient members of that party say the Senate can preserve the filibuster or pass President Joe Bidens agenda, but not both.

1. How did the filibuster come to be?

The Senate, envisioned by the founders to be a highly deliberative body, was created with no mechanism to end debate on a given topic. Senators quickly realized that long speeches could delay action on legislation they didnt like. In the 1850s, the practice of talking a bill to death got a name -- filibuster, from the Dutch word for pirate. In 1917, senators adopted a rule establishing that debate could be ended upon a so-called cloture vote supported by a two-thirds supermajority. That bar was lowered in 1975 to a three-fifths supermajority, meaning it takes 60 votes in the 100-seat Senate to end debate.

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2. Whats happening now?

Since taking power in January 2021, Senate Democrats have faced pressure to end or modify the filibuster from their more liberal members, the more progressive wing of the House and outside activist groups. Even some moderate Democrats, including Minnesotas Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith, signed on to the idea when all 50 Republicans lined up against Bidens $1.9 trillion pandemic relief and stimulus plan. But to alter the rules, all 50 Democrats in the chamber would have to vote in favor, with Vice President Kamala Harris breaking the resulting tie. At least two centrist Democrats -- Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona -- have said they wont go along. Manchin says the filibuster should be made more painful to use by requiring senators who invoke it to speak continuously. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell warned Democrats that if they were to eliminate the filibuster, Republicans would retaliate by making it harder to conduct even routine business in the chamber.

3. Are there alternatives to ending the filibuster?

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Yes. A simple majority of senators could vote at any given time to modify the filibuster, just as they could to end it. In fact, senators have limited its use twice in the past decade, both times in regard to confirmations of presidential appointments. In 2013, Democrats established that a simple majority vote could advance nominees for lower-court judgeships and federal agencies. In 2017, the Republicans who then held the majority voted to allow a simple majority vote to confirm Supreme Court nominees. For now, most legislation can still be filibustered.

4. Doesnt a filibuster last only as long as a senator keeps talking?

Thats a myth that can be traced to Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, the 1939 film in which Jimmy Stewarts character filibusters to heroic effect. In reality, the filibuster has often been deployed to frustrate majority rule, or simply to rally supporters, as when Senator Strom Thurmond of South Carolina stood on the floor for 24 hours and 18 minutes in 1957 in an unsuccessful bid to stop a civil rights bill. Under the idea floated by Biden, Manchin and others, filibusters would more closely resemble Mr. Smith -- the vote would be delayed only so long as a bills opponents actively held the floor.

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5. Can any bills make it around the filibuster?

Yes, but not many and its not easy. In 1974, the Senate adopted a procedure known as reconciliation that allows for expedited consideration of legislation related to spending, taxing and the federal debt limit. Under reconciliation, a simple majority is all thats required for passage. But the process has limits: The Byrd rule -- named for Robert Byrd, a Democratic senator who represented West Virginia for 51 years -- requires that all provisions in a reconciliation bill have an impact on federal revenue, spending and deficits, and that no extraneous provisions are included. That forced Democrats to drop Bidens proposal for a national $15 an hour minimum wage from the virus-relief package. Republicans used reconciliation to pass tax cuts in 2001, 2003 and 2017, and the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, achieved final passage only by using reconciliation. Democrats fear that priorities like measures on voting rights or immigration would not qualify for reconciliation.

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Quebec considers fee for the unvaccinated Wp Get the full experience. Choose your plan ArrowRight Quebec Premier Francois Legault is considering a novel way to boost vaccination numbers in the province and hopefully slow a growth in hospitalizations that has severely strained the health-care system: a health contribution  or fee  imposed on unvaccinated adults. He provided few details about how the proposal would work or when it could take effect. The premier did not say how much the fee would be, except that it would be significant. Residents who cannot get vaccinated for medical reasons would be exempt under the plan.

Officials have said that while the unvaccinated make up a small percentage of the population, they are overrepresented in hospitalizations.

Right now, these people put a very important burden on our health-care network, Legault said at a news conference. I think its normal that a majority of the population is asking that there be a consequence.

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No other Canadian province or territory has announced similar measures, but some nations have fines for being unvaccinated.

 Amanda Coletta

Strike reportedly kills at least 17 in Tigray

An airstrike in the town of Mai Tsebri in Ethiopias northern Tigray region on Monday killed at least 17 people  mostly women  and wounded dozens, two aid workers said, citing local authorities and eyewitnesses.

The United Nations said it had been unable to confirm the casualties because of a lack of communications in the area. It called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and full humanitarian access.

On Friday, an airstrike killed 56 people and injured 30, including children, in a camp for displaced people in a different location in Tigray.

The Ethiopian government did not respond to a request for comment on the Mai Tsebri strike. It has previously denied targeting civilians in the 14-month Tigray conflict.

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 Reuters

Afghanistan's Taliban to expand 'food for work' program: The Taliban administration says it is expanding its "food for work" program, in which it uses donated wheat instead of cash to pay thousands of public-sector employees, as a financial crisis intensifies in Afghanistan. Wheat that was largely donated by India to the previous,

U.S.-backed government is being used to pay 40,000 workers about 22 pounds of wheat a day for working five hours a day, agriculture officials said at a news conference. The scheme, which has largely paid laborers on public works programs in Kabul, will be expanded across the country, they said.

Lebanese judge bans travel for central bank governor: A Lebanese judge issued a travel ban for the country's central bank governor, Riad Salameh, the state-run National News Agency and a lawyer said. The decision was the first judicial action taken by authorities in Lebanon against Salameh, 71, who is being investigated in several countries for potential money laundering. It was not immediately clear if the ban would take effect. Salameh has backing from many politicians.

Yemeni government forces retake control of province: Forces of Yemen's internationally recognized government have reclaimed the entire southern province of Shabwa from the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels, officials said. The development is a blow to the rebels after government forces made significant advances this month in the country's south.

 From news services

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Congress should get out of the business of second-guessing state-cast votes, yes. But wouldnt it be much more difficult to undermine an electoral vote system predicated on proportionality rather than winner-take-all? In a proportional distribution of electoral votes, no candidate would win all of the electoral votes in a state. In 2016, then-Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump would have had to split Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin with Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton, and Ms. Clinton wouldnt have walked away with all of California and New York.

Not only would this allow for an electoral vote that hewed more closely to the popular vote, but it would also inspire candidates to stump in all 50 states to maximize their take. It would benefit states such as Wyoming, Montana, Idaho and the Dakotas, because they would no longer be overlooked or ignored by candidates. Such a proportional system would make the math of winning an election less certain and demand true national campaigns, not just those targeted toward traditional red or blue strongholds.
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George F. Wills Jan. 6 op-ed, The racial politics of the Indian Child Welfare Act, ignored the benefits of the Indian Child Welfare Act and the basic facts of tribal citizenship. The ICWA is considered the gold standard of child welfare laws and establishes a process that promotes efforts to keep children connected to their families, communities and heritage. Theres a reason those who know the ICWA best  from child welfare experts to tribes  have filed briefs defending the law.

The op-ed also twisted logic to connect the ICWA to recent political divisions. The facts say otherwise: Republican and Democratic presidential administrations alike continually defend the ICWA in court. And as courts have repeatedly ruled, the ICWA is not a race-based law but rather one fully in line with congressional authority and the political status of tribal citizenship.

Before the ICWA passed, children were regularly removed from our communities, stripping them of identity and culture. As leader of the Cherokee Nation, I will not let us go back to that dark time.

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Attacks on the ICWA prioritize politics over a process proven to work. Overturning this law would upend legal precedent and hurt those who matter most: our children.

Chuck Hoskin Jr., Tahlequah, Okla.

The writer is principal chief

of the Cherokee Nation.

George F. Wills Jan. 6 op-ed on the Indian Child Welfare Act sidestepped important facts and used misleading storytelling to argue against this critical law.

Mr. Wills tragic stories falsely imply increased danger to children placed with their parents or tribal kin. Unfortunately, children of all backgrounds experience harm inside and outside foster care. He suggested Brackeen v. Haaland hinges on safety. This case is an appeal of adoption decisions, not safety determinations.

Mr. Will protested identity politics while omitting the crux of the legal debate: The ICWA is a political classification, not a racial one. Tribal sovereignty must be respected as a means of self-determination for Native people to have a say in what happens to their children and families.

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The question before the court is one of tribal sovereignty and cultural identity in healthy child development. The child welfare system disproportionately impacts Native American children, placing them in foster care at rates more than two times higher than their proportion of the population. As Canada recently recognized, many family separations are unnecessary. Cases from Pima County, Ariz., in which tribes are actively engaged have shown that children have better results under the ICWA.

The ICWA is gold-standard practice because it guards against unnecessary government intrusion, protects family relationships, and emphasizes familial and cultural identity. The Supreme Court should recognize the ICWA as a vital tool to address ongoing injustices against Native and non-Native children alike.

Kim Dvorchak, Denver

The writer is the executive director

of the National Association

of Counsel for Children.

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ATLANTA  President Biden threw his full support Tuesday behind changing the Senate filibuster to ease passage of voting rights bills, using a major speech in Atlanta to endorse an idea increasingly backed by Democrats and civil rights activists seeking momentum on what has been an intractable issue. Wp Get the full experience. Choose your plan ArrowRight The remarks from Biden, who was a senator for 36 years, amounted to his strongest endorsement yet of changes he had resisted for most of his career. The president made clear that he, like many others in his party, now believes the filibuster is being abused to block legislation that is fundamental to democracy.

The United States Senate, designed to be the worlds greatest deliberative body, has been rendered a shell of its former self, Biden told hundreds of college students, civil rights activists and elected officials at the Atlanta University Center. I believe that the threat to our democracy is so grave that we must find a way to pass these voting rights bills.

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If the Senate does not at least agree to debate the voting bills, we have no option but to change the Senate rules, including getting rid of the filibuster for this, Biden said, to applause.

Much of the speech was a blistering attack on Republicans of the kind Biden has long avoided, taking aim at those opposing voting rights measures in Congress as well as those enacting voting restrictions in the states.

The facts wont matter. Your votes wont matter, Biden said. They will just decide what they want and then do it. Thats the kind of power you see in totalitarian states, not in democracies.

The tough language extended Bidens shift toward a more combative tone in recent weeks, after nearly a year of carefully courting Republicans and Democratic centrists. Last month the White House issued a sharp condemnation of Sen. Joe Manchin III (D-W.Va.), and Biden on Thursday condemned former president Donald Trump in newly forceful terms.

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Heres what you need to know about the procedures complicated history meant to delay, delay, delay. (Video: Drea Cornejo/The Washington Post)

Under the Senates filibuster rules, most bills need 60 votes to pass, a threshold that is increasingly difficult to meet in the polarized chamber. The Senate is split 50-50 between the parties, and Republicans are almost entirely unified against the voting rights bills.

Many civil rights activists are frustrated that Biden has not pushed harder to protect the vote, and some stayed away from the presidents visit. The Rev. Al Sharpton met with Biden after his address, saying, I told the president he gave a monumental speech and, though I have been challenging him for months to be forthcoming, it was better late than never.

Vice President Harris, herself a former senator, also embraced amending the filibuster as she spoke before Biden at the Atlanta University Center, sandwiched between two historically Black institutions in a state that is steeped in civil rights history.

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Nowhere does the Constitution give a minority the right to unilaterally block legislation, Harris said. The American people have waited long enough.

The Democratic efforts are focused on two bills: the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, which would restore the federal governments authority to review certain state voting laws to prevent discrimination, and the Freedom to Vote Act, a broader bill that would create national rules for voting by mail, early voting and other parts of the electoral process.

Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) plans to bring a package of rules changes to the floor before Martin Luther King Jr. Day next week. On Tuesday, Schumer warned that the threats of voter suppression are not false  as Senate Republicans have claimed  but dangerous, and he indicated that Senate action could come as early as Wednesday.

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Failure is not an option for the democracy of America, Schumer told reporters.

Any shift would require the agreement of all 50 Democratic caucus members. But at least two centrists  Manchin and Sen. Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona  have resisted the changes, making the prospects for action uncertain at best. Biden and Harris are expected to call senators over the next several days, and the president will meet with the Senate Democratic Caucus on Thursday to discuss the push to pass voting rights and potential changes to the Senate rules, the White House said.

While Manchin has spent weeks in negotiations with fellow Democratic senators over possible rules changes, he told reporters Tuesday that he was not interested in changing the Senates rules on a party-line vote.

We need some good rules changes, and we can do that together, he said. But you change the rules with two-thirds of the people that are present so its Democrats, Republicans changing the rules to make the place work better. Getting rid of the filibuster does not make it work better.

In Atlanta, the president did not point a finger at specific senators by name, but he said the Senate vote would mark a turning point in American history.

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Will we choose democracy over autocracy? Light over shadows? Justice over injustice? I know where I stand, Biden said. The question is, where will the institution of the United States Senate stand?

Bidens speech is the latest move in an increasingly bitter partisan fight over voting. Democrats are angry at an array of voting restrictions imposed by GOP-led states, including Georgia, where Biden visited Kings crypt on Tuesday before making his speech.

Republicans have made clear they will not take part in any effort to rewrite the Senate rules to pass the voting bills. At a Capitol Hill news conference Tuesday, more than a dozen Senate Republicans blasted efforts to change the filibuster. Several quoted Schumers own past remarks on the topic, including a 2005 comment that eliminating the rule would spell doomsday for democracy.

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Here we are today, with them eating their words, said Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.). Thats hypocritical at the face of it.

Several senators in the Democratic caucus who signed a 2017 letter arguing for the preservation of the 60-vote threshold for legislation said circumstances have changed amid Republican efforts to undermine voting rights across the country.

One of them, Sen. Angus King (I-Maine), said he believed the upcoming vote would be the most important one he takes in his life.

Its ironic in the extreme to enshrine the principle of bipartisanship here in the Senate to the extent that we cant repair damage done to the democracy by 100 percent partisan legislatures around the country, King said.

Reflecting the lack of a clear path forward, Democrats have not arrived at a unified proposal for amending the filibuster.

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Discussions have centered on two main alternatives: creating a carve-out that would simply exempt voting rights legislation from the 60-vote threshold, or returning to the talking filibuster, which would require senators to physically speak on the floor to block a vote on legislation.

Historically, that requirement has led to marathon speeches, as dramatized in movies such as Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. But currently, senators only have to state their intention to block a bill, making the tactic far easier.

Biden on Tuesday called on Congress to pass both the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act immediately. He has made phone calls and met virtually with a handful of Democratic senators in recent weeks, and he signaled that his patience is waning.

Ive been having these quiet conversations with members of Congress for the last two months. Im tired of being quiet, Biden said, striking the lectern with his palm.

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Several Democrats joined Biden on Tuesday, including Georgias two senators, Democrats Raphael G. Warnock and Jon Ossoff.

But notably absent was Stacey Abrams, who has been at the forefront of registering voters in Georgia and is running for governor. Seth Bringman, a spokesman for Abrams, said she has a conflict, expressed her support and will continue to.

Before leaving Washington earlier Tuesday, Biden dismissed the notion of any friction between him and Abrams, telling reporters he was insulted by the question. White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Biden and Abrams held a warm phone call earlier Tuesday. Abrams, in a statement late Tuesday, thanked the president and vice president for returning to Georgia to continue their steadfast advocacy for passage of federal legislation to protect the freedom to vote.

Still, a number of civil rights groups announced boycotts of Biden and Harriss visit, expressing impatience with the lack of action from Washington. Psaki declined to comment on the protests, noting that Biden was flying with a full plane of congressional leaders and advocates for voting rights and meeting with an array of civil rights leaders in Georgia.

Republicans, many embracing the discredited notion that Trump won the 2020 presidential election, dismiss Democrats complaints about the new state-level voting restrictions and argue that the changes are needed to prevent fraud and restore faith in the vote.

Georgias law, for example, expands voter ID requirements, imposes new rules on early voting, and forbids handing out food or water to people waiting in line to vote, among other measures.

Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel said it was Democrats who were abusing the process by seeking to overrule state voting laws. No number of lies told or fake hysteria pushed today justify Democrats agenda to break the Senate and destroy American elections, McDaniel said.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) on Tuesday renewed a threat to grind the Senate to a halt using time-consuming procedural maneuvers if Democrats unilaterally change the rules.

If the Democratic leader tries to shut millions of Americans and entire states out of the business of governing, the operations of this body will change, he said. . . . But not in ways that reward the rule-breakers, not in ways that advantage this president, this majority, or their party. I guarantee it.

Five times since the Voting Rights Act was first passed in 1965, Republicans have voted to reauthorize it, but GOP support for key enforcement provisions has all but evaporated since the Supreme Court gutted them in recent decisions. Only Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) voted with Democrats last year to advance the John Lewis bill, which would restore federal oversight of election laws in jurisdictions with a history of racial discrimination.

The Freedom to Vote Act, meanwhile, has garnered no Republican support. It not only sets a single nationwide minimum standard for early voting and vote-by-mail in a bid to reverse some of the new state-level GOP laws, but it also aims to overhaul a wide range of election and campaign-finance practices.

DeBonis and Wang reported from Washington. Vanessa Williams in Washington contributed to this report.

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correction Earlier versions of this article misspelled the last name of Mitch Ceasar, a former Broward County Democratic Party chair.

Democrat Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick won Tuesdays election to fill Floridas vacant 20th Congressional District, returning her party to the 222-seat majority it held after the 2020 elections. Cherfilus-McCormick, a 42-year old health-care company CEO, easily defeated Republican nominee Jason Mariner in a seat drawn to be safe for Democrats. She will replace the late Rep. Alcee L. Hastings (D), whom she had challenged in the 2018 and 2020 primaries.

Hastings died last April after a bout of pancreatic cancer. Local Democrats have been frustrated over the 280-day gap between his passing and the special election called by Gov. Ron DeSantis (R)  timing that left the House majority one seat down most of the year.

The outcome, projected by the Associated Press shortly after the polls closed, was not a surprise: After early voting concluded on Sunday, registered Democrats had cast more than 38,000 of about 50,000 total early ballots. The 20th district, which connects majority-Black parts of Palm Beach and Broward counties, went for President Biden by 3 to 1 in 2020. Both major parties saw the November Democratic primary  which Cherfilus-McCormick won by just five votes, after a recount  as the decisive battle for the seat.

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The Democratic win will give Florida its first Haitian American member of Congress, in a region with about half a million people of Haitian descent. Cherfilus-McCormick, 42, ran as a supporter of Medicare-for-all, a Green New Deal, a $20-per-hour minimum wage and $1,000 permanent recovery checks for adults making less than $75,000 per year.

We had a message that was actually about helping people, Cherfilus-McCormick said in an interview after clinching the primary. It wasnt just: Elect me, Ive been around for a long time.

The Democrat, who has never held elected office, defeated a crowded field of state legislators and county officials to win the nomination. Under Floridas resign-to-run law, all had to leave office by the Jan. 11 election date. Primaries to replace those legislators were also held on Tuesday; DeSantis appointed two political allies with Democratic ties to the vacant county offices, with those elections coming later this year.

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One of the defeated Democrats, former Broward County commissioner Dale Holness, filed a lawsuit in late November 2020 arguing that Cherfilus-McCormicks $1,000 payment policy amounted to a voter bribe and asking for a batch of ballots that arrived after Election Day to be counted. Holness has already filed to run in the next Democratic primary for the seat, in August, but no judge took up his case during the election.

Some people file election litigation because they think theyre right, said Mitch Ceasar, a former Broward County Democratic Party chair working with the Cherfilus-McCormick campaign. Others file frivolous litigation for political reasons.

Republicans nominated local ad company owner Mariner in the November primary and supported him after opponents questioned whether his criminal record disqualified him from running. Mariner, 36, has talked openly about his past convictions for theft and cocaine possession and his time in jail, and the Palm Beach GOP donated $23,000 to his campaign.

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Why do we keep electing people to represent us who are out of touch with we, the people? Mariner said to Local 10 News last week, while early voting was underway.

In the candidates pre-Christmas campaign finance filings, Mariner had less than $24,000 left to spend. Cherfilus-McCormick, who had lent her campaign millions of dollars, entered the final days with more than $1.3 million on hand.

That money funded a final get-out-the-vote push, even as Cherfilus-McCormicks wealth became an issue in the race. She filed her personal financial disclosure two weeks ago, reporting an income of more than $6.4 million, up from a reported $86,000 in 2020. After the Sun-Sentinel newspaper cited her late disclosure as a reason it was making no endorsement in the race, Cherfilus-McCormick said in a statement that she had the ability to fund most of my campaign by herself instead of placing the burden on those facing economic challenges and dealing with the coronavirus.

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Sadly, as a Black woman, I am all too familiar with having to prove myself, double, despite my successes, even to those who claim to be without bias, she added.

Cherfilus-McCormick will be seated as soon as the results are certified. When she takes office, Democrats will hold 10 more seats than Republicans. There is one vacancy in the House, with an April primary set in central California to replace former congressman Devin Nunes (R).

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President Biden plans to deliver a hard-hitting speech in Atlanta on voting rights Tuesday, saying the issue is fundamental to America, calling for passage of sweeping legislation and denouncing in detail the impact of voting restrictions in states like Georgia. Wp Get the full experience. Choose your plan ArrowRight But in pivoting so fully to voting rights from his recent efforts to pass a major social spending bill, Biden risks opening the new year with a second legislative setback, given the daunting obstacles facing any voting rights package in Congress  including the near-unified opposition of Republicans and the reluctance of some Democrats to ease filibuster rules.

The president, whose views on the Senates rules have evolved as pressure from the partys base has grown, will throw his support behind changing the legislative filibuster to ease passage of voting measures and to ensure that this basic right is defended, said a White House official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to preview the speech.

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The 2022 gubernatorial races have taken on new significance for Democrats as Republicans push for more restrictive voting laws on the state level. (Video: Mahlia Posey/The Washington Post, Photo: Salwan Georges/The Washington Post)

Biden has endorsed a so-called carve-out before, but Tuesdays remarks are expected to be his most extensive on the issue.

The next few days, when these bills come to a vote, will mark a turning point in this nation. Will we choose democracy over autocracy, light over shadow, justice over injustice? Biden plans to say, according to prepared remarks released by the White House Tuesday morning. I know where I stand. I will not yield. I will not flinch. I will defend your right to vote and our democracy against all enemies foreign and domestic. And so the question is where will the institution of United States Senate stand?

The event at Clark Atlanta University and Morehouse College in Atlanta comes after Bidens speech on the anniversary of the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, with White House aides viewing Tuesdays remarks as a second chapter to last weeks forceful defense of democratic institutions and rebuke of former president Donald Trumps role in fomenting false claims about his loss in the 2020 elections.

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Biden is gambling on the limited powers of the bully pulpit to shift dynamics in the Senate that have largely been immovable, as a pair of Democratic senators continue to resist changes to chamber rules that would allow bills to pass on a simple majority vote.

The Atlanta speech also comes as Bidens ambitious Build Back Better package  which would invest approximately $2 trillion in climate initiatives, health-care programs and the social safety net  remains stalled in the Senate, risking legislative defeats on two major priorities at the start of a midterms year.

The presidents allies argue that the fight is worth having even if it falls short, given the stakes. Black activists, liberals and other critical members of the Democratic base have urged the White House to fight harder on the issue, and Biden cannot afford to lose their support.

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I think this is a fight that we have to have as a country, even if an outcome I like is not guaranteed, said Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.), who is crafting potential Senate rules changes. Presidents and leaders of all kinds are measured by the things theyre willing to fight for.

Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) has signaled he plans to hold a vote this week on changing Senate rules to allow the voting rights legislation to pass with a simple majority, but that seems unlikely to succeed.

Biden will be accompanied Tuesday by the states two Democratic senators, Jon Ossoff and Raphael G. Warnock, and other elected officials in Georgia. He and Vice President Harris  who has been the administrations point person on voting rights  will also visit the Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change on the eve of the annual holiday commemorating the civil rights leader.

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In previewing the presidents speech on Monday, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Biden plans to forcefully advocate for protecting the most bedrock American rights, the right to vote and have your voice counted in a free, fair and secure election that is not tainted, by partisan manipulation.

Ensuring that, Psaki said, can only be done by passing a pair of voting legislation that has repeatedly stalled in the Senate due to near-uniform Republican opposition.

Psaki highlighted the symbolic importance of delivering the remarks in Georgia, the home of the late civil rights hero and congressman John Lewis (D-Ga.) and the epicenter of battles over voting access. The state is being sued by the Justice Department over its GOP-backed elections law signed last year.

He wouldnt be going to Georgia tomorrow  a place where there is enormous history of civil rights leaders, of his friend, John Lewis, advocating for fundamental rights, including voting rights  if he wasnt ready and prepared to elevate this issue and continue to fight for it, Psaki said.

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The White House has come under enormous pressure from activists and key Democratic lawmakers to invest more political energy into the issue, as civil rights groups have lamented for months that the administration had yet to prioritize voting in the way that it has other matters.

In an interview Monday, House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn (D-S.C.) recalled that Biden, in his victory remarks after clinching the presidency in November 2020, pledged to African American voters  who largely revived his presidential campaign in the South Carolina primary earlier that year  that he would always have their backs.

It takes no political capital to keep your word, and theres nothing more fundamental to Blacks in this country than the precious right to vote, Clyburn said. No group of people in the United States of America has made more sacrifices, given more for the right to vote, than Black people.

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Nse Ufot, chief executive of the New Georgia Project, said activists needed to see more from the administration than a speech from Biden, suggesting her time would be better spent fighting for results than listening to his remarks.

A coalition of voter advocacy groups, including Ufots group, plan to skip Bidens and Harriss remarks in Atlanta, with the New Georgia Project doing another event at the state Capitol instead.

If all they are doing is coming to give a speech, then I might have some Republicans to be fighting with at that time, Ufot said. What we need is a plan. What we need are marching orders. How are we headed into the midterms? What posture will we have to adopt? And is it worth it to continue to seek federal protections for voting rights?

Republicans, in Georgia and elsewhere, take a sharply different view, arguing that the voting restrictions passed by several states are aimed at fighting fraud and not limiting the vote. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said on the Senate floor that the high turnout in the 2020 election shows that voting rights are not at risk.

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Leading Democrats say they want to break the Senate because of a sinister anti-voting plot that is sweeping America, McConnell said. This is totally fake. It does not exist.

At least in public, Biden began shifting his priorities in favor of voting rights and away from the stalled Build Back Better package last month, when he said that if Congress can pass a voting package into law, lawmakers should put off work on the spending plan.

Though much of his legislative outreach last year had been focused on his infrastructure and social spending packages, Biden popped up on a virtual call with a handful of Democratic senators last month to encourage continued work on voting rights legislation.

After that video chat, the president telephoned Kaine, thanking him for his efforts on the issue and in drafting a change in the Senate rules that would allow the voting bills to pass. Biden also quizzed the senator on the likelihood of the efforts succeeding and said he considered voting legislation crucial to defending democracy in the U.S.

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He saw it in the same way I am seeing it, Kaine said. Its not just, were doing it because its a good thing to do. There is sort of a unique, historical burden on our shoulders because of having been here during this [Jan. 6, 2021] attack.

The Democratic efforts are focused on two bills: the John Lewis Act, which would restore the federal governments authority to review state voting laws to prevent discrimination, and a broader bill that would create national rules for voting by mail, early voting and other parts of the electoral process.

But to pass either of those measures, Democrats must persuade two members of their own caucus who have long resisted fundamental changes to how the Senate operates.

Sen. Joe Manchin III (D-W.Va.) has signaled some flexibility in relaxing the 60-vote threshold to end a legislative filibuster in the Senate  such as requiring three-fifths of those present, rather than of all 100 senators, to advance legislation. But he remains ardently opposed to changing the rules of the Senate on a party-line basis.



Even if Democrats were able to persuade Manchin, Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) also remains stubbornly opposed to getting rid of the 60-vote threshold. She reiterated her opposition in a virtual lunch last week with other Democratic senators, according to a person familiar with her comments, urging other senators to contact her if they wanted to discuss the issue further.

Its unlikely that Bidens remarks, even paired with a series of Senate votes later this week, will be enough to meet the demands of activists pressing the administration for a concrete strategy on getting voting rights legislation enacted.

What we want to see  as opposed to hear  is an outcome where there is legislation on the presidents desk which he can sign to protect the right to vote, said Derrick Johnson, the president of the NAACP.

Cleve R. Wootson Jr. contributed to this report.

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Moscow police confronted Russian pianist Alexei Lubimov, seen here in 2015, as he performed at a recent antiwar concert. (Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

As Russia wages its war on Ukraine, the Kremlin is cracking down to quell dissent within its own borders.
Washington, IN (47501)

Today

Thunderstorms likely, especially this morning...and becoming windy. High 73F. Winds SSW at 20 to 30 mph. Chance of rain 100%..

Tonight

Mostly cloudy skies. Low 49F. Winds NW at 10 to 20 mph.
Laba, prelude to the Spring Festival

By:Wu Qiong | From:english.eastday.com | 2022-01-11 17:25

The Laba Festival this year falls on January 10. As a traditional Chinese festival celebrated by the Han ethnic group who make up the vast majority of Chinese, the festival is regarded as the prelude to the Chinese Spring Festival.

To celebrate the day, people will have Laba porridge made from different kinds of rice, beans, and dried nuts. Though Laba porridge is also auspiciously named eight-treasure porridge, it does not have to be cooked from eight ingredients. However, three materials are essential for a traditional Laba porridge: red dates, Jobs tears and water caltrop. As the tradition goes, the porridge has to be prepared one day in advance and eaten on the morning of the 8th day of the 12th lunar month, so as to ward off evil spirits. In Shanghai, some traditional stores will offer free Laba porridge to citizens.

Laba garlic is also a food custom. Garlic is considered a natural "penicillin" as it has a good antibacterial or bactericidal effect. Appropriate consumption of garlic improves the immunity of the body, keeps away from the trouble of colds, and detoxifies the intestines and lower blood sugar.

But traditionally, people soak garlic in vinegar on Laba Festival and wait until the Spring Festival Eve to consume it. The garlic will have turned green by then. A kind tip for you: to get rid of the garlic smell, you can eat an apple. Because apples contain a lot of polyphenols, they can decompose the odor caused by eating garlic.




Trusted local news has never been more important, but providing the information you need, information that can change sometimes minute-by-minute, requires a partnership with you, our readers. Please consider making a contribution today to support this vital resource that you and countless others depend on.
The owner of Village Roadshow says its ongoing viability hinges on the Omicron wave not triggering new restrictions on its cinemas and theme parks, after suffering another heavy loss due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

VRG Holdco, the entity that owns the storied business, ran at a net loss of $35.8 million in the 12 months to June 30, 2021, according to accounts lodged with the corporate regulator on December 20.

Village Roadshows theme parks including Movie World (pictured) and cinemas have been battered by COVID-19 restrictions over the past two years. Credit:Jono Searle

That result compares to a $117.4 million loss in the 2020 financial year and a $6.6 million loss in the pre-pandemic 2019.

Private equity firm BGH Capital - set up by former Macquarie Capital banker Robin Bishop, and ex-TPG bosses Ben Gray and Simon Harle in 2017 - bought the Village business in December 2020 and delisted it from the ASX, in a deal that valued it close to $586 million.
Deputy Premier Roger Cook said the state was getting as much evidence as it could from the east coast and internationally in the lead-up to the opening date. In relation to the way the disease is transmitted, the infection rates, the acuity and the hospitalisation rates. And well be able to make the decisions on the basis of that, he said. James McCaw, an epidemiologist and mathematical biologist with the University of Melbourne who leads a research team providing modelling on the pandemic to the federal government, told WAtoday once Omicron started to spread it grew in scale quickly. Tasmania is the best example and Queensland and South Australia, he said.

Theyve gone from essentially nothing to large numbers, very high caseloads, that would have looked surprising in Victoria and NSW, in weeks. Case studies: SA and TAS South Australia opened its borders to the rest of the nation on November 23 and had its first Omicron spread in the community on December 10 when there was 53 active COVID-19 cases of any kind. Three weeks later and the active case load for South Australia eclipsed 10,000 on January 1.

Tasmania opened its borders on December 15 and went from 11 active cases on December 20, to 198 cases a week later on December 27, 1686 the week after that and then 7917 on Monday. ICU cases are creeping up in most states but so far NSW has not come near its previous peak of 242 in September as 159 beds were being used on Monday; however, NSW recorded its deadliest day of the pandemic on Monday, with 18 deaths. A survey by the Australian and New Zealand Intensive Care Society in October found WA had 159 ICU beds and had the lowest number per capita in the country at just six for every 100,000 people. The WA government says it is bringing more ICU beds online and can surge up to 300 if needed.

Cases are expected to peak in Victoria and NSW later this month, but Dr Robertson said it would not make a marked difference altering the timing of opening WA borders. Say a state does peak at the end of January, it will take some time to come back down, he said. They will still have some quite large numbers of cases in their community. We need to look at what is actually happening elsewhere, what is working and what kind of measures would be most effective for us going forward, so we are looking very closely at different jurisdictions. What are WAs contact tracing capabilities?

Contact tracers have struggled to keep up with the spread of Omicron in other states and territories with many states progressively shifting the focus to spend no time on casual contacts. Most of the nation has been shifting to focusing on close household contacts instead. In WA it could be some time before a similar method is adopted. WA can currently surge up to 800 contact tracers. The government had put out a tender in October 2020, seeking technology that would help expand its contact tracing system to handle 1000 contact tracers who could monitor 10,000 active cases and their estimated 50,000 close contacts.

At the time the contact tracing system had been acquired quickly under emergency procurement laws. A note on the government tenders website from December 23, 2021, stated all 10 offers for a new system were declined. A state government spokeswoman said alternative tender responses were not suitable and WA Health would instead continue to make further improvements to the current system. WA Health has a best-of-class contact tracing solution that was developed in April 2020 and has been progressively upgraded to manage cases, symptom monitoring and quarantining.

It is supported by an experienced contact tracing team with a reserve workforce who are trained and ready to meet any increase in demand. The government would not provide details about the current caseload capacity of the contact tracing team but if the state follows a similar trajectory to South Australia, where Omicron is the dominant strain, than it could be just weeks before they are overwhelmed. When you get to hundreds or thousands of cases a day it becomes very, very difficult, Mr McGowan said. When we move to different definitions of close contacts, that obviously makes it a bit easier. WA Health Director of the Communicable Disease Control Paul Armstrong said contact tracing was on a continuum from the incredibly intense version the state had currently, with many resources devoted to a small number of cases, all the way through to numerous cases that could be communicated to people by SMS rather than ringing them up, for example.

Each time you pare back clearly the risk increases a little bit, but thats just inevitable, he said. When it does come into the state itll go up quite quickly irrespective of the number of contact tracers you have but we will still be having contact tracing in place for a while after that. Rapid antigen tests will also play a role if cases jump dramatically and the state and private testing system comes under strain. RATs had been banned in WA, except for use by the government on truckies coming into the state with critical supplies. This was lifted on Monday but Mr McGowan has urged West Australians not to use them yet as there was no spread in the state.

WA has a stockpile of about 270,000 RATs but says it will have eight million come February 5 with a further 12 million to come after. Mr McGowan has also called on the Prime Minister to provide WA its fair share of RATs, meaning more than 1 million, as federally controlled supplies are currently going to all other states and territories. Vaccinate to flatten the curve Only 950,000 people, which is less than half of WAs population, will have fulfilled the minimum gap between their second and third dose come February 5. About 14 per cent of West Australians over the age of 16 eligible for vaccination have had a booster shot, with the figure rising by about one per cent each day.

Vaccination for 5 to 11-year-olds has only just started with vaccination bookings being snapped up fast. WAtoday is aware of one GPs office cancelling these appointments because they dont have enough supply. Mr McGowan said anyone who had not booked in for a first dose yet should do so immediately. Unvaccinated people are well and truly enormously overrepresented when it comes to cases, serious illness, hospitalisation, intensive care presentations and death, he said. Far too many resources are being used over east to care for individuals who would not take the basic steps to care for themselves. Only 4.9 per cent of people in NSW are not vaccinated but data from the Department of Health in the state showed 48.4 per cent of the 95 cases in ICU beds on January 2 had not been jabbed.

The rate of unvaccinated patients in NSW ICU per million was 82.5 compared to 4.7 for the vaccinated. A few days before Victorias last peak in October about 75 per cent of the people hospitalised in Victoria and 87 per cent in the ICU were unvaccinated. Professor McCaw said boosters made a big difference. The boosters will help slow the spread of Omicron, he said. If the virus spreads more slowly it flattens the [case] curve ... and will reduce the load on the hospital system.
The lawyer for a 21-year-old man accused of breaking into a home and sexually assaulting a woman on New Years Eve has told a Perth court DNA evidence could have come from any one of several family members he lived with.

Investigators put out a call for information about the alleged assault on the morning of December 31, after the woman in her 20s was assaulted in her Yokine home between 12.30am and 1am.

The woman managed to escape after waking up to the assault and ran to a neighbours house, while the alleged offender fled the scene.

Joseph Nicholas Anderson was arrested the following day and faces six charges including sexual penetration without consent, indecent assault and aggravated home burglary.
Unvaccinated people will soon be locked out of a range of WA public venues including pubs, cafes and gyms, with the state unveiling its new vaccine passport app on Tuesday.

WA Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson said the ServiceWA app would be a one-stop shop for venue check-ins, vaccine certification and interstate travel.

It comes as WA records an Omicron case who has potentially been infectious in the community for six days, resulting in WA Health publishing new exposure sites.

Ms Sanderson said while the ServiceWA app could be a bit fiddly to download and took about 30 minutes to set up, it was important for vaccinated residents to create their digital identities as it would soon be a requirement to gain access to many public indoor venues.
General practitioners are taking a more hands-on role in the treatment of COVID-19 in other parts of the country, with hospitals no longer the only battlegrounds against the illness.

Learning from the experiences of over east and overseas, a WA government spokeswoman said WA Health had been developing a model that would reduce the need for unnecessary hospital visits by allowing those with milder illness to be monitored and treated at home.

West Australian Chief Health Officer Andrew Robertson. Credit:Peter de Kruijff

WA awarded a $39.6 million contract on December 23 to a joint venture between Calvary and Medibank to provide telehealth services for people sick and isolating at home.

The contracts start date was January 1 but authorities say the program will be up and running come February 5.
No matter what the federal government does next on Novak Djokovic, Scott Morrison will face legitimate criticism. But if rules are rules, as the Prime Minister last week declared, then the tennis stars visa should be cancelled.

Immigration Minister Alex Hawke no doubt faces a difficult decision.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison, left, will face criticism whichever way the decision over Novak Djokovic, centre, goes. Immigration Minister Alex Hawke, right, will make the final call. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen and AP

If he does decide to use his personal power under the Migration Act to cancel the visa, it will likely come off as heavy-handed to many Australians. They could hold the view that Djokovic successfully challenged the Border Forces cancellation of the visa on arrival, and he should now be left alone to compete in the Australian Open.

The government may decide to cut its losses and move on, pointing to the Federal Circuit Courts orders as evidence that they did everything they could.
New York: The US government is prepared to dismiss two perjury charges against Ghislaine Maxwell if her conviction for aiding Jeffrey Epsteins sexual abuses is allowed to stand, according to a joint letter from prosecutors and Maxwells defence team.

In the letter to US District Judge Alison Nathan presented on Monday evening (Tuesday AEDT), prosecutors said dismissing the perjury counts would reflect the victims significant interests in bringing closure to this matter and avoiding the trauma of testifying again.

Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell in New York in 2005. Credit:Getty

The perjury charges concern allegations that Maxwell lied about her knowledge of Epsteins behaviour during depositions taken in 2016 for a separate civil lawsuit.

Each charge carries a maximum five-year prison term. Nathan decided last April to try them in a separate trial to the sex trafficking charges.
Salisbury, MD (21801)

Today

Partly to mostly cloudy. High around 70F. Winds E at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Rain showers early with scattered thunderstorms arriving overnight. Low 54F. Winds ESE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 70%.
Kye Parsons is the editor of WBOC.com. He came to WBOC with several years experience as an award-winning journalist on Delmarva. Prior to entering the world of multimedia, he worked as a newspaper editor and reporter. E-mail him at kparsons@wboc.com .

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Damari Perry, 6, was reported missing in Chicago on Jan. 5. Investigators recovered his body on Saturday near an abandoned house in Gary, Indiana. (North Chicago Police Department)
Today

Seasonably mild with some sunshine to start, then becoming mostly cloudy.

Tonight

Cloudy with showers likely.

Tomorrow

Cloudy and a little cooler with a few showers.
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Alison Carr's immersive pub experience The Last Quiz Night On Earth will return for a new tour from next month after being postponed by the pandemic.

Tapping into the Don't Look Up spirit (though very much pre-dating the award-nominated film), the piece is set in a local pub as an asteroid heads towards Earth. The "preapocalyptic" comedy will be staged by Box of Tricks at urban and rural venues across the nation, beginning at the Derby Brewery Arms on 23 February before visiting venues in Mold, Newhampton, Smethwick, Ormskirk, Pocklington, Oldham, Stanhope, Grizebeck, Scarborough, Crosby, Alston, Hamsterley and Staindrop with a variety of further venues to be revealed.

Meriel Scholfield will reprise her role as landlady Kathy and will be joined by new cast members Chris Hoyle, Matthew Khan and Tilly Sutcliffe. The production is directed by Hannah Tyrrell-Pinder, executive producer is Max Emmerson, with design by Katie Scott.

Adam Quayle, joint artistic director for Box of Tricks, said: "We're delighted to be able to bring The Last Quiz Night on Earth back to venues across the UK in 2022. When we had to prematurely close the production in 2020 the subject of the play almost felt a little too real, although unfortunately we couldn't even head to the pub! We can't wait to see people back in their local venues having a great night out with their friends, enjoying the show and, of course, having a good quiz' at the same time!"

Tickets are on sale now.
Translation Assistant (Russian) (G4), Vienna, Austria

Organization: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)

Country: Austria

City: Vienna

Office: IAEA Vienna, Austria

Closing date: Thursday, 20 January 2022

Translation Assistant (Russian)(G4)

( 2021/0584 (003281) )

Organization: MTCD-Russian Translation Section

Primary Location: Austria-Vienna-Vienna-IAEA Headquarters

Job Posting: 2022-01-06, 2:26:10 PM

Contract Type : Fixed Term

Regular

Probation Period : 1 Year

Organizational Setting

The Department of Management (MT) provides a platform of services that serves as a foundation for the successful delivery of the IAEAs scientific and technical programmes. Its mission statement is as follows: "MT is a partner and a business enabler that champions change and efficiency, leveraging a common purpose". Thus, among other support activities, it assists a scientific manager in recruiting the right expert, helps a technical officer coordinate the purchase of radiation equipment, and ensures that all Board documents are translated and distributed on a timely basis to Member States.

One of the main functions assigned to the IAEA by its Statute is to foster the exchange of scientific and technical information and the dissemination of knowledge in the nuclear field among Member States. To facilitate the effective exchange and dissemination of information relevant to the IAEAs work and mandate, the Division of Conference and Document Services coordinates and supports the implementation of these activities for its users and clients, both internal and external, by organizing meetings and conferences, issuing documents in the six official IAEA languages, i.e. Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish, and editing, printing and distributing publications.

The Russian Translation Section provides Russian translations of a broad range of documents and publications.

Main Purpose

As a member of a team led by the Section Head, the Translation Assistant processes, formats, incorporates changes in and proofreads documents translated into Russian.

Functions / Key Results Expected

Process, proofread and finalize texts in Russian in accordance with established quality control guidelines, ensuring accuracy and consistency of texts by checking spelling, punctuation, grammar, syntax and completeness against the original English texts.

Check and format texts containing tables, charts, figures, diagrams, references to ensure accurate presentation.

Pre-translate texts using computer-assisted translation software (CAT).

Create, where appropriate, the final version of texts as PDF files for dispatching, archiving and uploading on the IAEAs website.

Align translated texts and update the CAT memory with reliable texts.

Competencies and Expertise

Core Competencies

Name Definition

Planning and Organizing

Plans and organizes his/her own work in support of achieving the team or Sections priorities. Takes into account potential changes and proposes contingency plans.

Communication

Communicates orally and in writing in a clear, concise and impartial manner. Takes time to listen to and understand the perspectives of others and proposes solutions.

Achieving Results

Takes initiative in defining realistic outputs and clarifying roles, responsibilities and expected results in the context of the Department/Divisions programme. Evaluates his/her results realistically, drawing conclusions from lessons learned.

Teamwork

Actively contributes to achieving team results. Supports team decisions.

Functional Competencies

Name Definition

Analytical thinking

Gathers and analyses information, identifying critical relationships and patterns among data and proposes workable solutions.

Client orientation

Establishes effective relationships with clients to understand and meet or exceed their needs. Finds ways to ensure client satisfaction.

Knowledge sharing and learning

Actively seeks opportunities to learn by formal and informal means; learns from others, adopting and sharing best practice.

Required Expertise

Function Name Expertise Description

Administrative Support

MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint)

Proficiency in MS Office 2010, which is the IAEA standard.

Asset Expertise

Function Name Expertise Description

Language and Conference Services

Russian Editing

Experience in processing and proofreading Russian texts with a high standard of speed and accuracy.

Language and Conference Services

Translation Support Tools

Good knowledge of specialized translation software.

Language and Conference Services

Writing and Translation Support

Good knowledge of the steps involved in the translation process.

Qualifications, Experience and Language skills

Completed secondary education.

A minimum of four years of relevant working experience processing and proofreading Russian texts.

Perfect command of Russian as mother tongue or principal language of education.

Excellent oral and written command of English and Russian. Knowledge of other official IAEA languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish) is an asset.

English Language Test (Level 1) to IAEA standard.

Remuneration

The IAEA offers an attractive remuneration package including a tax-free annual net base salary starting at EUR 41605 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance), 6 weeks annual vacation, pension plan and health insurance

Appointment is subject to a satisfactory medical report. Recruitment will be on a LOCAL BASIS. Non-local candidates will be considered only when no suitable candidate from the duty station is identified. The selected person will be subject to local recruitment. A staff member subject to local recruitment shall not be eligible for the allowances or benefits exclusively applicable to international recruitment. Outside applicants are required to supply to the IAEA or to authorize it to seek all information relevant to their suitability for employment by the IAEA. Testing may be part of the recruitment process.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Applicants should be aware that IAEA staff members are international civil servants and may not accept instructions from any other authority. The IAEA is committed to applying the highest ethical standards in carrying out its mandate. As part of the United Nations common system, the IAEA subscribes to the following core ethical standards (or values): Integrity, Professionalism and Respect for diversity. Staff members may be assigned to any location. The IAEA retains the discretion not to make any appointment to this vacancy, to make an appointment at a lower grade or with a different contract type, or to make an appointment with a modified job description or for shorter duration than indicated above.

Link to the organizations job offer: https://unjobs.org/vacancies/1641492546766
Communications Specialist, Macedonia

Organization: WHO - World Health Organization

Closing date: Friday, 21 January 2022

General

Description of assignment title: Communications Specialist

Assignment country: Macedonia

Expected start date: 03/01/2022

Sustainable Development Goal: GOOD HEALTH AND WELL-BEING

Volunteer category: National UN Volunteer Specialist

DoA reserved for persons with disabilities: No

Host entity: WHO

Type: Onsite

Duration: 12 months (with possibility of extension)

Number of assignments: 1

Duty stations: Skopje

Details

Mission and objectives

The World Health Organization (WHO), established in 1948 is the authority responsible for public health within the United Nations system. The Organization seeks "the attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of health." The role of a WHO country office is to respond to requests from the host country to support policy-making for sustainable health development using a holistic health system approach. This includes providing guidance, building local relationships to implement technical cooperation, making standards and agreements, and ensuring that public health measures are coordinated and in place during crises. The WHO Country Office, North Macedonia was established in January 1996 in Skopje to support the national health system with sound technical advice and expertise. The Office is the focal point for WHO activities in the country. I Priorities for joint work at the country level are set out in the biennial collaborative agreement (BCA) between WHO/Europe and the Ministry of Health. The BCA for 2016-2017 aligns with WHOs Twelfth General Programme of Work for 2014-2019, which establishes priorities for WHOs work and an overall direction for the 6-year period. As such, it reflects the 3 main areas of WHO reform: programmes and priorities, governance, and management.

Context

This UNV assignment will contribute to delivering WHOs European Programme of Work, 2020-2025, "United Action for Better Health", which has three core priorities: moving towards universal health coverage, protecting against health emergencies, and promoting health and well-being. Strengthening capacity at country level in communications is key to achieving this. https://www.euro.who.int/en/health-topics/health-policy/european-programme-of-work

Task description

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the WHO Representative or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UNV Communications Specialist will support the WHO Country Office in communicating on relevant health issues, developments and findings; promoting the work of WHO at national level; and contributing to communications activities on delivering the European Programme of Work(EPW) at country and regional levels. Key duties include to:

Develop, coordinate, implement and evaluate an EPW communications action plan for the WHO Country Office.

Plan and develop, with support from Country Office (CO) and RO (Regional Office) staff when necessary, communications messages and products on country work for public and professional groups (policy-makers and health professionals, media, web and social media audiences, and the public).

Develop and deliver selected public health and health care campaigns (e.g. communicable and non-communicable diseases, vaccination, mental health, digital health, health care workers, health system developments, universal health coverage, the Sustainable Development Goals), including messages, written and multimedia materials, dissemination and follow-up.

Contribute to Regional communications strategies and plans, and coordinate/ share information with the Regional communications team on key communications activities including capacity-building.

Network, coordinate and manage the contacts of key communications counterparts among UN partners, authorities and communications outlets at national level.

Ensure proper visibility and support to partner engagement initiatives and collaboration (including development partners and donors) through development and dissemination of relevant communications products.

Provide support to CO/RO in managing resource partner engagement including assisting in proposal development and reporting.

Support the WHO Representative on strategic external and internal communications.

Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor.

Eligibility criteria

Age: 27 - 80

Nationality

Candidate must be a national or legal resident of the country of assignment.

Requirements

Required experience

3 years of experience in the national and/or international level in communications, or other relevant programmes; experience with social media, web communications, resource mobilization, and media relations is an asset, as is experience working in the UN or other international development organization;

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Excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills;

Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including NGOs, UN partners, national authorities, media, resource partners;

Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel;

Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet;

Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines;

Sound security awareness;

Have affinity with or interest in public health and the sustainable development agenda, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.

Working knowledge of French or German is an advantage

Area(s) of expertise

Communication

Driving license

-

Languages

English, Level: Fluent, Required Macedonian, Level: Fluent, Required

Required education level

Bachelor degree or equivalent in social and political science, international relations, development studies, communications, public relations, journalism or social sciences

Competencies and values

Communication

Teamwork and respect for diversity

Planning and organizing, producing results

Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement

Other information

Living conditions and remarks

North Macedonia is a landlocked country, geographically located on the Balkan Peninsula, southeastern Europe with around 2.02 million inhabitants. Capital city is Skopje with around 600,000 inhabitants. It is the largest city of North Macedonia, the countrys political, cultural, economic, and academic centre. There is a wide range of hotels, restaurants, educational centers, access roads, public transport (buses, taxis, trains), public services and places for recreation, airports. Medical services in the main cities (public, private clinics and hospitals) are available. In light of rapidly developing situation with Covid-19, the safety and security of UN personnel is a priority and UNDSS ensures that all UN personnel remain informed of security updates and are supported by local security arrangements. As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials.

Inclusivity statement

United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a persons race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements

Selected candidates for certain occupational groups may be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) in line with the applicable host entity policy

Link to the organizations job offer: https://unjobs.org/vacancies/1641579115672
Williamson, WV (25661)

Today

Mixed clouds and sun this morning. Scattered thunderstorms developing this afternoon. High 88F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

Scattered thunderstorms this evening becoming more widespread overnight. Low 64F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%.
Willmar, MN (56201)

Today

Sunshine along with some cloudy intervals. High 56F. Winds NE at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy early with increasing clouds overnight. Low 37F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph.
Winchester, VA (22601)

Today

A mix of clouds and sun this morning followed by increasing clouds with showers developing this afternoon. High 73F. Winds ESE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

Thunderstorms likely this evening. Then a chance of scattered thunderstorms overnight. Low 57F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 70%.
Children in Alberta and British Columbia returned to the classroom Monday as surging COVID-19 cases threatened to overwhelm hospitals in several provinces and prompted the United States to advise its citizens to "avoid travel" to Canada.

Paramedics wheel a patient past ambulances outside a hospital in Toronto on Wednesday, January 5, 2022.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young

Children in Alberta and British Columbia returned to the classroom Monday as surging COVID-19 cases threatened to overwhelm hospitals in several provinces and prompted the United States to advise its citizens to "avoid travel" to Canada.

Quebec reported an all-time high of 2,554 patients in hospital with COVID-19, a rise of 118 from the previous day's record of 2,436. Intensive care cases ticked down by nine for a total of 248.

The province also reported 26 more deaths from the disease, and 10,573 new COVID-19 infections, although PCR tests are reserved for certain high-risk groups. Quebec said nearly 20 per cent of tests came back positive.

Quebec also opened up appointments for third doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to those aged 40 and older, as the province prepares to expand eligibility to all adults aged 18 and up next week.

In Ontario, there were 2,467 people hospitalized with COVID-19, including 438 patients in intensive care, Health Minister Christine Elliott said, noting that not all hospitals report data from the weekend.

The province reported 9,706 new COVID-19 cases, but Public Health Ontario has qualified that this may be an undercount because of a policy making tests less accessible. The illness claimed 12 more lives, provincial officials said.

The rampant spread of the Omicron variant has stoked alarm across the border, where the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a fresh Level 4 "avoid travel" advisory for Canada, citing a "very high" level of COVID-19 in the country and urging anyone who must go to be fully vaccinated.

That quickly prompted the State Department to revise its travel advisory, which had been at Level 3, "reconsider travel," to upgrade its advice to Level 4: "Do not travel to Canada due to COVID-19."

In mid-December, the Canadian government issued its own advisory, warning residents against all non-essential international travel due to Omicron.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke with provincial and territorial leaders on Monday afternoon to discuss the mounting health crisis posed by the variant.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford planned to raise the provinces' plea for more health-care funds with the prime minister, asking Ottawa to increase its annual share of spending from 22 per cent to 35 per cent, to about $71 billion.

The federal government has committed to a 4.8 per cent increase, bringing the total for 2022-23 to about $45 billion.

A federal official said Trudeau assured premiers that the federal government will do all it can to help provinces and territories cope with the surge.

He assured them that there are enough vaccine doses available for all eligible Canadians to receive third booster shots, as well as for children. And he reiterated that 140 million rapid tests will be delivered to them this month, although he offered no specific schedule.

The official, who spoke on background, said Trudeau also emphasized the need to promote support programs, such as the federal wage subsidy, to help individuals and businesses survive the latest lockdowns and public health restrictions.

Many provinces have delayed the return to in-person schooling as part of renewed efforts to rein in soaring case counts.

But the two westernmost provinces moved ahead with reopening classrooms on Monday, with officials arguing virtual learning presents its own risks to youth mental health.

British Columbia's top doctor has said the return to school is "essential" for the emotional, physical and intellectual well-being of children, and told parents that safety measures have been put in place to mitigate the risks posed by Omicron.

Dr. Bonnie Henry acknowledged Friday that some families may feel uneasy about the move, but maintained that students are safer in the classroom than in some of the "unstructured settings that children are in outside of the school environment."

B.C. reported 6,966 new cases over a three-day period on Monday and seven more deaths.

While some parents in Alberta said they're relieved that students in kindergarten to Grade 12 are returning to classes after an extended holiday break, many said they were concerned and frustrated about unclear instructions from the provincial government on how it plans to contain the spread of COVID-19 in classrooms.

The Calgary Board of Education and Edmonton Public Schools said the biggest challenge remains finding consistent staffing as some schools resumed without teachers in classrooms and at least two in Calgary kicked off the winter semester with online learning.

Edmonton Public, the second-largest school district in Alberta with more than 105,000 students, said there were 454 teachers and 252 educational assistants absent Monday.

Alberta also announced Monday that in order to make sure high-risk cases get timely results from PCR tests, only those in high-risk situations will get them, including continuing care residents and front-line health-care workers.

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The province reported 17,000 new cases of COVID-19 over the last three days and has 635 people in hospital with the virus.

Manitoba saw the number of patients in hospital with COVID-19 climb to 378, up 81 from Friday, including 38 people in intensive care. The province also reported 19 virus-related deaths.

In Newfoundland and Labrador, a swell of COVID-19 infections has overwhelmed its testing capacities in the past two weeks, forcing officials to send more than 6,635 swabs to labs in Winnipeg and Toronto between Dec. 29 and Jan. 6, said Health Minister John Haggie, who is recovering from the illness.

In addition to the 680 positive tests analyzed in outside labs, health officials said 455 new cases have been detected since Sunday, for a total of 1,135 cases reported Monday.

 With files from Paola Loriggio in Toronto and James McCarten in Washington.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 10, 2022.
MONTREAL - Adult Quebecers who refuse to be vaccinated against COVID-19 will be forced to pay a "significant" financial penalty, Premier Francois Legault said Tuesday, one day after the sudden resignation of the province's public health director.

Quebec Premier Francois Legault, right, and then-Quebec Public Health Director Horacio Arruda leave a news conference in Montreal, Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021. Quebec is reporting 62 additional deaths linked to COVID-19 today, one day after the province's public health director resigned. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes

MONTREAL - Adult Quebecers who refuse to be vaccinated against COVID-19 will be forced to pay a "significant" financial penalty, Premier Francois Legault said Tuesday, one day after the sudden resignation of the province's public health director.

The penalty would be the first of its kind in Canada and would apply to unvaccinated residents who don't have a medical exemption, Legault told reporters in Montreal. The "health contribution" is necessary, he said, because about 10 per cent of adult Quebecers aren't vaccinated, but they represent about half of all patients in intensive care.

"I think right now, it's a question of fairness for the 90 per cent of the population who made some sacrifices  I think we owe them this kind of measure," Legault said, adding that the unvaccinated should be forced to pay for the extra burden they are placing on the health-care system.

The premier's big news came with few details, however. The amount of the penalty is yet to be determined, as is how and when it would be applied.

Liberal Opposition Leader Dominique Anglade suggested Legault rushed the announcement to distract people.

"We didn't hear anything about a safe return to school for our children, more rapid tests, a resumption of surgeries," Anglade tweeted on Tuesday after the premier's news conference. She described Legault's announcement as a "smoke show" that lacked detail.

Dr. Horacio Arruda resigned as public health director on Monday night, after the Quebec government faced weeks of criticism from the opposition and pundits for its handling of the latest wave of COVID-19. Quebec's health-care system is under enormous stress from the rapidly rising number of COVID-19 patients, and the latest restrictions  including a 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew  are some of the strictest in the country.

During Tuesday's news conference, Legault introduced Arruda's interim replacement, Dr. Luc Boileau, the head of a government health-care research institution called the Institut national d'excellence en sante et services sociaux. Boileau, however, wouldn't comment on the government's plan to financially penalize the unvaccinated or on the subject of mandatory vaccination.

"I was nominated this morning," Boileau told reporters. "I have not yet had the opportunity to make a full assessment of the current situation."

Last week, Quebec announced it would expand the vaccine passport system by requiring proof of vaccination to enter liquor and cannabis stores. Health Minister Christian Dube has said he was mulling extending the passport further, to shopping malls and personal care salons.

Legault said Tuesday the passport expansion remained on the table: "Yes, we will continue to look at spreading the use of the vaccine passport, but I think we have to go further."

If Legault makes good on this threat to make the unvaccinated pay, Quebec would join several European countries that have similar plans. In Austria, residents aged 14 and over could start facing fines of up to $5,147 if they arent vaccinated against COVID-19 by March 15. In Greece, those over 60 have until Jan. 16 to get a first dose of vaccine or be fined $143 a month, while in Italy, residents 50 and older are required to be vaccinated or could face fines of up to $2,287.

Raisa Berlin Deber, a health policy professor at the University of Toronto, said she thinks a tax on the unvaccinated would be allowed under the Canada Health Act, which governs the country's provincially run universal health-care systems.

If the government planned to charge people without a COVID-19 vaccine for health care, that would be a different story, she said. But if I just say there's a tax on you if you're not vaccinated, that's not related to your access to specific health-care services, Deber said.

Earlier Tuesday, Quebec reported 62 more deaths attributed to the novel coronavirus, pushing the total number of people killed by COVID-19 in the province to 12,028, the most in Canada. The Health Department said COVID-19-related hospitalizations rose by 188, to 2,742, after 433 people were admitted to hospital in the previous 24 hours and 245 were discharged. The number of people in intensive care rose by seven, to 255.

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Dube said around 50 per cent of COVID-19 cases in Quebec hospitals are people admitted for other reasons who test positive during routine screenings. But even without those cases, Quebec's health system would be still be struggling to provide quality and timely care to everyone who needed it, he said.

The coming weekend will be our most difficult weekend, Dube told reporters.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 11, 2022.

 With files from The Associated Press and Laura Osman in Ottawa.



This story was produced with the financial assistance of the Facebook and Canadian Press News Fellowship.
As infections fuelled by the Omicron variant threaten to overwhelm Canada's health system, the Quebec government on Tuesday took the unprecedented step of promising to tax adult residents who refuse to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

A row of ambulances is seen outside a hospital in Montreal, on Monday, January 10, 2022. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Ottawa will do all it can to help provinces and territories cope with the fifth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, as infections fuelled by the Omicron variant threaten to overwhelm health systems. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson

As infections fuelled by the Omicron variant threaten to overwhelm Canada's health system, the Quebec government on Tuesday took the unprecedented step of promising to tax adult residents who refuse to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

Premier Francois Legault made the announcement as the province reported another daily record for virus-related hospitalizations. Of the 2,742 patients in Quebec hospitals with COVID-19, 255 of them were in intensive care.

The premier said the unvaccinated should be forced to pay for the burden they are placing on the health-care system, noting that half of those in intensive care are unvaccinated  even though that group comprises 10 per cent of the adult population. The tax would not apply to those with a medical exemption.

Meanwhile, Ontario reported 3,220 hospitalizations Tuesday, with 477 patients in the ICU  250 of them on ventilators. The Ontario Hospital Association confirmed 80 adults were admitted to hospital the previous day  the highest number of admissions so far during the pandemic.

The accelerated spread of Omicron has led to staff shortages across Canada, affecting hospitals, long-term care facilities and other essential services. As a result, non-urgent surgeries in Ontario have also been paused, affecting up to 10,000 scheduled procedures every week.

Ontario Health Minister Christine Elliott announced that to cover staff shortages, internationally educated nurses will be allowed to work in Ontario hospitals, long-term care homes and other health settings.

After Ontario Premier Doug Ford confirmed late Monday that students will return to classrooms Jan. 17, Elliott was repeatedly asked to explain what health indicators had changed since last week to allow for the resumption of in-person learning.

"We have done everything we can to make our schools safe for our students," she told a news conference, adding that all students would be provided with three-ply masks.

"We are taking every step that we can possibly take to make sure our schools are safe for our children .... We needed just a bit more time to get those provisions in place."

Karen Brown, president of the Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario, said while many teachers want to return to in-person learning, some are concerned about inadequate safety measures.

"What they've announced so far is not enough," Brown said. "We're almost two years into this pandemic. Why are we still asking for those things?"

In Ottawa, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau promised the provinces will have enough COVID-19 vaccines to provide those eligible with a fourth dose, if they become necessary. Trudeau made the pledge in a statement late Monday after he spoke with provincial and territorial leaders, saying Ottawa will do all it can to help them cope with the fifth wave of the pandemic.

"(The premiers) expressed concern over the strain on health-care systems, businesses, workers and families across the country," the statement said.

In New Brunswick, doctors were treating a record 88 people hospitalized with COVID-19, including 14 in intensive care. Mathieu Chalifoux, the province's chief epidemiologist, said hospitalizations could jump to 200 if current trends continue.

"We are at the start of a very high tidal wave, said John Dornan, interim president of the province's Horizon Health Network. "It's creeping up now, but in the next two to three weeks it's going to crash over us like no one's business."

In Nova Scotia, a legislative committee heard that 25 of the province's 133 nursing homes have stopped accepting new admissions because of staffing issues partly caused by the pandemic.

Prince Edward Island reported a series of outbreaks across the province, including in nine early learning childcare centres and clusters of cases in a long-term care facility, as well as within the population that regularly accesses shelters in Charlottetown.

British Columbia's provincial health officer warned that the latest wave of infections caused by Omicron could last for several more weeks.

Dr. Bonnie Henry said most of those who are getting sick have mild symptoms, but the unvaccinated are at highest risk of being hospitalized and seeing people in their 20s and 30s in intensive care creates distress for health-care workers.

"We're all feeling like we're getting battered by wave after wave of the storm," she said.

The leaders of Alberta's largest unions called for more lockdown measures, including the closure of theatres, casinos, gyms, amid rising case numbers. There were 708 people in hospital with COVID-19, up from 635 the day before, and 80 were in intensive care.

Nunavut remains under strict lockdown measures due to cases in various communities. But officials said more people are now recovering from COVID-19 than testing positive, and it's possible school may reopen there Jan. 24.

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A new poll suggests a slim majority of Canadians supported the latest round of lockdowns and other government-imposed restrictions. Fifty-six per cent of respondents agreed governments are making the right decisions to limit the spread of Omicron.

The survey, conducted by Leger and the Association of Canadian Studies, also found 64 per cent of respondents said they supported vaccine passports for malls and other retail outlets, including liquor and cannabis shops but excluding grocery stores. The poll showed 61 per cent of respondents wanted vaccine requirements for public transit users.

Sixty-two per cent of respondents said they were satisfied with the federal governments response to COVID-19.

The online survey of 1,547 Canadians was conducted between Jan. 5 and Jan. 7. It wasn't assigned a margin of error because internet-based polls are not considered random samples.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 11, 2022.

 With files from Jacob Serebrin in Montreal and Holly McKenzie-Sutter and Noushin Ziafati in Toronto
SOFIA, Bulgaria (AP)  Bulgarias top leaders are self-isolating after being in contact with the parliamentary speaker who tested positive for the coronavirus, the countrys chief health inspector said Tuesday.

SOFIA, Bulgaria (AP)  Bulgarias top leaders are self-isolating after being in contact with the parliamentary speaker who tested positive for the coronavirus, the countrys chief health inspector said Tuesday.

Speaker Nikola Minchev felt unwell and later tested positive for COVID-19, the parliaments press office said.

Minchev was present at a six-hour meeting of the countrys National Security Council on Monday, chaired by President Rumen Radev and attended by Prime Minister Kiril Petkov, several key ministers and the heads of the security and intelligence services, as well as leaders of the parties represented in parliament.

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All participants are considered contacts and have to undergo a mandatory quarantine, the length of which will depend on their vaccination status, chief health inspector Angel Kunchev said.

The Balkan country of 6.5 million people has reported a total of 787,178 cases, including 31,672 fatalities, since the pandemic was declared in March 2020. Health authorities are warning that the infections surge fueled by the omicron variant could put a strain on hospitals.

On Tuesday, authorities reported 6,761 confirmed new cases of coronavirus and 116 deaths over the previous 24 hours.

Bulgaria is the least vaccinated country in the 27-member EU, with only a third of the population fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

___

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CHICAGO (AP)  Chicago schools will expand COVID-19 testing and have standards to switch schools to remote learning under a hard-fought tentative deal approved by teachers' union leaders. But parents and some union members questioned whether the bitter fight over pandemic safety protocols that canceled five days in the nations third-largest school district was worth it.

Cheri Warner, left, stands with her daughter, Brea, as they join other parents calling for the Chicago school district and teacher's union to focus on getting students back in the classroom Monday, Jan. 10, 2022, in Chicago. Hundreds of thousands of Chicago students remained out of school for a fourth day Monday, after leaders of the nation's third-largest school district failed to resolve a deepening clash with the influential teachers union over COVID-19 safety protocols. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

CHICAGO (AP)  Chicago schools will expand COVID-19 testing and have standards to switch schools to remote learning under a hard-fought tentative deal approved by teachers' union leaders. But parents and some union members questioned whether the bitter fight over pandemic safety protocols that canceled five days in the nations third-largest school district was worth it.

Students were poised to return Wednesday, one week after the Chicago Teachers Union voted for remote learning and instructed members to stay home until there was a deal or the latest COVID-19 surge subsided. The district, which flatly rejected online class and said it was disastrous for students, responded by locking teachers out of online platforms, docking their pay and canceling classes in the roughly 350,000-student district.

The pandemic learning issues in Chicago mirror those elsewhere, but the city's fight with the powerful union stood out, drawing attention from the White House, governor's office and fueling fresh frustrations for parents already worn out by the past two years.

For some, the ends didn't justify the means, dragging out uncertainty for students in the largely Latino and Black low-income district.

Cheri Warner, second from right, her daughter, Brea, right, stand with Zerlina Smith-Members, second from left, and her son, Journey, calling for the Chicago school district and teacher's union to focus on getting students back in the classroom Monday, Jan. 10, 2022, in Chicago. Hundreds of thousands of Chicago students remained out of school for a fourth day Monday, after leaders of the nation's third-largest school district failed to resolve a deepening clash with the influential teachers union over COVID-19 safety protocols. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

Parent Nolberto Casas, who has two young children enrolled in CPS, said the fight between the union and city turned his house upside down. Neither he nor his wife can work remotely and had to take off work. He blamed the union for the nightly uncertainty about the status of schools and said the agreement contained marginal improvements. He said remote learning was not a good option, particularly for one of his children who has special needs.

We were basically flying by the seat of our pants, said Casas, who lives in a heavily Latino enclave of the city.

Many union members also seemed displeased with the end results, saying they fell far short of initial demands.

The tentative deal didn't include two key provisions the union wanted: Metrics to prompt district-wide remote learning and assurances that union members wouldnt be punished for failing to report to schools.

The unions house of delegates approved the deal by 63%, lower than the 80% who voted a week earlier to teach remotely. Union President Jesse Sharkey acknowledged it wasnt a home run, a day before some 25,000 rank-and-file members were due to start voting on the deal. Voting was to end Wednesday.

Zerlina Smith-Members, right, listens to her son, Journey, as he speaks calling for the Chicago school district and teacher's union to focus on getting students back in the classroom Monday, Jan. 10, 2022, in Chicago. Hundreds of thousands of Chicago students remained out of school for a fourth day Monday, after leaders of the nation's third-largest school district failed to resolve a deepening clash with the influential teachers union over COVID-19 safety protocols. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

Dave Stieber, a social studies and poetry teacher at a South Side high school, said Tuesday that he would vote against the proposal  but all of his frustration was with the city.

The unions elected negotiators are busting their behind to get the city to agree to basic safety measures, but the city and particularly Mayor Lori Lightfoot refused to budge, Stieber said. He wasn't confident any of the measures in the agreement would add protection for students or staff.

Lightfoot and school leaders also took criticism for their handling from parents, particularly in waiting to announce school cancelations until the evening hours each day, lobbing sharp comments at the union and avoiding questions from local reporters for the national news circuit.

Parent Shavon Harris, who has a 10-year-old son enrolled at a North Side school where nearly all the students are Black and low-income, said district communication was poor, including about COVID-testing. She said the safety plan should have been in place months ago after last year's expired, particularly after kids lost out on education during remote learning.

Were back to square one and back and they dont have a back up plan, she said of the dispute.

Students at the Mt. Greenwood Elementary School in Chicago depart after a full day of classes Monday, Jan. 10, 2022. As hundreds of thousands of Chicago students remained out of school for a fourth day students at the South Side school were back in classes as the school had enough staff to defy the union's directive to teachers to stay home amid negotiations with the school district over COVID-19 safety protocols. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

The first-term mayor dismissed questions about her leadership and was quick to say the only losers in the negotiations were children who were out of school.

City officials have argued that schools are safe with protocols in place and have touted a $100 million safety plan, including air purifiers in each classroom. Roughly 91% of staff are vaccinated and masks are required indoors.

At the same time, the union also took hits.

The CTU has historically enjoyed strong support from parents, including during an 11-day teachers strike in 2019. But more parents have been increasingly vocal against the union, particularly during disagreements about COVID-19 safety protocols.

An increasing number of union members were also willing to defy union directives, from 10% on the first day of the unions action to roughly 16% Monday, according to the district. One union member used a Chicago Sun-Times letter to publicly quit the union Tuesday, saying the dramatic CTU strategy undermined confidence in union leaders and the standoff was the final straw.

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Still, some labor experts including Robert Bruno, a University of Illinois professor who wrote a book on the 2012 teachers strike, said that despite some seemingly petty rhetoric between both sides, the negotiated agreement was a win.

The talks also resulted in the district buying KN95 masks for students and teachers, boosting incentives to attract substitute teachers and allowing teachers unpaid leave related to the pandemic.

The outcome is good for keeping the schools open and for having a productive relationship between two parties that, quite frankly, dont trust each other, he said.

___

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WASHINGTON (AP)  The Environmental Protection Agency is taking its first major action to address toxic wastewater from coal-burning power plants, ordering utilities to stop dumping waste into unlined storage ponds and speed up plans to close leaking or otherwise dangerous coal ash sites.

FILE - In this May 1, 2018, file photo, the Richmond, Va., city skyline is seen in the horizon behind the coal ash ponds along the James River near Dominion Energy's Chesterfield Power Station in Chester, Va. In the first first major action to address toxic wastewater from coal-burning power plants, the Environmental Protection Agency is denying requests by three Midwest power plants to extend operations of leaking or otherwise dangerous coal ash storage ponds. (AP Photo/Steve Helber, File)

WASHINGTON (AP)  The Environmental Protection Agency is taking its first major action to address toxic wastewater from coal-burning power plants, ordering utilities to stop dumping waste into unlined storage ponds and speed up plans to close leaking or otherwise dangerous coal ash sites.

Plants in four states will have to close the coal ash ponds months or years ahead of schedule, the EPA said Tuesday, citing deficiencies with groundwater monitoring, cleanup or other problems.

Coal ash, the substance that remains when coal is burned to generate electricity, contains a toxic mix of mercury, cadmium, arsenic and other heavy metals. It can pollute waterways, poison wildlife and cause respiratory illness among those living near massive ponds where the waste is stored.

The actions mark the first time the EPA has enforced a 2015 rule aimed at reducing groundwater pollution from coal-fired power plants that has contaminated streams, lakes and underground aquifers.

U.S. coal plants produce about 100 million tons (90 million metric tons) annually of ash and other waste.

The Obama administration regulated the storage and disposal of toxic coal ash for the first time, including a requirement to close coal-ash dumping ponds that were unstable or contaminated groundwater. The Trump administration weakened the Obama-era rule in 2020, allowing utilities to use cheaper technologies and take longer to comply with pollution reduction guidelines that are less stringent than what the agency originally adopted.

FILE - Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael Regan speaks during an event ,Monday, Dec. 20, 2021, outside the EPA Headquarters, in Washington. In the first first major action to address toxic wastewater from coal-burning power plants, the Environmental Protection Agency is denying requests by three Midwest power plants to extend operations of leaking or otherwise dangerous coal ash storage ponds. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File )

EPA Administrator Michael Regan said the actions announced Tuesday will ensure that coal ash ponds meet strong environmental and safety standards and that operators of industrial facilities are held accountable.

Ive seen firsthand how coal ash contamination can hurt people and communities,'' said Regan, a former North Carolina environmental regulator who negotiated with Duke Energy what state officials say was the largest cleanup agreement for toxic coal ash.

For too long, communities already disproportionately impacted by high levels of pollution have been burdened by improper coal ash disposal,'' Regan said. Todays actions will help us protect communities and hold facilities accountable. We look forward to working with our state partners to reverse damage that has already occurred.''

In separate letters sent Tuesday, EPA denied requests for extensions of coal ash permits by the Clifty Creek power plant in Madison, Indiana; James M. Gavin plant in Cheshire, Ohio; and the Ottumwa plant in Ottumwa, Iowa.

The Greenidge Generation plant in Dresden, New York, was ruled ineligible for an extension. The former coal plant now uses natural gas.

The H.L. Spurlock plant in Maysville, Kentucky, will be required to fix groundwater monitoring as a condition for continued operation of its coal ash pond, the EPA said.

Lisa Evans, a senior attorney for the environmental group Earthjustice, said the enforcement action "sends a strong message to industry that (compliance with the EPA rule) is not a paperwork exercise. It requires them to clean up these toxic sites.''

Frank Holleman, a lawyer for the Southern Environmental Law Center who has battled Duke Energy and utilities over coal ash disposal, said the enforcement action offers significant protections for clean water nationwide.

"The EPA has sent a clear message that (power plant operators) cannot leave coal ash sitting in primitive, polluting ponds across the country,'' he said.

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Utilities in Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee and other states that are still storing coal ash in leaking, unlined pits sitting in groundwater and next to waterways are among those affected by the decision, Holleman said.

Michelle Bloodworth, president and CEO of America's Power, a trade association that represents coal-fired utilities, said the group was reviewing the EPA's announcement. On its face it doesnt make sense to shut down prematurely coal plants that provide the security of on-site fuel storage or serve as an alternative when prices of natural gas and other sources spike" or are not available, she said.

In a related action, EPA sent letters to operators of four current or closed coal-fired power plants, saying they need to make improvements to coal-ash sites to comply with EPA rules. The AES power plant in Puerto Rico and three closed plants  the former Beckjord power station in Ohio, Tecumseh Energy in Kansas and Gallagher Generating Station in Indiana  all received EPA warning letters.

Coal ash storage and disposal goes back decades, but went largely unregulated until a 2008 spill at a Tennessee Valley Authority power plant in Kingston, Tennessee. A containment dike burst and flooding covered more than 300 acres (121 hectares), dumped waste into two nearby rivers, destroyed homes and brought national attention to the issue.

In 2014, an estimated 39,000 tons of coal ash spewed into the Dan River after a drainage pipe running below a waste dump collapsed at a Duke Energy plant in Eden, North Carolina. The toxic sludge turned the river gray for more than 70 miles (112 kilometers).

The EPA on Tuesday reiterated its "consistently held position that surface impoundments or landfills cannot be closed with coal ash in contact with groundwater.'' Limiting contact between coal ash and groundwater after closure is critical to minimizing contaminants released into the environment and will help ensure communities near the sites have access to safe water for drinking and recreation, the EPA said.
MADRID (AP)  A spat over factory farming is causing tension in Spains left-of-center coalition government, with the farm minister on Tuesday describing the consumer ministers criticism of the countrys livestock industry as very unfortunate.

MADRID (AP)  A spat over factory farming is causing tension in Spains left-of-center coalition government, with the farm minister on Tuesday describing the consumer ministers criticism of the countrys livestock industry as very unfortunate.

Consumer Minister Alberto Garzon told British newspaper The Guardian in an interview last month that intensive cattle production is unsustainable, damages the environment and produces poor quality produce.

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They find a village in a depopulated bit of Spain and put in 4,000, or 5,000 or 10,000 head of cattle, Garzon was quoted as saying. They pollute the soil, they pollute the water and then they export this poor-quality meat from these ill-treated animals.

Garzon belongs to the United We Can party, which is the junior partner with the Socialist party in Spains two-year-old coalition government.

Garzons comments set off a storm, with representatives of the livestock industry and opposition parties demanding his resignation.

Farm Minister Luis Planas said Tuesday he regretted the controversy over an important national industry. He said Spain is the European Unions fourth-largest livestock and meat exporter.

He told Onda Cero radio that government ministers normally consult with each other before taking a stance on national issues that overlap between them, adding that Garzon hadn't approached him before the newspaper interview.

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has also stood up for the livestock sector, while second deputy prime minister Yolanda Diaz  the senior member of United We Can in the coalition  urged her colleagues to weigh their words carefully and take care of the coalition.
TORONTO - Bhagyashri Pawar was surprised to see a previous employer make headlines last year for its investments in mental health programs for its staff.

Two people sit and watch storm clouds passing by the skyline in Toronto on Tuesday, June 8, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn

TORONTO - Bhagyashri Pawar was surprised to see a previous employer make headlines last year for its investments in mental health programs for its staff.

"Having worked there, I never figured out where these efforts were made," said the 31-year-old Toronto-based online marketing manager.

Pawar said the company refused to allow employees to work remotely during pandemic lockdown measures until several employees tested positive for COVID-19. Many employees  some of whom were considered high risk  were anxious about catching COVID-19 during work hours or their commute, she added, but the company didnt provide any support or solutions for those concerns.

"Being open about mental health is a lot more than just publishing a post on Instagram on World Mental Health Day or World Suicide Prevention Day," Pawar said.

"Its great that so many organizations are speaking up about mental health, but at the same time, they shouldnt be forgetting to actually show empathy."

Experts say younger employees such as Pawar are seeking work environments where they can speak candidly about mental health and receive proactive support from their employers.

Nora Jenkins Townson, founder of Toronto-based HR agency Bright + Early, explained that younger employees expect to be able to discuss mental health issues, and for those conversations to be more than lip service.

"I think younger people are more aware of mental health issues and accepting of them as medical issues," she said, noting how talk therapy, for example, is no longer a taboo subject.

She added that the pandemic has also caused people to rethink work and the role of mental health.

"Though COVID-19 has been tough on us all, I feel its inspired more empathy in some workplaces," she said.

Shes been seeing an increase in companies that offer greater benefits when it comes to mental health, including time off and access to therapy.

Her own company offers 16 hours of therapy per year through a virtual provider that doesnt come out of the employees health spending account or regular benefits plan.

Townsons recommendation to leaders is to ensure benefits adequately support counselling, medications and other mental health supports. She also advises leaders to openly discuss mental health in the workplace and lead by example.

For instance, this might look like someone in a leadership role taking a mental health day themselves if needed.

In regards to sick days, Townson said, "Workplaces should ensure that they have them in place, communicate how they work and be clear that they cover mental health as well."

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Julie McCarthy, a management professor at the Joseph L. Rotman School of Management in Toronto, said that the good news is leaders want to help more than ever, but some might be in reactive mode if they hadnt put systems and policies in place for employee wellness before the pandemic hit.

To best provide mental health support, McCarthy advises employers to adopt a tailored, data driven approach, explaining that there is no one-size-fits-all strategy that works.

"The best companies that Ive worked with over the years are the companies that are really good at monitoring their performance and their employees. And they do that within their own surveys and observational data. They really collect data on how their employees are doing and they adjust systems as needed," she said.

Pawar also noted that employers could provide better mental health support if they spent more time listening to what their employees have to say and incorporating that feedback into their offerings.

"While its good to host a virtual yoga session," she said, "its about knowing the target audience."

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 11, 2022.
TORONTO - Ian Greenberg, the Montreal media mogul who alongside his brothers grew Astral Media into a radio and television powerhouse, has died at 79.

Astral Media's President and CEO Ian Greenberg attends the company's AGM in Toronto on Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2013. Greenberg, the media mogul who alongside his brothers helped turn Astral Media into a Canadian radio and television powerhouse, has died at 79. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young

TORONTO - Ian Greenberg, the Montreal media mogul who alongside his brothers grew Astral Media into a radio and television powerhouse, has died at 79.

Broadcast giant BCE Inc., where Greenberg served as a board member after the acquisition of his company, said he died Monday. No cause was given.

"Canada has lost a business visionary and media legend, and we at Bell have lost a wise and affable colleague and friend," BCE chair Gordon Nixon said in a statement.

Greenberg was remembered by friends and colleagues as firmly dedicated to the success of his business and the love of his family, who played a major role in his career. He was eager to mentor those he felt held the skills for success.

"He had such a kind heart," said film industry veteran Paul Bronfman, who worked under Greenberg at Astral where he affectionately called him "Uncle Ian."

"He wasn't a bravado type of guy, pounding on his chest. He let his actions speak for himself and treated his management team just like partners."

Greenberg was born in Montreal to an Ashkenazi Jewish family of 10 that included his brothers Harold, Harvey and Sidney.

Money was often short and when his mother Ann died suddenly in 1961, the brothers were shouldered with providing for the family.

Several of the Greenbergs worked in a camera store as teens. That experience inspired them to take a $15,000 loan from a close relative and invest it in a film processing business called Angreen Photo Inc., named after their mother.

"They really became a unit and took care of each other," said Phyllis Yaffe, a longtime media colleague who served on Astral's board and was once CEO at Alliance Atlantis Communications.

"They were street smart; they were guys who could outwit others."

The brothers grew their business over the next decade by opening locations inside Miracle Mart department stores. Small acquisitions expanded their investments into motion picture processing, while they secured the exclusive rights to sell photo products at Expo 67.

The Greenbergs aimed for the stars in 1971 when they listed their company Astral Communications Ltd. on the public market.

Within a few years, they were dipping their toes into film and TV production, including the feature, "The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz" starring Richard Dreyfuss in 1974 and "City on Fire," a Montreal-filmed disaster flick, in 1978.

Those ventures delivered mixed results at best, with their 1982 high school sex comedy "Porky's" becoming one of the few films to turn a profit. It held the title of highest-grossing Canadian movie at the North American box office for years until 2002's "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" claimed the crown.

The brothers, willing to recognize when an investment wasn't working, swiftly exited moviemaking in order to further grow Astral Photo retail stores and tap into the burgeoning world of premium cable television.

As the decade wore on, they collected a slate of valuable pay-TV assets, including English- and French-language movie channels, First Choice (later renamed The Movie Network) Premiere Choix (eventually called Super Ecran) and the Family Channel.

When his older brother Harold fell ill in 1995, Ian took over as head of the company, which was in financial turmoil. He brought with him a very different style of leadership: while Harold was known for being hard-nosed and determined, low-key Ian worked behind the scenes.

"It was very easy to dismiss Ian in the early days with his older brother Harold," said Bronfman.

"But he really came into his own when he became CEO of Astral."

Greenberg made quick changes, shifting the company's priorities from photography and video manufacturing to buying radio stations.

Astral Media continued to grow as the country's largest private radio broadcaster, further bolstered by the acquisition of Standard Broadcasting from the Slaight family in 2007.

In television, Greenberg used his negotiation tactics to secure deals others couldn't.

One of his big wins was to convince executives at HBO to grow their relationship beyond licensing programming and give Astral the right to launch HBO Canada, a brand that had been sought after by others for years.

"The way that he charmed the HBO guys to let him use that brand in Canada was genius, it was absolute genius," said Yaffe.

"He went to their weddings, they went to his parties. He really knew how to build relationships."

When Astral was acquired by BCE in 2013 for $3.38 billion, Greenberg had steered the company to at least 66 consecutive quarters of profitable growth, an astounding feat in the volatile media industry.

"Ian ran his business with a very simple approach: we have to sell more this year than we did last year, and we have to spend less," Yaffe said.

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"And that's how he grew the business quarter after quarter."

As part of the BCE purchase, Greenberg assumed a role as director of the company's board.

He also held a position as chair of Cineplex Inc. where he recently oversaw talks for the Canadian exhibitor's failed $2.8-billion takeover by U.K.-based movie chain Cineworld, which fell apart amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

"He was a real calming influence," remembered Ellis Jacob, head of Cineplex.

"And in that way, he was also a great mentor and supporter of our company and me, personally. His steady hand and his focus was really something that I valued."

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 11, 2022.
TORONTO - Some of the most active companies traded Monday on the Toronto Stock Exchange:

Toronto Stock Exchange (21,072.32, down 12.13 points.)

Suncor Energy Inc. (TSX:SU). Energy. Up 13 cents, or 0.4 per cent, to $33.71 on 10 million shares.

The Toronto-Dominion Bank (TSX:TD). Financials. Down 41 cents, or 0.4 per cent, to $99.73 on 8.8 million shares.

Enbridge Inc. (TSX:ENB). Energy. Up 35 cents, or 0.7 per cent, to $51.63 on 7.9 million shares.

Crescent Point Energy Corp. (TSX:CPG). Energy. Up 14 cents, or 1.8 per cent, to $7.84 on 6.9 million shares.

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Manulife Financial Corp. (TSX:MFC). Financials. Up 11 cents, or 0.4 per cent, to $25.63 on 6.9 million shares.

Tilray Inc. (TSX:TLRY). Health care. Up $1.10, or 13.5 per cent, to $9.23 on 5.7 million shares.

Companies in the news:

Tilray Inc.  The scores of new entrants to the cannabis market combined with plunging prices have resulted in an "unsustainable" situation, Tilray Inc. executives say, but one they feel their company can weather. Blair MacNeil, president of the cannabis company's Canadian business, said Monday that 157 new pot brands were launched in the country in the last year and pricing across the market has dropped by 22.6 per cent, while Tilray has only shaved 1.7 per cent off prices. The country's cannabis producers have a glut of product they are anxious to move as Canada grapples with renewed pandemic restrictions and the continued resiliency of the illicit pot market. Cannabis companies, which have endured lengthy retail lockdown measures and are already limited in how they market their products, have spent much of the health crisis slashing prices and looking at their offerings with a critical eye. Tilray reported Monday a net income of almost US$6 million in its latest quarter, compared with a net loss of roughly US$89 million in the same quarter last year. It also said its revenue climbed by about 20 per cent to reach US$155 million, up from US$129 million during the same period last year.

Linamar Corp. (TSX:LNR). Down 77 cents to $77.68. Frank Hasenfratz, a Hungarian immigrant who founded Linamar Corp. and built it into a booming auto parts maker, has died. He was 86. The Guelph, Ont., company said that Hasenfratz, who had cancer, died Saturday surrounded by his family. Hasenfratz was born in Hungary in 1935 and immigrated to Canada in 1957. In a speech Mississauga-Lakeshore MPP Rudy Cuzzetto made in the Ontario legislature last month, he said Hasenfratz came to Canada because he was in an army unit in Hungary that destroyed two Soviet Union tanks and knew if he stayed in the country, he would likely be tortured or executed. When he arrived in Ontario, he worked in a machine shop making fuel pumps for Ford Motor Co., where he discovered about a quarter of the pumps were defective, Cuzzetto said. Frustrated with the situation, Hasenfratz quit Ford and won a contract to supply the fuel pumps himself, the politician added. He produced those pumps through Linamar, which he started in the basement of his family home as a one-man operation in 1966. Hasenfrantz named the company after his wife Margaret and daughters Linda and Nancy. Linda is the company's current CEO.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 10, 2022.
BANGKOK (AP)  American companies are still importing teak from Myanmar despite sanctions imposed after the military seized power last year, a report based on trade data said Tuesday.

FILE - Environmental activists who combat illegal logging, clear overgrowth covering recently raided illegally logged trees in what use to be a jungle in Chaung Gwet, in northern Sagaing division, Myanmar, June 25, 2016. American companies are still importing teak from Myanmar despite sanctions imposed after the military seized power last year, a report based on trade data said Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022. (AP Photo/ Gemunu Amarasinghe, File)

BANGKOK (AP)  American companies are still importing teak from Myanmar despite sanctions imposed after the military seized power last year, a report based on trade data said Tuesday.

Teak is one of the most valuable hardwoods, used in yachts, home flooring, doors, window frames and furniture. Myanmar is the biggest producer of the wood, even though its natural forests are dwindling.

American importers were still receiving shipments of teak from the Southeast Asian country as recently as December even though sanctions were put in place in April, data from the Panjiva global trade database show. Similar trends have been reported from Europe.

The human rights group Justice for Myanmar compiled the data. It is urging the U.S. and other governments to crack down on the teak trade in line with sanctions against the countrys military leadership.

Those U.S. Treasury sanctions, announced April 21, 2021, ban dealings with Myanmar Timber Enterprise, a state-owned company under the country's Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation. It alone oversees exports of timber and sells to private companies through auctions.

The sanctions ban all transactions with the company or people connected with it by U.S. people and companies. It also imposed sanctions on the military appointed minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation.

The European Union imposed similar sanctions in June. It also bans dealings with Myanmars Forest Products Joint Venture Corp.

Yet, sales and shipments of teak and other valuable hardwoods to the U.S. have continued. The timber arrived in 82 different shipments between Feb. 1 and Nov. 30, 2021, mainly teak boards and other wood items used in shipbuilding, outdoor decking, construction and furniture.

By buying through intermediaries, the importers are skirting the sanctions, the report contends.

Considering that sanctions aim to block trade with MTE, and the timber exported from Myanmar is originally auctioned by MTE," the military still receives funds from the trade no matter who officially exports the timber," the report said.

It urged the U.S. government to enforce the sanctions and to investigate possible breaches of the restrictions.

It is not clear exactly where the teak ends up, since it is imported by suppliers of timber for construction and other manufacturers. But teak is often used for patio furniture, decking and yachts because of its flexibility and durability.

Myanmar's military, headed by Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, deposed the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy on Feb. 1, 2021. Suu Kyi was arrested and charged with about a dozen crimes. On Monday, the 76-year-old Nobel Peace Prize laureate was sentenced to four more years in prison, on top of the two year sentence she was ordered to serve from earlier cases.

The military takeover has drawn nonviolent nationwide demonstrations, which security forces have quashed with deadly force, killing more than 1,400 civilians, according to a detailed list compiled by the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners.

Peaceful protests have continued, but an armed resistance to the crackdown has been building, to the point that U.N. experts have warned the country could be sliding into civil war.

Timber is one of resource-rich Myanmar's most valuable industries, bringing in millions of dollars a year in taxes and export revenues. One auction held in June of about 10,300 tons of illegally harvested timber that was confiscated by Suu Kyi's government brought in $5 million in revenue, local news reports said.

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Myanmar's military sold that timber from a stockpile of about 200,000 tons of illegal timber, the reports said.

Myanmar began allowing private companies to set up teak and other timber plantations in 2006, ending a state monopoly on the industry. In 2014, the government banned exports of all raw timber, lifting the ban for timber from state-run and private plantations but keeping it in place for timber from natural forests.

Teak exports are subject to a special approval process.

But a sizable share of the teak shipped out of the country is smuggled across land borders. The data from Panjiva included only teak shipped directly from Myanmar, not other exports through intermediate destinations such as eastern Europe, Taiwan and Thailand.

The sanctions related to the coup overlay other restrictions on imports of teak meant to protect dwindling tropical forests, given that teak and some other species are in danger of becoming extinct in the wild.

The European Union has strict requirements for documenting the origins of each log or plank of lumber. Myanmar suppliers often have not provided such clear proof that the wood being exported has been legally harvested, environmental groups and reports by the EU have shown.
WASHINGTON (AP)  The United States Mint said Monday it has begun shipping quarters featuring the image of poet Maya Angelou, the first coins in its American Women Quarters Program.

FILE - In this Nov. 21, 2008, file photo, poet Maya Angelou smiles at an event in Washington. On Monday, Jan. 10, 2022, the United States Mint said it has begun shipping quarters featuring the image of poet Maya Angelou, the first coins in its American Women Quarters Program. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert, File)

WASHINGTON (AP)  The United States Mint said Monday it has begun shipping quarters featuring the image of poet Maya Angelou, the first coins in its American Women Quarters Program.

Angelou, an American author, poet and Civil Rights activist, rose to prominence with the publication of I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings in 1969. Angelou, who died in 2014 at the age of 86, was honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2010 by President Barack Obama.

The quarter design depicts Angelou with outstretched arms. Behind her are a bird in flight and a rising sun, images inspired by her poetry.

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The mint's program will issue 20 quarters over the next four years honoring women and their achievements in shaping the nation's history.

Additional honorees in 2022 will be physicist and first woman astronaut Sally Ride, and Wilma Mankiller, the first female principal chief of the Cherokee Nation. Also honored this year will be Nina Otero-Warren, a leader in New Mexico's suffrage movement and the first female superintendent of Santa Fe public schools, and Anna May Wong, the first Chinese American film star in Hollywood.

Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nevada, the Senate sponsor of legislation directing the mint to issue the quarters honoring women, applauded the Mint's selection of Angelou for the first coin.

This coin will ensure generations of Americans learn about Maya Angelou's books and poetry that spoke to the lived experience of Black women, she said in a statement.

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, the nation's first female Treasury secretary, said: Each time we redesign our currency, we have the chance to say something about our country. ... I'm very proud that these coins celebrate the contributions of some of America's most remarkable women, including Maya Angelou.

The Biden administration announced soon after taking office a year ago that it planned to replace Andrew Jackson's portrait on the $20 bill with abolitionist Harriet Tubman, a leader in the Underground Railroad. However, since that announcement the administration has provided no further details on its plans.
WASHINGTON - "Tired of being quiet," President Joe Biden put Democrats on notice Tuesday that he supports changing how the U.S. Senate conducts the countrys business if it means passing legislation aimed at protecting the right of Americans to vote  a step he says is vital to the mission of protecting democracy.

President Joe Biden walks to the Oval Office of the White House after stepping off Marine One, Monday, Jan. 10, 2022, in Washington. Biden is in Georgia today to make his case for protecting voting rights in the United States. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Patrick Semansky

WASHINGTON - "Tired of being quiet," President Joe Biden put Democrats on notice Tuesday that he supports changing how the U.S. Senate conducts the countrys business if it means passing legislation aimed at protecting the right of Americans to vote  a step he says is vital to the mission of protecting democracy.

Biden, speaking in Atlanta to a crowd of prominent civil rights activists, Georgia lawmakers and members of Congress, gave his unqualified blessing to the idea of doing away with the filibuster, even if only temporarily, in order to pass legislation to blunt what he calls a Republican attack on the country's core values.

"I support changing the Senate rules, whichever way they need to be changed, to prevent a minority of senators from blocking action on voting rights," Biden said to rousing cheers. He said he's done having "quiet conversations" with lawmakers about the issue.

"I'm tired of being quiet," he said. "When it comes to protecting majority rule in America, the majority should rule in the United States Senate."

The challenge for the White House is that at the moment, that majority is as thin as it gets: 50 Democrats and 50 Republicans, with only Vice-President Kamala Harris available to break ties. Sixty votes, a so-called "supermajority," is whats typically required to get most bills through the upper chamber.

Without 60 votes, any senator in the minority can use the filibuster to extend debate on a bill indefinitely, ensuring it never comes to a vote  a tactic that these days is easily invoked in writing, rather than the old-fashioned "talking filibuster" of years gone by.

Biden has long hinted at his support for a "carve-out" exception to the filibuster rule for voting rights, a strategy deployed as recently as last year to get a coronavirus relief bill done, but until Tuesday had never delivered such a full-throated endorsement.

And he did it with a pointed reminder of how close predecessor Donald Trump  a defeated former president, Biden stressed  came in the dying days of his presidency to overthrowing the rule of electoral law on Capitol Hill last Jan. 6.

"Democracys victory was not certain, nor is democracys future," the president said.

"Were here today to stand against the forces in America that value power over principle, forces that attempted a coup  a coup against the legally expressed will of the American people by sowing doubt, inventing charges of fraud, seeking to steal the 2020 election from the people.

"They want chaos to reign. We want the people to rule."

Republicans, however, say the Freedom to Vote Act and John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act are simply measures aimed at preventing them from taking power.

In a divided Senate, the bills have focused fresh attention on Capitol Hill's two most coveted Democratic votes: West Virginia's Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona, neither of whom has shown any enthusiasm for the idea of doing away with the filibuster.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has set a deadline of Monday, which happens to be Martin Luther King Jr. Day in the U.S., to trigger a debate and a vote on whether to change the rules.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck McConnell, meanwhile, says it's the Democrats who are attacking democracy, not the Republicans  and he doesn't plan to let it happen without a fight.

"Fifty Republican senators, the largest possible minority, have been sent here to represent the many millions of Americans whom Leader Schumer wants so badly to leave behind," McConnell said on the floor of the chamber.

"If my colleague tries to break the Senate to silence those millions of Americans, we will make their voices heard in this chamber in ways that are more inconvenient for the majority and this White House than what anybody has seen in living memory."

An analysis released last year by the Brennan Center for Justice found that 19 states passed 33 new laws in 2021 that stiffen the rules around voting, particularly with regards to voter ID and using early or mail-in ballots. Republicans argue that the new laws actually make voting more accessible, not less.

Stringent new penalties on election officials in Georgia, Texas, Kansas and Iowa make it harder for election officials to assist voters, such as by delivering completed ballots for people who might need help doing so.

In Georgia, it's illegal to provide water or food to people waiting in long lines at polling stations. Texas has made it against the law to encourage voters to request mail-in ballots or to regulate the behaviour of poll watchers.

"Whether it's education, health care or anything of that sort, being able to exercise their rights to have a say in those decisions  this is how democracy works," said Alice Huling, a voting rights expert and general counsel for Campaign Legal Center, a non-profit advocacy group focused on electoral issues.

"Unfortunately, that ability  the freedom to have a say in those decisions  has been facing multiple threats."

Many of those threats have been in direct response to Trump's persistent and ongoing efforts to undermine the results of the 2020 election, which by every measure, legal and otherwise, legitimately elevated Biden to the White House.

Critics say the measures represent a broad, concerted effort to disenfranchise certain voters in the U.S., particularly low-income Americans and people of colour, and to make it easier to challenge legitimate election outcomes.

The antidotes, they say, are already before Congress.

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If passed, the Freedom to Vote Act would establish minimum federal standards for voting access and make it harder for partisan actors to jerry-rig the process. The John Lewis bill, named for the late Georgia congressman and civil rights champion, is designed to limit discrimination at the ballot box.

Charles Bullock, a politics professor at the University of Georgia, said Democrats are clearly staking their political future on the issue of voting rights  and may also be overstating the risk of inaction as a result.

"It is an issue that mobilizes the Democratic base better than about anything else," Bullock said in an interview, dismissing fears of a total disenfranchisement of Black voters in Georgia and a return to the Jim Crow era.

"Those who characterize the Georgia law, the Texas law as being Jim Crow 2.0 simply have no idea what Jim Crow did, which actually did pretty much eliminate Black participation," he said.

"Well, that's not going to happen today. By Democrats campaigning against these laws and using them to motivate their base, we may actually see higher participation (in elections)."

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 11, 2022.
The town of Birtle has a tough decision to make in the coming months, as its council must decide whether to approve a new cryptocurrency mine proposed in the quiet community.

One of the containers Skychain Technologies has brought in for the mine. The company plans to bring in 12 of these. (Submitted by Roberta Hutchison)

The town of Birtle has a tough decision to make in the coming months, as its council must decide whether to approve a new cryptocurrency mine proposed in the quiet community.

Skychain Technologies, a company based in Vancouver, has purchased two plots of land in town with the hopes of installing 12 containers in the area to hold computers to mine Bitcoin. Birtle has a population of approximately 600 people and is located about 300 kilometres west of Winnipeg.

To read more of this story first reported by CBC News, click here.

This content is made available to Free Press readers as part of an agreement with CBC that sees our two trusted news brands collaborate to better cover Manitoba. Questions about CBC content can be directed to talkback@cbc.ca.
The wife of Manitoba cabinet minister Jon Reyes has defended him after he was mocked over a tweet that showed her shovelling snow after a 12-hour hospital shift.

The wife of Manitoba cabinet minister Jon Reyes has defended him after he was mocked over a tweet that showed her shovelling snow after a 12-hour hospital shift.

In her first public comments since the photo went viral, Cynthia Reyes hit back at critics and said she was looking to decompress after working overnight amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

A screen capture of MLA Jon Reyes tweet about his wife shovelling snow. (Twitter)

"I just wanted to shovel," the registered nurse wrote in a lengthy Facebook post Monday night. "Truly, my shovelling was an act of self-care and taking care of my home and family."

As she pulled into the driveway Saturday morning while everyone inside the house was asleep, she felt she had the energy to shovel snow after a "good night" at work, which hasnt always been the case amid the pandemic. It allowed her to unwind and get some fresh air in a "quiet and peaceful" place after wearing an N95 face mask for hours.

Cynthia Reyes said her husbands tweet wouldnt have gained so much attention had the gender roles been reversed or if the family wasnt under the "microscope" of politics.

"It is a reminder of how social media can blow things out of proportion and negatively affect many users," she wrote.

"This made me realize that I am grateful that he appreciates what I do and that he loves me and shows it publicly  this is nothing new"  Cynthia Reyes

She said the Reyes do not take on traditional gender roles in their household.

"Its the way we roll. Jon loves cooking, and I love shovelling, and vice versa; its really not a big deal," her post stated.

"That brings me to the fact that this tweet probably would not have gone viral if the gender roles were reversed or if my husband were not a politician."

She described her husbands tweet as "honest, genuine and sincere," while also calling on Manitobans to be kinder to each other.

"This made me realize that I am grateful that he appreciates what I do and that he loves me and shows it publicly  this is nothing new," she wrote. "I am proud that he is unapologetically himself. So I will not be divorcing him over shovelling as many have recommended."

Jon Reyes, the minister of economic development and jobs, tweeted the photo of his wife shovelling Saturday morning while he was standing inside the couples home.

The MLA was mercilessly trolled, as the tweet was picked up by online tabloids such as TMZ and the U.K.based Daily Mail, newspapers including the New York Post and USA Today, the ABC talk show The View, and celebrities

"Even after a 12-hour night shift at the hospital last night, my wife still has the energy to shovel the driveway," he tweeted. "God bless her and all our frontliners. Time to make her some breakfast."

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The MLA was mercilessly trolled, as the tweet was picked up by online tabloids such as TMZ and the U.K.-based Daily Mail, newspapers including the New York Post and USA Today, the ABC talk show The View, and celebrities.

Oscar-winning filmmaker Taika Waititi wrote "u better pray" alongside face-palming and coffin emojis, while Glee actress Jane Lynch shared some of the memes that tickled her.

"The replies, people, the REPLIES," she tweeted.

Describing the weekend as a "whirlwind," Cynthia Reyes said the couple had turned down interview requests from journalists around the world.

chris.kitching@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @chriskitching
Although the grand heritage mansion on Wellington Crescent was demolished more than a year ago, community opposition to its site redevelopment has not lost momentum.

Although the grand heritage mansion on Wellington Crescent was demolished more than a year ago, community opposition to its site redevelopment has not lost momentum.

A rezoning application to allow a four-storey, eight-unit condo at 514 Wellington Cres.  site of the former Gordon House, immediately north of St. Marys Academy  is set to be heard today by the city centre community committee.

City of Winnipeg planning, property and development staff are recommending the committee approve the rezoning to residential multifamily-small district from its previous designation of single family.

The proposed development would include eight condo units, about 3,100 square feet each in size (totalling 24,065 sq. ft.), with 17 underground parking stalls and three drive-in entrances. The former heritage structure  completed in 1909 for prominent businessman James Thomas Gordon (1858-1919)  was about 8,000 sq. ft.

Christine Skene, one of the neighbourhood residents who have fought both the demolition and redevelopment of the site, said a number will be present in person or virtually to voice their opposition.

A 21-page submission against the rezoning application has been prepared by a residents committee, who have been knocking heads with the current property owner  a company headed by Winnipeg businessman Jeff Thompson  every step of the way.

The submission, signed by neighbourhood resident and lawyer Richard Leipsic, says: "Allowing a residential home to fall into disrepair such that a demolition permit can be awarded on grounds of public safety is a devious and mischievous tactic. The city should have held the owner to the same requirements as a normal request for a demolition permit, namely replacing it with a similar single-family residential home."

Skene said despite the fact the developer has ostensibly followed all city guidelines, including public consultations, she believes the plan violates several zoning restrictions.

"The public consultation in the fall was a joke," she said. "It was just a sell job."

The developers proposal contravenes the spirit of the Heritage Conservations District application pending for the neighbourhood and violates height restrictions, Skene said. After promises were made to leave all trees on the property intact, the plan now calls for some to be removed, she claimed.

CITY OF WINNIPEG Wellington Condos Rendering from city hall report of proposed development at 514 Wellington Crescent.

Residents had organized to maintain the character of the tony neighbourhood long before Thompson bought the property from former senator Douglas Everett (who died in 2018).

They successfully fought the demolition for more than a year, and claim the house was structurally in mint condition when it came down.

"We watched the demolition. They had to claw it apart," Skene said. "It didnt even shake when they hit it with the big bucket It was absolutely heartbreaking."

Thompson was not available for comment Monday; an associate said it appears the rezoning application process has gone smoothly.

In a statement, James Veitch, Winnipeg acting manager of urban planning and design, said: "The city was thorough in its review of the property prior to making its current recommendation After the property owner acquired a demolition permit, we paused those actions to allow for a review of the property because of its location within a nominated heritage conservation district. After reviewing the property and consulting with the owner, the city is moving forward with a recommendation that supports rezoning of the property."

Skene says it is not a not-in-my-backyard argument: the residents group welcomes neighbourhood development, as long as it is within the already agreed-upon parameters.

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In his submission, Leipsic wrote: "If endorsed by approving the rezoning application, this precedent will send the wrong message, will be replicated, and serve as a road map to other developers."

The process of seeking and obtaining agreements from the city for development needs to be overhauled, Skene added.

The rezoning application includes costly and extensive work the developer has clearly already undertaken to design and plan the development, she said.

Skene said rezoning should come at the beginning of the process, before the developer incurs the expense of professional services.

"The city needs to listen to the neighbours," she said. "I dont think the city has an obligation to bail out a developer that has made a bad decision. (Thompson) knew from Day 1 that his decision was not going to fly."

martin.cash@freepress.mb.ca
Families forced to rearrange daily routines, find temporary child care and pay out of pocket for supplies while schools are in remote learning deserve government compensation, the official Opposition says.

Families forced to rearrange daily routines, find temporary child care and pay out of pocket for supplies while schools are in remote learning deserve government compensation, the official Opposition says.

As students across Manitoba logged their first day of remote learning Monday, NDP Leader Wab Kinew called on the Progressive Conservative government to provide families with a cash injection to help cover expenses each time schools are forced to go remote.

"This is money that would be provided to parents to use in the way that they know best so they can ensure a safe return to school," Kinew told reporters at the Manitoba Legislative Building. "Whatever needs that your family has to get through this remote learning period and then back into the classroom, we think that its important for government to be there with some assistance."

The NDPs proposal includes providing $500 per child to families in remote learning; families of children with exceptional needs would receive $750 per child. The universal benefit would be available when public health orders require a school or classroom to go remote.

Kinew said money could be spent on enhancing internet access, computers or tablets, subscriptions for educational programs, child care, or rapid tests and personal protective equipment.

"There is a real chance that some schools may have to go remote again in the future," Kinew said. "Putting this benefit into place would, I think, help families to be able to respond to a situation like that."

The partys education critic, Nello Altomare, also called on the government to improve public reporting on COVID-19 cases and exposures related to schools.

"We have the data, lets get it out there instead of having people having to crowdsource stuff and make decisions on the fly," Altomare said. "Lets have it come from a really credible source like the government that collects that data and lets get it out to parents so that they can make decisions."

The NDP also called for the government to begin collecting positive rapid test results from the public. The majority of Manitobans seeking COVID-19 tests are now being given rapid antigen tests to use at home, the results of which are not tracked.

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Public health officials request some people in vulnerable sectors, including school-age children and teens and education staff, return to COVID-19 test sites to receive a PCR test if they test positive on a rapid test.

"We do need to formalize and use the resources of government to ensure that the rapid tests that are taking place across Manitoba right now are captured in a way that will help Manitobans in the future," Kinew said.

In anticipation of increased absenteeism among teachers when in-class education returns, Altomare said substitute teachers should also be offered contracts to keep them in the classroom for the remainder of the school year.

"We know when that gets going we have to keep our classrooms as consistent as possible and we know by having more (human resources) available were able to do that," Altomare said.

The NDP also called for improved accessibility of high quality masks and tests for staff in the education system, upgraded ventilation systems in schools, and the addition of more mental health counsellors.

danielle.dasilva@freepress.mb.ca
OTTAWA  A remote First Nation in northern Manitoba is running low on fuel and cant open its ice road, among soaring COVID-19 cases.

OTTAWA  A remote First Nation in northern Manitoba is running low on fuel and cant open its ice road, among soaring COVID-19 cases.

Manto Sipi Cree Nation, a fly-in reserve 600 kilometres northeast of Winnipeg, has had one-10th of its population test positive in just 10 days, as reserves across the north declare pandemic lockdowns.

Its very scary, Chief John Ross told the Free Press. We need help with all the exhaustion here.

The community, whose Cree name translates to Gods River, had 828 residents as of last month. One COVID-19 case emerged Dec. 28  and the case count hit 79 on Jan. 8.

One-third of the communitys 150 households are isolating, as only those with symptoms or essential workers can get tested, under provincial policies.

The community is among at least 11 northern reserves that have implemented lockdowns, of the 26 represented by Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak.

Two nurses have fallen ill, and a dedicated team of volunteer delivery staff have started to burn out, Ross said Monday.

The winter road has only had 12 of its 71 kilometres cleared by the time the community went into lockdown, meaning gasoline and essential goods will need to be flown in.

NDP MP Niki Ashton (ChurchillKeewatinook Aski) said Ottawa might need to increase its funding for reserves to run checkpoints, food delivery, and nurse check-ups.

She and Ross asked officials late last week about deploying the Armed Forces, to help with logistics.

The military was sent in when case counts were much lower than what they are right now, and were seeing a delay in providing these kinds of resources, Ashton said. The domino effect is quite serious.

Since then, Ross met virtually with federal, provincial and First Nations officials. He said the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs committed late Monday to sending support staff and nurses.

I think the AMC is not really supportive of the military coming, but any help will do for us, Ross said, adding the militarys visit during a vaccination campaign last year boosted the communitys spirits.

Last week, Ottawa warned its military resources will be stretched thin if COVID-19 continues to spread at such high rates in numerous provinces, largely due to the Omicron variant.

As of Jan. 7, no northern Manitoba reserves had confirmed Omicron cases  despite the province doing some surveillance for the variant, which many chiefs believe is already circulating in their communities, as do the nurses at Manto Sipi.

Manitoba Health sends every reserve a weekly supply of rapid antigen tests from the province to test symptomatic patients for COVID-19 cases, in addition to rapid PCR tests reserved for unvaccinated and immunocompromised patients.

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The department says among those with a positive antigen test, a sub-sample are swabbed and have their samples flown to Winnipeg for laboratory PCR testing while we monitor the presence of Delta and Omicron variants in First Nation communities.

Meanwhile, MKO Grand Chief Garrison Settee chastised the province Monday over its reprehensible ongoing closure of the Leaf Rapids Health Centre, a hospital that serves northern communities.

The province closed the hospital due to short-staffing Dec. 27 for a scheduled two weeks, only to extend the closure Monday, the day it was set to reopen.

MKO said the Northern health region never bothered to consult chiefs about extending the closure. The agency said it only learned Jan. 7 it would have to keep the centre closed, and notified bands the day after.

(Our) goal is to open as soon as we can safely do so and in a way that is sustainable, spokeswoman Twyla Storey wrote. The nearest hospital is 100 km away, in Lynn Lake.

dylan.robertson@freepress.mb.ca
Could Omicron be the variant to end all coronavirus variants?

According to Tyra Grove Krause, the technical director of Denmarks State Serum Institute, we are quickly approaching a point in the pandemic narrative where the end is in sight.

Seriously.

If youve never heard of Krause, youre not alone. Until last week, she was just another courageous but anonymous expert. And then, one week ago, Krause made a surprising prediction in an interview with a Danish television network that catapulted her to the top of the global pandemic-modelling charts.

"(Omicron) may be what is going to lift us out of the pandemic, so that this becomes the last wave of corona," Krause said.

Krause went on to say that hospitalizations in Denmark were expected to peak in mid-January, and that by March 1, its quite likely that "infection will start to subside and we get our normal lives back."

Its impossible to tell from the explosion of news stories that were published in the wake of those comments whether Krause attached any caveats to her bold prediction. That should lead most people to fairly ask: is her optimism warranted?

First, the good news.

BLOOMBERG THE WASHINGTON POST By March 1 it is likely the infection will start to subside and we get our normal lives back, says Tyra Grove Krause, chief epidemiologist at Denmark's State Serum Institute. (Chico Harlan / Washington Post files)

Krauses analysis is consistent with preliminary data from countries further along the Omicron thrill ride that show, following a rapid rise in cases, there was an equally rapid decline.

South Africa was one of the first countries to report widespread Omicron infections. After an explosion of new cases there in November, there was precipitous drop, with a relatively low number of deaths and hospitalizations.

Want even more fuel for the optimistic fire? Some epidemiologists such as Krause have theorized that a combination of high vaccination rates and large numbers of Omicron infections could help us achieve herd immunity, the point at which so many people are resistant to the virus that it dies out.

Finally, there is a school of scientific thought that most human viruses become, over time, less deadly and contagious.

Now for the bad news.

The theory that Krause and others have proposed is but one of several that are possible at this stage in the pandemic. It also tends to overlook several important facts about COVID-19 and the countries that have been hardest hit by Omicron.

First and foremost among those facts is the reality that Omicron performs much differently in different countries.

Although Omicron has had a relatively mild impact in South Africa, it has been wreaking havoc in countries like the United States, which has seen both a 200-per-cent increase in the 14-day rolling average of daily cases (now over 677,000) and a 16 per cent increase in daily deaths (now well over 1,500). Although deaths and hospitalizations are still below the winter surge in 2021, the gap is shrinking fast.

Why would Omicron hit the U.S. harder than a country like South Africa?

CP After an explosion of new cases in South Africa in November, there was a large drop, with a relatively low number of deaths and hospitalizations. (Shiraaz Mohamed / The Associated Press files)

South African health officials note that an astounding 70 per cent of the countrys population had already been infected by and survived pre-Omicron variants, which may have provided additional immunity. South Africa is also a very young country, with a median age of just 28.

The U.S., on the other hand, is a country with a relatively low vaccination rate and a high level of chronic, lifestyle-related health problems.

All of which is to say that as we approach the second anniversary of COVID-19, its really too soon to start proclaiming the end of the pandemic, particularly since the virus that causes COVID-19 has been very unpredictable over its lifespan. That fact alone is prompting other equally qualified experts to be more cautious in their predictions.

Francois Balloux, a computational biologist at University College London, told Nature magazine he is concerned about the number of experts suggesting all viruses ultimately evolve to become more transmissible but less virulent. "Theres this assumption that something more transmissible becomes less virulent. I dont think that is the position we should take."

To Ballouxs point, there is an entirely different school of epidemiological thought that suggests a perfect-storm variant  highly contagious, deadly and resistant to existing vaccines  is still possible as Omicron spreads and replicates in hundreds of millions more people around the world.

Dan Lett | Not for Attribution A weekly look at politics close to home and around the world that is sent every Tuesday. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement.

The real reason to be optimistic at the 22-month post in the pandemic is that after multiple waves of COVID-19, we are developing muscle memory around the most important mitigation strategies.

Weve accepted masks and hand hygiene as the price to pay for getting to go out and share indoor spaces with others. Weve also learned how to lock down, when its absolutely necessary.

Our health-care system has also learned how to acquire and stockpile masks, gloves and gowns to protect health-care workers.

Everyone wants Omicron to be the variant that blows out the raging fire of COVID-19. But we cant assume that will happen, and we certainly cannot stop doing whatever we can to stop the spread of this disease.

At this stage in the pandemic, we must always examine our optimism through the lens of sober, practical analysis. In other words, hope for the best and continue planning for the worst.

dan.lett@winnipegfreepress.com
Manitobans will have several chances this month to engage with the provincial government before it releases Budget 2022.

Manitobans will have several chances this month to engage with the provincial government before it releases Budget 2022.

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All sessions are remote  by phone or online  because of COVID-19 pandemic public health restrictions.

The first telephone town hall, for rural Manitobans, will begin 6:30 p.m. Tuesday. Winnipeg residents can pick up the phone for a 6:30 p.m. session Wednesday or a 6 p.m. session Jan. 24.

Rural Manitobans can attend a virtual public meeting Jan. 17 at 6:30 p.m. Winnipeggers have the option Jan. 20 at 6:30 p.m. (the conference will translate to English and French), and northern Manitobans have a slot Jan. 26 at 6:30 p.m.

Attendees must register ahead of time for all sessions at engagemb.ca/budget-2022.

The province has also created an online survey for Manitobans, available until Jan. 31, at engagemb.ca/budget-2022/survey_tools.

People can also email concerns and ideas to budget2022@gov.mb.ca or mail submissions to Finance Minister Scott Fielding, 103-450 Broadway, Winnipeg, MB, R3C 0V8. The envelope should state its contents are about Budget 2022.
There is a widespread perception that Premier Heather Stefanson and her cabinet colleagues are cowering in the shadows, afraid of facing the media and the public. Thats not quite true.

Opinion

There is a widespread perception that Premier Heather Stefanson and her cabinet colleagues are cowering in the shadows, afraid of facing the media and the public. Thats not quite true.

As COVID-19 case counts climb throughout the province, the silence right now from the premier, Health Minister Audrey Gordon and other government officials is likely the first component of the governments political strategy for the next three months  part of a plan focused on winning the upcoming Fort Whyte byelection.

Stefanson and her advisors arent dummies, and she isnt hiding under her desk right now. Unlike her predecessor, Brian Pallister, Manitobas new premier doesnt welcome the spotlight and microphone. She would far rather stand in the back of the room, scheming and planning.

She patiently orchestrated a caucus-wide revolt that ousted Pallister  a coup he never really saw coming. Then she and her team made deals to keep potential rivals out of the PC Party leadership race, set the rules to keep other likely leadership contenders out of the contest, then made more deals with groups of potential supporters to give her the votes she needed to become leader and premier.

Thats determined, skilful work, pulled off in a high-stakes setting. It reminds us that its a mistake to underestimate Stefanson and her advisors. They undoubtedly have a plan to get through the next few months, and I think it looks like this:

First, they believe there is little they can do now to stop the current wave of COVID-19 that is spreading throughout the province. They also know public opinion is split on shutting down schools and businesses.

It appears their strategy is to ride out the wave, betting (based on whats happening in other provinces) the situation will improve dramatically in a few weeks. They will likely increase access to masks and testing, but there will be no major moves to solve a problem they believe may solve itself next month.

Until then, they will let the doctors do most of the talking and keep the premier and health minister far away from cameras and microphones as much as possible. Its the same hide-and-seek strategy Stefanson used as health minister.

When either of Stefanson or Gordon must face the media, they will repeat bland talking points again and again. They arent going to give the opposition, or the media, video clips that can be used against them later.

They will try to use the upcoming cabinet shuffle as both a distraction from the COVID-19 crisis and an opportunity to put a fresh coat of paint on the government. The spin will be that the new cabinet represents a new government with new priorities and a new, positive, collaborative attitude. Whether the public buys the pitch remains to be seen.

Assuming COVID-19 case numbers start dropping as expected, February will be full of government announcements by cabinet ministers in new portfolios, with plenty of hints of new spending and priorities in the March budget.

Team Stefanson will try to dominate the airwaves with positive news during that period, because a byelection must be held in the Fort Whyte riding by no later than March 29. Because the writ must be dropped between 28 days and 34 days before the election date, the byelection must be called by March 1 at the latest.

Once the byelection is called, an advertising blackout period begins and almost all government announcements and advertising are prohibited until after the byelection. The blackout rules do not apply, however, to information about public-health matters, nor about a budget that has been tabled in the Legislative Assembly.

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Those are big loopholes. The government can call the Fort Whyte byelection and still make COVID-related spending commitments. It can table a budget with lots of goodies for the riding, then advertise it at taxpayer expense.

Just imagine the impact of a March 17 budget speech that announces a new school in Fort Whyte, or new recreation facilities. It could make the difference in what will likely be a tight three-way race.

Thats what I think the plan is. It rests on the hope Manitobans will have short memories and be in a forgiving mood.

For a party on the ropes in the polls, in danger of losing what was one of its safest ridings, its really the only strategy theyve got.

Deveryn Ross is a political commentator living in Brandon

deverynrossletters@gmail.com Twitter: @deverynross
Russia and the Western powers have kicked off a round of diplomatic talks revolving around Russias continuing aggression against Ukraine and its wish to stop Ukraine from joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. The purpose of these talks is far from clear, but they may persuade Russian President Vladimir Putin not to go to war.

Russia and the Western powers have kicked off a round of diplomatic talks revolving around Russias continuing aggression against Ukraine and its wish to stop Ukraine from joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. The purpose of these talks is far from clear, but they may persuade Russian President Vladimir Putin not to go to war.

Canada and its allies should concede nothing to Russia in these negotiations. Though Mr. Putin talks big and makes extravagant demands, he is in no position to threaten Ukraine or the member countries of NATO.

He annexed Crimea by military occupation in 2014, triggering economic sanctions by western governments, which provoked a flight of capital and a sharp drop in the value of the ruble. Still today, lenders demand 8.4 per cent interest on Russian government bonds while the bonds of most industrial countries pay interest of one per cent or less. Russia is having a terrible pandemic, with only half of its people fully vaccinated.

ALEXANDER ZEMLIANICHENKO / ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO Russian President Vladimir Putin had not finished putting down a popular revolt in neighbouring Belarus when he had to send troops to suppress an uprising in Kazakhstan.

Mr. Putin had not finished putting down a popular revolt in neighbouring Belarus when he had to send troops to suppress an uprising in Kazakhstan, another ex-Soviet state still under Russian domination.

Abundant reserves of coal, oil and natural gas keep Russia in business for the time being, but a worldwide shift away from fossil fuels, if it happens, will set severe limits to Russias economic growth potential.

A worldwide shift away from fossil fuels, if it happens, will set severe limits to Russias economic growth potential.

While shifting military resources close to the Ukraine border, Mr. Putin has been pretending to dictate terms to the United States and NATO. He demanded that NATO undertake not to admit any more countries to its ranks and not to conduct military exercises close to Russian territory. The NATO council flatly rejected these demands last week.

Western governments are wise to meet Mr. Putins diplomats as they are doing this week in the NATO-Russia Council and in the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, the agency that monitors day-by-day the Russian-backed insurgent forces in eastern Ukraine. They should miss no opportunity to make it plain to the Russian government that invasion of Ukraine would cut Russia off from the financial markets that keep its economy afloat.

As Ukraine matures into a well-ordered market economy with efficient professional military forces, it could become a candidate for membership in the European Union and eventually in NATO. That time is not close, but NATO would be crazy to let Russia dictate the pace of the alliances expansion.

Western governments should not go into these talks aiming to make Mr. Putin happy. They should find out what they can about his intentions, though his announced plan to tie NATO in knots is absurdly unrealistic and scarcely worth discussing.

Mr. Putin pretends to feel threatened because several exSoviet states, including Poland and the Baltic states, joined NATO.

Mr. Putin pretends to feel threatened because several ex-Soviet states, including Poland and the Baltic states, joined NATO. They did that after long and bitter experience within the Soviet empire, which they could not wait to leave as the Soviet Union collapsed.

Having learned nothing from that experience, Mr. Putin is now abusing Ukraine with annexation and low-level warfare that Ukraines people will not soon forget. What else could he do to make Ukrainians long for the day when they can shelter under the NATO security guarantee and make Mr. Putin leave them in peace? NATO cannot expect to save him from his own folly.
A small piece of paper taped to a door at the entrance of McPhillips Station Casino offers a warning. Please be advised that an employee at this location has tested positive for COVID-19, it reads.

A small piece of paper taped to a door at the entrance of McPhillips Station Casino offers a warning. "Please be advised that an employee at this location has tested positive for COVID-19," it reads.

Dozens of employees at provincially run casinos have tested positive for the disease caused by the novel coronavirus since Christmas, raising questions about why the gaming facilities are allowed to operate as case counts soar.

Liberal Leader Dougald Lamont accused the Progressive Conservative government of choosing money over the health and safety of its citizens.

The most important thing should be preventing infection, and thats something this government doesnt seem to care about in casinos.  Liberal Leader Dougald Lamont

"Its no fun being the wet blanket, because during this pandemic weve had to close down everything fun to do, whether its casinos or concerts or restaurants," Lamont said Monday. "But the most important thing should be preventing infection, and thats something this government doesnt seem to care about in casinos."

Much of a casinos customer base is older, making the situation more urgent, Lamont said.

"Its rare that you see anyone under the age of 60. So you have a huge customer base thats almost entirely a vulnerable population. Its just not responsible from a public health point of view," he said.

"The idea that were going to keep these places open because its going to save money, when we risk sending people to the hospital where theyre going to cost hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars in an ICU, makes no sense."

Seventy-seven Winnipeg staff members between McPhillips Station Casino, Club Regent Casino and Shark Club Gaming Centre have tested positive for COVID-19 since Dec. 20, a statement from Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries Corp. said Monday.

"Approximately" 36 of those cases are at McPhillips Station.

"The idea that were going to keep these places open because its going to save money, when we risk sending people to the hospital where theyre going to cost hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars in an ICU, makes no sense."  Liberal Leader Dougald Lamont

That didnt stop gamblers from trying their luck at the McPhillips Street facility Monday.

At least 60 people were inside, either playing VLTs or having a coffee at the McDonalds location. The majority of the older clientele were masked, but some huddled around VLTs in small groups. A handful of staff attempted to keep up with disinfecting seats.

One visitor said he liked that the casino was relatively quiet.

"I come here to relax, and I like it when theres nobody around," said Joe, who did not want to give his full name.

Joe said he was happy with how the casino has been managed during the pandemic, adding he believes the province should reopen it further now that a large percentage of Manitobans have received two vaccine doses against COVID-19.

Under current public health orders, casinos are limited to 50 per cent capacity or 250 people, whichever is less.

"I come here to relax, and I like it when theres nobody around."  Joe

Another visitor said shes more comfortable at the casino earlier in the day.

"Theres very few people around. At about 2 p.m., they start coming in, I try to go earlier," she said.

A provincial spokesman said its been "kept up to speed" on COVID-19s spread at gaming facilities.

"Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries, like all Manitoba businesses, is required to adhere to public health orders," he said in an email. "We have been kept up to speed on the measures that the casinos have taken since they reopened last summer and can confirm that they actively implement measures that go beyond what is required of them."

A spokesperson from MLL said in an email Monday: "It is impossible and misleading to conclude that all COVID-positive staff contracted or spread COVID while in the workplace."

"Our employees continue to follow public health restrictions and our own screening and safety procedures and by notifying us once they become symptomatic or test positive on either a rapid antigen test or a PCR test and not attending work in either case," the spokesman said.

malak.abas@freepress.mb.ca
In the waning months of 2020, with a tough flu season looming, Adrian Gulowaty looked around at the Shoppers Drug Mart in Osborne Village, and realized he had an opportunity. For years, the store at the corner of River and Osborne had been one of the brands flagship locations: now, Gulowaty saw how it could soon play a big role in the fight against COVID-19.

In the waning months of 2020, with a tough flu season looming, Adrian Gulowaty looked around at the Shoppers Drug Mart in Osborne Village, and realized he had an opportunity. For years, the store at the corner of River and Osborne had been one of the brands flagship locations: now, Gulowaty saw how it could soon play a big role in the fight against COVID-19.

Hed been hoping for a chance like that. The store had been the first 24-hour Shoppers in the city, and the last; in 2019, not long after Gulowaty had become the Osborne locations pharmacist-owner, all Winnipeg stores had scaled back their round-the-clock operations. Since then, Gulowaty had been thinking about how else to make a splash.

"I wanted to be known for something great again," he says. "I wanted to support the store, support the community and support the Village, so were getting foot traffic back into the Village. And I really wanted to focus on vaccines."

JOHN WOODS / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS "We dont always want to be behind the counter dispensing, so this is an opportunity to focus on clinical assessments and educating people about vaccines," said Adrian Gulowaty, pharmacist/owner at Shoppers Drug Mart in Osborne Village.

Flash forward one year, and that goal has succeeded beyond his wildest dreams. The Osborne location has been called a "hero" of the vaccine effort, raved about on social media and become one of the top vaccine distributors in Manitoba outside the government-run sites.

Really, its all about location. The fact the Osborne location is central helps; so does the building itself. Usually, pharmacies have little extra space to spare, but above Gulowatys store sat 5,500-sq. ft. of sunny open room, accessible by elevator and with a separate entrance. It had been built as part of a large expansion in 2013, with plans to rent it out, but stood empty.

It would be the perfect site for a large walk-in vaccine clinic, Gulowaty knew. All he had to do was organize it.

In winter 2020, the Osborne Shoppers opened a large flu shot clinic in the space. The clinic was a success, but more than that, Gulowaty and staff knew they were building towards something even more significant: the COVID-19 vaccines were coming, and they wanted to do everything they could to help get them into arms.

JOHN WOODS / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Gulowaty vaccinates Emily Bernardin in the vaccine clinic at his pharmacy. Since the spring of 2021, the Osborne clinic has doled out more than 10,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses.

Well, theyve certainly done that. Since the spring of 2021, when pharmacies began to offer Astra Zeneca, the Osborne clinic has doled out more than 10,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses. At peak demand, the clinic can run six vaccination stations at once, and deliver Pfizer, Moderna and flu vaccines to up to 400 people a day. Lately, its been averaging about 200.

Good reviews helped fill those spots. In recent months, word-of-mouth about the clinic spread like wildfire on social media, as grateful visitors raved about how quick and easy it was and urged others to visit. Usually, there are, if any at all, only very short lineups; many visitors report walking in, getting their shot and being out the door in under 15 minutes.

"Honestly, the River and Osborne Shoppers is an absolute hero in Winnipegs pandemic response," University of Manitoba professor Adele Perry wrote on Twitter last week.

"Shoppers Osborne should be running the Covid taskforce," another user declared. "Thats one smooth operation."

MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESSFILES Word-of-mouth about the clinic spread like wildfire on social media, as grateful visitors raved about how quick and easy it was and urged others to visit.

Staffing the clinic, which is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., is something of a community effort. Gulowaty handles most of the organizing; to meet the demand, he assembled a team that includes some of his regular pharmacy staff, University of Manitoba faculty and even retired Shoppers owners who were jumping to pitch in.

That means long hours. With demand for boosters soaring, Gulowaty only took one day  Christmas  during the holidays; unlike the big supersites they dont have a team of managers to keep it all running, he says. But to him and all the staff, being able to offer counsel and help protect Manitobans makes it worth the effort.

"As pharmacists, we always want to do more," he says. "We dont always want to be behind the counter dispensing, so this is an opportunity to focus on clinical assessments and educating people about vaccines. Its almost been like a dream job for some people. Theyve been studying their whole career to get to this point."

One of those vaccinators, Hans Epp, was eager to get started. After 35 years as the pharmacist-owner of a Shoppers in Steinbach, hed retired from the business in spring 2021; by June, hed signed up for two shifts a week at the Osborne location. The clinic, Epp says, has been a "diamond in the rough" of Manitobas vaccine response.

SUPPLIED Pharmacist and retired Shoppers Drug Mart owner Hans Epp (L) and Adrian Gulowaty, pharmacist-owner of the Osborne Village Shoppers location, at the stores vaccine clinic.

"It probably is the most rewarding aspect of my career, thus far," says Epp, who will also be working as a vaccinator at the Steinbach supersite. "To be able to provide these vaccinations, I dont think Ive ever felt better at the end of the day on a consistent basis, as doing this work."

Its the people, Epp and Gulowaty agree, that have made it so worthwhile. Gulowaty shares the positive social media comments with clinic staff, and that has made them even more motivated; theyve also been floored by the expressions of gratitude given to them every day by the steady stream of people who arrive and roll up their sleeves.

"To be able to provide these vaccinations, I dont think Ive ever felt better at the end of the day on a consistent basis, as doing this work."  Retired pharmacist Hans Epp who works two shifts a week at the clinic

"If anyone is feeling really down about COVID, they should spend a day with me in this clinic," Epp says. "The emotional uplifting the patients provide us is just amazing. Theyre so supportive, theyre so thankful. They understand the risks we take to do this stuff. Theyre the ones who really keep us going."

Now, theyre hoping they can do even more. For instance, Epp notes, while hes marvelled at how well the youngest children who come in for a vaccine have done in the environment, he hasnt seen as many kids in the five to 11 age bracket as he expected. He wants parents to know that vaccinators are ready and waiting to make the experience go smoothly.

Above all, Epp says, hes proud of the role his profession has played in protecting Manitobans. It was only in 2014 that the province began to allow pharmacists to give vaccines and other drugs by injection; seven years later, in the midst of a crisis and the largest vaccine campaign in Manitoba history, pharmacists have risen to meet the occasion.

"I dont think people quite realize all that really has happened in terms of what pharmacy has done," Epp says. "Pharmacists are the most accessible health-care practitioner. Were always asking for more, and get a little bit, but the opportunity for us to provide the COVID vaccines has definitely made a dramatic impact in terms of the solution for Manitobans."

melissa.martin@freepress.mb.ca
WASHINGTON (AP)  European Parliament President David Sassoli has died at a hospital in Italy, his spokesman said in a tweet Tuesday.

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European Parliament President David Sassoli speaks prior to a signing ceremony of EU Legislative Priorities for 2022 on the sidelines of an EU Summit in Brussels, on Dec. 16, 2021. The spokesman for European Parliament president David Sassoli says the Italian has been hospitalized due to abnormal functioning of his immune system. He said the 65-year-old Italian has been in the hospital in Italy since Dec. 26. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert, Pool)

WASHINGTON (AP)  European Parliament President David Sassoli has died at a hospital in Italy, his spokesman said in a tweet Tuesday.

No details were offered in the tweet by spokesman Roberto Cuillo beyond Sassoli's death at 1:15 a.m. Tuesday in Aviano, a city in northeastern Italy.

Sassoli had been hospitalized since Dec. 26 due to abnormal functioning of his immune system, Cuillo said in a statement released the day before Sassoli's death.

"This hospitalization was necessary because of a serious complication due to a dysfunction of the immune system," Cuillo's statement said.

Sassoli, 65, was first elected at the European Parliament in 2009. He won another term in 2014 and served as the Parliaments vice president. He had decided not to run for reelection when lawmakers vote to appoint their new president later this month.

The European Parliament, headquartered in in Strasbourg, France, represents the 450 million citizens of the European Union and refers to itself as "the heart of European democracy." It is one of the seven branches of the EU and has more than 700 members directly elected by its member nations.
SEATTLE (AP)  A Neo-Nazi who helped lead a campaign to threaten journalists and Jewish activists in three states was sentenced Tuesday to seven years in federal prison  the longest prison term handed out to the participants in the conspiracy.

SEATTLE (AP)  A Neo-Nazi who helped lead a campaign to threaten journalists and Jewish activists in three states was sentenced Tuesday to seven years in federal prison  the longest prison term handed out to the participants in the conspiracy.

A jury convicted Kaleb Cole in September of five felony counts related to the delivery of Swastika-laden posters to journalists and employees of the Anti-Defamation League in Washington state, Arizona and Florida in early 2020. The posters warned: "You have been visited by your local Nazis," "Your Actions have Consequences," and "We are Watching."

Seattle U.S. District Judge John C. Coughenour handed down the sentence after hearing from victims who spoke of lingering fear and installing expensive home security systems in response to the threats. Miri Cypers, the regional director of the Anti-Defamation League, described picking up toys from her yard before fleeing to a hotel so that Cole and his followers would not know she had a daughter.

U.S. Attorney Nick Brown credited the victims for facing Cole in court: "Their courage has resulted in the federal prison sentence imposed today," he said.

The judge noted that Cole, 26, had tried to operate under the anonymity of the internet, and that when journalists, including Chris Ingalls of Seattle's KING-TV, exposed him, "He took great pains to silence them through threats and intimidation."

"To function as a democratic society, we need reliable and truthful journalism," Coughenour said.

Unlike others sentenced in the case, Cole expressed no remorse, which helped explain why his sentence was more than twice as long as that of the conspiracy's other leader, Cameron Shea. At his sentencing, Shea told the court, "I cannot put into words the guilt that I feel about this fear and pain that I caused."

Cole, most recently of Montgomery, Texas, was a leader of a hate group called Atomwaffen Division. He and four others faced charges including conspiracy, mailing threatening communications and interfering with a federally protected activity. The posters included images such as a hooded figure preparing to throw a Molotov cocktail at a house, and the words "Death to Pigs"  the same message followers of Charles Manson scrawled in victims blood during a home invasion murder.

Cole had been on law enforcements radar since at least 2018, when he was stopped at U.S. Customs upon returning from a trip to Europe. Authorities searched his cellphone and found photos of him posing at various sites, including at the gates of Auschwitz, or displaying a white supremacist flag and performing the Nazi salute.

Investigators said he became a leader of Atomwaffen Division after another leader was arrested on explosives charges.

In 2019, Seattle police obtained an "extreme risk protection order" against him, seizing nine guns from his home. They said Cole had "gone from espousing hate to now taking active steps or preparation for an impending race war."

Those steps including organizing paramilitary-style "hate camps" in Nevada and Washington, investigators said.

After the weapons were seized, Cole moved to Texas, where he was found in a speeding car with another Atomwaffen member, marijuana and four guns, including three assault rifles.

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Cole's grandmother, JoAnne Powell, pleaded with the judge for leniency Tuesday, insisting that her grandson was a good man who made some "poor decisions" and never meant to hurt anyone.

"I beg that you would not look at him with hatred for what his political views have been," she said. "Kaleb is not a violent or mean person."

Cole's attorney, Christopher Black, insisted that he was not really a leader of the conspiracy, and that the threat campaign was Shea's idea. He acknowledged that Cole made the posters and offered suggestions in carrying out the effort, but said others charged had done similar work.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Woods disagreed, saying Cole stood out from the other defendants for his lack of remorse. He decried racism and religious intolerance said it's "the great tragedy of this country, 250 years in, so many Americans have that feeling of unease."

"That was his identity, his life's work to this point: hate, targeting people to instill terror," Woods said. "And it worked."

The other two defendants were Johnny Roman Garza, of Queen Creek, Arizona, who was sentenced to 16 months for affixing one of the posters on the bedroom window of a Jewish journalist, and Taylor Parker-Dipeppe, of Spring Hill, Florida, who received no prison time for attempting to deliver a flier but leaving it at the wrong address. Parker-Dipeppe was severely abused by his father and stepfather and hid his transgender identity from his co-conspirators and the judge found that he had suffered enough.
A Minnesota man is facing drug charges after his vehicle was pulled over near Lyndon Station while shooting sparks off a metal hose dragging on the ground.

Alawin Mulbah, 26, of Maplewood, Minnesota, is charged with felony possession of narcotic drugs, misdemeanor possession of tetrahydrocannabinols and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia. If convicted he faces up to three years and six months in prison or a fine of up to $10,000, or both, for the narcotics charge.

According to the criminal complaint:

At 4:54 p.m. Nov. 11 Trooper Collin Koval was advised by State Patrol dispatch of a driving complaint for a vehicle with a red glow underneath the vehicle and sparks flying off. At 5:12 p.m. Koval called the complainant back, who advised they were still following the vehicle near mile marker 80 and it was still sparking.

Koval began observing traffic near mile marker 78. After about two minutes Koval observed a sedan matching the driving complaint pass by with sparks coming from underneath the vehicle. The vehicle cut over from one lane to another unsafely close to a semi-truck, causing the truck to flash its lights at the vehicle.

After initiating a traffic stop on the vehicle Koval approached from the passenger side. The driver rolled the window down a few inches and Koval could smell a strong odor of air freshener coming from the vehicle.

Koval stated the reason for the stop and the driver explained he did not mean to cut off the semi-truck but was having steering issues. The driver said he might have hit something earlier, but did not know what he had hit. Koval identified the driver as Alawin Mulbah by his Minnesota drivers license.

Asked how much farther he had to drive, Mulbah said he was on his way to Minneapolis while coming from Chicago, where he buys and sells shoes. Mulbah got out of the vehicle to check on what was dragging from the vehicle.

As Mulbah was checking the vehicle Koval performed a records check, which came back showing he possessed a valid drivers license. Koval returned to the vehicle where Mulbah was dumping power steering fluid into the vehicle. A metal hose was touching the ground and actively spraying the fluid onto the ground.

Koval told Mulbah about the metal hose, to which Mulbah replied he did not want to get the vehicle towed and began looking for tape. When Mulbah opened the passenger side door Koval observe a green leafy substance that he believed to be a marijuana shake. Told that Koval could see marijuana in the vehicle, Mulbah said it was from a while ago.

Mulbah was handcuffed so Koval could search the vehicle. While being handcuffed Mulbah stated he should probably tell Koval there was a handgun in the vehicle. Mulbah said it was behind the passenger seat in a black bag and was loaded. Asked if there was anything else in the vehicle, Mulbah said there was marijuana in the center console.

While searching Mulbahs person Koval observed two cigar packages in Mulbahs front jacket pocket. While the first package was sealed, the second package was open and Koval could smell marijuana coming from it.

A search of the vehicle found three plastic bags in the center console. In two bags Koval found a green leafy substance he believed to be marijuana, and in the third bag Koval found a white powdery substance he believed to be cocaine. The substance later tested positive for fentanyl. Inside the black bag Koval found a handgun, marijuana shake and about $3,120 in cash.

Mulbah was placed under arrest and transported to the Juneau County Jail.

The evidence collected included about 2.5 grams of fentanyl, about 20 grams of THC, $3,120 of currency, one handgun with magazine and 11 .40 caliber bullets, a black phone, a fabric bag and $7.25 in cash found in a separate part of the black bag.

Mulbah is scheduled for a plea hearing May 3 at the Juneau County Justice Center.

Reach Christopher Jardine on Twitter @ChrisJJardine or contact him at 608-432-6591.

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The four people killed when the minivan they were in was hit by two semitrailers on Interstate 39/90/94 last week have been identified, the Dane County Medical Examiner's Office said Monday.

Ryan L. Murch, 39, and Shawn D. Thurston, 26, both of Wisconsin Dells, and Alexis D. Hudson, 36, and David R. Celmer, 18, both of Lyndon Station, died in the crash Thursday, the Medical Examiner said.

All four were killed by injuries sustained in the crash and were pronounced dead at the scene, the Medical Examiner said.

The crash took place just before 10:15 p.m. in the town of Vienna when the group pulled over their 2005 Chevrolet Uplander to assist another vehicle that was disabled on the interstate's right shoulder, State Patrol Sgt. Adam Zoch said in a statement. When the driver, Hudson, pulled back into traffic, the minivan was hit by two semis, Zoch said.

The drivers of the semis, a 25-year-old man from Ashland, Ohio, and a 61-year-old man from Havana, Illinois, were not injured, Zoch said.

I-39/90/94 south was closed at Highway 60 for about three hours following the crash. DeForest fire, EMS and police, Dane County and Columbia County sheriffs offices, the Dane County Medical Examiners Office and the Columbia County Highway Department assisted with the response and investigation.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources plans to allow one of the states largest dairies to nearly double its herd, prompting criticism that the agency is failing to use environmental protection powers granted just six months ago.

In July the Supreme Court affirmed the DNRs authority to cap the number of animals on a farm and require groundwater monitoring as conditions of a permit.

The case involved a decadelong fight over Kinnard Farms efforts to expand its feedlot operations in Kewaunee County, an area rife with groundwater contamination.

Based on the courts ruling, the DNR drafted new permit conditions for the farm, which has about 8,000 cattle and is expected to generate more than 103 million gallons of liquid manure, according to the agency.

The draft permit would give Kinnard Farms until March to come up with a plan for monitoring groundwater around more than 16,000 acres of land where it spreads manure. It would also allow Kinnard to expand its current herd by nearly 90%.

Tony Wilkin Gibart, executive director of Midwest Environmental Advocates, said the draft permit is an egregious missed opportunity to use the authority confirmed in the Supreme Court decision to make headway in bringing clean drinking water to Kewaunee County.

Gibart said the animal limit is not based in science.

The proposed limit in no way responds to the extent of the contamination around Kinnard Farms, Gibart said. Or that the landscape in Kewaunee County cannot safely absorb additional manure spreading.

Jodi Parins, who lives about three miles from the Kinnard farm, said the current proposal represents a complete abdication of the DNRs responsibility and authority.

The court has given you the go-ahead, Parins said. Why wouldnt you use that authority to actually protect our water instead of continuing to protect the polluters? What happened to the year of clean water?

Parins, who previously served on the towns planning committee, noted the proposed cap is triple the number of animals Kinnard had in 2014 when a judge declared a massive regulatory failure had caused widespread contamination of the areas drinking water.

If you are going to put a cap, make it be meaningful, she said.

Kewaunee County resident Nancy Utesch called the proposed permit completely negligent.

Its inhumane, she said.

Chris Clayton, chief of the DNRs agricultural runoff section, said the cap is based on Kinnard Farms growth projections, although the farm would first have to show it has enough capacity to store and safely spread any additional manure before it could grow.

While it will be up to Kinnard Farms to design and carry out groundwater testing, Clayton said it will be subject to DNR review. A DNR hydrogeologist recommended the system include at least three monitoring wells in at least one field.

One thing we would look for is to make sure that data is useful as scientific information  for the impacts of manure on groundwater, he said.

Evan Feinauer, a staff attorney for Clean Wisconsin who argued the case before the Supreme Court, said its a huge deal that the DNR is requiring groundwater monitoring, but the proposed requirements dont go far enough.

We always knew that DNR would have to take a look at each farm individually to decide what conditions are needed, and that we would have to press DNR to do more than they have in the past, Feinauer said. We never stop advocating for DNR to improve these permits and better protect public health.

Have your say The Department of Natural Resources is proposing to modify a wastewater permit for Kinnard Farms that includes a limit nearly 90% higher than the Kewaunee County dairy's current 8,000 cows. To view the draft permit visit go.madison.com/kinnard-farms. Written comments can be submitted by email to Tyler.Dix@wisconsin.gov or mailed to Tyler Dix, CAFO Permit Coordinator, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, 101 S Webster St., Madison, WI 53707. The deadline for comments is Jan. 25.

Kinnard Farms did not respond to requests for comment on the permit or its expansion plans.

Kinnard is currently the states seventh-largest dairy farm, according to DNR records. Under the proposed permit modification it would be the largest by a margin of more than 40%.

According to the DNR, shallow and fractured bedrock make the landscape around Kinnard Farm particularly vulnerable to groundwater contamination, and water under the farm already exceeds state standards for nitrate and bacteria. During a 2014 hearing, a judge heard testimony that up to half of the wells in the town of Lincoln were contaminated.

The DNR is accepting comments on the draft permit through Jan. 25. Clayton said its not clear how long it will take the agency to issue the final permit.

We are receiving quite a bit of public comment, he said. Well have to review those and consider them.
W&M faculty and alumni help launch dual language programs across VA

Victoria Carroll Pierson M.A.Ed 17 is developing a new dual-language program for Richmond Public Schools. Courtesy photo Photo - of - Hide Caption

Students are now living in a culturally and linguistically diverse world and our education systems are making strides to embrace it through the development and implementation of dual language programs.

Katherine Barko-Alva, assistant professor and director of ESL/Bilingual Education, collaborates with school districts across the state to develop dual language bilingual education programs. In these programs, a class of students (half native Spanish speakers, half native English speakers) spend half of their school day learning in English and the other half learning in Spanish across all content areas (i.e., math, science, language arts, social studies).

As these programs embrace inclusion and work towards equity, Barko-Alva passionately recognizes their positive power.

Dual Language Bilingual Education (DLBE) programs highlight the linguistic and cultural resources of our communities in the classroom, she says. Students from diverse linguistic backgrounds are able to develop their sociocultural and academic skills across languages. They are creating new learning opportunities using language in dynamic and multifaceted ways.

Through her classes at W&M, Barko-Alva is collaborating with her students, future educators, to be advocates for linguistic diversity in education. And that is just what former student Victoria Carroll Pierson M.A.Ed 17 has become. Pierson is using her role as a teacher to advocate for her students in Richmond Public Schools. As a result of Piersons leadership, Richmond Public Schools was just awarded the Virginia Department of Educations K-12 School Innovation Planning Grant.

Pierson, serving as the planning coordinator, will use this grant to pilot a dual language program at an elementary school in Richmond.

Its something Im really passionate about and its something that Richmond has been missing for a long time, she says. I am passionate to get Virginias capital on the list of districts that offer bilingual programs.

Pierson is excited to see her dreams of bilingual education become a reality in her district. Bilingual education is the way of the future, and we cant ignore the benefits. We are diverse and should affirm and allow students to explore those assets. To graduate more rich, more full, well-rounded students, we need bilingual education.

Similarly, in collaboration with Barko-Alva, Newport News Public Schools was just awarded the DoDEA World Language Advancement and Readiness grant. This competitive, 5-year grant will allow Newport News Public Schools to expand their dual language programs to two new schools and 3 additional shadow zoned schools. Since this grant is sponsored by the DoDEA, these programs will allow more military-connected youth the opportunity to increase their interest in Spanish language and culture.

Susanna Bailey, supervisor of world languages and dual language instruction in Newport News Public Schools, shares that this grant will help them reach their goal of having more students earn a biliteracy seal on their diploma which they can then use to apply for jobs and increase opportunities post-graduation. Bailey believes this expanded program will help their district create global citizens, specifically, students who are equipped with the skills, knowledge, and ability to interact with others and to be able to communicate effectively as they live in a multilingual world.

Barko-Alva has been supporting Newport News Public Schools in their professional development, curriculum writing, and family engagement initiatives since 2016. Both partnerships are based on authentic trust and support. Barko-Alva says Pierson embodies service, commitment, and leadership. Her dedication, knowledge, passion, and advocacy inspire me.

And when speaking about her partnership with Newport News Public Schools, Barko-Alva says, Its an honor to learn and work alongside this exceptional group of educators who, under Ms. Baileys leadership of service, are committed to promote and foster sustainable multilingual practices in our communities. These partnerships embody mutual respect and admiration all while working towards creating a more inclusive world for students through the development and growth of dual language programs in Virginia.
Handmade birdcages are showcased in Danzhai County, Southwest China's Guizhou Province, on Jan 9, 2022. [Xinhua]

China's handmade birdcages in Danzhai County, Southwest China's Guizhou Province, have become popular in domestic and overseas markets.

Kala Village, Danzhai County, Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture of Guizhou Province is home to traditional birdcage makers, with over 400 years of history.

Local craftspeople continue to make innovations on the basis of their traditional birdcage-making skills.

Birdcages are made by hand in Danzhai County, Southwest China's Guizhou Province, on Jan 9, 2022. [Xinhua]

Birdcages are made by hand in Danzhai County, Southwest China's Guizhou Province, on Jan 9, 2022. [Xinhua]

Birdcages are made by hand in Danzhai County, Southwest China's Guizhou Province, on Jan 9, 2022. [Xinhua]

Bamboo sticks are carefully chosen to make birdcages in Danzhai County, Southwest China's Guizhou Province, on Jan 9, 2022. [Xinhua]

Birdcages are made by hand in Danzhai County, Southwest China's Guizhou Province, on Jan 9, 2022. [Xinhua]

(Source: chinadaily.com.cn)
China Children and Teenagers' Fund has helped more than 3.86 million girls from poverty-stricken families return to school. [For China Daily]

Recently, China Children and Teenagers' Fund  New China's first national public-raising foundation  has released a series of short videos to take a retrospective view of its 40-year-long devotion to a wide range of fields  from helping youngsters to grow up healthy to assisting "left-behind" children.

As part of the short video project, one episode, titled The buds sprout in spring: Helping girls to realize their dreams highlights the fund's long-running Chun Lei (buds in spring) Charity Plan, which, since its launch in 1989, has assisted more than 3.86 million girls from poverty-stricken families return to school.

In the short, three women who once benefited from the plan recall their life-altering experiences. Respectively, one is now a doctor in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, one is a Turkey-educated teacher from rural Qinghai Province and the third is college student from a far-flung area in Guizhou Province.

Additionally, the CCTF also highlights its care for, and assistance offered to, some special groups, including "left-behind" children, referring to those who are raised by their elderly relatives when their parents leave to find work in big cities; disabled children and orphans; and children whose families are affected by natural disasters and emergencies.

Latest available figures show the fund has, in total, donated 140 million yuan ($21.97 million) to build 1,404 childcare centers  which mostly cater to "left-behind" children, helping them to obtain a happy and healthy childhood  in rural China, benefiting a total of around 800,000 children.

(Source: chinadaily.com.cn)
BEIJING, Jan. 10 (Xinhua)  "The essence of governance is livelihood, and the right way to ensure people's livelihood is to understand the hardships in their lives"  President Xi Jinping has cited this ancient proverb to underscore the people-centered philosophy in governance.

The proverb originates from a policy proposal from Zhang Juzheng, a statesman of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). He carried out a series of "livelihood-centered" reforms in politics, the economy, and national defense to ease social conflicts and save the crisis-ridden dynasty after nearly 200 years of rule.

The proverb appeared in a collection of Xi's speeches and articles during his stint in the then poverty-stricken prefecture of Ningde from 1988 to 1990. The book revolved around how Xi was concerned about the people living in poverty and what he had done to help them relieve the hardship.

After being elected general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee in 2012, Xi told the press that Chinese people's aspiration for a better life is the goal to strive for.

The better life he described included better education, more stable jobs, more income, reliable social security, better medical and health care, improved housing conditions, and a beautiful environment.

In the following years, the CPC leadership has highlighted the people-centered philosophy of development, and through persistent efforts, extreme poverty was eliminated in China.

In his New Year address to ring in 2022, Xi reviewed his field trips to different places in 2021. "Every time I visit people in their homes, I would ask if they have any more difficulties, and I would remember everything my folks had to share with me," he said.

He repeated the vow to strive for the aspirations of the people. Xi further pledged that to ensure that everyone leads a better life, the CPC must never rest on past achievements.

(Source: Xinhua)
Woodward, OK (73801)

Today

Some clouds in the morning will give way to mainly sunny skies for the afternoon. High 69F. Winds NE at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy during the evening with thunderstorms becoming likely overnight. Low 49F. Winds ESE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 60%.
Briana Robidoux, a senior at North Smithfield High School, left, and her mom Deana, both of North Smithfield, stopped by the Woonsocket Elks Lodge, located at 380 Social St., Monday morning to get tested for Covid-19. The test site opened Monday for both PCR and Rapid Antigen tests and will be operating seven days a week from 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Appointments are required and can be booked at portal.ri.gov or by calling 401-222-8022.
Local campaigners relieved after Wrexham Council ordered not to approve Nine Acre school plans

This article is old - Published: Tuesday, Jan 11th, 2022

Campaigners have expressed their relief after a local authority was ordered not to approve plans to build a new primary school on a field in Wrexham.

Councillors were yesterday due to discuss proposals to create a school for 315 pupils on the Nine Acre field on Chester Road, along with 45 nursery children.

However, the Welsh Government staged a late intervention at the end of last week after revealing it had been asked to consider whether to call the application in for further scrutiny.

The application to allow St Marys Catholic Primary School to relocate to the site from its current base in the town centre attracted almost 360 objections.

It followed stern opposition to the plans by Wrexham Council from people living in the Maesydre area over a claimed shortage of green space.

Members of the Nine Acre Campaign Group, which was set up against the proposals, said they were pleased with the decision being delayed.

In a statement, they said: The Nine Acre Campaign Group welcomes and is relieved by the decision of Welsh Government to consider calling in Wrexham Councils planning application for the Nine Acre field.

The application is in clear breach of national and local planning rules designed to preserve open spaces for the benefit of local communities.

And it rides roughshod over the hundreds of genuine objections planners have received from local residents relating to the traffic chaos and environmental damage it will do.

While we recognise the importance of providing fit for purpose primary school buildings in the town, the Nine Acre field is a very bad choice of location for this.

The direction by the government prevents the council from granting permission for the proposals while the call-in request is considered.

Members of the councils planning committee agreed to defer their decision at a meeting this afternoon.

Maesydre councillor Becca Martin is among those who have objected to the application. But the Plaid Cymru politician said she was concerned over the delay in it being considered.

She said: This has been an issue hanging over the local community for years and also of course affected St Marys school.

The possible call-in by Welsh Government will mean further delay when I think we all want to see the matter resolved. Im optimistic that ministers will recognise the strength of the arguments being made locally.

If and when it does come before the planning committee, Im sure councillors will listen to arguments put forward by local residents and myself about why we believe the councils planning application is flawed.

A Wrexham Council spokesperson said it was expected to take up to two weeks for the government to decide whether to call the application in.

If it chooses to instead refer the decision back to the council then it will be considered by the planning committee in either February or March.

A Welsh Government spokesperson said: Welsh Government ministers have issued a direction under Article 18(1) of the Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (Wales) Order 2012 in relation to this application.

The direction will enable the Welsh ministers to consider a request for the application to be called in, prior to determination by Wrexham County Borough Council.

This is a routine procedure for applications which are subject to a call-in request and are likely to be determined in the near future by the respective local planning authority.

By Liam Randall  BBC Local Democracy Reporter
Struggling hospitality businesses need more financial support, say Welsh Conservatives

This article is old - Published: Tuesday, Jan 11th, 2022

Ministers in Cardiff Bay must make more financial support available for struggling hospitality businesses across the country, the Welsh Conservatives have demanded.

First Minister Mark Drakeford imposed tough restrictions on businesses just after Christmas with nightclubs shut, rule of six brought back and two metre social distancing re-introduced.

Many businesses were struggling before Christmas with customers cancelling their bookings in the run-up to the festive period due to concern surrounding the omicron variant of coronavirus.

Ministers announced a 120m fund to help companies and their Economic Resilience Fund is set to open next week.

But the Welsh Conservatives fear it wont be enough to fully compensate businesses for all the hardship theyve had to endure.

The party has also once again reiterated its calls for Labour ministers to publish a roadmap out of restrictions as we learn to live with the virus, and to provide families and businesses with much-needed clarity.

Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for Culture, Tourism and Sport, Tom Giffard MS, said:

Our hospitality businesses have been absolutely devastated by coronavirus, and now their misery is continuing with Labours restrictions.

The money announced so far to support the industry is a step in the right direction, but we need to see a lot more cash made available especially as restrictions are remaining in place for the time being.

I have been inundated with letters and emails from business owners who are fearful that Labours pot of cash wont even touch the sides when it comes to recouping the money lost over the festive period and covering the cost of staff.

Labour ministers need to provide a roadmap out of restrictions so businesses know when they can return to trading as close to normal as possible, and they need to drastically increase the cash help on offer.
Wrexham businesses encouraged to support Litter Free Zone campaign

This article is old - Published: Tuesday, Jan 11th, 2022

Businesses across Wrexham are being encouraged to support the Caru Cymru Litter Free Zone campaign and help promote pride in the local area.

The initiative is designed to encourage companies to keep their communities litter-free and to raise public awareness of how unsightly litter will no longer be tolerated.

Businesses are encouraged to register their interest on the Keep Wales Tidy website and help keep the area local to them litter free through regular Litter Picks.

Businesses can either use their nearest Keep Wales Tidy Litter Picking Hub to borrow kit or buy their own equipment at a discounted rate from Helping Hand Environmental who are supporting the scheme.

As part of the sign up pledge, all businesses taking part will be asked to regularly report the amount and type of litter collected using the Epicollect system. The ultimate goal is a cleaner, more beautiful community, with a strong sense of community pride.

Cllr David A Bithell, Lead Member for the Environment and Transport, said: Businesses are part of our communities and I urge them to take part in this excellent initiative.

It doesnt matter how large or small the business, theyre all important and can all make a difference in their communities.

We all want to see a cleaner, greener Wrexham and we can all play our part in making this happen either through our work, our leisure or just by using a litter bin and encouraging everyone to do the same.

Speaking about the campaign, Louise Tambini, Deputy Chief Executive of Keep Wales Tidy said: Were really hoping that businesses throughout Wales will get on board to support this worthy cause.

Our Litter Free Zone campaign provides a range of opportunities for employers actively engage and encourage their staff to volunteer just a couple of hours a month.

Becoming part of the campaign is the ideal way to make a real difference in the community, helping to not only protect our environment, but also preserve it for future generations.

Any business wishing to take part in the campaign can visit the Keep Wales Tidy website to register their interest or download the Litter Free Zone toolkit providing full information on how to sign up. Litter Free Zones  Keep Wales Tidy  Caru Cymru

The initiative has been funded by the Welsh Government Rural Communities, Rural Development Programme 2014-2020, which is funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the Welsh Government.
Top image: Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada, on November 29, 2021. (Photo by Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images) CNN's Forrest Brown contributed to this report.
Biden calls on Senate to change filibuster rules for voting rights as he turns up the heat on Congress to pass major bills
The IYSSE at University of Michigan is calling for an emergency meeting this Wednesday, January 12 at 7 p.m., held jointly with the Michigan Educators Rank-and-File Committee, Stop in-person learning to save lives! To register and attend the meeting, click here.

As COVID-19 infections skyrocket across the University of Michigan (UM) campus and health facilities, opposition is growing to the administrations reckless and potentially deadly return of students and instructors to in-person learning.

UM President Mark Schlissel announced in December that the university would keep its January 5th Winter Semester reopening with full in-person learningdespite a nationwide surge of Omicron infections, currently averaging over 670,000 cases and 1,550 deaths per day.

This profit-driven decision, following the lead of the Biden administration and the interests of Wall Street, has been met with a powerful show of opposition at the university. A faculty open letter to Schlissel and Provost Susan Collins issued on December 17 called for a delay to in-person learning. It has since been signed by over 1,550 students, instructors and staff members.

The administration refused to change its policy. Instead, Schlissel issued a December 28 letter that insisted classrooms have remained safe throughout the pandemic. The letter stated that we do not believe that an initial period of remote education will significantly diminish spread of COVID-19.

In response, faculty and graduate student instructors issued another open letter on January 3 calling for and pledging to participate in an e-pivot away from the universitys in-person policy, in which instructors would hold their classes online for at least two weeks. This letter has now been signed by over 1,900 students, graduate student instructors, and faculty.

Writers of the World Socialist Web Site and members of the International Youth and Students for Social Equality at UM have been reaching out to instructors and students at University of Michigan, including those who signed the open letters against in-person learning.

One graduate student who signed an open letter wrote, Today, one class had our cohort get together  so that we could listen to a presenter who spoke to us via Zoom. We risked COVID exposure so that we could listen to a Zoom call, within the School of Public Health!

She continued I am personally terrified every time I go to an in-person lecture, which makes it much harder to focus. It is astonishing to me that we are required to attend classes in person under grade penalties during these conditions, with no choice or option to participate remotely unless we are already ill. Given the record high cases of COVID-19, it is my personal stance that the University of Michigan should act consistently with many other schools in our region, close all in-person campus learning at this time, and resume in-person learning only if/when it is safe to do so.

The student noted that her cohort classmates conducted a poll, and 75 out of 83 students wanted a hybrid-virtual or entirely virtual class model. It is ridiculous that this decision has purportedly been made for the students benefit when the vast majority of students do not want to be forced to attend in person during record high COVID-19 transmission.

On Friday, three days into the semester, the universitys COVID-19 dashboard reported a record high 815 infections for the week. The previous week, when students were returning to campus, the dashboard had reported 676 positive cases.

Also on Friday, officials at the University of Michigan Health System reported that more than 500 members of its staff are currently COVID positive, and that over 200 surgeries had been postponed in December due to staffing and bed shortages.

Another graduate student instructor wrote, I wholeheartedly support a switch to virtual learning Weve crossed multiple benchmarks nationwide for covid cases/data that the medical officer said would be grounds to shift plans. With the lack of quarantine housing for off campus students, inconsistencies in information, and lack of action, its hard not to think that the universitys tactic is that everyone get covid, risking countless lives.

She also felt strongly that a fight must be conducted to protect students and staff on campus, We have to be reactive now, unfortunately, but I will support motions to mitigate disease spread and keep our community safe. We have the tools to do it, so why arent we?

An engineering student commented, I am 100% in support of closing campuses to in person learning to stop the spread of omicron. Another graduate student in the Department of Public Health wrote, I just want to say that I fully support going fully online.

A professor in the Department of Romance Languages wrote, I indeed support the [open] letter and the initiatives by many constituencies in the university to make our campus safe for everyone, beyond financial or economic criteria/interests.

Responding to a question as to why she had supported the open letter, a lecturer from the Dearborn campus commented My concerns are as follows: Omicron is highly transmissible. Cases are currently at all-time highs during the pandemic. I had a breakthrough case of COVID last August and am not interested in having another breakthrough case. I dont want students to be in a position of being exposed by attending in person classes, thus contracting a breakthrough case and spreading it to vulnerable family members.

Most students share rooms and housing with other students, meaning the infections are undoubtedly spreading rapidly. The university reported that quarantine housing for those infected was at 35 percent capacity by the second day of the semester. But many students on Twitter and the popular r/uofm Reddit page have been issuing posts indicating that quarantine housing was already full in many facilities.

My friend who also tested positive was told by UHS [University Health Service] that they had a backlog of ~360 students still waiting to be put into isolation housing ... and its only day 1, read one post.

The decision to return students, staff and lecturers to in-person at University of Michigan is part of a national Democratic Party-led campaign to reopen schools and businesses in order to defend corporate profits and the stock market above human lives and public health.

Schlissels claim that the administration is prioritizing student learning, the pedagogical needs of our academic programs, and the enriching classroom interactions is an outright lie. The impact of exposing students and instructors needlessly to mass infections, including long-COVID and potential deaths, will not enrich anything, except the schools profit margins.

The thousands of students and instructors who signed the open lettersopenly defying the universitys reckless push for in-person learningmust be supported. But their principled initiative must also be broadened and linked up with all sections of educators, staff and service workers and students in similar struggles.

Chicago Public School educators remain locked out of online classrooms by Democratic Mayor Lori Lightfoot after they courageously refused to return to in-person classrooms. Walkouts, sickouts and wildcat strikes have been initiated in Oakland, San Francisco and Seattle school districts. Thousands of high school students in Massachusetts and New York are signing petitions and planning walkouts if schools dont move to online learning.

In order to build an opposition that will sustain a fight to protect lives, educators and students must develop a political strategy to eliminate and eradicate the virus, based on the most advanced scientific knowledge and public health measures.

The IYSSE at University of Michigan is calling an emergency meeting this Wednesday, January 12 at 7 p.m., held jointly with the Michigan Educators Rank-and-File Safety Committee. We encourage all instructors, students and workers to attend and share their insight and thoughts on how to develop this strategy in the coming days and weeks.

To register and attend the meeting, click here.
The rapid spread of the Omicron virus across Europe, enabled by the complete inaction of governments, will lead to increasingly catastrophic conditions in the coming days and weeks, experts say.

In Austria, which has repeatedly been a pioneer in terms of relaxing any measures meant to combat the virus since the beginning of the pandemic, the devastating effects of the governments profits before lives policy are already becoming apparent. The coalition of the conservative Austrian Peoples Party (OVP) and the Greens has now made a paradigm shift and is openly promoting the deliberate mass infection of the population.

Apres-ski bar in Ischgl (Image: Anna Moritz/CC BY-SA 3.0/Wikimedia Commons)

Within a few days, the daily number of infections has increased fivefold. On January 9, more than 10,000 new infections were recorded in one day for the first time since December 1, the highest figure on a Sunday. The 7-day incidence rate is 606 per 100,000 inhabitants. In total, 13,844 people have died of COVID-19 in a country of nearly 9 million people.

Now that the government has lifted almost all protective measures and there are no significant restrictions on tourism, the Omicron variant is spreading with tremendous speed, especially in tourist areas.

In the Tyrol, the 7-day incidence rate is twice as high as the national average. In the ski resort of Flachau in the province of Salzburg, the incidence rate on Friday was no less than 7,500, not including the number of unreported cases. At the beginning of the year, almost 1,000 people in the Netherlands tested positive when they returned from their holidays in Austria.

In the meantime, many hotels and restaurants can no longer operate because a large part of their staff is infected and in quarantine. Christian Harisch, head of the Kitzbuhel Tourism Association, told the APA news agency that the quarantine period should be cancelled altogether. This would mean sick and infectious employees being forced to work to secure the profits of the tourism industry.

In the ski resort of Ischgl, which was the starting point for the spread of the virus in Europe in 2020, hotels and ski slopes are full again. In the apres-ski bar Kitzloch, where hundreds were infected at that time, there was recently another outbreak after an employee became infected.

All investigations into the 2020 incidents have since been dropped by the public prosecutors office. Although around 6,000 people had been infected, of whom 32 had died, the authorities concluded that no one was culpable of doing or omitting to do anything that would have led to an increase in the risk of infection.

Victims and their survivors accuse the responsible authorities of making serious mistakes in dealing with the outbreak. In a report in October 2020, an independent expert commission found that at the beginning of the pandemic, staff had continued to work in the Kitzloch despite flu-like symptoms. The responsible authorities played down the situation for weeks.

The virus is now also spreading outside the tourist areas. For Upper Austria, according to a current forecast, provincial crisis staff predict a 7-day incidence rate of up to 5,000 in the next few days. Above all, the end of the school holidays, and thus the return to in-person teaching, will fuel the spread of the virus.

At the end of last week, Education Minister Martin Polaschek (OVP) stated that it was out of the question that schools would not reopen for in-person teaching throughout the country. The current coronavirus figures played no real role in the start of school, Polaschek said, revealing his absolute indifference to the lives and health of pupils and teachers.

At the same time, more children had to be treated in hospital last year than the previous year. In Salzburg, 40 children were hospitalised because of coronavirus in 2020; in 2021 this figure rose to 121. Five percent of them needed intensive medical treatment. The risk for unvaccinated children is significantly higher than for vaccinated children. Currently, not even 50 percent of school children are vaccinated.

Numerous experts have long warned of the consequences of the OVP-Green governments policies. Austrian molecular biologist Ulrich Elling criticised the governments complete inaction: With the momentum Omicron is unleashing, we need to put the brakes on more than ever before its too late.

The scientist stressed that it is entirely possible to act against the virus, but this was simply not being done. If we let Omicron break through because we are fed up with the pandemic, then we are no longer taking care of the vulnerable.

Elling regards the opening of schools as particularly ominous. When children meet in school, Omicron takes off. If the Omicron variant was given free rein, as is currently happening, camp beds would have to be set up in exhibition halls to cater for everyone who was ill at the same time, he said.

Austrian epidemiologist Gerald Gartlehner also expects Omicron to place a heavy burden on hospitals. He fears the acute danger of overloading intensive care units.

The Peoples Party and the Greens, as well as the other establishment parties, are deliberately ignoring all the warnings. Although Chancellor Karl Nehammer (OVP) was recently infected with coronavirus, he categorically rules out taking any measures against it. To slow down the number of infections, a radical lockdown would be necessary. But that must be prevented, as Nehammer says.

Last Thursday, the government changed the quarantine rules so that triple-vaccinated people are no longer considered contacts and thus do not have to be quarantined. On Friday, Katharina Reich, the head of the Covid Crisis Coordination (Gecko), which operates at federal level, confirmed in an interview with broadcaster O1 that this would lead to the wider population becoming infected.

With unbelievable callousness, Reich stated that herd immunity was negative wording that caused fear. Omicron, however, was so contagious that we cannot get around it.

On news programme ZIB2, Health Minister Wolfgang Muckstein (Greens) spoke of a paradigm shift. The physician claimed an infection with Omicron was basically mild, a demonstrable lie. He said even the introduction of compulsory vaccination, originally decided for February, which alone would still not be enough to stop the spread, might be postponed.

Reich went on to say that in future, the government would also move away from using the number of occupied intensive care beds as a criterion for initiating protective measures. This means that there will be no restrictions even if hospitals collapse under the weight of patient numbers.

Since this criminal policy is bound to provoke resistance, the government has put the army in charge of Gecko. General Rudolf Striedinger was appointed as one of the two heads of the crisis team. The decision makes clear that the government does not regard the pandemic as a medical problem but as a security issue.

At the same time, it is well known that the army is riddled with right-wing anti-vaxxers and coronavirus deniers. High-ranking officers regularly appear at anti-vaccination demonstrations. These include Colonel Hermann H. Mitterer, who belongs to the group Beamte fur Aufklarung (Officials for Enlightenment) and aggressively speaks out against COVID vaccinations. The groups Telegram messaging channel is followed by around 1,800 people, most of them members of the armed forces.

Mitterer spreads slogans about a fake pandemic and similar reactionary nonsense. In 2018, he published a book titled Bevolkerungsaustausch in Europa: Wie eine globale Elite die Massenmigration nutzt, um die einheimische Bevolkerung zu ersetzen (The Great Replacement in Europe: How a Global Elite Uses Mass Migration to Replace the Native Population). He is closely networked with openly fascist circles, which at no point has harmed his career in the Austrian Armed Forces.

The Bundesheergewerkschaft, the army staff union close to the far-right Austrian Freedom Party (FPO), also openly appears at demonstrations in Vienna against coronavirus measures. At all levels, the most backward and right-wing elements are being promoted to bolster official government policy.

A lecture series is currently taking place at Viennese universities under the title CoronavirusA transdisciplinary challenge, featuring well-known right-wing extremists, coronavirus deniers and anti-vaxxers.

Andreas Sonnichsen, who is close to the Querdenkern (the German equivalent of Q Anon), the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) and the FPO, lectured that COVID-19 was nonexistent for people under 45. Christian Schubert, a medical doctor from Innsbruck, spoke against wearing masks and against any vaccination. In addition, other scientists with connections to the far-right milieu also appear at such gatherings. According to a report by radio FM4, people who had already denied the existence of AIDS or compared mRNA vaccination with anti-personnel mines in the past are promoted in material accompanying the lectures.

The brutal politics of mass death must be countered by the working class with a rigorous Zero COVID policy. This requires the independent and international organisation of the working class and youth into rank-and-file committees in workplaces and schools to ensure safe conditions, defend the social right to a safe workplace and introduce a public health policy that saves lives and ends the pandemic.
Yesterday, the total number of COVID-19 infections officially reported in Australia since the beginning of the pandemic surged past the one million mark. More than half were recorded in the preceding week. In other words, more infections were recorded in the last seven days than in the 707 days since the countrys first case.

While the emergence of the highly transmissible Omicron variant has accelerated infection numbers around the world, the shift has been most pronounced in Australia.

Previously heralded as a relative COVID-19 success story, Australia has in the past week recorded more infections than all but seven countries worldwide. The numbers everywhere are a significant underestimation of the real spread of infection, but the comparison does provide an indication of the massive surge in Australia.

In per capita terms, the only countries with more than one million inhabitants and a higher reported infection rate than Australia are Ireland, France, Cyprus, Greece, Denmark and Portugal. Of these, only Ireland and Cyprus have a more rapidly increasing rate of COVID-19 deaths.

This transformation is the direct result of the open adoption by the Australian ruling class of the murderous program of herd immunity. While the profit-driven transition, led by the Labor-dominated National Cabinet, to living with the virus began during last years Delta wave, the arrival of Omicron in late November was the key turning point.

Across Australia, more than 90,000 infections were reported today, a vast underestimation of the real total, as both polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and rapid antigen tests (RATs) remain difficult to access, and not all states and territories include RAT results in official figures.

More than 3,800 Australians are currently hospitalised for COVID-19, with 341 in intensive care and 92 on ventilators. New South Wales (NSW) remains the worst-affected, with 2,186 people hospitalised.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews reported this morning that at least 4,500 health care workers in the state are infected with COVID-19 or in isolation.

Twenty-seven deaths were reported in Australia today, 13 in Victoria, 11 in NSW and 1 each in Queensland, South Australia and the Australian Capital Territory. Nine of those who died in NSW had received at least two doses of COVID-19 vaccine.

The surge of infections is throwing virtually every industry into chaos. Goldman Sachs estimated yesterday that between 24 and 76 million work hours will be lost this month to COVID-19 illness and isolation.

Virgin Australia announced yesterday that it had been forced to cancel 25 percent of scheduled flights in January and February due to staff shortages caused by COVID-19 infection and exposure, as well as booking cancellations by would-be passengers concerned over the rapidly spreading virus.

Woolworths CEO Brad Banducci warned yesterday that customers could expect to see bare supermarket shelves for at least another two weeks.

He told the Australian Broadcasting Corporations (ABCs) Radio National Breakfast program, between 20 and in some cases 40 percent of the companys distribution centre workers were infected with COVID-19 or in isolation.

Australias other major supermarket chain, Coles, faces a similar situation, with 3035 percent of warehouse workers and 10 percent of retail workers off due to the virus.

The crisis is affecting the whole supply chain, with trucking companies reporting up to 50 percent of drivers unable to work. According to the Australian Dairy Products Federation, up to 40 percent of dairy workers are sick or in isolation.

Rather than any move to stem the spread of COVID-19 through the countrys supply chain, state and federal governments have responded by slashing isolation rules for workers in food production and distribution. While NSW was the first to order workers exposed to the virus back on the job, the Labor-led states of Queensland and Victoria immediately followed.

Making clear that the federal government would not shift from its position that public health must be subordinated to the profit demands of big business, Morrison declared: You can push through, or you can get locked down. Were for pushing through.

In relation to the changes to isolation rules, Morrison claimed, anyone who is symptomatic or has COVID, they are not going in to work, in fact this dangerous practice is already being carried out.

Workers at the Teys Australia abattoir in Naracoorte, South Australia (SA), were told in an email Sunday to present to work tomorrow as normal unless you are feeling unwell, even if they had tested positive for COVID-19.

The state health authority confirmed this, telling the ABC: To ensure food security, SA Health has allowed a small group of critical staff who have tested positive and are asymptomatic, to continue to work in an isolated area away from others.

These workers have been herded back into the factory to ensure the continued profits of the company despite the clear and acknowledged risk that they will infect their co-workers.

The SA Health spokesperson continued: These workers must remain at home and isolate when they are not at work until they are cleared from COVID.

This is a stark example of the class character of the pandemic response. Rampant infection and illness in the workplace is not only tolerated, but actively fuelled by the actions of the state, while the workers themselves are excluded from participating in any aspect of society that does not produce a profit for their employer.

The experience at this South Australian meatworks provides a clear indication of what is being prepared for the entire working class.

The catastrophic state of Australias supply chains and health system, rapidly spreading to virtually every other industry, is the direct product of the murderous let it rip policies adopted by the entire political establishment.

The unions have offered up only mealy-mouthed criticism of this reckless policy. Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) secretary Sally McManus yesterday wrote to Morrison requesting a meeting to discuss the support needed for working people who are now on the front line of the Omicron crisis.

McManus harkened back to the close collaboration between the unions and the federal government in 2020, when mass sackings saw hundreds of thousands suddenly unemployed Australians queuing outside welfare offices. Australias unions stepped in to offer their services to the government as a force to keep the lid on popular opposition amid the explosive social crisis.

The ACTU and the government changed the awards covering millions of workers, allowing for unpaid overtime and other attacks on conditions. Together, they crafted the JobKeeper wage subsidy, a government handout to the largest corporations valued at hundreds of billions of dollars. Throughout the pandemic, the unions have forced workers into unsafe workplaces and have done everything they can to suppress opposition.

The four measures called for by McManus yesterday: free rapid antigen tests, paid pandemic leave for close contacts, N95 masks for workers and COVID-19 support payments for business, have little to do with keeping workers safe, and are in fact aimed at ensuring business can continue to operate with minimal disruption.

The intervention of the ACTU is a commitment to suppress mounting hostility among the working class to the rapidly escalating COVID-19 crisis.

Workers in health, transport, warehousing, food manufacture, and throughout the working class must reject the lies that Omicron is mild, and the efforts by Labor and Liberal-National governments, with the backing of the unions, and in line with the demands of business, to herd them back to work to infect their colleagues.

This requires the formation of rank-and-file committees, independent of the corporatised unions, in every workplace, to discuss and carry out the necessary actions, including strikes, to ensure safe working conditions for all.

Ultimately, what is needed is a broader fight for the elimination of COVID-19 in Australia and globally. This cannot be achieved outside of a mass mobilisation of the working class, guided by a socialist perspective in which public health is prioritised over private profit.
With COVID-19 cases skyrocketing around the country, Australia Post (AP) workers face a growing risk of infection, illness and death. Along with other essential workers, throughout logistics, food distribution, and health, postal workers are forced to run the COVID-19 gauntlet every day as increasing numbers of their colleagues test positive for the virus.

This is a direct product of the criminal let it rip policies adopted by state, territory and federal governments, Labor and Liberal-National alike. Showing a blatant disregard for the health of the population and the workforce, these governments have torn down virtually all COVID-19 restrictions, eliminated testing requirements and dismantled contact tracing, allowing the virus to spread uncontrolled.

An Australia Post delivery van [Credit: Wikimedia Commons, EurovisionNim]

Australian governments and the corporate media have falsely claimed that Omicron is mild, going so far as to say that mass infection with the variant is not only inevitable, but desirable, claiming it could bring about an end to the pandemic.

The Postal Workers Rank-and-File Committee rejects these dangerous lies, which are not based on science, but on the determination of the ruling class to open up the economy regardless of the toll of human suffering and death.

The Communications, Electrical and Plumbers Union (CEPU), like all other Australian trade unions, is utterly complicit in this murderous drive.

On December 15, when New South Wales (NSW) Premier Dominic Perrottet scrapped mask mandates, density limits, QR code check-ins and vaccine requirements, just as the highly contagious Omicron variant was beginning to take hold, the CEPU said nothing. Since that date, active COVID-19 cases in the state have swelled from 6,233 to 303,795 and 102 NSW residents have died from the virus.

In Victoria, public health measures were similarly lifted, as Labor Premier Daniel Andrews rejected a zero Omicron strategy. Andrews has played the key role in the nationwide turn away from any pretence of eliminating the virus since he declared on September 1, we are not going to drive these numbers down.

In line with the national plan, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory, which together had reported only 3,587 infections prior to December, threw open their borders and have now recorded more than 150,000 cases.

Despite the profound danger confronting postal workers and the entire working class, the CEPU has allowed all this to happen without a single word of criticism or warning.

The CEPUs silence is not just a matter of callous indifference to the health of workers and their families. The fact is, the union agrees completely with the reopening drive, which is a bipartisan assault on the working class engineered to ensure there is no impediment to big-business profits, whatever the human cost.

The national cabinet of state and federal governments, a majority of which are Labor, has approved the new definition of close contacts to include only household infections. What about workplaces where workers are often in close contact in poorly ventilated spaces! It is a naked move aimed at forcing potentially infectious workers to stay on the job and allowing its spread.

With workforces decimated by infection and exposure, governments are exploiting the consequences of their actions to further recklessly slash restrictions. Health and aged care workers exposed to COVID-19 have been ordered back to work, and on Sunday both the NSW and Queensland governments announced that isolation rules would be scrapped for food production and distribution workers.

Are postal workers next?

The testing regime inside Australia Post is completely inadequate. The absence of regular COVID-19 testing at most AP facilities means that asymptomatic carriers of the virus are not detected in the workplace.

The Postal Workers Rank-and-File Committee is aware of multiple symptomatic infections in AP facilities at Alexandria and Kingsgrove in Sydney, as well as another depot in the Illawarra region. None of these cases has been reported to members by the CEPU, which continues to suppress information about the spread of the virus within AP, as it has done since the start of the pandemic.

In 2020, at least 50 COVID-19 infections among AP workers were covered up by the union and management, and only revealed months after the fact by then CEO Christine Holgate.

During last years Delta wave, AP was twice forced to suspend parcel pick-ups as a result of workplace infections or exposure. While the union remained silent, the company admitted in early September that this was because around 500 workers were infected or in isolation.

Six weeks earlier, the CEPU, along with numerous other unions, had successfully lobbied the NSW government to reverse heightened lockdown measures in Sydneys COVID-19 hotspots. As a result, AP workers were forced to continue working in unsafe conditions.

Throughout the pandemic, the CEPU has served as the industrial police force of management, ensuring AP workers stayed on the job, day in and day out, delivering an ever-increasing volume of parcels under dangerous conditions.

In July 2020, the union colluded with management to implement the Alternative Delivery Model (ADM), doubling the workload of posties, freezing wages and committing workers to a 12-month ban on strikes.

Contrary to the claims of management, this had nothing to do with protecting workers from COVID-19. In fact, the major restructure was intended to slash costs and transform the company into a lucrative parcel service, in preparation for future privatisation.

While the CEPU claimed in July that the hated ADM would be rolled back, many facilities are still operating under the model, and its replacement, the new delivery model, is in reality yet another profit-driven transformation.

In the 202021 financial year, AP revenue increased by more than 11 percent, year-over-year, to $8.27 billion, while profits almost doubled to $100.7 million. Having delivered management this bonanza, the union then rammed through a sell-out enterprise agreement containing a meagre 3 percent annual pay rise and no protection against future restructuring.

Although aerosol transmission of COVID-19 is widely acknowledged by infectious disease experts, AP continues to provide only surgical masks, which do not provide adequate protection against this form of spread.

The CEPU opposes mandatory masks and vaccines, instead promoting personal responsibility and the right of the individual to choose. This is the opposite of the fundamental principle of a genuine workers organisationsolidarity! One might just as well argue that individuals have the right to choose to cross a picket line during a strike.

No individual, however responsible, can take on a global pandemic alone. But AP workers cannot take forward this life or death struggle within the union. The CEPU has made clear that it is entirely on board with the let it rip policies of governments and management.

The PWRFC rejects these criminal policies and the complicity of the union, and demands:

N95 or better masks must be provided to all AP workers.

Vaccinations and boosters must immediately be made available to all AP workers, on company time and with no loss of income or sick leave if time is needed to recover from any side effects. This should be accompanied by an education campaign, conducted by appropriately qualified experts to address any concerns they may have about the safety of the vaccines.

Any worker who refuses vaccination, must be furloughed to protect the workforce from possible infection.

All workers should undergo rapid antigen tests before every shift, on company time and at APs expense.

All COVID-19 infections among AP workers must be immediately reported to all staff.

If workers test positive for COVID-19, a rank-and-file safety committee, independent of management and the union, will assess whether workplace transmission is occurring such that the facility is unsafe and must be temporarily shut down.

The unscientific redefinition of close contacts must be rejected. Workers must be allowed to isolate if they and the rank-and-file committee believe they have been exposed to COVID-19.

Any worker infected with, or exposed to, COVID-19 must have all wages and entitlements paid in full while they isolate. No worker should be worse off as a result of the negligent policies of government and AP management.

We call for rank-and-file committees to be established at every AP facility, independent of management and the unions, to oversee these safety measures and report outbreaks to all AP workers.

Postal workers must turn to their class brothers and sisters throughout logistics and warehousing, who face identical dangers at the hands of company managements and the unions.

This struggle for health and safety cannot be waged at one workplace or in a single industry alone. It requires a broader movement of the working class, organised through an interconnected network of rank-and-file committees. Such a network can form the basis for democratic discussion among workers, free from the interference of the union bureaucrats, for sharing information and preparing concrete actions to defend safety, including strikes.

The claims that it is possible to live with the virus are being refuted everyday. The continued circulation of COVID really means that workers will die with the virus. The alternative is the fight for the global elimination of the coronavirus, through lockdowns and other safety measures, with full compensation for all affected workers.

The pandemic and the endangerment of workers lives for profit has demonstrated that the most basic social rights are incompatible with capitalism, a society dominated by the largest corporations and banks. The alternative is the fight for workers governments and socialism, the reorganisation of society to meet human needs, not the profit interests of a tiny financial oligarchy.

We appeal to postal workers to join the PWRFC and become active in the fight for the global elimination of COVID-19! Contact us with information about infections in your facilities!

The PWRFC urges workers to support the World Socialist Web Sites Global Workers Inquest into the COVID-19 Pandemic, which aims to expose the criminal roles of governments, corporations and unions, which have subordinated public health to private profit and caused millions of unnecessary deaths.
The following statement was drafted and approved following a Sunday meeting of autoworkers around the country. To join the Autoworkers Rank-and-File Safety Committee, fill out the form below or write to autoworkers@wsws.org.

The Autoworkers Rank-and-File Safety Committee calls on our brothers and sisters to help fight for the shutdown of the auto industry and other nonessential businesses to bring the spread of the coronavirus pandemic under control. Full compensation must be guaranteed for affected workers through a tax on Wall Streets multi-trillion dollar pandemic profits.

Stellantis FCA workers at the Warren Truck Assembly Plant outside of Detroit (Source: FCA Media)

The situation is critical. On Friday the state of Michigan reported 40,692 new cases of COVID-19 and 259 deaths over a two-day period, a record number. The situation is similar in many states across the US.

Hospitals are reaching capacity as case numbers explode. The already dire shortage of health care workers is being made worse by the sickness of staff. More than 400 hundred workers in the Beaumont health care system in Detroit are out of work because of infection, stretching the health care system even further past its limit.

Large manufacturing facilities, along with schools, are major vectors for the transmission of the disease. To keep us working under these conditions is beyond irresponsible; it is a crime. The plants, where thousands of people congregate along the assembly line in poorly-ventilated buildings, are not just a danger to the health and lives of autoworkers, but to our family members, our friends and neighbors, the entire country and even the world.

Case numbers at most auto plants are being covered up by management and the United Auto Workers, the so-called union. But there are many reports of spreading infections and deaths. Workers tell us that 500 are currently out sick at the Stellantis Warren Truck Assembly plant and 300 were out last month at Sterling Heights Assembly Plant (SHAP). In December alone, three workers died of COVID at the Sterling Stamping Plant, and at SHAP, a worker and her husband both died last month from COVID.

We are being treated worse than animals. The phony health measures put in place to get us back into the factories have been all but eliminated. There is no enforcement of masking, and basic plant sanitation and cleaning are not being carried out. In many cases, vaccinated workers are being told to report to work even after testing positive for COVID if they say they have no symptoms.

The UAW refuses to tell us when our coworkers are infected, and there is no contract tracing and quarantine. Those exposed to the virus are told to keep working. Vaccinated workers are being told to report to work who have tested positive for COVID if they say they have no symptoms. Workers forced onto sick leave cant get paid, causing some to lie and come in sick and infect others.

To claim the companies cant afford to shut down is a lie. The auto companies are continuing to make record profits while we get sick and die. Automotive News just boasted that car companies are raking in profits by taking advantage of shortages and jacking up prices. We are building cars and trucks that are nonessential in the midst of a deadly pandemic, just so they can make big profits.

The government doesnt care about our lives. The new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines reducing the quarantine time from 10 days to five days is a joke. It is not based on science, but the needs of employers for workers to keep profits rolling. Now the director of the CDC, Rochelle Walensky says it is really encouraging news that most of those dying from COVID have pre-existing condition. In other words, the government does not care about mass death if those who are dying are sick or elderly and not working. Better if they die off to save money on healthcare and social security.

Throughout the pandemic and under both administrations, the government and corporate media have lied their heads off, claiming that the virus is mild, or that the pandemic is almost over, or that children can't get infected in schools. When the virus, which cannot be fooled by propaganda, exposes one lie, they immediately move on to the next one.

Only two months ago the press was awash with claims that the end of the pandemic was just around the corner. Then the Omicron variant was discovered in South Africa. Now, we are being told by politically-connected quack scientists like Ezekiel Emanuel, who has emerged as Bidens de-facto mouthpiece on television news, that COVID will become endemicthat is, the pandemic will never endand that everyone will have to learn to live with it. Emanuel is known as Doctor Death for his campaigning for years for policies aimed explicitly at reducing life expectancy.

Scientists have known for centuries, in fact since Medieval times, that shutdowns and quarantines are an essential to contain pandemics. The closure of all nonessential workplaces and the transition to remote learning for all schools, lasting only a few months, could stop the circulation of the virus lay the basis for the full-scale elimination of COVID-19. This would have to be combined with financial support to workers and small businesses that are impacted.

The rich say that COVID is permanent because they have no interest in ending it. This means it is up to the working class, the great majority of society which produces the worlds wealth, to take action. We autoworkers must unite with the growing strike movement of teachers, as well as with health care workers and others who are facing intolerable conditions, to demand a shutdown of nonessential production until measures are put in place to bring the pandemic to an end. What has been done in China and other countries with a zero COVID policy shows that the virus can be eliminated and millions of lives saved.

We know many of our coworkers are already extremely angry that their lives are being sacrificed. But that is not enough. We need to act now to build the scaffolding for a movement to save lives. This must be done outside and in rebellion against the pro-corporate trade unions, which have not only spent decades enforcing sellouts, but are now colluding with management to kill us in the factories.

This is a global fight. Even if the virus is contained in the US or another country, experience has shown that if the virus continues to spread in the developing world, this creates ideal conditions for the emergence of new variants, jeopardizing not only lives in Africa or Asia but in the so-called developed countries. This means we must link up with our brothers and sisters in the auto plants around the world, beginning with Canada and Mexico.

We demand the immediate closure of all schools, non-essential plants and other workplaces, with full income for workers affected. No worker should be expected to place his or her life in danger. Plants should not re-open until workers in consultation with health scientists say it is safe. Workers must have control over health and safety conditions.

Regular, free testing for all workers.

The provision of free, high-quality N95 masks for all workers.

A program of rigorous contact tracing and quarantining for at least 14 days of symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals.

The guiding principle must be the defense of human lives takes unconditional priority over profits.

We call on workers to distribute this statement widely. Contact the Autoworkers Rank-and-File Committee for help building a rank-and-file committee at your workplace:
As of January 8, California health care workers who test positive for COVID-19 or are exposed to someone with COVID-19 but remain asymptomatic must return to work immediately without any quarantine or repeat COVID-19 testing.

Kaiser Permanente healthcare workers rally last year. (Source: Twitter/MorePerfectUnion)

This updated guidance was released by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) in an emergency letter and is in effect from January 8 to February 1, 2022. The letter was directed to all general acute care hospitals, acute psychiatric hospitals and skilled nursing facilities in the state of California.

The letter states that during critical staffing shortages, HCPs [Healthcare Professionals] who have tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 and are asymptomatic may return to work immediately without isolation and without testing, and HCPs who have been exposed and are asymptomatic may return to work immediately without quarantine and without testing.

The emergency letter states that the reason behind this change is a reaction both to short staffing in hospitals and the updated Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) quarantine guidance.

California nurses spoke with WSWS reporters on the new guidelines. Emily from Southern California said, I am appalled at the lack of science used in making this decision. It will infect many vulnerable people. COVID is like Russian Roulette and we are playing this game with peoples precious lives.

She added, So many staff are sick, and shortages are everywhere. Trash overflowing, nurses that are supposed to have four patients are taking six, no help to answer phones, to draw labs. Everything is delayed even longer.

Emily also described a recent tragedy on her unit. One of our own nurses died yesterday. It was the first time she had COVID. Everyone is devastated and fearful.

It is significant that these guidelines are being implemented first in California, a state which purportedly leads the way in health care workplace safety due to its state-mandated (although often neglected) staffing ratios and relatively higher pay. While the practice of forcing infected workers back to work is already happening in many parts of the country, the new California guidelines will open the door to other states to push through similar regulations.

Another Southern California nurse, Fran, stated, I think [the CDPH guidelines] are horrible and several nurses are coming to work looking exhausted but have no COVID sick leave and are coming back too soon to work even with symptoms. Staff and patients are all at risk from the new variant being so contagious.

Fran is describing the expiration of supplemental paid COVID-19 sick leave. Originally implemented via an executive order in March 2021, the paid leave was allowed to expire in September, forcing workers who cannot afford to take unpaid time off to work when infected.

The states emergency guidance was made possible by the preceding CDC guidelines, which cut the recommended isolation period for people infected with COVID-19 in half, from 10 days to 5 days or even less for health facilities with severe staffing shortagesa description that applies to virtually every hospital, clinic and nursing home.

The staffing catastrophe across the country has been compounded by the mass exodus of health care workers who have left the profession due to exhausting workloads and the danger of infecting themselves and loved ones. According to a Beckers Hospital Review report from November, the US health care sector has lost almost half a million workers since February 2020, accounting for one in five.

While CDPH guidance, which is supposedly temporary, is entirely in line with the Biden administrations deadly herd immunity strategy and the abandonment of any pretense that the government is seeking to stop the spread of the pandemic. Many states have already ended the reporting of daily cases, and the CDC has been discussing measures to end daily case reporting altogether.

Pseudo-scientific articles and opinion pieces that advocate for learning to live with the virus or for COVID-19 to become the new normal are heavily promoted by Democrats and Republicans and the corporate media. The Biden administration continues to campaign relentlessly for the reopening of schools to in-person learning, which has led to an explosion of infections, including 580,247 pediatric cases during the week ending January 6, according to a new report from the American Academy of Pediatrics. Forcing health care workers to work while infected with COVID-19 is the latest move to stop any or all infection control measures aimed at stopping the spread of the deadly virus.

With the advent of the new CDC guidelines, and now the even more dangerous California guidelines, there are fewer and fewer legal obligations to which hospitals must comply to keep their employees and patients safe. There is no limit to how far hospital CEOs will go to extend these guidelines or make them more lenient to cut costs and boost profits.

Neither of the CDC or CDPH guidelines are based on scientific evidence. Just ten days after the release of its new guidelines, the CDC quietly published its forecast of COVID-19 deaths. Without any media announcement to warn the public that it had been wrong to declare the Omicron variant mild, it released projections showing that by the end of the month, COVID-19 deaths will likely increase from their current levels of 9,000 to 10,000 per week to 20,000 to 30,000 per week, or between 2,850 and 4,280 deaths per day.

Data from the CDPH websites own California COVID Assessment Tool shows that hospitalizations are up 59 percent since the beginning of January and are predicted to rise 153 percent to 23,528 hospitalizations by February, breaking the states previous record of 21,938 hospitalizations from January 2021.

To cover its tracks, the CDPH says its guidelines are not a mandate and that facilities always have the option to implement more protective procedures. It adds pathetically that Facilities implementing this change must have made every attempt to bring in additional registry or contract staff.

Of course, no hospital executive would pass up this carte blanche to keep lucrative beds open and rake in profits amidst one of the worst COVID-19 surges to date. Hospital executives are already eagerly implementing the new CDC quarantine guidelines, with Chip Kahn, a lobbyist and president of the Federation of American Hospitals, telling Politico that hospitals were generally pleased with the CDCs new guidance because of the flexibility it allows them to decide when to bring workers back.

The CDPH letter offers a series of impractical and ineffective suggestions to curb infections when COVID-19-positive health care workers are on shift. Infected or exposed workers are supposed to wear an N95 respirator until they meet routine return-to-work criteria, i.e., roughly 5-10 days depending on vaccination status. COVID-19-positive workers should have access to separate break rooms and restrooms, the CDPH letter says.

It is a fact that most hospital units do not have a magical separate restroom or break room, and if such a designated COVID-19-positive space could be found, it would likely be far away and difficult to access during shifts, which are extremely busy due to critical short staffing.

Given the fact that COVID-19 is an airborne disease, if a COVID-19-positive nurse were to take off her N95 in a poorly ventilated break room to drink a cup of coffee, to speak or even blow her nose, viral particles could stay suspended in the air, possibly infecting workers who enter the same room for several hours. Nurses who are not COVID-19-positive will continue to wear flimsy surgical masks, which do not offer protection from airborne disease.

In larger hospitals, outdoor spaces, the safest option when removing a mask, can be a five- to ten-minute walk away, an unfeasible privilege given limited break times.

These HCPs should preferably be assigned to work with COVID-19 positive patients, the CDPH letter states before acknowledging the impracticability of its proposal. However, this may not always be possible in settings such as the emergency department in which you may not know which patients are COVID-19 positive The letter fails to add that a majority of hospitals test patients upon admission and then only again for upcoming surgical procedures or if symptoms develop. As a result, on a typical nursing unit, the COVID-19 status of all patients is largely unknown.

The California Nurses Association (CNA) published a brief press release condemning the CDPH decision. CNA President Cathy Kennedy wrote: Governor Newsom and our states public health leaders are putting the needs of health care corporations before the safety of patients and workers. We want to care for our patients and see them get betternot potentially infect them. Sending nurses and other health care workers back to work while infected is dangerous. If we get sick, who will be left to care for our patients and community?

Similarly, Zenei Triunfo-Cortez, president of the CNA parent organization, National Nurses United, told KRON4 news reporters, Were hoping and urging the governor and the CDPH to rescind their decision.

These pathetic appeal to the states billionaire governor to do the right thing will fall on deaf ears. Newsom and the Democratic-controlled state legislature have repeatedly done the bidding of the giant hospital chains, including lifting the states mandatory nurse-to-patient ratios in December 2020. Newsom and the Democrats are overseeing todays reopening of Los Angeles schools, the nations second largest district, ensuring that even more infected adults and children are sent into overflowing hospitals.

A real fight must be waged. Workers at every hospital must establish independent rank-and-file committeessuch as the one built at Kaiser Permanenteand link up with our sister committees in other industries across the US and globe. These committees fight not for what hospital CEOs or state officials deem possible, but for what is required to keep patients, coworkers and the international working class safe.

We urge workers to contact the WSWS with information about the spread of infections in your workplaces. All information will be kept anonymous.
Chicago teachers: Contact the Chicago Educators Rank-and-File Safety Committee to continue the fight against in-person learning! Text 312-834-4773 or email chicagoeducatorscommittee@gmail.com.

Chicago teachers are being asked to vote on a death warrant. The move by the leadership of the Chicago Teachers Union to reopen schools to in-person learning will mean the sickness and death of teachers, parents, students and community members. This is what teachers are being asked to approve today.

The announcement of the CTU yesterday of a deal is an utter surrender to Mayor Lightfoot and the campaign by the Biden administration to send educators and 300,000 students back into infected schools, regardless of the cost to their health and lives.

In a gross and undemocratic manner, the CTU is seeking to overturn the will of the majority of educators and end the life-saving action taken by CPS teachers which is being supported by parents, students and workers across the country and the world.

The Chicago Educators Rank-and-File Safety Committee calls on teachers to reject this agreement and organize rank-and-file committees, independent of the CTU, to prepare a citywide walkout and demand the resources necessary to implement high quality virtual-only instruction to all of our students.

On Monday, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) reported that the week ending January 6 saw 580,247 new pediatric COVID-19 cases, up 74 percent from the previous weeks record of 325,000 cases. There were also a record 1,636 pediatric hospitalizations and 14 additional deaths among children.

The terms reached with CPS are wholly unscientific and predicated on accepting mass infections among students and staff. After posturing for months that it would reject any deal without a districtwide health metric to trigger a transition to remote learning, the CTU caved in to Lightfoots demand that only individual schools would close for five days if 30 percent (!) or more teachers are absent for two consecutive days due to testing positive for COVID-19 or are in quarantine from exposure. Even this will happen only if substitute teachers cannot bring the number to under 25 percent. Schools could also be closed if 40 percent of students are infected or in quarantine.

The CTU also gave up on demands for widespread testing of students on an opt-out principle, with the district agreeing to merely test 10 percent of students at each school. These 10 percent would not even be tested every week. Rather, just a portion of them would be selected randomly.

The only other mitigation measure agreed to by CPS, which the CTU has touted as a win, is that the school district will provide a limited supply of KN95 masks to CPS workers and students, which will likely amount to no more than a couple of masks per person. This is a win? Who do they think they are kidding?

Just like it did last winter, the CTU has sold out teachers to the demands of the Biden administration to reopen the schools. Claims by Lightfoot and her Democratic counterparts in New York City, Los Angeles and other big cities that schools are the safest places for children and that they are solely concerned with the academic and emotional well-being of young people are cynical lies.

There is only one reason they want to pack children into crowded and dangerous classrooms, even if there are not enough healthy teachers to teach them. They want their parents to keep working and producing profits for the billionaires who have enriched themselves while more than 850,000 have died. There is no limit to the number of infections and deaths the White House and the ruling class as a whole will accept as long as there is no disruption to the rising stock markets.

For the past week, the fight by Chicago teachers to stop in-person learning has been the focal point of the class struggle in the US, galvanizing opposition among educators, parents and students across the country and internationally.

Last week, educators in San Francisco and Oakland launched wildcats in defiance of the teachers unions, which support Bidens school reopenings. Today, high school students in New York City are organizing walkouts to demand virtual-only learning, and similar actions are being prepared by students in Boston, Portland, Oakland and other areas.

The corporate and political establishment, which has poured scorn on Chicago teachers, hopes that this dirty deal will allow them to beat back this growing resistance. But Chicago teachers cannot let this stand!

We call on educators to join the Chicago Educators Rank-and-File Safety Committee, which was formed last year to unite city teachers with the growing opposition of educators and other workers in the US and around the world to the spread of the pandemic.

It is a matter of scientific fact that the closure of schools is a vital tool in stopping the transmission of this deadly virus. This must be combined with a fight to close all nonessential businesses, compensate workers and small business owners for lost income, and implement a full program of public health measures, including universal testing, contact tracing, quarantining, and global vaccinations, to end the spread of the virus and eliminate it once and for all.

We urge educators to widely circulate this statement, contact your co-workers to ensure the largest No vote possible and prepare a citywide strike movement to stop the spread of COVID-19 and save lives.

Contact the Chicago Educators Rank-and-File Safety Committee to continue the fight against in-person learning! Text 312-834-4773 or email chicagoeducatorscommittee@gmail.com.
Chicago teachers: Contact the Chicago Educators Rank-and-File Safety Committee to continue the fight against in-person learning! Text 312-834-4773 or email chicagoeducatorscommittee@gmail.com. Read the statement of the CERFC opposing the reopening of schools to in-person learning.

On Monday night, the leadership of the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) orchestrated a maneuver aimed at subverting the decision of teachers, which has the support of students and parents, to reject a return to in-person learning amidst the massive spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

Jesse Sharkey, president of the Chicago Teachers Union (Wikimedia Commons)

The CTU pushed through a vote at a House of Delegates meeting to suspend the teachers remote work action and send educators back to schools on Tuesday, before a vote by the whole membership. Teachers are being instructed to prepare classrooms for a return of students on Wednesday, and a vote is being held simultaneously today on whether to approve the agreement.

The deal reached with Chicago Public Schools (CPS) and Democratic Mayor Lori Lightfoot would send over 300,000 students back into overcrowded, poorly-ventilated classrooms, setting the stage for a massive surge of infections at the districts 636 schools and in the city as a whole.

Rank-and-file teachers must reject this agreement, which is a complete capitulation to the Democratic Partys program of mass infection through the full reopening of schools and workplaces. For the past week, the fight by Chicago teachers to stop in-person learning has been the focal point of the class struggle in the US, galvanizing opposition among educators, parents and students across the country and internationally.

CTU leaders had initially said the remote work action would last until January 18, and the union made this one of its main demands in light of the enormous increase in COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations. Another 208 Chicagoans were hospitalized with COVID-19 on Monday, more than any other day so far in the pandemic. The testing positivity rate now stands at 18.9 percent, and the seven-day average of daily new cases in Cook County is at a record 13,701.

Under these objective conditions, the CTU is attempting to send its members and students into unsafe buildings, knowing thousands will be infected and an untold number could become hospitalized, suffer long-term debilitation or even death.

The terms reached with CPS are wholly unscientific and predicated on accepting mass infections among students and staff. After posturing for months that it would reject any deal without a district-wide health metric to trigger a transition to remote learning, the CTU caved to Lightfoots demand that only individual schools would close for five days if 30 percent (!) or more teachers are absent for two consecutive days due to testing positive for COVID-19 or are in quarantine from exposure. This will also happen [i.e., an individual school will go remote] if substitute teachers cannot bring the number to under 25 percent. Schools could also be closed if 40 percent of students are infected or in quarantine.

CTU also gave up on demands for widespread testing of students on an opt-out principle, with the district agreeing merely to test 10 percent of students at each school. These 10 percent would not even be tested every week. Rather, just a portion of them would be selected randomly.

The only other mitigation measure agreed to by CPS, which the CTU has touted as a win, is that the school district will provide a limited supply of KN95 masks to CPS workers and students, which will likely amount to no more than a couple of masks per person.

The CTU is not even fighting to restore pay for the four days that teachers were locked out by the Lightfoot administration, leaving them at the mercy of CPS CEO Pedro Martinez and the Board of Education as to whether to extend the school year to add in the days missed. Following the 2019 strike by Chicago teachers, Lightfoot similarly refused to extend the school year, resulting in four days of lost pay.

Shortly after the House of Delegates meeting, the CTU leadership held a press conference with local reporters. In his typical spineless manner, CTU President Jesse Sharkey opened the press conference by stating, Just to begin, Im personally exhausted and glad this is over. This has been a very unpleasant experience.

After describing the CTUs negotiations with the district since last summer, Sharkey said, We realized that this pandemic could, you know if weve learned anything from it, its that theres an amount of unexpected stuff, and that theres kind of this constant threat as this virus mutates and we in school have to deal with all the threats that it represents.

Sharkey went on to describe the lack of testing within the district, which he said caused unsafe conditions, without explaining why the CTU completely abandoned the demand for universal testing of students. He noted that a lack of testing has real and very dangerous consequences. It meant that we were never really able to screen people or do a robust testing program, and so we wound up with dangerous outbreaks at a number of schools. We had an outbreak at Jensen School, for example, on the West Side, where two parents died. We had an outbreak at the Carnegie School, where a staff member, a guy studying to become a special education teacher, JonL Bush, tragically passed away, etc.

Asked by a reporter whether the CTU advocated for remote learning, CTU Vice President Stacy Davis Gates bluntly stated, Not once did we advocate for remote learning.

As he did last year, when the CTU carried out a similar betrayal of its members, Sharkey blamed the unions sellout on the cold weather, stating, The truth of the matter is that its cold out in Chicago, were locked out of our schools, were not getting paid. He falsely presented the struggle of teachers as hopeless, saying, We wound up with something at the end of the day that felt like as much as we could get right now.

Asked whether the union would fight for CPS to restore pay for the days teachers were locked out of their online classrooms, Sharkey replied, No ones talking about being paid for going on strike. He concluded, Were happy this is over, but were not happy that we had to go through it in the first place.

Immediately after the CTU announced the results of the vote by the House of Delegates, there was a flood of opposition to the betrayal on Twitter and Facebook. The CTUs live-streamed press conference, which has now been viewed over 25,000 times, has over 2,100 comments, with the overwhelming majority denouncing the agreement. A small sample include the following:

CTU this is unacceptable! To send your members back without a vote is beyond wrong. Parents came out to support you and now you send teachers and students back with nothing in place? This isnt leadership. I truly hope the rank and file members reject this proposal.

Us parents support you all the time but you guys always let us down. Some of us really wanted REMOTE LEARNING. Yet no one ever cares about our childrens safety. SMH

I thought there was mortal peril and that there were too many quarantined teachers to even staff the schools. Whats happened to change any of that?

They did not let teachers vote tonight for a reason. They knew teachers would vote against the counter offer.

On Twitter, a CTU member stated, I will be voting no on the proposed agreement and I am incredibly disappointed in the CTU. We have not won the safety increases they told us we were fighting for.

Another wrote, So my lost paycheck paid for nothing. An insanely high metric for being able to go remote, being in person before the 18th, & testing/contact tracing that puts yet more work on teachers. Oh & 2 N95 masks. This is not something to be proud of.

A parent in Chicago tweeted, So the House of Delegates cares about the health and safety of the kids and the teachers, but just not that much, huh? In the end, when its put up or shut up, this is the result. As a #CPSparent, I am SORELY disappointed.

The betrayal in Chicago took place only hours after the latest data from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) was released, showing a record number of child infections and hospitalizations across the US during the first week that schools began reopening after the winter break. A staggering 580,247 children were officially infected, while the rate at which children are being hospitalized due to the Omicron variant is more than triple the peak reached during the surge of the Delta variant, when over 500 children died from COVID-19.

The struggle of Chicago teachers to stop the spread of COVID-19 inspired walkouts last week by teachers in Oakland and San Francisco, California, while high school students in New York City, Boston, Oakland and many other cities have circulated petitions calling for fully remote learning until the pandemic is contained.

A parent of a public-school student in Chicago told the WSWS on Monday: I 100 percent support the Chicago teachers. The fact of the matter is that the investments CPS made before the start of the school year still fall short of what many of the schools need in order to safely protect students and staff. Furthermore, CPS is just outright lying to Chicago families about the cleanliness of schools as well as the transmission rates at schools. A study that conflicts with CPS showed that school has the highest rate of transmission compared to any other place for children.

Doug, a retired teacher from the University of Washington in Seattle, sent a statement of support to the WSWS. Familiar with the betrayals of the so-called unions under the labor-management partnership, he voiced his encouragement at the formation of independent rank-and-file committees and the international solidarity he sees emerging. He said, Thank you students and educators in Chicago and around the world, for standing up for yourselves and for all of us, really. You have tons more support out here than you probably realize. Stay strong and independent, and best of luck fighting the bosses and their partners in the union hierarchy.

A Montgomery, Alabama, teacher told the WSWS on Monday: Im glad [Chicago and Oakland teachers] are taking a stand and that we are hearing about it down in the South. It hurts to hear people say that kids have to be in school no matter what, no matter if the person pouring out their time and education on them gets sick or dies or carries COVID home to their loved ones. Its encouraging to hear about people standing up against the government and the school boards and refusing to be used this way, and I support them.

The World Socialist Web Site calls on all Chicago teachers to reject the plan to reopen schools, which will only fuel the spread of the pandemic among students, teachers and the entire community. The betrayal of the CTU demonstrates that this fight can only be carried forward through the building of independent, rank-and-file safety committees in every school and workplace.

Chicago teachers can join the Chicago Educators Rank-and-File Safety Committee to oppose the reopening drive. If you are not a Chicago teacher, contact the WSWS today to discuss building a rank-and-file committee in your school to carry forward the fight to end the pandemic.
Mondays report from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) for the week ending January 6 recorded a staggering 580,247 pediatric COVID-19 cases, up 74 percent from the previous weeks record 325,000 cases. There were also a record 1,636 pediatric hospitalizations and 14 additional deaths.

Graph showing weekly COVID-19 infections among US children (Credit: AAP)

Each region of the country has skyrocketing child cases that have blown past previous records. The Northeast, with 155,000 cases last week, has nearly overtaken the South for the region with the highest number of weekly child infections. The Midwest and West Coast are not far behind.

Across the US, pediatric hospitals are rapidly filling, even before the full effects of Omicrons spread are felt. Dr. Danielle Zerr, pediatric infectious diseases expert at Seattle Childrens Hospital, told the New York Times that child hospitalizations are blowing away our previous Delta wave at the end of the summer, early fall, which had been our highest prior to that.

In Louisiana, Dr. Catherine ONeal of Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center in Baton Rouge, observed to WWNO that were already seeing our max number of kids who have ever been admitted to the childrens hospital during one surge, and were not done with this surge yet. Cases continue to mount. We could have our sickest pediatric population of the pandemic so far, and that is not mild.

The 14 deaths were spread across each region of the country. The corporate media continues its virtual cover-up of these childrens deaths, with only one California childs death being reported by local or national news in recent weeks. As of January 10, the CDC has documented 1,084 pediatric deaths, with a staggering 44 deaths recorded by their tally in just the past 10 days.

Graph showing weekly child COVID-19 infections by region (Credit: AAP)

Educators continue to needlessly die from the virus as well. An unofficial tracker on Twitter has documented at least 11 educators deaths in the first 10 days of 2022.

These include high school drama teacher Jeannie (J) Hutter of Independence, Missouri, who, despite being triple vaccinated, died on January 5 at the age of 57. Her sister and co-teacher Tommie told local news that J had a rare autoimmune disorder that causes inflammation of the blood vessels. Notably, because J had an underlying health condition, her death would be deemed encouraging news according to CDC Director Rochelle Walensky.

Since the start of the semester, there have been thousands of school closures due to the widespread infection of staff and students. Burbio, which tracks K-12 closures, recorded 5,409 school disruptions the week of January 2 and 1,338 active closures on January 10. These have occurred across the country, from Oregon to Arkansas, Vermont, Pennsylvania, Minnesota and New Hampshire.

Jefferson County Public Schools in Kentucky, the largest school district in the state with more than 100,000 students, canceled school Monday and announced that the district would switch to remote learning Tuesday through Friday following 1,660 infections last week, the highest number to date. The Covington Independent School District in Northern Kentucky is also returning to remote learning for its 3,800 students.

Rochelle, a teacher from a district north of Detroit, where there were 918 school cases last week, told the WSWS: A lot of the information is being brushed under the rug. They want to tell us that Omicron has milder symptoms, though they dont have all the information yet. At the same time they hide what they do know. The actual recorded hospitalization in South Africa of young kids under the age of five is very high.

Recently I saw a chart about the [Michigan] Thumb area. We are experiencing a 33 percent test positivity rate. Because of the rising numbers, mask mandates have been reestablished in our schools. Our county health director eliminated her quarantine mandate early in the school year after legislation from Lansing threatened to cut funding where there were quarantine orders or mask mandates.

While you can blame the Republicans and Trump for what they did, it is actually worse now. When Biden got elected, instead of a change, the same policy of normalizing death has continued.

Students, some wearing protective masks, arrive for the first day of school at Sessums Elementary School in Riverview, Florida, August 10, 2021 (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara, File)

The unprecedented spread of the disease has triggered widespread opposition among educators, parents and students to the reopening of schools in-person.

At the forefront of the opposition are the 20,000 Chicago public school teachers who voted last week not to return to in-person classes due to the pandemic. Late Monday night, the Chicago Teachers Union announced an agreement with the Democratic Party administration of Lori Lightfoot to force teachers back to work. Teachers will be voting on the agreement today, and there is enormous opposition on social media.

WBEZ reported Monday that CTU President Jesse Sharkey admitted that the union has compromised on some of the biggest issues, including widespread testing and on remote learning.

Student-organized protests and walkouts are also increasing, reflecting the growing impact that the pandemic and the murderous policies of the federal and local governments are having on the consciousness of young people.

In New York City, where hospitalizations have tripled since Christmas, students at several high schools are planning to walk out on Tuesday.

An educator in Brooklyn told the WSWS that students are given very little information when their classmates test positive. She saw her students carrying take-home rapid tests and asked them if they understood what the boxes were for. They just shrugged, she said. I told them this means you have been exposed to COVID and they have to test negative before they can return to school. I explained to them that they should give the boxes to their parents and tell them you have been exposed. They said Really? Someone in our class had COVID? They had no idea.

Blowing apart the cynical lies of the Democrats, Republicans, unions and the media that schools must remain open in-person for the mental health of students and to minimize learning loss are the actual reports from teachers and students on what in-person learning currently looks like.

A New York City high school student recently posted on Reddit a description of the chaotic conditions in schools, with record numbers of teachers, staff and students out sick. Due to the absences, entire classes are herded into an auditorium for study hall: We literally learn nothing. I spent about 3 hours sitting around today doing nothing. The classes that actually take place are quiet and empty. Students are staying home because of risk of COVID.

The post has received over a thousand comments, with students and teachers from across the country sharing similar stories.

Referencing a recent bill signed into law by Democratic Governor of Michigan Gretchen Whitmer, one teacher responded, Whats happening here is similar to whats happening in another place where they are deputizing bus drivers and janitors to teach students. This is just showing that the people in charge are not actually interested in actually educating the children, but only interested in checking boxes, warehousing, and going through the motions purely for appearances.

A teacher in the Dallas-Fort Worth area of Texas reported to the WSWS that he has had multiple classes since the start of the semester in which I didnt have a single student present. The district is scrambling for substitutes too. Parents are substituting for AP classes, computer science and high-level classes, which they know nothing about. Last year I would have had a virtual curriculum prepared, but this year we werent allowed to work on a virtual curriculum over the summer, so that there would be no fall-back to virtual.

Citing the dangerous spread of COVID in schools, students in Massachusetts have also circulated a petition, which has over 4,500 signatures, to demand a remote learning option.

In Oakland, California, following a wildcat sickout by teachers on Friday against dangerous conditions, over 600 students have signed a petition demanding the district switch to remote learning until schools are safe. The students threaten to strike beginning on the 18th if their demands for increased protections are not met.

At Hickman High School in Columbia, Missouri, over 120 students staged a walkout Monday to protest the district dropping its mask mandate. Their petition to the school board to reconsider the decision received over 2,500 signatures.

Students at Langara College in British Columbia, Canada, have also circulated a petition demanding remote instruction, noting that, As a group, we unequivocally agree that our mental and physical health would suffer more in-person with the risks of COVID-19 compared to learning at home, virtually.

The immediate closure of all in-person schooling is a life-or-death question for the working class and youth in the US and internationally. Every effort must be made to support and expand the emerging initiative of educators and students to demand remote instruction until the pandemic is brought under control.

This requires the formation of rank-and-file safety committees, independent of the corporatist trade unions, including the teachers unions, which have collaborated in the ruling class policy of reopening schools.

The WSWS urges educators to contact us today to discuss building a rank-and-file committee in your school to carry forward the fight to end the pandemic.
The problems of the Chinese property market, highlighted by the default of Evergrande the countrys second largest real estate developer and its most indebted, continue to grow, setting in motion what a comment in the Financial Times (FT) characterised as a slow motion financial crisis.

Residential buildings developed by Evergrande in Yuanyang. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

Last Thursday, the Shanghai Stock Exchange suspended trading in three renminbi-denominated bonds of the real estate developer Shimao after it had failed to make a payment. The suspension was significant because up until recently it had enjoyed an investment-grade rating.

In its report on the suspension, the FT said Shimaos problems suggested that Chinas real estate woes, which have mainly affected companies with riskier credit ratings such as Evergrande and Kaisa Group, could spread to more highly rated developers as they grapple with a slump in housing sales and a loss of investor confidence.

Unlike Evergrande, whose affairs are now under the control of a government appointed risk committee, Shimao had not breached any of the three red lines on credit and borrowings imposed by financial authorities in August 2020 in order to bring down inflated debt levels in the real estate sector.

But the company has been heavily impacted by the general decline in the property market. Based in Shanghai, it experienced a fall of 10 percent for its sales in 2021, with sales for the month of December recording a 68 percent decline.

Last month, the international rating agency Fitch said Shimao faced diminished investor confidence that could affect its capacity to refinance and, unlike other property developers that had resumed issuing debt securities, that avenue may not be available to it.

While the immediate problems surrounding Evergrande appear to have been contained, at least for the present, the effects of the decline in the real estate sector are rippling through the broader economy.

The Chinese property sector is estimated to account for about 30 percent of the countrys economic output once flow-on effects are taken into account. Local governments, which are responsible for much of the countrys infrastructure development, are heavily affected because it has been calculated that around one-third of the money needed for such projects comes from land sales.

They now face added problems because the central government has insisted they are responsible for completing pre-paid housing projects if developers are unable to do so under conditions where their revenues are falling.

The problems facing local governments were highlighted by the comments to the FT by an unnamed municipal official in Shijiazhuang, the capital of the Hebei province, who said the real estate downturn had taken a huge toll on the local economy.

Beijing says we need to keep the government up and running. But if land sales continue to weaken, we will have real trouble making ends meet, the official said. Land sales in the city are down almost 30 percent compared to the same period last year.

Long-time China analyst Eswar Prasad has pointed to the mounting problems for the central government as its tries to move away from dependence on real estate development.

In comments reported by the FT, he said: Beijing is discovering the huge costs in rectifying the imbalances in a sector that it had long relied upon to prop up growth, boost local government revenues and contribute to household wealth accumulation.

The sectors influence over practically every aspect of the economy, financial markets and society make in a hugely thorny issue to fix.

Apart from the immediate fallout from the failure of real estate firms to meet their debts, there is the potential for a financial crisis arising from the practice of companies issuing commercial papershort-term debt obligationsto get around red line restrictions.

The larger companies force smaller sub-contractors and suppliers to accept commercial paper in lieu of cash payments. These companies then use the commercial paper to finance their own transactions, setting up the conditions for a chain reaction if the major firm fails to make good on its cash obligations.

According to the Shanghai Commercial Paper Exchange, Chinas 20 largest real estate firms issued 40 percent more commercial paper in 2020 than they did in 2019.

The FT cited an unnamed government policy adviser who said despite reassurances about the state of the economy there was growing nervousness in official circles.

They appear more relaxed than they really are. In private, they are asking about the housing downturn, high debt levels and slower growth. The major problems are all interconnected: debt, local government finances and consumption. Which one do you solve first? The pressure is coming from many directions.

The problems for the economy as a whole are indicated by the latest gross domestic product (GDP) data. In the third quarter Chinas economy expanded 4.9 percent year-on-year, compared to 7.9 percent in the second. And the rate of growth is slowing. On a quarter-by-quarter basis the economy expanded by only 0.2 percent compared to the previous three months.

For many years, the central government maintained that a growth rate of around 8 percent was necessary to maintain social stability. Those days have now long gone, and it appears that, in the words of one financial analyst, a growth rate of 6 or 7 percent has also gone forever as the government struggles to maintain a 5 percent target.

The present trend will continue over the longer term. According to an analysis by Houze Song of the Paulson Institute, even without the Evergrande crisis the property sector was bound to contract and Evergrande simply made the writing on the wall clearer.

Our baseline scenario assumes a 30 percent decline in private property construction through 2025. In total construction volume terms, that means a correction from 100 million units to roughly 70 million units. Such a correction will lead to annual property sales falling from 15 percent to 10 percent of GDP, which is basically the same as in 2010. In other words, China intends to roll back the decade of rapid property sector growth in the next five years.

As a result, it is expected that local government spending on infrastructure, which is largely dependent on revenue from land sales, will decline by 3 percent of GDP over the same period which, combined with the fall in property development, will lead to an overall decline in construction investment of 6 percent of GDP.

Song noted that over the years Chinas property sector had been subject to the boy who cried wolf syndrome but this time the wolf has finally arrived, citing recent remarks by Guo Shuqing, the chairman of the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission, that property was the greatest danger to the countrys financial system.
Despite soaring COVID cases among children, teaching staff shortages and case numbers swamping the National Health Service since Omicron became dominant, the Johnson government is intent on keeping schools, nurseries and early years settings open.

The sole consideration is keeping parents free to go to work and continue churning out profits for the corporations.

On January 5, the horrific milestone of 3 million children (aged 0-19) being infected with COVID in England was reached. This is a substantial section of the 14.6 million total cases of COVID among all age groups recorded throughout the UK, including Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, since the start of the pandemic. By January 8, the Long Covid Kids campaign group reported a record 30,220 daily cases of COVID child infections in England. On January 10, this had shot up to 40,343.

Graph showing total child COVID cases in England reached 3 million in January 2022. The data is taken from the UK Health Security Agency dashboard (Credit: @jneill/Twitter)

The murderous policy of herd immunity has led officially to over 150,000 deaths in Britain, including 128 child COVID fatalities.

Plans to reduce quarantining to five days, end free lateral flow testing, and confine vaccination to the most vulnerable will worsen the catastrophe.

The highest infection increases are now among the youngest and least protectedprimary school children (4-11), who remain unvaccinated, and young adults. According to Long Covid Kids, there were 1,969 UK child hospital admissions in December. For six months in a row, child hospital admissions exceeded 1,000.

In England, 84 children were hospitalised with COVID on Christmas Day. Over the 12 days of Christmas, a horrifying 1,294 children were admitted to hospital with COVID. Official data for January 1-6 shows child COVID admissions represent over 6 percent of all COVID new admissions, or 747 out of a total 12,202 total hospitalisations in England.

Omicron affects the 0-5 age group more than previous variants. This appears to be the case because Omicron replicates in the upper respiratory airways rather than the lungs, unlike the Delta variant, and infants are particularly susceptible to infections in the upper respiratory tract. Long Covid Kids reported that hospital admissions in London for the under-fives leapt five times higher in a month.

During the pandemic, case rates for 0-5 and 6-17 age ranges were even. According to official data compiled by SafeEdforAll (Safe Education for All) member @TigressEllie, from December 1-12 there were 20 COVID hospital admissions among those 0-5. This shot up to 94 when Omicron took hold. Omicron was first detected in Britain on November 27.

While secondary school children aged 12-15 are being offered the vaccine, though roll out is pitifully slow, the government decided against vaccinating 5-11-year-olds unless clinically vulnerable. Since Omicron, secondary school children are required to wear masks in classrooms but not are not being supplied with masks such as FFP3s that afford protection against airborne transmissionand not in communal areas. Secondary teachers are required to wear masks in classrooms, but government guidance advises that teachers not wear them when they are teaching in front of class.

The situation is more dire in primary schoolsno masks for anyone, no vaccines, no mitigation measures at all.

Between December 13 and December 21 last year, parent Daniella Modos-Cutter on Twitter group #SafeEdForAll found that 172 primary schools had positive cases and there were positive cases in 86 secondary schools. These figures she compiled are an underestimate as the research is dependent on local information being obtained and passed to her. Before Omicron and the beginning of vaccination for children aged 12 plus, there were more cases in secondary schools.

Schools Week noted that Arbor Statistics, taking information from a school management information system covering over 1,600 schools and 200 trusts, found that pupil absences due to COVID in the first week of this term had already reached 3.3 percent. 82 percent of schools reported at least one positive case. This compares to 69 percent on the last day before the break.

Since schools reopened around January 4, staff absences due to COVID are causing mayhem. Some schools were forced to close partially or send entire year groups home.

In a survey of 2,000 heads by the National Association of Headteachers, 36 percent reported more than one in 10 staff absences on the first day of term, while 9 percent reported one in five, a figure Conservative government Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi said was likely to rise.

A further 37 percent said they were unable to access supply cover for absent teachers. Supply firms reported little response from the governments insane appeal to retired teachers to risk their lives and return to the classroom to plug the gap.

The biggest Academy trust, United Learning, reported last week at least a couple of hundred staff off. Due to lack of staff, the Outwood Academy in Middlesbrough closed years 10 and 11 classes on January 5. Outwood Academy Byedales, in Redcar and Cleveland closed its year 10 class. The Oasis Community Learning school in Birmingham shut completely. St Stephens C of E Primary in Bradford reported six staff absences.

The Co-op Academy in Swinton sent its Year 8 pupils home to learn remotely for three days from January 7. Also in Greater Manchester, Moston Fields Primary school shut its reception class, while Haveley Hey Community school sent its year 6 pupils home. Parklands High school in Lancashire decided to teach pupils remotely one day a week on a staggered basis.

A spokesperson for the National Association of Primary Education, Peter Cansell told the TES that due to widespread staff shortages, the education of children has been largely abandoned in favour of childcare.

Some heads are ignoring government guidance and are reintroducing bubbles or staggered starts to the school day.

Stuart Guest, head of a primary school in the West Midlands, told the TES that contrary to the current advice on quarantining for seven days, his school was sticking to the previous 10-days after infection to try and curb viral spread. Another head tweeted that when he tried to do the same, his local authority blocked it.

Guest said he ordered air purifiers for each class out of the schools budget, as government promises to improve ventilation with CO2 monitors and air filters is not forthcoming.

According to pollster Teacher Tapp, 47 percent of teachers in primary and 73 percent of teachers in secondary schools did not have a CO2 monitor in their classroom. While the Health and Safety Executive recommends well ventilated rooms are kept below 800 CO2 particles per million, schools can only apply for a HEPA filter for a classroom if the CO2 monitor in class registers above 1,500 for a week, and remedial work cannot be done by the end of February.

The government is providing 7,000 HEPA filters, just one for every three schools, as Zahawi said providing more would waste taxpayers money. There are 300,000 classrooms in schools in England alone!

So long as schools and educational settings remain open, and the virus is not suppressed, children are in danger not just of infection but Long COVID. Around 20,000 children are suffering from its debilitating effects a year after initial infection. Office for National Statistics data revealed the education sector has more adult Long COVID sufferers than any other workplace.

The government is embracing this catastrophe as the new norm, no matter how many lives are lost. Speaking to Sky News, Zahawi said chillingly, I hope we will be one of the first major economies to demonstrate to the world how you transition from pandemic to endemic, and then deal with this however long it remains with us, whether thats five, six, seven, 10 years.

As heads warn that schools are teetering on the edge, Zahawis advice to deal with a dire lack of staff is to merge classes which could result in a doubling or even trebling of class sizes to 60 or 90. He also advised that support staff, who are not qualified teachers, should teach. This alone exposes the lie that schools are being kept open in the interests of childrens education.

On Tuesday, January 11 at 7p.m. the Educators Rank-and-File-Safety Committee (UK) is hosting an emergency meeting, Close All Schools To Stop the Spread of Omicron!, to discuss a fightback against the uncontrolled spread of COVID-19. We urge all teachers, parents and students to attend. Register for the event here.
Shut your door! Shut your door! That was the refrain New York City Mayor Eric Adams repeatedly uttered at his press conference Monday, highlighting the role that two open doors played in the mechanics of the deadly blaze Sunday.

Firefighters battle the fire in the Bronx, January 9 (Source: Twitter/@LoveWorld_Peopl)

Adamss selective focus was intended to shield the city government and the social order it defends from any blame for the horrific consequences of New Yorks deadliest fire in more than three decades. Adams made no reference to the responsibility of the landlords, who profit handsomely from housing low-income tenants, to ensure basic fire-protection measures like self-closing doors that function correctly. He avoided any mention of the COVID-19 policies that have resulted in gross understaffing of ambulance workers and firefighters. And he issued not a word about the underlying poverty and other social conditions that make tragedies like Sundays increasingly common.

Instead, he framed the devastation as a result of the mistakes of the victims.

Sundays fire at Twin Parks North West has thus far killed 17, including eight children. The toll was revised downward Monday after officials initially double-counted two fatalities. However, as of Monday, another 15 remain in critical condition. The deaths and life-threatening injuries were mostly due to smoke inhalation, according to FDNY Commissioner Daniel Nigro.

The high-rise apartment building in the Bronx housed mainly low-income tenants, including a tight-knit community of immigrants from the Gambia, which has been devastated by the fire.

Officials confirmed Monday that the cause of the blaze was a malfunction in a space heater that had been running continuously for days. Temperatures during the nights before the fire dropped well below freezing. Commissioner Nigro said that the space heater supplemented the heat provided by the building, which was on at the time of the fire.

Space heaters are common in New York City apartments during the winter months, especially in working-class residences where thermostats are controlled centrally by for-profit landlords. They are also highly dangerousmany of the cheaper models available for purchase lack critical safety features. The US Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that space heaters cause around 25,000 fires and 300 deaths each year nationally.

Sundays fire was limited to the third floor, where it began. However, thick smoke spread rapidly throughout the high-rise, transported via the stairwell to higher levels. Commissioner Nigro pointed to two open doors, one on the third floor and another on the 15th floor, that allowed the dense column of smoke to fill the building.

While Adams stressed the failure of residents fleeing for their lives to close the door manually, fire codes require that stairwell and apartment doors close on their own, precisely to avoid leaving it up to the split-second decision of individuals in a state of panic. Nigro confirmed that the building was equipped with self-closing doors, but that they malfunctioned.

The residents of Twin Parks also suffered from a lack of fire protection like that afforded to occupants of many luxury high-rises that have sprouted up like mushrooms across New York City in the last decade. Newly built residential towers include measures such as fire dampers, which shut off a buildings ventilation system during a fire to prevent the spread of smoke, and positively pressurized stairwells to keep exit routes clear.

The real estate industry has succeeded in preventing life-saving fire-protection measures like sprinkler systems from being mandated for existing buildings in the city on account of their costs.

In avoiding these issues, Adams and the Democratic Party seek to shield their wealthy backers in the real estate industry. Personifying this connection is Rick Gropper, a part-owner of Twin Parks North West, the same man whom Adams appointed to his transition team after winning the mayoralty.

However, there is far more at play than mutual back-scratching or personal corruption. Adams combines his shameless pro-business bootlicking with expressions of sympathy for the working class. During the press conference, Adams interjected that by stressing the need to shut doors during a fire, What we dont want to do is just add more trauma on the family that was simply trying to escape a very dangerous and a very frightening experience.

In other words, Adams, while not scapegoating an individual in particular, makes clear that fire safety remains the responsibility of individuals in general. Thus the mayor, along with the lineup of Democratic officials who joined him Sunday and Monday in the Bronx, show that they will do nothing to address the underlying issues that make fires like the Twin Parks inferno an inevitability.

The fact is that hazardous conditions prevail in working-class housing across the city. Just four months ago, the remnants of Hurricane Ida turned basement apartments into death traps, killing 11 in their homes.

Beyond the headline tragedies, the day-to-day housing conditions for the working class are appalling. Overcrowding is rampant, while many deal with a myriad of unhealthy and unsafe issues ranging from lack of reliable heat to mold and rodent infestations. The cost of even substandard housing is increasingly impossible to afford, with rents once again skyrocketing across the five boroughs.

Twin Parks was built in 1972, and touted as an example of innovative and affordable housing for the working class and the working poor. Within three years, however, the city was virtually bankrupt. Austerity policies led to the growth of poverty. In the following decades, public spending on housing and all social spending was cut to the bone, while one speculative boom after another led to fortunes on Wall Street.

Adams began his mayoralty with a number of press appearances at which he bragged about his aggressiveness and swagger. The Twin Parks disaster symbolizes the reality of social conditions in New York City, however, which no amount of swagger can disguise.
The dialog on strategic stability agreed to in talks between US President Joe Biden and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin last summer began in Geneva, Switzerland on Sunday evening. The heads of the two high-level delegations, US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman and the Deputy Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov, met for an initial working dinner. The actual negotiations then started on Monday.

Russian deputy foreign minister Sergei Ryabkov, right, and his delegation arrive for security talks with US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman at the United States Mission in Geneva, Switzerland, Monday, Jan. 10, 2022. (Denis Balibouse/Pool via AP)

In the runup to the bilateral talks, it was already clear that they were not a round of detente but would initiate a further stage in the war preparations of the United States and its European allies against Russia.

For weeks the NATO states have accused Russia of planning a military attack on Ukraine and threatened massive countermeasures, ranging from the refusal to allow the Nord Stream 2 pipeline to come online, to Russias exclusion from the global financial transaction system SWIFT. The plan is not for gradual escalation but for immediate retaliation, explained the US State Department.

Russia, for its part, demanded security guarantees. In mid-December, Moscow submitted two draft treaties which called on the US to reject any further expansion of NATO and to give up military activity in Eastern Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia.

Washington immediately made it clear that it would never sign onto such concessions and would not accept any red lines. It merely declared its readiness to discuss arms controls, a reciprocal limit on the stationing of missiles and mutual restrictions of military exercises. The INF treaty, which was agreed to between the US and the Soviet Union in 1987 and restricted the use of some short- and mid-range missiles, was unilaterally abrogated by former President Donald Trump in 2019.

Despite the opposition from the US to an agreement, the European Union was alarmed that Washington and Moscow could reach a deal that excludes the EU.

EU foreign policy spokesman Josep Borrell said during a visit to Ukraine, We are no longer in the Yalta times, where the great powers divided up Europe in 1945. Ukraine is part of Europe, and the EU cannot be a spectator when the United States and Russia discuss Europes security, he stated.

The French security expert Francois Heisbourg complained, Its our security, but were not there. The Europeans are concerned whether President Biden is still consistent following the US failure in Afghanistan and its strategic focus on China. They also fear that Biden could be significantly weakened by the midterm elections in November and that Trump will return to the White House in 2024.

Similar points were also made by German officials. Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock of the Green Party warned during her inaugural visit to Washington that there could be no decision about security in Europe without Europe.

As soon as the plan for the dialog in Geneva was announced, long-term head of the foreign affairs desk at the Suddeutsche Zeitung, Stefan Kornelius, wrote, Should this plan be implemented, the European Union has to prepare for a major humiliation: a conference on the security of the states of Europewithout Europes community of states.

Europe, Ukraine and the Belarusian opposition are clearly further along in their self-understanding of security and order than to allow two gentlemen in Moscow and Washington to force them into an old corset, stressed Kornelius.

The escalating conflict between NATO and Russia, which is threatening to plunge Europe into a disastrous war three-quarters of a century after the end of the Second World War, is a devastating indictment of the consequences of capitalist restoration in Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union.

Since the last Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev embraced the imperialist powers and dissolved the Soviet Union 30 years ago, NATO has militarily encircled Russia ever more closely. Despite solemn promises not to militarize Eastern Europe and the former Soviet republics, many former members of the Warsaw Pact and the former Baltic Soviet republics are now members of NATO. NATO regularly conducts military maneuvers on the Russian border and has set up a rapid reaction force that can attack Russia within a few days.

The military encirclement of Russia reached a new stage in 2014, when the US, Germany and other European powers organized a coup in Ukraine that brought a pro-Western regime to power with the help of fascist militias. Since then, the country, which has a 2,300 km-long border with Russia, has received military aid totaling more than $2.5 billion from the United States. Numerous European powers have also provided the country with weapons, including the Czech Republic, Poland, France, Britain and in particular Turkey.

In Germany, current Minister of Economic Affairs and co-leader of the Greens, Robert Habeck, called a year ago for arms deliveries to the Ukrainian military. Wolfgang Ischinger, an influential figure in German foreign policy, declared in a guest post at the end of last year in the Suddeutsche Zeitung, An augmentation of Ukraines defence capabilities should not be a taboo for Berlin. Berlin shouldnt be on the sidelines.

The regime in Kiev, which is headed by rival oligarch cliques and is responsible for widespread social misery, is chronically unstable and therefore extremely dangerous. It repeatedly resorts to nationalist provocations in order to hold onto power, which adds to the danger of war.

It is significant that former President Petro Poroshenko, who came to power in the 2014 coup, is being targeted by his successor Volodymyr Zelensky on charges of high treason. He is accused of having enriched himself through prohibited coal deliveries from eastern Ukraine, which is controlled by pro-Russian separatists.

The Russian regime of President Putin, which also represents the interests of the oligarchs, has nothing to offer to counter the threat of war. It swings between military threats and diplomatic maneuvers, while being totally incapable of appealing to the international working class, the only social force capable of stopping the threat of war.

In addition to the bilateral talks, more meetings are planned in Geneva this week. The NATO-Russia Council will meet again on Wednesday for the first time in two years, followed Thursday by the permanent council of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), the only format in which Ukraine itself is represented. But none of these meetings will lessen the danger of war. This ultimately results from the irresolvable contradictions of world capitalismthe incompatibility of the world economy with the nation state and the social character of production with capitalist private property.

Faced with increasing geopolitical conflicts and growing resistance to social inequality and its murderous COVID-19 policy, the capitalist ruling elite, as at the beginning of the 20th century, sees no other way out apart from war and dictatorship. Only a united socialist offensive by the international working class can prevent such a catastrophe.
The World Socialist Web Site spoke this week with the respected respiratory physician and environmental epidemiologist Professor Guy Marks.

Marks is president of the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, editor-in-chief of the International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, current head of the Respiratory and Environmental Epidemiology group at the Woolcock Institute of Medical Research and professor of respiratory medicine at University of New South Wales.

Professor Guy Marks [Source: Health Beyond Research & Innovation Showcase]

Markss career of more than 40 years has centred on chronic respiratory diseases, such as asthma and tuberculosis (TB), and the impact of air pollution on public health. Dedicated to the fight for eradication of TB globally, with a particular focus on the Asia and South East Asia regions, including India, Vietnam and Myanmar, Marks began working with the World Health Organisation in 2016 to develop a global strategy to combat chronic lung disease. In 2020, he was elected as a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences in recognition of his outstanding contributions to health and medical research.

The following is an edited version of the discussion with Professor Marks.

World Socialist Web Site: In an April 2020 lecture you raised many significant points about the coronavirus, including the contentious issues of the aerosol spread of the virus, and the dangers of the so-called herd immunity response.

You also emphasised the importance of truth and transparency saying, Truth is a casualty of war, it is very important that it not be a casualty of this pandemic. Two years on, could you comment on this issue?

Guy Marks: Yes, there are major issues around transparency, including how we deal with knowledge and truth, and how we decide who, and what, to believe. The devaluation of evidence and the process of evaluating evidence has been a major thread. It is not unique to the pandemic. Weve seen it in relation to climate change and global warming, but its been accelerated in response to the pandemic. The post-modern concept that everyone can have their own version of the truth has really taken hold.

While Im not averse to the idea that peoples individual perspectives are valuable and to be taken seriously, weve moved away from the post-Enlightenment view of how truth, knowledge and science works. Weve lost sight of the enormous amount that humanity has gained from the methods of scienceof research, testing hypotheses, challenging concepts, and the requirement for empirical evidence to substantiate statements.

Much of what we have gained over the last three or four hundred years has been the result of acceptance of that process. To push back against that and talk about fake news, alternative facts and everyone having their own truths is a major risk to the development of civilisation in my view.

Some of the responses to COVID have reflected and accelerated that trend in a very disturbing way. Weve seen it writ large in response to global warming because certain interests find the truth and evidence to be very inconvenient. It was in the interests of certain economic groups not to accept that climate change was real.

WSWS: Yes, we agree entirely. Can you provide some specific examples of how this has applied to the pandemic?

GM: Theres been a view all along that the economy should be kept going at all costs and that any curtailment of economic activity to contain the virus should not to be tolerated. That approach, ironically, turned out to be not only bad for health but bad for the economy.

We saw that in December when the New South Wales state government [in Australia] decided to fully open the economy for Christmas because it was supposed to be good for business. This led to the spread of the disease, workers getting sick, supply chains seizing and people not going out and spending money because they didnt want to get COVID. It was a predictable and entirely self-defeating exercise. It was a failure on all levels and exposed the claims that that it didnt matter about maintaining some levels of control and made clear that there could not be some sort of economic solution without a health solution.

WSWS: Australian governments and the media immediately claimed that the Omicron variant was mild and would not be a problem.

GM: Yes, in fact the data is complex and can be manipulated and information advanced to suit preconceived views and economic interests. Some of the data suggesting that Omicron caused less severe disease than the Delta variant was used inappropriately to say that it would be safe to allow it to rip through the community. Anybody who understood the nature of this disease should know that this was not going to be the case.

A COVID-19 patient carried on a stretcher in Rome, Italy [Photo: Alessandra Tarantino/AP]

There are always those who seek to downplay the pandemic, for the reasons Ive alluded to, and inappropriately interpreted the initial evidence. Thats where the political leadership has been problematic. I dont want to single out particular individuals or groups, but theres been a strong desire by leaders to minimise their own political exposure, which is all based on a short-term horizon.

WSWS: Could you speak about the adoption of the herd immunity policy in Australia and internationally?

GM: Theres always been a lack of understanding about what herd immunity means. Ive even seen people on Twitter spelling it as heard immunity. The difficulty with this concept is that any immunity with this virus is transient and thats become more and more apparent. Any approach that says we can rely on natural immunity to sustainably end the pandemic is a major worry.

There are some viruses for which immunity is life-long, for example, measles, polio and chicken pox, and although it may wain towards the end of ones life its a long-lasting immunity. But with things like the common cold theres only transient immunity. You can get a cold and then another version of it appears and you get another infection.

For some infections natural-induced immunity is better than vaccine-induced immunity but with some diseases the vaccine-induced immunity is more effective. With COVID-19, vaccine-induced immunity, at least in ideal conditions, is the most effective.

The bottom line is that herd immunity is difficult to achieve with COVID-19 because its transient and the level of immunity is not very high. If you recover from COVID you can develop an immune response, but the problem is the next wave comes along.

If everybody gets Omicron, even if it is relatively less severe than other variants, our hospital system will be overwhelmed and therell be quite a lot of morbidity and mortality. This is what were now seeing. And even with immunity, the virus will not go away permanently, immunity will wain and a variant of the virus will be back in a few months time.

These mutations arise via natural selection and those with competitive advantage survive and spread. The more replication of the virus, the more opportunities for new variations to develop. There was Delta that spread massively in India, then Omicron, which probably emerged in Southern Africa, and before that another variant in the UK. While we continue to have unabated transmission, we will continue to have new variants.

WSWS: Can you speak about the broader impacts on the health system.

GM: There are now major problems in health systems, which are under great strain all around the world.

My work is in tuberculosis globally and for the first time in 2020 there was an increase in the number of deaths from TB. Rates had been slowly but gradually declining because of TB control programs. These programs have been adversely impacted by COVID and the same thing is happening in every other areacancer therapy, heart disease and other chronic diseases were trying to deal with.

Tuberculosis reduction program in sub-Saharan Africa [Source: The International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease]

People are fearful of coming into health facilities for treatment because theyre rightly concerned about getting COVID. The health workforce is being seriously affected by COVID with large numbers on furlough because theyre infected or are close contacts with someone who has it.

These factors are hugely impacting on basic healthcare services which is just one of the many areas now being hit by the pandemic. Theres food distribution, supermarkets, and other necessary supply chains.

WSWS: What should be done?

GM: We need to do whatever is required to control this virus. The view around in early December that case numbers dont matter was just wrong and very dangerous. It became apparent very early that a third dose of the vaccine would be required. It needed to be made available with real urgency but that didnt happen.

We also need to do whatever is necessary to reduce airborne transmissionN95 masks for everybody in indoor settings and the reduction, as much as possible, of indoor congregations of people and enclosed outdoor spaces. Indoor environment ventilation has to be improved. Its nothing magical but it will make a difference and slow things down.

We need to reduce the number of cases as fast as possible and then work out the health system, the food supply system, education and everything else in order to deal with the circumstances. This includes how people are going to earn an income or have financial support and survive. We have to get cases lower, here and around the world, and we need better vaccines. The development of vaccines in 12 months was an extraordinary achievement but everyone knows we need better vaccines.

WSWS: You and other medical scientists globally have been raising these sorts of issues but youre being ignored.

GM: Yes. Climate scientists have now been tweeting to medical scientists and saying, We know how you feel. Were being responded to like they were and are. I suppose youve seen the film Dont Look Up. In many ways its a caricature, a cartoonish sort of thing but its hard not to think about that film when you see how science is being ignored.

The whole process of science is about debate, disagreement and argument but the argument has to be on the basis of evidence. If youre going to refute all the evidence and the process for evaluating that evidence, then you have no place in the debate and its the same with climate change. Theres lot of work still to be done and anyone who tells you that we know everything should not be listened to.

WSWS: Governments and the mainstream media constantly claim nothing can halt the spread, insisting that Omicron is the new reality, but China pursued an elimination policy and showed it can be done. Could you speak about that?

GM: Yes, youre right, and so did Australia on several occasions. Taiwan also took effective action. Its clear that COVID-19 can be eliminated but it needs to be eliminated everywhere in the world at the same time. This requires a level of global cooperation and equity that we have not so far seen.

The quicker you can stop transmission in the population, for a two- or three-week period, then it is eliminated. Theres no reservoir for it to come back. Thats what happened with smallpox and largely happening with polio.

When I was growing up measles used to be endemic but its not now part of life and when there are outbreaks, theyre generally very low. Its the same with tuberculosis in Australia. It still exists but it doesnt cause major problems and we can prevent major outbreaks. TB is endemic in many countries, but the aim is to bring it down to Australian levels, thats my goal.

Before COVID, tuberculosis was the biggest infectious disease killer in the world with about 1.5 million people killed per year and 10 million cases.

It is an outrage that this disease, for which we have had effective treatment for over 60 years is still one of the biggest killers. The reason it still persists is because of global inequity. When I tell people TB can be eliminated, Im told its too expensive, we cant do that. OK fine, that means were going to let 1.5 million people die from it each year.

There is a solution, and we need to work it out. People talk about social determinants and not being able to get rid of TB unless you get rid of poverty. I dont accept that. I dont accept that because youre poor that you have to be infected with tuberculosis.
A torrent of right-wing propaganda is being directed against SafeEdForAll (Safe Education for All) campaigner Lisa Diaz after her appearance yesterday on ITVs Good Morning Britain (GMB). Her interview was a hatchet job in support of the Conservative governments homicidal demand, backed by the Labour Party and the trade unions, that the working class learn to live with an endemic COVID-19.

Lisa was invited to explain why she had kept her young daughter Helena out of school since the start of the pandemic. She gave a clear and accurate picture of the dangers posed to children by the virus and by the unsafe conditions that exist in UK schools. But the real agenda of her hosts, Richard Madeley and Susanna Reid, was to rubbish her concerns. Within minutes of the broadcast, the first in a series of attack pieces was published in major newspapers targeting the leading campaigner for safe schools.

Lisa and her daughter Helena (Credit: Lisa Diaz @Sandyboots2020)

Speaking on the programme, Lisa explained, Our concern is that COVID harms children. We are seeing a record number of hospitalisations of children with COVID. Independent SAGE said that there have been more hospitalisations in children in the last three weeks than the entire first wave of the pandemic so the narrative that Omicron is mild is just a fairy tale.

According to UK Health and Security Agency we've had 128 children die from COVID and honestly my greatest fear as a parent is that my children will end up with Long COVID. The Office for National Statistics tell us weve got 117,000 children in the UK who have been living with Long COVID for more than four weeks; 20,000 of these children have been poorly for over a year.

Reid responded by trying to present Lisa as an irrational, overprotective parent, stating, So basically, youre very frightened. Politely correcting Reid, Lisa replied, I am informed, explaining that the government was not making clear to parents the dangers facing their children.

Reid pressed on, Were all informed, but the majority of people are sending their children to school.

Screenshot of clip of Lisa Diaz (bottom left) speaking on GMB. Hosts Richard Madeley and Susanna Reid are at the top of the screen. (Credit: YouTube/GMB)

Naturally Reid never acknowledged any role being played by government-sponsored misinformation, or the fact that many are sending their children in reluctantly because the need to work, also in unsafe conditions, or the threat of fines leaves them no choice.

Dr Hilary Jones, GMBs health editor, has been presented throughout the pandemic as the rational counterpoint to Reids bullying co-host Madeley. But he too focused on efforts to play down the danger presented by Omicron to children. He did not recognise all those figures and statistics, he said, because NHS England hasnt published many statistics very lately, but then claimed that only about two percent of hospitalisations are in children under 17a lie, the figure is 6 percent, with 747 children hospitalised in the first six days of January. He then admitted there is some data from South Africa suggesting Omicron is more severe for children than Delta, but added, I havent seen that confirmed.

Jones then despicably cast aspersions that Lisa was mistreating her child by trying to protect her from COVID-19, arguing, Unless shes keeping her child prisoner at home and the child isnt going out The child presumably has a life outside of school

Madeley couldnt wait for him to finish, and jumped in with Unless you isolate your daughter at home 24/7, shell still be at risk of picking it up whether its going with you to the shops or going for a walk. He added that if Lisa would consent to sending her child to school once she had been double jabbed, That wouldnt protect her from getting the virus you know.

The GMB presenters were piling distortion on distortion with such false comparisons. As Lisa answered, There are no mitigations in primary schools whatsoever, apart from opening a window and a bit of hygiene theatre. According to a study cited by government scientific advisor Stephen Reicher in response to Madeleys statement, The exposure to virus in a classroom or in an office is 1,000 times higher than at a supermarket.

The argument that everyone will come into contact with the virus somewhere and run the risk of infection is premised on accepting the current policy of allowing COVID-19 to spread freely, which Lisa opposes. She answered in the interview, We need a multi-layered approach. Its not one thing or the other. Its not vaccines or ventilation or masks We need to be getting community transmission down and we need mitigations in place.

It is this popular, scientific view that the government and its media echo chamber are trying to pillory and overwhelm in the interests of the corporations and the super-rich demanding a business-as-usual economy.

GMBs efforts were swiftly backed by a slew of sneering newspaper reports.

Writing on Lisas interview, the Sun waxed lyrical about a A string of hugely positive studies show[ing] Omicron is milder than other strains and a series of measures in place across schools to keep kids safe, before repeating the government line that Covid booster jabs protect against Omicron and offer the best chance to get through the pandemic.

The Daily Mail introduced Lisas statement that Omicron has caused record numbers of hospitalisations among children as a claim, caveated with, Despite studies showing Omicron is a milder variant.

The Daily Mirror added, From the start of the pandemic scientists have said the symptoms of Covid in children are much milder than those in adults. And it appears the symptoms of Omicron are even milder than previous variants.

The Mirrors owners, Reach, one of the largest newspaper groups in the UK, ran similar stories across the Scottish Daily Record and local papers like the Manchester Evening News.

Abandoning all pretence at objectivity, Reach-owned MyLondon ran, ITV Good Morning Britain viewers blast mother are [sic] cruel for keeping daughter off school for 20 months due to Covid. The article claimed viewers were up in arms and that most were critical of Lisa.

In fact, many comments on the GMBs own selective posting of its hatchet job on Twitter were supportive of her and hostile to the presenters. Tweets included, Thank you [Lisa] for championing UK childrens health, Good for Lisa for putting her point across, Its good we have people like Lisa speaking up and She isnt frightened she is just more aware than anybody else including Dr Hilary Jones.

Others accused the GMB presenters of spouting nonsense, one-sided, factually inaccurate broadcasting, making stupid comparisons and having no clue about the basic facts about COVID.

One person wrote, It is utterly ridiculous that 2 years into the pandemic there has been no real attempt to make schools safe and another, This government has failed children on too many fronts The mass infection, living with covid, herd immunity, ride it out policy is not only unscientific its morally abhorrent.

Speaking with the World Socialist Web Site after the GMB interview, Lisa said, They dont want the truth to be known because the truth hurts. If people were given the truth, instead of a pack of lies, every parent would be rightly terrified for their kids. So they have to shut the truth down

The parallel with the film Dont Look Up is mindboggling. All I am doing is stating the science and whats really going on. It can all be fact checked. But it doesnt fit the narrative. If you admit that large numbers of people are dying, and larger numbers of children, how can you argue that we must live with it? You cant and they know that.

She added, I know this isnt only about me and my children. This is about what is being done to everyone. More than 170,000 people in this country alone have died. Thousands of people, including children, are suffering from Long COVID.

Millions feel the same way. That this sentiment has found only limited organised expression to this point is down to the absence of any opposition from the Labour Party, Liberal Democrats et al, and the trade unions, who have blocked any movement by the working class as they support school reopenings while calling for a few additional mitigations.

To organise a political fightback, the Educators Rank-And-File Safety Committee, which has fought throughout the pandemic for the formation of independent workplace committees to implement a policy of eliminating COVID-19, has called an emergency meeting tonight, Tuesday, January 11 at 7.00 p.m. GMT, to discuss this fight amid the unprecedented spread of the Omicron variant.

Register for the meeting here.
Parents, workers back Chicago teachers fight against in-person learning

There is widespread support among parents and workers in Chicago, throughout the US and internationally for the fight by Chicago teachers to oppose the efforts of the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) and the administration of Mayor Lori Lightfoot to force through a return to in-person learning.

The CTU has instructed teachers to return to schools today, Wednesday, even as they are voting on an agreement between the CTU and CPS to reopen schools amidst an unprecedented surge of the pandemic.

A Chicago parent, who asked not to be identified, said: Im not sending my daughter back. I definitely dont feel it is safe to send my daughter because I know CPS, the classrooms are overcrowded. You got 35-plus kids in a classroom. Thats a problem.

At my kids school, they dont have the plastic barriers, they have the windows open and things like that, but still, theres a serious reality there that educators and parents know, which is that everything that Lori and [Chicago Commissioner of Public Health Allison] Arwady have been stating in their pressers is complete and absolute lies. And theyre putting us in danger.

On the CPS-CTU agreement, she said, I absolutely am in disagreement with that. You guys are the rank-and-file, and leadership needs to listen to you. Vote no, because that is ridiculous.

The reality is, you can get anything done that you need to do if you have everyone in agreement, so if everyone walked out and refused to go back, whether its ten days, twelve days, twenty days, what are they gonna do? We know that theres a national substitute shortage.

In Illinois, you cant come in as a substitute without having the certifications. So knowing that, how are they going to open the schools? You cant open schools if the teachers are not there, so [Lightfoot] would have to back down from barking, stop being a little Napoleon, and she would give in and compromise or give you what you want.

On the two masks per person provision of the CTU-CPS agreement, touted by the union as a victory, she said: Its not even two masks because theyre not giving out enough to cover students and staff, so someone is not gonna get a mask.

On the CTUs effort to send teachers back to work before voting on the agreement, the parent said: When I heard that, I was like, are you kidding me? I could have done those negotiations. That is crazy. You cant sit here and tell me youre gonna tell your membership to step out of the classrooms and youre gonna fight for better mitigations and testing and PPE and all these different things, and then you have this whole big drama, this theater of going out and caravanning, and then you come right back and you fold like a house of cards.

Im immunocompromised, and every day that my child goes out and comes back, Im very concerned, because they would be orphans if something happens to me.

Many workers responded to a statement from the Chicago Educators Rank-and-File Committee calling for a no vote on the CTU-CPS deal.

David wrote, I am proud to stand in complete solidarity with the Chicago educators demand for virtual schooling! For their respective roles in perpetrating this disaster, Lori Lightfoot and the Chicago Teachers Union forfeit any claim to a role in resolving the same. They must step aside. They have failed and stand to be dismissed. An independent, rank-and-file committee in every school and workplace! Power to educator and worker committees!

A Tennessee teacher's message of support for Chicago educators

A teacher in Tennessee sent the following statement of support:

Absolutely no return to in-person instruction until significant safety measures are in place! The agreement between the CTU and the City of Chicago is a death sentence. Teachers must vote No!

Mayor Lightfoot is the one who stopped all instruction when she locked teachers out of their virtual classrooms. She is the one who prevented teachers from performing their jobs. Chicago Teachers must hold the line against the criminal herd immunity policies of the Democrats and Wall Street!

Clay, a retired teacher in New South Wales, Australia, wrote, Your determined struggle, now in a critical phase, to defend your fellow teachers, your students and the families of all from the ravages of COVID-19 is being watched around the world.

In New South Wales, Australias largest state, where I live, the state premier, Perrottet, is ruthlessly determined to force all school children back to face-to-face learning when the summer holidays finish at the end of January.

This is as the state authorities admit Omicron infections and hospital admissions are out of control and will have risen exponentially by then. Teachers are deeply concerned but get no leadership from their union. Terrified parents of the millions involved are rushing to get children vaccinated with the Pfizer 5-11 dose, which just became available two days ago, under conditions where this vaccine rollout is a shambles. Many will not get it before the governments deadline. Nothing has changed in the schools to make the school buildings anything other than incubators for further spreading and mutating of the virus.

Your stand in Chicago will and is serving as a vital experience for the growing opposition to sacrificing whole generations of youth in Australia and worldwide on the altar of profits.

Kosta, an educator in Ontario, Canada, wrote, I support Chicago teachers because all educators are facing the same struggle all over the western world. Money hungry criminals at the top of the pyramid have decided that schools will be opened, and everyone will be made to catch Covid. We are victims of a massive social crime, and the unions are playing a nasty role.

Teachers, from England, to Germany, France, Canada, and the United States, are being forced into unsafe schools for the economy to keep on ticking. Unvaccinated children are at serious risk of getting very sick and spreading the virus.

Your struggle is our struggle. What happens in Chicago happens in London, Paris, Berlin, and Toronto! The ruling class plays by one playbook. They are a team. Therefore WE, must play from one playbook! Teachers and workers from all continents must join together as one team! A united working class fighting to end the pandemic!

Dont trust your government. Dont trust your unions. Dont trust media talking heads, and dont trust your mayor! Trust in each other, and keep fighting Chicago! Keep flapping your wings! There is a hurricane coming like the windy city has never seen before!

CTU orders Chicago teachers to resume in-person instruction Wednesday, before voting concludes on agreement

The Chicago Teachers Union is attempting to force teachers to resume in-person instruction for over 300,000 students tomorrow, before educators have even finished voting on the agreement between the school district and the CTU to fully reopen schools.

Electronic ballots for voting on the deal were to have been emailed by 3:00 p.m. today. However, some teachers reported on Facebook hours after that they had yet to receive one.

The decision by Chicago Public Schools (CPS) and the CTU to reopen schools before voting concludes has been taken in utter contempt for teachers democratic will. The move is aimed at making the reopening an accomplished fact.

Moreover, the CTU has stated that in the event that the agreement is rejected, its House of Delegates will decide how and when to restart the remote work action, raising the possibility that the union and CPS will simply attempt to keep schools open regardless of the outcome of the vote.

Part of an email sent by the CTU to Chicago teachers

On Monday, the House of Delegates voted to suspend the remote work-action, which teachers had voted overwhelmingly to initiate last week.

The CTU is holding an online membership meeting now to review whats in the tentative agreement and answer questions. At the beginning of the meeting, CTU President Jesse Sharkey said that, if teachers reject the agreement, a resumption of the work action will only continue if the House of Delegates chooses to do that.

Teachers have reacted with outrage on social media to the deal, which, if implemented, would set the stage for a new explosion of COVID-19 cases in the city and the region.

Underscoring the degree to which the virus is spreading out-of-control, Democratic Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced Tuesday that she herself had tested positive. Lightfoot has been in the forefront of the Democratic Partys efforts to suppress opposition to the unsafe reopening of schools, in order to ensure their parents return to unsafe workplaces and continue to produce profits.

The teachers are with us, and we have their backs: One thousand K-12 students in New York City walk out to protest unsafe reopening of schools

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On Tuesday, nearly one thousand students at over 30 K-12 schools in New York City participated in a walkout to protest the unsafe reopening of the largest school district in the United States, amid a surge of the highly infectious and deadly Omicron variant of the coronavirus. The reopening of schools is being led by the new mayor of New York City, Democrat Eric Adams.

The New York City walkout was organized by high school students at Stuyvesant High School and Brooklyn Technical High School, who formed the group NYC Student Walkout for COVID Safety to organize their fellow students.

Four Stuyvesant High School students who participated in the walkout spoke with a reporter from the WSWS outside their school.

Brehami said, Schools should be shut down to bring the cases down until we have a better solution to the new variants. He emphasized the danger that people can still transmit the virus even if they are vaccinated.

Left to right: Brehami, Allan, Mitchum, and John (WSWS Media)

All the government is focusing on right now is the money, theyre not focusing on the well-being of their citizens.

Another student, John, whose parents both have medical conditions that make them high-risk individuals, said, Given how contagious this new Omicron variant is, I feel like it was a really poor decision on the mayor and on the DOEs [Department of Educations] part to keep the schools open. I honestly dont understand what the point of it was.

Especially at our school Stuyvesantweve had about 500 kids go absent because theyve either caught it or someone else has caught it and they needed to quarantine. Were being forced to come to school in such an obviously dangerous positionat this point, we dont know who has the virus, I could have it, my friend could have it, anyone could have it. So the best decision right now is to go remote.

We should prioritize the safety of the students and our families first because, otherwise, what else do we have?

Full Article

One thousand Oakland, California students plan strike in opposition to deadly school reopening

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With an unprecedented wave of cases of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 ripping through schools, students at the Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) in Northern California have joined the growing national wave of students and educators opposing the unsafe and deadly policy of in-person learning.

A petition urging a district-wide school strike if demands are not met has gained over 960 signatures at the time of writing. The petition demands that OUSD shift from in-person learning to online learning, or that the district provide KN95/N95 masks for every student, twice a week PCR and Rapid Tests for everyone on campus and outdoor spaces to eat safely when it rains.

The petition by Oakland students

If these demands are not met, write the students, we will be striking by not attending school. We will be striking until we get what we need to be safe.

The students say that they will call on OUSD students to strike starting January 18th should their demands not be met.

The move of almost 1000 Oakland high school students joins thousands of other high school students in Massachusetts, Michigan, Portland, and now New York City (where students walked out Tuesday), who are fighting against the reckless policy of school reopening.

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Statement of the IYSSE: The way forward for high school students in the fight against the pandemic and the reopening of schools

The International Youth and Students for Social Equality issued a statement on January 11 calling for students and youth to turn to the working class to fight for a policy to end the pandemic. The statement begins:

High school students throughout the country are on the move! Thousands of students from Oakland, California to New York City are organizing opposition to the unsafe return to in-person learning amid a massive surge in COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths from the Omicron COVID-19 variant.

On Tuesday, tens of thousands of students in New York City walked out of their classrooms in over 30 schools to protest the unsafe conditions. The action, organized through social media, forced the closure of several schools throughout the city.

Nearly a thousand students have signed onto a district wide online student petition in Oakland, California, stating that students are not comfortable going to school with the rising cases of COVID-19. The students are fighting for an end to in-person learning and proper PPE and testing if and when they do return to the classroom.

The International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE), the youth and student movement of the Socialist Equality Party (SEP), welcomes and supports this courageous stand taken by students. In fighting against the unsafe reopening of schools, these youth are fighting not only for their own health and safety, but for the community as a whole.

We urge students who are participating in these struggles, or wish to join them, to share this statement widely and contact the IYSSE today .

The IYSSE is a socialist youth group, fighting to link up the struggle of students and youth with teachers, parents and other workers in a common fight against the reckless herd immunity policy of the entire political establishment, which encourages the virus to run rampant, regardless of the carnage.

Read the full statement

Los Angeles school district restarts in-person learning as pediatric hospitalizations skyrocket

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Students and teachers in the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), the second largest district in the nation, returned to classrooms Tuesday as cases of COVID-19 skyrocket in the metropolitan area and across the country. In mandating the return to school sites, school authorities, with the sanction of the United Teachers of Los Angeles (UTLA) union, are deliberately exposing 665,000 students and more than 50,000 teachers and school employees to mass infections, long-term disability and death.

The reopening of the schools will also vastly accelerate community spread under conditions in which Los Angeles County reached a record weekly high of 200,000 confirmed cases last week. During that same period, area hospitalizations doubled to 3,200 people. Statewide, more than 6 million cases have been reported since the start of the pandemic, an increase of 1 million cases over the past two months alone. Two million of the states 6 million cases have occurred in Los Angeles County alone.

Approximately 65,000 students and staff members have tested positive for COVID-19, according to mandatory testing conducted by the district during the winter break. More than 760 schools in the district have reported more than 10 cases each, while 140 schools reported more than 100 cases. Six schools reported more than 300 cases.

Kindergarten students sit in their classroom on the first day of in-person learning at Maurice Sendak Elementary School in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File)

Theres no way we should be open, John, a middle school teacher told the World Socialist Web Site. Did you hear the statistics? 16.6 percent of students are positive, and 14.5 percent of adult employees were COVID positive. Today, most teachers were averaging only 60-70 percent of their students who were present.

There are minimal additional safety protocols in place. At least one teacher at my school tested positive for the second time. We should have been on Zoom at least until Monday, January 31, or the following Monday, February 7. That would have been 3-4 weeks, a very manageable number. Its better than getting COVID. I got emails from kids today. Im at home because I tested positive, so Im not coming in.

If Chicago can stay out, why cant LA Unified? You dont want more people getting sick. Were suffering through the holiday surge because people got together with a very, very contagious variant of COVID. As for the UTLA, it is completely ineffectual. They sold out a long time ago. Its ridiculous.

Teachers are getting tired of being treated like doormats. Were frontline workers. We have 30-40 plus kids in each class. Come on! Whats the deal here? Theres this huge budget surplus in the state and the district. Id like to know how that money is being spent. That money doesnt go to the teachers and supplies; it goes to contracts where outside subcontractors are making a ton a money. And people within the district get kickbacks. A lot of people feel this way.

Another LAUSD teacher told the WSWS that classrooms were only about 50 percent full, as many parents kept their children home on the first day back. Theres NO way that LAUSD should be back in person!

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Seattle teacher to Chicago educators: We stand with you

A biology teacher in Seattle, Washington sent the following message of support to Chicago teachers:

Chicago teachers, we want you to know that we stand with you in your quest for safe working conditions. Being forced back into school buildings when a global pandemic rages both inside and outside those doors is not something we should tolerate.

Stay strong and vote no to returning to in-person learning.

Also adding more information on how this whole pandemic is being mishandled, a friend of a mine in the Edmonds [Washington] School District, said, Wondering if everyone was aware that being kept home for close contact with a positive case in elementary classrooms is being based on seating charts not actual classrooms as a whole. Like only the kids close to that kid on the seating chart stay home even though they freely mingle throughout the day.

Teachers in Baton Rouge, Louisiana plan sickout to protest COVID spread

Over 350 teachers in the East Baton Rouge Parish School System are planning a sick-out Wednesday to voice their concerns over teaching in-person amidst widespread infections and staff shortages.



The East Baton Rouge Parish Educators Association, an affiliate of the National Education Association, is sponsoring the single day sick-out and will host a press conference this evening. No doubt under immense pressure from rank-and-file teachers, who are calling for a switch to virtual school until transmission is brought under control, the organization will use the sickout to dissipate steam while making no real efforts to shut down in-person learning.



In just the first two weeks of the semester, many schools across Baton Rouge and all of Louisiana have already had to switch to virtual instruction, though the shifts are short-lived and wholly inadequate. The state has yet to resume its weekly K-12 case reports following winter break, but New Orleans Public Schools are already tracking a record 2,233 active cases.

New York students initiate mass Walkout for COVID Safety

Thousands of students at dozens of schools throughout New York Citys five boroughs participated in a Walkout for COVID Safety today in opposition to herding students and teachers into unsafe classrooms amid the largest wave of the pandemic.

An Instagram post by the group organizing the walkout, which received over 16,000 likes, stated, By participating in the walkout, you will be voicing your disapproval for keeping the schools open in a time when it is very obviously unsafe for teachers and students.



The same post cited that more than 38,000 teachers and students have reported testing positive for COVID since December 24th. Thats more cases than the entire 2021-2022 school year so far in less than two weeks.

Felicia, a junior at Bronx High School of Science who helped organize the walkout, told journalist Sarah Belle Lin of Riverdale Press: Our school conditions are not safe right now. The amount of cases that we have are just... There are so many people sick. Our mayor [Democrat Eric Adams} is not doing enough to protect us, all the millions of kids in this school system.

Felicia said the students were demanding the option to go remote and not participate in in-person learning.

Chicago rank-and-file committee calls for rejection of return to in-person learning

The Chicago Educators Rank-and-File Committee (CERFC) issued a statement today calling for a rejection of the CTU-CPS agreement to reopen infected schools. A portion of the statement is posted below, and the full statement is available here. To contact the CERFC, text 312-834-4773 or email chicagoeducatorscommittee@gmail.com.

Vote No on the CTU-CPS deal to reopen infected schools and spread COVID-19! Educators must launch a walkout now to save lives!

Chicago teachers are being asked to vote on a death warrant. The move by the leadership of the Chicago Teachers Union to reopen schools to in-person learning will mean the sickness and death of teachers, parents, students and community members. This is what teachers are being asked to approve today.

Vote NO on the CTU-CPS deal! Stop the return to unsafe schools!

The announcement of the CTU yesterday of a deal is an utter surrender to Mayor Lightfoot and the campaign by the Biden administration to send educators and 300,000 students back into infected schools, regardless of the cost to their health and lives.

In a gross and undemocratic manner, the CTU is seeking to overturn the will of the majority of educators and end the life-saving action taken by CPS teachers which is being supported by parents, students and workers across the country and the world.

The Chicago Educators Rank-and-File Committee calls on teachers to reject this agreement and organize rank-and-file committees, independent of the CTU, to prepare a citywide walkout and demand the resources necessary to implement high quality virtual-only instruction to all of our students.

On Monday, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) reported that the week ending January 6 saw 580,247 new pediatric COVID-19 cases, up 74 percent from the previous weeks record of 325,000 cases. There were also a record 1,636 pediatric hospitalizations and 14 additional deaths among children.

Full Statement

Philadelphia teacher calls for Chicago teachers to reject return to work

A Philadelphia teachers sent the following statement to the World Socialist Web Site:

It is difficult to imagine that teachers left work and pay for four days for these kind of (and l emphasize kind of) safety protocols--which read like coal miners striking and accepting the concession of face-covering hankies as safety protocols to combat black lung. These Chicago Covid protocols appear non-substantive, which data from school and other settings seem to predict. So in sum, l call on Chicago teachers to reject this union-district prescribed agreement on the basis of the undemocratic means by which it came to be, and on the basis of the unsafe protocols it concedes in the end.

Chicago teachers react with outrage at deal to force reopening of schools

Immediately after the Chicago Teachers Union announced an agreement with the Chicago Public Schools to force the reopening of schools to in-person learning, there was a flood of opposition on social media. The CTUs live-streamed press conference, which has now been viewed over 25,000 times, has over 2,100 comments, with the overwhelming majority denouncing the agreement. A small sample include the following:

CTU this is unacceptable! To send your members back without a vote is beyond wrong. Parents came out to support you and now you send teachers and students back with nothing in place? This isnt leadership. I truly hope the rank and file members reject this proposal.

Us parents support you all the time but you guys always let us down. Some of us really wanted REMOTE LEARNING. Yet no one ever cares about our childrens safety. SMH

I thought there was mortal peril and that there were too many quarantined teachers to even staff the schools. Whats happened to change any of that?

They did not let teachers vote tonight for a reason. They knew teachers would vote against the counter offer.

On Twitter, a CTU member stated, I will be voting no on the proposed agreement and I am incredibly disappointed in the CTU. We have not won the safety increases they told us we were fighting for.

Another wrote, So my lost paycheck paid for nothing. An insanely high metric for being able to go remote, being in person before the 18th, & testing/contact tracing that puts yet more work on teachers. Oh & 2 N95 masks. This is not something to be proud of.

A parent in Chicago tweeted, So the House of Delegates cares about the health and safety of the kids and the teachers, but just not that much, huh? In the end, when its put up or shut up, this is the result. As a #CPSparent, I am SORELY disappointed.

The struggle of Chicago teachers to stop the spread of COVID-19 inspired walkouts last week by teachers in Oakland and San Francisco, California, while high school students in New York City, Boston, Oakland and many other cities have circulated petitions calling for fully remote learning until the pandemic is contained.

A parent of a public-school student in Chicago told the WSWS on Monday: I 100 percent support the Chicago teachers. The fact of the matter is that the investments CPS made before the start of the school year still fall short of what many of the schools need in order to safely protect students and staff. Furthermore, CPS is just outright lying to Chicago families about the cleanliness of schools as well as the transmission rates at schools. A study that conflicts with CPS showed that school has the highest rate of transmission compared to any other place for children.

Doug, a retired teacher from the University of Washington in Seattle, sent a statement of support to the WSWS. Familiar with the betrayals of the so-called unions under the labor-management partnership, he voiced his encouragement at the formation of independent rank-and-file committees and the international solidarity he sees emerging. He said, Thank you students and educators in Chicago and around the world, for standing up for yourselves and for all of us, really. You have tons more support out here than you probably realize. Stay strong and independent, and best of luck fighting the bosses and their partners in the union hierarchy.

A Montgomery, Alabama, teacher told the WSWS on Monday: Im glad [Chicago and Oakland teachers] are taking a stand and that we are hearing about it down in the South. It hurts to hear people say that kids have to be in school no matter what, no matter if the person pouring out their time and education on them gets sick or dies or carries COVID home to their loved ones. Its encouraging to hear about people standing up against the government and the school boards and refusing to be used this way, and I support them.

The World Socialist Web Site calls on all Chicago teachers to reject the plan to reopen schools, which will only fuel the spread of the pandemic among students, teachers and the entire community. The betrayal of the CTU demonstrates that this fight can only be carried forward through the building of independent, rank-and-file safety committees in every school and workplace.

Chicago teachers: Contact the Chicago Educators Rank-and-File Committee to continue the fight against in-person learning! Text 312-834-4773 or email chicagoeducatorscommittee@gmail.com.

Chicago Teachers Union attempts to ram through agreement to reopen schools as Omicron surges

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On Monday night, the leadership of the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) orchestrated a maneuver aimed at subverting the decision of teachers, which has the support of students and parents, to reject a return to in-person learning amidst the massive spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

The CTU pushed through a vote at a House of Delegates meeting to suspend the teachers remote work action and send educators back to schools on Tuesday, before a vote by the whole membership. Teachers are being instructed to prepare classrooms for a return of students on Wednesday, and a vote is being held simultaneously today on whether to approve the agreement.

The deal reached with Chicago Public Schools (CPS) and Democratic Mayor Lori Lightfoot would send over 300,000 students back into overcrowded, poorly-ventilated classrooms, setting the stage for a massive surge of infections at the districts 636 schools and in the city as a whole.

Jesse Sharkey, president of the Chicago Teachers Union (Wikimedia Commons)

Rank-and-file teachers must reject this agreement, which is a complete capitulation to the Democratic Partys program of mass infection through the full reopening of schools and workplaces. For the past week, the fight by Chicago teachers to stop in-person learning has been the focal point of the class struggle in the US, galvanizing opposition among educators, parents and students across the country and internationally.

CTU leaders had initially said the remote work action would last until January 18, and the union made this one of its main demands in light of the enormous increase in COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations. Another 208 Chicagoans were hospitalized with COVID-19 on Monday, more than any other day so far in the pandemic. The testing positivity rate now stands at 18.9 percent, and the seven-day average of daily new cases in Cook County is at a record 13,701.

Under these objective conditions, the CTU is attempting to send its members and students into unsafe buildings, knowing thousands will be infected and an untold number could become hospitalized, suffer long-term debilitation or even death.

The terms reached with CPS are wholly unscientific and predicated on accepting mass infections among students and staff. After posturing for months that it would reject any deal without a district-wide health metric to trigger a transition to remote learning, the CTU caved to Lightfoots demand that only individual schools would close for five days if 30 percent (!) or more teachers are absent for two consecutive days due to testing positive for COVID-19 or are in quarantine from exposure. Even this will happen if substitute teachers cannot bring the number to under 25 percent. Schools could also be closed if 40 percent of students are infected or in quarantine.

CTU also gave up on demands for widespread testing of students on an opt-out principle, with the district agreeing merely to test 10 percent of students at each school. These 10 percent would not even be tested every week. Rather, just a portion of them would be selected randomly.

The only other mitigation measure agreed to by CPS, which the CTU has touted as a win, is that the school district will provide a limited supply of KN95 masks to CPS workers and students, which will likely amount to no more than a couple of masks per person.

The CTU is not even fighting to restore pay for the four days that teachers were locked out by the Lightfoot administration, leaving them at the mercy of CPS CEO Pedro Martinez and the Board of Education as to whether to extend the school year to add in the days missed. Following the 2019 strike by Chicago teachers, Lightfoot similarly refused to extend the school year, resulting in four days of lost pay.

The World Socialist Web Site calls on all Chicago teachers to reject the plan to reopen schools, which will only fuel the spread of the pandemic among students, teachers and the entire community. The betrayal of the CTU demonstrates that this fight can only be carried forward through the building of independent, rank-and-file safety committees in every school and workplace.

Full Article

More than half a million children infected with COVID-19 in the US last week, shattering previous records

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Mondays report from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) for the week ending January 6 recorded a staggering 580,247 pediatric COVID-19 cases, up 74 percent from the previous weeks record 325,000 cases. There were also a record 1,636 pediatric hospitalizations and 14 additional deaths.

Graph showing weekly COVID-19 infections among US children (Credit: AAP)

Each region of the country has skyrocketing child cases that have blown past previous records. The Northeast, with 155,000 cases last week, has nearly overtaken the South for the region with the highest number of weekly child infections. The Midwest and West Coast are not far behind.

Across the US, pediatric hospitals are rapidly filling, even before the full effects of Omicrons spread are felt. Dr. Danielle Zerr, pediatric infectious diseases expert at Seattle Childrens Hospital, told the New York Times that child hospitalizations are blowing away our previous Delta wave at the end of the summer, early fall, which had been our highest prior to that.

In Louisiana, Dr. Catherine ONeal of Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center in Baton Rouge, observed to WWNO that were already seeing our max number of kids who have ever been admitted to the childrens hospital during one surge, and were not done with this surge yet. Cases continue to mount. We could have our sickest pediatric population of the pandemic so far, and that is not mild.

The 14 deaths were spread across each region of the country. The corporate media continues its virtual cover-up of these childrens deaths, with only one California childs death being reported by local or national news in recent weeks. As of January 10, the CDC has documented 1,084 pediatric deaths, with a staggering 44 deaths recorded by their tally in just the past 10 days.

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There are zero safety protocols to keep us safe from COVID: Autoworker denounces conditions at Warren Truck Plant

The WSWS received the following letter from a temporary autoworker at Stellantis' Warren Truck Assembly Plant.

Im writing you all because Im sick of the way things are being run at Stellantis Warren Truck Assembly Plant.

1) There are zero safety protocols to keep the employees safe from COVID. They dont give people adequate time to disinfect workstations after the previous shift and we cant wear the proper mask, the N95, because its not company-issued.

2) They are wearing us out with the mandatory overtime. Working 6-7 days a week is a strain on us. We have families we never get to see and spend time with, we cant properly rest our bodies and minds and a lot of us have other things, important things, to take care of that we have to constantly push back and reschedule because we cant get an adequate amount of days off.

We literally told our spineless union reps to really push for the ABC shift (4 days, 10 hours with 1 mandatory Sunday a month) so we can have proper time off every week, but they didnt.

3) They wont roll over the Temporary Part Time workers to full time and theyre now being mandated to work 12-hour shifts, which is unfair to them. A lot of us feel like our so-called unions reps have sold us out.

Every time someone asks Dee Robinson, the UAW Local 140 vice president, or Eric Graham, the local president, a question directly, they tell is to ask our steward or committeeman, none of whom ever have an answer, instead of answering the questions, because theyre too busy giving birthday shout-outs.

The restrooms are always dirty, they're constantly pumping in cold air during the winter, the roof still leaks, there are birds flying around and pooping on things. We cant even get a new work badge unless we request one online. This place is a joke and things need to change.
Over the last month, major universities in New York City have experienced significant outbreaks of COVID-19. Most notably, New York University (NYU), Columbia University and the City University of New York (CUNY) system have reported increases in positive coronavirus cases among students, faculty and staff. These outbreaks, part of the broader surge of the virus globally, are the result of the profit-driven decisions to open campuses for in-person learning and work amidst a raging, deadly pandemic.

New York University in Manhattan

A little over a month since the highly infectious Omicron variant of the coronavirus first emerged in the United States, the virus is once again wreaking havoc across the North American continent. Close to one million Americans are getting sick every day and the daily death toll stands at over 2,000. Hospitalizations due to the virus are surging, threatening to completely overwhelm the entire US health care system. New York City is an epicenter of the Omicron surge, reporting around 100,000 new cases and 200 deaths over the weekend, with a positivity rate above 30 percent. The citys hospitalization rate has risen by over 73 percent, with the number of young children hospitalized due to COVID-19 quadrupling.

According to NYUs COVID-19 tracking portal, there have been around 2,345 reported cases of the virus among students, faculty and staff since December 6. Columbia Universitys tracking system shows over 950 positive cases over the same period across all its campuses. The CUNY systems online COVID-19 Safety Tracker reports a total of 2,218 COVID-19 cases since the beginning of the fall semester in late August 2021.

At each school, the majority of these cases occurred during the last two weeks of the fall 2021 semester (December 13 to 26). In one week (December 13 through 19), NYU reported 844 positive cases among students, faculty and staff. The following week (December 20 through 26), 739 positive cases were reported. Two weeks ago, 588 NYU community members contracted the virus. At Columbia, the same two-week period saw 884 positive campus-administered tests, about nine times as many as were reported in the previous two weeks. Since January 3, over 760 Columbia students, faculty and staff have tested positive. Between December 25 and 31, 997 CUNY students, faculty and staff were reported to have tested positive for COVID-19.

All of these numbers, already alarmingly high, are significant under countings. Official numbers of positive test results within university communities are based entirely on inadequate testing and contact tracing programs. NYU, Columbia and CUNY abandoned mandatory COVID-19 testing programs for the vast majority of students prior to the fall 2021 semester, promoting the lie that vaccinated people cannot contract the virus. The current data is largely based on voluntary testing programs at each university and COVID-19 tests administered outside university campuses.

These off-campus tests are only counted if they are reported by students and staff. Criminally, Columbia excludes off-campus testing results from its online COVID-19 tracker. Some reports indicate that the total number of COVID-19 cases at Columbia may be at least two times higher than the number reported on the universitys website. CUNY, despite reporting off-campus test results on its online COVID dashboard, does not include these results in its official positivity rates. To keep its rates low, CUNY has reportedly told symptomatic community members to test off-campus.

Many New York City universities have implemented a random testing policy for vaccinated individuals. Supposedly, a certain number of vaccinated students and staffthe vast majority at major universitieswill be chosen at random each week to get tested. However, most vaccinated students and staff are never asked to participate and, even with majority participation, the program would still be completely inadequate to accurately assess the spread of the virus in university communities. Prior to December 28, fully vaccinated CUNY students and staff were not able to get tested for COVID-19 on CUNY campuses unless randomly selected.

Since August 2021, enforcement of social distancing inside and outside of buildings has been largely abandoned by universities. Most classes have been held at capacitysome with more than 100 students in attendanceand many student-led organizations and clubs have been allowed, and in some cases encouraged, to hold in-person events with dozens of attendees. Little effort has been made by university administrations to warn students, faculty and staff of the true dangers of the present crisis and the extent of outbreaks on campuses.

These policies have resulted not just in thousands of infections over the last month, but in thousands more over the last academic semester. Before the emergence of Omicron, as Delta emerged and surged globally, universities in New York reported dozens, if not hundreds, of cases per week. Despite the steady rates of infection on campuses, university administrations made clear their determination to keep the classrooms open, and even blamed students, faculty and staff for any outbreaks.

In October, senior vice president of Columbia Health Dr. Melanie Bernitz stated during a University Senate meeting, Its unrealistic to expect we will never have positive cases.  Its unlikely that we will eliminate every case, at least in the near future. This statement that students, faculty and staff must live with the constant spread of the virus, and the sickness and death that comes with it, expresses most nakedly the views of administrators at universities across New York, the country and internationally.

The reckless profit-driven policies of the multi-millionaires and billionaireswith extensive ties to Wall Street, the military and the Democratic and Republican Partieswho make up the boards of trustees and administrations of NYU, Columbia and CUNY are in no way unique. They represent the broader subordination of higher education to profit interests. Countless universities across the country and around the world have experienced mass outbreaks, and even deaths, over the last four months as a result of similar reckless mitigation policies for a safe reopening.

Recently sworn-in New York City Democratic Mayor Eric Adams is pushing ahead with and expanding the homicidal reopening policies of his predecessor. Wall Streets top cop is pushing for the full reopening of schools and workplaces, making it clear that the priority of the new Democratic administration, like de Blasios, is not public health, but keeping our economy operating.

New York Citys major universities have all indicated their opposition to a transition to online instruction for the spring semester. CUNY recently announced that, For the Spring 2022 semester, the vast majority of CUNY courses will be in-person. NYU, despite moving January-term classes online, has stressed in its communications with NYU students, faculty and staff that We are planning to resume in-person instruction at the start of the spring semester in New York and at our Study Away sites. Columbia has announced that the limited safety measures implemented this month, including cancellation of in-person events and closure of dining halls and student lounges, will be ended before the start of the spring semester.

Students, faculty, and staff at all universities will be required to get a vaccine booster shot before the start of the spring semester. As has been proven by rising numbers of breakthrough infections, this booster mandate alone will do little to stave off future campus outbreaks.

Immense opposition to the reopening of New York City universities and schools is already brewing among students, parents and staff. CUNY students recently started an online petition, Save Online Classes at CUNY! in which they point out the spread of the Delta and Omicron variants, poor infrastructure and ventilation and demand, LETS BRING BACK ONLINE CLASSES! The petition has garnered over 25,000 signatures. On social media, one CUNY affiliate stated, Not going in. I dont trust anyone at CUNY to make a decision to keep me and my family safe. One CUNY worker wrote in response to CUNYs policies, I have never felt less valued.

What is required is a full, immediate transition to online learning and work. Students, faculty and staff at NYU, Columbia and CUNY must not allow their health and safety to be sacrificed to the altar of private profit. This can be achieved not through appeals to university administrators, union bureaucrats or capitalist politicians, but by turning out to the working class and youth more broadly who are beginning to rise up against current conditions.

Teachers, students, school workers and parents across the country and internationally are taking up a courageous struggle against the homicidal reopening of K-12 schools. Three thousand students have signed a Boston students petition demanding a remote option for Massachusetts schools. High school students in New York City are planning a mass walkout on Tuesday across all city public schools to demand an immediate transition to online instruction to keep students and teachers safe. A sister petition launched by a high school student describes the citys decision to keep schools open unreasonable and, above all, irresponsible. The student continues:

Physically attending school places students and staff members at increased risk of contracting this highly transmissible strain, either in the building or on public transit, risking not only their lives but needlessly contributing to the spread of the disease. Right now, students, like myself, are facing an impossible decision: either attend school despite the rising case rates or risk our education and academic standing by choosing to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe.

Chicago teachers voted overwhelmingly not to return for in-person learning earlier this month and teachers in Chicago, New York and San Francisco have launched sickouts. In Michigan, thousands of students, staff and faculty at the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor are once again engaged in a courageous struggle to close the campus for in-person learning.

Contrary to the claims of the ruling class, their politicians and media, the pandemic can be ended. A scientific strategy of elimination and eradication, which includes the closure of schools and non-essential businesses, coupled with a massive government program to roll out widespread testing, high-quality masks, quarantining, contact tracing and isolation can squash the virus in a matter of months, even weeks. However, this requires the political mobilization and intervention of the objectively progressive social force in capitalist society: the international working class. This is the force to which university students, faculty and staff who seek to oppose mass death and suffering must turn. All those who agree with this perspective should join the International Youth and Students for Social Equality and take up this critical fight.
With the spread of the Omicron variant out of control, the continuation of the pro-big business policies of his predecessors by President Pedro Castillo has left Peru open to a devastating third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Line for vaccinations and tests at army barracks in Lima (Credit: ANDINA/ Vidal Tarqui)

Peru has now recorded more than 70,000 new cases in a single week, surpassing the peaks set in the deadly first and second waves of the pandemic, which claimed over 200,000 lives, inflicting the highest death rate of any country in the world.

With a population of 33.6 million people, Peru has recorded 2,358,685 cases and 203,019 deaths. This represents 6,030 deaths per million inhabitants, as compared to 2,575 per million in the United States, which has the largest number of deaths in absolute terms.

The tragic death toll has also resulted in Peru being the country with the largest number of children orphaned by the pandemic, nearly 100,000.

Perus Deputy Health Minister Augusto Tarazona told RPP News that with the current uncontrolled spread of the virus, within three weeks the country will face some 150,000 new cases per week which will put us in a very difficult situation. Stating the obvious, he added, Having in a few days hundreds of thousands of cases will definitely negatively affect the health services.

During the first half of December, the country was recording just 12,000 new cases a week. It isnt a curve, its a straight vertical line heading up, the Peruvian health official warned.

The Peruvian Health Ministry announced on December 19 that it had detected four cases of Omicron in the country. Now the variant accounts for 82 percent of the new infections in Lima.

While the first cases were detected in upper class and upper middle class districts such as Miraflores, San Isidro and La Molina, indicating their likely origin among Peruvians traveling abroad, the variant quickly spread to the impoverished and working class districts, including those populated with migrants from the interior of the country, such as San Martin de Porres and San Juan de Lurigancho, and onward into the countrys provinces.

The government of President Castillo has pursued a vaccination-only strategy, failing to implement any contact tracing program.

Peru has one of the highest vaccination rates in Latin America87 percent for those over 69, and 80 percent for the adult population as a whole with two doses. This is due in part to government mandates of vaccinations for entering workplaces or public enclosed spaces but even more so to the demand for vaccines from a population that went through the horrific toll of death and disease during the first waves of the pandemic.

Castillo, whose accession to the presidency last July was hailed by the pseudo-left as a victory for the Peruvian working class and a revival of the Latin American Pink Tide, has categorically rejected any serious lockdowns or any other measures that would impinge on the profits of the transnational mining companies and other capitalist interests, both foreign and domestic.

Restrictions that have been put in place will do little to nothing to blunt the rise in infections. A night-time curfew has been extended in Lima, Callao and 23 provinces that have been declared on a state of high alert to 11:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m., while in the rest of the country it is in effect from 2:00 a.m. to 4:00 a.m. It has also limited occupancy of commercial spaces to 40 percent in those areas deemed under a state of high alert.

In essence, Peru is following the lead of the United States and other major capitalist countries in promoting the policy of learning to live with COVID, i.e., an acceptance of unending mass death and sickness.

The spread of Omicron, however, threatens Perus precarious health care system with imminent collapse. In Lima, the occupation rate for intensive care unit beds had risen to 75 percent as of January 5. In the north of the country, in regions like Piura and La Libertad, the rate is rising above 80 and 90 percent.

Carlos Lescano, president the Peruvian Society of Intensive Medicine (Sopemi), told El Comercio that the country needs at least 3,500 intensive care beds to confront the coming wave of serious cases. This is more than double what is now available. He warned that, as in the first and second waves, patients would die for lack of treatment.

Even with more beds, he added, there is a serious lack of trained medical personnel. According to WHO standards, Peru should have between 2,500 and 3,200 intensive care specialists. Today there are only 750 in the country.

Dr. Eden Galan-Rodas, ex-secretary of the Medical College of Peru (CMP), told El Comercio that Peru needs a total of at least 15,000 more doctors to adequately care for its population. He noted that the Health Ministry under the Castillo administration had recently renewed contracts for 10,000 doctors that had expired on December 31 only until April. The same errors are being made as in the first and second waves, he said.

The Castillo government, the doctor said, has failed to provide medical personnel with adequate personal protective equipment, much less confront the deep underlying crisis of Perus health care system.

The Castillo administration has embraced the consensus position of all the bourgeois parties and the media that no economic activity will be interrupted to stem the spread of COVID-19 and that schools will be reopened in March, regardless of the state of the pandemic.

The renewed COVID-19 crisis has once again brought into stark relief the contradiction between Castillos populist promises to rule in the interests of Perus impoverished masses and his declarations of allegiance to the profit interests of foreign and domestic capital. In all of his governments policy decisions relating to the pandemic, the latter has prevailed.
The Philippines is in the grip of a record-setting spread of COVID-19, driven by the Omicron variant. The administration of President Rodrigo Duterte has responded with half-measures and threats of repression. In total, 52,293 people have died of COVID in the Philippines since the beginning of the pandemic.

A police officer warns passengers to maintain physical distancing inside a bus at a checkpoint as the government enforced another round of strict health restrictions to control the rise of COVID-19 cases at the outskirts of Quezon City in Manila, Philippines on Monday, Jan. 10, 2022. (AP Photo/Basilio Sepe)

The country had 33,169 new confirmed cases on January 10, setting a record tally for the third straight day, with a startling 46 percent positivity rate. The National Capital Region (NCR) had a positivity rate of 52 percent. The World Health Organization (WHO) threshold for the controlled transmission of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, is 5 percent positivity. The Philippines was below this figure in December.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque stated at a press briefing Monday night that the country was at a critical risk of COVID-19 transmission, reporting a 690 percent increase in the seven-day average of daily cases.

Duque declared that Omicron had become the dominant variant in the Philippines. As of January 3, 60 percent of all sequenced samples of COVID-19 were of the Omicron variant.

The Omicron fueled surge began less than two weeks ago. Hospitals are already inadequately staffed, a combination of an influx of cases and the large number of infected and quarantined medical personnel. The Philippine General Hospital, the largest state-run medical facility, is nearly at full capacity.

A number of major nationwide banks have announced that they are shortening their business hours, ostensibly to curb the spread of the pandemic but almost certainly as a result of understaffing. CNN suspended broadcast on Monday as it was no longer able to staff its broadcast center.

Presidential spokesperson Karlo Nograles announced that the NCR would remain at Alert Level 3 and would not advance to Level 4. Alert Level 3 allows for continued outdoor dining at 50 percent capacity and indoor dining at 30 percent provided the patrons are fully vaccinated. Alert Level 4 would shut down malls and other non-essential indoor centers and restrict those under the age of 18 and over 65 to their homes.

Dr. Rontgene Solante, a leading infectious disease expert in the Philippines based at San Lazaro Hospital, called on the government to impose Alert Level 4 restrictions on the NCR.

Nograles, however, announced that while all other pre-established testing metrics called for an increased Alert Level, the total hospital bed utilization did not yet require a shift to Level 4. Bed utilization, however, is a lagging indicator. By the time that this metric is met, the crisis will have advanced to a catastrophe.

Increased demand has already brought the healthcare infrastructure of Metro Manila to the verge of collapse. The Department of Health authorized hospitals to shorten the quarantine protocols for fully vaccinated healthcare workers who contracted or were exposed to COVID-19. Hospitals in extreme circumstances of manpower shortage were authorized to reduce healthcare workers isolation period to five days. It is highly likely that any healthcare worker forced back to work at the end of five days will still be infectious and will possibly still be suffering from symptoms.

The paramount concern of the Duterte administration, like capitalist governments around the globe, is not public health but keeping the economy open. Raising the Alert Level from 2 to 3 already imposes a significant cut to business income. The Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) estimated that P3 billion ($US58 million) per week were lost due to the increased restrictions.

Shifting to Alert Level 4 would see far more serious cuts to profit. Rather than return to stricter protocols, shutting down unnecessary business activity, the Duterte administration is creating the conditions for mass death.

The crisis conditions of the pandemic are compounded in the southern regions of the Visayas and Mindanao by the extensive damage wreaked by Typhoon Rai, known locally as Odette, in December. Large regions, impacting hundreds of thousands of people, remain without power or running water. Thousands are suffering from malnutrition and diarrhea, and dozens have died of dehydration. The refugee centers, inadequately prepared, have become superspreader locations for the pandemic.

The Duterte administration has carried out a number of half-measures against the spread of the pandemic. Nearly all schools remain closed to face-to-face instruction. The government has attempted to set up a vaccine mandate, requiring proof of vaccination be displayed before entering business establishments or public buildings.

The vaccine mandate, however, is hobbled by the fact that vaccines have not been available for the majority of the population until very recently, largely a result of the international inequality of vaccine access for countries of belated capitalist development such as the Philippines. Only 52.4 million Filipinos are now vaccinated, or 68 percent of the target population. Over 80 percent have now received their first shot. Only 3 million have received a booster shot.

Dutertes stock solution to any social problem is repression. The unvaccinated were to remain at home, he declared, except for essential purposes. He added that he was authorizing local officials to arrest any unvaccinated person found out of their home. However, on his list of essential purposes was reporting to work. His authorization of the arrest of the unvaccinated is a green-light for arbitrary detention.

Dutertes hold on political power is now short lived. He has lost a majority of elite support for the upcoming election, which is scheduled for May. There is widespread speculation that he is contemplating using executive powers in response to COVID to delay the election and remain in office. Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana issued an ominous statement that at present there is no compelling reason to declare martial law, as if floating the idea for future use.
Quebec, Canadas second most populous province, is being hit hard by another wave of COVID-19 fueled by the new, highly contagious Omicron variant. Day after day, the province is experiencing levels of infection and hospitalizations not seen since the beginning of the pandemic. The overwhelmed and understaffed health system is on the verge of collapse.

Hospitalizations in the province surpassed 2,500 yesterday. Another 26 deaths were reported Monday, taking the total to 11,966. Within the next 24 to 48 hours, Quebec, which accounts for less than a quarter of Canadas population, will pass 12,000 officially registered COVID-19 deaths40 percent of the countrys official death toll.

Laval's Cite-de-la-Sante Hospital, north of Montreal, is one of several hospitals in the province to declare an outbreak of COVID-19, after four patients sharing a room in a geriatric department became infected. (Source: Wikimedia Commons)

Despite the critical situation, the right-wing Coalition Avenir Quebec (CAQ) government, led by multi-millionaire and former Air Transat CEO Francois Legault, refuses to take the public health measures necessary to stem the deadly omicron wave.

Government inaction in the face of Omicron

On November 15, as Quebec recorded 509 new cases of the coronavirus, the government lifted the last remaining measures to mitigate the pandemics impact. It allowed restaurants to operate at full capacity and reopened nightclubs and karaoke bars.

Unsurprisingly, this decision caused a slow but steady rise in infections. Just under two weeks later, on November 27, Quebec reported 1,171 new cases of COVID-19.

In late November, Omicron, first detected in South Africa, began to spread around the world. On November 29, Quebec reported its first case.

Despite warnings from many experts about the increased risk of transmission during the colder winter months, when people spend more time indoors, combined with the spread of Omicron, Legault, like his counterparts in other provinces and the federal Liberal government, has done nothing to prepare for the predicted tsunami of infections and hospitalizations.

Mass infections and overflowing hospitals

The pandemic situation in Quebec is now catastrophic. On December 17, the province recorded 3,768 new cases of COVID-19, surpassing by more than 500 the previous record set during the peak of the second wave in January 2021. The number of new cases has been rising ever since, reaching 5,000 on December 21, 10,000 on December 24 and 15,000 on December 31. Since then, the daily number has remained between 14,000 and 17,000. In a province with a population of about 8.5 million, these numbers are staggering. Yet they underestimate the full impact of the pandemic as the government has slashed access to testing.

In the wake of this wave of mass infections, hospitalizations are also reaching record levels. While the number of cases increased by 223 percent between December 1 and 16, even before the full effect of Omicron was felt, Legault and his health minister Christian Dube took no action to slow the spread on the spurious grounds that the number of hospitalizationsdeemed to be the only reliable indicator of the state of the pandemicwas not increasing. As experts have been repeating for most of the past two years, the number of hospitalizations is an indicator that lags behind the increase in cases by 2 to 3 weeks.

On December 16, 305 people were hospitalized due to COVID-19, 63 of whom were in intensive care. These numbers increased dramatically to over 500 hospitalizations on December 27, 1,000 on December 31, 1,500 on January 4 and finally 2,000 on January 7. As of January 10, over 2,500 people were hospitalized with COVID-19 in Quebec, including 248 in intensive care. Hospitalization of children, in particular, has increased significantly as Omicron appears to be affecting young people more seriously than previous strains of the virus. Tragically, on December 16 a 2-month-old baby died from COVID-19 at Montreals Sainte-Justine Hospital.

The extraordinary number of hospitalizations and the spread of the virus among health care workers has completely overwhelmed the health care system. Approximately 11,600 health care workers were out of the system, either infected or in preventive isolation, as of January 4.

In a desperate and dangerous move, the CAQ government announced on December 28 that health care workers who are infected with COVID-19 will have to continue working if they are symptom-free. Health care institutions also announced that they would again use the emergency decrees adopted in 2020 to suspend vacation and days-off for nurses and other health care workers, a decision that has understandably provoked outrage from these exhausted workers.

On January 4, three regions in Quebec went up to Level 4 of a plan to ramp down critical procedures for non-COVID-related medical conditions. Other regions will follow this week as their current status of Level 3, which calls for the cancellation of 50 percent of surgical procedures, has not been sufficient to free up enough beds and staff to care for COVID-19 patients in most of Quebec. At Level 4, 80 percent of surgical procedures will be cancelled. In addition, some emergency rooms will be closed and semi-urgent appointments for patients being treated for cancer or other serious illnesses will be rescheduled.

There is no doubt that these measures will lead to deaths. Fatalities that, although not added to the official COVID-19 death toll, will be entirely attributable to the Legault governments disastrous handling of the pandemic.

Despite the relentless propaganda by the mainstream media that the Omicron variant is mild and unlikely to cause severe symptoms or death, deaths are increasing dramatically in Quebec. At least 20 people have died daily from COVID-19 since January 4, and 44 deaths were registered on January 8.

The CAQ governments response: profits before lives

After fueling the crisis by ignoring scientists warnings in November and early December, the CAQ government is now refusingwith the full support of Justin Trudeaus federal Liberal governmentto implement the public health measures needed to quickly stem the mass infections, hospitalizations and deaths. As in previous waves, its response is entirely subordinate to the interests of the banks, big business and the wealthy.

Between December 20 and January 4, the Legault government adopted a few token measures. As the number of infections exploded and hospitalizations jumped, the CAQ continued to brazenly lie to the public in surreal press conferences in which Dube, Legault or Education Minister Jean-Francois Roberge claimed that the very last measure they announced would be the one to end the catastrophe.

Predictably, none of those piecemeal measures have served to slowdown the spread of COVID-19 whether it be the closing of schools a day early for the holiday school break, mandatory remote work for office workers, the closing of restaurant dining rooms, limiting private parties from 10 persons for Christmas to 6 persons as of December 26 and to family bubbles as of December 31, a night-time curfew, or the requirement to present a vaccination passport to enter government-run alcohol and cannabis stores.

Despite the claims of reactionary opponents of the health measures, Quebec is far from being in lockdown. Businesses are only closed on Sundays and non-essential workplaces continue to operate. The government has insisted that primary and secondary schools, the main vector of transmission of the virus, will reopen for in-person instruction on January 17, no matter what.

At the same time, the government has taken a series of decisions whose objective is to cover up the extent of the crisis and satisfy the demands of the employers. Since January 4, the isolation period for infected workers has been reduced from 10 to 5 days. This anti-scientific measure is aimed at getting workers back to work as quickly as possible so that the flow of profits to the rich can continue uninterrupted. This announcement was received very positively by the employers associations, which admitted that they had asked the government for it. Since science has shown that those with COVID can transmit the virus up to 12 or 14 days after contracting it, the measure big business dictated to its CAQ lackeys will result in even more workplace outbreaks and mass infections.

On January 5, the Legault government announced that PCR tests in health clinics, the most reliable method of detecting COVID-19, would be restricted to certain people deemed vulnerable. The general population will have to use rapid tests, which are notoriously difficult to obtain in Quebec and provide much less accurate results.

This measure will quickly lead to a significant underestimation of cases, allowing the Legault government to present an optimistic picture to the public. Legault is thus adopting the strategy of former US President Trump, who declared that to have fewer cases all one had to do was test less!

It is also the abandonment of one of the recognized measures in the fight against infectious diseases: the detection of cases makes it possible to isolate infected people and to have a clear picture of the spread of the virus to better target other measures. From now on, Quebec authorities will be flying blind into the deadly pandemic storm.

The Omicron wave clearly demonstrates that in Quebec, as elsewhere in the world, the fight against the pandemic is a class issuewhich class controls society and in whose interest.

The capitalist class is determined to continue its policy of profits before lives that requires children be sent back to infection-prone schools so that their parents can pile into unsafe workplaces. For the financial markets, big business and the rich, this policy means more profits and wealth accumulation. For the mass of working people, it means mass infection, disease and death.

The working class is the only force in society that can advance a progressive solution to this crisis. To do so, it must intervene as an independent political force, breaking out of the straitjacket imposed by the pro-capitalist unions and building rank-and-file safety committees fighting for a Zero COVID policy.
Directed by Nora Fingscheidt; written by Peter Craig, Hillary Seitz and Courtenay Miles

The Unforgivable, available on Netflix, from German film director Nora Fingscheidt (System Crasher), is a story about a former prisoners re-introduction to society in Seattle as she tries to reunite with her sister. Based on a 2009 British miniseries, Unforgiven, the film gives us brief glimpses of the harsh realities of working class life, but ultimately squanders the opportunity for a genuine probing of life in the form of a conventional crime and family drama.

Ruth Slater (Sandra Bullock) is released from prison after 20 years for the murder of a sheriff who tried to evict Slater and her five-year old sister, Katie, from their family farm home. Ruth had been Katies caretaker after the deaths of their mother during childbirth and their father later, presumably from heartbreak.

Sandra Bullock in The Unforgivable (2021)

Ruths parole officer Vince Cross (Rob Morgan) lectures her on how she should behave and reminds her that she is forever tainted as a cop killer. He suggests she go to work in a fish processing plant, but Ruth has other ideas and wants to pursue a job in carpentry. The camera pans across a highway in Seattle and we see various parts of the city, including the affluent and the impoverished.

At one point, they drive past the Amazon headquarters with its three glittering spheres (often referred to as Bezos balls) in downtown Seattle. Ruth is dropped off by the officer at a filthy, rundown group home. Her roommates include societys broken and mangled.

The same day, Katie (Aisling Franciosi), adopted by better-off middle class parents after Ruth went to prison, has a car accident as memories of childhood trauma come flooding back. Her caring adoptive parents, Michael (Richard Thomas) and Rachel (Linda Emond), arrive at the hospital with their biological daughter, Emily (Emma Nelson), to watch over her. Katie is unaware of her older sisters prison release date.

Also, there when Ruth is let out of prison is Keith (Thomas Guiry), the son of the sheriff who was shot. He begins to stalk Ruth. Keith tries to convince his brother Steve (Will Pullen) to participate in his plan for revenge. Steve is initially horrified that his brother would suggest such a thing and tells him to stop the scheming.

Ruth is determined to get decent employment. When she turns up at a construction site for the carpentry job she was promised, she is turned away. It says I start today second shift, Ruth insists. I got my carpentry certificate. I did a year of welding. Her rejection is presumably the result of her ex-convict status.

She has no choice left but to take the fish plant job. This is possibly the most interesting scene in the film. The supervisor tells her on her first day, After two hours, you get a break. After five hours, you get lunch. Another two hours, you get another break. You gotta leave the line to take a whiz or something, go ahead. But you gotta make sure youre telling a person where youre going and how long youll be. He adds, Here on the floor, keep your head on a swivel, all right? Everything here is sharp. Everythings heavy. Everything can hurt you. Be careful. Welcome to the graveyard shift. These scenes ring true to life. But they are mere glimmers.

Ruth quickly learns the ropes at the plant. A coworker, Blake (Jon Bernthal), takes a liking to her and even begins to court her romantically, but this eventually falls apart.

The rest of the film reduces itself primarily to a series of flashbacks of the day of the eviction, while in the present Ruth determines to reconnect with her sister at all costs. She ends up visiting the family farmhouse and improbably earning the sympathy of the prosperous lawyer, John Ingram (Vincent DOnofrio), who now lives there with his wife, Liz (Viola Davis), and their two sons.

John assists Ruth in making contact with Katies family, while brothers Keith and Steve now determine to kill her. Katie, haunted by the past, is a promising young college student with musical talent. There are twists and turns.

The Unforgivable

Bullock is capable as the bitter, hardened Ruth, but the one-note character of her effort to reunite with her sister becomes increasingly strained. Bullock does the best she can. The rest of the actors do an adequate job within the constraints. The cinematography at times transcends the limits of the narrative. Ruth and her coworker sharing a moment of intimacy while Katie plays the piano in the background is touching and even beautiful in the dark blue, late evening glow. The musical score by Hans Zimmer and David Fleming is fine but tends towards the predictable and sentimental on occasion.

Liz Ingrams sympathy for Ruth is also humane, but ultimately unconvincing. The upper middle class contempt felt by Liz (who is black) for the white former convict is effectively done. The desire to bridge the racial divide is a healthy one at a time of rampaging identity politics, but not truly worked out coherently.

We are also subjected to an excess of smug lectures about the police and their concerns. Ruths supposed role as a cop killer is given far more weight than the fact she was evicted from her home by cops. Why was Ruth evicted? What sort of social system does this to people? None of this is explored.

The Unforgivable spends too much time encouraging sympathy for the police, widely hated by the working class and youth for their brutality and murderous conduct. In fact, in 2019, for example, police killed 1,004 civilians in the US, while civilians killed 48 police. The writer and director express the viewpoint of the nervous, affluent middle class.

As it happens, the majority of interesting moments in The Unforgivable occur in the first 20 minutes or so before the film congeals into an overwrought melodrama. The scenes in the seafood packing plant and Ruths plight had the potential to be examined in greater depth. A little bit of life is captured, but all too briefly and even superficially.

Seattle is a city of immense contrasts with a degree of social polarization that has become extremely acute in the last five to ten years, like many cities in the United States. There is much here that could be examined artistically. More than 10,000 carpenters in the area walked out last year in response to decades of concessions and wage stagnation. Teachers in Seattle have expressed seething discontent. Workers of all ethnicities face unlivable conditions as tech giants such as Amazon, Microsoft and Google dominate the economic and political landscape. In 1919, Seattle was the site of an explosive general strike, provoked by conditions as harsh as the ones emerging today.

But the social anger brewing in Seattle (or the rest of the US and the world for that matter) is ignored and instead we get a crime and family drama of the tritest variety in The Unforgivable.
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Latin America

Unions, social and indigenous groups announce nationwide protests against Ecuadoran presidents policies

A coalition of union, indigenous and social groups in Ecuador announced January 5 that it would hold protests against the policies of right-wing President Guillermo Lasso on the 19th. The national protest, the first for 2022, will demand solutions to the high price of fuel, changes in labor policy and the payment of the governments debt with the Ecuadorian Social Security Institute (IESS).

Lasso, who succeeded Lenin Moreno in May, is a free marketeer who calls for tax cuts, privatization, weakening of labor laws and subservience to IMF dictates. He is a close ally of the US and right-wing regional governments in their attempts to isolate and strangle Venezuela and Cuba. He even invited US-supported reactionary presidential pretender Juan Guaido of Venezuela, instead of president Nicolas Maduro, to his inauguration.

Lasso accuses critics of his policies of fomenting violence and seeking to destabilize the country. Their retort is that widespread poverty, nonpayment of pensions, IMF restructuring and unequal provision of anti-COVID measures as well as other policies against the working class, retirees and poor are the real violence.

Mexican teachers go on indefinite strike for payment of bonuses

On January 3, teachers in Section 15 of the National Education Workers Syndicate (SNTE) launched an indefinite strike in the Mexican state of Hidalgo. The strike was called to press the demand for the payment of end-of-year bonuses for retired educators and working teachers.

The week before, retired teachers communicated via Whatsapp that they had not received their bonus of about 6,000 pesos (US$294), with some calling for a strike and street blockades.

In a press release, SNTE declared itself in total strike of virtual and face-to-face activities as of January 3 at all educational levels until all pending labor and economic issues are resolved. Some 44,000 teachers, administrators and support staff joined the walkout.

The situation is further complicated by the spread of the Omicron variant. The Ministry of Health (SSa) had previously said that face-to-face and staggered classes would resume after the holidays, as long as epidemiological conditions allow it, to be evaluated on January 17. However, contrary to previous SSa claims that there were no cases of the variant in the state, at least five cases of Omicron infection were reported by January 2, and the numbers have climbed since.

Jamaican university lecturers strike over pay and benefit dispute

About 800 lecturers at the University of the West Indies (UWI) in Mona, Jamaica voted last week to strike to demand payments due them. The lecturers are represented by the West Indies Group of University Teachers (WIGUT).

Academic, senior administrative and professional staff resolved not to attend meetings or participate in activities involving the resumption of instruction when the semester begins January 17. They also have refused to upload grades for examinations.

The union had met with the UWI administration on December 20, but negotiations ended in a stalemate. The union and the principal scheduled to resume talks on January 10. WIGUT has proposed a mere 4 percent raise, in line with other public-sector unions. Benefits will also be discussed, though UWI has been tight-lipped about its proposals. WIGUT has asked the Jamaican government to intervene.

Nurses in Barbados strike, protest over pay delays and working conditions

Nurses at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) in Bridgetown, Barbados have held several actions recently to press their demands. The main demand of the nurses, who are represented by the Unity Workers Union (UWU), is for immediate payment of their salaries, which are often delayed for months at a time. Other demands include higher pay, improvements in working conditions, health insurance, better nurse-to-patient ratios, extra pay for degrees, opportunities for advancement and continuous training and professional development.

The UWU was scheduled to meet with the Minister of Health and Wellness on December 24, but at the last minute he demanded that the nurses return to work first, so the meeting fell through. Since then, nurses have called in sick or refused to work. On January 6, both working and retired nurses marched down streets in Bridgetown to Golden Square Freedom Park, where they held signs and chanted.

The administration at QEH has downplayed the nurses actions, claiming that absences over the end-of-year holidays are within the expected norm, as QEH executive director Juliette Bynoe-Sutherland told reporters. Nonetheless, continuing shortages in various wards have compelled management to call in retired nurses and shuffle assignments around.

QEH, meanwhile, claims that the bargaining units at the hospital are the National Union of Public Workers (NUPW) and the Barbados Nurses Association, and the UWU has no standing to represent the nurses. The UWU has called for further protest actions if their demands are not addressed.

Colombian bus drivers block roads to protest restructuring

Bus drivers for the Integrated Public Transport System (SITP) in the Colombian town of Usme, a locality south of Bogota, held a protest January 6, in some locales blockading streets with their buses. The drivers protested the dismantling by the citys TransMilenio public transit system of several routes that they have served due to the new buses the government is putting into operation.

The Ministry of Mobility has couched the dismantling of 36 provisional routes to more remote areas of the capital in terms of low-emission technology and adding electric vehicles to its fleets. Most of the drivers serving those routes complain that not only will they be deprived of income, but the lives workers who ride the buses to get to work will be made more difficult by the scrapping of these routes.

One driver, in an interview with W Radio, decried the reorganization as the Christmas gift from the mayor Claudia Lopez, and claimed that she took advantage of the fact that people were on vacation and withdrew all the routes of the provisional leaving people without transport and us without work.

At some spots, police and Mobile Anti-Disturbances Squadron forces arrived to prevent protesters from advancing and used cranes to remove the buses blocking the roads. The night before, a protest of young people in Usme against a TransMilenio fare increase ended with a riot in one neighborhood.

United States

Federal court blocks Tyson from taking cases involving worker deaths out of state courts

The US Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit blocked the giant meat processor Tyson Foods from moving several lawsuits over the deaths of Iowa meatpackers due to COVID-19 from state courts to the federal judiciary December 30. Tyson has been charged with gross negligence in the deaths of four meatpackers at the companys pork processing plant in Waterloo, Iowa.

Tyson Foods processing plant. (Image Credit: Tyson Foods Inc)

The families of the four workers charge that Tyson disregarded safety guidelines, did not provide sufficient personal protective equipment, pressured infected workers to come to work, and transferred workers suspected of infection between plants. Most egregious was the fact that supervisors at the Waterloo plant placed bets on the number of workers who would die from the coronavirus.

Tyson sought to move the cases from state court to the federal court to take cover under the April 2020 executive order signed by then-president Donald Trump that declared meatpacking essential infrastructure. At that time, Trump stated, Were going to sign an executive order that will solve any liability problems... Were working with Tyson, which is one of the big companies in the world.

The Eighth Circuit Court decision pointed out that some of the deaths occurred before Trump signed his executive order. At the Waterloo plant, over 1,000 workers contracted COVID-19 by May 7, 2020. A total of six would die. Across Iowa, over 6,000 workers at 26 meatpacking plants were infected with the virus resulting in 19 deaths.

Canada

Faculty strike at the Concordia University of Edmonton

Eighty-two professors, lab instructors, librarians and placement coordinators went on strike on January 4 to demand that the private university address grievously low pay scales and increasing workloads and withdraw administration attacks on intellectual property rights and job security. The strike at Albertas Concordia University of Edmonton (COE) is the first strike at a private post-secondary institution in the history of the province.

The strikers, members of the universitys Faculty Association, rank as the 68th lowest paid faculty out of 70 Canadian universities, with pay gaps reaching $10,825 for assistant and $49,500 for full-time faculty among universities of a similar student body size. Faculty are demanding the large wage gap be steadily reduced. They note that private universities are not bound by the right-wing government of Premier Jason Kenneys public sector wage restraint program even though university administration has sought to tie wage increases to such guidelines.

At the same time, Concordia recorded a $20 million operating surplus over the past two years. The administration then squandered $1.75 million on a local mansion that has virtually no use as an educational resource. The strike at Concordia precedes possible job actions by Faculty Associations at the University of Lethbridge, Mount Royal University and Athabasca University. All are amid stalled contract negotiations.
He 'played God with my child': Mother of woman allegedly killed by Huntsville officer speaks out
JERUSALEM, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- Israel on Monday detected an outbreak of the pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in about 18,700 chickens, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development said in a statement.

The virus was detected at a coop farm in the town of Binyamina-Giv'at Ada, near the coastal city of Hadera, just three days after the ministry announced that the peak of the bird flu outbreak in Israel "has probably passed."

Following the new detection of the virus, the ministry's veterinary services isolated the farm and continued to operate in an emergency procedure to detect the virus in other places.

The outbreak of the virus began in northern and southern Israel in mid-November and has intensified in the last four weeks.

On Jan. 6, the ministry said more than 1 million chickens, turkeys and ducks were infected in 20 coop hotspots and had to be killed.

The virus also infected wild birds, killing more than 8,000 cranes in northeastern Israel. 
The Berlin Film Festival will go ahead as an in-person event in February, Variety has confirmed.

Although the European Film Market, which normally runs alongside the Berlinale, will be fully virtual, organizers have said the festival will continue as planned, albeit with strict COVID protocols in place for delegates who decide to attend, all of which will be revealed in the coming days.

More from Variety

A spokesperson for the festival told Variety: We are very pleased with the positive signal from the authorities so far and feel encouraged to continue with the planning. We hope to be able to announce the final concept for the 2022 Berlinale very soon.

The update comes amid days of discussions between organizers and various levels of government. More details on how exactly the festival will unfold will be released on Wednesday, once the final details about the shape of the event have been ironed out with local authorities.

News of the in-person event  set to run Feb. 10-20  will no doubt come as a relief to delegates who have been wondering what may happen to this years festival, which has been keenly anticipated by the global industry after a fully virtual effort in February 2021.

On Friday, Variety revealed that the European Film Market would go virtual following the rise of the Omicron variant in Germany. Given the worlds second biggest film market following Cannes Marche du Film had said in mid-December that it was on track for a largely in-person edition  with exhibition space in its main venues, the Gropius Bau and Marriott Hotel, almost fully booked up  the news was a crushing blow for the industry, which was already smarting from the cancellation of Sundances plans for a physical festival in late January.

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Yet even without an in-person EFM, Berlin organizers have consistently said the festival will move ahead. The question now is what proportion of the international industry can justify attending, or indeed, can manage navigating travel amid the wave of Omicron.

Variety understands that the City of Berlin and the government has been in full support of the festival going ahead as an in-person event, especially with the so-called 2G rules in place, meaning that only vaccinated or those who have recently recovered from COVID would be allowed entry into restaurants, museums and certain events.

The Robert Koch Institute for Infectious Diseases reported 45,690 new laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases on Tuesday, and 322 deaths. Around 74.7% of the German population have received both vaccines, but just 43.5% have received the booster. (The government has set an 80% target for double-dose vaccinations, and aims to administer 30 million booster shots by the end of January.)

Best of Variety

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As Indianas largest electric supplier serving 860,000 customers, Duke Energy has a responsibility to keep the lights on, houses warm and assembly lines moving with energy that is reliable and affordable for all.

How we plan to fulfill that obligation has been the focus of a year-long planning process for long-range power supplies during which we considered the input of a diversity of stakeholders in 10 public meetings. Of all the parties debating our states energy future, its a responsibility that only we bear, but its one we fully embrace.

Our challenge is to balance the necessity for reliable service with the need to transition to cleaner power  all while keeping costs as low as possible. In plans submitted Dec. 15 to state utility regulators, we have accomplished that.

More in opinion: Duke Energy FixedBill program is the opposite of climate aware

First, we proposed accelerating the retirement dates for some of our coal-fired units by an average of four years. Thats on top of the nine years we already trimmed off their operating lives in the last plan. Coal emits carbon dioxide when it is burned, and our customers could be adversely affected by strict carbon regulations that have to be met quickly. Thats why we are transitioning from traditional coal-fired power generation by 2035 and gradually replacing it with cleaner burning natural gas and renewable energy. Under our plan, we would reduce carbon emissions from our Indiana fleet by 63% by 2030 and 88% by 2040 compared to 2005 emission levels. Our corporate goal is net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

A recent Indianapolis Star story that also appeared in this publication reported on our resource plan and those who would like us to convert to renewable energy sooner. The original story, though, neglected to mention a key fact: Our plan includes adding 4,525 megawatts of solar power and 2,800 megawatts of wind energy to our system in addition to cleaner-burning natural gas generation. This is the largest transition from coal-fired power in the state, and the renewable energy we are proposing is the largest addition of any of Indianas utilities. We have to do this right.

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It's Your Business: Reduce your household's seasonal energy consumption with tips, kits and solar

Natural gas has been vilified in the climate debate, but solar and wind power are weather-dependent, and we need power that can be dispatched whenever its needed until new, economical carbon-free technology arrives.

Natural gas positions us to retire coal plants earlier and add more renewables on our system. We must transition in a way that ensures reliability and affordability for customers.

Having a diverse fleet of power generation is important. Some generation sources have fewer environmental emissions, some are more economical, and some are required for meeting 24/7 energy needs. A balanced mix is necessary to serve customers in the most reliable and economical way possible while using increasingly clean forms of energy.

Duke Energy Indiana is making a responsible transition to cleaner power without sacrificing reliability for customers who count on us to deliver energy thats affordable and available at all hours and in all seasons.

Stan Pinegar is president of Duke Energy Indiana.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Column: Duke Energy long-range plan includes solar, wind power
SHANGHAI, CHINA - JUNE 12: Actor Zhang Zhehan attends 2021 Weibo Movie Awards Ceremony on June 12, 2021 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by VCG/VCG via Getty Images)

In an audio interview with Chinese filmmaker Li Xuezheng, Chinese actor Zhang Zhehan spoke up about his Yasukuni Shrine scandal for the first time, explaining what has been happening these past few months.

Li posted the 10-minute interview on his Weibo page page on 1 January.

I am certain that building is not Yasukuni Shrine, as I went to Japan during the cherry blossom season with my friends to see cherry blossoms, Zhang said, regarding a photo of him with cherry blossom trees and a building at Yasukuni Shrine. I did not enter the Yasukuni Shrine, nor did I offer my prayers at the shrine.

Based simply on the pictures that made the rounds on the internet, Zhang was in fact in the well-known sakura tree courtyard inside the sprawling Yasukuni Shrine compound.

However, it would not be wrong to say that the photo circulated does not show Zhang inside the main worship hall of Yasukuni Shrine.

Photos of Zhang Zhehan outside the Yasukuni Shrine in 2018 made the rounds on the internet.

Controversial shrine

Yasukuni Shrine has long been a flashpoint of conflict between people in China and Japan because the shrine commemorates the war dead during World War II, including Japanese war criminals.

The location where Zhang took his photo appears to be outside a management building of the shrine, just outside the Nakamon Torii gate, which is the entrance to the main worship hall of the shrine.

However, the area around Yasukuni Shrine is a tourist hotspot as it features the key cherry blossom tree used by the Tokyo District Meteorological Observatory to determine the cherry blossom flowering period.

Here is the Google Street View of the management building where Zhang took his photo:

Cyber harassment from critics

Zhang also went on to explain the cyber harassment he has been facing, Both my mother and I fell into a state of panic. I didnt dare to go out and even started to doubt myself. Ive been very patriotic but suddenly, after the incident, people are calling me a traitor. They even called my mum the mistress of a Japanese and insulted my dad, who actually passed away in 2016. Ive been living in fear and don't dare to go out.

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After the controversy broke last year, Zhang had released a statement of apology in August, stressing that he loves his motherland.

Heres the full audio interview with English subtitles by Zhangs fan:

Zhang said his mother, on several occasions, even asked him whether she had to jump off a building to prove her innocence. Zhang also wondered if he had to dig out his heart to show his love for his country. To make things worse, haters allegedly sent him funeral wreaths and created his mourning portraits.

At the end of the interview, Zhang said, Im willing to be investigated and questioned, and I hope to prove my innocence.

Zhang became popular last year for his role in the BL drama, Word Of Honor, before his Yasukuni Shrine scandal broke.

The China Association of Performing Arts put him on a blacklist of undesirable celebrities and Zhang was dropped as ambassador for brands like Longines, Pandora and Lanvin.

Filmmaker and producer Li Xuezheng previously criticised the China Association of Performing Arts, questioning whether it had the right to blacklist disgraced celebrities before they go through the legal system.

Li was banned by Weibo from making further posts after he uploaded his interview with Zhang.

Get more TV and movie news from Yahoo Life on our Entertainment page.
MUNCIE, Ind.  A convicted sex offender from Muncie was arrested Monday in a child-pornography investigation.

Justin Ryan Potts, 37, was preliminarily charged with possession of child porn, a Level 4 felony carrying up to 12 years in prison.

According to Indiana State Police, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children this week received a report from Google that a person with an email address later linked to Potts had "uploaded... child sexual abusive material."

An affidavit provided description of two videos seized that showed children being sexually abused.

After the Google account was linked to Potts, state police late Monday executed a search warrant at his home, in the 900 block of West 14th Street.

More: Muncie teen sentenced to 20 years for robbery, gunshots

"During the course of (an) interview, Mr. Potts admitted to possessing the above described items," an ISP detective wrote.

According to court records, Potts, then of Greenfield, in 2014 was convicted of sexual misconduct with a minor in Hancock County.

Potts received a seven-year sentence for that crime, and was released from prison in 2019, according to a state Department of Correction website.

In 2019, he was convicted of failure to register as a sex or violent offender, also in Hancock County.

Potts continued to be held in the Delaware County jail on Tuesday under a $10,000 bond.

STAY INFORMED AND SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM: Subscribe today using the link at the top of this page.

Douglas Walker is a news reporter at The Star Press. Contact him at 765-213-5851 or at dwalker@muncie.gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Muncie Star Press: State police arrest Muncie sex offender on child-porn charge
Victoria Lareau is pictured at her place of business, Select Realty Group in Las Cruces on Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2021.

LAS CRUCES - Its not common for an 18-year-old to become a licensed Realtor. Nevertheless, Victoria Lareau, a Las Cruces teen, is bucking the trend.

Lareau, who was home-schooled and graduated a year early, decided to pursue a career in real estate  even as her peers are trying to decide upon a career path. She said shes grown up with exposure to the industry, and has always found it interesting. While pursuing her licensure, she also became a mobile notary public  offering notary services to area residents as a way to make a little money while taking her real estate courses.

About Victoria

Originally from Las Vegas, Nevada, her family moved to Las Cruces when she was 7 years old so her dad could start Calvary Apostolic Church.

She graduated a year early from high school, Abeka Academy, a K-12 homeschooling curriculum offered through Pensacola Christian College. She started at Select Realty Group as a real estate assistant, then became a real estate transaction coordinator  handling the paperwork on the backend of its transactions..

So, when I was 17, I took a semester off, Victoria said. And then I started my real estate school ... But I turned 18 in February. So (at age) 17 (and) 18 is when I did my schoolwork and then I finally made the leap.

Under New Mexico law, one has to be at least 18 to hold a Realtors license.

College is great, but I personally didn't want to take on a lot of student loan debt or anything like that," she said. "So, I decided to go directly into the workforce instead of going to college.

Victoria Lareau is pictured at her place of business, Select Realty Group in Las Cruces on Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2021.

Unrivaled discipline

She is very, very professional. Unless you know her age, you wouldn't really know how young she really is, said Guadalupe Fernandez, qualifying broker and co-owner of Select Realty Group. She's very disciplined, very goal-oriented; very nice and polite as well.

While working as a transaction coordinator, she was also earning her Realtors license.

It didn't take her that long to get her license requirements completed, Fernandez said. So she's quite excelling for someone (whos) such a young person  she's very structured and organized.

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And, at age 18, last month Victoria became a certified Realtor.

Yes, that's through the National Association of Realtors, added Raul Tellez, qualifying broker and co-owner of Select Realty Group. We get the Realtor designation.

A sense of accomplishment

Victoria said that starting her career in real estate  and achieving all she has  has brought about a certain sense of accomplishment.

I do feel a lot of accomplishment, she said. I knew that I wanted to get into the workforce right away. And, honestly, I give all the glory to God, because and my parents. Of course, (they have) helped me through this entire process. They have encouraged me; they support any decision that I make  whether it was to go to college or real estate. They really have supported me along the way and I'm very grateful for that. And actually very, very happy with the path that I chose.

Tellez said that, upon meeting Victoria, hed never have guessed she was still a teenager.

Parents instilled virtue

Her employers said that she came into the job with a lot of the so-called soft skills, which can be difficult to teach.

That's a great compliment, Victoria said. I think I learned a lot of that from watching my parents, who are business owners. And I learned a lot of my business skills from them. But I also think a lot of it is personality.

She said, after a lifetime of watching her parents conduct business, her goal is rooted in the Golden Rule  treating others as youd like to be treated.

Uncommon, but not unheard-of

While an 18-year-old Realtor may be uncommon, its not entirely unheard of.

Billie Haynie, who has been a Las Cruces-area Realtor for more than 17 years and is president of the Las Cruces Association of Realtors, said shes only known one other during her time in the profession.

My cousin, Austin Tharp, started his career shortly after high school  around 18, she said. (Hes) very successful  has a big team over at Keller Williams. Is it common? No. Does it happen? Absolutely.

At Select Realty Group, Victoria is among the youngest Realtors theyve ever had.

As a brokerage, we see the surge of younger realtors, Tellez told the Sun-News. We have probably 10 Realtors under the age of 30 out of our total 40 Realtors  with the majority of those probably being early 20s.

As of September 2021, experts say the average age of a real estate agent is 52 years old.

Victoria Lareau is pictured at her place of business, Select Realty Group in Las Cruces on Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2021.

Fernandez said she hopes Victorias story will motivate others to look toward a career in real estate.

Inspiring younger homebuyers

Many believe that younger Realtors may relate better with younger homebuyers.

We are also seeing first-time homebuyers coming into the market younger as well, said Tellez. So there is a trend there. Where there's younger Realtors, and they're working with younger first-time homebuyers."

Fernandez said younger Realtors are also more up-to-date on social media trends.

Whether it's social media, or just by an internet-based advertisement, it's something that utilizes a different communication," she said. "So it gives them that little bit of competitive advantage as well.

Haynie said its a trend moving towards new blood, new ways of doing  business  doing things more electronically, using more of the apps. And we see that as a trend nationwide as well.

Looking ahead

Victoria said shes committed to her career in real estate.

I'm really big on commitment, she told the Sun-News. So I chose the real estate field, and I want to stick with it. I want to become the best Realtor I could be. I want to become the most successful I can be. And I believe I can accomplish that, through God's help, I really, I just want to become the best I can be for my clients.

Damien Willis is a Lead Reporter for the Las Cruces Sun-News. He can be reached at 575-541-5443, dwillis@lcsun-news.com or @DamienWillis on Twitter.

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This article originally appeared on Las Cruces Sun-News: 18-year-old Realtor makes her mark in Las Cruces
LONDON, January 11, 2022--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today, Acuity Knowledge Partners (Acuity), a leading provider of bespoke research, analytics and technology solutions to the financial services sector, reveals the rapid growth that the firm experienced in 2021, across its global business. Acuity now supports over 400 banking, asset management, commercial banks and consulting firms. In 2021, the firm saw a substantial increase in new sales and over 100 new institutions were added to its client roster. Additionally, Acuity now employs over 4,200 staff globally, including in the United States, the United Kingdom, India, Sri Lanka, China and Costa Rica.

"We had high hopes for what Acuity could achieve in 2021 and we are thrilled to say that we outperformed our initial 2021 goals and have set ourselves up for greater success this year," said Robert King, Chief Executive Officer, Acuity Knowledge Partners. "We see a fundamental reshaping and acceleration of changing working practices and staffing solutions in the global financial services industry. This comes, in part, from the industry having proved that it can operate in a hybrid working environment. Despite many challenges we stayed focused on how to best serve our global client base, including through the evolution of our technological capabilities, as well as the growth of our analyst headcount. We start 2022 the strongest we have ever been."

Acuitys technology platform BEAT  Business Excellence & Automations Tools - was a key area of focus for Acuity in 2021. BEAT-enabled service solutions use a combination of automation technologies and skilled analysts to improve turnaround times without compromising on quality and accuracy. The BEAT initiative launched in 2017 reached a significant milestone last year by having over 100 Acuity customers use the bespoke digital applications and tools. Additionally, BEATFlow, a proprietary workflow management tool, now has over 8,000 users across 43 customers and BEAT Edge, a Consultant Database (CDB) solution is deployed to over 40 clients.

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Last year saw Acuity recognized for some of its outstanding work for clients and the corporate culture it has built. In February 2021 the BEAT Edge solution received the Best New Product Award in the back/middle office category at the Fund Intelligence Operations & Services Awards. Later, in July 2021, Acuity was named Best Outsourcing Service Provider by WatersTechnology in its annual Waters Rankings, which reflect how financial technology professionals view vendors, consultancies and service providers. At the end of 2021 Acuity was also certified in India by the global authority on workplace culture, Great Place to Work. Acuity is focused on employee health and well-being and as the pandemic continues to evolve it remains committed to making the right decisions for both employees and clients.

"The human and business impact of the pandemic have been felt by all. In this environment the financial services industrys demand for agile, high-value Knowledge Process Outsourcing has increased exponentially," said Damian Burleigh, Chief Revenue and Marketing Officer at Acuity. "We are seeing the highest client retention numbers in our history, as we focus on investing in technology, people and processes. In 2022, we will continue to introduce new services and capabilities, such as we did in the retail lending space last year, and we plan to expand our geographic footprint even further with new offices."

About Acuity Knowledge Partners

Acuity Knowledge Partners is a leading research, analytics and business intelligence consultant to the financial services sector. The companys network of analysts and industry experts, combined with advanced data and technology, supports over 400 financial institutions and consulting companies worldwide to operate more efficiently and unlock their human capital, driving revenues higher and transforming operations. It specialises in investment banking, investment research, private equity & consulting and commercial lending. Acuity is headquartered in London and operates from nine locations worldwide. In 2019, the company was established as a separate business from Moodys Corporation through its acquisition from Equistone Partners.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220111005118/en/

Contacts

Gyanendra N Pati

Director, Head of Marketing and Communications

Gyanendra.Pati@acuitykp.com
FILE PHOTO: The Intel Corporation logo is seen on a display in a store in Manhattan, New York City

BEIJING (Reuters) - U.S. chipmaker Intel has deleted references to Xinjiang from an annual letter to suppliers after the company faced a backlash in China for asking suppliers to avoid the sanctions-hit region.

Last month, Intel was slammed on Chinese social media for a letter to suppliers published on its website. The Dec. 23 letter said Intel had been "required to ensure that its supply chain does not use any labour or source goods or services from the Xinjiang region" following restrictions imposed by "multiple governments".

This paragraph, or any reference to Xinjiang or China, was no longer in the letter, according to a Reuters review of the same page on Tuesday. The letter now reads that the company prohibits "any human trafficked or involuntary labour such as forced, debt bonded, prison, indentured, or slave labour throughout your extended supply chains."

Intel did not immediately respond to a request for comment. It apologised last month for the "trouble" it had caused, saying that its commitment to avoid supply chains from Xinjiang was an expression of compliance with U.S. law, rather than a statement of its position on the issue.

Multinational companies have come under pressure as they aim to comply with Xinjiang-related trade sanctions while continuing to operate in China, one of their biggest markets.

The United States has accused China of widespread human rights abuses in Xinjiang, home to the country's predominantly Muslim Uyghurs, including forced labour. Beijing has repeatedly denied the claims.

Intel's deletion of any reference to Xinjiang in its annual letter to suppliers, which was first reported by the Wall Street Journal, was criticised by U.S. Senator Marco Rubio.

Intels cowardice is yet another predictable consequence of economic reliance on China, Rubio said in a statement on Monday.

Instead of humiliating apologies and self-censorship, companies should move their supply chains to countries that do not use slave labour or commit genocide.

Rubio was one of four U.S. politicians who introduced the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act last month calling for a ban on imports from Xinjiang over allegations of forced labour there. On Dec. 23, U.S. President Joe Biden signed the act into law.

(Reporting by Beijing Newsroom)
Coronavirus continues to rip through Michigan, breaking records for hospitalizations and newly confirmed cases as the extremely contagious omicron variant creates the state's worst yet surge.

"We're now at a point that we have not seen through this pandemic," Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, the state's chief medical executive, said Tuesday, noting that metro Detroit has been hardest hit, with the highest hospitalization rate in the state from the virus.

"When we look at our percent positivity, we are up to 33.2%. This is a number that we have not seen since the beginning of the pandemic when tests were very limited. And then, when we look at hospital capacity, we're at 21.9% of our inpatient beds filled with COVID-19 positive individuals."

Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, who was named the state's chief medical executive replacing Dr. Joneigh Khaldun as the state's top doctor, speaks with the Detroit Free Press from the Michigan Department Of Health And Human Services in Lansing on Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2021.

It's likely to get worse before it gets better, she said. Models suggest that Michigan's omicron surge could peak in late January or early February.

"We have a choice to make: Do we want to work on bringing that peak down or do we just want to let this omicron surge explode? ... This is a very dangerous time for us and this is not what we want to see with cases exploding the way they are."

Elizabeth Hertel, director of the state health department, urged Michiganders to get coronavirus vaccines and boosters when eligible, to upgrade to a well-fitting KN95 mask or double up on masks if a KN95 is not available, and to follow isolation and quarantine guidelines.

"To lessen your risk of getting COVID and the potential for severe infection, to avoid disruptions to in-person learning and the economic ramifications that come with so many people getting sick and needing to stay home or quarantine, and to try to ensure that our health and hospital systems have the capacity to treat you quickly when you walk through their doors for an emergency, including non-COVID conditions, it is critical that every person in this state continues to take steps to stay safe," Hertel said Tuesday.

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Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Director Elizabeth Hertel speaks during a news conference before the opening of a drive-thru vaccination clinic at the former Sears Auto Center site at the Lakeside Mall in Sterling Heights on Wednesday, March 31, 2021.

The surge has led many hospitals across the state to postpone nonemergency tests, procedures and surgeries as the flood of sick people taxes their ability to care for all who need help.

"We've canceled or postponed more than 250 surgeries since this surge began in December because we've needed the hospital beds for kids and adults who are coming down with serious cases of COVID-19," Dr. David Miller, president of University of Michigan Health, said Tuesday afternoon.

"What this means is that many people are not receiving potentially lifesaving care because Michigan Medicine and other hospitals are full. ... We're also greatly limited in our ability to accept patients and transfer from other hospitals across the state, again reducing access to highly specialized services available at Michigan Medicine.

"Our emergency department also continues to run at full capacity almost constantly. And this is not how we or anyone else wants to receive or deliver health care."

He urged people whose symptoms are not severe to seek treatment at urgent care centers or through their primary care doctors rather than going to hospital emergency rooms.

Mercy Health Muskegon is using a climate-controlled tent outside the west Michigan hospital to serve as a waiting room for the emergency department, which has been converted into clinical space to treat more patients.

Even as hospitals are seeing record numbers of patients, they're also grappling with medical workers who are contracting the virus. Thousands of health care workers statewide were off the job last week because they were infected or exposed to the virus.

"We've had 739 employees test positive for COVID-19 since Jan. 1," Miller said of Ann Arbor-based Michigan Medicine. "We're concerned about the impacts of staffing shortages for the well-being of both our patients and our team members."

Five federal medical relief teams have come to help hospitals in Dearborn, Wyandotte, Grand Rapids, Saginaw, and Muskegon to help manage the crush of COVID-19 patients, Hertel said, adding that the state is now distributing 200 ventilators from the National Strategic Stockpile while it also ramps up efforts to improve access to coronavirus tests.

Already some K-12 school districts are sending tests home with students, and soon, the state health department will distribute tests at public libraries.

"This surge is not like previous surges," Bagdasarian said. "We're expecting to see many, many more cases and what we want to prevent are many, many more hospitalizations and deaths."

The majority of patients hospitalized and those being treated in intensive care units with COVID-19 are unvaccinated or have yet to get a booster dose, she said.

"The people who are sickest with COVID, the people who are in ICUs (intensive care units) and on ventilators, it's much more likely that they are either unvaccinated or unboosted," she said. "So the role of vaccines and boosters is more important than ever to keep individuals from developing those severe complications."

The seven-day average of new daily cases topped 16,000 Monday, a pandemic record. The percentage of positive tests has topped 30% since New Year's Eve, and 4,674 people were admitted to hospitals statewide Monday with confirmed cases of the virus, another record. Of them, 94 were children.

"Hospitalizations of children have increased after last week's all-time highs," Hertel said.

While the majority of children who contract the virus fully recover and don't need hospitalization, "in this current COVID surge, we are experiencing the highest number of COVID-positive admissions to the hospital and the pediatric ICU," Dr. Lauren Yagiela, a pediatric critical care physician at Childrens Hospital of Michigan said Tuesday.

The sickest kids generally are hospitalized for treatment of three COVID-19-related conditions: life-threatening pneumonia, heart inflammation known as myocarditis and for the post-COVID complication called multisystem inflammatory syndrome - children, Yagiela said.

"The children we have cared for with COVID pneumonia, COVID myocarditis and multi-system organ syndrome have often required a variety of medical treatments to help support their hearts and lungs when they are sick," Yagiela said.

Some children are so severely ill, they need ventilators or treatment with a heart-lung bypass machine, she said.

"My greatest wish is that a child or family never needs the medical care that I provide in the pediatric ICU," Yagiela said. "Vaccinating children 5 and older will help us achieve this."

Hertel said it's vital to keep kids in classrooms for in-person learning, despite the rapid spread of coronavirus among children and the state's population.

"If we can continue to make sure these kids are vaccinated as well as teachers, they are masking and following the protocols that have been laid out, then I think schools should safely remain in person if they can," Hertel said.

To keep schools open, the state health department recommends all K-12 schools adopt mask requirements for students and staff. Though state health leaders haven't issued a statewide school mask mandate, they updated quarantine and isolation guidelines Monday.

Those guidelines now mirror recommendations from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and include shorter quarantine and isolation periods, allowing students and school staff to return to classrooms sooner after an exposure to a person with the virus or a positive test.

Thirkell Elementary-Middle School students walk past students playing drums and a cheer team as they are released at the end of the day at Thirkell Elementary-Middle School in Detroit on Friday, Nov. 13, 2020, before Detroit Public Schools pauses in-person learning due to the spike in COVID_19 cases.

The following are details of the new recommendations for K-12 students, teachers and school staff:

If you test positive but are asymptomatic: Isolate for five days, even if you do not have symptoms and regardless of your vaccination status to separate yourself from people who are not infected. Monitor for symptoms from the day of exposure through day 10. Return to school for days six to 10 with a mask.

If you are positive and symptomatic: Isolate at home for five days. If your symptoms have improved and you've been fever-free without the use of fever-reducing medications for at least 24 hours, you can return to school for days six to 10 with a mask.

Day 0 is day symptoms begin or day test was taken for students, teachers & staff who do not have symptoms.

If you are unwilling/unable to wear a mask and test positive: Stay home for 10 days and isolate from others.

If you were exposed to a person with COVID-19: You do not need to quarantine at home if you:

Had a confirmed case of COVID-19 within the last 90 days and/or

Are up to date on all the recommended COVID-19 vaccines. Being current on the vaccination series means having the second dose of a Pfizer or Moderna vaccine in the last six months or a booster dose or a dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine within the last two months.

However, people who were in close contact with a person with COVID should still monitor for symptoms and wear a mask around others for 10 days from the date of last exposure.

If symptoms develop, get tested immediately and isolate until receiving test results. If the test is positive, then follow isolation recommendations.

If symptoms do not develop, get tested at least five days after last exposed.

If possible, stay away from others in the home, especially people who are at higher risk of getting very sick from COVID-19. And for the full 10 days after last exposure, avoid people who are immunocompromised or at high risk for severe disease, including those who live in nursing homes and other high-risk settings.

If you were exposed and are not current on vaccinations and have not had a coronavirus infection in the last 90 days: Quarantine for five days, and, if possible, test on day five. Wear a mask for 10 days.

Monitor for symptoms, and if symptoms develop, get tested immediately. Isolate until receiving test results. If test is positive, then follow isolation recommendations.

If symptoms do not develop, get tested at least five days after last exposed.

If possible, stay away from others in the home, especially people who are at higher risk of getting very sick from COVID-19. And for the full 10 days after last exposure, avoid people who are immunocompromised or at high risk for severe disease, including those who live in nursing homes and other high-risk settings.

Thirkell Elementary-Middle School principal Stephanie Gaines adjusts a student's mask as they are released at the end of the day at Thirkell Elementary-Middle School in Detroit on Friday, Nov. 13, 2020, as Detroit Public Schools pause in-person learning due to the spike in COVID_19 cases.

If you've been exposed to someone with the virus but are unwilling/unable to wear a mask: Quarantine for 10 days and watch for symptoms.

Another option for those who've been exposed to the virus is to called "Test to Stay," which involves testing every other day for six days following exposure and wearing a well-fitted mask around others for 10 days.

More: Outdoor tent serves as waiting room at Mercy Health Muskegon during COVID-19 surge

More: Michigan attorney general issues consumer alert for COVID-19 test scams

The shorter isolation/quarantine guidelines for K-12 schools were met with opposition from Michigan Parent Alliance for Safe Schools, a group of that has advocated for months for stricter pandemic regulations.

The organizers pointed to the state's own findings on the current surge and its impact on kids, along with the litany of K-12 school districts and universities that recently switched to virtual lessons.

Our state is on fire because too many of those in power have not used that power to keep us from getting to this point, said Kathleen Lucas, an Ottawa County parent, in a statement. Our children and educators and our health care workers and those who need their care are suffering needlessly due to this dereliction of duty.

The Whitmer administration has said K-12 mask requirements should be decided by local health departments and school districts, but confusion over seemingly threatening language in the state budget pushed at least some local authorities to rescind school mask mandates. Others have faced pushback from vocal parents and opponents of mask wearing who dispute the widely held scientific belief that masks prevent the spread of the virus.

Stronger mitigation measures should be in place so that in-person school can be safely prioritized whenever possible. But, when too many staff are out sick it becomes impossible to keep students in an effective and safe learning environment," said Oakland County parent Nicole Kessler in a statement.

"A short-term pivot to distance learning is less disruptive than multiple substitutes in one day and last-minute cancellations.

At no point during Tuesday's news conference did Hertel or Bagdasarian suggest statewide pandemic regulations, such as a K-12 school mask mandate, are being considered to slow the spread of the virus.

Instead, the health leaders relied on the same rhetoric used frequently in recent months by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's administration: asking people to use the tools available to slow the spread of COVID-19.

During a December media roundtable, Whitmer ridiculed the idea that politics or fear are driving her pandemic decisions. She said it was "total baloney" that an alleged kidnapping plot made her decide against future pandemic mandates  the health department issued sweeping rules in 2020 after indictments were announced  and added she's not making any of her decisions based on political fallout.

More: Michigan's top doctor talks COVID-19 disruptions, mask mandates, quarantine controversy

More: 'We are really at a breaking point,' Beaumont Health doctor says of COVID-19 surge

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer speaks to the media about COVID-19 in Michigan after she joins a roundtable with local and federal leaders including U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo on Monday, Nov. 29, 2021 to discuss the CHIPS Act at the UAW Region 1A Stephen P. Yokich Auditorium in Taylor.

She also again suggested restrictions won't be effective in slowing the spread of COVID-19.

"Using blunt tools like closing sectors of our economy  I really, there's no evidence that that is going to dramatically change the decision of this small but still serious group of people that have not yet been vaccinated. That's who's filling up our hospitals. That's who continues to be a host to a virus that will continue to mutate. And that's where our focus has to be  getting people vaccinated and boosted," Whitmer said.

With such high transmission levels, it has been "challenging" for public health departments to contact every person who tests positive or who may have been exposed, said Lynn Sutfin, a spokesperson for the state health department.

So public health departments are instead targeting the most vulnerable populations for contact tracing and outbreak identification. That includes people who live in long-term care facilities and nursing homes, group homes, jails and prisons, shelters and dormitories as well as schoolchildren.

The state health department plans a public education campaign related to help people understand the guidelines for isolation and quarantine so they know what to do if they are exposed, when they should seek testing, and when to seek medical care/therapeutics.

Since the pandemic began, there have been more than 1.68 million confirmed cases of the virus in Michigan and 27,878 deaths.

Eleven hospitals were at 100% capacity Monday with both COVID-19 patients and people with other medical conditions. They were: Ascension Borgess, Ascension St. Mary's, Beaumont Troy, Beaumont Trenton, Beaumont Wayne, Bronson South Haven, Holland Community Hospital, Promedica Coldwater, Sparrow, St. Joseph Mercy Hospital and Sturgis Hospital.

And additional 18 more were at 90% capacity or higher.

Staff writer Christina Hall contributed to this report.

Contact Kristen Jordan Shamus: kshamus@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter @kristenshamus.

Subscribe to the Free Press.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan's COVID-19 surge intensifies, could peak in late January
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Grandview man taken to hospital after he was shot Saturday night, police say
Burn bans in effect

A Stage 1 burn ban is in effect in Yakima County because of a build-up of pollution and weather conditions, the Yakima Regional Clean Air Agency said Monday. Only certified devices (wood, pellet stoves and inserts) may be used. All outdoor burning is banned countywide.

A ban on outdoor, open burning also is in effect on the Yakama Reservation.

In Ellensburg, theres a ban on outdoor burning, agricultural burning, and uncertified wood stove use, except where the stove is the only source of heat.
Leavenworth is running out of places to put its record-breaking snowfall
Greensboro, NC (27407)

Today

Partly cloudy with afternoon showers or thunderstorms. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. High near 85F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

A few clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 66F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph.
President Janos Ader has set April 3 as the date of Hungarys next general election, the earliest possible Sunday that the ballot can be held under the law.

This year, for the ninth time, Hungarian citizens with voting rights will be free to decide whom they will entrust with the management of our common affairs, Ader said in a statement released by his office.



Hungarys Fundamental Law and the Electoral Procedure Act contain clear provisions on the date by which the President of the Republic may set a general election of members of parliament, he said.



Based on this statutory mandate, I have set the date of the general election of members of parliament for April 3, 2022, the earliest possible date.



The election campaign officially starts 50 days before the date of the ballot  on February 12 this time round. Hungarys 7.8 million voters will have the opportunity to cast two ballots in the single-round election deciding 199 seats.



One ballot directly elects lawmakers in 106 individual constituencies. A formula is used to allocate the remaining seats based on votes cast for a party list.



Prospective candidates must secure 500 signatures by February 25 to run in an individual constituency.



More info about the General Election in Hungary:



The electoral law, under which the previous two elections were held (2014, 2018) specified the number of constituency candidates a party needed to run nationwide at 27, in at least 9 counties.



On 15 December 2020, the National Assembly, in which the governing parties held the needed 2/3 majority, voted to increase the requirements to a total of 71 constituency candidates in at least 14 counties and the capital.



The Opposition primary was held in Hungary, between 1828 September 2021 (first round) and 1016 October 2021 (second round), to select the candidate for Prime Minister of Hungary supported by the opposition parties to form a coalition to compete in the 2022 Hungarian parliamentary election. It was the first countrywide primary election in the political history of Hungary.



On 17 October 2021, non-partisan candidate Peter Marki-Zay won in the runoff (second round) of the opposition primary, becoming the United Opposition candidate in the election for prime minister.



The parties had also selected common candidates for single-member districts via the primary in the first round.



Click here for the Hungarian President's press release



PM Orban on his Instagram post says: 'We'll be there!'
The beautifully illuminated and decorated Advent tram of the northern Hungarian city of Miskolc was voted the Most Beautiful in Europe for the 5th time by the Czech transport magazine MHD86.cz. Second place went to the Pilsen tram, the third to the tram of Prague.

The competition Most beautiful Advent trams in Europe was organized for the fifth time this year, with 23 Advent trams from eleven countries participating in the voting this time. First place went to Miskolc again  already for the fifth time  and Pilsen again came in second. For the first time, Prague managed to get the bronze medal.



Miskolcs Advent tram first took part in the competition in 2012, at which time the type Tatra 210 was decorated, but still on a more modest scale. Since 2013, type 202 has held this function, and in the past nine years they have decorated it with the colors red and gold, turning it into an ice palace in 2018. It got its current gingerbread house shape in 2019, with the interior changing year after year.



For Advent 2021, the interior was decorated with gold on the occasion of the anniversary. The Advent tram runs until January 6th.



The roadmap is available at this link.

Featured image via MVK Zrt.s Facebook page
Balint Szabo, a local municipal representative from Szeged, had no difficulty walking into Decembers summit in Budapest between V4 and Emmanuel Macron despite the security around the event, and even managed to take a few pictures near the French President and the V4 leaders.

The representative from the Everyone for Szeged Movement posted several photos on Facebook from the V4 summit back in December, at which Macron was the main guest.



Security was provided by Hungarys Counter-Terrorism Center (TEK), and following the event the Ministry of the Interior stated that nothing extraordinary had taken place.



Szabos photos show that his car was also able to join the convoy of vehicles transporting the leaders and their assistants, apparently without being noticed.



In addition to a selfie, Szabo posted another picture that appears to have been taken just a short distance from Viktor Orban, Emmanuel Macron, the Polish and Slovak prime ministers, and former Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis:







24.hu reports that TEK was aware of the security breach, but did not want to make it public. Within the organization, however, several personnel were reprimanded and even replaced following the incident, according to the news site.



Balint Szabo subsequently stated that he went in because he wanted to test the security around the event. He claims that he had previously successfully demonstrated the level of security at other guarded events, and thought that he would do the same when one of the worlds most guarded politicians, Emmanuel Macron, visited Hungary.



The Szeged politician claimed it was absurd how easily he was able to get close to the French President despite the protection around him.



The discussions had been going on for twenty minutes when they noticed me. Then they discreetly asked me to leave the room. -wrote Szabo, who stated that after posting the photos, he received several phone calls asking him to remove his post.



Index writes that Balint Szabo has had an unusual political career. At the beginning of last year, he was in the press when police went looking for him as a missing person after he promised to reveal some major news in Szeged.



Photos: Balint Szabo / Facebook
YORK  Christopher Martin, 40, of Geneva, has been sentenced to prison in a case where he fled from law enforcement in the city limits of York.

According to court documents, it was nearly 11 a.m., on April 29, when troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol saw a silver Chevy Blazer with no license plates stop at the intersection of East 14th Street and Nebraska Avenue.

A trooper began following the vehicle as it turned and went onto 12th Street. Then the vehicle turned into the alley between 12th and 11th Streets (according to court documents), with the driver failing to use a turn signal.

Then the troopers said the vehicle quickly accelerated and turned east onto 11th Street. Court documents indicate Martin (who was the driver of the vehicle) quickly accelerated across Nebraska Avenue and failed to stop at the stop sign. Troopers said he then continued east and turned onto East Avenue and failed to stop at a stop sign.

They said Martin turned several times, in the area of Burlington and Nebraska, 13th and 14th, but they lost visual sight of him at some point. They said they did see tire marks through an intersection and onto a nearby sidewalk.

The police department and sheriffs department then assisted in order to locate the vehicle. The troopers were informed of the vehicles previous owners address and when they were contacted, they said they sold the vehicle two weeks earlier to Martin. They also advised they thought Martin lived in Geneva and they provided the VIN number for the vehicle.

At approximately 12:30 p.m., a trooper saw the Blazer parked in a back yard of a residence in the 1200 Block of N. Maine Avenue. The trooper noticed that the drivers door and hood were spray-painted white and the left rear tire was blown and off the vehicle.

The homeowner was contacted and the person confirmed that the vehicle belonged to Martin. The person also told law enforcement that Martin uses methamphetamine very often.

The vehicle was towed away.

Then the police department confirmed they had custody of Martin.

The trooper went to York County Corrections to speak with Martin who told him he was the only person in the vehicle and he freaked out when he saw the troopers cruiser. Martin stated he got off of parole in early March and he said his license was suspended and thats why he fled. He agreed he was driving extremely fast on residential streets. He said he drove to (that particular house) and parked the vehicle. He said he then went to a relatives house to inform her that he was going to be going to jail. He said he also was working to inform his boss that he was going to be going to jail and while walking back to where the vehicle was, he was taken into custody by the police department.

What stands out is that already back in 2015 he was habitual criminal-eligible, said York County Attorney John Lyons. He has a history of failures to appear and probation revocation. He was also just released from parole before this and this was fleeing from police. There is nothing different about his conduct and no lessons have been learned. I dont believe probation would be successful as it hasnt been for him before. We are asking for a straight sentence with post-release supervision.

The only term of probation hes had was back when he was 18, said Martins attorney, Deputy York County Public Defender Patrick Tarr. His most recent supervision was for parole and that was successful. He takes responsibility for his actions, hes employed. He freaked out a little bit, he said, as he knew he had no license plates, no insurance or license and it was a short flight. It was kind of like his anxiety took over. The PSI does a good job pointing out the better direction his life is going at, at this point. He did treatment in prison and while he was on parole. Probation could help him keep moving forward.

I know I have a record, but Im doing well now, Martin said.

Your prior record has a delivery of a controlled substance, which led to a prison sentence, a possession of a controlled substance that led to prison, driving under suspension, another driving under suspension, resisting arrest and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony which led to prison, Judge James Stecker said to Martin. You are a high risk to reoffend and you are habitual criminal-eligible. And you committed this offense one month after parole. Considering all the factors, the court finds a lesser sentence would depreciate the seriousness of the crime. And this flight was on residential streets at high speeds  that is completely unacceptable.

Martin was sentenced to a term of one year in prison with credit for two days already served. His drivers license was revoked for two years. And he was ordered to 12 months of post-release supervision.
The Wyoming Republican Party apparatus includes people who are quite radical, Rep. Liz Cheney said Thursday.

Cheney made the comment on the one-year anniversary of the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol. The lawmaker gave multiple interviews that day, while also observing a moment of silence in the House of Representatives.

Since the attack, Cheney has steadfastly insisted former President Donald Trump helped to incite the riot, which occurred as Congress worked to certify the presidential election. That criticism, and her vote to impeach Trump, prompted serious blowback within Wyoming.

In early 2021, the state party voted to censure her for her vote to impeach Trump. More recently, the Wyoming GOP narrowly voted to unrecognize Cheney.

There are people in the state party apparatus of my home state who are quite radical. And some of those same people include people who were here on Jan. 6th, include a party chair who has toyed with the idea of secession, Cheney said in a Fox News interview Thursday. So, there is a very radical element of the Republican Party in the same way that there is a radical element of the Democratic Party.

Cheney was referencing Wyoming GOP chairman Frank Eathorne, who alluded to secession in an interview last year and was at the rally outside the Capitol on Jan. 6, which he termed peaceful and patriotic, in statement released shortly afterward.

Eathorne was not the only Wyoming Republican present at the Capitol that day: Cheyenne businessman Darin Smith, who sought at one point to unseat Cheney in Augusts Republican primary, attended as well. Smith previously told the Star-Tribune that he does not regret attending, but also clarified that he did not storm the Capitol building.

The Republican Party plans to issue a statement on Cheneys comments about the chairman.

It is clear where the state party stands on Cheney already.

To further her own personal political agenda, Representative Liz Cheney has not only caused massive disruption, distraction and division within the House Republican Conference, but has also willingly, happily, and energetically joined forced with and proudly pledged allegiance to democrat Speaker of the House Pelosi, as a means of serving her own personal interests while ignoring the interests, needs and expectations of Wyoming Republicans, the resolution that unrecognized her stated.

As Cheneys reelection year kicks off, the interviews she gave on Jan. 6 indicate that she remains committed to the approach shes employed for the past 12 months: slamming Trump for lying about the 2020 presidential election and his role in the Capitol riot. Those comments have come with consequences, including losing her leadership position in the House.

I think that is really important when you have somebody who has demonstrated his lack of fidelity to the Constitution, someone whos at war with the rule of law, you cannot entrust that person with the power of the presidency ever again, Cheney said in an interview on the anniversary. And I think its critically important for the Republic that he not be anywhere close to the Oval Office ever again.

Cheneys continued rebukes of Trump has prompted praise from Democrats, which anti-Cheney Republicans have harped on. For example, Vice President Kamala Harris said in an interview that she applaud[s] her courage.

Harriet Hageman, the Trump-endorsed candidate against Cheney, used the vice presidents comments in a campaign message released Friday.

Good for Liz Cheney that Kamala Harris is happy with her work in Congress, because Wyoming sure isnt, Hageman said in a statement. Cheney is trying to get another bite at the apple in her vendetta against President Trump after her vote to impeach him failed to remove him from office.

Outside of the numerous interviews Cheney did on the anniversary, she and her father, former Vice President Dick Cheney, were the only two Republicans in the House for a moment of silence commemorating the Capitol attack.

Dick Cheney, a Wyoming political icon who is largely abhorred by the left wing for his role in the Iraq War, was warmly greeted by Democrats at the House, The New York Times reported.

When asked about Republican leaderships response to the attack on the Capitol, Dick Cheney replied Its not a leadership that resembles any of the folks I knew when I was here for 10 years.

My daughter can take care of herself, he added, when asked about Republican leaderships treatment of her.

Criticism of Trump has made Cheneys reelection effort difficult. In the past, shes coasted to reelection. This time, she faces a formidable challenge from Hageman.

According to recent polling, Trump remains the front-runner for the Republican nomination if he elects to run again.

Follow state politics reporter Victoria Eavis on Twitter @Victoria_Eavis
New Delhi: As Vicky Kaushal-starrer film 'Uri: The Surgical Strike' completed three years of its release on Tuesday, the actor took a trip down the memory lane to express his gratitude.

Taking to his Instagram handle, Vicky posted a bunch of pictures from the film and BTS pictures having fun on sets with his fellow cast and crew members. His co-star Yami Gautam can also be spotted in the pictures.

Vicky also shared a picture with director Aditya Dhar, from the day when they were bestowed with National Awards for their work in the film.

In the caption, he wrote, "Forever grateful. #3yearsofUriTheSurgicalStrike."

The war drama, based on the Indian Army's 2016 surgical strike in Pakistan, also stars Mohit Raina, Paresh Rawal, and Kirti Kulhari among others.
New Delhi: DMI Finance Private Limited has closed a $47 million (about Rs 347.5 crore) equity investment round led by new investor Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank Limited (SuMi) and two other existing investors.

SuMi joins current investors Liechtenstein-based asset management firm New Investment Solutions and South Korean investment firm NXC Corporation in the equity round, bringing DMI Finance's total shareholder base to $500 million (roughly Rs 3,700 crore), according to a statement from the company.

DMI Finance is also backed by the Burman Family Office of Dabur India's promoters, among other investors.

Based in New Delhi DMI Finance, created in 2008 by former Citigroup executives Shivashish Chatterjee and Yuvraj C Singh, has been involved in real estate financing for over a decade. It is the DMI Group's non-banking financial business (NBFC) and has been lending since 2009. Personal loans, lines of credit, buy now pay later (BNPL), OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) financing, and MSME loans are all available.

DMI Finance bills itself as a full-stack digital lending and loan life cycle management platform, with over six million customers across India, and is predicted to grow at least 10% month on month through 2022.

"Digital financing in India is entering a high-growth phase and will play an important role in achieving financial inclusion." "DMI is well-positioned to capitalise on the potential because it has effectively blended fintech and last-mile reach skills to service India's ambitious consumer base," a SuMi representative said.

The company currently has 40 offices in India, with a pan-India credit platform centred on key sectors such as digital, consumer and MSME lending, home finance, wholesale finance, and asset management.

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New Delhi: Despite growing concerns over spiralling COVID-19 cases in the national capital, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday ruled out imposing lockdown for now. Don't worry, we will not impose lockdown...At the DDMA meet we requested central govt officials to cover the entire NCR for restrictions, they assured us on the same, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal said while speaking to reporters.

About 22,000 COVID cases with a positivity rate of 24-25% in the last few days...Don't worry, we will not impose lockdown...At the DDMA meet we requested Central govt officials to cover the entire NCR for restrictions, they assured us on the same: Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal pic.twitter.com/FlXDAOx05O  ANI (@ANI) January 11, 2022

The Delhi Chief Minister further said, We are expecting that the city would report somewhere around 20,000-22,000 new COVID-19 cases in Delhi. The positivity rate has been around 24-25 per cent for the past two days. We are enforcing strict restrictions like night curfew in Delhi out of compulsion."

The AAP chief further said that most cases of coronavirus during the third wave are showing mild symptoms unlike the second wave, which was caused by the life-taking Delta variant. Omicron variant of COVID-19 is less virulent but highly contagious, he added.

The Chief Minister along with Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jai visited the LNJP hospital to take stock of preparation to combat the spread of COVID-19 in the national capital.

Talking about the COVID-19 patients admitted to the LNJP hospital, he said, "Out of the 136 patients, 130 came to hospital for getting treatment of other diseases and contracted the virus incidentally." He further added, "Delhi has the capacity to set up 37,000 beds with 11,000 ICU beds."

The Delhi CM also requested the Central Government representatives, who attended the DDMA meeting, to enforce restrictions in the NCR region also.

DDMA orders private offices to work from home

In the wake of a spike in COVIDvid-19 cases, the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) has directed all private offices, barring those under exempted categories in the national capital, to send their employees to work from home.

"All private offices, except those which are falling under the `Exempted Category` as prescribed in DDMA`s GRAP order dated 08.08.21. The practice of work from home shall be followed," the order read.

The exempted categories include healthcare workers, those involved in essential services, media persons, judges and judicial officers, staff in the offices of diplomats of various countries.

Till now, offices were asked to function with half their employees in the office and the rest at home. Government offices in the national capital are already working with 50 per cent capacity.

Besides, only one weekly market per day per zone will be allowed to operate. The DDMA meeting decided that the restrictions will be tightened further in the national capital amidst the spike in Covid-19 cases, but there will be no lockdown for now.

Delhi reported a 25 per cent surge in COVID-19 cases after recording 19,166 fresh cases. With this, the infection tally has climbed to 15,68,896. Meanwhile, the city has recorded 17 covid deaths on the second consecutive day, pushing the death toll to 25,177.

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The deadline to file tax audit report has been increased till February 15 and similarly, the last day for filing income tax returns has also been extended to March 15, 2022. Picture this, taxpayers can file their income tax returns for FY 2020-21 by March 15.

The decision came in response to a request from numerous groups representing chartered accountants, who cited the COVID-19 impact and e-filing site difficulties in their request for a further extension of the deadline.

According to a previous directive issued by the Central Board of Direct Taxes, the last day for filing ITRs for individual taxpayers was December 31, 2021. (CBDT). The same has now been extended till March 15 according to a recent finance ministry circular.

The deadline for filing tax audit reports was previously set for January 15, 2022. A penalty of Rs 5,000 was to be applied for submissions received after the deadline.

"The due date of furnishing of Report of Audit under any provision of the Act for the Previous Year 2020-21, which was 31st October, 2021, in the case of assessees referred in clause (aa) of Explanation 2 to sub-section (1) of section 139 of the Act, is hereby extended to 15th February, 2022," according to the finance ministry circular.

Last Monday, the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI), the country's largest accounting organisation representing CAs, wrote to the CBDT requesting a review of the proposed penalty for late filing.

"Issues such as the lack of availability of Form 3CEB and difficulty submitting forms such as 10C and 10B are still present. Taxpayers are having trouble filling out data for accounts, confirmations, reconciliation, and preparing inputs for the tax audit report "According to an ICAI statement.

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Amaravati: The Andhra Pradesh government led by Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy on Tuesday issued a revised order regarding its decision to impose a night curfew in the wake of a huge surge in COVID-19 cases in the state. According to an official notification, the night curfew will remain in force between 11 PM and 5 AM daily from January 18 till January 31 in the state.

States Principal Secretary (Medical and Health) Anil Kumar Singhal issued the modified order, revising the night curfew date to January 18. The state government also instructed all the district collectors and Superintendents of Police to enforce strict implementation of the COVID-19 restrictions.

Any violation of these instructions will result in prosecution under Sections 51 to 60 of Disaster Management Act, 2005 and Sections 188 of IPC as well as other applicable Laws, stated the state government order.

On Monday, Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy had directed the authorities to clamp Covid curfew in view of the spurt in fresh cases over the past one week. Accordingly, Anil Kumar Singhal issued an order saying the curfew would be in force till January 31. Later, a modified order was issued stating the curfew restrictions would begin only from January 18.

What will be restricted during the night curfew in Andhra Pradesh?

All gatherings and congregations, including marriages, religious and social events, would be permitted to a maximum of 200 participants at outdoor locations and 100 at indoor locations, the order said. Complying with Covid Appropriate Behaviour is mandatory, the order added.

In public transportation, both staff and passengers shall wear masks compulsorily. Establishments such as firms, shops and others shall maintain wearing of masks in their premises and allowing any person without a mask into its premises shall attract a penalty of Rs 10,000 to Rs 25,000 depending upon the gravity of the offence, the order said.

If any gross violation occurs in the following COVID protocol in any market or commercial establishment, such establishment shall be closed for one or two days depending on the seriousness of the violation. Religious institutions shall ensure compulsory maintenance of physical distancing, wearing of masks and proper sanitation.

The state government, however, exempted hospitals, diagnostic labs, pharmacies, print and electronic media, telecommunications, internet service, broadcasting services, petrol pumps, power generation, transportation and distribution, water supply and sanitation, officers and officials of government, local bodies, medical personnel, passengers coming from airports, railway stations and bus stands with valid tickets and all inter-State and intra-State movement of goods.

Meanwhile, the Andhra Pradesh High Court decided to conduct only virtual hearings from January 17 in view of the surge in Covid-19 cases.

A High Court notification said the virtual hearings would continue till further notice. The High Court also asked the lower courts and tribunals to conduct virtual hearings in the prevailing situation.

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Chennai: The Idol Wing of Tamil Nadu Police arrested Javed Shah, a Chennai-based Kashmiri, for possessing an antique idol of Goddess Parvati. Shah was living in the tourist destination Mamallapuram, in the outskirts of Chennai and was running a shop known as Indian Cottage Emporium at a private resort.

On instructions from Tamil Nadus Director General of Police, Sylendra Babu, searches were conducted on Javeds premises on 24th December. While cops did not find the Parvati idol which they had been looking for, they seized 11 metal idols, of which eight were declared as antiques. This included idols of Lord Ganesha, Krishna.

Finally, it was on Tuesday (January 12) that cops nabbed Javed, along with the Goddess Parvati idol. While Shah will be sent for remand, a probe is underway to trace the origins of the idols and to which temples they belonged.

Tamil Nadu Police seize antique idols worth upto Rs.40cr..

Idols of deities including Parvati found at premises of a kashmiri man Javed Shah, running a shop in Mamallapuram Probe on to trace the origin, temples where the idols belong #India #idol #crime #Smugglers #Chennai pic.twitter.com/6JVuuqmwjI  Sidharth.M.P (@sdhrthmp) January 11, 2022

According to Sreedharan, an expert who has been associated with the Archaeological Survey of India, the value of the idols is estimated between Rs.30-40 crore or roughly 5.4 million USD.

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India today successfully testfired BrahMos supersonic cruise missile from Indian Navy destroyer INS Vishakhapatnam off the Western coast. The sea to sea variant of the missile was testfired at the maximum range and hit the target ship with pinpoint accuracy, sources in Indian Navy was quoted by ANI.

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MUMBAI: Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) supremo Sharad Pawar on Tuesday announced that his party will be contesting the upcoming Uttar Pradesh elections 2022 in alliance with Akhilesh Yadav-led Samajwadi Party.

In Uttar Pradesh, we are going to contest elections with Samajwadi Party and other smaller parties: NCP Chief Sharad Pawar pic.twitter.com/5CDuiFMw3X  ANI (@ANI) January 11, 2022

Addressing a press conference in Mumbai, Pawar accused the ruling BJP of polarizing the electorate in Uttar Pradesh ahead of the crucial assembly elections. The NCP veteran went on to claim that 13 BJP MLAs in Uttar Pradesh will quit the saffron party and join SP.

The NCP supremo's claim on BJP lawmakers comes just hours after state minister and senior BJP Swami Prasad Maurya today resigned from the Yogi Adityanath-led Cabinet in UP.

"The people of UP will give a befitting reply to this. The people of Uttar Pradesh are looking for change. We will surely see the change in the State," the NCP chief said. Pawar also claimed that NCP was having talks with Congress and Trinamool Congress to stitch an alliance for the Goa elections 2022.

Pawar said that talks are on with like-minded parties to give a joint fight to oust BJP from power in next month's Assembly elections in the coastal state. NCP leader Praful Patel, Shiv Sena's Sanjay Raut are talking with local Congress leaders there, Pawar told reporters.

We are in talks with Congress and Trinamool Congress for an alliance for Goa Assembly elections: NCP Chief Sharad Pawar in Mumbai pic.twitter.com/gxQZzuo2QC  ANI (@ANI) January 11, 2022

There is common thinking that BJP should be defeated there and talks are in progress with like-minded parties, he said. Our desire is that parivartan (change) is needed in Goa. There is a need to oust BJP from power there, he said.

On claims of security lapse during of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Punjab visit, Pawar said, The post of prime minister is an institution and security is the responsibility of the Centre and the state and necessary care needs to be taken.

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New Delhi: Ahead of the India-China military talks, the United States on Monday (January 10, 2022) said that it is 'concerned' by Beijing's attempt to intimidate its neighbours.

While responding to a question on the India-China border dispute during a press briefing, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said that President Joe Biden's administration is closely monitoring the situation.

"We continue to closely monitor the situation, and we continue to support dialogue and peaceful resolution of these border disputes," she said.

"We've been pretty clear how we view Beijing's behavior in the region and around the world. We believe it can be destabilizing. And we're concerned by the PRC's attempt to intimidate its neighbors," Psaki added.

She said that the US will 'continue to stand' with its partners on that.

Tune in for a briefing with Press Secretary Jen Psaki. https://t.co/vcT0bGztPD  The White House (@WhiteHouse) January 10, 2022

The statement comes ahead of the 14th round of military talks between India-China on the 20-month row. The talks are most likely to take place on January 12 at the Chushul-Moldo meeting point, on the Chinese side of the Line of Actual Control in eastern Ladakh.

It is learnt that the major focus of the talks will be on disengagement in the Hot Springs area and the Indian side is expected to press for disengagement as soon as possible in all the remaining friction points including resolution of issues in Depsang Bulge and Demchok.

This is noteworthy that the 13th round of talks had taken place on October 10, 2021, and had ended in a stalemate.

Both sides had failed to make any headway in the talks with the Indian Army saying after the dialogue that the "constructive suggestions" made by it were neither agreeable to the Chinese side nor it could provide any "forward-looking" proposals.

The eastern Ladakh border standoff between the Indian and People's Liberation Army troops had erupted on May 5, 2020, following a violent clash in the Pangong lake areas.

Since then, both sides have gradually enhanced their deployment by rushing in tens of thousands of soldiers as well as heavy weaponry.

Meanwhile, on the India-US relationship, the White House Press Secretary said that the two governments will this year be moving forward on a wide-ranging set of initiatives.

"Back in September, the President hosted President Modi at the White House, and their meeting was about launching a new chapter in the history of the US-India relationship. At that time, the two leaders laid out their shared vision for the US-India relationship and well continue to work closely this year," Psaki said.

This morning, I hosted Prime Minister Modi at the White House as we launch a new chapter in the history of U.S.-India ties. Our two nations are the largest democracies in the world, and were committed to taking on the toughest challenges we face  together. pic.twitter.com/uO97X1upFn  President Biden (@POTUS) September 24, 2021

"You can expect our governments will be moving forward on a wide-ranging set of initiatives, from cooperating to fight the pandemic, scaling up action to address climate change, working bilaterally and through the Quad, expanding our cooperation and trading investments, cyber and in new and emerging technologies, and continuing to talk about  and, as always, we are focused on strengthening the deep ties between our people and our shared democratic values that underpin the relationship. But, obviously, were going to continue to build from here," she added.

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New Delhi: Delhi's political corridors were yesterday abuzz with rumours that the Congress is possibly thinking of an alliance with Trinamool Congress in poll-bound Goa. However, the Congress has now rejected claims that the party is mulling over a possible alliance with TMC.

Senior Congress leader KC Venugopal has said that no talks regarding an alliance with TMC were held during his meeting with Rahul Gandhi.Taking to Twitter, the senior Congress leader said that the rumour in circulation that a possible alliance with the TMC was discussed by Rahul Gandhi in the meeting is completely "baseless and untrue".

"The rumour in circulation that a possible alliance with TMC was discussed by Shri Rahul Gandhi in today's meeting is completely baseless & untrue. Let me assure that the Congress party is confident- we will put Goa back on the path to progress soon," Venugopal tweeted.

Rahul Gandhi, who recently returned from a personal visit abroad, has started meeting people in the poll-bound coastal state, holding discussions on new possible new entrants after some MLAs in the state left the BJP. He held a meeting on Monday evening with General Secretary KC Venugopal and Senior Observer of AICC for Goa P Chidambaram through video conferencing and took stock of the poll preparedness and Congress campaign strategy in the state where voting for assembly polls is scheduled to be held on February 14. Earlier, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) also said that it won't forge an alliance with Trinamool Congress for the 2022 Goa assembly elections.

Also read: No night curfew in Goa, outdoor gatherings capped at 100: CM Pramod Sawant

Meanwhile, the ruling BJP in Goa lost two MLAs in quick succession on Monday, after Pravin Zantye, sitting MLA from the Mayem, resigned as a legislator and let go the party's primary membership. The resignation followed hours after Ports Minister in the BJP-led government, Michael Lobo, resigned as a minister and MLA from the party.

(With Agency inputs)

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New Delhi: India logged over 1.5 lakh new COVID-19 infections for the third consecutive day and recorded 1,68,063 fresh cases in the last 24 hours. According to the data released by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Tuesday (January 11, 2022) morning, the country's active coronavirus caseload has now jumped to 8,21,446.

India also witnessed 277 fresh fatalities due to COVID-19 and the country's death toll has now increased to 4,84,213.

While there were 1,79,723 new infections on Monday, 1,59,632 fresh cases on Sunday had taken India's active tally to 5,90,611.

Omicron cases in India rise to 4,461

The total tally of Omicron cases in the country also rose to 4,461, according to the Union Health Ministry data. A total of 28 states and Union territories have reported cases of the new COVID-19 variant including Maharashtra (1,247), Rajasthan (645), Delhi (546), Karnataka (479) and Kerala (350).

Of the total Omicron cases, 1,711 patients have been either discharged, recovered or migrated.

COVID-19 hospitalisation rate at 5-10 % but situation may change rapidly

The Centre on Monday had said that five to 10 per cent of the active cases in the current surge so far needed hospitalisation but the situation is dynamic and may change rapidly.

In a letter to states and union territories, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said that during the second wave of COVID-19 in the country, the percentage of active cases that needed hospital care was in the range of 20-23 per cent.

"In the present surge, five to 10 per cent of active cases needed the hospitalisation so far. The situation is dynamic and evolving. Therefore, the need for hospitalisation may also change rapidly," he said.

Let there be no lapses

Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare Mansukh Mandaviya on Monday virtually interacted with State Health Ministers and Principal Secretaries/ Additional Chief Secretaries and Information Commissioners of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Goa, Dadra & Nagra Haveli and Daman & Diu.

"Let there be no lapses in our preparedness as we battle this surge of the pandemic. The holistic synergy between Centre and States is most vital for seamless and effective pandemic management," Mandaviya told them.

                         holistic approach                   https://t.co/rFP3EkmWMA pic.twitter.com/vPaHFYdHuz  Dr Mansukh Mandaviya (@mansukhmandviya) January 10, 2022

He also urged the states to make robust preparation in terms of physical infrastructure and efficiently utilize the approved funds under India's COVID-19 Emergency Response and Health Systems Preparedness Package-Phase-II(ECRP-II).

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New Delhi: Amid rising number of Covid-19 cases, the Delhi government on Tuesday (January 11) directed closure of all private offices, except those in exempted categories, amid rising number of COVID-19 cases. The Delhi government reportedly also belives that Covid-19 peak will hit the capital in a matter of days!

Private offices, which were till now operating with 50 per cent work force, have been asked to follow the practice of work from home.

An order issued by Delhi Disaster Management Authority also directed for closing of restaurants and bars in the city. However, restaurants have been allowed home delivery and take away food items. Government offices in the city are also currently working with 50 per cent attendance.

Here's DDMA's order in a nutshell:

- All private offices will be closed in Delhi, employees to work from home

- Only those who are exempted (Exempted Category) can keep private offices offices

- DDMA's decision comes in view of increasing cases of corona in Delhi

- Order to close bars and restaurants in Delhi; they will have takeaway only

Delhi Health Minister Satyender Jain told NDTV, "The peak has already arrived, or will come in a day or two. It (peak) will happen this week definitely. Cases should start falling after that. But it's possible we may enforce another curfew, just to remind people not to lower their guard."

Meanwhile, India logged 1,68,063 new coronavirus infections taking the total tally of COVID-19 cases to 3,58,75,790 which includes 4,461 cases of the Omicron variant, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Tuesday (January 11).

The active cases rose to 8,21,446, the highest in 208 days, while the death toll climbed to 4,84,213 with 277 fresh fatalities, the data updated at 8 am stated. Of the total 4,461 cases of the Omicron variant, 1,711 people have recovered or migrated so far.

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In unprecedented developments, two senior judges of the Supreme Court - Justice DY Chandrachud and AS Bopanna - have recused themselves from hearing a case on Krishna river water dispute. While there is no official word, it is believed that the two judges have taken the decision as they had apprehensions of being considered partisan if they hear the matter.

In today's Daily News & Analysis, Zee News Editor-in-Chief Sudhir Chaudhary today analysed the impact of online trolling and external pressure on Supreme Court Judges and judiciary by large.

The matter is related to the distribution of Krisha River's water between the states of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.

While Justice DY Chandrachud is from Maharashtra, justice AS Bopanna is from Karnataka.

As per a report in a leading English daily, both the judges had received several e-mails and letters, days before the matter was listed for hearing. One of the two judges has even acknowledged receiving these letters.

In such a situation, both the judges were facing a situation where they could have been accused of partiality on social media, regardless of the ruling in the matter.

The judges' decision tells about the sorry state of affairs where trolls, and a certain section of elite people - who lobby to put pressure on judges - are affecting the judicial system of our country.

There is a certain section of people who start accusing the judges and entire judicial system if a particular ruling is not pronounced the way wanted it to be.

Sudhir Chaudhary had also discussed this matter with former Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi last month.

Justice Ranjan Gogoi had released a book "Justice for the Judge: An Autobiography" where he had discussed the numerous challenges faced by the judges of Supreme Court of India these days.

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Kolkata: Health experts warned once again that allowing the Gangasagar Mela, a religious gathering in Sagar islands, at a time when the country is in the throes of a third Covid-19 wave could turn out to be a super-spreader 'incident.

Experts warned that the Mela, akin to the Kumbh Mela held at Haridwar and Prayag among other places, which is slated to attract several lakhs of people could transform into a "hot source of transmission of the coronavirus".

"It (Gangasagar Mela) will definitely be a super-spreader. There is no doubt of that. Lakhs of people will congregate and we fear there will be violation of Covid-19 safety protocol. "This will definitely boost the transmissibility of the virus. This Mela will definitely be a hot source of transmission (of the coronavirus). The number of daily cases will be much more than what we are seeing now," Dr Anima Halder principal of State-run Infectious Diseases and Beliaghata General (ID&BG) Hospital told PTI.

In the last seven days, the state has witnessed a massive surge in Covid-19 infections with the positivity rate shooting to 37 per cent.

West Bengal reported over 24,287 infections on Sunday, the highest since the pandemic began. Halder pointed out that the Mela will give an opportunity to asymptomatic infected people to "mix with those yet not infected" in large numbers and that could help the virus spread in geometric progression.

A doctors' forum had filed a writ petition before the Calcutta High Court seeking a ban on the gathering. The petitioners had sought a direction to the state government not to hold the annual Gangasagar Mela scheduled for January 8 to January 16 on the occasion of Makar Sankranti at Sagar Island, situated about 130 kms from Kolkata.

However, the High Court allowed the Mela to proceed on assurances from the state government that it would take steps to enforce Covid protocols and after ordering that the island be declared a notified areas, a committee be set up to monitor the measures taken, and to ensure that only double vaccinated people who have had RT-PCR Covid tests done 72 hours before reaching Sagar are allowed.

Echoing Dr Halder's apprehensions, Dr Hiralal Konar, one of the conveners of the West Bengal Joint Platform of Doctors, said that there is a very strong possibility of the situation going out of hand and warned the healthcare infrastructure would be severely challenged if that happens.

"Though, we know that the Omicron variant is not as fatal as previous strains, the rate of transmissibility will definitely cause havoc after the congregation has taken place at Sagar Island. This will definitely be a severe challenge to the health infrastructure," Dr Konar told PTI.

Dr Shanta Dutta, director of the National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases, also reiterated the same fear stating that controlling people and making them follow safety protocols is a tough task in such a big gathering.

"Distancing while taking the dip? That will not be possible. So, it will definitely pave the way for the virus to transmit more and more," Dr. Dutta told PTI.

When contacted, Dr Subhrojyoti Bhowmick, Clinical Director, Academics and Research, Peerless Hospital, said, "Yes, I believe that gatherings like Gangasagar Mela are super spreaders and will add fuel to the fire of COVID-19 surge. It is clear that Omicron can infect double-dose vaccinated people in the country. "

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BENGALURU: The Karnataka government on Tuesday decided to extend the COVID -19 containment measures and issued new guidelines that would remain in force till the end of the month amid a sharp increase in the new cases of coronavirus infections.

In a bid to check the spread of Omicron and coronavirus cases, the Karnataka government imposed additional containment measures and banned all kinds of rallies, dharnas and protests across the state.

Issuing new guidelines, the state government said that the marriage functions will be held with not more than 200 people in open spaces and 100 people in closed places. The state government also intensified the surveillance at the borders with states like Maharashtra, Kerala and Goa - witnessing a spike in COVID cases.

Karnataka announces additional containment measures "All rallies,dharnas,protests prohibited. Marriage functions are permitted with not more than 200 people in open spaces&100 people in closed places. Intensive surveillance to be conducted at border of Maharashtra, Kerala &Goa" pic.twitter.com/5GP14cbztq  ANI (@ANI) January 11, 2022

The decision to this effect was taken after Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai chaired a review meeting on the COVID situation via video conferencing in Bengaluru. The meeting was attended by Karnataka government Ministers Dr K Sudhakar, BC Nagesh, Araga Dnyanendra and other senior officials.

The rise in cases among school children was also discussed in the meeting. A decision was also taken to authorise the Deputy Commissioners of respective districts to take a call on closing schools based on the number of cases, reports from the BEOs and Health officers.

Officials were instructed to arrange children`s ward, ICUs and other treatment facilities for children at Taluk and District hospitals. Education and Health department officials have been asked to conduct a general health checkup in schools every fortnight. District collectors and the Superintendent of Police have been instructed to strictly enforce COVID guidelines at public places.

Instructions were issued for monitoring the health of those in home quarantine and timely distribution of health kits for them. The Chief Minister wanted the officials to strengthen the Triaging to ascertain whether an infected person needs hospitalisation or not immediately on getting the test report. It was decided to utilise the services of House Surgeons and Final Year Nursing students in the Home Isolation and Triaging process.

The government decided to establish 27 COVID Care Centres in Bengaluru immediately. The Revenue and Endowment departments were instructed to issue appropriate guidelines to be followed during the coming Sankranti, Vaikunta Ekadashi and other festivals.

The daily COVID testing in Bengaluru is to be raised to 1.30 lakh. The Chief Minister instructed the officials to take stringent action against those holding public conventions. The state government instructed the local authorities to take action to decongest the market areas based on the ground realities. Karnataka had reported 11,698 new COVID-19 cases on Monday, out of which 9,221 cases were reported in Bengaluru only. In Karnataka, the active caseload stands at 60,148 including 49,000 active cases of Bengaluru.

As many as four people have succumbed to coronavirus infection in the state on Monday including two deaths reported in Bengaluru. It may be mentioned that Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj S Bommai had on Monday evening said that he had tested positive for COVID-19 infection.

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Ramanagara: Another case has been filed against Karnataka Congress president DK Shivakumar for violating COVID-19 norms during his Mekedatu Padayatra. According to reports, around 41 persons, including Shivakumar and MP D K Suresh have been named in an FIR that has been filed at Sathanur police station of Ramanagara district on Monday for violating COVID-19 norms.

Karnataka | Former CM Siddaramaiah along with State Congress President DK Shivakumar attended Congress' padayatra in Ramanagara today pic.twitter.com/mB758HoyNg  ANI (@ANI) January 11, 2022

This is the second case filed against D K Shivakumar. Earlier on Sunday, the first FIR was registered against 30 people for violating COVID-19 norms in the Padayatra.

The Karnataka unit of Congress began its 11 days padayatra, despite the government`s COVID-19 restrictions, demanding implementation of the Mekedatu project across the Cauvery river.

Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai has slammed Congress leader DK Shivakumar, who reportedly refused to take a COVID test after the padayatra. Meanwhile, Shivakumar accused the government of trying to "infect" him with COVID-19 by exposing him to an official who tested positive for Coronavirus.

"Additional District Commissioner who came to test me last night has tested COVID-19 positive. He was sent to make sure that I get infected and test positive. The Government wants to make me a primary contact of the COVID positive person and that is why the official had been sent," Shivakumar had alleged on Monday.

"This may not be the idea of Chief Minister. But the Health Minister (K. Sudhakar) is capable of doing it," he further said. Further alleging mishandling of COVID-19 testing data, the Congress leader demanded a judicial enquiry on COVID-19 numbers.

"I have around dozen of doctors in my family, many kids in my family are studying medicine. I know how they are testing people who are coming from abroad in airports. It`s all BJP positive, BJP Covid, BJP omicron. I demand a judicial enquiry on these COVID-19 numbers," he said.

The Karnataka government has imposed a curfew on weekends and restricted public gatherings to fight the third wave of COVID-19, till January 19. It has also imposed a night curfew and has prohibited all rallies, dharnas, protests, among others.

The Mekedatu balancing reservoir-cum drinking water project, to be constructed across the Cauvery river basin, has been at the centre of controversy between the states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

Earlier too on July 12, 2021, Bommai had said that the Centre will have to give clearance to the project as per law and there is no reason the state government will stop the project.

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New Delhi: District Collector and Secretary of UT Lakshadweep, S Asker Ali on Tuesday (January) informed that Lakshadweep has vaccinated all eligible children in the age group of 15 to 18 years. With this, it has become the first among UTs and States to have achieved this feat, he added.

Over 2,81,00,780 doses have been given to beneficiaries in the 15-18 years age group and 18,52,611 precaution doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered to healthcare workers, frontline workers and those aged 60 and above with comorbidities since Monday.

India`s COVID-19 vaccination coverage on Tuesday (January 11) crossed 153.70 crores, informed the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. In an official statement, the ministry said that more than 76 lakh vaccine doses have been administered to eligible beneficiaries till 7 pm on Tuesday.

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New Delhi: Lal Bahadur Shastri, who served as the Prime Minister of India from 1964 to 1966, passed away on January 11, 1966. His sudden demise is one of the most talked about things about him.

Shastri was born into a poor household on October 2, 1904 and got interested in Indias freedom struggle at a young age. He was greatly impressed by Mahatma Gandhi and decided to give up his studies to join the Non-Cooperation Movement.

Known as a man of discipline, integrity and extreme will power, Shastri supported the cause of the common man and the farmers. He gave the slogan Jai Jawan Jai Kisan along with many others. He even held several portfolios in the Union Cabinet after the Independence.

Let's look at why the manner of his death continues to be spoken about even today, 56 years after he passed away.

It is believed that Shastri suffered a massive heart attack that led to his death in Russia's Tashkent where he signed a peace agreement between India and Pakistan post the 1965 war.

But, the story of his death continues to be shrouded in mystery as the government refuses to release any documents related to his death. This led to people coming up with their own conspiracy theories regarding Shastris death but the government remained tight lipped.

Lal Bahadur Shastri's son and senior Congress leader Anil Shastri requested the government to declassify all documents related to the death of his father including the findings of the Raj Narain Committee, which was constituted in 1977 to look into the mysterious death of the leader. His efforts however failed to yield any results.

In 2019 a film titled The Tashkent Files by Vivek Agnihotri aimed to uncover the mystery of his death. The film had Shweta Basu Prasad, Mithun Chakraborty, Naseeruddin Shah and Pankaj Tripathi in the lead roles.

Agnihotri found it strange that India, the biggest democracy in the world, has no information and documents to uncover the mystery behind Shastri's death.

Agnihotri reportedly said, This issue has been raised in the Parliament for the last 50 years and yet, we are trying to find out the truth. I picked up the gauntlet and tried finding the truth, and hence I filed RTIs, but I was shattered. The RTI said there is no information.

As we witness the 56th death anniversary of Lal Bahadur Shastri, we still do not have answers to questions related to his death.
Dehradun: Amid the Covid-19 spread across the country and a rapid surge in Omicron variant, the Uttarakhand government had impelemented strict curbs in Haridwar for Makar Sankranti.

The Haridwar district administration has put a complete ban on devotees taking holy dips on Makar Sankranti, which is on January 14. "Entry at 'Har ki Pauri' area has also been restricted. Night curfew to be imposed from 10 pm to 6am on January 14," said Vinay Shankar Pandey, DM, Haridwar.

Uttarakhand | Haridwar district administration has put a complete ban on devotees taking holy dips on 'Makar Sankranti', 14 January. Entry at 'Har ki Pauri' area has also been restricted. Night curfew to be imposed from 10 pm- 6am on Jan 14: Vinay Shankar Pandey, DM, Haridwar pic.twitter.com/5qgTVfGRXW  ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) January 11, 2022

India logged 1,68,063 new coronavirus infections taking the total tally of COVID-19 cases to 3,58,75,790 which includes 4,461 cases of the Omicron variant, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Tuesday (January 11).

The active cases rose to 8,21,446, the highest in 208 days, while the death toll climbed to 4,84,213 with 277 fresh fatalities, the data updated at 8 am stated. Of the total 4,461 cases of the Omicron variant, 1,711 people have recovered or migrated so far.

Meanwhile, even in Karnataka no relaxations in curbs are likely for Sankranti. Citing spike in COVID-19 cases in Karnataka, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Monday ruled out easing restrictions at places with less positivity rate. He instead stressed the need to take extra precautions. "No...What I had said is that depending on the COVID spread we will take a decision. Now you are seeing, yesterday there were 12,000 cases in the state, nearly 9,000 were only in Bengaluru. Positivity rate in the state is at 6.8 per cent, in Bengaluru it is 10 per cent, in the whole country we are in third place," Bommai said in response to a question on plans to relax COVID restrictions in some districts by Sankranti.

(With ANI inputs)

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New Delhi: In a big boost to the armed forces, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully flight-tested the Man-Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile on Tuesday.

Equipped with #IIRSeeker & advanced #Avionics #ManPortableATGM was flight tested for reliability & efficacy today. The missile hit the target with pin-point accuracy, the DRDO said in a tweet.

The indigenously developed anti-tank missile was launched from a man-portable launcher integrated with the thermal site, Principal Spokesperson, Ministry of Defence, also said.

The flight test of the anti-tank missile was conducted shortly after a naval variant of the advanced supersonic BrahMos cruise missile was successfully flight-tested from INS Visakhapatnam, a stealth guided missile destroyer of the Indian Navy.

"Advanced sea to sea variant of BrahMos Supersonic Cruise missile was tested from INS Visakhapatnam today. The missile hit the designated target ship precisely," the DRDO tweeted.

Advanced sea to sea variant of BrahMos Supersonic Cruise missile was tested from INS Visakhapatnam today. Missile hit the designated target ship precisely. @indiannavy @BrahMosMissile#SashaktBharat#AtmaNirbharBharat pic.twitter.com/BbnazlRoM4  DRDO (@DRDO_India) January 11, 2022

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said the successful launch of the missile reconfirmed the robustness of the Indian Navy's "mission readiness". BrahMos Aerospace, an India-Russian joint venture, produces supersonic cruise missile that can be launched from submarines, ships, aircraft, or land platforms.

BrahMos missile flies at a speed of 2.8 Mach or almost three times the speed of sound.

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New Delhi: A day after the dine-in facility at restaurants in Delhi was suspended and the bars were shut down, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will address the Delhiites today (January 11, 2022).

"Hon'ble Chief Minister of Delhi Shri Arvind Kejriwal will address an important digital press conference today at 12 noon," the Office of the Chief Minister of Delhi tweeted.

Hon'ble CM Shri @ArvindKejriwal will address an important digital press conference at 12 noon today.

Stay tuned.  CMO Delhi (@CMODelhi) January 11, 2022

This comes a day after Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) suspended dine-in facilities at restaurants in the city and shut down bars in view of the surge in coronavirus infections.

The DDMA meeting, chaired by Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal and attended by Kejriwal, had also discussed ways to strictly enforce existing restrictions to check the spread of the coronavirus and its Omicron variant.

"In view of the increase in positive cases, it was decided to close the restaurants and bars and to allow 'take away' facility only. It was also decided to allow operation of only one weekly market per day per zone," Baijal had tweeted after the DDMA meeting.

Chaired the 31st meeting of DDMA to review the COVID-19 situation in Delhi along with Hon'ble CM @ArvindKejriwal, Honble DyCM @msisodia, Honble Ministers @SatyendarJain & @kgahlot, Dr VK Paul-NITIAayog, Chief Secretary, Prof Balram Bhargava-ICMR, Dr Randeep Guleria-AIIMS, pic.twitter.com/Opzf2kFhBV  LG Delhi (@LtGovDelhi) January 10, 2022

Officers were advised to strictly ensure wearing of masks and adherence to social distancing by citizens in market places and public areas to break the chain of transmission.  LG Delhi (@LtGovDelhi) January 10, 2022

Some participants of the meeting proposed that restrictions imposed in Delhi should be extended to the National Capital Region in view of the unimpeded flow of people between the NCR cities.

The experts and officials of the Delhi government also discussed reducing the seating capacity in Metro trains and city buses from the current 100 per cent to 50 per cent, according to an official present in the meeting.

Earlier on Sunday, Kejriwal had said the rapid speed at which the coronavirus was spreading in Delhi had been a matter of "deep concern", but there was no plan to impose lockdown just yet.

"There would be no lockdown if people wear masks," he had stated.

Currently, weekend and night curfews are imposed in Delhi as per the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).

17 more COVID-19 deaths, 19,166 new cases in Delhi

Delhi on Monday recorded 17 more deaths due to COVID-19 and 19,166 infections in a day as the positivity rate rose to 25 per cent, the highest since May 4 last year.

The city currently has 65,803 active cases, of which, 44,028 are in home isolation.

Delhi Health Bulletin - 10th January 2022 #delhiFightsCorona pic.twitter.com/qK5ANnvmnr  CMO Delhi (@CMODelhi) January 10, 2022

A total of 14,076 people also recovered from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, taking the total number of recoveries to 14,77,913 in the national capital.

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Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi today (January 11) said that resolving the unemployment crisis is prime minister's responsibility, and the government is "making excuses."

"Unemployment is a very deep crisis -- it is the responsibility of the prime minister to resolve it. The country is asking for answers, stop making excuses," Gandhi said in a tweet in Hindi.

Along with the tweet he also tagged a report on how deep the unemployment crisis is.

Gandhi and his Congress party have been attacking the government over the issue of unemployment claiming that it is at an all-time high.

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New Delhi: Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday said that he has again tested positive for coronavirus with "mild symptoms".

The 64-year-old BJP leader, in a tweet, said that he has isolated himself and is under home quarantine. The Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways also requested everyone who had come in contact with him to isolate themselves and get tested for the virus.

I have tested positive for Covid 19 today with mild symptoms. Following all the necessary protocols, I have isolated myself and I am under home quarantine. I request all those who have come in contact with me to isolate themselves and get tested.  Nitin Gadkari (@nitin_gadkari) January 11, 2022

The Maharashtra BJP leader had tested positive for coronavirus in September last year too.

Amid a sharp increase in COVID-19 cases, several top politicians including Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and the chief ministers of Bihar (Nitish Kumar) and Karnataka (Basavaraj Bommai) have confirmed that they have contracted the virus and were under isolation. Union Minister of State for Defence Ajay Bhatt also said that he has tested positive for the infection.

A number of leaders and union ministers wished Singh and others a speedy recovery.

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Lucknow: On Tuesday (January 11), BJP launched its door-to-door campaign in Uttar Pradesh, by visiting the home of beneficiaries of the Central and state government schemes. Uttar Pradesh BJP president Swatantra Dev Singh, who visited the Ballu Adda locality in Lucknow, said, "We are following the Election Commission's guidelines and Covid protocols in this campaign," he said. The Election Commission has put a moratorium on holding public rallies and gatherings in view of spurt in coronavirus cases, so the party is reaching out to voters via its door-to-door campaign. Teams of party leaders, in groups of five, will interact with voters during this time.

"As per the guidelines of the Election Commission, the BJP is reaching to the beneficiaries of various schemes of the Centre and state governments. We are giving our report card to the public, and taking suggestions from them as well. This is the first government, which is going door-to-door," Singh told reporters. He added that the party has sought the blessings of the public through the Jan Vishvas Yatra.

UP BJP spokesman Rakesh Tripathi said that several party MPs and ministers participated in the programme in all 403 assembly seats different parts of the state.

The BJP state chief anointed the voters' forehead with 'kumkum' and 'chandan' and gave them pamphlets and booklets about the various schemes. He also pasted stickers on their doors and appealed to vote for BJP. One of the BJP's sticker reads: 'Poore hui aas, ghar ghar huaa vikaas' (aspirations have been fulfilled, development has reached to houses).

With the ban on physical rallies, the BJP, making all efforts to retain the power in the politically significant Hindi heartland, has deployed its foot soldiers across the state to maintain momentum of reaching out to the voters. On Monday, the UP BJP chief Singh had said that under this campaign, party leaders and workers will reach out to people following the COVID-19 protocol and will inform people about the work done by the Centre and state governments for farmers, workers, women and youths.

The party intends to reach out to every household falling under all 92,821 polling centers comprising 1,74,351 polling booths in the state.

"BJP workers and leaders will reach in groups of four to five persons every house falling under 1.74 lakh polling booths within all 403 assembly segments while adhering to the Covid protocol," he said. The campaigner will reach out to voters, including women and beneficiaries of different schemes, he said.

Meanwhile, BJP's door-to-door campaign drew sharp criticism from the rivals. Samajwadi Party MLC Sunil Singh Yadav criticised the BJP for "putting the lives of people at risk" amid covid surge. "Yesterday, (BJP in-charge of UP) Radha Mohan Singh held an election meeting with all the office bearers of the BJP including Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Ministers, state president, leaders and ministers. Today, he has tested positive for COVID-19. Leaders, who were present in the meeting instead of isolating themselves, are engaged in public outreach, and are putting the lives of people at risk," Yadav said in a tweet in Hindi. He further alleged that "the BJP is spreading coronavirus by doing door-to-door campaigns (ghar ghar corona baat rahe hain)."

Also read: COVID-19 positive employees in Uttar Pradesh to get 7 day leave with no pay cut

P Congress spokesperson Ashok Singh told PTI that the BJP is going house-to-house to placate the voters, who have become angry at the government, which has failed on all fronts. The voting in the UP will be held in seven-phases with the first phase polling on February 10 and the notification for which will be issued on January 14.

(With Agency input)

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Noida/Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh government on Monday approved the voluntary retirement request of Kanpur Police Commissioner Asim Arun, official sources said. The senior IPS officer of the 1994 batch had applied for pre-mature retirement on Saturday amid speculation of him joining the BJP this week and contesting the assembly polls next month.

He met some UP ministers and senior BJP leaders in the state capital on Sunday, sources said. "The UP government has approved the VRS request of the Kanpur Police Commissioner Asim Arun," official sources in the UP police establishment told PTI.

The 51-year-old Arun is an additional director general of police (ADGP)-rank officer, who has previously helmed the state's Anti-Terrorist Squad, the 112 services besides leading the police force in districts like Aligarh, Gorakhpur and Agra.

During central deputation, Arun served in the core protection team of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's Special Protection Group (SPG) and earlier got trained in policing in Kosovo in Europe in 2002-03.

The IPS officer had taken to social media to announce his VRS on January 8, within hours of the announcement for assembly elections in UP, Punjab, Goa, Manipur and Uttarakhand.

Arun in a Facebook post had thanked Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for considering him for the membership of the BJP and also wrote that he would try to realise Prime Minister Narendra Modi's efforts to incorporate people from different fields in the party.

"On Sunday, Asim Arun met UP Deputy Chief Minister Dinesh Sharma, BJP's state unit president Swatantra Dev Singh and former Director-General of Police-turned Rajya Sabha MP Brij Lal in Lucknow," according to sources. "He is yet to formally join the BJP," the sources added.

Arun, whose father, late Sriram Arun served as UP DGP, is speculated to be fielded by the BJP from Kannauj (Sadar) assembly seat. Kannauj is considered a Samajwadi Party bastion, with the Akhilesh Yadav-led party having won the last three elections there.

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Pfizer Inc (PFE.N) Chief Executive Albert Bourla said on Monday that moving toward a redesigned COVID-19 vaccine that is specifically targeted to combat the Omicron variant of the coronavirus is the "most likely scenario", reported Reuters.

Speaking at the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference, Bourla said Pfizer and partner BioNTech SE are working on both an Omicron-targeted vaccine variant as well as a shot that would include both the previous vaccine as well as vaccine targeted at the Omicron variant.

Bourla said the company could be ready to file for approval for a redesigned vaccine and start producing it as soon as March.

Meanwhile, South African doctors see signs omicron is milder than delta. "At the moment, virtually everything points toward it being milder disease," Willem Hanekom, director of the Africa Health Research Institute, said, citing the national institute's figures and other reports. But he added, "It's early days, and we need to get the final data. Often hospitalisations and deaths happen later, and we are only two weeks into this wave."

European nations, meanwhile, are suffering immediate staff shortages in essential services as Omicron drives a surge in positive tests. In France, the number of people in hospital with COVID-19 rose by 767, the biggest increase since last April 2021, although the total number, at 22,749 was still around two-thirds of the peak, set in November 2020.

Britain began using military personnel to support healthcare and alerted its biggest private health company that it might be required to deliver treatments including cancer surgery.

Spain was bringing back retired medics. In Italy, the challenge of nearly 13,000 health workers being absent with positive COVID-19 tests was compounded by suspensions for non-vaccination. Britain, Switzerland, Spain and Belgium have all slashed quarantine periods and eased conditions for staff to return to work.

(With Reuters inputs)

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New Delhi: Enhanced rainfall, thunderstorms activity over east and adjoining central India till January 14 are expeceted, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) warned on Monday (January 10).

"The confluence of winds from Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal at lower tropospheric levels is very likely over the east and adjoining central India during next 4-5 days. Under the influence of above systems, isolated to scattered light/moderate rainfall/snowfall is very likely over Western Himalayan Region till Tuesday (January 11) and there would be dry weather for subsequent 3-4 days," the IMD bulletin said.

Scattered to fairly widespread light to moderate rainfall is very likely over Vidarbha, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal & Sikkim and Odisha till January 14; isolated to scattered rainfall is very likely to continue over Uttar Pradesh and East Madhya Pradesh during next two days and decrease thereafter, the IMD said.

"Isolated heavy rainfall very likely over Odisha on January 11 and 13; isolated thunderstorms with lightning/hail is very likely over Vidarbha on January 13; Chhattisgarh on January 11; Jharkhand, Bihar & Gangetic West Bengal on 11; Sub-Himalayan West Bengal & Sikkim & Telangana on 12 and over Odisha on January 11 & 13."

The IMD has also forecasted scattered to fairly widespread rainfall and snowfall very likely over Arunachal Pradesh during January 11-13 and isolated to scattered rainfall very likely over Assam & Meghalaya and Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram & Tripura on January 12 & 13.

Scattered to fairly widespread light to moderate rainfall and thundershower is very likely over Coastal Andhra Pradesh & Telangana during next 4-5 days while isolated thunderstorms with lightning/hail is also very likely over Telangana on January 12 and heavy rainfall at isolated places over Coastal Andhra Pradesh & Telangana on January 13.

The IMD also said that under the influence of cyclonic circulation over Southwest Bay of Bengal & neighbourhood at lower & mid tropospheric levels, isolated light rainfall and thundershower over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry & Karaikal and Kerala & Mahe during next 4-5 days.

In the states of Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, dense/very dense fog is expected today and the next 3-4 days while in north Rajasthan, there will be heavy fog the next couple of days.

(With IANS inputs)

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New Delhi: Some penny stocks or low-priced stocks have given massive returns in the past 18 months with 102 stocks rising over 1000 per cent and 10 stocks rising over 5000 per cent.

The misfeasance is now widespread and IANS has been throwing into stark relief how circular trading and pump and dump schemes are being run brazenly. It is high time that SEBI and the two exchanges start looking at the data and improve their surveillance mechanisms.

As per data by BP Wealth, Equipp Social Impact Technologies rose by a whopping 29385 per cent, Simplex Papers by 14479 per cent, TTI Enterprise by 13335 per cent, HCP Plastene Bulkpack by 9620 percent. These were among the top performing penny stocks in the last 18 months.

As per data by BP Wealth, among the other top gainers in the last 18 months, Digjam Limited gave returns of 7197 per cent, GRM Overseas at 6469 per cent, Tata Teleservices at 6448 per cent, Cosmo Ferrites at 6130 per cent, Banas Finance at 6021 per cent, B&A Packaging at 5013 per cent, ARC Finance at 4942 per cent, Adinath Textiles at 4764 per cent, SEL Manufacturing Company at 4720 per cent, Waaree Renewable Technologies at 4227 per cent, Automotive Stampings and Assemblies at 3891 per cent, Rohit Ferro-Tech at 3867 per cent, Raghuvir Synthetics at 3827 per cent, Ashiana Agro Industries at 3757 per cent, Indian Infotech and Software at 3689 per cent and Pan India Corporation at 3569 per cent.

Swapnil Shah, Head of Research, BP Wealth, said that investors in penny stocks have garnered huge returns after the Covid-induced market crash in March 2020.

Shah said looking at the return data of penny stocks (share price in the range of Rs 0 to 20 as of July 2020), more than 850 stocks listed on the BSE have risen over 100 per cent in the past 18 months. Astonishingly, 102 stocks have risen over 1000 per cent in the same time period and 10 stocks have risen over 5000 per cent.

Shah said penny stocks are much riskier than larger stocks due to lower information and liquidity, but they do offer higher growth potential.

During rosy times, penny stocks tend to do extremely well. However, when things turn sour, they tend to tank, especially trapping retail shareholders. Thus, one should be careful and invest in penny stocks only after analysing their fundamentals and knowing their risks, Shah said.

Shah said It's because they trade at lower prices that investors believe they can buy a huge chunk of shares and have that psychological satisfaction of owning them, he added.

Generally, a stock trading in penny price could be due to either very small size of the company, collapse of the business which resulted in heavy decline in shares, or financing problems.

In the last three years, we have witnessed a large number of companies of decent size losing more than 90 per cent of their market cap due to various reasons, especially high debt, business failure etc. In most cases, the promoters pledge their shares with bankers against the loan, Shah said.

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Mumbai: Continuing its winning run for the third session in a row, the BSE benchmark Sensex added another 221 points to revisit the 60,500-level on Tuesday, helped by buying mainly in IT and financial shares.

After early hiccups, the 30-share benchmark remained poised throughout the session and went on to hit the day's high of 60,689.25. It finally ended 221.26 points or 0.37 per cent higher at 60,616.89.

Likewise, the NSE Nifty gained 52.45 points or 0.29 per cent to end at 18,055.75.

On the Sensex chart, HCL Tech, HDFC, Tech Mahindra, TCS, RIL, Sun Pharma and SBI were the major gainers, rising as much as 4.3 per cent.

On the other hand, Tata Steel, Bajaj Finance, ITC, Asian Paints and Kotak Bank were among the laggards.

V K Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist at Geojit Financial Services, said, "Good Q3 results expected from financials, particularly leading banks, IT, metals, telecom and oil and gas are driving the current momentum in stocks."

Elsewhere in Asia, bourses saw mild to heavy selling as investors turned cautious noticing rising Omicron cases in China.

On the forex market front, the rupee closed 14 paise higher at 73.91 (provisional) against the US dollar.

Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) were net sellers in the capital market, as they offloaded shares worth Rs 124.23 crore on Monday, according to stock exchange data.

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Hyundai is the second-largest carmaker and most significant exporter of cars in India. One of the reasons for the success of the South Korean giant is its fluid design language. Flaunting those designs, we have seen excellent cars like Elantra, Tucson, i20 from Hyundai. Similarly, Staria and IONIQ 5 (India bound) won the GOOD DESIGN Award.

Hyundai Motor Company announced it had received multiple accolades at the 2021 GOOD DESIGN Awards, with its IONIQ 5 and STARIA models both selected as winners in the transportation category. Hyundai Motor also triumphed across several other types, including interactive media, household, mobile applications and graphic design.

We are greatly honored to be recognised by GOOD DESIGN Awards for these very important vehicles and innovations, said SangYup Lee, Executive Vice President and Head of Hyundai Global Design Center. This honour speaks to the outstanding work of our design dream team, who put their passion and heart into this project and also our R&D centre engineers who made this achievement together. It also reflects the competitiveness of Hyundais design identity in the global marketplace.

Read also: Toyota becomes worlds most searched car brand of 2021, suggests Google Trends

IONIQ 5 is Hyundai Motors midsize crossover utility vehicle built on a dedicated battery electric vehicle (BEV) platform. Its design is based on EV typology. Hyundais signature Parametric Pixels on the vehicles exterior lightings provide a distinct, modern style while representing IONIQ 5s design value.

A Living Space theme runs throughout IONIQ 5s interior, most notably embodied by the Universal Island, a moveable centre console, and a flat floor where the batteries are stored. The interiors, such as seats, headliner, door trim, floor and armrest, are made of eco-friendly materials.

STARIA, Hyundais multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) lineup, boasts a strikingly futuristic and mysterious exterior that evokes a spaceship. A single stroke running from front to rear is a design feature that makes it more noteworthy.

The cruise ship-inspired interior of STARIA delivers a unique atmosphere that focuses on the drivers convenience and passengers comfort. The lowered beltlines and panoramic side windows improve overall visibility and create a feeling of openness.

Presently in its 71st year, the GOOD DESIGN Awards program is one of the world's most established plan contests. Consistently, the program picks a group of product designs and graphics that have pioneered a new path in advancement and pushed the limits of what is conceivable in the worldwide commercial centre.

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Google plays a role in making us dream about the latest cars by keeping our choices just a click away from us. But were people around the globe dreaming about having a car of the same brand? The answer is yes.

When the world was in a closed bubble, it was Toyota that continued to rule the top searched vehicle in 2020 and 2021. The annual ranking by Australias Compare the Market states Toyota stands first in the Google Trends data on January 6.

Japanese Automobile giant Toyota topped searches of 47 countries out of 154 countries-representing around 31% of all searches. Even though in 2020, Toyota appeared in 34.8% of top searches, it came down by 3.8%.

Read also: John Deere unveils world's first self-driving tractor, to modify existing range of machines

A possible reason for the downfall is increased search in other brands like Audi and Hyundai. Both the companies saw reasonable leaps, where each increased their ranking by two places. Meanwhile, Rolls Royce and Mazda topped searches in a few countries for the first time since 2018.

Meanwhile, possible reasons for Toyota to remain on top could be the reintroduction of parts that were discontinued. As per the report, Toyota Gazoo Racing announced the reintroduction of spare parts for Corolla Levin and Sprinter Trueno.

With the reintroduction of these parts, Toyota car owners were able to give their old cars a new look and life. Further, Toyota launched a couple of new cars in 2021. The cars varied from electric vehicles to control the pollution, world-first Corolla SUV, to a newly redesigned Land Cruiser.

As the search game remained strong, BMW and Mercedes gave a tough fight to each other and stayed strong at second and third positions. BMW has closed the gap significantly, and meanwhile, in a few countries, Mercedes has switched places with Toyota.

Whereas, Tesla stands as the most searched vehicle brand in Hong Kong, Israel, Macao, Singapore, and China.

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Pandemic has been a rough phase for all the airlines, however, Tata-owned Vistara still managed to add 12 planes in the last 21 months. The full-service carrier Vistara, which completed seven years of its operations on January 9, said its fleet has crossed 50 aircraft. In addition to this, Vistara said it has flown 30 million passengers since its launch on January 9, 2015, in both domestic and overseas markets, the airline said in a statement.

The Delhi-based airline, which is a 51:49 joint venture between India's salt-to-software conglomerate Tata Group and south-east Asian carrier Singapore Airlines, started flying on international routes in August 2019.

Even as Vistara navigated the aviation industry's worst-ever crisis COVID-19, it continued to grow in a measured way towards its vision and long-term plans, expanding its fleet by over 25% since April 2020, to have 51 aircraft as of date, the airlines said. Vistara fleet comprises Airbus A320, A320neo, A321neo, Boeing 737, and B787 planes.

Read also: Massive Airbus A380 plane disappearing in sky at Los Angeles Airport just like that  Video

Vistara has also significantly grown its global network to include seven new destinations across Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, the statement added. According to the airline, it has registered a growth of 3.3 percentage points in market share, since July 2020, having grown from 4.2% in July 2020 to 7.5% in November 2021.

"Vistara entered the aviation market at a time when many in India believed that there was no place for another full-service airline, and yet, in a remarkably short span of time, it became 'India's best airline'. All of us at Vistara are truly grateful to our customers, partners, and shareholders who have supported this dream of building a world-class airline that India can be proud of," said Vinod Kannan, Vistara's Chief Executive Officer, who took over the reins of the airline from Leslie Thng on January 1 this year.

Thng, who helmed Vistara for more than four years as its second CEO, returned to Singapore to take up a senior position at Singapore Airlines. The airline said over the last two years, it has also introduced multiple products and service enhancements, including board WiFi connectivity, gate-to-gate service, fully-flat beds in Airbus A321neo aircraft, and Boeing Dreamliner 787, among others.

With inputs from PTI

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NEW DELHI: Bollywood 'Khiladi' actor Akshay Kumar wrapped up the Ooty schedule of his upcoming film 'Ram Setu' in November, and the actor was all set to fly to Sri Lanka to shoot for some major underwater scenes and ocean shots. The film also stars Jacqueline Fernandez and Nushrratt Bharuccha in lead roles.

As per News18 report, the underwater shoot sequence, which was to be filmed on Akshay Kumar in the Lankan nation, would not be possible due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. "After doing some research and on-location recce, the team has finalised Daman and Diu as their next-best bet to shoot these sequences. But there are some more shots which are remaining and the makers have decided to finish it in Mumbai. Akshay will be seen doing some high-octane underwater sequences for which an international crew has also been hired," a source was quoted saying to News18.

The source further told the website that the 'Ram Setu' team is left with just the last schedule, which was supposed to start from January end onwards. "There is about a month of shooting left of 'Ram Setu' which the makers have decided to finish it in Mumbai. The production team is currently setting up the entire schedule and it will be an indoor as well as outdoor shoot. The team expects to begin shooting by the end of this month," the source told News18.

'Ram Setu' has been directed by Abhishek Sharma and was first announced on Diwali 2020. Akshay's late mother, Aruna Bhatia, was one of the producers.

Following the film's theatrical release in October 2022, 'Ram Setu' will soon be available for Prime members in India, along with more than 240 countries and territories. Amazon Prime will also be the worldwide exclusive streaming partner for the film.

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Washington: 'Full House' star Bob Saget`s sudden demise has left everyone in a state of shock. His wife, Kelly Rizzo, mourned his death, saying she is "completely shattered". Following the passing of Saget on January 9, his wife recently shared a statement on the devastating loss.

"My whole heart. Bob was my absolute everything," Rizzo said in a statement to Us Weekly. She added, "I am so completely shattered and in disbelief. I am so deeply touched by the outpouring of love and tribute from our friends, family, his fans and his peers."

Rizzo added that "when the time is right and when this news is not as raw," she looks "forward to sharing more of Bob with the world."The blogger concluded, "Sharing how much he meant to me, all of those around him, and how much all of his fans and friends meant to him as well. Thank you for respecting my privacy at this time."

As per Us Weekly, the comedian-actor was found dead in his Orlando, Florida, hotel room on January 9. He was 65 when he breathed his last.

The actor`s family released a statement at the time, confirming the news."We are devastated ... that our beloved Bob passed away today," they wrote on Sunday." He was everything to us and we want you to know how much he loved his fans, performing live and bringing people from all walks of life together with laughter. Though we ask for privacy at this time, we invite you to join us in remembering the love and laughter that Bob brought to the world," they added.

On Monday, authorities announced that Saget's autopsy was completed. The report indicated that there is currently no evidence of foul play or drug use, reported People magazine.

"An autopsy was performed this morning on Robert Lane Saget. Mr. Saget is a 65-year-old male, who was found unresponsive in his hotel room. At this time, there is no evidence of drug use or foul play," Joshua Stephany, the chief medical examiner of Orange and Osceola Counties, said in a statement.

"The cause and manner of death are pending further studies and investigation which may take up to 10-12 weeks to complete," Stephany added. `The How I Met Your Mother` alum is survived by Rizzo and his three daughters with ex-wife Sherri Kramer: Aubrey, Lara and Jennifer.Aubrey and her sisters developed a close bond with Rizzo after the blogger began dating Saget in 2015.

"Kelly and my daughters love each other, so it really is some magical thing that happened," the `Fuller House` alum told Us Weekly in April 2018. "They just love each other."The Illinois native chimed in, "He has three girls and I`m super close with them." Rizzo went on to say that she and her husband were not interested in having children of their own, choosing to "enjoy life and travel around" instead.

The couple got engaged in November 2017. "The story goes ... when he proposed he got on one knee and said, `I want to spend whatever years I have left with you,`" the bride reflected via Instagram the following year."I made him rephrase it of course. But seriously -- I can`t wait to spend COUNTLESS years of [love] and [laughter] with you," she added at the time. The duo wed in October of the following year in California, celebrating their third anniversary in 2021.
New Delhi: Ace comedian Kapil Sharma is gearing up for the release of his first ever stand up-special for Netflix Im Not Done Yet. The Kapil Sharma Show host, ahead of its release, has opened up in an interview about his love story with wife Ginni Chatrath and why he felt it wont work out between them. Kapil tied the knot with Ginni on December 12, 2018 and has two kids with her - Anayara Sharma and Trishaan Sharma.

Opening up on how it all began, Kapil told The Man magazine that Ginni was his junior in college. Ginni was in a girls college in Jalandhar doing her graduation, 3-4 years my junior, and I was in a co-ed college studying for a PG diploma in commercial arts. For pocket money I would participate in theatre, and visit other colleges. She was a really good student of mine. Now, of course, shes become my teacher after marriage! She was good at skits and histrionics, so I made her my assistant.

Ginni was the one who first fell for Kapil but the comedian had apprehensions because of their class difference. Then I found out that madam started liking me, so I explained to her that the car you come in costs more that what my entire family put together is worth! So, it just wouldnt be possible between us revealed Kapil.

In the trailer of Im Not Done Yet Kapil can be seen asking Ginni, who is sitting in the audience, Ek scooter wale ladke se kya sochkar pyaar kia tha (What made you love a scooter-driving m)?" To which she sassily responded, Maine socha paisey waley sey sabhi pyaar kartey hain, main is gareeb ka bhala kardu (I thought everyone loves a rich guy. Let me do some charity for this poor guy).

Im Not Done Yet will premiere on Netflix on January 28.
New Delhi: In a bizarre yet shocking turn of events, the Madhya Pradesh Police have arrested a man for allegedly making a call to the Mumbai Police control room about a terror attack, which later turned out to be a hoax, an official told PTI.

Identified as Jitesh Thakur, 35, the accused who is unemployed and a habitual drinker had made the call to the Mumbai Police on January 6. He was arrested here on Saturday on the basis of a mobile number shared by the Maharashtra Police, Jabalpur's Additional Superintendent of Police Gopal Khandel told PTI.

According to Mumbai police, the man had claimed he was from the army and there will be attack in Mumbai with "nuclear bomb", and bombings at places like the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), Kurla railway station, near actor Shah Rukh Khan's bungalow and near a gurdwara at Kharghar in neighbouring Navi Mumbai.

The call prompted searches at various places, but nothing suspicious was found the following which the man was detained, they had said.

Khandel said the man had made hoax calls in the past also and quarrelled with the staff of Dial 100, a police SOS service, on several occasions.

A case was registered against the accused at the Sanjeevani Nagar police station on charges of criminal intimidation and providing false information to public servant, he said.

The accused was placed under arrest on Saturday and sent to jail, the official said.

(With PTI inputs)
Mumbai: Actor Hrithik Roshans ex-wife and interior designer Sussanne Khan has contracted COVID-19. Sussanne took to Instagram on Tuesday (January 11) to inform everyone about her diagnosis.

"After dodging COVID-19 for 2 years, in the 3rd year of 2022 the stubborn Omicron has finally infiltrated my immune system. I tested positive last night. Please be safe and take care of yourselves diligently. This is a very contagious one," she wrote.

Various friends of Sussane took to the comment section to wish her speedy recovery. Oh nooo get well soon, wrote Tiger Shroff. " You will be fine soon," commented Sussanne's sister, jewellery designer Farah Khan Ali. Sussanes rumoured boyfriend Arslan Goni also commented, You will fine soon.

Bipasha Basu, Neelam Kothari, Sanjay Kapoor, Sophie Chaudhry and others also wished Sussane speedy recovery.

On Monday (January 10), Sussane took to Instagram to wish ex Hrithik Roshan on his 48th birthday. She called him best dad ever and wrote, Happy Happy birthday Rye.. U are an amazing Dad.. Ray n Ridz are so sooo lucky to have you as theirs.. May all your dreams and wishes come true today n always bigggg hug! #fathersongoal.

Sussane runs interior design studio The Charcoal Project and also co-owns online e-commerce shop The Label Life along with Malaika Arora and Bipasha Basu.
Mumbai: Tanushree Dutta on Tuesday came out in open support of Malayalam actor Bhavana Menon, who had yesterday opened up about the humiliation she faced over the years after she was allegedly sexually assaulted. The Bollywood actor took to her official Instagram handle and re-shared Bhavana's post, asking her to keep fighting and get justice despite the years of 'oppression'.

Dutta also said she admires her 'resilience' and also mentioned her husband, Naveen for the support he is providing her with. "I particularly admire her resilience and must also credit her husband for his support as well as her friends as without a strong emotional & financial support system it`s sometimes impossible for young women to continue to fight such vicious battles," she wrote.

Tanushree further wrote about her own experience after speaking up and said that she had to 'move on to build up her broken psyche, life and career,' adding, "I had no one who remotely loved me enough to continue to stand by me & provide the real tangible support I needed. All I had are people who would much rather see me struggle and fail so I can give them company in their eternal misery!"

Tanushree then told that she got tired of the 'negativity and anger' amongst other emotions. She wrote, "I had already spent a large part of the 12 years post 2008 feeling low, anxious, depressed, angry & gloomy." She also said that she has been on medication for chronic anxiety for the last two years and only now does she feel 'normal and like myself'. She added, "For years after the Horn ok pleasse incident I was unable to take up & hold a job due to my anxiety, depression & ptsd."

"I wasn't going to live like that for the rest of my life & fight for nothing so I decided to ignore it & focus on my health & work again. This matter always invoked severe anxiety & stress and it was ruining my health. I was getting nothing out of it and it was just a whole lot of media fodder. I never had much faith in the justice system anyways & with a matter that old there is seldom any outcome. So I rested in peace!" Tanushree continued.

Speaking about the witnesses in her case, she said that they were coerced and silenced. "There was no point fighting when nobody wants you to win."

In September 2018, Dutta had alleged that veteran actor Nana Patekar misbehaved with her on the sets of 'Horn Ok Please' in 2008 while shooting a special dance number for the movie, and went on to file an FIR against him. However, Patekar had refuted all allegations.

Meanwhile, several other celebs, including filmmaker Zoya Akhtar, extended their support to Menon on Monday.

The attack on Bhavana reportedly took place in 2017 when she was returning to Kochi after a shooting assignment on the outskirts of the city. Her vehicle was allegedly waylaid, and she was abducted by a criminal gang in a closed van.

On Sunday, the Crime Branch wing of Kerala Police registered a case against actor Dileep and five others for allegedly threatening investigation officers in the sexual assault case of the actress in which he is also an accused.

Bhavana's post came after the particular recent development in the case. In the post, she stated that she will not give up and will continue fighting.

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? Esta manana, el presidente @PedroCastilloTe inspecciono la Central de Operaciones de la Linea 2 del Metro de Lima y Callao.

?? Este moderno transporte inclusivo, que unira 10 distritos, movilizara a mas de un millon de personas y generara puestos de trabajo y emprendimientos. pic.twitter.com/HwicBwvjqV
New Delhi: Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has tweeted regarding the extension of the date of registration under the Atmanirbhar Bharat Rojgar Yojana (ABRY) from 30 June 2021 to 31 March 2022.

EPFO has tweeted:

This Atmanirbhar Bharat Rojgar Yojana scheme is being implemented through Employees Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) to reduce financial burden of the employers of various sectors/industries and to encourage them to hire more workers.

It may be recalled that the Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi had in June gave its approval for extending the terminal date for registration of beneficiaries for availing the benefit under Aatmanirbhar Bharat Rojgar Yojana (ABRY) for another nine months i.e. from 30th June, 2021 to 31st March, 2022.

"Consequent upon this extension, it is expected that 71.8 lakh employment will be generated in the formal sector as against the earlier projection of 58.5 lakh. As on 18.06.2021, benefit amounting to Rs.902 crore has been given to 21.42 Lakh beneficiaries through 79,577 establishments under ABRY," an official release had said.

Atmanirbhar Bharat Rozgar Yojana was announced in 2020 to incentivise the employers of establishments, registered under EPF & MP Act, 1952, for generation of new employment and to support the new employees entering the formal / organized sector with monthly wage of less than Rs.15000/& re-employing persons from low wage bracket who lost their jobs during COVID-19 pandemic.

Under Atmanirbhar Bharat Rozgar Yojana, Government of India is crediting for a period of two years both the employees' and employers share' (24% of wages) or only the employees' share (12% of wages), depending on the strength of EPFO registered establishments. Detailed scheme guidelines can be seen on the website of Ministry of Labour & Employment and EPFO.

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New Delhi: The Real estate sector has demanded several tax relaxations for the housing sector to help it tackle the COVID-19 led crisis that has crippled the sector. The housing sector has also demanded the government to extended Rs 2 lakh tax deduction on interest paid on home loans.

The dates of the Budget session are yet to be announced, though it is expected that Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman wiill present the Budget 2022-23 on February 1 as has been practised since a couple of years now.

Dr. Atul Goel, MD, Goel Ganga Group & President (Elect.), NAREDCO Pune said, "While the real estate sector is looking at a robust housing demand revival in 2022, it also expects the Union Budget 2022 to play a supportive and enabling role. The real estate sector is looking at a few tax relaxations such as hike in Rs 2 lakh rebate under section 24, as in the aftermath of the pandemic, the profit margins are already low and developers have to compensate for the lost time. A single window clearance mechanism has remained a demand for many years now."

Goel has also urged the government to award industry status to the real estate sector.

"It is an opportune moment to award industry status to the real estate sector so that it can avail cheaper credit facilities from financial institutions. In addition to this, a GST waiver for under-construction properties, and incentives for private investment in affordable housing sector will be enabling. Easing of liquidity and short term tax holidays might go a long way in boosting overall recovery of the realty sector," he said.

Nakul Mathur, MD, Avanta India has urged the finance minister to reduce the TDS deduction rates on coworking spaces as most of the receivables from the client is towards services. It would be best if the finance minister considers to bring coworking spaces into 2% TDS slab as in case of services from the present 10% . This will immensely help the coworking spaces in management of their cashflows.

Siddharth Maurya, Resource Specialist, Expertise Real-Estate and Fund Management said that real estate is one of the key pillars of the Indian economy contributing around ~ 8% to the overall GDP. The government must acknowledge the important role played by the sector and make deep policy reforms to accelerate growth in realty demand. Currently, concession can be availed in income tax on up to 2 lakhs paid as interest on home loans.

"This should be revised and increased to build healthy demand in the sector. Likewise, waivers or reductions should be offered on GSTs on raw materials such as cement, steel, etc. Raw material prices are increasing and reduction in GST rates can give a lot of relief to the developer fraternity. Giving infrastructure status to the sector is also long due as it can help in building liquidity in the sector," Maurya added.

Ramani Sastri - Chairman & MD, Sterling Developers Pvt. Ltd said that he expects input tax GST credit for developers, reduction in stamp duty which has happened in several states and registration charges which make a sizeable difference to the cost of a project, thereby boosting home buyers' sentiment and encouraging them to go in for property purchase.

"There is need to redefine affordable housing to Rs. 50 - 60 Lakhs as this would expand the benefits for homebuyers and therefore boost the end-user demand. The revival of the real estate sector is imperative for the growth of GDP as well as additional employment generation. Overall, we hope that the government, through its policies will do its best to get the economy to bounce back, and sustain long term growth of the real estate sector too with substantial measures for both the homebuyers and the developers," Sastri added.

Farshid Cooper, MD, Spenta Corporation said, " Focus should be given to stalled/ stressed projects, apart from providing impetus to affordable and rental housing as we enter 2022 . This will likely free up capital and provide liquidity to the sector. Additionally, serious thoughts need to be given to GST towards major input materials as the rising cost structure could lead to long term increase in prices thereby softening demand."

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An asteroid, which is bigger than the iconic Big Ben, will shoot past the Earth today (January 11). The celestial object, named by NASA as Asteroid 2013 YD48, has been labelled as a potentially hazardous object.

The asteroid will zoom past earth at a 3,480,000-mile distance, and it will miss earth by a long distance. But because of its size and relative proximity to the Earth while shooting past, it assumes significance - according to Nasa any asteroid or comet, which comes closer than 1.3au astronomical units, which is little over the distance between the Earth and the Sun, is classified as a Near-Earth Object (NEO).

The size of Asteroid 2013 YD48 is huge enough to cause devastation if it crashes earth, but don't worry! This is not earth's 'Don't Look Up' moment as the asteroid isn't close enough to cause any kind of concern. The asteroid is approximately 104 metres wide, meaning it is wider than Big Ben is tall.

According to news report, the most recent asteroid to hit the planet was eight years ago in Russia which exploded in the atmosphere.

Recently, on New Year's day, a meteor caused an earthshaking boom over suburban Pittsburgh in US, exploding in the atmosphere with an energy blast equivalent to an estimated 30 tons (27,216 kg) of TNT, officials said. NASA's Meteor Watch social media site said a "reasonable assumption" of the speed of the meteor at about 45,000 mph (72,420 kph) would allow a "ballpark" estimate of its size as about a yard in diameter with a mass close to half a ton (454 kg).

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New Delhi: In December 2021, the WhatsApp Business Nearby Search tool was initially mentioned. While it has only been a few days since it was initially spotted, WhatsApp has added Businesses Nearby Search to its stable version for WhatsApp Business app users. It's a tool that allows users with a Business account to use the search tab to look for other businesses, such as restaurants.

Businesses Local Search is a new tool that allows users to search for nearby businesses such as grocery stores, textiles and clothing, and restaurants. There was little to no information about the feature's global availability when WABetaInfo first noticed it. However, both iOS and Android users are now able to access the feature. It's yet unclear whether the feature will be added to the regular WhatsApp app.

How to use WhatsApp Business Nearby feature?

Users must first open the WhatsApp app and then go to the search section to activate the WhatsApp Businesses Nearby feature. They will see additional search filters such as Restaurant, Grocery Store, Apparel & Clothing, and more as they type the search query. Traditional filters such as Photos, Videos, Links, GIFs, Audio, and Documents will be available alongside these new filters. The function will be one of the WhatsApp features that allows the programme to be used for more than just texting.

While the function appears to be designed for Business Account users to learn about additional firms in their area, it may also be used by normal WhatsApp users as a search engine. It may be quite useful in this situation because it would allow people to search for multiple locations nearby. The WhatsApp Business nearby search feature could use the device's location to determine the location and then display results.

WhatsApp is alleged to be removing the WhatsApp Broadcast List and WhatsApp New Group options from conversation in related news. According to another rumour, WhatsApp will preserve the archived message area at the top of the home screen, but will remove the Broadcast List and New Group options from the top right and left of the screen, respectively. To make the chats look cleaner, WhatsApp will remove both options. WhatsApp plans to "eliminate the row where you may open your broadcasts lists and create new groups," according to the report. The WhatsApp Broadcast List and WhatsApp New Group options currently allow users to deliver messages to a large number of people in a short amount of time.

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Lucknow: Former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati will not contest the upcoming assembly election in the state. "Former chief minister Mayawati and I will not contest the Assembly elections," BSP MP Satish Chandra Misra was quoted as saying ANI.

Mayawati has never contested an Assembly election in the state in the past. Taking a jibe at the Samajwadi Party, Misra said, "If Samajwadi Party does not have 400 candidates, how will they win 400 seats?"

The BSP MP said that neither SP nor BJP will come to power and stated that BSP is going to form the Government in Uttar Pradesh. Elections for the 403 Assembly constituencies in Uttar Pradesh will be held in seven phases starting from February 10, the Election Commission had recently announced.

The polling in Uttar Pradesh will be held on February 10, 14, 20, 23, 27 and March 3 and 7 in seven phases. The counting of votes will take place on March 10. The polling in Punjab, Uttarakhand and Goa will be held on February 14 and in Manipur in two phases on February 27 and March 6.

In the 2017 Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had won 312 out of 403 seats. The Samajwadi Party and the Congress had sealed an alliance with the former contesting on 298 seats and the latter on the remaining 105 seats.

The SP could manage to win only 47 seats and Congress won seven seats. Bahujan Samajwadi Party (BSP) had won 19 seats.

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New Delhi: In what is dubbed as a 'first-of-its-kind surgery', the US surgeons have performed a successful transplant of a 'porcine' heart into an adult human with end-stage heart disease.

The 57-year-old Maryland resident with terminal heart disease received a successful transplant of a genetically-modified pig heart and is said to be still doing well three days later.

"It was the only currently available option for the patient," the University of Maryland Medicine said on Monday (January 10, 2022) after performing the historic surgery.

"This organ transplant demonstrated for the first time that a genetically-modified animal heart can function like a human heart without immediate rejection by the body," the University said in a statement.

University of Maryland School of Medicine Faculty Scientists and Clinicians Perform Historic First Successful #Transplant of Porcine Heart into Adult Human with End-Stage Heart Disease https://t.co/h2GsyFC4t2 pic.twitter.com/0xFA51PsDk  University of Maryland School of Medicine (@UMmedschool) January 10, 2022

The patient, David Bennett, is currently being monitored over the next days and weeks to determine whether the transplant provides lifesaving benefits.

He, the University said, had been deemed ineligible for a conventional heart transplant at UMMC as well as at several other leading transplant centres that reviewed his medical records.

"It was either die or do this transplant. I want to live. I know it's a shot in the dark, but it's my last choice," Bennett, who had been hospitalized and bedridden for the past few months, said before the surgery.

Bartley P Griffith, MD, who surgically transplanted the pig heart, said that this was a breakthrough surgery and brings us one step closer to solving the organ shortage crisis.

"We are proceeding cautiously, but we are also optimistic that this first-in-the-world surgery will provide an important new option for patients in the future," Griffith said.

It is noteworthy that the US Food and Drug Administration had granted emergency authorization for the surgery on New Year's Eve through its expanded access (compassionate use) provision.

It is used when an experimental medical product, in this case, the genetically-modified pigs heart, is the only option available for a patient faced with a serious or life-threatening medical condition.

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Every year millions of students shift from one country to another to get the higher education in universities of their choice. Europe is one of the hottest destinations for students to get a quality education for better future prospects. 1.3 million students come to various universities of 27 European countries to get higher education and more than 10 times of this number apply to get admission. Due to a lack of comprehensive knowledge, many are left behind from getting admission. However, there are apps like Drill which could be very useful in this regard, which provide a common platform along with complete support from filling up applications to getting admission and even accommodation.

One of the most common myths about studying in Europe is that education is very expensive there. The fact is that tuition fees in European universities range from 1000 euros to 20,000 euros. The education consultants generally suggest expensive ones because they get a higher commission there. With Drill, students can opt for universities and programs as per their choice of budget.It even refunds the application fee if the student does not get admission to a particular university, otherwise, applicants have to submit the application fee for at least 3-4 universities to get admission in any one of them, which is non-refundable.

Due to the cost factor, most of the students try to find scholarships available in European universities, only 1-2 % of applicants with exceptional track records get these scholarships, which may reduce tuition fees to some extent. With Drills help, the applicants who might not have a similar track record also have chances to get admissions in programs of their choice in European universities with much lesser tuition fees. Applicants who want to change universities may do so later with the help of exchange programs that most European universities offer.

There is another misconception that only a few European countries offer programs in the English language, the fact is that all European universities offer international programs in English. It is the official language of instruction these days. Apart from this one more important aspect to know is that few European countries have Visa available only till the student pursue graduation while others automatically extend it by one year after graduation so that the student can focus on post-graduation programs or job prospects in that country. A European visa for one country is valid for all 27 countries.

Drill is the app where the applicant has to fill a single application form for all the universities in Europe. The app is very useful for applicants who want to study in Europe and do not have comprehensive knowledge of universities, programs, and visa availability. It gives choice and accessibility to more than 2500 universities under a single platform. The app works on data and algorithms that extract and works the most recent information about these universities. It has both free and paid membership programs, an applicant can choose any of these.

(Brand Desk Content)
Geneva: The United States and Russia locked horns over Ukraine and other security issues on Monday with no sign of progress from either side at highly anticipated strategic talks. Low expectations from both Washington and Moscow about the high-stakes session in Geneva appeared to have been met as senior diplomats from the two countries emerged without offering any hint of success.

Neither side characterised the meeting as a complete failure, but neither did they offer any prospect of easing the increasingly worrisome standoff over Russia's military buildup on its border with Ukraine that the West sees as a fundamental threat to European security.

Nor was there any indication of movement on other, perhaps less-explosive matters that have vexed the US-Russia relationship.

Moscow insists on guarantees to halt NATO's eastward expansion and even roll back the military alliance's deployments in Eastern Europe, while Washington firmly rejects the demands as a nonstarter.

With both sides dug in on their positions and Ukraine's future hanging in the balance, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said "no progress" was made on the central demand on NATO expansion, although he insisted: "We have no intention to invade Ukraine." US officials openly questioned that comment.

Ryabkov spoke following talks with his US counterpart, Wendy Sherman, part of a flurry of diplomatic activity in Europe this week aimed at defusing the tensions. Sherman called the talks a "frank and forthright discussion" but would not, or could not, point to any progress.

"It was not what you would call a negotiation," she told reporters. "We're not to a point where we're ready to set down texts and begin to go back and forth."

"We were firm, however, on pushing back on security proposals that are simply nonstarters for the United States," Sherman said, adding "we will not allow anyone" to shut NATO's "open-door policy" that extends to countries seeking to join the alliance.

She said Washington "will not forgo bilateral cooperation with sovereign states that wish to work with the United States. And, we will not make decisions about Ukraine without Ukraine, about Europe without Europe or about NATO without NATO."

Russian President Vladimir Putin has described NATO expansion to Ukraine and other former Soviet states as a "red line" for Moscow, demanding binding guarantees from the West that they wouldn't become members of the alliance.

Moscow has sought to wrest a string of concessions from the US and its Western allies, and has massed an estimated 1,00,000 troops near Ukraine in steps that have raised concerns about a possible military intervention there.

"The situation now is so dangerous, and so -- I would say -- precarious that we cannot afford any further delays in resolution of this very fundamental question," Ryabkov said at a separate news conference at the Russian mission.

"As President Putin said, on many occasions, we cannot backpedal. We cannot go backwards. There is no further space for us to do so."

Ryabkov rattled off Russian concerns and demands issued last month on subjects like NATO expansion and wanting Western commitments not to deploy offensive weapons near Russian borders.

"The American side has treated the Russian proposals seriously and deeply studied them," he said, adding that he characterised Moscow's demand for legally binding guarantees that NATO would not move eastward as "an absolute imperative for us." Ryabkov emphasised that it would be hard to work on other issues if the US stonewalled on Russia's key demands.

"If now NATO proceeds towards deployment of capabilities that are being developed very rapidly in the US, and will possibly be introduced somewhere in Europe, it would require a military response on the Russian part, that is a decision to counter this threat through means at our discretion," said Ryabkov, speaking in English. "That will inevitably, unavoidably damage security of the U.S. and its European allies." He did not elaborate.

After Ryabkov stated that Russia had no intention to invade Ukraine, the US Ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, was publicly skeptical.

"I wish to believe him, I wish that it is true that they have no plans, but everything we've seen so far indicate that they are making motions in that direction," she told reporters at the UN headquarters in New York.

Echoing comments from US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Sherman said progress could only happen if Russia "stays at the table and takes concrete steps to de-escalate tensions."

De-escalation, she said, would include returning the Russian troops now deployed on Ukraine's borders to their barracks. "We've made it clear that if Russia further invades Ukraine there will be significant costs and consequences well beyond what they faced in 2014," she said. "Russia has a stark choice to make."

However, neither Sherman nor State Department spokesman Ned Price would say if the US would move ahead with sanctions if Russia opts not to invade but also refuses to withdraw its troops from the border.

Monday's meeting was part of "Strategic Security Dialogue" talks on arms control and other broad issues launched by Putin and US President Joe Biden at a June summit in the Swiss city.

Talks between Russia and NATO are planned on Wednesday in Brussels followed by a meeting in Vienna of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe on Thursday.

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Kampala: Uganda's schools reopened to students on Monday, ending the world's longest school disruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The reopening caused traffic congestion in some areas of the capital, Kampala, and students can be seen carrying their mattresses in the streets, a back-to-boarding school phenomenon not witnessed here for nearly two years.

Uganda's schools have been fully or partially shut for more than 83 weeks, the world's longest disruption, according to figures from the UN cultural agency. The shutdown affected more than 10 million learners.

The East African country of 44 million people first shut down its schools in March 2020, shortly after the first coronavirus case was confirmed on the African continent. Some classes were reopened to students in February 2021, but a total lockdown was imposed again in June as the country faced its first major surge.

The protracted school lockdown proved controversial in a country where measures aimed at stemming the spread of the virus were ignored by many.

Vaccine scepticism, even among health workers, remains a problem, with growing reports of fake COVID-19 vaccination cards sold in downtown Kampala.

Many students returning to school are believed to have had no help during the lockdown. Most public schools, which serve the vast majority of children in Uganda, were unable to offer virtual schooling.

Some critics pointed out that the government of President Yoweri Museveni an authoritarian who has held power for 36 years and whose wife is the education minister did little to support home-based learning. Museveni justified the lockdown by insisting that infected students were a danger to their parents and others.

It remains to be seen how long Uganda's schools will remain open, with an alarming rise in virus cases in recent days. In the past week, health authorities have been reporting a daily positivity rate in excess of 10%, up from virtually zero in December. Museveni has warned of a possible new lockdown if intensive care units reach 50% occupancy.

Hoping for a smooth return to school, authorities waived any COVID test requirements for students. An abridged curriculum also has been approved under an arrangement to automatically promote all students to the next class.

Uganda has received foreign support toward the reopening of schools.

The UN children's agency and the governments of the UK and Ireland announced financial support focusing on virus surveillance and the mental health of students and teachers in 40,000 schools. They said their support was key for Uganda's school system to remain open.

Live TV
YEREVAN, JANUARY 11, ARMENPRESS. Kazakhstans President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev announced on January 11 that the withdrawal of the CSTO peacekeeping forces from his country will start in two days, a week after their deployment.

Overall the critical phase of the counter-terror operation is over. The situation is calm in all regions. On this occasion I am announcing that the CSTO peacekeeping forces main mission is successfully completed. The phased withdrawal of the CSTO joint peacekeeping forces will begin in two days. The process will last no more than 10 days, President Tokayev said in parliament.
YEREVAN, JANUARY 11, ARMENPRESS. Foreign Minister of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan held a phone talk with Karen Donfried is the Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs. During the conversation initiated by the American side the sides congratulated each other on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries and expressed satisfaction over the dynamics of the development of US-Armenia dialogue, which is based on common values: democracy, rule of law, protection of human rights.

As ARMENPRESS was informed from the MFA Armenia, the sides emphasized the importance of the peaceful settlement of Nagorno Karabakh conflict under the mandate of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs, and the necessity to fully restore works in this format. Humanitarian issues that need to be addressed urgently were addressed. Minister Mirzoyan highlighted the statement of the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs on the release of prisoners of war, clarification of the fate of the missing, exchange of remains.

Ararat Mirzoyan informed about the recent violations of the ceasefire regime by the Azerbaijani armed forces and highlighted the steps to defuse the situation.

The interlocutors touched upon the process of dialogue between Armenia and Turkey.

The situation in Kazakhstan was also discussed during the telephone conversation. Minister Mirzoyan presented the position of the Armenian side on the issue.

The parties touched upon other issues of regional and international security.
CAIRO, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- At least two people were killed and eight others are still missing in Egypt as a truck with 24 passengers plunged into the Nile River near the capital Cairo, the Egyptian public prosecution said in a statement on Tuesday.

The accident took place on Monday evening in a village at Monshaat Al-Kanater district of Giza province. The passengers, including children, were onboard the truck on their way back from a farm where they were working, according to the statement.

The truck driver attempted to take the vehicle on an unlicensed ferry to the opposite bank of the river when the accident happened.

Rescue workers saved 14 passengers, and teams are still searching for those missing.

"The car driver and three workers of the unlicensed ferry have been arrested and the arrest of the ferry's owner is underway," the statement said. 
YEREVAN, JANUARY 11, ARMENPRESS. Armenias foreign ministry has issued a statement, condemning the gross violation of the ceasefire regime by the Azerbaijani armed forces in the eastern direction of the border of the Republic of Armenia with the use of artillery and UAVs.

We strongly condemn todays (January 11) gross violation of the ceasefire regime by the Azerbaijani armed forces in the eastern direction of the border of the Republic of Armenia with the use of artillery and UAVs, as a result of which servicemen of the armed forces of Armenia Arthur Mkhitaryan and Rudik Gharibyan were fatally wounded and two servicemen were injured. We extend our deepest condolences to the families and relatives of the killed servicemen and wish a speedy recovery to the wounded.

The provocative actions of the Azerbaijani armed forces are another manifestation of the continuous encroachments of Azerbaijan on the territorial integrity of Armenia, which have started since May 12, 2021, with the infiltration into the sovereign territory of the Republic of Armenia and continued with recurrent armed attacks.

The Republic of Armenia draws the attention of international community to the fact that official Baku, continuing its encroachments on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Armenia, violates the basic principles of international law, including the UN Charter, and undermines regional security.

The Armenian side has repeatedly stated that one of the ways to avoid further escalation of the situation may be the mirrored withdrawal of troops from the Armenian-Azerbaijani border and introduction of an international monitoring mechanism along the border.

We call on the Azerbaijani authorities to refrain from provocative actions and implement their commitment on establishing stability in the region undertaken as a result of the Brussels meeting and with the Trilateral Statement of Sochi, the statement says.
The Kochoghot community of Artsakhs Martakert region has 435 residents.

January 11, 2022, 16:20 13 displaced families settled in Kochoghot. Community Leader

STEPANAKERT, JANUARY 11, ARTSAKHPRESS: The head of the community Veliko Sargsyan told "Artsakhpress".

"Due to the recent Artsakh War, 13 displaced families have settled in the community with 48 people. The school has 89 students, but there is no gym or playground there.

We do not have a kindergarten, but there are about 40 children in the village. After the war, the 4 km long road between the village and the central part of the village has been asphalted.

In 2016, the Hayastan All-Armenian Fund built a community center here, which is a two-storey multifunctional building, including a village hall, a ceremony hall, a library, a computer room, an aid station, and a lobby. The building is furnished, has a heating and ventilation system," said the head of the community.

The village is not gasified, but the need is felt. They have a problem with drinking and irrigation water almost all year round; a part of the village is provided with high-capacity electricity.

Veliko Sargsyan noted that the villagers are mainly engaged in cattle breeding and agriculture. 80% of the population works at Base Metals mining company.
A serviceman of the Armenian Armed Forces was wounded when his military position near Verin Shorzha in Gegharkunik Province came under fire from the Azerbaijani military around 15:15 on January 11, the Ministry of Defense said.

January 11, 2022, 17:36 Azerbaijan opens fire toward Armenia village sector, one soldier wounded

STEPANAKERT, JANUARY 11, ARTSAKHPRESS: "The adversarys fire was silenced by the retaliatory actions of the Armenian side.

As of 17:00 the situation at the Armenian-Azerbaijani border is relatively stable and is under the full control of the Armenian Armed Forces, the Ministry of Defense said.
The 200th anniversary of Harriet Tubman's birth will be the theme of a seven-month celebration beginning in March in Auburn.

The New York State Equal Rights Heritage Center and the city of Auburn's Historic and Cultural Sites Commission announced the celebration last week. It will begin on March 10, Harriet Tubman Day, and continue through International Underground Railroad Month in September. Tubman passed away in Auburn on March 10, 1913, and her birth month is believed to be March as well.

Auburn has had a remarkable role in American history, and we are excited to invite everyone here to learn more about the life of Harriet Tubman, why she settled here, and the 50 years she lived here. The city of Auburn is proud to support the Tubman bicentennial and encourage all to make plans to visit us in 2022 as we celebrate and share her story," Auburn Mayor Michael D. Quill said in a news release.

Bicentennial events will include a Harriet Tubman Day Memorial Service Thursday, March 10, at the Harriet Tubman Memorial African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church at 90 Franklin St., Auburn. Led by the Rev. Paris Price, the service will feature spoken word, liturgical dancing, a gospel choir and more performances. It will be free and open to the public, and livestreamed.

A Tubman 200th birthday ceremony will also be hosted by the city and the Harriet Tubman National Historical Park at the Equal Rights Heritage Center at 25 South St, Auburn. It will include cards, cake, special speakers, walking tours and more. The ceremony will be free and open to the public, and livestreamed as well.

Along with those events, a traveling exhibition featuring the iconic abolitionist will be on display at the Harriet Tubman Home at 180 South St. Sculptor Wesley Wofford's "Harriet Tubman: The Journey to Freedom" will be there from July 1 through Aug. 31. It is supported by a grant from the Cayuga Community Fund, administered by the Central New York Community Foundation.

The bicentennial celebration also includes a special logo created by TGW Studio, of Rochester, as well as a celebration website, harriettubman200.com.

"The yellow rays signify progress, moving forward, shining a light ahead, and amplifying Harriet Tubman's voice and message. Simultaneously, it ties the bicentennial logo with the lantern logo of the NYS Equal Rights Heritage Center that pays tribute to Auburn, New Yorks significant role in American history," the logo's statement says.

Additional support for the bicentennial celebration is provided by a Market New York grant and the city of Auburn's American Rescue Plan Act funds. The city allocated the funds for the celebration with a goal of boosting the recovery of the local tourism, travel and hospitality industries from the COVID-19 pandemic.

For more information, visit harriettubman200.com.

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Two people were taken to a hospital for minor injuries after being removed from a vehicle turned upside down in Auburn Friday afternoon.
It only took nine days for Cayuga County to top 1,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases in January.

With 344 new cases over the last three days, the county has 1,155 cases this month. It is already the fourth-highest monthly total of the pandemic and the fifth time the county has reported more than 1,000 new cases in a month.

Cayuga County has 850 active cases, the highest total since January 2021. The record is 1,095 active cases on Jan. 7, 2021.

The recent surge is likely due to the emergence of the omicron variant, which has proven to be more contagious than other variants. The volume of cases has overwhelmed the Cayuga County Health Department  the department said on Friday that there were more than 1,000 positive cases that haven't been contacted to be formally placed into isolation.

One trend that developed is more vaccinated people are infected. Since Christmas, there has only been one day (Dec. 28) when the number of new cases involving unvaccinated residents outnumbered the "breakthrough" cases among vaccinated individuals. From Dec. 26 through Sunday, 60.5% of the new cases (1,008 out of 1,666) are vaccinated.

Until the omicron variant's presence, it was believed that the three COVID-19 vaccines  Johnson & Johnson, Moderna and Pfizer  were highly effective at preventing infection and serious illness. But Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla said Monday that two doses of his company's vaccine  the number needed to be considered fully vaccinated  aren't enough to protect against the omicron variant. He encouraged fully vaccinated people to get a booster shot.

Even as more vaccinated people contract COVID-19, a majority of the county's virus-related hospitalizations are unvaccinated patients. Cayuga reported 25 residents are hospitalized with COVID-19, 14 of whom are unvaccinated. All but one of the vaccinated residents who are hospitalized are age 60 or older  there is one person in their 40s who is hospitalized despite being vaccinated. Eight of the 14 unvaccinated patients are under age 60, including one child under age 10.

There was one COVID-19 death over the weekend. A woman in her 80s died after testing positive for the virus. No other information, including her vaccination status, was released by the health department.

It's the county's 119th virus-related death, and the fourth this month.

In other news:

 Cayuga County will hold two vaccination clinics this week.

A clinic for children ages 5-11 will be held from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday. First and second doses of the Pfizer vaccine will be administered. The health department will accept walk-ins, but appointments can be made at cayugacounty.us/health.

From 3 to 5 p.m. Friday, Moderna second doses and boosters, along with Johnson & Johnson shots and boosters will be offered. Appointments are required for this clinic.

Online producer Robert Harding can be reached at (315) 282-2220 or robert.harding@lee.net. Follow him on Twitter @robertharding.

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Editor's Note: This story was first published in the Cornell Chronicle on Jan. 10:

As New York state prepares for a carbon-free energy future, public support for huge utility-scale solar farms  crucial for reaching the states energy goals  is much lower than support for smaller solar projects, according to new Cornell research, forthcoming in Energy Research & Social Science (April 2022).

This work suggests that a reappraisal may be needed to move large-scale solar development forward or the need to consider other options.

New Yorkers strongly support the idea of using solar energy, said co-author Roberta Nilson, a doctoral student in the Department of Natural Resources and the Environment, in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. But after our survey and after speaking with hundreds of people, we find that many upstate residents feel caught off-guard by the enormity of utility-scale solar arrays.

In the western U.S., enormous solar arrays  such as Topaz Solar Farm in California, which sits on nearly 6 square miles  have been built and can easily light more than 160,000 homes.

New York now has 3.3 gigawatts of solar capacity, according to the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority. The states Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act directs that an additional 3 gigawatts solar energy should be online by 2025. The state plans to achieve a decarbonized electric grid by 2040, according to CLCPA.

Constructing utility-scale solar farms could significantly improve the likelihood of reaching New Yorks decarbonization goals, Nilson said.

There are about 40 large solar array projects (average size 119 megawatts) proposed for the states western, central and northern regions, but none have been constructed. That includes a 200-megawatt solar farm proposed in the Cayuga County town of Conquest. The state is developing a scoping plan to map out CLCPA progress.

Respondents to the Cornell survey indicated that support for rooftop solar is strongest at a mean score of 4.37 on a five-point scale. Support for community solar achieved a 3.94 mean score, and the utility-scale solar had the lowest mean score of 3.04, according to the paper.

National polls always show high support for solar power. Everybody likes solar energy, everybody wants solar energy, its a good thing. Its motherhood and apple pie, said co-author Richard Stedman, professor and chair of the Department of Natural Resources and the Environment (CALS). But the devil is in the details. Solar arrays of this magnitude are more common in the western U.S., but New Yorkers have never seen it, so when they express support, most of them arent drawing on direct experience.

Nilson said that New York residents public perception and support of solar energy is based on smaller, community-size projects. There are other potential ways to achieve the states energy goals, but large-scale projects seem to be the most economical, she said. These projects also come with other trade-offs, like impacts to the available agricultural lands and wildlife habitat. For many people they threaten the cherished rural character of upstate New York. These are important trade-offs to consider.

The researchs undertones also point to acknowledging the economic impact and anxiety for fairness felt by upstate residents. There is opportunity to support local upstate economies, Nilson said. But there is the potential that primary economic benefits are going to be extracted. The survey and interviews tell me that residents are concerned with being treated equitably.

This developing market is new and unfamiliar, said Stedman. People want to know what benefits to expect locally, he said. Unfortunately, the current configuration of the energy grid makes it very difficult for these large installations to provide energy to local communities.

Although landowners may earn substantial revenues from leasing their land, we dont yet have good information about how these revenues would circulate through the local and regional economy, Stedman said. There are some real concerns about repercussions to landscape and wildlife habitat, and no clear sense of the local benefits."

This research, Are Big and Small Solar Separate Things?: The Importance of Scale in Public Support For Solar Energy Development in Upstate New York, was supported by Cornells Center for the Study of Inequality and funded by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Stedman is a faculty fellow at the Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability.

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What was once a critical part of New York's COVID-19 response has effectively ended.

Gov. Kathy Hochul and acting state Health Commissioner Dr. Mary Bassett announced Tuesday that New York will no longer require counties to conduct contact tracing investigations after positive COVID-19 tests.

"We're moving to more self-management when a person has either tested positive or been exposed to someone who tested positive and less active outreach by departments," Bassett said.

One reason for the change is the new isolation and quarantine guidance issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Under the new guidelines, anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 should isolate for five days. For close contacts of positive cases, there are different quarantine rules depending on their vaccination status. If they are not fully vaccinated or if they are fully vaccinated but have not received their booster shot, they should quarantine for five days. No quarantine is required for individuals who are fully vaccinated and received their booster shot, but they should wear a mask while around other people for 10 days.

Another factor is the speed at which the omicron variant can spread. Bassett explained that the variant is highly contagious and has a short incubation period. During the winter surge, there has been a significant increase in the number of positive cases, but a "very short window for intervention to disrupt transmission," she added.

By no longer mandating contact tracing, Bassett said it will help state and local health departments focus on testing and vaccinations. Two websites  ny.gov/isolation and ny.gov/quarantine  will launch on Wednesday and feature attestation forms. The websites will also have more information about isolation and quarantine guidance.

For nearly two years since the pandemic began, counties would contact positive cases to place them into isolation. Additionally, close contacts were identified and directed to quarantine.

But the winter surge, largely driven by the omicron variant, is overwhelming local health departments. In Cayuga County, there have been 3,044 confirmed COVID-19 cases in December and the first nine days of January. But that tally does not include more than 1,000 positive cases that the health department was unable to contact.

The Cayuga County Health Department said Friday that anyone who tests positive should not expect a call from its contact tracers. A local official later clarified that the county will continue to conduct contact tracing investigations, but cases involving school-aged children will be prioritized.

Statewide, the volume of cases is too much for contact tracers to handle. On Sunday, the state reported 54,749 new positive cases.

Hochul said counties can decide if they want to continue contact tracing investigation, but it will not be a requirement.

"This is in response to their request given that we have 12,000 new cases a day," she continued. "It is almost impossible to do contact tracing the way we have been in the past."

Online producer Robert Harding can be reached at (315) 282-2220 or robert.harding@lee.net. Follow him on Twitter @robertharding.

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The Democratic-led New York State Senate on Monday passed a package of election reform bills, including legislation that would allow for absentee ballot drop boxes and require college campuses to have polling places.

Calling New York a "safer haven for electoral participation," Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and members of the Democratic conference outlined the legislation during a news conference before the votes.

Two of the bills would allow voters to use COVID-19 as an excuse for obtaining an absentee ballot to vote in general and school board elections. There has been a similar rule in place since the pandemic began in March 2020, but the bills would ensure it can continue for this year's elections.

A separate pair of measures have been endorsed by Gov. Kathy Hochul, who delivered her State of the State address last week. She announced her support for placing polling places on college campuses and reducing the voter registration deadline from 25 to 10 days before an election.

A bill would create new election districts comprised of college campuses if there are at least 300 registered voters on the property. By establishing a new election district, it would require campuses to have a polling place.

Other proposals that were included in the package:

 Allowing local election boards to create absentee ballot drop-off locations

 Ensuring that candidates for executive and legislative offices appear first on the ballot

 Give counties the option of having two or more portable early voting locations

 Prohibits foreign-owned companies from making corporate contributions to New York state campaigns

 Permitting voters to register at a second residence

 Require affidavit ballots to be counted if a voter appears at a polling place in the correct count but in the wrong election district

 Require absentee ballots to be counted, despite stray marks or other flaws, if the "express intentions of the voter are unambiguous"

The 11-point legislative package builds on other reforms adopted since Democrats took control of the state Senate. One of the most significant changes was the creation of a nine-day early voting period.

"Under our conference's leadership, New York has transformed itself into a pro-voting state where people are actually encouraged to show up at the polls," Stewart-Cousins said.

For state Sen. Zellnor Myrie, who chairs the Senate Elections Committee, New York is countering actions taken in other states to restrict voting. He mentioned efforts to limit absentee or early voting. About half of the Democrats' package deals with absentee or early voting.

"The state Senate will remain a defender of democracy and we will continue our journey from worst to first (in electoral participation)," Myrie said.

Online producer Robert Harding can be reached at (315) 282-2220 or robert.harding@lee.net. Follow him on Twitter @robertharding.

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The Volvo electric SUV is based on Concept Recharge that is seen as a possible electric successor to the XC90.

Volvo is developing a new electric SUV that will be the pure electric successor of its flagship XC90 luxury SUV. This upcoming Volvo electric SUV is claimed to be able to drive autonomously on highways, without any human intervention.

(Also Read: Volvo to continue with sedans amid surging demands for SUVs: Report)

The new electric luxury SUV from the Swedish automaker is based on the Volvo Concept Recharge. It will be equipped with Ride Pilot, which is claimed to be the automaker's complete self-driving technology. Volvo says it will first be available in California as a subscription service. The carmaker will introduce this technology and the SUV to other markets at a later stage.

Volvo has been developing autonomous driving technology for quite some time. In fact, Volvo remains at the forefront of developing self-driving technology alongside other carmakers such as Mercedes-Benz, BMW etc. When Tesla launched its semi-autonomous driving assistance software Autopilot, Volvo dubbed that as wannabe self-driving technology.

Speaking about the Ride Pilot, Volvo is still testing this technology in Sweden as it is not ready yet for commercial use. The automaker is gathering data and improving this technology to make it safer for vehicles and users.

The technology relies on one LiDAR sensor, five different radar sensors, eight cameras and sixteen ultrasonic sensors fitted across the electric SUV. The car brand claims that it will constantly improve the system with over-the-air (OTA) updates.

The automaker claims that this technology is based on Zenseact AD software and it is playing a crucial role in setting a new standard in vehicle safety. It also claims that if implemented successfully, this technology will be a significant step towards the journey to zero collisions future. This comes in line with Volvo's dream to create a vehicular ecosystem where no Volvo vehicles will be involved in any road accidents directly or indirectly.

First Published Date:
Shanghai (Gasgoo)- SAIC-GM-Wuling (SGMW), General Motors' joint venture with Chinese partners SAIC Motor and Guangxi Automobile Group, claimed on Tuesday a retail sales volume of 1,760,176 new vehicles for the year of 2021, representing a 13.5% year-on-year increase. Of those, 1,449,367 units were under the Wuling brand, representing a 17% growth from a year earlier.

The full-year retail sales of the GSEV (global small electric vehicle) platform-based vehicles reached 452,238 units in 2021, surging 160% year on year and resulting in over 750,000 units in the cumulative volume. Notably, SGMW had sold over 550,000 Hongguang MINIEVs as of Dec. 2021.



Wuling Asta; photo credit: SGMW



Besides, the sales of the Wuling Asta, the first Wuling-branded global strategic SUV, stood at 19,073 units in Dec., jumping 22% from the previous month. Hitting the market in last Sept., the SUV model recorded cumulative sales of 54,563 units in 2021.

SGMW said its annual export volume hit record highs in 2021 despite such headwinds as the coronavirus pandemic and the increase in sea freight. The company exported a total of 145,550 complete vehicles and knock down kit(s) last year, an 88% leap year-on-year.

Up until now, SGMW's footprints have expanded to 40 countries in Central and South America, Africa, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and other regions.
CALB, short for China Aviation Lithium Battery Technology, is ambitious to hit an annual power battery production capacity of 500GWh by 2025 and 1TWh by 2030, the company's Chairman Liu Jingyu said in last November at a corporate strategy launching ceremony.



CALB holding strategic launching ceremony in Nov. 2021; photo credit: CALB



The newest target for 2025 is 200GWh higher than the goal CALB unveiled in last June. Actually, it was the second time for CALB to elevate its battery capacity target. At the beginning of last year, the company said it eyed 200GWh of yearly manufacturing capacity by 2025.



The frequent revisions of goal indicated that CALB is amongst rapid growth of market demands. For the first eleven months of 2021, the Changzhou-headquartered company recorded an installed power battery capacity of 7.5GWh, which zoomed up 171.7% from the previous year and represented a 5.8% share in Chinese power battery market, according to the China Automotive Power Battery Industry Innovation Alliance (CAPBIIA). The volume also made CALB the No.3 power battery supplier in China, only following CATL and BYD.

CALB's power batteries are not only used by such legacy automakers as GAC Group, Changan Automobile, SAIC-GM-Wuling, Chery Auto, and BAIC Group for their new energy vehicle (NEV) models, but also power startup-owned models like the Leapmotor C11.

The company has so far deployed six battery manufacturing bases in China, which locate in Changzhou, Luoyang, Xiamen, Chengdu, Wuhan, and Hefei. Except Luoyang, the other five cities all witnessed CALB's endeavors to expand its battery production capacity last year.

Gasgoo hereby enumerated the significant moments about CALB's capacity expansion moves in 2021.

In Jintan district, Changzhou city, the company plans six phases of manufacturing projects, aiming to form a total capacity of 70GWh per year. Last year, CALB held topping out ceremonies for the main buildings of the 3rd phase and the 2nd JSA3 project, and struck a pact for the 25GWh 4th phase.

Signing agreement for CALB Xiamen base's third phase; photo credit: CALB



In Xiamen, Fujian province, CALB has deployed 65GWh of annual capacity in total after signing an investment agreement for the 15GWh third phase.

On Nov. 19, CALB inked an agreement with Hefei municipal government to increase its Hefei bases capacity to 100GWh. The move came only 11 days after the company broke ground on the manufacturing base in the capital of East Chinas Anhui province.

Notably, it took CALB only two months to start building both Hefei and Wuhan bases after signing agreements with local authorities, and only one month for the Chengdu base.



CALB, Heilongjiang provincial government signing agreement; photo credit: CALB



What's more, CALB signed a strategic cooperation agreement in early Nov. to build a new industrial base in Heilongjiang province. Liu Jingyu revealed the company wished to build there an industrial chain fully covering power and energy storage batteries, key upstream materials, the R&D and production of high-end intelligent manufacturing equipment, as well as downstream market applications. Nevertheless, the agreement didnt mention the target capacity it plans to deploy.

With respect to overseas business deployment, CALB formed a strategic partnership with German construction engineering company Drees & Sommer to build in Europe a power battery manufacturing base with an annual capacity of over 20GWh.
Shanghai (Gasgoo)- ZEEKR, the premium EV brand of Chinese automaker Geely, aims to deliver 70,000 new vehicles in 2022, the parent Geely recently disclosed.

ZEEKR 001; photo credit: ZEEKR



The sales target set for 2022 represents a growth of around 1,065% compared to the delivery volume for the year of 2021. According to ZEEKR, over 6,000 ZEEKR 001s were delivered last year, 2,012 and 3,796 units of which were sold in November and December respectively.

ZEEKR currently has only one production model, the ZEEKR 001 (in three trim level), for sale, but the lineup will expand to 7 models in total by 2025.

As for overseas offensive, ZEEKR will begin export of the ZEEKR 001 cars to the EU (European Union) market in early 2023, and expects the export volume to hit 100,000 units annually by 2025.



In August 2021, Geely Auto Group released its new five-year plan, under which ZEEKR is expected to contribute around 650,000 vehicles to its annual sales by 2025.

An Conghui, CEO of ZEEKR, noted the application of the SEA (the Sustainable Experience Architecture) module platform can greatly shorten the R&D and production period for new models, and also support ZEEKR in rolling out models of different segments into the market with a higher efficiency. Besides, the smart factory in Ningbo, which currently features a designed production capacity of 300,000 vehicles per year, will shore up ZEEKRs production and delivery with high level of automation and intelligence.
Beijing (Gasgoo)- Tesla sold 70,847 China-made vehicles in December, a record high in 2021, according to the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA). That included 245 vehicles that were exported to other countries last month, indicating the American automakers locally-made vehicle sales in China totaled 70,602 units.

(sales of the first two months refer to those sold in China market)

According to a press release from Tesla, its Gigafactory Shanghai delivered 484,130 vehicles in 2021, surging 235% from a year ago and accounting for more than half of Teslas global annual deliveries (936,000).

Among those Tesla vehicles produced in Shanghai last year, over 160,000 were exported to more than 10 overseas markets in Asia and Europe. The export volume of the Shanghai-made Model 3 surpassed 130,000 in 2021. Besides, the Model Y ended its first year on Chinas market with sales exceeding 200,000 units to 200,131 vehicles.

According to the association, the wholesale volume of new energy passenger vehicles in China in December soared 138.9% year on year to 505,000 units while the wholesale volume for the whole year of 2021 grew 181% from a year ago to 3.312 million vehicles.

In December last year, the wholesale volume of battery electric vehicles totaled 423,000, representing a jump of 138% versus a year ago while the volume of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles increased 144% year on year to 82,000 units.

More and more automakers in China sold over 10,000 new energy passenger vehicles in one month. In December 2021, 14 automakers monthly new energy vehicle wholesales surpassed 10,000 units, namely BYD (93,338 units), Tesla China (70,847 units), SAIC GM Wuling (60,372 units), Great Wall Motor (20,926 units), Chery (20,501 units), Geely Auto (16,831 units), XPeng (16,000 units), SAIC Motor PV (14,868 units), GAC AION (14,500 units), Li Auto (14,087 units), FAW VW (11,213 units), NIO (10,489 units), Changan (10,404 units) and Hozon (10,127 units).

The association also raised its expectation for new energy passenger vehicle sales in 2022 from 4.8 million units to 5.5 million units with a penetration rate of 25%. The total sales of new energy vehicle sales are expected to surpass 6 million units this year.
On Tuesday at 3 p.m. MST, Peterson Zah, former Navajo Nation Chairman and first President of the Navajo Nation, will receive the 2021 Grand Canyon Trust Lifetime Achievement Award.

Meant to recognize individuals who have made significant contributions to conservation of the Grand Canyon and the Colorado Plateau, past recipients of this award include former Secretary of the Interior Bruce Babbitt (2003), former Arizona Congressman and Secretary of the Interior Stewart Udall (2004) and writer Terry Tempest Williams (2010). Since its establishment in 2003, this Lifetime Achievement Award has been given only six other times; Zah will be the seventh recipient.

Peterson has truly been a giant in this region, and well beyond. We are so honored to recognize Peterson, his achievements, and his profoundly positive impacts on this world, said Grand Canyon Trust Executive Director Ethan Aumack.

Over the course of a long career, Zah led national tribal efforts in Congress to strengthen federal environmental laws. In his time as president and chairman, Zah renegotiated mineral, coal, oil and gas leases with major energy companies to better benefit the Navajo people. He also created permanent trust funds, now valued at several billion dollars, dedicated to culture, language, education, health, governance, infrastructure, and land restoration.

Peterson Zah's extraordinary leadership made clear that within the ambiguity of modernism and tradition, righteousness and tremendous influence could come from homegrown legitimacy and purpose, said Grand Canyon Trust Board Chair Jim Enote.

The award will be presented during a small private ceremony, but members of the public can join the ceremony virtually on Zoom through the Grand Canyon Trust website or by phone at (602) 753-0140 using webinar ID: 831 9707 1336.

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Difficulties and limitations due to the effects of COVID-19 pandemic do not falter investors. Investment projects still contributed to bringing new breath during the period when pandemic prevention came along with economic development, creating promoted steps in investment.

Mr. Le Truong Luu, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee (fourth from the right), visiting the rice milling plant of the Provincial Agricultural Materials Joint Stock Company

Being dynamic to reach the target

During the crunch time to promptly hand over the home to customers in 2021, Aranya apartment investors of Aranya Vietnam Joint Stock Company encountered many difficulties due to the main staff living in Hanoi. Internal and exterior equipment is also basically ordered from external province partners, so during pandemic outbreaks, transporting goods as well as operating works met with many difficulties.

Instead of deploying personnel to move continuously, Aranya Vietnam Joint Stock Company must deploy the staff to be on a war footing in collaborating with the on-site personnel force to speed up the project.

According to Mr. Chu Tien Dung, Vice Chairman of Aranya Vietnam Joint Stock Company, the pandemic makes the immediate direct for the projects encounter difficulties due to travel restrictions. There was even a time when the company leaders were almost so powerless as they could not leave Hanoi to fly to Hue to direct the project implementation until the directives were removed.

During this time, the Project Management Unit only works online; nevertheless, the results of the project implementation process, difficulties and problems in this process are still reported by the staff clinging in Hue. As a result, the project process being implemented; and the projects being researched and promoted for investment were still guaranteed.

In November, the unit handed over the houses in the second phase for customers. The projects that the units have researched for investment are also accelerated. Disease is a force majeure factor. However, if we hesitate to implement the project because of the pandemic, this would fail the customers belief as they have put their trust in the business as well as the province's expectations when approving the project investment," Mr. Dung shared.

Not only the projects of out-of-province investors, foreign-invested projects also encounter enormous difficulties. In addition to the difficulties in human resources, these projects also depend heavily on foreign equipment and technology. The story of completing investment in the production line to process sand and high-quality low-iron quartz powder by Viet Phuong Group is considered a miracle.

Mr. Nguyen Anh Nguyen, Permanent Deputy General Director of Hue Premium Silica Company under Viet Phuong Group, occasionally shared about difficulties when this project must import equipment and depends entirely on the team of foreign experts. Meanwhile, the team of foreign experts could not directly carry out the assembly of the line system at the factory due to the influence of the pandemic.

Faced with that difficulty, the company's team of engineers had to proactively complete the assembly of the entire line with the remote support of foreign experts and promptly put it into operation in August. In addition, the company must carry out production according to the "3 on-site" process to prevent the pandemic and ensure production at the same time.

High growth

Despite the difficulties, the total investment capital of the whole society in the year still reached 20,975 billion VND; in which, investment capital of enterprises reached 2,785 billion VND (increasing by nearly 25%) and foreign investment capital is 1,550 billion VND (increasing by 1.52 times compared to the same period last year).

The enterprise's capital is mainly invested in industrial projects that are urgently completed to put into production and trade , contributing to increasing state budget revenue, such as the construction project of sand processing plant, and high-quality low iron quartz powder (Hue Premium Silica), etc.

Several projects in the fields of textiles and garments, mining of minerals, and investment projects in industrial parks also ensure the implementation on schedule; in which, the project of Spinning Mill Factory No.3 of Phu Bai Spinning Mill Joint Stock Company has a scale of 30,240 spindles with a total investment of 511 billion VND.

Enterprises overcome difficulties, and the investment projects also speed up progress; these have made important contributions to local economic growth, especially in the FDI sector. During the year, the state budget revenue from this sector increased by 13% over the same period to about 2,800 billion VND, reaching 145% of the estimate.

The reason for this revenues increase is mainly because Carlsberg Beer Vietnam Co., Ltd. has an output increase of 7% in 2021 and an increase of 8% in payment. Some key enterprises have increased payment over the same period, such as Scavi Hue Company increased by 286%, Hanesbrands Vietnam Hue Co., Ltd increased by 44%, etc., creating high growth for this sector.

In addition, revenue from the non-state economic sector also increased by 12% with an estimated revenue of 1,350 billion VND, reaching 147% of the estimate.

Companion

Not only the investment situation, attracting investment during the year is also considered a bright spot. In this year, there were 30 projects licensed for investment and 9 projects adjusted to increase capital with a total investment capital newly granted and increased by 14,125 billion VND.

Notably, within the framework of the recent official visit to Japan, Mr. Nguyen Van Phuong, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, and the delegation had a meeting and attended a business talk with leading Japanese investors.

The Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee also awarded the decision to invest in a shopping center with an estimated total investment capital of about 170 million USD to AEON MALL Vietnam Co., Ltd. This project is expected to contribute to improving the quality, services and living conditions for people and investors in the province; at the same time, opening new opportunities in attracting investors from Japan in particular and other countries in general.

Many big investors also participate in investment research in the province in the fields of urban, tourism and trade such as Vsico Maritime Joint Stock Company, Vicofrit Joint Stock Company, FLC Group, etc.

Mr. Nguyen Dai Vui, Director of the Department of Planning and Investment, shared that in the implementation of the project, the province has strengthened support for businesses in the process of finding and recruiting workers, acting as a focal point to link with other localities and training establishments, to train workers according to orders, taking measures to recruit labor to support and supply labor sources for businesses.

In addition, the province also connects with businesses regularly to grasp their difficulties and problems so as to have a timely solution, building trust for investors to carry out research and investment in the province.

Making a mark in attracting investment, the province also publicly shares projects calling for investment after the investment policy has been approved by the Provincial People's Committee so that many investors can pay attention to and participate in doing research about projects. After that, it is necessary to conduct the investor selection process in accordance with the law to best ensure the conditions, criteria of capacity, experience and finance suitable for the project. At the same time, its important to create a transparent investment environment, to issue clear regulations in investment activities to attract potential investors to Thua Thien Hue province.

Story: Hoang Anh. Photo: Ngoc Minh




Shelley Luther, a Republican candidate for the Texas House of Representatives, put the racism against Chinese in the United States and its neo-McCarthyism on full display when she tweeted recently that "Chinese students should be BANNED from attending all Texas universities. No more Communists!"

The remarks were outrageous as they directly run counter to the US Civil Rights Act of 1964, which outlaws discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex or national origin. It is therefore no surprise that they immediately drew widespread criticism, including a strong censure from Houston Democrat Gene Wu who said such statements are "ignorant, hateful, and incite violence against not only Chinese Americans, but all Asian Americans".

The US has always been the top destination for Chinese students seeking to study abroad. In the academic year 2019-20, there were roughly 370,000 Chinese mainland students enrolled at US universities and schools, accounting for 35 percent of the total number of international students in the country. International students create jobs, drive research, and have become the US' greatest foreign policy assets, according to the Association of International Educators. For example, international students contributed nearly $41 billion to the US economy in 2019, and during the 2018-19 academic year, they created or supported more than 458,000 jobs  or three jobs created for every seven international students who chose to study in the US. Not to mention the key role they have played in promoting cross-cultural understanding that will surely benefit future state-to-state relations.

Yet Chinese students have been increasingly caught up in the deteriorating relations between the US and China, with many of them being unjustifiably portrayed as threats to US national security. Former US president Donald Trump explicitly called "most Chinese students spies". Some US lawmakers have also introduced legislation to ban Chinese students from graduate or postgraduate studies in science, technology, engineering or mathematics.

Racist violence and discrimination linked to the COVID-19 pandemic targeting Asians and people of Asian descent have been on the rise in the US partly due to some politicians inciting such attacks. The latest remarks by Luther show how challenging it remains to address racism and xenophobia in the US.

Discrimination and violence against Chinese were once rampant in US history driven by fears that they were taking away jobs and bringing in diseases, which culminated in an 1882 law banning Chinese immigration. This is a stain on US history, and people with a sense of justice must remain on high alert to prevent it from recurring.






Beatrice Public Schools welcomed its newest school resource officer at the start of the spring semester.

Following seven years of road patrol, Beatrice Police Department Officer Natasha Nesbitt is planting her feet in the Beatrice Middle School building, where shell serve as SRO for at least two years. She took the position after longtime SRO Tim Price left to get back into road patrol.

For Nesbitt, the new job is a substantial change to her routine, but she said she had many reasons to come on board.

I like to gain experience in all different aspects of this career, Nesbitt said. And the school resource position would allow me to spend more time with the children and kind of get involved with them. At this age, in middle school, these kids are really impressionable. So you know, if they can have a good role model as a law enforcement officer  that keeps us hoping that we can make those good impressions with those kids, and they can reach out to us later in their life.

Nesbitt said SRO work can range from assisting with traffic control to community outreach to handling incidents as they come up. Above all, she said the job is about ensuring safety to students.

Nesbitt said she will probably miss some aspects of road patrolthe difference in work day-to-day, the constant movement. But she said shes already found her few days on the job fulfilling.

These kids have been really welcoming, she said. The rewarding aspect is that they trust me.

Nesbitt said her daughter, who attends BMS, helped inspire that welcome.

You know, I was kind of hesitant about it, she said. I actually asked her first if it would be okay if I worked here. I didnt want to create any negative environments for her by me being in here. She was absolutely excited that I was in here I think she actually helped my transition of being brand new in the middle school and got kids to know me.

BMS Principal Andrew Haake said hes grateful for the partnership between BPS and BPD.

Its unbelievable, Haake said. Creating the SRO partnerships with our schools also allows for a better understanding of how we can help students in the big picture. You know, not just academically in the classroom. But those SROs have the ability to understand what students are working through outside the classroom.

Haake said SROs give peace of mind to students and teachers, serving as advisers, councilors and guardians in the building. He said he looks forward to working with Nesbitt in particular.

What Im excited for is she understands kids, he said. She relates well to them. Its familiar territory to her.

Nesbitt has deep, familial roots in law enforcement. Her grandfather, Jerry Bretthauer, served in Scottsbluff. And her mother, Christina Oliver, started in Beatrice and climbed her way up to the Nebraska Attorney Generals office as a criminal bureau investigator.

Alongside her tasks as SRO, Nesbitt also serves as BPDs Special Olympics liaison.

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Head to Kent for Tuesday ammunition

Back Erne River @ 13/2 in the 13:40 at Doncaster

Close again with the each-way double yesterday, as Miss M didn't do what was expected and missed out on the extra place by one, although My Brother Mike ran well for second at a BSP of 11.521/2. Two near misses by one place with each-way doubles recently at both 25/1 and 14/1. I don't think we've got to the bottom of Miss M and she remains one to watch closely.

While one urn battle has looked less than competitive this winter, another 'Erne' has been progressing for trainer Nick Kent. The 13:40 is a good Novices Handicap Chase too, but Erne River looks a backable price at 13/2, and might just be a little under-rated.

In three starts over hurdles he has won twice; by 5L and 8L at Doncaster and Warwick. Both those came last spring on good ground and soft so he is adaptable with going. His jumping at Donny was quite good, low and efficient at nearly every flight. He was a bit scruffier at Warwick with a mistake down the far side, and one late on, but overall, his technique has been good.

This will be his debut over fences, an interesting move from Kent, who has wasted no time at all in sending him over the larger obstacles.

He won a Point-To-Point in Ireland when trained at the Colin Bowe academy, as so many good horses pass through his hands. He beat Minella Drama in that, and he's gone on to good things with Don McCain over fences and is rated near 150.

Erne River should stay this trip as he wasn't stopping at Doncaster, but he'll have to iron out his enthusiastic style as he was quite keen in both starts last term and almost carted his jockey Charlie Hammond into the lead.

His dam Lusty Beg is out of the grand Old Vic, and she has produced four horses and three have won. One was Passageway for Willie Mullins, who only had one start and beat Minella Indo in a Punchestown bumper.

Acid test for On Call down in distance

Back On Call @ 5/1 in the 14:50 at Doncaster

Another front-runner for the second selection today, and I am happy to give Grace Harris' On Call another chance after pulling up when last seen in action.

He was on the battlefield in a stamina-sapping lung-burster at Exeter last time over 3m7f and just didn't stay. Previously he'd won at his favourite track Chepstow with a 7L win from 109, which rated a personal best. It was a fine performance too as he was hassled for the lead and taken on, and the middle part of the race was quite hot in terms of pace, so he done well to stretch away.

His trainer Grace Harris has brought him on in fine fashion, as he was a frustrating sort over hurdles, but his jumping has been very good and he's a stout stayer, so don't be surprised if he comes off the bridle as he's a big burly horse. One victory at Chepstow in October saw him hit 110.0109/1 in-running - and he won by nearly 3L.

At 5/1, he might be able to eek out some more improvement back in trip from 117, and he's a big enough price to include in an each-way double which pays 37/1.

For pedigree buffs, a good horse of Jonjo O'Neill's in Keepitsecret is a relation, and he was a decent stayer on good ground. Although his best relation is the late great One Man.
No early-closing races on a relatively low-key weekend means bookmakers and punters are starting from scratch on Saturday.

What the racing lacks for in quality - there are only seven entries for the Grade 2 chase at Kempton, and the same number for the similar level of race in the novices' chase at Warwick - ITV are certainly making up for in quantity as they are set to broadcast nine races from those tracks, but selectivity is surely the key on such a weekend.

Well, that was the plan before I started to look, anyway. All nine are priced up on the Betfair Sportsbook.

On a side point, I was again wondering should the sport consider scrapping races that don't meet a certain threshold of entries at the five-day stage, for all it would obviously penalise connections of those set to run?

That Kempton race is worth 80k, and the Warwick contest 55k, and the tracks and sponsors deserve better.

Of course, it could be the simple fact that we don't have the horses to service these races - too many entries at the five-day stage aren't even surpassing maximum field overnight levels, and the numbers aren't bolstered by Irish entries in the Graded races this week - but I suppose that is a separate argument altogether.

And an altogether more depressing one.

Champagne of interest for in-form yard

I am going to take in all nine ITV races here, albeit in varying detail and depth, and I will start with Kempton - by the way, it is currently soft here but I am working on the basis of good to soft on Saturday such is the predominantly dry forecast (it is currently soft, good to soft in places) - where the 2m4f110yd handicap chase at 1.32pm kicks off terrestrial proceedings.

Six of the 16 have other weekend entries, so that rules out Across The Bay, Barbados Blue, Frenchy Du Large, Hollywoodien, Mac Tottie and last year's winner Smarty Wild for punting purposes at this stage. And a few of those are very prominent in the market.

And, as with a few Irish handicap entrants this weekend, it could be that Gordon Elliott's Glenloe has been put in here to see what mark the UK assessor gives him. So be careful on the Irish front, ante-post.

Champagne Court interested me most in here at 8/1, having been in good form over hurdles, and he went up 4lb for his Exeter win last time.

That still makes him competitively weighted on his return to fences off a mark of 130 - he was rated 143 at his peak in 2020 - and I see Lorcan Williams is already jocked up. And, of course, the Jeremy Scott yard is in very good form.

I will leave the seven-runner Grade 2 Silviniaco Conti Chase at 2.05pm with you, but one thing is for certain and that is upping the prize money from 60k to 80k this year has not worked out.

I vehemently disagree with this top-end approach from the sport and sponsors, when the lower tiers are struggling to make ends meet, especially when we plainly don't have the quality horse numbers to support these races.

It is a highbrow, short-sighted, tone deaf, bad look.

One final word on the race, though. It sounds as if Scott has not ruled out Dashel Drasher, a 3/1 chance, of running at Lingfield a week on Saturday, instead of coming here, so bear that in mind. And Paul Nicholls reported on Tuesday morning that Master Tommytucker will be doing just that, so don't back him.

Play the waiting game in Lanzarote Hurdle

Whether or not upping the Lanzarote Hurdle to 100k is responsible for the very healthy 31 entries I am not sure, but if can't have harmed - the winner only got shy of 16k last year - and, in any case, it gives the smaller trainers and owners a shot at a good prize, so I am all for it.

Just five of the 31 have alternative engagements (Brief Times, Cabot Cliffs, Cobblers Dream, Gelino Bello and U For Parol) so I am not sure there is much to be had for getting involved now, given we are likely to hit a maximum field of 20 on Saturday and that will bring with enhanced place terms and perhaps more competitive prices.

The three that I took against the field at this stage are Ch'tibello (16/1), Dans Le Vent (14s) and Green Book (8s), but I will hold fire.

It really is a ridiculously competitive-looking handicap, so I want all the facts in my possession before tipping after the decs on Thursday.

The Emmet Mullins pair of Rightplacerightime and Winter Fog head the betting at 5s and 6s respectively, but will they both come? I am not so sure.

Boy and Phil look interesting

The 3m handicap chase at 3:15pm has attracted 17 entries and five of those could race elsewhere this weekend. These are Ami Desbois, Mac Tottie, Mister Whitaker, Mr Muldoon and Smarty Wild.

Despite this, Smarty Wild (5/1) and Mister Whitaker (11/2) are towards the top of the betting and, with Elliott's Braeside (6s), fellow Irish entry Enjoy D'Allen (6s) and Demachine (8s) all prominent , too - the latter unseated at the first at Ludlow on Monday - also far from sure to run, I reckon this race has the potential to cut up a lot.

I am not sure he is going to run but I think the Sportsbook's 8/1 about Caribean Boy looks a touch too big to me, with the above in mind.

He is another horse who didn't get past the first last time, as I know to my cost as I backed him at Ascot, but he is very well handicapped off 145 if he can put it altogether. That Newbury defeat of Fiddlerontheroof was back in November 2020 though, and his CV is becoming patchier by the run.

A Toi Phil ran a bit better than the handicapper would have you believe on his return over 2m4f at Cheltenham on New Year's Day, so I think the assessor dropping him 6lb to a mark of 130 in one fell swoop is very hasty, and the 12yo did look ready for a step up to this 3m last time.

The initial 25s with the Sportsbook didn't last beyond Thursday morning though, so I can take another watching brief, especially given his lightly-raced profile, which means he declines more engagements than he takes up.

No interest yet in first three ITV races at Warwick

The following are double entered in the following ITV races at Warwick, and I hope you appreciate this double-entry watch for both meetings as I do these manually and they take me ages!. Mind you, I didn't have the weekend decs in Ireland when I made this list (or for those at Kempton, too, obviously).

1:18pm: Destined To Shine, Hollywoodien, Tokey Dokey.

1:50pm: Corach Rambler.

2:25pm: Brief Times, Charles Ritz. Gelino Bello, Gentlemen At Arms, Mr Fred Rogers, Picanha, Raffle Ticket, Viva Lavilla

3:00pm: Big River, Corach Rambler.

3:35pm: Mr Fred Rogers.

Right, that is the housekeeping out of the way, so do any of the races interest me from a betting point of view?

There is a real dearth of quality 2m chasers in this country and we have another valuable handicap over this trip attracting just eight entries in the 1.18pm at Warwick, and three of those (Destined To Shine, Hollywoodien and Tokey Dokey) are entered elsewhere, while Sky Pirate could wait for the Clarence House next Saturday. Make of that what you will.

As stated above, there are just seven in the Grade 2 novices' chase at 1.50pm, and the most important point to make here is that the 5/2 second favourite Corach Rambler is also an 11/2 chance for the 3m5f handicap chase later in the card.

A whopping seven are double-entered in the 14-strong Grade 2 novices' hurdle at 2.25pm, but I don't have anything helpful to say on this race, given it is full of unexposed winners with little to separate them form-wise and on the clock.

I should touch upon the ground at Warwick. A dry week is forecast, but I think the current description of soft is unlikely to change much, if at all.

Not a chance of an early bet in the Classic Chase

There 3m5f Classic Chase at 3pm can handle a maximum field of 20, so it is disappointing to see just 18 five-day entries for such a valuable race, though only two could run elsewhere.

They are Lucinda Russell's pair of Corach Rambler and Big River, and the former made a big impression at Cheltenham last time, but not least on the handicapper who upped him 8lb for the 2-length win. He was dossing though, so he was value for much more, but 8lb was probably the most he could have got. He got improver stamped all over him though, and to be feared wherever he rocks up.

I like all three at the top of the market, but not necessarily their prices - these are Gericault Roque (short enough at 4s), Corach Ramber and Commodore - and the same applies to Notachance at 9/1.

I was hoping for a lot bigger price about last year's winner (Notachance), after a couple of modest efforts this season, but I suppose Alan King (in his excellent Weekender column) has made no secret this race has been the plan for a while and he has somehow got him here on the same mark as for last season's  length defeat of Achille.

However, the other thing that slightly puts me off at 9s is the fact that King has been winless for a while, going into Tuesday's racing, and his horses could be running better, though against that he has had plenty placed and knocking on the door, so maybe that is something and nothing.

No, this is another race where I didn't find a bet. It would be easy for me to stick up Notachance each-way at an industry-best 9/1 with the Sportsbook, but I am not betting myself, so I simply won't tip him.

Risk attached to backing Elliott entries

Gordon Elliott is responsible for nine of the 19 entries, and Ronan McNally two, in the Pertemps Qualifier at 3:35pm, so the layers are brave in pricing this one up.

The Sportsbook make Ardhill their 11/4 favourite but backing any of the Elliott horses ante-post clearly comes with a massive risk attached.

That's me done, then.

I make no apologies for not putting up a bet here, as I am not punting myself - Champagne Court and Caribean Boy came closest - and responsible gambling and tipping is all about being true to yourself and others, and not just using it a throwaway tick-box line.

Anyway, I am off before I got even more nauseatingly pious!

Go well, and back later in the week after the final decs.
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BNSF Railway announced plans Monday to take over Montana Rail Link and its 900 miles of track in Montana and Idaho.

The Missoula-based MRL, which has a small shop in Billings and rail yard in Laurel, employs about 1,200 people, the company said in a statement about the proposed deal.

BNSF has committed to retain all union and non-union employees of MRL in their current jobs with similar pay, benefits, seniority, and other terms of employment, MRL said.

Over the last several years, more than 90% of the traffic traversing MRLs leased line were loads moved on behalf of BNSF, MRL officials said. The line has become a critical link in BNSFs northern transcontinental network, delivering grain, consumer and industrial products to the West Coast.

The deal will eliminate BNSFs need to change freight between the two railroads and will continue strengthening the resiliency of the supply chain and enhancing rail capacity in the Pacific Northwest, MRL said.

MRL was founded in 1987 by Dennis Washington. MRL and BNSF have had a unique lease arrangement since 1987 in which MRL leases and operates mainline tracks owned by BNSF between Huntley, Montana and Sandpoint, Idaho.

BNSF will resume operations and maintenance of its mainline rail corridor through southern Montana. The deal must first be approved by the U.S. Surface Transportation Board.

There have been many changes in the rail industry since this long-term lease was signed, and given the need to be competitive in the current environment, we believe that this was the right time to revisit our longstanding agreement with BNSF, said Derek Ollmann, president of MRL, This agreement protects our workers, our customers, and our long-term commitment to safety, and it will ensure a more seamless operation of rail services in Montana.

MRL will become a subdivision of BNSFs Montana Division, said BNSF president and CEO Katie Farmer.

We will continue to invest in the business, provide great service and maintain the highest level of safety just as we have for over a century in Montana, Farmer said. This will best position employees, customers and the communities we serve for future success.

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A new study from a Montana State University researcher and his colleagues provides evidence that the labor market tightened for the nursing workforce throughout the first 15 months of the COVID-19 pandemic, a period marked by falling employment and rising wages across the industry.

The paper, Nurse Employment During the First 15 Months of the COVID-19 Pandemic, was published today in the January issue of the journal Health Affairs. Using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Current Population Survey, which is administered monthly by the U.S. Census Bureau, the study identified and described the immediate economic impact of the pandemic on registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and nursing assistants across the U.S. from April 2020 through June 2021.

There has been so much written about the pandemics impacts on nurses, but this is the first analysis of the economic impacts using national data, said Peter Buerhaus, the papers lead author, a professor in MSUs Mark and Robyn Jones College of Nursing and director of the MSU Center for Interdisciplinary Health Workforce Studies.

Buerhauss co-authors include Douglas Staiger at Dartmouth College; David Auerbach, external adjunct faculty at MSU; Max Yates, a recent MSU graduate; and Karen Donelan of Brandeis University.

The researchers wrote that the COVID-19 pandemic has had dramatic impacts on health care delivery organizations and the nurse workforce they employ. Although the research team focused on the nursing workforce, their results also shed light on overall employment in major sectors of health care delivery. They found that overall employment throughout health care delivery systems  including hospitals, outpatient facilities, home health care agencies, physician offices and nursing homes  experienced an unprecedented decline after the COVID-19 virus was identified and began spreading throughout the country.

But as employment gradually resumed in most settings, the health care labor market shifted. Overall employment in hospitals, home health and physician offices had nearly bounced back to pre-pandemic levels by June 2021 with two exceptions: Employment in outpatient facilities not only bounced back but exceeded pre-pandemic levels by October 2020, and nursing home employment continued a steady decline over the study period.

For nurses specifically, the researchers found that in the early months of the pandemic, unemployment shot up in hospitals, physician offices, home health care and outpatient clinics as patients canceled appointments and these organizations greatly reduced their operations. Between the first and third quarters of 2020, unemployment rates peaked. At their highest, approximately an additional 100,000 registered nurses, 25,000 licensed practical nurses and 90,000 nursing assistants were unemployed compared to pre-pandemic numbers.

The authors noted that unemployment has rarely been a problem for nurses in health care. For example, over the past several decades, the unemployment rate for RNs has rarely exceeded 1%.

"These findings are especially striking regarding the total supply of registered nurses, Auerbach said. We have gotten used to the workforce growing year after year - yet these data suggest we may be experiencing a plateau right now. That would have huge implications for delivery of health care.

Auerbach noted that nursing unemployment during the first 15 months of the pandemic varied by settings, with increases in unemployment higher in non-hospital settings.

Furthermore, unemployment spikes in the second quarter of 2020 were higher among registered nurses and nursing assistants of color than among white, non-Hispanic registered nurses and nursing assistants.

In addition, the researchers found that the pandemic seems to have positively affected nurses earnings. After a decade of virtually no real wage growth, wage increases during the first five quarters of the pandemic were 9.5% for licensed practical nurses, 5.7% for nursing assistants and 2% for registered nurses. Wage increases were highest in hospital settings and also higher among the lowest-paid registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and nursing assistants.

These data confirm anecdotal reports of rising wages among nurses and nurse aides in response to staffing challenges in both hospitals and long-term care facilities. Its important to note regional and state variation in these effects as the pandemic flares locally and regionally in this time period, Donelan said.

Looking ahead, the researchers plan to continue analyzing monthly data on the nurse workforce through 2021. The team also plans to make new projections of the supply of the registered nursing workforce through 2030, taking into account two factors that could greatly impact the registered nursing workforce in coming years: interest in nursing as a career and retirement plans of older nurses.

Regarding entry into the nursing workforce, it is unclear whether the pandemic will lead to increased or decreased interest, Buerhaus said. With regard to exit from the workforce, an estimated 660,000 baby boom nurses are still working during the pandemic, the vast majority of whom are expected to retire by 2030. If substantial numbers of these older registered nurses exit the workforce earlier than they had planned, the size of the nursing workforce could decrease more quickly and disrupt nursing labor markets throughout the country.

The paper is online at https://www.healthaffairs.org/doi/full/10.1377/hlthaff.2021.01289.

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PacifiCorp continues to operate unit 2 at the Jim Bridger coal-fired power plant despite running afoul of a federal regional haze permit  an infraction some believed would force a Jan. 1 shutdown.

Gov. Mark Gordon, who recently attempted to intervene in the regulatory noncompliance, warned in late December the Environmental Protection Agency might force the unit to shut down on Jan. 1.

In several short days, PacifiCorp will be forced to shut down Unit 2, lay off employees, and buy power to make up for the lost generation, Gordon wrote in a Dec. 27 letter to EPA administrator Michael Regan declaring an emergency suspension order to block such an action. That cost will be passed on to consumers in Wyoming and across the west creating a social and economic injustice.

Since then, EPA has declined to say whether a shutdown is or ever was a possibility, while PacifiCorp says there are no plans to change operations at Jim Bridger unit 2  one of four coal-fueled power generators at the plant.

I wont speculate on future determinations or actions, EPA Region 8 spokesman Richard Mylott told WyoFile via email Tuesday.

EPA has also refused to say whether or not it will recognize or decline Gordons emergency suspension order seeking to block the federal agency from demanding a shutdown for noncompliance. If unchallenged, Gordons suspension order would remain in effect through April.

EPA is reviewing the Governors action, Mylott wrote. Our primary focus, however, is continuing to work with the state and stakeholders to identify solutions that are consistent with the Clean Air Act, safeguard public health and air quality, and protect Wyomings workers and communities.

The Berkshire Hathaway owned utility giant, which operates as Rocky Mountain Power in Wyoming, claims that as of Jan. 1, it is operating unit 2 in compliance with a revised plan approved by the state but which remains in limbo at EPA.

The entire Jim Bridger plant, including units 1 and 2, began operating under Wyomings revised state implementation plan emission limits on January 1, 2022, PacifiCorp spokesperson Tiffany Erickson told WyoFile via email. The lower NOx [nitrogen oxide] and SO2 [sulfur dioxide] emission limits apply during the four-month period of the governors suspension and beyond based on an air permit issued by the state of Wyoming.

Meantime, Gordon has promised to file suit against EPA to force the agency into issuing a decision on the revised regional haze compliance strategy for the Jim Bridger power plant. EPA says it will issue a preliminary decision on the proposal and put it out for public comment  a process that is likely to exceed Gordons four-month suspension order, according to those close to the negotiations.

The regulatory row between PacifiCorp, Wyoming and EPA is charged with claims that potential actions by EPA, as well as the forthcoming natural gas conversions of Jim Bridger units 1 and 2 in 2024, will result in layoffs.

In addition to Gordons own claims, his office commissioned a study by University of Wyoming professor of economics Timothy Considine. The modeling weighs the potential impacts of closing Jim Bridger unit 2 prior to the end of its expected lifetime in 2028, and suggests a total of 327 jobs lost in Sweetwater County.

Considine didnt respond to WyoFile requests for comment on this story. Critics have panned studies by Considine in the past, including one that estimated the potential impacts of President Joe Bidens moratorium on federal oil and gas leasing, for allegedly playing to the energy industrys preferences.

Wyoming AFL-CIO Executive Director Tammy Johnson questioned the validity of the Jim Bridger unit 2 study.

The [Considine] study didnt go beyond the scope of a model because if you talk to the workers and you talk to the people affected, then youll get a better picture, Johnson said. And Im sorry that Mark Gordons team doesnt value the input from the people who are most affected by these issues.

PacifiCorp has assured union workers at both the Jim Bridger power plant and the Bridger surface mine that supplies coal to the plant  a combined workforce of about 887  that any workforce reductions would be prioritized via attrition, retirement and job transfers, according to Johnson.

PacifiCorp confirmed it has agreed to prioritize any job reductions via attrition, retirement and potential transfers. A natural gas conversion of Jim Bridger unit 2 would reduce the number of impacted employees compared to a full shutdown and retirement, Erickson with PacifiCorp said. However, union and non-union employees would still be impacted.

Although union members do not want coal plants or coal mines shut down, they do expect more direct help and a more comprehensive plan from the state to help Wyoming workers face a transition that seems inevitable, Johnson said.

Other states have offices of transition, Johnson said. And what better way  during this [federal stimulus] disbursement for these coal communities  for Mark Gordon to get on board with thinking about the workers and using some of that money to support workers.

The regulatory standoff stems from ongoing negotiations over Wyomings state implementation plan to reduce nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxides and particulate matter  the main pollutants that contribute to regional haze  from industrial sources. The Jim Bridger power plant falls within several Class 1 regional haze designations, which include Grand Teton and Yellowstone national parks.

Wyoming has the primary regulatory responsibility for implementing the federal regional haze plan, and it had originally agreed to a schedule mandating that selective catalytic reduction controls be added to Jim Bridger unit 2 by end of 2021 and unit 1 by end of 2022.

But PacifiCorp never made preparations to add the controls. Instead, the utility and the state asked EPA to approve a revised plan to meet or exceed the regional haze pollution emissions reduction goals for the Jim Bridger plant by operating units 1 and 2 at lower capacities. In other words, theyd prefer to comply with the pollution limits by burning less coal and thus producing less exhaust instead of installing expensive equipment that would make the exhaust cleaner.

Several environmental and conservation groups have objected to the revision proposed by Wyoming and PacifiCorp, and EPA has yet to issue a decision regarding the alternative plan. Meantime, PacifiCorp plans to convert units 1 and 2 from coal to natural gas in 2024. Their regulatory fate in the interim, however, remains uncertain.

Gordons emergency suspension order has no merit because PacifiCorp has had about eight years to comply with the current regional haze plan, according to Powder River Basin Resource Council attorney Shannon Anderson.

Its not an emergency shut down, Anderson said. It is a failure to plan for the inevitable.

Gordon maintains that Wyoming, PacifiCorp and EPA had a deal to finalize the utilitys alternative method for meeting regional haze parameters and that EPA has recklessly failed to act.

PacifiCorp, EPA and Wyoming all agreed in 2020 that the regional haze guidelines would not only be met, but exceeded with the revised [state implementation plan], Gordon said in a Dec. 27 press release. Now, with that deal unilaterally abandoned by EPA, this emergency order is necessary to protect Wyoming workers from EPAs recklessness.

WyoFile is an independent nonprofit news organization focused on Wyoming people, places and policy.

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RTHK: Zelensky calls for summit on Ukraine conflict

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called on Tuesday for a new summit with France, Germany and Russia to resolve the conflict in his country, at the centre of intensive talks between the West and Russia this week.

"It is time to agree in a substantive manner on an end to the conflict and we are ready to take the necessary decisions during a new summit of the leaders of the four countries," Zelensky said in a statement following his meeting with European diplomats on Monday.

The Ukrainian presidency did not specify the nature of those "decisions", but said that Monday's talks also touched upon steps aimed at "de-escalation" at the Ukrainian border, where Moscow has amassed some 100,000 troops.

Zelensky met Russian President Vladimir Putin for the first time during peace talks in Paris in 2019. The talks were hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron with then-German Chancellor Angela Merkel also in attendance.

The negotiations failed to bring an end to a conflict between Kiev forces and Moscow-backed troops that broke out in 2014. The fighting in eastern Ukraine broke out shortly after Russia seized Crimea and has since claimed over 13,000 lives.

The Kremlin accuses Kyiv of failing to implement Western-brokered peace agreements signed in Belarus in 2015.

Ukraine has repeatedly called for the restart of four-way summits and proposed a direct meeting between Zelensky and Putin, but the offers have been rebuffed by Moscow.

Tensions around Ukraine have risen further in recent months, as Washington and its European allies accuse Russia of threatening the former Soviet territory with an invasion.

Moscow describes the troop presence as protection against an encroaching West, particularly Nato, and demanded wide-ranging concessions from Washington and its allies.

Talks in Geneva between Russian and US negotiations aimed at de-escalating the situation brought no breakthrough on Monday. (AFP)

This story has been published on: 2022-01-11. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
PHILADELPHIA  While visiting the Tekakwitha Nursing Home to sing for residents, 13-year-old Denise Owen was led away from the rest of her boarding school group by a nun. A special surprise awaited her.

There, in another room in the Sisseton, South Dakota, facility, was her newborn sister, Rose Anne. Denise got only a glimpse of the infant, lying in a bassinet in a long-sleeve shirt and a diaper, before another nun ordered her to leave. Denise was not supposed to see her sibling, soon to be adopted.

It would be 50 years before they saw each other again.

Rose Anne, who would be raised by a Glenside, Pennsylvania, dentist and his wife, became a child of the country's American Indian adoption era, a decadeslong forced assimilation of Native children first established under the Indian Adoption Project, which started in 1958 and evolved to include 50 private and public placement agencies across the United States and Canada, where the so-called Sixties Scoop was coined to describe the mass removal of children from Native homes. During the next 20 years, almost 13,000 Native children would be adopted.

According to a 1969 report by the Association on American Indian Affairs, between 25% and 35% of all Native children were placed in adoptive homes, foster homes, or institutions; and about 90% of those children were being raised by non-Natives.

That was the case for Rose Anne, who, at the age of 3 months, was handed over to Salvatore and Andre Petrilli. The white couple of Italian and Irish descent had struggled to have their own biological children, and it was Andre's interest in American history and a phone conversation with a priest from St. Joseph's Indian School in Chamberlain, South Dakota, that led her to seek a Native adoption through Catholic Charities.

Eventually, a new birth certificate reflected the new name of Kelley Elizabeth Petrilli, the child of two Caucasian parents. Her American Indian heritage was wiped away on paper. A Montgomery County Orphans Court clerk with the last name of Custer gave the final stamp of approval to the adoption.

Just as boarding schools that began in the late 1870s were meant to assimilate Native children, so was the goal of the 1960s and '70s adoptions. Rather than dealing with government-induced problems developing on reservations  including crushing poverty and lack of working utilities and sustainable quality child care  government programs focused on adoption for the growing Native population. It was a strategy that redirected the financial responsibility to the private sector and created a savings of approximately $100,000 per child compared with what it would cost to send them to boarding school, according to researcher David Fanshel in a study for the Child Welfare League of America.

"It was cheaper to send us to boarding school than to engage us in battle and kill us. And then it became cheaper to have the children adopted than to send them to a boarding school," said Sandy White Hawk, a Sicangu Lakota from Rosebud, South Dakota, adopted at 18 months. She later founded the First Nations Repatriations Institute and currently works at the Indian Child Welfare Act Law Center in Minneapolis.

Adoptions of Native children were proselytized in magazine articles and ads, and by social workers, churches and adoption agencies as a mission to rescue children from poverty and poor living conditions on the reservation.

Instead, the adoptions created another nightmare for Indigenous people: Children were removed from their communities and taken thousands of miles away to be immersed in white culture. And unlike boarding schools, these new families lacked the community and support of fellow Natives.

Some of the adoptions were the result of extreme pressure placed on mothers at their most vulnerable time, shaming them into believing white parents could better care and provide for their children. In other cases, social workers seemed to grasp at any reason  a parent's busy work schedule, lack of indoor plumbing, even failing to come to a complete stop at a stop sign  to take children away. But more unscrupulous methods were sometimes used: Women were told their babies had died at birth and then they were stolen for adoption.

Others were coerced to make unimaginable decisions. Violet Blake, an Oneida from Green Bay, Wisconsin, had two aunts, both single mothers, who told about how they were forced by social workers to give up infants in order to keep their older children.

"For our young Indian women, it was an exceptionally hard time where they were really taken advantage of," White Hawk said. "It was the beginning of us becoming a commodity for the adoption industry."

Some children were physically and sexually abused. Kirk Crow Shoe, 57, a Blackfoot from Canada, refers to his adoptive father, now deceased, as a "serial pedophile." For the parents whose children were taken away, it increased problems such as alcoholism.

A grassroots movement was initiated in the late 1960s in the Fort Totten Reservation of Spirit Lake (then known as Devils Lake), North Dakota, to stop Native adoptions. Its years of efforts would ultimately lead Congress to pass the Indian Child Welfare Act in 1978. While many view that as the end of the adoption era, Native children are still three times more likely to be placed in foster care than white children, according to a 2017 report by the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges.

'Love doesn't provide identity'

Kelley Petrilli, now Kelley Bashew, did not suffer a childhood of abuse. The Petrillis provided a loving, middle-class home with summer vacations, Phillies season tickets, a backyard treehouse and private schools. Eventually, the couple would have five biological children, but Bashew was always told she was "the chosen one." However, she always knew she was different, and felt isolated in white suburbia.

"You're an Indian! You're an Indian!" one of her cousins would taunt. "No, I'm not!" Bashew would scream back, a denial that still embarrasses her and causes her pain.

"When I was younger, I wanted to be white. I still feel guilt about that," said Bashew, who lives in Meadowbrook. "I just wanted to fit in and be like my sisters.  I did not like being tall and brown and different."

Bashew's adoptive parents never hid her Native American heritage. She was taken to powwows in the Philadelphia region, and books of Native American history and folktales were in the home. Yet at school, in the predominantly Irish and Italian Catholic Melrose Academy in Elkins Park and later at Germantown Academy, Bashew's image wasn't reflected in anything in her environment.

"Even in loving families, Native adoptees live without a sense of who they are," White Hawk explained. "Love doesn't provide identity. Because through adoption, we are living away from our homelands, away from our communities, away from our families. We don't have a sense of who we are as an Indian person. We only have a sense of survival and making it work and trying to fit in."

That impulse for survival made Kirk Crow Shoe rub toothpaste on his arms and face before school to look white. Others had their bodies scrubbed regularly, sometimes using bleach, by adoptive parents to make them appear paler.

For Bashew, that feeling of isolation led to what she calls her "dark years" after high school. She was an accomplished swimmer at Germantown Academy but turned down college scholarships.

"I never thought I deserved it.  Deep down when you are adopted, you have a wound inside yourself. If your parents gave you up, how lovable can you be?" Instead, Bashew tried to fill the void she felt in different ways. "I did drugs, I slept around, drinking."

Crow Shoe, who was adopted along with his twin sister, Kimberly, suffered those same dark years.

"And as I entered my adolescence, of course, alcohol and drugs became part of the equation," he said. "The further I felt disassociated from the world and from my peers and from people who loved me and the greater the shame became, the more I needed alcohol and drugs to numb that pain. It was like there was a hole in my middle and I couldn't fill it."

A homecoming

When Bashew turned 50 in 2013, her friend Robert Graham encouraged her to explore her Native roots and biological family. She expected arduous research and hiring a private investigator, but with the help of Graham and fellow Dakota adoptee Adrian Grey Buffalo, she quickly found and was soon put in touch with her mother  Lillian Owen, then 87 years old  and eight living siblings.

Bashew made her first return to Sisseton in the Lake Traverse Indian Reservation that July. The journey was without qualms or nervous apprehension for Bashew. However, most of the siblings did not know about their youngest sister, as Lillian, now 96, continues to keep the details of that painful chapter to herself. That meant for one of her older sisters, Crystal Owen, the discovery was "shocking."

Her mother's house was filled with 20 relatives when Bashew walked in.

"I was just drawn to [my mother].  I knew I was supposed to be there," she recalled.

The two hugged and cried.

Upon meeting her brother Jody, he said it was "like looking into a mirror." In her mother, she discovered a person similar in personality and temperament. The connection was immediate and very different, she said, from the relationship she has with her adoptive mother.

At the end of her stay in South Dakota, Bashew recalled, the family was in the kitchen saying goodbye when she pulled her mother aside: "And I said, 'I just want you to know that I never, ever, ever had any anger toward you. I've never said, Why did you do this? ... I'm just happy that we found each other.'"

Forgiveness and healing

Lenny Hayes, 52, who like Bashew is a Dakota from Sisseton, spent a childhood in foster homes. He was raped by older male students in a Native boarding school as a 10-year-old. He is now a mental health therapist helping those, especially in the Native LGBTQ community, who suffered similar traumas.

When he dies, Hayes says, he wants to have a sit-down with the Creator and ask him why he had to experience such hardships. He still carries the scars of his childhood, and the healing process continues. He has learned, however, how to cope in a way that is not self-destructive.

"I don't hate the people who have hurt me. Because if I hate them, it also prevents me from healing. ... I've also had to learn to forgive myself," Hayes said. "Forgiveness is about you. It's not about the person who did the harm to you."

Many adoptees have found healing and strength from one another. Today, Crow Shoe sees his life path as a blessing.

"I've had the opportunity to touch the lives of a lot of other adoptees and to touch their souls," he said. "And they touch mine and we heal. I know that I'm part of their coming home, their journey back to who they are as Indian people."

Prayed home

In Native cultures, each generation prays for the generation yet to come.

"It gives us the sense that we were prayed for, before we were born, before we even put our feet on Earth," said White Hawk.

Bashew's path was very similar to the first students at the Carlisle Indian School who were uprooted from South Dakota and brought to a Pennsylvania town. The government's approach to assimilate Native children had not changed much in the 84 years that separated them. Bashew later said, "It just made me cry, you know, because it's like, we've made the same exact journey."

In that tradition, Bashew was prayed for before she was taken to Pennsylvania, before she felt the isolation in white culture. And she said she had long felt and experienced the guidance and protection of the ancestors who had preceded her. In Native philosophy, life is a circle and not linear. It had taken decades, but now she said her circle was complete.

When Bashew went to the Lake Traverse Indian Reservation in 2013, her visit coincided with the final day of their Sundance, the annual ceremony of sacrifice and healing.

Hearing the Dakota language for the first time brought her to tears. Sitting beside her mother and seeing her sister Crystal dance brought a healing as it stirred something deep in her soul. She now had the desire to absorb and learn about her culture and to be part of her people, the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate.

"I think that's the peace I've been looking for my whole life," Bashew said. "I have given so much to the wasichu [white man's] world. Now it's time for me to go back there to learn who we are and all the things I missed.

"I had to be prayed home."

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Wyoming has officially asked for grizzly bears to be removed from the endangered species list.

Gov. Mark Gordon, backed by the fellow grizzly states of Idaho and Montana, on Tuesday submitted a petition for delisting to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The petition argues that the species is fully recovered in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and should be returned to state management  in Wyomings case, the state Game and Fish Department.

The Fish and Wildlife Service now has 90 days to determine whether to conduct a comprehensive status review of the species. It will then have 12 months from receipt of the petition to complete the status review and issue a recommendation.

Wyoming has invested more than $52 million and dedicated countless hours of Game and Fish expertise to reach this point, Gordon said in a statement. Were optimistic the Service will view the petition favorably, and we look forward to working with them on delisting.

Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte also filed a petition with the Fish and Wildlife Service last month, calling for the delisting of the Northern Continental Divide grizzlies  a population separate from the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE) bears.

Greater Yellowstone grizzly bears have been delisted before, in 2007 and 2017, but soon had their protections restored by federal courts.

State leaders are confident that the revised grizzly management plan will resolve earlier concerns about the accuracy of their population estimates and the resulting population targets, as well as the bears long-term genetic health.

The new management actions are so substantial that a reasonable person would conclude that the petitioned actions  the establishment of the GYE grizzly (distinct population segment) as a species that is neither a threatened nor endangered species and the revision of the List by removing the GYE grizzly bear (distinct population segment)  are warranted, the petition reads.

Some conservationists disagree with the states conclusions.

The methods contained in the (management plan) are so egregiously flawed as to call into question the competence and motives of the wildlife managers who concocted them, grizzly biologist David Mattson wrote in a blog post before Wyoming approved the tri-state plan.

If grizzlies are delisted, state wildlife managers would have authority over discretionary mortality  the intentional killing of grizzlies  once theyve accounted for non-discretionary mortality. The three states have made it clear that they intend to allow hunting of bears above their established population limit.

Mattson warned in the blog post that male grizzly populations could be decimated under the new plan, especially outside parks, and that the states planned means of estimating population could fail to account for that loss.

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The Wyoming Republican Party and Rep. Liz Cheney continue to trade barbs, this time over her comments suggesting the leaders controlling the state GOP are radicals.

The back and forth started with Cheneys statements on the anniversary of Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol, when she spoke out against radical elements of the Wyoming Republican Party apparatus.

There are people in the state party apparatus of my home state who are quite radical. And some of those same people include people who were here on Jan. 6th, include a party chair who has toyed with the idea of secession, Cheney said in a Fox News interview Thursday. So, there is a very radical element of the Republican Party in the same way that there is a radical element of the Democratic Party.

The party chair is a reference to Frank Eathorne, the Wyoming GOP chairman, who raise the specter of secession in an interview last year days before President Joe Bidens inauguration.

Over the weekend, the party responded to Cheney

If Ms. Cheney wants to continue to pick a fight with the majority of Wyoming Republicans and accuse the vast majority of being deplorables and radicals, then of course she can continue that foolish ploy, the Wyoming GOP statement read. She can also continue to engage in the politics of personal destruction with other Republicans  which is her specialty and only real qualification to sit on the farcical January 6th Commission  but that is unlikely to improve her position in the polls.

The GOP statement indicates that two straw polls will be held at a Jan. 22 party meeting: one to gauge sentiment on her criticism of the party and a second to determine which House candidate that state central committee members will be voting for in Republican House primary in August.

Spoiler alert: the straw polls will very likely demonstrate the vast majority condemns her views and will be voting for someone else, the state party wrote.

Straw polls, however, are not always a strong indicator of broader sentiment. For example, former Sheridan County GOP Chairman Bryan Miller defeated now Sen. Cynthia Lummis by a large margin in a 2020 straw poll at the state party convention, but Lummis coasted to victory in the Republican primary a few months later.

Cheneys team responded Monday.

Liz stands by her comments. She has always been a conservative Republican. Like many other Republicans across Wyoming, she is deeply troubled by those members of our state party who have taken dangerous, and in some cases unconstitutional, positions, such as advocating for secession, said Jeremy Adler, a Cheney spokesperson. Liz ran for office as a Constitutional Conservative; she cannot condone what happened on Jan. 6th, and she will never abandon her conservative principles.

This back and forth follows multiple actions from the state party against Cheney.

In early 2021, the Wyoming GOP leadership censured her for her vote to impeach Trump. More recently, the state party narrowly voted to no longer recognize Cheney as a Republican, a move that is symbolic.

These actions against Cheney come in a year that has seen Wyomings lone representative steadfastly insist that former President Donald Trump helped to incite the Jan. 6 riot, which occurred as Congress worked to certify the presidential election.

The GOPs statement went on to repeat the word deplorables.

CNN will not be able to sell that deplorables tripe in Wyoming and save Ms. Cheney from an embarrassing defeat, it read.

Cheney did not call anyone deplorables in any of her numerous Jan. 6 anniversary interviews.

Although the state party did not respond when asked what exactly the statement meant with that word, it is likely a nod to Hillary Clintons comment during the 2016 presidential campaign in which she called Trumps supporters a basket of deplorables.

Labeling his voters that way caused severe backlash against Clinton and fed into the idea that she looked down upon them.

This is not the first time anti-Cheney groups have brought up Clinton.

With a slideshow of photos of Clinton, the ad starts, Remember? She benefited from a famous political last name. She sided with Nancy Pelosi and attacked President Trump when he was in office. She supported impeachment and she continues to attack President Trump today.

Clinton, a Democrat, and Cheney have drastically different politics and views.

Cheneys criticism of Trump and her impeachment vote has made Cheneys reelection effort harder than ever before. Previously, shes coasted to reelection. This time, she faces a formidable challenge from Harriet Hageman, the Trump-endorsed candidate.

While the views of Wyoming GOPs leadership on Cheney are clear, according to state statute, the state party cant endorse or spend money on a candidate in the primary.

Follow state politics reporter Victoria Eavis on Twitter @Victoria_Eavis

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The last District 35 Senate race, in 2018, was the most expensive legislative race that year. Oban defeated former state Republican Party Chairman Gary Emineth.

Democrats will be defending all but one of their seats in the Legislature this year -- a daunting situation for the party in deeply Republican North Dakota.
A Bismarck man accused a year ago of shooting a BB gun at a home, pouring gas around it and threatening to kill one of the people inside will spend three years on probation.

Roger Hacker, 23, pleaded guilty Monday to felony terrorizing and endangering by fire or explosion, along with a misdemeanor count of criminal mischief. He was charged in January 2021 when Bismarck police were called to a Sweet Avenue residence on a report that a man was shooting at the home with a BB handgun and arguing with the woman who made the call.

Police alleged Hacker threatened to burn the house while three of his family members were inside, broke glass on a door, damaged a vehicle and shot holes in an air conditioning unit.

South Central District Judge Bobbi Weiler accepted a plea agreement reached by Assistant Burleigh County States Attorney Josh Amundson and defense attorney Benjamin Pulkrabek. It included a suspended three-year prison term, credit for 262 days served, and three years of supervised probation. A mental health evaluation and treatment were included as terms of his probation. Hacker declined to speak on his own behalf when given the opportunity by Weiler.

Reach Travis Svihovec at 701-250-8260 or Travis.Svihovec@bismarcktribune.com

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A federal judge has sentenced a Rhame man to life in prison for the sexual abuse of a child.

Douglas Schneider, 51, in September pleaded guilty to a federal charge of transportation of a minor, according to U.S. Attorney Nick Chase. Investigators said Schneider between 2013 and 2018 sexually abused a child and allegedly transported the child to Montana in 2018 with the intent of engaging in sexual acts.

U.S. District Judge Daniel Traynor at a Monday sentencing hearing further ordered that Schneider make nearly $20,000 in restitution, not have any type of communication with the child or the childs family, and have no direct contact with a child under the age of 18.

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North Dakota health officials on Tuesday reported 2,120 new COVID-19 cases as testing picked up with the start of the workweek, and active cases jumped 18% from the previous day.

The new case count is the highest during the recent waves of the highly contagious delta and omicron variants of the coronavirus. It's also the highest since the height of the pandemic in late 2020, before the availability of vaccines.

State health officials on Thursday will host a public discussion of topics surrounding omicron.

The state on Tuesday calculated a positivity rate of nearly 15% from 12,018 tests processed Monday, and the state's 14-day rolling test positivity rate surpassed 13% for the first time since November 2020. The state target is less than 5%.

Active COVID-19 cases soared to 4,546, a 144% increase from the start of the month, when omicron was just arriving in the state. Nearly one-fifth of the active cases are in Burleigh-Morton counties.

The state's coronavirus dashboard showed five more virus-related deaths, raising North Dakota's pandemic toll to 2,034. The Health Department no longer publicly reports the county, sex and age range of newly confirmed deaths. The dashboard death total for Morton County increased by one, to 132. Burleigh County's total was unchanged, at 284. Cass County, home to Fargo, saw its total rise by one, to a state-leading 291.

COVID-19 hospitalizations in North Dakota remained relatively stable, at 115. Health officials say many omicron cases result in few or no symptoms. The most recent state data showed a little under 9% of staffed inpatient beds available statewide and about 6% of intensive care unit beds open. In Bismarck, Sanford Health had no available staffed general care beds but one open ICU bed; CHI St. Alexius Health had no beds listed in either category.

There have been 184,613 confirmed COVID-19 cases in North Dakota during the pandemic that began in March 2020. There have been 178,033 recoveries and 7,071 hospitalizations.

Omicron town hall

The Health Department is hosting a virtual town hall at 11 a.m. Central time Thursday to discuss omicron.

It's open to the public, online via Microsoft Teams Live Event at https://health.nd.gov/covidtownhall. It also will be simulcast across the Health Department's Facebook, Twitter and YouTube channels. No registration is necessary.

Speakers will include state Immunization Program Director Molly Howell, North Dakota State University Center for Immunization Research and Education Director Paul Carson, state Disease Control and Forensic Pathology Section Chief Kirby Kruger, and state Health Resources and Response Section Chief Tim Wiedrich.

Speakers also will answer submitted questions for a short period following prepared remarks.

More information

North Dakota continues to have one of the worst COVID-19 vaccination rates in the country, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Agency data on Tuesday showed 64% of North Dakota adults being fully vaccinated. The rate for all vaccine-eligible people in the state -- age 5 and older -- is 57.1%.

The CDC recommends COVID-19 booster shots for all adults; 44.1% of North Dakota adults have received a third dose of vaccine, according to state data. The federal agency last week also recommended that adolescents ages 12-17 receive boosters as well. The state vaccine dashboard does not yet track third doses for that age group.

The coronavirus transmission risk is considered substantial or high in all of North Dakota's 53 counties except Billings, according to the CDC's COVID-19 data tracker website. The CDC recommends people in those risk categories wear masks in public indoor settings.

People can go to https://www.ndvax.org or call 866-207-2880 to see where COVID-19 vaccine is available near them. A list of free COVID-19 testing offered by local public health units is at health.nd.gov/covidtesting. For more detailed information on coronavirus in North Dakota, go to www.health.nd.gov/coronavirus. For more information on coronavirus variants, go to https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/transmission/variant.html.

Reach Blake Nicholson at 701-250-8266 or blake.nicholson@bismarcktribune.com.

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Several rail cars caught fire after at least 11 cars of a BNSF train derailed near Burlington early Sunday, but no injuries were reported. The railroad said in a statement that the train derailed between Minot and Des Lacs, North Dakota, around 1 a.m. Sunday, and railcars containing paper products and frozen foods caught fire. BNSF said railcars carrying hazardous materials on the train did not leave the tracks and had been pulled away from the fire. Burlington Fire Chief Karter Lassman said a couple homes near the derailment were evacuated Sunday morning as a precaution. The cause of the derailment remains under investigation
The Motion Potion: Cloud Acceleration, SD-WAN's Secret Ingredient For office networks, VPNs and SD-WAN, packetized routing often works brilliantly, but in the real world, servers suffer timeouts and bandwidth gets choked. Routings take the long way around and packets fizzle out. Read this article to discover how Expereo is aiming to create a magic potion for solving the logjams: Cloud Acceleration.

SD-WAN Benefits For Business: 6 Advantages Over MPLS SD-WAN is a flexible alternative to MPLS or hybrid network configurations. This is because SD-WAN can manage multiple types of connections  including MPLS and broadband  and route traffic over the best path in real-time, resulting in endless benefits. Want to know more? Read this article to explore 6 concrete advantages of SD-WAN over MPLS.

7 Common Challenges When Implementing Your Company's Network While ordering, implementing, and managing Internet connections should be relatively easy, the process of connecting your business to the Internet is a lot more challenging than it may seem. Access this blog to learn how to navigate the 7 common challenges when it comes to implementing your company's network.

Talking My Language: Explaining SD-WAN To The C-Suite The public internet isnt secure  thats why SD-WAN creates a private one. With some of the worlds largest banks moving to SD-WAN technology to handle billions of dollars a day, its a safe bet its secure enough for your enterprise too. Read this article to learn why SD-WAN is quickly becoming the default option in todays workforce.

Fixed Wireless Internet Access: Benefits & Misconceptions There has been significant acceleration in the adoption of internet access services to support the growth of SD-WAN networks. This acceleration is attributed to three distinct elements of SD-WAN enhancement  quality, reliability and downtime prevention. Read this blog post to explore one such service, fixed wireless, for last mile.

SD-WAN In China: The Use Case For The Asian Superpower China: a country where every growth-focused enterprise needs to bebut a market where government policies and the nature of competition make a huge difference to how an SD-WAN performs. Access this blog to explore SD-WAN the special case of SD-WAN in China, and how Expereo approaches its challenges.

9 Reasons To Reconsider MPLS and Adopt SD-WAN Large businesses looking to connect branch offices with company headquarters should read this article. It highlights 9 reasons why enterprises should reconsider MPLS and instead shift to a hybrid or internet-centric network, particularly to support the move to cloud, such as SD-WAN.

Expereo Cloud Acceleration - Demo Watch this demo to fully understand Internet connectivity and how Expereo leverages software defined networking to help their customers optimize performance to the Internet and cloud destinations.

How To Supercharge Your SD-WAN Underlay, Enhance Connectivity & Lower Latency When it comes to SD-WAN, many organizations place too great an emphasis on the overlay, drawing attention away from underlying connectivity issues. When the physical underlay is neglected, any agility benefits delivered by SD-WAN provide little more than a smokescreen. Read this article to learn how you can improve your underlay via the cloud.

From Private To Hybrid To Public: Enterprises Accelerate Toward Full Internet And SD-WAN Within the next 2 to 3 years, 97% of multinational enterprises expect to be working with SD-WAN, according to an Omdia survey. Download this white paper to learn how SD-WAN can accelerate your organization in todays dispersed workforce.
American exceptionalism cannot be appreciated without contrast. Compare these two scenes: On Wednesday night throngs of rioters rampaged through Seattles Capitol Hill district, inflicting massive amounts of property damage, looting, and arson without sustaining a single arrest. One night earlier in Hong Kong, police arrested peaceful protesters so petrified of breaking its Orwellian new national security law that they held blank white placards.

Few images could throw the principles enshrined in the Declaration of Independence into starker relief. On one hand, the former denizens of CHOP/CHAZ mingle with Antifa and Black Lives Matter protesters to advocate a racialized form of Marxism while violating bona fide laws (and public decency standards) with impunity. On the other, democratic advocates  including elected officials  find themselves caught in the dragnet for committing thoughtcrime.

At least two political leaders were arrested Tuesday. Police said that Ted Hui illegally challenged them for summarily searching multiple district councillors. Rayman Chow held a banner that repeated the (well-founded) allegation that police let a private mob beat protesters last July 21  a thought now illegal under the national security law, which makes it illegal to provoke hatred of the national or local government.

The crackdown only builds on the culture of intimidation and silence imposed on the island against its inhabitants wishes. The Hong Kong Police Force rounded up 370 protesters on the day the law took effect, July 1  23 years to the day the UK ceded authority over the island to China. The UK agreement, signed by Margaret Thatcher, required Beijing to maintain a one country, two systems policy which respects the democratic, economic, and human rights that Hong Kongs citizens already enjoyed. The Peoples Republic of China has steadily reneged on that pledge.

In their oppression, Hong Kong has embraced the Declaration of Independence  one of the very founding documents BLM and the 1619 Project brand as systematically racist, oppressive, and unacceptable. At least one of the women arrested literally wrapped her sign with the American and UK flags.

#NationalSecurityLaw in effect. #HKPolice further arrested a female for showing a material with #HKIndependence slogan in #CausewayBay, Hong Kong. #HKPolice will take resolute enforcement action in accordance with #NSL. pic.twitter.com/mTmJWt8Z8m  Hong Kong Police Force (@hkpoliceforce) July 1, 2020

Which brings us back to American exceptionalism. The most intense crackdown to date coincided with the Fourth of July weekend. So many of the legitimate grievances held in Hong Kong echo the Declaration of Independence.

In the longest section of that charter of the American experiment, Thomas Jefferson indicted King George III for numerous violations of the colonists rights. The list includes these recriminations:

He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws.

The National Peoples Congress in Beijing subjected Hong Kong to a terrorizing new law, simultaneously vague and comprehensive. The enactment and imposition of this national security law constitute a clear and serious breach of the Sino-British Joint Declaration, said UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson. It violates Hong Kongs high degree of autonomy, and its in direct conflict with Hong Kongs Basic Law. Although Hong Kong must establish its own police to enforce the law, Article 65 vests the power of interpretation of the law in Beijing.

And the Chinese Communist Party does not merely claim jurisdiction over Hong Kong residents. Article 38 states that police can punish violations by a person who is not a permanent resident of Hong Kong, apparently including U.S. citizens who visit the island.

For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us.

The law establishes a security force on the island controlled entirely by Beijing. Articles 55 and 56 allow forces under control of the mainland to assert jurisdiction over any case they deem serious or difficult.

For depriving us in many cases, of the benefit of Trial by Jury.

Article 46 of Chinas national security act allows rulers to deny the accused a trial by jury. Hearings may be conducted in secret (Article 41) and tried by a judge who was personally appointed by Hong Kongs chief executive (Article 44).

For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences.

Article 56 allows trials to be held in the PRC, presided over by Chinese judges. As for the pretended offences, the law defines subversion broadly enough to include everything from overthrowing the government to seriously interfering in, disrupting, or undermining any government undertaking.

The Chinese governments silencing of dissent, its denial of the islands autonomy, and its quashing of citizens redress of grievances constitute material violations of the Declaration of Independence  to say nothing of the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights. For this reason, great Americans have always viewed our founding document as the fountain of worldwide liberation.

Its belief in God-given rights upholds the notion that all human persons were created for freedom. President-elect Abraham Lincoln said that the Declaration of Independence gave liberty, not alone to the people of this country, but, I hope, to the world, for all future time. It was that which gave promise that in due time the weight would be lifted from the shoulders of all men.

Since the foundation of these rights rests upon the recognition of a Higher Power, people of faith  and Americans generally  would do well to ponder the questions asked by the recent report of the U.S. Commission on Unalienable Rights: To what extent do unalienable rights rest on the work of a creator Deity? Can faith in such rights be sustained without faith in God? As Americans plumb the origins of those rights, they should gain a greater appreciation of them as they are acknowledged or denied around the world.

At a minimum, comparing Americas founding documents with the collectivist system that enabled Hong Kongs violent police repression should make U.S. activists cease their efforts to replace the former with the latter.

(Photo credit: Studio Incendo. CC BY 2.0.)
The COVID-19 pandemic has further eroded Americas already flagging support for religious liberty, Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito warned in a prophetic speech to the Federalist Society. Alitos critics described his clarion call to respect our nations first freedom as charged, unusually political, and unscrupulously biased, political, and even angry. Sen. Elizabeth Warren called the justice a political hack. But a new survey shows that most Americans share Justice Alitos assessment of faith in the public square, with surprisingly strong support among the generation thought to be the most secular.

The Becket Fund for Religious Libertys second annual Religious Freedom Index, released this Tuesday, found that 62% of respondents said that faith or religion was important to them during the outbreak. Interestingly, Gen Z respondents were more likely than any other generation, including the Silent Generation, to say faith had been extremely or very important in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. Their solace comes no thanks to governors (and quiescent church authorities), who closed churches and others houses of worship during the coronavirus shutdowns.

The pandemic has resulted in previously unimaginable restrictions on individual liberty, Justice Alito said in a livestream address last Thursday:

I think it is an indisputable statement of fact: We have never before seen restrictions as severe, extensive and prolonged as those experienced for most of 2020. Think of all the live events that would otherwise be protected by the right to freedom of speech, live speeches, conferences, lectures, meetings, think of worship services, churches closed on Easter Sunday, synagogues closed for Passover and Yom Kippur  Who could have imagined that the COVID crisis has served as a sort of constitutional stress test?

Perhaps recognizing the importance our Founding Fathers placed on religion for the survival of our constitutional form of government, Becket found that 78% of Americans say religion is important for providing stability to society during times of social unrest. Twice as many Americans believe our political leaders should expedite peoples right to in-person worship than facilitate outdoor protests. Yet some governors kept casinos, marijuana distilleries, and abortion facilities open at greater capacity than houses of worship.

In certain quarters, religious liberty is fast becoming a disfavored right, Alito observed  a surprising turn of events since Chuck Schumers Religious Freedom Restoration Act passed Congress with near-unanimous consent and was signed into law by President Bill Clinton on November 16, 1993. The justice cited three examples that predate the pandemic.

First, the Little Sisters of the Poor, who serve approximately 13,000 impoverished senior citizens each year, face crippling fines, fines that would likely have forced them to shut down their homes, because they refuse to participate in a process that results in their insurance plan providing their female employees with free contraceptives. Despite the fact that artificial contraception violates Roman Catholic teachings, and not one of their employees has requested the coverage, the Obama administration picked a defining legal battle with the sisters which, after a brief respite during the Trump administration, Joe Biden vows to reignite.

Second, Ralphies Thriftway drug store in Washington state defined a state order to carry potentially abortion-inducing drug like Plan B and ella. The drugs, which violate the conscience of the stores owners, could be had at numerous other pharmacies within a five-mile radius. Yet government officials sued to prevent the owners from living out their faith on the job.

Finally, Alito cited the Colorado Human Rights Commission, which sued Jack Phillips of the Masterpiece Cakeshop when he refused to make a cake celebrating a same-sex wedding. Ruling in Phillips favor, Justice Anthony Kennedy noted the expressions of hostility to religion uttered by the government officials who brought the case. Alito merely amplified his former colleagues concern last Thursday by saying, For many today, religious liberty is not a cherished freedom. Its often just an excuse for bigotry, and it cant be tolerated, even when there is no evidence that anybody has been harmed.

The devolution of respect for religious rights can be seen in one family of presidential candidates. Let us never believe that the freedom of religion imposes on any of us some responsibility to run from our convictions, said President Clinton after signing RFRA. Let us instead respect one anothers faiths [and] fight to the death to preserve the right of every American to practice whatever convictions he or she has. Yet by 2015, Hillary Clinton would insist religious beliefs that oppose abortion have to be changed.

During the interregnum, critical theory completed its long march through the institutions. Academic theorists problematized the concept of religious liberty, heard the testimony of protected groups lived experience, and convicted conviction of oppressing the powerless. Since critical theory values equity over equality, its exponents feel free to deny the unalienable rights of the disfavored majority. The real victims of the elite decision to jettison Americas constitutional consensus are the faithful photographers, florists, county clerks, and pizza shop proprietors crushed between vapid cries of bigotry and the government lawsuits those allegations trigger. Ironically, politicians threaten to use the full force of the federal government to crush their lifes work because, according to their ideology, these middle-class professionals wield too much power.

The good news is that a majority of Americans of both parties still uphold Americans right to live out their deeply held religious beliefs in the workplace. This year, 61% of Democrats and 71% of Republicans supported freedom to practice ones religion in daily life or at work even if it creates an imposition or inconvenience for others. This silenced majority embodies the broad-minded tolerance that lies at the heart of the American experiment. Thomas Jefferson may as well have been speaking of the U.S. government when he wrote that this institution will be based on the illimitable freedom of the human mind, for here we are not afraid to follow truth wherever it may lead, nor to tolerate any error so long as reason is left free to combat it.

The American people must make this our motto again because, as Alito said in closing:

[I]n the end, there is only so much that the judiciary can do to preserve our Constitution, and the liberty it was adopted to protect. As Learned Hand famously wrote, Liberty lies in the hearts of men and women; when it dies there, no constitution, no law, no court can do much to help it. For all Americans, standing up for our Constitution and our freedom is work that lies ahead.

We must show ourselves worthy of the freedoms enshrined in our founding documents and of the constitutionally limited government instituted by our Founding Fathers. That requires us to rekindle our nations long-dormant sense of national unity in place of the bitter bifurcation of identity politics. We must reaffirm the fundamental goodness of America and, alas, even the goodness of God. We must renew our commitment to self-reliance, a reciprocal recognition of one anothers liberties, and our refusal to apologize when the deep philosophical currents that shaped Western civilization threaten to drown this present ages obsession with swimming in shallow waters.
Later this month, the US Army is staging a two-week "realistic" guerrilla war across two dozen counties in North Carolina. Described as a final test for a Special Forces qualification training, US army soldiers will tangle with "freedom fighters" in an imaginary country called Pineland. From MSN:

The two-week "unconventional warfare exercise" will be staged Jan. 22-Feb. 4 on privately owned land. And it will be realistic enough to include the sounds of gunfire (blanks) and flares, the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School said in a news release.

Exact times, locations and exercise specifics were not provided.

However, advance publicity is intended to make sure civilians  including law enforcement officers  don't mistake the fighting for terrorism or criminal activity, which has happened in the past[]

"To add realism of the exercise, civilian volunteers throughout the state act as role players. Participation by these volunteers is crucial to the success of this training, and past trainees attest to the realism they add to the exercise.

Advance public notice of "the U.S. military's premiere unconventional warfare exercise" became a priority in 2002, after one soldier was killed and another wounded when a Moore County sheriff's deputy mistook [the] exercises for criminal activity.
Late last year, a Michigander named Wendy Wein decided to have her ex-husband killed. Unsure of how to go about this, she simply googled "rent a hitman," saw a link for RentAHitman.com, and submitted a request using the company's convenient online form.

Despite the claims made by founder Guido Fanelli, RentAHitman.com does not actually comply with the privacy laws as sort forth in the Hitman Information Privacy & Protection Act of 1964 (also known as HIPPA). That's because such a law doesn't exist, and neither does Guido Fanelli. Because RentAHitman.com is  gasp!  not real! As the Washington Post reported:

RentAHitman.com is a fake website. It's not run by "Guido Fanelli," as it claims, but by Bob Innes, a 54-year-old Northern California man who forwards any serious inquiries to law enforcement. Innes launched the site 16 years ago as part of an Internet security business that never went anywhere. Instead, it has served as a honeypot of sorts, attracting people who want to hire professional killers. For Wein, it didn't go well. She was arrested within days of seeking out an assassin and pleaded guilty earlier this month to solicitation of murder and using a computer to commit a crime. Under her plea agreement, she faces at least nine years in prison when she is sentenced in January.

On the surface, it certainly seems strange that some random guy just happens to run his own assassination honeypot hobby. Naturally, there's a story there. It turns out that Innes had gone through the Napa Valley Police Academy himself, and then ended looking at a career in network security. He purchased the domain name back in 2005 as part of a joint business venture  first, to resell for a profit if someone wanted it, and second, to help him launch his own B2B consulting firm that would test company's online infrastructure for vulnerabilities.

Ultimately, neither venture panned out, and he just kind of forgot about the domain. A few years later, he checked the email inboxes for the site, and found around 300 inquiries, most of which seemed serious, or at least earnest. Then, in 2010, he received his first serious inquiry. As he conveyed to Roling Stone:

It was from a female by the name of Helen. She was out of the U.K. but stranded in Canada. She had written an email to the contact email address, and it basically just it was a long and rambling email saying how she was screwed out of her father's inheritance by three family members. She has no money. She has no place to live. She is stranded in Canada without a passport, so she can't even leave. She wanted retaliation against her aunt, uncle, and one other family member. She provided physical addresses and whatnot. So when I first received that e-mail, I was helping my brother move from L.A. back up here to the Bay Area, so I was loading a U-Haul truck full of his belongings. I didn't really take the time to read Helen's e-mail in-depth. I just thought, this is a troubled person. I really didn't give it much thought. Then she sends a second e-mail with "Urgent" in the subject line with more detail, more corroborating information. And I responded to that e-mail and I asked two simple questions. "Do you still require our services? Would you like me to put you in contact with the field operatives?" I could tell that this person was in a bad place. She obviously was serious about causing harm to people overseas. Her email was long and rambling and with great detail. This is a person that was in desperate need The other emails, they were basically one line emails to the e-mail account, and there wasn't a lot of information to go off of. Nobody was leaving names or addresses or anything like that. These were people just kind of feeling the water. And I didn't respond, so they kind of just went away with this. This Helen email, I knew just reading her first e-mail that this is a person who wanted to have these people murdered.

Innes would catfished Helen for a while until he got some details out of her, which he then passed on to a friend in the local department, who in turn contacted Canadian authorities, who performed a welfare check on the woman  who turned out to have several extraditable warrants in the UK.

Since then, Innes has forwarded about 400 "service requests" to authorities  a little more than half of all of the inquiries he receives through the site, according to the Post. Some of them have turned out to be pretty serious, too, though I'm not sure where this sort of pedestrian volunteer service falls in terms of entrapment.

A Michigan woman tried to hire an assassin online at RentAHitman.com. Now, she's going to prison. [Jonathan Edwards / Washington Post]

How a Fake Rent-a-Hitman Site Became an Accidental Murder-for-Hire Sting Operation [EJ Dickson / Rolling Stone]
In Norway, there's nothing new about men and women in the military returning their uniforms after serving 12 to 19 months so that new conscripts can wear them. But now they must also return their underwear, socks, and bras.

With a low stock of military undergarments, due in part to the pandemic, you'd think the simplest  not to mention less gross  solution would be to issue credit so that people could buy their own. But the Norwegian military doesn't see it that way.

As long as there are "proper checks and cleaning, the reuse of garments is considered an adequate and sound practice," PR spokesperson Hans Meisingset said. "Now that we have chosen to reuse this part of the kit, it helps us. We don't have enough in stock."

From AP:
Donald Grant and Gilbert Postelle, both on death row in Oklahoma, are seeking court approval of execution by firing squad instead of three-drug lethal injection. Their attorneys are hoping for their imminent executions to be delayed until a trial can determine whether lethal injection is unconstitutional. If that's the ruling, lethal injection is permitted as per state law. From NBC News:

"While it may be gruesome to look at, we all agree it will be quicker," attorney Jim Stronski told [US District Judget Stephen] Friot after a daylong hearing in Oklahoma City[]

Among the experts who testified was Dr. James Williams, an emergency medicine specialist from Texas who has more than 40,000 hours of emergency room experience and who has extensively studied the use of firing squads.

Williams, himself the victim of a gunshot wound to the chest area, testified that a firing squad involving shots from at least four high-powered rifles to the "cardiac bundle" of the heart would be so quick that an inmate wouldn't feel pain. He also said that unlike lethal injection, there is an extremely low likelihood that the execution would be botched.
Joseph Carubba and his out-of-town partner came out mostly unscathed from their latest collision with the Old First Ward community, after the duo won city approval for their proposal to construct four new apartment buildings in the historic neighborhood next to the Buffalo River.

Carubba  former owner of Carubba Collision  is teaming up with J.B. Earl Co. of Utah to bring 85 new residential apartments to South, Vandalia and Hamburg streets, next to the new Mutual Riverfront Park. Dubbed The Riv, the market-rate project would feature a mix of both one-bedroom loft and two-bedroom units of 1,050 and 1,400 square feet, respectively, with high-grade finishes.

Carubba redevelopment plan meets resistance in Old First Ward JC Properties  an affiliate of Joseph Carubba's Carubba & Company  wants to construct a multi-phase and multi-building community on a two-acre-site in the Old First Ward

That will add significant new density to the neighborhood along the river, which is currently pockmarked with greenspace and vacant land in what used to be a tightly-packed area more than a century ago. And it will take advantage of the growing interest in the city's waterfront, and the desire for more access to the river for activities.

"We do see this site as embracing the water and embracing the style of outdoor living," Earl Co. CEO Justin B. Earl said Monday during the city Planning Board meeting. "Our vision is to bring back some of the vibrancy that this neighborhood had."

Plans by architect Michael Conroe of Elev8 Architecture and Andrew Marino of Tredo Engineers call for three-story buildings on separate sites at 12 and 31 Vandalia, 32 Hamburg and 148 South. Two of the properties are vacant, while the other two have single-family homes that will be demolished. All are owned by Carubba's JC Properties.

Carubba sets sights on South Street development Businessman and investor Joseph Carubba is planning a waterfront project in the Old First Ward neighborhood next to Mutual Riverfront Park.

The developers also control a fifth site at 14 Hamburg, but instead of proposing new construction on it, they plan to offer the site as an amenity to the neighborhood. An active CSX Corp. rail line runs through the middle of the two-acre site, but the infrequent trains run at low speed.

All four buildings will front onto the street with their main entrances, while the vestibules extend through the width of the buildings to the parking lots in the rear. The project incorporates enough parking for one space for every apartment, including some spaces tucked underneath parts of the buildings.

The $25 million to $30 million project already received variances from the Zoning Board of Appeals for side setback, parking lot greenspace and density, but did not need additional variances for height. That's because the developers had already significantly scaled back their original plan  which started with 138 units and five-story buildings  in the face of community opposition and criticism.

The apartment tally had already dropped to 95 and more recently to 85, which was approved Monday. And the developers agreed to introduce the buildings in phases over five years instead of all at once, to lessen the impact on the community.

Also, in response to concerns about flooding, especially given recent seiches on Lake Erie, the developers plan to raise the ground by at least three feet to keep the structures above the floodplain and protect the ground-floor apartments.

Conroe said the developers "worked pretty extensively with the community and community leaders," including Valley Community Association Executive Director Peg Overdorf, Old First Ward Community Center Executive Director Patrick Gormley and Common Council Member Mitch Nowakowski, who held community meetings.

Even so, Overdorf expressed concern about parking, particularly during the more congested spring and summer months, when kayaking is in full swing. And she criticized the look of the primary building at the rounded corner of Hamburg and South streets, which she said does not reflect the community. "Youre sticking this in the middle of a residential area, and youve got to be considerate of the residents," she said.

That building  which Conroe said was designed to reflect the nearby industrial landscape and the history of the area  features a mostly flat roof, with a mix of white and rustic-colored cementitious fiber panels for the facade, and recessed concave balconies that tie into the shape of nearby grain elevators.

"It just doesnt have the warmth and sense of neighborhood that the other buildings do," Planning Board Vice Chair Cynthia Schwartz agreed. "It needs color or a different facade treatment."

By contrast, the other three will have pitched roofs and wood clapboard siding "that was respectful of the neighborhood," while the ground floors will be dominated by brick. But Overdorf said the cement panels don't last, and urged much more brick in all the buildings.

"The little bit of brick you threw on the other building really does not suffice," she said. "We've done a lot to move the renaissance of the community forward, and I don't think this is a great representation."

Ultimately, the developers agreed to incorporate more wood framing around the balconies to soften the facade.

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Catholic Health System announced Monday it is extending the temporary closure of the emergency department at the Mercy Ambulatory Care Center in Orchard Park through the end of January.

The decision was made amid the "continued surge in Covid-19 patients across the region, as well as the increasing number of hospital staff who are unable to work after testing positive for the virus," the health system said in a news release.

Given the extended closure of the MACC's emergency department, the facility's cardiac rehabilitation services also will remain temporarily suspended. All other outpatient services, including pre-surgical testing, imaging services and the Covid swabbing station, remain open at the center at 3669 Southwestern Blvd.

The MACC's emergency department has been closed since Nov. 9, when Catholic Health decided to concentrate resources on resuming full emergency medical services at Mercy Hospital of Buffalo as the Abbott Road facility scaled back up following a 35-day strike. Just over a week later, on Nov. 18, Catholic Health opted to extend the closure of the MACC's emergency department, targeting a reopening by Jan. 3.

Mercy Hospital's patient volume recovering after strike; MACC to remain closed for several weeks There were 239 patients staying in Mercy Hospital on Wednesday and 247 patients on Thursday, compared with 172 inpatients at the facility on Oct. 1 when a 35-day strike began. That's still down about 100 patients from Mercy's patient census before the strike.

Two months after that decision, however, the health care industry's staffing challenges have not abated.

In fact, the situation may be even worse, with the Omicron variant delivering a double-whammy to hospitals: an increasing number of Covid-19 hospitalizations, albeit often milder cases than previous waves, as well as more employees testing positive as the highly contagious variant sweeps through the region.

And, once an employee tests positive, they are out a minimum of five days, per the latest federal and state guidance on isolation periods.

With those increased employee cases in mind, Gov. Kathy Hochul on Friday announced health care workers in New York will be required to get a booster shot within two weeks of when they're eligible, unless they have a valid medical exemption. That mandate will go before a state health council Tuesday, where approval is anticipated, Hochul said.

"You've already seen what's been happening in our health care environments," Hochul said Friday. "Staff is getting sick, they're leaving. We need them to get well, we need them to have the best fortification they possibly can, and that means getting a booster shot, as well."

Hochul orders boosters for health workers, new rules for nursing home visitors Like the original vaccine order last fall, there will be no opt out for getting tested instead of boosted. You would want to make sure that anyone taking care of you is fully protected," the governor said.

Healthy hospital employees also are grappling with high Covid-19 volume.

State data shows 572 Covid-19 patients were hospitalized in the five-county Western New York region on Saturday, a higher daily count than prior pandemic peaks. But importantly, fewer of those patients are in the intensive care unit. As of Saturday, 86 Covid-19 patients were in the ICU across Western New York, compared with 113 about one month earlier on Dec. 11.

"While hospital Covid volume is high across the region, we are seeing changes in the level of severity with fewer critical care patients," Catholic Health said in a statement to The Buffalo News last week. "We are also finding many patients who are Covid-positive are being hospitalized for other unrelated medical conditions which can better be treated at an acute care hospital."

Jon Harris can be reached at 716-849-3482 or jharris@buffnews.com.

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Melissa Bime, a native of Cameroon, moved her business to Buffalo from Alabama  just in time for last week's winter blast.

Sam Eder relocated his business here from Austin, Texas, and now has an easy commute: he rides the elevator to his office in Seneca One tower from his apartment in the same building.

Both Bime and Eder are getting familiar with their new surroundings. They are founders of two of the eight startups that won prize money in the 43North business plan competition last October. This week, the eight companies moved into office space on the tower's 24th floor, kicking off the one-year commitment to Buffalo that is a condition of the prize money.

The 2020 competition was canceled, so this was the first time in two years 43North has welcomed a new group of winners. While the pandemic continues to disrupt everyday life, 43North's staff is working to get the companies acclimated to Buffalo, in hopes of persuading the startups to remain here long term. (Three of the prize winners were already based here.)

43North's big-picture goal is to build up the region's startup community, and perhaps launch a breakout star or two. But behind those startups are founders, juggling development of their companies with practical needs like furnishing an apartment.

"You're moving into a new office, you're moving into a new city, but you're also running a business," said Eder, the co-founder of Big Wheelbarrow. The startup helps grocery stores get more local food on their shelves.

Bime, the CEO of Infiuss Health, had never seen such a big snowstorm before, or felt such low temperatures. Of course, she knew about Buffalo's winters before moving here. "It's one thing to hear, and it's another thing to experience it," she said with a laugh.

Bime said she is taking the weather in stride. "Overall, I am always that someone that is down for change, and the 43North team has been incredible, so I think that really made the transition smooth," she said.

Colleen Heidinger, 43North's president, said she was looking forward to the new class of startups getting a chance to discover the region. "We can already sense the excitement not only for this program but also for the Buffalo community, as they have started to visit coffee shops, buy furniture and meet their landlords."

Something the eight prize-winning startups have in common: each other. They say just talking with fellow startups is helpful.

"What people don't realize is that startup executive life is so lonely, and stressful," Eder said. "Most of your friends and family don't understand what you're doing. And they don't really understand the pressures that you face. To be with a group of people that are living the same thing day to day - it's incredibly helpful for just getting business done, but also your mental health."

Rebecca Brady, the CEO of Top Seedz, said startup leaders can relate to each other in unique ways. "If you can talk to other people about the same problems, it is nice," she said. "You can't really confide in your team on everything. If things are going wrong, you've still got to put on a brave face."

Now that the nerves and euphoria of 43North finals night are behind them, the founders are working on growing their businesses. Top Seedz captured the $1 million grand prize, while the other seven won $500,000 each.

Infiuss Health is a digital platform that supports research and clinical trials in Nigeria and Cameroon. From Buffalo, the company will focus on connecting with customers for its services in the U.S. market.

43North is helping Bime recruit talent as she staffs up. She has made friends with other startup founders and 43North staff members.

"It's a more supportive environment than I've ever been in," Bime said. "I don't think anywhere has ever been so excited to have me, so I'm really excited about this. I'm so happy to just see where this goes."

At Top Seedz, part of Brady's grand-prize-winning pitch involved scaling up cracker production. That will require more automation.

The company, which is based in Cheektowaga, plans to move into larger production space and is choosing between a few sites. Top Seedz is also deciding what equipment to acquire.

But Brady said she's careful to keep a human touch in production, to preserve what she calls the "unique selling point" of her crackers. "At the end of the day, we want to keep that product the way it is," she said.

Top Seedz has 20 employees, a workforce that draws from the refugee community. The company plans to hire more people, as it maps out its growth projections.

While Brady copes with the pressures of building a business and making best use of the $1 million prize money, she keeps things in perspective.

"It is so fun," she said. "We are so lucky to be in this position that we have to think about what we're going to do."

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The union that last month organized a Starbucks in Buffalo, and attracted nationwide attention in doing so, celebrated another victory Monday after the National Labor Relations Board declared it the winner at a store in Cheektowaga.

The NLRB on Monday confirmed it issued the certification of representation in the election involving workers at the Starbucks at 4255 Genesee St., across from the Buffalo Niagara International Airport.

Workers at the Cheektowaga store on Dec. 9 voted 15-9 in favor of the union, but there were seven challenged ballots  none of which were opened and counted. NLRB spokesperson Kayla Blado said Monday that those challenges were sustained, keeping the final vote at 15-9 and giving the union the win.

Starbucks now has 10 business days to file a request for review with the NLRB. If that happens and the board grants the request, the results could come under review. If such a request is denied, the results are final and Starbucks must bargain with the union.

As it stands, only two of Starbucks nearly 9,000 company-operated stores in the United States are organized, and both of them are in Western New York: the Cheektowaga store and the Elmwood Avenue location in Buffalo.

When asked Monday evening whether Starbucks planned to file a request for review with the NLRB, a spokesperson said the company was reviewing the decision and "considering what would be the best option for our partners."

"Our position hasn't changed: Starbucks success  past, present and future  is built on how we partner together, always with our mission and values at our core," the spokesperson said. "From the beginning, we've been clear in our belief that we are better together as partners, without a union between us at Starbucks, and that conviction has not changed."

The mood was very different Monday at Starbucks Workers United, which led the closely watched organizing campaign that has since spurred union efforts at Starbucks stores in Mesa, Ariz., Boston, Tennessee, Seattle and Chicago, among other locations.

"Finally, the partners feel we have a voice at our workplace  this is an emotional day for all partners here who have fought so hard to make our voices heard in the work we do," Lexi Rizzo, a shift supervisor at the Cheektowaga store, said in a statement.

Monday also was the first day back at work for employees of the Elmwood store, several of whom walked off the job Wednesday to protest what they viewed as unsafe Covid-19 levels that left the location short-staffed.

Jon Harris can be reached at 716-849-3482 or jharris@buffnews.com.

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It is almost as though flipping the calendar to an election year has officially kicked off the 2022 contest for governor.

Because New York's campaign trail is suddenly crowded and very much alive.

Republicans and Democrats alike are ramping up gubernatorial efforts earlier than ever as a result of the new political calendar stemming from the 2019 Democratic takeover of state government. And as both major parties slate conventions in February to endorse their candidates, the campaign seems to have skipped the normal embryonic stage for mid-season form.

Take Republican Lee Zeldin. The Suffolk County congressman has been popping up everywhere in recent days, weighing in on incumbent Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul's State of the State message, tearing into the new Manhattan district attorney and generally acting like the GOP frontrunner he is considered.

"Lee has been doing this on a regular basis  24/7," said Erie County Conservative Chairman Ralph C. Lorigo, a Zeldin supporter. "Every day his people are engaging, and every day he is connecting on what is going on."

Hochul looks to establish her identity in State of the State address New York's rookie governor, after unexpectedly assuming Albany's top job last August, takes the state's biggest stage Wednesday with her first State of the State address.

Other Republicans, such as former Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino, have also stepped up their game, joining Zeldin over the weekend in slamming Alvin Bragg, the new Manhattan district attorney. Astorino and others, including Democratic candidate Rep. Thomas R. Suozzi of Nassau County, targeted Bragg for declining to prosecute certain low level crimes. Bragg continues to defend his new policy of avoiding prison sentences and downgrading felony charges for some cases, pointing to the need for mental health counseling or other approaches.

Zeldin on Monday joined several Republican members of the New York City Council in a Manhattan appearance to demand Bragg's removal. On Twitter, the Iraq War veteran reiterated usual GOP criticism of cashless bail and other Democratic reforms of recent years, but singled out Bragg, who now occupies one of the nation's key law enforcement posts.

"DAs should be removed if they don't enforce the laws," he said.

All Zeldin press releases now identify him as "presumptive nominee for governor of New York by both the New York Republican and Conservative Parties." He can make the claim, at least for both parties' endorsement, since he has secured enough backing by party leaders. But Astorino and Andrew Giuliani, son of former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani and a former Trump administration official, continue to wage active campaigns. Over the weekend, both also called for Bragg's removal.

And Suozzi, who is charting a moderate course in a Democratic primary field that currently includes incumbent Gov. Kathy Hochul and New York City Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams, also joined the fray.

Analysis: The Magic 8-Ball sees all. Maybe. Democrats and Republicans alike will be gunning for Gov. Kathy Hochul as she seeks her own four-year term this fall.

"Does the interim Governor agree with the Manhattan DAs policy of picking and choosing which crimes to prosecute? New Yorkers deserve to know this and whether shell fix bail reform," Suozzi said on Twitter (his references to Hochul as "interim" has been rated false by Politifact New York since she constitutionally assumed the office following the August resignation of former Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo).

In a new development, the New York Post reported Sunday that Harry Wilson, the 2010 Republican candidate for comptroller, will soon decide about joining the GOP field for governor. A Westchester County resident known for his skills in corporate restructuring and who served on the Obama administration panel aiding the U.S. auto industry, he also entered gubernatorial speculation in 2014 and 2018.

Wilson is known to be a favorite of many members of the Republican hierarchy because of his financial skills and significant personal wealth that could finance a statewide campaign expected to cost tens of millions of dollars. But Lorigo said Zeldin continues to enjoy solid support among Republican and Conservative leaders, especially at this late date.

"There has to be emphasis in this election on the broader issues that lead people to common sense government," Lorigo said. "That's what Lee is capable of doing."

Nevertheless, Lorigo said he and others would welcome another Wilson candidacy for comptroller.

"He's an extremely capable individual; there are no negatives with him," he said. "I just think it's late for governor. It would be great to have him part of the team (as comptroller candidate)."

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A Buffalo man was sentenced Monday before Erie County Court Judge James Bargnesi in connection with the slaying of a gang member, according to the Erie County District Attorney's Office.

Prosecutors said Mario K. Washington Jr., 23, received an indeterminate sentence of 27 1/3 to 32 years in prison, followed by five years of post-release supervision in the shooting death of Shariff Jackson, 28, of Buffalo.

Shortly before 10 p.m. on July 1, 2020, Washington shot Jackson, who was sitting inside of a vehicle in a parking lot in the 1200 block of Delaware Avenue, between Cleveland and Lancaster avenues, in Buffalo. Jackson died at the scene. It was one of three shootings in the city that day.

Law enforcement officials said the killing was the result of gang warfare between the Central Park Gang and the Fruit Belt Gang. Authorities said they believed members of the Fruit Belt Gang were involved in Jackson's murder. A criminal complaint against two Buffalo men arrested in July on felony gun charges suggested to authorities that Jackson's death was the result of turf battles between the the two gangs.

The two men arrested on gun charges, Michael Woods, 31, and Antwaine Parker, 27, were alleged to be members of the Fruit Belt Gang, according to the criminal complaint. On July 4, three days after Jackson was killed, both Woods and Parker were shot, giving rise to law enforcement's suspicions about gang activity.

Washington pleaded to one count of first-degree manslaughter Nov. 29, and also pleaded guilty to one count of third-degree criminal possession of a weapon in the for possessing an illegal gun in a separate case. On Feb. 19, 2020, the Erie County Sheriffs Office executed a search warrant at Washington's Chelsea Place residence in Buffalo. Investigators found an illegal, loaded firearm hidden in the basement. Washington was linked to the gun through DNA evidence.

Washington also received an indeterminate sentence of 2 1/3 to 7 years in prison on the gun charge, which he will serve consecutive to his sentence on the manslaughter conviction, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

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WASHINGTON  Americans should avoid traveling to Canada because of the new wave of Covid-19 cases the country is experiencing, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control said Monday.

The CDC put Canada in its highest-risk category: Level Four, citing a "very high" risk of Covid-19 infection for travelers heading north. Canada previously had been in Level Three high-risk category.

'Now is not the time to travel': Canada to reimpose border testing requirement Tuesday Canadian officials, at a news briefing Friday, described the move as an attempt to discourage travel as the omicron variant spreads rapidly on both sides of the border.

Canada requires Americans on nonessential trips to be vaccinated, and will require essential travelers  such as medical personnel and truck drivers  to be vaccinated as of this Saturday.

However, "because of the current situation in Canada, even fully vaccinated travelers may be at risk for getting and spreading Covid-19 variants," the CDC said in its Monday announcement. "Travelers should follow recommendations or requirements in Canada, including wearing a mask and staying six feet apart from others."

It would be better still for Americans to stay home, the agency added.

Canada tells residents to avoid nonessential travel, but stays silent on US Asked about possibly banning the entry of foreigners into Canada, Canadian Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos said: "We will take the best action that we can with the information that's available to us."

"Avoid travel to Canada," the CDC said.

The elevated travel warning comes as Canada, like the United States and much of the world, experiences a dramatic spike in Covid-19 cases thanks to the highly infectious Omicron variant.

Canada has been reporting more than 40,000 new Covid-19 cases a day since Jan. 4, according to the Our World in Data Coronavirus Data Explorer. That's more than 10 times the number of daily infections a month ago.

And even before the Omicron wave, the Canadian government tightened its controls on international travel, reinstituting a requirement that returning Canadians show proof of a negative PCR test for Covid-19 as of Dec. 18.

"The government of Canada continues to advise against all nonessential international travel," the Canadian government said in a tweet last week.

A trip to Canada isn't getting easier for Americans Vaccinated Americans traveling to Canada will continue to have to show proof of a negative Covid-19 test upon crossing the border. And a number of Americans who have been able to enter Canada without being vaccinated against Covid-19 will have to show proof of vaccination starting Jan. 15.

Amid that warning, the Covid-19 infection rate in the U.S. remains nearly twice as high as it is in Canada. That is one of several reasons why Rep. Brian Higgins, a Buffalo Democrat, lashed out at the CDC's recommendation against traveling north.

"This is exactly what the president says not to do," Higgins said. "This is panic stuff, when you have four levels, and the fourth level is deep red. You know, that says: 'Oh, my God, we're doomed again.' "

Higgins said he feared the CDC recommendation could lead to a border shutdown like the one in place for the first 17 months of the pandemic.

And to hear Higgins tell it, the warning against travel to Canada is just part of a larger failure by the CDC to deliver the most important information to Americans regarding Covid-19.

At this point in the pandemic, he said, the CDC should focus on telling Americans to get vaccinated, to get booster shots if they are vaccinated and to wear N-95 masks, which offer far greater protection against infection than cloth or surgical masks.

Higgins said the agency is losing credibility by consistently warning Americans against travel, instead of focusing on the need to take those protective measures.

"This is the largest public health agency in the world, and people are tuning it out," Higgins said. "Why? Because its information has been conflicting and confusing. And this flies in the face of the primary message that they should be sending to Americans and that is: get double vaxxed, get boostered and wear these masks."

The CDC is delivering most of that message, but it was secondary to the travel warning it issued for Canada on Monday.

"Do not travel internationally until you are fully vaccinated," the agency said. "Getting vaccinated is still the best way to protect yourself from severe disease, slow the spread of Covid-19 and reduce the number of new variants. CDC encourages you get a Covid-19 vaccine booster dose if you are eligible. People who are not fully vaccinated should follow additional recommendations before, during and after travel."

The warning also encouraged travelers to wear masks if they travel overseas, but the agency did not encourage the use of any particular kind of mask.

Also on Monday, the CDC raised its travel warning to Level Four for the Caribbean island of Curacao. That, along with the warning about Canada, brought the total number of Level Four nations to 81.

Besides Canada, many other popular travel destinations are ranked as Level Four very high-risk countries that should be avoided. The list includes Great Britain, France, Spain, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Greece, Iceland and Peru.

Mexico  traditionally the top foreign travel destination for Americans  is rated as a Level Three high-risk country, as are the Bahamas, Egypt, Israel and Thailand.

American travelers face a Level Two moderate risk of Covid-19 infection in tourist destinations such as Costa Rica, Jamaica and New Zealand, the CDC said. And only a few major travel destinations  such as the British Virgin Islands, Japan and Morocco  are rated as low risk.

The CDC adopted its four-level system for rating travel risks in November 2020. The ratings are based on Covid-19 case counts.

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The debate over facts and freedom and rights and restrictions that has roiled the nation since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic has come to a one-square-mile village where complaining about traffic and parking used to rate as the biggest issue: Williamsville.

Residents from the village of 5,300 and neighboring communities engaged in an at-times testy debate Monday night over whether to accept, or defy, the state mask mandate.

Northtowns suburbs divided by Erie County's mask mandate in public spaces The polarizing politics of the pandemic were on stark display Friday in Erie County's northern suburbs.

Dozens of people, the vast majority unmasked, filled the auditorium at Village Hall to criticize Covid-19 health measures as infringing on their rights. They threw their support to Mayor Deborah Rogers, an outspoken opponent of such public health regulations, and made it clear they feared the effects of mask and vaccine mandates more than the effects of the virus.

"Thank God for Deborah. Shes giving us a freedom  freedom of choice," Nichole Weinstein said.

But those who spoke over a videoconference connection advocated for the mask mandate as a crucial initiative to limit the spread of Covid-19 and decried any attempt, even symbolic, to weaken the rule.

"This village government is off the rails," Randall Klaiman said online. His wife, Shira Gabriel Klaiman, who called Rogers' campaign "embarrassing," said she had collected 200 signatures on an online petition defending the mask mandate.

It was a reflection of the rancor over Covid-19 and public health measures such as mask mandates that has spilled out at municipal and school board meetings across the country and, now, in Buffalo Niagara.

Williamsville trustee blasts 'toxic' mayor in resignation letter Matthew Etu said he is resigning effective immediately because of a toxic and destructive environment created by Williamsville Mayor Deborah Rogers.

The meeting was the first since a village trustee resigned earlier this month over the issue.

Rogers was the only one of five members who did not wear a face mask at the Village Board table, where plastic dividers sat between each member.

In the audience, as of the 7:30 p.m. start of the Village Board meeting, nearly 30 people were in attendance and fewer than 10 wore masks. No one enforced the state mask requirement for the meeting, a rule outlined on a sign at the entrance to Village Hall.

"I want more people to support our Constitution," said Amy Leach, a Clarence resident who has rallied against mask and vaccine mandates.

One audience member, in fact, handed Village Board members pocket copies of the Constitution, arguing mandates violate the Fourth Amendment, though courts generally have upheld mask and vaccine mandates.

Another, Dennis Hoban, came in a white cowboy hat to make clear he thought he and other mandate critics were the good guys, not the villains, in this story.

"I think the board is headed in the right direction," he said.

More than 40 people joined the meeting online, a total the village's community relations director said he's never seen for a Village Board meeting.

"We feel safer because of the mandates that are in effect," Jessica Poulin said online.

Another resident, Melissa Jorgenson, said she fears an anti-mandate resolution considered by the Village Board will embolden the minority" to defy the rules.

"I will be reluctantly forced to take my business outside the village," she said, rather than enter businesses where masks aren't worn.

After the public comment period, the Village Board narrowly approved by a 3-2 vote the resolution that criticized Covid-19 mandates.

The resolution argues against any Covid-19 vaccine or mask mandates, asks Erie County and state health department employees not to enter the village to enforce any such mandates and urges passage of state legislation that would require counties get approval from municipalities of any states of emergency directly affecting those communities.

"We should not second guess those authorities with our own personal opinions," Trustee Eileen Torre said, referring to doctors and scientists trying to steer the state through a pandemic that has killed about 60,000 New Yorkers. She voted no.

But Rogers argued the village has an obligation to make its position known.

"I'm not doing it to be divisive," Rogers said before her vote. "I'm doing it to stand up for freedoms and rights."

Numerous town and village officials  primarily but not always Republicans  have taken a stand in recent months against the mask mandate in public spaces imposed first by Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz and later, on a statewide basis, by Gov. Kathy Hochul.

Western New York counties use education, rather than fines to enforce mask rules There is little appetite in Western New York for governments to enforce the state mask mandate, or to penalize businesses that violate the regulation, especially outside Erie County.

The supervisors of Marilla and West Seneca, for example, came out in opposition to the mask mandate as an infringement on the public's rights, while the supervisors of Amherst and the Town of Tonawanda late last year urged residents to adhere to the rule as a needed public health measure.

The Grand Island Town Board was split, with board members approving a resolution in early December that asked Erie County Health Department employees to avoid coming onto the island to enforce any Covid-19 mandates. Two days later, Supervisor John Whitney, who missed the board vote, issued a statement directing town employees to enforce the mask rule and urging town businesses and residents to do the same.

Monday's meeting in Williamsville came one month after a more-contentious Village Board meeting. During the acrimonious Dec. 13 forum, a large group of residents opposing mask and vaccine mandates directed their ire at several board members for more than two hours.

The state mask policy was not enforced and additional photos show numerous audience members flouting the rule.

A majority of the board voted Dec. 13 to oppose a future vaccine mandate in Erie County, as included in a potential second phase of Covid-19 regulations.

Active village volunteer appointed new Williamsville trustee Matt Carson will take the place of former Trustee Matthew Etu, who resigned in a letter to village officials criticizing Mayor Deb Rogers for an anti-mask agenda.

In the wake of that meeting, Matthew Etu earlier this month resigned as village trustee and deputy mayor. He sent a blistering letter to Williamsville officials decrying Rogers' anti-mask campaign and the "toxic and destructive" environment she created.

Rogers defended her right to speak out against the mask mandate and other Covid-19 policies she opposes and said she has not, as Etu insisted, neglected her mayoral duties in the process.

Late last week, Rogers appointed Matt Carson to replace Etu on the Village Board and named Trustee Dave Sherman her new deputy mayor.

Carson and Sherman, who was appointed to the board last year, must run in the June 21 village election for the final year remaining on their respective terms.

Also Monday, Williamsville returned to offering the option of attending Village Board meetings in person or watching online, at least for the foreseeable future.

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ALBANY  New York's health commissioner on Tuesday said overwhelmed county health departments will no longer have to do contact tracing of people who test positive for Covid, a once vital tool that many other areas of the world are already retreating from in the Omicron variant era.

Localities can continue doing the work if they so choose, but Albany will no longer require it.

Dr. Mary Bassett, the state health commissioner, said the Omicron variant  which accounts for more than 90% of cases upstate  has a much shorter incubation period than, for instance, the Delta variant. That, in turn, means that when it comes to contact tracing, there is a very short window for intervention to disrupt transmission, she said.

Additionally, counties can use the resources and staff they now deploy for contact tracing on other Covid response efforts, such as vaccinations and testing.

The big change for New Yorkers is that if you test positive you should no longer expect a call from your health department," Bassett said in her remote appearance from Buffalo Tuesday morning during a Covid briefing with Gov. Kathy Hochul.

Instead, the health department Wednesday will issue specific guidance about isolation and quarantine for people who test positive to protect yourself, to avoid transmitting to others and to stay healthy.

Contact tracing has meant a person testing positive for Covid would get a call from a county or state health representative, who would interview them to find out possible other people with whom they have been in contact. Those people would then be contacted to get tested and quarantine.

But as the Omicron variant has spread and the number of people testing positive for Covid-19 has skyrocketed, local governments have found it difficult or impossible to keep up.

The Erie County Health Department announced earlier this month that it would no longer try to contact every person who had tested positive. Case investigators are instead focusing their efforts on children and people in larger group living situations. And last week, the Niagara County Health Department followed suit, instructing those who test positive to self-isolate for five days and tell their family members and close contacts about the test result.

The shortened isolation and quarantine periods, unprecedented number of positive cases and limited contact tracing resources required a transition to a more realistic, efficient process, Public Health Director Daniel J. Stapleton said at the time.

During a Senate hearing Tuesday, Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, President Bidens chief medical adviser, called the wave of Omicron cases a massive, unprecedented surge.

County health officials praised Hochul's announcement to give localities the flexibility to prioritize their existing resources with Covid response efforts.

"With the escalating number of cases of the Omicron variant in the state, we really want to focus our effort where we can make the most meaningful impact, for example vaccinating, providing boosters, focusing on congregate and high-risk settings, working with community partners/providers, schools, businesses and providing community education,'' said Sarah Ravenhall, executive director of the New York State Association of County Health Officials.

She said contact tracing has been effective since the pandemic first appeared in 2020, but that Covid transmission "has evolved to a point where it is not as effective as it once was."

More than 735,000 infections are being reported in the United States each day, according to a New York Times database. Modeling scenarios cited in an internal government document obtained by The Times, dated Jan. 5, predict more than a million daily confirmed infections by the end of this month. But health experts believe even those record numbers are an undercount; some estimates put the actual number of people testing positive at five times that number or more.

Yet in the face of that, Hochul said Tuesday there may be a glimmer of hope in data the past several days showing a decline in the Covid positivity rates statewide.

Hochul, at her Manhattan office, said the numbers suggest the Covid peak of cases may be plateauing. She cautioned, however, that the numbers are still high  18.6%, or 48,686 people, tested positive Monday, not including at-home testing results.

Were not at the end, Hochul said.

Hochul sought to highlight the declining positivity rates, though her optimism comes at a time when the state over the weekend halted non-emergency procedures across all of the Finger Lakes, Central New York and the Mohawk Valley because of high Covid levels and declining hospital bed capacity.

There is an end in sight," she proclaimed. The states daily Covid numbers have shown declines each day since last Wednesday, when the rate was at 22.48%.

Still, hospitalization numbers are of concern. On Monday, 12,540 were hospitalized with Covid, up 518 from the day before and the highest since the end of April 2020. In New York hospitals and nursing homes, the Covid death count was 160 yesterday.

Hochul said downstate hospitalization rates are showing improvement, and that upstate hospitalization levels appear to be about two weeks behind those of downstate. Upstate regions have lower vaccination levels.

The state began a new campaign Tuesday to get young children vaccinated. Hochul noted that 91% of children between 5 and 11 years old in hospitals with Covid are unvaccinated.

This is why parents should look at their children when they come home from school and say, Do I really want to visit my most precious person in my entire life  in the hospital today, tomorrow or in the future?' That is the risk that these children are exposed to if theyre not vaccinated," she said.

As of Monday, 32.2% of 5- to 11-year-olds have gotten their first vaccine dose, while 73.4% of those age 12 to 17 have gotten at least one vaccine dose, the state health department said.

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In New York State, nursing homes can hire companies in which their investors or their families have an ownership interest to perform services at their long-term care facilities with little public disclosure of the arrangement.

Take Safire Rehabilitation of Northtowns, for instance.

Tonawanda nursing home fined $12,000 for Covid-19 violations Safire Rehabilitation and Nursing of Northtowns was fined in August for letting groups of residents dine within 6 feet of each other on June 12, at a time that nursing homes in the region were reeling from coronavirus infections and deaths.

The Town of Tonawanda nursing home hired two companies in which its investors or their families have an ownership interest in to supply the facility with temporary nurses and perform accounting services. The two companies netted profits totaling more than $1 million in 2019 from Safire Northtowns and from other nursing homes, according to documents filed with the New York State Health Department.

Just which of Safire Northtowns' investors  there are five  have ties to these companies is not clear in public documents.

But that may soon change.

New York States Health Department says it will soon issue guidelines to implement a new law that requires nursing homes for the first time to clearly publicly disclose whether their facilities do business with a related company.

The practice of nursing homes doing business with outside companies that have connections to the facilities owners is legal and widespread.

In 2019, 72% of for-profit nursing homes in New York State did business with non-arms length companies, according to an analysis of state documents by 1199 Service Employees International Union, which represents thousands of nursing home workers statewide.

The state defines a non-arms length arrangement as one where the nursing home operators do business with an organization that has common ownership or control, where there is a family relationship between the operators and the other organization, or where the operators and other organizations are involved in any other business together.

Owners of nursing homes have repeatedly complained that state funding for their facilities is inadequate, and for-profit owners that do business with related companies say they allow them to create economies of scale that eliminate redundancies and reduce costs at individual nursing homes.

But advocates of nursing home residents, elected officials and 1199SEIU say these non-arms length business arrangements provide the owners with a way to pocket money instead of spending it on the residents entrusted to their care.

Unfortunately, there is a long history of owners taking advantage of shady real estate, contracting and financial arrangements to siphon funds into their own and family members pockets and away from patient care, said Assemblyman Richard N. Gottfried, who sponsored the transparency law and is chairman of the Assembly Health Committee.

The new state law requires nursing home investors and their relatives to be identified by name if companies they own do business with the nursing homes.

The law also requires nursing homes to provide residents and people considering moving into a facility with details of these related business dealings, Gottfried said, explaining that they have a right to know the ownership structure of a facility.

Health Department spokesman Jeffrey Hammond says the legislative reform will hold these operators more accountable. And when the details for releasing the information are implemented, Hammond said, it will be accessible and understandable to the public.

Transactions buried in Health Department reports

Until now, transactions involving these related companies were buried in hundreds of pages of dense cost reports that nursing homes file annually with the Health Department. For the ordinary citizen without an accounting degree, these documents  packed with numbers and codes  are difficult to interpret.

Safire Rehabilitation of Northtowns LLC is licensed by the state Health Department to operate that nursing home. The limited liability corporations stockholders are identified as Judy Landa, Richard Platschek, Solomon Abramczyk, Robert Schuck and Moshe Steinberg.

Safire Northtowns' 2019 cost report indicated it hired a related company, the Floral Agency LLC, which provides temporary nursing staff and other personnel to nursing homes.

Floral Agency made overall profits of $1,040,109, according to the Safire Northtowns 2019 cost report. That information is on page 68 of the 195-page report, and Floral is identified there only by a code number of 1.

The cost report doesnt identify who owns the Floral Agency.

Safire Northtowns cost report indicates it also did business with another related company, TYTY LLC, an accounting and data processing company, which made overall profits of $313,861.

The cost report doesnt identify who owns TYTY.

But in documents filed with the state Department of State, TYTY identified Safire Northtowns shareholder Abramczyk as the person the state should notify if legal papers are served against it.

Safire Northtowns owners also paid more than $700,000 a year in rent to Sheridan Drive HC LLC, which owns the nursing homes building and property, according to the 2019 cost report.

The report identified the shareholders of Sheridan Drive HC as Platschek; Abramczyk; Schuck; Judy Landas husband, Benjamin; Alexander Platschek; and LTC Midwest Investment.

After expenses were deducted from the rent, Sheridan Drive HC made $75,625, the cost report stated.

Safire spokesman Michael A.L. Balboni defended the nursing homes hiring of the Floral Agency and other related companies.

Many nursing homes are facing an unprecedented labor shortage. These companies that provide these services are experienced and knowledgeable. The state regulations require that these companies be fully disclosed and have transparent transactions, he said.

Balboni said he could not identify the owners of Floral Agency and TYTY because he does not have access to that information.

Analysis shows 72% of for-profit homes hire related companies

Nursing home cost reports from 2019 filed with the Health Department show that 72% of for-profit nursing homes in the state do business with related parties, according to Grace Bogdanove, vice president of 1199SEIU, which represents nursing home workers in Western New York.

Examples of these transactions include  paying companies for services like agency staffing, pharmaceuticals and laundry, Bogdanove said, adding, This practice essentially puts money back into the owners pocket rather than investing in providing quality care for residents.

In recent years, for-profit owners have been buying up nonprofit nursing homes, which have been unable to keep up with rising expenses.

State Health Department records show that 395 of the states 616 nursing homes are for-profit, while the remainder are government-run or nonprofit.

Owners of nursing homes, both for-profit and nonprofit, have frequently complained that the state does not provide adequate financial support to operate the homes, which rely largely on Medicaid reimbursements.

Nursing home trade group officials say the states Medicaid reimbursement rate, on average, is $210 per day. But the nursing homes average cost of providing care for a resident is about $265 a day.

They say this funding disparity is a reason why nursing home owners have hired companies they have a financial interest in to provide services to the nursing homes. Those related businesses allow them to eliminate duplicate services and reduce costs at individual nursing homes, they say.

Hammond said the new law requires nursing home owners to sign an annual statement attesting to the accuracy of the information they provide about any related companies they hire.

If questions arise, Hammond said the Health Department will require additional information from the owners and take appropriate action against any nursing home operator who fails to comply. Actions could include referrals to law enforcement and measures that may impact a facilitys licensure, he said.

Implementation of the transparency law showing ownership connections is forthcoming, Hammond said, although he did not provide a specific date.

Recognizing the value and importance of transparency, this standardized approach will include a method for sharing this information publicly with New Yorkers, Hammond promised.

Nursing services hired at Buffalo facilities

The Buffalo Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing and the Ellicott Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing filed 2019 cost reports that shows each facility paid Centers for Care $158,996 and $127,196, respectively, for Nrsg Contracted Svc, an apparent abbreviation for nursing services.

According to a report by Dun & Bradstreet, which tracks commercial data, Centers For Care is owned by Kenneth Rozenberg.

Rozenberg is identified by the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services as the majority stockholder in limited liability companies that own the two nursing homes.

In their 2019 cost reports, the two nursing homes did not identify Centers for Care as a non-arms length, related company. But in the prior years cost reports, they did identify Centers for Care as a non-arms length related company.

When asked for an explanation, Jeffrey Jacomowitz, a spokesman for the nursing homes, said everything was in order.

Buffalo Center and Ellicott Center are in compliance with the operational and fiscal regulations established by the New York State Department of Health, Jacomowitz said, while declining to elaborate.

Both nursing homes were awarded overall one-star ratings, or much below average, by the federal government.

A residents perspective

Gail Logan, a seven-year resident at Safire Northtowns, said she and other residents frequently suffer indignities because of a lack of staffing and supplies.

Unable to care for herself because of cerebral palsy, the 74-year-old Logan said the absence of staff at the nursing home during the overnight shift has become more common.

The other night there was no staff on the third floor. People needed their diapers and bed linens changed or help going to the toilet, but no one was there. I was one of them who needed help, Logan said.

Even when temporary nursing staff from the Floral Agency is brought in, she said inadequate care continues.

She said hiring temporary workers does not result in proper care for residents.

Safire Northtowns gets a one star overall rating, or much below average, from the federal government. Its staffing rating is three stars, or average.

Calls to the nursing home's administration by The Buffalo News were not returned.

Other reforms

Other state reforms in nursing homes are set to start this year.

They include a requirement that nursing homes spend a minimum of 70% of revenues on direct resident care, with 40% of it going to resident facing staffing. In addition, nursing homes will also be required to provide an average of 3.5 hours of nursing care per resident per day.

Stephen B. Hanse, president of the New York State Health Facilities Association, which represents more than 450 skilled nursing and assisted living providers, said he does not believe either of those regulations can be implemented, however.

They fail to acknowledge the fact that one, the state has failed to provide a Medicaid cost-of-living increase for the past 14 years, and two, there are simply not enough health care workers in the state of New York to meet the minimum staffing mandate, Hanse said.

The regulations as they currently stand, he said, are setting up New York long-term care providers for failure.

The state needs to work in partnership with providers on proactive initiatives to increase Medicaid funding and direct that funding to long-term care workers, Hanse said.

Gottfried, the Democratic assemblyman from New York City, said the reforms will improve care to nursing home residents, and he wants to go even further by halting expansion of for-profit nursing homes.

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If any proceeding of the State Legislature reflected ongoing concerns about New York's courts it may have been Tuesday's Senate Judiciary Committee session considering Justice Shirley Troutman's appointment to the Court of Appeals.

Troutman, a Buffalo resident and veteran jurist now serving on the Appellate Division of State Supreme Court, sailed through the session with unanimous approval en route to Wednesday's expected confirmation of the full State Senate following her appointment by Gov. Kathy Hochul.

"It is historic," Sen. Alessandra Biaggi, D-Bronx, noted of Troutman's nomination as the high court's second Black woman. "And frankly, it's absurd that it has taken us until 2022 to be at this point."

Indeed, the need for diversity throughout the court system dominated much of Tuesday's committee session. So did a growing outcry for more former defense attorneys on the bench rather than a traditional proclivity toward prosecutors. Other senatorial concerns included rights of the accused amid increasing fear of crime, the need for an upgraded assigned counsel program, and even Troutman's own background as a Buffalo woman of color.

Throughout it all, Troutman told the senators in a virtual session that she would assign her highest priority to principles guiding her almost 30 years on the bench  applying the law and facts to her decisions.

"I will promise you again," she said in remarks typical of her Tuesday testimony, "if confirmed I will uphold the state constitution and federal Constitution and apply the law fairly and equitably."

But the senators also used the occasion to highlight concerns expressed in recent years by the Senate's new Democratic majority. They followed up opinions offered by 12 senators in 2021 urging consideration of the public defenders included on a list of Court of Appeals candidates recommended to the governor by a screening panel.

Attorneys who have worked on issues of indigent defense, housing, civil rights and immigration ... have a different perspective that can move our state forward in a way that represents all its people, the senators said then.

The issue surfaced again Tuesday as several members of the Judiciary Committee noted the need for former defense attorneys on the bench as a way of safeguarding rights of the accused.

"I always look to have a broad perspective and no single perspective on any issue," Troutman replied to questions, emphasizing no one point of view or accumulation of experience should dominate.

Throughout the hearing, Troutman drew on her career to illustrate her answers to senators' queries. She said with regard to possible prosecutorial misconduct that she and her fellow Fourth Department appellate judges had considered the possibility in several cases. And she said her imposition of prison sentences had always loomed as a weighty responsibility.

"I still remember the very first time I pronounced a double digit year sentence and profound effect it had upon me," she said.

Several senators brought up Troutman's historic role as one of the first African American women to serve on New York's highest court, as in questions posed by Sen. Jamaal T. Bailey, D-Bronx, about the need to better compensate public defenders who are often assigned to minority defendants.

"The persons most affected are persons of color and persons of lower socio-economic status, and that is not acceptable," she said.

The judge also told the panel that inside her mother's Buffalo home always hung a picture of civil rights icon the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., which served as a reminder of past struggles allowing people like her to succeed.

"I'm a product of all the accomplishments that have occurred, and I don't take that lightly," she said.

Sen. Luis R. Sepulveda, D-Bronx, told the nominee he hoped her views on the need for a diverse court system continues when she ascends to the Court of Appeals.

"I hope you never forget your background and where you came from," he said.

Troutman succeeds another Court of Appeals judge from Buffalo, Eugene M. Fahey, who stepped down Dec. 31 after reaching the mandatory retirement age of 70.

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A Mill Middle School homework assignment asking students to translate sentences that included the phrases "Mexican and ugly" and "pretty and American" into Spanish was "unacceptable," according to Williamsville school officials, and was decried as an example of "bias" by one parent.

A Williamsville Central School District statement issued Tuesday does not provide details on the assignment.

"The assignment created by the teacher and presented to students was unacceptable. We are addressing the situation to ensure this does not happen again," the statement reads. "The district does not condone any instructional material that denigrates our students, families, culture or beliefs."

Statement regarding homework assignment posted to social media: pic.twitter.com/jkk35QjXlp  Williamsville CSD (@WCSD_K12) January 11, 2022

It's only the latest example of insensitive school homework assignments drawing scrutiny after they were shared online or with media. Last February, a group of middle school teachers outside Madison, Wis., offended parents and were placed on leave after they asked students studying an ancient system of laws to write how they would "punish" slaves.

Another from October raised objections in the Ashland, Ky., area after a high school assignment used an offensive term for people with developmental disabilities.

The Buffalo News obtained a copy of the Mill Middle homework, which asked students to translate 10 sentences from English to Spanish.

Most are benign, such as "I am a student at Mill," but two of the sentences spurred outrage from parents: "You (friendly) are Mexican and ugly" and "You (politely) are pretty and American." The words in parentheses apparently refer to the formal and informal ways of saying "you" in Spanish.

Another sentence was "You guys (Spain) are tall and blond."

"I was stunned and speechless," said Allison Wainick, whose stepdaughter showed Wainick and her husband the assignment after receiving it in mid-December. "She was upset," Wainick said.

Wainick said she raised concerns about the assignment with Mill Middle School Principal Lori Jonas before the winter recess. Asked what she thought of Jonas' response to her complaint, Wainick declined to comment.

"I'm extremely disappointed with Mill Middle for letting the disgusting and inexcusable language such as this to be presented in the classroom," Wainick's husband, Marcelo Florencio, who was born and raised in Latin America and whose children are multi-ethnic, said in an email. "I believe there is no place for it in school or our children's lives."

On Monday, Wainick contacted Williamsville Superintendent Darren Brown-Hall and a School Board member she knows to address the assignment she described as "devastating and disappointing."

"One teacher does not reflect the spirit and sentiment of the leadership, because the superintendent and this board member have been responsive and very understanding," she said.

Wainick, who is Hispanic and was born in Colombia, declined to identify the teacher.

Wainick also posted a photo of the assignment to the Williamsville Parent Education Connection page on Facebook, a private group open to district stakeholders, and asked, "Is this a typical Spanish homework assignment in WCSD these days?"

People responded with comments such as "Seriously. Please no" and "I am absolutely disgusted that this was handed out and I am so sorry for any student who received it," according to screen grabs shared with The News. Wainick later expressed gratitude for the responses she received from members of the Facebook group.

District spokesman Nick Filipowski said officials would have no further comment on the assignment, including whether the teacher is facing any discipline over the incident, though the statement said it "will be dealt with appropriately."

He said Brown-Hall planned to read the statement at Tuesday evening's School Board meeting.

"I, personally, don't feel this Spanish teacher  or anyone who approves of this kind of curriculum content  has any place in WCSD or elsewhere," wrote Florencio, saying the assignment showed a "blatant lack of ethnic sensitivity and bias."

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The work is wrapping up for the New York State law called the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) and its Climate Action Councils that have held formal meetings for two years since the CLCPA was made law in 2019.

In 2022, comment periods on the councils recommendations will be conducted, followed by legislation and policy changes that will impact power, heating and transportation prices to a greater or lesser degree well into New Yorks future.

Politics plays a significant role in what the future of New York energy will look like, and it is imperative that the loudest screamers in the room dont impose outright bad policies that harm social, economic and environmental conditions in New York.

Certainly, the regular and more severe weather calamities raise the concerns over addressing climate change. But, there is the need to push back against those who believe that punitive and extreme policies from New York State can make a major impact on global emissions. New York has less than one-half of 1% of global emissions  drops in the ocean unless others do as weve already done. Legislators must do their research and advance rational policy, not necessarily the most popular with extremists.

A couple of examples. New York imports power each day from PJM Interconnection of Pennsylvania that includes coal-fired generation, while coal-fired power has been regulated out of emission compliance in New York. Prior to that, natural gas put several coal-fired plants out of business through market competition.

In addition to lower rates, natural gas has zero sulfur and nitrous oxide emissions, and less than half of coals carbon emissions. How then can New York import electricity with coal power in its mix and determine that two much cleaner downstate natural gas plants cannot get permitted? Natural gas replacing coal is a major reason why New York has the lowest per capita carbon emissions in the country.

Another item of question beyond New Yorks border was the cancellation of the Keystone pipeline that would have imported oil from Canada  our friendly neighbor  and a few months later the spike in fuel costs that has our president pleading with Saudi Arabia to produce and export more oil.

The point being that while we aggressively pursue emission-free transportation and electricity, we cannot pull the plug on fuels that are necessary before cost-effective replacements are developed and proven to be reliable. Let other states catch up on New Yorks dramatic reductions in power generation emissions and lets focus on the top carbon emission priority  transportation.

The CLCPA is extremely well-intended, and the hope is that sound policies will result, but now is not the time to put artificial dates on the elimination of fuel for transportation and natural gas for heating and electricity. Aggressively go after the top emission producer  transportation, and act full speed on zero carbon energy sources such as wind, solar, storage, small modular nuclear reactors and hydrogen. When they are ready for prime time, fossil fuels can be phased out. Doing it in reverse order will be a disaster.

Whatever the cause, efforts in reducing the supply of natural gas have spiked its price  sending a market signal outside New York borders for coal-fired generators to run much more often, and the U.S. carbon emissions are due to rise as a result for the first time in years. Less enlightened zealots would say wind and solar are ready to fill the entire energy void should natural gas be quickly shut down  they are not. Lets think things through before we do more harm than good.

Gus Potkovick of Fredonia served for 14 years on the executive board of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 97.
When local politicians push back against Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz or Health Commissioner Dr. Gale Burstein over their public health directives, it can be hard to tell if they object to the policies or just resent the attention the county officials are getting.

The mayor of the Village of Williamsville, Deb Rogers, has found a way to put the spotlight on herself by making a show of standing up to the countys mask mandate. The mayor of some 5,400 residents has little role in enforcing the mask mandates issued by Poloncarz and by Gov. Kathy Hochul during the winter surge of Covid-19, though she defiantly refused to wear a mask at a Village Board meeting on Dec. 13.

One village trustee, who also served as deputy mayor, Matthew Etu, got fed up with Rogers posture on public health and resigned his post last week.

Williamsville trustee blasts 'toxic' mayor in resignation letter Matthew Etu said he is resigning effective immediately because of a toxic and destructive environment created by Williamsville Mayor Deborah Rogers.

Mayor Rogers tilts at windmills the Village Board has no power to overturn and which most of the constituency has no interest in even fighting, Etu wrote in a resignation letter he shared with local media. Its unfortunate that the board is losing one of its voices of reason on public health, but its understandable if the deputy mayor felt he could no longer serve with what he termed a hostile chief executive.

Poloncarz in late November announced a county mandate requiring that masks be worn in all public, indoor facilities, except for ones that require Covid-19 vaccination for entry. Hochul issued a statewide mask mandate in December.

Rogers echoed officials in Grand Island, Marilla and West Seneca, as well as in several counties throughout the state, who declared they would not enforce the mask requirements. Rogers did an interview in November with WBEN Radio in which she cited concern for the effects of mask mandates on local businesses.

If we dont have a healthy business district in the Village of Williamsville, then its not only harmful to the business owners but to the rest of us as well, said Rogers, using health to mean economic prosperity. The well-being of village residents depends on both economic vitality and maintaining their physical health through a worldwide pandemic that has killed more than 5.4 million people. Public policy should not ignore either of those priorities, though staying alive ranks higher on the human hierarchy of needs.

According to an account in the Amherst Bee, Rogers presided over a Village Board meeting on Dec. 13 in which she practically cheered on residents who appeared without masks and spoke against the mandates. Rogers also declined to wear a mask and said it was up to Erie County to enforce its regulations.

The mayor, who has children in Williamsville schools, also disparaged Poloncarz and Burstein when she spoke at a Williamsville School Board meeting on Nov. 9. The topic was mask breaks in the schools, which Superintendent Darren Brown-Hall was advocating for, against the advice of Erie Countys Health Department.

Youre a rock star, Rogers said, according to a report in the Bee. I havent seen anyone stand up to Gale Burstein, Mark Poloncarz and the Department of Health, and you did just that.

The mayor did not stop there.

Im very troubled by the credibility of our Erie County Department of Health, in particular Gale Burstein, Rogers said. I know your hands are tied. What I would encourage you all to do as leaders and representatives of our children is to push back on the ECDOH because when it comes down to it, somebody with common sense needs to prevail in all of this.

There is room for reasonable people to disagree on proper Covid mitigation measures. The emergency powers assumed by Hochul and Poloncarz can be fodder for debate. But we expect public officials to take a mature, reasoned and collaborative approach rather than promote themselves by feeding on the sugar high that comes from participating in the national culture war over Covid-19.

  

Whats your opinion? Send it to us at lettertoeditor@buffnews.com. Letters should be a maximum of 300 words and must convey an opinion. The column does not print poetry, announcements of community events or thank you letters. A writer or household may appear only once every 30 days. All letters are subject to fact-checking and editing.
Sometimes a small incident will trigger a flood of memories. Preparing for a hike with my husband, I filled our water bottles, changed into my outdoor clothes and looked for my hiking boots. I couldnt find them. Then I remembered that I left them on the steps of a little church in a small town in Spain while hiking El Camino de Santiago a few years ago. The memories of that journey came rushing back.

The Camino, also known as the Way of Saint James, is a pilgrimage in northern Spain dating back to medieval times. With retirement looming, I thought it would be a good way to end one chapter and begin another. My Spanish-speaking daughter agreed to accompany me.

After months of planning, we set out on a 24-hour journey to our starting point. Exhausted and jet-lagged, we unloaded our gear and headed out to get our Pilgrim Passport and maps we would need along the way. We each bought the official seashell, a symbol of the Camino that pilgrims hang from their backpacks. Then we had our first pilgrims meal served at every hostel along the route. It consists of a choice of chicken, beef or fish, salad and a bottle of red wine for 10 euro.

We set out early the next morning. To my surprise we needed warm winter jackets. It was June. The trek up a steep hill out of the town was difficult. I told myself it was just the beginning and my romantic notion of strolling through the scenic countryside would not be anywhere near as challenging. How naive I was.

By midmorning we were sweating, had shed our warm jackets and already consumed our water supply for the day. Fortunately there are stops along the way for water, restrooms and snacks.

Words, even photos, do not do justice to the magnificent panoramic scenes along the way. As the first day wore on, the romance of the Camino began to fade given the difficulty of the changing elevations. By 5:30, barely able to take another step, I was desperate to arrive at our albergue (hostel) where we would stay the night. Finally we rounded a curve and spotted a little stone structure set back from the road. It looked as inviting as a five-star hotel.

We were greeted by two young women from New York City sitting outside sipping wine. Nearby sat a woman from Australia with bandaged toes. Soon a couple from Ethiopia, their 2-year-old and mother from California arrived followed by a woman and her baby from Germany. After showers (I did not say hot) we all met in the courtyard for our pilgrims dinner. Thus began the indelible memories of the amazing people we met each day and the stories we shared over dinner. This scene repeated itself daily.

We heard many languages as we passed pilgrims along the way but everyone greeted one another with a friendly Buen Camino. Our muscles ached, blisters popped up and the challenges did not get easier but we prevailed. The walks through cedar forests  prevalent along the way  restored our spirits and strength.

Four days into the journey I could no longer walk in my boots because of painful blisters. I bought a pair of hiking sandals in a small town. The next morning I abandoned my boots on the church steps. Searching for them the other day brought back these wonderful memories and left me hoping that whoever found my boots is making as many good memories wearing them as I did, without the blisters.
By Yereth Rosen

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (Reuters) - The Biden administration announced on Monday that it will reverse a Trump-era policy that opened up vast swathes of Arctic Alaska land to new oil development.

The U.S. Department of the Interior said it will scrap the Trump administration's decision that authorized expanded leasing and development in the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska, or NPR-A. Even though Trump took several steps to try to boost oil-and-gas development in Alaska, production in the state fell to a 43-year low in 2020, as drillers focus their attention in Texas and other lower 48 states.

Official notice of the change will come in a notice to be filed on Monday in federal court in Alaska, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), a division of Department of the Interior, said in a statement.

"This decision reflects the Biden-Harris administration's priority of reviewing existing oil and gas programs to ensure balance on America's public lands and waters to benefit current and future generations," it said.

The Trump administration in its waning days approved a plan to allow oil leasing and development in more than 80% percent of the 23-million-acre (9.3-million-hectare) reserve. That replaced a 2013 Obama administration plan issued that protected about half of the reserve.

Video: Trump admin moves forward with controversial drilling in Alaska

One of the most controversial elements of the Trump administration's Cplan was the approval of future oil development in Teshekpuk Lake, the largest lake on the North Slope and the site of important habitat for migratory birds, caribou and other Arctic wildlife.

Plans and policies dating back to the Reagan administration had kept Teshekpuk Lake off-limits to development. The Obama-era plan expanded protections in the wetlands near the lake.

Located on the western side of the North Slope, the NPR-A has been the site of important new oil discoveries and developments. None of those projects will be affected by the decision to revert to the Obama-era management plans; all the existing projects are on leases sold in past years.

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No lease sales had been conducted under the Trump administration's plan, as the last NPR-A lease sale held by the BLM was in 2019.

The state last year produced 448,000 barrels of oil day, according to the U.S. Energy Department; production in the state peaked in 1988 at more than 2 million barrels per day.

(Reporting by Yereth Rosen; Editing by David Gaffen and Sandra Maler)
Gillian Tee, co-founder and CEO of Homage. (PHOTO: Homage)

By Lyn Chan

SINGAPORE  Homage, a healthcare start-up focusing on home-based care solutions for seniors, plans to further accelerate regional expansion and continue to grow its platform with the support of local and regional partners.

These plans will be funded by the US$30 million it secured in September in its Series C financing round, led by Sheares Healthcare Group, a wholly-owned healthcare enterprise of Temasek. It brings the total raised so far to more than US$45 million.

Gillian Tee, co-founder and CEO, was inspired to start Homage when she personally faced difficulties in finding caregivers for her ailing mother upon her return to Singapore. Tee had lived abroad for 15 years where she completed her studies in computer science and a Master of Business Administration degree, in addition to building a successful start-up in Silicon Valley. She noted how technology helped to improve senior care in the US, and wanted to try something similar in Singapore. Together with two others, she started Homage in 2017. The co-founders, Tong Duong and Lily Phang, have since transitioned out of Homage.

Homages platform uses a matching engine to help families find the best caregivers, while its telehealth platform provides services like online medical consultations and screenings.

In the four years since the company was formed, it has seen growing demand for the use of its services in Singapore, Malaysia, Australia. Homage has just passed the million-hour care delivery mark, the result of having a regional network with more than 6,000 licensed care professionals, including certified and trained caregivers, licensed nurses, care navigators and board-certified therapists and physicians.

Last year marks a milestone for Homage which saw the business growing over 600 per cent and the company more than tripled its revenue in the same period, the 39-year-old executive told Yahoo Finance Singapore in a recent interview.

The biggest and newest challenge for Homage is both building the team needed to scale up the company as well as how the team is managed, that is, setting up the operating system of the company that enables our scale, said Tee. The competitive hiring landscape, especially in the technology sector, has been a strain. Recruitment and retention are a priority, she added.

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When asked about the possibility of an initial public offering, Tee said: We believe there is still much potential for growth prior to any exit event, be it public or private."

Tee, who enjoys yoga, dancing and music, shares with Yahoo Finance Singapore the entrepreneurial lessons shes learnt.

What has driven the company to the success it is today?

The turning point came when we found that many locals wanted to become caregivers, because they are drawn towards a more flexible work schedule and also want to utilise their skill sets to make an impact. Many of them have had caregiving experience themselves, and they wanted to perform it as a vocation and gain meaningful income in the process.

There was also the strong need to adopt technology in the sector to not only enlarge the caregiver pool to solve the care work shortage, but also to mobilise carers at scale.

Fundamentally, what drove the company from a start-up to the success it is today was the team: We had the spark and the common connection around our cause. We also carried our culture of always taking on a growth mindset and being resilient through the challenges we encountered.

With most countries in Asia becoming an aged or super aged population within the next 10 years, the time is now to build and scale much-needed quality long-term care infrastructure  from payer to provider  to meet the fast-growing everyday living support and clinical needs that we will all need in the long term.

What lessons have you learnt on your entrepreneurial path?

Theres never a better time to continue to invest in people development and leadership, and, as a leader, to always communicate transparently with the team. This is particularly important when it comes to building a service like Homage, where what we do directly impacts the individuals delivering and receiving care. So, we look closely at bringing on people who can be our mission carriers and are committed to our purpose.

What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs?

You have to start off not being so good at something. So, if you're a first-time entrepreneur, take on the mindset where every interaction is important and learn everything: Read up online resources as much as possible, talk to people, and, more important, go and get an internship at a start-up to get exposed to current entrepreneurs and start-ups. Its not possible for someone to start off as an expert and be experienced in execution, so be open to learning, and adopt the growth mindset instead of staying in your comfort zone of what you know; be very open to things that you do not know and always ask what if''.

Any favourite books?

I have always loved the works of Jhumpa Lahiri, who wrote the Pulitzer-winning Interpreter of Maladies, out of many other works. In the book, she shares about the first- and second-generation immigrant as well as human experience that traverses multiple nations, identities and contexts. It hits heavily, as Ive lived in three countries.

The Hard Things About Hard Things by Ben Horowitz serves as a great resource for building and growing a company. It touches on issues faced in the entrepreneurial process with no easy answers and that are not often surfaced.

Other works like Creating A World Without Poverty: Social Business And The Future Of Capitalism by Muhammad Yunus, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly and Anne Franks Diary are also favourites.

Finally, Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End. Atul Gawande touches on the experiences of a renowned brain surgeon in dealing with the affairs of ageing, long-term wellness and mortality. A Homagers must-read.

Stay in the know on-the-go: Join Yahoo Singapore's Telegram channel at http://t.me/YahooSingapore
The company said the inclusion of the full-sized air classification system at the Akum project is a first for the mining industry

Gratomic Inc. (TSX-V:GRAT, OTCQX:CBULF) has announced that it has initiated manufacturing on the Air Classification units for its Aukam Graphite Project processing plant in Namibia.

The Toronto-based company said the secondary enrichment program completes engineering of the upgrading circuit on the refining section of the plant.

It noted that Air Classification is a unique feature of the Aukam processing plant, allowing the company to take advantage of the singular properties of vein graphite in a very effective and ecologically friendly manner, upgrading the carbon content at both the feed-end of the plant, and at the final upgrading circuit post-processing.

Air Classification is one of the many things that surfaced from the out-of-the-box thinking mentality of our team, and will help set us apart from the pack in the graphite community, Gratomics chief operating officer and head of graphite marketing and sales Armando Farhate said in a statement.

Gratomic said the Air Classification technology is patented (application pending) under US Patent 63/286,005, and the construction drawings for the required units were commissioned to D.E.N.M Engineering in Toronto.

It noted that the technology was designed and developed by Robert Rice, an accomplished metallurgical engineer, with over 50 years of experience in the development of many mining and milling engineering projects.

Rices development of the air classification system was designed to eliminate the screening process for crushed ore, which is limited to material size. Air classification separates the ore by size, weight and shape, allowing for the fully disseminated minerals to be released and separated from the waste material, Gratomic explained.

The company said the inclusion of the full-sized air classification system at the Akum project is a first for the mining industry. The system has two main objectives: to separate waste material and remove any free-flowing material at the front end of the mill, and to raise the purity of the graphite to the industry standard for anode material at the finishing end.

"Technological advances in mineral processing continuously shape the way in which graphite is economically upgraded into commercial specifications, the companys president and CEO Arno Brand added.

"We consider that this Air Classification technology will revolutionize Gratomic's approach in further industrializing assets around the world in an environmentally friendly manner.

Gratomic is focused on introducing an exceptional anode material to the global electric vehicle and energy storage supply chains. It is aiming to achieve full operational capabilities in 2022 on its Aukam graphite project and continues to diversify its assets into a multi-national company with various projects globally.

Contact the author at stephen.gunnion@proactiveinvestors.com
Security

Ransomware Source in Finalsite Attack Identified as School Websites Functioning Again

School website provider Finalsite said Monday that its cyber-investigation of last week's ransomware attack has identified the threat actor and that the 3,000 school websites offline for most of last week are now back online and functioning.

Thousands of K12 schools and universities whose websites are hosted by Finalsite were affected by the outage starting on Tuesday, Jan. 4, though the reason for the outage was not disclosed until Thursday afternoon. As of noon Monday, all the websites were back online and most functions working, the company said, with a few remaining functions such as the file manager and integrations still being restored.

Finalsite Director of Communications Morgan Delack said Monday that company officials were not able to quickly share the details of the why in an effort to protect the investigation, and she added that while clients were notified of the outage later that day, we should have sent communication to all our clients the moment the websites went down universally.

We should have done better in that regard, Delack said. We have been listening to the needs of our clients and (doing everything possible to) help make it as easy to recover from this as possible.

With help from cybersecurity forensic investigators from Charles River Associates, Finalsite has determined who the threat actor is, we have contained their activity, and we know how they gained access and when they gained access, Delack said today. The investigation includes assistance from data privacy attorneys at Mullen Coughlin LLC, she said.

We have found absolutely no evidence that client data has been compromised or extracted, Delack added. The remainder of the investigation is to confirm these findings and ensure compliance with cybersecurity laws and best practices.

Delack said Friday that the company had full access to its files and data throughout the incident and a forensic investigation was under way. We have no evidence that our data or client data has been taken. Finalsite also noted that its database information on client schools is limited to names and email addresses and said the company does not store payment information, academic records, Social Security numbers or other personal information.

It's important to note that the malware is not what took our sites offline, Delack emphasized again on Monday. We did so proactively  and immediately  upon learning of the issue in order to protect our data. The reconnection of our websites is taking so long because we had to rebuild everything in a clean, safe environment again. At this time, we have no evidence that data was compromised, and we credit that to our early actions.

Delack initially estimated that about 5,000 of its almost 8,000 global customers had been affected by the incident; on Monday, that total was revised down to 3,000 school websites impacted.

Finalsite, with offices in Connecticut and the U.K., provides website, marketing, and communications platforms for schools and universities in 108 countries. It is a portfolio company of Veritas Capital.

Read more about the timeline of the outage and the companys reaction in our initial report on the ransomware attack.

In a webinar for clients held late Thursday, Finalsite officers emphasized that they take security extremely seriously and are frequently updating protocols based upon any best practices and new information.

The Finalsite security team has strict security measures in place to protect the information in our care, and have worked to add further technical safeguards to our environment, the transcript reads. Weve invested $2.5 million into hosting security and our team monitors our network systems 24 hours a day, seven days a week. As we learn more about this incident, we are taking additional steps to further secure the environment and prevent this type of attack from occurring again.

Cybersecurity and education officials have recently warned of a significant increase in cyberattacks on schools and universities, and the K12 Cybersecurity Act of 2021, signed into law in October, directs the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency to identify risks and provide resources for schools to better protect their IT security.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 11)  The Philippines saw imports of pandemic-related items skyrocket in November as it continues to face the COVID-19 health crisis, Philippine Statistics Authority data published Tuesday showed.

Import sales of medicinal and pharmaceutical items rose by 231.1% year-on-year during the month, the highest among all major commodity groups.

The total import value for medical equipment and supplies likewise surged during the month.

The total import value for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and medical supplies, including Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine, increased to USD 341.04 million in November 2021, indicating an annual increment of 1,670.8 percent from its value in the same month of the previous year, said the PSA in a statement.

Imported COVID-19 vaccines were valued at $311.61 million, added the agency.

Surgical gloves, protective clothing, safety headgear, testing kits, and other face masks likewise saw import values rise annually in November, while face shields and surgical face masks logged declines.

To recall, the government lifted the face shield mandate halfway through November in areas under Alert Levels 1 to 3. The alert level system was implemented in phases nationwide during the month as the government does away with community-wide quarantines and ramps up COVID-19 vaccination.

Overall, total imported goods amounted to $10.98 billion in November  jumping 36.8% from the same month in 2020. The PSA listed China as the countrys biggest supplier of imports, followed by South Korea, Japan, Indonesia and Thailand.

Meanwhile, exports had a total value of $6.27 billion during the period. While this reflects a 6.6% annual increase, it is the lowest since May last year. Coconut oil recorded an annual value growth of 95%, leading major commodities that posted increases, while ignition wiring sets suffered the worst drop at 19.5%.

The United States is the countrys biggest trading partner for November, comprising $997.85 million of total exports. It was followed by China, Japan, Hong Kong, and Singapore.

The latest figure brought the Philippine trade deficit to $4.7 billion  breaching the record $4.01 billion set in October.

With the deficit further widening this month, economists cautioned how it is weighing on the pesos performance against the greenback.

Wider trade deficits/net imports also fundamentally led to weaker peso exchange rate vs. the US dollar (peso among the weakest in 22 months or since March 2020 recently at 51 levels) with more US dollar purchased to finance increased imports and wider trade deficits in recent months, said RCBC chief economist Michael Ricafort.

With the current account expected to remain in deficit territory, pressure on PHP to weaken should persist in 2022 although other factors such as the looming Fed rate hike will likely play a major role in the currencys trajectory this year, added ING Bank senior economist Nicholas Mapa.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 11)  A riot at the Caloocan City Jail on Monday afternoon resulted in the death of six individuals, and injury to 33 others.

According to an initial investigation from the Caloocan City Police Station (CCPS), the riot started after a heated altercation between members of the Commando and Sputnik gangs.

The incident happened at 3 p.m, noted the Investigation and Detective Management Section of the CCPS.

Four Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDL) were initially reported dead, but Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) spokesperson Chief Inspector Xavier Solda confirmed to CNN Philippines that the count added two more fatalities.

The injured PDLs were brought to Caloocan City Medical Center for treatment.

In separate statements on Tuesday, both the Philippine National Police and the Department of the Interior and Local Government said an investigation would be taken to determine the cause of the riot.

The police are further investigating this incident in coordination with the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) because it involves multiple casualties. The PNP will also look at the presence of various opposing gangs inside the jail facility that may have started the riot because those who died belong to different groups, PNP chief Gen. Dionardo Carlos said.

Meanwhile, DILG Secretary Eduardo Ano ordered the BJMP to conduct a "high-level investigation" on the incident as well as find out if those responsible violated standard operating procedure.

The DILG also said PDL activities are temporarily suspended and their movements have been restricted as well.

Interior Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya said CCTV footage and the testimonies of jail officers on duty and other witnesses will also be gathered as part of the investigation.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 11)  Interior Secretary Eduardo Ano on Tuesday bared that he tested positive for COVID-19 for the third time.

He said his test result was released on Monday and he is currently asymptomatic.

He also urged the public to get vaccinated and schedule their booster shots.

Ano first tested positive for COVID-19 in the early days of the pandemic in March 2020. He again contracted the virus in August of the same year.

In January 2021, he took a three-month medical leave to fully recover from the disease, later revealing that he also underwent two heart surgeries.

Meanwhile, Agriculture Secretary William Dar said he is "recovering fast" after testing positive for COVID-19 last week.
(CNN)  "Squid Game" star O Yeong-su has made history after becoming the first Korean actor to win a Golden Globe.

The 77-year-old South Korean star, who plays Oh II-nam, also known as Player 001, in the hit Netflix series, beat the likes of Billy Crudup ("The Morning Show"), Kieran Culkin ("Succession"), Mark Duplass ("The Morning Show") and Brett Goldstein ("Ted Lasso") to take home the Best Supporting Actor in Television trophy on Sunday.

His victory was announced at a private ceremony streamed online with no celebrity presenters and no speeches. Organizers previously announced that this year's Golden Globes would be a scaled-down affair following controversy over a lack of diversity among Hollywood Foreign Press Association membership and other ethical questions related to financial benefits.

"O Yeong-su wins Best Performance by a Supporting Actor in a Series, Limited Series, or Television Movie! While O Yeong-su is a respected stage actor in his native South Korea, his Globe nod is his first ever nomination in a major awards show," the Golden Globes published on its website.

O's "Squid Game " cast mate Lee Byung-hun congratulated him on Instagram, saying, "Bravo!"

His triumph marks the first time a Korean TV drama or actor has been nominated and won a Golden Globe.

"Squid Game" -- created by Hwang Dong-hyuk -- is a dystopian series in which contestants in desperate need of money play deadly children's games to win cash prizes.

Back in October, Netflix confirmed the show was its "biggest-ever series at launch" following its debut on September 17.

In the wake of the drama's massive success, Hwang and Netflix confirmed that there are discussions about a second season but that one had not yet been confirmed.

O revealed in an interview on South Korean TV in September that his life had changed significantly since appearing on the show.

"I feel like I'm in the air. So I'm trying to calm myself down now so I can restrain myself," he said, adding: "When I go to cafes or other places, I become self-conscious. Being a famous actor was hard too."
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 11)  More than 6,500 health workers in the National Capital Region, or 7.2% of the areas health personnel, are currently under quarantine amid the ongoing spike in COVID-19 infections, a Department of Health official said Tuesday.

Gusto kong i-report ngayon na dito po sa Metro Manila, we have na-quarantine, na-isolate na healthcare workers, mga aabot na yata ng 6,595 out of 91,838 healthcare workers, said DOH Usec. Leopoldo Vega in a virtual briefing.

[Translation: I want to report now that in Metro Manila, quarantined and isolated healthcare workers have reached about 6,595 out of 91,838 healthcare workers.]

Vega, acknowledged as the countrys treatment czar, relayed the figures after reassuring viewers they havent received reports of health workers being made to shorten their supposed length of isolation period for immediate return to work. Noting the assurance from infection prevention and control committee on infected health workers, he stressed out that no staff were asked to report back less than five days under quarantine.

RELATED: Govt defends shorter quarantine, isolation for health workers

With the current situation, the official noted that hospitals  especially those with bigger centers  have closed some services to redeploy personnel for COVID-19 duties and cover those currently under isolation or quarantine.

Vega added that the DOH has also continued augmenting local hospitals supply of health workers, which it has done since last year.

Roughly naka-position na kami ng mga [we have positioned] 7,000 plus healthcare workers na [for] augmentation for the different hospitals, isolation centers and testing centers, he said.

The Philippines recorded 28,007 fresh COVID-19 cases on Tuesday, pushing its total past 3 million.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 11)  Over three million people nationwide have now been confirmed hit by COVID-19 nearly two years into the pandemic after the Department of Health (DOH) reported 28,007 new infections on Tuesday.

The latest daily tally broke a three-day streak of record-breaking increase in cases, but is still the third highest logged by the country.

Based on official data, the total count has soared to 3,026,473, with 6% or 181,016 active cases.

This did not yet include results from 12 testing laboratories, the DOH said. Over the past two weeks, these laboratories contributed an average of 4.2% of all samples tested and 5.5% of all positive cases.

The bulletin also showed 58,409 coronavirus tests were reported on Jan. 9  lower than the numbers in the past four days, which were at over 70,000.

The positivity rate was at 44.5%, meaning 4 in 10 people tested for COVID-19 turned out infected. This is the second biggest percentage recorded, following Mondays 46%.

Of the newly added cases, 99% or 27,604 were detected within the last 14 days. The majority again came from Metro Manila, which registered 15,256. Calabarzon was the second top contributing region with 5,861, followed by Central Luzon with 3,064.

The department said 170,873 of the currently ill are mild cases; 5,521 are asymptomatic; 2,863 are moderate; 1,464 are severe; and 295 are critical.

The death toll also climbed to 52,511 after 219 more people lost their lives to the disease. Only 17 of these died in January, according to the DOH. The remaining 202 were encoded late, with fatalities going as far back as January 2021.

Meanwhile, another 4,471 got well, raising the total survivors to 2,792,946.

After final validation, the DOH said it reclassified as deaths 184 cases it previously tagged as recoveries. It also removed 64 duplicate entries from its data.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III on Monday announced the country is now classified as at "critical risk" for COVID-19 after recording a massive 3,663% two-week growth rate in cases.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 11)  A five-year-old was killed and a number of others injured after a bus explosion in Aleosan, Cotabato Tuesday, a military official said.

LtCol. John Paul Baldomar, spokesperson of the 6th Infantry Division, said the blast at past 8 a.m. involved a Mindanao Star bus on its way to Cotabato City.

No one claimed responsibility for the attack, Baldomar said.

"Mahirap kasi magcome up ng suspect until such time na maidentify namin yung mga components at saka yung klase ng pampasabog. May nagasasabi kasi na possible na IED (improvised explosive device), may nagsasabi naman na granada so ongoing pa rin yung post blast investigation para masigurado kung anong explosive talaga ang sumabog," said Baldomar.

[Translation: It's difficult to come up with a suspect until such a time that we can identify the components and the kind of explosive device. Some say it's an IED, others say it was a grenade, so the post blast investigation is ongoing until we are sure what kind of explosive was used.]
(CNN) European Parliament President David Sassoli has died in Italy, according to a Tweet from his spokesman early Tuesday local time.

"The @EP_President David Sassoli passed away at 1.15 a.m. on 11 January at the CRO in Aviano (PN), Italy, where he was hospitalized. The date and place of the funeral will be communicated in the next few hours," spokesman Roberto Cuillo said.

On Monday, Cuillo said Sassoli had been in hospital in Italy since December 26, because of a serious complication due to a dysfunction of his immune system.

This story was first published on CNN.com, "European Parliament President David Sassoli dies age 65."
(CNN)  A suspected ballistic missile launched by North Korea on Tuesday was more advanced than the missile Pyongyang tested last week, reaching a velocity of more than 10 times the speed of sound, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement.

Tuesday's projectile was launched from Jangang province, near the North Korean border with China and landed in the ocean between the Korean Peninsula and Japan, its flight covering a distance of more than 700 kilometers (435 miles) and reaching a height of 60 kilometers (37 miles), the statement said.

Assessment of the test by South Korean and United States intelligence was ongoing, but initial analysis showed Tuesday's test, in which the projectile reached a speed of Mach 10 was of a more advanced weapon than the test North Korea conducted last Thursday, the South Korean Joint Chiefs said.

That test was of what North Korean state media claimed was a hypersonic missile, the second alleged test of such a weapon by the Kim Jong Un regime However, many experts doubted this claim.

A hypersonic missile actually refers to the payload that a rocket carries aloft. In this case, that payload could be what is called a hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV).

An HGV can theoretically fly as fast as 20 times the speed of sound and can be very maneuverable in flight, making it almost impossible to shoot down, according to experts.

But a South Korean government statement Tuesday said, "Our military has the ability to detect and intercept this projectile, and we are continuously strengthening our response system."

Sout Korea "expressed a strong regret over the North's launch, which took place at a time when political stability is very important."

A statement from US Forces Korea said the test posed no threat to US or South Korean territory or military personnel, but "the missile launch highlights the destabilizing impact of (North Korea's) illicit weapons program."

North Korea has not released any information about Tuesday's launch. Last week, North Korean state media gave details 24 hours after the test.

Tuesday's test covered about the same distance at last week's, 700 kilometers (435 miles), and the missile fell into the sea outside of Japan's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), according to Japan's Defense Ministry.

Pyongyang is barred from testing ballistic missiles and nuclear weapons under international law.

This story was first published on CNN.com, "Suspected North Korea missile test hit speed of Mach 10, more advanced than previous test, Seoul says."
The nations blood supply is experiencing a low which has not been seen in over a decade, according to the American Red Cross.

But with January being National Blood Donor Month, the Red Cross and Columbus Community Hospital are using the month to recognize the importance of blood and platelets while honoring those who donate blood to patients who need it.

CCH is marking the occasion by inviting the community to donate blood from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday in the first-floor conference center at the hospital, 4600 38th St.

The hospital is accepting appointments for both whole blood and power reds (where twice the amount of red cells are collected). Donors will need a valid drivers license or blood donation card at check-in. CCH staff said it is encouraging donors with all blood types to donate blood by appointment.

Donating blood is a unique way to give back to others because blood donations are given to a wide range of individuals, CCH Volunteer Coordinator Chelsea Kasik said in a provided statement.

To schedule an appointment, call Kasik at 402-562-4791, or visit redcrossblood.org and enter sponsor code ColumbusNebraska.

This January marks the 52nd National Blood Donor Month.

According to CCH, collecting enough blood and platelets during the winter months can be especially difficult. It comes downs to inclement weather, the hospital said, as blood drive cancellations and seasonal illnesses such as the flu can prevent some donors from making or keeping their appointments.

The Red Cross is also encouraging new and previous donors to donate during the difficult part of the year.

Additionally, per the Red Cross, the low levels could force hospitals to delay important blood and platelet transfusions. Blood donors of all types  and exceptionally, type O blood, the group needed the most  are in demand to help meet daily hospital demands, according to the Red Cross.

The Red Cross supplies 40% of the nations blood.

There is also no blood donation waiting time for individuals who received a flu shot or a Moderna, Pfizer or Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccine or booster as long as they do not have symptoms, per the Red Cross.

The Red Cross blood drives and donation centers also follow certain safety standards and infection control. Both donors and staff  regardless of vaccination status  must wear face masks.

Kasik said giving blood is vital in helping others.

Youre kind of like a secret superhero, Kasik said. You dont know who your donation goes to but you know that one hour of (your) time can save someones life.

Andrew Kiser is a reporter for The Columbus Telegram. Reach him via email at andrew.kiser@lee.net.

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The Nebraska Public Service Commission denied funding for an innovative public-private partnership to expand broadband infrastructure. The implications of that decision for other entities considering similar partnerships -- such as Platte County and Loup -- remain unclear.

The commission's decision on a unique Nebraska Broadband Bridge Program funding application will be a topic of conversation at an upcoming private meeting, said Loup Power District President/CEO Neal Suess. The meeting will include local entities that have signed on to a memorandum of understanding aimed at broadband infrastructure development.

The push was started by Loup with support from the Nebraska Public Power District. Platte County was the first county to jump on board in November. Since then, Colfax, Nance and Boone counties have also signed on.

"We are talking to other public entities, but nobody else has signed it," Suess told the Telegram on Jan. 7. "...And we have definitely had at least some (private telecommunications companies) show interest in discussing where this goes."

The memorandum of understanding (MOU) proposes investigating the development of a relationship between the public entities on the MOU with a private telecommunications company to expand broadband in the region.

The innovative local effort is similar to a Glenwood Telecommunications Company (GTC) and South Central Public Power District (SCPPD) project proposed in Clay, Nuckolls and Webster counties. The GTC/SCPPD effort, if successful, would be the first of its kind in Nebraska. It's farther along but was recently denied funding from the Nebraska Public Service Commission -- for now, at least.

"We are planning on having a meeting...to talk a little about what our next steps are...(and try) to figure out what that (the commission's decision) means and where that goes," Suess said.

The Nebraska Broadband Bridge Act set up a fund of $40 million to be awarded to broadband infrastructure projects in Nebraska by the public service commission. The $40 million will be distributed in two grant cycles, one in 2021 and the other in 2022. There was $20 million up for grabs in the 2021 cycle.

As part of the grant award process, the commission allowed internet service providers to file challenges to grant applications which, if upheld, made the application ineligible for funding.

The results of the challenges and the 2021 cycle recipients were announced on Jan. 4, but not all $20 million was awarded. The commission left roughly $2.02 million up in the air.

"...The Commission will allow those applicants whose applications were denied due to a partial challenge to resubmit their application, with modifications, to remove the successfully challenged portion(s)," said the commission's Jan. 4 order issuing the grant awards and challenge results.

The GTC/SCPPD project applications are the only two that qualify for reapplication.

The commission upheld a challenge to the GTC/SCPPD application from Windstream, which serves some -- but not all -- areas in the proposed project.

The parts of Windstream service territory that intersected with the GTC/SCPPD project area would have to be cut in a GTC/SCPPD reapplication, which would significantly reduce the scope of the project.

Reapplications are due Jan. 28.

"The Commission will review the resubmitted applications when and if they are submitted, and would then issue a decision via order at one of the regularly scheduled Commission meetings after that Jan. 28 deadline to resubmit," Nebraska Public Service Commission Media and Communications Manager Deb Collins said in a Jan. 5 email to the Telegram.

"The $2 million that is left over would be part of the 2021 grant cycle funds, if anyone reapplies for it. Otherwise, it will be rolled over into the 2022 cycle and be available there along with the $20 million allocated for 2022," Collins said in a subsequent Jan. 5 email to the Telegram.

For now, it's unclear what GTC/SCPPD will do.

Formerly the NPPD CEO and president, now a special assistant to the current CEO and president, Pat Pope has been involved in efforts to develop public/private broadband partnerships in Nebraska, including the one involving Loup, as well as the GTC/SCPPD project.

"(The commission) is not the only game in town. There are literally billions more dollars coming down the pipe from the federal government but...if the legislature elects the channel those dollars that are coming from the federal government through the public service commission, we've got to have the process right. It's got to be fair, there has to be accountability," Pope said.

In a dissenting opinion on the awards, Commissioner Crystal Rhodes asserted that the process was not fair.

"Simply put, the Commission did not follow our own process," Rhodes said in her opinion. "...We failed to consider the speed data submitted by the applicants, and information provided by customers and elected officials who live in the area.  Instead, the Commission accepted plant maps provided by carriers and their attestation that they were providing adequate service, despite strong evidence provided by others to the contrary."

Pope said speed tests were done at Windstream-served residences in the project area to see if Windstream's existing customers had adequate service, defined by the commission as at least a 100 megabits per second (Mbps) download speed and 20 Mbps upload speed.

"From our actual measurement perspective, (those residences) are not being served at 100/20 Mbps, despite the claims of Windstream," Pope said.

Molly Hunter is a reporter for The Columbus Telegram. Reach her via email at molly.hunter@lee.net.

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Uruguays First Bitcoin & BNB ATM an Instant Hit with 1,000 Transactions in First Hours

Source: Twitter/@inbiertouy

Uruguays first crypto ATM may have taken a long time to arrive  but it has proven an instant hit, with reports claiming that the machine handled over 1,000 crypto transactions within the first hours of opening to customers late last week.

Per the news agency EFE (via Hola News), the machine was officially opened on Friday last week in the southeastern town of Punta del Este, in the Maldonado Department.

The ATMs installers are inBierto, a local crypto firm and token operator, and another firm named Urubit. The machine is compatible with fiat, as well as bitcoin (BTC) and binance coin (BNB). Urubit also worked in conjunction with Binances Binance Uruguay trading platform on launching the machine.

Dignitaries including Carlos Enciso, the Ambassador of Uruguay to Argentina, were in attendance at an opening ceremony. Photos from the event showed a crowd gathered around the machine.

The town is a major tourism hub, and it appears that international and domestic travelers could well be its primary target.

The firms behind the ATM say it was developed entirely in Uruguay and added that they were seeking to expand the network in Maldonado, with a view to expanding to the capital Montevideo, as well as Colonia, in the southwest of the nation, another major tourism hotspot.

The CEO of inBierto, Adolfo Varela, was quoted as stating:

Uruguay has the conditions required to become an international crypto hub and can be the entry point for this technology to enter the Latin American region.

Crypto adoption is becoming an increasingly hot topic in the nation, where last year a regulator, the General Tax Directorate, hinted that crypto may have a place to play in the property market.

The regulator suggested that crypto could be used as intangible personal property in deals whereby buyers pay for real estate in crypto.

However, there are also signs that the government will not allow the crypto sector to grow unchecked. The Uruguayan Central Bank has been hard at work on a crypto regulation action plan since last year.

Earlier this month, the bank hinted that its plan is edging closer to full formulation, writing in a policy advisory document that it considers it necessary to provide greater certainty and clarity on the phenomenon [of crypto] and its regulatory considerations.

____

Learn more:

- Peru, Uruguay Edge Closer to Crypto Regulation with Draft Law, Policy Advisory Report

- New El Salvador Laws Will Help Bitcoiners Who Want to Move to the Country, Says Govt



- Argentine Crypto Firm Sets up El Salvador Base to Side-step Fiscal Reporting Duties

- Walmart Begins Bitcoin ATM Pilot at 200 American Stores
Volunteers from the American Association of Retired Persons will once again provide free tax assistance to all taxpayers with middle and low income, with special attention to those ages 60 and older.

To receive help filing federal, state and local taxes, or rent rebate applications, taxpayers must bring copies of their income and any other information pertaining to the tax year 2021. Taxpayers should also bring a copy of their 2020 and 2019 tax returns, as well as a copy of the letter from the IRS stating what stimulus money was received in 2021.

For those who received a child tax credit, they should bring that letter showing the amount of advance credit received.

Anyone who purchased something online, from catalogs or from out of state that would be taxable in Pennsylvania, but did not pay tax on it, should bring their purchase receipts or have an amount available to give to the tax counselor.

Residents should also bring a copy of their property taxes for 2021 stamped paid or their rental information.

Tax help will be available beginning Feb. 1 and running through April 15 at two locations this year.

Taxpayers can make an appointment at Carlisle Baptist Church, 701 Walnut Bottom Road, Carlisle, by stopping at the church on any Monday or Thursday from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Residents should not call the church to make an appointment. Appointments are available between 9 a.m. and noon on Mondays and Thursdays.

Tax help will also be available at Big Spring Senior Center, 91 Doubling Gap Road, Newville, from 9 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. Fridays. To make an appointment, call 717-776-4478.

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Some Carlisle residents may have a new option for disposing of their leaves next fall, ditching bags for a vacuum.

Carlisle Borough Council on Thursday night will consider purchasing a leaf vacuum truck. Public Works and Water Resources Director Mark Malarich provided an update on the vacuum purchase proposal at the boroughs councils biennial organization meeting on Jan. 3, and the Public Works Committee will present an official request at the councils meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday.

Malarich described the boroughs current collection process as relatively tedious, saying it depended on effort from both residents and borough staff.

We require our residents to manually rake their leaves, put them in paper bags, place those bags at the curb and then public works staff manually collects those as we drive through the borough, Malarich said at the Jan. 3 meeting.

Carlisle residents are prohibited from raking their leaves to the curb, so if council approves the purchase of the leaf vacuum truck, an amendment would need to be made to the borough code to allow for that.

Malarich said the leaf vacuum truck would only be used in specific areas of the Carlisle borough.

Recognizing that staff does not want to over-commit in the beginning, were proposing that if council does purchase a leaf vacuum truck, they would use that truck in the areas outside of the shaded yellow initially, Malarich said.

The shaded yellow describes the area between D Street and Willow Street from north to south and between East Street and College Street from east to west.

The selection of the areas where the truck could be used was determined by how accessible streets would be for a large truck with a vacuum system as well as the demand for on-street parking, according to Malarich. This limited plan would be utilized initially for a year or two and then the Public Works Department would report back to the council with potential modifications to the area the vacuum could be used.

Malarich said residents of the Carlisle borough where the vacuum would not be used could be provided with free paper bags to collect their leaves and place them on the curb.

Funds for buying the leaf vacuum would come from a $220,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.

Malarich said that two years ago the Public Works Department successfully applied for the grant. The council executed the grant agreement at the end of last year and now has three years to use the funds or return them to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.

The grant comes at a 10% local match, which means the borough would pay 10% of the total amount of the grant.

If you ever hear the words 10% match and you dont get a proposal in for something you need, youre missing a big opportunity, council member Joel Hicks said.

According to Malarich, the funds to pay for the 10% would come from the councils stormwater fee.

The Stormwater Management Fund is financed by the boroughs stormwater fee, which charges property owners based on the amount of impervious surface area on their property, as well as bond proceeds, the Carlisle Boroughs website said in frequently asked questions about the budget.

Removing leaves from the streets is really a stormwater function, Malarich said. If we dont remove the leaves they clog area inlets. Thats the rationale for using the stormwater account.

The use of leftover funds, should the leaf vacuum cost less than the grant amount, is under question.

The way that we wrote the grant application, it was exclusively for the procurement of the equipment plus modifications to borough ordinances, Malarich said.

Malarich said the Public Works Department could speak with the grant donor and see if leftover funds could be used to purchase bags for residents outside the area where the vacuum would be used.

Maddie Seiler is a news reporter for The Sentinel and cumberlink.com covering Carlisle and Newville. You can contact her at mseiler@cumberlink.com and follow her on Twitter at: @SeilerMadalyn

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Its pandemic authority weakened, the Wolf administration said Tuesday it has no plans to pursue another COVID-19 emergency declaration, or attempt to impose new statewide restrictions or vaccine mandates, in response to the highly contagious omicron variant that is spreading quickly and overloading Pennsylvanias hospitals.

The Health Department is responding to the surge by pushing more residents to get vaccinated and taking steps to support hospitals hit by severe staffing shortages and a growing tide of COVID-19 patients. But we are not considering further mitigation at this time, acting Secretary of Health Keara Klinepeter said at a news conference in Harrisburg.

Gov. Tom Wolf, in a separate appearance Tuesday, swatted away a question about the possibility of new restrictions by saying that vaccines are his administrations strategy for fighting the spread of COVID-19.

We can live lives a lot more freely than we could before and we dont have to make the same harsh decisions we did two years ago. So were in a different place, Wolf said on KDKA-AM radio in Pittsburgh.

By necessity, Wolfs approach to the virus  encouraging vaccination while trying to manage the consequences of rampant spread  has shifted from the early days of the pandemic, when he ordered schools to shut down for in-person instruction, issued a statewide stay-at-home order, closed businesses deemed non-life-sustaining and mandated masks to be worn in public.

Some of those tools are no longer available to him, either legally or politically, the result of pushback by GOP lawmakers and pandemic-weary residents and business owners.

Last year, voters curbed the governors emergency powers, and the state Supreme Court recently ended Wolfs masking order in schools and child care centers, saying it lacked legal justification after the Republican-controlled Legislature terminated Wolfs COVID-19 emergency disaster declaration.

I think certainly the constitutional authorities that the governor and that the secretary of health have are different at this time, and weve certainly heard peoples perspective that they would like to be able to make local decisions, Klinepeter said Tuesday. And so thats really what were leaning on, is for people in local places of authority to make good public health decisions.

She said the administration is working to boost hospital staffing and beds in time for an expected February peak in hospitalizations.

Hospitals and nursing homes hit by severe staffing shortages have been sounding the alarm as largely unvaccinated COVID-19 patients strain capacity. Crozer Health said it is temporarily closing the emergency department at Springfield Hospital in Delaware County beginning Friday, and taking other steps to address severe staffing shortages.

Our patient care resources have been strained due to the national nursing shortage and many colleagues out sick with COVID-19, echoing the challenges faced by other health systems locally and across the country, said Peter Adamo, CEO of Crozer Health.

Statewide, new confirmed cases have spiked by 50% in a week, rising to 27,545 per day, according to weekly Health Department data released Tuesday. Klinepeter said cases are expected to peak this month.

More than 7,100 people are hospitalized with COVID-19, a pandemic record, and nearly a third of all patients in intensive care units have the disease. Deaths have risen by more than a third in two weeks, averaging about 127 per day.
The initial ART Blooms Banner Contest took place in 2015 when the first group of young artists work was chosen to display in downtown Farmington.

For the 8th annual light pole banner contest, the artwork of 258 artists will be displayed in nine locations throughout the area.

The 2022 theme Paws, Fins, Wings & Things emphasizes pets and wildlife. The contest runs from Jan. 3-28.

This years light pole design contest has expanded throughout the region because of generous sponsors including the City of Farmington, First State Community Bank, Ozarks Federal Savings and Loan, and Unico Bank. For 2022, banner artwork will be displayed in Arcadia Valley, Bismarck, Bonne Terre, Caledonia, Desloge, Farmington, Fredericktown, Park Hills and Potosi.

The contest is sponsored by Mineral Area Council on the Arts.

The ART Blooms Banner Contest has grown spectacularly in recent years, said MACOA Executive Director Scottye Adkins. The MACOA volunteers enjoy the process of sorting from over 1,500 entries. It gives us a chance to see all of the talented artists represented!

Farmington City Administrator Greg Beavers was part of kicking off the first banner art contest.

We are glad to see the banner contest expand into the other towns in the region, he said. It is always a joy to see the artwork up and down the streets in Farmington.

The ART Blooms Banner Contest is open to local K-12 students in public, private and homeschools in the Parkland. Students are asked to submit an original drawing, painting or illustration depicting the theme using the official entry form.

Artwork submitted by homeschools and private schools will be represented on light poles in the town nearest their location from March to October. Students may submit multiple entries but only one entry per person is eligible to win.

Artwork must be submitted to the Farmington Library at 101 North A Street or to MACOA at the Mineral Area College Fine Arts Building in room 134. Entries can also be mailed to MACOA at PO Box 1000, Park Hills, MO 63601. If entries are mailed, the artwork must not be folded and should be sent flat in a protective envelope.

All entries must be received by Jan. 28. Official guidelines and entry form are available at the Farmington Library, online at www.MineralAreaArts.org or on MACOAs Facebook page.

Questions regarding the banner contest should be directed to Adkins at 573-518-2125 or email sadkins@MineralArea.edu.

Pam Clifton is a contributing writer for the Daily Journal

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The LIFE Center for Independent Living in Farmington is reintroducing a program to the community called Vial of Life.

It was a project that began many years ago and the exact origins are unknown, said Randy Windsor, LIFE Centers director of marketing. The name 'Vial of Life' came from the original pill or prescription bottles that were given out to store a persons emergency medical information back when the program began in the late '70s to early '80s.

"Over the years, formal programs have been created and funded through non-profit organizations around the globe. There have been various versions of the program over the years.

According to Windsor, the Vial of Life is simple in its purpose and the few minutes needed to become a part of the movement is repaid a millionfold when used in a time of need, it saves the life of a friend, a loved one, a next-door neighbor, or even oneself.

Nobody wants to think about the possibility of tragedies happening, but the fact remains that they can and will take place, Windsor said. This project is a preparation for when the inevitable may happen. Regardless of your age or the condition of your health, if the time comes and you are found unresponsive in your home with nobody there to answer questions for you, what will happen?

Most likely, the ambulance or fire department will be called. Will they know your medical history or the medications that you have been taking? Will they know that you suffer from heart disease or diabetes? Will they know that you take blood thinners or have epilepsy? Most likely they will not. That is where the Vial of Life comes in.

The process is simple. Kits, which are provided locally, in partnership with Parkland Health Mart, by the LIFE Center, include a bright green pill bottle in which you place your personal medical information. Inside the bottle is an instruction sheet that tells you step by step what is needed to complete the required information and what to do with it once you have it ready.

You will also find an information sheet that you are required to fill out about your medical history, your physicians, your blood type, the medications that you are currently taking, any diagnosis of major medical issues you are being treated for, emergency contact information, any mobility issues you may have and information regarding any advanced directives you may have in place. The kit also contains a red door sticker and a red refrigerator magnet.

These four simple items could save your life or the life of a loved one.

Once the health information has been filled out, you fold the form, place it in the bottle and secure the cap. The bottle is then placed inside your refrigerator door. Be sure it is in a prominent place where the green bottle can be easily seen and found. The red refrigerator magnet goes on the outside of your refrigerator door and the red sticker goes either on the main entry door of your house or just inside your main entry door where it will be easily seen.

How it Works

Once EMS (Emergency Medical Service) is called and they see the sticker on or just inside the main entry door of your home, they will know you participate in the Vial of Life program. This will prompt them to look for the refrigerator with the red magnet. Once they find the refrigerator, they will look in the door to find the bottle. A quick review of the page will give them vital information that just may save your life. If you live by yourself, if you are a couple, or if you have others in your home with health concerns, you can each use a Vial of Life.

It is simple, it is easy and it is secure. Many individuals have a difficult time worrying about how their information could be stolen online. Since all of this information is stored by you, there is no database that keeps your critical information and no way that your information can be accessed or stolen.

The LIFE Center for Independent Living is proud to reintroduce this program, Windsor said. We are a non-profit organization that serves several counties and communities around the area. The LIFE Center provides advocacy and support for individuals with disabilities and senior citizens who qualify for the programs they offer.

Funding for these programs is provided by the Missouri Department of Vocational Rehabilitation and funds from the Department of Health and Human Services through Medicaid. If potential clients do not qualify through a disability or through Medicaid, there are waivers that may be applied. The best part of the Vial of Life program is that it is totally free. There is no qualification, no application, and no fee to take part.

According to Windsor, the LIFE Center for Independent Living will be visiting area nutrition centers and senior apartment complexes to promote the program. LIFE Center personnel are also planning to make regular return visits to promote other programs provided through the non-profit, along with reminding people to update their Vial of Life information when they have updates to their health records or changes in medications.

We are currently working with the St. Francois County Ambulance District and the Farmington Fire Department  along with Parkland Health Mart  to help with the distribution of these kits, Windsor said. We welcome inquiries from civic groups or other organizations that are interested in helping with this cause. Your life, or the life of another, could be saved by obtaining a kit and following a few simple steps.

Anyone wanting to obtain a kit or who is interested in helping the LIFE Center provide these kits to others is asked to call 800-596-7273.

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Kerrville, TX (78028)

Today

Cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy in the afternoon. High 87F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies during the evening will give way to cloudy skies overnight. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 69F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph.
COVID-19, lame-duck leaders, power shifts, political bitterness, elections and a possible walkout could combine to kneecap the 2022 session of the Legislature.

Legislative leaders on Monday moved ahead with a business-as-usual tone, beginning 37 informational virtual hearings on Tuesday in preparation for a Feb. 1 start to the 35-day "short session" of the Legislature.

But with three weeks to go, large questions loom over whether the session will start on time and if it does, how long it can go without collapsing like the 2020 session.

COVID-19: The Feb. 1 start date is five days after the Jan. 27 forecasted peak for daily hospitalizations in the current omicron spike of COVID-19. Oregon Health & Science University forecasters predict an estimated 1,650 patients  more than twice the current 650 patients  at the peak. The Salem zip code where the capitol is located has been a top COVID-19 hot spot during the pandemic.

Limited leeway: Over the one regular and five special sessions held since COVID-19 arrived in Oregon, the Legislature has moved committee hearings online. But lawmakers must come to the Capitol to begin the session and for floor votes on passage of each bill. Earlier sessions were disrupted and delayed by positive test cases among lawmakers and staff.

Unyielding clock: There's no overtime in regular sessions of the Legislature. Once the session starts, the Oregon Constitution requires adjournment after 35 days, including weekends, illness, weather or other disruptions. If lawmakers start Feb. 1, they must end March 7.

End of an era: The session will feature a lame-duck governor, lame-duck senate president, and a brand new House speaker chosen before the session starts.

Brown cannot run again because of term limits. She'll leave office when the governor elected in November is sworn in next January.

House Speaker Tina Kotek, D-Portland, hopes to succeed Brown. Kotek has been speaker since 2013, the longest tenure in state history. She added to the political scramble last week, announcing she would leave the Legislature on Jan. 21 to focus on her campaign.

Senate President Peter Courtney, D-Salem, announced Jan. 6 that he would not seek re-election, ending his time leading the Senate, a role he's had since 2003. He'll retire as the state's longest-serving lawmaker  36 years  when his current term ends next January.

Change at the top: House Democrats, who have a 37-23 majority, will choose the new speaker before the 2022 session. Rep. Janelle Bynum, D-Clackamas, wants the job, but Democrats may opt for a caretaker speaker for 2022 before regrouping after the election for the 2023 session. Adding to the political whiplash, House Majority Leader Barbara Smith Warner has told Oregon Public Broadcasting she will give up her position as the party's floor leader before the 2022 session as well.

Senate Majority Leader Robb Wagner, D-Lake Oswego, first chosen majority leader for the 2021 session, will be the longest-serving legislative leader in the 2022 session with plans to stay in the Legislature. He'll lead the Democrats, who have a majority of 18 of 30 seats.

The minority Republicans in both chambers have new leaders as well.

Sen. Tim Knopp, R-Bend, a former House majority leader, steps in as an institutional stalwart for a fractured GOP caucus in which only 10 of the 12 senators follow the party leader. A faction led by Sen. Dallas Heard, R-Roseburg, who is also the Oregon Republican Party chair, takes a hardline stance or boycotts votes.

In the House, Rep. Vikki Breese-Iverson, R-Prineville, will lead a more cohesive Republican caucus. Chosen leader late last year after House Minority Leader Christine Drazan, R-Canby, stepped down to focus on her campaign for governor, it will be the first regular session with Breese-Iverson determining the strategy for her "superminority."

The change will be unfamiliar to all but a handful of the most veteran lawmakers. To have new legislative traffic controllers in a short session could be a tall task.

"There will be a leadership experience vacuum and that always leads to instability," Knopp said.

Big plate of bills: Lawmakers could submit nearly 200 bills, with additional legislation coming from leadership and committee chairs. Each bill would have to be introduced, have a hearing, win committee approval, win a floor vote, then go to the other chamber where the process would be repeated all over. If approved and any changes reconciled, only then would it go to Brown.

All in 35 days.

Democrats would like to deal with skill and job training, increase the number of educators, make criminal justice reforms and address safeguards and aid for the pandemic's front line workers.

"Its my job to help my colleagues get their bills across the finish line," Wagner said.

Knopp said Republicans wanted to honor what he said was the will of voters who approved adding the short session in addition to the odd-year 160-day long session.

"Only bills that are budget-related, technical fixes or emergencies should pass during the short session," Knopp said. "Democrat majorities should be wary of government overreach as the public is done with it."

Was there anything brewing that would cross over that line in such a way as to be unacceptable to Republicans?

"Too early to tell," Knopp said.

Stalls and stops: Republicans do not have enough members in either chamber to block legislation. But two archaic parts of the Oregon Constitution have given them a big cudgel in recent years.

Oregon is one of the few states where more than a majority of lawmakers are needed in each chamber to create a quorum to do any business. Oregon requires two-thirds attendance, which is 40 in the House and 20 in the Senate. Republicans have walked out over carbon cap legislation and education legislation in the past. The 2020 session died after just three bills were passed.

Drazan came up with a different way to jam the gears on the Democrats' agenda as minority leader in 2021. Under the constitution, bills must be read in their entirety before final passage. In less contentious times, the requirement was usually waived without objection and just the short title of the bill was read.

If an objection was raised, it took a two-thirds vote of the House to overcome the objection. Objections were used sparingly on highly controversial bills. Drazan employed a blanket objection to all legislation, which led to a massive backlog of bills to back up until a deal was struck with Kotek to speed things up.

Kotek agreed to give Drazan a seat on the House Redistricting Committee, giving it 3-to-3 parity on the panel. The move surprised many Democrats, some of whom hammered Kotek for unilaterally giving away the majority's control of 2022 mapmaking for districts that would last for a decade.

"It's just inexplicable and arrogant," U.S. Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-Springfield, told Politico magazine.

When a special session was held in September to approve redistricting, committees had to be formally re-established. Kotek announced the redistricting panel would revert to a Democrat majority. Drazan called for a censure of Kotek, which failed. She then determined to run for governor, perhaps with an eye toward facing Kotek in the fall.

Deals or dead on arrival? Prospects of finding areas of agreement were possible, leaders of both chambers and both parties said. But whether 2022 and its many challenges is a short time will make reaching consensus a challenge.

GOP anger over last year remains among House Republicans. The 2022 election could make the Legislature move heavily Democratic or end with at least one chamber short of the 3/5 supermajority to pass taxes and other financial legislation. That leaves little incentive to approve bills to bolster Democratic incumbents in November.

"There's no reason we can't successfully pass essential bills that solve problems for Oregonians this year unless our Democrat leadership fails to listen to Oregonians by charging ahead with a partisan agenda," Breese-Iverson said.

If her caucus sees bills they think fit the "partisan agenda" moving toward approval, Breese-Iverson said slowing down the legislative assembly line was an option.

"The reading of bills is an essential backstop in response to failed Democrat leadership that shuts out differing opinions and concerns," Breese-Iverson said. "We hope it won't be necessary this session and that we can work on bipartisan legislation to benefit the entire state fairly, but it's not off the table."

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King Soopers officials and United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7 representatives hurled unfair labor practices accusations at each other Monday, pointing more and more to a strike starting Wednesday.

In a news release, King Soopers said it filed unfair labor practice charges against UFCW Local 7 for refusing to bargain in good faith.

Within an hour, Kim Cordova, president of UFCW Local 7 in Colorado and Wyoming, fired back.

This is on them that they let that contract expire without reaching an agreement, she said at a news conference. We had a proposal on the table and we still have it on the table and they haven't responded. So the only proposal on the table is ours.

Workers are demanding better pay and work conditions. The union has alleged unfair labor practices on the part of King Soopers, while the company has said it made a significant contract offer that would substantially boost employee compensation and benefits.

Mondays back-and-forth followed increasingly acrimonious contract talks in recent weeks between the union, which represents about 17,000 grocery workers, and the chain of grocery stores owned by Kroger, the Cincinnati-based supermarket giant. Around 58% of King Soopers employees are members of the union.

More than 8,700 workers at 78 Denver metro area stores plan to walk out at 5 a.m. Wednesday. Colorado Springs stores are not included in the strike, as meat workers there still have a contract through Feb. 19.

After three days of refusing repeated requests to return to the negotiating table, Local 7s Kim Cordova has now rejected a reasonable request for mediation to work together toward a contract that will put more money in our associates pockets, Joe Kelley, president of King Soopers/City Market, said in a statement. If Local 7 does not want to negotiate then they should at least have the decency to allow our associates to vote on the current proposal. ... Right now, Local 7 is using our associates livelihoods as pawns in their political gamesmanship.

Cordova rejected the call for federal mediators, saying adding another presence is not going to be productive. The company should stand in front of their workers and face them and listen to their proposals and continue to negotiate until we get to an agreement.

She said Kelley showed up for negotiations one day and stayed for nine whole minutes.

He did not stay at the bargaining table to listen to workers proposals, Cordova said. So when the company is coming in front of our members and the media and the community (and) they say they care about the workers  our workers were only worth nine minutes to the Colorado division president.

She said the companys most recent proposal includes a hiring wage of $16 per hour  only 13 cents above minimum wage.

Cordova chided Kings Soopers officials for not hiring security guards at stores, something the union has asked for since 2018, but as soon as the threat of a strike appeared security guards have appeared at stores.

Were willing to go back to the negotiations and go back to the table and meet with the company, she said. But for us to move forward, we need the company to provide critical and necessary information.

According to the complaint King Soopers filed with the National Labor Relations Board, union officials are not negotiating in good faith.

The Union has made and insisted on unreasonable contract proposals that it knew would be unacceptable to King Soopers in an attempt to delay and frustrate bargaining, the complaint says. For example, on January 6, 2022, at 3:30 a.m., the Union transmitted an unreasonable proposal knowing it would be unacceptable to King Soopers to further frustrate bargaining and delay negotiations until the contract expires and striking could commence.

Local 7 and King Soopers began negotiations in October. The union sued the company in federal court, alleging it violated its contract by paying third-party contractors higher rates to stock shelves. King Soopers denied the allegations and said it was disappointed Local 7 went to court.

In separate votes Jan. 1 and 3, union members in Denver and Colorado Springs, respectively, overwhelmingly authorized a strike.

Local 7s leadership then rejected what King Soopers called its comprehensive best offer on a new labor deal, which the company says included wage hikes and signing bonuses totaling more than $148 million over three years.

Some of Local 7s contracts, including one covering meat department workers in Colorado Springs, dont expire until Feb. 22. Talks continued for more than two months after a previous agreement expired in 2019 and Local 7 hasnt conducted a strike since members walked off the job at Safeway for 1 months in 1996.

Local 7 continues to negotiate an agreement with Idaho-based Albertsons, which operates Safeway and Albertsons stores in Colorado.
The Indian government is set to become the largest shareholder in Vodafone Idea after the beleaguered operators board approved converting the interest on its arrears into equity.

Vodafone Idea, branded as Vi, has outstanding dues for spectrum licences as well as adjusted gross revenue. The operator estimates the net value of the interest on these dues at around INR160 billion ($2.2 billion), although this could only be confirmed by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT).

The equity conversion will grant the Indian government a 35.8% stake in Vodafone Idea by reducing the interest of the operators current shareholders. Vodafone Groups holding will be slashed from 45.1% to 28.5%, while Aditya Birla Groups will drop from 26% to 17.8%.

In October 2021, the Indian government confirmed that it would implement reforms proposed in September that were aimed at easing pressure on the telecoms sector. These included reducing the bank guarantees required for spectrum licences, suspending spectrum payments for up to four years, and allowing operators to convert interest on spectrum acquisitions into equity  although Vodafone Idea is thus far the only Indian operator to make use of the conversion option.

Vis fiscal second quarter results (up to 30th September 2021) confirmed falling subscriber numbers, ARPU and revenue, although its net loss declined slightly from INR72.3 billion to INR71.4 billion.
HMN Tech, a provider of turnkey submarine network solutions, has announced that it has completed the marine deployment of the Senegal Horn of Africa Regional Express (SHARE) submarine cable system, with landfalls in both Senegal and Cape Verde.

Financed by the Senegalese state and operated by the Agence De lInformatique de lEtat (ADIE), the 720km system offers a total design capacity of 16Tbps between Dakar in Senegal and Praia in Cape Verde. It is expected to be ready for service this quarter.

The SHARE cable will supplement onward connectivity to Europe and South America via other international submarine cables that land in Cape Verde. Future connectivity to other nations in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) will also be possible by the incorporation of a branching unit into the SHARE cable system.

Hopes are high for the SHARE cable. Mr Cheikh Baknoum, CEO of ADIE, says that Senegal aims to become an internet hub in West Africa by operating a low-latency, high-quality and large-capacity optical submarine cable. The cable is, he adds, ready to provide network operators and ISPs sufficient internet bandwidth to benefit both local residents and businesses and to boost the development of the digital economy.

HMN Tech was established in 2008. The name is a rebrand of Huawei Marine Networks that took place in 2020 when Hengtong group completed the 81 percent shareholding acquisition of Huawei Marine Networks Co Ltd. New Saxon 2019 Ltd (UK) holds the remaining 19 percent of shares.
Beijing-based cloud computing service provider, Capital Online, has selected Nokia to upgrade its IP backbone network.

The upgrade will help Capital Online build a cost-effective converged backbone network and realize its Network 2.0 plan, enabling it to provide reliable cloud services with a better customer experience.

As per the deal, Capital Online will deploy the Nokia 7750 Service Router (SR) and 7250 IXR interconnect router platforms to specifically support Capital Onlines ambitious Network 2.0 plan. This entails that the converged backbone provides performance certainty for all traffic flows under all network conditions, the versatility to converge edge and core routing functions onto a common platform, smart traffic engineering with segment routing-MPLS, and granular QoS to address different traffic demands for reliable service delivery.

According to a press release from the Finnish multinational telecommunications, information technology, and consumer electronics company, its Nokia 7750 SR and 7250 IXR platforms offer unique advantages for building Capital Onlines backbone network. Based on the industry-leading Service Router Operating System (SR OS), Nokias portfolio provides end-to-end advanced IP routing protocols, including Segment Routing, to achieve fast and efficient service delivery along with end-to-end service assurance for all traffic flows. By building a cost-effective converged backbone network based on high-density routers having 100GE/400GE interfaces, Nokias platforms are geared to help Capital Online succeed in its cloud business, it said.

Xu Xiaohu, Chief Architect of Capital Online, said: As a trusted partner of critical networks, Nokia has abundant experiences helping its global customers build high capacity and quality IP networks. Were looking forward to collaborating with Nokia to accelerate the transformation of our network to provide faster, more reliable network services for our global customers throughout the U.S., Europe, and Asia.

Markus Borchert, CEO of Nokia Shanghai Bell, said: Capital Online is known for being specialists in delivering exceptional online experiences for global business. We are pleased to help it create an industry-leading IP network that will upgrade its existing backbone network to the Network 2.0 era, paving the way to increase its footprint in the global Cloud market in the future.
On my way to the airport at four oclock in the morning, I was considering my choice of flight departure time. I did this to myself last weekend when I flew to Dallas. I scheduled myself on super early flights. I was getting up at three oclock in the morning. For me, thats a bedtime, not a
Jackson County Commissioners on Tuesday approved letters going to Florida Representative Brad Drake (R-Eucheeanna) and state Senator George Gainer (R-Panama City) that seek the legislators help in having an allocation fully funded by Florida lawmakers which was significantly below the expected amount. It falls more than $250,000 short of what Jackson County expected.

The funding is part of the states Local Government Half-Cent Sales Tax Program. In it, there are three types of distributions: Ordinary, Emergency, and Supplemental. All eligible counties and municipalities get a share of Ordinary. Just 20 counties qualify for Emergency, and only 17 qualify for Supplemental.

Supplemental is funded through a transfer from Emergency, and Jackson County is one of the 17 that qualify for it.

Deputy County Administrator Karlyn Tidwell, in an agenda report to the board, explained the problem.

Recently, it was determined that the appropriation for the Supplemental Distribution has been funded at an amount less than what the statutory formula provides and, as a result, our share of the Supplemental Distribution has been reduced through a proration.

Each of the 17 qualifying counties experienced a reduction in this circumstance.

The Supplemental Distribution has been funded at $592,958 (the total for the 17 counties combined). Full funding for the Supplemental Distribution is calculated by the statutes to be approximately $2,335,547 (the expected total for the 17 counties combined).

The 17 shared the hit when the supplemental was reduced by $1,742,589 (for all 17 combined) from the amount calculated by the formula to the amount appropriated in the GAA (General Appropriations Act).

For Jackson County, the funded amount should have been $336,654, of which $85,471 was funded  that leaves a difference of $251,183 not funded, Tidwell advised.

If fully funded, Jackson County would have received the most money, according to the numbers she presented, and even with the reduction was still awarded more than the others. The statutory funding formula is based in part on each countys percentage of inmates and on its general population.

But the county is hoping this isnt the last word: Staff is working with the Small County Coalition and the Florida Association of Counties to get the full funding by convincing legislators to increase the amount drawn from the emergency distribution pool from which the supplemental allocation is taken.
As the raging omicron variant of COVID-19 infects workers across the nation, millions of those whose jobs don't provide paid sick days are having to choose between their health and their paycheck.

While many companies instituted more robust sick leave policies at the beginning of the pandemic, some of those have since been scaled back with the rollout of the vaccines, even though omicron has managed to evade the shots. Meanwhile, the current labor shortage is adding to the pressure of workers having to decide whether to show up to their job sick if they can't afford to stay home.

"It's a vicious cycle," said Daniel Schneider, professor of public policy at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. "As staffing gets depleted because people are out sick, that means that those that are on the job have more to do and are even more reluctant to call in sick when they in turn get sick."

Low-income hourly workers are especially vulnerable. Nearly 80% of all private sector workers get at least one paid sick day, according to a national compensation survey of employee benefits conducted in March by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. But only 33% of workers whose wages are at the bottom 10% get paid sick leave, compared with 95% in the top 10%.

A survey this past fall of roughly 6,600 hourly low-wage workers conducted by Harvard's Shift Project, which focuses on inequality, found that 65% of those workers who reported being sick in the last month said they went to work anyway. That's lower than the 85% who showed up to work sick before the pandemic, but much higher than it should be in the middle of a public health crisis. Schneider says it could get worse because of omicron and the labor shortage.

What's more, Schneider noted that the share of workers with paid sick leave before the pandemic barely budged during the pandemic  50% versus 51% respectively. He further noted many of the working poor surveyed don't even have $400 in emergency funds, and families will now be even more financially strapped with the expiration of the child tax credit, which had put a few hundred dollars in families' pockets every month.

The Associated Press interviewed one worker who started a new job with the state of New Mexico last month and started experiencing COVID-like symptoms earlier in the week. The worker, who asked not to be named because it might jeopardize their employment, took a day off to get tested and two more days to wait for the results.

A supervisor called and told the worker they would qualify for paid sick days only if the COVID test turns out to be positive. If the test is negative, the worker will have to take the days without pay, since they haven't accrued enough time for sick leave.

"I thought I was doing the right thing by protecting my co-workers," said the worker, who is still awaiting the results and estimates it will cost $160 per day of work missed if they test negative. "Now I wish I just would've gone to work and not said anything."

A Trader Joe's worker in California, who also asked not to be named because they didn't want to risk their job, said the company lets workers accrue paid time off that they can use for vacations or sick days. But once that time is used up, employees often feel like they can't afford to take unpaid days.

"I think many people now come to work sick or with what they call 'allergies' because they feel they have no other choice," the worker said.

Trader Joe's offered hazard pay until last spring, and even paid time off if workers had COVID-related symptoms. But the worker said those benefits have ended. The company also no longer requires customers to wear masks in all of its stores.

Other companies are similarly curtailing sick time that they offered earlier in the pandemic. Kroger, the country's biggest traditional grocery chain, is ending some benefits for unvaccinated salaried workers in an attempt to compel more of them to get the jab as COVID-19 cases rise again. Unvaccinated workers enrolled in Kroger's health care plan will no longer be eligible to receive up to two weeks paid emergency leave if they become infected  a policy that was put into place last year when vaccines were unavailable.

Meanwhile, Walmart, the nation's largest retailer, is slashing pandemic-related paid leave in half  from two weeks to one  after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reduced isolation requirements for people who don't have symptoms after they test positive.

Workers have received some relief from a growing number of states. In the last decade, 14 states and the District of Columbia have passed laws or ballot measures requiring employers to provide paid sick leave, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

On the federal front, however, the movement has stalled. Congress passed a law in the spring of 2020 requiring most employers to provide paid sick leave for employees with COVID-related illnesses. But the requirement expired on Dec. 31 of that same year. Congress later extended tax credits for employers who voluntarily provide paid sick leave, but the extension lapsed at the end of September, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.

In November, the U.S. House passed a version of President Joe Biden's Build Back Better plan that would require employers to provide 20 days of paid leave for employees who are sick or caring for a family member. But the fate of that bill is uncertain in the Senate.

"We can't do a patchwork sort of thing. It has to be holistic. It has to be meaningful," said Josephine Kalipeni, executive director at Family Values @ Work, a national network of 27 state and local coalitions helping to advocate for such policies as paid sick days.

The U.S. is one of only 11 countries worldwide without any federal mandate for paid sick leave, according to a 2020 study by the World Policy Analysis Center at the University of California, Los Angeles.

On the flipside are small business owners like Dawn Crawley, CEO of House Cleaning Heroes, who can't afford to pay workers when they are out sick. But Crawley is trying to help in other ways. She recently drove one cleaner who didn't have a car to a nearby testing site. She later bought the cleaner some medicine, orange juice and oranges.

"If they are out, I try to give them money but at the same time my company has got to survive," Crawley said. "If the company goes under, no one has work."

Even when paid sick leave is available, workers aren't always made aware of it.

Ingrid Vilorio, who works at a Jack in the Box restaurant in Castro Valley, California, started feeling sick last March and soon tested positive for COVID. Vilorio alerted a supervisor, who didn't tell her she was eligible for paid sick leave  as well as supplemental COVID leave  under California law.

Vilorio said her doctor told her to take 15 days off, but she decided to take just 10 because she had bills to pay. Months later, a co-worker told Vilorio she was owed sick pay for the time she was off. Working through Fight for $15, a group that works to unionize fast food workers, Vilorio and her colleagues reported the restaurant to the county health department. Shortly after that, she was given back pay.

But Vilorio, who speaks Spanish, said through a translator that problems persist. Workers are still getting sick, she said, and are often afraid to speak up.

"Without our health, we can't work," she said. "We're told that we're front line workers, but we're not treated like it."

___

D'Innocenzio reported from New York and Durbin reported from Detroit.
Tickers of FLC and its relating companies as seen on a smartphone January 11, 2021. Photo by VnExpress/Phuong Dong

The securities watchdog is considering fining Trinh Van Quyet, chairman of conglomerate FLC, for failure to report his sale of 74.8 million shares of the company.

The State Securities Commission of Vietnam (SSC) said the filing for the sale was only done at 5:45 p.m. Monday, three hours after trading ended at the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange (HoSE), where FLC is listed.

By then Quyet had already sold the shares. It is unclear what the fine will be.

The law requires major shareholders to announce planned stock sales in advance.

The HoSE website briefly carried an announcement saying Quyet wanted to sell 175 million FLC shares between January 10 and 17 and reduce his ownership in the company from 30.34 percent to 5.7 percent.

But it was taken down by Tuesday morning.

On Monday, FLC closed at the floor price of VND21,150 ($0.93) with 134.96 million shares being traded, the highest volume since its listing on HoSE in 2013.

During the session the price also went up to the ceiling of VND24,100, a new high.

At that price, Quyets sale of 74.8 million shares would have fetched VND1.8 trillion ($79.28 million).

FLC has doubled since September 2021 and gained 363 percent since January that year. In five straight sessions until Monday when Quyet sold out, it went up from VND18,000 to VND23,600.

On Facebook stock trading groups, investors have been calling Quyet a "fraudster" for the surreptitious sell-off.

Other stocks related to FLC such as ROS of FLC Faros and HAI of HAI Agrochem Jsc are all in free fall at the time of publishing.
Mondelez Kinh Do, snacks food giant, reported outstanding results from its long-term and sustainable investment despite challenges caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Boosting digital technology

The past year with Covid-19 caused challenges to enterprises yet it was also a test for internal and external capability of responding to unprecedented situation. To build a strong foundation for future growth, the company has implemented digitalization and technology innovation in daily sales, operation and production.

Mondelez Kinh Do has boosted digital adaptation to accelerate growth. Photo by Mondelez Kinh Do

Building win-win partnerships toward sustainable growth, Mondelez Kinh Do has empowered its retail partners with AI mobile application across 22,000 pilot outlets, and still expanding. The project has allowed Mondelez Kinh Do to serve its consumers better, while increasing sales quality at each point of sale and coverage, thereby helping to optimize product portfolio and its partners' growth.

To drive operational performance, Mondelez Kinh Do has implemented lots of automation softwares such as SAP Quality Management to enable strict quality control as well as constant improvement of their product quality. Its VMI automation project using Datalliance helps improve inventory management significantly. The digital platform for IL6S (Hanoi Solvage) also went live to improve Kaizen and reduce working hours.

The company has applied invoice processing automation named Bizzi, cutting average invoice processing time by 50 percent and average invoice processing cost by 66 percent.

Consumers at the core of business

In Vietnam, Mondelez Kinh Do is the owner of loved brands such as Kinh Do, Solite, AFC, Cosy, LU, Oreo, Ritz, Slides, Halls candy, Trident gum, Cadbury chocolate, Toblerone and Tang orange powder..., and the special product lines of moon cakes and Tet collections.

According to Nielsen's retail audit report in Vietnam (excluding MM Mega Market Vietnam and semi-retailer channels), Mondelez Kinh Do ranked first in terms of both value share and volume share in the biscuit category in Vietnam from May 2020 to April 2021. The company was also named in the ranking of "Top 10 Most Prestigious Food Companies" for the third year in a row announced by Vietnam Report and VietNamNet.

Brands from Mondelez Kinh Do stay firmly at leading positions in the market. Cosy is the biscuit market leader in terms of CRP (Consumer Reach Points), entering the top 10 fastest-growing brands in food sector, according to Kantars Asia Brand Footprint 2021.

AFC biscuit brand is also named among "Top 10 improvers 2021" by YouGov, an international research data and analytics group. Kinh Do Trang Vang Black and Gold line was the gold winner for excellent packing design in 2021 announced by Pentawards.

Mondelez Kinh Do brands are the consumers' preferred choice for years. Photo by Mondelez Kinh Do

"Covid has led to significant impact on available disposable incomes for consumers. The consumers are also preferring to purchase brands that they trust. Mondelez Kinh Do brands stand for the highest quality assurance and thus are the consumers' preferred choice in these pandemic times. We have tailored our Tet gift packs to offer a large range of choices at prices that the consumers now prefer," said Hemant Rupani, managing director of Mondelez Kinh Do.

Mondelez Kinh Do tailors its Tet gift packs to offer a large range of choices. Photo by Mondelez Kinh Do

Health-conscious customers today want snacks that can help protect, rebalance, and recharge their bodies and mind. To meet this customer need, Mondelez Kinh Do constantly innovates to introduce products made of natural and healthy ingredients through brands like AFC, Solite, Kinh Do... The new products also heighten focus on healthier, nutritious choices such as Cosy Wonderfulls Chocolate & Oats, Cosy Wonderfulls Nuts & Butter...

"These are also the times when small treats become important in ensuring emotional well-being. We are focusing on our Cadbury Chocolates range to enable the right choices for our consumers. Mondelez Kinh Do will continue to focus its R&D efforts in expanding this portfolio through 2022," Hemant said.
The flags of the United States and China fly from a lamppost in the Chinatown neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts, U.S., November 1, 2021. Photo by Reuters/Brian Snyder

Vietnam needs to handle new challenges thrown up by the intensifying U.S.-China rivalry in the new year, experts have said.

"The most significant new element in the U.S.-China competition in the Indo-Pacific is the tightening of the multipolar system," Carlyle Thayer, emeritus professor, University of New South Wales Canberra at the Australian Defense Force Academy, told VnExpress International.

He explained that in the past, the regional system was "a loose form" of multipolarity and this favored Vietnam's policy of diversifying and multilateralizing its external relations.

However, the U.S. and its allies have now come closer together, the obvious examples being the AUKUS and to a lesser extent the Quad, and Australia and Japan have strengthened defense relations through the Reciprocal Access Agreement, and China and Russia have moved closer in response, he said.

These developments mean that Vietnam has less room to leverage its relations among the major powers, he said.

In his view, if U.S. - China relations deteriorate and become "cold", Vietnam will find it more difficult to leverage relations with Beijing and Washington.

For Vietnam, continuing to promote bilateral relations with China and the U.S. and multilateral relations through ASEAN and ASEAN-led regional mechanisms is not sufficient, and one option is to enhance the role of the East Asia Summit as a multilateral security forum, he said.

"Vietnam should give serious consideration to becoming a middle power with the capacity to build coalitions, initiate diplomatic settlement of disputes, and influence the regional security agenda."

Prof Alexander Vuving of the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies in Hawaii, the U.S., noted that the cyber domain is a major new element of great power competition. He predicted that the U.S. and China will intensify their strategic competition in the cyberspace and that this competition will be more consequential than the space race between the U.S. and the Soviet Union during the Cold War.

The cyber domain provides a "gray zone" for conflict, he said. Cyberattacks and fake news are just some "popular faces" of gray zone conflict. Vietnam must brace itself to all possible "gray zone" attacks, subversions, and manipulations. Two features of "gray zone operations" are deniability and stealth.

"You dont know who the culprit is; sometimes you dont even know that you are attacked," he said.

He pointed to the vulnerability of Vietnams connection to the Internet, which is conducted through submarine cables. Relying on only seven cable systems to get to the world-wide web, Vietnam is one of the most vulnerable countries in Asia. In the last years, regarding its connections to the undersea cables, Vietnam has registered on average 10 disruptions a year, each of which lasted for a month.

Gray zone operations will also be a major form of the strategic competition between China and the U.S. since both nuclear-armed powers will try to avoid a direct war between them, which would be hugely disastrous for both, they have to resort to the "gray zone" between war and peace to conduct their competition, Vuving explained.

"War and peace" between the U.S. and China could be "mixed" and may not be clearly separated. "In that context, Vietnam must be ready to cope with new kinds of conflict," he said.

Lucio Blanco Pitlo III, a research fellow at the Asia-Pacific Pathways to Progress Foundation in the Philippines, said that in 2022 the competition to develop cutting-edge technologies and set the norms and standards for their use would be a major source of great-power friction.

Vietnam should provide a fast growing alternative destination for foreign capital including in the technology sector, which could help develop advanced manufacturing domestically and secure access to western markets, he said.

But it could also just be a matter of time before Vietnam's huge exports to the west raise issues of industrial planning, subsidies and support to state-owned enterprises, he pointed out.

Carl Schuster, a visiting professor at Hawaii Pacific University, the U.S., said Vietnam needs to create "new elements" to address "old issues" in the new year.

It could undertake naval exercises with partners "outside the South China Sea" so that China does not see it as "taking sides to provoke tension," he said.

For instance, it could hold drills with India and other friends in the Indian Ocean, and then China would not have reason to ask Vietnam to stop the exercises and might "reconsider bullying" it, he said.

He suggested that Vietnam should enhance cooperation with claimants in ASEAN to consolidate unity in the association in addressing disputes with China.

Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attends the virtual 16th EAS Asia Summit on October 27, 2021. Photo by Vietnam News Agency

U.S. - China rivalry could last till one exhausted

Since war is not the "final arbiter" between the two nuclear-armed states, Vuving argued that the superpower competition could last several decades until one of them is exhausted. This would make the U.S.-China rivalry look similar to the Cold War.

"But whats most relevant to Vietnam is their difference in terms of the central frontline of the superpower contest."

During the Cold War, the two superpowers concentrated their rivalry most intensely in Central Europe. Today, the key frontlines of the U.S.-China competition run through the South China Sea, the Taiwan Strait, the East China Sea and the cyber domain.

Vuving said World War III is unlikely, but local conventional war is possible while "gray zone operations" and "war by other means" will be the "new normal" in the next decades, he predicted. Keeping a fully peaceful environment may be likened to the "zero Covid" strategy.

"What if Vietnam cannot prevent military clashes from happening? It must be prepared for the possibility that peace and stability in the region cannot be maintained."

Vietnam can shape its international environment by nurturing its resilience, being flexible, and deepening cooperation with those that share its strategic interests, he said.

Thayer said Chinas Xi Jinping views the current domestic polarization of politics in the U.S. as likely to intensify in the run-up to the midterm elections in November and hasten the ongoing "decline of American power and influence globally and in the Indo-Pacific Region."

Xi's assessment that the U.S is in decline is bolstered by the pace of Chinese military modernization including the construction of more warships, aircraft and missiles and the expansion of their capabilities.

"U.S.-China competition will intensify this year and take the form of an intense action-reaction cycle. In other words, each country will respond to the actions of the other."

Pitlo said the U.S.'s growing support for Taipei as it loses more diplomatic space would trouble relations between the competing rivals.

Vietnam could benefit from increasing U.S. investments to develop more resilient supply chains free from potential state interference, and from growing security engagement with the U.S. to access arms and training and obtain diplomatic support for its position in the South China Sea and concern about massive dam building in the upper reaches of the Mekong River, he said.

On the other hand, despite maritime disputes and irritants in its relations with China, economic engagement remains important given its market size and production inputs and massive capital, he pointed out.

"Expanding economic ties with the two rivals and other partners like Japan, Europe and its ASEAN neighbors will avoid over-reliance on a single market or investor."

Schuster said China could look for expanded Belt and Road projects in the region, seeking to tie Vietnam's economy closer to its own, and so Vietnam should consider expanding trade with Australia and India to diversify options, ensuring no country could gain decisive leverage over its economy.

Collin Koh Swee Lea, a research fellow at Singapore's S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, said given its geostrategic position and the geopolitical leverage it holds, Vietnam would continue to be courted by both China and the U.S., if not to bring the country into their "camp," to at least refrain from choosing sides.

This is probably what Vietnam needs to continue doing while maintaining the traditional principles of non-alignment and non-alliances in its foreign policy approach to also ensure strategic flexibility, he said.

He said maintaining the traditional principles means creating more room to maneuver, and this could be done by cultivating closer ties with both fellow ASEAN members and other external powers, he suggested.

Not being positioned in one single geopolitical camp gives Vietnam a great deal of strategic flexibility to pursue its national interests, while minimizing the risk of blowback from any one party, he said.

Beijing could be wary of Vietnams growing ties with its rivals such as India, Japan and the U.S., but is unable to fully determine it is firmly in the China-containment camp.

In this regard, Vietnam has calibrated its engagements with these friendly powers very carefully while displaying a level of geopolitical sensitivity toward its immediate neighborly ties, not least China, and not least of course its support for ASEAN centrality, and this principled approach is the way to go, he said.

"While Vietnam may still find itself under pressure at times, maintaining this consistent and principled approach allows the country to continue to exercise agency, and hence safeguard strategic autonomy."
Singapore Airlines to fly again to Vietnam after 2-year Covid hiatus

A Singapore Airlines Airbus A330-300 plane takes off behind a Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner at Changi Airport in Singapore, March 28, 2018. Photo by Reuters/Edgar Su

Singapore Airlines is set to partially resume commercial flights to HCMC and Hanoi from Thursday after nearly two years.

There will be biweekly flights from Singapore to HCMC on Mondays and Thursdays and one to Hanoi every Friday, the carrier announced on its website.

On January 1 Vietnam allowed the resumption of regular services to eight destinations, including Singapore.

Singaporean investors have been eyeing the Vietnamese market in recent years and around 12,000 Vietnamese live in Singapore.

Fully vaccinated people and those who have recovered from Covid-19 arriving in Vietnam only need to self-isolate for three days.

Everyone, except children below two, must have tested negative for the novel coronavirus using the PCR method within 72 hours before departure.

However, due to the emergence of the new Omicron variant of Covid-19, all passengers are also required to undergo a rapid test on landing at Noi Bai and Tan Son Nhat Airports, and pay $5 for it.
During the first week after international flights resumed, January 1-7, 64 international flights brought over 7,800 passengers to Vietnam, according to a report from the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam.

Of these 18 were commercial flights while the rest were charter flights carrying experts and tourists on package tours.

After the government approved a two-week first phase of resumption of flights to nine destinations starting January 1, the CAAV has granted flight slots for domestic carriers to seven: Bangkok, San Francisco, Seoul, Singapore, Taipei, Tokyo and Phnom Penh.

Currently, flights to Beijing or Guangzhou in China and Vientiane in Laos are yet to resume as relevant aviation authorities are yet to complete negotiations.

The CAAV said the South Korean government is limiting inbound passenger flights as part of pandemic prevention measures; therefore, Vietnamese carriers are only allowed to operate two weekly flights from Vietnam to South Korea.

Since the resumption, the CAAV has received complaints about current Covid-19 protocol that have been hassling foreign passengers.

Passengers are required to submit medical declarations on too many app platforms, which is a challenging task, especially for foreign visitors. For example, entrants need to declare their immigration details on one app and make their medical declaration on another. Then, different localities may require submission of details on different apps, like HCMC and Hanoi, for example, the CAAV said.

Domestic carriers have proposed that the government applies just one app for immigration and medical declarations.

The rapid testing requirement for passengers arriving from Omicron-hit countries before embarking and disembarking was another hassle. Right now, they have to submit a negative PCR test result done 72 hours before departure.

Most airlines said this requirement makes things difficult for passengers. It makes air tickets expensive and causes overcrowding at Covid testing areas. Passengers don't know whether to be tested at home or at a designated medical facility.

The Ministry of Transport has suggested that the government lifts the requirement on rapid Covid testing before boarding and after exiting planes. It says foreign passengers should be required to submit negative PCR test results only before boarding flights as is being done in other countries.

Another problem is the quarantine requirement for arrivals who are not fully vaccinated. Under current regulations those who have not been fully vaccinated must show papers to confirm that they can be home quarantined. If they don't, they would need to confirm that they've booked an appropriate hotel to be quarantined in for at least seven days.

Most people coming to Vietnam at the end of the year are Vietnamese families wanting to return to their home country, including small children who may not be vaccinated, the CAAV noted.

Getting approval papers for home quarantine is difficult for them as they are from outside the country, and the same goes for quarantining in hotels. As such, the aviation authority has proposed to the Ministry of Health that it releases a list of hotels approved for quarantine, so Vietnamese living abroad can book them without requiring approval from authorities.
The United States, along with its Allies and partners, is engaging with Russia in a series of discussions this week in order to de-escalate the crisis caused by Russias unprovoked military buildup near Ukraines border.

These talks include the Strategic Stability Dialogue between the United States and Russia, a NATO-Russia Council meeting, and a Permanent Council meeting at the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.

Speaking to reporters in advance of the discussions, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said, Diplomacy is the only responsible way to resolve this crisis, and emphasized that the United States and its Allies and partners are willing to listen to any legitimate security concerns Russia may have and try to address them, if the Kremlin is prepared to reciprocate regarding its own dangerous and destabilizing behavior.

Secretary Blinken underscored it is Moscows aggression that has brought about the crisis, including by its massive buildup of military forces and equipment near Ukraines border. And this is only the latest in a series of acts of aggression Russia has committed against its neighbors over the past two decades, including against Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine itself when Russia invaded and seized Crimea in 2014.

Russias current threats against Ukraine threaten more than just Ukraine, said Secretary Blinken. Moscows actions have threatened to set a new precedent on European soil whereby basic international principles that are vital to peace and security are up for debate: that the borders and territorial integrity of a state cannot be changed by force; that it is the inherent right of citizens in a democracy to make their countrys decisions and determine their countrys future; that all members of the international community are bound by common rules and should face costs if they dont live up to the solemn commitments that they make.

Secretary Blinken made clear that if Russia further invades Ukraine, it will face massive economic and financial sanctions and other measures from the United States and its allies and partners on a scale not seen before. We hope Russia makes a different choice, Secretary Blinken said. We are committed to meaningful reciprocal dialogue with Russia, just as were fully committed to consulting and coordinating with our allies and partners  including the European Union  in all our discussions in all formats.. . .We believe there are areas where we can make progress.
ELKO  A man who was given a suspended prison sentence last month on a felony drug charge was arrested again Friday in a car that was reported stolen in Utah.

Serafin Perez, 43, of Elko was arrested around 4 p.m. after an Elko Police Department officer spotted a Toyota Camry without a license plate turning off Idaho Street. Perez was driving but told police he had no drivers license, registration or proof of insurance.

Police determined he was on parole and that the car had been stolen out of West Valley, Utah.

Perez was booked on a felony charge of buying, possessing or receiving stolen property; and for violation of probation.

Perez was listed as a resident of Yuma, Arizona, when he pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled substance on Dec. 14. He was given a suspended sentence of 16 to 40 months in prison by District Judge Al Kacin and was placed on probation for one year.

Besides being arrested on felony drug charges in both March and September of last year, Perez was also booked in October on a charge of felony battery by a prisoner, according to Elko County Jail records.

He was also arrested in April 2021 on a misdemeanor theft charge and for resisting an officer.

Perez was listed as a resident of Phoenix when he was arrested Jan. 15, 2020, in Carlin on a felony charge of obtaining or possessing a credit or debit card without the owners consent, and resisting a public officer. He was also arrested in October 2020 for failure to appear in court on the charges.

Perez pleaded guilty on July 14, 2021, to the credit card charges and was given a suspended sentence by Kacin and placed on probation for two years.

--

This week's felony arrests:

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ELKO  A Utah man was booked on $55,000 bail after being arrested at a West Wendover casino for allegedly trying to cash bogus checks.

Troy W. Trujillo, 53, of Millcreek was arrested Jan. 6 on four counts of embezzlement; two counts of intent to utter a fictitious bill, note or check; and defrauding a proprietor.

A West Wendover Police Department officer was called to the casino after a security manager reported that Trujillo had attempted to pass two checks at two different times. Both were rejected and flagged.

According to court records, Trujillo told police he received a check from a claim on a vehicle accident that happened three months ago. When police called the insurance company they were told that the check was made out to a different partys homeowner claim and had already been cashed.

After Trujillo was arrested a search of his car revealed three other fake checks, police said. Two of them had the same check number but were made out for different amounts.

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ELKO  The Elko County School District is implementing recent recommendations from the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

On Jan. 6, Directive 048 Full Guidance 2021-22 Covid-19 Guidelines for Prevention and Outbreak Control in School Settings was updated to reflect recommendations made by the CDC in December of 2021.

Of the changes, isolation and quarantine recommendations are now a minimum of five days for asymptomatic and mildly ill people.

Below are the changes as they apply in Elko schools in summary.

Isolation GuidelinesAny individual who tests positive for COVID-19, regardless of whether they are symptomatic and regardless of whether they are vaccinated or boosted:

Must isolate at home for a minimum of 5 days.

May return to work/school on day 6 if the individual is asymptomatic or symptoms are resolving (an Individuals symptoms are improving and the individual is fever free for 24 hours) followed by 5 days of wearing a well-fitted mask.

If you continue to have fever or your other symptoms have not improved after 5 days of isolation, you should wait to end your isolation until you are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and your other symptoms have improved followed by 5 days of wearing a well-fitted mask.

Quarantine GuidanceIndividuals (staff/students) who meet the existing close contact definitions:

Must quarantine for 5 full days.

May return to work/school on day 6 followed by 5 days of wearing a well-fitted mask.

Please note: testing on or after day 5 of exposure can help prevent possible spread at school.

Individuals who do not need to quarantine:

Age 18 or older and have received all recommended vaccine doses, including boosters and additional primary shots for some immunocompromised people.

Age 5-17 years and completed the primary series of COVID-19 vaccines.

Anyone who has had confirmed COVID-19 within the last 90 days (you tested positive using a viral test, meaning a positive PCR or an antigen test. Antibody tests do not count).

Mask UseThe CDC and the AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) highly encourage the use of facemasks for unvaccinated persons over the age of 2 years of age. Per 2021-2022 Guidelines for Prevention and Outbreak Control in School Settings section Mask Use, students who properly wear masks in school and comes in close contact with an individual who tests positive for COVID-19, will not need to be excluded from school, if they are asymptomatic and the close contact who tested positive was properly wearing a mask during the contact period.

At this time, ECSD students are not required to wear a face covering unless a school-wide outbreak of COVID-19 is identified by the applicable local health authority in the school.

In the event of a school-wide outbreak, the use of face coverings for all students in the affected school building(s) is mandatory and must be immediately implemented. However, students always have the option to wear face coverings inside District buildings if they elect to do so. All students exercising their options will be fully supported in their decision by District staff.

Pursuant to Directive 048, use of face coverings is still required for all staff and visitors in all schools and district facilities regardless of vaccination status.

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I had been Publisher of the Elko Daily Free Press for less than six months when my office phone rang on the afternoon of Monday, April 11, 2011. I barely had time to say hello before a voice interjected, hold for the Majority Leader, please.

And so, I held for the Majority Leader.

Now, for those of you who never voted for Harry Reid  and that is most of you  I suspect you may be leery of yet another tribute to Harry nearly two weeks after his death. Good news; this is not that. I never met Harry Reid, didnt know Harry Reid, and except for that 15-minute call nearly eleven years ago, his passing on December 28 would have been completely obscured by the death of John Madden that same day.

So, after holding for the Majority Leader, Reid quickly got to the point. He wanted to talk about the importance of the Cowboy Poetry Festival  not only for those of us who lived or worked in Elko  but for everyone in the State of Nevada.

Or perhaps he really wanted to talk about proposed drastic funding cuts for both the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH).

As it turns out, he wanted to talk about both; about how these two federal endowments were responsible for the existence and the continuation of our very own Cowboy Poetry Festival. He wanted to make sure that we in Elko understood the connection, and he wanted us to know he could care less about the national harpooning he was enduring for using the Cowboy Poetry Festival as proof of the need the country has for federal funding for the arts.

And what fun the national media was having at his  and our  expense. A month earlier, speaking from the floor of the Senate, Reid had said The National Endowment of the Humanities is the reason we have in northern Nevada every year a cowboy poetry festival. The reaction had been brutal, with those opposed to arts funding saying if the taxpayer-subsidized cowpoke poetry festival is the best example the Senate Majority Leader can find to illuminate the devastation that GOP cuts would bring to bear, we may be getting somewhere.

But of course, using the Cowboy Poetry Festival may well not have been the best example. But it was his example; it was our example. And Reid was absolutely right in stating that we would not have our Cowboy Poetry Festival without the NEA, because they provided two seed grants to the Western Folklife Center in 1985 that got the ball rolling.

He likely saved NEA and NEH funding in 2011 and again in 2015 by encouraging his fellow Senators to consider the local and regional arts events in 49 other states that would not exist if not for ongoing arts funding.

As I said at the outset, most of us were not huge Harry Reid fans. His politics rubbed many the wrong way, and with the exception of 2004, he never got more than 30 percent of the Elko County vote in his four other Senate victories.

But on April 11, 2011 Reid wanted me to know that he cared about Elko and the Cowboy Poetry Festival we hold so dear. He wanted readers of the Free Press to know as well, but likely due to an extreme case of busy-ness, I never took the time to share the story of his call.

Until now. Perhaps in this, the second consecutive January that weve not had an in-person Cowboy Poetry Festival, we can more fully appreciate the reason we have one at all, and admit  even if somewhat grudgingly  that Harry Reid cared about us and our annual Cowboy Poetry gathering.

John Pfeifer was Publisher of the Elko Daily Free Press from 2010-2013. Following a 30+ year career in the newspaper industry, Pfeifer is Development Specialist for The Womens Center in Carbondale, Illinois: an organization that provides support and services to survivors of domestic and sexual violence.

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Omicron covid-19 variant headlines:

- US President Biden announces deployment of medical teams to support overwhelmed hospitals in six states

- At-home testing kits to be sent out to US households "soon" - VP Harris

- US government to purchase additional 500m at-home testing kits, taking total to 1bn - Biden

- Omicron "will find just about everybody", Dr Fauci says

- US hospitalizations for covid-19 at record levels

- Omicron variant accounts for over 60% of global covid-19 cases

- UK PM Johnson facing calls to resign after admitting attending Downing Street garden party during lockdown

- Quebec plans to impose 'health tax' on residents who refuse vaccine

General news and information

- Are the doses of the Moderna and Pfizer booster shots different?

- What side effects does the vaccine have on children?

- What is 'flurona' and what are the symptoms?

- Will swabbing your throat produce a more accurate result for a covid-19 rapid test?

- Is it normal to experience armpit pain after receiving the vaccine?

Key websites:

- World Health Organisation

- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

- The Lancet

Further reading:
In other words, the challenges we face are enormous and it is easy to understand why many may fall into depression and cynicism. This is a state of mind, however, that we must resist  not only for ourselves but for our kids and future generations. The stakes are just too high. Despair is not an option. We must stand up and fight back.

And here is some very good news. While the corporate-owned media may not be actively reporting it, working people all over the country, with extraordinary courage and determination, are taking on corporate greed, and they are winning.

Workers at John Deere waged their first strike in more than three decades, stayed on the picket lines and eventually won a contract with strong wage increases, a ratification bonus and improved health insurance.

Striking nurses in Buffalo won raises that moved all workers to at least $15 an hour and a reduction in staff shortages. These nurses fought not only for themselves, but their patients  and they won.

Kaiser Permanente healthcare workers won a major victory after rejecting a contract that would have given new workers lower wages and benefits.

Nabisco workers, struggling against forced overtime, inadequate wages and pensions, a two-tier health system and the outsourcing of jobs, went on strike and won. Once again we saw workers fighting not just for themselves, but for the next generation of workers.

More than 1,400 Kelloggs workers in Michigan, Tennessee, Pennsylvania and Nebraska went on strike for months and won, fighting back against a plan to give new workers lower wages and benefits.

Starbucks employees in upstate New York, for the very first time, organized a union shop in a fight against a giant corporation that did just about everything it could to stop them.

Those are just some of the inspiring efforts that took place last year. Let me tell you about whats happening right now as workers continue to stand up to some of the most powerful corporate interests in the country.




President Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) receives Lao Minister of Public Security Gen. Vilay Lakhamphong in Hanoi on January 10. (Photo: VNA)

Stressing the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos, the President hailed defence - security cooperation as a pillar in bilateral relations.

He spoke highly of the two ministries coordination outcomes and cooperation orientations, noting that the Party and State of Vietnam always create favourable conditions for the Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security to boost frequent and effective ties with its Lao counterpart, especially in crime fight and personnel training.

President Phuc expressed his hope that they will enhance close and practical cooperation to concurrently deal with strategic issues and work together in combating cyber and drug crimes and improving professional capacity.

As the two countries will mark the 60th founding anniversary of diplomatic ties in 2022, he asked their public security forces to increase joint activities so as to develop result-oriented cooperation and turn it into an exemplar of bilateral relations.

For his part, Vilay informed his host about the outcomes of the earlier talks with his Vietnamese counterpart Gen. To Lam.

He thanked the Vietnamese Party, State, and Ministry of Public Security for their precious support for Laos, especially in the trying times.

In the time ahead, the two ministries will step up the crackdown on crimes, particularly drug crime; strengthen coordination to ensure security - order in areas along the shared borderline; guarantee social order and safety to promote investment projects, including those from Vietnam, in Laos; and boost education of younger generations on the countries special friendship, according to the minister./.




At the meeting (Photo: VNA)

PM Pham Minh Chinh congratulated the Lao Government on the past socio-economic achievements, especially in controlling COVID-19 pandemic, maintaining economic growth and successfully holding sub-regional cooperation conferences, contributing to improving the countrys role and position in the region.

He also thanked Laos for working closely with Vietnam in the fight against the pandemic.

Viphavanh, for his part, thanked the Vietnamese Party, State and people for offering timely support to Laos to combat the pandemic.

Both sides expressed their delight at successes in joint work in various areas, including bilateral political  diplomatic ties with mutual support at regional and global forums, the signing of 25 important deals between the two countries ministries, localities and businesses during visits, and close national defence-security links with effective fight against crimes, especially trans-national crimes.

With 209 valid projects worth nearly 5.18 billion USD in Laos, Vietnam remained the third biggest investor in the country, behind China and Thailand. Last year, there were five new Vietnamese projects and four others registering additional capital with a total registered capital of 112.84 million USD, up 27 percent annually. Around 2.5 billion USD was disbursed, or 48.4 percent of the total.

Over the past five years, the Vietnamese firms have contributed more than 1 billion USD to the Lao State budget and roughly 80 million USD to social welfare services.

Two-way trade was estimated at 1.3 billion USD last year, up 30.3 percent year-on-year. The Vietnam  Laos Bilateral Trade Agreement, which was signed in 2015 and took effect till October 2020, has been extended to October 2023.

As many as 20 power purchase agreements were signed with investors to buy electricity from Laos with a total capacity of nearly 1,500MW. Other projects are ongoing and the transmission of electricity from Laos to Vietnam is likely to meet schedule.

About 2022 cooperation orientations, the two sides worked out practical measures to deepen bilateral political and diplomatic relations strengthen the pillar of national defence-security ties, continue giving special priority to education-training links, reinforce economic ties as well as connectivity and supplementarity of the two economies, particularly in transportation, infrastructure and telecommunications.

Host and guest pledged to improve the efficiency of cooperation mechanisms, the effectiveness of joint statements, agreements, visits and exchanges by leaders of the two Parties, States, ministries, agencies and localities.

They vowed to enhance consultations and mutual support, improve national self-reliance, especially in regional security issues, including the East Sea issue. They expressed high consensus on ASEANs principled stance on the East Sea issue mentioned in the ASEAN Joint Statement.

The two PMs promised to offer all possible support to the two countries firms and believed that success of the meeting will create a new driving force for bilateral ties.

At the event, the leaders witnessed the signing and exchange of nine cooperation documents between the two countries' Governments, ministries, agencies and localities.

Vietnamese Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung told a press conference following the 44th session of the Vietnam-Laos Inter-governmental Committee that a major task for Vietnam and Laos in 2022 is to connect their economies in terms of both institutions and infrastructure.

Dung, who is Chairman of the Vietnam-Laos Cooperation Committee, said during the 44th session, the two sides discussed and agreed on concrete contents under the conclusions by the two Politburos to be incorporated into the agreement on cooperation plan between the two countries for 2022, he noted.

On the occasion of the session, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his Lao counterpart Phankham Viphavanh witnessed the signing of the agreement on cooperation plan for 2022, the minutes of the session, an agreement on the implementation of an agriculture project, and five others on the implementation of construction projects.

Dung and Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Planning and Investment Sonexay Siphandone, who is also Chairman of the Laos-Vietnam Cooperation Committee, exchanged commitments between three Vietnamese and Lao shareholders regarding the increase of the Lao Governments stake in the Lao-Viet International Port JSC from 20 percent to 60 percent.

The two sides expressed their resolve to boost cooperation in politics, external affairs, national defence and security, and investment-trade since the beginning of the year.

Dung said after the session, the Vietnamese Government will ask ministries, agencies, localities and businesses to closely coordinate with the Lao side to materialise the commitments.

The Government will also create the best possible conditions for Vietnamese businesses operating in the neighbouring country, he affirmed.

For his part, Sonexay Siphandone said the two sides consented to focus on implementing joint statements and agreements reached by the two Politburos, and others, including those signed at the 44th session of the Vietnam-Laos Inter-governmental Committee.

Notably, they will give more heed to trade promotion activities this year, aiming to increase the bilateral trade value by 10 percent.

The two sides will work to attract more investments from big groups and companies, especially in green agriculture, processing and manufacturing and in localities with good potential along the common border.

They will also assess difficulties facing large-scale projects and help the investors in those projects to remove them. Meanwhile, Vietnam will continue to support projects newly licensed by Laos.

Vietnam and Laos will further roll out the memorandum of understanding between the two Governments on the transport cooperation strategy in 2016-2025, with a vision towards 2030.

Along with economic collaboration, the agreement on cooperation plan also covers cooperation in politics, diplomacy, national defence and security, education, human resource development and vocational training, among others.

The two countries will organise the Vietnam-Laos Solidarity and Friendship Year, and mark the 60th anniversary of the bilateral diplomatic ties, and 40 years of their Treaty of Amity and Cooperation this year.

Both sides shared the belief that the outcomes of the 44th session of the Vietnam-Laos Inter-governmental Committee will help to drive the bilateral cooperation forward, contributing to consolidating and enhancing the traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries./.
Illustrative photo (Source: VNA)



To attract money sent home by overseas Vietnamese, Sacombank, ACB and Eximbank have launched programmes targeting customers using their remittance receipt services since the first day of 2022. These programmes are offering valuable gifts and lucky draws to the customers.

Vietnamese abroad sent home some 12.5 billion USD last year, up 10 percent on-year, according to Standing Deputy Governor of the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) Dao Minh Tu.

About 28 percent of the remittances was delivered through international money transfer companies, 70 percent via credit institutions and 2 percent by post, he said.

In Ho Chi Minh City alone, data from the SBV's branch showed that the city attracted 6.5-6.6 billion USD worth of remittances in 2021.

More remittances are coming to the southern largest economic hub ahead of Tet, mostly for supporting families affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and for investing in different channels, including the stock market, said Nguyen Hoang Minh, head of the Vietnam Banks Association's office in HCM City.

In 2022, the volume of remittances to Vietnam is projected to grow about 2.6 percent.

CNN lists Vietnamese Beef Pho among world's best 20 soups

Prestigious website CNN Travel has selected the local delicacy Pho Bo (Beef Pho) among its 20 best soups worldwide, reported the Voice of Vietnam.

A bowl of beef pho (Photo: VTV)

In the article CNN revealed that the broth is simmered for hours with cinnamon, star anise, and other warm spices in order to create a wonderfully aromatic base for this rice noodle soup.

The website also quoted Andrea Nguyen, author of "The Pho Cookbook, as sayings that Pho is among the nations most recognised culinary exports, despite the soup being a relatively new food.

Andrea Nguyen went on to explain that while today's pho restaurants typically serve a wide range of different flavours, beef is the original.

By 1930, the soup was being served with slices of raw beef cooked gently in the broth, the author added.

According to details given by the website, beef pho remains the most beloved version in the nation, with options including the original raw beef, a mix of raw and cooked beef, along with brisket and tendon.

Rounding off the list of the top 20 best soups in the world are Bouillabaisse of France, Caldo verde of Portugal, Chorba frik of Algeria, Libya and Tunisia, Chupe de camarones of Peru, Gazpacho of Spain, Groundnut soup of West Africa, Gumbo of United States, and Harira of Morocco.

This is in addition to Kharcho of Georgia, Lanzhou beef noodle soup of China, Mohinga of Myanmar, Menudo of Mexico, Moqueca de camarao of Brazil, Soto ayam of Indonesia, and Tom yum goong of Thailand.

Fruit and vegetable exports to EU market likely to rise by 15% this year

Vietnams fruit and vegetable exports to the EU market are likely to enjoy a 15% increase this year thanks to maximising benefits from the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), reported the Voice of Vietnam according to the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

Photo: nongnghiep.vn

The enforcement of the trade deal has helped local farm produce enjoy several competitive advantages compared to similar products from regional peers such as Thailand and China.

Most notably, Vietnamese fruit and vegetable exports to the EU market recorded positive growth, despite being heavily affected by the complicated developments relating to the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to statistics compiled by the General Department of Vietnam Customs, Vietnamese fruit and vegetable exports to the fastidious market last year saw a surge of 7.6% to reach US$193.7 million compared to the same period from 2020.

During the past 11 months of 2021, the Netherlands, France, Germany, Italy, and Belgium were the largest consumers of local products, while other key markets such as the Netherlands, Italy, and Spain experienced a downward trajectory.

Most notably, local businesses exerted great efforts to fully tap into niche markets within the EU, including Finland, Poland, Denmark, Czech Republic, Ireland, and Hungary.

Photo: congthuong.vn

Throughout the reviewed period, the export structure of Vietnamese fruit and vegetables to the demanding market remained diverse with up to 150 various products, including passion fruit, coconut, dragon fruit, custard apple, litchis, ginger, mangosteen, watermelon, guava, and tamarind.

With the EUs import volume of fruit and vegetables hitting roughly US$100 billion per year, coupled with the advantages brought about by the EVFTA, Vietnamese fruit and vegetable export turnover to the choosy market is set to continue to increase by between 10% and 15% this year and gross approximately US$200 million, according to experts.

Experts also highlighted the bright prospects ahead for fruit and vegetable exports thanks to their improved product quality, favourable customs clearance procedures, and the success of COVID-19 containment efforts.

Despite these positives, experts underlined the necessity of developing post-harvest preservation and processing technologies that are capable of helping fruit and vegetable exports to make further inroads into the EU market and utilize tariff preference under the EVFTA.

Vietnam to discontinue automatic stay extension for foreigners as int'l flights resume

Vietnam will discontinue automatic stay extension for foreign nationals in the country starting January 15, as it tentatively reopens its borders, reported Vietnam News Agency according to a notice from the Immigration Department under the Ministry of Public Security.

Foreign citizens visiting Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi in February 2021.(Photo: VNA)

For further information, foreign nationals are advised to contact the Immigration Department via telephone number 02439 387 320 or email foreigners@immigration.gov.vn.

The policy was put in place after Vietnam started imposing stringent border control measures, essentially halting all foreign entries into the country, in March 2020 as a response to the emergence of coronavirus.

Foreigners who entered Vietnam on visa waivers, e-visas or tourist visas from March 1, 2020 were entitled to an automatic stay extension until October 31, 2021 and could depart Vietnam without having to apply for an extension.

For those who entered Vietnam before March 1, 2020, the same automatic stay extension until October 31, 2021 was subject to provision of proof that the person was stranded in Vietnam due to COVID-19, accompanied by a diplomatic note (with Vietnamese translation) from diplomatic missions, or a written document from Vietnamese authorities confirming that the person was required to undergo mandatory quarantine or treatment for COVID-19, or advice of other force majeure. The person is required to present the diplomatic note or written document on departure from Vietnam.

The country has since allowed some limited entries, including repatriated Vietnamese citizens, along with foreign diplomats, business executives, highly skilled workers and technicians, and students  mostly on chartered flights.

Vietnam restarted regular commercial regular flights on a pilot basis starting January 1, 2022, to six popular destinations with a high safety level, namely Beijing/Guangzhou (China), Tokyo (Japan), Seoul (the Republic of Korea), Taipei (China), Bangkok (Thailand), Singapore, Vientiane (Laos), Phnom Penh (Cambodia), and San Francisco/Los Angeles (the US).

The arrivals have to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or recently recovered from COVID-19 as well showing proofs of COVID-19 negative tests./.




Lao Prime Minister Phankham Viphavanh at a meeting with businesses (Photo: VNA)

During the visit, the two PMs held talks, attended signing ceremonies for cooperation agreements, launched the Year of Vietnam  Laos Solidarity and Friendship, co-chaired the 44th meeting of the Vietnam  Laos Inter-Governmental Committee on Bilateral Cooperation, and met businesses from the two countries.

Viphavanh paid a courtesy call to Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong as well as met President Nguyen Xuan Phuc and National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue.

He paid floral tribute to President Ho Chi Minh at his mausoleum and laid a wreath at a monument to war heroes and martyrs on Bac Son street, Hanoi.

President Nguyen Xuan Phuc hosted a reception for Lao Minister of Public Security Gen. Vilay Lakhamphong. Lao Deputy PM and Minister of National Defence Gen. Chansamone Chanyalath visited former Vice Secretary of the Central Military Commission and former Minister of National Defence Gen. Ngo Xuan Lich. Meanwhile, Vilay Lakhamphong also held talks with his Vietnamese counterpart Gen. To Lam.

During talks and exchanges, both sides reaffirmed the two countries consistent policies of treasuring and giving the top priority to consolidating bilateral great relationship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation.

Despite COVID-19 pandemic, the two countries maintained the exchange of delegations via all channels and regularly carried out bilateral cooperation mechanisms in various forms.

The two sides pledged to maintain all-level visits and exchanges in a flexible and effective manner while seriously and effectively realising agreements reached by their leaders.

The two PMs discussed ways to lift economic ties on par with bilateral special ties and vowed to step up connectivity between the two economies, including in hard and soft infrastructure, especially road, railway and airway transportation projects, thus helping Laos achieve its goal of becoming a regional logistics centre linking with seas and oceans.

They promised to effectively carry out economic agreements, create a stable and transparent legal corridor and business environment conducive to enterprises.

Priority will be given to improving the quality of education-training collaboration; enhancing cultural, sport and tourism exchanges; and developing coordination in clean agriculture, e-commerce, digital transformation and innovation.

Leaders consented to joint celebrations during 2022  Year of Vietnam  Laos, Laos  Vietnam Solidarity and Friendship to mark the 60th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties and the 45th anniversary of the signing of Vietnam  Laos Treaty of Amity and Cooperation. They will effectively realise protocols and plans on national defence-security cooperation, as well as work closely together to seek, unearth and repatriate remains of Vietnamese soliders falling in Laos.

They vowed to continue working closely together and offering mutual support at multilateral forums, particularly in ASEAN, the United Nations and Mekong sub-regional cooperation mechanisms. They will maintain ASEANs common stance on strategic issues related to regional peace and stability, including the East Sea issue.

The two PMs witnessed the signing and exchange of nine cooperation documents in security, border, economic, banking, education, health care and electricity fields.

On the occasion, Viphavanh invited PM Pham Minh Chinh to visit Laos in his time of convenience. Chinh accepted the invitation with pleasure./.
Ambassadors of Estonia, Niger, Saint Vincents & the Grenadines, Tunisia and Vietnam at the flag lowering ceremony ending Vietnam's two-year term as UNSC non-permanent member (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam took the position in January 2020 for its second time, after the first for the 2008-2009 term.

Over the past three decades, Vietnam has been recognized as a responsible member of the international community, successfully adopting sound market institutions and consistently achieving impressive economic performance. UN member countries have welcomed Vietnam's active role in promoting the struggles for the nation's independence, sovereignty and self-determination. Vietnam's remarkable journey from a low-income country to a middle-income country lifted more than 40 million people out of poverty between 1993 and 2014. Vietnam's successful journey to the UN was driven by notable strides made between 1995 and 1999, including the normalization of diplomatic and trade relations with the United States, and cooperation with multilateral donors such as the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank.

Notably, Vietnam has taken advantage of the possibility of deeper integration with the international economic system, including joining the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2007. Despite experiencing half a century of war, Vietnam wasted no time in supporting UN initiatives highlighting the basic principles of international law and the Charter in the settlement of international conflicts through peaceful means.

Vietnam is ready to gain a more prominent voice and position in the UN. This is most evident in its efforts to successfully participate in the UN Peacekeeping Operations since early 2014, and Vietnam proudly displayed its national flag at the UN Peacekeeping Missions in South Sudan and the Central African Republic. Vietnam's remarkable development in the field of international security has been widely witnessed in its role as the host of the 2017 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit, and the summit between DPRK leader Kim Jong-un and US President Donald Trump in 2019, in Hanoi. Hanoi emerged as a recognized peacemaker in conciliatory diplomacy.

Looking back at the 2020-2021 tenure at the UNSC, it can be said that Vietnam has successfully completed its international mission in the process of substantive and practical participation in the common work of the UNSC, dealing with a large amount of work with about 840 ambassador-level meetings, approving more than 240 documents on 60 different agenda items, contributing to achieving all the goals and mottos set out at the beginning of the term.

Vietnam successfully assumed the role of rotating chair of the UNSC twice (January 2020 and April 2021), contributing responsibly to the process of discussing and finding solutions to prevent and overcoming conflict consequences, maintaining international peace and security, leaving many imprints on Vietnam's multilateral diplomatic identity.

Events and documents chaired by Vietnam received the active response and participation of other countries. Vietnam proposed 2 Resolutions and 5 Declarations which were adopted by the UNSC./.
At the reception (Photo: suckhoedoisong.vn)

He made the compliment when he was received by Vietnamese Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long on January 10.

At the meeting, Minister Nguyen Thanh Long expressed his pleasure to welcome and meet Dr. Takeshi Kasai, a close friend of the Vietnamese health sector. The minister also expressed his gratitude to WHO and Dr. Takeshi Kasai personally, and other colleagues at WHO, who have devoted much attention and support to the health care work for the Vietnamese people over the years.

Especially in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, WHO plays an important role in planning policies and strategies, as well as implementing measures to prevent and control the pandemic.

"We thank WHO for its efforts to mobilize countries to support vaccines for Vietnam through the COVAX mechanism. Those supports are of great significance, helping Vietnam to access vaccines, and it has achieved many results in the vaccination campaign against COVID-19 and is one of the countries with the fastest injection speed in the world," said the minister.

According to Minister Long, up to now, the coverage of COVID-19 vaccine for people over 18 years old in Vietnam is very high, with nearly 100% receiving the first dose and more than 92% receiving the second dose. We also accelerate the progress of vaccination against COVID-19 for people of the prescribed age, striving by the end of the first quarter of 2021 to complete the 3rd injection for those over 18 years old, he said.

Regarding vaccination for children aged 12-17, more than half of provinces and cities across the country have administered 2 doses of vaccine for this group. Vietnam is also waiting for WHO recommendations and guidelines for vaccinations for children aged 5-12.

In addition to the support in pandemic prevention, Vietnam highly appreciates the cooperation and support of WHO in other health areas such as strengthening the health system, preventing non-communicable diseases and other infectious diseases, elderly health, maternal and child health, environmental health, climate change, as well as promoting Vietnam's integration in global health issues, communication and medical materials and equipment.

Vietnam hopes that WHO will continue to support Vietnam to improve the capacity of the health system, especially in disease prevention, because in 2022, Vietnam identifies pandemic prevention as a priority focus, said Minister Long. It also expects that WHO will continue to support Vietnam in the assessment, testing and licensing of vaccines as well as drugs to treat COVID-19 patients; as well as in research and technology transfer for the production of vaccines, including the COVID-19 vaccine.

Director of the World Health Organization (WHO) for the Western Pacific region Takeshi Kasai congratulated Vietnam on achieving high results in the COVID-19 vaccination campaign, as well as in fast access to vaccines compared to other countries in the world.

He also congratulated Vietnam on changing its orientation to a safe and flexible coexistence with the COVID-19 pandemic.

He affirmed that WHO will continue to accompany Vietnam in pandemic prevention; in training, improving the capacity of health human resources; as well as in issues related to vaccines in general, and vaccines against COVID-19 in particular./.
At the event (Photo: VNA)

The highlight of the program was a performance honoring the beauty of Ao Dai (traditional long dress) along with cultural exchange performances, contributing to strengthening the connection of the Vietnamese community across Europe towards the homeland on the occasion of the upcoming traditional Lunar New Year of the nation.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, President of the Union of Overseas Vietnamese Associations in Europe Hoang Dinh Thang highly appreciated the efforts of the organizing board in connecting the members of the "Charity Fund - Mrs. Ao Dai Vietnam Europe, and those who participated in the first Mrs. Ao Dai Vietnam Europe contest in 2018 to prepare for the 2nd contest scheduled to be held in July 2022, after nearly 2 years of interruption due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to him, the contest is not only a simple cultural activity, but also shows the traditions of the Vietnamese nation, contributing to strengthening the connection of the Vietnamese community across Europe towards the country.

Vietnamese Ambassador to the Czech Republic Thai Xuan Dung acknowledged and highly appreciated the establishment of the "Charity Fund - Mrs. Ao Dai Vietnam Europe", following the success of the first Mrs. Ao Dai Vietnam Europe contest, with many humanitarian, practical and effective activities to help people in difficult situations in Vietnam as well as overseas Vietnamese in European countries.

Over the past time, the fund has organized many meaningful charity activities, especially joining hands with the Vietnamese community in European countries to raise funds to support Vietnamese people in the homeland to overcome the consequences of natural disasters as well as supporting people in both Vietnam and the host country to prevent the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Vietnamese Ambassador to the Czech Republic hopes that the Union of Overseas Vietnamese in Europe and the Overseas Vietnamese Association in the Czech Republic will continue to accompany the Vietnam Culture and Art Association in the Czech Republic to organize cultural and art activities to preserve and promote national traditional culture, spread humanity, and contribute to strengthen solidarity within the Vietnamese community in the Czech Republic as well as across Europe towards the homeland.

At the event, the participants enjoyed the performances of Ao Dai and evening dress performed by members of the "Charity Fund - Mrs. Ao Dai Vietnam Europe" as well as songs about spring and traditional Vietnamese dishes./.
Northwest China's Xi'an is battling the resurgence of COVID-19.

Medical staff, community workers and volunteers spare no effort to keep residents' life going despite citywide lockdown.

Medical workers are carrying out mass nucleic acid testing round the clock. The city has carried out rounds of mass testing of all residents.

People line up for nucleic acid test at a mobile testing site in Xincheng District of Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Jan. 2, 2022. (Xinhua/Tao Ming)

A kid receives nucleic acid test at a testing site in Xincheng District of Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Jan. 4, 2022.(Xinhua/Tao Ming)

A volunteer helps a senior take nucleic acid test at a residential area in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Dec. 31, 2021. (Xinhua/Zhang Bowen)

Essential medical services are ensured while hospitals adopt strict epidemic prevention and control measures to prevent cross-infection.

Patients can go to hospital with negative nucleic acid test result. Others are shuttled in government bus to designated sites. Hotlines are set up for easier access to medical services from home.

A medical worker examines a patient at the 1st Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Dec. 27, 2021. (Xinhua/Li Yibo)

Medical staff give an infusion to a patient at the 1st Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Dec. 27, 2021. (Xinhua/Li Yibo)

A medical worker checks on a patient transported by an ambulance at the 1st Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Dec. 27, 2021. (Xinhua/Li Yibo)

Community workers and volunteers play a key role in keeping the city alive amid strict lockdown measures. With shops closed, they send food, groceries and medicine to people staying at home. They also help organize nucleic acid testing and vaccination.

A volunteer informs residents to take nucleic acid test at a community in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Dec. 29, 2021. (Xinhua/Zhang Bowen)

A volunteer arranges packed vegetables in Yanta District of Xi'an, capital of northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Jan. 5, 2022.(Xinhua/Zhang Bowen)

Delivery riders escort medical staff to a nucleic acid sampling site in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Dec. 30, 2021. (Xinhua/Li Yibo)

The city has taken every measure to prevent the pandemic from disrupting young peoples future. It adopted stringent and considerate measures to ensure smooth postgrad exams, such as offering masks and hand sanitizers, and organizing taxis and cars through ride-hailing platforms to provide rides for examinees.

Examinees leave a venue of the postgraduate entrance exam at Xi'an University of Technology in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Dec. 26, 2021. (Xinhua/Tao Ming)

A staff member checks the nucleic acid test result of an examinee (1st L) for postgraduate entrance exams in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Dec. 25, 2021. (Xinhua/Tao Ming)

An invigilator checks the information of an examinee taking the national postgraduate entrance examination at a quarantine exam room in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Dec. 25, 2021. (Xinhua/Liu Xiao)

As the capital city of Shaanxi Province, Xian has abundant medical and production supplies to meet the needs of its residents.

Volunteers unload anti-epidemic supplies from a van in Yanta District of Xi'an, capital of northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Jan. 6, 2022. (Xinhua/Zhang Bowen)

Staff examine epidemic prevention supplies at a pharmaceutical company in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Dec. 28, 2021. (Xinhua/Shao Rui)

Thanks to the sacrifice and cooperation of residents in Xian, the threat of a major resurgence in Xi'an has been mostly brought under control. Daily cases in Xi'an began to drop since the start of this year and soon slipped to two-digit numbers, with 30 new cases, all in centralized quarantine, reported on Saturday.

Editor: JYZ
Photo taken on June 15, 2021 shows fences with barbed wires are seen outside the Villa La Grange, the venue for a summit in Geneva, Switzerland, between U.S. President Joe Biden and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.(Xinhua/Guo Chen)

"The talks were difficult, long, very professional, deep, concrete, without attempts to gloss over some sharp edges," said Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov after the talks.

GENEVA, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- A new round of security talks between the United States and Russia concluded Monday evening in Geneva without yielding any diplomatic breakthrough.

While the U.S. side called the latest talks between the two major global powers "our diplomacy in pursuit of a de-escalation with Russia," the Russian side called the talks U.S.-Russia "security guarantees negotiations."

Like the two previous bilateral U.S.-Russia Strategic Stability Dialogues in Geneva last year, the U.S. delegation is headed by U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman, while the Russian side is headed by Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov.

"The talks were difficult, long, very professional, deep, concrete, without attempts to gloss over some sharp edges," Ryabkov told a press briefing after the talks. "We had the feeling that the American side took the Russian proposals very seriously and studied them deeply."

Sherman told a separate press briefing after the talks that "We had a frank and forthright discussion over the course of nearly eight hours at the U.S. Mission in Geneva. This is the third time the U.S.-Russia Strategic Stability Dialogue has convened since President Biden and President Putin met in Geneva last June."

Ryabkov was cited by the Russian Mission in Geneva on Monday that what Russia seeks is legally binding guarantees of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) not to expand further to the East.

"It should dismantle everything it has created while driven by anti-Russia phobias and delusional perceptions about our country's policies since 1997," he was cited as saying.

Ryabkov told reporters after the talks that "the main questions are still up in the air, and we don't see an understanding from the American side of the necessity of a decision in a way that satisfies us."

Photo taken on June 15, 2021 shows fences with barbed wires are seen outside the Villa La Grange, the venue for a summit in Geneva, Switzerland, between U.S. President Joe Biden and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.(Xinhua/Guo Chen)

"We do not trust the other side," he stated. "We need ironclad, waterproof, bulletproof, legally binding guarantees - not assurances, not safeguards."

He said that he has told his U.S. counterpart that Russia has no plans to attack Ukraine, and there was no reason to fear an escalation of tensions with Ukraine.

"Certain threats or warnings were put forward, We explained to our colleagues that we have no plans to attack Ukraine," Ryabkov said. "There is no basis for fearing any escalated scenario in this regard."

Sherman told reporters that the United States came to Monday's meeting to hear Russia's security concerns and to share its own, "We came with a number of ideas where our two countries could take reciprocal actions that would be in our security interests and improve strategic stability."

The senior U.S. diplomat said that the U.S. will not stop NATO's "Open Door" policy, it will not forego bilateral cooperation with sovereign states that wish to work with the United States, and it will not make decisions about Ukraine without Ukraine, about Europe without Europe, or about NATO without NATO.

"We've made it clear that if Russia further invades Ukraine, there will be significant costs and consequences well beyond what they faced in 2014. Russia has a stark choice to make," she said.

She also said that the United States offered to meet again soon with Russian officials to discuss these bilateral issues in more detail.

According to the U.S. mission in Geneva, after Monday's talks with the Russian officials, Sherman will then travel to Brussels on Jan. 11 to 12 for further consultations with NATO leadership, NATO allies, and EU officials.

Photo taken on June 15, 2021 shows security officers stand guard at an entrance to the Villa La Grange, the venue for a summit in Geneva, Switzerland, between U.S. President Joe Biden and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. (Xinhua/Guo Chen)

Editor: WXY
The State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate of Ukraine plans to conduct an inspection survey of the centralized spent nuclear fuel storage facility in January this year, on the results of which it will consider the issue of licensing the storage facility, acting chairman of the inspectorate Oleh Korikov said.

"We assume that in January 2022 an inspection survey of the facility will take place, on the results of which our licensing commission will consider the relevant materials, and a decision will be made in due course," Korikov said in an interview with Interfax-Ukraine.

He clarified that the decision on the storage license will be made by the regulator after the elaboration of the documents prepared by Energoatom, the removal of expert comments, and inspection of the facility.

"A very long way has already been passed. I see that we are at the finish line, but both the operating organization, the regulatory body and our technical support organization still need to work," Korikov explained.

As reported, in early December, Minister of Energy of Ukraine Herman Haluschenko proposed to the Cabinet of Ministers to recognize the work of the head of the State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate of Ukraine, Hryhoriy Plachkov, as unsatisfactory.

The minister expressed the opinion that the regulator is delaying the issuance of a license to Energoatom for the operation of the centralized spent nuclear fuel storage facility by requiring additional information.

Plachkov, for his part, called these and other statements of the minister manipulative, pointing out that cold tests and inspection were not carried out at the centralized spent nuclear fuel storage facility.

On December 15, the government dismissed Plachkov from office, appointing Korikov, who has been working as the first deputy head of the regulator since June 2021, acting chairman of the inspectorate.
With rising cases of Omicron

SEN. BINAY TO LGUs: EXTEND DEADLINES FOR REAL PROPERTY TAX, BUSINESS PERMITS

...appeals to utility companies to suspend disconnection activities

Senator Nancy Binay today appealed to local government units (LGUs) to extend the deadline for payment of real property tax and business permits to avoid an influx of taxpayers amid the exponential surge of the Omicron variant.

"Nananawagan po tayo sa ating mga local governments na kung maaari ay i-extend ang deadline ng pagbabayad ng real property tax at business permits, at bilang konsiderasyon, wag na rin pong patawan ng mga penalty ang ating taxpayers," Binay said.

The senator added that LGUs in the National Capital Region and areas where surges are reported should consider the move of the City Government of Manila to extend the deadline for payment of business permits until March 31.

"Given the current spike in COVID-19 cases, makakatulong po ang pag-extend ng deadlines para mabawasan ang movement ng mga tao," she added.

The senator made the appeal after the Department of Health reported 33,169 new coronavirus infections on Monday.

The senator also urged LGUs to promote digital payment options that will enable people to pay their taxes without leaving their homes.

"LGUs should definitely look at integrating electronic modes of payment in the collection of payment of taxes and fees," Binay said.

As for those who are required to be physically present to submit and sign documents, the senator said LGUs can temporarily accept digital or electronic copies pending verification or submission of original documents.

"Mas convenient ito para sa kanilang mga constituents at makakatulong para maiwasan ang mahabang mga pila or pagtitipon lalo sa pagbabayad ng mga permits at pagsa-submit ng mga dokumento," she added.

Binay likewise appealed to utility firms to suspend disconnection activities in their respective franchise areas and give them time to settle their unpaid bills as the Omicron variant takes its toll especially in the National Capital Region.

"Konting konsiderasyon na rin po dahil pami-pamilya na po ngayon ang mga kaso ng infections. In these difficult and extraordinary times, going out of the house is not an easy decision especially if you have children and elderly family members at home. Kaya po nananawagan din po tayo sa ating mga utility companies na huwag muna magputol habang tumataas nanaman ang bilang ng mga positibo sa COVID-19," Binay said.
In late December, the administration of U.S. President Joe Biden quietly authorized the allocation of additional security assistance to Ukraine in the amount of $200 million, according to CNN, citing informed sources.

"The security package authorized the shipment of much of the same defensive equipment the United States has provided in the past, including small arms and ammunition, secure radios, medical equipment, spare parts and other equipment," the CNN publication said.

It is clarified that the package was authorized just weeks before the United States and Russia were set to begin this week's talks.

According to the channel's sources, the administration notified Congress of the new authorization earlier this month. Some officials found out about it through classified channels, the sources said.

According to the channel's sources, the Biden administration appeared to want to keep this new package out of the limelight ahead this week's talks.

The U.S. State Department has spoken to specific details surrounding the additional security assistance that was authorized.

"I am not going to get into every tranche and update of security assistance. The point is: we have given more security assistance to Ukraine in the last year than at any point since 2014. Those deliveries are ongoing, as recently as in the last few weeks, and there are more scheduled in the coming weeks," a State Department spokesperson said.
Normandy format participants to continue contacts at level of advisers to agree on new summit of Normandy Four leaders

Head of the President's Office Andriy Yermak discussed with Foreign Policy Adviser to the German Chancellor Jens Plotner and Diplomatic Adviser to the President of France Emmanuel Bonn, who visited Kyiv, the security situation in Donbas and the further settlement of the conflict.

"Ukraine, France and Germany are making active efforts to resume effective work in the Normandy format at different levels. We expect that the Russian side will support these efforts, as well as contribute to the achievement of progress in the implementation of the decisions of the Paris summit of the Normandy Four. The holding of the further summit in the Normandy format gave would give a serious impetus to the peace process," Yermak said, according to the presidential press service of Ukraine.

The sides agreed to continue to maintain contacts within the Normandy format at the level of advisers to agree on modalities for organizing the further summit of leaders of the countries participating in the Normandy format.

Yermak noted the need to ensure compliance with the complete ceasefire in Donbas, the implementation of further stages of the mutual release of detainees and the opening of the entry-exit checkpoint, as well as the implementation of other decisions of the Paris summit of the leaders of the Normandy Four.

Ukraine also provided German and French advisers to the leaders of the countries participating in the Normandy format with detailed information on the implementation by the parties of the Minsk agreements and decisions of the last summit of 2019.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky, in turn, during a meeting with advisers, welcomed the efforts that Ukraine's partners in the Normandy format continue to make for the practical implementation of the leaders' agreements reached during the Paris summit of the Normandy Four in December 2019.

"It is time to substantively agree on ending the conflict, and we are ready for the necessary decisions during the new summit of the leaders of the four countries," he said.

The interlocutors exchanged views on the current situation and continued to discuss further steps with the aim of a peaceful settlement of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, as well as de-escalation of the situation on the borders of Ukraine.
About 150 Ukrainian citizens have applied to the Ukrainian embassy in Kazakhstan for assistance in repatriation, spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Oleh Nikolenko said.

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine cooperates with the Kazakh authorities and the governments of foreign states to protect the interests of Ukrainians in Kazakhstan. About 150 citizens have applied to the Ukrainian embassy for assistance in returning to their homeland. At the same time, due to the gradual stabilization of the security situation, some compatriots report changes in their plans and decide to stay on the territory of Kazakhstan," Nikolenko told Interfax-Ukraine on Tuesday.

According to him, international flights with Nur-Sultan have been fully restored, with the exception of some flights of European airlines. "Regular flights to Kyiv are planned for January 13 and 16, which our citizens can use," the speaker said.

He pointed out that transport links are also being restored, including rail, between major Kazakhstani cities.

"The Ukrainian embassy has agreed with the Kazakh railway on the possibility of purchasing group tickets for Ukrainian citizens who wish to arrive in Nur-Sultan for a further flight to Kyiv. The diplomats also agreed with Air Astana on the possibility of free rebooking of tickets for canceled flights from Almaty to new flights from Nur-Sultan," Nikolenko said.

He said that the Foreign Ministry recommends that Ukrainians who wish to use this option to check in advance the availability of seats and the dates of flights from Nur-Sultan.

"According to the Kazakh side, the Astana international airport is also ready to resume full-fledged work. The exact time of opening the airport will be announced additionally," he said.

Nikolenko said that there are no Ukrainians among the victims or detainees during the recent events in Kazakhstan. The Embassy of Ukraine maintains regular contact with citizens, will continue to provide them with consular assistance and inform them about possible ways to leave the country.
A probable Russia's attack on Ukraine will be a verdict for NATO and a big problem for Western countries, head of the President's Office of Ukraine Andriy Yermak has said.

According to him, the principled position of Ukraine is that any discussion of issues of the security system in Europe should begin with Ukraine. At the same time, the victory of Ukraine will be a victory for all its Western partners, the continuation of the war in Ukraine or the escalation of the situation will be one of the greatest defeats of these partners.

"Let's start talking about this after the end of the war in Ukraine. Russia's attack on Ukraine will be the end of any security not only in Europe, but throughout the world," Yermak said in an interview with the British television channel "Channel 4", answering the question that he responded to Russians who express concerns about security and the deployment of NATO weapons in Ukraine.

Yermak also noted that he is confident that 90% of the population of Ukraine will defend their country. At the same time, Ukraine is currently more ready for a possible Russian attack than it was in 2014, he stressed.

"If this happens [Russia's attack on Ukraine], this will be a verdict for NATO and a big problem, because all Western countries will have to explain to their societies why they have been talking for so long - and it happened ... NATO membership is recorded as a goal in our Constitution. Only Ukrainian society and NATO member states can make this decision. If any of the NATO countries is against this decision, let them say it honestly," Yermak said.
The third book has already been published in the "Jewish Library" book series, which publishes the first translations of the world's bestsellers about Jews and Israel into Ukrainian. It is a study by the famous Israeli historian and politician Michael Bar-Zohar and one of the most popular TV presenters in Israel, political observer Nissim Mishal "Mossad: The Greatest Missions of the Israeli Secret Service." The President of the Jewish Confederation of Ukraine and Vice President of the World Jewish Congress Boris Lozhkin has informed about the publication of the book.

"Good news for book lovers: the third book of the Jewish Library series has been published by "Our Format" publishing house. This time it is about the most secret special service in the world, the name of which in Hebrew simply means an institution," Lozhkin wrote on Facebook.

According to Lozhkin, Mossad has been one of the most secret intelligence services in the world for many decades. Despite the fact that most of the Mossads operations are strictly classified, the authors managed to collect information about some of them, those that had had worldwide resonance, both from the open sources and from direct participants.

"It is about them that the book "Mossad: The Greatest Missions of the Israeli Secret Service" tells. The stories turned out to be very fascinating," added Lozhkin.

The initiators of the creation of the "Jewish Library" series were the Boris Lozhkin Charitable Foundation, the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress and the Foundation of the Family of Yuriy Lutsenko. Earlier the series already published "My Life" by Golda Meir  the autobiography of the fourth Prime Minister of the State of Israel, and the work of Dr. Daniel Gordis, "Israel: A Concise History of a Nation Reborn".
Nova Poshta, the leading postal operator of Ukraine, plans to grow by more than 20% in 2022 and increase its investment budget by 1.5 times, to UAH 4 billion, co-owner of the company Viacheslav Klymov said in an interview with Forbes Ukraine.

"We want to grow by more than 20% and are going to increase the investment budget by half... We invested about UAH 3 billion [in 2021], and plan to invest about UAH 4 billion in 2022," he said.

Speaking about longer-term plans, the second co-owner of the company, Volodymyr Popereshniuk, said that it is expected that in 10 years Nova Poshta will become three times larger  in terms of the number of cars, branches, etc.
Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly has called on French companies to invest in manufacturing electric vehicles and desalination projects in Egypt, the Egyptian cabinet said.

In a meeting with his French counterpart Jean Castex, Madbouly said that Egypt already has a promising electric vehicle manufacturing program as part of its strategy to move towards a green economy, which presents an opportunity for French companies working in that field.

Madbouly added that Egypt needs water desalination stations to increase its water sources.

The Egyptian PM also said that Egypt recently depended mainly on French companies in constructing and managing public transportation like the monorail and light rail train.

Meeting with MEDEF

In a meeting with representatives from 90 French companies at the headquarters of the French Business Council (MEDEF) in Paris, the Egyptian PM said that there are more than 165 French companies investing a total of 5 billion euros and providing 38,000 jobs in Egypt.

The PM also said that trade between the two countries reached $3 billion in 2020, up 20 percent from 2019.

Madbouly also said that Egypt has successfully finalised the first stage of the economic reforms launched in cooperation with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in 2016 and has adopted a comprehensive and lasting program to achieve economic growth based on amending monetary policies.

Meetings with Orange and Credit Agricole officials

Madbouly also met with CEO of Orange Middle East and Africa Alioune Ndiaye and CEO of Orange Egypt Yasser Shaker in Paris, where he said that Egypt is keen to remove all obstacles facing the Paris-based telecom giant in Egypt.

The Orange representatives expressed the company's keenness to increase its investments in the Egyptian market.

The company, which currently employs 12,000 people in Egypt, seeks to inject an additional $300 million in Egypt in 2022, they said.

Shaker, for his part, said that Orange Egypt will launch a new digital centre in cooperation with the German development agency (GIZ) to train young people in various fields and qualify them for the labour market.

This centre will be one of only four Orange centres in the world, he said.

The Egyptian PM also met with CEO of Credit Agricole Philippe Brassac, where the PM said he looks forward to expanding the activities of Credit Agricole in Egypt, especially in the sectors of industry, agriculture, and IT. Finance Minister Mohamed Maait and Electricity Minister Mohamed Shaker attended the meeting.

Brassac lauded the improvement in Egypt's business climate over the past period, saying that he looks forward to exploring more cooperation opportunities in the Egyptian market.

Minister Maait also pointed out that Egypt is the first country in Africa to issue green bonds, and expressed the countrys wish for further cooperation with the bank in this area.

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Electric cars are becoming more and more popular as a means of combating climate change, but when will they be embraced by Egyptian consumers?

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced in November that electric vehicle (EV) charging points will soon be mandatory in new buildings in the UK as part of efforts to move away from fossil fuels and to tackle climate change.

He also said that new cars solely powered by petrol or diesel would not be sold in the UK from 2030.

While Egypt may not be immediately following in the footsteps of the UK and other countries, it is also moving towards electric cars.

EV charging stations are being built across the country, and these should reach 3,000 by 2023, helping electric car owners to feel reassured about using their cars for long distances. The country has also been successfully operating electric modes of transport as a first step towards encouraging the use of private electric cars. It is trying to persuade taxi-drivers to purchase electric cars at reasonable prices.

State-owned El-Nasr Automotive was already on a course to locally assemble an electric car with Chinas Dongfeng, however in November the Ministry of Public Enterprise announced negotiations with the Chinese company had stopped over differences related to pricing of the imported components. The ministry said it was in the process of exploring other partners.

Emad El Shorbagy, chairman and managing director of the El Ezz for service centers, one of Ezz El Arab Automotive Group companies, said that electric cars have many advantages. They are economical and consume less energy, with every six hours of charging consuming between six and eight kWh of electricity at a cost of LE20 and enabling the car to travel 120 km.

This means that electric cars save up to 75 per cent on the cost of the petrol used by conventional cars, and they do not need the additional costs of changing engine oil and maintenance.

If 25 per cent of cars running on petrol or diesel in Egypt were converted, the treasury would be able to save fuel subsidies of LE4 billion annually. The figure would rise to LE6 billion if 50 per cent of cars were converted, and LE13 billion if all cars were converted, El Shorbagy said.

He said that the currently higher price of electric cars could be made up for through the low cost of their maintenance and lower fuel consumption.

The cost of manufacturing electric cars is declining, with prices decreasing by up to 70 per cent from 2010 to 2017. With the continuing technological development in this field, it is expected that electric cars will be less expensive than petrol-run cars in the near term, he added.

At present, the spread of electric cars depends on encouraging customers to buy them. They are often seen in the streets of countries whose governments offer support to buyers, El Shorbagy said, adding that if this support is withdrawn, the demand for electric cars will drop.

China, the largest market for electric cars in the world, saw a 16 per cent decline in sales after the government reduced subsidies. The same thing happened in Europe, where demand for electric cars dropped in Denmark after the cancellation of subsidies in 2016.

The size of the electric cars market in Europe remains marginal, and this has not encouraged companies to compete. Even so, the German Volkswagen company has spent more than 30 billion euros developing its electric car family.

Companies at present are developing electric cars because they want to be present in the market before its anticipated expansion, and they need to adhere to strict European environmental standards to avoid paying fines.

El Shorbagy said the spread of electric cars in Egypt faced obstacles, such as the lack of standard specifications that makes the licensing process difficult.

Electric cars are not licensed according to their cubic capacity (CC), so some traffic departments have formed technical committees to calibrate the motor and decide its equivalent in CC. El Shorbagy added that it is imperative that the infrastructure for the charging and maintenance of such cars be extended in Egypt.

Electric cars are also complex and cannot be repaired by simple procedures. Gone are the days when people could repair their cars themselves, and unlike for fuel-run vehicles, electric cars cannot be made to operate using charging cables if they come to a complete halt.

Attempts to assemble electric cars in Egypt to decrease their cost and enable them to compete with petrol-run vehicles may not be fruitful because local components have to make up at least 45 per cent of the cars to receive incentives. This is difficult due to the complexity of manufacturing electric cars, and local components, at least at first, may be very limited.

Manufacturing electric vehicles faces challenges on a global scale, affecting the ability to produce them locally and internationally, El Shorbagy said.

The challenges include the cost of projects relating to developing electric cars and the laying-off of existing workers. The German company Daimler, which owns Mercedes-Benz, laid off 10,000 employees worldwide in 2019. The move came days after rival Audi announced it would lay off 9,500 of the 61,000 workers it has in Germany for similar reasons.

The cost of research and development is exorbitant when compared to the number of electric cars produced, and some leading companies have merged or cooperated with others to reduce costs.

PROBLEMS

There are also environmental problems associated with manufacturing electric cars.

Although the world is trying to eliminate polluting emissions, it is encountering another environmental challenge with electric forms of transport as the production of lithium ion batteries used in them requires the use of lithium, a non-renewable material.

Lithium is not the only rare material used in the manufacture of batteries. Dysprosium, lanthanum, neogenium, praseodymium and cobalt are also used, and they can be harmful to human health and the environment and are difficult to dispose of or recycle.

Sources of electricity may also not be environmentally friendly. While cars do not produce emissions, the electric power they use may be produced from non-renewable sources harmful to the environment. Many governments are trying to make sources of energy available that are environmentally friendly, but this is moving very slowly.

Mohamed Ghoneim, vice chair of the Great Automotive for Trading and Industry Company, believes that electric cars will not spread in Egypt for 10 years at least, but that the country may see a limited spread in the next six years, though even then an electric car will not be an individuals main mode of transport.

Electric car importers make up a small group that cannot supply the Egyptian market with a sufficient variety of vehicles or after-sales services of spare parts and maintenance, he said.

In addition, electric cars are expensive, with those imported from China ranging in price from LE400,000 to LE500,000. Leading auto companies and agencies in Egypt are not playing their part, and consumers do not find the diversity and quality they are looking for, Ghoneim said.

Moreover, the agencies, unlike their European and American counterparts, are not cooperating with the government to build EV charging stations and increase consumer awareness about the importance of electric cars.

Sherif Fahim, marketing manager of the Egyptian International Motors Company (EIM), the Renault agent in Egypt, believes that electric cars will not spread in Egypt in the near future because the technology is new and expensive and is not suitable for all social brackets.

Moreover, there is not enough diversity in the market to encourage buyers, he said.

There are insufficient charging points, with distances between them being long, and the hot weather calling for the use of air conditioners. These are all factors that affect battery consumption and make the use of electric cars over long distances unviable at present, Fahim said.

The government is working on increasing charging points and supporting the infrastructure necessary for the spread of electric cars. However, these efforts have not been enough to convince the public to replace their petrol-run cars with electric ones.

Some auto agencies display electric car models, but they do not attract buyers, and this means there are few incentives to continue. An expert on electric cars who preferred to remain anonymous said increasing the sales of electric vehicles was being resisted by the giant auto companies, which do not want to sell electric cars because they cost more and bring in fewer profits.

Increasing the sales of electric cars begins with encouraging both the consumer and the investor, changing the idea consumers might have of vehicle use, and explaining the advantages of them, he said.

Egyptian consumers often regard vehicles as assets, which is a notion that does not apply to electric cars whose technology may be speedily upgraded. This means their resale value is lower. On the upside, electric cars do not have a motor that requires changing the oil, do not produce noise, do not need their brake pads changing often, and have batteries guaranteed for eight years.

The expert said the government should offer incentives to consumers to encourage them to buy electric cars. These could be in the form of financial support, as was the case in Germany where buyers received a discount of 4,000 euros shouldered by the government.

There should be binding laws and inventive packages for investors in the electric cars market, such as designating certain tourist areas and education complexes that can be accessed only via electric cars, he said.

Regarding supporting industries that complement manufacturing, Egypts Electricity Authority could partner with private-sector companies to produce chargers, as has been the case in Morocco, which within a period of five years was able to construct factories exporting components.

A following step would be localising the industry and building factories to manufacture electric cars.

The state is expected to lay out a strategy for electric cars by the end of the year, an urgent step because by 2030 the manufacture of fuel-run vehicles will largely come to a halt. One leading Egyptian auto company has already taken the first move by preparing to import electric cars and building a factory to make components.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 6 January, 2022 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly.

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Press Release

January 11, 2022 De Lima seeks probe into Fort Ilocandia raid for alleged cybercrime Opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima underscored the need to investigate the continued operation of illegal online gambling activities in the country and hold the perpetrators accountable to the full extent of the law. De Lima filed a Proposed Senate Resolution urging the Congress to investigate the reported raid conducted by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) at Fort Ilocandia Hotel and Resort last Dec. 20, 2021 for violation of the provisions of the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012. "There is an urgent need to address the continued proliferation of illegal gambling activities in the country and expeditiously implement measures to safeguard and put an end in making the country a hub of illegal online activities that breach our existing laws," she said. Reportedly, at the time of the raid, the NBI was implementing a cyber warrant for violation of Section 4(b)(2) of the Cybercrime Law, or computer-related fraud, which De Lima said, "very dubiously yielded no arrest despite a large number of gadgets used for illegal activities having been seized." Local police disclosed that they were able to confiscate 35 desktop computer units, 20 cellular phones, several SIM cards, two routers, and nine company identification cards. According to Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra, "many Chinese-looking persons were found in the premises" of the Fort Ilocandia hotel during the raid. The target, Guevarra said, was a certain Yves L alias Weng, but added it's not clear in the report submitted to him if he was in the premises. Noting that it was not the first raid related to cybercrime activities in Fort Ilocandia, De Lima said it is important to determine whether the previous seizure of materials related to illegal activities, which even precipitated the closure of the premises, led to arrests and prosecution. "How the hotel was able to reopen and operate again is suspect at best, especially when juxtaposed with this most recent raid which apparently yielded no arrest," she said. "It is necessary to determine whether there are gaps in the law that are being taken advantage of by perpetrators that allow them to circumvent our existing laws," she added. It may be recalled that, on Dec. 9, 2016, the combined forces of the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) Ilocos Norte, Anti-Cybercrime Group, Bureau of Immigration, and Justice Department raided the same building owned by Jack Lam. During the said raid, a number of access devices, bank cards, flash drives, cellphones, photos and identification cards allegedly owned by Chinese individuals suspected to be used in cybercrime or fraudulent activities were also seized. ________________ EDITOR'S NOTE: Sen. Leila M. de Lima's Proposed Senate Resolution seeking probe into Fort Ilocandia raid for alleged cybercrime was e-filed to the Senate Legislative Bills and Index Service (LBIS) last 10 January 2022. The LBIS has yet to give a receiving copy as the Senate is currently under total closure from Jan 10 to Jan 14 for disinfection purposes due to a number of employees having tested positive for COVID-19. In the meantime, we have attached the screen grab of the e-mail as sent to the LBIS and the copy of the Resolution as signed by Senator Leila.
A 6.6-magnitude quake hit off the west coast of Cyprus early Tuesday, the US Geological Survey said, but there were no reports of casualties or structural damage.

The strong and relatively shallow quake at 0107 GMT was centred 48 kilometres (30 miles) west-northwest of the town of Polis on the Mediterranean island, the USGS said.

The tremor was felt across Cyprus and around the region with reports from as far away as Turkey, Israel and Lebanon, according to the USGS.

It shook buildings in the capital Nicosia, 130 kilometres away, and some of those who were awake went out into the streets.

"It was frightening. The whole building was shaking endlessly," one Nicosia resident told AFP. "I thought it would never end."

Cyprus police told AFP there were no reports of any injuries or serious structural damage from the quake, but it woke people across the island.

"We were in bed and it woke us up -- it really went on for a long time," Limassol resident Carol Bailey, a 61-year-old French teacher, told AFP.

She said friends who live farther west told her it shook their building and set the lights swinging, while the inside of their fireplace "was making a noise like a horror film".

The European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre measured the tremor at 6.5 magnitude at a depth of 51 kilometres.

Cyprus lies in a secondary earthquake-prone zone, but tremors of such magnitude are uncommon.

The biggest quake in recent years was a magnitude 6.8 in 1996, which killed two people in Paphos, on the island's west coast.

In 1953, a 6.3-magnitude quake killed 40 people and destroyed hundreds of homes, mostly in the Paphos region.

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Egypts goalkeeper Mohamed Abo Gabal and goalkeepers coach Essam El-Hadary tested negative for the coronavirus and have already left for Cameroon to join the team in the African Cup of Nations (AFCON), the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) revealed in a statement earlier on Tuesday.

Seven-time African champions Egypt will be beginning their AFCON 2021 campaign with a clash against the Nigerian Super Eagles on Tuesday.

A few hours ahead of heading to Cameroon for the African Cup on Saturday, the Pharaohs were hit with the news that both Abo Gabal and El-Hadary were not going to travel with the team after testing positive for the coronavirus on Friday.

Me and Abo Gabal are on our way to Garoua. We wish Egypt the best of luck today against Nigeria, El-Hadary tweeted from Cairo International Airport on Tuesday morning.

On Monday, the EFA announced that the national teams players have all tested negative for the coronavirus ahead of the anticipated AFCON opener against Nigeria.

Egypt is playing in the prestigious continental tournament in Group D alongside Nigeria, Sudan, and Guinea Bissau.

Egypt is aiming for its first AFCON title since 2010.

(For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.

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Egypt is among the most vulnerable states to the repercussions of climate change despite of its low emissions, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly said on Tuesday in a panel discussion focused on climate change during the second day of the World Youth Forum.

In a session dubbed From Glasgow to Sharm El Sheikh: Combating Climate Change, Madbouly said that, according to a recent study, Egypt only produces 0.6 percent of the worlds emissions and yet is most susceptible to the implications of climate change.

He said that climate change is a crucial issue globally, stressing the importance of facing it as the biggest challenge of the upcoming period.

Conversations surrounding climate change in the past years have been limited to only speculation and pessimistic views, however, the world has started to see the impact of the crisis now.

Egypt has been speeding up its transition to a green economy while also preparing to host this years United Nations Conference of Parties on Climate Change (COP27) in Sharm El-Sheikh next November.

In November 2021, Egypts President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi called on developed countries during a speech delivered to the COP26 in Glasgow to fulfill their pledge to provide $100 billion annually to developing countries to address the effects of climate change, highlighting the need to allocate at least half of all public climate finance to adaptation measures.

Two negotiation tracks have been set to determine the cost of climate change and here it must be noted that Egypt is among the most vulnerable countries to the impact of climate change, Madbouly said.

Furthermore, he said that Egypt has become among the top 20 countries globally in passing legislation related to facing climate change, adding that the country encourages investments in renewable energy and will become among the top countries to produce green hydrogen.

Madbouly also stressed on the importance of an institutional framework that regulates the climate change issue, adding that Egypt has established its first National Council on Climate Change to face the phenomenon.

The state has set five main priorities to deal with the crisis: Rationalising conventional energy in petroleum, exploiting natural gas and renewable energy, minimising energy transfer, and launching a national strategy for climate change, he said.

The government is also launching major projects and mechanisms to adapt to or alleviate the effects of climate change, including the countrys recently issued green bonds; the first of their kind in the Middle East!

Additionally, the PM said that key policies have been formulated to encourage the private sector to pump investments in such projects by setting an electricity tariff and converting waste to energy.

A national plan for water resources has also been placed until 2037 due to Egypts water scarcity, Madbouly said, adding that several major projects have been established for seawater desalination and wastewater treatment.

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UN chief Antonio Guterres is "deeply concerned" over reports of a deadly airstrike in Ethiopia's Tigray region, his spokesman said Monday, in the international body's first comment on an attack which rebels said left 56 people dead.

The Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) last week claimed that dozens had been killed in a drone strike on a camp for civilians displaced by the war in northern Ethiopia, in an attack that prompted aid agencies to suspend operations in the region.

Saturday's raid came only hours after the Ethiopian government had issued a call for "national reconciliation", and sparked renewed appeals from an alarmed international community for an end to the conflict.

"The Secretary-General is deeply saddened by reports that more than 50 civilians have been killed and injured in an airstrike in northern Ethiopia at midnight on 7 January," Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for the UN Secretary-General, said in a statement.

"The United Nations and its humanitarian partners are working with authorities to urgently mobilize emergency assistance in the area, despite continuing challenges due to severe shortages of fuel, cash and supplies across Tigray," he added.

"The Secretary-General is deeply concerned about the impact the conflict continues to have on civilians in Ethiopia. He expresses his deepest condolences to the victims and their families."

AFP was not able to independently verify the various claims because access to the region is restricted and it remains under a communications blackout. Requests for comment from Ethiopian government officials went unanswered.

The attacks came just days after UN officials reported that another airstrike in Tigray had killed three Eritrean refugees, including two children.

Tigray is under what the UN has called a de facto blockade that is preventing life-saving food and medicine from reaching its six million people, including hundreds of thousands in famine-like conditions.

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Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi said on Tuesday during the World Youth Forum (WYF) in the Red Sea resort of Sharm El-Sheikh that a non-interference in other countries domestic affairs is a human right.

Speaking at the WYFs Model of United Nations-Human Rights Council, the president said that some countries did seek sabotage in other states through conspiracies, adding that Egypt was the only state that survived such attempts, unlike neighboring countries, which he refused to name.

I do not want to name states [which have suffered destruction] because I do not want to cause them pain. Everyone is aware of the map of the region and the state of destruction it has suffered, El-Sisi said.

He added that a rise in the number of refugees in Egypt or any other state hosting refugees was due to sabotage by some states that continue to seek to destroy the region.

Egypt does not have refugee camps, El-Sisi stressed, describing refugees hosted by Cairo as guests in the country.

Egypt has six million refugees who arrived here due to conflicts, capacity constraints and the magnitude of poverty in neighboring countries. Our friends in Europe have refused to host them, he said.

The president added that refugees in Egypt continue to live within society, and have access to education, medical treatment, and work.

Perhaps our capabilities arent similar to those of rich countries, but we have provided what we have for them, he said.

He said he does not allow Egypt to be a transit point for illegal migrants seeking to reach Europe.

Egypt hosts 269,826 registered refugees and asylum-seekers from over 50 countries countries, according to a fact sheet published by the UNHCR as of November 2021.

Syrians represent more than half of the figure with a population of 136,061, followed by Sudanese at 51,800 and South Sudanese at 20,627.

This is not the first time for the Egyptian president to discuss the issue of refugees and irregular migration during his speeches.

He said last year that Egypt never used the refugees issue to blackmail European partners.

Egypt has pushed with efforts since 2016 to stop flows of illegal immigration from its coasts since 2016, passing a law aimed to curb irregular migration and crack down on human trafficking amid a hike in the number of migrants leaving Egypt for Europe.

The law, passed by parliament in 2016, came following the sinking in September of a migrant boat carrying around 450 people off the coast of Egypt's Mediterranean coast. The accident left 202 people dead.

While the legislation does not punish the migrants themselves, it imposes jail terms for those convicted of smuggling migrants or acting as brokers or facilitators.

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Seventeen civilians have been killed in a drone strike in a town in Ethiopia's war-hit Tigray region, aid workers told AFP on Tuesday.

"Yesterday (Monday) the strike at Mai Tsebri occurred in the afternoon and killed 17 civilians working at the flour mill," said one of the humanitarian workers, citing witness accounts.

The attack came only a few days after dozens of people were reported killed and many injured in a drone strike on a camp in northwestern Tigray for people displaced by Ethiopia's brutal 14-month conflict.

The aid worker said dozens of people were injured and 16 donkeys killed in Monday's strike in Mai Tsebri, also in northwestern Tigray.

"A witness told me that the drones came and hovered a bit before dropping bombs. Then people panicked but after some minutes everyone heard huge shouting and they went to the scene to see that women and donkeys died."

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Iran has been winning for over a decade now, and it believes it will continue to win, writes Tarek Osman

Over the past 15 years, Iran has established a strong position in Iraq that allows it to influence the countrys politics as well as to extract benefits from its economy. Iran has built a strong presence in the northernmost point of the Middle East in Syria, linking the region with both Central Asia and Europe, and at the southernmost part of the Arabian Peninsula in Yemen at its point of connection with Africa and the Indian Ocean.

These successes build on previous ones. Since the victory of the Islamic Revolution in 1979, Iran has entrenched itself not only politically but also culturally within Lebanons Shia community and built an extremely powerful military arm in Lebanon in the shape of Hizbullah.

Through its presence in Syria and Lebanon, Iran has developed negotiating and deterrence cards with the US, Europe, Turkey, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and, of course, Israel. Crucially, its presence in Syria and Lebanon meets a centuries-old Iranian desire  to secure a commanding outpost overlooking the Mediterranean, an objective that Iran has sought throughout history from the Persian emperors Cyrus the Great and Xerxes in ancient times to the former shah of Iran.

Irans belief that it can continue to win stems from faith. Its Islamic Republic is anchored on a theological doctrine built on a belief in historic victimhood (of the House of the Prophet Mohamed), venerating martyrdom (a derivative of the killing of the imam Al-Hussein), and lingering guilt (for the fate of Al-Hussein after his abandonment by his followers who had invited him into their midst).

Victimhood, martyrdom and guilt fused over the centuries, and in the second half of the 20th century they coalesced in the teachings of Ayatollah Khomeini, one of the most charismatic religious leaders of the last century, into a pent-up missionary force. In this view, Irans Islamic Republic is not so much a country as a divinely sanctioned idea.

But Iran has typically presented this idea in non-religious terms. In its official narrative, the country is the key node in the axis of resistance fighting the Pax Americana in the Middle East, as well as against Sunni militant groups wreaking havoc in the Levant. This is both a reflection of deep convictions within the Iranian regime about the nature of the US empire, as well as good marketing at a time when many in the region are acutely concerned about the spread of militancy and radicalism.

Irans resistance narrative has also gone far beyond the Middle East. The country and its arms have woven intricate links to countries and groups in Africa, Asia and South America that oppose US supremacy. The objectives of these links transcend moral support; over time they have resulted in sophisticated networks that transfer various items from weapons to money and by which Iran has widened and deepened its reach in different parts of the world.

Along with its external successes, the Islamic Republic has also secured its home front. Not only have the groups that challenged the regime in 2009 been crushed, but the forces within the institutions of the Islamic Republic that wanted to effect gradual and controlled reforms have been sidelined. This has happened exactly before the imminent point of transition from the 80-year-old Ayatollah Khamenei to a new supreme guide. It is now almost certain that Khameneis successor will come from the assertive camps that have been leading Irans expansion over the past decade.

Iranian conservatives see this last point as a success vis-a-vis the US. In their view, since the mid-2000s the US has heightened its pressure on Iran, largely through sticks but also often through carrots, so that it will acquiesce to a deal by which Iran accommodates US interests in the Gulf and Middle East. The fact that Iran has continued to negotiate a deal with the US on its own terms, while having withstood such pressure, is a major victory in the Iranian calculus and rhetoric.

Success has heightened Irans ambitions, and today three aims are clear.

First, Iran wants to make its presence in the Middle East and on the shores of the Eastern Mediterranean permanent. This is why we are seeing an insistence on a national-unity government in Iraq and the strong likelihood of negotiating a new governing structure for Lebanon to replace the 1990 Taif Agreement that ended the countrys Civil War.

Second, and linked to the first aim, Iran wants to solidify its deterrence with regard to Israel, achieved largely through Hizbullahs military capabilities. Third, Iran wants to add to its axis of resistance understandings with major countries that border the sphere of influence it has built in the Levant and Eastern Mediterranean. This is the essence of Irans attempts to improve its relations with Turkey and to engage with Egypt.

But as Irans greatest poet, Hafiz, has taught us, harmonious relationships relate to what he elegantly described as the art of presence and absence. Irans heightened presence in the Arabian Peninsula, the Middle East and the Levant have left major players thinking about how to bring about less Iranian presence and more of its absence.

Three variables merit attention.

First, for the first time in many centuries political Shiism is by far the most powerful political force in the region extending from Central Asia to the Eastern Mediterranean. This power is anchored on demographic weight and demographic changes effected in the past decade, primarily in Syria, on an increasingly vibrant and confident cultural presence, and on military might. It has left Sunni Muslims in the countries of this vast geographical space, as well as many Christians, oscillating between apprehension and anxiety. It could result in eruptions of anger, examples of which have already been seen in Lebanon, that could trigger dangerous flare-ups.

Second, Irans political Shiism has been a challenge to Saudi Arabia for almost 40 years. But the countrys successes over the past decade, anchored on the entrenchment of identity politics in the Gulf, the Middle East, the Levant and Yemen, have formed a complete circle around Saudi Arabia and are increasingly being seen as a serious threat to it at a time when its rulers are trying to overhaul not only its politics but also its prevailing culture.

Saudi Arabia might appear quiet and focused on the lingering guerrilla war in Yemen. But its combination of a youthful leadership, massive wealth, and a sense of acute threat closing in makes for a fiery mix.

However, it is the third variable that will likely have the biggest potential impact on the Middle East and the Levant, and by extension on North Africa and Europe, in the near future. It is that Irans advanced nuclear programme and Iran and Hizbullahs missile arsenal in the Eastern Mediterranean are serious challenges to the premises upon which Israeli national security is founded.

Israels calculus and possible responses to the Iranian challenge are the subject of the next article in this series.

* The writer is the author of Islamism: A History of Political Islam (2017) and Egypt on the Brink (2010).

*A version of this article appears in print in the 13 January, 2022 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly.

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Egypt is well placed to produce and export fuel of the future green hydrogen, global energy strategist Mohamed Al-Sawy tells Ghada Raafat

Green hydrogen is all the rage these days, not least in Egypt, and this week Prime Minister Mustafa Madbouli met Norwegian renewable power producer Scatec to discuss opportunities for cooperation in producing and exporting this fuel of the future.

In December, Scatec signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Egypts Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZone) to study the setting up of a large-scale facility to produce ammonia from green hydrogen for export purposes.

Other companies are interested in producing the fuel itself including Eni, General Electric, and ThyssenKrupp. This week Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy Mohamed Shaker told Al-Ahram that Egypt was preparing a 12-month strategy to determine opportunities for green hydrogen production.

The efforts follow President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisis call last summer for an integrated national strategy to produce green hydrogen because of the growing international interest in this source of energy.

Green hydrogen is hydrogen produced by electrolysis using renewable energy. The method uses an electrical current to separate hydrogen from oxygen in water without producing carbon dioxide. The fuel thus produces zero emissions, and many see it as holding the answer to limiting global warming.

Renewable energy could cover the worlds energy demands several times over, Al-Sawy told Al-Ahram Weekly, which was why countries around the world are stepping up investments in it. Electricity produced from solar panels has become much cheaper, reaching two US cents for each kilowatt/hour (KW/h) of electricity, and nano-technology has been developed to prevent dust and sand accumulating on panels situated in countries such as Egypt to ensure they operate with maximum efficiency.

Using renewable electricity to drive water electrolysis and produce green hydrogen in large quantities is a viable option for Egypt, Al-Sawy said, adding that green hydrogen is preferable to both blue hydrogen produced from fossil fuels with carbon dioxide captured or expelled into the atmosphere, and grey hydrogen produced from natural gas and having a significant impact on climate change.

As the prices of natural gas increase in Europe, green hydrogen is becoming more competitive with fossil fuels, Al-Sawy said. It can be used in power stations and for industries such as iron and steel, fertilisers, and cement instead of fossil fuels, making products greener and eligible for tax and customs exemptions and competitive enough to be exported to European markets.

The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region has sunlight of some 4,000 hours a year, much higher than Europe at only 2,000 hours, and this makes green hydrogen cheaper to produce in Egypt and other MENA countries, Al-Sawy said.

Green hydrogen can be exported by ship, and last year Kawasaki Heavy Industries built the worlds first liquefied hydrogen terminal and first liquefied hydrogen carrier. It can also be exported by underwater pipeline, in this case from Egypt to Greece where the water is not too deep and the costs therefore not too high.

Greece and Egypt agreed last Thursday to expand their cooperation in the supply of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and to examine the possibility of constructing an underwater gas pipeline between the two countries, according to the Greek Energy Ministry.

Last year, the two countries agreed to build an underwater cable linking their electricity grids, and there are ongoing talks about a natural gas pipeline, according to Reuters.

Green hydrogen made from renewable energy could cover Egypts energy needs, and it could also be used in the production of synthetic benzine and aviation fuel.

Public transport in Germany, the UK, and other countries is now partly using green hydrogen as a way of meeting carbon-neutral goals by 2050.

Egypts natural gas production, including at the Zohr Field, now amounts to an estimated 6.8 million cubic feet per day, 65 per cent of which goes to electricity production, with the rest going to industry and other usages, leaving only 0.8 million cubic feet per day for export.

Green hydrogen could replace natural gas for local consumption, saving a larger share of natural gas to be exported, Al-Sawy said, adding that forecasts show that the European countries will need the equivalent of 24 times the Zohr Fields natural gas production by 2050.

Egypt has large amounts of desert land that could be used for solar-electricity production, Al-Sawy said, but we should begin to build now.

Saudi Arabia has already started a huge green hydrogen project worth $5 billion in its new city of Neom, and Morocco has received an equivalent of 300 million euros for research and development, hoping to capture four per cent of global hydrogen energy markets through its planned projects.

Al-Sawy said that Europe could assist Egypt in capacity building, technology transfer, and the financing of projects to produce green hydrogen for local use and export.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 13 January, 2022 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly.

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The value of Egypts exports recorded an all-time high last year despite the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic, writes Doaa A. Moneim

Despite the Covid-19 pandemic and its impacts on all sectors of the economy, Egypts exports reached $31 billion in 2021. This figure exceeds the pre-pandemic level, when the countrys exports recorded $30 billion in 2019, according to ministry of trade and industry figures.

Egypts total exports contracted in 2020 by 12.4 per cent compared to 2019, posting $26 billion in terms of value, according to data portal TrendEconomy, as a result of the pandemic.

Chemical industry products topped Egypts exports in 2021, growing by 40 per cent compared to 2019 to surpass $6 billion, according to the Trade Ministry.

Construction materials, food stuffs, engineering items, agricultural products, ready-made garments, paper and packaging, and upholstery and medical products were top sectors that achieved significant growth in exports in 2021, the ministry said.

In 2019, President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi launched an initiative targeting a total of $100 billion in exports annually. Exports are one of Egypts key sources of foreign exchange alongside the Suez Canal, tourism, and remittances.

Al-Sisi directed the ministries concerned to produce a roadmap improving local industry by setting 100 incentives for foreign and domestic manufacturers and business owners in Egypt with a view to increasing productivity and raising competitiveness.

Speaking to Al-Ahram Weekly, chair of Egypts Chemical Exports Council Khaled Abul-Makarem said the action taken by the government to disburse export arrears had contributed to keeping factories open in the first wave of the pandemic and had helped to meet internal and external market needs, particularly amid the supply chain disruption caused by the pandemic.

Exporters had been owed large sums in overdue export subsidies, and these had now been paid, Abul-Makarem said. This helped provide liquidity for companies to repay their financial obligations and keep on their labour force, he added.

In September 2020, the government launched an initiative targeting instant cash repayments of exporter arrears with the aim of providing the liquidity needed for companies to fulfil their obligations towards their clients and keep on their employees.

Over three stages, the Ministry of Finance disbursed up to 85 per cent of the total value of export dues from the Export Development Fund (EDF) to a total of LE30 billion.

Markets that depend heavily on China as an export and import market started to eye alternatives in the wake of the pandemic, making Egypt an ideal market for them based on its geographical position and stable economy. This was especially the case for African markets and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, Abul-Makarem said.

He expected Egypt to attain the goal of $100 billion in exports within five years at a total growth rate averaging 20 to 25 per cent per year.

Chair of Egypts Engineering Export Council Sherif Al-Sayad told the Weekly that making support for the export sector among the states top priorities had contributed to reaching record exports.

Egypts engineering industry exports recorded $3 billion in 2021, he said, adding that they could increase by 50 per cent to exceed $4 billion in 2022 if the government introduced other measures, including disbursing export arrears in a guaranteed period.

The government should focus on the manufacture of strategic production inputs through foreign and local investments to avoid supply chains disruption and strengthen domestic industry and competitiveness, Al-Sayad said.

He urged the bodies concerned to establish rapid, direct, and low-cost transport lines to African markets, especially to countries having seaports. He added that there was a need to decrease customs duties on production inputs to keep the prices of finished products down in the local market as well as the prices of products to be exported.

Local laboratories issuing standards certificates should be established, instead of relying on laboratories outside the country that only issue them to larger companies.

The government has taken steps over recent years to support the export sector and clear the way for exports to enter new markets.

In September 2021, the Trade Ministry applied customs reductions on 6,900 commodities exchanged between Egypt and the Mercosur trade bloc countries, allowing for a 50 to 60 per cent reduction in customs on almost 7,000 Egyptian commodities.

Egyptian exports to the Mercosur countries have jumped by 115 per cent since the agreement came into effect in 2017, according to the Trade Ministry.

The government has also adopted initiatives aimed at securing greater access to the COMESA trade bloc markets, including the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement, effective in January 2021.

Egypts trade exchange with the COMESA countries recorded $3 billion last year, accounting for 60 per cent of total trade flows between Egypt and the African countries, according to the cabinets Information and Decision Support Centre.

In December 2020, Egypt signed a bilateral trade agreement with the UK called the UK-Egypt Association Agreement that replaced the EU-Egypt Association Agreement on 1 January 2021. The agreement was signed on the back of the Brexit deal.

A new export subsidy programme that came into effect in July 2021 is expected to boost figures further and allow industries such as automotives, ceramics, pharmaceuticals, electronics, and chemicals to enrol in the export subsidy programme for the first time.

The programme provides larger subsides for exporters to Africa and favours exporters from Upper Egypt, the border governorates, and industrial zones such as the Al-Rubiki Industrial Zone and the Damietta Furniture City.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 13 January, 2022 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly.

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Seven-time African champions Egypt will be beginning their AFCON 2021 campaign with a clash against the Nigerian Super Eagles on Tuesday.

A few hours ahead of heading to Cameroon for the African Cup on Saturday, the Pharaohs were hit with the news that both Abo Gabal and El-Hadary were not going to travel with the team after testing positive for the coronavirus on Friday.

Me and Abo Gabal are on our way to Garoua. We wish Egypt the best of luck today against Nigeria, El-Hadary tweeted from Cairo International Airport on Tuesday morning.

On Monday, the EFA announced that the national teams players have all tested negative for the coronavirus ahead of the anticipated AFCON opener against Nigeria.

Egypt is playing in the prestigious continental tournament in Group D alongside Nigeria, Sudan, and Guinea Bissau.

Egypt is aiming for its first AFCON title since 2010.

(For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.
Press Release

January 11, 2022 De Lima honors F. Sionil Jose for great contributions to PH literature Opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima today filed a Proposed Senate Resolution honoring the late National Artist for Literature, F. Sionil Jose, for his invaluable contributions to Philippine literature. De Lima, a social justice and human rights champion, said Jose's pieces depict social issues and struggles, and emphasize the importance of social justice, thereby immortalizing arts in words. "It is only fitting that the Senate recognize National Artist for Literature F. Sionil Jose's immeasurable contributions to Philippine Literature and honor him for his role in shaping art and literature in the Philippines, inspiring generations of Filipino writers," she said. "Whether or not we agreed with his political views on the issues of the day, there is no mistaking that he has always sought to champion the interests of the Filipino people," she added. Jose, whose prolific writing career spanned seven decades, died last Jan. 6. He was 97. With the sheer volume of his literary work alone, Jose has been on the forefront of Philippine literature, with his works having been translated into 22 languages, including Korean, Indonesian, Russian, Latvian, Ukrainian and Dutch. Five of Jose's works won the Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature. He was also a 1980 Ramon Magsaysay awardee for journalism, literature, and creative communication arts. Jose continued to receive recognition from several award-giving bodies, including the Cultural Center of the Philippines Centennial Award in 1999, the Chevalier dans l'Ordre des Arts et Lettres in 2000, and the Order of Sacred Treasure (Kun Santo Zuiho Sho) in 2001. He was later conferred the title of National Artist for Literature in 2001, and was awarded the prestigious Pablo Neruda Award in Chile in 2014. In honoring Jose, De Lima drew attention to how he was not afraid to mirror daily realities, such as corruption and poverty, as well as colonialism and diaspora, in his artistic works. "One of the most widely read Filipino authors in the world, his novels showcased class struggle - letting the world know how the elite caused and compounded the suffering of the poor and the marginalized," she said. "F. Sionil Jose will live through the pages of his artistic pieces. The message of his literary works will continue to reverberate in society as a clear message that as long as there will be oppressors, there will be the oppressed, and as long as social justice is not upheld, protected and fought for, the Filipino class struggle will persist. "His works are a poignant reminder that the long-standing fight to achieve equality and equity is a battle that can only be won if acknowledged, and then finally properly addressed," she added. De Lima said Jose has inspired generations of writers who are not afraid to publish the truth regardless of how painful or ugly it might seem. "His literary pieces stimulated the imagination and creativity of Filipino writers to keep depicting reality and society without embellishment," she said. __________________ EDITOR'S NOTE: Sen. Leila M. de Lima's Proposed Senate Resolution honoring the late F. Sionil Jose for his contributions to Philippine Literature was e-filed to the Senate Legislative Bills and Index Service (LBIS) today, 11 January 2022. The LBIS has yet to give a receiving copy as the Senate is currently under total closure from Jan 10 to Jan 14 for disinfection purposes due to a number of employees having tested positive for COVID-19. In the meantime, we have attached the screen grab of the e-mail as sent to the LBIS and the copy of the Resolution as signed by Senator Leila.
Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi and his Palestinian counterpart Mahmoud Abbas discussed efforts to reconstruct the Gaza Strip during a meeting on Tuesday in the Egyptian Red Sea resort city of Sharm El-Sheikh.

President El-Sisi reiterated to Abbas Egypt's "firm" stance in support of the Palestinian cause, emphasising the importance of achieving "a just and comprehensive settlement" to this issue in accordance with international legitimacy.

Egypt is keen to back the current Palestinian diplomatic efforts, internationally and regionally, to encourage the resumption of peace negotiations, El-Sisi stressed to the Palestinian president and his delegation.

President Abbas expressed his appreciation and gratitude for Egypt's "sincere" efforts under the leadership of President El-Sisi to support his country's cause and enable the Palestinians to overcome the various challenges facing their cause.

He also said that Egypt has "a historical role" and "a stable, firm stance" to reach a just and comprehensive solution to the Palestinian cause, a statement by Egyptian Presidential Spokesman Bassam Rady said following the meeting.

In November, Egypt called for the drafting of an integrated vision to fulfil the needs of the Palestinian people and help the Palestinian Authority (PA) overcome the economic crisis in the Palestinian territories.

The economic crisis in the Palestinian territories has worsened on the heels of the latest 11-day Israeli war on Gaza in May -- ended by an Egyptian mediation  in addition to the COVID-19 pandemic, and delays in the payment of salaries by the PA.

Following the mediation of a ceasefire between the Israeli and Palestinian sides, Egypt allocated $500 million to reconstruct the Strip.

Egypt has also dispatched massive engineering equipment and crews to participate in the Gaza Strip reconstruction alongside tonnes of humanitarian aid.

In November, Egypt and Qatar have signed agreements to supply fuel and basic construction materials to the Gaza Strip, which has been under Israeli siege since 2007.

El-Sisi and Abbas also spoke about the latest developments on the Palestinian arena, at the local, regional and international levels, Rady noted.

They discussed "recent intensive" regional efforts by Egypt in this regard and reached a consensus on the need to continue intensive consultation and coordination -- with the participation of Jordan -- at the bilateral or trilateral levels in order to revive the peace process, according to Rady.

Egypt and Jordan have been in talks with several international sides to resume the Palestinian-Israeli talks.

Tuesday's meeting, held on the sideline of the fourth edition of the World Youth Forum, was also attended by Head of Egypts General Intelligence Service Abbas Kamel.

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Seismology experts at the National Research Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics NRIAG said on Tuesday there should be no panic from the frequent earthquakes in the past few months in Egypt.

Earlier in the day, a 6.6 magnitude earthquake that hit Eastern Mediterranean and was felt by citizens in some parts of Egypt, including Cairo.

In an online press conference via Facebook and Zoom, Researcher of Seismology at NRIAG Amr Sharkawy said that the Eastern Mediterranean is an active seismological area with an increasing activity of earthquakes.

"Yet, the situation is safe and the public should not be worried," he said, adding that there was no impact on the buildings in Egypt's northern coast as the quakes recorded so far have weak impact.

Dr Hisham Eid, an NRIAG expert, denied at the press conference that Egypt has entered the seismic belt, pointing out that Egypt is located between two active seismological areas in East Mediterranean and East Africa rift.

He also clarified that oil and gas drilling in areas in the sea can result in small earthquakes. However, he said, in a very active seismological area like East Mediterranean drilling activities are not a reason behind earthquakes.

According to the ENSN, the quake was registered around 415 kilometres away from Damietta, located about 200 kilometres north of Cairo, at 3:07 am local time.

During the conference, head of NRIAG Dr Gad El-Kady revealed that after the earthquake, the Egyptian National Seismic Network (ENSN) recorded a couple of aftershocks.

The European Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) said that the earthquake, which it registered as magnitude 6.4, hit the Cyprus region where its epicentre was. The quake was at a depth of 2 km (1.24 miles), according to the European centre.

Professor of Seismology at Aristotle, University of Thessaloniki in Greece Papadimitriou Eleftheria, said at the conference there was not enough studies on Tuesdays earthquake in Greece but by next week, scientists and experts will have a clear view.

Eleftheria added that the epicentre area of the earthquake witnessed other earthquakes in the past, and thus Tuesday's quake was not a surprise.

The Greek expert stated that it was unclear for them in Greece how the quake was felt as far as in Cairo in the South, adding that they were ready to cooperate with their colleagues in Cairo to know the reasons.

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President of Egypt's National Council for Human Rights (NCHR) Moushira Khattab said on Tuesday that the World Youth Forum (WYF) reflects the current stage of Egypt's new republic, which she said expresses a high-level political will to let the youth take the lead in implementing the National Strategy for Human Rights.

Speaking at the World Youth Forum's (WYF) Model of United Nations-Human Rights Council, Khattab commended the holding of the simulation model, hailing the four-day event as a "strong and inspiring" start to President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi's initiative as regards declaring 2022 year of civil society.

She also thanked the president for supporting women, pointing out to the recent formation of the NCHR, where women account for more than 44 percent of its members.

The NCHR president added that the coronavirus is an international pandemic, but it lacked international cooperation, noting that there is now an attempt to redress this via the diplomacy of vaccination.

In this regard, Khattab said Egypt started early in its measures against COVID-19, noting that a committee has been formed under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly.

The committee brought together a large number of the ministries concerned in order to follow up the coronavirus situation nationwide on a daily basis, she added.

The official noted that Egypt has launched seven health initiatives, including the 100 Million Healthy Lives initiative and another one addressing the Hepatitis C virus.

She also shed light on the States efforts to eradicate slums, and build new cities.

The WYFs Model of United Nations-Human Rights Council was attended by President El-Sisi and a number of representatives of countries and non-governmental organisations.

The annual event, which Egypt inaugurated in 2017 to bring the worlds youth together to promote dialogue and discuss development issues, started on Monday and will close on Thursday.

With over 15,000 people from more than 160 countries taking part in the last three editions of the forum, the fourth edition of the WYF is hosting hundreds of youths who hail from 196 countries.

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A South African court charged a man suspected of starting a devastating fire that gutted South Africa's parliament with terrorism, adding to robbery and arson accusations, as he made his second appearance in court on Tuesday.

Zandile Christmas Mafe, 49, was arrested around the parliament complex after the fire broke out on January 2 and appeared in court three days later.

He was initially charged with breaking into parliament, arson and intention to steal property, including laptops, crockery and documents, before the new terrorism charge was added Tuesday.

A new charge said the "accused is guilty of the offence of contravening the provisions of... the protection of constitutional democracy against terrorist and related activities", according to a court document.

The prosecution spokesman Eric Ntabazalila told reporters during a court recess that "we have added a sixth charge... the accused detonated a device inside parliament".

The blaze broke out in the Cape Town complex before dawn on January 2, spreading to the National Assembly, the roof of which collapsed.

Protesters outside the court building demanded his release saying he was a scapegoat.

Defence lawyer Dali Mpofu said that Mafe was last week "taken for mental observation on January 3" and diagnosed with "paranoid schizophrenia".

Mpofu, one of South Africa's most famous lawyers, who has defended some high-profile figures, including former president Jacob Zuma, is seeking bail for Mafe.

'He is innocent'

In stark contrast to his first court appearance where he was bearded and dressed in a grey shirt with knee-length denim shorts, on Tuesday he came in clean shaven in a light blue shirt and a dark jacket.

Since his arrest, debate has raged in South Africa over whether Mafe, described in the local media as homeless, was responsible for setting the building on fire.

A group of around 30 people, picketed outside the Cape Town magistrate court demanding Mafe be freed, brandishing handwritten signs such as "Free Mafe", "He is innocent" and "He is not guilty".

One homeless person recounted the events of the night the fire started. He was sleeping on a street near the parliament complex and heard a sound like a car collision. He later suspected that was the break-in before the fire started.

A preliminary report by the city of Cape Town last week said the fire detection system appeared "faulty", that "sprinklers did not activate" and that they were last serviced in 2017, missing a February 2020 scheduled service.

It took scores of firefighters more than two days to extinguish the blaze, which tore through the wood-panelled assembly chamber where parliamentary debates are held.

No casualties were reported in the fire, but the extensive damage has shaken the country and forced the authorities to move the annual state-of-the-nation address to be delivered next month by President Cyril Ramaphosa to an alternative venue in Cape Town.

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Forces of Yemen's internationally recognized government have reclaimed the entire southern province of Shabwa from Iran-backed Houthi rebels, officials said Tuesday. The development is a blow to the rebels after government forces earlier this month made significant advances in the country's south.

The government, aided by allies from a pro-government militia, the Giants Brigades, and airstrikes from the Saudi-led coalition, pushed through Shabwa this month, retaking the entire province in a 10-day battle, officials said.

Military spokesman, Mohammed al-Naqib, said they have achieved 'all targets' and pushed the Houthis out of the districts of Ain, Usailan and Bayhan.

Gov. Awad al-Awlaki also announced the 'liberation of Shabwa', thanking Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

There was no immediate comment from the Houthis, but two rebel leaders acknowledged to The Associated Press that they lost control of Shabwa. The rebels fled to nearby central provinces of Bayda and Marib, said the two, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to the media.

Taking Shabwa would enable government forces to cut major supply lines for the Houthis, who have been attacking the key city of Marib, the last government stronghold in northern Yemen, since early last year. The rebels have repeatedly pushed back against U.N. and U.S. diplomatic efforts to halt the Marib offensive, as well as rebel missile and drone attacks on Saudi Arabia.

U.N.-led efforts for negotiations have failed to make significant progress in the yearslong conflict in Yemen. The civil war began in 2014, when the Houthis took the capital, Sanaa, and much of northern Yemen, forcing the government to flee to the south, then to exile in Saudi Arabia. The Saudi-led coalition, backed at the time by the U.S., entered the war months later to try restoring the government to power.

The conflict has since become a regional proxy war that has killed tens of thousands of civilians and fighters. The war also created the world's worst humanitarian crisis, leaving millions suffering from food and medical care shortages and pushing the country to the brink of famine.

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David Sassoli, the Italian journalist who worked his way up in politics while defending the downtrodden and repressed to become president of the European Union's parliament, died at a hospital in Italy early Tuesday, his spokesperson said.

EU Council President Charles Michel called Sassoli a ``sincere and passionate European. We already miss his human warmth, his generosity, his friendliness and his smile.''

No details were provided in a tweet by spokesperson Roberto Cuillo. Sassoli, a 65-year-old socialist, had been hospitalized since Dec. 26 due to abnormal functioning of his immune system, Cuillo said in a statement released the day before Sassoli's death.

Sassoli had been struggling for months with poor health after he suffered pneumonia caused by the legionella bacteria in September. His health steadily declined afterward and he was forced to miss several important legislative meetings. Yet, as much as possible, he stayed on the job, where his vigor and easy smile were a trademark. He was at his strongest when he took up the cause of migrants who died crossing the Mediterranean or dissidents such as Alexei Navalny, who is taking on the Kremlin from a jail cell.

Over the past months, he improved enough to preside over a European Parliament session in December to give the EU's main human rights award, the Sakharov Prize, to Navalny's daughter. High in symbolism, it became his political testament.

``In the final week of December there was a worsening of the illness, and then the final days of his battle,'' Cuillo told Italy's Sky TG24.

He is survived by his wife, Alessandra Vittorini, and his children, Livia and Giulio.

Sassoli came to lead the legislature in 2019 following an intricate bout of political infighting among EU leaders which also saw German Christian Democrat Ursula von der Leyen become EU Commission President and Belgian free-market liberal Michel take the job as EU Council president.

Even if he was often overshadowed by von der Leyen and Michel, Sassoli led an institution which has become ever more powerful over the years and has become instrumental in charting the course of the European Union in many sectors, be it the digital economy, climate or Brexit.

The European Parliament represents the EU's 450 million citizens and refers to itself as ``the heart of European democracy.'' It has more than 700 members directly elected by its member nations.

``I am deeply saddened by the terrible loss of a great European & proud Italian,'' von der Leyen said on Twitter. ``David Sassoli was a compassionate journalist, an outstanding President of the European Parliament and, first & foremost, a dear friend.''

He was just as respected in Italy. The head of Italy's Democratic Party and a longtime friend, Enrico Letta, praised Sassoli's European passion and vision and vowed to carry them forward, though ``we know we're not up to it.''

In a tweet, Letta called Sassoli ``someone of extraordinary generosity, a passionate European'' and a man of ``vision and principles, theoretical and practical.''

Another former Italian premier of the center-left, Paolo Gentiloni, called his death a ``terrible loss.''

``I will always remember his leadership, his passion, his generous friendship. (hash)CiaoDavid,'' Gentiloni tweeted.

Sassoli was first elected to the European Parliament in 2009. He won another term in 2014 and served as its vice president. He started out as a newspaper journalist before entering broadcasting as a high-profile presenter in Italy. It was a stepping stone for his political career.

He had considered running for the second part of the five-year term which starts next week, but decided not to run for reelection when lawmakers choose their new president in Strasbourg, France.

Roberta Metsola, the Christian Democrat who was already set to take over from Sassoli next week, said ``I am heartbroken. Europe has lost a leader, I have a lost a friend, democracy has lost a champion.'' She said Sassoli ``dedicated his life to making the world a better, fairer place.''

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Students are poised to return to Chicago Public Schools after leaders of the teachers union approved a plan with the nation's third-largest district over COVID-19 safety protocols, ending a bitter standoff that canceled classes for five days.

While school districts nationwide have faced similar concerns amid skyrocketing COVID-19 cases, the labor fight in union-friendly Chicago amplified concerns over remote learning and other pandemic issues.

The deal approved late Monday would have students in class Wednesday and teachers back a day earlier. It still requires approval with a vote of the union's roughly 25,000 members. Issues on the table have been metrics to close schools amid outbreaks and expanded COVID-19 testing.

Neither side immediately disclosed full details of the proposal Monday evening, but leaders generally said the agreement included metrics to close individual schools and plans to boost district COVID-19 testing. The district notified parents in the largely low-income Black and Latino school district of about 350,000 students that classes would resume Wednesday.

``We know this has been very difficult for students and families,'' Mayor Lori Lightfoot said at an evening news conference. ``Some will ask who won and who lost. No one wins when our students are out of the place where they can learn the best and where they're safest.''

In a dueling news conference, union leaders acknowledged it wasn't a ``home run'' but teachers wanted to be back in class with students.

``It was not an agreement that had everything, it's not a perfect agreement, but it's certainly something we can hold our heads up about, partly because it was so difficult to get,'' Union President Jesse Sharkey said.

The Chicago Teachers Union's house of delegates voted Monday evening to suspend their work action from last week calling for districtwide online learning until a safety plan had been negotiated or the latest COVID-19 surge subsided. The district, which has rejected districtwide remote instruction, responded by locking teachers out of remote teaching systems two days after students returned from winter break.

While there has was some progress on smaller issues like masks, negotiations over the weekend on a safety plan failed to produce a deal and rhetoric about negotiations became increasingly sharp. Some principals canceled class Tuesday preemptively and warned of further closures throughout the week.

Earlier Monday, Union President Jesse Sharkey said the union and district remained ``apart on a number of key features, accusing Lightfoot of refusing to compromise on teachers' main priorities.

``The mayor is being relentless, but she's being relentlessly stupid, she's being relentlessly stubborn,'' Sharkey said, playing on a reference the former prosecutor mayor made about refusing to ``relent'' in negotiations. ``She's relentlessly refusing to seek accommodation and we're trying to find a way to get people back in school.''

Lightfoot accused teachers of ``abandoning'' students and shot back at the union president.

``If I had a dollar for every time some privileged, clouted white guy called me stupid, I'd be a bazillionaire,'' Lightfoot, who is Black, told WLS-TV.

By evening, she had said she was optimistic with the latest proposal, which went to union leaders for a vote.

Her first term in office has been marked by other battles with the influential union, which supported her opponent in the 2019 election, including a safety protocol fight last year and a 2019 teachers strike.

Developments in the fight, with pending complaints before a state labor board, made international headlines and attracted attention from the White House. Press secretary Jen Psaki said Monday that President Joe Biden, who has pressed for schools to stay open, had remained in touch with Lightfoot and Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker during negotiations.

Parents and advocacy groups also stepped up calls Monday for quicker action.

A group of parents on the city's West Side _ near the intersection of largely Black and Latino neighborhoods _ demanded students return immediately.

Cheri Warner, the mother of 15-year-old twins, said the sudden loss of in-person learning has taken a toll on her family.

One of her daughters has depression and anxiety, and winter is always difficult. Losing touch with her friends and teachers adds to that burden, Warner said.

The girls ``missed their whole eighth grade year and it felt like they weren't really prepared for high school,'' Warner said. ``They're all trying to figure out how to catch up and it's a really stressful situation.''

Other parents said the district needs to do more.

Angela Spencer, an organizer with the Kenwood Oakland Community Organization and a nurse, said she's concerned about her two kids' safety in schools. Spencer said her kids' schools weren't adequately cleaned before the pandemic and she has ``no confidence'' in the district's protocols now.

Several families represented by the conservative Liberty Justice Center in Chicago, filed a lawsuit in Cook County over the closures, while more than 5,000 others signed a petition urging a return to in-person instruction.

District officials, who call the union action ``an illegal stoppage'' had kept buildings open for student meal pickup and said that schools with enough staff were allowed to open their doors to students. Some teachers showed up despite union directives; district officials estimated about 16% of teachers did so Monday.

Three schools, including Mount Greenwood Elementary, were able to offer instruction Monday, according to district officials. Parents at the largely white school on the city's southwest side expressed relief.

City officials argued that schools are safe with protocols in place. School leaders have touted a $100 million safety plan, including air purifiers in each classroom. Roughly 91% of staff are vaccinated and masks are required indoors.

Union officials have argued the safety measures fall short and the district has botched testing and a database tracking infections.

There were small signs of agreement in recent days.

The district has purchased KN95 masks for students and teachers, agreed to bring back daily COVID-19 screening questions for anyone entering schools, and added more incentives for substitute teachers.

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The Kremlin said Tuesday it saw 'no significant reason for optimism' after the highly anticipated Russia-US talks over Ukraine and other security issues.

The talks aimed at defusing tensions over Ukraine took place in Geneva on Monday and offered no sign of immediate progress. Moscow went in insisting on guarantees to halt NATO's eastward expansion and even roll back the military alliance's deployments in Eastern Europe _ demands that Washington had earlier firmly rejected as a nonstarter.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Tuesday the manner in which the talks were held _ 'open, comprehensive and direct' _ 'deserves a positive assessment', but it's the result that matters. 'So far, let's say, we see no significant reason for optimism', Peskov told a conference call with reporters.

'There are still several rounds (of talks) ahead of us, which will allow us to work out a clearer understanding, a clearer picture of where we stand with the Americans. For now, it's impossible to draw any conclusions, unfortunately', the spokesman added.

Last month, Moscow submitted draft security documents demanding that NATO deny membership to Ukraine and other former Soviet countries and roll back the alliance's military deployments in Central and Eastern Europe. Washington and its allies have refused to provide such pledges, but said they are ready for the talks.

The demands, contained in a proposed Russia-U.S. security treaty and a security agreement between Moscow and NATO, were drafted amid soaring tensions over a Russian troop buildup near Ukraine that has stoked fears of a possible invasion. Russia has denied it has plans to attack its neighbor but pressed for legal guarantees that would rule out NATO expansion and weapons deployment there.

After the Russia-U.S. meeting in Geneva on Monday, Moscow and NATO representatives are expected to meet on Wednesday. Russia is also meeting the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe this week, which includes the United States.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told Russian state TV on Tuesday that that the diplomatic work continues and there is no 'reason for concern'.

'The work continues, it will continue tomorrow, we're focused on achieving results both in the form of the very process of talks and the agreements, which we informed about in advance in terms of laying out our position. I don't see a reason for concern', Zakharova said.

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Authorities in the Sicilian port of Trapani detained the Ocean Viking migrant rescue ship following an 11-hour inspection, the group that operates the vessel said Tuesday.

Search and rescue group SOS Mediterranee criticised what it called the "extreme scrutiny", insisting everything was in order.

The detention comes exactly one year after Ocean Viking returned to the seas following five months spent blocked in Italy over alleged safety issues.

A routine inspection on Monday by Trapani port state control officers found separate issues with the registration of container structures on the rear deck of the Ocean Viking, the group said in a statement.

The structures were added two and a half years ago to shelter survivors and hold the equipment, the group added, insisting they had been "validated by all relevant regulatory bodies".

"We regret the extreme scrutiny our vessel continues to be subjected to," said Frederic Penard, director of operations of SOS Mediterranee.

"This inspection was the sixth port state control the Ocean Viking underwent since starting operations in the central Mediterranean in August 2019.

"This leads to new delays in the resumption of our operations."

Tens of thousands of people seeking to reach Europe cross the central Mediterranean each year, setting off from north Africa in what are often leaky and overcrowded boats.

More than 67,000 migrants arrived on Italy's shores in 2021, according to Italian interior ministry figures.

Overall, the UN refugee agency estimated that around 115,000 arrived by sea last year to Italy, Greece, Spain, Cyprus, and Malta. More than 1,800 were reported dead or missing.

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Former vice president of the Supreme Constitutional Court (SCC) judge Tahani Al-Gebali passed away on the morning of 9 January at the age of 72 after suffering Covid-19 complications. Al-Gebali was admitted to Agouza Hospital 10 days ago and subsequently transferred to the hospitals intensive care unit.

Among many tributes, Minister of Culture Ines Abdel-Dayem described Al-Gebali as one of the most important guardians of the law, while chairperson of the Egyptian National Council of Women Maya Morsy said Egypt has lost an iconic person in the judicial authority.

Al-Gebali was born in Gharbiya governorate in 1950. She graduated from the Faculty of Law, Mansoura University in 1973 and went on to obtain postgraduate degrees in constitutional and Islamic law.

In the course of a career that extended over 30 years, Al-Gebali was the first female lawyer to be elected for two terms as a board member of the Bar Association. She gained nationwide prominence in a series of high-profile cases, inspiring many women to take up legal careers. In 1992, she became the first woman to chair a permanent bureau of the Arab Lawyers Union, assuming the presidency of the Committee for the Advancement of Arab Women. She spoke at many international and local conferences and seminars on womens rights and often argued that the theological evidence used by conservatives does not exclude women from holding public office, including that of the presidency.

Al-Gebali published several books and research papers on womens rights and in 2003 was ranked the 23rd most powerful Arab women by Arabian Business Weekly magazine.

Al-Gebali made headlines on 22 January 2003 when President Hosni Mubarak appointed her vice president of the SCC. At the time of her appointment, not only was she the first woman in Egypts history to hold such a senior judicial post, she was the only woman judge out of 9,300 on the bench. She occupied the post until 2012.

Al-Gebali was one of the most vocal opponents of the rise of the Muslim Brotherhood group to power and it was said she advised the ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces not to hand over power until a constitution was written. She had publicly warned of the dangers of Muslim Brotherhood rule, and was removed from the SCC when the Brotherhood government reduced the number of SCC judges.

Al-Gebali served as a legal expert at the UN, an international commercial arbitrator and a lecturer at the Arab Institute for Human Rights in Tunisia. She was a strong advocate of womens rights, joining committees affiliated to the United Nations and the Arab League.

Al-Gebali received more than 30 awards from, among others, the United Nations, the Foreign Ministry, the Arab Lawyers Union in 1999, the Progressive Womens Union and the Arab Womens Organisation.

The funeral of Al-Gebali was held on Sunday in her hometown of Tanta.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 13 January, 2022 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly.

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Press Release

January 11, 2022 Gatchalian: CCF Life Academy to bring international education opportunities to more Filipinos The CCF Life Academy Foundation, Inc. is now officially recognized as an educational institution of international character with the signing of Republic Act No. 11638. Senator Win Gatchalian, sponsor and co-author of the measure, says the law expands opportunities for Filipino learners and their families to access international education. "Recognizing CCF Life Academy as an educational institution of international character is a step closer in realizing a vision that I strongly support: to make our country a regional hub for education that will attract foreign students. For our country's learners, this means more opportunities for a world-class education that will also develop their Christian values," said Gatchalian. Founded in 2013, CCF Life Academy seeks to foster academic excellence, Christian character, and servant leadership among its students. The school also aims to develop internationally-minded individuals. The International Baccalaureate program, which is considered the gold standard in pre-college international education, is included in the school's senior high school program. The law enables the school to continue carrying out its educational program, improve its standard of instruction, and meet the special needs of the foreign temporary resident community for quality education. While CCF Life Academy can accept applicants regardless of nationality and in accordance with its own eligibility standards, rules for admission, and grade placement, the law provides that no single alien nationality shall consist of more than 30% of the entire student population in a given school year. Exceptions, however, apply in cases of foreign diplomatic personnel or other foreign temporary residents. The law also provides that while CCF Life Academy can employ its own teaching and management personnel from other countries or nationalities, the school shall give priority in hiring locally qualified teaching and management personnel. The school also remains under the supervision and regulation of the Department of Education (DepEd). As of School Year (SY) 2020-2021, CCF Life Academy's student body was composed of 603 students at the preschool, elementary, junior, and senior high school levels, 13% of which were foreign students from six different countries. The measure's co-authors include Senate President Vicente Sotto III and Senator Joel Villanueva. Gatchalian: CCF Life Academy maghahatid ng international education sa maraming Pilipino Pormal na kinilala ang CCF Life Academy Foundation, Inc. bilang isang "educational institution of international character" matapos lagdaan ang Republic Act No. 11638. Para kay Senador Win Gatchalian na sponsor at isa sa mga may akda ng batas, palalawigin ng bagong batas ang mga oportunidad at pagkakataon para makatanggap ang mas maraming Pilipino ng international education. "Ang pagkilala sa CCF Life Academy bilang isang educational institution of international character ay isang hakbang upang maisakatuparan ang layuning sinusuportahan natin: na ang ating bansa ay maging isang regional hub para sa edukasyon at mahikayat na mag-aral dito ang mas maraming foreign students. Para sa mga mag-aaral ng ating bansa, ihahatid ng CCF Life Academy ang isang world-class na edukasyon na lilinangin ang kanilang Christian values," ani Gatchalian. Itinatag ang CCF Life Academy noong 2013 na nagsusulong ng husay sa edukasyon, Christian character, at servant leadership sa mga mag-aaral nito. Layunin din ng paaralan na humubog ng mga internationally-minded na mga mamamayan. Kasama naman sa senior high school program ng paaralan ang International Baccalaureate program, ang itinuturing na gold standard sa pre-college international education. Sa tulong ng bagong batas, maipagpapatuloy ng paaralan ang programa nito para sa edukasyon, maiaangat nito ang kalidad ng pagtuturo, at matutugunan ang mga pangangailangan ng mga foreign temporary residents pagdating sa dekalidad na edukasyon. Bagama't maaaring tumanggap ang CCF Life Academy ng mga aplikante ano man ang lahi nila na naaayon sa sarili nitong eligibility standards, rules for admission, at grade placement, nakasaad sa batas na walang single alien nationality ang magiging katumbas ng tatlumpung (30) porsyento ng student population sa isang school year. Ituturing na exceptions ang sitwasyon ng mga foreign diplomatic personnel at ibang foreign temporary residents. Nakasaad din sa batas na bagama't maaaring tumanggap ang CCF Life Academy ng sarili nitong teaching and management personnel mula sa ibang mga bansa o lahi, dapat bigyang prayoridad ng paaralan ang pagtanggap sa mga kwalipikadong teaching and management personnel mula sa Pilipinas. Nananatili ding nasa ilalim ng regulasyon ng Department of Education (DepEd) ang paaralan. Para sa School Year (SY) 2020-2021, ang student body ng CCF Life Academy ay binubuo ng mahigit anim na raang (603) mag-aaral, mula preschool, elementary, junior, at senior high school levels. Labintatlong (13) porsyento nito ay mga foreign students mula sa anim na ibang bansa. Kabilang sa mga may akda ng batas sina Senate President Vicente Sotto III at Senador Joel Villanueva.
Boosting relations with Africa is one of the priorities of Egypts foreign policy, and though the last year has seen a rise in the number of conflicts on the continent, it has also opened doors for enhanced cooperation.

The inauguration of the African Union Centre for Post-conflict Reconstruction and Development (PCRD) in Cairo last month underscored Egypts pivotal role, not only in resolving conflicts in Africa, but also in post-conflict reconstruction and development.

Perhaps the biggest crisis Egypt will face this year in terms of African conflicts is the crisis in Libya. Cairo, which has long argued that the removal of all foreign troops and mercenaries is a necessary precursor to stability in Libya, had been waiting for the presidential elections as a first step towards reinstating peace and security in Egypts western neighbour. The postponement of the elections represents a major blow to international efforts to end a decade of chaos in the country.

Ali Al-Hefni, former deputy to Egypts foreign minister, expects a push towards holding parliamentary and presidential elections as soon as possible, but stresses that this will require concessions and compromises. Any poll, he says, will face obstacles, but that Egypt and the international community have little choice but to push for the holding of elections and the creation of more room for agreement and consensus.

Rakha Hassan, a member of the Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs, argues that holding successful elections requires a degree of national reconciliation, uniting the army and keeping it under the control of the central government, steps that will eventually lead to the ousting all foreign fighters from Libya.

Given the necessary prerequisites, he says elections should be delayed until March or April, allowing time for a referendum to be held on the constitution.

The first round of Libyan elections had been scheduled for 24 December 2021, and the second round on 24 January 2022.

The stalled transitional phase in Sudan constitutes another problem that Egypt must face in 2022.

According to Al-Hefni, it is necessary to create more channels for communications and compromises between Sudans military and civilian parties.

The only way out involves encouraging the military to take decisions that will calm the Sudanese street and allow the transitional phase to pass smoothly, he says.

The beginning of the year saw a rise in protests following the resignation of Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok on 2 January, with demonstrators demanding an end to the militarys role in the countrys transition to democracy.

Hamdok cited the failure to reach a compromise between the military and the pro-democracy civilian movement as the reason for his resignation.

Hamdok was ousted in October, only to be reinstated a month later following a deal with the military that aimed to calm protests in the streets. The protest movement is insisting that a fully civilian government lead the transition, a demand the military rejects, saying it will only hand power to an elected government.

While the situation in Sudan compounds the problems of restarting African Union- (AU) sponsored tripartite talks on the Grand Ethiopia Renaissance Dam (GERD) which stalled in April, the main obstacle remains Addis Ababas intransigence.

If the three countries cannot reach an agreement on the filling and operation of GERD soon, we will be facing the impacts of a third filling of the dam in July with no deal in place, says Abbas Sharaki, professor of geology and water resources at Cairo University.

A number of developments in the last 12 months contributed to delaying the restart of talks, including the conflict between the government of Ethiopia and the Tigray Peoples Liberation Front (TPLF).

Ethiopia took a unilateral decision to begin a first filling of the dam during the 2020 flood season, and embarked on a second filling last year. Egypt fears that a repeat filling in the absence of any stipulations enshrined in an agreement this year will reduce the flow of Nile water.

Al-Hefni is pinning some hope on Senegal, which assumes the chairmanship of the AU next month, and the ability of Senegalese President Macky Sall to get the tripartite talks back on track.

In the next 12 months it is likely that Cairo will work to consolidate cooperation and trade with other African countries based on existing economic and trade agreements, including the Common Market Agreement for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) which was reached between 21 African states and aims to promote regional integration.

Egypt, this years COMESA president, will focus on creating an environment conducive to furthering economic integration and increasing intra-regional trade and investment. Another agreement that can pave the way for more trade cooperation is the African Continental Free Trade Agreement, signed in 2018. Egypt was among the first countries to sign and ratify the agreement, in the hope it would boost exports to the African market.

Africas transcontinental road infrastructure is expected to be strengthened this year, with work on roads linking Cairo and Cape Town, Cairo and Dakar, and a highway extending across West Africa from Nouakchott, Mauritania to Lagos, Nigeria. There is also an ambitious river link project between Alexandria and Lake Victoria, which would make Egypt a gateway to Central Africa via the River Nile.

Al-Hefni points to how effective Egyptian-African cooperation proved in facing the Covid-19 pandemic. Egypt has become a centre for manufacturing Chinese vaccines and exporting them to African countries. The recent opening of the Magdi Yacoub Heart Centre in Rwanda is another example of successful cooperation in the health field.

Hassan also stresses the possibility of greater technical, scientific, and medical cooperation with the African states via the Egyptian Agency of Partnership for Development (EAPD). The agency, established in 2014 as the first South-South cooperation body in Egypt, aims to capitalise on Egypts comparative advantages and technical expertise for the benefit of the African countries.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 13 January, 2022 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly.

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National press organisations will need continuing government support to overcome the challenges they face in 2022, writes Gamal Essam El-Din

Prime Minister Mustafa Madbouli said Egypts national press organizations had done a good job in 2021 despite the negative impact of the coronavirus pandemic and adverse financial conditions.

In 2021, Egypts national press organisations played a prominent role in raising the awareness of citizens of the dangers facing the country, said Madbouli. National newspapers were keen to spread facts, dispel rumours, and publish important information about the national development and service projects being implemented in Egypt.

Madbouli added that reports and articles published by national press organisations in 2021 also helped the government gauge the pulse of citizens and take note of the problems they faced in their everyday life.

Madboulis statements came during a meeting held with Abdel-Sadek Al-Shorbagi, president of the National Press Organisation (NPO), on 1 January.

Al-Shorbagi briefed Madbouli on the financial situation facing national press organisations and the challenges they must overcome in 2022. His briefing highlighted efforts to cut spending, minimise losses, and implement more rational governance measures.

Al-Shorbagi revealed that a committee comprising prominent journalists, writers, and thinkers was formed in 2021 to streamline the content of national newspapers and provide them with information and statistics about national development projects being carried out by the government, particularly the presidential Decent Life initiative.

Al-Shorbagi reported that in 2021 the NPO had focused on doubling the revenues of national press organisations so as to generate funding for training and automation programmes.

Addressing Al-Ahrams Energy Conference a week ago, Al-Shorbagi said national press organisations are an integral part of Egypts soft power and that their role should be to help preserve the state and support the building of a new republic. He appealed to state institutions to help press organisations solve their financial problems and push them forward.

In the current year, said Al-Shorbagi, press organisations will implement more reform and restructuring measures. We aim to support these organisations achieve the optimal use of their assets, improve their financial and administrative systems, and invest more in their online news websites, he explained.

Editors-in-chief and board chairmen of national press organisations say the pandemic in 2020 and 2021 hit them badly. Emadeddin Hussein, chief editor of the independent Al-Shorouk and a member of the Senate, said newspapers around the world, and not just in Egypt, are facing enormous challenges, and that the growth of electronic and broadcast media had led to many international media scrapping their print editions.

According to Hussein, in 2014 a major national newspaper like Al-Ahram was selling more than one million copies on Fridays whereas now no newspapers, either national or private, sells more than 350,000 copies a day.

Abdel-Mohsen Salama, chairman of the board of Al-Ahram Establishment, told Sada Al-Balad TV channel that Al-Ahrams revenues from advertising fell from LE2 billion in 2014 to close to LE900 million in 2021.

Salama pointed out that social media, in particular, has become a major source of information, and this is a global phenomenon which all press organisations are facing. Al-Ahrams strategy, he said, is based on the principle that there should be cooperation between the print and digital media, not conflict. They should complement each other, which is why, Salama argued, Al-Ahram and other major Egyptian press organisations have established electronic portals and social media pages.

Salama believes the future success of print media will depend on its ability to develop news content, and cited The New York Times and The Washington Post as examples of print editions that remain profitable despite tough competition from digital media.

Hussein believes Egypts national newspapers could once again become a dominant force, but only if they are independent and free. If these media outlets continue to be perceived as little more than government mouthpieces they will lose even more market share to the digital media, he said.

Salama revealed that though Al-Ahrams electronic portal and social media pages attract more readers than the daily newspaper, the organisation is planning to expand its international print edition in response to requests from readers in the Arab world and Europe.

Alaa Thabet, editor-in-chief of Al-Ahram, said the meeting between Madbouli and Al-Shorbagi had made it clear that the government is committed to helping these national organisations overcome their financial difficulties.

According to Thabet, national press organisations cut their losses by 10 per cent in 2021 despite the Finance Ministry halving its financial support in the last six years. Government support covered 90 per cent of salaries and expenses in 2014, figures that fell to 33.5 per cent of salaries and 22.5 per cent of expenses in fiscal year 2020-21.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 13 January, 2022 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly.

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The fourth World Youth Forum (WYF) convened in Sharm El-Sheikh this week. The event, which was cancelled in 2020 because of the Covid-19 pandemic, was held under the banner Back Together.

The four-day forum, inaugurated by President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi on Monday, focused on a wide range of pressing issues, including the impact of the pandemic, climate change, human rights, the future of the African continent, social security, 5G networks, digital transformation, entrepreneurship, technology, healthcare, the future of energy, water resources, post-conflict reconstruction, and education.

This years WYF attracted senior officials, prominent public figures, and international youth leaders, all of whom were keen to either participate in person or address the forum by video. Among the attendees were Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Prime Minister of Lebanon Naguib Mikati, Jordanian Crown Prince Hussein bin Abdullah II, United Arab Emirates Minister of Youth Shama Al-Mazroui, Spanish actress Itziar Ituno, Russian actress Nicole Kinoos, and Indian actress Amika Shail.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, former US Secretary of State and US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry, Director-General of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, President of the World Bank David Malpass, and UN Envoy on Youth Jayathma Wickramanayake addressed the forum via video.

WYF Spokesperson Sara Badr said more than half a million youth leaders from 196 countries applied to attend the event. The demand, she said, shows just how popular the event has become on the world stage since it was first held in 2017.

Addressing the opening session Covid-19: A Warning to Humanity and a New Hope, President Al-Sisi told participants that the Covid-19 pandemic represented a huge challenge for humanity, replete with complex political, economic, and social threats.

Humanity cannot overcome the crises and challenges to survival it faces without ending conflicts, managing differences, and working jointly in the interests of peace, he said.

In a recorded speech, WHO head Ghebreyesus hailed the forum as a great opportunity for youth to exchange expertise, create a better future, and improve health.

Most of the worlds population are young people under the age of 30 The future is within their hands, and they are facing the challenges of today and tomorrow, including climate change, pollution, health, and others, he said.

The opening ceremony also saw a recorded speech by UN Secretary-General Guterres who said the pandemic has had a host of negative psychological impacts but that young people will manage to recover successfully because their minds contain inexhaustible innovative ideas.

President Al-Sisi remarked that the presidential health initiatives which Egypt launched four years ago had contributed to reducing the number of coronavirus infections and deaths. The health initiatives which the state took meant Egypt was capable of drawing a clear-cut map of the health of its citizens and provide treatment for diseases without which the Covid-19 infection rate would have been unimaginably high, he said.

Al-Sisi also argued that Covid-19 infections would have been much higher had Egypt not implemented its three-year economic reform programme between 2016 and 2019.

The first phase of this programme was harsh, but without it the pandemic would have reduced the national economy to a state of paralysis, he said.

The second phase of the programme, which the government is currently implementing, has rendered the economy capable of absorbing the pandemic-related shocks that have wreaked havoc in some other countries.

Now, as we move forward and achieve high growth rates, we remain committed to maintaining tough protective measures against the pandemic.

President Al-Sisi also hailed the LE700 billion Decent Life initiative, launched three years ago with the goal of improving the life of 60 million citizens living in rural areas.

As a result of Egypts initiatives, we were one of only a few countries to achieve positive growth rates, of 3.9 per cent in 2019-20, and 3.3 per cent in 2020-21.

On Tuesday, President Al-Sisi said that as was the case with Covid-19, Egypt had taken early initiatives to confront climate change. In a panel discussion under the title Confronting Climate Change: From Glasgow to Sharm El-Sheikh, Al-Sisi said the next eight years would be crucial in combating global warming.

The opportunity existed, he said, for countries to use cars operated by electricity and natural gas.

Egypt began talks with vehicle manufacturers to produce cars operated by electricity and natural gas which are highly detrimental to the environment five years ago. As a result of these efforts, Egypt will introduce its first electric vehicles next year. We certainly have the industrial infrastructure to produce these cleaner vehicles.

President Al-Sisi also noted that four years ago the government began cleaning up Egyptian lakes and began lining 40,000 kilometres of canals at a cost of LE80 billion, a project which has created hundreds of jobs and supported cement and iron factories.

He highlighted improvements to Egypts road and bridge network, saying: The objective of this national project is not just to end traffic jams but reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Even though they are relatively low compared to many other countries we were keen to move early and forcefully to confront this challenge.

Speaking to the forum on Tuesday, Kerry thanked President Al-Sisi for his leadership on the issue of climate change and his commitment to having the government of Egypt host COP27 in Sharm El-Sheikh in November.

The scientists have told us unequivocally that we have about the next eight years within which we must make the critical decisions and implement them in order to avoid the worst consequences of the climate crisis. And now today, in every country in the world, no one is spared. In every country, people are feeling the consequences of this climate crisis, he said.

According to Kerry, We accepted the responsibility in Glasgow, again, of trying to hold the earths temperature increase to about 1.5 degrees. And Im proud to tell you that 65 per cent of global GDP has signed up to do exactly that.

The biggest challenge we all face right now is to get our systems, our government systems, the private sector joined with it, to actually move fast enough. And right now, were not. So I hope we can rely on all of you to bring the pressure to bear that is necessary, Kerry said.

Kerry concluded by saying Egypt and Africa were destined to play a critical role in helping set the mark and meeting the goals of the Glasgow conference, particularly on adaptation, mitigation, on dealing with methane, and on deforestation.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 13 January, 2022 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly.

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Proposed changes to the rules of the mercantile agency agreements held by large local family businesses in the UAE are the latest step among the changes that have been taking place in the Gulf with regard to economic reform.

While no official announcement has been made, media reports say that the government has informed some of the UAEs biggest business families that it intends to remove monopolies on the sale of imported goods as the state deepens economic reforms in an effort to attract more investment.

According to the UK Financial Times (FT), the proposed reforms would tear up the longstanding social contract between the government and influential merchant families in the UAE, including storied names such as the Al-Futtaim, Al-Rostamani and Juma Al-Majid families.

Signs of this policy shift were introduced earlier, with the UAE changing laws that allowed large foreign companies like Apple and Tesla to sell their products in the country directly without the need for local partners or agents.

Large family businesses in the country have been accepting requests from foreign companies to change the provisions of agency contracts in favour of foreign firms and dilute traditional monopolies.

The changes are a major step towards the economic restructuring that is now the focus of government efforts in all the Arab Gulf countries. The UAE has been leading a drive to attract more investment by competitive legal and social changes, such as long-term residency programmes and changing labour and other laws.

The pace of change has now accelerated after Saudi Arabia, the biggest economy in the region, launched an ambitious economic and social-reform programme. Oman and Qatar are also reforming their economies to keep up with the pace of change and render their economies more compatible with global standards.

All this reinforces the view of many observers that most Gulf states will soon be more focused on the home front rather than on foreign policies.

Oxford University historian and political analyst Andrew Hammond argues that US disengagement with the region is a main factor behind the shift from a foreign policy to a domestic focus.

The trend over the next year is likely to be further region-wide policy-making independently of the United States, he said. Former US president Donald Trumps decision not to attack Iran after its assault on Saudi Aramco oil installations and ships in UAE waters in 2019 was a watershed moment that caused Riyadh and Abu Dhabi to make sharp turns, Hammond told Al-Ahram Weekly.

The trend of reform and diversification of Gulf economies to steer them away from dependence on the energy sector has been the norm for years.

The UAE began such changes a while back and has achieved significant results, with the non-oil sector now being the main component of its GDP. Saudi Arabia is now on a fast track for reform, which some observers see as a reason for others in the Gulf to speed up their domestic overhaul programmes.

As part of its own plans to diversify away from hydrocarbons, Saudi Arabia has imposed tariffs on Gulf imports and is pressuring multinationals to relocate regional headquarters to Riyadh, the FT reported last week.

For this reason, some Emirati businesspeople think the proposed liberalisation of mercantile agency rules in the UAE will benefit other Gulf businesses from other countries rather than bring in more foreign companies and investments.

A businessman from an Emirati family business group told the FT that the government thinks that all of a sudden international brands will flood the country, but actually GCC agencies will dominate.

Trade and tourism are among the few sectors the Gulf countries compete in to diversify their economies away from the energy sector. With the inward focus of governments in the region, political and foreign policy issues will probably come second in priority.

All the countries in the region are now focusing on attracting investments and pushing economic reforms. All differences and previous grudges are being sidelined, as everyone is trying to bring in capital and carry out major projects. As a result, we are going to witness more economic competition rather than political rivalry in the coming years, Saudi commentator Abdel-Aziz Alkhames told the Weekly.

That shift in policy and the emphasis on reform and widespread change could have socio-economic ramifications. But it seems the ground has been prepared for the impact to be minimal.

There is now a far more serious drive among the Gulf states to end the nanny state. When the oil price collapsed in 2014, it was clear that governments would have to move in that direction, Hammond said.

The pandemic in 2020 then forced the hands of many of them, notably Saudi Arabia and Oman. The rally in oil prices over the past year has given all the governments some breathing space.

Competition between the Gulf states to attract foreign investment and diversify their economies has shifted up a gear, Hammond added. The UAE has gone further than others, and cooperation with Chinese companies is ahead of its Gulf neighbours. Citizenship is being offered to foreigners seen as helping to advance the economy.

Riyadh has become more aggressive in pushing companies to locate their main regional offices in Saudi Arabia. There is an air of new territory being broached on all fronts, Hammond concluded.

The domestic scene in the Gulf countries might be well-prepared to absorb the impact of rapid change, but it has yet to be seen what the regional consequences of this new internal direction will have on the region.

Many analysts agree that the basic principles of Gulf foreign policy, regionally and internationally, are not going to witness much change.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 13 January, 2022 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly.

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The heroic flexibility of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has given a boost to the negotiations over Irans nuclear programme, writes Manal Lotfy

The odds that Iran and the West are on the cusp of a breakthrough in the negotiations over Irans nuclear programme increased this week after a change in tone by senior Iranian officials led by Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Khamenei, the ultimate decision-maker on issues of national security, appeared to give his support for the negotiations to continue despite differences between Tehran and the Western powers.

In a televised speech on Sunday, Khamenei declared that negotiations with the enemy at a certain juncture do not necessarily mean surrendering.

In a sign that he may be ready to make concessions in order to help the negotiations to succeed, he talked about heroic flexibility in the negotiations.

Khameneis message appears to be directed at the Iranian public and at the countries negotiating with Tehran.

Conservatives in Iran, whether in government, parliament, or the Revolutionary Guards, have concerns about signing a new nuclear agreement with the West and reducing the countrys nuclear activities.

They fear a scenario under which a new US administration could withdraw from the deal as former US president Donald Trump did in 2018.

Conservative advisers close to Khamenei have warned of the risk of signing a new deal without robust guarantees that the signatories will not unilaterally withdraw from it.

Hardliners in Iran and the countrys conservative press have been hostile to the negotiations as a result. Khameneis public intervention and his talk of heroic flexibility appear to be a way of reassuring sceptics in Iran.

Khameneis remarks can only be encouraging for the West, where many have been worried that the negotiations, stalled in the final months of the government of former president Hassan Rouhani in Iran, were facing deadlock.

They feared that with a new hardline President Ebrahim Raisi, Iran would try to play for time and not be serious about reaching a new nuclear deal, especially if the West imposed additional conditions.

But Khameneis statement has given the green light to go ahead to reach a deal.

Iran wants a comprehensive deal with the world powers that removes the sanctions on the country, including on oil exports, and it will not settle for an interim agreement, its Foreign Ministry said on Monday.

Iran is seeking a sustainable and reliable deal, and any agreement that does not meet these requirements will not be on the agenda, said Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Saeed Khatibzadeh.

The US return to the nuclear deal should come with necessary assurances and verifications, and a chain of sanctions must be lifted. This cant happen through an interim deal.

Irans demand for guarantees that a future US administration will not walk away from the deal again and reimpose sanctions is a difficult and complex request.

Neither the Western countries nor the US Biden administration can give Tehran legal guarantees that a future US administration will not withdraw from the deal.

A Western diplomat close to the negotiations told Al-Ahram Weekly that the alternative might be to give Iran guarantees that the nuclear deal would remain viable if Tehran continues to implement it.

One key area where there is space for progress is in an enhanced inspections regime of Iranian nuclear sites, where Iran might give ground.

Another area of potential compromise is sanctions relief. While Iranian officials formerly demanded the removal of all the sanctions imposed by the Trump administration on Iran, they now seem to be focusing on the illegal sanctions that violate the original deal and not other sanctions related to Irans missile programme or regional activities.

But Western diplomats believe that when confidence is restored, the sanctions on Iranian oil, figures in the Revolutionary Guards and the nuclear programme will also be removed.

In a sign that the negotiations may have entered an advanced stage, the Iranian president has not talked about them for a while, usually an indication that he wants to give space to the negotiators in Vienna.

Earlier this week, the Iranian Foreign Ministry said that Tehran had not proposed anything beyond the original Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) agreement in Vienna and that it would not agree on anything other than all four subjects in the negotiations, namely the removal of sanctions, verification, assurances and nuclear issues.

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian said reaching a satisfactory agreement was possible if the Western side possessed goodwill.

Following the meeting of the Joint Commission and the P4+1 countries (Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany) signatory to the 2015 deal, the sides agreed to facilitate work on a draft treaty and complete it by early in February 2022.

There is cautious optimism in various capitals. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said the Vienna negotiations were speeding up and the chances for reaching a solution had increased.

The Vienna talks have speeded up. We believe that the chances to solve [problems] within the framework that had been developed during the previous rounds, including six rounds held until June 20, have increased. This is a positive thing. All parties are demonstrating readiness to solve the remaining problems, he said.

Ryabkov also mentioned that various schemes are possible for reaching the ultimate goal, the restoration of the Iranian nuclear deal in its original form.

A step-by-step approach based on reciprocity [is likely] to achieve the main goal, he said.

I would like to emphasise that possible intermediate steps are not going to replace, substitute, for the basic agreement, which needs to be fully restored. The Russian side proceeds from this, while providing political and diplomatic assistance to the Iranians, Americans and Europeans, Ryabkov stated.

He said he saw no need to set deadlines for reaching a final decision on the deal.

French Foreign Affairs Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said on Friday that progress had been made regarding the nuclear negotiations in Vienna, although time was running out.

I remain convinced we can reach a deal. But time is running out, Le Drian told the French BFM TV and RMC Radio.

US State Department Spokesman Ned Price also noted that the nuclear talks with Iran in Vienna had shown modest progress and that Washington hoped to build on the progress that has been made.

South Koreas Deputy Foreign Minister Choi Jong-Kun visited Vienna last week to discuss $7 billion in Iranian assets that have been frozen in the country with Iranian officials. These cannot be released without US approval.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 13 January, 2022 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly.

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Palestinian prisoner Hisham Abu Hawash ended a hunger strike in protest against his detention by Israel last week, but other protests continue, writes Mohamed Abu Shaar in Gaza

Last week, Palestinian prisoner Hisham Abu Hawash ended a 141-day hunger strike in protest against Israels decision to continue his administrative detention.

The hunger strike ended after mediation efforts by Egypt and the Palestinian Authority (PA) to prevent the Gaza Strip from sliding into military confrontations with Israel.

Armed Palestinian factions in Gaza had threatened a military response if Abu Hawash died after his health seriously deteriorated in the last days of his hunger strike.

Abu Hawash decided to end the hunger strike according to a deal between the PA and Israel to release him in February last year, after being held in administrative detention without charge since October 2020.

His detention was renewed three times after his arrest, once during his hunger strike for six months that was later reduced to four months.

Israel uses administrative detention against Palestinians arrested in the West Bank or to renew the detention of Palestinian prisoners who have completed their sentences in Israeli prisons.

Palestinian prisoners have decided to escalate their protests against this policy that Israel has adopted in recent years. They resort to individual hunger strikes, despite the risk, to raise awareness of their suffering and to force Israel to release them amid media campaigns and international criticism.

Palestinian prisoners also participate in group hunger strikes that gradually spread among the prison population. Their aim is usually to improve conditions inside the prisons or to prosecute demands that impact all prisoners in different jails.

Individual hunger strikes have grown in number, demonstrating the resilience of Palestinian prisoners and the ongoing nature of their demands. Most are to protest against administrative detention or solitary confinement, which Israel is using more and more frequently against Palestinian detainees.

Palestinian prisoners began using individual or group hunger strikes as leverage for the first time in 1969 in a strike that lasted for 11 days. The demand at the time was more exercise time in the courtyard or outside their cells.

The most effective strike by Palestinian prisoners, laying the groundwork for more frequent strikes, was in 2000 in protest at solitary confinement and the humiliating restrictions and conditions introduced for visits by the families of Palestinian detainees.

This strike continued for almost a month and ended with the Israeli authorities easing some policies.

The most historic individual strike was by Samer Al-Issawi from Jerusalem, who went on a hunger strike in 2013 that lasted for more than 265 days. Al-Issawi was protesting against a 30-year sentence, and although he was released in 2011 as part of a prisoner-exchange deal with Hamas, which released Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, he was rearrested a few months later.

Other hunger strikes were carried out by Khedr Adnan from Jenin, who was arrested several times and began several hunger strikes in 2004 and 2005 against solitary confinement and in 2012 and 2014 against administrative detention.

In 2018, he went on hunger strike to protest against his arrest and prosecution by the Israeli Occupations judicial system, according to the Palestinian news agency Wafa.

Despite the serious health risks of hunger strikes, the detainees feel that they are a last-ditch attempt to end their suffering and obtain their rights under unjust and prejudiced Israeli laws.

Palestinian prisoners are also hopeful that ongoing negotiations will result in a prisoner-exchange deal soon between Hamas and Israel.

Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, admits to capturing four Israelis including two soldiers taken during military operations on the border during the 2014 war.

Although Hamas has not released information about the fate of these prisoners, it sends frequent signals to increase the pressure on the Israeli government to agree to a prisoner-exchange.

Israel, however, does not want to pay the price Hamas is demanding for this deal. Instead, it suggests that the release of the two Israeli soldiers should be part of understandings that would result in easing the siege on Gaza.

Egypt is exerting great efforts in mediating between Hamas and Israel to bring viewpoints closer to reaching a prisoner-exchange deal similar to the 2011 deal that released the Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit in exchange for 1,050 Palestinian prisoners, including those serving long sentences.

The Palestinian Detainees and Ex-Detainees Authority said at the end of December that there are around 4,600 Palestinian detainees in Israeli prisons. There are 34 female detainees, including one minor, and 160 children and minors in Israeli jails along with around 500 administrative detainees.

More than 600 Palestinian prisoners suffer from chronic ailments such as cancer amid the intentional medical negligence of their conditions, according to official figures.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 13 January, 2022 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly.

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Iraqs new parliament met last Sunday and took faltering steps towards the formation of a new government, writes Nermeen Al-Mufti in Baghdad

Almost three months after the early general elections in Iraq, the first session of the newly elected legislature was held last Sunday.

The session was broadcast by various satellite TV channels, and at first glance it looked like a show. Members of the Sadrist Bloc were putting shrouds on their clothing as if to say they were ready to die to achieve their goals. The Imtidad Bloc that represents the October 2019 protesters came to the building by tok-tok, a vehicle used by the protesters to evacuate killed and wounded demonstrators.

Mohamed Al-Zayadi, a newly elected lawmaker from the Muthana governorate 289 km south of Baghdad, came wearing a torn dishdasha (traditional Iraqi dress) to express the poverty in his province, for the last two decades the poorest in Iraq.

The session was also postponed from 11 am to 3 pm because some blocs had meetings, but every bloc attended, especially the Coordinating Framework that consists of the Shia parties that lost some of their seats in the last elections, and the State of Law Bloc of former prime minister Nuri Al-Maliki, that won more seats than in previous elections.

The session was due to elect the speaker and his two deputies and was chaired by Mahmoud Al-Mashhadani, the oldest MP and former speaker, according to the Iraqi Constitution and the parliaments rules of procedure.

It was going to plan until a MP from the Coordinating Framework asked the chair to accept its request as the largest bloc in parliament, according to the constitution, that it should nominate the incoming prime minister. The result was chaos, and Al-Mashhadani was taken to hospital suffering from an unidentified illness. Some said he had been attacked when he said that he is going to review the names and number of the MPs.

Third-oldest MP Khaled Al-Daraji then chaired the session, and the members of the Coordinating Framework withdrew. Mohamed Al-Halbousi (Taqadum and Azem Alliance), a former speaker (2018-2021) was re-elected with 200 votes as the new speaker of parliament, and Hakim Al-Zamily, a Sadrist, and Shakhwan Abdullah (Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP)) were elected as the first and the second deputy speakers, with Al-Mashhadani, also standing, receiving only 14 votes.

Celebrations then took place in many Iraqi provinces to mark the first step in forming a new government. However, the Coordinating Framework refused the outcomes of the session, insisting that they be taken to the Iraqi Constitutional Court. When Al-Halbousi and his two deputies chaired the first session of parliament, the Sadrist Bloc submitted a list of names to Al-Halbousi to have itself registered as the largest bloc.

Some political analysts say that Muqtada Al-Sadr, whose bloc has 76 seats in the new parliament, achieved his goal of a national alliance that does not depend on the sectarian power-sharing policy in Iraq, because the Sadrists (Shia) and the Kurds voted for Al-Halbousi, a Sunni Muslim. However, others said that regional countries had been backing Al-Halbousi and had succeeded in splitting the unity of the Shia blocs.

MPs who voted for Al-Halbousi said that nobody had attacked Al-Mashhadani, while others from the Coordinating Framework said that he had been attacked.

The first session of the parliament was adjourned by Al-Halbousi after he had asked the blocs to nominate their candidates for the position of president of Iraq, with the election for the position taking place in parliament on 15 February. The elected president will then ask the largest Shia bloc in parliament to nominate the new prime minister.

Abdel-Ameer Majer, a political analyst, told Al-Ahram Weekly that the formation of the new government would be easier than for previous governments because what happened in the inauguration session indicated that there is a hidden alliance among the three largest forces, the Sadrists, Sunnis and Kurds. The Sadrists 76 seats, the largest among the Shia blocs, are followed by the Taqadum and Azem Alliance with 34 seats, the largest Sunni bloc, and the KDP with 34 seats, the largest of the Kurdish parties.

Majer said that these three blocs, along with independent MPs, are looking forward to getting rid of the trap of sectarianism in Iraq, adding that this goal achieved 200 votes for Al-Halbousi and might show that the largest bloc has actually been achieved, not necessarily under a single name, but with a largely unified vision.

The US and some influential Arab countries and Turkey were pushing in this direction in order to extract Iraq from the grip of Iran, he said, adding that the undeclared quartet of Al-Sadr, Al-Halbousi, and the independents, supported on general lines by the KDP, would outline the programmes of the new parliament and the coming government, which means leaving sectarian sharing-power to a large bloc that is already sharing power.

Many analysts described the election of the speaker as a democratic step that would ease the formation of the new government. Mohamed Al-Shaboot, a journalist and former head of the Iraqi Media Network, labelled what happened last Sunday as black Sunday, however, being unconvinced that it represented a step forward.

He told the Weekly that for years he had been saying that Iraqi democracy is fragile and reversible, because it is a democracy without democrats. He added that the people and parties who took control after 2003 did not believe in democracy, because they were either graduates of ideological schools that did not accept democracy, considering it a Western and colonial system, or because they were the children of the illiberal ideology imposed by the Baath Party regime from 1968 to 2003.

Reports by the [UK] Economist Intelligence Unit have validated my predictions regarding Iraqi democracy, which has continued declining from a flawed democracy to a hybrid regime and finally an authoritarian regime, he said.

What is happening in Iraq is a rapid descent and a decline in the requirements of the modern state in favour of a factional populism centred around one person with a mixture of religious feeling and a personality cult. It is a phenomenon that the Iraqi people became accustomed to during the years of [former president] Saddam Hussein (1979-2003), and they do not find it difficult to see it again in the personality of a political or religious leader or both. A political situation with these characteristics cannot produce a modern democratic state.

A former MP also told the Weekly on condition of anonymity that the formation of the new government would see two possibilities: either a four-year coalition government or a one-year majority government.

The coalition would be between the Sadrist Bloc and the Coordinating Framework, since if one formed a government at the expense of the other, the other would go into opposition and obstruct government work.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 13 January, 2022 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly.

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After last years postponement of Libyas parliamentary and presidential elections, a new roadmap for the country may now be the only way forward, writes Kamel Abdallah

After months of anticipation, Libyan voters were unable to go to the polls in parliamentary and presidential elections originally scheduled for 24 December.

Although some 2.8 million eligible voters had received their voting cards, the Libyan Higher National Elections Commission (HNEC) had to call off the polls at the last minute due to force majeure. It proposed 24 January as an alternative date, triggering an outcry among those calling for the revision of current laws and regulations governing the electoral process and those calling for a completely new roadmap.

The postponement of the elections was not unexpected, however, since none of the agencies concerned had taken this important process seriously enough, from the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), which sponsors the political process, to the Libyan institutions that had been tasked with laying the groundwork for the elections.

The inconsistencies of international players also played a role. Despite their repeated insistence that the elections had to take place as scheduled, their behaviour said something else.

The role of the UN in Libya, which has sponsored the Libyan political process since 2014, has declined since the UN Security Council decided to restructure UNSMIL. According to UN Security Council Resolution 2542 of September 2020, the leadership was split into a special envoy based in Geneva in charge of policy and a coordinator based in Libya in charge of day-to-day operations.

Slovakian diplomat Jan Kubis was special envoy from February last year to his sudden resignation shortly before the elections were to be held, while Zimbabwean diplomat Raisedon Zenenga served as coordinator. The split leadership gave rise to a split in outlooks to the point where some quarters in Libya accused Kubis of trying to obstruct the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum (LPDF).

This occurred during negotiations over the constitutional basis for the elections in June and July last year and again in the LPDFs last meeting in September when Kubis refused to reconvene the forum unless its members could guarantee an agreement.

Some Western powers also accused him of siding with Russia on the political process and the elections. Moscow favoured postponing the elections to ensure the greatest possible unanimity and participation.

The criticisms led to a dispute between Kubis and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, culminating in his abrupt resignation and Guterress refusal to allow him to remain in post until a successor could be found. This decision will need to be taken before the end of January when the Security Council will need to determine whether to renew the UNSMIL mandate, extended provisionally for four months in September because of disagreements between Russia and the Western powers over its structure and functions.

Guterres has appointed US diplomat Stephanie Williams special adviser for Libyan affairs and entrusted her with leading the mediation efforts. As former acting head of UNSMIL and a founder of the current political process, her task this time around may be even more challenging because of the changes that have taken place in Libya and the difficulties that led to the postponement of the elections.

Williams is partly to blame for the situation in Libya reaching this point, as she was instrumental in the restructuring of the political process that gave rise to the Presidency Council and the Libyan Government of National Unity (GNU). By sidelining the Libyan House of Representatives (HoR) and the Higher Council of State (HCS), she effectively created the space for those institutions to evade their responsibilities.

The Tobruk-based HoR and the Tripoli-based HCS understood that the UN-sponsored political process aimed to exclude them from future arrangements, so they did all they could to undermine the process. They refused to reach a consensus on the constitutional basis for the elections and the electoral laws, and the HoR unilaterally adopted loosely worded electoral laws that ended up delaying the preparations. The result was nearly a hundred presidential elections candidates, most of whom were unknown, while the others were highly controversial figures.

Despite the controversy surrounding the constitutional basis and electoral laws, the HNEC went ahead with the process, acting in response to Western pressure and pressure from Libyan quarters dissatisfied with the arrangements produced by the LPDF and keen to see an end to current institutions.

However, the HNEC then found itself in a bind and was forced to call off the elections. When asked to explain the nature of the force majeure, the HNEC chairperson said it included conflicting judicial rulings and threats to the HNEC if it issued the final candidate list with certain names on it.

The HNEC was wrong to have identified with the HoR and to have agreed to work with flawed electoral laws, especially before making sure that it would be able to control the electoral process and polling stations across the country. These mistakes drew attention to the HNEC, giving rise to demands for a new board, something that HoR member Saleh Afhima has said might take place after 24 January.

For 11 months, the Libyan players have manoeuvred to undermine the current roadmap that was to culminate on 24 December. The international players issued sternly worded statements saying the elections had to proceed on schedule and warning that anyone obstructing them would be liable to sanctions.

But action was taken to back up these words, helping to poison an electoral process that the Libyan parties began to see as a means to advance some parties at the expense of others. The conflict among the major powers over the structure and functions of UNSMIL added fuel to the fire.

Against this complicated backdrop, there seems to be no clear path forward. The stakeholders are debating three alternatives: see the current roadmap to the end with elections set as soon as possible; reorganise the electoral process and amend the governing laws; or abandon the current roadmap and start a new process leading to a new roadmap, executive, constitutional basis and electoral laws.

The first two options will be difficult in view of the complex interests at stake, meaning that all eyes are on the third. This could conceivably take place through a negotiating process with representatives from all sides, now that the HoR and HCS have presented themselves as bodies that could rescue the situation from the current impasse.

It is difficult to envision polls taking place soon because of sharp divisions over a number of issues. The most crucial is whether to hold presidential and parliamentary elections simultaneously. The dominant political forces in western Libya have been pushing for parliamentary elections first, while those in the east prioritise the presidential elections.

Reorganising the current process is also problematic, not just because of the time it would take, but also more importantly because of the risks of backsliding into armed conflict, especially in the light of the barrages of legal challenges that many candidates for the parliamentary and presidential elections received and the threats to the HNEC if it omitted certain names.

Even so, the third option might stand the best chance of success. Fresh negotiations among the stakeholders would inspire all the parties to participate more constructively in the political process. What direction these will take will become clearer on 24 January when Williams briefs the UN Security Council on the situation in Libya and her plans for resolving the impasse.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 13 January, 2022 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly.

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Battles are continuing over the red lines drawn up over the course of the seven-year conflict in Yemen, writes Ahmed Eleiba

Although the battle has begun to shift in favour of Arab Coalition forces in eastern Yemen following a series of intense skirmishes with Southern forces in the Shabwa Province, Houthi forces are gaining on the western front where they now control the strategic Red Sea port of Hodeida.

The most salient manifestation of the threat is the Houthi seizure of the UAE-flagged Rwabee vessel, after which the Houthi navy with Iranian support threatened to block the southern entrance of the Red Sea at Bab Al-Mandeb.

The Houthi control of Hodeida means that this threat is looming regardless of whether the Houthis can actually carry it out. The strategic value of the port is surpassed only by that of the capital, Sanaa, since it is the Houthis main source of foreign military support as well as a main source of revenue.

The war in Yemen thus remains a series of battles over the red lines that have been drawn in the course of the seven-year conflict.

The Saudi-led Coalition to defend the legitimate Yemeni government has until recently abided by the 2018 Stockholm Agreement between the government and the Houthis that aims to demilitarise the western coast as much as possible.

The coalition has drawn a red line around Mareb, where its forces have been trying to prevent a Houthi advance for nearly a year.

In addition to its geostrategic and geopolitical importance, the northeastern governorate of Mareb has symbolic value as a stronghold for government forces and as the coalition operational headquarters.

The Houthis have pressed ahead with attempts to cross the red line despite the UN and other key international stakeholders siding with the coalition.

This international position may be informed by fears of the human toll that would take place were conflict in Mareb allowed to settle the Yemen war. In addition to the numbers of dead, a battle for Mareb would precipitate further waves of displacement. Already more than 200,000 civilians have fled the area in the past months alone, and some refugee camps have been targeted by the Houthis.

The Houthis have drawn red lines on the west coast of the country at Hodeida in particular. Before the Houthi attack against the Rwabee, the coalition had begun to broaden operations against Houthi targets in the Yemeni capital, such as military stores.

However, the coalition command recently concluded that as long as Hodeida remained a source of military supplies and economic revenues for the Houthis, they would be able to hold out indefinitely.

There has been a consequent shift in the tone of coalition discourse. In addition to intimating an intention to broaden operations towards Hodeida, the coalition claims that the UN has caved in to Houthi violations of the Stockholm Agreement, which provides for a mechanism to control the influx of arms through the port.

The rules of engagement reflect the patterns of the red lines, as can be seen in the shift of attention from inland Shabwa to the west as well as in the part played by the Southern forces. These are generally not interested in fighting outside of South Yemen.

This helps to explain recent talk of government forces playing a larger role in the Baida governorate, despite their failure last year to hold their positions there.

Baida is a key juncture in the supply routes to the Houthi forces in Mareb, and it offers strategic access to the capital. It is home to many of the Popular Resistance Committees, a collection of armed groups that are pro-government but need a professional unifying command.

The coalition has tactical reasons for shifting its focus westward, namely to diffuse the Houthi focus on Mareb and compel them to thin out their forces. It appears that the coalition is also banking on the intervention of international forces because Hodeida is a lynchpin in the course of the battle and key to peace negotiations.

The Houthis have begun to escalate their actions against the UAE because they believe that Abu Dhabi is behind the change in military thinking in the coalition command. The UAE is the main backer of the Southern forces that have been deployed in attempts to rout the Houthis in Shabwa and Mareb.

Internationally, the mood appears to have swung in favour of the coalitions attempts to pressure the Houthis militarily in order to force them to back down and submit to the negotiating process.

Before the Stockholm Agreement, international pressure had compelled the coalition to halt its operations along the coast just as its forces were on the verge of retaking Hodeida. Instead of generating a breakthrough to peace, that development inspired the Houthis to escalate in turn, which brought Iran more squarely into the picture as a direct supporter of the Houthi forces.

It is now unclear how Iran stands. Tehran is engaged in negotiations over its nuclear programme in Vienna, and it needs some leverage to alleviate the pressures of sanctions. Its influence over the Houthis could serve this purpose.

At the same time, Tehran has to factor in the lobbying efforts by Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries to pressure the US and other countries involved in the Vienna talks to compel Iran to abandon its designs for regional expansion using its proxies in Arab countries in ways that threaten their national identities.

Judging from recent UN reports on Iranian military support for the Houthis, it appears that international stakeholders are now more determined to pressure Iran to cease that support because of the Houthi threat to navigation in the Red Sea, through which pass much of the worlds energy supplies.

Egypt, as a regional power, has been keeping a close eye on developments there in view of the importance of the Bab Al-Mandeb and the Red Sea to its national security. Observers in Cairo believe that any action Egypt takes in this regard will be within the framework of its joint responsibility for the safety of international maritime traffic in the region.

What happens next is contingent on the aims of the coalition and developments in the region of Hodeida.

Will the coalition threaten to launch an offensive against Hodeida as a means of pressuring the Houthis to return to the negotiating table? According to Yemeni sources connected with the UN, the coalition will work to improve its position on the ground in the west, but it will calibrate its actions so as to ensure that the situation does not spiral out of control.

The UN fears that military activity in the vicinity of Hodeida will obstruct desperately needed relief. However, coalition forces may stage some operations elsewhere along the coast targeting arms supplies arriving from the sea or other locations such as Salif or Ras Isa.

Of course, much depends on developments on the ground in Mareb, where the coalition hopes to see another breakthrough in its favour. There is also the Iranian factor. The general thinking is that Tehran will use various channels of communication to try to contain the situation, if only temporarily.

Iran lost an important asset in its management of the Houthi militia in the person of the Iranian ambassador to Sanaa who died of Covid-19 last month. The battle for Mareb has not panned out as Iran had hoped, despite nearly a year of support for the Houthi military on that front. But for Iran the primary determinant of its actions is the negotiations in Vienna.

An improvement in the Iranian position there would be reflected in a containment of the escalation in Yemen and, of course, the reverse could also be the case.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 13 January, 2022 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly.

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The 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis could provide useful lessons for the West and Russia as they seek to combine diplomacy and deterrence to avoid armed conflict, writes Hussein Haridy

Before last years end, the US and Russian presidents had had their second telephone call together, which took place on 30 December.

The call between US President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin dealt with a range of questions and in particular with the face-off between the West, led by the US, and a resurgent Russia under Putin concerning the tense situation along the Russian-Ukrainian border.

With more than 100,000 Russian troops deployed on the border with Ukraine, the US administration with its NATO and Western allies has been afraid of Russias next move in the light of this unprecedented deployment of forces.

They have been talking of possible Russian aggression against Ukraine. The worst-case scenario for the US and its Western allies would be Russia going into Ukraine in a move similar to the Russian annexation of Crimea in 2014.

Prior to the conversation between the two men, Biden talked to all European leaders, according to the spokeswoman of the White House National Security Council, and officials of his administration coordinated with their counterparts in NATO, especially countries on the eastern flank of Europe and the B 9 countries of Eastern and Central Europe and the Baltic.

The US and Russia agreed in the call between the two presidents to hold strategic stability talks in Geneva on 9-10 January. US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman is to lead the US delegation and her Russian counterpart Sergei Ryabkov the Russian delegation.

These talks will be followed by a meeting of the NATO-Russia Council in Brussels on 11 January and on the following day by a meeting of the permanent council of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), of which Russia is a member.

The three meetings were scheduled amidst the mutual warnings exchanged between the West and Russia.

Biden warned Putin in their second call that the US and its allies were prepared to respond decisively if Russian troops moved into Ukraine. Similarly, Putin affirmed in December that his country was ready to resort to appropriate military-technical measures and to react harshly to hostile steps if the West and Ukraine chose to ignore Moscows red lines.

These include not deploying NATO forces in countries bordering Russia, no military exercises near these borders and not establishing US bases in the former Soviet republics, the latter referring mainly to Ukraine, of course, but also to countries in Central Asia.

In preparation for the three meetings mentioned above, NATO foreign ministers held a virtual conference on 8 January.

In a defiant declaration, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said that the alliance would not stop its expansion across Europe and that it believed that it needs to engage in dialogue with Russia... on arms control. This has to be balanced, reciprocal and verifiable in Europe, he said.

He also warned of a new armed conflict in Europe because of the Russian military buildup and what he called new demands made by Russia, referring implicitly to Moscows red lines.

Speaking last Friday after the NATO meeting, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that the US decision to go into the strategic stability talks would reconfirm our readiness to increase transparency, institute new risk-reduction measures and renew efforts to address nuclear and conventional threats to European security.

He said that the basic objective was to have a relationship with Russia that is predictable and stable so that we can cooperate when it is in our mutual interest and address our differences with an open and frank dialogue.

It is to be hoped that the three scheduled meetings with Russian officials in Geneva and Brussels this week will contribute to de-escalation and pave the way to mutual understanding between the West and Russia on respecting each others red lines.

Admitting Ukraine to NATO would be the equivalent of deploying Soviet nuclear missiles on Cuban soil in the early 1960s. Back then, the two superpowers succeeded in backing off from the brink of nuclear war.

The Cuban Missile Crisis could thus be a useful copy book from which the West and Russia could learn on how to combine diplomacy and deterrence to avoid armed conflicts, both conventional and nuclear.

Talk about European security would be more convincing and more credible if Russian strategic interests were respected and taken into consideration. In other words, European security versus Russian insecurity is a sure recipe for serious consequences for international peace and security.

Last but not least, the US administration went to great lengths to assure its European allies that Washington would not agree to measures in the US-Russian strategic talks that could be detrimental to their security after press reports had said that the US could come to an agreement with Russia on troop reductions on the eastern flank of NATO.

A senior state department official assured the Europeans on 8 January that I want to be crystal clear that [these press reports are] not accurate. We are tightly latched up with our NATO allies as we are addressing the crisis together. And I am just going to reiterate that the principle here is nothing about you without you. And thats 150 per cent true when we are talking about force structure in Europe.

The road ahead for both the US-Russian stability talks and the future of Europes security architecture, including that of Russia, calls for statesmanship on the part of the Western and the Russian leaders alike.

* The writer is former assistant foreign minister.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 13 January, 2022 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly.

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Press Release

January 11, 2022 Be wary vs online scammers, Gordon tells SSS members Re-electionist Senator Richard J. Gordon today warned Social Security System (SSS) members and their employers to take extra precaution against scammers amid the recent rise in the number of fraudulent incidents, especially during pandemic. Gordon, who chairs the Senate Committee on Government Corporations and Public Enterprises, urged SSS members and their employers alike not to disclose sensitive information with others. "We call on SSS members and employers not to divulge personal information such as their social security number, date of birth, and the like to people claiming as SSS employees," he said. "Gagamitin lang ng mga kawatan na ito ang inyong impormasyon upang makapanloko at nakawin ang inyong pinaghirapang pera. Gusto niyo ba pagsapit ng araw wala kayong pension," he added. It may be recalled that numerous incidents of fraud and theft from bank account shareholders were reported last December, many of which were lured from a fraudulent e-mail that looked legitimate in a process also known as 'phishing.'" The SSS has also warned the public against joining social media groups that claim to aiding on various online transactions for a nominal fee, despite these services being available for free. Gordon, a lawyer by profession, discouraged people from patronizing such illegal activities, for fixers are not responsible for any hitches that may arise in the performance of transactions. "Considering there is a pandemic right now, we should be more patient in the processing of our papers. Going to fixers is never the answer because you are condoning illegal activities," he pointed out. "Bureaucratic red tape was reduced thanks to the Anti-Red Tape Act, and we call on the SSS to continue providing efficient service so that people will not resort to drastic measures such as fixers," he added. Gordon is considered as a strong ally of the SSS, as he is the principal author of Republic Act (RA) 11199, or the Social Security Act of 2018. The law reconfigured the SSS Charter last set in 1997, which provided a PhP2,000 across-the-board increase in the monthly pension with corresponding adjustment to the minimum monthly pension to existing members. It also extended social security protection to overseas Filipino workers and their beneficiaries and provided unemployment benefits to eligible unemployed members. He was also author and sponsor of RA 11548, which deferred legislated increases in contributions of the SSS under RA 11999 for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Palestinian question has always been caught between a rock and a hard place: geography and demography. The first has been the source of discord and conflict from the UN partition resolution in 1947 through the Arab-Israeli wars and from the truce agreements in 1948 through the Oslo Accords and the Arab Peace Initiative. The second is about creating realities on the ground such as the forced expulsion of Palestinians from their land, the migration of Jewish settlers into that land and the ability of Palestinian populations to remain and grow in Israel and the occupied territories. In general, in its political and military drive the Arab world has focused on the first factor, as epitomised in the call for a two-state solution, which is essentially an extension of the partition resolution. They did not know how to deal with the demographic factor, as a result of which Palestine became more important than the Palestinians and Israel more important than the Israelis. For its part, Israel is the translation of Zionism into a geopolitical fact. The process is based on accepting what has been legitimised, no matter how small it seems in relation to the Zionist project, and expanding into the illegitimate using armed force, exploiting Arab and Palestinian distractions and relying on time for an ally in the creation of de facto realities to add to its negotiating power and further its expansion.

Today, after more than seven decades of the Arab-Israeli conflict and an even longer period of Palestinian-Israeli conflict, the demographics on the ground have shaped a new reality. Firstly, 13 million people currently live in the area between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean (which is to say historic Palestine), half of whom are Palestinian Arabs and the other half Israeli Jews. Secondly, there are numerous daily modes of interdependence and interaction in that area. Effectively, there is a single economic zone that straddles both sides of the Green Line. It features a single currency, a joint labour market, and closely related fiscal and customs systems. Also, as was clear once again from the meetings between Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz, the West Bank, with its three divisions (Areas A, B and C), and Israel, as defined by its 1948 boundaries, form a single security zone.

Many Palestinian observers see these demographics as a not unwelcome prelude to the establishment of a single state. Whether that state is unitary, federal or confederal, the key principles are democracy and equality. The main Palestinian condition for achieving this is to create the Palestinian state first, after which the two sides can explore other modes of government consistent with current realities. Israeli observers are worried by the demographics which, they believe, jeopardise the Zionist dream of a state in which Jews are the majority. Nevertheless, despite political developments in Israel, which have propelled society towards the far right, Israel has not dealt seriously with the demographic aspect apart from looking the other way when racist practices occur in Israeli cities with mixed Arab and Israeli populations. Many Israelis are probably aware that Jewish immigration to Israel is declining. In all events, that movement has a ceiling equivalent to the number of Jews in the world which is around 16 million, and not that many of those are prepared to emigrate to Israel. Most have been assimilated into their countries of citizenship in the West and many of those with liberal and democratic outlooks are morally averse to moving to a country that deprives its indigenous people of their residency, property and other rights.

Both sides are wary of the mutual dependency and its perceived implications. For example, Palestinians caution against the Israelisation of Palestinians who have learned Hebrew, entered the Knesset and, more recently, become government coalition partners. On the other side, Israelis worry about the Arabisation of Israel pointing to how 90 per cent of pharmacists in Tel Aviv are Palestinians or how the demand for Palestinian dentists, not to mention Palestinian labour, has grown. To Israeli extremists, such as Knesset member Ben Gvir, the solution is further settlement expansion and another Nakba, or mass expulsion of Palestinians.

Feeding the conflict between mutual dependency and the fears that prevent it from evolving into new political arrangements is the animosity fuelled, on the one hand, by four Gaza wars, the origins of which reside in the double coup the Hamas movement waged against the Oslo Accord and the Palestinian Authority, and by an Israeli right that thrives on the historical enmity with the Palestinians and, more recently, growing antisemitism in the West.

Ironically that racism in the West also includes Palestinians and Arabs, not because they are Semites but because most of them are Muslim. Paradoxically, this could give rise to constructive political interactions between the Jewish and Palestinian diasporas that would foster new forms of collaboration and interdependence in the face of racism and discrimination both abroad and in Israel and the occupied territories. The peace agreements between Arab states and Israel encourage this. Although Egyptian-Israeli and Jordanian-Israeli relations have often been described as a cold peace, the climate has grown considerably warmer due to new types of collaboration, whether in the fight against terrorism or in the framework of the Qualifying Industrial Zones (QIZs) agreements and, more recently, the Eastern Mediterranean Gas Forum. The latter has the potential to bring an additional Palestinian component into the larger regional equations favouring cooperation. Although this possibility is still out of reach because of how Hamas has wrenched Gaza from its Palestinian fold, efforts to promote a long-term truce should pave the way to many industrial and commercial collaborations.

The Abraham normalisation Accords, which primarily aim to promote commercial, industrial and technological relations between a number of Arab countries and Israel, depend inherently on mutual cooperation. What they probably needed was to bring on board Palestinians in Israel and the West Bank. But to do so would require a new way of thinking, one that would not keep the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, in its geopolitical sense, as the linchpin for approval or rejection in the negotiating process. Instead, it would take Palestinian-Israeli interdependence as the stimulus and catalyst. This would not only transform the Arab Peace Initiative into reality but also encourage the processes of reform and economic progress that are currently underway in many Arab countries seeking to promote regional stability and expand their markets.

This is not a pipe dream. It is a reading of the actual potential of a reality that fosters concrete interactions on the ground. All point to a large economic and social market that is just waiting for the right imagination and ingenuity to turn it into a political arrangement.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 13 January, 2022 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly.

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Gigantic blocks from statues of Amenhotep III in Luxor and the remains of a mining mission in Sinai were discovered this week, reports Nevine El-Aref

An Egyptian-German archaeological mission led by Hourig Sourouzian made a major new discovery at the Amenhotep III Temple on the west bank at Luxor this week during work carried out within the Colossi of Memnon and Amenhotep III Temple Conservation Project.

Sourouzian explained that the mission had uncovered a collection of huge limestone blocks belonging to a pair of gigantic limestone statues of Amenhotep III in the shape of sphinxes wearing the ancient Egyptian nemes headdress, the royal beard, and a broad collar around their necks.

Both colossal sphinxes were found half submerged in water at the rear of the gateway of the Third Pylon of the Temple and have been subject to meticulous cleaning and consolidation. One of the pieces has the end of the royal name the beloved of Amun-Re on its chest. Other pieces of the body and paws have been unearthed and removed for careful conservation.

Mustafa Waziri, secretary-general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA), announced the discovery of the blocks, three busts of the lioness god Sekhmet and the remains of walls and columns on the facade of the Peristyle Court and in the Hypostyle Hall of the temple.

The materials will be reassembled with other parts found earlier on the site and re-erected in their original locations during the site-management project.

Pieces of sandstone wall decoration depicting scenes from the Heb-sed, the jubilee festival of Amenhotep III, and offering scenes to diverse deities were also uncovered, along with a small granodiorite statue of an official seated probably with his wife and likely to be dated to the Post-Amarna Period when restoration work in this Temple was carried out.

Column bases and foundation blocks in the southern half of the Hypostyle Hall were also found showing that it was much larger than previously thought with more columns.

Sourouzian said the pair of colossal sphinxes attested to the beginning of the processional way leading from the Third Pylon of the Temple to the Peristyle Court where the Festival of the Valley was celebrated each year, as well as the jubilee festivals of the king in the last decade of his reign.

Preliminary research on these colossal sphinxes has revealed that their length was about eight metres, making them the second-largest sphinxes produced in ancient Egypt after the Great Sphinx of Giza, measuring 22 metres long, and almost equal to the alabaster sphinx at the Mit Rahina site measuring eight metres long, she said.

The blocks are undergoing restoration before they are re-erected in their original locations in the temple.

In addition to the work at the temple, the Colossi of Memnon were monitored and scanned and their surfaces thoroughly cleaned of bird droppings.

Two quartzite colossi of Amenhotep III that had previously been re-erected by the project at the gate of the Second Pylon were documented, photographed, and photo-scanned. Cleaning and desalination work was carried out and statue fragments rejoined.

At the Third Pylon, larger parts and hundreds of smaller fragments belonging to the colossi of Amenhotep III in travertine (Egyptian alabaster) were thoroughly documented, cleaned, and photo-scanned.

Spectacular rejoins were made by the conservation team, and the prospect of raising these colossi in their original setting is likely to be realised in the near future, when the water table is lowered.

The temple was the largest of all the ancient Egyptian funerary temples on the west bank and was toppled by a strong earthquake that hit the country in antiquity.

The Colossi of Memnon and Amenhotep III Temple Conservation Project has worked since 1998 under the auspices of the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities and the German Archaeological Institute in Cairo. Various new structures have been uncovered, along with many architectural remains. A monumental stela and numerous colossal statues of the king have been mounted and raised in their original places.

Sinai discovery: This weeks second discovery was made in the Wadi Al-Nasb area in Sarabit Al-Khadem in South Sinai, where there were once turquoise mines and the temple of the goddess Hathor, the lady of turquoise.

An Egyptian archaeological mission led by Mustafa Noureddin uncovered the remains of a Middle Kingdom mining mission made of sandstone that was once used to supervise the mining of copper and turquoise more than 4,000 years ago.

Waziri said that the Egyptian mission was the first to work at Wadi Al-Nasb and at the mining site overlooking the ancient well that once supplied water to the mining district and measures 225 square metres in area. The building consists of two main halls, two rooms, and a staircase leading to the roof. The floor of the building is made of sandstone slabs.

Preliminary study indicates that the premises were built during the Middle Kingdom and continued to be used during the New Kingdom and then during the Late Period with few changes in design.

Ayman Ashmawi, head of Ancient Egyptian Antiquities at the SCA, said that modifications had been made to the building over time and that it was finally used as a copper workshop. The Egyptian mission unearthed furnaces in the top layers, uncovering copper ore, four rectangular copper ingots, crucibles, and slag, which is the waste material produced in the extraction of copper.

Wadi Al-Nasb was the largest ancient Egyptian smelting site in the Sinai Peninsula, and the amount of copper slag there is estimated at 100,000 tons. The site is among the most important copper sites in the Eastern Mediterranean and the area is famous for its unique rock inscriptions from the middle and new kingdoms.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 13 January, 2022 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly.

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Jailan Halawi explores the many facets of Tunis Village in Fayoum and places where one can hear the horizon speak

We all need a place where we can let go, somewhere away from the hustle and bustle of metropolitan life with its distortions and other problems. The past couple of years have also been exceptionally stressful for everyone, with the sudden spread of the Covid-19 pandemic and the consequent losses it has left behind.

When life overwhelms you with storms and hurricanes, there is nothing better than to run to the wilderness for shelter and peace of mind. It is also the holiday season, and hence there is a need for a break and an adventure in a new place where one can find new horizons and learn new lessons about life.

It was our familys choice to visit the small village of Tunis in the Fayoum Oasis on our way to the Wadi Al-Rayan Nature Reserve. Located on a hill facing a large saltwater lake, Tunis has spectacular views of the edge of the desert on the other side of the lake. It is one of the most wonderful and unique places in Egypt that is a must-visit at least once in a lifetime.

There are many advantages in visiting Tunis as it is a place where children and adults can indulge in many activities, including a desert safari, sand boarding, swimming in the magnificent Lake Qaroun, or simply enjoy a relaxing sail-boat trip while watching a spectacular sunset.

The village is a great opportunity for children to learn about new places and different lifestyles away from the city, as well as for adults to experience a different place to the more popular break-away destinations of Luxor, Aswan, or the Red Sea resorts.

All this can be done on a low budget, which adds to the attraction of the village, since many households incomes have been significantly affected by the pandemic that has left many people either suffering from a reduced salary or even lay-offs.

The village was for decades a community of farmers and fishermen on the southern shores of Lake Qaroun. It was not until the 1980s when Swiss potter Evelyn Porret visited the village and decided to live and work there that the village witnessed a radical change. Porret opened her first pottery school and taught the locals the secrets of a new craft that helped them better their incomes and hence their quality of life. The village then became more attractive to entrepreneurs, artists, and writers, who started to go there for inspiration.

I have always wanted to go to Tunis and enjoy the heritage of a place so rich with positive energy, simplicity, art, palatable food, fresh air, nature at its best, and most important of all, local people who will always exceed your expectations, hands down.

The trip would also be the first of its kind for our children to experience a different taste of travel, that of the Egyptian countryside with all that this entails. It would be my first time in Tunis despite my visiting Fayoum a couple of times in the late 1990s to cover various stories about the governorate. I was very excited to finally be visiting a place I had so longed to see.

HITTING THE ROAD: Our journey began in the early hours of Friday morning, so we stopped by a small falafel shop in Remaya Street to grab our fuul and taameya sandwiches for breakfast, the official Friday breakfast in most Egyptian homes.

In khelis al-fuul, ana mesh mesoul, or I am not responsible if the fuul runs out, is the falafel shops motto, stated on a big side sign at the entrance. On such a humorous note we enjoyed our breakfast and were all ready to hit the road.

The more we drove away from the capital, the more serene the passing scene became. Despite the modesty of the streets, the greenery on both sides of the road provided a peaceful sense in the air. After driving for almost an hour and a half, we were greeted by a modest sign saying welcome to Tunis Village.

Driving through the narrow winding streets we reached our longed for ecolodge called Zad Al-Musafir, or Travellers Luggage.

Booking was simple: call, make a reservation, and no down payment. Nothing is needed  just pack your bags and drop by. The moment you step foot in the place, you will feel humbled by its simplicity and by the people whose genuine smiles will last in your memory forever.

The reception is a small room surrounded by a moderately sized garden. We were immediately given the key to our four-bed room called suite 11. The ecolodge has traditionally decorated rooms with stone floors, mudbrick walls, and colourful rugs and a closet made of straw. The rooms are bright and well ventilated, thanks to their many windows.

On checking in, Omar, the multi-tasking, multi-talented young man at the ecolodge, explained that should we need any housekeeping services Um Talal would help us during our weekend stay.

In her early 40s, Um Talal is a sweet-natured villager from Tunis and the mother of five boys who all help guests at the ecolodge. Um Talals family is always ready to do any chores for the guests and help them with anything they might need. They are available from eight in the morning and leave at dusk.

Food is served at the Al-Mendada restaurant, which literally means The Table. The menu offers traditional Egyptian country food, and Al-Mendada is the best place to treat your palates with unforgettable tastes. Any order takes approximately an hour or so to prepare, or you can order and choose what time you would like to be served.

There is an indoor swimming pool and a couple of swings in the garden surrounding the rooms where you can chill and enjoy the singing of the birds, swing, or read a book.

INSPIRATIONAL LAKE: Our adventure began with a five-minute walk to Lake Qaroun to enjoy a sailing boat and liberate ourselves from the stress of the city. Other people chose to reach the lake on horseback.

Lake Qaroun is the third-largest lake in Egypt and the second most famous after Lake Nasser in Upper Egypt. It is one of Egypts most treasured natural landmarks.

It lies some 45 m below sea level and occupies the lowest northern section of the Fayoum depression. People in Fayoum believe that if one has not visited the lake, then one has not visited Fayoum. The lake is rich in both natural and archaeological resources. It also plays host to thousands of migrant birds fleeing the cold of Europe.

The lake can also be considered to be a wetland of international importance because of the presence of the water birds. In 1989, it was declared a nature reserve.

By the lake were a handful of camels ready to give entertaining rides, a grilled sweet potato vendor, and a tent serving Bedouin tea. To reach our boat we had to walk on a narrow walkway made of clay and covered with cement sacking. We were greeted by our sailor, Haggag, and his assistant Mahmoud, who told us very interesting stories about the lake and its importance.

After half an hour of a spectacular boat trip, we went back to the shore and enjoyed the last moments of dusk watching the birds and sipping Bedouin tea.

We went back to our haven, feasted on a palate-pleasing dinner of fish, stuffed pigeons, and the standard vegetable plates Al-Mendada serves with each lunch and dinner plus soup and salad.

With all this done, it was eight in the evening. We went for a walk, and then the kids enjoyed some grilled marshmallows by the bonfire made by Hassan, the ecolodges night guard. By 10pm, we were in bed looking forward to the coming dawn and a day on which a desert safari was planned.

ENCHANTED BY DUNES: We woke up shortly after sunrise to the humming of birds, the beauty of nature, and a super delicious breakfast of fiteer, or Egyptian pancakes, cheese, molasses, and honey.

Our plan was a desert safari to the famous Wadi Al-Rayan Nature Reserve. All was set for our adventure to begin. Our guide, Sayed, had his Landcruiser all set and ready for a super exciting day in the desert.

Our first stop was the Wadi Al-Hitan, or Valley of the Whales, grocery shop to grab some snacks, juice, and water for a safari due to last for almost eight hours. Haj Gomaa Zaqzouq from the southern Sohag governorate was very pleased to see us. He explained that his trade and that of many people in the small village had been badly affected by the two-year pandemic. He invited people to come to visit what he described as the most peaceful and refreshing countryside.

The road to Wadi Al-Rayan is narrow and flanked by greenery on both sides. Once you reach the mesmerising reserve, the openness of the desert, the freshness of the air, the enchanting lakes, and the silence of the dunes reflect an incomparable and breathtaking state of nature unfolding its secrets and its beauty.

As impressed as we were, Sayed started explaining that the reserve consists of seven parts: the upper and lower lakes, the Al-Rayan Springs, the Al-Rayan Falls, the Al-Rayan Mountain, the Al-Medawara Mountain, and the Wadi Al-Hitan. These spectacular areas are rich in inspiring landscapes such as oases, mountains, rock formations and waterfalls, Sayed explained.

The reserve is also host to wildlife including the Egyptian gazelle, sand foxes, and fennec foxes, as well as rare species of resident and migrant birds. Different kinds of falcons and eagles can also be seen, he added.

Our tour started by the lower lake at the Al-Medawara Mountain, which Sayed explained was where the Syrian singer Asala Nasri had filmed her Bint Akabir video clip in 2019. He pointed to an island by the lake, saying it was where in the late 1990s pop singer Ehab Tawfik had filmed his hit song Tetraga Feya, or Begging. The lake is very romantic and is usually visited by lovers who take pictures and enjoy the beauty of the surroundings, Sayed said.

The Al-Rayan Falls was our next stop. We took a quick tour and bought some Bedouin scarves, and then our guide advised us that we should head directly to the Wadi Al-Hitan as it closed shortly after noon unlike the rest of the reserve.

As mesmerised as we were, we could only follow our guides instructions for he had so far captivated our attention with so much beauty and excitement. Between each tour, Sayed made sure to keep up the thrill by driving us up and down the dunes for an adrenaline rush.

VALLEY OF THE WHALES: Reaching Wadi Al-Hitan, we took a brief rest at its only cafeteria for a cup of tea and a quick snack.

There is an entry fee for the valleys museum if you wish to take a tour; otherwise, you can just walk along a 3 km track and look at the fossils displayed on both sides of the valley.

We chose to take the full tour starting with the museum, which had a ten-minute documentary prior to the tour.

The documentary explained why the valley is the most important site in the world for showing the evolution of whales as an ocean-going mammal from their previous life as a land-based animal. The site is unique due to the number, concentration, quality and accessibility of the evidence of the earliest whales, the complete skeletons, and the record of the environment in which they lived, explained the museum guide.

Our children were beyond delighted with the new lessons that nature was unfolding to them with each step they took in the reserve. They were genuinely proud of their heritage and realised the abundance that nature has to offer.

Done with the museum, we walked half way along the track with an overwhelming feeling of excitement to be trekking on what was once a sea where whales and sharks lived.

Back in our four by four, we could tell from the smile on Sayeds face that he had plans for more off-roading. Are you ready for some fun, he asked in the assertive tone of someone who by now had gained our trust as the master of the desert.

With equal excitement, my 11-year-old son decided to sit in the front seat and not miss a moment of fun. I want you to have a fearless heart and enjoy the ride, Sayed said. He took us up and down and round and round with our screams of super excitement accompanying him, and just as it felt as if we were going to fall down a steep hill, Sayed pulled on the brakes and we found ourselves bedazzled by a superb view of the surrounding panorama.

There was a relaxing view of a small lake and sand dunes where one could enjoy a bit of sand-boarding or chill and watch the flocks of migrating birds.

Of course, I chose to chill while my eight-year-old daughter and 11-year-old son kept rolling up and down the sand dunes until they had mastered the game.

There is nowhere to watch the sunset and wrap up such a fantastic journey like the magic lake. Surrounded by sand dunes, this is one of the most spectacular lakes in Egypt and an embodiment of beauty. The lake contains minerals that help treat patients with rheumatism. When the weather is warmer, one can take a dip. But, since it was winter time, we chose to enjoy the magical view of the sunset, sipping on Bedouin tea while the children had a lovely time horseback riding.

Our desert safari came to end, but we plan a second visit soon to camp by the lake where we can spend a night of stargazing.

THE FEAST: Back to our colourful ecolodge, our chef, Omayma, had prepared a splendid table of various delights.

We had roasted duck, oven-baked lamb with oriental rice, stuffed vegetables, molokheya, soup, salad and pickled aubergines, followed by a huge pot of green mint tea with cloves. We enjoyed our tea in the garden watching some yogis perform their night rituals before going to bed. Of course, we wished to join them, but that would have been impossible after the feast we had just devoured.

The weekend was over and it was time to go, but that would also have been impossible without taking a walk in the narrow streets of the village, inspecting its artistically decorated houses and pottery workshops. You are sure to get the best pottery crafts at the best prices and meet the friendly villagers if you do so, and they will most probably ask to take a picture with you.

It was such a fantastic experience for the whole family, and it reminded us to expand our perceptions of what we are looking at and to remember that beauty lies in the simplest of natures forms. No matter how stressful life in the city may be, we can always run to the serenity and peace of the countryside for solace.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 13 January, 2022 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly.

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The Mothers to Be Project in Alexandria is helping prospective mothers understand more about healthcare and other issues they face

Being a good mother might come naturally, but it might also come with challenges, disappointments and worries if things are not going well. Motherhood is something we all face, but with the many challenges in our lives nowadays, being a good mother is no longer an easy job.

It has never been an easy job being a mother, as it must come with knowledge, education and interpersonal and intrapersonal skills that encompass concepts and life experiences such as maternity, breastfeeding, healthcare, personal hygiene, breast cancer awareness, sex education and so on, commented Nassamat Labib, founder of the Mothers to Be Project and head of the Maternal and Childhood Committee in Alexandria.

We need to prepare the mothers of the future. When you help to prepare a woman who is well aware of lifes issues and of her rights, duties and responsibilities and who is knowledgeable enough to look after herself, to make a home for her husband, and to raise well-behaved children, you are helping to raise a healthy and happy family, Labib said.

Without a good mother, you cannot have a healthy and happy family, she added.

Mothers to Be is a collaborative project established by the Maternal and Childhood Committee at Rotary Egypt with the Faculty of Education for Early Childhood at Alexandria University and the African Centre for Womens Healthcare Services.

In the past, we used to have important lessons at school like sewing, cooking, knitting and how to be a wife, how to be a mother, and the stages of pregnancy. Our mothers also used to teach us a lot about family issues, said Rania Youssef, co-founder and member of the Maternal and Childhood Committee.

Youssef gives seminars about personal hygiene and other issues to would-be mothers. She has been surprised by the number of questions from students who have asked her about basic hygiene. Homes and school used to give girls education about their future married lives. But today, it seems that they are not giving them knowledge about anything before or after marriage. Girls and boys are sometimes brought up in ignorance about everything related to their sex and married lives, Youssef said.

In order to remedy such problems, the project gives three-month intensive lectures to female college students. This year has been met with much success among both the trainees and the trainers. It gives the students skills that can equip them for the future. We try to make the girls conscious about issues like the importance of breastfeeding, family planning, violence against women and how to report it, breast-cancer prevention and other topics which we are keen to present to them, said Hoda Beshir, dean of the Faculty of Education for Early Childhood in Alexandria.

She added that the project is keen to give students what they need for the future, like for example self-assertiveness and an awareness of the challenges of motherhood, a babys needs, childrens different growth stages, and relationships with her husband and other family members.

We choose these students because they can act as trainers of others after they have received their own training. They will benefit themselves and then spread the word among their colleagues, their communities and their young ones, Beshir added.

The collaborative project has also allowed the co-founders to bring the best professionals to Alexandria to take part, including many distinguished doctors and professionals. They were keen to prepare their lectures with colourful and engaging displays as well as videos, surveys, discussion panels and questions.

This year has been better than last years online lectures because we are face to face. We have touched the students desire for knowledge and for knowing more. The lectures saw questions and discussion and even lasted longer than they were supposed to, said Hani Fikri, a consultant in pediatrics and a member of the American Pediatrics Society.

It is my second time to be involved in this project. My first session was about Covid-19 and its prevention, and this year it is about how to treat fevers in children. The project overall is amazing, and I can see from the students that they are benefitting a lot, Fikri said.

He said he had tackled the different types of fever and how to detect childrens feverish symptoms. There are many misconceptions relating to how to treat childrens fevers, sometimes taken from old Egyptian films in which a protagonist might take a baby to hospital in the middle of the night. Even if the babys temperature rises to 41 degrees C, there is no need to panic. It is better to put him in light clothes and give him as much fluid as possible, he added.

The students who attended the seminars this year belonged to the special education department of the Faculty of Early Education, which specialises in treating children with special needs. It strives to give quality education through improved facilities and improving the mothers treatment of her children.

Merna Waleed was one of the attendees who was keen to attend most of the seminars and lectures even though she had to travel a long distance to do so. I did not know that we can shock children when exposing them to a low-temperature bath in an attempt to decrease their temperature, for example, Waleed said.

Awareness of breast cancer was also important. People in my community regard women or girls who check for breast cancer or any womens issues as stigmatised in some way, she added. As she never thought of checking herself before due to the closed community she lives in, she now encourages women in her community to check for signs of breast cancer, vaginal cancer, ovarian endometrioma and many other illnesses.

Sometimes, girls do not know much about married life, and we still see many taboos in villages such as forbidding girls to go to gynaecologists before marriage, Waleed said.

The African Centre for Womens Health Services is working on improving healthcare services for women in Egypt, often in relation to such issues. We want to see girls enjoy a healthy infancy with no gender gap in morbidity and mortality. We want them to lead a healthy lifestyle free from violence and female genital mutilation, said Amira Tahio, a maternal and child health consultant and former director of the centre.

They should address fertility by choice, not by chance, and lead a healthy reproductive life with safe outcomes for mothers and babies, she added.

Tahio has been keen to address the top womens health problems in Egypt. These include early marriage, unwanted pregnancies, repeated abortions, unmet family planning needs, malnutrition, particularly anaemia, the silent killer, as a result of repeated pregnancies with short intervals, post-partum hemorrhage, and others.

Mariam Ahmed, an attendee at the seminars, was happy to attend Hanaa Abu Qassems natural childbirth lecture, which all the girls benefitted a lot from. I realised from a simple ice-breaking quiz that we were all ignorant about such issues, she said.

When the gynaecologist asked us to choose an emoticon when we heard the word pregnancy, I chose one expressing sadness and fear. By the end of the session, most of us had changed our emoticon to one expressing happiness at the prospect of being a mother. My vision was completely different, she said.

We would love to see these seminars available to every girl and mother-to-be throughout the year so that many more girls can benefit.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 13 January, 2022 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly.

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American University in Cairo

Al-Sheikh Rihan St, off Tahrir Square, Tahrir Campus, Tel 02 2615 2694/01280009077

Tues 18, 6.30-8.30pm (GMT+2): The Nadia Younes Memorial Lecture has, over the years, hosted a broad range of speakers from the world of global affairs. This years guest speaker is Khaled El-Enany, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities. The ethos of the lecture series is to provide a global perspective on issues affecting Egypt and the Middle East and to provide prescriptive solutions to these problems.

You can attend the lecture in person or watch the livestream on https://e.cglink.me/2kZ/r300062744

Diwan Bookstore

159, 26th of July St, Zamalek, Tel 01222 40 7084

Fri 13, 2pm: Storytelling and workshop event on Hekayat Gedo Haamu Fi Askandria (Tales of Grandpa Haamu in Alexandria) children's book. It introduces the writer German author Kristin Jankowski with storyteller Ahmed Agami. The book is illustrated by Lamya Sharaby and translated by Reem Shamel. It tells the fantastic story of Haamu and his four animal friends who are making an amazing trip in Alexandria. In his yellow taxi, Haamu introduces Donkey Donkey, Lilly Llama, Gigi Giraffe and Hany Hippo to Egyptian history, architecture and culture, together they experience the meaning of a deep friendship. Visual artist Abdel-Rahman Karim and his assistant Mirette Azmy will make the characters of the book come alive during an amazing workshop for children. With the help of clay and colours, kids will learn how to analyze objects and how to transform them into geometrical shapes. Children can also take a photo with Haamu in his taxi!

(Book the spot for your children as soon as possible. Seats are limited).

Heliopolis Library

42 Al-Oroba St, off Beirut St, Misr Al-Gedida, Tel 011 42464426

Mon 17, 5.30pm (open to the public): Climate Change between Aspiration and Enforcement, a lecture delivered by Rasha Awad at the Egyptian Cabinet Information and Decision Support Centre.

Thurs 20, 5.30pm (open to the public): The Electronic Bill System and its Benefits, a lecture by Mustafa Abdel-Qader, the former Head of the Tax Authority.

Italian Cultural Institute

Italy celebrated the 700th anniversary of the passing of Dante Alighieri in 2021. The Italian Institute continues to post videos in Arabic with translations from Dante Alighieris masterpiece The Divine Comedy to bring the Arab-speaking public closer to the work of the supreme poet. Videos are directed by Giabluca Barbadori, with the special participation of Ashraf Farouk, Amir Salaheddin, Sherine Hegazy, and Sara El-Mokadem.

The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC)

El-Fustat Road, Ein El-Sira, Cairo, opening hours Saturdays to Thursdays 9am-5pm, Fridays 9am-5pm & 6-9pm, Tel 02 2741 2273

Sun 16, 6-8pm: The Role of Art in Promoting Sustainable Development is the first roundtable of The World Art Forum, the first edition of the largest international contemporary art event that adopts the sustainable development goals (SDGs) at the core of their mission.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 13 January, 2022 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly.

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Many places in central China's Hubei Province welcome their first snowfall of this year, January 9, 2022. The snow has created beautiful scenery, attracting many photographers to capture the spectacular views. [Photo: CNSPHOTO]

Many places in central China's Hubei Province welcome their first snowfall of this year, January 9, 2022. The snow has created beautiful scenery, attracting many photographers to capture the spectacular views. [Photo: CNSPHOTO]

Many places in central China's Hubei Province welcome their first snowfall of this year, January 9, 2022. The snow has created beautiful scenery, attracting many photographers to capture the spectacular views. [Photo: CNSPHOTO]

Many places in central China's Hubei Province welcome their first snowfall of this year, January 9, 2022. The snow has created beautiful scenery, attracting many photographers to capture the spectacular views. [Photo: CNSPHOTO]
KYODO NEWS - Jan 11, 2022 - 14:34 | All, Japan

Mizuho Bank apologized Tuesday after its business customers experienced trouble using its online banking services in the morning, in yet another system failure to hit the major Japanese bank.

Clients had problems when attempting to log in to their online accounts for more than three hours through around 11:30 a.m. and were asked to make transactions using an ATM or over the counter.

Mizuho suffered a total of nine incidents between February and December last year, including the shutdown of about 80 percent of its ATMs, and received business improvement orders from the Financial Services Agency in September and November.

One of the country's three megabanks is expected to announce next Monday a set of measures to prevent a recurrence.

Its parent Mizuho Financial Group Inc. is set to decide next Monday that Masahiro Kihara, its senior executive officer, will succeed Tatsufumi Sakai as president in April, company sources said.

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3 top execs at Mizuho Bank group to resign next spring over system failures
KYODO NEWS - Jan 11, 2022 - 14:56 | All, Coronavirus, Japan

Requests by companies for their staff to get COVID-19 vaccinations could become a serious concern when Japan looks to push ahead with third doses to address increasing cases of the Omicron variant, with some companies pressuring even hesitant employees to get shots, lawyers say.

Japan's sluggish start to its vaccination program picked up pace from early last summer through inoculation drives at workplaces and large-scale centers while the government started booster shots in early December.

Companies, however, must give careful advice to avoid possible "vaccine harassment," despite feeling a sense of responsibility for their employees' health or clients who may only want to do business with vaccinated people, said Shinobu Yanagita, a lawyer with expertise in workplace harassment.

"It could be considered harassment if someone was urged (to get vaccinated) with pressure or persuaded based on inaccurate information," she said.

Unlike some firms abroad, companies in Japan have not imposed requirements that their employees get COVID vaccinations, and doing so could violate rules on preventing workplace harassment under a law that came into force for major companies last June. The rules will take effect for small- and medium-sized companies from April.

But some firms have nevertheless exerted moral pressure on employees to take COVID vaccines.

A woman at a Tokyo-based company said that she received an email from the company's president calling for getting vaccinated to prevent the virus from spreading in the workplace.

"If someone within the company becomes infected, it will create extra work for us, which will lead to a loss," the email read. "No one has valid medical reasons for not receiving shots in this company."

The woman had decided to get vaccinated even before she received the email as she thought it could help keep her family members from becoming infected. But still, she felt uncomfortable because she was unsure whether the mail was sent to all employees or only those who had not yet been vaccinated.

"She told us it was hard for her to go to work because she felt pressured (to get vaccinated). I wish (the company) would have considered how subordinates may feel when they receive such a message," a family member of the woman said.

Yanagita said the woman's case probably constitutes harassment because the message implies the potential for disadvantageous treatment.

"It is also problematic as the company labels vaccine rejection as a selfish act by those who do not care about damage to the company," she said, adding it would create peer pressure to receive shots.

At some companies outside Japan, people have lost their jobs for refusing to be vaccinated. In early December, New York City required private-sector workers to be vaccinated, becoming the first U.S. city to announce a blanket mandate for COVID-19 shots.

A number of people sought support and advice from the Justice Ministry's human rights consultation services in 2021 over vaccination. Among the consultation cases, some reported being told they would be transferred unless they were vaccinated, while one company clearly forced vaccinations, according to a ministry official.

The labor ministry also offers consultation services, but it is limited in what it can do as most who seek assistance are reluctant to give details for fear of being identified by their companies.

When the Japan Federation of Bar Associations provided consultation services for a combined four days in May and October in 2021, the association received about 300 calls about vaccinations.

"Serious labor problems are arising, including dismissals of unvaccinated workers," said Shiro Kawakami, the head of the associations' human rights protection committee.

Kawakami said companies also face a challenging situation, looking for advice on matters such as how to respond to their clients' demand for disclosure of vaccination status of their employees and whether it would be discriminatory to ask job seekers about their vaccination status during interviews.
KYODO NEWS - Jan 11, 2022 - 23:05 | All, Japan, World

Japan's Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi on Tuesday praised the positive results stemming from Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen's recent visit to junta-ruled Myanmar, amid efforts to find a breakthrough in the political turmoil following last year's military coup there, the Japanese government said.

During phone talks with his Cambodian counterpart Prak Sokhonn, Hayashi said the visit has led to an announcement of an extended cease-fire between the junta and ethnic minority groups, and made progress in humanitarian assistance, according to the Japanese Foreign Ministry.

Hun Sen met Myanmar's junta chief Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing last Friday, becoming the first foreign leader to visit the country since the military seized power in February 2021 and ousted the democratically elected government of civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

In a joint statement issued afterward, Min Aung Hlaing said he extended a cease-fire with all armed ethnic minority groups in Myanmar, originally set to expire at the end of February, through the year-end.

Hayashi also expressed concern over the ongoing violence in Myanmar and agreed with Prak Sokhonn to closely cooperate in resolving the crisis in the Southeast Asian nation, the ministry said.

For this year, Cambodia holds the rotating chair of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations that also includes Brunei, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

Later in the day, Hayashi also held talks by phone with Lao Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith, with the two vowing to work together on the Myanmar issue, according to the ministry.

Related coverage:

Myanmar military chief to assure ASEAN envoy he can meet all parties
KYODO NEWS - Jan 12, 2022 - 13:16 | World, All

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un watched the successful test-firing of a hypersonic missile that hit a target in waters 1,000 kilometers away, state-run media reported Wednesday, a day after Japan and South Korea said Pyongyang had launched a suspected ballistic missile.

The official Korean Central News Agency did not specify how fast the projectile traveled, but Japan and South Korea said Tuesday it flew at 10 times the speed of sound.

It was the first time since March 2020 that Kim was reported to have watched a missile launch and Tuesday's test was North Korea's second missile launch in less than a week, after he pledged to strengthen the nation's defenses at a meeting of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea held late last year.

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North Korea confirms testing of newly developed hypersonic missile

The hard-to-intercept missile developed by North Korea, which is banned from firing ballistic missiles under U.N. Security Council resolutions, could be capable of reaching Japan, a close security ally of the United States.

The latest test-firing was "aimed at the final verification of overall technical specifications of the developed hypersonic weapon system," KCNA said, adding Kim "appreciated the practical achievements" made by those involved in research related to the missile.

"The hypersonic glide vehicle made glide jump flight from 600 km area before making a 240 km corkscrew maneuvering from the initial launch azimuth to the target azimuth," the news agency said.

A hypersonic missile is designed to travel at more than five times the speed of sound. Given that it is difficult for existing missile defense systems to intercept such projectiles, North Korea's acquisition of hypersonic missile capabilities would raise regional security concerns.

Kim was quoted by KCNA as saying Tuesday's test-firing of the missile "brought a great success in the field of developing hypersonic weapon which is of the most important strategic significance."

The Rodong Sinmun, the mouthpiece of the ruling party, on Wednesday ran a photo of a missile in the sky.

At the first congress of the ruling party in five years in January 2021, North Korea promised to introduce a "hypersonic gliding flight warhead." Tokyo and Seoul have been wary of the possibility of Pyongyang mounting a nuclear warhead on a hypersonic missile.

Japan and South Korea have expressed regret over the North's test-firings of missiles, while the United States has said it will consult closely with allies and partners over the situation on the Korean Peninsula.

Japanese Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi on Wednesday told reporters that Pyongyang had fired one ballistic missile eastward from inland, but its trajectory was possibly irregular as it also likely flew "horizontally northward."

"If the trajectory was normal, the missile could have traveled less than 700 km, but its travel distance might actually have been longer," said Kishi, adding the government is continuing to analyze the launch and has lodged a protest with North Korea through a diplomatic channel.

China, however, has urged countries not to overreact to North Korea's missile launches, as Pyongyang's most influential economic and security ally is keen to successfully host the Beijing Winter Olympics, slated to start Feb. 4.

"Further research and assessment is needed to identify the nature of the projectile. All sides should avoid jumping to conclusions or overacting," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin told reporters in Beijing on Tuesday.

North Korea test-fired a new type of submarine-launched ballistic missile in October 2021.

Pyongyang also test-fired two short-range ballistic missiles from a rail-based system in mid-September last year and launched what its state-run media said was a newly developed hypersonic missile later the same month.

Pundits say North Korea will continue to develop missiles and weapons unless the United States provides security guarantees for Kim's rule, but negotiations between Pyongyang and Washington over denuclearization have been stalled for more than two years.

North Korea and the United States remain technically in a state of war as the 1950-1953 Korean War -- in which U.S.-led U.N. forces fought alongside the South against the North backed by China and the Soviet Union -- ended in a cease-fire, not a peace treaty.

Pyongyang has no diplomatic relations with Washington, Seoul or Tokyo.
Press Release

January 11, 2022 Gordon alarmed over rise of credit card fraud during pandemic Re-electionist Senator Richard J. Gordon today urged Congress leaders to expedite the passage of a counterpart measure mandating SIM card registration in the wake of reports that credit card fraud rose by 21 percent during the pandemic. Gordon, who chairs the Senate Committee on Government Corporations and Public Entreprises, said the measure has become even more urgent during this pandemic where people are struggling to make both ends meet. "We call on our colleagues in Congress to act on this measure as there has been a sharp rise in fraud caused by SIM card swap schemes, committed by new-age criminals who are out to milk innocent customers," he said. "Ang digital infrastructure ay dapat na magsilbing landas patungo sa isang ligtas at mabilis na lipunan, maging mabisang uri ng hanapbuhay. Ito ay dapat maging benepisyo sa mga masunuring mamamayan, at hindi sa mga kawatan," he added. The Credit Card Association of the Philippines (CCAP), an organization of 18 major credit card firms, wrote to the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) and telecom firms Smart and Globe after SIM card swap-related cases rose by 21 percent during pandemic. The CCAP relayed that criminals resorted primarily to the "virtual account take over" scam where hackers gain access to the credit card owner's mobile number, allowing them to intercept the one-time password (OTP) needed to authorize online transactions. It called on the NTC and the two major telecommunication players to immediately address the issue as the continued commission of crime affect customers' trust with banks and the telecom companies themselves. Gordon, who first filed the bill in 2007, said the passage of Senate Bill (SB) 2395, or the proposed SIM Card Registration Act, will allow authorities to zero in on fraudsters and their numbers through the mandatory registration of SIM card numbers. "Once there is a law that mandates telecom companies to screen and record every SIM card owner's pertinent details, we can make sure that the syndicates behind the online credit card fraud will be held responsible," he pointed out. "Unauthorized SIM swaps like this is another crime that authorities should also be able to look at seriously. We call on the NBI and PNP Cybercrime divisions to investigate and track down these criminals," he added. The Senate has submitted a consolidated report of the bill requiring several government agencies to formulate the necessary guidelines in the proper implementation of the SIM card registration process. Failure or refusal of the owner to register their SIM card will result in denial of sale by retailer or loss of load credits after 30 days.
KYODO NEWS - Jan 11, 2022 - 18:05 | All, World, Japan

South Korean President Moon Jae In expressed concern over the series of missile launches by North Korea ahead of South Korea's presidential election in March, including a suspected ballistic missile fired Tuesday morning, according to his spokeswoman.

Meanwhile, senior South Korean and Japanese diplomats held phone talks over the latest missile launch and agreed to continue close communication regarding North Korea, according to the South Korean Foreign Ministry.

Related coverage:

North Korea conducts 2nd missile test in less than a week
KYODO NEWS - Jan 11, 2022 - 20:41 | All, Japan, Coronavirus

The Japanese government will further extend an entry ban on non-resident foreigners until the end of February, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Tuesday.

The ban has been in place since Nov. 30, after the country confirmed its first case of the highly transmissible Omicron variant of the coronavirus.

"The infection situations regarding Omicron are clearly different at home from abroad, so the framework (of the current border controls) will be maintained until the end of February," Kishida told reporters.

The government introduced the measures initially for about a month, barring entries by non-resident foreigners and requiring returning Japanese nationals and foreign residents to quarantine in government-designated facilities.

It has also put a cap on the number of those arriving in Japan at around 3,500 a day.

Among tourism, travel and retail businesses, some are strongly advocating for a good balance between border enforcement measures and the promotion of economic activities.

"We long for practical antivirus measures as well as the promotion of social and economic activities at the same time," said Shinya Katanozaka, president of ANA Holdings Inc., in a statement released amid a drastic reduction of international flights.

Meanwhile, others were resigned to the current situation where inbound tourism has been devastated by the ongoing pandemic for nearly two years.

"We hope (inbound tourists) will come back as soon as possible, but we cannot forecast the timing at all," said a public relations official of a major travel firm.

Prior to the outbreak of coronavirus infections, department stores in Japan had enjoyed large crowds of shoppers from overseas driven by the Lunar New Year holidays in January and February.

Currently, those department stores have shifted their focus to domestic shoppers to weather tough times.

"We believe the continuation of tighter border controls will not further affect our business," said an official of Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings Ltd., the operator of 50 stores in Japan and overseas, while expressing concern some people may refrain from visiting the stores due to a resurgence of infections.

Japan has also banned the re-entry of foreign residents in the country who have been to 11 nations, including South Africa, within 14 days, but it will lift the restriction out of "humanitarian considerations," Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno told a press briefing.

After the current strict border restrictions were introduced in late November, Kishida said they would be extended "for the time being" past early January.

Kishida recently told a Fuji TV program that the government would decide whether to continue with the current border controls after the three-day weekend that ended Monday.
KYODO NEWS - Jan 11, 2022 - 23:24 | All, Japan, Coronavirus

Japan plans to expand the scope of COVID-19 inoculation to children under the age of 12, possibly in March, to cope with another wave of infections amid the rapid spread of the coronavirus Omicron variant, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and other officials said Tuesday.

The government will reopen mass vaccination centers run by the Self-Defense Forces in Tokyo and Osaka in February at the earliest to administer third shots, Defense Ministry officials said.

By reopening the centers, which were set up in the two cities last year and administered a combined 1.96 million shots to those aged 16 or older, the government aims to give third shots to senior citizens at a faster pace and begin the booster program for others in March, earlier than previously planned, Kishida told reporters.

The government will use 18 million additional doses of U.S. biotechnology firm Moderna Inc.'s COVID-19 vaccine that it has agreed to procure.

Japan's health ministry gave fast-track approval last month to use Moderna's vaccine as a booster shot after giving the green light in November to administer Pfizer Inc.'s COVID-19 vaccine for the same use.

Pfizer has also applied to Japan's Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare for approval of its vaccine, targeting younger people aged 5 to 11.

As for inoculating children under 12 years old, the government will proceed with the necessary approval steps to administer it to those who wish to receive the shots.

"Many young people and children have contracted the Omicron variant. I recommend that youth aged 12 or older who have yet to get vaccinated do so," Kishida said, referring to an analysis that finds there is a high chance of older people developing severe symptoms if the highly contagious variant spreads rapidly.

In the southern island prefecture of Okinawa, where infections have been surging, children and youth up to age 19 accounted for more than 20 percent of the total new COVID-19 cases reported on Monday.

In the United States, where hospitalizations of people aged 17 or younger have been rapidly increasing, the government decided to lower the target age for booster shots to children aged 12 or older from the initial target age of 16.

The vaccination steps, announced along with plans to further extend an entry ban on nonresident foreigners until the end of February, are part of government efforts to strengthen countermeasures against the highly transmissible Omicron variant.

Only about 870,000 people, or 0.7 percent of Japan's population, have received a third vaccine dose as of Tuesday. At present, medical workers and the elderly are eligible for the booster.

As for school entrance exams to be held ahead of the new academic year in April, Kishida called for securing examinees' opportunities to take tests.

"I would like to seek flexible responses, such as allowing enrollment after April," he said. Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said entrance after April would be allowed only at universities and other higher education institutions.

Kishida also said some 16,000 medical institutions in Japan can respond to coronavirus patients who recuperate at home or in accommodation facilities, saying the figure is "30 percent higher" than the government's plan.

He said the government will consider applying revisions to criteria for hospitalization for people infected with the Omicron variant to secure hospital beds.

The nationwide tally of COVID-19 infections topped 6,300 Tuesday, up more than fivefold from a week earlier.

The figure follows a four-month high of over 8,400 on Saturday, which marked an increase of over 10 times from the previous week.

On Sunday, quasi-emergency measures took effect in three Japanese prefectures hosting or neighboring U.S. military bases in response to surging infections that their governors say stem from the spread of the Omicron variant at U.S. facilities.

The government will dispatch 10 SDF nurses to health care facilities in Okinawa, one of the three prefectures, through next Monday, the Defense Ministry said, following a request by Okinawa Gov. Denny Tamaki.

Medical facilities in Okinawa have been affected by a staff shortage as many are forced to miss work due to infection or coming into close contact with those infected amid a surge in COVID-19 cases in the prefecture.
KYODO NEWS - Jan 11, 2022 - 16:24 | Arts, All, Japan

Iwanami Hall, a Tokyo theater famous for screening art films from around the world, said Tuesday it will shut down on July 29, ending its nearly half-century run as a cinema due to the fallout of the coronavirus pandemic.

The venue, which can accommodate about 200 people, opened in 1968 as a cultural hall and began screening movies in 1974. It is widely considered a pioneer in small theaters showing independent films in Japan.

Iwanami Hall has mainly shown literary works as well as documentaries with social and ideological themes, attracting movie lovers in Tokyo and beyond.

Among the films screened at the theater are "The Travelling Players," directed by Theodoros Angelopoulos of Greece and "The Whales of August" by Britain's Lindsay Anderson.

The late Etsuko Takano, the first general manager of the hall, introduced foreign cinematic masterpieces to Japan, screening such titles as "Man of Marble" of Poland and "Pather Panchali" of India at the movie house.

Takano, who worked at movie distributor Toho Co. before assuming the position at Iwanami Hall, died in 2013. She was succeeded by her niece Ritsuko Iwanami.

Iwanami Hall is located in Tokyo's Jimbocho area, which hosts many secondhand bookstores and the headquarters of some of Japan's major publishers.
KYODO NEWS - Jan 11, 2022 - 19:17 | All, Japan, World

A Tokyo court dismissed Tuesday a lawsuit filed by three Taiwanese men born in Taiwan during Japan's colonial rule seeking to have their Japanese nationality reinstated after they automatically lost it following World War II.

According to the suit filed with the Tokyo District Court, all three plaintiffs, including Yang Fu-cheng, 99, are in their 80s or 90s and were born to parents of Taiwanese origin.

Japan renounced its territorial rights over its overseas colonies, including Taiwan, when the San Francisco Peace Treaty took effect in 1952, ending the legal state of war. Japanese nationals of Taiwanese descent were considered at that time to have abandoned their citizenship.

In 1962, the Supreme Court ruled that Japanese nationals of Taiwanese descent lost their citizenship when a peace treaty signed by Japan and Taiwan entered into force in 1952. The island was under Japanese colonial rule between 1895 and 1945.

The plaintiffs argued that based on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which states that "no one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his nationality," an individual should not be able to lose their citizenship against their will.

But the court rejected the claim, saying the document by the United Nations is not legally binding and that there is "no international law that requires the consent of an individual when his nationality changes due to a change in territorial rule."

At a press conference in Tokyo after the ruling, Yang said he was "very disappointed" and indicated he intends to file an appeal.
by Xinhua writers Wang Minghao, Shao Xiangyun and Song Rui

TIANJIN, Dec. 30 (Xinhua) -- The bond between China and Italy can be traced back seven centuries ago, to the Venetian merchant and explorer Marco Polo and his trailblazing journey to China along the ancient Silk Road.

Letizia Vallini, an Italian teacher, has continued this tradition to become a "modern Marco Polo" and a "cultural ambassador" between the two countries thanks to her translation works that touch upon the many faces of China.

Vallini, 32, established her reputation by translating the 300,000-character book "Socialism with Chinese Characteristics: Why does it work?" The book was a hit in Italy, after it was published by Marx Ventuno in 2019.

She has recently finished translating a report about China's environmental protection efforts.

"I'm just following Marco Polo's footsteps," said the teacher and translator at the College of Foreign Languages of Nankai University in north China's Tianjin Municipality.

Photo taken on Nov. 26, 2021 shows Letizia Vallini teaching in Nankai University. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue)

When Vallini was young, she always hoped that her father, who engaged in foreign trade in China, could take as many videos and photos as possible while in China and bring home some Chinese gifts.

In 2013, Vallini, then a student at the University of Bologna majoring in foreign languages, applied for a Confucius Institute scholarship to pursue postgraduate studies at the College of Chinese Language and Culture of Nankai University.

When Vallini first set foot in China, she discovered that the country was modern, open and full of vitality.

"Before I came here, there were many stereotypes of China in my mind. We learned about China mainly through the media and some old kung fu films. We even thought it true that many Chinese could leap over rooftops and walk up walls," Vallini said.

The longer she lived in China, the more she felt that foreigners lacked a comprehensive understanding of the country. It made Vallini determined to use her language expertise to make China accessible to those who wanted to learn more.

By chance, Vallini became acquainted with professor Zhang Boying, chief editor of the Chinese book "Socialism with Chinese Characteristics: Why does it work?" After a long talk with Professor Zhang, she decided to translate the book.

"This book talks about Chinese history, economy, culture, ecology, diplomacy and many other topics, which can help Italians better understand today's China," she said.

To translate the book, Vallini bought dozens of Chinese and Italian books for reference. She consulted with Professor Zhang and many other experts to better understand the text. Colorful lines and various symbols were marked on her Chinese version of the book.

"Each word should be treated with the utmost prudence. You have to thoroughly understand the meaning carried by the original characters in the context," she said.

Yang Lin, head of the Italian Department of Nankai University's College of Foreign Languages, said that during Vallini's translation of the book, whenever she had questions, she sent the original text in Chinese and asked her Chinese colleagues about the background meanings.

It took a whole year for Vallini to complete the translation. The first batch of 400 of her books quickly sold out in Italy. The website of the Communist Party of Italy introduces and recommends the book. Many Italian experts and scholars in the fields of philosophy, history, and law discussed the book online.

"The strong grassroots governance mentioned in the book touched me deeply," Vallini said. "During the COVID-19 pandemic, the prevention and control measures soon spread to every corner of China. People from all walks of life worked together for a common shared goal. China is like a very united community. I really think staying in China is the right choice. It's a safe place."

During Vallini's eight years in China, China realized the first centenary goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects and secured a complete victory in its fight against poverty.

"Many people wonder why does Socialism with Chinese Characteristics work. The development miracles that I experienced in China are the best answer," Vallini said.

In recent years, Vallini has translated more Chinese books, such as "A Cartoon Guide to COVID-19 Prevention and Control" and "Chang'an Meets Rome."

"One book is one world. The process of translating each of the books has deepened my understanding of China, and I hope more and more people will know and understand China through my efforts," Vallini said.

She said it was not enough for her to be a "modern Marco Polo." Besides translation, she has devoted herself to teaching her students to contribute to cross-cultural communication.

Nankai University established an Italian department in 2017, and Vallini was one of the founding teachers.

Yan Guodong, dean of the College of Foreign Languages of Nankai University, said that when the Italian department was still in its infancy, Vallini was teaching 16 hours a week, which was twice the usual workload, but she never complained and made every effort to build the new department.

"I always tell my students that cultural communication is not a monologue, but a dialogue. You are a bridge connecting two different cultures. China not only has pandas, intangible cultural heritage, and historical buildings. I hope my students learn how to explain to foreign people the Chinese system, the Chinese way and other concepts."

On the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Italy in 2020, Vallini was nominated for the Tianjin Haihe Friendship Award for her contributions to the cultural exchanges and cooperation between the two countries.

"China allowed me to study for free for two years. I met my husband in China. Now I'm a part of the university faculties. China is definitely my second hometown," Vallini said. "I want to give back for all the things China gave me and nurture more 'modern Marco Polos' to share China's experience and wisdom with the world." 
Photo taken on Sept. 3, 2021 shows the White House in Washington, D.C., the United States. (Xinhua/Liu Jie)

For quite some time, under the pretense of concern for democratic values and human prosperity, the United States has launched countless disastrous democratic experiments across the world, a bellicist enterprise that reveals its perverse zero-sum reckoning, hegemony and hypocrisy. In fact, the lives of the ordinary are the last thing it cares about.

by Xinhua writer Guo Yage

BEIJING, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- The day of remembrance for the Capitol riot has set off a new round of taunts between the two major U.S. political parties and triggered fiery speeches about how the so-called "American democracy" is under urgent threat.

But while politicians from both parties have been giving the utmost attention to this tragedy to cream their rivals under the cloak of "the will of the American people," none of them have ever taken seriously any other bloodshed the United States created overseas in history, the casualties of which were often hundreds of thousands of times higher.

For quite some time, under the pretense of concern for democratic values and human prosperity, the United States has launched countless disastrous democratic experiments across the world, a bellicist enterprise that reveals its perverse zero-sum reckoning, hegemony and hypocrisy. In fact, the lives of the ordinary are the last thing it cares about.

With the declared aim of preventing more human suffering in Yugoslavia, the U.S.-led NATO forces carried out continuous air strikes in 78 days against the country, leaving more than 8,000 civilians dead or injured, and nearly 1 million displaced.

People gather at the Kabul airport during evacuation in Kabul, Afghanistan, Aug. 16, 2021, after the Taliban's takeover of Kabul on Aug. 15. (Xinhua)

Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya have also been America's overseas testing grounds for the so-called "democracy promotion."

The U.S.-launched war has killed around 50,000 Afghan civilians from 2001 to mid-April 2020, and reduced some 11 million to refugees. The scene of terrified Afghan civilians trying to scale airport fences and chase airplanes in Kabul was in chilling echo of what happened in 1975, when overfilled U.S. Army helicopters lifted evacuees from the roof of the U.S. Embassy in Saigon.

Besides, the years of bloodshed have left more than 200,000 Iraqi civilians dead, and dragged Libya into greater turmoil.

In fact, research last year by anti-war group CODEPINK revealed that an average of 46 bombs have been dropped on other countries per day by the United States and its allies since 2001.

Behind the so-called democracy, which U.S. writer William Blum described in his book as "America's deadliest export," is a group of arrogant and selfish U.S. politicians, businessmen and arms dealers exploiting the term either for pursuing America's global domination or for satisfying their personal interests. That is why the United States has, from its first days, colluded with terrorist groups whenever it feels necessary.

Iraqi protesters take part in a demonstration against the presence of U.S. troops in the country in Baghdad, capital of Iraq, Jan. 24, 2020. (Xinhua/Khalil Dawood)

Its democratic experiments abroad have eroded democracy in international relations, as the country has grossly interfered in other countries' domestic affairs and undermined the international system and rules. Just as Blum pointed out in his book, the United States has tried to overthrow more than 50 foreign governments since the end of World War II, interfered in elections in at least 30 nations, and attempted to assassinate over 50 foreign leaders.

More and more people around the world have come to realize that the U.S. enterprise of "democracy aid" is hardly of, by and for the people. For example, few countries in the Middle East and no North African countries have participated in the so-called "Summit for Democracy" put together by the United States in December. America's democratic promotion does not even sell in its domestic market.

"From the COVID-19 pandemic to global trade rules, from climate change to economic development, the United States is actively frustrating the priorities of most of the world's democracies. In the process, U.S. foreign policy is -- in the name of democracy -- compounding the global crisis of democracy and delegitimizing U.S. power," said U.S. magazine Foreign Affairs in July.

Any attempt to monopolize democracy, deny the legitimacy of other development paths, and reshape the world in a single image is the greatest damage to global democracy, and runs totally counter to humanity's common aspiration of peace, stability and common development.

It is time for the United States to wake up to that, stop its bloody democratic experiments immediately, and leave other countries alone, if it truly wants to hold onto its democratic values. 
The Bangladeshi government Sunday signed a contract with a Chinese consortium to turn a major road in the eastern part of capital Dhaka into a four-lane expressway.

Abdus Sabur, chief engineer of Bangladesh's Roads and Highways Department (RHD), and a representative of the consortium of China Communications Construction Company Ltd and China Road Bridge Corporation signed the contract at a ceremony in capital Dhaka.

The Chinese consortium will implement the construction work of the four-lane project on the public private partnership (PPP) basis.

Under the deal, the Chinese consortium will build and maintain the expressway for the next 25 years under the PPP model.

The consortium will invest 20.94 billion taka in the project, while the Bangladeshi government will invest 12.09 billion taka. (1 U.S. dollar equals about 86 taka)

Produced by Xinhua Global Service
ADEN, Yemen, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- Forces loyal to Yemen's government announced on Monday that they captured the oil-rich province of Shabwa from the Houthi militia after intense battles.

"After ten days of ferocious armed confrontations, the Houthi rebel militants were expelled from all the districts of Shabwa," the southern Giants Brigades, troops loyal to Yemen's government, said in a brief press statement.

The pro-government forces revealed that large-scale military operations were launched in cooperation with the Saudi Arabia-led coalition against the rebels in Shabwa.

According to military sources in Shabwa, the troops entered the Ein district, the last Houthis-controlled district in Shabwa, from three directions, killing scores of the Houthi militants while dozens fled.

Yemeni military sources confirmed to Xinhua that the Houthis failed to confront the large military campaign and were forced to withdraw from the strategic areas in Shabwa.

An intensified bombardment was carried out by the Saudi Arabia-led coalition against the Houthis, destroying their sites in Shabwa and enabling the pro-government forces to gain rapid on-ground military progress, the sources said.

The Iran-backed Houthis made substantial advances on the battlefield in September 2021, capturing Bayhan and other key areas in Shabwa after seizing al-Bayda and most areas of Marib.

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 Houthis forced him into exile. 
A medical worker collects a traveler's swab sample for COVID-19 testing near Entebbe International Airport, Wakiso district, Uganda, June 9, 2021. (Xinhua/Nicholas Kajoba)

Regional ministers in the East African Community (EAC) member states have agreed to temporarily suspend the cost of testing for COVID-19 among truck drivers on the Uganda-Kenya common border, a top official here said Monday.

KAMPALA, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Regional ministers in the East African Community (EAC) member states have agreed to temporarily suspend the cost of testing for COVID-19 among truck drivers on the Uganda-Kenya common border, a top official here said Monday.

Uganda's First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of East African Community Affairs Rebecca Kadaga said in a tweet that the move is aimed at clearing a backlog of trucks that had piled on the Kenyan side of the border following a protest by the truck drivers.

A health worker takes swab sample from a girl during COVID-19 mass testing exercise in Kangemi, Nairobi, capital of Kenya, Oct. 17, 2020. (Xinhua/Joy Nabukewa)

"The Council of Ministers of the East African Community has taken a decision to permit cost free testing at the border posts of Busia and Malaba for seven days to clear the backlog of trucks and drivers who have been parked on the Kenya side of the border," Kadaga said.

The meeting came after Kenyan drivers protested Uganda's decision to make COVID-19 testing mandatory at every entry point. The testing costs a fee of 30 U.S. dollars, which the drivers claimed was high for them yet Kenya was testing their Ugandan counterparts free of charge.

"It has further been proposed that in future truck drivers will have to show proof of vaccination to facilitate their movement in the region," Kadaga said.

A report from the Ministry of Health on Monday indicated that as of Jan. 8, the country had registered 154,511 cumulative COVID-19 confirmed cases, including one truck driver who was detected at the Busia border point. 
The chip for the BeiDou-3 Navigation Satellite System is seen at the China International Industry Fair in Shanghai, east China, Sept. 15, 2020. (Xinhua/Ding Ting)

China's independent innovation will surely make the pie of global common development even bigger, and more dividends of cross-border exchanges and international win-win cooperation will thus be reaped by all market entities across the world.

BEIJING, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- The Associated Press (AP) has recently cited in a report business and political leaders as smearing China over its pursuit of tech "self-reliance" in an unfounded claim that it might "slow down innovation, disrupt global trade and make the world poorer."

Only too absurd is the logic of the AP's coverage. While admitting the world is suffering from severe chip shortages due to COVID-19, the news agency is still bent on hyping up Washington's vicious attempt to deter major countries like China from independently producing chips and pursuing sci-tech innovation, which has further disrupted the already-tangled global supply chains.

A staff member of China's telecom giant Huawei presents its self-developed chip technology at the 10th China Smart City and Intelligent Economy Expo in Ningbo, east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 11, 2020. (Xinhua/Huang Zongzhi)

The AP's argument attests to the ulterior motives of those who stubbornly cling to an obsolete "Western-centric yardstick" and the arrogant mindset of "America First." It seems fairly necessary to help them make order out of the confusion of their minds.

Examples abound that in recent years the United States, in order to maintain technology supremacy, has been heavy-handed with foreign companies that strive to develop advanced technologies, despite its long-proclaimed rules of free market economy and international trade norms. Abusing state power under the pretext of national security, Washington has placed hundreds of Chinese institutions and companies into the U.S. "entity list" of export controls, regardless of their contributions to the U.S. economic growth.

Photo taken on Nov. 20, 2021 shows the venue of China 5G+ Industrial Internet Conference in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province. (Photo by Wu Zhizun/Xinhua)

For one thing, China's drive to accelerate independent innovation is the natural and necessary path that the country must follow amid rapid social and economic development. It conforms to the law of economics, and is never at the mercy of anybody else.

Such economic bullying and technological blockade did not stop the development of Chinese enterprises, but made more of them earnestly improve research originality and strive for more breakthroughs in professional fields.

"From chasing after others, to running neck by neck with counterparts, and to taking the lead in a race, this is the normal law of development for a major tech power," said Australian economist Guo Shengxiang. "Even without U.S. sanctions, China would devote itself to independent innovation, so as to strengthen tech-driven and innovation-driven economic growth. That's also what China needs to achieve sustainable development."

For another, China's independent innovation does not mean working behind closed doors. As part of global innovation, China helps break the monopoly of a minority of powers and stabilize global supply chains. For years, China has been committed to promoting international cooperation in science and technology and sharing its development dividends with the rest of the world. Up to now, China has established a sci-tech cooperation relationship with more than 160 countries and regions, and joined more than 200 international organizations and multilateral mechanisms.

Notably, China's greater focus on independent innovation and international cooperation has been highly recognized by foreign entities. Foreign direct investment (FDI) into the Chinese mainland, in actual use, rose 15.9 percent year on year to top 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, according to the Ministry of Commerce. In particular, high-tech industries saw FDI inflow jump 19.3 percent.

Photo taken on Sept. 16, 2021 shows the first International Summit on BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS) Applications, in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province. (Xinhua/Chen Sihan)

As has been witnessed, China's innovative development has shown a strong positive spillover effect worldwide. Take BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS-3) as an example. BDS-3 has met the requirements in performance indexes of positioning, velocity measurement, and timing precision, as well as the availability and continuity of its services, based on real-time testing of the international GNSS monitoring and assessment system.

Basic products of the Chinese navigation system have been exported to over 120 countries and regions. Applications such as land rights confirmation, precision farming, digital construction and smart port services based on the system have also been applied in ASEAN countries, South Asia, East Europe, and Africa, contributing to local economic and social development, as well as the construction of the Belt and Road.

As a further illustration, the National Optic Fibre Backbone Infrastructure, one of China-aided projects in the East African nation, has allowed Kenya to expand broadband access, giving a boost to the country's e-commerce as well as the information and communications industry.

Thanks to its improved capability in scientific research and medical technology, China has so far provided 2 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines to more than 120 countries and international organizations, which accounts for one third of total global vaccine use outside of China, thus becoming the biggest foreign provider of COVID-19 vaccines.

China's independent innovation will surely make the pie of global common development even bigger, and more dividends of cross-border exchanges and international win-win cooperation will thus be reaped by all market entities across the world. 
Photo taken on Dec. 7, 2021 shows a section of the 27.1-kilometer Nairobi Expressway which is being constructed by the China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) in Nairobi, Kenya. (Xinhua)

China and Africa share similar ideas and interests, and their cooperation has a solid foundation, great potential and a promising future, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said.

BEIJING, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Monday held an interview with the news media after concluding his recent trips to Eritrea, Kenya, the Comoros, the Maldives and Sri Lanka.

Noting the tradition of Chinese diplomacy that Chinese foreign ministers make their first overseas visit to Africa at the start of each year, Wang said that in spite of the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, he travelled to Africa as scheduled, which has demonstrated China's original commitment to promote China-Africa solidarity and cooperation.

Wang said Eritrea is a traditional friend of China, and the two countries share similar views on upholding independence, maintaining political and social stability, and exploring their own development paths.

Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki shakes hands with Chinese State Councilor and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi in Asmara, Eritrea, Jan. 5, 2022. (Xinhua/Yang Zhen)

Kenya, he said, is China's comprehensive strategic and cooperative partner, and China-Kenya cooperation is playing an exemplary and leading role in the joint building of the Belt and Road between China and Africa.

China and the Comoros, though different in size and level of development, have become a model of equal treatment and win-win cooperation between countries, Wang said.

China and Africa share similar ideas and interests, and their cooperation has a solid foundation, great potential and a promising future, he added.

Comorian President Azali Assoumani meets with visiting Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Moroni, Comoros, Jan. 6, 2022. (Xinhua/Dong Jianghui)

During his visit to Kenya, Wang said that China stands ready to propose the "Initiative of Peaceful Development in the Horn of Africa."

In his interview with the media on Monday, Wang said that the core of the initiative is to support countries in the region to stay out of any geopolitical competition between major countries while keeping their fate in their own hands.

Wang said China has put forward three proposals. First, the Horn of Africa should strengthen intra-regional dialogue to overcome security challenges; secondly, the Horn of Africa should accelerate regional revitalization to overcome development challenges; third, the Horn of Africa should explore effective ways to overcome governance challenges.

The "Initiative," upon being put forward, has received positive responses from Kenya, Ethiopia, Djibouti and other countries in the region, which believe that it meets the urgent needs of countries in the Horn of Africa, and that China's appointment of a special envoy for the Horn of Africa indicates that the Chinese side will play a more active and constructive role there.

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta (L) and Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi attend the completion ceremony of the Chinese-built oil terminal at the port of Mombasa in Mombasa, Kenya, on Jan. 6, 2022. (Xinhua/Long Lei)

On the so-called "debt trap" allegation against China, Wang said that the so-called "trap" is in fact a narrative trap created by those who wish to forever plunge Africa into a "poverty trap" and "backwardness trap."

Wang said China has conducted practical and efficient investment and financing cooperation with African countries on a voluntary, equal and scientific basis according to the needs of the African side, which has benefited, not burdened, the people of Africa.

Noting that Africa's development needs have further expanded with its social and economic development in recent years, Wang said China is ready to work with Africa to consolidate and deepen traditional cooperation such as infrastructure construction, while pushing forward cooperation in other emerging areas.

China will also work with Africa to pay more attention to improving livelihoods and make greater contributions to Africa's industrialization and modernization, he added.

Maldivian President Ibrahim Solih meets with visiting Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Male, Maldives, Jan. 8, 2022. (Xinhua/Tang Lu)

As to the relationship between China and the Maldives, Wang said this year marks the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic ties, adding that the two countries have become a model of friendly exchanges and mutual benefits between countries.

It is in the common interests of the two peoples that China and the Maldives jointly build the Maritime Silk Road, Wang added.

Wang said that the two countries should take a broader view and open up a new chapter of mutually beneficial and friendly cooperation.

Visiting Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa visit a photo exhibition in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Jan. 9, 2022. (Photo by Ajith Perera/Xinhua)

On China-Sri Lanka relations, Wang said that the sound political mutual trust between China and Sri Lanka provides a strong impetus for mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries.

Wang said this year also marks the 65th anniversary of the establishment of China-Sri Lanka diplomatic relations, noting that Sri Lanka was the first country to respond to and participate in the Belt and Road Initiative following its announcement.

The Colombo Port City and Hambantota Port are flagship projects of the two sides, who are working closely together to build the Maritime Silk Road. Both projects have become two engines of Sri Lanka's economic development, bringing tangible benefits to the Sri Lankan people, Wang added.

On the proposal of holding a forum on the development of Indian Ocean island countries, Wang said that as the largest developing country in the world, China is ready to share development experience with Indian Ocean island countries and contribute to the common development of all countries.

Wang also said that China always gives priority to developing countries in vaccine cooperation. As long as developing countries have requests, Wang noted, China will respond and take action.

At present, the plan announced by Chinese President Xi Jinping to provide vaccines to Africa has been implemented, Wang said, noting that China will provide Kenya with an additional 10 million doses of vaccine and will continue to offer sufficient vaccines to the Comoros to help it achieve the goal of universal immunization.

The Chinese side will continue to provide vaccines and anti-pandemic supplies to South Asian countries, and cooperate with interested countries in the research and development of specific medicines, Wang added.

Chinese vaccines are now being sent to every corner of Asia, Africa and Latin America where vaccines are needed, he said, adding that China will continue to stand with other developing countries until the final victory against the pandemic is won. 
The Collective Security Treaty Organization holds an extraordinary session via video link on Jan. 10, 2022. (Kremlin press release)

China is willing to firmly support Kazakhstan in maintaining stability and stopping violence at this critical moment concerning Kazakhstan's future, Wang said.



NUR-SULTAN/MOSCOW, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Several countries and groups have voiced support for Kazakhstan in cracking down on riots and bringing back normal life as an externally-stoked "terrorist attack" has caused great losses to the central Asian country.

The Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), a Moscow-led military alliance, held an extraordinary session via video link on Monday, when leaders of the member states showed solidarity with the Kazakh authorities.

According to Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the CSTO has deployed 2,030 peacekeeping troops with 250 pieces of equipment to Kazakhstan to protect key facilities in the country.

Security forces stand guard in front of the city hall in Almaty, Kazakhstan on early morning of Jan. 5, 2022. (Xinhua)



During the CSTO meeting, Russian President Vladimir Putin praised the peacekeeping forces for their effective work, saying that they will operate in Kazakhstan as long as Kazakh president deems it necessary and will be entirely withdrawn from the country after the mission is completed.

"Russia intends to further prioritize strengthening the strategic alliance with all the CSTO member states. I am confident, of course, that the leaders and people of Kazakhstan will be able to handle this situation and respond to these serious challenges with honor," Putin said.

Also on Monday, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi held a phone conversation with Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tleuberdi to show China's support.

As a permanent comprehensive strategic partner of Kazakhstan, China is willing to firmly support Kazakhstan in maintaining stability and stopping violence at this critical moment concerning Kazakhstan's future, Wang said.

China stands ready to work with Kazakhstan to implement the important political consensuses reached by the two heads of state, and do its best to provide necessary support and assistance to Kazakhstan, he stressed.

European Council President Charles Michel is seen during a video conference with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on Jan. 10, 2022. (Kazakh presidential website)

Tokayev met on Monday with European Council President Charles Michel in a video conference to brief him on the details of the riots and the government's responses.

Michel underlined the importance of obtaining reliable information against the backdrop of various interpretations of what is happening in Kazakhstan.

"We support the sovereignty and territorial integrity of your country. We are ready to further strengthen cooperation with Kazakhstan," he was quoted by the Kazakh presidential website as saying.

EXTERNAL INTERFERENCE

During the meeting with Michel, Tokayev called the unrest "a terrorist attack" with the participation of foreign fighters, mainly from central Asian countries, including Afghanistan, as well as from the Middle East.

The Kazakh president said that the "unprecedented act of aggression and encroachment on Kazakhstan's statehood" has led to great losses: 16 members of law enforcement and the military were killed, over 1,300 wounded, and the number of civilian casualties is yet to be confirmed.

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev attends a meeting of the Security Council in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan, Jan. 6, 2022. (Kazakh presidential website/Handout via Xinhua)



During the recent riots in Kazakhstan, 164 people were killed and over 7,900 were arrested, according to the Kazakh Health Ministry and Interior Ministry.

Over 1,270 businesses were affected nationwide, with more than 100 shopping centers and banks looted and about 500 police vehicles damaged or burnt, Tokayev said, adding that the economic damage could amount to 2 billion-3 billion U.S. dollars.

At the CSTO session, Putin also noted that well-organized groups of militants, who were trained in terrorist camps abroad, were used to attack Kazakhstan.

He urged the CSTO to take measures to jointly counter "destructive external interference" in case of emergency in the organization's member states. 
HELSINKI, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- Finland's capital city and the surrounding Uusimaa region have relaxed the COVID-19 quarantine requirement and contact tracing is restricted to city-run housing units, care facilities and healthcare units for at-risk groups from Jan. 10, the city of Helsinki said in a press release issued on Monday.

Those exposed to the virus from family members, at the workplace, in schools or in early childhood education are no longer quarantined under the country's Communicable Diseases Act. If a person has mild symptoms and is not at risk, he or she should not go to a COVID-19 test site but should stay at home, the national broadcaster Yle explained.

Besides the Helsinki region, the new rule will also apply in the southern regions of Espoo, Vantaa, Hyvinkaa, Jarvenpaa, Kerava, Kirkkonummi, Mantsala, Nurmijarvi, Pornais, Porvoo and Tuusula.

Throughout Finland, the number of daily COVID-19 cases has multiplied since the beginning of December last year, which has severely congested the country's hospitals and testing centers.

Juha Jolkkonen, director of Helsinki's Social Affairs and Health Care Department, told YLE that the city currently registers around 10,000 new infections per week. The incidence rate has nearly tripled between Dec. 24, 2021, and Jan. 6.

On Monday, Helsinki opened a reserve hospital for COVID-19 patients. Next week, the city will also start administering COVID-19 vaccines to students in grades 1-5.

According to the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), 23,325 new coronavirus cases have been recorded in the country since Friday. 
BEIJING, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Monday had an interview with media after concluding his recent trips to Eritrea, Kenya, the Comoros, the Maldives and Sri Lanka.

Noting that it is a tradition of Chinese diplomacy that Chinese foreign ministers make their first visit to Africa at the beginning of each year, Wang said that in spite of the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, he travelled to Africa as scheduled, which has demonstrated China's original aspiration of and commitment to promoting China-Africa solidarity and cooperation.

During his visit to Kenya, Wang once said that China stands ready to propose the "Initiative of Peaceful Development in the Horn of Africa."

In his interview with media on Monday, Wang said that the core of the initiative is to support countries in the region in staying out of the geological competition between major countries and holding their fate in their own hands.

Wang said China has put forward three proposals. First, the Horn of Africa should strengthen intra-regional dialogue to overcome security challenges; secondly, the Horn of Africa should accelerate regional revitalization to overcome development challenges; third, the Horn of Africa should explore effective ways to overcome governance challenges.

On the so-called "debt trap" allegation in China-Africa cooperation, Wang said that the so-called "debt trap" is in fact a narrative trap created by forces which attempt to plunge Africa into "poverty trap" and "backwardness trap" forever.

Noting that Africa's development needs have further expanded with its social and economic development in recent years, Wang said China is ready to work with Africa to consolidate and deepen traditional cooperation such as infrastructure construction, while pushing forward cooperation in other emerging areas.

China will also work with Africa to pay more attention to improving people's livelihood and make greater contribution to Africa's industrialization and modernization, he added.

As to the relationship between China and the Maldives, Wang said that the two countries should take a broader view and open up a new chapter of mutually beneficial and friendly cooperation.

On China-Sri Lanka relations, Wang said that the sound political mutual trust between China and Sri Lanka provides strong impetus for mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries.

On the proposal of holding a forum on the development of Indian Ocean island countries at an appropriate time, Wang said that as the largest developing country in the world, China is ready to share development experience with Indian Ocean island countries and contribute to the common development of all countries.

Wang also said that China always gives priority to developing countries in vaccine cooperation. As long as developing countries have requests, Wang noted, China will respond and take actions.

A large number of Chinese vaccines are now being sent to every corner of Asia, Africa and Latin America where vaccines are needed, he said, adding that China will continue to stand with other developing countries until the final victory against the pandemic is won. 
World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for Europe Hans Kluge attends a joint press conference in Athens, Greece, on April 15, 2021. (Xinhua/Marios Lolos)

The Omicron variant, now spreading into the Balkans, is already present in 50 of the 53 countries in the region spanning Europe and Central Asia, says the World Health Organization (WHO).

COPENHAGEN, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- World Health Organization (WHO) European Regional Director Hans Kluge warned on Tuesday that the Omicron variant could become more prevalent in Europe as the "tidal wave" of infections spreads eastward.

"I am also deeply concerned that as the variant moves east, we have yet to see its full impact in countries where levels of vaccination uptake are lower. We will see more severe disease in the unvaccinated," said Kluge.

According to him, the Omicron variant, now spreading into the Balkans, is already present in 50 of the 53 countries in the region spanning Europe and Central Asia.

"At this rate, the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) forecasts that more than 50 percent of the population in the Region will be infected with Omicron in the next 6 to 8 weeks," said Kluge.

Kluge said the hospitalizations were rising due to the unprecedented scale of transmissions in the region.

To better manage the coronavirus's destructive impact on health services, economies, and societies, Kluge called for practical actions, including acting immediately and planning for contingencies, and prioritizing response systems during the "closing window of opportunity."

He also emphasized the importance of protecting the vulnerable and "minimizing disruption to health systems and essential services."

Photo taken on Dec. 20, 2021 shows an empty school in Haarlem, the Netherlands. (Photo by Sylvia Lederer/Xinhua)

The WHO official also urged schools to remain open.

"Keeping schools open benefits children's mental, social, and educational well-being significantly. School buildings should be the last to close and the first to reopen," Kluge stated.

Additionally, Kluge outlined his five pandemic stabilizing mantras: vaccination, third doses or boosters, increased mask use, ventilation of crowded or enclosed spaces, and the continued use of new clinical protocols to guide the response to Delta or Omicron.

And the WHO Europe also said it's "way off" from treating the COVID-19 as endemic.

"We're still a way off. Endemicity assumes, first of all, a stable circulation of the virus at predictable levels and potentially known and predictable waves of epidemic transmission," said Catherine Smallwood, Senior Emergency Services Officer at WHO Europe, when asked about opinion on Spain's recent request to the European Union to discuss the possibility of COVID-19 being classified as an endemic illness, similar to the flu or malaria, which is always present in a particular population or region.

"What we're seeing at the moment coming into 2022 is nowhere near that... We still have a virus that's evolving quite quickly and posing quite new challenges... and there's still a lot of unpredictability, " she said.

A medical worker prepares a dose of COVID-19 vaccine at a vaccination point of a shopping mall in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Jan. 8, 2022.(Photo by Nedim Grabovica/Xinhua)




Aerial photo shows the construction site of the Jakarta-Bandung High Speed Railway (HSR) in Indonesia, Dec. 29, 2021. (Xinhua/Xu Qin)

China and Indonesia are both major developing countries, and have similar ideals and beliefs in pursuing national development and seeking happiness for their people, Xi said.

BEIJING, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping said Tuesday that China and Indonesia should advance cooperation in a coordinated manner in the post-pandemic era.

In a phone conversation with Indonesian President Joko Widodo, Xi suggested that the two sides integrate Belt and Road cooperation with China's building of a new development pattern and Indonesia's medium- and long-term national development plan.

Since last year, China-Indonesia relations have been moving forward while maintaining stability in defiance of the COVID-19 pandemic, Xi noted.

The two countries, he added, have launched a high-level dialogue cooperation mechanism, and established a new pattern of bilateral cooperation on the "four-wheel drive" of political, economic, cultural and maritime affairs.

China and Indonesia are both major developing countries, and have similar ideals and beliefs in pursuing national development and seeking happiness for their people, Xi said.

Facing major changes and a pandemic both unseen in a century, the two countries should strive to build a community with a shared future, he said, adding that the key to achieving this goal is to get concrete things done well one after another.

Xi stressed that the two sides should work together to fight the pandemic and set a good example of health cooperation.

A boy receives a dose of China's Sinovac vaccine during vaccination for children aged 6 to 11 against COVID-19 in Bandung, West Java, Indonesia, Dec. 16, 2021. (Photo by Septianjar/Xinhua)

China, he said, will continue to cooperate with Indonesia throughout the vaccine industrial chain and on drug research and development, help Indonesia build a regional vaccine production center, and work with Indonesia to improve global public health governance and build a global community of health for all on the basis of jointly fighting the pandemic.

The two sides should pursue common development and set a role model for practical cooperation, Xi added.

He called for joint efforts to build the Jakarta-Bandung High Speed Railway with high quality, earnestly implement such key programs as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Corridors and the "Two Countries, Twin Parks" project, and foster such new growth areas as new energy, decarbonization, digital economy and maritime cooperation.

China, he stressed, will actively participate with all its strength in anything that is conducive to promoting Indonesia's development and deepening China-Indonesia cooperation.

Xi said China attaches great importance to Indonesia's role in regional and international affairs, and stands ready to work with Indonesia to implement the consensus reached at last year's China-ASEAN commemorative summit, promote regional economic recovery and safeguard regional peace and stability.

Noting that China and Indonesia hold the chairs of BRICS and the Group of 20 (G20) respectively this year, he said China is ready to work with Indonesia to practice true multilateralism, actively implement the Global Development Initiative, safeguard the interests of emerging-market and developing countries, and contribute to promoting global economic recovery and improving global economic governance.

For his part, Widodo extended congratulations on the success of the sixth plenary session of the 19th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, saying he believes that the Chinese people will continue to achieve new glories under Xi's leadership.

A health worker takes a selfie when receiving a dose of Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine from China during a mass vaccination program with health workers as a main priority group in Surabaya, Indonesia, Jan. 31, 2021. (Photo by Kurniawan/Xinhua)

Last year, bilateral trade and investment grew rapidly, and health cooperation -- especially cooperation in vaccine production and drug research and development -- achieved remarkable results, he said, noting that 80 percent of Indonesia's vaccines came from China.

Meanwhile, the construction of the Jakarta-Bandung High Speed Railway is advancing smoothly and expected to be completed and opened to traffic as scheduled, he added.

The good relations between Indonesia and China are based on mutual respect and win-win cooperation, he said.

Indonesia, he said, is willing to work with China to strengthen cooperation in such fields as economy, trade and pandemic response, actively promote Belt and Road cooperation, and advance the building of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Corridors and the implementation of the "Two Countries, Twin Parks" project.

He added that his country welcomes Chinese enterprises to invest in Indonesia and conduct cooperation in high technology, green development and other areas.

As G20 chair this year, Indonesia is willing to closely coordinate with China to help the group play an active role in promoting international solidarity and global economic recovery, he said.

He also wishes the Chinese people a happy Spring Festival, and China success in hosting the Beijing Winter Olympics and Paralympics. 
LUANDA, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Angola expects to yield nearly 72 million U.S. dollars with the export of about 120,000 cubic meters of sawn wood, Angola's Institute for Forestry Development (IDF) said in a statement Tuesday.

A cubic meter of wood is sold on average 500 and 600 U.S. dollars in the international market, while illegal loggers in the country sell the same amount up to 35,000 kwanzas (about 63 U.S. dollars), which is much less than the aforementioned price.

It adds that the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries intends to implement five concessions for forest exploitation and conclude the construction of warehouses for forest products.

The program to start in the first months of this year includes putting into operation the process of digitization of the system, issuing licenses for forest exploration and pre-licensing for the export of products, promoting and controlling licensing of forest exploration and updating reference prices for the export of sawn timber, the statement says.

The promotion and strengthening of the technical, material and financial capacity with a view to the implementation of the forestation and reforestation program to encourage the production of two million seedlings of various forest species throughout the country, is part of the tasks to be performed, the IDF says. 
ADDIS ABABA, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Spike in new COVID-19 cases across the African continent has highlighted the need to bolster international cooperation against the pandemic, an Ethiopian official has said.

Yohannes Lakew, Manager of the National Immunization Program, told Xinhua that Ethiopia is stepping up efforts to increase COVID-19 vaccines rollout amid over 30 percent increase in new cases.

"More than 10 million doses have been administered so far in Ethiopia. We had a campaign over the last one month, which helped us to vaccinate more than 5.5 million doses within a short period of time," he said.

Ethiopia, and the rest of the African continent, remains the least vaccinated region in the world with less than 10 percent of its population fully vaccinated. This is compared to the WHO's 40 percent vaccination rate target for the end of 2021.

The manager attributed the slow pace in the rollout of COVID-19 vaccination to shortage of vaccine supplies and people's resistance due to religious and political stances among others.

The combination of low vaccination rates and continued spread of the virus has made the COVID-19 a major threat to Ethiopia and other African countries, he said.

Ethiopia reported 444,124 COVID-19 cases with 7,030 fatalities while the total number of people tested for the virus stands at 4,186,517.

Appreciating the role played by China in the delivery of COVID-19 vaccine doses to Ethiopia, Lakew said the government wants to boost its bilateral cooperation with China in a bid to get more vaccines amid growing concerns over the latest Omicron variant.

"The Chinese government support is very immense and when we faced supply shortage in the second quarter of 2021, we got the Sinopharm vaccine from the Chinese government," said Lakew.

"That helped us to vaccinate the targeted groups like older age, those working in transport and in other economic sectors. So, China's support was very critical and meaningful," he added.

Recalling the continued donation of the Sinopharm vaccine from the Chinese government, Lakew said the East African country has administered all vaccines it received from China.

"Almost all the Sinopharm doses that we received from the Chinese government have already been consumed," he said.

In November last year, Ethiopia received a donation of 800,000 Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine doses from China, bringing the amount of vaccine support Beijing gave to Addis Ababa to 1.8 million doses.

According to Lakew, the demand for vaccine uptake in Ethiopia saw an upsurge recently on the backdrop of a series of campaigns conducted across the country.

Amid the rapid spike in new cases, Ethiopia is one among the 42 African countries that are presently battling the fourth wave COVID-19 infection, according to figures form the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).

The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Africa has exceeded the 10 million mark over the weekend. The death toll across the continent stands at 231,157 and some 8,916,469 patients have recovered from the disease so far, the Africa CDC said.

The African continent remains the least vaccinated region in the world with only 9.6 percent of its population fully vaccinated by early December. In contrast, the vaccination rate in developed economies has been far above 60 percent.

"There is a need to have an equitable distribution of vaccines. Vaccine allocation was not fair that was why new variants are coming. Unless we stop the transmission of the disease, no one will be safe," Lakew stressed.

Recalling the pledge by the Chinese government last November to provide an additional one billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines to Africa to help the continent achieve its target of immunizing 60 percent of its population by 2022, Lakew said Ethiopia is anticipating a greater share considering its population size and positive ties with China. 
DAR ES SALAAM, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- The East African Community (EAC) on Tuesday urged East Africans to turn out in large numbers for vaccination against COVID-19 as part of collective efforts to contain the spread of the virus in the region.

Peter Mathuki, the EAC secretary-general, also encouraged those who have been vaccinated to go for booster shots to ensure continued protection against the virus.

Mathuki said in a statement that resistance to vaccines was undermining efforts to jumpstart the regional economy after the damage caused by the pandemic. He also said the global trend was that vaccination certificates would soon be required for travelers and those seeking to participate in meetings and conferences.

Mathuki commended EAC member states for their ongoing efforts to integrate their systems with the EACPass, a digital system that would be used to track negative COVID-19 test results and vaccination certificates, thereby easing cross-border travel and trade in the region.

"One of the most gigantic challenges of our time is how to manage our region with the current global pandemic. It is a daunting task to bring everyone on board in addressing COVID-19 related challenges," he said.

"I encourage that we pull together, notwithstanding that the situation is worsening with the emergence of the Omicron variant," Mathuki added.

The EAC member states are Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda. And the EAC is based in Arusha, Tanzania. 
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SUVA, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Fiji has recorded five new COVID-19 deaths, bringing the total number of deaths in the country to 17 since the confirmation of the third wave of COVID-19.

Fiji's Permanent Secretary for Health James Fong said on Tuesday three of five new deaths were fully vaccinated, one man was not jabbed, and another one had received only one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Some 461 new COVID-19 cases have been recorded by the Health Ministry since Saturday, while 368 of these new cases were recorded on Sunday and 93 in the last 24 hours ending at 8:00 a.m. local time on Monday.

Meanwhile, schools in Fiji that were supposed to resume classes this week have not opened, as more than 500 teachers have been infected with COVID-19 and will not be able to go back to school classes, reported Fiji Teachers Union General Secretary Agni Deo Singh.

The Ministry of Education has not confirmed the reports of the more than 500 teachers infected with COVID-19, but the ministry said in a statement on Tuesday the current COVID-19 positive cases in the community naturally mean that a few students and teachers will get infected.

It said schools have a higher degree of control in terms of following COVID-19 safety protocols. They have developed communication resources that have been widely circulated on COVID-19 safe measures.

The Education Ministry has made it clear that parents of children with pre-existing conditions must get advice from their doctors.

To date, the total tally of COVID-19 infections in Fiji rise to 57,849, with 714 deaths.

Fong said 92.4 percent of the adult population were fully vaccinated, while just over 40,000 children aged 12-17 had received both doses of the vaccine. 
NICOSIA, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- Claims that the discovery of a possible new strain of COVID-19 is the result of a "lab mistake" have been refuted by the professor responsible for detecting the variant.

Cypriot Professor of Biological Sciences Leondios Kostrikis announced last week that he had discovered a new strain of coronavirus combining characteristics of the Delta and Omicron variants, which he named Deltacron.

However, while Kostrikis told CyBC state television that the "lab mistake" claim was incorrect, he conceded that his announcement about Deltacron may have been misunderstood as meaning that a recombination of the two mutations, the Delta and the Omicron, had been discovered.

In fact, his laboratory team had found that the Delta strain had a tendency to acquire mutations which are characteristic of the Omicron variant.

Kostrikis had said in his original announcement that the 25 samples identified as Deltacron presented seven mutations which are characteristic of the Omicron variant.

"Specifically, these mutations are located within the gene corresponding to the coronavirus protein spike. These new strains of the coronavirus were named Deltacron because of the presence of Omicron genetic traits within the Delta genome," Kostrikis said.

Nick Loman, a microbial genomics professor at England's University of Birmingham, attributed the findings of Kostrikis' team to a "technical artifact" that arose in the process of sequencing the viral genome. A recombinant form of Delta and Omicron would not be a complete surprise, he added.

Kostrikis replied to the criticism by saying that in addition to the sequencing of the samples identified as Deltacron, his teams have also rigorously checked out the possibility of a lab mistake.

His scientific team at the Laboratory of Biotechnology and Molecular Virology of the state University of Cyprus began examining COVID-19 samples in November 2021, with a view to finding out which strains of coronavirus were affecting Cyprus.

"By the middle of December the samples sequenced started indicating an increasing trend of the virus to create mutations to the S protein, which is characteristic of the Omicron variant," Kostrikis said.

"We noticed an increasing polymorphism in the samples until it became clear that the samples under examination showed markedly increased signatures of the Omicron variant," he added.

In addition to the original 25 samples, a further 27 samples had confirmed the increased trend of the Delta strain to acquire characteristics of the Omicron variant, Kostrikis said, adding that a paper on the findings of his team will be published soon. 
ATHENS, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- A fragment from the marble frieze of the 2,500-year-old Parthenon temple atop the Acropolis hill, which was returned from Italy on an eight-year loan, was put on display on Monday at the Acropolis Museum next to other segments.

Greek officials warmly welcomed the development, stressing that it shows the way for the return of the Parthenon Sculptures kept for two centuries at the British Museum.

"This is a very important step, because this is a first artifact that is actually being returned from a foreign museum to the Acropolis Museum through a mutually acceptable arrangement and I think it also paves the way for the British Museum to enter into serious discussions with the Greek authorities on finding a solution," Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis told journalists during a ceremony at the Acropolis Museum.

The so-called "Fagan fragment" depicts the lower extremities of Artemis, the goddess of hunting in ancient Greek mythology. It is part of a scene depicting gods observing a procession in honor of the patron of Athens, goddess Athena.

The fragment has been in Palermo, Sicily, since 1818. It was part of the archaeological collection of Robert Fagan, British consul to Sicily and Malta, which was bought by the local authorities and kept for decades in the Antonino Salinas Regional Archeological Museum.

The Italian museum has now returned it on loan to Greece for eight years with a view of permanent repatriation.

"We wish that after Sicily, other regions and countries also decide to take a step forward so that we can build together a new humanism," Alberto Samona, councilor of cultural heritage and Sicilian identity in the Sicily region, said during Monday's event.

"The international community is entitled and demands to see this masterpiece of art in its entirety, reunited here at the Acropolis Museum, and not divided between Athens and London," Lina Mendoni, Greece's minister of culture and sports, said.

In the early 19th century, while Greece was part of the Ottoman Empire, half of the sculptures of the Parthenon were removed by British diplomat Lord Elgin. For decades, Greece has repeatedly asked for their repatriation. 
New Delhi:

Setback For Pakistan To Be In 'Grey List', Pressure On Them To Act: Indian Army Chief Bipin Rawat After FATF Warning

Indian Army chief General Bipin Rawat on Saturday termed the grey listing of Pakistan by the FATF as a setback for neighbouring nation. He said that the pressure was on Islamabad to take action against the terrorists working from its soil. "There is pressure on them. They have to take action. We would like them to work towards restoring peace. To be on such a 'Grey List' is a setback for any nation," Army Chief was quoted as saying by news agency ANI. On Friday, Paris-based Financial Action Task Force put Islamabad on notice, warning that the country will be blacklisted if it does not control terror funding by February next. Read more

Kamlesh Tiwari Murder: Maulana Behind Rs 51 Lakh Bounty Arrested From UP's Bijnor

Maulana Anwarul Haq, the Muslim cleric who had announced a Rs 51-lakh bounty for beheading former Hindu Mahasabha leader Kamlesh Tiwari, was arrested from Uttar Pradeshs Bijnor. The arrest came a day after Tiwari was murdered by unidentified assailants in Lucknow on Friday. In her police complaint, Tiwaris wife had alleged that two Maulanas from Bijnor had threatened to kill her husband in 2016. The Lucknow Police had filed an FIR on basis of the complaint. Read more

Lord Ram Is Ayodhyas Identity, Will Respect Supreme Courts Verdict: Yogi Adityanath To News Nation

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday iterated that Supreme Courts judgment on Ayodhya land dispute case will be fully implemented by the state government. Talking exclusively to News Nation, the chief minsiter said also praised the top court for concluding the hearing in the politically sensitive case. We praise the Supreme Court for concluding the hearing in such an old case. Now the judgment has been reserved, everyone should wait for it and accept it. We have full faith in the Supreme Court. Whatever the decision be, we will implement the judgment of the top court, Adityanath said. Read more

India-US Bilateral Defence Trade To Reach $18 Billion This Year: Pentagon

Ahead of the ninth India-US Defence Technologies and Trade Initiative or DTTI group meeting in New Delhi next week, the Pentagon on Saturday said the bilateral defence trade between the two countries is expected to reach USD 18 billion by year end. Undersecretary Of Defense For Acquisition And Sustainment Ellen M Lord said the US is committed to strengthen its partnership with India while furthering military-to-military relationships and cooperation. "Bilateral defence trade, essentially zero in 2008, will reach an estimated USD 18 billion later this year," she told reporters at the Pentagon. Read more

FATF Warns Pakistan Of Blacklisting If Terror Funding Not Controlled By February 2020

The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) on Friday warned Pakistan of backlisting it if it does not control terror funding by February 2020. The warning was issued by the Paris-based global terror funding watchdog at its five-day plenary which concluded on Friday while deciding to again put the country on the Grey List. Read more

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New Delhi:

Pakistani Rangers violated ceasefire by targeting forward posts and villages with small arms firing along the International Border (IB) in Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said on Saturday. The firing from across the border in Manyari-Chorgali area in Hiranagar sector was unprovoked and started around 7.30 pm on Friday and continued intermittently throughout the night, the officials said.

They said the Border Security Force (BSF) retaliated effectively.

There was no report of any casualty or damage in the Pakistani firing which ended around 4.15 am on Saturday morning, the officials said.

On Tuesday, a woman was killed when Pakistani troops violated the ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch sector of Jammu and Kashmir. The Pakistani troops violated the ceasefire in Poonch sector by resorting to unprovoked firing on Indian posts.

Earlier on October 6, Pakistan had targeted forward posts and villages along the International border (IB) and the Line of Control (LoC) in three districts of Jammu and Kashmir. However, there was no report of any casualty in the Pakistani firing which took place along the IB in Hiranagar sector of Kathua district, along the LoC in Digwar area of Poonch district and Nowshera and Laam in Rajouri district.

This year, according to officials, Pakistan has violated the ceasefire along the LoC over 2,000 times, leaving 21 Indians dead and scores injured. India has repeatedly called upon Pakistan to ask its forces to adhere to the 2003 ceasefire agreement between the two countries to maintain peace along the LoC and the International Border.

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New Delhi:

Indian-American Abhijit Banerjee, who recently won the Nobel in Economics along with his French-American wife Esther Duflo and Harvard University professor Michael Kremer, said Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, who called him "totally Left-leaning", is "questioning his professionalism" by making such a comment.

Goyal on Friday dubbed Banerjee as "Left-leaning", and said as his suggestion of basic income scheme was rejected by Indian voters, there was no need to "accept what he thinks".

Couple Banerjee and Duflo jointly won the 2019 Nobel Economics Prize with Harvard's Michael Kremer "for their experimental approach to alleviating global poverty".

Banerjee been critical of the Narendra Modi government's economic policies. He had endorsed Nyay, the minimum basic income scheme promised by the Congress during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

"I congratulate Abhijit Banerjee for winning the Nobel prize. You all know that his thinking is totally Left- leaning," Goyal had said at a media briefing.

"Banerjee supported 'Nyay' and people of India rejected his ideology," Goyal said.

He added that it was a matter of pride that an Indian won the Nobel prize.

"But it is not necessary to agree with what he says and especially when the people of this country rejected his suggestion, there is no need to accept what he thinks," the Union minister said.

Asked whether he thought Banerjee's views on the state of Indian Economy were biased, Goyal said the reporter should pose this question to Banerjee himself.

Banerjee had recently said that Indian economy was on shaky ground, adding the data currently available does not hold any assurance for economic revival anytime soon.

"If the BJP government, like the Congress party, had asked what were the numbers on the fraction of people under a particular income, would I have not told them the truth? I would have told them exactly, I would have been as willing. In terms of being a professional, I want to be professional with everyone," Banerjee told news channel NDTV.

"I am not partisan in my economic thinking," he added.

Also Read | 'Thankfully Abhijit Banerjee Did Not Get Nobel Prize For...': Tathagata Roy

"We work with any number of state governments, many of which are BJP governments. We worked with the Gujarat pollution board when Gujarat was under Mr (Narendra) Modi and we actually had an excellent experience. I would say that they were willing to engage with the evidence and they implemented policies that followed with that experience," the channel quoted him as saying.

(With PTI inputs)

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New Delhi:

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) on Sunday predicted the occurrence of a thunderstorm and lightning in Maharashtras Raigad district for the next two days. According to a report of the news agency ANI, the thunderstorm accompanied by lightning is likely to occur on October 21 and 22.

In a tweet, ANI said, India Meteorological Dept (IMD), Mumbai: Thunderstorm accompanied with lightning likely to occur at isolated places in the district of Raigad on 21st and 22nd October. Forecast and warning for any day is valid from 8:30 am of day till 8:30 am of next day.

Take a look:

India Meteorological Dept (IMD), Mumbai: Thunderstorm accompanied with lightning likely to occur at isolated places in the district of Raigad on 21st and 22nd October. Forecast and warning for any day is valid from 8:30 am of day till 8:30 am of next day. #Maharashtra  ANI (@ANI) October 20, 2019

On Saturday, Mumbai witnessed light rain spells. Rainfall coupled with political rallies and hordes of Diwali shoppers also threw traffic movement completely out of gear across the Mumbai city. On the other hand, several parts of Maharashtra, including Amravati, Satara, Solapur, Ahmadnagar, and Ratnagiri received moderate rainfall.

Also Read: IMD Predicts Thunderstorm, Heavy Rains In Maharashtras Thane, Other Districts

The SkymetWeather had predicted heavy showers will lash Mumbai, Pune, Sangli, Satara, with moderate spells over Nashik in the next 24 hours.
Beirut:

Nationwide protests paralysed Lebanon on Friday as thousands of demonstrators blocked major roads in a second day of rallies against the government's handling of a severe economic crisis and the country's political class they perceive as being corrupt. The protests are the largest Lebanon has seen since 2015 and could further destabilise a country whose economy is already on the verge of collapse and has one of the highest debt loads in the world. The protests, which drew people from all religious and political backgrounds, were largely peaceful, although violence erupted in several areas.

The protests could plunge Lebanon into a political crisis with unpredictable repercussions for the economy, which has been in steady decline for the past few years.

Some of the protesters said they would stay in the streets until the government resigns.

Time and again, the protesters shouted "Revolution!" and "The people want to bring down the regime," echoing a refrain chanted by demonstrators during Arab Spring uprisings that swept the region in 2011.

They took aim at every single political leader in the country, including President Michel Aoun and his son in law, Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil, as well as the prime minister and parliament speaker, blaming them for systemic corruption they say has pillaged the country's resources for decades.

"We are here today to ask for our rights. The country is corrupt, the garbage is all over the streets and we are fed up with all this," said Loris Obeid, a protester in downtown Beirut.

Schools, banks and businesses shut down as the protests escalated and widened in scope to reach almost every city and province.

Hundreds of people burned tires on highways and intersections in suburbs of the capital, Beirut, and in northern and southern cities, sending up clouds of black smoke in scattered protests.

The road to Beirut's international airport was blocked by protesters, stranding passengers who in some cases were seen dragging suitcases on foot to reach the airport.

Major arteries including the Salim Salam tunnel that connects central Beirut with the airport were blocked with sand dunes.

"We are here for the future of our kids. There's no future for us, no jobs at all and this is not acceptable any more. We have shut up for a long time and now it is time to talk," Obeid added.

In the northern city of Tripoli, the bodyguards of a former member of parliament opened fire at protesters who closed the road for his convoy wounding three of them, witnesses said.

The tension has been building for months, as the government searched for new ways to levy taxes to manage the country's economic crisis and soaring debt.

The trigger, in the end, was the news Thursday that the government was planning, among other measures, to impose a tax on Whatsapp calls a decision it later withdrew as people began taking to the streets.

In some cases the demonstrations evolved into riots, as protesters set fire to buildings and smashed window fronts, taking their anger out on politicians they accuse of corruption and decades of mismanagement.

Two Syrian workers died Thursday when they were trapped in a shop that was set on fire by rioters. Dozens of people were injured.

Some protesters threw stones, shoes and water bottles at security forces and scuffled with police. Security forces said at least 60 of its members were injured in the clashes. Protesters were also injured.

Prime Minister Saad Hariri cancelled a Cabinet meeting scheduled for Friday to resume discussions. He was expected to address the nation later in the day.

Interior Minister Raya al-Hassan insisted Hariri would not resign, saying that could spark a national crisis more dangerous than the current economic crisis.

Years of regional turmoil - worsened by an influx of 1.5 million Syrian refugees since 2011 - are catching up with Lebanon.

The small Arab country on the Mediterranean has the third-highest debt level in the world, currently standing at about USD 86 billion, or 150 per cent of its gross domestic product.

International donors have been demanding that Lebanon implement economic changes in order to get loans and grants pledged at the CEDRE economic conference in Paris in April 2018. International donors pledged USD 11 billion for Lebanon but they sought to ensure the money is well spent in the corruption-plagued country.

Despite tens of billions of dollars spent since the 15-year civil war ended in 1990, Lebanon still has crumbling infrastructure including daily electricity cuts, trash piles in the streets and often sporadic, limited water supplies from the state-owned water company.

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New Delhi:

An Indian tourist in Bhutan has been detained by the Kingdoms Royal Police for allegedly desecrating a chorten in the country, according to a media report on Friday. The tourist who goes by the name Abhijit Ratan Hajare hails from Maharashtra and was part of a 15-bike convoy touring the Himalayan nation, The Bhutanese reported. The group was led by a Bhutanese national.

What is Chorten?

A chorten is a Buddhist shrine, typically a saints tomb or a monument to the Buddha.

Hazare can be seen standing on top of a chorten in the photographs and videos published by The Bhutanese on Twitter. Moreover, the second man Jambay, who was repairing the chortens, is seen sitting on the chorten.

The video of Indian Tourist Abhijit Ratan Hajare from Maharashtra climbing the chorten.

Source: WeChat. pic.twitter.com/MwxzcvjLVl  The Bhutanese (@thebhutanese) October 18, 2019

The desecration incident happened when the bikers were resting at Dochula on Thursday and the team leader was trying to arrange parking space for the bikes, the report said. However, the Bhutanese group leader was unaware of the incident, the report said.

The police have seized Hajares passport and was interrogated on Friday. The royal police have started an investigation. Though Hajare was officially detained, he was allowed to spend Thursday night at his hotel. The police is also on the lookout for Jambay, the report said.

In a similar incident, a video of some Indian tourists stealing room accessories such as towels, hair dryers, soap dispensers went viral. The two minute, twenty second video clip showed men and women, who were part of an Indian family tour, first arguing and then apologising to the hotel staff.

(With PTI inputs)

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New Delhi:

A day after the shocking murder of former Hindu Mahasabha leader Kamlesh Tiwari in Lucknow, teams of the Uttar Pradesh Police arrested three men in the connection with the case from Gujarats Surat on Saturday. UPs top cop has termed the murder as radical killing. Uttar Pradesh DGP OP Singh said that Kamlesh Tiwari was murdered for his 2015 speech. The inciting speech that the victim had given in 2015 was a reason behind this. As per the information that we have received, it seems it was done in a planned manner, Singh said. Here are 10 latest updates from the case:

1: The accused have reportedly confessed to the police about murdering Tiwari. CCTV footages and the note found in the mithai box helped the police to solve the crime.

2: In morning, the family had refused to cremate Tiwaris body. They were demanding Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to visit them.

3: After mediation from the officials, the family took the body to Tiwaris paternal village for last rites. The demands of relatives have been take into consideration. They'll be provided security. Their meeting with the CM is being fixed. We're recommending a govt residence for them, said Lucknow divisional commissioner Mukesh Meshram after meeting the family.

4: Reacting on murder case, Yogi Adityanath said that, He was the President of Hindu Samaj Party. The assailants came to his house in Lucknow yesterday, sat and had tea with him, and later killed him after sending all security guards out to buy something from market. Those involved wont be spared.

5: Kamlesh Tiwaris mother has blamed the state government for the murder. She said that the police was not able to do its job.

6: In morning, the police had also detained a Maulana who had announced bounty for beheading Tiwari.

7: The arrests from Surat were made after a CCTV footage showed the very place from where the mithai box was purchased. It was the same box that was used to carry the weapons of murder on the fateful day. The Lucknow Police had found the mithai box from the site of the crime.

8: A lesser-known outfit called the Al-Hind Brigade claimed responsibility late on Friday night for Tiwaris murder, though the authenticity of the claim could not immediately be verified.

9: Two police constables were deployed for his security, but none was present when the incident took place, according to the reports. While one was allegedly not coming to duty for the last two days, another constable was asleep when the attackers slit Tiwaris throat and stabbed multiple times, leaving him critically injured.

10: Tiwari who used to claim to be the president of Hindu Mahasabha had formed his own Hindu Samaj Party after rift with the leader of Mahasabha's another faction Chakrapani. He had allegedly distributed pamphlets with derogatory remarks on Prophet Muhammad in Deoband, Saharanpur in 2015. Chakrapani has demanded Yogi Adityanaths resignation.

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Islamabad :

The Pakistan government will achieve all targets sets by the Financial Action Task Force in time to get the country out of the anti-money laundering watchdogs grey list, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has said as he accused India of trying to blacklist it. Qureshis remarks came after the Paris-based FATF put Pakistan on notice on Friday, warning that it will be blacklisted if it does not control terror funding by February.

The FATF plenary noted that Pakistan addressed only five out of the 27 tasks given to it in controlling funding to terror groups like the Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad and Hizbul Mujahideen, responsible for a series of attacks in India.

India has failed to get Pakistan included in the FATF blacklist. The country has been given various tasks until February 2020, Qureshi said, adding the government would achieve all targets in time and bring the country out of the grey list.

He said the FATF has recognised the steps taken by the government to control money laundering and terror financing.

The FATF is an inter-governmental body established in 1989 to combat money laundering, terrorist financing and other related threats to the integrity of the international financial system.

During the FATF meeting, several countries voiced concern on Pakistans failure to do enough to contain terror funding on its soil.

Referring to the anti-government protest being planned by the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (JUI-F) on October 31, Qureshi said some people would never become part of any political instability in the country.

He said that political agitation would help India to divert attention from Kashmir.

Pakistan has been unsuccessfully trying to drum up international support against India for its decision to withdraw Jammu and Kashmirs special status and bifurcate the state into two union territories.

After Indias decision on August 5, Pakistan downgraded diplomatic ties with New Delhi and expelled the Indian High Commissioner from the country.

Rejecting Pakistans reaction, India has categorically told the international community that its move on Kashmir is an internal matter. India maintains Kashmir is a bilateral issue with Pakistan and no third party has any role in it.

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Chandigarh:

BJP's Gurdaspur MP and Bollywood actor Sunny Deol on Thursday delivered some famous dialogues from his hit films to seek votes for Haryana Minister Captain Abhimanyu, who is seeking re-election from Narnaund in Hisar district. He appealed to people to vote for the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party in the October 21 assembly polls.

"This time I have come with folded hands to seek your blessings for Captain (Abhimanyu). As I say 'tarikh-par-tarikh' (dates after dates), but remember the October 21 'tarikh' (date), remember we have to make him victorious," Deol said while addressing a poll gathering in Narnaund.

Veteran actor & BJP MP Sunny Deol in Hisar: Tareek pe tareek, tareek pe tareek, par 21 tareek ko yaad rakhna, kamal ke phool ka button dabana hai,nahi toh ye 2.5 kg ka haath jab uthta hai toh kya hota hai? Iss bar aapse sirf haath jodhne aaya hun. #HaryanaAssemblyPolls (17.10) pic.twitter.com/P5HQWGCofF  ANI (@ANI) October 18, 2019

"I am overwhelmed by your love. We will always remain connected with you. I have come here for Captain (Abhimanyu). He helped me in Gurdaspur and gave me encouragement as I am new in this field (politics). Now, it is his turn and I have come here to give him a boost," the Gurdaspur MP said.

The actor then proceeded to deliver his iconic dialogue from the film 'Gadar' to hail the country -- 'Hindustan zindabad tha, hai aur rahega'.
Nagpur:

The Anti-Terrorism Squad of Maharashtra Police on Saturday arrested a man from Mominpura locality in Nagpur in connection with the murder of former Akhil Bhartiya Hindu Mahasabha leader Kamlesh Tiwari, an official said. The ATS official said the arrest was made on the basis of leads provided by the Uttar Pradesh Police. He did not reveal the name of the arrested person.

Tiwari (45), leader of the lesser-known Hindu Samaj Party (HSP) who was earlier associated with a faction of the Hindu Mahasabha, was killed at his home in Lucknow on Friday.

Earlier in the day, Uttar Pradesh Police had said that five persons, including three from Gujarat's Surat, had been held in connection with the murder.

The suspects were "radicalised" and appeared to have targeted Tiwari for his inflammatory remarks made in 2015, the police said.

"So far, there is no terror angle associated with this incident," Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police OP Singh said in Lucknow.

Among the arrested were Bijnor residents Mohammed Mufti Naeem Kazmi and Imam Maulana Anwarul Haq, who were booked on murder charge on Friday after Tiwari's wife named them in her police complaint alleging that the duo had announced a bounty of Rs 1.5 crore on his head in 2016.

However, Tiwari's mother Kusuma alleged that he was killed by a "local BJP leader" due to a temple dispute in a village.

Three people detained in Surat by Gujarat Anti- Terrorist Squad were identified as Faizan Yunus Bhai, Maulana Mohsin Sheikh and Rashid Ahmed Khursheed Ahmed Pathan.

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United Nations:

India has slammed Pakistan for raising the issue of Jammu and Kashmir at a forum of the UN, saying the country employs empty rhetoric to serve its distorted agenda and continues to engage in spreading unsubstantiated allegations. Minister in Indias Permanent Mission to the UN Deepak Misra did not name Pakistan but his remarks were in response to a statement by Islamabads UN envoy Maleeha Lodhi, who while speaking at forum last week, had yet again raked up the issue of Jammu and Kashmir.

Lodhi had said that UNs decolonisation agenda will remain incomplete without the resolution of the issue of Jammu and Kashmir and refereed to Indias decision to revoke Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir. We have one delegation which has a penchant for deviating from the subject being deliberated upon in this august forum and making unwarranted remarks not pertinent to the agenda on hand, Misra said on Wednesday.

It seeks to employ empty rhetoric to serve its distorted agenda and continues to engage in spreading malevolent and unsubstantiated allegations, he said.

Misra, addressing the Committee, said that since the creation of the United Nations, more than 80 former colonies have gained their independence and joined the family of United Nations.

As a result of sustained efforts by the UN membership, today, fewer than two million people live in non-self-governing territories, according to UN documentation. However, he noted that even as seven decades have gone by, the process of decolonisation that began with Indias own independence remains unfinished.

There still remain 17 non-self-governing territories, which are in various stages of the decolonisation process? on the agenda of this Committee. He underscored the need to step up international efforts to conclude this long-drawn process. In this inter-connected world, India strongly believes that pursuing a pragmatic approach towards decolonisation would surely lead to fulfillment of legitimate wishes of the people of Non-Self Governing Territories. The complex challenges facing the present world can only be met by coordinating our responses in a spirit of cooperation and collaboration, Misra said.

He added that the international community must strive to enhance cooperation with international agencies and actors and channelise resources for the 17 non-self governing territories that would enable them to build capacities in their just and noble quest towards achieving long cherished goals.

Pakistan has been unsuccessfully trying to drum up international support against India for its decision to withdraw Jammu and Kashmirs special status and bifurcate the state into two union territories.

After Indias decision on August 5, Pakistan downgraded diplomatic ties with New Delhi and expelled the Indian High Commissioner from the country.

Rejecting Pakistans reaction, India has categorically told the international community that its move on Kashmir is an internal matter. India maintains Kashmir is a bilateral issue with Pakistan and no third party has any role in it.

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According to a survey, the Covid-19 pandemic jeopardized the survival of one in seven German companies, or 14%, in December 2021.

Travel agencies and tour operators, as well as companies in the event industry, in Germany, are particularly vulnerable, with 73.2 percent and 67.4 percent fearing for their survival, respectively, according to a report released by the Munich-based ifo Institute on Monday. The situation in the country's restaurant and catering industries, as well as the hotel business, was only marginally better.

According to a recent member survey by the German Hotel and Restaurant Association, revenues in the lodging and restaurant business were 50% below pre-crisis levels in December due to Covid-19 measures such as a restriction on big public gatherings and club closures (DEHOGA). "The business is being struck extremely hard again by the tightening of Covid-19 laws," DEHOGA president Guido Zoellick said, demanding for additional government help for the country's hotel industry.

The retail industry in Germany was also becoming more gloomy, with the percentage of enterprises worrying for their existence rising from 14.4% to 17.1% in only six months. "Consumer restraint is also a factor," said Klaus Wohlrabe, head of ifo surveys. In Germany, consumer morale was affected by the present path of the Covid-19 pandemic and the expected fifth wave owing to the Omicron strain.

Japan to keep up its border restrictions in place until the end of February

Seoul installs in-ground traffic lights for ''Smartphone zombies''

Taliban to resume hiring government employees, excluding women
Today is the death anniversary of Bollywood's biggest villain Amrish Puri, who left the world on this day. Today he is not among us, but even today his dialogues are heard on the lips of the people, and even today Amrish Puri is alive in the memories of the people, Amrish Puri was born on June 22, 1932, in Lahore, He was in Punjab (Pakistan) and on January 12, 2005, he bid farewell to the world, died in Mumbai, Maharashtra. When he died, many newspapers created a 'Mogambo Khamosh Hua' headline and there was a pang of sadness among millions of his fans around the world.

Amrish Puri arrived in Mumbai to become a hero in his youth days. His elder brother Madan Puri was already in films. But the makers told him that his face is not like a hero. He was very disappointed with him, after being rejected as a hero, Amrish Puri started acting in theatre and gained a lot of fame there, after which his journey started in 1970, Amrish Puri left such an impression as a villain in films like Hum Paanch, Naseeb, Vidhata, Hero, Andha Kanoon, Ardh Satya, that film lovers were overwhelmed by his name.



Amrish Puri was very fond of his grandchildren. When he was with them, he would say to his children, "Go to sleep now." This is the time for us children to play, some of their dialogues are still very famous like:

Film Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge: Ja Simran Ja, Jee Le Apni Zindagi...

Film Mr India: Mogambo Khus Hua.

Sapna Chaudhary wins the heart of her fans in suits sarees

Find out what habit of Kishore Kumar lata Mangeshkar started hating

Lata Mangeshkar was poisoned to kill, was in terrible condition for 3 month
In the ongoing Vienna talks, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Saeed Khatibzadeh ruled out the possibility of a temporary pact between Tehran and the other parties to the 2015 nuclear deal, commonly known as the JCPOA, because such a deal would not meet the Islamic Republic's objectives.

"We should all try to ensure that the US's return to the JCPOA is accompanied by the necessary guarantees and verification, and that the lifting of sanctions that should have been done under the JCPOA is done effectively," Khatibzadeh said, adding that none of these can be accomplished by a "interim" agreement.

Khatibzadeh said at a press conference on Monday that "we are searching for a solid and dependable deal, and no agreement that does not contain these two components is on our agenda." He emphasised that the Vienna talks are only about ensuring the US's complete, accountable, and verifiable return to the JCPOA, and that Iran will not allow any topic being raised outside of the 2015 deal's framework in the talks.

"We negotiate neither pessimistically nor optimistically," he remarked of the progress of the talks in Vienna. We bargain based on fact." On January 8, Iran's main nuclear negotiator, Ali Bagheri Kani, stated that at the Vienna talks, disagreements over removing sanctions are diminishing.

After a nearly six-month delay, new rounds of nuclear discussions started on November 29, 2021, in Vienna, between officials of Iran and the P4+1 group, which includes the UK, China, France, Russia, and Germany, with the US indirectly partaking. The talks have been centred on the lifting of US sanctions against Iran and Washington's return to the dealer it left in 2018.

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Taliban to resume hiring government employees, excluding women

Security talks between US, Russia end without a diplomatic breakthrough
Kabul: According to media sources, Amir Khan Muttaqi, the Taliban's acting Foreign Minister, who is presently in Iran with a 26-member group, met with National Resistance Front leader Ahmad Massoud and gave him assurances about his safe return to Afghanistan.

In a tweet on Monday, Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid confirmed the meeting, which also included former Herat province Governor Ismail Khan, saying, "The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan tries to make the situation of Afghanistan safe and conducive for everyone so that there is no opportunity for people to oppose the IEA." Muttaqi was quoted as saying in a different video posted by Mohammad Naeem, a spokesman for the Taliban's Qatar-based office: "Yes, we met with Afghan leaders such as Ahmad Massoud, Commander Ismail Khan, and others. We assured them all that they could return and live a life free of worry." Despite the fact that the anti-Taliban National Resistance Front has yet to confirm the meeting, Hafiz Mansoor, a member of the alliance, told reports said citing sources.

According to Iranian media sources citing Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzada, Tehran hosted the meeting, with the Afghan participants having productive conversations.

Last September, after the Taliban conquered Panjshir Valley, the last region in Afghanistan to fall to the extremists following their takeover of the country just a month before, Massoud reportedly fled to Tajikistan.

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Home  Just In  Allo products are selling across the world. Entrepreneurs want Nepal to further cash in on the resources

Pratibha KC runs a school in Pokhara, Nepals tourism capital. But, two years ago, she also started a company named Nettle Nepal that manufactures clothes, bags and shoes from the allo plant (Girardinia diversifolia) threads sourced from districts like Parbat and Rolpa.

Last year, we used the raw materials worth approximately Rs 5 million. The sale is satisfactory as we had started during the pandemic, KC says, Our products have a huge market, both within and outside Nepal.

Allo fibre apparently has been used for textiles for hundreds of years in Nepal. Of late, this has given a rise to hundreds of allo textile entrepreneurs amid the ever-booming domestic and international markets, and the entrepreneurs say this shall help Nepal establish its additional identity in the world and earn money amid rising imports of other consumables.

Wide possibility

Ganesh Aidi, the vice-chairperson of the National Allo Entrepreneurs Association Nepal, explains the plant commonly known as the Himalayan nettle is found abundantly in over districts that are between 1,200 and 3,000 metres in altitude.

Ganesh Aidi. Photo: Shankar Giri

It naturally grows in the moist and sandy soil under the shade of the deciduous forest as a clump having many stems. In terms of processing, it traditionally undergoes phases of cutting the stems, sun-drying, soaking them in the water and extracting them from the stems.

Then, the removed barks are boiled with ash and kamero (white mica clay) and red soil.

After that, cooked barks are thrashed using a washing paddle and washed with water. This process breaks down or separates the fibre from the barks. Again, the fibre is let to sun-dry.

After completing all these steps, the fibre is ready to be used as the thread for textiles. Allo fibre can also be extracted using the machine, according to Aidi who is in business for the past 24 years.

The plants are generally collected from community forests, and its planned cultivation is almost rare as farmers say the naturally available plants are abundant for now, says Thulo Kanchha Tamang from Sindupalchok who is selling these plants to various companies for the past four years.

Tamang, who does it as part-time work says, I get around Rs 120 per kg and I sell about two tons of the plants annually.

Export worth billions

As per the statistics of the National Allo Entrepreneurs Association Nepal, 8.39 million kg of the allo fibre can be generated in Nepal every year, but only 2.68 million kg is being used currently. That fibre has been converted into around one million kg of handmade threats. There are around 190 businesses and 5,270 households directly benefitting from the sector.

A woman stitching a bag in Aidis factory. Photo: Shankar Giri

More than 2,200 products including garments, bags, carpets, purses, and shoes can be manufactured from the allo fibre, says Aidi, whose company has been producing more than 300 varieties of products regularly.

Most of these businesses are also involved in exports. Our association has planned to collect and sell about 400,000 kg raw materials this year, among which, half will be exported and a half to be sold within the country itself. We are also working on establishing outlets in 27 districts, says Aidi.

Further, last fiscal year (2020/21), products made from 200,000 kg of raw materials worth Rs 1.5 billion were exported to over 70 countries including the USA, Japan, Germany, and Canada.

Challenges to address

The growing allo business has brought positive changes to the lives of many people engaged in this industry, ranging from collectors to manufacturers and retailers. But, there still lie some hurdles to cope with, says Aidi.

The main challenge is to compete with machine-made products and there also comes difficulty in sourcing raw materials, says Pratibha KC from Pokhara.

Dresses made from allo. Photo: Shankar Giri

Ranges of products made from allo. Photo: Shankar Giri

Besides, Aidi thinks that the majority of manufacturers and customers are limited to Kathmandu only. Therefore, the reach and access to the products need to be broadened.

Transportation is the major challenge, observes Aidi. A kg of raw material costs Rs 35 in Mugu. However, the same raw material is bought in Kathmandu at Rs 180 per kg owning to the transport cost. In such a scenario, the government should extend support to share the transportation cost.

Besides, the government also should ease the process of getting subsidies and loans and consider supporting investment in modern allo processing machines for the growth of this industry, he adds.
During a market monitoring in Salyantar the Dhading district, assistant chief district officer Gokarna Prasad Upadhyaya saw something that startled him. There was a bottle of cold beverage that looked like Coca-Cola. To make sure that it was Coca-Cola, he asked the shopkeeper for one. When he got the bottle in his hand, he was shocked as it was Cold Cola, a fake version of Coca-Cola that looked exactly like the international brand.

This was shocking, he wrote on Facebook. If you dont look at it properly, anyone can mistake it for Coca-Cola.

It was not just Coke. Other beverages also had their cheap lookalikes with almost similar names. Fanta had become Fantu and Funny, Sprite had become Sport and Strike while Mountain Dew had become Maintain Dew.

These bottles have the same packaging, design, font and colour. What was shocking was these drinks were produced in Dhading itself, he writes.

A few days later on June 9, Prem Lal Maharjan, a consumer rights activist posted a similar photo. In the photo, he questioned why Bikajis and Centurys Bikaneri bhujia looked the same. He also posted how Centurys Kurmure and Pepsi Cos Kurkure looked similar.

If anything happens to anyone due to these fake products, who will be responsible, he wrote on Facebook.

These two examples shed light on how poor consumer and industrial laws in the country have resulted in an increase of fake and substandard goods in the market. After these examples made the rounds on social media, people have also started to question if the everyday products that they use are fake like the bottle of Coca-Cola found in Dhading. Even officials involved in monitoring shops for these fake goods admit that fake goods are prevalent in Nepal. They say that everything from clothes to food has the tendency to be fake. This goes to show the risks consumers face while purchasing things in Nepal.

Fake liquor kills

In 2015, six men from Arnama rural municipality in Siraha died of alcohol poisoning. All six had slept after drinking alcohol available in the market. Before going to bed, they all had the same symptoms as they complained of nausea, headache and eye pain and all of them died around 10 hours after. According to the District Administration Office, around 30 people in the village have died due to alcohol poisoning. In 2012, eight men in the same villages had died after they showed similar symptoms following drinking. The BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, where these men were taken to for postmortem, had confirmed they died because of alcohol poisoning.

Incidents like these are quite common as fake alcohol is prevalent in a lot of areas across the country.

Madhav Ghimire from Kathmandu died after drinking fake alcohol in 2001. This death has even been recorded at the Forum for Protection of Consumer Rights-Nepal. The forums president, right activist and lawyer Jyoti Baniya says a CPN-UML leader, Thakkar Prasad Sharma, had lost his eyesight after drinking fake alcohol in the early 2000s. After that, the forum had even filed a complaint against the shop which sold Sharma the Royal Stag whiskey leading to him being blind.

There have been a lot of complaints at the Department of Industry about these fake alcohols as a few Nepalis have been using the same name to sell these poorly made alcohols. According to the department, fake alcohols are sold under the brand names of Royal Stag, Blue Riband and Golden Oak.

These companies have been regularly asking the department to take action against people using their brand to sell substandard products. But even though the department says it is investigating, not much has been done.

Were doing our best to find out where these items come from because this is a serious issue, says the departments undersecretary Dipak Ghimire.

Is that Coca-Cola?

Duplicate cold drinks in Nepal can mostly be found in remote areas of the country.

Fake cold beverages produced in Kailali, Rupandehi and Jhapa are available all over Nepal. These products look exactly or similar to products like Coca-Cola, Fanta, Real Juice, Frooti and Slice, as people buy them unknowingly. According to the Department of Commerce, these items are mostly found in rural areas and border areas.

At first glance, these look original, says Sagar Mishra, an official at the department. One will only know that these are fake after they look at the labels. I think its time we started to check the quality of these products as well.

This makes it clear that government bodies are not bothered about the health of Nepali citizens as it seems to have turned a blind eye to this recurring problem.

North Face from Nepalgunj

Nepals police raided various shops in Thamel after The North Face filed a complaint that various Nepali companies were using its name to sell jackets. Photo by Andrea Rondon on Unsplash

Counterfeiting is also quite prevalent when it comes to clothing. Brands like Adidas, Puma, Fila and North Face are available everywhere in the country. These brands have made a name for themselves in the international market due to their quality and durability. But, people in Nepal have been using logos of these brands on various clothes and selling them at stalls around bus parks to air-conditioned shops in shopping malls. As these brands have not filed a case against them, regulatory bodies have not done anything as these fake items continue to sell all over the country.

Rupesh Pandey, the president of RP Group, a wholesaler of various international brands, says that government bodies do not care about this issue. Pandey says people have been buying substandard products for the price of originals as the traders are coning them.

Only a few people in Nepal know about these international brands and they buy them from specific shops. Others, based on the advertisements, go and purchase these branded items from anywhere they can. That is when these people are cheated as they are sold fake items, says Pandey.

On August 14, 2020, officials from the Department of Industries raided shops in Thamel that were selling fake North Face jackets and trousers. The raid was done after North Face filed a complaint at the department asking it to take action against shops selling jackets with their tag. Hundreds of kilos of clothes were confiscated by the department as it took action against The Mountain Wear, World Kalapathar Outdoor Collection and Galaxy Trekking Store. These stores were found to be selling fake North Face goods for original prices without seeking permission from the company.

Going for fake beauty

The demand for beauty products in Nepal is quite high. But, not all of these products are originals as people have been complaining about substandard beauty products being sold in the market.

In April, the Department of Industries and Nepal Police raided a warehouse in Kalanki suspected of selling fake and substandard goods. In the raid, the officials found out that the company was using the cover of branded creams to sell products that had harmful chemicals.

After the raid, one owner of the warehouse was arrested while the stores, production factory and warehouse were all sealed. The raid happened after Hindustan Unilever, Fair and Lovelys parent company, filed a complaint claiming that the Nepali company had stolen its intellectual property.

The action was also taken against a company in Sunsari for selling chewing gums that looked exactly like Centre Fresh and Mentos produced by Italian Company PVM. After PVM found out about it, it had filed a violation of trademark complaint against the Nepali company. The case, according to the department, is currently on trial at the Supreme Court.

Fake water

Aqua Hundred has been selling mineral water in Nepal for the past 29 years. Recently, however, a lot of similar-looking mineral water bottles have been seen in the market.

According to the companys manager Chandra Mani Ghimire, he has been asking the department to take action against companies that are imitating Aqua Hundred.

Weve already taken action against a few, but these water bottles keep popping up, he says.

Shiva Raj Sedhai, the spokesperson of the Department of Commerce, Supplies and Consumer Protection says that these things are quite common.

Patanjali recently launched its water. But, people have already started to copy it, he says.

Olis financial advisor also caught cheating

Dugar Group of Companies is fighting a case against Pepsi Co after Pepsi Co claimed that it stole its product.

Many argue that these fake items are made in Nepal by people who have political backing and influence. A good example is Century Spice and Snacks owned by Dugar Group which has been producing Kurmure and Bikaneri bhujia. The company that produces these snacks is owned by Moti Lal Dugar, former state minister and PM KP Sharma Olis financial advisor.

Two separate complaints have been filed against Dugar accusing him of stealing someone elses trademark without seeking permission. The first is by Pepsi Co which has accused Dugar of producing Kurmure and Bikaneri bhujia copying its brand names. Another complaint was filed by the Bawa Masala Company (BMC) that accuses Dugar of copying its spice names. The cases against Dugar are still on trial, but the items are still easily available in the market.

Dugar, on the other hand, says that the cases are baseless and have been filed to defame him. He says that his brands (Kurmure and Century Masala) are Nepali and have always been Nepali as he says he has been able to provide jobs to over 1,000 people.

Kurmure is a Nepali brand. I dont understand why they are calling it a stolen product, says Dugar.

He even says the cases were already won even though they are still sub-judice.

Intellectual property theft cases galore

According to the Department of Industry, there are 900 pending cases against trademark fraud in Nepal. Out of them, 536 cases from last year are yet to be settled while a further 364 cases have been registered at the department in the ongoing fiscal year.

This year, due to Covid-19, only 70 cases were settled, according to the departments spokesperson Gyanendra Parajuli.

He says Royal Stag, Golden Oak and Blue Riband had filed complaints at the department claiming their trademarks had been stolen. But, using packaging of known brands to sell local products is a common affair, says undersecretary Ghimire.

He says that a case has also been filed against the KKFC by the KFC as the latter claims that the former has copied it entirely.

Unaware industrialists

Every product has its own unique identity and it makes the product a global product, the one known by people all over the world. There are hundreds of cold beverages available in the world, but brands like Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Mirinda and 7 Up have their own uniqueness. These products look different, have different bottle designs and a unique taste. These companies register these drinks and obtain a patent so that no other company can replicate them without their permission. If found copying, the companies can face damage claims of millions of dollars.

But, things are different in Nepal. Binda Acharya, the director at the Industrial Property Section of the department, says there are numerous cases of Nepali companies copying international companies. She says that Nepali businesspersons are not aware that they have to register their products.

People are ignorant in Nepal and things are not going to change anytime soon, says Acharya.

Cases closing at snails pace

Italian company PVM filed a case against Nepali companies for copying its product over five years ago. The case has now reached the Supreme Court through the department and the high court. When a decision will be made is still unsure.

Both real and fake products are in the market. The companys goodwill and revenue are both at a loss. We dont know when a decision will be made, says advocate Janak Bhandari who is fighting the case on behalf of the Italian company.

The role of monitoring and managing patent, trademark and design are up to the department. But, it says that it does not have the human resources to do all of that. Hence, it admits that cases are being heard at a very slow pace.

We are busy with administrative work and have to set aside a fixed time to tend to these cases, says Ghimire. This year, due to Covid-19, we havent been able to call all parties to discuss the issue further as well.

A reason why verdicts are slow, according to the department, is that the case goes through many layers. The complaint is first seen by the department itself, after which it goes to the district and then the Supreme Court. That causes a lot of delays, say officials from the department.

Nepals laws are archaic and due to that, it might take a decade for a verdict to come out. No wonder foreign companies are reluctant to do business here, says an official from one of these companies.

Scattered laws and little punishment

To manage patents, trademarks and design, the Patent, Design and Trade Mark Act was drafted in 1965. But, officials from the department say the act is archaic and ineffective.

Ghimire says the punishment is not strict enough as the law also does not talk about harsh compensation as the only punishment that people producing these fake items face is a fine of Rs 100,000 and confiscation of all items.

In 1965, that amount was a lot. But right now, it isnt and we need to amend it, says Ghimire.



From the archive
For the First Time in Five Years, External Threats Overshadow Internal Threats as the Greatest Cybersecurity Concern for the Public Sector

SolarWinds (NYSE:SWI), a leading provider of simple, powerful, and secure IT management software, today announced the findings of its seventh Public Sector Cybersecurity Survey Report.* This survey includes responses from 400 IT operations and security decision makers, including 200 federal, 100 state and local, and 100 education respondents.

"These results demonstrate that while IT security threats have increased-primarily from the general hacking community and foreign governments-the ability to detect and remediate such threats has not increased at the same rate, leaving public sector organizations vulnerable," said Brandon Shopp, Group Vice President, Product Strategy, SolarWinds. "But the data also shows an increased awareness and adoption of zero trust, as well as a commitment to invest in IT solutions and adopt cybersecurity best practices outlined in the Administration's Cybersecurity Executive Order. It's through these steps that public sector organizations can enhance their cybersecurity posture and fight the rising tide of external threats."

2021 Key Findings:

The general hacking community (56%) is the largest source of security threats at public sector organizations, followed closely by careless/untrained insiders (52%) and foreign governments (47%). For the first time in five years, careless insiders were not listed as the top security threat. State and local governments (63%) are significantly more likely than other public sector groups to be concerned about the threat of the general hacking community. Federal civilian agency respondents (58%) are more likely to indicate careless insiders as a threat compared to the defense community (41%).

Cybersecurity threats from foreign governments (56%) are responsible for the greatest increase in concern among public sector respondents. Defense respondents (68%) are the most likely to note foreign governments as a cybersecurity threat, compared to civilian (53%), state and local government (46%), and education (25%) respondents.

When asked about specific types of security breaches, the public sector's level of concern over ransomware (66%), malware (65%), and phishing (63%) has increased the most over the last year.

Time to detection and resolution have not improved at the rate of increased IT security threats and breach concerns. About 60% of respondents noted both the time to detection and time to resolution remained the same or worsened between 2020 and 2021.

Lack of training (40%), low budgets and resources (37%), and the expanded perimeter (32%) as a result of increased remote work continue to plague public sector security pros. Respondents also pointed to insufficient data collection and monitoring as a key impediment to threat detection (31%). State government respondents (50%) indicate more so than local governments (25%) that budget constraints are an obstacle to maintaining or improving IT security. Education respondents are the most likely to struggle to identify the root cause of security issues, hampering their ability to both detect and remediate such threats.

Public sector respondents suggest improving investigative and remediation capabilities, as well as reducing barriers to sharing threat information between public and private sectors, as the top priorities for compliance with the Cybersecurity Executive Order. Among SLED organizations, 86% are likely to adopt cybersecurity best practices and activities from the Cybersecurity Executive Order, including almost 100% of respondents from K-12 schools.

More than 75% of public sector respondents note their organizations rely on a formal or informal zero-trust approach. A majority of public sector respondents are familiar with the principle of least privilege (PoLP), and 70% of respondents are either already implementing PoLP or will implement PoLP within the next 12 months.

The majority of public sector respondents realize the importance of IT security solutions and prioritize their invesments highly in the next 12 months, with network security software (77%) being the top priority. IT modernization investment priority leans toward replacing legacy applications (60%) and migrating systems to the cloud (60%). When it comes to customer experience, IT services management (59%) holds investment priority. And for digital transformation, implementing stakeholder platforms and portals (57%) is key.



"Public sector organizations are increasingly concerned about the threats from foreign governments," said Tim Brown, CISO and Vice President of Security, SolarWinds. "In looking at the survey data, it's encouraging that a majority of the public sector is actively seeking to follow the roadmap outlined in the Administration's Cybersecurity Executive Order, including enhanced data sharing between public and private sectors. This is a key pillar of the SolarWinds Secure by Design approach, which encourages government and industry to present a united front against criminals and foreign cyberactors."

Supporting Quotes:

"Remote access is improving and will continue to be a priority."

- Defense / Military

"The main difficulty is in finding and hiring qualified IT employees and then retaining them."

- Federal Civilian

"If you and your customers are based in the United States, reshoring can help alleviate some of the supply chain unknowns. The looming question is how many supply chain unknowns will remain unknown?"

- Defense / Military

*In October 2021, independent market research firm Market Connections, Inc. surveyed 400 IT security professionals in U.S. federal civilian and defense agencies, state and local government, and education. The survey was conducted on behalf of SolarWinds. Full survey results are available upon request.

Additional Resources

Connect with SolarWinds

#SWI

#SWIcorporate

#SWIresearch

#SWIsecurity

About SolarWinds

SolarWinds (NYSE:SWI) is a leading provider of simple, powerful, and secure IT management software. Our solutions give organizations worldwide-regardless of type, size, or complexity-the power to accelerate business transformation in today's hybrid IT environments. We continuously engage with technology professionals-IT service and operations professionals, DevOps and SecOps professionals, and database administrators (DBAs) - to understand the challenges they face in maintaining high-performing and highly available IT infrastructures, applications, and environments. The insights we gain from them, in places like our THWACK community, allow us to address customers' needs now, and in the future. Our focus on the user and commitment to excellence in end-to-end hybrid IT management has established SolarWinds as a worldwide leader in solutions for observability, IT service management, application performance, and database management. Learn more today at www.solarwinds.com.

The SolarWinds, SolarWinds & Design, Orion, and THWACK trademarks are the exclusive property of SolarWinds Worldwide, LLC or its affiliates, are registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, and may be registered or pending registration in other countries. All other SolarWinds trademarks, service marks, and logos may be common law marks or are registered or pending registration. All other trademarks mentioned herein are used for identification purposes only and are trademarks of (and may be registered trademarks of) their respective companies.

 2022 SolarWinds Worldwide, LLC. All rights reserved.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220111005056/en/
(Repeats with fresh headline)

Jan 10 (Reuters) - Negotiations between Kroger's King Soopers grocery store and the union that represents more than 8,700 workers at the Colorado chain have failed, setting the stage for a three-week strike starting from Wednesday.

United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7 President Kim Cordova said on Monday that King Soopers has not yet provided the information the union needs to evaluate its proposal, according to an update livestreamed on Facebook.

The only proposal during the three days of talks was from the union, which the company representatives asked them to revisit, said Liz Wesley, a store manager at Colorado Springs who has spent 17 years with the grocery chain.

"The (company) is not taking our proposals seriously," Wesley said. "We want a better contract for us."

The company has filed unfair practice charges against the union for refusing to bargain in good faith, King Soopers said on Monday.

King Soopers operates more than 100 stores in Colorado and is the No. 1 grocery chain by market share in the state. Its sales have boomed during the pandemic, with shares of its parent Kroger hitting a record high last week.

Last month, King Soopers offered more than $145 million in new wages over the next four years, bringing the average hourly wage for 75% of associates to more than $18 and to over $20 for more than 50% of them.

The union rejected the offer, following which the company sweetened it to $148 million in wages and signing bonuses over three years.

On Jan. 7, a day before the contract between the company and the workers in the Denver metropolitan area, and the cities of Broomfield, Parker and Boulder ended, the union warned of a strike from 5 a.m. (1200 GMT) on Wednesday.

King Soopers sought the help of a federal mediator, but Cordova rejected the move saying "at this point in the process adding another presence is not going to be productive".

This comes after the union last month filed a lawsuit against the grocery chain for violating an agreement by using third-party services to hire workers that then paid them wages starting at $16 per hour, more than the wage rate for many King Soopers workers.

The company said the union has not given any indication of when they will return to the negotiation process. (Reporting by Ananya Mariam Rajesh and Siddharth Cavale in Bengaluru; Editing by Arun Koyyur and Christian Schmollinger)
DUBLIN, January 11, 2022--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The "Methanol Market - Global Forecasts to 2026" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The global Methanol market is estimated to be USD 30.7 billion in 2021 and is projected to reach USD 36.3 billion by 2026, at a CAGR of 3.4% from 2021 to 2026.

Increase in demand of methanol from the end-use industries such as automotive, construction, electronics, solvents, pharmaceuticals, appliances, packaging, and insulation is propelling the growth of this market.

Coal feedstock is anticipated to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period

Coal is estimated to account for the fastest growth in the methanol feedstock segment from 2021 to 2026. Coal is considered to be the sustainable alternative raw material for large-scale methanol production which is one the important reason for the increase in demand of coal as feedstock of methanol.

MTO/MTP derivative is anticipated to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period

Methanol-to-olefins/methanol-to-propylene (MTO/MTP) is estimated to account for the fastest growth in the methanol derivatives segment from 2021 to 2026. The growth is due to the rise in MTO/CTO plants in China to produce olefins through methanol, as the demand for olefins is growing in the petrochemical industry. The growing demand for methanol is highly attributed to its increasing demand in the automotive and construction end-use industries.

Olefins sub-derivative is anticipated to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period

Olefins is estimated to account for the fastest growth in the methanol sub-derivatives segment from 2021 to 2026. The growth is due to high demand of olefins in end-use industries such as building and construction industry. The increase in production of methanol and high feedstock availability will increase the demand for methanol-based sub-derivatives such as olefins.

Solvents end-use industry is estimated to account for the fastest growth during the forecast period

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Solvents end-use industry is estimated to account for the fastest growth in the methanol sub-derivatives segment from 2021 to 2026. The growth in the solvent industry is due to increasing demand of solvents in the pharmaceutical, construction, and paints & coatings industries.

Asia-Pacific is projected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period

Asia Pacific is projected to grow at the highest CAGR in the methanol market from 2021 to 2026. Asia Pacific is the largest and fastest-growing market of methanol, with China and India being the major emerging markets. The growth can be attributed to the rapidly increasing demand for methanol from the automotive and construction industries. China is a major manufacturer of methanol and had the highest consumption of methanol. The increasing demand for UF/PF resins and increasing methanol usage as an emerging fuel for automotive are the key factors expected to drive the demand for methanol during the forecast period.

Some of the companies involved in the manufacturing of methanol are Methanex Corporation (Canada), Celanese Corporation (US), BASF SE (Germany), SABIC (Saudi Arabia), Petronas (Malaysia), Yangzhou Coal Mining Company (China), HELM Proman Methanol AG (Switzerland), Zagros Petrochemical Company (Iran), Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company Inc. (Japan), and Mitsui & Co., Ltd. (Japan).

Premium Insights

Growing Demand for Fuel and Downstream Petrochemical Products to Drive the Methanol Market

Mto/Mtp Segment to Register the Highest Growth During the Forecast Period

Coal and China Accounted for the Largest Shares in Asia-Pacific Methanol Market in 2020

China, India, Turkey, and Canada to Offer Lucrative Opportunities During Forecast Period

Market Dynamics

Drivers

Increasing Demand for Chemicals in Asia-Pacific

Growing Demand from Automotive and Construction Industries

Restraints

Use of Fuel-Grade Ethanol

Opportunities

Use of Methanol as an Alternative Fuel in Marine and Manufacturing Industries

Challenges

Capital-Intensive Environment

Capital Costs for Large-Scale Methanol Plants (2020)

Supply Chain, Trade, and Economic Disruptions due to the COVID-19 Pandemic

Porter's Five Forces Analysis

Macroeconomic Indicators

Trends and Forecast of Real Gdp

Global Electronics Industry

Trends & Forecast in the Construction Industry

Manufacturing Industry

Oil & Gas Industry

Industry Trends

Supply Chain Analysis

Companies Involved in the Supply Chain of the Methanol Market

Value Chain Analysis

Prominent Companies

Small & Medium Enterprises

Trends/Disruptions Impacting Customer's Business

Revenue Shift & New Revenue Pockets for Methanol Manufacturers

Ecosystem for Methanol Market

Patent Analysis

Document Type

Insight

Jurisdiction Analysis

Patent Jurisdiction Analysis - Top 10 Countries

Top Applicants and Owners

Top 10 Patent Owners in Last 10 Years

Top Applicants in Patent Filing - Methanol Production

Technology Analysis

Average Selling Price Analysis

Regulatory Landscape

Detailed Regulation Analysis Impacting Methanol Market

COVID-19 Impact Analysis

COVID-19 Impact on the Methanol Market

Stemmed Market Demand, Decreased Capacity Utilization, and Logistic Disruptions Affected the Methanol Market Adversely in 2020

Natural Gas Prices Plummeted in 2020 due to COVID-19 Impact

Coal Prices Plummeted in 2020 due to COVID-19 Impact

Increased Capacity Additions in 2020 May Lower Methanol Prices in the Future

Post-COVID-19 Scenario

Companies Mentioned

Methanex Corporation

Celanese Corporation

Basf Se

Sabic

Petroliam Nasional Berhad (Petronas)

Yanzhou Coal Mining Co.,

Helm Proman Methanol Ag

Zagros Petrochemical Company (Zpc)

Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company Inc.

Mitsui & Co., Ltd.

Lyondellbasell Industries Holdings B.V.

Oci N.V.

Sipchem

Metafrax Chemicals

Atlantic Methanol Production Company LLC

Enerkem

Oberon Fuels

Gujarat Narmada Valley Fertilizers & Chemicals Limited (Gnfc)

Deepak Fertilizers & Petrochemicals Corp. Ltd.

Qatar Fuel Additives Company

Coogee Chemicals

Risun Coal Chemicals Group Ltd

Rashtriya Chemicals & Fertilizers Ltd

Rosneft

Viromet S.A.

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/sf9sh

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220111005742/en/

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Alstom wins landmark contract to deliver up to 200 regional trains in Norway

Framework agreement with Norske Tog worth at least 1.8 billion to provide up to 200 Coradia Nordic trains

First firm order of 30 trains worth 380 million





11 January 2022  Alstom, global leader in smart and sustainable mobility, has signed a framework contract with Norske Tog (NT)1 allowing for the provision of up to 200 Coradia Nordic regional trains. Valued at over 1.8 billion, the contract constitutes the most significant rail procurement in Norways history. The first firm order of 30 trains is worth 380 million.

Delivery of Norske Togs new Class 77 regional trains is scheduled to begin in 2025. Once in service, this new fleet will begin operations as a suburban and fast rail service, connecting Ski and Stabekk in the greater Oslo region.

We look forward to being able to offer improved capacity, comfort and mobile coverage to our commuters, says ystein Risan, Managing Director of Norske Tog.

We are truly pleased that Norske Tog has selected Alstom to build their future fleet of trains. We are proud to contribute to increasing capacity on busy lines in the Oslo and Viken area. The chosen Coradia Nordic trains are fully suitable for Norwegian weather conditions. Furthermore, this order confirms Alstoms leading position in Norway, as we are already equipping the entire Norwegian fleet with a new signalling solution, says Rob Whyte, Managing Director of Alstom Nordics.

The Coradia Nordic for Norske Tog has been specially adapted to meet the needs of the Norwegian rail network. Its top speed of 160 km/h ensures a swift and comfortable commute in a spacious and relaxing environment. Each trainset will consist of six single-deck coaches for a total capacity of 778 passengers, offering 40% higher capacity than the trains they replace. The new trains will be equipped with the latest ETCS2 signalling system. The system will feature a world-first advanced odometry solution designed for the harshest winter conditions.

Story continues

Coradia Nordic is a state-of-the-art, low-floor, highly versatile family of electric multiple unit trains designed to meet the demands of regional and intercity transport in Nordic countries. A modular design allows operators to choose the configuration and interior that work best for their market and commercial strategy. In addition, Alstoms sustainable approach to services considers the entire life cycle of the product, from initial design to end of life, which will maximize the value of Norske Togs assets. Nearly 300 Coradia Nordic trains have been delivered to customers in Nordic countries so far.

Alstom will assemble the trains for Norske Tog at its site in Salzgitter, Germany. The project office with project and contract management, product commissioning, testing, documentation, training and warranty will be executed within Norway.

Alstoms Coradia range meets todays demands in regional and intercity transport and features trains that have proved themselves in operation for over thirty years. To date, Alstom has sold 3,300 Coradia trains worldwide. The Coradia range offers electrical and diesel traction, along with other innovative emission-free solutions, such as battery and hydrogen powered traction, for non-electrified lines.

Alstom, Coradia and Coradia Nordic are protected trademarks of the Alstom Group.

1 Norske Tog AS is owned by the Norwegian Ministry of Transport and Communications. The company procures, owns, and manages rolling stock for passenger train transport in Norway.

2 European Train Control System, Baseline 3 Release 2

About Alstom Leading societies to a low carbon future, Alstom develops and markets mobility solutions that provide the sustainable foundations for the future of transportation. Alstoms product portfolio ranges from high-speed trains, metros, monorails and trams, to integrated systems, customised services, infrastructure, signalling, and digital mobility solutions. Alstom has 150,000 vehicles in commercial service worldwide. With Bombardier Transportation joining Alstom on January 29, 2021, the enlarged Groups combined proforma revenue amounts to 14 billion for the 12-month period ended March 31, 2021. Headquartered in France, Alstom is now present in 70 countries and employs more than 70,000 people. www.alstom.com Contacts



Press:

Samuel MILLER - Tel.: +33 (0)6 65 47 40 14

samuel.miller@alstomgroup.com



Coralie COLLET  Tel.: +33 (0)7 63 63 09 62

coralie.collet@alstomgroup.com











Investor Relations:







Martin VAUJOUR  Tel.: +33 (6) 88 40 17 57

martin.vaujour@alstomgroup.com







Claire LEPELLETIER  Tel.: +33 (6) 76 64 33 06



claire.lepelletier@alstomgroup.com



































Attachment




HOUSTON, Jan. 11, 2022 /CNW/ -- Axiom Space, Inc., the leader in human spaceflight and human-rated space infrastructure, announced Tuesday it has welcomed Col. Walter Villadei of the Italian Air Force (ItAF) to its headquarters in Houston to begin astronaut training at NASA's Johnson Space Center (JSC) as part of Axiom's professional astronaut services.

Italian Air Force Col. and Axiom Space professional astronaut trainee Walter Villadei

Through a partnership with KBR and NASA, Axiom, which trains and flies professional and private astronauts, is able to provide potential astronaut candidates access to facilities, instructors, and training at NASA. Candidates for flight complete Axiom's training curriculum over many months in preparation to live and conduct meaningful work in space.

"I am thrilled, after being qualified as cosmonaut, to begin training as a professional astronaut with Axiom," Col. Villadei said. "It is a unique opportunity to support the Italian role in the expansion of human space exploration, advancing the historical, strong partnership between Italy and the U.S. and opening up new possibilities in technology development as well as opportunities for new generations of scientists and engineers. As Axiom's first international astronaut trainee, it is an honor to help establish a closer relationship between Axiom and Italy."

Axiom Space and the Italian Air Force signed a contract on November 1, 2021, as a cornerstone step for preparing Col. Villadei to fly on a future Axiom research mission.

Villadei's training adds yet another dimension to an important and growing partnership between Italy and Axiom Space. Italy's Thales Alenia Space, building upon a rich heritage in human spaceflight  including construction of modules for the International Space Station  is currently constructing the primary structure for the first two modules of Axiom's world's-first commercial space station. Both modules will be shipped to Houston for installation of all operational subsystem and outfitted for crew and scientific use before their planned launch in 2024 and 2025.

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Further discussions with Italian officials are underway to support broader collaboration with Italian industry and substantive participation on Axiom Station, whose launch and operation will open new markets in low-Earth orbit  an essential step in creating a sustainable space economy enabling the exploration of the Moon and Mars.

"Italy's contributions to space and its collaboration with the United States go back decades and, as an important partner to Axiom, extend into the future," Axiom President & CEO Michael Suffredini said. "We are excited about Italy's new role as a partner in commercial space, beginning with Col. Villadei's training, and eagerly anticipate future agreements deepening this relationship as we work together to drive low-Earth orbit settlement and commercialization for scientific and technological development."

About Axiom Space

Axiom Space, the premier provider of human spaceflight services and developer of human-rated space infrastructure, is guided by the vision of a thriving home in space that benefits every human, everywhere. Founded in 2016, Axiom is opening new markets in low-Earth orbit through operating end-to-end missions to the International Space Station while privately developing its successor  a permanent commercial destination in Earth's orbit that will sustain human growth off the planet and bring untold benefits back home.

Cision

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SOURCE Axiom Space

Cision

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The Epidaurus, Greece EU-GMP Cannabis Cultivation and Manufacturing Facility is expected to open the EU Market to KAYS' branded cannabis products.

FT. LAUDERDALE, FL / ACCESSWIRE / January 11, 2022 / Kaya Holdings, Inc., ("KAYS" or the "Company") (OTCQB:KAYS), the first U.S. publicly traded company to hold and operate cannabis licenses in all "touch the plant" categories, announced today that its majority owned subsidiary Kaya Farms Greece has executed an agreement to acquire 50% of a Medical Cannabis Project in Epidaurus, Greece ("Greek Kaya"). This marks the Company's second cannabis venture in the EU nation.

KAYS' newest project with 50K square feet of already constructed buildings is designed to fast-track sales of KAYS proprietary branded cannabis products to the EU.

A picture containing indoor, ceiling, warehouse, severalDescription automatically generated

The Epidaurus site consists of 2 connected industrial buildings (approximately 50,000 square feet in total under-air space) situated on 2.8 acres of land, with its own independent industrial electrical power center and ample water supply to service the needs of the facility. The Greek Kaya Project will include 25,000 square feet of indoor cannabis cultivation, a 15,000 square foot EU-GMP extraction and processing facility, and a 10,000 square foot EU-GMP packing area. There is ample room for expansion with room to construct an additional 15,000 square feet on site.

Greek Kaya plans to cultivate and manufacture KAYS proprietary cannabis brands (CBD/THC) for distribution in the Greek, German and other EU markets as permitted by local regulations. The joint venture is awaiting project financing and final license approval from Greek government authorities.

The Epidaurus project is smaller in scale than the Company's 15-acre project in Thebes, Greece, allowing KAYS to fast track cultivation and processing of its proprietary branded cannabis products for distribution in legal EU markets while awaiting greater legal cannabis demand to emerge prior to developing a large-scale capacity in Thebes.

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"We expect that 2022 will be a breakthrough year for us as our efforts to gain a foothold in the European cannabis market begin to come to fruition," remarked KAYS' CEO Craig Frank. "We have strengthened our international ties substantially in 2021 and now have the network to undertake bold steps to claim our stake in a global cannabis sector still in its infancy".

About Kaya Holdings, Inc. (www.kayaholdings.com)

Kaya Holdings, Inc. (OTCQB:KAYS) is an industry veteran, touch-the-plant, vertically integrated legal cannabis company operating a number of majority-owned subsidiaries that retail, cultivate, produce and distribute premium medical and recreational cannabis products, including flower, concentrates, oils and extracts, cannabis-infused foods and beverages, topicals and cannaceuticals. KAYS is a fully reporting, US-based publicly traded company, listed for trading on the OTCQB Tier of the over-the-counter market under the symbol OTCQB:KAYS.

Summary of Operations

KAYS corporate structure includes the following three majority-owned subsidiaries, each responding to various demands and opportunities in the cannabis industry:

Marijuana Holdings Americas, Inc. owns the Kaya Shack brand of licensed medical and recreational marijuana stores (www.kayashack.com) and the Kaya Farms brand of cannabis production and processing operations that operate in the United States.

Kaya Brands USA, Inc. owns a wide range of proprietary brands of cannabis extracts, oils, pre-rolls, topicals, food and beverages, cannaceuticals and related accessories.

Kaya Brands International, Inc., was founded to serve as the vehicle for the Company's non-U.S. operations including retail franchising in Canada and cultivation activities in Greece and Israel.

Marijuana Holdings Americas, Inc.- U.S. Cannabis Operations

Kaya Shack Retail Cannabis Stores

In 2014, KAYS became the first United States publicly traded company to own and operate a Medical Marijuana Dispensary. KAYS presently operates two Kaya Shack OLCC licensed marijuana retail stores to service the legal medical and recreational marijuana market in Oregon.

Kaya Farms

Lebanon, Oregon Farm & Greenhouse Facility: KAYS owns a 26-acre parcel in Lebanon, Linn County, Oregon. KAYS has received Linn County Zoning approvals and is awaiting final OLCC inspection and license approval. The Company expects to commence operations in April 2022.

Kaya Brands USA, Inc.- Brand and Product Development

The Company maintains a genetics library of over 150 strains of cannabis and owns a number of proprietary brands in traditional and innovative cannabis categories including Kaya Buddies pre-rolls, Really Happy Glass cannabis accessories, and Kaya Gear, company-related and cannabis-centric fashion. These brands are currently available at Kaya Shack stores. Brands the Company plans to introduce in 2022 include Pakalolo Juice Company, Tony Giggles Pleasure Foods, Wooz Chews, Syzygy Extracts, Sesh Sticks, Soothe Topicals, and Cannamo Pet Treats, Urban Shaman and Aglaea Pharma.

Kaya Brands International, Inc.- Foreign Cannabis Operations

After over six years of conducting "touch the plant" U.S. cannabis operations inside the strict regulatory confines of a public company, KAYS has formed a subsidiary, Kaya Brands International, Inc. ("KBI") to leverage its experience and expand into worldwide cannabis markets. KBI's current operations and initiatives include:

Kaya Kannabis- Kaya Farms Greece S.A. ("Kaya Farms Greece," a Greek Corporation) is a majority owned subsidiary of KBI. Kaya Farms Greece currently has two medical cannabis cultivation and processing projects in Greece- "Greekkannabis" in Thebes and "Greek Kaya" in Epidaurus.

Greekkannabis has a development license from the Greek authorities and a purchase option on 15 acres in Thebes, Greece. The farm has large-scale cultivation capacities and the company expects to develop the site once legal cannabis demand warrants an increase in capacity.

Greek Kaya is situated on 2.8 acres of land in Epidaurus, Greece. The project is in the final stages of receiving its development license from the Greek Authorities and is in process of securing a purchase agreement to acquire the property. The Epidaurus Project will include 25,000 square feet of indoor cannabis cultivation, a 15,000 square foot EU-GMP extraction and cultivation facility, and a 10,000 square foot EU-GMP packing facility, housed in two top-condition connected structures totaling more than 50,000 square feet of under-air space. There is ample room for expansion with room to construct an additional 15,000 square feet on site.

Kaya Farms Israel- Kaya Shalvah LTD ("Kaya Farms Israel," an Israeli Corporation) is a majority owned subsidiary of KBI. Kaya Farms Israel has been awarded its cannabis cultivation development license from the Office of Medical Cannabis at the Israeli Ministry of Health ("YAKAR"). The Company is currently evaluating a number of opportunities in Israel and expects to be announcing its plans by Q2 2022.

Important Disclosure

KAYS is planning execution of its stated business objectives in accordance with current understanding of state and local laws and federal enforcement policies and priorities as it relates to marijuana. Potential investors and shareholders are cautioned that KAYS and MJAI will obtain advice of counsel prior to actualizing any portion of their business plan (including but not limited to license applications for the cultivation, distribution or sale of marijuana products, engaging in said activities or acquiring existing cannabis production/sales operations). Advice of counsel with regard to specific activities of KAYS, federal, state or local legal action or changes in federal government policy and/or state and local laws may adversely affect business operations and shareholder value.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes statements that may constitute "forward-looking" statements, usually containing the words "believe," "estimate," "project," "expect" or similar statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements inherently involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. Factors that would cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, acceptance of the Company's current and future products and services in the marketplace, the ability of the Company to develop effective new products and receive regulatory approvals of such products, competitive factors, dependence upon third-party vendors, and other risks detailed in the Company's periodic report filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. By making these forward-looking statements, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these statements for revisions or changes after the date of this release.

For more information contact Investor Relations: info@kayaholdings.com or 561-210-7664

SOURCE: Kaya Holdings Inc





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Merger will create a global leader in 3D visualization and design workflow technology

KARLSRUHE, Germany & SOFIA, Bulgaria & BOSTON, January 11, 2022--(BUSINESS WIRE)--TA Associates, a global growth private equity firm, and LEA Partners, a technology focused private equity firm, announced today an agreement to merge Enscape, a leading developer of real-time rendering and design workflow technology for the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industries, and Chaos, a world leader in photorealistic rendering technology. The merger will establish a global leader in the 3D visualization and design workflow software sectors, with a focus on the AEC, Visual Effects (VFX) and Product Design verticals.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220110005815/en/

Founded in 2017, Enscape offers solutions that connect directly into modeling software for the AEC industry, integrating design and visualization workflows seamlessly into one. This allows the company to support its customers through the entire design process with unprecedented ease-of-use, enabling faster concept iteration, real-time collaboration and feedback. With its innovative solutions, Enscape has quickly grown since entering the market, establishing its position as a leading provider to the AEC industry.

Chaos, founded in 1997, is widely known as a world leader in visualization and computer graphics, offering an ecosystem of 3D rendering, real-time visualization and simulation software. Chaos flagship rendering solution, V-Ray, is the go-to visualization tool across multiple industries, supporting everything from architecture, product designs and world-class advertising campaigns to visual effects in film and television. In addition to V-Ray, Chaos provides a broad suite of connected tools, including Phoenix, Cosmos, Vantage, Scans and Cloud, as well as the Corona Renderer.

The newly-combined company, which will retain the Chaos name, aims to develop and strengthen its product portfolio to create a comprehensive end-to-end visualization ecosystem, designed to meet the evolving needs of its customers. All products from both company portfolios will continue to operate and be available under their respective name, including leading products, Enscape, V-Ray and Corona.

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Peter Mitev, CEO and co-founder of Chaos, and Christian Lang, CEO of Enscape, will share the title of co-CEO for the new company. Vladimir Koylazov, co-founder of Chaos and current head of software operations, will continue to drive R&D and innovation in a leadership position. The joint workforce will total more than 500 employees across the globe, with corporate headquarters in Karlsruhe, Germany and additional offices in Sofia (Bulgaria), Prague (Czech Republic), Tokyo (Japan), Seoul (Korea), Los Angeles (USA) and New York (USA).

"Enscape has seen a period of extraordinary growth, outpacing an already fast-growing market. We are thrilled to join forces with Chaos as we seek to further our scale, recognizing that our companies are highly complementary and share an end-to-end product vision. With the support of LEA and TA, we will significantly increase our investment in growth, technology and people," said Christian Lang.

"Visualization is critical to creating the futureboth in the real world and the metaverse," said Peter Mitev. "We are excited to team up with Enscape, TA, and LEA Partners to bring forth the worlds best 3D visualization ecosystem."

"Since our initial investment, we have worked closely with the Enscape management team to grow the company into a leading provider for the AEC industry, and this is only the beginning," said Christian Roth, Managing Partner at LEA Partners. "We find that bringing together Enscape and Chaos offers a unique opportunity to build a tech powerhouse to lead the way in AEC and beyond."

"We have been impressed by the growth, high-quality product offerings and loyal customer base of both Chaos and Enscape," said Stefan Dandl, Principal at TA. "Together, we believe the company can build on its strong momentum to create a global leader in the 3D visualization and design workflow space. In partnership with LEA, we are excited to invest in the companys future by deepening product capabilities and growing the breadth of offerings and geography."

TA will join LEA, Enscapes current majority shareholder, in the newly-combined company alongside the management of Chaos and Enscape, who will retain a significant minority stake. As part of the transaction, Sean Flaherty will also become Chairman of the Board of Directors of Chaos. Flaherty, former CEO of Vectorworks and Chief Strategy Officer of Nemetschek Group, currently serves as Chairman of the Board at Enscape.

The transaction is subject to customary regulatory approvals and is expected to be completed during the first quarter of 2022. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

About Chaos

Chaos is a world leader in computer graphics technology, empowering artists and designers to create photorealistic imagery and animation across all creative industries. Chaos develops 3D rendering and simulation software that is used daily by top design studios, architectural firms, advertising agencies, and visual effects companies around the globe. The firms physically based renderer, V-Ray, has been honored with both an Academy Award and an Engineering Emmy for its role in the widespread adoption of ray-traced rendering in motion pictures and television. Today, the companys advancements in ray tracing, cloud rendering, and real-time visualization are shaping the future of design communication and storytelling. Founded in 1997, Chaos operates with offices in Sofia, Prague, Seoul, Tokyo, and Los Angeles. For more information visit www.chaos.com.

About Enscape

Enscape develops high-quality real-time rendering and virtual reality software for the global AEC industry. Enscape integrates design and visualization workflows into one and gives designers the power to create realistic renderings based on their existing planning data and easily produce videos, panoramic images, and VR simulations. Enscape software is used by renowned architecture firms in over 150 countries, with more than 24,000 customers and 240,000 active monthly users worldwide. The company operates from offices in Karlsruhe (Germany) and New York (USA). Learn more at www.enscape3d.com.

About TA Associates

TA is a leading global growth private equity firm. Focused on targeted sectors within five industries  technology, healthcare, financial services, consumer and business services  the firm invests in profitable, growing companies with opportunities for sustained growth, and has invested in more than 550 companies around the world. Investing as either a majority or minority investor, TA employs a long-term approach, utilizing its strategic resources to help management teams build lasting value in high quality growth companies. TA has raised $47.5 billion in capital since its founding in 1968. The firms more than 100 investment professionals are based in Boston, Menlo Park, London, Mumbai and Hong Kong. More information about TA can be found at www.ta.com.

About LEA Partners

LEA Partners is an entrepreneurial-minded multi-stage private equity firm investing in growth technology companies that are driving transformative change in their industries. Operating out of Karlsruhe, one of Europe's largest technology clusters, its mission is to fund and support ambitious founders and executives by leveraging them with practical, hands-on growth expertise to achieve market leadership. Learn more at www.leapartners.de.

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Contacts

Media:

Maggie Benoit

TA Associates

+ 1-617-598-6685

mbenoit@ta.com

Stephen Fishleigh

BackBay Communications

+44-203-475-7552

stephen.fishleigh@backbaycommunications.com

Lon Grohs

Chaos

Lon.grohs@chaosgroup.com

Darlene Batista Alvar

Enscape

+49 1516 4678140

d.alvar@enscape3d.com

LEA Partners

+49-721-13-208-700

press@leapartners.de
TROY, Mich., Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- ComForCare , a franchised provider of in-home caregiving services, was recognized as one of the top 500 franchises in Entrepreneur's Franchise 500, the world's first, best and most comprehensive franchise ranking. The 43rd annual Entrepreneur Franchise 500 is a highly sought-after honor in the franchise industry. Recognized as an invaluable resource for potential franchisees, the 2022 Franchise 500 ranks ComForCare as 311 for its outstanding performance in areas including unit growth, financial strength and stability, and brand power.

ComForCare logo (PRNewsfoto/ComForCare)

Over its 43 years in existence, the Franchise 500 has become both a dominant competitive measure for franchisors and a primary research tool for potential franchisees. ComForCare's position on the ranking is a testament to its strength as a franchise opportunity.

"It's an immense honor to be included on Entrepreneur's Franchise 500 list," said J.J Sorrenti, CEO of Best Life Brands, parent company to ComForCare and At Your Side Home Care. "Through the work of our dedicated team of caregivers we strive to help all of our clients achieve their best life. We are proud to receive this recognition, and I cannot wait to see the growth milestones we will achieve in 2022."

In Entrepreneur's continuing effort to best understand and evaluate the ever-changing franchise marketplace, the company's 43-year-old ranking formula continues to evolve as well. The editorial team researches and assesses several factors that go into the evaluation, including costs and fees, size and growth, support, brand strength, and financial strength and stability. Each franchise is given a cumulative score based on an analysis of more than 150 data points, and the 500 franchises with the highest cumulative scores become the Franchise 500 in ranking order.

"The past year has been one of the most challenging for businesses in recent memory, which made putting together our 43rd annual Franchise 500 list more enlightening than ever," says Entrepreneur Editor in Chief Jason Feifer. "The companies named to this year's list showed us how being resilient, supportive, and nimble can help navigate extraordinary challenges and also underscore the grit and innovation that define entrepreneurship."

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To view ComForCare in the full ranking, visit www.entrepreneur.com/franchise500. Results can also be seen in the January/February 2022 issue of Entrepreneur, available on newsstands January 11th.

To learn more about ComForCare franchising, visit www.comforcare.com/franchising .

About ComForCare Home Care:

As the premier franchised provider of in-home caregiving services, ComForCare helps people live their best lives possible. ComForCare's compassionate caregivers and innovative programs support older adults in aging gracefully and continuing to do the things they love. Among its many awards, ComForCare most recently has been honored on the 2022 Entrepreneur Franchise 500 list, the 2021 Entrepreneur Top Global Franchise list, the 2021 Best Workplaces for Millennials, Best Workplaces for Women and Best Workplaces in Aging Services lists. Founded in 1996, ComForCare has more than 256 independently owned and operated locations in the U.S. and Canada and operates as At Your Side Home Care in Houston. ComForCare was acquired by private equity firm The Riverside Company in 2017 and is now part of Best Life Brands, a parent company that oversees service brands in the aging adult care industry. For more information, visit http://www.comforcare.com/ .

Cision

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SOURCE ComForCare Home Care
James Pfister

The United States Supreme Court heard arguments on Jan. 7 in an unusual Friday hearing for two sets of consolidated cases: first, OSHAs (Occupational Health and Safety Administration) rule that employers of 100 or more employees require their employees either to be vaccinated against the virus or wear masks and be tested weekly; and second, CMSs (Center for Medicare and Medicated Services) rule that staff working for Medicare or Medicaid certified providers be fully vaccinated, with exceptions for religious and medical reasons.

My thesis is that Congress can constitutionally compel vaccines or masks and testing. First, Ill distinguish state and federal power; second, discuss constitutional power of the federal government based on the 6th Circuit OSHA case and the proceedings of the Friday hearing; and third, present an international perspective.

First, there is a difference between state and federal power: States have more power in this area. They have the general power to govern to protect the health, safety and welfare of their people. So long as they do not violate their own constitutions, federal law or the federal Constitution, they would have the power to reasonably impose vaccinations. (Jacobson v. Massachusetts, 1905; Zucht v. King, 1922). This is known as the police power in constitutional law.

The federal government, by contrast, in domestic matters has only delegated power given to Congress in the Constitution. The cases for the Friday hearing dealt with federal power, not state power. Therefore, the power had to be based in some part of the Constitution. The preliminary question is whether the agencies involved, OSHA and CMS, acted within the boundaries the Congress gave them.

If their rules went beyond their delegations, game over; their rules would be ultra vires, and therefore void. But, if the Court finds they acted within their delegations, the bigger question then is whether Congress had the power under the Constitution to delegate that power. That power would be based in the Commerce Clause of Article I, Section 8, Clause 3. This can be inferred by the proceedings of the hearing of Jan 7.

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Second, constitutional case law must be considered. The case that first comes to mind regarding the commerce clause would at first suggest a negative answer: National Federation of Independent Business v. Sebelius (2012). This case dealt in relevant part with the individual mandate to buy health insurance in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 (Obamacare). Chief Justice John Roberts held that the commerce power could not support the mandate to make an individual buy health insurance. Congress could only regulate ongoing action; it could not force action from inaction. Thus, the federal government could not coerce a person to take a vaccine, by analogy.

But Judge Jane B. Stranch, who wrote the 6th Circuit majority opinion for the OSHA case, answered Roberts point regarding individual inaction by pointing out that the OSHA directive was given to employers, not to employees. A long line of cases from NLRB v. Jones & Laughlin Steel (1937) have held Congress can regulate businesses that affect interstate commerce. Thus, the Sebelius case was distinguished and, therefore, not a block to the OSHA regulation. Maybe for this reason, the Sebelius case was not mentioned at the hearing regarding OSHA.

Third, from an international perspective, it would seem the president and Congress would have a national power to require the vaccine, or its functional equivalent, such as masking and testing. The spreading of the virus is an international problem. The president with Congresss support is at his strongest; he personifies federal sovereignty. (Justice Robert Jacksons concurrence in Youngstown Sheet & Tube v. Sawyer, 1952). A national society should have a foreign policy power to protect itself from an internationally spreading virus. Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes wrote in Missouri v. Holland (1920):  it is not lightly to be assumed that in matters requiring national action, a power which must belong to and somewhere reside in every civilized government is not to be found.

James W. Pfister, J.D. University of Toledo, Ph.D. University of Michigan (political science), retired after 46 years in the Political Science Department at Eastern Michigan University. He lives at Devils Lake and can be reached at jpfister@emich.edu.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Telegram: James Pfister: Congress can constitutionally compel vaccines
FILE PHOTO: One of Constellation Brands Inc products, Modelo Especial beer is shown in this illustration photograph taken in Encinitas, California

By Kylie Madry

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - A new Constellation Brands brewery to be built in the Mexican state of Veracruz, announced after a dispute over water stymied plans for a plant on the northern border, could spark $2.6 billion in investment, a government official said.

The plant in the Gulf coast state is part of a previously announced $5 billion to $5.5 billion investment in Mexico through 2026 by the U.S. maker of beer, wine and spirits.

Constellation Brands plans to initially invest $1.3 billion in the brewery, Enrique Nachon, Veracruz's economic and port development minister, said in an interview late on Monday.

Veracruz hopes the company could double that sum, by either upping production once the plant is completed or investing locally in bottling and infrastructure to export goods, Nachon added.

"We're pushing for both these investments to stay in Veracruz, that is, $2.6 billion through 2026," he told Reuters, adding that the state government has been in regular contact with the company.

The brewery's construction will employ up to 2,000 directly and 12,000 indirectly. Once operating, the plant will create up to 750 jobs directly and 4,000 indirectly, Nachon said.

"We continue to work with federal and state government officials in Mexico on plans for a new brewery in ... Veracruz, where the government is trying to drive investment, in a suitable location with ample supply of water and a capable workforce," Constellation said in an email.

Constellation had previously spent around $666 million constructing a brewery in the arid state of Baja California. It was called off after residents concerned about water use rejected it in a referendum encouraged by President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador.

Nachon did not confirm previous comments by a government official that the new plant would be built by one of Veracruz's central rivers, the Rio Papaloapan.

He said the plant will use underground water sources, and that Constellation has so far looked at 27 plots of land.

The brewery's exact location would be revealed in a joint announcement from Constellation Brands and Lopez Obrador, Nachon said.

(Reporting by Kylie Madry; Editing by Bill Berkrot)
Our company based in Lithuania looking to buy Din plius / A1 wood pellets, with reguarement of 1000 tons a month. With DDP terms delivery to KAUNAS in big bags or 15kg bags on palet. Willing to pay 100 euros/tone.
A bunch of readers pointed out something I overlooked when I wrote recently about high-cost blue states hemorrhaging residents, who are moving to lower-cost red states. My story focused on the threat to Democrats as they lose representation in Congress and have to sustain costly benefit programs in states and cities with a declining tax base.

But there could be other important consequences. With the migration from blue states to red states, will this change the political dynamics in the red states? Lindsey Evans of Albuquerque asked. Though it was a narrow victory for the Democrat senators in Georgia last time, might this occur in other red states that are experiencing this blue wave migration?

Many others asked similar questions, so I looked into itand the answer is yes, the movement of people from state to state could change partisan dynamics in ways that affect elections. In fact, its probably already happening. Demographic patterns can be complex and take place over decades, and many factors affect voting trends. So its important not to oversimplify. Yet more liberal voters moving to the South and West may have tipped Georgia and Arizona to Joe Biden in the 2020 election, with future changes possible.

[The Newmaverse is Rick Newmans community of commentators, critics, cranks and crazies. Join by following Rick on Twitter, signing up for his newsletter or sending in your thoughts. Future stories may result.]

Theres not much question, in my mind, that migration patterns have made a difference, North Carolina State political science professor Irwin Morris told me. People moving into the South tend to be more Democratic. People moving from one place to another in the South tend to be more progressive. Within 10 to 15 years, the Democrats could be in a very good position.

A supporter holds a flag as U.S. Vice President-elect Kamala Harris and Democratic U.S. Senate candidates Jon Ossoff and Rev. Raphael Warnock hold a campaign event ahead of Georgia's runoff elections in Savannah, Georgia, U.S., January 3, 2021. REUTERS/Mike Segar

Georgias vote for Biden in 2020 was the first time the state went Democratic in the presidential election since Bill Clintons victory in 1992. Bidens 2020 win in Arizona was the first for a Democrat there since Clintons reelection in 1996. Both states also have two Democratic senators, another sharp reversal for Republicans. Yet both states have Republican-controlled state governments and deep pockets of conservative voters, so they could be hard-fought battleground states for years to come.

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Georgia has grown by attracting workers to the booming Atlanta region, while Arizona has grown thanks to retirees and transplants from the West Coast. The idea that transplants bring liberal politics with them may be too pat, however.

Ive seen studies that show when people migrate, they adopt the politics of their new locale instead of bringing their politics with them, Ted Johnson, a scholar at the Brennan Center for Justice, told me in an email. Of course, as the Big Sort suggests, people are likely to move to places that share their politics. So the Californians moving to Texas are just increasing the number of liberals in places where liberals already livelike Austin.

There are other caveats. Voter-turnout efforts in Georgia energized Black voters who went for Biden and two Democratic Senate candidates who won January runoffs. Meanwhile, incumbent President Donald Trump's baseless attacks on election integrity may have backfired by depressing Republican turnout. Tribal votes for Biden were an unusual swing factor in Arizona. Democratic presidential or Senate candidates may not be able to repeat those 2020 victories in upcoming elections.

Morriss research on 11 southern states suggests that faster-growing ones are likely to become more liberal over time, because people who move tend to be younger, more educated, more racially diverse and more liberal-leaning. Of the 11 states Morris has studied, six are growing fairly rapidly, opening them to more political change: Virginia, North and South Carolina, Georgia, Florida and Texas. Slower-growing southern states such as Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Arkansas are more likely to stay conservative.

Supporters of Former President Donald Trump attend a rally held at the Sarasota Fairgrounds in Sarasota, Florida, U.S., July 3, 2021. REUTERS/Octavio Jones

For perspective, the internal movement of people in the United States has always shaped the nations political economy. The Great Migration of 6 million blacks from the South to other parts of the country during much of the 20th century remade many cities and contributed to the civil rights movement. Democrats had a lock on the South for nearly a century after the Civil War, but Republicans became the dominant party after Presidents Kennedy and Johnson pushed and enacted sweeping civil-rights reforms that alienated southern whites. Republicans seem to have benefited more than Democrats from demographic changes of the last 30 years. The huge bellwether Florida has gone for the Republican presidential candidate in seven of the last 10 elections, for instance, and Florida of course tipped the contested 2000 election to Republican George W. Bush.

If demographic changes were to help Democrats capture Florida or Texas, that would be a political game-changer, since those are large states getting bigger and gaining more political punch, while some of the blue coastal powerhouse states are shrinking. But plenty of things could spoil that blue dream. Donald Trump showed a remarkable ability to garner votes from working-class whites who have now become core Republican voters. The Democratic party has trouble shaking a reputation for urban elitism. Gerrymandering and other political chicanery could help Republicans keep control in the South even if they fall out of favor with home-state voters.

At least a few people leaving blue states hope conservative enclaves remain exactly as they are. Jim Doherty, who describes himself as libertarian, wrote to say hes moving his family from Illinois to Alabama because taxpayer-borne pension costs for unionized government employees are getting out of control in the Land of Lincoln.

Do you think enough blue folks will mess up the red states? he asked.

We exchanged a few emails and decided that if hes aiming for low-cost state likely to stay conservative, blood-red Alabama is probably as safe as it gets.

The last to fall is why we picked Bama, Jim concluded, with an LOL. Florida almost elected Gillum [a Democrat, as governor] and Texas could be more purple than we know. Yep.

Rick Newman is a columnist and author of four books, including "Rebounders: How Winners Pivot from Setback to Success. Follow him on Twitter: @rickjnewman.

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(Corrects reference to Swiss bond yield turning positive in paragraph 12)

MILAN, Jan 11 (Reuters) - Italy's government bonds underperformed their euro zone peers on Tuesday on growing political uncertainty as markets remained focused on the path of U.S. monetary policy normalisation and surging inflation.

The Italian Parliament will convene to choose a new president this month with Premier Mario Draghi seen as the leading candidate.

Investors fretted about the country's political stability should the former European Central Bank chief leave his job as prime minister and assume the presidency.

By 0830 GMT, Italy's 10-year bond yield was up almost 4 basis points at 1.39%, its highest level since June 2020. .

"Uncertainty over the Italian Presidential election as well as its implications for government stability and the reform agenda is rising," wrote Carlo Capuano, Vice President, Global Sovereign Ratings at DBRS Morningstar.

More generally, investors' bets that the Federal Reserve could lift interest rates as early as March ignited a robust sell-off on bond markets in the last few weeks before a key U.S. December inflation reading due on Wednesday.

A Reuters poll predicts consumer prices rose 7% year-on-year.

In comments prepared for delivery at a congressional hearing later in the day, Fed Chair Jerome Powell pledged "to prevent higher inflation from becoming entrenched".

Some of Wall Street's biggest banks now expect four U.S. interest increases this year starting in March, a more aggressive call than a week ago.

"U.S. rates should once again set the tone in global fixed income markets. Powell's hearing will be an opportunity to gauge the aggressiveness of the Fed's tightening cycle, and it could see the curve front-load hikes further," ING strategists wrote in a note to clients.

Germany's 10-year note yield ticked up at -0.032% having risen on Monday as far as -0.025%, its highest level since May 2019, and not far from positive territory.

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Elsewhere, Switzerland's 10-year bond yield held in positive territory after rising above 0% last week for the first time since late October.

On the other side of the Atlantic as well, investors focused on the outlook for euro zone inflation after the December reading unexpectedly rose to a record high of 5% before a speech by European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde.

In an interview with Italian daily Il Sole 24 Ore, the European Central Bank's chief economist Philip Lane said on Tuesday the ECB does not see euro zone inflation above its 2% target in the medium term.

Furthermore, Spain kicked off on Tuesday the sale of a new 10-year bond via syndication with a size in the 8-10 billion euros ($90.69 billion) range, according to Mizuho strategists. ($1 = 0.8821 euros) (Reporting by Sara Rossi; editing by Saikat Chatterjee and Ed Osmond)
Procured 147 cryptocurrency mining machines in North America, with a total computing power of about 14P

SHENZHEN, China, Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Meten Holding Group Ltd. ("Meten Holding Group" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: METX), one of the leading omnichannel English language training ("ELT") service providers in China, today announced that it had started preliminary trial operation of the cryptocurrency mining business in Pennsylvania, U.S. Currently, the Company has procured 147 cryptocurrency mining machines with approximately total computing power of 14P, which have been put into commercial trial operation in Pennsylvania, U.S.

As part of the previously announced strategic partnership with AGM Group Holdings Inc. ("AGMH") (Nasdaq: AGMH), the Company purchased cryptocurrency mining machines from AGMH. Recently, AGMH has delivered 1,335 units of Bitcoin mining machines to the Company. In conjunction with the delivered units, the Company will be scaling up its mining machines to increase computing power capacity to reach 135P. The Company expects to have all miners are fully operational in January 2022, signaling the start of official operation of the cryptocurrency mining business.

Involving the cryptocurrency mining business is one of the Company's strategic plans to transform into a "Metaverse Technology Company" and this business is running smoothly at present. In addition, the Company has now started to build mines in Canada and the U.S. Looking forward, the Company expects to operate its mining business in these to-be-build mines in North America and provide custody services for other global mining units.

About Meten Holding Group Ltd.

Meten Holding Group Ltd., formerly known as Meten EdtechX Education Group Ltd., is one of the leading omnichannel English language training ("ELT") service providers in China, delivering English language and skills training for Chinese students and professionals. In addition to strengthening its position in the ELT service industry in China, Meten actively explores the blockchain and cryptocurrency mining business outside China, with a long-term goal of creating value across the cryptocurrency industry. Meten expects to engage in businesses related to blockchain and metaverse in North America and other countries and areas around the world (not including China), including cryptocurrency mining, mining farm construction, and mining pool and data center operation.

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For more information, please visit: https://investor.metenedu-edtechx.com/.

Safe Harbor Statement

This announcement contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. These statements are made under the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates" and similar statements. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about the Company's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to the following: the future development of and the Company's ability to succeed in its new line of business in cryptocurrency and blockchain industry; the continuing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the emergence of new variants; our ability to attract students without a significant decrease in course fees; our ability to continue to hire, train and retain qualified teachers; our ability to maintain and enhance our brands; our ability to effectively and efficiently manage the expansion of our school network and successfully execute our growth strategy; the outcome of ongoing, or any future, litigation or arbitration, including those relating to copyright and other intellectual property rights; competition in the English language training sector in China; changes in our revenues and certain cost or expense items as a percentage of our revenues; the expected growth of the Chinese English language training and private education market; Chinese governmental policies relating to private educational services and providers of such services; health epidemics and other outbreaks in China; and general economic conditions in China. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law. All information provided in this press release and in the attachments is as of the date of this press release, and the Company undertakes no duty to update such information, except as required under applicable law.

For investor and media inquiries, please contact:

Ascent Investor Relations LLC

Tina Xiao

+1 917-609-0333

tina.xiao@ascent-ir.com

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SOURCE Meten Holding Group Ltd.
SUZHOU, China, Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Midea Robozone, an innovator in smart cleaning technology that develops various cleaning solutions across the US, UK, Germany, Russia, and 100 other global markets, today launched a new brand, obode.

Obode will launch its first product, the P8 auto self-cleaning mopping robot vacuum, in the U.S. and U.K. this spring. Featuring mop pads that self-clean with the cleaning agent, ToF LDS Navigation, smart automatic water replenishment, and customizable app, this innovative new cleaning robot adds powerful cleaning and modern convenience to any home. P8 is one of obode's most advanced AIoT products, perfect for cleaning medium-sized to large-sized homes made even more convenient as everything can be controlled via obode Life APP.

Aiming to help people reclaim their time, using smart technology that cares for their world and enhances their lifestyle, obode is at the forefront of developing new AIoT cleaning solutions and products. "Obode wants to bring the life-enhancing home technologies and bold aesthetics found in "cyberpunk" stories into reality," said Alice Shaw, Head of Global Marketing Center at Midea Robozone. "As change accelerates in 2022, from how we work to how we shop and live, the company hopes to create a smarter, easier world where the small tasks don't take time away from achieving the big goals."

Obode is an AIoT technology eco-brand that brings the future to busy, trendy working-age people to give them more freedom and a positive living environment. At home, in the world around them, with smart, stylish, easy to use AIoT products. Obode aims to help people reclaim their time, using smart technology that cares for their world and enhances their lifestyle. With Midea's R&D and industrial global supply chain advantages, obode continually increases value for clients by revolutionizing high-performance robot vacuum cleaners to provide more convenience to global customers and enrich their stay-at-home lives.

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Ms. Shaw continued, "obode's goal is to create a style of future that we call, 'positive cyberpunk'. Customers will be able to take it easy thanks to obode's tech. It is also a promise that this tech will be easy to use and won't add more stress to their lives. Today, we boldly imagine the combination of art and technology as the ultimate goal, so a robot vacuum cleaner, a smart tech work of art, offers more convenience mixed with humanistic values of warmth, comfort, and companionship. We envision P8 as the customer's 'roommate'."

Obode cares deeply about environmental protection and is planning to work with animal protection associations and environmental protection agencies to reduce the burden on the environment.

Through cooperation with the National Gallery, obode will invite Finnish Artist Janine Rewell to jointly create a pattern for home decoration. Obode believes that art and technology will last forever, making way for a new wave of tech life.

Before obode P8 goes live on February 9, sign up on the official page [ https://comingsoon.higizmos.com/obodep8 ] and receive a $500 coupon for $1 deposit, to get obode flagship model for almost half the price - $599 (original price $1099).

About Midea Robozone Technology

Midea Robozone is a high-tech company focusing on Artificial Intelligence, Smart Robot products, and Smart Solutions. Based in Suzhou, with R&D centers in the US and China, Midea Robozone has a multi-brand portfolio including Midea and obode covering 100+ global markets. Midea Robozone Technology is a subsidiary of Midea Group.

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SOURCE Midea Robozone
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Research Announcement:

Moody's - All hydrocarbon-reliant sovereigns

face credit risks on prospect of faster energy transition, but some have

more time

DIFC - Dubai, January 11, 2022 --

 If the switch from fossil fuels happens faster than expected, credit pressures would be particularly

large for Iraq, Kuwait and Oman

 Among major hydrocarbon producers, Abu Dhabi, Qatar and Saudi Arabia have the strongest

capacity to adjust to mitigate a quicker carbon transition

Sovereigns that rely heavily on the hydrocarbon sector will face financial pressures when

governments and businesses accelerate their transition to alternative, cleaner energy sources,

precipitating an eventual structural decline in global demand for oil and gas, Moodys Investors

Service said in a report today. Climate pledges from financial institutions mean that declines

in hydrocarbon demand will likely be accompanied, if not preceded, by weaker demand for

hydrocarbon-related financial assets, adding an important credit transmission channel for

hydrocarbon-reliant sovereigns.

The most likely carbon transition scenarios offer some time for adjustment, with fiscal pressures

starting to build mainly in the 2030s, said Alexander Perjessy, VP-Senior Analyst at Moodys. Based

on currently stated climate policies  Moodys baseline carbon transition scenario  the energy

transition will remain very gradual, exerting only limited negative pressure on hydrocarbon-reliant

sovereigns' credit profiles during the current decade. However, if global regulation and policies

change and/or investors exit the hydrocarbon sector significantly faster than Moody's expects,

credit pressures will be particularly large for Iraq, Kuwait and Oman, and  longer term  also for

Azerbaijan, Qatar, Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia.

Sovereigns with the strongest institutions and largest financial buffers are best positioned to mitigate

longer-term carbon transition risks, said Perjessy. Abu Dhabi, Qatar and Saudi Arabia have the

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strongest capacity to adjust policies from an institutional and governance perspective. Kuwait, Abu

Dhabi, Qatar and Azerbaijan have the largest sovereign wealth fund assets, which will provide

financial means to facilitate and buffer the adjustment.

Subscribers can access the report at:

http://www.moodys.com/researchdocumentcontentpage.aspx?

docid=PBC_1303769

NOTE TO JOURNALISTS ONLY: For more information, please call one of our global

press information hotlines: New York +1-212-553-0376 , London +44-20-7772-5456 , Tokyo

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This publication does not announce a credit rating action. For any credit ratings referenced in this

publication, please see the ratings tab on the issuer/entity page on

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for the most

updated credit rating action information and rating history.

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Alexander Perjessy

VP-Senior Analyst

Sovereign Risk Group

Moody's Investors Service Middle East Limited

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Managing Director

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SAN DIEGO, Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Phanes Therapeutics, Inc. (Phanes), an emerging leader in innovative discovery research in immuno-oncology announced today that it has appointed Mr. Paul Chu, MBA, as Vice President of Business Development.

"We welcome Paul to the Phanes family and are delighted to appoint a professional of his caliber as Vice President of Business Development," said Dr. Ming Wang, Founder and CEO. "We have built a strong pipeline in immuno-oncology by leveraging our proprietary technology platforms and expect to file 3 INDs in 2022, including one best-in-class monoclonal antibody (mAb) program and two first-in-class bispecific antibody programs. We look forward to benefitting from Paul's extensive experience and network in Oncology as we enter 2022 which we expect to be a transformational year for Phanes."

Mr. Chu has extensive experience in pharma and biotech licensing, collaborations, acquisitions, and strategy. He has held senior leadership roles in both small biotech companies and large multi-national corporations and has closed deals valued at over $6 billion with a portfolio that spans across oncology, eyecare, neuroscience, and medical aesthetics. Prior to joining Phanes, Mr. Chu was Vice President of Business Development at HUYABIO International where he in-licensed two oncology assets for development in solid tumors. Prior to HUYABIO, Mr. Chu held similar roles at AiViva BioPharma and UroGen Pharma and earlier in his career was Director of Business Development at Allergan, Inc. where he spearheaded multiple M&A transactions.

Mr. Chu holds an MBA from the University of Southern California's Marshall School of Business and a BA in Finance and Business Administration from California State University, Fullerton.

About Phanes Therapeutics

Phanes Therapeutics, Inc. is a biotech company focused on innovative drug discovery in immuno-oncology. Based in San Diego, California, the company's management team members previously held senior managerial and R&D positions in leading global pharmaceutical and biotech companies with extensive experience in R&D and commercialization. The company's bispecific antibody platform is PACbody, a proprietary approach for constructing native IgG-like bispecific antibodies without using protein engineering so that the antibody molecules maintain native structures with superb CMC characteristics, ATACCbody, a proprietary technology for targeting solid tumors using immuno-oncology molecules with minimal risk of cytokine release syndrome, and SPECpair, which allows mAb-like manufacturability of bispecific antibodies with native IgG-like structures. For more information, please visit www.phanesthera.com.

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SOURCE Phanes Therapeutics
Based on the performance of luxury automaker Rolls-Royce (BMWYY), you wouldn't think 2021 was a year the world was still stuck in the thralls of a global pandemic.

Goodwood, Englandbased Rolls-Royce delivered 5,586 vehicles to clients around the world, up 49% from 2020, marking the highest sales total ever for the 117-year old automaker. The overall figure includes all-time record sales in important sales regions like Greater China, the Americas, and Asia-Pacific, as well as in countries across the globe.

But it wasn't Rolls-Royce's long-time, traditionally older customers that powered sales. The brand, now with its Black Badge line of cars highlighting enhanced performance and more contemporary design finishes, is attracting much younger and diverse clientele.

"When I joined 12 years ago, we had been on 56 as an average age, and we are now down to 43." Rolls-Royce CEO Torsten Muller-Otvos said in an interview with Yahoo Finance Live. "So what we observed over the last 10 years is that they are all getting younger and younger and younger, and we have lowered average age of Rolls-Royce motor cars [owners] in a substantial way."

Rolls-Royce CEO Torsten Muller-Otvos

Despite rising demand from its younger clientele, Rolls-Royce was able to produce those vehicles without any hiccups from the ongoing supply chain crunch. And Muller-Otvos believes 2022 will be another strong year that won't be affected by shortages, as BMW-owned Rolls-Royce is able to lean on the large German automaker to source critical components such as semiconductor chips.

"I am very optimistic that we're going to build all the cars ordered, and which are in the order book so far," he says. "If you order a Rolls-Royce today, you take delivery in one year from now. That's basically how it goes."

One those vehicles that many customers  and the industry itself  is watching, is the recently announced Spectre electric vehicle. Testing is currently ongoing and the company is confident the car will come to market as planned, in 2023.

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Rolls-Royce Spectre electric vehicle (Credit: Rolls-Royce Motor Cars)

It's a risky proposition for a company known for its ultra-smooth V-12 powertrains, but Muller-Otvos is confident in the company's EV technology and the "waftability" of the car's driving dynamics, as Rolls-Royce describes it in its marketing materials.

It needs to be a true, perfect Rolls-Royce, and then number two comes electrification, Muller-Otvos says about the Spectre EV. We'd never compromise the experience of what a Rolls-Royce stands for, just for the pure sake that we have a different drivetrain."

The Spectre will be a much watched barometer-type release when it comes out. Can it maintain the luxury and superiority of the Rolls-Royce marque or will it end up being more or an ultra-luxe Tesla (TSLA) Model S?

It sounds like Muller-Otvos isn't leaving much to chance when it comes to making Spectre the "Rolls-Royce" of EVs. The car is currently undergoing a massive testing program, he says, one that will cover over 1.5 million miles and take the the car to all four corners of the world.



Pras Subramanian is a reporter for Yahoo Finance. You can follow him on Twitter and on Instagram.

Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance

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STOCKHOLM, Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The SaaS company Safeture AB in Lund has won, together with its partner Falck Global Assistance, a public procurement for a four-year framework agreement regarding travel risk management for the European Central Bank (ECB) in Frankfurt, Germany. The agreement also opens up the opportunity to join other institutions, such as the Central Banks of the Eurosystem and other members of the Eurosystem Procurement Coordination Office (EPCO).

The total contract value depends on how many employees will use the service and which of the other national central banks and institutions join.

Now, the ECB has access to Safeture's unique platform for managing employee safety, no matter where they are.

"The fact that we have won a prestigious assignment in fierce competition testifies to the strength of our offer. It also shows that our business model - which is based on collaboration with leading partners such as Falck Global Assistance - works well."

"The framework agreement contributes to strengthening our position in the important German market and holds great potential with other central banks as potential customers," says Magnus Hultman, CEO of Safeture.

For additional information, visit www.safeture.com or contact:

Safeture CEO Magnus Hultman: +46 706 00 81 66. Magnus.hultman@safeture.com

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/safeture-ab/r/safeture-signs-a-four-year-agreement-with-the-european-central-bank--ecb,c3483997

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MarketWatch

When we were reading through real estate data this month, three stats caught our eye. The first: That the number of active foreclosures (this is when the foreclosure process has begun on a seriously delinquent loan, but it has yet to be completed and liquidated) edged up by more than 7,000 in March  the first year-over-year increase in almost 10 years, according to mortgage technology, data and analytics provider Black Knight. Secondly, more than 78,000 U.S. properties had a foreclosure filing during the first quarter of 2022, which is up 39% from the previous quarter and up 132% from a year ago, according to real estate analytics company ATTOM.
By David Lawder

WASHINGTON, Jan 11 (Reuters) - The U.S. Chamber of Commerce on Monday called on the Biden administration to pursue more international trade deals and articulate a coherent strategy to compete and cooperate with China, marking a shift from past demands to reduce tariffs.

Suzanne Clark, who took over as president of the largest American business lobbying group last March, urged a U.S. return to the 11-country Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal and to complete trade negotiations with Britain after a decade without a major new trade pact.

"On trade, our nation is standing still, which means that we're falling behind," she told reporters after a speech on Chamber priorities for 2022.

She said that China's just-launched trade pact, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) will cut tariffs among 15 countries and put U.S. exporters at a disadvantage. Meanwhile, the European Union continues to forge new trade deals and China, Britain, South Korea and Taiwan are seeking to join the TPP, the Pacific Rim trade deal agreed by the Obama administration but abandoned by then-President Donald Trump in 2017.

The push for more trade deals comes as a senior White House official last week said https://www.reuters.com/world/us-aims-step-up-economic-ties-indo-pacific-year-ahead-2022-01-06 the United States needed to "step up its game" on economic engagement in Asia.

The Chamber has long complained about the detrimental effects of punitive U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods imposed by the Trump administration, but Clark instead emphasized the need for a more comprehensive strategy for dealing with China.

"What we need is the U.S. government to have a cohesive strategy about how we are confronting China on regulatory practices and human rights abuses, and at the same time that we're able to compete to sell into that marketplace, and to cooperate on issues like sustainability," she said.

A two-year "Phase 1" U.S.-China trade pact requiring increased Chinese purchases of U.S. goods expired at the end of 2021, leaving questions over how the Biden administration will hold China to commitments that have not been met, as well as tariffs on hundreds of billions of dollars of Chinese imports.

(Reporting by David Lawder; editing by Jonathan Oatis)
XUZHOU, China, Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- XCMG Papua New Guinea (XCMG-PNG), the first Silk Road E-Commerce Station by XCMG (SZ:000425), is officially online to provide one-stop service experience for construction machinery customers and users in the South Pacific and surrounding regions with Papua New Guinea as the center, guaranteeing smoother, more professional customized and localized services. Orders placed on XCMG-PNG can avail of direct customs declaration by XCMG.

XCMG Launches First Silk Road E-Commerce Station, XCMG-PNG, Offering One-Stop Equipment Purchases in South Pacific Regions.

XCMG released its Silk Road E-Commerce development strategy on December 27, 2021, which plans to open localized e-commerce websites in 10 countries in the next five years, including Papua New Guinea, Indonesia and Russia, to meet the demands of local customers. The stations will fully utilize the overseas channel resources of XCMG to construct local station clusters with the cross-border e-commerce platforms as the core.

"We'll actively promote the construction of cross-border supply chain platforms to establish a new foreign trade model that integrates a 'cross-border e-commerce platform, foreign trade integrated service platform and public overseas warehouses,' offering an all-process solution for both buyers and sellers to realize the localization of language, marketing, currency, logistics and services to be better in line with customers' needs," said Zhang Yanmei, General Manager of XCMG E-Commerce.

XCMG-PNG currently carries 7,121 units of equipment products online, including 18 first-level categories and 241 subdivided categories.

The Silk Road E-Commerce stations will further empower not only XCMG, but all Chinese brands to embrace the international market. As of now, the proprietary sales of XCMG E-Commerce are over 1.8 billion yuan (US$282 million), serving 18 level-1 industries and 1.5 million industry customers. The cross-border e-commerce platform covers 219 countries and regions in terms of inquiries, with products exported to 140 countries and regions.

Story continues

"We've established two e-commerce clusters for domestic and overseas markets, forming a '4+11' matrix which is composed of four integrated mechanical and electrical trade service platforms  Tlang, Machmall, XCMG secondhand e-commerce platform and Gongbing Cloud pare parts e-commerce platform, as well as 11 vertical e-commerce platforms for XCMG's professional products," said Zhang.

XCMG carries out 9710 and 9810 B2B export businesses on its cross-border, e-commerce platform, and has established six public overseas warehouses in India, Kenya, the Philippines, Turkey, U.S. and Russia to provide strong support for fragmented foreign trade orders.

SOURCE XCMG
The Spotsylvania County School Board fired Superintendent Scott Baker without cause during an unruly meeting Monday.

The board voted to approve Baker's termination without cause after coming out of a closed session that may have violated Virginia's open meeting requirements.

Virginia Code states that no closed meeting shall be held unless the public body first approves a motion that states the subject matter and purpose of the meeting, as well as the applicable exemption from open meeting requirements.

"A general reference to the provisions of this chapter, the authorized exemptions from open meeting requirements, or the subject matter of the closed meeting shall not be sufficient to satisfy the requirements for holding a closed meeting," Virginia Code states.

The closed session, during which Baker's position was discussed, was the second closed session of the meeting and was not on the approved agenda.

Board members did not vote on a motion to enter the second closed session, as is required by Virginia Code.

Salem District representative Lorita Daniels asked for a legal opinion on whether the second closed session would violate the Freedom of Information Act, but Twigg did not respond to her request.

Baker was escorted from the building before the board returned from the second closed session.

Daniels, Chancellor District representative Dawn Shelley and Battlefield District representative Nicole Cole did not approve Baker's firing.

"It's just very sad to hear that a superintendent who has been fully engaged in this community for 10 years is just let go with no rhyme or reason," Shelley said, while Daniels said the school division is "setting itself up for a lawsuit."

Cole said the Spotsylvania community deserves to be given a reason for Baker's termination.

"The board members who have lodged this termination owe the citizens and students of Spotsylvania a justification for the firing of Dr. Baker," she said. "You have not stated any justification or ability to fill the position. How is this good for the students, the children of Spotsylvania. How does this make sense?"

Twigg did not provide an explanation for the firing and appeared to be unaware of or unwilling to follow the School Board's usual operating procedure or Roberts Rules of Order during Monday's chaotic meeting.

In December, the board approved a separation agreement with Baker allowing him to stay on as superintendent until the end of the school year and receive his salary through December 2022.

Joining Twigg in the vote to fire Baker were Rabih Abuismail, Lisa Phelps and April Gillespie.

School division spokeswoman Rene Daniels said Tuesday morning that based on the organizational chart, deputy superintendent Carol Flenard is the acting superintendent "until the School Board makes a decision on an interim superintendent."

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PLATTSMOUTH  A Plattsmouth man will remain in Cass County Jail after his bid for a reduced bond was denied Monday morning.

Anthony J. Baker, 38, took part in arraignment and bond review hearings in Cass County District Court. He has been in Cass County Jail since Nov. 11 on a bond of $500,000, 10 percent.

Baker pled not guilty to five charges during his arraignment hearing. Prosecutors are charging him with Class II felonies of robbery, use of a deadly weapon to commit a felony and tampering with physical evidence. They are also charging him with a Class III felony of possession of a deadly weapon by a prohibited person and a Class IIIA felony of terroristic threats.

Defense attorney Julie Bear asked the court to consider reducing Bakers bond to $25,000, 10 percent. She said her client was a valuable employee at an area company. She also felt he would remain in the area while the case was moving through the judicial system.

Deputy County Attorney Steven Sunde asked the court to keep the $500,000 amount in place. He said Baker had committed multiple crimes in both Iowa and Nebraska during the past 20 years. He said the list included driving under the influence of alcohol, domestic assault, violation of a protection order, theft and escape.

The state considers Mr. Baker not only to be a flight risk but a danger to the public, Sunde said.

Sunde said Baker allegedly took money from a female victim by force on Nov. 8. He said he had a knife in his possession and allegedly hid the weapon when authorities came to the scene. Sunde said the female victim is currently not cooperating with the state on the investigation.

Judge Michael Smith ordered the bond to remain at $500,000, 10 percent. Baker is scheduled to appear in a pre-trial hearing on March 21. A jury trial has been scheduled for April 6.

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PLATTSMOUTH  A Lincoln man will spend time in state prison for carrying methamphetamine with him during a trip to Cass County in September 2020.

Mark R. Schneider, 47, appeared in Cass County District Court on Monday morning for a sentencing hearing. He entered a plea in September 2021 to a Class IV felony charge of possession of a controlled substance-methamphetamine.

Authorities arrived at a home in Eagle on Sept. 3, 2020, to execute a search warrant on the property. A Cass County Sheriffs Office deputy saw Schneider arrive on the property in a vehicle. The deputy searched the vehicle and found a crystalline substance that later tested positive as methamphetamine.

Deputy County Attorney Steven Sunde asked the court to issue a prison sentence of two years. He said Schneider had been sentenced to federal prison for drug crimes in both 2004 and 2006. The 2004 sentence was for 135 months and the 2006 sentence was for 168 months.

Fedde said Schneiders criminal history included convictions of assault, disturbing the peace, violation of a protection order and driving under the influence of alcohol. He said Schneider also failed to report to a mandatory pre-sentence investigation interview with probation officers on two occasions in 2021.

Hes done nothing to deserve anything less than the maximum sentence, Fedde said.

Defense attorney James Owen asked the court to issue a jail term of six months. He said Schneider had taken responsibility for owning the illegal drug. He also said his client had come to the courtroom Monday morning knowing that jail or prison was a likely possibility.

I dont see a maximum sentence as being appropriate, Owen said.

Judge Michael Smith ordered Schneider to serve 18 months in the Nebraska Department of Corrections. He will receive credit for two days he spent in Cass County Jail on the case in 2020. Schneider will serve nine months on post-release supervision after he completes his prison term.

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A 39-year-old Ames man was sentenced to four to six years in the Nebraska State Penitentiary for possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver Monday.

Ross R. Mann pleaded guilty to the charge that same day in the Dodge County District Court and was found guilty by Judge Geoffrey Hall.

"This current path you've chosen is not working out real good," Hall told Mann. "Perhaps it would be time to make changes."

On April 27, 2021, the Dodge County Sheriff's Office was requested to assist the Department of Health and Human Services to check the welfare of an Ames child.

After arriving at the home, the deputies made contact with Mann, who was residing at the house. They located a sword belonging to Mann in plain view and were notified that he was a convicted felon.

A search warrant was then obtained to search the home, which resulted in various drug paraphernalia and 22 grams of meth in Mann's bedroom.

Although he initially pleaded not guilty to the charge, Mann withdrew his plea in court on Monday. He also waived his presentence investigation to proceed directly to sentencing.

As part of Mann's plea arrangement, Deputy Dodge County Attorney Thomas Gross said there was a joint agreement for four to six years in prison, which Hall honored.

"At this point, common sense tells you, 'Hey, you need to make some changes and take a career path that's going to be better than what you've done,'" Hall told Mann. "Otherwise, you're going to end up dead or in the penitentiary or both."

Mann was given credit for 258 days previously served and must serve at least two years of his sentence.

In other district court news on Monday:

Heidi M. Hall, 47, of Fremont was sentenced to 260 days in jail and 30 months of intensive supervised probation for possession of a controlled substance. On April 26, 2021, a DCSO deputy pulled Hall over for driving with no license plates. During a probable cause search, the deputy found a purse belonging to Hall that contained meth. During her booking, a glass pipe containing meth was also found on Hall. Hall pleaded guilty to the charge on Nov. 29, 2021. Both Gross and Hall's attorney believed probation was the best option for her. Hall's attorney said her client had been sober and had the support of her family as she moved forward into treatment. Hall said she was "tired" and was excited to start treatment. Although Geoffrey Hall said he was hesitant about investing more resources into Heidi Hall, he said he would give her "one more shot" with probation. Heidi Hall was also ordered to take part in a 12-step program, cognitive program, employment enhancement, relapse prevention and 60 hours of community service. She was given credit for 118 days previously served.

Alfred D. Brown, 65, of Fremont was sentenced to 30 months of ISP for possession of a controlled substance. On Dec. 18, 2020, a DCSO deputy pulled Brown over in a non-plated vehicle for driving over the speed limit. Brown admitted to drinking alcohol, but a preliminary breath test resulted in a negative. He consented to a search, upon which the deputy found cocaine inside a cigarette pack. Brown pleaded guilty to the charge on Nov. 29, 2021. Gross recommended a probation term for Brown, whose attorney agreed. Along with probation, Hall also ordered Brown to take part in a 12-step program, cognitive program, relapse prevention, 60 hours of community service and a crime victim empathy class.

Leah R. Cramer, 28, of Fremont was sentenced to 18 months of ISP for violating the terms of her probation. On April 4, 2019, Cramer was sentenced to 30 months of ISP for delivery of a controlled substance. A motion to revoke her probation was made after she was arrested by the Fremont Police Department for driving under suspension, obstruction of a peace officer and resisting arrest. The motion was amended in November 2021 to note that Cramer had failed to report a citation from FPD for a traffic violation in March 2021, which she also failed to appear in court for. Cramer admitted to violating her probation on Nov. 22, 2021. Gross recommended an extended probation term and more community service for Cramer, whose attorney agreed. Cramer said she had been compliant and wanted to start outpatient treatment. Although Hall said he had considered a prison sentence due to Cramer minimizing her actions, he ultimately sentenced her to 18 months of probation to run concurrently with her current sentence. He also ordered Cramer to take part in 15 more hours of community service and employment enhancement.

Darwin O. Garcia, 24, of Fremont had his bond reduced to $15,000. Garcia has pleaded not guilty to a charge of failure to stop and render aid from Sept. 18, 2021. Garcia's attorney said her client had been incarcerated since he turned himself in on Oct. 1, 2021, and asked to lower his bond of $30,000. Although Gross opposed the reduction due to the accused crime and Garcia's previous failure to appear in court, Hall approved the motion.

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Tuesday

Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, 10 a.m., Chapter 5 Club, 136 N. Main St., Fremont.

Letters to the Churches of Revelation, 10 a.m., Lighthouse, 84 W. Sixth St., Fremont.

Ready for Kindergarten, 10-11 a.m., Keene Memorial Library, 1030 N. Broad St., Fremont. The program is designed for children ages 2-5 and their caregivers. Stories, art, manipulatives and sensory stations will help build the skills needed for kindergarten.

Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, noon, Chapter 5 Club, Fremont.

Narcotics Anonymous Steps of Freedom meeting, 1 p.m., LifeHouse, 723 N. Broad St., Fremont. The hotline number is 402-459-9511.

Fremont Eagles Club open, 3 p.m. to midnight, 649 N. Main St., Fremont. The club may stay open later or close early depending on business.

AZ + Co. ribbon cutting, 4-5 p.m., 530 N. Main St., Fremont.

Utility and Infrastructure Board meeting, 4 p.m., Fremont Municipal Building, 400 E. Military Ave. The meeting will be held in person and electronically to allow remote meeting access via computer or telephone. The link and instructions are provided on the agenda that is posted in the agenda section of the citys website at www.fremontne.gov.

Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, 5:15 p.m., Chapter 5 Club, Fremont.

Joint special meeting of the Dodge County Board of Supervisors and Fremont City Council, 6 p.m., Fremont City Council Chambers, 400 E. Military Ave., Fremont. The meeting is taking place to discuss the latest joint law enforcement center study. The meeting is open to the public.

Mens and Womens Bible Study, 6 p.m., Lighthouse, 84 W. Sixth St., Fremont.

Fremont City Council meeting, 7 p.m., Fremont Municipal Building, 400 E. Military Ave. The meeting will be held in person and electronically to allow remote meeting access via computer or telephone. The link and instructions are provided on the agenda that is posted in the agenda section of the citys website at www.fremontne.gov.

Narcotics Anonymous Freedom Works Group, 7 p.m., Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 1440 E. Military Ave., Fremont.

Wednesday

Dodge County Board of Supervisors, Dodge County Board of Equalization and Dodge County Board of Corrections meetings, 9 a.m., board room, third floor, Dodge County Courthouse, 435 N. Park Ave., Fremont. The meetings are open to the public.

Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, noon, Chapter 5 Club, 136 N. Main St., Fremont.

Mens Bible Study, 1 p.m., Lighthouse, 84 W. Sixth St., Fremont.

Fremont Eagles Club open, 3 p.m. to midnight, 649 N. Main St., Fremont. The club may stay open later or close early depending on business. There will be Auxiliary and Aerie meetings at 7 p.m.

Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, 5:15 p.m., Chapter 5 Club, Fremont.

Fremont Community Breastfeeding Support Group, 5:30-6:30 p.m., Three Rivers Health Department conference room, 2400 N. Lincoln Ave., Fremont. This support group is for mothers and their babies. Siblings are welcome.

Narcotics Anonymous Library Group, 7 p.m., Keene Memorial Librarys east building, 1030 N. Broad St., Fremont. The hotline number is 402-459-9511.

Alcoholics Anonymous, 8 p.m., Chapter 5 Club, Fremont.

Thursday

Mens Bible Study, 8 a.m., Lighthouse, 84 W. Sixth St., Fremont.

Alcoholics Anonymous big book study, 10 a.m., Chapter 5 Club, 136 N. Main St., Fremont.

Merry Widows, 11:30 a.m., Taco Bell, Fremont. For more information, call 402-317-2676.

Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, noon, Chapter 5 Club, Fremont.

Fremont Eagles Club open, 3 p.m. to midnight, 649 N. Main St., Fremont. The club may stay open later or close early depending on business. The kitchen will be open from 5:30-7:30 p.m. The menu will include hamburgers and cheeseburgers, tacos and soup. Everyone is welcome.

Five-O-Five Brewing ribbon cutting, 4-5 p.m., 349 N. Main St., Fremont.

LEGO Club, 4-5 p.m., Keene Memorial Library, 1030 N. Broad St., Fremont. LEGO bricks will be supplied.

Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, 5:15 p.m., Chapter 5 Club, Fremont.

The Banquet, 5:30-6:30 p.m., First Lutheran Church, 3200 E. Military Ave., Fremont. Drive-thru meals served. The dinner is free.

Bedtime storytime, 6:30 p.m., Keene Memorial Library, 1030 N. Broad St., Fremont. There will be stories, songs, dancing and crafts before bed.

Civil Air Patrol, 7 p.m., 1201 W. 23rd St., in yellow hangar at Fremont Airport.

Narcotics Anonymous Freedom Works Group, 7 p.m., Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 1440 E. Military Ave.

Tally Ho Toastmasters, 7-8 p.m., Midland Universitys Anderson Building, Ninth and Clarkson streets, Fremont. Everyone is welcome to learn skills in communication, self-confidence and leadership. For more information, call 402-936-3479.

Narcotics Anonymous Back to Basics meeting, 7:30 p.m., First Evangelical Lutheran Church, 201 N. Davis St., Oakland.

Alcoholics Anonymous big book study, 8 p.m., Chapter 5 Club, Fremont.

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The United States will donate an additional $308 million in humanitarian aid to Afghanistan, the White House announced on January 11, bringing the total U.S. aid for the war-wracked country to nearly $782 million since October.

The announcement came the same day as an appeal by the United Nations for $5 billion in aid for Afghanistan this year to avert a humanitarian catastrophe.

The extra assistance from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) will be distributed through independent humanitarian organizations and will provide shelter, health care, winterization assistance, emergency food aid, water, sanitation, and hygiene services, White House spokeswoman Emily Horne said in a statement.

Horne also said Washington is giving 1 million additional coronavirus vaccine doses to Afghanistan, bringing the total to 4.3 million doses.

"The United States is committed to supporting the Afghan people and we continue to consider all options available to us. We stand with the people of Afghanistan," Horne said.

Afghanistan's economy has been in free fall since the Taliban seized power in August after toppling the former Western-backed government amid the withdrawal of the U.S.-led forces from the country following a 20-year occupation.

The UN, in its largest-ever single-country appeal, said on January 11 that $4.4 billion was needed within Afghanistan, while a further $623 million was required to support the millions of Afghans sheltering beyond its borders.

"A full-blown humanitarian catastrophe looms. My message is urgent: Don't shut the door on the people of Afghanistan," said UN aid chief Martin Griffiths.

According to the world body, up to 23 million people, or 55 percent of Afghanistan's population -- are facing extreme levels of hunger, with nearly 9 million at risk of famine as winter takes hold.

With reporting by Reuters, AP, and AFP
Brian Puerta told police he was bedded down at a truck stop in rural Huerfano County, snuggled up in a sleeping bag in the front passenger seat of his blue Buick when a stranger banged on the passenger window in the middle of the day and demanded that Puerta follow him.

The stranger, whom Puerta later described as looking like Charles Manson, with several dogs in tow, aimed a handgun at Puerta, who reached for his cellphone to call 911. Four shots rang out, blasting through the window and into Puertas right wrist, right hip, abdomen and cellphone.

An air ambulance flew Puerta, who was homeless, to Parkview Medical Center in Pueblo that March 30 day. Puerta woke later from anesthesia to find surgical staples embedded across his stomach. The surgeons had removed part of Puertas lower intestine, but they recovered one of the bullets that had torn into Puerta, 3 inches below his belly button.

When authorities apprehended a suspect later that day after a high-speed chase, they thought they had a lock on a conviction and lengthy prison sentence. Puerta picked out the suspect from a photo lineup. Police had seized a Sig Sauer .22 caliber handgun from the suspect's car. Prosecutors waited for the ballistics report that would match the bullet found deep in Puerta's gut with the handgun seized from the suspect's car  the final piece of evidence they felt they needed to persuade a jury to convict the suspect of attempted murder.

But that ballistics report would never come. And the suspect John William Wilson, now 40, might never see a day in prison.

The Huerfano County Sheriffs Department was not timely enough in sending the gun that was seized from Wilsons car, or the bullet recovered from Puerta's body, to the Colorado Bureau of Investigations crime lab, emails from prosecutors to the Sheriffs Office and crime lab show. By the time the crime lab was ready to process the evidence, discovery deadlines had passed, the emails show.

The lack of a timely ballistics report isnt an isolated incident in Huerfano County, according to a lawsuit filed on June 22 by the top prosecutor there, Third Judicial District Attorney Henry Solano. Solano, who was the top federal prosecutor in Colorado when he was U.S. attorney from 1994 to 1995 and has taught at Harvard Universitys John F. Kennedy School of Government, is asking a judge to fix what he calls persistent failures in basic law enforcement by the Huerfano County Sheriffs Office and Sheriff Bruce Newman. The lawsuit lists 43 felony cases and 20 misdemeanor cases in the past three years, including Puertas shooting, that Solano alleges the Sheriffs Office provided no discovery or failed to provide timely discovery.

In court documents Solano has filed in connection with that lawsuit, he alleges that Newman and the Sheriffs Office only provided timely evidence to the District Attorneys Office in 62.6% of the cases they initiated in the past three years.

In elementary school that is a D grade, Solanos court filing stated. It might just barely be passing in elementary school, but that is clearly not acceptable here where we are dealing with due process protections to a defendant and the need to support prosecutions for the protection of the public. Remedial action is necessary.

The problems have become so severe, according to Solanos lawsuit, that prosecutors had to dismiss at least 30 felony cases because of the failure by the Sheriffs Office to preserve or send evidence for testing.

In one case, 27 grams of heroin were not sent for crime lab processing, causing the dismissal of drug distribution charges pending against a habitual offender who faced up to 32 years in prison, the lawsuit contends. In another, prosecutors could not proceed with criminal charges against an inmate accused of assaulting a sheriffs deputy because surveillance footage was not preserved, according to the lawsuit.

In a homicide case, the sentencing judge remarked on the troubled history of evidentiary and discovery problems in Huerfano County.

Its been made clear to me in the four plus years that this case has been going on that theres been a lot of problems with the evidence procurement initially by law enforcement, a transcript attached as an exhibit to the lawsuit shows the judge said at the sentencing hearing. The lawsuit contends the prosecution of that homicide case was saved only by the intervention of the Colorado Attorney Generals Office and the work of investigators there.

Solano wants a judge to order Newman and the Sheriffs Office to start complying with evidentiary and discovery deadlines. Prosecutors are required to provide critical information about their cases to defense lawyers within 21 days after a defendant's first appearance in court, according to the rules of evidence guiding criminal cases.

Additional information must be provided to the defense 35 days prior to trial, according to those rules. Typically, most law enforcement agencies forward the information to the defense within 48 hours of an arrest.

Providing evidence in a timely manner to the defense is a core tenet of the judicial system, meant to ensure defendants can prepare and receive a fair trial. Violations of those evidentiary rules can lead to dismissals of cases, which Solano said has regularly happened in Huerfano County.

Solano said that if he succeeds in getting a judicial order against the sheriff, hell be able to seek contempt of court against the sheriff if the violations continue, which he said could lead to monetary penalties and even jail time.

It would give them added incentive to do their jobs, which they shouldnt have to have, Solano said.

Sheriff Newman said hes not to blame and that he welcomes Solanos lawsuit and believes he and his office will be absolved of wrongdoing.

He blames everyone else for his problems, Newman said. Mr. Solano points fingers at everybody. Court filings filed on behalf of the sheriff further assert the litigation is a waste of time. "This litigation has consumed the time and resources of this court, the District Attorney's Office, including District Attorney staff, in addition to the District Attorney himself, and one Assistant District Attorney, the Sheriff's Office, including the Sheriff himself and the Sheriff's Office staff, in addition to the time and resources of the county in order to provide four days of testimony," that filing states.

The case against Wilson, accused of randomly shooting a homeless man, wasnt dismissed, but Solano said a lack of timely evidence processing by the Sheriffs Office still compromised the case. Wilson originally faced six felony charges, the most serious of which was attempted murder, which carried up to 28 years in prison. He pleaded to a lesser charge that could allow him to escape prison.

Solano said the lack of timely processing of the evidence by the Sheriffs Office eventually left the prosecution with nothing but Puertas eyewitness account and circumstantial evidence.

We could not use that evidence to definitively establish that the defendant had used and shot the firearm in an attempt to kill or injure the victim, Solano said.

In this case, critical, important information  that is, the firearm alleged to be used and the projectile recovered from the victim  was not immediately sent to the crime lab and not sent after several emails from the prosecution. When it was sent, it was sent too late to use in trial. The defense counsel was going to be able to exclude all of the evidence related to the firearm in the case.

Puerta said he's left bewildered as he wonders how what he thought was a solid case could develop evidentiary issues. He said he was relieved to learn the authorities had a suspect when he woke after his surgery. Pueblo County deputies had confronted the suspect, Wilson, about an hour after Puertas shooting when they responded to a complaint of shots fired at an abandoned building near where Puerta had been shot.

Wilson fled, speeding away in a green car, the same color of car Puerta reported seeing his assailant flee in. After a high-speed chase, Wilson wrecked the car, ramming it through a barbed wire fence. He surrendered after a standoff with deputies on a dirt road.

Puerta, now 47, expected an open and shut case. In addition to Wilson's photo lineup identification, police also had other solid indications of Wilson's complicity. They found inside the Hyundai that Wilson had been driving four German Shepherd-type dogs, closely matching Puertas description of what he had seen. And they seized from the crashed vehicle a Sig Sauer .22 caliber handgun. At the abandoned building where Wilson had been shooting, they found an air rifle.

I cant do better as a victim, Puerta said. It has got to be impossible to prevent a guy who is going around shooting people randomly. Once you catch a guy shooting people randomly, youve got to keep him, and you cant just let him back out on the street. I am very upset about it.

Sheriff Newman defended his offices handling of the evidence. He said that once his office finally did send the gun and bullets off to the state crime lab for testing, Solanos office asked that the evidence not be processed.

But emails from the Third Judicial District Attorneys Office confirm that the Huerfano Sheriffs Office was slow to act.

Rex Delmas, then a prosecutor working for Solano, in emails on Aug. 25 and Aug. 31, asked Huerfano County sheriffs officer Roman Hijar and his superiors, Undersheriff Milan Rapo and Captain Craig Lessar, to send the gun seized from the defendants car and the round found in Puertas body to the crime lab for prints, DNA testing and to see if the bullet matched the gun.

It needs to go ASAP with a rush request to CBI, he said in the Aug. 31 email.

Stefanie Trahey, lab director of the state crime lab in Pueblo, in an email to the prosecutor on Oct. 15 said the crime lab had received the evidence on Sept. 30  six months after Puerta's shooting. She wanted to know if a trial continuance was possible to allow for processing of the crucial evidence. The trial at that point was scheduled for Nov. 8. The crime lab still had not received prints from the suspect or swabs of DNA from the suspect for comparison on the gun.

It is doubtful we can get a continuance, Delmas said in an email back to the crime lab director. Frankly, the deadline for discovery passed on [Oct. 6] .

Solano said he had to extend a plea agreement due to the evidentiary concerns. In exchange for dismissal of the more serious felony charges, including attempted murder, Wilson agreed to plead guilty to the lesser charge of vehicular eluding. Wilsons defense lawyer did not return telephone messages seeking comment.

Hijar, the Huerfano County Sheriff's officer who responded to Puerta's shooting, declined comment and referred questions to the sheriff. Investigators with the Colorado Bureau of Investigation who assisted in taking a statement from Puerta declined comment.

When hes sentenced Jan. 6, Wilson could get probation, allowing him to escape prison. If the judge opts for a prison sentence, it could be as little as six months.

Puerta is left with scars across his abdomen. A bullet remains lodged in his right wrist.

Puerta predicted his alleged assailant will turn violent when he's out on the streets.

Hes going to get back out there, and hes going to shoot someone else, Puerta said. Theres no doubt in my mind.
Suzanne Morphew, top, was reported missing on Mothers Day 2020. Photo evidence provided by Chaffee County, above, that shows a wound on the arm of Barry Morphew has been presented during Morphews preliminary hearing. He stands trial for the murder of his wife, Suzanne.
Law enforcement leaders and local officials in the Pikes Peak region urged the Colorado legislature Monday to undo policies they view as responsible for soaring crime rates in the state.

In a news briefing, Colorado Springs Mayor John Suthers said the 2022 legislative session is likely to produce more proposals that would "undermine public safety," citing a study from the Denver-based Common Sense Institute, which found that the average monthly crime rate in Colorado is 15% higher in 2021 than the year before, and a stunning 28% higher than it was a decade ago.

Suthers, along with El Paso County Sheriff Bill Elder, Colorado Springs Police Department Deputy Chief Adrian Vasquez and District Attorney Michael Allen, expressed wariness over policies that ultimately aim to reduce the prison population. They cited legislation that shortened sentencing for the possession of 4 grams of fentanyl or less to a misdemeanor, reduced the maximum sentence a person can serve in the county jail after being convicted of a misdemeanor to 364 days, and reclassified certain crimes from felonies to misdemeanors.

These policies could exacerbate difficulties within law enforcement agencies where hiring and retention is already a challenge, Elder said, noting his agency lost 82 deputy sheriffs 15% of the El Paso County Sheriff's Office force  in 2021.

"I can't hire them fast enough," Elder said. "Because of assaults, because of people just leaving the business."

Deputy Chief Adrian Vasquez also said recent legislation increased demands on officers while risking their safety.

"Current legislation isn't always easy to interpret and we don't just receive much guidance from the legislators themselves," Vasquez said. "It makes it difficult on our officers when they need to make split second decisions."

Elder and Suthers lamented the lack of input when legislators craft bills related to public safety.

The group pointed to the rise in assaults and motor vehicle thefts as grave concerns, adding that Colorado's rank as the top fifth state in the nation for recidivism is problematic.

State Sen. Pete Lee, a Democrat from Colorado Springs who has led the criminal justice reform movement at the Capitol and argued for restorative justice and other diversion measures, earlier defended the policies he has championed. Lee said the Common Sense Institute report looks at an outcome that has many causes, not just legislation, much of it so new it hasnt had time to affect the dire numbers. He said the report doesnt consider the effects of domestic violence, which lawmakers have sought to curb in recent sessions, or the rise of anger because of social media, guns and other societal causes.

"The devil's in the details and, you know, there's a lot of reasons that crime may increase or decrease over time," he said.

Lee argued the "lock up everybody" mentality has a much longer track record of failing communities, victims and families.

"Some of the things we are doing don't work," Lee said of the approach favored by law enforcement and prosecutors. "I mean, sending people to prison and then they come back, and three years later, half of them go back to prison. What kind of a system is that?"

The Governor's Office also criticized the report as using "fuzzy math."

"Gov. Polis met with sheriffs and district attorneys from both parties across the state as he crafted and submitted a comprehensive plan to prevent crime and support law enforcement professionals," Conor Cahill, the governor's spokesperson, said at the time the report came out. "The truth is that there is a rise in certain crimes and decrease in other areas and the governor has proposed comprehensive solutions to the rise in crime."

During the news briefing, Suthers urged the public to "pay close attention to what is happening in our state legislature," adding the best way for members of the public to make their voices heard is by voting.

"If you feel more safe, then we should continue to do what we're doing," Elder said. "If you feel less safe, then you should pay attention to that."
After nearly 11 years of leading Care and Share Food Bank for Southern Colorado, CEO Lynne Telford announced on Monday that she will retire.

This has always been my ambition to have a really meaningful job, and this has been that, she said. Its really been the highlight of my career and the way Im delighted to end my career; this is a great organization and a great mission.

She doesnt have an exact date of departure. The organizations board of directors has formed a selection committee, which will conduct the search for a replacement.

Id agreed to stay on until they get that done, she said, which likely will be in the summer.

Telford, 67, decided to leave this year because she believes the organization is strong and in good shape, and she wants to spend time with her friends and family.

I expect to stay involved in the community, but not at full bore here at Care and Share, Telford said.

Telford said the job repeatedly has taught her about the power of community.

Whenever the need for food ramped up, such as during the 2012 Waldo Canyon fire, the 2013 Black Forest fire and the COVID-19 pandemic, not only has the public responded with increased food donations but also stepped up to volunteer, she said.

Over the past decade, Telford led the organization to more than double in size, Tim Sullivan, board chairman, said in a statement.

Lynnes passion and personal touch have been the trusted face of Care and Share, he said.

The number of pounds of food distributed topped a record 25 million last year, and Telford said the organization has budgeted to provide up to the same amount this year.

Food primarily gets distributed across 31 southern Colorado counties through 280 local food pantries, soup kitchens and other social service organizations. A third distribution center that opened in the San Luis Valley is helping get food out faster, Telford said.

Care and Share debuted two organization-owned pantries, Sunny Side Markets, in Pueblo and Fountain last year, where those in need can pick up free food in a grocery-store setup. It's the first direct-service model for Care and Share, which also now is bringing food into low-income neighborhoods using mobile trucks.

The expanded operations are going well, Telford said.

The numbers in people are increasing all the time, and it has to do with confidence, she said. A lot of times people dont ask for help because they feel embarrassed, worried well ask them a lot of questions or that theres some trick involved. People are becoming comfortable, and the markets are developing into a place of community gathering.

Organizational revenue has increased in tandem.

Individual donors had been at 10,000 for years, Telford said, then jumped to 20,000 in 2020, as the pandemic took hold. Last year, it settled at 17,000 donors.

That means a lot of people who discovered us at the beginning of the pandemic are sticking with us, Telford said. Were showing people we really appreciate and value their investment in Care and Share.

After 20 years working in finance, the final five years at a semi-conductor business in Colorado Springs, Telford decided she wanted to get more involved in the community.

She took a job in October 2000 at Pikes Peak United Way, eventually becoming chief operating officer. She also worked for four years at the executive director of the Center for Nonprofit Excellence.

Telford became CEO of Care and Share in March 2011.

Under her tenure, Care and Share also built a disaster-response system that assisted people needing food as a result of the Waldo Canyon and Black Forest fires, the federal government shutdown, undrinkable water in Security and the COVID pandemic.

And three years ago, Care and Share established an endowment fund that spins off 5% into the annual operating budget. The endowment has grown to $1.4 million, Telford said, and is a reliable way to help sustain future operations.

As we look ahead, were focusing on purchasing more food on our own, due to a decrease in donated food and increase in need across our service area, she said. We are also looking into ways we can create better food access for rural communities.

But shes ready for a change.

Ive poured my heart and soul into this place, and its time just to do things at a different pace, she said. I just want to have more time for fun.
Before Pikes Peak was Pikes Peak, Ute Indians called it Tava Mountain, which means Sun Mountain, because the sun would first appear on top of the mountain before making its way to the lower regions, which it still does today.
Rep. Doug Lamborn of Colorado Springs on Monday encouraged routine skin cancer screenings after disclosing he has undergone treatment for melanoma, which he said may have been accelerated by his state's altitude.

The Republican lawmaker's office said that after a recent routine checkup at his dermatologist, Lamborn had a biopsy done of "a suspicious sunspot," which was later determined to be melanoma, and was treated "without incident."

Lamborn said in a statement that he has recovered from the procedure and encourages everyone to make time for these screenings.

RON JOHNSON WILL SEEK THIRD TERM

"I am grateful to my team of doctors, and their staff, for their professionalism and the excellent care I received during this process," Lamborn said.

Lamborn pointed to "the mountain landscape that we all know and love in Colorado, with its high altitude and plentiful sunshine," as a factor that may have accelerated damage to skin "caused by the sun."

"A skin check by a dermatologist often only takes a few minutes, but it is a critical part of identifying skin cancer early," he said. "I encourage all of my constituents, young and old, to wear sunscreen and make sure they get checked regularly by a qualified physician."

Dr. Reagan Anderson of the Colorado Dermatology Institute said in a statement, "As there are more skin cancers than all other cancers combined, it is important to seek medical attention if you notice any new or changing spots on your body."

"A few minutes each month looking at your own skin as well as at an annual check-up could be lifesaving," Anderson said.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

With the announcement, Lamborn's office shared resources for reducing the risk of skin cancers, including a reminder that the sun's rays "are reflected by sand, water, snow, ice, and pavement."

Lamborn represents the 5th Congressional District, covering Colorado Springs and its suburbs. Colorado Springs climbs to an altitude of 6,035 feet. Manitou Springs, five miles to the west of Colorado Springs, is 6,320 feet. Further west, the towns of Victor and Cripple Creek are over 9,500 feet.

Original Location: Doug Lamborn, disclosing melanoma treatment, warns constituents of mountain air skin threat

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Colorado Springs City Council deadlocked Monday over the appointment of Stephannie Fortune to fill Councilman Richard Skorman's seat on the board.

The 4 to 4 vote on Fortune to represent the southwest sector of the city means the appointment failed and the council will need to meet again to select Skorman's replacement. The deadlock vote followed about two hours of passionate testimony for and against Fortune, who has been involved in the community for many years but only moved into the district in November.

The council informally selected Fortune from among seven finalists in December to replace Skorman, who resigned his seat at the end of the year to focus on his downtown businesses, including a restaurant, cafe, bookshop and toy store.

Councilman Dave Donelson was one of the five more conservative council members who initially supported Fortune, but he withdrew his support Monday to vote with the three more progressive council members to oppose the appointment.

Donelson said he could not support Fortune after learning there is support on council for Sallie Clark, the former councilwoman and Republican county commissioner. Clark has lived in the district for 36 years and owns a bed and breakfast in the area.

"Can I really look a District 3 constituent in the eyes and say: 'I could have appointed a 36-year resident, prior councilwoman and county commissioner who has operated a business in district that whole time. But instead I thought a person who has been there for only two months and has never been elected is more qualified.' I honestly cant," he said.

Fortune said she heard last week that Donelson was withdrawing his support and she had accepted the decision. She said she would continue to work for the well-being of the city. For example, she is a board member with the Pikes Peak United Way.

"I am still going to work for people," she said.

She said she would consider running for an at-large council seat, but it was unlikely.

Fortune would have brought many years as a political insider to the council. On the federal level, she was chief of staff for Rep. Scott McInnis, a Republican who represented Colorados 3rd Congressional District in the 1990s. On the state level, she worked as the chief of staff to Lt. Governor Jane Norton under Gov. Bill Owens and as the assistant director and legislative liaison for the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. She has also worked in public policy for state universities.

Within the Colorado Springs business community, she served as president of governmental affairs and public policy for the Greater Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce.

Laura Neumann, former chief of staff to Mayor Steve Bach, spoke in favor of Fortune's appointment, calling her a policy geek who is tireless in her advocacy. She would have been committed to small business, underserved children and equity on council, Neumann said.

"She can rally people at a moments notice to engage and make an impact," she said.

District 3 resident Clover Dillahunty was among those who spoke against Fortunes appointment and in favor of a progressive who would better reflect Skormans values and the values of the district.

After the vote, she said she is vehemently against Clarks appointment to the board as well.

We deserve someone with those kinds of values that the majority of our district voted for, she said.

Several district residents who spoke favored Terry Martinez, a former candidate for City Council and a member of the city's Law Enforcement Transparency and Accountability Commission.

In addition to in-person testimony, the council vote followed an email campaign by concerned residents.

Councilwoman Nancy Henjum said the council received 186 emails in recent weeks about the appointment, with 174 in opposition.

I do not believe City Councils collective judgment is superior to those of voting citizens, she said.

Several residents called for an election to replace Skorman rather than an appointment process, as called for by the city charter, so their voices could be heard.

June Waller was among those who said she felt like her views would not be represented by a council choice.

"I am here for a funeral. A funeral of my vote," Waller said.

The council has until Jan. 30 to make an appointment to fill Skorman's seat. The board has scheduled a special meeting Friday at 1 p.m. to revisit the list of candidates. The replacement will serve until the council election in 2023.
After last weeks horrific fire in Boulder County, we now have a real-time example of the superpower of civility. Lets hope our politicians take note.

Boulder County Commissioner Matt Jones believes the common decency of folks evacuating their homes last week saved lives.

There are a couple of things I realized when I was driving away from our home, he told Associated Press reporters after the fire forced him from his Louisville house.

One was the patience and grace of all the people getting evacuated. People were kind, polite, letting people in because they were all getting out. And thats part of the reason I think so many people did well getting out.

It took less than two hours for erratic 100-mph winds to spread flames several miles from the Marshall area into Louisville. But 35,000 people successfully, compassionately evacuated in a very tight window of space, Incident Commander Mike Smith said.

At certain points we could not even actively fight the fire, Smith said. We just had to concentrate on getting everyone out safely.

In many cases, residents hadnt gotten warning to evacuate. They saw smoke and flames, or received texts and shouts from neighbors, and hightailed it out on their own. In many areas, there were no law enforcement officials available to help direct traffic.

If its a structure fire that is only your house, you feel a little like, Why me? But when its an entire neighborhood, it lifts you out of yourself, resident Gwen Brodsky told the Colorado Sun. Its about us. Its a collective.

Brodsky hit gridlock on Dillon Road as she was evacuating. But even in that life and death moment, Brodsky was struck by the old-fashioned Midwestern civility of her community, describing how people were merging and creating extra lanes while communicating with their eyes. It was not save myself, she told a Sun reporter. It was save ourselves.

By contrast, the roads out of Paradise, Calif., gridlocked within an hour of the first evacuation order of that horrendous fire, and began moving again hours later only after an enormous effort by firefighters, police, bureaucrats and politicians who rushed to jammed intersections to help untangle traffic, according to the Los Angeles Times. Paradise had far fewer exit routes, and 85 people perished in the snarl.

A Los Angeles Times investigation found that Paradise ignored repeated warnings of the risk its residents faced, crafted no plan to evacuate the area all at once, entrusted public alerts to a system vulnerable to fire, and did not sound citywide orders to flee even as a hail of fire rained down.

California has yet to take action on promises to create statewide evacuation standards.

Though we were much luckier here, Colorado should take heed. We need statewide evacuation standards immediately; at the moment, Colorado has a patchwork of fire mitigation and evacuation plans that are severely out of date. The goodwill and grace of residents like those in Boulder County cannot be government policy.

A recent analysis by The Denver Gazette shows some of the most vulnerable areas of the state rely on some of the states oldest wildfire protection plans. The fire mitigation and evacuation plans in Boulder County were 11 years out of date, drawn up before the recent population explosions in Louisville and Superior.

At least 70% of new homes built in the last 10 years in the most at-risk areas for wildfire are in neighborhoods without a fire mitigation plan updated in the last five years, the Denver Gazette has reported.

Colorado needs to follow the lead of other states and require mitigation and evacuation plans to be updated regularly, preferably every year, and set some statewide standards for what those plans require.

Colorado also needs to standardize the way we alert people during such deadly blazes, especially as these fires become faster, bigger and more frequent.

Ella Cobb of the Boulder Daily Camera reported that 70 or so residents of Louisville didnt receive emergency evacuation alert prior to the fire. Instead they were alerted by a neighbor sending out group texts after her husband saw flames bearing down on them.

Boulder County does have 30 outdoor warning sirens, intended for flood, tornado or other disaster, according to the Boulder Office of Emergency Management website. Other disaster apparently doesnt include wildfires; no one set these warning sirens off, according to Cobbs reporting.

An emergency notification system did alert residents to the fire via cellphone, landline, text message and email, but if you hadnt signed up for the system ahead of time, you didnt get the message.

The best system is probably wireless emergency alerts, WEAs, which are sent automatically to cellphones within a certain location area. For some reason, though, no WEAs were sent out to cellphones during the Marshall fire, FEMA confirmed to Cobb.

Clearly, our communities need a standardized form of communication that we all know how to use and can rely on in any emergency.

Otherwise, the patchwork of policies we have now leave us as vulnerable as Blanche DuBois at the end of A Streetcar Named Desire. She could have been speaking for all our state emergency planning officials when she famously said, I have always depended on the kindness of strangers.
Law enforcement leaders and local officials in the Pikes Peak region urged the Colorado legislature Monday to undo policies they view as respo
This sign overlooking Pikes Peak was installed in downtown Woodland Park in the late 1990s as part of the American Discovery Trail Art Project. A local movement to rename Pikes Peak as Tava Mountain is afoot.
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For the time of the year. I spent much of yesterday evening driving south from the North Yorkshire moors. And the news that the past 7 years have been far away the warmest on record struck a chord. Something is not right. Not right at all...

In the Yorkshire Dales at this time of year, my host told me, there would normally be a good covering of snow in January. With the temperature hovering around zero or lower. Not right now. Ridiculously mild. Just a hint of snow on the higher peaks. And the temperature pushing double figures...

Not right....

And I have been lead to believe by the wise and sage members of the older generations that a decent cold snap is always good for knocking bugs and dull viruses on the head. We can count the number of proper frosts here this winter on one hand....?!

No runners today. But a few entries. LA MAQUINA (Charlie Bishop) and DAWAAM (Abdullah Faisal) will run in The Kingdom of Bahrain on Friday. Retired Jumps Jockey Dominic Elsworth and Maher have been in charge over there, and report both horses to be in good order...

And RUN FORREST RUN and SURREY PRINCESS with Lingfield entries later this week...

Not exactly "bonkers busy" on the runners front. Yet. But that time is getting closer for sure...

Most of the horses back under saddles, and not long until The Brocklesby....??!!
The Mason City Municipal Airport is gearing up for major changes.

The airport has been conducting surveys to determine the best route for its project to expand the current facility.

After several months of studies and surveys, the airport commission has settled on a proposal and is ready to host public hearings. So what do you need to know about the project ahead of the public hearings later this month?

Why is this happening?

The changes were proposed because Mason City's airport facilities are no longer adequate enough to support its current operations, specifically the daily, 50-person flights from United Airlines to and from Chicago.

According to the draft of the environmental assessment, the lobby and gatehold area are too small to accommodate United's daily service, with the current gate only able to hold approximately 20 passengers comfortably. And with a hope to expand the flight offerings out of Mason City in the future, the current lobby and gatehold area are no longer viable.

The assessment also notes that the airport needs to expand its checkpoint screening area, address facility deterioration, provide a more accessible facility as the current terminal is not ADA-compliant (Americans with Disabilities Act.)

The 2021 terminal predesign study conducted by the Mason City Airport Commission lists 19 total issues with the facility that need addressing.

With the use of the Mason City Airport on the rise  annual enplanements increased from 8,056 in 2019 to 10,200 in 2021  according to the terminal native report, the need for considerable changes became necessary.

The Proposal

Because significant restoration and renovation of the current facility would be required to move forward with the project, the Mason City Municipal Airport Commission has proposed to construct an entirely new building west of the current facility.

To accommodate the new facility there are also accompanying plans:

- Expand the terminal apron to the west to "meet standards for regional jet and narrow-body charter operations,"

- Extend the access road to provide curbside service to the proposed facility.

- Expand the parking area to "increase capacity to meet local municipality parking requirements."

- Partially or fully demolish the existing terminal, Federal Aviation Administration annex and restaurant.

A noteworthy reason for choosing this proposal specifically over others being considered was that it allows for the current terminal to continue operations while the new facility is under construction mostly unhindered, according to the assessment.

The new building would address all of the issues cited in the predesign study and would reduce long-term operating costs, according to the assessment.

The details

The proposed structure is estimated to be 22,500 square feet and will be large enough to comfortably hold the current daily enplanements, with plenty of room for additional passengers in the future.

The proposed facility aims to more than double the current annual enplanements, with plans to increase from 10,200 annual enplanements in 2021 to 14,600 in 2026, and 23,900 by 2036.

The cost of construction for the new terminal is estimated to range between $10.8 to $14 million.

The airport commission hopes to begin construction of the new facility in 2022, following approval from the FAA with a completion date in 2024.

The project is required to be complete by May of 2024 in order for the $12 million in federal funding received by the airport to be used.

Alternative options

While the commission has settled on the new facility built to the west as its proposed solution, alternative solutions have been considered.

The commission considered renovating the current airport instead of building a new facility. While renovations are estimated to be cheaper than a new building, with an $8.5 to $11.5 million estimated cost, there were concerns that a remodel could reveal unknown problems with the airport, complicating the project timeline or hiking up the cost. It's also noted that the renovations to the current facility would make operating the airport during the construction period significantly more difficult.

According to the terminal narrative report, the commission also considered building the new facility to the south instead of the west.

The layout of the terminal would be exactly the same if built south of the current facility instead of the west, but constructing it there would result in a much more complicated construction process and would make operating the airport during the construction phase significantly different.

Public hearings

The Mason City Airport Commission will be hosting a pair of public hearings later this month to allow for public input on the proposed project. The hearing will also allow for the commission to outline the "proposed actions potential economic, social, and environmental impacts."

The first public hearing is on Tuesday Jan. 18, 2022 and the second on Monday, Jan. 31, 2022.

Both hearings will be held at the Mason City Municipal Airport, located along Highway 122 West, and start at 4:00 p.m.

Zach Dupont's five faves for 2021 It's tough, as a newbie in Mason City, to select five top stories from a year that you've on

Zachary Dupont covers politics and business development for the Globe Gazette. You can reach him at 641-421-0533 or zachary.dupont@globegazette.com. Follow Zachary on Twitter at @ZachNDupont

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DELHI UNION OF JOURNALISTS (REGD)

Flat No.29, Central Market, Connaught Place, New Delhi-1

11 January 2022

Press Statement

In the controversy surrounding the Prime Ministers visit to Punjab, an investigation into a secret app that spams and trolls thousands has gone ignored by the big media, notes the Delhi Union of Journalists. Painstaking investigation of the app Tek Fog, by two technical researchers for the Wire, reveals how tech is being used to pursue a political agenda and target people, including journalists.

Tek Fog is designed to highjack the trending section of Twitter and trend on Facebook.to auto-retweetor auto-share the tweets and posts of individuals or groups and spam existing hashtagssays the Wire expose. Individual operatives can use the app  to generate temporary email addresses, activate phone numbers and bypass programming limitations, and email and OTP verification set by Whats App Facebook, Twitter and Telegram.

Dangerously, the app enables operatives to hijack inactive WhatsApp numbers, steal data about their contacts and send them messages. It creates a cloud database that categorises people by religion, language, age, gender and political leanings, so that they can be messaged suitably.

Women journalists have been prime targets of the app. The Wire investigation lists women journalists who received up to one million abusive tweets between January and May 2021. They include Rana Ayyub, Barkha Dutt, Nidhi Razdan, Rohini Singh, Swati Chaturvedi, Sagarika Ghose, Manisha Pande, Faye DSouza, Arfa Khanum Sherwani and Smita Prakash.

The Wire has identified two private companies, Persistent Systems and Mohalla Tech Pvt Ltd, that are reportedly responsible for developing the app. Mohalla Tech is the company behind Sharechat, a leading regional language social media platform which is funded by Twitter. Sharechat works in 24 languages and claims it has 160 million users. Persistent Systems is based in Nagpur and allegedly has close links with the Bharatiya Janata Party through its current election manager in Maharashtra. The companies are denying involvement with Tek Fog. In a detailed response Sharechat claims it systematically takes down hate speech and misinformation.

However, DUJ also notes with alarm the inadequate response of social media companies to complaints against hate accounts, fake accounts and fake news. Alt News has traced several such accounts on Facebook and Twitter but little action has been taken by tech companies.

DUJ calls for an urgent inquiry by the Supreme Court into the role of social media and tech companies in amplifying the crime of Hate Speech.

Sd/- S.K.Pande, President

Sd/- Sujata Madhok, General Secretary
Redistricting will bring changes in state representation for the Dan River Region, including the 20th Senate district shifting west and become Senate District 7.

The alteration also lumps part of Danville and Pittsylvania County with Halifax County in the state House of Delegates, pitting Del. Danny Marshall, R-Danville, against Del. James Edmunds, R-Halifax County.

But the next House of Delegates election isnt until November 2023, which is the furthest thing from Marshalls mind as the 2022 session of the Virginia General Assembly begins Wednesday.

I really havent thought five minutes about it, Marshall told the Danville Register & Bee on Tuesday.

The next election for Marshall, who was handily reelected to his seat in the current 14th District last November, is nearly two years away, assuming he runs again in 2023.

Im just trying to get all the ducks in a row as far as bills to be introduced, he said.

As for the current 20th Senate district seat, currently held by Bill Stanley, R-Moneta, it will move west and will become the 7th Senate District, putting Danville and Pittsylvania County in Senate District 9  which will be held by Sen. Frank Ruff, R-Clarksville. Ruff is currently in the 20th Senate district.

I hate that, Stanley said of the move shifting his seat out of Danville and Pittsylvania County.

Stanley said he would continue to keep the interests of the Dan River Regions voters at heart.

Even though the people of Danville and Pittsylvania County cant vote for me, I can still vote for them when I come to Richmond, Stanley said. I will always represent their interests.

Stanleys seat will be up for election in 2023.

The westward move puts the 7th District, currently held by Stanley, in Franklin, Henry, Carroll, Patrick, Floyd, Grayson and Wythe counties, and in Martinsville and Galax.

Most of that districts voters will come from the current 20th District as well as the 19th and 40th districts.

Senate District 9 will include all of Danville and Pittsylvania County, as well as parts of Halifax, Mecklenburg, Nottoway, Lunenburg, Charlotte and Prince Edward counties.

The bulk of that districts voters will come from the current 15th, 20th and 22nd districts.

Ruff did not respond to an email sent to his office Tuesday. His seat will be up for election in 2023.

As for the House district in Marshalls hands, it will become the 49th district and include Danville and parts of Pittsylvania and Halifax counties. Most of those voters will come from the current 14th, 16th and 60th districts.

The House District currently held by Del. Les Adams, R-Chatham, will become the 48th House District and include a portion of Pittsylvania and Henry counties and the city of Martinsville.

Most of those voters will come from the 16th District, and others will come from the 9th and 14th House Districts. Adams handily won reelection last November and his seat will be up for election again in 2023.

Adams did not return a voice message left for him Tuesday.

As for the 5th Congressional District, held by Republican U.S. Rep. Bob Good, it will includes Danville and Pittsylvania County, stretching east to Mecklenburg County and north to Albemarle, Louisa and Hanover counties. It will also pick up voters from the 1st, 6th and 7th districts.

That seat will be up for election in November this year.

Political lines across the country are redrawn every 10 years following the U.S. Census. Until recently in Virginia, that power rested in the hands of whatever party dominated the General Assembly and governors office.

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Gov. Ralph Northam on Monday issued an emergency order giving Virginias health care system more flexibility to care for more patients amid a surge in COVID-19 cases that has strained the states hospitals.

More than 3,500 people are hospitalized with COVID-19, breaking the states record set last January. Nearly 600 people are being treated in intensive care units, about the same number as the peaks the state saw last winter and summer.

During a news conference  his first on COVID-19 since the recent surge started  Northam sought to temper public alarm. The governor, who leaves office with Glenn Youngkins inauguration on Saturday, argued that although cases are rising, 68% of people in the state are vaccinated, blunting the likelihood of severe illness.

We have to acknowledge that while the omicron variant seems to cause less serious symptoms, especially in the unvaccinated, its also highly contagious. That means that even though the symptoms are less severe, if more people get sick, more people are going to need to go to the hospital. And that is what were now seeing around the country and especially right here in Virginia, Northam said.

Northams order  likely his last formal order on COVID-19  allows the state to waive licensing requirements for hospital beds, giving hospitals flexibility to increase their capacity. It also mandates extra coordination between hospitals and local health agencies.

Northam is also trying to address the states shortage of health care workers. The order will allow workers with out-of-state licenses to practice in Virginia; increases the ratio of workers to patients; and gives health care workers extra liability protections.

The shortage of health care workers to administer tests, Northam said, is in partly to blame for the lack of COVID-19 tests in the state, particularly the most reliable tests known as PCRs.

The Northam administration announced last week that it was launching nine new COVID-19 testing centers in the coming weeks, though even before Christmas, many people had reported troubles finding COVID-19 tests.

Asked why the state was taking so long to expand testing capacity, Northam said the state had an ample supply of tests, but not enough bodies to administer them.

Its the staffing, he said. When theres so many people sick, whether it be the individuals or their family members, they cant show up to staff these testing and vaccine centers.

Northams emergency order will also try to expand the number of people who can administer the COVID-19 vaccine. It will allow any licensed health professional who has administered the vaccine in a hospital setting, or any licensed practical nurse, to give the shot.

The emergency order, which went into effect Monday, is slated to remain in place for 30 days.

On Tuesday, Northam said his administration had communicated with the Youngkin transition about the emergency order. Northam stopped short of saying Youngkin had endorsed it, but said the two leaders had been working amicably and were working toward continuity.

Northam said Virginias gubernatorial transition was nothing like the hand-off between former President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden.

This transition has been much more efficient, he said. Theres been a lot better communication and thats the way it should be.
The USS North Carolina recently celebrated 60 years in North Carolina. On Oct. 2, 1961, the North Carolina came home to her permanent berth in Wilmington. She was dedicated on April 29, 1962, as the states memorial to the 10,000 North Carolinians who died during World War II and all of the states World War II veterans.

Construction on the battleship began in October 1937 and she was the first battleship built since the early 1920s. She was also the first of 10 fast battleships that the Navy used during World War II. The North Carolina was considered to be the best sea weapon in the world when she was commissioned on April 9, 1941. She was equipped with nine 16-inch/45 caliber guns, and 20 5-inch/38 caliber guns, 60 40mm/56 caliber guns and 48 20mm/70 caliber guns. She had a crew of 144 commissioned officers and 2,195 enlisted men, including about 100 Marines.

During World War II, the North Carolina took part in every major sea offensive in the Pacific Theater and earned 15 battle stars. In August 1942, the North Carolina established the role of fast battleships as protectors of aircraft carriers when her anti-aircraft guns helped save the USS Enterprise during the Battle of the Eastern Solomon Islands.

The North Carolina was damaged during the war and at least six times Japanese radio announced that the North Carolina had been sunk, but thanks to the quick actions of her crew, she survived. By the end of the war in August 1945, 10 of her sailors were killed and 67 were wounded.

The North Carolina was decommissioned in June 1947 and sent to the Inactive Reserve Fleet in Bayonne, N.J. In 1958, the Department of the Navy announced that the North Carolina would be sold for scrap. The residents of North Carolina began a fundraising drive that included school children giving pennies to bring the North Carolina to the state. The campaign raised $345,000, about $3.2 million today, enough to bring the ship to the state.
The Triads three largest health care system leaders warned Monday their hospitals are threatened and at a critical stage in how effectively patients can be treated as the COVID-19 omicron variant continues to spread.

The chief executives of Cone Health, Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist and Novant Health made a rare joint appeal, asking the public to follow vaccination and testing recommendations.

The chief executives chose to make their case because of the waves of people coming to hospitals seeking COVID-19 tests as well as something more sobering: the grinding toll the pandemic is taking on health workers.

COVID-19 is affecting the very infrastructure of what we use to take care of our communities, Cone Health chief executive Mary Jo Cagle said. Were seeing increasing numbers of our employees becoming ill. At this time, we see that our health systems are being threatened  our abilities to care for our communities are being threatened.

The executives shared the viewpoint of infectious diseases experts that the omicron variant surge could begin to decline by early February. However, Julie Ann Freischlag, the chief executive for Wake Forest Baptist, warned that if the public doesnt assist with tamping down community spread, we may continue for an extra few months with the same type of scenario in terms of cases and hospitalizations.

Were waiting to see whether or not people actually pay attention and are able to go back to the constraints we need you to do  even though we dont like them and you dont like them  to make it happen, she said.

The conference call came as North Carolina had a staggering 18,254 new cases on Monday  176 in Guilford County  as many facets of everyday life are starting to slow to a halt, just as they did in the opening months of the pandemic.

Each chief executive said that more than 80% of their hospitalized coronavirus patients are unvaccinated, which has been a trend for weeks. They admitted theyre discouraged by the way politics has contributed to the longevity of the pandemic, particularly in how it has influenced many to avoid being vaccinated.

Both Swift and Dr. David Priest, an infectious diseases expert with Novant Health, have said the number of COVID-19 cases likely is underreported, in part because most at-home test results arent given to county health officials and some who are infected have mild cases and dont seek care.

Hospital workers, however, havent been immune to infection. And as they become sick, the strands of a safety net begin to unravel.

Freischlag said that with so many of our staff getting infected, so many people are unable to come to work. Everyone is truly exhausted.

Novant chief executive Carl Armato said the sacrifices made by health care workers signal their dedication to caring for their communities.

But I can tell you they are tired, he said, of being heroes.

All three health care systems continue to stress they have enough bed capacity, either internally or with affiliated hospitals, to handle the current surge.

Yet they warn of low levels of available beds in intensive-care units.

Its going to require all of us working together to help keep you safe, Cagle said. Were telling you were at a point where we need the public to hear us and help us.
Dustin Ingalls was a tenant his entire adult life, renting close to his downtown Raleigh office where he works as communications director at the North Carolina League of Conservation Voters.

After years of renting, Ingalls, 37, decided to look into buying in February. He said he wasnt sure how it would go.

Im involved in local politics. Im familiar with the housing crunch, Ingalls said. But Ive never personally experienced what its like to buy a house or try to buy a house.

Due to short supply and high demand for housing, it took Ingalls until September to get an offer accepted.

And this only happened because I happen to be somewhat familiar with the existence of public housing assistance, he said.

Ingalls applied with the city of Raleighs homebuyer assistance program, which helps potential homebuyers with down payments, closing fees and other upfront costs if their household income is 80% or less of the area median income.

At an income of around $53,600, Ingalls barely made the cut.

If I made $1 more, I would not have qualified, he said.

But even with the assistance, finding a home he could afford took time.

Ingalls initially looked at a few subsidized homes in the area, Raleighs East College Park among them, but other buyers got to them first. Securing offers for subsidized units is first-come, first-served.

I had to then start bidding with everyone else in the market, he said, ones that were a little bit lower priced and probably been on the market for a little while that hadnt been snapped up in 24 to 48 hours like everything else.

The competitive market pushed him out to a $240,000 home in Wendell, a 25-minute drive to work. He has come to like the town.

It would be nice to have things as close together as possible and that we develop our communities in ways that people can live, work, shop, play, Ingalls said.

But in terms of my own personal situation, Im not personally dissatisfied. I do think the larger trend of people having, out of economic necessity, to live further away is not ideal for the way we develop communities for carbon emissions and the economy.

But even with the commute, its better financially than renting. Ingalls had to split his $1,700 apartment with two roommates. His monthly mortgage in Wendell is about $600 less.

Its the upfront costs that are a barrier to many who want to buy a home, he said.

I needed that help. I had just about no savings. I work in the nonprofit world, Ingalls said. You dont generally make a killing doing that line of work.

He said this struggle to build enough capital to buy a home is common in his generation.

Older generations were able to afford homes much more easily and their standard of living was higher, Ingalls said. Income and benefits and all that have not grown over the years nearly as high as prices of various things and the price of housing has grown much more quickly than inflation of all goods. And thats a problem ... the basic necessities in life, cars and houses and things like that. It is not as attainable now as they were for our parents and grandparents.
FAYETTEVILLE  An off-duty sheriffs deputy had a frantic conversation with a 911 operator after fatally shooting a Black man last weekend in this Cumberland County city, according to an audio recording released Tuesday.

Deputy Jeffrey Hash can be heard becoming more agitated while talking with a person he said was a trauma nurse who responded to the scene and telling the operator that theres tons of cars and people gathering around.

Fayetteville police said Monday that a preliminary investigation determined 37-year-old Jason Walker ran into traffic and jumped on a moving vehicle last Saturday. Hash, a Cumberland County deputy, shot Walker and then called 911, police said.

Walker was pronounced dead at the scene.

Protesters, disputing the police departments account of events, staged demonstrations Sunday and Monday.

Fayetteville Police Chief Gina Hawkins and the Cumberland County district attorney have asked the State Bureau of Investigation to look into the shooting.

Hash, who has been with the sheriffs office since 2005, has been placed on administrative leave pending an internal investigation.

Parrish Daughtry, the attorney representing Hash, couldnt discuss the specifics of the case, but said Tuesday that her client was upset about the shooting.

Lt. Hash is devastated for Mr. Walkers family, his own family, the greater community and devastated by these events, Daughtry said. Beyond that, Im really prohibited from discussing the facts.

Ben Crump, the civil rights attorney who represented the family of George Floyd and has been retained by the Walker family, issued a statement on Tuesday.

We have reason to believe that this was a case of shoot first, ask later  a philosophy seen all too often within law enforcement, Crump said. We look to the North Carolina SBI for a swift and transparent investigation so that we can get justice for Jason and his loved ones.

Hashs 911 call, which lasted four minutes, was made at 2:18 p.m. He gave the operator his location on the southwest side of Fayetteville and told her what happened.

I just had a male jump on my vehicle and broke my windshield. I just shot him, said Hash, who never gave his name to the operator during the recording and only identified himself as a lieutenant with the sheriffs office.

The operator asked Hash if he was beside the victim and he said he was. When the operator asked if Walker was breathing, Hash responded: Hes gone, maam. No maam, he is not breathing. Hes gone.

During the call, Hash directed his attention away from the 911 operator. He yelled to someone at the scene, Im the deputy sheriff. He jumped on my vehicle and I just had to shoot him.

Hash told the operator that he was driving his Ford F-150 when the victim came flying across Bingham Drive, running, and I stopped so I wouldnt hit him and he jumped on my car and started screaming.

According to Hash, Walker pulled off the windshield wipers and began beating the windshield, breaking it. The deputy said his wife and daughter were in the truck with him. The operator then asked Hash if Walker had any weapons on him and he responded, I dont know. He repeated that the victim took the windshield wipers off the truck.

Asked if he knew where Walker had been shot, he said he saw blood on the mans side, then asked the trauma nurse if she had seen any wounds. Her response was inaudible. Someone else asked Hash where he had shot Walker and he emphatically answered, I dont know.

Where is the entry point? two voices were heard to ask Hash, to which he responded, I do not know, reiterating that Walker jumped on his car.

The operator then told Hash not to engage with those approaching, and he responded that the crowd gathered around him is real hostile right now.

Again, the operator told Hash not to engage with the crowd.

With sirens sounding in the background, police officers arrived on the scene and Hash ended the conversation with the operator.
St. Peter's Health officials said Monday their laboratory processed 22 positive flu samples in the final week of December, signaling the presence of flu in the community and encouraged Helena-area residents to get their annual influenza vaccine.

St. Peter's Health said it has seen fewer patients receive the flu vaccine so far this year. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the yearly flu shot is recommended for everyone 6 months or older, with rare exceptions.

"There are misconceptions about flu shot that may be contributing to the decrease in flu vaccination," St. Peters Primary Care Provider Dr. Andrew Gilbert said in a news release.

Gilbert said the COVID-19 vaccine does not offer any protection against the flu.

Plus, there are no contraindications between the vaccines, meaning you can get both shots on the same day if you would like, Gilbert said, adding there is no waiting period.

Notably, the flu shot is as crucial as ever as we enter the heart of respiratory virus season, he said. Our local vaccination rates will have an impact on the health and wellness of our community-at-large and our health care system."

The flu shot may help prevent those who are vaccinated from getting the virus, and it may help blunt the severity of symptoms and reduce the likelihood of needing medical care, including intensive care, St. Peter's officials said.

Flu vaccinations reduced a child's risk of flu-related pediatric intensive care unit admission by 74% between 2010 and 2012, a 2014 study found. A 2018 study showed that between 2012 and 2015, flu vaccination among adults reduced by 82% the risk of being admitted to an intensive care unit with the flu.

All St. Peter's Primary Care patients can receive the flu shot by scheduling a nurse visit appointment. Most pharmacies, pediatric clinics and other medical clinics across the community also offer the vaccine, officials said.

The CDC reports that 172.5 million doses of flu vaccine have been distributed in the United States as of Dec. 24. The projected coverage for 2021-22, including people already vaccinated and plan to get vaccinated, is 57.2%. This is 3.4 percentage points higher than the 53.8% who reported being vaccinated during 2020-21.

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During the last week at least 6,268 new COVID cases were detected in Montana, bringing the number of active cases to 7,713, the highest since the end of Oct. 2021. Cases have increased 326% in the last two weeks.

The U.S. is averaging 678,271 daily new cases, a 216% increase over the last two weeks.

In Montana, Missoula and Gallatin counties are both hotspots for COVID infections with average daily case counts of 108 and 164 respectively.

The most recent state data released Jan. 7 reported that 79% of specimens collected and sequenced were omicron. With the omicron variant circulating, breakthrough cases continue to increase with 963 added during the last week of December. A breakthrough case is defined by a positive COVID case in a fully vaccinated individual. Due to a high number of mutations in the omicron variant, health experts expected breakthrough cases to increase. The risk of severe illness is greatly reduced with vaccination.

Of the 44,695 tests done in the last week, 25% have come back positive, suggesting there are likely more cases in the community than are reported.

There are currently 154 Montanans hospitalized with COVID-19, 27 more than last week. Billings hospitals had 48 COVID-19 inpatients, 35 were not vaccinated and 13 were vaccinated. Of those, 11 were in the intensive care unit and eight were on ventilators.

Two more Yellowstone County residents died of COVID related illness over the weekend. Both were men in their 80s with underlying health conditions. One had been vaccinated, but not boosted. The other was not vaccinated, according to a press release from RiverStone Health.

In the last week, 13 more Montanans have died from COVID related illness, bringing the total to 2,921 deaths.

With vaccination, more medical treatments, and milder illness associated with omicron, there is hope that fewer infections will result in hospitalization and death. But its still too early to know if more deaths are to come as it takes about three weeks to see an increase following a surge in infections.

The most frequently prescribed monoclonal antibody treatments have proven to be ineffective against omicron. The third monoclonal antibody treatment, sotrovimab, is still effective against all variants, but due to extremely limited supply it is being prioritized for patients at risk of severe illness, including those who are unvaccinated and those with clinical risk factors.

Two new oral antiviral drugs became available under emergency use authorization by the Food and Drug Administration, but large supplies have yet to reach Montana.

The Department of Health and Human Services is responsible for distributing the states allocation of the therapeutic drugs and is largely working with the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program and includes Albertsons, Topco and Cardinal Health to distribute the antivirals, according to Jon Ebelt, public information officer with DPHHS.

So far, only 60 courses of the antiviral Molnupiravir have arrived in Cascade County, according to federal data updated on Jan. 4, 2022. Molnupiravir decreased hospitalization and death by 30% compared to the other antiviral, Paxlovid, which reduced severe outcomes by 88%.

Antiviral medication must be initiated within five days of symptom onset and must be prescribed by physicians, advanced practice registered nurses or physician assistants.

With high transmission, it is likely that new variants of the virus will occur.

Vaccination remains the best tool to prevent against severe illness, hospitalization or death.

Of the eligible population, 53% are fully vaccinated and 60% have received at least one dose. At least 230,018 third doses have been administered. In the last week 14,094 doses were given.

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Gov. Greg Gianforte on Monday waded into a months-long dispute between the Legislature and state judiciary, arguing in a brief filed with the U.S. Supreme Court that judges participation in polling on proposed legislation undermines the branchs impartiality.

The state Legislature in December appealed a state Supreme Court ruling that found lawmakers overstepped their authority when they subpoenaed judicial branch records, including from the justices of Montana's highest court, without a legislative purpose. The U.S. Supreme Court has not indicated whether it will take up the case.

The appeal focuses on whether the justices had the authority to rule on a subpoena for their own communications. It alleges that the states high court violated due process guarantees under the 14th Amendment.

Gianfortes brief, filed by his offices general counsel Anita Milanovich, mostly takes aim at the issue of judges who participated in polling that asked their opinions on proposals then being debated during the 2021 legislative session. The brief alleges that by engaging in the practice of prejudging proposed legislation, Montanas judiciary has failed to properly attend to its role as an independent and impartial arbiter, and asks the U.S. Supreme Court to take up the case to clarify that judges cannot prejudge proposed legislation.

Each justice on the state Supreme Court has said that they did not participate in the polling, although Republicans have remained skeptical and last session formed a legislative committee to investigate the issue.

Montana Supreme Court Chief Justice Mike McGrath stated in a letter to legislative leadership last year that the judicial branch only involves itself in legislative matters that directly impact the manner in which our court system serves the people of Montana who elect each of us.

The case now being appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court centers on a poll over Senate Bill 140, which was signed into law earlier this year. The bill abolished the Judicial Nomination Commission that had vetted candidates for judicial vacancies in favor of granting the governor direct appointment power. The states high court held that the law was constitutional in a June ruling.

Beth McLaughlin, the Montana Supreme Court administrator, shared the poll using her state email but had deleted some of results from state district court judges. McLaughin then filed a lawsuit against the Legislature, alleging the subpoena violated separation of powers between the two branches.

The Legislature twice asked that the justices recuse themselves, motions that were denied by the court.

In denying the recusal request, Justice Laurie McKinnon found that lawmakers investigation captured the entirety of Montanas judiciary. The Supreme Court invoked what is known as the Rule of Necessity; where "all judges are disqualified, none are disqualified, in determining the court could continue with the case.

Gianfortes brief argues that the courts reliance on that rule is a result of a due process problem of its own making.

By engaging in discourse about proposed legislation, the Montana judiciary has created an untenable situation: Nearly every sitting judge in the state that rules on the lawfulness of legislation can now be viewed with suspicion, the brief alleges. Any district court decision involving new legislation may cause a litigant to wonder if the outcome was independently arrived at, or if the (Montana) Supreme Court signaled its position in an email or poll.

Democratic lawmakers have accused the Republican majority of manufacturing a crisis between the branches in an effort to undermine the judiciary. A total of 18 laws passed by Republicans in the 2021 session have so far been the subject of 16 court challenges.

Gianfortes office hasnt publicly weighed in on the high-profile dispute between the Montana governments other branches. Gianforte is a Republican. The branch he oversees was involved early on, however, when the Department of Administration responded to the initial subpoena by releasing thousands of McLaughlins emails before the state high court issued a rare weekend quash of the subpoena. The Department of Administration manages the states email system.

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DECATUR  Two more Decatur schools are going remote as health officials announced Monday that Macon Countys COVID cases have skyrocketed upward with more than 2,000 new cases reported in the past week.

The Macon County Health Department reported 2,310 new cases of COVID-19 in the week of Jan. 3-9. Health officials also reported 13 more COVID-related deaths among county residents. That followed 960 new cases and seven deaths being reported the previous week.

The latest totals come days after local leaders held a news conference pleading for the publics help to prevent the spread of the virus amid the arrival of the highly contagious omicron variant.

"We are in a surge," Public Health Administrator Brandi Binkley said Friday. "We are seeing some of the worst times of this pandemic, and we encourage you to do everything you can, please, to help make a difference."

Decatur Public Schools announced Monday afternoon that Parsons School and Dennis School's Kaleidoscope and Mosaic campuses are shifting to remote learning due to a high number of positive COVID-19 tests and quarantines.

Parsons students will return in person on Tuesday, Jan. 18. Dennis students will return on Friday, Jan. 21. This brings the total to four Decatur Public Schools that have shifted to remote learning due to COVID-19. American Dreamer STEM Academy and Franklin Grove School are also in remote learning and will return in person on Tuesday, Jan. 18.

Extended Day programs and extracurricular activities, including sports, will not be offered at these buildings during remote learning.

Also on Monday, the organizers canceled the annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Freedom March, scheduled for Monday, Jan. 17, citing a spike in local COVID cases.

The event, which traditionally included a presentation at a local church at the end of the route walked by participants, had already been limited to just the march because of COVID conditions.

Included in the health departments weekly report was news that 49 residents with COVID were hospitalized on Monday. Of those, 12 were vaccinated, 37 were not.

Of the 13 new deaths, which bring the county's total to 279 since the pandemic began, one was a woman in her 40s, one man in his 50s, one woman and three men in their 60s, one woman and two men in their 70s, two women in their 80s and two women in their 90s.

The delta variant continued to be the most prevalent in the county, with 392 cases identified. Only one case of the omicron variant has been identified, but officials expect it to be much more prevalent based on the rise in cases.

Officials continue to urge residents to get vaccinated as a way of preventing the spread and severity of the symptoms should they become infected.

The health department is hosting Pfizer and Moderna first and second dose, as well as booster doses, at a clinic from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 11, at Richland Community College. Appointments for this clinic, which is for those ages 12 and up, are required.

A clinic will be held from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. and 1 to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 12, at the health department, 1221. E. Condit St. This clinic, for those ages 5 and up, will include the Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson first and second dose, as well as the booster doses.

Appointments can be made by calling 217-718-6205 or going to maconcountyhealth.org.

Valerie Wells and Donnette Beckett contributed to this report
CHAMPAIGN  The investigation of a fatality involving a pedestrian Tuesday morning led to traffic being diverted away from Interstate 74 in Champaign County.

The crash occurred around 5 a.m. Illinois State Police said a preliminary investigation shows a pedestrian ran into the eastbound lanes of Interstate 74 at milepost 180 and was struck by the passing semitruck

The truck was driven by a 55-year-old man from Oreana, state police said.

The pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene by the Champaign County coroner.

The eastbound lanes of Interstate 74 in the area of the crash were reopened around 9:30 a.m.

The investigation is ongoing.

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CHICAGO  Students are poised to return to Chicago Public Schools after leaders of the teachers union approved a plan with the nation's third-largest district over COVID-19 safety protocols, ending a bitter standoff that canceled classes for five days.

While school districts nationwide have faced similar concerns due to skyrocketing COVID-19 cases, the labor fight in union-friendly Chicago amplified concerns over remote learning and other pandemic issues.

The deal approved late Monday would have students back in class on Wednesday and teachers back a day earlier. It still requires approval from the unions roughly 25,000 members, with voting scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday. Chicago Teachers Union spokesperson Ronnie Reese confirmed the goal to bring students back on Wednesday, even as the vote proceeds.

Neither side disclosed full details of the proposal Monday evening, but leaders generally said the agreement included metrics to close individual schools during outbreaks and plans to boost COVID-19 testing in the largely low-income Black and Latino school district of about 350,000 students.

We know this has been very difficult for students and families, Mayor Lori Lightfoot said during a news conference. Some will ask who won and who lost. No one wins when our students are out of the place where they can learn the best and where theyre safest.

Union leaders acknowledged it wasn't a home run but said teachers wanted to be back in class with students.

It was not an agreement that had everything, its not a perfect agreement, but its certainly something we can hold our heads up about, partly because it was so difficult to get, Union President Jesse Sharkey said at a separate news conference.

The union last week called for districtwide online learning until a safety plan could be negotiated or the latest COVID-19 surge subsided. The district, which has rejected districtwide remote instruction, responded by locking teachers out of remote teaching systems two days after students returned from winter break. The union's house of delegates voted Monday evening to suspend their work action.

While there has was some progress on smaller issues such as masks, weekend negotiations on a safety plan failed to produce a deal and rhetoric about negotiations became increasingly sharp. Some principals canceled class Tuesday preemptively and warned of more closures to come.

Earlier Monday, Sharkey said the union and district remained apart on a number of key features," and accused Lightfoot of refusing to compromise on teachers main priorities.

The mayor is being relentless, but shes being relentlessly stupid, shes being relentlessly stubborn, Sharkey said, referencing an earlier comment Lightfoot made about refusing to relent in negotiations. Shes relentlessly refusing to seek accommodation and were trying to find a way to get people back in school.

Lightfoot accused teachers of abandoning students and shot back at the union president.

If I had a dollar for every time some privileged, clouted white guy called me stupid, I'd be a bazillionaire, Lightfoot, who is Black, told WLS-TV.

By evening, she had said she was optimistic with the latest proposal, which went to union leaders for a vote.

Her first term in office has been marked by other battles with the influential union, which supported her opponent in the 2019 election, including a safety protocol fight last year and a 2019 teachers strike.

Developments in the fight, with pending complaints before a state labor board, made international headlines and attracted attention from the White House. Press secretary Jen Psaki said Monday that President Joe Biden, who has pressed for schools to stay open, remained in touch with Lightfoot and Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker during negotiations.

Parents and advocacy groups also stepped up calls Monday for quicker action. Some parents on the city's West Side demanded students return immediately.

Cheri Warner, the mother of 15-year-old twins, said the sudden loss of in-person learning has taken a toll on her family.

One of her daughters has depression and anxiety, and winter is always difficult. Losing touch with her friends and teachers adds to that burden, Warner said.

The girls missed their whole eighth grade year and it felt like they werent really prepared for high school, Warner said. Theyre all trying to figure out how to catch up and its a really stressful situation.

Other parents said the district needs to do more.

Angela Spencer, an organizer with the Kenwood Oakland Community Organization and a nurse, said shes concerned about her childrens safety in schools. Spencer said their schools werent adequately cleaned before the pandemic and that she has no confidence in the districts protocols now.

Several families represented by the conservative Liberty Justice Center in Chicago filed a lawsuit over the closures, while more than 5,000 others signed a petition urging a return to in-person instruction.

District officials, who call the union action an illegal stoppage had kept buildings open for student meal pickup and said schools with enough staff were allowed to open their doors to students. Some teachers showed up despite union directives; district officials estimated about 16% of teachers did so Monday.

Three schools, including Mount Greenwood Elementary, were able to offer instruction Monday, according to district officials. Parents at the largely white school on the city's southwest side expressed relief.

City officials argued that schools are safe with protocols in place. School leaders have touted a $100 million safety plan, including air purifiers in each classroom. Roughly 91% of staff are vaccinated and masks are required indoors.

Union officials argued that the safety measures fell short and the district botched testing and a database tracking infections.

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Chicago police Superintendent David Brown has moved more than half the departments officers assigned to tactical units back to basic patrol functions as the department struggles with an exodus of cops due to COVID-19 and retirements, and as it deals with some who have shown poor performance, law enforcement sources said over the weekend.

The officers being reassigned are from tactical units  which typically make the most arrests in the departments 22 patrol districts and focus on crime patterns behind robberies, shootings and drug activity  to the regular district patrols whose cops respond to 911 calls and establish more of a rapport with businesses and residents.

The change comes as 2021 ended as one of Chicagos most violent years in decades. Some 800 people were slain, 4,000 were and more than 1,700 carjackings were reported, police statistics show.

In a prepared statement, Chicago police spokesman Don Terry wouldnt confirm or deny Browns move.

The Chicago Police Departments top priority is safeguarding every community and neighborhood across the city, Terry said. We are continuing to review crime activity citywide and put the appropriate resources in place to ensure public safety and grow community trust and support.

Brown has chosen to move tactical officers to beat patrol functions for several reasons, sources said, including that a big swath of the department has been sidelined with COVID-19 and the nations second largest police force has been losing officers to retirements.

Around the time Browns permanent predecessor, Eddie Johnson, was fired by Mayor Lori Lightfoot in late 2019, the department had around 13,000 sworn officers. Now that number is under 12,000.

Department leaders have also recognized that some tactical officers have been generating little or no activity, meaning theyve made little or no arrests or traffic stops, or have failed to adequately do other measurable police work, sources said.

One source briefed on the matter through the chain of command said the department learned last week of at least 70 tactical officers across the city had been showing little or no activity during their shifts.

The issue of generating activity, however, has proven controversial for Brown. Hes been known to push his commanders to get their officers to make more arrests and traffic stops. At weekly CompStat meetings, in which Brown evaluates the performance of his command staff, he has indicated that he would demote commanders for poor performance.

But police oversight advocates, including the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois, have warned that this demand for activity could lead to wholesale constitutional violations, particular in Black and brown communities, in what amounts to a police quota system.

A Chicago police supervisor, Lt. Franklin Paz, filed a lawsuit against the department last year, alleging he was removed from his unit because he was pressured to make illegal stops and arrests. That lawsuit is pending.

Brown and Lightfoot have often blamed what they perceive as a lenient, catch-and-release criminal justice system in Cook County for the rise in Chicagos violence.

Lightfoot, as well as Gov. J.B. Pritzker, have pledged to spend hundreds of millions of dollars on community-based violence prevention groups that focus on conflict mediation and provide social services to address mental illness and other other root causes of violence. Proponents of this method see it as a more viable alternative to spending a big chunk of the citys budget each year on policing.

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Donnette Beckett "Together Decatur" Columnist and Food/Drink Reporter Together Decatur columnist and food and drink reporter for Lee Enterprises Central Illinois. Follow Donnette Beckett 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

DECATUR  Opportunities to help others are limitless.

From raking leaves for a neighbor to simply opening a door for a stranger, the assistance we offer others can benefit us as well as others.

Ed Rexroad is an example of the volunteers utilized to help Decaturs seniors.

For 16 years, Rexroad has been delivering for Meals on Wheels. He also volunteers for Decaturs Faith In Action.

It was something I felt like I needed to do, Rexroad said. Im retired, I could stay home, watch TV or play video games. I do have a hobby I like to do, but thats just about me. I felt its something I need to do for somebody else.

Rexroad was recently awarded the Governor's Service Award for his volunteer work in Decatur. The awards are handed out annually by the Serve Illinois Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service to recognize individual volunteers and highlight the importance of volunteerism and community service in the state.

Faith In Action offers services, such as transportation to medical appointments, shopping and errands, as well as phone calls and visits, for their homebound clients. Our goal is to help our care receivers to remain independent at home, to maintain their dignity, and to enhance their quality of life, the agency promotes on their website.

Sarah Sanchez, Faith In Action coordinator, nominated Rexroad for the award. "He just wants to serve Jesus," she said.

Volunteers with a serving heart are needed for Faith In Action, according to Sanchez. "For those who need someone to advocate for them," she said. "That's a lot of sacrificial work, but it's very rewarding."

But for volunteers, such as Rexroad, the assistance they provide helps everyone.

When I volunteer, its not for me, its for them, he said. But I get so much more taking people where they need to go.

#TogetherDecatur Do you know a person or of a story that exemplifies the best of Decatur? Contact Donnette Beckett at 217-421-6983 or dbeckett@herald-review.com.

Laura Cullison, volunteer coordinator for Meals on Wheels, appreciates volunteers like Rexroad. She said the pandemic has affected the service in various ways.

Weve been facing challenges this year for our volunteers, she said.

According to Cullison, businesses that once encouraged employees to volunteer now recommend they stay home for social distancing. And our elderly volunteers, they are in the vulnerable population, they arent volunteering, she said. Anytime anyone feels like they have a cold or a cough, they have to call in and cancel. They take it seriously.

Since COVID-19 hit Macon County nearly two years ago, the number of Meals on Wheels food deliveries has risen, according to Cullison. Weve added about 200 new people, she said. We havent taken off one day since COVID hit.

COVID has affected Rexroads volunteer opportunities as well. We used to be able to talk to people, the customers we deliver to. We developed a relationship with them, he said.

For the safety of all parties, the volunteer places the warm meal in a cooler placed on the clients doorstep, rings the doorbell, then leaves. I do miss that contact with people, Rexroad said. I do get that with Faith In Action, because I do talk to them when I take them where Im going.

Everyone can do volunteer work, according to Rexroad. You can start little and go up from there, he said.

Rexroad is the go-to person when Cullison has a dilemma. If we have a bunch of call-offs or if we have an open route, if I dont ask him, he is mad at me, Cullison said. He is my number 1 guy.

Meals on Wheels utilizes 100 volunteers each week for its 37 Macon County routes.

To volunteer for Meals on Wheels, the job doesnt require much, according to Cullison. They dont have to be energetic, she said. We have people who are a little more reserved.

The only qualifications needed for services such as Meals on Wheels and Faith In Action include a driver and someone who can read directions. We have a lot of people that come as pairs, Cullison said. It only takes an hour and it's something they can do together.

Several clients are dependent on the services provided by Rexroad and other volunteers.

For most of our clients, that package that the volunteers bring, thats their only meal for the day. If they didnt have Meals on Wheels, they wouldnt be at home, Cullison said. And for most of our clients, that volunteer is the only person they see all day.

Contact Donnette Beckett at (217) 421-6983. Follow her on Twitter: @donnettebHR

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BRISTOL, Tenn.  A $3.18 million project to rehabilitate part of Bristols wastewater treatment plant will be considered during tonights 7 p.m. Bristol Tennessee City Council meeting at the Slater Community Center.

The Bristol Wastewater Treatment Plant is operated by the Bristol, Tenn. Utilities Services Division, which is looking to conduct a series of improvements to the plant that has not seen any kind of renovations since 1986.

Will Witcher, the Bristol, Tenn. utility services manager, explained the planned improvements the City Council will consider.

The contract that the City Council will be voting on is the contract for improvements to the grit removal system at the headworks of the plant, Witcher said. The council will also be voting to retain CDM Smith as the construction administration for the project.

The grit removal system removes any large solid objects from the wastewater. The old grit removal system has degraded over time, which is why the proposed improvements are necessary.

The last time we did a major upgrade on that particular part of the treatment process was in the 1980s, Witcher said. The system still has hydraulic capacity to handle the existing flows, but the efficiency of the equipment has basically decreased over the years, and you know its reached the end of a service life.

The current grit removal system will continue to be active until the new facility is built and the new grit removal system is up and running.

The Bristol Wastewater Treatment Plant provides water treatment services for both Bristol, Tennessee and Bristol, Virgina.

Other items on the agenda for tonights Bristol Tennessee City Council meeting include the authorization of legal fee payments to Troutman Pepper Hamilton Sanders LLP and the purchase of in-car video systems with body cameras for the police department.
Mount Vesuvius, located 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) southeast of Naples, Italy, is the only active volcano on Europe's mainland.

It is a composite stratovolcano, made up of pyroclastic flows, lava flows, and debris from lahars that accumulated to form the volcanic cone.

In this natural-color image, acquired on January 2, 2022, by the Operational Land Imager (OLI) on Landsat 8, the cone of Mount Vesuvius appears through a break in the clouds. The ridge surrounding the cone is a remnant of the collapsed caldera of an older volcano, Mount Somma, from which the cone of Vesuvius emerged.

Naples has a population of 3 million people, 800,000 of whom live on the volcano's slopes. This makes Vesuvius one of the most dangerous volcanoes on the planet. Its most famous eruption, in A.D. 79, destroyed the cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum. The cities were engulfed in pyroclastic flows--superheated, high-density clouds of volcanic gas, ash, and rock that flow downslope at hundreds of kilometers per hour. Pliny the Younger's eyewitness account of that eruption, including its towering ash cloud, led volcanologists to term these types of eruptions "Vesuvian" or "Plinian."

Such catastrophes are why the area became home to the world's first volcanological observatory, built in the 19th century. Today, Vesuvius remains one of the most heavily monitored and studied volcanoes in the world. By dating lavas, scientists know that the mountain has had eight major eruptions in the past 17,000 years. The most recent, on March 17, 1944, destroyed the village of San Sebastiano, Italy. Since then, the volcano has experienced occasional earthquake activity, ground deformation, and gas venting from the crater.

NASA Earth Observatory image by Joshua Stevens, using Landsat data from the U.S. Geological Survey. Story by Sara E. Pratt.

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HICKORY  Veterans Coffee Connection, a coffee group for veterans of all ages and branches of military service, will meet Wednesday, Jan. 12, at 8:30 a.m. at Outback Steakhouse on Lenoir Rhyne Boulevard in Hickory.

Veterans Coffee Connection, an informal coffee group sponsored by Carolina Caring and hosted by Outback Steakhouse, welcomes veterans from all branches of military service. This gathering is free and is a great place to relax with a cup of coffee, enjoy doughnuts provided by Krispy Kreme and socialize with other veterans.

This months guest speaker is John Helton, who enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1999 and currently serves as one of their reservists. His experience includes service during Operation Iraqi Freedom where he served in Mortuary Affairs. He earned a bachelors degree in social services from Gardner-Webb University and is a Carolina Caring volunteer. As a SSVF and HVRP Case Manager, Heltons presentation will focus on housing and securing employment and training for veterans.

Carolina Caring for Veterans is proud to be a Level IV partner of the We Honor Veterans program, an awareness program spearheaded by the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

For more information, contact the Rev. Sandi Hood, Carolina Carings director of community relations, at shood@carolinacaring.org or by calling 828-466-0466, ext. 3212.

Carolina Caring, founded in 1979, is an independent, community-based, nonprofit health care provider. It specializes in programs that offer relief from chronic conditions, serious illnesses, and the challenges they bring, including palliative medicine and hospice care for all ages, primary care and grief counseling. Currently, Carolina Caring serves 12 counties across western North Carolina and the Charlotte region. For more information about Carolina Caring, call 828-466-0466 or visit www.CarolinaCaring.org.
" " These side-by-side bedrooms show the difference between how a room withstands a fire with the door closed (left) and the door open (right). UL Firefighter Safety Research Institute

On a cold night in Fairfax, Virginia, firefighters were dispatched to a house fire where on arrival they were told that everyone had exited the building. The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue team went in to extinguish the fire, which was in full force with rolling flames and thick smoke. Firefighters Vincent Harrison and Kyle Ballinger entered ahead of the crew to search the home. As they were turning to finish their search, Harrison heard a voice calling for help.

They found a girl behind a closed bedroom door. The interior of the house was burnt and smoke covered, but what Harrison and Ballinger saw behind the door was a clean room.

"There was no smoke in the room, it was completely clear," Ballinger says in a video showing footage from the fire. "I noticed that there was no soot on her; she didn't have any signs of smoke inhalation or anything like that. She was just completely clean due to the closed door."

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Close Before You Doze

Most of us are familiar with fire safety tips like "stop, drop and roll" and "get low and go." But a decade of fire safety research has shown that closing doors can also have a life-saving effect, especially when getting out in case of fire is not an option.

"'Close Before You Doze' is new to most," says Jennifer Williams, marketing specialist with UL Firefighter Safety Research Institute (UL FSRI), an organization that advances fire research knowledge and develops cutting-edge, practical fire service education. "We're looking to create a generational behavior change of closing doors before you go to bed at night. In general, it's not something that people think about, and they certainly don't correlate doing it to fire safety."

Knowing that 50 percent of house fire deaths occur between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m., and because 29 percent of people surveyed did not close their bedroom doors at night, UL decided it was time to get the message across. The organization filmed a video showing how a fire moves through a home and comparing two rooms  one with the door open the other with the door closed. It demonstrated the significant beneficial effect a closed door can have during a fire. The video went viral, earning more than 9 billion (yes, billion with a b!) media impressions, according to Williams.

UL rolled out the informational campaign in 2015, initially working directly with fire services, but now it's also communicating the message directly to the public.

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How Closing Your Door Works

You might think that a closed door would be no match for a house fire. But the difference between how a room with an open door and a room with a closed door survive a fire is dramatic. Smoke moves up and out and fills a room from the top down. So it reaches the floor last, which means it can't seep beneath the door easily. That's why we're taught to stay low in the case of a fire.

Firefighters have long understood the benefit of compartmentalizing a fire. Fire needs oxygen, fuel and heat to survive. Thus, if a fire can be compartmentalized, its spread will slow because it lacks oxygen. If the oxygen supply is cut off completely, the fire may even go out, Williams says.

"The more control you can have over the oxygen, the more control you can have over the fire," she explains. If you close your bedroom door at night, and a fire starts in the kitchen while you are sleeping, you may have enough time to wake up and figure out what to do. This could give you just enough time to exit the building, or to call 911. But it also might give you a safe place to wait for the fire department while the smoke, heat and toxic fumes are just beyond your door.

Also, in a bedroom with a closed door  even when a fire is raging outside  the temperature can remain below 100 degrees Fahrenheit (37 degrees Celsius) with carbon monoxide levels at 100 PPM (parts per million). Compare that to a room with the door open where temperatures can quickly rise above 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit (377 Celsius) and carbon monoxide levels become extremely toxic at 10,000 PPM.

Williams says you should actually close as many doors as you possibly can at night. One reason it's so important is that home fires spread more quickly today than they used to. Forty years ago, we had about 17 minutes to escape a house fire, but today, that's down to three minutes or less. We can thank contemporary building practices and synthetic materials for the change. Of course, if you can get out, get out.

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Other Fire Safety Tips

So far the "Close Before You Doze" campaign is working. Williams says that 91 percent of Americans who have seen the message say they will close their bedroom doors. The remaining 9 percent say they won't because they don't want to be separated from children or pets.

But Williams reiterates that other fire safety measures are equally important in the home, especially working smoke alarms. She says every home should have smoke alarms on every level of the home and inside and outside of every sleeping room. Be sure they're hardwired together so if one goes off, they all do, alerting you to a fire anywhere in the home. Ideally, you should check them every month.

You should also create a fire escape plan. It should include two ways out of every room, and a meeting place outside. And you should practice it. A surprise drill is a great way to train your children what your smoke alarms actually sound like.

Now That's Interesting Cooking equipment is the leading cause of home fires and fire injuries, accounting for 49 percent of home fires that resulted in 21 percent of home fire deaths.
Las Vegas, Nev. - The Huskers wrapped up the Stormin' Blue & White Vegas Classic on Monday and finished third overall with a 10-2 record.

Nebraska started the day playing against the sixth seed Maryville. NU won the first game by a score of 218-195. Maryville claimed game two (244-248) and three (203-220). The Huskers bounced back and won games four (222-204) and five (192-183). Maryville struck back to claim game six by a score of 210-226. In game seven, the Huskers secured their victory by a score of 205-193.

The Huskers moved on to play Mount St. Mary in match two. Nebraska started strong with wins in games one (210-188) and two (186-155). Mount St. Mary struck back in game three by a score of 213-234. NU took two final victories in games five (224-150) and six (245-213) to secure their second victory of the day.

NU faced Vanderbilt in the final match of the day to determine their placement. In game one, Nebraska fell to Vanderbilt by a score of 171-211. The Huskers bounced back in games two (224-182), three (269-205), and four (205-186). Nebraska claimed one final victory by a score of 247-209 to claim third place.

Cassidy Ray made the All-Tournament team based on her performance on Sunday. She placed third overall with a total pinfall of 1,090.

Nebraska will return to action on Friday, Jan. 28, when they compete at the Prairie View A&M Invite in Arlington, Texas.

Stormin' Blue & White Vegas Classic Final Standings:

McKendree

Stephen F. Austin

Nebraska

Vanderbilt

Mount St. Mary's

Maryville

Tulane

Maryland Eastern Shore

Prairie View A&M

Monmouth

Texas Southern

Spalding

Grambling State
Naomi Judd died Saturday at age 76. Here are some of the entertainers, leaders, athletes and other notable people we've lost so far this year.
PARIS  Paris 95 and Paris 4 school districts have been awarded a $217,048 per year grant to provide greater access to mental health services for the students and families in our community.

The grant is titled, 2022 Mental Health Services for Tier 1 and Tier 2 School Districts, and the two districts will have access to future years of funding based on grant outcomes and state appropriations.

The goal of the grant is to expand social work, psychological, and counseling services to students.

Superintendent of Crestwood School Danette Young stated that she is excited to work with Paris 95 Schools and expand the mental health opportunities for students and their families. The range of mental health services provided at the district level range from career counseling, working with students on social skills, crisis counseling, servicing students with disabilities, employment assistance, and the list goes on. Increasing the number of mental health providers greatly benefits the students of the community.

The next steps of the grant will include implementing screening tools to assess the current mental health state and at-risk indicators for students. Mental health providers will work as a team to identify caseloads and ensure research-based practices are used when working with students.

Jeremy Larson, superintendent of Paris 95 Schools, stated, The extra layer of mental health support for our students is priceless. The pandemic has had a significant impact on individuals more than we realize. The ability to obtain this grant is good timing for the students and educators of the school districts.

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The Metro East Humane Society in Edwardsville earlier this week arrived at work to find a dog left outside its doors, so infested with maggots and matted with clumps of fur that its gender could not initially be determined.
SPRINGFIELD  State Rep. Tim Butler, R-Springfield, announced plans Monday to run for re-election in the new 95th Illinois House District.

Butler, 54, was appointed in 2015, representing a district that stretches from Springfields north end to just south of Bloomington and Peoria. However, his district was drastically altered during the once-a-decade redistricting process, meaning he will face a mostly new constituency.

In its new configuration, Butlers district stretches from Springfields north end  where he lives  around to the citys west side and south side before taking in portions of rural Christian and Macon counties.

For the past few years, I have fought to keep your taxes low, to support law enforcement, to advocate for a state government that serves the people and to represent the values of our friends and neighbors, Butler said in an announcement video. I'm excited about the opportunities that you and I have to make Illinois a great state. There's a lot of work to do. But we need to bring a lot more common sense to the statehouse we've seen over the past few years.

Butler said his priorities will be to reign in property taxes and advocate for public safety initiatives, meaningful ethics reform and more jobs.

Butler, a Peoria native, has spent most of his career in politics, starting as a staffer on Capitol Hill in the early 1990s. He then worked as district chief of staff for former Rep. Ray LaHood, R-Peoria, and, later, for Rep. Rodney Davis, R-Taylorville.

He also served as director of marketing for HSHS St. Johns Hospital in Springfield for three years.

Though the district is mostly new territory, Butler said he knows it well.

"The areas in Macon County and Christian County are areas that I've worked in," Butler said in an interview with Herald & Review. "I worked out of Rodney's Decatur office for a couple of years. And my wife's family lives in Christian County ... So it's folks I know pretty well."

Butler said his new district includes "different counties, but a lot of the same issues that I've had and in the district that I represent currently."

The district also includes the home of state Rep. Sandy Hamilton, R-Springfield, who was appointed last month to finish the term of former state Rep. Mike Murphy, who resigned to become the president and CEO of the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce.

Hamilton has not announced future plans, but said at her appointment that she would not run against Butler, who is a member of House Republican leadership.

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CROWN POINT, Ind.  Police wrestled with an injured man while removing him from a burning car following a pursuit and crash Friday, but they didn't learn the man's girlfriend had been decapitated and his child killed in the wreck until their bodies were found by others, court records show.

Eric K. White, 20, of Calumet City, Illinois, was charged Saturday with felony neglect of a dependent resulting in death, two counts of resisting law enforcement resulting in a death and misdemeanor carrying a handgun without a license.

White's girlfriend, Britni Griffin, 20, and son Ky'Air Lucas, 1, who were passengers in White's 2010 black Audi, both died from blunt force trauma, according to the Lake County coroner's office.

Griffin and Ky'Air both lived in Matteson, Illinois, in Cook County, a coroner's release said.

White, who was booked into the Lake County Jail after being treated at a hospital Friday for head injuries, was being held on a bail of $150,000 surety or $15,000 cash. He has not yet entered pleas to the charges.

If convicted of his highest count, a level 1 felony, White could face 20 to 40 years in prison.

The pursuit started about 11:30 a.m. Friday, when a Lake County sheriff's officer patrolling Gary noticed a black Audi speed south on Broadway and run a red light while turning east on 25th Avenue, according to Lake Criminal Court records.

When the officer turned east from Broadway to 25th Avenue, the driver made a U-turn and began traveling west on 25th Avenue, records state.

The officer lost sight of the Audi as it traveled north on Broadway, but a second officer spotted it and gave chase.

The Audi's driver eventually headed back south on Broadway with both officers in pursuit, entered westbound I-80/94 and began weaving in and out of traffic and cutting off other vehicles in an attempt to evade them, records state.

A third sheriff's officer joined the pursuit on I-80/94 at Grant Street.

Police lost sight of the Audi for 20 to 30 seconds, spotted the car swerving around other motorists and saw a large amount of smoke and debris as multiple vehicles braked ahead, records state.

One of the officers noted the driver was traveling at more than 130 mph just before he hit the back of the semitrailer.

Indiana State Police, who conducted a crash reconstruction investigation, said the Audi spun across all lanes after rear-ending the semitrailer and hit a median wall. The Audi then continued back across all lanes before it was T-boned by the same semi it had rear-ended.

Griffin suffered fatal injuries during the initial impact and was ejected from the car, state police said. Ky'Air, who was in a car seat, also suffered fatal injuries.

The Audi sustained heavy damage and was missing its roof when sheriff's police approached it, records state.

Officers looked through the open roof and saw White slumped over the center console, records state. They did not notice anyone else in the car at that time.

White, who had a large cut on his face, began thrashing around when officers moved an airbag, court documents state.

The car's engine compartment caught on fire, so two of the officers began trying to remove him from the car as he clung to the steering wheel, records state.

Police found a handgun in White's left front pocket and removed its magazine and a live bullet from the chamber, records state.

Police told White to lie on the ground because of possible internal injuries and put the fire out with an extinguisher. At one point, an officer had to hold White down to prevent him from getting up, records state.

Someone in a passing vehicle told police about a body in the road, so the officer ran about 100 yards east and discovered part of a woman's body lying on the inside shoulder, according to court documents.

Police shut down traffic for further investigation. While one of the officers was washing up in an ambulance, he learned medics found a baby dead in the heavily damaged back passenger seat of the Audi, records state.

White consented to a blood draw to test for alcohol and other substances, documents state.

Police also were working to obtain a video from an on-board camera of a 2018 Kenworth semi-tractor and trailer that was involved in the crash, records state.

Lake County Sheriff Oscar Martinez Jr. said his officers previously arrested White on Nov. 24 following a pursuit. No charges related to that chase could be found in online court records.

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From a horse-crazy kid in her school days, 32-year-old outrider Ashley Holliday's innate touch for handling horses led to her dream job as guardian of Ohio's harness tracks.

A familiar face at Dayton, Miami Valley and Scioto racetracks along with Thoroughbred track Belterra Park, Holliday plays a key role in keeping racing's horses and participants safe on a daily basis and during rare emergency situations.

Some bad things do happen, but theres far more good in our sport, Holliday, who was profiled in a Dayton Daily News article, was quoted as saying. You just dont hear about the good things, the thousands and thousands of horses who race safely and are taken care of and loved."

Hailing from a harness racing family, Holliday was first introduced to the sport through her grandmother and her career path was also inspired by another female outrider.

I used to watch a girl named Sis Arnold, who was an outrider at all the tracks in Illinois, said Holliday. I really looked up to her.

She has a picture of me on one of her outrider horses when I was maybe just five or six. I have my Mighty Ducks coat on. Shes the first person where I said, I want to be just like her. I want to be like Sis.

Like all little girls, you see a girl on the racetrack with all those pretty horses. Who wouldnt want to do that?

Holliday provides an in-depth look into the important role she plays in the industry and discusses the dangers of the job, her routine and the preparation put into each race card.

To read the complete Dayton Daily News article, click here.

(With files from Dayton Daily News)
Police in Indiana wrestled with an injured man while removing him from a burning car after a pursuit and crash, but they didn't learn his girlfriend and child had been killed until later.
Additional state-sponsored COVID-19 testing sites are coming to Forsyth County in the coming weeks.

The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services said Tuesday it is expanding local and statewide availability of both in-person and at-home testing for COVID-19.

DHHS testing network of vendors is being increased by two to 14, with those vendors being provided with additional professional rapid antigen tests.

Forsyth and Guilford counties are among 10 statewide being emphasized with the expansion.

The testing initiative is being rolled out as DHHS reported Forsyth with 689 new cases and three additional related deaths.

The highest-ever daily case count for Forsyth was 939 reported Jan. 6.

DHHS reported 2,653 new cases in Forsyth over the past weekend, including 577 Monday. The remaining 2,076 new cases were counted between noon Friday and noon Sunday.

Meanwhile, there were 3,991 COVID-19 hospitalized patients statewide as of noon Tuesday  up 141 from Monday and just one patient shy of the record high reported Jan. 13, 2021.

The states number of COVID-19 hospitalizations has increased for 15 consecutive days. Of the latest total, 429 patients are on ventilators.

Hospitals in the 17-county Triad and Northwest N.C. region reported a combined 986 COVID-19 patients as of Tuesday, up 48 from the previous report.

There were 88 children hospitalized with COVID-19 statewide, including 22 in the Triad region.

Statewide, 17,705 new cases were listed in Tuesdays report. The statewide count has declined over the past three days following a record 29,069 cases reported Saturday.

Testing expansion initiative

DHHS plans to make available more than 1 million professional and at-home rapid antigen tests, and at-home collection kits.

That total includes a recent order of 700,000 professional and at-home rapid antigen tests from the federal government.

The testing equipment is being prioritized for K-12 schools, health departments, long-term care facilities, health centers, farmworker camps and free and charitable care clinics. Community-based organizations are assisting with distributions to historically marginalized populations.

Currently, DHHS vendor StarMed offers testing and booster shots at Union Baptist Church, 1200 Trade St. NW in Winston-Salem, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays.

A key element to the expansion initiative debuted last weekend at Greensboro Coliseum involving Mako Medical in partnership with Cone Health and the Guilford County health department.

Forsyth health director Joshua Swift said Tuesday the department has requested additional state resources to get more testing supplies and at-home kits into the community.

We do expect to get more masks next week, and we expect to get more at-home test kits, but havent been made aware of how many we will get.

DHHS said it has seen a record surge in testing demand recently that has strained the already tight testing supply nationally and across the state.

The statewide testing volume exceeded 564,000 last week, compared with 314,802 the first full week of December.

The department recommends anyone seeking testing options go to ncdhhs.gov/gettested to find test sites, ordering at-home testing kits, locating at-home testing kits at local pharmacies, and finding no-cost community testing events.

DHHS said it is partnering with Labcorp to provide at-home collection kits at no-cost through the COVID-19 test home collection kit program. Go to www.ondemand.labcorp.com/nc for more information.

The program is available to all North Carolinians statewide, with tests delivered to homes. Parents and guardians are required to place the order for anyone 5 to 17 years old.

There are 1,500 tests available each business day for residents to request, DHHS said.

We are aware that the federal government has plans to provide additional at-home tests, but are awaiting more information.

Forsyth update

Since the onset of the pandemic, Forsyth has had 68,026 cases and 633 related deaths.

Forsyths positive test rate over the past 14 days was at 32.5% as of Tuesday, while the statewide rate was 30.5%.

The vast majority of new cases during the current COVID-19 wave are the omicron variant, according to local and state public-health officials.

Swift said that, when the delta variant was the prominent form of the coronavirus, the peak positive test rate was around 14%.

With Tuesdays report, Forsyth is averaging 180.8 cases per 100,000 individuals over the most recent two-week period. Thats up from 67.6 cases per 100,000 as recently as Dec. 31.

Both Swift and Dr. David Priest, an infectious diseases expert with Novant Health Inc., have said the number of COVID-19 cases likely is underreported, in part because most at-home test results arent reported to county health officials, and some infected individuals have mild cases and dont seek care.

Statewide update

North Carolina has recorded 1.9 million cases and 19,706 COVID-19 related deaths since the pandemic began. The death total is up 21 from Monday.

The statewide positive test rate was at 30.5% as of noon Tuesday. The record for the pandemic has been 31.8%, reported Jan. 5.

Since early July, the vast majority of COVID-related hospitalizations and deaths locally and statewide have been among unvaccinated people, according to local infectious diseases experts and state public health officials.

There also have been deaths among vaccinated people who were immunocompromised or who had other health issues.

State and local health care officials also attribute the current surge to colder weather leading people to spend more time indoors.

Were pushing the boundaries of what hospitals can handle, and its going to be like that through January, Priest said Jan. 4.

K-12 student update

DHHS latest K-12 school cluster report, updated Tuesday, does not contain any new outbreaks for Forsyth.

However, it does have additional cases for each of the three listed clusters.

The dashboard has N.C. Leadership Academy in Kernersville going from 16 to 18 students and from four to five staff members. The cluster at Meadowlark Middle expanded from seven to nine students while remaining at three staff. Piney Grove Elementarys cluster went from four to five students, along with one staff.

DHHS also lists Friendly People That Care Childcare, based at 485 Shepherd St. in Winston-Salem, with a cluster of eight children and one staff.

Its likely that the DHHS school cluster dashboard will include more WS/FCS schools in the coming weeks.

The system reported Monday on its COVID-19 dashboard having 644 positive cases among students and 263 among staff members for a case count of 907 for the week that ended Jan. 7.

The WS/FCS dashboard listed West Forsyth High with cases involving 29 students and 10 teachers. Clemmons Middle School was reported with 24 cases among students and seven among staff. Clemmons Elementary had 15 positive cases.

DHHS said its report on school clusters are based on data entered into the N.C. COVID-19 Surveillance System.

Time is required to determine whether a given COVID-19 case is associated with a child care or school setting, gather follow-up information, and enter it into NC COVID, DHHS said. Thus, data included in this report may differ from data available through media and other sources.

Swift said at least 8,496 children ages 5 to 11 in Forsyth have received one dose of the kids version of the Pfizer vaccine. That represents about 24% of the 35,400 children in that age range in the county.

Swift said that about 6,018 Forsyth children in that age range, or 17%, are fully vaccinated.

Among ages 12 to 17 in Forsyth, the fully vaccinated rate remains at 46%. The statewide rate is 67% for fully vaccinated ages 12 and older.

Our concern right now is what were seeing in our younger ages ... we still have a sizable percentage of the population that still dont have even one dose, Swift said.

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Finding a COVID-19 test in Lincoln and elsewhere in Nebraska has gotten more difficult over the past few weeks as cases have surged because of the arrival of the omicron variant.

But even for those lucky enough to get a test, a new complication has arisen: longer waits for results.

Nomi Health, which runs the drive-thru COVID-19 testing site at Gateway Mall, said that in mid-December, the average lab turnaround time for PCR test results was about 33 hours, or roughly a day and a half. Since Jan. 1, however, that average has risen to 42 hours.

Much of that has to do with the sheer number of tests. Nomi did nearly 1,000 COVID-19 tests at the site Jan. 3, which was almost triple its daily average in early November.

"Most recently, with a surge of cases tied to the omicron variant, some patients are waiting a full two days or more for their results," Nomi said in a statement.

Krista Kuenning is one of those people.

She said she and her husband waited in line for three hours to get tested at the Gateway site last Tuesday but still hadn't gotten their results Saturday, when she emailed the Journal Star.

"Luckily we do not have any symptoms and arent relying on it to go back to work, but I feel for those who are," said Kuenning, who said she and her husband got tested because they were exposed to someone with COVID-19.

"I absolutely cant believe that we havent heard anything 96 hours later," she said.

Kuenning later said she and her husband finally got their results Sunday.

Meanwhile, the Biden administration is working to make COVID-19 home tests more accessible, both by increasing supply and bringing down costs.

Later this month, the federal government will launch a website to begin making 500 million at-home COVID-19 tests available via mail, and starting Saturday, private health insurers will be required to cover up to eight home COVID-19 tests per month for people on their plans, the Associated Press reported.

Under the new policy, Americans will be able to either purchase home testing kits for free under their insurance or submit receipts for the tests for reimbursement. A family of four could be reimbursed for up to 32 tests per month.

Home tests, which can provide a result in a matter of minutes, have become difficult to find in stores amid the rise in cases and the delays involved in getting other test results.

A Bryan Health spokesman said it's taking as long as seven days to get results from PCR tests, up from 3-5 days previously. Even the results of rapid tests are being delayed, with the average time now about 1-2 hours, up from 15-30 minutes before the testing surge, the spokesman said.

Both Bryan and Nomi Health farm out their test kits to offsite labs to get results, and many of those labs are struggling to keep up with the surging number of tests while dealing with their own worker shortages.

The Wall Street Journal reported Monday that some labs around the country are rationing access and giving preference to tests from people with symptoms, a known exposure and those who need a test to get a medical procedure.

Labcorp told the Wall Street Journal that it was still processing tests in about 1-2 days, while Quest Diagnostics said its turnaround times had grown by 2-3 days.

The test result delays are not universal, however. CHI Health, which sends tests to its in-house lab at Creighton University Medical Center-Bergan Mercy in Omaha, is averaging about 12-16 hours for results, which is roughly the same as it was a couple of weeks ago, said spokeswoman Taylor Miller.

The Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department said that more than 90% of positive tests reported last week had a turnaround time of three days or less.

Longer waits have occurred at other times during the pandemic, often during times of higher testing demand. However, with the speed of the spread of omicron, delayed test results can complicate contact tracing.

"Wed like to see results reported to us within one to two days," said Health Department spokeswoman Leah Bucco-White.

She said the department continues to conduct contact tracing, adding that "it is becoming more difficult due to the large number of cases. If we are not able to reach someone, were sending them isolation or quarantine information via text message."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Reach the writer at 402-473-2647 or molberding@journalstar.com. On Twitter @LincolnBizBuzz.

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Days after he allegedly broke down the door to another man's apartment last week and cut the tenant before taking his phone, a Lincoln man returned to the unit early Saturday morning.

Lincoln Police arrested Dennis Nyagesuka, 39, on his second trip to the apartment building at 611 S. 20th St., where a 37-year-old victim told officers that the man who "stabbed (him) two days ago" was banging on his door shortly after midnight, according to the affidavit for Nyagesuka's arrest.

The victim told police last week that a man had kicked in his door, punched him at least three times and cut him with a kitchen knife before taking his phone.

The resident said he had seen the assailant before  and he had previously been inside his apartment  but also told police he didn't know his name.

Nyagesuka acknowledged staying at the victim's apartment before but denied breaking in or harming the other man.

Ultimately, Nyagesuka was arrested and charged with burglary, second-degree assault and use of a deadly weapon to commit a felony.

He's being held at the Lancaster County Jail on a $75,000 percentage bond.

Reach the writer at 402-473-7223 or awegley@journalstar.com. On Twitter @andrewwegley

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Katherine Ankerson was announced Monday as the next executive vice chancellor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

The dean of the College of Architecture since 2016, Ankerson succeeds Elizabeth Spiller, who left UNL on Nov. 20.

In a news release, Ankerson said she was "honored, humbled and excited" by the opportunity.

"Our university is a place where every person and every interaction matters," Ankerson said. "I look forward to building upon our shared momentum, our unwavering belief in the transformational power of education, and our ability to effect positive change in this world."

Ankerson is an award-winning educator and was named the International Interior Design Association's 2020 Educator of the Year.

Before joining UNL, she was the head of interior architecture and product design at Kansas State University from 1996 to 2011, and has taught at Radford University in Virginia and Washington State University.

At UNL, she has overseen a rising six-year graduation rate among students, as well as an increase to 100% job placement for graduates.

She was also a member of UNL's N150 Commission and the N2025 Steering Committee, which created a five-year strategic plan for the state's flagship campus.

Chancellor Ronnie Green called Ankerson "the right leader at the right time for this very important role."

"She is a collaborative, inclusive and strategic leader who will take a 'what if' approach into this vital role for our academic mission and help propel us forward," Green said in a statement.

Spiller became UNL's chief academic officer in early 2020 following the departure of Donde Plowman, who became chancellor at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

After less than two years on the job, Spiller resigned her position to care for an aging parent, she announced in an email last October.

UNL announced an internal search process to find the next executive vice chancellor, who is responsible for overseeing the academic enterprise.

Ankerson was selected over two other candidates: Mike Boehm, the vice chancellor for the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources and vice president of agriculture and natural resources for the NU system; and William G. Thomas III, the chair of humanities and a professor of history.

Ankerson will start in her new role Jan. 18. Sharon Kuska, the associate dean for faculty and academic programs in UNL's College of Architecture, was named interim dean.

Reach the writer at 402-473-7120 or cdunker@journalstar.com. On Twitter @ChrisDunkerLJS

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The University of Nebraska-Lincoln will celebrate the legacy of civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr. with a series of events next week.

This year's virtual MLK Commemoration will be at 6 p.m. on Jan. 19. The 2022 Chancellors Fulfilling the Dream Award will be presented during that event.

This years commemoration will also feature a moderated conversation with journalist Lisa Ling.

Ling previously produced and hosted Our America on OWN (Oprah Winfrey Network) for five seasons. There, Ling explored prescription pill addiction in Utah, got exclusive access inside an anti-gay religious movement and went undercover to investigate the sex trafficking of minors in Washington, D.C.

Ling hosts and produces This is Life on CNN, a documentary series that highlights nonconformist lifestyles across the nation.

I have always believed that the more we know about each other, the more evolved we become, Ling said about the intent of the series.

Ling is the co-author of Mother, Daughter, Sister, Bride: Rituals of Womanhood, which explores feminine traditions throughout several cultures.

Additionally, Ling co-authored Somewhere Inside: One Sisters Captivity in North Korea and the Others Fight to Bring Her Home, which she wrote with her sister, Laura. The book discusses her sister's capture by the North Koreans in March 2009 and Lings efforts to bring her home.

This year, we hope to highlight the importance of endurance in the ongoing path toward equity and inclusion, said Nkenge Friday, chair of the universitys MLK Week committee.

Having Lisa Ling as our speaker is important, as her role in the world of journalism and human rights has proved informative in shedding such a necessary light in understanding the pervasiveness of inequality and the need for social advocacy.

For more information on other events during the week, or to register for the commemoration, go to mlkweek.unl.edu/.

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Lincolns new flag  assuming the City Council approves the winner later this month  will be an art deco design inspired by Native artwork inside the state Capitol.

The City Council will hold a hearing Jan. 24 on a resolution approving the new flag, the result of a contest by the American Marketing Association and Lincoln Young Professionals.

I couldnt be happier with the results of the contest to redesign Lincolns flag, said City Council Chair James Michael Bowers, who introduced the resolution Monday. The new design is modern and fresh and reflects all the qualities of Lincoln that we want to celebrate and showcase to the rest of the world.

The winning flag design, titled "All Roads Lead to Lincoln," was created by Ed Mejia, a local creative director, art director and graphic designer. His design was selected by a committee from a pool of more than 190 submissions from the public.

The teal green, navy blue and gold flag includes intersecting lines intended to capture the interconnection of technology, agriculture and commerce that have drawn people to Lincoln, according to Mejia. The beacon in the center symbolizes hope and optimism, as well as Lincolns reputation as a safe harbor for those seeking to make the community their home.

I began the process of designing a submission for Lincolns next city flag by reflecting on the emotions I felt when I drove into town the first time," Mejia said. Lincoln rises up out of the horizon, beaming with a sense of hope and optimism that is shared by both lifelong residents and recent refugees.

Other recognizable imagery in the design include a sunrise, the state Capitol, and an aerial view of the traditional center of town (the star located at 13th and O streets).

The teal green is a nod to Lincolns verdant tapestry of parks, trails, trees, and green spaces  and the home of the Arbor Day Foundation. The navy blue represents the groundwater aquifer, an abundant and valuable natural resource significant to the region. The gold represents a bright future and a place where all are warmly welcomed.

Members of the ReFlag Lincoln selection committee were Francisco Souto, University of Nebraska-Lincoln School of Art, Art History, & Design; Ed Zimmer, local historian; Alyssa Martin, Nelnet; Al Maxey, artist; Todd Ogden, president of the Downtown Lincoln Association; Suzanne Mealer, of the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska; Whitney Hansen, AMA Lincoln; and Mairead Safranek, Lincoln Young Professionals Group. The committee reviewed more than 6,000 comments from the public before making a final selection.

AMA and Lincoln YPG funded the contest by raising more than $20,000 from community sponsors and plan to cover the cost of purchasing new flags for the City of Lincoln. The city flag is flown at the Hall of Justice and at police and fire stations.

Reach the writer at 402-473-7226 or mreist@journalstar.com. On Twitter @LJSreist

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The words still circle in Tom Wenzls mind.

The 50-year-old Omaha man had just tackled 21-year-old gunman Jacob Muhle  a kid, as Wenzl put it  and held him down in an aisle at the Hy-Vee near 180th and Q streets. An off-duty deputy Omaha police chief had joined the fray, wrestling Muhles gun away from him.

Youre no hero. Youre no hero. Youre no hero, Muhle kept saying, according to Wenzl.

Others might beg to differ. Wenzl and Scott Gray, the deputy police chief, saved lives during the frantic few minutes that Muhle shot at occupied cars and rattled off shots within the store, said prosecutor Amy Jacobsen, a deputy Douglas County attorney. The shooting sent people scrambling amid terror that a mass shooter was targeting shoppers, as had happened at Westroads Mall in December 2007.

Wenzl deflected the hero description Friday but said he knows that he saved one life: Muhles.

He said it was clear to him that Muhle was despondent and wanted to die.

He wanted suicide by cop, Wenzl said. Life was so bad that he wanted someone to shoot him that day.

Muhle and, miraculously, everyone else survived that surreal March 17, 2020.

And on Friday, he pleaded guilty to six felony charges that carry a punishment of anywhere from 11 to 176 years in prison. He will be sentenced in March.

Muhles father has told The World-Herald that his son had severe depression. He graduated from Millard West High School, where he participated in an independent learning program for students with learning disabilities.

On Friday, Wenzl said he half expected that he would tell his story on Ellen or Tough as Nails. But then the pandemic geared up, and the world moved on.

I still think this would be a good story for those shows, Wenzl said.

He said he had stopped by the store that night because his dog, Stella, had just had a litter. He wanted the stores old boxes to line puppy crates. He headed around back but didnt see any boxes discarded there.

He headed to the front of the store  planning to ask customer service if they would make a note to set aside any boxes for him.

Just then, he heard loud pops and thought it strange that someone would be setting off fireworks in March.

The loud pops, it turned out, were gunfire. Muhle started in the pharmacy drive-thru lane, firing one shot at a car and two at an SUV. The SUV driver, Carl Evans, said Muhle fired once and broke the rear window and again into his rear door.

We were lucky he didnt keep shooting, Evans told The World-Herald then. The fact that he didnt shoot us made me think that he was just trying to wreak havoc. If he wanted to kill someone, we were right there.

Having started toward customer service, Wenzl followed the gunshot sounds and walked outside to see Muhle with his gun.

I saw the kid firing, firing at an SUV.

Wenzl ran back into the store, yelling, Gun! Shooter! Basically I was screaming at the top of my lungs.

He said he thought that Muhle fired in my direction. A window at the front of the store shattered.

Wenzl took cover between a row of shelves in the pharmacy. Belly-down, he peeked around the corner.

Muhle stopped at the front of the store and shot out a security monitor.

Customers ran, screaming, to the back. Wenzl stayed put, shifting to a crouch. Meanwhile, Gray had bolted to the front of the store and had circled around to discern where the shots had come from.

Looking for anything suspicious, he spotted Wenzl crouching but, as he came up behind him, realized that he wasnt armed.

Gray asked him where the shooter was. Wenzl pointed to a young man dressed in black. Muhle was walking between checkout aisles and grocery rows toward where Gray was crouched behind the Gatorade, assessing the situation.

Gray pulled out the firearm that he has carried with him ever since he was one of the first responders at Westroads in 2007. He said he didnt want to get shot by the shooter, or by a police officer who might respond.

Just then  Gray said it was a fraction of a second before he was going to pull the trigger  Wenzl pounced. He grabbed Muhle by the shoulders, and wrestled him to the ground.

Gray said Muhle, knocked to a sitting position, put the gun to his own temple, then lowered it. Wenzl said he had Muhles arms pinned when Gray asked where the gun was. Muhle didnt know.

Gray used his gun to bash Muhle in the head, and knocked his gun away with his left hand. Gray broke his hand in the process.

He and Wenzl held Muhle until more help came.

It wasnt until minutes later, Wenzl said, that he had a chance to assess what had just happened, and what might have happened. A divorced father of four girls and a boy, Wenzl said he could see desperation in Muhle.

Wenzl said you wouldnt believe the things that go through your mind when staring down a gunman. Wenzl said he thought about his kids, and also a cousin awaiting a liver transplant.

I thought about everything, and I just told myself, You know, you gotta go. You know, lets rock and roll and, I mean, get it done.

He also knew that the scrawny kid  Wenzl put Muhle at about 5-foot-7 and a buck-thirty  had no chance, as long as Wenzl surprised him.

Wenzl, a 1989 graduate of Grand Island High School, said he outweighs Muhle by about 60 pounds. His day job involves working with an overpowering substance, concrete.

Plus, Im an ex-wrestler  I wrestled in junior high and high school. I mean, I didnt go very far, but Im the kid that everyone put down and made fun of my last name (Wenzl vis-a-vis weasel). So Ive always been a scrappy little s-.

Days, weeks and now 22 months later, Wenzl said hes had time to reflect on his actions. He knows that many people have died trying to subdue an active shooter. Most recently, a high school linebacker in Oxford, Michigan, was shot and killed while trying to disarm a gunman.

Wenzl said his adult daughters alternately applauded him and chided him.

They kind of said, Go figure, my dads crazy  my dads a dumb- if he tackles a guy with a gun when he dont have nothing. But I made sure I had the element of surprise. I just wanted to make sure I hit him like a ton of bricks.

Wenzl himself has had rough patches in his life. In his mid-20s, he suffered a traumatic brain injury in a car crash caused by a drunken driver. Since then, hes battled depression and his share of ups and downs.

So he has sympathy for Muhle.

Jacobsen, the prosecutor, gave one fact that still concerns her: In interviews with police in the hours after the shooting, she said, Muhle said he would do it again.

Wenzl wonders whether that was just a further cry for help  not much different than Muhles youre not a hero refrain when he was pinned.

Wenzl said everyone in the store that day was lucky that the only blood spilled was when Gray hit Muhle in the head. Muhles blood dripped onto Wenzls work boots.

Wenzl said he hopes that Muhle gets the help he needs.

My sole focus was not letting him hurt anybody or hurt himself, he said. Because, I mean, that could have been one of my kids shopping. And weve had too much of this stuff.

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State officials unveiled proposals Monday for $700 million in water resource development in Nebraska, pointing to the vital importance of water in securing the state's agricultural and economic development future.

Gov. Pete Ricketts announced that the state is notifying Colorado that Nebraska plans to proceed with a $500 million plan of developing a canal and reservoir system to capture water from the South Platte River, exercising its legal right to that water flow from Colorado under a 1923 compact between the states.

The directive comes in response to plans in Colorado to capture that water with as many as 300 projects before it is allowed to flow into Nebraska, the governor said.

At the same time, Speaker of the Legislature Mike Hilgers of Lincoln unveiled recommendations from a legislative study committee for $200 million in water development projects, including creation of a 7-mile-long lake between Lincoln and Omaha.

Other projects recommended by the Legislature's so-called STAR WARS Committee would fund improvements at Lake McConaughy in western Nebraska and along the Missouri River in the northeastern part of the state.

The proposed new lake between Lincoln and Omaha would be 4,000 acres in size. That compares to the 3,600 acres at Lake Okoboji in Iowa, a popular vacation and recreation destination for Nebraskans.

Hilgers stressed that the new lake, which would be 30-35 feet deep, would not dam the Platte River and would not impact Ashland, proactively answering any fears that the project would be akin to earlier proposals that would have had that impact.

Ricketts dodged a question as to whether he will support the committee's recommendations with a suggestion to "stay tuned" for the budget proposals that he will present to the Legislature on Thursday.

Hilgers said the timeline for the proposed lake and other projects would depend on funding decisions.

The lake, along with the other projects, are viewed as opportunities for economic development, tourism, recreation, flood control and water resource sustainability.

The committee is seeking funding from a billion-dollar pot of federal pandemic recovery money allocated to Nebraska.

Ricketts centered on the development of a canal and reservoir system along the South Platte River, pointing to the impact on irrigation, drinking water, the ability to generate electric power and its environmental impact.

Projects now in the planning stage in Colorado could result in a nearly 90% reduction in water flows coming into Nebraska, he said.

"They fired the first shot," Attorney General Doug Peterson said, pointing to Colorado's decision to attempt to capture the water before it entered Nebraska.

"We're notifying Colorado that we're moving forward with this process," he said.

Ricketts launched the news conference, which included members of the legislative committee, with the statement: "After her people, water is Nebraska's greatest resource."

Today's officeholders need to "assure access to water resources for generations to come," he said.

Projects proposed by a unanimous vote of the legislative committee include development of a new marina at Lake McConaughy, along with roadway improvements and development of an iconic gateway entrance; development of an event center and lodge at Niobrara State Park; and flood mitigation repairs near Schuyler, and Wahoo Creek flood control along the Platte River.

Those projects, along with creation of the proposed lake between Lincoln and Omaha, would generate an estimated $5.6 billion in regional economic impact during construction and more than $150 million in annual regional economic impact, the committee stated.

Reach the writer at 402-473-7248 or dwalton@journalstar.com. On Twitter @LJSdon

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Come OBrien Awards night, trainer Ron MacDonald will be raising a glass of wine to toast his finalist Power And Grace.

After being named local Older Trotting Mare of the Year at The Raceway at Western Fair District in 2020, Power And Grace is now in contention for national honours. The half-mile specialist is a 2021 OBrien Award finalist for top trotting mare along with Grandma Heidi.

After a brief stint stateside at Northfield Park where she took her mark of 1:55.1 during Ontario racings COVID-19 hiatus last winter, Power And Grace excelled among the top trotting ranks on the Ontario B track circuit, including a stretch of winning four races in a row. The daughter of Holiday Road picked up cheques in 27 of her 30 starts and went over the $90,000 mark in seasonal earnings with the ninth victory of her six-year-old campaign on December 29 at Flamboro Downs.

She was amazing all year. She averaged over $3,000 a start on the B tracks, that's pretty hard to do, noted MacDonald. It was just a pleasure every night she went out on the racetrack.

MacDonald said he was amazed when he was informed of the OBrien nomination  a first for the veteran trainer outside of watching son Brett being named the 2017 Future Star Award winner.

I thought she deserved it, but I never thought that a B track horse would get nominated, admitted MacDonald. Pretty well every start we had her she was on a B track except for the little stint she went to Northfield there. But that was only like a short stint; she was there four starts.

Bred by Glengate Farms and owned by Lormer McClure and Hartel Maintenance Inc., Power And Grace has won 33 races lifetime and more than $280,000. She joined the 20-head MacDonald stable at Baycairn Training Center on a winning note back in early 2020.

Brett was driving her a little bit and Lormer asked us to take her for a while and she's been here ever since, explained MacDonald. And she's been a real pleasure.

She's been perfect since the first day we got her. Taylor [Fritz] and Brett do a good job with her every day. Robbie Reid jogs her every day We do it all together. She's an easy keeper, easy to look after. She's a super half-mile specialist. There's not a lot to say other than she's beautiful.

In fact, Power And Grace made half-mile history, breaking a long-standing track record for older trotting mares at The Raceway with a 1:57.1 triumph on March 24.

It was a season certainly worthy of a toast. And MacDonald discovered the perfect wine to celebrate the occasion, a crimson blend called Power & Grace, with a picture of a horse on the label, of course. The Freelton, Ont. horseman even took a drive up to Bayfield, north of London, to Cornerfield Winery for a taste.

Well probably have a few people from around the barn for a little get together, said MacDonald of his virtual OBrien celebrations planned for next month, adding that perhaps a Baycairn celebration is in order with older trotting horse Perfetto among the 2021 OBrien finalists for another local trainer, Dagfin Henriksen. At the farm there, were stabled at the same place as Dagfin, so well probably have a little thing there with him too.

The 2021 O'Brien Award winners will be announced at the virtual gala on Sunday, Feb. 6. The awards ceremony will be video streamed live on standardbredcanada.ca.
With U.S. Rep. Jeff Fortenberry on the other side of the country in Washington, D.C., attorneys argued in a California courtroom for two hours Tuesday over whether a judge should bar prosecutors from using statements he made to federal agents at his trial on allegations he lied to them.

The hearing came a day after the longtime politician announced he would seek a 10th term representing Nebraska's 1st District in Congress this year.

In October, a grand jury in Los Angeles indicted Fortenberry on two counts of making false statements to federal agents and one count of seeking to conceal the source of $30,000 in conduit political contributions from a 2016 California fundraiser.

The funds originated with Gilbert Chagoury, a Paris-based Nigerian of Lebanese descent, who purportedly directed the donations to Fortenberry because of a shared interest in protecting Christians from persecution in the Middle East. It is illegal for foreigners to donate to U.S. political campaigns.

Fortenberry has pleaded not guilty.

Last week, Judge Stanley Blumenfeld Jr. rejected five defense motions seeking to dismiss the charges and to disqualify one of the prosecuting attorneys.

In court Tuesday, before the same judge, one of Fortenberry's attorneys, Ryan Fraser, argued that the statements Fortenberry made should be suppressed because he only talked to investigators after a prosecutor told his then-attorney he wasn't considered a suspect, but rather was a subject, trending toward being considered a witness.

"I think it's shocking and disturbing that the government's position here today is that they can in, the context of seeking cooperation from a defendant, misrepresent the defendant's status in the investigation," Fraser said. "That is not the law, and it cannot be the law."

He said if it were, no one would cooperate before an indictment.

Blumenfeld asked whether any time a law enforcement officer or prosecutor made a representation if it could be basis for a motion to suppress. For instance, in a case such as Illinois v. Perkins, where an undercover agent went into a jail cell to get a confession from a defendant who hadn't yet been charged and was unaware he was talking to a law enforcement officer.

The U.S. Supreme Court found that doesn't violate constitutional principles, the judge said.

"In this case, your client was represented by able counsel," Blumenfeld said.

"Who received a misrepresentation," Fraser answered.

The judge said the question wasn't whether a prosecutor could cheat, lie and steal. Hypothetically, what is the remedy?

Fraser argued that suppressing the statements made in the interview was the only way to put the defendant back to where he was before the misrepresentation.

On the other side, Assistant U.S. Attorney Jamari Buxton said the defense motion was grounded under a theory that the government had made a promise and didn't keep it.

Buxton said the prosecutor hadn't promised Fortenberry he wouldn't be charged or that he wasn't facing potential criminal exposure.

The judge asked, theoretically, if the government had made a promise that turned out to be false, if the court should suppress the statements.

"Every single day prosecutors across the street and all across the country make representations similar to the one the government did in this case," Buxton said.

He said the defense effectively was saying any time a prosecutor makes a representation the government is contractually obligated to honor it, regardless of what the investigation uncovers.

"That's not how investigations work," he said.

Buxton said it would undermine the government's ability to investigate crimes and give defendants "carte blanche to lie with impunity" simply because at one point a prosecutor said they were considered a subject or witness, not a suspect.

"That certainly can't be the outcome," the prosecutor said.

At the end, Blumenfeld said he would issue a ruling in due course.

Fortenberry's trial is set for February, though jury trials currently are suspended in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California and it's not yet clear if that may be extended into February.

Fortenberry, who has represented the eastern Nebraska congressional district since 2005, has been required to temporarily step down, because of the indictment, from congressional committee work. That work includes a seat on the powerful House Appropriations Committee and his position as a ranking member of the Appropriations subcommittee that deals with spending on agriculture programs.

State Sen. Patty Pansing Brooks of Lincoln, a Democrat, announced her bid for the seat last fall. Another Democrat, Jazari Kual of Lincoln, also is running.

Reach the writer at 402-473-7237 or lpilger@journalstar.com. On Twitter @LJSpilger

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Late in the 2021 legislative session, a resolution adding Nebraska to the list of states calling for a convention to propose amendments to the U.S. Constitution appeared dead in the water.

The proposal (LR14) from Sen. Steve Halloran of Hastings had failed to advance from committee, and a motion to pull it onto the floor fell two votes short of reaching a simple majority of 25 senators.

How they voted A resolution (LR14) adding Nebraska to a call for a convention of states to propose constitutional amendments imposing several restraints on the federal government advanced on a 32-10 vote Monday. Yes (32)  Arch, Bostar, Bostelman, Brandt, Brewer, Briese, Clements, Dorn, Erdman, Flood, Friesen, Geist, Gragert, Groene, Halloran, B. Hansen, Hilgers, Hilkemann, Kolterman, Lindstrom, Linehan, Lowe, McDonnell, Moser, Murman, Pahls, Sanders, Slama, Stinner, Wayne, Williams, Wishart. No (10)  Albrecht, Day, M. Hansen, Hunt, Lathrop, McCollister, McKinney, Morfeld, Pansing Brooks, Walz. Present, not voting (4)  Aguilar, J. Cavanaugh, M. Cavanaugh, Hughes. Excused, not voting (3)  Blood, DeBoer, Vargas.

But a motion to suspend the Legislatures rules late in the 90-day session allowed the resolution to be considered in committee once more, and negotiations between Halloran and Omaha Sen. John McCollister produced the fifth vote needed to put LR14 on the floor.

The Legislature advanced LR14 to second-round consideration on a 32-10 vote after a first-round filibuster attempt was scrapped Monday afternoon, the first day of floor debate in the 2022 session.

Four senators were present but not voting.

Honestly, I think most people were expecting the full eight-hour filibuster, and that didnt happen, Halloran said after the vote. I was surprised.

The resolution, and others like it introduced by Halloran and others in recent years, have failed to gain traction in the Legislature, despite many conservative senators supporting it.

LR14, like resolutions adopted in 15 other states, would call for a convention of states as outlined in Article V of the U.S. Constitution.

Under the resolution, convention delegates would be responsible for drafting proposed constitutional amendments imposing fiscal restraints on the federal government, limiting the power and jurisdiction of the federal government and setting term limits for officeholders and Congress.

Supporters said constitutional amendments are necessary to rein in out-of-control spending that has grown the countrys debt as well as the deficit. Halloran, a Republican, laid blame at the feet of presidents dating back to George W. Bush.

The debt clock is ticking, he said, referring to the U.S. Debt Clock, which puts the national debt at nearly $30 trillion, equal to about $89,000 for every person in the country.

While a constitutional amendment could erect guardrails for federal spending and limit the governments authority to spend, opponents said Hallorans resolution left room for delegates to interpret intent.

Lincoln Sen. Matt Hansen said the language in LR14 was too broad, potentially allowing a convention of states to interpret the call to limit the power and jurisdiction of the federal government as anything up to the elimination of Congress.

Other senators who signaled opposition to the resolution also said reasonable people could disagree about what the resolution was actually calling for, and noted the convention could go further than intended.

Halloran said the Constitution was clear on the process, however.

Any proposed amendments that emerged from a convention of states would need to be ratified by three-fourths of the states before they would become law.

Lincoln Sen. Adam Morfeld, who sponsored an amendment stating the convention could not restrict Second Amendment rights, warned the convention would not be limited by any resolution passed by the state legislatures.

The only precedent we have is the constitutional convention that went rogue the last time we had one, Morfeld said, referring to the 1787 convention that replaced the Articles of Confederation with the U.S. Constitution.

Morfeld pointed out the Legislature had suspended its own rules to give Halloran's resolution new life, stating there was nothing to stop a convention of states from doing something similar.

After about three hours of debate, the Legislature soundly defeated Morfelds amendment, with LR14 backers opposed because it was not in similar resolutions adopted by other states.

Two other amendments introduced by senators who signaled opposition to LR14  Hansen and Omaha Sen. Megan Hunt  were then withdrawn, clearing the way for the resolution to reach a vote.

Instead of taking the resolution to the eight-hour limit on first-round debate, Hunt said after Mondays vote that opponents would attempt to defeat LR14 in the second round of consideration, where a filibuster only needs to push debate four hours under the rules adopted by the Legislature.

If that happens, LR14 will need 33 votes to escape a filibuster.

Reach the writer at 402-473-7120 or cdunker@journalstar.com. On Twitter @ChrisDunkerLJS

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Republican gubernatorial candidate Jim Pillen already has raised $5.4 million in contributions to his campaign, a figure that dwarfs the amount of money that previous Republican candidates for governor reported in their initial campaign finance reports.

Pillen had cash on hand for his campaign totaling $4.1 million moving into 2022.

His figures include 18 donors contributing $100,000 to the Columbus pork producer, who is a member of the University of Nebraska Board of Regents.

The Pillen numbers compare with about $1.4 million raised by Gov. Pete Ricketts in 2013 as he prepared for his initial gubernatorial race eight years ago.

Pillen counts 1,328 Nebraska contributors and has contributed $1 million of his own money to his campaign.

The multi-candidate Republican gubernatorial primary contest appears likely to feature a costly battle with Pillen and Charles Herbster, a Falls City cattle producer, leading the campaign finance charts.

The Pillen campaign's estimate of Herbster expenditures thus far approaches $3 million, with nearly $1.5 million in television and radio outlays already in the books.

Herbster, who was agricultural adviser to former President Donald Trump, has received Trump's endorsement. Pillen is expected to garner Ricketts' endorsement, but the governor has been silent so far.

The strong early fundraising success of Pillen reflects his lifetime of "building relationships," Kenny Zoeller, Pillen's campaign manager, said Monday.

"But we're not taking anything for granted. Jim is building relationships and creating relationships.

"Right now, we feel it's either Pillen or Herbster," he said.

The Republican contest also includes Sen. Brett Lindstrom of Omaha and former Sen. Theresa Thibodeau of Omaha, along with a number of other announced candidates. Michael Connely of York, Donna Nicole Carpenter of Lincoln and Lela McNinch of Lincoln have filed with the secretary of state.

Former Gov. Dave Heineman considered entering the race, but ultimately decided to remain in private life in Fremont.

"We're not done fundraising," Pillen campaign consultant Jessica Flanagain said during a joint interview with Zoeller.

"We have enough money to communicate his message," she said, "and it's important that it's coming from other Nebraskans."

Pillen has campaigned in 85 of Nebraska's 93 counties thus far.

Reach the writer at 402-473-7248 or dwalton@journalstar.com. On Twitter @LJSdon

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Polling reportedly is underway asking whether there is potential support for Sen. Mike Flood of Norfolk if he were to become a Republican candidate for the 1st District House seat now held by embattled Rep. Jeff Fortenberry of Lincoln.

Asked about those reports, Flood said: "No comment."

Flood, a former Speaker of the Legislature, returned to the Legislature in 2021 after being term-limited out of office upon completing two consecutive terms in 2013. He was speaker for six years beginning in 2007.

Although the timing may not have been connected to reports circulating about the polling that may be underway, Fortenberry announced his candidacy for reelection in a YouTube video message Monday.

Fortenberry is currently under indictment in Los Angeles for allegedly misleading federal authorities who were investigating illegal foreign contributions to his reelection campaign in 2016.

The Lincoln congressman was first elected to eastern Nebraska's 1st District House seat in 2004.

Flood, a Norfolk attorney, owns and operates a network of radio and television stations that combine into a statewide media network called "News Channel Nebraska."

Meanwhile, Sen. Patty Pansing Brooks of Lincoln, a Democratic candidate for the House seat, announced that she raised $209,777 from 954 donors in the last six weeks of the final 2021 quarter after entering the race Nov. 15.

"People are clearly eager to invest in this movement to grow our economy, support our communities, increase access to health care, build and expand our infrastructure and recruit and retain a workforce for the future," she said.

"It's time to get beyond the partisanship and divisions and actually listen to the people."

Pansing Brooks, who is completing her second term in the nonpartisan Legislature and will be term-limited out of office at the end of the year, said she believes that "it's time to get beyond the partisanship and divisions and actually listen to the people."

Reach the writer at 402-473-7248 or dwalton@journalstar.com. On Twitter @LJSdon

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Gov. Pete Ricketts said Tuesday his mid-biennium budget recommendations to the Legislature will include a $500 million appropriation to construct a canal system to ensure Nebraska's continued access to South Platte River water flowing into the state from Colorado.

"Upon approval, we'll engage stakeholders on project location and design," Ricketts wrote in his weekly newsletter.

The governor will address the Legislature on Thursday for his annual State of the State address.

"Given the state's strong financial position, budget resources are available to undertake this historic project without incurring a penny of debt," the governor said.

Ricketts first spoke of the proposal during a news conference Monday, but detailed his plans in the newsletter, including his decision to proceed immediately with an appropriation this year of the resources required to complete the project.

"Colorado's plans to siphon off water from the South Platte River (before it flows into Nebraska) would decrease agricultural water supplies and raise pumping costs for our residents," the governor said.

"It would jeopardize municipal water supplies for Lincoln, Omaha and other Platte River communities.

"The loss of water would threaten the cooling water supplies for Gerald Gentleman Station, Nebraska's largest electric-generation facility" and undercut the state's capacity to generate hydroelectric power while increasing costs and regulatory burdens, Ricketts said.

"Constructing the canal is the primary means for Nebraska to exercise our legal rights to water flows from the South Platte River," he said.

Ricketts had earlier said Nebraska will exercise its rights under the South Platte River Compact signed in 1923 to waters flowing from the Rocky Mountains through Colorado into the state, acting in the face of plans in Colorado to build projects "to ensure no 'excess' water leaves its state."

That action, undertaken in the form of nearly 300 projects, "threatens to choke off the flow of water into Nebraska," Ricketts said, with estimates of almost a 90% loss.

On Tuesday, a spokesman for Democratic Colorado Gov. Jared Polis said he was reviewing the matter.

Kevin Rein, Colorados state engineer and director of the states water resources division, told The Associated Press that officials will work with Nebraska to fully understand the proposal and ensure that Colorados interests are protected while respecting Nebraskas rights under the agreement.

Nebraska started work on a canal before World War I, but abandoned the project, part of which is still visible from Interstate 76 near Julesburg, Colorado.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Reach the writer at 402-473-7248 or dwalton@journalstar.com. On Twitter @LJSdon

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The Wyoming Republican Party apparatus includes people who are quite radical, Rep. Liz Cheney said Thursday.

Cheney made the comment on the one-year anniversary of the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol. The lawmaker gave multiple interviews that day, while also observing a moment of silence in the House of Representatives.

Since the attack, Cheney has steadfastly insisted former President Donald Trump helped to incite the riot, which occurred as Congress worked to certify the presidential election. That criticism, and her vote to impeach Trump, prompted serious blowback within Wyoming.

In early 2021, the state party voted to censure her for her vote to impeach Trump. More recently, the Wyoming GOP narrowly voted to unrecognize Cheney.

There are people in the state party apparatus of my home state who are quite radical. And some of those same people include people who were here on Jan. 6th, include a party chair who has toyed with the idea of secession, Cheney said in a Fox News interview Thursday. So, there is a very radical element of the Republican Party in the same way that there is a radical element of the Democratic Party.

Cheney was referencing Wyoming GOP chairman Frank Eathorne, who alluded to secession in an interview last year and was at the rally outside the Capitol on Jan. 6, which he termed peaceful and patriotic, in statement released shortly afterward.

Eathorne was not the only Wyoming Republican present at the Capitol that day: Cheyenne businessman Darin Smith, who sought at one point to unseat Cheney in Augusts Republican primary, attended as well. Smith previously told the Star-Tribune that he does not regret attending, but also clarified that he did not storm the Capitol building.

The Republican Party plans to issue a statement on Cheneys comments about the chairman.

It is clear where the state party stands on Cheney already.

To further her own personal political agenda, Representative Liz Cheney has not only caused massive disruption, distraction and division within the House Republican Conference, but has also willingly, happily, and energetically joined forced with and proudly pledged allegiance to democrat Speaker of the House Pelosi, as a means of serving her own personal interests while ignoring the interests, needs and expectations of Wyoming Republicans, the resolution that unrecognized her stated.

As Cheneys reelection year kicks off, the interviews she gave on Jan. 6 indicate that she remains committed to the approach shes employed for the past 12 months: slamming Trump for lying about the 2020 presidential election and his role in the Capitol riot. Those comments have come with consequences, including losing her leadership position in the House.

I think that is really important when you have somebody who has demonstrated his lack of fidelity to the Constitution, someone whos at war with the rule of law, you cannot entrust that person with the power of the presidency ever again, Cheney said in an interview on the anniversary. And I think its critically important for the Republic that he not be anywhere close to the Oval Office ever again.

Cheneys continued rebukes of Trump has prompted praise from Democrats, which anti-Cheney Republicans have harped on. For example, Vice President Kamala Harris said in an interview that she applaud[s] her courage.

Harriet Hageman, the Trump-endorsed candidate against Cheney, used the vice presidents comments in a campaign message released Friday.

Good for Liz Cheney that Kamala Harris is happy with her work in Congress, because Wyoming sure isnt, Hageman said in a statement. Cheney is trying to get another bite at the apple in her vendetta against President Trump after her vote to impeach him failed to remove him from office.

Outside of the numerous interviews Cheney did on the anniversary, she and her father, former Vice President Dick Cheney, were the only two Republicans in the House for a moment of silence commemorating the Capitol attack.

Dick Cheney, a Wyoming political icon who is largely abhorred by the left wing for his role in the Iraq War, was warmly greeted by Democrats at the House, The New York Times reported.

When asked about Republican leaderships response to the attack on the Capitol, Dick Cheney replied Its not a leadership that resembles any of the folks I knew when I was here for 10 years.

My daughter can take care of herself, he added, when asked about Republican leaderships treatment of her.

Criticism of Trump has made Cheneys reelection effort difficult. In the past, shes coasted to reelection. This time, she faces a formidable challenge from Hageman.

According to recent polling, Trump remains the front-runner for the Republican nomination if he elects to run again.

Follow state politics reporter Victoria Eavis on Twitter @Victoria_Eavis

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I recently journeyed from central Nebraska to Lincoln to enjoy some shopping time. My plans included visiting one of the many Middle Eastern markets on North 27th Street that offer an array of international foods and spices. My husband is from Northeast Africa and to cook our traditional food, we obtain ingredients from these special stores.

With a deeper cold front looming, I made my way quickly to one of the markets. Whilst shopping, I encountered four Afghan men. It was obvious that they had not been in the U.S. or Nebraska long. Only one of the men spoke just a few words of English  very few. No one had accompanied them.

They were struggling to shop and pay for their food. The Iraqi shop owner was trying to help. I speak a Sudanese language and some Arabic, but not Pashto or Dari, and Arabic was just as foreign to them.

With a background researching and working with refugees in the U.S. and abroad, I was naturally curious about them. I had also been watching news reports about their eventual resettlement to the U.S. I grabbed packages of cookies and told the Iraqi shop owner to add them to my bill for them. Tea is an Afghan daily staple, and they likely were not spending money towards those treats.

Due to the language barrier, it was difficult to learn more about them. Through hand signals and the shop attendant, I learned that they had walked and taken the bus from their accommodation. They had no adequate protection, and they were going to walk and take a bus back in the frigid temperatures. I offered to drive them back. As cold as it was, I couldn't accept their trek. In the end, the male store worker took them.

The United States has been resettling refugees since at least the late 1940s. We have had adequate time to effectively administer basic services granted to newcomers. In the 1990s and early 2000s, many Sudanese refugees were resettled to the U.S., another opportunity to get it right during their first days of disorientation in an unfamiliar environment. Even then, despite funding from federal and state sources, deficiencies in program implementation were pervasive.

Whereas gaps were touted as administrative or functional problems facing organizations, for refugees they were a source of further distress. Many were housed in the most dangerous and downtrodden areas of the city or in substandard housing, and no systematic language support was provided, so essential to rapid integration. Others became emotionally retraumatized when they were forcibly separated from friends across U.S. states, cities and districts in the settlement process, from persons with whom they had survived ferocious attacks and years in refugee camps.

Refugees arrive having lived through unimaginable turmoil. By the time they reach our shores, they are survivors but also vulnerable. Not all refugee groups adapt in the same way, just as regional integration policies vary. In the Netherlands, for instance, compulsory language and culture immersion programs have resulted in better long-term integration outcomes, whereas in Italy, new refugees adjust through help from older migrants. In the U.S., historically, refugees could also turn to their own ethnic organizations for assistance. This is not an option everywhere in the US.

Agencies in Nebraska are understandably under pressure due to the short-term nature of arrivals and staffing shortages. Housing is most likely the greatest challenge, but the numbers of arrivals are relatively small. No doubt these new populations will have to adapt quickly to survive economically in the U.S., but this does not mean overlooking their immediate needs.

Twenty years on, I am still called upon for help by former refugees due to a lack of basic literacy skills. Working for years in backbreaking types of employment, these foreign-born residents remain at a disadvantage and disempowered. Their added pressures of having to support their extended families back in their home countries, mean they cannot give up their jobs easily. Their world remains a far cry from the upward mobility opportunities to which our educated classes are so accustomed. A few make it through, but on average the American dream is still just a dream.

Hopefully, our local agencies are trying to do better to address the entrenched pattern of failures in our resettlement system. We can still get it right to provide these future citizens with the most needed support in the short term and prospects that validate the 'good life' in this nation.

Stephanie Riak Akuei lives in Grand Island and is an educator, linguist and researcher who has worked internationally on post-war reconstruction and refugee issues.

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"This right now is the best decision, and I'm sure emails will come with strong opinions." -- Steve Joel, LPS superintendent, addressing the possibility of backlash after the school district announced that all students and teachers in all buildings would return for the second semester under a mask mandate in effect until at least Jan. 28.

"Within a week, a week and a half, essentially everything will be omicron. ... We're going to see COVID illness rates that are unmatched by anything we've seen in the pandemic." -- Dr. James Lawler, co-executive director of the University of Nebraska Medical Center's Global Center for Health Security.

"Overall warming, amplified extremes, wetter winters and more precipitation falling as heavy rain events all have a climate change fingerprint." -- Martha Shulski, state climatologist, on the strange events witnessed throughout 2021 in Nebraska.

"The first time we taught Jan. 6, we were essentially trying to decipher what happened. I would not say a year removed from that the dust has completely settled." -- Thomas Nettleton, a Lincoln Southwest teacher, on the challenging of addressing the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection in his class.

We cant risk losing another airline. Our workforce development and business recruitment hinges on a healthy airport and its at the center of our business community. ... Thats just a given that we have to do everything we can to help it stay active and healthy. -- Tammy Ward, city council member, on optimism that the city will kick in $1.5 million in federal stimulus money to help bring new air service to the Lincoln Airport.

"Nobody should be coming into this (legislative) session thinking we will be spending a lot more money. We will give the money back to the people. It's not our money; it's the people of Nebraska's money." -- Gov. Pete Ricketts, discussing his wishes for a $400 million surplus in state revenue.

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BURLINGTON  The owners of the St. Francis Friary are considering selling the sprawling religious compound for a transformation that could bring more than 250 families with new residential growth on Burlingtons far north side.

If you go What: Consideration of converting St. Francis Friary campus into housing development during joint meeting of the Burlington City Council and Plan Commission Where: Public works facility, 2200 S. Pine St. When: 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 11

Developers at Kenosha-based Bear Real Estate Group have unveiled plans for acquiring and redeveloping the 146-acre property that has been a Catholic retreat and seminary since the 1930s.

Adorned with statues, shrines and other amenities, the site at 2457 Browns Lake Drive has not only served as a home for Franciscan Friars. It has been a popular attraction for visitors and a spot for festive community gatherings.

As city planners prepare to review the proposed sale and redevelopment of the friary  which is similar to a monastery  the propertys historic place in western Racine County is stirring early signs of reluctance toward the project.

Pushback already

Darrel Eisenhardt, chairman of Burlingtons historic preservation committee, said it would be difficult to watch any demolition of the buildings on the grounds.

I think it would be sad, he said.

Officials at Bear Real Estate Group are declining to discuss their plans, although the companys written proposal to the city discusses preservation of at least some parts of the compound. The main residential building would be converted into apartment homes for senior citizens.

In all, the developer is seeking city approval for 102 new single-family homes, 80 multi-family units, another 80 housing units for senior citizens or others, and a commercial building overlooking Browns Lake Drive.

City Planner Scott Ruhland is cautioning that the development would take place on land that has historic value, as well as environmentally sensitive wetlands.

The proposed plan seems aggressive, Ruhland wrote in a report on the project. And there may be too much development proposed on the site, given its historic and environmental constraints.

The project is scheduled for consideration Tuesday (Jan. 11) night at a joint meeting of the city Plan Commission and Burlington City Council. The discussion is scheduled following a 6:30 pm. Plan Commission meeting at the public works facility at 2200 S. Pine St.

More housing seen as a need

Alderwoman Theresa Meyer, whose district includes St. Francis, said she appreciates that the development includes both single-family and multi-family housing.

While she acknowledged that some people might oppose redeveloping the old Catholic compound, Meyer said the project could offer a chance to make progress in diversifying the available housing stock in Burlington.

It might be best for the city to jump on it, she said.

Part of the property extends into the nearby Village of Rochester, and Burlington officials would consider annexing those 10 acres if the development moves ahead.

History-laden vibrant location

It was not immediately clear how much of the historic friary property remains active and in use.

According to the Wisconsin Historical Society, a Polish Catholic order based in Pulaski, near Green Bay, purchased the property along Browns Lake Drive in 1929 to establish a new seminary affiliated with Marquette University. In 1931, a group of friars migrated from Pulaski to the new site in Racine County.

A friary is similar to a monastery, except that monks generally live a reclusive lifestyle, while friars tend to be more outwardly involved and engaged in community service.

The new friary grew in popularity as a pilgrimage destination for Catholics, and many pilgrims donated statues that were then displayed on the grounds. The campus also featured terraces, waterfalls, monuments, grottos and other amenities.

Meyer recalls riding her bike through the property and seeing her mother play the accordion there during picnics.

It was really quite a vibrant location, she said.

According to the city, the property now includes nine buildings.

Eisenhardt said the site is located outside of Burlingtons historic downtown preservation district. But people who remember the heyday of the friars still regard it as historically significant, he said.

He added, It was just beautiful and peaceful.

The Franciscan Friars approached city officials in 2020 about dividing and rezoning land for future redevelopment possibilities.

Bear Real Estate Group has told the city that the Kenosha firm plans to purchase the entire 146 acres for a mixed-use master planned community. The company has been discussing its concept with city planners since October.

The St. Francis Friars project offers a unique opportunity for a creative and valuable mixed-use development in the City of Burlington, the company wrote in its proposal.

Ruhland, who works for the citys planning firm, Lakota Group, is recommending that officials seek more detail about the type of multi-family housing that is contemplated. Ruhland also recommends requiring a neighborhood park in the plan, and limiting the type of commercial development to be permitted.

Consideration should be given to limiting the use of this site to the extent possible, he wrote, and encourage a use complementary to the friary site and its location reflecting its historic value.

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RACINE  Last summer, Uptown Pub & Grill bartender Nikki Frey was talking about vehicle break-ins almost as much as she was talking about life's ups and downs with the restaurant's customers.

"Every other day, somebody's car along this stretch  was getting broken into, or somebody would come in and ask if the boss could look at the cameras because their car was gone through and there'd be little things missing," said Frey, who started bartending at the restaurant at 1510 Junction Ave. in April of 2021.

Community members like Frey and business owners have shared their experiences of being victimized, or almost victimized, by strings of burglaries, robberies and thefts across Racine.

1 of Us Brewing, 8100 Washington Ave., allegedly had cash, checks and checkbooks stolen when their brewery was broken into early last November. Joey's Yardarm, 920 Erie St., posted on Facebook about an alleged attempted break-in in mid-December.

A reporter reached out to police departments in the county to get the numbers and seek guidance on what people should do if they experience any of these incidents.

By the numbers

On Dec. 8, the Sturtevant Police Department posted on its Facebook page that there had been "a large increase in the number of theft from motor vehicle complaints lately."

In the post, SPD alleged that the alleged suspects involved were looking for vehicles that were left unlocked and/or had valuable items inside.

A couple days later, the Mount Pleasant Police Department acknowledged the increase, tacking on a reminder in a social media post to complete a nightly routine of locking doors and turning on exterior lights to prevent break-ins.

Definitions Before getting into the numbers, it's important to distinguish between a theft, a robbery and a burglary. According to Milwaukee-based law firm Hart Powell, Wisconsin law defines the following: Theft occurs when someone "intentionally takes and carries away, uses, transfers, conceals, or retains possession of movable property of another without the others consent and with intent to deprive the owner permanently of possession of such property."

occurs when someone "intentionally takes and carries away, uses, transfers, conceals, or retains possession of movable property of another without the others consent and with intent to deprive the owner permanently of possession of such property." Burglary occurs when someone "intentionally enters (a place) without the consent of the person in lawful possession and with intent to steal or commit a felony."

occurs when someone "intentionally enters (a place) without the consent of the person in lawful possession and with intent to steal or commit a felony." Robbery occurs when someone "takes property from the person or presence of the owner by either  using force  or by threatening the imminent use of force.'"

A quick run of the numbers at Mount Pleasant show a decrease in robberies: 8 occurred in 2021, with the last instance having been in August. In 2020, there were 11.

There were 46 burglaries and burglary attempts in Mount Pleasant in 2021 versus 41 in 2020. "We had a couple more (burglaries) this year but not a drastic change," said Sgt. Shawn Leonard of the MPD in an email.

Incidents are occurring all over the village, Leonard noted, not in just one neighborhood. The most incidents in Mount Pleasant happened in July, November and December of last year.

Sgt. Kristi Wilcox from the City of Racine Police Department shared data that showed a plunge in the number of robberies. In 2020, there were 85; in 2021, there were 54.

UPDATED: $4,000 reward offered for return of Bruno, the adopted dog reported stolen from Jellystone Park My son is so heartbroken. He thinks its his fault," the car/dog owner said in a Monday morning phone interview. I just want to have the dog back. The car is nothing.

In Caledonia, there were 31 burglaries in 2021 in comparison to 35 in 2020  so the number dropped slightly.

"The pattern in the last few years has shown no noticeable increase or decrease," said Deputy Chief of the Caledonia Police Department Shawn Engleman in an email.

What has increased in Caledonia, however, is the number of motor vehicle thefts. In 2021, there were 17 incidents of motor vehicle thefts; a skyrocket from 2018's five.

In nearby Milwaukee, car thefts increased by even more, outpacing even Chicago's car theft totals in 2021. In just the first 11 months of 2021, more than 9,600 vehicles were reported stolen in Milwaukee.

Sgt. William Jeschke of the Waterford Police Department said robberies and burglaries are not "a big issue" in the town that was voted the No. 1 safest city in Wisconsin back in October.

When there are issues, though, it is mostly with attempted entry into unlocked vehicles; individuals are allegedly rummaging for change, valuables.

"If we had 100% of vehicles locked, we wouldn't have to worry about it," Jeschke said.

Recent experiences

Frey's own brother was a victim of a vehicle break-in near the area in Uptown Racine in early December. What was stolen? The ashes of Bear, the Frey's family dog; a Packers jacket that belonged to the Freys' deceased father; and a bag of tools.

Frey said her brother was sure he had locked his car. Her speculation is that whoever is breaking into cars in the area may know how to get inside without smashing anything even if the cars are locked.

"It's more of a nuisance than anything else," Frey said.

She said she and other victims have become frustrated with the slow response times and seeming lack of action on the departments' end. But, she often reminded herself and repeated to a reporter, shrugging: "What can be done?"

"I don't want to say that it's  that nobody feels safe," Frey said. "Who's gonna investigate a bunch of missing change and a box of a dog's ashes? There's no way to find that stuff; we're never going to get it back, you know? We don't know who did it. And are they (police) going to take the time to check the areas where there aren't cameras?"

Frey said she hopes for more police presence in areas that are hit hard by these incidents. She hopes solutions move away from "victim blaming," or telling victims that they should have locked their doors to prevent theft.

"You can't blame the person who was violated who did have things taken from them, because that's not fair either," she said. "Because whoever it is, shouldn't be going in people's (expletive) and taking things that don't belong to them."

Dee Hutch, local artist at Black Hand Tattoo Gallery, had his iPad Pro and work iPhone stolen from his car when it was parked in Downtown Racine near Sixth Street and Wisconsin Avenue one early December night.

Both items are worth at least $2,000  but what was irreplaceable and priceless was the cache of design work he had stored on the iPad with no backup. Hutch lost designs for tattoos and T-shirts for the clothing store he co-owns, Root City.

He also lost information on appointments with his clients; he put in extra time to reconnect with them and regain their information.

"It's very frustrating, a sickening feeling," Hutch said. "I literally do everything on the iPad."

One piece of art he had to redo took him 12 hours to complete the first time around.

"The tough part is, I never leave my doors open and leave stuff out. I've always been a stickler for it," he said. He hopes that people are more aware and alert when they're Downtown.

Guidance Matthew Soens, chief of the Mount Pleasant Police Department, provided the following guidance to help prevent a burglary or attempt: Make your home look occupied, and make it difficult to break in.

Lock all outside doors and windows before you leave the house or go to bed.

Keep your garage door closed and locked.

Don't allow daily deliveries of mail, newspapers or flyers build up while you are away. Arrange with the post office to hold your mail, or arrange for a friend or neighbor to take them regularly.

Arrange for your lawn to be mowed if you are going away for an extended time.

Check your locks on doors and windows and replace them with secure devices as necessary.

Pushbutton locks on doorknobs are easy for burglars to open. Install deadbolt locks on all your outside doors.

Sliding glass doors are vulnerable. Special locks are available for better security.

Don't share your vacation plans on social media.

Store valuable items out of sight.

Have adequate exterior lighting. If your home is broken into: Do not enter  the offender may still be inside.

Use a neighbor's phone or your cell phone to call police.

Do not touch anything or clean up until the police have inspected for evidence.

Write down the license plate numbers of any suspicious vehicles.

Note the descriptions of any suspicious persons.

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By Azernews

By Ayya Lmahamad

The Azerbaijani oil exports via the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline are expected to decline in February 2022, compared to January, Trend has reported, quoting Reuters.

According to the schedule seen by Reuters, Azerbaijani BTC crude oil exports from Turkey's Ceyhan port were set at 14.72 million barrels in February from 17.27 million barrels in January.

"The grade's loadings will decline by 5.6 percent in February on a daily basis compared with January's loading plan," the report said.

The BTC pipeline is a transport line for Azerbaijani oil from the Caspian Sea to the port of Ceyhan in Turkey, and then to European markets via the Mediterranean Sea.

In December 2021, BTC has achieved a significant milestone by carrying 500 million tons of oil in total from the Sangachal terminal near Baku across Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey to Ceyhan. The milestone was achieved on December 12 when the 500 millionth ton of Caspian crude flowed through the pipeline, was loaded on the 4,922nd tanker named Nordorse, which was a joint SOCAR lifting, and departed for Italy's Trieste.

On July 13, 2006, the official opening ceremony of the BTC oil pipeline took place in Turkey. The total length of the pipeline is 1,768 km, of which 443 km pass through the territory of Azerbaijan; 249 km to Georgia; 1076 km to Turkey. The projected capacity is 50 million tonnes of oil per year or 1 million barrels per day. Light oil produced at the Azeri-Chirag-Gunashli field is transported via BTC.
BURLINGTON  A proposal to drop Chocolate City U.S.A. and rebrand the City of Burlington with the slogan Small Wonder, Big Dreams is generating strong reactions in the community.

Using a $40,000 state grant, the city hired the firm GrahamSpencer Brand + Content Solutions. The Illinois-based consulting firm researched Burlington and its identity in developing proposals for rebranding.

The following is a sample of comments from readers in a Facebook group called Burlington Wisconsin Area Shop Local. Some comments have been edited for brevity or clarity.

First impression is that Im really not impressed. Calling ourselves a small wonder, to me, is selling us short.  Hector Villarreal Jr.

I dont see the need for a change.  Michael Leach

Quit spending money to brand the town. Not every place needs a brand, and those funds could probably be used better elsewhere.  Katrina DeGroot

Sounds dumb. How much is being spent on this? Get idea names from the people that live here. Itd be a cool contest.  Lori Kegley Mehring

Nothing will replace Chocolate City.  Aaron Miller

Dumb!!!! Why change it?  Donna Wermeling Malom

Really? That much money for that. Blahahaha.  Jose Junior

How lame! I think first-graders could come up with something better.  Edna Miller

What about Historic Chocolate City since theres such a rich history with Nestle, Chocolate Fest, a historic downtown presence, etc., and we get to kind of keep Chocolate City?  Debbie Hecketsweiler

Looks like a logo made on one of those free websites. Certainly not done by a professional.  Barbara Ann Yambor-Burmeister

Small Wonder, Big Dreams. Yikes! It conveys a message that this amazing city doesnt have its stuff together.  Christine Schultz

If we dont have something outstanding that is really perfect, why have one at all? Not every community has a slogan. Just throwing money out the window.  Barb Lois

We shouldnt feel forced into having to have a tagline or motto. An awesome logo would say 1,000 words. But this isnt it.  Bernard Petersen

I mean, ChocolateFest is not nearly as great as it used to be, and we really dont live up to the expectations that Chocolate City implies. So maybe its time for a rebrand. But, yeah, that logo example is really underwhelming.  Rachel Cate

Just keep the chocolate theme. What a waste of taxpayer money.  Ken Daniels

Not seeing it. Not really a brand.  Wayne Swihart

No, thanks. Not a fan.  Amy Stark

Dumb.  Rayjay Johnson Jr.

How about Home of the Liars Club? At least it says something unique to Burlington. Small Wonder, Big Dreams says nothing about our city.  Janine Oldenburg

It just doesnt make any sense why they all of a sudden want to change it. Its always been Chocolate City, and it will always be that way to me.  Jennifer Kofron

It does not do anything for me. I would rather leave it as Chocolate City.  Penny Werth

Dont see it. Keep looking.  Mikki Collins Davis

Leave Chocolate City as our logo. I smell the chocolate all the time still throughout our city, so Nestle must still make something with chocolate.  Bernie Roosa

Yuck.  Gina Maass

Ive lived here my whole life and cant remember a day I havent smell the chocolate. Nestle is still here, they still make chocolate, they still make morsels, and theyre starting cookie dough. Rebranding is a waste of the city money.  Cathy Fennema

This sounds dumb.  Karen Kallem

How about rather then rename the city, we actually do more events to live up to our current name. It cant be that hard to incorporate chocolate into events.  Todd Bauman

Weird. Doesnt say anything.  Ronald Kolman

Lame.  Ann Pieters

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State health officials are recommending a booster COVID-19 vaccine dose for kids ages 12 to 15.

We encourage everyone ages 12 and older to join the more than 1.6 million Wisconsinites who have already gotten their booster or additional COVID-19 vaccine dose, Wisconsin Department of Health Services Secretary-designee Karen Timberlake said in a statement Friday.

DHS is supporting the federal Centers for Disease Control and Preventions recommendation that those ages 12-15  and all those older than 15 who dont have an allergy  get vaccinated and receive a booster shot to protect against COVID-19. As of Monday, the only COVID-19 vaccine approved for those under the age of 18 is the Pfizer vaccine.

DHSs current recommendations, announced Friday, are that Wisconsinites should receive a booster of either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine 5 months after completion of initial vaccination for everyone ages 12 and older. The booster interval recommendation for people who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine  2 months  has not changed.

Additionally, DHS is recommending a third Pfizer primary series dose for certain immunocompromised children 5 through 11 years of age.

Previously, the recommendation was for boosters to come six months after the initial two-shot regimen. Now, receiving a booster vaccination at 5 months rather than 6 months after initial vaccination may offer better protection sooner for individuals against the highly transmissible Omicron variant, stated Dr. Stephanie Schauer, Division of Public Health immunization program manager. The latest research also indicates that children 5 through 11 years of age who are moderately or severely immunocompromised receive maximum benefit when they receive a third primary series dose.

To find a place to get vaccinated, go to vaccines.gov, call 211 or 877-947-2211.

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RACINE  Chelsea Powell came of age in the 1990s, when the message was girls could do anything because of the work done by generations of women before them.

They were told: The world is ready for you to lead.

When COVID-19 hit, many women had an epiphany.

As it turns out, the world didnt really change, Powell said, We just stretched really far to fit into many different roles.

As Powell put it: Some women were stretched as far as was possible before the pandemic, so their only option during the pandemic was to opt out.

The percentage of women in the workforce is now at a 30-year low.

There is more work to do if we truly want women to have fantastic careers and be in leadership roles, Powell said. Its not hard to understand why so many have become disillusioned and disconnected.

Powell was one of the working women who provided feedback in the working groups for the Kane Communications Group survey on the state of working women in Wisconsin.

The resulting data and analysis from the study were released in December in the report Kane Insights: the State of Working Women in Wisconsin. The report showed the distance many working women still have to travel (literally and figuratively) to obtain a healthy work-life balance and to feel that work is working for them.

Kimberly Kane, president and CEO of Kane Communications Group, reflecting on the report said, The data speaks volumes about the disconnect between working women and employers.

What is more, she continued, is companies are feeling it in the bottom line as a significant number of women leave the workforce in what has become known as the Big Resignation or the Big Quit.

When it comes to change, I think the pivotal shift is happening now because employers are feeling this punch in the gut with employees leaving them in record numbers  women leaving in record numbers and they do not want to return to the workplace, she said.

If companies desire to be an employer of choice, if they hope to recruit and retain quality staff, they will have to start overhauling practices and policies  especially those that impact working women, the research concluded.

The steps toward change are pretty straight forward, Kane said, and once leadership teams recognize that change is inevitable, theyll have to go there.

The survey The Kane Insights: the State of Working Women in Wisconsin" reports is a snapshot into the way working women view their role at work, the pressures some are under in their dual roles as employees and mothers or caregivers, and the importance they place on being valued at work. The survey included 980 Wisconsin women, chosen randomly, who were asked about their feelings of well-being, the level of satisfaction they obtain at work, and the level of support they receive from the companies where they work. Additionally, representatives from Kane Communications sat down with 24 women in listening sessions that included feedback on the survey. To read the full report, visit kanecommgroup.com/kane-insights. It includes a playbook of recommendations employers can implement.

Representation

One of the most important actions any company can take is to ensure women are given the opportunity to lead.

Powell recalled a job she previously had where she commuted to Milwaukee from Racine in order to work in a Word document all day and communicate by email. When she asked if she really had to physically come in every day, she was told, That is the policy.

She said, That was the moment I thought if I ever have a chance to have a say in what policies look like, they wont look like this.

Those policies were put into place by people who never had to pick up a sick kid from school and get them to the doctor, she said.

Powell left that job and is now the managing director at Higher Expectations for Racine County where the policies are sensitive to the needs of workers like her.

She noted when a woman on the team asked to stay home due to personal responsibilities in the family during the COVID-19 pandemic, the woman was supported as she shifted her office to home. Whats more, she has remained just as productive, so Higher Expectations was able to retain a valuable employee rather than having to let her go for breaking an archaic policy.

Business

There are multiple reasons why businesses should carefully consider the results of the study, which Kane Communications has made available to everyone on their website along with recommendations for successfully moving forward.

We know businesses that employ women do better than businesses that are all male businesses, Kane pointed out.

When women are in leadership positions, she added, retention rates are higher and there is increased profitability.

While women in general are voicing their desire to work for employers committed to the well-being of their employees, Gen Z and millennials are going a step further and carefully examining potential employers for both their treatment of employees and their stance as corporate citizens of the world.

While some companies have attempted to increase pay to address recruitment woes, this is not a problem companies are going to be able to just throw money at.

Leadership

Change requires a commitment from the top, Kane said, with recognition that modern companies become employers of choice with policies that work for the employees  with special reference to working women.

I think weve got a long way to go to get there, she said.

Kane recounted a recent experience in which she attended a meeting of CEOs where she was asked: Are you staff?

It was as if he could not imagine that I, as a woman, could be a CEO at the level these guys were, she said.

Companies need to implement a change readiness assessment to really gauge the the levels of change necessary in their organizations in order to make retaining working women a priority, she recommended the survey cannot be a traditional employee survey. Rather, it must be one that gets to the heart of the issues faced by their employees.

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A record 197 patients with COVID-19 are hospitalized in Dane County, officials said Tuesday, as they urged the public to get booster shots, wear masks and stay home if ill to curb spread of the highly transmissible omicron variant and ease the strain on health care workers.

Our health care heroes need our help, not just in words but in our actions, said Dane County Executive Joe Parisi, who noted the county expects by Friday to get 100,000 more face masks to distribute to people who need them.

With our hospitals at capacity, we each have to do our part to keep ourselves safe and to keep ourselves out of the hospital, said Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway, who encouraged people to get vaccinated at newly restarted mobile clinics or at regular sites.

The 197 COVID-19 hospitalizations eclipsed the previous record of 184 on Monday, which was up from an earlier peak of 179 on Nov. 18, 2020, before vaccinations became available. Forty-one of the 197 patients were in intensive care, down from the countys pandemic peak of 49 in November 2020.

Public Health Madison and Dane County on Tuesday also reported a daily record of 2,127 new COVID-19 cases in Dane County, for a daily average of 1,575 cases  levels that as recently as September were typical statewide totals. Some 15.5% of county residents have tested positive throughout the pandemic, including 3.1% in just the past two weeks, health department director Janel Heinrich said.

This surge that were in is a perfect storm, likely brought on by a combination of holiday travel and gatherings just as this very highly transmissible omicron variant began to spread, Heinrich said.

She urged testing, which is again happening at the Alliant Energy Center, where 750 testing appointments are available each weekday, with plans to expand to 1,000 daily next week.

State numbers

Statewide, 12,305 new cases of COVID-19 were reported Tuesday, for a record daily average of 9,696. As of Tuesday, 2,244 patients were in hospitals with COVID-19 statewide, down from 2,259 on Monday but still near the record of 2,277 on Nov. 16, 2020, according to the Wisconsin Hospital Association.

Among the 2,244 patients, a record 486 were in intensive care.

Dane County has the states highest rate of vaccinations against COVID-19, as 81.2% of residents have received at least one dose and 76.4% are fully vaccinated. As of last week, nearly 60% of fully vaccinated county residents had received a booster or additional dose.

Some of the patients hospitalized in the county with COVID-19 are from other counties and not all are in the hospital primarily because of COVID-19, as has been the case throughout the pandemic with reported hospitalizations. In addition, omicron is causing numerous breakthrough infections among vaccinated people nationwide.

Heinrich said the city-county health department couldnt say how many of the 197 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 were vaccinated or from the county.

Of about 65 COVID-19 patients Tuesday at SSM Health St. Marys Hospital in Madison, most were unvaccinated and from Dane County, spokesperson Kim Sveum said. Of about 60 at UnityPoint Health-Meriter, most were from the county and 10 were in intensive care, all of whom were unvaccinated, spokesperson Nicole Aimone said. UW Hospital has had 65 to 80 COVID-19 patients the past two weeks, about 15% of total volume, spokesperson Emily Kumlien said.

The hospital spokespersons declined to provide additional details about the residential and vaccination status of their patients with COVID-19.

Heinrich said that even for patients who arent in the hospital primarily because of COVID-19, health care workers must wear additional protective equipment and take other steps when caring for them, which adds to the strain.

Vaccine impacts

Despite breakthrough cases from omicron, vaccinations  especially booster shots  are protecting against infection, health officials say.

In late December, when the omicron variant became widespread, the age-adjusted rate of new COVID-19 cases in the county was 1.9 times higher among residents not fully vaccinated than those fully vaccinated, Public Health Madison and Dane County said last week. The rate was 4.3 times higher among the unvaccinated than those who had received booster or additional doses, the health department said.

People vaccinated with the initial series only were 2.3 times more likely to test positive than people who received a booster or additional dose, the department said.

In November statewide, people not fully vaccinated were 5 times more likely to get COVID-19, 11 times more likely to be hospitalized for it and 12 times more likely to die from it than those fully vaccinated, according to the state Department of Health Services.
A Dane County judge Monday rejected a request by Wisconsins Democratic attorney general to block former state Supreme Court Justice Michael Gablemans demand to interview the states top elections administrator as part of his GOP-ordered review of the 2020 election.

Dane County Circuit Court Judge Rhonda Lanfords decision marks a win for Gableman, who was hired last year by legislative Republicans to review the election, an effort that has become bogged down in multiple court battles. Lanford also denied Gablemans request to dismiss the case entirely, a decision that leaves the door open for Attorney General Josh Kaul, who is representing the Wisconsin Elections Commissions nonpartisan administrator Meagan Wolfe, if he decides to continue to fight Gablemans subpoena.

Should Defendants seek to enforce the subpoenas before this case is decided on the merits through contempt, imprisonment or other means similar to the action pending in Waukesha County  plaintiffs can certainly file another motion for temporary injunction that the Court will schedule as soon as its calendar permits, Lanford wrote.

The reference was to another case challenging a separate request by Gableman for the Waukesha County sheriff to compel the mayors of Madison and Green Bay to meet with him or else face jail time. A Waukesha County judge has scheduled a hearing for Jan. 21 on the matter.

Lanfords decision stems from Kauls October request for a restraining order against a subpoena issued by Gableman seeking election-related documents and the interview with Wolfe.

In her decision, Lanford wrote that attorneys for Wolfe failed to show she would face contempt charges for refusing to comply with Gablemans subpoena.

In his initial lawsuit, Kaul contended that Gableman issued numerous subpoenas to state and local election officials in furtherance of an unlawful investigation focused on debunked theories about the November 2020 election.

Officials have said Wolfe is willing to meet with Gableman or his team, but only in a public setting. An attorney for Wolfe said last month state statutes require that any meeting with Gableman occur in a public setting before a legislative committee, while attorneys for Gableman have contended that the former justice is operating under the authority of the Legislatures Assembly Committee on Campaigns and Elections.

A primary issue with the subpoenas from the outset was the part about meeting in secret, Wolfe said in a statement. We continue to have a strong preference for providing testimony in public rather than behind closed doors. Weve already provided Special Counsel Gableman with documents and data, and conversations are ongoing regarding additional document production.

Gableman was hired by Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, to investigate the election at a cost of $676,000 to taxpayers. His contract expired at the close of December, but Vos has said he hopes to have the review finished by the end of February.

It is my hope that former Justice Gableman will withdraw these unnecessary subpoenas rather than continuing to litigate over them, Kaul said.

Court battles mount

In late December, Gableman subpoenaed the elections commissions Democratic chair Ann Jacobs and Madison officials, demanding in-person testimony and a wide swath of election-related records including emails, internet logs and individual voter information. Gableman has also demanded records related to Dominion Voting Systems machines, though the city of Madison does not use those machines.

The subpoenas also request any records of payments from several nonprofit groups, including the Chicago-based Center for Tech and Civic Life (CTCL), which is funded by Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg. Republicans, including Gableman, have targeted CTCL funds as unfairly increasing turnout in the Democratic strongholds of Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay, Kenosha and Racine.

In a separate case, the Wisconsin Court of Appeals on Monday denied a recent request from Vos seeking a stay to appeal Circuit Judge Valerie Bailey-Rihns order last week that Vos and his attorney need to sit for depositions on Wednesday as part of a liberal watchdog groups lawsuit seeking public records related to Gablemans review.

Vos requested the stay on Friday, a move that attorneys for American Oversight called a last-ditch attempt to avoid discovery in court filings Monday.

As it stands now, the depositions are still scheduled for Wednesday morning, and unless a court says otherwise, we expect Speaker Vos to appear and answer questions, American Oversight spokesperson Clark Pettig said in an email. This could have been avoided if Speaker Vos had released the records of his election investigation to the public as required by Wisconsin law, and its disappointing that hes now going to even greater lengths to conceal the facts from the public.

The case is one of three ongoing lawsuits brought by American Oversight following requests for records filed last year pertaining to Gablemans review. Attorneys for American Oversight have asked that Vos be held in contempt for not releasing the records sooner.

Attorneys for Vos have said all available documents have been provided, while attorneys for American Oversight have questioned whether additional documents exist.

If (American Oversight) believes that a particular document has been withheld it can move the Circuit Court for relief, but it has not even raised such an allegation, Vos attorney Ronald Stadler wrote in a Friday court filing.

In yet another case, Erick Kaardal, a Republican attorney for the conservative Thomas More Society and former secretary and treasurer for the Republican Party of Minnesota, last week filed an appeal in Dane County Circuit Court challenging the Elections Commissions decision in early December to throw out a complaint filed against CTCL grants provided to the states five largest cities to help administer last years election during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Court rulings have found nothing illegal about the more than $10 million in grants CTCL distributed to about 214 municipalities in 39 of Wisconsins 72 counties, including many in areas solidly won by Trump. Nor did CTCL turn down grant requests from any of the Wisconsin municipalities that made them.

A recount and court decisions have affirmed that President Joe Biden defeated former President Donald Trump in Wisconsin by almost 21,000 votes.

An analysis by The Associated Press found only 31 potential cases of voter fraud in Wisconsins 2020 election, which represents less than 0.15% of Bidens margin of victory.

Sen. Tim Carpenter, D-Milwaukee, on Monday requested that the nonpartisan Legislative Audit Bureau conduct an audit of Gablemans ongoing review. Carpenter, who is a member of the Joint Legislative Audit Committee, made the request to the committees co-chairs Sen. Robert Cowles, R-Green Bay, and Rep. Samantha Kerman, R-Salem.

A spokesperson for Cowles said the office had just received Carpenters request Monday afternoon and will give it a review. The committee would have to vote to request a formal audit from the Audit Bureau.

Reviews of the election by the Audit Bureau and the conservative Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty found no evidence of widespread fraud but did offer recommendations on how to improve elections.

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The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources plans to allow one of the states largest dairies to nearly double its herd, prompting criticism that the agency is failing to use environmental protection powers granted just six months ago.

In July the Supreme Court affirmed the DNRs authority to cap the number of animals on a farm and require groundwater monitoring as conditions of a permit.

The case involved a decadelong fight over Kinnard Farms efforts to expand its feedlot operations in Kewaunee County, an area rife with groundwater contamination.

Based on the courts ruling, the DNR drafted new permit conditions for the farm, which has about 8,000 cattle and is expected to generate more than 103 million gallons of liquid manure, according to the agency.

The draft permit would give Kinnard Farms until March to come up with a plan for monitoring groundwater around more than 16,000 acres of land where it spreads manure. It would also allow Kinnard to expand its current herd by nearly 90%.

Tony Wilkin Gibart, executive director of Midwest Environmental Advocates, said the draft permit is an egregious missed opportunity to use the authority confirmed in the Supreme Court decision to make headway in bringing clean drinking water to Kewaunee County.

Gibart said the animal limit is not based in science.

The proposed limit in no way responds to the extent of the contamination around Kinnard Farms, Gibart said. Or that the landscape in Kewaunee County cannot safely absorb additional manure spreading.

Jodi Parins, who lives about three miles from the Kinnard farm, said the current proposal represents a complete abdication of the DNRs responsibility and authority.

The court has given you the go-ahead, Parins said. Why wouldnt you use that authority to actually protect our water instead of continuing to protect the polluters? What happened to the year of clean water?

Parins, who previously served on the towns planning committee, noted the proposed cap is triple the number of animals Kinnard had in 2014 when a judge declared a massive regulatory failure had caused widespread contamination of the areas drinking water.

If you are going to put a cap, make it be meaningful, she said.

Kewaunee County resident Nancy Utesch called the proposed permit completely negligent.

Its inhumane, she said.

Chris Clayton, chief of the DNRs agricultural runoff section, said the cap is based on Kinnard Farms growth projections, although the farm would first have to show it has enough capacity to store and safely spread any additional manure before it could grow.

While it will be up to Kinnard Farms to design and carry out groundwater testing, Clayton said it will be subject to DNR review. A DNR hydrogeologist recommended the system include at least three monitoring wells in at least one field.

One thing we would look for is to make sure that data is useful as scientific information  for the impacts of manure on groundwater, he said.

Evan Feinauer, a staff attorney for Clean Wisconsin who argued the case before the Supreme Court, said its a huge deal that the DNR is requiring groundwater monitoring, but the proposed requirements dont go far enough.

We always knew that DNR would have to take a look at each farm individually to decide what conditions are needed, and that we would have to press DNR to do more than they have in the past, Feinauer said. We never stop advocating for DNR to improve these permits and better protect public health.

Have your say The Department of Natural Resources is proposing to modify a wastewater permit for Kinnard Farms that includes a limit nearly 90% higher than the Kewaunee County dairy's current 8,000 cows. To view the draft permit visit go.madison.com/kinnard-farms. Written comments can be submitted by email to Tyler.Dix@wisconsin.gov or mailed to Tyler Dix, CAFO Permit Coordinator, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, 101 S Webster St., Madison, WI 53707. The deadline for comments is Jan. 25.

Kinnard Farms did not respond to requests for comment on the permit or its expansion plans.

Kinnard is currently the states seventh-largest dairy farm, according to DNR records. Under the proposed permit modification it would be the largest by a margin of more than 40%.

According to the DNR, shallow and fractured bedrock make the landscape around Kinnard Farm particularly vulnerable to groundwater contamination, and water under the farm already exceeds state standards for nitrate and bacteria. During a 2014 hearing, a judge heard testimony that up to half of the wells in the town of Lincoln were contaminated.

The DNR is accepting comments on the draft permit through Jan. 25. Clayton said its not clear how long it will take the agency to issue the final permit.

We are receiving quite a bit of public comment, he said. Well have to review those and consider them.

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The felony case against the 20-year-old Racine man who purchased the AR-15-style rifle used by Kyle Rittenhouse to shoot three people, including two fatally, during the civil unrest in Kenosha in 2020, ended quickly and quietly Monday morning in a Kenosha County courtroom.

A plea agreement offered Friday by Kenosha County Assistant District Attorney Thomas Binger exchanges the two felony charges of intent to sell a dangerous weapon to a person younger than 18 filed against Dominick Black for two county citations of contributing to the delinquency of a child.

The status hearing, which lasted just a few minutes Monday morning, was heard in between jury selection for Rakayo Vinson, the Kenosha man charged with a triple homicide at the Somers House tavern in April.

Judge Bruce E. Schroeder, who presided over the Rittenhouse trial in November and will oversee the Vinson trial that begins with opening arguments Tuesday, accepted the plea agreement between Binger and Black's attorney, Anthony Cotton.

Black, who pleaded no contest as part of the deal, was not in court Monday.

Schroeder fined Black $1,500 plus court costs, which brings the total amount to $2,032.50. Black posted a $2,500 cash bond Nov. 20, 2020, which will be used toward the fine imposed Monday, with the balance being returned to the party who posted the bond.

During Rittenhouse's trial, a charge of carrying a gun while underage was dropped because of a vaguely written law intended to allow teenagers in Wisconsin to hunt that also allows those younger than 18 to carry long guns most anywhere in the state.

Binger in court Monday said he disagreed with that decision then but understood that ruling, and the fact that Rittenhouse was found not guilty of all charges made continuing to pursue felony charges against Black difficult.

"That is a legal issue," Binger said. "I personally disagree with the court's ruling, but I respect the ruling. While I do believe the charges (against Black) were (appropriate), things have changed since then ... Jurors found Mr. Rittenhouse not guilty. To go forward with these charges does not seem appropriate."

Binger added that he feels the fine imposed against Black still can send a message regarding those who may engage in future "straw" purchases of firearms.

Black testified in November that Rittenhouse gave him money to purchase the firearm, but the gun was kept in his stepfather's gun safe because Rittenhouse wasn't old enough to possess it.

"I believe (the fine) does serve as a form of punishment and deterrence," Binger said. "It is a serious offense. Our office will continue to prosecute (those cases)."

Pleased with outcome

Cotton spoke to several media members who converged on the courthouse for Monday's hearing.

The outcome of the Rittenhouse trial clearly was a positive turn of events for his client, Cotton said.

"I think it was definitely a good thing for our case," Cotton said. "I think the moment the jury acquitted Rittenhouse it made it pretty clear that (this case) would have to have a dismissal or a similar outcome.

"He (Black) told the truth. He did what was expected of him," Cotton continued. "The state subpoenaed him to come to court, and the law requires people to testify truthfully when they're subpoenaed. Dominick did everything that was expected of him."

The criminal case is now closed against Black, who cannot be charged again in the future on a state level because it was dismissed "with prejudice."

Cotton said after the hearing that he has heard nothing about any potential federal-level charges for making the "straw purchase."

"We don't know if they're going to do that or not," he said. "There's always a possibility that a person could face some additional charges, but I have no information as to whether or not that's going to happen. Nobody's reached out to me, and that's not part of any negotiation."

Cotton said his client is pleased to get past the situation and move on.

"He's glad to have this nightmare behind him," Cotton said. "It was a really a long road that he's been down here. We always felt all along the two charges were a bit of an overkill situation for him. That's why we filed a motion to dismiss right out of the gate here.

"It took a long time to get to this point. But I have to credit the District Attorney's Office. They really did the right thing and reached the right decision, ultimately."

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Killeen, TX (76540)

Today

Cloudy skies early, followed by partial clearing. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High near 85F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies in the evening, then becoming cloudy overnight. Low around 70F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph.
1. Yes. Raising the bar for future developments will boost the citys housing market.

2. Yes. It will help in newer areas, but more needs to be done to change Killeens image.

3. No. The new standards will just slow down homebuilding and drive away developers.

4.No. The ordinance will do little more than drive up the price of new homes in the city.

5. Unsure. Its hard to say what the effect will be until they have been in place for a while.

Vote

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By Azernews

By Ayya Lmahamad

Azerbaijani Space Agency (Azercosmos) Board Chairman Samaddin Asadov has said that the agency has monitored over 1,000 settlements liberated from Armenia's occupation in 2020.

He made the remarks at the presentation of the project to restore Azerbaijani toponyms on the electronic map "GoMap".

Asadov noted that the development of the space sector in Azerbaijan makes it possible to implement competitive projects.

"Today we have three satellites that allow us to monitor certain areas and implement information technology projects. As part of the project, more than 1,000 settlements in the liberated territories of Azerbaijan were monitored," he said.

The board chairman added that the Armenian names of Azerbaijani cities and villages, located in the country's liberated territories, on Google maps may be completely removed in the future. He noted that the Digital Development and Transport Ministry is actively cooperating with Google to change the display of toponyms on the maps of the search engine.

"Within this cooperation, a number of toponyms have already been changed. The Cyber-Security Center is also in close contact with Google. The Google map already displays the Azerbaijani names. This is the result of our cooperation, he said.

To recall, earlier, Baku sent a letter to Google over the distorted names of Azerbaijani territories liberated from the Armenian occupation displayed on Google Maps. The issue was raised before Google through diplomatic channels that the geographical maps in the Google Maps app contain distorted names in Armenian along with the official names in Azerbaijani of the territories of Azerbaijans Karabakh region.

Additionally, speaking about the Azerspace-1 satellite, Asadov noted that some 80 percent of investments in the satellite have paid off. He added that the satellite will continue to function for the next nine years.

"In the first satellite of Azerbaijan, which was launched into space in 2013, $230 million was invested. The lifetime of this satellite is 17 years. Well continue to use the services and capabilities of this satellite in the remaining nine years," he said.

Established in 2010, Azercosmos is the only satellite operator in the South Caucasus region and provides high-quality satellite services for telecommunications and geographic intelligence.

Azercosmos along with Azerspace-1, Azerspace-2 and Azersky satellites, facilitates the reception of signals from satellites of other satellite operators and via a fiber-optic network.

In February 2013, Azerbaijan launched its first telecommunications satellite Azerspace-1 into orbit, and a year later sent into space a satellite for remote observation of the Earth's surface with geoinformation services Azersky. In 2018, the third Azerbaijani satellite Azerspace-2 appeared in orbit, operated by Azercosmos. The satellite is controlled by Azerbaijani specialists.

This sector is very important for the overall growth, development of the non-oil sector, improvement of the business environment, and increasing the intellectual potential of the country.
GRAND ISLAND  Angels Care Progressive Home Health is expanding from Grand Island to Kearney.

The companys corporate office is in Mansfield, Texas, and boasts roughly 70 agencies, mostly across the Plains states, explained Grand Island Administrator Heather Anderson.

The Grand Island office opened in March, located at 2550 N. Diers Ave., Suite K.

Weve been in Nebraska for quite some time, but more in the Omaha, Lincoln and Columbus area, Anderson said. The next stop was Grand Island.

Grand Island Angels Care has a caseload of 100 clients currently with six full-time nurses, two licensed practical nurses, and some additional per diem nurses who take visits as needed.

While there has been a strong need for home health care services in the Grand Island area, that need is greater beyond Grand Island.

Referral sources have reached out to us and said there was a strong need even further west, Anderson said, so were going to keep expanding with our next office in Kearney.

Angels Care in Kearney will be located at 2121 B Ave., near Mother Hull Nursing Home. The site was officially acquired Jan. 1.

It will be an individual agency, supervised from Grand Island by Anderson.

In the meantime, the Kearney location serves as a drop-off point for supplies and for Angels Care nurses to collect needed paperwork.

We have a regional area and Grand Island is going to be more responsible for the Grand Island service area west, in Nebraska, she said. Ultimately, it will be its own office.

The Kearney site opens this spring, Anderson said. Tausha Hansen will serve as director of nursing for both Grand Island and Kearney.

Im really excited to open another office in Kearney, Hansen said. The success of Grand Island has been exceptional, the way that weve grown.

Hansen noted that the companys motto is, We serve patients.

Thats what we do. Patients come first. Heather and I, even though were administration, also see a lot of the patients, because that comes before any administrative stuff, Hansen said.

With Angels Care, nurses are on call 24-7.

We admit on the weekends, holidays, whatever the need is for that patient, Anderson said. Weve seen that a lot of people want to get home before the holidays, so weve been extremely busy, but we want those patients to be able to enjoy time with their families as well on the holidays.

The local agency is currently looking for nurses for Nebraskas more rural or isolated areas.

Angel Cares service area goes as far north as Valley County and south to the Kansas border, east to York and west beyond Kearney, to Lexington and Custer County.

Our goal is to find nurses in those areas so were really available locally to those patients in those more rural areas, Anderson said. Even though we have those two structural offices, our nurses are really scattered throughout our service area.

She added, We get to our patients in a timely manner when they need us.

Angels Care uniquely does education on disease processes with home visits, Anderson said.

If people are coming out of surgeries and things of that nature, if theyre dealing with chronic illnesses, we have those programs, she said. We also serve behavioral health patients.

Angels Care offers home health care for physical and occupation therapy, speech therapy and a mental health program.

Specialty programs, include diabetes management, and a CHF/COPD (congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) program.

The behavioral health programs include Alzheimers and dementia.

We have quite a few opportunities to help people out there, Hansen said.

Angels Care has been active in the Grand Island community since opening.

Outreach efforts include a tree at Stuhr Museum of the Prairie Pioneer, programs for local caregivers, patients and families, a coat and blanket drive for the homebound, and recently

Gifts for Grands with the Grand Generation Center in Grand Island, which provided gifts, clothes and some new household items for those in need.

For more information about Angels Care services, visit www.angelscarehealth.com.
KEARNEY  The Kearney Public Schools Board of Education will be under new leadership this year.

Wendy Kreis was unanimously elected as the KPS school board president at the boards meeting Monday. Kreis will be taking over for Kathy Gifford, who served two terms as the board president.

The board selected Drew Blessing as vice president and Alex Straatmann as secretary. Kreis, Straatmann and Dave Brandt were chosen to serve on the Committee of American Civics. Straatmann, Blessing and Kreis will serve on the Negotiations Committee. Gifford and Brandt were selected to sit on the search committee for the new superintendent.

Superintendent Dr. Kent Edwards announced last month he would be retiring at the end of this school year. The board approved a contract with the Nebraska Association of School Boards to conduct the search for the KPS superintendent.

During the meeting, Edwards discussed how there has been a dramatic change in the pool of substitute teachers for the district and not for the better.

The landscape has changed dramatically during the last couple of years relative to substitute teachers, he said.

Gifford noted the importance of in-person learning and to have teachers in the classroom. In order to incentivize teacher attendance, the board approved the 2021-22 Certified Negotiated Agreement with the Kearney Education Association. The change in the perfect attendance model will reward teachers who are in their classrooms every day.

The change will see teachers who have perfect attendance get $400 for terms 1-3 and $800 for term 4 that they are not absent for sick leave, personal leave or leave using pay deduction.

Dr. Chelsea Feusner and Melissa Herrmann gave a student assessment update on students in third through eighth grade at KPS. The Nebraska Student-Centered Assessment System information from spring 2021 showed that the state average proficiency was 48% in English Language Arts and 46% in mathematics. The Kearney school district average was 55% in English and 56% in math.

I think it shows the importance of in-person learning, Straatmann said in regard to Kearneys scores.

In other business, the board accepted the resignation for Windy Hills Elementary School first-grade teacher Kiley Isaac, effective at the end of the school year.
Bill Feehan, the chair of the La Crosse Republican Party, recently accused the La Crosse County Board of hypocrisy for approving a Clean Water referendum.

His letter cries out for a rebuttal since it is filled with inaccuracies and hypocrisy. Feehan suggests the county is not doing enough to mitigate the PFAS crisis in the town of Campbell, and begins with a factual error, stating the county appropriated $10,000 to study the problem.

The County Board did, in fact, approve $25,000 toward a feasibility study, and set aside an additional $100,000 towards additional PFAS mitigation expenditures.

The PFAS situation is multi-faceted, extremely challenging and does not lend itself to easy answers. A Government Partners Group, including County Board Chair Kruse, other County Board supervisors, Mayor Mitch Reynolds, town of Campbell officials, the DNR, the DHS and the USGS have been meeting monthly since last March to try to find long-term solutions to the problem. This group has yet to determine a viable path going forward.

Feehan suggests the county spend some of its "windfall" $22.89 million ARPA money to expand La Crosse sewer lines into the town of Campbell.

The cost of such a project would be considerably more than the countys allocation and would likely exceed even the $45 million received by the county and city combined. That would leave nothing for the proposed child care, renewable energy and stormwater infrastructure projects we are currently planning.

Republican leaders in the state Legislature have consistently refused funding that would help alleviate water quality issues across the state, including PFAS. The U.S. Senate recently passed an infrastructure bill that will send $142 million to Wisconsin, including funding to help with PFAS pollution. U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., voted no on this bill.

Feehan mocks the proposal establishing the right to clean water passed overwhelmingly by the County Board. He clearly does not understand that clean water is primarily the responsibility of state and federal authorities.

The irony is that this referendum is needed precisely because the Republican Party and its corporate allies continue to block common sense regulations that protect our water.

Using the PFAS problem as a political cudgel is shameful, because the issue is causing genuine suffering and French Island residents deserve better than ill-informed partisanship. Lets work together to find a solution!

Monica Kruse, Kim Cable, Andrea Richmond (CB leadership team), Peg Isola, Tina Tryggestad, Randy Erickson, Margaret Larson (Executive Committee members), Karen Keil (CB supervisor

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Members of the Democratic and Republican parties in Vernon County that came together in November to gather clothing and personal items for refugees being housed at Ft. McCoy say they have met the immediate needs of that population and are no longer collecting items. The group says the drive was a success and they were able to gather over 12 pallets of material that went to the base over the last month.

The group organized local businesses, churches, civic organizations and nonprofits to collect the items and then shipped the material to Ft. Mc Coy where they were distributed by the nonprofit organization Save Our Allies. The materials included clothing, personal care items, teaching materials, sewing supplies games, books and suitcases.

Initially there were about 13,000 refugees at Ft. McCoy waiting placement. It is unclear how many remain at the base, but the group says the placement of refugees to permanent homes has gone quicker than expected, reducing the need to continue collecting materials.

The groups said the outpouring of support from people and businesses exceeded their expectations and they were able to gather a large amount of materials in a very short time. The group said several businesses in particular stepped up to provide critical items and services. Southwest Sanitation in Viroqua provided large bins to collect and transport materials. Nelson Agri-Center provided a truck and driver to haul the materials to the base. Proline Printing provided printing for posters. Cashton Farm Supply donated pallets and sylerstudio provided graphic design.

Civic organizations helped with setting up collection points and collecting material including the Viroqua Rotary and Viroqua Lions. A number of businesses and organizations collected material including Nelson Agri-Center, Sleepy Hollow Chevrolet, Southwest Sanitation, Cashton Farm Supply, County Seat Laundry, Gundersen St. Josephs Hospital Hillsboro, Quillins Market, Vernon Memorial Hospital, CouleeCap, Viroqua Area Schools and Westby Area Schools.

The group said any remaining materials collected will be distributed to local non-profits and other outlets to help those in need.

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The McIntosh Memorial Library Home Delivery Service program launched in the fall of 2020 and is continuing to grow as it enters year two.

The Home Delivery Service program began during COVID-19 as a way for the community to remain connected to the library and its resources while access was limited due to closures and safety efforts to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, said Library Director Trina Erickson. Providing access to library resources is a fundamental priority of any library. Our goal with creating the Home Delivery Service was to remove any obstacles a person may have to access books, magazines, DVDs, music CDs, and other resources available through the library. The program allows us to service the community beyond the building itself.

McIntosh Memorial Librarys Home Delivery Service allows those unable to access the library on a temporary or permanent basis to receive library materials delivered to their homes once a week at no charge. Anyone residing within the Viroqua Area School District is eligible to apply for the service. The program has been well used by residents of assisted living and nursing home facilities, plus activity directors and staff from local day care centers. Programming and Outreach Assistant Maggie Strittmater is the program manager.

While making a delivery to a local nursing home I was told the staff love to be able to pick out books and movies for the residents, Strittmater said. It is one of their favorite things to do, to go online and select items specifically for the residents and what the staff believes the residents may like. Then it is on their doorstep without having to go anywhere.

The Home Delivery Service program delivers and picks up materials for return to the library on Wednesdays between 12 and 2 p.m. Contactless drop-off and pick-up is an option.

The Home Delivery Service is a fantastic way not only for the residents of Viroqua, but for me to be able to meet new people and grow a relationship through the library, the materials and the resources that are available, Strittmater said. I love to talk books, and see how books, audiobooks, and all the other wonderful things the library has to offer, are a part of a persons life.

To sign up for home delivery or for questions, contact Strittmater at 608-637-7151, extension 7 for an application. The application is also available on the library website at www.mcintoshmemoriallibrary.org or can be picked up at the library circulation desk.

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The La Crosse Police Department has identified the victim in a shooting on the citys North Side over the weekend as 36-year-old Ernest Knox.

Police named Knox in a press release posted to its website on Monday afternoon, which included a photo of the victim but no other personal information.

Officers responded to an incident early Saturday morning at 700 Rose St. and found Knox had been shot. He later died from his injuries at a local hospital.

The police department said in its update that it continues to actively investigate the shooting, which does not appear to be a random act of violence at this time.

Updates will be given to the community as the investigation continues.

Anyone with information on the shooting can contact the La Crosse Police Department at 608-782-7575. Tips can anonymously be provided to the La Crosse Area Crime Stoppers at 608-784-TIPS (8477) or online at lacrossecrimestoppers.com. You can also download the Crime Stoppers App P3 to submit a tip via your phone.

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CHIPPEWA FALLS -- An announcement by the Governors office and the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection today brings welcome news for Wisconsin farmers and meat processors who have suffered from a shortage of laborers in the processing sector.

Gov. Tony Evers announced the allocation of up to $5 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for meat talent development assistance. According to a release from the Governors office, the funding will be used to attract and provide financial support to students in Wisconsin meat processing training programs, as well as support program development and connect the meat processing industry with potential employees.

This effort follows through on support that was proposed in Evers' 2021-2023 budget. During the budget process, $200,000 was designated for a Meat Processor Grant Program, as well as four new meat inspector positions at DATCP, but funding was not made available to improve upon workforce challenges.

There is a severe shortage of skilled butchers, which is why this investment in Wisconsins meat processing industry is so important, Wisconsin Farmers Union President (WFU) Darin Von Ruden said. While the priorities passed in the budget are appreciated, this additional funding addresses the longer-term issues of labor recruitment, training, and retention. Were grateful to the Evers administration for continuing to build on their commitment to investing in Wisconsin farmers and rural communities through the ongoing efforts around meat processing.

Von Ruden noted the announcement is timely, given WFUs recent release of a Meat Processing Report that called for increased funding to train the next generation of meat processors. WFU members identified Meat Processing Infrastructure as a Special Order of Business for the family farm organization in both 2020 and 2021.

Small processors, in particular, have struggled to find skilled workers who can adapt to different roles and understand the unique cutting needs of a range of different carcasses from regional producers, he said. The ability for Wisconsin farmers to direct-market their animals -- an avenue that opens the door to fairer prices -- hinges on our small and mid-scale meat processors in Wisconsin having the labor they need to operate at full capacity and reach their full potential.

Wisconsin Farmers Union is committed to enhancing the quality of life for family farmers, rural communities, and all people through educational opportunities, cooperative endeavors, and civic engagement. Learn more at www.wisconsinfarmersunion.com

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By Azernews

By Laman Ismayilova

Hope 2022 Republican Art Contest and Festival has been successfully held at the Rashid Behbudov State Song Theater.

Over 1400 young talents competed in 32 nominations within a large-scale event held by Azerbaijan Youth Union (AYU), Trend Life reported.

The festival-competition was held in various nominations solo, duets, small groups (up to 8 people), ensembles (up to 24 people), large ensembles (25 and more participants), age categories - kids (up to 7 years old), children in the 1st age category (7 -8 years old), in the 2nd age category (9-10 years old), juniors in the 1st age category (11-12 years old), in the 2nd age category (13-15 years old) and adults (16 years old and older).

The contestants competed in such disciplines as piano, classical instrument, folk instrument (tar, kamancha, saz, canon, accordion, balaban, etc.), academic vocals, pop vocals,mugham, acting, etc.

The most stubborn struggle was played out between the piano soloists in the "children" and "juniors" age categories, as well as between the saz and tar performers.

The jury members deliberated and argued for more than half an hour over the selection of the winners. In some nominations, the judges had the right not to exhibit prizes, marking one or two participants.

"The judges' lineup consisted of highly experienced and honored art workers of the country. The jury members worked for two days for 14 hours. Over this time, they have appreciated the non-stop performances of over 1, 400 participants," said the head of AYU Culture and Arts Department Aziz Azizov.

"I am very glad that in difficult times of the post-pandemic crisis, our teachers continue to share with children their invaluable art. I am deeply grateful to all parents who have chosen this noble and beautiful path in life for their children. We will prepare even more diligently for the International Olympiad of Arts, which will be held in Baku in the first ten days of May, and have already decided to divide disciplines by day and create separate referees for each type of art," he added.

Media partners of the event are Azernews.az, Trend.az, Day.az, Milli.az.
Prosecutors on Monday took jurors through evidence collected from accused murderer Chandler Haldersons home and from the hobby farm where the headless torso of his father was found, including the rifle they believe Halderson used to kill his father and the shoe where hed hidden both his parents phones and drivers licenses.

Halderson, 23, is charged with killing and dismembering his parents, Bart and Krista Halderson, and then burning parts of their bodies in a family fireplace before scattering other parts around southern Wisconsin. The dozens of photos and pieces of physical evidence introduced Monday, the fifth day of testimony, included three rifle magazines containing a total of 55 rounds of ammunition, a bullet fragment and casing, and an ax covered with human blood  all found in the Windsor home Chandler and his parents shared.

Prosecutors say Chandler committed the murders at home on July 1 after his father discovered hed been lying about attending Madison Area Technical College  one of a series of lies prosecutors say hed long been telling the world about his education and his work for American Family Insurance, SpaceX and as a scuba diver. In reality, they say, Halderson was unemployed and had dropped out of school.

The rifle was found behind some boards in the barn on the property where Barts torso was found, but not until three months after the barn was first searched by the Dane County Sheriffs Office in the days after the discovery of the torso and long after the property had been turned back over to its owners, the girlfriend of Chandlers then-girlfriends mother, Cresent LSai, and her family.

Prosecutors brought in witnesses from the Sheriffs Office to explain how the search of the barn was conducted and displayed photos of its interior packed with tools, boxes, two tractors and other items.

Lt. Jessamy Torres said she oversaw that search on July 12 and described missing the rifle as an oversight and human error. LSai found the rifle in October and reported it to the Sheriffs Office.

Deputy Erik Schneider also described how, just after the torso was found, he found several items used for sawing and cutting, including a bolt cutter and saw blade, on the inside of an old oil tank on the LSai property. He was among a group of crime scene investigators who found a tarp stained with a reddish or brown substance in the barn, and he was the one to unpack the rifle and show it to the jury on Monday.

Prosecutors say Chandler was fond of Russian-made rifles like the one found in the barn and had been given such a rifle by a friend with whom he played online first-person-shooter video games.

Crime scene investigator Greg Leatherberry also testified Monday about finding the three rifle magazines hidden behind a section of insulation on a basement wall of the Halderson home, and that the bullets they contained were of the same type as the bullet Chandler had given to his brother, Mitchell, a few weeks before the killings. That bullet had get well written on it and was meant as a gift after Mitchell was diagnosed with diabetes.

Detective Dan Feeney identified photos presented Monday of a plastic Target shopping bag found in a garbage cart on the LSai property. On the bag was a sticker with the first initial and last name of Haldersons girlfriend at the time, Cat Mellender, and inside the bag was another plastic bag containing rags stained with a reddish or brown substance and two Brillo pads.

Mellender was given the bag when picking up groceries on July 1 at Target, according to her testimony last week. That bag was then brought over to Haldersons home on July 2, prosecutors contend. Feeney said when he opened the bag, he first smelled cleaning supplies, which were quickly overtaken by a rancid, putrid smell.

Leatherberry also testified about the drops of blood found near the familys downstairs fireplace, as well as the piece of human bone found in it, and that his attention was drawn to different kinds of burn residue on the fireplaces grate.

I knew that there was something more burnt in this fireplace than wood products, he said.

Testimony from the Sheriffs Office last week was that Barts torso was found in a wooded area of the LSai property three days after Chandler had been seen in the area July 5.

Found in the same stand of woods was a Rubbermaid garbage cart containing a tarp that also appeared stained with a red or brown substance, according to testimony Monday from deputy James Plenty, who noted that in photos of the scene vegetation under the cart was still green, suggesting the cart had only recently been placed there.

Plenty also testified about searching for shoes in the Halderson home in an attempt to match tread marks found at the LSai property to shoes at the home. The jury saw photos of a pair of Brooks Launch 5 running shoes with what appeared to be spots of blood on one of them, and then of a floral-print shoe that had been hidden under some shelving in the Haldersons garage and found to contain two phones and Bart and Krista Haldersons drivers licenses wrapped in a paper towel and foil.

Prosecutors contend that a text message Chandler received on July 4 from his mothers phone  and which he pointed to as proof she was still alive  was really sent by Chandler from his mothers phone after hed killed her.

Other evidence introduced or referenced Monday included:

An email exchange between Bart and Krista about MATC.

A toothbrush head believed to have been used by Krista.

Black lengths of rope found in the Halderson garage and around Barts torso.

An empty bottle of hydrogen peroxide, a common cleaning agent.

A swab containing human blood that had been taken of a drain of a freezer in the familys basement.

On Friday, the jury saw images of parts of Kristas body recovered from undeveloped land owned by the Department of Natural Resources near Prairie du Sac on the Wisconsin River.

The prosecution contends that around the time he killed his parents, Halderson concocted a story about the two of them having left town for the family cabin on July 2 with an unidentified couple. No evidence was found that Bart and Krista had been to the cabin, in Langlade County on Sawyer Lake.

The defense has not presented its case yet and its cross-examination of prosecution witnesses has been limited.

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As supply-chain issues persist and alarms sound over a nationwide truck driver shortage, Lancaster County paints a portrait of a healthy, robust transportation sector.

Sure, companies are hiring. There are hundreds of local job postings for drivers on employment websites such as Indeed. Billboards advertise openings with competitive salaries and benefit packages.

The American Trucking Associations estimate the U.S. is short about 80,000 drivers right now, and fears that figure could double by 2030.

Yet, it might be more useful to look at the issue not as a shortage of truck drivers, but rather one of rising demand for transportation and freight services thats proven challenging to meet.

A lot of people are reaching out for us to do work, said Ben Kreider, transportation director for Lancaster Farm Fresh Cooperative in East Hempfield Township. I dont know where the limit is. We would just keep hiring.

The cooperative employs about 50 drivers, primarily transporting produce, meat and dairy products from more than 100 Lancaster- area farms, including for home delivery. During the lean winter months, however, trucks can be contracted out for other jobs.

Just today, someone came to us and said they want to potentially do daily routes to Connecticut and back, every single day, Kreider said. That alone is two full-time drivers.

Kreider has a bit of an advantage, as only three of the cooperatives trucks require a commercial drivers license, or CDL, to operate  so companies that cant find a qualified driver might opt to split a load between two of his trucks.

Thats not to imply local firms that rely pretty much solely on CDL operators are necessarily struggling to staff up, either.

Theres only one position open that I have a truck for, a second-shift position, said Ryan Garber, president of GFI Transport in Rapho Township. And weve seen some challenges in hiring a second-shift position.

But as far as company trucks, weve been so blessed on driver retention and had very, very little turnover. Weve had a little bit, but not like youre hearing with a few companies that have five, 10 trucks sitting.

GFI Transport employs around 70 drivers and specializes in hauling dry bulk goods such as grain, mulch, stone and fertilizer. Similar to the cooperative, concerns have less to do with meeting obligations to its current customers than passing up all the available new work thats out there.

I could hire 10 trucks tomorrow on the owner-operator side and not even think about what to do with them, Garber said, referring to drivers who own their vehicle and drive on a for-hire basis.

Thats where its kind of really hard as a business. Theres a ton of opportunity. How do we capitalize on it and grow?

Why Lancaster fares better

Garber as well as the Lancaster County Workforce Development Board were both eager to push back on a pessimistic view of the labor situation in transportation.

According to Workforce Development Board data up to date as of November, hiring in the transportation industry has been steadily increasing, with few notable exceptions. Lancaster County added more than 200 heavy and tractor-trailer driver jobs alone in a three-year period, while employment in the entire regional transportation and warehousing industry grew at a rate of over 800 jobs annually during that span.

Notable, too, according to Valerie Hatfield, the Workforce Development Boards director of compliance and business engagement, is Lancasters location quotient, or LQ  a ratio that compares regional and national employment figures.

With an LQ of 1.44 in heavy and tractor-trailer drivers and 1.35 in transportation and warehousing, Lancaster County is performing far more favorably than the rest of the country on average.

Any time its above 1.0, it means theres a higher concentration in your area than nationally, Hatfield said. And transportation has always been on the higher side.

Hatfield suggested one key factor is the prevalence of warehouses in the region, a result of its proximity to numerous dense population centers.

Additionally, Garber pointed to intangibles such as old-school work ethic thats found in Lancasters people, along with a prevalence of employers who try to do right by their drivers.

They know how to take care of people here, Garber said. Im not saying were perfect, but most of your small-to-midsize trucking companies in Lancaster County care about their hometown, care about peoples families and want them to get them home to their kids.

Pain points

Though local employers and industry leaders seemingly have plenty to hang their hats on, even being down a driver or two can have ripple effects on the workforce which, in turn, can make careers in the field less desirable.

Rhoads Energy, a heating fuel supplier based in Lancaster, was looking to add precisely that number to its roster of 35 drivers in early December as the busy winter months approached.

Whether those drivers are hired or not, though, missing a heating fuel delivery is not an option.

Simple math, a driver can do 30 tickets a day, and if you have five guys in a region all doing 30 tickets, now thats 150 tickets, said Mike DeBerdine, CEO of Rhoads Energy. Now 30 of those tickets have to be distributed among the other four  but they have to keep up, maybe have to work extra hours, maybe Saturdays to stay caught up.

You cant leave a customer without heat, so we just have to get it done.

Kreider agreed shortages havent hindered the cooperatives customers, either, but acknowledged drivers are probably being asked to work more overtime than they would prefer.

At certain times we get too busy and that stresses the drivers that we have, Kreider said. Somebody who wants 40 hours might get 50, someone who wants 50 might get 60. A lot of effort goes into balancing that stuff out.

Then theres the stuff that just comes with the job. The American Trucking Associations cites regulations such as drug testing (specifically due to increasing legalization of marijuana) and a lack of overnight truck parking as contributing to people leaving or avoiding careers in transportation.

Long-haul trucking in particular has suffered even as other driving positions have risen simply because fewer people are willing to be away from their families for days or weeks at a time on a regular basis.

All of the regulation that has come over the last 10 years has been driving the older generation to retire, said John Irwin, CEO of CNS Driver Training Center in Warwick Township. Its not just driving a truck. Theres paperwork, rules, getting pulled over all the time, inspection stations.

And what we also hear is most of our trainees want to stay local. They dont want to go cross country anymore, whereas 15, 20 years ago, that was more popular.

Its tough right now.

The good news

Despite the very real challenges facing the industry, the perception that workers arent interested in driving jobs isnt entirely accurate.

In fact, CNS Driver Training Center, with its one-on-one, hands-on CDL tutoring programs, had a strong year, Irwin reported, saying nearly 400 drivers were trained in 2021  a 30% increase year-over-year. The school is currently booked out through February.

Those entering the industry or who are in the market for new jobs are also seeing vastly improved opportunities.

There are big sign-on bonuses right now, Irwin said. Companies are really trying to get drivers and keep drivers.

The median salary for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers in Lancaster County is currently $47,000 per year, according to the Workforce Development Board.

Youre coming into an industry you know you have tons of options and you can make really good money from it, Irwin continued. It depends on the kind of loads you want to go with  local, regional or long haul  but you can choose what you want to do and be picky at this point.

The cooperative upgraded benefits such as health insurance and streamlined its application process. GFI Transport is offering a driver stay-on bonus for new and existing workers. Rhoads Energy recently made every worker in the company an owner through an employee stock ownership plan, or ESOP.

While none of the three employers contacted for this story was willing to divulge wages, each acknowledged the need to entice talent in the existing labor market.

Its not rocket science, DeBerdine said. We try to treat people with respect, provide a livable wage, strong benefits, strong 401(k), very good PTO (paid time off) and just try to make it a fun atmosphere to work.

The bad news

Where many observers see trouble brewing  even those with an optimistic point of view  is in the recruitment of young people.

Specifically, a major deterrent are numerous laws that limit what drivers who are between the ages of 18 and 21 are allowed to do behind the wheel.

Where I think we have a fundamental issue in the United States is, if you are 18 years old, you can get your CDL, Garber said. However, you cant cross state lines until youre 21.

What that means is I can live in York, Pa., and drive 40 miles south and have to stop. I cant drive into Maryland, but nothing stops me from driving into downtown Philly, Pittsburgh, or 250 miles to Erie.

Even as organizations lobby the federal government to loosen certain restrictions, some probably arent going away anytime soon.

Insurance carriers dont like to insure young drivers because theres a big risk there, Irwin said. So even if youre training young drivers that are under 21, theyre going to be very limited on who they can go work for.

Our unique challenge we have in our industry, theyre CDL drivers, but they also require a hazmat endorsement, DeBerdine said. A driver can become a CDL driver at age 18, but cant become a hazmat driver until age 21.

Despite these obstacles, a lot of effort goes toward recruiting.

Rhoads Energy started a program called Next Generation Driver, which has paid for young drivers to get their CDL training at Lancaster County Career & Technology Center. The Workforce Development Board also pays up to $10,000 toward CDL training through the Career & Technology Center and assisted about 70 individuals in 2020 and 21, Hatfield said.

Still, the worry persists that high school graduates may look to different fields because, in many cases, trucking isnt an immediately viable path.

Once that happens, they may be lost forever.

Im not an advocate for every 18-year-old behind the wheel of a truck, Garber said. We have to put them through proper training  but there also has to be an avenue to do that.

We lose a lot of the workforce because potential great applicants come out of high school and really cant go into trucking, thats a fundamental issue. We lose three-quarters of the workforce between 18 and 21, and then they usually dont come back into transportation.
LIFEGUARD TRAINING: Tei Hai Retirement Community will host an American Red Cross lifeguard certification course 4-8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 14, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 15 and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 16, at Tei Hais Stonecroft Aquatic Center, 4000 Tree Line Drive, Honey Brook. Cost is $200 and includes the American Red Cross Lifeguarding Manual. To participate, you must be at least 15 years old and be able to pass a prerequisite skills evaluation that includes a 300-yard continuous swim, tread water for 2 minutes using only the legs, and retrieve a 10-pound brick from the bottom of the pool. For more information or to register, contact the aquatics coordinator, aquatics@telhai.org; call 610-273-9333, ext. 2441.

VIRTUAL POLAR BEAR 5K: The Lancaster Group of the Sierra Club will host the Virtual Polar Bear 5K from Saturday, Jan. 15, to Monday, Jan. 31. Participants will have the opportunity to run, walk or hike in the 3.1-mile race on their own or with their family and friends at any location they desire. Registration fee is $25 through Jan. 31. All attendees must abide by the guidelines and protocols recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Pennsylvania Department of Health in effect on the day they run, walk or hike the route or trail of their choice, and to be aware of trail and environmental conditions. For more information or to register, visit lancastersierraclub.org/home/polar-bear-5k-run-hike-or-walk-your-dog/, lancastersierraclub.org, email sierraclubevent@gmail.com or visit facebook.com/sierraclublancaster.

FOSTER/ADOPTION INFORMATION SESSION: COBYS Family Services will offer a resource family information session at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 18, virtually. This information session is designed for families who want to learn more about foster care and adoption through foster care. During a two-hour educational session, families receive an introduction to the roles, expectations and approval process for COBYS resource families. The session is free and places no obligation on those attending. Child care is not provided. For more information or to reserve space for an information session, contact a COBYS resource home coordinator at 717-656-6580 or careforkids@cobys.org.

WOMANS CLUB MEETING: The Millersville Womans Club will meet at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 18, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 222 N. George St., Millersville. Members will share the books read  either traditional or digital. A short book talk will be followed by a book swap. Any area women interested in joining club are welcome. For more information, call 717-872-4834; 717-284-4588.

Community Calendar runs as space is available. Three weeks notice of an event is appreciated. Please place the date of the event or the deadline date to register at the top of the press release. Email your information to news@lnpnews.com.
A federal judge dropped Lancaster County as a defendant in a wrongful death suit filed by the mother of Ricardo Munoz, the mentally ill Lancaster man who was shot and killed by a city police officer in September 2020.

Though Miguelina Penas February 2021 suit largely focused on the city and the officer who shot Munoz, it also named the county, claiming its policies led to a violation of Munozs civil rights  his death  and citing the relationship between the county and city through 911 dispatch.

Munoz, 27, was killed Sept. 13, 2020, after police were dispatched for a domestic disturbance call, though the family maintained they called police for help because Munoz, who had schizophrenia, was not taking medication.

When officer Karson Arnold arrived at Munozs mothers home in the citys southwest neighborhood, Munoz came running out carrying a knife. As he ran toward the officer, Arnold shot him four times.

U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Schmehl ruled Jan. 4 that dispatchers had no personal involvement in the shooting.

Schmehl also said in his opinion that Pena couldnt show any policy, practice, custom, or training deficiency on the countys part that was related to the shooting, as would be required for the county to remain a defendant.

Additionally, it is not the countys purview  to determine whether city police should carry non-lethal equipment. The county may not be held responsible for the tactical decisions of city police officers who are at the scene of an incident, Schmehl said.

The city has also asked the court to dismiss the case against itself, Arnold and Jarrad Berkihiser, who was police chief at the time. That has not been ruled on.

District Attorney Heather Adams cleared Arnold after an investigation. She said he had no time or opportunity to do anything but run for his life and only resorted to lethal force when he confirmed an imminent threat to his life remained and that de-escalation tactics or less-than-lethal forces, such as a Taser, werent appropriate.
A Maytown man set multiple fires outside a Lancaster city home, then fled police twice when they tried to stop him, according to Lancaster city police.

Alvin Frank Chambers, 31, set both fires outside the same residence in the 500 block of Poplar Street the mornings of Jan. 4 and 5, according to an affidavit of probable cause.

The two fires caused about $900 combined in damage to the home and put multiple people at risk of being killed both times, including three children, police said.

The first blaze was found burning in the homes yard and beginning to spread to the exterior of the residence at 6:42 a.m. on Jan. 4, according to the affidavit. Three children, ages 12, 10 and 5, were inside the building at the time, waking up along with their mother to the smell of smoke and discovering a large fire in their yard.

Police and fire investigators determined the fire was deliberately set outside the home, smelling gasoline in the air as well as finding a burnt paper bag, several pieces of cardboard and a half-eaten burrito among the remnants of the blaze.

The residents again awoke to the smell of smoke the following morning around 4:38 a.m., this time finding a fire on a second-floor balcony with flames licking the door.

One of the residents spotted Chambers sitting in a red Honda CRV in the 200 block of New Dorwart Street watching the blaze. The resident was able to identify Chambers because they had previously matched with him on an online dating site, having ended their relationship with him several months earlier.

Police later spotted Chambers near Laurel and Lafayette streets, but he sped away when they attempted to pull him over, running at least one red light in the process, police said.

East Lampeter Township police then spotted Chambers several minutes later in the 2200 block of Route 30, where he again sped away from officers and ran through another red light. Officers chased Chambers as he continued passing other vehicles while heading east in the westbound lane of Route 30, but ended the pursuit due to his erratic driving.

Investigators later determined the second fire had also been intentionally set, finding a comforter and sheet wrapped around several bottles of propane outside the building.

Surveillance footage in the area showed Chambers igniting the blazes and watching the fires burn before driving away, police said.

Chambers was charged Friday with two counts of arson, both felony offenses, as well as 11 counts of recklessly endangering another person, two counts of criminal mischief, two counts of loitering and prowling at nighttime and two counts of fleeing or attempting to elude an officer.

An attorney was not listed for Chambers in court documents.

Chambers had not been arrested as of Tuesday afternoon, court records show.

Anyone with information about Chambers whereabouts is urged to call Lancaster city police at 717-735-3301 and ask for Detective Toby Hickey.

Chambers was also charged with theft by unlawful taking after stealing $240 from the front register of an East Donegal Township business around 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 29, according to an affidavit of probable cause. Chambers, an employee at the store, was seen on surveillance footage taking money out of the register and putting it in his pants after ringing out a customer, then walking out of the store never to be seen or heard from by his employer since.

A preliminary hearing was scheduled for that offense on Feb. 8 before Judge Scott Albert. Chambers had not been arrested for that offense as of Tuesday afternoon, according to court records.
Lancaster city Councilmember Xavier Garcia-Molina said Monday he plans to resign following Tuesday nights council meeting.

Garcia-Molina, who was elected to the council in 2019, sent his letter of resignation to council President Ismail Smith-Wade-El in the last two weeks. His resignation is effective Tuesday, he said, so he can have more time to care for his mental health and complete a graduate school fellowship program.

I started my term right at the start of the pandemic, and I really wanted to be a councilmember with the goal of representing Lancastrian values of authenticity, fairness and compassion, Garcia-Molina said. As someone with bipolar (disorder), it has really made me realize that its time to heal, and I can only show up as my best self if I prioritize my own mental health.

As a national urban fellow at Georgetown Universitys McCourt School of Public Policy, Garcia-Molina said hes often spending 60-hours per week on schoolwork and at an internship as a senior associate for a New York-based philanthropy firm. These responsibilities, in addition to dealing with his mental health, limited his ability to attend city council meetings and to fulfill his role as much as he would like.

How do I make time for everyone who I value in my life, as well as the responsibilities I hold? Garcia-Molina said. So Im at this point where, how do I prioritize my mental health given how many things Im juggling and the reality of what it takes to be a public servant?

Garcia-Molina, 27, has lived in Lancaster city for most of his life, after moving here as a child from Puerto Rico. Since then, he became a founding member of the countys first LGBT center, and later served on Gov. Tom Wolfs Commission of LGBTQ+ Affairs.

Garcia-Molina said he was most proud of his work as a liaison between the city and police during the 2020 civil unrest. He was consistently at the protests in Lancaster city, helping protesters communicate their messages to the correct officials. In addition, he said he was proud of his role in reimagining community policing and choosing a new police chief, Chief John Bey.

Per state law, the city council will have 30 days to appoint a replacement to fill the remaining two years of Garcia-Molinas term. Smith-Wade-El said the council would release information about the appointment process following Tuesdays meeting.

Smith-Wade-El described Garcia-Molina as a fierce advocate for language access and said he worked hard to increase the transparency and accessibility of city government.

When he said that he could better serve his community by pursuing grad school and the fellowship, I said (to him) Im sorry to see you go, but Im really proud of you and proud of the work weve done together in the last two years, Smith-Wade-El added.

Garcia-Molina said he would stay active in the Lancaster city community, most notably as the leader of a new community equity fund launching later this month through the Lancaster County Community Foundation, a role he will fill alongside Kareena Rios, the vice president of the School District of Lancaster board of directors.

I dont see myself going anywhere in terms of contributing to the community, he said. Its just gonna look a little different.

Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated the nonprofit that will host the community equity fund. It is the Lancaster County Community Foundation.
Pennsylvania House Speaker Bryan Cutler has been in touch with the congressional committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, a spokesperson confirmed on Tuesday.

Speaker Cutler has been in contact with representatives of the Jan. 6 committee, the southern Lancaster County Republicans spokesman said in an email.

The spokesperson, Mike Straub, did not answer specific questions about what Cutlers communications with the committee have regarded, such as whether Cutler granted an interview to the committee or turned over evidence.

Cutlers cooperation was first reported by USA Todays Pennsylvania Capital bureau.

We are barred from discussing any details of that contact while the select committees proceedings are still in progress, Straub said in an email to LNP | LancasterOnline.

The Select Committee to Investigate the Jan. 6 Attack on the United States Capitol has interviewed hundreds of witnesses and gathered tens of thousands of documents to fully examine the events that led to the attempts to overturn President Joe Bidens win over former President Donald Trump in the 2020 election.

Pennsylvania was a particular focus for Trump after he narrowly lost the state.

The committee likely wants to speak with Cutler about two conversations he had with former President Donald Trump in the aftermath of the 2020 election.

Trumps two calls to Cutler in the span of one week came after a Nov. 25 public meeting of GOP legislators in Gettysburg, at which Trump attorneys Rudy Giuliani and Jenna Ellis introduced a parade of Pennsylvania voters who described voting fraud they allegedly witnessed. Giuliani also repeated a number of falsehoods about the election that have been repeatedly debunked.

Cutler told LNP | LancasterOnline in December 2020 that members of Trumps campaign  though not disclosing it was Trump himself who had contacted him  had reached out to Cutler but that Cutler very purposely (has) not communicated with those who had contacted him.

He added that he viewed the communication as ex parte contact, which is a legal term that prohibits a judge or their lawyers from communicating about a case while it is pending.

They are specifically asking for remedies, Cutler said of the contact with Trumps campaign. Ive done my best to refer them to the appropriate folks.

Straub later disclosed to The Washington Post at the time that Trump had asked Cutler, What can we do to fix it?, referring to issues in Philadelphia, and these issues with your law.

Cutler, in turn, told the president that the Legislature did not have the power to overturn the states election results or to decertify the presidential electors won by Biden, The Post reported.

Cutler is a longtime representative from Drumore Township who became the Houses top official in June 2020. At the time of the Trump calls, he publicly criticized the Department of States handling of the election but maintained he and his colleagues did not have the authority to overturn the results.

He joined more than 60 of his colleagues in a letter asking the states congressional delegation to dispute the awarding of Pennsylvanias electoral votes for Biden but also called that just a way to keep options open while litigation was still being considered.

In the month before the Jan. 6 attack in Washington, D.C., Cutlers home was the site of multiple protests. The most notable of these protests took place on Dec. 30, 2020, with more than 100 protesters gathering outside his home and office, following a call to action on a podcast hosted by Trumps former adviser Steve Bannon.

At least one of the protests attendees  Frank Scavo, of Scranton  has been charged for his involvement in the Jan. 6 insurrection attempt, and several others Jan. 6 attendees were present outside Cutlers home on Dec. 5 and Jan. 3.

People need to understand all of the components of every situation and not just focus on what they want to get out of it, Cutler said on Dec. 7, 2020, in reference to efforts from the Trump campaign, his GOP state House colleagues and protesters. Its very dangerous when people make promises (that are) unconstitutional.

Its unclear when Cutler was first contacted by the congressional committee, which has been gathering evidence and interviews from state officials as it attempts to retrace former President Donald Trump's attempts to subvert the 2020 election, particularly in four key states that swung the presidency to Joe Biden, Politico reported Monday.

Pennsylvania, which Trump lost by almost 81,000 votes, is among the few states where Trump aggressively tried to overturn his narrow losses by repeatedly issuing baseless claims of election fraud.

Kathy Boockvar, who conducted Pennsylvania's 2020 election as secretary of state, has spoken with the committee, Politico reported. Boockvar was the target of Republican complaints both before and after the election as she and her department issued guidelines implementing the states new mail-in voting law.
HARRISBURG  In May, GOP lawmakers who control the state House and Senate hired the chair of the Republican Party of Pennsylvania to represent them in legal matters at $575 an hour.

Within three weeks, Lawrence Tabas  one of the states top election lawyers  and his law firm had charged the chambers more than $36,000 for 78 hours of work, records show.

What Tabas did for the legislature, however, is a mystery.

Republican leaders redacted all details about his work from his contract and other public records, continuing into 2021 a stubborn pattern of secrecy surrounding the legislatures agreements with private lawyers, an ongoing review by The Caucus and Spotlight PA shows.

In eight cases that began in 2021, or continued to be billed that year, the House and Senate wholly blacked out the reasons for hiring the private law firm, records obtained through a Right-to-Know request show. In other cases, lawmakers drafted the contract with the outside law firms using language so vague that it is impossible to tell what the case was about.

In doing so, those leaders have continued to flout a 2013 decision by the states highest court that ruled general descriptions of legal services, and the identity of who is being represented, are public information. The Caucus and Spotlight PA are appealing the redactions.

Where  the taxpayers are footing the bill for the legal services, they are entitled to know the general nature of the services provided for the fees charged, a panel of Commonwealth Court judges wrote following the state Supreme Courts decision.

Legislative leaders spend millions in taxpayer dollars each year to hire private law firms through a closed-door process that, unlike other state contracts, is made with virtually no public oversight. These contracts are regularly awarded to law firms that pour cash into legislators campaign coffers, a previous investigation found.

Not only do taxpayers pick up the cost for those legal battles  sometimes twice if the cases involve both political parties or separate branches of the government  but they are also paying for legislative leaders to keep details of those fights under wraps.

In 2021, the House and Senate GOP spent $34,659 to fight attempts by The Caucus and Spotlight PA, under the states open records law, to make public critical details in legal bills from prior years.

The top-paid firm fighting the news organizations appeal: Philadelphia-based Kleinbard LLC. The company also happens to be one of the eight firms whose reason for being hired is completely redacted.

In the first nine months of 2021, the legislatures legal bills totaled $3.5 million, on par with the roughly $5 million the two chambers have spent annually on lawyers in recent years.

Some of that money covered continuing costs for litigation in cases that stretch back years, such as the landmark school funding case now playing out in Commonwealth Court. New legal matters in 2021 included a fight over a state Senate race, a federal investigation into the states teacher pension fund, the drawing of new political districts, Gov. Tom Wolfs mask mandate for schools, and the controversial review of the 2020 presidential election championed by Senate Republicans.

The redacted cases represent nearly 10% of the total spending, with the attorneys involved in the secret work receiving up to $775 an hour.

Spokespersons for House and Senate Republican leaders declined to answer questions about the newly redacted cases. They have previously defended redactions in legal documents in general by saying the blacked-out information, if revealed, would jeopardize legal strategy or reveal private legal matters that arent on a public court docket.

Kleinbard lawyers hired by the Senate to fight an appeal brought by The Caucus and Spotlight PA recently defended the redactions as limited and focused.

All of the redactions involved legal advice outside of the realm of public knowledge, the lawyers wrote of the cases paid for by taxpayer dollars.

Another year of redactions

The Senate paid out nearly $2 million on new legal bills between Jan. 1 and Oct. 15, according to information provided to The Caucus and Spotlight PA through a public records request.

Of that total, $232,042 went toward cases in which the Senate, in public records, redacted the explanation for the legal services.

Almost all of that was signed off on by Senate Republicans. The biggest chunk  $119,471  went to Kleinbard, one of their go-to firms on issues like elections and constitutional fights. Matt Haverstick, one of the firms lead lawyers, declined to comment.

Billing records and engagement letters show that Kleinbard was first hired by the Senate GOP for one mystery case in January 2020, charging between $225 and $775 per hour for its work. In the engagement letter that Senate leaders signed with Kleinbard, they redacted the reason for the firms representation. They also blacked out details in billing records.

The records do give some glimpses into how Kleinbard charges for its work. Just under two hours of research cost taxpayers $531. An 18-minute phone call between two of the firms lawyers on the case racked up $115.50 in February.

Such granular details are also left unredacted in records involving other firms, such as Saxton & Stump; Dilworth Paxson; and McNees, Wallace & Nurick  even as the Senate blacked out the reasons they were hired.

Senate Democrats also redacted the purpose of cases handled by two law firms: Myers, Brier & Kelly, who they paid $2,000, and Greenberg Traurig, who they paid $1,140.

In the House, leaders redacted fewer cases. And in one case, they revealed details they had wholly obscured in years prior.

A previous Caucus and Spotlight PA investigation into the legislatures legal bills in 2019 and 2020 showed that the House blacked out 140 pages of bills they paid to Dilworth Paxson. Through other records, the news organizations found the firm was hired to represent the House GOP in the high-profile education funding case now being heard in Commonwealth Court.

The case, brought by several low-income and rural school districts that contend they have been underfunded by the state for decades, could have a monumental impact on future public school funding.

When the news organizations requested bills for the same case in 2021, the House turned over 60 new pages of invoices that did not redact the purpose, revealing that the chamber had previously obscured this simple phrase: education funding litigation.

Advice and counsel but no details

The most glaring redaction in the new legal records provided by the legislature involves Tabas, one of the most prominent figures in state politics, and his firm, Obermayer, Rebmann, Maxwell & Hippel.

Records show Tabas represented both House and Senate Republicans in a matter that is blacked out in public records provided by the two chambers.

An engagement letter dated May 12, 2021, explains the firm will represent each of the Republican legislative leaders  Senate President Pro Tempore Jake Corman of Centre County, Senate Majority Leader Kim Ward of Westmoreland County, House Speaker Bryan Cutler of Lancaster County, and House Majority Leader Kerry Benninghoff of Centre County  and the members of their caucuses to provide advice and counsel.

But all details about what that advice is in regards to are labeled redacted.

Invoices show three lawyers handled the matter starting May 7, with Tabas as the lead lawyer racking up 27.4 hours over three weeks at his $575 per hour rate. Those invoices refer to the lawyers work reviewing case law in Pennsylvania and elsewhere, strategizing, and making calls  though many details are also heavily redacted.

Redacted Obermayer Case 2021 by Spotlight PA

One week after that May 12 letter, Senate Democrats hired the same firm to represent state Sen. Katie Muth (D., Montgomery) in her role as a board member on the Pennsylvania School Employees Retirement System. But the letter, in that case, was not redacted, revealing the firm was hired to represent Muth as PSERS was under federal investigation.

Senate Republicans also had not obscured details when they hired the Obermayer firm and paid it $348,000 in 2020 for election matters, according to unredacted documents The Caucus and Spotlight PA previously obtained.

Tabas is one of the states preeminent election lawyers. Since 2019, hes also headed the Republican Party of Pennsylvania, which raises campaign money and crafts strategies to elect more Republicans to the legislature and other statewide offices. The party also typically endorses candidates in statewide primary contests, support that carries significant weight in races such as that for governor  which in 2022 is shaping up to be a crowded field.

Among those represented by Tabas in the mystery case is Corman, a leading candidate in a group of more than a dozen people who have announced they will run for governor.

Tabas did not respond to email and telephone requests for comment.

Election costs climb

While it is unclear whether Tabas representation involves an election case, records show the legislature continued to spend thousands of dollars in 2021 on election-related matters.

In 2020, the Senate spent at least $1.2 million on election matters in the lead-up to and aftermath of the presidential contest. Between January and October 2021, the legislature continued to pay bills related to those same cases, adding $319,111 to that total.

For instance, Democrats and Republicans in the state Senate lawyered up in early 2021 after GOP leaders threatened not to seat state Sen. Jim Brewster (D., Allegheny). Brewsters narrow edge over his Republican opponent in the 2020 election was being challenged in the courts, and he eventually prevailed.

That fight cost taxpayers more than $48,000, records show.

Separately, the two chambers spent at least $241,506 on legal advice and work regarding the decennial process of drawing legislative and congressional districts, which is ongoing and could likely cost taxpayers thousands of dollars more.

Redistricting is a hotly contested process  and in decades past has led to years-long legal fights  because it helps determine the balance of power in Harrisburg as well as in Pennsylvanias congressional delegation for the next decade.

Lawmakers are also expected to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on a controversial review of the 2020 election spurred by falsehoods that the presidential election was stolen from Donald Trump. Corman has said the review is necessary to restore public faith in the electoral process.

In September, Senate Democrats challenged a subpoena issued by their Republican counterparts to gather detailed voter information, such as partial Social Security numbers.

Democrats are paying $450 per hour to the firm Dentons, Cohen & Grigsby, while Republicans pushing for the subpoena are paying Kleinbard up to $775 per hour in ongoing litigation, records show. In the end, however, taxpayers are picking up the entire tab.

Invoices for that work are not yet available, so it is not known how much has been spent on lawyers. The legal expenses are separate from the cost of the review itself, which GOP leaders have pegged at $270,000. The spending comes despite numerous other audits confirming the results of the election and finding no widespread fraud.

Spotlight PA is on Twitter @SpotlightPA; Angela Couloumbis is @AngelasInk.

Follow The Caucus on Twitter @CaucusPA; Sam Janesch is @SamJanesch.
By Azernews

By Laman Ismayilova

The National Carpet Museum invites you to join an educational program "Nakhchivan Beauty" within "Fashion Show from Grandmother's Chest" project. The three-month educational program will start on January 15.

The 11-18 years old young people are invited to the take part in the classes organized by the museum's children's department.

The participants of the program will gain theoretical knowledge about the Nakhchivan traditional dress and practical skills. Those who have completed the educational program will be awarded certificates.

Fashion show will be organized as part of the project.

Founded in 1967, the National Carpet Museum never ceases to amaze everyone with its beautiful architecture.

Initiated by eminent carpet artist Latif Karimov, it is beautiful inside and out. The museum's new building is designed in the form of a rolled carpet.

The Carpet Museum stores over 14,000 exhibits of the finest Azerbaijani carpets.

The museum hosts multiple events, including international symposiums, conferences and various exhibitions.

In 2019, the museum received national status for its significant contribution to the popularization and promotion of the Azerbaijani Carpet Weaving Art.

In 2020, the Carpet Museum enriched its collection with beautiful pile carpets purchased by the Culture Ministry at the Sartirana Textile Show in Italy.

The 19th century Guba carpet Ugakh was donated to the Carpet Museum, while Karabakh carpet Chelebi enriched the collection of the museum's Shusha branch.

The Carpet Museum also focuses on cooperation with world-leading museum organizations.

Moreover, the Carpet Museum won Travelers' Choice Awards for the fourth time in a row last year.
When: Penn Manor school board meeting, Jan. 3, with board member Donna Wert absent.

What happened: Board President Carlton Rintz thanked district administrators for their efforts and perseverance in keeping the schools open for in-person instruction. Rintz noted some schools within the commonwealth had to move to virtual instruction due to staff absences following winter break. He highlighted an incident that required an administrator to tackle cafeteria duty as proof of the drive and devotion of Penn Manors staff.

Also: Vice President Joseph Fullerton read a proclamation for Pequea Elementary sixth-grade teacher Elizabeth Raff, commending her for winning Teacher of the Year from the National Teacher of the Year Program through the Pennsylvania Department of Education. He wished her luck as she moves on to the national level and goes on to represent the state at the White House. Raff called the support from Penn Manor overwhelming, saying her time within the district has allowed her to take risks in the classroom.

Quotable: I would not be surprised if there was a future teacher in (her) classroom, Rintz said, referring to Raffs engaging teaching methods and style that positively impacts her students.

Construction update: Superintendent Mike Leichliter, who is retiring at the end of the 2021-22 school year, called Phase 3 of the high school construction project much less intrusive than Phase 2. The kitchen and cafeteria were highlighted as being possibly troublesome considering the tight schedule put in place, but he remains hopeful about the timeline.

Whats next: The next school board meeting will be held Tuesday, Jan. 18. The date was moved from the usual Monday slot due to Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Three South Coatesville Borough Council members were sworn in by Mayor John Long Jr. on Jan. 3.

Council members Ken Bond and Robert Floyd were reelected to four-year terms in November. The third, council member Sylvia Washington, was elected as a write-in to a four-year term.

Washington is returning after previously serving on Borough Council from 1995-2020. She was council president from April 2020 until her resignation in July 2020.

Leadership will remain the same with Montez Jones retained as president and Bond as vice president. Floyd will serve as president pro tempore.

Last year, South Coatesville held unofficial meetings where a quorum was not intact. Therefore, Floyd would lead when the president and vice president are absent and run the meeting if a quorum is present.

After the meeting, Jones said with Sylvia (Washington) returning, there is still a vacancy on council, but we are able to function properly.

Contractors returning to South Coatesville are Siana Law as solicitor, Cedarville Engineering as borough engineer and Barbacane Thornton & Co. as auditor. Coatesville-based LTL Consultants Ltd. will serve as the building code official.

Council will hold its first regular Borough Council meeting of the new year at 7 p.m. on Jan. 11. The meeting will also be hybrid with remote access via Zoom.
THE ISSUE

As LNP | LancasterOnlines Nicole C. Brambila reported Friday, COVID-19 testing is a critical tool for controlling the spread of the novel coronavirus, but nearly two years into the pandemic the United States has struggled to keep a sufficient supply. At-home, rapid-test kits are difficult to find, and most health care providers require a known exposure or symptoms because of the national shortage. Local hospitals have reported a run on emergency departments for routine COVID-19 testing.

Heres a hot tip, read an email circulated Monday among LNP | LancasterOnline staff members.

The tip: A local branch of a chain pharmacy just had received a shipment of COVID-19 rapid antigen tests.

Were not naming the pharmacy and location because its likely the shipment will have been depleted by the time you read this. That is the nature of the scramble these days for COVID-19 tests that can be performed at home.

People are tipping off friends, relatives and co-workers when they stumble upon a stash of the test kits on local store shelves. Once word gets out, the test kits fly off those shelves.

This is no way to combat a pandemic.

While we may not have expected the turbocharged infectiousness of the omicron variant of COVID-19, anyone could have foreseen the likely development of yet another variant. Too many people refuse to mask up in public spaces and our COVID-19 vaccination rates remain stubbornly low and because of this, the virus has been given ample opportunities to mutate. (Only 54% of all Lancaster County residents, for instance, are fully vaccinated.)

Unfortunately, the Biden administration seems to have been caught flat-footed on testing.

President Joe Biden announced last month that the federal government was setting up emergency testing sites in areas that need additional testing capacity.

He also announced that his administration would purchase 500 million COVID-19 rapid antigen tests to be distributed to Americans for free.

But omicron isnt waiting for the distribution of those tests.

So more than 40 U.S. House and Senate Democrats sent a letter to Biden on Monday, asking him to utilize the full scope of his executive power under the Defense Production Act to manufacture enough rapid tests to ensure that each American can take at least one rapid test per week. They also urged Biden to integrate access to free rapid tests in public locations that are already frequented by people in their day-to-day lives.

Encouragingly, the White House announced Monday that beginning Saturday, people with health insurance plans will be able to get over-the-counter COVID-19 tests covered by insurance (insurers will be required to provide reimbursement for eight tests per month for each individual on a plan). The tests must be authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

If your health plan provides for direct coverage, the test will be free at the point of sale; if not, youll need to keep your receipt to be reimbursed by your insurer.

Which is fine. If you have health insurance. And if tests are available to purchase.

The congressional Democrats who wrote to Biden on Monday noted that COVID-19 rapid test kits now are priced roughly between $14 and $34. For families who are struggling financially, the overhead cost may be enough to dissuade purchasing the tests altogether, they pointed out, urging the administration to take these potential hurdles into consideration.

It must. Because testing is critical to reducing the spread of omicron.

Basics of testing

There are two types of COVID-19 tests.

As Brambila noted, A PCR test is a molecular test analyzed in a lab and can detect fragments of the virus even after a patient is no longer contagious. Results can take up to three days, or longer when the labs are backed up. It is considered highly reliable.

An over-the-counter rapid antigen test can deliver results in 15 minutes, but can miss early stages of a COVID-19 infection, Brambila wrote. Studies suggest an antigen test is accurate nearly 80% of the time compared to 97% for a PCR test.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends testing five days after a COVID-19 exposure or when symptoms emerge. As Brambila noted, Testing too soon could jeopardize the results because the body must build up enough of a viral load to be detected.

Right now, medical facilities and pharmacies are facing a crush of people seeking PCR tests, and so may require that people be experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, or to have had a known exposure, in order to be tested.

An important note: Please dont go to the hospital emergency room to be tested. Emergency departments now are filled to overflowing with sick people.

This is yet another instance in which we wish Lancaster County had a public health department that could help individuals  and health care facilities  navigate through this testing crunch.

No quick fix

Theres been a lot of understandable confusion and anger surrounding the CDCs updated guidance on isolating after a COVID-19 exposure or infection.

Today, were focusing on the part of that guidance that recommends testing for COVID-19 at day 5 after exposure. If symptoms occur, individuals should immediately quarantine until a negative test confirms symptoms are not attributable to COVID-19.

This is what the CDC calls the best practice. But its easier recommended than followed, given the scarcity of COVID-19 tests (it also presumes that we know just when we were exposed).

Nearly two years into this pandemic, we should not be scrambling to find and pay for COVID-19 test kits.

At-home tests are not perfect, but they can offer some guidance about our next steps should we be exposed to COVID-19. They can help us to determine whether its safe to return to our normal routines.

We do urge you to stay home and away from other people if you have symptoms  cough, fever, chills, headache, etc.  of any respiratory illness, whether COVID-19 or influenza.

Again, this is easier said than done. We know that if some people dont go to work, they wont get paid. We also know that many employers are facing labor shortages, so some are encouraging employees to return to work even if they dont feel 100% well.

If thats the situation youre facing, please wear a mask and make it a good one: a medical-grade surgical mask, or a KN95 or N95 that fits snugly to your face (see projectn95.org for mask recommendations). As we wrote last week, cloth masks dont offer much protection against the omicron variant.

Dr. Amesh Adalja, an infectious diseases physician and senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, told Brambila that people cannot test themselves too frequently. We want people to test as much as they need to, he said.

The ability to test yourself at will and cheaply is going to be very important, Adalja said.

Alas, we lack that ability now. We hope that is remedied  and soon.
Indeed they are. Update 1/12/22: I talked to the person they were going to hire to do this interview , except he "noped out" when...
Tuesday, January 11, 2022

From CNN:

Seeking a medication abortion becomes harder in South Dakota under the new rule. The new rule requires woman who seeks a medication abortion by taking mifepristone and misoprostol a in-person visit at a licensed abortion facility to obtain those. Under this new rule, South Dakota will be the first state demanding a in-person visit to get the medication abortion drugs.

Typically, women are given both drugs in the same visit to their doctor or a clinic. They take the mifepristone pill at the clinic and are instructed to take the misoprostol pill at home a day or two later. Under the new regulation, women in South Dakota will now effectively be required to make four visits to a licensed abortion facility for a medication abortion. The rule comes after the Biden administration temporarily relaxed federal regulations on medication abortion in April, removing the requirement that mifepristone be dispensed in person during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Proponents of the rule, including several South Dakota physicians, testified that removing in-person visits could lead to life-threatening health complications for pregnant women. Opponents of the rule raised the potential violation of constitutional rights and concerned that new rules would not make the care safer.

Read more here.

https://lawprofessors.typepad.com/family_law/2022/01/more-restrictions-on-seeking-medication-abortions-in-south-dakota.html


A court in military-ruled Myanmar sentenced ousted civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi to four years in prison Monday on two separate charges.

The long-time prodemocracy leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner had been found guilty of violating coronavirus rules and having banned communication equipment.

A legal official reported the information to news agencies on the condition the officials identity be kept secret. The official said the 76-year-old Suu Kyi was sentenced to two years on each charge.

Last month, she was found guilty on two other charges and ordered to serve two-years in prison for those.

Suu Kyi was placed in detention at an unknown site after her arrest February 1, when the military seized power. It is trying her on many charges in a series of cases. She could spend the rest of her life in prison if found guilty of more.

The military seizure came just as newly elected lawmakers were to take their seats in parliament. Military officials said the election in November had been dishonest and that the army was answering the wrongdoing. The countrys electoral commission had rejected the armys report.

Suu Kyis National League for Democracy won a majority of seats in the elections. Top members of her party have also been arrested, including President Win Myint. State Counsellor Suu Kyi served as leader of the ousted government.

Human rights groups have widely condemned the trials of the ousted civilian leaders as corrupt. The groups say Myanmars military is seeking to strengthen its power and remove Suu Kyi as a political force.

The army takeover led to large nonviolent protests across the country. The military has made numerous arrests and used deadly force against the protesters. Nearly 1,400 people have been killed by security forces in violent clashes between the military and citizens, the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners reports. The group has been observing the number of deaths and arrests throughout Myanmar.

The military has restricted contact with Suu Kyi since it seized power. There have been international calls to include the ousted leader in any talks aimed at easing the countrys violent political crisis.

Im Bryan Lynn.

The Associated Press, Reuters and VOA News reported on this story. Bryan Lynn adapted the reports for VOA Learning English.

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The United States and Russia have begun negotiations in Geneva, Switzerland meant to ease tensions over Ukraine.

But the two sides have issued pessimistic statements about the talks.

The talks between Deputy U.S. Secretary of State Wendy Sherman and Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov began Monday at the U.S. diplomatic mission in Geneva.

The talks are taking place while U.S.-Russia relations are at their most tense since the Cold War ended 30 years ago.

The Russian diplomatic mission in Geneva said on the social media service Twitter: "The talks promise to be long and substantial."

Sherman said, "The U.S. will listen to Russia's concerns and share our own" in an earlier tweet from Geneva. The U.S. diplomat added that no discussions on European security would be held without other allies. Discussions will move to meetings in Brussels and Vienna later this week.

Nearly 100,000 Russian troops have gathered within reach of the border with Ukraine. The U.S. and Ukraine are concerned about a possible invasion. Eight years ago, Russia seized the Crimea Peninsula from the former Soviet republic.

Russia denies invasion plans. The countrys officials have said Russia is answering, what it calls, aggressive behavior from the NATO military alliance and Ukraine. Ukraine is friendly with the West and aspires to join NATO.

Last month, Russia presented major security demands to the United States and its allies. Russia wants a ban on further NATO expansion. It also wants an end to the alliance's activity in Central and Eastern European countries that joined it after 1997.

The United States and NATO allies have said large parts of the Russian proposals are nonstarters.

We need legal guarantees

Ryabkov told R.I.A. news agency that Russia would not accept U.S. attempts to limit the talks to discussion of military exercises and missile deployments. Those are the issues that the administration of U.S. President Joe Biden is willing to discuss.



Ryabkov said: "We need legal guarantees of the non-expansion of NATO and the elimination of everything that the alliance has created since 1997."

Russia had tried to show flexibility for the past 30 years and it was time for the other side to be flexible, he said. "If they are unable to do this, they will face a worsening situation in their own security."

The two sides also disagree over Russia's deployment of troops in Kazakhstan after an uprising there last week. Another issue of concern is Russias support for Belarus in a migrant crisis on the EU's border. And U.S. officials are also concerned about Russia's supplying of gas to Europe. U.S. officials worry it is a way for Russia to gain political power over its neighbors.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg will meet the Russian team on Wednesday in Brussels. He said Russia and the West could find a pathway to avoid conflict.

"What we are hoping for is that we can agree on a way forward, that we can agree on a series of meetings, that we can agree on a process," Stoltenberg said.

Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister Olga Stefanishyna appeared with Stoltenberg. She said Russia should not set conditions while its tanks remained near the Ukrainian border.

Ukraine must be present

On the streets of Kyiv, people questioned why their country was not involved directly in the talks.

"I think it should not be this way," said a 59-year-old man who gave his name as Oleh. "Ukraine must be present during those meetings because it is a more interested party than other countries...Ukraine must be sitting in the first row."

Russia has rejected Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelenskiy as a viable negotiating partner. However, the United States and other western governments have said they fully support Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial rights.

Ukraine is not a NATO member. It cannot expect alliance members to defend it. But Biden has repeatedly warned Russian President Vladimir Putin that the United States and European allies would impose strong punishments if Russia chose to invade Ukraine. Putin has said new restrictions could lead to a "complete breakdown in ties."

Im Mario Ritter Jr.

Emma Farge reported this story for Reuters. Mario Ritter Jr. adapted it for VOA Learning English.

__________________________________________________

Words in This Story

pessimistic adj. having or showing a lack of hope for the future; expecting bad things to happen

aspire v. to want to reach a goal, to have or gain something

nonstarter n. something that will not be effective or successful

elimination n. the removal of something

flexibility n. willing to change or to try something different

row n. a line of seats in a theater (front row, first row: the first line of seats in a theater nearest the performance)

sovereignty n. a countrys independent authority and right to govern itself

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LEXINGTON  An Idaho man who fled law enforcement and was pursued for 12 hours near the Overton I-80 interchange in September 2021, pleaded guilty to amended charges in Dawson County District Court.

Matthew B. Davis, 31, of Nampa, Idaho, had been initially charged with possession of a deadly weapon by a prohibited person, a Class 3 felony, possession of a firearm while committing a felony, Class 2 felony, theft by receiving stolen property over $5,000, Class 2A felony and obstructing a peace officer, Class 1 misdemeanor.

Davis appeared in Dawson County District Court before Judge James Doyle for a pre-trial hearing on Friday, Jan. 7.

Davis pleaded guilty to the charges of theft by receiving and obstructing a peace officer.

The Class 1D felony charge of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person was amended to attempt of a Class 1 felony and the Class 2 felony charge of possession of a firearm while committing a felony was dismissed by the court.

A sentencing hearing has been set for Friday, April 1 at 8:30 a.m.

On Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, at 9:32 a.m., the Dawson County Sheriffs Office was notified of a stolen vehicle parked at the Jay Brothers parking lot, near the Overton I-80 interchange.

Deputies made contact with Davis, who was inside the vehicle, according to court documents.

When contact was made, Davis was asleep in the vehicle, but when he woke up, he exited the vehicle and ran south across the lanes of the interstate towards the Platte River, according to court documents.

The Nebraska State Patrol SWAT team was activated, as well as drones, air support and police service dogs. The Dawson County Sheriffs Office alerted people south of Overton to keep their homes and vehicles locked.

Chief Deputy Greg Gilg said Davis would go back and forth across the interstate, returning to the wooded area around the river to hide.

Toward the end of the search, Gilg said the NSPs aircraft located Davis and coordinated with law enforcement on the ground to close in on Davis.

The search lasted for 12 hours, Davis was located and apprehended north of the interstate near mile marker 246, a mile and a half west of where he first fled.
LEXINGTON  A Lexington man accused of possession of child pornography pleaded no contest to the charge on Friday, Jan. 7.

Juan Martin-Tomas, 22, had been charged with possession of child pornography, a Class 2A felony, and visual depiction of sexual conduct, a Class 1D felony.

Martin-Tomas appeared in Dawson County District Court for a pre-trial hearing before Judge James Doyle on Friday. Martin-Tomas pleaded no contest to possession of child pornography; the second charge was dropped by the court.

A no contest plea is neither an admission nor denial of guilt, but the plea is treated the same as a guilty plea.

A sentencing hearing has been set for Monday, Feb. 28 at 8:30 a.m.

According to the probable-cause affidavit, on Dec. 8, 2020, the Omaha Police Department began an investigation into the exploitation of a child. A 13-year-old girl had reported she was contacted on the Snapchat app by an unknown male with the username minutemen308.

The male had requested she send him sexually explicit videos or photos and threatened to expose her if she did not comply, according to the affidavit.

The 13-year-old admitted to the Omaha police that she had created the video, but stated she only sent it to another juvenile in the Omaha school system, according to the affidavit.

Through their investigation, Omaha police determined the unknown male was using an IP address assigned to a Washington Street address in Lexington and forwarded this information to the Lexington Police Department.

One detail in the photos was a red and white striped blanket in the background, according to the affidavit.

Lexington Police officers obtained a search warrant for the address and made contact with Martin-Tomas. They also seized several cellphones, a laptop and a red and white striped blanket from Martin-Tomas bedroom.

During an interview with officers, Martin-Tomas admitted to using the minutemen308 account and allegedly knowing the age of the 13-year-old, according to the affidavit.

He had allegedly told the 13-year-old female he was the same age, in order to get her to participate.

Martin-Tomas was then booked into the Dawson County Jail.
By Azernews

By Orkhan Amashov

Armenians from all walks of life, ranging from keyboard warriors and pundits of dubious credentials to commentators of some repute and politicians, appear to enjoy schadenfreude at the topsy-turvy state of affairs entrapping Kazakhstan.

Signs of enchantment are particularly rife within the Armenophile segment of the Russian establishment. The views expressed by Margarita Simonyan, the editor-in-chief of the English language news network RT and Sputnik, both owned and funded by the Russian government, were perhaps the apex of the anti-Kazakh hysteria.

She unceremoniously, in an affected manner befitting a hysterical provocateur, put forward six conditions in return for Russian military assistance. The demands, expressed in the most aggressive-militant fashion, include the recognition of Crimea as a part of Russia, the installation of Russian as a second state language, the protection of Russian schools, a return to the Cyrillic alphabet, loyalty to the boss, by whom she meant Russian President Vladimir Putin, and the suppression of Kazakh nationalists, to whom she referred to as Nazis.

The puerile Armenian jubilation at the expense of the recent Kazakh upheaval and Simonyans ultimata, which have also been voiced by many others of her ilk, are not a mere expression of pointless disdain. The memory of Nur-Sultans support for Azerbaijan in the Second Karabakh War is fresh and not likely to be forgotten soon.

In addition, Kazakhstan is a Turkic nation, which Turcophobe Armenians have long been in the habit of describing as a country of uncultivated barbarians, who were civilised thanks to Russian subjugation, and, interestingly enough, some invented Armenian cultural mission. This mindset has given rise to vicious attacks, aimed at casting aspersions on the legitimacy and righteousness of the Kazakh nation-building process.

Some may think that the attention ascribed to Simonyans bombastic utterances is disproportionate, as the Russian public view is multilayered. One is bound to beg to differ. What she says matters a great deal, as she is not a mere journalist driven by incurable prejudices. She may not be an official spokesperson for the Kremlin, but she is entrusted with the strategic function of running a vital Muscovite information war instrument. Whatever she says as to foreign policy and other issues, she says in that capacity.

Simonyan belongs to the cast of individuals who are at the heart of the establishment, and yet are not officially in power. They are in a uniquely advantageous position to enjoy the publicity, access to federal TV channels and say unorthodox and quite often outrageous statements not befitting those encumbered with official duties.

She, the veteran politician Vladimir Jirinovsky and others are quite often perceived as ones whose duty is to forge a prelude to official asseverations of the same content, albeit voiced in milder language. Simonyan is not the official face of the Russian state, but she is part of its system, with which she is inextricably connected.

Her carefully cultivated public persona entails a dangerous toxic substratum in which both dormant Russian supremacist pretensions and Armenophile aspirations happen to be firmly entrenched.

Some accuse Simonyan of trying to be more Russian than most ethnic Russians themselves. At first glance, such a remark may be perceived as unworthy, as she was born and bred in Russia and perfectly entitled to feel as Russian as anyone else.

And, after all, national identity, in advanced civil societies, is no longer exclusively about blood and soil, but of the way one feels, about a sense of belonging. Simonyans case is different. Throughout the years, she has done everything humanly conceivable to pass as a Hurray Tsar patriot. She has gone as far as to admit she is of imperial Russian mindset and proud of it, to boot.

Simonyan could be accused of stirring unrest in many ways, but not of lack of intellect. She knows the weaknesses of the western commentators entrapped in the confines of their own culture wars. She has mastered the technique of appealing to some legitimate Russian concerns, emboldening their just rasion detre with excessive embellishments so as to achieve a larger distortion founded on the basis of grains of truth. This is what is called a propaganda which does not care for objectivity. It is always about the importance of looking objective, rather than being objective.

She has not got the subtlety and gallant imperturbability of Soviet-age Vladimir Pozner, former propagandist. Her craft is different. Simonyan's art is designed to provoke and cause anger and feed on this reaction. She has attained integrity of her own, the key creed of which is the principle of continuous and harmonious deceit.

But when it comes to her opinionated rot as to Kazakhstan, her propaganda fails to fulfill its main objective - serving Russia through the information war. No self-respecting Kazakh with a sense of dignity would have found himself induced to think nicely of the Kremlins intentions on the basis of her propagandist lechery.

The anti-Kazakh feelings of Simonyan and others of her kind are deeply intertwined with a specifically Armenian hatred of Muslim-Turkic entities. It has very little, if anything, to do with genuine sympathy with the plight of their historic homeland.

Armenia is enfeebled. Its expatriate diaspora is disgruntled and in a continuous state of hysteria. The unrest in Kazakhstan might have provided some relief, but it has not sorted out any of Armenia's urgent needs or issues. It has perhaps revealed pitiful degradation and vacuity. When joy is derived from embellishing the troubles of others, the future is no more than bleak.
Two of the three Republican candidates for Idaho secretary of state have just demonstrated themselves unfit to be the Gem States chief elections officer.
A volunteer with the LTP, Jay Salsburg, had noticed that the perimeter of the historic Land Office (theaters dressing rooms since 1933) was four feet longer than the interior wall, meaning that the inside contained an extra space ...
Betty Whites third and final husband was from Mineral Point, and the actress had been spotted more than once in the city of 2,625.

Locals were so anxious for her return, they had been buying her beers in advance for years.

Commerce Street Brewery, about 50 miles southwest of Madison, has a blackboard in its taproom that lists a persons name followed by the number of beers they have waiting for them.

Owner Mike Zupke started the practice a couple of years before he closed temporarily starting in March 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions.

White had 41 beers to her name when Zupke reopened last year, a number that quickly rose after she died Dec. 31 at age 99.

After National Public Radio ran a story about the tally on Friday, the number exploded, Zupke said.

As of Monday, the Golden Girls star was up to 396 beers, which at $5 a pint is $1,980  a sum Zupke plans to donate to the Iowa County Humane Society and other local animal shelters by the end of January.

Zupke, 43, said he has been touched by the donations that have come in through links on the brewerys website and Facebook page.

I could see the ZIP codes, he said. Theyre just all over the country and that kind of blew my mind. Its from one coast to the other and everywhere in between.

Giving the money to animal shelters is in line with Whites well-known devotion to animals, which has led her fans to create the #BettyWhiteChallenge to donate to animal causes on Jan. 17, when she would have turned 100.

White married Allen Ludden, who hosted the TV game show Password, in 1963. When he died in 1981 at age 63, White attended his funeral in Mineral Point.

There was speculation that she would be buried next to him, but her agent told ABC News that wasnt going to happen.

What Ive heard from people who were close to the Ludden family is that she had been here a few times to visit the grave, but it was always a very hush-hush kind of a visit, Zupke said. There was no paparazzi around. She did it very quietly.

This isnt the first time Zupke paid tribute to White. For her 97th birthday, he created a blonde ale, the Blonde Betty.

After she passed, there was such interest, we said, We need to bring something back, Zupke said, adding that he had a cream ale ready that he named the Blonde Betty II.

He had one couple come from Milwaukee to fill a growler because their 82-year-old mother wanted the beer, Zupke said.

Most people will never drink a Blonde Betty, he said, but they wanted to do this nice thing and thats pretty sweet.

Read more restaurant news at: go.madison.com/restaurants

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By Azernews

By Vugar Khalilov

Azerbaijani police have seized the Armenian-left munitions in liberated Shusha city, Azertag reported on January 11.

As a result of the raid, the Shusha region police department along with the State Security Service and Azerbaijans Mine Action Agency identified six Fagots (wire-guided anti-tank missile system), five Mukhas (short-range, disposable light anti-tank rocket launcher), a machine gun, a grenade launcher, eight grenades, 110 different types of shells, three machine-gun boxes, 2,712 bullets of different calibers and other ammunition, which were left by the Armenian military during the 44-day war in Shusha in 2020, the report added.

It added that the law-enforcers take necessary steps to clear the liberated territories of mines and other explosive devices, as well as to collect the weapons left by the Armenian military units during the withdrawal.

Azerbaijan continues mine-clearance activities on its territories liberated from Armenias occupation.

Azerbaijans Mine Action Agency neutralized 10,472 anti-personnel, 4,775 anti-tank mines and 13,214 unexploded ordnances from November 10, 2020, to December 30, 2021. Some 6,777 hectares were cleared of munitions during the reported period.

It should be noted that Azerbaijans Mine Action Agency (ANAMA), along with the partner countries, carries out demining activities on its liberated territories.

Armenia deliberately and constantly planted mines on Azerbaijani territories, in violation of the 1949 Geneva Convention, thereby being a major threat to regional peace, security and cooperation.

On December 9, 2021, the Prosecutor-General's Office has reported that 29 civilians and seven military servicemen were killed, as well as 109 servicemen and 44 civilians received injuries of varying severity as a result of mine explosions in the countrys lands since November 10, 2020.

Previously, on June 12, Azerbaijan handed over 15 Armenian prisoners in exchange for a map detailing the location of 97,000 mines in formerly-occupied Aghdam.

On July 3, Armenia submitted to Azerbaijan maps of about 92,000 anti-tank and anti-personnel mines planted during the occupation of Fuzuli and Zangilan regions.

Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a Russia-brokered peace agreement on November 10, 2020, to end 44 days of fighting and work toward a comprehensive resolution.
A man was arrested Monday in connection with a December shooting in a Home Depot parking lot that injured two people, Madison police said.

Officers took Alvon D. Ladd into custody without incident Monday morning, Madison police spokesperson Stephanie Fryer said in a statement. It's unclear what connection he has with the crime.

Ladd has been tentatively charged with battery, criminal damage to property, disorderly conduct and a probation violation, according to Dane County Jail records. Those charges could be related to another incident.

On Dec. 22, officers responded to the 4500 block of Verona Road around 1:15 p.m. because of report of a shooting, Fryer said. A man and a woman were injured and had called police from the gas station across the street.

The man was shot in the wrist, and the woman sustained a shrapnel injury, Fryer said. Both were taken to the hospital.

The two had been meeting someone in the parking lot to purchase drugs, Fryer said. Then someone fired at their vehicle.

Fryer said police believe the people involved may have known each other. Officers are trying to determine whether the victims were targeted.

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A town of Madison man was charged Tuesday with attempted homicide after a neighbor said the man burst into the neighbors apartment armed with a knife on New Years Day and attacked him, but the neighbor was able to knock the man out and call police.

Jeffrey A. Wealti, 61, was arrested on Jan. 1 for an incident in the 1000 block of Ridgewood Way that left the neighbor with scalp injuries from having his hair pulled by Wealti, according to a criminal complaint filed in Dane County Circuit Court. The knife Wealti was brandishing had a 6-inch blade, the complaint states.

Wealti was charged with attempted first-degree intentional homicide with a dangerous weapon and armed burglary with a dangerous weapon.

Wealti has a history of mental health issues, according to the complaint, and when police contacted him, he said he didnt know why he entered the neighbors apartment but lost control.

I didnt mean to, I just did it, Wealti told Detective Robb Hale. He repeated several times that he lost track.

Town of Madison police said Wealti was taken to a hospital and was still recovering there from his injuries. The complaint issued Tuesday also included an arrest warrant.

The neighbor told police he didnt know Wealti but believed Wealti may have welcomed him to the condo association about a year ago when he moved in.

According to the complaint:

The 24-year-old neighbor told police he was watching college football on TV when he heard scratching or banging on his door. He could not see who it was, so he unlocked the door and opened it to find his neighbor, Wealti, standing there holding a large knife in one hand, along with a jar of jelly and a can of Raid insect spray.

Wealti immediately charged into the apartment and said, Youre gonna die today, and Youre a dead man. The neighbor grabbed the knife with both hands and Wealti bit him on the forearm. The neighbor pushed Wealti onto a love seat and as they wrestled, Wealti said, Youre a lot stronger than I thought youd be.

At that point, the neighbor said he asked Wealti, Whats wrong with you?

As the struggle continued, Wealti pulled the neighbors hair. The neighbor got on top of Wealti and elbowed him in the head five to 10 times until Wealti was unconscious.

The man told police he was the most scared (Ive) ever been, adding he thought Wealti was going to kill him.

The man needed three staples to close a wound on his scalp caused by Wealti pulling his hair. He also had a scratch at least six inches long on his chest.

The complaint states Wealti is known to town of Madison police as having a history of delusional paranoia. On Christmas Eve, he was contacted by Hale after he was seen walking around carrying barbecue and kitchen utensils that included a large knife with a red handle, which appeared to be the same knife he brought to his neighbors home on Jan. 1.

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A mistrial was declared Monday in the weeklong trial of two brothers accused of killing another man during a 2020 shootout on Madisons Far West Side after two necessary prosecution witnesses tested positive for COVID-19.

Last week, a jury was selected and opening statements were heard in the trial of Jeffrey D. Briggs Jr., 27, of Madison, and his brother, Javion D. Briggs, 19, of Sun Prairie. They are charged with first-degree intentional homicide for the shooting death of Jason I. Eggleston, 30, of Madison, at the Wexford Ridge Apartments on Flower Lane on Oct. 31, 2020.

The lawyer for Jeffrey Briggs said in his opening statement last week that his client was acting in self-defense when he shot Eggleston, calling events that preceded the shooting an ambush.

Testimony in the trial was to start Monday, until Assistant District Attorneys Dan Hess and Will Davis said two of their necessary witnesses tested positive for COVID-19 and are unable to testify this week. The names of those two witnesses were not immediately available.

Lawyers for the Briggs brothers, Adam Welch and William Ginsberg, objected to the motion for a mistrial, but Circuit Judge Ellen Berz granted it. Welch said later Monday he had no comment on the mistrial.

One of two other men alleged to be part of the shootout, Kimeionta Stanley, 25, pleaded guilty Monday to possession of a firearm by a felon. His sentencing will be set after the trial for the Briggs brothers. A plea agreement with prosecutors does not specify a sentence that prosecutors would agree to recommend as part of the deal.

A criminal complaint states Stanley picked up the Briggs brothers in his car just before the shooting began. Stanleys cousin, Kairen Stanley, 18, of Milwaukee, who was shot in the chest during the shootout, is charged with first-degree reckless injury for allegedly shooting Javion Briggs in the face during the incident.

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Employers would be required to allow proof of prior COVID-19 infection  known as natural immunity  as an alternative to vaccination and regular testing under a Republican proposal taken up by the state Senate, even though studies show unvaccinated people are more than twice as likely to get reinfected with the virus than vaccinated people.

The bill, which came before a public hearing Tuesday, would almost certainly be vetoed by Democratic Gov. Tony Evers, who has continually clashed with Republicans regarding COVID-19 policies and whose communications director said he did not support the bill.

If passed, the bill may also dampen the federal requirement for tens of millions of workers at medium and large businesses to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or submit to weekly tests, which may be blocked by the U.S. Supreme Court as soon as this week.

Similar bills passed last year in Florida and Arkansas, though Arkansas Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson allowed the bill to become law without signing it because, he said, the natural immunity conversation has been harmful to our goal of encouraging vaccines.

The Wisconsin bill has drawn opposition from several Wisconsin medical organizations, including the American Lung Association in Wisconsin, Wisconsin Public Health Association and Wisconsin Medical Society, which all noted vaccination is the best COVID-19 deterrent and cited the lack of evidence on how long natural immunity may protect people from reinfection.

For most of the hearing, Republican lawmakers and bill supporters  including a nutritionist and a nurse from the National Vaccine Information Center, which advocates against vaccine mandates  testified that they consider natural immunity to be at least as effective as being vaccinated. Opponents submitted written testimony but mostly didnt appear before the committee.

This bill seeks to give another tool in the toolbox not only for employees who are potentially looking at a significant loss of employment but also employers who are looking to just do the right thing and maintain their workforce, bill co-author Rep. Cody Horlacher, R-Mukwonago, said at the Senate Labor and Regulatory Reform Committee hearing Tuesday.

Substitute for vaccination?

Dr. Ajay Sethi, a professor at UW-Madison and director of its Public Health masters program, told the Wisconsin State Journal in an interview that communicating to the public that natural immunity is a substitute for vaccination will lead to more hospitalization and deaths.

If the bill becomes law, Sethi said, you would have people who falsely believe that they are protected against reinfection. And the science continually shows that people who are unvaccinated, even if theyve had COVID before, are more likely to be hospitalized compared to people who are vaccinated and havent had COVID before.

Sethis warning comes amid record COVID-19 hospitalization rates in Dane County and data from the state Department of Health Services showing that unvaccinated people are hospitalized at a rate nearly 11 times higher than people who are fully vaccinated.

While studies have shown natural immunity does work as a COVID-19 deterrent, most suggest it isnt as effective as being fully vaccinated. Last year, researchers in Kentucky found that unvaccinated people who previously had COVID-19 were over two times as likely to be reinfected as vaccinated people who previously had COVID-19.

In a statement released alongside the study, CDC director Dr. Rochelle Walensky encouraged previously infected unvaccinated people to get vaccinated.

Getting the vaccine is the best way to protect yourself and others around you, she said.

Another study by Yale University and University of North Carolina at Charlotte researchers suggested natural immunity is short-lived.

Reinfection can reasonably happen in three months or less, said Jeffrey Townsend, a professor of biostatistics at the Yale School of Public Health and lead author of the study. Therefore, those who have been naturally infected should get vaccinated. Previous infection alone can offer very little long-term protection against subsequent infections.

At the hearing Tuesday, bill co-author Sen. Mary Felzkowski, R-Irma, pointed to an Israeli study that showed breakthrough infections after vaccination were 13 times more likely than reinfections in unvaccinated people.

Bill Hanage, an epidemiologist at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health who analyzed the study, told the New York Times that the vaccinated group included more people with conditions that would weaken their immune response, so reinfection would be more likely.

Fight over mandates

Since vaccines came out, COVID-19 vaccine mandate policies and bills have led to repeated clashes between the Evers administration and Republican legislators in Wisconsin, and dozens of court cases nationwide.

Last April, Evers vetoed a GOP-authored bill that would have prohibited public health officials from requiring individuals to get a COVID-19 vaccine.

Our response to this pandemic should be about following the science and public health experts and working together to save as many lives as we can, not finding ways to make it harder to fight this virus or keep Wisconsinites safe, Evers said in the veto message.

In October, the Department of Administration began requiring executive branch agency employees to submit for weekly COVID-19 tests if they were not fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or havent submitted their vaccination status.

That requirement drew ire from Republican legislators, including Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu, R-Oostburg, who said, Governor Evers seems intent on following Joe Biden into legal quicksand in their continued attempts to exert unilateral control over peoples lives.

The Republican bill does not stand alone in considering natural immunity as a viable COVID-19 defense.

In early January, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, who has not been vaccinated and has had COVID-19, told conservative WISN-AM radio host Vicki McKenna, Why do we think that we can create something better than God in terms of combating disease? Why do we assume that the bodys natural immune system isnt the marvel that it really is?

Johnsons comments are among a string of false or misleading suggestions about COVID-19, including that mouthwash, ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine are effective treatments for COVID-19.

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BURLEY  Sabastian Juarez and three classmates  Tanner Pratt, Jonathon Lizardi and Andres Gutierrez  have taken control of their futures and are ready for full-time careers with solid livable wages.

The four high school students recently completed a multi-year registered apprenticeship for machine operators that included 150 hours of early-morning classroom work and 2,000 hours of on-the-job training, preparing them for a full-time career with a solid livable wage.

Juarez is 21 years old now, and hes got a full-time job with High Desert Milk in Burley, making $25 an hour as an assistant shift supervisor.

Sabastian, hes phenomenal, said Tory Bailey, the human resources manager at High Desert Milk and an classroom instructor for the machine operator apprenticeship program. He can run anything in the plant. Hes very driven and a quick-learner.

The Idaho Department of Labor spent five years building the Machine Operator Apprenticeship  School to Registered Apprenticeship Program (STRAP) from scratch at the request of local manufacturing companies like McCain Foods, High Desert Milk and Farbi-Kal in the Burley area.

Juarez started the program as a senior in high school. It sounded like a good opportunity to work toward a solid-paying job close to home, he thought. But it was demanding  he had to get up early to attend educational classroom training sessions from 6:30 to 7:20 a.m., grab some breakfast, and then dash to Burley High School for the day.

It was rough in the beginning, he said. But Im feeling pretty good about it now. The program really boosted my career and helped me out a lot. Its also helping out our community.

Gov. Brad Little issued a proclamation on Nov. 15 highlighting the benefits of Idahos robust and growing apprenticeship programs during National Apprenticeship Week.

Apprenticeships offer a win-win for employees and employers, Little said. Employees get on-the-job training and classroom instruction specifically designed for the career they choose, along with opportunities to advance. Apprentices learn while they earn a certification, gain practical experience, start working immediately, and receive built-in mentoring and support.

Forty-five percent of Idaho students do not go on to college after high school, so the U.S. Department of Labor Registered Apprenticeship programs can be a great opportunity for students to go through the training and land a solid good-paying job right out of high school.

Many businesses in Idaho are having a hard time filling vacant positions right now, as evidenced by help wanted and now hiring signs posted everywhere statewide. The Idaho Department of Labor has been working to create more apprenticeship programs to provide a skilled workforce in a wide variety of occupations.

The department now has 381 apprenticeship programs in 102 occupations. There are more than 1,700 active apprentices going through the classroom and on-the-job training, with 215 program sponsors and 171 additional employer partners participating in the program. In general, the Department of Labor covers the cost of the education training, and the employers pay the students a competitive wage while theyre learning on the job.

The extensive classroom and on-the-job training programs ensures that apprentices are ready to hit the ground running in the workplace, officials said.

These young men and women come right out of high school, and theyre much farther along than an adult who might want to apply for the same position, Bailey says. The apprentices come with so much knowledge after two years of learning and training.

Robin Page, HR specialist for McCain Foods in Burley, agrees.

With the labor market the way it is, its been a struggle to get enough skilled people to work here, she said.

One of the recent graduates, Tanner Pratt, has been hired full-time following his apprenticeship with McCain Foods.

During the on-the-job training, they learn what to expect and what is expected of them, Page said. In the classroom training, they learn how important these machines are to keep the plants running, and theres a lot to learn about running the machinery, and there are a lot of safety protocols they learn about as well.

McCain Foods makes french fries (battered, non-battered, straight cut, spirals and crinkle cuts), hash browns (cubed and shredded) and tater tots at their Burley plant.

We have four more apprentices working for us as juniors or seniors in high school, so we have more people in the pipeline that may come to work for us full-time when theyre finished. Its been totally worth it for us to be involved in the program, Page said.

Apprentices can choose to move on to college, if they wish, officials point out. Many of the employers will contribute to an employees college education.

In the greater Magic Valley area, Bailey sees much more potential with manufacturing or machine-operator apprenticeships with companies like Chobani, Clif Bar, and more.

Wed love to see more companies stepping up to sponsor the program in the manufacturing sector, he said.

Juarez is happy with his full-time job at High Desert Milk at the moment. Hes got his own place to live, and hes got the cash flow to enjoy the things he wants in life.

Id recommend the program to anyone, he says. You have to work hard, but theres a payoff in the end. You can go on to college if you want, or move up the chain of command, its your choice. Im pretty happy with the way things are now for me.

Go to the Idaho Department of Labor Apprenticeship Programs website for more information about IDOL apprenticeship programs and how to apply.

Steve Stuebner is a professional writer who writes about Idaho Department of Labor apprenticeship programs.

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Another priority: Get more doctors to Idaho

The Idaho Medical Association, which represents Idahos thousands of physicians, also is working with the Idaho State Board of Education and the Idaho Legislature to expand medical residency programs in Idaho.

Legislators have been awesome in providing new funding to allow more positions to be created, in keeping with a 10-year strategic plan, said the associations CEO Susie Keller.

This will be the fifth year IMA comes to the Legislature to ask for more money  at a time when the pandemic has delivered two years of direct and indirect hits to the medical community.

Idaho is second-to-last in the number of primary care physicians per capita.

Aside from the need for health care providers, Keller says theres economic appeal to residency programs. One of the key factors in where a doctor settles is the location of their residency, where they spend years building relationships. More residency spots will likely equal more doctors living and working in Idaho, according to Keller and health care officials.

The state of Idaho gets this amazing return on investment for the money they put into training a doctor, Keller said.
The first Christmas Bird Counts were conducted on Christmas Day, Dec. 25, 1900. The annual census arose from a proposal made by famed ornithologist Frank M. Chapman. According to Audubon.org, these yearly counts, conducted throughout the country, have provided a wealth of data over the past century.

Observations made due to CBCs have helped Audubon researchers, conservation biologists, wildlife agencies and other interested individuals to study the long-term health and status of bird populations across North America. When combined with other surveys such as the Breeding Bird Survey, the data provides a picture of how the continents bird populations have changed in time and space over the past 100 years.

The Lee and Lois Herndon Chapter of Tennessee Ornithological Society, otherwise known as the Elizabethton Bird Club, has a long history of participation in the annual Christmas Bird Count. In fact, the club has conducted two different counts  one for Elizabethton and another for Roan Mountain  for decades. The 2021 CBC marked 79 unbroken years in conducting a CBC for Elizabethton. The club has also conducted 69 Roan Mountain CBCs, but inclement weather on the unpredictable Roan has forced cancellation of this count on a few occasions.

Many of the birds found on these two winter surveys can also be found throughout other counties in Western North Carolina and East Tennessee.

The 79th consecutive Elizabethton Christmas Bird Count was held Saturday, Dec. 18, with 27 observers in seven parties. Counters tallied 69 species of birds, which is below the recent 30-year average of 73 species. The all-time high was 85 species counted in 2017.

The weather on count day, light rain for much of the day, contributed heavily to the lower total. Few ducks due to a mild season also was a factor.

Notably absent were species such as Double-crested Cormorant, Turkey Vulture, Palm Warbler, White-crowned Sparrow, Eastern Meadowlark, Common Grackle and Brown-headed Cowbird. Several species were found in low numbers, also largely due to the rain.

The list for the Elizabethton CBC follows:

Canada goose, 562; Mallard, 162; redhead, 11; ring-necked duck, 1; bufflehead, 179.

Wild turkey, 31; common loon, 2; pied-billed grebe, 7; horned grebe, 20; and great blue heron, 19.

Black vulture, 1; sharp-shinned hawk, 2; Coopers hawk, 10; bald eagle, 3; red-shouldered hawk, 1; red-tailed hawk, 4; and American kestrel, 12.

Killdeer, 3; Wilsons snipe, 1; ring-billed gull, 1; rock pigeon, 329; Eurasian collared-dove, 1; and mourning Dove, 205.

Eastern screech-owl, 4; great horned owl, 1; barred owl, 1; and belted kingfisher, 14.

Red-bellied woodpecker, 36; yellow-bellied sapsucker, 12; downy woodpecker, 25; hairy woodpecker, 6; Northern flicker, 23; and pileated woodpecker, 16;

Eastern phoebe, 16; blue jay, 182; American crow, 373; and common raven, 6.

Carolina chickadee, 145; tufted titmouse, 99; white-breasted nuthatch, 13; red-breasted nuthatch, 1; and brown creeper, 4.

Winter wren, 6; Carolina wren, 110; golden-crowned kinglet, 29; ruby-crowned kinglet, 20; Eastern bluebird, 128; hermit thrush, 4; and American robin, 443.

Gray catbird, 1; brown thrasher, 3; Northern mockingbird, 69; Eurasian starling, 1,110; cedar waxwing, 120; orange-crowned warbler, 1; and yellow-rumped warbler, 176.

Eastern towhee, 13; chipping sparrow, 3; field sparrow, 19; fox sparrow, 1; song sparrow, 193; swamp sparrow, 3; white-throated sparrow, 62; dark-eyed junco, 48; and Northern cardinal, 176

Red-winged blackbird, 5; house finch, 57; American goldfinch, 83; and house sparrow, 16.

Observers for this count were Fred Alsop, Rob Armistead, Judith Baird, Jerry Bevins, Tammy Bright, Kevin Brooks, Cade Campbell, Debi and J. G. Campbell, Catherine Cummins, Harry Lee Farthing, Dave Gardner, David and Connie Irick, Rick and Jacki Knight, Roy Knispel, Vern Maddux, Tom McNeil, Brookie and Jean Potter, Pete Range, Judi Sawyer, Bryan Stevens, Kim Stroud, Scott Turner and Charlie Warden.

The 69th Roan Mountain Christmas Bird Count was held Sunday, Dec. 19, with seven observers in three count parties participating in the event.

The participants tallied 53 species, well above the recent 30-year average of 46 species. The all-time high on this count was 55 species found in 1987.

The weather was slightly better than the day before on the Elizabethton CBC, but conditions remained overcast with occasional periods of mist, with colder and breezy periods.

Observers for the Roan Mountain CBC were Fred Alsop, Kevin Brooks, Cade Campbell, Rick Knight, Roy Knispel, Tom McNeil and Judi Sawyer.

The list for the Roan Mountain CBC follows:

Canada goose, 77; American black duck, 9; mallard, 1; bufflehead, 23; hooded merganser, 3; and pied-billed grebe, 2.

Great blue heron, 2; black vulture, 9; turkey vulture, 50; red-tailed hawk, 2; and American kestrel, 1.

Rock pigeon, 33; mourning dove, 42; barred Owl, 2; and belted kingfisher, 5.

Red-bellied woodpecker, 7; yellow-bellied sapsucker, 7; downy woodpecker, 6; Northern flicker, 5; and pileated woodpecker, 6.

Eastern phoebe, 11; blue jay, 41; American crow, 256; and common raven, 20.

Carolina chickadee, 61; tufted titmouse, 25; red-breasted nuthatch, 20; white-breasted nuthatch, 18; and brown creeper, 3.

Winter wren, 1; Carolina wren, 31; golden-crowned kinglet, 15; ruby-crowned kinglet, 1; Eastern bluebird, 21; hermit thrush, 3; American robin, 332; Northern mockingbird, 5; European starling, 121; cedar waxwing, 13; and yellow-rumped warbler, 1.

Eastern towhee, 3; field sparrow, 40; fox sparrow, 1; song sparrow, 116; swamp sparrow, 3; White-throated Sparrow, 5; dark-eyed junco, 150; and Northern cardinal, 48.

House finch, 34; red crossbill, 5; pine siskin, 2; American goldfinch, 31; and house sparrow, 4.
By Azernews

By Vugar Khalilov

Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov has said that Azerbaijan supports Kazakhstans sovereignty and territorial integrity, the Foreign Ministry reported on January 11.

Bayramov made the remarks at the extraordinary meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Turkic States on the recent events in Kazakhstan, the report added.

As a country enjoying deeply-rooted ethnic, religious and historic brotherhood with Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan reaffirms the crucial importance of respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity of Kazakhstan, Bayramov stressed.

He added that Azerbaijan is quite concerned about the events in Kazakhstan, which resulted in human deaths and injuries and expresses its profound sympathies to the whole Kazakh people, and wishes all those injured a swift recovery.

The minister emphasized that Azerbaijan supports the quickest possible normalization of the situation and the restoration of the rule of law in Kazakhstan. The use of illegitimate force and violence to destabilize public order and threaten citizens' fundamental human rights and freedoms can never be justified, and must be categorically opposed and rejected, he added.

We believe in the wisdom and capacity of the people and the government of Kazakhstan. We trust that the situation will be overcome and common sense will prevail without risking remarkable achievements Kazakhstan has accomplished since regaining its independence, Bayramov underlined.

Commenting on the role of the Organization of the Turkic States in the normalization of the situation in Kazakhstan, Bayramov said that the organization is based on member-state solidarity, and the member countries are obliged to stand with the Kazakh people during this difficult time.

It is within this understanding that we welcome the statement of January 6, 2022, and the expressed readiness by the Organization to assist Kazakhstan as needed, in finding a way out of the current situation. We praise it a sign of strong determination and ability of the Organization to fulfill its responsibility with regard to member-states and observers, Bayramov emphasized.

The minister noted that both bilaterally and under relevant multilateral forums, such as the Organization of Turkic States and its related entities, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan have developed outstanding strategic cooperation relations. Because of the dedication and shared vision of both nations, numerous historic regional and trans-regional initiatives have been realized, he added.

Bayramov said that Azerbaijan remains dedicated to the objective of expanding ties with Kazakhstan, which benefit not only respective countries and peoples, but also contribute considerably to regional security, stability, and cooperation.

Within the framework of the above-mentioned, we support the efforts for speedy normalization of the situation in Kazakhstan and the return to political, social and economic development in the country through the continuation of wide-range reforms for the benefit of the Kazakh people and entire region, he concluded.
Gulf Marketing Group, best known as GMG, has availed plans to open 100 stores across Egypt by 2026, as part of its expansion plans in the North African market.

The expansion will be carried out within the next five years and will include a portfolio of brands focused on personal well-being, as part of the groups new corporate strategy to promote healthier and more active lifestyle, the Dubai-based company said in a statement.

We see Egypt as a compelling gateway into North Africa. The retail landscape in Egypt is incredibly dynamic with a large youth population that is increasingly embracing healthy and active lifestyle, said Mohamed A. Baker, Deputy Chairman and CEO of GMG.

The company targets Egypt as one of the largest retail markets in the Arab world, with a population of more than 101 million.

The expansion plan in Egypt also includes exploration of e-commerce offerings with local distributors.

GMG has introduced more than 120 brands into its markets in its portfolio and presence across the Middle East, Southeast Asia and North Africa.

Last year, it made foray in Saudi Arabia and Iraq. The company looks to double its global workforce by 2025 through acquisitions, developing fresh concepts and entering new markets.
Saudi Arabia provided Tunisia $200 million in form of credit line to finance the import of Saudi oil byproducts, Tunisian Economy ministry has said.

The North African country is grappling with difficult economic situation compounded by the ongoing pandemic that has battered several sectors including tourism; the second biggest contributor of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

The government late last month adopted the 2022 budget short of around $2.8 billion. The draft puts the national budget for this year at TD47.166 billion (around $16.4 billion).

The governments resources stand at TD38.6 billion, , Zawya reports, citing a leaked document.

The Gulf country is willing to back the budget but provided that the North African country meets the demands of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a restructuring plan.

The kingdom is reportedly keen to lend Tunisia $500 million to surf economic hardship.

The North African country is also in talk with IMF for a financial facility.

Aside from the kingdom, Libya and Algeria promised to back up the Tunisian 2022 budget respectively with $500 million and $300 million. However, Algeria has reportedly backtracked on its promise, being itself engulfed in a serious economic crisis.
Cote dIvoire, where demand for new vehicles has been very high in recent years, is now a car manufacturing country. A first minibus assembly site was inaugurated with great fanfare on Monday January 10 in Abidjan.

The manufactured Iveco Daily minibuses, assembled in Abidjan, will be configured on demand as ambulances, police buses or refrigerated trucks. And the order book is already full until 2024.

The Daily Ivoire, as it is called locally, is 30% cheaper than its 100% European imported counterpart. Sixty examples are already ready to leave the warehouse of the Societe des transports abidjanais, Sotra, where they were assembled and which thus becomes a car manufacturer.

Iveco Bus and Sotra now hope to bring out and attract more and more local suppliers.

Another ambition is to export these made in Cote dIvoire minibuses to the sub-region and to attract other manufacturers such as Toyota, with whom discussions are underway.
Many people are still missing in Nigeria after the massacre of more than 100 people in the northwestern state of Zamfara. Witnesses say up to 200 villagers were murdered. An official death toll of at least 58 was reported.

More than 300 gunmen on motorcycles stormed villages in the communities of Anka and Bukkuyum in Zamfara State. They killed several residents and looted and burned many houses.

Attahiru Ahmad and Mahammad Usman are the traditional leaders of the two affected communities. Similar incidents happen often in our community. We can only rely on God Almighty. It is sad. There were 22 deaths in our community. This is the confirmed death toll, said Attahiru Ahmad.

Mahammad Usman explains that armed men came to our village today. They killed 32 people. They burned the houses of the inhabitants. Thats what happened here.

More than 10,000 people are estimated to have been displaced in attacks by armed bandits, following military air raids on their hideouts last week.

Zamfara State Governor Bello Matawale visited communities affected by the latest attacks.
(HealthDay)Americans should avoid travel to Canada due to "very high" levels of COVID-19 cases in that country, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Monday.

The agency placed Canada under a Level 4 travel health notice, which is the highest category and includes other countries such as France, Germany, Britain, Spain and South Africa.

"Because of the current situation in Canada, even fully vaccinated travelers may be at risk for getting and spreading COVID-19 variants," the CDC said in a statement.

As of Sunday, Canada had reported a daily average of 42,062 new infections, an increase of 169% over the past two weeks, according to The New York Times.

Americans who must travel to Canada should be fully vaccinated, the CDC advised. Fully vaccinated people are allowed to enter Canada, but must be tested beforehand.

Starting on Saturday, certain groups of people who were previously exempt from COVID-19 entry requirementsincluding professional athletes, truck drivers and other essential service workers, along with certain temporary foreign workerswill be allowed into Canada only if they are fully vaccinated, the Canadian government recently announced, the Times reported.

Also on Monday, the CDC placed the Caribbean island of Curacao under a Level 4 travel notice.

In December, the Canadian government advised citizens to avoid nonessential travel out of the country, regardless of vaccination status.

Explore further Americans told to avoid cruise travel, even if vaccinated

More information: Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for more on Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for more on traveling during the pandemic

Copyright  2021 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Credit: University of Texas at Arlington

When an individual suffers from cancer, the process of programmed cell death called apoptosis does not occur normally, permitting abnormal cells to thrive.

In a new study, Clay Clark, chair and professor of biology at The University of Texas at Arlington, explores the ancestry of a class of enzymes responsible for killing cells. These enzymes, known as effector caspases, provide insight into the process of cell death and how it can be manipulated in disease states.

"If drug developers want to target a cancer cell, they could activate the caspases to perform their normal function of killing cells," Clark said. "But we first need to isolate the caspases of cancer cells and not alter their activity in normal cells. The question is, how can we target the activity of the tumor cell without disturbing its healthy neighbors."

The study, "Evolution of the folding landscape of effector caspases," appears in the Journal of Biological Chemistry. In it, Clark and co-author Suman Shrestha, UTA alumnus and postdoctoral fellow at Princess Margaret Cancer Center, look to the past for answers.

Cells have had effector caspases since organisms called eukaryotes emerged more than a billion years ago. Over time, the caspases evolved from one to 12 proteins that serve various functions during cell growth and division. To understand their evolution, Clark's laboratory used a computational method called ancestral state reconstruction to recreate a 650-million-year-old protein sequence of an ascendant of caspases 3, 6 and 7.

Caspases are the central components of apoptosis. In cancerous states, cells turn off caspases and circumvent the cell death process. A goal of Clark's research is to understand how effector caspases work in healthy conditions. Once the proteins' normal function is understood, Clark's team could discover methods to activate them in disease states to destroy abnormal cells while preserving healthy ones.

By examining the ancestor's characteristics and tracing the protein's evolution into multiple members, Clark's team discovered commonalities and differences among caspases 3, 6 and 7 that could allow for the isolated activation of proteins in tumor cells without disrupting the activity of healthy cells.

Morteza Khaledi, dean of the College of Science, said the results of the study will advance humanity's battle to mitigate the effects of cancer.

"By employing the innovative methods of ancestral state reconstruction, Dr. Clark's team has discovered vital information about the essential building blocks for healthy human bodies," Khaledi said. "The knowledge uncovered in this study provides another weapon in our fight against cancer."

Explore further Bacteria can 'outsmart' programmed cell death

More information: Suman Shrestha et al, Evolution of the folding landscape of effector caspases, Journal of Biological Chemistry (2021). Journal information: Journal of Biological Chemistry Suman Shrestha et al, Evolution of the folding landscape of effector caspases,(2021). DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2021.101249
Vivek Goel. Credit: University of Waterloo

Before becoming the President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Waterloo last year, Vivek Goel supported Canada's response to the pandemic as a member of the Federal COVID-19 Immunity Task Force. He also served as scientific advisor for the CanCOVID Network, which is a national network of researchers in the areas of health, science and policy created to promote collaboration on COVID-19 research. As we face omicron, the latest variant of concern, Dr. Goel discusses the ways it has changed the pandemic, its impact on society, and what to do about it.

We hear omicron isn't as severe or as deadly as previous variants, but there has been explosive growth in hospitalization. Can you help us make sense of that?

I think it's important to think about the impact of the virus as opposed to the severity of the virus. The impact of the virus on the population is driven by a number of factors. One of them is how fast it goes from one person to the next, how transmissible it is. The second is how bad the disease hits each person it infectsthe virulence of the virusand the degree of protection each individual has from either getting the disease and/or the severity of the disease if they do get it, and that's their prior immunity.

And so, when we talk about comparing omicron to the delta variant, or the alpha variant before that, or the original wild-type variant, which was first detected in Wuhan, you can't just say: "Is it more severe or not?" because it's comparing all these different characteristics at once. And the evidence is still evolving.

What we do know is that the impact of this particular variant, the omicron variant, is less than the impact of delta at the individual level. But that is in large part because of the prior immunity that our population has. And there is some evidence to suggest that the virulence of the virusthe degree of disease that it causes in people who are infectedis also less than that of the delta variant, the one that just came immediately before. But the amount of that is still being established. There are some people who are saying that the virulence is probably still about the same as the original wild-type variant.

What is different about omicron?

Where the omicron variant clearly has as an advantage is its transmissibility. Each person it infects is going to infect many more people. And again, the numbers vary, but it's probably about at least two to three times more than delta, and two to three times delta was two to three or more times than alpha. And alpha was more than the original.

So, it's many times more transmissible than the original virus that we saw back in late 2019, and that spread around the world in the beginning of 2020, and probably causes about the same severity of disease in each person that it infects. If we can think back to the early days, when it was first appearing in Italy or New York, and we saw ICUs being overrun, if we had had this virus back then we would have had total devastation throughout the world because it is many times more transmissible but can still cause severe disease in those that don't have prior immunity.

The reason we're talking about it having less severity, or being "mild," is because since the beginning of 2020, we have started to build up population immunity, and it's built up in two ways. One, people have become infected with the disease. And we've got the vaccines, allowing people to be protected against infection to a certain degree. But more importantly, vaccines have allowed people to be protected from having really bad consequences if they do get infected.

What we're seeing with omicron is the vaccines are less protective against infection with omicron than they were for delta and the earlier variants. But they still protect against being hospitalized or needing to go into the ICU and go onto a ventilator, and they protect against death. What's happening right now is we're seeing a very rapid spread of this particular variant because the prior immunity, either from disease or from the vaccines, does not protect to the same degree against the transmission.

So we're seeing the cases in vaccinated people, but we're not seeing vaccinated people being hospitalized at the same rate, or needing intensive care, or having the unfortunate consequence of passing away. That's why we can wind up with a situation where we'll have a headline saying, "It's not as severe, it's not as deadly." That's in large part because of this prior immunity that we've built up, especially from vaccines.

What does this all mean on a larger scale?

Even if we believe it is "mild," it's still having devastating consequences for us as a society. And that's because of a couple of things. One, because it is spreading as a disease and even in vaccinated populations, it is spreading to many people all at the same time. That results in a lot of absenteeism, either because people have been infected, or because they've been exposed and they're asked to go into isolation as a result of that.

The other consequence for the health system is that because it's infecting so many people all at once, there's still going to be a certain proportion hospitalized. And even if that proportion is very small, a fraction of one percent, when you have millions of people infected at the same time, that very small percentage multiplied by that many people at the same time, results in a lot of people having to go to hospital.

The final thing I'll just say on this is we still have 10 to 15 percent of people who haven't been vaccinated or haven't had their two doses. There's a certain fraction of those that are children under five, for whom we still don't have vaccines approved, and the children five to 11, for whom the vaccine was just approved a few months ago, and so they're still in the process of getting vaccinated.

So, again, omicron spreading into that population is going to result in a higher rate of hospitalization, because even though COVID has been generally milder in children, as it starts to spread so fast, there are just going to be so many children being infected at the same time, we will start to see hospitalizations rise in that population. And then we have adults who have not been fully vaccinated. Unfortunately, what we are seeing in our hospitals right now is the vast majority of people being hospitalized and almost all the people needing to be in intensive care and having to have ventilators are the unvaccinated.

What can members of our community do?

Make sure you continue to follow public-health precautions. Over these next few weeks, we do need to hunker down and limit our daily contacts so we reduce the amount of transmission. We need to ensure we don't further overwhelm our health-care system and that we're able to maintain our essential services. Everyone needs to do their part, wearing appropriate masks, staying home if they're symptomatic or told that they're going into isolation, and getting whatever dose of vaccination they're eligible for as soon as they can.

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Cancer  Histopathologic image of colonic carcinoid. Credit: Wikipedia/CC BY-SA 3.0

In a study published in the journal Gastroenterology, researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai describe a troubling increase in early-onset colorectal cancer and precancerous polyps, based on a large, nationally representative study of patients under age 50 who underwent colonoscopy. It was the first large-scale study to look at precancerous polyps in this age group.

"We have known for many years that rates of colorectal cancer are rising in individuals younger than 50, prompting several medical organizations to recommend lowering the screening age from 50 to 45. What has been missing until now is confirmatory data of the prevalence of precancerous polyps in younger individuals. Because precancerous lesions are not reportable to regional or national health agencies, we have not had this degree of information to guide our recommendations. Our study provides an important piece of the puzzle and supports the recommendation changing the screening age to 45," says lead author Steven H. Itzkowitz, MD, FACP, FACG, AGAF, Professor of Medicine (Gastroenterology), Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. "Our findings also suggest that messaging aimed at young individuals should begin in the years leading up to this new screening age. We know that most patients do not call their doctors on their 50th birthday to schedule a colonoscopy, so we will need to be diligent to reach this much younger cohort before they turn 45," says Dr. Itzkowitz.

Increasing age, being male and white, having a family history of colorectal cancer, and having had colonoscopies for reasons of bleeding or screening, were all associated with higher odds of advanced premalignant lesions (APLs) and colorectal cancer. Among patients aged 45-49, 32 percent had neoplasia (precancerous or cancerous lesions considered forerunners to colorectal cancer). Nearly 8 percent had APLs, and 0.58 percent had colorectal cancer. Importantly, the researchers found that the prevalence of neoplasia and APL among those 45-49 were almost as high as those of 50-54-year-olds, and the rates of colorectal cancer were even higher. Moreover, among 40-44 year olds, rates of APL were almost as high as for those aged 45-49, and colorectal cancer rates were comparably high.

The study, titled "Prevalence and Predictors of Young-Onset Colorectal Neoplasia: Insights from a Nationally Representative Colonoscopy Registry," was published today.

Early-onset colorectal cancer accounts for approximately 12 percent of all colorectal cancer cases, with incidence increasing by 2.2 percent annually from 2012-2016, and mortality increasing by 1.3 percent per year from 2008-2017.

"The big driver of this study was the need for really good real-world data to inform screening recommendations," says Dr. Itzkowitz, noting that a recommendation to begin screening at age 45 was put forward by the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) for African Americans in 2009, but only more recently for all individuals regardless of race/ethnicity by the American Cancer Society (2018), the United States Preventive Services Task Force (2021), and the ACG (2021). "The data confirm what we have been seeing in the clinicthat 45 is now the new 50," says Dr. Itzkowitz. "Colon cancer used to be considered a disease of old age, and that is no longer true."

The team analyzed data collected between January 1, 2014, and February 5, 2021, from high-quality colonoscopies from 123 AMSURG (a division of Envision Healthcare) ambulatory endoscopy centers across 29 states that report their results in the GI Quality Improvement Consortium (GIQuIC) Registry. "To our knowledge, this is the largest study to date investigating the prevalence of precancerous and cancerous lesions in the colon in this age group. We studied approximately 131,000 patients ages 40-49, which represents a significant increase over previous studies which have been limited by small sample sizes, underrepresentation of several racial/ethnic groups, or came from a single institution," says first author Parth D. Trivedi, a fourth-year medical student at Icahn Mount Sinai, who helped design the study and provided statistical analysis.

"To generate a dataset that best represents the general population, we used several exclusion criteria, including colonoscopies performed for surveillance or therapeutic reasons in addition to higher-risk patients with a personal history of polyps, colorectal cancer, or a hereditary colorectal syndrome," says Mr. Trivedi. "It is also the first to provide more granular information, such as the types of lesions detected, the indication for the procedure, and demographics such as age, race, and ethnicity. This information will ultimately inform decision making by primary care doctors on whom to screen and how early."

"Many clinicians are surprised when they find a precancerous polyp in someone younger than age 45. Our data provide new insights into how common these lesions are. Our data also suggest that clinically important lesions occur about five years earlier in individuals with a family history of colorectal cancer, compared to those without a family history," says Dr. Itzkowitz. "That is why it is very important to take a good family history."

"The team's findings reiterate the importance of colorectal cancer awarenessboth among patients and clinicians," said study co-author, Jay Popp, MD, Medical Director for AMSURG, a leading provider of colonoscopies. "Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States, but it is one of the most preventable cancers. The more patients know about their bodies and risk for colorectal cancer and the more clinicians can do to help patients receive routine and timely screenings, the more lives we can save. Everyone can play a role in helping a loved one or neighbor prevent colorectal cancer."

Explore further What you need to know about polyps in your colon

More information: Parth D. Trivedi et al, Prevalence and Predictors of Young-Onset Colorectal Neoplasia: Insights from a Nationally Representative Colonoscopy Registry, Gastroenterology (2022). Journal information: Gastroenterology Parth D. Trivedi et al, Prevalence and Predictors of Young-Onset Colorectal Neoplasia: Insights from a Nationally Representative Colonoscopy Registry,(2022). DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2021.12.285
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

A new international study offers a clearer picture of the impact of COVID-19 infection and the risk of severe outcomes on young people around the world.

The study was co-led by a team of researchers from the University of Calgary's Cumming School of Medicine (CSM), Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, and University of California-Davis Medical Center. It followed more than 10,300 children at 41 emergency departments in 10 countries including Canada and the United States, Italy, Spain and Australia.

Researchers followed more than 3,200 children who visited hospital emergency departments and tested positive for COVID-19. Approximately three percent (107 total) of those diagnosed with COVID-19 experienced severe outcomes within two weeks of their visit to an emergency room. In addition, 23 percent (735 total), were hospitalized for treatment. Severe outcomes included cardiac or cardiovascular complications, such as myocarditis (inflammation of the heart), as well as neurologic, respiratory, or infectious problems. Four children died. The study was published in JAMA Network Open.

"The study sought to quantify the frequency of and risk factors for severe outcomes in children with COVID-19," says study co-lead Dr. Stephen Freedman, MD, a pediatrician and professor at the CSM. "We found that older age, having a pre-existing chronic condition and symptom duration were important risk factors for severe outcomes."

Researchers also found children deemed healthy at an initial emergency department visit rarely deteriorated significantly after the first visit.

"Fortunately, the risk of developing severe disease in children with COVID-19 discharged from the emergency department is very low," says study co-lead Dr. Todd Florin, MD, MSCE, director of Research in Emergency Medicine at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago and associate professor of Pediatrics at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. "Our findings can provide reassurance to parents and clinicians for children well enough to be managed in the community, while also providing important insights on which children may be at particular risk for severe outcomes."

Although asthma has previously been suggested as a risk factor for severe outcome, this study was not able to confirm a link. It also did not find that very young infants were at a higher risk for severe outcomes.

"With emergency departments across the world seeing an influx of patients due to the COVID-19 pandemic and stressing capacity, this study will help address the surge by providing an estimate of the risk among pediatric COVID-19 patients screened in an emergency department," said Dr. Nathan Kuppermann, MD, MPH, chair of Emergency Medicine at University of California Davis Medical Center and co-lead of the study. "It will support emergency physicians triage of pediatric patients more efficiently by knowing who has risk factors for severe outcomes and focus advanced level care to those who do."

The study occurred within the Pediatric Emergency Research Network, a global consortium of the world's major pediatric emergency care research networks. It received support from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Alberta Innovates, Alberta Health Services and the University of Calgary. It also received COVID grant funding from the University of California Davis, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago. Dr. Anna Funk, Ph.D., an epidemiologist and UCalgary postdoctoral fellow, was lead author of the study.

"There are no specific evidence-based treatments and therapies for children at this time and detailed research data describing outcomes in young people with COVID-19 has been lacking, so this study offers important insights that we believe will be helpful into front-line care providers treating children with COVID-19," adds Freedman.

More information: Anna L. Funk et al, Outcomes of SARS-CoV-2Positive Youths Tested in Emergency Departments, JAMA Network Open (2022). Journal information: JAMA Network Open Anna L. Funk et al, Outcomes of SARS-CoV-2Positive Youths Tested in Emergency Departments,(2022). DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.42322
An Israeli paramedic collects a swab sample from a child at the Magen David Adom (Red Shield of David) Covid-19 coronavirus testing centre in Jerusalem on January 11, 2022.

Israel's response to the COVID pandemic has been closely watched worldwide, notably for its rapid vaccine rollout and early decision to offer booster shots before there was broad scientific support for a third dose.

The country is now confronting an unprecedented caseload fuelled by the Omicron variant, with more than 37,000 new cases reported Tuesday, shattering previous records.

Among those infected was Foreign Minister Yair Lapid, who told public radio on Tuesday that he was in good health and isolating at home.

Despite the surge in cases, the Israeli government has so far avoided reimposing lockdowns and most other restrictions, insisting it can manage an infection wave with a peak that may still be weeks away.

What is the strategy?

Shortly after the Omicron variant was first detected in South Africa in November, Israel heavily curbed international travel.

Cyrille Cohen, a life sciences professor at Bar Ilan University near Tel Aviv, described this as "a good move", which delayed large-scale local transmission and bought time to prepare for the coming wave, including by securing COVID treatment supplies.

But he said Israel did not use this time to adequately boost testing capacity, a fact now driving public frustration.

An aerial picture shows Israelis waiting in line to be tested for COVID-19 at the Magen David Adom coronavirus testing centre in the coastal city of Tel Aviv.

With domestic transmission surging and Prime Minister Naftali Bennett forecasting between two million and four million infections in the weeks ahead, Israel concluded that travel restrictions would do little other than harm the economy.

It has both reopened its skies and allowed bars, restaurants, gyms, houses of worship and other facilities to stay open.

Cohen told AFP that Israel has effectively "transferred some of the management of this crisis from the authorities to the people", giving primary responsibility to residents to self-test and quarantine.

Bennett said Tuesday that "Israel is following three guiding principles: keep our economy open, protect the most vulnerable folks in societyeldersand to take care of our children."

"We have difficult weeks ahead, but there is no need to panic," he told reporters.

The Israeli government has so far avoided reimposing lockdowns and most other restrictions, insisting it can manage an infection wave with a peak that may still be weeks away.

What are the risks?

Hagai Levine, chairman of the Israeli Association of Public Health Physicians, told AFP that Israel's decision to "continue with normal life" will inevitably result in "many contaminations".

Levine backed the decision to avoid a fresh lockdown but said the government would face problems if it continues to announce policy adjustments on a near daily basis.

Levine said about the current strategy that "the main risk is political".

"Changing the policy continuously causes confusion and a feeling that the government is not in control, which is true, because it's not possible to be in control" of the Omicron wave, he said.

Amid concern that spreading cases and mandatory isolation would stress the labour force, especially in the healthcare system, the health ministry announced Tuesday that people who test positive will be allowed to leave quarantine after seven days, instead of 10, if they are asymptomatic.

Motorists line up for Covid tests in the Israeli coastal city of Tel Aviv.

Medical staff of the Sheba Medical Centre prepare rooms for the reopening of the dedicated children's coronavirus ward as a response to increased infections.

Fourth shot for all?

More than 80 percent of Israel's adult residents have received two coronavirus vaccine shots and more than half have also been given a booster.

Bennett said last month that Israel also intended to be a trailblazer in administering a fourth shot to combat Omicron.

Certain at-risk groups now have access to a fourth shot, even if scientific evidence on its impact remains scant.

"Israel is open to doing things based on rationale without scientific proof," Levine said.

"This is sometimes worth it - as was the case with the first and third jab, which were administered quickly and, looking back, this paid off."

Preliminary data from Israel's Sheba Medical Center indicate a significant antibody boost in those given a fourth shot.

But Cohen stressed it was too early to reach any conclusions about the import of another booster.

"I can understand the decision to allow it for people that are at risk," he said, but he added: "We don't know if it will make a difference compared to three shots."

Explore further Israeli PM says over 60s to get 4th COVID jab

 2022 AFP